thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Trump’s Easter goal in war on virus a nod to faith, business

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s “ beautiful ” idea to reopen the U.S. economy by Easter Sunday and pack church pews that day was dreamed up during a conference call among business leaders desperate to get the country back up and running .
But his target date for easing coronavirus restrictions is another outstretched hand to a group he has long courted : evangelical Christians .
Cooped up at the White House and watching the stock market tumble , Trump had already been eager to ease federal guidelines aimed at halting the spread of a virus that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dozen business leaders convened a conference call on Sunday .
“ There was a concern — not unanimity , but consensus — that you had to have a reopening of the economy at some point soon , ” said Stephen Moore , a conservative economist and informal Trump adviser .
On the call , Moore said , he argued in favour of setting a specific date as a goal by which point the economy could gradually begin to be reopened .
“ One of the things we were saying was that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there would be some kind of light at the end of the tunnel , “ he said .
While many wanted to see that date set even sooner than Easter , “ it ’ s something that ’ s coming up that would be obviously a mark on someone ’ s calendar , ” Moore said .
“ I had made this point that we should call this economic resurrection day.
“ Though it ’ s unclear exactly when the idea made its way to Trump or whether others in his orbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one official said they had heard the idea mentioned multiple times around the Oval Office — by late Sunday , Trump was publicly siding with such thinking , tweeting : “ WE CAN NOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF.
” On Monday , he said he was considering easing his administration ’ s recommendations that Americans largely stay home within weeks , not months .
And on Tuesday , he formally endorsed the idea of an Easter goalpost during a Fox News Channel virtual town hall .
“ Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
Wouldn ’ t it be great to have all of the churches full ?
“ Trump later told Fox .
“ You ’ ll have packed churches all over our country .
I think it would be a beautiful time.
” The idea drew alarm from many public health experts , who noted that even New York — thought to be several weeks ahead of the rest of the nation — has yet to reach its peak in infections .
Unless Americans continue to isolate themselves for weeks , those experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed more than 800 people in the U.S. will continue to spread like wildfire across the nation , overwhelming hospitals already starved of needed supplies .
But for conservative evangelicals who remain among Trump ’ s most ardent supporters , the president ’ s choice of the holiest date on their faith ’ s calendar was meaningful even as a purely aspirational goal to reboot American life .
The timeline “ injected hope into an indefinite ordeal , ” said Johnnie Moore , an evangelical adviser to the administration .
“ And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that not only is there an end to this … but when we do win it , we ’ re going to have a celebration , and that celebration will partly include gratitude to God.
” Ralph Reed , a veteran GOP activist and Trump ally who chairs the Faith & Freedom Coalition , cautioned that restrictions shouldn ’ t be eased “ if it ’ s a bad idea from a public health standpoint , “ but also welcomed the Easter target .
“ I will be encouraging the White House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense from a public health standpoint , to do everything we can to make that date , ” Reed said , “ because I think it would be symbolic , it would be significant , it would be inspirational.
” To that end , the White House has been discussing the mechanics of a rollback aimed at getting Americans back to work if they don ’ t live in current virus hot spots .
Among the ideas under discussion : advising that those who are most at risk for severe complications — including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while younger people go back to work .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The vast majority of people recover .
Even if Trump were to ease federal guidelines , states across the country , from California to New York , have already put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to halt the virus ’ spread .
The administration has so far said it has no plans to try to overrule local restrictions .
The White House , meanwhile , has been holding calls with those who might publicly back its plans , including conservative allies of the president .
Reed said he was among two dozen allies who participated in one call Tuesday with Vice-President Mike Pence on which the Easter target was not discussed .
Pence did “ make it clear that the objective is to get the country open again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while relying on “ data and public health imperatives , “ Reed said .
Three separate faith outreach calls , including one that drew more than 1,200 allies , were held last week alone .
Pastor Tony Suarez , another evangelical Trump ally , said he hopes the Easter target can be achieved , to “ celebrate a national resurrection and an economic resurrection as we celebrate the Resurrection.
” But even among white evangelicals who are a key component of the president ’ s political base , there were reservations .
National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many who share his faith “ wish to do what is in the best interest of society as a whole , “ citing decisions to cancel physical worship services and various programs .
Kim added that any “ celebrations we pursue on Easter would need to be in that spirit of life.
” For Suarez , Trump ’ s choice of an Easter target remains an important gesture regardless of whether he goes through with it .
Suarez , executive vice-president at the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference , described the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fresh signal of the “ respect within the administration for the word of God and for Christian faith.
” Among those signals , Suarez noted , was Pence ’ s call during a Saturday briefing by the coronavirus task force he leads for Americans to keep donating to their local ministries when most houses of worship have moved their services online .
Follow Colvin and Schor on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/colvinj and https : //twitter.com/eschor .

Jill Colvin And Elana Schor - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--France pulls out military forces in Iraq amid virus demands

PARIS - France is pulling out its military forces from Iraq as French forces are increasingly called upon to help fight the coronavirus at home .
The chief of staff of the French armed forces said in a statement Wednesday night that France is suspending its anti-terrorism training operations in Iraq and also bringing home its Iraq-based troops involved in the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group .
France , which has suffered repeated attacks on its soil by Islamic State extremists , is maintaining military operations in Kuwait and Qatar , and air force missions over Syria .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emmanuel Macron launched a special military operation to support efforts to treat people infected with the new virus .
France plans to deploy helicopter carriers in its overseas territories , and has transported the sick on military planes and an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean .
The French military also built a field hospital in the eastern city of Mulhouse , located in the region of France hardest-hit by the outbreak .
France had almost 26,000 confirmed cases as of Wednesday and the fifth-largest number of virus-related deaths in the world at more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Pennsylvania lawmakers vote to delay primary election

HARRISBURG , Pa. - Pennsylvania lawmakers voted Wednesday to delay the state ’ s primary election by five weeks to June 2 , potentially past the spike of the state ’ s spreading coronavirus cases .
The measure passed both chambers of the Republican-controlled state Legislature on Wednesday and Gov .
Tom Wolf , a Democrat , said he will sign it .
As a result , Pennsylvania will join more than 10 states in delaying primaries .
It comes just a few months after Wolf and lawmakers approved legislation giving every voter the ability to mail in a ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold its primary election June 2 , instead of April 28 , when the state could be in the thick of a surge of COVID-19 cases .
Wolf ’ s administration has steadfastly refused to publicly discuss projections for when it believes the surge of cases will peak , however .
But training and recruiting poll workers during that time could prove impossible , lawmakers say .
Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman , R-Centre , said the Wolf administration has given him no sign of whether it believes the surge of coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people to vote in-person .
“ That ’ s the million-dollar question , or billion or maybe trillion now with the numbers we ’ re talking about in Washington , DC , ” Corman told reporters .
The Democratic Party ’ s presidential delegate selection rules prevent primaries later than June 16 , putting Pennsylvania up against a deadline .
If it becomes clear that it will be impossible to hold an election on June 2 because of the virus , lawmakers and the governor will look at options when that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boyle , D-Philadelphia , had pushed for the legislation to include money to pay for counties to send mail-in ballot applications to every registered voter , but he said that Republicans blocked it .
“ Hopefully we can move to address that in the weeks to come , “ Boyle said .
In addition to delaying the primary date , the legislation gives county election offices a head start on processing and tabulating mail-in ballots , newly allowed under a five-month-old election law .
Letting election workers start at 7 a.m. on election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is designed to help them avoid a massive backup that county officials have warned could extend vote counting in the presidential race for days afterward .
It also requires that challenges to those ballots be filed by the Friday before election days to lighten the post-election load of processing and counting mail-in and absentee ballots .
Separately , the legislation lets counties consolidate polling places , in part because some are currently located within nursing homes that could be susceptible to outbreaks of the coronavirus .
Many poll workers are older people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
Primary voters will pick candidates in contested races for president , Congress and the Legislature .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Marc Levy And Mark Scolforo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Virus infections near 500,000 as health systems buckle

