thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--Hiker Taking Photo Falls 100 Feet To Her Death At The Grand Canyon

A woman taking pictures near Mather Point at the Grand Canyon fell 100 feet to her death last week , the National Park Service said in a news release .
The woman , identified as 59-year-old Maria A. Salgado Lopez of Scottsdale , Arizona , had been hiking off-trail near the famed lookout point with her family when she accidentally stepped off the edge while trying to take a photo .
Her body was recovered Friday afternoon and an investigation is underway .
Visitors should stay on designated trails and walkways , keep a safe distance from the edge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fences at scenic overlooks , the park service said .
Mather Point scenic viewpoint at the Grand Canyon National Park .
A hiker fell to her death last week near here while taking photos .
It was the second death at the park in recent weeks .
Last month , Catherine Houe , 49 , of Daly City , California , died of apparent heat-related causes while hiking in 114-degree temperatures near Phantom Ranch .
The park said summer temperatures can hit 120 degrees in the shade .
“ Hikers should hike before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest in shade whenever possible and avoid hiking during the heat of the day , ” the park service said .
“ Rangers advise that anyone hiking in heat needs to balance food and water intake , drink when thirsty and get wet to stay cool.
” About a dozen people die each year at the Grand Canyon , the Arizona Republic reported in 2019 .
Common causes include aircraft crashes , falls , heat and drowning .
Outside Magazine ranked the Grand Canyon as America ’ s third-deadliest national park , behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada and Yosemite National Park in California .

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A woman taking pictures near Mather Point at the Grand Canyon fell 100 feet to her death last week, the National Park Service said in a news release.
The woman, identified as 59-year-old Maria A. Salgado Lopez of Scottsdale, Arizona, had been hiking off-trail near the famed lookout point with her family when she accidentally stepped off the edge while trying to take a photo.
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Her body was recovered Friday afternoon and an investigation is underway.
Visitors should stay on designated trails and walkways, keep a safe distance from the edge of the rim and remain behind railings and fences at scenic overlooks, the park service said.
Mather Point scenic viewpoint at the Grand Canyon National Park. A hiker fell to her death last week near here while taking photos. gdelissen via Getty Images
It was the second death at the park in recent weeks.
Last month, Catherine Houe, 49, of Daly City, California, died of apparent heat-related causes while hiking in 114-degree temperatures near Phantom Ranch.
The park said summer temperatures can hit 120 degrees in the shade.
“Hikers should hike before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., rest in shade whenever possible and avoid hiking during the heat of the day,” the park service said. “Rangers advise that anyone hiking in heat needs to balance food and water intake, drink when thirsty and get wet to stay cool.”
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About a dozen people die each year at the Grand Canyon, the Arizona Republic reported in 2019. Common causes include aircraft crashes, falls, heat and drowning.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--'Weird Al' Yankovic Gives 'Hamilton' The Musical Makeover You Didn't Know You Needed

“ Hamilton ” made its debut on the small screen this weekend as the Broadway sensation streamed for the first @ @ @ @ @ “ Weird Al ” Yankovic helped to celebrate the moment .
Yankovic created one of @ @ @ @ @ “ Hamilton ” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda ’ s 2018 “ Hamildrops ” series of content @ @ @ @ @ the Tony-winning show .
This weekend , Yankovic released a new video that matches his @ @ @ @ @ play :

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--Oscar-Winning Movie Composer Ennio Morricone Dead At 91

ROME , July 6 - Ennio Morricone , whose scores for movies such as “ The Good , the Bad and the Ugly , ” “ The Mission ” and “ Cinema Paradiso ” made him one of the world ’ s most famous and prolific screen composers , has died , ANSA news agency said on Monday .
He was 91 .
ANSA said Morricone , who won two Oscars and dozens of others awards including Golden Globes , Grammys and BAFTAs , broke his femur some days ago and died during the night in a clinic in Rome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , television programs , popular songs and orchestras , but it was his friendship with Italian director Sergio Leone that brought him fame , with scores for Spaghetti Westerns starring Clint Eastwood in the 1960s .
He always tried to shake off the association with the Spaghetti Westerns , reminding people , particularly outside Italy , that he had a very creative and productive life before and after the films he made with Leone .
“ It ’ s a strait-jacket .
I just don ’ t understand how , after all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking about ‘ A Fistful of Dollars ’ .
People are stuck back in time , 30 years ago , ” the Maestro , as he was known in Italy , told Reuters in 2007 .
One of Morricone ’ s most evocative soundtracks was for the 1986 film “ The Mission , ” by Roland Joffe , for which he was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe .
To accompany the story of the Jesuit missions in 18th century South America , Morricone used European style liturgical chorales and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the old and new worlds .
Another non-Western classic was Leone ’ s “ Once Upon a Time in America , ” in 1984 , which told the story of poor Jewish children in New York who grow up to become Prohibition-era mobsters .
He first wrote music for theater and radio programs and later was a studio arranger for record labels , working with some of Italy ’ s best-known pop stars of the 1950s and 1960s .
His success with director Leone , a former schoolmate , made him one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with directors around the world beating a path to his door : John Huston , John Boorman , Terrence Malick , Bernardo Bertolucci , Barry Levinson , Warren Beatty , Oliver Stone , Barry Levinson , Roman Polanski and Franco Zeffirelli .
“ He did call me to do the score for ‘ A Clockwork Orange ’ and I said ‘ yes ’ .
He did not want to come to Rome , he did not like flying .
And then he called ( Sergio ) Leone , who told him I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never called again , ” he said .
One of few Italians to have become a Hollywood legend without living there , Morricone said a studio had once offered him a luxurious villa in California , but he turned it down .
“ All my friends are here , as well as plenty of directors who love me and appreciate my work , ” he said .
“ Rome is my home .
”

