CORONA Main Coronavirus thread

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTHTJ8lo0VQ
1:56 min
Mexico’s Coronavirus Death Toll Feared Much Higher Than Reported | NBC Nightly News
•May 24, 2020


NBC News

A watchdog group says the Mexican government’s COVID-19 count vastly underestimates the death toll there. NBC News’ Richard Engel reports from Mexico City, where workers at one crematorium say they’re receiving four times as many bodies as before the pandemic

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq8_8myG55A
2:48 min
Inside Georgia One Month After Easing Coronavirus Restrictions | NBC Nightly News
•May 23, 2020


NBC News

It’s been one month since Georgia became the first state to reopen and there hasn’t been a major spike in new coronavirus cases. Many experts say it’s still too soon to get a full picture of the impact and officials have admitted problems reporting new data.

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3cTpxIyW9Q
7:41 min
Coronavirus: A look Inside a lab to see how COVID-19 testing actually works
•May 24, 2020


Global News
In Canada, almost a million and a half Canadians have been tested for COVID-19 so far, that's less than 4 per cent of the population. The more you test, the easier it becomes to track the spread of the virus and reduce transmission, but therein lies the problem.

 

[marsh]

Zerohedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

Trump Has Won the Propaganda War With China
Sun, 05/24/2020 - 20:50

Authored by Tom Luongo via The Strategic Culture Foundation,
Donald Trump has finally won a war. It’s a war he’s uniquely suited to fight, a propaganda war, and he’s successfully waged it on China through his command of Western media.



Stating this doesn’t imply any kind of judgment on my part as to whether he should or should not have waged this war with China. He has and he has emerged victorious, thanks to his reframing the threat from COVID-19 as an evil Chinese plot to kill millions of people.

Now, I’m convinced that the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 were a plot by evil people to kill millions of people and usher in a bleak, authoritarian nightmare they’ve had legislation and action plans written to execute for years. I’m just not convinced it was China that was wholly behind it.

In fact, my fundamental problem with Trump’s China propaganda war vis-à-vis COVID-19 is that it lets the real culprits for how it unfolded around the world off the hook. But, ultimately, that’s a different discussion.

Today’s discussion is about where things stand between the U.S. and China and what’s on tap for the future. Why do I think Trump has won his war against China?

Simple, the numbers.

A recent poll by Bloomberg found that 78% of Americans are willing to spend more for products made in “Not China” than in “China.” Moreover, that poll goes onto say that 40% of Americans now say they won’t buy anything at all from China.

I can tell you that more people I talk with personally here in the U.S. are at this point. I’m not one of them. While, personally, I’d prefer my food, clothing and basic necessities be made as close to home as possible it has nothing to do with antipathy with China or Chinese people.

To me that’s just wise, defensive living. In times of crisis, basic necessities should have supply chains as short as possible. Honestly, I would say the same thing about stuff made in California or Idaho. But economic reality is that Idaho is better at growing potatoes and California almonds than Florida is and therefore those supply chains aren’t likely to change much.

That doesn’t mean, however, my wife isn’t growing potatoes this year or that I’ll miss them if my local Winn-Dixie is out of them because the truck was late or the harvest poor.

It’s called comparative advantage and it is the basis for all productive economic interactions. And in some areas of the economic sphere China is superior to the U.S. currently, and until the dynamic changes people will complain about “Made in China” but they will still buy what they need, especially in a country with 40+ million people out of work being acutely price-sensitive.

But that said the poll numbers found by Bloomberg will rise over the next couple of years because things will get that desperate here in the U.S. and people want to work and be willing to work for less.

That can only happen, however, if the barriers to local commerce are lifted. And that lies at the feet of government at all levels, which are, by definition, funded by the private sector. Like it or not, folks, government has no money of its own. Everything it has it has after taking it through taxes.

Trump is clearly pursuing policies to decouple the U.S. and China’s economy to as great an extent as possible to help the U.S. economy regain its domestic productive capacity. And he’s been very systematic about it. This propaganda war and his attacks on China over their handling of COVID-19 are just the next stage of this.

He began the process with his tax cut plan which cut corporate taxes as well as small business and self-employment taxes, reversing decades of ruinous policy designed to destroy the American middle class and offshore U.S. productive capacity. He’s quietly been slashing federal department budgets and staff and lifting mandates on states.

That process is slow, very slow, during normal operations.

But that wasn’t nearly enough and now he’s faced with the next task, which is to cut taxes again and incentivize the onshoring of manufacturing. His Chief Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow floated that idea last week. Republicans in Congress didn’t like it. And one has to wonder why?

It’s not like the current budget looks anything like what tax receipts are going to total this year or next. The deficit will be above World War II levels. More likely they would rather dole out checks of funny money than not collect the money in the first place. That way the power continues to flow through D.C. rather than go back to the people themselves.

But to change the direction of a now floundering U.S. it is going to take more than that and Trump’s willingness to use his broader powers under the auspice of the COVID-19 national emergency to cut government regulation and red tape is the next step forward on this path.

Never let a crisis go to waste right? Well, the Democrats are pushing for a China-esque total surveillance state and Green New Deal all rolled into one $3 trillion monstrosity, which, if passed, would only make the U.S. even more uncompetitive and hasten its demise.

Trump is finally doing the same thing, by going in the complete opposite direction.

The key to reversing China’s comparative advantages over the U.S. is removing the barriers to commerce which make local production unattractive. It’s that simple. And with oil prices now very low and low for a long time to come, Trump is now fighting lower shipping costs from overseas.

The U.S. maintains an extravagant government at not only the federal level but state and local as well. The American people can follow Trump blaming China all they want, but China is the symptom, government is the disease.

To solve this problem they have to look at themselves and admit this addiction to government itself is the barrier to them getting back to productive, happy lives.

I generally lay that blame for this extravagance at the feet of the cozy relationship between the Federal Reserve and the Treasury department creating money like crazy and allowing Congress and Presidents for two generations now to bribe voters with handouts from our future.

That future is now here.

And as individuals we have to face that.

I’ve said for a long time that anywhere from 20-40% of U.S. GDP is a phantasm born of fake money. It is waste and sloth within a system designed to hollow out the middle class and roll wealth up to an international oligarch class. Remove it and you get a better sense of what GDP and the cost basis for production truly is.

The same thing goes for China, by the way. Strip out the financialization and how much real economy is left?

That oligarch class just pulled the plug on that portion of the U.S. economy and I have no doubt that China had a hand in helping that along. It would be in their strategic interest to do so.

Thanks to Trump’s ham-fisted propaganda the American people now get this in the broadest terms.

And he’s willing to do both great and terrible things to change the dynamic. This much he has shown in spades. This war with China he’s waging has only just begun. He has the American people on his side, now he just has to convince the chattering class in D.C. that the old way of doing things is over.

 

[marsh]

Zerohedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

Global Anger Builds As Elites Worldwide Break Quarantine Rules

Sun, 05/24/2020 - 20:00

"One rule for me, and another for thee" appears to be the politically-prone mantra rapidly spreading around the world.


Opposition parties take shots at one another with America's left decrying President Trump's maskless-golfing escapades...



...and the right exposing Virginia Governor Northam's recent non-socially-distanced, maskless-beach visit.


Japanese authorities are also under pressure with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet approval rating fell 4 ppts to 29%, lowest since the start of his second administration in Dec. 2012, after a wave of condemnation involving a man that his administration took great pains to defend: Hiromu Kurokawa, head of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutor’s Office. On Thursday, Kurokawa stepped down after a tabloid expose said he had gambled on mahjong with journalists twice this month despite the state of emergency requesting that nonessential outings be avoided.


And the icing on the global anger cake is occurring in Britain after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson came out in support of top aide Dominic Cummings Sunday despite his his chief aide allegedly violating the national lockdown rules that he helped to create by driving the length of England to his parents’ house while he was infected with COVID-19.



Defying a growing clamor from public and politicians, AP reports that Johnson said Dominic Cummings had acted “responsibly, legally and with integrity” when he drove 250 miles from London to Durham, in northeast England, with his wife and son at the end of March.


Cummings said he traveled to be near extended family because his wife was showing COVID-19 symptoms, he correctly thought he was also infected and he wanted to ensure that his 4-year-old son was looked after.

However, as AP notes, critics of the government expressed outrage that Cummings had broken strict rules

Labour leader Keir Starmer said Johnson’s defense of Cummings was “an insult to sacrifices made by the British people.”

“The prime minister’s actions have undermined confidence in his own public health message at this crucial time,” he said .

Former Labour lawmaker Helen Goodman, whose father died in a nursing home during the outbreak, said Cummings’s behavior was “repellent.”

Whether you're repelled or not, most ironically, Cummings "is the inventor of these three-word slogans: 'Stay at Home,' 'Protect the NHS' and 'Save Lives.'"

As a reminder, elsewhere in Britain, so-called epidemiologist Neil Ferguson stepped down as government scientific adviser earlier this month after a newspaper disclosed that his girlfriend had crossed London to stay with him during the lockdown. In April, Catherine Calderwood resigned as Scotland’s chief medical officer after twice traveling from Edinburgh to her second home.

Still, it seems the elites' ongoing belief in ordering the "better safe than sorry" lockdown of entire nations is facing a breaking point among the stuck-at-home, increasingly welfare-dependent average joe around the world.

 

[marsh]

Zerohedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

Oxford University Coronavirus Vaccine Trial Chance Of Success Cut From 80% To Only 50%
Sun, 05/24/2020 - 18:01

Following the disappointing late Friday publication of a pivotal study by the New England Journal of Medicine, according to which Gilead's Remdeisivir presented no marked benefit for those Coronavirus patients who were healthier and didn’t need oxygen or those who were sicker, requiring a ventilator or a heart-lung bypass machine, and that the only statistically significant improvement was observed in patients on supplemental oxygen, while also concluding that "given high mortality despite the use of remdesivir, it is clear that treatment with an antiviral drug alone is not likely to be sufficient", overnight there was more bad news, this time from the world of potential coronavirus vaccines, after the Telegraph reported that the Oxford University team in charge of developing a vaccine said a recent decline in the infection rate will make it increasingly difficult to prove whether it’s been successful.

"It’s a race against the virus disappearing, and against time," Professor Adrian Hill, director of the university’s Jenner Institute, told the newspaper. "We said earlier in the year that there was an 80% chance of developing an effective vaccine by September. But at the moment, there’s a 50% chance that we get no result at all."

