Trump will be judged on one thing now -- and it won't be impeachment

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/21/politics/race-for-the-white-house-trump-impeachment-ford-carter-gore-bush/index.html

There's a worldwide pandemic and many Americans are confined to their homes as the US government tries to halt the spread of Covid-19.

So come November, despite being the first impeached President to appear on a presidential ballot afterward, Donald Trump will likely be judged by one thing: His response to the coronavirus.

 

President Trump: FDA is taking rapid steps to make items available for medical use

Trump rants at reporter asking about scared Americans

Coronavirus and chloroquine: Has its use been approved in US?

https://www.bbc.com/news/51980731

 President Trump claims a drug used against malaria has been approved in the United States to treat the new coronavirus.

Chloroquine is one of the oldest and best-known anti-malarial drugs.

So is the president right and what is known about its effectiveness?

Chloroquine has been around for decades. It's no longer recommended in much of Africa because of the resistance built up to it by the malaria parasites.

Some countries have introduced regulations to curb the use of the drug, but it has remained popular in those with an active private-sector drug market and is sold widely.

This is especially true in Nigeria where there have been reports of high demand for chloroquine in pharmacies leading to shortages, in part fuelled by Mr Trump's statement. 

  Chloroquine has not been approved for coronavirus

President Trump, at his daily press briefing, claimed that chloroquine had been approved for use in treating the coronavirus by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). That is the body in charge of licensing medicines in America.

"We're going to be able to make that drug available almost immediately. And that's where the FDA has been so great. They've gone through the approval process - it's been approved."

However, the FDA has made it clear it has not been approved for treating those infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus.

"There are no FDA-approved therapeutics or drugs to treat, cure or prevent Covid-19."

However, the FDA does say that studies are under way to see if chloroquine can be effective in the treatment of Covid-19. It also says it has been directed by Mr Trump to set up a large clinical trial to investigate the drug.

 

Trump vs Fauci: President’s gut sense collides with science

https://apnews.com/432a37435f28015e8b45eeff710cd254

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a clash of gut instinct versus science, President Donald Trump and the government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, publicly sparred over whether a malaria drug would work to treat people with coronavirus disease.

Trump clung to his feeling that a malaria drug widely available could be the answer-in-waiting to an outbreak spreading around the nation, shutting down major parts of the economy, and posing the biggest challenge he has faced as president. Calmly and quietly, Fauci insisted that the science is not yet there to validate Trump’s hope. Neither man directly challenged the other.

The extraordinary scene played out on national television Friday during the White House briefing on the outbreak. Anxious for answers, Americans heard conflicting views.

Reporters asked both men — first Fauci, then Trump — if a malaria drug called hydroxychloroquine could be used to prevent COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. A day earlier, when Fauci wasn’t with him at that briefing, Trump had called attention to the drug.

Fox host demands REPUBLICAN Senator's resignation ON AIR

Rabbi Chaim Druckman: 'No reason not to pray with minyan'

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277522

To the very question of how to act these days during the coronavirus pandemic, the rabbi wrote: "At the same time, we needn't be more strict about Health Ministry guidelines precisely when it comes to sacred matters. If the Health Ministry wouldn't allow one to leave the house, we wouldn't say to leave the house to go pray with a minyan.

"But since there is no such provision, and for certain events, congregations of up to ten people - such as weddings, etc. - are allowed, there's no reason not to pray with a minyan of ten. In Rami Levy Supermarket even 100 people were allowed at one time, in other places they allow up to ten, and there's no reason to be stricter than the Health Ministry."

Rabbi Druckman took the opposite stand to that of the leaders of the Tzohar Rabbinic organization, Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, and Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, who instructed people not to attend minyan following the coronavirus epidemic.

Rabbi Druckman went on to write, "Regarding the Shabbat evening prayer, under no circumstances should one make a large, regular minyan in the synagogue. But there can be minyanim in private houses and in each of these houses, ten should gather and pray. A minyan of only ten may also be held in the synagogue."

