If You Want to Save the Economy, Stop the Pandemic
We’re economists, and our analysis suggests Congress is seriously underfunding efforts to combat Covid-19.
Today's Liberal News
Treasury decides to stick with July 15 tax deadline
An extension would give taxpayers until Oct. 15 to file their returns, though they would still have to pay what they owe by July 15.
Top White House economist set to depart amid coronavirus recession
The acting chair of the CEA will leave Trump without another senior economist as discussions start about a new economic aid package.
‘It’s going to be a slow slog’: Economists knock down hopes of quick rebound
“We have a long road ahead of us to get those people back to work,” Jerome Powell said earlier this week.
Tucson Mayor Romero Slams Arizona Gov. Ducey for Downplaying COVID & Hasty Reopening as ICUs Fill
As COVID-19 cases soar in the U.S. South and Southwest, we go to the hot spot of Arizona, where 88% of ICU beds are full and the family of one man accuses Arizona Governor Ducey and President Trump of being directly responsible for his death, after they downplayed the threat of the virus and obstructed local officials from requiring masks even as Arizona’s case numbers were exploding.
Photos of the Week: Noble Deer, Deadman’s Reef, Buffalo Float
Phase 3 re-openings in Europe and North America, locust swarms in India, sunset soccer in Indonesia, a seawater pool in France, in-stream dining in Kuala Lumpur, flooding on the Yangtze river, Sammy the Seal in England, Godzilla in Yokosuka, Bastille Day fireworks in Paris, and much more.
Viral videos depict individuals nationwide resorting to violence when asked to wear a mask in public
Stores nationwide have reopened and in the process, many of them have implemented safety precautions to protect workers and shoppers from COVID-19. Recent research has shown that wearing a mask can significantly prevent contraction of COVID-19, yet some people still resist—and some do so violently.
Trump Jr. gets dragged for self-published book that includes glaring error on the cover
There are a few things that equal the mediocrity and base idiocy of Donald Trump. Their names are Donald Jr., Eric, Ivanka, and Jared. But, the greasy, sweaty, desperate nature of Donald Trump Jr. has a special patina of existential impotency that is hard to ignore. It’s hard to ignore, in part, because not unlike his father, Junior speaks at a loud blunt volume of dumb about 100% of the time.
Donald Trump Jr.’s newest idea is to self-publish a new book.
Southern Resident orcas finally return to Salish Sea, but clouds hover on the horizon
FRIDAY HARBOR, Washington—After a striking absence for most of the spring, the San Juan Islands’ Southern Resident killer whales made their return this month in glorious fashion: a full-on daily display of frolicking and foraging orcas by the 22 members of the J pod. Best of all, they appear to be well-fed and comparatively healthy.
‘I can’t breathe’: Public outrage about 2 Black men killed over cigarettes leads to changes in law
New body-camera footage obtained by CNN Wednesday revealed that George Floyd’s final words were the same words uttered by Eric Garner in his last of 11 attempts to get New York City police officers to spare his life. “I can’t breathe,” both Black men said before they died. Both incidents led to protests throughout the nation.
Both men left behind children who are now without fathers.
Georgia Governor Sues Atlanta Mayor To Block Citywide Mask Mandate
The state asks a judge to overturn Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ orders that are more restrictive than Governor Brian Kemp’s, block her from issuing any more such orders.
Who took down the CDC’s coronavirus data? The agency itself.
Alarm over the missing data, which was restored Thursday, became the latest source of tension between the CDC and administration officials.
Mary Trump Says ‘Virulently Racist’ President Used Racial, Anti-Semitic Slurs
“I don’t think that should surprise anybody,” President Donald Trump’s niece told MSNBC.
Retailers and reluctant governors finally issuing mask orders, but diehards gonna diehard
The national “debate” over whether to do the literally smallest possible thing to end the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States—put on a damn mask when in a public place—continues to be virulently stupid and good evidence the United States really is an “exceptional” country in, ahem, at least one unfortunate way. We are extremely fortunate in that masks appear to be reasonably effective in combating this particular virus.
Hospitals’ recovery plans clash with new Covid infections
Hospital chains saw the summer as a potential respite when they could resume elective procedures. But that effort is colliding with a surge in new coronavirus cases nationwide.
