thetorontostar--2020-03-14--Trump disbanded NSC pandemic unit that experts had praised

WASHINGTON - Public health and national security experts shake their heads when President Donald Trump says the coronavirus “ came out of nowhere ” and “ blindsided the world.
” They ’ ve been warning about the next pandemic for years and criticized the Trump administration ’ s decision in 2018 to dismantle a National Security Council directorate at the White House charged with preparing for when , not if , another pandemic would hit the nation .
“ It would be nice if the office was still there , ” Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Institute of Health , told Congress this week .
“ I wouldn ’ t necessarily characterize it as a mistake ( to eliminate the unit ) .
I would say we worked very well with that office.
” The NSC directorate for global health and security and bio-defence survived the transition from President Barack Obama to Trump in 2017 .
Trump ’ s elimination of the office suggested , along with his proposed budget cuts for the CDC , that he did not see the threat of pandemics in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did .
“ One year later I was mystified when the White House dissolved the office , leaving the country less prepared for pandemics like COVID-19 , ” Beth Cameron , the first director of the unit , wrote in an op-ed Friday in The Washington Post .
She said the directorate was set up to be the “ smoke alarm “ and get ahead of emergencies and sound a warning at the earliest sign of fire — ” all with the goal of avoiding a six-alarm fire.
“ It ’ s impossible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to disband the unit , she said .
Cameron noted that biological experts remain at the White House , but she says it ’ s clear that eliminating the office contributed to what she called a “ sluggish domestic response.
” She said that shortly before Trump took office , the unit was watching a rising number of cases in China of a deadly strain of the flu and a yellow fever outbreak in Angola .
“ It ’ s unclear whether the decision to disband the directorate , which was made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became national security adviser , was a tactical move to downgrade the issue or whether it was part of the White House ’ s interest in simplifying and shrinking the National Security Council staff , “ Cameron says .
The NSC during the Obama administration grew to about 250 professionals , according to Trump ’ s current national security adviser , Robert O ’ Brien .
The staff has been cut to about 110 or 115 staffers , he said .
When Trump was asked on Friday whether closing the NSC global health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president called it a “ nasty ” question because his administration had acted quickly and saved lives .
“ I don ’ t know anything about it , ” Trump said .
Earlier , when asked about it , he said : “ This is something that you can never really think is going to happen.
“ For many years , the national intelligence director ’ s worldwide threat assessment has warned that a flu pandemic or other large-scale outbreak of a contagious disease could lead to massive rates of death and disability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Public health experts have been blowing whistles too .
Back in mid-2018 , Fauci told Congress : “ When you have a respiratory virus that can be spread by droplets and aerosol and ... there ’ s a degree of morbidity associated with that , you can have a catastrophe .
...
The one that we always talk about is the 1918 pandemic , which killed between 50 and 100 million people .
...
Influenza first , or something like influenza , is the one that keeps me up at night.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in responding to the coronavirus pandemic .
A senior administration official said Friday that the NSC ’ s global health security directorate was absorbed into another division where similar responsibilities still exist , but under different titles .
The work of co-ordinating policy and making sure that decisions made by Trump ’ s coronavirus task force are implemented is still the job of the NSC .
Rep. Gerald Connolly , D-Va. , and Rep. Steve Chabot , R-Ohio , have introduced a bill that would require future administrations to have experts always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Two years ago , the administration dismantled the apparatus that had been put in place five years before in the face of the Ebola crisis , ” Connolly said .
“ I think , in retrospect , that was an unwise move .
This bill would restore that and institutionalize it.
” Connolly said the bill is not meant to be critical of the Trump administration .
He said it ’ s a recognition that Trump had to name a coronavirus responder just like Obama had to name one for Ebola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t go from pandemic to pandemic , ” Connolly said .
The House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 4 passed the measure , which is co-sponsored by 37 Democrats and five Republicans .
The full House has not yet voted on the bill .
Chabot said one of the bill ’ s main goals is to would require personnel to be permanently in place preparing for pandemics .
“ Specifically , we need someone , preferable at the NSC , to quarterback the U.S. government ’ s response since that response inevitably involves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chabot said .
“ Our bill would make this position permanent.
“ Former Obama administration officials insist that the Trump White House would have been able to act more quickly had the office still been intact .
“ I think if we ’ d had a unit and dedicated professionals looking at this issue , gaming out scenarios well before ... we might have identified some of these testing issues , ” says Lisa Monaco , President Obama ’ s homeland security adviser , said at a recent forum on coronavirus .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alarm in December when we saw this coming out of China , saying ‘ Hey , what do we need to be doing here in this country to address it ?
” Ron Klain , who managed the government response to contain and mitigate the spread of Ebola in 2014 , agreed .
“ If I were back in my old job at the White House ...
I ’ d be pushing to have us do 30 million tests — to test people in nursing homes , to test people with unexplained respiratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regularly visit nursing homes , to test healthcare workers , ” Klain said recently at the event hosted by the Center for American Progress in Washington .


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--Man returns home after 3 Vietnam tours, career selling cars

COLUMBUS , Miss .
- Master Sgt .
Clyde Moore served three separate tours in the Vietnam War , and he ’ s the only person he knows who can say that .
The 81-year-old Air Force veteran , retired car salesman and father of three has spent the last 12 years where he spent his first 16 - in Columbus .
In between , he ’ s lived and travelled all over the world .
That includes three years in Vietnam during the war from which he received six medals for his service .
“ I personally don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three tours , ” he said .
“ Now ... you can go online and get the Vietnam history .
One ( historian ) says he knows in reality there are some people that exist that served three tours , but he didn ’ t come up with any names or anything.
” Moore joined the Air Force in 1954 when he had just turned 16 .
He told the recruiters he was 18 so he could make some extra money to support his grandmother , who raised him , and the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those days , the recruiters didn ’ t care about the age requirements , ” Moore said .
“ They were just concerned about getting their quotas .
They just took my word for it that I was 18 , because I shouldn ’ t have been able to get in.
” After training , Moore spent 10 years as a postal worker .
It wasn ’ t until 1964 that he was first sent to Vietnam , which at the time only had about 15,894 U.S. personnel there .
“ Nobody had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through in ‘ 64 , ” Moore said .
“ It was relatively new and ( there were only ) 15,000 as opposed to half a million ( troops ) a little later.
” According to a print-out Moore provided The Dispatch , he arrived at Tan Son Air Base , Saigon , in April and was later transferred to an Army Ranger Special Forces Advisory , even though he had no combat training .
“ The Army didn ’ t have any personnel over there to do any postal-type work , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how I got stuck there being in the Air Force .
... That ’ s how I got associated with the Rangers and the Advisors and so forth , because there were only two Air Force guys in the compound .
There was my co-worker and there was a weatherman who was a second lieutenant in the Air Force.
” Moore doesn ’ t talk much about his experiences , though he said he was involved in the Battle of Pleiku in 1965 , when Viet Cong forces attacked Americans at Camp Holloway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Dispatch , Moore said he had been on guard duty at a compound about six miles from Camp Holloway before the battle began .
The man who relieved him was killed in the attack .
He said things weren ’ t significantly better for him when he got back to the United States , where anti-war demonstrations and racial violence had the country in its grip .
Moore said he and other service members who had served in Vietnam were treated so badly , it made him return to the war - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think to think I ’ m crazy when I tell you this , ” he said .
“ I felt more comfortable over there .
Because you knew what was going on .
And we really stuck together over there .
It was a different world.
” Moore was stationed in Saigon in July 1966 where he served until the following March , and then at Da Nang in March 1970 , where he served for a year .
The war ’ s effects followed him back to the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-traumatic stress disorder , a condition he shares with other veterans he knows .
“ When I go to the VA , which I go in Tuscaloosa , I see veterans there and we sit around and talk , while we ’ re waiting to see the doctor , about our different experiences , ” he said .
Moore ’ s overall 24-year military career took him all over the country and the world , but the last place he was stationed was his favourite : Denver , Colorado , where he retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a car salesman for Honda .
In fact , to this day , Moore says his proudest accomplishment is being the top salesman in the country for Honda in 1986 , out of 6,500 salespeople .
After his first wife died , Moore moved back to his hometown of Columbus where he reconnected with his “ childhood sweetheart ” and now wife , Christine .
He agrees it ’ s been a full and sometimes exciting life , and he doesn ’ t have many regrets .
“ I did what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s the way I felt about it .
And I ’ m proud of it .
”

Isabelle Altman, The Dispatch - AP Member

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thetorontostar--2020-03-14--On eve of Disneyland closure, fun trumps virus fear

