SALISBURY, Md. – Wicomico Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Civic Center facilities will close Tuesday, March 17 through Sunday, March 22.
These facilities include the Wicomico Civic Center, Wicomico County Welcome Center and restroom facilities in County parks.
County parks will remain open.
These closures are in accordance with the Executive’s Office notice of a County Declared Emergency.
Suspension of public programs and events remains in effect through Sunday, March 29. These include Kids Klub After School, Westside Community Center programs, Happy Timers, and all sports programs.
Public events at the Civic Center have been be postponed or canceled through Sunday, March 29.
Decisions made by officials are fluid and can be changed at any time.
The Wicomico Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Civic Center department will continue to monitor the situation through regular updates from the Wicomico County Health Department and the Department of Emergency Services. Updates will be shared with the press, as well as posted to department websites and social media outlets.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, March 16, 2020
Hunter Biden’s Foreign Visits Cost Taxpayers Nearly $200,000, According to Gov’t Database
Then-vice president Joe Biden spared no words when he extolled the virtues of his second son, Hunter Biden, in a 2013 address to South Korean students at the elite Yonsei University.
"And as I speak, my son has just boarded—my grown son has just boarded a plane, an aircraft—he’s heading to the Philippines," Biden said. "His name is Hunter Biden. He’s chairman of the World Food Program USA, and he's going there out in the field, like so many of you did. I'm so incredibly proud of him and the tens of thousands of young people around the world who either went or wanted to."
But Hunter Biden wasn't exactly going "out in the fields" in the same way a naive 20-something might travel to the developing world to dig wells and build schools. What Joe Biden didn't tell the next generation of South Korean elite was that his son was visiting the Philippines with a Secret Service entourage that was costing U.S. taxpayers a fortune.
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"And as I speak, my son has just boarded—my grown son has just boarded a plane, an aircraft—he’s heading to the Philippines," Biden said. "His name is Hunter Biden. He’s chairman of the World Food Program USA, and he's going there out in the field, like so many of you did. I'm so incredibly proud of him and the tens of thousands of young people around the world who either went or wanted to."
But Hunter Biden wasn't exactly going "out in the fields" in the same way a naive 20-something might travel to the developing world to dig wells and build schools. What Joe Biden didn't tell the next generation of South Korean elite was that his son was visiting the Philippines with a Secret Service entourage that was costing U.S. taxpayers a fortune.
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Joe Biden Promises to Nominate Black Woman to Supreme Court for ‘Representation’
Former Vice President Joe Biden promised at the Democrat debate on CNN and Univision Sunday night that he would nominate a “black woman” to the U.S. Supreme Court if he were elected president in November.
Asked what he would do to fight for women’s rights, Biden said: “Number one, I committed that if I’m elected president, to have an opportunity to appoint someone to the courts who will be — I will appoint the first black woman to the courts.”
Biden appeared to be referring to the Supreme Court.
He continued: “It’s required that they have representation now. It’s long overdue.”
Biden seemed to be endorsing the idea that the primary qualification for a Supreme Court justice would be race, gender, and the ability to “represent” a demographic section of the population.
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Asked what he would do to fight for women’s rights, Biden said: “Number one, I committed that if I’m elected president, to have an opportunity to appoint someone to the courts who will be — I will appoint the first black woman to the courts.”
Biden appeared to be referring to the Supreme Court.
He continued: “It’s required that they have representation now. It’s long overdue.”
Biden seemed to be endorsing the idea that the primary qualification for a Supreme Court justice would be race, gender, and the ability to “represent” a demographic section of the population.
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Italian coronavirus victims over 80 will not receive treatment if situation worsens under emergency plans
Italian coronavirus patients who are 80 or older will not receive intensive care if the crisis worsens, under emergency plans being proposed in Turin.
The plans drawn up by civil protection officials warn that 'it will be necessary to apply criteria for access to intensive treatment' if there are too many patients.
The document, seen by the Daily Telegraph, proposes that these criteria 'must include age of less than 80'.
Doctors have already described making life-or-death decisions about who can be treated and who may effectively be left to die.
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The plans drawn up by civil protection officials warn that 'it will be necessary to apply criteria for access to intensive treatment' if there are too many patients.
The document, seen by the Daily Telegraph, proposes that these criteria 'must include age of less than 80'.
Doctors have already described making life-or-death decisions about who can be treated and who may effectively be left to die.
