*[The bully's] ban on fetal tissue research blocks coronavirus treatment effort.*

That's not all it blocks. A friend of mine went blind, across many years, because this ban prevented the research that might have developed a cure.

*UK privacy activists raise fears over social distancing tracking [of individuals].*

Patients were going to die in Brescia, Italy, because of a shortage of oxygen valves for mechanical ventilators. The manufacturer, Intersurgical, demanded $11,000 for each one, and couldn't deliver them right away. It refused to provide the plans either. So a local device manufacturer figured out plans and a local fablab made them with a 3D printer.

Fracassi's design, made by the fablab, fixed the problem for one city, but the shortage of oxygen valves surely affects other parts of Italy, and will soon spread around the world. Out of fear, perhaps tinged with undue respect for the unjust "rights" of the manufacturer, Fracassi insists he will not take the next step which would enable the world to fix this problem globally: releasing the plans he has developed.

The real hero will be whoever releases working plans to make these oxygen valves — perhaps anonymously — so that there can be ventilators for all who need them.

The lieutenant governor of Texas urges older Americans to risk death to keep "the economy" going.

I might be able to imagine making a sacrifice to sustain an economic system that supported all Americans well — as happens for example in Scandinavia. The US economy is designed to keep the rich working most Americans into the ground. This is an economy that makes most people sacrifice to serve the rich. Why make any sacrifice for that?

*Third House COVID-19 Stimulus Bill Better Protects Public Health, the People, and Democracy.*

Surely it can't be perfect. I would like to see a review of its downsides, from someone who criticizes it, to get an idea of how big those are.

*New Senate Stimulus Bill Would Ban Companies Owned by Trump or His Children From Receiving Any Bailout Money.*

However, it gives other giant companies a giant handout.

*OBSCENE: Patriotic Millionaires Slam Senate Bill Provisions on CEO Compensation.*

I think it also has a provision to cut employer contributions to Social Security, which was reported in this article a few days ago. This would enable Republicans to say, perhaps next year, "Social Security is running out of money; we have to cut benefits."