The push in the U.S. pandemic epicenter follows the president’s declaration that he ‘feels good’ about compounds with unproven efficacy, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine.

President Trump on March 20 played up the promise of a malaria drug to possibly treat coronavirus, saying, “What the hell do you have to lose?” (Reuters)

New York is moving at unprecedented speed and scale in a human experiment to distribute tens of thousands of doses of anti-malarial drugs to seriously ill patients, spurred by political leaders including President Trump to try a treatment that is not proved to be effective against the coronavirus. Nick Note:  It never ends. We are catching hell again. Because i published and broke the story about the amazing results of what was a secret “potential cure” from China apparently working for people serious ill with the coronavirus. I will not back down. I believe hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin, taken together may may may be a cure. Antidote evidence suggest that these medicines  taken together  mayMay MAY work. Yes it is true they are not “proven” to be effective against the coronavirus… it will take years. And we do not have the time. Of course these FDA approved medicines have side effects.. what medicine does not? I repeat they are FDA approved. Although not for the coronavirus. It is know as off label use which is allowed for many many drugs.

The coronavirus pandemic could kill more than 81,000 people in the United States in the next four months and may not subside until June, according to a data analysis done by the University of Washington School of Medicine. The number of hospitalised patients is expected to peak nationally by the second week of April, though the peak may come later in some states.

Some people could continue to die of the virus as late as July, although deaths should be below epidemic levels of 10 per day by June at the latest, according to the analysis. The analysis, using data from governments, hospitals and other sources, predicts that the number of US deaths could vary widely, ranging from as low as around 38,000 to as high as around 162,000. The variance is due in part to disparate rates of the spread of the virus in different regions, which experts are still struggling to explain, said Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, who led the study. The duration of the virus means there may be a need for social distancing measures for longer than initially expected, although the country may eventually be able relax restrictions if it can more effectively test and quarantine the sick, Murray said. The analysis also highlights the strain that will be placed on hospitals. At the epidemic’s peak, sick patients could exceed the number of available hospital beds by 64,000 and could require the use of around 20,000 ventilators. Ventilators are already running short in hard-hit places like New York City. The virus is spreading more slowly in California, which could mean that peak cases there will come later in April and social distancing measures will need to be extended in the state for longer, Murray said. Louisiana and Georgia are predicted to see high rates of contagion and could see a particularly high burden on their local healthcare systems, he added. The analysis assumes close adherence to infection prevention measures imposed by federal, state and local governments. “The trajectory of the pandemic will change – and dramatically for the worse – if people ease up on social distancing or relax with other precautions,” Murray said in a statement. The analysis comes as the US becomes the country that has has the most coronavirus cases in the world. Nick Note: Did you see the part about this pandemic peeking in the second week in April. That is my belief and by mid June the panic will be over. And by the middle of July into August people will be fighting for deeply discounted seats on airlines and cars from dealerships and trips to 5 star hotels all at great discounts designed to rev up the American consumer once again.

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the measures enacted Friday, the most drastic to date, were necessary as state cases surged again; NJ Gov. Phil Murphy said his state would “further tighten the screws” on social distancing Saturday

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that 100 percent of non-essential work forces are now required to stay home, calling it “the most drastic measure we can take” as he said the entire state of New York was “on pause.”Two days ago, that decree applied to 50 percent of the non-essential work force. A day ago, it rose to 75 percent. Now it’s practically everyone; Cuomo said the escalation of the numbers gave him no choice but to further control density. The new order goes into effect as of 8 p.m. Sunday. “This is not life as usual. Accept it. Realize it. And deal with it,” Cuomo said. He asked the public to “remain indoors to the greatest extent possible to protect physical and mental health. Your actions can affect my health; that’s where we are. We are all in quarantine.” Mayor Bill de Blasio said NYC— which he called “the epicenter of this crisis” — would be enforcing the governor’s policies. As part of the new measures, the mayor said all field permits, events and team sports at city parks would be canceled so as to avoid people gathering or coming in close contact. De BLsaio said that the goal is not to kick people out of parks, but rather to maintain spacing between people. Non-compliance by businesses may result in fines or summonses; at this point, there are no legal consequences for individuals but crowds violating the new orders will be broken up. NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said that while summonses and arrests are a last resort for uncooperative individuals, there have been very few instances where it has come up. Cuomo acknowledged businesses will be forced to close; families will face severe financial strain — and he announced a 90-day moratorium on all commercial and residential evictions to try and ease the immediate burden. But if all of these measures save just one life, the governor said, they are worth it. Nick Note: Is this not the financial center of the world. Its all a matter of time that finance moves to places that are still  working like London and Hong Kong.

J.P. Morgan Chase is “temporarily” closing 1,000 bank branches, or 20% of its locations, effective Thursday amid growing coronavirus concerns. Chase has sent bank staff from the branches, like financial advisors, tellers and lenders, to work from home. The remaining 4,000 branches of Chase will stay open, albeit with reduced hours, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., closing early by two hours. Chase says many of the branches have glass partitions and thus, protection for tellers. These branches also may have drive-up windows.  In a note to staff, Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, said Chase will continue to pay branch employees for their regularly-scheduled hours. “Even if their hours are reduced or the branch is closed and they are asked to report to another branch or stay home.” Additionally, she added that Chase has said two additional paid days away from work and extended the time that employees may carry over vacation days from 2019 to June 20, 2020. Brown Duckett said Chase has stepped up cleaning at branches, placing alcohol-based hand sanitizer at main entrances, transaction lines and reception areas. “We will send a team of specialized cleaners if a branch has a confirmed or highly likely COVID-19 case within one hour of the report.” Bank of America said it would remain open. BofA has 4,300 locations, “and each one also has a 24/7 ATM available to clients,” notes spokesman William Halldin.  According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, Chase is the largest U.S. bank, based on assets, with $2.74 trillion, followed by BofA with $2.38 trillion, Citigroup with $1.96 trillion and Wells Fargo with $1.89 trillion. Nick Note: What happens when back office staff are to sick to work or quarantined?