thetorontostar--2020-04-22--No pay cuts, layoffs but Mideast firm rethinks food security

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - One of the biggest private employers in the Middle East has no plans to cut salaries or lay off any of its 44,000 workers , but the pandemic is changing its thinking about food security , retail and tourism .
Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates hundreds of grocery stores and more than two dozen malls in the Middle East , as well as Central Asia and Africa .
In Gulf Arab states , it has more than 19,000 employees , mostly from the Philippines , India , Nepal , Bangladesh and Egypt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their families back home .
“ We have taken a decision that we are not going to furlough people ... and we are not going to touch the basic salaries , ” said the company ’ s Chief Executive Officer Alain Bejjani .
“ It means a lot , during tough times , to make sure that we are one family and we are dealing with our people in the best possible way.
” Bejjani spoke to The Associated Press from the company ’ s busiest store , a massive Carrefour hypermarket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the pandemic .
Even amid Dubai ’ s 24-hour curfew and government-mandated permits needed to leave the house for groceries , the store remains busy .
Security guards test people ’ s temperature before entering , and in line with government orders , gloves and masks are worn by all .
The company , named after its Emirati billionaire founder , owns and operates 300 of the French-based Carrefour stores .
Its largest markets are the United Arab Emirates , Saudi Arabia and Egypt , but its reach extends as far as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Arab Emirates , where the company is based , imports most of its produce , meat , poultry and basic goods , Majid Al Futtaim ’ s policy of stockpiling a three months ’ supply of basic goods proved crucial when nervous shoppers rushed to stock up and even hoard goods during the first days of growing restrictions on movement amid the pandemic .
Then came a massive surge in online grocery orders — Carrefour has seen a 300 % surge in the UAE , a 700 % increase in Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabia .
“ Food security and strategic stock is very important for us , ” Bejjani said on Sunday , adding that the company is now looking to further increase its stockpile period .
Bejjani said the company is talking to the governments in countries where it operates about food security , particularly because of some delays in the supply chain due to lockdowns and social distancing measures in Europe , and because countries are now keeping more stock domestically .
“ This has had an impact , but you haven ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , disruptive .
Some countries decided to stop exporting some essential items they need , “ he said .
“ We have been able to to find alternative sourcing.
” Bajjani said it ’ s unclear whether people will come out of this pandemic with the same spending patterns as before and whether business travel will ever fully rebound .
What ’ s clear , he said , is that online shopping and customer experiences in stores are going to matter more than ever as people reassess how they spend their time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rethink their consumption patterns , “ he said .
“ Today we see the world moving and operating at what the basic needs of people is to survive in this time of crisis.
” Carrefour is the company ’ s most popular brand , but Majid Al Futtaim ’ s crown jewel is Dubai ’ s Mall of the Emirates , where the busiest Carrefour branch is located , along with its jaw-dropping indoor ski slope .
The winter wonderland is kept freezing cool yearlong , with people inside wearing ski suits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a head-scratching contrast to the scorching desert heat outside .
The company , which operates more than two dozen malls , has replicated the indoor ski experience at one of its malls in Cairo .
However , strict lockdowns across the Mideast have shuttered malls , including the ski slopes , in line with government orders .
Only the hypermarkets inside remain open and Bejjani said the company has forfeited rent payments from mall tenants until they reopen .
Last year , a company audit showed Majid Al Futtaim generated $ 9.6 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in profit before taxes and other costs .
In addition to the grocery stores and malls , the company also owns VOX movie theatres , an arcade and gaming chain called Magic Planet , 13 hotels and franchise rights in the Mideast to Abercrombie & Fitch , AllSaints , lululemon athletica , Crate & Barrel , the LEGO store and American Girl .
As those arms of the company take a hit , its Carrefour stores are busier than ever .
To keep up with demand , the company reassigned around 1,000 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in five countries to its grocery business .
“ A big part of our time and our effort today is invested in making sure that we understand , we ’ re in the flow of what ’ s happening , and we understand how things are going to evolve , ” Bejjani said .
“ Also , how do you make sure that we continue to win in a post COVID-19 world , where health and safety is going to be a big reason to re-adapt customer experience .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Lockdown reveals fresh air, cleaner rivers in India

NEW DELHI - India ’ s extended lockdown to curb the coronavirus outbreak has shut down schools , workplaces , industries , transport , and forced people to stay home .
It also led to an unexpected bonus in the country with six out of 10 of the world ’ s most polluted cities : cleaner air .
“ It is a hell of a change , ” said Kunal Chopra , who suffers from chronic bronchitis and whose morning walks no longer begin with a shot from an inhaler .
“ The air is much fresher and my breathing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the highest pollution-related deaths in the world with more than 2 million people every year , according to a December 2019 report by the Global Alliance of Health and Pollution .
On March 25 , the first day of the lockdown , the average PM 2.5 levels decreased by 22 % and nitrogen dioxide — which comes from burning fossil fuels — dropped by 15 % , according to air pollution data analyzed by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air .
“ These are extraordinary times , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center for Science and Environment , a research and advocacy organization in New Delhi .
She attributed the drop in air pollutants to less vehicles on the road , construction activity , and factories shutting down .
“ People are more vulnerable during a pandemic in areas with high pollution , ” she said .
“ Our lungs and hearts are already compromised , and we can not fight the virus.
” India has reported nearly 20,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 600 deaths .
The stringent lockdown measures that are set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had an effect on India ’ s rivers .
Pictures of pristine clear waters of the Ganges , India ’ s longest river considered holy by Hindus , were enthusiastically shared on social media a few weeks into the lockdown .
India ’ s pollution monitoring body said the water had even become fit for bathing in some areas , according to real-time monitors placed along the 2,575-kilometre ( 1,600-mile ) -long river .
A recent analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Board found that the quality of the Yamuna River flowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown .
The report cited a decrease in runoffs from 28 industrial clusters and less trash .
“ The lockdown has clearly told us what the main sources of pollution are , ” said Vimlendu Jha , an environmentalist and founder of Swechha , a non-governmental organization helping youth fight climate change .
“ Effluents are forced into our river bodies , and that is major reason why our rivers are black.
” Jha and other experts warn that the environmental improvements may be short-lived as the government eventually lifts the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How was a lockdown for just a few weeks able to achieve what governments could not for decades ?
” said Jha , who believes authorities should study data collected during the lockdown to devise better environmental policies .
Roychowdhury suggested private workplaces that shifted their work online during the lockdown should institutionalize working from home to consider the impact of commuting on air pollution .
But that ’ s not everyone .
Ashok Mandal , a scrawny rickshaw driver in New Delhi , spends hours scanning the streets for a passenger .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 400 rupees ( $ 5 ) every day ferrying passengers in a residential neighbourhood , his income has been slashed to a meagre 70 rupees ( $ 1 ) for picking up and delivering groceries .
“ Clean air means nothing to me , ” Mandal said .
“ I am just trying to make it through each day .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Virginia lawmakers to meet in unusual circumstances

RICHMOND , Va. - Virginia lawmakers are set to hold a one-day legislative session outside the Capitol as they grapple with how to handle fallout of the coronavirus .
House Delegates plan to meet under a canopy outside the Capitol while the Senate is meeting at a giant event space at the Virginia Science Museum a couple of miles away .
Lawmakers will be seated far apart and are asked to wear masks instead of germ-carrying ties to help prevent the spread of the virus .
They are set to take up Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s proposed changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northam has proposed plans to delay some long-sought Democratic priorities until more is known about the pandemic ’ s effect on the economy , pushing back decisions on whether to give teachers and state workers raises , freeze in-state college tuition , and implement other new spending in the budget recently passed by lawmakers .
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Alan Suderman And Sarah Rankin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Israel: Palestinian shot and killed after stabbing policeman

JERUSALEM - A Palestinian attacker was shot and killed on Wednesday after he rammed his vehicle into an Israeli checkpoint and stabbed a police officer there , Israeli police said .
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the attack took place near the settlement of Maale Adumim , east of Jerusalem , and a sweep of the area found a pipe bomb at the scene .
The Israeli policeman was moderately wounded , he said .
Video footage of the incident shows a white van veering off a road onto the curb and ramming into the officer , hurtling him several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen jumping out of the vehicle with what looks like a pair of scissors and lunging at the injured policeman .
A scuffle ensues with the policeman retreating and the assailant giving chase before other officers on the scene pursue him off camera .
Police said the other officers on the scene eventually shot the attacker and killed him .
There were no other details about the Palestinian ’ s identity .
Such Palestinian attacks on Israeli police and military positions in the West Bank have been a frequent occurrence in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , especially since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the region pushed many indoors .
However , earlier this week , Israeli forces thwarted a potential attack with Palestinians hurling firebombs at Israeli vehicles .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Hong Kong reshuffles Cabinet, appoints 5 new ministers