The Economy Is Going to Hit an Iceberg in 10 Days
Everyone thought they had a little more time to extend aid to Americans, but they apparently circled the wrong date.
Democrats use inspector general report to renew calls for Medicare chief’s ouster
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services chief Seema Verma has disputed the report, calling its findings “disingenuous.
Mary Trump Burns Cousin Ivanka: ‘She Doesn’t Do Anything’
Donald Trump’s niece said Ivanka “spouts bromides on social media, but either she tries to have an impact and fails, or just isn’t interested in having an impact.
The Atlantic Daily: The COVID-Driven Economic Crisis Isn’t Over
Every weekday evening, our editors guide you through the biggest stories of the day, help you discover new ideas, and surprise you with moments of delight. Subscribe to get this delivered to your inbox.SPENCER PLATT / GETTYThis spring, the U.S. effectively paused its economy in order to buy its medical system some time in the fight against the coronavirus. But the country squandered the moment, failing to get the virus under control—and likely lengthening the economic drought.
CDC to recommend against retesting coronavirus patients before they end isolation
The change in federal policy comes as surging coronavirus cases have strained the nation’s testing capacity
Listen: Is It Safe to Fly?
On this episode of the podcast Social Distance, the staff writer James Hamblin and the executive producer Katherine Wells discuss the perils of air travel and the best ways to prepare for it.Listen here:Subscribe to Social Distance on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or another podcast platform to receive new episodes as soon as they’re published.What follows is an edited and condensed transcript of their conversation.
White House Press Secretary Says Science Won’t ‘Stand In The Way’ Of Reopening Schools
Kayleigh McEnany defended Trump’s push for all schools to reopen with in-person instruction this fall, even as coronavirus cases surge nationwide.
Supreme Court Leaves In Place Voting Restrictions On Former Felons In Florida
Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan dissented from the decision.
The Influenza Masks of 1918
As people worldwide adapt to living with the threat of COVID-19, and especially as the rate of new cases continues to grow in the United States, the wearing of face masks remains widely recommended, and in many places, mandatory. A century ago, an outbreak of influenza spread rapidly across the world, killing more than 50 million—and possibly as many as 100 million—people within 15 months.
Four Teachers on How They’re Really Feeling About Returning to School
“I’m frustrated, scared, and sad.
Trumpism Is the New McCarthyism
When some presidents leave office, politicians and political thinkers jockey to be their intellectual heirs. Even Ronald Reagan, a Republican, claimed the legacy of John F. Kennedy. Even Barack Obama, a Democrat, claimed the legacy of Reagan.If Donald Trump loses this fall, few will be in a hurry to claim his legacy. Commentators on the left and in the center—and even some on the right—will compete instead to tar their foes with it.
Schumer proposes $350B in aid to communities of color ahead of coronavirus talks
With only a few weeks until August recess, Democrats and Republicans remain far apart on key issues.
“The Pandemic Could Get Much, Much Worse”: Is Another Lockdown the Only Way to Avoid Catastrophe?
As health experts warn the coronavirus is on the rise in 41 states, many governors are reimposing restrictions after attempts at opening up the economy, but President Trump wants schools open. We speak with public health historian John Barry, who warns “The Pandemic Could Get Much, Much Worse” if we don’t take bolder action now.
In Attempt to “Intimidate Protesters,” 87 Face Felony Charges for Kentucky Sit-In for Breonna Taylor
In Louisville, Kentucky, civil rights groups are calling on prosecutors to drop felony charges against 87 people who held a peaceful sit-in protest Tuesday outside the home of Attorney General Daniel Cameron. The demonstrators were demanding the arrest and prosecution of the officers who killed Breonna Taylor, a Black Louisville resident who was shot inside her own home in March.
COVID-Stricken Marc Lamont Hill: New Floyd Video Shows Familiar Ritual of Racist Police Terror
In Minneapolis, newly released police body camera footage reveals devastating new details of George Floyd’s killing on Memorial Day, showing that officers pulled a gun, swore at George Floyd to “get out of the f—ing car,” as he wept and pleaded, “Please don’t shoot me.” The video also showed that medics did not appear to rush to Floyd’s aid after they arrived on the scene.