News

Driving the Day:

Mixed messages:
At a House Oversight Committee hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the current U.S. testing system is “failing.” “The system is not really geared to what we need right now, what you are asking for. That is a failing…Let’s admit it.” Meanwhile: Fauci’s assertion directly contradicts President Trump’s false claim that anyone who wants a test gets one: “‘Frankly, the testing has been going very smooth,’ he said. ‘If you go to the right agency, if you go to the right area, you get the test.’”

What to Watch For: Today President Trump will meet with industry executives to discuss coronavirus response. Despite a promise of “daily briefings,” the coronavirus task force did not hold a formal press briefing yesterday and it is unclear whether one will be held today. On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci will appear on all of the Sunday morning news shows.

Coronavirus Update 

• On a day that saw the cancellation of nearly every major sporting event in the country and the sweeping closure of schools across the country, in a meeting with Irish PM Leo Varadkar, Trump falsely claimed that every American returning to the country was being tested for coronavirus, saying, “We have a tremendous testing set up where people coming in have to be tested.” Trump also claimed that, “The testing is going very smooth” in this country. Asked about why he didn’t alert European leaders before imposing travel restrictions, resulting in confusion and chaos at airports, Trump said “It takes a long time to make the individual calls.” Late in the day Thursday, the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal all reported on the chaos and failure of the president’s address to the nation on Wednesday night.

• Congressional talks on a coronavirus relief bill are ongoing. Nancy Pelosi said at 9:00 PM Thursday night that an agreement was “close” and would hopefully be arrived at by Friday. Pelosi released a letter outlining a “near” agreement with the Trump administration that includes free testing, paid leave, enhanced unemployment insurance, food assistance and more funding for Medicaid. Earlier in the day, Mitch McConnell dismissed the House package as an “ideological wish list” and announced that recess will be delayed to deal with the crisis.

• At a House Oversight Committee hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci said of the current testing situation in the US, “The system is not really geared to what we need right now, what you are asking for. That is a failing…Let’s admit it.” Fauci said at an impromptu press briefing that he believes Trump’s travel restrictions from Europe will make a difference in reducing coronavirus infections in the US. In the Oversight hearing Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) also pushed CDC Director Redield to commit to providing free testing for every American.

• After being read a Trump tweet in which the president blamed Democrats and the media for hyping the coronavirus threat, Vice President Pence said, “Obviously there has been some irresponsible rhetoric.” Pence also insisted that he’s “still shaking hands” despite repeated warnings from the CDC to avoid the practice.

• Joe Biden delivered an address outlining his plans to fight coronavirus. Trump and his campaign immediately lashed out, blaming Biden and the Obama administration for deaths during the H1N1 outbreak in 2009 and attacking the CDC in a series of tweets. Barack Obama tweeted on Wednesday night to explain the concept of social distancing and flattening the curve saying, “If you’re wondering whether it’s an overreaction to cancel large gatherings and public events (and I love basketball), here’s a useful primer as to why these measures can slow the spread of the virus and save lives. We have to look out for each other.”

By The Numbers
Friday, March 13, 2020, 7:00 AM
Number of US cases: 1,660
Number of US deaths: 41
Number of states with confirmed cases: 46
Total Number of People Tested in US: 11,515

Federal Health Response
Axios: The two uncertainties of the coronavirus
Buzzfeed: Trump’s Surprise Europe Travel Ban Left Travelers Scrambling To Find Out WTF Was Happening
Buzzfeed: A Top Health Official Said The US Is “Failing” At Testing For The Coronavirus
Buzzfeed: Members Of Congress Are Furious At The Lack Of Information On Coronavirus Testing
CNN: ‘We are flying blind’: Lawmakers fume amid lack of coronavirus testing and answers
CNN: Airlines Are Scrambling To Understand And Implement New Coronavirus Travel Restrictions
Kaiser Health News: Coronavirus Puts Prisons In Tight Spot Amid Staff Shortages, Threats Of Lockdown
The Independent: Trump claimed fees for coronavirus treatment will be waived. The health care industry has no idea what he’s talking about
NPR: Singapore Wins Praise For Its COVID-19 Strategy. The U.S. Does Not
New York Magazine (Opinion): Coronavirus Shows Us America Is Broken
New York Times: The Tickets Home Were $5,000. They Paid It.
New York Times: Sick People Across the U.S. Say They Are Being Denied the Coronavirus Test
New York Times (Opinion): Coronavirus School Closings: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
New York Times (Editorial): It’s Time to Declare a National Emergency
Politico: Trump officials did sound the coronavirus alarm. They just don’t work there anymore.
ProPublica: The FDA Is Forcing the CDC to Waste Time Double Testing Some Coronavirus Cases
Talking Points Memo: States Clamor For Trump Emergency Declaration
Talking Points Memo: Medical Community Demands Trump Declare COVID-19 A National Emergency
Yahoo News: CDC tested only 77 people this week; coronavirus testing slow around the nation
Yahoo News: Trump considers travel restrictions to California and Washington in attempt to stop coronavirus spread
Wall Street Journal: FDA Grants New Coronavirus Test Emergency Approval
Washington Post: After Trump promised ‘anybody’ can get coronavirus testing, patients and doctors still complain of roadblocks
Washington Post (Opinion): Quarantining cities isn’t needed. But a fast, coordinated response to covid-19 is essential.

Federal Economic Response
Boston Globe (Opinion): Needed: A finance agency to handle the financial meltdown from the coronavirus
Buzzfeed: The Trump Administration Will Move Ahead With Its Plan To Kick People Off Of Food Stamps Despite The Coronavirus Outbreak
CNBC: ‘Everybody is upside down:’ Lobbyists flooded with calls from corporate clients worried about coronavirus
HuffPost: Trump Administration Refuses To Postpone Food Benefit Cut
Modern Healthcare: High-Deductible Plans May Waive Cost-Sharing For Coronavirus Tests
New York Times: Trump’s Payroll Tax Cut Would Dwarf The 2008 Bank Bailout
Politico: Fed announces massive cash injection to relieve U.S. debt market
Politico: ‘I don’t want to use the b-word’: Trump aides race to rescue the economy
Wall Street Journal: Fed to Inject $1.5 Trillion in Bid to Prevent ‘Unusual Disruptions’ in Markets

