thetorontostar--2020-03-21--China, on virus PR offensive, sends masks and experts abroad

BEIJING - As the fight against a new virus shifts to Europe and beyond , China is supplying millions of masks and other desperately needed items to struggling governments , hoping to build political ties and defuse criticism that it allowed the disease to spread early on .
Serbia ’ s president plans to be at the airport this weekend to welcome a shipment of medical supplies from his “ brother and friend , ” Chinese leader Xi Jinping .
Xi ’ s government has flown gloves and protective clothing to Liberia .
It is sending 100,000 test kits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying millions of masks and other supplies are bound for the Czech Republic this week .
China , said Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek , is “ the only country capable of supplying Europe with such amounts.
” It ’ s part of an effort by the Communist Party to reshape the narrative , from one of early missteps to a nation that acted decisively to bring the outbreak under control .
China is touting its deliveries of ventilators and masks overseas and dispatching its medical experts to share the lessons of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a realization in the West of how difficult it is to bring the virus under control , said Julian Ku , a law professor at Hofstra University in New York .
“ The Chinese government ’ s failures ... will be less harshly viewed in light of the failures of other governments to respond effectively as well , “ he said .
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic blasted the European Union and praised China for offering help when he announced a state of emergency to combat the outbreak .
His country wants to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved closer to Russia and China in a seesaw battle for influence .
“ I believe in my brother and friend Xi Jinping and I believe in China ’ s help , ” Vucic said .
“ European solidarity , “ he said , was just a fairy tale .
EU officials denied they were stopping aid to Serbia , but said their first priority was EU members .
China has given $ 20 million to the World Health Organization for COVID-19 efforts .
While the EU and the U.S. have made larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now preoccupied by the crisis at home .
The Chinese “ are winning points , “ said Theresa Fallon , the founder of the Center for Russia Europe Asia Studies in Brussels .
“ Serbia thinks that China is their saviour.
” Six weeks ago , Chinese authorities were trying to quell outrage at home and condemnation abroad .
The critics said due to politically motivated foot-dragging , China had mishandled the viral outbreak racing through a major province and its capital , Wuhan .
Now the criticism is raining down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A visiting Chinese Red Cross official chastised Italy on Thursday for letting so many people stroll the streets of Milan .
“ Right now we need to stop all economic activity , and we need to stop the mobility of people , ” said Executive Chairman Sun Shuopeng .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new virus .
At one level , China is reciprocating assistance it received .
Nearly 80 countries sent supplies to China , some on charter flights they sent to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan .
“ It is China ’ s traditional virtue to repay goodwill with greater kindness , “ Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said , citing an ancient Confucian saying : ” You throw a peach to me , and I give you a white jade for friendship.
“ But at the same time , China is deepening ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its outreach as it assumes a larger international role .
It is shipping supplies to Cambodia , whose Prime Minister Hun Sen has been an outspoken supporter of Xi and even visited him in Beijing last month as the outbreak raged .
China moved quickly to send experts and equipment to Italy , which last year became the first western European country to join China ’ s Belt and Road Initiative .
The massive program seeks to expand trade by building ports , roads and other transportation projects in a 21st century version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ready to work with Italy to contribute to international co-operation on epidemic control and to the building of a “ Health Silk Road , ” Xi was quoted as telling Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in a phone call Monday .
“ It ’ s not an accident that the heat map of where Xi Jinping is sending condolences and China is sending N95 masks overlaps pretty closely with those countries that have demonstrated a willingness to accommodate China , “ said Daniel Russel , a former senior U.S. diplomat now with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York .
Opinions vary on the effectiveness of China ’ s efforts .
“ It ’ s an open question how far that ’ s going to get ... but they ’ re clearly giving it the old-school try , ” Russel said .
The Communist Party ’ s propaganda , he said , has been more successful at home than abroad .
Clive Hamilton , author of “ Silent Invasion : China ’ s Influence in Australia , “ said that China has poured enormous resources into shaping the global discourse in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mistake to underestimate how effective ” this “ major international campaign to rewrite the history of the coronavirus “ might be , he said .
But Chu Yin , a professor of public administration at the University of International Relations in Beijing , said China lags the U.S. and Europe in its understanding of public diplomacy and has always struggled to convert humanitarian aid into diplomatic returns .
“ If people really expect a big boost of China ’ s influence through the aid , it will be difficult , “ he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let ’ s just take the aid as doing a good deed , and it would help China ’ s economy if the epidemic situation in these countries is contained.
” Asscociated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva , Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade , Serbia , Karel Janicek in Prague , Victoria Milko in Jakarta , Indonesia , and reseacher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--New Orleans’ ‘Let the good times roll’ now ‘Wash your hands’

NEW ORLEANS - A week ago , revelers jammed bars in the French Quarter and New Orleans ’ Irish Channel neighbourhood ahead of St. Patrick ’ s Day while hotels , taverns and restaurants looked ahead to what is usually a lucrative festival season .
Now , the party is suddenly and decisively over .
Coronavirus dread has settled uncomfortably over this most social of cities , where public gatherings are banned and eight of Louisiana ’ s 12 COVID-19 deaths had been recorded as of Friday .
While Gov .
John Bel Edwards openly worries that the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be overwhelmed in another week , the metro area has become one of the nation ’ s hot spots for the virus , home to the vast majority of the nearly 500 infected statewide .
Two new testing centres for the disease closed within hours of opening Friday , having run through the day ’ s first allocations of tests .
“ Laissez les bon temps rouler ” ( “ Let the good times roll ” ) has given way to a new municipal maxim : “ Wash your hands.
” The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until fall .
Other events are cancelled .
Bars are closed .
Restaurants — the ones that stay open — struggle with takeout- or delivery-only operations .
“ It really came to a screeching halt , ” Philip Moseley said of business at Blue Oak BBQ , which he co-owns with Ronnie Evans .
They have added phone lines to handle takeout business , but have laid off about half of their roughly 50 staffers .
Celebrated hometown chef and restaurateur Frank Brigsten told his Facebook followers Friday that , for now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bears his name in New Orleans ’ Carrollton neighbourhood .
Tourists are still around , says Evangeline Turner , who went to pick up a last paycheque this week on Bourbon Street .
“ A tourist asked me where they should go , ” she said .
“ I told them everything ’ s closed.
” Turner has now lost both her jobs — bartending at a restaurant in New Orleans ’ Mid City neighbourhood , and acting as a “ master of ceremonies ” at a Bourbon Street bar .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Turner , who is wondering how she ’ ll pay the rent and buy the insulin she needs to deal with her diabetes .
Turner noted a certain irony .
She said Bourbon Street hospitality workers think a source of the city ’ s infections might be one of the vital tourism industry ’ s biggest draws , the citywide pre-Lenten Carnival celebrations that culminated on Mardi Gras , or Fat Tuesday , which fell on Feb. 25 .
Tourists from around the country and the world filled the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can ’ t be a reason , ” she said .
Whether Mardi Gras crowds were a factor in the disease ’ s spread in Louisiana can not be proven , but the celebration would be a likely breeding ground for a highly contagious virus like the one that causes COVID-19 , said Dr. Richard Oberhelman .
He is the chairman of the Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences at Tulane University ’ s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine .
“ People are really packed close together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the downtown section and really all along the route .
There are a lot of opportunities for close contact and transmission , ” Oherhelman said .
“ During Mardi Gras , people were not thinking about social distancing or hand washing , ” Oberhelman he added .
The vast majority of people recover within weeks after catching the virus , and for most people , it causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
But for older adults and people with existing health problems , it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those who have died in New Orleans lived at an upscale retirement home .
Restaurateurs aren ’ t giving up .
Six restaurants have joined to promote a “ curbside fish fry ” at their locations across the city , offering seafood-focused meals curbside and to go every Friday during Lent .
Some of the money raised in the project , organized by local seafood supplier Craig Borges , will go to the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation , which helps people who work in the industry .
And the Louisiana Restaurant Association , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , has launched a website connecting restaurants with customers seeking takeout or delivered food .
Mosely ’ s restaurant planned to do its part Saturday with a drive through service where hospitality workers can get a pork sandwich , beer and chips for free .
“ It ’ s pretty stressful , “ Mosely said of losing his staff .
” You feel for everyone on your team and you spend so much time with these people .
I talk to these people more than I talk to my wife “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all trying to figure out the puzzle : how can we succeed in this ?
” Associated Press reporter Rebecca Santana in New Orleans contributed to this story .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

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thetorontostar--2020-03-21--Trump vs Fauci: President and doctor spar over unproven drug

