Coronavirus in the US

Parent Cafe
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Florida braces for presidential primary amid a health pandemic
From CNN’s Kelly Mena

With only days until its presidential primary, Florida — known for its large senior citizen population — is bracing for an election day amid a health pandemic.

Since the novel coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic on Wednesday, state election officials have made a number of changes, from relocating polling sites to encouraging more early voting, to protect the health of the state’s 4 million people who are over the age of 65 and represent one-fifth of the total population of the state…

“Our recommendation would be if there’s a polling location in assisted living facility, allow the residents to vote there,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference on Wednesday. “But maybe the general public should have the option or be directed to go to a different polling location.”

Some of the changes being implemented by election officials across the state include relocating polling sites away from assisted living senior communities.

Federal judge blocks Trump rule that could have cut food stamps amid coronavirus pandemic
From CNN’s Veronica Stracqualursi and Tami Luhby

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration federal rule from going into effect next month that could have seen nearly 700,000 people lose access to food stamps, noting in part a need for flexibility as state and federal officials work to address nutritional needs during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Especially now, as a global pandemic poses widespread health risks, guaranteeing that government officials at both the federal and state levels have flexibility to address the nutritional needs of residents and ensure their well-being through programs like SNAP, is essential,” Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the US District Court in Washington, DC, wrote as part of her opinion issued Friday.

Some context: In an order handed down Friday, the Howell granted a preliminary injunction and a stay on portions of a federal rule from the US Department of Agriculture.

The rule, announced in December, would require more food stamp recipients to work in order to receive benefits by limiting states’ ability to waive existing work mandates.

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@romanigypsyeyes unless I read it wrong…the sick leave guaranteed pay is for those diagnosed with Covid19…and they have to work for companies with less than 500 employees or are not obligated to pay.

IIRC, you said Mr. R was not diagnosed with Covid19…

Did I misread this legislation passed by the house?

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If one can find a flight. Its a bit far to swim.

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“That fact alone raises questions of how the court should handle upcoming arguments in a chamber that holds about 500 people and it highlights the fact that the court does not allow same day audio much less cameras in the court room.”

This seems like a non issue. Lawyers and team in court. A few select members of press. Would be 50 people or less. All quite spread out. Not a big deal.

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Wisconsin Supreme Court’s response:

As a precautionary measure in light of a declared state health emergency due to COVID-19 coronavirus, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack today issued an order limiting attendance at the Court’s March 18 and March 30 oral arguments.

Attendance on those dates will be limited to the Justices of the Supreme Court, attorneys who will argue the scheduled cases, Capitol Police, the Supreme Court Marshal, and a camera operator for WisconsinEye public affairs network.

WisconsinEye provides live coverage of arguments, and people are encouraged to view arguments on WisconsinEye to reduce person-to-person contact in the Supreme Court Hearing Room at the Capitol. Audio of oral arguments is also streamed live on the court system’s website, wicourts.gov.

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Pence attempts to clarify details of Google website rollout
From CNN’s Jason Hoffman

Vice President Pence attempted to clarify when the Google website on the coronavirus, which was announced at yesterday’s Rose Garden press conference, would be widely available.

At a White House briefing Saturday, Pence said Google is planning to launch the website on Monday, but added that launch will only be available in the San Francisco Bay Area. He said the goal is to expand that site to other areas of the country.

CNN’s Jake Tapper reports that California leaders were stunned Friday to see their graphic for a modest pilot program the state has been working on developing with Google’s parent company Alphabet presented by the White House as if it were a Trump administration program that was a nationwide initiative and ready to go according to a knowledgeable source.

Google said Friday night the company will not be publishing a national-scale website for coronavirus testing anytime soon, contrary to claims made by President Trump during the Friday Rose Garden briefing.

Royal Caribbean Cruises suspending all sailings globally at midnight
From CNN’s Hollie Silverman

Royal Caribbean Cruises will suspend all sailings globally at midnight tonight, a statement from the cruise line said.

All current sailings will end as scheduled and service is expected to resume April 11, the statement said.

The cruise line announced Friday that it was suspending sailings in the US from March 14 until April 10.

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Just saw this in my local paper:

“Barred from court: New Rochelle residents and those who have spent time there recently are now barred from federal court facilities in Connecticut amid fears of the spreading coronavirus.

The order on Wednesday from U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill added the city to a list of five countries — China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea — that have been Covid19 hotspots”

I’m not a Federal Judge, but I’m pretty sure this order is unconstitutional.

