thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Brazil’s governors rise up against Bolsonaro’s virus stance

SAO PAULO - Brazil ’ s governors are defying President Jair Bolsonaro over his call to reopen schools and businesses , dismissing his argument that the “ cure ” of widespread shutdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus is worse than the disease .
Bolsonaro contends that the clampdown already ordered by many governors will deeply wound the already beleaguered economy and spark social unrest .
In a nationally televised address Tuesday night , he urged governors to limit isolation only to high-risk people and lift the strict anti-virus measures they have imposed in their regions .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to work .
Preserve the elderly , preserve those who have health problems .
But nothing more than that , ” said Bolsonaro , who in the past has sparked anger by calling the virus a “ little flu.
” The country ’ s governors protested on Wednesday that his instructions run counter to health experts ’ recommendations and endanger Latin America ’ s largest population .
They said they would continue with their strict measures .
The rebellion even included traditional allies of Brazil ’ s far-right president .
Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which gave almost 80 % of its votes to Bolsonaro in the 2018 presidential runoff , complained he was “ blown away ” by the president ’ s instructions .
Moisés said he would insist that all residents stay home during the pandemic despite the president ’ s stand .
In a videoconference earlier in the day between Bolsonaro and governors from Brazil ’ s southeast region , Sao Paulo Gov .
João Doria threatened to sue the federal government if it tried to interfere with his efforts to combat the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviewed by The Associated Press .
“ We are here , the four governors of the southeast region , in respect for Brazil and Brazilians and in respect for dialogue and understanding , ” said Doria , who supported Bolsonaro ’ s 2018 presidential bid .
“ But you are the president and you have to set the example .
You have to be the representative to command , guide and lead this country , not divide it.
“ Bolsonaro responded by accusing Doria of riding his coattails to the governorship , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t get in the way , Brazil will take off and emerge from the crisis .
Stop campaigning , ” the president said .
The governors weren ’ t the only defiant ones .
Virus plans challenged by Bolsonaro were upheld by the Supreme Court .
The heads of both congressional houses criticized his televised speech .
Companies donated supplies to state anti-virus efforts .
Bolsonaro told reporters in the capital , Brasilia , that he has listened to his U.S. counterpart , Donald Trump , and found their perspectives to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some support among his base — # BolsonaroIsRight trended atop Brazilian Twitter on Wednesday — thought that backing has been countered by a week of nightly protests from many Brazilians respecting the self-isolation rules who lean from their windows to bang pots and pans .
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 , though , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wednesday , Brazil had about 2,400 confirmed cases and 57 deaths related to the outbreak .
Experts say the figures could soar in April , potentially causing a collapse of the country ’ s health care system .
There is particular concern the virus ’ potential damage in the ultra-dense , low-income neighbourhoods known as favelas .
Bolsonaro ’ s administration has also faced criticism from economists , including Armínio Fraga , a former central bank governor , and Claudio Ferraz , a professor at Rio de Janeiro ’ s Pontifical Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique , an insurrection of governors , ” Ferraz wrote on Twitter .
“ This will become a new topic in political science : checks and balances by governors in a Federal System.
” Rio de Janeiro Gov .
Wilson Witzel , another former ally of Bolsonaro , also told the president in the videoconference that he won ’ t heed the call to loosen social distancing protocols .
Last week , Witzel announced he would shut down airports and interstate roads , which Bolsonaro annulled by decree contending that only the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time the president took to the airwaves Tuesday evening , a Supreme Court justice had ruled in favour of Witzel .
Two days earlier Brazil ’ s top court issued another ruling allowing Sao Paulo state to stop repaying federal government debt amounting to $ 400 million so that it can beef up its health sector .
The decision may set a precedent for other states .
Sao Paulo , Brazil ’ s economic engine , is home to the majority of the coronavirus cases .
It has been under partial lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and non-essential businesses have mostly been closed for more than 10 days .
Rio state has adopted similar measures , including closing its beaches .
Gov .
Ronaldo Caiado of Goiás state , a physician who had been a close Bolsonaro ally , participated in a meeting late Wednesday of nearly all Brazilian governors to co-ordinate their efforts .
The federal government wasn ’ t invited .
Caiado told reporters he is redefining his relationship with Bolsonaro .
“ I can not allow the president to wash his hands and hold others responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of jobs , “ Caiado said .
” That is not the behaviour of a leader.
” Associated Press writer Mauricio Savarese reported this story in Sao Paulo and AP writer David Biller reported from Rio de Janeiro .

Mauricio Savarese And David Biller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Police kill suspected militant, arrest 2 in Indonesia raid

JAKARTA , Indonesia - Indonesia ’ s police anti-terrorism squad shot and killed one suspect and arrested two others in a raid on the main island of Java , seizing weapons and chemicals allegedly used for bomb making , officials said Thursday .
The man fatally shot by police resisted arrest by wielding a long sword , said National Police spokesman Argo Yuwono .
The suspects were linked to a banned militant organization responsible for recent attacks on police , a local affiliate of the Islamic State group known as the Jama ’ ah Anshorut Daulah , Yuwono said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Batang district in Central Java province late Wednesday .
Yuwono said police seized two machetes , a sword , a bayonet blade and materials often used by militants to make bombs , and were interrogating the two suspects .
Indonesia has been battling militants since the 2002 bombings on the resort island of Bali that killed 202 people , mostly foreign tourists .
Attacks aimed at foreigners have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller , less deadly strikes targeting the government , police and anti-terrorism forces , inspired by Islamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been criticized for shooting suspects rather than trying to arrest them .
Authorities say they are forced to defend themselves .
A rights group , the Islamic Study and Action Center , reported that police have killed at least 135 suspected militants between 2003 and 2016 , and The Associated Press recorded at least 44 others have died during police raids since 2017 .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Sheriff: Lawmaker drove intoxicated after Kentucky session

LONDON , Ky. - A Kentucky state representative was arrested early Thursday on accusations of driving while intoxicated only hours after the state House had adjourned , authorities said .
State Rep. Derek J. Lewis of London was charged with drunken driving , The Lexington Herald-Leader reported .
Laurel County Sheriff ’ s officer Gary Mehler said he responded to a call and came upon a pickup truck in a ditch resting against a fence .
Lewis got out and was “ extremely unsteady , “ had slurred speech , glossy eyes and smelled of alcohol , Mehler said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a field sobriety test and became belligerent , Mehler added .
Lewis was arrested shortly after 1:30 a.m. in London , about 100 miles ( 165 kilometres ) from Frankfort , where the House adjourned late Wednesday night about two hours earlier .
The lawmaker was subsequently hospitalized and continued to refuse sobriety tests , according to authorities .
Lewis ’ attorneys at Croley Foley & Cessna said Lewis ’ vehicle struck a ditch after he had been working all day in Frankfort .
The first-term lawmaker will plead not guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A spokeswoman for the Kentucky House of Representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Sacred Venezuelan stone back home after hiatus in Berlin

CARACAS , Venezuela - A massive stone considered sacred by an indigenous community in Venezuela returned home Thursday resolving simmering international tension after a German artist shipped it to Berlin over two decades ago as part of a public exhibition symbolizing peace .
Artist Wolfgang Kraker von Schwarzenfeld took the stone in 1998 , saying he had permission from Venezuela ’ s government at the time and only later learned that members of the nation ’ s Pemon community were upset .
It had been displayed among five large stones in Tiergarten Park in Berlin near the Brandenburg Gate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Venezuela represented love , according to the artist ’ s webpage .
Other hulking stones collected from around the world in the Global Stones Project symbolized awakening , hope , forgiveness and peace .
The Pemons believe it represents the story of star-cross lovers , each turned to stone by a deity as punishment for marrying a member of another tribe .
Images on Venezuelan state TV Thursday showed a large crate containing the 30-ton stone being lifted by crane from an ocean freighter at a Venezuelan port .
It originated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sabana , also famous for dramatic flat-top mountains and the world ’ s tallest waterfall .
The stone ’ s removal stirred strain between Germany and Venezuela , including protests by tribal members outside the German embassy in Caracas .
President Nicolás Maduro in a nightly TV broadcast welcomed it home , calling it a “ spiritual and cultural treasure ” at a time when Venezuela and the world battle the coronavirus pandemic .
He said the stone will next be trucked to the remote corner of southern Venezuela where it originated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ journey back to the place it had always been for thousands of years , ” Maduro said .
Venezuelan officials said Germany returned it in a “ friendly agreement , ” as a sign of “ goodwill and willingness to respect the peoples ’ cultural rights.
” Von Schwarzenfeld ’ s website recounts embarking on a journey to circumnavigate the globe , setting sail from Europe to across the Atlantic Ocean .
He eventually landed in Venezuela .
“ I spoke with ministers , indigenous people , managers and the man on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambitions and problems , ” he wrote .
“ I filed an application and started the project .
South of the Orinoco River I found a red granite boulder to be the first stone for my project.
” The AP did not receive an immediate response to a request for comment emailed to the website .
It says he respects those who believe the stone “ would have been better if the stone had stayed in Venezuela.
“ But he added that “ There will always be a special place in my heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela , von Schwarzenfeld said he continued his journey , sailing more than 10,000 miles to find the other stones .
Associated Press writer Jorge Rueda contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Trump, aides, float outlier theory on origins of coronavirus

