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Coronavirus Live Updates: Economists Agree No One Can Predict the Shape of the U.S. Recovery Coronavirus Live Updates: Economists Agree No One Can Predict the Shape of the U.S. Recovery
(32 minutes later)
There is widespread agreement that the United States economy will soon begin to recover from coronavirus lockdowns. The big debate is whether that rebound will resemble a V, a W, an L or a Nike Swoosh.There is widespread agreement that the United States economy will soon begin to recover from coronavirus lockdowns. The big debate is whether that rebound will resemble a V, a W, an L or a Nike Swoosh.
Increasingly, economists and analysts are penciling in another glyph: a question mark.Increasingly, economists and analysts are penciling in another glyph: a question mark.
Forecasters often label their expectations for a post-recession rebound with letters — a “V” suggests a rapid recovery, a “W” a double-dip, and so on — but that’s hard to do this time around. As all 50 states begin to open up, consumers trickle out of their homes and businesses make adjustments — crafting everything from restaurant protocols to remote auctions — the path ahead is wildly uncertain, making prognostication dicey.Forecasters often label their expectations for a post-recession rebound with letters — a “V” suggests a rapid recovery, a “W” a double-dip, and so on — but that’s hard to do this time around. As all 50 states begin to open up, consumers trickle out of their homes and businesses make adjustments — crafting everything from restaurant protocols to remote auctions — the path ahead is wildly uncertain, making prognostication dicey.
It isn’t just Wall Street forecasters eschewing declarative forecasts and the alphabet in favor of a range of what-ifs. From the Federal Reserve to the White House, analysts have suggested that posing confident prognostications is probably more misleading than helpful.It isn’t just Wall Street forecasters eschewing declarative forecasts and the alphabet in favor of a range of what-ifs. From the Federal Reserve to the White House, analysts have suggested that posing confident prognostications is probably more misleading than helpful.
Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, said at an event sponsored by The Washington Post that he shares President Trump’s expectation for a rapid bounce-back, but suggested that there are wide ranges around those estimates.Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, said at an event sponsored by The Washington Post that he shares President Trump’s expectation for a rapid bounce-back, but suggested that there are wide ranges around those estimates.
“It’s really hard to model a virus, or a pandemic, the likes of which we haven’t seen in 100 years,” Mr. Kudlow said.“It’s really hard to model a virus, or a pandemic, the likes of which we haven’t seen in 100 years,” Mr. Kudlow said.
“You can have your own Vs; there’s Vs, there are lesser Vs,” Mr. Kudlow said. “There are combos of Us and Vs.”“You can have your own Vs; there’s Vs, there are lesser Vs,” Mr. Kudlow said. “There are combos of Us and Vs.”
Cognizant of that uncertainty, the White House confirmed it will not even issue an update to its economic forecasts this summer, breaking decades of tradition.Cognizant of that uncertainty, the White House confirmed it will not even issue an update to its economic forecasts this summer, breaking decades of tradition.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said Friday that he expected New York City to meet benchmarks that would allow it to begin reopening on June 8.
Under the first phase of reopening, nonessential stores could open for curbside pickup and nonessential construction and manufacturing can resume.
The city is the only part of the state that has not met all the seven health-related benchmarks the state requires to enter Phase 1 of reopening. As of Friday morning, it did not have enough hospital beds available or contact tracers in place.
“I am proud of the way New York is figuring it out,” Mr. Cuomo said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who also appeared virtually at Mr. Cuomo’s daily briefing, said earlier in the day that only 5 percent of people in New York City tested for the virus tested positive, the lowest daily figure the city has yet recorded.
A low positive rate is an indicator that the virus is spreading more slowly. At the height of the outbreak in early April, more than 70 percent of those tested in the city were positive, the mayor said.
The governor also said that five upstate areas were cleared to enter the second phase of reopening, in which offices, stores and personal-service businesses like barber shops can reopen, with restrictions.
The five regions — Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and the Mohawk Valley — cover most of the state except for New York City and its suburbs, the Albany area, the Buffalo area and Long Island.
Upon arriving at work, employees should get a temperature and symptom check.Upon arriving at work, employees should get a temperature and symptom check.
