April 30, 2020

Federal appeals court rules against Kansas law requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. “Under the law, residents were required to present a document, such as a passport or a birth or naturalization certificate, to prove their citizenship before they could register to vote. But a panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Kobach failed to prove that the additional burden on voters was justified by actual evidence of fraud.” https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/appeals-court-blow-kobach-strikes-down-kansas-law-requiring-proof-n1195511

NYPD disperses Jewish funeral over coronavirus concerns. “Earlier in the day Tuesday, crowds had gathered in the city’s streets to watch a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds to honor health care workers. The Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council shared a photo of that flyover event on Twitter and asked where the city’s police force was to disperse the crowds.” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/de-blasio-defends-rabbi-funeral-response_n_5ea99e52c5b6fb98a2b64863

Florida accused of trying to stop county medical examiners from releasing coronavirus death figures. “(Dr. Stephen) Nelson — who is also the medical examiner for Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties — said state officials told him they plan to remove causes of death and case descriptions.” https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article242369266.html

52 people now suspected of having contracted coronavirus while voting in Wisconsin primary election, after being required to vote in person. “Democratic Gov. Tony Evers tried to change the April 7 election so that it would be conducted entirely by mail, but he was blocked by the Republican-led Legislature and conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court.” https://time.com/5829264/wisconsin-primary-coronavirus/

Joe Biden predicted to win Ohio’s mail-in Democratic Party primary. “So far, Biden has won 72% of the vote — 623,186 of the 860,347 ballots counted at this point, according to Ohio’s secretary of state. Bernie Sanders (has) won 17%…” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-biden-wins-ohio-primary-election-vote-by-mail/

Bernie Sanders campaign asks Democratic Party to strip New York of its convention delegates after it cancelled presidential primary election. “If states violate the DNC party rules regarding delegate selection, they can lose their ability to send delegates to the convention. And this is exactly what must be done.” https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sanders-urges-dnc-to-strip-ny-of-its-delegates-if-scrapping-of-states-presidential-primary-stands

Florida asks the approximately 268,000 residents who were denied unemployment benefits to reapply. “Those workers include gig workers, independent contractors, the self-employed, people who just moved to Florida, or almost anyone else who wouldn’t normally be eligible for state benefits…” https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/04/28/floridians-deemed-ineligible-for-unemployment-should-reapply-state-says/

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell insists that fourth economic stimulus bill must include liability waiver for businesses, from claims they may have negligently exposed employees or customers to the coronavirus. “In a radio interview with Fox News anchor Brian Kilmeade on Wednesday morning, McConnell argued that there will be a ‘second pandemic’ of ‘lawsuits against doctors, nurses, hospitals and brave business people who are opening up’.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mitch-mcconnell-coronavirus-relief-business-liability-protections/

Coronavirus spending bill reportedly included an additional $400,000 for a special government health clinic for members of Congress. “The last congressional appropriations bill, passed in December, increased the budget for the (Office of the Attending Physician) to $3,868,000 this year. Then, in March, the CARES Act, the sweeping $2.2 trillion bailout legislation, included a special provision that appropriated an additional $400,000 to the OAP clinic as part of a package of special funds to prepare the capital for coronavirus response and hygiene.” https://theintercept.com/2020/04/29/coronavirus-congress-health-clinic/ At least someone is getting taxpayer-funded national health insurance for $600 a year!

White South African anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg dies at 87. “He was held in virtual isolation in the whites-only Pretoria Central prison for more than two decades, and allowed only very rare and short meetings with his family.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/30/south-african-anti-apartheid-activist-denis-goldberg-dies-ages-87-nelson-mandela

Group calls for break in rent, mortgage and utility payments. “This economic crisis is a five-alarm fire and our government is just letting it burn. Millions of families can’t afford rent or other basic necessities.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/29/calling-economic-crisis-five-alarm-fire-millions-families-600000-sign-petition

Republican governors in Texas and Iowa forcing employees back to work under threat of losing their unemployment benefits. “In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced last Friday that anyone in the state refusing to return to work due to concerns over contracting Covid-19, which has as of press time killed over 59,000 Americans, would be considered as a ‘voluntary quit’ from their job and ineligible for unemployment benefits.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/29/only-trumps-america-despite-covid-19-employees-texas-and-iowa-told-get-back-work-or

Federal judge rules that Department of Homeland Security must identify officials who kicked all New Yorkers out of Trusted Traveler programs. “… all but one of the individuals whose names are redacted appear to be attorneys in the Office of Chief Counsel, not field operations staff; the one non-attorney appears to have been previously identified in a publicly-available Freedom of Information Act production available on defendants’ website.” https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-demands-insight-to-massive-redactions-in-global-entry-case/

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April 29, 2020

U.S. reportedly funded risky bat coronavirus research at Wuhan Institute of Virology. “Many scientists have criticized gain-of-function research, which involves manipulating viruses in the lab to explore their potential for infecting humans, because it creates a risk of starting a pandemic from accidental release.” https://www.newsweek.com/dr-fauci-backed-controversial-wuhan-lab-millions-us-dollars-risky-coronavirus-research-1500741

Trump administration reportedly changed Small Business Administration rules to allow loans to casinos. “For nearly 25 years, companies that made more than one-third of their revenue from gambling were barred from receiving Small Business Administration loans…. But following lobbying from the casino industry, new rules issued by President Trump’s administration Friday state that no business is disqualified from receiving PPP loans because of gambling revenue.” https://www.rawstory.com/2020/04/trump-changed-the-rules-to-allow-casinos-to-receive-small-business-administration-loans-report/

Los Angeles Lakers received $4.6 million in federal coronavirus loans. “The Lakers operation has fewer than 500 employees, which qualifies it as a small business under the government’s aid guidelines.” https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-04-28/coronavirus-lakers-got-federal-aid-and-your-corner-shop-didn-t Story goes on to say that they returned the money.

Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang sues New York over cancellation of Democratic Party presidential primary. “Defendants cannot provide any colorable justification as to why they canceled the presidential primary and not other federal and state primaries.” https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/28/politics/andrew-yang-new-york-presidential-primary/index.html Yang still has delegates he won in previous primary elections, and was probably hoping to win more, to influence the outcome of the Democratic National Convention if there is a contested convention (or if Joe Biden has a stroke).

