News and Headlines. 4/6/2020

News and Headlines: In The News, Politics, World News, Commentary/Opinion.

In The News:

President Trump & The Coronavirus Task Force News Conference 4/6/20

Monday, April 6, 2020: President Donald Trump & members of the Coronavirus Task Force hold a news briefing from The White House.

Walmart shopper with too much Lysol sprays cashier in the eyes, Massachusetts cops say

Police shared the suspect’s photo on social media and asked anyone with information to contact Officer Matthew Soojian at (508) 892-7010, ext. 2066, or soojianm@leicesterpd.org.

With so many items consistently out of stock at stores across the country, Facebook users had a lot to say about the incident, commenting on the police department’s post.

“That employee needs a massive raise. Hazard pay at least, and that is exactly why,” one user wrote.

Man accused of posting Riverside MLK High’s ‘ground zero’ video arrested in Rialto

Gamble, 38, of Riverside kidnapped and released a woman he had been dating in Rialto, police said, then he used her stolen cellphone to text her 7-year-old child with death threats and to post sexually explicit photos of the woman on her social-media sites.

They said the actions took place from Thursday, April 2, to Saturday, April 4.

A search of Gamble’s Riverside home turned up an AR-15 rifle, rounds of ammunition, several replica semiautomatic handguns and the woman’s cellphone, said police, who served a warrant.

Illinois man who suspected girlfriend had COVID-19 fatally shoots her, himself

Family members later arrived on scene and told authorities that Jesernik had been scared that he and Schriefer had contracted COVID-19, and that Schriefer was tested two days earlier, the sheriff’s office said.

The family members said Schriefer had been having a hard time breathing and stated that to their knowledge, she had not received her test results.

Autopsies conducted Friday on Jesernik and Schriefer determined they both died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head, the sheriff’s office said. Schriefer’s death was ruled a homicide.

Jesernik died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his death was ruled as a suicide, according to the sheriff’s office.

Both Jesernik and Schriefer tested negative for the COVID-19 virus.

Mysterious Heart Damage, Not Just Lung Troubles, Befalling COVID-19 Patients

In addition to lung damage, many COVID-19 patients are also developing heart problems — and dying of cardiac arrest.

As more data comes in from China and Italy, as well as Washington state and New York, more cardiac experts are coming to believe the COVID-19 virus can infect the heart muscle.

An initial study found cardiac damage in as many as 1 in 5 patients, leading to heart failure and death even among those who show no signs of respiratory distress.

Auto insurers refunding millions due to stay-at-home policies

Allstate estimated the program at $600 million, while American Family said it will return approximately $200 million to its customer base.

The two insurers were the first major companies to institute a blanket refund program, while others, including GEICO and State Farm, are encouraging customers to contact them to discuss their policies based on their new driving patterns.

Many insurers have also extended their grace periods for late payments before canceling coverage, and with company policies changing day-to-day in response to the crisis.

Wells Fargo stops taking applications for Paycheck Protection Program loans

Wells Fargo is bowing out of a new federal program aimed at helping small businesses retain workers and pay bills during the coronavirus pandemic.

The bank announced late Sunday that it would no longer accept new loan applications under the government’s Paycheck Protection Program, which launched last week as part of Washington’s $2.2 trillion economic relief package.

Wells also said it planned to lend a maximum of $10 billion through the program and that it has already received more than enough applications to reach that threshold. Any requests for loans submitted after April 5 will not be considered, according to the bank.

Facebook Censors Do-It-Yourself Charitable Face Masks While Cracking Down On Coronavirus ‘Misinformation’

Facebook also banned advertisements for the sale of protective medical equipment such as masks and hand sanitizer.

It also banned the sale of any medical equipment on their “buy-and-sell” section called Facebook Marketplace. DIY face mask groups also got caught in the crossfire.

According to the New York Times, the Philadelphia-based group Sew Face Masks was caught in Facebook’s censorship battle.

The group provides handmade face masks to individuals, essential workers, community organizations, local small businesses, as well as healthcare workers.

