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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 19:40:19 GMT -7
Covid 19 News for Wednesday April 15th, 2020
GOP legislative leaders ask Governor Bullock to reconsider some shutdown orders KBZK reports:
"Montana’s Republican legislative leaders issued a strongly worded letter to Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock Tuesday, asking him to rescind some of his coronavirus directives and consider easing restrictions in some counties.
“If businesses remain closed, income and property taxes, fees and other collections will plummet, causing widespread and catastrophic results to people employed in both the public and private sector,” the wrote. “Montanans are helping their neighbors and they do not need unconstitutional commands – just a simple ask from their governor and they will respond.”
The letter, made public Tuesday morning, was signed by the top Republican leaders in the Montana House and Senate, including Senate President Scott Sales of Bozeman and House Speaker Greg Hertz of Polson."
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 19:44:20 GMT -7
Montana reports 399 COVID-19 cases (Tuesday 4-14-2020) KBZK reports:
"According to the Montana Response COVID-19 tracking map, Montana confirms 399 cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning.
According to the state, 5 new cases were reported overnight.
Gallatin County reports 138 cases, more than any other county in the state. Yellowstone County added 4 new cases to bring their total to 63.
The information released also pointed to 9,234 tests being conducted in Montana, with 50 people hospitalized with Covid-19.
A seventh COVID-19 related death is being reported in Montana.
The Flathead City-County Health Department confirmed Monday the first death related to COVID-19 in Flathead County."
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 19:46:54 GMT -7
Yellowstone enzyme may be key tool in creation of Covid-19 vaccine
It all started in Yellowstone’s famous, colorful and numerous hot springs
KBZK reports:
"Before Covid-19 ever existed and long before we started using the phrases, “Stay at Home” and “Shelter in Place” in daily conversation, Yellowstone National Park had already contributed to the battle over the deadly virus.
It all started in Yellowstone’s famous, colorful and numerous hot springs.
“Yellowstone has the largest concentration of hydrothermal features in the world,” said Annie Carlson, Yellowstone National Park Research Coordinator.
It’s in those hot spots where unique heat loving bacteria called thermophiles and extremophiles, have evolved. Anyone can see many of those springs just by touring the park’s thermal features on designated boardwalks.
Back in the mid 1960’s researcher Thomas Brock was taking a hot spring walk just like many people do every year. But he was intrigued by the organisms living in the extremely hot and acidic springs. Shortly afterward he identified a unique bacteria.
“The bacterial species that they identified is called Thermus Aquaticus.” Said Carlson."
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 19:48:54 GMT -7
MT congressional delegation investments and coronavirus: No red flags
Gianforte has independent manager of investments
KBZK reports:
"In the past three months, investment funds owned by U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte have bought stock in several pharmaceutical and consulting firms doing work related to the coronavirus outbreak.
Yet those purchases are a tiny fraction of the more than 200 transactions that Gianforte’s investment funds publicly reported since Jan. 1, as they bought and sold stock in scores of international and domestic companies, involved in all types of businesses.
Gianforte, one of three Republicans running for Montana governor this year, also told MTN News through a spokesman that his investment fund manager makes decisions without his knowledge or input, as part of a “blind investment agreement.”
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 19:50:56 GMT -7
U.S. coronavirus deaths set single-day record increase -Reuters tally Reuters reports:
"U.S. coronavirus deaths rose by at least 2,228 on Tuesday, a single-day record, to top 28,300, according to a Reuters tally, as officials debated how to reopen the economy without reigniting the outbreak.
The United States, with the world's third-largest population, passed a second milestone on Tuesday with over 600,000 reported cases, three times more than any other country.
The previous single-day record was 2,069, set last Friday.
The increase of 2,228 deaths excludes a revision by New York City to include deaths presumed to be due to the novel coronavirus but never tested dating back to March 11.
New York City's health department said the death toll is now over 10,000, including the 3,700 deaths added on Tuesday."
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 19:53:15 GMT -7
Seed companies can't keep up as more Americans turn to growing their own food
CBS reports:
"As millions of Americans hunker down at home, the coronavirus outbreak has led to runs on everything from toilet paper to baker's yeast. Now people are reporting another shortage: seeds to start their "pandemic gardens."
Some seed companies said they've temporarily stopped taking new orders after seeing an overwhelming surge in demand. The increase in orders is "just unbelievable," said George Ball, chairman of Burpee Seeds, a 144-year-old seed company in Pennsylvania. The company closed to new orders last week because it needed time to catch up, although it plans to start accepting them again on Wednesday.
With Americans largely stuck in place, many are turning to home-based activities that are boosting sales of home improvement goods, alcohol — and gardening supplies."
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 19:57:30 GMT -7
Ron Paul says Fauci needs to be removed: 'If not by Trump, then by the American people' WND reports:
"Former congressman and presidential GOP contender Ron Paul last week decried public trust in Dr. Anthony Fauci, suggesting the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director should be removed from the Trump administration's coronavirus task force.
Referring to Fauci as a "fraud," Paul said on his web show, the "Ron Paul Liberty Report," that Fauci was no different from other Washington experts and bureaucrats seeking to profit politically from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and should be fired by President Donald Trump immediately.
If the president failed to take action, the Texas Republican and libertarian suggested, the people would have to band together and defy Fauci's mandates instead.
"Of course, a significant move would be to get rid of Fauci, who is giving us all this information," Paul, himself a physician and former Air Force flight surgeon, told his co-host Daniel McAdams.
"That's not likely to happen, but I think the type of firing that may be on your mind -- and that is, he should be fired. But if you don't do it in the literal sense, the people have to fire him."