Inside the office, desks should be six feet apart. If that isn’t possible, employers should consider erecting plastic shields around them.Inside the office, desks should be six feet apart. If that isn’t possible, employers should consider erecting plastic shields around them.
Seating should be barred in common areas.Seating should be barred in common areas.
And face coverings should be worn at all times.And face coverings should be worn at all times.
These are among sweeping new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the safest way for American employers to reopen their offices to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.These are among sweeping new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the safest way for American employers to reopen their offices to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
If followed, the guidelines would lead to a far-reaching remaking of the corporate work experience. They even upend years of advice on commuting, urging people to drive to work by themselves, instead of taking mass transportation or car-pooling, to avoid potential exposure to the virus.If followed, the guidelines would lead to a far-reaching remaking of the corporate work experience. They even upend years of advice on commuting, urging people to drive to work by themselves, instead of taking mass transportation or car-pooling, to avoid potential exposure to the virus.
But for more than 40 million Americans left jobless by the pandemic, there is a more immediate concern: How will they survive when government assistance programs run dry?But for more than 40 million Americans left jobless by the pandemic, there is a more immediate concern: How will they survive when government assistance programs run dry?
The multitrillion-dollar patchwork of federal and state programs hasn’t kept bills from piling up or prevented long lines at food banks. But it has mitigated the damage. Now the expiration of those programs represents a cliff that individuals and the economy are hurtling toward.The multitrillion-dollar patchwork of federal and state programs hasn’t kept bills from piling up or prevented long lines at food banks. But it has mitigated the damage. Now the expiration of those programs represents a cliff that individuals and the economy are hurtling toward.
The $1,200 checks sent to most households are long gone, at least for those who needed them most, with little imminent prospect for a second round. The lending program that helped millions of small businesses keep workers on the payroll will wind down if Congress does not extend it. Eviction moratoriums that are keeping people in their homes are expiring in many cities.The $1,200 checks sent to most households are long gone, at least for those who needed them most, with little imminent prospect for a second round. The lending program that helped millions of small businesses keep workers on the payroll will wind down if Congress does not extend it. Eviction moratoriums that are keeping people in their homes are expiring in many cities.
And the $600 per week in extra unemployment benefits that has allowed tens of millions of laid-off workers to pay rent and buy groceries will expire at the end of July.And the $600 per week in extra unemployment benefits that has allowed tens of millions of laid-off workers to pay rent and buy groceries will expire at the end of July.
Republicans planning their party’s convention traded demands with North Carolina’s Democratic governor this week over holding the event in Charlotte in August, as Mr. Trump pressures Democratic leaders in the state to allow him to host the kind of convention he wants despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.Republicans planning their party’s convention traded demands with North Carolina’s Democratic governor this week over holding the event in Charlotte in August, as Mr. Trump pressures Democratic leaders in the state to allow him to host the kind of convention he wants despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
In a joint letter to Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday, the Republican National Committee chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, and the president of the convention committee, Marcia Lee Kelly, laid out a deadline of June 3 to approve safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus during the event.In a joint letter to Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday, the Republican National Committee chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, and the president of the convention committee, Marcia Lee Kelly, laid out a deadline of June 3 to approve safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus during the event.
On Friday, Mr. Cooper’s administration shot back with a letter of its own, asking Ms. McDaniel and Ms. Kelly to detail the R.N.C.’s plans to protect convention participants, and to specify whether the president was still set on holding a large-scale nominating event where attendees in the crowd would not wear face masks.On Friday, Mr. Cooper’s administration shot back with a letter of its own, asking Ms. McDaniel and Ms. Kelly to detail the R.N.C.’s plans to protect convention participants, and to specify whether the president was still set on holding a large-scale nominating event where attendees in the crowd would not wear face masks.
The president has tried to force Mr. Cooper and Vi Lyles, the mayor of Charlotte, to commit quickly to a Republican plan for a party celebration in the biggest city in a state that Mr. Trump won in 2016. The two Democrats, citing public health concerns, say it is too soon to determine whether the event can be held safely.The president has tried to force Mr. Cooper and Vi Lyles, the mayor of Charlotte, to commit quickly to a Republican plan for a party celebration in the biggest city in a state that Mr. Trump won in 2016. The two Democrats, citing public health concerns, say it is too soon to determine whether the event can be held safely.
