For those of you who relish conspiracy theories like Vatican bank accounts, Leonardo satellites, and Vatican intrigues, we have something for you today.

“It has now been confirmed that a signed, sworn affidavit was delivered to the U.S. Congress yesterday by individuals acting with an Italian defense company employee in which the employee confesses to manipulating votes in the U.S. election on Nov. 3.  The revelation was made by Maria Zack, Chairwoman of NationsInAction.org, a government accountability advocacy group in an interview with Debbie Georgatos from AmericaCanWeTalk.com posted yesterday.”

The embedded video has been removed.  This text in the link may or may not show on an iPhone.

Debbie Georgatos of America Can We Talk, Dallas, Texas, Interviews Maria Zack of Georgia.  What does the Italian Security Company, Leonardo have to say?

This link has been off-line for a couple of days.  See the first comment.

"The devastating impact of the coronavirus on Italy has sparked considerable speculation as to why the country appears to have suffered so disproportionately from the disease."

Here is a story that is finally coming out. This was either unknown or ignored by our media.

This blog's author has done very nice modeling of COVID-19 on a Country basis. We have known and read David Merkel for more than 20-years. He is a statistician and has been an actuary and a bond trader and manager of bond departments for insurance companies. His analysis is very similar to what your state health department uses and what the CDC uses to model epidemic progression in a population. Highly recommended reading.

Update (2015ET):  Perhaps realizing that facing down a second great depression if the US economy is halted indefinitely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic would not improve his re-election chances, President Trump struck a defiant tone at Monday's coronavirus press briefing when he said that the American economy can’t remain slowed for too long to fight the coronavirus, declaring that the country "was not built to be shut down."

Update (1720ET): Now that Boris Johnson has over-delivered by ordering all of Britain to undergo a strict national lockdown requiring all Britons, but especially the vulnerable, to remain inside for 3 weeks (except for certain essential shopping trips, solitary exercise and seeking medical help).

Update (2000ET): Stock futures hit limit down again overnight after Senate Democrats shot down the administration's latest economic stimulus package, New Zealand said it would issue an order calling for nationwide self-isolation, while NYC announced the closure of all non-essential businesses.

Update (1330ET): After nearly two weeks of reporting one grim record after another, Italy has finally reported a drop in new cases on Sunday.

Update (0940ET): After one of his aides tested positive, VP Pence was tested, and as it turns out, has tested negative, along with his wife, Karen Pence.

Update (1510ET): Across Europe on Saturday, deaths accorded to COVID-19 soared, with Italy reporting a record 793 deaths on Friday, and Spain reporting another 300 cases, bringing their totals to 4,825 and 1,326.

Update (1415ET): Just as Gov. Cuomo hinted earlier this week, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed an executive order mandating that all non-essential workers living in the state stay home.

"Update (0850ET): Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte blamed the Italian people earlier this week when he said he would extend Italy's nationwide lockdown until April 3, claiming that too many were still violating the lockdown despite stiff penalties.

As the country's death toll passes the death toll from mainland China (or the 'official' death toll at least), whispers about even restrictive measures appear to have just been validated: Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday effectively declared martial law Friday morning in Italy's worst-hit region of Lombardy, claiming that he will now be bringing in the Army to enforce the lockdown, something that the region's governor swiftly confirmed."

"The World breathed a sigh of relief Thursday night when China reported no new domestically-transmitted cases of the coronavirus for a second straight day. "

What is not being said in the media, is that both Italy and Iran have signed on to the Chinese One Belt and One Road initiative. For a long period (years), Italy has had a sizable number of Chinese leather workers in Northern Italy making shoes and handbags. Today that number is around 100,000. So, supposing many went home for Chinese New Year (January 25th) and then came back to Italy to work?  We will let you connect the dots.

"The Italian governor of Lombardy is warning citizens to “stay home” because soon hospitals “will no longer be able to help those who get sick” with the Chinese coronavirus."