Professor Adrian Hill is leading the team at Oxford University
Citing a similar challenge to that which crippled the Remdesivir China trial, Hill said he expects fewer than 50 of the 10,000 people who have volunteered to test the vaccine trial in coming week to catch the virus. If fewer than 20 test positive, the results may be useless, he said. Reuters separately reported that the Oxford University team may join Moderna in a large-scale testing program in July.

The disappointing update comes after Oxford's trial partner, pharma giant AstraZeneca announced a $1.2 billion deal with the US government to produce 400 million doses of the unproven coronavirus vaccine first produced in Prof Hill's Oxford lab.Meanwhile, the British Government has agreed to pay for up to 100 million doses, adding that 30 million may be ready for UK citizens by September

The graphic below shows what the most recent expectations from the Oxford vaccine were, with management expecting to have the capacity to produce up to 100 million doses by the end of 2020. That timeline now appears optimistic.


The British government has agreed to pay for as many as 100 million doses, adding that 30 million may be ready by September. The daily rate of new infections has fallen by almost two thirds since hitting a peak of almost 9,000 on April 10.

While developers globally are working on as many as 100 experimental vaccines for Covid-19, the process will take time.

Earlier this month, Dr. Michael Ryan, executive of director of the World Health Organization’s Emergency Program, said that finding a vaccine and distributing it globally will be a "massive moonshot" adding that there’s a chance the disease may be here to stay.

Meanwhile, with Bloomberg reporting that "Fate of Global Economy Rests More Than Ever on Finding Vaccine", Morgan Stanley has highlighted six vaccines with the highest probability of success and the ability to manufacture at scale, adding that it believes that "millions of doses could be available by fall 2020, assuming no delays and >1B doses in 2021." Alas, as the Oxford case just demonstrated, delays are now inevitable, and ironically the one thing that can reinstate the previously lofty schedule is if there is a second wave that provides the trial with the number of sick patients needed to bring the trials to their conclusion.

That said, here are some more details from Morgan Stanley's Matthew Harrison:

Six vaccine candidates to watch: Of the 110 vaccine candidates under development, 8 are in clinical studies. We believe 6 (4 of the current clinical candidates and 2 preclinical) have both a reasonable likelihood of clinical success and can be manufactured at scale to be relevant. We see three waves of potential vaccines available commercially, with those from Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca/University of Oxford and CanSino likely in the first wave before the end of 2020. We expect vaccines from J&J in 1H21 and Sanofi/GSK in 2H21.

We expect significant production available by mid-2021 with limited quantities as early as fall 2020: In the near-term we expect to learn if the earliest-to-clinic vaccines produce antibodies against the virus in humans. CanSino has a 508 patient Ph II study which is expected to have data in May (how and when it is released remains unclear), while we expect the US NIAID to provide data from Moderna's Ph I study in the next 1-2 months. These data will provide initial information about potential efficacy, but will not provide enough information about safety. We would expect to have a clearer picture from Moderna, AstraZeneca and potentially Pfizer on safety by fall 2020. While these companies may be granted emergency use authorizations (EUAs) in the fall of 2020, we would not expect a BLA filing until YE20. Based on current company commentary, we believe millions of doses of the vaccine could be available in the fall, 10-30M/month by YE20 and 100s of millions per month by mid-2021.

How do the current manufacturing projections compare with project warp speed? The Trump administration has indicated that it plans to have enough doses of vaccine for the entire US population by the end of 2020. Based on current projections from the leading candidates that could be available to the US population, those manufacturers are unlikely to reach a few hundred million doses in aggregate until 1H21. Thus, while it may be possible to accelerate that effort, we believe resources will need to be devoted immediately to potentially achieve such a goal.

We believe the pandemic market could be $10-30B, while the endemic opportunity could be ~$2-25B: Of the world's population, we assume ~1.8B people are in markets that would be served by western companies, in particular the US (~330M), Western Europe (~400M), some of Eastern Europe (~115M), South America, Canada and Mexico (~590M),and some Asia-Pacific countries (~210M). We assume India (~1.3B), China (~1.4B) and Russia (~150M) will likely not buy a western vaccine while Africa (~1.2B) and the remaining population (~1.9B) would be largely a donation market. We see US pricing at $10- 20/treatment, Western Europe at ~$5-15 and the remaining countries at ~$5-10. This leads to our $10-30B market range for the 2020-2022 pandemic season.

 

[marsh]

Zerohedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

"I Think It May Have Cost Lives" - Nobel Prize Winner Slams Lockdowns As Product Of "Panic Virus"

Sun, 05/24/2020 - 17:55

As the "stay home, save lives" crowd confronts the fact that their beloved "experts" were, in reality, about as well-informed as the rest of us when they made the fateful recommendation that the imposition of lockdowns - in most cases legally enforced - was the best option for combating the spread of SARS-CoV-2, a Nobel-prize-winning scientists from Stanford said in an interview published Sunday that, according to his models, the lockdowns didn't save lives, but actually caused more deaths.



According to the Telegraph, Michael Levitt correctly predicted the initial trajectory of the pandemic, but was ignored by now-disgraced Imperial College epidemiologist Niall Ferguson, whose warnings were embraced by the UK government as justification for the lockdown, despite the fact that the projections proved to be extremely flawed and dramatically overestimated the virus's potential for devastation. As early as march, Levitt warned that Ferguson's projections had over-estimated the potential death toll by "10 or 12 times".

Instead of helping the situation, Fergusons' projections created an unnecessary "panic virus" which spread among global political leaders, Prof Levitt told the Telegraph.

Prof Levitt, a British-American-Israeli who shared the Nobel prize for chemistry in 2013 for the "development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems", has said for two months that the planet will beat coronavirus faster than most other experts predict.

"I think lockdown saved no lives," said the scientist, who added that the Government should have encouraged Britons to wear masks and adhere to other forms of social distancing.

"I think it may have cost lives. It will have saved a few road accident lives - things like that - but social damage - domestic abuse, divorces, alcoholism - has been extreme. And then you have those who were not treated for other conditions."

Data from various studies has offered a mixed picture about the effectiveness of the lockdowns. The number of cases and deaths has undoubtedly plunged in the US and across Europe since strict lockdowns were almost universally enacted, but many wonder whether governments are being overly cautious, perhaps to a dangerous degree.

Though his models have been vindicated by the passage of time, Levitt said his initial concerns about Ferguson's models were largely ignored due to what he calls the "panic virus", despite the fact that there's recent precedent for epidemiological models over-estimating the impact of other outbreaks, including H1N1 and Ebola.

Having assessed the initial outbreak in China and from the infected Diamond Princess cruise ship, he predicted by March 14 that the UK would lose around 50,000 lives. Prof Ferguson's modelling that same week estimated up to 500,000 deaths without social distancing measures.

"I think that the real virus was the panic virus," Prof Levitt told the Telegraph. "For reasons that were not clear to me, I think the leaders panicked and the people panicked and I think there was a huge lack of discussion..

The 73-year-old has no background as an epidemiologist, but he assessed the outbreak in China and prepared a paper based on his own calculations. Most countries, he predicted, would suffer a Covid-19 death rate worth around an extra month in excess deaths over the calendar year.

"In Europe, I don't think that anything actually stopped the virus other than some kind of burnout," he added. "There's a huge number of people who are asymptomatic so I would seriously imagine that by the time lockdown was finally introduced in the UK the virus was already widely spread. They could have just stayed open like Sweden by that stage and nothing would have happened."

Professor Levitt has now analysed the data from 78 nations with more than 50 reported cases of coronavirus. His investigations proved the virus was never going to achieve the type of exponential growth that the researchers at Imperial were predicting at the same time.

At this point, Levitt believes the virus has reached a point of saturation across Europe and parts of the US making lockdowns much less effective. At this point, they're probably causing far more harm than benefit.

The virus "has saturated", he believes, across Europe. "I think the lockdown will cause much more damage than the deaths saved," he added. "When I saw the briefing (from Prof Ferguson) I was shocked. I had a run-in with him when I actually saw that Ferguson's death rate was a year's worth - doubling the normal death rate. I saw that and said immediately that's completely wrong. I think Ferguson over-estimated 10 or 12 times. We should have seen from China that a virus never grows exponentially. From the very first case you see, exponential growth actually slows down very dramatically.

"The problem with epidemiologists is that they feel their job is to frighten people into lockdown, social distancing. So you say 'there's going to be a million deaths' and when there are only 25,000 you say 'it's good you listened to my advice'. This happened with Ebola and bird flu. It's just part of the madness."
Prof Levitt says the global evidence shows the virus fades in dry heat and in much of the western world "there seems to be some kind of immunity". "The main worry I would have would be in China," he said when asked about the prospect of a second outbreak. "I am 73 and I feel very young," he added. "I don't care about the risk at all. As you get old the risk of dying from disease is so high that this is the time to buy a motorcycle, go skiing!"

Even as the NYT and WaPo search for every shred of evidence to support the view that the reopening in the US will lead to a second wave, they're finding that there's not nearly as much as they'd hoped - which is why projections are their new favorite tool.

 

[danielboon]

Massachusetts coronavirus cases 6,416 deaths 93,271positive tests. Massachusetts coronavirus cases: 6,416 deaths, 93,271 positive tests 44 new deaths down from 68 yesterday

 

[marsh]

Zerohedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

'Frontline' Employee Starts "Retail Life During COVID" Facebook Support Group After Being Assaulted By Customer

Sun, 05/24/2020 - 17:30

There is no doubt that frontline workers during the pandemic - including those who work in retail stores that are remaining open - are getting the short end of the stick. In addition to having to deal with the virus itself, they also have to deal with thousands of terrified customers, all on edge and worried that the virus is going to jump out from behind the next corner at the supermarket and suffocate them to death on the spot.

One California retail worker caught the worst of it, being left with a bloody face after she was attacked by a customer earlier this month. So she decided to start a Facebook support group for other retail workers can go to share their experiences of customers confronting them.

The worker, Sam Clarke, works for a sporting good store in Modesto and wrote online that employees like her have become "punching bags" for shoppers, according to CBS. In her case, she meant it literally.

She wrote: "My business has been deemed essential. So myself and my employees put ourselves at risk every day so that people can shop for their needs. Well, the public, not all, but too many, hate the guidelines put in place that allow us to do business and keep our jobs. Multiple times a day I get cussed out or argued with."

In May, a shopper that was "upset about a merchandise pick up" assaulted her. The customer, Clarke said, was upset that the store didn't have a swimming pool that they wanted.