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ROME, July 6 - Ennio Morricone, whose scores for movies such as “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” “The Mission” and “Cinema Paradiso” made him one of the world’s most famous and prolific screen composers, has died, ANSA news agency said on Monday. He was 91.
ANSA said Morricone, who won two Oscars and dozens of others awards including Golden Globes, Grammys and BAFTAs, broke his femur some days ago and died during the night in a clinic in Rome.
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His last Oscar was in 2016 for best original score for Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight.”
He first declined the job, but then relented, demanding that Tarantino allow him a “total break with the style of Western films I wrote 50 years ago.”
Italian composer Ennio Morricone in this 2018 file photo. The Oscar-winner, who produced more than 400 original scores for feature films, has died. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Morricone wrote for hundreds of films, television programs, popular songs and orchestras, but it was his friendship with Italian director Sergio Leone that brought him fame, with scores for Spaghetti Westerns starring Clint Eastwood in the 1960s.
They include the so-called “Dollars Trilogy” - “A Fistful of Dollars,” “For a Few Dollars More,” and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”
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Morricone used unconventional instruments such as the Jew’s harp, amplified harmonica, mariachi trumpets, cor anglais and the ocarina - an ancient Chinese instrument shaped like an egg.
The music was accompanied by real sounds such as whistling, cracking of whips, gunshots and sounds inspired by wild animals including coyotes.
He always tried to shake off the association with the Spaghetti Westerns, reminding people, particularly outside Italy, that he had a very creative and productive life before and after the films he made with Leone.
STRAIT-JACKET
“It’s a strait-jacket. I just don’t understand how, after all the films I have done, people keep thinking about ‘A Fistful of Dollars’. People are stuck back in time, 30 years ago,” the Maestro, as he was known in Italy, told Reuters in 2007.
“My production for Westerns is maybe 7-1/2 or 8 percent of what I have done overall.”
One of Morricone’s most evocative soundtracks was for the 1986 film “The Mission,” by Roland Joffe, for which he was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe.
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To accompany the story of the Jesuit missions in 18th century South America, Morricone used European style liturgical chorales and native drums to convey the mix of the old and new worlds.
Another non-Western classic was Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in America,” in 1984, which told the story of poor Jewish children in New York who grow up to become Prohibition-era mobsters.
In Italy, Morricone developed a close friendship with director Giuseppe Tornatore, whose “Cinema Paradiso” won the Oscar for best foreign film in 1989.
Morricone also composed for Brian De Palma’s “The Untouchables,” Barry Levinson’s “Bugsy,” and Margarethe von Trotta’s “The Long Silence.”
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PRECOCIOUS TALENT
Born in Rome in 1928 while Italy was headed by Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, Morricone learned music from his father, a trumpeter in small orchestras.
He entered Rome’s conservatory at the age of 12, studying trumpet, choral music and composition, and later was chosen to join the orchestra of the prestigious Academy of Santa Cecilia.
He first wrote music for theater and radio programs and later was a studio arranger for record labels, working with some of Italy’s best-known pop stars of the 1950s and 1960s.
He ghost-composed several film scores before he received his first credit for a feature film for Luciano Salce’s “Il Federale” in 1961.
His success with director Leone, a former schoolmate, made him one of the most desired composers for the screen, with directors around the world beating a path to his door: John Huston, John Boorman, Terrence Malick, Bernardo Bertolucci, Barry Levinson, Warren Beatty, Oliver Stone, Barry Levinson, Roman Polanski and Franco Zeffirelli.
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Morricone said his one big regret was never having worked with Stanley Kubrick.
“He did call me to do the score for ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and I said ‘yes’. He did not want to come to Rome, he did not like flying. And then he called (Sergio) Leone, who told him I was busy working with him. He never called again,” he said.
One of few Italians to have become a Hollywood legend without living there, Morricone said a studio had once offered him a luxurious villa in California, but he turned it down.
“All my friends are here, as well as plenty of directors who love me and appreciate my work,” he said. “Rome is my home.”
Morricone married Maria Travia in 1956. They had four children, three sons and a daughter.
Colleagues and fans took to social media to share their tributes to the legendary composer:
RIP Ennio Morricone. Thank you for hundreds of unforgettable moments in the theater — and thousands of hours of some of the best writing music there is. — David Slack (@slack2thefuture) July 6, 2020
Ennio Morricone. You always know when it's a Morricone score, even before you see his name. With just a few notes he evokes images of a whole genre. There aren't any others like him. One of the titans is gone. — C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) July 6, 2020
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RIP Ennio Morricone - An absolute genius and one of the greatest film composers that ever lived, maybe the greatest. — Jordan Ruimy (@mrRuimy) July 6, 2020
I don't envy those who will be writing an obituary for Ennio Morricone, whose professional accomplishments, alone, are impossible to properly capture in less than 1,000 words. — Charlotte Clymer 🏳🌈 (@cmclymer) July 6, 2020
RIP Ennio Morricone, who I have drunk in across all forms from a 10 CD boxset to my ringtone, and whose influence is in so many things I love, from Cinerama to The Mandalorian. — Dr Jon Sutton (@jonmsutton) July 6, 2020
“Ennio was an icon and icons just don’t go away"
On #BBCBreakfast composer @HansZimmer reflects on the death of the film and TV music composer Ennio Morricone.https://t.co/poOdCpb3a2 pic.twitter.com/Azliaelk0N — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) July 6, 2020
RIP composer Ennio Morricone — has there been anything so beautiful as his score to that finale in Cinema Paradiso! — Melissa Chan (@melissakchan) July 6, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--Uber Reportedly Agrees To Buy Postmates In $2.65 Billion All-Stock Deal

( Reuters ) - Ride-sharing company Uber Technologies Inc has agreed on a deal to buy food-delivery app Postmates Inc in a $ 2.65 billion all-stock agreement , Bloomberg News reported late Sunday , citing people familiar with the matter .
The deal has been approved by Uber ’ s board and could be announced as soon as Monday , Bloomberg reported , adding that Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty , head of Uber ’ s food delivery business , Uber Eats , is expected to continue to run the combined delivery business .
Uber and Postmates did not immediately respond to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Reuters reported that Postmates had revived plans for an initial public offering following dealmaking in the U.S. online food delivery service sector that sparked acquisition interest in the company .
Postmates was last valued at $ 2.4 billion , when it raised $ 225 million in a private fundraising round last September .
Founded in 2011 , San Francisco-based Postmates accounted for 8 % of the U.S. meal delivery market in May , according to analytics firm Second Measure .
Uber had plans to also acquire Grubhub Inc through its Uber Eats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal as Just Eat Takeaway.com NV eventually reached a $ 7.3 billion agreement last month to buy the U.S. online food delivery company .
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(Reuters) - Ride-sharing company Uber Technologies Inc has agreed on a deal to buy food-delivery app Postmates Inc in a $2.65 billion all-stock agreement, Bloomberg News reported late Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The deal has been approved by Uber’s board and could be announced as soon as Monday, Bloomberg reported, adding that Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, head of Uber’s food delivery business, Uber Eats, is expected to continue to run the combined delivery business.
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Uber and Postmates did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Last week, Reuters reported that Postmates had revived plans for an initial public offering following dealmaking in the U.S. online food delivery service sector that sparked acquisition interest in the company.
Postmates was last valued at $2.4 billion, when it raised $225 million in a private fundraising round last September.
Founded in 2011, San Francisco-based Postmates accounted for 8% of the U.S. meal delivery market in May, according to analytics firm Second Measure.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-05--Performance To Empty Seats At Trump's July 4th Celebration Promptly Becomes A Meme

The president was trolled on Twitter over the weekend after a short clip of a performance at his “ Salute To America ” event went viral .
The Saturday evening celebration ― which included military flyovers , a presidential address from the White House South Lawn , and a massive fireworks display that packed people into the National Mall despite dire concerns it would further the spread of coronavirus ― also featured several musical performances .
One video , posted to Twitter , shows military personnel performing Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars ’ 2014 hit “ Uptown Funk ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other footage from the event showed guests ― which included medical and law enforcement workers , administration staff and military ― waving flags and applauding onstage performers .
Twitter users quickly threw back to the time Bruno Mars performed “ Uptown Funk ” at a July 4th South Lawn event hosted by former President Barack Obama in 2015 .
Reminds me of the time Obama booked Bruno Mars to sing Bruno Mars at the same event in 2015 pic.twitter.com/c9CnVNO15e — Richard Barney ( @ rkbarney ) July 5 , 2020 Social media users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned the moment into a meme .
the amount of times I 've watched the camera cut here -- give the editor an Emmy or an Oscar or whatever https : //t.co/q2V0CcioM0 — Hanif Abdurraqib ( @ NifMuhammad ) July 5 , 2020 me doing standup comedy after the vaccine pic.twitter.com/qKWfIimCxW — Luke Mones ( @ LukeMones ) July 5 , 2020 “ hey brandon what ’ s it like when you play those big outdoor euro festivals ?
” https : //t.co/YiKin4Jfju — brendan murphy ( @ brendan905 ) July 5 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here should be taught in comedy classes .
https : //t.co/u43dCdnuYb — Simon Barrett ( @ Simon_Barrett ) July 5 , 2020