Video shows Rancho Cordova, California police officer beating a skinny, little 14 year-old boy while attempting to arrest him for buying tobacco. “In this case, the deputy saw what he believed to be a hand-to-hand exchange between an adult and juvenile.” https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/video-teen-s-violent-encounter-california-deputy-prompts-investigation-n1194466

President Trump reportedly briefed on threat of coronavirus as early as January. “Several current and former US officials told the (Washington) Post’s Greg Miller and Ellen Nakashima that details about the virus — including updates on its spread throughout the world, information about China seeking to hide its death toll and rate of infection, and warnings that the virus may have serious political and economic consequences — were included in the President’s Daily Brief in January and February.” https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/4/28/21239663/coronavirus-presidential-daily-intelligence-briefing

Survey suggests number of U.S. unemployed may be 8.9 to 13.9 million higher than official figures, due to millions not being able to successfully file for unemployment benefits. “This study validates the anecdotes and news reports we’re seeing about people having trouble filing for benefits they need and deserve.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-unemployment/millions-of-americans-locked-out-of-unemployment-system-survey-finds-idUSKCN22A1MR

Kentucky governor’s restriction on interstate travel called ‘unconstitutional’ by his own attorney general. “(Gov. Andy) Beshear’s order requires people who travel out-of-state and return to self-quarantine for 14 days.” https://www.kentucky.com/news/coronavirus/article242341711.html

Released FBI affidavits reveal extreme surveillance of Trump confidant Roger Stone, in connection with their investigation of alleged ‘hack’ of Democratic National Committee emails, and Wikileaks’ publication of those emails. “The documents show the extent of the FBI’s surveillance, which included monitoring essentially all of Stone’s Apple services, from email to browsing history. Utility bills, address books, WhatsApp messages — all were also under the bureau’s review.” https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-docs-show-extensive-efforts-to-surveil-stone-but-no-evidence-of-collusion The story also mentions that the FBI was reading the private Twitter messages between Stone and Julian Assange, but that the FBI discovered no evidence of collusion.

Conservative Party leader and UK prime minister Boris Johnson has out-of-wedlock child with his fiancee. “A spokeswoman for the prime minister and his partner Carrie Symonds said both mother and baby are ‘doing very well’.” https://www.foxnews.com/world/boris-johnson-and-fiancee-announce-birth-of-son Nothing wrong with that – unless you’re a conservative.

New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, criticized for cutting public services instead of taxing the rich. “New York is home to 112 billionaires and many more ultra-millionaires…. instead of taxing their second, or even third homes via a pied-a-terre tax, implementing a stock-transfer tax or passing an ultra-millionaires income tax, he chose to cut funding for Medicaid, public schools and social services.” https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-cuomo-ny-sacrifice-rich-20200428-bgiurklbnnhetk4nxn53kv7jxi-story.html

President of Brazil sparks controversy by appointing a personal friend to lead the country’s equivalent of the FBI. “Whose friend should I pick?” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/bolsonaro-taps-family-friend-brazil-federal-police-chief-200429010421684.html

Federal Reserve to buy up corporate debt with no strings attached. “Under the program, the central bank will buy up to $500 billion in bonds issued by large companies…. this aid will be exempt from rules passed by Congress requiring recipients to limit dividends, executive compensation and stock buybacks and does not direct the companies to maintain certain employment levels.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/28/federal-reserve-bond-corporations/

Lack of federal action to protect workers leaves unions, courts and states to fill the gap. “Over the past few months, we have seen the tragic consequences of the Department of Labor’s failure to take urgent action to protect frontline health care workers and other essential employees.” https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/28/workers-court-states-safety-protection-trump-217372

Many governments interfering with press coverage of pandemic, says Reporters Without Borders, but some more than others. “The stakes are higher than ever for repressive and authoritarian governments to control the narrative and control the information.” https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/authoritarian-governments-crack-down-on-press-freedoms-amid-covid-19-pandemic-report/ar-BB13jqdc

Workers’ groups planning strikes for May 1st over pandemic concerns. “Employees of Amazon, Whole Foods, Walmart, FedEx, Target and Instacart will walk off the job demanding compensation for unpaid time off work, hazard pay, sick leave, personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies at workplaces.” https://www.democracynow.org/2020/4/29/headlines/workers_plan_may_day_peoples_strike_to_demand_safer_workplaces

Few minority-owned businesses are reportedly expected to receive coronavirus loans. “… the Center for Responsible Lending is estimating that up to 90% of businesses owned by people of color have been, or will likely be, shut out of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.” https://www.democracynow.org/2020/4/29/headlines/report_90_of_minority_owned_businesses_shut_out_of_paycheck_protection_program

WhatsApp accuses NSO Group of being deeply involved in government phone hacks against senior government officials, journalists and human rights activists. “In the court filings last week, WhatsApp said its own investigation into how Pegasus was used against 1,400 users last year showed that servers controlled by NSO Group – not its government clients – were an integral part of how the hacks were executed.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/29/whatsapp-israeli-firm-deeply-involved-in-hacking-our-users

President Trump says he favors payroll tax cuts, instead of additional stimulus checks, to boost economy. “Trump has floated the idea of a payroll tax cut several times in recent weeks—suggesting at one point earlier this month that the cut should be permanent—even though the move would not provide any relief for the tens of millions of people who have lost their jobs since mid-March.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/29/pathetic-trump-says-no-additional-covid-19-stimulus-checks-backs-cutting-tax-funds Does he realize this means Social Security will run out of money even sooner than projected?

