E3: Coronavirus US live: Trump blames states for lack of supplies – as it happened

Just months before the coronavirus outbreak began, the administration ended a $200m early-warning program for infectious disease, the Los Angeles Times reports. The program was designed to help scientists in China and other nations monitor and respond to disease threats.

From the LA Times:

The project, launched by the U.S. Agency for International Development in 2009, identified 1,200 different viruses that had the potential to erupt into pandemics, including more than 160 novel coronaviruses. The initiative, called PREDICT, also trained and supported staff in 60 foreign laboratories — including the Wuhan lab that identified 2019-nCoV, the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Field work ceased when the funding ran out in September, and organizations that worked on the PREDICT program laid off dozens of scientists and analysts, said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a key player in the program.

Trump’s long musing about the Spanish influenza was in response to a question about 6m unemployment claims in the US. “We’re saying don’t go to work, and we’ll pay you,” he finally said, addressing the high unemployment rates. “Everything is the opposite.”

The current plant to provide between $600 and $1200 for many, but not all Americans who are unemployed is likely to help, but wouldn’t cover rent for many families.

Fact check: There are a lot of young people in prison

Trump said there are “a lot of young people in prison,” when asked about their risk of Covid-19 In fact, the US prison population has been consistently aging for the last decade. As of 2016, 12% of the prison population is 55 or older, surpassing the number of people between 18 and 24 for the first time. Here’s an article from the Marshall Project on the “greying” of US prisons.

Fact check: Spanish flu

Trump repeatedly referred to the pandemic in “1917” - he is likely referring to the Spanish Influenza outbreak, which lasted from 1918-1919. In the US, it was first identified among military personnel in the spring of 1918.

Fact check: Flatliners

Trump referred to states with “no bump” as “flatliners”, apparently arguing residents in some states have done a better job staying home than others, thereby flattening the curve.

Trump also repeatedly referred to states with fewer cases, and states where the number of cases has increased slowly as “flatliners”.

“Flatliner” is a term for patients who show no sign of a heartbeat or brain activity, meaning they are dying or have died.

Fact check: California

Donald Trump said that California is “very flat” referring to graphs showing the increase in the number of reported infections. In fact, California is one of the worst affected by the pandemic, with cases sharply increased over the past week – resulting in a very steeply curved “line” on a graph.

Related: California appears to be flattening the curve. But its testing lags behind other states

Jared Kushner denied that he was running a shadow task force, complicating the work of public health experts.

“Everything that I am doing is at the direction of the Vice President,” the president’s son-in-law said. “ I talk to the VP sometimes five times a day. I also talk to Dr. Birx and Dr. Fauci.”

Fact check: 85% of states have stay at home orders.

Trump said 85% of states have issued stay-at-home orders.

Jared Kushner’s best words, from earlier in the briefing:

Here's Jared Kushner going for the world record of most meaningless corporate buzzwords used in a single one-minute video clip pic.twitter.com/Vy1QJEhLQa

Fact check: Travel restrictions

The president touted the administration’s travel restrictions in response to criticisms that the administration was late to act on the coronavirus crisis.

The climbing rate of infection in the US compared to the rate of infections in Italy is worrying, Dr. Birx said.

“I can tell by the curve as it is today that not everyone is following the social distancing guidance,” Birx said. “We can bend our curve, but everyone has to take responsibility as Americans.”

The newly approved coronavirus tests that can provide results within 15 minutes are being sent to Indian country and rural areas, according to Dr. Birx.

A total of 18,000 tests going to be sent out, she said, to areas with limited infrastructure and ability to process tests, that are set away from big processing centers.

Fact check: Scarves are better than masks

A reporter asked whether the White House would recommend all Americans wear face masks, such as N95 respirators. In response, Trump said Americans could decide for themselves, and added: “In many cases the scarf is better, it’s thicker”.