ANAHEIM , CALIF.— Thousands flocked to Disneyland on Friday for glimpses of Mickey and Minnie , a ride on “ It ’ s a Small World ” and a last trip to the Galaxy ’ s Edge before a historically long closure because of the new coronavirus .
It was a rare rainy day in Southern California , and visitors wearing sequined mouse ears and plastic raincoats sought to cram in all the rides , treats and magical memories they could before the self-proclaimed Happiest Place on Earth closes Saturday through the end of the month .
There were limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman using a bleach wipe on a table , conversations about the health crisis as people waited in lines for rides .
But there were no warnings at the entrance about coronavirus or reminders to create “ social space ” with other patrons .
Signs in restrooms urged visitors to wash their hands for 20 seconds but didn ’ t reference the virus .
There are no documented coronavirus cases from Disneyland .
Reaction to the closure was mixed .
Some said it was a good move to protect public health while others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roiled Rochelle Van Eysden and her family of five who travelled from New Zealand for a three-day vacation at Disneyland with plans to then take a week-long cruise to Mexico .
They got less time at the park , and their cruise may not happen .
“ We ’ ve promised the kids this trip for years and years and years , ” she said .
“ We ’ ve been through earthquakes and wildfires and mosque shootings , and this was their reward .
And now our three-day pass has turned into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re absolutely gutted.
” “ I think it ’ s just a major overreaction on the part of everybody , ” she said .
Kristina Pasillas , 24 , and Gary Moreno , 28 , made the five-hour drive from Hollister , California , on Thursday with their 5-year-old son only to learn soon after arriving at their hotel that their planned two-day visit would be cut short .
They immediately raced over to the park and returned Friday to board Dumbo ’ s flying elephant ride and try to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just making the best out of it , ” Pasillas said .
She added that the lines were exceptionally short for rides , though it was hard to know if the rain — or fear of the virus — was the reason .
Disneyland fans normally can bank on the park being open regardless of what ’ s going on in the world around it .
The park closed only a handful of times in 65 years and never for more than a day , said Jason Schultz , supervisory archivist at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unofficial Disneyland historian who wrote “ Jason ’ s Disneyland Almanac.
” The last closure was after the terror attacks on Sept. 11 , 2001 .
A Disneyland spokesperson declined to comment about previous closures or the park ’ s final day before it closes temporarily .
Walt Disney Co. announced the closure of Disneyland on Thursday , shortly after California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s news conference on his executive order recommending against any “ nonessential ” gatherings of more than 250 people .
Universal Studios Hollywood and other theme parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney World plans to shutter on Monday .
Life in the final hours before the closure carried on as usual with families checking mobile phones for the shortest wait times — just five minutes for the classic “ It ’ s a Small World ” and 10 to meet Minnie Mouse — and restless toddlers begging to break free from strollers .
Ivan Moore , 46 , of Chandler , Arizona , wound up at the theme park with his family after a memorial service for his cousin was cancelled in Northern California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the family together as the virus spread .
He already had time off of work so the family headed to Disneyland with plans to visit Galaxy ’ s Edge , the new Star Wars attraction .
Moore commended the resort for making the move to protect the most vulnerable .
“ You ’ ve got a pandemic going on .
Whether or not it ’ s going to spread faster or not doesn ’ t matter — this helps.
” he said of closing the park .


thetorontostar--2020-03-13--2 dead in Southern California small plane crash

SYLMAR , Calif. - A small plane crashed near a Southern California landfill in overcast , rainy weather on Friday , killing two people on board , authorities said .
The wreckage of the single-engine Mooney M20 was found at around 5:30 p.m. on a hill near the Sunshine Canyon Landfill northwest of Los Angeles , authorities said .
The plane had taken off from Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend , Oregon .
Shortly before 2 p.m. , it vanished from the radar while heading to Van Nuys Airport , said Ian Gregor with the Federal Aviation Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came in about an hour later .
Los Angeles County firefighters and sheriff ’ s deputies went to the reported scene near the Newhall Pass , a mountain freeway corridor northwest of Los Angeles .
However , poor visibility and muddy , rugged terrain hampered the search .
“ Our deputies had to hike in and it took a little while to find the wreckage , ” sheriff ’ s Lt. Ethan Marquez told KCBS-TV .
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash , including whether it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-13--AP Exclusive: Immigration hearings delayed, 1 court shut

WASHINGTON - Seattle ’ s immigration court will close down as the nation continues to grapple with managing the coronavirus pandemic , and several other large immigration courts will postpone certain hearings for immigrants who are not detained that often involve large groups .
The court in Seattle was temporarily shut down earlier this week over a report of a second-hand exposure to the virus and will remain shut until April 10 .
Seattle is among the areas hardest hit so far , with a cluster of deaths and dozens sickened .
The number of cases in the U.S. was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 50 deaths .
But by some estimates , at least 14,000 people might be infected .
According to a statement obtained by The Associated Press from the Executive Office for Immigration Review , which manages the immigration court system , other courts will remain open where the virus has struck , including Boston , Los Angeles , New York City , San Francisco , Newark , New Jersey , and Sacramento , California .
But “ master calendar “ dates for those who are not detained will be postponed .
Those hearings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single courtroom .
“ The agency continues to evaluate the dynamic situation nationwide and will make decisions for each location as more information becomes available , ” according to the statement from EOIR , which is a division of the U.S. Department of Justice .
There are 68 immigration courts nationwide ; the others will operate as scheduled but officials with EOIR said they are evaluating and will adjust as needed .
The U.S. immigration courts are dealing with a massive backlog of 1 million cases .
There have been some delays of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts , and some states have closed courtrooms as the virus spreads .
There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the immigration system , but it ’ s not clear how frequently tests are being performed , if at all .
There is often movement between detention facilities at the border , where some migrants enter the U.S. sick , and throughout the immigration system that has put employees on edge .
A union representing immigration judges has called for a temporary halt to the “ master calendar ” hearings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of the union , wrote to the leadership of EOIR asking for more measures be put in place to protect judges and employees .
“ In the absence of uniform guidance , some immigration judges have attempted to implement their own risk mitigation strategies , “ she wrote .
“ However , these efforts have been frustrated by a time-consuming bureaucratic process that is simply not sufficient in the current circumstances.
” Tabbador also called the postponements in six cities “ wholly inadequate to address the public health risk “ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of these large group hearings in all immigration courts across the country.
” In El Paso , Texas , some guards work shifts at both the long-term detention centre and the public courts where people are not detained .
On Friday , guards were seen interacting with two dozen migrants for a mass hearing in the non-detained court , which sits on the 7th floor of a building that also has public offices for the IRS and other federal agencies .
The migrants have been required to live in Mexico while they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a network of shelters in Ciudad Juarez , along with migrants from other countries and other continents .
Separately on Friday , Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it would temporarily suspend social visits at all of its detention facilities across the U.S. Officials said there were no detainees in ICE custody who had confirmed cases of COVID-19 and said cancelling visitation was precautionary to “ further safeguard those in our care.
” ICE holds more than 37,888 immigrants in more than 130 facilities , including local jails and prisons .
But unlike other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can be released while their cases wind through the courts .
The federal Bureau of Prisons also shut down visitation ; inmates at all 122 federal correctional facilities across the country will no longer be allowed visits from family , friends or attorneys for the next 30 days .
Associated Press Writer Cedar Attanasio contributed to this report from El Paso , Texas .