Federal appeals court to rule on whether or not Congress can sue the President. “The interbranch lawsuits center on the House subpoena to former White House counsel Don McGahn and the Trump administration reallocating military funds to build the president’s long-promised border wall.” https://www.courthousenews.com/en-banc-dc-circuit-hears-separation-of-powers-doubleheader/

ACLU and Washington Post sue for disclosure of details of legal battle between Facebook and the Justice Department over Messenger encryption. “If you rule that this opinion should remain sealed, you will be the first court to rule that legal analysis in an opinion in a criminal case is not available to the public.” https://www.courthousenews.com/aclu-post-fight-for-look-at-documents-in-facebook-encryption-case/

Video released of Chicago police shooting unarmed man suspected of illegally moving from one subway car to another. “With the pursuing officers about 10 feet behind (Ariel Roman), and with his back still turned to them, a female officer shoots him and he immediately slams face first onto the floor.” https://www.courthousenews.com/video-shows-chicago-police-shooting-unarmed-man-in-the-back/

April 28, 2020

Pentagon releases previously ‘leaked’ UFO videos in response to Freedom on Information Act request. “(The Department of Defense) is releasing the videos in order to clear up any misconceptions by the public on whether or not the footage that has been circulating was real, or whether or not there is more to the videos. The aerial phenomena observed in the videos remain characterized as ‘unidentified’.” https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/the-american-people-deserve-to-be-informed-harry-reid-says-ufo-footage-only-scratches-the-surface Because not enough people paid attention the first time they were released?

Supreme Court dismisses gun rights case after New York state and city change their gun laws to address plaintiffs’ complaints. “… regulations originally barred people from transporting their guns anywhere except shooting ranges within the city…. But, after the Supreme Court agreed to review the case, New York state and New York City changed their laws to allow gun owners to transport their guns outside the city to shooting ranges, to competitions, and to second homes.” https://www.npr.org/2020/04/27/846570625/a-partial-win-for-gun-regulation-at-supreme-court-could-be-short-lived

State of New York removes presidential race from Democratic Party primary election ballot, Bernie Sanders supporters cry foul. “The Democratic primary will be held for other races, but because of the board’s decision, voters in about 20 counties with no other contests will have no need to go to the polls, and no choice for president will appear on ballots in the remainder of the state’s 62 counties.” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/27/us/politics/democratic-primary-canceled-coronavirus.html

Supreme Court orders federal government to pay insurance companies for Obamacare losses. “The (risk corridor) program limited both profits and losses for insurance companies that offered plans through the online exchange created by the Affordable Care Act – commonly known as ObamaCare – by having certain profits go to the Department of Health and Human Services, which in turn would give money to plans that did not bring in profits. The result was the government owing over $12 billion more than was brought in.” https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-rules-government-must-pay-insurers-enrolled-in-obamacare-risk-corridor-program

Protesters sue California over ban on rallies at the state capitol. “The lawsuit… alleges that the California Highway Patrol unconstitutionally denied their requests for permits to hold a protest outside the state Capitol.” https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-27/newsom-sued-by-california-residents-demanding-end-to-stay-at-home-rules

728 reportedly dead in Iran since late February after drinking methanol to cure coronavirus. “Iranian health ministry spokesman, Kianoush Jahanpour, said 5,011 people had been poisoned from methanol alcohol, adding that some 90 people have lost their eyesight or are suffering eye damage from the alcohol poisoning.” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/iran-700-dead-drinking-alcohol-cure-coronavirus-200427163529629.html

Almost all of the state prisoners who have tested positive for coronavirus had no symptoms. “After testing 2,300 (Marion Correctional Institution) inmates for the coronavirus, (prison officials) were shocked. Of the 2,028 who tested positive, close to 95% had no symptoms.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-prisons-testing-in/in-four-u-s-state-prisons-nearly-3300-inmates-test-positive-for-coronavirus-96-without-symptoms-idUSKCN2270RX

World governments spent almost $2 trillion on weapons in 2019. “The five largest spenders in 2019, which accounted for 62 per cent of expenditures, were the United States, China, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia.” https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2020/global-military-expenditure-sees-largest-annual-increase-decade-says-sipri-reaching-1917-billion

An estimated 15,400 more people in the U.S. died that usual during March and April, deaths which were not attributed to coronavirus. “As of mid-April, paramedics for the Chicago Fire Department were seeing about four times as many calls as usual in which the patient is beyond resuscitation and pronounced dead at the scene, spokesman Larry Langford said.” https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/U-S-deaths-soared-in-early-weeks-of-pandemic-15228817.php

Oakland cops mistake homeless outreach workers for crime suspects. “In Oakland, video showing outreach workers for the city’s unhoused population pinned to the ground and arrested by police has prompted outrage.” https://www.democracynow.org/2020/4/27/headlines/oakland_police_tackle_and_detain_unhoused_outreach_workers

North Carolina company lands huge $531.9 million federal coronavirus contract to make medical gowns. “To compare it against other makers of personal protective equipment, Parkdale’s contract is more than three times the size of the $172.9 contract to 3M to make 190 million N95 masks.” https://www.courthousenews.com/half-a-billion-dollars-for-medical-gowns-yarn-maker-that-hosted-pence-lands-giant-coronavirus-contract/

Some lower income Americans say they would be reluctant to seek treatment for covid-19 due to the cost of treatment. “The poll found income was a dividing line in Americans’ attitudes. Only 3% of those making $100,000 or more cited cost as a barrier to Covid care, compared with 14% of those earning under $40,000.” https://www.courthousenews.com/cost-makes-many-leery-of-seeking-covid-care/

April 27, 2020

Hundreds of corporations reportedly applied for coronavirus ‘small business loans’. “More than 200 public companies applied for at least $854.7 million from the government program that was billed as for small businesses without access to other sources of capital, according to Washington D.C.-based data analytics firm FactSquared.” https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/26/small-business-loans-public-companies-took-855-million.html

Hong Kong police disperse pro-democracy protesters. “People were just singing, it’s very peaceful… we didn’t do anything illegally.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-protests/hong-kong-police-break-up-pro-democracy-singing-protest-at-mall-idUSKCN2280IK

Bangladesh and Malaysia accused of blocking Rohingya boat people from docking. “… more than 500 men, women and children aboard these boats have been at sea for an extended period of time, and we understand that they require urgent rescue, food, medical care and other necessary humanitarian assistance.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/27/bangladesh-urged-to-open-ports-to-allow-in-rohingya-refugee-boats

