Joe Biden is the apparent winner of Washington’s Democratic primary, NBC News reported Monday, chalking up another victory in a string of recent upsets over Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Ohio Primary Will Go Forward
A judge denied an attempt to delay Ohio’s primary election due to coronavirus, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
“He said it was too late — 12 hours out from polls opening — to make such a momentous decision, especially since the state couldn’t guarantee that June would be any safer.”
“The ruling — and DeWine’s and LaRose’s earlier statements — threatens to plunge the primary into chaos. Not only are people confused whether the election is tomorrow, state officials were adamant the election could put poll workers’ and voters’ health at risk.”
U.K. Shifts Virus Response After Report
The UK only realised “in the last few days” that attempts to “mitigate” the impact of the coronavirus pandemic would not work, and that it needed to shift to a strategy to “suppress” the outbreak, according to a report by a team of experts who have been advising the government, BuzzFeed News reports.
The report found that the strategy previously being pursued by the government — dubbed “mitigation” and involving home isolation of suspect cases and their family members but not including restrictions on wider society — would “likely result in hundreds of thousands of deaths and health systems (most notably intensive care units) being overwhelmed many times over.”
Kentucky Delays Presidential Primary
“Kentucky delayed its primary election on Monday, becoming the latest state to take the step to curb the spread of the coronavirus,” CNBC reports.
“The state will move its nominating contest to June 23 from the originally planned May 19, Secretary of State Michael Adams announced. He said he made the decision with Gov. Andy Beshear during what he called ‘unprecedented times.'”
Trump Gives Himself a 10 Out of 10 on Virus Response
President Trump told reporters that he would rate his administration’s response to the coronavirus a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, The Hill reports.
Said Trump: “I’d rate it a 10.”
He added: “I think we’ve done a great job, and it started with the fact that we kept a very highly-infected country, despite all of the, even the professionals saying it’s too early to do that. We were very, very early with respect to China and we would have a whole different situation in this country if we didn’t do that.”
Trump Asks Citizens to Stop Hoarding
Presdient Trump asked Americans to avoid “hoarding unnecessary amounts of food and essentials” during the coronavirus crisis.
Said Trump: “I ask all Americans to band together and support your neighbors by not hoarding unnecessary amounts of food and essentials. TOGETHER we will stay STRONG and overcome this challenge!”
Quote of the Day
“Not, not uh – something I want to do everyday… you know, it’s a little bit of a — it’s a little bit of — good doctors in the White House, but it’s a test. It’s a test. It’s a medical test. Nothing pleasant about it.”
— President Trump, quoted by CNN, when asked what it was like to take the coronavirus test.
Trump on Coronavirus, Yesterday and Today
“It’s a very contagious virus, it’s incredible, but it’s something we have tremendous control of.”
— President Trump, quoted by CNN yesterday, on the coronavirus outbreak.
“No, that’s not under control for any place in the world.”
— Trump, quoted by CNN today, sharply changing his outlook on the crisis.
Dow Falls Nearly 3,000 Points As Virus Fears Spread
“U.S. stocks dropped sharply Monday even after the Federal Reserve slashed its benchmark interest rate to near zero, reflecting investors’ concerns that the emergency measures may not be enough to ward off a coronavirus-induced recession,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 12.9%, or 2,999 points, as of the 4 p.m. Eastern time close of trading, dropping further during an afternoon news conference by President Trump.”
Bay Area Residents Ordered to Shelter In Place
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that six Bay Area counties are expected to announce a “shelter in place” order for all residents on Monday, directing everyone to stay inside their homes and away from others as much as possible for the next three weeks as public health officials desperately try to curb the rapid spread of coronavirus across the region.
Amazon to Hire 100K Warehouse and Delivery Workers
Amazon plans to hire an additional 100,000 employees in the U.S., as people are turning to online deliveries at a breakneck pace to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus, the Wall Street Journal reports.
De Blasio Aides Threatened to Quit Over Virus Response
“For most of last week, as Mayor Bill de Blasio continued to urge New Yorkers to mostly go about their daily lives — sending their children to school, frequenting the city’s businesses — some of his top aides were furiously trying to change the mayor’s approach to the coronavirus outbreak,” the New York Times reports.
“There had been arguments and shouting matches between the mayor and some of his advisers; some top health officials had even threatened to resign if he refused to accept the need to close schools and businesses.”
DeWine Wants to Delay Ohio Primary
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) proposed postponing the state’s presidential primary, scheduled for tomorrow, for June 2, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
DeWine doesn’t have the power to switch dates on his own but will go to court to argue it’s in the public’s interest.
Lone Congressman Holds Up Coronavirus Bill
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) is holding up the House-passed coronavirus relief bill and preventing it from being delivered to the Senate for a vote, NBC News reports.
Schumer Proposes $750 Billion to Combat Coronavirus
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) is set to propose at least $750 billion to combat the coronavirus as lawmakers discuss a third legislative package, The Hill reports.
The proposal is set to be presented to appropriators as early as Tuesday.
Airlines Seek $50 Billion Relief Package
“US airlines are seeking government assistance of more than $50 billion, including a mix of direct aid and loan guarantees, as the industry reels from the coronavirus outbreak,” CNBC reports.
Romney Proposes Sending $1,000 Checks to Everyone
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) proposed sending every American $1,000 to ease the financial pain of the coronavirus pandemic that has tanked global markets and threatened to grind U.S. economic activity to a halt, CNBC reports.
Trump Tells Governors to Get Own Medical Equipment
“President Trump told a group of governors Monday morning that they should not wait for the federal government to fill the growing demand for respirators needed to help people diagnosed with coronavirus,” the New York Times reports.
Said Trump: “Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves… We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”
“The suggestion surprised some of the governors, who have been scrambling to contain the outbreak and are increasingly looking to the federal government for help with equipment, personnel and financial aid.”