CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: March 23rd

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: 341,632 (up from 252,014 Friday)
  • Total Confirmed Deaths Worldwide: 14,749 (up from 10,405 Friday)
  • Total Confirmed Recovered Worldwide: 99,041 (up from 89,044 Friday)
  • Total Confirmed Recovered Worldwide: 89,044 (up from 85,823 yesterday)
  • 192 Countries have confirmed cases (up from 182 Friday) Only 2 Countries: the Marshall Islands and St Kitts do not have confirmed cases
  • 5% of Active Cases are considered serious (requiring hospitalization) steady from 5% Friday but down from 19% in February
  • US has 35,070 Confirmed Cases and 458 Deaths, up from 14,365 cases and 217 deaths Friday


Over 1 Billion People Shelter In Placehttps://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3076295/coronavirus-nearly-one-billion-people-are-confined

  • More than a billion people remained indoors in India for 14-hour curfew as Singapore banned all short-term visitors.
  • Nearly one billion people around the world were confined to their homes on Sunday, as US states implemented stay-at-home orders similar to those in Europe.
  • India started a 14-hour curfew on Sunday, expected to be extended by authorities Monday.
  • Singapore banned all short-term visitors from the Country through April.
  • The measures came as deaths from the global coronavirus pandemic surged to more than 14,700.
  • More than one-third of Americans were adjusting to life in various phases of lockdown – including in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, three of the country's most populous cities – with more states expected to ramp up restrictions.
  • Italy reported a one-day record number of deaths – nearly 800, with the country's overall toll shooting past 5,500 with more than 59,000 cases confirmed.

US Planting Season Here: Worker Shortagehttps://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/economy/agricultural-industry-claims-pandemic-immigration-restrictions-could-hurt-food-supply

  • The farming industry is warning that immigrant visa restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic could mean a loss in farm labor sharp enough to hurt its ability to get many items to grocery store shelves.
  • "If the current policy holds, we will have some very serious shortages of labor," said David Puglia, president of the Western Growers Association.
  • Puglia said that the severity of the shortages would depend on the region and the commodity.
  • Asked if the labor problem could result in shortages on grocery store shelves, Puglia replied, "That's possible." He explained, "It would be very difficult at this late stage to close all of those labor gaps because this is all happening unplanned. We can't flip things around that quickly."
  • Crops that rely heavily on human-labor input include strawberries, blueberries, almonds, onions, beans, peas, melons, and tomatoes.

Not The Flu!https://www.propublica.org/article/a-medical-worker-describes--terrifying-lung-failure-from-covid19-even-in-his-young-patients

  • A Respiratory Therapist describes terrifying Lung Failure From COVID-19 — Even in His Young Patients
  • "It first struck me how different it was when I saw my first coronavirus patient go bad. I was like, Holy s%$#, this is not the flu! Watching this relatively young guy, gasping for air, pink frothy secretions coming out of his tube," said the therapist, on the condition of anonymity because he's not authorized by his Hospital to speak on such matters.
  • "Reading about it in the news, I knew it was going to be bad, but we deal with the flu every year so I was thinking: Well, it's probably not that much worse...But seeing patients with COVID-19 completely changed my perspective, and it's a lot more frightening," he said.
  • "It's causing acute respiratory distress syndrome, ARDS. That means the lungs are filled with fluid. And it's notable for the way the X-ray looks: The entire lung is basically whited out from fluid."
  • Patients with ARDS are extremely difficult to oxygenate. It has a really high mortality rate, about 40%. The way to manage it is to put a patient on a ventilator. The additional pressure helps the oxygen go into the bloodstream," he said.
  • "Normally, ARDS is something that happens over time as the lungs get more and more inflamed. But with this virus, it seems like it happens overnight. I've never seen anything like this."

Trump Activates National Guard Across 3 Stateshttps://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/22/trump-activates-national-guard-in-california-new-york-and-washington-state-to-fight-coronavirus-outbreak.html

  • President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that he has activated the National Guard in California, New York and Washington state in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
  • "This is a War, we'll treat it like a War," the President said.
  • The administration emphasized that the deployment of guard members does not constitute martial law.
  • The state governors will retain command of the National Guard, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover all costs of the missions to respond to the virus outbreak, the president said.
  • The White House said more than 1,110 troops would be deployed to start, with more to follow as needed.

US Senate In Turmoil As Rand Paul Tests Positive for COVID-19https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/488943-rand-pauls-coronavirus-diagnosis-sends-shockwaves-through-senate

  • Republican Absenteeism expected to disrupt Senate Balance of Power.
  • Paul is the first known case of a senator contracting the disease and set off a domino effect throughout the chamber as colleagues tried to recall the last time they were in close contact with Paul, who was in the Capitol complex as recently as Sunday.
  • Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) told reporters on Sunday afternoon that senators would have to weigh whether they would need to self-quarantine. He later announced he would.
  • He was preceded by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who became the first senator to announce he would self-quarantine because of Paul.
  • "Upon learning that my colleague Sen. Paul tested positive for COVID-19, I consulted the Attending Physician of the U.S. Congress Dr. Harding," Lee said in a statement. "Given the timing, proximity, and duration of my exposure to Sen. Paul, she directed me to self-quarantine for 14 days."
  • They join a handful of their colleagues who have had to isolate after being exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) are already self-quarantined for exposure unrelated to Paul. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) had also self-quarantined for unrelated cases but are out of isolation.
  • With five GOP senators in quarantine, the margin in the Senate is temporarily 48 Republicans and 47 Democrats.

