McConnell rejected the idea of remote voting last week. Although now with 5 members of his own party out, he’s probably reconsidering.
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/488073-mcconnell-rejects-remote-voting
Small business owners. A big part of the bill is direct aid to small businesses. SBA infusions and other mechanisms for entire payroll to be covered for up to what was 8 weeks. They want to make sure that in addition to direct cash and extended unemployment there are actual jobs and companies left to go back to when this ends.
The president also said no stock buyback or executive comp.
The issue is always how to get the money out with fraud and abuse. How do I verify your payroll and send you check. They’re working on it.
Please put pressure of your congressional delegation to vote yes. They can go back and do more. They need to stabilize markets. I’m telling you it’s very serious and the flight to cash and lending seizing up means bank runs. It’s game over. From a really bad virus. If that happens the deaths for the cure will be more than the virus ever imagined. Please pray that doesn’t happen
And who gives a blank if pelosi is more powerful than McConnell. Those games need to end for all our sakes. Please call and tell them to do their jobs.
We need this stimulus passed. Immediately. I’m really not joking.
Thisnamenottaken Maybe I’m just expecting too much, or not paying close enough attention, but does anyone else feel like
At this very moment Dr. Fauci is very thoroughly explaining the plan/actions past/present and future on the Mark Levin program.
A quick and dirty way to do it would be to allow the max loan/grant to equal 2/3 the most recent 941 filing for the business. Businesses who have payroll have to file a 941 quarterly to report on the payroll taxes paid and owed. The 941 shows approx 12 weeks (a quarter) of payroll totals, so if you want a good, quick estimate of 8 weeks of payroll, 8/12 = 2/3 of the amount on line 2 - total payroll. Both business and IRS/government already have copies of the 941 for the quarter ended 12/31/19, or they could make it prospective and base it on the 941 businesses will have to file by 3/31/20, which would be the latest payroll.
That’s a good idea.
Saudi Arabia orders daily curfew
From CNN’s Mohammed Tawfeeq
Saudi Arabia has ordered a daily curfew between 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time beginning Monday, according to Saudi state-run SPA news.
The curfew is scheduled to last for 21 days and came directly from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, SPA said in its report.
Security, health, water, electricity, trash collection and media sectors are excluded from the curfew, according to SPA.
Saudi Arabia says it is taking these measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
Olympic gold medalist with coronavirus says its ‘by far the worst virus I have ever endured’
From CNN’s Jill Martin
Retired South African swimmer Cameron van der Burgh, the 2012 Olympic 100-meter breaststroke champion, says he has coronavirus.
In a series of tweets on Sunday, the 31-year-old discussed dealing with the illness, calling it “by far the worst virus I have ever endured.”
Cameron van der Burgh
@Cameronvdburgh
· 4h
1/ Some personal thoughts/observations for athletes health,The summer games & my own experience with contracting Covid19.
Cameron van der Burgh
@Cameronvdburgh
2/ I have been struggling with Covid-19 for 14 days today. By far the worst virus I have ever endured despite being a healthy individual with strong lungs(no smoking/sport), living a healthy lifestyle and being young (least at risk demographic)
Cameron van der Burgh
@Cameronvdburgh
· 4h
Replying to @Cameronvdburgh
3/ Although the most severe symptoms(extreme fever) have eased, I am still struggling with serious fatigue and a residual cough that I can’t shake. Any physical activity like walking leaves me exhausted for hours.
Cameron van der Burgh
@Cameronvdburgh
4/ The loss in body conditioning has been immense and can only feel for the athletes that contract Covid-19 as they will suffer a great loss of current conditioning through the last training cycle. Infection closer to competition being the worst.
Cameron van der Burgh
@Cameronvdburgh
· 4h
Replying to @Cameronvdburgh
5/ Athletes will continue to train as there is no clarification re summer Games and thus are exposing themselves to unnecessary risk - and those that do contract will try rush back to training most likely enhancing/extending the damage/recovery time.
Cameron van der Burgh
@Cameronvdburgh
6/ Please, look after yourself everyone! Health comes first - COVID-19 is no joke!
Van der Burgh retired from swimming in 2018.
