CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: March 17th

March 17, 2020

WRITER

Glenn gives the latest coronavirus numbers, updating YOU on everything needed to know as Americans and officials monitor China's new COVID-19 virus:

Daily Stats as of 5:30 AM CT (from John's Hopkins)

Total Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 185,461 (up from 171,105 yesterday)
Total Confirmed Deaths Worldwide: 7,332 (up from 6,531 yesterday)
Total Confirmed Recovered Worldwide: 79,935 (up from 77,783 yesterday)
162 Countries have confirmed cases (up from 158 yesterday) 3 more have suspected cases
6% of Active Cases are considered serious (requiring hospitalization), down from 7% yesterday and down from 19% just 3 weeks ago
US has 4,743 Confirmed Cases and 93 Deaths, up from 3,802 cases and 69 deaths yesterday
In the US, only West Virginia does not have at least 1 Active Case https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-west-virginia-only-state-no-case-ac32ce6d-5523-4310-a219-7d1d1dcb6b44.html

The Economy or Lives: You Can Only Pick Onehttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/business/economy/coronavirus-economy-impact.html

In a script that is playing out in similar fashion all over the world, Governments are forced to pick between saving lives and economic activity.
US and Western economies are particularly impacted...in the US, 70% of total economic activity is generated via Consumer spending.
Across the US, Small Businesses appear to be the hardest hit, especially those that directly serve consumers such as bars, restaurants, dry cleaners, etc.
A study from Case Western University estimates that nearly 50% of service jobs in the US will be impacted, with as many as 1 million jobs lost in the next 30 days.
Experiences from other countries seem to leave governments little choice: either shut down activities where people congregate, or risk COVID-19 deaths to skyrocket.
In Italy, Iran and Wuhan, China, the Case Fatality Rate was 6%, 9% and 3.5%, respectively, compared to an estimated 1% or lower Case Fatality Rate in countries that practiced active social distancing and extreme isolation.
By limiting human to human interaction through Social Distancing and Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions such as wearing masks to prevent shedding virus through respiration, washing hands, people can help "Flatten The Curve" to ensure a total Case Fatality Rate of 1% or less.

US Testing First of Its Kind Vaccinehttps://news.yahoo.com/participants-receive-first-dose-experimental-191933437.html

As TheBlaze reported nearly two weeks ago, a new kind of experimental Vaccine is now entering human trials.
The vaccine is unique in that it does NOT use the live virus as are used in traditional vaccines.
Rather the new approach was to synthetically construct an RNA strand that copies the genetic code of the Virus to teach human cells to produce antibodies.
Viruses work by taking over human cells and turning each cell into a virus-producing factory, which is how they replicate.
The synthetically-produced RNA strand used in the new Vaccine does not self-replicate, but should still activate antibody production.
Researchers warned that even if the human trials started this week are successful, it may still be 18 months before the new Vaccine could be widely distributed. The Trump administration vowed on Monday that 'all barriers' would be removed to accelerate testing and production if successful.

Shut Down All Non-Essential Businesses - Who Defines What Is Essential?https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/extraordinary-measures-tom-cotton-calls-for-shutting-down-all-nonessential-business

Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, said the United States must shut down all but essential businesses and government agencies to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
"The time has come for extraordinary measures to combat the Chinese coronavirus," Cotton tweeted Monday. "What seems extreme today will seem obvious tomorrow."
Cotton, chairman of the economic policy subcommittee of the Senate Banking Committee, said he is drafting legislation that would give "cash stipends" to workers and their families affected by COVID-19, "so they can buy food and pay the bills during this crisis," Cotton said.
So far, 'an essential business' definition has varied by state but does seem to include Grocery stores, pharmacies, medical facilities and, in some markets restaurants for pick up.

