thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--ICE Says New International Students Will Be Barred From Entering U.S. If Classes All Online

In a move that ’ s been lambasted as possibly disruptive to hundreds of thousands of international students , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday that new foreign college students would be barred from entering the United States if all their fall courses are taught online .
The new guidance comes less than two weeks after ICE rescinded a directive that would have prohibited any international student from coming to the U.S. for online-only study .
That rule , which was met with strong opposition and at least eight federal lawsuits , would have applied to current foreign students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students would have had to transfer to a different school where in-person classes were being offered in the fall or be forced to leave the country .
Universities nationwide — many of whom have announced online-only classes for the coming semester amid the coronavirus pandemic ― had decried the far-reaching policy .
Larry Bacow , the president of Harvard University , which , along with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , sued the Trump administration over the rule , said at the time that ICE was imposing “ a blunt , one-size-fits-all approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of that backlash , the Trump administration swiftly walked back its original rule , but on Friday , ICE said it planned to enforce a limited version of the policy .
International students in “ new or initial status ” after March 9 , 2020 , “ will not be able to enter the U.S. to enroll in a U.S. school as a nonimmigrant student for the fall term to pursue a full course of study that is 100 percent online , ” the agency said in a statement .
ICE also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are currently planning to offer in-person classes will also not be compelled to leave the country if their schools later choose to switch to an online-only program .
“ Nonimmigrant students pursuing studies in the United States for the fall 2020 school term may remain in the United States even if their educational institution switches to a hybrid program or to fully online instruction , ” the agency said , according to Inside Higher Ed .
“ The students will maintain their nonimmigrant status in this scenario and would not be subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their online studies.
” The American Civil Liberties Union said the new policy will nonetheless disrupt the lives of many students .
“ Once again , this administration is exploiting the pandemic to target immigrant youth .
”

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In a move that’s been lambasted as possibly disruptive to hundreds of thousands of international students, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday that new foreign college students would be barred from entering the United States if all their fall courses are taught online.
The new guidance comes less than two weeks after ICE rescinded a directive that would have prohibited any international student from coming to the U.S. for online-only study. That rule, which was met with strong opposition and at least eight federal lawsuits, would have applied to current foreign students as well as incoming ones; current students would have had to transfer to a different school where in-person classes were being offered in the fall or be forced to leave the country.
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Universities nationwide — many of which have announced online-only classes for the coming semester amid the coronavirus pandemic ― had decried the far-reaching policy.
Larry Bacow, the president of Harvard University, which, along with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, sued the Trump administration over the rule, said at the time that ICE was imposing “a blunt, one-size-fits-all approach to a complex problem.”
In the face of that backlash, the Trump administration swiftly walked back its original rule, but on Friday, ICE said it planned to enforce a limited version of the policy.
International students in “new or initial status” after March 9, 2020, “will not be able to enter the U.S. to enroll in a U.S. school as a nonimmigrant student for the fall term to pursue a full course of study that is 100 percent online,” the agency said in a statement.
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NEW: After giving up in court, ICE says international students at US universities can take online only classes for fall term: pic.twitter.com/HnKYz1VyJJ — Hamed Aleaziz (@Haleaziz) July 24, 2020
The new guidance won’t apply to international students who had already begun college.
ICE also clarified that new foreign students attending universities that are currently planning to offer in-person classes will also not be compelled to leave the country if their schools later choose to switch to an online-only program.
“Nonimmigrant students pursuing studies in the United States for the fall 2020 school term may remain in the United States even if their educational institution switches to a hybrid program or to fully online instruction,” the agency said, according to Inside Higher Ed. “The students will maintain their nonimmigrant status in this scenario and would not be subject to initiation of removal proceedings based on their online studies.”
The American Civil Liberties Union said the new policy will nonetheless disrupt the lives of many students. “Once again, this administration is exploiting the pandemic to target immigrant youth.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--11 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

11 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

We ’ re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week of July 18 to July 24 .
@ @ @ @ @ Above : An image of the late civil rights pioneer and Georgia Rep. John Lewis @ @ @ @ @ pedestal of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue , Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ , in Richmond , Virginia .

We’re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week of July 18 to July 24.
Check them out below.
Above: An image of the late civil rights pioneer and Georgia Rep. John Lewis is projected on to the pedestal of the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue, Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Richmond, Virginia.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Texas Politician Alienates Twitter Users By Suggesting E.T.s Need Religion

I do n't even know where to start .
It is a virtual certainty that intelligent life exists elsewhere in @ @ @ @ @ would they need salvation ?
And why is salvation only available through your god ?
@ @ @ @ @ they are far more advanced than we are .

I don't even know where to start. It is a virtual certainty that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe. But why would they need salvation? And why is salvation only available through your god? If they reach us, they are far more advanced than we are.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--McDonald's Will Require All Customers To Wear Masks Inside Its U.S. Restaurants

McDonald ’ s will require customers inside all of its U.S. restaurants to wear masks or face coverings beginning Aug. 1 .
The massive fast-food chain announced the decision Friday in a company letter , framing it as a necessary step in the nationwide effort to check the spread of COVID-19 .
The company said it would also install protective panels throughout its dining and cooking areas , and said it has delayed reopening dining rooms for an additional 30 days .
“ The latest science suggests droplets have the potential to stay in the air for extended periods of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread , especially from asymptomatic carriers , ” the letter , co-authored by McDonald ’ s USA President Joe Erlinger , reads .
“ As a result , the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) reiterates face coverings are an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
“ To that end , and in order to protect the safety of our employees and customers , we will ask all customers to wear face coverings when entering our US restaurants effective August 1.
” The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decides not to wear a facial covering , it will have procedures in place “ to take care of them in a friendly , expedited way , ” and that it will make resources available for employees “ who want to revisit de-escalation training.
” That de-escalation might be called for is not an abstract possibility .
Earlier this month , Maria Resendiz , a 19-year-old McDonald ’ s employee in Oakland , California , was physically assaulted by a drive-thru customer after she told him masks were required at the location .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby hospital .
She said the assailant also aimed a string of racial slurs at her .
“ I get it about the situation we ’ re in with COVID and that people are stressed but that ’ s not an excuse for workers at fast food restaurants to risk their lives , ” she told the San Francisco Chronicle .
“ We ’ re not burgers and fries .
We ’ re humans .
Two McDoubles and a small fries , that ’ s not something that ’ s worth getting @ @ @ @

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McDonald’s will require customers inside all of its U.S. restaurants to wear masks or face coverings beginning Aug. 1.
The massive fast-food chain announced the decision Friday in a company letter, framing it as a necessary step in the nationwide effort to check the spread of COVID-19.
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The company said it would also install protective panels throughout its dining and cooking areas, and said it has delayed reopening dining rooms for an additional 30 days.
“The latest science suggests droplets have the potential to stay in the air for extended periods of time, increasing the risk of virus spread, especially from asymptomatic carriers,” the letter, co-authored by McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger, reads. “As a result, the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reiterates face coverings are an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“To that end, and in order to protect the safety of our employees and customers, we will ask all customers to wear face coverings when entering our US restaurants effective August 1.”
The company said that in the event a customer decides not to wear a facial covering, it will have procedures in place “to take care of them in a friendly, expedited way,” and that it will make resources available for employees “who want to revisit de-escalation training.”
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That de-escalation might be called for is not an abstract possibility. Earlier this month, Maria Resendiz, a 19-year-old McDonald’s employee in Oakland, California, was physically assaulted by a drive-thru customer after she told him masks were required at the location.
Resendiz’s injuries required treatment at a nearby hospital. She said the assailant also aimed a string of racial slurs at her.
“I get it about the situation we’re in with COVID and that people are stressed but that’s not an excuse for workers at fast food restaurants to risk their lives,” she told the San Francisco Chronicle. “We’re not burgers and fries. We’re humans. Two McDoubles and a small fries, that’s not something that’s worth getting injured over.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--U.S. Government Admits Making False Statements In New York 'Trusted Traveler' Lawsuit

WASHINGTON , July 23 ( Reuters ) - The U.S. government admitted late Thursday it had made false statements in a lawsuit brought by New York state and told a court it would immediately lift a ban on New York residents participating its Trusted Traveler Program .
The disclosure came hours after the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) had said it would reinstate New Yorkers in the program , which allows participants faster passage between the United States and either Canada or Mexico .
In February , the DHS cut off New York from the program in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June of a law allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver ’ s licenses and limiting federal access to license information .
The U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Manhattan in a court filing Thursday acknowledged some other states and territories withhold driver information but have been allowed to participate .
The revelations , they said , undermined a central argument that the government “ is not able to assure itself of an applicant ’ s low-risk status because New York fails to share relevant DMV information.
” The government ’ s court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foregoing inaccurate or misleading statements and apologize to the court and ( New York ) for the need to make these corrections at this late stage.
” New York sued DHS in February , saying the policy would prohibit 175,000 New Yorkers whose membership in the program expires this year from re-enrolling , and would “ cut off ” 80,000 New Yorkers with pending applications .
New York Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday the DHS decision to deny the state access was “ political retribution , plain and simple , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the president from targeting and punishing New Yorkers.
” In April , the state amended its law that had limited federal immigration authorities from accessing records from the state ’ s Department of Motor Vehicles ( DMV ) .
The change allowed the DMV to share information “ as necessary for an individual seeking acceptance into a trusted traveler program , or to facilitate vehicle imports and/or exports.
” The DHS policy had prohibited New Yorkers from joining or renewing participation in so-called Trusted Traveler programs including Global Entry and three others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Reporting by David Shepardson ; Editing by David Gregorio and Gerry Doyle )