NEW YORK - U.S. deaths from the coronavirus pandemic topped 1,000 in another grim milestone for a global outbreak that is taking lives and wreaking havoc on economies and the established routines of ordinary life .
In a recognition of the scale of the threat , the U.S. Senate late Wednesday passed an unparalleled $ 2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses , workers and health care systems .
The unanimous vote came despite misgivings on both sides about whether it goes too far or not far enough and capped days of difficult negotiations as Washington confronted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 880-page measure is the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history .
Worldwide , the death toll climbed past 21,000 , according to a running count kept by Johns Hopkins University , and the U.S. had 1,050 deaths and nearly 70,000 infections .
Spain ’ s death toll has risen past 3,400 , eclipsing that of China , where the virus was first detected in December , and is now second only to that of Italy , which has 7,500 .
Lidia Perera , a nurse at Madrid ’ s 1,000-bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers were desperately needed .
“ We are collapsing , “ Perera said .
The Spanish parliament voted to allow the government to extend strict stay-at-home rules and business closings until April 11 .
Such measures are becoming increasingly common in the U.S. , where New York is the epicenter of the domestic outbreak , accounting for more than 30,000 cases and close to 300 deaths , most of them in New York City .
Public health officials in the city hunted down beds and medical equipment and called for more doctors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients will overwhelm hospitals as has happened in Italy and Spain .
A makeshift morgue was set up outside Bellevue Hospital , and the city ’ s police , their ranks dwindling as more fall ill , were told to patrol nearly empty streets to enforce social distancing .
In Washington , President Donald Trump has called for Americans to dedicate themselves to social distancing for 15 days , including staying home from work and closing bars and restaurants to help try to stall the spread of the disease .
Yet , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t built to be shut down ” and vowed not to allow “ the cure be worse than the problem ” — apparently concerned that the outbreak ’ s devastating effects on financial markets and employment will harm his chances for reelection later this year .
“ The LameStream Media is the dominant force in trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success , ” Trump tweeted Wednesday .
Democrats say that Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety of Americans .
“ I ’ d like to say , let ’ s get back to work next Friday , ” said Joe Biden , the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination .
” That ’ d be wonderful .
But it can ’ t be arbitrary.
” Biden said the congressional aid package addressing the outbreak “ goes a long way , ” but that “ meticulous oversight ” is required .
“ We ’ re going to need to make sure the money gets out quickly into peoples ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how corporations are using the taxpayers funds that they receive , to make sure it goes to help workers , not rich CEOs or shareholders , ” the former vice-president said .
Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has also called to reopen schools and businesses , contending a clampdown ordered by many governors will deeply wound the economy and spark social unrest .
He called for only high-risk people to quarantine and for governors to lift their stricter measures .
The country ’ s governors resisted , saying his instructions run counter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s largest population .
The rebellion even included traditional allies of Brazil ’ s far-right president .
Meanwhile , the governor of a state in central Mexico said the poor are “ immune ” to the coronavirus , even as the federal government suspended all non-essential government activities .
Puebla Gov .
Miguel Barbosa ’ s comment was apparently partly a response to statistics showing that the wealthy , who travel much more , have made up a significant percentage of Mexicans infected to date , including some prominent businessmen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ far .
“ The majority are wealthy people .
If you are rich , you are at risk .
If you are poor , no , “ Barbosa said .
” We poor people , we are immune.
” Barbosa also appeared to be playing on an old stereotype held by some Mexicans that poor sanitation standards may have strengthened their immune systems by exposing them to bacteria or other bugs .
— Thailand ’ s capital , Bangkok , saw a drastic reduction in crowds and traffic on the first day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cope with the virus .
The elevated Skytrain mass transit system was largely empty during the normal rush hour and a main bus station was quiet after the departure over the past week of many workers whose homes are in rural provinces .
Outside the usually throbbing city , checkpoints were set up to find travellers with symptoms of the disease .
The state of emergency allows the government to implement curfews , censor the media , disperse gatherings and deploy the military for enforcement .
— Leaders of four Japaneses prefectures whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo asked people to avoid non-essential visits to the capital .
The calls come a day after Tokyo Gov .
Yuriko Koike asked city residents to work from home if possible and avoid going out on the weekend .
She said Tokyo is on the verge of a possible explosive increase in infections .
— Pakistani officials said a representative of an Islamic organization spread coronavirus on the outskirts of capital by visiting mosques and going house to house with other clerics .
Several clerics and residents are among the 25 people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s total of nearly 1,100 cases prompted efforts to persuade the country ’ s more than 200 million people to stay home .
— Pakistan ’ s giant neighbour , India , began enforcing the world ’ s largest coronavirus lockdown , a gargantuan task of trying to keep 1.3 billion people indoors .
Official assurances that essentials wouldn ’ t run out clashed with people ’ s fears that the disease toll could soon worsen , gutting food and other critical supplies .
— Beginning Friday , South Korea will enforce 14-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term stay visas arriving from the United States .
It already applies to arrivals from Europe .
South Koreans can be sued and foreigners expelled for failing to heed the order .
— China ’ s National Health Commission says its 67 new COVID-19 cases were all in recent arrivals from abroad .
Once again , there were no new cases reported in Wuhan , the original epicenter of the illness and which remains under some restrictions until April 8 .
The government is trying to restart the world ’ s second-largest economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 81,000 people infected , more than 74,000 have been released from treatment , while just under 4,000 remain in care .
— British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said more than 400,000 people responded within a day to the government ’ s call for volunteers to help the country ’ s most vulnerable people .
— The Pentagon halted for 60 days the movement of U.S. troops and Defence Department civilians overseas , a measure expected to affect about 90,000 troops scheduled to deploy or return from abroad .
For most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Long reported from Washington .
Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report .

David Rising, Aritz Parra And Colleen Long - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Ford pushes for factory restart, union not so sure

DETROIT - Ford says it wants to reopen five North American assembly plants in April that were closed due to the threat of coronavirus .
The three Detroit automakers suspended production at North American factories March 19 under pressure from the United Auto Workers union , which had concerns about members working closely at work stations and possibly spreading the virus .
Union spokesman Brian Rothenberg said Thursday that the UAW is reviewing Ford ’ s announcement “ with great concern and caution.
” The company says it ’ s aiming to reopen its factory in Hermosillo , Mexico , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dearborn truck plant , Kentucky truck plant , the Ohio Assembly Plant and the Transit van line at the Kansas City plant on April 14 .
The factories were closed earlier this month under union pressure .
The company also wants to reopen parts-making plants to feed the assembly factories on the same day .
Ford says in a prepared statement that it will introduce additional safety measures to protect workers , but said it would give details later .
The decision comes as the number of people infected by the virus spikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported t least 2,294 infections and that he number of deaths nearly doubled from 24 , to 43 .
Two Detroit-area hospital systems said they are caring for more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients at 13 hospitals .
At Beaumont Health and Henry Ford Health System , operating rooms were being converted into intensive care units and clinics had been turned into rooms for patients needing other medical care .
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is hoping the United States will be reopened by Easter as he weighs how to relax nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the job during the coronavirus outbreak .
Dr. Betty Chu , of Henry Ford , predicted an “ upcoming surge ” in patients in Michigan , and Beaumont chief executive John Fox called on the state to invoke its power to balance care across eight regions in the state .


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Iraqi military says 2 rockets hit Baghdad’s Green Zone