The rabbi signs the letter, "What we're saying is also true in terms of people's feelings. Saying to people: 'Stay at home' doesn't make them feel good in terms of this entire situation. May G-d grant us all strong health and may we soon be praying with the entire nation of Israel in one minyan."

 

Rav Sternbuch

מכתב בהול ממרן פוסק הדור הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א: "פיקוח נפש, חובה להישמע להוראות הרופאים, אם חלילה לא יצייתו עכשיו להוראות, יש לחשוש שלא יוכלו עוד להציל"

מרן פוסק הדור הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א במכתב נחרץ: "פיקוח נפש, חובה להישמע להוראות הרופאים, אם חלילה לא יצייתו עכשיו להוראות, יש לחשוש שלא יוכלו עוד להציל" * במכתבו הורה למוסדות שנסגרו לקיים מסגרות לימוד לעת עתה בחבורות קטנות בבתים תוך שמירה על כללי הניקיון, ועל הרחקה האחד מחבירו

במכתב מיוחד אותו כתב היום מרן פוסק הדור הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א, עורר להישמע להוראות הרופאים, והגדיר את המצב כ"פיקוח נפש". בדבריו עורר כי אם ימתינו ולא יפעלו עכשיו, אפשר שלא יוכלו לפעול עוד, ועל כן החובה לפעול בהקדם לצמצום התפשטות המגיפה כפי ההוראות וההנחיות.

במכתבו אף הורה למוסדות שנסגרו לקיים מסגרות לימוד לעת עתה בחבורות קטנות בבתים תוך שמירה על כללי הניקיון, ועל הרחקה האחד מחבירו.

יצויין כי בימים האחרונים אף הורה מרן פוסק הדור הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א לסגור מיידית את מרכזי התורה והתפילה הממוקמים במקלטים או בקומות תחתונות בהם אין פתחי אוורור וחלונות – ומסתמכים אך ורק על מערכות מיזוג ואוורור, דבר שמגביר את הסכנה להפצת הנגיף.

כזכור, בתחילת השבוע התכנסו חברי בד"צ העדה החרדית במעונו של הראב"ד מרן הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א לדון בדבר התנהלות מוסדות חינוך בעקבות התקנות החדשות של משרד הבריאות בעניין ההתגוננות מנגיף הקרונה ה"י. במהלך הדיון נפלה ההחלטה כי הלימודים בתלמודי תורה והישיבות יימשכו, אך התלמידים יחולקו לקבוצות קטנות יותר, כמו כן התלמידים לא יתפללו וכן לא יאכלו יחד, ובנוסף יבוטלו לימודי החול בחיידרים, ואף גני הילדים ובתי הספר לבנות יושבתו עד להודעה חדשה. במקביל אף מינו הבד"ץ "וועד עסקנים" שיעמדו בקשר מול המוסדות לפקח על קיום הוראות הבד"ץ בנושא ההיגיינה.

היום – יום חמישי, עם התפשטות נגיף הקורונה לתוככי הציבור החרדי בכלל השכונות והערים, נכנסו ראשי המוסדות הכפופים להוראת הבד"ץ למעונו של מרן פוסק הדור הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א לשאול בדבר הנהגתם של המוסדות שהוכרחו להיסגר בעקבות המצב.

מרן פוסק הדור הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א השיב במכתב אותו פתח תחילה בהבהרת המצב לאשורו, ועל החובה לשמור על הכללים וההנחיות למניעת התפשטות הנגיף במצב הנוכחי אותו הגדיר כ"פיקוח נפש": "בעוונותינו הרבים מתפשט והולך בעולם מגיפת הקורונה, ויש הרבה נפגעים, חלקם חולים וחלקם מתים רח"ל, ובכל מדינה בעולם עשו תקנות הרחקה כדי למנוע את התפשטות המגיפה, ואף אנו נקיים האזהרות שיש בהם משום פיקוח נפש, וכבר כתב המגיד משנה (פ"ב דבשבת הי"ג) שאפילו אם מת אחד מכל אלף חולים, הרי זה נידון כסכנת נפשות לדון בו דיני הצלה בפיקוח נפש, וא"כ במחלה זו שמתים בה יותר מאחד מאלף חשיב כפיקוח נפש.

