thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Countries around the world announce more virus restrictions

BARCELONA , Spain - Authorities around the world turned to increasingly drastic measures Sunday to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus , with lockdowns , curfews and travel restrictions spreading .
Soldiers and police sealed the densely populated Philippine capital from most domestic travellers in one of Southeast Asia ’ s most drastic containment measures .
The move mirrored a lockdown Spain announced just hours earlier for its 46 million citizens .
France ordered the closing of just about everything the rest of the world loves about it — the Eiffel Tower , the Louvre , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly desperate measures to put more space between people and contain the virus .
At U.S. airports , travellers returning from Europe were greeted with hourslong waits for required medical screenings .
While American citizens , green card holders and some others are allowed to return to the U.S. amid new European travel restrictions , they ’ re being funneled to 13 U.S. airports where they ’ re subject to health screenings and quarantine orders .
Videos and photos posted on social media showed packed , winding lines of returning travellers .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago O ’ Hare acknowledged the delays and asked for patience .
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. , which days ago barred travellers from most of Europe , will extend the ban to Britain and Ireland .
And more cities in the U.S. put in place curbs on gatherings of more than a few hundred people , with one New Jersey city even announcing an overnight curfew .
In China , where the virus was first detected in December , those arriving on overseas flights were routed to a converted exhibition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off to their homes or other quarantine locations .
It was clear , however , that the centre of gravity in the crisis had shifted westward toward Europe and North America .
The virus has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed over 5,600 .
In a nationally televised address Saturday , Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez detailed the battery of exceptional measures put in place as part of a two-week state of emergency to fight the sharp rise in infections .
Later Saturday , Spain ’ s government said Sánchez ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Begoña Gómez and the prime minister are in good health , the government said .
In a lockdown similar to the one already imposed in Italy , people will be allowed to leave their homes only to buy food and medicine , commute to work , go to hospitals and banks , or take trips related to the care of the young and the elderly .
All schools and universities were closed , along with restaurants , bars , hotels and other nonessential retail businesses .
“ From now we enter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said after a Cabinet meeting that lasted over seven hours .
“ We won ’ t hesitate in doing what we must to beat the virus .
We are putting health first.
” Spanish authorities said the number of infections climbed past 5,700 , half of them in the capital , Madrid .
That represents a national increase of over 1,500 in 24 hours .
The country had 136 deaths , up from 120 .
Spain has the fifth-highest number of cases , behind China , Italy , Iran and South Korea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 in a matter of weeks .
Despite pleas for calm from authorities , shoppers packed supermarkets in Spain in the morning .
But overall , the normally bustling streets of the country ’ s two biggest cities were noticeably quieter as the message sank in that social distancing is the only way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to close and remain shut for 15 days , ” restaurant owner Rachel Paparardo said in Barcelona , which was already under regional restrictions .
“ But this is nothing .
It is just so more people don ’ t get infected and we can recover from this.
“ In the Philippines , new restrictions for metropolitan Manila — home to more than 12 million people — that went into effect Sunday mean the suspension of domestic travel by land , air and sea to and from the capital region , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings are prohibited and most government work in executive department offices will be suspended in the metropolis for a month .
School closures at all levels were extended in the Philippines , which has confirmed 140 cases of the virus , including 11 deaths .
In the Middle East , Muslim authorities announced that Jerusalem ’ s Al-Aqsa mosque , Islam ’ s third-holiest site , would be closed indefinitely due to concerns about the outbreak , with prayers continuing to be held on the sprawling esplanade outside .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges , which was supposed to begin this week , was postponed for two months due to restrictions on public gatherings .
Paris followed other cities in shuttering major tourist attractions , and France announced the closing of all restaurants , cafes , theatres and nonessential shops starting Sunday .
France has recorded at least 3,600 infections .
It has banned all gatherings of more than 100 people , ordered all schools closed and asked companies to allow workers to stay home .
France pressed ahead with nationwide municipal elections on Sunday but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a safe distance and to sanitize surfaces .
In Italy , the worst-hit European country , the number of deaths climbed past 1,400 and infections surged roughly 20 % overnight to more than 21,000 because of what authorities characterized as irresponsible behaviour by people still socializing despite the nationwide lockdown .
Many Italian cities , including Rome and Milan , decided to close playgrounds and parks , too .
In Britain , the death toll nearly doubled from the day before to 21 , and the number of people infected rose to over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one death as of Friday .
Greece ’ s infection total approached 230 with three deaths , and police there arrested 45 shopkeepers Saturday for violating a ban on operations .
The U.S. has seen 60 deaths and more than 2,100 cases .
In hard-hit Washington state , where 40 have died and and more than 550 have been infected , officials said the disease is straining the supply of protective gear available to medical providers despite shipments from the federal government .
Trump tested negative for the new coronavirus , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
European countries took steps to isolate themselves from their neighbours .
Denmark closed its borders and halted passenger traffic to and from the country .
Poland planned to close is borders at midnight and deny all foreigners entry unless they lived in Poland or had personal ties there .
The Czech Republic and Slovakia took similar action .
Russia said its borders with Norway and Poland will be closed to most foreigners beginning Sunday .
In the Pacific , Australia and New Zealand announced that incoming travellers will be required to isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceptions .
In New Zealand , passengers aboard a cruise ship in the South Island tourist town of Akaroa were not being allowed off the vessel Sunday while three passengers are tested for the new coronavirus .
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said that one of the passengers on the Golden Princess is being treated as a suspected case because that person has developed symptoms of the disease and is a close contact of another person who has been confirmed as having contracted COVID-19 .
Bloomfield said they should get the test results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering their response should the case be confirmed .
He says one lesson from observing problems with the virus spreading on other cruise ships is to avoid leaving everybody on board .
Bloomfield didn ’ t elaborate on what form any response might take .
Moulson reported from Berlin .
Associated Press writers Aritz Parra in Madrid , Sylvie Corbet in Paris , Yanan Wang in Beijing , Frances D ’ Emilio in Rome , Joseph Wilson in Barcelona , Spain , Andrew Taylor in Washington , Karel Janicek in Prague , Nick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jim Gomez in Manila 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 responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Israeli PM’s corruption trial postponed due to coronavirus

