thetorontostar--2020-04-03--‘We love you NHS’: UK health service gears up for virus peak

LONDON - Dr. Nishant Joshi is on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic — and he ’ s angry .
The emergency medicine specialist says he risks his life every time he walks into a British hospital because doctors and nurses haven ’ t been equipped with the personal protection equipment they need to prevent them from being infected with COVID-19 .
But he ’ s not just a doctor : he ’ s a 31-year-old husband expecting his first child .
“ Some of my colleagues have been taking out life insurance in the last few weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The government has to take square responsibility for this , because you should never be putting your health care workers in a situation where we are scared for our lives.
“ Britain ’ s National Health Service , the cornerstone of the nation ’ s post-war welfare state , will be stretched to the breaking point in the coming weeks as hospitals treat an expected tsunami of critically ill patients when the pandemic reaches its peak across the United Kingdom .
Created in 1948 , the NHS is a revered institution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.K .
Yet with years of austerity cuts and rising demand already straining resources , the health service is facing the biggest test in its 72-year history .
After delays that have been sharply criticized , the Conservative government is racing to ensure that hospitals and clinics across the country have the staffing and equipment they need to cope with the coronavirus onslaught .
Authorities have urged retired doctors and nurses to return to work — and some 20,000 have complied .
Routine surgeries are being cancelled so resources can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building several makeshift hospitals as it scrambles to find thousands of additional ventilators and build up stocks of masks , gloves and other protective equipment .
But Britain , like other countries around the world , is relying on one non-medical tactic to stretch NHS resources : emergency rules that require most people to stay indoors except to buy groceries , exercise or work in essential industries .
Public health officials hope this social distancing will slow the rate of infections , delaying the flood of cases so the peak of the wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
Some 750,000 volunteers have stepped forward to help bring food and medicine to people who can not leave their homes .
Even so , the mood in Britain is sombre .
“ It ’ s important for me to level with you — we know things will get worse before they get better , ’ ’ Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a letter sent to 30 million households .
“ But we are making the right preparations , and the more we all follow the rules , the fewer lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can return to normal.
’ ’ In the meantime , the British military has mobilized .
Soldiers are delivering millions of face masks to hospitals and helping to build makeshift medical facilities , including one at London ’ s massive ExCel convention centre that can treat as many as 4,000 patients .
Ventilators are an especially pressing need because COVID-19 can cause severe damage to the lungs in the most serious cases .
Industries in Britain are scrambling to build the lung machines .
NHS Professionals , which provides a pool of medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a need , is working overtime to get skilled healthcare workers to the right places .
This includes registering retired doctors and nurses so they can return to work and helping them get training , said Juliette Cosgrove , the former chief nurse of the job bank , who is now herself working at a front-line hospital .
“ We ’ re asking people to step into situations which they ’ ve never stepped into before , “ she said .
The additional resources are helping the NHS plug gaps in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every winter flu season .
In November , all of England ’ s 118 major accident and emergency units failed to meet a government target that 95 % of patients be seen within four hours and recorded its worst performance since the metric was introduced in 2004 .
The NHS also missed its targets for starting treatment of cancer patients and for waiting times for non-emergency procedures .
The editor of a respected British medical journal has put the blame on the Conservative government , accusing it in a scathing editorial of doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand virus testing capacity , distribute protective gear and set up training programs for protecting NHS staff .
“ Patients will die unnecessarily .
NHS staff will die unnecessarily , ’ ’ Dr. Richard Horton wrote in a commentary on the The Lancet website .
“ It is , indeed , as one health worker wrote last week , ` a national scandal.
’ The gravity of that scandal has yet to be understood.
’ ’ That has left doctors and nurses on the front lines shaken as they look at the devastation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy , Spain and France .
Over 60 doctors have died in the last few months in Italy alone .
“ I never thought in my wildest dreams that I wouldn ’ t be sure of a surgical mask in this country , “ Joshi said .
” I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would be feeling consistently unsafe as doctors.
’ ’ “ In Italy , they said we didn ’ t take care of our doctors first — now they ’ re dropping like flies .
Just do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff because we are no good when we ’ re lying on the bed next to our patients.
’ ’ Ordinary Britons somehow grasp what their beloved NHS staff is facing .
In what is becoming a weekly ritual , hundreds of thousands of people open their front doors and windows at night , clapping hands , banging pots and cheering for the medical workers battling the virus .
Children have been drawing “ Thank You NHS ” cards .
Doctors like Joshi appreciate the applause and the volunteers who show up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kindness .
But that doesn ’ t ease his worries .
“ I ’ ve taken out life insurance as well , “ he said .
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Danica Kirka And Jo Kearney - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Dr. Fauci’s face will soon be on a bobblehead

MILWAUKEE - The United States ’ top infectious disease specialist is getting his own bobblehead .
The creation from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee features Dr. Anthony Fauci wearing a suit as he makes a motion showing how the nation needs to “ flatten the curve ” in the coronavirus pandemic .
The museum in Milwaukee picked Fauci because many people see the plain-speaking expert on the coronavirus as a hero right now , said co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar .
“ He isn ’ t trying to spin things , “ he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make people happy and tell him what they want to hear .
He ’ s actually telling them , you know , how he sees it as an expert .
And I think that ’ s really what we need him this time.
” Fauci ’ s face also appears on socks .
And a Rochester , New York , shop is selling doughnuts with his face , surrounded by white frosting and topped off with red , white and blue sprinkles .
Sklar said the bobblehead museum plans to donate $ 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sold to the American Hospital Association , in support of that group ’ s effort to get masks and other personal protective equipment for health care workers .
“ Hopefully it does help a lot of people through the donation and also brings a smile to people ’ s faces as we all could also use something to smile about right now , ” he said .
Fauci , who is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , has served as an adviser to every president since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called him a star on his administration ’ s coronavirus task force .
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Carrie Antlfinger - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-04-03--White House moves toward promoting face masks to fight virus

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus , as the president is aggressively defending his response to the public health crisis .
The recommendations , still being finalized Thursday , were expected to apply to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
A person familiar with the White House coronavirus task force ’ s discussion said officials would suggest that non-medical masks , T-shirts or bandannas be used to cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home — for instance , at the grocery store or pharmacy .
Medical-grade masks , particularly short-in-supply N95 masks , would be reserved for those dealing directly with the sick .
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the proposed guidance before its public release .
President Donald Trump , who was tested again for coronavirus Thursday using a new rapid test , indicated he would support such a recommendation .
“ If people wanted to wear them , they can , “ he said .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a period of time , ” Trump had said earlier in the week .
The White House said Trump ’ s latest test returned a negative result in 15 minutes and Trump was “ healthy and without symptoms.
” Dr. Deborah Birx , the task force ’ s co-ordinator , told reporters the White House was concerned the mask guidance would lead to a “ false sense of security ” for Americans .
She said new data shows the administration ’ s social-distancing guidelines were not being followed to the extent necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The discussions on face masks came as the White House moved aggressively to defend its handling of the coronavirus pandemic , particularly its efforts to speed the distribution of ventilators and protective equipment needed by medical professionals .
Trump sent a politically tinged letter to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York objecting to his criticism of the administration ’ s response .
“ The Federal Government is merely a back-up for state governments , ” Trump wrote .
“ Unfortunately , your state needed far more of a back-up than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have done more to stockpile medical supplies before the pandemic .
Vice-President Mike Pence also announced Thursday that the White House was considering direct payments to hospitals to cover COVID-19 treatment costs for uninsured Americans .
The emerging guidance on masks appeared to be more limited than a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draft of the guidance , which suggested the recommendation apply to nearly all Americans , all over the country , according to a federal official who has seen the draft but was not authorized to discuss it .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to just those areas where the virus was spreading rapidly , the official said .
The formal announcement was expected as soon as Friday .
Under the previous guidance , only the sick or those at high risk of complications from the respiratory illness were advised to wear masks .
The new proposal was driven by research showing that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy .
On Wednesday , Eric Garcetti , the mayor of Los Angeles , urged his city ’ s 4 million residents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
On Thursday , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio followed suit in his city , the epicenter of the virus ’ spread in the U.S .
In response to recent studies , the CDC on Wednesday changed how it was defining the risk of infection for Americans .
It essentially says anyone may be a considered a carrier , whether they have symptoms or not .
The virus spreads mostly through droplets from coughs or sneezes , though experts stress that the germ is still not fully understood .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home as much as possible and keep at least 6 feet ( 2 metres ) away from others when they do go out .
Other advice includes frequent hand washing and not touching your face .
But until now federal officials have stopped short of telling people to cover their faces out in public .
Scientists can ’ t rule out that infected people sometimes exhale COVID-19 virus particles , rather than just when coughing or sneezing , but there isn ’ t enough evidence to show if that can cause infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Academies of Sciences , Engineering and Medicine to advise the White House .
The question has to do with whether the new coronavirus spreads mostly by droplets that don ’ t linger for long in the air or also by tinier aerosolized particles .
Certain medical procedures , such as inserting breathing tubes , can create those tiny particles , which is why health care workers wear close-fitting N95 masks during such care .
U.S .
Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams has repeatedly admonished Americans not to wear face masks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who wear them from catching the virus .
He and other officials have stressed that surgical face masks and other protective medical equipment have been in short supply and must be prioritized for people such as health-care workers .
The World Health Organization on Monday reiterated its advice that the general population doesn ’ t need to wear masks unless they ’ re sick .
Since the epidemic began in China , the WHO has said masks are for the sick and people caring for them .
“ There is no specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks by the mass population has any particular benefit , “ WHO ’ s epidemic chief Dr. Mike Ryan said during a news conference .
” In fact , there ’ s some evidence to suggest the opposite , ” he added , noting risks from an improperly fitted mask or improperly putting it on or taking it off .
Many people have taken it upon themselves to make their own masks , but one North Carolina health system found that such DIY products vary in how well they work .
Wake Forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designs made by community volunteers .
They found that some were better at filtering than off-the-shelf surgical masks but others were barely better than wearing no mask at all .

