thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Police: Man shot by officer had rifle, ignored commands

SILVER SPRING , Md .
- A Maryland man who was shot and killed by police was armed with a rifle and ignored commands to show his hands and get on the ground when officers entered his home , police said Tuesday .
The Montgomery County Police Department ’ s statement on an officer ’ s fatal shooting of 21-year-old Duncan Socrates Lemp contradicts an eyewitness account cited by an attorney for Lemp ’ s family .
The eyewitness said Lemp was asleep in his bedroom when police opened fire from outside his house in Potomac , Maryland , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attorney , Rene Sandler , said last Friday .
Police disputed that account .
The department says tactical unit officers who entered Lemp ’ s home around 4:30 a.m. last Thursday to serve a search warrant announced themselves as police and gave Lemp “ multiple orders ” to show his hands and comply with commands to get on the ground .
“ Lemp refused to comply with the officer ’ s commands and proceeded towards the interior bedroom door where other officers were located , ” the police statement says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lemp ’ s bedroom , Lemp was found to be in possession of a rifle and was located directly in front of the interior bedroom entrance door.
” The department ’ s statement does not specify when Lemp was fatally shot .
Attorneys for Lemp ’ s family said in a statement Tuesday that the police department ’ s accounts of the shootings “ are inconsistent with the physical evidence and eyewitness accounts from those who survived this tragedy.
” Their statement says officers “ initiated ” gunfire and flash bangs through Duncan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of the house .
“ Multiple eyewitnesses told investigators that the police only forced entry into the home after Duncan was shot , ” the lawyers ’ statement says .
“ According to those eyewitness , the police had no contact with any family members until after Duncan was shot.
” They urged police to release body camera video and audio and called for a different law-enforcement agency to conduct an independent investigation .
Police statements haven ’ t addressed whether there are any body camera videos of the shooting .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a telephone call and text message seeking comment .
Authorities found a device designed as a “ booby trap ” affixed to the inside frame of Lemp ’ s bedroom door , police said .
The device was intended to fire a shotgun shell at anyone entering the door , according to police .
“ After officers entered the bedroom , the other occupant of the room warned the officers to be careful of the device rigged to the exterior door .
Statements from other occupants of the residence indicated they were aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” police said .
Detectives obtained a “ no-knock ” warrant to search the home Lemp shared with his parents and 19-year-old brother after receiving an anonymous tip that Lemp was illegally possessing firearms , police said .
Lemp had a criminal record as a juvenile that made it illegal for him to legally possess or buy firearms in Maryland until he turned 30 , according to police .
The “ other occupant ” in Lemp ’ s bedroom indicated that he slept with a rifle every night , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media , the same occupant also indicated that Lemp was out of the bed and standing directly in front of the interior bedroom door at the time the officers made entry into the bedroom , ” the police statement says .
Police detectives recovered three rifles and two handguns from the home .
The officer who shot Lemp was placed on administrative leave , a standard procedure after police shootings .
Lemp ’ s relatives said the search warrant does not mention any “ imminent threat ” to law enforcement or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police to shift responsibility onto Duncan or his family , who were sleeping when the police fired shots into their home , is not supported by the facts , ” the family said in a statement released by their lawyers last Friday .
Sandler said the family believes police fired gunshots , not a flashbang or other projectile , from outside the home , including through Lemp ’ s bedroom window , while he and his girlfriend were sleeping .
Nobody in the home heard any warnings or commands before police opened fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no warrant or other justification that would ever allow for that unless there is an imminent threat , which there was not , ” Sandler said .
Lemp was white , according to Sandler .
She did not know the race of the unidentified officer involved in the shooting because she said the officers were wearing masks .
“ We believe that the body camera footage and other forensic evidence from this event will support what Duncan ’ s family already knows , that he was murdered , ” the family ’ s @ @ @

Michael Kunzelman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--One mask a day for doctors in virus epicenter of Washington

ISSAQUAH , Wash. - Two doctors in Washington state , which leads the U.S. in coronavirus deaths , have tested positive for the disease as hospitals scramble to make due with a shortage of masks and other equipment needed to keep them from getting sick .
In the area of Seattle that ’ s been hardest-hit , some nurses in emergency departments are washing and reusing surgical masks , gloves and gowns .
They may work on a patient for hours or more before learning they tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ I ’ ve got a two-day supply of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be conservative , ” said Dr. Stephen Anderson , an emergency physician at the MultiCare Auburn Medical Center in suburban Seattle .
“ You get one in the morning .
You clean it and reuse it .
“ I tell my staff to guard your mask with your life , because it is your life.
” Many hospitals also lack the more efficient N95 respirator masks , which quickly sold out once the virus reached the U.S .
Vice-President Mike Pence on Tuesday urged construction companies to donate any N95 masks — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fumes — to their local hospitals .
The death toll in the U.S. from COVID-19 passed the 100 mark on Tuesday , and Washington state accounts for more than half of those fatalities .
The federal government has sent some extra masks and other equipment to the state , though it ’ s unclear when it will be distributed .
This week , a 40-year-old emergency room physician at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland was in critical condition after testing positive for COVID-19 , officials said .
Anderson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but was stable .
A nearby nursing home has been the epicenter of the outbreak in Washington state , and many of its residents who got sick from COVID-19 were sent to EvergreenHealth .
The hospital has handled more than 100 coronavirus cases since the end of February , and 25 of those patients died , the facility said Tuesday .
A physician at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle also has tested positive for the coronavirus , hospital spokesman Brian Donohoe said Tuesday .
He did not immediately have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Elsewhere , a 70-year-old emergency physician from Patterson , New Jersey , tested positive for the coronavirus and was isolated in the intensive care unit , according to William Jaquis , president of the American College of Emergency Physicians .
“ I am deeply saddened by this news , but not surprised , ” Jaquis said in a statement .
“ As emergency physicians , we answer the call to care for our most vulnerable , even at great personal risk.
” Anderson noted some infections among ER doctors and nurses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure .
“ In any battle , when you ’ re on the front lines , you ’ re going to suffer the most causalities , ” Anderson said .
“ The emergency departments are the front lines.
” Anne Piazza , with the Washington State Nursing Association , said the proper equipment is critical , especially since nurses can be exposed to infected patients before they ’ re even tested for the disease .
“ I ’ m hearing reports from nurses being asked to reuse masks , ” Piazza said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask throughout their shift .
That ’ s unsafe.
“ Like many U.S. hospitals , the MultiCare Auburn Medical Center has begun screening arriving patients for the coronavirus , then dividing them into those with respiratory ailments and those with things like broken toes or other injuries , Anderson said .
The doctors and nurses treat the patients while waiting for the results of the COVID-19 tests .
If they ’ re positive , they put on a mask and are moved to a more secure location .
The process is similar at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serves a large area of eastern Washington .
When patients test positive for COVID-19 there , they ’ re moved to the Special Pathogens Unit , which is designed to handle people with infectious diseases .
Medical staff in that unit wear suits that include hoods with a separate oxygen source , a full face shield and gown .
Anderson said his hospital does not have a special pathogens unit .
Instead , it uses four “ negative pressure ” rooms to isolate patients with infectious diseases .
They ’ re full , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility ’ s ventilators .
President Donald Trump said states needing respirators , masks and other equipment for medical professionals should first try to acquire the items on their own before turning to the federal government for help .
The American Medical Association sent a letter to Pence on Tuesday expressing concerns about the supply shortage and urging him to launch a “ Manhattan Project ” -style effort to expand manufacturing of masks , gowns and other gear .
“ The AMA continues to hear from physicians across the country about short supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is necessary to keep the health care workforce safe and to protect the health of patients , ” the letter said .
“ Physicians are reaching out to their state and local health departments , but their supplies of PPE are also inadequate.
” The federal government has sent Washington state more than 500,000 N95 respirators and a similar amount of masks , along with gowns and gloves .
The equipment is being dropped at the Washington Army National Guard ’ s site called Camp Murray , said Mike Faulk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
But it wasn ’ t clear when it would be distributed .
Health department officials did not immediately respond to a request for that information .
They won ’ t last long once released , Anderson said .
“ You ’ d be surprised how fast you ’ ll burn though a half a million masks , ” he said .
Anderson used to own an N95 mask , but his disappeared a month ago so he makes due with a simple surgical mask , even when doing procedures on infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to Home Depot and buy one , ” he said .
“ That ’ s where we used to get them .
Painters use them .
But they ’ re all sold out.
“

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thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Giant Hawaii telescope cost estimate increases to $2.4B

HONOLULU - The cost to build a giant telescope that ’ s unpopular among many Native Hawaiians is now estimated to have ballooned by a billion dollars .
“ While an exact updated project cost will depend on when and where on-site construction begins for the Thirty Meter Telescope , the latest estimate for the TMT project is in the range of $ 2.4 billion in 2020 dollars , “ Gordon Squires , TMT vice-president , said in a statement this week .
Construction of one of the world ’ s largest telescopes on Hawaii ’ s tallest mountain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foes of the embattled project who say the telescope will desecrate land held sacred to some Native Hawaiians .
Protesters have stopped construction from going forward since mid-July “ The increase of nearly one billion dollars is due to the delay in starting on-site construction in Hawaii , as well as inflation and world market cost increases for some construction items , ” Squires said .
“ We will not know the true cost of the project until we finalize a construction site and do an analysis.
” Telescope officials have an alternate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it can ’ t be built in Hawaii .
Hawaii is still the preferred site , regardless of the cost increase , Squires ’ statement said .
TMT International Observatory Executive Director Edward Stone said each of the project ’ s partners , which includes Canada , India , Japan and China , would have to agree to go to the Canary Islands , the New York Times reported last week .
“ We ’ re not there yet , “ he said , though some partners were already willing to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened in Hawaii .
A final decision on the site was a few months away , said Gary Sanders , project manager for the telescope , according to the newspaper .
Japan suspended its yearly funding for the project .
But it isn ’ t pulling out of participation .