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China could have stopped 95 per cent of its coronavirus infections if social distancing and quarantine started just THREE WEEKS earlier
China's swift enforcement of quarantine and stringent social restrictions following the COVID-19 outbreak prevented more than seven million people from catching the virus in the country, scientists say.
But a study claims that 95 per cent of all infections in mainland China could have been prevented if the country opted to implement restrictive measures such as social distancing and case isolation three weeks earlier.
More than 170,000 people have currently tested positive for coronavirus globally and 6,512 have died.
By the end of February, in mainland China alone, the number of COVID-19 cases totalled 114,325, the researchers estimate.
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But a study claims that 95 per cent of all infections in mainland China could have been prevented if the country opted to implement restrictive measures such as social distancing and case isolation three weeks earlier.
More than 170,000 people have currently tested positive for coronavirus globally and 6,512 have died.
By the end of February, in mainland China alone, the number of COVID-19 cases totalled 114,325, the researchers estimate.
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Joe Biden: No Deportations for Any Criminal Illegal Aliens in My First 100 Days
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) is vowing, once again, that he will not deport a single criminal illegal alien from the United States in his first 100 days.
During CNN’s Democrat debate Sunday night, Biden recommitted to not deporting any illegal aliens, no matter their criminal history, in his first 100 days — and afterward allowing no deportations unless they are first prosecuted and convicted of felonies.
“In the first 100 days of my administration, no one, no one will be deported at all,” Biden said. “From that point on, the only deportations that will take place is convictions of felonies in the United States of America.”
Biden — who, along with Obama, oversaw thousands of deportations and detention of border crossers between 2008 to 2016 — has attempted to angle his national immigration plan to appease the open borders lobby that has blasted him for failing to commit, like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), to ending all deportations of illegal aliens, regardless of criminal history.
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During CNN’s Democrat debate Sunday night, Biden recommitted to not deporting any illegal aliens, no matter their criminal history, in his first 100 days — and afterward allowing no deportations unless they are first prosecuted and convicted of felonies.
“In the first 100 days of my administration, no one, no one will be deported at all,” Biden said. “From that point on, the only deportations that will take place is convictions of felonies in the United States of America.”
Biden — who, along with Obama, oversaw thousands of deportations and detention of border crossers between 2008 to 2016 — has attempted to angle his national immigration plan to appease the open borders lobby that has blasted him for failing to commit, like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), to ending all deportations of illegal aliens, regardless of criminal history.
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Using tote bags instead of plastic could help spread the coronavirus
The COVID-19 outbreak is giving new meaning to those “sustainable” shopping bags that politicians and environmentalists have been so eager to impose on the public. These reusable tote bags can sustain the COVID-19 and flu viruses — and spread the viruses throughout the store.
Researchers have been warning for years about the risks of these bags spreading deadly viral and bacterial diseases, but public officials have ignored their concerns, determined to eliminate single-use bags and other plastic products despite their obvious advantages in reducing the spread of pathogens. In New York state, a new law took effect this month banning single-use plastic bags in most retail businesses, and this week Democratic state legislators advanced a bill that would force coffee shops to accept consumers’ reusable cups — a practice that Starbucks and other chains have wisely suspended to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus.
John Flanagan, the Republican leader of the New York state Senate, has criticized the new legislation and called for a suspension of the law banning plastic bags. “Senate Democrats’ desperate need to be green is unclean during the coronavirus outbreak,” he said Tuesday, but so far he’s been a lonely voice among public officials.
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Researchers have been warning for years about the risks of these bags spreading deadly viral and bacterial diseases, but public officials have ignored their concerns, determined to eliminate single-use bags and other plastic products despite their obvious advantages in reducing the spread of pathogens. In New York state, a new law took effect this month banning single-use plastic bags in most retail businesses, and this week Democratic state legislators advanced a bill that would force coffee shops to accept consumers’ reusable cups — a practice that Starbucks and other chains have wisely suspended to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus.
John Flanagan, the Republican leader of the New York state Senate, has criticized the new legislation and called for a suspension of the law banning plastic bags. “Senate Democrats’ desperate need to be green is unclean during the coronavirus outbreak,” he said Tuesday, but so far he’s been a lonely voice among public officials.
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Andrew Gillum to enter rehab facility
MIAMI, Fla. (CBS 12) — Former Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum said he's entering a rehab facility.