Shelter in Place Order in 6 Counties in California, More Expected Todayhttps://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/16/san-francisco-orders-residents-to-stay-inside-except-for-essential-needs.html

Over 7 Million Californians have been ordered to shelter in place at home for 3 weeks.
Order is effective as of Midnight last night. Residents are allowed outside for walks, to acquire food/medicine from local stores, or to travel to medical appointments.
All non-essential activity outside the home is effectively illegal, although law enforcement are being asked to practice patience and provide guidance and warnings rather than arrest people who refuse to comply.
Similar "house-arrest" orders are being considered throughout the country and elsewhere in California, including Alameda Country, LA County and Orange Country, officials indicated.
In total, including similar activity restrictions in Washington, New York, Pennsylvania and other locations, an estimated 30 million Americans are currently experiencing some degree of travel or activity restrictions.
So far, the ACLU's only response to COVID-19 is a strongly anti-Trump landing page indicating that Trump will help "Lead" the Panic and asking for Donations to defeat him in November 2020. https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-coronavirus-outbreak-a-civil-liberties-perspective/

European Union To Close All Boarders to Non-EU Citizenshttps://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3075467/europe-shut-border-month-unprecedented-response-coronavirus

For the next 15 Days at least, all travel will be restricted into the EU, with all non-EU residents requiring special travel permits for medical reasons to enter any EU member state.
The ban on travel to the EU does include bans on travel from Asia, Africa, The Middle East and S America.
So far, The EU has yet to accuse itself of racism or bigotry for enacting a travel ban, although officials in Brussels officially rebuked The US for it's travel-restrictions just last Thursday and that official rebuke has yet to be rescinded.

National Supply Chain Fine, But How to Balance Local Needshttps://mynbc15.com/news/local/baldwin-county-stores-struggle-to-keep-shelves-stocked-amid-coronavirus-pandemic, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/grocery-store-supply-chain-shocked-202411516.html

Overall, there is plenty of food & medical supplies to stock America's store shelves...when measured Nationally.
The challenge for some markets is ensuring regional supply chains can keep up with "surge" buying caused by local orders for residents to stay put for 2-3 weeks or longer.
While stores like Kroger, Wal-mart, etc do have regionally located warehouses, localized buying sprees as residents stock up for long-stints at home can empty regional logistics facilities, requiring retailers to shift stock from one region to another.
Further disruptions may be caused by lack of labor itself, as residents are ordered to 'shelter in place', warehouse workers, truck drivers and stocking clerks may fail to show up for shifts.
Suddenly, Doctors and Nurses aren't the only "essential workers" in the US.... In a shelter-at -home economy, The Stockboy at your local grocer may be just as important.

BLOG

Join Glenn TONIGHT for BlazeTV's exclusive VP debate coverage!

POLL: Can the VP debate affect the election?

DOMINIC GWINN / Contributor, Dia Dipasupil / Staff | Getty Images

The first (and likely only) Vice President debate will be held on CBS News on Tuesday, October 1st.

The debate takes place at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and will be the first time we see J.D. Vance and Tim Walz face off in person. Typically, the VP debate is little more than a formality, and rarely does it affect the election in any significant way. But this is no ordinary election. The stakes are higher than they have been in years, and Trump and Harris are still in a razor-thin race, according to the polls. Both Vance and Walz are relative newcomers to the national stage and still have room to make an impression on the American people, and with the race as tight as it is, that might make all the difference.

So what do you think? Can this VP debate make an impact on the election? Are you going to tune in? And what sort of questions and issues need to be brought up? Let us know in the poll below:

Will this VP debate be important in the overall election?

Are you going to watch the VP debate?

Should the debaters be asked about the Biden-Harris administration's failing economy?

Should the debaters be asked about climate change and energy policy?

Should the debaters be asked about the rise of globalism?

Five things that PROVE Kamala's plan for climate authoritarianism

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If you wanted to cripple America for years, what would be the best way to go about it?

If your mind immediately went to the power grid, you think a lot like Glenn. For decades the secret to America's growth and prosperity has been its abundant and relatively cheap energy. Electricity has been so cheap for so long that many Americans take it for granted, though raising prices has put it back on many people's radars.

There are forces on the Left, including Kamala Harris, who is working to be "unburdened by what has been," and plunge America into a dystopian future where only the elite can afford "luxuries" like A/C and dishwashers. While Kamala has either remained silent or been dismissive of her radical climate policies, here are things that prove that Kamala has disastrous plans for our energy future:

Kamala endorsed the Green New Deal

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

In 2019, then-Senator Harris was proud to co-sponsor the Green New Deal. This was, by all metrics, the most authoritarian legislation in U.S. history. It was so over the top, cartoonishly evil, that it hardly seemed real. It aimed to ban all coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power, and dismantle and rebuild every aspect of our lives, from what we eat to how we travel (for the worse). It also aimed to provide economic security to those "unwilling to work," aka, money for nothing.

