thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Jennifer Aniston Implores Fans To 'Wear A Damn Mask'

The “ Morning Show ” star beseeched fans Tuesday to “ wear a damn mask ” to help fight the coronavirus outbreak .
In an Instagram entry with a photo of the star wearing a mask , she acknowledged that masks are inconvenient , but reminded people that it ’ s for our own good .
“ People seem worried about their ‘ rights being taken away ’ by being asked to wear a mask , ” she wrote .
“ This simple and effective recommendation is being politicized at the expense of peoples ’ lives .
And it really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ If you care about human life , please ... just # wearadamnmask 😷 and encourage those around you to do the same ❤ , ” she added .
Her sentiments were seconded by Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon in the comments .
The nation has experienced a troubling spike in coronavirus cases in a number of states where preventive guidelines have been ignored by many , despite strong evidence that masks can help stop the spread .
In fact , a new poll indicated that most Americans support mask requirements .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tone for a culture war over the science-based guidance by ignoring the advice of his own coronavirus task force doctors to wear a mask and not requiring face coverings at his rallies .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Public health has a “Friend” in Jennifer Aniston.
The “Morning Show” star beseeched fans Tuesday to “wear a damn mask” to help fight the coronavirus outbreak.
In an Instagram entry with a photo of the star wearing a mask, she acknowledged that masks are inconvenient, but reminded people that it’s for our own good.
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“People seem worried about their ‘rights being taken away’ by being asked to wear a mask,” she wrote. “This simple and effective recommendation is being politicized at the expense of peoples’ lives. And it really shouldn’t be a debate 🙏🏼.”
“If you care about human life, please ... just #wearadamnmask 😷 and encourage those around you to do the same ❤,” she added.
Her sentiments were seconded by Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon in the comments.
The nation has experienced a troubling spike in coronavirus cases in a number of states where preventive guidelines have been ignored by many, despite strong evidence that masks can help stop the spread.
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In fact, a new poll indicated that most Americans support mask requirements.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Coronavirus Live Updates: Poll Finds Most Americans Favor Mask Requirements

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 . )
New York City Will Not Allow Indoor Dining In Next Phase Of Reopening — 7/1/20 , 10:55 a.m .
ET As the number of COVID-19 cases tied to restaurants and bars is rising in a growing number of U.S. states , New York City won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of the city ’ s next phase of reopening , which is set to begin July 6 .
“ It ’ s not the time to forge ahead with indoor dining , ” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday at his daily press briefing .
Following growing signs over the weekend that the pandemic is worsening in many states , de Blasio and New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said earlier this week that they would reassess whether the city would include indoor dining as part of Phase 3 .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people gathering in restaurants and bars , and public health experts have warned that enclosed indoor spaces are among the highest risk and most dangerous for spreading the virus .
Instead , de Blasio said Wednesday he wants to “ double down ” on outdoor dining , which resumed on June 22 , under the city ’ s second phase of reopening .
Outdoor dining also comes with its own risks , though it ’ s generally less risky than indoors .
But many New York City restaurants have faced challenges in ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dense city , which was once the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. but is now one of the few regions where COVID-19 cases have steadily decreased .
New Jersey , which has similarly made a lot of progress in containing the virus , will also not allow indoor dining as part of its next phase of reopening , Gov .
Phil Murphy said earlier this week .

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.)
Fauci: ‘We Are Not Going In The Right Direction’ — 7/3/2020, 6:45 a.m.
Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the record numbers of coronavirus cases in the U.S. reflect a “very disturbing week” for the U.S.
Speaking to the American Medical Association over livestream, Fauci said it was “pretty obvious that we are not going in the right direction.”
“We have areas of the country where they were at a level that is difficult and disturbing,” Fauci said. “Then when one tries to open up, even in situations where governors and mayors were trying to abide by the guidelines… that there is this, among some, there’s this feeling of an all-or-none phenomenon where you’re either under lockdown or say, you know, the devil may care,” he said.
Daily cases skyrocketed past 50,000 in the U.S. for the first time this week, and only 14 states are showing declines in the rate of infections.
— Nick Visser
UK To Keep Two-Week Quarantine For U.S. Visitors — 7/03/20, 6:20 a.m.
The United States will be on a “red list” of countries from which visitors to the U.K. will have to have quarantine for 14 days when they arrive, HuffPost UK reports.
A two-week self-isolation policy for people returning to or visiting England from destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Germany is being lifted from July 10. A full list of around 60 countries deemed to pose “a reduced risk to the public health of UK citizens” will be published later Friday.
But speaking to the BBC on Friday, U.K. transport secretary Grant Shapps was asked if the U.S. would be on a “red list” of countries not included. “I’m afraid it will be,” Shapps said.
The requirement for everyone arriving into the UK – bar a handful of exemptions – to self-isolate for 14 days was introduced June 8.
— Ned Simons
In A Reversal, Texas Gov. Requires General Public To Wear Face Masks — 7/2/20, 4:50 p.m. ET
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered all Texans to wear a face covering in counties with 20 or more COVID-19 cases, a reversal from his previous stance.
In an executive order issued on Thursday, Abbott also gave mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people.
Abbott has generally been against mask requirements, especially those imposed on the general public. In June, he banned local governments from imposing fines on those who refuse to wear masks, saying at the time that “government cannot require individuals to wear masks,” according to the Texas Tribune.
But spikes in infections across Texas have apparently led him to change his tune.
“Wearing a face covering in public is proven to be one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Abbott said, according to DallasNews.com. “We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another — and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces.”
—Andy Campbell
Over 40 Bay Area Principals Exposed To COVID-19 During Meeting To Discuss Schools Reopening — 7/2/20, 4:40 p.m. ET
Over 40 principals of schools in the Bay Area were exposed to COVID-19 after attending an in-person meeting to discuss plans for re-opening schools in the Santa Clara Unified School District.
The meeting took place on June 19, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
A person in attendance tested positive for COVID-19 days after the meeting.
During an online meeting last week, District Superintendent Stella Kemp told the school board that the infected person had exposed other attendees to the virus.
“Given the complexity required in the development of our reopening plan, some of our staff meetings are taking place in person,” Kemp said, according to the Associated Press. “Of course those meetings are being conducted under the strict guidelines provided to us by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.”
Schools across the country are scrambling to find ways to reopen campuses for the upcoming school year despite uncertainty, and as coronavirus cases continue to emerge.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey pushed back the first day of instruction for public schools in the state to at least Aug. 17. Some schools had been set to start as early as July 22, according to the Arizona Republic.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that public schools in the city would be opening in September. However, Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushed back on those plans. Cuomo’s communications director said that the state government has the ultimate say on whether schools can reopen come the fall semester, according to CNN.
— Carla Russo
Herman Cain Hospitalized For COVID-19 Hours After Condemning Masks On Twitter — 7/2/20, 3:30 p.m. ET
Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain was hospitalized with COVID-19 on Wednesday, hours after he sent a tweet hailing a Trump event in South Dakota where masks wouldn’t be mandatory.
A spokesman confirmed Cain’s condition Thursday afternoon, describing the 73-year-old as “resting comfortably” at an Atlanta-area hospital after his symptoms became serious enough Wednesday to require care, but not a respirator.
Cain’s positive coronavirus test on June 29 came just over a week after he appeared at Trump’s indoor campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he did not wear a mask.
Addressing speculation that he may have picked the virus up at Trump’s campaign, Cain’s team said in a statement that they are unsure how or where he contracted it, noting “he did a lot of traveling the past week.”
—Ryan Grenoble
U.S. Economy Added 4.8 Million Jobs In June, But New Outbreaks Could Spell More Economic Trouble Ahead — 7/2/20, 8:50 a.m.
After record job losses in the spring, the U.S. economy gained 4.8 million jobs in June, and the unemployment rate fell to 11.1%, the second straight month of improvements since the pandemic began, according to the Department of Labor’s jobs report.
However, as new outbreaks emerge in dozens of U.S. states, closing down businesses that had reopened, economic growth will likely slow down again in the coming month.
Last week, nearly 1.5 million workers applied for unemployment claims, a number that has remained steady for several weeks.
— Marina Fang
Trump ‘Undermining’ Global COVID-19 Fight By Hoarding New Drug — 7/02/20, 6:25 a.m.
Donald Trump risks “undermining” global collaboration on COVID-19 by buying up the world’s supplies of a drug treatment for the virus, the British government has warned.
Business minister Nadhim Zahawi hit out after it emerged that the United States had struck a deal with pharma giant Gilead to purchase almost its entire production of Remdesivir for the next three months.
HuffPost UK reports that Downing Street backed the minister on the need for countries and drugs firms to be “collaborating” rather than competing, as it revealed the U.K. had already stockpiled its own supply of the antiviral treatment for patients.
No.10 also said that the U.K. was opposed to the exploitation of potentially life-saving drugs for “financial gain” and stressed that countries should work together to beat the pandemic.
Remdesivir is authorized in the U.S. as a possible treatment for patients with coronavirus, although its impact on death rates is far from proven.
— Paul Waugh
Michigan Gov. Re-Closes Bars Amid Case Spike — 7/1/20, 5:40 p.m. ET
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered most bars in the state to halt indoor service once more, as COVID-19 cases spike across the lower part of the state.
Bars were allowed to open on June 8, albeit with safety restrictions and limited capacity. Whitmer’s order, issued Wednesday, forces establishments that earn more than 70% of sales from alcohol to serve customers outside or not at all.
The tip of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula are exempt.
Whitmer cited the goal of reopening classrooms for the upcoming school year in a statement on the order.
“Following recent outbreaks tied to bars, I am taking this action today to slow the spread of the virus and keep people safe. If we want to be in a strong position to reopen schools for in-person classroom instruction this fall, then we need to take aggressive action right now to ensure we don’t wipe out all the progress we have made,” she said.
The decision to re-close comes after one bar, Harper’s, in the college town of East Lansing, led to more than 100 infections — all in people under age 30. Harper’s says it followed safety protocol, and is currently installing an air filtration system.
Michigan has seen more than 70,000 coronavirus cases, and over 6,000 deaths.
— Sara Boboltz
Deaths Due To Coronavirus Likely A ‘Substantial Undercount’ Of Actual Burden, Yale Study Finds — 7/1/20, 4:15 p.m. ET
A Yale University study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association found the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 has likely been significantly undercounted.
According to the study, there were 781,000 total deaths in the U.S. in that period — 122,300 more than would be expected at that time of year. Of those, 95,235 deaths were officially attributed to COVID-19, leaving 27,065 unexplained excess deaths.
The authors suggest most of those excess deaths could ultimately be attributed to the coronavirus. One factor: Many people who died of COVID-19 went untested due to a shortage of tests, especially early in the pandemic. Another: Death certificates, and the data they record, varies greatly from state to state, likely contributing to an undercount.
“Our analyses suggest that the official tally of deaths due to Covid-19 represent a substantial undercount of the true burden,” Dan Weinberger, an epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health and a lead author of the study, told CNBC.
Weinberger told AFP that the margin of unexplained excess deaths has gotten smaller in states like New York, where COVID-19 tests have become more readily available.
“How reliably the official tolls capture the full burden of excess deaths still varies considerably between states,” he said.
— Ryan Grenoble
California Gov. Requires Some Counties To Close Indoor Dining, Other Businesses — 7/1/20, 3:20 p.m. ET
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that counties on a state “watch list” due to rising coronavirus cases must temporarily close some indoor operations, including dining inside restaurants.
Several sectors, including restaurants, wineries, movie theaters and museums, must close indoor operations for the next three weeks, Newsom said. Bars in the affected counties must cease all operations.
Nineteen counties, representing 70% of the state’s population, are impacted by Newsom’s announcement. Those counties include Los Angeles, Sacramento, Orange, Fresno and Santa Clara.
He also announced that parking at state beaches in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area will be closed for the upcoming holiday weekend.
Coronavirus cases have spiked across California this week. On Tuesday, the state logged 8,610 new cases, setting a new single-day record in the state, where more than 6,000 people have died from COVID-19.
— Mollie Reilly
New York City Will Not Allow Indoor Dining In Next Phase Of Reopening — 7/1/20, 10:55 a.m. ET
As the number of COVID-19 cases tied to restaurants and bars is rising in a growing number of U.S. states, New York City won’t permit restaurants to resume indoor dining as part of the city’s next phase of reopening, which is set to begin July 6.
“It’s not the time to forge ahead with indoor dining,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday at his daily press briefing.
Following growing signs over the weekend that the pandemic is worsening in many states, de Blasio and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said earlier this week that they would reassess whether the city would include indoor dining as part of Phase 3. Many of the new outbreaks have come from people gathering in restaurants and bars, and public health experts have warned that enclosed indoor spaces are among the highest risk and most dangerous for spreading the virus.
Instead, de Blasio said Wednesday he wants to “double down” on outdoor dining, which resumed on June 22, under the city’s second phase of reopening.
Outdoor dining also comes with its own risks, though it’s generally less risky than indoors. But many New York City restaurants have faced challenges in ensuring enough space for outdoor dining in the dense city, which was once the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. but is now one of the few regions where COVID-19 cases have steadily decreased.
New Jersey, which has similarly made a lot of progress in containing the virus, will also not allow indoor dining as part of its next phase of reopening, Gov. Phil Murphy said earlier this week.
— Marina Fang