Hong Kong on Wednesday appointed five new principal officials in a Cabinet reshuffle , with new appointments for the ministers overseeing mainland affairs , civil service , financial services and home affairs , as well as innovation and technology .
The reshuffle , approved by the central Chinese government in Beijing and announced by China ’ s State Council , came on recommendations by Hong Kong ’ s leader , Carrie Lam .
“ I have started to map out the strategies for rebooting Hong Kong after the pandemic , ” Lam said at a news conference , referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this reshuffle is to help Hong Kong to get out of this difficult situation as soon as possible.
” Hong Kong , a semi-autonomous Chinese territory , has confirmed 1,030 cases of the coronavirus , including four deaths .
On Tuesday , it announced a second two-week extension on measures that include a ban on public gatherings of more than four people and the shutting down of entertainment venues .
Based on the new appointments , Director of Immigration Eric Tsang will replace Secretary for constitutional and Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday for conflicting statements by the government on the status and powers of Beijing ’ s liaison office in Hong Kong , Nip remains in Lam ’ s Cabinet , taking over as secretary for the civil service from Joshua Law .
Lam said the Cabinet reshuffle was unrelated to Nip ’ s public apology .
James Lau , the secretary for financial services and the treasury , will be replaced by Christopher Hui , the executive director of the financial services development council .
Nicholas Yang , secretary for innovation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current electrical and mechanical services director , Alfred Sit .
The undersecretary for labour and welfare , Caspar Tsui , will now be secretary for home affairs , replacing Lau Kong-wah .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Asian stocks mixed after Wall St hit by oil market turmoil

BEIJING - Asian stock markets were mixed Wednesday as oil prices edged lower amid anxiety about the coronavirus pandemic ’ s mounting economic damage .
Benchmarks in Tokyo , Hong Kong and Southeast Asia retreated while Shanghai was little-changed after Wall Street suffered its biggest decline in weeks .
Oil prices slipped further after hitting an all-time low this week .
The fall has rattled investors because it adds to evidence of the depth of a global economic downturn with factories idled and consumers ordered to stay home .
The plunge in oil prices “ has stirred wider concerns of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Narita of Mizuho Bank said in a report .
Global oil demand is set to drop to levels last seen in the mid-1990s .
Producers can ’ t slow their production fast enough .
Storage tanks are running out of room .
Tokyo ’ s Nikkei 225 fell 0.7 % to 19,137.95 and Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng edged 10 points lower to 23,805.56 .
The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.5 % to 2,840.05 .
The Kospi in Seoul gained 0.5 % to 1,888.50 and Sydney ’ s S & P-ASX 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India ’ s Sensex opened up 1.3 % at 31,034.91 .
New Zealand ’ s main index fell 1.4 % and Singapore was down 1.3 % .
The price of a barrel of the benchmark grade of U.S. oil to be delivered in June lost 87 cents to $ 10.70 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It plunged 43 % the previous session to $ 11.57 .
On Monday , the price of a U.S. barrel to be delivered next month fell to below zero .
That meant traders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hands so they wouldn ’ t need to find places to store the swelling surplus .
The price for oil to be delivered in June didn ’ t hit zero , partly because storage isn ’ t as pressing a problem .
Brent crude , the price standard for international oils , lost another $ 2.97 cents to $ 16.34 per barrel in London .
On Tuesday , it fell 24.4 % to $ 19.33 .
“ Global markets are struggling mightily with a temporary but overwhelming demand drop , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the June contract also could “ fall prey to storage infrastructure saturation.
” On Wall Street , the benchmark S & P 500 fell 3.1 % to 2,736.56 .
Some 94 % of stocks in the index declined .
That included winners in the new stuck-at-home economy .
Netflix slipped 0.8 % before it announced its quarterly results that included a 23 % rise in global memberships .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.7 % to 23,018.88 .
The Nasdaq was of 3.5 % to 8,263.23 .
Treasury yields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more money into bonds as a safe haven .
The yield , or the difference between the market price and what a buyer will receive if the bond is held to maturity , on the 10-year Treasury dropped to 0.55 % from 0.62 % late Monday .
Also Tuesday , the U.S. Senate approved a virus aid bill worth nearly $ 500 billion .
It would provide more loans to small businesses and aid to hospitals .
Georgia ’ s governor , meanwhile , announced plans late Monday to allow gyms , hair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early as Friday .
Still , economic data are bleak .
A report Tuesday showed the steepest drop for U.S. sales of previously occupied homes since 2015 .
Pessimists say the market ’ s rally has been overdone and that a premature reopening of the economy could lead to only more flareups of infections .
The dollar declined to 107.59 yen from Tuesday ’ s 107.68 yen .
The euro was unchanged at $ 1.0853 .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Asia Today: Clusters among crew on 2 ships in Taiwan, Japan

BANGKOK - Japanese officials said Wednesday that 33 crew members on a docked cruise ship tested positive for the coronavirus in one day of testing after the first case from the ship was reported .
The Italian-operated Costa Atlantica has been docked in Nagasaki since late January for repairs and maintenance by Mitsubishi Heavy Industry .
The ship carries 623 crew members , including a Japanese translator , but it was empty of passengers during the work .
The outbreak surfaced Tuesday when the first crew member , identified only as a foreign national , tested positive for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms and all are isolated in single rooms on the ship , officials said .
Mitsubishi officials said no crew members had left the ship since mid-March .
Before then , crew members had been allowed to come and go from ship to shore if they passed temperature checks and had not recently travelled to high-risk countries such as China and Italy .
Nagasaki officials are investigating how and where the crew members contracted the virus .
The outbreak on the ship adds to concerns about testing and hospital capacity in Nagasaki , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All of Japan is under a coronavirus state of emergency as cases rise in the world ’ s oldest population and third-largest economy .
Japan has about 11,500 cases of infection , with 280 deaths .
Those numbers are separate from an earlier outbreak on another cruise ship carrying more than 3,700 passengers and crew , where 712 of them were infected .
In other developments around the Asia-Pacific region : — CHINA INSTITUTES NEW CONTROLS : The capital of a northeastern border province is tightening rules on coronavirus prevention and control as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compounds in Harbin and villages on the outskirts were ordered to restrict access and install monitoring equipment on the doors of people forced to self-quarantine .
Heilongjiang province has become a hot spot , mainly due to Chinese citizens flying in from Russia .
The land border has been closed and a field hospital built to handle patient overloads .
The 30 new cases China reported Wednesday include 23 from abroad and seven domestic cases , all in Heilongjiang .
— AUSTRALIA-CHINA SPAT : Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Chinese criticism that Australia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ origins of the coronavirus is “ unwarranted.
” Frydenberg told Australian Broadcasting Corp. that Australian officials ’ role “ is to defend the Australian national interest , and that ’ s what we ’ ll continue to do , and we ’ ll speak up about it as required.
” China ’ s foreign ministry also said Foreign Minister Marise Payne ’ s call for a review of the virus ’ s origins and China ’ s handling of the outbreak was “ not based on facts.
” — TAIWAN NAVY CASES : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a virus cluster on a navy ship that has infected 27 people .
“ I want to present my apologies for letting Taiwanese people bear the risk of the epidemic , ” she said .
Two admirals were removed from their posts pending further investigation into responsibility for the infections , Taiwan ’ s defence chief said .
Taiwan has reported 425 cases and six deaths from the outbreak .
More than half of patients have been released from hospital and the self-governing island democracy has received praise for controlling the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being excluded from the World Health Organization .
— RELIGIOUS MEETING ARRESTS : Indian authorities arrested 29 people , including 16 foreigners , who participated in an Islamic missionary meeting last month now tied to a large cluster of infections .
Police said a university professor who had arranged shelter for Indonesians was also arrested .
They were booked on charges of violating the Foreigners Act and colluding by sheltering foreigners and shielding information about them from the police .
The government has blamed the Muslim missionary movement Tablighi Jamaat for a surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , more than 4,200 linked to the missionary meeting .
— SOUTH KOREAN CASES DECLINE : South Korea reported 11 new cases of the coronavirus and one more death , bringing its national totals to 10,694 cases and 238 deaths .
Infections continue to wane in the hardest-hit city of Daegu , which reported just one new case .
With its caseload slowing , South Korea has begun to relax social distancing amid concerns over the epidemic ’ s economic shock .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Fresh cancellations show reopening from virus will be tough

