The Washington Post - 18 04 2020

2020·15.74 MB·English

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Morning rain 59/41 • Tomorrow: Clouds and sun 67/51 B6 Democracy Dies in Darkness SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020 . $2
A salute to medical workers, from their fellow first responders Trump fomenting
defiance of strictures
BUT SOME GOP LEADERS ARE WARY OF HASTE
Virus testing a friction point in debate over reopening
BY ISAAC STANLEY-BECKER, plan for loosening restrictions on
TOLUSE OLORUNNIPA economic activity. But the propos-
AND SEUNG MIN KIM al by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) made
few immediate changes to the
President Trump on Friday am- stay-at-home order and left many
plified his call to reopen the coun- decisions for the end of the month
try, suggesting citizens should after consultations with a new
“liberate” themselves even as gov- “strike force” of business leaders
ernors and local officials in areas and medical professionals.
he said were ready to return to “We’ll be focusing on all strate-
normal expressed concern about gies that may open up Texas while
moving too soon. also keeping us protected from
Republican governors have the expansion of covid-19,” Abbott
been slow to embrace Trump’s call said Friday, announcing plans to
to lift statewide stay-at-home or- ease restrictions on some retailers
ders in the middle of the coronavi- and hospitals even as the state’s
rus pandemic that is killing thou- stay-at-home order remained in
sands of Americans. And Demo- effect.
cratic governors have increasing- Trump on Friday took aim at
ly denounced what they describe Democratic-led states, tweeting
as a lack of federal leadership in a about a need to “LIBeRATe” plac-
response effort plagued by short- es such as Michigan, Minnesota
falls in testing and equipment. and Virginia while seeming to
on Friday, Texas announced a see reopenIng on A5
cHArles KrupA/AssocIAted press
Sta∞ng, antiquated technology
Medical workers, clad in personal protective equipment, wave in appreciation as firefighters, police officers and
emergency workers honor them Friday in front of Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, N.H. The hospital has about slow the delivery of virus relief
700 of its staffers sidelined amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.
BY HEATHER LONG, The bulk of the challenges have
JEFF STEIN, LISA REIN occurred with three initiatives
AND TONY ROMM designed to get cash to struggling
Market surge on 1 treatment trial is a sign of urgency Americans: $1,200 per adult re-
The national effort to get coro- lief payments that launched this
navirus relief money to Ameri- week, $349 billion in small Busi-
cans is at risk of being over- ness Administration loans, and
BY CHRISTOPHER ROWLAND maceutical industry to get the mounts a resurgence in the fall. Gilead’s experimental drug rem- whelmed by the worst economic $260 billion in unemployment
global economy back on its feet. But the scientific, medical and desivir. The comments were ob- downturn in 80 years, as under- benefits for the more than 22 mil-
The stock market’s outsize re- While social distancing and manufacturing demands are tained by the news site sTAT. of staffed and underfunded agen- lion people — and growing — out
action Friday to a mere fragment flattening the curve are the initial much more challenging than the 113 patients who were severely ill cies struggle to deliver funds. of work.
of positive news from a Chicago strategies to reduce the spread of stock market’s exuberant reaction with covid-19, only two people Three weeks after Congress The sBA ran out of money to
hospital, just one institution out sARs-CoV-2, the clinical name for might indicate. treated with the drug died, and passed a $2 trillion package to make small business loans this
of 169 sites in a global clinical trial the novel coronavirus, the pro- The surge was based on video- most got better quickly, the re- lessen the economic impact of the week, almost no unemployment
with up to 6,000 patients, rein- duction of vaccines and treat- taped comments by a University searcher said. It was not disclosed coronavirus pandemic, millions aid has reached eligible self-em-
forced the extraordinarily high ments will be crucial over the of Chicago Medicine researcher how many were on ventilators of households and small busi- ployed and gig workers, and a
expectations riding on the phar- longer term, especially if the virus leading a local trial site for see treAtment on A8 nesses are still waiting to receive significant number of Americans
all the help promised under the who were due to receive relief
legislation, according to govern- payments this week went on the
ment data and firsthand ac- IRs.gov website only to see this
Nursing homes counts. see bAIlout on A16
with outbreaks
had been cited More coverage Golf? Guns?
for violations Adoption: travel bans have put It’s all essential
plans on hold for many families. A2
somewhere.
BY DEBBIE CENZIPER, push to reopen: conservatives
JOEL JACOBS across the country are rallying. A4
AND SHAWN MULCAHY BY GRIFF WITTE
wuhan: china defends its data AND HANNAH KNOWLES
Forty percent of more than after revising city’s death toll. A12
650 nursing homes nationwide Florida made an exception
with publicly reported cases of world: smartphones are the latest for professional wrestling.
the coronavirus have been cited weapon to fight the spread. A20 south Carolina cut a break to
more than once by inspectors in sex shops, before it didn’t. And
liftoff: nAsA astronauts will launch
recent years for violating federal across the country, golf courses
standards meant to control the from u.s. soil after long hiatus. A20 are more likely to be open than
spread of infections, according to not.
maryland: A shuttered hospital
a Washington Post analysis. Despite sweeping orders that
reopens amid the crisis. c1
since 2016, the nursing homes mandate closures of all non-
accrued hundreds of deficiencies essential businesses and activi-
for unsafe conditions that can New deaths in 2,047 ties in a bid to combat the
trigger the spread of flu, pneu- spread of the novel coronavi-
the U.S., by day
monia, urinary tract infections utpAl pAtHAK for tHe WAsHIngton post rus, the list of exemptions in
and skin diseases. Dozens were About 50 people have been stuck inside a train station in Varanasi, India, for weeks during a As of 8 p.m. most states is long, curious and
flagged by inspectors only nationwide lockdown. every morning, a railway staff member leads the group in a yoga class. 2,000 controversial — a launchpad
months before the coronavirus Cumulative for endless debates over what
pandemic struck the United really matters at a time when so
deaths
states. In India, waiting on a train that isn’t coming much is being sacrificed.
32,454
Among the facilities with 1,500 The battle is only intensify-
infection-control infractions: the ing. It’s being waged in furious
Pleasant View nursing Home in BY JOANNA SLATER AND TANIA DUTTA come. lobbying campaigns and in
Mount Airy, Md., where 24 peo- They are parents and children, construction court fights that will dictate
new delhi —
ple had died as of Thursday; the The main train station in the workers, managers, pilgrims, students, a lawyer 1,000 whether businesses live or die.
Canterbury Rehabilitation & north Indian city of Varanasi is a sprawling and a marketing professional. They have one This week, it even brought
Healthcare Center near Rich- building that has witnessed its share of delays thing in common: They were all stranded hun- protesters to the streets in state
mond, with 49 deaths as of over more than a century of rail travel. some- dreds of miles from home when India abruptly capitals for non-socially dis-
Thursday; and the Brighton Re- times the waits are long, and sometimes they are suspended its passenger trains, which carry tanced demonstrations as a
500
habilitation and Wellness Center pleasantly short. But it has never seen anything 23 million people a day, then imposed a strict backlash against stay-at-home
in southwestern Pennsylvania, like this. nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of the orders grows.
where officials have warned that Inside a high-ceilinged room, a group of travel- novel coronavirus. The question of what is es-
all 750 residents and staff mem- ers from across India have waited in vain for ever since, the passengers have spent their 0 sential has implications for
see nursIng Homes on A14 more than three weeks for trains that never see IndIA on A12 Feb. 29 April 17 see exemptIons on A6
In Sunday’s post Inside
∠∠ Earth Day Issue Serious ∠∠ ‘Pops’ is still talking tHe nAtIon tHe economy
biden sketches out vision day set for historic liftoff
results of climate change are Closed by the coronavirus, a
A woman on his ticket. A black nAsA astronauts will launch from
imperiling the planet, but museum in Queens dedicated
woman on the supreme court. u.s. soil, the first time in 10 years,
sometimes a threat e merges to iconic trumpeter and now, new cabinet posts. A3 may 27 on a spaceX rocket. A13
that affects the world in a singer Louis Armstrong finds
tHe world relIgIon
new way. Magazine a fascinating way to share its Venezuela low on gas bomb at Jewish facility
collection. Arts & Style long lines at the pump present a A man is charged with planting an
In defense of tchotchkes For
new challenge for embattled incendiary device at an assisted-
idled travel-lovers, souvenirs authoritarian nicolás maduro. A10 living home in massachusetts. b2
are tangible links to past
adventures and distractions busIness news.............................................A13 CONTENT © 2020
201 comIcs.............................................................c5 The Washington Post / Year 143, No. 135
from the unmoving present. $ opInIon pAges...............................................A17
lotterIes.........................................................b3
Travel, E13-E16 obItuArIes.......................................................b4
teleVIsIon.......................................................c4
world news..................................................A10
eIKo ojAlA for tHe WAsHIngton post cHArles grAHAm/louIs Armstrong museum
A2 eZ Re THE WASHINGTON POST .SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020
Cohen granted prison leave due to pandemic
In CAse YoU mIsseD It
some reports that you may have
missed. Read more at
washingtonpost.com.
rus at the institutions it manages. the first, he admitted to cam-
Number of immigrants Trump’s former lawyer According to information from paign finance violations stem-
the bureau’s website, nearly ming from payments made be-
held by ICE plummets had begun serving a 1,200 inmates have been trans- fore the 2016 election to Daniels
3-year federal sentence ferred to their homes. Some crim- and another woman who alleged
The number of people held at inal justice advocates have said having affairs with Trump years
three U.S. Immigration and more should still be done. earlier. Cohen said he arranged
Customs Enforcement family Cohen is among a number of the payments at Trump’s direc-
detention centers plummeted BY MATT ZAPOTOSKY high-profile inmates who have tion to keep the women quiet.
39 percent from about 1,350 to pushed to get out of jail during Trump has denied the women’s
826 last week, a federal judge said Michael Cohen, President the pandemic — some successful- allegations.
during a court hearing Monday. Trump’s former personal attor- ly. The Justice Department offi- In the second, Cohen admitted
washingtonpost.com/national ney, will be released to home cial, speaking on the condition of he lied to Congress about a Mos-
confinement as part of the Feder- anonymity to detail internal dis- cow real estate project Trump
Liberal challenger al Bureau of Prisons’ push to stem cussions, said Barr had told Bu- and his company pursued while
the spread of the coronavirus, reau of Prisons’ leadership to “not Trump was trying to secure the
wins Wis. court race according to his attorney and a give special treatment to any Republican nomination to be-
Justice Department official. inmate,” though the precise cal- come president. That case was a
A liberal challenger easily Roger Adler, a lawyer for Co- culations in Cohen’s case were part of special counsel Robert S.
defeated the conservative hen, said that he had filed paper- unclear. Mueller III’s investigation into
incumbent for a seat on the work with prison officials seeking Last month, Cohen’s attorney MAtt McclAIn/tHe WAsHIngton Post whether the Trump campaign
Wisconsin Supreme Court in last “compassionate release” for Co- wrote to a judge that the Bureau Michael Cohen, former attorney to President Trump, reportedly coordinated with Russia during
week’s elections. Jill Karofsky hen during the global health pan- of Prisons was “demonstrably in- has “lung problems,” making him medically vulnerable to covid-19. the 2016 campaign, and Cohen
beat Daniel Kelly, appointed to demic because Cohen had “an capable of safeguarding and later said in court that he lied to
the court in 2016 by then-Gov. underlying medical condition treating B.O.P. inmates” during Adler said it was his under- wrote in a court filing that Skelos protect Trump.
Scott Walker (R). President that he has been hospitalized for.” the coronavirus pandemic and standing that Cohen was among a had tested positive for coronavi- As of Thursday — the latest
Trump endorsed Kelly. He said Thursday night that it asked that Cohen be moved to number of inmates who will be rus but had been “symptom-free figures available — 473 federal
washingtonpost.com/national was his “understanding from home confinement. The facility released because of the pandem- since approximately April 8,” and inmates had tested positive for
speaking with a family member” has had 14 inmates and seven ic. he would be released pending the coronavirus, along with
Boeing loses 150 more that the request had been grant- staffers test positive for the novel Barr had directed prison offi- approval by medical staff and 279 Bureau of Prisons staff. The
ed, and that Cohen would soon be coronavirus, according to the lat- cials to look at inmates’ vulnera- sign-off by the U.S. Probation Bureau of Prisons said 18 inmates
orders for 737 Max moved to home confinement. est Bureau of Prisons figures. bility to covid-19, their conduct in Office on the place he wants to had died.
A Justice Department official Prosecutors objected to the re- prison and whether they would live. The Bureau of Prisons did not
Boeing’s commercial airline confirmed the development Fri- quest, asserting that Cohen was pose a danger to the community Paul Manafort, Trump’s former move at the start of the outbreak
customers canceled 150 orders of day. The lawyer’s assertion was “53 years old and in good health,” in deciding whether they should campaign chairman who was to release those in custody as a
the 737 Max in March, the first reported by CNN. and noting that he had at that be let go. Such factors generally convicted in 2018 of bank and tax part of its response to the global
company announced Tuesday, A Bureau of Prisons spokes- point “not moved for compas- favor older, white-collar crimi- fraud, asked Monday to be re- pandemic, though Barr has
the latest in a string of bad news woman said in a statement, “I am sionate release, likely because he nals. leased from prison to home con- stepped up that effort in the past
for the aerospace behemoth unable to address any specific is manifestly ineligible for it.” U.S. A federal judge in California finement to serve the remainder month. In late March, he directed
hurting from the one-two offenders suitability for home District Judge William H. Pauley recently said he would allow the of his 7½-year sentence, saying prison officials to expand their
punches of the 737 Max crisis and confinement.” A spokesman for III sided with the government. release of lawyer Michael Avenat- his age and health put him at use of home confinement but
the coronavirus. the U.S. attorney’s office in Man- “That Cohen would seek to ti, the attorney who rose to prom- higher risk of death from corona- detailed a number of factors that
Boeing has been under fire hattan, which prosecuted Cohen, single himself out for release to inence as the legal counsel for virus. The issue now could come might limit the pool that would
since its 737 Max crashed twice, declined to comment. home confinement appears to be adult-film actress Stormy Daniels up in the case of Roger Stone, be eligible.