Jennifer Sinco Kelleher - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--The Latest: Handful of Arizona polling places late to open

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the Democratic presidential primaries ( all times local ) : A handful of polling places in Arizona were late to open Tuesday because workers didn ’ t show up or the doors were locked .
Crowds varied .
About 30,000 voters had visited a polling place by 4 p.m. in Maricopa County , a number approaching the 35,000 Democrats who voted in 2016 .
In Pima County , which includes Tucson , elections director Brad Nelson said “ polls are pretty quiet.
” Nisha Hindosha , a 50-year-old nurse from Tempe , Arizona , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong candidate winning than I was about the virus at this point.
” A rattlesnake caused alarm for voters at a polling place on the outskirts of Scottsdale , where neighbourhoods meet desert .
Megan Gilbertson , a spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Elections Department , said an election worker moved it before animal control arrived .
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez is calling on states with upcoming presidential primaries to use vote-by-mail and other measures to make it safe for people to vote because of the coronavirus outbreak .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primaries Tuesday , Perez was critical of Ohio officials for postponing their primary on the eve of voting .
Ohio Gov .
Mike Dewine made the call Monday night , while officials in Arizona , Florida and Illinois decided to go ahead with in-person voting on Tuesday .
Perez did not name DeWine , a Republican , but said the delay “ has only bred more chaos and confusion.
” Perez said states that already have mail voting should “ proactively mail ballots to registered voters , where feasible , and should count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the primary.
” He also suggested expanding days and hours of early , in person voting and expanding absentee voting to all registered voters .
Some state laws allow absentee voting for a limited number of reasons .
A Chicago elections official and Illinois ’ governor are trading accusations of culpability as city voters reported problems casting ballots after days of public debate over whether the state ’ s primary should be postponed because of the coronavirus threat .
Jim Allen , a spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker last week to cancel in-person voting and expand other options , including mail-in ballots , but the governor refused .
Allen says Chicago election officials had proposed a move to entirely mail-in ballots .
Pritzker responded heatedly at a daily briefing on the coronavirus cases in the state .
He said state law does not give a governor the authority to make the sweeping changes that Chicago election officials wanted .
Pritzker says he will not use this situation “ to supersede my constitutional authority.
” He says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the constitutional boundaries of our democracy should be respected above all else.
” And he says , “ If people want to criticize me for that , well , go ahead .
I ’ ll wear it like a badge of honour.
” Pritzker also said the Chicago board turned down offers for help to staff polls using the National Guard and a statewide program that connects teenagers with civic opportunities .
Election officials in Illinois scrambled to find alternate locations as nursing homes and other typical polling sites backed out amid concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of confusion about the changes on Tuesday morning .
Timna Axel , director of communications for the Chicago Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights , said voters have been calling the group ’ s hotline all morning to get help finding their polling places .
The steady flow of calls — including from some polling place workers — is “ unusual for a primary , ” Axel said .
“ We all understand that these are really unusual circumstances and we all want eligible voters not to be disenfranchised , ” Axel said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to work together to make sure they can actually cast a ballot today.
” In suburban Will County , all polling places opened on time and were staffed thanks to people who volunteered to fill the spots of election judges who decided against working .
Charles Pelkie , chief of staff for the county clerk , said at least 200 judges had cancelled by Monday .
“ We ’ ve been very fortunate that the public is stepping up , ” he said .
People are showing up for the Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed because of the coronavirus threat .
Certified public accountant Brian Anaya walked up to his polling place early Tuesday morning only to learn the election had been called off after all .
Anaya tells The Columbus Dispatch he heard about a judge ’ s ruling that the election would go forward but not that the state health director had responded by closing the polls on the grounds of a health emergency .
Anaya says his wife was uncomfortable going to the polls anyway .
Voting is going ahead in Arizona , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election officials in an Illinois county are encouraging poll workers to use blue painter ’ s tape to mark the floor every 6 feet so voters can keep their distance while waiting in line because of the virus .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden is hoping to widen his lead over Sanders in Tuesday ’ s Democratic presidential primary .
A Chicago election spokesman says there was a scramble to relocate about 50 polling places after locations cancelled at the last minute and said they would not be available for use on primary day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be shifted to new sites Tuesday , delaying their opening as polling places .
It ’ s unclear how many of the new sites are up and running .
No reason was given for the cancellations .
Board of Election Commissioners spokesman Jim Allen says turnout was slow early in the morning , likely due to people working from home because of the coronavirus .
Allen says he would call “ conducting an election during a global pandemic when people are afraid to go to a polling place a curse.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s scheduled election , citing public health concerns .
In Florida , some poll workers didn ’ t show up because of virus fears .
Officials in Arizona are moving forward with their vote .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ presidential campaign says it will have an online rally featuring Neil Young and Daryl Hannah .
Tuesday night ’ s rally will be like one on Monday night .
The Sanders campaign says it is not organizing any get out the vote activities because it believes going to the polls amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it wants to respect what people decide either way .
The campaign has sent supporters updated federal guidelines on the outbreak but isn ’ t instructing them way on how to follow the guidelines .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden is hoping to widen his lead over Sanders in Tuesday ’ s Democratic presidential primary .
In Ohio , health officials postponed the state ’ s scheduled election , citing public health concerns .
In Florida , some poll workers didn ’ t show up because of virus fears .
Officials in Arizona and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Election officials in an Illinois county are encouraging poll workers to use blue painter ’ s tape to mark the floor every 6 feet so voters can keep their distance while waiting in line because of the coronavirus .
Cook County Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to share a photo of a roll of blue tape , a piece of string and a tape measure along with a note that read , “ People will get too close.
” The note instructs leaders to encourage poll workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ THIS PICTURE CAN SAVE LIVES.
” President Donald Trump on Monday announced new guidelines urging people to avoid crowds of 10 or more but said elections don ’ t need to be postponed .
In Ohio , health officials postponed the state ’ s scheduled election , citing public health concerns .
In Florida , some poll workers didn ’ t show up because of virus fears .
Officials in Arizona say they ’ re moving forward with their votes .
Some Florida polling places have been unable to open as workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus fears .
The Palm Beach County elections department says many workers failed to show up in at least five locations Tuesday .
The county had 800 volunteers back out as of Monday , with 100 new volunteers offering to take their places .
Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis has said he believes the election can be run safely .
In Ohio , health officials postponed the state ’ s scheduled election , citing public health concerns .
Officials in Arizona and Illinois say they ’ re moving forward with their votes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead over Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary .
Floridians are voting across the state as election officials manage losses of poll workers and changes to polling places because of the coronavirus .
There had been concern some polling places might not open on time Tuesday because of worker absences , but no problems have been reported .
In Ohio , health officials postponed the state ’ s scheduled election .
Officials in Arizona and Illinois say they ’ re moving forward with their votes .
In Illinois , Cook County Clerk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened that she had heard of no problems at the county ’ s polling sites and expected “ things to go well “ Tuesday .
Yarbrough says she ’ s “ hopeful ” the county will have “ a good day voting for the people.
” Joe Biden is hoping to widen his lead over Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary .
Polls are closed in Ohio on a day that was scheduled for a presidential primary .
The polls didn ’ t open on Tuesday morning after state officials just hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s primary amid coronavirus fears .
Late Monday , state officials declared a health emergency out of fear of exposing voters and volunteer poll workers to the virus .
Many of the voters and workers are elderly , considered among the most vulnerable to the virus .
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said in a video posted overnight on Twitter that it became clear Monday that it was “ not going to be possible to conduct an election in a way that was going to be safe for Ohioans.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that call on Americans to not gather in groups of more than 10 people and urge older people to stay home .
LaRose says in-person voting has been rescheduled for June 2 and voters can cast their ballots by mail .
Arizona , Florida and Illinois are going ahead with their plans for primary voting .
The polls are open in most of Florida for the presidential primary .
Precincts are open in all parts of Florida except the Panhandle , which is on Central Time , not Eastern .
Election officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses of poll workers and changes to polling places because of the coronavirus .
If not enough poll workers show up , it ’ s possible some polling places might not be able to open .
Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis says he believes the election can be run safely .
A coalition of progressive groups is suing Florida in an attempt to extend mail-in balloting into next week because of the coronavirus .
Dream Defenders , New Florida Majority and Organize Florida want a federal judge to order Florida to allow voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and postpone the count until March 27 .
In Ohio , health officials postponed the state ’ s scheduled election .
Officials in Arizona and Illinois say they ’ re moving forward with the vote .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Kentucky orders theatres, gyms, salons closed amid outbreak