ATLANTA - Even with many former virus hotspots seeing a reduction in new deaths and hospitalizations , a flurry of cancellations of major events made it clear Wednesday that efforts to return to normal life could still be a long and dispiriting process .
In just the past day , the U.S. scrapped the national spelling bee in June , Spain called off the Running of the Bulls in July , and Germany cancelled Oktoberfest five months away .
Singapore , once a model of coronavirus tracking and prevention , saw an explosion of new cases and announced it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was growing impatience over virus-related shutdowns that have thrown tens of millions out of work , and more countries and U.S. states began taking steps to get back to business .
Business owners in the U.S. who got the go-ahead weighed whether to reopen , and some hesitated , in a sign that commerce won ’ t necessarily bounce back right away .
Mark Lebos , owner of Strong Gym in Savannah , Georgia , where Gov .
Brian Kemp announced that gyms and salons can reopen this week , said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so right now .
“ We are not going to be a vector of death and suffering , ” he said .
With deaths and infections still rising around the world , the push to reopen has set off warnings from health authorities that the crisis that has killed more than 177,000 people globally — including more than 45,000 in the U.S. — is far from over and that relaxing the stay-at-home orders too quickly could enable the virus to come surging back .
The economic damage mounted as oil prices suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst loss in weeks Tuesday on Wall Street .
Asia markets continued their slide on Wednesday .
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved nearly $ 500 billion in coronavirus aid for businesses , hospitals and testing after a deal was reached between Congress and the White House .
President Donald Trump urged House members to quickly pass the measure .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that while some big businesses obtained access to government loans under an earlier aid package , its intent was to help mostly companies with 10 or fewer workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses should return those funds .
Trump also said he will stop issuing certain immigration green cards for 60 days to limit competition for jobs and “ protect American workers ” already suffering in an economy devastated by the pandemic .
In Europe , Denmark , Austria , Spain and Germany began allowing some people back to work , including hairdressers , dentists and construction workers , and some stores were cleared to reopen or will soon get approval .
But in an indication that it will be a long time before life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Running of the Bulls in Pamplona , the more than 400-year-old event .
It was also called off during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s .
The Scripps National Spelling Bee in the U.S. was cancelled .
The competition has been held since 1925 and was last scrubbed during World War II .
Germany called off the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich , which draws about 6 million visitors each year .
It was previously cancelled during the two world wars ; during a period of hyperinflation in Germany in 1923 ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1800s .
Praised for its swift response and meticulous tracing of contacts in the early stage of the outbreak , Singapore was grappling with an explosion of cases in foreign worker dorms that were largely overlooked earlier .
The tiny city-state reported 1,111 new cases Tuesday to increase its total to 9,125 , the most in Southeast Asia .
It marked the second straight day of over 1,000 new cases .
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said measures that shut down nonessential businesses and schools until May 4 would be extended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Italy , Premier Giuseppe Conte confirmed that businesses can start reopening on May 4 but dashed any hopes of a full end to the country ’ s strict lockdown any time soon , saying : “ A decision of that kind would be irresponsible.
’ ’ In the U.S. , some states , including Tennessee , West Virginia and Colorado , announced plans this week to begin reopening in stages in the coming days .
Sunbathers quickly flocked to the sand after some South Carolina beaches reopened with the governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michigan and Wisconsin said they won ’ t enforce stay-at-home orders .
Angry protesters demanding the lifting of restrictions marched in Alabama , North Carolina and Missouri with signs like “ Enough is enough.
” And Wisconsin Republicans asked the state ’ s high court to block an extension of the stay-at-home order there .
During an online ceremony Tuesday to donate masks , ventilators and other desperately needed medical supplies to hard-hit New York City , Chinese Consul-General Huang Ping indirectly appealed to Trump to tone down his recent rhetoric against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged .
After weeks of elaborate praise of Chinese President Xi Jinping ’ s response to the pandemic , Trump has turned to blaming China and halting U.S. contributions to the World Health Organization , accusing it of parroting misinformation from Beijing .
“ This is not the time for finger-pointing , “ Huang said .
“ This is the time for solidarity , collaboration , co-operation and mutual support.
” Trump , meanwhile , said he had a “ very productive ” meeting with New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed how they could work to expand screening “ with the goal of doubling testing ” in New York in the next few weeks .
The meeting marks a sharp shift in rhetoric between the two politicians .
Days earlier , Trump had called on Cuomo to work harder to secure testing material for his state , while Cuomo pushed back that the president should turn off his television and get back to work .
Numerous governors and local leaders have said that before they can relax social distancing restrictions , they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help keep the virus in check .
Long reported from Washington .
AP journalists worldwide contributed to this report .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Colleen Long And Kate Brumback - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Southern states largely go it alone in reopening decisions

BATON ROUGE , La .
- Governors in 17 states have committed to regional co-ordination to reopen their economies during the coronavirus outbreak — but none are in the South , where leaders are going it alone , just as they did in imposing restrictions .
As questions about when and how to ease virus-control measures becomes increasingly politically charged , governors in the Deep South have resisted any appearance of synchronization , instead driving home their message that each state must make its own decision .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp plans to have many of his state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as Friday .
Fellow Republican Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee announced that most businesses will begin resuming operations as soon as next week .
Some other Republican leaders were taking smaller steps , like reopening their beaches .
In the virus hot spot of Louisiana , Democratic Gov .
John Bel Edwards was also taking a more cautious approach , announcing he ’ ll first allow some non-emergency medical procedures to resume next week .
But no one wants to co-ordinate .
Edwards , for one , notes neighbouring states have less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors held phone calls to talk about reopening plans , they insisted they weren ’ t working in concert — and left out their Democratic counterparts in the region .
“ We ’ re trying to take , where we can , our destiny into our own hands , ” said Kemp .
He ’ s been one of the region ’ s most aggressive so far , allowing gyms , bowling alleys , tattoo parlours and other businesses to reopen Friday , if owners follow social-distancing and hygiene requirements .
Restaurants can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can reopen by Monday .
Such moves runs counter to the advice of many experts and have left many businesses wary .
The lack of regional co-ordination also raises concerns that a loosening in one state — especially with insufficient testing — could lead to a spike in cases in another .
But agreement would be difficult in a region with such disparate approaches .
The strategy stands in stark contrast to co-ordination elsewhere .
California , Oregon and Washington have agreed to synchronize how they will begin lifting their shelter-in-place restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same as have seven governors in the Midwest .
In the latter two regions , governors from both parties are involved .
In the South , it ’ s ad hoc : Kemp said he ’ s talked to other Southern governors , but he didn ’ t co-ordinate with any of them , even though urban areas in Georgia lap over borders with several .
Edwards and Republican Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves have also had conversations because of the travel and business shared between New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not believe further co-ordination was necessary .
“ I think if you look at those areas where this is happening , you have very similar situations in terms of the amount of COVID that they have in those various states and they have a much greater degree of inter-connectedness in terms of their economies , ” he said .
Beyond easing the medical restrictions , Edwards says he ’ s waiting to see if Louisiana ’ s improving trajectory — fewer hospitalizations , fewer people on ventilators — remains on course , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when his stay-at-home order expires April 30 .
Louisiana still has more cases and far more deaths than any other state in the region .
For most people , the highly contagious coronavirus causes symptoms such as high fever and a dry cough .
But some people , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , become much sicker and even die .
Elsewhere in the South , decision-making is varied .
Even as neighbouring Georgia pushed to reopen , Republican Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey decided to keep a stay-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the month .
Meanwhile , Arkansas ’ Republican governor , Asa Hutchinson , never issued such a mandate , though he ’ s imposed other restrictions .
Reeves in Mississippi and Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , meanwhile , have allowed beaches to reopen .
Reeves also has said that nonessential businesses can start offering curbside pickup or delivery .
In South Carolina , barricades came off public boat ramps Friday .
Closed retailers , like department stores and specialty shops , were next , but only , Republican Gov .
Henry McMaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed .
He let local governments decide whether to reopen beaches .
Most declined , for now .
Still , it wasn ’ t clear if the state ’ s COVID-19 cases had peaked yet , since state health data shows the number of coronavirus tests have fallen .
Georgia , too , is seeing a testing decline .
Experts say that ’ s the opposite of what ’ s needed as restrictions ease .
The leader of South Carolina ’ s teaching hospital warned the state also needed robust tracing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick .
“ We need to have in place the pieces to keep a second wave from becoming crippling , ” said Dr. David Cole , president of the Medical University of South Carolina .
The outbreak has hit different parts of the country in different ways — and the response has been just as varied — so there isn ’ t one playbook , said Dr. Richard Oberhelman , an infectious disease specialist at Tulane University ’ s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans .
“ Co-ordination makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different states are in different parts of the epidemic , ” Oberhelman said , adding that communication remained key .
Some fear that if Southern states get too far out ahead of the rest of the country , they could attract visitors — and possibly open the door to more infections .
Myrtle Beach has suffered , but if it starts to ease restrictions on hotels and short-term rentals , it could see an influx of visitors looking for warm weather far from hot spots .
Without extensive testing , that could spell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told a meeting of the Myrtle Beach City Council .
“ The public hears one thing , but they don ’ t realize we don ’ t have testing available like other cities and states , so I ’ m worried that they have a false sense of security concerning our numbers , ” Borst said .
Collins reported from Columbia , South Carolina .
Associated Press writers Jeff Amy in Atlanta ; Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock , Arkansas ; and Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson , Mississippi , contributed to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Melinda Deslatte And Jeffrey Collins - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Georgia businesses hesitant to embrace Kemp’s call to reopen