Shortly thereafter, she started the "Retail life during Covid-19" Facebook group, which aims to be "an open platform for retail and front line workers to share their stories and struggles of that they're going through." It already has 27,000 likes and 1,300 members.

Clarke said: "The group wants consumers to know how hard it is for essential workers to show up to work every day so that shoppers can get their goods. And to understand how poorly workers are being treated during this time."

In the group, retail workers share stories like a man licking his fingers before separating bills he would be paying with, or lines of people screaming at workers trying to manage the chaos.

"We have multiple upset shoppers every day who do not like the guidelines put in place, however, there is nothing we can do and we simply apologize for the inconvenience. It doesn't do much to ease the tempers of some, but our hands are tied," Clarke said.

She concluded: "It's not easy for us to wear masks all day long and work with very minimal staff. We are exhausted mentally and physically. If shoppers can come prepared in knowing what they want, bring a face mask, patience and BE KIND to workers, is would make our days so much better."

Tempers have flared with customers at some retail stores across the nation, usually about coronavirus-related precautions that the stores are, or are not, taking. CBS noted several other examples:

At a Target in a Los Angeles, a security guard's arm was broken after he got into a fight with men who he was escorting out for allegedly refusing to wear masks. A Colorado man shot a Waffle House employee one day after staffers told him to wear a face-covering inside the restaurant.

 

[Mixin]

Indiana updated its Long term care facility numbers today.

LTCF with at least 1 case: 12 new = 224 total
LTCF with at least 1 death: 13 new = 142 total
Cases in LTCF: 461 new = 4086 total
Deaths in LTCF: 144 new = 876 total

Total state positive cases: 31,715
Total state deaths: 1832

Indiana COVID-19 Home Dashboard

www.coronavirus.in.gov

 

[Hfcomms]

"Like It Was Designed To Infect Humans": COVID-19 'Cell Culture' Theory Gains Steam

A scientific study which found COVID-19 may have been a "cell-culture" uniquely adapted for transmission to humans (more so than any other animal - including bats), is gaining steam.

The paper, currently under peer review, comes from Flinders University Professor Nikolai Petrovsky, who has spent over two decades developing vaccines against influenza, Ebola, and animal Sars. He says his findings allow for the possibility that COVID-19 leaked from a laboratory, according to Sky News.


"The two possibilities which I think are both still open is that it was a chance transmission of a virus from an as yet unidentified animal to human. The other possibility is that it was an accidental release of the virus from a laboratory," said Petrovsky, adding "Certainly we can’t exclude the possibility that this came from a laboratory experiment rather than from an animal. They are both open possibilities."

Professor Petrovsky, who is the Chairman and Research Director of Vaxine Pty Ltd, said COVID-19 has genetic elements similar to bat coronaviruses as well as other coronaviruses.
The way coronavirus enters human cells is by binding to a protein on the surface of lung-cells called ACE2. The study showed the virus bound more tightly to human-ACE2 than to any of the other animals they tested.
“It was like it was designed to infect humans,” he said.
“One of the possibilities is that an animal host was infected by two coronaviruses at the same time and COVID-19 is the progeny of that interaction between the two viruses. -Sky News

"The same process can happen in a petri-dish," added Petrovsky. "If you have cells in culture and you have human cells in that culture which the viruses are infecting, then if there are two viruses in that dish, they can swap genetic information and you can accidentally or deliberately create a whole third new virus out of that system."


"In other words COVID-19 could have been created from that recombination event in an animal host or it could have occurred in a cell-culture experiment."


In January, Petrovsky began modeling the virus to try and create a vaccine candidate. According to the report, he then began to explore "what animal species might have been involved in the transmission to humans" in order to better understand the origins of the virus, when he discovered how well it infects humans over other species.


"We found that the COVID-19 virus was particularly well-adapted to bind to human cells and that was far superior to its ability to bind to the cells of any other animal species which is quite unusual because typically when a virus is well-adapted to an animal and then it by chance crosses to a human, typically, you would expect it to have lower-binding to human cells than to the original host animal. We found the opposite so that was a big surprise," he said.


When asked why mainstream scientists are still clinging to the theory that the virus originated in a Wuhan wet market, he said that scientists "try not to be political" but that that scientists who support the lab escape theory risk negatively impacting their industry with tighter laboratory controls.


"For instance, if it was to turn out that this virus may have come about because of an accidental lab release that would have implications for how we do viral research in laboratories all around the world which could make doing research much harder," he said, adding "So I think the inclination of virus researchers would be to presume that it came from an animal until proven otherwise because that would have less ramifications for how we are able to do research in the future. The alternative obviously has quite major implications for science and science on viruses, not just obviously political ramifications which we’re all well aware of."


Petrovsky has called for immediate investigation now, and not when the pandemic is over - calling any delay in fact finding a "mistake."


"I’m certainly very much in favour of a scientific investigation. It’s only objective should be to get to the bottom of how did this pandemic happen and how do we prevent a future pandemic…. not to have a witch-hunt."

Zerohedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

 

[Plain Jane]

Pennsylvania COVID-19 Numbers

Current number of positive results, age breakdowns, hospitalizations, and more.

www.health.pa.gov

COVID-19 Data for Pennsylvania*
* Map, tables, case counts and deaths last updated at 12:00 p.m. on 5/25/2020
Source: Pennsylvania National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (PA-NEDSS) as of 12:00 a.m. on 5/25/2020
Page last updated: 12:00 p.m. on 5/25/2020

Case Counts, Deaths, and Negatives

Total Cases*	Deaths	Negative**	Recovered***
68,186	5,139	334,928	61%

* Total case counts include confirmed and probable cases.
** Negative case data only includes negative PCR tests. Negative case data does not include negative antibody tests.
*** Individuals who have recovered is determined using a calculation, similar to what is being done by several other states. If a case has not been reported as a death, and it is more than 30 days past the date of their first positive test (or onset of symptoms) then an individual is considered recovered.

Confirmed Cases	Probable Case by Definition and High-Risk Exposure	Probable Case by Serology Test and Either Symptoms or High-Risk Exposure
66,347	1,838	549

Hospital Data

• View hospital dataOpens In A New Window (desktop version)
• View hospital dataOpens In A New Window (mobile version)

Trajectory Animations

• COVID-19 Trajectory Animations

Positive Cases by Age Range to Date

Age Range	Percent of Cases*
0-4	< 1%
5-12	< 1%
13-18	2%
19-24	6%
25-49	37%
50-64	25%
65+	29%

* Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding


Hospitalization Rates by Age Range to Date

Age Range	Percent of Cases*
0-4	< 1%
5-12	< 1%
13-18	< 1%
19-24	1%
25-49	16%
50-64	26%
65+	57%

* Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding


Death Data

• View COVID-19 death data

County Case Counts to Date

County	Total Cases	Negatives
Adams	227	2779
Allegheny	1805	27179
Armstrong	58	1122
Beaver	568	3406
Bedford	37	650
Berks	3903	10493
Blair	48	2450
Bradford	44	1333
Bucks	4894	17393
Butler	220	3426
Cambria	57	3225
Cameron	2	120
Carbon	231	2086
Centre	147	1930
Chester	2428	10800
Clarion	29	646
Clearfield	34	1008
Clinton	51	531
Columbia	343	1228
Crawford	22	996
Cumberland	598	4334
Dauphin	1123	9043
Delaware	6210	18327
Elk	6	293
Erie	217	3958
Fayette	94	2981
Forest	7	70
Franklin	740	4719
Fulton	14	197
Greene	27	721
Huntingdon	228	759
Indiana	89	1175
Jefferson	7	474
Juniata	95	316
Lackawanna	1494	5599
Lancaster	2896	14238
Lawrence	74	1164
Lebanon	912	4191
Lehigh	3667	12765
Luzerne	2651	9860
Lycoming	160	2031
McKean	12	505
Mercer	105	1399
Mifflin	58	1150
Monroe	1305	5186
Montgomery	6576	31472
Montour	50	3165
Northampton	2920	11995
Northumberland	174	1296
Perry	47	633
Philadelphia	17495	50704
Pike	477	1880
Potter	4	133
Schuylkill	592	4354
Snyder	38	367
Somerset	37	1544
Sullivan	2	84
Susquehanna	96	685
Tioga	16	498
Union	54	1029
Venango	8	470
Warren	3	330
Washington	138	3947
Wayne	118	902
Westmoreland	441	8439
Wyoming	33	428
York	930	12317

• View as a clickable county or zip code level mapOpens In A New Window

Incidence by County

Incidence is calculated by dividing the current number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases reported to the Department by the 2018 county population data available from the Bureau of Health Statistics. The counties are divided into 6 relatively equally-sized groups based on their incidence rate (i.e. sestiles). Cases are determined using a national COVID-19 case definition. There currently is no way to estimate the true number of infected persons. Incidence rates are based on the number of known cases, not the number of true infected persons.

Case Counts by Sex to Date

Sex	Positive Cases	Percent of Cases*
Female	37,434	55%
Male	30,037	44%
Neither	3	0%
Not reported	712	1%

* Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding

Case Counts by Race to Date*

Race	Positive Cases	Percent of Cases**
African American/Black	8201	12%
Asian	926	1%
White	18,213	27%
Other	385	1%
Not reported	40,461	59%

* 59% of race is not reported. Little data is available on ethnicity.
** Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding


Case Counts by Region to Date

Region	Positive	Negative	Inconclusive
Northcentral	1014	13625	17
Northeast	12696	51386	140
Northwest	442	11433	20
Southcentral	4881	43538	79
Southeast	43996	157781	908
Southwest	3318	57165	46

EpiCurve by Region

Case counts are displayed by the date that the cases were first reported to the PA-NEDSS surveillance system. Case counts by date of report can vary significantly from day to day for a variety of reasons. In addition to changes due to actual changes in disease incidence, trends are strongly influenced by testing patterns (who gets tested and why), testing availability, lab analysis backlogs, lab reporting delays, new labs joining our electronic laboratory reporting system, mass screenings, etc. Trends need to be sustained for at least 2-3 weeks before any conclusions can be made regarding the progress of the pandemic.
COVID-19 Cases Associated with Nursing Homes and Personal Care Homes to Date
This data represents long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania, including Department of Health and Department of Human Services regulated facilities.

• COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facilities Data (updated 5/22/2020 at 3:00 p.m.)
  The LTCF data will be updated on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

 

[mzkitty]

Unbelievable..............