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--Trump breaking every rule in the CDC’s 450-page playbook for health crises

WASHINGTON —Amid an outbreak where vaccines , drug treatments and even sufficient testing don ’ t yet exist , communication that is delivered early , accurately and credibly is the strongest medicine in the government ’ s arsenal .
But the Trump administration ’ s zigzagging , defensive , inconsistent messages about the novel coronavirus continued on Friday , breaking almost every rule in the book and eroding the most powerful weapon officials possess : public trust .
After disastrous communications during the 2001 anthrax attacks — when white powder in envelopes sparked widespread panic — the U.S. Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created a 450-page manual outlining how U.S. leaders should talk to the public during crises .
Protecting vulnerable people from a virus that , according to some projections , could infect millions and kill hundreds of thousands , depends on U.S. leaders issuing clear public-health instructions and the public ’ s trust to follow directions that could save their lives .
“ Sometimes it seems like they have literally thrown out the book , ” said Joshua Sharfstein , a former top FDA official and Johns Hopkins University professor who is using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class .
“ We ’ re studying what to do — and at times seeing what not to do — on the same day.
” Two weeks ago , U.S. President Donald Trump said the country would soon have zero cases .
This week , there were more than 2,200 and 49 deaths .
When asked at a news conference on Friday why he disbanded the White House ’ s pandemic office , Trump denied doing so , saying , “ I didn ’ t do it ...
I don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he bore any responsibility for disastrous delays in testing , Trump said no , blaming instead “ circumstances ” and “ regulations ” created by others .
When asked if Americans should believe Trump or his top health official , Anthony Fauci — whom Trump has contradicted repeatedly — Trump sidestepped the question .
“ For those of us in this field , this is profoundly and deeply distressing , ” said Matthew Seeger , a risk-communication expert at Wayne State University who developed the CDC guidebook alongside many top doctors , public-health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychologists .
“ It ’ s creating higher levels of anxiety , higher levels of uncertainty and higher levels of social disruption .
... We spent decades training people and investing in developing this competency .
We know how to do this.
” For three years , the Trump administration has often taken a hostile stance to science and its practitioners , but health-crisis experts say it ’ s not too late and the fruits of their research — like the CDC ’ s 450-page manual — are waiting , untapped , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders navigate the growing pandemic .
The fundamental principles behind good public-health communication are almost stunningly simple : Be consistent .
Be accurate .
Don ’ t withhold vital information , the CDC manual says .
And above all , don ’ t let anyone onto the podium without the preparation , knowledge and discipline to deliver vital health messages .
Experts say that means not having multiple messengers jockeying for attention with completely different information .
It means not overly reassuring people in the face of a threat that is likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also means expressing empathy while also delivering information that may be scary .
Tell people what they can and should do at an individual level to help those who are at greatest risk .
“ It ’ s in the nature of leaders sometimes to want to tell everybody we have everything under control , ” said Michael Palenchar , a crisis-communications expert at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville .
“ We know overwhelmingly that research suggests that ’ s detrimental to health and safety.
” Palenchar was one of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including experts from the CDC , American Red Cross , FBI and EPA , as well as federal and state health departments .
They compiled a list of pitfalls to avoid — a list that has begun to look a lot like the administration ’ s playbook .
Nearly every day since the coronavirus landed in the U.S. , the White House has issued “ mixed and conflicting messages from multiple sources , ” the first guideline in the manual ’ s list of potentially harmful practices .
“ Overly reassuring and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest levels of government .
The “ perception that certain groups are gaining preferential treatment ” has become a problem with health-care workers complaining they can ’ t get tested while two asymptomatic Trump allies in Congress , Celine Dion and the members of the Utah Jazz basketball team were able to access tests .
Crucial messaging also appears to be failing to reach or convince many in America .
Nearly 50 million in the country are 65 or older — the most vulnerable age group for severe symptoms and death .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to practice social distancing .
At the Villages , a sprawling Florida retirement community , many seniors said the crisis is being overblown and talked of continuing their normal lives .
The CDC manual devotes an entire chapter to “ choosing the right spokesperson , ” someone who gives the government and its message “ a human form.
” But the government ’ s leading health experts have had to repeatedly cede the microphone to politicians — with the country ’ s top health officials repeatedly cancelling news conferences to make room for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to avoid upstaging other White House announcements .
Last week , instead of holding CDC ’ s news conference focused on coronavirus , Trump toured the CDC in front of cameras , telling the public , “ Anybody right now and yesterday , anybody that needs a test gets a test .
And the tests are beautiful.
” This Friday , CDC ’ s press call was cancelled again so that Trump could hold his Rose Garden news conference .
In recent days , rather than having one voice , the spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , Fauci and Trump .
Trump , in particular , checks off many of the attributes the manual specifically warns against .
The spokesperson must be “ familiar with the subject matter ” and have the “ ability to talk about it clearly and with confidence.
” Since taking office , Trump has ousted scientists , muzzled researchers and suppressed basic information on climate change .
Public-health officials worry that his erosion of public trust of science , coupled with the ongoing conflicting messaging between experts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public should listen to .
“ I ’ m fearful we ’ ve continued to undermine our belief that subject matter experts are people we should listen to , ” said Seeger , the Wayne State professor .
“ We ’ ve done a good job over the last couple decades of undermining science and telling people scientists aren ’ t to be believed.
” All semester long , Johns Hopkins professor Sharfstein has been drilling the principles of the CDC manual into the class he teaches .
On Thursday , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his students — a mix of undergrad and graduate students — debated the Trump administration ’ s response , which has served as a real-time master class for what not to do in a crisis .
They compared it to historical blunders in health communications : the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic — when officials gave overly optimistic timetables on vaccines — and bungled messaging by British leaders on mad cow disease in the 1990s , which led to millions in economic damage to the country ’ s beef industry .
Similarly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disasters in recent weeks have muddled and overshadowed life-saving health advice to the public .
Many of his students were especially puzzled by the Trump administration ’ s reluctance to admit fault on its dire problems in testing for the coronavirus .
“ They have so much less credibility because of that , ” said one student , noting how questions of what went wrong keep dominating congressional hearings and news conferences — making it hard to get instructions to the public on how to prepare and suppress the spreading virus .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a fine line between apologizing and putting yourself out there for attacks.
” Sharfstein — who served as Maryland ’ s health secretary and a top FDA official in the Obama administration — asked his students whether they thought the Trump administration would be willing to make a partial admission : “ Obviously , something has gone wrong .
There will be time to assess what went wrong , but right now here ’ s what I ’ m focused on to fix the problem.
” Students began workshopping what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship : — Tell Americans , “ We made mistakes .
Here ’ s how we ’ re going to fix them.
” — Stop pretending testing is fine .
Explain what solutions are underway .
— One student simply cited the cover of the CDC manual : “ Be first .
Be right .
Be credible .
”

Carolyn Y. Johnson,William Wan - The Washington Post

ATLANTA (AP) — A day after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, as the country was still reeling from the violent attempt to halt the…


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--3rd death confirmed in Florida as coronavirus spreads

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - Gov .
Ron DeSantis on Saturday banned most visits to nursing homes statewide as he acknowledged the coronavirus has likely spread into the general population .
Meanwhile , officials closed world-famous South Beach to prevent college spring breakers from congregating .
Hours after DeSantis held a news conference at the state ’ s emergency management headquarters , health officials confirmed the death of a 77-year-old Lee County man who previously tested positive for COVID-19 .
Officials said the latest fatality , the third in Florida so far , had not contracted the infection through travel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community .
During his news conference , DeSantis said three infected Broward County residents also have no known connection to a virus source such as travel to China or Europe or contact with someone who just returned .
That means they , too , likely acquired it in the community , although the governor said a final determination hasn ’ t been made .
The state ’ s known infections now exceeds 60 as the numbers jumped by a third Saturday .
“ We ’ re still going forward as if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that it is the only responsible thing to do when you have a virus that is highly contagious , ” DeSantis said .
DeSantis and Health Care Secretary Mary Mayhew said while it will be frustrating for relatives not to visit loved ones in nursing homes , the ban is needed to prevent the virus ’ s spread among the frail and elderly .
Exceptions will be made for visitations to patients who are near death .
The new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults and those with existing health problems can develop severe complications , including pneumonia .
The ban on visitation “ is being done because of our love and compassion and concern , ” Mayhew said .
Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees also announced the state is working with its universities to organize epidemiologists on their staffs to work temporarily for the state to bolster its efforts at tracking the disease .
He said exact plans are being worked out .
Meanwhile , Miami Beach Police ordered hundreds of spring breakers and other tourists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large group gatherings that could spread the disease .
South Beach is a popular popular party spot for college students and others from around the world .
Elina Cummings , a student from Clark Atlanta University , called the closure “ bitter sweet ” because she spent hundreds of dollars for her first spring break , but she also doesn ’ t want to get the virus .
“ My health and safety come first , ” said Cummings , a resident of Trinidad and Tobago .
Earlier Saturday , state Agriculture Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep providing free and reduced-cost meals to 2 million low-income students while the state ’ s 4,500 public schools are closed through at least March 30 .
The state ’ s 67 countywide school districts will each decide whether to participate .
Because of recommendations that people not congregate in large groups , some districts might choose to let children pick up their meals at school and take them home or may even drop meals off near their homes using buses .
Districts that can might give students up to a week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimize contact .
Fried said it is important that the program continue while schools are closed because “ for many ( children ) , these meals are the only meals they can count on.
“ About a third of Florida ’ s 64 known cases of the new coronavirus have been in Broward County , according to the state health department , while neighbouring Miami-Dade County has seen eight cases including Miami Mayor Francis Suarez .
He tested positive after being in the same room with the Brazilian president ’ s press secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in close proximity to President Donald Trump at the president ’ s Mar-a-Lago estate .
Suarez has shown no symptoms There have been about 500 negative test results statewide and more than 350 people are being monitored .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .
The virus has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed over 5,600 .
DeSantis has activated the National Guard and the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person court proceedings have been suspended for two weeks , although judges can choose to conduct some by video or phone where legally allowed .
Publix , the state ’ s largest grocery store chain , announced that it would close its stores daily at 8 p.m. — three hours early for most .
The company said that would give its employees more time to fully clean stores and restock shelves .
Walt Disney World , Universal Orlando Resort , SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have all announced they will be closed starting Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotels and its Disney Springs shopping area open , however .
All major cruise ship lines have also suspended operations .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Terry Spencer And Bobby Caina Calvan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--Vail closes its ski resorts while others opt to remain open