FRANKFORT , Ky. - Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear on Tuesday ordered the closure of theatres , gyms , hair salons and many other businesses where people gather , taking new action in a bid to contain the new coronavirus .
Beshear ’ s order , which takes effect by 5 p.m. Wednesday , exempts a cross-section of businesses that will be allowed to stay open .
The exempted list includes grocery stores , banks , pharmacies , health care facilities , gas stations , hardware stores and hotels .
The governor acknowledged that the new round of closures was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
But he said it ’ s necessary to keep the virus from spreading to protect the most vulnerable people .
“ These are all places that people congregation , and it ’ s another step that we have to take to make sure that everybody ’ s sacrifice works , that we can reduce those contacts , ” Beshear said .
Beshear ’ s order follows a series of other aggressive steps that resulted in the temporary closure of K-12 schools and senior centres , and strict restrictions on visits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars and restaurants close dine-in services .
Kentucky ’ s K-12 schools shut down for at least two weeks at the governor ’ s request .
He signalled Tuesday that schools may remain closed longer than that .
“ We ought to be prepared to go longer than that , ” he said .
“ I would ask everybody to begin to make the preparations.
” Twenty-six virus cases have been reported in Kentucky , the governor said in his daily update Tuesday .
The virus has spread to Lyon County with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
The virus has been linked to one death in the state .
For most people , coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
Beshear ’ s new order Tuesday applies to businesses unable to comply with public health guidelines on social distancing to help contain spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close Wednesday include entertainment and recreational facilities , community and recreation centres , gyms and exercise facilities , hair and nail salons , spas , concert venues , theatres and sporting event facilities , Beshear said .
The order includes a long list of exempted businesses that can stay open because “ they are critical as we move forward , “ he said .
They include food processing , agriculture , industrial manufacturing , feed mills , construction , trash collection , retail , grocery and consumer goods , auto repair , pharmacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , insurance , banks , gas stations , home repair-hardware , veterinarian clinics , pet stores , laundromats , warehousing , storage and distribution , public transportation and hotels .
Those exempted businesses need to follow social distancing guidelines , he stressed .
Meanwhile , Kentucky ’ s phone line and website for filing unemployment insurance claims were not functioning Tuesday , the Lexington Herald-Leader reported .
The errors come amid a spike in unemployment claims , from an average of 2,000 claims a week before the virus outbreak to 9,000 claims processed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I know our unemployment website crashed today , “ Beshear said .
“ We ’ ll have it back up .
We ’ ll get to you .
We will make sure that you get those benefits .
... Just stick with us.
” Also on Tuesday , the University of Kentucky said it had cancelled in-person classes for the remainder of the spring semester in response to the virus .
The state ’ s flagship university announced it will shift to online or alternative formats for classroom instruction for the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ switched to online instruction for the two weeks following this week ’ s spring break .
The extension was among a series of decisions announced Tuesday by UK President Eli Capilouto .
Students were “ strongly encouraged “ to return to off-campus homes to continue their studies remotely for the rest of the semester .
UK ’ s commencement was postponed and will be rescheduled .
“ We have a responsibility to do everything we can to stem the tide of this disease , “ Capilouto said .
Meanwhile , Mammoth Cave National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tours and close the visitor centre starting Wednesday in response to the virus .
The visitors centres to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace in Hodgenville and the Camp Nelson National Monument in Nicholasville closed visitor centres to the public but is keeping outdoor areas open .
The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville also said it would close temporarily due to the spreading virus .

Bruce Schreiner And Dylan Lovan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Disruption grows: Nations try to slow virus, help economies

BERLIN - Mass disruptions shuddered across the globe Tuesday as governments struggled to slow the spread of the coronavirus while also trying to keep their economies afloat .
The chaos stretched from Lithuania , where border traffic jams were 40 miles deep , to Detroit , where bus service came to a sudden stop when drivers didn ’ t show up for work .
European Union leaders , meanwhile , agreed to shut down the bloc ’ s external borders for 30 days .
In the United States , West Virginia became the last state to report a case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread nationwide .
Increasingly worried about the economic fallout of the global shutdown , the U.S. , Britain and the Netherlands also announced rescue packages totalling hundreds of billions of dollars , while Venezuela — long a fierce critic of the International Monetary Fund — asked the institution for a $ 5 billion loan .
But it was everyday people who suffered most .
Miguel Aguirre , his wife and two children were the only people on a normally bustling street near San Francisco ’ s City Hall , one day after officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued a “ shelter-in-place ” order that requires most residents to stay inside and venture out only for food , medicine or exercise for three weeks — the most sweeping lockdown in the U.S. against the outbreak .
On Tuesday morning , only two coffee shops on the street were open .
Both were empty .
Aguirre said he and his wife , both janitors at a Boys and Girls Club , had heard about the order on TV , but decided to show up to work anyway because they need the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should leave .
“ If we don ’ t work , we don ’ t eat , ” said Aguirre , who brought his two daughters with him because schools were shuttered .
He had already lost his second job , at a hotel , when tourism conferences began cancelling a month ago .
“ There been days when I want to cry , but I have to keep going , ” Aguirre said .
In Brussels , meanwhile , Ursula von der Leyen , the European Commission president , said there had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” to the decision to prohibit most foreigners from entering the EU for 30 days .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said European leaders had agreed in a conference call to the Commission ’ s proposal for an entry ban to the bloc — along with Norway , Switzerland , Iceland and Britain — with “ very , very limited exceptions.
” Germany will implement the decision immediately .
But the countries also agreed on the need to ensure continued cross-border travel for commuters , she said .
There will be “ grave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economies from the outbreak , she said , one reason to safeguard the flow of goods .
On Monday , the EU issued guidelines aimed at facilitating the flow of critical goods like food and medicine , while helping individual nations restrict non-essential travel .
But on Tuesday it was chaos on many borders with traffic backed up for dozens of kilometres ( miles ) .
“ We are all desperate , cold and sleepless here for a third day , “ said Janina Stukiene , who was stuck in Lithuania on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son .
” We just want to go home.
” The line of cars and trucks in Lithuania was some 60 kilometres ( 37 miles ) long after Poland closed its border , while similar traffic jams could be seen on the borders with Germany and the Czech Republic .
French President Emmanuel Macron , meanwhile , tightened internal guidelines , allowing people to leave home only to buy food , go to work or do essential tasks , saying that people hadn ’ t complied with earlier guidelines and “ we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections jumped to 27,980 .
With 2,503 deaths , Italy now accounts for a third of the global death toll .
Spain , now the fourth-most infected country , saw the number of people with the virus rise by more than 2,000 in one day to 11,178 and virus-related deaths jump by almost 200 to 491 .
Only China , Italy and Iran had more infections .
With the number of cases worldwide topping 190,000 , a surge of patients in Madrid ’ s hospitals has fueled worries in Europe and elsewhere of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , for most people , but severe illness is more likely in the elderly and people with existing health problems .
COVID-19 has killed over 7,300 people so far , while more than 80,000 have recovered .
Some bright spots emerged .
Wuhan , the central Chinese city where the virus was first detected late last year and which has been under lockdown for weeks , reported just one new case Tuesday .
In the world ’ s volatile financial markets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday and stocks pushed higher on Wall Street — one day after their worst plunge in more than three decades — as more aid appeared on the way from Washington .
Still , a growing number of traders see a recession likely , if not already here .
The White House proposed a roughly $ 850 billion rescue package — a sweeping stimulus not seen since the Great Recession of 2008 — and called for its rapid approval .
It would provide relief for small businesses , $ 50 billion for the airline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage-earners , said two people familiar with the request who described it on the condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to speak publicly .
“ If we do this right , our country and the world , frankly , but our country can be rolling again pretty quickly , “ President Donald Trump said at a press conference .
In Britain , the government unveiled a massive economic support package .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his government will “ act like any wartime government and do whatever it takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures , Treasury chief Rishi Sunak said the government would provide 330 billion pounds ( $ 405 billion ) worth of government-backed loans and guarantees for small and large businesses .
The Dutch government also announced a multibillion-euro ( dollar ) series of measures to prop up businesses and workers .
The support package includes paying up to 90 % of the salaries at businesses hit by the virus for the next three months and financial support for the self-employed .
Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra said “ many billions are available to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , the death toll surpassed 100 , and officials urged older Americans and those with chronic health conditions to stay home .
They also recommended all group gatherings be capped at 10 people .
The virus has roiled U.S. primary elections Tuesday in four states .
Ohio called off the vote hours before polls were to open but voting went on in Illinois , Arizona and Florida .
Problems popped up across the country , including in Florida , which has the most delegates up for grabs .
In one county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leaving Elections Supervisor Paul Lux ’ s staff scrambling to train replacements .
“ We are at the honest end of the rope , ” Lux said .
The big question Tuesday was whether coronavirus would affect turnout .
New York City ’ s mayor warned Tuesday that residents should be prepared for the possibility of a shelter-in-place order within days .
Mayor Bill de Blasio said no decision had been made yet , but he wants city and state officials to make a decision within 48 hours , given the fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school closings in 56 countries kept more than 516 million students home , the U.N. said .
Some countries that had resisted more stringent measures snapped into action , too .
In Britain , Johnson told people to eliminate unnecessary contact with others , work from home where possible and avoid bars , restaurants , theatres and other venues .
Schools remained open for the time being .
Some scientists , and many worried Britons , have said the government should have taken tough action sooner .
Britain ’ s dramatic escalation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting that 250,000 people in the U.K. and more than 1 million in the U.S. might die if the country did not suppress its spread .
The analysis , published by Imperial College London , drew on the latest data from China and Italy .
It found that a strategy of “ mitigation ” — slowing but not stopping the spread of the virus while protecting vulnerable groups like the elderly — would still lead to a huge number of cases that would overwhelm the health care system .
Health officials say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid close contact with others — is a key to slow the spread of the virus and keep U.S. hospitals from being overwhelmed with a sudden deluge of patients .
In Detroit , bus riders were stranded Tuesday after most drivers didn ’ t report to work , apparently concerned about the spread of the virus and confused as to whether Michigan ’ s new restrictions on gatherings included vehicles loaded with commuters .
The city cancelled bus service shortly after 8 a.m. because of the shortage of drivers .
Surprised riders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out phones to try to get a lift from friends or family .
“ Just now ?
“ a maintenance man , Amadou Sanders , asked .
“ How am I going to get to work ?
” Sullivan reported from Minneapolis .
Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels , Frank Jordans , Kirsten Grieshaber and Geir Moulson in Berlin ; Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco , Ed White in Detroit , Sylvie Corbet in Paris , Aritz Parra in Madrid , Adam Geller in New York , Mike Corder in Amsterdam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London , Liudas Dapkus in Vilnius , Lithuania , Colleen Barry in Milan , Italy and Karel Janicek in Prague .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

