thetorontostar--2020-05-09--‘It’s gone haywire’: When COVID-19 arrived in rural America

DAWSON , Ga. - The reverend approached the makeshift pulpit and asked the Lord to help him make some sense of the scene before him : two caskets , side by side , in a small-town cemetery busier now than ever before .
Rev .
Willard O. Weston had already eulogized other neighbours lost to COVID-19 , and he would do more .
But this one stood as a symbol to him of all they had lost .
The pair of caskets , one powder blue , one white and gold , contained a couple married 30 years who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours from each other , unaware of the other ’ s fate .
The day was dark .
There was no wind , not even a breeze .
It felt to some like the earth had paused for this .
As the world ’ s attention was fixated on the horrors in Italy and New York City , the per capita death rates in counties in the impoverished southwest corner of Georgia climbed to among the worst in the country .
The devastation here is a cautionary tale of what happens when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations remained on the losing end of the nation ’ s most intractable inequalities : these counties are rural , mostly African American and poor .
This story was produced with the support of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting .
More than a quarter of people in Terrell County live in poverty , the local hospital shuttered decades ago , and businesses have been closing for years , sending many young and able fleeing for cities .
Those left behind are sicker and more vulnerable ; even before the virus arrived , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six years shorter than the American average .
Rural people , African Americans and the poor are more likely to work in jobs not conducive to social distancing , like the food processing plant in nearby Mitchell County where four employees died of COVID-19 .
They have less access to health care and so more often delay treatment for chronic conditions ; in southwest Georgia , the diabetes rate of 16 per cent is twice as high as in Atlanta .
Transportation alone can be a challenge , so that by the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re harder to save .
At least 21 people have died from COVID-19 in this county , and dozens more in the neighbouring rural communities .
For weeks , Weston ’ s phone would not stop ringing : another person in the hospital , another person dead .
An hour before this funeral , Weston ’ s phone rang again , and this time it was news that another had succumbed to the virus—his own first cousin , as close to him as a brother .
Some here had thought that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead it made the pandemic particularly cruel .
In Terrell County , population 8,500 , everyone knows everyone and every death is personal .
As the mourners arrived at the cemetery , just the handful allowed , each knew others suffering and dying .
The couple ’ s son , Desmond Tolbert , sat stunned .
After caring for his parents , he ’ d also rushed his aunt , his mother ’ s sister , to a hospital an hour away , and there she remained on a ventilator .
Her daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if her mother survived , she would have to find a way to tell her that her sister was dead and buried .
“ It ’ s just gone haywire , I mean haywire , ” thought Eddie Keith , a 65-year-old funeral home attendant standing in the back who was familiar with all the faces on the funeral programs piling up .
“ People dying left and right.
” Usually , on hard days like this , he would call his friend of 30 years , who was a pastor at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that God would not give more than he could endure .
But a couple weeks earlier , that pastor had started coughing , too .
As Georgia and other states rush to reopen , some out-of-the way places might believe that the virus won ’ t find them .
Many here thought that , too .
But it arrived , quietly at first then with breathtaking savagery .
The cemetery on the edge of town staggered graveside services , one an hour , all day .
The county coroner typically works between 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached No .
41 by mid-April .
They ordered an emergency morgue .
Of the 10 counties with the highest death rate per capita in America , half are in rural southwest Georgia , where there are no packed skyscraper apartment buildings or subways .
Ambulances rush along country roads , just fields and farms in either direction , carrying COVID-19 patients to the nearest hospital , for some an hour away .
The small county seats are mostly quiet , the storefronts shuttered , some long ago because of the struggling economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are too afraid to reopen .
These counties circle the city of Albany , which is where authorities believe the outbreak began at a pair of funerals in February .
Albany is also home to the main hospital in the region , Phoebe Putney Memorial , which serves an area of 800,000 people spanning more than 50 miles in every direction , many of them with little other access to care .
The hospital saw its first known coronavirus patient on March 10 ; within a few days , it had 60 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , patients began flooding in from farther-flung rural communities .
Helicopters buzzed from the top of the parking garage , flying patients to other hospitals that still had room to take them .
They burned through six months of masks and gowns in six days , said Phoebe Putney president Scott Steiner .
Then they were competing for supplies against wealthier , more politically powerful places ; they paid $ 1 each for surgical masks that typically cost a nickel and were losing about $ 1 million each day .
The patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours .
Some died on the way , in the back of ambulances .
The region is predominantly black , but still African Americans died disproportionately , Steiner said .
African Americans accounted for about 80 % of the hospital ’ s deaths .
Black people have been dying at alarming rates across the country : the latest Associated Press analysis of available data shows that African Americans represent about 14 % of the population in the areas covered but nearly one-third of those who have died .
By nearly every measure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia than almost anywhere else in America , according to researchers at Emory University in Atlanta .
Although New York City had thousands more deaths , the per capita death rate in these Georgia counties is just as high .
“ They are vulnerable people living in vulnerable places , people who are marginalized on a variety of measures , whether we ’ re talking about race , whether we ’ re talking about education or employment , in places that have fewer resources , ” said Shivani Patel , an epidemiologist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s like our worst nightmare coming true.
” Dr. James Black , the medical director of emergency services at Phoebe Putney , was born in this hospital , grew up in this region and is proud of how they ’ ve managed with the odds stacked against them .
He hasn ’ t had a day off in two months .
The question now , he believes , is whether society decides , in the wake of the virus , to continue neglecting its most vulnerable people and places .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge us not only on how well we prepared , it ’ s not going to just judge us on how well we responded , ” he said , “ but what we learned from it , and what we change.
” Georgia has lost seven rural hospitals in the last decade .
Nine counties in rural Georgia don ’ t even have a doctor , according to the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals ; 18 have no family practitioner , 60 have no pediatrician , 77 without a psychiatrist .
Ezekiel Holley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s NAACP , said health care is what has left him “ banging his head against a wall.
” At first Holley thought a virus would be one thing that did not discriminate .
He opened the newspaper , scanned the faces in the obituaries and knew every one of them .
“ Then I thought , why are low income people and people of colour dying more than anyone else ?
This is the richest nation in the world , why doesn ’ t it have a level playing field ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
” At first , Benjamin Tolbert just felt a malaise ; he had no appetite .
Within a couple days , he could barely stand .
His son , Desmond , took him to the hospital in Albany .
By then it was full , and he was sent to another hospital an hour south .
Benjamin ’ s wife , Nellie Mae , who everyone called Pollye Ann , got sick the next day .
She was routed from the Albany hospital to another an hour north .
Everyone in town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard worker .
He had worked for 28 years at a Tyson Foods plant , and yet he always found more work to do , washing his car , tending the lawn .
He and his wife had been together 30 years .
He was mild-mannered , but she found a joke in everything .
She was a minister , she played the organ , sang gospel and danced , wildly , joyfully .
“ Oh my goodness , she was a dancer , and the dances were so hilarious , you would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and laugh at herself , ” said their niece , Latasha Taylor , whom they loved like a daughter .
Benjamin would hang back , but Pollye Ann would pull him up and he ’ d dance along with her .
Both were diabetic , Pollye Ann had had heart valve surgery , Benjamin had been on dialysis .
Pollye Ann ’ s sister , Katherine Taylor Peters , often got dialysis treatments with him .
They were a close-knit family : Peters lived just blocks away .
Shortly after the Tolberts got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she too had an incessant cough and was struggling to breathe .
Latasha was working hours away , so she called her cousin , Desmond , and asked him to check on her .
He put her in his car and drove her to another hospital an hour from home .
They soon sedated her and put her on a ventilator .
Much of the rest is a blur for Desmond and Latasha : calls from doctors and nurses , driving hours among three hospitals , begging to see their parents but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I couldn ’ t see them , I couldn ’ t talk to them , ” said Desmond , 29 , who had lived with his parents all this life .
Suddenly he was alone .
And all around them , neighbours were getting sick .
“ So many people , it ’ s a feeling you can ’ t even explain .
It ’ s like a churning in your stomach , ” said Taylor .
“ People you ’ re normally waving at , speaking to in passing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never going to see them again.
” Desmond was on the phone with a nurse as his mother took her last breath .
Two days later , the call came from his father ’ s caregivers .
Benjamin never knew that his wife got sick .
She didn ’ t know her husband was on his death bed .
They were apart , far from home , without their son at their sides .
The only solace he can find is imagining them meeting again on the other side , and that neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eddie Keith had known this couple all his life , he knew their phone number by heart , where they lived , where they worked , their mothers and fathers .
“ They knew me real well , ” he said , “ as well as I knew them.
” He has worked for the funeral home for 35 years , and part of his job is to pick up the bodies .
He got a call about Pollye Ann ’ s passing , and when a hometown person dies someplace else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring them home to Dawson .
Sometimes he talks to them as he drives , sometimes he sings .
When the second call came about her husband , two days later , he wondered if what was happening in his city might be too much to bear .
He ’ s used to death .
But now people were dying one right after the next , too quickly to reckon with each in real time .
Keith is a deacon at a country church down a dirt road just outside of town .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , always told him that God doesn ’ t make mistakes , and Keith wanted to be reminded of that now , because Dawson ’ s people kept dying , and Keith kept retrieving them .
But the next morning he was picking up a body in Tallahassee when the pastor ’ s wife called .
He ’ d gone to the hospital with a bad cough , and he hadn ’ t made it .
They ’ d known each other 30 years .
Once , years ago , he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After that , every time the pastor bought himself a tie , he bought Keith one too .
It became a symbol of their love for each other .
“ He would always look out for me , ” he said .
Keith pulled off the road and sat there a half an hour .
“ Why God ?
Why God ?
Why God ?
” he thought , and he caught himself .
He was always taught not to question God , so he asked for forgiveness .
There were three funerals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just after to pick up his pastor ’ s body .
He talked to him : “ I didn ’ t think you ’ d leave me so early ; I thought we were going to grow old together.
” He thought of his pastor ’ s favourite spiritual .
“ Good news , good news , ” the pastor would sing and walk from behind the pulpit , a little strut in his step .
“ I ’ m going to lay down my burden , store up my cross .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Jesus , ain ’ t that good news.
” He sang it to his pastor as he drove him home .
By time the Tolberts ’ funeral arrived , so many had been lost to COVID-19 that Rev .
Willard Weston had gotten used to delivering his eulogies through a mask .
Gloves .
Hand sanitizer .
Don ’ t touch , don ’ t embrace , no matter how much you want to .
“ At this pace , you don ’ t get a chance to really take a deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then you ’ re getting a call about another , ” he said .
He ’ d found himself on his knees in his bathroom , trying to scream out the sadness so he could keep going .
He put on his suit and tie .
He walked outside , looked up to the sky and pleaded with God to find the strength to deliver a double funeral .
“ Lord , how can I go and do this ?
” In normal times , the Tolbert family ’ s funeral would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a minister at Weston ’ s church .
She could deliver testimony like no one he ’ d ever seen : she was like a freight train , he recalled , slow at first then faster , faster , faster .
People were drawn to her .
Instead it was just him and a handful of mourners in the cemetery , staring at the two caskets .
He read from scripture and told their son , Desmond , that he ’ d never walk alone .
He worried his instinct to comfort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he couldn ’ t , so he walked away and got in his car .
He felt guilty .
He prayed for God to take that guilt away .
Because there was more to do .
The next Saturday , he would have three funerals , back to back .
A couple weeks later , on a Friday afternoon , he was preparing to leave his empty church and head home for the weekend without a single funeral planned for the first time in weeks .
It felt hopeful .
Then his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no .
Oh , wow , ” he said , and his shoulders slumped .
“ Some more bad news .
Somebody else has passed.
” There was some good news too .
Pollye Ann Tolbert ’ s sister survived weeks on a ventilator .
She still tested positive for coronavirus and remained in isolation , so her daughter Latasha could only talk to her by phone .
The first thing she asked when she woke was how her sister and brother-in-law were doing .
Latasha paused .
Her mother repeated the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived in the mailbox for them .
Their house was just as it was the day they left for the hospital .
She and her cousin had washed the linens and wiped the surfaces to rid it of virus , but were otherwise too paralyzed to move a thing .
“ I had to tell her that while she was sleeping , her sister and brother-in-law left us forever , ” Latasha said .
“ They ’ re already buried , they ’ re in the ground.
” Peters told her daughter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor on the phone , telling her that her sister wasn ’ t going to make it .
She thought she would die too , if not from COVID-19 , then from grief .
She had hoped it was all a bad dream .
Then she woke up .