Kansas wins Supreme Court case over Fourth Amendment dispute

The justices 8-1 opinion shows that the case stems from Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Mehrer, in Douglas County, pulling over Charles Glover in his Chevrolet pickup truck on April 28, 2016, based on running his plate and determining that the registered owner had a revoked license.

The traffic stop revealed that Glover was the owner and was driving with a revoked license, but Glover claimed the officer lacked reasonable suspicion under the Fourth Amendment because he just assumed that the owner was the one driving before stopping him.

The majority ruled Monday that Deputy Mehrer’s assumption was reasonable, reversing the Kansas Supreme Court’s opinion that the deputy violated the Fourth Amendment by stopping Glover without reasonable suspicion.

U.S. Supreme Court turns away religious clash over Washington transit ads

The conservative-majority court, usually receptive to religious rights claims, declined to review the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s 2015 policy that bars political, religious and advocacy advertisements in the transportation system that serves the U.S. capital region.

One of the nine justices, conservative Brett Kavanaugh, would not have been able to participate due to his prior service on a court that previously dealt with the case.

That means the Supreme Court could have turned out to be split 4-4 between its liberal and conservative justices, leaving the conservative majority unable to ensure a victory in the case.

“Because the full court is unable to hear this case, it makes a poor candidate for our review,” conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in a statement regarding the court’s action.

California to loan 500 ventilators to national stockpile

California chose to loan some of its equipment because it is not yet in as dire a situation as New York, now the nation’s epicenter for the crisis, said Jesse Melgar, a spokesman for the governor.

Newsom said state modeling shows California will hit its peak of cases sometime in May.

“I know that if the tables were turned and we were experiencing a hospital surge, other states would come to our aid and provide ventilators just as we are today,” Newsom said in a statement.

Worldwide stock rally accelerates on hopes for virus peak

Gains accelerated throughout the day, and U.S. stocks were up about 5.5% in afternoon trading. Markets in Europe and Asia also rose nearly as much.

In another sign that investors are feeling more optimistic about the economy’s path, they sold bonds and the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose toward its first gain in four days.

New coronavirus infections and deaths are showing signs of slowing in Italy and Spain. The center of the U.S. outbreak, New York, also reported the number of daily deaths has been effectively flat for two days.

Lawsuit Update: DC Court Of Appeals Agrees To Hear Loomer’s Big Tech Anti-Trust Case

The lawsuit states that these mega tech platforms violated the First Amendment, the Sherman Act (an anti-competitive monopoly law), and DC’s public accommodation law (which prohibits acts performed wholly or partially for a discriminatory reason).

It further argues that Loomer suffered “severe financial injury” as a result of being banned from these platforms and that these tech companies are limiting how many people are shown content from Freedom Watch.

Initially, the suit was dismissed with a DC federal judge finding that it did not present justifiable and legal claims about the social media companies’ alleged political and ideological bias.

WATCH: CBS News Posts Fraudulent Video Of ICU Nurse Crying Over Poor Working Conditions

Parroting the fraudulent video is 2020 Democratic contender Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. who quote tweeted the video and called on the Department of Labor to issue emergency workplace standards.

“It is insane that our nurses are being forced to are for the sick without masks and respirators. The Department of Labor must immediately issue emergency workplace standards to protect our health workers, their families, and their patients,” Sanders said.

Nurses and medical workers are working tirelessly with inadequate protection gear, and they are the real heroes. For an Instagram “influencer” to deliberately misrepresent her career for the instant glorification of internet fame is sickening.

White House expects coronavirus peak within days in hardest-hit cities

Commentary/Opinion:
Reaction and analysis from the ‘Outnumbered’ panel.

Op-Ed: Our grocers remain on the front lines for us

When governments ordered people to work from home, and businesses to close due to COVID-19, there were a lot of heroes that stepped forward to keep essential services up and running.

Many left the safety of their homes to insure we’d keep our support networks running during this tragedy.

While those professionals we depend on, such as first responders and healthcare workers rose to the occasion, another group entered the front lines to help others: our local grocery store workers.

