California senior citizens are on lock-down due to coronavirus
Lynda Carson | indybay.org | 2020-03-18
One can only wonder how long it will be before California becomes like the film called Wild In The Streets, where everyone 30 and older were locked up in prison camps, or like the film called Logan\'s Run, where people 30 and older are hunted down and executed to make room for younger people!
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/15/18831560.php

We\'re In A Recession, And It\'s Likely To Get Worse
Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-03-18
The coronavirus epidemic is creating an ongoing teachable moment that could be used to transform the US economy. COVID-19 and the oil war are triggers leading to a recession that has its roots in record corporate and personal debt, longterm low wages and an artificially-inflated stockmarket. The shortcomings of US economic policy, the healthcare system, and …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/were-in-a-recession-and-its-likely-to-get-worse/

12 Ways the U.S. Invasion of Iraq Lives on in Infamy
Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J. S. Davies | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-18
While the world is consumed with the terrifying coronavirus pandemic, on March 19 the Trump administration will be marking the 17th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq by ramping up the conflict there. After an Iran-aligned militia allegedly struck a U.S. base near Baghdad on March 11, the U.S. military carried out retaliatory strikes…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/18/12-ways-the-u-s-invasion-of-iraq-lives-on-in-infamy/

Sanctions against Iran and Venezuela during a pandemic are cruel
Vijay Prashad | zcomm.org | 2020-03-18
Source: Independent Media Institute Swiftly moves the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), dashing across continents, skipping over oceans, terrifying populations in every country. The numbers of those infected rises, as do the numbers of those who have died. Hands are being washed, tests are being done, social distancing has become a new phrase. It is unclear how Read…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/sanctions-against-iran-and-venezuela-during-a-pandemic-are-cruel/

Canada: Coronavirus threatens to ravage Toronto\'s swelling homeless population
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
Activists have warned that shelters and encampments, which provide inadequate makeshift housing for over 9,000 people in Toronto, will act like a \"petri dish\" for the spread of the coronavirus.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/toho-m18.html

The Taliban Scores a Coup
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-18
It threatened to disappear under the viral haze of COVID-19, but February 29 saw representatives from the US and Taliban, loftily acknowledged as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, sign the \"Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan\". After two decades of …
globalresearch.ca/taliban-scores-coup/5706654

Stop Tightening the Thumb Screws: A Humanitarian Message
Kathy Kelly | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-03-18
Protester\'s sign decries sanctions, \"a silent war\" (Photo Credit: Campaign for Peace and Democracy, 2013) U.S. sanctions against Iran, cruelly strengthened in March of 2018, continue a collective punishment of extremely vulnerable people. Presently, the U.S. \"maximum pressure\" policy severely undermines Iranian efforts to cope with the ravages of COVID-19, causing hardship and tragedy while …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/stop-tightening-the-thumb-screws-a-humanitarian-message/

US military \'did not give it to ANYBODY\', coronavirus came from CHINA: Trump gets involved in bioweapon conspiracy spat
rt.com | 2020-03-18
US President Donald Trump is refusing to stop using the name \'Chinese virus\', despite or perhaps in spite of protests from Beijing and some US media outlets claiming that doing so is inappropriate or even racist. | Asked about his use of the term during a White House press conference on Tuesday, the US president said he will continue calling Covid-19 a \"Chinese virus\" because it came from China, and he did not appreciate attempts by Beijing to argue otherwise. | \"China was putting out information, which was false, that our military gave this to them. That was false,\" Trump said. \"And rather than having an argu…
rt.com/usa/483371-trump-china-virus-conspiracy/

How the OAS Revived the Cold War in the Americas
Laura Carlsen | zcomm.org | 2020-03-18
An in-depth analysis of the actions of the Organization of American States reveals a disturbing political bias, a willingness to manipulate events and data for political purposes, and a pattern of double standards under the leadership of Secretary General Luis Almagro…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/how-the-oas-revived-the-cold-war-in-the-americas/

Washington Attempts to Intimidate Indonesia Not to Buy Russian Weapons
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-18
Correspondents from Bloomberg reported that under pressure from Washington, Indonesia will likely refuse to buy Russian and Chinese weapons. A U.S. State Department spokesman informed Bloomberg that the United States had asked all its allies and partners to abandon new …
globalresearch.ca/washington-attempts-intimidate-indonesia-not-buy-russian-weapons/5706682