בדבריו מוסיף מרן פוסק הדור הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א כי אם לא יתעוררו עכשיו לפעול בהקדם, המצב עלול לצאת מכלל שליטה: "החובה מוטלת על כל אחד לפעול כהוראות הרופאים למנוע את התפשטות המחלה, ובפרט במצב זה שרבים הם החולים בזה שאין ניכר עליהם הדבר כלל, ואם ימתינו עוד זמן אפשר שלא יוכלו לפעול עוד, וע"כ החובה לפעול בהקדם לצמצום התפשטות המגיפה כהוראות הרופאים".

בדבריו הכריע באשר לישיבות והחיידרים שסגרו את שעריהם: "הישיבות והתתי"ם שהוכרחו לסגור את שעריהם, ייאספו לעת עתה בחבורות קטנות בבתים תוך שמירה על כללי הניקיון, ועל הרחקה האחד מחבירו, ודור דור גם בשעה שהיה סכנת מיתה ממש לא פסקו ללמוד תורה, ונתפלל ונקווה לה' שלא יחמיר המצב כאן בארץ הקודש עד שאפילו לתפילה בציבור לא נוכל להתאסף, ונחפשה דרכינו ונחקורה ונשובה עד ה'".

בהמשך דבריו קורא מרן פוסק הדור הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א לערוך פדיון נפש כל אחד לפי יכולתו: "ראוי לסדר פדיון נפש לכל אחד ואחד, והעשיר יתן כפי עשרו ועכ"פ לא יפחות מאלף שקלים, ובעל הבית לא יפחות מחמישים, והמתפרנס מהציבור יתן כפי יכולתו, ויאמר "הרי זה פדיון לנפשי", וכל אחד ידע שהתיקון הוא צורך ממש.

את דבריו חתם מרן פוסק הדור הגר"מ שטרנבוך שליט"א כי העיקר בעת הזאת לעורר ולהתעורר לתשובה בעקבות היפוך סדרי העולם: "בעולם הזה שכולו הסתר, הקב"ה מלביש רצונו ודרישותיו מאתנו על ידי הנהגתו בעולמו, וא"כ בוודאי יש לנו לראות בכל המגיפה והיפוך סדרי עולם שבאו על ידה כהתראה מהקב"ה לעמו, וחובתינו לערוך חשבון הנפש ועל כל אחד לפשפש במעשיו הן בבין אדם למקום והן בבין אדם לחבירו, וכל רב בישראל יעורר את בני קהילתו לפי מצבם, ובזה נזכה להמתיק הדינים ולבטל המגיפה.

"יש להוסיף בכל יום זמן ללימוד התורה, ולהתחזק באמירת מאה ברכות בכוונה שהוא מסוגל לבטל מגיפה, ובמיוחד בשבת קודש יש להיזהר ולהשלים חשבון מאה ברכות ע"י אכילת מיני פירות ומגדים (וכמבואר בגמ' מנחות מ"ג:), וכן יש להיזהר בכבודם של תלמידי חכמים, וחז"ל הזהירו (שבת קי"ט ע"ב) שהמבזה תלמידי חכמים אין רפואה למכתו, ועלול להיענש במחלה כעין זו שאין לה רפואה, ומידה טובה מרובה לנזהר בזה שממשיך על עצמו זכות להיות מוגן שהמחלה לא תפגע בו או בצאצאיו.

"בזכות לימוד התורה והתשובה והצדקה והחסד נראה נפלאות, ומן השמים ירחמו עלינו להסיר מעלינו כל נגע ומחלה, והקב"ה יחיש גאולתינו בביאת משיח צדקינו במהרה ובקרוב.

