thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Ravaged by war, Middle Eastern countries face a new scourge

CAIRO - When Dr. Ismail al-Mansouri goes to work in Yemen ’ s capital , he puts on one of the hospital ’ s few pairs of medical gloves .
Then he enters a cramped clinic teeming with listless patients , many malnourished , some vomiting , others with diarrhea .
Al-Mansouri , a pediatrician , has been struggling for years to battle the rapid spread of otherwise preventable and treatable infections , such as cholera , that have surged in war-ravaged Yemen .
Now as the coronavirus outbreak intensifies in the region , he is faced with a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ward off with a handful of masks .
“ I can not even speak about our preparedness for the coronavirus , ” he said , “ because we have none.
” Long-running wars and conflicts across the Middle East have wrecked potential defences against coronavirus outbreaks , leaving millions vulnerable in Yemen , Libya , Syria , Afghanistan , the Gaza Strip and elsewhere .
Health care systems have been gutted ; war has blasted key infrastructure .
Several of the countries are carved up among rival claimant governments , factions or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide protection programs .
Hundreds of thousands of people driven from their homes by fighting are crowded in close quarters in tent camps or improper housing .
“ We are becoming very worried , ” said John Nkengasong , director of Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , as the virus reached conflict-ridden Iraq , Libya , Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo .
“ The impact will be magnified.
” Most patients who contract the new coronavirus develop only mild symptoms and recover after about two weeks .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread by those with no visible symptoms .
For older adults and people with underlying health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
So far Yemen , Libya , Syria and Gaza have not confirmed any infections .
But doctors in many cases believe the virus has arrived and fear that a lack of disease surveillance systems — shortages of tests , basic supplies and properly trained professionals — is allowing an invisible pandemic to spawn .
“ We don ’ t have the testing capabilities , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs .
But when I do see symptoms and try to report them , no one does anything .
People go home , they go out , walk around , eat in restaurants , ” said Dr. Wejdan Sabri , an orthopedic doctor outside Libya ’ s capital , Tripoli .
“ I can say with certainty that those likely carrying the virus have continued their lives as normal , passing it to family members and others on the street.
” Sabri is one of two volunteer doctors tasked with infectious disease control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has been a battleground for warring militias .
She said she has seen at least seven patients in the last few days with the signature symptoms of coronavirus .
She could only advise them to stay home or visit the central lab in Tripoli , where Libya ’ s few dozen tests can be found .
Many of her patients shun testing , fearing quarantine .
“ They think they ’ ll go to an isolation unit and die.
” Protective gear across Libya is sparse .
A trauma doctor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his night shift share one mask .
The main respiratory diseases facility in the east , near the city of Benghazi , has only eight intensive care beds , 10 ventilators and a quarantine room for two .
“ We are doing our best but of course it is not enough , ” said its director , Dr. Anas Albarghathy .
Last weekend , doctors there found they didn ’ t have the equipment to assemble tests for three patients who had just arrived from Iran , Egypt and Great Britain with fevers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors fear that raging war and a humanitarian crisis will only exacerbate the difficulties of determining chains of infection and containing the virus .
The country , divided between a rebel-held north and government-run south , has already struggled to stop repeated cholera outbreaks that have infected more than 2 million people and killed nearly 4,000 since 2016 .
In Taiz , one of the country ’ s largest cities , Dr. Abdul Rahman al-Azraqi estimated that 80 % of the city ’ s hospitals and clinics had been shattered by the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation in his hospital bluntly : “ There is no training .
There is no quarantine .
We do not have tests for patients we suspect.
” The World Health Organization has identified two facilities in the country of 29 million people for quarantine and diagnosis , which local director Atlaff Musani acknowledged would soon become “ grossly insufficient.
” One , in the rebel-held capital of Sanaa , has the capability to carry out only 200 tests ; the other , in the southern city of Aden , can test roughly 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they know the government is not prepared , ” said Dr. Mohamed Rabid , deputy director of the Aden ’ s health office , lamenting that hospitals across the country are desperate for gloves , goggles , ventilators , medicines and other supplies .
Concerns have compounded as the virus sweeps across poorly patrolled borders .
Iran , which has emerged as the regional epicenter of the outbreak , frequently sends military advisers and Shiite religious pilgrims to Syria .
All 21 confirmed cases in Afghanistan travelled from neighbouring Iran .
Oil workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major centre of contagion .
Thousands of migrants cross Libya ’ s southern frontier , which Elizabeth Hoff , the country ’ s World Health Organization representative , called “ a serious vulnerability that we can ’ t really do anything about.
” In the Gaza Strip , medical infrastructure has been strangled by a 13-year blockade imposed by Israel with Egypt ’ s help , preventing the passage of even critical goods like surgical supplies .
While Israel has closed its border crossing , it continues to allow serious medical cases through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely limited , with enough to process 150 samples .
Israel has delivered an additional 200 tests .
In Syria , where nine years of devastating war have left infrastructure and health facilities in shambles , President Bashar Assad ’ s government has conducted 103 coronavirus tests thus far in the country ’ s sole laboratory , which came back negative .
Social distancing proves a monumental task in unsanitary refugee camps jam-packed with hundreds of thousands of displaced Syrians .
In Afghanistan , which shares a large border with Iran , Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to test suspected cases at the country ’ s only functioning laboratory , with 30,000 more kits arriving soon .
“ We are not in a normal situation , ” Faroz told reporters Monday .
“ We are faced with a national threat.
” In Gaza and Benghazi , authorities scrambled to set up new hospitals to handle a possible influx of patients .
In Tripoli , Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj announced the allocation of some $ 360 million to prevent the spread of the virus .
Dr. Sabri , the Libyan orthopedic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full night ’ s sleep for a while as she stages awareness campaigns and frantically trains inexperienced nurses in basic sanitation .
Officials in Yemen and Libya offered reassurances this week that things were under control .
But not everyone sees it that way .
“ People are terrified , ” said al-Mansouri , the Yemeni pediatrician .
“ May God protect us.
” Associated Press writers Fares Akram in Gaza City , Gaza Strip ; Zeina Karam in Beirut ; and Rahim Faiez in Kabul , Afghanistan contributed to this report @


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Virus death toll spikes in Iran, with total now at 1,135

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran on Wednesday reported its single biggest jump in fatalities from the coronavirus as another 147 people died , raising the country ’ s overall death toll to 1,135 .
The nearly 15 % spike in deaths — amid a total of 17,361 confirmed cases in Iran — marks the biggest 24-hour rise in fatalities since Iranian officials first acknowledged infections of the virus in mid-February .
Even as the number of cases grows , food markets were still packed with shoppers and highways were crowded as families travelled ahead of the Persian New Year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Alireza Raisi urged the public to avoid travel and crowds , telling Iranians the days ahead represented two “ golden weeks ” to try curb the virus .
He criticized people for not adhering to the warnings to stay home .
“ This is not a good situation at all , ” he said .
President Hassan Rouhani defended his government ’ s response to the outbreak in the face of widespread criticism that Iran acted too slowly and might even have covered up initial cases .
He told his Cabinet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying it announced the outbreak as soon as it learned about it Feb. 19 .
“ We spoke to people in an honest way .
We had no delay , ” he added .
For weeks , officials implored clerics to shut down crowded Shiite shrines to halt the spread of the virus .
The government was only able to close them this week .
“ It was difficult , of course , to shut down mosques and holy sites , but we did it .
It was a religious duty to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said it would close mosques for communal Friday prayers for a third consecutive week .
Other Muslim countries , including Saudi Arabia , Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have done so as well .
The virus , which causes the COVID-19 illness , has infected more than 200,000 people globally and killed more than 8,000 .
For most people , it 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast majority recover .
World Health Organization director for the Eastern Mediterranean region , Ahmed Al-Mandhari , said the many travel restrictions imposed by various countries are hurting efforts to combat the virus by delaying both the deployment of health experts and the delivery of urgently needed medical supplies .
Millions across the Middle East were under curfews , quarantines or almost total lockdowns .
In Egypt , the Hilton Green Plaza hotel in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria was quarantined after a British guest showed symptoms .
A hotel employee , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not authorized to talk to the press , declined to say how many people were in the hotel but added the Health Ministry gave foreign guests the option of leaving to return to their home countries before a suspension of all flights goes into effect Thursday .
Egypt , which has reported 210 cases and six deaths from the virus , has also quarantined more than 300 families in a Nile Delta village , and imposed a lockdown in the Red Sea resort town of Hurghada .
All workers at hotels and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Aswan were ordered to self quarantine for 14 days .
In the capital of Cairo , coffee shops and restaurants were closed in the city of over 20 million , with plain-clothes security forces telling people to go home .
“ I am financially ruined .
How can I earn my living now ?
” said Mohammed Gamal , a worker in a coffee shop that was shut down .
In Israel , which reported 427 infections , authorities put the country in near-shutdown mode , ordering tens of thousands into home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and setting up drive-through testing centres .
Most controversially , the government instructed the shadowy Shin Bet internal security service to deploy phone surveillance technology to track movements of those infected .
Israel ’ s Population and Immigration Authority said it was barring entry to all foreign nationals .
It was also closing its land borders to exits by Israeli nationals .
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced a halt to all movement out of Bethlehem and two neighbouring towns with coronavirus cases and urged Bethlehem residents to stay home starting Wednesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in Israeli settlements or enter Israel starting Sunday .
In Iraq , a week-long curfew began in Baghdad , allowing pedestrians on the streets only to buy necessary food and medicine .
Armed police patrolled the city and set up roadblocks .
Some Iraqis flouted the curfew by reopening shops and taking family strolls .
Some grocery stands and bakeries stayed open , but many appeared to be obeying the curfew .
Iraq has had 11 deaths among 154 confirmed cases .
Pharmacist Shadha Jawad , 65 , said her customers showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus .
“ I don ’ t think anyone will stay indoors for seven days , ” she said .
A 12-hour evening curfew was also announced in Libya ’ s east , which is governed by the self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces and commanded by Gen. Khalifa Hifter .
They also closed borders with neighbouring Sudan , Chad , Niger and Algeria .
No virus cases have been reported in Libya , where the health care system has been decimated by conflict .
Pakistan confirmed its first death from coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Saudi Arabia .
The man tested positive Tuesday at a hospital in Peshawar , said government spokesman Ajmal Wazir .
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi , who visited China this week along with President Arif Alvi , said he is protectively quarantining himself .
Pakistan has nearly 300 cases of the virus , with many having returned from Iran .
In Saudi Arabia , those in the public and private sectors were asked to work from home for two weeks .
Only essential staff for supply-chain services , food delivery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and security are not working from home Leaders of the world ’ s 20 biggest economies may hold an extraordinary meeting next week about advancing a co-ordinated response to the pandemic .
Saudi Arabia , which currently leads the G20 presidency , said it is communicating with countries to convene the virtual meeting .
As global stock markets remain volatile , the United Arab Emirates ’ Securities and Commodities Authority said local exchanges would only be able to fluctuate 5 % , rather than 10 % , before trading is suspended .
Batrawy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran , Iran ; Aron Heller and Ilan Ben Zion in Jerusalem , Samya Kullab in Baghdad , Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Samy Magdy , Maggie Michael and Noha El-Hennawy in Cairo 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 .