Biden\'s Health Care Plan Abandons Older Americans
Mark Weisbrot | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-18
Joe Biden has surged since the South Carolina primary, and the received wisdom is that this was mainly because of the perception by his voters that he was the most electable candidate against President Donald Trump. But there are some potential pitfalls that have not yet surfaced, and some of them concern voters who are…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/18/bidens-health-care-plan-abandons-older-americans/

The Supreme Court is Set to Strike a Major Blow Against Social and Environmental Protections
Lee Price | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-18
In recent years, the Supreme Court has issued ruling after ruling awarding more power to large corporations. Most notably, the 2010 Citizens United ruling opened the floodgates to an unprecedented deluge of corporate cash in our elections. Now, however, the court\'s right-wing majority appears prepared to offer an even bigger boon: A virtual blanket ban…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/18/the-supreme-court-is-set-to-strike-a-major-blow-against-social-and-environmental-protections/

Stop Tightening the Screws: a Humanitarian Message on Sanctions
Kathy Kelly | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-18
U.S. sanctions against Iran, cruelly strengthened in March of 2018, continue a collective punishment of extremely vulnerable people. Presently, the U.S. \"maximum pressure\" policy severely undermines Iranian efforts to cope with the ravages of COVID-19, causing hardship and tragedy while contributing to the global spread of the pandemic. On March 12, 2020, Iran\'s Foreign Minister…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/18/stop-tightening-the-screws-a-humanitarian-message-on-sanctions/

Stop Tightening the Thumb Screws, A Humanitarian Message
Kathy Kelly | zcomm.org | 2020-03-18
U.S. sanctions against Iran, cruelly strengthened in March of 2018, continue a collective punishment of extremely vulnerable people…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/stop-tightening-the-thumb-screws-a-humanitarian-message/

Biden sweeps three primaries amid coronavirus crisis
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
The former vice president extended his lead over Bernie Sanders to more than 300 delegates, while voter turnout plunged.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/dems-m18.html

Biden crushes Sanders in Florida & Illinois, projected to win Arizona, as Covid-19 keeps Americans distracted
rt.com | 2020-03-18
Joe Biden handily defeated Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in Florida\'s primary vote, walking away with at least 130 delegates and a supermajority in the popular vote. He will likely take Illinois as well, based on projections. | With nearly 100 percent of the results reported in Florida on Tuesday night, Biden\'s smash victory left him with twice as many delegates as the socialist stalwart, and more than 61 percent of the popular vote, further cementing his front-runner status. | In Illinois, with most of the votes tallied, Biden took a strong lead over Sanders, scoring 93 delegates to the senator\'s 46, along w…
rt.com/usa/483373-biden-sanders-illinois-florida/

When Available, COVID-19 Vaccines May be Hazardous to Human Health
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-18
In cahoots with government, Big Pharma is more concerned about profits than human health. | Drug companies see a potential bonanza by developing and marketing a COVID-19 vaccine once testing is completed

The Socialist Specter in Present-Day US Politics
Victor Wallis | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-18
The US political scene is haunted by talk of socialism. The basis for this has been developing now for some years, especially since the financial meltdown of 2008, which many came to see as decisive proof that a capitalist economy does not serve the majority.
counterpunch.org/2020/03/18/the-socialist-specter-in-present-day-us-politics/

Stock markets continue freefall into abyss despite governments\' massive rescue plans
rt.com | 2020-03-18
Asia-Pacific markets finished significantly lower on Wednesday again, shrugging off the stimulus pledges by world leaders. Investors fear the measures may still not be enough to protect economies though the crisis. | Hong Kong\'s Hang Seng index closed down over four percent while China\'s Shanghai Composite was off almost two percent. Japan\'s Nikkei 225 was trading 1.68 percent lower. | Australia\'s S&P/ASX 200 was the worst performer in the region, dropping by almost seven percent. South Korea\'s Kospi ended the day down 4.9 percent. | European stock markets have also felt the jitters, with the Stoxx 600 index f…
rt.com/business/483388-stock-market-crash-coronavirus-panic/