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Court halts ban on mass gatherings at Kentucky churches

FRANKFORT , Ky. - A federal court halted the Kentucky governor ’ s temporary ban on mass gatherings from applying to in-person religious services , clearing the way for Sunday church services .
U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove on Friday issued a temporary restraining order enjoining Gov .
Andy Beshear ’ s administration from enforcing the ban on mass gatherings at “ any in-person religious service which adheres to applicable social distancing and hygiene guidelines.
” The ruling from the Eastern District of Kentucky sided with the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Nicholasville , but applies to all places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other federal judges , including U.S. District Judge David Hale , had previously ruled the ban was constitutional .
But also on Friday , Hale , of Kentucky ’ s western district , granted Maryville Baptist Church an injunction allowing in-person services at that specific church , provided it abide by public health requirements .
Exceptions to the Democratic governor ’ s shutdown order include trips to the grocery store , bank , pharmacy and hardware store .
Beshear had previously announced that places of worship in Kentucky will be able to once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as part of a broader plan to gradually reopen the state ’ s economy .
Earlier Friday , he outlined requirements for places of worship to reopen , including limiting attendance at in-person services to 33 % of building occupancy capacity and maintaining 6 feet ( 2 metres ) of distance between household units .
The federal judge ’ s order in the Tabernacle Baptist Church case said Beshear had “ an honest motive ” in wanting to safeguard Kentuckians ’ health and lives , but didn ’ t provide “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit a citizen ’ s right to freely exercise something we value greatly — the right of every American to follow their conscience on matters related to religion.
” Tabernacle had broadcast services on Facebook and held drive-in services , but the substitutes offered “ cold comfort , ” according to the opinion .
The opinion went on to say that Tabernacle alleged irreparable injury and was likely to succeed on the merits of its federal constitutional claim , as the defendants didn ’ t “ dispute the challenged orders place a burden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky.
” “ The Constitution will endure .
It would be easy to put it on the shelf in times like this , to be pulled down and dusted off when more convenient , ” Van Tatenhove ’ s opinion read .
“ But that is not our tradition .
Its enduring quality requires that it be respected even when it is hard.
” His opinion says Kentucky ’ s attorney general urged the court to apply the injunction statewide , and since the executive order challenged didn ’ t solely apply to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a similar scope .
“ Both rulings affirm that the law prohibits the government from treating houses of worship differently than secular activities during this pandemic , ” Attorney General Daniel Cameron , a Republican , said in a statement late Friday .
A three-judge federal appeal court panel had last week cleared the way for Maryville Baptist Church to hold drive-in worship services while adhering to public health requirements , an alternative that Beshear has strongly encouraged throughout the coronavirus pandemic .
But that panel had stopped short of applying its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had defied Beshear ’ s order for houses of worship to not hold in-person services amid the COVID-19 outbreak .
At least 50 people attended its Easter service at the church , and the church has held other services since .
In response , the governor said Kentucky State Police troopers would record license plates and place notices on vehicles telling Easter service attendees they would have to self-quarantine .
Maryville had turned to the appeals court after Hale had initially refused to stop Beshear ’ s order from applying to religious services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thus does not discriminate against religion .
In his order Friday , Hale said the governor failed to prove there was no less restrictive alternative to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and failed to address the appeals court ’ s suggestion to limit the number of people who could attend services .
He said that the burden of proof was on the governor and Maryville Baptist Church “ would likely succeed on the merits of their claim under the Kentucky Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
” Beshear ’ s office had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of late Friday night .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up within weeks .
For some , especially older adults and those with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , even death .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Feeling your pain? Virus reaches into the lives of Congress

WASHINGTON - A husband coughing up blood .
A sister close to death .
Another friend felled by the coronavirus .
The beat against Congress has always been that its members are out of touch with average Americans .
But that ’ s not true when it comes to the brutality of COVID-19 and its march across boundaries of wealth , education and power .
Despite their privilege , at least one senator and seven House members have reported testing positive for the disease .
Like so much of the world , lawmakers are experiencing a humbling dose of fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The result is a wide and deep imprint on the same Congress charged with helping a traumatized nation .
“ Everyone by now knows someone that had it , “ said Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , whose husband , John Bessler , recovered from a frightening coronavirus infection that sent him to the hospital .
“ Even if the person didn ’ t get really sick , they all know how scary it is .
They know how scared they were.
” There are signs that the misery sparked acts of kindness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little cross-aisle contact .
“ We ’ re texting friends , ” Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart , R-Fla. , said of “ light texts “ he and Rep. Ben McAdams , D-Utah , exchanged after both suffered and recovered from the virus .
“ Several of us check up on each other now .
So it ’ s been nice.
” Washington nice , perhaps , for the moment .
However unifying on a human level , the crisis is posing fraught policy questions .
Searing disputes loom over how to spend trillions more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the nation reopens .
Oversight investigations are just spinning up on the administration ’ s virus response .
Still off in the murky future but influencing everything : the November elections , with control of the House , Senate and White House at stake .
Trump is continuing to lead with vitriol , resuming his practice of calling the speaker of the House “ crazy Nancy.
” Nancy Pelosi is blaming Republicans for ignoring the science of the virus ’ s spread .
Republicans are complaining that she held up cash infusions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recent Twitter spat bickered over who “ walked away from bipartisanship “ on China , where the pandemic began .
And round it goes , even as everyone in the political world strives to project empathy .
The task is especially tall for the nation ’ s 45th president , who is not known for feeling other people ’ s pain .
“ I don ’ t think anybody can feel any worse than I do about all of the death and destruction that ’ s so needless , ” said Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis as the death toll stretched past 70,000 .
This week , the virus touched his inner circle , too , when a valet tested positive after being in the same room with the president .
In key ways , America ’ s representatives in Washington aren ’ t much like America .
Lawmakers make at least $ 174,000 a year and get health insurance courtesy of taxpayers .
They ’ re far wealthier than most people and tend to have loftier educations .
So their policy debates on health care for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ average person ” can often sound abstract and academic .
But on the coronavirus , empathy isn ’ t a stretch .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, lost a brother to the virus .
House Financial Services Chair Maxine Waters , D-Calif. , dedicated the last relief bill , which she had quietly helped write , to a sister she said was dying of the coronavirus in Missouri .
Rep. Madeleine Dean , D-Pa. , lost her mother-in-law to the disease .
Rep. Brenda Lawrence , D-Mich. , reported that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend ” had passed away .
“ I stand here today with my heart broken , ” she said last month on the House floor .
On Thursday , his mask pulled down while he spoke , Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va. , mused about the virus ’ s reach and speed .
“ I ’ m a well-off U.S. senator , ” Kaine said at a health committee hearing , the first since March 3 .
“ I know four people who have died of coronavirus since we were last together.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus was slow to spread , lawmakers said the difficult conversations revolve around the financial straits of families who can ’ t work because of closures .
“ It ’ s devastating , ” said Rep. Larry Bucshon , R-Ind.
, a heart surgeon whose district includes 19 counties .
The anxiety in his district , he said , centred around closures like the one at a Toyota assembly plant in Princeton , which has been dark since late March .
State statistics on Friday said surrounding Gibson County had seven positive cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bucshon ’ s medical training tells him closing may have been smart , but his conversations with constituents tell him it may be time to reopen .
The decision is a weighty one .
“ You ’ re going to find not many politicians ( who ) say , ‘ Hey , flip the switch back on , ’ “ Bucshon said in a recent interview .
” Because imagine if they open that Toyota plant with 6,000 employees , and they have 200 deaths in the next month.
” Local news reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening next week .
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez represents Queens , the hottest of coronavirus hot spots in part because of the population density of the New York City borough .
She ’ s spent many of her days , face mask on , helping deliver food while staying in touch with constituents on social media .
“ I ’ m feeling it , ” she said during a Zoom call in recent weeks .
She said she ’ s lost organizers , and one of the people in her office lost a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m worried about my family in Puerto Rico .
I ’ m worried about my mom .
...
I ’ m trying to figure out , you know , do I bring her to New York , which has a worse situation ?
” Klobuchar said she ’ s noticed a few changes in her approach since her family ’ s harrowing bout with the virus .
For one , she understands the isolation .
John came down with the virus while he was in Washington and she was home in Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included coughing up blood and driving to the hospital alone , to avoid infecting her and their family .
“ I started calling more and more , and he doesn ’ t answer sometimes , ” she recalled .
“ It was just getting scarier and scarier.
” She ’ s “ obsessed “ with improving testing because it took six days to get her husband ’ s results back .
She also wants to require every state to allow voting by mail after watching people in Wisconsin risk their lives to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mad , ” she said .
“ That personal experience that I had is replicated all over the country .
That ’ s part of why you see the visceral reaction .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Sterling travel agent deals with pandemic grounding tourism

