Bill McKibben | The Nature of Crisis

27 March 20

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Bill McKibben | The Nature of Crisis

Bill McKibben, The New Yorker
McKibben writes: "An idea beloved of the technorati is that we are actually living not on the earth we seem to inhabit but in a simulation. Elon Musk has said that it's 'most likely' the case, and Neil deGrasse Tyson has set the odds at fifty-fifty. If so, we've clearly reached the point where whoever is supervising the action has handed the game over to a bored supervillain who is wildly pressing buttons: Pandemics! Locusts! Firestorms!"
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Charles Koch, chief executive officer of Koch Industries, at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 29, 2019. (photo: David Zalubowski/AP)

Charles Koch Network Pushed $1 Billion Cut to CDC, Now Attacks Shelter-in-Place Policies for Harming Business
Lee Fang, The Intercept
Fang writes: "Americans for Prosperity, the pro-corporate pressure group founded and funded by billionaire industrialist Charles Koch, wants employees to return to work despite desperate pleas from public health officials that people should stay home as much as possible to help contain the spread of the coronavirus."

As states began to order nonessential businesses to shut down last week, AFP released a statement calling for all businesses to remain open.

“Rather than blanket shutdowns, the government should allow businesses to continue to adapt and innovate to produce the goods and services Americans need, while continuing to do everything they can to protect the public health,” said Emily Seidel, chief executive of AFP, in a press release. 

Some of the group’s state chapters have taken a similar tone. AFP Pennsylvania’s state director, as well as a regional director with the group, have taken to Twitter to lambast shelter-in-place policies. The Michigan chapter of AFP on Monday slammed Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, which closed down fitness centers, nail salons, amusement parks, casinos, and other businesses deemed nonessential, calling it the “wrong approach for our state.”

Whitmer’s order, variations of which are being implemented by state and local governments nationwide, contains exceptions for critical industries such as grocery stores, pharmacies, health care providers, financial services, transportation, child care, hazardous materials, and energy.

“All businesses are essential — to the people who own them, the people who work in them, and the communities they serve,” said Annie Patnaude, the Michigan state director for AFP, in a statement responding to the order.

AFP’s position, which directly contradicts the advice of medical experts who say that social isolation is essential to curbing the spread of the coronavirus, comes after the group lobbied the Trump administration in 2018 to rescind $1 billion from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Much of AFP’s recommended cuts to government programs, which included CDC money for infectious disease control and global health, became part of the official White House budget request, though most were not adopted by Congress. 

The cuts, AFP argued, would “relieve the burden overspending is placing on all taxpayers.” The CDC is now one of the front-line organizations dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, which has impacted nearly 70,000 people in the United States and has claimed over 1,000 lives. 

The libertarian advocacy network has spent tens of millions of dollars lobbying for corporate tax cuts, deregulation, and reductions to social welfare programs, particularly state Medicaid programs. This aggressive advocacy record has come into focus in recent days as Americans confront the coronavirus pandemic. Medicaid funding is seen as a critical tool for treating sick patients, and many are now questioning the wisdom of reductions to the CDC’s funding and staff. 

Internal memos from AFP reveal the size and scope of the organization, which employed 650 staff members during the 2016 election and has successfully worked to block Medicaid expansion in at least four states. During the 2016 election, the group also aired negative advertising sharply criticizing Hillary Clinton and Senate Democrats, an electioneering push that dramatically shaped the current balance of power in Washington, D.C. 

The group has since used its government influence to slash environmental rules, retreat from the Paris Climate Accord, and demand cuts to federal programs. It also helped secure $1.5 trillion in tax cuts as part of President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax overhaul. 

Experts around the country have called for shelter-in-place policies for nonessential businesses, arguing that social isolation can drastically curb the spread of the coronavirus. Slowing the pandemic, they say, can save lives by lowering the demand for medical supplies and limited hospital beds. Despite their medical necessity, these policies are being rejected by conservatives around the country. Republican state leaders, including Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have balked at shutdown requests. On Tuesday, Reeves signed an executive order superseding local bans on public gatherings.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, has said he has “emphasized very emphatically” that bars, restaurants, and other nonessential businesses close and that those who may work from home do so.