Corona Concerns

BS"D

Corona Concerns

23 Adar 5780 °°  Mar. 19, '20

By Binyomin Feinberg,

FeinbergBinyomin@gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~

To check for updates, on first view of this article, as well as throughout the week,  please visit the Adar Update link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z2nuHMNh-CQ3Te2MdV04dmFfkkmQ0TLNKElS9JT6yJc/edit?usp=sharing
~~~~~

Corona Concerns:

Due to the ongoing Corona outbreak, we apologize for not being able to report as much news as we'd like, in a timely fashion. Please check our Update link occasionally.

A few brief points here are in order, as we rush against deadlines:


1. We encourage everyone to employ all due caution to avoid contracting or spreading Corona, or spreading misinformation about it.  The Pri Megadim on Hilchos Shabbos discusses the importance of avoiding subjecting others to danger, stating that we were only redeemed from Egypt on the condition that future generations would be vigilant in shunning endangering the lives of others.

2.  Bitachon, Reliance on G-d, is absolutely essential, all the more so now, as we see Mankind has lost control. However, Reliance on G-d is not to be used as an excuse to be lax in regard to endangering others.

3. Regarding Italy, Reuters reports:

"The northern region of Lombardy, on the frontline of the battle against the respiratory pandemic, asked recently retired health workers on Wednesday to return to work and help colleagues overwhelmed by the crisis. “I make a heartfelt appeal to all the doctors, nurses and medical personnel who have retired in the last two years...to help us in this emergency,” regional Governor Attilio Fontana told a news conference.

The national death toll surged by 475 over the past 24 hours, the largest increase in numerical terms since the outbreak first came to light on Feb. 21. The total number of confirmed cases grew by 4,207 to 35,713...."

This could be what America will  look like soon, G-d forbid.

4.  Any establishment that hosts large gatherings (e.g. weddings) in violation of public health restrictions must be boycotted immediately.

5.  Details of specific Corona victims being properly publicized to isolated holdout skeptics may alleviate their lethal recklessness.

6. While Israel has been heading towards lockdown lately, the Draft Office is continuing to draft boys and girls into the Army. A massive gathering was witnessed this Tuesday morning, in Tel HaShomer, on a Yom Chiyul (draft day). Boys, girls, families, all mingling. Busses with recruits, packed. This - while Corona is by no means anywhere near under control, and has infected those within the IDF as well.

Apparently, those being required to lay down their very lives to protect fellow Jews - from external enemies who wish to wipe us out - don't deserve  protection against Corona. The Epidemic is reason for openly homosexual Justice Minister Amir Ohana to delay the trial of Netanyahu, but not reason to delay drafting boys and girls into the Army...

We hope to have updates throughout the week, time permitting.

8.  Lastly, we hear lalot of irresponsible talk lately. One key point is in order: Ge'ulah is no entitlement. It requires sincere repentance.

ההוראה הדרמטית בקרלין: אין להתפלל - גם לא בחדרי מדרגות

https://www.bhol.co.il/news/1089222

ראה דרמטית בחצר קרלין סטולין: בשם האדמו"ר - כל בתי הכנסת של החסידות סגורים לחלוטין בשבת • יש להתפלל ביחידות בבית, אין ללכת לתפילות בבתי כנסת אחרים ולא לטבילה במקווה

 

As virus spreads, US officials struggle to halt ultra-Orthodox gatherings

https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-virus-spreads-us-officials-struggle-to-halt-ultra-orthodox-gatherings/

 Despite strenuous warnings from health officials and federal authorities to avoid large gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak, hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews in New York have continued to congregate in large groups, risking the rapid spread of the new coronavirus. More than 100 people have recently tested positive for COVID-19 in Borough Park and Williamsburg — two Brooklyn neighborhoods with large ultra-Orthodox populations.

Trump peddles unsubstantiated hope in dark times

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/20/politics/donald-trump-coronavirus-false-hope/index.html

 To fight the coronavirus, President Donald Trump is adopting the audacity of false hope.

For the past two days, Trump has said he is dispensing "game changer" breakthroughs on treatments and a wartime-style effort to mass produce medical supplies that appear as rays of light amid America's darkening battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

His eagerness for remedies no doubt reflects a sincere desire to deliver Americans from the nightmare of lockdowns, fear for loved ones and atmosphere of national trauma.

But it is also becoming clear that the President's rhetoric is part of an emerging political strategy. He can't hold the campaign rallies that are his political lifeblood any more -- so he's just moved them into the White House briefing room.

 

