thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--China Tells U.S. To Close Consulate In Chengdu In Growing Spat

BEIJING ( AP ) — China ordered the United States on Friday to close its consulate in the western city of Chengdu , ratcheting up a diplomatic conflict at a time when relations have sunk to their lowest level in decades .
The move was a response to the Trump administration ’ s order this week for Beijing to close its consulate in Houston after Washington accused Chinese agents of trying to steal medical and other research in Texas .
“ The measure taken by China is a legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The current situation in Chinese-U.S. relations is not what China desires to see .
The United States is responsible for all this , ” the ministry said .
“ We once again urge the United States to immediately retract its wrong decision and create necessary conditions for bringing the bilateral relationship back on track.
” On Tuesday , the Trump administration ordered the Houston consulate closed within 72 hours .
It alleged Chinese agents tried to steal data from facilities including the Texas A & M medical system .
The ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ malicious slander ” and warned the Houston consulate ’ s closure was “ breaking down the bridge of friendship ” between the two countries .
The United States has an embassy in Beijing and consulates in five other mainland cities — Shanghai , Guangzhou , Chengdu , Shenyang and Wuhan .
It also has a consulate in Hong Kong , a Chinese territory .
The consulate in Chengdu is responsible for monitoring Tibet and other areas in the southwest inhabited by non-ethnic Chinese minorities that are considered especially sensitive by Beijing .
Asian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertain pace of recovery from the coronavirus pandemic , fell Friday on the news of the closure .
China ’ s market benchmark , the Shanghai Composite Index lost 3.1 % .
Hong Kong ’ s main index declined 2.4 % .
“ Alongside the eviction of the Houston Chinese Consulate , the risk of the U.S.-China conflict escalating into a ‘ Cold War ’ is worrying , ” said Hayaki Narita of Mizuho Bank in a report .
The consulate in Chengdu was in the news in 2012 when Wang Lijun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Chongqing , visited and told American officials his concerns about the death of a British business associate of the wife of Chongqing ’ s Communist Party secretary , Bo Xilai .
That prompted the British Embassy to ask for a new investigation , which led to the arrest and conviction of Bo ’ s wife .
Bo was later dismissed and sentenced to prison .
The consulate was surrounded by police while Wang was inside .
He later emerged and was arrested and sentenced to 15 years on charges of corruption and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to confirm whether Wang asked for asylum .
Also Thursday , the U.S. Justice Department said it believes the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco is harboring a Chinese researcher , Tang Juan , who is accused of lying about her background in the Communist Party ’ s military wing on a visa application .
U.S. authorities this week announced criminal charges against two Chinese computer hackers who are accused of targeting companies that are working on vaccines for the coronavirus .
The Justice Department said Tang lied on a visa application last October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of California , Davis , and again during an FBI interview months later .
U.S. officials including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have stepped up accusations of technology theft .
In a speech Thursday , Pompeo said some Chinese students and others “ come here to steal our intellectual property and to take this back to their country .
”

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BEIJING (AP) — China ordered the United States on Friday to close its consulate in the western city of Chengdu, ratcheting up a diplomatic conflict at a time when relations have sunk to their lowest level in decades.
The move was a response to the Trump administration’s order this week for Beijing to close its consulate in Houston after Washington accused Chinese agents of trying to steal medical and other research in Texas.
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The Chinese foreign ministry appealed to Washington to reverse its “wrong decision.”
Chinese-U.S. relations have soured amid a mounting array of conflicts including trade, the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, technology, spying accusations, Hong Kong and allegations of abuses against Chinese Muslims.
“The measure taken by China is a legitimate and necessary response to the unjustified act by the United States,” said a foreign ministry statement.
“The current situation in Chinese-U.S. relations is not what China desires to see. The United States is responsible for all this,” the ministry said. “We once again urge the United States to immediately retract its wrong decision and create necessary conditions for bringing the bilateral relationship back on track.”
On Tuesday, the Trump administration ordered the Houston consulate closed within 72 hours. It alleged Chinese agents tried to steal data from facilities including the Texas A&M medical system.
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The ministry on Thursday rejected the allegations as “malicious slander” and warned the Houston consulate’s closure was “breaking down the bridge of friendship” between the two countries.
The United States has an embassy in Beijing and consulates in five other mainland cities — Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang and Wuhan. It also has a consulate in Hong Kong, a Chinese territory.
The consulate in Chengdu is responsible for monitoring Tibet and other areas in the southwest inhabited by non-ethnic Chinese minorities that are considered especially sensitive by Beijing.
Asian stock markets, already uneasy about the uncertain pace of recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, fell Friday on the news of the closure. China’s market benchmark, the Shanghai Composite Index lost 3.1%. Hong Kong’s main index declined 2.4%.
“Alongside the eviction of the Houston Chinese Consulate, the risk of the U.S.-China conflict escalating into a ‘Cold War’ is worrying,” said Hayaki Narita of Mizuho Bank in a report.
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The consulate in Chengdu was in the news in 2012 when Wang Lijun, the police chief of the major city of Chongqing, visited and told American officials his concerns about the death of a British business associate of the wife of Chongqing’s Communist Party secretary, Bo Xilai.
That prompted the British Embassy to ask for a new investigation, which led to the arrest and conviction of Bo’s wife. Bo was later dismissed and sentenced to prison.
The consulate was surrounded by police while Wang was inside. He later emerged and was arrested and sentenced to 15 years on charges of corruption and defection. The U.S. government has refused to confirm whether Wang asked for asylum.
Also Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said it believes the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco is harboring a Chinese researcher, Tang Juan, who is accused of lying about her background in the Communist Party’s military wing on a visa application.
The department announced criminal charges of visa fraud against Tang and three other Chinese researchers.
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U.S. authorities this week announced criminal charges against two Chinese computer hackers who are accused of targeting companies that are working on vaccines for the coronavirus.
The Justice Department said Tang lied on a visa application last October as she made plans to work at the University of California, Davis, and again during an FBI interview months later.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Late-Night Hosts Unleash On Trump's 5-Word Boast About Being 'Cognitively There'

President Donald Trump ’ s first boast about how he “ aced ” his cognitive test proved to be excellent fodder for late-night TV hosts ― and he just keeps feeding them more material .
The comedians of late night let loose Thursday after the president grandstanded about his test results again during an interview that aired Wednesday on Fox News .
On Sunday , during another interview on the network with anchor Chris Wallace , Trump had claimed that the test gets “ very hard , ” prompting an onslaught of mockery from his late-night critics .
The Montreal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed not to measure intelligence but to look for signs of cognitive impairment , meaning its questions are supposed to be quite simple for those who are not cognitively impaired , its founder told MarketWatch earlier this week .
Nonetheless , the president proudly announced in his latest interview that he was able to recite the words “ Person , woman , man , camera , TV ” in order multiple times .
“ They say , ‘ That ’ s amazing .
How did you do that ?
’ I do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good memory , ” he said of his doctors .
“ Because I ’ m cognitively there.
” “ Late Show ” host Stephen Colbert said Trump was racking up points for his game-show , “ So You Think You Can Keep Your Car Keys.
” “ The Tonight Show ” host Jimmy Fallon said he “ felt a lot better knowing that the president of the United States passed concussion protocol ” and played a Dora The Explorer-themed study tool for the test .
And Seth Meyers on “ Late Night ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to name five whole objects in his field of vision .
“ Send this man his MacArthur Genius Grant and get Mensa on the phone , they ’ re going to want to see this , ” he said .

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President Donald Trump’s first boast about how he “aced” his cognitive test proved to be excellent fodder for late-night TV hosts ― and he just keeps feeding them more material.
The comedians of late night let loose Thursday after the president grandstanded about his test results again during an interview that aired Wednesday on Fox News.
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On Sunday, during another interview on the network with anchor Chris Wallace, Trump had claimed that the test gets “very hard,” prompting an onslaught of mockery from his late-night critics.
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was designed not to measure intelligence but to look for signs of cognitive impairment, meaning its questions are supposed to be quite simple for those who are not cognitively impaired, its founder told MarketWatch earlier this week.
Nonetheless, the president proudly announced in his latest interview that he was able to recite the words “Person, woman, man, camera, TV” in order multiple times.
“They say, ‘That’s amazing. How did you do that?’ I do it because I have, like, a good memory,” he said of his doctors. “Because I’m cognitively there.”
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“Late Show” host Stephen Colbert said Trump was racking up points for his game-show, “So You Think You Can Keep Your Car Keys.”
Watch the segment here:
“The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon said he “felt a lot better knowing that the president of the United States passed concussion protocol” and played a Dora The Explorer-themed study tool for the test.
Check out his roast below:
And Seth Meyers on “Late Night” wondered how on earth the president was able to name five whole objects in his field of vision.
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“Send this man his MacArthur Genius Grant and get Mensa on the phone, they’re going to want to see this,” he said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Anderson Cooper Gushes Over New Photos Of 'Really Quite Adorable' Son Wyatt

CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper looked every bit the proud father as he gushed over photos of his baby son @ @ @ @ @ hall on the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday .
“ He has no idea of anything @ @ @ @ @ outside and I ’ m very happy about that , ” Cooper said as pictures @ @ @ @ @ appeared on the screen .
“ He ’ s really quite adorable , ” continued @ @ @ @ @ like milk .
I feel he ’ s so full of milk , that if @ @ @ @ @ would be milk that comes out.
” “ My favorite is waking up and getting @ @ @ @ @ morning to be there when he wakes up , ” Cooper added .
Cooper , @ @ @ @ @ the images on Instagram last week .
“ Wyatt is 10 weeks old and doing @ @ @ @ @ and milk , bath time and being read to , ” he captioned the snaps @

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CNN’s Anderson Cooper looked every bit the proud father as he gushed over photos of his baby son Wyatt during a televised town hall on the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday.
“He has no idea of anything that’s going on outside and I’m very happy about that,” Cooper said as pictures of himself with his 11-week-old appeared on the screen.
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“He’s really quite adorable,” continued Cooper. “He smells like milk. I feel he’s so full of milk, that if he got accidentally cut it would be milk that comes out.”
“My favorite is waking up and getting to his room in the morning to be there when he wakes up,” Cooper added.
“There’s nothing better,” he said.
Wyatt was born via surrogate in April.
Check out the segment here:
Cooper, 53, shared two of the images on Instagram last week.
“Wyatt is 10 weeks old and doing great. He likes naps and milk, bath time and being read to,” he captioned the snaps:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Florida TV Reporter Learns She Has Cancer After Viewer Spots Symptom On Air

A Florida news reporter revealed Thursday that she was diagnosed with cancer after one of her viewers drew her attention to a symptom she was unaware of .
In a Twitter post , WFLA-TV journalist Victoria Price said that as a journalist covering the “ never-ending news cycle ” of the coronavirus pandemic these past few months , she wasn ’ t thinking about her own health .
Then she received an email last month from a viewer of the Tampa-based station .
The viewer noticed a lump on Price ’ s neck , which she said resembled one she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to be cancer .
In a copy of the viewer ’ s email that Price shared , the woman advised Price to get her thyroid checked .
“ Turns out , mine is too , ” Price wrote .
“ COVID created some diagnostic delays but I ’ ll finally be undergoing surgery this Monday to remove the tumor , my thyroid , and a couple of the nearby lymph nodes .
Doctor says it ’ s spreading , but not too much , and we ’ re hopeful this will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of ~personal news~ to share .
Turns out , I have cancer .
And I owe it to one of our wonderful @ WFLA viewers for bringing it to my attention .
I ’ ll be off work for a bit after tomorrow , but I ’ ll see y ’ all soon 🥰 pic.twitter.com/UMsoj2SjtM — victoria price ( @ WFLAVictoria ) July 23 , 2020 The lump that the viewer noticed , Price said in another tweet , was the result of a tumor in the middle of her thyroid pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that chemotherapy was not in the cards at this stage .
Hi !
I agree , not the easiest to see .
It ’ s not super obvious unless you know what to look for .
This screenshot shows it a bit better .
I ’ m still learning but doc explained that the tumor is in the middle of my thyroid , pushing the glands up and out , hence the subtle protrusion .
pic.twitter.com/NFeoRVcUdz — victoria price ( @ WFLAVictoria ) July 24 , 2020 “ Had I never received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called my doctor .
The cancer would have continued to spread .
It ’ s a scary and humbling thought , ” she added .
She said she would be forever thankful to the stranger who reached out to help .
“ The world is a tough place these days .
Don ’ t forget to take care of yourself , ” she concluded .
“ Take care of each other .
”

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A Florida news reporter revealed Thursday that she was diagnosed with cancer after one of her viewers drew her attention to a symptom she was unaware of.
In a Twitter post, WFLA-TV journalist Victoria Price said that as a journalist covering the “never-ending news cycle” of the coronavirus pandemic these past few months, she wasn’t thinking about her own health.
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Then she received an email last month from a viewer of the Tampa-based station. The viewer noticed a lump on Price’s neck, which she said resembled one she’d had herself and which turned out to be cancer. In a copy of the viewer’s email that Price shared, the woman advised Price to get her thyroid checked.
“Turns out, mine is too,” Price wrote. “COVID created some diagnostic delays but I’ll finally be undergoing surgery this Monday to remove the tumor, my thyroid, and a couple of the nearby lymph nodes. Doctor says it’s spreading, but not too much, and we’re hopeful this will be my first and last procedure.”
A bit of ~personal news~ to share.
Turns out, I have cancer. And I owe it to one of our wonderful @WFLA viewers for bringing it to my attention.
I’ll be off work for a bit after tomorrow, but I’ll see y’all soon 🥰 pic.twitter.com/UMsoj2SjtM — victoria price (@WFLAVictoria) July 23, 2020
The lump that the viewer noticed, Price said in another tweet, was the result of a tumor in the middle of her thyroid pushing the glands up and out. She added that chemotherapy was not in the cards at this stage.
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Hi! I agree, not the easiest to see. It’s not super obvious unless you know what to look for. This screenshot shows it a bit better. I’m still learning but doc explained that the tumor is in the middle of my thyroid, pushing the glands up and out, hence the subtle protrusion. pic.twitter.com/NFeoRVcUdz — victoria price (@WFLAVictoria) July 24, 2020
“Had I never received that email, I never would have called my doctor. The cancer would have continued to spread. It’s a scary and humbling thought,” she added.
She said she would be forever thankful to the stranger who reached out to help.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-23--Giants And Dodgers Players Take A Knee During National Anthem

Some San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers players and staff knelt during the national anthem before Thursday ’ s season opener in a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement .
Players on both teams knelt before the national anthem at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles , holding a single length of black fabric while a video on racial injustice played .
Some then remained kneeling during the anthem , including Giants manager Gabe Kepler .
Other players to kneel included Dodger Mookie Betts and Giants players Pablo Sandoval and Mike Yastrzemski .
Earlier , at Nationals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Yankees and Washington Nationals players knelt and made a similar demonstration before they all rose for the anthem .
The demonstrations come after nearly two months of anti-racism and police brutality protests have rocked the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd , a Black man killed by Minneapolis police officers .
The act of taking a knee ― made famous by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick , who faced harsh backlash after he knelt during the national anthem in 2016 to draw attention to racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a powerful symbol of protest for athletes .
It appears to be a pivotal moment in sports as many leagues , some of which were previously resistant to allowing athlete activism , take an active stand on social justice issues as they resume games following months-long delays .
Major League Baseball said Wednesday that players would be permitted this season to wear wristbands and batting practice T-shirts in support of the Black Lives Matter movement .
On opening weekend , teams had the option to put “ BLM ” or “ United for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitcher ’ s mound and on jersey patches .
“ As a team , we ’ re having conversations in our clubhouse over the last two days .
I know the Yankees are doing the same thing , ″ Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle said Wednesday , according to The Associated Press .
“ I think it ’ s really important for us as a league to echo what other sports leagues have done so far .
We ’ ve seen the MLS .
We ’ ve seen NASCAR .
We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave his pregame conference in a Black Lives Matter shirt .
On the West Coast , San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers players and coaches on the field wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts before the game .
Earlier this week , Giants manager Kepler and several players knelt during the national anthem before an exhibition game .
They were the first members of a Major League Baseball team to do so since Bruce Maxwell did it in 2017 , USA Today reported , and it marked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the anthem .