WASHINGTON - In an extraordinary exchange , President Donald Trump and the government ’ s top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , publicly sparred Friday on whether a malaria drug would work to treat people with coronavirus disease .
The scene played out on national television during the daily White House briefing on the outbreak .
Anxious for answers , Americans heard conflicting ones from a just-the-facts scientist and a president who operates on gut instinct .
Reporters asked both men — first Fauci then Trump — if a malaria drug called hydroxychloroquine could be used to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
A day earlier , when Fauci wasn ’ t with him at that briefing , Trump had called attention to the drug .
On Friday , Fauci took the reporter ’ s question and got right to the point .
“ No , ” he said .
“ The answer ... is no .
“ The information that you ’ re referring to specifically is anecdotal , ” Fauci added firmly .
“ It was not done in a controlled clinical trial , so you really can ’ t make any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to explain that the Food and Drug Administration is looking for a way to make the drug available for emergency use , but in a manner that gives the government data about whether it ’ s safe and effective .
Fauci is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH and in more than 30 years has handled HIV , SARS , MERS , Ebola and now the new coronavirus .
Currently , there is no medicine specifically approved for treating COVID-19 .
But Trump stuck to what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two men took turns at the podium , Trump said he disagreed with the notion that there is no magic drug for the coronavirus disease .
“ Maybe and maybe not , ” he said .
“ Maybe there is , maybe there isn ’ t .
We have to see.
” He struck an upbeat note , while trying not to directly challenge Fauci .
“ I think without seeing too much , I ’ m probably more of a fan of that , ” he said , referring to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand what the doctor said is 100 % correct.
” Then the president added , “ It ’ s a strong drug .
So , we ’ ll see.
” Hydroxychloroquine and a similar drug — chloroquine — are sold around the world under a variety of brand and generic names .
They can be prescribed off-label by doctors in the United States .
They may interfere with the coronavirus being able to enter cells , and some scientists have reported possible encouraging signs in test-tube and other small studies .
Other scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will translate to benefits for patients .
Fauci has a track record of being the fact-based counterpoint to the Trump administration ’ s upbeat assessments of the coronavirus outbreak .
For much longer than that , he ’ s specialized in the same calm and persistent repetition of the information he thinks his audience — whether the public or physicians — needs to know .
Weeks ago , after Fauci said that even with all deliberate speed a vaccine could take a year to 18 months , Trump told a political rally one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As administration officials repeatedly assured the public that coronavirus tests were rapidly becoming available , Fauci at a congressional hearing said the lack of widespread testing was “ a failing ” of the system .
Although Fauci has publicly supported Trump ’ s travel restrictions to try to keep the virus out , he warned the worst was coming even as Trump suggested the crisis was under good control .
Rather than fighting with Trump , he stepped up to the podium Friday to say he ’ s not ruling the drug out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before making any promises .
“ Look , it may work and it may not work and I agree with the doctor , “ Trump said .
“ I feel good about it .
That ’ s all it is .
Just a feeling .
You know , I ’ m a smart guy .
I feel good about it ... You ’ re going to see soon enough.
” The two even debated the safety of the malaria drug , with Trump saying it has a proven record and Fauci cautioning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the end , the scientist seemed to be trying to find a way to avoid a direct confrontation with the president .
“ You know , I ’ m not dismissing it at all , and I hope that that interpretation wasn ’ t widespread , ” Fauci said later on Fox News .
“ What I said is that we don ’ t have definitive proof that it works.
” It wasn ’ t just Trump with whom Fauci took issue .
In answer to a reporter ’ s question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suggestion by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin that the administration was overreacting , given that thousands die on the highways every year , a “ false equivalency.
“ He added : “ I don ’ t think with any moral conscience you can say , ‘ Why don ’ t we just let it rip and happen and let X per cent of the people die ?
’ ” And asked about economist Kevin Hassett ’ s suggestion that all Americans be tested so that uninfected people can get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t connect the dots there.
“ It will take social distancing to slow the spread .
For most people , the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
Associated Press writers Nancy Benac and Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for all content .

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles, South says

SEOUL , SOUTH KOREA—North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Saturday in the country ’ s third weapons test this month , the South Korean military said .
The missiles were fired from the county of Sonchon in North Pyongan province in the northwest , flying more than 400 kilometres to the northeast before landing in waters between North Korea and Japan , South Korean defence officials said .
They provided no other details , such as the specific type of missiles launched , as they were still analyzing data .
The South ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for the North to launch missiles as the world grappled with the coronavirus pandemic , saying it had “ urged the North to stop such acts immediately.
” The North ’ s leader , Kim Jong Un , has stepped up military activities this month as the pandemic has surged .
Officially , the North has reported no coronavirus cases , but health experts fear that the isolated country might be hiding an outbreak .
In its last weapons test , on March 9 , North Korea fired various types of multiple-rocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military drill overseen by Kim .
The country conducted a similar drill on March 2 .
The tests have signalled a return to provocative actions by North Korea a year after a failed summit meeting between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump .
Since then , Kim has warned that his country no longer felt bound by its self-imposed moratorium on testing nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles .
The North has not followed up on that threat with any long-range missile tests , but its military resumed a vigorous winter training schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Friday , the North Korean military conducted a live-fire training exercise at an unidentified location , the North ’ s official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday .
North Korea has resumed its military drills even as it remains highly vulnerable to epidemics because of the decrepit condition of its public health system and the international sanctions that make it difficult to ship aid there .
In recent weeks , the Red Cross and other aid groups have made urgent pleas for the United Nations to grant exemptions so they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help fight the coronavirus .


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--With gigs gone, a roots-rocker takes his music online

OPELIKA , Ala. - On Saturday ( March 14 ) , singer-songwriter Grayson Capps saw his calendar being swept clear of work by coronavirus concerns .
By Sunday he ’ d launched a new online venture to replace at least some of the lost income .
The widespread cancellation of public events has caused alarm throughout the music industry .
From local entertainers all the way up to established superstars , many depend on a steady stream of live performances to pay the bills .
Late last week GQ published an interview with iconic folk star David Crosby , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting for them to cancel all my tours this summer and put me in deep financial trouble .
… touring is all we got .
That ’ s really the only thing that we can do to make any money .
And to lose it is just awful .
I may—honest to God—I may lose my home.
” While Capps can ’ t match Crosby ’ s fame , the Baldwin County native has made a living in music for decades : First in New Orleans with the bands The House Levelers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he moved back to Alabama , with the Stumpknockers and the Lost Cause Minstrels .
He ’ s known for solo work as well and he ’ s part of the coastal supergroup Willie Sugarcapps .
He had songs featured in the John Travolta movie “ A Love Song for Bobby Long.
” His raspy , unvarnished roots-rock has earned him a network of fans that stretches far beyond Alabama ’ s coastal region .
On Saturday , Capps posted that the past two days “ have been devastating.
” He said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the next month and had made plans to cancel everything else into early April .
In keeping with his style as a songwriter , he was simultaneously blunt and eloquent about his place in the current situation .
“ The vast amount of contact I have with people playing shows makes me the most dangerous person in the room especially because I am also singing and spraying spit for hours at a time , ” he wrote in a Facebook post .
“ In the bars people get drunk and say ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want to hug and kiss on you/me .
The prevailing attitude becomes an insensitive petri dish of disdain and complacency that does not adhere to the decency of simple respect for fellow citizens , therefore I plan on starting some live online shows in this brave new world which I will announce accordingly .
“ I hope by me not being a conduit that I can be a part of the quelling of this pandemic , ” he said .
By Sunday he ’ d launched a new online venture at Patreon.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subscribe for $ 10 , $ 20 or $ 50 a month and you get access to a variety of fresh online content .
The first snippet on the page was just a test .
“ Hey , everybody , it ’ s me Grayson I ’ m in the new world , trying to figure this out , ” he said in a brief sound clip .
“ This is a test to see if I can get some audio going here .
I thought it was hard pulling a damn treble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s mouth , but good Lord , this is a run through hoops.
” But Capps followed that up with a live-in-the studio performance that gave a taste of the venture ’ s potential .
“ All right , hey , everybody .
Weird , weird day .
But I ’ ve got a Cooter Brown brown ale and a Martin double-O-21 from 1963 and I ’ m in my little writin ’ shed .
And I haven ’ t figured out how to do the video thing yet , but I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of soothes my soul .
I play it to myself all the time.
” Over the course of a seven-minute clip Capps performed two songs starting with one he called “ Today : ” “ Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine/ I ’ ll taste your strawberries , I ’ ll drink your sweet wine/ A million tomorrows will all pass away/ ere I forget all the joys that are mine , today.
” The sound quality is good enough to make you feel like you ’ re getting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can hear Capps tapping out the beat with a foot .
You can hear his hand slide up the neck and come to rest at the end of a song .
It ’ s enough to make one think that maybe Capps had some help from a secret weapon .
His wife , Trina Shoemaker , is a Grammy-winning recording engineer and producer .
Capps said that wasn ’ t the case .
“ No , she ’ s busy , ” he said , laughing .
“ That ’ s my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this morning and said , ‘ What did you do ?
’ ” he said .
“ I said , ‘ I put my iPhone on the table and hit ‘ record.
’ ” He marveled at the simplicity of it .
“ Man , iPhone is better than what Alan Lomax had , ” he said , referring to the folklorist whose field recordings of folk , blues and jazz in the late 1930s and early 1940s had a huge impact on American culture .
Capps gives credit to Shoemaker for helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Within 10 minutes I had two subscribers .
I was like , ‘ Oh , s -- - , now I ’ ve got to do something , ’ ” he said .
Even so , he said , figuring out how to upload a simple audio clip tested his abilities .
“ Yesterday I was cussing up a storm , ” he said on Monday .
He said Shoemaker will be in the mix , so to speak , as he explores new platforms .
“ I ’ ve got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ For me , it ’ s daunting .
Trina ’ s going to help me out .
She ’ s used to computer-world.
” Capps said he hadn ’ t been especially quick to embrace online outlets for his music .
He had not , for example , turned to Kickstarter to fund projects .
“ I never have wanted to go that route , or asking for money , but now I ’ m forced to , ” he said .
In a way , he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catch up .
He figures a lot of other performers will be doing the same .
He ’ s focusing on the sense of opportunity and says the Patreon project won ’ t be the end of it , as he tries new ways to reach out .
“ I ’ ve already got people in Italy , Canada , Holland who I ’ ll be able to interact with more than ever.
” What makes it all the more surreal is that just a couple of weeks ago in late February he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cayamo Cruise , a trip that packs a cruise ship with singer-songwriters and their fans .
If that trip had been scheduled for late March , it probably wouldn ’ t be happening .
But at the time there was no concern about coronavirus whatsoever .
“ There was nothing in Miami or the Caribbean at the time , ” he said .
He spent the week performing in rotation with artists such as Jeff Tweedy of Wilco , Mavis Staples , Shawn Mullins , Aaron Lee Tasjan and Allison Moorer .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came down with the flu and Capps got that himself .
But that was nothing like coronavirus , he said .
“ It ’ s a vicious little Dammit Doll of a virus , ” he said of the outbreak causing global concern .
Despite the flu , Capps came off the boat feeling that he could spend a long time just “ connecting the dots ” of his new connections , scheduling shows in new towns , making new fans along the way .
And maybe he can , but now it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or fall before any of that can happen .
With 25 or so subscribers as of early Monday , his Patreon page promises enough income per month to make up for one or two lost gigs .
But less than 48 hours in , that looked like a promising start , and hopefully a sign of things to come .
“ This is how I ’ m going to make a living until the smoke clears , ” he said .
“ A lot of people are in the same boat .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-20--Alaska governor urges supplemental dividend in aid proposal