The Republicans’ letter also appeared to be an effort to put the onus on Mr. Cooper and Ms. Lyles if Republicans end up trying to stage their convention in another state.The Republicans’ letter also appeared to be an effort to put the onus on Mr. Cooper and Ms. Lyles if Republicans end up trying to stage their convention in another state.
“We still do not have solid guidelines from the state and cannot in good faith, ask thousands of visitors to begin paying deposits and making travel plans without knowing the full commitment of the governor, elected officials and other stakeholders in supporting the convention,” Ms. McDaniel and Ms. Kelly wrote.“We still do not have solid guidelines from the state and cannot in good faith, ask thousands of visitors to begin paying deposits and making travel plans without knowing the full commitment of the governor, elected officials and other stakeholders in supporting the convention,” Ms. McDaniel and Ms. Kelly wrote.
In the Cooper administration’s letter, the state’s secretary of health and human services requested that the R.N.C. tell the state specifically how many people it expected to admit into the venue for each night of the convention.In the Cooper administration’s letter, the state’s secretary of health and human services requested that the R.N.C. tell the state specifically how many people it expected to admit into the venue for each night of the convention.
The letter also asked the R.N.C. to detail how they would implement health screenings, social distancing and the wearing of face masks — and for clarification over whether the R.N.C. was still considering testing attendees.The letter also asked the R.N.C. to detail how they would implement health screenings, social distancing and the wearing of face masks — and for clarification over whether the R.N.C. was still considering testing attendees.
The state also asked for details on what additional precautions the R.N.C. planned to take, given evidence of asymptomatic spread. And made it clear that while North Carolina still supported hosting the convention “if it can be done safely,” there needed to be “several scenarios planned that can be deployed depending on the public health situation.”The state also asked for details on what additional precautions the R.N.C. planned to take, given evidence of asymptomatic spread. And made it clear that while North Carolina still supported hosting the convention “if it can be done safely,” there needed to be “several scenarios planned that can be deployed depending on the public health situation.”
More than 100 scientists and clinicians have questioned the authenticity of a massive hospital database that was the basis for an influential paper published last week that suggested the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat people with Covid-19 did not help and may have increased the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and death.More than 100 scientists and clinicians have questioned the authenticity of a massive hospital database that was the basis for an influential paper published last week that suggested the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat people with Covid-19 did not help and may have increased the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and death.
In an open letter addressed to The Lancet’s editor, Richard Horton, and the paper’s authors, they asked the journal to provide details about the provenance of the data and called for the study to be independently validated by the World Health Organization or another institution.In an open letter addressed to The Lancet’s editor, Richard Horton, and the paper’s authors, they asked the journal to provide details about the provenance of the data and called for the study to be independently validated by the World Health Organization or another institution.
Use of the malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to prevent and treat Covid-19 has been a focus of intense public attention. President Trump has promoted hydroxychloroquine despite the absence of gold standard evidence from randomized clinical trials to prove its effectiveness, and he recently said he had taken the drug himself in hopes of preventing a virus infection.Use of the malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to prevent and treat Covid-19 has been a focus of intense public attention. President Trump has promoted hydroxychloroquine despite the absence of gold standard evidence from randomized clinical trials to prove its effectiveness, and he recently said he had taken the drug himself in hopes of preventing a virus infection.
The experts who wrote the letter to The Lancet also criticized the study’s methodology and the authors’ refusal to disclose information on the hospitals that contributed their data, or even to name the countries where they were located. The company that owns the database is Surgisphere.The experts who wrote the letter to The Lancet also criticized the study’s methodology and the authors’ refusal to disclose information on the hospitals that contributed their data, or even to name the countries where they were located. The company that owns the database is Surgisphere.