Leadership
The Atlantic (Ideas): The Worst Outcome
The Atlantic (Ideas): Trump Is Failing To Prepare Americans for A Disturbing New Reality
Bloomberg: Meadows Enters West Wing After Self-Quarantine Over Coronavirus
Bloomberg: Inside the Oval Office, a Fierce Fight Over Trump’s Virus Speech
The Bulwark: The Coronavirus According to Donald Trump
Buzzfeed: Coronavirus Is The Nightmare Situation People Worried About When Trump Won
CNN: Fact check: Trump makes four key errors or omissions in Europe travel announcement
CNN: Fact check: Trump falsely claims anybody who returns from Europe is being tested for coronavirus
Daily Beast: Trump’s Coronavirus Speech Sparks ‘Total Chaos’ in His Own Administration
GQ: Trump Voters Wanted to Blow up the System. Well, Here We Go.
The Hill: Poll: Trump Approval Dips To 46 Percent Amid Coronavirus
HuffPost: Trump Twiddles His Thumbs With Economy In A Tailspin
HuffPost: Trump Runs To Travel Ban Comfort Zone But Ignores The Bigger Coronavirus Problems
The Intercept: Bolsonaro Aide Who Visited With Trump Tested Positive For Coronavirus — And Three Other Members Of The Delegation Have Flu-like Symptoms
Los Angeles Times: Trump coronavirus response puts administration weaknesses under harsh spotlight
The Nation: An Internal Pandemic Document Shows the Coronavirus Gives Trump Extraordinary Powers
NBC: Pence says there’s been ‘irresponsible rhetoric’ from people downplaying coronavirus
New York Times: Trump and Pence Won’t Be Tested After Meeting With Infected Brazilian Official
New York Times (Analysis): The President as Bystander: Trump Struggles to Unify a Nation on Edge
Politico (Opinion): Mr. President, Shut Up About Coronavirus
Vox: Coronavirus is the Trump catastrophe we’ve been terrified of
Vox: Trump is breaking his own agency’s coronavirus guidelines by not self-quarantining
Wall Street Journal: Coronavirus Crisis Tests Trump’s Unusual Governing Style
Wall Street Journal: White House Evaluates Trump Exposure to Coronavirus
Washington Post: For Trump, the coronavirus crisis is all about the numbers — and they don’t look good
Washington Post: Coronavirus pandemic tests clout of cruise industry and its long-standing ties to Trump
Washington Post: Ten minutes at the teleprompter: Inside Trump’s failed attempt to calm coronavirus fears
Washington Post: Cancellations hit Trump’s hotels and clubs amid coronavirus outbreak
Washington Post (Analysis): ‘It will go away’: A timeline of Trump playing down the coronavirus threat

Congress
ABC News: House Democrats Rush To Finalize Bill To Address Economic Pain Of Coronavirus Outbreak Ahead Of Recess
HuffPost: House Democrats Set Up Coronavirus Paid Leave Standoff With Senate
The Intercept: GOP Lawmaker Who Voted Against Paid Sick Leave In Florida Takes Paid Leave From Congress
Los Angeles Times: Democrats Propose Economic Stimulus To Soften Coronavirus Blow
Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell rejects Democrat’s coronavirus plan as liberal ‘wish list’
Miami Herald: Rick Scott to self-quarantine after Bolsonaro aide tests positive for coronavirus
New York Times: Democrats And White House Race To Strike Deal For Coronavirus Relief Package
Politico: Pelosi and Mnuchin fail to reach deal on coronavirus aid package
Reuters: U.S. House Leaders Unveil Coronavirus Bill; Capitol Tours Suspended
Talking Points Memo: Senate Cancels Its Planned Recess Next Week As Coronavirus Outbreak Worsens
Washington Post: Coronavirus Rescue Proposal Addresses Unemployment Insurance, Paid Sick Leave And Food Assistance

Affordability and Access
Talking Points Memo: Porter Strong-Arms CDC Director Into Committing To Free Coronavirus Testing For All Americans

Media
CNN: How Fox News misled viewers about the coronavirus
Daily Beast: Trump Supporters Fuel Dangerous ‘Election Year’ Coronavirus Claim
Daily Beast: Trump Allies Are Downplaying Coronavirus Panic—And Profiting Off It at the Same Time
Daily Beast: Fox News Hosts Downplay Coronavirus, but Network Brass Take It Very Seriously, Memo Shows
Washington Post (Analysis): For weeks, conservative media joined Trump in downplaying the threat of the coronavirus

Campaigns and Elections
CNBC: Nancy Pelosi cancels major New York fundraiser amid coronavirus fears
CNN: Democratic debate moved from Arizona to Washington, DC, over coronavirus concerns, DNC announces
Foreign Policy (Opinion): It’s Time to Cancel the U.S. Presidential Campaign
Politico: Coronavirus consumes Trump’s reelection bid
Roll Call: Presidential candidates argue over coronavirus response
New York Times: How the Coronavirus Changed the 2020 Political Campaign
Tampa Bay Times: Trump will ‘probably not’ hold Tampa rally later this month amid coronavirus concerns, he said
Washington Post: Biden and Sanders aim to project presidential stature on coronavirus after Trump’s shaky address

International
BBC: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau self-isolating over coronavirus fears
Buzzfeed: Many Families Are Going To Lose Loved Ones In The “Worst Public Health Crisis For A Generation”, Boris Johnson Has Warned
NBC News: Coronavirus: Europe Wakes Up To Chaos And Confusion As Trump Restricts Travel
New York Times: Merkel Gives Germans a Hard Truth About the Coronavirus
New York Times: The World Has a Plan to Fight Coronavirus. Most Countries Are Not Using it.
New York Times: Tom Hanks Got Sick in Australia, Where Coronavirus Testing Isn’t Such a Hassle
New York Times: Italy’s Health Care System Groans Under Coronavirus — a Warning to the World
Reuters: Italy and South Korea virus outbreaks reveal disparity in deaths and tactics
Washington Post: Coronavirus burial pits so vast they’re visible from space

Economic And Social Impacts
Buzzfeed: Basically All Professional Sports Are Shutting Down Temporarily Because Of The Coronavirus Pandemic
Buzzfeed: It’s Not Just Food And Hand Sanitizer — Panicked Coronavirus Shoppers Are Stocking Up On Guns And Body Armor
CNN: The NCAA is canceling March Madness
CNBC: Economist Alan Blinder says the US is probably already in recession
New York Times: Something Weird Is Happening on Wall Street, and Not Just the Stock Sell-Off
New York Times: Stocks Plunge by the Most Since 1987
New York Times: Meet the Firefighters, Nurses and Janitors on the Coronavirus Front Lines
Vice: Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon Should Suspend Data Caps Because of Coronavirus
The Verge: Disney park employees panic as parks remain open amid coronavirus pandemic
Vox: Coronavirus will also cause a loneliness epidemic
Washington Post: ‘I’m a hand-shaker’: Many older Americans are playing down the coronavirus threat while others opt for safety

Personal Preparedness
The Atlantic (Ideas): The Shift Americans Must Make To Fight The Coronavirus
The Atlantic: The Dos and Don’ts of ‘Social Distancing’
Buzzfeed: How Millennials Are Talking To Their Boomer Relatives About The Coronavirus
USA Today: Dine out or eat in during the coronavirus crisis? Here’s what public health and food safety experts say

In The States
Florida
Miami New Times: Activists Say ICE Check-Ins Put Elderly Immigrants at Risk for Coronavirus

Michigan
Michigan Advance: GOP wants feds to reinstate Medicaid work rules, even as coronavirus hits Michigan

New York
New York Times: New York’s Major Cultural Institutions Close in Response to Coronavirus

Ohio
Columbus Dispatch: Coronavirus: Ohio to close schools, ban gatherings of more than 100 people
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s clear coronavirus response seen as contrast to White House approach
The Hill: Ohio health official estimates 100,000 people in state have coronavirus

Texas
Texas Tribune: She’s a Texas nurse who treats cancer patients — and she can’t get a coronavirus test. That’s not unusual.