Austin, Texas police officer fatally shoots fleeing drug suspect. “A video shows the moment police shot 42-year-old Michael Ramos with a beanbag shotgun, before he got back into his car and started driving away. When he began to drive away, another officer fired his rifle.” https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/lulac-calls-for-police-chief-to-resign-over-fatal-shooting/269-b61f56a1-ef06-4e48-99a9-0b37457b694c

Video of fatal Albuquerque police shooting inside man’s home during March ‘welfare check’ released. “… Officer Joseph Bush tased (Valente Acosta-Bustilloshim). When that didn’t incapacitate him, Bush’s partner, (Edgar) Sandoval, shot him three times.” https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emmanuelfelton/albuquerque-police-release-footage-of-valente-acosta

San Leandro, California releases body camera video of fatal police shooting of man with baseball bat inside Walmart store. “What I saw in that video was a person in crisis, and I would expect that any person who is in crisis would be dealt with with compassion.” https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/watch-san-leandro-pd-release-body-cam-footage-of-deadly-officer-involved-shooting/

Bernie Sanders campaign protests New York election officials’ upcoming vote to remove him from the primary ballot. “Though Sanders suspended his presidential campaign on April 8, (attorney Michael) Seymour noted, Senator Sanders has not ‘officially terminated his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission’ and has explicitly voiced his desire to ‘remain on the ballot in upcoming primaries, gather delegates, and attend the Democratic National Convention, with an eye to influencing the party’s platform’.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/27/sanders-legal-team-protests-possible-involuntary-erasure-senator-new-york-primary

Washington Post analyzes President Trump’s coronavirus briefings. “During his briefings, Trump spent 10 minutes praising himself for every 1 minute he spent expressing condolences for the 50,000 Americans who died. In total, only 4.5 minutes out of 13 hours were spent on expressing sympathy.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/26/out-13-hours-trump-covid-19-briefings-just-45-minutes-empathy-victims-analysis

Julian Assange’s extradition hearing may be postponed until July or later due to coronavirus epidemic. “(Magistrate Vanessa) Baraitser said that though witnesses could appear via video, the defendant and lawyers ‘must be physically present’ in the courtroom.” https://consortiumnews.com/2020/04/27/assange-extradition-hearing-put-off-until-july-or-november-because-of-virus/

April 26, 2020

Deutsche Bank declines to provide President Trump’s financial records to Senators. “It’s outrageous we don’t know what secret favors the President and his family might be getting from the bank, or what favors the bank may be getting in return.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-deutsche-bank-trum/deutsche-bank-refuses-to-give-us-senators-information-on-recent-trump-dealings-idUSKCN2270JO

Man sentenced to 18 months in prison for threats against President Trump. “… prosecutors said that on May 31, 2018, (Mickael) Gedlu was observed across the street from Dallas’ Adolphus Hotel just 30 minutes before Trump arrived there for a fundraiser. Dallas police officers noticed Gedlu holding a ‘Kill Trump’ sign and detained him as he screamed ‘kill the president’.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/man-gets-18-months-in-prison-for-threatening-to-kill-trump/2020/04/25/7c158db8-8750-11ea-81a3-9690c9881111_story.html Brilliant detective work, but it’s hard to believe he was serious. This sounds like something that happens in countries where people get jailed for saying negative things about the dictator.

San Diego sheriff’s deputies arrest three for civil disobedience at closed beach. “A (press) release says several protesters sat on the beach, were given multiple opportunities to comply with police instructions and were arrested after refusing to cooperate.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/04/25/3-arrests-beach-protest-san-diego-county-moonlight-beach/3028200001/

Rich are reportedly getting richer during epidemic. “According to a new report from the Institute for Policy Studies, a progressive think tank, between 18 March and 22 April the wealth of America’s plutocrats grew 10.5%…. The banks… have also done well, raking in $10bn in fees from the government loans, according to an analysis by National Public Radio.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/26/heads-we-win-tails-you-lose-how-americas-rich-have-turned-pandemic-into-profit

Almost 90% of Democrats polled support Medicare for All, but Joe Biden still doesn’t. “… the Hill-HarrisX survey released Friday showed overall voter support for Medicare for All (at) 69 percent, but that number soared to 88 percent for registered Democrats.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/25/poll-shows-nearly-90-democratic-support-biden-told-hostility-medicare-all-no-longer But Green candidate Howie Hawkins supports it.

April 25, 2020

Several thousand turn out for Madison, Wisconsin anti-lockdown protest. “Bob Tarantino, the leader of a group of business owners who helped plan the Madison rally, said his goal was to bring attention to the fact that Wisconsin’s ‘small businesses are suffering unbelievable financial harm’.” https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/thousands-flood-wisconsin-capitol-protest-stay-home-orders-n1192236

New York City man facing federal charges for selling medical supplies with big price markups. “According to court documents, (Amardeep) Singh allegedly offered face shields for $9.99, after acquiring them at a cost of $3.10. Disposable face masks were marked up, from 7 cents each to $1, while boxes of gloves, acquired for as little as $2.50 each, were priced at $7.99.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/24/ny-man-charged-hoarding-price-gouging-protective-medical-gear/3021617001/ Are pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies, doctors and hospitals also facing ‘excessive profits’ charges? Defense contractors? Lawyers? Real estate agents and landlords? Dentists? If not, why not?

