The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Rep. Debbie Dingell’s diamond analogy; Cuomo says Trump isn’t a king

VIEW BREAKING NEWS ON CORONAVIRUS

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY

> Trump hosts COVID-19 survivors at White House 

> Cuomo pushes back: ‘Do we want a king or do we want a president?’

> Governors form regional coalitions to explore path to reopening 

> South Dakota now a hot spot, threatening US food chain 

> It’s not just Trump who’s angry with China, world leaders join in on criticism 

> Obama endorses Biden 

 

Cuomo: Trump isn’t a king. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said Tuesday that President Trump is “clearly spoiling for a fight” but that he would not play along. When pressed about the president’s claim that he has “total authority” to reopen the country, Cuomo said the remarks were “factually wrong” adding “do we want a king or do we want a president?” (The Hill) 

 

South Dakota becomes hot spot; governor under fire. South Dakota is now home to one of the largest coronavirus clusters in the U.S., with more than 300 workers at a giant pork processing plant falling ill. First-term GOP Gov. Kristi Noem, who told reporters earlier this month that “South Dakota is not New York City,” is under fire for refusing to issue a statewide stay-at-home order. (Washington Post) 

Food supply worries grow after outbreak closes Smithfield meat plant. Pork processor Smithfield Foods’s decision to shut down a major U.S. plant after a coronavirus outbreak among workers is putting a spotlight on the food supply chain during the pandemic. There are worries that if more plants close, American consumers could be hit by the shortages. (The Hill)

THE INTERVIEW

Rep. Debbie Dingell: Reopening-the-economy discussion must focus on worker safety first.

 

 

 

Dingell’s thought of the day. “You know a lot of people are going through tough times, and sometimes they don’t think that they have the confidence or they’ve got the emotional wherewithal to get through this one. We’re going to get through this as a community, but just remember that a diamond becomes what it is through pressure. An oak tree grows with a lot of hard wind. That was my thought for the day in my daily writing. But we are going to get through this together because we do have each other and it’s hard. It’s scary. You can go stark raving mad like me and even start to see the gray. But we will get through it together because we’re there for each other.” 

Watch the full interview here.

THE HILL’S CORONAVIRUS REPORT

Welcome to The Hill’s Coronavirus Report. It’s Tuesday, April 14.

Rep. Debbie Dingell’s (D-Mich.) thought of the day is of a diamond and all the pressure it takes to create it. She said during my interview with her today that people now are under that kind of pressure — and we will get through this.

 

Dingell said we need to focus on real people who are experiencing extraordinary challenges. She noted that almost all of the discussions thus far on reopening the economy have neglected to include workers, stating that the people making ventilators and other personal protective equipment at Ford and Chrysler plants deserve to be heard and their observations and fears known. Dingell added she speaks 10 times a day with Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), explaining that they approach and solve big problems together. She said this is no time for politics. These are some powerful messages from Dingell and the interview deserves a watch.

 

Your Coronavirus Report team includes Steve Clemons, editor-at-large of The Hill, and researcher Andrew Wargofchik. Follow us on Twitter at @SCClemons and @a_wargofchik. CLICK HERE to subscribe to The Hill’s Coronavirus Special Report. To stay up-to-date on all things coronavirus, visit TheHill.com and SUBSCRIBE to our Overnight Healthcare newsletter for the latest developments from the daily White House coronavirus task force briefings. 

On April 29, our new 3D journalism platform The Hill Virtually Live will host an online event – Protecting Seniors: Healthcare in a Health Crisis. We’ll be looking at how Medicare is stepping up to support seniors, what it will take to protect underserved communities and the role of telemedicine. Watch this space as we announce registration details and program speakers. Follow @TheHillEvents for updates.

CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

The global number of confirmed coronavirus cases is nearing another significant milestone of 2 million. There are 1,949,210 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world as of the time of this newsletter. The United States is home to more than a quarter of global cases and 24,485 people have died in America from the virus. Spain is now the second hardest hit nation with 172,541 confirmed cases and more than 18,000 dead. Italy has lost 21,067 lives. France has reported 14,986 deaths. 12,125 have died in the United Kingdom. 4,683 in Iran. 1,296 in Turkey. 