The Intercept asked AFP if the group had consulted any public health officials before beginning the push against shelter-in-place policies, and whether the group continues to support steep cuts to the CDC. 

The group did not respond to the inquiry regarding the CDC and did not name any public health experts. 

A spokesperson for AFP noted in an email that they are “encouraging every public official dealing with these incredible challenges to consider how communities and businesses are adapting to meet critical needs as they make these difficult decisions” and that the group believes that there is “value in businesses and government working together to stop the spread of this virus and help the people who need it.”

The Koch network, while pushing for businesses to stay open, is taking the opposite approach for its lobbying apparatus. AFP and its affiliates, including LIBRE Initiative and Concerned Veterans for America, are now working from home. “Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the health and safety of our activists, staff, and voters, our staff are working from home and are utilizing digital organizing as one way to continue their grassroots engagement,” a spokesperson from AFP told CNBC.

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A ventilator and other medical supplies on display at a news conference on Monday in Manhattan. The shortage of ventilators has emerged as one of the major criticism of the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus. (photo: John Minchillo/AP)

ALSO SEE: Louisiana Governor: States Are Competing Against Each Other for Ventilators

After Considering $1 Billion Price Tag for Ventilators, White House Has Second Thoughts
David E. Sanger, Maggie Haberman and Zolan Kanno-Youngs, The New York Times
Excerpt: "A deal with General Motors and Ventec Life Systems to produce tens of thousands of the critical lifesaving devices seemed imminent. Then the announcement was pulled back."
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'What economism misses includes complexity, historical contingency, and the profound, uncountable power of human emotion.' (photo: Angela Weiss/Getty)

The Economy v. Our Lives? It's a False Choice - and a Deeply Stupid One
Siva Vaidhyanathan, Guardian UK
Vaidhyanathan writes: "On Tuesday Trump announced that he wanted all US business back to normal levels of function by Easter, 12 April. 'This cure is worse than the problem,' Trump said. This is beyond immoral. It's profoundly stupid."
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ICE detention facility. (photo: Getty)

Immigrants Afraid of the Coronavirus Outbreak Are Protesting Inside ICE Facilities
Hamed Aleaziz, BuzzFeed
Excerpt: "There have been four known use-of-force incidents this week at ICE facilities as fear and anxiety spreads among detainees over COVID-19."
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U.S. Border Patrol agents conduct a training exercise in the Anapra area, in front of the wall that divides Sunland Park, N.M., from the Mexican state of Chihuahua. (photo: David Peinado/Getty)

Amid Coronavirus Concerns, Pentagon to Send Troops to US Borders With Mexico, Canada
Tom Bowman and Brakkton Booker, NPR
Excerpt: "Two U.S. officials tell NPR that the Pentagon is expected to send 1,500 troops to the nation's borders with Canada and Mexico to assist Customs and Border Protection operations as the coronavirus death toll tops 1,100 in the United States."
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The ozone layer over Antarctica is on the mend, and that has knock-on effects for circulating air currents. (photo: Alamy)

The Ozone Layer Is Healing, New Study Finds
Louise Boyle, The Independent
Boyle writes: "The ozone layer is continuing to heal and has the potential to fully recover, according to a new study."
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Politico Massachusetts Playbook: Baker FRUSTRATED by Washington — CHAN stripped of leadership post — MOULTON flips on China resolution

Baker FRUSTRATED by Washington — CHAN stripped of leadership post — MOULTON flips on China resolution

