I appreciate that they are no longer saying it is serious. It was serious since the end of December when I understand that our state’s governor started planning our state’s response. I wish our country had done likewise more aggressively the past few months. I am rooting for the powers that be to handle this successfully. The virus has been downplayed by the president specifically and others in his administration in certain media quite a lot when instead we should have been gearing up so we could have limited the spread and avoided the mass school closings, mass impact are are starting to have now. That’s what is frustrating. I agree that looking back and blaming isn’t helpful to fix the situation now. I am thankful the government is doing things now and hope for the best. I am frustrated people are being impacted by this and think fewer would be if we had done a better job from the very start. I do think it is time for everyone to work as one to tackle the situation.
Opps-typos above. I hope you can understand my meaning in spite of them. For one, I meant I am thankful they are no longer saying it isn’t serious.
I listened to the beginning before the channel switched to something else.
He also wrote an OpEd in NYT today if any one is interested in reading it.
South Africa announces travel restrictions to combat COVID-19, declares a national disaster
From CNN’s David McKenzie and Brent Swails in Johannesburg
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation Sunday evening to announce “urgent and drastic measures” to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic in the country.
Ramaphosa also declared a “national state of disaster” for South Africa and said the country was now dealing with internal transmission of the virus.
“There can be no half measures,” he said.
Ramaphosa announced that travel will be prohibited from the following high-risk countries: Italy; Iran; South Korea; Spain; Germany; US; United Kingdom and China starting March 18.
Existing visas from citizens of those countries will also be cancelled. Any foreigner who visited high risk countries in the past twenty days will also be denied a visa.
Effective immediately, South African citizens are also advised to refrain from all forms of travel to or through the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and other identified high-risk countries such as China, Iran and South Korea.
South African government officials are barred from international travel as well.
[ US is popping up on more countries’ travel ban lists. They realize the issue we are facing. When do we impose more restrictions domestically? This is no longer just a problem of people traveling to the US bringing the virus with them. It is clearly spreading in communities. Just closing schools isn’t enough. In my town, some are taking it seriously, some are treating it like snow days. ]
Cuomo defends not closing schools
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is defending his decision not to shut down the state’s public schools, arguing that doing so is “not that simple” since schools play an important role in providing childcare and food.
“We can’t have nurses staying home because they have to stay home and watch their child,” Cuomo said during a briefing in Albany, N.Y. He said school closings could contribute to losing access to essential workers in the city, including cops, firefighters and healthcare workers.
Cuomo also didn’t call for a mandatory shut down of the city’s restaurants and bars, but instead urged private businesses to consider work from home measures and voluntary closings. Some elected officials are pressuring the governor to close restaurants and bars, which are currently allowed to operate at half their maximum capacity. On Saturday night, many bars and restaurants across New York City were still full of people, igniting concern that the city was moving too slowly in implementing restrictions on the public.
“We could consider mandatory actions later on,” Cuomo said. He noted that by closing stores in New Jersey, it effectively sends people shopping to other areas and spreads infections even more.
“Don’t panic, don’t shut down everything,” Cuomo urged.The number of confirmed virus cases in New York has reached over 700 and three people have died. (CNBC)
[ NYS has the most cases but its also testing the most. I wouldn’t assume other places are necessarily safer. ]
Apple allows customers to skip March card payment
Apple has announced a customer assistance program for the Apple credit card in order to help people unable to make their March payment amid pressure from the coronavirus pandemic.
The program will allow people to skip this month’s payment without incurring interest charges.
“We understand that the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 situation poses unique challenges for everyone and some customers may have difficulty making their monthly payments,” the company said in a statement. “Apple Card is committed to helping you lead a healthier financial life.”
Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan — ‘We’re in a war to contain this virus’
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said the coronavirus has united the world as it tries to find a way to curb the outbreak.
“We’re in a war to contain this virus,” Moynihan said Sunday on CBS. “The interesting thing is everybody has the same common enemy across the whole world. So, it’s a question of how we do that as employers?“
Moynihan noted that Bank of America, along with other banks, is helping consumers impacted by the virus outbreak with payment deferrals on credit cards and mortgages.
“You don’t want people to be penalized” because of the virus, he added.
Kudlow says federal government may give loan guarantees to airlines
White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said the federal government may give airlines loan guarantees to weather falling demand amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“We’re talking to the airlines,” Kudlow said on CBS. “We’re going to go up to the Hill this week. we will have a number of new proposals with respect to the airlines.“
Airline stocks have tumbled in recent weeks as countries impose travel restrictions and consumers cancel plans due to the outbreak, which is also hurting other parts of the global economy.
“This is a story that will be very challenging in the short run,” Kudlow said. “But this is not a story of years. This is a story of weeks and months.”
CNBC
Top NYC official calls for city shutdown
New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer is calling for a shutdown of the city as concerns mount over the city’s relatively slow response to the virus spread.
Elected officials have raised alarms that the city is not moving quickly enough to place restrictions on places like bars and restaurants, many of which were still full of people on Saturday night. Bars and restaurants can currently stay open if they operate at half the maximum capacity.