 

[poppy]

On the bright side, our numbers are looking much better. The US only had 615 deaths yesterday and 505 today. Let's hope it continues.

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fef-a7Hzqs
26:33 min
Virus toll contradicts CDC report; Exclusive interview w/ Wuhan widow;Prof rebukes China media claim
•Premiered 3 hours ago


China in Focus - NTD
Hong Kong erupted into protests on Sunday in the wake of a new law. Many fear an end to freedom and takeover by the Chinese regime.

 

[jward]

CNN International
@cnni
27s

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is trying to give all workers a minimum of 10 days paid sick leave per year as Canada starts to prepare for a possible second wave of the coronavirus pandemic

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1265153445591494657

View: https://twitter.com/cnni/status/1265153445591494657?s=20

 

[jward]

Hmm. In retrospect it seems obvious that these already expensive products that young families struggle to afford will be taking a hit. : (

AFP news agency
@AFP
21s

China's ramp-up of mask production to counter the #coronavirus outbreak has claimed unlikely victims -- nappies, wet wipes and sanitary towels that are made with the same raw materials http://u.afp.com/3QKo

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1265172062982868992

View: https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1265172062982868992?s=20

 

[Heliobas Disciple]

I believe I read that many live in dorm like housing and commute in a bus or van together.


HHS chief suggests workers are to blame for COVID outbreaks at meatpacking plants
HHS chief suggests workers are to blame for COVID outbreaks at meatpacking plants
BY RAFAEL BERNAL - 05/07/20 12:01 PM EDT 193
37,854

© Getty Images

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar reportedly suggested that the social habits and living conditions of workers at meatpacking plants were the reason for recent COVID-19 outbreaks at processing facilities.

Azar made the remarks on an April 28 call with lawmakers, when he referenced the "home and social" conditions of the workers, Politico reported Thursday, citing three people on the call.

"He was essentially turning it around, blaming the victim and implying that their lifestyle was the problem," Rep. Ann Kuster (D-N.H.), who was on the call, told the publication. "Their theory of the case is that they are not becoming infected in the meat processing plant, they're becoming infected because of the way they live in their home."

When reached for comment, Michael Caputo, the HHS assistant secretary for public affairs, told The Hill that Azar "simply made the point that many public health officials have made: in addition to the meat packing plants themselves, many workers at certain remote and rural meatpacking facilities have living conditions that involve multifamily and congregate living, which have been conducive to rapid spread of the disease. This is nothing more than a statement of the obvious."

Still, Azar's remarks reflect a position that has shown signs of taking hold among some meat processing company executives and GOP leaders.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) told Fox News last month that an outbreak at the Smithfield Foods pork processing facility in her state did not happen at the plant, but rather where workers live.

"We believe that 99 percent of what's going on today wasn't happening inside the facility. It was more at home, where these employees were going home and spreading some of the virus. Because a lot of these folks that work at this plant live in the same community, same building, sometimes in the same apartment," said Noem.

“Living circumstances in certain cultures are different than they are with your traditional American family,” a Smithfield spokeswoman told BuzzFeed News in an article published April 20.

Keira Lombardo, executive vice president of corporate affairs and compliance at Smithfield, told The Hill on Thursday that the article was "in no way, shape or form representative of our position on this topic."

Lombardo instead pointed to an April 24 announcement by Smithfield that said the company is "proud of the multi-culturalism on display every day throughout many of our facilities, including in Sioux Falls. Our employees are our strength. They come from all over the world and speak dozens of languages and dialects. Our position is this: We cannot fight this virus by finger-pointing."

Democrats have cited the outbreaks in their criticism of the Trump administration's coronavirus response.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said on a video conference call Monday that he would tighten safety conditions at meatpacking plants, and that workers should get hazard pay during the pandemic.

Biden also implied that the source of contagion for workers is at the plants, not at home.

"They're afraid to go to work," said Biden. "[They're afraid of] what they might be bringing back and spreading to people they love and adore."

Biden added that the Trump administration has designated meatpacking and other food supply workers as essential, then treated them "as disposable."

"It's quite frankly inhumane and immoral," he said.

Outbreaks have hit plants in other states as well.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported on Tuesday that 730 workers at a Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Perry had contracted the virus, representing 58 percent of its staff, according to local news reports. The department also noted that more than 1,600 workers at four meatpacking plants across the state had suffered infections.

Rep. Jesús García (D-Ill.) last week blamed meatpacking companies for the spread of the deadly virus among workers. He also lashed out at those pointing the finger at cultural circumstances.

"I find those remarks to be reprehensible, nothing short of racism," said García. "It seeks to blame the victims of the tough working conditions, dangerous working conditions, that people in the meatpacking industry endure."

"Because companies did not take measures to observe social distancing practices is why you've had a rapid spread of the virus," he added.
Updated at 3:33 p.m.

That makes a lot of sense, that they could be spreading it at home and not at work, or on the way to work. The reason I ask and think it's relevant is because they are supposedly masked and wearing gloves at work, so if they're catching it at work that says masks and gloves aren't protecting them. But if they're catching it before they are masked and gloved, then that's a different ballgame.

Also, a little off topic, but I it annoys me that logical theories aren't weighed or considered, instead they're immediately run through some PC lens to make sure they don't faux-offend anyone. (referring to the article about Azar) How is anyone supposed to make rational decisions if they can't discuss facts because they may be twisted by a political operative as offensive? Facts are facts. If the living conditions are what spreading the disease you can't deny it because someone twists it into being a 'blame the victim' statement. He's not blaming the victim, he's stating what's causing the clusters.

HD

 

[Heliobas Disciple]

Arkansas high school pool party sparks second surge of COVID-19 cases

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state, which allowed restaurants and gyms to reopen earlier this month, was now seeing 'a second peak' in infections due to the high school pool party.

www.dailymail.co.uk

(fair use applies)

High school pool party sparks second surge of coronavirus cases in Arkansas with the state recording a record spike in daily infections last week
By Emily Crane For Dailymail.com
Published: 08:46 EDT, 25 May 2020 | Updated: 18:09 EDT, 25 May 2020

• Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Arkansas, which allowed restaurants and gyms to reopen earlier this month, was now seeing 'a second peak' in infections
• He said a number of those new infections have been linked to a pool party attended by high school students
• The governor would not reveal further details about the party, including how many people tested positive, how many people attended or where it was held
• As of Sunday, Arkansas had recorded just over 5,900 COVID-19 infections and the death toll was at 116
• The number of daily infections surged by 454 last Thursday, which is the biggest single increase in the state since the pandemic first broke out
• Second surge came about a month after there were 291 new cases reported on April 21 in what was believed to be the initial peak of the state's outbreak

A high school pool party has sparked a second surge in coronavirus cases in Arkansas, according to the state's governor.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state, which allowed restaurants and gyms to reopen earlier this month, was now seeing 'a second peak' in infections.

He said a number of those new infections have been linked to a pool party attended by high school students.

'A high school swim party that I'm sure everybody thought was harmless. They're young, they're swimming, they're just having activity, and positive cases resulted from that,' Hutchinson said.

The governor would not reveal further details about the party, including how many people tested positive, how many people attended or where it was held.

As of Sunday, Arkansas had recorded just over 5,900 COVID-19 infections and the death toll was at 116.

The number of daily infections surged by 454 last Thursday, which is the biggest single increase in the state since the pandemic first broke out.

That second surge came about a month after there were 291 new cases reported on April 21 in what was believed to be the initial peak of the state's outbreak.

Gov. Hutchinson described it as the 'second peak'.

'It's clear and evident to me that we have one peak, and then we've had a deep dip, and then we're having a second peak right now, and they're really about 30 days apart,' he said.

Last week, Arkansas and 10 other states - including Alabama, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Maryland, Maine, Nevada, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin - reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases.

While Gov. Hutchinson refused to provide additional details about the pool party, he said the incident should serve as 'encouragement for us to be disciplined in our activities'.

His warning came on Saturday at the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend.

'During this Memorial weekend, we want to be out and we want to enjoy ourselves, we want to remember this holiday and those that have served our country and given their lives in service of our country,' Hutchinson said.

'But let's be safe and let's be disciplined at the same time.'

Elsewhere in the country, the Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start of summer meant big crowds at beaches and warnings from authorities about people disregarding social-distancing rules and risking a resurgence of the virus.

On the Sunday talk shows, Dr Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, said she was 'very concerned' about scenes of people crowding together over the weekend.

'We really want to be clear all the time that social distancing is absolutely critical. And if you can´t social distance and you´re outside, you must wear a mask,' she said on ABC's 'This Week.'

 

[Heliobas Disciple]

More than 4,000 maskless fans pack the stands at NC raceway

The scenes at Ace Speedway, in Alamance County, came just 24 hours after Sheriff Terry Johnson said he would not interfere with the event, calling state stay-at-home orders 'unconstitutional'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

More than 4,000 maskless fans pack the stands at a North Carolina raceway after sheriff refused to enforce state's coronavirus lockdown orders on the same day the state saw it's highest increase in infections
By Luke Kenton
Published: 10:48 EDT, 25 May 2020 | Updated: 15:33 EDT, 25 May 2020

• The alarming scenes at Ace Speedway, in Alamance County, came just 24 hours after Sheriff Terry Johnson said he would not interfere with the event
• The Sheriff Governor Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home orders ‘unconstitutional’
• As many as 4,000 people were believed to have attended the event on Saturday, and some 2,500 the night before
• Ace Speedway co-owner Jason Turner said social distancing was recommended by organizers but was not enforced
• He also said very few patrons appeared to be wearing facemasks or any other kind of personal protective equipment
• North Carolina has suffered 784 coronavirus-related deaths as of Monday, and currently has more than 23,000 confirmed cases
• But dozens of patrons, many of whom travelled from out-of-state to attend the event, said they’re refusing to live in fear

Thousands of racing fans packed the stands of a North Carolina speedway over the weekend, as the state reported its largest single day surge in coronavirus cases.



The alarming scenes at Ace Speedway, in Alamance County, came just 24 hours after Sheriff Terry Johnson said he would not interfere with the event, calling Governor Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home orders ‘unconstitutional’.

As many as 4,000 people were believed to have attended the event on Saturday, and some 2,500 the night before. Ace Speedway co-owner Jason Turner said social distancing was recommended by organizers but was not enforced.

He also said very few patrons appeared to be wearing facemasks or any other kind of personal protective equipment.