 

10,834 coronavirus deaths have been reported in New York, but the death rate is starting to slow, as Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said the worst could be behind us. New Jersey has nearly 65,000 confirmed cases and 2,443 deaths. Michigan has lost 1,602, Pennsylvania 592, Louisiana 884. Focus is shifting to South Dakota today, which now has 868 confirmed cases and six dead. With the exception of American Samoa, people have died from the virus in every U.S. state and territory. 

 

Around the world, 1.9 million people have reported full recoveries from COVID-19.

WASHINGTON WATCH

 

 

 

A rift between the White House and states threatens a cohesive response. There are many constitutional questions about who has the power to restart the economy. (New York Times) 

 

Trump hosts meeting with coronavirus survivors. President Trump hosted a group of patients who have recovered from the coronavirus at the White House today. During the meeting, Trump joked with a woman who said she was feeling 85 percent better to “stay away.” (Reuters) 

 

Aides expect Schumer, Mnuchin to reach deal on coronavirus relief. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) are expected to reach a deal this week on an interim coronavirus relief bill that would provide money to businesses, hospitals and state governments. The deal could lead to legislation being passed quickly through the Senate on Thursday, and through the House no later than early next week. But a swift approval is far from certain. (The Hill) 

 

Obama endorses Biden. In a video recorded from his home in Washington, D.C., former President Obama endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president and made the case that Biden represents the nation’s best hope of emerging from the coronavirus pandemic as a united and prosperous country. (The Hill) 

Manafort asks for early release. President Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, is asking to be released from prison early and serve the remainder of his 7.5 year sentence at home due to health concerns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Hill)

LAWMAKERS TWEET

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)

@SenJoniErnst Iowa’s cattle producers are continuing to put food on Americans’ tables throughout #COVID19. But, like all Iowans, they need relief. I’m urging @USDA to provide assistance immediately.

Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) 

@RepEscobar The #coronavirus numbers in El Paso keep increasing and the uninsured fear what will happen to them if they get sick and can’t afford care. ⁦@GovAbbott, NOW is it time to expand Medicaid and get Texas out of last place for access to healthcare?

 

 

ACROSS THE NATION

New Orleans guessed wrong, went forward with Mardi Gras as virus spread. A cache of internal emails reveals city officials believed chances were “low” that the festivities would help spread the virus, a prediction that proved tragically off base. (New York Times) 

 

Seven crew members on Mercy hospital ship test positive for coronavirus. Seven crew members on the U.S. Navy hospital ship docked in Los Angeles have tested positive for the coronavirus. The medical treatment facility crew members from the USNS Mercy who contracted the virus have been put in isolation off the ship, the Navy said in a statement. (The Hill)

 

Eight in 10 would wait to resume activities after lift of coronavirus restrictions. Slightly more than 8 in 10 Americans said in a new poll that they would wait to resume normal activities even after the government lifts restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. 71 percent of respondents said they would wait to see what happens with the novel coronavirus before resuming activities, according to the Gallup poll released Tuesday. (The Hill)

Connecticut governor: No restrictions lifted before May 20. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said Tuesday that he would not ease restrictions on social distancing until at least May 20. “We’re just getting started and I don’t feel comfortable yet at all,” Lamont told CNN’s John Berman on “New Day,” referring to the state’s testing capacity. (The Hill)

WORLD VIEW

It’s not just Trump pointing fingers at China. It’s no secret that President Trump has harshly criticized both the Chinese government and the World Health Organization for their handling of the global pandemic — but it’s not just Washington that’s angry at China. From Britain to Brazil, a growing score of world leaders are directly challenging China over the pandemic and growing more wary of engagement with its government. (Washington Post) 

 

 

China’s lab bats. State Department cables warned of safety issues at a Wuhan lab studying bat coronaviruses. Two years before the novel coronavirus pandemic upended the world, U.S. Embassy officials visited a Chinese research facility in the city of Wuhan several times and sent two official warnings back to Washington about inadequate safety at the lab, which was conducting risky studies on coronaviruses from bats. (Washington Post)

