Bi-partisan stimulus package finally moves forward

US leaders of both parties have struck an agreement on a sweeping $2 trillion measure to aid workers, businesses and a healthcare system strained by the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, India's 1.3 billion people have joined the global lockdown, and Spain recorded more than 700 deaths over the past 24 hours, surpassing China in the total death toll, making the country now second to only Italy.   https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/timeline-china-coronavirus-spread-200126061554884.html

25 Mar 2020	Cases	Deaths	Recovered
World*	440,806	19,758	112,036
US**	53,319	690	29
NY**	25,647	210	0
CT**	618	12	0
NC**	479	0	0

* https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ 11:30am am EST 25 Mar 2020
** https://www.coronainusa.com/

 I've started documenting the exact time because real time data is constantly updating. Tracking specific states: NY is the US epicenter, son Reid lives in CT, and I live in NC. 

2am Wednesday:  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced $2 trillion stimulus package to help workers, families, small businesses, and industries.

• $130 billion to support Marshall Plan for hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers.
• Workers first, unemployment compensation during crisis.
• Strict oversight, transparency and accountability of business loans. 
•  $150 billion for state and local governments.

The senate bill initially favored corporations over workers so democrats blocked it. House democrats then proposed a controversial $2.5 trillion 1,400 page alternative, prompting more negotiations. Progress was made Tuesday but vote was delayed to allow time for senators to read the final text, to be sure what had been discussed actually ended up in the bill. Senate is expected to reconvene noon Wednesday and vote is anticipated Wednesday afternoon or evening. House is expected to approve the bill quickly. President Trump signaled he will sign the bill as soon as it lands on his desk. https://www.countable.us/articles/43144-s-status-phase-3-coronavirus-relief-bill Countable is rated Least Biased based on neutral language and covering both sides of political stories/legislation. Also rated High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact check record. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/countable-news/

Noon Tuesday: Fox News broadcast 2 hour Trump virtual town hall. After Trump spoke, second hour featured task force panel answering questions moderated by Bill Hemmer. Trump wants to keep Americans working to prevent suicides from recession or depression. He believes long term isolation as a cure is worse than the disease. He believes more people would die during a prolonged shut down than would die from the actual virus.

Hemmer asked about delayed response; Trump blamed CDC, claimed broken system is now fixed. Trump said NY Governor Cuomo should have ordered ventilators when he had a chance in 2015, said federal government is doing more for NY than any other state, building 4 hospitals, but can’t give every available ventilator to NY because other states (NJ, CA, WA, IL, FL, etc.) will need some too.

Harris Faulkner thanked Trump for bringing news to Fox viewers. Pre-recorded video clip of Joyce from WV: works from home, doing well, wants her stimulus check to go to someone who needs it, not her.

Trump wants country open and younger people working by Easter, April 12^th. Hemmer said that would be a “great American resurrection”, 19 days from now. Video clip of Carmen from IN: asked if coronavirus can mutate; Dr. Birx told her people develop immunity so no worries. Hemmer asked about possibility of 2^nd wave of infections; Dr. Birx responded administration is focused on current season at this time, encouraged people in NY and travelers leaving NY to self quarantine for 15 days.

Hemmer stated South Korea has been successful flattening the curve and asked Surgeon General if US is on similar track. Dr. Adams responded most people exhibiting symptoms do not test positive, and most people who do test positive recover. He said Trump listens to medical professionals and governors.

Hemmer asked about Dr. Fauci; Trump responded Fauci had other things to do today, denied any tension between them.

Video clip of Noah from MD: asked about safety of front line health workers; Dr. Birx responded her mom (age 91) was a nurse and stated improvements with drive up self testing will soon free up millions of dollars to spend on masks and other PPE personal protective equipment. Dr. Adams added that FEMA is working on supply but PPE priority is front line workers who need it most, not general public.

Pence stated testing priority is for sick people, not to be wasted on the healthy. No mention of asymptomatic spreaders. Dr. Birx stated US has tested more people in 8 days than South Korea tested in 8 weeks, ramping up much faster than they did.

Dr. Birx attributed NY spike to contamination on metal surfaces like subways, and travelers arriving from Europe and China. Trump asked if Dr. Birx blamed Gov. Cuomo for NY crisis; she did not answer.

After commercial break, Hemmer asked if Easter is realistic. Trump responded yes. Trump believes coronavirus is less lethal than 1918 flu and he is optimistic about quick return to normalcy.

Dr. Mark Segal commended Trump for efforts to support NY and CA governors. Trump agreed, said his administration is doing a great job.

Dr. Oz compared 15 day pause to surgery post-op and asked what conditions might influence decision to extend stay at home isolation beyond Easter. Trump responded emotional depression leads to death, people want and need to work, country must open as soon as possible.

Dr. Nicole Saphier said to Trump, “We as a nation are beholden to you for your swift action.” She then asked Dr. Birx why some people still can’t get tested. Dr. Birx responded that US testing uses HIV testing platform but scientists are developing different tests that will speed the process and make more tests available soon.  

Pence concluded town hall by reminding everyone to read President’s Coronavirus Guidelines.

AP New York Times fact check refuted some claims made during the town hall. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/03/24/us/politics/ap-us-virus-outbreak-trump-fact-check.html

Pushback against Trump’s Easter announcement was swift and widespread. Within hours it was announced Easter is Trump’s aspirational goal but not a hard deadline. Dr. Fauci was seen during evening presser. Public health advisers are reportedly drafting options for steps toward normalcy. Task force will study 15 day pause data before determining next steps. 

CNN pandemic coverage included data updates, clips of NY Governor Cuomo, medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and multiple front line perspectives. Cuomo warned NY is the canary in the coal mine with 10x more cases than any other state, doubling every 3 days, steep trajectory, apex approaching faster than expected. Global travel and population density are believed to be contributing factors. Cuomo is frustrated with slow federal response. Dr. Jorge Rodriguez wants federal government to immediately take responsibility for procuring and distributing PPE and medical equipment to hospitals during crisis.

Biden coughed into his hand during an interview. Jake Tapper encouraged him to cough into his elbow next time.  

While I was walking Minerva this morning, two sanitation workers wearing face masks waved as their truck slowly passed by the house. I smiled and waved back. Other than Greg, this is the only human contact I've had in several days. Connections with other people are mainly through emails and social media posts right now. Managed to pull a few more weeds and prep one of the small garden beds today. It felt good to be outside for a little while.