thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Protective Gear for Medical Workers Begins to Run Low Again

The personal protective gear that was in dangerously short supply during the early weeks of the coronavirus crisis in the U.S. is running low again as the virus resumes its rapid spread and the number of hospitalized patients climbs .
A national nursing union is concerned that gear has to be reused .
A doctors association warns that physicians ’ offices are closed because they can not get masks and other supplies .
And Democratic members of Congress are pushing the Trump administration to devise a national strategy to acquire and distribute gear in anticipation of the crisis worsening into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five months into this and there are still shortages of gowns , hair covers , shoe covers , masks , N95 masks , ” said Deborah Burger , president of National Nurses United , who cited results from a survey of the union ’ s members .
“ They ’ re being doled out , and we ’ re still being told to reuse them.
” When the crisis first exploded in March and April in hot spots such as New York City , the situation was so desperate that nurses turned plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of equipment forced states and hospitals to compete against each other , the federal government and other countries in desperate , expensive bidding wars .
In general , supplies of protective gear are more robust now , and many states and major hospital chains say they are in better shape .
But medical professionals and some lawmakers have cast doubt on those improvements as shortages begin to reappear .
When it comes to PPE , Dr. Aisha Terry said that she has good access as an associate professor of emergency medicine at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some non-academic and rural health facilities have much less .
“ I think overall , production , distribution and access has improved , ” Terry said .
“ But the fear is that we will become complacent ” and allow supplies to dwindle in some places .
In a letter to Congress last week , the health department in DuPage County , Illinois , near Chicago , said all hospitals in the county are reusing protective gear “ in ways that were not originally intended and are probably less safe than the optimal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department is a supplier of last resort that steps in when facilities have less than two weeks ’ worth of gear .
As of Monday , it had only nine days of some supplies at the current request level .
A rise in new infections could make the supply go much faster .
The American Medical Association wrote to the Federal Emergency Management Agency , Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress calling for a coordinated national strategy to buy and allocate gear .
Rep. Carolyn Maloney , a New York Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a congressional committee hearing that raised concerns about looming problems in the supply chain .
Her report was based on interviews with unnamed employees at medical supply companies , one of whom warned that raw material for gowns is not available at any price in the amounts needed , leading to an “ unsustainable ” situation .
Rear Adm. John Polowczyk , who is in charge of coronavirus-related supplies for the White House , told Congress last week that more than than one-fourth of the states have less than a 30-day supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than 30 days , we ’ re going to have a real crisis , ” said Rep. Bill Foster , an Illinois Democrat .
FEMA , one of the main federal agencies in charge of the coronavirus response , would not break down which states have enough gear to last beyond 30 days and which do not .
It referred those questions to individual states .
In June , the government started replenishing its once-depleted stockpile with the goal of building up a two-month supply .
As of June 10 , FEMA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribute more than 74 million N95 masks and 66 million pairs of gloves , along with other gear .
The agency said it changed its distribution method to send more equipment to hot spots .
Although all U.S. states and territories have received some protective gear from FEMA , an Associated Press analysis of the agency ’ s own data found that the amounts varied widely when measured by population and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases .
The AP analysis found that low-population , mostly rural states received the largest FEMA allocations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example , Montana had received 1,125 items of protective gear per case , compared with 32 items per case in Massachusetts , an early hot spot .
States including California , Iowa and Nebraska , all of which have seen a surge in confirmed infections , received among the lowest amounts of protective gear from FEMA per case , according to the AP analysis .
Many states say the federal supplies make up a small part of their stockpiles after they spent millions of dollars to acquire equipment on their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial distributions were made on a per-capita basis , but also said the agency has tried to accommodate individual requests from the states .
Concerns extend beyond the amount of gear .
In New Hampshire , an association representing nursing homes said most items sent by FEMA in early June were unusable , including child-size gloves , surgical masks with ear loops that broke when stretched and isolation gowns with no arm openings .
A nonprofit group called # GetUsPPE was established in March by physicians to help distribute donated protective gear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in requests during the last two weeks of June from medical providers in Texas , a state with a big surge in confirmed virus cases .
State officials there have said their supplies are adequate .
“ We anticipated that we would need to be around for a few weeks until someone else stepped in and solved this problem , ” said Dr. Megan Ranney , an emergency physician at Rhode Island Hospital who was among the group ’ s founders .
“ Here we are , still getting hundreds of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camille Fassett are reporters for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this July 5 , 2020 , file photo , healthcare workers help each other with their personal protective equipment at a drive-thru coronavirus testing site outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens , Fla .
The PPE that was in dangerously short supply during the initial weeks of the coronavirus crisis in the U.S. is running out again as the virus resumes its rapid spread and the number of hospitalized patients climbs .
( AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee , @ @

The personal protective gear that was in dangerously short supply during the early weeks of the coronavirus crisis in the U.S. is running low again as the virus resumes its rapid spread and the number of hospitalized patients climbs.
A national nursing union is concerned that gear has to be reused. A doctors association warns that physicians’ offices are closed because they cannot get masks and other supplies. And Democratic members of Congress are pushing the Trump administration to devise a national strategy to acquire and distribute gear in anticipation of the crisis worsening into the fall.
“We’re five months into this and there are still shortages of gowns, hair covers, shoe covers, masks, N95 masks,” said Deborah Burger, president of National Nurses United, who cited results from a survey of the union’s members. “They’re being doled out, and we’re still being told to reuse them.”
When the crisis first exploded in March and April in hot spots such as New York City, the situation was so desperate that nurses turned plastic garbage bags into protective gowns. The lack of equipment forced states and hospitals to compete against each other, the federal government and other countries in desperate, expensive bidding wars.
In general, supplies of protective gear are more robust now, and many states and major hospital chains say they are in better shape. But medical professionals and some lawmakers have cast doubt on those improvements as shortages begin to reappear.
When it comes to PPE, Dr. Aisha Terry said that she has good access as an associate professor of emergency medicine at George Washington University in Washington, but some non-academic and rural health facilities have much less.
“I think overall, production, distribution and access has improved,” Terry said. “But the fear is that we will become complacent” and allow supplies to dwindle in some places.
In a letter to Congress last week, the health department in DuPage County, Illinois, near Chicago, said all hospitals in the county are reusing protective gear “in ways that were not originally intended and are probably less safe than the optimal use of PPE.”
The DuPage County department is a supplier of last resort that steps in when facilities have less than two weeks’ worth of gear. As of Monday, it had only nine days of some supplies at the current request level. A rise in new infections could make the supply go much faster.
The American Medical Association wrote to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress calling for a coordinated national strategy to buy and allocate gear.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat, released a memo last week ahead of a congressional committee hearing that raised concerns about looming problems in the supply chain. Her report was based on interviews with unnamed employees at medical supply companies, one of whom warned that raw material for gowns is not available at any price in the amounts needed, leading to an “unsustainable” situation.
Rear Adm. John Polowczyk, who is in charge of coronavirus-related supplies for the White House, told Congress last week that more than than one-fourth of the states have less than a 30-day supply.
“It would seem like in less than 30 days, we’re going to have a real crisis,” said Rep. Bill Foster, an Illinois Democrat.
FEMA, one of the main federal agencies in charge of the coronavirus response, would not break down which states have enough gear to last beyond 30 days and which do not. It referred those questions to individual states. In June, the government started replenishing its once-depleted stockpile with the goal of building up a two-month supply.
As of June 10, FEMA had distributed or directed private companies to distribute more than 74 million N95 masks and 66 million pairs of gloves, along with other gear. The agency said it changed its distribution method to send more equipment to hot spots.
Although all U.S. states and territories have received some protective gear from FEMA, an Associated Press analysis of the agency’s own data found that the amounts varied widely when measured by population and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The AP analysis found that low-population, mostly rural states received the largest FEMA allocations per confirmed case. As of mid-June, for example, Montana had received 1,125 items of protective gear per case, compared with 32 items per case in Massachusetts, an early hot spot. States including California, Iowa and Nebraska, all of which have seen a surge in confirmed infections, received among the lowest amounts of protective gear from FEMA per case, according to the AP analysis.
Many states say the federal supplies make up a small part of their stockpiles after they spent millions of dollars to acquire equipment on their own. FEMA told the AP that its initial distributions were made on a per-capita basis, but also said the agency has tried to accommodate individual requests from the states.
Concerns extend beyond the amount of gear. In New Hampshire, an association representing nursing homes said most items sent by FEMA in early June were unusable, including child-size gloves, surgical masks with ear loops that broke when stretched and isolation gowns with no arm openings.
A nonprofit group called #GetUsPPE was established in March by physicians to help distribute donated protective gear.
The group had a 200% increase in requests during the last two weeks of June from medical providers in Texas, a state with a big surge in confirmed virus cases. State officials there have said their supplies are adequate.
“We anticipated that we would need to be around for a few weeks until someone else stepped in and solved this problem,” said Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency physician at Rhode Island Hospital who was among the group’s founders. “Here we are, still getting hundreds of thousands of requests a week.”
– – –
Geoff Mulvihill and Camille Fassett are reporters for The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: In this July 5, 2020, file photo, healthcare workers help each other with their personal protective equipment at a drive-thru coronavirus testing site outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The PPE that was in dangerously short supply during the initial weeks of the coronavirus crisis in the U.S. is running out again as the virus resumes its rapid spread and the number of hospitalized patients climbs. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--After Over a Month of Violent Rioting in Portland, Border Patrol Called in to Restore Order