JERUSALEM - A Jerusalem district court announced on Sunday that it was postponing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s criminal trial for two months because of restrictions arising from the outbreak of the coronavirus .
Netanyahu was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday to face charges of fraud , breach of trust and accepting bribes in connection to a series of scandals .
But following the emergency health measures the government enacted restricting the gathering of people in public places , the court announced that it was pushing back the hearing until May 24 .
Netanyahu is accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering to exchange favours with powerful media moguls .
The long-ruling Israeli leader denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a media-orchestrated witch hunt .
Netanyahu ’ s lawyers had previously appealed for a delay , saying they needed more time to review evidence .
But it was swiftly rejected on the grounds that the March 17 hearing was a procedural reading of the charges only and that the defendant ’ s response was not needed .
But after Netanyahu announced a new series of coronavirus-related restrictions late Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 10 people , the justice ministry announced a state of emergency in the courts as well .
Much of the country ground to a standstill Sunday , with schools , malls and places of entertainment shut down .
Employees were encouraged to work from home and strict restrictions have been placed on personal interactions .
The virus has spread to more than 100 countries , infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed more than 5,700 .
In Israel , some 200 people have been infected with no casualties yet , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far .
Netanyahu ’ s legal troubles stood at the centre of Israel ’ s recent parliamentary election , the third such vote in less than a year .
As previous elections last April and September , the March 2 vote also ended inconclusively .
Netanyahu ’ s opponent , Benny Gantz , refuses to sit with him in the government and has been looking to push for legislation in the incoming parliament that would bar anyone indicted for a crime from leading a government — in effect disqualifying Netanyahu from remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has raised calls for an emergency unity government instead .
Netanyahu formally extended an offer Sunday to Gantz to join a government aimed at at halting the spread of the virus , suggesting two frameworks , including one that would see an alternating leadership between them over the course of four years .
“ The state of Israel needs it .
The people of Israel expect it , ” Netanyahu said .
But Gantz ’ s centrist Blue and White party seems to consider the outreach yet another ruse after what has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smears against Gantz .
“ Netanyahu , let ’ s not manipulate the public .
If you ’ re interested in unity , why postpone your trial at 1 a.m. and send an ‘ emergency unity ’ outline to the press , rather than sending your negotiating team to a meeting , ” Gantz responded on Twitter .
“ As opposed to you , I will continue to support every appropriate governmental measure , leaving political considerations aside .
When you get serious , we can talk.
” His fellow party leader and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more blunt , comparing Netanyahu ’ s conduct to that of Turkey ’ s Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
“ Whoever criticized us for warning against Israel turning into Erdogan ’ s Turkey should internalize the cynical exploitation of the corona crisis for the political needs of a man standing before trial , “ he said .
The anti-Netanyahu forces in the new incoming parliament command a 62-58 majority but are deeply divided among themselves , and appear unlikely to unite to form an alternative government .
Against the backdrop of the public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of consultations Sunday with all the elected parties to determine who to tap as prime minister-designate .
It typically goes to the leader of the largest party , which in this case would be Netanyahu , but could also go to Gantz if he secures more recommendations from lawmakers .
Given the circumstances , President Reuven Rivlin has implored for a power-sharing unity deal .
“ Anyone who has watched the news in recent days understands that this is a time of trial , and that these are not regular consultations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must now deal with forming a government as soon as possible ... at this complex time.
” If the deadlock continues , Israel could see itself heading toward a fourth straight election , which experts say would have disastrous effects on the public ’ s confidence in their elected officials and electoral system — regardless of the corona crisis .

