Coronavirus news: Washington preparing for 64,000 cases as Massachusetts becomes latest to declare state of emergency
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With more than 900 reported cases and a task force created by Donald Trump to prepare the nation, coronavirus fears have begun to grip the United States as schools cancel classes and officials have urged elderly people to avoid large crowds.
Coronavirus concerns have also prompted several members of US Congress to self quarantine after coming into contact with people who were infected, and some politicians have begun to indicate they believe the Capitol building should be shut off to visitors until the growing outbreak has been contained.
So far, 30 people have been killed by the virus, including at least 24 in Washington, two in California and another two in Florida. Eight people have so-far recovered from the virus, which has sparked a rare national lock down in Italy. The rapid increase of coronavirus cases in the US and across the world encouraged one expert to compare the numbers to Italy, which has seen more than 9,100 cases. The expert anticipates America’s epidemic could look like Italy’s in nine to 14 days.
The spread of the coronavirus got worse in Italy on Tuesday, with the state revealing the death toll has risen by 168 people in just 24 hours. It made for the largest single day jump and 631 people have died from the virus to date.
Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state warned there could be 64,000 cases of coronavirus in his state alone if the spread continues. The state has at least 167 confirmed cases, but the governor believes it is closer to 1,000 people infected by the virus. Health officials warn the official tally is significantly lower than the number of people likely infected across the country.
In response to the growing number of coronavirus cases, both North Carolina and Massachusetts declared a state of emergency on Tuesday. The declaration allows the states to allocate funds towards the proper governmental agencies to combat the spread fo the virus. It also prevents price gouging.
Trump attempted to calm Americans after he met with Republican lawmakers about a package to cushion any economic fallout from the pandemic. "It will go away, just stay calm," Trump said. "Be calm. It's really working out. And a lot of good things are going to happen."
His administration has received backlash from public officials over the handling of the coronavirus, including the lack of testing originally available. Trump also met with insurance companies on Tuesday, and each said they would cover the cost of coronavirus tests for all of their private insurers.
LA to get emergency power to shut down schools as outbreak worsens
The Los Angeles Board of Education is set to give the superintendent emergency powers to close schools if the coronavirus outbreak reaches critical levels.
Emergency powers given to Superintendent Austin Beutner would allow for him to take actions without the approval of the school board, including shutting down the LA Unified school district, which is the second largest in the nation.
This power will be voted on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to pass, according to the Los Angeles Times. No person has yet to test positive for the coronavirus and is connected to the school district, but cases continue to rise in California and the Los Angeles area.
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Fox News presenter claims Trump criticism over coronavirus handling is 'impeachment all over again'
Fox Business host Trish Regan has claimed that criticism of Donald Trump over Covid-19 is an attempt to impeach the president.
Ms Regan, who hosts "Trish Regan Primetime" on Fox Business started her show on Monday night by attacking those criticising Trump's handling over the pandemic.
The host, who had a banner reading "DEMS POLITICIZE CORONAVIRUS" noticeably underneath her during the segment, claimed that Democrats lay the blame for Covid-19 squarely at the door of the president.
"The chorus of hate being levelled at the President is nearing a crescendo as Democrats blame him -- and only him -- for a virus that originated halfway around the world. This is yet another attempt to impeach the President." Said Ms Regan.
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Three employees who greet Florida cruise ship passengers have COVID-19
The Florida Health Department confirmed three employees with Metro Cruise Services tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday. They are responsible for greeting people boarding cruise ships.
Officials now implore anyone who passed through the Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to isolate themselves for 14 days if they start to experience symptoms. Anyone who passed through the port and starts to experience symptoms is urged to contact their county health department or provider.
Outbreaks in the cruise industry encouraged the CDC to release new guidelines for recent ship passengers. They are advised to monitor their health for 14 days and self-isolate themselves if they're experiencing any symptoms.
There are 20 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Florida and one person has died.
Insurers pledge to cover coronavirus tests, but available tests are lacking across US
Major health insurance companies pledged to cover the cost of coronavirus tests when speaking at the White House on Tuesday.
CEOs of UnitedHealth, Anthem, and Humana, as well as leaders from Blue Cross Blue Shield, all met with the president on Tuesday to discuss the current coronavirus epidemic. During the meeting, they confirmed with Trump that coronavirus tests would be covered at no costs to the patients.
"We want the American people to know that they are covered through private insurance, they are covered through Medicare, Medicaid, and there will be no surprise billing," Pence said.
Although it is a relief for Americans to have the test covered, a bigger concern across the US is the lack of testing available.
The CDC has refused to publish numbers of just how many Americans have been tested for the coronavirus, which has frustrated citizens. "We don't know exactly how many because of hundreds of thousands of our tests have gone out to private labs and hospitals that currently do not report in to CDC," said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.
Mr Azar said 2.1 million tests were shipped out to labs. But people have complained about being unable to get tested despite Trump claiming last week that “anyone who wants a test can get a test.”
North Carolina declares a state of emergency
Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for North Carolina, one day after the state confirmed at least seven coronavirus cases.
The governor made the decision to make "funds available to help buy needed supplies, protect people from price gouging and help public health staff across the state," he wrote in a tweet.
Similar to other states, the declaration will give North Carolina flexibility when allocating funds towards combating the spread of the virus.
At least eleven states, including New York, California, and Washington, have declared a state of emergency during the pandemic.
Trump tells Americans to 'stay calm' while claiming coronavirus will 'go away'
The president held a press conference on Tuesday after meeting with Republican lawmakers about a bill to combat the economic fallout of the coronavirus.
"It will go away, just stay calm," Trump said. "Be calm. It's really working out. And a lot of good things are going to happen."
"We're prepared and doing a great job with it," the president added.
He went on to brag about the American consumer and how he wants to protect the cruise ship and airline industries, which have both been hit hard during the outbreak.
"The consumer has never been in a better position than they are now," Trump claimed.
Trump won't commit to coronavirus testing for himself
Donald Trump for the first time left the door open to getting tested for coronavirus after interacting with several members of Congress who had contact with an infected person.
"I don't think it's a big deal. I would do it," he told reporters on Capitol Hill. "I feel extremely good. I feel very good. But I guess it's not a big deal to get tested, and it's something I would do."
But he did not commit to it after taking a limousine and Air Force One ride on Monday with Florida GOP Congressman Matt Gaetz, and shaking hands on Friday with Georgia GOP Congressman Doug Collins. Both are among several lawmakers in self-quarantine, despite claiming no virus symptoms, after interacting with the positive individual at a conservative policy conference that Mr Trump also attended.
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Bernie Sanders cancels Ohio rally on night of Democratic primaries
Senator Bernie Sanders cancelled a rally in Cleveland, Ohio tonight due to health concerns related to the coronavirus.
The campaign's comms director, Mike Casca, issued a statement today.
"Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonight's rally in Cleveland. We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak," the statement said. "Sen. Sanders would like to express his regret to the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight. All future Bernie 2020 events will be evaluated on a case by case basis."
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Here's what an ex-White House staffer and a concerned psychiatrist told Andrew Feinberg about Trump's reaction to the coronavirus crisis:
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