After violent antifa riots were allowed to rock downtown Portland , Oregon , for over a month , Border Patrol agents over the holiday weekend were finally deployed to restore order .
Acting Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) Commissioner Mark Morgan expressed frustration over the situation on Fox News Sunday : “ Where are the local political leaders ?
” he asked .
“ These are not protesters , these are criminals.
” Saturday night , about a thousand agitators threw bricks and shot fireworks at the police , injuring several officers and damaging property .
There were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist Andy Ngo shared images and video from the riot on Twitter .
Antifa militants also set an Oregon Trail statue on fire , and not for the first time , according to Ngo .
A sign saying “ STOLEN LAND ” was put on the statue .
Last week , antifa goons also completely destroyed a statue of an elk for no apparent reason .
“ What we saw in Portland last night was criminal and we stood strong with our federal partners to resist that , ” Morgan told “ Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not protesters , these are criminals who got together and organized and planned and actually brought weapons , they brought shields , they brought frozen water bottles , rocks , lasers , weapons with the intent to destroy a federal building and harm law enforcement officers , ” CBP Commissioner Morgan said on Fox and Friends .
He added , “ I don ’ t care what your ideological beliefs are , your political affiliation , violence , we should all be united , is wrong.
” Morgan went on to say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ understands the importance of law and order and that it ’ s a cornerstone of American society.
” He added that “ one of the criminals ” tried to assault one of the CBP officers while he was being arrested overnight and pointed out that “ a pipe bomb , a fused incendiary device and machete was actually discovered ” during a search .
“ Think about the deadly consequences from the criminal actions , ” he added .
Acting Deputy Sec .
of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli posted a picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a game to them .
It ’ s a deadly game , ” Morgan said .
“ It ’ s serious .
This is about law and order .
We must be united , ” he continued .
“ Where are the local political leaders , standing up , saying this is unconscionable , this is wrong , and these individuals should cease and desist and be arrested ?
Where are they ?
” Morgan went on to say that United States Marshals , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has “ committed a lot of resources to making sure that these individuals are arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for the criminals that they are.
” “ We are doing a disservice to peaceful , lawful protesters when we call these individuals protesters , ” Morgan said .
“ They ’ re not .
They ’ re criminal thugs with an agenda.
” “ We ’ re going to escalate to the use of force that ’ s needed to repel these criminals and apprehend them and prosecute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBP chief said federal agents would remain in place and take care of the problem .
“ We ’ re not walking away from our federal facilities like police departments have in some communities .
We ’ re staying , ” he said .
Forced to face no-nonsense federal officers Sunday night , the antifa mob was much less rambunctious than they ’ ve been with Democrat-controlled local police , according to Ngo .
Debra Heine reports for American Greatness .
Background Photo “ Downtown Portland ” by Parker Knight .
CC BY @ @

by Debra Heine
After violent antifa riots were allowed to rock downtown Portland, Oregon, for over a month, Border Patrol agents over the holiday weekend were finally deployed to restore order.
Acting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Mark Morgan expressed frustration over the situation on Fox News Sunday: “Where are the local political leaders?” he asked. “These are not protesters, these are criminals.”
Saturday night, about a thousand agitators threw bricks and shot fireworks at the police, injuring several officers and damaging property. There were more than a dozen arrests.
This is some of the video taken by an Officer who was embedded with a Rapid Response Team tonight. The Officer sustained injury from a mortar that exploded near her feet while she was recording. pic.twitter.com/S4JvlXioZc — Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 5, 2020
Independent journalist Andy Ngo shared images and video from the riot on Twitter.
Militant antifa have again gathered outside the Justice Center in downtown after attacking a courthouse yesterday. They’re moving barricades into the street & are burning US flags in the fountain that used to house the elk statue before it was torched. pic.twitter.com/BUe2slkZfX — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 4, 2020
Rioting in downtown Portland by antifa. They came fully equipped with shields and explosive fireworks. Federal police (not @PortlandPolice) have used CS gas to forcibly disperse them. It’s working and antifa hate it. pic.twitter.com/MA8f3BRLzO — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 5, 2020
Rioting in downtown Portland by antifa continues. Federal police used CS gas to clear the violent militants from further attacking the courthouse. Now Portland Police are dispersing them further out as they continue to break business windows and riot. pic.twitter.com/Ra3gIoyeVc — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 5, 2020
Another riot occurred overnight on 4–5 July in Portland. Antifa & BLM militants broke out windows of courthouse & aimed fireworks inside. They threw bricks & mortars at police. There were so many rioters police only responded to emergency calls for city. https://t.co/bGpUMffMhi pic.twitter.com/Pl6abIQ6bg — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 5, 2020
Video recorded by @PortlandPolice shows the anarchy and chaos outside the federal courthouse. Overnight, antifa and BLM extremists caused numerous fires and property destruction in a riot involving over a thousand people. pic.twitter.com/TJhWdnPzGU — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 5, 2020
Federal police mobilize to protect the Portland federal courthouse after antifa attacked it again tonight. Downtown is a war zone at night. Belligerents from antifa and BLM carry out arson attacks and more against law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/R49M3NW8jK — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 4, 2020
Antifa militants also set an Oregon Trail statue on fire, and not for the first time, according to Ngo. A sign saying “STOLEN LAND” was put on the statue.
The statue to Oregon Trail pioneers has been set on fire again by antifa in downtown Portland. A sign saying "STOLEN LAND" is hanging on the statue. pic.twitter.com/apF3PKaxeZ — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 5, 2020
A bronze statue dedicated to the families who made the dangerous journey on the Oregon trial to settle in the Pacific Northwest has been the target of antifa & far-left extremists for weeks. Last night they set it on fire again & defaced it with messages about decolonization. pic.twitter.com/Lkpq3Y8Gd6 — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 5, 2020
Last week, antifa goons also completely destroyed a statue of an elk for no apparent reason.
The elk statue in downtown Portland is now fully engulfed in flames. #antifa pic.twitter.com/EdqOnJCdSP — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 2, 2020
Antifa & BLM extremists have turned downtown Portland into an empty urban wasteland on the watch of @tedwheeler & @OregonGovBrown. The aftermath of another night of rioting and arson attacks: pic.twitter.com/xSP6W6V8NU — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 5, 2020
“What we saw in Portland last night was criminal and we stood strong with our federal partners to resist that,” Morgan told “Fox & Friends Weekend.”
Police in Portland declared a riot around 11 p.m. local time Saturday as Independence Day marked the 38th consecutive day of civil unrest in the city. Videos showed graffiti painted on downtown buildings and showed a fire burning as a crowd gathered.
The Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland: pic.twitter.com/v2mJDW0YOL — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 5, 2020
“These are not protesters, these are criminals who got together and organized and planned and actually brought weapons, they brought shields, they brought frozen water bottles, rocks, lasers, weapons with the intent to destroy a federal building and harm law enforcement officers,” CBP Commissioner Morgan said on Fox and Friends.
He added, “I don’t care what your ideological beliefs are, your political affiliation, violence, we should all be united, is wrong.”
Morgan went on to say that he’s glad that President Trump “understands the importance of law and order and that it’s a cornerstone of American society.”
He added that “one of the criminals” tried to assault one of the CBP officers while he was being arrested overnight and pointed out that “a pipe bomb, a fused incendiary device and machete was actually discovered” during a search.
“Think about the deadly consequences from the criminal actions,” he added.
Acting Deputy Sec. of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli posted a picture of the pipe bomb materials onto Twitter.
Pipe bomb materials from one of the violent rioters last night in Portland. Prosecution forthcoming… pic.twitter.com/32IOePTyCB — Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli (@HomelandKen) July 5, 2020
“It’s a game to them. It’s a deadly game,” Morgan said. “It’s serious. This is about law and order. We must be united,” he continued. “Where are the local political leaders, standing up, saying this is unconscionable, this is wrong, and these individuals should cease and desist and be arrested? Where are they?”
Morgan went on to say that United States Marshals, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI has “committed a lot of resources to making sure that these individuals are arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for the criminals that they are.”
“We are doing a disservice to peaceful, lawful protesters when we call these individuals protesters,” Morgan said. “They’re not. They’re criminal thugs with an agenda.”
“We’re going to escalate to the use of force that’s needed to repel these criminals and apprehend them and prosecute them,” Morgan added.
The CBP chief said federal agents would remain in place and take care of the problem. “We’re not walking away from our federal facilities like police departments have in some communities. We’re staying,” he said.
Forced to face no-nonsense federal officers Sunday night, the antifa mob was much less rambunctious than they’ve been with Democrat-controlled local police, according to Ngo.
In the presence of a strong police and military force not hampered by local weak leadership, antifa have not dared to attack the Portland federal courthouse tonight. This is the most restrained I’ve seen them behave after weeks of violence & extremism. — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 6, 2020
– – –
Debra Heine reports for American Greatness.
Background Photo “Downtown Portland” by Parker Knight. CC BY 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Paycheck Protection Program Is Supporting More Than 51 Million Small Business Jobs, Trump Administra