The International Olympic Committee’s executive board said Sunday it is considering postponing – but not canceling – this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo because of the coronavirus pandemic.
President Trump approves California disaster declaration
From CNN’s Jason Hoffman
President Donald Trump approved California’s request for a disaster declaration Sunday, according to a White House news release.
The declaration means the state can receive federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts to areas affected by the coronavirus outbreak, the release said. It also provides federal funding for crisis counseling for all those affected in California.
President Trump says he is considering an executive order freeing elderly nonviolent federal prisoners
From CNN’s Nicky Robertson
President Donald Trump said Sunday he is considering an executive order to free elderly “totally nonviolent” federal prisoners.
“We have been asked about that, and we’re going to take a look at it. It’s a bit of a problem. But when we talk about totally nonviolent, we’re talking about these are totally nonviolent prisoners, we’re actually looking at that, yes,” Trump told reporters at a White House news conference.
Several states, including California, New York, Ohio and Texas, and New York City have started releasing low-level offenders as well as those who are elderly or sick because of the virus.
[ Just do it already. ]
New Zealand to move to lockdown in 48 hours
Charlotte Graham-McLay
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern just announced the country would move to a higher alert level – a three out of four – for the next 48 hours before the highest level of four is deployed, essentially shutting down the country.
All non-essential businesses are to close, schools will be closed from tomorrow, and domestic travel restrictions will be in place. The level four restrictions will be in place for at least four weeks.
Supermarkets, pharmacies and essential medical services will stay open.
“We are all now preparing as a nation to go into self-isolation,” Ardern said.
“Staying at home is essential.”
“I do not underestimate what I am asking New Zealanders to do. It is huge,” Ardern said of the decision to put the country into self isolation and close non-essential services.
“The worst-case scenario is simply intolerable, it would represent the greatest loss of New Zealanders’ lives in our history and I will not take that chance.”
She said it was important that New Zealanders followed the rules by going to the park to see a friend or to have lunch with a family member.
Ardern said she had no doubt that the measures would cause “unprecedented economic and social disruption, but they are necessary”.
Her final message to people was: “Be kind, I understand that people will want to act as enforcers, I understand that; people are anxious.”
But she said the government would act as the enforcer of these measures.
She encouraged people to go home tonight, to check on their neighbours, to set up a phone tree with their street to check their wellbeing.
Just to summarise the latest from New Zealand now, where prime minister Jacinda Ardern has just concluded a press conference announcing that the country should prepare to go into self isolation. Ardern said:
Medical modelling suggests that without the measures announced today, tens of thousands of people in the country will die.
The country will move to a higher alert level – a three out of four – for the next 48 hours before the highest level of four is deployed, essentially shutting down the country.
All non-essential businesses are to close, schools will be closed from tomorrow, and domestic travel restrictions will be in place.
The level four restrictions will be in place for at least four weeks.
Supermarkets, pharmacies and essential medical services will stay open.
And news from earlier today:
There were 36 new cases of coronavirus registered by 8am this morning.
The New Zealand opposition party suspended all election campaigning amidst the coronavirus crisis.
Guardian
Italy is requesting US military support for coronavirus battle
From CNN’s Ryan Browne
The government of Italy has made a direct appeal to Defense Secretary Mark Esper for US military aid in combating coronavirus, according to a US defense official.
Specifically, Italy’s defense minister has asked Esper for critical medical equipment like masks and ventilators as Italy has nearly 60,000 confirmed cases and has had more than 5,000 deaths. The Italian government has requested that US military personnel stationed in Italy assist Italian authorities by providing medical personnel and field hospitals in support of Italian troops already responding to the crisis there.
Esper recently made the Defense Department’s stockpile of masks and ventilators available to civilian hospitals in the US to help respond to the pandemic. The military has activated units capable of constructing field hospitals to help relieve the burden on civilian hospitals.
The Italian plea for assistance from its NATO ally comes as the Russian military has made a very public effort to provide the Italians with assistance, using military aircraft to fly in medical personnel and equipment.
RE: The behavior of Congressional reps - using the gym and holding meetings:
They have more info alright. And part of that info is they will be first in line for tests and first in line for treatment. That would make one a bit more careless.