JUNEAU , Alaska - Alaska Gov .
Mike Dunleavy called on lawmakers Friday to approve checks of about $ 1,300 for residents to help offset economic impacts of the coronavirus .
He called it the quickest way to get money into the hands of Alaskans , many of whom have been affected by the temporary closure of bars , restaurants , gyms , theatres and other venues in a bid to slow the virus ’ spread .
The amount he is calling for is equal to what he argues Alaskans are owed as part of their 2019 Permanent Fund dividend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dividend using a formula last used in 2015 amid a persistent state deficit .
Lawmakers last year approved a $ 1,606 check .
Under the formula , the Department of Revenue has said the check would have been $ 2,910 .
Dunleavy mistakenly said the amount was $ 1,306 ; his spokesman , Jeff Turner , confirmed the amount sought is $ 1,304 .
The Republican governor ’ s proposal also includes plans to create a $ 1 billion disaster relief fund and direct the Alaska Housing Finance Corp. to suspend foreclosures and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His budget office , in documents , said the $ 1 billion would come from earnings of the state ’ s oil-wealth fund , the Alaska Permanent Fund .
While the exact use of the funds isn ’ t certain , they would help match federal funds or otherwise respond to the situation as it progresses , the document states .
Turner said the sources for the $ 1 billion were being determined .
The proposed supplemental dividend would take $ 815 million from permanent fund earnings .
This comes with lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coming days , which includes budgets .
The state , which relies on oil revenue and permanent fund earnings to help pay for government , has struggled with a persistent deficit .
For years , lawmakers , at odds over how best to resolve the deficit , have drawn down savings accounts to cover expenses .
Members of the House and Senate majorities all session have been loathe to violate a preset draw on permanent fund earnings , which for the fiscal year starting July 1 is $ 3.1 billion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ another option , requires support from three-fourths of each the House and Senate .
Some House minority members withheld support for using the fund on a supplemental spending bill , seeing their votes as negotiating tools in pushing for a spending cap or larger dividend .
Senate President Cathy Giessel told reporters earlier Friday that proposals at the federal level could include payments to individuals .
“ We don ’ t want to duplicate what the federal government is doing .
We want to work hand-in-hand with them , “ she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the budget proposal his committee is working on would include aid to local governments through the school bond debt reimbursement and community assistance programs .
Stedman said lawmakers needed to review Dunleavy ’ s economic proposal .
He said he wants to avoid a political reaction to the situation .
The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people , but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems .
Here are other developments involving the coronavirus : Dunleavy announced late Friday night that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain closed until May 1 .
State health officials say they strongly advise Alaskans cease non-essential travel out of state and that tourist or non-essential business travel to Alaska be suspended for now in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The advisory also recommends Alaskans cease non-essential long-distance travel within the state .
Anchorage ’ s emergency management office asked medical providers to donate swabs , citing a shortage of testing swabs and lack of a definitive shipping date to receive more .
A group seeking to recall Dunleavy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls a sign-at-home option .
The campaign said registered voters could request to have a personal petition booklet mailed to them .
Campaign manager Claire Pywell said the Recall Dunleavy campaign worked with the Division of Elections to ensure the plan was allowable .
An email seeking comment was sent to a Department of Law spokeswoman .
The number of new unemployment claims jumped from 687 between March 8 and 14 to more than 4,000 between Sunday and Thursday , said Lennon Weller with the state labour department .
The unemployment insurance trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weller said .
While its hard to predict what payments will be , the fund can handle “ quite an increase for several months , ” Weller said .
The City and Borough of Juneau announced it has started a voluntary screening program for people arriving at Juneau International Airport .
Under the program , passengers who land at the airport can decide if they want a temperature check .
Those registering a temperature of 100.4 will get advice on such things as contacting a medical provider and isolating themselves , the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention advises individuals to call a medical provider if they think they ’ ve been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing .
Officials at Denali National Park and Preserve on Friday suspended issuing climbing permits for the tallest mountain in North America .
No permits have been issued to climb Denali or Mount Foraker this year .
The climbing season in the national park about 180 miles ( 290 kilometres ) north of Anchorage usually begins in late April and ends in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who have started the registration process .
The park service said high alpine mountaineering usually involves flights in small planes and shared equipment , tents and camp facilities .
“ In light of these and other factors , such as the difficulty maintaining recommended hygiene protocols in a mountain environment , park officials have determined it is not feasible to adequately protect the health of mountaineering rangers , other emergency responders , pilots , and the climbing public at this time , ” Denali officials said in a statement .


thetorontostar--2020-03-20--Fraud and sex abuse probes in UN peace operations increase

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The U.N. ’ s internal oversight body says in a report on U.N. peace operations that the number of fraud cases it decided to investigate last year increased nearly 80 % from 2018 , while the number of sexual exploitation and abuse cases rose 40 % .
The 2019 report by the Office of Internal Oversight Services , which was circulated Friday , said the highest number of cases it investigated were in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic , followed by the peacekeeping operations in Mali , Congo , Western Sahara and South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 77 related to fraud , a 79 % increase from the previous year , and 73 cases related to sexual exploitation and abuse , a 40 % rise .
In audits of peace operations , the investigative body criticized the South Sudan mission for its management of office space and accommodation units .
It said that “ weaknesses in the invoicing and collection of rental fees from third parties had led to $ 1.8 million in rental charges not being collected for more than 14 months.
” It added that as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not recovered $ 379,742 for accommodations provided to uniformed personnel and U.N. volunteers at the United Nations House , a peacekeeping base in the capital of Juba .
In the audit of aviation in the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon , the report said 80 % of the passenger flights sampled transported senior management and military staff “ without clear justification.
” In many instances , it said , the air mission requests had been submitted late and alternative transport arrangements weren ’ t considered , “ which could have resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time.
” It said 45 special flights cost $ 64,000 more than ground transportation .
In the peacekeeping mission in Mali , the body called for improvements in inventory management in its centralized warehousing , saying 249 items valued at $ 3.4 million could not be located in a 2018-2019 inventory .
The report said of the 241 investigations , 44 cases involved the peacekeeping mission for Central African Republic , 36 were in Mali , 35 in Congo , 33 in Western Sahara and 30 in South Sudan , Sixteen related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the other 55 involved 18 other peace operations .
In Central African Republic , the report said , investigations included excessive use of force by peacekeepers and by an international police officer , sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers and an officer , and “ disrespectful handling of the remains of deceased persons by peacekeepers.
” The report said that while looking into an allegation that a member of a military contingent in Central African Republic sexually exploited and abused a 14-year-old girl , investigators identified 10 peacekeepers who had sexually exploited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including minors , in exchange for money and food .
It said the findings were transmitted to the peacekeepers ’ home country , which was not identified .
In the Mali mission , the report said , investigations including sexual exploitation and fuel fraud by staff members , serious misconduct by a battalion commander and fuel theft by peacekeepers .
For Congo , investigations included recruitment irregularities , fraud by a staff member , sexual exploitation and abuse , fraud by peacekeepers and bribery by a military staff officer .
In Western Sahara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff member and a military observer and medical insurance fraud by a staff member .
In South Sudan , investigations included sexual exploitation , assaults by a staff member against local people , forgery and misrepresentation by a staff member and pornographic materials accessed on an official computer by a peacekeeper .
In addition , investigators corroborated an allegation that a member of a military contingent sexually harassed a female colleague .
The investigative body said it also corroborated an allegation that a local staff member in South Sudan exploited a local woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either forced or manipulated into having unwanted abortions.
” It added that the staff member “ fraudulently paid for treatment relating to one of the abortions using his wife ’ s medical insurance policy.
” In Liberia , where the U.N. peacekeeping mission ended in March 2018 , the body said it investigated a report that a former peacekeeper had sexually exploited a local woman , resulting in the birth of a child , and that other local women had been exploited by members of the same national military contingent .
It said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an officer from the nation that provided the peacekeepers , identified 57 victims of sexual exploitation .
It said 66 peacekeepers were implicated , of whom 38 were identified .
“ Disciplinary action has been taken against the eight peacekeepers initially implicated and the organization is awaiting further information from the troop-contributing country on action taken against the remaining implicated peacekeepers , ” the report said .