Nasser Karimi And Aya Batrawy - The Associated Press

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


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--2 cruise ships turned away by other ports head to Honolulu

HONOLULU - Two cruise ships were headed to Honolulu after being turned away by other ports .
There were no positive cases of coronavirus on either vessel , officials said .
The Maasdam , operated by Holland America Line , had its port call cancelled in Hilo , Hawaii , and is set to disembark Friday in Honolulu Harbor , state officials said .
It has 842 guests and 542 crew members .
Norwegian Cruise Line said one of its vessels that was turned away by Fiji and New Zealand is expected to disembark in Honolulu on Sunday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , refuelled in American Samoa but was not allowed to disembark at the Port of Pago Pago .
New measures to seal borders to reduce the spread of the coronavirus have left some cruise ships stranded as local governments deny permission to disembark .
Two vessels were rerouted to Miami after they were turned away from their home port in Puerto Rico , even with no reports of infections .
Authorities in Argentina , Chile and Brazil placed ships on quarantine after reports of positive coronavirus tests .
The Cruise Lines International Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were at sea when President Donald Trump announced a ban last week that restricts travel by many foreigners to the U.S. News that the Maasdam previously planned to arrive in Hilo on Hawaii ’ s Big Island — after dozens of other ships cancelled port calls for fear of spreading coronavirus — sparked worry , with many calling for the ship to be redirected or even for civilian vessels to physically block the Maasdam ’ s entrance to the harbour , the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported .
Officials were still working on a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tim Sakahara , spokesman for the Hawaii Department of Transportation .
The department said officials were working to direct the Maasdam to Honolulu Harbor so passengers will have flight options out of Honolulu ’ s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport .
“ Both ships will have been at sea longer than the 14-day incubation period , ” Sakahara said .
Still , Hawaii Gov .
David Ige said that starting Friday , disembarking cruise ship passengers will undergo thermal scanning and interviews by physicians .
“ We have been told so many times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the day before we couldn ’ t , ” Edmund Pinto , a passenger on the Norwegian Jewel and a former Associated Press editor , said Wednesday .
Ige on Tuesday asked people to postpone island vacations for at least 30 days as the state tries to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Holland America Line ’ s Westerdam cruise ship arrived Monday in Honolulu with no passengers .
The ship departed from the Philippines on March 2 with with 680 crew and 18 contract service staff , who all tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruise line said in a statement .
The ship sailed for more than a month with no port calls , the statement said .
Associated Press journalist Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City and Fili Sagapolutele in Pago Pago , American Samoa , contributed to this report .

Jennifer Sinco Kelleher - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Trump invokes emergency authority; Big 3 automakers closing

MINNEAPOLIS - President Donald Trump on Wednesday invoked emergency authority to marshal industry to fight the coronavirus , as the economic fallout from the crisis mounted with word that nearly the entire U.S. auto industry is shutting down its North American factories to protect workers .
— Stocks tumbled again on Wall Street on fears of a prolonged recession , falling so fast they triggered another automatic trading halt .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed more than 1,300 points , or over 6 per cent , and has now lost nearly all of the big gains it had posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped below $ 21 per barrel for the first time since 2002 .
— More borders slammed shut across Europe and North America , with the U.S. and Canada closing their boundary to all but essential travel and Trump saying he plans to assert extraordinary powers to immediately turn back to Mexico anyone who crosses over the southern border illegally .
— The White House pressed Congress to swiftly pass a potentially $ 1 trillion rescue package to prop up the economy and speed relief checks to Americans in a matter of weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump invoked the Defence Production Act of 1950 to steer industrial output and overcome shortages of face mask s , ventilators and other supplies as hospitals brace for an expected onslaught of cases .
The Korean War-era law gives the president extraordinary authority to compel industries to expand production and turn out vital materials .
It was most recently used after the 2017 Puerto Rico hurricane to speed up contracts for food and other necessities .
“ It ’ s a war , ” Trump said , likening the anti-coronavirus efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and warning of national sacrifices ahead .
The virus has infected more than 200,000 people worldwide and killed over 8,700 .
The United Nations warned that the crisis could lead to the loss of nearly 25 million jobs around the world .
Theodore Peck , who owns a Brooklyn coffee shop and bakery , was in quarantine at home as a precaution when New York City this week ordered all bars and restaurants to close except for takeout .
He had to shut down his business and lay off all his workers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ being ... you know , destroyed , like picked over , ” he said .
He lamented that he didn ’ t even get the chance to say goodbye to 22 of his employees .
Around the globe , officials took increasingly drastic measures to fight the epidemic and the threat of a recession , in some cases using emergency powers .
California ’ s governor warned that martial law could be imposed .
The mayor of New York said the city ’ s 8.6 million residents should be prepared for a lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raid a warehouse and seize hundreds of thousands of face masks .
And Hong Kong widened the use of electronic wristbands that monitor people under self-quarantine .
With a growing number of Americans thrown out of work by the near-shutdown of much of the U.S. economy , Trump also said the Housing and Urban Development Department will suspend foreclosures and evictions from public housing .
The Trump administration ’ s plan for issuing relief checks to Americans calls for the payment of $ 500 billion in two installments over the next two months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided but would be based on income and family size .
Ford , General Motors and Fiat Chrysler , along with Honda and Toyota , said they will shut down all of their factories in the U.S. , Canada and Mexico .
The closing of Detroit ’ s Big Three alone will idle about 150,000 workers , who are likely to receive supplemental pay in addition to unemployment benefits .
At GM ’ s pickup truck assembly plant in Flint , Michigan , workers have been fearful since the virus surfaced in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has two young daughters .
“ That ’ s the thing that I was scared the most about , being the one to bring it home to them , ” he said .
The U.S. reported more than 7,700 coronavirus cases and at least 134 deaths , about half of them in Washington state , where dozens of residents from a suburban Seattle nursing home have died .
Some bright spots emerged : Wuhan , the locked-down Chinese city where the virus was first detected in late December , reported just one new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The situation had improved enough that China even sent medical supplies to hard-hit France , returning a favour done by the French weeks ago .
But in a grim illustration of the epidemic ’ s shifting centre of gravity , the death toll in Italy was close to overtaking China ’ s .
Italy had more than 2,900 dead after a record one-day total of 475 ; China ’ s overall toll was around 3,200 .
Iran has also been hit hard , with more than 17,000 cases and 1,100 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of over 200,000 , Johns Hopkins University said more than 82,000 people have recovered from the virus , which causes only mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough in most cases , with severe illness more likely in the elderly and those with existing health problems .
Scientists have no doubt the true number of people infected is higher than reported because of the possibility that many mild cases have gone unrecognized or unrecorded , and because of the lag in large-scale testing in the U.S. , where the effort has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the first breakdown of its kind in the U.S. , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the nation ’ s coronavirus deaths so far mirror what has been reported in other countries , with about 4 out of 5 fatalities occurring in people 65 and older , and no deaths in children .
The coronavirus is present in all 50 states after West Virginia reported its first infection .
In far-flung Hawaii , the governor encouraged travellers to postpone their island vacations .
Las Vegas casinos were closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy ’ s funeral in 1963 .
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that residents should be prepared for the possibility of a shelter-in-place order within days — a near-lockdown like the one covering almost 7 million people in the San Francisco Bay area .
In the most sweeping measure of its kind in the U.S. , they are allowed to leave their homes only for food , medicine or exercise .
In California , Gov .
Gavin Newsom put the National Guard on alert for humanitarian duties such as food distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rationing to control panic buying .
But he also said “ we have the ability to do martial law ” if necessary .
Meanwhile , miles-long traffic jams spread at border crossings around Europe after leaders closed international boundaries to nonessential traffic .
Tens of thousands of people across the continent struggled to return home amid the closed land crossings and dramatic cuts in airline flights .
The headline has been corrected to say 200,000 virus cases , not deaths .
AP reporters around the world contributed to this report .
The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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