Had several failed climate actions

Alex Wong / Staff | Getty Images

After the Green New Deal was defeated, Kamala tried several times to pass something similar. First was the "Comprehensive Climate Plan" which she introduced during her 2019 presidential bid. This plan had a staggering 10 TRILLION DOLLAR price tag, which is double the entire U.S. federal budget and aimed at exceeding the Paris Agreement climate goals.

In 2020, she introduced the Climate Equity Act, which would have created another government office called the "Climate and Environmental Equity Office.” This office would review all congressional bills and judge their potential impact on "communities that have experienced environmental injustice or are vulnerable to climate injustice.” As if that wasn't overreaching enough, it would also require every government agency to publish a biannual "climate and environmental justice accountability agenda.”

Finally, she pushed the “Environmental Justice for All Act,” which is exactly what it says on the tin. It boils down to a bunch of new rules and advisory bodies that would give cash handouts to "environmental justice communities." Fortunately, just like the other two this one never saw the light of day.

Inflation reduction act

Michael M. Santiago / Staff | Getty Images

The crowning jewel of Kamala's "historic" vice presidency was when she cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Green New Deal Jr, otherwise known as the Inflation Reduction Act. While it was obvious from the beginning that the Inflation Reduction Act had nothing to do with inflation, and was just a climate change bill in disguise, Biden recently confirmed this to all the nay-sayers. Kamala confirmed that this was more than just another Biden gaffe when she admitted that it is "the single largest climate investment in American history.”

So what fruits does this wonderful piece of legislation have to offer? 60 out of the promised 2,000+ EV school buses. It is unclear if the delay is caused by schools backing out of the program due to the technological limitations of the busses or the outrageous cost- more than three times that of a traditional bus. Kamala's vision of the future sure is bright.

Skyrocketing home prices

PATRICK T. FALLON / Contributor | Getty Images

If the Inflation Reduction Act is the greatest climate bill ever, then we have a pretty good idea of how it affects the average American: poorly. Over the past year, U.S. electricity prices have risen 3.6 percent, which outpaces inflation. Current estimates suggest the average American is paying 5,000 dollars a year more on utilities than they were before Biden and Kamala took office. Not to mention all the new green mandates enforced on new homes, which on average is adding 31,000 dollars to the price of homes.

Judging by the climate-leading state of California, this is pretty standard. Californians' electricity bill has gone up over three times faster than the rest of the nation since 2008 and Californians collectively owe more than 2 billion dollars in unpaid utility bills. Not to mention the havoc green energy is playing on the electric grid.

Ban fracking

Spencer Platt / Staff | Getty Images

Over the last fifteen years, the U.S. has reduced our emissions more than any other nation, but this was accomplished despite the authoritarian legislation, not because of it. Natural free-market developments have encouraged a transition from coal to natural gas, largely due to fracking, which has dramatically increased the availability of the fuel. A whopping 43 percent of American electricity is generated by natural gas, meaning its price has a huge impact on the cost of energy. So naturally the Biden-Harris administration has cracked down on natural gas and oil exploration, and in 2019 Kamala stated that she favored banning fracking. She has since walked back that statement, but seeing how hostile the administration has been towards fracking it's almost certain that a Kamala presidency would spell doom for natural gas.

The TRUTH about Kamala's climate agenda

SAUL LOEB / Contributor| Getty Images

Her strategy on controversial energy issues is one of ‘strategic ambiguity.’ That might as well be her campaign slogan.

If people wanted to cripple the United States for the long term, they’d attack our energy supply — and the left is already doing it. America’s abundance of energy resources built this nation, and we’ve long enjoyed reliable, affordable energy that many of us take for granted. It’s easy not to treat energy as a top election issue, but we ignore it at our own peril.

Kamala Harris and other forces on the left are bent on dismantling America’s energy independence and, in the process, stripping away much of our freedom. This isn’t alarmism — it’s reality. It started on day one of the Biden-Harris administration, and you feel it every time you pay your electricity bill.

The League of Conservation Voters wouldn’t be spending $55 million if it didn’t know Kamala Harris is fully aligned with its radical agenda.

When it comes to government policy, perhaps nothing will affect your day-to-day life more than what the left wants to do with green energy. If you don’t believe this is a critical issue, consider that 24 states, including the District of Columbia, now have 100% clean energy goals, impacting more than half of the U.S. population.