David Rising And Tim Sullivan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Fed launches 2 emergency programs last seen in 2008 crisis

WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve put in motion two emergency lending programs Tuesday that were last deployed in response to the 2008 financial crisis , aiming to ease the flow of credit to businesses and households struggling amid the viral outbreak .
The first , announced mid-morning , is intended to unclog a short-term lending market for what is known as “ commercial paper.
” Large businesses issue commercial paper , which is essentially the equivalent of an IOU , to raise cash to meet payrolls and cover other short-term costs .
“ An improved commercial paper market will enhance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and investment as the nation deals with the coronavirus outbreak , ” the Fed said in a statement .
The second program is also intended to mostly assist the commercial paper market and allows a wider range of financial institutions to access short-term loans from the Fed — in this case investment banks and securities trading divisions of large banks .
It also allows them to pledge a wider range of collateral in return for the loans .
The funds will then mostly be used to purchase commercial paper .
Both are revivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up under the Fed ’ s authority to launch emergency credit programs with the approval of the Treasury Department .
They are also intended to ensure banks and large companies can access the cash they need even as financial markets seize up as Wall Street grows increasingly convinced the economy is entering a recession .
That gloomy outlook leads financial institutions to pull back on lending , pushing up short-term interest rates .
Funds borrowed from the Fed can then be used to lend more widely to households and businesses .
Borrowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been spiking as more companies have sought to raise cash in the expectation that their revenue will plunge .
When a company wants a short-term loan , say for three months , it sells the commercial paper , typically to a large bank or money market mutual fund .
But many money market funds are seeking to sell commercial paper themselves .
They need to raise money because they expect large institutional investors to withdraw funds , and they need cash to cover those withdrawals .
All that activity has made it harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cash they need .
“ The goal is to prevent a larger catastrophe that includes soaring bankruptcies , unemployment and underemployment , ” said Joe Brusuelas , chief economist at tax advisory firm RSM .
“ While we are encouraged by this policy step , the Treasury will need to step up with other funds and bridge loans ” that can help companies with lower credit ratings .
Only companies with top credit ratings are eligible to borrow from the Fed ’ s new commercial paper program .
In its first announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up an investment vehicle to buy commercial paper with the approval of the Treasury Department .
The Treasury has also committed to guarantee up to $ 10 billion of the loans to prevent the Fed from taking losses .
Companies that borrow through the program will pay a small fee and interest .
“ The economic disruption and uncertainty created by COVID-19 has created challenges for the commercial paper market , constraining access to short-term credit for American businesses , ” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said .
It ’ s not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The commercial paper market is worth $ 1.1 trillion “ and it is possible that the Fed could own the vast majority of it , ” said Mark Cabana , rates strategist at Bank of America Securities .
Mnuchin said Tuesday that the Fed could end up owning $ 1 trillion of commercial paper .
Leslie Falconio , senior fixed income strategist at UBS , said that in 2008 the Fed bought 20 % of all the commercial paper then outstanding , or about $ 350 billion .
Tuesday ’ s Fed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massive program of stimulus Sunday , when it cut its benchmark short-term interest rate to near zero and said it would purchase $ 700 billion in bonds .
The Fed also allowed banks to lend from cash reserves that it had previously required banks to hold .
Many analysts say they expect the Fed to revive other financial-crisis-era programs in the coming days , including one known as the term auction facility , or TAF .
That allows a wider array of banks to borrow from the Fed .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Mexico stops 177-year-old crucifixion re-enactment for virus

MEXICO CITY - A Mexico City borough announced Tuesday that Latin America ’ s most famous re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ will be closed to the public for the first time in 177 years to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
The lavish , detailed Easter-week Passion of Christ has been played out in the east-side borough of Iztapalapa since 1843 , and in recent years has drawn a week-long total of about 2 million spectators .
But due to fears about the spread of the new coronavirus , Iztapalapa borough president Clara Brugada said that for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private with no spectators .
Brugada said the Passion of Christ will be re-enacted indoors with a smaller cast and will be “ symbolic.
” All the actors are required by tradition to be borough residents .
Brugada said the event will be transmitted live so people can watch it at home .
Ironically , the passion was first performed in 1843 after a cholera outbreak threatened the then-rural hamlet .
Iztapalapa was long ago swallowed by the urban growth of Mexico City .
The Passion normally includes huge processions , public re-enactments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good Friday re-enactment of the crucifixion in which ropes and a small ledge are used to guarantee the actors ’ safety .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Reno closing bars, restaurants but not casinos on Friday

RENO , Nev. - All bars , nightclubs , restaurants and gyms will close in Reno by 5 p.m. Friday in an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus outbreak , Mayor Hillary Schieve announced .
Schieve initially included casinos on the closure list late Monday with plans to begin the shutdowns Tuesday morning .
But she quickly rescinded that directive and further clarified restaurants can continue carry-out orders and keep drive-thru windows open .
The selected businesses should begin winding down operations Tuesday with a goal of closing by 5 p.m. Friday and remain closed until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business restrictions are based on state and federal guidance and recommendations on social distancing , she said .
“ I am simply trying to limit areas of high-exposure risk , ” Schieve said .
Officials for the neighbouring city of Sparks and surrounding Washoe County said Tuesday they have no immediate plans to follow Reno ’ s lead .
The mayor of Las Vegas — where several large casino resorts have closed on the Strip — said a mandatory closure of bars and restaurants there would be devastating .
“ My hope is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that they ’ re allowed to stay open and take care of these families that are paycheque to paycheque , ” Mayor Carolyn Goodman told the Las Vegas Review-Journal .
Nevada has reported more than 50 cases of the virus so far .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
Nevada ’ s online health insurance exchange announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open enrolment window where people could sign up to get insurance if they don ’ t have it through an employer , starting Tuesday and running through April 15 .
Several major U.S. cities have closed bars and restaurants in response to the outbreak .
Reno ’ s move came after six San Francisco-area counties about 200 miles ( 320 kilometres ) to the west directed residents on Monday to shelter in place .
“ We are trying to avoid what we are seeing in other large cities throughout the United States in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all activities ... like in San Francisco , ” Reno Police Chief Jason Soto said Tuesday .
“ The idea behind this is if we get ahead of it instead of behind it , it will affect you less , ” he said during a conference call city officials arranged with local business owners .
“ The fear is you ’ d have to shut down several months instead of until April 5 , ” Soto said , adding , “ We are encouraging our border cities to follow suit.
” After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Schieve said in a revised statement that casino gambling will be allowed to continue to operate under conditions set by the Nevada Gaming Control Board .
Casino dining areas in restaurants and bars should be closed , but room service could continue for guests on the property , she said .
Assistant City Manager Bill Thomas said on the conference call limited to 200 participants any extension of the closures would be publicized well in advance , but “ everything we are doing now is fluid.
” “ If you can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering , or keep a 6-foot-separation , we would encourage you not to operate your business , ” he added .
“ If there is a bar in a casino , just like a free-standing bar , it would close ...
The restaurant ban is simply on dine-in activities.
” The Cosmopolitan , the Venetian and the Palazzo became the latest resorts on the Las Vegas Strip to decide to temporarily shut their doors because of the new coronavirus .
The Cosmopolitan announced Monday night it will close starting 6 p.m. Wednesday after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel guests and stay closed through March 31 .
The Venetian and Palazzo resorts would begin closing Tuesday and stay shuttered at least April 1 , according to the resorts ’ owner , Las Vegas Sands .
All three resorts will continue paying full-time employees through the closure .
MGM Resorts International on Monday night began closing its 13 properties in Las Vegas .
Wynn Resorts plans to close its Wynn Las Vegas and Encore resorts Tuesday evening .
The MGM casino closures Tuesday night included the famous fountain show in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd gathered the fountains shooting as high 460 feet ( 140 metres ) into the air , choreographed to lights and music .
With casinos closing , tourism expected to drop off and fewer people dining out or doing non-essential shopping , the state is expected to take a financial hit , but how big is unknown .
In Nevada , gambling taxes are second only to sales taxes as a percentage of the state ’ s annual budget .
The leisure and hospitality industry directly employs one of every four workers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of about $ 68 billion in Nevada , according to the Nevada Resort Association .
The state ’ s biennial Legislature isn ’ t scheduled to meet again until 2021 , and legislative leaders are not yet planning to go into a special session to address Nevada ’ s budget .
Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson , both Democrats , said in a joint statement provided to the Associated Press on Tuesday that they ’ re evaluating all options and they ’ re working closely with the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have no plans to go into a special session , ” they said .
Associated Press writer Michelle L Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Virus hits tourism on Ecuador’s iconic Galapagos islands