“Data from Africa indicate that nearly 25 percent of all Covid-19 cases and 40 percent of all deaths in the continent occurred in Surgisphere-associated hospitals which had sophisticated electronic patient data recording,” the scientists wrote. “Both the numbers of cases and deaths, and the detailed data collection, seem unlikely.”“Data from Africa indicate that nearly 25 percent of all Covid-19 cases and 40 percent of all deaths in the continent occurred in Surgisphere-associated hospitals which had sophisticated electronic patient data recording,” the scientists wrote. “Both the numbers of cases and deaths, and the detailed data collection, seem unlikely.”
A spokeswoman for The Lancet, Emily Head, said in an email that the journal had received numerous inquiries about the paper, and had referred the questions to the authors. “We will provide further updates as necessary,” she said.A spokeswoman for The Lancet, Emily Head, said in an email that the journal had received numerous inquiries about the paper, and had referred the questions to the authors. “We will provide further updates as necessary,” she said.
Dr. Sapan S. Desai, the owner of Surgisphere and one of the paper’s authors, said in a statement that the database was an aggregation of the anonymous electronic health records of hospitals that are customers of QuartzClinical, a machine learning and analytics company. He also said that contractual agreements with the hospitals bar the sharing of patient-level data, though it is available to qualified scientists for research purposes.Dr. Sapan S. Desai, the owner of Surgisphere and one of the paper’s authors, said in a statement that the database was an aggregation of the anonymous electronic health records of hospitals that are customers of QuartzClinical, a machine learning and analytics company. He also said that contractual agreements with the hospitals bar the sharing of patient-level data, though it is available to qualified scientists for research purposes.
“Our strong privacy standards are a major reason that hospitals trust Surgisphere and we have been able to collect data from over 1,200 institutions across 46 countries,” the statement said.“Our strong privacy standards are a major reason that hospitals trust Surgisphere and we have been able to collect data from over 1,200 institutions across 46 countries,” the statement said.
Senator Bob Casey, Democrat of Pennsylvania, disclosed Friday that he had tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, and said that he planned to donate his plasma to help fight the virus.Senator Bob Casey, Democrat of Pennsylvania, disclosed Friday that he had tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, and said that he planned to donate his plasma to help fight the virus.
Mr. Casey was the second senator in two days to announce a recent positive antibody test, after Tim Kaine of Virginia said Thursday he had the antibodies, and the third now known to have contracted Covid-19. Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, tested positive for the virus earlier this spring, and continued to come into close contact with colleagues in the Capitol in the days before receiving his results.Mr. Casey was the second senator in two days to announce a recent positive antibody test, after Tim Kaine of Virginia said Thursday he had the antibodies, and the third now known to have contracted Covid-19. Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, tested positive for the virus earlier this spring, and continued to come into close contact with colleagues in the Capitol in the days before receiving his results.
It was unclear from his statement whether Mr. Casey could have been carrying the virus when Congress was in session, at a time when it was known to be infecting others on Capitol Hill.It was unclear from his statement whether Mr. Casey could have been carrying the virus when Congress was in session, at a time when it was known to be infecting others on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Casey said he had experienced “mild” Covid-19 symptoms including “for a number of days” this spring, without providing a precise timetable. He said he had been able to work remotely, in isolation, through the symptoms and that by mid-April he was feeling better. Because the case was mild, the senator said his doctor at the time recommended against getting a coronavirus test.Mr. Casey said he had experienced “mild” Covid-19 symptoms including “for a number of days” this spring, without providing a precise timetable. He said he had been able to work remotely, in isolation, through the symptoms and that by mid-April he was feeling better. Because the case was mild, the senator said his doctor at the time recommended against getting a coronavirus test.
More recently, Congress’s attending physician advised Mr. Casey to take an antibody test.More recently, Congress’s attending physician advised Mr. Casey to take an antibody test.
“The results revealed substantial levels of Covid-19 antibody in my blood, significantly more than the amount required to qualify me as a plasma donor,” he said on Friday. “In an effort to help others fighting this virus, I will be making my first donation today.”“The results revealed substantial levels of Covid-19 antibody in my blood, significantly more than the amount required to qualify me as a plasma donor,” he said on Friday. “In an effort to help others fighting this virus, I will be making my first donation today.”
