Welcome to this week!

First, and most important, we wish for your continued health and safety as all of us come together as a united country in response to the novel coronavirus.

The Trump Administration's Coronavirus Task Force will hold a press conference at 3:30pm today. (You can watch online at whitehouse.gov/live) Before then, here's the news you'll want to know as you head into this week.

Last night's debate shows how far left the Democratic primary has gone.

"Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Sunday he would prevent oil companies from drilling as part of his effort to combat climate change. 'No more subsidies for the fossil fuel industry,' he said at the CNN debate. 'No more drilling on federal lands. No more drilling, including offshore. No ability for the oil industry to continue to drill, period. Ends." [Read the full story from the Washington Free Beacon.]

For the first time since Nixon vs Kennedy in 1960, a debate was held without a studio audience. Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders stood far apart on stage last night to answer moderators' questions; the event was originally to be a townhall-style Q&A with the audience.

Although we're used to hearing extreme policies from Bernie Sanders, last night was also a reminder of how far left Joe Biden -- and his party -- have moved.

Among several proposals, Biden emphasized that his presidency would mean "no more drilling."

The boom in American energy production, powered by natural gas and oil drilling, has made our country a world energy leader and bolstered the economy of states with large drilling operations.

Although Biden seems like the "moderate" in the primary, he's still left of most Americans -- and some of his own past policy positions.

It's their party, and they'll sit it out if they want to: "Bernie bros" say they won't unite behind Biden.

"Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) hardcore supporters say that, despite assurances from the Democratic National Committee that left-leaning voters will fall in line behind the likely Democratic presidential nominee, they’re ready to 'resist' casting a ballot for former Vice President Joe Biden, 'even if that means handing [President Donald] Trump a second term,' according to the New York Post." [Read the full story from the Daily Wire.]

In what must be exciting news for the Trump campaign, Bernie Sanders' most ardent supporters have said they won't fall in line behind Joe Biden if he wins their party's nomination -- which is expected.

Sanders' 2016 primary campaign against Hillary Clinton also ended in bitterness between his activists and the "Democratic establishment."

That division has re-started -- and seems to be widening -- in 2020, especially after it's become clear that senior figures from the left are pushing hard for Biden in the primary.

President Trump continues to lead in these uncertain times.

"Many executive actions under the national emergency will involve waiving government regulations. 'We had some very old and obsolete rules,' Trump said. 'We’re breaking them down now.'" [Read the full story from The Daily Signal.]

President Trump and his Administration continue to respond to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. The president has declared a national emergency, which gives him broader powers to waive regulations in favor of expediency.

As The Daily Signal reported, these regulatory changes may include:

• waiving laws and rules to improve access to medical care, expand hospitals and medical staff, and increase medical service capacity,
  
  
• stop collection of student loan interest if the loan is held by the federal government to ease financial strain on Americans, and
  
  
• provision of $50 billion in emergency funding to local areas affected by coronavirus.

The Coronavirus Task Force, led by Vice President Pence, continues daily updates for the press and the American people. You can watch them online at whitehouse.gov/live.

Worth your time: "our civic duty in the coronavirus era."

"President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency Friday to deal with the coronavirus pandemic is anything but a sign to panic. Instead, it’s a reassurance to the American people that the federal government, state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations and American industry are working together to stop the spread of the virus." [Read the full story from The Daily Signal.]

The only prediction we can make is that we live in uncertain times -- and the uncertainty will continue this month.

This excellent piece from Kay Coles James, president of the Heritage Foundation, is worth your time to read in full today.

There's a good quote from it above; here's one to end today's newsletter with: "Today carrying on means following the advice of the president and our nation’s leading health care professionals. It means living our lives while at the same time practicing responsible social interaction. That’s not panicking. That’s doing your civic duty to help protect yourself, your family, and your fellow Americans."