Trump Tweets
“For decades the @CDCgov looked at, and studied, its testing system, but did nothing about it. It would always be inadequate and slow for a large scale pandemic, but a pandemic would never happen, they hoped. President Obama made changes that only complicated things further. Their response to H1N1 Swine Flu was a full scale disaster, with thousands dying, and nothing meaningful done to fix the testing problem, until now. The changes have been made and testing will soon happen on a very large scale basis. All Red Tape has been cut, ready to go!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/13/20]

“‘The Obama White House had to immediately issue an apology for Joe Biden’s remarks, and any alarm that he might have caused, an alarm about a Swine Flu outbreak that took 6 months for President Obama to declare a National Emergency, and that killed 12,000 Americans.’ @LouDobbs” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/12/20]

“Sleepy Joe Biden was in charge of the H1N1 Swine Flu epidemic which killed thousands of people. The response was one of the worst on record. Our response is one of the best, with fast action of border closings & a 78% Approval Rating, the highest on record. His was lowest!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/12/20]

“Just had a great conversation with Prime Minister Abe of Japan. I told him that the just completed Olympic venue is magnificent. He has done an incredible job, one that will make him very proud. Good things will happen for Japan and their great Prime Minister. Lots of options!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/12/20]

“108 countries are dealing with the CoronaVirus problem, some of which we are helping! [@realDonaldTrump, 3/12/20]

Driving the Day: After a brief address to the nation last night, the AP analyzed how President Trump’s “tactics fall short.” According to the AP, “The escalating coronavirus crisis is presenting President Donald Trump with a challenge for which he appears ill-equipped, his favorite political tactics ineffective and his reelection chances in jeopardy.”

What to Watch For: President Trump will meet with the Prime Minister of Ireland, a country which is excluded from the president’s impending ban on travel by foreign nationals from Europe despite reporting at least 43 cases of coronavirus and one death. Joe Biden will give remarks at 1:00 PM on the coronavirus crisis. The House will vote on a coronavirus relief package. The Senate Small Business Committee will hold a hearing on coronavirus and the small business supply chain

Coronavirus Update

• In a brief address to the nation Wednesday night, President Trump emphasized the “foreign” nature of the coronavirus and announced a 30 day ban on “all travel from Europe,” which was later clarified to mean travel by foreign nationals from Europe, not including the UK or other countries not in the Schengen Area. The president announced a ban on cargo as well, but White House officials later clarified that the restrictions will only apply to passengers. In a late night statement, the State Department urged Americans to reconsider all international travel due to coronavirus, a recommendation not mentioned in Trump’s address. In Europe, Americans rushed to airports and jammed airline phone lines trying to get home.

• Trump’s speech did not mention mitigating the disease that is already spreading in the US or addressing the ongoing delays and issues with testing in this country. Trump announced that health insurers “have agreed to waive all copayments for coronavirus treatments,” but AHIP immediately clarified that the waived cost-sharing only applies to testing and not treatment.

• In his address, Trump emphasized that the economic situation is “not a financial crisis, this is just a temporary moment in time,” and then requested that Congress pass “immediate payroll tax relief” Trump pledged emergency action for workers who stay home, but did not specify what it would be. At remarks earlier in the day, the president emphasized that the virus was “a problem that four weeks ago nobody ever thought would be a problem” and dismissed as “fake news” a question about whether he is taking the crisis seriously enough.

• Very late Wednesday night House Democrats released their coronavirus bill, which includes free testing, paid sick leave, food security and unemployment benefits. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer also released a joint statement criticizing President Trump for not saying “how the administration will address the lack of coronavirus testing kits” in his address to the nation.

• Dr. Anthony Fauci testified before the House Oversight Committee and said that the worst is still yet to come in the American outbreak. Fauci recommended that the NBA hold games without crowds. By Wednesday evening, the NBA announced that it would suspend the entire season after a player tested positive for coronavirus.

• Testifying at House Oversight Committee, CDC Director Robert Redfield said that the agency has no plans to establish drive through testing centers like those in South Korea and Italy because “We’re trying to maintain the relationship between individuals and their healthcare providers.” Despite this statement from the CDC, drive up testing facilities opened yesterday in Minnesota and Colorado. HHS Secretary Alex Azar appeared on CBS this morning and said that four million coronavirus tests will be distributed by the end of the week, but only around 8,500 tests have been performed. Azar insisted that, “Any doctor who believes that a test is clinically indicated can get that test done.”

• Vice President Pence was asked if he was personally concerned about continuing to hold campaign rallies amid the outbreak. Pence said, “I’m not concerned, but we’ll follow the facts every single day about what makes the most sense for the American people.” It was announced that Pence will travel to Wisconsin on March 19 for a GOTV rally for special election candidate Tom Tiffany. The special election for WI-07 is not until May 12. Although a Trump campaign spokesperson insisted that Trump’s events were proceeding normally and they are not “caving” to media and Democratic pressure for cancellations, late Wednesday night, the White House announced that the president will cancel upcoming travel to Colorado and Nevada this weekend as well as the recently announced Catholics for Trump event in Milwaukee on March 19.

• Joe Biden named a public health advisory council to advise the campaign on safety for staff and supporters and announced plans to hold virtual events instead of rallies.

