Trump names Amy Coney Barrett for supreme court as first debate looms – live

2.09pm BST

The supreme court fight is one thing, of course, and the debate and the election another. Another, lest we forget, is the coronavirus pandemic, which as of this writing has infected more than 7m people in the US and killed more than 200,000. There was of course no social distancing and not much mask-wearing at the White House for the introduction of Amy Comey Barrett, nor at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally later on.

Worrying reports of cases ticking back up in states which relatively speaking got a handle on things are common. Here’s the AP on New York:

More than 1,000 New Yorkers tested positive for Covid-19 in a single day, the first time since 5 June the state has seen a daily number that high.

The number of positive tests reported daily in the state has been steadily inching up, a trend possibly related to businesses reopening, college campuses reopening and children returning to school. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday there were 1,005 positive cases on the previous day, Friday, out of 99,953 tests, for a 1% positive rate.

1.51pm BST

Joe Biden, we are told, will speak about the supreme court at 12.15pm ET today, from Wilmington, Delaware.

Continue reading…Amy Coney Barrett: what will she mean for women’s rights?Biden hopes for repeat of 2012 as Trump debate nearsRecipe for chaos: election threatens to snap US societyRobert Reich: Trump Nation has already secededSign up for Fight to Vote – our weekly US election newsletter 2.09pm BSTThe supreme court fight is one thing, of course, and the debate and the election another. Another, lest we forget, is the coronavirus pandemic, which as of this writing has infected more than 7m people in the US and killed more than 200,000. There was of course no social distancing and not much mask-wearing at the White House for the introduction of Amy Comey Barrett, nor at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally later on.Worrying reports of cases ticking back up in states which relatively speaking got a handle on things are common. Here’s the AP on New York:More than 1,000 New Yorkers tested positive for Covid-19 in a single day, the first time since 5 June the state has seen a daily number that high.The number of positive tests reported daily in the state has been steadily inching up, a trend possibly related to businesses reopening, college campuses reopening and children returning to school. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Saturday there were 1,005 positive cases on the previous day, Friday, out of 99,953 tests, for a 1% positive rate. Related: New York restaurants face make-or-break moment as indoor dining arrives 1.51pm BSTJoe Biden, we are told, will speak about the supreme court at 12.15pm ET today, from Wilmington, Delaware. Continue reading…