Is murder still a crime, though? Philly introduces catch-and-release for looters & drug dealers until coronavirus crisis ends
rt.com | 2020-03-18
Cops in Philadelphia have stopped making arrests for an array of crimes

Webinar: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus (sponsor: Women\'s March)
Women\'s March | indybay.org | 2020-03-18
Webinar online…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/16/18831594.php

Mounting anger as workers demand protection from unsafe conditions
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
There is growing outrage among workers in the United States and internationally over the fact that they continue to be kept on the job in nonessential industries and workplaces amidst the spreading coronavirus pandemic.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/pers-m18.html

San Fancisco\'s Downtown Emptied by Pandemic
Leon Kunstenaar | indybay.org | 2020-03-18
On a regular workday, San Francisco\'s Embarcadero, financial district, and Chinatown were almost deserted as the coronavirus attacks the US.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/17/18831611.php

Iran Temporarily Frees 85,000 Inmates As Pandemic Worsens
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-18
Iran has temporarily freed about 85,000 people from jail in response to the coronavirus epidemic, a judiciary spokesman said Tuesday. | RELATED: | Senior Iranian Cleric Reported Dead After Coronavirus Infection | \"So far, some 85,000 prisoners have been released … Also in the prisons we have taken precautionary measures to confront the outbreak,\" judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said. | Asked whether prisoners over so-called \"political reasons\" were among those free…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-Temporarily-Frees-85000-Inmates-As-Pandemic-Worsens–20200317-0023.html

Spain Locks Down & Nationalizes Private Healthcare
María Carrión | zcomm.org | 2020-03-18
Europe is the epicenter of coronavirus, and Spain now has the second most cases in Europe, with more than 2,000 new cases in 24 hours and the number of deaths doubled…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/1030904/

London\'s Imperial College predicts millions to die from coronavirus pandemic in UK and US
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
In addition to the mass casualty figures, the study\'s authors estimated that the pandemic will continue through August.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/covi-m18.html

Disaster Capitalism and the Real Culprit in the Italian Covid-19 Catastrophe
John Buell | zcomm.org | 2020-03-18
The Coronavirus pandemic will provide another opportunity for neoliberal elites to impose more of their right wing agenda on a citizenry scared and confused by this mysterious and dangerous disease…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/disaster-capitalism-and-the-real-culprit-in-the-italian-covid-19-catastrophe/

Russian senator calls for ALL unilateral SANCTIONS to be lifted to prevent coronavirus causing global economic crisis
rt.com | 2020-03-18
The spread of Covid-19 may send the global economy into a lengthy recession, but lifting sanctions that aren\'t backed by the United Nations may help avoid a total catastrophe. That\'s according to a senior Russian senator. | The drop in energy demand, unstable currency exchange rates, and the threat to people\'s safety have put humanity at risk of a major economic crisis which \"won\'t spare anybody,\" Konstantin Kosachev, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Russian Senate, warned. | Developing vaccines and working towards new agreements on oil prices are good measures to deal with the difficult situa…
rt.com/russia/483391-sanctions-coronavirus-russia-iran/

Surf the Internet Instead: Britannic Herd Immunity and Coronavirus
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-03-18
Epidemiologist William Hanage was more than perplexed by the plan. \"When I heard about Britain\'s \'herd immunity\' coronavirus plan,\" he reflected in The Guardian, \"I thought it was satire.\" Much public policy, foolishly considered and expertly bungled, tends to succumb to satire; having Prime Minister Boris Johnson leading the show provides an even better chance …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/surf-the-internet-instead-britannic-herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/

Israeli government uses emergency powers to authorize cellphone tracking of coronavirus patients
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
Netanyahu\'s holdover cabinet voted unanimously to authorize the Israeli intelligence service to use cellphone location data to track the movements of coronavirus patients and anyone who comes into contact with them.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/isra-m18.html

An Economic Recovery Program–Theirs vs. Mine
Jack Rasmus | zcomm.org | 2020-03-18
The Coronavirus has been wrecking the US and global economies. While focus has been on addressing the biological devastation wrought by the virus, the economic devastation keeps growing. Failure to properly address the deepening economic impact of the coronavirus has been no less shocking to date than the obvious failure of politicians and policymakers to Read…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/an-economic-recovery-program-theirs-vs-mine/

