Hungary
Orbán Uses Coronavirus to Put Hungary’s Democracy in a State of Danger
http://www.gmfus.org/blog/2020/03/26/orban-uses-coronavirus-put-hungarys-democracy-state-danger
‘The governing Fidesz party has the necessary two-thirds majority required to prolong the state of danger, and opposition parties had signaled their readiness to support such an extension until the end of June. Yet, on March 20, the government filed a motion for an enabling act that would allow it to govern by decree practically without limits in time and extent as well as disable parliamentary control over the executive…’
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THE WORLD…
Boris Johnson will self-isolate for seven days in No 11 Downing Street. His meals will be left outside the door for him so he won’t come into contact with others.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/mar/27/uk-coronavirus-live-rough-sleepers-nhs-applause-covid-19-latest-news
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NYC nurse: Andrew Cuomo is no hero. He spent years slashing hospital capacity
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Death at the Greek Border: Syrian Refugees Should not Be Used as Political Pawns
http://www.ramzybaroud.net/death-at-the-greek-border-syrian-refugees-should-not-be-used-as-political-pawns/
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Feeling safe?
‘…At the center of the discussion about how to ramp up the production of ventilators is Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and a senior White House aide, who has told people that he was called in two weeks ago by Vice President Mike Pence to produce more coronavirus test kits and who has now turned his attention to ventilators.
He has been directing officials at FEMA in the effort….’
fking hell
‘That number then shrank to 7,500 ventilators in the initial run, or maybe 5,000, an apparent recognition that auto transmissions and ventilators had very little in common.’
‘…The $1.5 billion price tag comes to around $18,000 a ventilator. And the overall cost, by comparison, is roughly equal to buying 18 F-35s, the Pentagon’s most advanced fighter jet…’
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#Murica Death Cults
‘The pastor, Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, said he does not believe his congregation is at risk of getting COVID-19, the disease associated with the coronavirus, according to CBS affiliate WAFB. “It’s not a concern,” Spell told the outlet. “The virus, we believe, is politically motivated. We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says.” Spell said 1,170 attended his service Sunday, according to WAFB. “We have 27 buses on Sundays picking up people in a five-parish area,” he said.
Spell also told the outlet that police showed up at the church after the service Tuesday night and informed him the National Guard would break up any future gatherings that exceed 50 people.
But a National Guard spokesman in Baton Rouge told NBC News on Wednesday it is not involved in the matter and has no role in enforcing social distancing requirements as set by Gov. John Bel Edwards…’
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80% of Russia’s Coronavirus Aid to Italy ‘Useless’ – La Stampa
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/03/26/80-of-russias-coronavirus-aid-to-italy-useless-la-stampa-a69756
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Around 80% of the coronavirus supplies that Russia has sent to Italy are “useless,” the country’s La Stampa daily reported Wednesday, citing high-level political sources.
Russia sent 600 ventilators and 100 military virologists and epidemiologists to Italy following talks between President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte last Saturday. Footage of Russian military trucks en route from Rome to the coronavirus epicenter of Bergamo circulated online this week…’
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UK claims it missed deadline for EU ventilator scheme
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/26/no-10-boris-johnson-accused-of-putting-brexit-over-breathing-in-covid-19-ventilator-row
‘…Downing Street has claimed it failed to take part in an EU scheme to source life-saving ventilators to treat coronavirus because it accidentally missed the deadline.
No 10 initially said it did not take part because the UK was “no longer a member” and was “making our own efforts”.
But after critics accused Boris Johnson of putting “Brexit over breathing”, a No 10 spokesman clarified that it had missed out because of an error and would consider participating in future. It is understood the UK claims not to have received an email from the EU asking it to participate.
The mix-up means the UK has missed out on benefiting from the collective buying power of the EU. The bloc is seeking to use its clout to source large numbers of ventilators and protective equipment.
A UK government spokesperson said: “Owing to an initial communication problem, the UK did not receive an invitation in time to join in four joint procurements in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“As the commission has confirmed, we are eligible to participate in joint procurements during the transition period, following our departure from the EU earlier this year…’
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