Coronavirus in the US

Parent Cafe
9181

Delaware announces ‘stay-at-home’ order that will last into May
From CNN’s Laura James

Delaware Gov. John Carney issued a statewide “stay-at-home” order that will go into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday and will remain in effect until May 15 or until the “public health threat is eliminated.”

The order advises residents to stay at home whenever possible and closing all nonessential businesses due to coronavirus concerns, according to a press release from his office.

“This was not an easy decision, but it’s the right decision to protect the safety of Delawareans and Delaware families,” Carney said. “If you have any questions about whether you should be staying home or going out, stay home. Go to work, and go straight back home. If you don’t need food or other essential items, stay home.”
Delaware residents may leave their home for essential activities, such as getting groceries, picking up a prescription, seeing a doctor and engaging “in other activities essential to their health, and the health and well-being of their family members, including pets,” Carney said.

“Delawareans may also engage in outdoor activity, but must adhere to social distancing guidelines,” Carney said.

9182

Five GOP senators are self-quarantining after Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul tests positive
From CNN’s Ted Barret and Clare Foran

There are now five Republican senators in self-quarantine or isolation – Sens. Rand Paul (who has tested positive for coronavirus), Mike Lee, Mitt Romney, Cory Gardner and Rick Scott.

That means that the 53-47 GOP majority is now reduced to 48-47. A stimulus bill will need 60 votes to pass in the Senate, meaning it will have to have substantial bipartisan support to get to 60.

9183

As a certain point, testing no longer becomes relevant, except for healthcare providers and other critical positions. NYC has reached that point. Unless you are critically ill, behave as though you have COVID 19, and if you don’t think that you have it, behave as though everybody else has it.

The problem is that idiots, narcissists, and psychopaths kill other people more often than they kill themselves. They are more likely to engage in behavior that gets them infected, and more likely to engage in behavior than infects others. Whether it is the religious leader spraying saltwater into people’s to “protect” them from the virus, televangelists who sell useless cures and preventatives, morons who go out drinking or partying on the beach because they don’t care if they get COVID 19 and then infect other people, political leaders who leave beaches and bars open, because they are worried about how an economic downturn will affect their chances of election, or many other things we’ve seen.

Before this, avoiding these type of people was needed for one’s mental and emotional health. Nowadays, avoiding them will protect one’s physical health.

9184

@“Cardinal Fang” thank you so much for the info on ties for masks! I found the description a bit confusing :slight_smile: but I’m going to print it and read with fabric in front of me.

9185

Maybe I’m just expecting too much, or not paying close enough attention, but does anyone else feel like
a) there’s no real plan, and
b) no one’s really in charge
?

9186

Many, although not all, governors are making plans and doing what they can legally do to take action within their states. I’m reassured by that.

9187

@ThisNameNotTaken guess you’re watching the press conference. I feel like I’m watching a Charlie Brown cartoon. Wawawawawawawwawa. Ugh!!! Can’t they focus on what needs to be said and say that? No need to repeat anything we already know. Just give us the new facts and end it.

Stop thanking the American people and saying everyone is cooperating!

9188

Apologies if this has been discussed, but I haven’t checked in a while:

How long do you think people will tolerate this lockdown living?
I am seeing dates now pushing into May and out to September?

What are your thoughts? Would it come to a point that people would rather take their chances with the virus vs. staying locked in for months.

9189

I live in NH, which currently has 65 cases. About 5 miles from my house is Middlesex County, Mass, which had about 200 last time I checked. Mass seems to be doing a good job with this, but it’s clear to me that borders are irrelevant.

Are the feds really doing anything except holding press conferences? It seems like they should be.

@homerdog I don’t watch the press conferences, but I try to read about them after.

I’m waiting for the finger pointing to start.

