The system is 'failing'

USDA goes full speed ahead on food benefit cut. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

By Holly Thomas TOP STORIES ‌ Friday, March 13 ‌ TOP DISEASE EXPERT: THE SYSTEM IS 'FAILING' Seven weeks have passed since the first U.S. case of coronavirus was announced, and the government is failing to account for what could be thousands of additional infections because of ongoing problems with testing. “The system is not really geared to what we need right now,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health. “That is a failing. It is a failing, let’s admit it.” [AP] ‌ TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WON'T POSTPONE FOOD BENEFIT CUT  Since last week, Democrats have called on President Donald Trump’s administration to delay a planned food benefit cut because of the rapidly expanding coronavirus outbreak, but administration officials have said no. Starting next month, rules will tighten for unemployed adults who don’t have minor children or disabilities, a policy that will shrink food benefit enrollment by 700,000, or about 2% annually. [HuffPost] ‌ U.S. STRIKES IRAN-BACKED GROUP BEHIND IRAQ ATTACK The U.S. launched airstrikes in Iraq targeting the Iranian-backed Shia militia members believed responsible for the rocket attack that killed and wounded American and British troops at a base north of Baghdad. The strikes marked a rapid escalation in tensions with Tehran and its proxy groups in Iraq, just two months after Iran carried out a massive ballistic missile attack against American troops at a base in Iraq. [AP] ‌ SOPHIE TRUDEAU TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, has tested positive for COVID-19. “She is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild,” the prime minister's office said in a statement, adding that she’d be staying in isolation. [HuffPost] ‌ BIDEN, SANDERS CAMPAIGNS GO DIGITAL The campaigns of former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced that they are moving their campaigns online for the foreseeable future. The two men are the only major Democratic candidates left in the race to challenge Trump, with Biden leading Sanders in public polling and the delegate count. The moves come ahead of the next major wave of primaries ― in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio ― on Tuesday. [HuffPost] ‌ HEAD OF U.S. SOCCER RESIGNS AMID EQUAL PAY BACKLASH  Carlos Cordeiro, the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, resigned amid the fallout over an equal pay lawsuit filed by dozens of players on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. “My one and only mission has always been to do what is best for our Federation, and it has become clear to me that what is best right now is a new direction,” Cordeiro wrote in a letter. [HuffPost] ‌ CHELSEA MANNING RELEASED FROM JAIL Former military intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning was released from jail in Alexandria, Virginia. Manning had been in custody since May, except for one brief release, after refusing to testify before a grand jury about her connections to WikiLeaks. On Thursday, Judge Anthony J. Trega ordered Manning’s release, saying her testimony was no longer needed. [HuffPost] More Coverage Of The Coronavirus ‌ The best ways to clean and disinfect your phone. Leading health groups urge Trump to call a national emergency. The impact of the pandemic: From schools to world leaders. The latest images showing coronavirus responses around the world. Trump fiddles while economy burns.  ‌ Get the latest updates on coronavirus in our liveblog. WHAT'S BREWING ‌ CDC ONLY TESTED 77 PEOPLE THIS WEEK An examination of state and federal records by Yahoo News finds that American states are, on average, testing fewer than 100 people per day for COVID-19 — while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had tested fewer than 100 people total in the first two days of this week. “This is not a problem we can test our way out of,” a top CDC official said. In a nation of 320 million, testing every person will be impossible. [HuffPost] ‌ PUTIN AND XI USING CRISIS TO EXTEND THEIR CONTROL While coronavirus is exacerbating existing global tensions, some countries, China and Russia in particular, have already been exploiting it. This week China's President Xi Jinping took a tour of Wuhan, congratulating medical workers on their great job treating tens of thousands of citizens. Meanwhile, as oil prices collapsed -- a calamity Russia's President Vladimir Putin had a hand in -- he moved swiftly to cement his grip on power, a plan he's had in his back pocket for years. [CNN] ‌ OUTBREAK COULD MAKE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WORSE The biggest piece of advice coming from public health officials amid the current pandemic is to practice social distancing and, if necessary self-isolate. For some, these measures are inconvenient but ultimately doable. But for others, such as victims of domestic violence for whom work is a necessary respite from the unpredictability of their partner’s abuse, there can be more immediate danger inside the home than outside it. [HuffPost] ‌ THE ABSURDITY OF TRUMP'S BID TO BAIL OUT OIL AND GAS The White House’s nascent effort to bail out oil and gas producers struggling with plunging oil prices could become a political boondoggle, legal and industry experts say, given the difficulty of finding congressional support for offering federal dollars to an industry plagued by reckless financing and devastating effects on the climate. [HuffPost] ‌ LOW-INCOME COLLEGE KIDS ARE WALKING A KNIFE'S EDGE A growing number of colleges and universities have canceled in-person classes this semester to combat the spread of COVID-19. For the tens of thousands of students who rely on their schools for housing and food, this disruption is going to be particularly painful. “It’s going to be so financially stressful … some of these students are not going to return to college,” said Sara Goldrick-Rab, professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University. [HuffPost] ‌ SEX INDUSTRY DECIMATED BY COVID-19 In the U.S. coronavirus epicenter, Seattle, sex workers are making adjustments. Some have started taking their temperature every morning and asking their clients to do the same. Others have instituted no-kissing policies. Those who can afford to are setting up webcam sites. Still, the industry has seen an unprecedented collapse in demand, making workers worry that they’ll be unable to pay rent and, potentially, more likely to end up in unsafe situations out of desperation. [HuffPost] Get The Her Stories Newsletter Weekly updates from HuffPost editors and writers on the stories affecting women around the world. Get It Here BEFORE YOU GO Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson share stirring image from coronavirus isolation. Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers shows suspended amid outbreak. Can you get coronavirus again after you've already had it? Emily Blunt has one big orange regret from her wedding day. Jewelry and coronavirus: What to know about washing and safety. If you suddenly work remotely, this matters more than anything. This is what happens when stocks enter a bear market. The painful truth around hair rebonding in Filipino culture. "A Quiet Place 2," "Fast and Furious 9" release dates delayed. OK, something is definitely going on between Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas. Kate Beckinsdale: Weinstein screamed at me for "looking like a f***ing lesbian." Lin-Manuel Miranda drops secret "Hamilton" song just as we needed it most. Disneyland to close amid pandemic. Kim Kardashian disinfects gift from Khloé after seeing her sister cough. 21 rice recipes to make from your pantry. Love this newsletter? Share it with a friend! 👋 You may have noticed that our website is now www.huffpost.com. Don't worry, it'll still be the same HuffPost you know and love, just with a new URL. Make sure to update your bookmarks! HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media Group. 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