SALT LAKE CITY - As ski resorts across the United States grappled with how to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus without having to close , industry giant Vail Resorts decided Saturday it would shutter all of its North American resorts for at least one week .
After earlier in the day announcing their resorts would remain open with some added measures to prevent the spread of the virus , Vail Resorts changed course and said it would shut them down starting Sunday through March 22 before reassessing , according to the company ’ s news release .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Keystone and Breckenridge in Colorado ; Park City Mountain Resort in Utah ; Heavenly , Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada ; Stowe Mountain in Vermont ; and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia , Canada .
“ This decision provides a pause for the entire ecosystem of our mountain resort communities , “ company CEO Rob Katz said in the online post .
” It gives everyone the time to assess the situation , respond to ever-changing developments , and evaluate the approach for the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is advisable or feasible to re-open .
Vail joined a few other small resorts that had already made the decision to close , including Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico , Jay Peak Resort in Vermont and Shanty Creek Resort in Michigan .
Other resorts that remain open are closing enclosed gondolas or aerial trams while others are encouraging skiers to ride lifts with only people they know as they adhere to social distancing guidelines .
Nearly every resort is promising extra cleanings of public spaces , more hand sanitizer stations and vowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention .
A few resorts , including Still , some ski resorts are touting the popular winter activity as a relatively safe option for diversion as concerts , sporting events and museums close .
“ Skiers are pretty well covered from head-to-toe and being outdoors , the contamination factor is minimized , ” said Tom Watkinson , spokesman for Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado .
Snowbird resort in Utah said it will close its aerial tram but stay open .
It explained in an online post that skiing is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoy the adventure lifestyle—and this is particularly the case in times like this , when anxiety and stress are high.
” Avid back-country skier Michele Dauber strongly believes that resorts should be shut down to contain the spread of the virus .
“ This is why Disneyland closed .
This is why cruises don ’ t make sense .
A ski resort is just a cruise ship in the snow , ” said Dauber , who has a house in the Bear Valley area in California and is a professor at Stanford University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their noses and they ’ re wearing gloves so hand sanitizer isn ’ t the issue.
“ In Washington — the hardest hit state in the United States — the Crystal Mountain ski resort southeast of Seattle remained open with all lifts except a gondola operating .
But the resort has closed restaurants and indoor seating , encouraging people to bring their own lunch and eat outside or in their cars .
A bartender in the Utah ski town of Park City tested positive for coronavirus , Utah state health officials said Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not recommend shutting down the nearby resorts , but cautioned against travelling to the area .
One of Colorado ’ s first cases was a man in his 30s visiting Colorado on a ski vacation .
The coronavirus , deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organization , infected more than 150,000 people and killed over 5,700 .
The disease for most people causes only mild or moderate symptoms .
For some , it can cause more severe illness .
The vast majority recover .
Jackson Hole in Wyoming closed its aerial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in gondolas .
Mammoth in California said it planned to keep its gondolas half full and get rid of some chairs and tables in lodges to keep guests a safe distance apart .
Powder Mountain in Utah ceased snowcat skiing because of tight quarters inside the vehicles .
Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort near Lake Placid in New York has closed its gondola and is limiting how many people are on lifts .
The resort is also allowing only half the amount of people normally allowed at indoor facilities .
The U.S .
Ski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitions in the United States had been cancelled .
Resorts social media accounts were a mix of news about measures being taken to address the coronavirus and happy pictures and videos of skiers carving through fresh snow .
Powder Mountain in Utah posted a picture of a small group of skiers in lift line surrounded by pristine snow-capped trees and mountains around him with the caption : “ Good morning and happy Saturday from Powder Mountain !
Get outside and take advantage of the remaining winter days.
“ The Associated Press receives support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Brady McCombs And Pat Graham - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--Georgia to postpone primaries over virus; 2nd state to do so

ATLANTA - Georgia election officials are postponing the state ’ s March 24 presidential primaries until May because of fears over the new coronavirus .
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said in a statement Saturday that in-person early voting , which began statewide March 2 , will be halted and the election will be moved to May 19 , when Georgia ’ s other 2020 primary elections are being held .
Election officials said in addition to the safety of the public , one of the biggest considerations was the risk the virus posed to poll workers , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving rapidly and my highest priority is protecting the health of our poll workers , and the community at large , ” Raffensperger said .
The action followed Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s signature of an emergency declaration that unlocked sweeping powers to fight COVID-19 .
In a speech Saturday , the governor renewed a call for places of worship , schools and others to consider cancelling large gatherings as cases in the state rise .
On Friday , Louisiana became the first state to push back its presidential primaries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed over 5,600 .
Georgia is reporting 66 confirmed cases , with most concentrated around metro Atlanta .
One death in the state has been attributed to the virus .
Only one candidate is on the Republican ballot in Georgia for the presidential primary : President Donald Trump .
The Democratic race has been narrowed to a two-man matchup between former Vice-President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Biden has been beating Sanders among key demographics at play in Georgia Democratic politics like African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed by a slew of state and local officials .
Raffensperger ’ s office said that the decision to postpone the election was made in consultation with the state Democratic and Republican Parties .


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--Trump’s latest travel ban highlights gaps in containment net