Zeke Miller And Mike Stobbe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--The Latest: Trump orders 3M to meet FEMA’s mask needs

ST. PAUL , Minn. - The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Minnesota ( all times local ) : President Donald Trump has ordered Minnesota-based 3M to produce and sell as many medical-grade masks as the Federal Emergency Management Agency says it needs .
Trump invoked the Defence Production Act in an effort to speed up the distribution of desperately needed hospital masks .
3M CEO Mike Roman said earlier this week that the company is working closely with FEMA and is on track to double global production of N95 masks to 2 billion a year in 12 months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 % to 50 million masks per month in about 60 days .
The Star Tribune reports medical professionals need the N95 masks because they filter out at least 95 % of micro particulates and give doctors and nurses the best chance against the coronavirus .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Mosques stay open in Pakistan even as virus death toll rises

ISLAMABAD - Mosques were allowed to remain open in Pakistan on Friday , when Muslims gather for weekly prayers , even as the coronavirus pandemic spread and much of the country had shut down .
Prime Minister Imran Khan is relying on restricting the size of congregations attending mosques and advice to stay at home from religious groups like the country ’ s Islamic Ideology Council .
However , some provinces have issued their own lockdown orders to prevent Muslims from gathering for Friday prayers .
In southern Sindh province , a complete lockdown is being enforced from noon until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faithful gather for prayers .
Anyone found on the streets will be arrested , according to the provincial local government minister in a statement .
In eastern Punjab province , where 60 % of Pakistan ’ s 220 million people live , checkpoints have been set up in major cities stopping people from congregating .
Still , mosques remain open in Pakistan , even as they have been shut down across much of the Middle East and elsewhere .
The Middle East has confirmed over 85,000 cases of the virus and over 3,700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Iran state TV reported Friday the virus killed another 134 people , pushing the country ’ s death toll to nearly 3,300 amid more than 53,000 confirmed cases .
Iran ’ s parliament speaker is among those who have contracted the disease .
Pakistan , with 2,450 confirmed cases and 35 deaths , has been sharply criticized for moving too slow to curb large gatherings , including a gathering of tens of thousands of Muslims from several Islamic countries in March .
The gathering of Tableeghi Jamaat missionaries is blamed for several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
The first confirmed cases that emerged in Gaza were traced to the gathering .
Entire neighbourhoods , including outside the capital Islamabad , have been shut down because clerics who had attended the gathering tested positive for the virus .
Despite this , some religious leaders in Pakistan still urge the faithful to defy restrictions and gather at mosques .
Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman , head of a committee tasked with spotting the new moon in Pakistan marking the beginning of holy months such as Ramadan , went on television telling people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should attend the mosque .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause severe symptoms like pneumonia that can be fatal .
Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran , Iran contributed to this report .
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Israel to help Christians share ‘holy fire’ amid outbreak

JERUSALEM - Israel is working with foreign governments and Orthodox Christian leaders in the Holy Land to make sure that one of their most ancient and mysterious rituals — the Holy Fire ceremony — is not extinguished by the coronavirus outbreak , officials said Friday .
Each year , thousands of worshippers flock to Jerusalem ’ s Old City and pack into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher — built on the site where Christian tradition holds that Jesus was crucified , buried and resurrected — for the pre-Easter ceremony .
Top Eastern Orthodox clerics enter the Edicule , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ tomb , and exit with candles said to be miraculously lit with “ holy fire ” as a message to the faithful .
The flame is normally shared with candle-holding pilgrims and even sent in special containers to Orthodox Christian communities around the world .
Details of the flame ’ s source are a closely guarded secret .
Due to a ban on large public gatherings this year because of the virus pandemic , Israeli officials say the April 18 ceremony will be limited to about 10 religious leaders from various Orthodox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creative way to deliver the flame to overseas communities .
Because anyone entering Israel must go into quarantine , foreign dignitaries coming to pick up the flame will receive it on their plane and immediately return home .
The coronavirus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , who recover within a few weeks .
But it is highly contagious and can be spread by people showing no symptoms .
It can cause serious illness and death in some patients , particularly the elderly and those with underlying health issues .
Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at least 36 deaths .
Akiva Tor , who heads the Israeli Foreign Ministry ’ s department for world religions , said the arrangement has been discussed with local church leaders and co-ordinated with several foreign countries with large Orthodox populations , including Greece , Russia , Georgia and Ukraine .
Tor said church officials have been understanding .
“ We have the same goal in mind , which is to enable the continuation of this miraculous event while being respectful of the medical emergency which is taking place , ” he @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Navy fires captain who sought help for virus-stricken ship

WASHINGTON - The captain of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus on his ship was fired by Navy leaders who said he created a panic by sending his memo pleading for help to too many people .
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said the ship ’ s commander , Capt .
Brett Crozier , “ demonstrated extremely poor judgment ” in the middle of a crisis .
He said the captain copied too many people on the memo , which was leaked to a California newspaper and quickly spread to many news outlets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as ship commander was immediately condemned by members of the House Armed Services Committee , who called it a “ destabilizing move ” that will “ likely put our service members at greater risk and jeopardize our fleet ’ s readiness.
“ Modly told Pentagon reporters during an abruptly called press conference Thursday that Crozier should have gone directly to his immediate commanders , who were already moving to help the ship .
And he said Crozier created a panic by suggesting 50 sailors could die .
The USS Theodore Roosevelt , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ docked in Guam , and the Navy has said as many as 3,000 will be taken off the ship and quarantined by Friday .
More than 100 sailors on the ship have tested positive for the virus , but none is hospitalized .
“ What it does , it undermines our efforts and the chain of command ’ s efforts to address this problem and creates a panic and creates the perception that the Navy is not on the job , the government is not on the job , and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He complained that Crozier sent the memo to people outside his chain of command and in a non-secure , unclassified email .
And , he said he concluded that the captain ’ s ability to react professionally was overwhelmed by the virus challenge , “ when acting professionally was what was needed most .
We do , and we should , expect more from the commanding officers of our aircraft carriers.
” Earlier this week , Modly told reporters that Crozier would not be relieved of duty for trying to protect his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open for punishment if the captain leaked the memo to the press .
On Thursday , Modly said he has no information to suggest that Crozier leaked the memo to the press .
He said that if Crozier had communicated only with his leadership and not widely distributed the memo , he would likely still have a job .
He took sole responsibility for the decision to fire Crozier and said he got no pressure from the White House to do so .
Democrats on the House committee issued a joint statement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the captain went outside his chain of command , the pandemic presents a new set of challenges .
“ Captain Crozier was justifiably concerned about the health and safety of his crew , but he did not handle the immense pressure appropriately , ” the lawmakers said .
“ However , relieving him of his command is an overreaction.
” Sen. Jack Reed , top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee , said he told Modly that Navy leaders must make it clear that the decision to fire Crozier doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect their sailors and Marines .
And he said the incident “ raised critical questions ” about the Navy ’ s strategy to combat the virus across the fleet .
Crozier , in his memo , raised warnings the ship was facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus and asked for permission to isolate the bulk of his crew members on shore , an extraordinary move to take a carrier out of duty in an effort to save lives .
He said that removing all but 10 % of the crew would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .
“ We are not at war .
Sailors do not need to die .
If we do not act now , we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset , our sailors , ” Crozier said .
As of Thursday , the Navy said 31 % of the USS Theodore Roosevelt crew have been tested for the virus and 114 tested positive .
The 180 sailors who tested negative will move into Guam hotels for quarantine .
As testing continues , the ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustain essential services and sanitize the ship in port .