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WASHINGTON, July 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. government admitted late Thursday it had made false statements in a lawsuit brought by New York state and told a court it would immediately lift a ban on New York residents participating its Trusted Traveler Program.
The disclosure came hours after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had said it would reinstate New Yorkers in the program, which allows participants faster passage between the United States and either Canada or Mexico.
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In February, the DHS cut off New York from the program in response to the state’s passage last June of a law allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses and limiting federal access to license information.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan in a court filing Thursday acknowledged some other states and territories withhold driver information but have been allowed to participate. The revelations, they said, undermined a central argument that the government “is not able to assure itself of an applicant’s low-risk status because New York fails to share relevant DMV information.”
The government’s court filing said the agencies “deeply regret the foregoing inaccurate or misleading statements and apologize to the court and (New York) for the need to make these corrections at this late stage.”
New York sued DHS in February, saying the policy would prohibit 175,000 New Yorkers whose membership in the program expires this year from re-enrolling, and would “cut off” 80,000 New Yorkers with pending applications.
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New York Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday the DHS decision to deny the state access was “political retribution, plain and simple, which is why we filed our lawsuit to stop the president from targeting and punishing New Yorkers.”
In April, the state amended its law that had limited federal immigration authorities from accessing records from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The change allowed the DMV to share information “as necessary for an individual seeking acceptance into a trusted traveler program, or to facilitate vehicle imports and/or exports.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Johnny Depp’s Lawyers Claim Video Proves Amber Heard 'Attacked' Sister

The lawyers said they received the video from a “ confidential ” source on Thursday night , hours after Heard ’ s sister , Whitney Henriquez , testified in court that she had never been attacked by Heard or that she was frightened of her .
Depp , 57 , is suing News Group Newspapers , the publisher of The Sun , and the newspaper ’ s executive editor , Dan Wootton , over the April 2018 article .
Depp has told the court that he was the one abused by Heard and that she had a history of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s defense relies on 14 allegations made by Heard of violence by Depp between 2013 and 2016 , in settings as varied as a rented house in Australia , his private island in the Bahamas and a private jet .
The video at the heart of Friday ’ s court proceedings was said to be unused reality TV footage .
It is unclear when the footage was filmed .
It shows Henriquez by a pool with friends , with one heard saying , “ Did you get in a fight or something ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe Amber beat your ass.
” Another woman appears to inspect Henriquez ’ s cheek and arm , and Henriquez says she is not going to talk about it .
After viewing the video in court , Henriquez said the argument with her sister had been a “ verbal ” one and that her friends were “ trying to make a very , very boring story more interesting.
” Henriquez also denied that she had any injuries when the video was recorded .
Her friends were “ looking for injuries that were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make something more interesting , to create something out of nothing , ” she said .
Depp ’ s lawyer , David Sherborne , had said earlier that it is “ quite clear ” that Heard assaulted her sister and that injuries to Henriquez are being examined on the tape .
In her testimony on Thursday , Henriquez said Depp hit Heard “ multiple times ” during an alleged incident at the couple ’ s Los Angeles apartment in March 2015 .
She also said that her sister had punched Depp on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because she believed Depp was going to push her down the stairs .
In her four days of testimony this week , Heard , 34 , accused Depp of an array of acts of violence , including throwing bottles at her “ like grenades , ” headbutting her and even of stubbing out a cigarette on his cheek .
She has claimed that she often feared for her life during their tempestuous relationship .
During the first two weeks of trial testimony at the High Court , judge Andrew Nicol heard from Depp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who backed his version of events .
Heard said in written evidence that at various times during her and Depp ’ s relationship she endured “ punching , slapping , kicking , head-butting and choking.
” She said some incidents were so severe she was “ afraid he was going to kill me , either intentionally or just by losing control and going too far.
” Depp and Heard met on the set of the film “ The Rum Diary , ” released in 2011 .
They married in Los Angeles in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following year , and it was finalized in 2017 .

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LONDON (AP) — Johnny Depp’s lawyers in his libel suit against a British tabloid that labeled the actor a “wife beater” displayed video footage in a London courtroom Friday that they claim shows his ex-wife, Amber Heard, “attacked” her sister.
The lawyers said they received the video from a “confidential” source on Thursday night, hours after Heard’s sister, Whitney Henriquez, testified in court that she had never been attacked by Heard or that she was frightened of her.
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Depp, 57, is suing News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun, and the newspaper’s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over the April 2018 article. Depp has told the court that he was the one abused by Heard and that she had a history of being violent against him.
The Sun’s defense relies on 14 allegations made by Heard of violence by Depp between 2013 and 2016, in settings as varied as a rented house in Australia, his private island in the Bahamas and a private jet.
The video at the heart of Friday’s court proceedings was said to be unused reality TV footage. It is unclear when the footage was filmed.
It shows Henriquez by a pool with friends, with one heard saying, “Did you get in a fight or something?” and “I can’t believe Amber beat your ass.” Another woman appears to inspect Henriquez’s cheek and arm, and Henriquez says she is not going to talk about it.
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After viewing the video in court, Henriquez said the argument with her sister had been a “verbal” one and that her friends were “trying to make a very, very boring story more interesting.”
Henriquez also denied that she had any injuries when the video was recorded. Her friends were “looking for injuries that were not there, trying to create a narrative to make something more interesting, to create something out of nothing,” she said.
Depp’s lawyer, David Sherborne, had said earlier that it is “quite clear” that Heard assaulted her sister and that injuries to Henriquez are being examined on the tape.
In her testimony on Thursday, Henriquez said Depp hit Heard “multiple times” during an alleged incident at the couple’s Los Angeles apartment in March 2015. She also said that her sister had punched Depp on that occasion but only to defend her because she believed Depp was going to push her down the stairs.
Sherborne said Henriquez had “tailored” her evidence “to meet” her sister’s version of events.
In her four days of testimony this week, Heard, 34, accused Depp of an array of acts of violence, including throwing bottles at her “like grenades,” headbutting her and even of stubbing out a cigarette on his cheek. She has claimed that she often feared for her life during their tempestuous relationship.
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During the first two weeks of trial testimony at the High Court, judge Andrew Nicol heard from Depp and from several current or former employees who backed his version of events.
Heard said in written evidence that at various times during her and Depp’s relationship she endured “punching, slapping, kicking, head-butting and choking.” She said some incidents were so severe she was “afraid he was going to kill me, either intentionally or just by losing control and going too far.”
Heard said Depp blamed his actions on “a self-created third party” that he referred to as “the monster.”
Depp and Heard met on the set of the film “The Rum Diary,” released in 2011. They married in Los Angeles in February 2015. Heard filed for divorce the following year, and it was finalized in 2017.
The case is due to finish next week with closing submissions from both sides’ legal teams on Monday and Tuesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Sue Over Drone Photos Of Son Archie

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have filed a lawsuit alleging their privacy is being invaded by unnamed “ paparazzi and media outlets ” using drones to take backyard photos of their son Archie .
The lawsuit , filed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ’ s lawyers Thursday in Los Angeles , where the family now lives , says as many as 100 individuals it identifies as “ John Doe ” have put forth “ relentless and quite frankly shocking efforts ” to “ profit from serial intrusions on the privacy of a 14-month-old child in his own home.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawsuit .
“ The Plaintiffs have done everything in their power to stay out of the limelight except in connection with their work , which they freely admit is newsworthy , ” the complaint says .
“ But the photos at issue are not news .
They are not public interest .
They are harassment .
The sole point to taking and/or selling such invasive photos is to profit from a child.
” The Sussexes stepped back from their royal roles earlier this year , in part to escape the relentless media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intrusions they say they ’ ve endured since .
The Daily Mail published their address after they moved to Canada , the suit says , and again when they moved into Tyler Perry ’ s home in Los Angeles .
As a result , paparazzi have swarmed back into their lives .
“ Some paparazzi and media outlets have flown drones a mere 20 feet above the house , as often as three times a day , to obtain photographs of the couple and their young son in their private residence ( some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , ” the complaint says .
“ Others have flown helicopters above the backyard of the residence , as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 7:00 p.m. , waking neighbors and their son , day after day .
And still others have even cut holes in the security fence itself to peer through it.
” Photographers have attempted to sell pictures of Archie by falsely claiming they were taken in public , though he was in the backyard , the suit says .
The couple have not been spotted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles in March .
“ Every individual and family member in California is guaranteed by law the right to privacy in their home , ” the couple ’ s attorney , Michael Kump , said in a statement shared with HuffPost .
“ No drones , helicopters or telephoto lenses can take away that right , ” Kump added .
“ The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are filing this lawsuit to protect their young son ’ s right to privacy in their home without intrusion by photographers , and to uncover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from these illegal actions.
” The Duke of Sussex has criticized tabloids on numerous occasions for a “ ruthless campaign ” against the Duchess of Sussex , and what he says is the misogynistic , racist and intrusive manner the media organizations cover Meghan .
The duchess is suing Associated Newspapers , which owns the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday , for publishing part of a private letter she wrote to her father , Thomas Markle , in 2018 .
The excerpts were published in February 2019 .