“We don’t want people to get a false sense of security.” from masks, said Dr Deborah Birx. Masks are good for protecting others, Birx said – but they aren’t as useful for protecting yourself.

Social distancing, and maintaining a 6ft distance between yourself, washing and disinfecting hands are much better ways of keeping safe, she said.

Mike Pence said that the task force has proposed using some of the $100bn allocated to hospitals, to compensate them for caring for uninsured payments. Of course, that’s not the same as directly providing funds to uninsured families, which is what Trump mentioned.

The vice-president said that the government will “find a way” to pay for the coronavirus treatment of uninsured people, and more details are forthcoming. Simply reopening the exchanges to allow uninsured people to become insured still doesn’t seem to be under consideration.

Trump said that he’s going to get a “cash payment” to people unable to buy into the Obamacare exchanges. The White House has resisted calls to reopen the healthcare exchanges to allow uninsured Americans get health care coverage during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fact Check: The DOJ busted an N95 mask hoarder

Navarro said that the government had already cracked down on an equipment hoarder.

“By the way, the states should have been building their stockpiles,” Trump said, reiterating that the federal government is “a backup.”

States are to blame for not buying up supplies, and keeping them. “Ideally those states should have had the equipment,” he said. “We’re (the federal government) a back-up not an ordering clerk”

Trade and economic adviser, and Defense Production Act policy coordinator Peter Navarro said that the bidding on supplies that governors is due to a “black market” of bidders driving up prices. He said domestic supplies are being bought up and sent abroad.

The administration will ask the post office and customs to stop the export of PPE, Navarro said, adding that the president will be signing an executive order to that he says will crackdown on the hoarding of equipment.

Fact Check: Masks are being sent to New York City

The vice-president, Mike Pence, said the federal government is sending 200,000 N95 masks to the public health hospitals in New York City, those most stretched by the Covid-19 crisis. There are 11 such hospitals in New York. However, that need will likely fall far short of what is needed. About two weeks ago, the New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, said the city is burning through roughly 40,000 N95 masks a day, and that need could increase to 70,000 a day at the peak. Nurses on the frontlines in New York have started protesting the lack of personal protective equipment across the country, including in New York City.

Context: Supplies

Addressing why most of the airlifted supplies that arrived in New York from China earlier this week are going to the commercial market, Admiral John Polowczyk said: “That’s normally how things work.”

Fact Check: “Greatest healthcare system in the world”

In extolling Americans to stay home, the vice-president Mike Pence said America has the “greatest healthcare system in the world”.

“I’ve known you for many years, but I never knew how bad a senator you are for the state of New York until I became president,” he wrote to the Senate minority leader. “No wonder AOC and others are thinking about running against you in the primary. If they did, they would likely win,” he added, referring to progressive freshman congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez.

Schumer has been critical of the president’s response to the crisis and has called on Trump to put a military czar to oversee the production of medical equipment.

Kushner, a real estate developer with no medical expertise, has inserted himself into the federal government’s efforts to respond to the coronavirus crisis. He has become a point-person, acting as a middle between agency officials and the White House, according to reports.

The president’s son-in-law said the president asked him to “break down every barrier” to help the effort, he said. “The president wants us to think outside the box and get the best ideas to keep Americans safe.”

Trump repeated that he does not want states depending on the federal government. “We are a secondary source,” he said, adding that the federal government should be a last resort.

Of course, governors have said that they are desperate – they need to turn to their last resort.

Fact Check: Testing

Trump claimed the United States is testing more people than any country in the world, including on a per capita basis.

Trump complained about being subjected to “witch hunt after witch hunt, after witch hunt”. He blasted Congress’ efforts to maintain oversight of the administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, calling their efforts “ridiculous”.

“This is not the time for politics. Endless partisan investigations – here we go again,” he said.

The president said he has agreed to turn the Javits Center temporary hospital into a treatment center for Covid-19 patients. Previously, the center was designed to take on overflow patients

Fact Check: Obama Stimulus checks took months

Mnuchin said it took the Obama administration “months and months” to send out checks to Americans during the Great Recession.