Millions of workers still waiting to receive their first unemployment insurance checks. “More than 17 million Americans submitted new jobless claims in the critical four-week period when the pandemic escalated from March 8 through April 4, federal data shows. So far, fewer than 14.2 million of those applications have been successfully processed, according to the latest Labor Department data on ‘insured’ claims.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/23/unemployment-benefits-backlog-coronavirus/

Maryland warns residents not to self-treat themselves for covid-19 with disinfectant, after receiving large number of calls. “We decided to take the step of posting this alert after receiving more than 100 calls to our hotline.” https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/494548-maryland-emergency-hotline-receives-more-than

Federal Election Assistance Commission says an estimated 28.3 million mail-in ballots were not returned by voters between 2012 and 2018. “PILF obtained voter data from Oregon, the first state to adopt voting by mail exclusively, for the 2012 and 2018 elections and checked it against census data. Of the 7 million ballots the state sent out in those two elections, some 871,000 ballots are totally unaccounted for.” https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2020/04/24/28_million_mail-in_ballots_went_missing_in_last_four_elections_143033.html

Trump administration’s ‘temporary’ immigration ban may not be temporary, according to Stephen Miller phone briefing. “Miller told the group that subsequent measures were under consideration that would restrict guest worker programs, but the “the most important thing is to turn off the faucet of new immigrant labor,” he said, according to a recording obtained by The Washington Post. Miller indicated that the strategy is part of a long-term vision and not seen only as a stopgap.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/stephen-miller-audio-immigration-coronavirus/2020/04/24/8eaf59ba-8631-11ea-9728-c74380d9d410_story.html

Scientist observes possible link between coronavirus death rate and NO2 air pollution. “I noticed that the distribution of fatality was… concentrated mostly in north Italy, Madrid, Wuhan, and Tehran. Then I asked one simple question: what all these areas have in common?” … (Yaron) Ogen found that these same five regions had the highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide out of the areas studied.” https://www.newsweek.com/80-percent-covid-19-deaths-european-countries-areas-high-levels-air-pollution-1499976

Saudi human rights activist dies in prison. “(Abdullah al-Hamid) was a founding member of the rights group the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) and was sentenced to to prison in March 2013, campaigners said.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/leading-saudi-activist-dies-in-detention-say-campaigners-abdullah-al-hamid

Detroit man repeatedly denied coronavirus test or treatment, dies at home. “Gary Fowler, 56, went to the emergency rooms of three metro Detroit hospitals in the weeks leading up to his death, begging for a coronavirus test, begging for help because he was having difficulty breathing, but he was repeatedly turned away….” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/04/20/coronavirus-racial-disparity-denied-tests-hospitalization/5163056002/ I may have missed it, but the story apparently fails to mention whether or not Mr. Fowler had health insurance.

Facebook accuses Israeli spyware company of launching WhatsApp hacking attacks on human rights lawyers and journalists from inside the U.S. “The tech giant’s counsel filed a response to NSO’s move for dismissal that included two IP addresses and a handful of websites it claims were used by NSO Group to attack WhatsApp users in spring 2019. One was hosted by Amazon Web Services in the U.S., the others by Californian company QuadraNet and a German provider. ” https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2020/04/24/facebook-heres-proof-israeli-whatsapp-hackers-ran-cyberweapons-in-america/

Federal judge refuses to block Baltimore’s aerial surveillance test program. “Under the six-month pilot program, up to three planes equipped with cameras will gather images of the city at a rate of one per second to help police investigate murders, nonfatal shootings, armed robberies and carjackings. Weather permitting, the aircraft will fly at least 40 hours a week and cover about 90 percent of the city.” https://apnews.com/342e0049fafb7cc4bb8777be825f6485 Judge: Courts have upheld ‘far more intrusive warrantless surveillance techniques’. Oh, in that case I guess flagrant violations of the Fourth Amendment are ok after all. (sarcasm)

Multiple Trump campaign donors reportedly received large, hard-to-get emergency small business loans. “… Archie Bennett and his son Monty Bennett…. have obtained over $59 million in PPP funds for Ashford Hospitality Trust and Braemar Hotels & Resorts, holding companies used to own and manage a range of hotels…. The father and son are also megadonors who have given nearly half a million dollars to Trump since 2016 and over $1.3 million to GOP politicians and groups in recent years.” https://theintercept.com/2020/04/24/coronavirus-small-business-loans-trump-donors-ppp/

Federal stimulus bills will quadruple this year’s deficit. “While the federal budget deficit is projected to top $3.7 trillion, the gross domestic product is expected to nosedive 12% during the second quarter this year…” https://www.courthousenews.com/pandemic-expected-to-quadruple-federal-budget-deficit-to-3-7-trillion/

Federal court rules that Fukushima melt-down victims can’t sue General Electric in U.S. courts, must sue in Japanese courts. “Led by Shinya Imamura, they claimed GE was negligent in designing and maintaining the plant and in choosing a site for it that had a ‘long-recorded history of very large earthquakes and tsunamis’.” https://www.courthousenews.com/first-circuit-clears-ge-on-fukushima-nuclear-disaster/

April 24, 2020

President Trump suggests possible methods of treating coronavirus patients, using ultra-violet light or disinfectant. “… supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or some other way…. I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute, one minute. And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning?” https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-suggests-injection-disinfectant-beat-coronavirus-clean-lungs-n1191216 It’s amazing how much he knows about this stuff! (sarcasm)

Company that makes Lysol warns consumers not to use it as a coronavirus treatment. “As a global leader in health and hygiene products, we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route).” https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/24/lysol-maker-warns-against-injecting-disinfectants-trump-coronavirus-theory-206268

Federal judge blocks California law requiring background checks to buy ammunition, says the law violates 2nd amendment. “Moreover, he ruled that the state’s ban on importing ammunition from outside California violates federal interstate commerce laws…. The law requires buyers who already are in the state’s firearm background check database to pay a $1 fee each time they buy ammunition…” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-ammunition-purchase-background-checks-federal-judge-blocks/

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the only Democrat to vote against latest coronavirus relief bill, says it does to little to help her working class constituents. “I cannot go back to my communities and tell them to just wait for CARES four because we have now passed three, four pieces of legislation that’s related to coronavirus. And every time it’s the next one, the next one, the next one, and my constituents are dying.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/24/aoc-takes-brave-lonely-stand-against-unconscionable-covid-19-relief-package-doesnt

21.2% of people randomly tested in New York City have had coronavirus. “With the official fatality count at about 15,500, the study says the death rate for the virus in New York is around 0.5%.” https://www.courthousenews.com/new-york-antibody-testing-shows-some-20-had-novel-virus/