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Some San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers players and staff knelt during the national anthem before Thursday’s season opener in a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Players on both teams knelt before the national anthem at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, holding a single length of black fabric while a video on racial injustice played. Some then remained kneeling during the anthem, including Giants manager Gabe Kepler. Other players to kneel included Dodger Mookie Betts and Giants players Pablo Sandoval and Mike Yastrzemski.
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Earlier, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals players knelt and made a similar demonstration before they all rose for the anthem.
Everybody on both teams took a knee prior to the anthem. Then stood for the anthem. pic.twitter.com/Z186ZDEsU9 — Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 23, 2020
The demonstrations come after nearly two months of anti-racism and police brutality protests have rocked the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by Minneapolis police officers. The act of taking a knee ― made famous by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who faced harsh backlash after he knelt during the national anthem in 2016 to draw attention to racial inequality and police brutality ― has become a powerful symbol of protest for athletes.
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It appears to be a pivotal moment in sports as many leagues, some of which were previously resistant to allowing athlete activism, take an active stand on social justice issues as they resume games following months-long delays.
Major League Baseball said Wednesday that players would be permitted this season to wear wristbands and batting practice T-shirts in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. On opening weekend, teams had the option to put “BLM” or “United for Change” on the back of the pitcher’s mound and on jersey patches.
“As a team, we’re having conversations in our clubhouse over the last two days. I know the Yankees are doing the same thing,″ Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle said Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. “I think it’s really important for us as a league to echo what other sports leagues have done so far. We’ve seen the MLS. We’ve seen NASCAR. We’ve seen Formula One make really powerful statements.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave his pregame conference in a Black Lives Matter shirt. On the West Coast, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers players and coaches on the field wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts before the game.
Earlier this week, Giants manager Kepler and several players knelt during the national anthem before an exhibition game. They were the first members of a Major League Baseball team to do so since Bruce Maxwell did it in 2017, USA Today reported, and it marked the first time a league manager has knelt during the anthem.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Major Storms Headed For Texas And Hawaii This Weekend

Both Texas and Hawaii are bracing for hurricanes this weekend as storms began making their way toward the states Friday night .
Tropical Storm Hanna is currently gaining strength as it moves across the western Gulf of Mexico toward the coastal bend area near Corpus Christi , Texas , where the National Hurricane Center says the storm may land as a hurricane .
“ The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline , ” the NHC said , noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 50 mph .
The center issued a hurricane warning on Thursday night , which indicates people should be prepared for a storm to hit in the next 24 hours .
“ We ’ re thinking this is mainly a heavy rain and flash flood event , ” National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Reilly said on Friday evening , adding , “ some elevated tides will cause some coastal flooding , especially as you get down south of Sargent down into the Matagorda Bay area.
” Meanwhile , Hurricane Douglas , a Category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to weaken over the next day before making landfall on the islands Saturday evening or Sunday morning , likely as a Category 1 hurricane .
A hurricane watch is in effect for Hawaii and Maui counties .
The storm ’ s current maximum sustained wind speeds are near 115 mph .
The threat of the storms is compounded by worsening COVID-19 outbreaks in both Hawaii and Texas , making any use of communal shelters and other evacuation plans potentially dangerous .
Hawaii set a record high for COVID-19 cases for the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 new infections statewide .
Nearly all of those new cases are on Oahu , which is expected to be hit by Douglas this weekend .
The situation is worse in Texas , where both storm prospects and the coronavirus outbreak are more severe .
“ If you ’ re anywhere on the Texas coast right now between Corpus Christi and Port Arthur – including metro Houston – start thinking about how Covid affects your family ’ s evacuation plan , ” meteorologist Eric Holthaus tweeted earlier this week about the impending storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new COVID-19 cases in the last week and is among the worst-affected states right now .

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Both Texas and Hawaii are bracing for hurricanes this weekend as storms began making their way toward the states Friday night.
Hurricane Hanna strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane Saturday morning, and is expected to make landfall in southern Texas later in the day.
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“The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,” the NHC said, noting Hanna currently has wind speeds of up to 50 mph. The center issued a hurricane warning on Thursday night, which indicates people should be prepared for a storm to hit in the next 24 hours.
“We’re thinking this is mainly a heavy rain and flash flood event,” National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Reilly said on Friday evening, adding, “some elevated tides will cause some coastal flooding, especially as you get down south of Sargent down into the Matagorda Bay area.”
Meanwhile, Hurricane Douglas, a Category 3 storm heading toward Hawaii, is expected to weaken over the next day before making landfall on the islands Saturday evening or Sunday morning, likely as a Category 1 hurricane. A hurricane watch is in effect for Hawaii and Maui counties. The storm’s current maximum sustained wind speeds are near 115 mph.
The threat of the storms is compounded by worsening COVID-19 outbreaks in both Hawaii and Texas, making any use of communal shelters and other evacuation plans potentially dangerous. Hawaii set a record high for COVID-19 cases for the second day in a row on Friday with 60 new infections statewide. Nearly all of those new cases are on Oahu, which is expected to be hit by Douglas this weekend.
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The situation is worse in Texas, where both storm prospects and the coronavirus outbreak are more severe.
“If you’re anywhere on the Texas coast right now between Corpus Christi and Port Arthur – including metro Houston – start thinking about how Covid affects your family’s evacuation plan,” meteorologist Eric Holthaus tweeted earlier this week about the impending storm.
Texas has tallied more than 64,000 new COVID-19 cases in the last week and is among the worst-affected states right now.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Doctors Post Bikini Photos To Protest Study That Calls Them Unprofessional

Medical professionals around the world are posting bikini selfies to protest a study that suggests the pics are “ unprofessional.
” The study , which appeared in the Journal of Vascular Surgery , suggested that patients may choose their hospital , doctor or medical facility based , in part , on how professional a doctor ’ s publicly available social media content appears .
The researchers created fake social media profiles in order to study each medical professional ’ s personal photos and determined that 61 of the 235 medical residents they studied had “ unprofessional or potentially unprofessional content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study defined “ unprofessional behavior ” as drinking alcohol , using profane language , wearing Halloween costumes and sharing bikini photos .
Although the study was published last December , it went viral among medical pros this week , many of whom objected to the way it was conducted .
If you are a true # heforshe then you must speak up against this disturbing study 3 men created fake social media accounts to purposefully spy on applicants Worse they are shaming our women physician colleagues for wearing bikinis 🤦🏽♂ # MedTwitter # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ DrChowdharyMD ) July 24 , 2020 As a result , the hashtag # MedBikini started trending on Twitter as many female doctors posted their own bikini selfies in protest .
Apparently it ’ s unprofessional for doctors to post social media pics wearing bikinis & drinking alcohol , so here ’ s me doing both .
# MedBikini Also deemed unprofessional , profanity & political talk but these dudes can fuck off b/c health care should be free at the point of care .
https : //t.co/Lk99jCRdrD — Dr. Victoria Dooley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Ha !
Found a selfie in a bikini .
To the 28 year old “ researcher ” who says this is unprofessional for women doctors , I ’ m old enough to be your grandmother .
# MedBikini pic.twitter.com/84CKW9nfhz — Trisha Greenhalgh 😷 # BlackLivesMatter ( @ trishgreenhalgh ) July 24 , 2020 I ’ m excellent at my job , I ’ m a professional .
I ’ m a doctor .
I ’ m a human .
I ’ m VERY sexually active .
If you have a problem with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door .
Nobody tells me what I can/can ’ t wear since I ’ m in healthcare , like this see-through set I ’ m wearing # MedBikini # medbikini pic.twitter.com/AAq9f5bwIb — Karen Estefany ( @ thekinkymedgirl ) July 24 , 2020 # MedTwitter , do you know what ’ s unprofessional ?
Misogyny and sexism .
Do you know what not unprofessional ?
Enjoying yourself , knowing how to relax and owning your body .
Here I am in a cold waterfall .
Placement clothing wouldn ’ t be very appropriate here.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ marinadpol ) July 24 , 2020 59-year-old Emergency Doc -- not quite a bikini but it will have to do .
I can still save your life and beat you in arm wrestling .
# MedBikini pic.twitter.com/S3qEUZPX0A — JaneDoeMD ( @ Caerage ) July 24 , 2020 It breaks my heart , but this just shows a peak behind the curtain at how behind and backwards the culture in medicine is .
Here 's a picture of me after finishing my leading Research Thesis on Emergency Vehicle Trauma .
Doctors are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Casey ( @ emilyscasey ) July 24 , 2020 Many male doctors also posted swimsuit photos to show their support for the cause .
Although no one will want to see this Dad bod here it is in full support of my female colleagues and this misogynistic study .
Without my female mentor in medschool and the one in residency , I wouldn ’ t be the surgeon I am today .
# MedBikini pic.twitter.com/nSlDtA5hTZ — Anthony Tucker ( @ AnthonyTuckerMD ) July 24 , 2020 In lieu of posting bikini selfies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study be retracted .
This is a call for the retraction of your paper : https : //t.co/bsrEDC4QRC .
It is highly inappropriate and discriminatory .
It does not reflect the values of your institute and that of this profession .
# retractthepaper @ BUMedicine @ BMCSurgery @ JVascSurg — SluttyMD ( @ MdSlutty ) July 23 , 2020 The reaction was so intense that researcher Dr. Jeff Siracuse apologized via a multipart Twitter thread .
He said study ’ s intent was “ to empower surgeons to be aware and then personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media .
“ However , this was clearly not the result , ” he said , adding in another tweet that “ we were wrong not to have considered the inherent gender bias and have certainly learned from this experience .
”