ATLANTA - Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s call to reopen shuttered businesses in Georgia left many business owners wary and confused Tuesday as they considered how to protect themselves and their customers in a state where coronavirus deaths exceed 800 and confirmed infections have surpassed 20,000 .
Kemp ’ s plan to kick-start the economy is one of the most aggressive announced since President Donald Trump laid out benchmarks for states to start lifting restrictions .
But Georgia ’ s testing system has lagged behind much of the nation and public health experts warned that moving too quickly could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s concerning .
I ’ m certainly not going to go the gym or get a haircut , ” said Dr. Carlos del Rio , an infectious disease expert at Emory University in Atlanta .
“ I ’ ll let people make their own decisions.
” Kemp ’ s order lets gyms , hair and nail salons , bowling alleys and tattoo parlours open with restrictions Friday .
Restaurants can resume dine-in service Monday , though bars and nightclubs must remain closed .
“ The private sector is going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s safe to come back into these businesses , ” Kemp said Monday .
During a White House briefing Tuesday evening , Trump called Kemp a “ very capable man ” who “ knows what he ’ s doing.
” Trump said he was planning to talk to Kemp soon , but he didn ’ t give more details .
Georgia has processed more than 900,000 new unemployment claims in the last month .
But many business owners aren ’ t convinced it ’ s time to end the lockdown .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to venture out yet , ” said Kristin Allin , who , along with her husband , owns Bread & Butterfly restaurant in Atlanta .
She said her restaurant will remain closed for now , possibly for another month or more .
In Savannah , Mark Lebos closed his gym March 11 .
He reached out to clients Tuesday to tell them his business , Strong Gym , won ’ t be reopening yet .
Lebos said reopening would be professional negligence .
“ We are not going to be a vector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Ronique Holloway plans to wait until May 1 to reopen her Atlanta-area hair salon , where she ’ s the only stylist .
She worries that ’ s still too soon , but said she doesn ’ t have a choice because she needs money to support her daughter .
“ You ’ re staring at somebody right in their face when you shampoo it .
Heaven forbid if you talk , ” said Holloway , 48 , who plans to wear a mask and gloves .
In rural Terrell County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s time to reopen businesses even though his age makes him vulnerable to serious illness .
“ Do you want to continue being shut down with a destroyed economy forever ?
” said Gould , a retired engineer .
“ Sooner or later , you ’ ve got to suck it up and say , ‘ We ’ re going to reopen and if we have some casualties , we do.
’ ” Kemp was one of the last governors on the East Coast to announce a statewide stay-at-home order April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overruled local officials and allowed beaches , lakes and state parks to remain open — a decision he has characterized as a success , saying there have been few problems .
When salons and cafes reopen in the coming days , Kemp says they must enforce social distancing rules , provide workers with protective gear when available and screen employees exhibiting potential symptoms .
But experts say widespread testing and the ability to trace people exposed to infected patients are critical to resuming business without causing a new wave of sickness .
Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t there yet , said Dr. Harry J. Heiman , an associate professor of public health at Georgia State University in Atlanta .
He said Kemp ’ s decision to reopen businesses without sufficient testing or contact tracing is “ premature and it ’ s irresponsible.
“ Georgia had administered more than 88,000 tests as of Tuesday , but its per-capita testing rate is in the bottom 10 of states .
“ In most states , we ’ re still only testing the sickest of the sick , ” said Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
“ And we ’ re missing those people who are mildly affected who are going to be the ones out and about spreading their illness.
” Kemp acknowledged Georgia ’ s testing has lagged and announced initiatives to produce more swabs and employ an app to let clinicians remotely screen people .
Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey said the state is working to expand its ability to trace the contacts of infected people .
Ian Jones , who owns four restaurants in the Atlanta area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force people to reopen prematurely because lenders and landlords might stop being forgiving .
“ It just seems like it ’ s too early , ” Jones said .
Kemp ’ s reopening plan leaves local officials powerless to take a slower course .
Kemp said that ’ s to prevent a “ hodgepodge ” of local plans .
Still , on Tuesday , Macon-Bibb County commissioners passed a resolution urging Kemp to reexamine the situation .
In mostly rural southwest Georgia , where infections have spread especially fast , Albany Mayor Bo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last weekend for COVID-19 victims .
On Tuesday , his city and surrounding Dougherty County surpassed 100 total coronavirus deaths — the most of any Georgia county .
“ I pray that the number of Georgians who are infected and die will not increase significantly in the coming weeks as a result of the lifting of these restrictions , ” Dorough said .
Nearby , in the small city of Dawson , clothing store owner Dost Mohammad said several of his regular customers died from COVID-19 .
Keeping his doors shut could quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , but he ’ s not willing to risk reopening .
Without a vaccine or a cure , the only medicine is to stay away from each other , he said .
“ I would rather survive , I want to stay above the ground , ” Mohammad said .
“ Our priority should be the protection of our people.
” Associated Press Writers Russ Bynum in Savannah , Georgia ; Ben Nadler and Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta ; Claire Galofaro in Dawson , Georgia ; and Kevin Freking in Washington contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Kate Brumback And Jeff Amy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Louisiana pastor arrested on assault charge after driving bus toward coronavirus protester

BATON ROUGE , La .
- Louisiana authorities arrested a pastor on an assault charge on Tuesday after he admitted that he drove his church bus toward a man who has been protesting his decision to hold mass gatherings in defiance of public health orders during the coronavirus pandemic .
The police department in Central , a suburb of the capital of Baton Rouge , said on a posting on their Facebook page that Tony Spell , the pastor of Life Tabernacle Church , turned himself into the department and was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and improper backing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic tickets .
Spell was taken to the East Baton Rouge Parish prison , where about 70 of his parishioners , dressed in their Sunday best , arrived in church buses to show support .
Men in jackets and ties , women in dresses and children , some in matching outfits , gathered in a parking lot across the street .
They stood close to each other , praying and singing hymns while guards , some wearing protective masks watched .
Spell eventually walked out of the jail to applause from his supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a handful of cash that had been delivered by someone in a car .
Online booking records indicate bail was set at $ 175 .
“ My rights to have church and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ are endowed to me by my creator , not my district attorney , not my chief of police and not my governor , John Bel Edwards , “ Spell said .
” Not my president and not my Department of Justice.
” The arrest happened on the same day the East Baton Rouge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parish , which encompasses the state capital of Baton Rouge and Central , had surpassed 100 .
Before Spell was released , one Spell supporter shouted defiantly at Trey Bennett , the protester Spell is accused of assaulting .
Bennett also showed up at the jail , carrying his protest sign .
It says “ Close this church ” on one side and “ Danger : coronavirus incubator ” on the other .
“ Our church will never close , you get that ?
” the man yelled .
Bennett has kept up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church since Easter Sunday , when he noticed hundreds of parishioners still attending services in defiance of the state ’ s stay-at-home mandate , which bans gatherings of more than ten people .
Houses of worship across Louisiana have turned to online services instead .
This Sunday , Spell drove a church bus in reverse in the direction of the sign-holding protester .
Spell acknowledged as much in a telephone interview with WAFB-TV on Monday .
He said he just wanted to get out and confront the protester , but his wife talked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces misdemeanour charges for holding in-person church services despite the ban on gatherings .
Authorities have said they did not book him into jail previously because they did not want to add to the jail population at a time when the highly infectious disease is running rampant .
They have not taken any action to close his church .
Parishioner Nathan Boyce Thomas also faces charges of aggravated assault and reckless operation of a vehicle after being seen on video driving his white pickup truck to within about a foot of where Bennett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police said Thomas drove at a high rate of speed , then braked just before turning into the church parking lot .
Dougherty said Thomas also planned to turn himself in later Tuesday .
Bennett said he was used to getting scowls and verbal jabs from parishioners , but was “ shocked ” to see vehicles being driven at him .
Videos of the two incidents on April 19 were obtained and reviewed by The Associated Press .
One shows the church bus making a sharp turn and then backing in the opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a few feet of Bennett before coming to a stop .
Another shows a white pickup truck swerving out of its lane and onto the shoulder within about a foot of Bennett ’ s body .
Plaisance reported from New Orleans .
Associated Press reporter Kevin McGill in New Orleans contributed to this story .

Gerald Herbert And Stacey Plaisance - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Court allows Arkansas ban on surgical abortions due to virus

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
- A federal appeals court on Wednesday allowed Arkansas to ban most surgical abortions during the coronavirus pandemic .
A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals dissolved a judge ’ s temporary restraining order that allowed surgical abortions to continue after the Arkansas Department of Health told the state ’ s only surgical abortion clinic to stop performing the procedure unless it was needed to protect the life or health of the mother .
The appeals court ’ s ruling said the Health Department ’ s “ directive is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Governor and state health officials.
” The state said Little Rock Family Planning Services violated an order requiring health providers to reschedule elective procedures that could be safely postponed .
Other states have used similar orders to restrict abortions during the pandemic .
Republican Gov .
Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday said the state would ease its limits on elective surgeries starting Monday , though it was not immediately clear whether the move would allow surgical abortions to resume at the clinic .
The state issued the order halting surgical abortions after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the procedure for out-of-state patients .
Arkansas has reported at least 2,276 coronavirus cases and 42 deaths .
The number of infections is likely higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
The state ’ s order did not prohibition medication abortions that are still administered by Little Rock Family Planning and another clinic operated by Planned Parenthood .
“ All medically unnecessary surgeries must be postponed , and this decision affirms that surgical abortions do not get special treatment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Attorneys for Little Rock Family Planning Services on Wednesday night asked a federal judge to prevent the ban from being enforced on patients who will soon be past the legal limit for when abortions can performed in Arkansas .
The state currently bans abortion 20 weeks into a woman ’ s pregnancy , and the filing said the clinic on Thursday will have to turn away at least two patients about to pass that threshold .
“ For the health and safety of all Arkansans , state officials need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , not using the virus as an excuse to advance their own extremist political agendas , “ Holly Dickson , legal director of interim director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas , which represents the clinic , said .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Leaving Wuhan: Getting into virus-hit city was the easy part