WASHINGTON—U.S .
President Donald Trump and some of his officials are flirting with an outlier theory that the new coronavirus was set loose on the world by a Chinese lab that let it escape .
Without the weight of evidence , they ’ re trying to blame China for sickness and death from COVID-19 in the United States .
“ More and more , we ’ re hearing the story , ” Trump says .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo adds : “ The mere fact that we don ’ t know the answers — that China hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very , very telling.
” A scientific consensus is still evolving .
But experts overwhelmingly say analysis of the new coronavirus ’ genome rules out the possibility that it was engineered by humans , as some conspiracy theories have suggested .
Nor is it likely that the virus emerged from a negligent laboratory in China , they say .
“ I would put it on a list of 1,000 different scenarios , ” said Nathan Grubaugh of Yale University , who studies the epidemiology of microbial disease .
Scientists say the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leading theory is that infection among humans began at an animal market in Wuhan , China , probably from an animal that got the virus from a bat .
Even so , Pompeo and others are pointing fingers at an institute that is run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and has done groundbreaking research tracing the likely origins of the SARS virus , finding new bat viruses and discovering how they could jump to people .
“ We know that there is the Wuhan Institute of Virology just a handful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , ” Pompeo said Wednesday on Fox News .
The institute has an address 13 kilometres from the market .
U.S. officials say the American Embassy in Beijing did flag concerns about potential safety issues at the lab in Wuhan in 2018 , but stressed there is no evidence that the virus originated there nearly two years later .
The episode shows that both world powers — the country where the virus originally spread and the country with the most sickness and deaths from it — are not above floating shaky theories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems in their pandemic response .
China previously spread the falsehood that the virus started with Americans .
China and the U.S. both wasted crucial time responding to the outbreak .
More than 3,000 people had been infected before China ’ s government told the public what it had concluded six days earlier — that a pandemic was probably coming .
Beijing muffled early warnings , such that the Chinese were assured the risk of sustained human-to-human transmission was low even as infected people entered hospitals across the country and the first case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chinese leaders tried blaming the U.S. , sharing Trump ’ s habit of dressing up tweets with exclamation marks .
“ It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan , ” China ’ s foreign ministry spokesman , Zhao Lijian , tweeted on March 12 .
“ Be transparent !
Make public your data !
US owe us an explanation !
” China subsequently stopped promoting that fabrication internationally .
The United States , also late to take the threat seriously , has lagged a number of other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to its response .
Trump failed to live up to his early promises to have ample testing , a key factor in containing disease .
The U.S. still struggles to supply hospitals , front-line workers and patients with necessities in a climate of confusion spilling into chaos .
More than 640,000 people in the U.S. have been sickened with COVID-19 , not counting large numbers whose illnesses are not being registered , and more than 31,000 have died .
Against that backdrop , the pressure for scapegoats is strong .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xi Jinping ’ s performance in the pandemic , Trump has turned to blaming China and halting U.S. contributions to the World Health Organization , accusing it of parroting misinformation from Beijing .
In the U.S. , claims that the virus was created in or released from a Chinese lab emerged just weeks after the outbreak began and quickly spread from fringe internet sites to the wider public , abetted by conspiracy theorists of every stripe .
The reality is more mundane , said Dr. Gregory Poland , head of vaccine research at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This virus is a typical bat coronavirus that has developed the capacity to infect other mammals and bats are mammals , too , ” he said .
“ What ’ s becoming evident is that the natural origin of this fits with the transmission dynamics and biology of it all.
” Whatever they think about the idea of a laboratory leak , Trump officials have not taken up the far-out theory that China might have created or released the virus through nefarious genetic engineering or ill intent .
“ I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re even being truthful with us now , ” U.S. Defence Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday on NBC ’ s “ Today ” show .
Yet , “ a majority of the views right now is that it is natural , it was organic , ” he said .
And it ’ s something of a diversion in a country wrestling with present danger , he seemed to suggest .
“ Once we get beyond the pandemic , we ’ ll have a chance to look back and really find out what happened @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Mexico to restrict mobility to areas less affected by virus

MEXICO CITY - Mexico will begin to restrict movement between places most affected by the COVID-19 virus — mostly large cities — and places with few infections , the president said Thursday .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador asked authorities Thursday in towns so far unaffected by the pandemic to “ help us establish sanitary cordons ” to slow the spread .
Health undersecretary Hugo López-Gatell said the recommendation from advisory groups is to divide the country into areas with lots of cases and those that have had few or none .
Travel between low-infection and high-infection areas would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons , but authorities would likely set up highway checkpoints to check travellers for symptoms .
In the past , that has mainly meant taking their temperatures .
However , López-Gatell said the exact measures were still to be defined .
He said coronavirus cases have been confirmed in about one-fifth of Mexico ’ s roughly 2,470 townships and municipalities .
The government is also extending its social distancing measures for another month to the end of May , predicting that the epidemic will peak in Mexico in about three weeks .
Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 485 deaths .
López-Gatell said health officials believe the real number of infections is probably eight times that .
On Thursday he presented lists saying the country had nearly 56,000 “ estimated ” cases , though most remain untested .
Mexico is currently running only about 4,000 tests per week , and has completed only about 21,250 tests so far .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
So far , the federal government ’ s social distancing measures have largely been recommendations , though it has begun to crack down on non-essential businesses that have stayed open .
But there is no curfew like in other countries of the region , and López Obrador said that “ without the use of force , without a curfew , our people have acted in a responsible way .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Argentina unveils foreign debt restructuring proposal

BUENOS AIRES , Argentina - Argentina unveiled its debt restructuring proposal Thursday , saying it is willing to pay back less than 40 cents for every dollar invested by private creditors in foreign debt securities and that payments would begin in 2023 .
Economy Minister Martin Guzman laid out the framework to restructure roughly $ 70 billion in debt as the South American country grapples with a biting recession and the coronavirus pandemic .
The plan consists of a 62 % reduction in interest payments equivalent to $ 37.9 billion and a 5.4 % capital reduction worth $ 3.6 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period to start payments with interest rates of 0.5 % , which would rise from there to sustainable levels .
“ This is what Argentina can fulfil .
We are not signing blank checks or papers that we are not going to be able to fulfil , ” said centre-left President Alberto Fernández , accompanied by former president and current vice-president Cristina Fernández .
The offer needs to be accepted by 70 % of investors and Argentina ’ s government gave them 20 days to decide .
If the proposal is not accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , its second in 20 years .
“ Six or three months ago , around then , it wasn ’ t an interesting offer , but today it can provide an outlet ( for creditors ) and limit the damage that exposure to Argentina can cause ” in the current context of the pandemic , said Jimena Blanco , chief economist for Latin America at risk analysis consultancy Verisk Maplecroft .
“ The underlying discussion has changed because not only Argentina ’ s outlook has changed.
“ The announcement came with Argentina under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a recession with high inflation and 35.5 % of the population in poverty even before the pandemic .
“ It is our decision that the debt ’ s payment not suppose more postponements for Argentina , “ said the president .
“ We also set out to be serious and not take advantage of the situation of the coronavirus , which has overturned the world economy , to delay the solution of this problem , ” he said .
Blanco warned that some investors might hinder the restructuring .
“ The judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... it has to be a bondholder who is willing to play a fairly long game and take that risk , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--U.S. House considers proxy voting during coronavirus crisis

WASHINGTON—With Congress essentially closed , House Democrats are proposing a temporary rules change during the coronavirus crisis that would allow lawmakers to vote remotely via another lawmaker physically present at the U.S. Capitol .
The rare move , which would require a vote for passage , is being presented Thursday during a private Democratic caucus conference call as anxious lawmakers clamour to bring Congress back online during the stay-home shutdown .
“ Congress needs to be working , ” wrote Rep. James McGovern , chairman of the House rules committee , in a statement proposing the change .
As outlined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of setting up new technological platforms that could be vulnerable to hackers , and it prevents blanket proxy voting , as some have suggested .
Instead , it would require House members to notify the House clerk of their intent to submit specific instructions to a specific lawmaker to cast the vote on their behalf , he said .
“ We don ’ t know how long this pandemic will threaten public health , or how long state stay-at-home orders will last , ” McGovern wrote .
“ We should not wait for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the rules that help us to do our jobs in such an unprecedented time.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who tasked the chairman to consider options , is backing the effort , her spokesman said .
Congress has been all but shuttered since late March , and far-flung lawmakers are sheltering at home like other Americans .
The House and Senate are meeting for pro forma sessions every few days just to avoid fully adjourning , keeping the door open for passing critical legislation .
Congress is not expected to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been rallying for a rules change , worried that as the country reels amid the crisis , their constituents are not seeing the breadth of the congressional response .
Pelosi has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s rush to ease stay-home rules so Americans can get back to work and restart the economy as “ almost sinful.
” At her weekly press briefing earlier Thursday , Pelosi sounded reluctant to implement more sweeping voting changes , warning , “ It ’ s not as easy as you may think.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , the sooner we can get to work , ” Pelosi said .
“ In the meantime , the shelter in place , the social distancing , that is a very effective way to go forward.
” Trump threatened this week to invoke rare constitutional authority to forcibly adjourn Congress so he could bypass the legislative confirmation process and appoint his nominees to key positions .
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated that seems unlikely .
Allowing the new procedure would be highly unusual but reflective of the times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the House floor essentially since the early Congress during the country ’ s founding .
During the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic , the House continued to conduct business during limited pro forma sessions much like today , with the visitor galleries shuttered , according to the House website .
Then , like now , lawmakers ran into objections as they tried to pass key legislation with no quorum amid member absences .
But at times they reached agreements to proceed .
After the 9/11 attacks , Congress briefly shuttered before reopening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House would be temporary and last only through the length of the pandemic .
Remote votes through a proxy would count toward the tally , and toward achieving a quorum , under McGovern ’ s plan .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Trump gives governors 3-phase plan to reopen economy

