Right now, today, the retail food supply-chain is trying to recover from previous panic buying. Across the nation grocery stores are wiped out. Warehouses are emptying trying to replenish the stores. The upstream suppliers are trying to resupply the warehouses.

Supermarkets are closing early and opening late while trying to stem panic and fulfill customer demand.  Now is exactly the wrong time to limit food choices and push more people into those retail food stores.

No advance notice. No time to prepare or plan… just an immediate order.

Imagine what will happen tomorrow morning in Ohio and Illinois at grocery stores.

Notice these orders from short-sighted governors are in effect almost immediately. Meaning no-one has had the time to prepare for this type of a disruption in the total food supply chain.

These governors do not have any experience, policy framework, or previously established state-wide systems (having been tested through experience) for a process of rapid food distribution as a result of a state emergency. They are flying by the seat of their pants, and taking advice from the wrong people with the wrong priorities and the wrong frame-of-reference.

A government cannot just shut down 30 to 50 percent of the way civil society feeds themselves, without planning and advanced preparation for an alternative. Those who ARE the alternative, the retail food grocers, need time to prepare themselves (and their entire logistical system) for the incredible impact.  Without preparation this is a man-made crisis about to get a lot worse.

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The White House COVID-19 task force led by Vice President Mike Pence will be holding an update on coronavirus mitigation efforts at 5:00pm.  Livestream Links below:

UPDATE: Video Added

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Based on increasingly panicked statements from local officials, yesterday it became more likely that government officials were going to take extreme measures.

Moments ago Illinois Governor  J.B. Pritzker held a press briefing and announced the mandatory closure of all restaurants and bars across the entire state.

“I am ordering all bars and restaurants in the state of Illinois to close to the public as of the close of business, Monday night, March 16th through March 30th.

We are working with restaurant owners and food delivery services across the state to see if restaurants can safely keep their kitchens open so the restaurants can keep the food delivery to people at their homes.  Additionally, we are allowing drive-through and curbside pick-up for restaurants to serve the public through this period”… (link)

Earlier this afternoon President Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence held a teleconference with a who’s-who of executives within the U.S. grocery supply chain.

[Per the White House] “Today, President Donald J. Trump held a telephone call with more than two dozen grocery store and supply chain executives from across the country. The President thanked them for the work they have already done to meet the needs of the public and for their continued commitment to the communities they serve.”

“All of the executives are working hand-in-hand with the Federal Government, as well as State and local leaders, to ensure food and essentials are constantly available. The President reminded the participants that this is an all-of-America approach and each of their stores and the stores they support can help Americans feel calm and safe when shelves are stocked with the items they need.”

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Dr. Anthony Fauci appears on Fox News to discuss the latest administration efforts to mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus.  As soon as the interview begins Fox News Chris Wallace makes a startling claim about Americans returning from abroad:

“You can see them here, in close proximity, coming back from Europe, some of them carrying the coronavirus“…

Really?   Chris Wallace criticizes the administration over every granular word assembly; yet, amid his pathological need to hype fear and panic, Wallace seemingly has no self-awareness about his own statements.  Again, more ridiculousness.

If taken at its purest presentation (and it shouldn’t be)…. If what Wallace claims is correct, doesn’t the appearance of infected people at U.S. airports by itself explain the need for the screening he is criticizing?

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Additionally, it is becoming increasingly clear Dr. Fauci has entered a psychological phase where he’s become addicted to his own sense of importance. His need to appear on all media everywhere, is now a detriment to the administration effort.

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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appears on ABC news where Jonathan Karl demands the U.S. Treasury Secretary should collapse the economy.  Pathetic and desperate Mr. Karl wants a recession almost as much as he wants the job to replace Stephanopoulos.

This interview is a case study in TDS.  The media are addicted to selling a resistance narrative.  Coronavirus is to media like crack cocaine is to an addict.

Instead of taking the opportunity with the Treasury Secretary to explain what measures are in place to help businesses deal with financial assistance, and have Mnuchin outline what procedures are in place for them to follow, the media waste ten minutes constructing their anti-Trump narrative for an audience.  It is ridiculous.

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Telling people to remain calm and simultaneously forcing people to remain in their homes would seem to be a contradiction in messaging; potentially only worsening the panic.  However, this is one of those, “well, yes it’s unconstitutional except when….” moments, that may have rather profound consequences.

The Democrat mayor of Hoboken New Jersey has announced a mandatory curfew between 10pm and 5am where all residents are not permitted to exit their residence; and all bars must close due to the coronavirus.

I don’t know if this is the first ‘mandatory’ coronavirus curfew, or even how such an effort could feasibly be enforced, but it’s likely not going to be the last:.

New Jersey – 10:45pm ET – Hoboken Mayor Ravinder Bhalla announced a citywide curfew will be in effect starting Monday. The curfew also places major restrictions on bars and restaurants.

The curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m.- 5 a.m.starting on Monday, and until further notice.  Residents will be required to stay home, except for emergencies, or if needed at work by their employer.

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After President Trump decided to take the coronavirus test, the physician to the President releases the following information:

Democrats/media react:

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Following a 10:00am meeting with President Trump and the COVID-19 task force members, Vice-President Mike Pence will be holding a press briefing at noon.

UPDATE: Video Added (Just Hit Play)

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At approximately 1:00am this morning the House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Response Act [H.R.6201]  (House Link Here)

The final text of the bill is also embedded below.

The Bill passed: 363-Yay/40-Nay with 26-Not Voting [Vote Tally Here]

[scribd id=451664181 key=key-TpgzK792x3tz3D3azeRw mode=scroll]

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Additionally, President Trump exercised statutory authorities to declare a national emergency in response to the coronavirus.  The unprecedented action invites States, territories, and tribes to access over $42 billion in existing funding to combat the coronavirus.

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