Paycheck Protection Program Is Supporting More Than 51 Million Small Business Jobs, Trump Administration Announces

The $ 670 billion Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) has supported more than 51 million jobs since its launch in April , the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration announced Monday as it released information on 4.9 million loans disbursed by the program .
“ The PPP is providing much-needed relief to millions of American small businesses , supporting more than 51 million jobs and over 80 percent of all small business employees , who are the drivers of economic growth in our country , ” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement Monday .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program ’ s reach in low and moderate income communities which is in proportion to percentage of population in these areas .
The average loan size is approximately $ 100,000 , demonstrating that the program is serving the smallest of businesses , ” Mnuchin added .
Between 72 percent to 96 percent of small business jobs across all 50 states have been supported by the PPP , according to the SBA .
More than half of PPP loans went to small businesses in the health care , professional and technical services , construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treasury and SBA released the names and addresses of the 663,000 businesses that received PPP loans of greater than $ 150,000 on Monday .
“ The PPP is an indisputable success for small businesses , especially to the communities in which these employers serve as the main job creators , ” SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said Monday .
“ In three months , this Administration was able to act quickly to get funding into the hands of those who faced enormous obstacles as a result of the pandemic.
” Carranza cited Thursday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. added 4.8 million jobs in June , as proof that the PPP was fulfilling its mandate of keeping small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Daily Caller News Foundation received a PPP loan ranging between $ 150,000 and $ 350,000 , Monday ’ s disclosure revealed .
The disclosure did not include the names of the more than 3.8 million small businesses that received PPP loans less than $ 150,000 .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday ’ s disclosure was a “ good start , ” but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Make no mistake : more transparency is still needed to ensure that these taxpayer dollars went where Congress intended — to the truly small and underbanked small businesses .
Democrats will continue to push for maximum transparency from the Trump administration , especially when it comes to CARES Act funds , ” Schumer said , according to The Hill .
The $ 349 billion allocated to the PPP in its first round was exhausted by small businesses in 13 days .
Another $ 310 billion was injected to the program in late April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 132 billion in PPP funding has yet to be disbursed to small businesses .
President Donald Trump signed a bill into law on Saturday extending the PPP until August 8 .
Andrew Kerr is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Andrew Kerr
The $670 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has supported more than 51 million jobs since its launch in April, the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration announced Monday as it released information on 4.9 million loans disbursed by the program.
“The PPP is providing much-needed relief to millions of American small businesses, supporting more than 51 million jobs and over 80 percent of all small business employees, who are the drivers of economic growth in our country,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement Monday.
“We are particularly pleased that 27% of the program’s reach in low and moderate income communities which is in proportion to percentage of population in these areas. The average loan size is approximately $100,000, demonstrating that the program is serving the smallest of businesses,” Mnuchin added.
Between 72 percent to 96 percent of small business jobs across all 50 states have been supported by the PPP, according to the SBA. More than half of PPP loans went to small businesses in the health care, professional and technical services, construction, manufacturing and hospitality industries.
The Treasury and SBA released the names and addresses of the 663,000 businesses that received PPP loans of greater than $150,000 on Monday.
“The PPP is an indisputable success for small businesses, especially to the communities in which these employers serve as the main job creators,” SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said Monday. “In three months, this Administration was able to act quickly to get funding into the hands of those who faced enormous obstacles as a result of the pandemic.”
Carranza cited Thursday’s jobs report, that showed that the U.S. added 4.8 million jobs in June, as proof that the PPP was fulfilling its mandate of keeping small businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Daily Caller News Foundation received a PPP loan ranging between $150,000 and $350,000, Monday’s disclosure revealed.
The disclosure did not include the names of the more than 3.8 million small businesses that received PPP loans less than $150,000.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday’s disclosure was a “good start,” but said more transparency was needed.
“Make no mistake: more transparency is still needed to ensure that these taxpayer dollars went where Congress intended — to the truly small and underbanked small businesses. Democrats will continue to push for maximum transparency from the Trump administration, especially when it comes to CARES Act funds,” Schumer said, according to The Hill.
The $349 billion allocated to the PPP in its first round was exhausted by small businesses in 13 days. Another $310 billion was injected to the program in late April, but as of Monday nearly $132 billion in PPP funding has yet to be disbursed to small businesses.
President Donald Trump signed a bill into law on Saturday extending the PPP until August 8.
– – –
Andrew Kerr is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Thales Academy Franklin’s Principal Rachael Bradley to Hold Parent Informational Meeting Today at th

Thales Academy Franklin’s Principal Rachael Bradley to Hold Parent Informational Meeting Today at the Franklin Mercantile Deli