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump gave governors a road map Thursday for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic , laying out “ a phased and deliberate approach ” to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases .
“ We ’ re starting our life again , ” Trump said during his daily press briefing .
“ We ’ re starting rejuvenation of our economy again.
” The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus , while holding the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned , with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak .
And they largely reinforce plans already in the works by governors , who have primary responsibility for public health in their states .
“ You ’ re going to call your own shots , ” Trump told the governors Thursday afternoon in a conference call , according to an audio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re going to be standing alongside of you.
” Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phase gradual reopening of businesses and schools .
In phase one , for instance , the plan recommends strict social distancing for all people in public .
Gatherings larger than 10 people are to be avoided and nonessential travel is discouraged .
In phase two , people are encouraged to maximize social distancing and limit gatherings to no more than 50 people unless precautionary measures are taken .
Travel could resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normalcy for most Americans , with a focus on identification and isolation of any new infections .
Trump said recent trends in some states were so positive that they could almost immediately begin taking the steps laid out in phase one .
“ They will be able to go literally tomorrow , ” Trump said .
The guidelines recommend that states pass checkpoints that look at new cases , testing and surveillance data over the prior 14 days before advancing from one phase to another .
Governors of both parties made clear they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delaware Gov .
John Carney , a Democrat , said the guidelines “ seem to make sense.
” “ We ’ re days , maybe weeks away from the starting line and then you have to have 14 days of declining cases , of declining symptoms and hospital capacity that exists in case you have a rebound , ” he said .
West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice , a Trump ally , cautiously floated the idea of reopening parts of the state , but said testing capacity and contact tracing would need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be safely lifted .
“ All would be forgotten very quickly if we moved into a stage quicker than we should , and then we got into a situation where we had people dying like flies , ” Justice told reporters .
At the earliest , the guidelines suggest , some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether easing up on restrictions has led to a resurgence in virus cases .
In other parts of the country , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be substantially longer .
In briefing governors on the plan , Trump said they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states .
Just days before , he had drawn swift pushback for claiming he had absolute authority to determine how and when states reopen .
“ We have a very large number of states that want to get going and they ’ re in very good shape , ” Trump said .
“ That ’ s good with us , frankly.
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses as they plan for potential reopenings , suggesting temperature-taking , rapid COVID-19 testing and widespread disinfection efforts in workplaces .
Those most susceptible to the respiratory disease are advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are encouraged to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people .
Governors , for their part , have been moving ahead with their own plans for how to safely revive normal activity .
Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday they will co-ordinate on reopening their economies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week in the West and Northeast .
Two in three Americans expressed concerns that restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus would be eased too quickly , according to a Pew Research Center survey released Thursday .
More than 30,000 people in the United States have died from the virus .
Trump also held conference calls Thursday with lawmakers he named to a new congressional advisory task force on reviving the economy .
The economic costs were clear in new federal data showing that at least 22 million Americans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month .
But the legislators repeatedly urged the president not to sacrifice public health by moving too quickly .
“ My highest priority on this task force will be to ensure the federal government ’ s efforts to reopen our economy are bipartisan , data-driven , and based on the expertise of public health professionals , “ said Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia .
The federal government envisions a gradual recovery from the virus , in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reached until sometime next year .
“ It ’ s not going to immediately be a situation where we have stadiums full of people , “ said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Thursday .
“ We ’ re Americans .
We will adapt , ” he added .
Trump on Thursday claimed the U.S. has “ built the most advanced and robust testing anywhere in the world.
” But even people close to him warned more would be necessary .
“ We are struggling with testing at a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham told ABC ’ s “ The View.
” ” You really can ’ t go back to work until we have more tests.
” There was also concern that the White House was taking too rosy a view on trends in the U.S. “ I would not declare a peak almost anywhere in the U.S. yet , ” said Marc Lipsitch , a Harvard epidemiology professor who is director of the university ’ s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics .
He recommended “ working to enhance surveillance and testing so if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be possible to identify it with greater certainty.
” But some of Trump ’ s conservative allies , like economist Stephen Moore , have encouraged him to act swiftly , warning of “ a mini Great Depression if we keep the economy shut down.
“ “ That is a catastrophic outcome for our country .
Period , ” Moore said he advised the president .
A big testing ground for Trump ’ s road map could be Texas , where Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott , who has stuck close to federal guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his reopening plan Friday .
Abbott has said the process will be gradual , but he is facing pressure from conservative lawmakers to get Texas back to work .
The White House proposal presented Thursday is different from what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended last week , according to a draft of the recommendation obtained by The Associated Press .
The CDC talked about using more specific criteria and in many cases looking for improvement over longer periods of time before easing restrictions in high-transmission areas .
Examples include wanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in positive tests for coronavirus , and sustained reductions over 15 days in numbers of coronavirus deaths .
Suderman reported from Richmond , Va. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Washington , Paul Weber in Austin , Texas , Anthony Izaguirre in Charleston , W.Va. , Mike Stobbe in New York and Mike Catalini in Trenton , N.J. , contributed to this report .

Zeke Miller, Alan Suderman And Kevin Freking - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Abortion opponents send bill to Kentucky governor

FRANKFORT , Ky. - Republican lawmakers in Kentucky moved this week to give the state ’ s anti-abortion attorney general authority to regulate abortion clinics , but they may have acted too late if the state ’ s new Democratic governor objects .
The legislature passed the bill late Wednesday , on the last day of the 2020 legislative session .
But if Gov .
Andy Beshear decides to veto the bill and keep regulatory authority in his own administration ’ s hands , anti-abortion lawmakers won ’ t have the opportunity to override him .
That didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embracing the measure Thursday .
“ As the chief law enforcement officer for the commonwealth , our office must be able to act unencumbered and with clear legal authority when an abortion provider breaks the law , ” he said .
With the decision now up to him , the governor didn ’ t tip his hand about the bill ’ s eventual fate .
“ I haven ’ t read it , “ Beshear told reporters Thursday .
“ I don ’ t have any decision on it yet .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I will look at it at some point within the period of time that I have for vetoes.
” The dynamics surrounding abortion have shifted dramatically from just a few months ago .
Abortion was a central point of contention between Beshear , who was himself the attorney general when he won the governor ’ s race in November , and former Republican Gov .
Matt Bevin , the man he defeated .
The bill ’ s passage sets the table for keeping it front and centre in this year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection themselves .
Republicans successfully overrode vetoes from the governor repeatedly this week on other matters , including the state budget , revenue and legislation requiring photo identification for voting .
The legislation would allow the attorney general to take civil or criminal action against abortion facilities .
Under current law , the attorney general needs authorization from the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services before taking such action .
The measure would give the attorney general independent authority on those matters .
Cameron made a case for the bill in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beshear will sign it into law .
Cameron said the continuation of abortions when elective medical procedures are halted amid the coronavirus pandemic shows the new enforcement powers are “ ” necessary and timely.
“ He has said abortions in the state should cease as part of Beshear ’ s order halting elective procedures .
That order is meant to limit contact among people and preserve medical supplies such as masks and gloves .
The bill sent to Beshear declares abortion to be an elective medical procedure .
Two abortion-rights groups , Planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky , are urging the governor to veto the legislation .
They denounced it as a “ blatant power grab ” meant to make it harder for women to obtain abortions .
Beshear supports abortion rights but backs “ reasonable restrictions , ” especially on late-term procedures .
Bevin tried to make abortion a central issue in this conservative state in last year ’ s election , while Beshear ran a disciplined campaign that kept the focus on educational improvements he was pushing .
Bevin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with schoolteachers , helped lead to his narrow defeat .
Now Republican lawmakers have reasserted the abortion issue when Beshear is commanding unprecedented attention in leading the state ’ s efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
The governor presides over daily virus briefings shown on statewide television .
Another part of the abortion measure sent to Beshear would require doctors to provide life-sustaining care for an infant born alive after a failed abortion attempt .
Critics have noted that the law already requires them to attempt life-saving measures .
Kentucky lawmakers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on abortion since Republicans assumed total control of the legislature in the 2017 session .
Some of those laws are being challenged in courts , including one that would ban abortion once a heartbeat is detected , usually around the sixth week of pregnancy .
Abortion procedures in Kentucky are done at EMW Women ’ s Surgical Center in Louisville .
Planned Parenthood has said it recently began offering abortion services in Louisville under a provisional license .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--VIRUS DIARY: In pandemic, a forlorn dog finds new purpose