thetorontostar--2020-03-20--Haitians rush for supplies after first COVID-19 cases found

PORT-AU-PRINCE , Haiti - Haitians rushed to buy food , gas , soap and face masks Friday after the announcement of two imported cases of the coronavirus sparked worries that the Western Hemisphere ’ s poorest nation could be overwhelmed by the illness .
President Jovenel Moise said Thursday that two patients had been quarantined after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus .
One was a 31-year-old Haitian who had just returned from Paris and the other was a Belgian volunteering in a Port-au-Prince orphanage .
Moise said the country was closing all airports , schools , factories and seaports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases of the virus , but health workers said it could prevent the arrival of important medical supplies and volunteer doctors and nurses if the virus starts to spread inside the densely population nation of roughly 11 million people .
According to the United Nations , some 35 % of Haitians lack basic drinking water services and two-thirds have limited or no sanitation services , making it extremely difficult for people to regularly wash their hands as recommended to deter the spread of the coronavirus .
The country just completed its first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease that was imported by U.N. peacekeepers and killed nearly 10,000 people over the last decade .
“ We don ’ t have any basic service .
Coronavirus will kill like cholera did , “ said Marjorie Jean-Baptiste , a beauty-salon worker .
” The country doesn ’ t have any resource to fight back epidemic.
’ ’ Gas stations had largely run out of fuel by late Friday afternoon .
Haitians , some wearing face masks , crowded supermarkets and street markets buying food , water and cooking gas on the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. curfew .
Face masks of varying types were being sold by street vendors for about $ 1 a mask .
“ The situation is really difficult , ” said a shopper , Herold Caidor .
“ A lot more people could die than in China or Italy because of a lack of sanitary conditions.
’ ’ Elizabeth Campa , a spokeswoman for Partners in Health , a Massachusetts-based non-governmental group that runs medical facilities in Haiti in co-operation with the Haitian government , said her organization was adequately equipped for the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ventilators and personal protective equipment if the virus should begin spreading in Haiti .
“ We are very concerned at shortages of supplies in the future , ’ ’ she said .
The current number of ventilators in Haiti is sufficient , she said , but her group ” is keenly aware that dependent on the number of cases in the future , this can change rapidly.
“ Associated Press writer Michael Weissenstein in Havana contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-03-20--Mexico’s president in no hurry to confront virus outbreak

MEXICO CITY - Many countries in Latin America have taken aggressive measures to deal with the coronavirus such as closing their borders , dock and airports to foreigners , declaring states of emergencies and ordering business shutdowns .
Mexico , by contrast , has so far taken a “ business as usual ” attitude .
People still crowd street markets picking through piles of fruit and vegetables .
Cars and trucks continue to fill the streets and commuters throng subway trains , though the volume of traffic is noticeably lower .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his government have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately hurt poor people and also be a psychological weight on all Mexicans .
They say there is no reason to impose major restrictions before health officials deem them necessary — a moment they are expecting in late March , based on the virus ’ pattern elsewhere and the Feb. 27 date of Mexico ’ s first confirmed case .
The approach is worrying many experts .
But it is the president ’ s personal attitude that has Mexicans puzzled .
He continues to attend mass public rallies , shaking hands and kissing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico , López Obrador removed two religious amulets from his wallet and proudly showed them off .
“ The protective shield is the ‘ Get thee behind me , Satan , ’ ” López Obrador said , reading off the inscription on the amulet , “ Stop , enemy , for the Heart of Jesus is with me.
” López Obrador , often described as a leftist , is in fact a nationalist with deep religious feelings .
“ I think President López Obrador is trying to project confidence and minimize the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political commentator and professor at the Tecnológico de Monterrey University .
But , Silva-Herzog added , “ I think that what he has wound up doing is minimizing the risks associated with the emergency , and sending messages that contradict what is being said almost everywhere else.
” Mexico reported its first death from the virus Wednesday and announced a second Friday .
As of late Friday , the country had 203 confirmed cases of coronavirus , up from just over 40 a week ago .
Still , Hugo López-Gatell , deputy secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s public face of López Obrador ’ s coronavirus response team , said the country remains in what it calls phase 1 of the epidemic , with all cases related to importation from other countries and no community transmission .
Federal officials have suspended classes for about a month beginning after Friday ’ s school sessions and are encouraging things like social distancing , working from home and following hygienic measures recommended by international and domestic health experts .
Some large events have been called off , yet others such as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands in Mexico City were allowed to proceed .
Federal officials recommend that “ non-essential ” gatherings should not be larger than 5,000 people , while local authorities in the capital have said events topping 1,000 people should be cancelled .
Mexico has only 5,000 emergency beds , and about 1,500 intensive care or sealed rooms , for a population of over 125 million , but officials still exude a sense of calm at their daily briefings on the virus .
And some observers say they are chilled by remarks like López Obrador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shown a lack of respect by the president , ” said Carlos Padilla , a Mexico City business administrator .
“ I think he should be doing a better job of protecting the public , in every sense.
” Once community transmission begins — and Mexican officials make no secret that they know it is coming , sooner rather than later — the country is likely to see more aggressive measures .
“ We are prepared .
We have enough budget .
All the resources we need , ” López Obrador said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning to be nervous about the lack of response now , including among the president ’ s political opposition .
The conservative National Action Party sent a letter to the Pan American Health Organization on Thursday expressing its “ deep concern about the government ’ s actions in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“ Former diplomat Enrique Berruga Filloy said in a column for the newspaper El Universal on Thursday that Mexico ’ s geographic advantages gave it more leeway to plan for the virus and take timely actions , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The tsunami is coming and we , instead of seeking safety , are playing on the beach , “ Berruga Filloy wrote .
Like in other countries , Mexico ’ s stock market has been hit hard by coronavirus concerns .
The peso has slid precipitously , trading over 24 to the dollar at times this week for the first time in history .
Alfredo Coutiño of Moody ’ s Analytics said Mexico ’ s markets “ are now realizing that the country is facing a higher risk of contamination by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak .
Despite assurances from officials , Mexico and its health system are showing “ real vulnerability , ” Coutiño said .
He said investors particularly don ’ t like the lack of government measures to protect the economy and the people .
“ Fiscal and monetary policies are running far behind the curve , ” he said .
National Action senators proposed a package of measures this week that would include measures such as lowering interest rates , stimulating home construction and infrastructure , reactivating private investment in the energy sector and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But López Obrador is known for a visceral dislike of spending and deficits .
López-Gatell displayed the administration ’ s attitude Thursday when he said everything is going according to plan .
“ All of the scenarios that we foresaw for what was going to happen , are happening , ” he said .
“ This will allow us to keep to a well-planned , well-calculated technical plan of action.
“ López Obrador , who enjoys approval ratings that would be the envy of many a world leader , said Thursday that military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic response .
But he ruled out any curfew or troop deployments , saying he wanted nothing to do with tough measures that could be seen as authoritarian .