By Stephanie Murray GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. TGIF. CORONAVIRUS BY THE NUMBERS — The coronavirus pandemic continues to dominate life in Massachusetts, and tensions are high. Most businesses were ordered closed, jobless rates soared and coronavirus-related deaths ticked into double digits. Gov. Charlie Baker came close to uttering a curse word at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, describing how Massachusetts has been outbid by the federal government in its attempts to get supplies, even after he told President Donald Trump about the problem a week ago. Heading into the weekend, here are five numbers to watch as Massachusetts battles the coronavirus outbreak. 2,417: The number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Massachusetts as of Thursday afternoon, according to the Department of Public Health. As the state's capacity to test people for the virus increases, the number of cases is expected to rise. 25: The number of people who have died from coronavirus in Massachusetts, according to Department of Public Health data. 1,000,000: The approximate number of public and private school students who can't return to school until May 4. But don't call it a school vacation - kids are doing their schoolwork from home. 147,995: The number of people who filed for unemployment in Massachusetts last week. That's close to 20 times the number of people who filed a jobless claim the week before, and the number is all but guaranteed to increase. Baker ordered all nonessential businesses to close on Monday, which is not reflected in that figure. 17 percent: The portion of supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile that Massachusetts has received from the federal government, versus what the state has requested, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders said on Thursday. The state is seeking personal protective equipment like masks and gloves, along with other gear to keep front line health care workers safe. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: smurray@politico.com. TODAY — Congressional candidate Ben Sigel hosts a coronavirus virtual town hall.   Coronavirus Special Report: Virtual Briefing Series: Join us on Tuesday, March 31 at 12 p.m. EDT for a discussion about the state governors on the front lines of responding to the pandemic and containing it. In this briefing, POLITICO states reporter from New York, California and Massachusetts will break down how governors are handling the crisis, what kind of additional measures could be put into place and how they are working with the White House. REGISTER NOW.     DATELINE BEACON HILL - "Massachusetts seeks disaster assistance as toll of pandemic mounts," by Robert Weisman and Martin Finucane, Boston Globe: "State health officials on Thursday said the death toll from COVID-19 has reached 25 and the number of cases climbed by nearly 600, amid troubling signs that the coronavirus is creeping into senior housing in Massachusetts, a state prison, and other institutions. More than 20 cases have been confirmed in at least seven senior living sites in the state, and two residents have died." - "Gov. Baker frustrated by federal government's limited help," by Chris Lisinski, State House News Service: "As COVID-19 deaths in Massachusetts rose to 25, a visibly frustrated Gov. Charlie Baker lobbed criticism Thursday at the federal government for the challenges states face in acquiring protective equipment and insisted that schools could return to session this spring if the coronavirus outbreak tails off." - "Senate strips Tran of his leadership position," by Shira Schoenberg, CommonWealth Magazine: "The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday stripped Fitchburg Republican Sen. Dean Tran of his leadership position and ordered him physically separated from his staff after the Senate Ethics Committee found that Tran used Senate staffers and public resources for his reelection campaign. The 15-page Ethics Committee report, based on an investigation by the Office of the Senate Counsel, details numerous instances in which Tran forced his taxpayer-funded staff to conduct his campaign work, including fundraising." - "Mass. physicians petition Charlie Baker, demanding more action to slow coronavirus spread, increase equipment," by Arianna MacNeill, Boston.com: "Over 1,000 physicians throughout the state have signed on to a letter and petition to Gov. Charlie Baker, and they're urging him to make social distancing guidelines even stricter, or they fear the health care system 'may collapse.' The letter also asks for an increase in manufacturing of personal protective equipment within U.S. borders and to make tests for COVID-19 more easily available ." - "State sets 'meaningful and productive' K-12 learning goal," by Bruce Mohl and Michael Jonas, CommonWealth Magazine: "Shuttered K-12 schools across Massachusetts are being urged by state officials to create a curriculum that would engage students stuck at home because of the coronavirus in "meaningful and productive learning" for about three hours a day. At a State House press briefing, Gov. Charlie Baker brushed aside the notion that maybe the state should just throw in the towel for the remainder of a school year severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic." - "In Massachusetts, medical students graduate early to join the chaotic response to COVID-19," by Steph Solis, MassLive.com: "Medical schools in Massachusetts got the green light to let their fourth-year students graduate early, allowing them to start their residencies ahead of schedule and join the battle against the coronavirus. At least four universities - UMass Medical School, Tufts School of Medicine, BU