Lolita C. Baldor And Robert Burns - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Ships with coronavirus patients dock in Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - A cruise ship where at least two passengers died of coronavirus while barred from South American ports finally docked Thursday in Florida after two weeks at sea and days of negotiations with initially resistant local officials .
The Zaandam and a sister ship sent to help it , the Rotterdam , were allowed to unload passengers at Port Everglades after working out a detailed agreement with officials who feared it would divert needed resources from a region that has seen a spike in virus cases .
Broward County officials and Holland America , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement shortly before the ships pulled into port .
Holland America initially said 45 people who were mildly ill would stay on board until they recovered , but the docking plan released later Thursday indicated that 26 passengers and 50 crew members were ill .
The plan noted that the company had secured access at two local hospitals for 13 passengers and a crew member who needed medical care .
For nearly three weeks , passengers have not been able to step on dry land .
Four elderly passengers died on the Zaandam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said William Burke , chief maritime officer for Carnival Corp. , which owns the ships .
Nine people had tested positive for the new coronavirus , Burke said earlier this week .
There were 442 guests and 603 crew on the Zaandam , and 808 guests and 583 crew on the Rotterdam .
The Rotterdam was sent last week to take in some of the passengers and provide assistance to the Zaandam since it was denied permission to dock at ports in South America .
About 250 people have reported influenza-like symptoms since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rotterdam , according to the docking plan .
Originally firmly opposed to the ships ’ arrival , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that he had a change of heart after realizing many passengers were U.S. citizens and about 50 of them Floridians .
He went further on Thursday , telling Fox News that allowing the ships to dock and transferring critically ill patients to hospitals was “ the humanitarian thing to do.
” “ I think the accommodations have been made , and I think that things are going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later at a news conference .
“ It ’ s going to be a very controlled exit from these ships.
” The docking plan indicated that Florida residents would leave the ship first , with the disembarkation of all passengers not concluding until Friday night .
Passengers who have no symptoms of the virus will be bused to airports and put directly on charter flights without passing through the terminals , DeSantis said .
Emily Spindler Brazell , of Tappahannock , Virginia , was still in her cabin waiting for instructions from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was relieved to be back home .
“ People greeted us , came out to their balconies , blew air horns and shouted , ‘ Welcome home !
’ ” she said .
“ It was surprising .
We went to many countries that said , ‘ We are not going to talk to you.
’ ” Passenger Laura Gabaroni , of Orlando , said she would not be comfortable until she disembarked .
She was transferred to the Rotterdam last Saturday , along with husband Juan Huergo and other passengers not showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promises so far , so I ’ ll believe it when I see it , ” she told The Associated Press via a WhatsApp message .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Adriana Gomez Licon And Freida Frisaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Memo: Some in US may not get stimulus checks until August

WASHINGTON - The federal government expects to begin making payments to millions of Americans under the new stimulus law in mid-April , but some people without direct deposit information may not get checks until mid-August or later , according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press .
The document from the House Ways and Means Committee says the IRS will make about 60 million payments to Americans through direct deposit in mid-April , likely the week of April 13 .
The IRS has direct deposit information for these individuals from their 2018 or 2019 tax returns .
Then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IRS will begin issuing paper checks to individuals , says the memo obtained by AP on Thursday .
The paper checks will be issued at a rate of about 5 million per week , which means it could take up to 20 weeks to get all the checks out .
That timeline would delay some checks until the week of Aug. 17 .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday that while he initially pledged to get payments started within three weeks of the law ’ s adoption , “ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re delivering on our commitments.
“ The IRS , which he oversees , will ensure that “ within two weeks the first money will be in people ’ s accounts , ” Mnuchin said during a White House briefing .
“ This money does people no good if it shows up in four months , ” he added .
The memo from the committee ’ s Democratic majority says the timeline it made public Thursday was based on “ extensive conversations with the IRS and the Department of Treasury.
’ ’ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing discussions between Congress and the Trump administration .
“ The Committee remains focused on ensuring all eligible Americans receive their payment as quickly as possible , ’ ’ the memo says .
The payments are part of the $ 2.2 trillion rescue package signed into law March 27 by President Donald Trump aimed at combating the economic ravages of the coronavirus outbreak .
Most people don ’ t need to do anything to get the money .
Reversing an earlier position , the government said this week that Social Security recipients who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return will not need to file a very simplified tax return to receive their government stimulus check .
The Treasury Department said Wednesday that the IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate the $ 1,200 checks to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019 .
The checks will be issued in reverse order of adjusted gross income , meaning that people with the lowest income will get payments first .
The committee estimates that there are 150 million to 170 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to 110 million taxpayers who are either filers or nonfilers but about whom the IRS wants information .
The filers will need to receive a paper check unless their direct deposit information can be updated in the IRS portal .
Nonfilers may need to file the simple tax return and likely include direct deposit information if they want to receive their rebates quickly .
The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to file their 2019 returns as soon as possible .
The IRS expects to create a portal in late April or early May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the status of their rebate payment and update direct deposit information , the memo says .
Anyone earning up to $ 75,000 in adjusted gross income and who has a Social Security number will receive a $ 1,200 payment .
That means married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment — $ 2,400 — if their adjusted gross income , which is what they report on their taxes , is under $ 150,000 .
The payment steadily declines for those who make more .
Those earning more than $ 99,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not eligible .
The thresholds are slightly different for those who file as a head of household .
Parents will also receive $ 500 for each qualifying child .
The IRS did not respond to a request for comment Thursday .
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Prague removes monument to WWII Soviet commander

PRAGUE , Czech Republic - A district in the Czech capital , Prague , went on Friday ahead with a plan to remove the statue of a Soviet World War II commander .
The plan had drawn angry protests from Russia and from pro-Russian Czech President Milos Zeman .
Marshall Ivan Stepanovic Konev led the Red Army forces that liberated Prague and large parts of Czechoslovakia from the Nazi occupation in 1945 .
His monument , unveiled in the Prague 6 district in 1980 when the country was occupied by Soviet troops , has been a source of controversy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Konev ’ s role in crushing the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising in Hungary and preparing the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia was attached to his monument two years ago .
Prague 6 mayor Ondrej Kolar said the authorities wanted to give people “ full information that would not conceal what happened.
” After the site was targeted by vandals , Prague 6 representatives agreed last year with Kolar ’ s proposal to remove the statue .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry and the Russian embassy in Prague condemned it but a crane at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place on Friday morning .
Prague 6 officials said the Konev site will get a new monument to honour the liberators at the end of WWII , and his statue will be transferred to a museum .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Athletes Village for Olympics could house virus patients

TOKYO - The under-construction Athletes Village for the Tokyo Olympics could be used as a temporary hospital for coronavirus patients .
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has been talking about the possibility of occupying the massive development on Tokyo Bay , which is to house up to 11,000 Olympic and 4,400 Paralympic athletes and staff during the games .
The complex , which will eventually include 24 buildings , is expected to remain unoccupied with the Olympics delayed for 16 months .
Koike said the Athletes Village was “ one of the options , but the village is not finished yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are available even today or tomorrow and checking a possibility one by one.
” As another alternative , Koike said on Friday that the Tokyo city government would buy a hotel to house patients .
Through Thursday , Japan had reported about 3,300 cases of coronavirus with 74 deaths , according to the health ministry .
Tokyo reported 97 new cases on Thursday with officials looking for more beds in the capital as totals rise .
The coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people and can include a fever , coughing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death is greater for older adults and people with other health problems .
The 5,600 units in the Athletes Village will be renovated after the Olympics and sold .
Almost 1,000 are now for sale , or have been sold .
Occupancy was supposed to begin in 2023 , and apartment prices are listed between $ 500,000 and $ 2 million .
The Athletes Village is a joint venture involving 10 major companies and the city of Tokyo .
The complex will be known as Harumi Flag and the developers include Mitsui Fudosan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Co. , and Sumitomo Realty & Development Co .
The group running Harumi Flag said the proposal to use the property for coronavirus beds was speculation and added the developers had not heard from the city .
The group also said Harumi Flag had not decided on its plans for the development in light of the 16-month Olympic postponement .
One of the biggest challenges for Olympics organizers will be lining up the Athletes Village for next year , along with about 40 sports venues .
Estimates suggest the postponement will cost between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with most of the bill going to Japanese taxpayers .
Tokyo organizers officially are spending $ 12.6 billion to organize the Olympics , although a government audit says the figure is twice that much .
All but $ 5.6 billion is public money .
Organizing committee documents show the Switzerland-based International Olympic Committee is contributing $ 1.3 billion .
The IOC had income of $ 5.7 billion in the last four-year Olympic cycle .
More than 90 % is from selling broadcast rights and sponsorships .

