Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to March 27, 2020
Coronavirus and ibuprofen: Separating fact from fiction
Source: BBC
March 17, 2020
Although we don't yet know whether ibuprofen has a particular effect on the severity or length of illnesses caused by coronavirus - either in healthy people or those with underlying conditions - Dr Charlotte Warren-Gash, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says, especially for vulnerable patients, "it seems sensible to stick to paracetamol as first choice".
Here, at The Ponder, we've been getting private messages from people who are forwarding the recording of the guy telling us frantically not to use Advil ibuprofen. As with most stuff that is forwarded like that, I use the opportunity to do some research on the subject. Here is one of the articles I found that I am posting for your information:
Read more...
======
Third coronavirus law passes
Source: U.S. Representative Gregorio Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands)
March 27, 2020
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a third coronavirus bill and the President signed it into law. Although access to the House floor was limited to reduce risk of spreading the virus, I felt I had to be there to express the gratitude of the people of the Marianas for the help being provided to our families, schools, businesses, and the Commonwealth government. Your congressional office was hard at work all week for our islands and we know there is more work ahead. Read our summaries, below, of how the new law, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or “CARES,” Act, applies in the Marianas.
Read more...
Rounds USPHS Legislation Included in COVID-19 Relief Bill
Source: Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD)
March 27, 2020
“The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need to create a Ready Reserve Corps within the United States Public Health Services (USPHS) so vital healthcare services remain available to our citizens when Commissioned Corps Officers are called away from their duty stations,” said Rounds. “Already, hundreds of officers have been deployed from their regular duty stations, such as an Indian Health Service facility, to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. This is leaving a gap in healthcare services in already-underserved communities. By creating a Ready Reserve Corps within USPHS, we will now be better equipped to fill these vital positions when the Commissioned Corps Officers need to respond to a national emergency.”
Read more...
Congressman Tim Ryan Responds to President Trump's Calls for GM to Produce Ventilators in Lordstown
Source: U.S. Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH, 13th)
March 27, 2020
“It seems the President has forgotten that GM no longer owns the plant in Lordstown. This is a time for leaders to lead. Instead of tweeting, President Trump should activate the Defense Production Act today and put the full force of American manufacturing to end our equipment shortage. Coronavirus is already taking a toll on our healthcare system, and if we don’t take bold steps to fix that now, many more American will sadly pass away because we couldn’t supply our hospitals with the equipment they so desperately need. The President should stop stalling and fully implement the Defense Production Act to ensure our healthcare workers have the supplies they need to save American lives. The only thing standing in President Trump’s way is himself.“
Read more...
======
======
Risch Votes Yes on CARES Act to Battle COVID-19
Source: Senator James E. Risch (R-ID)
March 26, 2020
“No one likes to spend this amount of money, but the crisis we find ourselves in compels us to take drastic and decisive measures to protect millions of American lives and livelihoods. The CARES Act provides a lifeline to our nation’s economy, business owners, workers, medical professionals and those on the front lines of the outbreak, and the people and families battling COVID-19."
Read more...
Rush, Carter Lead Successful Effort to Ensure Pathologists are Able to Address Critical Testing Needs During Pandemic
Source: U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-IL, 1st)
March 26, 2020
Following a request led by U.S. Representatives Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-Ga.), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that it would allow pathologists to perform their important testing capabilities remotely to help address the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more...
Rush Introduces Legislation to Protect Inmates and Their Families from Unjust Charges for Communications Services
Source: U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-IL, 1st)
March 26, 2020
U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) introduced H.R. 6389, the Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act, which protects inmates from unjust and unreasonable charges related to the telephone services and advance communications they rely on during their term of imprisonment. In particular, the bill bans commissions received by prisons and other confinement facilities from communications providers, which is the primary cause of increased rates incurred by inmates and their families.
Read more...
======
======
U.S. REPS. ASK JUSTICE DEPT. TO REVIEW TRIAL PENALTIES IN CLEMENCY CONSIDERATIONS
Source: U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD, 8th)
March 25, 2020
"Trial penalties are the sentences issued for criminal defendants that are harsher than what had been offered in exchange for a guilty plea. As the letter states, "Instead of accepting a guilty plea, a criminal defendant decides to pursue their 6th Amendment right to a jury trial. The trial penalty results in a significantly longer prison sentence than those imposed on more culpable defendants who voluntarily waive their constitutional right to a jury trial."
Read more...
Rep. Harley Rouda Sends Letter to National Governors Association Requesting "Stay at Home" Orders Nationwide
Source: U.S. Representative Harley Rouda (D-CA, 48th)
March 25, 2020
“Without approved treatments and a vaccine, aggressive and enforced social distancing is our only weapon to fight COVID-19 and slow the spread of the disease," said Rouda. "In the past days and weeks governors, Republican and Democratic, have lead by instituting "stay at home" orders. While these orders affect about half of our nation’s population, mitigation is most effective with 100 percent participation.”