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President Donald Trump’s July 4th event has produced a new meme.
The president was trolled on Twitter over the weekend after a short clip of a performance at his “Salute To America” event went viral.
The Saturday evening celebration ― which included military flyovers, a presidential address from the White House South Lawn, and a massive fireworks display that packed people into the National Mall despite dire concerns it would further the spread of coronavirus ― also featured several musical performances. One video, posted to Twitter, shows military personnel performing Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ 2014 hit “Uptown Funk” to a largely empty patch of seats.
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The White House 4th of July entertainment is a white guy singing Bruno Mars pic.twitter.com/fuHkAtgaZx — Scott Gairdner (@scottgairdner) July 5, 2020
Other footage from the event showed guests ― which included medical and law enforcement workers, administration staff and military ― waving flags and applauding onstage performers.
Twitter users quickly threw back to the time Bruno Mars performed “Uptown Funk” at a July 4th South Lawn event hosted by former President Barack Obama in 2015.
Reminds me of the time Obama booked Bruno Mars to sing Bruno Mars at the same event in 2015 pic.twitter.com/c9CnVNO15e — Richard Barney (@rkbarney) July 5, 2020
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Social media users did what they do best and promptly turned the moment into a meme.
(FOR COMICS) When you’re doing a corporate gig pic.twitter.com/1jDssEGyeZ — Francisco Ramos (@FranciscoRamos) July 5, 2020
the amount of times I've watched the camera cut here -- give the editor an Emmy or an Oscar or whatever https://t.co/q2V0CcioM0 — Hanif Abdurraqib (@NifMuhammad) July 5, 2020
And the crowd goes wild...wait.... https://t.co/l5bzeHr4aN — Amy Siskind 🏳🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) July 5, 2020
me when i tweet about football pic.twitter.com/qP8035qM6V — ImAllexx (@ImAllexx) July 5, 2020
me doing standup comedy after the vaccine pic.twitter.com/qKWfIimCxW — Luke Mones (@LukeMones) July 5, 2020
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“hey brandon what’s it like when you play those big outdoor euro festivals?” https://t.co/YiKin4Jfju — brendan murphy (@brendan905) July 5, 2020
The edit to the audience shot here should be taught in comedy classes. https://t.co/u43dCdnuYb — Simon Barrett (@Simon_Barrett) July 5, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-05--Broadway Star Nick Cordero Dies At 41 After Months-Long Coronavirus Battle

Broadway actor Nick Cordero has died from coronavirus complications after a battle with the virus that lasted more than 90 days and included an amputated leg and weeks in a medically-induced coma .
He was 41 years old .
Cordero , who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2014 for his performance in “ Bullets Over Broadway , ” died on Sunday morning , his wife Amanda Kloots wrote on Instagram .
He was hospitalized for months at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles , where he was performing in “ Rock of Ages ” before falling ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angel in heaven now , ” Kloots wrote Sunday evening .
“ My darling husband passed away this morning .
He was surrounded in love by his family , singing and praying as he gently left this earth.
” “ I am in disbelief and hurting everywhere .
My heart is broken as I can not imagine our lives without him .
Nick was such a bright light .
He was everyone ’ s friend , loved to listen , help and especially talk .
He was an incredible actor and musician .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a father and husband .
Elvis and I will miss him in everything we do , everyday , ” she continued .
Kloots , a former Radio City Rockette , thanked Cordero ’ s “ extraordinary doctor ” Dr. David Ng , whom she said was “ kind , compassionate , assertive and always eager to listen to my crazy ideas or call yet another doctor for me for a second opinion.
” She also thanked all those who contributed to the “ outpour of love , support and help we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have no idea how much you lifted my spirits at 3pm everyday as the world sang Nicks song , Live Your Life , ” she wrote .
“ We sang it to him today , holding his hands .
As I sang the last line to him , ‘ they ’ ll give you hell but don ’ t you light them kill your light not without a fight .
Live your life , ’ I smiled because he definitely put up a fight .
I will love you forever and always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided regular updates about her husband ’ s condition , had previously revealed that her husband got sick on March 20th .
He entered the intensive care unit on March 31 .
Two weeks later , his right leg was amputated because of blood clots , Kloots said .
Over the course of his hospitalization , he lost 65 pounds and endured septic shock , two “ mini strokes , ” kidney dialysis , and the insertion of a temporary pacemaker .
He was awake on May 13 after being placed into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an update at the time .
Kloots was unable see her husband for 79 days due to COVID-19 restrictions at the hospital .
Last week , she told “ CBS This Morning ” that while her husband had since tested negative for coronavirus and was awake from his coma , he was still critically ill and would likely need a double lung transplant .
Zach Braff , a close family friend of Cordero and Kloots , said in a social media tribute that Cordero died with his mother and wife by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell you I have never met a kinder human being , ” he wrote .
“ Don ’ t believe that Covid only claims the elderly and infirm .
I am so grateful for the time we had .
‘ We ’ ll catch up some other time .
’ ”

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Broadway actor Nick Cordero has died from coronavirus complications after a battle with the virus that lasted more than 90 days and included an amputated leg and weeks in a medically-induced coma. He was 41 years old.
Cordero, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2014 for his performance in “Bullets Over Broadway,” died on Sunday morning, his wife Amanda Kloots wrote on Instagram. He was hospitalized for months at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was performing in “Rock of Ages” before falling ill in March.
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“God has another angel in heaven now,” Kloots wrote Sunday evening. “My darling husband passed away this morning. He was surrounded in love by his family, singing and praying as he gently left this earth.”
“I am in disbelief and hurting everywhere. My heart is broken as I cannot imagine our lives without him. Nick was such a bright light. He was everyone’s friend, loved to listen, help and especially talk. He was an incredible actor and musician. He loved his family and loved being a father and husband. Elvis and I will miss him in everything we do, everyday,” she continued.
Cordero’s son Elvis Eduardo is 1 year old.
Kloots, a former Radio City Rockette, thanked Cordero’s “extraordinary doctor” Dr. David Ng, whom she said was “kind, compassionate, assertive and always eager to listen to my crazy ideas or call yet another doctor for me for a second opinion.”
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She also thanked all those who contributed to the “outpour of love, support and help we’ve received these last 95 days.”
“You have no idea how much you lifted my spirits at 3pm everyday as the world sang Nicks song, Live Your Life,” she wrote. “We sang it to him today, holding his hands. As I sang the last line to him, ‘they’ll give you hell but don’t you light them kill your light not without a fight. Live your life,’ I smiled because he definitely put up a fight. I will love you forever and always my sweet man.”
Kloots, who provided regular updates about her husband’s condition, had previously revealed that her husband got sick on March 20th. He entered the intensive care unit on March 31.
Two weeks later, his right leg was amputated because of blood clots, Kloots said. Over the course of his hospitalization, he lost 65 pounds and endured septic shock, two “mini strokes,” kidney dialysis, and the insertion of a temporary pacemaker. He was awake on May 13 after being placed into a medically induced coma weeks earlier, Kloots said in an update at the time.
Kloots was unable see her husband for 79 days due to COVID-19 restrictions at the hospital. Last week, she told “CBS This Morning” that while her husband had since tested negative for coronavirus and was awake from his coma, he was still critically ill and would likely need a double lung transplant.
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Zach Braff, a close family friend of Cordero and Kloots, said in a social media tribute that Cordero died with his mother and wife by his side.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--As COVID-19 Cases Surge, Fauci Says U.S. Is Still 'Knee-Deep' In First Wave