BAGHDAD - Iraq ’ s military on Thursday said at least two rockets hit inside Baghdad ’ s heavily fortified Green Zone , the seat of Iraq ’ s government and home to the American Embassy , in the first attack following a brief lull in violence from earlier this month .
The attack came as the U.S.-led coalition pulled out of a second base elsewhere in Iraq , in line with a planned drawdown .
Iraqi officials also said the U.S. renewed a sanctions waiver enabling Iraq to import crucial gas and electricity from Iran , but with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the Baghdad Operations Command , which co-ordinates Iraq ’ s police and military forces , the military statement said .
The command centre is a few hundred meters ( yards ) away from the U.S. Embassy , which is a regular target of rocket attacks .
There were no casualties , according to an Iraqi security official , who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations .
No rockets had been fired at the Green Zone since last Tuesday , when three hit an area near the embassy .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ span of a week targeting U.S. interests in Iraq , after assaults on the Basmaya training camp and two separate attacks on Camp Taji .
Both bases are near the Iraqi capital .
The first attack on Camp Taji killed three coalition servicemen including two Americans .
That prompted U.S. airstrikes against what U.S. officials said were mainly weapons facilities belonging to Kataib Hezbollah , the Iran-backed Iraqi militia group believed to be responsible for the attack .
However , Iraq ’ s military said those airstrikes killed five security force members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Popular Mobilization Forces , an umbrella organization including an array of Iraqi militias , including some Iran-backed groups .
Iran-backed Iraqi militias have vowed revenge for the attacks .
Thursday morning ’ s attack came as a state-imposed curfew to contain the spread of the new coronavirus was extended for a second time until April 11 , according to an Iraqi Cabinet statement .
The effective lockdown prohibits large public gatherings and has shuttered all businesses except essential ones like pharmacies and supermarkets .
An Iraqi army statement said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assist police forces on the street and to cordon off areas if a flare up of virus cases occurs .
In northern Iraq , the U.S.-led coalition pulled out of Qayara airfield on Thursday in line with plans to withdraw from bases across Iraq and consolidate in Baghdad and at Ain al-Asad Air Base in the country ’ s western desert .
The plan was in the works since late last year , a senior coalition military official said last week , and accelerated when Iraqi forces proved they were capable of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with limited coalition assistance .
Qayara is the second Iraqi base coalition-troops have pulled out from this month .
Coalition spokesman Myles Caggins said several hundred troops would depart the base in coming days and $ 1 million worth of property would be transferred to the Iraqi government at the handover ceremony in Qayara .
Troops withdrew from al-Qaim base on the border with Syria last week .
“ Our partnership continues with the Iraqi security forces , but in the future you will see less coalition troops in fewer places with fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said late Wednesday that it will pull out all of its military forces from Iraq , citing the need for French forces to help fight the new coronavirus at home .
Caggins said , however , that only French trainers had gone home over coronavirus fears and that France continues to provide advisers and air support .
“ We think in some time , maybe some weeks , the French trainers will come back , ” he said .
Meanwhile , three Iraqi officials said the U.S. will keep letting Iraq import gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American sanctions .
But the officials said Washington has reduced the deadline by which Iraq would need to prove it is making headway in becoming energy independent .
There was no immediate confirmation from U.S. officials .
The last waiver was granted Feb. 13 for a period of 45 days .
Officials said they received word Thursday from U.S. officials that the next waiver would expire in 30 days .
The U.S. has applied stringent sanctions on Iran that punish any country trading with it .
The U.S. waiver enables Iraq to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for energy imports .
The issuance of the last waiver came amid fraught U.S.-Iraq ties following an American drone strike that killed the top Iranian general , Qassem Soleimani , near Baghdad airport on Jan. 3 .
Iraq remains highly dependent on Iranian natural gas to meet electricity demands , especially during the scorching summer months when imports account for a third of consumption .
Late payments by Baghdad for Iranian power and gas have resulted in interruptions in recent years .
In the summer of 2018 , these interruptions were a factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern oil-rich province of Basra .

Samya Kullab And Qassim Abdul-Zahra - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Hong Kong opposition politician arrested over online posting

HONG KONG - An opposition politician in Hong Kong has been arrested over an online post criticizing a policeman who blinded a journalist in one eye during anti-government protests last year , local media said .
Cheng Lai-king was released early Thursday afternoon after being formally charged with sedition earlier in the day , public broadcaster RTHK said .
Messages to the city government spokesman ’ s office asking for information were not immediately returned .
Hong Kong ’ s South China Morning Post newspaper said the 61-year-old local district councillor ’ s arrest came a day after she forwarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and badge number the policeman who was believed to have fired the rubber bullet that blinded Indonesian journalist Veby Mega in one eye .
Superintendent Swalikh Mohammed , of the police cybersecurity and technology crime bureau , was quoted as saying that a woman in her 60s was arrested on suspicion of seditious acts .
He said the case related to online posts that contained personal information about an officer and his family .
The paper said Cheng ’ s post urged the officer to turn himself in if he still had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw frequent violent clashes between police and demonstrators , prosecutors have been handing down indictments for crimes including rioting and possession of offensive weapons .
Sedition is a charge that dates from the British colonial era before Hong Kong ’ s handover to Chinese rule in 1997 and has rarely been used since the territory was rocked by anti-British riots in 1967 .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Trump’s push to open economy could come at cost of lives

WASHINGTON - The contrast could hardly be more stark .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo of New York has said that if all of his sweeping , expensive measures to stem the coronavirus saved one life , it would be worth it .
President Donald Trump has another view : The costs of shutting down the economy outweigh the benefits , frequently telling Americans that 35,000 people a year die from the common flu .
Though it may seem crass , the federal government actually has long made a calculation when imposing regulations , called “ the value of a statistical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tag on a human life .
It has been used to consider whether to require seat belts , airbags or environmental regulations , but it has never been applied in a broad public health context .
The question is now an urgent one given that Trump in recent days has latched on to the notion that the cure for the pandemic should not be worse than the disease and argued that “ more people are going to die if we allow this to continue ” if the economy remains closed .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normalcy for the economy by Easter Sunday , April 12 .
Critics say he ’ s presenting the nation with a false choice at a moment when deaths and infections from the virus are surging .
“ We ’ re not going to accept a premise that human life is disposable , ” said Cuomo , whose state has seen far more infections and deaths from COVID-19 than any other state .
“ And we ’ re not going to put a dollar figure on human life.
” For decades , the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intended to safeguard American health could impact the economy .
Since the Reagan administration , federal agencies have been required to perform analysis of any proposed regulations that are expected to have $ 100 million or more impact on the economy .
The Environmental Protection Agency , for example , conducts cost-benefit analysis to estimate in dollar terms how much people are willing to pay for reductions in their risk of death from adverse health conditions caused by pollution .
The Transportation Department estimates the additional cost that consumers would be willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9.6 million .
Now , the push-pull of when to re-open the economy during the coronavirus crisis centres on a similarly bleak question : What ’ s an economically acceptable death toll ?
Putting dollar figures on the value of life and health is inherently uncomfortable , one expert said .
“ People hate that question , ” said Betsey Stevenson , an economics and public policy professor at the University of Michigan who served on the White House ’ s Council of Economic Advisers during the Obama administration .
“ By laying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , people cringe when they see it.
” Days into his own call for Americans to dedicate themselves for 15 days to social distancing , including staying home from work and closing bars and restaurants to help try to stall the spread of the disease , Trump has changed his tune .
Trump has grumbled that “ our country wasn ’ t built to be shut down ” and vowed not to allow “ the cure be worse than the problem.
” “ The LameStream Media is the dominant force in trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success , ” Trump tweeted Wednesday .
“ The real people want to get back to work ASAP .
We will be stronger than ever before !
” He also pushed back against suggestions that he is being cavalier about the prospect of more deaths being caused by a premature of reopening of the economy .
“ How many deaths are acceptable to me ?
” Trump told reporters Wednesday evening .
“ None.
” But Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the health and safety of Americans .
“ I ’ d like to say , let ’ s get back to work next Friday , ” said former Vice-President Joe Biden , the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination .
” That ’ d be wonderful .
But it can ’ t be arbitrary.
” Trump certainly has his defenders .
Fox News commentator Britt Hume has called it an “ entirely reasonable viewpoint ” that older Americans would be willing to sacrifice for the good of the economy , and Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s “ all in ” on lifting social distancing guidelines in order to help the economy .
Mike Leavitt , a Health and Human Services secretary in the George W. Bush administration , said the battle against the virus is shaping into a “ supremely local fight ” and communities may need to periodically adjust as the crisis unfolds .
“ Each jurisdiction may not come to the same conclusion — because each jurisdiction may have different situations about shopping and businesses reopening , ” Leavitt said in an email .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also put a dollar figure on American life in the aftermath of man-made calamities , including the 9-11 attacks and the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico , which killed 11 and devastated the regional economy , to compensate victims .
Kenneth Feinberg , who administered the victims ’ funds stemming from those events , said the formula used in the nation ’ s courts was a simple one : What would the victim have earned over the course of their life at work but for the tragedy that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , there was some added compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress , he said .
“ It is a rather straightforward calculation , ” Feinberg said .
But when it comes to the current pandemic , Feinberg said calculating the impact is not so simple .
“ When somebody says , ‘ You know the risk of the virus is not as great as the risks to everybody through a deteriorating economy , ’ that ’ s a choice that everybody will have to make , ” Feinberg said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some economists and policy experts say the pandemic continues to present too many unknowns to employ the sort of coldly calculated , cost-benefit analysis that ’ s been used to evaluate the impact of policies such as federal highway and air quality rules .
“ It doesn ’ t help to save the economy if a tremendous number of people have died or fallen ill and their lives are changed forever , ” said Lisa Heinzerling , who grappled with regulatory impact on the economy as the head of EPA ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama administration .
Northwestern University economists Martin Eichenbaum and Sergio Rebelo and German economist Mathias Trabandt said in a working paper published this week that optimal containment efforts would lead to deeper economic damage and that recession in the U.S. was inevitable .
But the economists also projected that maintaining social-distancing measures before the U.S. hits its peak in infections “ saves roughly half a million lives.
“ Stepping back from efforts to preserve human life in the midst of an event of this scale could also have enormous impact on the trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said David Ropeik , a former instructor of risk communication at the Harvard School of Public Health , “ The benefit of an all-out fight against a virus includes reassuring the public that the government is on their side .
Backing off that fight reasonably questions whether the government we have created to protect us from things like this crisis will do so , ” said Ropeik , the author of the book “ How Risky Is It , Really ?
“ “ The loss of that to protect the economy is undermining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ?
” he asked .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .

Aamer Madhani, Laurie Kellman And Kevin Freking - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Israeli parliament to choose new speaker amid double crisis

JERUSALEM - The Israeli parliament will select a new speaker on Thursday after the Supreme Court forced the vote amid an unprecedented challenge to Israeli democracy unfolding amid the country ’ s battle against the rapid spread of coronavirus .
Outgoing Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein resigned in protest Wednesday .
A close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Edelstein had refused to comply with a high court order to convene the plenum for a vote on his successor the same day , angrily accusing the court of an “ arrogant intervention ” in the legislative branch .
Even in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote for several days , as his resignation would take effect 48 hours later .
The court responded by stripping Edelstein of his authorities even before his resignation took effect , and ruled overnight that the Knesset ’ s longest-serving member can act as interim speaker to carry out the vote .
In her ruling , Chief Justice Esther Hayut lambasted Edelstein for his “ unprecedented violation of the rule of law , ” warning that it posed a dire threat to the rule of law .
“ Until today , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of a ruling figure openly and brazenly defying a court order by saying his conscience wouldn ’ t allow it , ” she announced .
“ If this is how a person of authority behaves , why should the citizen behave otherwise ?
” The confrontation comes just as the government enacted new restrictions requiring Israelis to almost completely stay at home , under threat of fines .
In a televised address , Netanyahu warned that if citizens didn ’ t obey the stringent guidelines , a total lock-down would be imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the new virus , with 41 in serious condition .
Five elderly Israelis with preexisting medical conditions have died and there are growing fears that Israel ’ s medical system will eventually be overwhelmed .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or even death .
The virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those showing no symptoms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of emergency executive measures to try and quell the spread of the new virus .
They have included authorizing unprecedented electronic surveillance of Israeli citizens and a slowdown of court activity that forced the postponement of Netanyahu ’ s own pending criminal trial on serious corruption charges .
The global pandemic erupted in Israel immediately on the heels of the country ’ s third inconclusive election in less than a year and at the height of an ever-deepening standoff between Netanyahu ’ s opponents and supporters .
It came to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissident and longtime lawmaker , who cited restrictions on large gatherings due to the spread of the coronavirus in suspending parliamentary activity .
But opponents accused him of clinging to his seat even though he lacked majority support in order to shield his party leader Netanyahu from legislation that would limit his lengthy rule .
Netanyahu ’ s Likud emerged as the largest party in the March 2 election , but along with his smaller religious and nationalist allies , won only the support of 58 lawmakers — leaving his right-wing bloc three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament .
Opposition leader Benny Gantz is backed by a slim majority in the newly elected Knesset and has been pushing for the country ’ s legislature to continue functioning at such a critical time , even without a permanent government in place .
Due to deep ideological divisions within the opposition , it appears unlikely that Gantz will succeed in forming an alternative government .
But the bloc is unified in their opposition to Netanyahu and appear determined to co-operate to provide government oversight and pass legislation that could prevent Netanyahu from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post .
Parliament is expected to approve Meir Cohen of Gantz ’ s centrist Blue and White party late Thursday as the new Knesset speaker .
That would allow the bloc to proceed with planned legislation that includes a ban on indicted politicians , such as Netanyahu , from serving as prime minister .
With the number of coronavirus cases rising , and the tide turning against him in parliament , Netanyahu reiterated his call late Wednesday for Gantz to join him in an emergency unity government devoted to battling the virus crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I know that there is considerable unrest in all parts of the people , in both parts of the people .
I say as clearly as possible : We must put an end to this , ” he said .
“ We are one people .
We are one state and the order of the day is unity.
” Gantz , who has pledged outside support to government efforts to combat the virus , has thus far rebuffed Netanyahu ’ s unity offers , deeming them insincere .
His allies are concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own means and will not carry out his promises to relinquish power within 18 months .
But following a live televised plea from Israel ’ s largely ceremonial President Reuven Rivlin late Wednesday , the two spoke by phone and instructed their teams to resume talks .
“ Find a way to present a shared leadership , a responsible leadership , for Israeli society in its time of crisis , ” Rivlin appealed .
“ We simply do not have an alternative .
Join together for the good of the Israeli people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Jobless after virus lockdown, India’s poor struggle to eat

NEW DELHI - Some of India ’ s legions of poor and people suddenly thrown out of work by a nationwide stay-at-home order began receiving aid distribution Thursday , as both the public and private sector work to blunt the impact of efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic .
India ’ s finance ministry announced a 1.7 trillion ( $ 22 billion ) economic stimulus package that will include delivering monthly grains and lentil rations to an astonishing 800 million people , some 60 % of people in the world ’ s second-most populous country .
In the meantime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rations of rice to shanty-dwellers , while another state ’ s government deposited cash into the bank accounts of newly unemployed workers .
Aid groups , meanwhile , worked to greatly expand the number of meals they can hand out .
The unprecedented order keeping India ’ s 1.3 billion people at home for all but essential trips to places like supermarkets or pharmacies is meant to keep virus cases from surging above the 553 already recorded and overwhelming an already strained health care system .
Yet the measures that went into effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world — risk heaping further hardship on the quarter of the population who live below the poverty line and the 1.8 million who are homeless .
Rickshaw drivers , itinerant produce peddlers , maids , day labourers and other informal workers form the backbone of the Indian economy , comprising around 85 % of all employment , according to official data .
Many of them buy food with the money they make each day , and have no savings to fall back on .
Untold numbers of them are now out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left struggling to eat .
“ Our first concern is food , not the virus , ” said Suresh Kumar , 60 , a bicycle rickshaw rider in New Delhi .
He said he has a family of six who rely on his daily earnings of just 300 rupees ( $ 4 ) , “ I don ’ t know how I will manage , ” he said .
In the northeastern state of Assam , police started handing out rice in some of the poorest districts , an informal effort they said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
In India ’ s most populous state , Uttar Pradesh , the government already sent 1,000 rupees ( $ 13 ) to 2 million informal workers who are registered in a government database and have bank accounts .
It was handing out free food rations to those are are not registered , though some in the state capital , Lucknow , said they weren ’ t aware of such handouts .
In New Delhi , authorities teamed up with local charities and aid groups to map out locations where the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distributing 500 hot meals cooked in government schools , political party headquarters and shelter kitchens .
Details of the programs , from how well-funded they were to how many people they hoped to help , remained scant , however .
“ These are extraordinary times and proving food to the poor is a mammoth task , ” said Vinay K Stephen , who runs a non-profit group working with the government to feed the capital ’ s homeless .
“ But we will do it.
” Economists had urged the government to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lockdown on the poor , many of whom migrated to big cities for work and now now find themselves unable to earn a living or go home to their villages after Indian Railways suspended all passenger service or the first time in its 150 years of operating .
The $ 22 billion package announced Thursday , which includes distributing five kilos ( 11 pounds ) of grains and one kilo ( 2.2 pounds ) of lentil beans every month from government stocks to 800 million people , is in addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bolster the health care system .
It hasn ’ t been only the poor caught out by the lockdown .
Even those with money to spend in shops have met with long lines and confusing regulations .
In the city of Bangalore , people crowded roadside vendors outside a closed wholesale vegetable market .
Others stood in line outside grocery stores behind chalked markings to maintain social distance .
People ignored India ’ s new social isolation norms to keep at least one meter ( 3.2 feet ) apart and crammed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lucknow during the state government ’ s limited allowed window for shopping .
“ I know it is risky and ( one can ) get infected , “ said Kamlesh Saxena , a government employee shopping at the store .
“ But I have no choice.
” Associated Press writers Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow , Dar Yasin in Srinagar , Aijaz Rahi in Bangalore and Wasbir Hussain in Gauhati contributed to this report .