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have filed a lawsuit alleging their privacy is being invaded by unnamed “paparazzi and media outlets” using drones to take backyard photos of their son Archie.
The lawsuit, filed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s lawyers Thursday in Los Angeles, where the family now lives, says as many as 100 individuals it identifies as “John Doe” have put forth “relentless and quite frankly shocking efforts” to “profit from serial intrusions on the privacy of a 14-month-old child in his own home.” The Hollywood Reporter first reported on the lawsuit.
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The Sussexes ask for unspecified monetary damages, attorney’s fees, the surrender of any profits from the privacy violations and a court order barring “any further unlawful harassment.”
“The Plaintiffs have done everything in their power to stay out of the limelight except in connection with their work, which they freely admit is newsworthy,” the complaint says. “But the photos at issue are not news. They are not public interest. They are harassment. The sole point to taking and/or selling such invasive photos is to profit from a child.”
The Sussexes stepped back from their royal roles earlier this year, in part to escape the relentless media spotlight. Their legal complaint details the intrusions they say they’ve endured since. The Daily Mail published their address after they moved to Canada, the suit says, and again when they moved into Tyler Perry’s home in Los Angeles. As a result, paparazzi have swarmed back into their lives.
“Some paparazzi and media outlets have flown drones a mere 20 feet above the house, as often as three times a day, to obtain photographs of the couple and their young son in their private residence (some of which have been sold and published),” the complaint says.
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“Others have flown helicopters above the backyard of the residence, as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 7:00 p.m., waking neighbors and their son, day after day. And still others have even cut holes in the security fence itself to peer through it.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attends the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9 in London. Chris Jackson via Getty Images
Photographers have attempted to sell pictures of Archie by falsely claiming they were taken in public, though he was in the backyard, the suit says. The couple have not been spotted in public with their son since moving to Los Angeles in March.
“Every individual and family member in California is guaranteed by law the right to privacy in their home,” the couple’s attorney, Michael Kump, said in a statement shared with HuffPost.
“No drones, helicopters or telephoto lenses can take away that right,” Kump added. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are filing this lawsuit to protect their young son’s right to privacy in their home without intrusion by photographers, and to uncover and stop those who seek to profit from these illegal actions.”
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The Daily Beast said in May that the couple reported five drone-related incidents that month to the LAPD.
The Sussexes with their baby son, Archie, at a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu during their royal tour of South Africa on Sept. 25, 2019 in Cape Town. Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images
The Duke of Sussex has criticized tabloids on numerous occasions for a “ruthless campaign” against the Duchess of Sussex, and what he says is the misogynistic, racist and intrusive manner the media organizations cover Meghan.
The duchess is suing Associated Newspapers, which owns the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, for publishing part of a private letter she wrote to her father, Thomas Markle, in 2018. The excerpts were published in February 2019.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-27--Coronavirus Hospitalizations Of Youths Up 23% In Florida

As Florida schools prepare to reopen next month under a push from Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis touting the need for in-person instruction , state health officials reported disturbing new statistics about the increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations among the state ’ s children .
The state had 31,150 such cases reported among people under 18 as of July 24 , the Florida Department of Health disclosed Sunday .
That ’ represents a 34 % jump in such cases from July 16 .
Perhaps even more concerning is the spike in youth hospitalized with COVID-19 during that time period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalizations , up 23 % from July 16 .
About one-third of those cases are in children 14-17 years old , followed by 67 cases among children younger under one .
The data is at odds with the narrative President Donald Trump ’ s administration continues to promote that the disease has a negligible effect on school-aged children .
Trump and his education secretary , Betsy DeVos , have stressed that schools should prioritize a return to in-person classroom settings , while allowing that some exceptions may be necessary .
Business education teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tampa earlier this month to protest the push for school reopenings in Florida that would include in-person instruction .
“ They don ’ t catch it easily ; they don ’ t bring it home easily , ” Trump said at a press briefing last week .
“ And if they do catch it , they get better fast.
” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also has dismissed the risk of reopening schools with in-person instruction .
“ We don ’ t think our children should be locked up at home with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe for them to go to school , ” she said at a recent White House briefing .
The overall rate of positive cases among youth in Florida is 14.4 % , the state health department said Sunday .
The World Health Organization has advised that governments track 14 consecutive days of a positivity rate below 5 % before easing any virus-related restrictions .
But DeSantis is continuing to strongly urge all Florida school districts to resume in-person instruction in August .
The state ’ s education commissioner , DeSantis-appointee Richard Corcoran , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school districts to offer the option of a traditional , five-day-a-week , on-campus schedule .
The order leaves room for local health officials to override it .
“ It is often asked whether it is safe to return kids to school .
It should also be asked , how safe is it to keep schools closed ?
” DeSantis said in an address last week , citing academic and social impacts on children who participate in distance learning .
Florida is in the midst of one of the nation ’ s worst coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past week , it ’ s tallied more cases per capita than any other state .

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As Florida schools prepare to reopen next month under a push from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis touting the need for in-person instruction, state health officials reported disturbing new statistics about the increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations among the state’s children.
The state had 31,150 such cases reported among people under 18 as of July 24, the Florida Department of Health disclosed Sunday. That’ represents a 34% jump in such cases from July 16.
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Perhaps even more concerning is the spike in youth hospitalized with COVID-19 during that time period. The latest data shows 303 youth hospitalizations, up 23% from July 16. About one-third of those cases are in children 14-17 years old, followed by 67 cases among children under one.
The data is at odds with the narrative President Donald Trump’s administration continues to promote that the disease has a negligible effect on school-aged children. Trump and his education secretary, Betsy DeVos, have stressed that schools should prioritize a return to in-person classroom settings, while allowing that some exceptions may be necessary.
Business education teacher Malikah Armbrister took to the streets in Tampa earlier this month to protest the push for school reopenings in Florida that would include in-person instruction. Octavio Jones via Getty Images
“They don’t catch it easily; they don’t bring it home easily,” Trump said at a press briefing last week. “And if they do catch it, they get better fast.”
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White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also has dismissed the risk of reopening schools with in-person instruction. “We don’t think our children should be locked up at home with devastating consequences when it’s perfectly safe for them to go to school,” she said at a recent White House briefing.
The overall rate of positive cases among youth in Florida is 14.4%, the state health department said Sunday. The World Health Organization has advised that governments track 14 consecutive days of a positivity rate below 5% before easing any virus-related restrictions.
But DeSantis is continuing to strongly urge all Florida school districts to resume in-person instruction in August. The state’s education commissioner, DeSantis-appointee Richard Corcoran, earlier this month signed an order requiring school districts to offer the option of a traditional, five-day-a-week, on-campus schedule. The order leaves room for local health officials to override it.
“It is often asked whether it is safe to return kids to school. It should also be asked, how safe is it to keep schools closed?” DeSantis said in an address last week, citing academic and social impacts on children who participate in distance learning.
Florida is in the midst of one of the nation’s worst coronavirus outbreaks in the country. In the past week, it’s tallied more cases per capita than any other state.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-27--Miami Doctors Feel Helpless As COVID-19 Devastates South Florida

