Katie Porter, Tom Hanks, Ted Cruz, Joy Behar, Gloria Gaynor, Andrew Gillum, Chelsea Manning, Mandy Moore, Donald Trump: HOT LINKS

GHOULISH: Trump administration blocks states from using Medicaid to respond to coronavirus crisis. In previous emergencies, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the H1N1 flu outbreak, both Republican and Democratic administrations loosened Medicaid rules to empower states to meet surging needs

AMERICAN SHERO … : Katie Porter Drags CDC Chief Redfield Into Saying ‘Yes’ to Free Coronavirus Testing After Brutal Grilling

… BUT WHERE ARE THE TESTS?: Confusion over the availability and criteria for coronavirus testing is leaving sick people wondering if they’re infected

YIKES: Are hospitals ready for coronavirus patients? A Trump health official ducks questions 4 times during Fox News interview

.@SeemaCMS struggles to answer basic questions from @marthamaccallum. pic.twitter.com/1dBFhcm3O8

— Adam Wren (@adamwren) March 13, 2020

SCHOOLS SHUT DOWN: Six states, Los Angeles’ LAUSD close K-12 schools

ELECTION DELAYED: Louisiana postpones Democratic primary over coronavirus, the first state to do so

MASTERS POSTPONED: Augusta National announces Masters will be postponed

WINGNUT OF THE DAY: Jerry Falwell Jr. Floats Conspiracy Theory That Coronavirus Is North Korean Bioweapon

On Fox & Friends, Jerry Falwell Jr claims people are "overreacting" to coronavirus, the national response is "their next attempt to get Trump," and the virus itself is a North Korean bioweapon. pic.twitter.com/2JPuNBW7C3
— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) March 13, 2020

‘BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY’: Gun and ammo sales surge in US with coronavirus fears

DOWN UNDER THE WEATHER: Tom Hanks wants us to know that he & Rita Wilson are fine in their corona-isolation

View this post on Instagram

Hello folks. @ritawilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us. We have Covid-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else. There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one-day-at-a-time. There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no? Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball. Hanx

A post shared by Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) on Mar 12, 2020 at 7:08pm PDT

EXTENDED STAY: Ted Cruz extends self-quarantine after second coronavirus interaction

NO JOY: Joy Behar Is Temporarily Stepping Back From ‘The View’ Over Coronavirus

SHE WILL SURVIVE: Gloria Gaynor, 70, Goes Viral For WashingHer Hands To ‘I Will Survive’ During Coronavirus Outbreak

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It only takes 20 seconds to “SURVIVE”! 👏💕🎶 #iWillSurviveChallenge #fyp #coronavirus #handwashing #washhands #coronavírus #coronavirüs #coronavirüsü #handwash #washyourhands #hygiene

A post shared by G L O R I A G A Y N O R (@gloriagaynor) on Mar 10, 2020 at 9:16am PDT

FREE AT LAST: Federal judge orders Chelsea Manning’s release from jail

BLASPHEMY: Exclusive: ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’ at the Museum of the Bible are all forgeries

SAVAGE: Lincoln Project’s Latest Ad Takes On The Trump Kid Grifters

MIAMI, PART I: Andrew Gillum Involved in Alleged Crystal-Meth Incident in Miami Beach. “I was in Miami last night for a wedding celebration when first responders were called to assist one of my friends. While I had too much to drink, I want to be clear that I have never used methamphetamines.”

MIAMI, PART II: Miami mayor tests positive for coronavirus

PANIC SHOPPING PIC OF THE DAY:

Somehow reassuring in the midst of #coronavirus shopping frenzy to know that people still have the sense *not* to buy #chocolatehummus and buffalo hummus. #traderjoes #dc pic.twitter.com/fLvuUFWz3Y
— Noah (@noahgo) March 13, 2020

ON THE RAG: A weekly look at what’s making news in the gay magazines

LATE-NIGHT PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY: Mandy Moore Performs ‘When I Wasn’t Watching’ When No One Is Literally Watching During Empty ‘Fallon’ Audience!

FRIDAY FUR: Ace Cee