Tim Sullivan And David Rising - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--It’s a new day — and a new war — for America

WASHINGTON— “ You ’ re going to wake up every morning to a different nation.
” That assessment by health policy analyst Laurie Garrett on MSNBC Tuesday night sums up America ’ s rapidly evolving response to the coronavirus .
Something has indeed shifted when Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , one of the most partisan obstructionists to ever occupy high office in the U.S. , tells his fellow Senate Republicans to pass emergency measures sent over by the Democratic House of Representatives as written , with no amendments .
When President Donald Trump announced all evictions and home foreclosures will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailed out to every American to help them manage their losses , the world had turned upside down .
Las Vegas casinos are closed .
Airlines have suspended operations .
Residents of entire cities are “ sheltering in place.
” The Canada-U.S. border is closed to “ non-essential ” travel .
Suddenly , everything is on the table .
Trump , who doesn ’ t need much of an excuse for self-aggrandizement in the best of times , was talking about himself on Wednesday as a “ wartime president.
” That was less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would soon affect just “ one or two people ” in the U.S. , and then disappear “ in a very short time.
” What accounts for the abrupt reversal ?
Perhaps it was a report from the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team that Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House ’ s coronavirus response co-ordinator , referred to at a news conference with Trump on Wednesday .
The report suggests that the United States could be looking at between 500,000 and 4 million deaths — and that keeping the toll to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing for “ 18 months or more , ” unless a vaccine becomes available .
Trump dismissed that timeline when it was put to him by a reporter at the news conference , but that ’ s what the report says .
A year and a half , or more .
Waking up to a new nation every day may be about to become the new normal .
It ’ s difficult to measure success in averting a public health crisis because if you handle it well , the crisis never materializes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly undertaking will always seem like overreactions , so long as they work , ” Ian Bogost wrote in the Atlantic .
“ This is the paradox of the present moment : If we wait until the problem is sufficiently visible to transform overreaction into mere reaction again , we will have been too late.
” When Trump announced the Defense Production Act would be invoked to ramp up production of ventilators and respirators , he referred to the Second World War as he said the country is moving to a “ wartime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our time , ” he added .
“ We must sacrifice together , because we are all in this together , and we will come through together.
” Many Americans may be wary of Trump invoking war , and leery of his instinct to find an enemy to blame for every problem .
But an overreaction is exactly what ’ s needed .
If Trump must cast himself in a Churchillian role to focus the full attention of the U.S. government on the crisis — and now bring along the supporters who he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal — then perhaps that is welcome .
Four million deaths would be almost 10 times as many American lives as were lost in the Second World War .
The same sort of societywide mobilization is in order , and it may justify being sustained for 18 months or more .
The U.S. has already committed more than $ 1 trillion to fight COVID-19 , but it spent the equivalent of $ 4.5 trillion in today ’ s dollars on the war effort .
The U.S. public needs to get that message , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that social distancing is the key to keeping hospitals functioning until a vaccine arrives .
“ Stay Home , Save Lives ” is the slogan of a bipartisan group of concerned American health care professionals who are trying to get that message out .
But it ’ s becoming clear this is likely just the start .
America is waking up to new world , and will continue to for a long time .


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Europe’s central bank launches new program to calm markets

FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank is launching a new , expanded program to buy financial assets in a bid to calm markets roiled by the virus outbreak and counter what is expected to be a recession in the 19 countries that use the euro currency .
The purchases are aimed at keeping borrowing costs down and making sure the bank ’ s low benchmark rates keep getting through to the economy .
The bank said Wednesday that the purchases could total up to 750 billion euros ( $ 820 billion ) by the end of this year and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as commercial paper .
The move comes as market borrowing costs for heavily indebted Italy rose and as the eurozone faces a drastic economic slowdown with many businesses closed .
The purchases can drive down those market interest rates and reduce fears that indebted countries could get into financial trouble .
The interest yield on 10-year Italian government bonds had spiked on Wednesday as stocks plunged and pessimism grew about how deep the downturn from the outbreak might be .
Higher bond yields bring back ugly memories of the eurozone debt crisis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borrowing costs threatened to break up the euro currency union .
That crisis was calmed by a similar ECB promise to purchase bonds of countries suffering from excessive borrowing costs after Mario Draghi , the bank ’ s president at the time , said the institution would “ do whatever it takes ” to preserve the euro .
The new ECB purchase program has a key difference , in that it does not require a country to ask for it or agree to a program of spending restrictions .
It comes on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate on deposits it takes from commercial banks of minus 0.5 % , 20 billion euros per month in existing bond purchases , and up to 2.3 trillion euros in negative interest credit offered to banks , in effect paying them to borrow so long as they keep credit flowing to companies .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign @ @


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Judge asked to force decision on US wolverine protections

BILLINGS , Mont .
- Wildlife advocates on Wednesday asked a U.S. judge to force the government into deciding if the snow-loving wolverine should be federally protected as the rare predator becomes vulnerable to a warming planet .
The request comes in a lawsuit filed in Montana almost four years after U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen ordered wildlife officials to take swift action to protect the animal .
Wolverines , also known as “ mountain devils.
“ need deep snows to den .
Scientists warn such habitat could shrink as the Earth heats up .
Once found throughout the Rocky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada mountains , wolverines were wiped out across most of the U.S. by the 1930s following unregulated trapping and poisoning campaigns .
An estimated 250 to 300 wolverines survive in remote areas of Montana , Wyoming , Idaho , Oregon and Washington state , according to wildlife officials .
Populations also are in Canada and Alaska .
Wednesday ’ s lawsuit was filed by attorneys for the Center for Biological Diversity , Defenders of Wildlife and more than a half dozen other groups .
The case was assigned to Christensen .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he chastised government officials for rejecting the views of many of its own scientists when it decided not to protect wolverines in 2014 .
The judge declared in his order that “ the time is now ” to protect a species “ squarely in the path of climate change.
“ But in a Feb. 28 letter to an attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit , a senior U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service official said “ the court did not set a time frame ” for a decision .
A final determination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected by late summer 2020 , U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Assistant Director Gina Shultz said in the letter to Earthjustice attorney Amanda Galvan .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Navy, Legislature screen as Florida grapples with virus