Close Australian schools to stave off coronavirus! Form action committees of teachers and school staff!
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
The Committee for Public Education insists that in the face of a public health emergency, the voices of teachers and education workers must be heard!
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/cfpe-m18.html

We\'re saved! Marvel baffles fans as it unveils \'Snowflake\' & \'Safespace\'… non-binary bully-fighting superheroes
rt.com | 2020-03-18
With coronavirus panic sparking worldwide toilet paper shortages, Marvel has rolled out new superheroes to restore faith in humanity: \'Snowflake\' and \'Safespace\'. Not really the heroes we need, but probably the ones we deserve. | Known for iconic characters such as Spider Man, the Hulk, and Captain America, Marvel has apparently decided that comic book fans need new, \"post-ironic\" (their words, not ours) heroes. The entertainment company unveiled in a new trailer that their \'New Warriors\' line-up includes psychic twins named Snowflake and Safespace. | Snowflake is obviously non-binary and \"goes by they/them,\"
rt.com/usa/483376-marvel-snowflake-safespace-comic-heroes/

Update: Homeless and Housing Insecure Families Spend First Night In State-Owned Home
Posted by Lynda Carson | indybay.org | 2020-03-18
The Reclaimers include moms Martha Escudero and Ruby Gordillo, and senior Benito Flores. Impacted by the housing crisis, and feeling even more urgency in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, they were inspired by Moms 4 Housing

Merkel\'s response to coronavirus: Draconian measures for German population, unlimited loans for corporations
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
While coronavirus tests are denied and workers are compelled, in spite of an immediate threat of infection, into the factories, the state is opening the treasury without restrictions to the financial oligarchy.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/merk-m18.html

2.2 Million People in the U.S. Could Die If Coronavirus Goes Unchecked
Sharon Lerner | zcomm.org | 2020-03-18
The earlier viral outbreak known as SARS showed that patients living in areas with moderate air pollution were 84 percent more likely to die from that virus than patients in regions with low pollution, according to a 2003 study.
zcomm.org/znetarticle/2-2-million-people-in-the-u-s-could-die-if-coronavirus-goes-unchecked/

Escapism or China-bashing? US now left without harsh coronavirus options, but with broken healthcare & federal disarray
rt.com | 2020-03-18
Washington\'s attempts to tackle Covid-19 appear to be bleak

Curbside Communities Need Our Support During the Coronavirus Crisis
The Village Oakland | indybay.org | 2020-03-18
Most unhoused folks don\'t have the privledge of washing hands all day long or self-quarantining.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/16/18831587.php

Political leaders \'underestimated\' virus threat, European Commission chief admits
rt.com | 2020-03-18
Political leaders \"underestimated\" the magnitude of the danger posed by the coronavirus, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said. Her statement came as the EU shut its borders. | \"I think that all of us who are not experts initially underestimated the coronavirus,\" she told Germany\'s Bild newspaper in an interview published Wednesday. \"But now it is clear that this is a virus that will keep us busy for a long time yet.\" Von der Leyen added that \"measures that seemed drastic two or three weeks ago, need to be taken now.\" | The commission chief, however, rejected the language of Fren…
rt.com/newsline/483395-leaders-underestimated-virus-threat/

US service industry workers face unemployment as businesses close due to coronavirus
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
Millions of predominantly low-wage workers across the US find themselves suddenly without a source of income and must figure out how to survive without any emergency savings.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/serv-m18.html

Oakland to become dumping ground for coronavirus infected trash from Grand Princess ship
Lynda Carson | indybay.org | 2020-03-18
Statement of Rob Bonta: \"I am very sensitive to the perception that the Grand Princess being docked and disembarked at the Port of Oakland- instead of in San Francisco – is wrong and unjust. Frankly, that was my first reaction. It is absolutely appropriate to view this through the historical context and lens of environmental racism and injustice in Oakland, specifically in West Oakland, including exposure to toxics, dirty air, and lead.\" Assemblymember Rob Bonta may want to rethink his above statement, now that the powers to be have double-crossed the people of Oakland and are dumping the toxic coronavirus infect…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/15/18831554.php