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Thales Academy-Franklin Principal Rachael Bradley to the newsmakers line .
During the second hour , Bradley confirmed that Thales Academy of Franklin will be open for school on July 20 and advised that there will be a parent informational meeting at the Franklin Mercantile Deli today from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Leahy : We are joined now by our very good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open Thales Academy-Franklin Rachael Bradley .
Good morning Rachael .
Bradley : Good morning Mike .
How are you ?
Leahy : I don ’ t know which of us is more excited about the opening of Thales Academy-Franklin ( Bradley chuckles ) on July the 20th .
One week from Monday it ’ s really going to happen !
Bradley : It is really going to happen .
I was just thinking about it .
I ’ m about to get really busy .
Leahy : ( Laughs ) We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more weekday morning probably next Tuesday .
But then I think after that you ’ re going to be so busy that we ’ ll have to come out there and interview you in person .
There is so much demand I think .
Bradley : Oh , my word .
I think people are really getting down to the wire and still not knowing what ’ s happening with Williamson County .
Man , my email and phone have been blowing up .
Leahy : So let ’ s just be clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children will be in person in school at Thales Academy-Franklin which is located at 3835 Carothers Parkway in Franklin starting one week from Monday on July the 20th .
It ’ s going to happen !
Bradley : That ’ s exactly right .
July 20 we are going to have kindergarten through third grade .
Our kindergarten is so full at this point that we are considering adding a second class to meet the demand .
So yes , we are going to be ready to go .
We are assembling furniture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : So just to be clear , yesterday the mayor of Williamson County announced that there will be a mask ordinance in Williamson County .
Does that apply to the children in your school ?
Bradley : It does not Mike because they are under the age of 12 .
We are happy about that .
We didn ’ t feel like that is conducive to learning in an eight hour school day especially children who are trying to learn phonics and social development .
It ’ s just not conducive to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , second grade , and third-grade children .
Leahy : The good news is that you are going to be in compliance with the standards set about by the American Academy of Pediatrics which are saying kids go back to school !
Bradley : Right .
I think they are saying that and most of the parents that I ’ ve talked to .
Well , all of the parents that I ’ ve talked to .
Leahy : Give us a little insight as to a typical conversation that you are having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kindergarten , first grade , second grade , and third grade who could enroll in Thales Academy-Franklin starting a week from Monday .
Bradley : Parents have been really honest about the fact that they are just not equipped to home school their children .
I saw an article this week that in North Carolina that the office for homeschooling has shut down because they are so overloaded with requests .
That ’ s wonderful however I don ’ t think people realize that not everybody is equipped to homeschool .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do it and do it .
There ’ s a lot that goes into educating children day in and day out .
A lot of parents were very honest about that and it ’ s not their calling .
They both have jobs and they can ’ t afford to give up one of those jobs .
And they need their children in school .
And we are all seeing the impact that not having been in classrooms since March is having on this group of kids .
Leahy : Before a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them .
Leahy : Are you noticing that they are not really performing at the level that they should be because they ’ ve been out of school for so long ?
Bradley : Yes .
Absolutely .
It ’ s pretty easy for me to see having especially taught all of those grades , ok , it ’ s evident that this child had about three quarters of a school year .
Leahy : Yes .
And it ’ s not like you think , oh they had three quarters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that was a full year , no .
It ’ s just not happening , is it ?
Bradley : No it ’ s not .
And that ’ s what I mean with parents just being brutally honest and saying listen .
Especially here .
Nothing was provided to them in those cases .
But as you see , as you hear that word optional kids tune out .
( Chuckles ) Especially older kids and expecting them as well that don ’ t happen to be the kids that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitely a deficit .
Leahy : So tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. you have a parent meeting at the Franklin Mercantile Deli on 4th Avenue in Franklin .
It ’ s right across from the 4th Avenue Church of Christ .
That should be a fun event .
Do you have a lot of parents signed up for that already ?
Bradley : I do .
In fact , I got a notice yesterday that my sign up is full .
Leahy : Even if you are just listening to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s card and have your child assessed if you are interested in getting them back to school in person starting a week from Monday .
Tell us a little bit briefly about the direct instruction methodology and the cost of Thales Academy .
Bradley : Direct instruction is our foundation in kindergarten through fifth grade .
It ’ s a teaching methodology that is data-driven , researched-based , and very carefully scripted way of teaching .
And we maximize student engagement and maintain high time on task .
Those two things are so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do all that with a tuition of only $ 5,300 a year .
Leahy : Wow .
$ 5,300 a year .
That ’ s less than daycare I think , isn ’ t it ?
Bradley : It is .
It certainly is .
It ’ s really a special thing that we are offering .
It ’ s an excellent education .
But our mission is to provide an excellent education at an affordable cost to families .
And that ’ s how we can reach as many children as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its K-3 now but I ’ m assuming for next year it will be fourth or fifth grade .
You ’ ll just keep going every year ?
Bradley : We will add grades every year .
My personal son will be in third grade so we will absolutely have to have the fourth grade and fifth grade and so on .
( Leahy chuckles ) Leahy : So tell us a little bit about your teachers and engagement of your teachers .
I think parents have been out there trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zoning out .
Keeping the kids attention is a real challenge .
Tell us about your staff there that you ’ ve personally hired .
Bradley : We have an excellent staff .
I ’ m really excited .
They are fairly young , fresh , passionate , and energetic .
And those are all things I ’ m looking for .
When I say high time on task and maximizing student engagement that means teachers are not just sitting at their desks and working independently on worksheets .
Our teachers are up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tall order .
I often tell young teachers because it was true for myself it ’ s like you are on stage .
You are up there performing and you have to in order to keep their attention and make it fun .
And so we have a really great batch of highly qualified teachers that are ready to get started .
Leahy : By the way , you can see Thales Academy .
the signs are up now on Highway 65 just before you get to the 96 exit look to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunvertibles .
You can see the sign , Thales Academy .
Tell us Rachael what a typical day will be like for the parents and for the kids .
Bradley : I also wanted to tell you Mike that we now have a billboard up outside the old church .
and you ’ ll see as there is a large Thales Academy ad .
It ’ s pretty cool .
Our school day starts at 8 a.m. We ’ ll open at 7:45 a.m.
It ’ s all carpool .
So you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get started at 8 a.m. and we dismiss just after 3:00 p.m.
It ’ s a full day of reading , math , language arts , vocabulary , handwriting , science , and social studies .
So we are busy busy .
Leahy : You ’ ve been a principal in the North Carolina version of Thales Academy that ’ s been around since 2007 with eight schools there .
You were a principal for 5 years at the Apex , North Carolina campus .
You told me how to get the kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s part of the routine .
You are out there every day , right ?
Bradley : Yes .
And boy I ’ ve put a lot of time and energy into the carpool .
Parents want carpool to be efficient .
We want it to be safe .
So we worked really hard to get that running like a well-oiled machine .
I did that at Apex with 524 kids so I feel like it ’ s going to be a piece of cake this year with a fairly small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Franklin .
Leahy : And the layout that you have here is pretty easy .
You have one exit point and one entrance point so it should be a good flow as cars come in and kids come out .
There will be a teacher out there to greet them .
You ’ ll be out there every morning to greet them ?
Bradley : You can drive all the way around the building and that ’ s ideal for a carpool lane .
So I ’ m excited about that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m going to stop by and say hello tomorrow .
Franklin Mercantile Deli from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m .
I have a couple of people who said they want to get their children assessed .
So I ’ ll call you after the show to give you their information .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Live from Music Row Tuesday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed Thales Academy-Franklin Principal Rachael Bradley to the newsmakers line.
During the second hour, Bradley confirmed that Thales Academy of Franklin will be open for school on July 20 and advised that there will be a parent informational meeting at the Franklin Mercantile Deli today from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Leahy: We are joined now by our very good friend, the principal of the soon to open Thales Academy-Franklin Rachael Bradley. Good morning Rachael.
Bradley: Good morning Mike. How are you?
Leahy: I don’t know which of us is more excited about the opening of Thales Academy-Franklin (Bradley chuckles) on July the 20th. One week from Monday it’s really going to happen!
Bradley: It is really going to happen. I was just thinking about it. I’m about to get really busy.
Leahy: (Laughs) We will be able to get you on one more weekday morning probably next Tuesday. But then I think after that you’re going to be so busy that we’ll have to come out there and interview you in person. There is so much demand I think.
Bradley: Oh, my word. I think people are really getting down to the wire and still not knowing what’s happening with Williamson County. Man, my email and phone have been blowing up.
Leahy: So let’s just be clear. You are opening for business and children will be in person in school at Thales Academy-Franklin which is located at 3835 Carothers Parkway in Franklin starting one week from Monday on July the 20th. It’s going to happen!
Bradley: That’s exactly right. July 20 we are going to have kindergarten through third grade. Our kindergarten is so full at this point that we are considering adding a second class to meet the demand. So yes, we are going to be ready to go. We are assembling furniture and unpacking books this week.
Leahy: So just to be clear, yesterday the mayor of Williamson County announced that there will be a mask ordinance in Williamson County. Does that apply to the children in your school?
Bradley: It does not Mike because they are under the age of 12. We are happy about that. We didn’t feel like that is conducive to learning in an eight hour school day especially children who are trying to learn phonics and social development. It’s just not conducive to the school day in kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third-grade children.
Leahy: The good news is that you are going to be in compliance with the standards set about by the American Academy of Pediatrics which are saying kids go back to school!
Bradley: Right. I think they are saying that and most of the parents that I’ve talked to. Well, all of the parents that I’ve talked to.
Leahy: Give us a little insight as to a typical conversation that you are having with parents right now of children in kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third grade who could enroll in Thales Academy-Franklin starting a week from Monday.
Bradley: Parents have been really honest about the fact that they are just not equipped to home school their children. I saw an article this week that in North Carolina that the office for homeschooling has shut down because they are so overloaded with requests. That’s wonderful however I don’t think people realize that not everybody is equipped to homeschool. You can’t just decide you are going to do it and do it.
There’s a lot that goes into educating children day in and day out. A lot of parents were very honest about that and it’s not their calling. They both have jobs and they can’t afford to give up one of those jobs. And they need their children in school. And we are all seeing the impact that not having been in classrooms since March is having on this group of kids.
Leahy: Before a child is accepted you do an assessment of them.
Bradley: We do.
Leahy: Are you noticing that they are not really performing at the level that they should be because they’ve been out of school for so long?
Bradley: Yes. Absolutely. It’s pretty easy for me to see having especially taught all of those grades, ok, it’s evident that this child had about three quarters of a school year.
Leahy: Yes. And it’s not like you think, oh they had three quarters of the school year and did something online and that was a full year, no. It’s just not happening, is it?
Bradley: No it’s not. And that’s what I mean with parents just being brutally honest and saying listen. Especially here. Nothing was provided to them in those cases. But as you see, as you hear that word optional kids tune out. (Chuckles) Especially older kids and expecting them as well that don’t happen to be the kids that I’m interacting with. There is definitely a deficit.
Leahy: So tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. you have a parent meeting at the Franklin Mercantile Deli on 4th Avenue in Franklin. It’s right across from the 4th Avenue Church of Christ. That should be a fun event. Do you have a lot of parents signed up for that already?
Bradley: I do. In fact, I got a notice yesterday that my sign up is full.
Leahy: Oh my goodness.
Bradley: I know!
Leahy: Even if you are just listening to this, stop by and get Rachael’s card and have your child assessed if you are interested in getting them back to school in person starting a week from Monday. Tell us a little bit briefly about the direct instruction methodology and the cost of Thales Academy.
Bradley: Direct instruction is our foundation in kindergarten through fifth grade. It’s a teaching methodology that is data-driven, researched-based, and very carefully scripted way of teaching. And we maximize student engagement and maintain high time on task. Those two things are so important for success. We are able to do all that with a tuition of only $5,300 a year.
Leahy: Wow. $5,300 a year. That’s less than daycare I think, isn’t it?
Bradley: It is. It certainly is. It’s really a special thing that we are offering. It’s an excellent education. But our mission is to provide an excellent education at an affordable cost to families. And that’s how we can reach as many children as possible.
Leahy: For parent coming in its K-3 now but I’m assuming for next year it will be fourth or fifth grade. You’ll just keep going every year?
Bradley: We will add grades every year. My personal son will be in third grade so we will absolutely have to have the fourth grade and fifth grade and so on. (Leahy chuckles)
Leahy: So tell us a little bit about your teachers and engagement of your teachers. I think parents have been out there trying to get their kids engaged and they are zoning out. Keeping the kids attention is a real challenge. Tell us about your staff there that you’ve personally hired.
Bradley: We have an excellent staff. I’m really excited. They are fairly young, fresh, passionate, and energetic. And those are all things I’m looking for. When I say high time on task and maximizing student engagement that means teachers are not just sitting at their desks and working independently on worksheets. Our teachers are up all day.
And that’s a tall order. I often tell young teachers because it was true for myself it’s like you are on stage. You are up there performing and you have to in order to keep their attention and make it fun. And so we have a really great batch of highly qualified teachers that are ready to get started.
Leahy: By the way, you can see Thales Academy. the signs are up now on Highway 65 just before you get to the 96 exit look to your right. They are next to Sunvertibles. You can see the sign, Thales Academy. Tell us Rachael what a typical day will be like for the parents and for the kids.
Bradley: I also wanted to tell you Mike that we now have a billboard up outside the old church. and you’ll see as there is a large Thales Academy ad. It’s pretty cool. Our school day starts at 8 a.m. We’ll open at 7:45 a.m. It’s all carpool. So you have a window to drop off. We get started at 8 a.m. and we dismiss just after 3:00 p.m. It’s a full day of reading, math, language arts, vocabulary, handwriting, science, and social studies. So we are busy busy.
Leahy: You’ve been a principal in the North Carolina version of Thales Academy that’s been around since 2007 with eight schools there. You were a principal for 5 years at the Apex, North Carolina campus. You told me how to get the kids in and get the kids out. That’s part of the routine. You are out there every day, right?
Bradley: Yes. And boy I’ve put a lot of time and energy into the carpool. Parents want carpool to be efficient. We want it to be safe. So we worked really hard to get that running like a well-oiled machine. I did that at Apex with 524 kids so I feel like it’s going to be a piece of cake this year with a fairly small student body as we get started here in Franklin.
Leahy: And the layout that you have here is pretty easy. You have one exit point and one entrance point so it should be a good flow as cars come in and kids come out. There will be a teacher out there to greet them. You’ll be out there every morning to greet them?
Bradley: You can drive all the way around the building and that’s ideal for a carpool lane. So I’m excited about that.
Leahy: Well Rachael Bradley. I’m going to stop by and say hello tomorrow. Franklin Mercantile Deli from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. I have a couple of people who said they want to get their children assessed. So I’ll call you after the show to give you their information.
Listen to the full second hour here:

– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.
Photo “Rachael Bradley” by Thales Academy.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--House Democrats’ Funding Bill Includes Provision to Remove Confederate Statues

Confederate statues would be removed from the Capitol under a provision included in the Democrat House Appropriations Committee ’ s 2021 draft budget bill released Monday .
The nearly $ 4.2 billion funding proposal would mandate the removal of monuments to Confederate generals and would also call into question those statues of people who have “ unambiguous records of racial intolerance , ” according to a press release from the Appropriations Committee .
The architects of the bill consider former 19th century vice president John Calhoun , as well as Roger Taney , the 5th chief justice of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intolerance , and called for their statues to be returned to donor states , the release said .
House Democrats have also set their sights on removing statues of early 1900s era North Carolina Gov .
Charles Aycock and former Arkansas Senator James Paul Clark .
The statues , all located within Capitol bounds , would be donated back to the states that contributed them , according to the bill .
The 2021 funding bill also includes a nearly $ 255 million salary boost to House officers and employees , a $ 1.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Inclusion and $ 464 million to Capitol Police — the same as the current budget year — with the stipulation that they increase transparency .
Language in the proposed bill allows for the hiring of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) recipients , sometimes dreamers , in the legislative wing of the House , according to the release .
“ Finally , I am especially proud that this funding bill allows DACA recipients to work in the halls of Congress , ” Democratic Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan , House Legislative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release .
“ The United States is the only country Dreamers have ever known .
These young people deserve to work here , and the House of Representatives will be a better institution because of their service.
” The 2021 funding proposal is $ 207 million or 5.2 % higher than 2020 ’ s Appropriations Committee budget , according to the release .
President Donald Trump has roundly condemned the removal of Confederate monuments amid nationwide calls to remove reminders of racism in American history .
Historical statues have been torn down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of George Floyd , who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes .
Dozens of monuments have garnered attention from unruly protesters and rioters , according to a list compiled by The Hill .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Confederate Statue ” by Billy Hathorn .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .

by Jake Dima
Confederate statues would be removed from the Capitol under a provision included in the Democrat House Appropriations Committee’s 2021 draft budget bill released Monday.
The nearly $4.2 billion funding proposal would mandate the removal of monuments to Confederate generals and would also call into question those statues of people who have “unambiguous records of racial intolerance,” according to a press release from the Appropriations Committee.
The architects of the bill consider former 19th century vice president John Calhoun, as well as Roger Taney, the 5th chief justice of the United States, to be emblematic of racial intolerance, and called for their statues to be returned to donor states, the release said.
House Democrats have also set their sights on removing statues of early 1900s era North Carolina Gov. Charles Aycock and former Arkansas Senator James Paul Clark. The statues, all located within Capitol bounds, would be donated back to the states that contributed them, according to the bill.
The 2021 funding bill also includes a nearly $255 million salary boost to House officers and employees, a $1.5 million payout to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and $464 million to Capitol Police — the same as the current budget year — with the stipulation that they increase transparency. Language in the proposed bill allows for the hiring of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, sometimes dreamers, in the legislative wing of the House, according to the release.
“Finally, I am especially proud that this funding bill allows DACA recipients to work in the halls of Congress,” Democratic Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee chairman, said in the release. “The United States is the only country Dreamers have ever known. These young people deserve to work here, and the House of Representatives will be a better institution because of their service.”
The 2021 funding proposal is $207 million or 5.2% higher than 2020’s Appropriations Committee budget, according to the release.
President Donald Trump has roundly condemned the removal of Confederate monuments amid nationwide calls to remove reminders of racism in American history.
Very sad to see States allowing roving gangs of wise guys, anarchists & looters, many of them having no idea what they are doing, indiscriminately ripping down our statues and monuments to the past. Some are great works of art, but all represent our History & Heritage, both…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2020
Historical statues have been torn down and vandalized in numerous states following the death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes. Dozens of monuments have garnered attention from unruly protesters and rioters, according to a list compiled by The Hill.
– – –
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Confederate Statue” by Billy Hathorn. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Millions of Potential Coronavirus Vaccine Doses Already Being Made, NIH Director Says

