Trump says he would like to reopen the economy with a “big bang,” but advisors urge caution
April 8th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump said Wednesday that he would like to reopen the U.S. economy with a “big bang”, but added that the death toll from the coronavirus needs to be on the down slope before that can happen. Trump originally stated he would like to see key parts of the economy reopen in time for Easter Sunday this...
FBI launches website to inform the public about coronavirus-related scams
April 8th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned the general public about scammers preying on the pandemic, and has also launched a website dedicated solely to COVID-19 related scams. Some of the scams uncovered by the agency thus far include promises of free testing kits being delivered overnight to people's...
Latest CDC data shows children are significantly less likely to become ill from coronavirus than adults, though risk remains
April 7th, 20200 ATLANTA, GA — Children in the United States are significantly less likely to become seriously ill from cases related to the coronavirus than American adults, according to a preliminary report on the first major wave of cases in the country. Some have become very sick, however, and at least three have died, according to a report on...
Americans urged to wear masks outside as coronavirus pandemic worsens
April 6th, 20200 WASHINGTON/NEW YORK — On Thursday, the Trump administration looked set to join local officials in advising Americans to wear masks when venturing out during the still-exploding coronavirus pandemic, as the U.S. death toll rose by 1,000 in a single day for the first time. Speaking at a White House briefing, Deborah Birx, a member of...
African Americans more likely to die from coronavirus illness including in Michigan, early data shows
April 6th, 20200 African Americans in Michigan have accounted for 40 percent of the state's reported deaths according to data released by the state, despite Black people making up just 14.6 percent of the state's population. A fairly similar picture is being painted in Illinois, where African Americans make up about 30 percent of the state's cases and...
United States Congress passes $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill as overall number of cases tops China
April 2nd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill on Wednesday after days of bitter negotiations that led to compromise from both sides of the aisle and a 96-0 final vote. The vote happened as the United States passed China for having the most coronavirus cases in the world, with more...
Frequently asked questions on stimulus checks, unemployment benefits and the coronavirus
April 2nd, 20200 A $2 trillion economic relief plan was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump to offer assistance to tens of millions of American households affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In it, stimulus payments to individuals are offered, as well as expanded unemployment coverage, student loan changes, different retirement account...
Democratic presidential front-runner Biden confirms he’s considering Whitmer for VP
April 2nd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former vice president Joe Biden confirmed this week that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a fellow Democrat, is one of the women he's considering as a potential running mate in his bid for the White House. Biden has already vowed to pick a woman for the position, and said Tuesday night he's been considering...
60 and older in the time of COVID-19? Read on
April 1st, 20200 By Jennifer Leach I know, 60-year-olds. You’re not old. In fact, we’ve found that, when people think “old”, they think of someone about 10 years older than they are right now. But, because we’ve been warned about the effects of the Coronavirus on people 60+, listen up. Because scammers follow the headlines and know...
Dingell, Tlaib reiterate calls to address humanitarian situation, ongoing military conflict on fifth anniversary of Yemen war
April 1st, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) issued a joint statement on March 30, calling for renewed action to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and to end the military conflict that has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. President Trump vetoed a measure to end U.S....
FDA authorizes use of new two-minute test kit for coronavirus
March 31st, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the emergency use of Bodysphere Inc’s test that can detect the coronavirus in nearly two minutes, the privately held company said on Tuesday. The FDA has been rushing to approve tests on an emergency basis and last week approved Abbott...
U.S. Treasury Secretary says Americans could receive stimulus checks within three weeks
March 29th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — United States Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday that Americans could expect checks from the historic $2 trillion stimulus bill for coronavirus support to be direct deposited in their accounts within three weeks, but experts have said it could take longer to receive the money. Congress and President...
Detroit hospital system updates public on possible future shortage of ventilators after internal letter is leaked
March 28th, 20200 DETROIT — A draft policy at Henry Ford Health System has suggested that the worst of COVID-19 in hospitals may be yet to come, while also suggesting that doctors may have to ration potentially life-saving care, in regards to ventilators, at some point. The information was revealed by BridgeMI.com, which later updated its story to...
DHS extends REAL ID enforcement deadline to next year
March 26th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as directed by President Trump, has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to 12 months beyond this year’s deadline, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new deadline is now October 21, 2021. Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement that the department...
Ninety-year-old Washington state woman on her deathbed survives coronavirus, reunites with family
March 26th, 20200 KIRKLAND, Wash. — A 90-year-old woman from Washington state who had a stroke in December can now add “coronavirus survivor” to the list, as she was declared free of the virus this weekend. “She never gave up. She is a fighter, she is a survivor,” said Cami Neidigh, the daughter of 90-year-old Geneva Wood. “She’s weak......
FDA to allow COVID-19 treatments using blood from survivors
March 26th, 20200 SILVER SPRING, MD — The FDA has unlocked the use of convalescent plasma, derived from the blood of people who have recovered from COVID-19 and which may contain helpful antibodies, as an investigational treatment for patients with severe cases of the disease, according to a report from the website FierceBiotech. This technique has...
Report: Coronavirus stimulus bill would halt foreclosures and evictions nationwide
March 25th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The latest version of the coronavirus stimulus bill expected to be signed sometime today reportedly carries with it a 120-day ban on evictions for many renters, beginning on the day the bill passes, according to a report from the website Slate.com. The bill would also include a moratorium on foreclosures of up to...
Coronavirus stimulus bill proposed by Democrats would ban lobbying by companies receiving government aid
March 24th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new coronavirus stimulus bill pushed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would ban corporations receiving federal aid to help prop them up amid the current economic turmoil from lobbying until the funds are repaid to the government. The legislation, introduced by House Democrats, would set strict conditions on...
Coronavirus stimulus bill fails to advance in Senate for second time, Democrats plan to unveil new bill
March 23rd, 20200 WASHINGTON — Republicans and Democrats failed to move forward with a nearly $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package earlier this afternoon, as a procedural vote fell short by a final tally of 49-46. Democrats blocked the measure from passing after deeming the bill as being too favorable to corporate interests at the expense of......
Biden’s wins in U.S. states that matter most set stage for duel with Trump
March 20th, 20200 WASHINGTON — With Bernie Sanders on the ropes in the race for the Democratic Party nomination, Joe Biden can now turn his attention to a November match up against Republican Donald Trump, backed by momentum in states that decide U.S. presidential elections. Biden dominated Sanders in Tuesday’s contests in three states, including...
Trump signs aid package offering paid sick leave for coronavirus; end to foreclosures and evictions announced through April
March 20th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump signed a multibillion-dollar emergency aid package aimed at helping Americans impacted by the coronavirus on Wednesday, the same day the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it will suspend all home foreclosures and evictions to the end of April amid the coronavirus outbreak. The......
Potential coronavirus treatment touted by Trump already in shortage, pharmacists say
March 20th, 20200 NEW YORK — A supply of a malaria treatment that has been tried with some success against the new coronavirus is in short supply as demand surges amid the fast-spreading outbreak, according to independent pharmacies and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The ASHP, which maintains a list of drugs in shortage...
Lebanese American Amer Fakhoury, accused of overseeing torture in south Lebanon, released from Beirut prison
March 20th, 20200 WASHINGTON/BEIRUT — Lebanese American Amer Fakhoury, who was detained in Lebanon in September, has been released and is on his way back to the U.S., President Trump said on Thursday. Fakhoury, a 57-year-old New Hampshire resident, was accused of overseeing the torture of Lebanese prisoners at a prison in south Lebanon in the 1980s......