killing a total of 346 people. Cohen once affectionately con- just another effort to inject him- during her lawsuit against Trump Trump’s longtime confidante who Then, in early April, Barr ex-
washingtonpost.com/business sidered himself Trump’s fixer, self into the news cycle,” Pauley over a hush-money deal, but with was convicted last year of tam- panded the directive — declaring
though as he became ensnared in wrote. “As the Government points bond and other stringent condi- pering with a witness and lying to an emergency under the recently
Mystics trade multiple federal investigations, out, he is ‘manifestly ineligible’ tions. Avenatti was convicted in Congress about his efforts to passed coronavirus legislation
he turned on his former client, for compassionate release and an extortion case this year in New learn of hacked Democratic that allowed the bureau to signifi-
for Tina Charles connecting Trump in federal has not exhausted his adminis- York and has been awaiting trial emails during the 2016 U.S. presi- cantly lengthen the time inmates
court to criminal misdeeds and trative remedies.” in California on allegations that dential election. could serve on home confine-
The Washington Mystics on alleging scandalous conduct in Adler, Cohen’s attorney, said he stole millions of dollars from A federal judge in D.C. on ment, and directing prison offi-
Wednesday acquired former testimony before Congress. He that in asking the prison warden his clients. Thursday rejected Stone’s bid for cials to consider a wider group for
league MVP Tina Charles from had reported to prison on May 6 for release — an administrative The Bureau of Prisons said it a new trial and said he should possible release.
the New York Liberty. The move to begin serving a three-year sen- remedy — Cohen had submitted would similarly approve furlough report to prison to begin serving As of Friday, Cohen remained
will pair Charles, a 6-foot-4 tence. evidence to back up his claims. from prison and home confine- his 40-month sentence as soon as in federal custody at FCI Otisville
center, with reigning MVP Elena At Attorney General William P. “He has a number of lung ment for former New York State federal officials instruct him to do in New York. His attorney said,
Delle Donne. Washington traded Barr’s direction, the Bureau of problems that were documented; Senate majority leader Dean Ske- so, after a two-week grace period like other inmates being released,
guard Shatori Walker- Prisons has been working in re- medical records were provided,” los, who had been serving a four- lapses. Stone’s likely appeals, Cohen would have to be quaran-
Kimbrough, its first-round pick cent weeks to move more inmates Adler said. He declined to say year and three-month prison though, could delay that. tined for two weeks before being
in Friday’s WNBA draft and all to home confinement in a bid to what Cohen’s lung problems term after he was convicted in a Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 in sent home.
three picks in the 2021 draft. stem the spread of the coronavi- were. corruption case. Prosecutors two separate criminal cases. In [email protected]
washingtonpost.com/sports
Virus upends years of
KLMNO covid-19 health concerns in the
United States as well as most
other countries. “But they should
neWsPAPer DeLIVerY planning for surrogacies,
be able to, the minute it’s safe to
For home delivery comments
go back home.”
or concerns contact us at
washingtonpost.com/subscriberservices or international adoptions Desai estimates that about 100
send us an email at sets of parents are ensnared in
[email protected] or call travel restrictions preventing
202-334-6100 or 800-477-4679 them from coming to the United
States for a surrogacy birth, or
to sUBsCrIBe
BY CAROL MORELLO often in orphanages. from leaving to go home. If the
800-753-Post (7678)
“We literally had 15 families crisis continues for several
to ADVertIse Andrea Hoffmann’s mad dash who had tickets purchased to months, several hundred more
washingtonpost.com/mediakit
to America began shortly after leave the next day or in a few days, families will be affected, she said.
classified: 202-334-6200
2 a.m. on March 12 in Munich, and 10 families ready to purchase The State Department is con-
Display: 202-334-7642
when her husband roused her tickets,” said Susan Cox, vice pres- sidering a policy change to ad-
mAIn PHone nUmBer from sleep and said, “We have to ident for policy at Holt Interna- dress the situation.
202-334-6000 get on a plane now.” tional, an Oregon-based Chris- “We recognize that in addition
to reACH tHe neWsroom The Hoffmanns both wanted to tian organization that arranged to wanting to be present at the
Metro: 202-334-7300; be in Maryland for the birth of more than 500 adoptions from birth of their child, there may be
[email protected] their son to a surrogate who was other countries last year. medical decisions to be made and
FAMIlY PHoto
national: 202-334-7410; due in late May. But Christian “In some cases, their adoptions Thomas and Callie Mitchell have prepared a room in their home in we want to be sensitive to that, so
[email protected] Hoffmann realized their plans had been in process for two or Chattanooga, Tenn., for a 3-year-old boy coming from China. we’re examining ways in which
Business: 202-334-7320; had to be changed after watching three years. They were finally at these intending parents can trav-
[email protected] President Trump on television as the point where the child was el,” a State Department spokes-
sports: 202-334-7350; he announced travel restrictions ready to travel, and the adoption Many foreigners who choose cess. man said.
[email protected] on Europeans to limit the spread was ready to be completed. They surrogacy come to the United Anyone born in the United Even parents who made it to
Reader Advocate: 202-334-7582; of the novel coronavirus. were so close.” States because family law in most States is a U.S. citizen and must the United States before travel
[email protected] When Christian left Andrea at Thomas Mitchell and his wife, states has established procedures use a U.S. passport to exit the bans took effect say the uncer-
the Munich airport at 6 a.m., they Callie, had been waiting for eight and protections unavailable in country. That includes babies tainty is stressful.
to reACH tHe oPInIon PAGes
expected he would join her in a months to bring a 3-year-old boy their native countries. Typically, born to gestational surrogates. So Eneko Arrese, an accountant,
letters to the editor:
few weeks. home from an orphanage in the prospective parents get a far, the State Department does and his husband, Eneko Amezke-
[email protected] or call
More than a month later, northern China. Mitchell built pre-birth court order declaring not consider surrogacy a life-or- ta, a dance director, flew from
202-334-6215
opinion: Christian Hoffmann is still in him a bed that his daughters them the parents. They arrive in death emergency to make an ex- their home in Spain’s Basque
[email protected] Munich, working at home for a painted and decorated his room the United States a few weeks ception to the passport pause, country to Chicago in early
Published daily (Issn 0190-8286). pharmaceutical company. His at their home in Chattanooga, before the birth, take the court and won’t issue them. Without a March. At the time, the covid-19
PostMAsteR: send address changes to wife is living temporarily in an Tenn., with a mural of pandas and order to get a passport for the passport for their baby, the par- virus was raging in Spain and just
the Washington Post, 1301 K st. nW, Washington,
apartment in Frederick, Md., do- pagodas. They had plane tickets infant and return home a few ents cannot return home once air starting to spread in the United
D.c. 20071.
Periodicals postage paid in Washington, D.c., and ing administrative tasks on her to China in early February, but 12 weeks after the birth. travel resumes. States.
additional mailing office. laptop for her job as an air traffic days before their departure date, The global pandemic threw a “Nobody thinks they should The couple had planned to
controller. She has spent count- the adoption was put on indefi- bureaucratic hurdle into the pro- travel now,” said Desai, noting witness the March 26 birth of
less hours watching the news and nite hold. their son, Aretx, the Basque word
the first five seasons of “Game of “At first, we thought it would for “oak.” But hospital restric-
CorreCtIons
Thrones” on Netflix, and bonding be a couple weeks’ delay,” said tions related to the coronavirus
with their surrogate, who has Mitchell, a real estate transaction allowed only one person to be
the Washington Post is committed to brought her three daughters to coordinator. “Then it snowballed. present, and they ceded that
correcting errors that appear in the the parking lot of Andrea’s build- Now, nobody knows when we can place to the surrogate’s mother.
newspaper. those interested in ing so she can watch them dance go.” As they and their newborn
contacting the paper for that purpose from a second-floor balcony. The Mitchells sent their son, follow “stay at home” guidelines
can:
“We are just so glad one of us is whom they will name John Tao in an Airbnb rental, waiting for
email: [email protected].
here,” she said. “I didn’t think it Mitchell, a new photo book and a their attorney to finalize docu-
Call: 202-334-6000, and ask to be
connected to the desk involved — would come to this. I thought, ‘It letter explaining that they will ments for their son to travel, their
national, Foreign, Metro, style, sports, will be all right; they cannot lock come as soon as the airplanes can joy is leavened with worry that
Business or any of the weekly sections. down everything.’ I never would fly again, not knowing if that will their return flights on a round-
comments can be directed to the have imagined this situation.” be weeks or months from now. about route will be canceled be-
Post’s reader advocate, who can be The sweeping travel restric- “It’s incredibly sad,” Mitchell fore they can leave.
reached at 202-334-7582 or tions, imposed with little advance said. “It’s incredibly frustrating. “We follow newspapers, all
[email protected]. notice, have interrupted plans for We’re still very hopeful as well. I’d day,” Arrese said. “We’re afraid,
prospective new families around say if there’s an emotion out because we’re far from home. It’s
the world. The United States has there, we’re probably feeling it.” not our country. We’re far from
Download the imposed restrictions on travelers Further complicating matters, family, and friends and every-
Washington Post app who have been in China, Iran and the State Department has been thing we know.”
most of Europe, as well as Canada swamped with arranging airlifts Among their biggest fears is a
stay informed with award-winning and Mexico. Nine of 10 people in for tens of thousands of Ameri- health emergency. Although they
national and international news, the world live in countries that cans and has curtailed most rou- purchased U.S. health insurance,
PlUs complete local news coverage have closed their borders because tine passport services. U.S. em- illness would require them to
of the D.c. metro area. create of the covid-19 outbreak, narrow- bassies and consulates have con- navigate a system they do not
customized news alerts, save ing international travel to a trick- tinued to issue passports for in- understand.
le. fants newly adopted overseas — if Though the viral outbreak is
articles for offline reading in My
As a result, many people over- the parents can get there. But that flattening out in Spain and re-
Post, browse the daily print edition
seas with surrogates in the Unit- has been no help for surrogacy strictions there may ease soon,
and scroll through our the Discover
ed States are either stranded births. their worries will not evaporate
tab to find stories that interest you.
thousands of miles away or stuck When governments began im- when they return home.
Free to download on the App store
in the United States, unable to posing travel bans, no one fore- “It scares us a lot,” said Arrese.
and Play store, subscribers enjoy
take their newborns home. And saw the consequences for families “We know in our house we are
unlimited access.
Americans who were about to fly created with the help of surro- going to be in quarantine. But we
abroad for international adop- gates, said Nidhi Desai, a Chicago FAMIlY PHoto will feel more comfortable being
tions cannot enter the countries lawyer who specializes in interna- The Mitchells, seen with their daughters, had waited eight months in our own country.”
where children wait for them, tional adoptions and surrogacies. to adopt from China when the process was put on hold in February. [email protected]
SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020 . THE WASHINGTON POST eZ re A3
Politics & the Nation
Democratic super PAC spends $15 million to criticize Trump, counter ads
BY MICHELLE YE HEE LEE America First Action, the main ing China and the coronavirus in tective equipment to China in was too slow in his early response China and other foreign invest-
pro-Trump super PAC, labeling his fundraising appeals. February, alleging Trump’s deci- to the coronavirus outbreak, and ments.
A Democratic super PAC has the former vice president “Beijing American Bridge, one of the sion contributed to the shortage his initial response is widely criti- The group said it plans on roll-
launched a $15 million ad cam- Biden.” Ads by both groups will major Democratic super PACs of such gear in the United States. cized, a new Pew Research Center ing out microtargeted digital ads
paign criticizing President Trump run in the same television mar- running anti-Trump ad cam- “Donald Trump sent critical survey shows. on that theme as part of “an
for initially praising China’s han- kets in three states crucial in paigns focused on swing states, medical supplies to China as “We are more than happy to let all-out assault on Trump and his
dling of the coronavirus crisis and November: Michigan, Wisconsin aims to counter the narrative put Americans continue to suffer. He the American public decide family over their corruption — in
donating U.S. personal protective and Pennsylvania. forth by the president’s operation. needs to follow his supposed mot- whom they trust, President China and other countries — in-
equipment to that nation, in a Trump and his allies increas- The group’s new ad criticizes to of America First,” American Trump or Beijing Joe Biden, to get volving foreign bribes, political
move to counter pro-Trump ads ingly are seizing on China’s role in Trump for praising Chinese Presi- Bridge President Bradley Beychok tough on China,” said Brian O. favors, shady real estate invest-
painting presumptive Democrat- the spread of the novel coronavi- dent Xi Jinping in February over said in a statement. “We’re mak- Walsh, president of America First, ments, and parties with dicta-
ic presidential nominee Joe Biden rus to attack Biden as the death his coronavirus response, despite ing sure that voters across Michi- in response to the new ad cam- tors.”
as soft on China. toll and job losses continue to rise. widespread skepticism of Bei- gan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin paign by American Bridge. “Hard-working Americans are
The new television and digital The pro-Trump America First jing’s account of the number of know full well not only how badly American Bridge said the ad is paying for the president’s failures,
ad campaign by the American ads criticizing Biden’s past ap- people infected and who had died Trump botched this crisis, but the first of its new offensive cam- and we’re not going to be shy
Bridge 21st Century super PAC proaches to China follows a of the disease. also how badly he bent the knee to paign targeting Trump, his com- about holding him accountable,”
will launch Friday and is designed Trump campaign ad on the same The ad also blasts Trump for China in the midst of it as well.” pany, business associates and Beychok’s statement said.
to match a $10 million effort by theme. Trump also has begun us- sending 17.8 tons of personal pro- Most Americans believe Trump adult children over their ties to [email protected]
BY SEAN SULLIVAN participate in a virtual fundraiser
for Biden, according to a person
Joe Biden has committed to with knowledge of the event.
choosing a woman as his running Ticket prices will range from
mate. He’s vowed to nominate an $250 to $2,800.
African American woman to the But the credibility transfer
Supreme Court. And now, he’s from his endorsers to Biden has
toying with the idea of creating limits. That is why the candidate,
new Cabinet posts and possibly seen in some quarters of the
even naming potential agency party as unappealing to younger
secretaries before the election. voters and facing challenges with
The presumptive Democratic Latino voters, also has been will-
nominee is sketching out an in- ing to make pronouncements
creasingly detailed portrait of the that have gone beyond what past
kinds of people he would sur- nominees have guaranteed.
round himself with if he became “I’m looking forward to mak-
president. At a moment when the ing sure there is a black woman
coronavirus pandemic has shak- on the Supreme Court,” Biden
en the country’s faith in govern- said at a February debate, draw-
ment and frequently rendered ing loud applause.
Biden’s candidacy a lonely pur- The creation of his Cabinet —
suit, his campaign is emphasiz- and more broadly his view of
ing what would happen after the himself as a transitional figure
election — were he to win — more who can help build the next
so than what he will do in the generation of Democrats — has
nearly seven months of cam- been on Biden’s mind for a while.
paigning before the November During an April 3 virtual fund-
vote. raiser, he said he was committed
He is also making his pitch as to selecting diverse personnel.
much about his allies as about “Men, women, gay, straight,
him, presenting himself as the center, across the board. Black,
conductor of an orchestra whose white, Asian. It really matters
individual players might appeal that you look like the country,
to the disparate elements of a because everyone brings a slight-
party Biden is seeking to unify. ly different perspective,” said
His moves reflect a campaign Biden.
trying to project know-how and Presidents-elect typically tap
preparedness, qualities it hopes experienced government hands
will contrast in the minds of to help them evolve from candi-
many voters with President date to officeholder. Cabinet
Trump, whom Biden is casting as nominations — such as secretary
chaotic and woefully unreliable ANdrew HArrer/BlOOmBerg News of state and attorney general —
in moments of crisis. With in-person campaigning on hold, former vice president Joe Biden has been sketching out his plans if he wins the election. are normally announced begin-
Voters “need reassurance de- ning in the two-month period
livered in specific information,” Blueprint for a Biden administration between the election and the
said Henry Muñoz, a former inauguration.