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - The Navy is isolating sailors at a major Florida base because they may have contracted the coronavirus , Florida lawmakers will be screened before they are allowed into chambers , and a third beach popular with spring breakers will close next week .
State health officials were preparing to jump on any clusters of confirmed infections that might arise at a nursing home , hospital or elsewhere as the number of cases jumped by almost half Wednesday .
They want to prevent an outbreak similar to one that happened at a Seattle-area nursing home , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 deaths .
“ If a cluster of confirmed cases were to be discovered in Florida , the department would move quickly to engage with and isolate any infected individuals to prevent further spread , ” said Alberto Moscoso , the state health department ’ s spokesman .
The Navy said at least 18 sailors and others at Naval Air Station-Jacksonville are in self-isolation awaiting tests to see whether they have the virus , which has infected more than 320 people in Florida and killed at least seven .
Base spokeswoman Kaylee Larocque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far .
She couldn ’ t say what led the personnel to be isolated from the 21,000 sailors and others who work at the base .
Meanwhile , the Florida Legislature was scheduled to reconvene for the final day of its annual session on Thursday , but lawmakers said they would dispense with some usual traditions , including the ceremonial “ hanky drop ” signalling to both chambers that they can gavel the session closed .
Instead , state House members were to undergo screenings , including a temperature check , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a final piece of business , the House and Senate will consider a $ 93.2 billion budget to send to Gov .
Ron DeSantis .
DeSantis said Wednesday that he wanted to ramp up testing .
Only about 3,700 Floridians have been tested so far as efforts to expand testing capability are pushed so state officials can get a more accurate picture of the disease ’ s spread .
Combined , more than half of the confirmed cases are in neighbouring counties , Miamia-Dade and Broward .
“ We need to do way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said kits that will allow 625,000 people to be tested have been distributed .
But there are not enough swabs to collect samples from mouths and noses .
The state has about a million swabs on order , officials said .
“ The number one questions is : How many people are carrying it that are asymptomatic ?
And if I knew the answer to that question , that would be a great thing to know , ” the governor said .
State and local officials have told people to self-isolate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and limited restaurant capacity and hours .
Walt Disney World , Universal-Orlando Resort and other theme parks are closed , as are some beaches .
Houses of worship have called off services , including Catholic churches in the Miami and Tampa areas , which made announcements Wednesday .
The state ’ s biggest malls , Sawgrass Mills and Aventura , announced Wednesday that they would close starting Thursday .
To date , 19 senior living facilities have had patients tested .
Five firefighters and a police officer were self-isolating after they had contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atria Willow Wood assisted living community , where one person died of the disease .
Two other people who died tested negative for the disease .
Jacksonville officials said four of the city ’ s 13 infections were linked to a senior living facility , Camelia at Deerwood .
Managers there said they were working with investigators .
Garay Holland travelled Wednesday from Bee Branch , Arkansas , to visit his 97-year-old mother at Camelia .
“ I might just stand outside her window and wave , ( while ) talking to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll know I got here as quick as I could , ” said Holland , 78 .
Despite national warnings to stay home and practice social distancing , tourists and locals flocked Wednesday to Clearwater Beach , which was open and packed beneath clear , sunny skies Wednesday .
The city announced in the afternoon that it would close the beach on Monday , following the lead of other communities including Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale .
Sarah Kelley , a St. Louis grocery store section manager , agreed that visiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have been the best idea .
“ It is a great festering Petri dish , “ she said .
But with everyone trying to stay apart , she and her sons took the risk and even went inside a surf shop .
“ We are trying not to touch anything , ” she said .
The new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , for most people , but older adults and those with existing health problems can develop severe complications , including pneumonia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .
This story has been edited to clarity that lawmakers will be screened , not tested .
Spencer reported from Fort Lauderdale , Florida .
Associated Press reporters Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee , Florida ; Adriana Gomez Licon and Freida Frisaro in Miami ; Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg , Florida ; Mike Schneider in Orlando , Florida ; and photographer Chris O ’ Meara in Clearwater , Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Bobby Caina Calvan And Terry Spencer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Court overrules sentence for man who shot college student

COLUMBIA , S.C. - The South Carolina Supreme Court has unanimously overturned the attempted murder conviction of a gang member who shot and critically injured a college student .
The court ruled Wednesday that Michael Juan Smith did not intend to shoot Martha Childress , a student at the University of South Carolina , and can not be convicted on attempted murder charges .
He is now entitled to a new trial .
Smith , 27 , was originally sentenced to 40 years in state prison in 2015 for the shooting that left Childress paralyzed from the waist down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he fired his gun in self-defence , intending to shoot a rival gang member when he shot Childress .
In its decision , the court said the trial contained “ multiple errors , ” including the felony attempted murder charge prosecutors levied on Smith , which “ is not a recognized crime in South Carolina.
“ The ruling also accused prosecutors of going on an “ unrelenting quest ” to include it in the jury instructions .
In 2014 , Smith also was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be transferred to a federal prison to serve his gun violation sentence while awaiting a new trial .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Jury weighing case of Minnesota deputy who shot suicidal man

STILLWATER , Minn. - A Minnesota jury began deliberating Wednesday in the trial of a sheriff ’ s deputy who fatally shot an armed suicidal man in 2018 .
Washington County Deputy Brian Krook says he feels horrible about the shooting , but that he had no choice because his life and the lives of his colleagues were threatened .
Krook killed Benjamin Evans , a 23-year-old emergency medical technician and probationary firefighter who was distraught over a breakup .
The April 12 , 2018 , shooting happened after a standoff in which Evans knelt in a Lake Elmo intersection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his head .
Krook is on trial for manslaughter .
Krook testified Tuesday that he felt threatened by Evans , even though Evans said he wouldn ’ t hurt the deputies who had arrived at the scene .
Krook said : “ People say that to give you a false sense of security .
It ’ s not reassurance for me.
” According to Minnesota Public Radio News , Krook testified that Evans was growing more “ amped up and animated.
“ Krook said he fired four rounds after Evans pointed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Krook ran up to Evans and fired three more rounds .
While Evans had been holding the gun to his own head , Krook , 32 , said , “ Bullets don ’ t just stop after they go through someone.
” Krook ’ s testimony continued Wednesday .
A prosecutor alleged Krook improperly rushed to confront Evans before shooting him , the Star Tribune reported .
Prosecutors say Krook ignored the law and his training when he shot Evans , but defence attorneys have said that Evans wanted to die and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by cop.
” They said Evans would have lived if he had put down his gun , as officers had ordered .
Krook is the third Minnesota officer in recent years to be charged in an on-duty killing .
Former St. Anthony officer Jeronimo Yanez was acquitted in the July 2016 killing of Philando Castile , and former Minneapolis officer Mohamed Noor was convicted in the July 2017 shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Warrant issued for Mexico’s ex-head of investigations

MEXICO CITY - A Mexican judge issued an arrest warrant for the former head of investigations for the Attorney General ’ s Office for alleged violations in the investigation of the case of 43 college students who disappeared in 2014 , officials said Wednesday .
Tomas Zerón and five other former officials face charges including torture , forced disappearance and judicial misconduct .
Three have been arrested and three , including Zerón , are still at large .
Zerón oversaw the criminal investigation agency of the Attorney General ’ s Office and also its forensic work in the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ found , though a burned bone fragment matched one student .
Many of the suspects arrested in the case were later released , and many claimed they had been tortured by police or the military .
The current administration , which took office Dec. 1 , 2018 , has pledged to re-open the case .
Federal officials who were not authorized to be quoted by name said that a warrant was issued for Zerón ’ s arrest and that Interpol had been notified to help locate him in case he was outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were indications that Zerón may have left for Canada in late 2019 , but it was unclear whether he later travelled elsewhere .
Zerón ’ s investigation had long been criticized by the families of the 43 teachers ’ college students who disappeared in September 2014 after they were detained by local police in Iguala , in the southern state of Guerrero .
They were allegedly handed over to a drug gang and slain , and have not been heard from since .
Zerón was at the centre of the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to definitively determine what happened to the students .
Two independent teams of experts have cast doubt on the insistence of Mexican officials that the students bodies were incinerated in a huge fire at a trash dump .
The students attended the Rural Normal School of Ayotzinapa .
They were in Iguala on Sept. 26 , 2014 , to hijack buses to use for transportation to a rally in Mexico City .
They were attacked on the buses by local police and allegedly handed over to members of the Guerreros Unidos cartel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now

E. Eduardo Castillo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Trump taps emergency powers as virus relief plan proceeds