"After conversation with my family and deep reflection, I have made the decision to seek help, guidance and enter a rehabilitation facility at this time," Gillum said in a release. "This has been a wake-up call for me. Since my race for governor ended, I fell into a depression that has led to alcohol abuse. I witnessed my father suffer from alcoholism and I know the damaging effects it can have when untreated. I also know that alcoholism is often a symptom of deeper struggles. I am committed to doing the personal work to heal fully and show up in the world as a more complete person.
Gillum said he'll be stepping away from the public for the foreseeable future.
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"After conversation with my family and deep reflection, I have made the decision to seek help, guidance and enter a rehabilitation facility at this time," Gillum said in a release. "This has been a wake-up call for me. Since my race for governor ended, I fell into a depression that has led to alcohol abuse. I witnessed my father suffer from alcoholism and I know the damaging effects it can have when untreated. I also know that alcoholism is often a symptom of deeper struggles. I am committed to doing the personal work to heal fully and show up in the world as a more complete person.
Gillum said he'll be stepping away from the public for the foreseeable future.
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Drug Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests-Georgetown
Georgetown- The Delaware State Police Kent (KDU) and Sussex County Drug Units (SDU), and the Governor’s Task Force (GTF) concluded a drug investigation into the trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs.
On March 15, 2020, a week long investigation was concluded into the matter of 33-year-old Djavon P. Holland of Paterson, NJ, in connection with drug trafficking and a distribution organization. It was learned that Holland was staying at the Quality Inn located at 20530 Dupont Boulevard, Georgetown. Two drug transactions were observed at this location between Holland, 36-year-old Nathan L. Henry of Georgetown, DE and 23-year-old Andrew E. Foreman of Dagsboro, DE.
Members of KDU, SDU, GTF and the Georgetown Police Department took all three suspects into custody. As Officers attempted to take Henry into custody, he began to flee on foot while throwing a sock that contained approximately 15.12 grams of crack cocaine and 156 bags of heroin. He was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. Foreman was apprehended as he was attempting to leave the parking lot in his vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident and approximately 24.13 grams of marijuana was located in the vehicle and approximately 23.38 grams of marijuana was located on his person.
A search warrant was obtained for Holland’s hotel room and the following was located:
- Approximately 82.199 grams of raw heroin
- Over $1600 in suspected drug proceeds
- Drug paraphernalia
The suspects were transported back to the Troop and charged with the following:
Djavon Holland:
- Possession With Intent To Deliver A Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity
- Possession With Intent To Deliver A Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Holland was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $102500.00 secured bond.
Nathan Henry:
- Possession With Intent To Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity
- Possession With Intent To Deliver A Controlled Substance
- Resisting Arrest
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession of Marijuana
Henry was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $31600.00 cash only bond.
Andrew Foreman:
- Possession With Intent To Deliver A Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Foreman was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $10100.00 cash only bond.
Have doctors found a drug to fight coronavirus?
Two top doctors believe an experimental drug has helped save the lives of American coronavirus patients
George Thompson, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California Davis Medical Center, was part of the team that administered the drug, remdesivir, to a sickly American woman who tested positive for the virus on February 26.
'We thought they were going to pass away,' Thompson told Science magazine Friday about the patient - who was the first known 'community spread' case in the United States.
However, 36 hours after the woman was admitted to hospital, doctors decided to treat her with remdesivir, which is administered by intravenous drip and 'cripples an enzyme named RNA polymerase - used by many viruses to copy themselves'.
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George Thompson, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California Davis Medical Center, was part of the team that administered the drug, remdesivir, to a sickly American woman who tested positive for the virus on February 26.
'We thought they were going to pass away,' Thompson told Science magazine Friday about the patient - who was the first known 'community spread' case in the United States.
However, 36 hours after the woman was admitted to hospital, doctors decided to treat her with remdesivir, which is administered by intravenous drip and 'cripples an enzyme named RNA polymerase - used by many viruses to copy themselves'.
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First case of COVID-19 confirmed in Howard County, six paramedics quarantined
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Sunday that an elderly woman has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the first confirmed case for the county.
Ball said the woman is 82-years-old and has underlying medical conditions. She is currently hospitalized. Officials said she had limited contact with others. It is not known how she contracted the disease.
The Maryland State Health Department confirmed the woman is a resident at Lorien Elkridge, a nursing home facility in Howard County. Lorien Columbia, Lorien Hall Assisted Living and Lorien Encore at Turf Valley in Howard County have no cases.