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Medical professionals around the world are posting bikini selfies to protest a study that suggests the pics are “unprofessional.”
The study, which appeared in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, suggested that patients may choose their hospital, doctor or medical facility based, in part, on how professional a doctor’s publicly available social media content appears.
Advertisement
The researchers created fake social media profiles in order to study each medical professional’s personal photos and determined that 61 of the 235 medical residents they studied had “unprofessional or potentially unprofessional content,” according to Insider.com.
The study defined “unprofessional behavior” as drinking alcohol, using profane language, wearing Halloween costumes and sharing bikini photos.
Although the study was published last December, it went viral among medical pros this week, many of whom objected to the way it was conducted.
If you are a true #heforshe then you must speak up against this disturbing study
3 men created fake social media accounts to purposefully spy on applicants
Worse they are shaming our women physician colleagues for wearing bikinis 🤦🏽♂ #MedTwitter #MedBikini #retraction pic.twitter.com/MvNZoBnok2 — Mudit Chowdhary (@DrChowdharyMD) July 24, 2020
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As a result, the hashtag #MedBikini started trending on Twitter as many female doctors posted their own bikini selfies in protest.
Apparently it’s unprofessional for doctors to post social media pics wearing bikinis & drinking alcohol, so here’s me doing both. #MedBikini
Also deemed unprofessional, profanity & political talk but these dudes can fuck off b/c health care should be free at the point of care. https://t.co/Lk99jCRdrD — Dr. Victoria Dooley (@DrDooleyMD) July 24, 2020
Ha! Found a selfie in a bikini. To the 28 year old “researcher” who says this is unprofessional for women doctors, I’m old enough to be your grandmother. #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/84CKW9nfhz — Trisha Greenhalgh 😷 #BlackLivesMatter (@trishgreenhalgh) July 24, 2020
I’m excellent at my job, I’m a professional. I’m a doctor. I’m a human. I’m VERY sexually active. If you have a problem with that, there’s the fucking door. Nobody tells me what I can/can’t wear since I’m in healthcare, like this see-through set I’m wearing #MedBikini #medbikini pic.twitter.com/AAq9f5bwIb — Karen Estefany (@thekinkymedgirl) July 24, 2020
Very professional neonatologist. Likes include bikinis, uttering profanities, alcoholic beverages, singing/dancing at concerts, shouting at matches, dressing up. Fan of breast milk. Dislikes include racism, homo/transphobia, misogyny #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/BJbAHemgZU — Anne Doolan (@drdoolan) July 24, 2020
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#MedTwitter, do you know what’s unprofessional? Misogyny and sexism.
Do you know what not unprofessional? Enjoying yourself, knowing how to relax and owning your body.
Here I am in a cold waterfall. Placement clothing wouldn’t be very appropriate here.#MedBikini #BodyPositivity pic.twitter.com/iRj9AKHMV8 — Marina (@marinadpol) July 24, 2020
59-year-old Emergency Doc--not quite a bikini but it will have to do. I can still save your life and beat you in arm wrestling. #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/S3qEUZPX0A — JaneDoeMD (@Caerage) July 24, 2020
It breaks my heart, but this just shows a peak behind the curtain at how behind and backwards the culture in medicine is. Here's a picture of me after finishing my leading Research Thesis on Emergency Vehicle Trauma. Doctors are people too #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/A4zrSYEFNo — Emily Casey (@emilyscasey) July 24, 2020
Many male doctors also posted swimsuit photos to show their support for the cause.
Although no one will want to see this Dad bod here it is in full support of my female colleagues and this misogynistic study. Without my female mentor in medschool and the one in residency, I wouldn’t be the surgeon I am today. #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/nSlDtA5hTZ — Anthony Tucker (@AnthonyTuckerMD) July 24, 2020
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Just double checking, is this unprofessional? Thanks in advance #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/tK1miSyPne — Mikey 90s Emocore RN 🏴 (@mikeythenurse) July 24, 2020
Apparently this makes me unprofessional oops 🤷🏽♂ #MedBikini pic.twitter.com/gZfvkdUo8r — Majed Abbas (@MajedAbbas24) July 24, 2020
In lieu of posting bikini selfies, other medical professionals posted tweets asking the study be retracted.
This is a call for the retraction of your paper: https://t.co/bsrEDC4QRC. It is highly inappropriate and discriminatory. It does not reflect the values of your institute and that of this profession. #retractthepaper
@BUMedicine @BMCSurgery @JVascSurg — SluttyMD (@MdSlutty) July 23, 2020
The reaction was so intense that researcher Dr. Jeff Siracuse apologized via a multipart Twitter thread.
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He said study’s intent was “to empower surgeons to be aware and then personally decide” what to post on social media.
“However, this was clearly not the result,” he said, adding in another tweet that “we were wrong not to have considered the inherent gender bias and have certainly learned from this experience.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--FDA Warns At Least 77 Brands Of Hand Sanitizers May Be Toxic

The Food and Drug Administration said it has identified at least 77 brands of hand sanitizers that may be toxic @ @ @ @ @ 77 potentially toxic products since June , with two products added to the list just @ @ @ @ @ Post reported Friday .
The FDA said instead of ethanol , the tested products contain @ @ @ @ @ .
Methanol can be toxic when absorbed through the skin , and can lead to @ @ @ @ @ can lead to death if ingested .
The warning comes amid a global pandemic that @ @ @ @ @ in people buying hand sanitizer and other disinfectant products .
At least seven people have @ @ @ @ @ been hospitalized in New Mexico and Arizona after ingesting hand sanitizer containing the toxic chemical @ @ @ @ @ .
Important conversations are happening now .
Add your voice !
Join HuffPost Today !

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The Food and Drug Administration said it has identified at least 77 brands of hand sanitizers that may be toxic.
Regulators have identified the 77 potentially toxic products since June, with two products added to the list just this week, The Washington Post reported Friday. The FDA said instead of ethanol, the tested products contain methanol, or wood alcohol.
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Methanol can be toxic when absorbed through the skin, and can lead to blindness and hospitalization. It can lead to death if ingested.
The warning comes amid a global pandemic that has seen a significant increase in people buying hand sanitizer and other disinfectant products.
At least seven people have died and dozens more have been hospitalized in New Mexico and Arizona after ingesting hand sanitizer containing the toxic chemical, according to the Post.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Face Mask Holders For Around The Neck So You Don’t Lose It

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page .
Prices and availability subject to change .
By now you know that wearing a face mask is probably the easiest thing you can do to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
But as coronavirus face masks become a part of everyday life , you might be in search of ways to make wearing a face mask more comfortable .
It was only a matter of time before we found a fashionable and practical way to secure our face masks around our necks with mask chains , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ll find metal chains , beaded straps and woven lanyards that let your mask hang around your neck like a necklace when you don ’ t want to tuck it into your pocket or purse or hold it in your hand .
These mask holders have little clips or clamps that attach to the sides of your mask , leaving the ear loops free so you can still wear it comfortably .
Some come in stylish designs that look more like jewelry : face mask gold and silver metal chains and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beading .
You can also find face mask lanyards for kids in fun prints and soft textures that are a good option for kids who might have a habit of losing or dropping their masks .
These kids ’ mask accessories should be on your school supply shopping list for 2020 .
For DIYers , you might even repurpose existing eyeglass chains into mask holders .
What was once reserved exclusively for grandmas and those embracing the granny chic trend can be adapted into practical and glamorous mask holders .
Just make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure them to the sides of your mask .
If you ’ re looking for ways to make wearing a mask more comfortable , we ’ ve rounded up chains , straps and lanyards that hold your face mask around your neck so you won ’ t lose track of it .

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
HuffPost These chains, straps and lanyards hold your face mask around your neck so you won't lose track of it.
By now you know that wearing a face mask is probably the easiest thing you can do to prevent the spread of coronavirus. But as coronavirus face masks become a part of everyday life, you might be in search of ways to make wearing a face mask more comfortable.
Advertisement
It was only a matter of time before we found a fashionable and practical way to secure our face masks around our necks with mask chains, lanyards and holders.
These days, you’ll find metal chains, beaded straps and woven lanyards that let your mask hang around your neck like a necklace when you don’t want to tuck it into your pocket or purse or hold it in your hand.
Advertisement
These mask holders have little clips or clamps that attach to the sides of your mask, leaving the ear loops free so you can still wear it comfortably.
Some come in stylish designs that look more like jewelry: face mask gold and silver metal chains and face mask straps with pearls and multicolored beading.
You can also find face mask lanyards for kids in fun prints and soft textures that are a good option for kids who might have a habit of losing or dropping their masks. These kids’ mask accessories should be on your school supply shopping list for 2020.
For DIYers, you might even repurpose existing eyeglass chains into mask holders. What was once reserved exclusively for grandmas and those embracing the granny chic trend can be adapted into practical and glamorous mask holders. Just make sure they have a clip so you can secure them to the sides of your mask.
If you’re looking for ways to make wearing a mask more comfortable, we’ve rounded up chains, straps and lanyards that hold your face mask around your neck so you won’t lose track of it.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Boris Johnson Admits He Could Have Handled COVID-19 Pandemic Differently

LONDON ( Reuters ) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who has been criticized for acting too slowly in the COVID-19 pandemic , said on Friday there may have been things he could have done differently .
He has pledged to hold an inquiry into his handling of the coronavirus crisis but not yet .
“ Maybe there were things we could have done differently and of course there will be time to understand what exactly we could have done , or done differently , ” he told the BBC .
Johnson has come under fire from critics over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high official death toll of over 45,000 and the slow roll-out of testing to a later lockdown than many other countries .
One member of the government ’ s scientific advisory group said the death toll could have been halved if lockdown had come a week earlier .
Asked whether lockdown came too late , he said : “ When you listen to the scientists , the questions that you ’ ve just asked are actually very open questions as far as they are concerned.
” He said the biggest thing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early part of the pandemic was the extent of asymptomatic transmission between people .
“ ( COVID-19 ) was something that was new , that we didn ’ t understand in the way that we would have liked in the first few weeks and months , ” he added .