BEIJING - Getting into Wuhan was the easy part .
New virus infections had fallen to almost zero and travel restrictions were easing .
As a 76-day lockdown neared its end , journalists and others were allowed to enter the city in central China where the global pandemic started .
Getting out was more challenging .
Hundreds of thousands of people were also trying to leave after being stuck for months in the metropolis of 11 million .
The bureaucracy had yet to finalize how they would safely organize their return .
Three official documents were needed : A green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recent nucleic acid test .
Wuhan has gained notoriety as the origin of the disease but it has a long history as a fulcrum of change in China , a nation 1.4 billion and the world ’ s second largest economy .
On Oct. 10 , 1911 , an “ outbreak of serious revolutionary movement ” erupted in the port city spread on either side of the Yangtze , China ’ s mightiest river .
As word spread , Associated Press correspondent J.R. Kennedy left Tokyo for Shanghai , then travelled upriver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empire .
Another reporter travelled with soldiers sent from Beijing to crush it .
“ The city was a scene of desolation , ” read one AP report .
“ Corpses piled everywhere , ” said another .
Insurgencies soon broke out across China , and the tumultuous decades that followed saw occupation by Japan , civil war , and the victory of the Chinese Communist Party in 1949 .
In 2020 , international journalists came back to see once again how events in Wuhan might shape the entire world .
Few hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different regulations .
Some forced multiple nucleic acid tests on journalists and 48 hours of quarantine .
Ours did not , and as the final hours closed on Wuhan ’ s lockdown , AP video producer Olivia Zhang and I climbed atop the steel 1957 Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge to watch the countdown .
Skyscrapers and bridges radiated animated images of health workers aiding patients , along with one building displaying the words “ heroic city , ” a title bestowed on Wuhan by President Xi Jinping .
Along the embankments and bridges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , let ’ s go !
” and sang acapella renditions of China ’ s national anthem .
One recently freed resident told us , “ I haven ’ t been outside for more than 70 days .
… Being indoors for so long drove me crazy.
” He seemed shell-shocked , yet happy .
The next day we went to Hankou Railway Station and filmed the first train departing for Beijing .
In between government-arranged media trips over subsequent days , I donned a mask , laced up and ran to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue , the air warm .
A guard let me into a riverside park , but only after checking my phone for the green health code .
This code was generated through WeChat , China ’ s essential messaging app that includes e-payment for utility bills and donations to charity .
Tencent , the app ’ s owner , also added a function with algorithms that analyze a user ’ s geolocation data to produce colour codes of coronavirus infection risk : safe green , cautious yellow or dire red .
A green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life in China — a reminder of the state ’ s constant data surveillance .
People thronged the riverbank , all wearing masks ; parents with children finally free to run and shout , nurses , fishermen , amorous couples and other joggers passing as I took photos of the spring sunlight .
Before returning to Beijing there was a ritual .
The first stop was a local hospital where we stepped through a box of grey decontaminant gas similar to an airlock .
We then paid about $ 40 to spit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 48 hours .
Neighbourhood permission was harder .
Some allowed home quarantine , others required returnees to spend about $ 700 on a 14-day quarantine in small hotel rooms .
Catering is reportedly adequate .
With a green health code and neighbourhood permission , people could then apply to Beijing ’ s city government for permission to return home .
Success came in the form of a phone message with a secret purchasing link when a ticket became available .
The link expired in two hours .
Tickets bought , we packed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went one last time to the Yangtze before we packed up and headed to the train station .
Back in Beijing , officials in white protective outfits herded us through biosecurity checks at the railway station and a commandeered city park that separated passengers into smaller and smaller groups based on their destination .
Three hours later , a government-chartered bus dropped me off at my apartment complex .
Two officials in street clothes took me to my door where I signed a paper pledging that I would stay inside and record my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poster on my door implores my neighbours to help enforce the quarantine .
An electronic sensor records any breaches .
As soon as I got home , I put my clothes in the wash and myself in the shower , thanking my wife for volunteering to quarantine with me and handing me a cold drink .
Eventually we will undergo nucleic acid tests to prove we ’ re virus-free , but no symptoms have appeared so far .
A cool breeze blows in from our windows as the last days of springs slowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for The Associated Press , visited Wuhan April 4 - 14 .
Follow him on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/stmcneil


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--1 killed as apparent tornado hits southern Oklahoma town

MADILL , Okla. - One person was killed Wednesday when an apparent tornado that damaged at least two businesses tore through Marshall County in southern Oklahoma .
Another damaging storm , also an apparent tornado swept , through a Southeast Texas county , causing widespread damage .
The Oklahoma storm hit Madill , near the Red River , about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday , causing widespread damage to the town , including its residential neighbourhoods , said Donny Raley , the city ’ s emergency manager .
The person ’ s body was found about a quarter-mile from J & I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles ( 10 kilometres ) southwest of Madill , Marshall County Emergency Management Director Robert Chaney said .
Chaney said he had no other information on the person , but said the suspected twister hit the plant just as its workforce was leaving for the day and caused severe damage .
The storm also hit the Oklahoma Steel and Wire plant , a fence wire manufacturer on the south side of Madill , the county seat of Marshall County and home to about 4,000 residents .
The apparent tornado in Southeast Texas touched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about 75 miles ( 120 kilometres ) north of Houston .
The storm rumbled east through Seven Oaks .
The storm caused severe damage to homes and other structures , but there were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries , said Carrie Miller , a spokeswoman for Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy .
A National Weather Service team will be dispatched to survey damage and to confirm whether the storms were tornadoes .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Trump tweets order for Navy to 'shoot down' Iranian gunboats

WASHINGTON - Tensions between Washington and Tehran flared anew Wednesday as Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard conducted a space launch that could advance the country ’ s long-range missile program and President Donald Trump threatened to “ shoot down and destroy ” any Iranian gunboats that harass Navy ships .
The launch was a first for the Guard , revealing what experts described as a secret military space program that could accelerate Iran ’ s ballistic missile development .
American officials said it was too early to know whether an operational Iranian satellite was successfully placed into orbit .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violating U.N. resolutions .
After Iran ’ s announcement , Trump wrote on Twitter , without citing any specific incident , “ I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.
” Last Wednesday , the U.S. Navy reported that 11 Guard naval gunboats had carried out “ dangerous and harassing approaches ” to American Navy and Coast Guard vessels in the Persian Gulf .
The Americans used a variety of nonlethal means to warn off the Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Such encounters were relatively common several years ago , but have been rare recently .
“ We don ’ t want their gunboats surrounding our boats , and travelling around our boats and having a good time , ” Trump told reporters Wednesday evening at the White House .
“ We ’ re not going to stand for it .
...
They ’ ll shoot them out of the water.
” Iran said the U.S. was to blame for last week ’ s incident .
Conflict between Iran and the U.S. escalated after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions .
Last May , the U.S. sent thousands more troops , including long-range bombers and an aircraft carrier , to the Middle East in response to what it called a growing threat of Iranian attacks on U.S. interests in the region .
The tensions spiked when U.S. forces killed Iran ’ s most powerful general , Qassem Soleimani , in January .
Iran responded with a ballistic missile attack on a base in western Iraq where U.S. troops were present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100 suffered mild traumatic brain injuries from the blasts .
At the Pentagon on Wednesday , the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Gen. John Hyten , welcomed Trump ’ s tweet as a useful warning to Iran .
He drew a parallel between last week ’ s naval encounter in the Gulf and Wednesday ’ s space launch , which said was “ just another example of Iranian malign behaviour.
” “ And it goes right along with the harassment from the fastboats .
... You put those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just more examples of Iranian malign behaviour and misbehaviour , ” Hyten said .
Iran considers the heavy U.S. military presence in the Middle East a threat to its security .
Trump did not cite a specific Iranian provocation in his tweet or provide details .
Senior Pentagon officials gave no indication that Trump had directed a fundamental change in military policy on Iran .
“ The president issued an important warning to the Iranians , ” David Norquist , the deputy secretary of defence , said at a Pentagon news conference when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was emphasizing is , all of our ships retain the right of self-defence.
” Rep. Elaine Luria , a Virginia Democrat and Navy veteran , said Trump ’ s tweeting could lead to war .
“ The president ’ s continued issuing of orders to our military via tweet is a threat to our national security and , if followed without clear guidance and rules of engagement , will unnecessarily escalate tensions with Iran and possibly lead to all-out-conflict , “ she said .
Hyten said he thinks the Iranians understand what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means a repeat of last week ’ s incident in the Gulf would require a lethal U.S. response , Hyten said , “ I would have to be the captain of the ship in order to make that determination.
” The nature of the response , he said , “ depends on the situation and what the captain sees.
“ Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi , a spokesman for Iran ’ s armed forces , accused Trump of “ bullying ” and said the American president should focus on caring for U.S. service members infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more than 3,500 confirmed cases of coronavirus , and at least two service members have succumbed to COVID-19 , the disease the virus causes .
The space launch has potentially bigger implications for conflict with Iran .
U.S. officials believe it is intended to advance Iran ’ s development of intercontinental-range ballistic missiles that could threaten the U.S .
Using a mobile launcher at a new site , the Guard said it put a “ Noor , ” or “ Light , ” satellite into a low orbit circling the Earth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what it said was the satellite , and said it had orbited the earth within 90 minutes .
State TV said the satellite ’ s signals were being received .
Hyten said it was too soon to know whether the launch had successfully placed a satellite in orbit .
He said U.S. tracking technology showed the launch vehicle had travelled “ a very long way , which means it has the ability once again to threaten their neighbours , their allies , and we want to make sure they can never threaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pompeo said the United Nations needs to evaluate whether the space launch was consistent with Security Council resolutions .
“ I don ’ t think it remotely is , and I think Iran needs to be held accountable for what it ’ s done , ” Pompeo said .
In a letter Wednesday to Trump , 50 former senior U.S. officials and experts on Iran accused Tehran of using COVID-19 as a reason to pressure the U.S. to ease sanctions while continuing to spend money to bankroll malign activities in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid to Iran is not affected by the sanctions .
The letter called on Trump “ to double down on the maximum pressure campaign to force the mullahs to spend their money on the Iranian people , not their nuclear ambitions , imperialism , and internal oppression.
” Gambrell reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran , Iran , and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report .