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--AP Exclusive: 1st fed inmate tests positive for coronavirus

WASHINGTON - An inmate at a federal jail in New York City has tested positive for coronavirus , marking the first confirmed case in the federal prison system .
The inmate , who is housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn , complained of chest pains on Thursday , a few days after he arrived at the facility , the federal Bureau of Prisons told The Associated Press .
He was taken to a local hospital and was tested for COVID-19 , officials said .
The inmate was discharged from the hospital on Friday and returned to the jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation , the agency said .
The Bureau of Prisons learned Saturday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 .
The inmate remained isolated away from other prisoners on Saturday , but medial and psychiatric staff were visiting him routinely , officials said .
The confirmation of the first coronavirus case in the BOP system comes as jails and prisons across the country are taking precautions to slow the spread of coronavirus .
Health officials have been warning for more than a decade about the dangers of outbreaks in jails and prisons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inmates share small cells with total strangers , use toilets just a few feet from their beds , and are herded into day rooms where they spend hours at a time together .
There have been two positive cases among BOP staff members : an employee who works at an administrative office in Grand Prairie , Texas , and another employee who works in Leavenworth , Kansas , but who officials said did not have contact with inmates since becoming symptomatic .
The Bureau of Prisons has temporarily halted visitation at all 122 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including both social and legal visitation , though officials have said some exceptions could be made for legal visits .
Officials said staffers at the Metropolitan Detention Center would continue to monitor the inmate and they were working to trace who he had contact with , as well as sanitizing “ affected areas.
” Other inmates who were housed with the man are also being quarantined , along with staff members who may have had contact with him .
Every staff member and contractor entering the Metropolitan Detention Center is subject to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature taken with an infrared thermometer and are asked a series of questions to screen for coronavirus risk factors , a Bureau of Prisons official wrote in a letter to the chief judge in the Southern District of New York earlier this week .
The agency said inmates at the lockup are free to walk about their housing units and use common areas but may also choose to “ remain in their cells to self-seclude.
” But officials said they were not going to isolate inmates who may be considered to be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of them to isolate them on one or two units , according to the letter .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and even death .
The vast majority of people recover from the virus .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to six weeks to recover .
Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak and Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--Anchorage mayor issues emergency order to ‘hunker down’

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - The mayor of Anchorage has announced his third emergency order in response to the coronavirus pandemic as two more cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in the state and the city ’ s supply of swabs needed to test for the disease run low .
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz issued the “ hunker down ” order Friday , telling residents to stay at home as much as possible , KTVA-TV reported .
The order is effective Sunday at 10 p.m. until March 31 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions , it can cause more severe illness .
The vast majority of those who are infected recover .
“ I ’ m asking people to do the right thing , ” Berkowitz said during a conference Friday alongside representatives from Providence Health and Services Alaska , Alaska Regional Hospital and Alaska Native Medical Center .
The announcement comes after Berkowitz first prohibited dine-in operations , movie theatres and gyms and then ordered medical workers and private businesses to conserve all stocks of personal protective gear for front line health care workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Anchorage Fire Department also announced the testing swab shortage in a statement Friday .
“ Based on the current demand of 250-280 tests a day , Anchorage will run out of tests by Sunday , ” the department said , adding that they have asked medical providers to donate swabs to the drive-thru testing site on Lake Otis Parkway .
In a news conference , Alaska Gov .
Mike Dunleavy confirmed two more cases of the coronavirus , bringing the known state total up to 14 .
One was confirmed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the other is under investigation in Fairbanks .
In response to the new cases , the state Department of Health and Social Services has ordered a statewide closure of public and private schools through May 1 .
In addition , gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited in Fairbanks and Ketchikan areas and businesses where people have to be within six feet ( 1.8 metres ) of each other are prohibited from operating .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-21--As virus spreads, growing need for hospital beds, supplies

MINNEAPOLIS - The coronavirus pandemic took an increasingly bleak toll Saturday in the U.S. and Europe , producing staggering caseloads in New York and Italy and setting off a desperate scramble to set up thousands of additional hospital beds as the disease notched another grim advance .
Italy , at the heart of Europe ’ s rampaging outbreak , announced nearly 800 new deaths and 6,600 new cases — its biggest day-to-day increase yet .
In New York , state officials sought out desperately needed medical supplies and hospital beds as confirmed coronavirus cases soared above 10,000 statewide , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done is being done , ” New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said , adding , “ We are literally scouring the globe looking for medical supplies.
” Across the world , streets , squares and highways in major cities were deserted as curfews and lockdowns multiplied to try to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
In the U.S. , New Jersey and St. Louis were added to a growing list of areas where residents were ordered to stay home .
Health care workers from Oklahoma City to Minneapolis sought donations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital began creating homemade face masks for workers .
Even rural hospitals were strained as people increasingly felt the pandemic closing in .
In the farming community of Vidalia , Georgia , Dr. Robert Wagner said medical staffers at his emergency room are wearing face masks for their entire 12-hour shifts and changing in and out of full protective gear every time they see people considered a potential coronavirus case — all while dealing with a regular flow of patients injured in car crashes and suffering chest pains or other maladies .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and worried that the 50-bed Meadows Regional Medical Center will quickly be overwhelmed .
“ There ’ s definitely this underlying fear in the community .
You can see it , “ he said .
In Washington , negotiators from Congress and the White House resumed top-level talks on a ballooning $ 1 trillion-plus economic rescue package , urged by President Donald Trump to strike a deal to steady a nation thoroughly upended by the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump continued to strike a confident tone about the nation ’ s ability to defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders nationwide acknowledged that the U.S. is nowhere near the peak for the outbreak .
“ We are going to be celebrating a great victory in the not too distant future , “ he said .
The contagion is starting to be felt in U.S. cities far from major metropolitan areas , including places that have resisted drastic shutdown measures .
About 150 countries now have confirmed cases , and deaths have been reported in more than 30 American states .
There are now more than 300,000 confirmed cases worldwide , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New hot spots are surfacing by the day .
Among the new concerns : an outbreak at a nursing home in Ohio , an outbreak in New Orleans that alarmed state leaders and two new deaths in Kansas , where a top health official said the supply of testing kits won ’ t last through the weekend .
Debbie Velarde is self-isolated at her home in the Denver suburb of Lakewood , Colorado , after learning this week that a woman she trained during a work trip in Phoenix in early March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a respirator .
Velarde then came down with a fever and cough and lost her job , and is still waiting to hear back if she tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ I couldn ’ t go back to work even if I was well because the mall where my shop is has since closed , ” said Velarde .
“ We were told to apply for unemployment.
” In Nebraska , 81 counties are without intensive-care beds , and 28 of the most rural counties have no hospital at all .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were teaming up to convert part of a former prison into a centre to care for coronavirus patients .
The shortage of medical equipment and protective gear was a concern in major cities too .
Supplies including protective gear , respirators and hand sanitizer were dwindling .
New Hampshire ’ s largest hospital , Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical centre , encouraged volunteers to sew face masks for patients , visitors and staff so medical-grade protective equipment could be conserved for health care workers .
Integris Health , in Oklahoma , was asking the public to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gloves and other supplies .
When people realize that the virus is in their community , “ the anxiety kicks in , and they are rushing to the emergency room , ” Integris spokeswoman Brooke Cayot said .
“ It ’ s the emergency rooms that are feeling overrun at the moment ( by ) people who are frightened and understandably so.
” John Hopkins reports there have been about 13,000 deaths globally .
The United States has seen more than 280 deaths so far .
Italy , which has Europe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4,825 dead .
For most people , the new virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority recover .
But the virus is spreading at a rapid rate , jolting the global economy and starting to max out the health care system in several cities .
In Italy , local authorities in the hard-hit northern regions have been pleading with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte told the nation he was tightening a lockdown and shutting down all production facilities except those providing essential goods and services .
He cautioned citizens to be calm and patient , saying there ’ is no alternative .
“ Our sacrifice in staying home is minimum compared to that of other citizens trying to keep the nation well and functioning , ” he said in a Facebook address .
Russia ’ s Defence Ministry said it was ready to fly mobile medical teams and disinfection equipment to Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tons of supplies from China to the Czech Republic as part of a NATO program .
Spain now has the third-highest number of infections worldwide , followed by the U.S. Spanish health authorities have acknowledged that some intensive care units in the hardest-hit areas are close to their limit .
The army was building a field hospital with 5,500 beds in a convention centre in Madrid , where hotels are also being turned into wards for virus patients without serious breathing problems .
Dr. Olga Mediano , who treated victims of a 2004 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 200 people and wounded many more , said nothing prepared her for the national health tragedy Spain is now enduring .
“ This can not be withstood much longer , ” Mediano said from Guadalajara .
“ We are doubling up on our shifts .
We have strategies to hang in there this week , but beyond that we need the situation to improve because we professionals are bearing a lot of pressure , including emotional.
” In Germany ’ s southern state of Bavaria , town squares were empty .
Pigeons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bustling Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square , and the British government told up to 1.5 million sick and vulnerable people to stay home for at least 12 weeks .
Britain still lags behind other countries in the spread of the virus , but its overstretched health system is creaking .
Britain has already asked 65,000 retired nurses and doctors to return to work .
Workers near Moscow are rushing to build a clinic to treat hundreds of coronavirus patients as Russia prepares for a wave of infections .
Placards in the style of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the site , with one showing a mayor pointing at the viewer and the slogan “ Builders — Minutes count !
” The Palestinian Health Ministry announced the first two cases of the coronavirus in the Gaza Strip , adding fears of a potential outbreak in the crowded enclave with an overstretched health system following years of an Israeli-Egyptian blockade and Palestinian political division .
Back in the U.S. , restrictions on movement were scheduled to take effect Saturday in Illinois and New Jersey and Sunday in New York , where the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come together in the midst of a historic crisis .
“ Yes , we have a problem .
Yes , we will deal with it .
Yes , we will overcome it .
But let ’ s find our better selves in doing it , and let New York lead the way in finding their better selves and demonstrating their better selves , ” Cuomo said .
D ’ Emilio reported from Rome .
Associated Press writers Anita Snow in Phoenix , Ken Miller in Oklahoma City , Joseph Wilson in Barcelona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bynum in Savannah , Georgia , and other AP reporters around the world contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
___ Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Amy Forliti And Frances D'Emilio - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--Syracuse’s Hughes, top ACC scorer, to enter NBA draft