9190

Unless you’re a resident of a state that has outsized money and or political influence (or which happens to house a disproportionate number of manufacturers/processors of essential healthcare equipment) when compared to its population, you shouldn’t be. You should be concerned that your state may be one of the ones left to dangle as others grab what they can since there’s no national plan, agreement or even discussion of how to best direct the resources.

Right now, the way scarce resources - from tests to materials necessary to perform tests to PPE to ventilators to military assistance - in the US are being allocated is to the influential and highest bidder.

I’m crossing my fingers you don’t live in West Virginia.

9191

Depending on how much death we see… if people see tens of thousands dying, including healthcare providers, and realize their lives may be at stake, they will stay in. And if not, the national guard may be deployed to ensure that they do. Martial law can be declared. There are all kinds of ways to persuade people to obey the law. Just ask China.

9192

@thumper1 :

Hmm, no. All the residents need everyday services just like any where else. We need laundromats, delivery services, grocery stores, transportation, residential services (garbage collection, delivery, cleaning)…and they all require employees coming from different parts of tri-states.

Banks are considered to be a critical service, so D1 will be going into work in their Brooklyn office.
If you check what are considered critical services for NY, the list is quite long.

9193

“It is no one’s fault that someone is elderly or has preexisting conditions. It is moral to require the highest sacrifices from those who will benefit the most.”

Sorry, but you ARE suggesting that the elderly and/ or those who have pre-existing conditions ARE at fault and therefore should be penalized for being who they are.

Those who would benefit the most, in this scenario, are those who are the LEAST likely to suffer the ill effects of the virus.

Your suggestion is selfish , and smacks of someone trying to play God.
disgusting.

9194

3 p.m. Trump promises Major Disaster Declaration to California: Just minutes after Gov. Gavin Newsom requested a Major Disaster Declaration, President Donald Trump promised the assistance to California. The declarations have already been approved in New York and Washington. “We’re working on getting that done really quickly. Maybe tonight,” said Trump, regarding Newsom’s request.
That is good news.

3 p.m. Harvey Weinstein reportedly tests positive for COVID-19: Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for COVID-19 while in prison for rape and sexual assault, the CNHI media group reported. Weinstein is being isolated at Wende Correctional Facility in Western New York and is one of two inmates at the facility who have tested positive, according to CNHI. Officials told CNHI that Weinstein likely had the virus when he was transferred from Rikers Island last week. Weinstein, 68, is serving a 23-year prison sentence for rape and sexual assault. (Source: Niagara Gazette)
I doubt too many will be sad about this.

9195

Just saying that some governors (such as mine, Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin) are trying to do what they can to stem the pandemic. I am very concerned for people in other states and around the world nonetheless.

9196

Procedural Senate vote fails to move ahead with stimulus amid Democratic opposition
From CNN’s Clare Foran and Ted Barrett

A key procedural vote to advance a massive stimulus package failed Sunday afternoon as Senate Democrats lined up against it.

The vote was 47-47. Lawmakers needed to clear a 60-vote threshold to succeed.

Democrats have been expressing concerns over the legislation as it stands throughout the day as talks continue and the vote, originally set for 3 p.m. ET, was delayed until 6 p.m. as Democrats dug in against it and to allow for more time for negotiations.

A final bipartisan deal to respond to the devastating toll the spread of coronavirus has not yet been reached, but talks are expected to continue.

Senators were voting instead on a shell bill that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is using as a placeholder until a final deal is reached.

[ I haven’t seen what the latest rendition is but if it is what was initially rolled out, I found it lacking in providing support to those most in need. ]

9197

Federal disaster declaration issued for Washington
From CNN’s Sara Sidner and Leslie Perrot

The White House approved a request by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee for a federal disaster declaration Sunday, Inslee said in a tweet Sunday.

Inslee asked for the declaration in a letter to President Trump Friday to unlock a host of additional federal assistance programs for Washington residents affected by coronavirus, according to a statement from Inslee’s office.