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--'Your Chewing Sounds Like Nails On A Chalkboard': What Life With Misophonia Is Like

Teeramet Thanomkiat / EyeEm via Getty Images `` I thought I was alone because no one else I knew heard things the way I did , '' the author writes .
I ’ d go armed with earplugs to block out the sound of potential popcorn crunching and candy wrappers rustling .
I ’ d dress in my standard uniform : a hoodie to block out my peripheral vision so I didn ’ t actually catch anyone in the act of eating ( yes , even the visual of someone chewing is a trigger for me , a painful reminder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ears ) .
I ’ d select a seat next to the wall with my husband sitting on my one free side as a buffer between me and potentially grating sounds .
If I happened to sit next to a noisy stranger , I would know when to admit defeat and find another seat or simply leave the movie early .
Until recently , I never realized my adaptive defense to these sounds was actually the result of an undiagnosed hearing condition I ’ ve suffered most of my life , one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out — chewing sounds , gum popping , yawning , keyboard clicking , dogs barking , sirens and small plane engines , among others — sound like nails on a chalkboard or a smoke alarm in my ears , and evoke a fight-or-flight response in me .
From as early as I can remember , I ’ ve tried to hide this debilitating condition , not knowing exactly what was wrong .
I can distinctly remember hearing the sounds my younger brother made eating breakfast every morning when we were growing up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way down the hallway and around the corner from the kitchen , the way he dragged his teeth across his spoon with each bite made me want to scream , to hit him .
But , knowing that no one would believe I could hear that sound from so far away , I tried to hide my frustrations .
That all changed two years ago when my son-in-law sent me an article about misophonia , with the question , “ Is this you ?
” I Googled misophonia and discovered it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was elated to find a name for my suffering and was surprised to learn that others were bothered by the same exact repetitive sounds and movements as me .
I learned that those with the condition are more often women , and , like me , their misophonia became more of an issue in their teenage years .
As I read , I remembered the day I took the ACT and how I sat across from someone who had a cold and coughed and sniffed through the entire several-hour test .
I hadn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coping tools — earplugs , which I now never leave the house without — so I took the test pressing one shoulder to my ear while holding my pencil and plugging my other ear with my free hand .
What I learned from reading and my own experience is that sadly , the more you are exposed to a particular sound , the stronger the trigger becomes , which is why misophonia sufferers are most often bothered by family members ’ chewing sounds — the ones they hear the most often .
Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband ’ s chewing , flossing his teeth , leg-twitching and typing has dwindled to the point of being nonexistent .
Now , when I eat dinner with him , I sit at the far end of the table and wear earplugs .
He flosses in another room , only types on his phone or keyboard behind a pillow or in another room , and tries very hard not to twitch his legs .
After watching the documentary film “ Quiet Please , ” which shows a mother who eats every meal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband eat at the kitchen table — and , in another family , a young adult daughter with misophonia who texts her mother from a different room because she can ’ t stand the noise when they ’ re together , I wept , realizing how the condition can be even more extreme for some .
When my son-in-law sent me the article , I had been suffering more than ever from what I then called my “ super sensitive ears.
” A year earlier , we had moved to midtown Manhattan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounds of planes , helicopters , sirens and honking cars constantly bombarded me .
I was living on the edge , pacing around the house with anxiety .
As an escape , I dreamed of shooting paintballs at the helicopters and considered using what little energy I had left to try to get stricter sound pollution laws passed .
My new coping mechanisms have introduced challenges .
For one , when I wear noise-canceling headphones to block out the sounds of the noisy outside world , obviously I can ’ t hear anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant more planning and adjustments .
When my husband and I rode the subway together , I would wear my headphones and , instead of talking to each other , we ’ d play Scrabble together on our phones .
Since we ’ ve always loved taking long walks together , we ’ ve had to find quieter spots , such as in the Forest Hills area of Queens , where there are several miles of wooded and mostly peaceful trails .
Instead of eating out , we would order take-out or eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning may seem ridiculous .
The symptoms may seem easy enough to dismiss .
I ’ ve had plenty of people not take me seriously , which is why those of us with misophonia are hesitant to tell people what ’ s going on .
But since I found out there ’ s a name for my disorder , I have started to slowly confide in a few close friends and extended family members .
Their support and the support of my immediate family has been so rewarding that I feel less alone @

