News Information and Media Site: The Stakes 2020: Joe Biden became the Democratic nominee from his basement this week and texts with Gretchen Whitmer

KATE NOCERA: And the 40% of the people who've died are black, correct? What steps can you all take to confront these kind of disproportionate rates?

GOVERNOR WHITMER: Today I impaneled the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities to address this issue. In the State of the State address, I addressed health disparities for moms and babies of color. I look at this as an important extension of the work that needs to be done across the country.

THE LEDE

Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race on Wednesday, and Joe Biden is now the presumptive Democratic nominee. This can't be how he pictured it happening. Biden was in his basement in Delaware speaking to a small live audience while Donald Trump gave his daily, meandering, two-hour press conference. This is just another way the coronavirus pandemic has fully eclipsed our lives. Here's Henry Gomez with the scene: "There was no rallying cry, no call to join him in his effort to defeat Trump this fall. Nearly four years ago, when California's primary results clinched the nomination for Hillary Clinton, she addressed 3,600 supporters beneath a glass ceiling, a symbolic setting worthy of her historic moment as the first woman to be a major party's candidate for president. Biden, seated in front of some bookcases, peaked at about 1,700 viewers, according to a YouTube counter.

It was another striking example of how the coronavirus has preempted a national election. Biden's moment wasn't much of one."

If you hadn't done so already

It's worth going back and reading Ruby Cramer's masterful profile of Bernie Sanders. It's such a compelling portrait of the man and his movement.

Two important servicey pieces

There was a lot packed into the $2 trillion coronavirus aid package that was signed into law last month. But it was written hastily, and many of the provisions are confusing. Sarah Mimms, our DC editor, has written this extremely useful FAQ on how to know if your student loans qualify for relief during the pandemic, as it's really complicated to figure out. And Mimms and Hill reporter Paul McLeod also have this piece looking at who will get a check from the government and how.

READ RECEIPTS

Texting with Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer won the state in 2018 and, since the COVID-19 pandemic began, has becoame a ubiquitous presence on TV, begging the federal government for help as the Detroit area became a hot spot for coronavirus infections. Trump went after her a few times — including calling her "Gretchen 'Half' Whitmer" in a tweet — but she saidsays things have settled down and she's working well with the administration now. We texted about how she's handling the COVID-19 crisis in Michigan, and why she doesn't want to be Biden's VP.

GRETCHEN WHITMER: Hey Kate, this is Governor Whitmer. I'm ready to begin the interview. KATE NOCERA: Great! Thank you so much. I know this is an incredibly busy and stressful time for you so I really appreciate you doing this. To start could you send me a photo of where you are now and tell me what you've been doing today? IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Selfie of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. GRETCHEN WHITMER: I'm at the governor's residence. It's been a long day of conference calls and a press conference.

KATE NOCERA: (MY colleague who is from Michigan said I would be remiss to not ask for a picture of Kevin as well). GRETCHEN WHITMER: He's outside. I will try to get him to come in! KATE NOCERA: No problem! We can get to that later. Everyone needs dog pics these days.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Selfie of Gov. Whitmer and a very cute labradoodle named Kevin.

KATE NOCERA: On to the serious stuff. Hospitals in the Detroit area that have been hit especially hard by the coronavirus outbreak are short on both staff and protective equipment. Can you talk about how the state is working to fix this?

GRETCHEN WHITMER: We're putting as much pressure on the federal government as possible to send personal protective equipment. We are contracting with companies around the world and Michigan businesses are ramping up production. KATE NOCERA: You've talked about partnership with the federal government and why that's important now- and while that relationship is complicated with Trump you said on AMtoDM the other day you were in regular contact with members of the federal government. How's this relationship going? GRETCHEN WHITMER: We've found everyone from the White House on down to be helpful despite the earlier dust up. We work very closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and VP Pence.

KATE NOCERA: Have you been in touch with other governors at all? i.e. any lessons you are all learning from each other since it feels like governors have a crucial role to play now. GRETCHEN WHITMER: Yes, we are in touch frequently. Everyone from Cuomo, DeWine, Evers, Pritzker, Walz, Hogan, and Kelly. KATE NOCERA: That sounds like quite a group text. I know that the factories in Michigan are mobilizing to create ventilators and other important gear. Does Michigan get first dibs on that equipment?

GRETCHEN WHITMER: We do have contracts with most of them, so it's not a matter of first dibs, but we did enter into contracts early on. And obviously the companies have a real stake in keeping their Michigan workforce safe with the products that they produce. IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Gov. Greatchen Whitmer tweet reading, ''Michigan has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, and we're still on the upswing. We must continue to do everything we can to slow the spread and protect our families, so today, I extending the Stay Home, Stay Safe order through the end of April.''

KATE NOCERA: Looking at the data, do you have a sense when things might improve for Michigan? Was there a particular number that helped you determine to extend the stay at home order? GRETCHEN WHITMER: Michigan sadly just reported over 1,000 deaths. We anticipate that our numbers will continue to increase for a while. That's why it was necessary to extend the Stay at Home order. KATE NOCERA: And the 40% of the people who've died are black, correct? What steps can you all take to confront these kind of disproportionate rates?

KATE NOCERA: For sure. To wrap up quickly, Joe Biden became the presumptive nominee yesterday after Bernie Sanders dropped out. I know you've said you'll advise Biden in his VP search but that you won't yourself by the pick. How do you know that? Have you removed yourself from consideration? GRETCHEN WHITMER: I've got my hands full fighting COVID-19, and haven't had much energy to put into that. It is a high honor to be placed among that caliber of leaders. It was great to talk to you. Have a great day. Please be well. KATE NOCERA: Great talking to you too! Stay safe.

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