STERLING , Ill. - The global coronavirus pandemic has shut down businesses around the world .
It also has shut down travel around the world , so for those whose business is travel , this has been an especially hard time .
Avril Winkle , owner of Destinations Travel in Sterling , has been booking vacations for 30 years .
She ’ s worked around epidemics like H1N1 and Zika , but she has never seen anything quite like this .
“ During those times you have cancellations and people making changes , but I have never had a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government has shut down flights and nobody is going anywhere , no business is happening , ” Winkle said .
Under normal circumstances , this would be a big time of year for travel agents , with spring and summer travel to plan .
It ’ s also a big time of year for an agency financially – an agency doesn ’ t get paid until the clients get home from a trip .
“ The first quarter of the year is our busiest quarter in terms of new bookings and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are going away over spring break or Easter , ” she said .
“ We have the spring break and Easter travel section as well in there , and then as we get into May , that ’ s when people start going to Europe .
This is a big time for us , and the business we do typically in the first 6 months of the year kind of carries us through the end of the year.
” As the virus began to make its way through the world , Winkle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was having .
“ It started in January , where I was noticing Vietnam river cruises were cancelling , ” she said .
“ People going to Thailand , February is a great time for people to go to Thailand .
I had an anniversary couple who had booked a really big Thailand trip the year before , they booked it in April 2019 to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in February , and obviously that had to be changed , and now they ’ re going to do it in November this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the travel map was Italy , which had to shut down once the virus began to hit there .
Beore that , Italy and Greece , seemed like the prime vacation destinations this year , she said .
“ We found ourselves back in February , March , having to monitor what was going on in Italy .
We knew at that point the chances of some of those April , May trip actually going was going to be slim to none.
” But travellers who have used Destinations Travel are in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have booked trips online , with customers of bookit.com left in the lurch with no one quite sure if that company was even still in business .
“ As soon as ( the pandemic ) happened , we sent a email to all our clients ( saying ) ‘ listen , don ’ t worry ... please trust us to do the right thing and keep you informed and help you navigate through this , ’ ” Winkle said .
“ They knew , through us reaching out , we ’ re there.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before July , and knows even that will depend on how things work out .
That means her agency will have no income through the next couple of months , at least .
She has reached out for help , looking into the Small Business Association program , although she has not yet gotten any response .
She did get some help through the federal Paycheck Protection Program , so she can keep her staff on board .
“ That was the important thing for me was , what was going to happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have a business if I don ’ t have my team.
” The loan programs are hard to navigate at the state and federal levels , with pages of fine print , and in some cases , businesses can ’ t take money from one fund if they accept a loan from another .
Last week , Sterling ’ s Industrial Development Commission awarded its first round of loans from the Revolving Loan Fund to help 20 local businesses , including one to Destinations Travel .
The Revolving Loan Fund , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the ground , was reconfigured early in the pandemic to help existing businesses deal with revenue losses .
In this round , more than $ 131,000 from the $ 300,000 fund was laoned .
The help from groups like the Sauk Valley Chamber of Commerce and Greater Sterling Development Corp. has gone beyond financial , Winlke said “ They ’ ve all had something they ’ ve been able to share with us as part of a business community , to help us have an understanding and not automatically go into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have someone you can go to and get their take on things from a business point of view .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Virus may mean fewer international students in Nebraska

OMAHA , Neb .
- International students bring a wealth of diversity and a healthy chunk of money to many American colleges and universities .
But the flow of international students to this country will most likely decrease in the fall .
The coronavirus has hit the U.S. hard and may dissuade some international students from coming .
Challenges and delays in obtaining visas to America , and in getting flights here , threaten the enrolment of some .
Trade conflicts and other tensions between the U.S. and some nations , particularly China , the biggest source of international students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions .
Further , the number of international students enrolled in American colleges has already dropped over the past couple of years .
“ There are just so many things out of our control , ” said Lina Stover , undergraduate admissions director at the University of Nebraska at Omaha .
Sue Zhang , a Chinese student who will graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this month , has decided to go to graduate school at UNL as well .
But Zhang , who has majored in civil engineering and math , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis to cut into UNL ’ s international student enrolment .
Worry about getting COVID-19 compelled her to stay put at UNL .
She had hoped to visit other graduate schools this spring , such as Stanford and the University of California , Davis , but she didn ’ t want to fly while the country was intensely affected by the virus .
“ I think the university is doing everything they can , ” said Zhang , who moved with some other international students into UNL ’ s Eastside Suites residence hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A UNL professor in civil engineering , Dave Admiraal , said Zhang has a passion for learning and the ability to pick up new things quickly .
“ I have learned so much from them ( international students ) beyond what I would have learned had I only been exposed to students from the U.S. , ” he said in an email .
Zhang plans to start working on a master ’ s degree in water resource engineering this summer .
As for trade tensions and other conflicts between the U.S. and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital to her .
“ I ’ m just not that into politics , ” she said .
Last fall , UNL ’ s international student population fell from 2,807 to 2,560 , according to the UNL Factbook , a 9.6 % decline .
The coronavirus crisis may affect all universities ’ enrollments in the fall , said Josh Davis , UNL ’ s associate vice chancellor for global affairs .
It ’ s too early to say how much , he said .
“ International students really add so much to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
They enrich a campus ’ s diversity and have become a key source of revenue to American colleges over the past 10 years .
At UNL and Iowa State , they make up close to 10 % of the enrolment , and many of them pay full out-of-state tuition .
Davis said UNL wants to stay in touch with international students who have stayed on campus or gone home .
UNL holds virtual coffee talks , he said , and held a virtual karaoke night this semester .
The students “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they ’ re welcome here , ” he said .
If visa challenges mean that some international students can ’ t get back to Lincoln until the middle of the fall semester , Davis said , UNL will work with them .
Nationwide , 623,119 international students enrolled in American colleges in 2009-10 , according to a report called Open Doors .
By 2016-17 , that had shot up 45 % to 903,127 .
Then the number of international students tumbled two straight years to 872,214 in 2018-19 , the most recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grant De Roo , a higher education consultant in Iowa City , said “ three-plus years of rhetoric that paints other countries as antagonists to the United States ” has hurt international enrolment .
President Donald Trump ’ s talk about sealing borders , American nationalism and a travel ban for some nations give the U.S. an unfriendly image , he said .
“ I think it ’ s really fundamentally changing the way international students view the United States , ” he said .
Ryan Hamilton , executive director of the Nebraska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump insists that allies fulfil their financial obligations to international organizations like NATO and that Mexico strengthen its border , Hamilton said .
If those expectations make the U.S. seem less friendly and unwilling to be taken advantage of , “ most Americans are prepared to accept ” the consequences , he said .
Edna Chun , chief learning officer at the consulting firm HigherEd Talent , said delays in obtaining visas could make it difficult for some international students to come to the U.S .
Greater scrutiny of visas is also a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Lebanon who enrolled at Harvard last year .
Immigration officials in Boston sent the student back to Lebanon when they found anti-American political messages from his friends on a laptop , according to multiple news accounts .
The young man was ultimately allowed in .
The University of Nebraska at Kearney saw a slight decline in international students last year .
Tim Burkink , UNK ’ s assistant vice chancellor for international affairs , said he and his staff hope to retain many of their existing international students , about three-fourths of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ would probably be the biggest barrier ” to coming to UNK , he said .
Staff shortages at U.S. consulates and embassies in other nations ( American staffers have been brought back during the pandemic ) contribute to visa problems .
Burkink nevertheless said he is optimistic that the number of international students at UNK will be flat or only slightly down .
De Roo said competition for those students has increased in recent years .
English-language nations such as Canada , Great Britain and Australia have upped their higher ed games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , he said .
Not everyone saw a decline last year .
Wayne State College said its global enrolment increased last fall to 82 from 38 .
UNO ’ s rose from 845 to 876 .
Sue Zhang , who plans to be an engineer , said her parents hope that she will eventually return to China .
Their wishes are a major consideration , she said .
But she could also imagine getting a job in the U.S. or getting married and staying here .
“ I was kind of thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Who will know what will happen later ?
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--North Dakota tourism industry watches, waits amid pandemic