The resident has been hospitalized and the facility is in the process of notifying all residents, staff and family members. State and local officials will conduct evaluation and testing, as indicated, for residents and staff. MDH has provided infection control guidance and equipment to the facility, and inspectors will be on-site to make sure guidance is being followed.
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Ball said the woman is 82-years-old and has underlying medical conditions. She is currently hospitalized. Officials said she had limited contact with others. It is not known how she contracted the disease.
The Maryland State Health Department confirmed the woman is a resident at Lorien Elkridge, a nursing home facility in Howard County. Lorien Columbia, Lorien Hall Assisted Living and Lorien Encore at Turf Valley in Howard County have no cases.
The resident has been hospitalized and the facility is in the process of notifying all residents, staff and family members. State and local officials will conduct evaluation and testing, as indicated, for residents and staff. MDH has provided infection control guidance and equipment to the facility, and inspectors will be on-site to make sure guidance is being followed.
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Pompous Democrat Lawyer Who Tried and Failed to Impeach Trump Tests Positive for Coronavirus – Then Blames Trump
Democrat lawyer Daniel Goldman announced on Sunday he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Goldman tried and failed miserably to impeach President Trump while the coronavirus was spreading in China.
Maybe Democrats shouldn’t have been wasting their time with a sham impeachment when they should have focused on the real issues?
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Goldman tried and failed miserably to impeach President Trump while the coronavirus was spreading in China.
Maybe Democrats shouldn’t have been wasting their time with a sham impeachment when they should have focused on the real issues?
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Coronavirus Closures: Gov. Wolf Says ‘Please Stay Home,’ Orders Statewide Shutdown Of All Nonessential Businesses
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP/KDKA) — Gov. Tom Wolf has extended a shutdown order to the entire state of Pennsylvania in an effort to halt the spread of the Coronavirus.
Gov. Wolf has already called for nonessential government offices to close and nonessential business activity to end in four heavily-populated southeastern Pennsylvania counties. His office said Monday he will extend that order to the rest of the state.
“I would like people to stay home 24 hours a day,” Gov. Wolf said. “We need to eliminate as many physical contacts as we can to further prevent this strain of COVID-19, and we each need to work together to do this.”
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Gov. Wolf has already called for nonessential government offices to close and nonessential business activity to end in four heavily-populated southeastern Pennsylvania counties. His office said Monday he will extend that order to the rest of the state.
“I would like people to stay home 24 hours a day,” Gov. Wolf said. “We need to eliminate as many physical contacts as we can to further prevent this strain of COVID-19, and we each need to work together to do this.”
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FLYNN LAWYER SAYS SHOCKING CLINTON MATERIAL ON ANTHONY WEINER’S LAPTOP, RECOMMENDS MILITARY EXAMINE IT
The lawyer of retired General Mike Flynn claims that Anthony Weiner’s laptop seized by the NYPD in 2016 contained hundreds of thousands of Hillary Clinton emails revealing heinous crimes.
In a speech delivered at Hillsdale College last week, Sidney Powell claimed that the laptop belonging to Clinton aide Huma Abedin’s ex-husband Anthony Weiner contains “675,000 emails” detailing crimes related to the Clinton Foundation, and possibly much worse offenses which deeply disturbed investigators who reviewed them.
“It was all the Clinton emails, the Clinton Foundation, her Secretary of State emails, Huma Abedin’s emails – lots of people emailing Huma as a proxy for Hillary,” Powell told the audience.
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In a speech delivered at Hillsdale College last week, Sidney Powell claimed that the laptop belonging to Clinton aide Huma Abedin’s ex-husband Anthony Weiner contains “675,000 emails” detailing crimes related to the Clinton Foundation, and possibly much worse offenses which deeply disturbed investigators who reviewed them.
“It was all the Clinton emails, the Clinton Foundation, her Secretary of State emails, Huma Abedin’s emails – lots of people emailing Huma as a proxy for Hillary,” Powell told the audience.
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GOP Senator pushing legislation to reduce pharmaceutical dependency on China: 'We are dependent on them'
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., addressed the reliance that the U.S. currently has on China when it comes to key pharmaceutical ingredients, as medical professionals are hoping to stave off the coronavirus pandemic.
Blackburn told "Fox & Friends" Sunday morning that even before the current outbreak, she was pushing legislation to reduce that dependency and increase production in the U.S.