WASHINGTON - Describing himself as a “ wartime president ” fighting an invisible enemy , President Donald Trump on Wednesday invoked rarely used emergency powers to marshal critical medical supplies against the coronavirus pandemic while the Senate approved an aid package that will guarantee sick leave to workers who fall ill. Trump tapped his authority under the 70-year-old Defence Production Act to give the government more power to steer production by private companies and try to overcome shortages in masks , ventilators and other supplies .
Yet he seemed to minimize the urgency of the decision , later tweeting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act to combat the Chinese Virus should we need to invoke it in a worst case scenario in the future.
” “ Hopefully there will be no need , ” he added , “ but we are all in this TOGETHER !
” The mixed messaging came as Trump took a series of other extraordinary steps to steady the nation , its day-to-day life suddenly and fundamentally altered .
The Canada-U.S. border , the world ’ s longest , was effectively closed , save for commerce and essential travel , while the administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to millions of Americans .
Trump said he will expand the nation ’ s diagnostic testing capacity and deploy a Navy hospital ship to New York City , which is rapidly becoming an epicenter of the pandemic , and another such ship to the West Coast .
And the Housing and Urban Development Department will suspend foreclosures and evictions through April to help the growing number of Americans who face losing jobs and missing rent and mortgage payments .
But as Trump laid out efforts to help the economy , markets plummeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Dow Jones Industrial Average had made since Trump took office .
The administration announcements came on a fast-moving day of developments across the capital , its empty streets standing in contrast to the whirlwind of activity inside the grand spaces of the White House and the Capitol .
The Senate overwhelmingly passed a second coronavirus response bill , sending it to Trump to enact with his signature .
The vote was a lopsided 90-8 despite worries by many Republicans about a temporary new employer mandate to provide sick leave to workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also aimed at making tests for the virus free .
Meanwhile the administration pushed forward its broad economic rescue plan , which proposes $ 500 billion in checks to millions of Americans , with the first checks to come April 6 if Congress approves .
The White House urged hospitals to cancel all elective surgeries to reduce the risk of being overwhelmed by cases .
The president was pressed on why a number of celebrities , like professional basketball players , seemed to have easier access to diagnostic tests than ordinary citizens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life , “ Trump said .
” I ’ ve heard that happens on occasion.
” Trump dismissed a suggestion from his own treasury secretary , Steven Mnuchin , that the nation could face 20 % unemployment at least in the short term .
That ’ s an “ absolute total worst case scenario , ” Trump said .
“ We ’ re no way near it.
“ The government has told Americans to avoid groups of more than 10 people and the elderly to stay home while a pointed reminder was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and avoid social gatherings .
Trump likened the effort to the measures taken during World War II and said it would require national “ sacrifice.
“ “ It ’ s a war , “ he said .
” I view it as a , in a sense , a wartime president .
It ’ s a very tough situation.
” No longer able to run for reelection on a healthy economy , he was taking on the mantle of a wartime leader after played down the severity of the crisis for weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ us-vs-them rhetoric at the briefing , continuing his recent habit of referring to the coronavirus as the “ Chinese virus , ” which has been sharply criticized as racist .
“ It ’ s not racist at all , “ Trump said .
“ It comes from China , that ’ s all.
” He was asked about a report that a White House aide had referred to the virus as the “ Kung flu “ when talking to an Asian-American reporter and Trump did not signal disapproval of the offensive term .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ gratitude for those on the front lines in our war against the global pandemic “ as he held out hope that the pandemic would be over soon .
“ It ’ s been something , but we ’ re winning and we will win , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a question of when and I think it ’ s going to go quickly .
We hope it ’ s going to go quickly.
” A limited number of people gathered around a large table , their chairs spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Defence Production Act gives the president broad authority to shape the domestic industrial base so that it is capable of providing essential materials and goods needed in a national security crisis .
The law allows the president to require businesses and corporations to give priority to and accept contracts for required materials and services .
The executive order issued by Trump gives Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar the authority to determine “ the proper nationwide priorities and allocation of all health and medical resources , including controlling the distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , for responding to the spread of COVID-19 within the United States.
” It also applies to certain health services .
Trump also said he would soon invoke a rarely used federal statute that would enable the U.S. to tighten controls along the southwest border because of the new coronavirus , based on a recommendation of the U.S. surgeon general .
The president said the law , intended to halt the spread of communicable diseases , would give authorities “ great latitude “ to help control the outbreak .
Earlier , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration would invoke the law to immediately turn back all people who cross the border illegally from Mexico and to refuse people the right to claim asylum there .
More than eight weeks after the first U.S. case of the virus was detected , the federal government is still struggling to conduct widescale testing for the virus .
Compounding the problem , laboratories are reporting shortages of supplies needed to run the tests , which officials urged to be given to those most likely to have COVID-19 .
Deborah Birx , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there has been a backlog of swabs waiting in labs to be tested , and as that backlog clears “ we will see the number of people diagnosed dramatically increased ” in the next few days .
Asked about the administration ’ s mixed messages when it comes to the threat posed by the virus , Birx said new studies about how long the virus can be transmissible on hard surfaces helped prompt the administration ’ s tightening of recommendations on social distancing .
“ None of us really understood “ that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re still working out how much is by human transmission and how much is it by surface.
” She added , ” Don ’ t exposure yourself to surfaces outside the home.
” 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 vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
According to the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .
As it tries to get its message to the public , the White House said a series of ads , digital and on television , will feature the president and first lady Melania Trump urging Americans to follow the guidelines .
Birx also renewed her call for younger people to follow federal guidelines and stop meeting in groups .
She said there have been “ concerning reports ” from France and Italy about young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force last week urged young generations to avoid going out to bars and restaurants and to avoid groups of more than 10 people .
“ We can not have these large gatherings that continue throughout the country for people who are off work , ” Birx said .
She added that the federal pandemic task force so far has not seen any “ significant mortality ” in children .
The White House has had several coronavirus-related health scares , with the president himself exposed to at least three people who later tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday that she had tested negative for the virus .
McDaniel , who met last week with the president and Senate Republicans , had previously been exposed to someone who tested positive .
Associated Press writers Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar , Matthew Perrone , Darlene Superville , Robert Burns , Deb Riechmann 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 Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Jonathan Lemire And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--The Latest: NYSE to temporarily close its trading floor

NEW YORK - The Latest on action in the financial markets ( all times local ) : The New York Stock Exchange will temporarily close its iconic trading floor in lower Manhattan and move to all-electronic trading beginning Monday as a precautionary step after two people tested positive for COVID-19 .
The trading floors of the NYSE and the NYSE American Options market in New York will be closed , as well as that of the NYSE Arca Options in San Francisco .
The moves comes after a member of the NYSE ’ s trading floor community and an employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus on Monday , according to International Exchange , the parent company of the NYSE .
Both individuals last entered the NYSE building on Friday .
On Saturday , the trading floor and common spaces in the facility were sanitized , the company said .
The exchange operator is waiting until Monday to close the trading floor “ to offer participants a few days to be ready for the transition to fully electronic trading , ” said Josh King , a spokesman for Intercontinental Exchange .
The exchanges will continue to operate under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the NYSE ’ s president .
“ NYSE ’ s trading floors provide unique value to issuers and investors , but our markets are fully capable of operating in an all-electronic fashion to serve all participants , and we will proceed in that manner until we can re-open our trading floors to our members , ” she said .
Several thousand brokers and others used to crowd the trading floor of the NYSE as recently as the 1990s .
But in the years since , the rise of electronic trading grew to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These days , there are about 500 floor traders at the NYSE , King said .
Oil prices had another jaw-dropping skid Wednesday , sending the price of U.S. crude oil below $ 21 a barrel for the first time since 2002 .
Benchmark U.S. oil lost $ 6.58 , or 24.4 % , to settle at $ 20.37 a barrel .
Brent , the international standard , dropped $ 2.85 , or 13.4 % , to close at $ 24.88 .
Investors are betting that demand for oil will be down sharply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put off vacations and business trips in order to stay home and minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus .
Those concerns of weaker oil demand have been heightened in recent weeks as economists have issued forecasts predicting that the economic fallout from the viral outbreak will push the U.S. into a recession in the second quarter .
Oil prices have also been hurt by large producers engaging in a price war and refusing to ease back on how many barrels of oil they produce , pushing prices lower .
European markets closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak will cause even more lockdowns on businesses around the world and put large numbers of people out of work .
France ’ s CAC 40 dropped 5.9 % to 3,754.84 , with shares in planemaker Airbus nosediving 22 % on concerns that airlines struggling with the near-complete shutdown of air travel will slow down purchases .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 fell 4.1 % to 5,080.58 and Germany ’ s DAX lost 5.6 % to 8,441.71 .
The British pound endured steep losses of 4.4 % against the dollar to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mid-1980s , on speculation that the country might face a lockdown as severe as those seen in Italy and Spain .
President Trump says no decision has been made on the size of the checks the administration hopes to send Americans , although a figure of $ 1,000 has been frequently mentioned .
Trump told reporters that “ everyone wants to go big ” but that the size of the checks was still being worked out with Congress in talks to craft an aid package that could total $ 1 trillion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Washington Post says the individual payments could come in two chunks : $ 250 billion starting April 6 with another $ 250 billion disbursed starting May 18 .
The fact sheet says an additional $ 300 billion would be appropriated for a small business loan program .
It could be used to support businesses , including restaurants and bars , that have suffered from government-ordered efforts to contain the coronavirus .
The stock market extended its losses as Trump and other members of an administration task force spoke about efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European plane maker Airbus plunged Wednesday after it suspended operations at all facilities in France and Spain .
Airbus announced the four-day suspension Tuesday because of new virus confinement measures imposed in both countries .
It said the suspension would allow time to put new safety and hygiene measures in place .
But the move puts thousands of people temporarily out of work and is a sign of the larger trouble for the aviation industry caused by the virus .
After falling Tuesday , Airbus shares sank another 15 % by midday Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on France ’ s CAC-40 exchange .
Airbus is one of Europe ’ s leading manufacturers and a major employer in France .
It said it ’ s “ constantly assessing the situation ” and working with airlines and suppliers to minimize the impact of the virus on their operations .


