Coronavirus tracker: Hospitalizations in California drop below 15,000, with 21,451 new cases reported

According to Monday’s end-of-day totals from California public health websites, there were 213 fewer hospitalizations from the previous day, lowering the total of hospitalizations to 14,999.

California communities reported 21,451 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, bringing the total number of cases to 3,322,782. There were 413 new deaths reported Monday, for a total of 41,336 people who have died from the virus.

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Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Johns Hopkins University, the World Health Organization, the California Department of Public Health, The Associated Press, reporting counties and news sources

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US Mint couldn’t meet demand for gold and silver coins due to pandemic buying

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Sale of bullion rose 258% as investors raced for safe havens and online activists launched a buying frenzy

The United States Mint was unable to meet surging demand for its gold and silver bullion coins in 2020 and through January, due partly to pandemic-driven demand and plant capacity issues, it said.

Sales of US gold bullion coins rose 258% last year while silver coin demand was up 28%, the Mint said on Tuesday. Heavy buying has continued in 2021, it said, squeezing supplies, which had already been tight as the coronavirus affected production.

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The toppling of Aung San Suu Kyi puts China in a tricky spot. But there’s also plenty to gain

China could surprise everyone and support democracy – that would be a game changer for China in a positive way.

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For China, Myanmar’s coup against Aung San Suu Kyi will likely present as much a risk as an opportunity. Beijing’s caution in even calling it a coup reflects a desire to foster good relations with a military that has had a difficult past with China, writes Bill Birtles.

Biden signs order to ‘undo moral and national shame’ of family separations as Homeland Security chief sworn in | The Independent

According to the executive order, the task force will review “any other related policy, program, practice, or initiative resulting in the separation of children from their families” at the border. It covers a range of 20 January 2017 through 20 January 2021, the duration of Trump’s term.

Source: Biden signs order to ‘undo moral and national shame’ of family separations as Homeland Security chief sworn in | The Independent

Myanmar Military Blocks Internet During Coup

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Myanmar Times newspaper with the headline ‘State of Emergency’ among other newspapers for sale are seen on display a day after the Myanmar’s military detained the country’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the country’s president in a coup. 
© (Photo by Aung Kyaw Htet / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

This is not the first time Myanmar’s military leaders have rounded up civilian leaders and taken power. But this time, bad old habits have come with new rights abuses.

Myanmar’s military began detaining senior government officials and activists across the country on February 1, seizing control of the government. Communication networks were shut down through the use of disruption techniques targeting cellular services and so-called “kill switches” to cut off internet traffic – tactics the government has already used in conflict-wracked Rakhine and Chin States. The shutdown across large swaths of the country for several hours —including throughout Naypyidaw, Yangon, Mandalay and Sagaing Regions, and Shan and Kachin States—raises serious concerns of more prolonged and dangerous military shutdowns in the future.

Under international human rights standards, internet-based restrictions must be necessary and proportionate. Blanket internet shutdowns are a form of collective punishment. They hinder access to information and communications needed for daily life, which is particularly vital during times of crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. Shutdowns can also endanger lives in humanitarian crises, an acute concern in Myanmar where over 1 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance. Restrictions also provide cover for human rights abuses, and complicate efforts to document government violations.

Besides rescinding the state of emergency, recognizing the duly elected government, releasing all those arbitrarily detained and ending all unlawful deprivation of fundamental rights, the military authorities need to ensure access to information through the internet and mobile networks. Internet service providers should uphold their responsibilities under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which calls on companies to “[s]eek to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts that are directly linked to their operations, products or services by their business relationships, even if they have not contributed to those impacts.” This means pushing back against unjustified internet shutdowns. Service providers should insist upon a legal basis for any shutdown order, interpret requests to cause the least intrusive restrictions, and restore access as soon as possible.

Governments around the world should take joint action in response to the coup to ensure the rights of Myanmar’s people are respected. Among the front burner issues should be their access to information through the internet and cellular services.

H.Res. 73: Providing the Sergeant-at-Arms with the authority to fine Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner for failure to complete security screening for entrance to the House Chamber, and for other purposes.

Keep weapons off House Floor!

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Legislation Coming Up: This resolution has been added to the House’s schedule for the coming week, according to the House Majority Leader. More information can be found at https://ift.tt/2g091ss.

Last Action: This resolution is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on February 1, 2021. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.