 

India extends lockdown. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India extended a nationwide lockdown for nearly three more weeks, leaving 1 billion people under severe restrictions and urging Indians not to “let our guard down.” (Washington Post) 

As death rates soar, experts fear calamity in Indonesia. Indonesia, a nation that had been widely criticized for its lack of coronavirus testing and limited social distancing measures, has seen a rapid uptick in coronavirus deaths in recent days, with 60 new fatalities reported Tuesday. (New York Times)

SCIENCE

Study finds obesity the single biggest factor in NYC’s hospitalizations. Doctors at NYU Langone Health conducted the largest study so far of U.S. hospital admissions for COVID-19, focused on New York City. They found obesity, along with age, were the biggest deciding factor in hospital admissions. (ZDNET)  

 

Airbags to the rescue. U.S. auto giant Ford is partnering with its airbag supplier to produce 1.3 million medical gowns for health workers. The production of the gowns will ramp up to a weekly rate of 75,000 by Sunday, eventually increasing to a rate of 100,000 gowns per week. (The Hill)

BUSINESS

IMF predicts global economy will suffer worst year in a century. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its grip on the global economy, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday that it expects the global economy to shrink 3 percent this year — far worse than its 0.1 percent dip in the Great Recession year of 2009 — before rebounding in 2021 with 5.8 percent growth. (Associated Press)

ISSUES, CAUSES, PASSION

World War III isn’t what the strategists thought it would be. The world is now engaged in what legitimately can be labeled the Third World War — dramatically different from any war imagined decades ago, but massively lethal and destructive, nonetheless. The post-World War II era saw a rebuilding of the global order. This war must trigger a major effort to do likewise. (Robert Hormats for The Hill)

Who’ll decide when we can reopen? It’s not who you might think. Make no mistake: Neither the president nor the governors unilaterally decide when America reopens. They have shared and competing responsibilities, and the most important actor remains the public. (Andrew C. McCarthy for The Hill)

GENEROUS SPIRITS

Cruz and Gillibrand launch #CombatCOVID19Challenge to encourage acts of public service. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) have launched the #CombatCOVID19Challenge — a social media game that encourages people to perform acts of kindness or community service during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

David Ortiz, John Krasinski surprise Boston health care workers with Red Sox tickets. Krasinski talked with five workers from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on his “Some Good News” online show Sunday. During their chat, Ortiz joined the group and announced the Red Sox will donate four tickets for Beth Israel employees to share “for life.” (Sports Illustrated)

ICYMI, STEVE’S INTERVIEWS, 15 MINUTES EACH

> Steve interviews former AIDS czar MARK DYBUL

> Steve interviews former GSK Global Vaccines President LUC DEBRUYNE

> Steve interviews former Baltimore Health Commissioner LEANA WEN

> Steve interviews former Trump homeland security adviser TOM BOSSERT

> Steve interviews International Rescue Committee CEO DAVID MILIBAND

> Steve interviews Miami Mayor and coronavirus survivor FRANCIS X. SUAREZ 

 

Watch all Coronavirus Report interviews here. 

YOUR WORLD, YOUR STORIES

SEND US YOUR OWN PICS – from your own walks or adventures – during this time of physical distancing but social connection. And SEND US YOUR STORIES of how teleworking is going, what you have learned from homeschooling, new ways to exercise, and special moments or standout heroism you want to share. What’s working for you? What’s comic in these dark days? 

 

Send to YourStories@TheHill.com. Our thoughts are with you, our readers, and we hope and trust that no matter the weight of burdens on you now — and it’s not a good story for everyone we know — that we all stand together, resilient and confident, on the other side of this. There will be another side.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to The Hill’s Coronavirus Special Report. To stay up-to-date on all things coronavirus, visit TheHill.com and SUBSCRIBE to our Overnight Healthcare newsletter for the latest developments from the daily White House coronavirus task force briefings.

 

VIEW ALL – CORONAVIRUS REPORT ARCHIVE