By The Numbers
Thursday, March 12, 2020, 7:00 AM
Number of US cases: 1,257
Number of US deaths: 37
Number of states with confirmed cases: 44
Number of specimens tested: CDC: 3,791; Public Health Labs: 7,288

Federal Health Response
Bloomberg: CDC Takes Heat on Capitol Hill Over Coronavirus Testing Kits
Daily Beast: Dr. Fauci Schools Hannity on Dangers of Coronavirus
The Hill: Trump’s national security adviser says China ‘covered up’ coronavirus
McClatchy: Trump warns coronavirus masks cannot meet demand as manufacturers fear lawsuits
NBC: Many private labs want to do coronavirus tests. But they’re still facing obstacles and delays.
New York Times: Coronavirus Spurs U.S. Efforts to End China’s Chokehold on Drugs
NPR: Don’t Expect A Coronavirus Test Just Because Your Doctor Requests It
Politico: ‘It’s going to get worse’: Health officials warn of coronavirus escalation
Politico: Coronavirus on the high seas: Why the U.S. can’t touch cruise lines
Reuters: White House told federal health agency to classify coronavirus deliberations – sources
Toronto Star: Canadian officials reviewing border policy as COVID-19 spreads across the U.S.
Vox: Trump’s Europe travel ban might not do much to stop the coronavirus’s spread in the US
Wall Street Journal: U.S. to Ban Travel From Europe for 30 Days Due to Coronavirus
Washington Post: Europe blindsided by Trump’s travel restrictions, with many seeing political motive
Washington Post: Coronavirus may have a seasonal cycle, but that doesn’t mean it will go away this summer, experts warn
Washington Post: Coronavirus forecasts are grim: ‘It’s going to get worse’
Washington Post: White House asks Silicon Valley for help to combat coronavirus, track its spread and stop misinformation
Washington Post (Opinion): It’s now or never for the U.S. if it hopes to keep coronavirus from burning out of control
Washington Post (Opinion): South Korea shows that democracies can succeed against the coronavirus

Federal Economic Response
Bloomberg (Opinion): Don’t Cut the Payroll Tax. Just Send People Money
Bloomberg: Trump Sell-Off Shows Fear Governments Can’t Save Markets
Bloomberg: Trump’s Economic Plan Seen Lacking Power to Stem Virus Downturn
CNBC: Stock futures tank, hit ‘limit down’ halt after Trump speech; Dow set to fall 1,100 points
Fern’s Ag Insider: SNAP eligibility rules will tighten despite coronavirus outbreak
Huffington Post: Senate GOP Blocks Emergency Paid Sick Leave Bill From Moving Forward
Modern Healthcare: Healthcare Not Top Priority In COVID-19 Economic Relief Talks
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Travel Restrictions Fuel Fresh Global Selloff

Leadership
1100 Pennsylvania: Trump, Pence posed with Brazilian official now suspected of having coronavirus
ABC News: Trump Says He’s OK With Coronavirus Test But Doesn’t Need One: ‘I Feel Extremely Good’
Associated Press (Analysis): Facing virus outbreak, Trump’s tactics fall shor
The Atlantic: Trump’s Dangerously Effective Coronavirus Propaganda
Bloomberg: U.S. Virus Response Marred by Overconfidence and Delays
Bloomberg: Trump’s Error-Laden ‘Foreign Virus’ Speech Has Investors Spooked
CNN: Fact check: A list of 28 ways Trump and his team have been dishonest about the coronavirus
New York Magazine: Trump Waiting on Public Health Expert Jared Kushner Before Deciding on Coronavirus Emergency: Report
New York Times (Analysis): Presidents Forge Their Legacies in Crises
New York Times (Analysis): A Fumbled Global Response to the Virus in a Leadership Void
New York Times: How Right-Wing Pundits Are Covering Coronavirus
New York Times: In Rare Oval Office Speech, Trump Voices New Concerns and Old Themes
New York Times: Trump’s Re-election Chances Suddenly Look Shakier
Politico: Trump fears emergency declaration would contradict coronavirus message
Politico: Trump’s travel ban sidesteps his own European resorts
Politico: Trump’s European flight ban roils markets, spooks travelers
Politico: A remote White House? Trump team weighs teleworking
Talking Points Memo: Trump Is Slow Rolling A COVID-19 Emergency Declaration For The Worst Possible Reasons
Time: Why President Trump Wants to Frame COVID-19 as a ‘Foreign Virus’
Vox: Trump’s coronavirus speech was laced with xenophobia
Wall Street Journal: Trump Struggles To Balance Mitigating Epidemic, Protecting Economy
Washington Post: Trump urged Mnuchin to pressure Fed’s Powell on economic stimulus in explosive tirade about coronavirus
Washington Post: Besieged Trump announces drastic measures in effort to stem coronavirus pandemic
Washington Post (Analysis): Trump’s rhetoric on coronavirus often ignores the rate at which the disease is spreading

Congress
Axios: Congressional doctor predicts 70-150 million U.S. coronavirus cases
CNN: ‘A lot more hand washing’: Lawmakers try to guard against coronavirus on Capitol Hill
Politico: U.S. Capitol to stop all public tours amid coronavirus outbreak
Politico: House Democrats introduce multi-billion dollar coronavirus package
Politico: Pelosi ignores Trump taunts as she steers through another crisis
Roll Call: Senate staffer tests positive for COVID-19, first coronavirus case on Hill
Talking Points Memo: Dem Sens Will Urge Trump To Declare National Emergency For Coronavirus
Washington Post: U.S. Senators Press Betsy DeVos For Answers On Education Department’s Coronavirus Response
Washington Post: GOP congressman — who warned Trump about pandemics — offers pointed criticism of proposed CDC cuts

Affordability and Access
Associated Press: At White House, Insurers Again Pledge No-Cost Virus Tests
Axios: Coronavirus exposes the digital divide’s toll
Modern Healthcare: AMA fast-tracks code to bill for coronavirus testing

Campaigns and Elections
Axios: Exclusive: DNC chair says he’s “not contemplating” an online convention
Birmingham News: Election Day epidemic? Alabama has no plan
Politico: Trump cancels Nevada, Colorado, Wisconsin campaign events as coronavirus spreads
Roll Call: Campaigns Grapple With Uncertainty Amid New Coronavirus Concerns
Washington Post: Elections officials scramble for options as coronavirus worries mount

Economic And Social Impacts
ABC: NBA suspends season due to coronavirus
The Atlantic: What Will You Do If You Start Coughing?
The Atlantic: The Coronavirus Customer Service Crisis
Axios: How newsrooms are preparing for coronavirus while also covering it
Axios: Brace for coronavirus supply shocks
Axios: Hospitals’ next steps for coronavirus influx
Buzzfeed (Essay): The Coronavirus Isn’t Just About You
New York Times: Banned Events, Empty Arenas: U.S. Cities Retrench in the Face of Coronavirus
New York Times: Tom Hanks Says He Has Coronavirus
New York Times: Doctors and Patients Turn to Telemedicine in the Coronavirus Outbreak
New York Times (Opinion): Please, Listen to Experts About the Coronavirus. Then Step Up.
Washington Examiner (Opinion): Face it: Coronavirus is about to shut down your daily lives
Washington Post: Norwegian Cruise Line managers urged salespeople to spread falsehoods about coronavirus
Washington Post: NCAA basketball tournaments will be played with no fans
Washington Post (Opinion): When a danger is growing exponentially, everything looks fine until it doesn’t
Washington Post: The first U.S. layoffs from the coronavirus are here
Washington Post: Dow enters bear market after coronavirus declared pandemic