Hughes , who led the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring , made the announcement Saturday on Instagram .
“ I want to thank my family , close friends , teammates throughout the years , and coaching staff for supporting me throughout my basketball career , “ Hughes wrote .
“ I can not thank the Syracuse community and fans for embracing me and making me feel welcomed and comfortable .
You guys believed in me from the jump and I will be forever thankful for that .
...
I would personally like to thank Coach Boeheim for believing in me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Hughes , who has one year of eligibility remaining , averaged 19 points , five rebounds , and ranked second on the Orange in assists with 109 ( 3.4 per game ) .
Syracuse finished 18-14 in his second year as a starter after transferring from East Carolina .
Reserve guard Brycen Goodine transferred to Providence after the season and walk-on Brendan Paul also announced he was transferring .
Guards Howard Washington and Jalen Carey also are candidates to leave .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-21--Maryland beach mayor: Don’t come to Ocean City now

BALTIMORE - The mayor of Maryland ’ s most popular beach destination wants vacationers to postpone their trips as the state attempts to combat the spread of the new coronavirus .
“ We ’ re not encouraging people to come , ” Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan told WBAL-TV on Saturday .
“ We don ’ t want them to be here and contract anything while they were down here in Ocean City , even if that ’ s possible.
” Gov .
Larry Hogan has reduced the permissible number of people statewide at gatherings from 50 to 10 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were still holding parties and cookouts and large gatherings , in violation of state law .
Meehan said Ocean City will be enforcing all of Hogan ’ s initiatives : “ We ’ re hoping people will wait for those good times to come back before they travel to the beach.
“ Maryland health officials reported 190 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Saturday , about 40 more than was reported on Friday .
More than half of the statewide total are in Montgomery and Prince George ’ s counties .
Two people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the positive cases .
For most people , the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
Maryland National Guard members are now in Baltimore providing assistance to the city during the outbreak .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-21--NY airports, hospitals under pressure as virus cases mount

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said the state is scouring the globe for medical supplies and scouting temporary hospital locations in and around New York City .
Flights were briefly suspended to New York City-area airports because of staffing issues after an air-traffic control worker tested positive for coronavirus .
The number of confirmed cases statewide soared above 11,000 .
More on the latest coronavirus developments Saturday in New York : New York was scouring the globe for desperately needed medical supplies and scouting temporary hospital locations in New York City and its suburbs as confirmed coronavirus cases soared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The goal is to quickly boost the state ’ s hospital capacity from around 50,000 beds to 75,000 beds , Cuomo said at a news briefing .
The state has already hospitalized 1,600 people .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared a major disaster in the state , freeing up access to billions of dollars in relief funding .
The governor said the state is looking to see if Manhattan ’ s spacious Jacob K. Javits Convention Center , normally home to the auto show and other big events , could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds that would be supplied by FEMA in a “ tent configuration ” with equipment and staff .
On a parallel track , the state is scouting four locations for temporary hospitals that would be built by the Army Corps of Engineers .
The possible sites include the Javits Center in the city , Stony Brook University and SUNY College at Old Westbury on Long Island , and the Westchester County Center north of the city .
Sites will be reviewed Saturday , he said .
“ Everything that can be done is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York state had more than 11,000 confirmed cases and 56 deaths , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .
Officials have identified 2 million face masks that can be sent to hot spots , Cuomo said , and apparel companies are pivoting to make masks .
One million masks are being sent Saturday to New York City hospitals , and 500,000 to Long Island .
And with hospital gowns in short supply , the state is trying to obtain gown material for apparel makers , he said .
Because of dwindling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and asking staff to reuse masks until they become soiled .
The state is also rounding up critically needed ventilators , purchasing 6,000 to deploy to the most critical areas and investigating whether multiple patients can be served by a single ventilator , Cuomo said .
“ We are literally scouring the globe looking for medical supplies , ” he said .
The state also will immediately conduct trials of an experimental COVID-19 treatment with hydroxychloroquine and Zithromax , Cuomo said .
Hydroxychloroquine , a malaria drug , has been touted by President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak , though many experts caution more testing needs to be done .
Cuomo said the Food and Drug Administration is sending 10,000 doses to the state .
Northwell Health , which operates hospitals in the New York City region , announced Friday that it was conducting clinical trials with remdesivir , an antiviral drug , and sarilumab , a human antibody that could prevent severe pneumonia complications .
Northwell said it is offering the trials to patients already hospitalized in its facilities with moderate and severe COVID-19 conditions , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Federal Aviation Administration briefly suspended flights to New York City-area airports on Saturday after a trainee at a regional air-traffic control hub on Long Island tested positive for the disease .
In an alert posted online , the FAA advised air traffic controllers to “ stop all departures ” to John F. Kennedy , LaGuardia , Newark and other airports in the region because of staffing issues at the Ronkonkoma facility , which the agency says primarily handles high-altitude , cross-country flights .
The halt , which also affected Philadelphia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 minutes .
Controllers were initially warned it could last several hours .
In a statement , the FAA said the Ronkonkoma facility remains open .
The agency said the trainee was last there on Tuesday and that is it working to figure out what other workers he may have interacted with .
Air traffic controllers at Kennedy operated from an alternate location on airport property this week after a technician assigned to the airport ’ s control tower tested positive for COVID-19 .
The FAA said that the technician hadn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that controllers returned to the tower after precautionary cleaning .
Toll collectors on the New York State Thruway will stop collecting cash Sunday night as a safety measure .
Thruway operators say drivers without an E-ZPass tag should enter through a cash lane without taking a ticket when they enter the highway .
When they exit the highway , drivers will need to tell a toll collector which exit they entered and provide license plate information .
A bill will be sent to the owner of the vehicle in about a month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ E-ZPass .
Hill reported from Albany .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Michael Hill And Michael R. Sisak - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--Florida governor: New mobile testing sites coming soon

ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. - More than 720 people in Florida have tested positive for the novel coronavirus , Gov .
Ron DeSantis said Saturday as he resisted an official ’ s call to issue a statewide “ stay-at-home ” order .
The bulk of the coronavirus cases have been in Miami-Dade and Broward counties .
There have been more than 11 deaths statewide , he said , including a third death at a Broward County nursing home .
More mobile testing sites are coming online and hundreds more are being tested each day , DeSantis said during a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The goal would be able to cast as broad a net with this as possible , ” the Republican governor said .
“ It really helps inform how we ’ re best able to prevent more damage from the virus.
” DeSantis said new testing sites at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando and the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will open next week .
Also Saturday , Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told residents to brace for a “ stay-at-home order ” in coming days .
“ It will be soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not by Monday , ” Castor told reporters Saturday .
“ Time is of the essence.
” Hillsborough County hasn ’ t seen a heavy caseload of COVID-19 , but Castor said that ’ s only because the community has yet to offer large-scale public testing .
Castor and DeSantis said officials are trying to open a testing site at Raymond James Stadium , the home of the NFL ’ s Tampa Bay Buccaneers , soon .
Castor had praise for DeSantis ’ handling of the situation , but wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ As I have said before , this is is the highest level of unpreparedness from the federal government that I have ever seen in any type of an emergency , ” she told the Tampa Bay Times .
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has called on DeSantis to issue a similar , but statewide , “ stay-at-home ” order .
So far , governors in California , New York , New Jersey , Illinois , Connecticut and Oregon have issued such directives .
In Tampa , a Navy sailor assigned to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for the coronavirus , officials said Saturday .
The sailor returned to the U.S. from overseas travel on March 15 , and went into precautionary quarantine at his home , CENTCOM spokesman Capt .
Bill Urban said in a news release .
CENTCOM is located at Macdill Air Force base in Tampa .
The sailor started developing symptoms on Wednesday , then called ahead to Macdill health officials , Urban said .
He was met outside the base by doctors .
Officials said the sailor ’ s test came back positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minor flu-like symptoms from the coronavirus and recover within a few weeks , but the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear well .
It can cause severe illness , including pneumonia , in some patients , particularly the elderly and those with underlying health problems .
To stem the tide of infections , DeSantis has banned all onsite dining at restaurants statewide and the Seminole Tribe has closed its casinos .
DeSantis on Friday also banned all nonemergency medical and dental procedures .
Restaurants were allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The virus outbreak has dealt a huge blow to tourism , one of the main economic drivers in a state that does not collect income tax from its residents .
Disney World and Universal Studios — theme parks that attract millions of visitors from around the world — have been shuttered since Monday .
And DeSantis and county officials have closed most of the state ’ s popular beaches , especially after throngs of spring breakers were seen crowded together in South Florida and Clearwater on Thursday , touching off a major backlash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gimenez ordered hotels , motels and other lodging businesses to stop accepting reservations .
He made exceptions for medical personnel , journalists , first responders and visitors who were unable to return home because of travel restrictions .
He said all short-term vacation rentals would have to end by March 23 .
He also prohibited boats from tying up to one another to party at sea and in Biscayne Bay , a practice known as “ rafting.
“ He said people could go out on the water with their boats if they practiced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , be huddling with other boats , “ he said .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--6 bodies recovered after water sweeps cars from Indiana road