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thetorontostar--2020-03-15--France holds local elections despite virus lockdown

PARIS - France is holding nationwide elections Sunday to choose all of its mayors and other local leaders despite a crackdown on public gatherings because of the new virus .
Voting stations opened just as a drastic new order came into effect shutting down all of France ’ s restaurants , museums , and most stores to stem the spreading coronavirus .
The country has some 4,500 cases , including 91 people who have died .
President Emmanuel Macron decided against delaying the elections amid concerns that would be undemocratic .
But the virus is expected to sharply reduce turnout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a one-meter ( about three-foot ) gap between people in lines , and to provide soap or hydro-alcoholic gel and disinfectant wipes for voting machines .
Voters were told to bring their own pens to sign the voting register .
Associated Press reporters observed uneven application of the rules in different polling stations .
Sunday ’ s elections are the first round of a two-round election for leadership of all 35,000 French communes , some of only a few dozen inhabitants .
Voters will choose among lists of candidates running for mayor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets the absolute majority in the first round , all lists that receive more than 10 % of votes will qualify for the second round , currently scheduled for March 22 .
While most voters cast ballots based on local considerations , the elections are an important gauge of public sentiment before the 2022 presidential election .
Sunday ’ s voting is a tough challenge for Macron ’ s 3-year-old centrist party , which is competing for the first time in municipal elections and still lacks local roots across France .
His government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the yellow vest movement against perceived social injustice , and several weeks of strikes and demonstrations against a planned pension overhaul .
The conservative Republicans party , the greens party , the far right National Rally and the struggling Socialists are also vying for key mayoral seats and to strengthen or save their nationwide political bases .
The main battleground is Paris , whose whose mayor is an influential figure in French politics and will oversee the 2024 Olympics .


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Greece transferring 450 migrants to facility near Athens

ATHENS , Greece - Greece is transferring 450 migrants recently detained for trying to reach the island of Lesbos illegally to a facility near Athens , authorities said Sunday .
A ship with the migrants landed at a port near Athens and the migrants will be transferred to a facility just north of the capital pending deportation , an official at the Ministry of Migration policy told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn ’ t authorized to speak on the matter .
The transfer to the facility was still underway Sunday morning .
All the migrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just days after Turkey said it was opening its borders to the millions of migrants on its soil .
In response , Greece has toughened its stance , suspending all asylum applications for a month and jailing migrants , and refugees , who tried to cross the land border from Turkey .
Although the migrants had been taken to the ship several days ago , the whole operation had been shrouded in secrecy , with officials refusing to comment on the ship ’ s destination even after it left Lesbos early Saturday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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Costas Kantouris And Demetris Nellas - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--UN agency says some 300 migrants intercepted off Libya coast