‘Not a lot of people showed up with masks on. A lot of people are ready to get back to normal. We spoke and the racing community answered,’ Turner told WXII.

The raceway owner added that fans consented to being around others - in violation of social distancing guidelines - when they decided to buy a ticket.

‘People have the right to choose where they go and what they do. As we reopen, people are trying to have a sense of normalcy and when somebody physically buys a ticket, a general admission ticket, to come to a race, they are in a sense saying that they want to be there... and they got what they paid for,’ he continued.



On Friday, North Carolina entered phase two of its coronavirus reopening plan – which recommends no more than 25 people at any outdoor gathering.

While bars, night clubs, gyms, and movie theaters remain closed, restaurants, salons and barbers shops are allowed to open at 50 percent capacity.

Just 24 hours after phase two commenced, the state saw its largest single day surge in cases on Saturday, with 1,017 more residents contracting COVID-19.

Despite what health experts are calling a 'concerning increase', Sheriff Johnson said his department would not enforce the state's social distancing orders at the raceway because Gov. Cooper didn't make specific mention to race tracks.

‘When I took my oath of office, I swore to uphold the United States Constitution. I will not enforce an unconstitutional law. Upon hearing the opinion of the County Attorney, I do not intend to stop ACE Speedway from opening on Saturday, May 23,’ Johnson wrote in a statement.

North Carolina has suffered 784 coronavirus-related deaths as of Monday, and currently has more than 23,000 confirmed cases.

Alamance County officials said ACE Speedway had been in touch with the Alamance County Department of Public Health to implement 'several precautions', which included putting up glass barriers on ticket booths and concession stands, supplying hand sanitizer all around the venue, and providing voluntary lists for fans to write down personal information to facilitate contact tracing.

Neither Gov. Cooper nor the Alamance County Sheriff's Department has returned a DailyMail.com request for comment.

The race became one of the first sporting events of any kind to take place in the state that was open to fans since the COVID-19 pandemic brought the sports world to a grinding halt more than two months ago.

But dozens of patrons, many of whom travelled from out-of-state to attend the event, said they’re refusing to live in fear.

‘We are out here because we are tired of being stuck in the house. We are not afraid of the virus one bit,’ one fan told ABC11.

Ernest ‘Smokey’ Bare, who has worked at the track for over 10 years, told the Salem Journal: ‘It’s been years since we’ve had a line like this one … I’m not (concerned about the virus). Not with my mask on, I’m not,” he said. “But I’m wearing this mask for me and for the fans.’

Patron Brad Flint, meanwhile, said though he was wearing a mask he ‘would’ve like to see more people wearing theirs,’ according to FOX8.

On Sunday, Ace Speedway thanked attendees for their turnout this weekend, ensuring fans that they will clean and sanitize the facility as it moves forward with the 2020 Season.

‘We're really at a loss for words,’ the speedway wrote on its Facebook page. ‘Thank you to all who attended our 2020 Season Opener on Saturday Night. We enjoyed having each and every one of you in attendance to watch some great local short track racing.

‘We look forward to seeing you all next Friday Night!’

 

[Heliobas Disciple]

Brazil COVID-19 Cases Quadruple as Bolsonaro Plays Down U.S. Restrictions

Brazil is now second only to the U.S. in having the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world.

www.newsweek.com

(fair use applies)

Brazil Coronavirus Cases Quadruple in May as Jair Bolsonaro Plays Down U.S. Travel Restrictions
By Chantal Da Silva
5/25/20 at 6:53 AM EDT

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro appeared to play down concerns around the U.S.'s new travel restrictions on Brazil on Sunday, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the South American country soared past 360,000.

COVID-19 cases in Brazil have risen exponentially in the wake of the country's initial outbreak, with the South American nation now having the second highest number of cases globally.

As of May 1, Brazil had logged more than 92,000 coronavirus cases, according to an online tracker maintained by the Johns Hopkins University. In the weeks since, however, that number has nearly quadrupled, with 363,211 cases confirmed as of Monday and with 22,666 cases resulting in death, according to the online tracker.

In response to the growing crisis in the South American country, the U.S., which still has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world, has announced strict travel restrictions barring entry to foreign nationals who have been in Brazil within 14 days of seeking entry into the U.S.

The new travel restrictions, which are expected to take affect on May 28, will not apply to U.S. citizens or to most immediate family members of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. It also will not apply to certain categories of individual visa holders identified in the new proclamation.

In a statement on Sunday, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the measure would "help ensure foreign nationals who have been in Brazil do not become a source of additional infections in our country."

The travel ban, McEnany said, will not impact bilateral trade.

Despite facing growing scrutiny over his leadership in tackling the coronavirus outbreak, Bolsonaro, a right-wing populist, appeared to play down the severity of the new restrictions, retweeting a Twitter thread from his international advisor Filipe G. Martins saying the ban was similar to measures being taken by countries "worldwide."

In a tweet translated from Portuguese, Martins appeared to dismiss the fact that the restrictions were aimed specifically at Brazil, saying the U.S. measures were similar to the country's own prior restrictions barring entry to all foreigners, except residents and immediate family members of Brazilian citizens.

Further, he said, countries around the world have taken similar action to shut down their borders to foreign nationals.

1. A restrição americana à entrada de brasileiros nos EUA tem o mesmo propósito de medida análoga adotada ANTERIORMENTE pelo Brasil em relação a cidadãos de todas as origens, inclusive norte-americanos, e de medidas semelhantes tomadas por ampla gama de paÃses no mundo todo.
— Filipe G. Martins (@filgmartin) May 25, 2020

The president's advisor appeared also determined to shut down any concerns that the new travel restrictions could suggest friction between the U.S. and Brazil.

The U.S.'s decision, Martins said, was in no way discriminatory against Brazil, with the advisor noting that the U.S. had already suspended the entry of travelers from other countries affected by COVID-19, including China, Iran and Britain.

"Brazil and the USA have maintained important bilateral cooperation in the fight against COVID-19," Martins said in a translated statement. "In addition to the donation of 1,000 respirators announced today, the United States has already donated approximately $7 million to Brazilian efforts to mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus on our nation's health and economy," he noted.

"It is, as anyone can see, a productive and mature partnership, based on reciprocity and mutual respect between two democracies, very distant from the frictions or problems that the Brazilian media, as ignorant as malicious, insists on trying to invent," he said.

The White House echoed Martins' assertion of collaboration between the two countries, with a senior administration official telling Newsweek that Trump had spoken with Bolsonaro twice over the last two months regarding their shared fight against COVID-19.

The senior official said the Trump administration was grateful for the ongoing regional response from Brazil and U.S. partner nations to help protect the public interests of the U.S. and its people.

They specifically said that the U.S. has appreciated Brazil's close coordination in fighting the pandemic and recognizes their efforts to do so.

As part of the ongoing collaboration between the two countries, the official said, the U.S. will be donating 1,000 ventilators to Brazil to assist in the country's healthcare needs.

While Bolsonaro has faced scrutiny and condemnation over his handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, polling conducted in late April appeared to suggest that at least a third of Brazilians continued to back his administration's leadership at the time.

In a study carried out by Datafolha, Grupo Folha's polling institute, 33 percent of Brazilians said they approved of the Bolsonaro administration's leadership, compared with 38 percent who said they disapproved.

Twenty-six percent of those polled in the study, which saw 1,503 Brazilians surveyed on April 27, rated the administration's leadership as "regular," while 3 percent did not express an opinion.

While Brazil now has the second highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world, it is still hundreds of thousands of cases away from reaching the same numbers confirmed in the U.S.

As of Monday, the U.S. had seen 1,643,499 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 97,722 cases resulting in death, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.

(This article has been updated with comments from a senior Trump administration official. Newsweek has contacted the Brazilian government for further comment.)

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9CWP1aIOGg
58:55 min
War Room Pandemic Ep 195 - The Politics of Re-Opening
•Streamed live 5 hours ago

Bannon WarRoom - Citizens of the American Republic

Steve Bannon, Jack Maxey, Jason Miller, and Raheem Kassam discuss the latest on the coronavirus pandemic as the debate on re-opening becomes highly politicized as well.
________________________

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhV6WlhH6BE
58:23 min
War Room Pandemic Ep 196 - A Baseball Bat with a Rusty Nail
•Streamed live 4 hours ago


Bannon WarRoom - Citizens of the American Republic

Steve Bannon, Jack Maxey, Jason Miller, and Raheem Kassam discuss the latest on the coronavirus pandemic as China now tries to deflect any blame for the global outbreak. Roger Kimball and Peter Morici call in to discuss their pieces on China's liability. Dr. Paolo Zanotto calls in to talk about some controversial hydroxychloroquine studies in Brazil.

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8l8oZGRvJw
.59 min
Scott Turner: Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council
•May 26, 2020

The White House

_____________________________

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfR8lgsy-oY
1:18:15 min
Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany Holds a Briefing
•Streamed live 110 minutes ago

The White House

______________________

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWSzQCuGpuE
13:10 min
Larry Kudlow sees 'glimmers of hope' for US economy
•May 26, 2020


Fox News
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow weighs in on reopening of U.S. economy in a post-pandemic country.

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbZyOZIUFrU
38:21 min
Dr. Shelton, Prevention better than cure
•May 26, 2020

Dr. John Campbell

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iOzxRE4juc
7:22 min

MASK OR NO MASK? New York City woman chased from grocery store during coronavirus lockdown shopping
•May 26, 2020

Glenn Beck
A lot of Americans left their homes — despite coronavirus — to enjoy some safe, outdoor activities during Memorial Day weekend. And as lockdown restrictions continue around the nation, more and more of us continue to debate one controversial topic: mask, or no mask? Well one woman in Staten Island, New York City experienced this controversy firsthand. Video caught other grocery store shoppers screaming and nearly chasing her from the store because she wasn't wearing a face covering. But, if everybody else wears a protective mask, why shame those who aren't?

______________________

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6rr-As9XX8
8:11 min
CDC update: COVID-19 death rate predicted to be LESS THAN ONE PERCENT
•May 26, 2020

Glenn Beck

The CDC once predicted the coronavirus death rate would be between four and five percent. But, they just majorly adjusted those predictions: now the death rate of COVID-19 is expected to be POINT FOUR percent. But, remember when the media hammered President Trump for predicting the final number would be less than one percent?