Washington State, which has been battling a deluge of fraudulent unemployment claims, has managed to claw back some $300 million in payments that went out to fraudsters, officials said Thursday.Washington State, which has been battling a deluge of fraudulent unemployment claims, has managed to claw back some $300 million in payments that went out to fraudsters, officials said Thursday.
Suzi LeVine, the commissioner of Washington State’s Employment Security Department, said the recovery came from coordination among law enforcement agencies and financial institutions. She did not reveal exact numbers on recoveries or the total number of fraudulent claims and said that the state was continuing to work on additional collections while blocking more false claims.Suzi LeVine, the commissioner of Washington State’s Employment Security Department, said the recovery came from coordination among law enforcement agencies and financial institutions. She did not reveal exact numbers on recoveries or the total number of fraudulent claims and said that the state was continuing to work on additional collections while blocking more false claims.
“The criminals have not gone away because we continue to see significant highly suspicious traffic,” Ms. LeVine said.“The criminals have not gone away because we continue to see significant highly suspicious traffic,” Ms. LeVine said.
Federal officials have warned that an international fraud ring appears to be targeting state unemployment systems, with Washington State as a particular focus, as those agencies rush to respond to the greatest unemployment crisis since the Great Depression.Federal officials have warned that an international fraud ring appears to be targeting state unemployment systems, with Washington State as a particular focus, as those agencies rush to respond to the greatest unemployment crisis since the Great Depression.
The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance said in a statement that it had also seen fraudsters trying to file large numbers of illegitimate claims, while the cybersecurity firm Agari said it had seen evidence of the fraudulent claims targeting states all over the country.The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance said in a statement that it had also seen fraudsters trying to file large numbers of illegitimate claims, while the cybersecurity firm Agari said it had seen evidence of the fraudulent claims targeting states all over the country.
Unemployment claims around the country have exceeded 40 million since the start of the pandemic.Unemployment claims around the country have exceeded 40 million since the start of the pandemic.
As restrictions eased across the country, new measures were issued and under consideration in some cities and states where protests were growing over the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer held his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for eight minutes.As restrictions eased across the country, new measures were issued and under consideration in some cities and states where protests were growing over the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer held his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for eight minutes.
Large crowds of demonstrators have gathered against the backdrop of a coronavirus pandemic that has kept many residents from engaging with one another directly for months. Last week, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the White House virus response coordinator, said that Minneapolis was considered a hot spot for virus cases.Large crowds of demonstrators have gathered against the backdrop of a coronavirus pandemic that has kept many residents from engaging with one another directly for months. Last week, Dr. Deborah L. Birx, the White House virus response coordinator, said that Minneapolis was considered a hot spot for virus cases.
In New York, where the city is still under restrictions to stem the spread of the virus, hundreds of people joined the protests, and more than 40 were arrested.In New York, where the city is still under restrictions to stem the spread of the virus, hundreds of people joined the protests, and more than 40 were arrested.
The pandemic has plunged New York City into a dire fiscal crisis and forced top officials to contemplate a maneuver that once brought New York to disrepair: letting the city borrow billions of dollars to cover basic operating expenses.
Numerous fiscal experts and public officials, including Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, are leery of giving the city permission to take on significant debt, sensitive to the history of reckless borrowing that led the city to the brink of bankruptcy in 1975.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has asked legislative leaders to grant him permission to issue bonds to cover operating costs, saying he would only do so as a “last resort.” But legislative leaders are discussing the issue with the governor’s office and city officials.
The governor said on Thursday that issuing bonds to pay for operating expenses was fiscally questionable.
“We don’t want to create a situation where the state or any local government borrows so much money that they can’t repay it, and then you have to start to cut service and now you’re in that vicious downward spiral,” he said. “New York City has been there before.”
Scott M. Stringer, the city comptroller, said that if the city borrowed $7 billion to cover current expenses, it could be on the hook for more than $500 million a year in debt payments for the next 20 years.
But the mayor said Wednesday that he could not make further budget reductions without leading the city to a “horrible place where we would be cutting back basic services, cutting back personnel, furloughs, layoffs, things we do not want to see.”