After seeing 10,000 new cases a day become the norm across the state in July , many of those on the frontlines are frustrated with the apparent inability of local , state , and federal governments to coordinate an adequate response .
They are equally aghast with what appears to be the reluctance or refusal of many Floridians to honor safety precautions to stop the spread of coronavirus .
“ I know , and my colleagues know , that we ’ re putting a Band-Aid on a problem , we ’ re supporting people as best we can to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens outside , ” said Dr. Eric Knott , a pulmonary and critical care fellow working in three of Miami ’ s largest hospitals .
“ If you can ’ t stop the spread , all of my work is for nothing.
” Many healthcare workers and union leaders were critical of Miami ’ s reopening several weeks after the number of cases of the novel coronavirus first began rising in early March .
While the death toll in South Florida has not approached that of New York City , an early epicenter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and intensive care units across the region have filled to capacity , and in some cases surpassed it .
At Jackson Memorial Hospital , the largest facility in the region , officials have called in hundreds of additional medical workers as employees have fallen sick and had to stay home or be hospitalized .
An auditorium was sealed and prepared for COVID-positive patients with a negative pressure system to limit the air flow to prevent new infections .
“ In 10 years of medicine I never had to put another nurse on life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about my co-workers dying , ” said Kevin Cho Tipton , a critical care nurse practitioner who works at one of Miami ’ s largest public hospitals .
“ It ’ s been emotionally very challenging , physically very challenging.
” Healthcare workers must constantly keep tabs on the vital organs of patients on ventilators , and many of the sick have to be flipped over and over again to stave off any complications from lying in one position for a prolonged period .
To do so without risking detaching any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six people .
Jude Derisme , vice president of Service Employees International Union 1199 , which represents 25,000 medical workers across Florida , said the union had to help get one nurse , a 25-year veteran , off a hospital floor after a “ break down.
” “ My fear is that if we don ’ t find a way to bring these numbers down over the next two weeks , if they ’ re worse than these last two weeks , we ’ re going to be stretched too thin , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and president of Service Employees International Union 1991 , which represents about 5,600 medical professionals within Miami ’ s Jackson Health System .
“ The sad news is that that ’ s when patients die.
” While her chapter of the union along with others across Florida have advocated for more personal protective equipment , better overtime pay , hazard pay , and worker ’ s compensation for those waylaid by the virus , they also acknowledged that medical workers can only do so much against the pandemic .
“ This is war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve got viruses , ” Baker said .
“ If we don ’ t find a way to dampen our curve we just keep chasing our tails.
” ( Reporting by Zachary Fagenson in Miami ; Editing by Frank McGurty and Tom Brown )

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MIAMI, July 27 (Reuters) - As the coronavirus ravages Florida, healthcare workers in Miami hospitals are struggling to cope with the emotional and physical impact of treating a crushing wave of COVID-19 patients.
After seeing 10,000 new cases a day become the norm across the state in July, many of those on the frontlines are frustrated with the apparent inability of local, state, and federal governments to coordinate an adequate response. They are equally aghast with what appears to be the reluctance or refusal of many Floridians to honor safety precautions to stop the spread of coronavirus.
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“I know, and my colleagues know, that we’re putting a Band-Aid on a problem, we’re supporting people as best we can to get them through, but the real fight happens outside,” said Dr. Eric Knott, a pulmonary and critical care fellow working in three of Miami’s largest hospitals. “If you can’t stop the spread, all of my work is for nothing.”
For Miami doctors, concerns about the virus far surpass those stirred up by even the largest hurricanes.
“A hurricane tends to be a sort of finite amount, and this is infinite,” said Dr. Mark Supino, an attending physician in Jackson Memorial Hospital’s emergency department.
Many healthcare workers and union leaders were critical of Miami’s reopening several weeks after the number of cases of the novel coronavirus first began rising in early March.
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On Friday, state health officials reported a total of 402,312 cases across Florida, with 135 new deaths bringing the total to more than 5,600.
While the death toll in South Florida has not approached that of New York City, an early epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, hospital beds and intensive care units across the region have filled to capacity, and in some cases surpassed it.
At Jackson Memorial Hospital, the largest facility in the region, officials have called in hundreds of additional medical workers as employees have fallen sick and had to stay home or be hospitalized. An auditorium was sealed and prepared for COVID-positive patients with a negative pressure system to limit the air flow to prevent new infections.
“In 10 years of medicine I never had to put another nurse on life support, I never had to worry about my co-workers dying,” said Kevin Cho Tipton, a critical care nurse practitioner who works at one of Miami’s largest public hospitals. “It’s been emotionally very challenging, physically very challenging.”
Among the most difficult and stressful parts of the job are the sheer number of ICU patients.
Healthcare workers must constantly keep tabs on the vital organs of patients on ventilators, and many of the sick have to be flipped over and over again to stave off any complications from lying in one position for a prolonged period. To do so without risking detaching any of the life support systems can take up to six people.
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The intensity has overwhelmed some.
Jude Derisme, vice president of Service Employees International Union 1199, which represents 25,000 medical workers across Florida, said the union had to help get one nurse, a 25-year veteran, off a hospital floor after a “break down.”
“My fear is that if we don’t find a way to bring these numbers down over the next two weeks, if they’re worse than these last two weeks, we’re going to be stretched too thin,” said Martha Baker, a registered nurse and president of Service Employees International Union 1991, which represents about 5,600 medical professionals within Miami’s Jackson Health System. “The sad news is that that’s when patients die.”
While her chapter of the union along with others across Florida have advocated for more personal protective equipment, better overtime pay, hazard pay, and worker’s compensation for those waylaid by the virus, they also acknowledged that medical workers can only do so much against the pandemic.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-27--What It's Really Like To Live With Anxiety And Depression In A Latinx Household

Courtesy of Bianca Silva `` We need to try our hardest to set an example of what a healthy and fulfilling life could look like if our communities got the help we desperately need . ''
She called me selfish and dismissed my pain and need for professional help .
It was the second time that I had told her that I sought therapy to deal with anxiety and depression .
The first time I told her was in 2013 , months after I stopped going due to Hurricane Sandy .
I was naive to believe that her response would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than at 21 .
If you asked my family , specifically my mother , what they thought about me , they ’ d tell you that I had it easier than most people my age who lived in the working-class neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City .
I ’ d obtained a master ’ s degree at 24 , I was in a healthy relationship with someone with similar ambitions , I had recently begun freelancing for a major publication , and I had rarely displayed angst or frustration outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To my mom , I had surpassed expectations — especially from the perspective of someone who came from a first-generation household from the Dominican Republic and emigrated to New York in the 1980s for the opportunity of a better life .
I completed my studies , interned for TIME , and never fell into the wrong crowd or had a “ Domingo Siete ” ( getting pregnant out of wedlock ) .
Never in a million years would she think that going out to see friends and my boyfriend or going shopping or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for seeing a psychologist .
“ You have a master ’ s degree in your 20s while others in your age group are raising children and facing real challenges .
Your ‘ anxiety ’ comes from the mistakes you ’ ve made in your life .
I wonder whether it was the right decision to let you attend St. John ’ s , ” she said in Spanish , telling me to eat some ice cream to settle the anxiety .
I attended St. John ’ s University in Queens for undergrad as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York school in Manhattan due to its reputation of having a fantastic journalism department .
My ex cheated on me shortly after I was accepted to journalism school in 2014 , and my mom would often mention him in an attempt to add salt to the wound in arguments .
I sat on the couch in silence , forcing myself to hold back the tears that were rushing to come out while using all the energy I had not to stir a bigger commotion .
Hearing what I ’ d been really going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her to take .
The suicidal thoughts that had been floating in my brain , the sneaking around , the admission that I ’ m likely still alive because my current partner assisted me in getting help — all of that led her to wonder whether she had made the correct parenting decisions .
I went to my room , which I coincidentally shared with her in a cramped three-bedroom apartment , hoping that none of my other three family members heard our conversation .
My family did their best to shield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what was unfolding inside the safe space they had created for me .
My grandfather attempted to take his life twice when I was 11 .
No one told me what had happened besides that he was “ sick.
” Following these incidents , his mental health was never spoken about — even after he passed away .
No one ’ s mental health at home was spoken about until I began to seek care for the first time in 2012 .
I spent the summer before senior year of college visiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I was diagnosed with anxiety .
Before the diagnosis , I ’ d believed that therapy was for crazy people , but at the insistence of my medical doctor , I decided to try it .
I was stressed after being falsely accused of infidelity and being shamed for it , but I eventually came to realize that the constant negative and stressful thoughts interfered with my daily life , and getting help for it was not and is not insane .
So I decided to see the therapist .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my mother knew from the neighborhood was palpable .
Going to sessions made me feel dirty in a way , like I was sneaking off to have an affair with a married man once a week and I had to be careful not to leave any evidence of my presence .
My mom is extroverted and resourceful from her years of working in retail .
I , on the other hand , am quiet and introverted and have a much more difficult time standing up for myself .
Like many who grew up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to do anything remotely social or interesting , I knew I had to keep it a secret .
I was expected to be obedient , chaste , and at school , even when my mom had a hunch that I wasn ’ t .
The first time I told her I had seen a psychologist in 2013 , she was surprised .
I never intended on telling her , but the truth came out like word vomit .
Dominican families are notorious for bragging to others about how great you are because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good job , while simultaneously telling you that you need to be better than your counterpart in every way .
Seeing a mental health professional can mean that you ’ ve failed your family , or that your parents failed to raise you sensibly .
It can feel like you ’ re a fraud .
It ’ s taken me years , and even group therapy , to undo that stigma of looking “ crazy ” that I ’ ve been conditioned to believe most of my life .
At 29 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my mental health now than I was a decade ago .
I ’ m no longer afraid to get on a call with a psychologist or share my story about anxiety and depression with acquaintances and friends in the BIPOC community who are supportive and have expressed similar feelings .
While I still have a long way to go in my treatment , I ’ m content with no longer having to sneak around my family ’ s back every week .
My mom occasionally asks whether I still see my therapist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to harbor reservations about my anxiety and depression but no longer shames me for seeking help .
Our relationship is far from perfect , but it ’ s a vast improvement from the instances where I was kicked down to my lowest points .
We have to constantly remind ourselves that it ’ s OK to seek professional help where we can and it ’ s OK to go on medication that is meant to help our lives , not harm us .
We need to try our hardest to set an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life could look like if our communities got the help we desperately need .
The more we prioritize mental health and care for it as we would a broken leg or the common cold , the easier it ’ ll become in the long run to end the stigma of being seen as “ loco ” for getting help .