LAUREL , Ind .
- The body of a 13-year-old boy was recovered Saturday in a southeastern Indiana creek , the last six people presumed to have drowned when two vehicles were swept off a roadway after torrential rainfall deluged the region ’ s hill country , authorities said .
The boy ’ s body was found Saturday morning in Sanes Creek , where the bodies of his sisters , ages 7 and 4 , and the siblings ’ mother , Felina Lewis , 35 , of Laurel , Indiana , were recovered Friday , said Franklin County Coroner Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not expected to be released , he said .
The victims from the other vehicle were identified as Shawn Roberts , 47 , and Burton Spurlock , 48 .
Both men were also Laurel residents .
Baxter said autopsies were pending on all six victims , but they are presumed to have drowned .
A van and a pickup truck carrying the victims were swept off a roadway into Sanes Creek late Thursday or early Friday after a bridge over the creek was partially washed out by floodwaters when the area received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain , officials said .
Indiana Conservation Officer Josh Thomas said the creek , a tributary of the Whitewater River , quickly surged into a torrent in the region , which has many steep ridges and valleys that are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall .
It ’ s unclear whether the vehicles were washed into the creek at the same time or separately , he said .
“ It ’ s terrible .
It ’ s hard to fathom , “ Thomas told The Associated Press .
“ Down here , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A lot of these creeks are very small , but all of a sudden they ’ re big with a lot of water and a lot of water moving really fast .
They go down almost as quickly as they come up.
” He said all of the victims ’ bodies were found along the creek and not in the vehicles .
Laurel is about 55 miles ( 89 kilometres ) southeast of Indianapolis .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-21--Africa lockdowns begin as coronavirus cases above 1,000

ABUJA , Nigeria - Lockdowns have begun in Africa as coronavirus cases rise above 1,000 , while Nigeria on Saturday announced it is closing airports to all incoming international flights for one month in the continent ’ s most populous country .
Rwanda said all unnecessary movements outside the home are banned for two weeks as of midnight except for essential services such as health care and shopping .
The East African nation , which has 17 cases , told all public and private employees to work from home .
Tunisia earlier imposed a lockdown as well .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defy their own travel restrictions to attend another president ’ s inauguration .
Uganda , Eritrea and Angola announced their first cases , meaning 42 of Africa ’ s 54 countries are now affected .
Congo and Ghana reported their first death ; Burkina Faso reported two new ones .
Uganda is closing its borders to all but cargo .
Ethiopia said all arriving passengers will face mandatory quarantine as of Monday .
Republic of Congo and Ghana are closing their borders .
But Somalia is lifting its ban on international flights for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Nigeria ’ s international flight ban came a day after Africa ’ s busiest airport , in Johannesburg , blocked foreigners from disembarking and two major airlines — Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways — announced sweeping cancellations of international flights .
Nigeria ’ s announcement followed its first cases in the capital , Abuja .
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority said “ emergency and essential ” flights are exempt from the ban that starts Monday .
An adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari , Bashir Ahmad , said Nigeria also plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Angola closed air , land and sea borders this week , President Joao Lourenco attended Saturday ’ s inauguration of Namibian President Hage Geingob .
Also there was President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana , which this week suspended international travel by all government employees .
Namibia has three cases .
“ My conscience tells me ...
I did not give a bad example to Angolans , ” Lourenco told state television , saying his earlier decree left room for extraordinary circumstances , the Portuguese news agency Lusa reported .
Zimbabwean President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , his country announced the first case in the capital , Harare .
Africa now has more than 1,100 cases , the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said .
Burkina Faso now has the most virus deaths of any country in sub-Saharan Africa and the most cases in West Africa with 64 .
Several government ministers there have tested positive .
On Friday , President Roch Marc Christian Kabore announced the country ’ s two international airports would close for two weeks with exceptions for military and cargo .
Burkina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most fragile states with a growing humanitarian crisis caused by attacks linked to Islamic extremists .
More than 130 health centres have closed , the government and aid groups say .
According to a government response plan seen by The Associated Press , emergency teams aren ’ t trained for a respiratory disease outbreak and don ’ t have appropriate protective gear .
There ’ s also insufficient screening at borders .
Of Burkina Faso ’ s 44 high-flow entry points , only 23 % have coronavirus screening devices .
Jerry-Jonas Mbasha , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Burkina Faso , said he was “ much worried about what might happen in the next one week , two weeks from now.
” Most people only experience minor flu-like symptoms from the coronavirus and recover within a few weeks , but the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear well .
It can cause severe illness , including pneumonia , in some patients , particularly those with underlying health problems .
More than 275,000 cases have been confirmed globally , including over 11,000 deaths , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University .
At least 88,000 people have recovered .
In Nigeria , which just three weeks ago announced the first coronavirus case in sub-Saharan Africa , authorities said that first patient , a man who had travelled from Italy , was now fit to go home .
In Kenya , health officials disinfected crowded markets in the capital , Nairobi .
“ It ’ s for the sake of us , it ’ s for the sake of the country , ” said Simon Kimani , public health council chairman .
Mednick reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported from Johannesburg .
Francis Kokutse in Accra , Ghana ; Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala , Uganda ; Farai Mutsaka in Harare , Zimbabwe ; Abdi Guled in Mogadishu , Somalia ; and Idi Ali Juma in Nairobi , Kenya contributed .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Bashir Adigun, Sam Mednick And Cara Anna - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--Olympic pushback: US track joins swimming, urges Tokyo delay

DENVER - U.S. Olympic leaders are facing a growing rebellion inside their ranks about holding the Tokyo Games .
A board member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee countered leadership by criticizing the IOC , and the USA Track and Field chief added to the call for a postponement because of the mushrooming coronavirus crisis .
USATF CEO Max Siegel sent a two-page note to his counterpart at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee , Sarah Hirshland , asking the federation to advocate for a delay .
It came late Friday , only a few hours after USA Swimming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , the sports that accounted for 65 of America ’ s 121 medals and 175 of its 554 athletes at the last Summer Games are on record in urging , in Siegel ’ s words , “ the USOPC , as a leader within the Olympic Movement , to use its voice and speak up for the athletes.
” Also focused on leadership was Steve Mesler , a USOPC board member and Olympic champion bobsledder .
In a blog post Friday , Mesler levelled much much more criticism toward the IOC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susanne Lyons , did in earlier statements and interviews .
“ The ( IOC ) ... has not shown the leadership we Olympians desire out of those who are in charge , ” Mesler wrote , while careful to emphasize that these were his thoughts “ as an Olympian and not those of the USOPC , its Board of Directors , or its leaders.
” Other national committees are also calling on the IOC to act .
The federations in Norway and Brazil went public with requests to postpone .
“ Our clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo shall not take place before the COVID-19 situation is under firm control on a global scale , “ Norway ’ s federation wrote in a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach .
It ’ s the U.S. , though , that brings the largest contingent to every Summer Games and wins the most medals — both factors that lead have led NBC to pay billions to televise the games through 2032 .
It would seem to give the USOPC leverage in talks about almost any subject with the IOC , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power .
It spent years , in fact , trying to smooth over tense relations with its international partners .
And since Hirshland took over as CEO in 2018 , the focus has been inward , as the sex-abuse scandals that have consumed American sports have shifted the focus to athlete welfare and safety .
Hirshland and Lyons were insistent that the USOPC won ’ t sacrifice athlete safety in the current crisis .
But they stopped well short of pushing the IOC toward a postponement .
“ The decision about the games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Lyons said in a conference call with reporters Friday .
“ It lies with ( the World Health Organization ) , the Japanese government and the IOC .
Under no circumstance would the USOPC send atheltes into harm ’ s way if didn ’ t think it was safe.
” Leaders of the track and swimming teams don ’ t appear willing to take that risk , either , though whether they ’ ll act on their own — without the sign-off from the USOPC — remains in question .
The leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the backbone of the Olympics — gymnastics — has sent a survey to athletes , asking for their thoughts on what the USA Gymnastics stance should be .
USA Track and Field already had its answer , thanks in part to online conversations led by their athlete representatives .
“ If you go there and spread the virus and you go back home and kill one child , one grandmother , father , or even an athlete , is it worth it ?
The answer to us was no , ” said Wallace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athletes council .