For those Americans who don’t have the ability to get direct deposits because they don’t have a bank account, the Treasury is exploring other ways to get them money quickly, including prepaid debit cards.

The IRS is expected to make about 60m payments during the week of 13 April, for taxpayers who provided their direct deposit information while filing 2018 or 2019 taxes. But up to 80 million Americans, who haven’t provided direct deposit information, may have to wait months for paper checks unless the Treasury finds a workaround.

The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports:

The treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, says within two weeks, Americans will see direct deposit relief payments from the government. He said he doesn’t want to send paper checks, which could take longer to reach some Americans.

“This money does people no good if it takes four months to show up,” Mnuchin said.

The New York mayor, Bill DeBlasio, is the latest official to ask people to cover their mouth and nose in public with a face covering. “Use a scarf, bandana or piece of clothing,” he said. Medical-grade masks should be reserved for health workers.

Fact Check: social security

“I will always protect your Social Security, your Medicare and your Medicaid,” said Trump.

The president was tested this morning, according to the White House physician. This is the second time that Trump has reported results from a coronavirus test.

True paper statement from the White House, passed out to reporters in the briefing room just now. pic.twitter.com/K0SVhLAk1X

LIVE: Press Briefing with Coronavirus Task Force https://t.co/L80j4W1c8O

Hi, there – it’s Maanvi Singh, blogging from the west coast.

Soon, we’ll hear from Donald Trump and his coronavirus task force. The federal government is close to finalizing new guidance recommending that many or most Americans wear face masks while they’re outside, in order to slow the spread of Covid-19.

The recommendations, still being finalized Thursday, would apply at least to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus that causes Covid-19. A person familiar with the White House coronavirus task force’s discussion said officials would suggest that non-medical masks, T-shirts or bandannas be used to cover the nose and mouth when outside the home – for instance, at the grocery store or pharmacy. Medical-grade masks, particularly short-in-supply N95 masks, would be reserved for those dealing directly with the sick.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the proposed guidance before its public release.

The Guardian’s Susie Cagle reports on the latest from California:

In his daily coronavirus press conference, the California governor, Gavin Newsom, announced that he signed an executive order today that would protect residents and small businesses from having their water shut off if they are unable to pay their bill.

That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague Maanvi Singh will take over the blog for the next few hours.

Here’s where the day stands so far:

Joe Biden said he would take senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway “at her word” that Trump is open to talking to him about how to respond to the pandemic.

“I understand if he doesn’t want to take my advice, but it won’t be, ‘I told you so,’” Biden said of how he would approach the conversation.

Joe Biden criticized Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell for pushing back against demands for a fourth coronavirus package.

“The majority leader of the Senate was wrong and slow the first time around, and he’s wrong and slow this time around.” Biden said.

Joe Biden called on Trump to expand his use of the Defense Production Act to speed up the production of medical equipment.

Trump issued a statement this afternoon saying he would use the DPA to “help domestic manufacturers ... secure the supplies they need to build ventilators needed to defeat the virus.”

The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest from California:

In an effort to assist small businesses suffering from the economic blowback of the coronavirus crisis, Gavin Newsom, California’s governor, announced Thursday that the state was offering a 12-month reprieve on sales tax receipts for up to $50,000.

Joe Biden said he was working to set up a call with Trump about the US response to coronavirus.

Biden’s comments come a day after senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway suggested the Democratic frontrunner should be offering his help amid the pandemic.

The Navy is expected to relieve the commander of an aircraft carrier who raised concerns about coronavirus spreading on the ship, according to Reuters.

Officials said yesterday that most crew members aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt would be allowed to disembark and quarantine in Guam after a scathing letter from the ship’s commander was made public.

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed 1 million, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins.

The global death count passed 50,000 earlier today, with Italy and Spain accounting for nearly half of all deaths around the world.