NEW YORK - In the weeks before President Donald Trump spoke from the Oval Office to announce restrictions on travellers from more than two dozen countries in Europe , thousands of people from the region already had stepped off planes at U.S. airports , and an untold number of them carried the coronavirus .
The same can be said of flights from China in the weeks before the U.S. clamped down on those .
Thousands who visited the country where the illness began had entered the United States without any kind of health review .
Such sobering realities highlight just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s shortcomings in getting ahead of the virus and halting its spread from overseas travellers .
A day-by-day review of the spread of an unfamiliar virus from its earliest days shows U.S. officials have often been slow to respond or steps behind , with critical gaps in containment measures such as travel restrictions and airport screenings that allowed the crisis to grow to more than 2,100 infections and 51 deaths .
“ There have been gaps in the way the U.S. has approached its response , which has not been comprehensive enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the epidemic , ” said Josh Michaud , associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington .
That was evident from the very beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. On Jan. 15 , a 35-year-old man returned home to Washington state through the Seattle airport after travelling to Wuhan , China , where the virus was already spreading .
He would become the nation ’ s first known case .
Shortly before , on Jan. 13 , a woman in her 60s arrived home through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She would be Chicago ’ s first known case .
Both of those travellers came to U.S. days before the federal government began screenings for passengers who travelled through Wuhan at three U.S. international airports , New York ’ s Kennedy , San Francisco and Los Angeles .
That list was expanded on Jan. 21 to include hubs in Chicago and Atlanta .
Seattle-Tacoma wouldn ’ t be added to the list until Jan. 28 .
Also , there ’ s no guarantee those screenings — which involved passengers filling out health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have caught those early patients , who didn ’ t report symptoms until later .
U.S. researchers say screenings may miss half of COVID-19 infected people , since they may not develop symptoms for several days .
By Jan. 24 , both the Chicago woman and Washington state man had sought medical care after feeling sick , and tests confirmed they had the virus .
Learning of the two early cases , public health workers scrambled to reach hundreds of people who may have been exposed to them on flights and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be able to find them all with certainty .
With infections in Wuhan multiplying at an alarming rate , the White House announced on Jan. 31 that non-residents who had recently been to mainland China would no longer be allowed entry .
Americans returning from the Wuhan region would be subject to a mandatory two-week quarantine .
In Boston , a man who would become the city ’ s first case had returned after travelling to Wuhan just days earlier .
By mid-February , cases in China had pushed past 44,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at its highest point ever amid investor optimism the trade wars initiated by Trump were being resolved .
Then on Feb. 24 , a teenager at Jackson High School in Mill Creek , Washington , stayed home with fever , body aches and a headache .
He was tested for flu at a clinic that week , but the test came back negative .
Feeling better , he went to school on Feb. 28 .
Arriving on campus , he got a call to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The next day , Trevor Bedford , a Seattle scientist , tweeted about the “ enormous implications ” of finding genetic fingerprint similarities between the teenager ’ s virus and the Washington man who became the first known U.S. case .
“ This strongly suggests that there has been cryptic transmission in Washington State for the past 6 weeks , “ he wrote on Twitter .
To some , containment still seemed like a possibility in the United States , which as recently as about two weeks ago had no deaths and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were under federal quarantine after being evacuated from China or a cruise ship in Japan .
“ It may get a little bigger ; it may not get bigger at all , ” Trump said in a national TV address at the time .
With cases rising above 1,000 in Italy and 3,000 in South Korea , the White House announced on March 1 that U.S.-bound passengers would undergo screenings before leaving those countries .
But travellers from Italy who would eventually test positive were already on their way .
On March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three of its six new cases were people who had visited northern Italy .
A day later , Illinois announced its fifth confirmed case — a man who had recently returned from Italy .
A day after that , Oklahoma announced its first case — a man who had returned from Italy about two weeks earlier .
And a few days later , the state announced its second case had also travelled to Italy .
By the time Trump announced the European travel ban Thursday , cases in the region including Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 17,000 .
When a similar ban was announced on people travelling from China , that country had around 11,000 cases .
Iran had about 600 confirmed cases when the U.S. banned travellers who had recently been there .
“ The European Union failed to take the same precautions and restrict travel from China and other hotspots , ” Trump said .
“ As a result , a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travellers from Europe.
” Saturday , Trump closed some glaring exceptions to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kingdom and Ireland to the list and considering imposing travel restrictions within the U.S. as well .
His decision came as deaths in Britain doubled from the day before to 21 , and infections rose from 800 to over 1,100 .
Some experts question the effectiveness of any kind of travel restrictions given the heavy volume of global travel .
Last year , for example , 4.2 million passengers arrived in the U.S. on flights from China and 2.2 million from Italy .
Holes in the containment net may sound alarming to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks assume the net will let some slip through .
The point is to slow down or “ flatten ” rates of infection to keep the number of severely sick patients from overwhelming hospitals , which aren ’ t big enough to accommodate a surge .
“ We are essentially spreading this spread over a longer period of time to allow health systems time to adapt and respond , ” said Dr. Sandro Galea an epidemiologist at Boston University .
The benefit of stopping a portion of new infections from entering also depends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections already within their borders , said Benjamin Cowling , an epidemiologist at the University of Hong Kong .
But nearly two months after the first U.S. case was confirmed , the persisting lack of testing capacity has left experts uncertain about how many more infected people aren ’ t being identified .
Some researchers say the true count of infections in the U.S. may be upwards of 14,000.. “ It is a failing , let ’ s admit it , ” said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who get infected with the virus experience moderate symptoms .
and the vast majority of people recover .
Others , including older adults and people with existing health issues , can become severely sick .
Patricia Herrick , the daughter of an 89-year-old woman who died last week in the Seattle-area nursing home that has become ground zero of the U.S. outbreak with at least 25 deaths linked to it , said testing should have started much earlier so the sick could be separated from the well .
“ We let this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t take this seriously enough , ” said Herrick , whose mother was never tested for COVID-19 .
“ I don ’ t know that she would still be living .
...
It ’ s tragic.
“ Kaiser ’ s Michaud acknowledged government health officials may have been “ flying blind at first ” but the inability to test and identify cases has put them behind .
“ We ’ re trying to catch up .
But we can ’ t catch up at this point.
” The Associated Press Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Candice Choi, Bernard Condon And Carla K. Johnson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--Washington confronts coronavirus with new tools and angst

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the United States will expand its European travel restrictions to include Britain and Ireland as the U.S. , armed with new tools against the pandemic , braced for it to get worse before it gets better .
The government ’ s top infection expert warned that COVID-19 may surge within the nation in coming days .
Under the restrictions on European travel , American citizens , green card holders and others are still allowed to return home to the U.S. , but will be funneled to 13 airports and be subjected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you don ’ t have to travel , I wouldn ’ t do it , “ Trump said .
After days of reluctance , he also said he had taken the coronavirus test following several interactions with people who are infected .
He is now awaiting the results .
The White House also began testing the temperatures of everyone who ’ s been close to Trump ; he said his own temperature was normal and he was feeling fine .
Early Saturday the House approved legislation to provide direct relief to Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
The Senate still must vote on the package .
Trump supports it .
As well , he declared a national emergency Friday , unleashing as much as $ 50 billion for state and local governments to respond to the crisis .
There was little hope of a quick turnaround .
“ We will see more cases and we will see more suffering and death , “ said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health , “ particularly among the vulnerables.
” Yet he said “ we still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
The U.S. has recorded at least 51 deaths and nearly 2,500 confirmed infections .
For most people , COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new travel restrictions come as Britain has seen its death toll from the virus nearly double from the day before to 21 , and the number of people infected rise to over 1,100 from about 800 the previous day .
Ireland had 90 confirmed cases and one death by Friday .
The U.S. said earlier in the week a 30-day restriction on flights covered only the 26-nation Schengen area , the European Union ’ s border-free travel zone , which excludes Britain and Ireland .
Vice-President Mike Pence said the restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midnight on Monday night .
Pence added that federal officials were “ considering a broad range of measures ” for potential domestic travel restrictions but no decisions have been made .
“ We ’ re going to continue to follow the facts , ” Pence said .
But a senior homeland security official , in a briefing held on condition that the official not be identified , said “ there ’ s no expectation of any domestic travel restrictions at this time ” by air or rail .
Britain has taken a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afflicted areas have shut schools , scrapped large public events and shuttered bars and restaurants .
The British government hasn ’ t heavily restricted everyday activities , though there were indications it might .
Schools in Northern Ireland were operating as usual but across the border in the Irish Republic , schools , colleges , daycare centres and cultural institutions were closed .
In the U.S. , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell cancelled the coming week ’ s planned recess to deal with the matter .
Senate Democrats called on McConnell , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to reconvene now and pass the aid package .
“ Everyone is going to have new ideas , but that will slow things down , ” said Sen. Chuck Schumer , the top Senate Democrat .
“ We have to act immediately.
” With the president ’ s backing and robust Republican support from the House vote , passage appears likely..
While anxiety hangs over the nation , the president took a lighter tone at moments as he addressed the media .
He boasted that he was “ honoured ” that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge one-day gain Friday after he announced the national emergency declaration .
“ I think we should do one of them every day perhaps , “ joked Trump , who wore a blue baseball cap emblazoned with “ USA.
” “ How about five times a day ?
“ The president didn ’ t mention that despite Friday ’ s pickup , the market had its worst week since October 2008 .
In just a few weeks , U.S. stocks have lost all the gains made during 2019 .
The crush of activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fast-moving virus left ordinary Americans suddenly navigating self-quarantines , school closures and a changed way of life .
Trump took a number of other actions to bolster energy markets , ease the financial burden for Americans with student loans and give medical professionals additional flexibility in treating patients during the public health crisis .
Central to the aid package from Congress , which builds on an emergency $ 8.3 billion measure approved earlier , are the free testing , sick pay and family leave provisions .
Providing sick pay for workers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the rapid spread of the infection .
Officials warn that the nation ’ s healthcare system could quickly become overwhelmed with gravely sick patients , as suddenly happened in Italy , one of the countries hardest hit by the virus .
The ability to ensure paychecks will keep flowing — for people self-quarantining or caring for others — can help assure Americans they will not fall into financial hardship .
The legislation also offers three months of paid family and medical leave .
Small and mid-sized employers will be reimbursed through tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised a third coronavirus package will follow soon , with more aggressive steps to boost the U.S. economy , which economists fear has already slipped into recession .
Mnuchin said Saturday that lawmakers will have to fix a minor error in the approved House bill , which could create some hiccups in getting the measure to Trump ’ s desk by early in the week .
It involves a delicately negotiated provision about a tax credit for businesses to provide sick leave .
Trump on Friday also told people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website “ facilitated ” by Google that would guide users through a series of questions to determine whether they should be screened for the virus .
If testing is recommended , users would be directed to a local testing location , which could include parking lots at Walmart , Target , Walgreens and other chains .
But it quickly became apparent that such a fast track to testing was in early stages of development and would not be widely employed soon .
Meantime U.S. officials said most cruise companies had stopped new voyages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were ordered to .
Trump endorsed decisions some companies have taken to close their stores as the nation increasingly hunkers down .
The Pentagon and State Department announced new guidance aimed at limiting movement of its personnel and promoting social distancing in hopes of reducing the impact of the pandemic on the agencies .
As part of that , State Department employees were to engage in “ mission critical ” travel only .
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin , Lisa Mascaro and Andrew Taylor contributed reporting to this article .
The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Colleen Long, Michael Balsamo And Aamer Madhani - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--‘He’s an inmate’: Anguish mounts over virus-hit nursing home