BERKELEY , Calif. - “ This feels like a good time to get another dog to help us get over the loss of Surfer , ” the Professor announced in her FM radio-ready voice .
Even though my heart didn ’ t feel quite ready , I knew she was right , and not only because she really is a smart professor .
We needed to fill the void left by Surfer ’ s death last fall .
He was a regal blend of the Samoyed and Husky breeds who made people swoon wherever he swaggered .
He died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to say goodbye .
Surfer was the Professor ’ s dog , but he had become one of my best buddies during the two years since we met and quickly bonded , as kindred spirits do .
His death came just two weeks after I watched my dad die , so it felt like a double whammy that had me reeling for awhile .
I gradually began to feel better .
Then this pandemic cast its pall .
The ensuing lockdown has kept the Professor , her two children , her surviving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her home for the past four weeks .
It didn ’ t take long before the Professor realized that rescuing a forlorn dog might provide a ray of light amid all the gloom .
She had some experience in this area , having adopted Surfer when he was a 4-year-old waif found starving on a beach .
It made too much sense not to explore .
It was clear we were going to be housebound for so long that we would have ample time to train and welcome a new dog .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were pleased and surprised to discover plenty of dog shelters and adoption agencies still open .
It also turned out that we weren ’ t the only ones looking for a new pet .
We also learned that more dogs , cats and other pets will probably need new homes in coming months .
With unemployment rising , some people probably won ’ t be able to feed another mouth .
Other animals will lose owners who succumb to COVID-19 .
Some animals will need people with a little extra room in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 17-year-old daughter especially wanted another dog , to help her cope with the abrupt disruption to her bustling social and academic life as a junior in high school .
It seemed appropriate , then , that she was the one who found Chase , a 3-year-old dog who is Surfer ’ s doppelganger but with his own distinctive flair .
Within a few minutes of meeting him at his foster home two weeks ago , we knew he was the perfect fit .
And so he has been .
He has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deaths of my dad and Surfer .
His presence provided solace , too , when COVID-19 recently took one of The Associated Press ’ finest — my longtime colleague , Nick Jesdanun .
I dread all of the death that is still to come during this pandemic .
But I take comfort in knowing that I am going to emerge with a new friend — one now renamed “ Wookiee , “ because he sounds so much like Chewbacca in “ Star Wars.
” Yet as much as I like that name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to remind me of something else : Hope .
“ Virus Diary , ” an occasional feature , will showcase the coronavirus saga through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world .
See previous entries here .
Follow AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke on Twitter here .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Man in attempted fire at Jewish home released to confinement

BOSTON - A federal judge released a Massachusetts man on Wednesday to home confinement after he was accused of trying to set fire to a Jewish-sponsored assisted living centre .
Judge Katherine Robertson released John Michael Rathbun , 36 , shortly after he was charged with attempted arson .
The judge ’ s decision garnered a written objection from U.S. Attorney Steven Breslow , who wrote that Robertson ’ s decision to release Rathbun “ appears to have been greatly influenced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
” Breslow added that while the pandemic has created “ laudable ” concerns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for releasing the East Longmeadow resident , who presents both a flight risk and a risk to public safety .
Officers found a full gas canister that had a Christian religious pamphlet burned out in the nozzle at the entrance of Ruth ’ s House in Longmeadow on April 2 .
Authorities then discovered blood stains on the canister and pamphlet and traced the DNA back to Rathbun , according to a police affidavit .
Prosecutors described the alleged crime as an act of anti-Semitic violence .
The Boston Globe reported that Rathbun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment , except to say that he ’ d be filing a written response to prosecutors ’ objection to the release order .
Ruth ’ s House is a Jewish-sponsored assisted living centre for seniors of all faiths , according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts .
It ’ s located within 1 square mile of several other Jewish facilities , including three Jewish temples , a Jewish private school and a Jewish Community Center .
The attorney ’ s office said the centre was being discussed on white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--3 accused white supremacists denied bond amid virus concerns

ROME , Ga. - Three Georgia men accused of belonging to a white supremacist group and of plotting to kill a couple were denied bond Thursday after requesting a hearing because of coronavirus concerns , authorities said .
Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge Bryant Durham rejected bond requests for 25-year-old Michael Helterbrand of Dalton ; 19-year-old Jacob Kaderli of Dacula ; and 21-year-old Luke Lane of Silver Creek , news outlets reported .
The three men face charges of conspiring to kill members of a militant anti-fascist group and participation in a criminal gang .
Floyd County police said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ a group described by the FBI as a collective of hardcore neo-Nazis , operating as a paramilitary organization that is hostile to minority communities .
An arrest affidavit said the men planned to kill a married couple who were anti-fascist protesters — part of the Antifa movement — and believed that killing the couple would send a message to enemies of The Base .
The men were previously denied bond in February but requested another hearing amid coronavirus concerns and delays .
Lane ’ s attorney , Emily Matson , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates don ’ t have access to disinfectants .
Matson and the other attorneys argued they couldn ’ t adequately represent their clients because of massive amounts of evidence presented by the FBI and limited access to their clients because of COVID-19 restrictions .
The judge told the attorneys to appeal in two weeks .
Floyd County Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Anthony Cromer said there have been no cases of COVID-19 in the jail .
“ We are screening all of our staff two times per shift at least , ” Cromer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow white supremacists online — especially veterans because of their military training — and use encrypted chat rooms and train members in military-style camps in the woods , according to experts who track extremist groups .
The group , which has the motto “ learn , train , fight , ” brings together white supremacists of varying ideologies , the experts say .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Home restrictions on New Yorkers extended another month

New York planned for a long fight against the coronavirus outbreak amid hopeful hospitalization trends .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo extended stay-at-home restrictions Thursday through mid-May and New York City is getting ready to use 11,000 empty hotel rooms for coronavirus quarantines .
Meanwhile , Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city is grappling with a projected $ 7.4 billion loss in tax revenue because of the crisis .
Here are the latest coronavirus developments in New York : New York state will extend its stay-at-home restrictions at least through May 15 amid signs the initial wave of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Thursday that virus transmission rates still need to be tamed as he prolonged rules that have left many New Yorkers working from home , or out of a job entirely , and unable to gather in public since March 22 .
The governor said the extension was made in consultation with other Northeast states and will be re-evaluated next month .
The number of people hospitalized statewide has ticked down to under 18,000 , far below initial projections .
But there are still close to 2,000 newly diagnosed people coming into hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded 606 COVID-19-related deaths Wednesday , the lowest daily number in more than a week .
More than 12,000 people have died statewide in just over a month .
“ This is still continuing at a really tragic , tragic rate , ” Cuomo said at a press briefing .
Though disruptive , Jeff Fila of suburban Albany said he understands the need for continuing the restrictions .
The tech support specialist and his wife have been working from home and watching their 16-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl .
“ Considering all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing .
So I can deal with it , “ Fila said .
” Other people have to go to work or have lost their jobs .
I feel for them.
” The governor also said he ’ s expanding the requirement starting Friday night that all residents wear face coverings when they ’ re out in public and within 6 feet of other people .
He said that in addition to being required on subways and buses , coverings must be worn by drivers and passengers in for-hire vehicles .
After initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the city is now planning to use the rooms as quarantine sites for some people in crowded apartments , for some homeless shelter residents and for health care workers who don ’ t want to risk infecting family members , de Blasio said .
In some communities where infection rates are high , some people are living in cramped multi-generational households , the mayor noted .
“ If there is a threat that someone might get infected in the home and it might spread amongst the members of that family , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
De Blasio said the city will work with community health centres to identify who needs the service and will start moving people into hotel rooms April 22 .
Initially , “ our projections told us we might have to use a vast number of hotels , dozens and dozens , to be able to accommodate all the medical needs , ” he said .
“ So far , thank God , that has not been the case.
” The COVID-19 virus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .
New York City may take a $ 7.4 billion budget hit over the next 15 months because of the coronavirus , de Blasio said Thursday as he detailed planned cuts and appealed to President Donald Trump and Congress for an infusion of cash for cities and states .
“ If you lead , the Senate will follow .
If you are silent , they will not .
It ’ s on you , Mr. President , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he spoke Wednesday to the Republican president and told him “ his hometown needs him.
” The city so far has spent over $ 700 million to handle the virus outbreak and expects to spend a total of $ 3.5 billion by the end of December , according to a news release from the mayor ’ s office .
The new spending has come as tax revenues are shrinking .
The mayor ’ s new $ 89.3 budget proposal , released Thursday , trims projected tax revenue by $ 2.2 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s $ 5.2 billion lower than his earlier plan for the fiscal year that begins in July .
The city has drawn on reserves , and it ’ s also saving on some programs because of virus-related shutdowns .
But the mayor ’ s plan also calls for making a wide variety of trims : everything from delaying an expansion of its free prekindergarten program for 3-year-olds to reducing tree pruning , and from suspending a summer-job program for young people to closing city pools this summer .
De Blasio said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort , but “ honestly , that decision rests in Washington.
” “ Washington has to step in so we can provide basic services , “ he said .
“ We must have that stimulus money , or else we ’ re going to have to make horrible choices.
” New York City officials say the city ’ s jail population has fallen to under 4,000 inmates , the lowest number since 1946 , after officials granted early release to more than 1,000 high-risk inmates because of the pandemic .
At the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in city jails , Mayor Bill de Blasio said .
Two city inmates have died from coronavirus .
A public defender group , the Legal Aid Society , also sued the state prison system Thursday for the release of nine inmates it says are at risk in the viral outbreak because of other health problems .
Marina Villeneuve and Hill contributed from Albany , N.Y. Jennifer Peltz reported from New York .