CAIRO - Libya ’ s coast guard intercepted over 300 Europe-bound migrants off the country ’ s Mediterranean coast and returned them to the capital , Tripoli , the U.N. migration agency said .
The International Organization for Migration tweeted that most of the 301 migrants , who were on three boats and intercepted Saturday , were taken to detention centres in Libya .
It said that some managed to escape at the disembarkation point , as the boats were brought back to shore .
“ It is unacceptable for this to continue despite repeated calls to put an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detention and abuse , ” said Safa Msehli , a spokeswoman for the IOM .
Libya , which descended into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi , has emerged as a major transit point for African and Arab migrants fleeing war and poverty to Europe .
Most migrants make the perilous journey in ill-equipped and unsafe rubber boats .
The IOM said earlier this month that its estimated death toll among migrants who tried to cross the Mediterranean past the “ grim milestone ” of 20,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the European Union has partnered with the coast guard and other Libyan forces to stop the flow of migrants .
Rights groups say those efforts have left migrants at the mercy of brutal armed groups or confined in squalid and overcrowded detention centres that lack adequate food and water .
The EU agreed earlier this year to end an anti-migrant smuggler operation involving only surveillance aircraft and instead deploy military ships to concentrate on upholding a widely flouted U.N. arms embargo that ’ s considered key to winding down Libya ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Oil giant Saudi Aramco sees 2019 profits drop 20% to $88.2B

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Oil giant Saudi Aramco said Sunday its profits dropped 20 % in 2019 to $ 88.2 billion , a sharp decline coming as the kingdom stands ready to flood an already-weakened global energy market amid the new coronavirus pandemic .
The announcement by the firm formally known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Co. did not address the kingdom ’ s plans to crank up production to record levels after a meeting earlier this month between OPEC and Russia failed to see nations agree to a production cut .
That led to a 25 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sharpest decline seen since the 1991 Gulf War , and fears of a price war furthering dragging down the market .
International benchmark Brent crude traded over $ 33 a barrel Sunday , with analysts worried the price could further drop .
While that makes gasoline cheaper for consumers and airlines , it also affects U.S.-based oil companies and others now struggling with lower economic growth amid the virus pandemic .
In its results , Aramco blamed lower crude oil prices and declining margins for its chemical sales for lowering profits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a September attack on the heart of its oil production that temporarily halved production in the kingdom .
Saudi Arabia and the West blame Iran for the attack , something Tehran denies though the missiles launched could not reach the targets if fired by the Yemen rebels who initially claimed the assault .
Saudi Aramco reported a profit of $ 88.2 in 2019 , down from $ 111.1 billion in 2018 .
Capital expenditure was down in 2019 to $ 32.8 billion compared to $ 35.1 billion the year before .
Aramco expects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 30 billion this year , down some $ 10 billion than previous estimates .
It “ was an exceptional year for Saudi Aramco , “ President and CEO Amin H. Nasser said in a statement .
” Through a variety of circumstances – some planned and some not – the world was offered unprecedented insight into Saudi Aramco ’ s agility and resilience.
” The publicly released figures mark a new turn for the firm , which previously was a private company owned directly by the Al Saud ruling family that didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It now must release figures after listing a sliver of its worth on Riyadh ’ s Tadawul stock exchange .
Aramco initially listed on the Tadawul in December at 32 riyals ( $ 8.53 ) a share , giving the company a valuation of $ 1.7 trillion .
Initial days of trading saw shares rapidly rise , briefly giving the company the $ 2 trillion valuation long sought by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , who hoped listing the firm would give the kingdom cash for his economic development plans .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has plunged .
It traded Sunday around 29 riyals ( $ 7.73 ) a share , giving it a valuation of $ 1.54 trillion .
Stark challenges , however , loom ahead .
The collapse of the so-called OPEC-Plus deal this month ended a three-year agreement that propped up oil prices .
Now , Saudi Arabia appears poised to flood traders with its oil to claw back market share .
The Saudis have slashed oil prices and said they ’ d ramp up production to 12.3 million barrels a day in April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directed Aramco to increase output capacity to 13 million barrels a day .
While it costs Saudi Arabia under $ 10 a barrel to produce its oil , the kingdom ’ s government budgets for this year had projected oil at $ 55 a barrel , signalling that cuts are likely .
The UAE , home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai , meanwhile said it would stand ready to increase production to 4 million barrels of crude a day , up from the 3 million it now pumps .
“ The onslaught of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks will be enormous , swelling inventories to unprecedented levels , ” warned Emirates NBD , a Dubai-based bank majority owned by the sheikhdom ’ s government .
The Aramco results did not address the current turmoil in the market .
However , Nasser did comment on the new coronavirus and the COVID-19 illness , which already has depressed demand for jet fuel and slowed the Chinese economy .
“ The recent COVID-19 outbreak and its rapid spread illustrate the importance of agility and adaptability in an ever-changing global landscape , ” Nasser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Aramco closing its $ 69.1 billion purchase of a 70 % stake of the petrochemical company SABIC from the kingdom ’ s Public Investment Fund .