"Many of the pharmaceuticals that are necessary for treating some of these viruses," Blackburn said, "they’re made only in China and we are dependent on them for these -- they’re called APIs, active pharmaceutical ingredients."
Blackburn went on to say that her bill "would incentive bringing that production back on U.S. shores" and "would change some of the legislation around the FDA … that deals with these emerging threats and new technologies and add advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing in this."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-senator-pushing-legislation-to-reduce-pharmaceutical-dependency-on-china-we-are-dependent-on-them
Blackburn told "Fox & Friends" Sunday morning that even before the current outbreak, she was pushing legislation to reduce that dependency and increase production in the U.S.
"Many of the pharmaceuticals that are necessary for treating some of these viruses," Blackburn said, "they’re made only in China and we are dependent on them for these -- they’re called APIs, active pharmaceutical ingredients."
Blackburn went on to say that her bill "would incentive bringing that production back on U.S. shores" and "would change some of the legislation around the FDA … that deals with these emerging threats and new technologies and add advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing in this."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-senator-pushing-legislation-to-reduce-pharmaceutical-dependency-on-china-we-are-dependent-on-them
Census Bureau Statement on Modifying 2020 Census Operations to Make Sure College Students are Counted
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'Incompetence kills': Schiff rails against Trump for floating Flynn pardon during coronavirus pandemic
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff criticized President Trump for his "attacks" on the justice system after the commander in chief announced he is "strongly considering" a pardon for former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Schiff, a California Democrat who was the lead impeachment manager in the Ukraine saga, demanded the president stay focused on responding to the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to dozens of deaths in the U.S.
"Mr. President, keep your focus on the current crisis. The delay in testing and your failure to lead are already costing us dearly. Your attacks on the independence of the justice system and rewarding of cronies who lied for you can wait. Incompetence kills," Schiff said in a tweet Sunday afternoon.
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Schiff, a California Democrat who was the lead impeachment manager in the Ukraine saga, demanded the president stay focused on responding to the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to dozens of deaths in the U.S.
"Mr. President, keep your focus on the current crisis. The delay in testing and your failure to lead are already costing us dearly. Your attacks on the independence of the justice system and rewarding of cronies who lied for you can wait. Incompetence kills," Schiff said in a tweet Sunday afternoon.
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CNN's Brian Stelter slams surgeon general for criticizing reporters covering coronavirus
CNN media pundit Brian Stelter rebuked Surgeon General Jerome Adams after he called for a de-escalation in political rhetoric surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and criticized the way the media have portrayed the outbreak.
"What Adams called 'bickering' and 'criticism' is what most of us call accountability," Stelter wrote in his weekend newsletter. "I hear him saying 'stop exposing the Trump administration’s failures.' There is value in all of the coverage. And government officials don’t get to decide that — readers and reporters and whistleblowers and editors do."
Adams condemned the media on Saturday for their negative coverage of the Trump administration's response to the outbreak.
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"What Adams called 'bickering' and 'criticism' is what most of us call accountability," Stelter wrote in his weekend newsletter. "I hear him saying 'stop exposing the Trump administration’s failures.' There is value in all of the coverage. And government officials don’t get to decide that — readers and reporters and whistleblowers and editors do."
Adams condemned the media on Saturday for their negative coverage of the Trump administration's response to the outbreak.
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Maryland session to adjourn Wednesday amid State of Emergency
ANNAPOLIS, Md. —Under the self-imposed deadline, lawmakers have until Wednesday to complete work on everything from the budget to education reform.
An early, but temporary finish line, the 2020 session officially ends April 6, but the coronavirus changed that timetable. Lawmakers will adjourn March 18 and resume the last week in May.
“We will be essentially condensing the last month of session into three days with a third of the staff. This is going to require us to focus on the most important and prioritized policies,” Senate President Bill Ferguson said.
Topping the list of priorities is passing the state's $47.9 billion budget. The spending plan is the only action that lawmakers are constitutionally required to complete during the legislative session.
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An early, but temporary finish line, the 2020 session officially ends April 6, but the coronavirus changed that timetable. Lawmakers will adjourn March 18 and resume the last week in May.
“We will be essentially condensing the last month of session into three days with a third of the staff. This is going to require us to focus on the most important and prioritized policies,” Senate President Bill Ferguson said.