Yuri Kageyama And Stephen Wade - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Israel arrests Palestinian official in east Jerusalem

JERUSALEM - Israeli police arrested the Palestinian minister for Jerusalem affairs early Friday for allegedly violating an Israeli ban on Palestinian political activities in east Jerusalem .
Fadi al-Hidmi was arrested at his home near the Mount of Olives .
His office circulated surveillance camera footage showing police searching his home with dogs .
It said they confiscated 10,000 shekels ( around $ 2,750 ) .
It was the fourth time he has been arrested .
Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally .
The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Israel views the entire city as its capital .
Israel bars the Palestinian Authority , which governs parts of the occupied West Bank , from operating in east Jerusalem or carrying out any political activities there .
Palestinian officials said al-Hidmi was working to assist residents as part of their response to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Israel targets ( those ) who work for Jerusalem , even at such critical moments as we work to save our people ’ s lives from COVID19 , ” Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh tweeted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
“ We demand his immediate release.
” Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said al-Hidmi was arrested “ on suspicions of Palestinian activities in Jerusalem.
” He said police searched the home and confiscated documents as well as “ large sums of money.
” He said the arrest was not connected to any efforts to combat the pandemic .
Israel has reported more than 7,000 cases and at least 36 deaths .
The Palestinian Authority has reported 143 cases and one death in the territories it administers in the West Bank .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slow the spread of the virus .
The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , who recover within a few weeks .
But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death , particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems .


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--In time of crisis, Trump-Pelosi relationship remains broken

WASHINGTON - Two of the most powerful people in Washington have not spoken in five months at a time when the nation is battling its worst health crisis in a century , one that has already killed more than 6,000 Americans and put 10 million others out of work .
President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last talked on Oct. 16 , when Pelosi pointed her finger at the seated president during a heated exchange in a White House meeting that was captured in a widely shared photograph .
Pelosi stormed out , and the two leaders ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House ’ s impeachment of Trump months later .
Now , there are worries the broken relationship could hinder the federal government ’ s ability to respond to the growing coronavirus crisis , the extent of the damage reflected in Thursday ’ s report that a record 6.6 million people filed for unemployment , adding to more than 3 million from two weeks earlier .
“ Relationships are the beginning of everything .
Trust in one another is key to co-operation , ” said John M. Bridgeland , who held government posts under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The relationship between Trump and Pelosi , never warm , appears beyond repair after the Republican president ’ s impeachment , according to allies of both leaders .
Even the COVID-19 pandemic , which has rewritten the rules of daily American life and threatens people ’ s health and employment , has done nothing to thaw the ice between the two .
Last month , as Washington crafted the most expensive stimulus package in U.S. history , Trump and Pelosi eyed each other warily from opposite ends of Pennsylvania Avenue , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 2.2 trillion economic relief package .
Trump and Pelosi communicated with — or at — each other via Twitter and television or through intermediaries the other side could tolerate .
Chief among them has been Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , who personally negotiated the three rescue bills passed so far .
When Trump signed the package at the White House , he did not invite Pelosi or any other Democrats to join him .
The record-breaking jobless claims reported Thursday add new urgency to the matter of next steps for Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , toward crafting another recovery bill that could equal or surpass the first stimulus ’ price tag .
Pelosi and Mnuchin worked out the stimulus by speaking dozens of times by phone and in the speaker ’ s Capitol office overlooking the Mall .
Going forward , new White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , a former congressman who has a relationship with Pelosi , is expected to be another leading conduit .
Pelosi said Thursday that she and Mnuchin had spoken the previous night about the next part of the package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communication with Trump .
“ Whatever communications we need to move forward , that will be happening whether I talk to the president or not , ” Pelosi said .
“ It ’ s not casual .
It isn ’ t , ‘ Let ’ s just chat.
’ It ’ s about what is the purpose , what is the urgency , does it require the time of the speaker and the president , both of whom are very busy people.
” The speaker also announced Thursday the formation of a House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bipartisan panel chaired by Majority Whip James Clyburn , D-S.C. Trump lashed out at the panel as a “ witch hunt ” and “ ridiculous ” and said it would ultimately help “ build up his poll numbers.
” “ I want to remind everyone here in our nation ’ s capital , especially in Congress , that this is not the time for politics , endless partisan investigations , ” Trump said during the White House coronavirus task force briefing .
The pandemic is a time when Americans may have less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brinkmanship .
“ There ’ s no space for politics , ” said Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah , who is recovering from the coronavirus and is one of several lawmakers who have isolated themselves to avoid spreading it .
“ Really , we have to come together and work together to save lives , and that is the only thing that matters right now.
” According to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research , 44 % of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval rating .
And fewer Americans , 38 % , approve of the federal government ’ s job of handling the virus ’ spread throughout the country , compared with larger shares approving of how their state and local governments are doing ( 57 % and 54 % , respectively ) .
Just 31 % of Americans approve of how leaders in Congress are addressing the coronavirus , while 41 % disapprove .
It wasn ’ t always this bitter between Trump and Pelosi .
After the Democrats captured the House in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to retake the speakership , telling aides that he respected the California Democrat ’ s political survival skills and believed she was a transactional politician with whom he could deal .
Instead , Pelosi became his most visible antagonist , creating viral images when she mockingly clapped for him during his 2019 State of the Union address and when she strode out of the West Wing after another tense meeting clad in a designer coat and sunglasses .
Their dispute over funding for Trump ’ s border wall led to the longest government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year when Pelosi overcame her initial reluctance and authorized an impeachment inquiry into Trump ’ s attempts to pressure Ukraine into investigating the family of a Democratic political foe , former Vice-President Joe Biden .
Trump has told aides and confidants that he feels as if Pelosi has tried to undermine and humiliate him at every turn and that he will never forgive her for impeachment , according to two White House aides and Republicans close to the West Wing who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Trump was acquitted by the Senate , the two leaders came face-to-face on camera before the president ’ s State of the Union speech .
Pelosi reached out her hand in a gesture that was more like a dare .
Trump ignored the outreach and started his speech .
And then , before Trump had left the podium , Pelosi ripped up a copy of his address on camera .
She held it up for her allies and her family to see and took a little bow .
The coronavirus has proved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned 80 last week , while Trump is 73 .
But neither has slowed down their public schedule , and neither has stopped sniping at the other .
“ I don ’ t know what I would learn in a conversation with the president , ” Pelosi said this week .
The next day , Trump deemed Pelosi ’ s criticism “ a sad thing ” during an interview on Fox News Channel ’ s “ Fox & Friends.
” He added : “ She ’ s a sick puppy , in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Associated Press writer Emily Swanson contributed to this report .

Jonathan Lemire And Laurie Kellman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Brokerage worker loses paternity leave appeal in Japan

TOKYO - A Japanese court on Friday rejected a request by a former brokerage manager to get his job back after he took paternity leave at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley .
The case of Glen Wood , a Canadian who has lived in Japan for three decades , has become a symbol of the fight against what is called “ paternity harassment , ” or “ pata hara.
” Working women have long complained about such treatment when they take maternity leave .
Wood is among a handful of fathers who have filed cases .
“ They took everything the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said of the Tokyo District Court ’ s ruling .
“ There are millions of victims out there .
And so from that perspective , this court case is no longer my court case .
It ’ s a court case for millions of people out there who have been harassed , ” he said .
Wood said he would appeal .
In an 80-page ruling , the court said it did not find “ reasonable grounds “ for believing there was harassment .
It also criticized Wood for asserting harassment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instead of trying to work out the problem with the company .
Wood alleged in a 2017 petition that he was harassed and forced from his job after taking paternity leave when his son was born in 2015 .
The company , which denies he was harassed , dismissed him in 2018 .
It said the ruling showed the court backed its views , and that it would continue its efforts to provide a good working environment for all employees .
During earlier court testimony , Akihiro Kiyomi , Wood ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who took over Wood ’ s job at the company , said they reduced his workload after his child was born because they thought he needed to take it easy as a single father .
But they acknowledged they had not consulted Wood and appeared not to know Wood had hired full-time help .
Wood had applied for paternity leave , but the company refused to give it .
Wood ’ s son was born prematurely and so he rushed to see him without receiving permission .
When he returned to work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were gone and he was stripped of responsibilities , according to court testimony .
The government , worried about Japan ’ s shrinking population and a birth rate that ’ s among the lowest in the world , has made parental leave a policy priority .
On the books , Japan has relatively generous parental leave measures which allow absences of up to 12 months .
But actual practice frequently doesn ’ t live up to the law .
Wood ’ s case has drawn considerable attention , and an online petition has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/yurikageyama


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Man accused of killing US journalist to stay in prison

KARACHI , Pakistan - A Pakistani provincial government Friday ordered a British Pakistani man whose conviction in the kidnapping and killing of a U.S. journalist was overturned to remain in custody for three months .
The Superintendent of Karachi ’ s Central Prison , Hasan Sehtoo , said he received an order from the Sindh provincial government saying Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh ’ s release would threaten public safety .
The government ordered him detained as it appeals to the Pakistan Supreme Court to have his murder conviction reinstated .
Saeed was found guilty of murder and kidnapping in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Pearl and sentenced to death .
On Thursday , the Sindh High Court overturned his murder conviction and sentenced him to seven years for the kidnapping .
Pearl disappeared Jan. 23 , 2002 in Karachi while researching links between Pakistani militants and Richard C. Reid , who became known as the “ shoe bomber ” after he was arrested on a flight from Paris to Miami with explosives in his shoes .
Prosecutors said Saeed lured Pearl into a trap by promising to arrange an interview with an Islamic cleric who police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Global stocks lower on US job losses, pricier oil