China Smothers Coronavirus as West Continues Hyperbole for Big Pharma Gain
Shane Quinn | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-18
There are firm indications that China has won its battle in suppressing the coronavirus, with daily cases in the country reduced to low double digit numbers. On 8 March 2020, a mere 40 new reports of coronavirus were recorded in …
globalresearch.ca/china-smothers-coronavirus-west-continues-hyperbole-big-pharma-gain/5706692

Modi feigns concern for regional cooperation to fight coronavirus, as pandemic spreads across South Asia
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
The poverty to which capitalism has condemned the majority of South Asia\'s 1.9 billion people makes the region exceptionally vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/saar-m18.html

Utility cutoff\'s restricted for PG&E, AT&T, Comcast, San Jose Water Company, & others
Lynda Carson | indybay.org | 2020-03-18
This means that if people get behind on their utility bills or water bills because of a lack of income due to the disastrous financial effects of the coronavirus in their communities, that utility cutoff\'s are restricted for such companies as PG&E, AT&T, Comcast, Metro PCS, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, San Jose Water Company, and other companies!
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/17/18831610.php

Newborn baby tests positive for coronavirus in Norfolk
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-03-18
Another newborn baby has tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK.Health officials at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, said a baby is among three new cases identified.All patients are now being treated in isolation, the trust said on Wednesday.(PA Graphics)A hospital spokesperson said: \"An extensive \'contact tracing\' exercise is now under way by Public Health England to trace anyone who might have had close (face-to-face) contact.\"Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and what to do if they become unwell in the 14 days after they had contact with the confirmed case.\"Tha…
thecanary.co/discovery/news-discovery/2020/03/18/newborn-baby-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-in-norfolk/

Beijing Believes COVID-19 Is a Biological Weapon
Lucas Leiroz de Almeida | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-18
From conspiracy theory to geopolitical realism, the possibility to treat COVID-19 as a biological weapon has been finally accepted in the public sphere. The recent statement by the Chinese spokesman Zhao Lijian, formally accusing the US of bringing coronavirus …
globalresearch.ca/beijing-believes-covid-19-biological-weapon/5706558

Coronavirus Scares Tourists Away from Sausalito
Leon Kunstenaar | indybay.org | 2020-03-18
Formerly bustling tourist town almost deserted…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/16/18831568.php

\'You see a lot of suffering, but can do very little\': Italian nurse bursts into tears describing coronavirus struggle to RT
rt.com | 2020-03-18
The battle against the coronavirus is tough on medical staffs, not only physically but emotionally as well, as they witness so much suffering, an Italian nurse told RT\'s Ruptly video agency. | The number of those infected keeps rising, which only increases pressure on the health workers, Francesca Rovati of Guglielmo Da Saliceto Hospital in Piacenza, the city at the heart of Italy\'s Covid-19 outbreak, said. | Rovati said she almost went deaf from the sound made by the oxygen cylinders for patients suffering from respiratory failure due to the disease. And there\'s not enough of this equipment for everybody who…
rt.com/news/483385-italy-piacenza-coronavirus-nurse/

How about help PEOPLE first? Boeing shredded for seeking \'tens of billions\' in ANOTHER bailout amid coronavirus pandemic
rt.com | 2020-03-18
As the Covid-19 pandemic cripples airlines worldwide, Boeing is seeking billions in government handouts to weather the storm, but netizens insisted it would only reward years of mismanagement and fatally defective aircraft. | Despite spending the last seven years shoveling tens of billions into a share repurchase initiative to beef up its stock price

To Defeat Coronavirus, Media Need to Look at Real-World Examples, Not Play \'Simulitis\'
Jim Naureckas | fair.org | 2020-03-18
Every news outlet ought to have a chart like this one, from the Financial Times, featured prominently on their home page–because there is no more important question in the coronavirus crisis right now than how to get off the path led by Italy and onto the track of countries like Singapore. This Financial Times chart ( 3/16/20) indicates where countries are headed if they continue on their present pandemic path. | As the Financial Times notes, most Wes…
fair.org/home/to-defeat-coronavirus-media-need-to-look-at-real-world-examples-not-play-simulitis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=to-defeat-coronavirus-media-need-to-look-at-real-world-examples-not-play-simulitis