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Shot 9 times during mosque massacre, survivor overcomes fear

CHRISTCHURCH , New Zealand - When the gunman walked into the Al Noor mosque , Temel Atacocugu was kneeling for Friday prayers .
He looked up into the man ’ s face , thinking he was a police officer because of his paramilitary outfit .
Time slowed .
Atacocugu saw a puff of smoke come from the raised gun , felt a bullet smash into his teeth , and thought , “ Oh , my God , I ’ m dying.
” But despite being shot nine times , Atacocugu survived the attack at Al Noor , one of two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were attacked on March 15 last year , in New Zealand ’ s deadliest modern-day mass shooting .
On Sunday , New Zealand will commemorate the 51 people who were killed in the attacks .
Atacocugu , 45 , is slowly overcoming his own physical and psychological injuries from that day .
And he ’ s even found himself ready to face a childhood fear : sharks .
On the day of the attacks , Atacocugu was in a buoyant mood when he walked into the mosque .
An active man who loves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d just finished his last acupuncture session for a sports injury and was feeling in great shape .
Growing up in Turkey , he ’ d been through compulsory military training , so he quickly realized what was happening .
Medical staff would later tell him he was incredibly fortunate that the bullet , which struck his upper jaw , deflected downward rather than continuing into his brain or an artery .
Atacocugu says that after that first shot to his mouth , he leapt up in shock and was shot four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were screaming .
Another worshipper rushed at the gunman and was killed , but it gave Atacocugu a couple of seconds to react , and to run as best he could .
There was no obvious way out , so he laid down motionless on the floor .
He was later shot four more times in his left arm and leg as the gunman fired indiscriminately into the piles of bodies .
Atacocugu spent a month in a hospital and underwent four operations that included bone and skin grafts .
He ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the months to come .
“ The biggest change after the attack was that I can ’ t be free the same as before , ” Atacocugu says .
“ Because very limited moving around .
And I was feeling like a little baby , because somebody has to look after me all the time.
” Yet his physical recovery a year later is remarkable .
The wheelchair and cane are gone .
His left arm remains weakened , but when he walks down the street or plays with his Labradoodle dog , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barely noticeable .
A few weeks ago , he started playing soccer again with a group of his friends , joking that these days he ’ s being outrun by fit men in their 70s .
In one game , he showed off his skills by tackling , spot kicking and back-heeling a pass .
Atacocugu ’ s mental recovery is taking longer .
He ’ s been seeing a psychologist who ’ s helping him work through the images and flashbacks that still haunt him .
“ He ’ s trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain , ” he says .
Atacocugu has experienced bouts of depression and has been taking antidepressants since the shooting .
He figures he ’ ll need to keep taking the medication for at least another year .
He ’ s found that his memory and ability to concentrate have also been affected .
He says he doesn ’ t want to keep working at the kebab shop he ran with a business partner at the time of the attack and is now trying to sell his stake .
He ’ s helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times since the shooting but has found himself nervous around strangers , not wanting to explain .
“ It ’ s just too crowded and too big , ” he says .
“ People keep asking , ‘ Oh , what ’ s happened to your arm ?
’ ” Atacocugu says he ’ s thinking instead of turning back to his skills as a painter and decorator .
It ’ s more peaceful , he says , working alongside a trusted crew with only a single customer to deal with at any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently put in an offer to buy a new home in Christchurch , which he hopes will help him make a fresh start .
Atacocugu moved to the South Pacific country after meeting a New Zealand woman in Turkey and marrying her in 2001 .
They thought Christchurch would be a good place to raise their children , in an environment that seemed friendly and safe .
The couple separated in 2016 and Atacocugu stayed in Christchurch to be near his two teenage sons .
He plans to attend the trial of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of carrying out last year ’ s massacre .
Brenton Tarrant has pleaded not guilty to charges of terrorism , murder and attempted murder , and his trial is scheduled to start in June .
If found guilty , he faces life imprisonment .
Atacocugu says the way that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and people throughout the country came together in unity after the shooting shows the gunman has already failed in his quest to sow division .
Hate , he says , has lost and love has won .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m so angry , ” Atacocugu says .
“ But also , deep of my heart , my religion makes me calm down and be patient .
So I know the New Zealand law system is going to punish this man , this terrorist , as much , as high as can be possible , under the law.
” Over the past year , Atacocugu has found moments of peace during two overseas trips .
One was to Turkey , where he spent time with his mother and other family members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Saudi Arabia for the hajj , the annual pilgrimage that most Muslims are required to perform during their lifetime .
Atacocugu was among 200 survivors and relatives from the Christchurch attacks who travelled to Saudi Arabia as guests of King Salman .
“ Pretty much my whole life is upside down and changed , ” Atacocugu says .
“ But spiritually , in a religious way , I ’ m much stronger than I used to be.
” That newfound strength has filtered through into other aspects of his life .
Atacocugu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was a boy , an experience that for months left him terrified of swimming .
Years later , he drew up a list of new things to experience during his life , including diving with sharks .
Still , he could never quite get over that childhood fear .
But he says that after he was shot , he began to think about it a lot .
A couple of months ago , he drove to the southern end of New Zealand and , on a picture-perfect day , went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a protective metal cage among great white sharks that swam within a body length of him .
The experience left him exhilarated .
“ I faced my fear , ” he says .