Topping the list of priorities is passing the state's $47.9 billion budget. The spending plan is the only action that lawmakers are constitutionally required to complete during the legislative session.
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'Squad' member Ayanna Pressley calls for commuting prisoner sentences over coronavirus
Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley argued now is the time to commute the sentences of some federal prisoners who are vulnerable to the coronavirus outbreak.
Pressley, who is a member of the liberal contingent of four women in Congress known as “the Squad,” told Al Sharpton on his MSNBC show Saturday that she and some other Democrats were advocating for the “compassionate” releases of inmates.
“This pandemic, COVID-19, has certainly highlighted and exasperated every socio, ratio, and political fault line in our country. And I'm just advocating to make sure that when we are talking about those that are most vulnerable, our low-income residents and citizens, those experiencing homelessness, our seniors, that we are also including the incarcerated men and women, who are certainly amongst one of the most vulnerable populations. And given the crowding and overpopulating in our prisons for a confluence of other reasons ... are an ecosystem in a petri dish for the spreading of this pandemic, which is why I partnered with my colleagues, Reps. [Nydia] Velasquez, [Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez, and [Rashida] Tlaib, to lobby the Bureau of Prisons to use their full power and to communicate guidance for how we will contain and mitigate this epidemic behind the wall," she said.
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Pressley, who is a member of the liberal contingent of four women in Congress known as “the Squad,” told Al Sharpton on his MSNBC show Saturday that she and some other Democrats were advocating for the “compassionate” releases of inmates.
“This pandemic, COVID-19, has certainly highlighted and exasperated every socio, ratio, and political fault line in our country. And I'm just advocating to make sure that when we are talking about those that are most vulnerable, our low-income residents and citizens, those experiencing homelessness, our seniors, that we are also including the incarcerated men and women, who are certainly amongst one of the most vulnerable populations. And given the crowding and overpopulating in our prisons for a confluence of other reasons ... are an ecosystem in a petri dish for the spreading of this pandemic, which is why I partnered with my colleagues, Reps. [Nydia] Velasquez, [Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez, and [Rashida] Tlaib, to lobby the Bureau of Prisons to use their full power and to communicate guidance for how we will contain and mitigate this epidemic behind the wall," she said.
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Trump administration announces nationwide drive-through coronavirus testing to begin this week
The Trump administration announced that drive-through coronavirus testing sites will open this week in each state, altogether able to test tens of thousands each week.
"We believe we've created a model base on the public health and the FEMA system that is optimized that can be used for drive-through or potentially walk-through," Adm. Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary for health and head of the Public Health Service, said at a White House press conference Sunday.
Giroir said the administration is also working with private retail companies to open drive-through testing centers in parking lots, and about 2,000 new labs will be able to process tests that can produce results within hours.
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"We believe we've created a model base on the public health and the FEMA system that is optimized that can be used for drive-through or potentially walk-through," Adm. Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary for health and head of the Public Health Service, said at a White House press conference Sunday.
Giroir said the administration is also working with private retail companies to open drive-through testing centers in parking lots, and about 2,000 new labs will be able to process tests that can produce results within hours.
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Maryland Democrats Advance Tax Hikes And Expensive Education Plan Despite Coronavirus Pandemic
Maryland Democrats advanced tax increases and a multi-billion dollar education bill Saturday as the public is barred from the statehouse and the legislative session is ending early due to the coronavirus.
The Maryland Senate gave preliminary approval Saturday to an education plan that would cost $4 billion annually to reform the state’s public school system. To fund the plan, Democrats gave preliminary approval to tax increases on tobacco products and digital downloading, a move Republicans said is unpopular, as the economy is expected to struggle in the coming months of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m shocked that Democrats are moving forward with taxes,” Maryland Senate Minority Leader J. B. Jennings told the Daily Caller. “Now is not the time to pass tax increases.”
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The Maryland Senate gave preliminary approval Saturday to an education plan that would cost $4 billion annually to reform the state’s public school system. To fund the plan, Democrats gave preliminary approval to tax increases on tobacco products and digital downloading, a move Republicans said is unpopular, as the economy is expected to struggle in the coming months of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m shocked that Democrats are moving forward with taxes,” Maryland Senate Minority Leader J. B. Jennings told the Daily Caller. “Now is not the time to pass tax increases.”
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THIS PEDIATRICIAN RECOMMENDS NO CORONAVIRUS BREAK PLAYDATES
Strange times right now, huh?