KIRKLAND , Wash. - Desperate to talk to their dad , Scott Sedlacek and his brother , Steve , stood outside his open nursing home window and shouted .
They could barely hear his weak replies , but one came through clearly .
“ I feel like ( expletive ) , ” the 86-year-old told them .
Chuck Sedlacek arrived at the Life Care Center of Kirkland three weeks ago for physical therapy , just before the suburban nursing home became the epicenter of the nation ’ s worst coronavirus outbreak .
Now he ’ s in worse shape than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after contracting the virus , but his symptoms haven ’ t progressed enough to warrant moving him to a hospital .
He came seeking rehab for a broken ankle and banged-up knee after a fall , but he hasn ’ t gotten out of bed in two weeks .
Though he previously lived independently in a senior community where he could walk the halls and visit old friends , he ’ s now losing his mobility from lack of exercise .
His five children have hardly spoken with him because his near blindness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough for him to use a phone .
And , they say , the overwhelmed Life Care staff has given him just two sponge baths since he arrived .
“ He ’ s an inmate as much as he is a patient , ” said Scott Sedlacek , 64 , who also caught the virus .
“ We all love and really care about our dad , and we are absolutely scared .
Loneliness kills a lot of people , too .
We think this is a license for death.
” The Sedlaceks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what residents and their loved ones face as the coronavirus spreads around the country and enters other long-term care facilities .
While most people recover from the virus and many have mild symptoms , elderly residents are especially at risk .
The virus has been confirmed in at least 11 nursing homes or senior apartments in western Washington .
A cluster has also emerged at a veterans home in Lebanon , Oregon , where eight cases were confirmed in recent days .
Nursing homes around the country — which are frequently cited for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alert for coronavirus , boosting their cleaning regimens and clamping down on visitors .
The families of the remaining Life Care residents have reason to be terrified .
More than two dozen coronavirus deaths have been linked to the facility , and more than half of those inside have tested positive .
The residents remain in a purgatory .
They are mostly restricted to their rooms with no visitors .
Roommates or neighbours across the hall have vanished without explanation .
Some people are confused about what ’ s going on .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been compounded by mixed messages and a lack of information .
The nurses have told the Sedlaceks they check their father ’ s temperature every four to eight hours , less often than the two hours promised by administrators .
That ’ s troubling , since the virus seems able to cause fevers to spike drastically in a short period .
The family has no idea how or when they ’ ll be able to transfer their father out of the centre if he recovers from the virus .
Families also question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China , the U.S. health system was so ill-prepared to test for coronavirus that the facility was still admitting new patients , including Chuck Sedlacek , even after the first resident had been sent to the hospital with flu-like symptoms .
Life Care said there was no reason to think the cornavirus was present until it received news Feb. 29 that a resident had tested positive .
Administrators said remaining workers — one-third are out with virus symptoms — are doing what they can to care for residents .
“ All I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration , ” spokesman Tim Killian told the Sedlaceks when they questioned him during a media availability outside the nursing home this week .
“ We have diminished capability to take care of all the patients in the exact manner they need .
... We do need more help.
” The inability to comfort confused parents has been especially painful .
June Liu ’ s family used to pick her up several times a week for home-cooked Taiwanese meals and church services .
The 93-year-old , who doesn ’ t speak English , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years since a small stroke .
During a flu outbreak there last year , she was able to leave the facility to stay with her daughter , Su Wilson .
But now she ’ s stuck at the facility after developing a cough two weeks ago and testing positive for the virus .
She doesn ’ t understand why no one is coming to visit her and why she can ’ t go stay with her family .
“ I think she ’ s very , very depressed , not knowing what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is sad for a lot of families and for us .
The staff are trying to do their best , but are you caring for their mental health , or is it just ‘ Isolation !
Isolation !
Check vitals !
IV !
’ ?
” Wilson has now taken to leaving homemade soup outside the nursing home for staff to bring inside to her mom .
There is hope that outbreaks at other nursing homes might be less severe as they adopt restrictions and learn from Life Care ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senior living community where Chuck Sedlacek typically lives , Emerald Heights in Redmond , a staff member at a skilled nursing facility developed symptoms early this month and immediately began staying home before a test confirmed the disease .
Eleven residents deemed at risk were quickly isolated and tested ; only one was positive .
Meanwhile , though , a resident of the separate independent living community has been confirmed to have the disease and is now in self-isolation .
“ Despite our advanced planning , we ’ re having to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this virus , ” said Kris Egskov , Aegis Living president , after a resident at Aegis Marymoor in Redmond , Washington , tested positive .
“ We are preparing for the long-haul and accept that this may in fact be an entirely new paradigm in which to protect our residents.
” Scott Sedlacek visited his dad four times before Life Care was locked down to visitors on Feb. 29 .
No one inside was even wearing face masks , he said .
On March 1 , the son ’ s joints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days trying to get tested for COVID-19 , asking doctors as well as public health officials .
Even though he ’ d spent time at Life Care , the centre of the worst U.S. outbreak , he couldn ’ t obtain a test until after his fever spiked , he had trouble breathing and his wife brought him to a hospital emergency room , which cleared him of the flu and other illnesses .
He felt fine again within 12 hours of being treated with a bronchial nebulizer , and he quarantined himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the period short so he could visit his dad through the hospital window .
He wore a yellow face mask as he yelled to him .
“ This is supposed to be my last day of quarantine , but being with my dad is way more important , ” Sedlacek said that night .
“ He ’ s in there and he ’ s lonely .
The big thing we wanted to convey to him was , ‘ We ’ re here for you , we love you and we want you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be in there with you.
’ ” The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Gene Johnson And Ted S. Warren - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--White House steps up safeguards as Trump awaits test results