thetorontostar--2020-03-21--How it all came apart for Bernie Sanders

In mid-January , a few weeks before the Iowa caucuses , Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ pollster offered a stark prognosis for the campaign : Sanders was on track to finish strong in the first three nominating states , but Joe Biden ’ s powerful support from older African Americans could make him a resilient foe in South Carolina and beyond .
The pollster , Ben Tulchin , in a meeting with campaign aides , recommended a new offensive to influence older black voters , according to three people briefed on his presentation .
The data showed two clear vulnerabilities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Social Security , and his authorship of a punitive criminal justice law in the 1990s .
But the suggestion met with resistance .
Some senior advisers argued that it wasn ’ t worth diverting resources from Iowa and New Hampshire , people familiar with the campaign ’ s deliberations said .
Others pressed Tulchin on what kind of message , exactly , would make voters rethink their support for the most loyal ally of the first black president .
Crucially , both Sanders and his wife , Jane , consistently expressed reservations about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stick with the left-wing policy message they have been pressing for 40 years .
The warnings about Biden proved prescient : Two months later , Sanders is now all but vanquished in the Democratic presidential race , after Biden resurrected his campaign in South Carolina and built an overwhelming coalition of black voters and white moderates on Super Tuesday .
While Sanders has not ended his bid , he has fallen far behind Biden in the delegate count and has taken to trumpeting his success in the battle of ideas rather than arguing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nomination .
His efforts to regain traction have faltered in recent weeks as the coronavirus pandemic has frozen the campaign , and perhaps heightened the appeal of Biden ’ s safe-and-steady image .
In the view of some Sanders advisers , the candidate ’ s abrupt decline was a result of unforeseeable and highly unlikely events — most of all , the sudden withdrawal of two major candidates , Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg , who instantly threw their support to Biden and helped spur a rapid coalescing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been “ on the brink of winning , ” Tulchin argued , “ until the most unprecedented event in the history of presidential primaries occurred.
” But interviews with more than three dozen Sanders aides , elected officials , activists and other people who worked with his campaign revealed a more extensive picture of his reversal of political fortune .
Though Sanders climbed to a position of seeming dominance by mid-February , he and his inner circle also made a series of fateful decisions that left him ill positioned to win over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opponent with Biden ’ s strengths .
Sanders proved unable to expand his base well beyond the left or to win over African Americans in meaningful numbers .
He failed to heed warnings from traditional party leaders , and even from within his campaign , about the need to modulate his message and unify Democrats .
He allowed internal arguments to fester within his campaign , an ungainly operation that fragmented into factions beneath the only two real decision-makers — Sanders and his wife .
Though outwardly amiable , Sanders ’ inner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relative newcomers , like Faiz Shakir , his campaign manager .
Shakir and others regarded pleas from Tulchin and another pugilistic aide , David Sirota , to go on the attack against Biden as both futile and annoyingly predictable , while Shakir ’ s internal critics saw him as exceedingly territorial .
There were also serious operational mistakes : In South Carolina , the campaign effectively deputized a former Ohio state senator and loyal surrogate , Nina Turner , to direct strategy , rather than empowering a political strategist to run the pivotal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders often touted his support from some younger African Americans , seemingly missing the bigger picture .
And for all of Tulchin ’ s alarm in January about South Carolina , on the eve of the primary he was reassuring Sanders that a public poll showing him down over 20 percentage points in the state was “ an outlier for good reason.
” In an email sent to Sanders and a group of senior aides , Tulchin reminded the senator that their internal polling had him trailing Biden by only 4 points .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would win South Carolina by nearly 30 points .
Perhaps the most significant factor , as with every presidential campaign , was the candidate himself , and the stubborn ideological and stylistic consistency that both endeared Sanders to his supporters and limited his ability to build a majority coalition larger than his own progressive movement .
Sanders ’ campaign declined to comment for this article .
It was Sanders ’ persistent lashing of the “ political establishment ” that concerned Rep. Peter Welch , a liberal Democrat and fellow Vermonter who was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to endorse Sanders ’ campaign .
Welch said he had reached out to the campaign last month to implore Sanders to ease up on that rhetoric , which Welch believed sounded exclusionary to ordinary people backing other candidates .
After all , Welch said , there were “ a lot of voters who are just everyday voters , who decided to vote for other Democrats.
” It was late January when Zephyr Teachout , a liberal law professor allied with Sanders , wrote a column in The Guardian alleging that Biden had “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sanders aide , who is known for his voluble and combative online persona , quickly blasted out her column to his large email list .
A new phase of conflict between Sanders and Biden seemed to be underway .
But Sanders put a stop to it .
“ It is absolutely not my view that Joe is corrupt in any way , ” Sanders told CBS News .
In private , Sanders ’ campaign went further , according to two people familiar with the internal turmoil .
As punishment for stirring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colorado , was barred from travelling for the campaign outside of visits to its Washington headquarters .
The conflict over Teachout ’ s column was part of a long-running debate within the Sanders campaign about what approach to take with Biden .
A small group of advisers — including Tulchin , Turner and Sirota — regularly pleaded with Sanders to attack the former vice-president .
But Sanders resisted , giving speech after speech scorching unnamed establishment Democrats but declining to pursue Biden directly .
He ruled out several lines of attack against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s role in the Obama administration , which Democratic primary voters revere .
Shakir and a second senior aide , Ari Rabin-Havt , took Sanders ’ side and repeatedly reminded other campaign officials that Sanders was the ultimate decision-maker on the campaign .
In conversations with associates , both men agreed that it might make sense to criticize Biden in a sharper way .
But they said Sanders could not be persuaded to do so : He and Jane liked the Bidens personally , and their word was final .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to deal with Biden .
In January , efforts by Turner and others to direct some campaign resources into Super Tuesday states fizzled against opposition from Shakir and others .
Shakir was adamant that Sanders ’ path to the nomination ran principally through Iowa , New Hampshire and Nevada , and the California primary on Super Tuesday .
There was also a running argument within the campaign about how to handle Sen. Elizabeth Warren , with some advisers viewing her as a serious threat that needed to be quashed and others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important endorser , urging the campaign to seek conciliation .
The dispute erupted publicly in January , when CNN reported that Sanders had told Warren in 2018 that he did not believe a woman could defeat President Donald Trump , an assertion Sanders denied .
Shakir escalated the conflict , daring Warren on TV to call the report a “ lie.
” Jeff Weaver , a top Sanders adviser , took a different approach in his own TV appearance , suggesting there had been a misunderstanding — a step he told associates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Warren stood by the account , and a clash between her and Sanders consumed the Democratic debate in Iowa .
It would linger over both of them for the remainder of the race .
Despite the divisions within his campaign , Sanders cut a winning path through the first few states to vote , culminating with a landslide victory in Nevada on Feb. 22 .
In his speech that night , Sanders sounded a unifying note , focusing on his “ multi-generational , multiracial coalition.
” Encountering a pair of reporters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tulchin — strolling to dinner with Weaver — crowed that Sanders had delivered a speech worthy of the general election .
Weaver was more subdued , noting that the primary fight was not over .
The speech turned out to be a blip between Sanders ’ anti-establishment diatribes .
And there was little aides could do to steer him in a different direction : The chief speech writer on the Sanders campaign was Sanders .
For months , his political advisers and outside allies had quietly mulled a shift in tone — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps to show skeptical Democrats that he could unify the party .
But he has always been disdainful of the art of politics and had to be nudged into wooing even friendly Democratic leaders .
As Warren relentlessly courted Ocasio-Cortez last fall , Ocasio-Cortez ’ s advisers had to prod Sanders ’ aides into having him call her — a conversation that eventually led to her endorsing him .
Pushing Sanders to reach out to “ establishment Democrats ” whom he regularly taunted was even tougher — despite the best efforts of even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left .
Ocasio-Cortez repeatedly urged the campaign to broaden Sanders ’ message and seek out new allies , outside his familiar base .
( In a statement , Ocasio-Cortez denied any “ tension or major disagreements ” with Sanders . )
RoseAnn DeMoro , a former leader of the nurses union who was one of Sanders ’ most ferocious surrogates in 2016 , and actor John Cusack , another ally , both pressed the campaign to refocus Sanders ’ pitch on a general-election audience , people familiar with their entreaties said .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction .
Some advisers , who endured the divisive 2016 campaign , believed that it was only after seizing a dominant advantage that Sanders could attempt to make peace with a Democratic establishment that remained intensely wary of him .
Arriving in Charleston , South Carolina , before the Feb. 29 state primary , Weaver said the campaign had not yet sought a working relationship with figures like the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi because they wanted first to demonstrate the full sweep of their coalition on Super Tuesday three days later .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain the muscle-flexing strategy .
Abraham Lincoln did not issue the Emancipation Proclamation , Weaver said , until after Union troops had routed the Confederacy at the bloody battle of Antietam .
Sanders ’ campaign , like much of the political world , had not anticipated Biden ’ s roaring comeback after South Carolina ’ s Feb. 29 primary .
Indeed , until then , Sanders ’ campaign was expecting to win seven or eight of the 14 states voting on Super Tuesday and seize a solid delegate lead over the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders that he would vanquish Biden that he spent valuable days trying to force two other candidates out of the race by campaigning in Minnesota and Massachusetts , the home states of Klobuchar and Warren .
He won neither .
Sanders had suddenly become a spectator in the campaign , powerless to stop a tectonic shift against him by the party ’ s moderate wing .
Klobuchar called Sanders before announcing her endorsement of Biden , while Sanders and Buttigieg did not speak .
After being routed across the country , Sander s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” “ What the establishment wanted was to make sure that people coalesced around Biden and try to defeat me , ” Sanders said .
“ So that ’ s not surprising .
”

Alexander Burns - The New York Times,Jonathan Martin