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF-MrFfTG8o
LIVE
Coronavirus: Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses California's response to COVID-19
Started streaming 35 minutes ago


KTLA 5
Watch live: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials are providing updates on the state’s response to COVID-19.

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-0A48H3TtQ
46:47 min
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Holds Coronavirus Briefing | NBC News
•Streamed live 4 hours ago

NBC News
Watch coronavirus livestream coverage of the outbreak as COVID-19 spreads, impacting markets and daily life across the U.S. and abroad.

____________________________

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVNHi4XEwqE
1:47:33 min
NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio Holds Coronavirus Briefing | NBC News
•Streamed live 6 hours ago

NBC News

Watch coronavirus livestream coverage of the outbreak as COVID-19 spreads, impacting markets and daily life across the U.S. and abroad.

 

[marsh]

Embattled Michigan governor in hot water over hubby’s boat request

The governor of Michigan — whose strict coronavirus lockdown policies have caused infamous revolts in the state — is taking heat after her husband appeared to have flouted some of her o…

nypost.com

Embattled Michigan governor in hot water over hubby’s boat request

The governor of Michigan — whose strict coronavirus lockdown policies have caused infamous revolts in the state — is taking heat after her husband appeared to have flouted some of her own advice about holiday travel.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed some of the strictest regulations in the country as Michigan became engulfed in cases and deaths, prompting widespread protests by some residents, including those who stormed the statehouse last month. Whittier has said some of the protesters had “nooses and swastikas,” along with guns, as they screamed, “Lock her up!”

Last Monday, Whitmer announced that she was lifting some lockdown restrictions in areas before Memorial Day weekend.

But “if you don’t live in these regions … think long and hard before you take a trip into them,” she said.

“A small spike could put the hospital system in dire straits pretty quickly. That’s precisely why we’re asking everyone to continue doing their part. Don’t descend on [waterfront] Traverse City from all regions of the state.”

Three days later, a marina owner wrote on Facebook that the governor’s husband, Marc Mallory, had asked its workers to get their nearby boat in the water before Memorial Day, the Detroit News said Monday.

The vacation property that the governor and her husband own is about 25 minutes from Traverse City, the News said. The couple’s main residence is in Lansing.

“This morning, I was out working when the office called me, there was a gentleman on hold who wanted his boat in the water before the weekend,” NorthShore Dock LLC owner Tad Dowker wrote Thursday on Facebook, according to the News, which said the posting has since been made private.

“Being Memorial weekend and the fact that we started working three weeks late means there is no chance this is going to happen,’’ Dowker wrote, the paper said.

“Well our office personnel had explained this to the man and he replied, ‘I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?’ ”

The docking company later said on its Facebook page that Mallory was respectful when told it couldn’t accommodate him, according to the News.

Republican state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) noted to the News that Whitmer had urged state residents not to flock to Traverse City, and “Yet, what did her family try and do?

“In the Army, we have a tradition that the leaders get in line for chow last behind everyone else in the unit,” he said. “Here is the leader of our state. … Her family is trying to cut people in line.”

Whitmer’s spokeswoman, Tiffany Brown, did not deny the claims involving her boss’s husband to the News but said the governor’s office would not be responding to “every rumor that is spread online.”

The governor landed in President Trump’s cross hairs in March when she complained about the federal government’s response amid the pandemic.

“I love Michigan, one of the reasons we are doing such a GREAT job for them during this horrible Pandemic. Yet your Governor, Gretchen ‘Half’ Whitmer is way in over her head, she doesn’t have a clue. Likes blaming everyone for her own ineptitude!” he tweeted after her comments.

Whitmer confirmed last week that she is in talks with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden to become his running mate.

 

[marsh]

New rules released for churches, mosques and synagogues to resume in-person worship

The state of California released new guidelines to allow for the reopening of churches and other places of worship for in-person services. See them here:

abc7news.com

New rules [CA] released for churches, mosques and synagogues to resume in-person worship
The latest updates as California moves further into phase two of opening

By Luz Pena and Alix Martichoux
Monday, May 25, 2020 5:24PM
https://abc7news.com/watch/
The state of California released new guidelines Monday to allow for the opening of churches and other places of worship for in-person services. The new rules include suggestions of face masks, disinfecting surfaces and reducing the amount of singing.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The state of California released new guidelines Monday to allow for the reopening of churches and other places of worship for in-person services.

Places of worship can reopen effective immediately (given they are permitted to do so by local county guidelines) as long as they "limit attendance to 25% of a building's capacity - or up to 100 attendees, whichever is lower" and follow social distancing rules.

The new guidelines include:

• Staff, volunteers and congregants are strongly recommended to wear face masks when in the vicinity of others
• Congregants should be screened for temperature and other symptoms
• Staff must be screened with temperature checks before their shifts
• Offering plates (and similar items) should not be passed around between worshippers
• The sharing of items like prayer books, cushions and prayer rugs is discouraged
• High traffic areas, like pews and lobbies, should be frequently disinfected
• Microphones, instruments and other items on pulpit and podiums should be disinfected between uses
• Consider shortening services to minimize the amount of time people are congregated together
• Places of worship should consider using disposable seat covers and dispose of them between services
• Seating and podium areas must be rearranged to allow for 6 feet of space between people
• Open doors and windows to encourage fresh air to flow inside

Places of worship are also encouraged by state guidelines to continue offering remote and online services. They should also meet outside to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 wherever possible.

The guidelines also ask places of worship to "strongly consider discontinuing singing, group recitation, and other practices and performances where there is increased likelihood for transmission from contaminated exhaled droplets."

Concerts, holiday events and other especially large gatherings should remain canceled for the time being.

See the full list of new rules here.

On Monday, Bay Area black preachers and activists gathered on the step of San Francisco City Hall to oppose the reopening of churches in the state.

"This aggregation of unity is together on one single truth - the African American community is down with deaths will up on life," said Rev. Amos Brown, Pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco and President of the SF branch of the NAACP.

Pastor Marty Peters from Victory Baptist Church in East Oakland said they will continue to hold virtual gatherings in hopes to decrease the amount of COVID-19 case within the African American community.

"3,000 confirmed cases in our zip code. East Oakland has been hit hard by this pandemic. Therefore, I stand in support of not opening our church doors at this time. It is not safe," Said Peters.

California has the largest number of Muslims in the country with an average 350,000 in the Bay Area.

Hatem Bazian, Chair of the Northern California Islamic Council said these guidelines will be challenging to follow but necessary to keep this community safe.

The biggest concern, is "How to deal with the prayer location? because the Muslim prayer require individuals to stand shoulder to shoulder," Bazian points to a tentative solution, "to institute for people to be at a distance of 6 feet within the mosque."

Touching the ground and using a mat is also part of the Muslim prayer, another aspect that will have to be modified.

"Some of the discussions is to create paper mat where individuals who come will get a paper mat that they will use to prostrate and dispose of it," said Bazian.

In San Francisco, Pastor Carlos Concuan with the Aliento de Vida para las naciones, he will continue drive-in services but is concerned about sending people away.

"I'm going to have people thinking okay you were teaching me for a long time that we have a God who heals but now you are sending me home because I'm sick. That's the only thing that I don't agree with 100%,"said Pastor Concuan.

Last week, President Donald Trump deemed churches and other houses of worship "essential" and called on governors across the country to allow them to reopen immediately. He said if governors don't abide by his request, he will "override" them, though it's unclear what authority he has to do so.

In a press conference Friday, President Donald Trump asked governors to reopen houses of worship this weekend.

"We look forward to churches reopening in a safe manner," Gov. Newsom said Friday.

Last week the governor announced professional sports, hair salons may also be able to resume as early as the first week of June.

"If we hold the rate of transmissions... we'll be making announcements statewide, not just with the regional variances, that would allow for retail not just to be pick-up, but in-store retail to be loosened up," he said.

 

[Pinecone]

Arkansas high school pool party sparks second surge of COVID-19 cases

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state, which allowed restaurants and gyms to reopen earlier this month, was now seeing 'a second peak' in infections due to the high school pool party.

www.dailymail.co.uk

(fair use applies)

High school pool party sparks second surge of coronavirus cases in Arkansas with the state recording a record spike in daily infections last week
By Emily Crane For Dailymail.com
Published: 08:46 EDT, 25 May 2020 | Updated: 18:09 EDT, 25 May 2020

• Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Arkansas, which allowed restaurants and gyms to reopen earlier this month, was now seeing 'a second peak' in infections
• He said a number of those new infections have been linked to a pool party attended by high school students
• The governor would not reveal further details about the party, including how many people tested positive, how many people attended or where it was held
• As of Sunday, Arkansas had recorded just over 5,900 COVID-19 infections and the death toll was at 116
• The number of daily infections surged by 454 last Thursday, which is the biggest single increase in the state since the pandemic first broke out
• Second surge came about a month after there were 291 new cases reported on April 21 in what was believed to be the initial peak of the state's outbreak

A high school pool party has sparked a second surge in coronavirus cases in Arkansas, according to the state's governor.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state, which allowed restaurants and gyms to reopen earlier this month, was now seeing 'a second peak' in infections.

He said a number of those new infections have been linked to a pool party attended by high school students.

'A high school swim party that I'm sure everybody thought was harmless. They're young, they're swimming, they're just having activity, and positive cases resulted from that,' Hutchinson said.

The governor would not reveal further details about the party, including how many people tested positive, how many people attended or where it was held.

As of Sunday, Arkansas had recorded just over 5,900 COVID-19 infections and the death toll was at 116.

The number of daily infections surged by 454 last Thursday, which is the biggest single increase in the state since the pandemic first broke out.

That second surge came about a month after there were 291 new cases reported on April 21 in what was believed to be the initial peak of the state's outbreak.

Gov. Hutchinson described it as the 'second peak'.

'It's clear and evident to me that we have one peak, and then we've had a deep dip, and then we're having a second peak right now, and they're really about 30 days apart,' he said.

Last week, Arkansas and 10 other states - including Alabama, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Maryland, Maine, Nevada, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin - reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases.

While Gov. Hutchinson refused to provide additional details about the pool party, he said the incident should serve as 'encouragement for us to be disciplined in our activities'.

His warning came on Saturday at the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend.

'During this Memorial weekend, we want to be out and we want to enjoy ourselves, we want to remember this holiday and those that have served our country and given their lives in service of our country,' Hutchinson said.

'But let's be safe and let's be disciplined at the same time.'

Elsewhere in the country, the Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start of summer meant big crowds at beaches and warnings from authorities about people disregarding social-distancing rules and risking a resurgence of the virus.

