DL Open Thread: Thurs., March 26, 2020
Senate Passes Disaster Relief Plan. Guess Lindsey Graham decided it wasn’t worth risking payouts to scofflaw corporations in order to screw people who might conceivably abuse unemployment benefits. And, of course, the Trump family stands to benefit, despite language to the contrary in the bill:
Even the fine print in a near-final 880-page version of the bill has fine print. Democrats proudly announced that they had won agreement on language to block President Trump, other government officials and their families from receiving assistance from a $500 billion fund to be administered by the Treasury Department.
But it turns out that the provision might not preclude funds from going to companies owned by the family of Mr. Trump’s son-in-law and White House adviser, Jared Kushner, while Mr. Trump’s companies would not be barred from benefiting from other elements of the bill intended to help broad swaths of American business.
For example, certain hotel owners, even those employing thousands of people, will be eligible for small-business loans, a provision that could potentially benefit Mr. Trump’s company to help to continue to pay wages for his employees. The Trump Organization could also benefit from the $15 billion change to the tax code won by restaurants and retailers.
Kids, if the bill doesn’t preclude this criminal family and their businesses from feeding at the trough, feed they will.
Everything Falls Apart, Ctd. The latest carnage: 69,197 cases and 1046 deaths in the United States. We’re likely to have the most confirmed cases anywhere within a week. While the world battles the pandemic, G-7 talks break down because Mike Pompeo insists that everybody use the term ‘Wuhan Virus’. These are not serious people. Unemployment numbers poised to surge in record week for job loss. Today’s Must-Read: Trump slashed CDC staff in China prior to coronavirus outbreak. Will any reporter dare ask the following ‘nasty’ question to Trump: “Why?” Trump’s gutting of key government agencies has caused a disastrous response. Will any reporter dare ask the following ‘nasty’ question to Trump: “Why?”
CNN & MSNBC Consider Cutting Trump’s Propaganda. Stop considering. Start cutting.
Grocery Stores Coronavirus Tipping-Point? Going to the store provides ritualistic comfort and sustenance, but are stores petri dishes for the virus? I’ll, um, let you know.
Great Delaware Volunteers Lead By Example. Making masks to help fight the virus. I can’t say enough good things about these selfless citizens, citizens in the best sense of the word. Please share examples of you or of those you know who are contributing to the public good in ways large and small. We cannot get through this w/o this selflessness.
What do you want to talk about?
Initial new jobless claims: 3.283 million. Nearly five times the previous record.
Delaware gun shops stay open in defiance of government:
https://eu.delawareonline.com/story/news/2020/03/25/gun-shops-defy-delaware-order-close-which-shoppers-say-violates-2nd-amendment-rights/5082222002/
Any bets on what their penalty will be?
Penalty for scofflaw gun shops that stay open should be: no coronavirus checks for you.
It’s time for Delaware leadership to get serious about protecting its population from the spread of the deadly coronavirus. It is no longer an option to claim that childcare facilities are safe places or “controlled environments” or that children are less likely to contract the virus. The reality that a positive test for the virus has occurred in a childcare sounds a vivid warning that Delaware must act quickly and resolutely.
New Jersey’s Governor has issued an executive order (Executive order 110) to close child-cares to all but children of essential workers and have issued new state health and safety guidelines to that effect.
In addition our neighboring state of Maryland has also taken similar action. “All Maryland child care providers, except those serving essential personnel, are being ordered to close by the end of the day Friday to help fight the spread of coronavirus, state officials said. The state has already ordered non-essential businesses to close”.
“During this State of Emergency, child care programs have been established by the State to serve only designated essential personnel,” State Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon said in a news release.
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/childcare-providers-in-maryland-to-close-by-friday-night-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak/65-ac40d069-f834-4707-90af-ebacb78fee5a
Delaware cannot afford any further delay and should take similar action immediately.