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 20:00:36 GMT -7
Head of doctors' group: Governors must stop practicing medicine
Government edicts 'are paralyzing the people who can help' WND reports:
"The Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, the American Medical Association, state governors and others are issuing edicts that "are paralyzing the people who can help" combat the coronavirus, contends the head of a physicians association.
"Government needs to stand down. It should be supporting doctors, not blocking and threatening them," said Dr. Jane Orient, executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons in Tucson, Arizona.
She noted that about half the nation's governors have issued edicts restricting physicians' prescription of FDA-approved drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19.
"The use of drugs for an indication not listed on the label is part of the practice of medicine, and the FDA does not have the authority to regulate that," she said. "If off-label use were not possible, you’d have to throw one-fifth of your prescriptions away."
Even more intrusively, Orient said, government is banning the practice of medicine altogether for “non-essential” needs if it can't be done by telemedicine.
The authorities define "non-essential," she pointed out.
"A doctor who dares to repair your painful but not life-threatening injury could be defending his medical license before the state medical board," Orient warned.
The rationale is that a doctor might use a mask or a pair of gloves that could otherwise be used to treat COVID-19 patients.
"So, instead of making more, should we find a way to seize a few boxes stored in private offices for redistribution?"
While doctors sit idle, she said, "your medical conditions remain untreated."
She argued doctors' revenues are plunging by more than 55% while their expenses continue to mount.
"Will your doctor’s practice survive?" she asked.
In hospitals, care is dictated by corporate guidelines.
"However brave and dedicated your assigned doctors may be, their use of independent judgment will be constrained," Orient said. "What about your choices for care? There will be no outside second opinions, no visits by family members to assess your care or your condition first-hand, and limited communication with overstressed staff."
She noted automatic "do not resuscitate" orders are being considered.
And drugs that many doctors around the world have used to effectively treat coronavirus patients such as hydroxychloroquine have been restricted.
"So, who is really in charge?" she asked. "Governors are probably not making up rules all by themselves. If an independent doctor does or does not do something, he can be held accountable. Generally not so for the shadowy entities advising the politicians."
"Who benefits from the crisis?" she asked.
"Big Pharma, scenting billions in profits from new drugs and vaccines, which would be threatened by use of cheap generics? Big insurance/hospital cartels, whose dominance is threatened by independent doctors? Political entities lusting for more power? Medical organizations whose revenue depends on any or all of the above?" |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 20:03:27 GMT -7
Leaked emails show Fauci was called Hillary’s 'Doctor Admirer,' wanted Hillary to know 'we all love her' WND reports:
"Dr. Anthony Fauci has emerged as a key figure as President Donald Trump wages a two-pronged attack against both the coronavirus and the disinformation campaign about it led by Democrats and the establishment media.
A favorite among Democrats, Fauci -- one of the nation’s top infectious disease experts -- has become a lighting rod of controversy as reporters have attempted to bait him into contradicting the president, and vice versa.
Emails obtained by hackers and released by Wikileaks years ago are still guiding part of the national conversation in 2020, and they demonstrate Fauci had a great admiration for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In an email sent to Clinton aide Cheryl Mills on Jan. 23, 2013 -- the date Clinton testified before Congress about her knowledge of the 2012 Benghazi consulate attack -- Fauci showed his support for the embattled Democrat, who was also facing questions about her health at the time.
“Anyone who had any doubts about the Secretary's stamina and capability following her illness had those doubts washed away by today's performance before the Senate and the House,” Fauci wrote to Mills."
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 20:05:38 GMT -7
Some governors to begin reopening economies this week
'We don't have to wait until May 1' WND reports:
"With some 95% of Americans under lockdown amid disaster declarations in all 50 states in response to the coronavirus pandemic, governors are making plans to reopen business and public life.
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott wants to begin opening parts of his state next week, ahead of his previous May 1 target.
"We want to open. Texans love to work. Texans are dying to get back to work," Abbott told Fox News' Sean Hannity on Monday night. "We want them to get back to work, but we have to do so in a very safe way so that we don't regenerate the spread of the coronavirus in the state of Texas."
The governor said he and his team are working with medical experts and business leaders "to find the right strategy so we can unleash our economy."
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 20:07:54 GMT -7
Former NYC top cop blasts officials using COVID-19 as excuse to take Americans' freedoms WMD reports:
"A teen being given a citation for merely driving in her car. Hiking trails closed. Church congregants for Easter services having their license plate numbers taken down by the police so that they can be told to be in quarantine for 14 days no matter what kind of social distancing was being practiced.
That’s where we are now, and former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik isn’t particularly happy about it.
In a tweet Thursday, Kerik blasted officials who are using the coronavirus outbreak as a pretext to clamp down on freedoms that wouldn’t necessarily affect the spread of the virus.
“Yesterday, governors/mayors shut down walking trails,” Kerik tweeted.
”Some police have been ordered to arrest people for walking outside their homes. The government is considering a #coronavirus surveillance system."
Read the full story here. |
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Post by Admin on Apr 14, 2020 20:12:35 GMT -7
White House Leaks Draft Plan To Reopen American Economy Zero Hedge reports:
"As President Trump declared that he would leave the process of reopening the economy up to the states (with input from federal officials, of course), the Washington Post was releasing a 'leaked' report outlining a plan drafted by CDC and FDA that's essentially a guide for local officials about how to go about reopening the economy.
And in contrast to the 'guidelines' released by the governors of California and Oregon, which seemed to imply that the process of reopening the economy could take as long as the rest of the year, if not longer, the administration plan offers a somewhat more realistic timetable.
The plan has been seen and discussed by members of the White House coronavirus task force. But remember, this is only a piece of what is supposed to be a more comprehensive framework that each governor can adjust to their liking. A federal official who spoke on the condition of anonymity with WaPo said the final plan will have 8 parts; this document represents only 2 of them.
Read the full story here. |
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