On the Sunday talk shows, Dr Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, said she was 'very concerned' about scenes of people crowding together over the weekend.

'We really want to be clear all the time that social distancing is absolutely critical. And if you can´t social distance and you´re outside, you must wear a mask,' she said on ABC's 'This Week.'

So what is he calling a spike in cases after the high school pool party? Two, twenty, two hundred out of how many participants? What is so secret that the info can't be shared? If the governor/government wants us to take the numbers seriously, they have to be transparent or saying there is a "spike" is nothing more than political posturing and fear mongering.

 

[marsh]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ31_F-qQaI
LIVE
LIVE: President Donald Trump Delivers Remarks on Protecting Seniors with Diabetes 5/26/20 [COVID 19 c
•Started streaming 58 minutes ago

Right Side Broadcasting Network

 

[danielboon]

Massachusetts coronavirus cases: 6,473 deaths, 93,693 positive tests Massachusetts coronavirus cases: 6,473 deaths, 93,693 positive tests 57 new deaths up from 44 yesterday

 

[marsh]

Kudlow: 'The Third Quarter Could Be the Fastest-Growing Quarter in U.S. History'

Tuesday on Fox News Channel's "America's Newsroom," White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow said he sees "glimmers of hope" and "growth" for the United States economy ahead after a brutal hit on the economy due to the coronavirus pandemic. | Clips

www.breitbart.com

Kudlow: ‘The Third Quarter Could Be the Fastest-Growing Quarter in U.S. History’

TRENT BAKER26 May 2020260

Tuesday on Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom,” White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow said he sees “glimmers of hope” and “growth” for the United States economy ahead after a brutal hit on the economy due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kudlow pointed to “positive developments” for a “very strong” second half of 2020, predicting the third quarter “could be the fastest-growing quarter in U.S. history.”

“I think you’re in a turning zone phase. As we’ve said time and again, the second quarter is going to be a rough quarter,” Kudlow emphasized. “It’s a … pandemic contraction, a lot of hardship on the unemployment claims — a lot of heartbreak there. But these signs, and I think the market is rallying on these signs, Sandra, these signs are showing a lot more glimmers of hope and growth. And the signs seem to be mounting.”

He continued, “The consumer confidence number, just a point, the number was up a bit, which is good, but in six months, they have a six-month expectations component, and that’s where you see a big takeoff in consumer confidence.

And I think folks see that the virus, first of all, is flattening on its way down, they see business opening, they themselves feel like going out and spending. These are all very positive developments that will show up in the data, perhaps in July or August. The third quarter could be the fastest-growing quarter in U.S. history. The whole second half is going to be very strong as we reopen the economy, and as Americans come back to recovery. This is a transition to recovery, and, as the president said, it’s a transition to greatness.”

 

[marsh]

MSNBC's Dr. Vin Gupta: Make Masks Mandatory Like Smoking Bans

Dr. Vin Gupta suggested wearing masks should be mandatory to combat further spread of Chinese coronavirus.

www.breitbart.com

MSNBC’s Dr. Vin Gupta: Make Masks Mandatory, ‘I Shouldn’t Have to Breathe Exhaled COVID-19’
580

MSNBC
JOSHUA CAPLAN25 May 20203,429

Appearing Monday on MSNBC, network contributor Dr. Vin Gupta suggested that lawmakers should mandate mask usage to combat further spread of Chinese coronavirus, comparing the proposal to the ban on smoking inside public facilities.

A partial transcript is as follows:

CRAIG MELVIN: Would requiring masks across the board help? Is that feasible?
DR. VIN GUPTA: I’m going to say this for the benefit of your family — I know you have young kids — for my family, and for all Americans, we should make masks mandatory in public, just like we ban indoor smoking, because you know what? You shouldn’t have to breathe somebody else’s secondhand smoke. I shouldn’t have to breathe exhaled COVID-19 in somebody’s breath. Nobody should. We should institute mandatory masks in public when you can’t guarantee social distancing. That means retail stores, public transportation, workplaces. That’s absolutely where we should be heading.

It makes no sense we’re not already there. People are flouting the rules. A security guard at a retail outlet in Michigan died trying to encourage a customer to wear a mask. They shot him because they didn’t like the way it was trying to be enforced, that policy. We need to not put the onus on security guards at local outlets to enforce this policy or to encourage Americans to abide by it. It’s all in our interests that we wear masks. The evidence is overwhelming. We just need governors to do their job.

 

[marsh]

Virginia to Mandate Masks After Northam Caught Taking Selfie w/o Mask

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced residents will be required to wear a mask inside public places beginning Friday.

www.breitbart.com

Virginia to Mandate Masks After Northam Caught Taking Selfie Without One
3,340

Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP
JOSHUA CAPLAN26 May 20202,283

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced Tuesday that residents will be required to wear a mask inside public places beginning Friday as part of an effort to combat further spread of the Chinese coronavirus.

Northam said in a press conference that people must wear masks “anywhere people can congregate” inside, including retail spaces, government facilities, and public transportation. Masks will also be required in restaurants, except while patrons are eating. Residents won’t have to wear a mask during exercise, and children 9-years-old and younger are exempt from the rule.

“I am taking this step because science increasingly shows us that the virus spreads less easily when everyone is wearing face coverings,” said the governor.
The new mask mandate will not be enforced by police, but by Virginia’s health department, explained Northam.

“I’m not sure we need to get into specifics of what authority, at this stage,” he responded when pressed on how the state health officials will enforce the rules.
“The criminal code is not the place you want this enforced, there are tremendous equity issues with enforcing this that we’re cognizant of,” added Clark Mercer, Northam’s chief of staff.

During another part of his press conference, Northam acknowledged that he takes “full responsibility” for failing to wear a mask while visiting Virginia Beach over the weekend, saying he forgot his mask in his vehicle.

“People held me accountable and I appreciate that,” he added.

Critics on social media chided Northam, a physician, for not practicing what he has preached.

“Physician, heal thyself,” tweeted Todd Gilbert, a Republican who is Virginia’s House Minority Leader.

Northam posed for a selfie with a woman who said she knows the governor. She gave him a pat on the shoulder.

“We just have to continue to remind people that we want to keep the social distance of 6 feet apart,” he said, when asked about the touch later. “That’s a challenge for a lot of folks because they’re just not used to doing that.”

Virginia has more than 34,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,135 confirmed deaths as of Sunday, according to the state health department.

 

[marsh]

Communist China May Make Coronavirus App Surveillance Permanent

When the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic hit its peak, the Chinese government was quick to make use of smartphones to track citizens' movements and isolate those who might be infected. Now, privacy experts are warning that these surveillance measures may stay in place once the pandemic has ended. One...

www.breitbart.com

Communist China May Make Coronavirus App Surveillance Permanent
15

NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images
LUCAS NOLAN26 May 202032
3:17
When the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic hit its peak, the Chinese government was quick to make use of smartphones to track citizens’ movements and isolate those who might be infected. Now, privacy experts are warning that these surveillance measures may stay in place once the pandemic has ended. One communist party official claims that Chinese people want to be surveilled, saying the app is “loved so much that you cannot bear to part with it.”

The New York Times reports that when the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic was in full force in China, the government was quick to use citizens’ cell phones to identify and isolate people who could potentially be spreading the virus. Now, China claims that the virus is largely under control in the country, yet the government’s monitoring apps are slowly moving towards being a permanent part of Chinese peoples’ lives.

The tracking software has reportedly been collecting information such as location data on people in hundreds of cities across China, but no limits have been set by authorities on how that data can be used. Zhou Jiangyong, the Communist Party secretary of the eastern tech hub of Hangzhou, has stated that the app should be an “intimate health guardian” for residents that is used often and “loved so much that you cannot bear to part with it.”

Li Sihui, a researcher at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, wrote in a recent commentary: “Epidemic prevention and control needs the support of big data technology, but this does not mean agencies and individuals can randomly collect citizens’ information by borrowing the name of prevention and control.”

Wang Xin, a novelist with 2.5 million followers on the Chinese social platform Weibo, wrote: “Doesn’t this brazenly violate privacy to surveil and discriminate against unhealthy people?” Another author, Shen Jiake, wrote: “I know that in this age of big data, it’s so easy for those who control data to check and use personal information in a matter of minutes,” but Jiake added that Hangzhou’s plan “crosses a line.”

Other Chinese cities are no working on ways to continue using the apps, Shanghai reportedly wants to transform the app into a digital assistant for accessing local services of all kinds. The city of Xining uses the software to unlock coupons to local stores as a way to boost the economy.

Authorities in Hangzhou began linking the city’s app to citizens’ medical records in April, enabling residents to schedule hospital visits via the app. A document from eh city government also outlines situations in which people’s codes could be scanned to receive a readout of their overall health.

One user on the Chinese social media app Weibo commented: “Medical history and health checkup reports are personal privacy, why should they be included in health codes to show others?” They added: “Points will be deducted for smoking, drinking and not sleeping enough, does this mean our lives will be completely monitored?”

 

[Tristan]

That makes a lot of sense, that they could be spreading it at home and not at work, or on the way to work. The reason I ask and think it's relevant is because they are supposedly masked and wearing gloves at work, so if they're catching it at work that says masks and gloves aren't protecting them. But if they're catching it before they are masked and gloved, then that's a different ballgame.

Also, a little off topic, but I it annoys me that logical theories aren't weighed or considered, instead they're immediately run through some PC lens to make sure they don't faux-offend anyone. (referring to the article about Azar) How is anyone supposed to make rational decisions if they can't discuss facts because they may be twisted by a political operative as offensive? Facts are facts. If the living conditions are what spreading the disease you can't deny it because someone twists it into being a 'blame the victim' statement. He's not blaming the victim, he's stating what's causing the clusters.

HD

Or if they are doing a poor job of keeping their PPE on properly (how many pics have I seen of people with masks only covering their mouths), or are improperly removing the PPE, or if they are taking it off for lunch break, or poor quality but cheap PPE from China, or... or...

Without careful study it will be at best improbable that we'll be able to discern where the infections are coming from.

I am not blaming the workers, but I sincerely hope that those who are paid to do so put the effort into determining the source of the contagion.

 

[marsh]

Zerohedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

Anti-Lockdown Protesters Could Become Violent If US Revives Quarantine Measures, DHS Warns

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 17:05

Lockdowns and strict social distancing rules have collapsed local economies, led to depression-level unemployment, and sparked outrage among many Americans, resulting in nationwide reopening protests. A new report via the Department of Homeland Security Counterterrorism Mission Center, first seen by ABC News, warns if additional lockdowns are seen, it could very well spark violence.