I live in Maryland and our schools are shut down statewide due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
That means that since I’m a pediatrician, I’ve been peppered with questions from patients, family, and friends wondering what they’re going to do with the kids for at least two weeks (and, realistically, probably four or more).
They’re all asking about one thing—coronavirus and playdates.
When the world is shutting down to prevent the spread of a pandemic disease that risks infecting 40-70% of the human race in the next 12 months, can other families still come over to play?
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I live in Maryland and our schools are shut down statewide due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
That means that since I’m a pediatrician, I’ve been peppered with questions from patients, family, and friends wondering what they’re going to do with the kids for at least two weeks (and, realistically, probably four or more).
They’re all asking about one thing—coronavirus and playdates.
When the world is shutting down to prevent the spread of a pandemic disease that risks infecting 40-70% of the human race in the next 12 months, can other families still come over to play?
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Jim Jordan officially starts serving as ranking member of House Judiciary Committee
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has officially started serving as Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee, placing one of the president's most vocal defenders on a key committee before the 2020 elections.
The Judiciary Committee announced on Friday that Jordan had taken over the position from Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., who was required, according to GOP conference rules, to step down as he pursues a Senate bid.
At the beginning of February, the House GOP Steering Committee approved Jordan's new position in a "totally unified decision all around," House GOP Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., reportedly said. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., another vocal Trump supporter, is slated to take over Jordan's previous position as Ranking Member on the House Oversight Committee.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/jim-jordan-ranking-member-house-judiciary-committee
The Judiciary Committee announced on Friday that Jordan had taken over the position from Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., who was required, according to GOP conference rules, to step down as he pursues a Senate bid.
At the beginning of February, the House GOP Steering Committee approved Jordan's new position in a "totally unified decision all around," House GOP Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., reportedly said. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., another vocal Trump supporter, is slated to take over Jordan's previous position as Ranking Member on the House Oversight Committee.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/jim-jordan-ranking-member-house-judiciary-committee
Caribbean Joe's Has The Best Ahi And Salmon On The Shore
Audit: $115M went to former board of Maryland medical system
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Nearly $115 million went to board members of the University of Maryland Medical System or businesses associated with them, a state audit has found.
The payments went to 27 board members or their associated businesses between Jan. 1, 2016 and April 18, 2019, according to a 100-page report that was sent to state lawmakers Friday by the Office of Legislative Audits.
“Approximately 94 percent ($108.2 million) of these payments were made either directly to a Board member or to an entity with which the Board member (or immediate family member) had a direct financial relationship,” the audit said. “The remaining $6.7 million was paid to 19 entities that met our criteria for an associated business, but for which we did not identify a direct financial relationship between the members and the entities (for example, UMMS Board members who also served on the boards of non-profit entities).”
The audit was done after a self-dealing scandal bedeviled the medical system last year.
More
The payments went to 27 board members or their associated businesses between Jan. 1, 2016 and April 18, 2019, according to a 100-page report that was sent to state lawmakers Friday by the Office of Legislative Audits.
“Approximately 94 percent ($108.2 million) of these payments were made either directly to a Board member or to an entity with which the Board member (or immediate family member) had a direct financial relationship,” the audit said. “The remaining $6.7 million was paid to 19 entities that met our criteria for an associated business, but for which we did not identify a direct financial relationship between the members and the entities (for example, UMMS Board members who also served on the boards of non-profit entities).”
The audit was done after a self-dealing scandal bedeviled the medical system last year.
More
Walmart to close overnight to combat COVID-19 spread, restock product
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Walmart officials said they will close all stores that operate 24-hours overnights to stop spread of coronavirus and to restock products.
Walmart announced Saturday that beginning Sunday, March 15th, all stores currently operating 24-hours will be moving to a 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. operating schedule until further notice.
Stores currently operating under more reduced hours (for example they regularly close at 10 p.m. or open at 7 a.m.) will keep their current hours of operation.
Walmart officials said this is to ensure that staff at each store are able to restock products and properly sanitize the store.
Source
Walmart announced Saturday that beginning Sunday, March 15th, all stores currently operating 24-hours will be moving to a 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. operating schedule until further notice.
Stores currently operating under more reduced hours (for example they regularly close at 10 p.m. or open at 7 a.m.) will keep their current hours of operation.
Walmart officials said this is to ensure that staff at each store are able to restock products and properly sanitize the store.
Source