Emily Schmall And Sheikh Saaliq - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--World leaders to meet virtually to co-ordinate virus response

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Leaders of the world ’ s most powerful economies will convene virtually on Thursday to try and co-ordinate a response to the fast-spreading coronavirus , which has shuttered businesses and forced well over a quarter of the world ’ s population into home isolation .
The meeting for the Group of 20 nations will be chaired by Saudi Arabia ’ s King Salman .
The kingdom , which is presiding over the G20 this year , said it organized the extraordinary meeting to advance global efforts to tackle the pandemic and its economic implications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , curfews and lockdowns .
The meeting comes amid criticism that the world ’ s wealthiest countries have not taken cohesive action to combat the virus or its economic impact on people around the world .
Saudi Arabia has also been criticized for rocking oil markets by ramping up production next month and slashing prices to gain market share after Russia , another major G20 oil producer , refused to extend a production cut agreement that had propped up crude prices .
The U.S. has already called on Saudi Arabia to rethink its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed that Saudi Arabia , as a leader of the G20 and an important energy leader , “ has a real opportunity to rise to the occasion and reassure global energy and financial markets ” at this time of economic uncertainty .
The global death toll from the new coronavirus , which causes an illness called COVID-19 , has climbed past 21,000 and the number of infections has surpassed 472,000 , according to a count kept by Johns Hopkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. rose to 1,041 as of late Wednesday , with nearly 70,000 infections .
Spain ’ s death toll has risen past 3,400 , eclipsing that of China , where the virus was first detected in December .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Group of 7 leading industrialized democracies over whether to call out China as the source of the coronavirus .
The ministers were unable to agree on a U.S. push to identify the coronavirus as the “ Wuhan virus , “ in reference to the city in China where it first appeared .
As a result , the foreign ministers opted against releasing a group statement .
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the heads of state who will take part in Thursday ’ s G20 leaders ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking part in the summit from her apartment in Berlin , where she is in quarantine after a doctor who gave her a pneumonia vaccination tested positive for the virus .
Two tests on Merkel have come back negative for the virus , but she ’ ll still need more tests .
The virtual summit will also include leaders from the World Health Organization , the United Nations , World Bank , International Monetary Fund , International Labor Organization and others .
Officials from Spain , Jordan , Singapore and Switzerland will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as chairs of regional bodies like the African Union , the Association of South-East Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council .
The International Labor Organization says nearly 40 % of the world ’ s population has no health insurance or access to national health services and that 55 % — or 4 billion people — do not benefit from any form of social protection whatsoever .
It said the current health crisis makes clear that not nearly enough progress has been made by governments in the years since the 2008 financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sickness benefits , and unemployment protection .
The International Monetary Fund and World Bank issued a call on G20 countries ahead of the Thursday ’ s meeting , warning of severe economic and social consequences for developing countries , home to a quarter of the world ’ s population and where most of the world ’ s poorest people reside .
The lenders called for a suspension of debt payments from these countries and asked G20 leaders to task the World Bank and IMF with making the needed assessments on which countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements .
“ It is imperative at this moment to provide a global sense of relief for developing countries as well as a strong signal to financial markets , ” the lenders said in a joint statement .
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said the lender stands “ ready to deploy all our $ 1 trillion lending capacity.
” She said earlier this week the IMF expects a recession at least as bad as during the 2008 global financial crisis or worse .
Nearly 80 countries are requesting IMF help .
Ethiopia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Central Bank chiefs in a call ahead of Thursday ’ s summit that Africa needs a $ 150 billion emergency financing package due to the impact of the virus .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged G20 leaders to adopt a “ wartime ” plan including a stimulus package “ in the trillions of dollars ” for businesses , workers and households in developing countries trying to tackle the coronavirus pandemic .


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Tokyo Olympics: Looking for a new date for opening, closing

TOKYO - The Tokyo Olympics need new dates for the opening and closing ceremonies in 2021 .
Nothing much can get done until those dates are worked out by the International Olympic Committee , the Japanese government and Tokyo organizers .
“ We must decide this soon , otherwise it will be hard to decide on other things to follow , ” Toshiro Muto , the CEO of the organizing committee , told his 30 senior directors — all men but one — seated in a large meeting room on Thursday .
Two days after the unprecedented postponement was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting of what is being called the “ Tokyo 2020 New Launch Task Force.
“ They must put the Olympics back together after they were torn apart by the coronavirus pandemic .
Muto and the president of the organizing committee , Yoshiro Mori , each gave pep speeches .
Mori , an 82-year-old former Japanese prime minister , drew on war memories from his youth to summon the resolve to redo in a few months what was seven years in the planning .
He talked of his father going “ to the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rugby ball and a baseball glove behind for his young son .
“ I ’ m sorry , I ’ m an old person and I talk about the old days , “ Mori said .
” I ’ m comparing this to the old days and I might be criticized by the media .
However , this is the emotion I have inside me and this is the emotion I have as we face the predicament in front of us.
” Muto ran off a condensed string of issues to be resolved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merchandise , accommodation , the Athletes Village , transportation and lining up unpaid volunteers .
He added he was looking at “ thousands of contracts “ and the interests of broadcasters , sponsors , the IOC , world sports federations and national Olympic committees .
“ I didn ’ t imagine at all we ’ d be tested to this degree , ” he acknowledged .
He also voiced another reality .
“ Additional expenses are going to be quite massive we assume , ” Muto said .
The Japanese financial newspaper Nikkei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay of $ 2.7 billion .
This would go on top of an official budget of $ 12.6 billion .
A Japanese national audit agency , however , says the actual amount of spending is about twice that size .
IOC President Thomas Bach said Wednesday that “ all options are on the table “ for new dates .
He said next year ’ s Olympics don ’ t have to be restricted to summer in the Northern Hemisphere and might occur sooner .
Two of the marquee Olympic events — track and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world championships for July and August of 2021 .
If the Olympics are moved into spring , when it ’ s cooler in Tokyo , they clash with the end of the European soccer season .
In North America , they would bump into Major League Baseball , NBA basketball , NHL hockey and possibly even college basketball .
That ’ s assuming normal sports schedules resume by then .
“ The postponed Olympic Games will need sacrifices , ” Bach said .
Hidemasa Nakamura , the games delivery officer , was pressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s something we haven ’ t decided on yet , “ he said .
” We have no idea when we will be able to finalize the dates .
We don ’ t have a fixed plan how to proceed from here.
“


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--At least 15 killed in multi-car crash after curfew in Egypt

CAIRO - A trailer-truck smashed into multiple cars stopped on a freeway , killing 15 people and injuring a dozen in Egypt ’ s capital late Wednesday , authorities and state media reported .
The deadly collision occurred a few hours after Egypt ’ s nighttime curfew took effect to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
After 7 p.m. , public transport shuts down and people are forbidden from entering the streets unless they have an exemption .
Authorities said a string of microbuses , trucks and cars were lined up at a checkpoint on a road from southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to approve their curfew exemptions .
The truck loaded with construction materials plowed into the cluster of vehicles at high speed , the state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper said .
Officials were still investigating to determine what happened .
The injured were taken to El Saff Central Hospital in the province of Giza for treatment .
About 8,000 people die from traffic accidents each year in Egypt , where roads are poorly maintained and traffic laws rarely enforced .
The accident happened on a stretch of the capital ’ s ring road known for hairpin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most aggressive response yet to the coronavirus pandemic , Egypt imposed an 11-hour nightly curfew for its 100 million people .
The health ministry reported more than 50 new infections Wednesday , bringing the case total to 456 , including 22 fatalities .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Coronavirus delivers tough blow to Lebanon’s dying economy

