U.S. Coronavirus Blog: 100K Or More May Die; 'Reckless' Protests
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More states are easing coronavirus restrictions heading into Tuesday, even as a private government report forecasts the number of daily cases could rise to 200,000 and 3,000 people a day could die from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.
The projections in a internal report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Health and Human Services outstrip President Donald Trump’s revised estimate this weekend that as many as 100,000 people could die from COVID-19. That estimate is twice the number Trump had forecast two weeks ago.
The White House quickly distanced itself from the report forecasting a much-higher coronavirus death toll.
“This is not a White House document, nor has it been presented to the coronavirus task force or gone through interagency vetting,” Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, told The New York Times. “This data is not reflective of any of the modeling done by the task force or data that the task force has analyzed.”
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington announced Monday that it now estimates the United States will have 134,000 coronavirus related deaths, which is up nearly double its previous prediction of 72,000. Researchers said the biggest reason for the increase was relaxed social distancing guidelines.
More than 1.18 million cases of the virus and over 68,900 deaths resulting from COVID-19 have been recorded in the United States as of Tuesday morning.
RELATED:
Supreme Court Begins 1st Arguments By Phone
The U.S. Supreme Court returned to session this week, but in a radically new way.
For the first time in the court's history, the arguments were being conducted through a telephone conference call, and the court provided a live feed for the public to listen.
The case on Monday considered whether Booking.com may trademark its name.
The court will hear 10 cases by phone over the next two weeks, including one centered on Congress seeking Trump's financial records.
Birx: Protester Actions 'Devastatingly Worrisome'
While the Supreme Court took precautions because of the coronavirus, concerns are being raised about other Americans who haven't.
The reckless manner in which some people are protesting stay-at-home orders is "devastatingly worrisome" and could further the spread of the new coronavirus, a top White House doctor says.
Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, told Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday" that protesters who are not observing social distancing guidelines and are congregating without masks pose a danger to others.
Birx, who was discussing gatherings on beaches and individual states beginning to reopen, particularly lamented the actions of protesters in Michigan.
"It's devastatingly worrisome to me personally because if they go home and infect their grandmother or their grandfather who has a co-morbid condition and they have a serious or a very unfortunate outcome, they will feel guilty for the rest of our lives," Birx said. "So we need to protect each other at the same time we're voicing our discontent."
Birx also told people, especially those who are most vulnerable, to continue social distancing even as states try to pry open their economies by loosening restrictions. Many of those states haven't met the federal guidelines for entering Phase 1 of reopening.
Even as several states see protesters march on their capitols, the Michigan protests have drawn criticism by many for being especially ugly.
The protesters carrying Confederate flags and swastikas showed "some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Sunday on CNN's "State Of The Union."
Protesters in Whitmer's state have been buoyed by Trump, who sided with protesters — some who were armed — and said on Twitter the governor should "give a little, and put out the fire. These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal."
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Hundreds Of Protesters, Some Armed, Stream Into Michigan Capitol
Colorado Lockdown Protester Accused of Making Pipe Bombs: Feds
Anti-China Rhetoric Aimed At Bolstering U.S. Leverage
Trump and his allies are making ever-louder pronouncements blaming China for the coronavirus pandemic, repeating and expressing confidence in an unsubstantiated theory linking the origin of the outbreak to a possible accident at a Chinese virology laboratory.
The State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the White House have all launched public efforts in recent days to lay bare what they say is clear evidence that China tried to mask the scale of the outbreak and then refused to provide critical access to U.S. and global scientists that could have saved lives.
Senate To Reopen Despite Risks
As states across the country begin the process of reopening, senators began returning to Capitol Hill on Monday.
The 100 senators are convening for the first time since March, while the House is following the Capitol physician's advice to stay away as the coronavirus case count remains high in the Washington area.
Social distancing rules in the Capitol will be enforced, including limiting the number of senators on the floor at any given time and an expectation that face masks will be worn by all.
The senators must come to an agreement on another coronavirus response bill. Democrats are attempting to pass a new $1 trillion relief package to help state and local governments, but Republican leaders in the Senate have voiced their opposition to such a large figure.
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From Across America
J. Crew 1st U.S. Retailer To File For Bankruptcy Amid Pandemic
J.Crew, which was already in trouble before the global pandemic, will continue to operate online during the bankruptcy proceedings, according to a statement on the J.Crew Group website.
Fauci: Second Wave Of Coronavirus 'Inevitable'
experts say you should hold off on making any big plans this fall and winter because the coronavirus likely won't be a thing of the past anytime soon. A second round of infections is "inevitable" come fall, brought on as Americans resume normal life and more states ease or lift their stay-at-home orders, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Patch Hero, Nurse Ann Lubeski: 'It's My Job'
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Feds: Colorado Man Made Pipe Bombs For Protest
After investigators found pipe bombs in a Colorado man's home, the Department of Homeland Security warned that his white supremacist associates might avenge his arrest, according to an affidavit filed in federal court.
Trump To Visit Phoenix Mask Maker
President Trump is set Tuesday to visit a Honeywell plant in Phoenix that has added 500 jobs as it works to make millions of face masks
Mom Recovers From Coronavirus, Then Donates Plasma
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Teen Surprises Sister With Quarantine Prom
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How The Coronavirus Could Hinder Your Right To Vote
The elderly, infirm and others who fear contracting the new coronavirus could be forced to choose between their health and their vote.
College Senior Tries To Build Business During Pandemic
Cancer patients are among the most vulnerable, so despite losing spring semester the Harrison resident will persevere.
Pandemic's True Toll Is Likely Substantially Higher
The United States recorded an estimated 37,100 excess deaths as the new coronavirus spread across the country in March and the first two weeks of April, nearly 13,500 more than are now attributed to COVID-19 for that same period, according to a new study reported by The Washington Post.
1 In 5 NYC Residents Have Coronavirus Antibodies
One in five New York City residents has been infected with the new coronavirus, according to the latest results of a state antibody survey.
Couple Married 61 Years Both Survive Coronavirus
Barbara and Teddy Szczotka of New York have weathered many storms together, but nothing compared to their most recent victory — both were diagnosed with the new coronavirus. And both survived.
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Patch Coronavirus Resources
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This article originally appeared on the Across America Patch