GALAPAGOS , Ecuador - Jessy Lamontaine managed to book a long-dreamed-of vacation for her family this year , taking them far from their home in Montreal , Canada , down to the Galapagos Islands , where they began exploring the wonders of nature and frolicked in the sun .
Then , the coronavirus pandemic hit in the middle of the trip , throwing their plans into uncertainty .
“ I was in tears this morning , ” Lamontaine said .
“ I couldn ’ t get any answers from the airline .
I had no money and didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my job .
Lamontaine , her husband and their 6-year-old son were stuck on the islands when flights were suspended and they missed the last trip out .
They are among travellers around the world who have had vacations disrupted — in this case extended — by the pandemic .
Officials in Ecuador had initially halted trips to and from the archipelago 1,000 kilometres ( 620 miles ) off the South American nation ’ s Pacific coast prized for its diverse marine and plant life .
It ’ s famous for helping inspire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process of evolution .
Galapagos Gov .
Norman Wray said Tuesday that the 2,000 foreigners who remain on the archipelago in the next week will have the possibility of leaving on charter flights or those approved by the government .
They won ’ t be able to go home immediately , however .
The ban on international flights will keep them in Ecuador until the emergency measures are lifted .
Other popular South American tourist destinations such as Peru ’ s Machu Picchu have also been temporarily closed in response to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Easter Island .
In a short time , the crowds playing in the sun and exploring the waters in the Galapagos have mostly vanished .
The upbeat vibe has given way to solitude , raising fears among locals who depend on tourist for their survival .
José Coque , owner of the Cormoran Beach House hotel on Isabela Island , said that until just a few days ago people were coming and going from the beach .
Restaurants were packed and tropical music was blaring at full volume .
“ Now it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ There ’ s absolute silence and very few tourists.
” All reservations for March and April have been cancelled , said Coque , who is concerned because his employees depend on a thriving tourism industry .
The chamber of commerce says foreign tourists make up 95 % of business on Isabel Island , the largest in the archipelago , and at least 26,000 of them visited last March .
Most visitors come from the United States , Europe and Canada .
But for the next three weeks , no foreigner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by any means of transportation .
The mayor of Santa Cruz Island , Angel Yánez , said the measure is not easy for locals but it is necessary .
“ Tourism is our sole source of income , “ he said .
“ Therefore , we ’ re taking care that this virus does not reach the Galapagos.
” So far , no cases have been detected in the Galapagos Islands , but on the mainland of Ecuador officials announced Tuesday that the number of confirmed cases had reached 111 , with two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at many airports around the world , as tourists desperately seek seats to return home .
But British tourist Ian Attenborough , who lives in Barcelona , Spain , said he wasn ’ t worried about having his trip home delayed .
“ I have my own business and I can work from anywhere , ” he said .
“ When flights pick up again , I will return.
” Lamontaine , 38 , said her worries eased when she got answers about how she ’ d pay for her hotel and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She ’ s able to enjoy an extended vacation until her husband Sajid Qureshi and son Aydin figure out their exit plan .
“ The hotel owner told me he wasn ’ t going to charge me , then I spoke to my boss , “ Lamontaine said .
“ He said that my job will be waiting for me .
”

Diego AñAzco Y Gonzalo Solano - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--The left is still leery of Biden. Here’s how he’s reaching out to them

Through conversations on Capitol Hill , engagement with local activists and policy nods toward Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders , Joe Biden ’ s campaign and its allies are ramping up overtures to progressives , aiming to improve Biden ’ s standing with a key part of the Democratic coalition in an effort to unite the party around his potential nomination .
Biden has assembled a broad base of support from black and suburban white voters as he has racked up a string of victories over the past month .
But many younger and left-wing Democrats remain deeply skeptical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the nomination , and some are strenuously resistant to his candidacy .
Aware of the importance of Democratic unity after Hillary Clinton suffered from a divisive primary contest in 2016 , and hopeful of extending his delegate lead after primary elections in three states on Tuesday , the Biden campaign and a long list of surrogates are striving to engage some of those Democrats who have so far rejected Biden ’ s presidential bid .
“ We ’ re going to go talk to them and we ’ re going to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cedric L. Richmond , D-La.
, one of the Biden campaign ’ s national co-chairs .
“ They can help chart their future .
They don ’ t have to be bystanders as other people do .
It means going and talking to them , inviting them to the table .
I will absolutely be involved .
It ’ s already started.
” Richmond has spoken on a regular basis , including recently , with Rep. Ro Khanna of California , a national co-chair of Sanders ’ campaign .
Richmond has made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to make sure that Biden ’ s campaign was very inclusive ” if Biden becomes the Democratic nominee , Khanna said in an interview .
Both Biden , 77 , the former vice president , and Sanders , 78 , the Vermont senator , have pledged to actively support whoever becomes the Democratic nominee , and they have a better personal relationship than Clinton and Sanders had during their contentious 2016 primary matchup .
There is also little appetite among many voters for the kind of infighting that characterized earlier chapters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the nation grapples with the coronavirus crisis .
Against that backdrop , Biden ’ s allies argue — even as they have been careful not to pressure Sanders to drop out — that it is time to unify more quickly around Biden ’ s candidacy in order to focus fully on defeating President Donald Trump , a view many Sanders supporters strongly reject .
Still , to that end , Biden has made overt public gestures to the left in recent days .
On the debate stage on Sunday night , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mate if nominated , Biden also said that he had recently spoken to Warren , the Massachusetts senator .
He has endorsed a proposal she offered during her campaign to overhaul the consumer bankruptcy system — a striking policy shift because Biden and Warren had clashed over bankruptcy legislation more than a decade ago when he was a senator from Delaware and she was a Harvard law professor .
Hours before the debate , his campaign also announced that he had decided to support making public colleges and universities tuition-free for many students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward a few years ago .
While a nod to the left , Biden ’ s move was hardly a display of progressive boldness : Clinton offered a similar proposal in 2016 after her primary fight with Sanders , and the proposal Biden endorsed is more limited than what Sanders is advocating in the 2020 campaign .
“ For Vice President Biden it ’ s about a lack of consistency , ” Rep. Rashida Tlaib , D-Mich. , a Sanders supporter , said in a recent interview .
Personal engagement has to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
Biden is undeniably more moderate than Sanders , who is a democratic socialist .
But Biden ’ s allies argue that the former vice president does embrace relatively bold policy — if at a more incremental pace , and on a less sweeping scale , than Sanders does .
Their focus now is on promoting some of those proposals , from gun control to combating climate change , and on learning more about what supporters of other current and former candidates need to hear from Biden .
“ No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have great respect for Sen. Sanders and Sen. Warren , ” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento , California , a Biden endorser .
“ It is important we recognize and understand why young people , many young people , have been driven to that message.
” Internally , the Biden campaign has staff working on outreach to students , young professionals and young elected officials .
Many of those officials are then engaging in their own progressive outreach in their cities and states , sounding out local liberal activists , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected leaders .
Behind the scenes , a number of Biden ’ s congressional allies have also been contacting officials who supported Warren in particular , both in Congress and around the country .
“ I ’ ve certainly been reaching out to a lot of the progressives ” who supported Warren , said Rep. Ruben Gallego , D-Ariz. , “ asking them to keep their minds and hearts open , and also just to see if they have any suggestions about policies or topics they want to see in the campaign.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleagues and to progressive leaders in Arizona with an additional focus on Latino leaders .
Sanders continues to show strength with Latino voters in Arizona , as he did in the Nevada caucuses , while he faces challenges with Cuban Americans in particular in Florida , which , like Arizona , votes Tuesday .
The goal , Gallego said , is “ having a more welcoming approach , to , definitely , the Bernie camp.
” Yet seeking to build relationships with elected officials is not the same thing as generating the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the limits of more explicit outreach to the Sanders campaign were on vivid display at the debate on Sunday night , as Sanders continued to wage his own vigorous primary battle .
Some Biden officials and allies suggested that they were surprised when Sanders repeatedly ripped Biden ’ s Senate record , even as both men avoided the kind of personal attacks that had defined matchups with other candidates .
Allies of Sanders , however , said it was legitimate for Sanders to sharply contrast Biden ’ s views with his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he believes are vital to the nation ’ s interests .
Maurice Mitchell , the national director of the Working Families Party , which endorsed Warren and is now supporting Sanders , said Biden ’ s embrace of the bankruptcy overhaul and tuition-free college were steps in the right direction .
But he suggested that Biden should more robustly address a number of other policy issues that are important to progressives , such as climate change and a wealth tax .
“ I think him signalling the fact that he is open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a start , ” Mitchell said .
“ But unless , for example , he adopts a real climate plan that actually is at the scale of the problem , I don ’ t think he ’ ll ever attract the young people who are fired up.
” And there are many progressives who say that while they will support the eventual nominee , they do not feel the need to pick a side right now , even as the Biden campaign rushes to consolidate support .
Rep. Andy Levin , D-Mich. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was “ still in mourning ” over her exit from the race , though he praised Biden ’ s embrace of her bankruptcy plan .
He said that former Gov .
James J. Blanchard of Michigan has been in touch , urging him to support Biden , but he is in no hurry .
“ I ’ m not sitting around waiting for Joe or somebody to call me , ” Levin said .
“ If Joe Biden is the nominee , my job becomes to unify him and progressives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pin him down to govern as progressively as possible because that ’ s the way that progressives are going to authentically get excited about him.
” Some of Biden ’ s supporters are aware of the delicacy required in engaging Democrats who backed other candidates , and say that outreach to Sanders supporters in particular can only accelerate in earnest once the primary is effectively concluded .
“ The way to do it is to go right to the organizations that have supported the other candidates and to show them the respect that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento mayor , said .
“ Understand the underlying motivations and issues that drove the candidacies of their candidates , and connect and meet with them , and listen .
”