Netanyahu tells Israelis: Now it’s an order — you must stay at home

https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-tells-israelis-now-its-an-order-you-must-stay-at-home/

The regulations permit people to leave their homes only for the following activities:

1. Going to work and coming back;

2. Stocking up on food, medicine, necessary products and to receive essential services;

3. Receiving medical treatment;

4. Donating blood;

5. Participating in demonstrations;

6. Unorganized sports activity in groups no larger than five people;

7. Brief walks for a short time and to a place close to the person’s residence, without coming close to people they don’t live with;

8. Going to a wedding, funeral or for prayer;

9. Helping a person who due to their age, medical conditions or a disability, requires assistance;

10. Going out for a vital need that hasn’t been specified in articles 1-9.

During all those activities, people should maintain a distance of two meters, or six feet, from anyone, as much as possible. People staying in the same household do not need to keep that distance from one another.

In addition, no more than two people will be allowed to be in a car at any time, unless they live in the same household. The restriction will not be relevant for driving a person to and from a vital workplace.

Stock futures add to declines despite stimulus measures

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/stock-futures-add-to-declines-despite-stimulus-measures

The markets closed a bit higher at the end of the day, but the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all ended in the red.

U.S. equity futures are pointing to more selling on Wall St. on Thursday.

The major futures indexes are indicating a decline of 1.3 percent when trading begins.

The losses follow a more than 1,300 point, or 6.3 percent, decline Wednesday in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has now lost nearly all of its gains since President Trump's inauguration. The Dow closed at 19,898.92.

 

Coronavirus Did Not Originate in a Lab—It Is the Product of Natural Evolution, Scientists Say

https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-did-not-originate-labit-product-natural-evolution-scientists-say-1492912

The new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, likely originated in nature according to the authors of a study questioning the idea it was manmade.

 

United Hatzalah founder hospitalized with suspected coronavirus

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277475

United Hatzalah founder and President Eli Beer, who was scheduled to return to Israel, stayed in the United States to raise money to provide for the significantly increased demand for Hatzalah's services in Israel during the coronavirus crisis. He attended a Purim event in Miami, where many people became stricken with Covid-19 coronavirus.

 

Chris Wallace calls out Trump for causing dangerous crowding at airports

'Total lockdown inevitable' says Erdan as coronavirus patients reaches 433

https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Gilad-Erdan-Total-lockdown-is-inevitable-security-forces-must-prepare-621396

 The goal is to "flatten the curve" and spread out cases over a longer period. Police would enforce required closures; Home Front Command would supply the public with essential products.

 

Ibuprofen exacerbates coronavirus disease

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277457

The World Health Organization has recommended that people suffering from the symptoms of the virus avoid taking ibuprofen drugs such as Advil. Instead, the organization suggests taking paracetamol, such as Acamol (Tylenol).

china accused of truth shaping by pompeo - : is he really criticizing his boss?

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/17/politics/pompeo-coronavirus-presser/index.html

Iranian leaders have "lied about the Wuhan virus for weeks, the Iranian leadership is trying to avoid responsibility for their ... gross incompetence," Pompeo said, speaking to reporters at the State Department.

Pompeo has repeatedly made a point of avoiding the virus' formal name, choosing instead to refer to it as the "Wuhan coronavirus," in an apparent attempt to emphasize the pandemic's likely origins in China.

Speaking about Chinese leaders on Tuesday, Pompeo said, "the disinformation campaign that they are waging is designed to shift responsibility. Now is not the time for recrimination, now is the time to solve this global pandemic and work to take down risks to Americans and people all across the world."

4 arrested after ultra-Orthodox wedding violates coronavirus restrictions

https://www.timesofisrael.com/4-arrested-after-ultra-orthodox-wedding-violates-coronavirus-restrictions/

 Police arrested four people Tuesday night following an ultra-Orthodox wedding in the city of Beit Shemesh in which at least 150 people participated, violating Health Ministry guidelines limiting the number of people at gatherings to 10 and closing event halls and restaurants.