Robert Burns, Darlene Superville And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Trump ‘disagrees strongly’ with Georgia’s plan to reopen

ATLANTA - President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he “ disagreed strongly ” with the decision by Georgia ’ s Republican governor to reopen salons , gyms and other nonessential businesses later this week , saying , “ It ’ s just too soon.
” Trump ’ s comments at a daily White House briefing marked an abrupt shift in tone .
Just last week , the president urged his supporters on Twitter to protest against statewide closures in three Democratic-led states — at the same time that mostly Republican governors like Brian Kemp were taking steps to lift stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as of Friday , elective medical procedures could resume in Georgia , and that barbershops , nail salons and gyms could reopen with restrictions .
Limited in-restaurant dining is scheduled to resume on Monday .
The announcement immediately prompted pushback by Atlanta ’ s Democratic mayor , other political opponents and health experts who warned that the state has not yet taken the steps recommended under federal guidelines to reopen the economy safely .
Georgia ranks in the bottom 10 U.S. states in per capita testing for the coronavirus .
Officials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and boost tracking of those in contact with infected people .
If that isn ’ t done , health officials said , the state risks a quick rebound of COVID-19 .
“ The virus moves faster than government does , ” said Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo , an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
“ So if I had to bet on who would come out of the gate faster , it would be the virus.
” Trump has been stressing the importance of reopening states sooner than later to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his administration recently announced a three-phase plan for making that happen .
He also had health experts working with his administration present a lengthy briefing last week to show that states would have the testing capacity necessary to track and contain infections and start lifting restrictions .
But on Wednesday , he said he told Kemp that he had misgivings over the governor ’ s plan to reopen quickly .
He also said that he would not stand in his way .
“ I want him to do what he thinks is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But I disagree with him on what he ’ s doing .
...
I think ( opening ) spas and beauty salons and tattoo parlours and barbershops in phase one ... it ’ s just too soon.
“ Kemp responded in a tweet Wednesday night that he appreciated Trump ’ s guidance but would move forward with his plan .
“ Our next measured step is driven by data and guided by state public health officials , ” the governor said .
“ I am confident that business owners who decide to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which prioritize the health and well-being of employees and customers.
” Trump ’ s reopening guidelines recommend 14 days of declining new infections before moving to the reopening phase that Kemp has called for .
That means testing health care workers and people showing symptoms , as well as screening others not showing symptoms .
The number of tests administered in Georgia had plateaued between 3,500 to 4,000 a day .
However , on Wednesday , the state reported almost 6,000 tests over 24 hours , with Kemp saying on a conference call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia was “ really ramping up ” its capacity .
State Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey said the state will expand its ability to “ aggressively ” trace the contacts of infected people .
“ This is the way we ’ re going to keep spread from occurring , even as we begin to gradually open up the state , ” Toomey said .
As of Wednesday , more than 21,000 people in Georgia had been infected with the virus and more than 840 had died , according to the state Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemiologist with the department ’ s eight-county district that includes Savannah , said intensive contact tracing has likely helped slow infections in his region .
Bear said the coastal district kept tracking contacts , unlike areas where rising caseloads forced officials to largely stop .
The state hasn ’ t said how many people are tracing contacts now , how many it seeks , or how quickly the state ’ s 18 public health districts can ramp up .
Toomey and Kemp said the state will use a cellphone app to track infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voluntarily share cellphone data so that the state can find other contacts .
In announcing his reopening plan , Kemp remarked , “ There are a lot of people that are hurting really bad right now on the financial end of things — our hard-working Georgians .
And we ’ re trying to do all we can to allow them to start moving back into the work force in a limited and safe way.
” Many businesses and workers are holding back for fear of illness .
Dewond Brown , 42 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant as a line cook making $ 16.40 hourly .
Worried about his high blood pressure , he said he wouldn ’ t go back if his employer reopened .
He said he would want to know coworkers tested negative and see a sharp drop in new cases .
“ I understand everybody wants to get back to normal , but you hear the medical people say everyday it ’ s not time yet , ” he said .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia .
Associated Press reporters Sudhin Thanawala and Ben Nadler in Atlanta ; and Kimberly Kruesi in Nashville , Tennessee , contributed to this report .

Jeff Amy And Russ Bynum - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Preparation, quick action aid Germany, SKorea virus fight

BERLIN - Derided by many economists for years for insisting on a balanced budget and criticized for a health care system seen as bloated and overly expensive , Germany has found itself well equipped now to weather the coronavirus pandemic .
Already applauded for early actions such as social-distancing regulations and aggressive testing seen as helping keep the death toll comparatively low , Europe ’ s largest economy has had the financial flexibility to launch a massive rescue plan to help businesses and keep workers paid .
As the country moves to relax some restrictions this week , Chancellor Angela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Korea , which relied on its experience fighting a different coronavirus five years ago to combat COVID-19 , as the way forward .
Meantime in the U.S. , some protesters have taken to the streets — supported by President Donald Trump ’ s tweets — to demand an end to virus-related shutdowns to help the faltering economy , which has caused tens of millions to lose their jobs , even if it could lead to an increase in deaths as the health care system struggles .
“ This is a crisis which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably hit the U.S. where it is most vulnerable , namely health care , ” said Carsten Brzeski , ING bank ’ s chief Eurozone economist .
“ While at the same time it has hit the German economy where it ’ s the strongest.
” Brzeski was among those who argued for Germany to spend more to stimulate the economy as growth ground toward stagnation , but concedes now the country is in a fortunate position .
For years , balanced budget proponents argued it was prudent during good economic times to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be prepared for a crisis .
So in announcing a 1 trillion euro ( $ 1.1 trillion ) rescue plan for the country ’ s 83 million people last month , Finance Minister Olaf Scholz was able to assure there was more money available , if needed .
And while Italy and Spain were faced at the height of the crisis with having to decide whether to allocate precious ICU beds to elderly patients with the most urgent need or to younger patients with the greatest chance of survival , Germany has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken in patients from other European countries .
“ They had the means , but then they also had the political will , and also the very good analytical insights to use the means , ” Brzeski , said , noting Merkel was a scientist before entering politics .
“ I can ’ t imagine any government better than Angela Merkel ’ s to deal with this.
” Germany is now taking baby steps to ease restrictions , allowing smaller shops to reopen this week while sticking to strict social-distancing guidelines and requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores .
The effect will be analyzed after two weeks to see whether infections have again started to significantly climb .
“ We must not overwhelm our health care system , ” Merkel said , warning restrictions could be snapped back .
“ The best path is one that is careful , and not taken light-heartedly.
” The far-right Alternative for Germany party has criticized Merkel ’ s go-slow approach as “ ruining our country , ” but the chancellor ’ s popularity has been steadily rising and Germans overwhelmingly see her government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her Berlin toy store Wednesday for the first time in over a month , Galina Hooge said she had already received government aid and the process was “ surprisingly quick and uncomplicated.
” She said it only covered the store ’ s rent and bills , but she felt relatively secure thanks to Germany ’ s universal health insurance and strong social safety net .
“ The main thing is that everyone stays healthy and the situation doesn ’ t become like America , ” she said , referring to the large number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
Besides help for small businesses , Germany ’ s aid package is designed to keep the unemployment rate down and allow workers to return quickly when possible .
While Washington is sending out one-time stimulus checks to Americans , the German government plan pays at least 60 % of the salary of employees who are on reduced or no hours .
As restrictions are eased , Merkel has pointed to South Korea as an example of how Germany will have to improve measures to “ get ahead ” of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slow the infection rate .
Experts say one reason South Korea has managed to avoid lockdowns or business bans was because of its aggressive testing and contact-tracing program that draws from its experience of fighting a different coronavirus — MERS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome -- in 2015 .
Following that outbreak , which killed 36 people and sickened around 200 , South Korea rewrote its infectious disease law to allow health authorities quick access to a broad range of personal information to fight infectious diseases .
Amid criticism from privacy advocates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the COVID-19 pandemic , aggressively tracing virus carriers ’ contacts with tools such as smartphone GPS tracking , credit card records and surveillance video .
People ’ s movements before they were diagnosed are published on websites and relayed via smartphone alerts to inform others whether they have crossed paths with a carrier .
The government is also using smartphone tracking apps to monitor the tens of thousands of people placed under self-quarantine at home and plans to use electronic wristbands on people who defy quarantine orders .
South Korea on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 21st day in a row that the daily jump in infections came below 100 .
The approach has meant South Korea has managed to slow the spread of the virus without imposing massive lockdowns or banning nonessential businesses , so there has never been any debate over “ reopening ” its economy .
In the U.S. , there has been growing impatience over virus-related shutdowns that have led tens of millions to lose their jobs , and the U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved nearly $ 500 billion in new aid for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of a $ 2.2 trillion package passed last month in the country of some 328 million .
Trump ’ s administration has issued guidelines advising relaxation of restrictions only after prerequisites , like a two-week downward trajectory of cases , are met .
Trump himself , however , has grumbled “ our country wasn ’ t meant to be shut down ” and has tweeted support for anti-shutdown protests , and some states are moving ahead with plans to begin reopening as early as this week .
The U.S. has registered more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , including some 15,000 fatalities in New York City alone .
Often at odds with Trump , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has warned against relaxing restrictions too early and risking a new spike in infections , no matter how badly the economy is faring .
“ We ’ re not going to accept a premise that human life is disposable , ” Cuomo said .
“ And we ’ re not going to put a dollar figure on human life.
” Germany has registered some 150,000 infections , not far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with more than 180,000 cases , and Spain with about 205,000 .
But where around 5,000 people have died in Germany , Spain ’ s toll is nearly 22,000 and Italy ’ s has passed 25,000 .
At the height of the crisis in Spain and Italy the sheer numbers overwhelmed their health care systems , and painful decisions had to be made on who to treat .
Domenico Arcuri , Italy ’ s extraordinary commissioner for the COVID-19 crisis , told reporters Tuesday that for the first time during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients in ICU beds , and lamented the “ anguish ” officials faced deciding who to treat in the early weeks .
“ Each night , we had to decide where to send these instruments , which , in the end , save lives , ” he said .
“ I ’ ll keep that with me for all my life , and I wouldn ’ t wish anyone else to experience ” the dilemma of choosing which hospital received them .
With the numbers of new infections now stabilizing , Italian Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start reopening on May 4 , but he doused any hopes of a total loosening of some of the strictest lockdown measures in a Western democracy .
Spain , which has turned hotels into makeshift hospitals and converted a Madrid skating rink into a morgue , has not yet announced plans on relaxing restrictions , with Health Minister Salvador Illa saying it will hinge on advances made in treatment and vaccines to “ ensure there ’ s no second wave.
” Spain is “ still in a difficult place , with some hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In announcing a tentative easing of restrictions in the Netherlands , allowing elementary schools to reopen with reduced class sizes starting May 11 , Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he had faced “ devil ’ s dilemmas ” in trying to decide how to move forward .
The Netherlands was projected to have a budget surplus of 3.4 billion euros in 2020 , however , and Rutte said the government could afford to take a cautious approach as he ordered bars and restaurants to remain closed until at least May 19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ good financial position , it can offer first aid to companies , independent business owners and affected sectors , ” his government said .
Frank Jordans in Berlin , Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul , South Korea , and reporters around the world contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Questions raised over process proposed to disburse aid funds