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LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been criticized for acting too slowly in the COVID-19 pandemic, said on Friday there may have been things he could have done differently.
He has pledged to hold an inquiry into his handling of the coronavirus crisis but not yet.
“Maybe there were things we could have done differently and of course there will be time to understand what exactly we could have done, or done differently,” he told the BBC.
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Johnson has come under fire from critics over his handling of the pandemic, from the high official death toll of over 45,000 and the slow roll-out of testing to a later lockdown than many other countries.
One member of the government’s scientific advisory group said the death toll could have been halved if lockdown had come a week earlier.
Johnson said the government had stuck to scientific advice “like glue.”
Asked whether lockdown came too late, he said: “When you listen to the scientists, the questions that you’ve just asked are actually very open questions as far as they are concerned.”
He said the biggest thing that the government failed to understand in the early part of the pandemic was the extent of asymptomatic transmission between people.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Mel Gibson Spent Week In Hospital Recovering From Coronavirus

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — Mel Gibson spent a week in a Los Angeles hospital in April after testing @ @ @ @ @ representative said Friday .
The 64-year-old actor and director has completely recovered and is doing @ @ @ @ @ the rep .
He also said Gibson has tested negative “ numerous times ” since @ @ @ @ @ latest in a long string of high profile figures to go public with coronavirus diagnoses @ @ @ @ @ , Rita Wilson , George Stephanopoulos and the singer Pink .
For most people , @ @ @ @ @ or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to @ @ @ @ @ , especially older adults and those with existing health problems , it can cause more @ @ @ @ @ fatal .
The U.S. has more than 4 million known cases of the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Important conversations are happening now @ @ @ @ @ Join HuffPost Today !

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mel Gibson spent a week in a Los Angeles hospital in April after testing positive for COVID-19, his representative said Friday.
The 64-year-old actor and director has completely recovered and is doing “great” according to the rep. He also said Gibson has tested negative “numerous times” since then.
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Gibson is the latest in a long string of high profile figures to go public with coronavirus diagnoses and recoveries including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, George Stephanopoulos and the singer Pink.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and even be fatal.
The U.S. has more than 4 million known cases of the coronavirus, with more than 140,000 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Overdose Deaths Are Skyrocketing During The Pandemic. My Brother Was One Of Them.

As a younger brother , Matt was lovable and goofy .
He had a mop of thick strawberry hair and a face full of freckles .
Our mother said that ’ s where the angels kissed his cheeks on the way in .
Growing up in the late ’ 80s , he kept our family of five laughing by quoting entire movies .
“ Tommy Boy ” was his go-to recitation .
Matt was a lot like Chris Farley : They had the same enthusiastic , insecure , teddy-bear kind of charm .
As a teen and throughout adulthood he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Widespread Panic .
Following an emergency appendectomy in 2012 , Matt , then 35 , became hooked on painkillers .
In a few short years he progressed from OxyContin to heroin .
He chased them with benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin .
His athletic frame became bloated and heavy ; his sunny disposition turned lethargic and mean .
When he was unable to maintain his law practice , clients left .
Although he was admitted to the bar in four states , his licenses expired .
His salary trickled down to nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back taxes .
His wife eventually left , saying he was a liability to their children .
Our family life dissolved into a nightmarish cycle of rehabs and relapses .
My parents finally cut off monetary support when they found him unconscious in their living room , fresh off his second stay in rehab .
After three tries , Matt told us rehab didn ’ t work , and that he did drugs there , too .
We sought therapists , psychiatrists and alternative treatments .
Soon Matt ’ s friends and colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high on the golf course or nodding off at lunch .
He ripped a plastic bat from a child ’ s hands and smashed a piñata to bits at a family picnic .
As the children plucked bits of candy from the grass , he sped down the driveway in his black sedan .
My husband insisted I seek counseling , since the pressure of constant worry was preventing me from enjoying my own young family .
My therapist agreed with my brother : I couldn ’ t change him .
I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predictable saga that surrounded me .
She warned that Matt might die young , but I never imagined we would lose him in the isolation of a pandemic .
By March , Matt had cut off most communication with our family , including his ex-wife and his children .
On the occasions when I talked with him on FaceTime , he seemed tired and bloated .
Sometimes he slurred words .
Due to travel restrictions , he was unable to fly to visit his kids , who lived in another state .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for living .
Finally , he was unable to rely on his one responsibility : his job .
Although addiction made it impossible for him to work as an attorney , he found gratification as a shipping clerk at a memorabilia shop .
He was well liked by his fellow employees .
The job gave him a place to go each day , and an income .
When COVID restrictions hit and the shop closed , he lost his place to go , and the income he used to pay for the room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Due to social distancing restrictions and the stigma of addiction , there would be no celebratory supper .
At a graveside internment , our tiny group of ( masked , sanitized ) immediate family kept six feet from the priest .
Instead of late nights , rollicking stories , friends and a fridge full of deli platters , we were left with only the void of losing him .
A stunned wondering : How did this happen to us ?
I am worried for other addiction families facing situations like ours .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t seen or heard from their loved ones , or can ’ t reach them because they can ’ t physically get to them .
It ’ s easy for someone to hide during COVID .
( I know this , because I am hiding in my grief .
I stay housebound , and find it hard to communicate with friends and even family . )
For some people , a job or a meeting was their reason to get out of bed each day .
Overnight , those incentives changed , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : kids facing Zoom algebra , dwindling finances , nowhere to go and nothing to do .
While society may dictate otherwise , I refuse to hide anymore , or feel ashamed that my brother suffered from heroin addiction .
But between his isolation , and mine , I won ’ t call him a statistic of the opiate crisis .
We are victims of two different kinds of crippling isolation , both brought on by the pandemic .
His loneliness was cut short .
But my grief will be eternal .