"I thought I was alone because no one else I knew heard things the way I did," the author writes. Teeramet Thanomkiat / EyeEm via Getty Images
I look forward to the Golden Globes and the Oscars the way sports fans count down to the Super Bowl. But for me, going to the movie theater was always more of a sport than an art.
I’d go armed with earplugs to block out the sound of potential popcorn crunching and candy wrappers rustling. I’d dress in my standard uniform: a hoodie to block out my peripheral vision so I didn’t actually catch anyone in the act of eating (yes, even the visual of someone chewing is a trigger for me, a painful reminder of how much the sound hurts my ears). I’d select a seat next to the wall with my husband sitting on my one free side as a buffer between me and potentially grating sounds. If I happened to sit next to a noisy stranger, I would know when to admit defeat and find another seat or simply leave the movie early.
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Until recently, I never realized my adaptive defense to these sounds was actually the result of an undiagnosed hearing condition I’ve suffered most of my life, one in which the background noises most people tune out — chewing sounds, gum popping, yawning, keyboard clicking, dogs barking, sirens and small plane engines, among others — sound like nails on a chalkboard or a smoke alarm in my ears, and evoke a fight-or-flight response in me.
From as early as I can remember, I’ve tried to hide this debilitating condition, not knowing exactly what was wrong. I can distinctly remember hearing the sounds my younger brother made eating breakfast every morning when we were growing up. Despite being in a closed bedroom all the way down the hallway and around the corner from the kitchen, the way he dragged his teeth across his spoon with each bite made me want to scream, to hit him. But, knowing that no one would believe I could hear that sound from so far away, I tried to hide my frustrations.
In school, I began avoiding making friends with kids who chewed gum and I loved teachers who forbade gum-chewing in class. Once, when I was driving my younger brother and he refused to stop chewing his gum, I kicked him out of the family van and made him walk the rest of the way.
I thought I was alone because no one else I knew heard things the way I did.
“I was elated to find a name for my suffering and was surprised to learn that others were bothered by the same exact repetitive sounds and movements as me.”
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That all changed two years ago when my son-in-law sent me an article about misophonia, with the question, “Is this you?” I Googled misophonia and discovered it is a recently identified neurological disorder. I was elated to find a name for my suffering and was surprised to learn that others were bothered by the same exact repetitive sounds and movements as me.
I learned that those with the condition are more often women, and, like me, their misophonia became more of an issue in their teenage years. As I read, I remembered the day I took the ACT and how I sat across from someone who had a cold and coughed and sniffed through the entire several-hour test. I hadn’t yet discovered one of my coping tools — earplugs, which I now never leave the house without — so I took the test pressing one shoulder to my ear while holding my pencil and plugging my other ear with my free hand.
To this day, I can’t think clearly when I’m hearing trigger sounds. My only thought is of the need to escape while begging “Please” to the universe, “Please make the sound stop.”
What I learned from reading and my own experience is that sadly, the more you are exposed to a particular sound, the stronger the trigger becomes, which is why misophonia sufferers are most often bothered by family members’ chewing sounds — the ones they hear the most often.
Over the years, my tolerance for my husband’s chewing, flossing his teeth, leg-twitching and typing has dwindled to the point of being nonexistent. Now, when I eat dinner with him, I sit at the far end of the table and wear earplugs. He flosses in another room, only types on his phone or keyboard behind a pillow or in another room, and tries very hard not to twitch his legs.
Advertisement
After watching the documentary film “Quiet Please,” which shows a mother who eats every meal in the pantry while her three children and husband eat at the kitchen table — and, in another family, a young adult daughter with misophonia who texts her mother from a different room because she can’t stand the noise when they’re together, I wept, realizing how the condition can be even more extreme for some.
When my son-in-law sent me the article, I had been suffering more than ever from what I then called my “super sensitive ears.” A year earlier, we had moved to midtown Manhattan, on the west side, where the sounds of planes, helicopters, sirens and honking cars constantly bombarded me. I was living on the edge, pacing around the house with anxiety. As an escape, I dreamed of shooting paintballs at the helicopters and considered using what little energy I had left to try to get stricter sound pollution laws passed.
As I learned about misophonia, I grasped on to the new information I discovered like a lifeline. I explored cognitive behavior therapy and sought out an audiologist who prescribed hearing aids that had been designed to distract me from my trigger sounds. Sadly, both the therapy and hearing aids resulted in higher anxiety and stronger reactions to my trigger sounds.
Discouraged, I soldiered on, trying out the solutions I’ve mentioned earlier along with some others, including hoodies to block visual cues, earplugs to block out painful sounds but not people talking to me, noise-canceling headphones for being outside around my worst triggers (city and air traffic), and keeping a fan on constantly inside the house to mute the sounds that caused my worst anxiety.
My new coping mechanisms have introduced challenges. For one, when I wear noise-canceling headphones to block out the sounds of the noisy outside world, obviously I can’t hear anyone I’m with. That has meant more planning and adjustments. When my husband and I rode the subway together, I would wear my headphones and, instead of talking to each other, we’d play Scrabble together on our phones. Since we’ve always loved taking long walks together, we’ve had to find quieter spots, such as in the Forest Hills area of Queens, where there are several miles of wooded and mostly peaceful trails. Instead of eating out, we would order take-out or eat when restaurants were less crowded.
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Besides my physical tools, the best mental coping tool I’ve received has come from my husband.
“Think about misophonia like having a bank account — in which having the emotional, mental and physical bandwidth to spend on triggers is in short supply,” he suggested.
By the end of the day, if I have been overexposed to trigger sounds, I am an emotional wreck, unable to think clearly, short-tempered and exhausted from battle. My husband suggested I spend my “trigger money” — that is, my emotional, mental and physical resources — wisely.
Fortunately, I am a writer and work from home. That means, most days, I’m inside my apartment and I can listen to whatever sounds I want, ones that don’t put a drain on my bank account. I play movie soundtracks while I write and listen to a lot of NPR and audiobooks while I cook, clean, do laundry and exercise. I even swim with a waterproof audio player.
But when I’m with other people, I inevitably have to listen to unwanted sounds; that is, spend my “misophonia money.” This means now I carefully plan my activities, making sure each day has trigger-free hours to replenish what I’ve spent on trigger sounds.
This planning may seem ridiculous. The symptoms may seem easy enough to dismiss. I’ve had plenty of people not take me seriously, which is why those of us with misophonia are hesitant to tell people what’s going on. But since I found out there’s a name for my disorder, I have started to slowly confide in a few close friends and extended family members. Their support and the support of my immediate family has been so rewarding that I feel less alone.
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My husband, adult children and their partners put up with fans running all over the house, even in the winter. My daughter and son-in-law, who are house-hunting, eliminated one area because it was too near a military base with constant helicopter noise. My husband makes sure I have earplugs in before he kisses me. Yes, even the sound of kissing drives me nuts.
I hope that someday, research organizations that I support with donations will discover a treatment or way to eliminate my worst triggers — sirens, planes, helicopters and motorcycles. Until then, I’ll continue to plan my days to keep my exposure to a minimum and otherwise endure sounds when I need to.
The way noises affect me and how I deal with them may seem extreme, but I’m determined to live a full life. Every day, it’s me against my trigger sounds, and I’d like to think I’m winning.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--This Is What Racial Trauma Does To The Body And Brain

In mental health training and treatment , examining the impact of racism on brains and bodies is largely uncharted territory .
And while , in recent years , clinicians who advocate for the study of race-based trauma have made strides in promoting this work , most mental health programs still do not offer official training around racial trauma — a debilitating effect of racism and discrimination .
“ The piece about racial trauma that is really unique is the intergenerational impact , ” said Maryam Jernigan-Noesi , a psychologist who studied at Boston College ’ s Institute for the Study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ So it ’ s not just me and my lifetime and what I ’ ve experienced — it ’ s the stories you heard from family members , it ’ s witnessing that of colleagues or peers , and now with social media and online mechanisms of folks sharing videos , it ’ s also witnessing things that you may not experience directly.
” It results in over- or under-consumption of food .
“ For some folks , they may find they are eating more .
There is research that suggests certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our bodies that improve our mood — things like sweets and carbohydrates .
So there is a way in which we can associate that over time , ” Jernigan-Noesi said .
She also noted that at the other end of the spectrum , some people don ’ t eat as much because they are so impacted by their racial trauma .
The overwhelming stress they feel results in a lack of physical care for themselves , which directly impacts their food intake .
Racial trauma is triggered through vicarious experiences , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be present during a disturbing event in order to be affected by it .
By being exposed to videos of police brutality or clips of racist encounters on social media and on the news , people are forced to live vicariously through instances of racism and discrimination .
It ’ s inescapable .
And for sufferers of racial trauma , the constant reexposure to racism results in additional levels of stress and unexpected exposure to triggers .
Racial trauma causes an increase in the stress hormone cortisol .
It generates increased symptoms related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When looking at racial health disparities , experiences of discrimination that lead to wear and tear on the body can result not only in certain chronic illnesses that are prevalent within the Black community , but can also lead to diagnosable mental health concerns like depression and anxiety , Jernigan-Noesi said .
Jernigan-Noesi added that , particularly in light of recent events like the senseless murder of Ahmaud Arbery when he was out for a jog , Black people are forced to be hypervigilant regarding their whereabouts .
The Black community is faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential physical threats and lack of safety .
The human body registers racist encounters as experiences of toxic stress .
“ And those experiences are rarely resolved , ” she continued .
“ So , we may survive through them , but when the next experience comes along it can be a reminder or a trigger of previous experiences that we have , such that our body is also registering these as experiences of stress .
And when our bodies are stressed out , what ends up happening is , over time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extreme level , what we refer to as toxic stress.
” It shapes you before you ’ re even born .
In some cases , studies show , parents who have gone through trauma resulting in epigenetic alterations — which are inheritable changes in gene expression — can pass those changes onto their children .
Even if their child does not have direct exposure to racial trauma , the child will have increased sensitivity to stories of discrimination , witnessing racial trauma and systematic oppression .
If you or someone you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline .
You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free , 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line .
Outside of the U.S. , please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources .

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In mental health training and treatment, examining the impact of racism on brains and bodies is largely uncharted territory. And while, in recent years, clinicians who advocate for the study of race-based trauma have made strides in promoting this work, most mental health programs still do not offer official training around racial trauma — a debilitating effect of racism and discrimination.
Racial trauma comprises the mental and physical effects and consequences that Black, indigenous and people of color experience after being exposed to racism. It does not only occur when a person directly experiences racism; it is also a vicarious phenomenon that can be passed through generations.
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“The piece about racial trauma that is really unique is the intergenerational impact,” said Maryam Jernigan-Noesi, a psychologist who studied at Boston College’s Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture. “So it’s not just me and my lifetime and what I’ve experienced — it’s the stories you heard from family members, it’s witnessing that of colleagues or peers, and now with social media and online mechanisms of folks sharing videos, it’s also witnessing things that you may not experience directly.”
As issues related to race and equality continue to spark self-reflection among non-Black people, the phrase “racial trauma” is being invoked more frequently, and becoming an even more necessary official treatment area in the mental health field.
In order for Black people to address their experiences and ultimately work toward healing, racial trauma needs to be acknowledged and implemented into mental health treatment trainings — because, as the experts we spoke to emphasized, racial trauma has its own set of challenges and effects for victims.
Racial trauma creates irregular sleep patterns.
Within her own mental health practice, Lillian Comas-Diaz, a Washington, D.C.-based clinical psychologist specializing in trauma and multicultural issues, said that she has a number of patients who are coping with fatigue as a result of racial trauma.
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“Sleep is a psychological issue and also a physiological issue,” Comas-Diaz said. “It becomes a constant source of even more stress because when you don’t sleep well, you worry more — and that enforces this cycle.”
She noted that sleep issues like nightmares, night terrors and insomnia contribute to the inability to sleep for those who have gone through an immense amount of racism or discrimination.
It results in over- or under-consumption of food.
The term “comfort food” exists for a reason. Often times, when people are feeling down, they reach for certain snacks to try to bring their spirits up — the same goes for people who are trying to cope with racial trauma.
“For some folks, they may find they are eating more. There is research that suggests certain foods kind of trigger the responses in our bodies that improve our mood — things like sweets and carbohydrates. So there is a way in which we can associate that over time,” Jernigan-Noesi said.
She also noted that at the other end of the spectrum, some people don’t eat as much because they are so impacted by their racial trauma. The overwhelming stress they feel results in a lack of physical care for themselves, which directly impacts their food intake.
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Ira L. Black - Corbis via Getty Images
Racial trauma is triggered through vicarious experiences, too.
A person doesn’t need to be present during a disturbing event in order to be affected by it. By being exposed to videos of police brutality or clips of racist encounters on social media and on the news, people are forced to live vicariously through instances of racism and discrimination. It’s inescapable. And for sufferers of racial trauma, the constant reexposure to racism results in additional levels of stress and unexpected exposure to triggers.
“Differing from many other kinds of stress is vicarious racial trauma, which actually today we are witnessing due to technology,” Comas-Diaz said. “It really adds another layer of trauma for people of color — the vicarious aspect of racial trauma is affecting many, many people.”
Anyone who watches disturbing video footage that is omnipresent online can be subject to vicarious racial trauma — not just those who have experienced it themselves, but those witnessing it through a screen.
Racial trauma causes an increase in the stress hormone cortisol.
According to Comas-Diaz, those suffering from racial trauma, whether directly or vicariously, experience an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. When a person is dealing with large amounts of stress, the body releases increased amounts of the hormone as a result.
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“Even though cortisol can help us deal with challenges — particularly a survivalist kind of thing — a constant volume of cortisol is not good and is actually not healthy,” Comas-Diaz said.
She noted that an influx in cortisol results in weight gain, slowed physical healing and muscle weakness, as well as many other health problems. Furthermore, a stress response also prompts a higher heart rate — and studies show that stress may heighten risks associated with cardiovascular disease.
It generates increased symptoms related to anxiety, depression and hypervigilance.
When looking at racial health disparities, experiences of discrimination that lead to wear and tear on the body can result not only in certain chronic illnesses that are prevalent within the Black community, but can also lead to diagnosable mental health concerns like depression and anxiety, Jernigan-Noesi said.
“Significant experiences of racial discrimination have negative consequences with regard to mental health,” she explained. “People have reported things like increased experiences of anxiety, symptoms that are related to depression and increased hypervigilance.”
“Significant experiences of racial discrimination have negative consequences with regard to mental health.” - Maryam Jernigan-Noesi
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Jernigan-Noesi added that, particularly in light of recent events like the senseless murder of Ahmaud Arbery when he was out for a jog, Black people are forced to be hypervigilant regarding their whereabouts. The Black community is faced with the reminder racism is associated with potential physical threats and lack of safety.
The human body registers racist encounters as experiences of toxic stress.
“When we start looking at racial trauma and, in particular, cumulative racial trauma, the idea is that racism and racial discrimination is usually not a singular experience for many folks,” Jernigan-Noesi said.
“And those experiences are rarely resolved,” she continued. “So, we may survive through them, but when the next experience comes along it can be a reminder or a trigger of previous experiences that we have, such that our body is also registering these as experiences of stress. And when our bodies are stressed out, what ends up happening is, over time, prolonged stressors can lead to, in an extreme level, what we refer to as toxic stress.”
“For Black people in particular, racial stress is something that happens throughout their life course.” - Lillian Comas-Diaz
The mental and physical consequences of toxic stress largely result in overactivity in the parts of the brain that are associated with fear, anxiety or impulse response. But, Jernigan-Noesi added, there has also been research indicating that toxic stress can also result in underactivity, which affects people’s reasoning, behavior and planning.
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“At the same time that you have this heightened sense of awareness that may be registering in the body, it disrupts your ability to go about your day,” Jernigan-Noesi said. “So if you think about all of that happening in the body — you’re not able to really return to a peaceful state. Racism is something that is pervasive.”
It shapes you before you’re even born.
“We are exposed to different kinds of racism historically, collectively, institutionally, systemically, interpersonally and generationally — we inherit a lot of this,” Comas-Diaz said. “For Black people in particular, racial stress is something that happens throughout their life course. And for many, it sadly happens before birth — this is the intergenerational effects of racial trauma. The children of parents who have been exposed to racial trauma become more sensitive to it.”
In some cases, studies show, parents who have gone through trauma resulting in epigenetic alterations — which are inheritable changes in gene expression — can pass those changes onto their children. Even if their child does not have direct exposure to racial trauma, the child will have increased sensitivity to stories of discrimination, witnessing racial trauma and systematic oppression.
In other words, it’s a vicious, nonstop cycle.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Laura Ingraham Spews Yet Another Wild Conspiracy Theory About Anthony Fauci

Fox News personality Laura Ingraham has cooked up yet another wild conspiracy theory involving Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert .
The host of “ The Ingraham Angle ” described Fauci last month as “ the medical deep state.
” On Tuesday , she railed against Fauci ’ s dire warning to a Senate committee that the United States could soon see up to 100,000 new daily coronavirus infections .
Ingraham suggested , without offering any evidence to back up her claim , that Fauci is working for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Senate hearing today spreading more COVID panic and undermining Trump ’ s agenda , ” said Ingraham , who often uses her widely watched show to defend President Donald Trump .
“ Now , at this point , can we all just admit that Fauci is basically working for the Biden campaign ?
” Ingraham asked , stifling a chuckle .
“ For all we know , I don ’ t know , he could be Joe ’ s running mate .
Why not ?
” Ingraham did not make it clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guess he doesn ’ t fit the bill , ” she added , likely in reference to Biden ’ s stated plan to pick a woman to run with him .
Ingraham : Now at this point , can we all just admit that Fauci is basically working for the Biden campaign pic.twitter.com/OWrkAVO1cP — Acyn Torabi ( @ Acyn ) July 1 , 2020