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Arizona tourist spot known for waterfalls temporarily closes

SUPAI , Ariz. - A popular tourist destination deep in a gorge off the Grand Canyon is shutting down temporarily over concerns about the new coronavirus .
The Havasupai Tribal Council announced over the weekend that it will suspend tourist operations for 30 days , starting Monday .
The tribe ’ s reservation in northern Arizona is known for its blue-green waterfalls that draw tourists from around the world .
Tourists with reservations for campgrounds or the lodge during the 30-day suspension can reschedule their trips for dates in 2021 , the tribe said .
“ The health and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as our tribal members , employees and consultants is very important to us , ” Havasupai Chairwoman Eva Kissoon said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
In older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
No cases have been reported from the tribal village of Supai .
About 425 people live on the Havasupai reservation , 43 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of 18 , the tribe said .
Tourism is the tribe ’ s primary revenue source .
About 40,000 people visit the reservation each year , and the tribe said the spread of the coronavirus and the respiratory illness it causes , COVID-19 , could devastate the tribe .
Tourists who already are on the reservation accessible only by helicopter , a mule ride or a 10-mile ( 16.1-kilometre ) hike from a trailhead can stay until Monday , the tribe said .
Day hikes aren ’ t allowed .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Christchurch marks anniversary of mosque shootings

CHRISTCHURCH , New Zealand - People in the New Zealand city of Christchurch honoured the 51 worshipers who were killed in a mass shooting a year ago in small but poignant ways Sunday , after a planned national memorial event was cancelled due to fears it might spread the new coronavirus .
Outside the Al Noor mosque , dozens of leather-clad bikers from the Tu Tangata club performed a traditional Maori haka .
They were welcomed by mosque imam Gamal Fouda , who said people of all beliefs and cultures were stopping to pay their respects , and they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those who survived the shooting at the Linwood mosque was Mazharuddin Syed Ahmed , who said that marking anniversaries was not typically a Muslim tradition but they were doing it so the wider community could grieve and remember .
He said the shootings had provoked an outpouring of love and compassion .
“ Of course , we lost our loved friends , family , people and community , ” he said .
“ But we are also seeing so much good has come out of it .
So looking at the positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is such a privilege to be in this country.
” Temel Atacocugu , who survived after being shot nine times at the Al Noor mosque , said the anniversary had provoked strong feelings .
“ We are sad more than we are angry , “ he said .
“ It ’ s very emotional .
When I woke up this morning , I ’ m speechless .
I can ’ t explain what I feel.
” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Saturday the decision to cancel the memorial event planned for Horncastle Arena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
All of those cases have been connected to people returning from abroad and so far there haven ’ t been signs of a local outbreak .
Ardern has enacted strict border rules in an attempt to prevent the disease from taking hold in New Zealand .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Arc of Trump’s coronavirus comments defies reality on ground