Al Drago/Pool via REUTERS Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , adjusts his face mask during a Senate committee hearing on the coronavirus on June 30 , 2020 .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the top infectious disease expert in the U.S. , said Monday that the country is in a “ serious situation ” that needs immediate attention as the coronavirus surges in certain parts of the country .
During a live interview streamed on Facebook , Fauci noted that the U.S. is “ still knee-deep in the first wave ” of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this would not be considered a wave .
It was a surge , or resurgence of infections superimposed upon a baseline ... that really never got down to where we wanted to go , ” Fauci told National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins .
“ If you look at the graphs from Europe — Europe , the European Union as an entity , it went up , and then came down to baseline , ” he added .
“ We went up , never came down to baseline , and now we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a serious situation that we have to address immediately.
” States have been scrambling to pull back on plans to reopen businesses and let people gather in public after COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rose again .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) called for bars to close and restaurants to halt indoor dining in 19 counties across the state in response to the increase in cases .
Governors in Mississippi , New Jersey , New York , Nevada and some other states have also delayed plans to lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just days after he told the American Medical Association that the recent surge in cases highlighted a “ very disturbing week ” for the U.S. “ We ’ re setting records , practically every day , of new cases in the numbers that are reported , ” Fauci said in a livestream with the AMA .
“ That clearly is not the right direction .
”

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, adjusts his face mask during a Senate committee hearing on the coronavirus on June 30, 2020. Al Drago/Pool via REUTERS
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the U.S., said Monday that the country is in a “serious situation” that needs immediate attention as the coronavirus surges in certain parts of the country.
During a live interview streamed on Facebook, Fauci noted that the U.S. is “still knee-deep in the first wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“I would say this would not be considered a wave. It was a surge, or resurgence of infections superimposed upon a baseline ... that really never got down to where we wanted to go,” Fauci told National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins.
“If you look at the graphs from Europe — Europe, the European Union as an entity, it went up, and then came down to baseline,” he added.
“We went up, never came down to baseline, and now we’re surging back up. So it’s a serious situation that we have to address immediately.”
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States have been scrambling to pull back on plans to reopen businesses and let people gather in public after COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rose again.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called for bars to close and restaurants to halt indoor dining in 19 counties across the state in response to the increase in cases.
Governors in Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Nevada and some other states have also delayed plans to lift coronavirus-related restrictions.
Fauci expressed his concerns just days after he told the American Medical Association that the recent surge in cases highlighted a “very disturbing week” for the U.S.
“We’re setting records, practically every day, of new cases in the numbers that are reported,” Fauci said in a livestream with the AMA. “That clearly is not the right direction.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--States Embrace Coronavirus Restrictions After Reopening Proves Disastrous

State and local officials are pausing or reversing plans to reopen public life as the coronavirus pandemic surges in parts of the country that previously seemed to be trending in the right direction .
Carlos Giménez , the Republican mayor of Florida ’ s Miami-Dade County , the state ’ s largest , announced on Monday that he would close restaurants , gyms and other facilities .
Last week , he shuttered entertainment venues including casinos , cinemas and strip clubs and instituted a curfew ― as Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey ( R ) closed bars , theaters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom ( D ) shut down bars and indoor dining in most of his state .
The governors of Mississippi , New York , Delaware , New Mexico , Nevada , Maine , New Jersey and Washington have recently postponed plans to lift limits on normal life .
The pattern shows how fragile a respite from the virus can be .
And it highlights the toll of mixed messages from the federal government ― and from President Donald Trump himself ― over how to handle the pandemic , down to basic measures like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some Republicans who once resisted mask mandates , like Ducey and Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott , have reversed course as their states ’ hospitals have filled up .
But after months of a culture war over enforcing mask-wearing and taking other steps to contain the virus , the turn toward restrictions and re-closures could be coming too late .
“ There was a real urgency when we closed down… then we reopened and it was as if , OK , we ’ re OK , ” Dale Holness , the Democratic mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is home to Fort Lauderdale , told local television station WPLG on Monday .
“ I think we ’ re disjointed in terms of messaging from different parts of our government .
That ’ s sad.
” After starting to reopen many businesses in May and beaches soon afterward , Florida has become the worst-hit state in the country , with over 200,000 cases of COVID-19 ; on Saturday , it reported the U.S. ’ s highest-ever increase in cases in one day .
Florida ’ s Republican governor , Ron DeSantis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has challenged calls for a more serious lockdown in his state and echoed the president ’ s argument that Democrats and reporters are exaggerating the seriousness of the pandemic .
Florida officials are now struggling to implement contact tracing , a key measure to rein in the virus , a CNN investigation showed on Monday .
Some officials are paying close attention to the potentially brutal consequences of reopening too fast and the challenge of trying to backtrack when widespread infection has already taken hold .
“ We need to do more , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D ) warned on Twitter on Monday , noting that his state ’ s rate of coronavirus transmission had increased for the first time in weeks , with each patient infecting one other person .
His aides are watching figures on transmission and hospitalization and are ready to halt reopening , the Star-Ledger reported .
Still , opposition to coronavirus-related restrictions remains a potent force , too , at least in part because of Trump ’ s public dismissiveness of the crisis and his advisers ’ assessment that his best bet ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans to become accustomed to hundreds of deaths each day and continued contagion .
Some conservatives in Texas are now portraying Abbott as giving in to liberals and abandoning GOP orthodoxy for his about-turn on reopening policies , and the state Republican Party has not abandoned plans to hold an in-person convention later this month .
A judge in Collin County issued his own executive order to overrule Abbott ’ s limit on gatherings of more than 10 people .
Other countries struggling with the pandemic have found they have needed to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials imposed new local quarantines in two regions over the weekend , and Israel reinstituted aspects of a lockdown on Monday that it had ended in May .
Elsewhere , however , authorities can say they are learning from their experience battling the first wave of the virus , and they can count on some degree of public faith that they managed to do so successfully .
The U.S. ’ s long initial encounter with coronavirus seems nowhere near its end .
“ At great cost to our country , science and expertise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s response to the pandemic thus far , ” they wrote .
“ Far too often , political expediency has won out over scientists ’ advice … sidelining science has already cost lives , imperiled the safety of our loved ones , compromised our ability to safely re-open our businesses , schools , and places of worship , and endangered the health of our democracy itself .
”