BISMARCK , N.D. - March visitation to Theodore Roosevelt National Park felt more like June for Park Superintendent Wendy Ross .
More than 800 vehicles per weekend visited Theodore Roosevelt ’ s North and South Units .
A Thursday in late March had 42 people at Oxbow Overlook to see the North Unit ’ s Badlands views .
Amid the coronavirus pandemic , U.S .
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt in March suspended park entrance fees .
Theodore Roosevelt National Park saw more visitors than its small staff could handle , Ross said .
There also was vandalism and toilet paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a very odd time , ” Ross told The Bismarck Tribune .
The park closed in April through May 9 for health and safety and to prepare for summer .
In the days of social distancing amid the pandemic , North Dakota ’ s wide-open spaces present a range of outdoor activities , such as hiking and fishing .
Tourism officials are focusing their marketing closer to home , as officials at popular attractions weigh what their summer plans might be .
“ Once we reach that comfort point , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good summer , ” North Dakota Tourism Division Director Sara Otte Coleman said .
“ It may start a little slower because people are going to wait and see.
” Tourism is North Dakota ’ s No .
3 industry , comprising $ 3 billion of visitor spending in 2018 , Otte Coleman said .
About $ 300 million of that money was state and local tax revenue .
In previous years , North Dakota tourism campaigns have reached into Minnesota , Illinois and Wisconsin .
Now the marketing will turn more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic to NDTourism.com , Otte Coleman said .
The Tourism Division also will look to co-operate with local entities , such as cities ’ convention and visitor bureaus .
Some amenities might open in stages as new plans come into place for visitor and staff safety .
But some activities seem to come naturally for social distancing , Otte Coleman said .
Fishing , for instance .
Hiking trails .
Biking the 144-mile Maah Daah Hey Trail traversing the Badlands , where there is a lot of space to spread out , Otte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is North Dakota ’ s top tourist attraction .
The park drew 691,000 visitors in 2019 but is closed to May 9 to stem the pandemic ’ s spread as park staff prepare for summer .
Staff coming from out-of-state will have to quarantine for 14 days .
The park is likely to open in phases , starting with roads , toilet facilities and some way to provide visitor information to avoid people stacking up , Ross said .
Chief among the plans are to step up cleaning and sanitation and to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whichever are more stringent , she said .
How to manage campgrounds and the popular Painted Canyon overlook are still being considered .
New campground restroom facilities to be completed will be a factor in campgrounds opening , Ross said .
“ The camping will be something that I think people are going to be looking for in our public lands , ” she said .
“ So getting our campgrounds up to full use , I ’ m not sure when that might happen.
” Nevertheless , 2020 could be a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ross said .
‘ We ’ re going to do everything we can ’ The park ’ s popular South Unit is gated at Medora , a tiny town of Old West ambience tied to Roosevelt ’ s legacy ranching and hunting in the Badlands .
Nearby attractions include the Medora Musical , Pitchfork Fondue and Bully Pulpit Golf Course .
The musical draws 115,000 to 120,000 people each year in its June-to-September run of shows .
Medora visitation is at least double that , said Justin Fisk , marketing director for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , no plans have been rolled out , he said .
The foundation is closely watching Gov .
Doug Burgum ’ s “ ND Smart Restart ” for returning to some semblance of normal activities amid the pandemic .
The plan has eight requirements for rebuilding economic activity , including widespread rapid testing , contact tracing and new standard operating procedures for businesses .
“ We ’ re planning to be ready to welcome people to Medora for sort of a new-normal kind of experience , ” Fisk said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place and some opportunities to rejuvenate themselves.
” Medora Musical planners are looking at start dates , numbers of shows and seating arrangements , keeping all options open .
In February , performers were contracted for the show , which includes about eight Burning Hills Singers , two hosts and a band who perform in an amphitheatre in the Badlands .
“ We ’ re going to do everything we can to operate it in some fashion , and so if that means a delayed start date , if that means different seating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day so that people can stay spread out , we ’ re considering all of those options , ” Fisk said .
The foundation plans to hire fewer seasonal workers .
About 200-225 will be hired this year , down from about 350 typically , including 100-130 work visa holders , Fisk said .
The foundation this year won ’ t be hiring J-1 cultural exchange visa holders or bringing in staff from outside the U.S .
The foundation has been “ recruiting locally more than ever , ” Fisk said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Medora-area folks recently held a call to discuss summer plans .
Fisk said a new survey of past Medora visitors indicated 95 % of 2,000 respondents so far planned to travel to the town in the next five months .
Up north in the forested Turtle Mountains , the International Peace Garden on the U.S.-Canada border is closed to the public .
A big factor in its reopening is restrictions for the border , which is closed to nonessential travel , said Garden CEO Tim Chapman .
Already the International Music Camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season to summer 2021 .
“ We ’ re just going to be patient like everyone else and hope for the best this summer , ” Chapman said .
“ No one saw this coming , so you just have to adjust and hope for the best , and when restrictions ease up , we think the garden ’ s going to be one of the best places for people in North Dakota and Manitoba to come visit.
” About 35,000 visitors each year see the 25 acres of formal gardens , water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parallel .
Horticultural staff in late May and early June will plant around 50,000 annuals and a few thousand perennials and replacement trees .
A cactus and succulent collection is another special feature .
Visitation usually begins to jump by early June .
“ We ’ re just kind of trying to take it day by day , week by week , and really just hoping for the best and hoping that as we get closer to summer , things start to ease , ” Chapman said .
Fishing so far has proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fisheries Chief Greg Power .
Game wardens and fishery officials are monitoring angler congestion but haven ’ t seen much trouble , he said .
North Dakota has sold about 50,000 resident fishing licenses , about 10,000 more than at this time in 2018 and 2019 .
“ Keeping fishing open is a good mental therapy for a lot of people , ” Power said .
But North Dakota ’ s Game and Fish Department did put the kibosh on April and May fishing tournaments and the paddlefish snagging season set for May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed .
There are concerns shore anglers could congregate in an area if the bite is hot , Power said .
“ For the most part , it ’ s open for businesses , and there should not be any real concerns out there as long as everybody does their part , ” he said .
North Dakota ’ s state park campgrounds are set to be among the first to open for summer , and in plenty of time for Memorial Day weekend , when summer travel traditionally kicks off .
Burgum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Dakota ’ s state parks and recreation areas would reopen for limited camping on May 9 .
All 15 state parks and recreation areas would reopen on May 21 with limited services , he said .
In the meantime , parks are open for day use such as hiking and boating .
North Dakota ’ s state parks saw more than 1.1 million visitors in 2019 .
Most visited was Fort Stevenson State Park near Garrison .


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Virtual connection keeps youth involved in mentor program