Read more...
Rush Urges Federal Bureau of Prisons to Release Elderly, Nonviolent Prisoners to Mitigate Coronavirus Risk to Inmates
Source: U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-IL, 1st)
March 25, 2020
“The close quarters present in our nation’s jails and prisons present a clear and ongoing risk of infection in general, and with the coronavirus in particular,” said Rep. Rush. “This, coupled with the fact that prisoners across the country — including in my home state of Illinois — have tested positive for this virus, underscores the need for action.
Read more...
Coronavirus: What you need to know
Source: U.S. Representative Gregorio Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands)
March 25, 2020
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking the progression of the coronavirus and considers the virus to be a serious threat to public health. Here is what you need to know to protect yourself and your family.
Read more...
Reed Helps Reach Bipartisan $2 Trillion Emergency Coronavirus Economic Rescue Agreement
Source: U.S. Representative Tom Reed (R-NY, 23rd)
March 25, 2020
Massive coronavirus relief package includes four months expanded unemployment benefits and direct payments, $367 billion to aid small business, $150 billion for state and local governments, $130 billion for hospitals & health centers, an employee retention tax credit to incentivize businesses to keep workers on payroll during the crisis, & much more
Read more...
======
======
Rosen Joins Bipartisan Call for FEMA to Help Individuals, States Handle COVID-19 Outbreak
Source: Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
March 25, 2020
U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced she joined her colleagues Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in a bipartisan letter urging President Trump to exercise authorities available in the wake of natural disasters to provide direct emergency assistance to individuals and families and waive local cost sharing in order to increase federal resources to states and communities responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
Read more...
Rounds Supports COVID-19 Relief Legislation
Source: Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD)
March 25, 2020
As a nation, we’re all feeling the effects of this unprecedented crisis. I’m glad we were able to come together to provide immediate, direct relief to South Dakota families and businesses, while at the same time taking steps to stabilize our economy. It is not a perfect bill, but it gets resources to state and local governments, who know the needs of their communities better than anyone else. It also removes regulatory barriers so businesses can get people the help they need during this time of crisis.
Read more...
National Guard and Reserve Caucus Chairs Call on President to Mobilize US Airlift Assets
Source: U.S. Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH, 13th)
March 25, 2020
Representatives Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) and Steven Palazzo (R-Miss), Co-Chairs of the House National Guard and Reserve Caucus, today sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting for President Trump to immediately mobilize America's military airlift, including Reserve and National Guard assets as needed to repatriate Americans abroad.
Read more...
======
(Put your ad here for just $1.00)
======
Public Advocate Asks Nation To Pray for Victory Over China Virus
Source: Public Advocate USA
March 24, 2020
Eugene Delgaudio, president of Public Advocate, is asking Americans and supporters of Public Advocate to pray for America's success against the China Virus and for President Donald Trump's success in leading the nation to Victory.
Read more...
Amata-Cosponsored Legislation Will Help Student Veterans During COVID-19
Source: U.S. Representative Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa Delegate)
March 24, 2020
“This bill is a collection of several of the best ideas to quickly help the thousands of Veterans in educational programs during the pandemic,” said Aumua Amata, Vice Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “They can be assured of not losing eligibility or their place in a program while it is shut down, and their program’s support and benefits will be secure and available when studies start again. Thank you to Chairman Mark Takano and Ranking Member Dr. Phil Roe for leading this important effort so these student Veterans don’t need to worry about their ongoing education.”
Read more...
Trump’s Financial Conflicts of Interest Endanger Public Health
Source: Public Citizen
March 24, 2020
At a White House press conference Monday, President Donald Trump announced that he may soon roll back federal guidelines on social distancing that are intended to stem the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. The Washington Post has reported that Trump’s “private business has shut down six of its top seven revenue-producing clubs and hotels because of restrictions meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, potentially depriving Trump’s company of millions of dollars in revenue.”
Read more...
Public Knowledge Launches Tracking Report to Log Digital Platform Responses to Misinformation During the Pandemic
Source: Public Knowledge
March 24, 2020
Today, we’re happy to announce the launch of our newest tracking report to log digital platform responses to misinformation during this pandemic. The report monitors how major digital platforms like Twitter and Google respond to the crisis and analyzes their various approaches, helping policymakers, media, and the public to better explore what platforms are doing to combat the rising “infodemic” — a dangerous onslaught of misunderstandings, inaccurate data, and lies about the coronavirus spread rapidly online. Public Knowledge will update the tracking report weekly as the pandemic unfolds.
Read more...
Rep. Rice Sends Letter to Leadership
Source: U.S. Representative Tom Rice (R-SC, 7th)
March 24, 2020
Congressman Rice urges Congressional Leadership to include $100 billion for tourism and small businesses in aid package.
Read more...
======
(Put your ad here for just $1.00)
======
