Coronavirus Live Updates: Second Death From Virus Is Reported in the U.S.

The second death was a man in his 70s in the Seattle area with underlying health conditions.

Right Now

New York State reports its first case of coronavirus, in a woman in her late 30s who had traveled to Iran.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/world/coronavirus-news.html

1st confirmed case: New York

CoVid_19 compared to Influenza

CoVid_19 is much more infectious, and much more deadly

First Presumptive Positive Case of COVID-19 Identified at RIDOH's State Health Laboratories

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is announcing the state's first presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The person is in their 40s and had traveled to Italy in mid-February. RIDOH is coordinating closely with the hospital where this person is currently being treated and all infection control protocols are being followed.

"The Rhode Island Department of Health has been preparing for weeks to ensure that we have a structure in place to, to the best of our ability, limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Rhode Island. We fully anticipated having a first case of COVID-19," said Dr. Alexander-Scott. "We are not seeing widespread community transmission in Rhode Island, and the general level of risk for Rhode Islanders is still low. However, everyone in Rhode Island has a role to play in helping us prevent the spread of viruses, just like the flu. It is very important that people wash their hands regularly, cover their coughs and sneezes, and stay home if they are sick."

https://www.ri.gov/press/view/37818

Coronavirus: WHO warns elderly and sick to avoid crowds as Louvre shuts doors for crisis talks

People aged over 60 or with long-term illnesses should try to avoid crowded places to cut the risk of catching coronavirus, the head of the World Health Organisation has said.

The latest advice by director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus came as countries around the globe ramped up restrictions in the face of the escalating crisis.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-who-warns-elderly-and-sick-to-avoid-crowds-as-louvre-shuts-doors-11947053

Trump team yanking green cards from immigrants who abuse U.S. welfare system

Conservatives have been trying for decades to create an immigration system that rewards immigrants who won’t be a burden on society and discourages those who will.

The Trump administration this week began enforcing the “public charge” rule, giving U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services the authority to refuse green cards — the key step on the path to citizenship — to people who have used a wide range of nonemergency welfare programs.

“The main reason this got done is because we have a president who is determined enough to make self-sufficiency matter again in a meaningful way,” said Ken Cuccinelli, who pushed through the rule as acting chief of USCIS and is now acting deputy secretary at the Department of Homeland Security. “That kind of entrepreneurial mentality is a natural for him.”

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/feb/29/trump-team-yanking-green-cards-immigrants-who-abus/

EMPTY SHELVES: WASHINGTON REACTS