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State and local officials are pausing or reversing plans to reopen public life as the coronavirus pandemic surges in parts of the country that previously seemed to be trending in the right direction.
Carlos Giménez, the Republican mayor of Florida’s Miami-Dade County, the state’s largest, announced on Monday that he would close restaurants, gyms and other facilities. Last week, he shuttered entertainment venues including casinos, cinemas and strip clubs and instituted a curfew ― as Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) closed bars, theaters and gyms, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) shut down bars and indoor dining in most of his state. The governors of Mississippi, New York, Delaware, New Mexico, Nevada, Maine, New Jersey and Washington have recently postponed plans to lift limits on normal life.
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The pattern shows how fragile a respite from the virus can be. And it highlights the toll of mixed messages from the federal government ― and from President Donald Trump himself ― over how to handle the pandemic, down to basic measures like requirements to wear masks in public. Some Republicans who once resisted mask mandates, like Ducey and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, have reversed course as their states’ hospitals have filled up. But after months of a culture war over enforcing mask-wearing and taking other steps to contain the virus, the turn toward restrictions and re-closures could be coming too late.
On July 4, Trump falsely claimed 99% of cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, are “totally harmless.” At least 130,000 Americans have succumbed to the fast-spreading infection.
“There was a real urgency when we closed down… then we reopened and it was as if, OK, we’re OK,” Dale Holness, the Democratic mayor of Florida’s Broward County, which is home to Fort Lauderdale, told local television station WPLG on Monday. “I think we’re disjointed in terms of messaging from different parts of our government. That’s sad.”
After starting to reopen many businesses in May and beaches soon afterward, Florida has become the worst-hit state in the country, with over 200,000 cases of COVID-19; on Saturday, it reported the U.S.’s highest-ever increase in cases in one day.
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Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, is a close Trump ally who has challenged calls for a more serious lockdown in his state and echoed the president’s argument that Democrats and reporters are exaggerating the seriousness of the pandemic. Florida officials are now struggling to implement contact tracing, a key measure to rein in the virus, a CNN investigation showed on Monday.
A sign announces beach closure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus ahead of the Fourth of July weekend in Miami Beach, Florida. REUTERS/Elizabeth Feria
Some officials are paying close attention to the potentially brutal consequences of reopening too fast and the challenge of trying to backtrack when widespread infection has already taken hold. “We need to do more,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) warned on Twitter on Monday, noting that his state’s rate of coronavirus transmission had increased for the first time in weeks, with each patient infecting one other person. His aides are watching figures on transmission and hospitalization and are ready to halt reopening, the Star-Ledger reported.
In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) escalated a battle with the state legislature on July 2 by vetoing bills that would reopen skating rinks, gyms, bowling alleys and other entertainment facilities.
Still, opposition to coronavirus-related restrictions remains a potent force, too, at least in part because of Trump’s public dismissiveness of the crisis and his advisers’ assessment that his best bet ahead of the November election is to convince Americans to become accustomed to hundreds of deaths each day and continued contagion.
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Some conservatives in Texas are now portraying Abbott as giving in to liberals and abandoning GOP orthodoxy for his about-turn on reopening policies, and the state Republican Party has not abandoned plans to hold an in-person convention later this month. A judge in Collin County issued his own executive order to overrule Abbott’s limit on gatherings of more than 10 people.
In Arizona, the CEO of a chain of gyms is suing Ducey ― and secured a spot on “Fox & Friends,” a show frequently praised by Trump, to promote his cause on Sunday.
Other countries struggling with the pandemic have found they have needed to stop reopening or reverse previous decisions. Spanish officials imposed new local quarantines in two regions over the weekend, and Israel reinstituted aspects of a lockdown on Monday that it had ended in May.
Elsewhere, however, authorities can say they are learning from their experience battling the first wave of the virus, and they can count on some degree of public faith that they managed to do so successfully. The U.S.’s long initial encounter with coronavirus seems nowhere near its end.
More than 50 former health officials who worked under Republican and Democratic presidents urged politicians to stop tying the fight against COVID-19 to the nation’s heated political fights in a statement on Monday.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--Gay Beachgoers At New York's Fire Island Spark Outrage For Partying En Masse

Community leaders in Fire Island , New York , are speaking out after photos and videos showing mask-less beachgoers congregating en masse ― as well as one vacationer who claimed to have COVID-19 symptoms but flouted social distancing anyway ― went viral over the July 4th weekend .
Fire Island ’ s Pines section has been a popular seaside destination for members of New York ’ s LGBTQ community , along with many out-of-state travelers , since the 1920s .
Given that New York City was the initial U.S. epicenter for the coronavirus pandemic , many of the resort town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain closed , while those that have reopened require the season ’ s influx of visitors to adhere to strict social distance measures .
On Saturday , however , the photos and videos began circulating on social media that showed hundreds of revelers ignoring COVID-19 regulations and partying together on beaches and by the pools of private homes .
Nooooo Fire Island gays !
What are you doing ?
!
Remember all them that got smacked down by Rona after that winter circuit party , y ’ all are just gon na drag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
pic.twitter.com/cYdC8AhQlY — Kade Boehme ( @ kaderadeNYC ) July 5 , 2020 One reveler in particular emerged as the focal point for much of the controversy .
In since-deleted social media posts , Corey Hannon claimed to be recovering from COVID-19 ― all while enjoying the sand and surf of Fire Island with friends .
“ Everyone knows I had COVID , ” the 27-year-old fitness trainer and former flight attendant proclaimed in a short , since-deleted video that went viral after another user posted it to Twitter .
“ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of you get fucking COVID.
” P.J .
McAteer , the managing director of the Fire Island Pines commercial district , condemned the “ troubling images and videos ” in a statement to HuffPost and other media outlets Sunday .
“ We know masks are uncomfortable and aren ’ t fun , ” McAteer said .
“ But we also know that being hooked up to a ventilator isn ’ t comfortable for fun either.
” Hannon , McAteer said , would be banned from Fire Island ’ s bars and restaurants ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their usual summer staff ― moving forward .
“ Never have we been so sickened by the actions of one person , ” he added .
Hannon walked back some of his remarks in a nearly eight-minute Facebook video on Sunday , calling himself a victim of “ cancel culture ” and apologizing for “ the misinterpretation that I portrayed on my social media.
” “ I am terribly sorry this happened , ” he said .
“ I would never go out there and righteously infect people.
” In a caption accompanying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit to Fire Island took place 12 days after he began feeling sick .
He said he awaits his test results and has not been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
Violations of social distancing and mask-wearing risk lives .
The videos over the weekend from Fire Island , the East Village and elsewhere say it all — there is COVID fatigue .
But the virus doesn ’ t get tired or lazy and we can ’ t either .
— Andrew Cuomo ( @ NYGovCuomo ) July 6 , 2020 By Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the controversy by prohibiting beach parties and requiring marks to be worn on the beach when visitors are unable to socially distance .
“ We are distressed by the irresponsible behavior of some residents and visitors , ” Jay Pagano , the association ’ s president said in a statement cited by The Advocate and Gothamist , among other outlets .
“ We need your help .
If you see something , say something .
”