On Friday, Mr. de Blasio noted that the city had been allowed to borrow money with no strings attached after the 2001 terror attacks. He also pointed out that several weeks ago, state lawmakers gave Mr. Cuomo the ability to borrow up to $11 billion.
“I think it’s a matter of just decency and fairness,” the mayor said. “Everyone’s looking for the right way to get something done that everyone can feel good about, and I’m very confident, based on those conversations, we’ll get something done during the month of June.”
New York City is the only part of the state that has yet to meet reopening criteria, though officials estimate it could possibly in early June. The governor hinted in a radio interview on Thursday that five regions of the state that have already begun the process could soon move on to a “Phase 2.”
Mr. Cuomo also announced on Thursday that he would issue an executive order authorizing any business in the state to deny entry to people who were not wearing face coverings. Store owners, he said, have “a right to protect themselves” and “a right to protect the other patrons.”
As many businesses across the country resume, some states are allowing day care centers and preschools to reopen.As many businesses across the country resume, some states are allowing day care centers and preschools to reopen.
But for millions of working parents, the choice to send their children back to a place known for spreading germs, even in more normal times, is not easy. And in an industry operating on razor-thin margins, the survival of many child care centers is in doubt.But for millions of working parents, the choice to send their children back to a place known for spreading germs, even in more normal times, is not easy. And in an industry operating on razor-thin margins, the survival of many child care centers is in doubt.
The virus cost the industry — which typically serves more than 12 million children in the United States under 6 — more than 355,000 jobs in March and April. And a survey by an industry group showed that many providers were so short of cash that they could go out of business permanently.The virus cost the industry — which typically serves more than 12 million children in the United States under 6 — more than 355,000 jobs in March and April. And a survey by an industry group showed that many providers were so short of cash that they could go out of business permanently.
Democrats in Congress are introducing bills that would spend $50 billion to keep centers afloat, provide tuition relief to families and help put in place new safety measures. But for those balancing professional and economic pressures with health concerns, the idea of re-enrolling their child can be anxiety-provoking, even with new sanitation and social-distancing practices.Democrats in Congress are introducing bills that would spend $50 billion to keep centers afloat, provide tuition relief to families and help put in place new safety measures. But for those balancing professional and economic pressures with health concerns, the idea of re-enrolling their child can be anxiety-provoking, even with new sanitation and social-distancing practices.
Mandy Zaransky-Hurst, a corporate executive in Chicago, has been missing her 4-month-old’s day care.Mandy Zaransky-Hurst, a corporate executive in Chicago, has been missing her 4-month-old’s day care.
She said her current arrangement, which required her to frequently rise at 4 a.m. to begin a 10-hour workday, while also caring for her 6-year-old was “not sustainable.” But she worries that day care is not safe.She said her current arrangement, which required her to frequently rise at 4 a.m. to begin a 10-hour workday, while also caring for her 6-year-old was “not sustainable.” But she worries that day care is not safe.
“What true flexibility and understanding will companies give to employees who can’t send their kids back to day care?” Ms. Zaransky-Hurst asked.“What true flexibility and understanding will companies give to employees who can’t send their kids back to day care?” Ms. Zaransky-Hurst asked.
Experts now worry that if licensed centers disappear, more families will resort to ad hoc arrangements, such as relying on relatives, friends or neighbors who lack experience, let alone formal training in safety or education.Experts now worry that if licensed centers disappear, more families will resort to ad hoc arrangements, such as relying on relatives, friends or neighbors who lack experience, let alone formal training in safety or education.
The Trump administration is accelerating efforts to seize private property for Mr. Trump’s border wall, taking advantage of the pandemic to survey land while its owners are confined indoors, residents along the Rio Grande say.The Trump administration is accelerating efforts to seize private property for Mr. Trump’s border wall, taking advantage of the pandemic to survey land while its owners are confined indoors, residents along the Rio Grande say.
“Is that essential business?” asked Nayda Alvarez, 49, who recently found construction markers on land in Starr County, Texas, that has been in her family for five generations. “That didn’t stop a single minute during the shelter in place or stay at home.”“Is that essential business?” asked Nayda Alvarez, 49, who recently found construction markers on land in Starr County, Texas, that has been in her family for five generations. “That didn’t stop a single minute during the shelter in place or stay at home.”
