Anti-Semitism on the rise, Jews blamed for coronavirus

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/B1xuHBePU

In a document prepared by the ministry, malicious conspiracy theories, some contradictory, are being spread blaming Israel and Jews for the spread of the virus in order to thin out the world population and profit from a vaccination.

 

These posts are most common in the U.S., France, and Germany where anti-Semitism has been on the rise, but are seen in the Arab and Muslim world as well.

Jerusalem ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods to be locked down starting Sunday

https://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-ultra-orthodox-neighborhoods-to-be-locked-down-starting-sunday/

The government approved locking down four of the capital’s seven zones delineated ahead of Passover: Zone 1, which covers northeast Jerusalem Zone 2, which covers northwest Jerusalem, Zone 3, which covers southwest Jerusalem, and Zone 5, which covers much of the city center.

Among the included neighborhoods: Har Nof, Mea Shearim, Geula, the Bukharim Quarter, Romema, Sanhedria, Neveh Yaakov, Ramat Shlomo and Makor Baruch.

 

Trump says he'll use 'facts and instincts' to guide decision on when country safe to reopen

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/11/trump-facts-and-instincts-decision-on-when-country-safe-to-reopen-180000

President Donald Trump on Saturday said he would use “facts and instincts” to make a decision on whether to recommend opening up areas of the country for working life to resume amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a phone interview on “Justice with Judge Jeanine” on Fox News, the president said: “I think it's going to be the toughest decision I ever made and hopefully the most difficult I will ever have to make. I hope I'm going to make the right decision. I will be basing it on a lot of very smart people, a lot of professionals, doctors and business leaders. There are a lot of things that go into a decision like that. And it's going to be based on a lot of facts and instincts."

 

Trump administration requires insurers to provide free antibody tests

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/11/trump-administration-requires-insurers-to-provide-free-antibody-tests-180009

The Trump administration said late Saturday it will require health insurers to provide free antibody tests that could provide better insight into the scale of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak.

Health experts agree that widespread antibody testing, which can detect who has developed immunity against the virus, is essential for being able to ease social distancing measures and allow healthy people to return to work.

 

How Coronavirus Fears Have Amplified a Baseless But Dangerous 5G Conspiracy Theory

https://time.com/5818574/5g-coronavirus-conspiracy-theory-inaccurate/

The unfounded conspiracy theories reportedly began when a Belgian doctor speculated to a national newspaper about 5G masts in Wuhan, China, where the new coronavirus originated. Despite the article being removed after a few hours because the comments were baseless, the narrative was picked up by conspiratorial Internet personalities and has spread across the Internet as the coronavirus fans anxieties around the world. (Contrary to the conspiracy theories, which say 5G’s high-frequency waves are harmful, the scientific community agrees they are beneath the wavelength that can damage human cells.)

Governors Plead for Help as Further Coronavirus Aid Faces a Partisan Split in Congress

https://time.com/5819576/coronavirus-aid-talks-congress/

Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York said without federal intervention, states will be forced to confront “serious reductions in service … hampering public health, the economic recovery, and — in turn — our collective effort to get people back to work.”

 

Ex-Ambassador, Washington Gov. Says Trump Campaign 'Fanning Hatred' With New Ad

https://time.com/5819459/trump-campaign-biden-china-racist/

  Former U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke is denouncing President Donald Trump for a new campaign ad that seems to falsely imply Locke was a Chinese official.

Trump’s Republican reelection campaign released an ad Thursday that accused former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, of being too cozy with China. It featured an image of Biden and Locke on a stage with U.S. and Chinese flags in the background.

 

Health Minister Litzman: Stop singling out haredim for coronavirus

https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Coronavirus-Jerusalems-restricted-zones-announced-take-effect-Sunday-624371

 The special ministerial committee on coronavirus has approved creating “restricted zones” in Jerusalem beginning at noon on Sunday until Wednesday.

The people in these areas cannot leave unless they are going to work, getting essential medical treatment, attending the funeral of a nuclear family member or transferring their children to an ex-spouse.

 In addition, they can attend legal proceedings or access other essential services with approval.

 Among the areas that will now be restricted: Har Nof, Ramot, Romema, Neve Yaakov, Mea Shearim and Geula.

Watch: Priestly blessing at Western Wall

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278568

Traditional priestly blessing during Pesach takes place in a limited format in accordance with instructions. US ambassador participating.

In India, Coronavirus Fans Religious Hatred

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/12/world/asia/india-coronavirus-muslims-bigotry.html

In a global pandemic, there is always the hunt for blame. President Trump has done it, insisting for a time on calling the coronavirus a “Chinese virus.’’ All over the world people are pointing fingers, driven by their fears and anxieties to go after The Other.

He Could Have Seen What Was Coming: Behind Trump’s Failure on the Virus

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-response.html

An examination reveals the president was warned about the potential for a pandemic but that internal divisions, lack of planning and his faith in his own instincts led to a halting response.

His was hardly a lone voice. Throughout January, as Mr. Trump repeatedly played down the seriousness of the virus and focused on other issues, an array of figures inside his government — from top White House advisers to experts deep in the cabinet departments and intelligence agencies — identified the threat, sounded alarms and made clear the need for aggressive action.

President Trump is wrong in so many ways about hydroxychloroquine studies. Here are the facts

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/10/health/trump-wrong-about-hydroxychloroquine/index.html

 There are several treatments being studied to prevent or treat coronavirus, but President Trump has been a cheerleader for one in particular: hydroxychloroquine, a drug currently used to treat malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Over the past month, he's made many optimistic statements about hydroxychloroquine. CNN has fact-checked the president multiple times -- such as here, here, and here -- and found that he's being unrealistically enthusiastic.

 

Trump asked what metrics he's using. See his response.

'Liar': Trump Fact-Checked For Dangerous Coronavirus Claims | The Beat With Ari Melber | MSNBC