Karen Matthews, Marina Villeneuve And Michael Hill - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--PG&E:  Wildfire victims backing bankruptcy plan so far

BERKELEY , Calif. - A Pacific Gas & Electric lawyer told a federal judge that the beleaguered company ’ s plan for getting out of bankruptcy is winning support from the victims of Northern California wildfires ignited by the utility ’ s crumbling equipment , despite concerns they will be shortchanged in a $ 13.5 billion settlement .
The disclosure made Thursday by PG & E lawyer Kevin Orsini is an early indication that PG & E is thwarting an attempt to pressure the San Francisco company into revising a deal that it reached in December to pay for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 and 2018 .
A bankruptcy committee representing the victims recently has been raising red flags about the $ 13.5 billion settlement that it helped negotiate because half of the amount consists of PG & E stock that has been fluctuating wildly amid the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Just last week , lawyers for the victims ’ committee unsuccessfully tried to persuade U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali to approve a letter warning that the $ 13.5 billion deal wasn ’ t panning out as envisioned .
Besides concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victims ’ committee is also worried the bankruptcy plan will miss its Aug. 29 date for raising the money needed to pay claims .
The letter would have advised more than 82,000 to delay voting until at least April 25 to give the committee time to address its concerns , but Montali declined to put the court ’ s seal of approval on the warning .
The voting on PG & E ’ s plan began earlier this month and will continue through May 15 .
In Thursday ’ s hearing involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District Court Judge James Donato that the victims so far are “ overwhelmingly “ voting in favour of the company ’ s plan .
Orsini didn ’ t say how many of the victims ’ ballots have been cast so far .
PG & E declined any further comment .
The plan also needs backing from a wide range of investors , lenders , government agencies and insurers that also have claims in PG & E ’ s bankruptcy case , but their support has been widely expected for several months .
PG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been getting the wildfire victims on board , given their deal represents more than half of the $ 25.5 billion in settlements contained within PG & E elaborate plan .
While the victims ’ committee has been griping about shortcomings in the plan , it has continued to gain support from other lawyer representing people who lost family , homes and businesses in the wildfires that drove PG & E into bankruptcy and caused the company to plead guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter .
The lawyers siding with PG & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best hope to get money to victims at a time when the crumbling economy threatens to make some of them even more destitute than they are .
Even so , almost everyone agrees the stock market turmoil is threatening to erode the original value of the $ 13.5 billion fund for the wildfire victims .
One financial expert that company stock pledged in the deal may turn out to be worth $ 4.85 billion , instead of the promised $ 6.75 billion .
On the flip side , the PG & E stock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims even more than they hoped .
The company ’ s shares closed Thursday at $ 11.13 .
That ’ s down dramatically from the stock ’ s six-month high of $ 18.34 , but a rebound from its recent low of $ 7.85 earlier this month .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--U.S. job losses mount as economic pain deepens worldwide

WASHINGTON - The ranks of America ’ s unemployed swelled toward Great Depression-era levels Thursday , and President Donald Trump reacted to the pressure on the economy by outlining a phased approach to reopening parts of the country where the coronavirus is being brought under control .
Under the plan , presented by Trump in a call with the nation ’ s governors , the president will ease his social-distancing guidelines to allow states to start getting back to business over the next several weeks in places that have strong testing and have seen a decrease in COVID-19 cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your own shots , ” Trump told the governors , according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press , after a week in which he clashed with them over his claim that he has “ total ” authority over how and when the country reopens .
The move came on the same day the government reported 5.2 million more Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week , bringing the four-week total to 22 million — easily the worst stretch of U.S. job losses on record .
The losses translate to about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Americans have chafed at the damage to their livelihoods , business leaders and governors have warned that more testing and protective gear are needed before they can start lifting the lockdowns and other restrictions that have all but strangled the economy .
Health experts have cautioned that easing restrictions too soon could allow the virus to come storming back .
“ My No .
1 focus is to keep my family safe , so I ’ m really not in a hurry to put an end to this , ” said Denise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her job in marketing at Cornell University in Ithaca , New York .
But conservative economist Steven Moore , a Trump ally , said there will be 30 million people out of work in the country if the economy doesn ’ t open back up soon .
“ And that is a catastrophic outcome for our country .
Period , ” he said .
“ You ’ re going to have social chaos.
” Worldwide , the outbreak has infected more than 2.1 million people and killed more than 140,000 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the true numbers are believed to be much higher .
The death toll in the U.S. reached about 31,000 , with around 650,000 confirmed infections .
The spread of the virus is declining in such places as Italy , Spain and France , but is rising or continuing at a high level in Britain , Russia and Turkey , authorities said .
— Vladimir Putin postponed Russia ’ s grand Victory Day parade May 9 in Red Square marking the 75th anniversary of Nazi Germany ’ s defeat in World War II @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been the nation ’ s most important holiday , reflecting its wartime losses , put at more than 27 million dead .
— New York , the most lethal hot spot in the U.S. , reported more encouraging signs , with a drop in the daily number of deaths statewide and the overall count of people in the hospital .
“ We ’ ve controlled the beast .
We ’ ve brought the rate of spread down , ” Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said .
Still , Cuomo extended the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and New York City is lining up 11,000 empty hotel rooms to quarantine people living in crowded apartment buildings .
— Police acting on an anonymous tip found at least 18 bodies over two days at a nursing home in Andover Township , New Jersey .
Corpses were packed into a room used to hold the dead until they can be picked by a funeral home .
Under the new Trump administration road map , places that are turning the corner on the virus would begin a three-phase gradual reopening of businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 14 days , to ensure that the outbreak doesn ’ t make a resurgence .
Many Americans , especially in rural areas and other parts of the country that have not seen major outbreaks , have called on governors to reopen their economies .
More than 3,000 turned out this week to decry the Michigan governor ’ s restrictions , police broke up a demonstration in North Carolina , and protests also took place in Oklahoma , Kentucky and Virginia .
“ Those people that know they ’ re vulnerable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them go back to work , “ Aaron Carver , a laid-off construction worker said at a protest in Richmond , Virginia .
The decision of whether to relax the restrictions rests not with the White House but with the state and local leaders who imposed them in the first place .
Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday that they will co-ordinate on reopening their economies , after similar pacts were reached among states in the Northeast and on the West Coast .
West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice , a Trump ally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be considerably ramped up before restrictions could be safely lifted .
“ All would be forgotten very quickly if we moved into a stage quicker than we should , and then we got into a situation where we had people dying like flies , ” Justice said .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown said the White House guidance “ makes it clear : as we begin to see areas of Oregon that have declining cases of COVID-19 , the best path to reopening is still a cautious one that proceeds carefully and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns that restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus would be eased too quickly , according to a Pew Research Center survey released Thursday .
Economists said the unemployment rate could reach 20 % in April , the highest since the Depression of the 1930s .
Layoffs are spreading well beyond stores , restaurants and hotels to white-collar professionals such as software programmers and legal assistants .
The lifting of restrictions , when it happens , won ’ t be like flipping a switch .
Restaurants and other businesses may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited number of entrances or reduced seating areas , while grocery stores may stick with one-way aisles and protective shields at the cash registers , experts say .
Even then , it could take awhile before business comes back , if China and certain places in Europe are any indication .
Jeremiah Juncker , manager of the Rappourt pub in Ann Arbor , Michigan , wonders whether anyone would come if he were even allowed to reopen .
“ It might be ‘ back to normal ’ for everyone else , but people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at restaurants and bars , ” he said .
Many European countries , like the U.S. , have seen heavy job losses , but places like Germany and France are using government subsidies to keep millions of people on payrolls instead of letting them go on unemployment .
But political leaders on the Continent are still trying to find a balance between their country ’ s health and its wealth .
Italy ’ s hard-hit Lombardy region is pushing to restart manufacturing when the nationwide lockdown ends in early May , while Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its nationwide lockdown for at least three more weeks .
“ Ladies and gentlemen , the transition is beginning , ” Home and Health Minister Alain Berset said .
“ We want to go as fast as possible , and as slow as necessary.
” Associated Press journalists around the world contributed .
This story has been edited to correct that Aaron Carver is a laid-off construction worker , not housing contractor .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Christopher Rugaber And Lori Hinnant - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Trump faces global resistance to US plan to cut WHO funding

