WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (AP) — More than a fifth of Detroit’s police force is quarantined; two officers have died from coronavirus and at least 39 have tested positive, including the chief of police. For the 2,200-person department, that has meant officers working doubles and swapping between units to fill patrols. And everyone has their temperature checked before they start work. An increasing number of police departments around the country are watching their ranks get sick as the number of coronavirus cases explodes across the U.S. The growing tally raises questions about how laws can and should be enforced during the pandemic, and about how departments will hold up as the virus spreads among those whose work puts them at increased risk of infection. “I don’t think it’s too far to say that officers are scared out there,” said Sgt. Manny Ramirez, president of Fort Worth Police Officers Association. “We’re in war footing against an invisible enemy and we are on the verge of running out” of protective supplies, said Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association. “We’ve got hospitals calling police departments, police departments calling each other, and it’s time to nationalize in terms of our response.” police must prepare for the possibility of civil unrest among people who become anxious or unhappy about government orders or hospitals that get overrun with patients, he said. In big cities and remote areas alike, officers are being told to issue tickets or summons rather than making arrests for minor crimes. More crime reports are being taken by phone or online. These steps to limit exposure come as police must beef up patrols in shuttered business districts and manage spikes in domestic violence.
As U.S. virus cases exceed 100,000, doctors decry scarcity of drugs and equipment
NEW YORK, March 27 (Reuters) – Doctors and nurses on the front lines of the U.S. coronavirus crisis pleaded on Friday for more protective gear and equipment to treat waves of patients expected to overwhelm hospitals as the sum of known U.S. infections climbed well past 100,000, with more than 1,600 dead. Physicians have called particular attention to a desperate need for additional ventilators, machines that help patients breathe and are widely needed for those suffering from COVID-19, the respiratory ailment caused by the highly contagious novel coronavirus. Hospitals in New York City, New Orleans, Detroit and other virus hot spots have also sounded the alarm about scarcities of drugs, medical supplies and trained staff while the number of confirmed U.S. cases rose by about 18,000 on Friday, the highest jump in a single day, to more than 103,000. That tally kept the United States as the world leader in the number of known infections, having surpassed China and Italy on Thursday.
“We are scared,” said Dr. Arabia Mollette of Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in Brooklyn. “We’re trying to fight for everyone else’s life, but we also fight for our lives as well, because we’re also at the highest risk of exposure.”
The United States ranked sixth in death toll among the hardest hit countries, with at least 1,632 lives lost as of Friday night, a record daily increase of 370 according to a Reuters tabulation of official data. Worldwide, confirmed cases rose above 593,000 with 27,198 deaths, the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported.Even as hospital patient numbers steadily climbed, shortages of key medical supplies abounded. Continue reading “As U.S. virus cases exceed 100,000, doctors decry scarcity of drugs and equipment”
Trump signs $2.2T CARES Act into law
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion economic rescue package into law Friday, after swift and near-unanimous action by Congress this week to support businesses, rush resources to overburdened health care providers and help struggling families during the deepening coronavirus epidemic. Acting with unity and resolve unseen since the 9/11 attacks, Washington moved urgently to stem an economic free fall caused by widespread restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus that have shuttered schools, closed businesses and brought American life in many places to a virtual standstill. “This will deliver urgently needed relief,” Trump said as he signed the bill in the Oval Office, flanked only by Republican lawmakers. He thanked members of both parties for putting Americans “first.” Earlier Friday, the House of Representatives gave near-unanimous approval by voice vote after an impassioned session conducted along the social distancing guidelines imposed by the crisis. Many lawmakers sped to Washington to participate — their numbers swollen after a maverick Republican signaled he’d try to force a roll call vote — though dozens of others remained safely in their home districts. The Senate passed the bill unanimously late Wednesday. “The American people deserve a government-wide, visionary, evidence-based response to address these threats to their lives and their livelihood and they need it now,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Continue reading “Trump signs $2.2T CARES Act into law”
Trump keeps touting an unproven coronavirus treatment. It’s now being tested on thousands in New York.
The push in the U.S. pandemic epicenter follows the president’s declaration that he ‘feels good’ about compounds with unproven efficacy, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine.
Coronavirus could kill 81,000 in U.S., subside in June -Washington University analysis
The coronavirus pandemic could kill more than 81,000 people in the United States in the next four months and may not subside until June, according to a data analysis done by the University of Washington School of Medicine. The number of hospitalized patients is expected to peak nationally by the second week of April, though the peak may come later in some states.