Katie Glueck - The New York Times,Thomas Kaplan


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Judge backs Minnesota’s Twin Metals mine in lease dispute

MINNEAPOLIS - A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a challenge by environmental groups against the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota , saying the Interior Department had the authority to reverse itself and renew the project ’ s federal mineral rights leases .
The Obama administration tried to kill Twin Metals by rejecting the company ’ s application to renew its leases , citing the risk of acid mine drainage to the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness .
But the Trump administration gave the project a new lease on life when it reinstated those leases last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C. , ruled that the Interior Department has the authority to correct what the agency argued was an error .
He wrote that the department ’ s explanation was “ thorough , thoughtful and reasonable — a far cry from ‘ arbitrary and capricious ’ “ as the project ’ s opponents claimed .
Those opponents , including the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters and Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness , said they would appeal .
They said the plain language in the leases meant that Twin Metals was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Twin Metals , owned by Chilean mining giant Antofagasta , filed its formal mine plan with state and federal regulators in December , launching what ’ s expected to be a lengthy environmental review and permitting process .
The company welcomed the judge ’ s ruling .
“ This is encouraging news for the communities of northeast Minnesota who look forward to the hundreds of jobs and economic development our mine will bring to the region , ” the company said in a statement .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-17--AP VoteCast: Arizona primary marked by coronavirus concerns

WASHINGTON - Voters in Arizona cast their ballots in Tuesday ’ s Democratic primary during a pandemic that has stunted travel , closed schools , forced millions of workers to stay home and cancelled campaign rallies .
Many voters expressed concerns that they or their family members will be infected with the new coronavirus .
At the same time , voters ranked health care as the most important issue facing the country , well above climate change , the economy , race relations , foreign policy and many other social issues .
About a third said they are very concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , according to a wide-ranging AP VoteCast survey of the Democratic primary electorate in Arizona .
About 4 in 10 were somewhat concerned , while just a quarter expressed little to no concern .
Here ’ s a snapshot of Democratic voters in Arizona — who they are and what matters to them — based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast , a survey of 1,904 voters , conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago .
The campaign has featured a contentious debate among candidates over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an issue seen as the most important facing the country by nearly half of voters .
There is majority support for a government-run health care system for all Americans , with about 8 in 10 voters saying they are in favour .
Roughly 2 in 10 are opposed .
But support for a public option , where every American could buy into a government-run insurance plan if they wanted to , is even higher .
About 9 in 10 are in favour .
About three-quarters of voters are in favour of either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they favour a public option but oppose a single-payer system .
DO THEY WANT A BIG CHANGE ?
Somewhat more voters in Arizona ’ s Democratic primary say they want a candidate who would bring fundamental change to Washington over one who would restore the political system to how it was before Donald Trump was elected in 2016 .
But a clear majority of voters , about 56 % , said they preferred a candidate who will pursue practical , centrist policies to one pursuing bold liberal policies .
A wide majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Bernie Sanders against Trump in the general election .
Still , 9 % say they would vote for Biden but not for Sanders , while about as many say they would vote for Sanders but not Biden .
Voters are skeptical that the Democratic Party ’ s nomination process is fair .
Just about a quarter say they are very confident that the process for selecting a presidential nominee is fair .
Roughly 3 in 10 have little to no confidence , while more than 4 in 10 say they are somewhat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third of voters are very confident that the Democratic Party ’ s leadership represents their values ; roughly half are somewhat confident .
About 2 in 10 are not confident .
CLIMATE CHANGE , THE ECONOMY AND OTHER ISSUES Roughly 2 in 10 voters said climate change is the most important issue facing the nation .
A wide majority — about 8 in 10 — expressed support for a tax on the use of carbon-based fuels , such as coal , oil and natural gas .
Just about 1 in 10 called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant majority described the economic system in this country as unfair .
That includes about 4 in 10 who said it ’ s very unfair .
Small shares of voters considered race relations , immigration , gun policy or abortion most important .
AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News .
The survey of 1,904 voters in Arizona was conducted for seven days , concluding as polls closed .
Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a random sample of registered voters drawn from the state voter file .
The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 3.4 percentage points .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Hope Yen And Hannah Fingerhut - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--California man gets prison for working as agent for China

OAKLAND , Calif. - A former San Francisco Bay Area tour operator was sentenced to four years in prison for serving as an unregistered agent for China ’ s Ministry of State Security in a scheme to use “ dead drops ” to pick up digital memory cards from a source and take them to China .
Xuehua Edward Peng , 56 , also was sentenced Monday in Oakland , California , federal court to pay a $ 30,000 fine , the U.S. Justice Department said .
Peng pleaded guilty on Nov. 25 , 2019 , to acting at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state security officials in China .
If convicted at trial , he could have faced up to 10 years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine .
The Hayward , California , resident admitted that while he was on a business trip to China in March 2015 , an official of the People ’ s Republic of China introduced himself and asked Peng to use his U.S. citizenship to assist him .
Peng came to understand the official worked for China ’ s Ministry of State Security but agreed to take actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and learned how to use dead drops : rent hotel rooms , leave money and leave for several hours .
“ The official instructed Peng to return later and retrieve small electronic storage devices that the source would leave for him , ” a Justice Department statement said .
“ Thereafter , Peng was to fly to the PRC and deliver the retrieved devices to the PRC official .
Peng never met nor interacted with the individual who left the devices for him and was instructed not to access the information stored on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run in June 2015 and then participated two dead drops in the San Francisco Bay Area between October 2015 and April 2016 .
He then made three dead drops from Columbus , Georgia , before telling the Chinese official that he wanted to return to dead drops in the San Francisco Bay Area .
The U.S. was never at risk because the information left for Peng was provided by an FBI double agent who had also been approached for spy work by the Chinese government but decided to inform the U.S. government instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested in September 2019 before completing the next dead drop .
“ This case exposed one of the ways that Chinese intelligence officers work to collect classified information from the United States without having to step foot in this country , ” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a statement .
Investigators described Peng as a sightseeing operator in the San Francisco area for Chinese visitors and students .
Public records listed Peng as president of U.S. Tour and Travel in San Francisco , but no website for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country in 2001 on a temporary business visa .
He became a lawful permanent resident in 2006 following his marriage and was naturalized in September 2012 .