“During the Berlin Blockade, we witnessed how essential food is to world freedom.”

– General Curtis LeMay

Let’s pray the Lord keeps our grocers healthy.

Interview: US lung-disease expert on coronavirus symptoms, treatment, prevention

Ognjen Gajic, a lung expert and critical care specialist at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in the northern U.S. state of Minnesota, was interviewed by Ajla Obradovic, a correspondent with RFE/RL’s Balkan Service, about the coronavirus and the disease’s symptoms and treatment.

RFE/RL: How fast does a person’s health worsen after becoming infected? It seems that patients diagnosed with the coronavirus die rather quickly but recover more slowly compared to other diseases?

Or is that an incorrect impression?

US Army paratrooper found dead in Alaska barracks

Spc. Milik Jaquez Craig, a 20-year-old infantryman, was found by another soldier on Thursday night, according to a U.S. Army statement provided to American Military News on Monday.

Last month, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson declared an emergency after seven individuals on base tested positive for coronavirus.

“There is evidence that several individuals picked it up locally in a community transfer,” installation commander Col. Patricia Csank said at the time. “Because of that, the change in transmission, I’ve declared the public health emergency.”

Craig’s death follows one month after another paratrooper was found dead in his barracks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Teenager in lockdown spends his time 3D printing protective shields for health workers

Marcus Chu, a 16-year-old teenager from Manila, is using his 3D printer to make face shields for frontline medical workers battling the novel coronavirus. 

Politics:

Louisiana senator calls for abortion clinics to close amid coronavirus crisis

The Louisiana senator requested public officials shut down these clinics across the country and within his state as most states have implemented a stay-at-home order for nonessential businesses.

He classified abortions as “elective” in a statement.

“Doctors and nurses are in the trenches fighting the coronavirus, and we’re in a zero-sum reality when it comes to life-saving medical supplies,” he said “Abortions are elective, deadly and wrong—especially when they siphon masks, gloves and cleaning supplies away from the front lines of a pandemic,” Kennedy added.

“I urge elected officials everywhere to recognize that abortions are in no way an essential service.”

Democrats want illegal immigrants to receive coronavirus stimulus checks

Reps. Raúl Grijalva (Arizona) and Lou Correa and Judy Chu (both from California) and have introduced the Leave No Taxpayer Behind Act, which would amend the coronavirus stimulus bill to allow every taxpayer to receive a $1,200 stimulus check, including undocumented immigrants who filed taxes with an ITIN. Rep. Jamie Raskin (Maryland) formally joined the bill as a co-sponsor on Sunday.

“COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate. It impacts all communities and people of all backgrounds.

Our relief programs shouldn’t discriminate against those who need help during this crisis, and this legislation ensures that immigrants with ITINs can get the economic relief they deserve,” Grijalva said in a statement.

Dems conflicted over Biden’s strategy during coronavirus – and angry at Bernie

Banned from the campaign trail and stalled by a string of primary election postponements, Biden finds himself in the tricky position of being the almost Democratic presidential nominee but without a consistent stage.

He’s struggled to maintain a high profile befitting a presumptive nominee as President Trump commands the bully pulpit for the nation’s pandemic response and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo emerges as the most visible Democrat in America for now via his daily briefings.

To top it off, Biden still can’t shake Sen. Bernie Sanders, who seems determined to pursue his campaign as long as possible, even though Biden has a powerful delegate lead.

World News:

Boris Johnson moved to hospital’s intensive-care unit after coronavirus symptoms worsen, spokesman says

Hours earlier, Johnson tweeted that he was in good spirits after spending the night in the hospital. The prime minister’s spokesman said Johnson had spent a comfortable night and remained in charge of government despite being admitted after COVID-19 symptoms of a cough and fever persisted.

Johnson’s tweet thanked the National Health Service for taking care of him and others in this difficult time.

“On the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms,” Johnson wrote in the tweet. “I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe.”

