Pentagon prepares to deploy two active duty Army mobile hospital units
From CNN’s Barbara Starr
Two active duty Army mobile hospital units have received "prepare to deploy” orders, according to Army Chief of Staff General James McConville.
This type of order is an early signal to military units to be ready to deploy, although final orders could still change. The units would be sent to still-to-be determined areas where additional medical beds are needed to treat non-infectious patients, so civilian hospitals can focus on those with coronavirus.
The units receiving the orders are the 47th Combat Support Hospital based at Joint-Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state which has seen a significant virus outbreak, and the 586th Field Hospital at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Both units typically deploy with hundreds of troops, including full surgical and trauma care capability.
In recent years these types of units have made repeated deployments to warzones. It’s not clear yet, if these units deploy, what types of manning levels and medical expertise they will utilize. The Pentagon has said as they deploy medical units it wants to ensure military bases still have sufficient medical care, and if reservists are called up that local communities are not impacted.
South Carolina governor asks hospitals to restrict visitors
From CNN’s Dave Alsup
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is asking hospitals and medical facilities to restrict visitations except for end-of-life patients.
He went to say that visitors are asking for gowns, gloves and masks.
There are at least 81 cases of coronavirus in South Carolina, according to the state’s epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell.
McConnell introduces sweeping $1 trillion emergency aid proposal
From CNN’s Phil Mattingly and Manu Raju
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell just introduced a sweeping, $1 trillion emergency economic aid proposal in response to coronavirus pandemic.
The proposal would include direct payments to Americans under a certain income threshold, $200 billion in loans to airlines and distressed industry sectors, and $300 in forgivable bridge loans for small businesses.
The proposal, a draft of which was obtained by CNN, underscores the scale of the economic crisis now facing individuals and businesses across the country amid the accelerating pandemic and addresses bolstering health care resources, student loans and aid, business tax provisions and temporary authority.
The proposal, however, is just an opening bid as the Senate attempts to address the coronavirus outbreak. It was drafted by Senate Republicans and the Trump administration, with no input from Democrats.
At the heart of the proposal is hundreds of billions of dollars directed toward “recovery rebates” of up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for couples beneath a certain income threshold.
The proposal also includes $300 billion to be used for loans to small businesses, however structured, as well as private nonprivate organizations.
The program would be structured so businesses could take out loans from banks and lenders that would be guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. Those loans must be used, according to the proposal, for to pay salaries, mortgage payments, other debt obligations and payroll support including paid sick, medical and family leave, as well as health care benefits.
More via Gaurdian:
A few more details from the Republican stimulus package:
The financial relief will come to eligible individuals as tax rebates.
The rebates will be $1200 per individual, plus $500 per child.
Those with a tax liability under $1,200 for tax year 2018 will get smaller checks, but at a minimum $600 [ don’t get this ]
Those diagnosed with Covid-19 or those who suffer “adverse financial consequences” due to it, can tap into their 401(k)s and IRAs without a penalty
Taxpayers get up $300 in charitable deductions for 2020
[some of this seems like small potatoes ]