BEIJING - Global stock markets declined Friday after soaring U.S. job losses tempered enthusiasm about a possible deal to stabilize oil prices amid anxiety over the global economic decline due to the coronavirus pandemic .
London and Frankfurt opened lower while Shanghai , Hong Kong and Sydney retreated .
Tokyo closed little-changed after spending part of the day in negative territory .
Some markets followed Wall Street higher after President Donald Trump said on Twitter he expected major oil producers Saudi Arabia and Russia to back away from their price-cutting war .
But by midday , most Asian markets had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans applied for unemployment this week were a “ hard dose of economic reality , ” said Jeffrey Halley of Oanda in a report .
That was double the previous week ’ s record-breaking U.S. job losses of 3.3 million .
It raised the total number of Americans who are out of work due to the coronavirus-driven downturn to almost 10 million .
In early trading , the FTSE 100 in London sank 0.9 % to 5,428.89 and Frankfurt ’ s DAX shed 0.1 % to 9,559.80 .
The CAC 40 in Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street , futures for the benchmark S & P 500 index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were off 1 % .
On Thursday , the S & P 500 gained 2.3 % after Trump said he expects production cuts are coming after talking with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.2 % and the Nasdaq rose 1.7 % .
In Asia , the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.6 % to 2,763.99 and Tokyo ’ s Nikkei 225 gained 1.5 points to 17,820.19 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % to 23,236.11 after falling as much as 0.8 % earlier .
The Kospi in Seoul ended unchanged at 1,725.44 after being down 0.6 % .
Sydney ’ s S & P-ASX 200 declined 1.7 % to 5,067.50 and India ’ s Sensex lost 1.9 % to 27,727.19 .
New Zealand , Jakarta and Bangkok gained while Singapore retreated .
Benchmark U.S. crude added 18 cents to $ 25.50 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
Brent crude , used to price international oils , gained $ 1.38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Markets usually welcome lower energy costs for companies and consumers .
But the abrupt plunge to below $ 20 this week from $ 60 at the start of the year triggered fears heavily indebted producers might default , undermining credit markets .
On Thursday , U.S. crude surged $ 5.01 , or almost 25 % , to $ 25.32 per barrel following Trump ’ s comments .
The Kremlin denied President Vladimir Putin had talked with the prince but Saudi Arabia called for a meeting of major producers including Russia .
Roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied for unemployment benefits in the last two weeks .
Economists expect that to rise .
That has many investors bracing for what may be the worst recession of their lifetimes .
Traders expect more volatility until numbers of new coronavirus cases begin to decline , which forecasters say might be weeks away .
The number of confirmed cases worldwide has topped 1 million , led by the United States with more than 236,000 , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
More than 51,000 have died , but more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The dollar edged up to 108.23 yen from Thursday ’ s 107.90 yen .
The euro declined to $ 1.0798 from $ 1.0856 .


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--After ignoring warnings, Israeli ultra-Orthodox hit by virus

BNEI BRAK , Israel - Early this week , the streets of the central Israeli city of Bnei Brak were bustling with shoppers as ultra-Orthodox residents , obeying their religious leaders , ignored pleas to stay home in the face of the coronavirus threat .
By Friday , Bnei Brak had become the country ’ worst hot spot and now resembles a ghost town .
One expert estimated that nearly 40 % of the city ’ s population might already have been infected .
The city has become a lightning rod for anger and frustration by some secular Israelis who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high numbers of confirmed cases — are undermining national efforts to contain the virus .
The pandemic also has threatened to upend deep-seated customs in the religious world , including blind obedience to religious leaders and the belief that religious studies and traditions take precedence over the rules of a modern state .
The crisis is rooted in a combination of factors .
Israel ’ s ultra-Orthodox tend to live in poor , crowded neighbourhoods where sickness can quickly spread .
Synagogues , the centerpiece of social life , bring men together to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am very , very concerned that we ’ ll see a broader contagion in the ultra-Orthodox community and to the broader Israeli population , ” said Hagai Levine , a Hebrew University professor who chairs the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians .
Since Israel ’ s founding , secular and ultra-Orthodox Israelis have viewed each other with suspicion , and tensions have erupted repeatedly over hot button issues such as the military draft .
Ultra-Orthodox leaders have used their considerable political leverage to help maintain the community ’ s insular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaints that the haredim are a burden to the collective .
A new debate erupted Thursday when Health Minister Yaakov Litzman , a powerful ultra-Orthodox politician meant to lead the battle against the virus , was confirmed to be infected .
This forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , the ministry ’ s director general and reportedly the head of the Mossad spy agency , into quarantine because of exposure to Litzman .
Netanyahu , who tested negative , went through an identical experience after a previous exposure to an infected ultra-Orthodox aide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ furious with Litzman , who had resisted calls in recent weeks to impose restrictions on gatherings at religious institutions .
The channel said Litzman had quietly been breaking the rules and attending prayer sessions at synagogues .
“ An outbreak in Bnei Brak is the same as an outbreak in Tel Aviv .
Litzman did not just betray his own voters .
He betrayed all Israelis , ” Zehava Galon , a former leader of the secular Meretz party , wrote in the Haaretz daily .
When Israel began shutting down schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slow the outbreak , Litzman was not the only religious leader to resist .
Influential Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky of Bnei Brak said closing religious seminaries is more harmful than the virus .
“ The Torah protects and saves , ” he said .
In recent weeks , attempts by police to enforce quarantine orders in Bnei Brak and religious neighbourhoods of Jerusalem resulted in standoffs with angry crowds .
Some shouted “ Nazis ” as police arrested or fined violators .
Police say officers have been assaulted multiple times and several paramedics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In recent days , defiance has subsided as the scale of the outbreak became clear .
Kanievsky , 92 , now urges followers to stay at home .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause severe symptoms like pneumonia that can be fatal .
Israel has over 6,800 reported cases , with 36 deaths .
Jerusalem and Bnei Brak , home to large ultra-Orthodox communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saar , who runs the Maccabi Healthcare Services , a leading provider , told parliament he estimates some 75,000 people in Bnei Brak , or 38 % of the population , could be infected .
He said the city has many elderly residents and called for urgent action .
Saar said his estimates were based on test data .
He told Channel 12 that he believes thousands of people are refusing to be tested because they don ’ t want to disrupt next week ’ s Passover holiday .
The government declared Bnei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , limiting movement in and out of the city .
Earlier in the day , police patrols were already out in large numbers to make sure residents remained indoors .
Streets normally crowded with Passover shoppers were deserted .
Police in white hazmat suits raided a synagogue , sending some 15 worshippers home with fines of over $ 100 each .
One police car broadcast stay-home appeals in Yiddish , a European language still common in ultra-Orthodox circles .
Anshel Pfeffer , a commentator at Haaretz , said the crisis presents a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the ultra-Orthodox way of life .
“ The community was already facing challenges before the coronavirus crisis , ” he said .
“ But this is certainly bringing a lot of these challenges to a head .
”

Ariel Schalit And Ilan Ben Zion - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Mississippi State coach Mike Leach apologizes for tweet

STARKVILLE , Miss .
- Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach has apologized on social media for posting a tweet that drew criticism from Bulldogs players and an assistant professor at the school before it was deleted .
The outspoken coach on Wednesday night tweeted a picture depicting an elderly woman knitting , the Clarion Ledger in Jackson , Mississippi , reported .
The caption read , “ After 2 weeks of quarantine with her husband , Gertrude decided to knit him a scarf ... ” , but the picture showed her knitting a noose with the hangman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leach ’ s tweet had more than 4,000 likes on Thursday morning , the newspaper said .
But several MSU players responded to the post with face-palm and raised-eyebrow emojis and a profane acronym , the newspaper reported .
Mississippi State assistant sociology professor and author Margaret A. Hagerman chastised Leach and wrote that lynching jokes are incredibly offensive anywhere and “ especially in Mississippi.
” Leach deleted the tweet sometime Thursday morning , according to the newspaper .
He apologized in a post that read : “ I sincerely regret if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were found offensive .
I had no intention of offending anyone.
” The 59-year-old Leach was hired in January to replace Joe Moorhead after coaching at Washington State for eight seasons .
Before that , Leach was Texas Tech ’ s coach from 2000-09 .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-03--100,000 tourists stuck in New Zealand to leave as rules ease

