THE LEDE What does a national election look like now? Dozens of Republican officials and progressive leaders have come together to form a task force on election emergencies and published a set of guidelines on Thursday outlining how things might be accomplished, Dominic Holden reported. They don’t recommend moving the election — but taking certain steps (expanding vote by mail, sanitizing polling places) to make sure it can still happen.How to vote on a coronavirus aid package and not spread the coronavirus: The House is set to vote on the massive $2 trillion coronavirus aid package today, and like everything else in the world, business will not be as usual. The sergeant-at-arms sent out a lengthy note about how the vote will happen and how to social-distance on the Hill — a place where hundreds of members, reporters, and staff usually cram together in hallways and elevators without a second thought. Today, though, members are discouraged from using elevators and will be required to sanitize their hands before going on the House floor. Leadership is trying to pass this bill simply through a voice vote, but if anyone objects — and it looks like at least one member is thinking about it — they will have to now vote in groups of no more than 30 at a time. Keep an eye on this: The underreporting of coronavirus deaths will be one of many long-lasting stories to come out of this pandemic. Nidhi Prakash and Ellie Hall talked to medical professionals all over the country about what they’re seeing. Deaths are being underreported, they found, because state and local governments aren’t testing people after they die. “We just don't know. The numbers are grossly underreported. I know for a fact that we’ve had three deaths in one county where only one is listed on the website,” one doctor said. READ RECEIPTS Texting with Mark Levin Mark Levine is a New York City councilmember and the chair of the health committee. Since the start of the coronavirus spread in New York, he’s been regularly on Twitter grappling with the decisions the city has faced and will face as a result of the pandemic. He also recently announced that he had developed symptoms of the coronavirus but would not seek a test. We texted about how he’s feeling, the inequality the coronavirus exposes, and what is bringing him joy these days. P.S. If you like this newsletter, help keep our reporting free for all. Support BuzzFeed News by becoming a member here. (Monthly memberships are available worldwide.) 📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Kate Nocera, Veronica Dulin, and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here. |