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. - When school was first cancelled , “ it was kind of like summer vacation for a little ” for 10-year-old D ’ Andre “ Dee ” English .
Among other things , English passed the time sheltering in place by playing with his twin brother , De ’ Andre “ Rae , ” watching television and doing push-ups .
And the recent return of school through virtual learning has brought back some semblance of normalcy .
But still , English grows sad as the uncertainty over the COVID-19 pandemic hits .
Like many his age , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will be able to play outside with his friends .
“ As it gets darker every night I worry in fright , I toss and turn in my bed all of these nightmares fill my head , ” English said , writing his thoughts down with paper and pen .
“ Thinking about when I can go outside to see my friends and I explode with a sadness in my head .
As I watch the news I cry and say why did it have to come to this .
The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so everyone can go outside to play but one day it will happen so I pray.
” English ’ s raw , powerful thoughts were captured as part of an activity through The Outlet , a local not-for-profit that pairs fatherless boys and young men with positive male role models who help guide them on the journey to manhood .
English and his brother have participated in the mentorship program , founded by Michael Phelon in 2004 , since they were 8 .
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit , meetings at The Outlet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the English twins and about 45 other boys and young men .
The program offers one-on-one and group mentoring , career development and life skills training .
It takes kids on summer college trips , visits museums for cultural awareness and also runs a summer sports league .
Though these in-person meetings and some other related activities are not possible under the state ’ s stay-at-home order , the organization has been using the Zoom video conferencing service and other digital tools to maintain those crucial ties and “ bring some normalcy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have perhaps been easier to simply put the program on hold for the duration of the stay-at-home order , Phelon said it was more important than ever to keep things going , even if the mentoring takes place through a computer screen .
“ We feel that , if anything , we should really put on the gas and we should go even harder now because these young guys , they ’ re at home , ” Phelon said .
“ You know , some are not in the best situations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ men , being at school , being at The Outlet was their only kind of safe haven.
” And with Zoom , it still is , at least three days a week .
The group meets virtually on Mondays for a social and emotional learning session .
It meets Wednesdays for calls just to check in .
And Thursdays , it has guest speakers .
And the early reviews have been positive .
“ It ’ s good , ” English said .
“ You still get a lesson , still teaching positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You know , I feel like I ’ m in the same community even though we ’ re not there.
” Phelon said they are starting to get into a groove , making adjustments on the fly as they figure out what works best for online mentoring .
He said it has been difficult at times , acknowledging how mentoring at a distance can be a challenge .
“ But we ’ re adapting , ” Phelon said .
“ A lot of these young guys , they have had to adapt for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their own .
So a lot of these young guys , I think they ’ re just not understanding that they have the strength to survive , and not only to survive , but to thrive .
And that ’ s what we try to pour into the guys.
” Twenty-year-old Russell Moore III has been participating in the program since he was 8 , when it helped him cope with the loss of his grandmother .
And over the years , he has gradually shifted from a protege to a mentor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Lincoln Land Community College studying computer science , Moore said he is “ a very hands-on person , ” making it initially difficult to adjust to the stay-at-home order .
“ I feel like with this pandemic going on , I feel like I ’ m crutching on my resources a lot more than what I used to , ” Moore said .
This includes emailing his professors and taking advantage of other tools he did not previously know were available .
Amid the adjustments , Moore said it was reassuring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his routine a few times a week .
“ So , in a sense , us keeping the idea of making a video chat where we can all physically see each other , it gives us a sense of peace that everyone that we see in our community is OK. Everyone ’ s fine , they ’ re safe , there at home , ” Moore said .
“ You know , it gives us that real , brief sense of relief that though everything ’ s going crazy , we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re all still together.
” English , one of the younger participants , sees light at the end of the tunnel .
He acknowledged the roller coaster of emotions — including sadness and anger — he has experienced over the past month .
But , he credits The Outlet for keeping his emotions level during this difficult stretch .
“ The Outlet brings us together to work as a team ... and that ( is ) where I want to be , ” English said .
“ We are a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help others , and that ’ s what we do .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Coronavirus strikes staffers inside the White House

WASHINGTON - Vice-President Mike Pence ’ s press secretary has the coronavirus , the White House said , making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus this week .
President Donald Trump , who publicly identified the affected Pence aide , said he was “ not worried ” about the virus spreading in the White House .
Nonetheless , officials said they were stepping up safety protocols for the complex .
Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller , who tested positive Friday , had been in recent contact with Pence but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ married to Stephen Miller , a top Trump adviser .
The White House had no immediate comment on whether Stephen Miller had been tested or if he was still working in the White House .
Katie Miller had tested negative Thursday , a day before her positive result .
“ This is why the whole concept of tests aren ’ t necessarily great , ” Trump said .
“ The tests are perfect but something can happen between a test where it ’ s good and then something happens.
” The positive test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after White House officials confirmed that a member of the military serving as one of Trump ’ s valets had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Six people who had been in contact with Miller were scheduled to fly with Pence on Friday to Des Moines , Iowa , on Air Force Two .
They were removed from the flight just before it took off , according to a senior administration official .
None of those people were exhibiting symptoms , but were asked to deplane so they could be tested “ out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior administration official told reporters travelling with Pence .
All six later tested negative , the White House said .
The official said staff in the West Wing are tested regularly but much of Pence ’ s staff — which works next door in the Executive Office Building — are tested less frequently .
Katie Miller was not on the plane and had not been scheduled to be on the trip .
Pence , who is tested on a regular basis , was tested Friday .
Miller tweeted she was “ doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to work .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said the administration was stepping up mitigation efforts already recommended by public health experts and taking other unspecified precautions to ensure the safety of the president .
Meadows said the White House was “ probably the safest place that you can come , ” but he was reviewing further steps to keep Trump and Pence safe .
The White House requires daily temperature checks of anyone who enters the White House complex and has encouraged social distancing among those working in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular deep cleaning of all work spaces .
Anyone who comes in close proximity to the president and vice-president is tested daily for COVID-19 .
“ We ’ ve already put in a few protocols that we ’ re looking at , obviously , to make sure that the president and his immediate staff stay safe .
But it ’ s not just the president , it ’ s all the workers that are here ... on a daily basis , “ Meadows said .
Trump ’ s valet ’ s case marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has come in close proximity to the president has tested positive since several people present at his private Florida club were diagnosed with COVID-19 in early March .
The valet tested positive Wednesday .
The White House was moving to shore up its protection protocols to protect the nation ’ s political leaders .
Trump said some staffers who interact with him closely would now be tested daily .
Pence told reporters Thursday that both he and Trump would now be tested daily as well .
Madhani reported from Chicago .
AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this report .

Darlene Superville And Aamer Madhani - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--White House: US planning to ship 8,000 ventilators abroad

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump , who ’ s taken to calling the U.S. the “ king ” of ventilators , is making plans to ship 8,000 of the breathing machines to foreign countries by the end of July to help in their fight against the coronavirus .
That ’ s a long way from the early days of the virus when U.S. medical workers were wondering if a shortage of ventilators would force them to make painful decisions about which patients would get them .
Now , the U.S. has a surplus and the president is sharing them with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also helps him offset criticism about his own early response to the pandemic .
The White House did not respond to a request for specifics about how many ventilators have been sent so far , or the criteria for determining which countries will get them .
But an administration official familiar with the effort provided the 8,000 figure as part of a list of actions aimed at supporting health systems abroad .
The official was not authorized to discuss the projection publicly and spoke only on condition of anonymity .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at numbers that nobody can believe .
There ’ s not been anything like that since the Second World War , ” Trump said Friday .
Trump said the U.S. was giving the breathing machines to some countries .
It was unclear if some nations would pay for the ventilators , which cost $ 5,000 to $ 30,000 , depending on the model .
“ In a certain way , I ’ d like them to be donations .
I really do .
I think it ’ s good will , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s hard to say you have to pay us in order to save people from dying.
” The machines shipped to other countries do not come from the national stockpile , which has about 12,000 ready to be deployed to U.S. jurisdictions .
The U.S. stockpile , which is maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services , is being replenished with thousands of ventilators manufactured under the Defence Production Act .
“ Initially , it was very scary and we had a lot of states requesting numbers that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an adviser to the president and Trump ’ s son-in-law , said Friday during a White House meeting with Republican members of Congress .
“ The president wanted to make sure that anybody in this country who needed a ventilator would get a ventilator .
He saw what was happening in Italy , where people were dying in hospitals and not able to get the care they needed , and the president said ‘ I don ’ t want that to happen in America.
’ ” Kushner said the administration used the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracts with companies to make ventilators .
Last year , the United States made about 30,000 ventilators , Kushner said .
This year , in just a four-month period , the U.S. will make about 150,000 , he said .
“ We ’ re in a place right now where we ’ re doing well , ” Kushner said .
“ A lot of our allies — the countries that are friendly with America — are starting to get ventilators from us , and we have more than enough to take care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been a great success story.
” In recent weeks , Trump has been recounting other countries ’ calls for help .
He said he ’ d offered Russia ’ s Vladimir Putin ventilators during a call on Thursday .
“ Countries know that we have tremendous amounts , tremendous volume and they ’ ve been calling .
Nigeria just called .
We ’ re giving them 250 ventilators .
We have many countries , I ’ d say 12 , 14 countries that called , ” Trump said this week .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to France .
We ’ re sending quite a few to Spain and , Italy .
We have four African countries.
” Early last month , Trump said Britain ’ s Prime Minister Boris Johnson requested ventilators .
A U.K. government spokesperson said the country ’ s National Health Service had ordered ventilators from manufacturers around the world , including in the U.S .
In tweets , Trump has identified Ecuador , El Salvador , Honduras , Ethiopia and Indonesia as countries that have asked for ventilators .
On Tuesday , Mexico said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical ventilators as part of aid promised by Trump .
“ As the saying goes , when there are hard times is when you know who your friends are , “ said Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard .
Mexican President Andés Manuel López Obrador said Trump promised aid when he called and asked for help in obtaining 1,000 ventilators and other equipment for intensive care units .
Ebrard said the shipment includes equipment made by Swiss-based Hamilton Medical .
Bolivia ’ s right-wing interim government said President Jeanine Añez spoke with Trump last weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy testing equipment and 250 ventilators “ as soon as possible.
” The Bolivian government said Trump expressed support for Añez and her promise to move the country toward elections .
As the virus outbreak makes its way across the globe , “ there are going to be resource-poor areas that need ventilators , that probably have shortages of ventilators on a good day , ” said Dr. Amesh Adalja , senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
Adalja said the ventilators should go to nations that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapists who understand how to operate them .
Some countries don ’ t have such resources .
“ There may be some places where they need even more basic supplies than ventilators , ” Adlaja said .
“ You want to make sure that they are being used in a place that has the capacity to use them and the training to be able to use them.
” Associated Press writers Ben Fox , Darlene Superville and Zeke Miller in Washington and Michael Weissenstein in Havana contributed to this report .

