Monday May 4, 2020
The White House continued to push its unsubstantiated conspiracy theory that the coronavirus began in a Chinese lab. Meanwhile, they continued to slam Democrats and are refusing to allow members of the Coronavirus Task Force to testify before the House Oversight Committee, which wants to look into the way stimulus dollars have been disbursed.
Based upon more states relaxing social distancing rules, projections of Coronavirus deaths increased to 134,000 with predictions of 3,000 deaths a day in June.
The stock market eked out a small gain, rising 26 points after opening in negative numbers.
The number of Coronavirus deaths stands at just under 69,000 with 1,324 new deaths being reported.
Tuesday May 5, 2020
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer began coronavirus vaccine trials. This is the first step in what may be a long process towards ending this health crisis.
Trump traveled to Arizona, a key battleground state in the upcoming election. This trip marked Trump’s first trip away from the White House in five weeks. Aides have been exploring ways to get Trump out of Washington as he finds more ways to divert blame for his inept response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a rambling diatribe , he summed up the deaths of thousands by saying people should be willing to die to improve the economy.
Before taking off, Trump admitted he is refusing to allow Dr. Fauci to testify before a House subcommittee as “they are a bunch of Trump haters”.
Trump tweeted he would “consider” giving coronavirus relief to states that accede to his political demands, such as eliminating sanctuary cities, and if Congress cuts payroll taxes.
In an interview with ABC News, Trump claimed the Russian Investigation and Impeachment hearings prevented him from replenishing medical supplies for three years.
Charges of racial profiling faced NYC police as it was discovered, of 40 people arrested for violating social distancing guidelines, 35 were black, four were Hispanic and only one was white.
It is announced that the Coronavirus Task Force would be winding down its operations by Memorial Day. Members are taken aback by the announcement by Mike Pence.
The stock market edged up 133 points on the hope a vaccine for coronavirus would be successful, and on the continued reopening of states.
Coronavirus deaths topped 71,00 as much of the country makes plans to reopen, a step experts say could double fatalities.
Wednesday May 6, 2020
One day after announcing the Coronavirus Task Force is disbanding, Trump announced it will continue indefinitely. He said he had “no idea” the task force was so “popular” and “respected.” Of course, that opens the door for more of his appearances.
Newly appointed White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany held her second press conference, two more than her predecessor. During the conference she stated it was “nonsensical” to think everyone could be tested for the Coronavirus.
Doctors are shaking their heads as they battle the coronavirus and conspiracy theories about the coronavirus being a hoax. Working long hours, they find themselves asking why they are working so hard.
The stock market closed down 218 points, marking the first losing session in three days on unemployment data and fears states are moving to reopen too rapidly.
Coronavirus deaths topped 73,000 . While some areas continued to see declines, other hot spots emerged.
Thursday May 7, 2020
As Trump returned from a trip to the battleground state of Arizona, it was revealed that one of his personal valets tested positive for Coronavirus. The White House has been touting the Abbots Lab Coronavirus Test, which gives results in 15 minutes. Trump will be tested daily.
The White House ordered the Center for Disease Control to revise its Coronavirus reopening guidelines to better fit with whatever narrative the administration is currently following.
Nearly half of all coronavirus cases in America are African-Americans. With blacks accounting for 60 percent of Coronavirus deaths.
Blood thinners have proven effective in younger coronavirus patients who are at risk of stroke.
A 57-year-old detainee from El Salvador became the first person being detained to die from coronavirus.
Forty-four states have either partially reopened or planned to do so by this weekend.
In a rare moment of criticism, President Obama called Trump’s response to the pandemic an “absolute chaotic disaster”, which of course drew a quick response from the thin-skinned White House.
The stock market gained 211 points as investors awaited what they believe to be better than expected unemployment numbers.
The Coronavirus death toll topped 75,500, surpassing the earlier predictions of 74,000 deaths by August
Friday May 8, 2020
First there was a valet and now the coronavirus is getting even closer to the White House inner circle as the press secretary to Mike Pence, and wife of close Trump advisor Stephen Miller, tested positive for the Coronavirus .
The unemployment rate soared to 14.7%; the highest since the Great Depression.
As Trump is suggested reopening schools , it was reported that asymptotic children are spreading the disease.
Things took a violent turn in Flint, Michigan after a security guard at a Family Dollar was murdered for insisting a woman wear a mask while shopping.
Despite the terrifying unemployment numbers, the stock market rose 455 points on the belief, with most states enacting plans to reopen, the worst is behind them. They seem to be ignoring the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus illnesses.
Coronavirus deaths also rose to over 77,00 as 44 states prepared to partially reopen this weekend. In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster (R), announced indoor dining would be allowed beginning Monday.
The Weekend
CDC Director, Dr. Robert Redfield, self quarantined after coming in contact with an unnamed person in the White House who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Also going into voluntary quarantine is FDA Director Stephen Hahn.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is going to begin a “modified quarantine” after experiencing, what he calls “low risk contact” with a White House staffer who was diagnosed with the coronavirus.
In Ohio, Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the State Department of Health, has her own fan club, as well as her detractors who resent a woman telling them how to quarantine. It echoes the similar resentment faced by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Witmer (D) who recently had armed protestors storming the statehouse to protest her lock-down policies.
As people take sides over reopening versus safety, arrests are increasing for those who refuse to wear masks in public, or according to store regulations. Some are threatening a boycott of big box retailer, Costco, over its requirement that customers wear masks while shopping. They claim it violates their civil rights. (Really?)
Attempting to seize the news cycle, Trump went on a Twitter rant to defend his handling of the pandemic. Predictably, and falsely, Trump compared his handling to that of President Obama, and Democratic front-runner Joe Biden, during the Swine flu epidemic. Trump claimed he is doing a far better job handling this crisis, despite polls taken at the time showing the exact opposite.
Coronavirus deaths reached just under 80,000. That’s 10,000 more than last week.