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Fox News personality Laura Ingraham has cooked up yet another wild conspiracy theory involving Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert.
The host of “The Ingraham Angle” described Fauci last month as “the medical deep state.” On Tuesday, she railed against Fauci’s dire warning to a Senate committee that the United States could soon see up to 100,000 new daily coronavirus infections.
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Ingraham suggested, without offering any evidence to back up her claim, that Fauci is working for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
“Dr. Doom himself at a Senate hearing today spreading more COVID panic and undermining Trump’s agenda,” said Ingraham, who often uses her widely watched show to defend President Donald Trump.
A mock “Biden Fauci 2020” graphic appeared on the screen.
“Now, at this point, can we all just admit that Fauci is basically working for the Biden campaign?” Ingraham asked, stifling a chuckle. “For all we know, I don’t know, he could be Joe’s running mate. Why not?” Ingraham did not make it clear if she was joking.
“I guess he doesn’t fit the bill,” she added, likely in reference to Biden’s stated plan to pick a woman to run with him.
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Check out the clip here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Oklahoma Voters Approve Medicaid Expansion For 200,000

Prior to the vote , 36 states and the District of Columbia already had expanded Medicaid using money from the 2010 health care law .
Oklahoma , where Medicaid is called SoonerCare , had been among the 14 holdouts .
The Associated Press and two of the state ’ s major newspapers , The Oklahoman and Tulsa World , reported that the initiative had passed late Tuesday .
The result also marks the fifth time voters implemented Medicaid expansion at the ballot box after waiting years for their Republican governors and legislatures to act .
Two years ago , successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Utah led to Medicaid expansion , while a similar measure in Montana failed .
Maine voted to broaden Medicaid eligibility in 2017 .
Missourians will have an opportunity to vote on Medicaid expansion this August .
The Oklahoma Medicaid expansion campaign faced considerable obstacles , including opposition from Republican Gov .
Kevin Stitt .
Instead of adopting a full Medicaid expansion , Stitt had asked the federal government to approve a sweeping Medicaid reform proposal that would significantly reduce funding for the program under a “ block grant , ” a policy President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ballot initiative prevents Stitt from continuing to pursue those cuts .
The ballot measure succeeded on the slimmest of margins , with support barely surpassing opposition by about a percentage point .
But even a narrow victory for a progressive priority is notable in a state as Republican as Oklahoma .
The state favored Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton 68 % to 29 % in the 2016 presidential election .
Both of Oklahoma ’ s U.S. senators are Republicans , as are four out of five of its U.S. House members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state House of Representatives and a 38-9 majority in the state Senate .
The success of the Medicaid expansion effort could bring much-needed relief to low-income Oklahomans .
The Sooner State ’ s 14 % uninsured rate is the second-highest in the nation , behind only Texas and tied with Georgia .
Under current law , Oklahoma ’ s Medicaid eligibility rules are very strict .
Adults without children living at home and adults without disabilities can not qualify for Medicaid no matter how little they earn .
Parents may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the federal poverty level , which is $ 8,900 a year for a family of three .
Depending on how long it takes for Oklahoma to get the expansion up and running , the timing could be beneficial for those affected by the pandemic , which has created millions of unemployed people who lost their job-based health insurance .
Medicaid serves as a vital safety net during economic downturns and expanding the program makes those benefits available to more people .
President Barack Obama and the Democrats who wrote the Affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be national , but the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that states could refuse to participate .
Under the Affordable Care Act , Medicaid can be expanded to cover low-income adults with incomes up to 133 % of poverty , which is about $ 17,000 for a single person .
The federal government covers 90 % of the cost of covering those new beneficiaries and states pay the remainder .
Stitt and the majority-GOP Oklahoma legislature did not agree on a financing plan for Stitt ’ s block-grant proposal , but a leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A separate ballot initiative on deck for November would tap tobacco settlement funds to pay for part of the cost of Medicaid expansion .
Including Oklahoma , an estimated 5.7 million adults in the 14 states that haven ’ t implemented Medicaid expansion would have access to Medicaid benefits if those states reversed course , according to an analysis by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation .

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Oklahoma will become the latest state to adopt the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion after voters passed a ballot measure Tuesday that aims to cover an estimated 200,000 low-income adults.
Prior to the vote, 36 states and the District of Columbia already had expanded Medicaid using money from the 2010 health care law. Oklahoma, where Medicaid is called SoonerCare, had been among the 14 holdouts. The Associated Press and two of the state’s major newspapers, The Oklahoman and Tulsa World, reported that the initiative had passed late Tuesday.
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The result also marks the fifth time voters implemented Medicaid expansion at the ballot box after waiting years for their Republican governors and legislatures to act. Two years ago, successful ballot initiatives in Idaho, Nebraska and Utah led to Medicaid expansion, while a similar measure in Montana failed. Maine voted to broaden Medicaid eligibility in 2017. Missourians will have an opportunity to vote on Medicaid expansion this August.
The Oklahoma Medicaid expansion campaign faced considerable obstacles, including opposition from Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. Instead of adopting a full Medicaid expansion, Stitt had asked the federal government to approve a sweeping Medicaid reform proposal that would significantly reduce funding for the program under a “block grant,” a policy President Donald Trump has aggressively promoted to states. The ballot initiative prevents Stitt from continuing to pursue those cuts.
In addition, the ballot initiative passed amid rising cases of novel coronavirus infections in Oklahoma and elsewhere, which supporters feared would drive down turnout.
The ballot measure succeeded on the slimmest of margins, with support barely surpassing opposition by about a percentage point. But even a narrow victory for a progressive priority is notable in a state as Republican as Oklahoma.
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The state favored Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton 68% to 29% in the 2016 presidential election. Both of Oklahoma’s U.S. senators are Republicans, as are four out of five of its U.S. House members. The GOP holds a 77-23 majority in the state House of Representatives and a 38-9 majority in the state Senate.
The success of the Medicaid expansion effort could bring much-needed relief to low-income Oklahomans. The Sooner State’s 14% uninsured rate is the second-highest in the nation, behind only Texas and tied with Georgia.
Under current law, Oklahoma’s Medicaid eligibility rules are very strict. Adults without children living at home and adults without disabilities cannot qualify for Medicaid no matter how little they earn. Parents may be eligible, but only up to 41% of the federal poverty level, which is $8,900 a year for a family of three.
Depending on how long it takes for Oklahoma to get the expansion up and running, the timing could be beneficial for those affected by the pandemic, which has created millions of unemployed people who lost their job-based health insurance. Medicaid serves as a vital safety net during economic downturns and expanding the program makes those benefits available to more people.
President Barack Obama and the Democrats who wrote the Affordable Care Act intended the Medicaid expansion to be national, but the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that states could refuse to participate.
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Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid can be expanded to cover low-income adults with incomes up to 133% of poverty, which is about $17,000 for a single person. The federal government covers 90% of the cost of covering those new beneficiaries and states pay the remainder.
Stitt and the majority-GOP Oklahoma legislature did not agree on a financing plan for Stitt’s block-grant proposal, but a leading option was to levy fees on hospitals. A separate ballot initiative on deck for November would tap tobacco settlement funds to pay for part of the cost of Medicaid expansion.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--Airlines CEO Defends Full Flights, Arguing 'You Can't Socially Distance' On Planes

The CEO of an industry group representing major U.S. airlines reportedly balked at federal health officials ’ complaints that flying passenger planes at full capacity during the coronavirus pandemic is dangerous , and argued Tuesday that social distancing on planes is impossible .
“ You can ’ t social distance on an airplane , ” Nicholas E. Calio , the CEO of Airlines for America ( A4A ) , said in a call with reporters , according to The Hill .
“ We believe there are safety measures in place on a multilevel basis that makes flying safe , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ When they announced that the other day , obviously there was substantial disappointment with American Airlines , ” Redfield said Tuesday during a Senate committee hearing .
Redfield ’ s comment came in response to Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) asking why there are no federal guidelines for social distancing on public transportation .
Redfield said American Airlines ’ decision to pack planes is under “ critical review ” from the CDC and that “ we don ’ t think it ’ s the right message.
” All of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to be equipped with HEPA air filters , which are capable of removing 99.9 % of airborne particles .
Still , a full flight would put passengers within inches of each another for an extended amount of time .
As Sanders pointed out , the CDC recommends people keep 6 feet between them whenever possible .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health , acknowledged this issue at the Senate hearing and called American ’ s decision “ something that is of concern.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be something to mitigate against that because ...
I think in the confines in an airplane [ the virus ] becomes even more problematic , ” he said .
“ We have multiple layers of protection in place for those who fly with us , including required face coverings , enhanced cleaning procedures , and a pre-flight COVID-19 symptom checklist — and we ’ re providing additional flexibility for customers to change their travel plans , as well , ” they said .
A4A announced Monday that all of its member carriers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete a health survey prior to checking in .
Passengers are supposed to be asked if they have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus in the last 14 days or with someone who has had symptoms .
Passengers who do not complete the health survey “ may be deemed unfit to travel and each carrier will resolve the matter in accordance with its own policies , ” A4A ’ s website states .
It ’ s not clear what accommodations will be provided to ticket holders who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient .
A4A said last week that its member carriers will voluntarily refund tickets for passengers that have an elevated temperature during a health screening prior to travel .