Kamala Harris is a climate radical. But she’s hiding it — for now. According to the Pew Research Center, climate ranks near the bottom of voters’ priorities, so Harris can’t risk alienating voters by revealing her true stance. For her entire national political career, she has been a zealous leader of the green energy movement. In fact, Reuters recently reported that Harris’ strategy on controversial energy issues is one of “strategic ambiguity.” That might as well be her campaign slogan.

Harris cannot afford to discuss her real green policies openly — not with battleground states like Pennsylvania and Ohio in play. Instead, we get her soft rebranding at the DNC where she talks about “the freedom to breathe clean air.” So now she and the rest of the climate radicals are freedom fighters? That’s rich.

Repackaging her authoritarian climate agenda as “freedom” is a joke. This is reverse psychology. Harris, Tim Walz, and the Democratic Party want more control and regulation over your daily life, not less. For now, Harris is keeping quiet about her plans, but major left-wing climate groups are speaking for her.

The radical environmental group League of Conservation Voters is running a $55 million ad campaign for Harris. The LCV is no ordinary environmental group — it has deep ties to the left’s dark money network, particularly through the Arabella Advisors. The group has pushed hard for green policies that would end the use of fossil fuels in America.

The LCV is already plugged into the White House and has led internal training for climate-related political appointees. It knows exactly where Harris stands. It wouldn’t be spending $55 million if it didn’t know she’s fully aligned with its radical agenda.

Let’s not forget Harris’ track record. As a senator, she was a “proud” cosponsor of the Green New Deal, the most authoritarian piece of legislation in U.S. history. It sought to ban coal, oil, natural gas, and even nuclear power. The plan aimed to eliminate all airplanes, combustion-engine vehicles, and, of course, those flatulent cows. It even promised “economic security for all who are unable or unwilling to work.”

Harris didn’t stop there. In 2019, she ran for president on a $10 trillion climate plan — double the entire federal budget from last year. She wanted to, as she put it, “exceed” the Paris Agreement goals. Her obsession with climate “equity” and “environmental justice” only deepened, introducing the Climate Equity Act, which would create a new government office to review congressional bills for their impact on so-called “climate injustice.”

In 2020, she introduced the Environmental Justice for All Act, which created advisory bodies and government programs, including grants — just another term for taxpayer-funded handouts to her favored “environmental justice” communities. Once she became vice president, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, a Green New Deal in disguise. Joe Biden himself admitted it, saying they should have named it for what it truly was: a massive climate bill.

Harris recently reaffirmed her support for the Inflation Reduction Act, calling it “the single largest climate investment in American history.” But “investment” is an interesting choice of words. Just look at Harris’ $5 billion electric school bus plan. So far, the program has only produced 60 buses — each costing over three times more than a traditional diesel bus. And these buses lose one-third of their range in cold weather. Fifty-five school districts have already pulled out of the program, citing performance concerns.

This is Kamala Harris’ vision for America: an authoritarian climate regime, backed by dark money and radical green activists. Don’t be fooled by her rebrand as a “moderate freedom fighter.” If you vote for Harris, you are voting to dismantle the infrastructure that has given us the reliable energy we’ve thus far had the privilege of taking for granted. And you will be voting for the consolidation of the energy sector under centralized government control veiled under trendy climate talking points. Let’s not go there.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on TheBlaze.com.

Who IS this guy?! 5 INSANE facts about Trump's 2nd would-be assassin

Future Publishing / Contributor | Getty Images

It's been just over a week since the second assassination attempt on President Trump, and the story has only gotten stranger.

If you were uneasy about the lack of disclosed information about Trump's first assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, despite his seemingly innocuous background, you will be shocked by what we do know about Trump's second would-be assassin, Ryan Routh. Routh has a mile-long criminal record along with even more highly suspicious activity linked to his name. How he managed to be within a mile of the president with a firearm is a mystery.

Here are five CRAZY facts about Ryan Routh that only make the situation even more insane:

Criminal background

Anadolu / Contributor | Getty Images

Many people noted how calm and collected Routh appeared during his arrest, and as it turns out, that was due to practice. Routh has a colorful criminal history stretching back two decades. We're not talking about traffic violations and noise complaints. In 2010 Routh was convicted of possession of stolen property, which included a pickup truck, three trailers full of stolen tools, and building materials. Routh was also using the property without the owner's knowledge and had threatened a neighbor with a knife when he was asked to clean up the land.