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump faced international resistance Thursday as he defended his plan to cut U.S. payments to the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump said he reiterated his frustration with the WHO during a call with Group of Seven leaders , and he again accused the WHO of mishandling its response and showing too much deference to China , where the new coronavirus first emerged .
Trump ’ s conversation with the leaders of Britain , Canada , France , Germany , Italy and Japan “ centred on the lack of transparency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WHO ” and the G-7 leaders called for a “ thorough review and reform process , “ according to the White House .
“ I was angry because it should have been told to us , ” Trump said .
“ It should have been told to us early , it should have been told to us a lot sooner .
People knew it was happening , and people didn ’ t want to talk about it.
” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said everyone on the call recognized the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science around the pandemic , to work on public health measures and to share information about vaccine development and possible treatments .
“ There is a need for international co-ordination and the WHO is an important part of that collaboration and co-ordination , ” Trudeau said outside his residence in Ottawa .
“ We recognize that there have been questions asked but at the same time it is really important that we stay co-ordinated as we move through this .
That ’ s certainly what Canada is going to do.
” German Chancellor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for the WHO and similar international groups , and stressed that it will take “ a strong and co-ordinated international response “ to defeat the pandemic , said her spokesman , Steffen Seibert .
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for the WHO and said the organization must play a “ central role ” as part of an “ ambitious and co-ordinated international response ” to the virus crisis .
Macron stressed the need to bring “ massive aid ” to the most vulnerable countries , especially in Africa .
British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing in for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from the coronavirus , said the leaders agreed that rapid development and production of treatments and a vaccine are crucial .
Raab also stressed the need for an “ internationally co-ordinated ” response .
The Italian foreign ministry said it was committed to consolidating a global governance of health care “ in which the WHO plays a crucial leadership role.
” A statement issued after a separate teleconference of French , German and Italian foreign ministry officials said Italy is considering new contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a vaccine “ for which a global , inclusive effort will be necessary.
” Separately , Germany ’ s foreign minister warned Thursday that cutting funding for the WHO was like “ throwing the pilot out the plane.
” Heiko Maas told reporters the United Nations and its health agency are the “ backbone ” of the current fight against the outbreak “ and that ’ s why it makes no sense at all to question the functioning and significance of the WHO now.
” Maas said it was important to strengthen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and said “ weakening it would be nothing other than throwing the pilot out of the plane in mid-flight.
” Trump announced this week that he will end U.S. contributions to the WHO , claiming the outbreak could have been contained at its source and lives could have been saved had the U.N. health agency done a better job investigating the early reports coming out of China .
Critics argued that cutting the WHO ’ s funding in the middle of a pandemic made no sense and said there will be plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to review its actions .
The WHO has said its work will continue regardless of any action taken by the United States .
Associated Press writers in Group of Seven nations contributed to this report .

Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Cops caught cursing over loudspeaker, drawing NYPD probe

NEW YORK - Two police officers assigned to patrol New York City ’ s desolate streets were put under department investigation Thursday after a video showed them purportedly making profane comments to a man over their police vehicle ’ s loudspeaker .
Video posted on social media showed officers in a police department SUV on Wednesday night telling the man to “ shut the ( expletive ) up ” and threatening to “ slap the ( expletive ) out of ” him as he screamed out from a midtown Manhattan sidewalk .
The NYPD said it has opened an internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behaviour will not be tolerated .
“ An incident involving two members of our department on patrol in Midtown Manhattan last night has surfaced , ” the department tweeted Thursday .
“ This incident was put under investigation immediately and that internal investigation will be conducted as expeditiously as possible.
” Eliel Cruz , an activist who shared the video on social media , said the officers ’ alleged actions were “ unacceptable.
” Edward Delatorre , chief of the NYPD ’ s transit bureau , tweeted that he was “ equally alarmed @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Tribes press judge to halt US-Canada pipeline as work starts

BILLINGS , Mont .
- Native American tribes and environmental groups pressured a federal judge on Thursday to shut down work on the disputed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Nebraska , citing fears that workers could spread the coronavirus and construction could damage land .
After years of delays , the company is rushing ahead amid the pandemic to get part of the line built so it will be harder to stop , attorneys for the project ’ s opponents argued in a teleconference to decide if the construction should be halted .
They warned that plans to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each pose a risk to tribes and rural communities that already struggle to provide basic health care services and would face challenges responding to coronavirus outbreaks .
The first U.S. segment of the 1,200-mile ( 1,900-kilometre ) oil sands pipeline was installed by TC Energy this week across the Canada border in northern Montana .
The fight over the line stretches back more than a decade after it became a lightning rod in the debate over fossil fuels ’ contribution to climate change .
“ With the rise of the pandemic , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribe to at least put a pause on this activity , take hard look at this , ” said Matthew Campbell , an attorney for the Native American Rights Fund representing the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes of the Fort Belknap reservation in Montana .
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris did not immediately rule following an almost four-hour hearing that also included arguments over whether President Donald ’ s Trump ’ s authorization of the border crossing was legal .
Trump is a champion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it a presidential authorization last year in a bid to circumvent a 2018 court ruling from Morris that had blocked the project and prompted a new environmental review .
Late Wednesday , Morris handed another setback to TC Energy with a ruling that invalidated a key U.S. Army Corps of Engineers clean water permit .
The so-called nationwide permit applied to a broad range of projects including Keystone XL , and is needed to so the pipeline can cross rivers , streams and other waterways .
Keystone XL would have hundreds of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) route from Hardisty , Alberta to Steele City , Nebraska .
It would carry up to 830,000 barrels ( 35 million gallons ) of crude daily and opponents say a spill is inevitable .
Workers on Monday installed the first section of pipe across the U.S.-Canada border in northern Montana , according to court documents .
Calgary-based TC Energy says it ’ s taking steps to prevent any virus transmissions , including checking anyone entering work sites for symptoms and abiding by a 14-day quarantine for anyone who leaves Montana and returns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require the Army Corps permit that was thrown out because there are no nearby waterways .
But it ’ s a major obstacle to any further work , and a company spokesman warned the judge ’ s ruling has broad implications for projects across the U.S. “ The ruling directly impacts various utilities constructing and maintaining infrastructure projects , including natural gas , liquids , television cable , electrical transmission , telephone , internet , among others , “ pipeline spokesman Terry Cunha said .
“ This decision hampers their ability to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water bodies across the U.S. ” The Army Corps referred questions to U.S. Justice Department spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle , who said government attorneys were evaluating options but provided no further details .
TC Energy plans to drill tunnels for the pipeline deep beneath major river crossings and says it will be operated safely .
The company has a history of spills from other oil pipelines it operates , including a 2017 accident near Amherst , South Dakota that spilled almost 10,000 barrels ( 407,000 gallons ) of oil .
TC Energy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start construction on Keystone XL amid a global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic came after the provincial government in Alberta invested $ 1.1 billion to jump-start the work .
Tribal leaders and some residents of rural communities along the pipeline ’ s route worry thousands of workers needed for the project could spread the virus in small communities that are unprepared .
TC Energy wants to “ use this construction as justification for allowing the project to proceed whether or not it is legal , ” the tribes ’ attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps , some housing up to 1,000 people , were initially planned for the project .
TC Energy says those are under review amid the pandemic and won ’ t be needed until later in the summer .
For most people , the 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 people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The rural counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far have seen far fewer infections than other parts of the U.S .
But they lack adequate health care services to deal with a large outbreak .
Construction on two worker camps could start as soon as this month in Montana and South Dakota , according to court documents filed by the company .
The construction under way in Montana involves about 100 workers .
It ’ s exempted from Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock ’ s March 26 “ stay at home ” directive , which is aimed at preventing the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities , according to state officials .
The directive did not address worker camps .
Bullock spokeswoman Marissa Perry said the governor wants all coronavirus concerns addressed before TC Energy finalizes its plans in areas requiring camps .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Federal judge denies new criminal trial for Roger Stone

WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Thursday denied a request for a new trial made by Trump ally Roger Stone following his conviction on charges related to the Russia investigation .
Stone claimed the jury forewoman was biased and petitioned for a new trial ; his first such request was denied .
It prompted Judge Amy Berman Jackson to call nearly all jurors back for a hearing , a highly unusual move , after Stone ’ s attorneys also alleged misconduct after some jurors spoke out publicly following the case .
During a trial , jurors are not allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the case or discuss it with anyone until deliberations , but after their verdict is rendered , they are released from duty and can speak publicly if they wish .
New trial requests are not uncommon , but this case was surprising in many ways — including a barrage of tweets from President Donald Trump on the trial , threats by the attorney general to quit and the departure of the entire prosecution team following Justice Department leadership ’ s decision to back off its sentencing request .
In her 81-page memorandum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not proved the forewoman was biased or that any jurors acted inappropriately .
She included details of their juror questionnaires in her explanation .
“ The assumption underlying the motion – that one can infer from the juror ’ s opinions about the President that she could not fairly consider the evidence against the defendant – is not supported by any facts or data and it is contrary to controlling legal precedent , ” she wrote in denying the new trial .
“ The motion is a tower of indignation , but at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is little of substance holding it up.
” Stone was convicted on all seven counts of an indictment that accused him of lying to Congress , tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign co-ordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election .
He was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be convicted on charges brought as part of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Before his Feb. 20 sentencing , the Justice Department leadership backed away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump tweeted his displeasure at the recommendation of up to nine years in prison , saying it had been too harsh .
The move led to a brief flare-up between Attorney General Willam Barr and Trump .
The decision on sentencing was Jackson ’ s to make .
She sentenced Stone to more than three years in prison plus two years ’ probation and a $ 20,000 fine .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Agent: NFL star Von Miller has COVID-19, is in good spirits