Federal appeals court rules that access to basic literacy through education is constitutional right. “Effectively every interaction between a citizen and her government depends on literacy. Voting, taxes, the legal system, jury duty – all of these are predicated on the ability to read and comprehend written thoughts.” https://www.courthousenews.com/access-to-literacy-is-a-fundamental-right-sixth-circuit-finds/

April 23, 2020

Federal official says he was removed as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority for limiting the use of unproven, Trump-touted drugs. “I believe this… was in response to my insistence that the government invest the billions of dollars allocated by Congress to address the Covid-19 pandemic into safe and scientifically vetted solutions, and not in drugs, vaccines and other technologies that lack scientific merit.” https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/494190-doctor-says-he-was-removed-from-federal-post-after-opposing-funding-for

Man in charge of coordinating Trump administration’s coronavirus response is reportedly a former Dick Cheney aide without any formal education in public health or administration. “(Brian) Harrison’s official HHS biography says, he ‘ran a small business in Texas’ (before joining the Trump administration). The biography does not disclose the name or nature of that business, but his personal financial disclosure forms show that from 2012 until 2018 he ran a company called Dallas Labradoodles.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-hhschief-speci/special-report-former-labradoodle-breeder-tapped-to-lead-u-s-pandemic-task-force-idUSKCN2243CE

88% of covid-19 patients put on ventilators at New York’s largest hospital network have reportedly died. “Overall, about 20% of Covid-19 patients treated at Northwell Health died, and 88% of those placed on ventilators died, according to the study…. Just 12% of the patients in the study needed ventilators…” https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/22/health/coronavirus-ventilator-patients-die/index.html

Idaho woman arrested for standing too close to off-limits playground equipment, sparking protest. “CBS affiliate KBOI-TV reports that 40-year-old Sara Brady, of Meridian, was arrested and charged with one count of misdemeanor trespassing.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-idaho-woman-arrested-closed-playground-protests-meridian-city-hall/

Former Clinton Health and Human Services director Donna Shalala to remain on coronavirus oversight committee despite failing to report stock transactions. “Shalala acknowledged the transactions after she was selected by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to represent House Democrats on a bipartisan panel that will monitor $500 billion in payouts to large businesses affected by the coronavirus.” https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article242178846.html

Nova Scotia, Canada police face criticism for informing public of mass shooting in progress via Twitter. “The first tweet came around 11 p.m. on Saturday, advising Portapique residents of a firearms complaint and to stay inside and lock their doors. The second tweet, warning of an active shooter, came just after 8 a.m. Sunday.” https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/local/nova-scotia-rcmp-say-emergency-alert-was-being-prepared-when-shooter-was-killed-440943/

Islamic State ‘Beatle’, thought to have died in Syria, is arrested in Spain. “Abdel-Majed Abdel-Bary and two unnamed associates were arrested Monday by Spanish police in the Mediterranean port city of Almeria after coordination with the UK domestic intelligence service MI5, which had been attempting to track him since he left the UK to join ISIS in Syria in 2015.” https://www.businessinsider.com/abdel-majed-abdel-bary-arrested-in-spain-2020-4

Unemployment claims pass 26 million. “Jobless claim filings continued at a historically unprecedented pace last week with 4.4 million new signups for unemployment insurance, bringing the total of the past five weeks to 26.4 million, the Labor Department said Thursday.” https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/23/weekly-jobless-claims.html

Banks accused of favoring wealthy customers applying for coronavirus small business loans. “… some of the nation’s biggest banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Citibank and U.S. Bank, prioritized the applications of their wealthiest clients before turning to other loan seekers, according to half a dozen bank employees and financial industry executives who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the banks’ operations.” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/business/sba-loans-ppp-coronavirus.html

Target workers plotting ‘sick out’ on May 1st to protest company’s poor coronavirus protections for employees. “The activist group (Target Workers Unite) says the company is only taking half measures to protect them against the virus.” https://wgntv.com/news/coronavirus/target-workers-plan-sickout-may-1/

California state police ban protests on state property, including the state capitol. “In the interest of public safety and the health of all Californians during the COVID-19 pandemic, effective immediately the California Highway Patrol will deny any permit requests for events or activities at all state facilities, to include the State Capitol, until public health officials have determined it is safe to gather again.” https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article242198781.html Although I think it would be very stupid to hold a protest rally during an epidemic, there is nothing in the Constitution that says you only have the right to peaceful assembly when you can get a government permit. That would be a worthless ‘paper’ civil liberty. “Sorry, we only issue permits for pro-government rallies, not protest rallies.”

Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz warns that Trump administration is leading the country into a second Great Depression. “When the economy recovers, when the disease gets under control, people may be not in position to spend in the way that they were before. And so, it could help prolong the economic downturn, unless we take appropriate measures.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/22/nobel-economist-joseph-stiglitz-warns-us-barreling-toward-second-great-depression

Peace groups say U.S. can’t afford to spend trillions on the military anymore. “We cannot continue spending billions of dollars on weapons of war while people across the country struggle to buy food, pay rent, and survive a pandemic.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/22/coronavirus-crisis-makes-clear-pentagon-should-get-no-more-money-year-its-wasteful

Uber tells federal judge that they don’t employ their drivers, their customers do. “It is not Uber who is hiring drivers to perform services for Uber.” https://www.courthousenews.com/ubers-new-legal-strategy-riders-employ-drivers/

Political lobbyists not eligible for coronavirus small business loans rules federal judge. “Claiming that they are in dire need of the congressional funds to keep business afloat, a trade group for the industry and the firm Ridder/Braden claimed in a federal complaint last week that the program infringes their free-speech rights.” https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-keeps-virus-relief-funds-out-of-reach-of-lobbyists/ Just get your buddies in Congress to fix it for you!