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Community leaders in Fire Island, New York, are speaking out after photos and videos showing mask-less beachgoers congregating en masse ― as well as one vacationer who claimed to have COVID-19 symptoms but flouted social distancing anyway ― went viral over the July 4th weekend.
Fire Island’s Pines section has been a popular seaside destination for members of New York’s LGBTQ community, along with many out-of-state travelers, since the 1920s. Given that New York City was the initial U.S. epicenter for the coronavirus pandemic, many of the resort town’s nightlife venues and other businesses remain closed, while those that have reopened require the season’s influx of visitors to adhere to strict social distance measures.
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On Saturday, however, the photos and videos began circulating on social media that showed hundreds of revelers ignoring COVID-19 regulations and partying together on beaches and by the pools of private homes.
Nooooo Fire Island gays! What are you doing?! Remember all them that got smacked down by Rona after that winter circuit party, y’all are just gonna drag that shit back to the city with you. pic.twitter.com/cYdC8AhQlY — Kade Boehme (@kaderadeNYC) July 5, 2020
Please, @NYGovCuomo, get help to Fire Island Pines immediately! This will result in countless, avoidable infections and deaths. Mandatory quarantines are a start! pic.twitter.com/vehDrWLIvG — Jonathan D. Lovitz (@jdlovitz) July 5, 2020
Needless to say, the images drew widespread backlash from many Twitter users.
One reveler in particular emerged as the focal point for much of the controversy. In since-deleted social media posts, Corey Hannon claimed to be recovering from COVID-19 ― all while enjoying the sand and surf of Fire Island with friends.
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“Everyone knows I had COVID,” the 27-year-old fitness trainer and former flight attendant proclaimed in a short, since-deleted video that went viral after another user posted it to Twitter. “So go fuck yourself. I hope all of you get fucking COVID.”
P.J. McAteer, the managing director of the Fire Island Pines commercial district, condemned the “troubling images and videos” in a statement to HuffPost and other media outlets Sunday.
“We know masks are uncomfortable and aren’t fun,” McAteer said. “But we also know that being hooked up to a ventilator isn’t comfortable or fun either.”
Hannon, McAteer said, would be banned from Fire Island’s bars and restaurants ― which are operating with 60% of their usual summer staff ― moving forward.
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“Never have we been so sickened by the actions of one person,” he added.
Hannon walked back some of his remarks in a nearly eight-minute Facebook video on Sunday, calling himself a victim of “cancel culture” and apologizing for “the misinterpretation that I portrayed on my social media.”
“I am terribly sorry this happened,” he said. “I would never go out there and righteously infect people.”
In a caption accompanying the video, Hannon said that his visit to Fire Island took place 12 days after he began feeling sick. He said he awaits his test results and has not been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The weekend’s events on Fire Island also caught the eye of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who tweeted his disapproval Monday.
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Violations of social distancing and mask-wearing risk lives.
The videos over the weekend from Fire Island, the East Village and elsewhere say it all — there is COVID fatigue.
But the virus doesn’t get tired or lazy and we can’t either. — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 6, 2020
By Monday, the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association responded to the controversy by prohibiting beach parties and requiring marks to be worn on the beach when visitors are unable to socially distance.
House parties, they added, would be regulated and monitored moving forward.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--Hospitals Approaching Capacity As Miami Closes Restaurants

MIAMI ( AP ) — Hospitals rapidly approached capacity across the Sunbelt , and the Miami area closed restaurants and gyms again because of the surging coronavirus Monday , as the U.S. emerged from a Fourth of July weekend of picnics , pool parties and beach outings that health officials fear could fuel the rapidly worsening outbreak .
The seesaw effect — restrictions lifted , then reimposed — has been seen around the country in recent weeks and is expected again after a holiday that saw crowds of people celebrating , many without masks .
Confirmed cases are on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus the District of Columbia , and the percentage of tests coming back positive for the virus is increasing in 39 states .
Florida , which recorded an all-time high of 11,400 new cases Saturday and has seen its positive test rate lately reach more than 18 % , has been hit especially hard , along with other Sunbelt states such as Arizona , California and Texas .
In Miami-Dade County , population 2.7 million , Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered the closing of restaurants and certain other indoor places , including vacation rentals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen .
Beaches will reopen on Tuesday after being closed over the weekend .
Hospitalizations across the state have been ticking upward , with nearly 1,700 patients admitted in the past seven days compared with 1,200 the previous week .
Five hospitals in the St. Petersburg area were out of intensive care unit beds , officials said .
Miami ’ s Baptist Hospital had only four of its 88 ICU beds available .
Officials in Texas also reported hospitals are in danger of being overwhelmed .
Hospitalizations statewide surged past 8,000 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more than fourfold increase in the past month .
Houston officials said intensive care units there have exceeded capacity .
In Arizona , the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 topped 3,200 , a new high , and hospitals statewide were at 89 % capacity .
Confirmed cases surpassed 100,000 , and more than half of those infected , or over 62,000 , are under 44 years old , state health officials said .
Health officials in South Carolina reported over 1,500 new cases Monday .
If the numbers keep rising at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to adopt an emergency plan to add 3,000 more beds in places such as hotels and gyms , authorities said .
Alabama has been averaging about 1,000 new cases a day , two or three times what it was seeing in late April , when its stay-at-home order was lifted .
“ We set a record for highs over the holiday weekend , and , of course , given the number of people who were out and about over the weekend celebrating , we are certainly concerned about what the next couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , ” said Scott Harris , Alabama ’ s health officer .
“ I ’ m telling you , West Virginia , if we don ’ t do that and do this now , we ’ re going to be in a world of hurt , ” he said , adding : “ It ’ s not much of an inconvenience.
” The coronavirus is blamed for over a half-million deaths worldwide , including more than 130,000 in the U.S. , according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 2.9 million , though the real number is believed to be 10 times higher .
Average deaths per day have fallen over the past two weeks from around 600 to about 510 , in what experts say reflects advances in treatment and prevention as well as the large share of cases among young adults , who are more likely than older ones to survive COVID-19 .
But deaths are considered a lagging indicator — that is , it takes time for people to get sick and die .
And experts are worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself .

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MIAMI (AP) — Hospitals rapidly approached capacity across the Sunbelt, and the Miami area closed restaurants and gyms again because of the surging coronavirus Monday, as the U.S. emerged from a Fourth of July weekend of picnics, pool parties and beach outings that health officials fear could fuel the rapidly worsening outbreak.
The seesaw effect — restrictions lifted, then reimposed — has been seen around the country in recent weeks and is expected again after a holiday that saw crowds of people celebrating, many without masks.
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“We were concerned before the weekend and remain concerned post-holiday, as anecdotal stories and observed behavior indicate that many continue to disregard important protective guidance,” said Heather Woolwine, a spokeswoman for the Medical University of South Carolina.
Confirmed cases are on the rise in 41 out of 50 states plus the District of Columbia, and the percentage of tests coming back positive for the virus is increasing in 39 states.
Florida, which recorded an all-time high of 11,400 new cases Saturday and has seen its positive test rate lately reach more than 18%, has been hit especially hard, along with other Sunbelt states such as Arizona, California and Texas.
In Miami-Dade County, population 2.7 million, Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered the closing of restaurants and certain other indoor places, including vacation rentals, seven weeks after they were allowed to reopen. Beaches will reopen on Tuesday after being closed over the weekend.
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“But if we see crowding and people not following the public health rules, I will be forced to close the beaches again,” the mayor warned.
Hospitalizations across the state have been ticking upward, with nearly 1,700 patients admitted in the past seven days compared with 1,200 the previous week. Five hospitals in the St. Petersburg area were out of intensive care unit beds, officials said. Miami’s Baptist Hospital had only four of its 88 ICU beds available.
“If we continue to increase at the pace we have been, we won’t have enough ventilators, enough rooms,” said Dr. David De La Zerda, ICU medical director and pulmonologist at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Officials in Texas also reported hospitals are in danger of being overwhelmed. Hospitalizations statewide surged past 8,000 for the first time over the weekend, a more than fourfold increase in the past month. Houston officials said intensive care units there have exceeded capacity.
Along the border with Mexico, two severely ill patients were flown hundreds of miles north to Dallas and San Antonio because hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley were full.
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In Arizona, the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 topped 3,200, a new high, and hospitals statewide were at 89% capacity. Confirmed cases surpassed 100,000, and more than half of those infected, or over 62,000, are under 44 years old, state health officials said.
Health officials in South Carolina reported over 1,500 new cases Monday. If the numbers keep rising at their current rates, hospitals will probably have to adopt an emergency plan to add 3,000 more beds in places such as hotels and gyms, authorities said.
Alabama has been averaging about 1,000 new cases a day, two or three times what it was seeing in late April, when its stay-at-home order was lifted.
“We set a record for highs over the holiday weekend, and, of course, given the number of people who were out and about over the weekend celebrating, we are certainly concerned about what the next couple of weeks are going to look like as well,” said Scott Harris, Alabama’s health officer.
In West Virginia, Republican Gov. Jim Justice reversed course and ordered the wearing of face masks indoors, joining other state leaders around the country.
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“I’m telling you, West Virginia, if we don’t do that and do this now, we’re going to be in a world of hurt,” he said, adding: “It’s not much of an inconvenience.”
The coronavirus is blamed for over a half-million deaths worldwide, including more than 130,000 in the U.S., according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. The number of confirmed infections nationwide stood at 2.9 million, though the real number is believed to be 10 times higher.
New cases per day nationwide have hit record levels of well over 50,000.
Average deaths per day have fallen over the past two weeks from around 600 to about 510, in what experts say reflects advances in treatment and prevention as well as the large share of cases among young adults, who are more likely than older ones to survive COVID-19.
But deaths are considered a lagging indicator — that is, it takes time for people to get sick and die. And experts are worried the downward trend in deaths could reverse itself.
Meanwhile, three of the top U.S. medical organizations issued an open letter urging Americans to wear masks, social distance and wash hands often to help stop “the worst public health crisis in generations.”
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The American Medical Association, American Nurses Association and American Hospital Association issued the plea in the absence of a mask-wearing order from Washington and said steps taken early on that helped slow the spread of COVID-19 “were too quickly abandoned.”
The White House again rejected calls for a nationwide order to wear face coverings, with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows saying on Fox News that it is a matter for governors and mayors to decide.
In New York, once the most lethal hot spot in the country, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was concerned about reports of large gatherings over the holiday weekend in New York City, on Fire Island and other places.
“I understand people are fatigued,” he said. “We’ve been doing this for 128 days. I get it. But it doesn’t change the facts, and we have to stay smart.”
___
Gomez Licon reported from Miami. Pane reported from Boise, Idaho.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--The Cutest Face Masks For Kids They'll Actually Want To Wear