School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School - have reached an agreement with Gov. Charlie Baker and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders to accelerate the graduations of fourth-year medical students." - "Boston Homeless Shelters Hope Re-Opening Of Newton Pavilion Will Improve Care For Coronavirus," by Tiziana Dearing and Jamie Bologna, WBUR: "Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday that the state will provide additional services to the Boston homeless population by re-opening the former Newton Pavilion health care center at Boston Medical Center. People who are experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, in part because those who are at shelters stay in close quarters." THE LATEST NUMBERS - "Historic number of applicants seek unemployment benefits," by Christian M. Wade, Gloucester Daily Times: "More than 3.2 million people filed for unemployment benefits in the past week as the coronavirus shutdown huge swaths of the nation's economy, a historic number of jobless claims that will push many states including Massachusetts to the brink financially. In Massachusetts, there were 147,995 unemployment claims filed for the week that ended March 21, compared to 7,449 in the previous week, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday." FROM THE HUB - "More than 160 Boston hospital workers test positive for coronavirus," by Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, Boston Globe: "Major hospitals in Boston are seeing a steep rise in the number of infected workers, a doubling to more than 160 in the past two days, which officials believe may be more attributable to community spread than contact with infected patients. At Massachusetts General Hospital, 41 members of the staff have tested positive for COVID-19, a quadrupling from earlier in the week, and at Brigham and Women's Hospital, 51 employees have been infected, up from 33 two days ago." - "Stop & Shop, Shaw's Say Employees Have Tested Positive For Coronavirus," by Adrian Ma, WBUR: "A number of grocery store employees are among the Massachusetts residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Following an inquiry from WBUR, the grocery chains Stop & Shop and Shaw's confirmed that some of their employees have tested positive for the virus. In addition, local television station WBZ reported that an employee at Market Basket in Chelmsford had tested positive." - "Boston Police announce coronavirus guidelines for officers," by Sean Philip Cotter, Boston Herald: "The Boston Police Department has changed practices in response to the coronavirus outbreak, staggering shifts and telling officers to work remotely and social distance from members of the public when possible, according to a letter sent to all BPD employees." - "DCF Closes 2 Offices, Says 1 Worker Has Coronavirus, Another Awaiting Results," by Jenifer B. McKim, WGBH News: "The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families shut down two offices this week after learning that a social worker tested positive for COVID-19 and another was being tested for the virus, state officials said Thursday. DCF officials said they learned that an employee tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday in the Hyde Park office and shut down the workplace to give it a 'deep clean.'" - "Cabral: Jails Need New Protocols For Dealing With COVID-19," by Arjun Singh, WGBH News: "As the novel coronavirus responsible for the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to spread, there is a growing chorus of people calling for the release of prisoners who either no longer pose a threat to society or committed nonviolent offenses and are vulnerable to contracting the disease. President Donald Trump has expressed an openness to using his clemency powers to release elderly nonviolent prisoners from federal prisons." - "Are the Red Sox Hanging Fenway Concessions Workers Out to Dry?" by Spencer Buell, Boston Magazine: "Here's what we know so far: The Sox, along with every other MLB franchise, have pledged $1 million to the stadium's other out-of-work staff, yet the team has still not come forward with a plan for the roughly 1,000 who pour the Bud Lights, tend to the hot dogs, and prepare the wacky concessions we all know and love for the hungry and thirsty masses at every game." - "Arroyo calls for moratorium on mortgages, rents," by Yawu Miller, Bay State Banner: "Businesses are shutting down across Massachusetts, leaving thousands of residents without a source of income. Some are unable to buy groceries, let alone pay for larger expenses like health insurance or housing. District 5 City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo aimed to blunt the impact of COVID-19's financial burden on Bostonians on Wednesday by calling for a moratorium on rents, mortgage, evictions and foreclosures." - "Powerful Sheriffs Rarely Held To Account As Families Fight For The Truth," Christine Willmsen and Beth Healy, WBUR: "The Davisons are among many families in Massachusetts that found themselves in the dark when a loved one died in a sheriff's custody. Getting to the truth, and holding jail employees accountable, WBUR found, can be a frustrating battle that pits families against the legal resources of sheriffs and the state attorney general. For many, justice feels out of reach." WARREN REPORT - "Coronavirus stimulus package: How the $2.2 trillion bill will help boost small businesses," by Benjamin Kail, MassLive.com: "The COVID-19 stimulus package President Donald Trump will likely sign by the end of the week makes billions of dollars available to small businesses across the country, injecting a boost into what Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh described Thursday as the lifeblood of the American economy and a crucial piece of any recovery in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis." - "Elizabeth Warren voted for the Senate coronavirus relief bill. She says it remains 'insufficient.'" by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined her colleagues to pass the Senate coronavirus relief bill, even though she believes it falls short of what's needed to respond to the pandemic. 