“We appreciate that the federal government has recognized the severity of the public health emergency in Washington state by declaring a major disaster and taking the first step toward additional assistance for Washingtonians,” Inslee said. “However, today’s declaration does not unlock many forms of federal assistance we have requested to help workers and families who are badly hurting. We will continue working with our federal partners to deliver the full suite of disaster assistance that is sorely needed in our state, such as expanded unemployment benefits for workers who lose their paychecks as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.”

The declaration grants the state’s request for assistance with crisis counseling and training to address the impact of the outbreak on the mental health of affected Washingtonians, Inslee’s statement read. Other disaster assistance programs requested in Inslee’s letter remain under review by the White House, the statement read, including expanded unemployment assistance and basic food benefits.

[ Same for NY. CA has requested the same. ]

9198

At least 254,000 Americans have been tested for coronavirus
From CNN’s Jason Hoffman

At least 254,000 Americans have so far been tested and received results for coronavirus and more than 30,000 have tested positive, Vice President Mike Pence said.

Pence noted that those numbers do not include local hospitals or private labs that have conducted tests.

The Vice President said that commercial labs should be caught up in the backlog of testing by the middle of the week. Commercial labs should prioritize inpatient testing, and new guidance will be sent on that tomorrow, Pence said.

This is the most explicit figure given by the administration about the actual numbers of persons tested versus the number of tests conducted. Each person would have at least a couple of tests.

New Orleans police create special team to investigate illegal gatherings
From CNN’s Hollie Silverman

The New Orleans Police Department created a special team of officers to investigate illegal gatherings, a tweet from the department said Sunday.

NOPD
@NOPDNews
The NOPD has put together a special team of officers to investigate illegal gatherings reported to 3-1-1. The team is working with the city’s Safety and Permits Department. Businesses found in violation risk losing their license to operate in the city of New Orleans.

NOPD
@NOPDNews
The NOPD will be taking more incident reports by phone when appropriate in order to improve social distancing between officers and citizens to help slow the spread of COVID-19. However, if a citizen prefers an officer on scene, one will be dispatched.

The team will work with the city’s Safety and Permits Department and respond to any reports of gatherings reported to 311, the tweet said. Any businesses found to violate the city’s order on gatherings may lose their license to operate within the city of New Orleans, according to the tweet.

Businesses could lose their licenses permanently if they do not adhere to orders from the city to close, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said.

Another tweet from the department said it would take more incident reports by phone when appropriate to improve social distancing between officers and citizens.

If a citizen prefers an in-person response, an officer will be dispatched, the tweet said

9199

At least 8 states have issued stay-at-home orders
From CNN’s Jamiel Lynch

The following states, in order of population, have issued stay-at-home orders:

California - 39.5 million – started Thursday
New York - 19.5 million - effective Sunday evening
Illinois - 12.7 million – started 5 p.m. Saturday
Ohio - 11.6 million – effective 11:59 p.m. Monday
New Jersey - 8.9 million – started 9 p.m. Saturday
Louisiana - 4.6 million – effective 5 p.m. Monday
Connecticut – 3.5 million – effective 8 p.m. Monday
Delaware – 967,171 – effective Tuesday 8 a.m.
(Population numbers based on 2018 Census estimates)

9200

A deluge of visitors this weekend, many not practicing recommended coronavirus “social distancing” practices and parking illegally after finding full lots, is forcing Bay Area officials to close popular areas and consider shutdowns.

“Visitation is insane,” said Bob Doyle, general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District. “In my 45 years of park work, I’ve never seen these type of crowds, not ever. People are desperate to get outside.

“This is a health emergency. We might be forced to start closing some parks.”

The biggest problem, Doyle said, is that friends are arriving separately, filling parking lots, then gathering in groups of 8-12 and turning a walk into a social event. A tour of 22 trailheads and parks on Saturday revealed packed parking lots, illegally parked cars, blocked gates and access roads, and restrooms closed after visitors stole the toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

selfish idiots…