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Oil and gas lease bidding in Gulf of Mexico drops anew

NEW ORLEANS - Bidding on federal oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday was the lowest since gulf-wide sales began in August 2017 — and lower than any sale since 1993 for the productive central Gulf .
Twenty-two companies made $ 93 million in high bids on 71 tracts , according to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management , which conducts the sales .
“ Wow .
That ’ s horrible , isn ’ t it ?
” said Rene Santos , an analyst for S & P Global Platts .
“ If the prices stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next sale is going to be potentially worse , ” he said , noting that prices plummeted again Wednesday from less than $ 27 a barrel to $ 20.37 a barrel .
Also Wednesday , environmental groups filed a federal court complaint in Washington , saying federal authorities approved the sale without fully analyzing the risks expanded drilling poses to the environment .
Among the remedies sought by Healthy Gulf , the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity are a declaration that the government ’ s decision to hold Wednesday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law , and to block the resulting leases .
The centre filed similar suits in 2018 and 2019 .
A price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia and worldwide drops in travel because of the new coronavirus have cut oil prices to their lowest since 2002 .
The central Gulf sale that March $ 363.2 million in high bids on 506 tracts .
“ With the recent drop in oil price , it came as no surprise that bidding dollar amount was significantly lower __ this is the first time the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US $ 100 million since the region-wide lease sales began in 2017 , ” said Mfon Usoro , senior research analyst with Wood Mackenzie , in an emailed statement .
She said major oil companies accounted for more than 60 % of the high bid amount .
Shell , Chevron , BP and Total competed for recently expired leases in the Green Canyon and Garden Banks areas , where there is already substantial infrastructure , Usoro noted .
If the agency accepts those high bids , the winners will pay a fraction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first gulfwide sale brought $ 121.1 million in high bids on 81 tracts , averaging $ 1.5 million compared to this sale ’ s average of $ 1.3 million .
The one in August brought $ 159.4 million in high bids on 144 tracts .
The March 1993 sale for waterbottom in the central Gulf of Mexico , off Louisiana , Mississippi and Alabama , attracted bids on 201 tracts totalling $ 69 million , agency statistics show .
A year later , 375 tracts brought $ 277 million in high bids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the separate auctions had become so small .
Santos said technical improvements and service providers ’ lower prices in the face of reduced competition mean Gulf of Mexico drilling can break even when prices are about $ 45 a barrel rather than the $ 60 or $ 65 needed in 2014 .
“ This will come back .
We ’ ve seen it many times , ” he said .

Janet McConnaughey - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Sanders faces tough decisions as path to nomination narrows

WASHINGTON - Bernie Sanders isn ’ t leaving the presidential race .
Instead , the Vermont senator and democratic socialist is back in a familiar place : on the outside looking in .
After being routed in Democratic primary contests for the third consecutive week by former Vice-President Joe Biden , Sanders faced the grim calculation on Wednesday that he has virtually no chance of clinching the Democratic nomination .
He would need to win a whopping 63 % of the remaining delegates to do so .
That left him with a series of wrenching decisions .
Sanders could stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform to keep pressing for the issues he ’ s most passionate about , such as a single-payer health care system .
He could yield to growing pressure to step aside and let the party coalesce around Biden and focus on defeating President Donald Trump .
Or he could simply stall for more time as the campaign takes an awkward pause with much of the nation ’ s attention on combating the coronavirus , which has caused states to push back their upcoming primaries and left the next major contests weeks away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to exact additional policy concessions from Biden , who has already adopted his rival ’ s free-college tuition plan .
He could also shape the Democratic Party platform during the upcoming convention .
For a campaign that has inspired millions to activism , the choice of what ’ s next ultimately falls on a small group : Sanders and his wife , Jane .
And he made clear Wednesday he wouldn ’ t be rushed .
“ Stop with this , “ Sanders told reporters outside the Senate chamber when pressed on when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right now I ’ m trying to do my best to make sure that we don ’ t have an economic meltdown and people don ’ t die.
” He said the country is “ in the midst , literally -- I ’ m not using that word easily -- of an unprecedented crisis in our lifetime , and that ’ s what we have to focus on right now.
” But Sanders also implied that the global pandemic might have unfairly skewed Tuesday ’ s results , in which he was roundly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You tell me what happened yesterday .
Do you think those were orderly elections ?
” he said .
“ God willing , please , November , we ’ re not where we are right now.
” Ohio ’ s governor ordered polls closed mere hours before voting was supposed to begin Tuesday , and some voters and election officials reported problems in the states that proceeded with casting ballots .
Asked if the numbers would have been different under more normal circumstances , Sanders said : “ Who knows ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disappointing results in recent contests , Sanders still attracts a loyal following .
As a movement politician , his next steps could help determine whether his backers accept defeat or spend the coming months criticizing Biden — potentially leaving him weakened going into the general election .
Hillary Clinton , the 2016 Democratic nominee , has continually blamed bad feelings from her primary fight against Sanders as a factor in her defeat to Trump in the fall .
Speculation about Sanders ’ candidacy intensified Wednesday morning when his campaign manager , Faiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign.
” Many Sanders supporters say they were unbowed .
“ Our hope is he stays in the race and continues through the convention , ” said Derrick Crowe of People ’ s Action , an activist organization that has endorsed Sanders .
Charles Chamberlain , chairman of the progressive group Democracy for America , said Sanders can play a potentially “ critical ” role in unifying the party by continuing his campaign .
“ Bernie has already made it clear that he will 100 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to campaign for Joe Biden if that ’ s who it is , ” Chamberlain said .
“ The reality is , that ’ s not 100 % true for all Bernie Sanders supporters .
So there is a real value to Bernie staying in the race as long as possible to bring those people into the party deeper.
“ That underscores the sensitivity of how Sanders proceeds .
Justin Bamberg , a South Carolina state representative and Sanders supporter , said it ’ s wrong to assume that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his backers would unite behind Biden .
“ It ’ s a mistake for the party , regardless of whether the nominee is Biden or Bernie , to think that beating Donald Trump in and of itself will be enough motivation for the average person living their day-to-day life to come out and be excited about voting in November , ” Bamberg said .
Meanwhile , the Biden campaign is proceeding with caution , carefully avoiding any moves that would seem like gloating while Sanders decides his future .
Still , Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Malley Dillon , is focusing on general election strategy .
And Biden campaign co-chairman , Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond , has said the former vice-president has already begun considering possibilities for his vice-presidential pick — even though no formal vetting process has yet been launched .
Biden ’ s senior adviser Anita Dunn said the campaign is moving ahead as if the former vice-president will clinch the nomination .
But she noted that neither Biden nor his aides called for Sanders — or any other former rivals — to drop out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate until you ’ re not , “ Dunn said .
“ What we remain most focused on today is winning a primary campaign that isn ’ t over.
” Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Atlanta , Meg Kinnard in Columbia , S.C. , and Seth Borenstein in Washington contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Will Weissert And Lisa Mascaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Automakers shut North American plants over coronavirus fears

DETROIT - Concerns about the spreading coronavirus are forcing most of North America ’ s auto plants to close , at least temporarily .
Ford , General Motors , Fiat Chrysler , Honda and Toyota said they would shut down all of their factories in the region , citing concerns for employees who work in close quarters building automobiles .
In addition , Hyundai closed its Alabama plant after a worker tested positive for the virus .
Detroit ’ s three automakers said their closures would begin this week , while Honda and Toyota will start next week .
Closings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost two weeks , but most automakers said they ’ ll have to evaluate the spread of the virus before reopening .
“ We have been taking extraordinary precautions around the world to keep our plant environments safe , and recent developments in North America make it clear this is the right thing to do now , ” GM CEO Mary Barra said in a statement .
Detroit ’ s three automakers alone will idle about 150,000 workers .
They likely will receive supplemental pay in addition to state unemployment benefits .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the workers normally make .
GM said pay was still being negotiated with the United Auto Workers union .
Ford makes automobiles in Canada at a plant in Oakville , Ont.
, and Fiat Chrysler makes vehicles in Canada at Brampton and Windsor , Ont .
GM closed its Canadian vehicle manufacturing plant in Oshawa , Ont.
, late last year but is still making automobiles at its complex in Ingersoll , Ont .
and builds engines and front-wheel drive transmissions in St. Catharines , Ont .
GM Canada spokeswoman Jennifer Wright said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that details for each plant were still being determined .
Ford said it will work with union leaders in the coming weeks on plans to restart factories .
The union has been pushing for factories to close because workers are fearful of coming into contact with the virus .
At GM ’ s pickup truck assembly plant in Flint , Mich. , workers have been apprehensive ever since the virus surfaced in the U.S. , said Tommy Wolikow , a union member who delivers parts to the assembly line .
Wolikow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with other workers and was afraid of catching the virus and passing it to his two daughters ages two and seven .
“ That ’ s the thing that I was scared the most about , being the one to bring it home to them , ” he said .
He is happy that GM is closing and is hopeful that he ’ ll get unemployment and supplemental pay .
Honda , which has a vehicle plant in Alliston , Ont.
, announced plans Wednesday morning to close for a week starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s automakers to follow suit .
Toyota , which has Canadian plants in Cambridge and Woodstock , Ont.
, is to close Monday and Tuesday , reopening Wednesday after a thorough cleaning , the company said .
“ This action is being taken to help ensure the health and safety of our employees , and due to an anticipated decline in market demand related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic , ” said Toyota Canada communications manager Michael Bouliane .
“ This will also allow Toyota employees to prepare and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directives to close schools.
” Hyundai suspended production at its plant in Montgomery , Ala. , plant Wednesday after a worker tested positive for the coronavirus .
The company said production would resume once its health and safety team determines that the plant has been sufficiently sanitized .
The decision by Ford , General Motors and Fiat Chrysler reverses a deal worked out late Tuesday in which the three agreed to cancel some shifts so they could thoroughly cleanse equipment and buildings , but keep factories open .
But workers , especially at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fearful and were pressuring the union to seek full closures .
Before the closings were announced , Fiat Chrysler sent workers home from a factory in Sterling Heights , Mich. , north of Detroit , after workers were concerned about the virus .
The company said a plant worker tested positive for the coronavirus but had not been to work in more than a week .
Ford said it closed an assembly plant in the Detroit suburb of Wayne , Mich. , on Wednesday after a worker there tested positive for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the building .
Production will be halted through March 30 , the company said .
Automakers have resisted closing factories largely because they book revenue when vehicles are shipped from factories to dealerships .
So without production , revenue dries up .
Each company has other reasons to stay open as well .
Ford , for instance , is building up F-150 pickup inventory because its plants will have to go out of service later this year to be retooled for an all-new model .
Despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle maker Tesla Inc. ’ s assembly plant in Fremont , Calif. , remained open Wednesday .
Production continued even though Alameda County on Tuesday night declared it a “ non-essential business “ under the county ’ s shelter-in-place order .
Seven Bay Area counties have ordered nearly seven million residents to shelter in place for three weeks and ordered businesses to send employees home in order to slow spread of the coronavirus .
Businesses that can remain open include pharmacies , banks and supermarkets — but not electric car manufacturing .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resources said the company does not have final word from city , county , state and federal governments on whether the plant can operate .
Tesla has conflicting guidance from different levels of government , the email said .
The note said production workers should still report for work unless they aren ’ t feeling well .
If that ’ s the case , they should use paid time off .
The email said there would be further communication Wednesday night .
With files from The Canadian Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Don’t trust memes that promise coronavirus cures

