PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

My thoughts and prayers goes out to them.

Memorandum from the President’s Physician

Related Story: Donald Trump and Melania Trump Announce They’ve Tested Positive for COVID-19---WJ

Mark Meadows Speaks with Reporters

Chief of Staff Mark Meadows speaks with reporters about President Trump’s announcement that he and first lady Melania have tested positive for COVID-19. He says the president is experiencing mild symptoms.--CSPAN VIDEO

The press reaction of the news that Trump tested positive for Covid-19:

Trump’s Illness Makes It Clear: This Election Was Always About the Virus

For all of the tumult of the race between President Trump and Joseph R. Biden Jr. — and for all of the other currents battering the country and its leaders in an election year — the issue of the virus has never retreated as the overwhelming factor.---NYT

Pelosi anticipates reaching economic relief deal, saying Trump diagnosis ‘changes the dynamic’--WP

Trump suffering ‘mild symptoms’ of COVID-19, cancels campaign events

Vice President Mike Pence tested negative, alleviating immediate concerns about the presidential line of succession should Trump’s symptoms worsen to the point that he is unable to perform his duties.---LA TIMES

Trump has COVID-19, is “fatigued,” given experimental drugs--Seattle Times

'I Hope He Dies,' Liberals Celebrate Trump's COVID Diagnosis---PJ MEDIA

Late Thursday evening, President Donald Trump announced that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19. Liberal critics pounced on the news, reacting by mocking Trump and hoping for his death.

NYT Mocks President and First Lady

In a tasteless display of partisanship, the Times bowed to its baser instincts.--Patriot Post

Hollywood Star Says Trump COVID News Made Him 'Leap in the Air with Joy'---WJ

In other headlines...

Kilmer, Colleagues Introduce Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act

Bill allows federal workers to keep the annual leave they have earned during a pandemic.

Press release issued 10/1/20

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), along with Representatives Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Don Beyer (VA-08), Ed Case (HI-01), and Gerry Connolly (VA-11), introduced the Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act, legislation that will allow all federal workers to carry over the leave they have accrued when a national pandemic prevents employees from taking time off of work. 

Federal workers that accrue over 240 hours of annual leave either lose the hours above the cap or have to attempt to use it before the end of the year. Using leave hours during a national pandemic may not be possible because a worker provides a critical government service for taxpayers, needs to limit exposure to COVID-19, or follows state and local restrictions to limit the spread of the virus.

“Federal workers at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic to maintain the Navy’s readiness to respond to national security threats and have avoided unnecessary travel to minimize health risks that could threaten this important work,” said Rep. Kilmer. “They shouldn’t have to sacrifice the paid leave benefits they’ve earned because they chose to prioritize national service. That’s why I’m joining Senator Hirono to introduce this bill to ensure that federal workers here at the Shipyard, and across federal agencies, are able to keep the unused paid time off that they have earned while also maintaining continuity of operations. Federal workers shouldn’t have to choose between working to support our nation or using their earned benefits before the end of the year.”

“With COVID-19 travel restrictions still in place across the country, taking time off to spend with family or visit loved ones is not an option for many federal employees across Virginia right now,” said Rep. Wexton. “Pandemics don’t line up with benefit years. That’s why I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that would allow all of our federal workers to rollover their 'use it or lose it' time off at the end of this unprecedented year. They deserve to have their hard-earned benefits protected, particularly as many continue to serve on the frontlines of our government's response to this crisis.”

“Our legislation would allow federal workers increased flexibility with leave policies during the pandemic, boosting morale and helping ensure strong continuity of government operations,” said Rep. Beyer. “This is something my constituents really want, a simple fix that would help many families. I thank Rep. Kilmer for his leadership, and look forward to advancing this important bill.”

The Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with her colleagues Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

“Thousands of dedicated federal workers have been tirelessly responding to the coronavirus pandemic, including U.S. Postal Service employees, Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration workers, and National Institutes of Health researchers,” Senator Hirono said. “Our nation has leaned on them as they deliver medicines and Social Security checks, assist Americans with filing their taxes, develop a vaccine, and provide other vital services. This bill makes sure that no federal worker loses their leave because of this or any future pandemic.”

“During this pandemic, our nation’s federal workers—including researchers at NIH, workers at IRS and so many others—have been working hard to help fight the virus, provide important services, and keep us safe. They’ve been going above and beyond—and it’s unacceptable that their non-stop hard work could mean that they lose the paid leave they have earned,” said Senator Murray. “No workers should be stripped of benefits during a pandemic—and that absolutely includes public servants who are working on behalf of the American people. I’m proud to introduce this important legislation alongside Senator Hirono, to ensure that federal workers can carry over their leave after this unprecedented year.”

The Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act is endorsed by the National Treasury Employees Union, American Federation of Government Employees, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Federal Managers Association, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, FAA Managers Association, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, National Federation of Federal Employees, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

“Federal employees have continued serving the American people, whether in person or remotely, since the since the start of this pandemic, in many cases forgoing planned vacations or personal leave to ensure that the government’s vital services continue uninterrupted,” said American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley. “On behalf of the 700,000 government workers AFGE represents, I applaud Sen. Hirono for introducing legislation that would preserve annual leave for federal workers during the coronavirus or any other pandemic. I also applaud Representatives Wexton and Kilmer for introducing companion legislation in the House.”

“Too many of our nation’s civil servants, through no fault of their own, stand to lose paid time-off that they have rightfully earned, and we are pleased that Sen. Hirono and Reps. Kilmer and Wexton, with the Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act, have crafted a common-sense solution,” said Tony Reardon, National President of the National Treasury Employees Union. “Across the country, there are thousands of federal employees who were unable to use their annual leave because of pandemic-related obligations at work or restrictions on travel, and it would be wrong for them not to be able to save that leave for next year. We urge Congress to move swiftly on the Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act and help federal workers keep the leave they have earned serving the nation’s taxpayers,”

“FMA is proud to endorse Senator Hirono’s bill, which would provide certainty to all feds that the use-it-or-lose-it annual leave they dutifully earn throughout the year will not be unjustly forfeited due to unusual and unexpected circumstances, like this pandemic, that are completely out of their control. Senator Hirono is a strong friend of feds and we appreciate her leadership on this issue on behalf of all federal employees,” FMA National President Craig Carter said.

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:

Countries face ‘critical moment’ in COVID response: UN health agency chief.

With strong leadership and comprehensive strategies it’s never too late for countries to change the trendlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite passing the tragic milestone of one million deaths this week amid regional surges in infections, said the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday.

Sudan alert: Flooding and surging inflation threaten humanitarian assistance 

Catastrophic flooding and rising food and health costs in Sudan, have driven up the number of people in need, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Friday. 

UN chief reiterates call for global ceasefire, marking International Day of Non-Violence.

The UN Secretary-General repeated his call for a global ceasefire on Friday, commemorating the International Day of Non Violence, which is taking place this year in the shadow of the devastating human and socio-economic impacts resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. 

NATIONAL NEWS:

Proclamation on National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, 2020---WH

As technology continues to progress and new kinds of threats arise around the world, cybersecurity is playing an increasingly central role in our national security and daily lives.  During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we recommit to ensuring our Nation’s cybersecurity, and we raise awareness of the responsibility all Americans have to protect their Internet-connected devices, technology, and networks from cyber threats at work, home, and school.

The U.S.’ Action Against Belarusian Individuals Involved in Efforts To Undermine Belarusian Democracy--US STATE DEPT.

Department of Justice Files Statement of Interest Supporting Capitol Hill Baptist Church's Efforts to Practice its Faith During COVID-19

Constitution and Federal Law Require District of Columbia to Accommodate Church’s Efforts to Hold Socially Distanced Outdoor Worship Services--DOJ

BUSINESS & FINANCE NEWS:

Owner of Medical Laboratory Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Tax Returns---DOJ

A Shreveport, Louisiana, business owner was sentenced to 40 months in prison on Sept. 30, 2020, for filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana Alexander C. Van Hook.

IRS provides details about settlements in syndicated conservation easement transaction initiative.

WASHINGTON — As the Internal Revenue Service continues combatting abusive syndicated conservation easements, the agency today released additional information to help address questions related to the ongoing settlement initiative.

Mortgage Market Regulation and Access to Mortgage Credit

At "Opportunities and Challenges for Homeownership," a Virtual Roundtable Discussion, Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana---THE FED

STATE NEWS HEADLINES:

Inslee statement on Boeing's decision to move 787 production to South Carolina

Editorial note: Inslee is clueless why Boeing is making this move. Could it be that Inslee, and the Mayor of Seattle made the atmosphere of chaos because of the lawlessness running rampid that business in Washington is to much of a risk? Or could it be all those tax hikes?

WDFW plans controlled burn on Oak Creek Wildlife Area.

SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) will do controlled burns to restore habitat on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area in Yakima County starting as early as next week.

Initial unemployment insurance claims for week of September 20 - 26, 2020.

OLYMPIA – During the week of September 20 through September 26, there were 17,734 initial regular unemployment claims (down 9.4 percent from the prior week) and 530,360 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (down 1.8 percent from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD).  

IN OTHER HEADLINES...

Mr. President, You’re Welcome to Do a Radio Rally Here---Rush Limbaugh Show

There's Still Time for Trump to Let Biden Trip, and Fail---NEWSMAX

Trump Approval Ticks Up in New Poll--PJ MEDIA

Melania Derangement Syndrome: Media Distort Leaked Phone Call---National Review

America’s Chris Wallace Problem--American Spectator

Michael Moore doubts Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis: ‘He’s not above weaponizing this’--The Washington Times

Senate Republicans: Trump COVID-19 diagnosis won't stall Barrett confirmation---The Washington Examiner