JUNEAU , Alaska - Gov .
Mike Dunleavy has proposed disbursing more than $ 1 billion in federal coronavirus relief aid through a process that would not require the Legislature to reconvene .
A legislative attorney , however , has raised questions with that approach .
Dunleavy has asked the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee to review his plan to distribute funds to help municipalities , nonprofits , small businesses , schools and other areas .
State law lays out a process by which a governor can submit to the committee plans to accept and spend on a budget item @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even if the committee disagrees , a governor can proceed .
The law includes a 45-day clock though Dunleavy said he wants quick action .
It ’ s the process former Gov .
Bill Walker used in expanding Medicaid .
But Megan Wallace , director of Legislative Legal Services , raised concerns with use of the process for the federal aid in a memo responding to questions from Sen. Bill Wielechowski .
She told a House committee last week there were a lot of unknowns .
“ If we want to take out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of authority to expend those monies , yes , the simplest thing to do would be for the Legislature to specifically appropriate ” the funds , she said .
The Legislature went into recess after passing a budget in late March amid coronavirus concerns .
Rep. Chris Tuck , who chairs the budget and audit committee , said Wednesday that legislative finance and legal staff were reviewing Dunleavy ’ s proposal to weigh in on what possibly could go through the process and what might need full legislative action .
Legislative leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers issues previously .
Dunleavy told reporters Congress and President Donald Trump wanted the money to be distributed as quickly as possible .
“ They did not specifically send it through the Legislature ; they sent it directly to the states , ” he said , adding there is no required state match for the funds .
“ So this is directly from the feds to the state , passing through to the individuals at the local level to try and help as quickly as possible.
” Earlier this month , Dunleavy said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he made to the state budget , including aid for schools and local governments , would be offset through use of funds from the federal coronavirus relief package .
In a statement Wednesday , he said he was working “ with the best available information at the time which led many to believe CARES act funding could in fact be used to offset revenue loss.
“ But he said there ’ s a “ lack of clarity ” surrounding this .
The state consequently will act under the guidelines that the funds “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic on state/municipal expenses and to support businesses and the state ’ s nonprofits , “ he said .
Meanwhile Wednesday , a caravan of more than 80 vehicles paraded through the otherwise largely quiet streets of downtown Anchorage , with participants blaring their horns and waving American flags .
Organizers of the demonstration , from the Facebook group Open Alaska , said they supported Dunleavy ’ s move to allow some businesses to partially reopen starting Friday .
Group leaders urged Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz to also do more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that their sole goal is to reopen Anchorage , I am supportive – but on a timeline that minimizes the risk of COVID to the public and to the businesses that call the municipality home , ” Berkowitz said in a emailed statement to The Associated Press .
Berkowitz said at an earlier news conference Wednesday that some businesses will be allowed to reopen Monday , and further guidance for businesses will be released Friday .
He said the list of businesses that will be allowed to reopen is similar to what the @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--US adds cameras at Mexico border despite drop in crossings

SAN DIEGO - The Trump administration has been quietly adding military surveillance cameras at the U.S.-Mexico border in response to the coronavirus pandemic , though fewer people appear to be crossing illegally .
It ’ s the latest move as operations at the U.S.-Mexico border have become increasingly militarized and secretive .
Documents obtained by The Associated Press show the Department of Defence , at the request of the Department of Homeland Security , sent 60 mobile surveillance cameras and 540 additional troops to the southwest border this month .
The documents are unclassified but for official use only and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week to brief Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson , commander of U.S. Army North , the primary unit overseeing military operations at the border .
The cameras are manned by the military and will be removed after the pandemic has ended , said Matthew Dyman , a spokesman for Customs and Border Protection , which is under the Department of Homeland Security .
The request for cameras was not “ based on border flow numbers “ but on rising coronavirus cases in Mexico , he said .
“ Each person that avoids arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States has the potential to be carrying the COVID-19 virus and puts American lives at risk , “ Dyman said in a email .
Apprehensions of people crossing illegally have declined by 77 % since a peak in May , according to Customs and Border Protection .
April figures have not been released yet but are expected to be even lower .
The cameras were set up days before President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday placing a 60-day pause on issuing green cards in an effort to limit competition for jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Trump has used emergency powers during the pandemic to implement an aggressive border crackdown that has included turning away or immediately deporting asylum-seekers , including minors .
The military help means more Border Patrol agents can focus on apprehending people who cross illegally or expelling foreigners under a rarely used public health law that the Trump administration tapped amid the pandemic , Dyman said .
The addition of the mobile cameras , which are are mounted in the back of trucks , bring the total to 192 , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sees no justification for adding cameras and troops .
He pointed out that Mexico so far has a fraction of the number of COVID-19 cases that have been confirmed in the United States , while deportees flown back from the U.S. have introduced cases in their home countries .
“ There is no evidence that suggests there are hordes of COVID-19 patients lined up along the border , “ said Shirk , an associate political science professor at University of San Diego .
“ And there is no evidence that COVID-19 is even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cross the border.
” The government ’ s own numbers show the opposite .
Apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border have been declining for nine straight months .
As of Sunday , the 60 added mobile surveillance cameras planned to be manned and operational , according to the documents .
That day , the six Mexican states bordering the U.S. reported a total of about 125 confirmed COVID-19 cases , according to Mexico ’ s health secretary .
By comparison , the four U.S. states that border Mexico — California , Arizona , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55,000 infections Sunday .
Pentagon officials as recently as August were considering a request from the Department of Homeland Security to send reconnaissance planes and military drones designed for battlegrounds in Afghanistan and Iraq to the border .
Administration officials have declined to say whether that plan , first reported by Newsweek on Aug. 9 , is still in the works .
In December , Richardson , the U.S. Army North commander , ordered historically unclassified documents and daily briefings on the U.S.-Mexico border to be moved to a classified system to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about 3,000 active-duty service members are on the border along with 2,500 National Guard troops .
Barred from law enforcement duties , they have kept a low profile and are largely doing on-the-ground surveillance .
The border mission — marking one of the longest deployments of active-duty troops to the border in U.S. history — has cost more than $ 500 million since October 2017 .
The Defence Department also has reallocated nearly $ 10 billion to building Trump ’ s border wall .
“ The U.S. border is the most militarized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the border is more militarized today than it ever was in the entire history of our two countries , “ said Shirk , the professor .
“ I think the administration is clearly exploiting a crisis to try to advance its ulterior domestic policy objective of restricting immigration.
” Trump uses the monthly border tallies on apprehensions as a benchmark to determine how his policies are working , and that ’ s become particularly important in an election year .
The number of people crossing the border traditionally declines when it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often see increases .
However , as COVID-19 cases in the United States jumped dramatically in March , apprehensions at the border dipped further , to 29,953 from 30,074 in February and a peak of 132,856 in May .
That coincided with the U.S. expelling more than 10,000 Mexican and Central American asylum-seekers under public health rules that the administration quietly began using March 20 — the same day Trump announced the southern border was closed to nonessential travel .
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Dr. Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely shutting down the asylum system until May 20 .
His order described a “ serious danger ” of COVID-19 being introduced at Border Patrol stations and ports of entry as well as further into the country .
At least 272 Customs and Border Protection employees have tested positive for the virus , including 62 in states bordering Mexico .
Redfield also noted that many places on the U.S. side of the border have not yet experienced widespread community transmission of the virus and therefore the pandemic in Canada and Mexico remain “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s despite the U.S. having the most cases in the world by far .
The Department of Homeland Security requested the cameras under the Economy Act , which allows federal agencies to order goods and services from other federal agencies .
Congress passed the law in 1932 to eliminate overlapping activities of the federal government .
It has been abused , so conditions have been added , including a requirement that the requesting agency demonstrate that its request meets a bona fide need that either exists or is arising within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter at https : //twitter.com/JimLaPorta or https : //twitter.com/watson_julie .