“Only essential services should remain open. No bars, restaurants, or movie theaters,” Stringer wrote on Twitter. “And I am again calling for NYC schools to be shut down. We cannot go on with business as usual.” CNBC
US at risk of ‘Wuhan style outbreak,’ says former FDA commissioner
Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said the U.S. is at risk of a “Wuhan style outbreak” in multiple cities across the country. An outbreak of such intensity in a city like New York would “overwhelm its system,” he said during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
The coronavirus originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and killed more than 3,000 people in mainland China. Health officials say China’s coronavirus epidemic had passed its peak as cases continue to spread to other areas of the world.
“There’s ways to avert it, but that’s the risk that we face right now,” Gottlieb said, adding that the U.S. will “certainly” have tens of thousands of virus cases. He said research shows there is likely 10 - 40,000 cases currently distributed across the country.
US states turn to cash reserves as budgets strained
States across the U.S. are allocating hundreds of millions of dollars to respond to the coronavirus, even as the U.S. government prepares to send billions more their way.
Many states have built up sizable stockpiles in their “rainy day” funds during several robust years of tax collections. Some governors and state lawmakers now are tapping into those savings for emergency expenses. Others are looking to set aside even more in reserve, fearing the economic uncertainties stemming from the coronavirus could send tax revenues into a tailspin.
State and local public health agencies have been on the front lines of the response, monitoring and testing those suspected of having the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease. Costs are mounting for staff time and medical supplies.
But states also are bracing for a potential ripple effect on their revenues. The cancellation of major sporting and entertainment events could mean less tax revenue from tourists and local residents. Directives to work and study at home instead of at offices, schools and colleges could mean less revenue from fuel taxes and public transit fares.
And if some employees can’t go to work, that could put a damper on state income and withholding taxes while driving up spending for public welfare programs such as unemployment insurance and state Medicaid health care programs.
CNBC
[ Plus meal taxes, sales tax, state dividend and income taxes where applicable, etc. ]
‘This is the equivalent of a war,’ de Blasio says
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called on the U.S. federal government to “wake up” and speed up coronavirus testing capacity and work with places in the country that urgently need more supplies like ventilators, surgical masks and hand sanitizer.
“If the federal government doesn’t realize this is the equivalent of a war already, there’s no way that the states and localities can make all the adjustments we need to,” he said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “We are all on our own in so many ways.”
The mayor is under pressure to order the closure of restaurants, bars and public schools in New York City to combat the spread of the virus. Gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned, but restaurants and bars can stay open at half the maximum capacity.
Hundreds of thousands could die, Fauci warns
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Sunday that hundreds of thousands of Americans could die from the coronavirus as the number of cases is expected to rise across the U.S.
“We are clearly going to have more infections,” he said on CNN’s “Face the Nation”. “The challenge we have right now is how do we blunt that.”
“We have to be realistic and honest. Our job, our challenge is to try and make that not happen. But to think if we go about our daily lives and not worry about anything, that’s it’s not going to happen – it could happen. And it could be worse,” he said.
While the virus is overwhelmingly affecting elderly people and those with underlying health conditions, Fauci warned that younger people could get ill and spread the virus to people who are more vulnerable. He also hinted that hot spots in the U.S. should consider closing still crowded bars and restaurants.
“I would like to see a dramatic diminution of the personal interaction we see in restaurants and in bars,” he said. “There are going to be people who are young who are going to wind up getting seriously ill.”
Public health officials are urging “social distancing” to contain the spread of the virus in the U.S., as the government restricts large gatherings and travel from outside of the country.
CNBC
I don’t disagree with anything you say. And it could be that China’s later response to the virus has been so successful due to its authoritarian policies.
But that doesn’t mean that China doesn’t also have insights and strategies to offer the US. Dismissing them out of hand is a bit judgmental and unwise, IMO. I think being judgmental is in part responsible for the pickle we find ourselves in now.
Cruise passengers on two ships are quarantined
From CNN’s Melissa Alonso
Two Royal Caribbean (RCL) ships have passengers test positive for novel coronavirus while docked at international ports.
A statement from Royal Caribbean confirms two of its ships, the Silver Shadow and Silver Explorer, had guests that tested positive for coronavirus.
“Two guests aboard the Silver Shadow have been medically disembarked in Recife, Brazil, and one has tested positive for COVID-19. One guest aboard the Silver Explorer has been medically disembarked in Castro, Chile, also testing positive for the virus,” the statement said.
RCL “is in close coordination with the governments and local health authorities to determine next best steps. We have asked guests on the ships to temporarily remain in their cabins in accordance with our medical isolation protocols,” according to the statement.
Iraq has suspended all flights to and from Baghdad airport for a week as of Tuesday, the government said in a statement on Sunday.
The government imposed a curfew in the capital Baghdad over the same period earlier in the day. At least 110 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed so far in Iraq, and 10 people have died. (Guardian)
alibaba.com has a LOT of suppliers of inexpensive hospital ventilators from China. Hopefully they can crank up production and get them out to whoever needs them in new or emergency hospitals.
Time for me to finally get that LV bag. ?