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“This does not apply to US Citizens.”
@doschicos -
he can’t get here if the AIRLINES that fly to the US cancel flights, as British Airways has done repeatedly in the last 2 weeks, and is highly likely to continue to occur over the next few months.
Or do you suggest he swim across the Atlantic?

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Connecting flights through other countries. Not convenient but possible. Or come home really soon in case there is more shutdown which is entirely possible. People ARE getting back from Schengen countries, after all.

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”

And who’s trying to get thread this shut down ? And people losing jobs and income is a “lighter” note.

Can we just stop. Please.

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"Connecting flights through other countries. Not convenient but possible. Or come home really soon in case there is more shutdown which is entirely possible.

@doschicos , please stop making unnecessary suggestions . DS is 31 years old and has a PhD from Caltech. I"m leaving all travel decisions in his hands.

back to our original programming…

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@thumper1 the PTO - 2 weeks - includes possible cases. Only the 3 month one was for specifically COVID related things - including a diagnosis.

Since we were under care for COVID related symptoms with an order to stay home and quarantined, he’d qualify.

quote IN GENERAL.—An employer shall provide to each employee employed by the employer paid sick time for any of the following uses:
(1) To self-isolate because the employee is diag- nosed with coronavirus.
(2) To obtain a medical diagnosis or care if such employee is experiencing the symptoms of coronavirus.
(3) To comply with a recommendation or order by a public official with jurisdiction or a health care provider on the basis that the physical presence of the employee on the job would jeopardize the health of others because of—

[/quote]

If you look up the bill, it’s on page 46 onward.

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SPAIN - 1,081 new cases totaling 6,313 and 60 new deaths totaling 193.

Spain’s government failed to agree on Saturday on a new package of economic and social measures to mitigate the impact of the fight against the coronavirus, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters.

With schools shut across Spain and a first package of economic steps announced on Thursday, the government was expected to go further on Saturday.

The source said ministers disagreed in a seven hour cabinet meeting on Saturday on what the new measures should be. The source added that the government would aim to agree on them on Tuesday.

Prime minister Pedro Sanchez is due to announce emergency measures including the shutting down of most shops in a news conference scheduled for 8pm local time.

FRANCE - 838 new cases totaling 4,499 and 12 new deaths totaling 91.

**France to close nonessential stores, including restaurants and cafes, due to coronavirus

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Seriously, intelligent people should be able to figure out the travel details. The borders are not closed. People travelled without direct nonstop flights just fine. Buses, trains, and cars are still crossing the border from Canada and Mexico.

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Then stop making panicky comments like swimming across the Atlantic Ocean and acting like there aren’t options available. I’ll assume you are stressed out and forgive your attack on me.

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"Then stop making panicky comments like swimming across the Atlantic Ocean. "
wow… just wow.
@doschicos - It was a JOKE!!
and when did you decide that you can dictate what others on this thread should say?
lighten up, please…

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@privatebanker I find it easy to ignore the political references (on both sides) and I suggest you try to as well. They are peripheral to the main focus of the thread. I find repeatedly asking people to stop posting is distracting from what I want to read, which is news about the coronavirus.

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There should be some concern about rerouting all these travel plans. People who have to make multiple connections are more likely to be infected (or infecting other people if they’re already infected).

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Trump says some domestic travel restrictions under consideration
From CNN’s Kevin Liptak, Kristen Holmes and Betsy Klein

President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence said today that the administration is considering some domestic travel restrictions, specifically with regards to certain areas hard hit with the coronavirus.

Trump did not provide any specifics or a possible timeframe.

“We’re working with the states, and we’re considering other restrictions,” Trump told reporters during a White House news briefing without providing any specifics or a possible timeframe.

“We are considering a broad range of measures,” Pence added during the briefing.

There have been internal discussions about restricting travel to areas in Washington state and other places considered “hot spots” for the virus. It’s unclear how far along they are in implementing them, people familiar with the matter told CNN.

There are preliminary conversations about halting some air or train travel between some major US cities as a potential additional step going forward.

Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and Department of Transportation officials have discussed possibilities with the coronavirus task force, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Some flights have already slowed to those places and there’s an expectation that if other hotspots pop up, flights would similarly slow down due to lack of demand, which might mean they don’t need to put formal restrictions in place.

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quote To comply with a recommendation or order by … a health care provider on the basis that the physical presence of the employee on the job would jeopardize the health of others because of—

[/quote]

There are sure to be lots of helpful health care providers.