Democratic National Committee Biden would not say who is
finance chairman and an infor- heading his transition team, but
mal Biden adviser. “The best he vowed that those who will take
form of leadership is a person part will be “first rate.” He also
who is willing to surround them- said the “physical limitations” of least two or three people quali- sion in the party over whom he have been aimed more at remind- argued that there is no shortage
selves with diverse, strong voic- campaigning from home also fied for every one of those posi- ought to select. ing supporters of their affection of qualified people who could
es.” present a challenge. tions.” The declaration focused media than at seeking out new acolytes. serve.
The strategy is also driven by Biden, speaking at a virtual In contrast with the vision of attention on several women seen Every time the president tweets “I have had literally several
the practical problem of mount- fundraiser, said Thursday that he firm leadership that the former as potential picks, including — such as on Friday, when he hundred serious, serious players
ing a campaign in the era of the has started constructing a presi- vice president is seeking to put Democratic Sens. Kamala D. Har- used misleading information to who have held positions in every
coronavirus. When the former dential transition team, a process forward, Trump and his allies are ris (Calif.), Elizabeth Warren call President Barack Obama and department in the federal gov-
vice president hits the trail these he said has been underway for casting Biden as shaky and un- (Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) Biden “a disaster” in their 2009 ernment who have said, includ-
days, it means beaming into peo- several weeks. prepared, and calling attention to and Catherine Cortez Masto response to the H1N1 influenza — ing some Republicans, who have
ple’s living rooms from his make- Discussions are in progress his verbal stumbles. “No more (Nev.); Michigan Gov. Gretchen his message goes to more than said: ‘If you win, I want to come
shift basement TV studio, piping about the prospect of elevating late night television Sleepy Joe!” Whitmer; and former Georgia 77 million Twitter followers. back. I’m ready to serve,’ ” he said.
into their headphones with his some White House offices to Cab- the Trump campaign tweeted gubernatorial nominee Stacey Biden has just under 5 million The words sought to offer a
new podcast and schmoozing inet-level positions, Biden said. this week, with a clip of Biden Abrams, among others. followers. measure of clarity at a time when
with donors on Zoom, all from a Among those under consider- appearing to look down at his Even that discussion, however, Over the past several days, there is little certainty about the
safe social distance that has iso- ation: the Office of Science and notes during a long-winded com- has received little public atten- Biden has made this most of his future of the country’s economy,
lated him from the country he Technology Policy, the global ment on CNN. tion. Some Democrats from com- circumstances. He won the en- its health and its mind-set. By
wants to lead. health security pandemic office Many Democrats recognize petitive swing areas have said dorsement of Sen. Bernie Sand- Biden’s own estimation, the elec-
Some Democrats worry about and a separate climate change that Biden’s status as a 77-year- Biden needs to find a fresh way to ers (I-Vt.) on Monday, joining his tion itself is not even set in stone.
Biden being eclipsed by Trump, operation that “goes beyond the old white man at the head of a stand out against Trump in the former rival in a live-streamed Biden said at the Thursday
whose White House pandemic EPA,” he said. diverse party has made the ques- weeks ahead. discussion that conveyed a fundraiser that the recent Wis-
briefings are carried live and Biden said he “would consider tion of whom he will pick for his “The president is on TV every warmer relationship between the consin primary led him to ques-
whose hourly battles with politi- announcing some Cabinet mem- administration more significant, day. He’s coming to us into our TV two men than Sanders ever had tion how efficiently states can
cal rivals have been splashed bers before the election,” a move and his running mate choice screens every day from his press with Hillary Clinton in 2016. hold elections during the corona-
across newspaper front pages. that would be highly unusual, but more consequential. Some say conference,” Rep. Elissa Slotkin The next day, Obama bestowed virus crisis, particularly as
Biden’s slow rollout of a grow- he clarified that he hasn’t “made they want to see evidence that (D-Mich.) said in an interview his support on Biden, and the day Trump and other Republicans
ing army of high-wattage surro- that commitment” yet. Still, he Biden would put together a gov- last week. “So it’s going to be after that Warren endorsed him. have fought a transition to mail-
gates offers the potential, at least, signaled that he has a good idea ernment that reflects the coun- important for the [former] vice The campaign rounded out the in ballots. When asked whether
of breaking through the din. of who would fill the positions. try. president to be visible and to use week with endorsements from he believes the public can trust
“It’s difficult because he’s not a “If the Lord Almighty said: Biden has been offering hints this time in key states like Michi- leading Muslim and Jewish orga- that the November election will
public official now, and he’s in ‘Joe, I tell you what. You have to about who would serve in his gan and Wisconsin and Pennsyl- nizations, highlighting the diver- be held as expected, Biden re-
this period of time when he’s a decide in three hours what your government for months. At the vania, to really rethink creatively sity in his coalition. plied, “Right now they can’t trust
candidate when we’re in the mid- Cabinet is or you’re going to be final debate of the primary race what a campaign looks like in an The new alliances are expected that.”
dle of a worldwide pandemic,” bounced out of the race,’ I could in mid-March, he said he would era of social distancing.” to pay off in multiple ways: On [email protected]
said Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. write down who could be in the choose a woman as his running Trump had a head start in his May 1, a network of influential
(D-Pa.), a close Biden ally who Cabinet,” he said. “There are at mate, setting off a spirited discus- outreach, although his pitches Obama alumni is planning to matt Viser contributed to this report.
DIGEST
TENNESSEE attorneys to conduct interviews, TEXAS GEORGIA
travel, meet with Smith and carry
Top court postpones Off-duty border agent Two students expelled
out other tasks during the
execution over virus outbreak as they pursued held in fatal shooting over racist video
clemency and court challenges,
Tennessee’s Supreme Court on they argued. An off-duty U.S. border agent Two high school students in
Friday postponed the scheduled Attorney General Herbert has been arrested in connection Georgia have been expelled after
execution of a death row prisoner Slatery’s office argued that the with the fatal shooting of a they posted a racist video on a
by eight months because of the clemency efforts and the existing firefighter in the Texas border social media site.
coronavirus pandemic. appeals were not legitimate city of Laredo, authorities said. Carrollton City Schools
Oscar Smith had been reasons to delay the execution. U.S. Customs and Border Superintendent Mark Albertus,
sentenced to die June 4 for the However, the attorneys wrote Protection Officer Ernesto Gillen, in a statement Friday, said the
murders of his estranged wife, that the Tennessee Supreme 43, was charged with murder in students’ “behavior was
Judy Lynn Smith, and her two Court is “in the best position to Wednesday’s death of Guadalupe unacceptable.”
sons from a previous marriage, determine whether a stay of David De Luna. Neither Gillen A video posted first on TikTok
Chad and Jason Burnett, in execution should be granted” in nor De Luna, 21, was on duty at and then shared on Twitter on
Nashville. On Friday, the court the case. the time, and investigators Thursday shows two teenagers
granted a motion requested by Smith’s lawyers also argued determined that De Luna was using racial slurs and making
Smith’s attorneys to delay his that holding an execution during shot after a domestic altercation, derogatory remarks about black
execution. Smith’s new execution a pandemic would require the Laredo Morning Times people such as “Don’t have a dad”
date is Feb. 4, 2021. special safeguards to protect reported. and “Go to jail.”
In asking for the delay last witnesses whose presence could sCOTT P. YATes/rOCKfOrd regIsTer sTAr/AssOCIATed Press “It was a domestic incident The names of the students
month, Smith’s attorneys said risk transmitting the virus to A late-season snowfall blankets Rockford, Ill., on Friday, breaking a involving a romantic expelled Friday were not
they had lost critical time to staff and inmates at Riverbend 94-year-old record for the date in the city, the local newspaper relationship,” Laredo police released. Carrollton High School
work on his case because of the Maximum Security Institution. reported. Chicago Rockford International Airport recorded three spokesman Jose Baeza told the Principal David Brooks began
restrictions put in place to stop Texas has already delayed five inches of snow, shattering the previous April 17 high mark of a half- San Antonio Express-News. He investigating Thursday after the
the spread of the coronavirus. It executions due to the outbreak. inch set in 1926, according to the Rockford Register Star. Much of it said the two men were fighting. release of the video.
would be irresponsible for — Associated Press was gone by early afternoon, as temperatures rose into the mid-40s. — Associated Press — Associated Press
A4 eZ m2 THE WASHINGTON POST .SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020
the coronavirus pandemic
Rallies against governors’ stay-at-home orders grow
BY TOLUSE OLORUNNIPA trooper saying as he explained
SHAWN BOBURG Whitmer’s new order, which bans
AND ARELIS R. HERNÁNDEZ people from traveling between a
primary residence and a vacation
Protesters at state capitols home. The troopers told the cou-
across the country this week ex- ple to stay put or risk a $1,000 fine
pressed their deep frustration or misdemeanor charge.
with the stay-at-home orders that The interaction led Lackomar
are meant to stem the spread of to rant on Facebook and then con-
the novel coronavirus, pushing a tact a lawyer.
message that is rapidly coalescing “Sometimes you feel like you
among the nation’s conservatives: have no voice against the big
Reopen the country. monolithic government,” said
Groups rallied in at least six Lackomar, who is one of several
states this week, and protests are Michigan residents suing Whit-
planned in four more in coming mer. “They are trying to contain
days. On Friday, President Trump the infection, but there is a line.
encouraged protesters in Michi- I’m sorry, my rights as an individu-
gan, Minnesota and Virginia who al don’t always take a back seat to
this week violated stay-at-home someone else’s fears.”
orders and social distancing Lackomar’s lawyer, David
guidelines to march against Dem- Helm, is arguing in federal court
ocratic governors. that the government owes his cli-
“LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” ents compensation because regu-
Trump tweeted. “LIBERATE MIN- lations have rendered their prop-
NESOTA,” he continued. “LIBER- erties and businesses useless. The
ATE VIRGINIA, and save your statewide restrictions, he said, vi-
great 2nd Amendment. It is under olate property and due process
siege!” rights because most of Michigan’s
Trump’s tweets come as the coronavirus cases are limited to
right-wing media has amplified two hard-hit counties in metro
the protests and conservative Detroit.
groups have formed plans to joint- “The entire state of Michigan is
ly press for a reopening of the on house arrest. That’s a problem,”
economy. The groups include sev- said Helm, who has heard from
eral veterans of the tea party era, other firms contemplating class-
activism that was powered by a action suits in Tennessee and Ore-
network of right-wing and corpo- JosHUA A. BIcKel/AssocIAted Press gon. “We know there is a pandem-
rate financiers interested in re- Protesters didn’t follow social distancing guidelines Monday during a demonstration at the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. Gov. Mike ic and government action needs to
ducing taxes and regulations on DeWine (R) announced he was assembling plans to safely reopen the economy ahead of the expiration of his stay-at-home order May 1. take place, but you have to tailor
industry. those actions to minimize consti-
Protesters railed against poli- Protest leaders said the demon- asserted that the protest had all deadly and that we have a long Trump declared a national emer- tutional infringements. If left un-
cies that call for nonessential busi- strations evolved organically into but killed Whitmer’s chances to be way to go before restrictions can gency last month. checked, it can lead to more dra-
nesses and schools to be closed, a collective call for rolling back vice president. be lifted,” said Washington Gov. In Ohio, where 100 protesters matic regulations down the road.
restaurants limited to carryout emergency measures that they “Mission accomplished?” the Jay Inslee (D). A protest against did not practice social distancing We don’t want the governor to be
service and people to stay largely think infringe on personal free- group wrote above the link to the his stay-at-home order, which lifts as they pushed up against the in a position to make precedent
in their homes except for emer- doms and further decimate the column. May 5, is scheduled in Olympia glass doors of the statehouse this here. We want the court to set
gencies. They argue that the na- economy. Nicole Hemmer, a scholar at this weekend. week, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) an- precedent.”
tion has sacrificed the economy, “I feel terrible about the lives Columbia University and author Tyler Miller, who organized the nounced he was assembling plans Whitmer’s office did not return
with unemployment at record lev- lost, but at some point we have to of “Messengers of the Right,” Washington state protest, said he to safely reopen the economy a request for comment on the law-
els, and people have upended their say ‘Mission accomplished’ and about the right-wing media, said is urging attendees to wear per- ahead of the expiration of his stay- suits.
lives for something many do not come up with the next phase of the anti-government signage and sonal protective equipment, prac- at-home order May 1. DeWine and In states including North Caro-
see as an existential threat to soci- this that doesn’t have us continu- argument that stay-at-home or- tice physical distancing and not Amy Acton, director of the Ohio lina, activists are organizing
ety. ously locked inside our homes,” ders infringe on personal liberty attend if they are in a high-risk Department of Health, have said through closed Facebook groups
“I think there’s a boiling point said Matthew Seely of the Michi- hark back to a prior conservative category or feeling sick. reopening will come in phases. that have grown quickly.
that has been reached and exceed- gan Conservative Coalition, which movement. Public health experts have said State Sen. Andrew Brenner (R) Ashley Smith, the founder of
ed,” said Stephen Moore, a conser- organized the protests. “In my mind it looks a lot like any premature easing of stay-at- said DeWine was right to close ReOpenNC, believes stay-at-home
vative economist. Moore is a mem- Michigan has been one of the the tea party,” she said. “It almost home orders could lead to a sec- schools and businesses early, deci- orders are not the right way to
ber of both the White House coun- states hit hardest by the virus, seems like an excuse for getting ond wave of pandemic, erasing the sions that Brenner said are bring- fight the virus.
cil to reopen the country and a with more than 30,000 confirmed out and rallying against politi- social distancing progress, return- ing the state closer to reopening. “We’ve dropped an atomic
coalition of conservative leaders cases and over 2,200 deaths. cians they oppose.” ing the population to quarantine, Brenner’s district near Colum- bomb on a knife fight,” she said.
and activists seeking to push gov- State incorporation records Some politicians believe deepening the economic turmoil bus is one of the fastest-growing “Yes, there are risks, but the Con-
ernment officials to relax stay-at- show the nonprofit coalition also Trump’s egging on of the protest- and resulting in more lives lost. areas of the state. He said the stitution does not guarantee us a
home orders. goes by another name: Michigan ers is dangerous. Some said they are protesting pandemic has wiped out its eco- risk-free existence.”