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - About 100,000 tourists stuck in New Zealand since it began a lockdown last week were starting to fly to their home countries Friday .
The initial problem for many tourists had been that they were banned from catching domestic flights during the strict monthlong lockdown , which is aimed at preventing more coronavirus infections .
The domestic flight ban prevented tourists from reaching the country ’ s main hub of Auckland Airport to catch international flights home .
But Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced Thursday that tourists could catch internal flights , so long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said charter flights organized by foreign countries would also be allowed alongside regular commercial flights .
Officials said 37,000 tourists had signed up with their various embassies seeking to return home , although Peters said in an interview with radio station RNZ that the true number seeking to leave was about 100,000 .
Air New Zealand said the first of several flights chartered by the German government to repatriate stranded Germans left Friday afternoon from Auckland bound for Frankfurt via Vancouver , Canada .
The German Embassy in Wellington last week said more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repatriation program .
British High Commissioner Laura Clarke said 10,000 British tourists had registered with her office wanting to return home .
“ So even if we were to have chartered flights , we would still need commercial flights as well , ” Clarke said in a video she posted on Twitter .
While most of the stranded tourists are from the U.K. and Europe , officials said about 2,700 tourists from Asia and 3,800 from North and South America combined had also signed up to be repatriated .
“ Listen , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ambassador Scott Brown in a video message .
“ We ’ ve gotten your calls , your emails , your texts .
We understand .
And we know that you are worried about getting home .
And we ’ re doing our very , very , very best to help.
” American tourist Lisa Horvath told RNZ that the news she would soon be able to return home and see her dog had come as a huge relief .
She said she could now enjoy her walks in New Zealand , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel like I can enjoy those places instead of resenting being here , which is kind of the space that I was getting in emotionally , ” she said .
“ I was so desperate to find out when I was getting home.
” Peters said that Qatar Airways flights from New Zealand to Europe were increasing from one to two per day .
New Zealand has recorded 868 cases of COVID-19 and one death from the disease .
About half of the cases have been linked to overseas travellers returning home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoided a major local outbreak .
New Zealand ’ s lucrative tourism industry , which was the nation ’ s single biggest earner of foreign income , has ground to a halt due to the virus outbreak .
Tourism New Zealand estimates the industry accounted for about 10 % of the nation ’ s GDP and employed 230,000 people .


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Chinese struggle to return to work as virus controls ease

WUHAN , China - After two months in locked-down Wuhan , Wei Lei was eager to get back to work on a railway construction site .
Instead , the 22-year-old found himself stranded at an expressway toll plaza where police decided who was allowed in and out of the city where the coronavirus pandemic started .
The authorities wanted a letter from his bosses saying he was needed , but Wei said he didn ’ t have one because employees who would prepare it had yet to return to work .
“ It was boring staying at home and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents , ” Wei said Thursday .
Chinese leaders are trying to revive the economy , but local officials under orders to prevent new infections are enforcing disease checks and other controls that add to financial losses and aggravation for millions of workers .
Beijing told companies to keep paying employees and promised loans and other aid .
But millions of migrants , day labourers and others without regular jobs need to return to work before they can start getting paid after two idle months .
More than 100 million workers who visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday were stranded after travel controls imposed Jan. 23 on Wuhan to fight the virus were extended to cover most of China .
The holiday was prolonged to keep factories and offices closed and the public at home .
Even after the ruling Communist Party reversed course in early March and started allowing some businesses to reopen , travel curbs remained in place in many areas , keeping workers away from their jobs .
Chinese officials say state-dominated industries such as steel are almost back to normal production .
But many private employers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s jobs and wealth — say they are operating at a fraction of normal levels in part because employees haven ’ t come back to work .
The People ’ s Daily newspaper reported March 20 that about 100 million migrant workers , or about 80 % of those who returned to their hometowns for the holiday , were back at work .
No official figures for possible job losses have been reported .
One of the bleakest estimates came from Liu Chenjie , an economic commentator and chairman of Upright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in comments reported by the website Sina.com that as many as 200 million people might have lost jobs or were underemployed due to the virus .
Wuhan , a city of 11 million people in Hubei province , is the industrial and transportation hub of central China .
At the Wuhan East toll plaza where Wei waited , police in gloves and face masks were turning away vehicles without Wuhan plates .
Wearing masks and carrying children , returnees showed a green “ health code ” on a smartphone app that indicates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting inside the barrier to pick up returnees were checked for fever by police .
Cai Luo , a saleswoman for an internet company in Wuhan , was returning from her nearby hometown of Huanggang .
“ I had to show my green code and be checked at every stop on the way back , “ said Cai , 24 .
” I felt panic because I had never come across before.
” Huanggang also was quarantined but controls there and on other cities were lifted last month .
“ We weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , let alone shopping at a supermarket , “ Cai said .
” They knew I was back from Wuhan so they put stricter grounding on me.
” Cai said she worked from home but her parents couldn ’ t and had no income .
“ It is hard for ordinary families to have no income for two months , ” she said .
The final controls on Wuhan , which had three-fourths of China ’ s virus deaths , last through April 8 .
Returnees who were allowed into Wuhan were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into private cars .
Divers earned extra cash as informal taxis on a day when many businesses had yet to reopen .
Despite easing controls that shut down most of China ’ s air , rail and bus service , authorities still require fever checks at public buildings nationwide and try to keep track of where individual travellers go .
Wei said he worked on a construction site in Huangmei County on the boundary between Hubei and neighbouring Jiangxi province .
He showed a reporter a copy of a letter given to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval seals of a village committee and local government .
After two hours at the roadblock , Wei said he was “ not hopeful ” he could get his own approval letter .
“ I prepared documents the day before yesterday , but today something changed and the documents didn ’ t work anymore , “ he said .
“ I have to go back to do it again.
” McDonald reported from Beijng .
AP producer Olivia Zhang in Wuhan and researcher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed .

Ng Han Guan And Joe McDonald - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--US urges masks as dramatic steps to combat virus roll out

NEW YORK - The Trump administration urged Americans to cover their faces in public and limited exports of medical supplies Friday as New York ’ s governor took his own dramatic step to fight the coronavirus — vowing to seize unused ventilators from private hospitals and companies .
President Donald Trump announced new guidelines that call for everyone to wear makeshift face coverings such as T-shirts and bandannas when leaving the house , especially in areas hit hard by the pandemic , like New York .
But the president said he had no intention of following the advice from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a recommendation , they recommend it , ” Trump said .
“ I just don ’ t want to wear one myself.
” The policy change comes amid concerns from health officials that those without symptoms can spread the virus , especially in places like grocery stores or pharmacies .
Officials stressed that medical-grade masks should be reserved for health workers and others on the front lines of the pandemic .
In one of the most aggressive steps yet in the U.S. to relieve severe shortages of equipment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would sign an executive order to take ventilators that aren ’ t being used .
“ If they want to sue me for borrowing their excess ventilators to save lives , let them sue me , ” Cuomo said .
He promised to eventually return the equipment or compensate the owners .
The move is aimed at the kind of shortages worldwide that authorities say have caused health care workers to fall sick and forced doctors in Europe to make life-or-death decisions about which patients get a breathing machine .
Cuomo has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s worst hot spot where deaths are surging , could run out of ventilators next week .
Louisiana ’ s governor said New Orleans could exhaust its supply by Tuesday .
Shortages of such things as masks , gowns and ventilators have led to fierce competition among buyers from Europe , the U.S. and elsewhere .
Trump took it a step further Friday , saying he was preventing the export of N95 masks and surgical gloves under the Defence Production Act , a move he said was necessary to ensure that the medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional leader in Paris described the scramble to find masks a “ worldwide treasure hunt , ” and the French prime minister said he is “ fighting hour by hour ” to ward off shortages of essential drugs used to keep COVID-19 patients alive .
Cuomo , who has complained in recent days that states are being forced to compete against each other for vital equipment in eBay-like bidding wars , called for a co-ordinated national approach that would send supplies and people to different areas as their needs peak .
The Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for moving to seize extra ventilators , but some Republican elected officials outside the city objected .
“ Taking our ventilators by force leaves our people without protection and our hospitals unable to save lives today or respond to a coming surge , ” 12 of them said in a statement .
The number of the people infected in the U.S. exceeded a quarter-million and the death toll climbed past 7,000 , with New York state alone accounting for more than 2,900 dead , an increase of over 560 in just one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City , where hospitals are swamped with patients .
About 15,000 people were hospitalized statewide , most of them in the city .
The economic damage from the lockdowns and closures mounted .
The U.S. snapped its record-breaking hiring streak of nearly 10 years when the government reported that employers slashed over 700,000 jobs last month .
But the true picture is far worse , because the figures do not include the last two weeks , when 10 million thrown-out-of-work Americans applied for unemployment benefits .
Worldwide , confirmed infections rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Experts say both numbers are seriously undercounted because of the lack of testing , mild cases that were missed and governments that are underplaying the crisis .
Europe ’ s three worst-hit countries — Italy , Spain and France — accounted for more than 32,000 dead , or over half of the global toll .
The crisis there was seen as a frightening portent for places like New York , where bodies already are being loaded by forklift into refrigerated trucks outside overwhelmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,930 kilometres ) south , the situation grew more dire in Louisiana , where over 10,000 people have tested positive and deaths reached at least 370 , up nearly 20 per cent from the day before .
Gov .
John Bel Edwards warned that the hard-hit New Orleans area is projected to run out of hospital beds in a little more than a week .
Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge has gone from one unit dedicated to coronavirus patients to seven .
Nurse Christen Hyde said nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates on their relatives , in some cases delivering bleak news .
“ To have to call a family member and tell them that their family member is not doing well and they are probably going to be passing soon is just devastating , ” said Hyde , who has had four patients die .
As for the patients , “ the last thing that they see is us telling them that they are going to have a tube placed down their throat to help them breathe , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s horrible .
It ’ s really affected me.
” Italy , the hardest-hit country in Europe , with about 14,700 dead , continued seeing signs that infections and deaths might be levelling off .
France reported a surge of more than 1,000 deaths Friday , bringing its overall toll to more than 6,500 .
“ The work is extremely tough and heavy , ” said Philippe Montravers , an anesthesiologist in Paris .
“ We ’ ve had doctors , nurses , caregivers who got sick , infected ... but who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a bit like those World War I soldiers who were injured and came back to fight.
” Spain recorded over 900 new deaths , down slightly from the record it hit a day earlier .
The carnage almost certainly included large numbers of elderly who authorities admit are not getting access to the country ’ s limited breathing machines , which are being used first on healthier , younger patients .
With glorious spring weather likely to tempt stir-crazy European families this weekend , the message remained , “ Stay home.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those trying to escape for Easter vacation .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
But for others , especially older adults and people with health problems , it can cause pneumonia .
Over 200,000 people have recovered , by Johns Hopkins ’ count .
Smith reported from Providence , Rhode Island , Villenueve reported from Albany , New York , and Santana reported from New Orleans .
Jocelyn Gecker contributed from San Francisco .
Associated Press writers around the world contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Michelle R. Smith, Marina Villenueve And Rebecca Santana - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Face coverings recommended, but Trump says he won’t wear one