AURORA , Colo. - Von Miller has the coronavirus and the NFL star wanted to come forward with his diagnosis to show people how serious the disease is .
“ Von wants to let everyone out there know it ’ s serious ; it doesn ’ t just happen to old people in nursing homes , ” agent Joby Branion told The Associated Press on Thursday .
Miller told KUSA-TV in Denver that he developed a cough a couple of days ago and when his nebulizer for his asthma didn ’ t clear things up , he decided to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came back positive Thursday .
“ I ’ m in good spirits , ” Miller told the TV station .
“ I ’ m not feeling sick or hurting or anything like that.
” The Broncos released a statement , saying Miller “ elected to share his diagnosis publicly to emphasize that anyone can be afflicted with coronavirus.
” “ Von is doing well and recovering at home in self-isolation .
He remains under the care of team doctors , who are following all coronavirus treatment procedures to ensure a safe environment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team added .
Branion said that aside from his allergy to grass , Miller , 31 , is the picture of health .
“ Von lives to take care of his health and his body and it hit him , too , “ Branion said .
” Hopefully , he ’ s like the 85 per cent who kick this disease in the teeth in two weeks .
But the bottom line is he got it , too.
” Brandion said Miller is in good spirits while quarantined at his home in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to speak publicly about his diagnosis on Friday .
Branion said Miller went for a test after he began coughing a couple of days ago .
“ I ’ ve seen him a lot sicker after games .
He ’ s allergic to grass and after he ’ s been inundated with pollen , he ’ s sounded worse , ” Branion said .
Miller , who was recently a unanimous pick to the NFL ’ s All-Decade team of the 2010s , said on a conference call last week he trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado when the stay-at-home measures went into effect to contain the virus .
Branion said Miller isn ’ t sure how he became infected .
“ He ’ s been home for a month .
Now , is he in lock-down , lock-down ?
No , but he ’ s been sort of staying home , “ Branion said .
” What happened ?
We don ’ t know .
“ But it can get you .
It got him , and he ’ s Superman !
” Miller is the second active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic that has sickened more than 2 million people worldwide , resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and sending millions into unemployment .
On Wednesday , Los Angeles Rams centre Brian Allen said he tested positive for COVID-19 three weeks ago .
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton revealed last month that he tested positive for the virus .
The Los Angeles Chargers last week revealed a positive test and symptoms for unidentified members of their organization .
And in Denver , three unidentified Colorado Avalanche players have tested positive @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--U.S. navy IDs Arkansas sailor as first active-duty COVID-19 death

PEARL HARBOR , Hawaii—The crew member of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt who died of the coronavirus was an Arkansas man , the U.S. navy disclosed on Thursday .
In a statement , the navy said Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr. , 41 , of Fort Smith , Ark.
, died on April 13 at the U.S. naval hospital in Guam of COVID-19 , the illness caused by the novel coronavirus .
He died 11 days after his captain was fired for pressing the navy for greater action to safeguard his crew from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member to die of COVID-19 .
The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .
Thacker had tested positive for the coronavirus on March 30 and was taken off the ship and placed in “ isolation housing ” along with four other sailors at the Guam navy hospital .
On April 9 , he was found unresponsive during a medical check and was moved to the navy hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first , and so far the only , among the crew of about 4,860 , of which 585 had tested positive for coronavirus as of Monday .
The Roosevelt had been in a coronavirus crisis that prompted the navy ’ s civilian leader , Thomas Modly , to fire the ship ’ s captain on April 2 .
Five days later — after having flown to the ship and delivering a speech in which he insulted the skipper , Capt .
Brett E. Crozier , and criticizing the crew for supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he felt compelled to remove Crozier from command because he had distributed too widely via email a letter in which he called for more urgent navy action to prevent a deeper coronavirus crisis aboard his ship .
Crozier ’ s words angered Modly , but were seen by others as necessary .
Crozier received cheers and chants of “ Captain Crozier ” from the crew as he left the ship .
He later tested positive for COVID-19 .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Philippine economic chief resigns amid coronavirus crisis

MANILA , Philippines - The Philippine economic planning secretary has resigned partly due to “ differences in development philosophy ” with some Cabinet members as the country scrambles to deal with the pandemic that ’ s setting back the economy .
President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the resignation of Ernesto Pernia and designated Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua to temporarily replace him , Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Friday .
Pernia , who was appointed by Duterte to head the National Economic Development Authority after the president took office in mid-2016 , was in charge of plans for economic recovery from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of social unrest if a massive lockdown in the main northern Luzon region , home to more than 50 million people , is extended indefinitely .
“ This is due partly to personal reasons and partly to differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members , ” Pernia said , without elaborating .
Pernia has been regarded as among the more independent members of Duterte ’ s Cabinet who spoke his mind .
In an initial report last month on the possible impact of the pandemic , the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government response should be delicately balanced between health and economic objectives .
“ Otherwise , the situation could deteriorate to a social and political crisis , ” the report said , adding that widespread tests for the coronavirus are “ key to a successful medical response.
” On Thursday , a majority of senators demanded the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III , blaming him partly for failing to immediately stockpile coronavirus test kits and making them available to the public .
Duterte rejected the senators ’ call and decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harder to set aside doubts about his capability .
Duque said he would stay on and help lead the government ’ s response to the virus .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--China’s virus death toll revised up sharply after review

BEIJING - China ’ s official death toll from the coronavirus pandemic jumped sharply Friday as the hardest-hit city of Wuhan announced a major revision that added nearly 1,300 fatalities .
The new figures resulted from an in-depth review of deaths during a response that was chaotic in the early days .
They raised the official toll in Wuhan by 50 % to 3,869 deaths .
While China has yet to update its national totals , the revised numbers push up China ’ s total to 4,632 deaths from a previously reported 3,342 .
The higher numbers are not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get an accurate count when health systems are overwhelmed at the height of a crisis — and they confirm suspicions that many more people died than the official figures had showed .
The undercount stemmed from several factors , according to a notification issued by Wuhan ’ s coronavirus response headquarters and published by the official Xinhua News Agency .
The reasons included the deaths of people at home because overwhelmed hospitals had no room for them , mistaken reporting by medical staff focused on saving lives , and deaths at a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the epidemic information network , it said .
“ As a result , belated , missed and mistaken reporting occurred , ” Xinhua quoted an unidentified official from the city ’ s response headquarters as saying .
Deaths outside hospitals were not registered previously and some medical institutions reported cases late or not at all , the official said .
A group to review the numbers was established in late March .
It looked at data from multiple sources including the city ’ s hospital and funeral service systems and collected information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine sites , prisons and elderly care centres .
The review found 1,454 additional deaths , as well as 164 that had been double-counted or misclassified as coronavirus cases , resulting in a net increase of 1,290 .
The number of confirmed cases in the city of 11 million people was revised up slightly to 50,333 .
Questions have long swirled around the accuracy of China ’ s case reporting , with Wuhan in particular going several days in January without reporting new cases or deaths .
That has led to accusations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact of the outbreak and could have brought it under control sooner .
A group of eight medical workers , including a doctor who later died from the virus , were even reprimanded and threatened by police after they tried to alert others about the disease over social media .
Chinese officials have denied covering up cases , saying their reports were accurate and timely .
“ The data released by Wuhan reflects openness and transparency and an attitude of seeking truth from facts , “ foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization has come under criticism for defending China ’ s handling of the outbreak and U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended funding to WHO over what he alleges is its pro-China bias .
Trump ’ s blaming of China came after he initially showered praise on Chinese President Xi Jinping for the country ’ s response , while largely dismissing the risk it posed to the U.S. At the start of the outbreak , China proceeded cautiously and largely in secret , emphasizing political stability .
Experts estimate more than 3,000 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public about the gravity of the situation , which officials had discussed privately six days earlier .
The risk of sustained human-to-human transmission was also downplayed , even while infected people entered hospitals across the country and the first case outside China was found , in Thailand .
As Trump and other U.S. officials and lawmakers started blaming China for the outbreak , Chinese officials pushed back .
“ It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan , ” Zhao tweeted in March , picking up on an unsubstantiated @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--NYC paramedic haunted by COVID-19 toll: ‘You hear the cries’