There is no known cure for the new coronavirus .
Scientists are scrambling to find treatments and vaccines for the virus , which causes the illness COVID-19 , and health care professionals are working to stop the spread of misinformation .
It ’ s a tough battle .
On social media , memes have become efficient vectors of bad advice , often with urgent instructions or dystopian graphics .
One , misstating the benefits of gargling salty water , shows the virus as a cluster of green burrs infecting the throat of a glowing blue man .
One series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sunshine could kill the virus and that ice cream should be avoided — tacked on the name UNICEF .
“ This is , of course , not true , ” said Christopher Tidey , a spokesman for UNICEF , the United Nations Children ’ s Emergency Fund .
“ Misinformation during times of a health crisis can result in people being left unprotected or more vulnerable to the virus , ” he said .
“ It can also spread paranoia , fear and stigmatization , and have other consequences , like offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some of the false claims that are spreading via Twitter , Facebook and WhatsApp .
There is no evidence that gargling warm water with salt or vinegar “ eliminates ” the coronavirus , a claim that has gone viral as part of a meme — the one with the glowing blue man — in multiple languages .
It suggests that the coronavirus lingers in the throat for days before it reaches the lungs , and that a good gargle can stop the virus in its tracks .
That ’ s not true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention has said that gargling salty , warm water is one of many ways to soothe a sore throat , but there is no evidence that doing this will kill the coronavirus .
“ It won ’ t stop it from getting into the lungs , ” said Dr. Paul Offit , an infectious disease expert at the University of Pennsylvania and the Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia .
“ What it could do is decrease inflammation , which would make your throat less sore.
” Some social media posts suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes or so , you can protect yourself from the virus — which , in this scenario , has made its way to your mouth — by flushing it into your stomach .
The idea here is that it wouldn ’ t enter your trachea , which leads to the lungs .
But that ’ s false .
Staying hydrated is a good idea generally , and the CDC says that healthy people can get their fluid needs by drinking when thirsty and with meals .
But there is no evidence that frequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lungs .
A video that has been shared on Facebook claims that the virus can not survive in hot temperatures .
It shows a woman aiming a hair dryer at her face with the goal of heating her sinuses to the “ coronavirus kill temperature ” of 133 degrees .
Elsewhere on social media , people have suggested that hand dryers can kill the virus .
But there is no clear evidence that this works .
According to the World Health Organization , the virus can not be killed by hand dryers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hot temperatures ( and in cold temperatures ) .
Offit said that there was some research indicating that warming the nasal passage might help the immune system combat a virus .
But he added that breathing near steam — like sitting over a bowl of hot soup — was a much better idea than aiming a hair dryer at your face .
“ Do the soup thing , ” he said .
“ That ’ s better than forcing air into your nose.
” Many claims about the benefits of colloidal silver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Colloidal silver comes in different forms — often as a bottled liquid with silver particles — and is promoted as a dietary supplement .
But according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , evidence about the medical benefits are lacking , and silver can be harmful .
One possible side effect is a condition called argyria , a blue-gray skin discoloration .
Colloidal silver could also hinder the absorption of some drugs .
Last week , the Food and Drug Administration said that it had warned seven companies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that the companies suggested cure or prevent the coronavirus .
Social media is full of suggestions about taking additional vitamins — C is a popular one — and ingesting things like garlic , pepper , mint or elderberry .
But there is little evidence that these foods and supplements can protect you in any consistent or significant way .
Vitamin C , which is an antioxidant , hasn ’ t shown a consistent benefit for treating or preventing illnesses like the common cold .
And as with many things , it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do not take large quantities of an antioxidant knowing that your body needs to maintain a balance , ” Offit said .
Evidence that elderberry can help people with flu symptoms is spotty .
Garlic may have some anti-microbial properties , but there is no evidence that it has protected people from the coronavirus .
In short , vitamins and nutrients can be good , especially if they come from a balanced diet .
But they can ’ t be relied upon to protect people from a pandemic .
So what should we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on scientific evidence , is what is needed at this time , ” said Tidey , of UNICEF .
The CDC offers the following guidance on what you can do to minimize your chances of contracting the virus : Wash your hands often , avoid touching your face and practice social distancing .
You can also protect others by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze , staying home when sick and disinfecting surfaces .
The WHO has partnered with tech companies , including Google , Facebook and Twitter , to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its website has debunked claims about saline , antibiotics , chlorine and other substances .


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Colleges offering dorms as hospital overflow for virus cases

BOSTON - A growing number of U.S. colleges are preparing to turn empty dorms into temporary housing for patients with the coronavirus as the nation ’ s hospitals brace for a possible surge of cases that could push treatment centres beyond their limits .
Tufts University announced Wednesday that it ’ s making hundreds of vacant dorm rooms available in coming weeks to help relieve “ unprecedented stress ” on the health care system .
The Massachusetts school ’ s president called on university leaders across the country to follow suit , saying they have a civic duty to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Vermont said it ’ s also offering some of its buildings as local officials craft emergency plans , and New York University is asking students who live near campus to return and clear out their dorm rooms in case they ’ re needed to house patients later .
Some state leaders see college campuses as a natural fit to serve as temporary field hospitals .
Colleges across the U.S. have started to empty over the past week as students are sent home to curb the virus ’ spread .
Many campuses suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gyms that authorities say could be used to support patients or medical workers .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on Sunday urged President Donald Trump to mobilize the military to turn college dorms into makeshift medical centres .
He said states can ’ t build hospitals or acquire ventilators fast enough to meet expected demand , adding that the “ best hope ” is to create temporary medical facilities .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy has also proposed using dorms to house patients , and state health officials in Massachusetts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense .
Marylou Sudders , Massachusetts ’ secretary of health and human services , said college dorms are “ very much on our list of opportunities.
” “ Every challenge sometimes creates an opportunity , and obviously the empty dorms have created an opportunity for us , ” she said .
A statement from New York University said that although officials have not received specific instructions from the state , the school “ would want to be in a position to help if needed.
” The school sent a message to students on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get their belongings , saying it would make “ an important contribution to health measures that may come later.
” Officials offered to ship items to students who live farther away or didn ’ t feel safe returning to campus .
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 vast majority of people recover from the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patton said officials are crafting contingency plans but have not been called on for help yet .
She said the school has drained its ice hockey rink to provide space “ in an over-abundance of caution.
” Terry Hartle , senior vice-president for the American Council on Education , said most schools have been too busy to consider how they can help local hospitals , but he expects further discussion in coming weeks .
Still , he said schools will need to weigh questions about legal liability , including who is responsible if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being used to house patients .
At Tufts , near Boston , President Tony Monaco said officials are examining those types of questions .
Although the campus is prepared to house coronavirus patients , he said it could also house patients recovering from surgery or other treatment to help free hospital beds for patients with the virus .
Any patients would be kept away from dorms housing about 200 Tufts students who were allowed to stay on campus during the closure .
Campus staff with military backgrounds are leading the logistics and planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would house sick patients , Monaco said .
The campus is also offering to house medical workers who have been exposed to the virus and want to stay isolated from family members .
Monaco compares it to the moment in World War II when British civilians used their own boats to rescue stranded solders from the French town of Dunkirk .
“ I think this is our Dunkirk moment as a country , ” he said .
“ Now is the time to step up and help .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Alaska Senate OKs budget bill with virus response funding