"A variety of illicit actors are responding violently to stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures in place due to COVID-19, and we assess both public and private authority figures and essential workers are at highest risk of being targeted, particularly as the pandemic persists," DHS said in the report, which was distributed to law enforcement and the federal government agencies last week.

"Even as parts of the country begin lifting some of these measures, some illicit actors probably will view any continued state-mandated orders as government overreach, and anticipated safety guidelines and policies—specifically the use of face masks—probably also will serve as a driving factor behind continued violent incidents related to the pandemic," the report said.

The DHS report comes as the country, as a whole, has been reopening but comes as media is starting to hype the resurgence of a second coronavirus wave. Not too long ago, we asked: "Will Americans Submit To A Second Lockdown?" -- and the answer to this question is that a massive political divide continues to increase between red-state governors (who want to reopen and stay open) and blue state governors (extend lockdowns and social distancing for fear a second wave is nearing). It will likely be up to each citizen to decide if they should be quarantined in their homes again. DHS warns people could commit "violent acts" against the government if lockdowns are extended or new ones are seen.

"Public health officials are warning of a possible second-wave of COVID-19 in late 2020, which would likely result in at least some states re-implementing stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of the virus, according to press reporting. Should this occur, we would expect a repeat of current responses, including additional incidents of hostility against these restrictions, some of which could result in violence targeting law enforcement or other individuals attempting to enforce the stay-at-home orders," according to the report.

There have already been several incidents during the first round of lockdowns, including militia with assault-style weapons rolling up to multiple state capitol buildings demanding governors reopen their respective local economies.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1252377330036510721

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1252377330036510721
.47 min

Second Amendment supporters hanged an effigy of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear from a tree as they denounced his administration's stay-at-home restrictions over Memorial Day weekend.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1264810027405029377

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1264810027405029377
.51 min

On Monday, Reuters said 11 states recorded a surge in new virus cases, including Alabama, Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Maryland, Maine, Nevada, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Take a look at Virginia:



Also, covidiots stormed beaches over the weekend, many with no face masks -- could increase the odds of a second coronavirus wave later this year. States are reopening, giving Americans a taste of freedom after several months of lockdowns, there's little doubt that some people will strongly object if the government issues an extension to lockdowns or a second round later this year.

 

[marsh]

Zerohedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

The High Cost Of Locking-Down America: "We've Seen A Year's Worth Of Suicide Attempts In The Last Four Weeks"
Tue, 05/26/2020 - 15:50

Authored by Michael Snyder via The End of The American Dream blog,
Locking down much of the country may have helped to “flatten the curve” a bit, but it has also had some very serious consequences that public health officials did not anticipate. Humans were created to be social creatures, and forcing us to isolate ourselves from one another for weeks on end has turned out to be quite problematic. This has especially been true for those that live alone. Today, the U.S. has a higher percentage of one person households than ever before, and keeping those individuals totally isolated in their own homes is not that different from putting prison inmates in solitary confinement for an extended period of time. In both cases, it can be just a matter of time before people mentally break.


Even before this pandemic came along, the suicide rate in the United States was already soaring, and now the number of suicides is spiking like we have never seen before. Just consider what Dr. Mike deBoisblanc of John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, California says is happening in his area…

“We’ve never seen numbers like this, in such a short period of time,” he said. “I mean we’ve seen a year’s worth of suicide attempts in the last four weeks.”

And suicide helplines all over America are seeing an enormous increase in the number of people calling in…

Many crisis centers are reporting 30% to 40% increases in the number of people seeking help. The helpline at Provident is experiencing a tenfold increase compared with this time last year, when no national disaster was occurring.

In addition to being isolated in their own homes, Americans have also been bombarded by endless coverage of this pandemic by the mainstream media, and this has definitely helped to fuel a lot of anxiety…

In all, 66% are watching and consuming more news than ever before, which is particularly puzzling considering that 68% also admitted that COVID-19 coverage gives them considerable anxiety. It’s not just anxiety either; 65% said they feel overwhelmed by coronavirus news, 56% just get plain angry, 67% feel burnt out, 59% experience fearfulness, and 50% can’t help but feel hopeless after hearing the nightly news.

And of course Americans are not just watching more news than ever before. According to Comcast, the average U.S. household has actually been watching 66 hours of TV a week during this pandemic…

New research from telecomms firm Comcast has revealed viewing time has soared as a result, with households watching an extra eight-plus hours of TV each week – equivalent to the time spent on a full days’ work shift.

This means the average household now watches 66 hours of TV a week, up from 57 hours a week in early March.

Watching endless hours of television is one of the worst possible things that you can do for your mental health.

If you put garbage into your mind, you are going to get garbage out.
And allowing the corporate media elite to endlessly feed hour after hour of “programming” directly into your mind is incredibly self-destructive.
In addition to binge-watching television, many Americans have also been dealing with this crisis by turning to drugs and alcohol…

Findings by The Recovery Village, a Florida-based network of addiction treatment facilities, reflect an “expected” increase in substance use during the pandemic, with Americans reporting a 55% rise in alcohol consumption in the last month. When it came to illicit drugs, 36% of Americans reported increased use of marijuana and prescription opioids, among others.

Needless to say, this is more self-destructive behavior that is just going to fuel even more anxiety, depression and despair.

Yes, this pandemic has been bad. There have been more than 1.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States so far, and about 100,000 Americans have died.

But this isn’t the worst thing that we are going to face. In fact, it isn’t even close.

So if we can’t handle what is happening right now, how in the world are we going to be able to handle what is coming?

The good news is that this pandemic is causing a lot of people to wake up and reflect on what really matters.

Prior to COVID-19, a lot of Americans were living for their careers. But this crisis has demonstrated how rapidly those jobs can disappear. There is absolutely no loyalty in the corporate world today, and most corporations will not hesitate to lay off workers once they start bleeding money. At this point, more than 38 million Americans have already lost their jobs, and more job losses are coming in the weeks and months ahead.

Other Americans were living for the pleasures of this life before this pandemic came along. But now bars, clubs and movie theaters all over the country have been shut down, professional sports leagues have been paralyzed, and this virus has even transformed dating into a hazard that many people simply don’t want to deal with.

So many of the things that we once valued so highly have been taken away, and maybe that is precisely what we needed. Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan created quite an uproar when he made this point very strongly on Instagram…

“Word up, can you handle the truth my brother only love HH,” wrote Hogan, who has 1.5 million followers on Instagram. “In three short months, just like He did with the plagues of Egypt, God has taken away everything we worship.

“God said, ‘you want to worship athletes, I will shut down the stadiums. You want to worship musicians, I will shut down Civic Centers. You want to worship actors, I will shut down theaters. You want to worship money, I will shut down the economy and collapse the stock market. You don’t want to go to church and worship Me, I will make it where you can’t go to church.

“‘If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. I wrote an entire book urging people to start focusing on what really matters, because true hope will not be found in the temporal things that the world is constantly chasing.

And it has definitely been encouraging to hear that many young people have taken this crisis as an opportunity to start thinking about spiritual issues more…

A majority of teens and young adults say they are praying more or thinking about spiritual issues more than they were prior to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey.

The poll of 800 high school students and 800 post-secondary students found that 67 percent said they’re either praying more often or thinking about spiritual issues more compared to the time before the virus.

There is hope, but it won’t be found on a television screen, at the bottom of a bottle or at the end of a needle.

So please don’t give up. Despite all of the craziness in our world today, the best chapters of your life can still be ahead of you.

But if you keep feeding your mind endless hours of media “programming” and you keep chasing the things that they tell you to chase, all that is ahead of you is more pain, more anxiety, more depression and more despair.

 

[marsh]

Zerohedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

Kudlow Calls For "Back To Work Bonus" As Americans Prefer Sitting On Couch Rather Than Working

Tue, 05/26/2020 - 13:25

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Tuesday told Fox News that the Trump administration is examining another round of stimulus for unemployed workers that will get them back to work.

Kudlow calls it the "back to work bonus," a move that will bring people from off the sidelines and back into the workplace as the economy restarts.

A significant problem for the Trump administration has developed during the economic crash, unemployment benefits for some workers are now paying more than their old jobs did, which is set to delay the employment recovery.

Thanks to the March CARES Act which boosted unemployment benefits by $600 per week, around half of all US workers stand to take in more money while laid off than they did before the pandemic - at least until that increase expires at the end of July.



We noted last week that the CARES Act, which included a $1,200 stimulus check and an additional $600 weekly payment for the unemployed, has led to a labor shortage at one Arizona restaurant.

Times Square Italian Restaurant owner Paullette Cano said with an "unemployment rate at almost 20%, you'd think we'd have a lot of applicants coming in, but we're not."

Cano said the CARES Act and unemployment checks have resulted in many of her furloughed employees staying home. They collectively told her their pay from the government is much better than working at her restaurant.

"They don't want to come back to work," she said. "It's the unemployment. They're receiving about $840 a week, which puts them about $22 an hour."

Moving on to the subject of China, Kudlow said that Trump is so "miffed" with the Chinese over the virus, that the trade deal is not longer his No. 1 focus concerning China - echoing comments that Trump himself made recently.

Commenting on the market's rally on Tuesday, Kudlow said Q3 could see one of the biggest jumps in US GDP growth in history, and that the market is rallying on signs that we've "hit bottom", and that the worst of the economic disruption is behind us.

Kudlow also said the administration would extend some assistance to US companies seeking to move parts of their supply chain back to the US from China.

Circling back to Kudlow's comment on the "back to work" bonus," we recently penned "When Work Is Punished: Did The 'Generous' CARES Act Just Guarantee High Unemployment Is Here To Stay?" -- where it was noted the CARES Act has the potential to create an entirely new generation of welfare serfs, subsisting on significant welfare benefits with no incentive to 'get back to work', even after the lockdowns are lifted. This will lead to a labor market that won't recover anytime soon, thwarting any hopes of a V-shaped recovery this year.

The virus, to its credit, has triggered a dangerous policy response by the government of helicopter money that will effectively delay the recovery. Kudlow announcing the prospects for more stimulus to get people back into the workforce suggests the administration could be in the wrong for paying people more money to stay at home rather than what their prior job was paying -- basically disincentivizing people to look for jobs.