Millions of coronavirus vaccine doses are being manufactured , even before testing has been completed , the National Institutes of Health director said in an interview recently .
Doses of potential vaccines are being made to shorten the time it traditionally takes to develop a drug for public use , director Dr. Francis Collins told Intelligencer .
Collins said he is “ guardedly optimistic ” that at least one vaccine will pass through the large phase of trials by December .
“ There is this investment in manufacturing tens of millions of doses of these vaccines , even before we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , to prevent long delay at the end , ” Collins told Intelligencer , a brand under the New York Magazine umbrella .
Collins , who is the boss of Dr. Anthony Fauci , the head of the division on infectious diseases , added , “ It would be really sad if we were celebrating in December , saying , ‘ Hey , we ’ ve got a vaccine that works , ’ and there were no doses left to offer to the people who need it.
” At least four potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning this month , Collins told Intelligencer .
These trials involve 30,000 people each and are the final major roadblock before the vaccine is deemed ready for public use .
“ Those trials will have to be conducted in areas where the virus is actively spreading because that ’ s the only way you ’ re going to know whether it was protective , ” Collins told Intelligencer .
“ With four different vaccines with four different approaches , we ’ ve kind of hedged our bets against putting too much emphasis on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although the production of a vaccine is being fast-tracked , when a drug does pass through trials , it will be safe .
A drug often takes years to get approved because of the mechanics of a trial , much of which is being bypassed in the coronavirus vaccine trials , he said .
“ I know people might be worried about that because this is going so fast compared to the traditional five-year period to develop a vaccine , ” Collins told Intelligencer .
“ We will not compromise on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of other parts , but we will not compromise on that.
” The U.S. government announced a $ 1.6 billion contract with Maryland pharmaceutical company Novavax on Tuesday , CNN reported .
The company will receive funds to conduct a large-scale trial and to manufacture its vaccine , which could be ready for public use in early 2021 .
Novavax is the fourth pharmaceutical company to receive federal funds for coronavirus vaccine testing and manufacturing , according to CNN , along with Moderna , AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HHS ) also secured more than 500,000 doses of remdesivir , another drug that will hit trial soon .
“ President Trump has struck an amazing deal to ensure Americans have access to the first authorized therapeutic for COVID-19 , ” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar in a June 29 statement .
“ To the extent possible , we want to ensure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it.
” As coronavirus spread rapidly across the world in March , President Donald Trump declared a national emergency .
The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and there have been close to 50,000 new cases every day since Wednesday .
Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott of Texas issued a statewide face covering mandate Thursday as the number of cases in the state continues to increase , according to the Texas Tribune .
California issued a similar order in June , but Arizona and Florida , states that are also experiencing a large uptick in cases , have not .
Meanwhile , President Donald Trump has shied away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I don ’ t know if you need mandatory , because you have many places in the country where people stay very long distance , ” Trump said in a Fox Business interview Wednesday .
“ But I ’ m all for masks.
” Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Thomas Catenacci
Millions of coronavirus vaccine doses are being manufactured, even before testing has been completed, the National Institutes of Health director said in an interview recently.
Doses of potential vaccines are being made to shorten the time it traditionally takes to develop a drug for public use, director Dr. Francis Collins told Intelligencer. Collins said he is “guardedly optimistic” that at least one vaccine will pass through the large phase of trials by December.
“There is this investment in manufacturing tens of millions of doses of these vaccines, even before we know if they’re going to work, to prevent long delay at the end,” Collins told Intelligencer, a brand under the New York Magazine umbrella.
Collins, who is the boss of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the division on infectious diseases, added, “It would be really sad if we were celebrating in December, saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got a vaccine that works,’ and there were no doses left to offer to the people who need it.”
At least four potential vaccines will be tested in large-scale trials beginning this month, Collins told Intelligencer. These trials involve 30,000 people each and are the final major roadblock before the vaccine is deemed ready for public use.
“Those trials will have to be conducted in areas where the virus is actively spreading because that’s the only way you’re going to know whether it was protective,” Collins told Intelligencer. “With four different vaccines with four different approaches, we’ve kind of hedged our bets against putting too much emphasis on one particular strategy.”
Collins reassured that, although the production of a vaccine is being fast-tracked, when a drug does pass through trials, it will be safe. A drug often takes years to get approved because of the mechanics of a trial, much of which is being bypassed in the coronavirus vaccine trials, he said.
“I know people might be worried about that because this is going so fast compared to the traditional five-year period to develop a vaccine,” Collins told Intelligencer. “We will not compromise on the safety. We’ll speed up a lot of other parts, but we will not compromise on that.”
The U.S. government announced a $1.6 billion contract with Maryland pharmaceutical company Novavax on Tuesday, CNN reported. The company will receive funds to conduct a large-scale trial and to manufacture its vaccine, which could be ready for public use in early 2021.
Novavax is the fourth pharmaceutical company to receive federal funds for coronavirus vaccine testing and manufacturing, according to CNN, along with Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also secured more than 500,000 doses of remdesivir, another drug that will hit trial soon.
“President Trump has struck an amazing deal to ensure Americans have access to the first authorized therapeutic for COVID-19,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar in a June 29 statement. “To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it.”
As coronavirus spread rapidly across the world in March, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency.
The U.S. has experienced a recent surge in daily cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and there have been close to 50,000 new cases every day since Wednesday.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas issued a statewide face covering mandate Thursday as the number of cases in the state continues to increase, according to the Texas Tribune. California issued a similar order in June, but Arizona and Florida, states that are also experiencing a large uptick in cases, have not.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has shied away from ordering a national face mask mandate.
“I don’t know if you need mandatory, because you have many places in the country where people stay very long distance,” Trump said in a Fox Business interview Wednesday. “But I’m all for masks.”
– – –
Thomas Catenacci is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Gov. Cuomo’s Order Sent More Than 6,000 Coronavirus Patients into Nursing Homes, Officials Say

Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ’ s orders sent more than 6,300 coronavirus patients to nursing homes at the height of the pandemic , new numbers from state officials show .
Thousands of elderly coronavirus patients died after Cuomo issued an order March 25 mandating assisted-living facilities admit coronavirus patients , and state officials are now reporting that the number of admitted carriers is even higher than previous estimates .
” The data shows that the nursing home residents got COVID from the staff , and presumably , also from those who visited them .
Unfortunately , we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we did not realize how widespread it was within our community , and therefore , it was able to be introduced into a vulnerable population , ” New York Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said in a press release .
More than 20,000 nursing home staffers were infected in March and April , the Associated Press reported .
“ As best as we could , using the tools that we have , we looked to determine the relationships between timelines and outcomes , between infectivity and symptomatology , between onset of illness and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Zucker said .
Cuomo retracted the order May 10 after he was criticized for causing New York ’ s high death rate in nursing homes .
Cuomo has repeatedly blamed the federal government and President Donald Trump for the death rate in the nursing homes .
Cuomo ’ s office and the New York State Department of Health did not respond immediately to the Daily Caller News Foundation request for comment .
Mary Rose Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Mary Rose Corkery
Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s orders sent more than 6,300 coronavirus patients to nursing homes at the height of the pandemic, new numbers from state officials show.
Thousands of elderly coronavirus patients died after Cuomo issued an order March 25 mandating assisted-living facilities admit coronavirus patients, and state officials are now reporting that the number of admitted carriers is even higher than previous estimates.
”The data shows that the nursing home residents got COVID from the staff, and presumably, also from those who visited them. Unfortunately, we did not understand the disease early on, we did not realize how widespread it was within our community, and therefore, it was able to be introduced into a vulnerable population,” New York Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said in a press release.
More than 20,000 nursing home staffers were infected in March and April, the Associated Press reported.
“As best as we could, using the tools that we have, we looked to determine the relationships between timelines and outcomes, between infectivity and symptomatology, between onset of illness and death. We looked at the facts,” Zucker said.
Cuomo retracted the order May 10 after he was criticized for causing New York’s high death rate in nursing homes. Cuomo has repeatedly blamed the federal government and President Donald Trump for the death rate in the nursing homes.
Cuomo’s office and the New York State Department of Health did not respond immediately to the Daily Caller News Foundation request for comment.
– – –
Mary Rose Corkery is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Hiring Soared in May as Mass Layoffs Eased

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The job market took a big step toward healing in May , though plenty of damage remains , as a record level of hiring followed record layoffs in March and April .
The Labor Department reported Tuesday that the number of available jobs rose sharply as well , but remained far below pre-pandemic levels .
The figures , from the government ’ s Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey , or JOLTS , illustrate the whiplash the economy has experienced since the pandemic intensified in mid-March .
Layoffs soared in March to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the peak during the 2008-2009 recession .
They remained extraordinarily high in April , at 7.7 million , but in May they fell back to pre-pandemic levels of 1.8 million .
Hiring , meanwhile , plunged in April to 4 million , the lowest level since 2011 , but jumped to 6.5 million in May .
While that is the most hires on records dating back to 2000 , it wasn ’ t nearly enough to offset the roughly 19 million layoffs in March and April .
And whatever ground has been recaptured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a resurgence of COVID-19 cases throughout the South and West .
Despite a solid rebound in employment , the job market remains badly damaged , both by mandatory lockdowns and the reluctance of people to again visit restaurants , theaters or to travel freely , at least until a vaccine or an effective treatment for the virus is available .
The JOLTS report provides gross totals of hiring and layoffs , while the monthly jobs report , which also includes the unemployment rate , is a net figure of total jobs gained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs report showed that employers added a net total of 4.8 million jobs in June , after a gain of 2.7 million in May .
Even those huge net gains recaptured only one-third of job lost in March and April and the unemployment rate is 11.1 % , down from its April and May levels but otherwise higher than at any time since the Depression .
Employers advertised 5.4 million jobs in May , about 10 % higher than in April , but still below pre-pandemic levels of about 7 million .
Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this Thursday , June 4 , 2020 file photo , a customer walks out of a U.S. Post Office branch and under a banner advertising a job opening , in Seattle .
The job market took a big step toward healing in May 2020 , though plenty of damage remains , as a record level of hiring followed record layoffs in March and April .
The Labor Department reported Tuesday , July 7 , 2020 that the number of available jobs rose sharply as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( AP Photo/Elaine Thompson , File )