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The CEO of an industry group representing major U.S. airlines reportedly balked at federal health officials’ complaints that flying passenger planes at full capacity during the coronavirus pandemic is dangerous, and argued Tuesday that social distancing on planes is impossible.
“You can’t social distance on an airplane,” Nicholas E. Calio, the CEO of Airlines for America (A4A), said in a call with reporters, according to The Hill. “We believe there are safety measures in place on a multilevel basis that makes flying safe, in fact, safer than many other activities.”
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He cited grocery shopping as one of the activities that’s less safe than flying on a full plane.
Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has expressed “substantial disappointment” with American Airlines’ decision to fill planes to capacity starting Wednesday.
“When they announced that the other day, obviously there was substantial disappointment with American Airlines,” Redfield said Tuesday during a Senate committee hearing.
Redfield’s comment came in response to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) asking why there are no federal guidelines for social distancing on public transportation. Redfield said American Airlines’ decision to pack planes is under “critical review” from the CDC and that “we don’t think it’s the right message.”
American Airlines is part of the A4A, as are Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
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American Airlines has announced that it will resume flying its planes at full capacity beginning Wednesday. The CDC's director called this decision a "substantial disappointment." AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file
All of the planes among A4A’s airliners are said to be equipped with HEPA air filters, which are capable of removing 99.9% of airborne particles.
Jean-Brice Dumont, executive vice president for engineering at plane manufacturer Airbus, said in a Facebook Live video back in May that the air in a plane’s cabin is refreshed every two to three minutes and blown vertically from the ceiling to the ground, where it is recaptured for filtration. He stressed the importance of all passengers wearing a mask during the flight to help keep airborne particles at a minimum.
The CDC’s website also acknowledges the importance of these air filters, stating that “most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes.” Still, a full flight would put passengers within inches of each another for an extended amount of time, which the CDC’s website notes could increase one’s risk of exposure to the virus. As Sanders pointed out, the CDC recommends people keep 6 feet between them whenever possible.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health, acknowledged this social distancing issue at the Senate hearing and called American’s decision “something that is of concern.”
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“I would hope that there would be something to mitigate against that because ... I think in the confines in an airplane [the virus] becomes even more problematic,” he said.
All of the planes among A4A’s airliners are said to be equipped with HEPA air filters, which are capable of removing 99.9% of airborne particles. The interior of United Airlines' Boeing 787 Dreamliner is pictured. ASSOCIATED PRESS
An A4A spokesperson, responding to HuffPost’s inquiry on Calio’s social distancing comments, cited the United Nation’s International Civil Aviation Organization and its recent findings that social distancing on an aircraft may not be “feasible.”
The organization, whose council adopts standards and recommendations for international air travel, recommended that “adequate risk-based measures” be used. Such measures would include passengers wearing a face covering or mask and undergoing health screenings. Planes would also undergo routine sanitation.
In a statement to HuffPost, an American Airlines spokesperson did not address Redfield’s and Fauci’s disapproval but instead reiterated the airline’s current safety measures.
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“We have multiple layers of protection in place for those who fly with us, including required face coverings, enhanced cleaning procedures, and a pre-flight COVID-19 symptom checklist — and we’re providing additional flexibility for customers to change their travel plans, as well,” they said.
A4A announced Monday that all of its member carriers will require passengers to wear a mask and complete a health survey prior to checking in. Passengers are supposed to be asked if they have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus in the last 14 days or with someone who has had symptoms.
Passengers who do not complete the health survey “may be deemed unfit to travel and each carrier will resolve the matter in accordance with its own policies,” A4A’s website states.
The A4A spokesperson, in an email to HuffPost, reiterated that each carrier will make its own determination as to how to respond to a ticket holder who admits to recent contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient.
A4A said last week that its member carriers will voluntarily refund tickets for passengers who have an elevated temperature during a health screening prior to travel.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--Country's Chase Rice Insists Safety Is 'Huge Priority' After Concert Backlash

Chase Rice urged fans to “ stay in your own space ” after being hit with a barrage of criticism for staging a concert that appeared to have no social distancing measures in place .
Over the weekend , the country singer-songwriter posted a photo to his Instagram Story showing a packed , mask-free crowd .
The snapshot was taken from the stage at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros , Tennessee , where Rice performed Saturday .
Rice , 34 , quietly deleted the photo .
Screenshots , however , circulated on social media and drew the ire of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rice “ selfish ” for his decision to defy coronavirus restrictions by proceeding with the show .
On Monday , Rice responded to the controversy in a short video on Instagram in which he emphasized to fans that his “ biggest ” concern was for their safety and well-being .
“ I understand there are a lot of varying opinions , a lot of opinions on COVID-19 , how it works with live music crowds and what all that looks like , ” he said in the clip , viewable below .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
“ You guys are everything to me , so your safety is a huge , huge priority.
” Rice didn ’ t apologize for the controversy that ensued after Saturday ’ s concert .
Still , he noted that his next performance ― slated for Friday at Kentucky ’ s Paramount Arts Center ― would be a “ drive-in ” show .
“ Please do sing the songs , but stay in your own space , stay with the people you came with , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quicker that we get to get to actual , normal live shows , which I know we all want.
” As the coronavirus became a global pandemic , stars like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles were forced to cancel or reschedule their summer tours .
Concert promoters say they ’ re still at a loss as to how to enforce social distancing among attendees at both large and small venues while still turning a profit .
By adapting to a new format , Rice appeared to take cues from country superstars Garth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom have performed at drive-in theaters in recent weeks .
In spite of the controversy , the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary claimed that staff had , in fact , taken “ numerous precautions ” related to COVID-19 safety at Rice ’ s show .
Brian May , vice president of the Brushy Mountain Group , which owns Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary , told HuffPost in an email that Rice had played to a “ drastically reduced ” crowd that filled less than 50 % of the venue ’ s capacity .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawn area to “ spread out to their own comfort level , ” he said .

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Chase Rice urged fans to “stay in your own space” after being hit with a barrage of criticism for staging a concert that appeared to have no social distancing measures in place.
Over the weekend, the country singer-songwriter posted a photo to his Instagram Story showing a packed, mask-free crowd. The snapshot was taken from the stage at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros, Tennessee, where Rice performed Saturday.
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Rice, 34, quietly deleted the photo. Screenshots, however, circulated on social media and drew the ire of stars like Kelsea Ballerini, who deemed Rice “selfish” for his decision to defy coronavirus restrictions by proceeding with the show.
On Monday, Rice responded to the controversy in a short video on Instagram in which he emphasized to fans that his “biggest” concern was for their safety and well-being.
“I understand there are a lot of varying opinions, a lot of opinions on COVID-19, how it works with live music crowds and what all that looks like,” he said in the clip, viewable below.
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“My biggest thing is y’all,” he added. “You guys are everything to me, so your safety is a huge, huge priority.”
Rice didn’t apologize for the controversy that ensued after Saturday’s concert. Still, he noted that his next performance ― slated for Friday at Kentucky’s Paramount Arts Center ― would be a “drive-in” show.
“Please do sing the songs, but stay in your own space, stay with the people you came with,” he said. “The safer we are now, the quicker that we get to get to actual, normal live shows, which I know we all want.”
As the coronavirus became a global pandemic, stars like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles were forced to cancel or reschedule their summer tours. Concert promoters say they’re still at a loss as to how to enforce social distancing among attendees at both large and small venues while still turning a profit.
By adapting to a new format, Rice appeared to take cues from country superstars Garth Brooks and Keith Urban, both of whom have performed at drive-in theaters in recent weeks.
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In spite of the controversy, the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary claimed that staff had, in fact, taken “numerous precautions” related to COVID-19 safety at Rice’s show.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--New Flu Virus Found In Pigs In China Has Pandemic Potential, Say Researchers