"We need to try our hardest to set an example of what a healthy and fulfilling life could look like if our communities got the help we desperately need." Courtesy of Bianca Silva
In 2018, I mustered up the courage to tell my mom that I had been secretly seeing a mental health practitioner since 2016. I was seeing my most recent psychologist following suicidal ideation from a multitude of factors — financial instability, lack of full-time prospects in journalism, general and social anxiety, and PTSD after a postgraduate study abroad experience gone wrong, which I still haven’t fully recovered from.
She called me selfish and dismissed my pain and need for professional help. It was the second time that I had told her that I sought therapy to deal with anxiety and depression. The first time I told her was in 2013, months after I stopped going due to Hurricane Sandy. I was naive to believe that her response would be different for me at age 27 than at 21.
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If you asked my family, specifically my mother, what they thought about me, they’d tell you that I had it easier than most people my age who lived in the working-class neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. I’d obtained a master’s degree at 24, I was in a healthy relationship with someone with similar ambitions, I had recently begun freelancing for a major publication, and I had rarely displayed angst or frustration outside of expressing my feelings about the industry.
To my mom, I had surpassed expectations — especially from the perspective of someone who came from a first-generation household from the Dominican Republic and emigrated to New York in the 1980s for the opportunity of a better life. I completed my studies, interned for TIME, and never fell into the wrong crowd or had a “Domingo Siete” (getting pregnant out of wedlock). Never in a million years would she think that going out to see friends and my boyfriend or going shopping or playing Pokemon Go was actually a cover for seeing a psychologist.
“If you asked my family, specifically my mother, what they thought about me, they’d tell you that I had it easier than most people my age who lived in the working-class neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City.”
And yet in 2018, when I revealed to my mom that I’d been seeing one following an increasingly heated conversation about my career in the living room, it felt like I was stabbing her in the back. I single-handedly ruined her illusion of the daughter who finally has her act together after years of self-esteem issues and pedestrian boy trouble.
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“You have a master’s degree in your 20s while others in your age group are raising children and facing real challenges. Your ‘anxiety’ comes from the mistakes you’ve made in your life. I wonder whether it was the right decision to let you attend St. John’s,” she said in Spanish, telling me to eat some ice cream to settle the anxiety. I attended St. John’s University in Queens for undergrad as opposed to a City University of New York school in Manhattan due to its reputation of having a fantastic journalism department.
“I always thought you went to a different borough for school because you were trying to forget your ex,” she added.
My ex cheated on me shortly after I was accepted to journalism school in 2014, and my mom would often mention him in an attempt to add salt to the wound in arguments. I sat on the couch in silence, forcing myself to hold back the tears that were rushing to come out while using all the energy I had not to stir a bigger commotion.
“But you’re comparing different situations,” I angrily replied. “I don’t have children to care for, that’s true — but that doesn’t diminish what I’m going through.”
Hearing what I’d been really going through following graduate school was too much for her to take. The suicidal thoughts that had been floating in my brain, the sneaking around, the admission that I’m likely still alive because my current partner assisted me in getting help — all of that led her to wonder whether she had made the correct parenting decisions. I went to my room, which I coincidentally shared with her in a cramped three-bedroom apartment, hoping that none of my other three family members heard our conversation.
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Growing up in a Latinx household, we rarely talked about mental health. One of my earliest childhood memories involves my grandfather taking his nightly dosage of blood pressure pills and antidepressants. Until my 20s, I never truly grasped why he had to take so many colorful red and teal pills every single day at the same time.
My family did their best to shield me from the cruelty of the world and what was unfolding inside the safe space they had created for me. My grandfather attempted to take his life twice when I was 11. No one told me what had happened besides that he was “sick.” Following these incidents, his mental health was never spoken about — even after he passed away. No one’s mental health at home was spoken about until I began to seek care for the first time in 2012.
“Like many who grew up in strict immigrant households, if I wanted to do anything remotely social or interesting, I knew I had to keep it a secret.”
I spent the summer before senior year of college visiting a psychologist at my local clinic, where I was diagnosed with anxiety. Before the diagnosis, I’d believed that therapy was for crazy people, but at the insistence of my medical doctor, I decided to try it. I was stressed after being falsely accused of infidelity and being shamed for it, but I eventually came to realize that the constant negative and stressful thoughts interfered with my daily life, and getting help for it was not and is not insane.
So I decided to see the therapist. However, the fear of getting caught by someone my mother knew from the neighborhood was palpable. Going to sessions made me feel dirty in a way, like I was sneaking off to have an affair with a married man once a week and I had to be careful not to leave any evidence of my presence. My mom is extroverted and resourceful from her years of working in retail. I, on the other hand, am quiet and introverted and have a much more difficult time standing up for myself.
Advertisement
Like many who grew up in strict immigrant households, if I wanted to do anything remotely social or interesting, I knew I had to keep it a secret. I was expected to be obedient, chaste, and at school, even when my mom had a hunch that I wasn’t. The first time I told her I had seen a psychologist in 2013, she was surprised. I never intended on telling her, but the truth came out like word vomit.
“Why do you have to see a psychologist?” she said, her face lowered in disappointment.
“Because I’m fucked up,” I said back. “I’ve been fucked up for a long time.” I didn’t elaborate any further for fear of shame.
Dominican families are notorious for bragging to others about how great you are because you hold an academic degree and have a good job, while simultaneously telling you that you need to be better than your counterpart in every way. Seeing a mental health professional can mean that you’ve failed your family, or that your parents failed to raise you sensibly. It can feel like you’re a fraud.
Anxiety, depression and all other mental illnesses in my community aren’t always considered real. Instead, they’re often perceived as a manifestation of nerves that can be resolved by praying it away. Sometimes, they can be “treated” by visiting a specialist, usually a spiritual adviser who provides a potion of sorts to keep the infamous “mal de ojo” (negative energy) at bay.
“"In Dominican families, seeing a mental health professional can mean that you've failed your family, or that your parents failed to raise you sensibly."”
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Thirty-three percent of Hispanic or Latinx adults with mental illnesses receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 43%, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Several barriers in my community prevent people from seeing one, including language differences, lack of health insurance or affordable options, the fear of being deported and the most prevalent factor — stigma.
It’s taken me years, and even group therapy, to undo that stigma of looking “crazy” that I’ve been conditioned to believe most of my life. At 29, I’m much more open about my mental health now than I was a decade ago. I’m no longer afraid to get on a call with a psychologist or share my story about anxiety and depression with acquaintances and friends in the BIPOC community who are supportive and have expressed similar feelings.
While I still have a long way to go in my treatment, I’m content with no longer having to sneak around my family’s back every week. My mom occasionally asks whether I still see my therapist and whether I find it helpful. She continues to harbor reservations about my anxiety and depression but no longer shames me for seeking help. Our relationship is far from perfect, but it’s a vast improvement from the instances where I was kicked down to my lowest points.
If there’s anything I’ve learned in my 20s, it’s that we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of undoing mental health stigma in BIPOC communities. Before we can begin to even have the courage to reveal our mental illness to our loved ones, we need to come to terms with it ourselves first.
We have to constantly remind ourselves that it’s OK to seek professional help where we can and it’s OK to go on medication that is meant to help our lives, not harm us. We need to try our hardest to set an example of what a healthy and fulfilling life could look like if our communities got the help we desperately need. The more we prioritize mental health and care for it as we would a broken leg or the common cold, the easier it’ll become in the long run to end the stigma of being seen as “loco” for getting help.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-27--Top Obama Health Official: U.S. Can 'Virtually Eliminate' COVID-19 When 'We Decide To'

