To view past editions of The Hill's 12:30 Report, click here: http://bit.ly/1M1mIfw

To receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: http://bit.ly/1Tt4hqN

--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Crunch time for Dems ahead of South Carolina, Super Tuesday | Sanders surges in new California poll | Sanders camp puts focus on Super Tuesday states | Biden seeks revival in SC | WHO raises coronavirus threat to highest level | Mulvaney says virus coverage aimed at hurting Trump | Stocks open with steep loses | GOP grows more worried about economy | Trump holding SC rally tonight | Leap Day deals

TALK OF THE MORNING

It's all about that base, 'bout that base, no trouble:

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley, "Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE (I-Vt.) is putting a focus on key Super Tuesday states that will vote just three days after South Carolina's primary, underscoring how he believes a good night on March 3 could make him the runaway favorite for the Democratic presidential nomination. Sanders has already visited all but a handful of the 14 Super Tuesday states..." http://bit.ly/2VtB9sH

Where Sanders is campaigning through Tuesday:

Friday and Saturday: Massachusetts

Saturday night: Virginia

Sunday: California

Monday: Utah and Minnesota

Tuesday: Vermont

Keep in mind: South Carolina votes tomorrow.

NEW CALIFORNIA POLL -- THE SANDERS CAMPAIGN WILL LOVE TO HEAR THIS ONE:

The latest Los Angeles Times-Berkeley IGS poll has Sanders at 34 percent support.

The others: Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenGOP set to release controversial Biden report Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt MORE (D-Mass.) with 17 percent, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergTop Democratic super PAC launches Florida ad blitz after Bloomberg donation The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Latest with the COVID-19 relief bill negotiations The Memo: 2020 is all about winning Florida MORE with 12 percent, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg with 11 percent, former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll GOP set to release controversial Biden report Can Donald Trump maintain new momentum until this November? MORE with 8 percent and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) with 6 percent. http://bit.ly/3afYIt4

The full poll: https://lat.ms/3ciODgU

Joeeeeeeeey B!!:

Sen. Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineNames to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court Barrett seen as a front-runner for Trump Supreme Court pick Biden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states MORE (D-Va.) just announced his endorsement of Biden. http://bit.ly/3ca5Glg

Kaine said in a statement: "Democrats have many good public servants and admirable people running for President. I will vote in the Virginia presidential primary for Joe Biden."

HOW BIDEN IS SEEKING A REVIVAL IN SOUTH CAROLINA TOMORROW:

Via The Hill's Niall Stanage in Conway, S.C.: http://bit.ly/2wXuJYP

Happy Friday! Tomorrow is Leap Day! Keep reading for deals to celebrate. ;) I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn

LATEST WITH CORONAVIRUS

The coronavirus threat level has been raised to 'very high':

The World Health Organization (WHO) just increased the threat assessment of the coronavirus to "very high," urging governments to take it seriously. http://bit.ly/2TsP53w

From WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: "The continued increase in the number of cases, and the number of affected countries over the last few days, are clearly of concern."

Ghebreyesus added: "We do not see evidence as yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities," he said. "As long as that's the case, we still have a chance of containing this virus, if robust action is taken to detect cases early, isolate and care for patients and trace contacts."

I'm not making it about us. It ~is~ about us:

White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney Mick MulvaneyMick Mulvaney to start hedge fund Fauci says positive White House task force reports don't always match what he hears on the ground Bottom line MORE accused the media covering the coronavirus in a way to make the Trump administration look bad. http://bit.ly/2Py8nnf

How so: "[Mulvaney] accused the press of peddling a false narrative about the administration 'scrambling' to contain the virus, saying he briefed Congress with other top health officials six weeks ago. He accused the media of ignoring the coronavirus until now because publications were too preoccupied with Trump's impeachment before that, which he called a 'hoax.'"

Mulvaney on the virus's threat: He "downplayed the threat of the coronavirus but acknowledged likely school closures and disruptions to public transportation in the United States as a result of the outbreak."

Where Mulvaney made these comments: At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Friday morning in National Harbor, Md.

TIDBIT -- HOW SWITZERLAND IS REACTING TO THE CORONAVIRUS THREAT:

Switzerland is banning gatherings with more than 1,000 people until at least March 15. http://bit.ly/2wcIhPO

This morning -- another drop in the stock market:

Via The Hill's Sylvan Lane, stocks opened this morning with steep losses after a coronavirus correction. http://bit.ly/399iVAU

The numbers: "The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank by more than 700 points at the start of Friday trading, falling 2.8 percent. The S&P 500 index also fell 2.8 percent, while the Nasdaq composite took a loss of 2.7percent."

For context: "All three major indexes have fallen more than 10 percent below their most recent peaks, which is the formal threshold for a correction. Wall Street has suffered its worst week of losses since the 2007-08 financial crisis as public health officials warn of a likely coronavirus outbreak within the U.S."

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2wg8Sv6

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

But what about the roaring '20s?:

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, "Republicans who have been counting on a roaring economy to power President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE and GOP congressional candidates on Election Day are growing nervous because of the economic havoc wreaked by the coronavirus." http://bit.ly/2Tb9LOV

What a difference a few weeks can make: "Earlier this month, GOP senators were riding high after Trump's acquittal on impeachment charges in the Senate. Now they're wrestling with predictions of an economic slowdown that could upend the political calculus for 2020."

How this could play out: http://bit.ly/2Tb9LOV

Tidbit in South Carolina:

.@johnlegend stops by a restaurant in Orangeburg to campaign for @ewarren (and take selfies) pic.twitter.com/xHmPM5Jkng — Daniella Díaz (@DaniellaMicaela) February 26, 2020

NOTABLE TWEETS

In northwest Washington, D.C.:

The Duality of DuPont Circle pic.twitter.com/tZY2XMLl0b — jimboslice (@pedagogyofjim) February 27, 2020

ON TAP

The House is in. The Senate is out.

9:30 a.m. EST: Vice President Pence leaves Washington, D.C. and flies to West Palm Beach, Fla.

10:30 ­– 11:30 a.m. EST: First and last votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2wWDDFV

12:45 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence speaks at the Club for Growth Annual Economic Conference.

3 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence meets with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantisNames to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court Key swing-state election lawsuits could help shape the presidential race First death reported from Hurricane Sally in Alabama MORE (R) to discuss the response to the coronavirus.

4:10 p.m. EST: President Trump leaves the White House and flies to North Charleston, S.C.

6:30 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence speaks at an NRCC Florida Republican Delegation Dinner in Longboat Key, Fla.

9:35 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence gets back to Washington, D.C.

10:30 p.m. EST: President Trump gets back to the White House.

Saturday: South Carolina's presidential primary.

3 p.m. EST Monday: The Senate returns.

Tuesday: Super Tuesday.

Thursday, March 5: President Trump will participate in a Fox News town hall in Scranton, Pa. This morning's announcement: http://bit.ly/2Tur10u

WHAT TO WATCH

2:30 p.m. EST: Sanders campaigns in Columbia, S.C. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2PyXSjs

7 p.m. EST: President Trump holds a reelection campaign rally in North Charleston, S.C. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2TppsAB

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Chocolate Souffle Day.

Leap Day deals:

Via USA Today, here's a list of specials for Leap Day. This is a pretty solid list: http://bit.ly/2TlIyHW

And because it's almost a weekend, here's a dog who insists on having no plans: http://bit.ly/3a97JUM