Kevin Freking And Deb Riechmann - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Texas man accused of online threat mentioning Walmart

HORIZON CITY , Texas - A 29-year-old Texas man has been arrested , accused of making online threats that included a photo of a weapon and a reference to Walmart , the FBI said Saturday .
The FBI said it received a tip on Thursday evening about a social media post with a picture of a weapon and some of the text reading “ # watchoutwalmartimcoming # droplikeflys.
” Alex R. Barron , 29 , of Horizon City was identified as the owner of the account , the FBI said .
Barron was arrested Friday evening .
Horizon City is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) southeast of El Paso , where a shooter on Aug. 3 , 2019 , opened fire at a Walmart .
Twenty-three people were killed in the attack targeting Latinos , including a man who died last month from his injuries .
The suspect in that shooting is awaiting trial .
Barron is expected to have an initial court appearance in El Paso before a U.S. magistrate judge on Monday .
“ Anyone who makes a social media post threatening be a potential active shooter should expect to be identified and prosecuted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M. Quesada .
Barron was being held in El Paso County jail on Saturday .
Jail records did not list an attorney for him .


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--2 members of White House virus task force in quarantine

WASHINGTON - Two members of the White House coronavirus task force placed themselves in quarantine after contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 , another stark reminder that not even one of the nation ’ s most secure buildings is immune from the virus .
Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , will be “ teleworking for the next two weeks “ after it was determined he had a “ low risk exposure ” to a person at the White House , the CDC said in a statement Saturday evening .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no symptoms .
Just a few hours earlier , the Food and Drug Administration confirmed that FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn had come in contact with someone who tested positive and was in self-quarantine for the next two weeks .
He tested negative for the virus .
Both men were scheduled to testify before a Senate committee on Tuesday , along with infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci , also a task force member .
Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , the chairman of the panel , said the White House will allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a one-time exception to the administration ’ s policies on hearing testimony .
Vice-President Mike Pence ’ s press secretary tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday , making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus this week .
White House officials had confirmed Thursday that a member of the military serving as one of Trump ’ s valets had tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday .
President Donald Trump , who publicly identified the affected Pence aide as spokeswoman Katie Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” about the virus spreading in the White House .
Nonetheless , officials said they were stepping up safety protocols for the complex .
Miller had been in recent contact with Pence but not with the president and had tested negative a day earlier .
She is married to Stephen Miller , a top Trump adviser .
The White House had no immediate comment on whether Stephen Miller had been tested or if he was still working in the White House .
The CDC and FDA would not disclose the identity of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom the agency leaders had come in contact .
Redfield sought to use the exposure as a teachable moment .
The CDC statement said if he must go to the White House to fulfil any responsibilities as part of the coronavirus task force , he will follow CDC practices for critical infrastructure workers .
Those guidelines call for Redfield and anyone working on the task force to have their temperature taken and screened for symptoms each day , wear a face covering , and distance themselves from others .
Trump has resisted wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the nation ’ s top military leaders Saturday evening , he did not wear a mask during the brief portion that reporters were allowed to view .
The generals around Trump also did not wear a mask , but participants did sit a few feet away from each other .
FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Caccomo said Hahn tested negative for the virus after he learned of the contact .
He wrote a note to staff on Friday to alert them .
Six people who had been in contact with Miller were scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moines , Iowa , on Air Force Two .
They were removed from the flight just before it took off , according to a senior administration official .
None of those people was exhibiting symptoms , but were asked to deplane so they could be tested “ out of an abundance of caution , ” a senior administration official told reporters travelling with Pence .
All six later tested negative , the White House said .
The official said staff in the West Wing are tested regularly but much of Pence ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Executive Office Building — are tested less frequently .
Katie Miller was not on the plane and had not been scheduled to be on the trip .
Pence , who is tested on a regular basis , was tested Friday .
Miller tweeted she was “ doing well ” and looked forward to getting back to work .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said the administration was stepping up mitigation efforts already recommended by public health experts and taking other unspecified precautions to ensure the safety of the president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably the safest place that you can come , ” but the he was reviewing further steps to keep Trump and Pence safe .
The White House requires daily temperature checks of anyone who enters the White House complex and has encouraged social distancing among those working in the building .
The administration has also directed regular deep cleaning of all work spaces .
Anyone who comes in close proximity to the president and vice-president is tested daily for COVID-19 .
Trump ’ s valet ’ s case marked the first known instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close proximity to the president has tested positive since several people present at his private Florida club were diagnosed with COVID-19 in early March .
The White House was moving to shore up its protection protocols to protect the nation ’ s political leaders .
Trump said some staffers who interact with him closely would now be tested daily .
Pence told reporters Thursday that both he and Trump would now be tested daily as well .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Darlene Superville in Washington and Aamer Madhani in Chicago contributed @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Lawyer: Deputy led armed group to black teen’s home

WILMINGTON , N.C. - A sheriff ’ s deputy in North Carolina is facing criminal charges after authorities said he led a group of armed people to the wrong home in a search for a missing girl .
New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David said Friday that Jordan Kita , who worked in the New Hanover Sheriff ’ s Office , will be charged with trespassing and breaking and entering .
Kita led an armed group May 3 to the home of Dameon Shepard , a senior at Laney High School in Wilmington , according to James W. Lea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family who is preparing a civil lawsuit .
The all-white group tried unsuccessfully to force its way into the home of Shepard , who is black , news outlets reported .
Kita was looking for Lekayda Kempisty , a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing earlier that day .
She was later found safe .
In its effort to find Lekayda , Kita ’ s group was searching for someone named Josiah who used to live next door .
Shepard told news outlets that he repeatedly tried to point out to the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a yard sign out front explicitly congratulated “ Dameon ” on his high school graduation , to no avail .
Shepard ’ s mother , Monica Shepard , also told the group they should leave , according to Lea .
“ Coming to the door like that with a mob of people with guns , what do we expect ?
What were their intentions ?
” Monica Shepard told WECT-TV .
“ What if he was the person they were looking for or what if I was not home ?
What would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to have that conversation .
I don ’ t want him to be a statistic .
It ’ s scary.
” David said there was believed to be some sort of familial relationship between Kita and the girl .
Authorities said Kita has been fired .
It ’ s unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment .
A second man in Kita ’ s group is also facing a criminal charge for “ going armed to the terror of the public.
” This story has been corrected to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s Office , not the Pender County Sheriff ’ s Office .


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Surfer killed in shark attack in northern California

APTOS , CALIF.—A surfer was killed in a shark attack off a northern California beach , state park officials said @ @ @ @ @ was surfing off Manresa State Beach on the northern end of Monterey Bay when he @ @ @ @ @ shark species , California State Parks said in a statement .
The victim ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s deputies notified the man ’ s family .
The @ @ @ @ @ half north and south of the attack will be closed for five days .
Signs @ @ @ @ @ the attack .
“ State Parks expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of the @ @ @ @ @ said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Surfer killed in shark attack in Northern California

APTOS , Calif. - A surfer was killed in a shark attack off a Northern California beach , state park officials said Saturday .
The 26-year-old man was surfing off Manresa State Beach on the northern end of Monterey Bay around 1:30 p.m. when he was attacked by an unknown shark species , the California State Parks said in a statement .
The victim ’ s name has not been released .
Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s deputies notified the man ’ s family .
The water one mile north and south of the attack will be closed for five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the attack .
The sign said the attack happened within 100 yards off shore .
“ State Parks expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of the victim , ” the statement said .
The amount of surfing and swimming has been steady while local officials close the beach every day between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to deter a surge of visitors to the coastline during the coronavirus crisis .
Monterey Bay drone photographer Eric Mailander told KRON-TV has been observing dozens of great white sharks swimming near the shoreline in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 sharks while out on his boat Saturday morning .
None were showing signs of aggressive predatory behaviour , Mailander told the TV station .