The federal government brought a flurry of lawsuits against landowners in South Texas to survey, seize and potentially begin construction on private property in the first five months of the year as the administration rushed to deliver on Mr. Trump’s promise to build 450 miles of wall by the end of the year, which he downgraded on Thursday to 400. Mr. Trump has built less than 200 of those miles, and his administration has brought 78 lawsuits against landowners on the border, Zolan Kanno-Youngs reported. Thirty of those suits were filed this year.The federal government brought a flurry of lawsuits against landowners in South Texas to survey, seize and potentially begin construction on private property in the first five months of the year as the administration rushed to deliver on Mr. Trump’s promise to build 450 miles of wall by the end of the year, which he downgraded on Thursday to 400. Mr. Trump has built less than 200 of those miles, and his administration has brought 78 lawsuits against landowners on the border, Zolan Kanno-Youngs reported. Thirty of those suits were filed this year.
The increased litigation against the landowners, despite the pandemic, is evidence of the administration’s sense of urgency to deliver on a symbol of Mr. Trump’s crackdown on immigration. The president has said the pandemic is proof of the wall’s necessity, though there is no real evidence it will have any effect on public health.The increased litigation against the landowners, despite the pandemic, is evidence of the administration’s sense of urgency to deliver on a symbol of Mr. Trump’s crackdown on immigration. The president has said the pandemic is proof of the wall’s necessity, though there is no real evidence it will have any effect on public health.
Some of the landowners sued have kept the properties in their families for generations. But some say the government’s timing has left them further disadvantaged in a process in which the administration already has the law on its side. Social distancing and other virus restrictions have made it difficult for landowners to meet with relatives and lawyers to discuss the government’s offers, and some have questioned why the push to access their properties is coming as the virus spreads.Some of the landowners sued have kept the properties in their families for generations. But some say the government’s timing has left them further disadvantaged in a process in which the administration already has the law on its side. Social distancing and other virus restrictions have made it difficult for landowners to meet with relatives and lawyers to discuss the government’s offers, and some have questioned why the push to access their properties is coming as the virus spreads.
Landowners can choose to allow the government to access and survey their land and, if the administration wants it, accept compensation that is supposed to be based on fair market value. But if they refuse, they are likely to be taken to court, where the government can use eminent domain powers to argue that the wall is an emergency and eventually take possession of their land. The government can then begin construction, even while continuing to argue with the landowners over compensation.Landowners can choose to allow the government to access and survey their land and, if the administration wants it, accept compensation that is supposed to be based on fair market value. But if they refuse, they are likely to be taken to court, where the government can use eminent domain powers to argue that the wall is an emergency and eventually take possession of their land. The government can then begin construction, even while continuing to argue with the landowners over compensation.
There have been nearly 700,000 new known cases reported in the past week as the virus spreads in Latin America. But many countries are sputtering into reopenings at what experts fear may be the worst time.There have been nearly 700,000 new known cases reported in the past week as the virus spreads in Latin America. But many countries are sputtering into reopenings at what experts fear may be the worst time.
Airplane travel is inching back, but staying safe remains a concern and safety protocols are changing. We have tips for approaching your next flight.Airplane travel is inching back, but staying safe remains a concern and safety protocols are changing. We have tips for approaching your next flight.
Reporting was contributed by Eileen Sullivan, Alan Blinder, Mike Baker, Karen Barrow, Julie Bosman, Ben Casselman, Nicholas Fandos, Andrew Das, Dana Goldstein, Maggie Haberman, Annie Karni, Matt Richtel, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Jeanna Smialek, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Roni Caryn Rabin and Marc Santora.Reporting was contributed by Eileen Sullivan, Alan Blinder, Mike Baker, Karen Barrow, Julie Bosman, Ben Casselman, Nicholas Fandos, Andrew Das, Dana Goldstein, Maggie Haberman, Annie Karni, Matt Richtel, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Jeanna Smialek, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Roni Caryn Rabin and Marc Santora.