Related: Coronavirus map of the US: latest cases state by state

Trump said he is using the Defense Production Act to ensure the production of more ventilators to fight coronavirus.

“My order to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Homeland Security will help domestic manufacturers like General Electric, Hill-Rom, Medtronic, ResMed, Royal Philips, and Vyaire Medical secure the supplies they need to build ventilators needed to defeat the virus,” Trump said in a statement.

The Trump Organization is reportedly looking to delay some of its loan payments as it struggles amid the pandemic.

The New York Times reports:

With some of its golf courses and hotels closed amid the economic lockdown, the Trump Organization has been exploring whether it can delay payments on some of its loans and other financial obligations, according to people familiar with the matter and documents reviewed by The New York Times.

Representatives of Mr. Trump’s company have recently spoken with Deutsche Bank, the president’s largest creditor, about the possibility of postponing payments on at least some of its loans from the bank.

The Congressional Budget Office expects unemployment to exceed 10 percent during the second quarter of the year.

“Gross domestic product is expected to decline by more than 7 percent during the second quarter,” the CBO said. “If that happened, the decline in the annualized growth rate reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis would be about four times larger and would exceed 28 percent.”

The Guardian’s Patrick Greenfield reports:

Two coronavirus-stricken cruise liners have been granted permission to dock in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after local officials reached an agreement with the vessels’ operators.

Commerce secretary Wilbur Ross is receiving criticism for claiming in late January that coronovirus could help the US job market.

“Every American’s heart has to go out to the victims of the coronavirus, so I don’t want to talk about a victory lap over a very unfortunate, very malignant disease,” Ross told Fox Business as China grappled with the virus.

Related: Coronavirus batters US economy as 6.65m file for unemployment last week

Some Americans may not see their checks from the stimulus package for nearly five months, according to a memo being circulated by House Democrats.

NBC News reports:

The memo, obtained by NBC News, says that Americans who have their direct deposit information on file will receive their payments in mid-April, ‘likely’ the week of April 13. The document estimates that about 60 million Americans will receive checks at that point.

About three weeks after those deposits go out, the IRS will start issuing paper checks, likely the week of May 4, according to the memo. The office that issues paper checks can process about 5 million checks per week, so it could take 20 weeks – nearly 5 months – to get them all out.

Related: How far will the $1,200 stimulus checks go for average Americans?

Joe Biden and Donald Trump criticized each other in dueling statements responding to the alarming unemployment report released earlier today.

“My heart goes out to the millions of Americans who filed for unemployment claims this week, and the millions more who worry what next week holds for them,” Biden said in a statement.

Related: Coronavirus batters US economy as 6.65m file for unemployment last week

The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest from California:

California crossed the threshold of 10,000 positive coronavirus cases on Thursday, with at least 59,000 tests still pending, according to local data.

The CDC director said Americans should prepare for coronavirus to make a return later in the year.

We may get a seasonal advantage over #COVID19 but we don’t know for sure. We need to be prepared for it to come back in the late fall/winter until we have countermeasures. More from my talk w/ @toddstarnes: https://t.co/fsiKsqzAcR.

The FDA is easing regulations on gay men giving blood as many blood banks report a dangerous drop in donations amid the pandemic.

NEW guidance from @US_FDA today on blood donor eligibility to help address the urgent need to #GiveBlood during #COVID19 without compromising the safety of the blood supply.

More: https://t.co/V8dOxjge1n pic.twitter.com/RSW2y96liP

The number of coronavirus deaths around the world has now passed 50,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins.

The number of coronavirus cases worlwide is also expected to soon reach 1 million, with more than 980,000 cases already reported.

Alexandra Villareal reports on the latest in New York City:

“The cavalry keeps coming”, says New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio as 250 ambulances and 500 EMTs and paramedics arrived from around the country thanks to reinforcements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema).