In The States
California
The Hill: Three TSA Employees In California Test Positive For Coronavirus
Los Angeles Times: Large gatherings should be canceled due to coronavirus outbreak, California Gov. Gavin Newsom says
Politico: Local leaders take coronavirus fight into own hands absent federal direction
San Jose Spotlight: San Jose adopts a ban on evictions amid coronavirus outbreak
San Francisco Chronicle: SF to ban all large gatherings, including Warriors games, to curb coronavirus spread

New York
Wall Street Journal: New York City Eyes Measures To Stop Virus Spread To Jails

Oregon
Willamette Week: Oregon Governor Bans Crowds Larger Than 250 People for the Next Month

Washington
CNBC: Amazon and Gates Foundation may team up to deliver coronavirus test kits to Seattle homes
New York Times: A ‘New Normal’ for Hospitals on the Front Lines Fighting Coronavirus

Washington, DC
Washingtonian: Coronavirus Could Wipe Out the Busiest Season for DC’s Professional Tour Guides
Washington Post: D.C. declares state of emergency as concerts, parades, church services are canceled

Trump Tweets
“Nancy Pelosi all of a sudden doesn’t like the payroll tax cut, but when Obama proposed it she thought it was a brilliant thing that all of the working families would benefit from because if you get a paycheck, you’re going to take home more money.” @kilmeade @foxandfriends [@realDonaldTrump, 3/12/20]

“Hoping to get the payroll tax cut approved by both Republicans and Democrats, and please remember, very important for all countries & businesses to know that trade will in no way be affected by the 30-day restriction on travel from Europe. The restriction stops people not goods.” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/11/20]

“The Media should view this as a time of unity and strength. We have a common enemy, actually, an enemy of the World, the CoronaVirus. We must beat it as quickly and safely as possible. There is nothing more important to me than the life & safety of the United States!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/11/20]

“I am fully prepared to use the full power of the Federal Government to deal with our current challenge of the CoronaVirus!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/11/20]

“I want to thank all of our Great Government officials on the CoronaVirus Task Force who are working around the clock, in response to the CoronaVirus. Continue to check https://CDC.gov for updates, and follow all recommendations that are available. We have the greatest healthcare system, experts, scientists and doctors anywhere in the world. Together, we will PREVAIL!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/11/20]

“America is the Greatest Country in the world. We have the best scientists, doctors, nurses and health care professionals. They are amazing people who do phenomenal things every day. .Together we are putting into policy a plan to prevent, detect, treat and create a vaccine against CoronaVirus to save lives in America and the world. America will get it done!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/11/20]

“Someone needs to tell the Democrats in Congress that CoronaVirus doesn’t care what party you are in. We need to protect ALL Americans!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/11/20]

“Vanity Fair Magazine, which will soon be out of business, and their third rate Fake reporters, who make up sources which don’t exist, wrote yet another phony & boring hit piece. The facts are just the opposite. Our team is doing a great job with CoronaVirus!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/11/20]

Driving the Day: In a Politico exclusive, “A looming shortage in lab materials is threatening to delay coronavirus test results and cause officials to undercount the number of Americans with the virus.” Meanwhile, on CNN’s New Day on Tuesday morning, HHS Secretary Alex Azar reiterated that the administration does not know exactly how many Americans have been tested for coronavirus, but at the task force press conference he maintained that there is a “surplus capacity” of tests that have been produced.

What to Watch For: Today President Trump will meet with bankers to discuss coronavirus response and have dinner with Vice President Pence at the Naval Observatory. Vice President Pence will meet with hospital executives and address the National League of Cities. The coronavirus task force will hold a press briefing at 5:30 PM. The House Oversight and Homeland Security committees will hold hearings on coronavirus response.

Coronavirus Update

• Speaking to reporters after meetings with Republicans on the Hill, President Trump said of the virus, “It will go away, just stay calm.” Trump insisted that “The U.S. has done a very good job on testing,” despite the fact that only 5,000 Americans have been tested so far. Trump said he himself had not been tested despite his contact with lawmakers who are now self-quarantining after interacting with a coronavirus patient at CPAC because, “I don’t think it’s a big deal. I would do it. I don’t feel any reason. I feel extremely good.” Trump also emphasized that as the nation approaches this public health crisis, “We want to protect our shipping industry, our cruise ships.”

• At a meeting with insurance industry CEOs, Vice President Pence announced that insurance companies have agreed to no copays for coronavirus tests, and “no surprise billing.” Analysts say that this measure may not apply to people whose employers self-insure, which is 61% of those with employer-based insurance. HHS confirmed that uninsured people can “receive care at a Community Health Center at a reduced cost or free of charge depending on their economic status.” Washington state announced that it will open a special enrollment period for people seeking to buy health insurance to deal with coronavirus.

• At the evening press conference Tuesday, task force members primarily focused on the economic response to coronavirus, with National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow, stating that Trump would like a payroll tax holiday to extend to the end of the year and declining to answer questions about how much the plan would cost or how it would work. After promising a briefing on the economic plan, Trump himself was a no-show at the evening press conference.

• Problems and delays with testing remained front and center with the New York Times reporting that for weeks, thousands of flu samples sat in Seattle as the CDC blocked efforts to test and flag them for coronavirus and Politico reporting that a shortage of lab materials is delaying test results. CDC Director Robert Redfield testified before the House Appropriations committee on Tuesday where he was pressed by Rep. Jamie Herrerra-Beutler (R-WA) about why members of Congress have been able to get access to testing while her constituents have been left waiting. Redfield said there was “not enough equipment, not enough people, not enough internal capacity.” Late Tuesday night the Washington Post reported that Trump allies Matt Gaetz and Mark Meadows were able to obtain testing in defiance of CDC guidelines reserving those tests for patients exhibiting symptoms of infection.

• On CNN’s New Day on Tuesday morning, HHS Secretary Alex Azar reiterated that the administration does not know exactly how many Americans have been tested for coronavirus, but at the task force press conference he maintained that there is a “surplus capacity” of tests that have been produced.

• Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden both cancelled their upcoming rallies and crowd events, with Biden scheduling remarks on the crisis in Delaware on Thursday morning. The DNC announced that the March 15 presidential debate will proceed without an audience. Asked at the evening briefing whether the Trump campaign would continue to hold rallies, Pence said, “That’ll be a decision that’s made literally on a day-to-day basis.” One hour later, the Trump campaign announced a rally-type event at a convention center in Milwaukee on March 19. The plans for the event came amid reports of the third confirmed case of coronavirus in Wisconsin.