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--AP VoteCast: Most Democratic voters have coronavirus worries

WASHINGTON - Most Democratic voters casting ballots Tuesday say they have anxieties about contracting the new coronavirus , but their worries are notably measured during a pandemic that has all-but shuttered public life across the U.S. About 4 in 10 voters in the primary election in Florida and roughly a third in Arizona and Illinois said they are “ very ” concerned that they or a family member may get infected with COVID-19 .
About 40 % of voters in each state felt somewhat concerned , according to AP VoteCast surveys of thousands of Americans voting in the presidential primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Bernie Sanders .
In just a few weeks , the coronavirus has upended that race , the global economy and Americans ’ daily routines , as government officials have closed schools , warned against travel , shuttered restaurants and advised millions of workers to stay home .
Ohio chose to halt in-person voting on Tuesday and delay its primary to avoid the risk of spreading the virus .
Illinois , Florida and Arizona went ahead , instituting some new safety measures for voters and poll workers .
AP VoteCast surveys are designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when or how they voted , accounting for the many voters in Florida and Arizona who voted early .
Here ’ s a snapshot of voters ’ priorities and concerns as they cast their ballots : Distress about the coronavirus was spread evenly across gender , education and income levels .
But voters under 45 were somewhat less likely than their older counterparts to worry about getting infected .
The outbreak feeds into pre-existing concerns about the health care system in the U.S. Democratic voters have for weeks named health care as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true in Arizona , Florida and Illinois .
Biden has made improving Obamacare a cornerstone of his agenda , while Sanders has campaigned on the promise of the government providing universal health coverage .
Democratic primary voters in Florida , a state with both a large population of retirees and many younger tourism and service sector workers , believe that Biden would be better than Sanders at handling health care issues , 56 % to 34 % .
Arizona and Illinois voters are closely divided between the two candidates on the issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the coronavirus hasn ’ t hit , but the surveys reveal most Democratic voters already felt on shaky ground .
Few — only about 10 % in Arizona , Florida and Illinois — said they were getting ahead financially in what has been the longest expansion in U.S. history .
Roughly two-thirds in each state think they are “ holding steady , ” while about a quarter describe themselves as falling behind .
Overwhelming majorities in all three states — 80 % in Arizona and about 70 % in Florida and Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system as unfair .
Roughly 40 % in Arizona , and about a third in Florida and Illinois , called it “ very unfair.
” Biden is widely seen as the strongest contender against Trump .
About 80 % of voters in Arizona , Florida and Illinois think the former vice-president could definitely or probably win the general election .
Smaller majorities in each state — roughly 60 % — have the same confidence in a Sanders victory .
Opposition to Trump is a defining trait of Democratic primary voters .
In Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would vote for whomever the party nominates to take on Trump .
That figure is somewhat more , 81 % , in Arizona .
Some in each of the states — 9 % in Arizona , 13 % in Illinois and 15 % in Florida — say they would vote for Biden , but not Sanders .
Somewhat fewer — 6 % in Arizona , 8 % in Illinois and 5 % in Florida — say they would vote for Sanders , but not Biden .
AP VoteCast is a survey of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News .
The surveys were conducted for seven days , concluding as polls closed .

Josh Boak And Hannah Fingerhut - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Rio’s Christ statue closes and state of emergency decreed

Rio de Janeiro ’ s Christ the Redeemer statue , which appears to balance improbably atop Corcovado mountain , has withstood the worst of what the elements could muster for nearly nine decades .
Now it , too , is succumbing to the outbreak of the new coronavirus .
The 125-foot-tall statue , which last year saw almost 2 million visitors , closed at day-end Tuesday and won ’ t reopen for at least a week .
To contain the virus ’ spread , Brazil ’ s Chico Mendes Institute on Tuesday ordered the closure of all national parks it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s home to the Christ .
At the foot of the statue throughout the overcast afternoon , the last selfie-snapping tourists were still allowed to gather on the lookout that offers a panoramic view out over the so-called Marvelous City .
Rio seems less marvelous by the day with the creep of the new virus .
Firemen began blaring recordings that urge beachgoers to stay home on Monday , one day before Rio ’ s Gov .
Wilson Witzel decreed a state of emergency .
They did the same Tuesday , though it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other things , Witzel ’ s decree recommended that restaurants and bars limit themselves to 30 % capacity for 15 days , that boats and buses halve their passenger loads , that shopping malls close and people avoid beaches and public pools .
The decree also suspended classes and all other activities and events that entail gatherings .
“ We are afraid , we feel unsafe , “ Maurilivia Gomes , a 35-year-old baker visiting from Goias state , said inside the near-empty train riding up the mountain to the Christ .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And we ’ re also going to enjoy what we can and circulate in open spaces , because we can ’ t travel this far then stay confined in a room for four days.
” The company that administers transport and installations at Rio ’ s Sugarloaf Mountain , another postcard destination that sees 1.5 million visitors annually , already closed shop on Tuesday .
Even before the governor ’ s decree , Bondinho Pão de Açúcar had halved the number of passengers on its cable cars , to 32 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each journey , according to Sandro Fernandes , the company ’ s CEO .
Brazil has recorded almost 300 confirmed cases of Covid-19 , with more than half in Sao Paulo and the second-largest number in Rio , according to the health ministry .
The nation reported its first death from the virus the same day : a 62-year-old man in Sao Paulo .
As local leaders imposed and recommended precautions , Brazil ’ s President Jair Bolsonaro said the measures could damage the economy and once again expressed skepticism of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the hysteria , as though it were the end of the world .
A nation like Brazil , for example , will only be free when a certain number of people are infected and create antibodies , ” he told a local radio station , Radio Tupi .
For most people , Covid-19 entails only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tour guides - along with many others - said they were concerned about the impact closing down Rio ’ s main tourist sites will have on their livelihoods .
“ We have to count on the hope that we can find a family that wants to walk around and do something at least , so we can earn something this month , ” Alexandre Faria Carbonelli said in the plaza beneath Sugarloaf ’ s cable car .
“ For guys who work autonomously , don ’ t have savings , have a family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” At the Christ , Rio ’ s Catholic archdiocese is planning a light show for Wednesday night , projecting the flags of nations afflicted by Covid-19 upon the isolated statue .
Toward sundown on Tuesday , the final visitors trickled out before the statue closed down .
One couple was visiting from Chile .
Another had come from Moscow , and leaned up against one another in an embrace .
At some point the sun slid beneath the cloud-covered horizon and the grey drained from the sky .
The Christ was illuminated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barely-visible smudge of light shrouded in clouds .

By David Biller And Diarlei Rodrigues - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Millions in San Francisco area cope with virus restrictions

SAN FRANCISCO - Millions in the San Francisco Bay Area found empty highways , shuttered stores and vacant streets Tuesday as officials began enforcing an order for residents to stay at home and only leave for “ essential “ reasons in a desperate attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Miguel Aguirre , 38 , his wife and two children were the only ones Tuesday along a street near San Francisco ’ s City Hall , an area normally bustling with office workers and commuters .
He and his wife are janitors at the Boys & Girls Club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order but decided to show up anyway because they need the money , only to be told to go home by his supervisor .
“ It ’ s really a scary situation for us because if we don ’ t work , we don ’ t eat , ” said Aguirre , of Oakland , who brought his two daughters with him because schools were shuttered .
He already lost his second job at the Hotel St. Francis when tourism conferences began cancelling a month ago .
“ There have been days when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep going , this is a very difficult situation , ” Aguirre said .
The measures are the strictest in America , mimicking orders in place across Europe and they raised new questions .
What exactly is an essential need to leave home ?
What happens if you go out for a non-essential reason ?
“ No one has a clear interpretation as to what ’ s going to happen economically or the trickle-down effect that local businesses are experiencing because of this , ” said John McClinton of Oakland .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the cities of Berkeley and Oakland , supermarkets , pharmacies , banks and gas stations remain open , along with other essential government functions and businesses .
On Tuesday , the counties of Sonoma and Monterey and the city of Palm Springs , with a combined population of 1 million , also were set to order residents to stay at home , while the city of Sacramento directed its 500,000 residents to do the same , one step short of a formal order .
Restaurants are open only for takeout , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise is fine , as long as people practice social distancing .
“ History will not forgive us for waiting an hour more , ” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo , whose city is the epicenter of the area ’ s outbreak .
“ This is our generation ’ s great test , our moment to stand together as a community.
” Across California , and the nation , supermarkets have been chaotic with lines forming before stores open .
Then shoppers jam the aisles and clear out the stock of toilet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beans , pasta and rice .
“ I saw the headline and got this pit in my stomach , ” Caroline Park said as she put on plastic gloves before pushing a shopping cart into the Berkeley Bowl grocery store on Monday .
At Berkeley ’ s Comal restaurant , owner Andrew Hoffman was giving any remaining perishables to his staff .
“ We have 125 employees that all just lost their job .
It ’ s heartbreaking , “ he told the San Jose Mercury News .
California ’ s national and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut indoor spaces .
The state has confirmed nearly 500 cases of the virus and 11 deaths .
The virus usually causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , but can be deadly for older people and those with underlying health conditions .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom had already told all residents ages 65 or older to stay at home and called for all bars , wineries , nightclubs and brewpubs to close .
He upgraded the orders on Monday .
Los Angeles and San Diego counties — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered bars to close and restaurants to stay open only for pickup , drive-thru or delivery .
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said while violations of the order carry the possibility of fines or jail time , authorities will take a “ compassionate , common-sense approach ” to enforcement .
At San Francisco ’ s infamous Alcatraz , tours of the shuttered island prison were off until further notice .
Tour guide Manuel Gomez , 49 , who supports a wife and two children , hadn ’ t yet come up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s devastating , ” Gomez said .
“ We only have enough savings to last us for 10 days.
” Beverly Hills ordered the closure of all nonessential retail businesses , including those on the famed fashion destination , Rodeo Drive , except for pickup , delivery and certain transactions by appointment .
In Orange County , Costa Mesa ’ s fashionable South Coast Plaza , the largest mall on the West Coast , began a 14-day closure .
The Los Angeles Unified School District abandoned plans to open 40 centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from meals to childcare while classes are suspended .
Instead , it will open 60 “ grab and go “ locations to pick up boxed meals .
The Los Angeles Police Department assigned 50 % of detectives into uniform for high-visibility patrols , including at stores with large crowds .
Station front desks were closed .
The American Red Cross Southern California Blood Services Region put out an urgent call for donors .
AP writers Jocelyn Gecker , Janie Har , Juliet Williams and Terry Chea in San Francisco , John Antczak and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nguyen in Berkeley , Amy Taxin in Orange County and Julie Watson in San Diego contributed to this report .