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — The job market took a big step toward healing in May, though plenty of damage remains, as a record level of hiring followed record layoffs in March and April.
The Labor Department reported Tuesday that the number of available jobs rose sharply as well, but remained far below pre-pandemic levels.
The figures, from the government’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey, or JOLTS, illustrate the whiplash the economy has experienced since the pandemic intensified in mid-March. Layoffs soared in March to a stunning 11.5 million, roughly four times the peak during the 2008-2009 recession. They remained extraordinarily high in April, at 7.7 million, but in May they fell back to pre-pandemic levels of 1.8 million.
Hiring, meanwhile, plunged in April to 4 million, the lowest level since 2011, but jumped to 6.5 million in May. While that is the most hires on records dating back to 2000, it wasn’t nearly enough to offset the roughly 19 million layoffs in March and April.
And whatever ground has been recaptured to this point is now being imperiled by a resurgence of COVID-19 cases throughout the South and West. Despite a solid rebound in employment, the job market remains badly damaged, both by mandatory lockdowns and the reluctance of people to again visit restaurants, theaters or to travel freely, at least until a vaccine or an effective treatment for the virus is available.
The JOLTS report provides gross totals of hiring and layoffs, while the monthly jobs report, which also includes the unemployment rate, is a net figure of total jobs gained or lost.
On Thursday, the jobs report showed that employers added a net total of 4.8 million jobs in June, after a gain of 2.7 million in May. Even those huge net gains recaptured only one-third of job lost in March and April and the unemployment rate is 11.1%, down from its April and May levels but otherwise higher than at any time since the Depression.
Employers advertised 5.4 million jobs in May, about 10% higher than in April, but still below pre-pandemic levels of about 7 million.
– – –
Christopher Rugaber is a reporter for The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: In this Thursday, June 4, 2020 file photo, a customer walks out of a U.S. Post Office branch and under a banner advertising a job opening, in Seattle. The job market took a big step toward healing in May 2020, though plenty of damage remains, as a record level of hiring followed record layoffs in March and April. The Labor Department reported Tuesday, July 7, 2020 that the number of available jobs rose sharply as well, but remained far below pre-pandemic levels. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Former Congressman John J. Duncan Endorses Manny Sethi

Former Congressmen John J. Duncan Jr. , who represented Tennessee ’ s Second District until 2019 , this week endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi .
“ I do not want this country to become like Seattle , Minneapolis , or the countries all over the world that have fallen for the myths of socialism , ” Duncan said in a statement on Sethi ’ s Facebook page .
“ Dr .
Manny Sethi is an honest , sincere , intelligent conservative who has been taught by his legal immigrant parents to work hard and love and appreciate this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , needs a man like Dr. Manny in the U.S. Senate.
” “ His service to East Tennessee and his district , as a citizen legislator , embodies what conservative leadership should look like , ” Sethi said .
“ As Senator , I will continue the work he did for our state and nation with his commitment to Tennesseans , smaller government , and working to end our out-of-control spending.
” As The Tennessee Star reported last month , former Congressman Zach Wamp also endorsed Sethi .
Wamp served in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District from 1995 through 2011 .
As reported last month , former Congressman Ed Bryant endorsed Sethi ’ s candidacy .
Bryant represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as a magistrate judge for the Western District of Tennessee .
As The Star also reported , U.S. Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) endorsed Sethi .
“ Tennessee deserves a true conservative who supports President Trump , is pro-liberty , and will fight out-of-control federal spending .
I believe Dr. Manny is the right choice .
Like me , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politician .
We need more outsiders in Washington , and I ’ m proud to endorse him today , ” Paul said .
As reported last week , Sethi criticized Nashville Mayor John Cooper Thursday after the mayor announced the city would revert to Phase Two of its planned reopening after COVID-19 .
“ Mayor Cooper is more interested in shutting down Nashville ’ s economy than he is in leading .
He was more than willing to join mass protests and allow riots , only to pivot now to closing down Nashville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families in Davidson County , while he attempts to raise property taxes at the same time.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .

Former Congressmen John J. Duncan Jr., who represented Tennessee’s Second District until 2019, this week endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Manny Sethi.
“I do not want this country to become like Seattle, Minneapolis, or the countries all over the world that have fallen for the myths of socialism,” Duncan said in a statement on Sethi’s Facebook page.
“Dr. Manny Sethi is an honest, sincere, intelligent conservative who has been taught by his legal immigrant parents to work hard and love and appreciate this country. Tennessee, and more importantly America, needs a man like Dr. Manny in the U.S. Senate.”
Sethi said Duncan’s endorsement humbled him.
“His service to East Tennessee and his district, as a citizen legislator, embodies what conservative leadership should look like,” Sethi said.
“As Senator, I will continue the work he did for our state and nation with his commitment to Tennesseans, smaller government, and working to end our out-of-control spending.”
As The Tennessee Star reported last month, former Congressman Zach Wamp also endorsed Sethi.
Wamp served in the U.S. Congress, representing Tennessee’s Third District from 1995 through 2011.
As reported last month, former Congressman Ed Bryant endorsed Sethi’s candidacy. Bryant represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as a magistrate judge for the Western District of Tennessee.
As The Star also reported, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) endorsed Sethi.
“Tennessee deserves a true conservative who supports President Trump, is pro-liberty, and will fight out-of-control federal spending. I believe Dr. Manny is the right choice. Like me, he’s a physician, not another politician. We need more outsiders in Washington, and I’m proud to endorse him today,” Paul said.
As reported last week, Sethi criticized Nashville Mayor John Cooper Thursday after the mayor announced the city would revert to Phase Two of its planned reopening after COVID-19.
“This is lunacy,” Sethi said.
“Mayor Cooper is more interested in shutting down Nashville’s economy than he is in leading. He was more than willing to join mass protests and allow riots, only to pivot now to closing down Nashville, destroying small businesses and hurting working families in Davidson County, while he attempts to raise property taxes at the same time.”
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Manny Sethi” by Manny Sethi.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Brazil’s President Bolsonaro Tests Positive for COVID-19

RIO DE JANEIRO , Brazil ( AP ) — Brazil ’ s President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19 after months of downplaying the coronavirus ’ s severity while deaths mounted rapidly inside the country .
The 65-year-old populist who has been known to mingle in crowds without covering his face confirmed the results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters huddled close in front of him in the capital , Brasilia .
He said he is taking hydroxychloroquine , the anti-malaria drug that has not been proven effective against COVID-19 .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even want to take a walk around here , but I can ’ t due to medical recommendations , ” Bolsonaro said .
“ I thought I had it before , given my very dynamic activity .
I ’ m president and on the combat lines .
I like to be in the middle of the people.
” Brazil , the world ’ s sixth-biggest nation , with more than 210 million people , is one of the outbreak ’ s most lethal hot spots .
More than 65,000 Brazilians have died from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been infected .
Both numbers are the world ’ s second-highest totals , behind those of the U.S. , though the true figures are believed to be higher because of a lack of widespread testing .
Bolsonaro has often appeared in public to shake hands with supporters and mingle with crowds , at times without a mask .
He has said that his history as an athlete would protect him from the virus and that it would be nothing more than a “ little flu ” if he were to contract it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no way to prevent 70 % of the population falling ill with COVID-19 and that local authorities ’ efforts to shut down economic activity would ultimately cause more hardship than allowing the virus to run its course .
Bolsonaro repeated those sentiments Tuesday , likening the virus to a rain that will fall on most people and saying that some , like older people , must take greater care .
“ You can ’ t just talk about the consequences of the virus that you have to worry about .
Life goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You need to get the economy in gear , ″ he said .
Cities and states last month began lifting restrictions that had been imposed to control the spread of the virus , as deaths began to decline along with the occupancy rate in intensive care units .
The World Health Organization ’ s emergencies chief , Dr. Michael Ryan , wished Bolsonaro a speedy recovery and said his infection “ brings home the reality of this virus ” by showing that it doesn ’ t distinguish between “ prince or pauper.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ X-ray of his lungs on Monday after experiencing fever , muscle aches and malaise .
As of Tuesday , his fever had subsided , he said , and attributed the improvement to hydroxychloroquine , which he , like President Donald Trump , has long promoted .
He stepped back from the journalists and removed his mask at one point to show that he looks well .
Bolsonaro has repeatedly visited the hospital since taking office , requiring several operations to repair his intestines after he was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week to the country ’ s northeast region and will continue working via videoconference and receive rare visitors when he needs to sign a document .
Over the weekend , the Brazilian leader celebrated American Independence Day with the U.S. ambassador to Brazil , then shared pictures on social media showing him in close quarters with the diplomat , several ministers and aides .
None wore masks .
The U.S. Embassy said on Twitter that Ambassador Todd Chapman is not showing any COVID-19 symptoms but would be tested .
Bolsonaro tested negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump in Florida .
Members of his delegation to the U.S. were later reported to be infected .
Marcelo De Sousa and David Biller are reporters for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : In this May 26 , 2020 file photo , Brazil ’ s President Jair Bolsonaro , wearing a face mask with a logo of the Federal Police , leaves his official residence of Alvorada Palace in Brasilia , Brazil .
Bolsonaro won the presidency in 2018 with a campaign that emphasized law and order , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminals with almost no legal constraints in order to curb homicides .
( AP Photo/Eraldo Peres , FIle )