SHANGHAI , June 30 ( Reuters ) - A new flu virus found in pigs in China has become more infectious to humans and needs to be watched closely in case it becomes a potential “ pandemic virus , ” a study said , although experts said there is no imminent threat .
A team of Chinese researchers looked at influenza viruses found in pigs from 2011 to 2018 and found a “ G4 ” strain of H1N1 that has “ all the essential hallmarks of a candidate pandemic virus , ” according to the paper , published by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy of Sciences ( PNAS ) .
Pig farm workers also showed elevated levels of the virus in their blood , the authors said , adding that “ close monitoring inhuman populations , especially the workers in the swine industry , should be urgently implemented.
” The study highlights the risks of viruses crossing the species barrier into humans , especially in densely populated regions in China , where millions live in close proximity to farms , breeding facilities , slaughterhouses and wet markets .
In this May 8 , 2019 , photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pig farm in Jiangjiaqiao village in northern China 's Hebei province .
The coronavirus that caused the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is believed to have originated in horseshoe bats in southwest China , and could have spread to humans via a seafood market in Wuhan , where the virus was first identified .
The PNAS study said pigs are considered important “ mixing vessels ” for the generation of pandemic influenza viruses and called for “ systematic surveillance ” of the problem .
China took action against an outbreak of avian H1N1 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries and putting tens of thousands of people into quarantine .
The new virus identified in the study is a recombination of the 2009 H1N1 variant and a once prevalent strain found in pigs .
But while it is capable of infecting humans , there is no imminent risk of a new pandemic , said Carl Bergstrom , a biologist at the University of Washington .
“ There ’ s no evidence that G4 is circulating in humans , despite five years of extensive exposure , ” he said on Twitter after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the key context to keep in mind .
”

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SHANGHAI, June 30 (Reuters) - A new flu virus found in pigs in China has become more infectious to humans and needs to be watched closely in case it becomes a potential “pandemic virus,” a study said, although experts said there is no imminent threat.
A team of Chinese researchers looked at influenza viruses found in pigs from 2011 to 2018 and found a “G4” strain of H1N1 that has “all the essential hallmarks of a candidate pandemic virus,” according to the paper, published by the U.S. journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
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Pig farm workers also showed elevated levels of the virus in their blood, the authors said, adding that “close monitoring inhuman populations, especially the workers in the swine industry, should be urgently implemented.”
The study highlights the risks of viruses crossing the species barrier into humans, especially in densely populated regions in China, where millions live in close proximity to farms, breeding facilities, slaughterhouses and wet markets.
In this May 8, 2019, photo, pigs stand in a barn at a pig farm in Jiangjiaqiao village in northern China's Hebei province. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
The coronavirus that caused the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is believed to have originated in horseshoe bats in southwest China, and could have spread to humans via a seafood market in Wuhan, where the virus was first identified.
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The PNAS study said pigs are considered important “mixing vessels” for the generation of pandemic influenza viruses and called for “systematic surveillance” of the problem.
China took action against an outbreak of avian H1N1 in 2009, restricting incoming flights from affected countries and putting tens of thousands of people into quarantine.
The new virus identified in the study is a recombination of the 2009 H1N1 variant and a once prevalent strain found in pigs.
But while it is capable of infecting humans, there is no imminent risk of a new pandemic, said Carl Bergstrom, a biologist at the University of Washington.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--Anthony Fauci Warns U.S. Could Reach 100,000 Coronavirus Cases Per Day

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , warned Tuesday that the U.S. could see as many as 100,000 daily coronavirus infections if states where cases are surging don ’ t begin taking stronger measures to combat the spread .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
referred to comments Fauci made in March , when he theorized the U.S. could see between 100,000 and 200,000 deaths from COVID-19 , with millions more infected , before the end of the pandemic .
As of late June , there have been more than 125,000 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re seeing now , how many COVID deaths and infections should America expect before this is all over ?
” Warren asked Tuesday .
“ I can ’ t make an accurate prediction , but it is going to be very disturbing , I can guarantee you that , ” Fauci replied .
“ Because when you have an outbreak in one part of the country , even though in other parts of the country they ’ re doing well , they are vulnerable.
” States such as New York have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Texas , Arizona and Florida , are seeing a resurgence of infections as politicians have pushed to reopen businesses .
At least 16 states have now paused their reopening plans amid the spike in cases .
“ We can ’ t just focus on those areas that are having the surge .
It puts the entire country at risk , ” Fauci said .
“ We are now having 40-plus thousand new cases a day , I would not be surprised if we go up to 100,000 cases a day if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am very concerned.
” Fauci previously warned that the U.S. would have cases well into the fall .
Trump , meanwhile , has been largely silent on the continued spike in cases , instead focusing on vandalized statues and his own ego .
As more than 35,000 new cases and more than 300 new deaths were reported Tuesday in the U.S. , the president was busy tweeting about himself .

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, warned Tuesday that the U.S. could see as many as 100,000 daily coronavirus infections if states where cases are surging don’t begin taking stronger measures to combat the spread.
Fauci issued the grim warning to a Senate committee while discussing President Donald Trump’s response to the deadly virus.
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) referred to comments Fauci made in March, when he theorized the U.S. could see between 100,000 and 200,000 deaths from COVID-19, with millions more infected, before the end of the pandemic. As of late June, there have been more than 125,000 deaths in the U.S.
“Based on what you’re seeing now, how many COVID deaths and infections should America expect before this is all over?” Warren asked Tuesday.
“I can’t make an accurate prediction, but it is going to be very disturbing, I can guarantee you that,” Fauci replied. “Because when you have an outbreak in one part of the country, even though in other parts of the country they’re doing well, they are vulnerable.”
States such as New York have seen a decline in cases, but others, including Texas, Arizona and Florida, are seeing a resurgence of infections as politicians have pushed to reopen businesses. At least 16 states have now paused their reopening plans amid the spike in cases.
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“We can’t just focus on those areas that are having the surge. It puts the entire country at risk,” Fauci said. “We are now having 40-plus thousand new cases a day, I would not be surprised if we go up to 100,000 cases a day if this does not turn around, so I am very concerned.”
Fauci previously warned that the U.S. would have cases well into the fall.
THE LONE WARRIOR! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 30, 2020
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated the number of new infections and deaths reported on Tuesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--America's Pediatricians Say Schools Should Reopen For The Fall

The American Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP ) has come out strongly in favor of schools having students return to the classroom in the fall , despite the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19 .
“ The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school , ” the group said in an update to its guidance for school re-entry .
The guidance asserts that “ the importance of in-person learning is well-documented , ” and that evidence already has emerged of “ negative impacts ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spring .
One research paper estimates that the 55 million U.S. children who were out of school due to the coronavirus pandemic may have lost roughly a third of their progress in reading and half of their progress in math .
Being away from school for a long period of time can lead to social isolation , the group said .
Prolonged closures can make it difficult for schools to identify students who are struggling academically , or who may be dealing with domestic abuse , substance abuse , and serious mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The guidance comes as COVID-19 cases are surging in many states , meaning that risks surround a return to classrooms .
The AAP calls for school policies to be “ flexible ” and “ nimble ” in responding to new information on the pandemic as it arises , and said education officials should adopt policies that can be easily revised if case counts in a given school or community spike .
But the group also points to data suggesting that COVID-19 has not been as serious in children — and that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus to each other .
“ Although many questions remain , the preponderance of evidence indicates that children and adolescents are less likely to be symptomatic and less likely to have severe disease resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection , ” the guidance said .
“ In addition , children may be less likely to become infected and to spread infection.
” ( One of the more serious post-infection health problems linked to COVID-19 — pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome ― can be life-threatening to the children it afflicts , but so far such cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The guidance said school districts should do what they can to promote social distancing , while acknowledging the practical challenges that presents , particularly in over-crowded schools already strapped for space .
The AAP pointed to some evidence that 3-feet of space between students may be effective in combatting viral spread , particularly if coupled with mask-wearing .
The AAP guidance also said that while universal masking is “ ideal , ” it is not always realistic , particularly among younger children .
While noting that some people have medical exceptions , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students — those in middle or high school — generally can wear cloth masks ” safely and consistently , ” and should be encouraged to .
Several states have begun to roll out their plans for the upcoming academic year , including New Jersey and Connecticut , that aim for the re-opening of in-person classrooms .
But others , like New York City — once the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. — have yet to firm up plans , hinting at the strong likelihood of a hybrid model combining some remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whenever school districts determine that in-person learning can resume , teachers should be ready to deal with significant setbacks in children ’ s academic , social and emotional development in the wake of last spring ’ s abrupt closures , the AAP said .