By The Numbers
Tuesday, March 11, 2020, 7:00 AM
Number of US cases: 1,015
Number of US deaths: 31
Number of states with confirmed cases: 38
Number of tests conducted: 6,563

Federal Health Response
Axios: White House debated halting travel from South Korea, Italy
Bloomberg: Coronavirus Containment Chance Missed, U.S. Aims to Blunt Impact
CNN: Department of Veterans Affairs adopts ‘no visitors’ policy at nursing homes due to coronavirus
The Hill: Trump budget chief holds firm on CDC cuts amid virus outbreak
HuffPost: Prisons Are Ripe For Coronavirus Outbreak. They’re Not Ready.
NBC: The U.S. has tested more than 8,500 specimens for coronavirus. That doesn’t equal 8,500 patients.
New York Times: F.D.A. Halts Overseas Inspections of Drugs and Devices, Citing Coronavirus
New York Times: Rules Eased on Colleges Seeking to Close Their Campuses Amid Outbreak
New York Times: ‘It’s Just Everywhere Already’: How Delays in Testing Set Back the U.S. Coronavirus Response
Politico: U.S. coronavirus testing threatened by shortage of critical lab materials
Politico: Azar warns ‘medically fragile’ Americans against large gatherings — but stays mum on Trump rallies
Politico: CDC director breaks with Trump on claim that border wall will help stop coronavirus
Politico: Email crash impeded HHS response to coronavirus
Politico (Opinion): Coronavirus is a disaster. Why hasn’t FEMA been brought in?
Stat: Why ‘flattening the curve’ may be the world’s best bet to slow the coronavirus
Talking Points Memo: DOJ Faces Backlash For Ordering COVID-19 Posters Out Of Immigration Courts
Vox: Italy’s coronavirus crisis could be America’s
Vox: Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates are stepping in on the coronavirus where the government has failed
Washington Post: Face masks in national stockpile have not been substantially replenished since 2009
Washington Post: Trump administration wants hundreds of thousands of federal workers to be ready to telework full time
Yahoo: Only 6,563 Americans have been tested for the coronavirus so far

Federal Economic Response
Bloomberg: Trump Tells GOP He Wants Payroll Tax Waived Through Election
Bloomberg: Oil Lobbyists Call on Trump to Buy the Dip for Strategic Reserve
CNBC: White House plan for economic response to coronavirus is ‘not there right now,’ officials say
Politico: Trump seeks ‘big’ stimulus steps but aides are skeptical
Talking Points Memo: WH Punts Again On COVID-19 Economic Package Details Trump Promised
Wall Street Journal: White House Intensifies Push for Coronavirus Stimulus Measures
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Treasury Likely to Push Back April 15 Tax Filing Deadline, Sources Say
Washington Post: Trump’s meeting with Senate Republicans ends with no resolution on coronavirus economic plan
Washington Post: White House likely to pursue federal aid for shale companies hit by oil shock, coronavirus downturn

Leadership
ABC News: As Stocks Dive And Coronavirus Spreads, Trump Compares COVID-19 To Common Flu
The Atlantic (Ideas): Incompetence Exacerbated by Malevolence
Associated Press: As Americans take virus precautions, Trump flouts advice
Bloomberg: Trump Is a No-Show After Promising Briefing on Economic Plan
Bloomberg: Trump’s Coronavirus Claims Often Contradicted by His Own Experts
Bloomberg: Trump’s Pivot: From Caution to ‘Major’ Economic Plan for Virus
Buzzfeed: Fox News And Donald Trump Are Embracing Xenophobia To Defend Against The Coronavirus
Daily Mail: Melania Trump touts her Be Best anti-cyberbullying push to national PTA conference but stays silent on coronavirus as schools scramble to respond to mounting crisis
The Hill: Pence says he and Trump will continue to shake hands despite coronavirus
National Review (Editorial): President Trump Needs to Step Up on the Coronavirus
NBC News: Trump’s Minimized View Of The Coronavirus Crisis Puts His Re-Election At Risk
New York Magazine: Fox Business Network: COVID-19 Is a ‘Coronavirus Impeachment Scam’
New York Times: Politicians’ Use Of ‘Wuhan Virus’ Starts A Debate Health Experts Wanted To Avoid
Talking Points Memo: Trump Offers Another Baselessly Cheery Take On COVID-19 Epidemic
Washington Post: Trump allies got coronavirus tests despite lack of symptoms and shortage
Washington Post (Editorial): Suddenly we need the ‘Deep State’ Trump has spent three years weakening and demeaning

Congressional Activity
Axios: Congress “last to leave” as other institutions send people home
Bloomberg: Democrats Urge Waivers from Green Card Rule for Virus Tests
The Hill: Leaders Tamp Down Talk Of Closing Capitol, Changing Schedule Over Coronavirus
HuffPost: Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Standoff: Paid Sick Leave, A Payroll Tax Cut — Or Both
Mother Jones: Elizabeth Warren Just Told Private Prisons to Release Their Coronavirus Plans
New York Times: Avoid Flights and Crowds? Try Telling That to Congress
Politico: Dems press ahead on coronavirus package as Senate waits for Trump
Washington Post: Trump pitches payroll tax cut through election to skeptical GOP senators
Washington Post (Analysis): Here’s a simple way for Congress to fight coronavirus: Fund community health centers

Affordability and Access
Associated Press: Spotty Sick Leave Policies Limit Options For Avoiding Virus
Axios: The push for paid sick leave
Bloomberg: McDonald’s to Pay Corporate Workers for Two Weeks in Quarantine
The City: The Cost Of Not Getting Tested For Coronavirus: A $10k ER Bill
The Hill (Opinion): Medicaid Expansion Should Be Part Of Our Emergency Response
New York Times: Coronavirus Outbreak Has America’s Homeless at Risk of ‘Disaster’
Stat (Opinion): If Covid-19 gets bad, triage will be needed. Are we ready for that?
Stat: Coronavirus Outbreak Tests Nation’s Emergency Medical Stockpile
Wall Street Journal: Coronavirus School Closures Expose Digital Haves and Have-Nots

Campaigns and Elections
Daily Beast: Campaign 2020 Slowly Adjusting to Coronavirus, The Newest Biohazard of the Trade
HuffPost: Coronavirus Outbreak Isn’t Stopping Biden, Sanders From Shaking Hands
Los Angeles Times: Sanders, Biden cancel major Ohio rallies as coronavirus threat begins to disrupt campaign
New York Times: Sanders and Biden Cancel Events as Coronavirus Fears Upend Primary
Wall Street Journal: Coronavirus Opens Economic Front In Presidential Campaign Battle

Economic And Social Impacts
The Atlantic (Ideas): Cancel Everything
Bloomberg: The Global Mask Shortage May Get Much Worse
Bloomberg: Tokyo Olympic Official to Raise Possibility of Delay, Kyodo Says
Bloomberg: Coronavirus Conference Gets Canceled Because of Coronavirus
CNN: Costco says it’s getting a lift from coronavirus panic shopping
Daily Beast: Meet the Insane People Still Planning Cruise Ship Vacations
Kaiser Health News: Blood Drives — And Donors — Fall Off As Coronavirus Worries Grow
Modern Healthcare: Widespread COVID-19 Outbreak In U.S. Would Threaten Hospitals’ Finances
NBC: Young people capitalize on cheap coronavirus flights: ‘If I die, I die’
NPR: More Than 40 Colleges Cancel In-Person Classes In Response To Coronavirus
New York Times: ‘No More Visits’ Urges Nursing Home Industry in Wake of Virus
New York Times (Opinion): Everyone’s a Socialist in a Pandemic
Politico: CPAC scrambles to contain coronavirus fallout
Washington Post: ‘Do I like this guy enough to risk catching coronavirus?’ The epidemic has made dating even more complicated.
Washington Post: Social distancing could buy U.S. valuable time against coronavirus

In The States
California
KQED: California Nearly Doubles COVID-19 Tests, But Experts Say It’s Not Enough
NPR: Sacramento County Gives Up On Automatic 14-Day Quarantines
Washington Post: Grand Princess cruise ship carrying coronavirus patients docks in Oakland

Florida
Miami Herald: Feds say there is community spread of coronavirus in Florida. DeSantis disagrees.