WASHINGTON - After days of resistance , President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was tested for the coronavirus and is awaiting his results as the White House stepped up precautions around him following his repeated direct and indirect exposures to COVID-19 .
Trump also told reporters at a White House briefing that he had his temperature taken and it was “ totally normal “ before stepping into the room to discuss the government ’ s efforts to halt the spread of the virus .
The pandemic has now infected more than 2,200 people in the U.S. and caused at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on testing for days — concerned that it would make him appear weak — despite his interactions with at least three people who have since tested positive for COVID-19 .
Trump had said Friday that he would “ most likely ” submit to testing “ fairly soon , ” but the White House doctor said in a memo released shortly before midnight that no test was called for , despite the contact , because he wasn ’ t exhibiting symptoms like a fever or cough .
The president said he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions from reporters at a news conference Friday and would have the results in “ a day or two days , whatever it is.
” Vice-President Mike Pence , speaking at the same briefing , said he and his wife , Karen Pence , would also “ be more than happy to be tested , ” despite the doctors ’ guidance , and would be contacting White House medical staff to arrange it .
Multiple lawmakers and countless citizens across the country who have had the same degree of exposure have not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen to quarantine themselves as a precaution and to avoid potentially infecting others .
The president , according to two people close to the White House , had been reluctant to take the test for fear it would project weakness or worry .
Trump has wanted to appear in full control during the crisis , and had expressed concerns that taking personal steps could undermine that appearance .
But as the White House grapples with repeated exposures by Trump and multiple senior aides , it has tightened precautions .
On Saturday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducting temperature checks on anyone who is in close contact with Trump and Pence , including reporters who attended the Saturday White House briefing and anyone entering the Oval Office .
Additional precautions are expected to be rolled out over the weekend .
To that end , a representative from the White House physician ’ s office took the temperature of members of the media at the briefing , going around and putting the device to their heads .
One reporter with a suspected elevated temperature was not allowed in .
Pence also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday reminding them to take precautions such as avoiding physical contact , washing hands frequently and staying home when sick to help the administration keep the virus at bay .
“ It ’ s imperative each one of us do our part to take the proper precautions to keep ourselves and our colleagues safe , ” Pence wrote .
“ As an employee aboard the White House Complex , we have an additional duty to protect the health of our Executive Branch and those working with us.
” Trump , 73 , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complications from the disease because of his age .
He has long tried to minimize the threat posed by the virus and continued to engage in behaviours that health officials are warning the public against .
On Friday , Trump shook the hands of multiple officials at his Rose Garden news conference and he has continued to appear at large gatherings despite tweeting Saturday morning that Americans should be practicing “ SOCIAL DISTANCING !
” “ It almost becomes a habit , ” Trump said when asked why he continues to shake hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention guidelines .
“ People come up to me , they shake hands , they put their hand out , it ’ s sort of a natural reflex.
, “ he said .
“ We ’ re all getting out of it .
All of us have that problem.
” He added : “ Shaking hands is not a great thing to be doing right now , I agree.
” Trump has now had multiple direct and indirect contacts with people who have since tested positive for the virus , including three people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida .
The Brazilian Embassy in Washington said late Friday that the country ’ s chargé d ’ affaires , Nestor Forster , tested positive after sitting at Trump ’ s dinner table .
So , too , have a top aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro , who took a photo with Trump and attended a party with him , and another person who attended a campaign fundraiser with the president that Sunday , according to two Republican officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ronna McDaniel is awaiting her own test results after experiencing a fever and flu-like symptoms .
She and her family are quarantining at home , the RNC said Saturday .
Several top administration officials , including Attorney General William Barr and Trump ’ s daughter and senior adviser , Ivanka Trump , also met last week with an Australian Cabinet minister who on Friday was confirmed positive .
A handful of other White House staffers have been tested for the virus after exhibiting flu-like symptoms , but have all tested negative , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flu activity in the country is currently high .
The White House has been saying , citing CDC guidelines , that the president and other White House officials don ’ t need to be tested or isolate themselves unless they are exhibiting symptoms , even though that advice is contradicted by many health professionals who note that the virus can be spread even by people who are asymptomatic .
The reporter who was not allowed into the White House briefing Saturday had a temperature above the 100.4-degree guidelines in three checks over 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Katie Miller , citing the White House Medical Unit .
Public health officials say that people with a cough and elevated temperatures of 100.4 degrees or higher are deemed concerning .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Jill Colvin And Aamer Madhani - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--6 new presumptive positive coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG , Pa. - State health officials have announced six additional presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus , bringing the statewide total to 47 cases , and the governor urged non-essential businesses in two more Philadelphia-area counties to shut down amid the outbreak .
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said Saturday that there were two cases in Allegheny County — the first reported there — as well as two new cases in adults from Montgomery County , one in an adult from Philadelphia and one in an adult from Chester County .
All are either in isolation at home or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Tom Wolf also extended to Chester and Bucks counties a call for non-essential businesses to to close , echoing a voluntary call made earlier to Montgomery and Delaware counties .
He said essential infrastructure such as pharmacies , grocery stores and gas stores will remain open , and officials said travel is not being restricted .
“ If we can slow the spread of this virus ... we can keep an enormous number of Pennsylvanians from needing the kind of emergency treatment at the same time that ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolf said .
“ Stay calm , stay home and stay safe.
” State officials on Saturday evening clarified that non-essential businesses include community and recreation centres ; gyms , including yoga , barre and spin facilities ; hair salons , nail salons and spas ; casinos ; concert venues ; theatres ; bars ; sporting event venues and golf courses ; retail facilities , including shopping malls and except for pharmacy or other health care facilities within retail operations .
Restaurants are urged only to remain open for carry-out and delivery orders.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly encourages businesses to act now before the governor or the secretary of health finds it necessary to compel closures under the law for the interest of public health.
“ In Philadelphia , however , city officials said people should feel free to continue to go to retail businesses and public parks while warning that this advice could change .
Mayor Jim Kenney urged people to wash their hands and stay three feet from other people , but added “ go out and have dinner and tip your wait staff , because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to figure out a way that we can continue moving forward without panicking to the point where everything shuts down , “ Kenney said Saturday .
“ We may be healthier but the economy will be in the tank , and we can ’ t have that.
” He later said on Twitter that he was “ attempting to show support for local businesses and stop panic .
... We should all be mindful to limit gatherings , and of course , if you don ’ t feel well , stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled Tuesday in Bucks County will be postponed , but there is no agreement yet on a new date .
Museums and casinos in the commonwealth joined the growing number of organizations announcing temporary closures due to the outbreak .
Officials said Free Library locations in Philadelphia would be closed to the public , heeding a recommendation from the state , but staff members were told to report to work .
In Pittsburgh , Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said “ social distancing ” would be a challenge in bars and restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupancy rates “ to give people more space.
“ He warned that city police , firefighters and and inspectors would be “ on the ground strictly enforcing occupancy maximums.
” The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced a “ phased closure “ of wine and spirit stores in Bucks , Chester , Delaware and Montgomery counties to help slow the spread of the virus .
PECO announced that it was suspending utility service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least May 1 .
A look at the latest developments in Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials announced that all jury trials , civil and criminal , would be cancelled through March 27 amid the coronavirus outbreak .
State and local museums announcing shutdowns amid a wave of closures aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus .
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission says all state-owned historic sites and museums — regardless of location — will be closed as of Sunday through the end of the month .
The commission earlier this week closed the State Museum of Pennsylvania and the state archives in Harrisburg as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Commission meetings are being limited to 10 people or fewer through the end of April .
In Philadelphia , officials announced that museums on the Ben Franklin Parkway — including the Philadelphia Museum of Art , the Franklin Institute , the Barnes Foundation and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will close and postpone or cancel events for at least two weeks .
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy said the iconic Fallingwater home built over a western Pennsylvania waterfall by Frank Lloyd Wright would close starting Sunday with tentative plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh announced a closure until March 31 .
The centre said exhibitions would be extended through April 12 .
Five of the 12 casinos in Pennsylvania have announced closures amid the outbreak .
Rivers Casino Philadelphia said it would close at midnight Sunday for 14 days “ out of an abundance of caution and to promote the social distancing recommended by health officials “ although there had been no known cases of coronavirus at the property .
The company said it planned to keep employees on the payroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said it would close for 14 days as of midnight Sunday .
The Valley Forge Casino in King Of Prussia earlier said it was closing in compliance the the governor ’ s directive to close public schools , entertainment venues and community centres in hard-hit Montgomery County .
The casino said it would reopen March 27 and also noted that there had been no reported cases of the virus at the property .
Harrah ’ s Philadelphia said it was closing as of Saturday “ for the well-being of our team members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would close as of 6 a.m. Sunday “ as responsible business leaders within the Bensalem community and as one of the largest employers in Bucks County.
” Most of the state ’ s 47 cases of positive tests are in eastern Pennsylvania .
Hardest hit is Montgomery County , with 20 cases .
Cases announced Friday included the first two children under 18 , and Saturday ’ s announcement included the first cases in western Pennsylvania ’ s Allegheny County .
Allegheny County officials said the two Pittsburgh residents — who reside in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age in the 70s and the other in the 60s — are believed to have contracted the virus while travelling out of state .
Both are currently in isolation at home .
The confirmed cases largely have been traced back to contact with the new coronavirus in another state or country .
Most people are at home in isolation , officials say ; a few are hospitalized .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--Oklahoma bombing museum closes, Tulsa cancels large events

OKLAHOMA CITY - Health concerns about the coronavirus resulted Saturday in the temporary closing of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum and Tulsa Mayor G.T .
Bynum temporarily banning events that would bring 250 or more people to city-owned facilities .
The 25th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony of the 1995 bombing that killed 168 people scheduled for Sunday , April 19 will be altered in an , as yet , undetermined manner , the museum said in a news release .
“ Please know we do not make this decision lightly , “ museum executive director Kari Watkins said in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the large amount of visitors into the Museum isn ’ t prudent.
” The museum will be closed temporarily beginning Sunday and the Oklahoma City Marathon , known as the Run to Remember , is being postponed from late April until October .
The vast majority of people who contract the coronavirus recover within weeks .
It causes only mild or moderate symptoms for most people , but can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems .
In Tulsa , Bynum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting at 5 p.m. Saturday , that would bring 250 or more people to city-owned facilities in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus by revoking their special event permits .
Bynum said he also asked organizers of events expected to draw more than 250 people at private locations to cancel , postpone or offer online streaming services .
“ The threshold of 250 people is a recommendation given by the Centers for Disease Control to other communities when trying to determine the proper restriction .
We will continue to monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the mayor said in a statement .
Properties owned by the city include the BOK Center , the Convention Center , City Hall , the Gilcrease Museum and the Tulsa Zoo .
The ban is in place until April 15 .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--Spain limits movements, closes shops to stem virus spread

