GOP split on whether to back Fauci’s or Trump’s assessment on reopening economy
Why Read: CNN provides a good summary and compilation of quotes from Republican members of the senate panel before which Dr. Anthony Fauci testified yesterday. The statements show where Republican senators — many of whom are up for reelection this year — stand on how best to move forward with reopening the country.
‘Partisan Tribalism’ Dominates in Poll of Americans’ Virus Views
Why Read: Americans perceive the threat posed by COVID-19 differently depending on their party affiliation. Self-identified Democrats are more likely to say they have been personally affected by the pandemic, while Republicans are more confident of a return to normalcy. “The differences, revealed in a new poll from Monmouth University Monday, shed light on the political ramifications of the virus but also show how voters see the world in starkly different terms.”
Trump’s Favorability Falls Among Seniors Amidst Pandemic
Why Read: President Trump’s approval rating among Americans 65 and older has dropped as a result of his handling of the COVID-19 emergency. “In April just over four in ten (42%) seniors said they have a mostly or very favorable view of Trump compared to a 57% majority who are mostly or very unfavorable to the president. This represents a 14 percentage point drop since mid-March when a majority (56%) of seniors said they view Trump favorably.”
The money is on Trump
Why Read: This Axios story presents polling responses from money managers and data from the world’s most popular betting destinations to show that investors and betting markets favor President Trump to win the U.S. election in November. But the virus is the wildcard.
The Four Men Responsible For America’s COVID-19 Test Disaster
Why Read: This Rolling Stone article lays out the case for why four men — the heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and President Trump — are responsible for America’s COVID-19 testing disaster.
As Job Losses Mount, Lawmakers Face a Make-or-Break Moment
Why Read: This New York Times article explains why Congress’ decision on the next emergency assistance package — whether or not to do one and if so, what it should include — comes at a crucial moment for the future of the United States. It’s a good look behind the jobless numbers and how a wrong move by the federal government could make those numbers permanent and lead to thousands of company bankruptcies.