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Small farms in New York experiencing a surprising boom

One Wednesday in early March , Abra Morawiec realized something seismic was happening at her farm stand .
The month had been pretty quiet at the Feisty Acres table in the Union Square Greenmarket in Manhattan .
But that day , at the very start of social distancing , she had sold out of everything by 2 p.m. “ I had to go home three hours early , ” Morawiec said .
After wondering whether her small farm on the North Fork of Long Island would survive the pandemic , this was good news .
But the boom for Feisty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at large-scale operations like Crescent Duck Farm , also based on Long Island .
In operation for more than a century , Crescent produces one million ducks a year — about four per cent of the industry total — and was the supplier of choice for fine-dining restaurants in New York , including Jean-Georges and the River Cafe .
Those restaurants are closed now , and Crescent has been forced to lay off 80 per cent of its workers .
When the lockdown came to the metropolitan area , the earth shifted under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All farms are reckoning with the disappearance of the restaurant market and the logistics of getting food directly to consumers .
But the agricultural landscape has completely reversed .
Farms with a single crop meant for use in restaurants , like microgreens or edible flowers , face disaster , while those with diverse offerings ( and especially root vegetables ) have become bulwarks of the social order .
After decades of struggle to prove they are sustainable businesses , small farms seem to be flourishing , while factory farms , in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pivot .
Blue Star Farm , a 10-acre operation in the Hudson Valley north of New York City , is feeling a kind of uncomfortable success since Gov .
Andrew Cuomo issued a stay-at-home order .
The farm ’ s sales have increased during the quarantine .
Blue Star sells at a weekend farmers ’ market in Hudson , New York , that was a social hub before the pandemic , and is now on the front line for feeding the community .
“ We thought we ’ d feel the pinch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re hitting demand now that we would usually see in July , ” said Mark Decker , who owns the farm with his wife , Susan .
“ Our sales are up 25 or 30 per cent from what we would normally do this time of year .
“ The market opens at 9 a.m. , and one day , we sold out by 12:15 , ” he added .
“ I told Sue it ’ s lucky she didn ’ t take the dog.
” Because they have been able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at farmers ’ markets and through CSA subscriptions — farms like Blue Star and Feisty Acres are ideally suited to survive a pandemic .
A CSA ( community-supported agriculture ) program — which essentially allows people to buy shares in a farm ’ s produce before it is harvested — has been vital to the success of Sang Lee , an 80-acre organic farm in Southold on Long Island .
The farm is known for its salad greens , organic vegetables and hard-to-find radishes , ginger and bok choy .
Lucy Senesac , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the farm has been inundated since mid-March , when throngs of New Yorkers headed to second homes on Long Island .
“ Insane crowds , ” she said .
“ Everyone is out on the North Fork all of a sudden , and everyone wants vegetables , more than we can supply , ” she said .
“ It ’ s hard , managing all the phone calls .
I ’ m having to hide a little bit.
” The crowds at the Sang Lee farm stand were so large that Senesac decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farm ’ s website to offer pickup options , so customers could show up , immediately get their vegetables and go home .
Before the pandemic hit , Norwich Meadows , a 230-acre farm three and a half hours north of New York City , sent most of its organic fruits and vegetables to restaurants ; the rest went to farmers ’ markets and its CSA .
It is not a small farm , but the wide variety of crops it offers has saved it .
“ We don ’ t mess around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Norwich Meadows , on his approach to planting a huge number of crops , including ground cherries , an addictive , candy-sweet tomato that he helped establish as a garnish at chef-forward restaurants .
Recalibrating has proved considerably more difficult for commercial operations like Crescent Duck Farm .
In early February , weeks before there were any known COVID-19 cases on Long Island , Doug Corwin began to scale back production at Crescent , where his family has raised birds since 1908 .
He had been closely following news about the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them building that hospital in Wuhan , I started reducing my supplies of breeding stock and eggs , ” Corwin said .
“ The last thing I want is to have product stuck in the freezer .
All the better chefs only want it fresh.
” When an employee tested positive for the coronavirus , Corwin , unable to provide safe work conditions , shut down production on March 30 and laid off 47 unionized workers — more than 80 per cent of his employees .
“ I ’ m thankful that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ We had one person test positive , and now she ’ s fine.
” Corwin says an operation the size of his can ’ t make it on retail sales alone , even when the demand for fresh meat on Long Island has risen to height-of-summer levels .
Currently , one of Crescent ’ s best customers is Miloski ’ s , a poultry farm and meat store in Calverton known for its rotisserie duck to-go .
“ Miloski ’ s has gone from buying 10 boxes a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ But I need to sell 3,000 a week.
” Corwin said the presidential executive order invoking the Defence Production Act to keep meat-processing plants open was encouraging .
He is retrofitting his plant with Plexiglas partitions , and has gloves and masks on order , and is hoping to bring back his workers and reopen in early summer .
But for that to happen , his restaurant clients must reopen and start serving duck again .
“ Let ’ s hope that the powers that be have the foresight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Corwin said , “ so we can climb out of this .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Polar vortex brings rare May snow, low temps to US East

PROVIDENCE , R.I. - Mother ’ s Day weekend got off to an unseasonably snowy start in the Northeast on Saturday thanks to the polar vortex bringing cold air down from the north .
Some higher elevation areas in northern New York and New England reported snowfall accumulations of up to 10 inches , while traces of snow were seen along the coast from Maine to Boston to as far south as Manhattan .
John Cannon , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray , Maine , said parts of northern New England saw as much as 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Maine and New Hampshire got a dusting .
There were even reports of flurries in Boston .
“ We ’ ve had several inches in many areas in the Northeast .
This is a rare May snow event , ” he said .
The hardest hit areas were hill town communities like Sugar Hill , New Hampshire , which got 10.5 inches , and Carrabasset Valley in Maine , which got 9 inches , he said .
Conditions at the Mount Washington Observatory , atop the highest peak in the northeast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wind chill at minus 22 degrees ( minus 30 Celsius ) and winds gusting at 87 mph ( 140 kph ) .
In many areas , the snowfall was one for the record books , even if it didn ’ t stick around .
Massachusetts hadn ’ t seen measurable snow in May since 2002 , while in Manhattan ’ s Central Park , the flakes tied a record set in 1977 for latest snow of the season .
The wintry weather came two days after Vermont began to lift restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had been imposed to curb the coronavirus outbreak .
Gov .
Phil Scott tweeted sympathy to Vermonters frustrated by the weather following weeks of being inside .
“ I know snow on May 9th isn ’ t a welcome sight for many Vermonters , just as we ’ re cautiously allowing outdoor recreation to get going again , ” he wrote .
“ But this is just a snapshot in time .
Just like better weather is ahead , better days will come , as well .
We will get through this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a batch of cold air that stays trapped in the Arctic all winter , but a couple times during the season , it wanders south and brings bone-chilling cold and snow to Canada and parts of the United States .
A low pressure system off the coast of southern New England helped pull cold air down from the north , said lan Dunham , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norton , Massachusetts .
Cannon said the snow will give way to strong winds upward of 40 and 50 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Northeast for the remainder of Saturday , along with unusually cold conditions .
There are freeze watches and warnings out for much of the Northeast .
Temperatures are expected to dip below 30 ( minus 1 degree Celsius ) from midnight through Sunday morning in parts of New Jersey and New York and a freeze warning has been issued from Saturday night until Sunday morning in parts of Pennsylvania .
Michael Casey in Boston and Michael Hill in Albany contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--NY priest on virus front lines with embattled congregation

NEW YORK - Raul Luis López never had the chance to say goodbye .
López was hospitalized for COVID-19 on April 3 before succumbing nearly three weeks later .
The 39-year-old native of Oaxaca , Mexico , suffered from diabetes which worsened his illness .
The day he left for treatment was the last time his wife , Sara Cruz , saw him .
Now López ’ s family , clad in surgical masks and gloves , was gathered in the widow ’ s living room in the Corona neighbourhood of Queens , New York , around a black box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Virgin of Guadalupe , patroness of Mexico and the Americas , watched over his ashes on a table beside flowers and prayer candles .
The Rev .
Fabian Arias , a Catholic priest from Buenos Aires , Argentina , is the pastor of Iglesia de Sion , a congregation with a mission relationship alongside Saint Peter ’ s Church in Manhattan , and has performed funeral services 14 times in the last two months .
Saturday ’ s service for López was the first he ’ s been able to perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of funeral homes are not receiving people for religious ceremonies ; they say ‘ no , ’ ” said Arias “ They will take your body and provide cremation.
” The financial costs of services , already difficult for working-class families to afford , are compounded by the historic death toll thrusting funeral homes across the city into overcapacity .
Most have ended traditional religious services and family gatherings , including cemetery burials .
“ People don ’ t have the ability to pay , ” said Arias .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service , they abuse the community .
They say , ‘ You pay $ 10,000 , $ 15,000.
’ ” Taking pains to protect himself from the contagion with personal protective equipment and hand sanitizers , he is led into the house on a quiet street in the heavily Latino neighbourhood .
Nearly a dozen family members inside wait to greet him , including López ’ s cousin Miguel Hernandez Gomez .
“ The funeral homes didn ’ t give us any choice , ” said Gomez .
“ If we had more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him.
” López , who worked in the delivery business , came to the United States 20 years ago and settled in New York nine years prior to his death .
Described as a kind man devoted to his fellow parishioners , his loss pains family beyond the city ’ s borders .
“ We ’ re planning to send him to Mexico but right now we don ’ t have international flights , ” said Gomez .
“ We ’ re trying to get him to our town , for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still alive in Mexico .
He ’ s our family but he belongs to them , to his parents.
” Despite the risks , Arias is undaunted , trusting in God and taking great care to lessen transmission risks .
“ It ’ s very hard for our community , ” said Arias .
“ For all Latinos , when our people die , they receive a blessing .
We say the last goodbye and pray together .
It ’ s very important for us.
” When the service ended , the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kitchen to eat a meal ; they spread out as much as possible .
“ After this service , I feel much , much better and relieved that the spirit of Raul is released into God ’ s hands , ” said Cruz .
“ Everybody is afraid , not only for ourselves , but for our community and especially Father Fabian and all the services he ’ s doing.
” “ It ’ s very dangerous for him .
But he ’ s here for us.
” Associated Press religion coverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Georgia man’s death raises echoes of US racial terror legacy

