Apr 6, 2020 - Health

West Coast steps up to help other states hit by coronavirus outbreaks

California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Washington, Oregon and California are all sending ventilators to New York and other states experiencing a more immediate need for the potentially life-saving machines amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Why it matters: New York is facing severe shortages of medical equipment. It remains the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. with 122,911 cases reported and 4,161 deaths as of noon Monday, per Johns Hopkins University.

Details: The three states will send a total of more than 1,000 ventilators to states who need them.

California announced Monday it will send 500 of its state-owned ventilators to the Strategic National Stockpile inventory.
Oregon will send 140 ventilators to help New York, Gov. Kate Brown tweeted Saturday.
Washington announced Sunday it was returning more than 400 ventilators it received from the national stockpile.

What they're saying: "The state of Oregon is sending 140 ventilators to NY. We are so grateful to @OregonGovBrown and the people of Oregon. On behalf of the people of NY, I thank you and rest assured that NY will repay the favor when Oregon needs it," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted.

In another tweet to the Oregon governor, Cuomo added: "From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

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Protesters in Philadelphia on June 1. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images

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Why it matters: This adds to concerns that the protests themselves create an environment in which the virus can easily spread, particularly if and when protesters aren't wearing masks or social distancing.

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Updates: George Floyd protests continue past curfews

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Protests over the death of George Floyd and other police-related killings of black people continued Tuesday across the U.S. for the eighth consecutive day — prompting a federal response from the National Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

The latest: Protesters were still out en masse even as curfews set in Washington, D.C., and New York City. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) slammed the New York Police Department late Tuesday following reports of police kettling in protesters on Manhattan Bridge.

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Updated 40 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Primary elections test impact of protests, coronavirus on voting

Election official at a polling place at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, D.C. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

In the midst of a global pandemic and national protests over the death of George Floyd, eight states and the District of Columbia held primary elections on Tuesday.

Why it matters: Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, needs to win 425 of the 479 delegates up for grabs in order to officially clinch the nomination. There are a number of key down-ballot races throughout the country as well, including a primary in Iowa that could determine the fate of Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).

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