NEW YORK - Elizabeth Bonilla pulled her ambulance up to a set of Bronx row houses .
Another ambulance and a fire truck were already there , their flashing lights painting the dark streets an eerie shade of orange .
Neighbors gathered on their stoops to watch .
Some were sipping wine .
“ We got ta gown up , ” she said as she climbed out of the vehicle .
This call was a suspected COVID-19 case , which meant she needed gloves , masks and a full-body , plastic smock .
An empty gurney waited by the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included , rushed upstairs .
About 45 minutes later , three medics emerged .
Bonilla , a 43-year-old Fire Department paramedic , followed five minutes after that .
She walked slowly , an oxygen tank in the bag on her back .
“ This one is hard , ” she said .
“ Real hard.
” The coronavirus pandemic has killed at least 8,900 people in New York City , plus as many as 3,900 more whose deaths were never confirmed by a lab test .
At its peak , emergency calls nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volume has dropped in recent days in a sign that the crisis could be easing .
Still , the FDNY ’ s 4,000 emergency medical workers are straining to keep up .
“ I don ’ t think that anyone was prepared for this , ” Bonilla said .
To get a sense of the challenges paramedics like Bonilla face , The Associated Press followed her through the first half of her 16-hour double shift Wednesday .
Bonilla arrives early for her 3 p.m. start time , but the crew using her ambulance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of their shift had kept them out longer than scheduled — a standard occurrence in recent weeks .
When the vehicle finally arrives , Bonilla pulls it around to the front of FDNY EMS Station 3 , located in the South Bronx ’ s Castle Hill neighbourhood .
She loads her personal supplies in through the driver ’ s side door .
She stashes a clear plastic bag filled with sanitizing supplies and hangs up her pink stethoscope .
Her thermos , holding a home brewed ginger-lemon tea , gets dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beverage — along with regular prayer — helps keep her calm .
She pulls wipes from the plastic bag and begins to disinfect .
She rubs down her seat , the steering wheel and the rest of the drivers ’ station , then moves onto the passenger side .
She finishes by sterilizing the treatment area in back .
Bonilla ’ s neon-pink tools make her easy to spot — pink scissors , pink keys , pink tape on her walkie talkie and hand sanitizer .
She also has three bright braids each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A green and orange one for her mother , who has leukemia and skin cancer , a blue one for her father , who has prostate cancer , and a pink one for her aunt with breast cancer .
“ Hair is life , ” she said .
“ And when you ’ re a cancer patient you lose your hair , and for a mental thing , it kind of makes me feel like I have them with me.
” She hasn ’ t seen her mother or father in two months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her exposure to the virus and their high-risk status .
She ’ s been trying to help manage their lives remotely with her sparse downtime .
“ I ’ m a single parent , ” the mother of sons aged 22 and 16 said .
“ I ’ m handling things at home , and I ’ m being a parent to my parents , and then I ’ m coming into work and I ’ m taking care of people , and then I do it all over again every day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my calling .
It has to be.
” Nearly two hours into their shift , Bonilla and her partner have yet to be pinged by dispatchers — an unthinkable lull as recently as a week ago .
They had been making between 5-7 calls each shift and often working two shifts per day , doing their best to aid patients even as they ran low on N95 facemasks and oxygen tanks .
Social distancing measures have slowed the virus ’ spread , and that ’ s eased the demand for paramedics ’ services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be short lived , fearing another surge in COVID-19 cases when New Yorkers begin returning to work .
“ It ’ s the eye of the storm , ” she said .
The first call finally comes around 4:50 , and five minutes later , Bonilla parks the ambulance in front of an apartment building .
She jumps out of the truck , puts on gloves and a mask , grabs the necessary equipment and rushes in .
Minutes later , she emerges wheeling a patient who is alert but hooked up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby emergency room 30 minutes later and pass off the patient to doctors and nurses waiting in full protective gear -- gloves , face shields and floor-length gowns .
Bonilla brings the empty gurney back to the ambulance , sprays it with disinfectant and loads back up .
A backlog of ambulances builds in the ER bay while Bonilla ’ s unit finishes paperwork , and when they get their next call , they realize they ’ ve been completely blocked in .
Dispatchers eventually give the call to another EMS team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re back on the road , rushing to a different scene .
They arrive at a house and find a family in disarray .
A shouting match breaks out on the front porch , a disagreement between family members over whether the patient should risk virus exposure by going to the hospital .
Bonilla calls for police assistance , and two officers cordon off an angry , middle-aged man while Bonilla evaluates his step-son in the ambulance .
Twenty minutes later , Bonilla ’ s vehicle takes off with the patient still in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shouting as they pull away .
After delivering the patient to the hospital , Bonilla and her partner return to the station for a snack .
She rushes out of the building moments later , a box of donuts and a half-finished coffee in hand , and says they ’ ve received an urgent call that took her a short distance to the row house , just down the street from the Whitestone Bridge , which connects the Bronx and Queens .
Bonilla loaded the oxygen tank and an empty gurney back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rig , out of sight from the neighbours .
She pulls down her face mask , reaches for a paper towel and wipes tears from her eyes .
“ You can ’ t do nothing , ” she says .
Slowly , she removes her gown , gloves and mask .
She walks back around to the driver ’ s door , grabs a Lysol bottle in her plastic bag and douses herself head to toe .
A family member emerges from the house , a young man about the same age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sits on the stoop , hands on his face , and sobs .
Bonilla takes a sip from her thermos and keeps her gaze straight ahead .
Bonilla has been sleeping with the lights on and playing gospel music through the night .
Anything to shake the replays from her head from calls like the last one .
“ You hear the cries , ” she said .
“ You just hear and you see everything all over again.
” She ’ s back at the station now , getting a brief break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in at 11 and start another 8-hour run , covering an overnight shift for a co-worker who needed the night off to rest and tend to family .
“ I ’ m just drained right now , ” she said .
“ I ’ m emotionally drained and physically drained and definitely mentally drained.
” She changes the subject to prayer , explains how her faith keeps her going .
Her family , too .
And then there are the pandemic victims , new ones every day , that she knows are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The moment we walk through the door , the families , it ’ s almost like they ’ ve seen God , ” Bonilla said .
“ They are looking for help immediately .
They have this sense of relief , and then they go ahead and pass all responsibility on you .
“ You want to make sure you ’ re strong for them .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Trump gives governors options on how to reopen the economy

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has given governors a road map for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic , laying out “ a phased and deliberate approach ” to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases .
“ We ’ re starting our life again , ” Trump said during his daily press briefing .
“ We ’ re starting rejuvenation of our economy again.
” The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus , while holding the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned , with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak .
And they largely reinforce plans already in the works by governors , who have primary responsibility for public health in their states .
“ You ’ re going to call your own shots , ” Trump told the governors Thursday afternoon in a conference call , according to an audio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re going to be standing alongside of you.
” Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phase gradual reopening of businesses and schools .
In phase one , for instance , the plan recommends strict social distancing for all people in public .
Gatherings larger than 10 people are to be avoided , and nonessential travel is discouraged .
In phase two , people are encouraged to maximize social distancing and limit gatherings to no more than 50 people unless precautionary measures are taken .
Travel could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normalcy for most Americans , with a focus on identification and isolation of any new infections .
Trump said recent trends in some states were so positive that they could almost immediately begin taking the steps laid out in phase one .
“ They will be able to go literally tomorrow , ” Trump said .
The guidelines recommend that states pass checkpoints that look at new cases , testing and surveillance data over the prior 14 days before advancing from one phase to another .
Governors of both parties made clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Delaware Gov .
John Carney , a Democrat , said the guidelines “ seem to make sense.
” “ We ’ re days , maybe weeks away from the starting line and then you have to have 14 days of declining cases , of declining symptoms and hospital capacity that exists in case you have a rebound , ” he said .
West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice , a Trump ally , cautiously floated the idea of reopening parts of the state , but said testing capacity and contact tracing would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions could be safely lifted .
“ All would be forgotten very quickly if we moved into a stage quicker than we should , and then we got into a situation where we had people dying like flies , ” Justice told reporters .
At the earliest , the guidelines suggest , some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether easing up on restrictions has led to a resurgence in virus cases .
In other parts of the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could be substantially longer .
In briefing governors on the plan , Trump said they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states .
Just days before , he had drawn swift pushback for claiming he had absolute authority to determine how and when states reopen .
“ We have a very large number of states that want to get going and they ’ re in very good shape , ” Trump said .
“ That ’ s good with us , frankly.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to businesses as they plan for potential reopenings , suggesting temperature-taking , rapid COVID-19 testing and widespread disinfection efforts in workplaces .
Those most susceptible to the respiratory disease are advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are encouraged to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people .
Governors , for their part , have been moving ahead with their own plans for how to safely revive normal activity .
Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday they will co-ordinate on reopening their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the week in the West and Northeast .
Two in three Americans expressed concerns that restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus would be eased too quickly , according to a Pew Research Center survey released Thursday .
More than 33,000 people in the United States have died from the virus .
U.S .
Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams encouraged all Americans to study the new guidelines to prepare for when their areas are ready to reopen .
“ We want you all to be thinking about it now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on Friday .
“ We don ’ t want you to rush .
But we want you to understand that the more you think about it now the more we ’ ll have the infrastructure in place .
Trump claimed the U.S. has “ built the most advanced and robust testing anywhere in the world.
” But even people close to him warned more would be necessary .
“ We are struggling with testing at a large scale , “ South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told ABC ’ s “ The View.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go back to work until we have more tests.
” Former Vice-President Joe Biden , Trump ’ s likely opponent in November ’ s presidential election , said Thursday that Trump “ kind of punted.
” “ We ’ re not going to be able to really make significant changes in the three phases the president ’ s talking about until we ’ re able to test much more broadly , ” Biden said on CNN .
Suderman reported from Richmond , Va. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Washington , Paul Weber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Charleston , W.Va. , Mike Stobbe in New York and Mike Catalini in Trenton , N.J. , contributed to this report .