James Laporta And Julie Watson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--2 cats in NY become first US pets to test positive for virus

NEW YORK - Two pet cats in New York state have tested positive for the coronavirus , marking the first confirmed cases in companion animals in the United States , federal officials said Wednesday .
The cats , which had mild respiratory illnesses and are expected to recover , are thought to have contracted the virus from people in their households or neighbourhoods , the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said .
The finding , which comes after positive tests in some tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo , adds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus in animals worldwide .
U.S. authorities , including the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , say that while it appears some animals can get the virus from people , there ’ s no indication pets are transmitting it to human beings .
“ Now , obviously , is that impossible ?
I mean , biologically , no , anything is possible , “ Fauci said .
” But there ’ s no evidence whatsoever that we ’ ve seen from an epidemiological standpoint that pets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh , a CDC official who works on human-animal health connections , stressed that there ’ s no need for pet owners to panic , or rush to test their animals .
“ We don ’ t want people to be afraid of pets , ” Barton Behravesh said .
“ There ’ s no evidence that pets are playing a role in spreading this disease to people.
” Still , the CDC is recommending that people prevent their pets from interacting with people or animals outside their homes -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dog parks , for instance .
Coronavirus testing for pets isn ’ t recommended unless an animal has been exposed to a person with COVID-19 and the animal has symptoms of the disease — and tests have ruled out more common possible causes , said Dr. Jane Rooney of the USDA .
Veterinarians who think testing is warranted are supposed to contact state officials to decide .
Barton Behravesh said the animal tests are done at veterinary labs and use different chemicals than human tests , which have been in short supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medical Association says pets can stay in homes where a person has COVID-19 , so long as the animal can be cared for .
“ In this emergency , pets and people each need the support of the other , ” the group said in a statement Wednesday .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as a fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people , it can cause more severe illness , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scientists studying the virus have been looking closely at links between human and animals .
While a consensus is still evolving , the leading theory is that infection among humans began at an animal market in China , probably from an animal that got the virus from a bat .
Scientists are working to understand the potential for transmission to animals in homes , farms and elsewhere .
So far , it doesn ’ t appear that livestock or poultry are susceptible , Rooney said .
The two cats live in different parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC wouldn ’ t say where specifically .
The first cat fell ill about a week after a person in its household had a short respiratory illness , though the person ’ s ailment wasn ’ t confirmed to be COVID-19 , Barton Behravesh said .
The animal goes outdoors at times and might have come into contact with an infected person in the area , she said .
The second cat ’ s owner tested positive for COVID-19 before the cat became sick , officials said .
Another cat in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of illness .
The cats ’ symptoms included coughing and slightly runny noses , officials said .
The agencies have recommended that any pet owners with COVID-19 avoid petting , snuggling or other contact with their animals as much as possible , including wearing a face covering while caring for them .
There have been a handful of reports outside the U.S. of pet dogs or cats becoming infected after close contact with contagious people , including a Hong Kong dog that tested positive for a low level of the pathogen in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities concluded that pet dogs and cats couldn ’ t pass the virus to human beings but could test positive if exposed by their owners .
A tiger at the Bronx Zoo had what was believed to be the first confirmed coronavirus case in an animal in the U.S. or a tiger anywhere .
The 4-year-old Malayan tiger , named Nadia , was tested after starting to showing signs of illness on March 27 , 11 days after the zoo closed to the public because of the virus .
Three other tigers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsequently confirmed they all had the virus , as did another tiger that shares their exhibit but didn ’ t show any signs of illness , the zoo said Wednesday .
All the affected cats are doing well , with good appetites and much less coughing , the zoo said .
Zoo officials said they believe the animals were exposed by a keeper who had the virus but wasn ’ t showing symptoms at the time .
Staffers who work with the cats have since started wearing infection-protection garb .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Pennsylvania governor lays out coronavirus reopening plan

HARRISBURG , Pa. - Residents of northcentral and northwestern Pennsylvania are projected to be the first in the state to be released from Gov .
Tom Wolf ’ s stay-at-home order , and many retail stores in those areas should be able to reopen , under a statewide plan announced Wednesday night .
Wolf wants to begin easing some pandemic restrictions on May 8 in areas of Pennsylvania that have been lightly impacted by the new coronavirus .
His reopening plan said a region or county will need to average fewer than 50 new positive cases of the virus per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin moving out from under his statewide lockdown .
Many counties in rural Pennsylvania have reported fewer than 20 cases total .
“ We ’ re trying to be prudent and careful and we want to keep people safe , “ Wolf said at a video news conference Wednesday night .
The virus has infected more than 35,000 people in Pennsylvania and killed more than 1,600 , but Wolf , a Democrat , says the state has made sufficient progress in its fight against COVID-19 to begin a gradual loosening of restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more aggressive timetable .
As the virus begins to ebb , and each county or region meets the state ’ s case reporting threshold , residents will be permitted to leave their homes and in-person retail will be allowed to resume , according to Wolf ’ s plan .
The plan lays out a phased , colour-coded reopening roadmap and , right now , all of Pennsylvania is at “ red , ” meaning that all 12.8 million residents are under orders to stay home and all “ non-life-sustaining ” businesses are closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red to yellow , and then , eventually , to green , meaning that all pandemic restrictions are lifted , aside from any federal or state health guidelines that remain in effect .
But even under yellow , a ban on gatherings of over 25 people will remain , and gyms , casinos , theatres and other indoor recreational , wellness and entertainment venues will stay closed .
Restaurants and bars will still be limited to carry-out or delivery , and businesses must follow federal and state guidance for social distancing and cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , Wolf said , such as whether hairdressers and barbers can resume under yellow .
And a metric to move from yellow to green has not been worked out either , Wolf said .
Wolf also pushed up the date that limited building construction work may resume statewide , from May 8 to May 1 .
But he cautioned that if the virus flares up again in a certain county or region , residents would be ordered back home and businesses would have to shut down again .
Schools will remain closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Wolf administration is encouraging voters to cast their primary election ballots by mail , saying it would help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus , but faced legal action Wednesday by a liberal group demanding greater protections against disenfranchisement .
The Wolf administration has sent 4.2 million postcards to primary voters and is mounting a vote-by-mail awareness campaign on radio , television , social media , streaming services , mobile apps and email , officials said Wednesday .
The state ’ s efforts to get voters to apply for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traction , with more than 462,000 voters applying for a mail-in ballot and more than 139,000 applying for an absentee ballot , according to Wolf administration figures .
Republican and Democratic party officials in Pennsylvania have encouraged people to vote by mail amid concerns the virus will make it difficult for county officials to find polling places and get poll workers to staff them .
Election officials in various counties say they probably will be forced to operate far fewer polling places than normal .
In its lawsuit , the labour-backed Pennsylvania Alliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state provide prepaid postage for all mail ballots ; count ballots received after 8 p.m. on Election Day if the delay was caused by a disruption in mail service ; and allow third parties to assist voters in submitting their sealed ballots .
State officials have “ failed to implement adequate safeguards to ensure a free and fair election ” in the face of the pandemic , said the suit , filed in Commonwealth Court .
An email was sent to Wolf ’ s spokeswoman seeking comment .
Pennsylvania ’ s COVID-19 death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state health department reported Wednesday , with more than 1,150 additional people testing positive for the virus that causes the disease .
Statewide , more than 35,600 people have tested positive , according to the latest health department data .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a couple of weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems are at higher risk of more severe illness , including pneumonia , or death .
The new coronavirus could cost Pennsylvania hospitals more than $ 10 billion this year , a trade group said Wednesday , repeating its call for the Wolf administration and state lawmakers to provide tax relief and other financial support .
An analysis commissioned by The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania said the cancellation of elective surgeries and deferral of medical treatments — from which hospitals derive a large portion of their income — resulted in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March alone .
Many hospitals and health networks have already furloughed and laid off workers , and the report warned that some hospitals might have to close .
“ We are calling on the governor and the legislature to act now , ” Andy Carter , the group ’ s president and CEO , told reporters on Wednesday .
Pennsylvania hospitals said they expect to get more than $ 3 billion in federal coronavirus funding , leaving them with a projected net loss from the pandemic of $ 7 billion this year without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Wolf administration spokeswoman said the state government has taken several steps to support hospitals , creating a $ 450 million short-term loan program and buying personal protective gear and other equipment for hospitals and nursing facilities .
Two police unions have sued the Erie County Department of Health to force it to disclose for emergency responders the names , and not just the addresses , of people with a COVID-19 diagnosis under isolation .
The lawsuit , filed Wednesday by unions representing 173 officers in Erie city and about 200 officers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how much information is provided by the health department to the county 911 centre .
Dispatchers pass along the information to police and others , at their request , when they are summoned to respond .
The county ’ s solicitor , Richard Perhacs , said the current practice matches that of other counties in Pennsylvania .
County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper told the Erie Times-News that it protects the public while respecting patients ’ privacy rights .
Perhacs said about 25 people in Erie County are currently under isolation with a COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violates the county health agency ’ s requirement to prevent and control the spread of disease and puts officers at risk of infection .
Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Marc Levy, Michael Rubinkam And Mark Scolforo - The Associated Press