Olga R. Rodriguez - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--Trump moves to blunt coronavirus’ heavy impact on US economy

WASHINGTON - Ahead of an expected surge in coronavirus cases , President Donald Trump on Tuesday moved to blunt the impact of the pandemic on a U.S. economy fundamentally altered by a push for the nation to stay home .
As the global markets fluctuated amid fears of a recession , the president conferred with tourism executives as well as restaurant leaders , retailers and suppliers .
His administration was expected to propose a roughly $ 850 billion emergency economic stimulus to address the free-fall , including considering the sending of checks to American workers trying to make their way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses large and small were reeling from shutdowns , cancellations and public fear about the virus as the number of cases rose nationwide .
Stocks moved higher on Wall Street on Tuesday , a day after plunging to their worst losses in more than three decades .
The president again urged Americans to follow sweeping guidelines that for the next two weeks would temporarily rewrite the norms of society , including for older residents to stay home and for all people to avoid gatherings of more than 10 as well as restaurants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we can protect the health of our people and our economy and I think our economy will come back very rapidly , “ Trump said .
“ If we do this right , our country and the world , frankly , but our country can be rolling again ... very quickly.
” Trump , maintaining his newly sombre tone about the crisis enveloping the globe , urged Americans to work from home and urged the nation ’ s cities and states to issue restrictions to promote distancing in line with new federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in access to coronavirus tests , ventilators , hospital beds and telehealth services .
His administration said it would co-ordinate responses with the states , push for construction workers to give masks to health care workers and , if needed , use the Army Corps of Engineers to build more hospital space .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , the administration ’ s lead negotiator with Congress , said tax filings could be delayed and vowed that the stock markets would remain open but their hours could be shortened .
The president pledged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in three states went to the polls Tuesday even as Ohio postponed its primary .
Officials said assistance could be offered to the airlines , hotels cruise ships and airplane manufacturers .
In a meeting with hotel industry leaders , Trump listened as executives outlined the impact to their business .
They told him that business was dropping by the day and that some hotels had occupancy rates in the single digits .
That compared to a 67 % per cent occupancy rate for the industry last year , said Chip Rogers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Lodging Association .
“ We ’ re probably under 20 % nationwide and headed south , “ Rogers said .
“ If by the end of the year we get up to 35 per cent and nothing else happens , that will be about 4 million jobs lost.
” Trump sought to emphasize how much the economy would improve once past the outbreak .
“ One day we ’ re going to stand up here and say , ‘ We won , ’ “ Trump told the White House briefing where reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe distance .
“ As sure as you ’ re sitting there , we ’ re going to say that.
” The president ’ s declaration of resolve came a day after , for the first time , he acknowledged that the pandemic may send the economy into a recession and suggested the nation may be dealing with the virus until “ July or August.
” The president and his team on Tuesday cautioned Americans to prepare for a lengthy change to their daily routines as it could be more than a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlined Monday could even be measured .
Trump said his coronavirus task force had considered , but was not ready to implement , any sort of domestic travel ban , but he urged Americans to forgo trips even to places not heavily impacted by the virus .
“ Enjoy your homes , enjoy your living room , “ he said .
Dr. Deborah Birx , co-ordinator for the federal response to the virus , on Tuesday called for the “ army of millennials ” to lead the charge in fighting back against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Good Morning America ” that the nation needs millennials doing everything they can , including staying home from bars , to protect themselves from getting infected but also safeguarding their parents and grandparents .
She said most millennials who get infected would have mild symptoms and were not as at risk as older Americans .
Millennials , a term referring to those born in the 1980s to early 1990s , also tended to be good at networking and sharing information , Birx said .
Trump ’ s tone Tuesday was far less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he insisted it could be over in weeks .
And his admission that the outbreak may send the economy into a recession was startling for Trump , who for two weeks had struck a discordantly optimistic tone about the pandemic that endangered his presidency .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover .
The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 185,000 people and killed more than 7,300 .
Associated Press writers Darlene Superville , Jill Colvin , Andrew Taylor , Deb Riechmann and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely @ @ @ @ @

Jonathan Lemire And Kevin Freking - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-17--AP VoteCast: A look at voters in Florida, Illinois, Arizona

WASHINGTON - The Associated Press surveyed voters in the three states that held Democratic presidential contests on Tuesday .
Here ’ s a snapshot of voters in Arizona , Florida and Illinois — who they are and what matters to them — based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast .
Conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago , AP VoteCast surveys took place over seven days , concluding as polls closed .
A slim majority of Arizona ’ s Democratic primary voters say they prefer a candidate who will pursue practical , centrist policies over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Somewhat more say they would be satisfied if Joe Biden were the nominee , compared with Bernie Sanders , 74 % to 66 % .
But fully 81 % say they would vote for either the former vice-president or the Vermont senator in the general election .
Sanders has so far drawn strong support from Latino voters — a group that makes up about 30 % of Democratic primary voters in Arizona .
Close to half of voters are liberal .
About a third say they are members of a gun-owning household in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control advocate — astronaut Mark Kelly — is running in the Democratic primary on Tuesday for the late John McCain ’ s Senate seat .
Few Democratic primary voters identified gun policy as the top issue facing the country ; health care , followed by climate change and the economy , was considered most important .
In assessing who is best on health care , voters are roughly split between the two candidates .
More consider Sanders most capable on climate change , while Biden has the edge on handling immigration .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they favour increasing security along the U.S.-Mexico border , compared with two-thirds who are opposed .
During a pandemic that has stunted travel , closed schools , forced millions of workers to stay home and cancelled campaign rallies , voters in Florida ’ s Democratic primary expressed measured concerns about the coronavirus .
About 4 in 10 said they are very concerned that they or a relative will get the virus .
Roughly as many are somewhat concerned , while just 2 in 10 expressed little to no concern .
Close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue facing the country — about on par with voters in many of the earlier contests as well .
Democratic primary voters in the battleground state strongly believe Joe Biden could fare well against President Donald Trump : 84 % think the former vice-president could definitely or probably win the general election .
A smaller majority , 58 % , think Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders could likely beat the incumbent president .
In Illinois , a wide share of Democratic primary voters — about three-quarters — say they are likely to vote for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the nominee facing Trump in November .
Some — 13 % — say they would vote for Biden , but not Sanders ; eight per cent say they would vote for Sanders , but not Biden .
More than 8 in 10 say it ’ s very important that the nominee can beat Trump and that he is a strong leader .
The two candidates fare about the same in the eyes of voters as best able to handle corruption in government , as well as health care , considered the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden than Sanders would be more capable of handling issues related to race and the economy .
AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News .
The surveys were conducted for seven days , concluding as polls closed .


thetorontostar--2020-03-18--1 dead, 1 hurt in St Patrick’s Day shooting at Texas pub

CORPUS CHRISTI , Texas - One woman was killed and another injured in a shooting on St. Patrick ’ s Day at an Irish pub in southeast Texas , authorities said .
The shooting happened Tuesday night at Molly ’ s Irish Sports Pub in Corpus Christi and a suspect is in custody , police spokesman Travis Pace said .
When officers arrived , they found one woman dead and another who had been shot in the torso , the Corpus Christi Caller Times reported .
Police interviewed witnesses and identified a suspect , who was later arrested after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The suspect ’ s name was not immediately released but Pace said that person will likely face charges of murder and aggravated assault .
Pace said the investigation was ongoing but “ it ’ s not a random act of violence.
” Unlike a few other Texas cities , Corpus Christi had not shut down its bars or restaurants amid concerns of the coronavirus .
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