There are heroes among us!@NYCMayor visited Fort Totten in Bayside to thank New York City’s courageous EMTs and paramedics — and welcome some much needed reinforcements. From Kalamazoo to Florida, ambulances and EMS workers are arriving to support our teams and save lives. pic.twitter.com/8yAWUZpj9m

Here’s where the day stands so far:

New York governor Andrew Cuomo has just wrapped up his daily briefing on the state’s coronavirus response.

Here are some of the highlights:

Returning to Andrew Cuomo’s daily briefing, the New York governor said the state has 2,200 ventilators in its stockpile.

Cuomo said data indicates about 350 people come in to hospitals every night needing a ventilator, meaning the state is expected to run out in about six days.

The delay of the Democratic convention means the two parties’ conventions will now take place back to back.

The Democratic convention is now scheduled to take place the week of August 17 in Milwaukee, and the Republican convention is set for the week of August 24 in Charlotte.

The Democratic National Committee has confirmed the party’s nominating convention will be postponed until mid-August.

“Leadership means being able to adapt, and that’s exactly what our party is doing,” DNC chairman Tom Perez said in a statement.

The Democratic convention has been postponed until August because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.

The New York Times reports:

The Democratic National Committee on Thursday postponed its national convention because of the coronavirus, moving it from mid-July to mid-August. The delay is the largest political concession so far to the public health crisis caused by the virus, which has led to the cancellation of hundreds of state and local conventions from both parties.

The convention will still be held in Milwaukee, as planned, the week of Aug. 17, officials said, a week before Republicans plan to gather in Charlotte, N.C., to re-nominate President Trump.

CNN host Chris Cuomo, who has been diagnosed with coronavirus, appeared at New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s briefing today via video conference.

“I’m doing pretty well all things considered,” the CNN host told his brother. “This is tough. I get it now.”

New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the state only has enough ventilators in its stockpile for six days.

Cuomo noted the state released 400 ventilators to New York City last night and would distribute ventilators based on need in the weeks to come.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the state would start conducting nightly hospital-by-hospital surveys to assess what medical equipment they need.

Cuomo added that it was the “cruelest irony” the country is now dependent on China for the production of crucial medical equipment.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the number of people discharged from the hospital is “way up,” marking some rare good news since cases started to surge.

But Cuomo warned the state still needs more hospital beds to prepare for the peak of the crisis. The state is constructing temporary hospitals at places like the Javits Center and Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to add beds for coronavirus patients.

New York has confirmed 92,381 cases of coronavirus, governor Andrew Cuomo said at his daily briefing.

The state has also seen 2,373 deaths linked to the virus, up from 1,941 yesterday.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she spoke to treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin last night about a potential phase four coronavirus bill.

Pelosi has said she wants to pass another bill in response to the pandemic, which would focus on clean water, rural broadband and infrustructure, among other things.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi said the new select committee on coronavirus would have subpoena power.

Members of the committee, which will be chaired by House majority whip Jim Clyburn, will specifically look at whether government funds distributed in response to the pandemic are being spent effectively.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked during her weekly press conference whether she supported a review of the events leading up to the coronavirus crisis.

Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the House homeland security committee, has drafted a bill to form a commission in the style of the 9/11 commission to examine the government’s response to coronavirus.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi said the new select committee on coronavirus would ensure aid money goes to American families and prevent waste of funds.

Pelosi compared the panel to the Truman Committee, which rooted out waste and corruption in defense spending during World War II. The commitee ultimately saved the government millions of dollars.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the formation of select committee on the coronavirus crisis during her weekly press conference.

Pelosi said House majority whip Jim Clyburn will chair the committee, which will be made up of members from both parties.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding her weekly press conference over the phone, providing an update on the congressional response to coronavirus.

Pelosi opened the conference call by urging all the reporters listening to stay hydrated and keep washing their hands.

Michigan is closing K-12 schools for the remainder of the academic year, encouraging educators to continue virtually teaching their students.