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page .
Prices and availability subject to change .
After months of online classes , virtual playdates and board games , your kiddo might be hoping to get some sun now that the summer ’ s here and school ’ s out .
If you ’ re going to be in the great outdoors more often this summer , it ’ s recommended you and the kiddos put on a mask that you can breathe in and keep on social distancing .
Wearing a mask is a matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be buying the kind of masks that doctors wear — leave those to the professionals , the Centers for Disease Control says .
While you might have masks for yourself already , you could be having trouble finding a mask that ’ ll fit your kiddo — or convincing your kids to wear a face mask in the first place .
( Kids know what they want to wear , after all ) .
With that in mind , we went ahead and found cute and reusable face masks for kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rainbows , dinosaurs and tie-dye .
Hopefully , these cute masks will make things seem a little less scary , too .
From a Carter ’ s plaid mask that ’ s only $ 3 to an Old Navy mask pack that includes ones dotted with hearts , your little one will actually put on one of these face masks .
Just remember that the CDC doesn ’ t recommend children under the age of 2 wear masks — so these recos are just for the big kids .

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
Westend61 via Getty Images Rainbows, dinosaurs and tie-dye — there are lots of face masks for kids that they'll actually wear.
After months of online classes, virtual playdates and board games, your kiddo might be hoping to get some sun now that the summer’s here and school’s out.
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If you’re going to be in the great outdoors more often this summer, it’s recommended you and the kiddos put on a mask that you can breathe in and keep on social distancing.
Wearing a mask is a matter of public health, but you shouldn’t be buying the kind of masks that doctors wear — leave those to the professionals, the Centers for Disease Control says.
While you might have masks for yourself already, you could be having trouble finding a mask that’ll fit your kiddo — or convincing your kids to wear a face mask in the first place. (Kids know what they want to wear, after all).
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With that in mind, we went ahead and found cute and reusable face masks for kids in bright colors and prints that include rainbows, dinosaurs and tie-dye. Hopefully, these cute masks will make things seem a little less scary, too.
Just remember that the CDC doesn’t recommend children under the age of 2 wear masks — so these recos are just for the big kids.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-06--Die In Detention Or At Home? U.S. Pandemic Forces Cruel Choice On Asylum Seekers

As the number of COVID-19 cases rose in the Houston Contract Detention Facility - it has had at least 105 , according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) data - Munoz said he had few ways to protect himself from exposure except for a cloth face mask .
On June 1 , there were 375 detainees housed in the facility , according ICE data .
Months earlier , the Salvadoran student had sought asylum in the United States after he says he was attacked for refusing to transport drugs for a gang , which he declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His lawyer and an affidavit signed by Munoz and reviewed by Reuters were consistent with his account .
But by June , he feared his life was hanging in the balance , knowing that the next ruling in his asylum case would be months away if he chose to keep fighting .
Fifteen immigration lawyers and advocates , who together say they have received hundreds of requests from detainees seeking to leave facilities in eight U.S. states for health reasons , told Reuters they are seeing increases in the number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 cases of detainees who stopped fighting their cases and instead agreed to deportation or voluntary departure due to the pandemic .
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has dialed back arrests and released some immigrants on parole , but has come under fire for shifting detainees between facilities during the pandemic , which ICE has said is part of its effort to stem the spread of the virus and to promote social distancing .
The agency has also been criticized for deporting more than a hundred infected people to their home countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ detainees interviewed by Reuters said they did not have access to hygiene products such as hand soap and disinfectants .
Six detainees said they were exposed to other detainees who had fevers , persistent coughs , or body aches , which can be symptoms of the virus .
A DHS internal watchdog report based on a survey of 188 ICE detention centers shows that about 90 % of ICE detention centers said they had enough masks and liquid soap for detainees .
More than a third reported not having enough hand sanitizer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they did not have the capacity to isolate or quarantine a detainee who tested positive for COVID-19 .
A number of facilities said social distancing was a challenge given space restrictions .
Patricia Jimenez , a Mexican asylum seeker who said she fled to the United States after being kidnapped by unknown gunmen , decided to drop her case and seek deportation as the coronavirus swept through the Eloy Federal Contract Facility in Arizona , which has reported 222 COVID-19 cases , the second-largest outbreak in an ICE detention center .
Her account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aunt .
“ But at this moment , I ’ m more afraid of being here , ” she said , citing the death of a guard who she says she had contact with in the facility ’ s kitchen , where she had worked .
CoreCivic , the company that operates the center , said the death was from “ potential COVID-19-related issues.
” Lucas Castro , a Mexican asylum seeker with diabetes , which makes people vulnerable to complications from the virus , said he also requested deportation after fearing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , where he said he was brutally beaten by a drug gang last year .
His account was supported by his wife and the transcript of his “ credible-fear ” interview , which is part of the asylum process and was reviewed by Reuters .
“ Instead , a deportation officer always arrived and told us that if we were genuinely afraid then we should just sign for our deportation , ” Castro said .
Two other former detainees in the same facility echoed Castro ’ s account .
Castro said his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask a judge for deportation , which U.S. records show was ordered in late May .