In 2002 Routh was arrested for possession of several explosive devices, and months later, he was in an armed standoff with the police while in possession of a fully automatic weapon. He was later charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction. He managed to dodge prison by paying a whopping $225 fine and serving 60 months of probation. Who is this guy's lawyer?!

No prison time

Anadolu / Contributor | Getty Images

With a rap sheet like that, you would expect Routh to have served some serious prison time. But, no, it seems that despite his crimes, which again, include being in possession of a weapon of mass destruction, Routh has never seen the inside of a jail cell. It makes you wonder why he apparently received special treatment. Was this a failure of the court system? Who is Ryan Routh?

Strange travels

SERGEI SUPINSKY / Contributor | Getty Images

While on probation, which generally means you cannot leave the state without permission, Routh managed to travel to Costa Rica. While this might seem innocent at first, Blaze News journalist Steve Baker explained to Glenn that there is a darker side to the tourist industry in the small nation. Baker explains that if someone is not going for the beaches, they are going for the sex trade and/or the money laundering. While there is no evidence that Routh did anything unsavory while in Costa Rica, given his fondness for lawless behavior, it seems unlikely that he was just lounging in the sand.

Routh also traveled to Kiev in an attempt to aid Ukraine's fight against Russia, with little results. Routh never served in Ukraine's International Legion, apparently being rejected by the Ukrainian command. That didn't stop Routh, who lingered in the capitol city rambling unhinged ideas to vanquish Russia, which included recruiting Afghani commandos. Routh's obsession with Ukraine's war was called "unhealthy" by Ukrainian soldiers, and his obsession even drove him to write a self-published book titled Ukraine's Unwinnable War.

Strange letter

Anadolu / Contributor | Getty Images

Glenn recently covered a startling revelation in the assassination saga. Routh apparently left a mysterious package with another person several months before his attempted assassination. This other person held on to the package and did not open it until after Routh was caught. Inside was some ammunition and a strange letter addressed to the world. In the letter in which he acknowledges his failure to kill the former president and offers a bounty of $150,000 to anyone who finishes the grisly task. Remember, the letter was written months before the assassination attempt.

This creates more questions than it answers: who was this person who held onto the package? Why did they wait so long to open the box? Was Routh planning on failing his assassination attempt, or was there a "success" letter in that box? Where is this $150,000? And why did the DoJ release this letter that encourages more assassination attempts on Trump?

Son was arrested on child porn charges

Courtesy of Guilford County Sheriff’s Office

The latest development in this crazy escapade comes in the form of another arrested member of the Routh family. Oran Routh, the son of Ryan Routh, was arrested earlier this week on federal charges of possessing child pornography. Investigators claim that the discovery of the illicit material was discovered during a search conducted "in connection with an investigation unrelated to child exploitation."

Oran was interviewed over the phone shortly after his father was taken into custody, where he claimed no prior knowledge of his father's plans and was shocked to hear the allegations held against him. Oran also appeared to be ignorant of his father's criminal past, stating, “He’s my dad, and all he’s had is a couple traffic tickets, as far as I know." Surprisingly, Oran spent much of the interview bashing President Trump and the current state of American politics and admitted that he and his father had grown apart in recent years.

Oran, who like his father, has a criminal history including impaired driving and assault, appears to be following in his father's footsteps.

Glenn's Show Prep

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: March 17th

VP debate recap: A Vance victory

Dockworker strike: Everything you need to know

Join Glenn TONIGHT for BlazeTV's exclusive VP debate coverage!

POLL: Can the VP debate affect the election?

Will this VP debate be important in the overall election?

Are you going to watch the VP debate?

Should the debaters be asked about the Biden-Harris administration's failing economy?

Should the debaters be asked about climate change and energy policy?

Should the debaters be asked about the rise of globalism?

Five things that PROVE Kamala's plan for climate authoritarianism

Kamala endorsed the Green New Deal

Had several failed climate actions

Inflation reduction act

Skyrocketing home prices

Ban fracking

The TRUTH about Kamala's climate agenda

Her strategy on controversial energy issues is one of ‘strategic ambiguity.’ That might as well be her campaign slogan.

Who IS this guy?! 5 INSANE facts about Trump's 2nd would-be assassin

Criminal background

No prison time

Strange travels

Strange letter

Son was arrested on child porn charges