“I call these people the modern- Trump Republicans. The group’s “The president is fomenting do- mainly because of the severe eco- nomic gains. Michael Morgan of Westfield,
day Rosa Parks — they are protest- president, Rosanne Ponkowski, mestic rebellion and spreading nomic impact caused by the virus. “People are calling me crying N.C., who has been battling cancer
ing against injustice and a loss of identified herself as a homemaker lies even while his own adminis- More than 22 million people have because they've lost their jobs, and for three years, sent the group a
liberties,” Moore said of the pro- last year in federal campaign fi- tration says the virus is real and is filed for unemployment since the government stimulus checks private message to try to under-
testers. nance records. But the group’s oth- are not going to keep people going stand its point of view. He said he
Moore said the protests have er directors are longtime GOP in- long,” Brenner said, adding more was blocked and started his own
been spontaneous and organized siders, according to state records. people will need government as- group: Stay Home N.C. It now also
at the local level, but he said his They include Marian Sheridan, sistance. “The next thing that’s has thousands of members. He
group has been offering them ad- the state Republican Party’s vice going to happen is that revenue does not believe economic con-
vice and legal support should pro- chair of “grass roots” efforts. needed to maintain vital services, cerns should dictate when stay-at-
testers be arrested and prosecut- Sheridan has “worked in Michi- such as education and Medicaid, home orders are lifted.
ed. gan grass roots for the last 10 will plummet.” “This has become a battle be-
The protests come as governors years” and started her political Business owners in Oklahoma tween money and life. And people
in Texas, Minnesota and Vermont career as a tea party leader and and Ohio have filed lawsuits, be- really value their money,” Morgan
on Friday announced dates to ease organizer, according to the state moaning the economic costs of said. “I completely understand not
certain restrictions. GOP’s website. sheltering in place. In Michigan, being able to pay your bills and the
In Michigan, hundreds of peo- Sheridan, Ponkowski and the Michael Lackomar called a lawyer pain of losing a business, but
ple clogged traffic in cars or Michigan Republican Party did after a run-in with state troopers. wouldn’t you rather be alive? Be-
marched in the snow to protest not respond to messages. Lackomar said he and his wife lieve me, we will work through
against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Social media accounts show have left their home in the Detroit this.”
(D), who last week added addi- that part of the group’s goal was to suburbs for their solitary second [email protected]
tional restrictions to the state’s damage Whitmer. A day after the home on the shores of Lake Hu- [email protected]
stay-at-home order. Protesters protest, the Michigan Trump Re- ron. But when Lackomar visited [email protected]
waved American flags, Trump publicans posted a conservative this week, two state troopers
flags and an occasional Confeder- opinion writer’s column on its Fa- JIm mone/AssocIAted Press pounded on the door. david Weigel and robert costa in
ate flag. Many screamed “Lock her cebook page. The column, which Protesters gathered in the street outside the official residence of “You know you’re not supposed Washington and Gregory scruggs in
up!” and “We will not comply!” appeared in The Washington Post, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Friday i n St. Paul. to be here,” Lackomar recalled the seattle contributed to this report.
‘Open it up’ bloc in GOP attacks restrictions as others in party urge caution
BY MIKE DEBONIS son. “If the U.S. economy collaps- took a more aggressive approach the past. among Americans generally, ac- But rank-and-file GOP law-
es, the world economy collapses. Friday, announcing that he would Notable is that amid the debate cording to early political science makers have been sending a dif-
A growing number of Republi- And trying to burn down the vil- reopen state parks Monday and over the Affordable Care Act in research on the response to the ferent message — particularly on
can lawmakers across the country lage to save it is foolish. That’s a encourage retail stores to open by 2009, conservatives led by former pandemic. An unpublished paper talk radio programs and other
are pushing for a more rapid cold, hard truth.” the end of the week with social- Alaska governor Sarah Palin based on a late-March survey of media outlets that cater to con-
reboot of the American economy But earlier that day, one of distancing precautions. Restau- seized on a proposal to allow 3,000 Americans found that one’s servatives.
amid the coronavirus pandemic, Kennedy’s colleagues — one of the rants and movie theaters, he said, Medicare to pay for voluntary party affiliation was “the single Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who
arguing that the risk of spreading most influential health-policy could reopen by the end of the counseling on end-of-life treat- most consistent factor” explain- is chairman of the House Free-
more sickness — and even death voices on Capitol Hill — sent a month. ment options as “death panels” ing individual responses to the dom Caucus and is among 22
— is outweighed by the broader much more cautious message. The issue, meanwhile, has for elderly Americans. That en- pandemic. Republicans, for in- House Republicans named to
economic damage that wide- Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), made it to the congressional cam- tirely speculative risk helped stance, were less likely to have Trump’s “Opening Up America
spread stay-at-home orders have chairman of the Health, Educa- paign trail. Jason Lewis, a former drive GOP opposition to the Dem- engaged in social distancing or Again” advisory group, criticized
wrought. tion, Labor and Pensions Com- House member running against ocratic health-care law; now Re- more frequent hand-washing. Democratic governors on Phoe-
They are taking cues from and mittee and a senior appropriator, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), has publicans are brushing aside “You just see a very different nix radio station KFYI-AM for
breathing energy into a grass- echoed public health officials in launched a “Re-Open Minnesota much more credible risks in their world for Republicans in general maintaining tight restrictions.
roots conservative movement of warning that the necessary test- for Business” RV tour of the state zeal to restart the economy with than we do see for Democrats,” “They’ve killed their econo-
resistance against government- ing infrastructure simply to allow — one that took him Friday to a an eye toward the November elec- said Thomas B. Pepinsky, a Cor- mies, and they want the federal
ordered quarantine measures — for a wholesale loosening of re- protest attended by hundreds tions. nell University professor of gov- government to bail them out,” he
one that President Trump ap- strictions has not been created. outside the residence of Demo- While Democrats have joined ernment and a co-author of the said. “But instead of trying to
peared to back in several tweets “Without more tests with quick cratic Gov. Tim Walz. Few wore calls to plan for a carefully man- paper. “Democrats are more wor- isolate people who are vulnerable,
Friday — but are facing defiance results, it will be difficult to con- masks or kept the recommended aged reopening, most have been ried about it; they believe that the they want the whole population
within their own party from Re- tain this disease and give Ameri- six feet of personal distance. careful to leave key decisions in crisis is worse than Republicans to be shut down, and that’s killing
publican congressional leaders, cans confidence to go back to “We all want to do it right, but the hands of public health experts believe it is. It’s sort of a clean businesses. That’s why you have
governors and fellow lawmakers work and back to school,” Alexan- at some point, you’ve got to bal- — who so far have warned that the finding all across the board.” 22 million people now, at least,
who warn that a rash reopening der said. ance the social damage and the trajectory of the pandemic is still Some Republican leaders, such who are unemployed.”
could reinvigorate the virus’s The Republicans on the front human damage you would have uncertain and that broad stay-at- as House Minority Leader Kevin Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-
spread. lines of the crisis — state gover- from waiting till everything is home orders remain warranted. McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Rep. Liz Ind.), whose southern Indiana
The emerging “open it up” cau- nors — have been similarly divid- perfect,” Lewis said, adding, “You House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Cheney (R-Wyo.), the GOP confer- district has seen at least 50 covid-
cus has spoken out on key conser- ed. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, can’t fight this virus with a second (D-Calif.) this week criticized as ence chairwoman, have warned 19 deaths, bluntly told WIBC-FM
vative media platforms, including for instance, cited “positive signs Great Depression.” “careless” those Republicans who that any attempt at reopening will in Indianapolis on Tuesday that
some of Trump’s favorite pro- of cautious optimism” Wednes- As the protest in St. Paul grew, have pushed for a rapid economic have to be carefully managed. government should err on the
grams. In a prime-time Fox News day in announcing that his state Trump tweeted, “LIBERATE reopening at the risk of additional McCarthy told reporters side of getting people back to
Channel appearance Wednesday, was beginning to formulate a re- MINNESOTA!” Moments later, he coronavirus deaths. Any decision Thursday that he supported using work, even if it mean more deaths.
for instance, Sen. John Neely Ken- opening plan. sent similar tweets about Michi- to reopen, she told reporters technology, such as cellphone “In the choice between the loss
nedy (R-La.) said that balancing But he warned that “if the re- gan and Virginia, where separate Thursday, should be “science- tracking data, to help trace the of our way of life as Americans
the health of Americans with a covery is not done in a thoughtful protests were taking place. based.” spread of the virus — a practice and the loss of life, of American
functioning economy amid the and responsible way, it will not The election-year calls from “We shouldn’t be having a con- that some conservative protesters lives, we have to always choose
pandemic was “like choosing be- only cost lives, but it will deepen conservatives to reopen the U.S. versation about how many people oppose as government overreach. the latter,” he said.
tween cancer and a heart attack.” the economic crisis and actually economy, at the cost of the health is it okay to die for us to open up,” “We did not ask for this virus, [email protected]
“We’ve got to open this econo- prolong the problems and slow and lives of Americans, amounts she said. but this virus is here,” McCarthy
my. If we don’t, it’s going to col- our recovery.” to a different calculation from The partisan division among said. “We did not invite it, but we seung min Kim and Paul Kane
lapse,” he told host Tucker Carl- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Tex.) what many Republicans made in elected officials reflects the split need to defeat it.” contributed to this report.
SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020 . THE WASHINGTON POST eZ sU A5
the coronavirus pandemic
Black leaders doubt Trump will aid minority communities
doesn’t have a key black aide in
Caucus members, others the White House,” Sharpton said
in an interview.
question administration’s
Last month, when Sharpton
will to address disparities was warning about the risks of the
coronavirus to the incarcerated
and homeless populations, he got
a surprise phone call from Trump.
BY DAVID NAKAMURA “He said he would not commit
to anything but that he would
Already the nation’s leading note it,” Sharpton said. “It is a
infectious-disease expert and a good sign, compared to his past
member of the White House’s actions, that he acknowledged
coronavirus task force, Anthony the racial imbalance. But it was a
S. fauci assumed another role one-day mention — with no an-
this week, reaching out to reas- nounced programs, no an-
sure black congressional leaders nounced commitment, no priori-
that the Trump administration is ty from the White House.”
pursuing strategies to mitigate Adams, 45, who reports to the
the outsize impact of the disease assistant secretary of HHS, made
on minority communities. a personal plea at a White House
In an hour-long conference call briefing last week, citing his own
with the Congressional Black battles with asthma to emphasize
Caucus, fauci heard from mem- the importance of taking precau-
bers who emphasized the need to tions against the coronavirus. But
surge federal testing resources in doing so he drew a backlash on
and medical gear to black com- social media when he employed
munities, which data have shown language that some found offen-
are at a higher risk of being infect- sive.
ed by and dying of the novel “We need you to do this, if not
coronavirus. for yourself, then for your abuela,”
Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D- Adams said, using the Spanish
Calif.) said she quoted fauci’s own word for grandmother. “Do it for
words, from an interview with your granddaddy. Do it for your
mSNBC host Al Sharpton on Sun- big mama. Do it for your pop-pop.
day, that the administration has JAbin boTsford/THe WAsHingTon PosT We need you to understand —
“got to bring the resources where White House coronavirus task force member Anthony S. Fauci had an hour-long conference call with members of the Congressional Black especially in communities of col-
the risk and vulnerability is.” Caucus, and they stressed the need to surge federal testing resources and medical gear to minority communities, which have been hit hard. or — we need you to step up and
fauci, she said, pledged to take help stop the spread.”
the group’s recommendations vincing Trump to deliver on their ers he has no plans to dismiss him vices, have pledged to make pub- had discussions with federal and Critics faulted Adams for ap-
back to the task force. “It was a prescriptions. In addition to in- from the task force. lic federal data on the racial state officials, along with athletes, pearing to blame African Ameri-
positive and productive call,” Bass creased levels of testing and med- The conversations came amid breakdown of those who have entertainers and civic leaders, cans and Latinos for being lax in
said. But she added that the cau- ical supplies, the caucus is asking media reports, based on state and been infected — but promises about forming an outside task their personal conduct, rather
cus is “worried about” fauci given for more rapid-response tests and municipal data, that African that such data would be released force that would help the Trump than highlighting the socioeco-
that President Trump has ex- antibody testing in black commu- Americans and Latinos are being within a few days have not pro- administration examine and re- nomic inequities that make those
pressed frustration with the doc- nities, as well as the release of infected at higher rates than duced results. Congressional spond to the health and economic communities more vulnerable.
tor for contradicting him at times federal data, broken down by race whites. A Washington Post analy- Democrats introduced legislation impacts of the virus on black Adams, who said he has a Puerto
on public health recommenda- and ethnicity, of infections, sis this month of available data this week that would require the communities. rican brother-in-law, explained
tions. deaths, hospitalizations and re- and census demographics shows Department of Health and Hu- They pointed to Trump’s work that he was using “language that
“He’s trying to do the work of covery rates. that counties that are majority- man Services to collect that data on criminal justice reform, eco- is used in my family.”
the American people and do it in The call with fauci “was remi- black have three times the rate of and provide a report to Congress. nomic opportunity zones and NAACP President and CEo
the best way he can,” Bass said, niscent of the press briefings infections and almost six times White House aides said federal funding for historically black col- Derrick Johnson, who has spoken
“but that could mean he ends up where he demonstrates not just the rate of deaths as counties resources are being distributed to leges and universities as evidence weekly with Adams, said he ap-
getting fired.” knowledge of the issues but also where white residents are in the states in consultation with gover- of his commitment to African preciated the surgeon general’s
fauci’s role highlights the tenu- expressed commitment to try to majority. nors, who are basing their re- American communities. efforts to keep civic leaders in-
ous state of affairs between a address them,” House majority Experts have cited socioeco- quests on data showing where the “We need to make sure we give formed. But Johnson added that
president who has exploited ra- Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) nomic factors, including that the virus is spreading. Administra- money and testing to distressed he was frustrated that Trump has
cial divisions, at times employing said in an interview. “The ques- virus is more likely to infect those tion officials, through a variety of communities,” Lanier said. “We sought to politicize the crisis by
racially offensive language, and tion is whether or not the admin- who are unable to work from diverse media outlets, have also need to make sure we have overriding the medical experts
the black lawmakers who repre- istration will commit itself to do home as well as those who have sought to emphasize the need for the right campaign by way of and offering conflicting public
sent communities with large anything to address the problem. underlying health conditions and minority communities and young information. . . . Because of a long guidance.
numbers of minorities. Trump I don’t think the will is there to do lack adequate health-care op- people to heed the social distanc- history of abuse by the govern- “The problem with this admin-
has just one black member in his it.” tions. ing guidelines. ment in terms of testing and istration is not only does it lack
Cabinet or West Wing senior staff White House aides disputed At a press briefing last week, Aiming to reach a broader au- vaccines, there’s a big distrust diversity, it lacks the ability to
— Housing and Urban Develop- that view, emphasizing that Trump expressed alarm at the dience, fauci has done interviews there.” empathize with other people,”
ment Secretary Ben Carson — and Trump has had private conversa- “problem of increased impacts — with Showtime’s “Desus & mero,” But critics said the Trump Johnson said. “Because of the
black leaders expressed doubts tions with black leaders, includ- this is a real problem, and it’s NBA star Stephen Curry’s Insta- White House does not have ade- egomaniac in the White House,
over the administration’s ability ing Sharpton and the rev. Jesse showing up very strongly in our gram channel and the “Breakfast quate messengers, especially giv- much of the administration’s pos-
to help disseminate crucial public Jackson, while Vice President data — on the African American Club” radio program, and he is en the outrage sparked by the ture and policy is more self-indul-
health information to minority Pence convened a conference call community. And we’re doing ev- slated to appear on movie star president’s rhetorical attacks on gent than it is providing leader-
communities and its willingness with dozens of black civic organi- erything in our power to address Will Smith’s new Snapchat show. prominent black leaders, includ- ship for the American people.
to provide the federal resources zations last week. The aides spoke this challenge — it’s a tremendous U.S. Surgeon General Jerome m. ing former president Barack And then you compound that
necessary to combat the disease. on the condition of anonymity to challenge; it’s terrible — and pro- Adams, who is black, has ap- obama and the late Democratic with a complete blind spot on
Though Congressional Black describe outreach to minority vide support to African American peared on BET. congressman Elijah E. Cummings questions of race, which is the
Caucus members said they came leaders. citizens.” The rev. Darrell Scott and Kar- of Baltimore. nicest way to put it.”
away confident that fauci appre- Although Trump this week The president and his aides, eem Lanier, prominent African “This is the first president I [email protected]
ciated the urgency of the threat to retweeted a social media message including Pence and Seema Ver- American supporters of Trump have seen, since I started going to
black communities, they were that included the hashtag #fire- ma, administrator of the Centers who oversee an urban redevelop- the White House when [ronald] Jacqueline Alemany contributed to
skeptical of his chances of con- fauci, the president told report- for medicare and medicaid Ser- ment organization, said they have reagan was president, who this report.