According to reports in ultra-Orthodox media sites, the four were the father of the groom, an American citizen, who arrived in Israel from the United States and was supposed to have been in quarantine; the father of the bride; the caterer; and a resident of Jerusalem who reportedly organized the wedding.

 

2020 Time Capsule #4: Trump Is Lying, Blatantly

https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2020/03/2020-time-capsule-4/608197/

During press questioning at the White House today, Donald Trump was asked whether his tone about the coronavirus challenge had suddenly changed. For weeks, he’d been mocking the virus threat—at rallies, in tweets, and in press remarks. But both yesterday and today, he’d suddenly shifted to warning that the public-health and economic problems were real, and would remain so for a long time.

What changed?

Trump denied there had been any shift in tone, and said (as you can see here):

“I have always known. This is a real pandemic. I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic....
“I’ve always viewed it as very serious.”

This is a flat-out lie.

Trump finally had a competent press conference on the coronavirus

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/3/16/21182247/trump-coronavirus-covid-19-press-conference

On Monday, President Donald Trump finally held a press conference in which he didn’t contradict the advice of experts and gave solid advice to Americans on the coronavirus pandemic — after weeks of a public response that experts have described as unhelpful and disturbing.

At the top of the conference, Trump talked up new guidelines by the federal government about what individuals should do to slow the spread of Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

 

Trump finds his MAGA movement fracturing over coronavirus

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/16/trump-maga-coronavirus-movement-130831

Just two weeks after President Donald Trump rallied conservatives to focus on the threat of socialism, his followers are splitting over the coronavirus pandemic.

On one side are those like Bill Mitchell, who dismiss it as nothing worse than the flu, and the drive to eradicate it as “climate change 2.0” — as in, a media-lefty mass hysteria. On the other side are pro-Trump fixtures like Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller, who have been sounding alarms on the coronavirus since January, and are calling for harsher lockdowns and social distancing.

 

Don Lemon says Trump is gaslighting you and rolls the tape

Trump pretends he knew outbreak was serious all along in jaw-dropping moment

Trump dismissed coronavirus pandemic worry in January — now claims he long warned about it

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/17/trump-dissed-coronavirus-pandemic-worry-now-claims-he-warned-about-it.html

 President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday he has believed the coronavirus outbreak was “a pandemic, long before it was called a pandemic” — but in January, he explicitly played down concerns when asked about it.

Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations 'is working with police to prosecute child abuser'

https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/union-of-orthodox-hebrew-congregations-is-working-with-police-to-deal-with-child-abuser-1.498158

Speaking on behalf of the London Charedi umbrella organisation, solicitor Paula Jefferson disclosed the information on the opening day of an inquiry into abuse in religious communities on Monday. 

Answering claims that incidents of abuse were often kept within the Orthodox community, she said the Union was clear that “all allegations” should be reported to the appropriate authorities.

 

Trump and Beijing agree on the coronavirus crisis: It's someone else's fault

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/17/asia/trump-chinese-virus-tweet-intl-hnk/index.html

 

On Twitter, Zhao claimed -- without evidence -- that "it might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan" and demanded the US "Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation!" Zhao also retweeted another Twitter user claiming baselessly that Redfield's statement "supports the claims made by Japanese scientists that the virus originated from the US but was covered up."

Zhao and his Foreign Ministry colleagues have refused to provide evidence for their claims, but they don't need to in order to achieve their goal. Creating confusion or disagreement over the origin of the virus could help push the blame away from China for its initial handling of the outbreak, just as Trump and other US officials' blaming of China helps move the conversation away from their own, highly criticized, response.

Ironically, just as he was boosting conspiracy theories about the virus' origin, Zhao also tweeted perhaps the best advice for all government officials in all countries, quoting a Chinese saying: "Turn inward (and) examine yourself when you encounter difficulties."

Fox Business host Trish Regan on hiatus after coronavirus comments