First in line for treatment? I don’t think that’s why Congresspeople are rashly putting themselves in danger. Because, y’know, if your COVID-19 case is bad enough that you need “treatment” you’re in a lot of trouble and a lot of danger. I mean, like, yay, we’ll intubate you right away and stick you in a ventilator? Most people who leave a ventilator leave it in a pine box or with significant, lasting deficits, both physical and cognitive. You do NOT want to be in a ventilator, and you do NOT want to be in the hospital with coronavirus even if you’re not on a ventilator. And there is nothing anyone can do as “treatment” other than what is done in a hospital.
I think it’s that they, somehow, think they’re invulnerable. Even before Rand Paul was diagnosed with COVID, they knew they’d been exposed. It’s just a matter of time before a member of Congress dies of COVID.
We’ll see how “first in line for treatment” works out for Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah). He has been hospitalized with coronavirus. I wish for the best for him, for Rand Paul, and for Mario Diaz-Balart as they face this disease.
Rand Paul is a Doctor! He should have known better.
Rand Paul had no known contacts with COVID 19 positive individuals, and no symptoms. But like all Senators, he had met with many people and traveled extensively. So he got tested.
Good. No problem. If Kamala Harris, Mitt Romney, and Chuck Schumer want to get tested, they can get tested too as far as I’m concerned. Not because they are rich but because they are US Senators. Good grief people, get a grip.
Also, Rand Paul had parts of his lungs removed because of that little dispute with his neighbor, so there is a vulnerability there that maybe we could consider.
Should he have used the Gym or Pool? Of course not, no one should.
But Paul had no reason to believe he was putting anybody at risk any more than anyone else using the gym or pool. No symptoms.
There are probably some people to get mad at in this mess, like the toilet paper hoarders. But Senators with pulmonary damage and no symptoms don’t make the cut for me.
@privatebanker
payroll is but part of the day to day expenses of a small business.
They also have to pay for rent, utilities, security, bank fees, internet use, etc etc.
My boss went to his bank- BofA - 2 weeks ago at my suggestion, to try to secure an SBA loan. His business is now shut down, and has had no word re: that loan.
With no sales for the foreseeable future, he can’t reopen in who knows how many weeks with only enough $$ to pay our salaries.
That is a fact. I ran a small business for 25 years, so I know how hard it is to make a living, even when times are good. When times are bad, it’s almost impossible. Small businesses, unlike large companies, do not have access to lines of credit that they can easily draw upon.
So the Democrats were right to object to this “placeholder” measure, as the Senate bill had no guarantees of how billions of $$ would eventually be allocated, since the Senate bill had stipulated that Treasury would be in charge of making those decisions.
I can’t recall seeing much of anyone, anywhere, explicitly state that they believe the statistics out of China to be accurate. Instead, the general consensus seems that the data is what’s considered beneficial for the Communist party. That the the lock-down of Hubei province was way, way uglier than the picture that has been fed to the West (with the assistance of the WHO) is, more likely than not, a fact, also.
Don’t won’t that to happen here. I would rather drown in bed alone because I know there’s no point my going to a hospital because of age.
Just announced:
Losing sense of smell or taste may indicate COVID19. Isolate ASAP.
Doesn’t matter. Everyone out in public is putting everyone else at risk right now. EVERYONE.
As others have said, he’s a doctor. He should know better.
I actually don’t even care that politicians are getting tested. That’s fine, whatever. I DO care that many seem to have absolutely no concern for anyone but themselves.
Votes should be remote. They should all be working remotely. And if they’re forced to be in the building, they should sure as hell not be in gyms and pools.
It’s the pure selfish, “I don’t care who I put at risk” attitude that infuriates me.
@MomofJandL. He should know better on many levels being a Senator and being updated to things we will never know and he was trained as a doctor in his other life. If you’ve been tested, you should act like your positive until proven otherwise. Once he was found negative then OK to back to his lifestyle. If he was found positive then every interaction would have to be cataloged and everyone that went to that gym contacted and tested, if possible. It’s just irresponsible. Leaving my personal opinions aside, I was not surprised.