Trump endorses lockdown protests
U.S. President calls for ‘liberating’ States that are shut down; global virus deaths pass 1,50,000
19/04/2020 , , Agence France-Presse, Washington
Warning to all: A boy wearing a mask walking past a mural warning people about the risk of COVID-19 in a slum in Nairobi on Saturday.APBrian Inganga
Coronavirus deaths have surged past 1,50,000 worldwide with nearly a quarter of them in the U.S., where President Donald Trump lent his support to protesters rallying against lockdown orders. Evidence is mounting that social distancing successfully slowed the COVID-19 pandemic after more than half of humanity — 4.5 billion people — were confined to their homes.
Governments around the world are now grappling with when and how to ease lockdowns that have crippled the global economy, even as the COVID-19 death toll climbs further in hard-hit countries. Demonstrators in three U.S. States staged public rallies this week to demand an end to the restrictions, with the largest protest in Michigan attracting 3,000 people — some of whom were armed.
Mr. Trump has largely left decisions on easing lockdowns to State officials even as he laid out guidelines for a staged reopening of the national economy. But his call to “liberate” Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia in a series of tweets on Friday were quickly rebuked by the Democratic leaders of all three States. “I do not have time to involve myself in Twitter wars,” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.
Most number of cases
The U.S. accounts for nearly a third of the 2.25 million coronavirus infections reported globally. It has also recorded over 37,000 deaths, more than any other nation, followed by Italy, Spain and France. Mr. Trump, who has angrily shot back at claims he reacted too slowly to the virus threat, has accused Beijing of downplaying the impact of the virus within its borders. “It is far higher than that and far higher than the U.S., not even close!” he tweeted.
Mr. Trump did not offer evidence to back the claim, but pressure has mounted in recent days on Beijing to come clean over its handling of the initial outbreak. Leaders in France and Britain have also questioned China’s management of the crisis but Beijing hit back, saying it had not concealed information.
Signs that the outbreak could be easing in parts of Europe prompted Switzerland, Denmark and Finland to begin reopening shops and schools this week. Germany’s Health Minister said on Friday that the virus was “under control after 3,400 deaths. Germany is now beginning the delicate task of lifting some restrictions.
Coronavirus deaths have surged past 1,50,000 worldwide with nearly a quarter of them in the U.S., where President Donald Trump lent his support to protesters rallying against lockdown orders. Evidence is mounting that social distancing successfully slowed the COVID-19 pandemic after more than half of humanity — 4.5 billion people — were confined to their homes.
Governments around the world are now grappling with when and how to ease lockdowns that have crippled the global economy, even as the COVID-19 death toll climbs further in hard-hit countries. Demonstrators in three U.S. States staged public rallies this week to demand an end to the restrictions, with the largest protest in Michigan attracting 3,000 people — some of whom were armed.
Mr. Trump has largely left decisions on easing lockdowns to State officials even as he laid out guidelines for a staged reopening of the national economy. But his call to “liberate” Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia in a series of tweets on Friday were quickly rebuked by the Democratic leaders of all three States. “I do not have time to involve myself in Twitter wars,” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.
Most number of cases
The U.S. accounts for nearly a third of the 2.25 million coronavirus infections reported globally. It has also recorded over 37,000 deaths, more than any other nation, followed by Italy, Spain and France. Mr. Trump, who has angrily shot back at claims he reacted too slowly to the virus threat, has accused Beijing of downplaying the impact of the virus within its borders. “It is far higher than that and far higher than the U.S., not even close!” he tweeted.
Mr. Trump did not offer evidence to back the claim, but pressure has mounted in recent days on Beijing to come clean over its handling of the initial outbreak. Leaders in France and Britain have also questioned China’s management of the crisis but Beijing hit back, saying it had not concealed information.
Signs that the outbreak could be easing in parts of Europe prompted Switzerland, Denmark and Finland to begin reopening shops and schools this week. Germany’s Health Minister said on Friday that the virus was “under control after 3,400 deaths. Germany is now beginning the delicate task of lifting some restrictions.
No comments:
Post a Comment