Economist Stephen Moore called Americans who are protesting state-ordered stay-at-home orders "the modern-day Rosa Parks."
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“I think there’s a boiling point that has been reached and exceeded,” he told The Washington Post. “I call these people the modern-day Rosa Parks — they are protesting against injustice and a loss of liberties,” he added.
Moore is on President Trump's council aimed at reopening the country.
Moore expressed similar sentiments in a YouTube video uploaded by a libertarian think tank earlier this week: "This is a great time for civil disobedience. We need to be the Rosa Parks here and protest against these government injustices."
During an appearance on CBS News, Friday, Moore went into greater detail: "I think actually think we should have started this a week or two ago," he said. "I think we lean way too much in the direction of keeping the economy shut down to try to save every life, not realizing that we're causing huge hardship for citizens — again, people at the bottom and businesses — and we're going to suffer a big loss of living standards because of this."
Protesters against stay-at-home orders have taken to the streets to protest the government's closing of non-essential businesses.
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6ix9ine Gets Federal Co-Sign For Early Release
The U.S. Attorney's office says there are no objections to releasing 6ix9ine early.
Though 6ix9ine managed to dodge a bullet when he was sentenced to two years with time served earlier this year, it appears that COVID-19 might actually mean that he's out as early as this evening. According to Inner City Press, the U.S. District Attorney has filed documents saying that there aren't any objections to releasing the rapper early due to the potential threat of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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"In light of the analysis under Section 3553(a) detailed during the defendant's sentencing and the Court's March 25 Order, in the event the court finds 'extraordinary and compelling reasons' presented by the defendant's medical condition, placing him at high risk during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government does not oppose the defendant's motion for compassionate release," U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman wrote in a document filed to court.
The Bureau Of Prisons denied the rapper's initial request for an early release due to the risk of COVID-19. However, a new update from earlier today revealed that because he's not in their custody, they wouldn't be able to grant him a compassionate release. With that decision being placed in the hands of the government, it appears that 6ix9ine might very well be a free man later this evening. We're currently waiting on the judge's the final decision.
6ix9ine initially argued that because he suffers from asthma, he should be released earlier from prison. Though it's possible he's released on house arrest, there's a good chance that he won't be back on social media until his sentence is actually completed.
Safaree Suspicious Of Government’s Role In Coronavirus Panic
Safaree Samuels voiced his suspicions that the government has played a larger role in the rapid spread of coronavirus and subsequent panic than we realize.
Safaree Samuels does not trust the government, especially when it comes to the hysteria surrounding an epidemic like the coronavirus. As the deadly disease spreads rapidly and more and more cases are confirmed each day, folks are taking serious precautions when it comes to protecting their health. The country of Italy has been shut down, major events around the world have been cancelled, and thousands have been quarantined.
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However, not everyone thinks that the public is getting all the information necessary about the virus. Safaree took to Twitter to start a dialogue about the fear that has been instilled into civilians about contracting coronavirus. The rapper and reality star noted that folks should not let the viral epidemic control their whole lives.
"Stop letting the carona [sic] virus stop y’all from living y’all lives," he tweeted on Tuesday. "I don’t trust the government. They got something to do with it. They shoulda stopped certain flights from coming in to America since December. Go chuck up Innah yuh mumma trump !!" While Safaree may not be too worried, other celebrities, like Card B, certainly are. Cardi admitted that she's pretty terrified of the coronavirus, and that she's stocking up on food in preparation.
France Reminds Citizens Cocaine Is Not A Coronavirus Cure
The French government stepped in to stop a rumor that cocaine cures the coronavirus.
French government officials had to remind its citizens that cocaine is not a preventative measure for the novel coronavirus. With France's neighboring country recently taking major precautions, quarantining approximately 16 million of their citizens, the spread of the life-threatening COVID-19 disease into their borders have become a growing concern for their citizens and official health advisors as well. The original rumor that cocaine was a cure for the coronavirus began as a part of ill-advised information leak on the highly-popularized social media platform Facebook, which has had a history of containing false information in the past. Spencer Platt/Getty Images
According to Politifact, the Facebook post popped up on the internet on Jan. 30 and featured a photo of the highly-addictive narcotic and a grammatically butchered banner headline that read "Cocaine kills coronavirus" and "Scientists is shocked to discover that this drug can fight the virus." As per usual, the false information eventually made its way to different social media platforms and has influenced some French citizens that cocaine could actually be used to prevent from contracting COVID-19.
Despite the post being flagged for spreading dangerously false information that could potentially affect the health of millions of people, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Paris, France had to make a statement to ensure the safety of the country's citizens. A Ministry official took to Twitter to announce in a short, concise statement that translates to:
"No, cocaine does NOT protect against COVID-19. It is an addictive drug that causes serious side effects and is harmful to people's health."
With major corporations and public event producers taking precautions against the coronavirus, we could have to watch our sporting events from the comfort of our homes in empty stadiums and postpone major events like Coachella until the disease is officially contained. With American government officials even in self-quarantine situations, it is extremely reckless and dangerous for misinformation to be spread about COVID-19. Especially in regards to harmful drug use which could lead to further health complications in these already troubling times.