Matt was adored by his five children. Photo Courtesy of Jennie Burke
Over the past decade I have been a quiet observer of opiate-related data. I skimmed opiate-related headlines with one eye open, holding my breath, searching for information on fentanyl outbreaks or promising new treatments. The news was a matter of life and death: My brother was addicted to heroin.
When opiate use increased nationwide, I knew I wasn’t alone, even though I felt completely isolated. When trends shifted downward, I held hope that Matt might recover, and our family would find peace again.
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While the first half of 2020 has seen a marked increase in drug overdoses, the headlines now only haunt me. In May, my brother, a 43-year-old attorney and father of five, became a statistic.
As a younger brother, Matt was lovable and goofy. He had a mop of thick strawberry hair and a face full of freckles. Our mother said that’s where the angels kissed his cheeks on the way in. Growing up in the late ’80s, he kept our family of five laughing by quoting entire movies. “Tommy Boy” was his go-to recitation. Matt was a lot like Chris Farley: They had the same enthusiastic, insecure, teddy-bear kind of charm. As a teen and throughout adulthood he joyfully followed the Grateful Dead, Phish and Widespread Panic.
Diagnosed with attention deficit disorder as a child, Matt started taking Ritalin as a boy, then never stopped. He became an attorney, and departed for 12-hour days at the office with an amber prescription bottle clutched in his fist, openly celebrating the drug that allowed him to concentrate.
Following an emergency appendectomy in 2012, Matt, then 35, became hooked on painkillers. In a few short years he progressed from OxyContin to heroin. He chased them with benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin. His athletic frame became bloated and heavy; his sunny disposition turned lethargic and mean.
Advertisement
When he was unable to maintain his law practice, clients left. Although he was admitted to the bar in four states, his licenses expired. His salary trickled down to nothing. The state came after him for back taxes. His wife eventually left, saying he was a liability to their children.
Our family life dissolved into a nightmarish cycle of rehabs and relapses. My parents finally cut off monetary support when they found him unconscious in their living room, fresh off his second stay in rehab. After three tries, Matt told us rehab didn’t work, and that he did drugs there, too. We sought therapists, psychiatrists and alternative treatments.
“You can’t change me,” he told us.
Matt, the author and her husband Photo Courtesy of Jennie Burke
Soon Matt’s friends and colleagues moved on, embarrassed when he was high on the golf course or nodding off at lunch. He ripped a plastic bat from a child’s hands and smashed a piñata to bits at a family picnic. As the children plucked bits of candy from the grass, he sped down the driveway in his black sedan.
My husband insisted I seek counseling, since the pressure of constant worry was preventing me from enjoying my own young family. My therapist agreed with my brother: I couldn’t change him. I could only change my own behaviors in the predictable saga that surrounded me. She warned that Matt might die young, but I never imagined we would lose him in the isolation of a pandemic.
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By March, Matt had cut off most communication with our family, including his ex-wife and his children. On the occasions when I talked with him on FaceTime, he seemed tired and bloated. Sometimes he slurred words. Due to travel restrictions, he was unable to fly to visit his kids, who lived in another state. He often said his children were his reason for living.
Finally, he was unable to rely on his one responsibility: his job. Although addiction made it impossible for him to work as an attorney, he found gratification as a shipping clerk at a memorabilia shop. He was well liked by his fellow employees. The job gave him a place to go each day, and an income. When COVID restrictions hit and the shop closed, he lost his place to go, and the income he used to pay for the room he rented in a shared townhouse.
When his ex-wife called me late at night on May 15, I knew something was wrong. Matt had been found unresponsive, locked in his room. He had accidentally overdosed on a cocktail of drugs that included heroin.
When my 68-year-old father succumbed to a terminal illness in 2016, we mourned according to our Christian traditions: relatives and friends attended a wake supper of tearful toasts, then packed shoulder-to-shoulder at a pipe-organ funeral in downtown Baltimore the next day. My brother’s death was different.
Due to social distancing restrictions and the stigma of addiction, there would be no celebratory supper. At a graveside internment, our tiny group of (masked, sanitized) immediate family kept six feet from the priest. Instead of late nights, rollicking stories, friends and a fridge full of deli platters, we were left with only the void of losing him. A stunned wondering: How did this happen to us?
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In addition to opiate abuse, methamphetamine and cocaine are on the rise again. Fentanyl and synthetic opioids continue to infiltrate communities. One health care official labeled the 30-plus states with increased overdoses a map of despair.
I am worried for other addiction families facing situations like ours. I am worried for families that haven’t seen or heard from their loved ones, or can’t reach them because they can’t physically get to them. It’s easy for someone to hide during COVID. (I know this, because I am hiding in my grief. I stay housebound, and find it hard to communicate with friends and even family.)
People suffering from addiction face an increased risk of mortality due to the pandemic, robbed of socialization, routine and access to care. The supports have fallen away. For many people who live with addiction, there is an added element of shame.
For some people, a job or a meeting was their reason to get out of bed each day. Overnight, those incentives changed, or went away entirely. In their place: kids facing Zoom algebra, dwindling finances, nowhere to go and nothing to do.
Addicts who suffer a fatal overdose, like my brother, are now screened for COVID before any drug testing occurs. But feelings of despair, shame and lack of support due to the virus can’t be measured.
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While society may dictate otherwise, I refuse to hide anymore, or feel ashamed that my brother suffered from heroin addiction. But between his isolation, and mine, I won’t call him a statistic of the opiate crisis. We are victims of two different kinds of crippling isolation, both brought on by the pandemic. His loneliness was cut short. But my grief will be eternal.
Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch!
Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--How COVID-19 Affects People With Disabilities

“ Implying that somehow our lives are less than .
That we do n't count .
That it 's okay @ @ @ @ @ .
This was all preventable.
” As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ been hit especially hard .

How COVID-19 Affects People With Disabilities
“Implying that somehow our lives are less than. That we don't count. That it's okay. And it's not. This was all preventable.” As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the U.S., the disability community has been hit especially hard.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Couple Comes Up With Out Of This World Way To Shield Themselves From Coronavirus

A married couple in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , has come up with an out of this world way to shield themselves from the coronavirus .
Retired accountant Tercio Galdino Lima , who has a chronic lung problem , and his wife , Alicea Lima , have taken to wearing space-style suits for their daily walks on the city ’ s popular beaches .
For added protection and personal assurance , the couple also wears face masks while out and about .
“ We started to think that because of our age , and since we ’ re at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be confined inside our home , but we came up with his accommodation , which was our accommodation , ” Alicea Lima , 65 , told Reuters in a video released by NowThis News , above .
“ We felt more protected this way , ” she explained .
“ And we also are spreading love to other people because when you use something to escape the pandemic , you ’ re showing love for yourself and love for those around you.
” Brazil has the second-highest death toll from COVID-19 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The crisis has sickened at least 2 million people nationwide and claimed the lives of more than 84,000 people .
Brazil ’ s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has been widely criticized for his government ’ s inaction over the contagion .
He even continued to downplay its risk during a press conference announcing his positive diagnosis .
HuffPost ’ s “ In This Together ” coverage tells inspiring stories of human strength and generosity during extraordinary times and shares practical , real-life advice about connection .

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To immunity and beyond?
A married couple in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has come up with an out of this world way to shield themselves from the coronavirus.
Retired accountant Tercio Galdino Lima, who has a chronic lung problem, and his wife, Alicea Lima, have taken to wearing space-style suits for their daily walks on the city’s popular beaches.
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Tercio, 66, bought the suits online. He created the helmets himself.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
For added protection and personal assurance, the couple also wears face masks while out and about.
“We started to think that because of our age, and since we’re at risk, that we were going to be confined inside our home, but we came up with his accommodation, which was our accommodation,” Alicea Lima, 65, told Reuters in a video released by NowThis News, above.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
“We felt more protected this way,” she explained. “And we also are spreading love to other people because when you use something to escape the pandemic, you’re showing love for yourself and love for those around you.”
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Brazil has the second-highest death toll from COVID-19 in the world, behind the United States. The crisis has sickened at least 2 million people nationwide and claimed the lives of more than 84,000 people.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has been widely criticized for his government’s inaction over the contagion. He even continued to downplay its risk during a press conference announcing his positive diagnosis.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--AOC Gave The Most Important Feminist Speech In A Generation

Her words came in response to the rage-filled mutterings of Rep. Ted Yoho ( R-Fla. ) .
But it would be a mistake to view what happened as simply the next stage in some typical political squabble or beef .
Or , as some have attempted to argue , political opportunism .
The Democratic congresswoman from New York did so much more than deliver the proverbial “ clapback.
” This wasn ’ t simply a viral moment .
Ocasio-Cortez offered an eloquent and expert dismantling of the playbook that men have used to keep women in their place for centuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yoho made a bad situation worse , delivering a classic nonapology before Congress .
The short version : He didn ’ t do it but if he did , he was sorry if someone was offended and he is the father of daughters .
That probably would have satisfied his colleagues in the days before Me Too , and before women had amassed as much real power in Congress .
Rep. Steny Hoyer ( D-Md . )
, the second most powerful Democrat in the House , at first said he believed Ocasio-Cortez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep .
Yoho decided to come to the floor of the House of Representatives and make excuses for his behavior , and that I could not let go , ” Ocasio-Cortez said in her speech Thursday .
“ I could not allow my nieces , I could not allow the little girls that I go home to , I could not allow victims of verbal abuse and worse to see that — to see that excuse and to see our Congress accept it as legitimate and accept it as an apology and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The way these situations typically go : Women who are viewed as powerful , and therefore scary , are demonized as “ crazy bitches ” or some other misogynistic slur .
Female politicians of color , in particular , have been on the receiving end of horrific disrespect , hateful comments and abuse .
The men levying the accusations are usually the ones acting with unhinged fury — and their anger is typically viewed as perfectly fine .
Well , Ocasio-Cortez went right for it .
On the floor of Congress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Yoho muttered to himself : “ fucking bitch.
” And then she proceeded to tear it all down , shining light on a dehumanizing process that has long been in the shadows and mostly accepted as a woman ’ s burden .
“ This is not new , and that is the problem , ” she said .
“ It is cultural .
It is a culture of lack of impunity , of accepting violence and violent language against women and an entire structure of power that supports that.
” “ Dehumanizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are seeing is that incidents like these are happening in a pattern , Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ This is a pattern of an attitude towards women and dehumanization of others.
” It was a perfect balm for our times , exposing a system that for so long was taken for granted , the patriarchal air we breathe .
The speech came a few days after a wall of “ moms ” confronted federal officers in Portland , and it came on the same day that Trump tried to play into the supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually tagged with the dated moniker , housewife .
We ’ ve arrived at a time when calling out men for sexism in politics is finally considered acceptable , Lawless said .
“ Societal views have changed for the better and , as a result , there is no reason whatsoever to worry that fighting back against harassment could be detrimental to a woman ’ s electoral viability , approval ratings or political future.
” And , just for good measure , the congresswoman flipped a classic excuse for misogyny on its head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their bad behavior toward women — or their misguided policies — by explaining that they actually know women , personally , and therefore are good guys .
“ As the father of daughters ” is a popular refrain .
“ Mr .
Yoho mentioned that he has a wife and two daughters .
I am two years younger than Mr. Yoho ’ s youngest daughter .
I am someone ’ s daughter , too , ” she said .
“ My father , thankfully , is not alive to see how Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to see Mr. Yoho ’ s disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television , and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men .
”