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-03-13/fox-business-host-trish-regan-on-hiatus-after-virus-comments

The Fox Business show hosted by Trish Regan is going on hiatus after controversial comments she made on the air Monday about the coronavirus.

The hiatus also applies to another host, Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery, who has her own program on the Fox Corp.-owned network. That move was related to staffing needs.

 

One dangerous coronavirus 'self-check test' is circulating on social media. Here's why you should avoid it.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/16/us/coronavirus-myths-debunking-holding-breath-10-seconds-trnd/index.html

 Contrary to what some may think, not everything on social media is rooted in fact.

Case in point: A recent viral coronavirus "simple self-check test," which medical experts say is completely inaccurate.

Written on what appears to be the iPhone notes app, the three-part post falsely claims that people can find out whether they have coronavirus simply by holding their breath for more than 10 seconds. If they can hold their breath without coughing, the test claims they don't have the virus.

Public transportation to stop early every night, won’t operate on weekends

https://www.timesofisrael.com/public-transportation-to-stop-early-every-night-wont-operate-on-weekends/

The Transportation Ministry announced Tuesday it was reducing public transportation to combat the coronavirus following the new Health Ministry directive that all Israelis remain at home unless absolutely necessary.

Public transportation (buses, trains and light rail) will cease operating at 10 p.m. Tuesday before resuming at its usual time Wednesday morning. Starting on Wednesday, public transportation will stop at 8 p.m. each evening.

 

Lawrence: Trump Gave Republicans False Hope On Coronavirus | The Last Word | MSNBC

Dramatic Shift In Tone From The White House | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Health Ministry: Don't leave home for non-essential reasons

 http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/277412

Israel's Health Ministry on Tuesday issued new guidelines which require Israelis to remain at home other than for necessary outings. These guidelines include:

1. Do not leave home, other than for situations which require it (work in accordance with the guidelines, purchasing food, medication, medical services, and other necessary services).

2. Do not leave home to visit parks, playgrounds, beaches, pools, libraries, museums, nature reserves and parks, or other public spaces, other than children leaving with their families only, or with pets (in an individual fashion).

3. Do not hold extracurricular activities, even with a minimum number of participants. This includes sports and gyms, as well as group activities publicly or privately provided. Unorganized exercise activities of up to five people are allowed, so long as participants can keep a distance of two meters from each other.

4. Keep in contact with friends via technology, and avoid hosting friends and family who do not live in your home.

5. Those who are at increased risk of complications, such as the elderly or those who suffer chronic illness or long-term respiratory issues, including: asthma, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders or diseases, cancer patients and patients who are immunocompromised, must avoid leaving their homes as much as possible, other than for necessary services. Instead, they should request the aid of family and friends in keeping their homes supplied with what they need.

6. The following tools should be used to limit outings:
1. Telecommuting, including video calls and conference calls
2. Each employer must be sure to provide a space of two meters between employees and ensure personal and environmental hygiene.
3. Deliveries will be placed outside the door.
4. Dentist appointments should be delayed as much as possible, and only crucial and emergency situations should be handled.

7. While leaving home due to situations which require it, contact between people should be limited, and a distance of two meters between people should be kept.

As coronavirus suspends life in America, Fox changes its tone

Why Fox's coverage is so important

Given that Republicans largely turn to Fox for their news, it's likely the network's previous dismissive coverage has affected how Republicans view the crisis. A Gallup poll published Monday found that "political party identification reflects the starkest differences in levels of worry about coronavirus exposure."

According to the poll, "Democrats (73%) are the most worried of any group, and their level of worry has increased the most out of any group. Meanwhile, less than half of Republicans (42%) report having this level of concern -- the lowest of any group Gallup measured." Hopefully things will change with the network's shift in tone...

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/17/media/fox-news-coronavirus-reliable-sources/index.html