Testing policy a point of rising tension problems including with Abbott
Laboratories’ point-of-care tests.
Health officials in Alabama, Ar-
kansas and missouri said their
reopenIng from A1 coronavirus outbreak has been maine) told Pence and other ad- states had secured 15 machines
more limited. ministration officials that the gov- each from the federal govern-
side with protesters there who are republican governors in places ernment’s failure to develop a na- ment, but they have yet to obtain
rebelling against restrictions that such as missouri and mississippi tional testing regimen for the vi- the cartridges that allow health-
match the Trump administra- did not adhere to the president’s rus was a “dereliction of duty” and care workers to run the tests.
tion’s own social-distancing rec- call Thursday for less-hard-hit declared that “I have never been “It’s like getting a printer with-
ommendations. Conservative states to “very quickly” begin re- so mad about a phone call in my out the ink,” said Nathaniel Smith,
groups have bolstered the pro- laxing their stay-at-home orders. life.” the secretary of health in Arkan-
tests, lending support and guid- Though Trump declared on Local officials’ frustration at sas.
ance in an effort to create a nation- Thursday that some states were the lack of widespread testing is The problems run even deeper
wide movement in favor of re- ready to begin lifting their restric- mounting at the same time that in Alabama.
starting economic activity on a tions immediately, several repub- the White House has shifted con- Scott Harris, the state’s top
broad basis despite the health lican governors responded by ex- siderable responsibility to gover- health official, said testing is avail-
concerns. tending the orders. nors and mayors in deciding how able in only 57 of the state’s 67
The effort by Trump and some Some administration officials and when to relax strict social-dis- counties, “on some kind of regular
of his allies to portray a country say the White House has not done tancing measures. In some cases, basis, though not necessarily dai-
split between a few hard-hit hot enough to focus on testing, an local republicans and Democrats ly.”
spots and a much larger expanse issue that has become a growing are unified in urging caution de- JAbin boTsford/THe WAsHingTon PosT The difficulty has been most
of America ready to quickly get source of tension between local spite the president’s eagerness to president Trump is facing bipartisan calls for federal action to acute in a heavily African Ameri-
back to work is at odds with hesi- officials and the president, who see economic activity resume. vastly increase the country’s capacity to test for the coronavirus. can part of the state known as the
tancy among state and local lead- has dismissed concerns by declar- mayor Quinton Lucas (D) of Black Belt, where supplies, such as
ers about lifting the restrictions ing that he has done a great job. Kansas City, mo., is used to being do so even earlier as he pro- have no idea what’s going to come testing swabs, have been in short
before the coronavirus crisis is But there have been major fail- at loggerheads with the state’s re- claimed, “America wants to be out of his mouth,’ ” said the top supply, Harris said, and where
more firmly under control. ures, according to administration publican governor, mike Parson, open.” But some republican gov- health officer in one Southern even advanced methods such as
Several governors in recent officials who spoke on the condi- on most issues. ernors have been chastened by the state, who spoke on the condition drive-through testing fall short.
days have taken steps to reopen tion of anonymity to discuss inter- But on Wednesday, as the state surge of cases in their states, in- of anonymity to reveal private “It’s easy to organize a drive
their states’ economies gradually nal deliberations. reached about 150 deaths attrib- cluding in rural areas, as well as by conversations about the presi- clinic, but for people who don’t
while including caveats that The administration’s plans to uted to the novel coronavirus and the shortage of supplies and the dent. “They feel like they need to drive, that’s not a good option,” he
maintain social-distancing rules. work with Google and other top nearly 5,000 cases of infection, the dearth of public-health infra- be prepared if the president said.
In addition to Texas, Vermont companies to facilitate testing mayor’s phone rang. structure, according to interviews comes out and undermines what During friday’s call with Pence,
will undergo a “phased restart” of and create drive-through labs It was the governor, previewing with health officials, business ad- we’re trying to do.” administration officials told the
its economy beginning monday, across the country have been all plans he would announce the fol- vocates and county and municipal Gov. Tate reeves, who did not Democratic senators that the gov-
republican Gov. Phil Scott said. but forgotten. Several types of lowing day to extend to may 3 his leaders in several midwestern and tell all mississippians to stay at ernment should have enough
And minnesota’s Democratic gov- testing kits that have been sent stay-at-home order, initially set to Southern states. home until April 3, on friday ex- tests by the end of April to conduct
ernor, Tim Walz, said outdoor ac- out are not being used, and there expire April 24, and committing “The governor may allow rural tended his order, which was to surveillance, or population-based
tivities including boating and hik- is no expectation internally that the state to increased testing and areas to start to open back up next expire on April 20, saying, “I have testing, that is meant to help gov-
ing can resume this weekend as testing will be significantly other benchmarks before allow- month, but we don’t want to do it to ask for you for one more week.” ernors move through “phase one”
businesses including golf courses, stepped up in the coming weeks, ing businesses to reopen. Lucas, too soon,” said Danny Talkington, Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, of the three-step strategy outlined
shooting ranges and bait shops officials said. who already was preparing to di- the presiding commissioner in who acted on the same day, spoke by the White House this week to
open their doors. Questions about testing domi- rect city residents to stay at home Stoddard County, a southeastern frankly this week about the conse- reopen the economy.
montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) nated a contentious, hour-long through may 15, said he told the expanse of missouri where 83 per- quences of reopening quickly: But the administration could
said a lifting of restrictions would conference call between Vice governor about the outbreak’s toll cent of voters favored Trump in “We’re going to have new cases not provide details such as a spe-
begin April 24 — in phases, be- President Pence and Democratic in Kansas City, where about two- 2016. “We know some people are pop up.” And Gov. Kay Ivey of cific target for the number of coro-
cause “once we begin to reopen, senators friday afternoon as the thirds of victims of covid-19, the starting to hurt financially from Alabama, who issued her order on navirus tests it wants to have
we want to be able to stay open.” lawmakers pressed administra- illness cause by the virus, are being down. That’s still better April 4, said this week, “We want available, and other basic metrics,
Though Trump has focused tion officials on the availability of black. than getting back in too soon.” to get folks back to work as soon as multiple Democratic senators
most of his criticism on Demo- testing and on other specifics, ac- “I know politics are becoming a The governors are at pains to we can. But we want to do it as told The Post.
cratic governors, including anoth- cording to senators and other offi- big part of this — when to open balance loyalty to the president — smart as we can.” isaac.stanley-
er tense back-and-forth friday cials who were on the call. most and when not to,” Lucas said in an who enjoys widespread populari- The effort to develop shrewd [email protected]
with New York’s Andrew m. Cuo- spoke on the condition of ano- interview. “But we’ve worked well ty in their states — with the advice planning is encountering hurdles. [email protected]
mo, republican officials may be nymity to describe a private dis- together.” of their own medical experts. As multiple states planned to [email protected]
the president’s biggest obstacle in cussion. Trump suggested Thursday “Every meeting we have with ramp up testing, starting this
his push for quick reopenings in At one point, a normally mild- that several states lift restrictions the governor and high-level staff weekend, medical directors said devlin barrett, Josh dawsey and Colby
parts of the country where the mannered Sen. Angus King (I- may 1, and he encouraged some to consists of some version of, ‘We their capacity was limited by itkowitz contributed to this report.
A6 EZ RE THE WASHINGTON POST .SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020
the coronavirus pandemic
Exemptions create a blurry line for what’s deemed essential
exemptIons from A1
both sides of the fine balance
that elected leaders are attempt-
ing to strike in their coronavirus
responses.
With every category that is
included, another set of jobs may
be saved, another wave of eco-
nomic dislocation avoided. But
each addition also carries a
threat: There may be so many
exemptions that the overall strat-
egy of keeping people apart is
undermined and viral spread
runs rampant.
“Whenever you loosen the
stay-at-home orders, you rapidly
expand the contact networks for
potential transmission,” said
Boston University epidemiolo-
gist Ellie murray. “Lockdown is
working. But some of these ex-
ceptions are creating big prob-
lems.”
Pro wrestling, murray said, is
a prime example of a seemingly
benign exception that could help
derail mitigation efforts.
florida officials confirmed
this week that World Wrestling
Entertainment (WWE) counted
as “an essential service” and that
athletes could continue to throw,
spin and slam each other with
abandon — provided they were
not performing in front of a live
audience.
florida Gov. ron DeSantis (r)
defended the decision, saying
people had “been starved for
content” — a comment that
echoed WWE’s claim that it was
“now more important than ever
to provide people with a diver-
sion from these hard times.”
The wrestling federation also
said it would take precautions,
including pre-match health JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK
screenings and extensive clean- Golfers play a round last week at the trump national Golf Club, which is still open to members, in sterling, Va. Golf courses have made the cut for essential businesses in
ing of the ring. But murray said it about two-thirds of states. In Wisconsin, the Democratic governor reversed course and said golf courses could reopen next week with some restrictions for social distancing.
would not be difficult to imagine
the virus spreading, not only ing flooring, furniture, plants state’s beaches even as he an-
among the wrestlers “but also to and paint. nounced a shelter-in-place order.
their families, to people at the The measures shrank michi- The exemption was intended
store. You have to consider all the gan’s essential-business list and to allow people to exercise at a
people they’re coming into con- represented some of the most time when they won’t be able to
tact with.” stringent rules in the nation. visit the gym. But Sessions said
That, of course, was the origi- more than 2,000 michigan resi- she fears spring breakers could
nal logic behind the stay-at- dents have died of covid-19, and descend on her small barrier
home orders now enacted in nearly 30,000 have tested posi- island and set off an outbreak in
45 states, which require people tive. a place that doesn’t have its own
to limit their activity to the bare There was an immediate out- hospital.
minimum and for businesses to cry — particularly given some “We have a high-risk, older
close their doors unless they of the businesses that remain population,” Sessions said. “The
absolutely must stay open. open. beaches will still be there in two
But the list of what people “Nonessential in michigan: or three months. But if we’re
need to get by in 2020 is, as it Lawn care, construction, fishing not careful, some of us may not
turns out, rather extensive. if boating with a motor, realtors, be.”
Groceries, pharmacies and buying seeds, home improve- In South Carolina, where the
hospitals were all, of course, ment equipment and gardening governor says he’s aiming to keep
exempted everywhere. But in supplies. Essential in michigan: as much of the economy going as
many places, so were less obvi- marijuana, lottery and alcohol. possible, Columbia mayor Steve
ous lines of work: landscapers, Let’s be safe and reasonable. Benjamin said he’s baffled by
home improvement stores and right now, we’re not!” michigan some of the businesses that have
office-supply shops among them. House Speaker Lee Chatfield (r) been deemed essential.
In South Carolina, everything posted on Twitter. Among them: vape shops,
from sex shops to gyms initially Thousands protested on whose products are well known
made the cut, according to a Wednesday from their cars in to be linked to respiratory ill-
public list of case-by-case deci- Lansing. Some got out to throng ness. The state is already having
sions. the Capitol grounds, waving STEPHEN B. MORTON/ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/ASSOCIATED PRESS enough trouble on that front: It
The state has since become signs reading “make michigan Georgia official Barry Britt enforces Gov. Brian Kemp’s order to open the beaches on tybee Island, Ga., has more than 4,000 confirmed
more selective. But Gov. Henry Work Again.” other protests on April 4, allowing people to exercise outside, with social distancing guidelines in place. coronavirus cases, with known
mcmaster (r) continues to advo- were held in Kentucky and North deaths climbing past 100.
cate for a standard different from Carolina, with more planned in coronavirus, as businesses at- for themselves, the Los Angeles ing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers “I see a false rationale being
essential or nonessential, asking the coming days. tempt to secure a piece of the County sheriff relented days af- to reverse course. articulated that seems to be more
instead whether business can be The protests marked a noisy $2 trillion emergency coronavi- ter ordering gun shops to close Evers announced Thursday focused on business as opposed
conducted safely. extension of a backlash that has rus aid package and make it onto and decrying the “panic gun-buy- that golf courses could reopen to public health,” Benjamin said.
