Coronavirus, parody music and news update, USA

This 6 April 2020 music video from the USA says about itself:

Jen Houston‘s Parody Calls on You to Save Lives by Staying In | NowThis

This rock song parody is calling on you to save lives by staying in 🔥

HOW ARE PACKED CHURCHES ‘PRO-LIFE?’ CNN Host Victor Blackwell grilled a Louisiana pastor for hosting massive in-person church services during the coronavirus pandemic. Tony Spell — the pastor of the evangelical Life Tabernacle Church outside Baton Rouge, one of the cities hardest hit by the virus — was charged last week with refusing to abide by Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ order that temporarily limits gatherings to 10 people. [HuffPost]

APPALACHIAN COMMUNITIES BRACE FOR CORONAVIRUS Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, better known as black lung, is a scarring of the lungs caused by years of coal dust inhalation. At least one in 10 underground miners has black lung, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but experts say the actual number could be much higher. As the lungs scar, it becomes harder to breathe, so the thought of adding COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, to the mix is terrifying to these Appalachian workers. [HuffPost]

TRUMP REDEFINES STOCKPILE’S ROLE FOR STATES The Trump administration has abruptly changed its description of the Strategic National Stockpile and put forward a narrower vision of the role the federal government’s repository of lifesaving medicines and equipment should play in supplying states’ needs. The change comes as the White House already is facing growing anger and worry from governors over federal assistance to fight the coronavirus outbreak. [AP]

ILLINOIS GOV.: TRUMP DOESN’T UNDERSTAND ‘FEDERAL’ Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) slammed Trump’s inadequate response to the pandemic, saying the president doesn’t understand the meaning of the word “federal” or the role he is supposed to fulfill. Pritzker said the White House knew about the coming pandemic in January and didn’t prepare. Trump responded later, saying Pritzker is “always complaining.” [HuffPost]

TRUMP HAWKS UNPROVEN ‘CURE,’ BLOCKS FAUCI President Donald Trump said the U.S. had stockpiled 29 million anti-malaria pills he’s repeatedly pushed as a cure for COVID-19, despite persistent warnings from the nation’s top infectious disease expert there is no strong evidence yet the medication could help rein in the ongoing pandemic. “What do you have to lose?” Trump asked during a briefing, adding: “I don’t want it to be in a lab for a year and a half.” [HuffPost]

Nine governors ― all Republicans ― have so far refused to issue statewide stay-at-home orders despite calls from public health experts and medical professionals to do so. [HuffPost]

FAUCI: HALF THE PEOPLE WITH COVID-19 MAY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS As many as half the people infected with the coronavirus show no symptoms, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease specialist, said Sunday. He cautioned the estimate was rough and research was needed to determine more precisely how many Americans are carrying the disease without knowing. [NYT]

What you need to know if you can’t afford rent right now.

RENTERS IN TURMOIL AS RELIEF MEASURES FALL SHORT Even under normal circumstances, renters struggle to navigate the eviction process. But in the midst of the pandemic, tenants unable to pay rent are entering into a maze of new directives from courts and state and local governments. Many of these changes have been enacted to protect people at risk of losing their housing. But some merely eliminate in-person assemblies while allowing evictions to proceed through measures like remote hearings. [HuffPost]

DEFENSE SECRETARY BACKS OUSTER OF VIRUS SHIP CAPTAIN Secretary of Defense Mark Esper defended the removal of Navy Capt. Brett Crozier for seeking help for the coronavirus crisis on the ship he commanded, saying the termination is “another example of how we hold leaders accountable.” Trump denounced Crozier during a weekend press briefing. Meanwhile, Crozier has himself now tested positive for the coronavirus. [HuffPost]