April 22, 2020

President Trump’s coronavirus miracle drug washes out. “About 28% of male veterans who received hydroxychloroquine and standard care at Veterans Health Administration medical centers died, while only 11% of those that only received routine care (died), according to a study by researchers at the Columbia VA Health Care System in South Carolina, the University of South Carolina and the University of Virginia School of Medicine.” https://www.salon.com/2020/04/21/trump-touted-hydroxychloroquine-may-increase-risk-of-death-from-covid-19-study-finds/

Ties alleged between Trump campaign and anti-lockdown protests. “Several of the main organizers of the Lansing, Michigan, protest that police estimated drew about 4,000 people have ties to the Trump campaign, and are deeply involved in state Republican politics.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-trump-protests/how-trump-allies-have-organized-and-promoted-anti-lockdown-protests-idUSKCN2233ES

U.S. Attorney General William Barr threatens legal actions against states that are slow to lift stay-at-home orders. “We have to give businesses more freedom to operate in a way that’s reasonably safe,” Barr said. “To the extent that governors don’t and impinge on either civil rights or on the national commerce — our common market that we have here — then we’ll have to address that.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-21/barr-says-doj-may-act-against-governors-with-strict-virus-limits

Seven cases of coronavirus transmission linked to court-ordered in-person voting in Wisconsin primary election. “(Milwaukee’s) health commissioner, Jeanette Kowalik, noted that six of the cases are voters, while the other is a poll worker.” https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/493843-milwaukee-health-officials-link-7-coronavirus-cases-to-in-person-voting

Florida has reportedly only issued unemployment insurance payments to about 14% of applicants. “The state reported Tuesday that only 14.2% of the more than 668,000 unique claims filed since March 15 were being paid — just under 95,000 people. That’s up from Monday, when the share was only 6.2%.” https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/21/politics/florida-unemployment-benefits-processing/index.html

Nurses union protests outside White House over lack of protective gear. “In a powerful statement, the names of U.S. nurses who were known to have died of COVID-19 were read aloud during the protest. Forty-six names were read, including two with a ‘name withheld’ designation.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/04/21/us-nurses-who-died-coronavirus-honored-white-house-protest/2996839001/

Pork processing plant blames ‘large immigrant population’ for huge workplace coronavirus outbreak, workers blame crowded working conditions and lack of protective gear. “Living circumstances in certain cultures are different than they are with your traditional American family.” https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8238815/South-Dakota-pork-plant-one-biggest-COVID-19-clusters-blames-immigrant-workers.html

Trump administration reportedly working on oil industry bailout. “I have instructed the Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Treasury to formulate a plan which will make funds available so that these very important companies and jobs will be secured long into the future!” https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/21/trump-orders-plan-to-fund-oil-gas-industries-during-historic-selloff.html Or until we destroy the planet, whichever comes first.

Insurers reportedly refusing to pay business loss claims due to epidemic. “The American Property Casualty Insurance Association said in a statement that pandemic outbreaks are ‘uninsurable’. The lobbying group for the insurance industry estimates that losses for businesses with 100 employees or less are now as high as $431 billion, dwarfing annual premiums of $71 billion.” https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/20/insurers-are-denying-coronavirus-claims-restaurants-are-fighting-back.html

Wealthy Americans fleeing to ‘doomsday bunkers’. “A handful of rich Americans have reportedly bugged out in the most luxurious possible way — fleeing to their New Zealand bunkers to wait out the coronavirus pandemic…. Others have gone to a luxury bunker community in South Dakota.” https://www.wcvb.com/article/some-wealthy-us-residents-have-reportedly-fled-to-their-new-zealand-bunkers/32228590

Detroit nurse sues former employer over firing after complaints. “She told the director (of nursing) of her concerns that treating both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients on one shift could expose non-COVID-19 patients to the virus, according to the lawsuit. It also could exacerbate a shortage of personal protective equipment, as nurses had to discard the equipment when they switched patients.” https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2020/04/21/nurse-files-whistleblower-lawsuit-against-detroit-medical-center/3000635001/

New York nurses sue over lack of protective equipment. “The New York State Nurses Association sued the New York Department of Health and two hospitals Monday for their failure to provide adequate safety measures at the start of the coronavirus crisis.” https://www.democracynow.org/2020/4/21/headlines/ny_nurses_sue_over_lack_of_protection_against_coronavirus

Trump administration stopped providing troop levels for some foreign deployments two years ago, FOIA request seeks answers. “The public and those who serve and defend this country and their families are entitled to know where we are sending our service men and women, why, and the numbers.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/22/us-troop-levels-afghanistan-iraq-syria-military-foia Good luck! I’ve been waiting five years for a response to a State Department FOIA request seeking the name of an American who went into a coma and died after being arrested in Tokyo.

Trump administration appoints health insurance company to distribute coronavirus healthcare funds. “Watchdog groups and healthcare advocates are raising serious concerns about conflicts of interest and corporate profiteering after the Trump White House tapped UnitedHealth Group—the largest private health insurer in the U.S.—to help distribute billions of dollars in taxpayer funds to hospitals struggling to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/22/never-heard-anything-watchdogs-sound-alarm-trump-puts-profit-insurer-charge-covid-19

Progressive Democrats unhappy with third coronavirus aid bill, claim aid for workers is always put off to ‘the next bill’. “The measure includes over $300 billion for small businesses and $75 billion for hospitals but contains no funding for the U.S. Postal Service, no hazard pay or additional protections for frontline workers, no recurring stimulus checks, no money for vote-by-mail, no additional oversight of the Trump administration’s handling of trillions of dollars in bailout funds, no increase in federal nutrition assistance, and no funding for struggling cities and states.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/22/gives-away-all-democratic-leverage-progressives-urge-house-vote-down-pathetic

Epidemic will worsen world hunger say relief groups. “According to the “Global Report on Food Crises,” (pdf) published Tuesday, 265 million people are expected to face food insecurity and hunger by the end of 2020—more than doubling the number from the previous year, when 130 million people worldwide were already chronically hungry.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/21/warning-hammer-blow-pandemic-un-food-agencies-say-coronavirus-could-double-global

Coronavirus protests fueled by disinformation being spread on social media sites. “The loose network of Facebook groups spurring protests of stay-at-home orders across the country have become a hotbed of misinformation, conspiracy theories and skepticism about the coronavirus pandemic.” https://www.courthousenews.com/misinformation-rampant-in-online-protest-groups/

Federal appeals court reinstates Texas coronavirus abortion ban, again. “With the Fifth Circuit’s latest order, the only abortions performed in the state of Texas will be surgical procedures for patients who, based on a physician’s judgment, would be past the 22-week legal limit for an abortion in Texas on April 22, 2020.” https://www.courthousenews.com/fifth-circuit-rules-texas-can-restrict-medication-abortions-during-covid-19-crisis/

Doctors ask states with the death penalty to share their stockpiles of execution drugs with coronavirus patients on ventilators. “Many medications used to sedate and immobilize people on ventilators and to treat their pain are the same drugs that states use to put inmates to death. Demand for such drugs surged by 73% in March.” https://www.courthousenews.com/doctors-say-execution-drugs-could-help-covid-19-patients/

April 21, 2020

Harvard University reportedly receiving $8.7 million in coronavirus emergency funds. “In addition to its ($41 billion) endowment, Harvard ended the 2019 fiscal year with a nearly $300 million operating surplus, according to Newsweek.” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/harvard-richest-9-million-cares-aid_n_5e9cc9f5c5b63c5b58707122

Black Americans far more likely to be charged for marijuana possession. “Analysis conducted by the ACLU shows that due to racial profiling and bias in marijuana enforcement, Black people are 3.6 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession, despite similar usage rates.” https://graphics.aclu.org/marijuana-arrest-report/ In Kansas, it’s 4.8 times more likely. In Montana it’s 9.6 times more likely!

President Trump planning to suspend all immigration. “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!” https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-suspend-immigration-executive-order-coronavirus

Some southern states begin lifting coronavirus restrictions. “Stacey Abrams, Kemp’s gubernatorial challenger in 2018, ridiculed the governor for the move, saying the state has a low testing rate, a high infection rate, a health care system in shambles and thousands of low-wage workers ‘forced to risk their lives to make a living’.” https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/georgia-elsewhere-south-governors-begin-lifting-coronavirus-restrictions-n1188391

Company with $100 million in sales, mostly owned by a former Trump campaign official, reportedly gets $5.5 million small business coronavirus loan. “The average loan was just over $200,000, and fewer than 1 percent of the loans under the program were greater than $5 million.” https://www.npr.org/2020/04/20/839455480/company-with-ties-to-trump-receives-millions-from-small-business-loan-program

Supreme Court strikes down state laws allowing defendants to be found guilty by split juries. “The 6-to-3 decision overturned a longstanding prior ruling from 1972, which had upheld such non-unanimous verdicts in state courts.” https://www.npr.org/2020/04/20/839101826/supreme-court-guarantees-right-to-unanimous-verdict-in-serious-criminal-trials

Coronavirus lockdown critic catches virus, dies. “Before he became infected, (John) McDaniel posted several messages on social media blasting Governor Mike DeWine for issuing stay-at-home orders…. ‘If what I’m hearing is true, that DeWine has ordered all bars and restaurants to be closed, I say bull****! He doesn’t have that authority. If you are paranoid about getting sick just don’t go out. It shouldn’t keep those of us from living our lives.'” https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8239557/Ohio-man-60-blasted-COVID-19-lockdown-political-ploy-dies-contracting-coronavirus.html

Hundreds of southern Californians protest stay-at-home order, say their constitutional rights are being violated. “Protesters also took aim at the media covering the event with signs such as ‘The Media Is the Virus’.” https://www.foxnews.com/us/coronavirus-california-stay-at-home-order-protest-orange-county-san-clemente “Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist and public health scientist at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, tweeted: “2,500 anti-lockdown rally in Olympia, Washington. I predict a new epidemic surge (incubation time ~5-7 days before onset symptoms, if any, and transmission to associates around that time, even among asymptomatics)… so increase in 2-4 weeks from now.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/20/us-protests-lockdown-coronavirus-cases-surge-warning It’s just too bad that they’ll end up taking other people with them.

Denis Hayes, the man who organized the first Earth Day. “This was not an anti-litter campaign,” he recalled. “This was talking about fundamental changes in the nature of the American economy.” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/climate/denis-hayes-earth-day-organizer.html

Pentagon to request coronavirus emergency funds for defense contractors. “The Pentagon hopes to include billions of dollars to support its industry initiatives included in the next version of the CARES Act, Lord said without specifying the amount because the request has not been approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget.” https://news.trust.org/item/20200420175005-u059x

Trump administration reportedly exploring ways to protect companies from employee coronavirus lawsuits over employer negligence. “In a memo to its members last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—the most powerful business lobbying group in the nation—said that legal action from workers who are infected by Covid-19 on the job is ‘perhaps the largest area of concern for the overall business community’.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/21/trump-says-hes-aiming-shield-corporations-legal-liability-workers-who-contract-covid

No bailouts for big oil! “Oil prices have crashed below $11 as demand has collapsed, and the cost of storing the oil for future use is now too high. But highly indebted oil companies being propped up by the Fed keep pumping anyway. The solution is to let these oil companies go bankrupt and stop pumping.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/20/oil-prices-fall-below-0-barrel-climate-advocates-urge-against-fossil-fuel-industry

Federal judge cuts Michigan’s voter signature requirement in half for candidates seeking to appear on the ballot, due to social distancing rules. “By law, anyone who wishes to be a candidate for elected office in Michigan must collect 1,000 signatures from registered voters in order to have their name included on the state’s primary ballot.” https://www.courthousenews.com/candidate-wins-injunction-against-michigan-voter-signature-requirements/ These rules need to go away. They are just there to keep small parties and independents off the ballot.

Investigation reveals big companies received emergency coronavirus small business loans. “… at least 75 companies that received the aid were publicly traded, the AP found, and some had market values well over $100 million.” https://www.courthousenews.com/small-business-loans-went-to-big-businesses-failing-ones/

Torture victims to testify at trial of Syrian security service official in Germany. “As a senior member of Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate, R. is accused of overseeing the ‘systematic and brutal torture’ of more than 4,000 prisoners between April 2011 and September 2012, resulting in the deaths of at least 58 people, federal prosecutors said.” https://www.courthousenews.com/syrian-refugees-to-face-their-torturers-in-german-court/ Wow, a country putting people responsible for a torture program on trial – what a novel idea!

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