“Every business is essential to been brewing for a while. So far, a federal advisory for who should ing” that had people forming next week with some restrictions “I think it’s impossible to be
somebody, particularly the one it has taken shape mostly be an essential worker. long lines outside. for social distancing. In rural pro-business if you’re not being
working there,” m cmaster said at through lobbying campaigns as Across the nation, the fate of Golf course owners have also Dunn County, Sheriff Kevin Bygd pro-public health first.”
a news conference monday. He businesses attempt to claw their gun dealers has been a point of been successful in lobbying to be had declined to enforce the pro- The line between essential and
said the state is requiring clo- way onto the “essential” list. particularly intense lobbying. left open, making the cut for hibition, arguing it was contra- nonessential has been a shifting
sures only among businesses “This is just a huge deal for Some state and local officials essential businesses in about dicted by an exemption for so- one in South Carolina, with busi-
that seem most likely to spread every single industry,” said Dan- changed course to carve exemp- two-thirds of states. In those cially distanced exercise. nesses appealing to the state for
the virus: barber shops where iel Auble, a senior researcher tions after lawsuits and a push where they’ve been shut down, The rules, Bygd said, are gen- guidance on whether they can
personal contact is unavoidable, with the Center for responsive from gun rights groups, who such as Wisconsin, course own- erally a mess to try to enforce. remain open. records show au-
for example, or clothing and shoe Politics, which tracks federal lob- cited Second Amendment rights ers have enlisted allies in state “It’s basically a one-page order thorities have been forgiving: In
stores where people are touching bying. “And they’re pulling out and worked to get on the federal government to try to per- with 15 pages of exemptions,” he the week leading up to April 15,
and returning items. all the stops.” government’s list of suggested suade the governor to change his said. “Now, try to decipher what the state said about 85 percent of
It’s an approach that is gaining He recalled seeing a new lob- essential business. mind. is exempt and what isn’t exempt. the 700-plus businesses it ruled
currency, particularly among re- bying registration mention the New Jersey Gov. Phil murphy “We’re unduly punishing an It’s about as clear as mud.” on were fine to keep operating.
publicans. coronavirus for the first time in (D) cited that list when he said industry that is very well suited Even as some push for a relax- Among them: a cosmetic busi-
In michigan, republicans mid-march. over the past last month that gun dealers to offering relief and relaxation ation of the rules, others are ness offering Botox and laser hair
have revolted against a second month, covid-19 or coronavirus would be allowed to stay open for to a population that very much trying to tighten them up. removal. State rules call craft and
layer of restrictions implement- have shown up in about 140 more transactions that by law have to needs it, and to do it in a way that Shirley Sessions, mayor of furniture stores nonessential,
ed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen registrations, he said. He expects take place in person. In Califor- is safe,” said state rep. rob Georgia’s Tybee Island, was as- but some received a green light.
Whitmer, who last week banned thousands of groups will end up nia, where Gov. Gavin Newsom Hutton, one of 40 lawmakers — tounded this month to see Gov. [email protected]
stores from selling items includ- reporting lobbying related to the (D) has let local leaders decide all republicans — who are push- Brian Kemp (r) reopen the [email protected]
She had a loud, nonstop
crunching noise in her head…
Read “Medical Mysteries,” Tuesdays in Health & Science.
wapo.st/medicalmysteries
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SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020 . THE WASHINGTON POST EZ SU A7
the coronavirus pandemic
States plead for federal testing help amid push to reopen
test.”
Officials say the economy “Right now we don’t have
enough tests to be able to test
cannot safely restart every single person who’s symp-
without more test kits tomatic,” Murphy said. “We sim-
ply don’t have the tests to do what
our public health experts would
recommend.”
BY STEVEN MUFSON, A similar phenomenon has
YASMEEN ABUTALEB cropped up in southern Michigan,
AND JULIET EILPERIN where roughly 40 percent of peo-
ple in Detroit and the surround-
With the number of the covid- ing suburbs are testing positive.
19 tests hovering at an average of While the state has recently ex-
146,000 a day, business leaders panded its testing criteria to in-
and state officials are warning the clude less severe cases, Teena
Trump administration that they Chopra, associate professor of
cannot safely reopen the U.S. medicine at Wayne State Universi-
economy without radically in- ty’s division of infectious diseases,
creasing the number of available said that the effort is still not
tests — perhaps into the millions a broad enough to help inform her
day — and that won’t happen and other public health experts in
without a greater coordinating the state.
role by the federal government. “I would like to see their testing
Though the capacity of private expanded to everybody, even
business to produce those vol- those who are asymptomatic,”
umes remains unclear, state lead- Chopra said. “When you’re not
ers and health experts say that the testing enough, you’re not able to
administration should move with contact, trace and isolate, identify
a greater sense of urgency and and quarantine. You keep doing
could do several relatively easy that until you reach a zero.”
things to speed the production There is one small-scale effort
and distribution of tests. starting Sunday that aims to get a
On Friday, the American Asso- more representative sample of as-
ciation for Clinical Chemistry said ymptomatic Americans, in Cor-
there were still critical supply vallis, Ore. There, Oregon State
chain issues that stand in the way ANGELA WEISS/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES University researchers working
of ramping up testing, including a People wait outside a coronavirus testing site Friday in N ew York City. While some areas lack an adequate amount of tests, others have kits with the Benton County Health
lack of protective equipment for going unused because of shortages in supplies a nd protective equipment for technicians to administer them. Department aim to go door-to-
technicians who run the tests, and door each weekend over the
a shortage of swabs and reagents weeks and 10 million tests by the once someone tests positive. “A lot day and night to expand testing secure supplies, but the level of course of the next month to ran-
— chemical solutions required to fall, foundation spokeswoman Ei- of employers are not happy about capacity but are severely ham- testing among members of the domly selected Corvallis neigh-
run the tests. leen O’Connor said. Ultimately being health-care providers and pered by shortages of needed re- American Clinical Laboratory As- borhoods and collect samples
“The only entity in this crisis the country would need 20 mil- don’t have the capacity,” he said. agents, swabs for testing, PPE and sociation, the private labs, was from 960 people.
with the power to source the nec- lion to 30 million tests a day to Meanwhile, hospitals and labs specialized equipment designed 28 percent lower this past week “We are flying blind in many
essary supplies on a large scale restore confidence so people can said they are still grappling with by companies to be used with than during the first week of April. ways because we do not know how
and route them to those areas get back to work, she said. shortages of swabs and reagents their own machines.” In addition, there are substan- many people are infected with the
where they are most needed — Joshua Sharfstein, vice dean at that are needed for the diagnostic Shortages, he said, means test- tial inequalities in the distribu- virus and how that is changing
whether an N95 mask, testing re- the Johns Hopkins University tests. And members of the admin- ing machines are “sitting unused.” tion of testing kits. A Virginia over time,” said OSU professor
agents, or a testing swab — is the school of public health, said “Our istration, including Deborah Birx, Skorton, whose group includes doctor was reaching out to asymp- Ben Dalziel, who is leading the
federal government,” Carmen Wi- health care system is not designed White House coronavirus re- Department of Veterans Affairs tomatic patients to take a serology project. “Right now, we are man-
ley, the group’s president, said in a to respond to crises.” The former sponse coordinator, said many of hospitals as well as 400 teaching test as part of a study. And in Los aging the pandemic mostly look-
statement. “The White House deputy commissioner of the Food the tests from Abbott Laborato- hospitals, said that “while collec- Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) ing in the rearview mirror. We
must continue to do the work only and Drug Administration also ries that are able to process hun- tion swabs can be used across said in a tweet Friday that the need to be looking forward, and
they can do: Find and coordinate noted that labs are in insurance dreds of results at a time are sit- tests, because each test requires county has 30 testing sites and that’s what this study will help
resources so that physicians, networks, physicians have refer- ting unused in hospitals and labs its own specific reagents, many urged people to get tested imme- allow.”
nurses, laboratory professionals, ral relationships, and some peo- around the country because there labs have worked to diversify the diately. “We have the capacity — In Fairfax, Va., internist Eileen
and others can do their jobs.” ple don’t have any good access to aren’t enough technicians to oper- platforms they are running so that don’t wait, wonder, and risk in- West has been reaching out to
This week the federal govern- health care at all. ate them. a shortage in one set of reagents fecting others.” patients without any symptoms
ment took one step private indus- “Coordinating testing capacity In a letter this week to Birx, will not halt testing entirely.” Of- But in other parts of the coun- and asking whether they’d like to
try has been seeking — Medicare is not something our health-care David J. Skorton, president of the ten his members are told by sup- try, people were having trouble take the blood test for covid-19
doubled reimbursements from system does naturally,” he said. Association of American Medical pliers that the federal government getting access to testing, especial- antibodies. West is running a
$51 to $100 a test, making covid-19 One senior official in the diag- Colleges, expressed frustration was being given higher priority. ly African Americans, health-care study with Lisa Larkin, co-found-
testing profitable for labs. A key nostic testing industry said com- that lab directors and hospital So far, state governments have professionals and residents from er of Ms. Medicine, a nonprofit
adviser to California Gov. Gavin panies have the capacity to pro- chief executives were “working been taking the lead in trying to nursing homes and assisted- based in Cincinnati. West was giv-
Newsom (D) estimated that the duce more tests and test kits. An- living facilities. en 400 tests made by a reputable
move would increase profit mar- other industry official said 20 mil- The fact that testing is failing to Chinese manufacturer and so far
gins from negligible to 50 percent. lion to 25 million tests could be capture the actual spread of the has administered 85 of them. Just
On Friday, more than 130 mem- churned out this month. But that coronavirus is clear from data three people have tested positive.
bers of the Republican House doesn’t mean the nation has the coming out of states like Connect- “We have a lot we don’t under-
leadership held a conference call capacity to either administer such icut, which now has an alarming stand yet, but if we want to move
with Health and Human Services a large number of tests, or process 6.1 percent case fatality rate and is forward and open our economy
Secretary Alex Azar and several them to get the results. Both spoke receiving positive results on up again, we have to understand
other top administration health on the condition of anonymity 30 percent of its tests. the frequency of asymptomatic
officials. After a group prayer, the because they were not authorized In an interview Thursday, Sen. infections and get more under-
officials fielded questions about to speak about the matters public- Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) acknowl- standing about the antibody re-
the slow pace of testing and sup- ly. edged that these numbers suggest sponse in those who are asymp-
ply shortages, but reiterated that Neil Bradley, executive vice that testing has only captured a tomatic,” she said.
it’s ultimately up to states and president and chief policy officer small share of the outbreak in his “This is only a piece of the
localities to work with test manu- of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, state. He noted that state officials puzzle,” she said. “We have a lot
facturers to get their supplies. which has been talking to White decided early on that given the more to learn,” she said, adding
The Rockefeller Foundation, House officials, said that large em- shortage of available tests, people that she was eager to do “anything
which has been working with a ployers would provide testing for who were experiencing coronavi- we can do to push the needle
variety of companies and state their employees, but that smaller rus symptoms but were not grave- forward.”
leaders, hopes to help spur the firms would struggle to find ex- ARIANA CUBILLOS/ASSOCIATED PRESS ly ill “would be better off staying [email protected]
production of 2 million to 3 mil- perts, testing spaces, financial Officials say that millions of tests will need to be available daily home and taking care of them- [email protected]
lion tests a day within six to eight wherewithal and ways to respond before the United States can safely reopen the economy. selves, rather than going out for a [email protected]
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A8 EZ RE THE WASHINGTON POST .SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020
the coronavirus pandemic
As markets rise on a clinical trial, experts caution patience
treAtment from A1 in a small group of patients to see
if it is effective. In Phase 3, the
before they improved. drug is tested in a larger group of
University of Chicago medicine patients, and typically compared
is one of dozens of sites listed by to a placebo in an effort to defini-
Gilead on clinicaltrials.gov for the tively prove that it has a benefit.
company’s remdesivir study, with Trump has stoked expectations
the 6,000 patients grouped into by repeatedly promoting the use
four categories of disease severity of decades-old anti-malaria drugs
and dosing. The worldwide trial is — hydroxychloroquine and chlo-
ongoing, with preliminary results roquine — to treat the virus, de-
not expected until next month. spite a lack of strong evidence, as
“Drawing any conclusions at well as a growing recognition of
this point is premature and scien- serious side effects, including the
tifically unsound,” University of risk of a fatal cardiac arrhythmia.
Chicago medicine said in a state- Hospitals and doctors in the Unit-
ment. ed States have depleted supplies
There is no placebo arm in the in the rush to try the generic drugs
trial, meaning Gilead is not test- through “off-label” prescriptions.
ing the drug, which is adminis- The compounds have an anti-
tered intravenously, against dum- inflammatory effect and are used
my doses in patients. A placebo- by lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
controlled study, considered the patients. The fDA has issued an
gold standard of clinical trials, emergency use authorization al-
would allow it to definitively mea- lowing them to be given to pa-
sure how well the drug works. tients in hospitals. The WHo and
Still, clues continued to accu- several other organizations are
mulate that remdesivir could conducting full clinical trials of
work. The National Institutes of the drugs. The drugs are known as
Health reported friday that its antiparasitics. (malaria is a para-
own study of 12 infected monkeys, site, not a virus.) Another older
six treated with the drug and six antiparasitic drug receiving at-
untreated, showed the treated tention is ivermectin, which is
group in better health after seven used to treat a variety of parasitic
days. infections in humans and has
Just a week before, in a Gilead- shown effectiveness in laborato-
sponsored study of 54 patients KAREN DUCEY/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES ries against coronavirus.
that was peer-reviewed and pub- In another approach, biotech-
lished in the New England Jour- nology companies are growing
nal of medicine, researchers re- living proteins called antibodies,
ported that seven patients died, or developed from cells of people
13 percent. The NEJm study was infected with the disease, that are
based on observations of patients designed to thwart the coronavi-
receiving the drug under “com- rus. Vir Biotechnology, a San
passionate use.” It also did not francisco company, announced
have a set of patients receiving a this month that it had partnered
placebo for comparison. with GlaxoSmithKline to conduct
Developing real proof that the Phase 2 trials within three to five
drug works will take weeks, if not months. AbCellera, of Vancouver,
months, experts say, although the has teamed with Eli Lilly to test
food and Drug Administration hundreds of antibodies, the com-
has already allowed one set of pany said in a news release. re-
drugs — anti-malarials touted by generon is screening hundreds of
President Trump — to be adminis- antibodies to determine their ef-
tered under an emergency use fects against the virus and has
authorization, despite a lack of said human trials could begin in
sound evidence of effectiveness. ASSOCIATED PRESS ISSEI KATO/REUTERS the summer.
Even if the fDA gives a rapid tOP: medical laboratory scientist Alicia Bui runs a clinical test in the immunology lab at UW medicine in Seattle, looking for Therapies that reduce inflam-
green light, manufacturing bot- antibodies against the novel coronavirus. ABOVe LeFt: rubber stoppers are placed onto filled vials of remdesivir at a Gilead mation by controlling the im-
tlenecks could produce more de- manufacturing site in the United States; the drug, originally developed to treat ebola, is now being tested for use against the virus. mune system are another key cat-
lays; Gilead said last week it has ABOVe rIGHt: tablets of Avigan, a drug approved as an anti-influenza drug in Japan and developed by Fujifilm. egory of drug being tested in coro-
1.5 million doses, enough for navirus patients.