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced new federal guidelines Friday recommending that Americans wear face coverings when in public to help fight the spread of the new coronavirus .
The president immediately said he had no intention of following that advice himself , saying , “ I ’ m choosing not to do it.
“ The new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people , especially in areas hit hard by the spread of the coronavirus , to use rudimentary coverings like T-shirts , bandannas and non-medical masks to cover their faces while outdoors .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s own guidelines , saying he could not envision himself covering his face while sitting in the Oval Office greeting world leaders .
“ It ’ s a recommendation , they recommend it , “ Trump said .
“ I just don ’ t want to wear one myself.
” The new guidance , announced as states are bracing for critical shortfalls like those that other parts of the world have experienced , raises concern that it could cause a sudden run on masks .
Trump and other administration officials sought to minimize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not amount to requirements and that a variety of homemade coverings were acceptable .
Federal officials said that surgical masks and N95 respirator marks should be left for those on the front lines of fighting the spread of the infection .
Friday ’ s announcement capped an evolution in guidance from the White House that officials acknowledged has at times been inconsistent .
“ I want to unpack the evolution of our guidance on masks because it has been confusing to the American people , ” said Surgeon General Jerome Adams .
Adams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the need for face coverings , said Friday that although and he other public health experts initially believed wearing a mask would not have a substantial impact on curbing the spread , the latest evidence makes clear that people who don ’ t show any symptoms can nonetheless pass on the virus .
“ We have told you that from the beginning that we are evolving our recommendations , and new recommendations will come as the evidence dictates , “ Adams said .
First lady Melania Trump embodied the contradictory messaging with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as her husband chooses to disregard it .
“ As the weekend approaches I ask that everyone take social distancing & wearing a mask/face covering seriously , “ she tweeted .
The administration has said states should have done more to stockpile medical supplies , but it ’ s not clear if anyone is prepared for the potential rush that could ensue if people try to obtain medical masks for themselves .
In rural Florida , Okeechobee Discount Drugs has been sold out of face masks for almost two weeks , and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can find any masks at this point , ” said Stacey Nelson , one of the pharmacy ’ s owners .
“ It ’ s very hard to get these products , but people want them , ” Nelson said .
“ They ’ ve been getting mixed messages and people aren ’ t sure if they should be wearing masks in our daily lives .
It ’ s very confusing .
Wear them , or don ’ t wear them ?
” For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
In fashioning the recommendations , the administration appears to be striving to balance political concerns about wanting to preserve as much normalcy as possible with public health concerns that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy .
The White House has faced pushback against rigorous social distancing guidelines from states with lesser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas , where social distancing has already been in place for some time , the White House coronavirus task force thought there would be less risk of people ignoring the other guidance if they covered their faces .
The CDC is recommending that people wearing cloth face coverings in public places , such as grocery stores and pharmacies , where “ other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
“ The guidance especially applies “ in areas of significant community-based transmission.
” The White House task force was debating into Friday on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC scientists wanted to make it national guidance , believing that would do more to slow the spread of the virus .
White House advisers , including Dr. Deborah Birx , wanted to limit the guidance to virus hot spots .
Birx said Thursday that she feared wider guidance would lead to a false sense of security for Americans and cause them to back away from more critical social distancing .
In the end , they found a middle ground : a national advisory with special emphasis that those in hard-hit areas should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the discussions outlined the internal debate , speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to describe it publicly .
As with other public health guidance , the recommendation on face covering has been a moving target for the administration .
Under the previous guidance , only the sick or those at high risk of complications from the respiratory illness were advised to wear masks .
Adams wrote on Twitter at the end of February that people should “ STOP BUYING MASKS “ and said they were not effective in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he noted that the World Health Organization does not recommend masks for healthy members of the population .
Three days later , he tweeted that though there remains “ scant “ evidence that wearing a mask , especially improperly , can protect the wearer , “ emerging data suggests facial coverings may prevent asymptomatic disease transmission to others.
” Dr. Michael Ryan , the WHO ’ s emergencies chief , on Friday acknowledged a “ very important and very healthy debate ” about how masks are used .
“ We still believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptomatic ( transmission ) , ” he said , not people who may be infected but aren ’ t showing symptoms .
“ We can certainly see circumstances in which the use of masks — but homemade or cloth masks — at the community level may help in an overall comprehensive response to this disease , ” Ryan said .
Schneider reported from Orlando , Florida .
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Washington and Jamey Keaten in Geneva , Switzerland , contributed to this report .

Eric Tucker, Zeke Miller And Mike Schneider - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Search for body of missing woman could cost $500,000

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
- The search for the body of a Missouri woman presumed to have been murdered by her husband could cost at least $ 500,000 , forcing her family to ask lawmakers and the community for help in funding the effort .
Columbia police believe the body of Mengqi Ji was dropped in the Lamine River , near Booneville , after she disappeared Oct. 8 .
In February , a grand jury indicted her husband , Joseph Elledge , on first-degree murder for allegedly killing her .
He was initially charged with child abuse against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s now held the Boone County jail on a $ 500,000 bond .
Ji ’ s body has not been found after months of searching .
Cadaver dogs indicated human remains in the Lamine River , but tree density is making the search difficult , The Kansas City Star reported Friday .
“ We are 90 % sure that her body is in the Lamine River , ” said Amy Salladay , Ji ’ s family attorney .
“ But they can ’ t get to that area because it is under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 , came to the U.S. from China seven years ago .
She earned her master ’ s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from University of Missouri in 2014 .
She stayed in Columbia and married Elledge in 2017 .
Sallady said engineers have concluded that building a retaining wall would help clear the way to finding Ji ’ s body .
The wall would allow crews to pump out water near the Missouri 41 overpass , which is where police believe the body is now .
But the endeavour comes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Salladay .
The family sought help from the state ’ s representatives in Congress , U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler , requesting they tap into money from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fund the search for Ji ’ s body , Salladay said .
Blunt ’ s office said they ’ re facilitating work between local police and the Army Corps on the search .
Hartzler ’ s office also said it ’ s working on getting help to continue the search .
True @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter , will display Ji ’ s artwork for a fundraiser on April 27 if stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted by then .
The Missing Persons Support Center ’ s Facebook page is also accepting donations .
Checks can be mailed to MPSC , P.O .
Box 262 , Foristell , Mo .
63348 , with “ MJ ” noted in the memo line to indicate it ’ s for the search .