BEIRUT - Through 15 years of civil war and various bouts of violence since , Lebanon ’ s Barbar eatery never closed its doors , serving up sandwiches to customers even if it meant doing so from behind sandbags .
The coronavirus pandemic , however , has managed to do what various wars could not : Close bars , restaurants and entertainment spots across the tiny Mediterranean country .
It ’ s an economic gut punch at a time when Lebanon is already mired in the worst financial crisis in its history .
While residents of many other countries are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not an option in the country teetering on the edge of bankruptcy .
“ We have never gone through something like this — ever , ” said Barbar owner Ali Ghaziri , standing outside his shop on Beirut ’ s normally busy Hamra street , now completely deserted .
Earlier this month , heeding orders from the government amid the spread of the new coronavirus , Ghaziri closed the iconic chain ’ s two branches in Beirut , leaving only its delivery service operating .
Nearby , in Beirut ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spilling onto the street with noisy , beer-toting youngsters are shuttered .
Even Lebanon ’ s famous corniche , usually dotted with coffee vans , corn-on-the-cob vendors and people doing their morning exercise , is now empty .
Lebanon has suffered in recent years from a lack of economic growth , high unemployment and a drop in hard currency inflows from abroad .
But the financial crisis erupted after nationwide protests over widespread corruption and decades of mismanagement by the ruling political class engulfed the country in October .
That in turn has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controls on cash withdrawals and transfers , raising fears about depositors ’ savings in U.S. dollars .
The local currency has already lost up to 60 % of its value on the dollar on the black market .
Earlier this month , as the crisis deepened , the government announced it would no longer pay its foreign loans , marking the country ’ s first-ever default amid ongoing popular unrest .
Among the sectors hardest hit by the crisis has been the food and beverage sector , a mainstay of Lebanon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than 800 food and beverage institutions closed and around 25,000 people — or 17 % of those who work in the sector — lost their jobs , according to various estimates .
In January , a further 200 institutions closed .
The Lebanese government ordered the lockdown in mid-March , closing its only international airport as well as ports and land border crossings until March 29 .
Restaurants and night clubs were also ordered closed in a severe blow to one of the most vital sectors in Lebanon , known for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We reached a point where we were hit by one catastrophe after the other , and when we reached the coronavirus crisis we had no more reserves at all , ” said Maya Bekhazi Noun , general secretary of the syndicate for restaurant owners .
“ We were at the bottom , bottom , bottom , taking the last breath , ” she said .
“ This now was a mortal blow to the sector.
” Unlike in other countries under lockdowns , where banks remained open , the banking association in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close for two weeks , in an apparent effort to preserve liquidity .
“ It ’ s going to be devastating on the economy in the short-term and the long-term , ” said economist Kamel Wazni , speaking about businesses that have closed .
“ There ’ s going to be a lot of pain among many sectors of the economy.
” He said the government will also be affected since it will not be able to collect taxes , further increasing the budget deficit .
Lebanon ’ s prime minister has acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus fallout amid the crippling crisis .
In a report this week , Human Rights Watch said Lebanon ’ s financial crisis and dollar shortage has resulted in a scarcity of medical supplies necessary to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak While governments abroad scramble to approve stimulus packages to compensate for lost businesses , experts here warn of extremely dire times ahead with no potential for bailouts .
Government officials have said they are not seeking an IMF bailout for now , fearing it would come with conditions that would be too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbar , said he is worried about his staff , 75 % of whom he had to send home after sales dropped 75 % .
His father founded the Barbar chain — a household name in Lebanon — in 1979 , four years after the country ’ s 15-year civil war erupted .
The eatery continued to serve up kebabs , shawarma and other treats throughout the conflict and various other wars .
They closed for a few hours only when Ghaziri ’ s grandfather passed away and in 2005 for the funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he was assassinated .
“ During the civil war , there were street battles .
So , you could talk yourself out of problems .
Now you can not do anything , ” Ghaziri said of the coronavirus .
Some 220,000 people have lost their jobs in Lebanon since October , according to a survey released last month by information provider InfoPro .
InfoPro said the number of companies that have closed increased by 20 % between November and January .
One third of all companies have reduced their work force by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projected 0.2 % negative growth in 2020 before the protests began in October but more recent estimates suggest the contraction in the country ’ s economy could be more than 1 % of GDP .
Prime Minister Hassan Diab , whose government is negotiating debt restructuring , said Lebanon ’ s debt reached $ 90 billion or 170 % of GDP , making it one of the highest in the world .
According to government estimates , about half of Lebanon ’ s population could end up living below poverty levels .
Ali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he worked for 11 years in October as a result of the crisis .
He was left jobless just as he was preparing to marry his longtime fiance in a few months .
With no income , the 36-year-old stopped renovation work in the apartment he bought and started looking for a new job as of late October .
That was days after massive nationwide protests broke out against the country ’ s political elite .
On March 1 , he started a new job at another restaurant in Beirut but now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be laid off again .
“ I am worried that if things stay as they are I might lose my new job , “ he said .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Bassem Mroue And Zeina Karam - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Mormon church suspends temple activities over virus

SALT LAKE CITY - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is suspending all temple activity due to concerns over the coronavirus .
The Utah-based faith said Wednesday that the temporary suspension would start at the end of the day , said Irene Caso , a church spokeswoman .
The church said the decision was made after careful consideration and “ with a desire to be responsible global citizens.
” Meanwhile , a Utah county hard hit by the new coronavirus is telling residents to stay home except for essential errands and asking visitors to the ski-resort community of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter-in-place order issued Wednesday in Summit County is the first such declaration in the state .
It has been a hotspot for cases statewide , and now has a similar number of cases per-capita as hard-hit New York City and parts of Italy , said Summit County Health Director Rich Bullough .
The order tells people who live not to leave their homes except for essential reasons , like grocery shopping and picking up medications .
Residents can go outside for walks but must stay at least six feet away from others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday and will be in place at least until May 1 .
Visitors planning new trips to Park City are being asked not to come , as well as those with second homes in the area .
Authorities expect hospitals to reach capacity as the disease progresses , and they hope the order will prevent the system from being overwhelmed , said County Council Chair Doug Clyde .
Violations of the order are considered a misdemeanour .
Republican Gov .
Gary Herbert has repealed criminal penalties against gathering in groups elsewhere , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County makes this order justified .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
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Sign up for our free newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now

Lindsay Whitehurst - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--U.S. Senate unanimously passes $2 trillion stimulus package for COVID-19 relief

WASHINGTON—In an overwhelming bipartisan vote , the Senate on Wednesday passed a $ 2 trillion economic stimulus package —the largest ever —designed to pump money directly into Americans ’ pockets while also shoring up hospitals , businesses and state and local governments struggling against the coronavirus pandemic .
The $ 2 trillion price tag is equal to more than half of the $ 3.5 trillion the federal government expects to collect in taxes this year , and is 9 % of the nation ’ s gross domestic product .
“ It ’ s going to take care of people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation during a news conference , vowing to sign the bill immediately when it reaches his desk .
A vote was initially delayed in part by concerns from Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , and a handful of Republican senators that laid-off low-wage earners in some states might be able to temporarily collect more from the expanded unemployment insurance in the bill than from their original salaries , creating a disincentive to work .
But Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin earlier Wednesday said most Americans would opt to keep their jobs , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process of getting aid to workers nationwide .
“ Our expectation is this bill passes tonight , ” said Mnuchin , who took part in five days of tense , marathon negotiations between congressional Democrats and Senate Republicans .
The sweeping package will impact a broad swath of American society , with some elements potentially lasting longer than the health crisis .
Along with providing a one-time direct payout of up to $ 1,200 for most American adults , the bill includes $ 500 billion in loans to struggling businesses , $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small businesses , $ 150 billion for local , state and tribal governments struggling with a drop in revenue and $ 130 billion for hospitals .
The package also blocks foreclosures and evictions during the crisis on properties where the federal government backs the mortgage ; pauses federal student loan payments for six months and waives the interest ; gives states millions of dollars to begin offering mail or early voting ; and provides more than $ 25 billion in new money for food assistance programs such as SNAP .
The real test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill as it is , and can pass it with “ unanimous consent , ” a procedure usually reserved for small , noncontroversial bills .
If a single member comes to the House floor and objects , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , may have to recall House members to Washington for a vote that would draw out the process .
Democratic and Republican House leaders are hoping to avoid that , but it remains to be seen whether they can .
A House vote is scheduled to occur Friday .
Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who left the Republican Party last year , called the package a “ raw deal for the people ” in a tweet shortly after it was announced , but clarified later in the day that he will not delay the bill by objecting to unanimous consent .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , said Wednesday that he supports holding a voice vote , which would ensure House members don ’ t have to return if they don ’ t want to for health or safety reasons .
But if some wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I do not believe we should pass a $ 2 trillion bill by unanimous consent , ” McCarthy said .
A voice vote is generally determined by which side is the loudest , as decided by the member presiding over the House at the time .
The losing side often asks for a recorded vote , which would require Pelosi to recall House members from across the country .
Several House Democrats were also unhappy with the bill , saying it helps business at the expense of people .
Michigan Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate bill doesn ’ t help people whose water was shut off for lack of payment during the outbreak .
The one-time payments to Americans will be based on adjusted gross income reported in 2019 taxes —if they have been filed —or 2018 taxes , if they have not .
The amount will decline gradually beginning with individuals who made $ 75,000 or married couples filing jointly who made $ 150,000 .
Individuals making $ 99,000 or above or married couples making $ 198,000 or more would receive no check .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child .
Mnuchin said payments could arrive in three weeks for those who have direct deposit set up with the Internal Revenue Service , but could take several additional weeks for printed checks .
The IRS may also release the payments in the form of debit cards , a Republican aide said .
Even those who have no income , whose income comes entirely from nontaxable benefit programs such as Social Security or who file a tax return only in order to take advantage of the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit and Child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
First proposed last week , the bill was delayed by days of negotiations that spurred angry speeches and uncharacteristic outbursts on the Senate floor .
Republicans accused Democrats of dragging their feet and trying to squeeze more priorities into the bill while the crisis mounted .
“ We should have passed this last Sunday .
Time was wasted , ” Sen. John Barrasso , R-Wyo.
, said .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said Wednesday he would leave it to others to determine whether Democrats ’ changes were worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to stand together , act together , and pass this historic relief package today , ” McConnell said .
“ The Senate will act to help the people of this country weather this storm .
This is not even a stimulus package .
It is emergency relief.
” Democrats say they won many important changes that made the bill more beneficial to people hit hardest by the coronavirus crisis .
“ To improve this legislation was worth taking an extra day or two , ” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes are : —An expansion of who qualifies for unemployment insurance to include people who were furloughed , gig workers and freelancers .
It included an increase in the unemployment payments by $ 600 per week for four months on top of what states provide as a base unemployment compensation , and extended the benefit to 13 weeks for people already collecting unemployment insurance .
—An additional $ 150 billion for hospitals , including $ 100 billion in grants that can be used by nursing homes , hospitals , clinics and other health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as face masks , gloves and ventilators .
—An inspector general to oversee $ 500 billion in loans the Treasury Department will distribute to industries affected by the pandemic and a new five-person congressional committee to conduct oversight of the federal government ’ s spending on the COVID-19 response .
The original bill left it to the Treasury Department to determine which businesses get loans and allowed it to wait up to six months to disclose where the money went .
—Prohibition of businesses controlled by the president , vice president , members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments receiving loans or investments from the Treasury programs .
Their children , spouses and in-laws also can not benefit .
— $ 400 million for states to prepare for the 2020 elections , aimed at making it easier for states to move toward vote by mail and early voting .
It does not require states to participate and is more than double the $ 140 million in the original bill .
— $ 25 million for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington , D.C. , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats asked for than the $ 1 million in the original Republican proposal .