Georgia
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia Urges Health Insurers To Waive Cost-Sharing For COVID-19 Tests

Massachusetts
Axios: What happens when Harvard closes
Harvard Crimson: Harvard Moves Classes Online, Asks Students Not to Return After Spring Break In Response to Coronavirus
Wall Street Journal: How Biogen’s Strategy Meeting Spread Coronavirus in Massachusetts and Beyond
WBUR: Harvard Global Health Expert: Mass. Hospitals Face Capacity Problem If Coronavirus Cases Spike Quickly

Missouri
Washington Post: County says a father ignored coronavirus quarantine directive. His lawyer says he was never told.

New York
New York Times (Opinion): It Took Me 3 E.R. Visits to Get a Coronavirus Test in New York
Washington Post: Schools close, National Guard deployed to help New York suburb stem spread of coronavirus

Ohio
Wall Street Journal: Ohio Governor Calls on Sports to Bar Spectators Amid Coronavirus Fears

Texas
Texas Tribune: 5 million Texans lack health insurance. Here’s how that complicates the coronavirus response.
Washington Post: Texas braces for more coronavirus evacuees from Grand Princess, with residents ‘mad and scared’

Washington
Seattle Times: Gov. Inslee to restrict gatherings of more than 250 people, including sports and concerts
Seattle Times: Amazon to grant $5 million to small businesses near its headquarters struggling due to coronavirus
Stat: U.S. communities are braced for coronavirus outbreaks. Seattle is already in the thick of it
Talking Points Memo: Why Washington State Is Desperate For Trump To Declare A COVID-19 Emergency

Washington, DC
Stat: PhRMA closes its D.C. headquarters after visitor tests positive for coronavirus
Washington Post: For Georgetown churchgoers, a coronavirus self-quarantine is embraced as necessary
Washingtonian: It’s Time for Everybody to Work From Home, the Washington Post Tells Employees

Trump Tweets
“Our CoronaVirus Team has been doing a great job. Even Democrat governors have been VERY complimentary!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/10/20]

“Nancy Pelosi just said, “I don’t know if we can be ready this week.” In other words, it’s off to vacation for the Do Nothing Democrats. That’s been the story with them for 1 1/2 years!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/10/20]

Driving the Day: As reported by Politico, “HHS Secretary Alex Azar can’t say how many Americans have been tested for coronavirus because private labs don’t need to report their numbers to the federal government. ‘I could not give you a number of how many Americans have received a test,’ Azar said Monday at a briefing of the White House’s coronavirus task force.’”

What to Watch For: President Trump announced Monday evening that he will hold a press conference after meeting with GOP senators on an economic stimulus package today, however this does not appear on his official schedule for the day. Vice President Pence will meet with health insurance executives today. Members of the task force will hold a press briefing at 5:30 PM. HHS Secretary Alex Azar will attend a biosimilars forum and give an update on the administration’s coronavirus response.

Coronavirus Update 

• While the stock market fell more than 7 percent in its worst day since 2008, Trump and Pence tried to “re-assure GOP donors that they have coronavirus response under control” and invited Wall Street executives to the White House on Wednesday to discuss the response. On Monday, Trump attended a $4 million fundraiser in Longwood, Florida before returning to Washington to address the crisis. In the Senate, Senator Chuck Grassley said his office was exploring “the possibility of targeted tax relief measures” as an approach to the coronavirus crisis and HHS Secretary Alex Azar said that “the fundamentals in this economy are unbelievable”

• In an evening task force press conference President Trump briefly appeared to announce that his administration will meet with Republican Senators tomorrow to seek a payroll tax cut and possible help for hourly wage earners so they don’t miss a paycheck or “get penalized for something that’s not their fault.” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said any payroll tax cut should focus on families affected by the virus and Republicans have indicated that they won’t support a bailout for the travel industry at this time.

• As President Trump tweeted that “nothing is shut down” and minimized the number of cases of coronavirus in the country, Alex Azar appeared on Fox News insisting that “nobody is trying to minimize” the threat of the virus. On the tarmac in Orlando, Trump shook hands with dozens of supporters, defying advice from his own public health experts and the Trump campaign plans to announce an upcoming rally today. White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham insisted that White House staff are continuing “business as usual” and that reports that staff were instructed to limit meetings and in-person interactions were “completely false.”

• Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) announced that they would self-quarantine after coming in contact with a coronavirus patient at CPAC. Both Gaetz and Collins have had close contact with Trump, including handshakes in the last few days. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) has chosen not to self-quarantine despite being in close proximity to the patient at CPAC. Newly minted White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is self-quarantining for a few days out of an abundance of caution following an encounter with the CPAC patient and a negative test result and Rep. Julia Brownly (D-CA) is working remotely after meeting with a person in DC who was diagnosed with coronavirus. Nancy Pelosi is insisting that the capitol will not be closed and regular congressional work will continue. Late Monday night, the White House announced that the president has not been tested for coronavirus because he has not had “prolonged close contact” with any known confirmed patients.

• House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy appeared on Laura Ingraham’s show to praise the president’s response to the coronavirus crisis, which he referred to as the “Chinese coronavirus. According to McCarthy, “Everything this president has done is right and smart. The Chinese are the ones to be blamed here.” This came amid reports that some Trump allies see the crisis as an opportunity to pursue long-held goals of cracking down on border restrictions, passing more tax cuts and restricting trade with China.