The former acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President Barack Obama went viral with an extensive Twitter thread over the weekend that explains how the United States can “ virtually eliminate ” the coronavirus “ any time we decide to.
” Andy Slavitt shared a 38-tweet thread in which he broke down what would have to be done around the country in order to “ manage the illness.
” In a matter of four to six weeks , he said , the U.S. could “ throw the kitchen sink at COVID-19 , ” and listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .
Slavitt added that if the country were to follow those steps , “ the light at the end of the tunnel would be blinding.
” He began the now-viral thread by saying in his first two tweets : “ We can virtually eliminate the virus any time we decide to .
We can be back to a reasonably normal existence : schools , travel , job growth , safer nursing homes & other settings .
And we could do it in a matter of weeks .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain that other hard-hit countries , like many in Europe , have given the U.S. the tools to combat the virus .
But don ’ t tell me the U.S. can ’ t take action if we want to .
And we can ’ t face the families of 150,000 people who didn ’ t have to die & tell them this had to happen .
And I think it ’ s why our national political leaders won ’ t go near these families & the grieving process .
7/ pic.twitter.com/mhNH4EdwuY — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) July 26 , 2020 As for the aforementioned four-to-six-week “ kitchen sink ” plan , Slavitt proposed six steps that the U.S. could follow immediately “ with the goal of being open for business in October — meaning schools , in person voting , sports , everything.
” 4 .
Prohibit travel into the country ( no one will let us into their country so that shouldn ’ t be hard ) .
5 .
Have hotels set up to allow people with symptoms to isolate from their families at no cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ ASlavitt ) July 26 , 2020 6 .
Instead of 50 % lockdown ( which is what we did in March in April ) , let ’ s say it ’ s a 90 % lockdown .
Meaning most of the Americans who couldn ’ t stay home in April because they were picking crops or driving trucks or working in health care would stay home with us .
12/ — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 ( @ ASlavitt ) July 26 , 2020 Slavitt acknowledged that the “ economy would take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan and “ extended unemployment insurance ” would be a necessity .
He also added that , at the start of this plan , “ COVID truthers would have a field day , ” because deaths and cases would still grow .
Eventually , however , the rate of transmission would drop .
After a few weeks , what would happen is what happened in other countries .
In many countries , the R dropped to .3 .
Let ’ s say in the US it dropped to .5 .
If you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 days , it would drop to 58 .
6000 becomes 6 .
600 becomes 1 .
19/ pic.twitter.com/oMuZ7it2S4 — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 ( @ ASlavitt ) July 26 , 2020 After eight weeks , Slavitt projected that there wouldn ’ t be a total elimination of cases but there would be “ embers.
” At that point , he said , the U.S. would have more than enough tests , be able to get them back in a timely manner , have access to ample PPE , and that the key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitor outbreaks .
“ Whether we do this or not , let ’ s not pretend this isn ’ t an option , ” explained Slavitt in the last third of his thread .
Overall , Slavitt said that his plan is what is going to have to happen at some point — it ’ s just a matter of when .
We will do this .
There is no other way .
The question is when .
The question is who will convince us .
The question is the leadership it takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question if we should .
/end — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 ( @ ASlavitt ) July 26 , 2020 As of Monday , the United States has seen more than 4.2 million cases of the virus and nearing 150,000 deaths , according to The New York Times .
President Donald Trump has repeatedly said throughout the coronavirus pandemic that the virus will “ go away ” and has been lambasted by critics for his mishandling of the crisis .
Last week , for the first time since the pandemic began , Trump seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreaks popping up around the country were a problem .
He has not announced any drastic changes in his administration ’ s response to the crisis despite the tonal shift .

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The former acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President Barack Obama went viral with an extensive Twitter thread over the weekend that explains how the United States can “virtually eliminate” the coronavirus “any time we decide to.”
Andy Slavitt shared a 38-tweet thread in which he broke down what would have to be done around the country in order to “manage the illness.” In a matter of four to six weeks, he said, the U.S. could “throw the kitchen sink at COVID-19,” and listed everything that can be done to combat the spread of the virus. Slavitt added that if the country were to follow those steps, “the light at the end of the tunnel would be blinding.”
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He began the now-viral thread by saying in his first two tweets: “We can virtually eliminate the virus any time we decide to. We can be back to a reasonably normal existence: schools, travel, job growth, safer nursing homes & other settings. And we could do it in a matter of weeks. If we want to.”
COVID Update July 26: We can virtually eliminate the virus any time we decide to. 1/ — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) July 26, 2020
We can be back to a reasonably normal existence: schools, travel, job growth, safer nursing homes & other settings.
And we could do it in a matter of weeks. If we want to. 2/ — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) July 26, 2020
He goes on to explain that other hard-hit countries, like many in Europe, have given the U.S. the tools to combat the virus.
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In fact pick virtually any country you want. 6/ pic.twitter.com/7n784GcDyC — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) July 26, 2020
But don’t tell me the U.S. can’t take action if we want to.
And we can’t face the families of 150,000 people who didn’t have to die & tell them this had to happen.
And I think it’s why our national political leaders won’t go near these families & the grieving process. 7/ pic.twitter.com/mhNH4EdwuY — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) July 26, 2020
As for the aforementioned four-to-six-week “kitchen sink” plan, Slavitt proposed six steps that the U.S. could follow immediately “with the goal of being open for business in October — meaning schools, in person voting, sports, everything.”
So let’s define the kitchen sink:
1. start with universal mask wearing. We didn’t do this in Mar-April and let’s chalk it up to faulty instructions. But we know better now.
2. Keep the bars & restaurants & churches & transit closed. All hot spots.
3. Prohibit interstate travel10/ — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) July 26, 2020
4. Prohibit travel into the country (no one will let us into their country so that shouldn’t be hard).
5. Have hotels set up to allow people with symptoms to isolate from their families at no cost.
11/ — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) July 26, 2020
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6. Instead of 50% lockdown (which is what we did in March in April), let’s say it’s a 90% lockdown.
Meaning most of the Americans who couldn’t stay home in April because they were picking crops or driving trucks or working in health care would stay home with us. 12/ — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) July 26, 2020
Slavitt acknowledged that the “economy would take a several week hit” with this plan and “extended unemployment insurance” would be a necessity.
He also added that, at the start of this plan, “COVID truthers would have a field day,” because deaths and cases would still grow. Eventually, however, the rate of transmission would drop.
After a few weeks, what would happen is what happened in other countries. In many countries, the R dropped to .3. Let’s say in the US it dropped to .5.
If you have 60,000 cases in your community, in 50 days, it would drop to 58.
6000 becomes 6.
600 becomes 1.
19/ pic.twitter.com/oMuZ7it2S4 — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) July 26, 2020
After eight weeks, Slavitt projected that there wouldn’t be a total elimination of cases but there would be “embers.” At that point, he said, the U.S. would have more than enough tests, be able to get them back in a timely manner, have access to ample PPE, and that the key to preventing another surge would be to monitor outbreaks.
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“Whether we do this or not, let’s not pretend this isn’t an option,” explained Slavitt in the last third of his thread.
Overall, Slavitt said that his plan is what is going to have to happen at some point — it’s just a matter of when.
We will do this. There is no other way. The question is when. The question is who will convince us. The question is the leadership it takes.
But there’s not much question if we should. /end — Andy Slavitt @ 🏡 (@ASlavitt) July 26, 2020
As of Monday, the United States has seen more than 4.2 million cases of the virus and nearing 150,000 deaths, according to The New York Times.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly said throughout the coronavirus pandemic that the virus will “go away” and has been lambasted by critics for his mishandling of the crisis.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-27--Over 40 Infected With COVID-19 After Revival Event At Alabama Baptist Church: Pastor

STRAWBERRY , Ala. ( AP ) — More than 40 people were infected with the coronavirus after attending a multi-day revival event at a north Alabama Baptist church , according to the congregation ’ s pastor .
“ The whole church has got it , just about , ” Al.com quoted pastor Daryl Ross of Warrior Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Marshall County as saying .
The pastor says the churchgoers , including himself , tested positive after the congregation held a series of religious services featuring a guest pastor over the course of several days last week .
Ross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday after learning that one of the members who attended had tested positive for the virus .
The member presented no symptoms , but got tested when several of his coworkers received positive tests , according to the pastor .
Over the weekend , dozens more fell ill , Ross said , adding : “ I ’ ve got church members sick everywhere.
” “ We knew what we were getting into , ” he said .
“ We knew the possibilities.
” Ross said only two members ’ cases were serious , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hospitalized , though many had reported having fevers , headaches and respiratory issues .
He said some social distancing measures were in place during the services , which were held multiple times a day , and most members skipped the events out of concern for the virus .
Those that attended sat with their own families .
Masks were not required , the newspaper reported .
“ We let everybody do what they felt like .
...
If you were comfortable shaking hands , you shook hands .
If you didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the pastor said .
The church is located in a small community called Strawberry , about 60 miles ( 97 kilometers ) northeast of Birmingham .