BRUNSWICK , Ga. - Many people saw more than the last moments of Ahmaud Arbery ’ s life when a video emerged this week of white men armed with guns confronting the black man , a struggle with punches thrown , three shots fired and Arbery collapsing dead .
The Feb. 23 shooting in coastal Georgia is drawing comparisons to a much darker period of U.S. history — when extrajudicial killings of black people , almost exclusively at the hands of white male vigilantes , inflicted racial terror on African Americans .
It frequently happened with law enforcement complicity or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death was not the only thing that rattled the nation ’ s conscience .
It took more than two months for his pursuers — who told police they suspected he was a burglar — to be arrested and taken into custody .
That is fueling calls for the resignation of local authorities who initially investigated the case and reforms of Georgia ’ s criminal justice system .
“ The modern-day lynching of Mr. Arbery is yet another reminder of the vile and wicked racism that persists in parts of our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woodall , state president of the Georgia NAACP .
“ The slothfulness and inaction of the judicial system , in this case , is a gross testament to the blatant white racial privileges that permeates throughout our country and our institutions.
“ The case appeared frozen as it was handled by police in the small city of Brunswick .
After the video emerged on social media this week , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took one day after launching its probe Wednesday to arrest Gregory McMichael , 64 , and his son , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jailed on murder and aggravated assault charges and did not have lawyers as of Friday who could comment on their behalf .
Several hundred people crowded outside the Glynn County Courthouse on Friday to mark what would have been Arbery ’ s 26th birthday , with many saying it ’ s too soon to celebrate because the case must still go before a grand jury that will decide whether to indict the McMichaels .
Arbery ’ s killing reminds some of Emmett Till , a black teen from Chicago who was kidnapped in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a river after he was falsely accused of whistling at a white woman .
An all-white jury acquitted the white men accused of killing Till , who was 14 .
His death helped fuel the civil rights movement and brought about the eventual passage of federal civil rights protections .
During Friday ’ s protest , demonstrator Anthony Johnson said he sees echoes of Till and others .
Arbery “ died because he was black like the rest of them did .
For no reason , ” Johnson said .
Arbery ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said she thinks her son , a former high school football player , was jogging for exercise before he was killed .
Gregory and Travis McMichael told police they suspected Arbery was the same man recorded by a security camera committing a break-in .
When they saw Arbery running on a Sunday afternoon , the McMichaels grabbed guns , got into a pickup truck and pursued him .
Video footage shows a runner grappling with a man armed with a shotgun .
Shots are fired and the runner staggers and falls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the McMichaels confronted Arbery with two firearms and that Travis McMichael fatally shot Arbery .
Arbery ’ s death has drawn sharp reactions and expressions of sadness across the U.S. A Change.org petition calling for justice hit over 700,000 signatures on Friday , President Donald Trump called the video “ very disturbing ” and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said it was like seeing Arbery “ lynched before our very eyes.
” The Players Coalition , a racial justice group made up of professional athletes , sent a letter Friday to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Arbery ’ s death .
“ The absence of justice is ever present , ” said Malcolm Jenkins , a safety for the New Orleans Saints and the foundation ’ s co-founder .
“ Another black life has been taken by a bullet and the slaying justified by white fear.
” Others joined demands from Arbery ’ s family for the resignations of local law enforcement authorities .
Before the case was turned over to special prosecutor Tom Durden , Glynn County District Attorney Jackie Johnson and Ware County District Attorney George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the McMichaels .
Gregory McMichael was an investigator for Johnson ’ s office before retiring last year and before that served as a local police officer .
Johnson and Barnhill “ must be held accountable for their shameless dereliction of duty , ” said Vanita Gupta , president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and a former head of the Department of Justice ’ s Civil Rights Division during President Barack Obama ’ s administration .
She also called on the Justice Department to investigate Arbery ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statute .
While likening Arbery ’ s death to a lynching may seem like an apt comparison , doing so isn ’ t sufficient for understanding why the man ’ s death is a tragedy , said Bryan Stevenson , executive director of the Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative .
The organization has cataloged more than 4,400 racial terror lynchings in the U.S. that took place between Reconstruction and World War II .
“ Law enforcement did nothing about lynchings for a century , ” Stevenson said .
“ It should be a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terror so that we do more , not less , when someone like Ahmaud Arbery is killed in this manner.
“ He added : “ Our nation continues to underestimate the painful burden that has been placed on black people and the traumatic injury we continue to aggravate when our justice system refuses to hold accountable perpetrators of unnecessary violence if they are white and invoke some public safety defence.
“ The shooting of Arbery has also been compared to the 2012 case of Trayvon Martin , the unarmed black Florida teenager shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The shooter , George Zimmerman , who is white and Hispanic , suspected without evidence that Martin was casing the area for burglaries .
Zimmerman was not charged initially after claiming self-defence under Florida ’ s “ stand your ground ” law , which provides immunity to people who use lethal force out of fear for their lives .
Phillip Agnew , an organizer with the Movement for Black Lives , said vigilantism involving black victims has been “ driven by hate , resentment and generations-old racial anxiety.
“ “ We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this to other people , ” Agnew added .
“ And until we do that , this is going to continue to happen.
” Morrison reported from New York and is a member of The Associated Press ’ Race and Ethnicity team .
Follow him on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/aaronlmorrison .

Aaron Morrison And Russ Bynum - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--Las Vegas police release images of fatal shooting at complex

Las Vegas police have released imagery showing an officer fatally shoot a sword-wielding man lunging toward an officer who had tried to calm down the man during an encounter in an apartment complex .
Assistant Sheriff Brett Zimmerman said during a news briefing Friday that police during previous encounters with Justin Charland had arranged for the 40-year-old man to receive mental health assistance .
The fatal encounter occurred Tuesday when two officers responded to a report of a man yelling and talking to himself .
Body-camera footage released during the briefing showed the man identified by police as Charland holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his apartment ’ s exterior stairs and yelling loudly while Officer Vincen Segura asked to speak with Charland and to get him help .
The man after a few minutes bounded down the stairs while brandishing the sword despite Segura ’ s calls for him to put down the weapon .
As the officer and Charland both spoke loudly , Charland could be heard saying he was a ninja .
Zimmerman said Charland also said he was going to kill the officers .
The video showed Segura backing up away from the approaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sworn in front of him and toward the officers .
“ Don ’ t come at me with that ... , ” Segura shouted to Charland before the man approached within a few yards of the officer .
Segura fired , fatally wounding Charland , whom Zimmerman said would have been arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and resisting with a deadly weapon if he had survived .
A police statement said a police team was investigating the officer ’ s use of force and that the findings would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office for review .
A different police team was examining the incident for a review focused on policy , tactics and training , the statement said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-09--National parks visitors should plan for ‘new normal’

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK , Utah - After closing amid the coronavirus pandemic , the National Park Service is testing public access at several parks across the nation , including two in Utah , with limited offerings and services .
Visitor centres and campgrounds remain largely shuttered at Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef , but visitors are welcome at some of the sites .
“ I felt like they did it right here because if they opened all the services , I think it would have been too much .
Too many people would hit it , ” Donna Sullivan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Salt Lake Tribune Wednesday at Bryce Canyon .
Sullivan was on a day visit to hike the park ’ s Rim Trail and Bryce Amphitheater , two of the few hiking destinations currently open at Bryce .
She found plenty of room to social distance , but Bryce will likely see larger crowds as word gets out that the park is open and will not collect entry fees .
Visitors should steel themselves for a “ new normal ” that will not likely square with their last trip , said Acting Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have facilities that aren ’ t going to be available , but the ( park ’ s ) footprint will be .
So it will be a different visitor experience , and it will be a different normal that we ’ re going to need to own and , frankly , mitigate , ” Vela said Friday .
“ This gets to the value and importance of making sure that visitors know what to expect when they get to the park , making sure that visitors go to the park ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as to what is accessible , how to plan your trip , and , most importantly , what are the expectations when you get there.
” Recent crowding at southern Utah ’ s state parks could offer a hint of what ’ s headed Bryce ’ s way later this season , said Bryce Park Ranger Peter Densmore .
“ This experiment , this limited reopening is really a co-operative effort between us and the public .
It ’ s not possible to reap the full benefits of the mitigations we put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them and helping us to enforce them , ” Densmore said at the shuttered visitor centre .
While the park reopened its core attraction , Bryce Amphitheater , Capitol Reef took an opposite approach , keeping its historic centre at Fruita and the Scenic Road closed for now .
“ You will see more and more parks provide recreation access .
We are doing it very thoughtfully , ” said park service spokeswoman Vanessa Lacayo .
Parks are staffing up and will increase access as workers are in place to patrol trails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitor centres and museums .
At the Utah parks , seasonal employees from out of state must quarantine for 14 days before they can report for duty , which will slow the process .
Openings have yet to be announced for Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park .
Major parks throughout the country that have begun limited openings include Badlands and Wind Cave national parks and Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota ; Everglades National Park in Florida ; Indiana Dunes National Park ; Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky ; Pinnacles National Park in California .
Advocacy groups fear the park service is moving too fast and urge extreme caution .
“ We are also eager to get Americans back into our national parks .
But it is too soon , ” warned Phil Francis , a retired superintendent who heads The Coalition to Protect America ’ s National Parks .
“ Parks absolutely should not open until the safety of National Park Service employees , concession employees , volunteers and other partners , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities , can be ensured.
” Most park staffers will be in contact with visitors and many live on-site , in close quarters , in government-owned housing , he said .
According to a park service document , parks should estimate that up to 40 % of the total staff at the park may require isolation and 4 % may require hospitalization .
“ This is not only impossible under the current setup , ” Francis said , “ it is unacceptable .
”