By The Numbers
Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 7:00 AM
Number of US cases: 729
Number of US deaths: 26
Number of states with confirmed cases: 36
Number of tests conducted: Unknown

Federal Response
Axios: Poll: America’s partisan divides extend to the coronavirus
Bloomberg: Business Groups to Press Trump for Virus Response to Curb Damage
Bloomberg: Trump’s Virus Aid Package to Leave Out Travel Industry for Now
Business Insider: One chart shows how many coronavirus tests per capita have been completed in 8 countries. The US is woefully behind.
CNN: Trump administration clashes with airline officials over coronavirus
New York Times: Trump Floats Economic Stimulus in Response to Coronavirus
New York Times (Editorial): What the Economy Needs From President Trump
McClatchy: As Trump seeks help for cruise industry hit by coronavirus, Republicans say no bailout
Miami Herald: Trump administration orders immigration courts to immediately remove coronavirus posters
Politico: Trump’s health secretary can’t say how many Americans have been tested for coronavirus
Politico: Health secretary pushes cruise ship shutdown amid coronavirus crisis
Politico: In crisis, Trump team sees a chance to achieve long-sought goals
Wall Street Journal: Trump, White House Officials to Weigh Coronavirus Economic Response Plan
Washington Post: Trump says he will seek payroll tax cut, relief for hourly workers as part of coronavirus economic package
Washington Post: Securities and Exchange Commission asks D.C. employees to work from home after coronavirus scare
Washington Post: White House invites top Wall Street executives to meet amid economic fallout from coronavirus
Washington Post (Opinion): It’s now or never for the U.S. if it hopes to keep coronavirus from burning out of control

Leadership
Associated Press: Trump talks down virus as his properties face possible hit
Axios: Pence urged Netanyahu not to target U.S. with coronavirus quarantine, but “go global”
Daily Beast: White House Staff Fear for Trump’s Health After Handshake With Man Exposed to Coronavirus, Says Report
Daily Beast: Trump Works Rope Line, Shakes Supporters’ Hands Amid Coronavirus Fears
CNBC: Trump and Pence try to reassure GOP donors they have coronavirus response under control
CNN: As coronavirus gains a foothold in the nation, it’s business as usual for Trump
HuffPost: Trump Can Keep Lying About Coronavirus, But He Won’t Be Able To Hide The Deaths
Los Angeles Times: Trump, who tied himself to stock market when it rose, struggles to respond to its plunge
New York Times (Opinion): President Trump Is Unfit for This Crisis. Period.
Politico: White House points fingers as it plots coronavirus stimulus
Politico: Trump’s life during coronavirus: Business as usual
Talking Points Memo: Minimizing Coronavirus Risk, Trump Compares Disease (Again) To Seasonal Flu
Time: The Trump Administration Is Stalling an Intel Report That Warns the U.S. Isn’t Ready for a Global Pandemic
Vanity Fair: “He’s Definitely Melting Down Over This”: Trump, Germaphobe In Chief, Struggles To Control The Covid-19 Story
Washington Post (Analysis): Highlighting low numbers of coronavirus cases, Trump distracts from the worrying trend
Washington Post (Opinion): The coronavirus is Trump’s Chernobyl
Washington Post (Analysis): The Trump administration has contradicted itself on coronavirus no fewer than 14 times in less than a month
Washington Post: From tweet eruptions to economic steps, Trump struggles for calm amid market meltdown and coronavirus crisis

Congressional Activity
New York Times: Coronavirus Brings a New Legislative Push for Paid Sick Leave
Politico: Republicans who came in contact with Trump self-quarantine
Politico: Hill leaders struggle with twin coronavirus challenges: Protect the nation — and themselves
Politico: Coronavirus gets real for an aging Senate
Wall Street Journal: Number of Congressional Lawmakers in Self-Quarantine Due to Coronavirus Climbs to Five

Affordability and Access
Bloomberg: Darden Restaurants Announces Paid Sick Leave for Hourly Workers
New York Times: Paid to Stay Home: Europe’s Safety Net Could Ease Toll of Coronavirus
New York Times: Some Hospitals Are Close to Running Out of Crucial Masks for Coronavirus
New York Times (Opinion): Protect Caregivers From Coronavirus
Politico: Hospitals gird for coronavirus surge after years of cutbacks
San Francisco Chronicle: Coronavirus will hit low-wage workers hardest; ‘I won’t be able to pay my rent’
Time: Americans Are Being Encouraged to Work From Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak. For Millions, That’s Impossible
USA Today: Soap and sanitizer can keep coronavirus at bay, but many prisoners can’t get them
Washington Post: Living without a living wage
Washington Post: Companies are putting out hand sanitizer. But for years, many have campaigned against sick pay.

Campaigns and Elections
New York Times: Trump Campaign Postpones Bus Tour as He Plays Down Risks of Coronavirus
Politico: Melania Trump cancels California fundraiser
Wall Street Journal: Coronavirus Precautions Hit Presidential Campaign Plans
Washington Post: Coronavirus threatens to pose an unprecedented challenge to the 2020 elections

Economic Impacts
Axios: The next dominoes in the coronavirus economy
New York Times: Why the Outlook for the Economy Just Got Worse
New York Times: Economy Faces ‘Tornado-Like Headwind’ as Financial Markets Spiral
San Jose Mercury News: Coronavirus: Famed Silicon Valley VC firm tells companies to think about cutting jobs
Vox: Coronavirus’s threat to the global economy — and what to do about it
Wall Street Journal: Global Fear of Flying Spawns Crisis for Airlines
Wall Street Journal: Stocks Fall More Than 7% in Dow’s Worst Day Since 2008
Washington Post (Analysis): The markets are sending a message about coronavirus: The recession risk is real.
Washington Post: Cruise industry, an economic engine in Florida, could be hit hard by coronavirus advisories

In The States
California
San Francisco Chronicle: ‘I’m scared’: Homeless people and health workers brace for coronavirus to hit encampments
San Jose Mercury News: Following coronavirus death, Santa Clara County bans all large gatherings

Florida
Bloomberg: ‘If We Sanitize, It Will Be Fine’: Cruise Fans Ignore U.S. Alert
Tampa Bay Times: Florida asks international travelers to quarantine for 14 days amid coronavirus fears

Massachusetts
Washington Post: A look inside coronavirus preparations at a major U.S. hospital

New York
The Hill: Cuomo challenges Purell, Amazon, eBay by introducing New York-made hand sanitizer
New York Times: Coronavirus in N.Y.: Confusion Over Quarantine Feeds Anxiety

Oregon
Oregonian: Oregon’s supply of coronavirus tests could run out Wednesday without infusion of kits from feds

Washington
Bloomberg: Seattle’s Patient Zero Spread Coronavirus Despite Ebola-Style Lockdown

Washington, DC
Washingtonian: DC Outlets Ask Reporters Who Covered CPAC to Self-Quarantine Due to Coronavirus Concerns

Trump Tweets
“So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/9/20]

“Saudi Arabia and Russia are arguing over the price and flow of oil. That, and the Fake News, is the reason for the market drop!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/9/20]

“Good for the consumer, gasoline prices coming down!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/9/20]

“So much FAKE NEWS!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/9/20]

“The BEST decision made was the toughest of them all – which saved many lives. Our VERY early decision to stop travel to and from certain parts of the world!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/9/20]

“Great job being done by the @VP and the CoronaVirus Task Force. Thank you!” [@realDonaldTrump, 3/9/20]