MADRID - Spain ’ s government announced Saturday that it is placing tight restrictions on movements and closing restaurants and other establishments in the nation of 46 million people as part of a two-week state of emergency to fight the sharp rise in coronavirus infections .
Spain has followed Italy ’ s path in implementing a similar lockdown after both European countries failed to contain the virus in regional hotspots .
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez detailed the battery of exceptional measures in a nationally televised address after holding a Cabinet meeting that lasted over seven hours .
The delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition government of Sánchez ’ s Socialists and the anti-austerity United We Can .
“ From now we enter into a new phase , ” Sánchez said .
“ We won ’ t hesitate in doing what we must to beat the virus .
We are putting health first.
” After the prime minister spoke , people broke into a long round of applause from balconies in Madrid and Barcelona , with some firing off fireworks , in response to a call on social media for a show of support for the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined in , relieved that the government was taking more action .
Sánchez added that all police forces , including those run by local authorities , will be put under the orders of the Interior Minister and that the armed forces are on stand-by .
“ At any moment , when it is necessary , we can count on the deployment of the armed forces .
The army is ready , ” Sánchez said .
According to the government decree , people will only be allowed to leave their homes to buy food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to medical centres and banks , or take trips related to the care for the elderly , the young , and dependents .
Those limitations are effective immediately .
Spain is also closing all restaurants , bars , hotels , schools and universities nationwide , and other non-essential retail outlets , a move some of its hardest-hit communities have already carried out .
The state of emergency also gives the government the power to take control of private hospitals to reinforce its large public health service that is being pushed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The strain on Madrid ’ s medical system had led local authorities to devise a plan to convert hotels into temporary wards to care for less serious patients and clear space in the overburdened critical care areas .
Health authorities said Saturday that coronavirus infections have reached 5,753 people , half of them in Madrid , since the first case was detected in Spain in late January .
That represents a national increase of over 1,500 in 24 hours .
Sánchez acknowledged on Friday that the number of infections could reach 10,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to win this battle , ” Sánchez said .
“ The important thing is that price we have to pay be as low as possible , the lives we can save , the infections we can prevent , and sick days we can avoid.
” Italy extended the strict restriction on movements from the north to the entire country on March 9 when it registered over 9,000 infections .
It then went further on March 11 and closed all retail outlets except some supermarkets and pharmacies .
Spain ’ s central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities , who run the nation ’ s decentralized public health system , for taking too long to shut down the entire country .
The decision by Sánchez comes after some regions of Spain with viral clusters had taken steps to close restaurants and other non-essential establishments .
The regional leaders of Madrid and northeast Catalonia had criticized Sánchez for taking too long to tighten the screws on transport and restrict the circulation of people .
Residents in Madrid and Barcelona awoke Saturday to shuttered bars and restaurants and other non-essential commercial outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
The normally bustling streets of Spain ’ s two biggest cities were noticeably quieter as the message sinks in that social distancing is the only way to stop the global pandemic after its eruption in China .
Spooked shoppers packed some supermarkets early in the morning despite calls for calm from authorities and supermarket owners .
Business owners fear that the closures will be crippling , especially in Spain ’ s huge tourism industry , but they are resigned to comply .
Even though the airports remained open , some flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the lockdown .
“ We had to close and remain shut for 15 days , ” restaurant owner Rachel Paparardo said in Barcelona , Catalonia ’ s largest city .
“ But this is nothing , it is just so more people don ’ t get infected and we can recover from this.
“ In the capital , however , the town hall was forced to close parks after many people continued their Saturday morning jogs and other outdoor pastimes , with municipal police resorting to airborne drones with speakers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I live in the city centre and I like to see it empty , ” said Madrid resident Carmen Melon .
“ I like to see that I think people are being responsible and the people who have to stay at home are doing it .
Today I have to work , just one hour , but later I will stay home too.
” Sports and television personalities have joined authorities and public health care workers in their pleas for people to remain indoors in order to reduce the spiking contagion curve .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility and to stay home , ” Barcelona star Lionel Messi wrote on Instagram Saturday .
It ’ s only the second time that the government has evoked it since the return of democracy in the late 1970s .
The other was declared during a 2010 air traffic controllers ’ strike .
Associated Press writer Aritz Parra reported this story in Madrid and AP writer Joseph Wilson reported from Barcelona .
AP journalists Iain Sullivan in Madrid and Renata Brito in Barcelona contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Aritz Parra And Joseph Wilson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--U.S. providers offer free Wi-Fi for 60 days

BOSTON - U.S. internet and wireless providers have announced temporary measures to make getting online less expensive and onerous as enforced social distancing due to the new coronavirus forces more human interaction online .
Most notable is Comcast ’ s free public Wi-Fi for all for 60 days , effective Saturday .
Major metropolitan areas are thick with Comcast ’ s Xfinity-branded hotspots .
“ I don ’ t get to say this often : Bravo Comcast !
” tweeted Alex Stamos , a Stanford University internet security expert .
Home-based Xfinity hotspots are not included , said Comcast spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in public locations and at small businesses are .
AT & T and Charter Communications also announced free public Wi-Fi for 60 days , with Charter offering free broadband for households with students through college age who don ’ t already have a subscription .
Verizon was among the many providers to also announce a moratorium on late fees and disconnections .
T-Mobile announced that it would provide unlimited smartphone data to all current subscribers and increase the data allowance to schools and students using their digital learning programs .
Cox said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans and Sprint said it would give subscribers unlimited data for 60 days , among other changes .
Comcast and AT & T also temporarily lifted data caps .
The announcements followed a plea Thursday to internet providers by Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia and 17 other colleagues in the Senate .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-14--U.S. internet well-equipped to handle work from home surge

BOSTON - The U.S. internet won ’ t get overloaded by spikes in traffic from the millions of Americans now working from home to discourage the spread of the new coronavirus , experts say .
But connections could stumble for many if too many family members try to videoconference at the same time .
Some may have to settle for audio , which is much less demanding of bandwidth .
Separately , Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia on Saturday applauded announcements by several major U.S. internet providers for taking temporary measures — including the suspension of data caps , free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with children who lack it — designed to better accommodate remote access for students , workers and public health officials .
He and 17 other colleagues , Democrats and independents , had called for such measures in a letter Thursday to CEOs of AT & T , Charter , Comcast , Cox , Verizon , CenturyLink , Sprint and T-Mobile .
The core of the U.S. network is more than capable of handling the virus-related surge in demand because it has evolved to be able to easily handle bandwidth-greedy Netflix , YouTube and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the network is massively over-provisioned , ” said Paul Vixie , CEO of Farsight Security and an internet pioneer who helped design its domain naming system .
But if parents are videoconferencing for work at the same time college and high school students are trying to beam into school , they could experience congestion .
Figure a packet-dropping threshold of five or more users .
That ’ s because the so-called last mile is for most Americans provisioned for cable — download capacity is robust but upload limited .
Fiber optic connections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will do fine .
Italy ’ s internet saw a 30 % spike in peak-hour traffic early this past week after the government sent everyone home into isolation , said Matthew Prince , CEO of Cloudflare , which shapes and secures internet traffic for websites , more than 10 % of which sit behind its network .
Prince said in an interview Friday that Cloudflare saw no evidence , however , that the Italian internet has gotten any slower .
World Cup soccer matches have posed a greater burden .
Peak internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifted from the office to home due to COVID-19 have also shifted — from about dinner time to about 11 a.m .
Prince says it happened in Italy and South Korea and expects the same in the U.S. Traffic has spiked 10 % to 20 % during peak hours since the first week of February in greater Seattle , the U.S. metropolitan region hardest-hit by COVID-19 , according to Cloudflare .
The sudden , unanticipated surge in millions of remote workers has forced companies to scramble to boost their capacity for secure connections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sullivan , chief technical officer for security at Akamai , a major IT provider for business and government .
The surge is creating some temporary bottlenecks .
But because so much of computing has moved to cloud services , the shift doesn ’ t pose much of an on-site burden for companies , said Sullivan , with bottlenecks typically cleared in minutes or hours .
But some conference calling and chat services have been overwhelmed .
A call-in press conference arranged by Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown ’ s office on Friday crashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ callers to the AT & T teleconferencing centre .
Brown ’ s office said in a news release that the cause was the large number of people using the tele-meeting call centre and that “ similar issues and demand are being reported across the country.
” The conference call worked the third time .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Associated Press writer Gillian Flaccus in Portland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak