Monday, February 24, 2020

Everything under control

The Trump administration is backing off a plan to house some coronavirus patients in Alabama after state officials objected to the move.

[...]

"The FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama, was one site determined to be suitable and effective, but is not needed at this time," according to a statement released Sunday by the Department of Health and Human Services.

[...]

“Sensing the urgency, I quickly informed the offices of Senators Richard Shelby (R) and Doug Jones (D) and Congressman Mike Rogers (R), as well as Dr. Scott Harris with the Alabama Department of Public Health," she said in a statement reported by local outlets.

By Sunday, Shelby had spoken directly to President Trump.

"I just got off the phone with the President. He told me that his administration will not be sending any victims of the Coronavirus from the Diamond Princess cruise ship to Anniston, Alabama. Thank you, @POTUS, for working with us to ensure the safety of all Alabamians," he tweeted.

Rogers also spoke with Trump, according to USA Today. According to Rogers, Trump said the HHS plan was the "wrong decision."

"On Saturday, it appears that a press release from HHS was inadvertently, and perhaps prematurely, sent notifying the State of Alabama that these individuals were scheduled to begin transporting to Alabama as early as Wednesday," Ivey said.

Eighteen American passengers who were aboard the cruise ship were diagnosed with coronavirus, according to USA Today. Those who were evacuated last week were divided up and are now under quarantine in Nebraska, Texas and California.

  The Hill
So where will they go instead? Apparently, all you have to do is get Trump's ear to keep them out of your state.

Maybe Trump is planning on paying the British cruiser Diamond Princess to keep them on board.  Actually, it does seem easier and probably more effective to just quarantine the whole ship.  Over 600 passengers have been confirmed infected and "at least three have died."

Also, looks like one of his bragging points is taking a dive...


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