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STRAWBERRY, Ala. (AP) — More than 40 people were infected with the coronavirus after attending a multi-day revival event at a north Alabama Baptist church, according to the congregation’s pastor.
“The whole church has got it, just about,” Al.com quoted pastor Daryl Ross of Warrior Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Marshall County as saying.
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The pastor says the churchgoers, including himself, tested positive after the congregation held a series of religious services featuring a guest pastor over the course of several days last week.
Ross said the services were shut down by Friday after learning that one of the members who attended had tested positive for the virus. The member presented no symptoms, but got tested when several of his coworkers received positive tests, according to the pastor.
Over the weekend, dozens more fell ill, Ross said, adding: “I’ve got church members sick everywhere.”
“We knew what we were getting into,” he said. “We knew the possibilities.”
Ross said only two members’ cases were serious, and as of Sunday, nobody had been hospitalized, though many had reported having fevers, headaches and respiratory issues.
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He said some social distancing measures were in place during the services, which were held multiple times a day, and most members skipped the events out of concern for the virus. Those that attended sat with their own families. Masks were not required, the newspaper reported.
“We let everybody do what they felt like. ... If you were comfortable shaking hands, you shook hands. If you didn’t, you didn’t,” the pastor said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-27--Kanye West Apologizes To Kim Kardashian: 'I Did Not Cover Her Like She Has Covered Me'

Kanye West has publicly apologized for his behavior on Twitter last week , telling fans over the weekend that he ’ s sorry for “ going public with something that was a private matter.
” The rapper tweeted on Saturday that he wanted to take the time to apologize to his wife , Kim Kardashian , writing : “ I did not cover her like she has covered me .
To Kim I want to say I know I hurt you .
Please forgive me .
Thank you for always being there for me.
” I would like to apologize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with something that was a private matter .
I did not cover her like she has covered https : //t.co/A2FwdMu0YU Kim I want to say I know I hurt you .
Please forgive me .
Thank you for always being there for me .
— ye ( @ kanyewest ) July 25 , 2020 Kardashian did not respond on Twitter to the missive , but she did like a tweet that a fan wrote to West that simply said , “ I love you both so much.
” West ’ s apology comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cryptic tweets featuring single words or names , as well as more outlandish claims like declaring that the movie “ Get Out ” was about his life ; “ NBC locked up Bill Cosby ; ” and that “ Kim was trying to fly to Wyoming with a doctor to lock me up.
” He also mentioned Kris Jenner , Kardashian ’ s mother , in more than one tweet , calling her out for “ avoiding ” his calls .
The rapper , who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle with mental health , but his wife had not until last week .
In response to West ’ s tweets , Kardashian addressed his diagnosis for the first time in an emotional Instagram story .
In multiple slides , Kardashian explained that West ’ s life is “ complicated and painful ” due to bipolar disorder and that in the past she hasn ’ t discussed “ how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye ’ s right to privacy when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star went on to say she broke her silence because “ of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health ” and that in order for West to continue to get better , he has be the one to “ engage in the process of getting help .
”

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Kanye West has publicly apologized for his behavior on Twitter last week, telling fans over the weekend that he’s sorry for “going public with something that was a private matter.”
The rapper tweeted on Saturday that he wanted to take the time to apologize to his wife, Kim Kardashian, writing: “I did not cover her like she has covered me. To Kim I want to say I know I hurt you. Please forgive me. Thank you for always being there for me.”
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I would like to apologize to my wife Kim for going public with something that was a private matter.
I did not cover her like she has covered https://t.co/A2FwdMu0YU Kim I want to say I know I hurt you. Please forgive me. Thank you for always being there for me. — ye (@kanyewest) July 25, 2020
Kardashian did not respond on Twitter to the missive, but she did like a tweet that a fan wrote to West that simply said, “I love you both so much.”
West’s apology comes after he tweeted out a series of cryptic tweets featuring single words or names, as well as more outlandish claims like declaring that the movie “Get Out” was about his life; “NBC locked up Bill Cosby;” and that “Kim was trying to fly to Wyoming with a doctor to lock me up.”
He also mentioned Kris Jenner, Kardashian’s mother, in more than one tweet, calling her out for “avoiding” his calls.
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The rapper, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few years ago, has spoken openly about his struggle with mental health, but his wife had not until last week.
In response to West’s tweets, Kardashian addressed his diagnosis for the first time in an emotional Instagram story. In multiple slides, Kardashian explained that West’s life is “complicated and painful” due to bipolar disorder and that in the past she hasn’t discussed “how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye’s right to privacy when it comes to his health.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-27--Trump's National Security Adviser Tests Positive For COVID-19

Robert O ’ Brien , national security adviser to President Donald Trump , has tested positive for COVID-19 , the White House confirmed Monday .
He is the highest-ranking official in the Trump administration known to have contracted the coronavirus .
“ He has mild symptoms and has been self-isolating and working from a secure location off site , ” the White House said in a statement .
“ There is no risk of exposure to the President or the Vice President .
The work of the National Security Council continues.
” O ’ Brien came down with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported , citing a person familiar with the matter .
Earlier this month , he returned from a three-day trip to Paris , where he met with his counterparts from the U.K. , France , Germany and Italy , according to Politico .
Several people close to Trump have tested positive for the virus .
Vice President Mike Pence ’ s press secretary tested positive in May , as well as one of Trump ’ s personal valets .
Several Trump campaign staffers , including Kimberly Guilfoyle ― the girlfriend of Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a top fundraising official for the campaign ― have also tested positive in recent weeks .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said last week that Trump is the “ most tested man in America , ” sometimes taking “ multiple ” tests in one day .

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Robert O’Brien, national security adviser to President Donald Trump, has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House confirmed Monday. He is the highest-ranking official in the Trump administration known to have contracted the coronavirus.
“He has mild symptoms and has been self-isolating and working from a secure location off site,” the White House said in a statement. “There is no risk of exposure to the President or the Vice President. The work of the National Security Council continues.”
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O’Brien came down with the virus after attending a family event, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Earlier this month, he returned from a three-day trip to Paris, where he met with his counterparts from the U.K., France, Germany and Italy, according to Politico.
Several people close to Trump have tested positive for the virus. Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary tested positive in May, as well as one of Trump’s personal valets. Several Trump campaign staffers, including Kimberly Guilfoyle ― the girlfriend of Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and a top fundraising official for the campaign ― have also tested positive in recent weeks.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said last week that Trump is the “most tested man in America,” sometimes taking “multiple” tests in one day.
Trump told reporters Monday that he hadn’t seen O’Brien recently.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-27--Coronavirus Live Updates: World's Biggest Vaccine Study Begins In U.S.

HuffPost reporters around the world are tracking the pandemic and its effects .
Read the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic below .
( To see the latest updates , you may need to refresh the page .
All times are Eastern .
For earlier updates on the pandemic , go here . )
Robert O ’ Brien , national security adviser to President Trump , has tested positive for COVID-19 , the White House confirmed Monday .
He is the highest-ranking official in the Trump administration known to have contracted the coronavirus .
“ He has mild symptoms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure location off site , ” the White House said in a statement .
“ There is no risk of exposure to the President or the Vice President .
The work of the National Security Council continues.
” O ’ Brien came down with the virus after attending a family event , Bloomberg reported , citing a person familiar with the matter .
Earlier this month , he returned from a three-day trip to Paris , where he met with his counterparts from the U.K. , France , Germany and Italy , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , including his reelection campaign ’ s top fundraising official and Vice President Mike Pence ’ s press secretary , have tested positive for the virus in recent months .
Birx Urges Several States To Close Bars , Limit Social Gatherings — 7/27/20 , 9 a.m .
ET Dr. Deborah Birx , the coronavirus response coordinator for the Trump administration , urged states with rising infections to impose new restrictions that include closing bars , reducing indoor restaurant capacity and limiting social gatherings to 10 people .
“ We can see what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north , ” Birx told reporters in Kentucky on Sunday , suggesting that new hot spots outside of Florida , Texas and other Southern states are beginning to emerge .
Birx said she is specifically focused on controlling the pandemic “ before it gets worse ” in Kentucky , Tennessee , Ohio , Indiana and Virginia , and she recommended that “ 100 % ” of individuals in these states wear masks when they ’ re in public or around others .
Kentucky allowed bars to reopen on June 29 , but Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that he planned to announce new restrictions early this week amid a surge in new cases .
As of Monday , the state has recorded more than 27,000 cases and at least 718 deaths .
Meanwhile , Florida and California have surpassed New York , once the epicenter of the virus in the U.S. , in known infections .
World ’ s Biggest Vaccine Study Begins In U.S. — 7/27/20 , 8:05 a.m .
ET The biggest COVID-19 vaccine study to date is now underway in the United States .
Beginning Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test shots created by the National Institutes of Health and biotechnology company Moderna , the Associated Press reported .
Researchers will inject volunteers with either the experimental vaccine or a placebo and track which people contract the virus as they go about their lives .
The researchers will also track any potential negative side effects of the vaccine .
Several other vaccines made by China and Britain ’ s Oxford University are in the final stages of testing .
Read more from AP here .
Florida Records More Coronavirus Infections Than New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to figures released on Sunday , Florida has now recorded more coronavirus cases than New York , which was once the U.S. epicenter of the outbreak .
Johns Hopkins University reported that Florida had reached a total of more than 423,00 cases , nearly 77,000 of which were reported in the last seven days .
That figure exceeds New York ’ s 416,000 , which has seen just under 5,000 cases in the last week .
California currently has the most cases of any state in the country .
Despite the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know just how many people have been infected in epicenters of the pandemic as both New York and California had surges earlier this year when testing was limited , The New York Times reported .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this month ’ s true figures may be more than 10 times higher than the reported figures in some areas .
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared a state of emergency on Saturday after the country for the first time acknowledged a suspected coronavirus case within its borders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim locked down the city of Kaesong , located near the country ’ s border with South Korea .
North Korea has previously denied having any cases of the virus , though outside experts have questioned that claim , according to The Associated Press .
North Korea ’ s official Korean Central News Agency said the suspected virus patient had illegally entered the country last week after fleeing to South Korea three years ago .
The patient , anyone who had contact with them , and those who were in Kaesong recently have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KCNA .
During an emergency meeting of top North Korean officials , Kim was quoted as saying there was a “ critical situation in which the vicious virus could be said to have entered the country.
” Read more from the AP here .