Senate Democrats Block COVID-19 Stimulus & Relief Planhttps://nypost.com/2020/03/22/proposed-trillion-dollar-coronavirus-stimulus-bill-blocked-by-senate-democrats/

  • The trillion-dollar coronavirus stimulus package that would help offset the devastating economic effects of the virus hit a roadblock Sunday night as Democrats blocked a procedural vote on the measure.
  • The procedural vote was deadlocked at 47, with five Republicans not in the chamber, including Sen. Rand Paul, who announced Sunday that he has the virus.
  • Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had said that the bill — which has grown to as much as $1.8 trillion — includes direct-deposit checks to Americans and expanded unemployment benefits.
  • Democrats want more money guaranteed toward child care, expanded funding for women's health care and more of the aid package guaranteed to go toward hospitals and health care workers. "As Republicans have written this, it's a blank check for Trump and Mnuchin," Senator Chuck Schumer said.

Acts of Kindness Aboundhttps://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-acts-kindness-abound-us-182309839.html

  • From grocery shopping for the elderly to delivering meals or offering free classes online, acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic are providing uplifting moments of joy in a United States beset by anxiety.
  • In California, the most populous state in the nation and one of the hardest hit by the virus, thousands are using internet apps to offer their services to neighbors in need.
  • In San Diego, for example, a Facebook group created to coordinate volunteer efforts -- San Diego Community Volunteers -- said it has seen a huge uptick in the number of people offering to help, going from 50 members to 400 in a matter of days.
  • Elsewhere, the popular restaurant chain Puesto, which was forced to shut down because of the virus, gave away some 500 free care packages this week. "We will come back strong with tacos for everyone," the restaurant said in an Instagram post after announcing it was shutting down.
  • Supermarkets across the country have also reached out to help seniors, putting in place special hours for people 65 and over to ensure they avoid crowds.
  • The supermarket chain Raley's, based in northern California, said that as of March 21, it was starting a special program offering a pre-selected bag of groceries at a reduced price for seniors and people in need.
  • In Walnut Creek, near San Francisco, where residents have been ordered to stay home, a dentist is offering free emergency dental services to ease the congestion at hospital emergency rooms.
  • In the small town of Coos Bay, also in Oregon, coffee shop owner John Beane is hosting virtual story-times for kids after shutting down his cafe. "We come from the theatre and stories which are always a part of the shop," Beane, the owner of So It Goes Coffeehouse, told AFP. "Some of the very best parts of our work are the brilliant and curious children that we see every day."
  • In Washington state, the city of Seattle -- the country's coronavirus Ground Zero -- music venues are trying to soothe fears over the pandemic by broadcasting live virtual concerts.

Relying on Amazon Prime for Food & Essentials? Houston, We May Have a Problemhttps://www.vox.com/recode/2020/3/22/21190372/amazon-prime-delivery-delays-april-21-coronavirus-covid-19

·Amazon had announced earlier this week that it would start prioritizing the most in-demand essential items in its warehouses, as the e-commerce giant struggles to keep up with customer demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.

·On Sunday, customers and Amazon merchants posted on social media platforms saying certain non-essential items were showing April 21 delivery dates, even though they were listed as in-stock and shipping with Amazon's Prime express shipping service.

·During normal times, Amazon Prime deliveries typically arrive in one or two days in the US.

·Now, some Prime deliveries for in-stock items are showing five-day delivery promises on the lower end, but those waits are as long as a month on some items, including household goods such as groceries.

·An Amazon spokesperson confirmed on Sunday evening that the new April 21 delivery dates are not the result of a technical bug or error; they accurately reflect Amazon's current reality.

·"To serve our customers in need while also helping to ensure the safety of our associates, we've changed our logistics, transportation, supply chain, purchasing, and third-party seller processes to prioritize stocking and delivering items that are a higher priority for our customers," the spokesperson said in a statement. "This has resulted in some of our delivery promises being longer than usual."

·The significant delivery delays showcase just how much shoppers are turning to online shopping during the global health crisis, and how even an online retailer as technologically-advanced and powerful as Amazon can only do so much to handle such an unexpected, once-in-a-generation shopping rush.

·Amazon recently noted it planned on hiring as many as 100,000 new employees to help deal with ongoing demand but indicated new hires could take weeks or months to come online to relieve delays.

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

Jeff Swensen / Stringer | Getty Images

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

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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.