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) took to the floor of Congress on Thursday and gave one of the most bracing, empowering and feminist political speeches in a generation.
Her words came in response to the rage-filled mutterings of Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.). But it would be a mistake to view what happened as simply the next stage in some typical political squabble or beef. Or, as some have attempted to argue, political opportunism.
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The Democratic congresswoman from New York did so much more than deliver the proverbial “clapback.” This wasn’t simply a viral moment. Ocasio-Cortez offered an eloquent and expert dismantling of the playbook that men have used to keep women in their place for centuries.
Her speech was a clear signifier of the rising power of women in politics, which helped hasten her into office in 2018, along with a historic number of other female candidates.
“I think it is the most important feminist speech in a generation,” said Jennifer Lawless, a politics professor at the University of Virginia. She compared it to then-first lady Hillary Clinton’s groundbreaking “women’s rights are human rights” speech before the United Nations in 1995.
Yoho harassed Ocasio-Cortez in the halls of Congress on Monday, calling her “disgusting” because of her (fairly commonplace) views on poverty. Then, he walked away and called her a “fucking bitch” as a reporter from The Hill looked on.
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A couple of days later, Yoho made a bad situation worse, delivering a classic nonapology before Congress. The short version: He didn’t do it but if he did, he was sorry if someone was offended and he is the father of daughters.
That probably would have satisfied his colleagues in the days before Me Too, and before women had amassed as much real power in Congress. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the second most powerful Democrat in the House, at first said he believed Ocasio-Cortez would “appreciate the apology.”
She did not.
“Rep. Yoho decided to come to the floor of the House of Representatives and make excuses for his behavior, and that I could not let go,” Ocasio-Cortez said in her speech Thursday. “I could not allow my nieces, I could not allow the little girls that I go home to, I could not allow victims of verbal abuse and worse to see that — to see that excuse and to see our Congress accept it as legitimate and accept it as an apology and to accept silence as a form of acceptance.”
The way these situations typically go: Women who are viewed as powerful, and therefore scary, are demonized as “crazy bitches” or some other misogynistic slur. Female politicians of color, in particular, have been on the receiving end of horrific disrespect, hateful comments and abuse. The men levying the accusations are usually the ones acting with unhinged fury — and their anger is typically viewed as perfectly fine.
Recall Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s wild angry speech before the Senate at his confirmation hearings versus the calm, respectful manner of his accuser Christine Blasey Ford. President Donald Trump has returned to the “crazy bitch” well many times over the years.
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In politics, women typically don’t confront the situation head-on. As Lisa Lerer pointed out in The New York Times, Hillary Clinton has been called a “bitch” approximately 100 bajillion times but has never directly addressed it.
Some women take a more sideways approach, reclaiming an insult like “Nevertheless, she persisted” and turning it into something empowering.
Well, Ocasio-Cortez went right for it. On the floor of Congress, she slowly and carefully repeated the words that Yoho muttered to himself: “fucking bitch.” And then she proceeded to tear it all down, shining light on a dehumanizing process that has long been in the shadows and mostly accepted as a woman’s burden.
“This is not new, and that is the problem,” she said. “It is cultural. It is a culture of lack of impunity, of accepting violence and violent language against women and an entire structure of power that supports that.”
She then listed other politicians who have similarly insulted her, including the president.
“Dehumanizing language is not new, and what we are seeing is that incidents like these are happening in a pattern,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “This is a pattern of an attitude towards women and dehumanization of others.”
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It was a perfect balm for our times, exposing a system that for so long was taken for granted, the patriarchal air we breathe. The speech came a few days after a wall of “moms” confronted federal officers in Portland, and it came on the same day that Trump tried to play into the supposed fears of suburban women ― whom he actually tagged with the dated moniker, housewife.
Ocasio-Cortez was also carrying on the work of Me Too and the protests rocking this country to demand humanity for people of color.
We’ve arrived at a time when calling out men for sexism in politics is finally considered acceptable, Lawless said. “Societal views have changed for the better and, as a result, there is no reason whatsoever to worry that fighting back against harassment could be detrimental to a woman’s electoral viability, approval ratings or political future.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s words made it clear that equality is not simply about electing women.
“It’s about treating women with dignity, respect and civility,” she said.
And, just for good measure, the congresswoman flipped a classic excuse for misogyny on its head: Men in politics have gotten away with their bad behavior toward women — or their misguided policies — by explaining that they actually know women, personally, and therefore are good guys. “As the father of daughters” is a popular refrain.
“Mr. Yoho mentioned that he has a wife and two daughters. I am two years younger than Mr. Yoho’s youngest daughter. I am someone’s daughter, too,” she said. “My father, thankfully, is not alive to see how Mr. Yoho treated his daughter. My mother got to see Mr. Yoho’s disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television, and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.”
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Then, just so everyone was clear:
“What I believe is that having a daughter does not make a man decent,” she said. “Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man, and when a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologize.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Trump's Manhattan Property Benefitted From Small Business Bailout

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images “ It ’ s no surprise to see upscale businesses that send Trump rent checks manage to secure millions of dollars in taxpayer money , ” says the head of a government watchdog group .
President Donald Trump ’ s refusal to divest from his real estate empire has resulted in a barrage of unprecedented corruption scandals as he funnels millions of dollars in campaign donations to his family through his hotels and openly charges elites for access via his Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida .
Rescue funding has helped a handful of business tenants continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building Trump partially owns .
The firms received up to $ 9 million from the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) Congress established in March to keep small businesses alive and enable them to continue meeting payroll obligations to their workers .
It ’ s impossible to quantify how much Trump is directly reaping from the arrangement ― there are other investors in the property , and there is no direct evidence that Trump , his family , or the firms involved in the rescue program were aware of the situation until HuffPost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an arrangement in which the president is a downstream beneficiary of a public rescue raises unavoidable questions about how and why some PPP applicants have been accepted and others have been denied .
“ It is a conflict-of-interest disaster , one we should never get used to , ” said Zephyr Teachout , a law professor at Fordham University in New York and author of Corruption In America , a respected history on political graft .
“ Every decision made by the president has a question mark next to it … You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will arise , or the way any given conflict will poison a program by raising questions around it.
” According to Trump ’ s latest personal financial disclosure form , he owns a 30 % stake in the office building at 1290 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan , valued at more than $ 50 million .
The building generates over $ 5 million a year in income for the president .
The law firm of Selendy & Gay and three separate entities managed by Garrison Investment Group , which combined occupy four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPP loans .
According to Treasury Department data , Selendy & Gay received a loan of up to $ 5 million , while the three Garrison vehicles received loans totaling up to $ 4 million .
Both Garrison and Selendy & Gay declined to comment for this story .
Law firms and financial institutions do not typically come to mind for most people when they think of small businesses .
But the purpose of the PPP is not only to help local restaurants survive .
Whatever their line of work , small firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their employees , utility companies , creditors and landlords .
By preventing these institutions from going under , the program ’ s architects hoped to prevent a cascade of other losses and defaults and a snowballing economic calamity .
Lending terms for the PPP are lenient by design .
If companies that receive the funding meet a certain set of criteria ― most notably , maintaining their payrolls ― they don ’ t even have to pay back the loan .
The legislation Congress passed in March authorizing the PPP and other rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from directly receiving government funds .
But since Trump is a partial landlord for a handful of firms receiving PPP money , he is a downstream beneficiary of the rescue .
In an email to HuffPost , the president ’ s son Eric Trump dismissed the idea that the Trump family had engaged in any impropriety .
He demanded that his comments not be quoted for attribution , but HuffPost had not agreed to any such stipulation prior to receiving his note on that .
″This is arguably one of the most asinine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar is low ) , ” Eric Trump said .
“ I ’ m actually baffled by the stupidity ...
This is disgusting and you should be ashamed.
” Nevertheless , the nature of the Trump family ’ s operation makes it impossible to tell where legitimate public support for the economy ends and where any favors for it begins .
More than 100 major donors to Trump ’ s campaign had received up to $ 273 million in PPP funding as of early July .
“ The administration rigged this program meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wealthy and well-connected , ” said Kyle Herrig , president of Accountable.Us , a non-partisan government corruption watchdog .
“ It ’ s no surprise to see upscale businesses that send Trump rent checks manage to secure millions of dollars in taxpayer money.
” And the PPP money will likely be just the beginning of the entanglement between rescue and racket .
The pandemic has created particularly acute pressure on the real estate sector , as families forego vacations at resorts and hotels , businesses fail , and residential rents plunge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of health concerns .
No matter how Congress structures economic aid , any effective rescue will flush money to Trump in some form , and it will be difficult if not impossible for the public to determine whether that money is legitimate .
“ This is one reason the framers of our country were so focused on structural impersonal prohibitions against conflicts of interest , ” Teachout said .
The Trump debacle , she added , “ should teach everyone to divest ― not just presidents , by the way , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