Per some experts, it is not the ventilators or beds, it is the qualified personnel that could be in short supply. So keep flattening that curve, folks.
I wonder how long it takes to train a technically educated person to operate a ventilator. Not too long, I suspect. As a nearly retired scientist, I’m willing to step in.
Health care, consumer industry groups raise concerns about potential supply shortages
From CNN’s Katelyn Polantz
Over the past several days and weeks, health care and consumer industry groups and even federal agencies have sounded the alarm that the US may face major problems in keeping basic medical, food and retail supplies available during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday, the group representing food and retail companies like Clorox, Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo told the State Department and the US Trade Representative they fear other countries cutting off exports to the US, which could exacerbate the public health emergency.
The group is particularly concerned about countries restricting chemicals, ingredients and products they manufacture from getting to the US.
For instance, India, a major drug ingredient supplier, has already limited exports of medications like acetaminophen, a common painkiller used for flu-like symptoms, and Germany has banned the export of protective equipment like masks, gloves and suits used by health care professionals.
President Trump also planned to speak to grocery, food and beverage corporate leaders on Sunday about supply chain concerns, including the Consumer Brand Association’s head and major grocery chain CEOs.
US President Donald Trump held a telephone call with executives of grocery stores, the White House said on Sunday, adding that supply chains in the United States were strong and that it was unnecessary for citizens to hoard daily essentials. (Guardian)
[ I’m concerned about food supplies in the food deserts where it is already challenging. ]
Luxembourg on Sunday followed its neighbours France and Belgium in closing bars and restaurants to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said that, from midnight, bars and restaurants would be closed but grocery shops, pharmacies and other essential businesses could remain open.
He called on citizens to limit their movements to travelling to work, food shopping, medical appointments and visits to help the elderly.
The over-65s - who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 - were urged to stay at home to reduce the risk of infection.
“They must cancel their activities and limit what is not essential,” Bettel said after an emergency meeting of his government.
Swimming pools, museums, sports centres, night clubs, libraries and cinemas are also to be closed to try to stop the transmission of the virus.
The tiny Grand Duchy has reported 77 cases of the virus and one death so far.
Kate Connolly in Berlin reports that the German government has just given more information about its surprise decision to close Germany’s borders with Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, France and Luxembourg.
Interior minister Horst Seehofer said in a press conference in Berlin, the main reason for doing so, from 8am on Monday morning, was to slow down the spread of the virus, which was proving to be “fast and aggressive”.
The decision was not, as had been widely reported earlier in the day, primarily due to fears that people were driving over the border into Germany and buying up large quantities of the provisions that have been in most demand, and which are cheaper in Germany than in neighbouring countries.
There has been concern that such behaviour was in danger of causing social unrest in Germany, as people fear they will be unable to access food and other essentials for daily life in the event of the virus escalating.
But today’s decision, taken after consultation with Angela Merkel, the chancellor, and the leaders of Germany’s Länder, and announced only after discussions with the leaders of the affected countries, marked an unexpected u-turn in German policy.
For days, the health minister Jens Spahn, and Merkel, have separately insisted on several occasions that Germany had no intention of closing its borders, believing to do so would have little impact on the spread of coronavirus.
Seehofer said “We implicitly ask all citizens to stop undertaking any journeys that are not absolutely necessary.”
He added: “The situation is very serious. We must and will react to it accordingly”.
Some 5,813 people have so far been confirmed with coronavirus, according to figures on Sunday evening.
The ninth and 10th deaths of people in Germany were announced on Sunday.
The new rules would be enforced by border police, Seehofer said. Where there were personnel shortages, border crossings would be closed, he said.
German citizens and those with residency permits for Germany, will still have the right to return to Germany, and commuters who criss cross the border for work, will also be able to continue to do so, he said.
Guardian
SAS suspends most flights, cuts 90% of staff because of ‘non-existent’ demand
Scandinavian airline SAS will temporarily cut 10,000 jobs, or 90% its workforce and suspend most of its flights starting Monday because coronavirus and associated travel restrictions has rendered air travel demand “essentially non-existent.” The airline said it aims to continue flying in the next few days to allow travelers to get home.
The Senate has not yet scheduled a vote for relief bill already passed by the House
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has yet to schedule a Senate vote to pass the country’s second emergency coronavirus deal after the House passed the package early Saturday morning.
The next vote the Republican led-Senate has scheduled is over the renewal of national security surveillance law, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA. That is scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m.
“Until the FISA legislation is passed, any action on the House coronavirus legislation will take unanimous consent,” a spokesperson for McConnell told CNBC.
The Democrat-led house last week passed the second round of legislation, which was aimed at helping workers and individuals struggling to make it through the crisis. Among the provisions agreed to between and was increased unemployment insurance and paid sick leave.
Deal talks between the administration and the House went late into the night Friday, and Mnuchin said Saturday the two have agreed to issue a “technical correction” to the bill on Monday. That means the Senate does not yet have a bill to vote on.
CNBC
Today’s tally of cases in Wisconsin: 32. The five new cases are from one county, Fond du Lac County: “four of the confirmed patients contracted the virus while on an Egyptian river cruise. One patient contracted it while traveling to Wisconsin.”