“My No. 1 priority right now is protecting Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19,” governor Gretchen Whitmer said.

The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:

The speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives said efforts to make it easier to vote by mail in the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic would harm Republicans.

Banks are warning the $350 billion small business loan program may not be ready by Friday as scheduled.

Politico reports:

The lenders complain that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin boxed them in with an unrealistic deadline and that the ground rules they’ve been given for the program, which is intended to deliver rapid aid to a huge number of ailing businesses, could delay the assistance for weeks or longer.

The banks, which will be responsible for processing loan applications and doling out money, are expecting millions of applications from businesses. Some fear a disaster that could dwarf the failed kickoff of the Obamacare enrollment web site in 2013.

Georgia’s governor said he only learned days ago that those with coronavirus who show no symptoms can still spread the virus, an astounding claim from a state leader considering health experts have been warning about asymptomatic transmissions for weeks.

A stunning admission of deadly ignorance from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who says he only just learned that asymptomatic people can transmit #Covid19. “[I]ndividuals could have been infecting people before they ever felt bad, but we didn’t know that until the last 24 hours.” pic.twitter.com/T7NZWk2GDR

Here is a visual to help conceptualize the scale of US job losses, as covered in this morning’s unemployment claims report:

Remember that dramatic Page 1 of the @nytimes last Friday, with the enormous spike showing 3.3 million unemployment claims?

To save the Times graphics team the trouble, this is what the same page would look like with today's 6.6 million unemployment claims. pic.twitter.com/IQwZRUA13S

Related: Coronavirus continues to batter US economy with 6.65 million filing for unemployment last week

Trump is again putting the onus on states to have adequate medical supplies to deal with the pandemic, as many hospitals warn they are running dangerously low on personal protective equipment.

The president said some states “have insatiable appetites & are never satisfied.” “The complainers should ... have been stocked up and ready long before this crisis hit,” Trump wrote in a tweet.

....have been stocked up and ready long before this crisis hit. Other states are thrilled with the job we have done. Sending many Ventilators today, with thousands being built. 51 large cargo planes coming in with medical supplies. Prefer sending directly to hospitals.

LA mayor Eric Garcetti is urging all of the city’s four million residents to wear masks when they go outside, although that recommendation does not currently apply to the rest of the state.

The AP reports:

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he’s focused instead on keeping people inside. He also announced the state may need 66,000 additional hospital beds, 16,000 more than previously forecast, to handle the crush of illnesses expected during the second part of May.

At an afternoon news conference, Mayor Eric Garcetti said he had been awaiting advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on mask-wearing but with the COVID-19 rate surging had decided to wait no longer.

As the number of unemployment claims surges, Trump has turned his attention to mocking Democratic senator Chuck Schumer and criticizing New York’s response to coronavirus.

...It wouldn’t matter if you got ten times what was needed, it would never be good enough. Unlike other states, New York unfortunately got off to a late start. You should have pushed harder. Stop complaining & find out where all of these supplies are going. Cuomo working hard!

This is not the time to debate but the states were not slow to respond – the federal government was absent. https://t.co/Q8v7kWJxmM

The latest unemployment numbers paint a devastating picture of a country facing mass job losses as a pandemic kills thousands of Americans.

According to the latest report from the labor department, 6.65 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, doubling the record-setting 3.3 million figure a week earlier.

As reports emerged of long lines at unemployment offices, jammed phone lines and broken websites across the US, the federal labor department said Thursday that a new record number of people sought benefits after losing their jobs in the week ending 27 March.

Some 3.3 million had filed for unemployment the previous week, bringing total claims to 9.95 million for the two weeks. More people have filed for unemployment in the last two weeks than filed in the last six months.

Related: Coronavirus continues to batter US economy with 6.65 million filing for unemployment last week

Good morning, live blog readers!

The coronavirus pandemic has completely upended the American healthcare system, economy and presidential election, and the tumult is just beginning.

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