140,000 patients. Worldwide de- The goal is to stop the immune
mand would far exceed that sup- by the WHo as the most promis- leagues did not identify any clear Another early-stage, early-state “Imagine” is the most relevant system’s “cytokine storm” that de-
ply initially, and Gilead has said it ing of dozens of experimental front-runners. more definitive ev- antiviral drug is EIDD-2801. Its word at this early stage of the stroys lung tissue and is the most
is laying plans to produce more of treatments in the pipeline. The idence is expected to emerge journey from laboratory to the drug’s development. But that common cause of death in people
the drug in the event it works and roster of potential therapies in- within weeks for some of the mouth of a human unfolded with sense of hope, and ridgeback’s with severe cases of covid-19.
is approved. cludes new antivirals, older anti- drugs. head-snapping speed. accelerated project, illustrate the Some drugs that are already on
Gilead sought to downplay the virals designed to fight HIV, anti- A potential scenario is that two on march 23, a division of Em- frenzied pace at which govern- the market to treat rheumatoid
leaked results from Chicago on inflammatory drugs used for drug treatments emerge, Cutrell ory University in Atlanta licensed ments, companies and academic arthritis and other inflammatory
friday, but did not say when pre- rheumatoid arthritis, stem cell said: one that helps curb the virus the experimental drug to a miami researchers have opened the diseases are being tested in coro-
liminary results or peer-reviewed therapies that could harness the itself, to be taken in earlier phases company owned by a wealthy floodgates to testing numerous navirus patients. These include
analysis would be available. It immune system, antiparasitic of the disease, and another that hedge-fund manager and his wife. drugs — old, new and barely out of roche’s Actemra, and Kevzara, a
indicated it would be analyzing drugs that treat malaria and head helps combat an overly aggressive Just three weeks later, a pill was the lab — to combat the novel drug sold by regeneron and
trial results over the next month. lice, and even treatments for erec- immune-system response that given to a person for the first time coronavirus and give seriously ill Sanofi. AstraZeneca announced it
“The totality of the data need to tile dysfunction. overtakes the bodies of some pa- in a test of its safety, in Britain. people a better shot at survival. is testing its blood cancer drug
be analyzed to draw any conclu- None of them so far has offered tients and destroys lung tissue in It marked the beginning of an Like remdesivir, EIDD-2801’s Calquence, which also targets im-
sions from the trial,” said Gilead the magic bullet the world is seek- later stages. accelerated testing regimen that development in academic labs mune cells.
spokesman ryan mcKeel. “Anec- ing, and expectations need to be Avalere Health, a consulting will determine whether EIDD- has been sponsored by the federal At least two companies, meso-
dotal reports, while encouraging, tempered, according to special- firm that advises pharmaceutical 2801 will emerge as a true weapon government. It is just entering blast and Celularity, are investi-
do not provide the statistical pow- ists. companies, is tracking over 100 against SArS-CoV-2 — or wind up Phase 1 safety trials, to make sure gating the use of stem cells to fight
er necessary to determine the “It’s hard to speculate whether different coronavirus treatment as one of many hopeful bids in a it does not have excessively toxic the excessive immune system re-
safety and efficacy profile of rem- one is going to be a breakthrough. projects. The first team to conduct field of long-shot treatments. If it effects on people, so proof of effec- sponse in covid-19 patients. meso-
desivir as a treatment for covid- Very few treatments in medicine successful, rigorously controlled works, the pill could be given to tiveness is at least months away. blast said this month it has re-
19.” end up being breakthrough treat- clinical trials will be the winners, people as soon as they show symp- Some other antivirals being ceived fDA approval to begin hu-
remdesivir is considered a ments. They provide incremental said Kelly L. George, a specialist in toms of covid-19, Wayne Holman, tested have already been ap- man testing. Celularity is partner-
broad-spectrum antiviral, mean- benefit over standard of care,” drug development at Avalere. the founder of privately held proved to treat HIV, including ing with maryland-based United
ing it is believed to work against said James Cutrell, an infectious- The age of the “magic bullet” ridgeback Biotherapeutics, said AbbVie’s Kaletra, which is a com- Therapeutics.
multiple types of virus. But it disease specialist at the Universi- medicine of the 20th century has in an interview. Holman has deep bination drug that did not show Blood plasma is taken from
failed in a test against Ebola last ty of Texas Southwestern medical given way to much harder prob- experience investing in drug com- significant benefit against covid- people who have recovered from
year, even after showing promise Center, who surveyed the land- lems like emerging viral threats in panies and set up ridgeback Bio 19 patients in a study in China. An covid-19 and injected into the
in monkeys. Also, it has a big scape of possible coronavirus the 21st, she said. with his wife, Wendy, in 2015. influenza drug that has been ap- bodies of new patients. The hope
drawback: It is a liquid given treatments for a paper published “There’s a balance between, Because it is a pill, Holman proved in Japan, Avigan, is being is that the coronavirus antibodies
intravenously, which means peo- this week in the Journal of the let’s get these drugs to as many said, the Emory/ridgeback drug studied and reportedly has developed in the recovered pa-
ple must go to a hospital or clinic American medical Association people as we can, and let’s take the has the potential to be even better caught the interest of the White tient will neutralize the virus once
on 10 consecutive days to be treat- (JAmA). time to sit down and really find than remdesivir. House, but is not approved for use they are introduced in the new
ed. In addition to Gilead, the Na- Unlike antibiotics, which are out if these drugs are working,” “Imagine that person being in the United States. Among the patient. It is an old approach to
tional Institutes of Health and the effective against numerous forms she said. “The speed of getting it treated at home, by mouth, on day side effects are birth defects. Its infectious disease, and has been
World Health organization are of bacteria, broad-spectrum anti- into people, figuring out the safe- three and being better and no manufacturer, fujifilm, an- used over many decades against
sponsoring multiple clinical trials virals have been difficult to devel- ty and writing it up is going to longer spreading the virus. It cuts nounced that a Phase 2 trial is polio, measles, mumps and flu.
of the drug. op because viruses are so varied in have a huge impact on what we it short,” Holman said. “That is launching in the United States. christopher.rowland
remdesivir has been deemed structure. Cutrell and his col- end up using.” game-changing.” Phase 2 clinical trials test a drug @washpost.com
Clashing projections on when states could reopen underscore uncertainty
BY WILLIAM WAN Christopher murray, said his to keep the virus in check. modelers have expressed grow- increasingly uncertain in long- of error.
group retooled its model to be The key measurement IHmE ing concern over the IHmE mod- range forecasts. In weather fore- meyers said the IHmE model
A leading coronavirus fore- able to recommend specific dates modelers used in determining el. While it is one of the only casts, for example, predicting has much value and pointed out
casting model — used by the because of intense debates in the date is when they believe models that offers projections rain tomorrow is easier than pre- her model would not exist if
White House — predicted friday recent weeks over when and how infections in a state will drop state-by-state on exact dates for dicting rain a month out. murray did not create the IHmE
that some states may be able to to reopen states. below 1 infection per 1 million projected peaks and national “The motivation for creating model.
ease social-distancing restric- President Trump has repeated- people. But that measurement is forecasts on deaths, its projec- our model was a concern about “This is not a competition.
tions and reopen as early as ly declared he wants states re- imperfect because many other tions have often clashed with the certainty people may be at- We’re standing on their shoul-
may 4. opened as soon as possible, de- factors that go into deciding to other models. Its projections for tributing to the IHmE model,” ders,” she said. “But like many
But on the same day those claring in back-to-back tweets lift restrictions — including equipment shortages and deaths said Lauren Ancel meyers, who modelers, we are continually try-
projections were issued by the friday: “LIBErATE mINNESo- whether a state has enough test- are often below other models. led the Texas team of researchers. ing to improve our methods and
Institute for Health metrics and TA,” “LIBErATE mICHIGAN” ing or enough public health The White House has at times other critical differences: The make our projections as reliable
Evaluation (IHmE) at the Univer- and “LIBErATE VIrGINIA.” Also workers to do the labor-intensive used the model’s more-optimistic IHmE model predicts the United as possible. With cities and states
sity of Washington — giving rec- friday, the governors of Texas and work of contact tracing. Testing estimates to deny equipment re- States already passed its peak of making life and death decisions
ommended dates for reopening Vermont announced dates for capacity remains woefully lack- quests. deaths this week. The Texas mod- based on these models, the stakes
all 50 states — a consortium of easing certain restrictions. ing across the country, and local on friday, a few hours before el takes a different approach, are high.”
experts in Texas released a com- The IHmE model projects that health departments lack the nec- the IHmE announcement, a con- attaching probabilities to dates. murray similarly cautioned: “If
peting model that points out at least four states could ease essary staff, money and training sortium at the University of Texas There is only a 17 percent chance I were a governor of a state, I
what they call flaws in the IHmE restrictions as early as may 4: to do contact tracing called for in at Austin released a model that that the peak has already passed, would not make the decision to
model and analysis showing in- Hawaii, montana, Vermont and most experts’ plans to reopen. takes the IHmE forecast as a it found, and an 80 percent reopen based on just our model.
stances in which IHmE’s projec- West Virginia. But other states murray said his IHmE model- starting point but tries to correct chance the peak will happen by We are trying to give governors
tions have fallen short of reality. need to wait as late as June or ers tried to include such factors in what the Texas researchers see as may 7. and others a sense of when the
The clashing data and projec- early July: Arkansas, Iowa, Ne- their models but could not find flaws. The Texas researchers’ paper risk of resurgence is going to get
tions highlight the uncertainty braska, North Dakota, oklahoma, data that could be used empiri- one of the biggest flaws the also included analysis of IHmE’s lower. . . . I would recommend
U.S. leaders will face in coming South Dakota and Utah. cally. Instead, they decided to use Texas experts point out is that the past predictions compared with looking at these types of models,
months as they grapple with how The new dates recommended the 1 infection per 1 million cutoff IHmE model claims more cer- actual deaths per day and found, but also a range of indicators like
to reopen the country and its by the IHmE represent when with the assumption that, at that tainty as it moves further into the for example, that the model un- the capacity of your public health
economy without risking a resur- states can shift from reliance on low level, states would be more future, with a shrinking margin derestimated deaths in Italy and workers and whether your cases
gence of viral infections, over- drastic restrictions to other strat- readily able to do the necessary of error. That runs counter to how Spain. The number of deaths in and deaths have fallen to a low
whelmed hospitals and deaths. egies such as testing, contact testing and contact tracing. most models work, because the recent days, in fact, did not fall enough level.”
The creator of IHmE’s model, tracing and targeted quarantines many epidemiologists and future almost always becomes within IHmE’s projected margin [email protected]
SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020 . THE WASHINGTON POST eZ re A9
the coronavirus pandemic
European o∞cials, urging
caution, say peak has passed
BY WILLIAM BOOTH,
CHICO HARLAN
AND LOVEDAY MORRIS
london —
All across Europe,
the numbers are coming down.
In Italy, Spain, France, Germa-
ny and Britain, public health
officials — their faces often
drained by exhaustion — are now
expressing cautious optimism
that the first wave of Europe’s
devastating pandemic is ending.
From Ireland to Greece, offi-
cials are seeing hopeful signs
that coronavirus infections are
peaking and have begun to pla-
teau or recede, pointing to inten-
sive care beds that are slowly
opening up and a daily reduction
in the number of new hospital- Lou BenoIsT/AgenCe FrAnCe-Presse/geTTy ImAges
izations. French police check people’s mobility documents outside a
In Paris, Milan and Madrid, supermarket in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, on Friday.
hospitals and staff that were
stressed to their limits just a few allowing gardening stores to sell In France, authorities cau-
weeks ago, as thousands of flowers again. The Italians can tiously announced a beginning of
coughing, fevered, breathless pa- return to book stores. Spanish the end of peak infections.
tients surged through their officials promise a “de-escalation Jérôme Salomon, France’s deputy
doors, are now reporting empty phase” and want construction health minister, said this week
beds in their ICUs. There are projects to resume and some that for the first time since the
ventilators to go around. factories to open with appropri- pandemic began, the number of
The Severo Ochoa Hospital in ate social distancing. covid-19 patients admitted to
Madrid made international news But. There is always a but with French hospitals decreased.
with images last month of sick this virus. Martin Hirsch, the director of
patients sleeping on the floor, “But it is thin ice,” said Ger- the Assistance Publique-Hôpi-
waiting to be seen by a doctor. man Chancellor Angela Merkel taux de Paris, the largest public
Now there are a few spare beds in this week, of these first tentative hospital system in Europe, an-
Spain. steps toward normalcy. “It is nounced that in the Paris region,
In London and elsewhere, gov- really a situation where caution the hardest hit by the coronavi-
ernments that rushed to erect, is the order of the day, and not rus, the total number of cases had
almost overnight, the kinds of overconfidence.” stabilized for the first time since
field hospitals deployed for war, “There is light at the end of the the start of the pandemic.
famine or natural disaster, have tunnel. But we are now at both a “We are now in what we’ve
found they are not needed, at delicate and a dangerous stage in called the ‘high plateau,’ ” Hirsch
least not now. this pandemic,” Britain’s foreign said, “which is to say a stabiliza-
Europe’s esteemed, pricey, secretary, Dominic Raab, told the tion at a very high level, and
generous health-care systems country when he announced that always with an increase in the
didn’t have to ration care. its lockdown would continue for number of cases in our geriatric
Europe held. But it’s not yet another three weeks at least. units, which face difficult situa-
time to completely let up, offi- “I don’t think the end is neces- tions. But we can share several
cials caution. sarily so close or that we are in a encouraging signs.”
Hans Kluge, World Health Or- continual, linear decline. It may As Spain finished its first
ganization director for Europe, be more like a zigzag, up and month of confinement this week,
said “the storm cloud” of the down,” said Angela Hernandez Fernando Simon, who heads the
pandemic “still hangs heavily Puente, vice-secretary general of Emergency Health Response for
over the European region.” Madrid’s Doctors Union. the Health Ministry, said quickly
The continent is still seeing “We’ve always seen light at the adopting social distancing and
shocking numbers of fatalities. end of the tunnel, but the ques- personal hygiene measures fol-
Members of the European Union tion is: At what cost?” she said. lowing the WHO’s declaration of
and Britain account for almost “How much suffering in terms of the pandemic brought down the
two-thirds of the 150,000 deaths the number of lives and the spread of covid-19.
recorded worldwide. efforts on the part of health “We changed our behavior and
But infectious disease experts professionals?” that is what affected the infection
say Europe’s effort to slow the After the virus emerged in rates,” Simon said.
pandemic — instituting quaran- China and began to spread, many The extensive testing and con-
tines across the continent more Europeans hoped the casualties tact tracing used by German
widespread and draconian than would be lower here — in hospi- health authorities have been her-
those seen during the plague in tals that have the best of every- alded as an example of how to
the Middle Ages — has worked. thing. contain the virus. Germany
Just a month ago, the world But mortality rates soared in has recorded fewer than
was stunned to see photographs much of Europe and have been 4,000 deaths among a popula-
of Italian military trucks lining disturbingly high in Britain, tion of 83 million.
up outside the public hospital in Spain and Italy. Nursing homes That compares with almost
the pretty town of Bergamo, have been especially hard hit. 14,000 deaths in the United King-
ready to haul bodies to cremato- In Italy, there is broad consen- dom’s 67 million people and
riums. sus that the emergency phase is 18,000 in France’s similarly sized
And yet, even in the worst-hit starting to relent after a two- population.
regions of northern Italy, where month period in which more In recent weeks, German
the virus first exploded in Febru- than 20,000 people died. The health authorities have said that
ary in the little villages of Lom- number of patients in intensive the rate of new infections has
bardy — where panicked doctors care has fallen 25 percent from tapered off.
on shaky videos later expressed the peak two weeks ago, and “We have achieved some-
fears they would soon have to hospitals say the burden has thing,” Merkel said in a news
decide who lived and who died — eased. conference as she announced
even there, the numbers of new Italy slowed the spread of the that small shops would open
infections are falling. virus by enforcing perhaps the after the weekend, with schools
“The peak has already arrived, most rigid lockdown among gradually opening their doors
and we are recovering,” said Pier Western democracies. next month.