Some people could continue to die of the virus as late as July, although deaths should be below epidemic levels of 10 per day by June at the latest, according to the analysis. The analysis, using data from governments, hospitals and other sources, predicts that the number of US deaths could vary widely, ranging from as low as around 38,000 to as high as around 162,000. The variance is due in part to disparate rates of the spread of the virus in different regions, which experts are still struggling to explain, said Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, who led the study. The duration of the virus means there may be a need for social distancing measures for longer than initially expected, although the country may eventually be able relax restrictions if it can more effectively test and quarantine the sick, Murray said. The analysis also highlights the strain that will be placed on hospitals. At the epidemic’s peak, sick patients could exceed the number of available hospital beds by 64,000 and could require the use of around 20,000 ventilators. Ventilators are already running short in hard-hit places like New York City. The virus is spreading more slowly in California, which could mean that peak cases there will come later in April and social distancing measures will need to be extended in the state for longer, Murray said. Louisiana and Georgia are predicted to see high rates of contagion and could see a particularly high burden on their local healthcare systems, he added. The analysis assumes close adherence to infection prevention measures imposed by federal, state and local governments. “The trajectory of the pandemic will change – and dramatically for the worse – if people ease up on social distancing or relax with other precautions,” Murray said in a statement. The analysis comes as the US becomes the country that has has the most coronavirus cases in the world.
‘We Are All in Quarantine’: 100% of NY Work Force Must Stay Home, Cuomo Puts State on Pause
NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the measures enacted Friday, the most drastic to date, were necessary as state cases surged again; NJ Gov. Phil Murphy said his state would “further tighten the screws” on social distancing Saturday
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that 100 percent of non-essential work forces are now required to stay home, calling it “the most drastic measure we can take” as he said the entire state of New York was “on pause.”Two days ago, that decree applied to 50 percent of the non-essential work force. A day ago, it rose to 75 percent. Now it’s practically everyone; Cuomo said the escalation of the numbers gave him no choice but to further control density. The new order goes into effect as of 8 p.m. Sunday. “This is not life as usual. Accept it. Realize it. And deal with it,” Cuomo said. He asked the public to “remain indoors to the greatest extent possible to protect physical and mental health. Your actions can affect my health; that’s where we are. We are all in quarantine.” Mayor Bill de Blasio said NYC— which he called “the epicenter of this crisis” — would be enforcing the governor’s policies. As part of the new measures, the mayor said all field permits, events and team sports at city parks would be canceled so as to avoid people gathering or coming in close contact. De BLsaio said that the goal is not to kick people out of parks, but rather to maintain spacing between people. Non-compliance by businesses may result in fines or summonses; at this point, there are no legal consequences for individuals but crowds violating the new orders will be broken up. NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said that while summonses and arrests are a last resort for uncooperative individuals, there have been very few instances where it has come up. Cuomo acknowledged businesses will be forced to close; families will face severe financial strain — and he announced a 90-day moratorium on all commercial and residential evictions to try and ease the immediate burden. But if all of these measures save just one life, the governor said, they are worth it.
Amid coronavirus concerns, Chase Bank to temporarily close 1,000 branches, reduce hours
J.P. Morgan Chase is “temporarily” closing 1,000 bank branches, or 20% of its locations, effective Thursday amid growing coronavirus concerns. Chase has sent bank staff from the branches, like financial advisors, tellers and lenders, to work from home. The remaining 4,000 branches of Chase will stay open, albeit with reduced hours, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., closing early by two hours. Chase says many of the branches have glass partitions and thus, protection for tellers. These branches also may have drive-up windows. In a note to staff, Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, said Chase will continue to pay branch employees for their regularly-scheduled hours. “Even if their hours are reduced or the branch is closed and they are asked to report to another branch or stay home.” Additionally, she added that Chase has said two additional paid days away from work and extended the time that employees may carry over vacation days from 2019 to June 20, 2020. Brown Duckett said Chase has stepped up cleaning at branches, placing alcohol-based hand sanitizer at main entrances, transaction lines and reception areas. “We will send a team of specialized cleaners if a branch has a confirmed or highly likely COVID-19 case within one hour of the report.” Bank of America said it would remain open. BofA has 4,300 locations, “and each one also has a 24/7 ATM available to clients,” notes spokesman William Halldin. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, Chase is the largest U.S. bank, based on assets, with $2.74 trillion, followed by BofA with $2.38 trillion, Citigroup with $1.96 trillion and Wells Fargo with $1.89 trillion.
IMF’s Georgieva: COVID-19 is unprecedented situation
The COVID-19 pandemic is an “unprecedented situation where a global health pandemic has turned into an economic and financial crisis,” International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated on Friday. She added the global economic output will contract this year amid the coronavirus pandemic Georgieva also noted that the IMF will come up with more lending options to help the “exceptionally high number” of states that will need economic assistance. The IMF head went on to add the organization will work closely with the International Monetary and Financial Committee and the World Bank. Additionally, she added: “The IMF stands ready to use its US$1 trillion financial capacity to support its member countries.”