'This is not the bill I wanted, but its immediate investments are vital,' the Massachusetts senator tweeted late Wednesday night. 'They are also insufficient. We will need to do more - and soon.'" MOULTON MATTERS - "Moulton reverses course on China coronavirus resolution," by Ethan Forman, The Salem News: "Congressman Seth Moulton announced an about-face Thursday on his support for a resolution condemning China for its early handling of the COVID-19 pandemic which many said could stoke anti-Asian sentiment. Moulton, a Salem Democrat who revealed Wednesday he was self-quarantined at home with symptoms of COVID-19, faced criticism for backing the resolution from friends, colleagues, those on social media and Democratic challengers for his 6th District seat." KENNEDY COMPOUND - "Joe Kennedy calls for a national shelter-in-place order," by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: " Many officials have increasingly shied away from the phrase "shelter in place" to describe the sweeping new orders in many states and cities for people to stay at home as much as possible to blunt the spread of the coronavirus. Rep. Joe Kennedy III is not one of them. The Massachusetts congressman called on President Donald Trump to enact a nationwide 'shelter-in-place order' Thursday, joining health experts who say more aggressive social distancing rules are needed." ABOVE THE FOLD — Herald: "S.O.S." — Globe: "Job losses reaching historic levels." FROM THE 413 - "Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz tests positive for COVID-19," by Greta Jochem, Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Mayor David Narkewicz has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation and working from home, 'where he hopes to make a full recovery from the virus,' tested positive for COVID-19, and the city's first case was reported on March 18, the city's health department said on Thursday. Amherst also reported its first positive case of COVID-19 on Thursday, according to an announcement by town officials. Hadley and South Hadley reported their first confirmed cases on Wednesday." - "Greenfield's emergency ops center keeps preparing," by Anita Fritz, Greenfield Recorder: "A few weeks ago, depending on what time of day it was, you could walk into the John Zon Community Center on Pleasant Street and find a City Council meeting being held in the large community room, a chair yoga class for seniors happening in a smaller room on the other side of the building, or a writing group where members were sharing their stories. On Monday, it became the city's COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center." THE LOCAL ANGLE - "Amid coronavirus concerns, Brookline, Cambridge adjust pedestrian buttons to reduce touching," by Matt Rocheleau, Boston Globe: "Brookline and Cambridge are posting signs around each of their communities advising people not to push pedestrian buttons at crosswalks in an effort to limit the number of surfaces residents must touch when walking around amid the coronavirus outbreak. Both municipalities say they are changing the way pedestrian signals work so that pressing the button is no longer needed to get the light to change." - "Natick town election postponed; finances in flux due to the coronavirus outbreak," by Henry Schwan, MetroWest Daily News: "Selectmen have voted to postpone the town's annual election, which was scheduled for next Tuesday, because of concerns about the new coronavirus. Tuesday's unanimous vote extends the date to no later than June 30. The board will consult with town officials before setting a firm date. Legislation signed Monday by Gov. Charlie Baker gives selectmen the authority to postpone a local election up until the end of June." - "Baker appears to defer to Islands construction ban," by Ethan Genter, Cape Cod Times: "Gov. Charlie Baker seemed to signal Thursday that he was OK with towns ignoring his administration's call to withdraw construction moratoriums. Baker will 'for the most part' defer to local municipalities 'if they have a legitimate issue' with complying with guidelines to ensure people's safety for construction projects during the coronavirus outbreak." HAPPY BIRTHDAY - to House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Charlotte Peyser, a Baker alum and policy and research analyst at the New England Board of Higher Education; and Matt Siegel, who turns 7-0 today. HAPPY BIRTHWEEKEND - to Sunday birthday-ers 1776 President & Chief Innovation Officer Peter Cherukuri, David King, senior lecturer in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School; Ned Gandevani, Sanjay Misra, Harvard PhD candidate; and Richard Lewontin who turns 91. DID THE HOME TEAM WIN? The home teams are not playing. NEW EPISODE: TESTING 1, 2, 3 - On this week's Horse Race podcast, hosts Steve Koczela and Stephanie Murray speak with Newton City Councilor Becky Grossman about her campaign for congress during the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe and listen on iTunes and Sound Cloud. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   Follow us on Twitter Stephanie Murray @StephMurr_Jour   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters Follow us

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