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MONTERREY, Mexico, July 6 (Reuters) - In early June, asylum seeker Jose Munoz decided it was time to flee for his life - by getting deported from a Texas immigration detention center where coronavirus was sweeping through the population and going home to El Salvador.
As the number of COVID-19 cases rose in the Houston Contract Detention Facility - it has had at least 105, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data - Munoz said he had few ways to protect himself from exposure except for a cloth face mask. On June 1, there were 375 detainees housed in the facility, according ICE data.
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Although at 19 he would not normally be at risk from complications from the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, Munoz worried his high cholesterol, a comorbidity found in some patients who died, made him vulnerable.
Months earlier, the Salvadoran student had sought asylum in the United States after he says he was attacked for refusing to transport drugs for a gang, which he declined to name, citing concerns for his safety. His lawyer and an affidavit signed by Munoz and reviewed by Reuters were consistent with his account. But by June, he feared his life was hanging in the balance, knowing that the next ruling in his asylum case would be months away if he chose to keep fighting.
“I felt like it was more dangerous than back in my country,” he said in a telephone interview last month from El Salvador.
Reuters spoke to more than 30 lawyers, immigration advocates, detainees and their family members who said the risks of contracting COVID-19 inside detention facilities have driven people to seek deportation.
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Fifteen immigration lawyers and advocates, who together say they have received hundreds of requests from detainees seeking to leave facilities in eight U.S. states for health reasons, told Reuters they are seeing increases in the number of people considering abandoning their cases. Reuters found 12 cases of detainees who stopped fighting their cases and instead agreed to deportation or voluntary departure due to the pandemic.
An ICE spokeswoman told Reuters the agency respects migrants’ rights to make decisions regarding whether to pursue or forego their cases.
Reuters couldn’t determine if the total number of people voluntarily seeking deportation is on the rise.
Samuel Cole, a U.S. immigration judge who spoke to Reuters as communications director for the National Association of Immigration Judges, said he saw an increase in migrants seeking to leave detention in the early months of the pandemic - even if it meant abandoning their cases.
“There were definitely respondents who expressed fear of getting sick in detention and wanted to get out as fear of COVID was sweeping the country,” Cole said.
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Access to Masks, Hand Sanitizer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has dialed back arrests and released some immigrants on parole, but has come under fire for shifting detainees between facilities during the pandemic, which ICE has said is part of its effort to stem the spread of the virus and to promote social distancing. The agency has also been criticized for deporting more than a hundred infected people to their home countries.
ICE data shows 2,742 people in ICE detention centers, and 45 ICE employees, have tested positive for COVID-19. Two migrants with the disease have died. Thousands of others who could be more vulnerable if they get infected remain in custody, according to ICE data included in a June 24 court filing as part of a class-action lawsuit over medical care in ICE facilities.
The ICE spokeswoman said the agency weighs a person’s criminal record, potential threat to public safety and flight risk, as well as any national security concerns, when evaluating whether to grant discretionary release.
Sandra Videla, whose Guatemalan husband Timoteo Vicente-Chun is detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center, poses outside the facility in Tacoma, Washington. Lindsey Wasson/Reuters
One migrant interviewed for this story tested positive for COVID-19 while in detention at the Otero County Processing Center in New Mexico, according to ICE. A second migrant tested positive on May 14, according to El Rio Health in Arizona, the same day U.S. documents show he was released from ICE custody.
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Many of the 14 current and former detainees interviewed by Reuters said they did not have access to hygiene products such as hand soap and disinfectants. Six detainees said they were exposed to other detainees who had fevers, persistent coughs, or body aches, which can be symptoms of the virus.
One current detainee said those who voiced health concerns were punished with solitary confinement, a claim echoed by lawyers and advocates working in detention centers in four different states.
“ICE fully respects the rights of detainees to voice their concerns without interference and does not retaliate in any way,” the ICE spokeswoman told Reuters.
A second ICE spokeswoman said the agency provided soap in washing areas and sanitizer throughout the centers “whenever possible,” adding that ICE had taken steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to “safeguard the health and well-being of detainees, staff, and others at our detention facilities.”
Several lawyers told Reuters they see the agency’s handling of the pandemic inside its detention centers as part of the U.S. government’s broader effort to limit immigration.
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“I’ve come to think it’s a strategy to get people to say: ‘I’m scared to death, I can’t stand it anymore, just deport me,’” said Margo Cowan, supervisor at the Pima County Public Defender’s Office in Arizona, who has practiced immigration law for more than three decades.
The first ICE spokeswoman told Reuters the agency fully respects immigrants’ rights to due process.
“Any alien who has a claim to relief, protection under the law, or basis to remain in the United States is allowed to remain in the U.S. legally,” she said.
A DHS internal watchdog report based on a survey of 188 ICE detention centers shows that about 90% of ICE detention centers said they had enough masks and liquid soap for detainees. More than a third reported not having enough hand sanitizer for detainees. Twelve percent of facilities said they did not have the capacity to isolate or quarantine a detainee who tested positive for COVID-19. A number of facilities said social distancing was a challenge given space restrictions.
‘Just Sign’
Patricia Jimenez, a Mexican asylum seeker who said she fled to the United States after being kidnapped by unknown gunmen, decided to drop her case and seek deportation as the coronavirus swept through the Eloy Federal Contract Facility in Arizona, which has reported 222 COVID-19 cases, the second-largest outbreak in an ICE detention center. Her account was confirmed by her lawyer and her aunt.
“I’m really scared that I might get sick and never see my son again,” she told Reuters in a call in late June from the center, where she’s awaiting deportation.
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Jimenez said she fears returning to Mexico.
“But at this moment, I’m more afraid of being here,” she said, citing the death of a guard who she says she had contact with in the facility’s kitchen, where she had worked. CoreCivic, the company that operates the center, said the death was from “potential COVID-19-related issues.”
In a statement, a representative of CoreCivic said the company is committed to the safety of its detainees and employees, adding that Jimenez’s claims “do not reflect the affirmative, proactive measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 our facility has been taking for months.”
Lucas Castro, a Mexican asylum seeker with diabetes, which makes people vulnerable to complications from the virus, said he also requested deportation after fearing for his life more in detention than back home, where he said he was brutally beaten by a drug gang last year. His account was supported by his wife and the transcript of his “credible-fear” interview, which is part of the asylum process and was reviewed by Reuters.
Eight migrants, including Castro, told Reuters that officials tried to use detainees’ health concerns to push them into agreeing to their deportation.
At Arizona’s La Palma Correctional Facility, where Castro was held, he said detainees frequently requested information about the pandemic and whether they could be granted humanitarian parole or other forms of release.
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“Instead, a deportation officer always arrived and told us that if we were genuinely afraid then we should just sign for our deportation,” Castro said. Two other former detainees in the same facility echoed Castro’s account. Castro said his fear of the virus prompted him to ask a judge for deportation, which U.S. records show was ordered in late May.
The second ICE spokeswoman said the agency does not have a policy of encouraging detainees who raise health concerns related to COVID-19 to sign for deportation. She added that La Palma Correctional Facility does not have a record of a complaint lodged by Castro regarding the alleged staff comments.
Pandemic-related logjams within the immigration system have also delayed the repatriation of some migrants.
Guatemalan asylum-seeker Timoteo Vicente said he chose not to appeal a negative ruling in his case in March in part because he deemed the medical care inside the Tacoma ICE Processing Center in Washington State inadequate, leading him to worry about its ability to respond to the pandemic.
In a statement, a representative for GEO Group, the company that contracts with ICE to run the facility, said: “We take our responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all those in our care and our employees with the utmost seriousness.”
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Three months later, Vicente is still stranded in detention, awaiting his deportation.
“I’m in an abyss,” Vicente told Reuters in a call from the detention center. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”