JUNEAU , Alaska - The Alaska Senate on Wednesday passed legislation that includes additional funding to help the state respond to coronavirus concerns .
The measure includes supplemental spending for such things as Medicaid , the state ferry system and firefighting costs .
But it also has $ 15 million in state funds for public health emergency programs aimed at the coronavirus , and it would allocate $ 8.5 million in cruise ship funds as grants to communities visited by ships to respond to and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 .
The Legislature previously approved about $ 4.1 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of federal funds to help respond to the virus .
The bill also includes $ 150,000 for the Alaska Municipal League to assist with implementation of the Real ID program in rural Alaska .
Real IDs are special licenses many people nationwide will need to board domestic flights and enter some federal facilities as of Oct. 1 .
The measure next goes to the House for a concurrence vote .
Provisions of the bill require three-fourths support .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--Trump dubs COVID-19 ‘Chinese virus’ despite hate crime risks

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he doesn ’ t think calling COVID-19 the “ Chinese virus ” — or the “ kung-flu , ” as one administration official reportedly called it — puts Asian Americans at risk of retaliation despite growing reports they are facing virus-related discrimination .
Since coronavirus infections started appearing in the United States in January , Asian Americans have shared stories of minor aggression to blatant attacks from people blaming them for the pandemic , which has killed more than 130 people in the United States .
Among the hate crimes reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian man in a Brooklyn subway car who was yelled at and sprayed with Febreze air freshener .
In Los Angeles , a 16-year-old boy of Asian descent said other students had bullied him and accused him of carrying the virus .
Even before cities began shutting down all restaurants to stop the spread of the virus , Chinese restaurant owners were already experiencing steep declines in business because of racial stigma .
Asked why he keeps calling the coronavirus the “ Chinese virus ” when scientists say the disease doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethnicity , Trump told reporters at the White House that he doesn ’ t consider it a racist remark .
“ It ’ s not racist at all , “ Trump said , adding that he calls it the “ Chinese virus ” because he wants to be accurate .
He indicated his terminology was a warranted pushback to Chinese officials who have been suggesting the U.S. military might have introduced the virus to Wuhan , the Chinese city where it was first reported in late 2019 .
“ China had tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped now — that it was caused by American soldiers , “ Trump said .
“ That can ’ t happen .
It ’ s not going to happen , not as long as I ’ m president .
It comes from China.
” Beijing has complained , but Trump administration officials continue to link the virus to China .
At a State Department news conference on Tuesday , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo referred six times to the virus as the “ Wuhan virus “ and suggested the Chinese were trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its initial response .
Pompeo also suggested that an “ after-action ” report would corroborate his claim , suggesting that U.S.-China tensions are unlikely to end when the pandemic is over .
Reports of anti-Asian violence are on the rise along with white nationalist rhetoric about the coronavirus on social media and far-right websites , according to Eric Ward , director of the Western States Center , a group based in Portland , Oregon , that works to strengthen inclusion .
“ We have an irresponsible president who continues to refer to COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intentional , “ Ward said .
” And at a time of great panic and fear , that will only lead to physical violence.
” “ It is going to be critically important for community leaders , elected officials and others to step up their resistance to hate groups and their goal of dividing a united America.
“ John C. Yang , president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice , said Trump ’ s comments were reminiscent of the late 1800s , when Chinese Americans were deemed the “ yellow peril @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States for years .
“ For us , words matter , “ Yang said .
“ In reality , Chinese are not more genetically prone to transmit the virus .
What we all need to do is focus on our public health.
” He noted that the World Health Organization has cautioned against using geographic descriptors because it leads to ethnic discrimination .
Yang said terms like “ kung-flu ” are not jokes .
“ That ’ s racial stereotyping , and it ’ s just not funny , ” Yang said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads to verbal and physical assaults against a community.
” During a White House briefing on the coronavirus , Trump was told that an unidentified administration official had used the term “ kung-flu.
“ The president was asked whether using a term like “ Chinese virus ” puts Asian Americans at risk .
“ No , not at all .
Not at all , ” Trump replied .
“ I think they probably would agree with it 100 % .
It comes from China.
“ On Tuesday , CBS reporter Weijia Jiang had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the coronavirus the “ Kung-Flu “ in front of her .
She did not identify the official , but Jiang mentioned the remark Wednesday morning to Kellyanne Conway , counsellor to the president .
“ Of course it ’ s wrong , ” said Conway , who wanted to know the identity of the official .
She called the reference “ highly offensive ” and noted that she was married to an Asian American and that her children were 25 % Filipino .
“ Why don ’ t we go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very hurtful and unhelpful.
” After the news conference , the White House defended the president ’ s language , saying that previous epidemics , such as the Spanish flu and West Nile Virus , were named for geographic locations .
They labeled the controversy a “ fake media outrage.
” “ Those trying to divide us must stop rooting for America to fail and give Americans real info they need to get through the crisis , ” the White House tweeted .
But the “ Spanish ” flu is a misnomer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed in Kansas .
Because newspapers on both sides of World War I censored most early news of the outbreak for the sake of public morale , Spain , which remained neutral , freely reported on influenza , giving the impression it had originated there .
Elsewhere , a group of Asian Americans in entertainment and fashion launched a social media campaign called # WashTheHate on Wednesday in an attempt to combat xenophobia related to the coronavirus .
Supporters posted videos of themselves washing their hands for 20 seconds while talking about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism .
Among them was actor Tzi Ma , who portrays the title heroine ’ s father in Disney ’ s now-postponed “ Mulan ” movie .
The Asian American community has to speak up , he said , especially when Trump and other officials use these kinds of labels for the virus .
“ We can never get off the soapbox .
These things rehash themselves all the time , ” Ma said .
“ I don ’ t see an end to it particularly , when our leadership is overtly racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves.
” For most people , the 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 vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .
Tang reported from Phoenix .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Md.
, and Jill Colvin in Washington 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 .

Deb Riechmann And Terry Tang - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--US Census Bureau suspends field operations on virus concerns

ORLANDO , Fla. - A week after starting its 2020 count for most of the U.S. , the Census Bureau on Wednesday suspended field operations for two weeks out of concern about the health and safety of its workers and the U.S. public from the novel coronavirus .
Census Bureau officials said they were continuing to monitor all operations related to the once-a-decade head count amid the global pandemic .
As of Wednesday , 11 million households had answered the census questions .
Most census workers won ’ t head into the field until May , when they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t turned in their questionnaires .
But some workers are already in the field .
They were primarily dropping off paper questionnaires at places with no fixed addresses and large numbers of seasonal workers , or preparing for counts in a few weeks of the homeless and people who live in group housing such as college dorms , nursing homes and prisons .
The Census Bureau is aiming to hire as many as 500,000 workers for the 2020 census , and so far has 31,000 workers on the payroll .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve ever heard of such a suspension , nationwide , “ said Anderson , a history professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee .
“ We ’ re in uncharted territory on the census , as well as everything else since last Friday.
” 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 vast majority of people recover from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for most of the U.S. last week when notifications started being mailed out and its self-response website went live .
The head count officially kicked off in January in remote Alaska villages that are difficult to reach .
This is the first decennial census that has encouraged most people to answer the questionnaire online , although respondents can also answer by telephone or mailing back a form .
The Census Bureau is hoping a strong self-response rate will decrease the need for census takers to knock on doors for face-to-face interviews this summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer , laptop , smartphone , or tablet , and can also respond by phone or mail , ” the Census Bureau said in a statement .
In a statement , the chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform said lawmakers were monitoring the suspension of field operations and encouraging people to self-respond .
“ By responding now , you will ensure that the Census Bureau does not need to send a census worker to your door , “ Democratic U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The decision to suspend field operations came just a few days after the Census Bureau announced it would delay sending out census takers to count students in off-campus housing and postpone sending workers to grocery stores and houses of worship where they help people fill out the questionnaire .
The bureau also said the deadline for ending the 2020 census at the end of July could be adjusted as needed .
The 2020 census will help determine how many congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal spending .
By Dec. 31 , the Census Bureau is required to give the president counts of state populations that are used in apportionment , the process of determining the number of congressional seats each state gets .
Arturo Vargas , the CEO of NALEO Educational Fund , a Latino advocacy group active in census outreach efforts , said he supported the Census Bureau ’ s decision .
“ Right now , the easiest way to make sure residents are counted is through self-response online , by phone , or by mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the COVID-19 pandemic are precisely why our government needs accurate census data.
” 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 .