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Cuomo orders shift in ventilators to overwhelmed hospitals

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said he would order the redistribution of critically needed ventilators .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called for a national enlistment program for doctors and nurses .
And the coronavirus outbreak picked up speed with more deaths and more hospitalizations .
The latest developments in New York : Cuomo said Friday he will sign an order to redistribute hundreds of ventilators to hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus patients amid a surge in outbreak-related deaths and hospitalizations .
New York state tallied its biggest daily jump yet in deaths— up 562 to 2,935 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have more deaths , you have more people coming into hospitals than any other night , ” a weary sounding Cuomo told a state capitol news briefing .
As of Friday evening , New York City on its own tallied 1,867 deaths .
New York City hospitals are filling up with COVID-19 patients , and officials fear they will soon run out of breathing machines for intensive care patients .
Cuomo said his executive order will allow the state to redeploy excess ventilators and protective equipment from hospitals and other institutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ excess ventilators .
“ I ’ m not going to let people die because we didn ’ t redistribute ventilators , ” Cuomo said .
The governor wants upstate hospitals to loan 20 % of their unused ventilators to struggling downstate hospitals .
National Guard members will pick up ventilators across the state and institutions that give up equipment will get it back or be reimbursed , he said .
The announcement from the Democratic governor quickly exposed geographic tensions within the state .
A statement from Reps. Tom Reed , Elise Stefanik @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it “ reckless ” and said it “ will cost lives.
” “ Taking our ventilators by force leaves our people without protection and our hospitals unable to save lives today or respond to a coming surge , “ Reed and his GOP colleagues said .
Jody Lomeo , president and chief executive of Buffalo-based Kaleida Health , said Cuomo ’ s plan was “ designed to pit upstate versus downstate.
” Kaleida operates four hospitals in Buffalo and its suburbs .
In New York City , de Blasio said “ this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” as the city races to handle a surge in cases .
Though the downstate need is urgent now , supporters of the move noted the outbreak is projected to peak later in other areas of the state .
“ We know the door swings both ways — any institution that receives a ventilator will more than reciprocate when the virus peaks elsewhere , ” said Kenneth E. Raske , president of The Greater New York Hospital Association , which represents over 160 hospitals and health systems around New York and in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set up temporary hospitals , the Pentagon said it would change patient screening criteria for the the Navy hospital ship Comfort .
The move came after the federal government agreed Thursday to take coronavirus patients at the Javits Center , a convention facility-turned-hospital that previously was designated only for patients who don ’ t have the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Some hospital leaders and New York officials pressed for the change , saying there were few patients who met the original criteria .
The military hasn ’ t committed to taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , patients won ’ t have to test negative for the virus before being transferred to the ship .
Instead , there will be pier-side temperature checks and short questionnaires .
That should smooth a procedure that previously involved lengthy questions , multiple conversations and transporting patients to the ship via a city hospital , once taking nearly seven hours in all , said Dr. Steven Corwin , CEO of the private NewYork-Presbyterian hospital system .
“ They have streamlined the process .
...
It should definitely help , ” said Corwin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 coronavirus patients , 550 of them in intensive care .
And there were 180 more emergency-room patients needing hospitalization , over four times the normal number , at its hospital in hard-hit Queens .
NewYork-Presbyterian has been adding beds in spots including outpatient procedure suites , a conference area and an athletic bubble by a hospital near Columbia University ’ s sports facilities .
Its has turned operating rooms into intensive-care units and reassigned staffers , with a leading urologist working overnight shifts in an E.R.
, for example .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by .
I haven ’ t yet seen the flattening of the curve , ” Corwin said , but “ there are a lot of really good people working really hard to save lives.
” De Blasio called Friday for a national enlistment program for doctors and nurses to handle an expected surge in coronavirus cases in New York and other places around the country where virus cases are straining existing health care systems .
“ Next week in New York City is going to be very tough — next week in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a lot of other places , ” de Blasio said on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe.
” “ And unless the military is fully mobilized and we create something we ’ ve never had before , which is some kind of national enlistment of medical personnel moved to the most urgent needs in the country constantly , if we don ’ t have that we ’ re going to see hospitals simply unable to handle so many people who could be saved.
“ De Blasio first broached the idea of enlisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new virus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough for most people .
For some , especially older adults and people with chronic health problems , it can cause more severe illness and can be fatal .
Funeral homes in New York and around the globe are in crisis as demand surges amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Funeral directors are being squeezed on one side by inundated hospitals trying to offload bodies and on the other by the fact that cemeteries and crematoriums are booked for at least a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home is equipped to handle 40 to 60 cases at a time .
It was taking care of 185 on Thursday morning .
“ This is a state of emergency , ” he said .
“ We need help.
” Villeneuve and Michael Hill contributed from Albany , N.Y. Jennifer Peltz contributed from New York and Carolyn Thompson contributed from Buffalo , N.Y .

Karen Matthews And Marina Villeneuve - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-03--Trump admin tries to narrow stockpile’s role for states

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration on Friday abruptly changed its description of the Strategic National Stockpile and put forward a narrower vision of the role the federal government ’ s repository of life-saving medicines and equipment should play in supplying states ’ needs .
The change comes as the White House already is facing growing anger and worry from governors over federal assistance to fight the coronavirus outbreak .
But it conforms with President Donald Trump ’ s insistence that the stockpile is only a short-term backup for states , not a commitment to ensure supplies get quickly to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the latest front in a concerted White House effort to try to put the onus for battling the crisis on the states , with Washington meant to play more of a supporting role .
Trump angrily defended the approach in his Friday news conference , his early sunny demeanour darkening as he was pressed on expected death rates and his son-in-law Jared Kushner ’ s comments suggesting the national stockpile is not intended for states .
He sparred with reporters and insisted his administration was “ doing our best for New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even as Governor Andrew Cuomo warns the state is in danger of not having enough ventilators to help patients stricken with coronavirus in a matter of days .
The alteration of the language describing the stockpile was reflected on government websites on Friday , a day after Kushner , a White House senior adviser who has taken a larger role in the coronavirus response , offered a new argument about the supplies .
After saying that states should use their own stockpiles first , Kushner on Thursday said , “ And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s supposed to be our stockpile .
It ’ s not supposed to be states ’ stockpiles that they then use.
” And asked what Kushner meant by “ our stockpile , ” Trump snapped at a reporter , “ You know what our means : United States of America ... our .
Our .
It means the United States of America.
” Trump on Friday touted the number of supplies it was sending to the states , including 8.1 million masks to New York .
The president also directed FEMA to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Defence Production Act .
In new guidance , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Americans to wear masks in crowded areas , particularly in hot spots , but Trump immediately said that he would not personally follow the recommendation .
Until Friday , the federal Health and Human Services website had described the stockpile as “ the nation ’ s largest supply of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out .
“ When state , local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal assistance to support their response efforts , the stockpile ensures that the right medicines and supplies get to those who need them most during an emergency.
“ But the changed version available Friday morning said the stockpile ’ s “ role is to supplement state and local supplies during public health emergencies .
Many states have products stockpiled , as well .
The supplies , medicines , and devices for life-saving care contained in the stockpile can be used as a short-term stopgap buffer when the immediate supply of adequate amounts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Democratic senators , including Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , demanded an immediate investigation into the stockpile .
Rep. Diana DeGette , D-Colo. , called the website alteration “ despicable ” and said the administration “ should be spending every waking moment getting life-saving supplies to our health care providers on the frontlines .
Instead , they ’ re spending valuable time editing the Strategic National Stockpile website.
” Officials at the agency said the change had been in the works for weeks , downplaying any connection to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his claim during his first appearance at the daily White House briefing , a moment meant to highlight his growing role in managing the federal response to the pandemic , particularly in delivering vital supplies .
Trump has long insisted that the primary responsibility lies with the states in managing the pandemic .
He has resisted calls to issue a national stay-at-home order and said that he didn ’ t want to overly use his authority to mobilize private companies for the effort , because he believed the states should take the lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it up to the governors , ” Trump said Friday about whether every state should have a stay-at-home order .
“ I like that from the standpoint of governing.
” But in statehouses across the nation , there has been increasing frustration at the lack of assistance from Washington .
Trump scoffed at New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s request for 30,000 ventilators for the state , a virus hotbed .
In neighbouring Connecticut , Gov .
Ned Lamont told CNN on Tuesday that the state couldn ’ t get personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only able to get 50 ventilators from the federal supply .
He said he was told that he ’ ll have to secure the rest on his own .
States have also reported multiple issues with the equipment the federal government has managed to send .
Illinois was supposed to receive a federal shipment of 300,000 N95 masks in March , but instead received less-effective surgical masks , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker revealed during a Tuesday briefing .
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Twitter last week that he had received 170 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far less than the 10,000 breathing machines he ’ s seeking .
Trump said the mask export ban was necessary to assure that the supplies are available for domestic medical use .
The move came a day after the White House announced Trump invoked the DPA to compel Minnesota-based 3M to make as many N95 masks as FEMA determines are needed .
Meanwhile , the White House on Friday stepped up precautions to protect Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence from contracting the new coronavirus .
Anyone who is expected to be in “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be given a new , quick COVID-19 test , White House spokesman Judd Deere said .
All visitors to the White House complex already have their temperatures taken when entering the building and if they will be near either Trump or Pence .
Trump took the new test on Thursday and the White House doctor said results were back in 15 minutes .
He tested negative .
Lemire reported from New York .
Seitz reported from Chicago .
Associated Press writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed from Washington .

Jonathan Lemire, Amanda Seitz And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press