Luigi Lopalco, an epidemiologist But the strict measures in Italy “Namely, that our doctors, our
at the University of Pisa, who were necessary because the virus nursing staff and all those in-
advises Italy’s Puglia region on had raged for so long without any volved in medical hospital work,
its response. “Strictly speaking, restrictions, and the country is they were not overwhelmed,” the
from a health-care point of view, still paying the price. Italy is still German leader said.
it is much easier now.” reporting as many as 600 deaths [email protected]
As the lockdowns start to loos- per day. More than 100 doctors in [email protected]
en, Europe walks a tightrope, a Italy have died. The country’s [email protected]
precarious balancing act, with economy is forecast to shrink
any misstep potentially deadly. 9 percent this year, and the Harlan reported from rome, morris
Each country in Europe is political pressure to reopen — to from Berlin. michael Birnbaum in
taking its own baby steps. Den- keep up with countries hit less Brussels, James mcAuley in Paris,
mark reopened elementary hard by the virus — puts it in Luisa Beck in Berlin, stefano Pitrelli
schools this week; Germany will danger of a second and third in rome and Pamela rolfe in madrid
do so in early May. Austria is wave. contributed to this report.
FrAnK AugsTeIn/AssoCIATeD Press
Shoppers wait outside a London supermarket on Friday. Dominic Raab, Britain’s foreign secretary,
said the lockdown would go on for at least three more weeks but there is “light at the end of the tunnel.”
A10 ez re THE WASHINGTON POST .SATURDAy, APRIL 18, 2020
The World
Gas shortage in oil-rich Venezuela tests Maduro’s power
BY ANA VANESSA HERRERO government turned last month to
AND ANTHONY FAIOLA a loyalist billionaire — Wilmer
Ruperti — for help. The Venezue-
CARACAS, VenezuelA — With lan oil magnate helped Hugo
friends and family stuck indoors Chávez, Maduro’s late mentor,
and buses rarely running, Onasis manage a gas shortage in 2002 by
Muñoz missed several lifesaving hiring a fleet of Russian tankers
dialysis sessions for his failing to ferry fuel to Venezuela in the
kidneys. When his blood pres- midst of a general strike.
sure started to dangerously An invoice obtained by The
spike, he had one option left: a Washington Post shows that Ru-
20-minute hike to the nearest perti’s Swiss-based Maroil Trad-
clinic. ing AG billed the Maduro govern-
Venezuela’s strict national cor- ment $12 million for up to
onavirus lockdown wasn’t his 250,000 barrels of gasoline.
main problem. Rather, this bro- “But it hasn’t arrived yet —
ken country, which boasts the they’re trying to find the ships to
world’s largest proven oil re- bring it,” said one of the Venezue-
serves, is running out of gas. lan oil insiders, who spoke on the
“There were no medicines [be- condition of anonymity out of
fore], and now no gasoline,” said fear of government retribution.
Muñoz, 28, who lives in Venezue- “Even when it does, if it does, it
la’s coastal Carabobo state, two won’t last long.”
hours from the capital. When Ruperti, whose gasoline deal
drugs were scarce last year, he with Maduro’s government was
said, he went eight months with- first reported by the Associated
out medication. Now he can Press, could not be reached for
source his medicines, but the comment. Venezuelan govern-
gasoline shortage has made his ment officials did not respond to
dialysis sessions, at a hospital a request for comment.
17 miles from his home, nearly In mid-March, massive lines
impossible to reach. for gas, long a fact of life in some
“What hope do I have?” he provincial capitals and rural ar-
asked. eas, began to hit more-insulated
Stung by one of the globe’s Caracas. A government-issued
worst economic crises long be- list of pandemic-related “priori-
fore anyone had heard of covid- ty” customers included doctors,
19, the socialist nation is used to but even they are whiling away
deprivation. Venezuelans have precious hours in line.
struggled for years against short- CArlos BeCerrA/BloomBerg news “On Monday, I got to the gas
ages of everything from food to A pedestrian wearing a protective mask passes in front of a closed Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) gas station in the Montalban station at 4:10 a.m.,” said Luis
toilet paper to drinkable water. neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, on Monday, April 6, 2020. In the past few weeks, as U.S. sanctions tighten with a vise-like grip and Báez, a surgeon at the city’s Ávila
Shortages of gasoline — nearly the coronavirus forces quarantines, something unprecedented is occurring: Venezuela with the world's largest oil reserves and one of Clinic. “I was 49th in the special
free and considered a national South America's biggest refining facilities is nearly out of gasoline. Photographer: Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg line for the medical personnel. I
entitlement in this OPEC nation had to wait nine hours and 45
— began in some parts of the minutes to fill my tank.
country years ago, as local refin- “I felt impotent sitting there,
eries started to fail, and smug- waiting.”
glers funneled truckloads of Gas station workers say au-
cheap Venezuelan fuel to black thorities are now rationing sup-
markets in Colombia and Brazil. plies to five gallons for small cars
But analysts are calling the sever- and 10 for trucks, vans and
ity of the current gas shortage ambulances. Eulodio Díaz, 61,
unprecedented — so bad that works at a pump in southern
vegetables are rotting on farms, Caracas.
doctors can’t get to work and “As we run out of gasoline, we
even the people of Caracas, a decrease the amount we can offer
bubble ordinarily spared the per customer,” he said. “What we
worst of Venezuela’s misery, are receive lasts only for a few hours
waiting in gas lines miles long. because of the high demand.
The energy crisis is the latest Many times they are aggressive
bad news for authoritarian Presi- with us. This is not my fault; I’m
dent Nicolás Maduro, who is now only following orders.”
facing the most perilous moment For the people of Caracas, the
of his embattled tenure. lines are the latest sign of the
Venezuela’s pivotal oil sector, crumbling state. Francisco Du-
long in decline, has entered a free rán, a 35-year-old food distribu-
fall as prices drop amid the tor, was one of 100 customers
pandemic-induced global eco- waiting recently at a gas station
nomic slowdown and output in northern Caracas. He parked
plummets to the lowest level his white Honda Accord before
since the 1940s. Venezuela’s in- dawn. Seven hours later, he was
ability to sell its crude — partly still hours away from the pump.
due to U.S. sanctions, but also “I have a quarter-tank left and
shrinking global demand — has I desperately need gas,” he said.
led the government to idle some “I can’t skip work. Not under
of its oil fields. these circumstances.”
The coronavirus, meanwhile, Though the gas shortages are
is presenting Venezuela’s already causing delays in Caracas, they
crippled health-care system with CrIstIAn HernAndez/AgenCe frAnCe-Presse/getty ImAges do not yet seem to have impacted
a critical test, one that local TOP: A man wearing a protective mask passes in front of a shuttered PDVSA gasoline station early this month in the Montalbán the availability of essential goods
doctors say it is uniquely unpre- neighborhood of Caracas. ABOVE: Drivers push their cars as they line up to refuel at a gas station in Caracas in late March. in the stores. That’s less true
pared to pass. Sensing his vulner- farther from the capital.
ability, Maduro’s adversaries in growing impatience within his and a brain drain of technicians sanctions on Rosneft’s trading bilize some trucks for food distri- Locals in Táchira state, on the
the Trump administration are own coalition. But Guaidó’s have crippled its gasoline refiner- arm in February for aiding Ma- bution, particularly in the capi- Colombian border, have weath-
ratcheting up efforts to oust him. weakness does not mean Maduro ies. Venezuela for years sent duro, and the company sold its tal. The country has sought new ered days-long gas lines for years.
The Justice Department indicted is strong. shipments of its particularly Venezuelan investments to a deals for gasoline through a Robert Maldonado, a farmer and
Maduro and his senior officials “The gas shortages are turning sludgy crude to Citgo, a U.S. more secretive entity owned by handful of Mexican companies agricultural activist, said farmers
last month on narcoterrorism into one of the biggest challenges subsidiary of PDVSA, the Venezu- the Russian state. that are now shipping its oil to in the region managed to haul
charges, and the Pentagon has he’s faced since he took power,” elan state oil giant, which pro- Russia appears to have halted Asia, according to industry insid- only 10 percent of their produce
dispatched warships to the Ca- said Geoff Ramsey, Venezuela cessed the oil and shipped back gasoline shipments to Venezuela, ers, with limited success. to a large weekend wholesale
ribbean to shut down the cocaine director for the Washington Of- gasoline. But that arrangement at least for the time being. The government managed last market because of the shortages.
corridor that Washington says fice on Latin America. “Gas ended after Washington broke “They aren’t getting gas from week to restore limited opera- He said most of the rest — about
helps keep Maduro afloat. shortages are not new in Venezu- ties with Maduro last year, wrest- the Russians,” said Russ Dallen, a tions at one of its refineries, 4,500 tons — is now at risk of
Maduro’s domestic political ela, but the extent of this one is. ed control of Citgo from PDVSA managing partner at Caracas those insiders say. But the plant rotting on the farms.
nemesis — Juan Guaidó, the Health workers can’t even go to and slapped an oil embargo on Capital Markets, a financial and for now is capable of producing “We are losing our produce
National Assembly president rec- work. It has a ripple effect across the country. consulting firm that tracks Vene- only low-quality fuel that must because . . . we don’t have gas to
ognized by the United States and Venezuelan society.” The Russian state-controlled zuelan oil. be mixed into a commercial get it to market.”
more than 50 other nations as The myriad reasons behind oil giant Rosneft stepped in, The government has received product. Its actual output, at [email protected]
Venezuela’s rightful leader — has the gas shortage underscore the striking lucrative deals with Ven- recent shipments of diesel under least for the next several weeks,
faded into the background dur- breadth of Maduro’s woes. ezuela to ship and sell its oil on ongoing deals with European they say, will probably be little to faiola reported from miami. mariana
ing the outbreak, unable to hold Venezuela sits on massive oil global markets. But then the firms that have holdings in the none as repairs continue. zuñiga in Caracas contributed to this
mass rallies and dealing with reserves, but a lack of spare parts Trump administration imposed country, allowing Maduro to mo- Desperate for a lifeline, the report.
DIGEST
YEMEN rebels, the Houthis. leaders to explain how it could island chain in the Arctic this 99-year-old veteran, set himself a formed a guard of honor and
On Friday, the Houthis’ have happened. month. goal to raise money for Britain’s saluted him. Strained health-
Security Council backs
military command accused the The ship, France’s biggest The Norwegian archipelago of widely cherished but chronically care workers across the country
call for cease-fire coalition of violating the cease- carrier and the flagship of its Svalbard, about 500 miles north underfunded National Health thanked him. And the donations
fire 82 times over the previous 24 navy, has been undergoing a of mainland Norway, is seen as a Service during the deadly did not stop. As of Friday
The U.N. Security Council on hours, with airstrikes on the lengthy disinfection process potential flash point between coronavirus outbreak. He set up morning, Moore had raised
Friday endorsed the secretary central province of Marib and since returning to its home base Moscow and the West as climate a fundraising page and decided $23 million for Britain’s health-
general’s call for the warring artillery attacks in the port city in Toulon five days ago. change has opened up the to walk the 82-foot length of his care system.
parties in Yemen to immediately of Hodeida, the country’s main One person remains in resource-rich region. garden back and forth 100 times,
stop fighting and focus on gateway for humanitarian aid. intensive care and some 20 Foreign Ministry using his walker for support. He Pro cyclist in Italy uses bike to
reaching a peace agreement and Meanwhile, Yemen’s official others are hospitalized, said spokeswoman Maria Zakharova split the journey into sets of 10 deliver medicine: Professional
countering the outbreak of the SABA news agency said rebel Cmdr. Eric Lavault, a navy said Friday that Russia was laps, with the idea of completing cyclist Davide Martinelli has
new coronavirus. shelling of residential areas in spokesman. seriously concerned after a them before his 100th birthday been using his bike to help
The United Nations’ most central Bayda province killed a Two of four U.S. sailors serving Russian fishing vessel, the Borey, on April 30. Initially, he wanted deliver medicine to elderly
powerful body welcomed the woman and two children and aboard the Charles de Gaulle as was detained April 2 in Norway’s to raise 1,000 pounds ($1,250). residents and others in need
unilateral, two-week cease-fire wounded several civilians Friday. part of an exchange program fishery protection zone, which But to his surprise, just 24 hours during the coronavirus
announced by the Saudi-led — Associated Press also tested positive, according to Russia considers illegal. after Moore (or Captain Moore, pandemic. The service is of great
coalition that went into effect a U.S. Navy statement. In a statement, the Norwegian as he is fondly known on social use in Lodetto, Martinelli’s
April 9 to support the U.N.-led FRANCE — Associated Press Foreign Ministry confirmed that media) started, he had raised the hometown in the hard-hit
peace process and Secretary the Borey had been detained, equivalent of $8,750. By Tuesday, Lombardy region: The village
More than 1,000 virus
General António Guterres’s call RUSSIA saying it was suspected of having his donations had leaped to has neither a pharmacy nor a
for a truce. cases aboard warship contravened Norwegian $1.25 million. And on Thursday, supermarket. Martinelli makes a
Norway holds trawler,
Despite the announcement, regulations relating to fishery as he finished his final lap — two daily trip to Rovato, the next
violence in Yemen has been The French navy is spurring protest and catches in the zone. weeks ahead of schedule and town over, to pick up supplies.
reported by both the investigating how the — Reuters live-streamed by the BBC — that “I’ve got a bike and two legs in
internationally recognized coronavirus infected more than Russia said Friday that it had figure hit $15 million. As he pretty good form, so riding six
government, backed by the 1,000 sailors aboard the aircraft filed a protest to Oslo after the Veteran, 99, raises $23 million crossed the finish line six days miles a day is no big deal,”
Saudi-led coalition, and the carrier Charles de Gaulle, amid Norwegian coast guard detained for U.K. health-care system: after his effort began, soldiers Martinelli said this week.
country’s Iran-backed Shiite growing pressure on government a Russian trawler near a remote Last week, Capt. Tom Moore, a from the Yorkshire Regiment — Staff and wire reports