U.S. Coronavirus Blog: Obama Weighs In; Feds Turned Down Masks

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On Coronavirus Frontlines, Moms Sacrifice More Than Ever

Obama Calls Virus Response A 'Disaster'

The U.S. response to the new coronavirus pandemic is taking some heat from former President Barack Obama, who until now has managed to keep himself out of the spotlight through much of Donald Trump's presidency.

To add to Obama's criticism, an exchange between the owner of Texas-based Prestige Ameritech and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services went public this weekend. In it, Michael Bowen claims the federal government turned down his offer to produce millions of N95 masks in the early days of the pandemic.

During a conversation with the Obama Alumni Association, Obama called Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic as an "absolute chaotic disaster." He also used the call as an opportunity to tout his former vice president, Joe Biden.

"What we're fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish, being tribal, being divided, and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life," Obama said. "And by the way, we're seeing that internationally as well. It's part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty."

Obama added, "It would have been bad even with the best of governments. It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of 'what's in it for me' and 'to heck with everybody else' — when that mindset is operationalized in our government."

Government Turned Down Millions Of N95 Masks: Report

It was Jan. 22, and orders for masks were pouring into Michael Bowen’s medical supply company outside Fort Worth. He could make an additional 1.7 million N95 masks a week to meet demand, but he wanted to give the federal government first dibs.

But communications over several days with senior agency officials — including Robert Kadlec, the assistant secretary for preparedness and emergency response — left Bowen with the impression that there was little immediate interest, The Washington Post reported.

In the end, the government did not take Bowen up on his offer.

The exchange between Bowen and U.S. officials was briefly described in an 89-page whistleblower complaint filed this week by Rick Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. Emails show Bright pressed Kadlec and other agency leaders on the issue of mask shortages, but his pleas went unanswered.

Bright ultimately was removed from his job and placed in a lesser position, and he alleges the move was done in retaliation by Kadlec and other officials. The Department of Health and Human Services denies the allegations.

Fauci Among Virus Task Force Members In Self Quarantine

Three members of the White House coronavirus task force placed themselves in self-quarantine over the weekend after coming in contact with a person who tested positive for coronavirus.

This includes Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert and a familiar face at Trump's now-defunct daily coronavirus briefings.

Also quarantining are Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Stephen Hahn.

Fauci's institute said that he has tested negative for COVID-19 and will continue to be tested regularly. It added that he is considered at "relatively low risk" based on the degree of his exposure, and that he would be "taking appropriate precautions" to mitigate the risk to others.

Famed Tiger Trainer Dies From Virus

Legendary tiger trainer Roy Horn of Siegfriend & Roy has died from complications of the coronavirus at age 75.

Horn dazzled Las Vegas audiences for years until he was critically injured by one of his white tigers. Horn and Siegfried Fischbacher, both natives of Germany, had first teamed up in 1957 and made their Las Vegas debut a decade later. Siegfried & Roy began performing at the Mirage in 1990.

The pair gained international recognition for helping to save rare white tigers and white lions from extinction. Their $10 million compound was home to dozens of rare animals over the years. The white lions and white tigers were the result of a preservation program that began in the 1980s.

Funeral services will be private, with an expected public memorial.

April Unemployment Highest Since Great Depression

With the release of April's unemployment numbers, nearly all the job growth in the 11 years since the last recession was lost.

U.S. unemployment hit 14.7 percent April, the highest rate since the Great Depression as 20.5 million jobs vanished in the worst monthly loss on record. The losses, reported by the Labor Department, reflect what has become a severe recession caused by sudden business shutdowns in nearly every industry.

The collapse of the job market occurred with stunning speed. As recently as February, the unemployment rate was at a five-decade low of 3.5 percent.

In the last seven weeks, 33.5 million people Americans have applied for unemployment benefits.

RELATED:

• 33.5 Million Have Filed For Unemployment Since Coronavirus Hit
• Pandemic Especially Tough On Minorities: AP-NORC Poll
• 33 Million Americans Are Jobless; 77 Percent Believe They'll Get Jobs Back

Pence Spokesperson, Trump Valet Test Positive For Virus

Katie Miller, a top spokesperson for Vice President Mike Pence, has tested positive for coronavirus, The Associated Press reported. The news comes just one day after a personal valet for President Donald Trump also tested positive.

As of Friday, a total of three White House staffers have tested positive for the virus. Another employee in Pence's office was the first to contract the virus in March.

RELATED:

• One Of Trump's Personal Valets Has Tested Positive For Coronavirus
• VP Mike Pence's Press Secretary Tests Positive For Coronavirus

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