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Stocks have first back-to-back gains since sell-off began

BEIJING - Asian stocks were mixed Thursday after Wall Street gained as U.S. lawmakers wrangled over a proposed $ 2 trillion virus aid package .
Market benchmarks in Tokyo and Shanghai declined .
Australia and Southeast Asian markets gained .
Jakarta jumped 10 % .
New York futures were lower , with the contract for the S & P 500 down 0.7 % , while that for the Dow fell 0.2 % .
On Wall Street , the benchmark S & P 500 index rose 1.2 % on Wednesday but is down nearly 27 % from its peak a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday on an aid plan to blunt the impact of business shutdowns due to the coronavirus .
But some legislators balked at its terms .
“ Uncertainty with regards to the passage of the fresh U.S. stimulus bill brings about a wait-and-see tone for markets , ” said Jingyi Pan of IG in a report .
Tokyo ’ s Nikkei 225 fell 3.2 % to 18,917.96 and Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng was flat , at 23,527.82 .
The Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.2 % to 2,776.64 .
The Kospi in Seoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s S & P-ASX 200 added 3.4 % to 5,169.00 .
New Zealand and Indonesia also advanced , with the Jakarta benchmark up 9.6 % by late morning .
Singapore ’ s benchmark lost 1.4 % after a government forecast that the economy will shrink 10.6 % in the current quarter compared with the three months ending in December .
Singapore is preparing its second stimulus package as more businesses are told close and controls on public activity are tightened .
Prices have swung wildly as business shutdowns spread around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decline in numbers of new coronavirus infections before prices can bottom out .
Many traders have “ reverted to the 2008 case study , ” when markets saw several 5 % rallies during the global financial crisis before bottoming out in March 2009 , Chris Weston of Pepperstone said in a report .
The U.S. aid package would be the country ’ s largest stimulus ever , but an early rally on Wall Street faded Wednesday as disagreements over its details blocked a congressional vote , raising questions about when the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tim Scott , Ben Sasse and Lindsey Graham demanded changes to ensure laid-off workers don ’ t receive more money than they did while working .
Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would block the bill unless the conservatives dropped their objections .
The S & P 500 advanced to 2,475.66 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.4 % to 21,200.55 .
The Nasdaq lost 33.56 points to 7,384.30 .
Even optimists say the package provides just the second leg of three that markets need to regain lasting confidence .
Global central banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into financial markets .
Investors are still waiting to see the details of Washington ’ s plan .
It includes direct payments to most Americans and aid for hard-hit industries .
It ’ s unclear when the House of Representatives could vote on it .
The number of known infections has leaped past 450,000 people worldwide , and more than 20,000 have died , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Overall , more than 112,000 have recovered .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness including pneumonia and death .
Economists expect a report Thursday to show a record number of Americans filed for unemployment benefits .
Boeing soared 24.3 % on Wednesday on expectations it stands to gain from the aid package .
Other travel-related stocks also stormed higher to recoup a fraction of their losses .
Royal Caribbean Cruises jumped 23 % but is down 68.2 % for the year .
Nike climbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online sales in China during the coronavirus outbreak helped it offset plunges in revenue caused by the shutdown of stores across the country .
The company said it will follow a similar playbook in other countries as the outbreak has spread around the world .
It also said sales are bouncing back in China , where the outbreak has eased and most Nike stores have reopened .
In energy markets , benchmark U.S. crude lost 34 cents to $ 24.15 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close at $ 24.49 .
Brent crude , used to price international oils , declined 22 cents to $ 29.77 per barrel in London .
It rose 24 cents the previous session to $ 27.39 a barrel .
The dollar declined to 110.82 yen from Wednesday ’ s 111.20 .
The euro gained to $ 1.0910 from $ 1.0880 .


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Trump’s Easter goal in war on virus a nod to faith, business

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s “ beautiful ” idea to reopen the U.S. economy by Easter Sunday and pack church pews that day was dreamed up during a conference call among business leaders desperate to get the country back up and running .
But his target date for easing coronavirus restrictions is another outstretched hand to a group he has long courted : evangelical Christians .
Cooped up at the White House and watching the stock market tumble , Trump had already been eager to ease federal guidelines aimed at halting the spread of a virus that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dozen business leaders convened a conference call on Sunday .
“ There was a concern — not unanimity , but consensus — that you had to have a reopening of the economy at some point soon , ” said Stephen Moore , a conservative economist and informal Trump adviser .
On the call , Moore said , he argued in favour of setting a specific date as a goal by which point the economy could gradually begin to be reopened .
“ One of the things we were saying was that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there would be some kind of light at the end of the tunnel , “ he said .
While many wanted to see that date set even sooner than Easter , “ it ’ s something that ’ s coming up that would be obviously a mark on someone ’ s calendar , ” Moore said .
“ I had made this point that we should call this economic resurrection day.
“ Though it ’ s unclear exactly when the idea made its way to Trump or whether others in his orbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one official said they had heard the idea mentioned multiple times around the Oval Office — by late Sunday , Trump was publicly siding with such thinking , tweeting : “ WE CAN NOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF.
” On Monday , he said he was considering easing his administration ’ s recommendations that Americans largely stay home within weeks , not months .
And on Tuesday , he formally endorsed the idea of an Easter goalpost during a Fox News Channel virtual town hall .
“ Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
Wouldn ’ t it be great to have all of the churches full ?
“ Trump later told Fox .
“ You ’ ll have packed churches all over our country .
I think it would be a beautiful time.
” The idea drew alarm from many public health experts , who noted that even New York — thought to be several weeks ahead of the rest of the nation — has yet to reach its peak in infections .
Unless Americans continue to isolate themselves for weeks , those experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed more than 1,000 people in the U.S. will continue to spread like wildfire across the nation , overwhelming hospitals already starved of needed supplies .
The number infected has risen to more than 69,000 .
But for conservative evangelicals who remain among Trump ’ s most ardent supporters , the president ’ s choice of the holiest date on their faith ’ s calendar was meaningful even as a purely aspirational goal to reboot American life .
The timeline “ injected hope into an indefinite ordeal , ” said Johnnie Moore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And it was very clear in hearing him speak that not only is there an end to this … but when we do win it , we ’ re going to have a celebration , and that celebration will partly include gratitude to God.
” Ralph Reed , a veteran GOP activist and Trump ally who chairs the Faith & Freedom Coalition , cautioned that restrictions shouldn ’ t be eased “ if it ’ s a bad idea from a public health standpoint , “ but also welcomed the Easter target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House , again within the parameters of what makes sense from a public health standpoint , to do everything we can to make that date , ” Reed said , “ because I think it would be symbolic , it would be significant , it would be inspirational.
” To that end , the White House has been discussing the mechanics of a rollback aimed at getting Americans back to work if they don ’ t live in current virus hot spots .
Among the ideas under discussion : advising that those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complications — including seniors — continue to isolate themselves , while younger people go back to work .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The vast majority of people recover .
Even if Trump were to ease federal guidelines , states across the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already put in place a patchwork of rules to try to halt the virus ’ spread .
The administration has so far said it has no plans to try to overrule local restrictions .
The White House , meanwhile , has been holding calls with those who might publicly back its plans , including conservative allies of the president .
Reed said he was among two dozen allies who participated in one call Tuesday with Vice-President Mike Pence on which the Easter target was not discussed .
Pence did “ make it clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country open again in weeks , not months , ” while relying on “ data and public health imperatives , “ Reed said .
Three separate faith outreach calls , including one that drew more than 1,200 allies , were held last week alone .
Pastor Tony Suarez , another evangelical Trump ally , said he hopes the Easter target can be achieved , to “ celebrate a national resurrection and an economic resurrection as we celebrate the Resurrection.
” But even among white evangelicals who are a key component of the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reservations .
National Association of Evangelicals President Walter Kim said that many who share his faith “ wish to do what is in the best interest of society as a whole , “ citing decisions to cancel physical worship services and various programs .
Kim added that any “ celebrations we pursue on Easter would need to be in that spirit of life.
” For Suarez , Trump ’ s choice of an Easter target remains an important gesture regardless of whether he goes through with it .
Suarez , executive vice-president at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the president ’ s elevation of that date as a fresh signal of the “ respect within the administration for the word of God and for Christian faith.
” Among those signals , Suarez noted , was Pence ’ s call during a Saturday briefing by the coronavirus task force he leads for Americans to keep donating to their local ministries when most houses of worship have moved their services online .
Follow Colvin and Schor on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/colvinj and https : //twitter.com/eschor .