Hamas leader vows to fulfill Ezekiel 17 amid COVID19 – TV7 Israel News 06.04.20

1) The corona contagion throughout the state of Israel continues to spread seemingly’ unhindered, as the number of newly confirmed cases soared to 8,611 individuals, as of 8 o’clock this morning.

2) The leader of the Islamist Hamas organization Yahya Sinwar calls on Israel’s Defense Minister Naftali Bennett to read the Biblical Book of Ezekiel, chapter 17, as a glimpse into what the Jihadist Palestinian group plans for the Jewish State.

3) The commander of the counterintelligence unit of the Iranian-proxy Hezbollah was reportedly assassinate in Lebanon over the weekend; some two weeks after unknown assailants shot dead Antoine Hayek, a former member of the now-disbanded Christian Militia of southern Lebanon, which was supported in the past by the Israeli military.

China forces Italy to buy same coronavirus supplies it had donated to Beijing a few weeks ago

After telling the world that it would donate masks, face guards and testing equipment to Italy, China quietly backtracked and sold the Mediterranean country desperately-needed medical equipment, according to a report.

What’s worse is that the personal protective equipment (PPE) China forced Italy to buy was actually the same PPE Italy donated to China before coronavirus rushed its own shores and killed nearly 16,000 people.

Thousands of other supplies and testing kits China has sold to other countries at marked-up prices have turned out to be defective.

US airstrikes kill 8 Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists in Somalia

Sunday’s strikes were carried out in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.

“As the world works to contain COVID-19, it is important our partners recognize we continue to be committed to the security progress in Somalia and will continue to disrupt al-Shabaab’s terrorist activities,” Castellanos’ statement continued. “This is a responsibility that AFRICOM takes very seriously.”

AFRICOM announced in a separate statement to American Military News over the weekend it had carried out another successful strike against the Somali terror group on Friday, killing five of its fighters near the Somali city of Bush Madina.

Suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers kill several in northern Cameroon

The province has been hit since 2014 by Boko Haram fighters making incursions from northeast Nigeria.

The jihadists’ campaign has killed more than 27,000 people since 2009, several thousand of them in Cameroon, and displaced more than two million, sparking a dire humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad region.

According to Amnesty International, at least 275 people were killed in the Far North last year.

Germany outlines plan for scaling back coronavirus lockdown

Germany has been under lockdown, with restaurants and most shops closed, since March 22. With the impact of lockdown all but certain to tip Europe’s largest country into recession this year, policymakers are anxious to see normal life resume.

The document envisages a staged return to normality, backed by mechanisms that will make it possible to track more than 80% of people with whom an infected person had contact within 24 hours of diagnosis.

Infected people and those they had contact with will be quarantined, either at home or in hotels.

The document assumes the pandemic will last until 2021.

Commentary/Opinion:

Exposing How Politicians Are Abusing Their New Powers | Dave Rubin | DIRECT MESSAGE | Rubin Report

Dave Rubin of The Rubin Report shares his concerns about the new emergency powers we have given to our governments and how they could be abused. Governors like Andrew Cuomo in New York and Gavin Newsom in California have been granted massive amounts of new power during this crisis.

While some good may come of these emergency powers, how much will government officials use their new expanded powers to force their agendas on the public?

In California we are seeing Governor Newsom’s openness to the idea of using this crisis to push a progressive agenda.

On the federal level President Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act giving him massive power over how private businesses can operate.

How long will these emergency powers be used? What conditions will have to change to scale them back? And what consequences will we face from their mistakes?

Dave will also answer questions submitted on the Rubin report community,

Hilton: Slow the spread but speed the shutdown

The American people want to know their leaders are working on a more sustainable anti-virus policy.

Why Are So Many Americans in Prison?

Activist groups claim a biased criminal justice system has put too many people behind bars. The solution, they say, is to drastically cut the prison population.

Even now, some states are using the coronavirus pandemic to double down on granting early release to thousands of prisoners.

Rafael Mangual, Deputy Director of Legal Policy at the Manhattan Institute, urges caution: most people are in prison for a good reason.