President Donald Trump’s refusal to divest from his real estate empire has resulted in a barrage of unprecedented corruption scandals as he funnels millions of dollars in campaign donations to his family through his hotels and openly charges elites for access via his Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida.
Now, Trump’s mixing of business and politics has compromised the integrity of Congress’ coronavirus crisis bailout, as the president personally benefits from a government lending program intended to help small businesses, according to data the Treasury Department recently disclosed.
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Rescue funding has helped a handful of business tenants continue to pay rent at a Manhattan office building Trump partially owns. The firms received up to $9 million from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Congress established in March to keep small businesses alive and enable them to continue meeting payroll obligations to their workers.
It’s impossible to quantify how much Trump is directly reaping from the arrangement ― there are other investors in the property, and there is no direct evidence that Trump, his family, or the firms involved in the rescue program were aware of the situation until HuffPost brought it to their attention. But an arrangement in which the president is a downstream beneficiary of a public rescue raises unavoidable questions about how and why some PPP applicants have been accepted and others have been denied.
“It is a conflict-of-interest disaster, one we should never get used to,” said Zephyr Teachout, a law professor at Fordham University in New York and author of Corruption In America, a respected history on political graft. “Every decision made by the president has a question mark next to it … You can’t guess where and when conflicts will arise, or the way any given conflict will poison a program by raising questions around it.”
According to Trump’s latest personal financial disclosure form, he owns a 30% stake in the office building at 1290 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan, valued at more than $50 million. The building generates over $5 million a year in income for the president.
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The law firm of Selendy & Gay and three separate entities managed by Garrison Investment Group, which combined occupy four spaces in the building, each received PPP loans. According to Treasury Department data, Selendy & Gay received a loan of up to $5 million, while the three Garrison vehicles received loans totaling up to $4 million. Both Garrison and Selendy & Gay declined to comment for this story.
Law firms and financial institutions do not typically come to mind for most people when they think of small businesses. But the purpose of the PPP is not only to help local restaurants survive. Whatever their line of work, small firms have financial obligations to other parties ― their employees, utility companies, creditors and landlords. By preventing these institutions from going under, the program’s architects hoped to prevent a cascade of other losses and defaults and a snowballing economic calamity.
Lending terms for the PPP are lenient by design. If companies that receive the funding meet a certain set of criteria ― most notably, maintaining their payrolls ― they don’t even have to pay back the loan.
The legislation Congress passed in March authorizing the PPP and other rescue initiatives explicitly prohibited Trump and his businesses from directly receiving government funds. But since Trump is a partial landlord for a handful of firms receiving PPP money, he is a downstream beneficiary of the rescue.
In an email to HuffPost, the president’s son Eric Trump dismissed the idea that the Trump family had engaged in any impropriety. He demanded that his comments not be quoted for attribution, but HuffPost had not agreed to any such stipulation prior to receiving his note on that.
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″This is arguably one of the most asinine narratives I have seen (and the bar is low),” Eric Trump said. “I’m actually baffled by the stupidity ... This is disgusting and you should be ashamed.”
Nevertheless, the nature of the Trump family’s operation makes it impossible to tell where legitimate public support for the economy ends and where any favors for it begins. More than 100 major donors to Trump’s campaign had received up to $273 million in PPP funding as of early July.
“The administration rigged this program meant for struggling mom-and-pops to the benefit of the wealthy and well-connected,” said Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.Us, a non-partisan government corruption watchdog. “It’s no surprise to see upscale businesses that send Trump rent checks manage to secure millions of dollars in taxpayer money.”
And the PPP money will likely be just the beginning of the entanglement between rescue and racket. The pandemic has created particularly acute pressure on the real estate sector, as families forego vacations at resorts and hotels, businesses fail, and residential rents plunge in major cities as people flee crowded neighborhoods because of health concerns. No matter how Congress structures economic aid, any effective rescue will flush money to Trump in some form, and it will be difficult if not impossible for the public to determine whether that money is legitimate.
“This is one reason the framers of our country were so focused on structural impersonal prohibitions against conflicts of interest,” Teachout said. The Trump debacle, she added, “should teach everyone to divest ― not just presidents, by the way, but members of Congress, all decision-makers.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-24--Trump Says Portland Mayor Who Was Tear-Gassed Was 'Pathetic'

President Donald Trump on Thursday attacked the mayor of Portland , Oregon , as “ pathetic , ” after the mayor , Ted Wheeler ( D ) , was tear-gassed by federal agents earlier this week .
“ He made a fool out of himself , ” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity , referring to how Wheeler was booed by protesters , before federal agents unleashed tear gas on the crowd , including Wheeler .
“ He wanted to be among the people , so he went into the crowd , and so they knocked the hell out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of him , ” Trump said .
“ So that was pretty pathetic.
” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler reacts after being exposed to tear gas fired by federal officers while attending a protest against police brutality and racial injustice in front of the Mark O. Hatfield U.S .
Courthouse on July 22 in Portland , Oregon .
Authorized by Trump , unidentified federal agents have been tear-gassing protesters in Portland .
There have been other reports of agents using excessive force , such as shoving protesters into unmarked vans .
Protesters have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local police ’ s violent response to the two months of anti-racism and anti-police brutality protests , which has included the use of tear gas .
He was booed when he spoke at a protest Wednesday night , attempting to show solidarity with the demonstrators by condemning “ the Trump administration ’ s occupation of this city.
” Wheeler later inhaled tear gas when federal agents descended upon the crowd .
“ I ’ m not going to lie — it stings ; it ’ s hard to breathe , ” Wheeler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I can tell you with 100 % honesty , I saw nothing which provoked this response.
” “ What I saw last night was powerful in many ways .
I listened , heard , and stood with protesters , ” he tweeted Thursday .
“ And I saw what it means when the federal government unleashes paramilitary forces against its own people.
” Police respond to protesters during a demonstration July 17 in Portland , Oregon .
Militarized federal agents deployed by the president fired tear gas against protesters again overnight as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agents be removed .
“ In Portland , we had to do it because they are anarchists , ” he said .
“ That is a level people haven ’ t seen .
But they are anarchists .
… So , we went in and we have been very , very strong.
” In June , he infamously ordered police to tear-gas protesters gathered near the White House , in order to make way for a staged photo of him holding a bible at a nearby church .

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President Donald Trump on Thursday attacked the mayor of Portland, Oregon, as “pathetic,” after the mayor, Ted Wheeler (D), was tear-gassed by federal agents earlier this week.
“He made a fool out of himself,” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity, referring to how Wheeler was booed by protesters, before federal agents unleashed tear gas on the crowd, including Wheeler.
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“He wanted to be among the people, so he went into the crowd, and so they knocked the hell out of him, so that was the end of him,” Trump said. “So that was pretty pathetic.”
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler reacts after being exposed to tear gas fired by federal officers while attending a protest against police brutality and racial injustice in front of the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse on July 22 in Portland, Oregon. Nathan Howard via Getty Images
Authorized by Trump, unidentified federal agents have been tear-gassing protesters in Portland. There have been other reports of agents using excessive force, such as shoving protesters into unmarked vans.
Protesters have criticized Wheeler for not taking action against the local police’s violent response to the two months of anti-racism and anti-police brutality protests, which has included the use of tear gas.
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He was booed when he spoke at a protest Wednesday night, attempting to show solidarity with the demonstrators by condemning “the Trump administration’s occupation of this city.” Wheeler later inhaled tear gas when federal agents descended upon the crowd.
“I’m not going to lie — it stings; it’s hard to breathe,” Wheeler told The New York Times. “And I can tell you with 100% honesty, I saw nothing which provoked this response.”
“What I saw last night was powerful in many ways. I listened, heard, and stood with protesters,” he tweeted Thursday. “And I saw what it means when the federal government unleashes paramilitary forces against its own people.”
Police respond to protesters during a demonstration July 17 in Portland, Oregon. Militarized federal agents deployed by the president fired tear gas against protesters again overnight as the city’s mayor demanded that the agents be removed. Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP
On Thursday, Trump claimed the protesters were “anarchists” who “hate our country.”
“In Portland, we had to do it because they are anarchists,” he said. “That is a level people haven’t seen. But they are anarchists. … So, we went in and we have been very, very strong.”
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