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Alaska announces new virus cases, most of them in Anchorage

JUNEAU , Alaska - State officials on Wednesday announced the number of reported coronavirus cases in Alaska had grown to 59 .
The figure included 17 new cases : 11 from Anchorage , three from Ketchikan and one each from Homer , Fairbanks and North Pole , Alaska ’ s chief medical officer , Dr. Anne Zink , said .
The state health department , in a release , said the individual in the Homer case was tested in Anchorage after returning from a trip to the Lower 48 .
That person has not returned to Homer since becoming ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Gov .
Mike Dunleavy said an extension of restrictions on restaurants , bars and entertainment venues past April 1 is likely and a decision on that is expected in the coming days .
Dunleavy last week ordered the closure of dine-in service at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment venues such as theatres , gyms and bowling alleys through 5 p.m. April 1 .
The state has issued a series of mandates and recommendations in a bid to slow the spread of the virus .
“ It ’ s just simply not an exact science what levers you pull , and how and when , ” Dunleavy said , adding later : “ We ’ re doing everything we can to try and get this right , where we protect the health of Alaskans but at the same time we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to unravel before us when it comes to the economy.
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thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Fears for civil rights mount amid fight against coronavirus

CHICAGO - The orders seem prudent in the bid to thwart the spread of the novel coronavirus : Don ’ t go out , don ’ t gather with others and keep your stores closed .
But growing segments of the U.S. population say state and federal governments are trampling on freedoms central to American life in the name of protecting public health .
The case is already being made .
A church-goer in New Hampshire says prohibitions against large gatherings violate her religious rights .
A Pennsylvania golf course owner argues that gubernatorial edicts shuttering his business amount to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If civil libertarians aren ’ t yet sounding alarms , many have their hands hovering over the button .
“ So far , we haven ’ t had draconian methods , like armed police blocking people ’ s movement in the streets , surveillance and phone tapping , ” said Larry Gostin , a public health lawyer at Georgetown University .
“ But we are seeing lockdowns of millions of citizens like we have never seen before.
” He added : “ We are on the precipice of something that could transform American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of governmental power to impose restrictions haven ’ t been fully resolved since New York cook Mary Mallon , a typhoid carrier , defied public health department orders to isolate .
Mallon , better known as Typhoid Mary , lost her legal battle for freedom and ended up effectively imprisoned for 28 years on an island cottage , dying there in 1938 .
Responses are no longer as severe .
But thousands of Americans are already confined to their homes under threat of fines and even jail .
Businesses are losing thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One man infected with the coronavirus in Kentucky recently left a hospital and refused to quarantine ; an armed county deputy was posted outside his home to ensure the 53-year-old stayed put .
“ It ’ s a step I hoped I ’ d never have to take , but we can ’ t allow one person who we know has the virus to refuse to protect their neighbours , ” Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear told reporters .
Authority to order shutdowns and quarantines inside states rests almost entirely with states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power not explicitly delegated to the federal government to states .
The federal government itself can ’ t order nationwide quarantines or business closures , courts have ruled over the years .
It does , however , have clear power under constitutional clauses regulating commerce to quarantine international travellers or those travelling state to state who are suspected of carrying an infectious disease .
At least some legal scholars believe the Constitution ’ s Commerce Clause may vest President Donald Trump with powers to impose a national lockdown , but he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 states to agree to uniform restrictions if he ever seriously contemplated such a move .
That doesn ’ t appear to be his inclination .
He said this week he was hoping to lift restrictions in a bid to boost the plummeting U.S. economy as early as Easter Sunday , April 12 , setting up a standoff with state officials who have said they can ’ t risk it .
“ The federal government has done guidelines .
And then states can follow the guidelines , states can fashion the guidelines to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said .
“ What works for New York isn ’ t necessarily going to work for Tulsa or San Antonio .
The federal government isn ’ t saying we mandate anything.
” Laws spelling out what steps a state can take during a pandemic can be complex and difficult for judges to sort through .
Some haven ’ t been updated in decades , according to a report by the Congressional Research Service .
And they also differ state to state .
The maximum penalty in most states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by a court order — is no more than a year in jail .
In Mississippi , it can be 10 years in some circumstances , according to the National Conference of State legislatures .
A few Americans are already fed up and have taken their grievances to court by suing their respective states .
But a relative trickle of legal challenges will likely become a flood if lockdowns drag on for weeks and frustrations mount .
The number of dead in the U.S. has reached 1,042 with more than 69,000 infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not happened .
The Pennsylvania lawsuit filed on behalf of the Blueberry Hill Golf Club says Gov .
Tom Wolf ’ s power to close businesses under state law is limited to man-made or natural disasters such as oil spills , tornadoes and mudslides .
The coronavirus , it argues , doesn ’ t fall into those categories .
The state has more than 1,280 cases .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The state-court filing says the golf course has a short window that starts with an influx of golfers in spring to recoup costs of maintaining greens and fairways .
With cash flow now cut , it may not be able to make vital bank payments , the lawsuit says .
The owner would undertake COVID-19 prevention protocols if permitted to re-open , the lawsuit said , including but not limited to “ requiring golfers to walk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carts , require golfers to use individual carts for each golfer.
” So far , judges have rejected the few legal challenges to state restrictions .
Pennsylvania ’ s Supreme Court refused to freeze Wolf ’ s sweeping shutdown orders .
In response to complaints , Wolf did ease restrictions on some businesses .
A New Hampshire court issued a similar ruling in the lawsuit by the church-goer .
It upheld Gov .
Chris Sununu ’ s ban on large gatherings , the court ’ s written ruling saying it couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than protecting the citizens of this state and this country from becoming sick and dying from this pandemic.
” New Hampshire reports more than 130 cases .
But courts have never been asked whether the unprecedented lockdowns are constitutional “ and in violation of individual rights , ” Gostin said .
A battle all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court on that issue , he says , may be looming .


thetorontostar--2020-03-26--Mexican governor says poor are ‘immune’ to coronavirus

MEXICO CITY - The governor of a state in central Mexico is arguing that the poor are “ immune ” to the new coronavirus , even as the federal government suspends all nonessential government activities beginning Thursday in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus .
Puebla Gov .
Miguel Barbosa ’ s comment Wednesday was apparently partly a response to indications that the wealthy have made up a significant percentage of Mexicans infected to date , including some prominent business executives .
Officials say three-quarters of Mexico ’ s 475 confirmed cases are related to international travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many international trips .
Some people apparently caught the virus on ski trips to Italy or the United States .
The country has seen six deaths so far .
“ The majority are wealthy people .
If you are rich , you are at risk .
If you are poor , no , “ Barbosa said of the coronavirus .
” We poor people , we are immune.
” Barbosa also appeared to be playing on an old stereotype held by some Mexicans that poor sanitation standards may have strengthened their immune systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bugs .
There is no scientific evidence to suggest the poor are in any way immune to the virus that is causing COVID-19 disease around the world .
For most people , the oronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Some are taking the pandemic more seriously .
On Wednesday , deputy health secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the federal government will suspend all its activities , but there are essential activities that can not be suspended.
” He mentioned hospitals , fuel production , electrical power , public sanitation and law enforcement as part of the essential services that won ’ t be suspended .