Larissa Veronesi via Getty Images The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the resumption of in-person learning in the fall when at all possible.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has come out strongly in favor of schools having students return to the classroom in the fall, despite the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19.
“The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school,” the group said in an update to its guidance for school re-entry.
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The guidance asserts that “the importance of in-person learning is well-documented,” and that evidence already has emerged of “negative impacts” on children due to school closures in the spring.
One research paper estimates that the 55 million U.S. children who were out of school due to the coronavirus pandemic may have lost roughly a third of their progress in reading and half of their progress in math.
But children have not simply taken a hit academically, the AAP warned.
Being away from school for a long period of time can lead to social isolation, the group said. Prolonged closures can make it difficult for schools to identify students who are struggling academically, or who may be dealing with domestic abuse, substance abuse, and serious mental health concerns like depression and suicidal thoughts.
School closures also have a direct impact on children’s nutrition and their physical activity levels.
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“The AAP guidance also says that while universal masking is "ideal," it is not always realistic, particularly among younger children.”
The guidance comes as COVID-19 cases are surging in many states, meaning that risks surround a return to classrooms. The AAP calls for school policies to be “flexible” and “nimble” in responding to new information on the pandemic as it arises, and said education officials should adopt policies that can be easily revised if case counts in a given school or community spike.
But the group also points to data suggesting that COVID-19 has not been as serious in children — and that they may be less likely to spread the virus to each other.
“Although many questions remain, the preponderance of evidence indicates that children and adolescents are less likely to be symptomatic and less likely to have severe disease resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection,” the guidance said. “In addition, children may be less likely to become infected and to spread infection.”
(One of the more serious post-infection health problems linked to COVID-19 — pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome ― can be life-threatening to the children it afflicts, but so far such cases in the U.S. have been rare.)
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The AAP guidance offered ways schools can balance the desire to resume in-person learning with the need to keep students and staff safe.
The guidance said school districts should do what they can to promote social distancing, while acknowledging the practical challenges that presents, particularly in over-crowded schools already strapped for space. The AAP pointed to some evidence that 3-feet of space between students may be effective in combatting viral spread, particularly if coupled with mask-wearing.
The AAP guidance also said that while universal masking is “ideal,” it is not always realistic, particularly among younger children. While noting that some people have medical exceptions, the group said that school staff and older students — those in middle or high school — generally can wear cloth masks ”safely and consistently,” and should be encouraged to.
Several states have begun to roll out their plans for the upcoming academic year, including New Jersey and Connecticut, that aim for the re-opening of in-person classrooms.
But others, like New York City — once the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. — have yet to firm up plans, hinting at the strong likelihood of a hybrid model combining some remote learning and some in-person classes.
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Ultimately, whenever school districts determine that in-person learning can resume, teachers should be ready to deal with significant setbacks in children’s academic, social and emotional development in the wake of last spring’s abrupt closures, the AAP said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--Confused About What’s Safe To Do Right Now? Ask Us Your COVID-19 Questions.

Leave your coronavirus questions in the comments here any time before July 7 , and our health experts will respond to them .
If you don ’ t already have a login , it will prompt you to sign up , which is free .
Pandemic fatigue has fully set in .
States are in various stages of reopening , and summer weather is tempting us out of our homes .
Yet we are still seeing COVID-19 spread : The World Health Organization recently reported the largest single-day increase in virus cases worldwide since the crisis began .
Though we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s clear the virus isn ’ t finished with us .
At the start of the pandemic , we collectively knew what to do : Stay home .
But now , with no standardized guidelines on how we ’ re supposed to behave , everyone seems to be living by their own rules .
Many are trying to determine what ’ s actually safe , while others have given up entirely .
It ’ s leading to a lot of confusion ― and a threat to public health .
Leave your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HuffPost medical contributor Dr. Kavita Patel and senior wellness editor Lindsay Holmes will respond to them .
Check back on July 7 at 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m .
ET , when they will be answering live .
( If you don ’ t already have a login to leave a comment , it will prompt you to sign up for a free HuffPost membership account . )

Thank you for joining our Q&A with our health experts on July 7. You can view their responses here as well as the most common questions and answers here. If you did not get to leave a question or your question wasn’t answered, you can email coronavirus.questions@huffpost.com. Our reporters may answer them in a future story.
Pandemic fatigue has fully set in. States are in various stages of reopening, and summer weather is tempting us out of our homes. Yet we are still seeing COVID-19 spread: The World Health Organization recently reported the largest single-day increase in virus cases worldwide since the crisis began. Though we may be finished with the coronavirus, it’s clear the virus isn’t finished with us.
At the start of the pandemic, we collectively knew what to do: Stay home. But now, with no standardized guidelines on how we’re supposed to behave, everyone seems to be living by their own rules. Many are trying to determine what’s actually safe, while others have given up entirely. It’s leading to a lot of confusion ― and a threat to public health.
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Thank you for joining our Q&A with HuffPost medical contributor Dr. Kavita Patel and senior wellness editor Lindsay Holmes on July 7. You can view their responses here. If you did not get to leave a question or your question wasn’t answered, you can email coronavirus.questions@huffpost.com. Our reporters may answer them in a future story.
(Please avoid sharing personally identifiable health information about yourself or others in this thread, as these comments are public. And please be aware that any general advice provided here is no substitute for consulting your doctor or health care professional.)
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-30--Major Movie Theater Chains Keep Delaying Their Reopenings

The largest movie theater chains in the U.S. , Canada and the U.K. are all postponing their plans to welcome back moviegoers after several major Hollywood films delayed their release dates once again , due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in many parts of the U.S. AMC , Regal and Cinemark — the three biggest movie theater chains in the United States and Canada — as well as Cineworld , the U.K. ’ s biggest movie theater chain ( and the parent company of Regal ) , will not begin reopening their locations until at least the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change because of the uncertainty around the pandemic .
The movie theaters ’ plans to reopen have continually been in flux and dependent on the ever-changing release dates of major movies .
Initially , Hollywood seemed to optimistically pin its hopes on the month of July , lining up big releases like “ Tenet ” and “ Mulan.
” But both films , which are expected to be major box-office draws — creating immense financial pressure for the movie industry — have postponed their release dates in response to a spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States .
As of now , “ Tenet ” is slated to be released Aug. 12 and “ Mulan ” on Aug. 21 .
Movie theaters and other large indoor spaces are among the highest-risk locations for spreading the virus , so it remains unclear how theater operators will be able to keep employees and moviegoers safe if or when they resume operations .
The major theater chains ’ tentative reopening plans have included reduced capacity and frequent cleaning .
But many of the latest outbreaks have been linked to indoor spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which are operating at reduced capacity as well .
When announcing AMC ’ s initial reopening plans earlier this month , CEO Adam Aron garnered widespread criticism when he said the chain would not require moviegoers to wear masks because he “ did not want to be drawn into a political controversy , ” despite growing consensus among public health experts that wearing masks can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus .

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The largest movie theater chains in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. are all postponing their plans to welcome back moviegoers after several major Hollywood films delayed their release dates once again, due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in many parts of the U.S.
AMC, Regal and Cinemark — the three biggest movie theater chains in the United States and Canada — as well as Cineworld, the U.K.’s biggest movie theater chain (and the parent company of Regal), will not begin reopening their locations until at least the end of July.
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Taking into account the newly scheduled release dates of @DisneysMulan and @TENETFilm, AMC will pushback two weeks and resume theatre operations beginning Thursday, July 30, in time for a theatrical slate commencing in August. — AMC Theatres (@AMCTheatres) June 29, 2020
In line with the recent adjustments to upcoming movie release schedules, Regal theatres will reopen starting Friday, July 31
7/31: #UnhingedMovie
8/7: #BrokenHeartsGallery
8/12: #Tenet
8/21: #Mulan
8/21: #Antebellum — Regal (@RegalMovies) June 30, 2020
UPDATE: In line with recent changes to upcoming film release dates, we are moving our re-opening date to July 31. Find out more here >> https://t.co/xR3wVYZ1YJ pic.twitter.com/pyeyEk9Y2z — cineworld (@cineworld) June 30, 2020
Those dates remain subject to change because of the uncertainty around the pandemic. The movie theaters’ plans to reopen have continually been in flux and dependent on the ever-changing release dates of major movies.
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Initially, Hollywood seemed to optimistically pin its hopes on the month of July, lining up big releases like “Tenet” and “Mulan.”
But both films, which are expected to be major box-office draws — creating immense financial pressure for the movie industry — have postponed their release dates in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases in significant portions of the United States.
As of now, “Tenet” is slated to be released Aug. 12 and “Mulan” on Aug. 21.
Movie theaters and other large indoor spaces are among the highest-risk locations for spreading the virus, so it remains unclear how theater operators will be able to keep employees and moviegoers safe if or when they resume operations.
The major theater chains’ tentative reopening plans have included reduced capacity and frequent cleaning. But many of the latest outbreaks have been linked to indoor spaces such as restaurants and bars, some of which are operating at reduced capacity as well.
When announcing AMC’s initial reopening plans earlier this month, CEO Adam Aron garnered widespread criticism when he said the chain would not require moviegoers to wear masks because he “did not want to be drawn into a political controversy,” despite growing consensus among public health experts that wearing masks can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
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Aron later backpedaled, saying AMC locations would require face masks except when eating or drinking concessions.