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19 after months of downplaying the coronavirus’s severity while deaths mounted rapidly inside the country.
The 65-year-old populist who has been known to mingle in crowds without covering his face confirmed the results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters huddled close in front of him in the capital, Brasilia. He said he is taking hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug that has not been proven effective against COVID-19.
“I’m, well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can’t due to medical recommendations,” Bolsonaro said. “I thought I had it before, given my very dynamic activity. I’m president and on the combat lines. I like to be in the middle of the people.”
Brazil, the world’s sixth-biggest nation, with more than 210 million people, is one of the outbreak’s most lethal hot spots. More than 65,000 Brazilians have died from COVID-19, and over 1.5 million have been infected.
Both numbers are the world’s second-highest totals, behind those of the U.S., though the true figures are believed to be higher because of a lack of widespread testing.
Bolsonaro has often appeared in public to shake hands with supporters and mingle with crowds, at times without a mask. He has said that his history as an athlete would protect him from the virus and that it would be nothing more than a “little flu” if he were to contract it.
He has also repeatedly said that there is no way to prevent 70% of the population falling ill with COVID-19 and that local authorities’ efforts to shut down economic activity would ultimately cause more hardship than allowing the virus to run its course.
Bolsonaro repeated those sentiments Tuesday, likening the virus to a rain that will fall on most people and saying that some, like older people, must take greater care.
“You can’t just talk about the consequences of the virus that you have to worry about. Life goes on. Brazil needs to produce. You need to get the economy in gear,″ he said.
Cities and states last month began lifting restrictions that had been imposed to control the spread of the virus, as deaths began to decline along with the occupancy rate in intensive care units.
The World Health Organization’s emergencies chief, Dr. Michael Ryan, wished Bolsonaro a speedy recovery and said his infection “brings home the reality of this virus” by showing that it doesn’t distinguish between “prince or pauper.”
The president told reporters he underwent an X-ray of his lungs on Monday after experiencing fever, muscle aches and malaise. As of Tuesday, his fever had subsided, he said, and attributed the improvement to hydroxychloroquine, which he, like President Donald Trump, has long promoted.
He stepped back from the journalists and removed his mask at one point to show that he looks well.
Bolsonaro has repeatedly visited the hospital since taking office, requiring several operations to repair his intestines after he was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018.
He said he canceled a trip this week to the country’s northeast region and will continue working via videoconference and receive rare visitors when he needs to sign a document.
Over the weekend, the Brazilian leader celebrated American Independence Day with the U.S. ambassador to Brazil, then shared pictures on social media showing him in close quarters with the diplomat, several ministers and aides. None wore masks.
The U.S. Embassy said on Twitter that Ambassador Todd Chapman is not showing any COVID-19 symptoms but would be tested.
Bolsonaro tested negative three times in March after meeting with the Trump in Florida. Members of his delegation to the U.S. were later reported to be infected.
– – –
Marcelo De Sousa and David Biller are reporters for The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: In this May 26, 2020 file photo, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, wearing a face mask with a logo of the Federal Police, leaves his official residence of Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, Brazil. Bolsonaro won the presidency in 2018 with a campaign that emphasized law and order, and said police should be able to kill criminals with almost no legal constraints in order to curb homicides. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, FIle)


thetennesseestar--2020-07-08--Richmond Removes Statue of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart

RICHMOND , Virginia ( AP ) — Work crews on Tuesday took down a monument to Confederate Gen. J.E.B .
Stuart , the third major statue to be cleared away in less than a week as the Confederacy ’ s former capital rushes to remove symbols of oppression in response to protests against police brutality and racism .
As a crowd cheered , crews strapped the huge bronze equestrian statue in harnesses and used a crane to lift it from its granite base to be trucked away .
Some in the crowd chanted “ Black Lives Matter ” after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Na na na na , na na na na , hey hey , goodbye.
” The Stuart statue was installed on Richmond ’ s Monument Avenue in 1907 , a time when white leaders across the South sought to glorify the ‘ lost cause ’ of the Civil War and suppress attempts by Black people to assert their equality .
It depicts James Ewell Brown ( JEB ) Stuart , commander of the Cavalry Corps of Robert E. Lee ’ s Army of Northern Virginia , in full uniform with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his horse faces north .
The statue is 15 feet ( 4.6 meters ) high , atop a 7-foot ( 2.1 meter ) pedestal .
Inscriptions on the base are filled with tributes to Stuart , who was fatally wounded by a Union soldier and died at age 31 on May 12 , 1864 .
“ He gave his life for his country and saved his city from capture , ” reads one inscription .
The Stuart monument is one of several targeted by protesters in Richmond since the police killing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police declared an unlawful assembly on June 21 after protesters tried to pull it down with ropes .
Mayor Levar Stoney , citing his emergency powers on July 1 , ordered the removal of all city-owned Confederate statues .
Stonewall Jackson ’ s likeness was removed that day , followed by a statue of Naval officer Matthew Fontaine Maury .
Stoney has said the statues will be placed in storage while the city seeks public input on what to do with them .
Stuart ’ s has been the last major statue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monument to Gen. Robert E. Lee that ’ s on state land .
The Lee monument also is slated for removal , but that has been blocked at least temporarily by an injunction issued in one of several lawsuits filed after Gov .
Ralph Northam ordered its removal last month .
Steve Helber and Denise Lavoie are reporters for The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Crews attach straps to the statue Confederate General J.E.B .
Stuart on Monument Avenue Tuesday July 7 , 2020 , in Richmond , Va .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be removed by the city as part of the Black Lives Matter reaction .
( AP Photo/Steve Helber )

RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) — Work crews on Tuesday took down a monument to Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, the third major statue to be cleared away in less than a week as the Confederacy’s former capital rushes to remove symbols of oppression in response to protests against police brutality and racism.
As a crowd cheered, crews strapped the huge bronze equestrian statue in harnesses and used a crane to lift it from its granite base to be trucked away. Some in the crowd chanted “Black Lives Matter” after the statue was removed. One person sang, “Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye.”
The Stuart statue was installed on Richmond’s Monument Avenue in 1907, a time when white leaders across the South sought to glorify the ‘lost cause’ of the Civil War and suppress attempts by Black people to assert their equality.
It depicts James Ewell Brown (JEB) Stuart, commander of the Cavalry Corps of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, in full uniform with a sword at his side, turned east as his horse faces north. The statue is 15 feet (4.6 meters) high, atop a 7-foot (2.1 meter) pedestal.
Inscriptions on the base are filled with tributes to Stuart, who was fatally wounded by a Union soldier and died at age 31 on May 12, 1864.
“He gave his life for his country and saved his city from capture,” reads one inscription.
The Stuart monument is one of several targeted by protesters in Richmond since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis prompted nationwide demonstrations. Police declared an unlawful assembly on June 21 after protesters tried to pull it down with ropes.
Mayor Levar Stoney, citing his emergency powers on July 1, ordered the removal of all city-owned Confederate statues. Stonewall Jackson’s likeness was removed that day, followed by a statue of Naval officer Matthew Fontaine Maury. Stoney has said the statues will be placed in storage while the city seeks public input on what to do with them.
Stuart’s has been the last major statue left standing, other than a massive monument to Gen. Robert E. Lee that’s on state land. The Lee monument also is slated for removal, but that has been blocked at least temporarily by an injunction issued in one of several lawsuits filed after Gov. Ralph Northam ordered its removal last month.
– – –
Steve Helber and Denise Lavoie are reporters for The Associated Press.
About the Headline Photo: Crews attach straps to the statue Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart on Monument Avenue Tuesday July 7, 2020, in Richmond, Va. The statue is one of several that will be removed by the city as part of the Black Lives Matter reaction. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)