— Nick Visser
Florida Reports Largest Single-Day Coronavirus Death Toll For 2nd Consecutive Day — 7/29/20, 7:05 p.m. ET
For the second day in a row, Florida has reported a record-breaking coronavirus death toll. The state’s Department of Health said Wednesday that 216 people had died of the virus — marking the highest number of COVID-19 deaths to be recorded in Florida in a single day.
On Tuesday, health officials said 191 people had died of the virus overnight, which at the time had been the daily record.
More than 6,400 people have died in Florida of COVID-19 to date.
— Dominique Mosbergen
U.S. Officially Passes 150,000 Coronavirus Deaths ― 7/29/20, 4:28 p.m. ET
More than 150,000 people in the United States have now died from the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world in both coronavirus deaths and total infections.
Months after President Donald Trump claimed Democrats were starting a false panic over COVID-19, and predicted that the number of cases in the U.S. would “go down close to zero,” the pandemic continues to ravage Americans and stifle the U.S. economy.
― Ja’han Jones
Fauci: Hydroxychloroquine Is Not Effective In Treating COVID-19 — 7/29/20, 1:45 p.m. ET
Dr. Anthony Fauci doubled down on health officials’ determination that drugs like hydroxychloroquine are ineffective in combatting the coronavirus after President Donald Trump continued to endorse its use this week.
“Hydroxychloroquine is not effective in the treatment of coronavirus disease or COVID-19,” Fauci, a member of the president’s coronavirus task force, said Wednesday on MSNBC. He cited the results of numerous clinical trials that he said were randomized and controlled.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that the anti-malaria drug is a safe treatment for the virus, despite evidence showing otherwise.
“I happen to believe in it. I would take it. As you know, I took it for a 14-day period. And as you know, I’m here. I happen to think it works in the early stages,” Trump said Tuesday.
― Nina Golgowski
Federal Report Adds 3 More States To Coronavirus ‘Red Zone’ — 7/29/20, 9:45 a.m. ET
A new report from the White House’s coronavirus task force lists 21 states in the “red zone,” which means in the past week they recorded more than 100 new cases per 100,000 people as well as a diagnostic test positivity rate of at least 10%, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is undermining his own administration’s public health officials by urging more states to reopen.
The report, which was dated July 26 and sent to state officials, adds three states — Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin — to the “red zone,” according to the Times. A similar report was released roughly two weeks earlier.
Most states fall into the “yellow zone.” That means they have reported 10 to 100 new cases per 100,000 people last week and a diagnostic testing positivity rate of 5% to 10%, or that they reported one of those conditions and one of the “red zone” qualifying conditions.
Vermont is the only state currently in the “green zone,” according to the report, which was obtained by the Times.
Policy recommendations outlined in the report for “red zone” areas include closing bars and gyms and limiting social gatherings to 10 people or fewer. Individuals in affected areas should wear a mask at all times outside the home, the report states.
Despite the warnings and recommendations put forth by his own administration, Trump has repeatedly downplayed the severity of the virus in the United States.
He falsely claimed during a White House briefing on Monday that much of the country is “corona-free.” Later that day, the president shared misinformation about the virus to his more than 80 million Twitter followers, including a video in which a group of fringe doctors claimed hydroxychloroquine cures COVID-19 and that people don’t need to wear masks to prevent the virus’s spread.
No legitimate medical organizations have recognized any “cure” for COVID-19, and multiple clinical trials have shown hydroxychloroquine is not beneficial in treating the virus.
― Hayley Miller
6 States In South, West Break Records For Coronavirus Deaths - 7/29/20, 4:38 a.m. ET
More than 1,300 lives were lost in the U.S. on Tuesday to the coronavirus, making it the biggest one-day increase since May.
According to Reuters, Arkansas, California, Florida, Montana, Oregon and Texas each reported record spikes in fatalities.
At the time of this writing, nearly 150,000 Americans have lost their lives due to the pandemic.
―Jade Walker
Trump’s National Security Adviser Tests Positive — 7/27/20, 9:20 a.m. ET
Robert O’Brien, national security adviser to President Trump, has tested positive for COVID-19, the White House confirmed Monday. He is the highest-ranking official in the Trump administration known to have contracted the coronavirus.
“He has mild symptoms and has been self-isolating and working from a secure location off site,” the White House said in a statement. “There is no risk of exposure to the President or the Vice President. The work of the National Security Council continues.”
O’Brien came down with the virus after attending a family event, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Earlier this month, he returned from a three-day trip to Paris, where he met with his counterparts from the U.K., France, Germany and Italy, according to Politico.
Several people close to Trump, including his reelection campaign’s top fundraising official and Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, have tested positive for the virus in recent months.
— Hayley Miller
Birx Urges Several States To Close Bars, Limit Social Gatherings — 7/27/20, 9 a.m. ET
Dr. Deborah Birx, the coronavirus response coordinator for the Trump administration, urged states with rising infections to impose new restrictions that include closing bars, reducing indoor restaurant capacity and limiting social gatherings to 10 people.
“We can see what is happening in the South is moving north,” Birx told reporters in Kentucky on Sunday, suggesting that new hot spots outside of Florida, Texas and other Southern states are beginning to emerge.
Birx said she is specifically focused on controlling the pandemic “before it gets worse” in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana and Virginia, and she recommended that “100%” of individuals in these states wear masks when they’re in public or around others.
Kentucky allowed bars to reopen on June 29, but Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said Sunday that he planned to announce new restrictions early this week amid a surge in new cases. As of Monday, the state has recorded more than 27,000 cases and at least 718 deaths. Meanwhile, Florida and California have surpassed New York, once the epicenter of the virus in the U.S., in known infections.
— Hayley Miller
World’s Biggest Vaccine Study Begins In U.S. — 7/27/20, 8:05 a.m. ET
The biggest COVID-19 vaccine study to date is now underway in the United States.
Beginning Monday, the first 30,000 volunteers will help test shots created by the National Institutes of Health and biotechnology company Moderna, the Associated Press reported. Researchers will inject volunteers with either the experimental vaccine or a placebo and track which people contract the virus as they go about their lives. The researchers will also track any potential negative side effects of the vaccine.
Several other vaccines made by China and Britain’s Oxford University are in the final stages of testing.
Read more from AP here.
— Hayley Miller
Florida Records More Coronavirus Infections Than New York — 7/27/20, 3 a.m. ET
According to figures released on Sunday, Florida has now recorded more coronavirus cases than New York, which was once the U.S. epicenter of the outbreak.
Johns Hopkins University reported that Florida had reached a total of more than 423,00 cases, nearly 77,000 of which were reported in the last seven days. That figure exceeds New York’s 416,000, which has seen just under 5,000 cases in the last week.
California currently has the most cases of any state in the country.
Despite the official figures, it’s hard to know just how many people have been infected in epicenters of the pandemic as both New York and California had surges earlier this year when testing was limited, The New York Times reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this month’s true figures may be more than 10 times higher than the reported figures in some areas.
— Nick Visser
North Korea Declares Emergency Over Suspected Coronavirus Case — 7/26/20, 12:10 p.m. ET
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared a state of emergency on Saturday after the country for the first time acknowledged a suspected coronavirus case within its borders.
In response to the apparent case, Kim locked down the city of Kaesong, located near the country’s border with South Korea. North Korea has previously denied having any cases of the virus, though outside experts have questioned that claim, according to The Associated Press.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said the suspected virus patient had illegally entered the country last week after fleeing to South Korea three years ago. The patient, anyone who had contact with them, and those who were in Kaesong recently have been placed under quarantine, according to KCNA.
During an emergency meeting of top North Korean officials, Kim was quoted as saying there was a “critical situation in which the vicious virus could be said to have entered the country.”
Read more from the AP here.
— Hayley Miller