WASHINGTON - In the course of a few weeks , President Donald Trump veered from confidently assuring Americans his administration had the coronavirus outbreak “ very well under control ” to declaring a national emergency and tweeting ALL CAPS caution about the pandemic that has upended every facet of American life .
Trump meandered from denial to grudging acceptance , and in his words , he seeded conflicting , inaccurate and eyebrow-raising commentary to a country desperate for unvarnished , even shock-to-the-system guidance .
Throughout the global coronavirus crisis , Trump ’ s statements have been colored by baseless optimism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flatly wrong .
Frequently , it ’ s been amplified by aides and allies with the help of conservative media .
As he confronts the most serious national crisis of his presidency , the lack of precision has cut into Trump ’ s credibility at a moment when he needs it more than ever , analysts say .
“ It started out with really what can only be described as full-blown denial , ” said Brian Ott , a communications studies professor at Texas Tech University who has done extensive research on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Then as the crisis spread and as it became a pandemic ... it just wasn ’ t viable rhetoric anymore because it wasn ’ t at all where the American public was at.
” Early on , the president downplayed the coronavirus as something similar to the seasonal flu — nothing that Americans should be overly concerned about , and something that would quickly pass .
His optimistic public comments often didn ’ t match the reality on the ground or even how U.S. public health agencies were approaching the looming crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first substantive public remarks on the virus , during a visit in late January to an auto parts manufacturer in Michigan , Trump acknowledged that the U.S. had seen a smattering of infections but predicted a “ very good ending for it.
” At that the moment , there were only a handful of known cases in the United States , but the virus had already infected thousands in China and World Health Organization had declared the virus a “ public health emergency of international concern.
” “ We think we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump told the assembled workers .
“ We have very little problem in this country at this moment — five .
And those people are all recuperating successfully .
But we ’ re working very closely with China and other countries , and we think it ’ s going to have a very good ending for it .
So that I can assure you.
” The next day the Trump administration said it would suspend entry into the United States by any foreign nationals who had travelled to China in the past 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. citizens or permanent residents .
By then , more than 200 had died and nearly 9,800 had been infected worldwide .
Weeks later — on Feb. 25 — his top economic adviser , Larry Kudlow , sought to ease volatile markets by assuring investors that the administration had the virus “ contained ” and “ it was pretty close to airtight.
” Kudlow added that coronavirus may be a “ human tragedy ” but predicted it wouldn ’ t be an “ economic tragedy.
” At one point , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention the prospect of “ buying the dip.
” The optimism was jarring .
As Kudlow was attempting to reassure markets , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on the same day of an incoming “ disruption to everyday life.
” The spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. , agency officials warned , was “ not so much of a question of if ” but rather “ a question of when.
” Even as Democratic criticism of his approach mounted , the president — backed by aides and allies — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were trying to use the catastrophe to score political points .
By late February , after confirmed infections in the U.S. had accelerated , Trump shifted to anger aimed at political opponents and the media and called their response a “ new hoax.
” “ Now the Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus , you know that , right ?
” Trump lamented during a campaign rally in South Carolina days after the CDC warning .
“ Coronavirus , they ’ re politicizing it.
” Trump , at several moments throughout the crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides and public health experts offering him guidance .
At a White House news briefing Sunday evening , Trump claimed that his administration had “ tremendous control ” in containing the virus , even as the infection rate is surging in the U.S. Minutes later—and after Trump had left the news conference—Dr .
Anthony Fauci , the U.S. government ’ s top infectious disease specialist , told reporters , “ The worst is yet ahead for us.
“ Kathleen Hall Jamieson , director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to downplay the health crisis was particularly galling , because public health officials had already warned that the virus was going to be explosive .
“ The trustworthiness of a president in a time of national crisis is his most important asset , ” Jamieson said .
“ And when he says things that are proven to be untrue , or problematic from a public health standpoint , that is , that erodes his credibility and the capacity of the country to prepare adequately.
” Days later , White House press secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration on Fox News .
“ I just want to stress to politicians and the media to stop using this as a tool to politicize things and to scare people , ” Grisham told “ Fox & Friends.
” But it ’ s not only Democrats who have been frustrated by the president ’ s messaging throughout the crisis .
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said Trump should “ step back ” and let a public health official do the talking .
“ I think that the messaging at the federal level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with a novel virus like this , it ’ s very important that health professionals be out-front and that there be a consistent message , ” Collins said .
The White House effort to blame Democrats and mainstream media for putting too bright of a spotlight on the health crisis was further amplified by some commentators with Fox News and its related operations .
Fox Nation host Tomi Lahren sought to minimize the crisis by raising the California homelessness epidemic .
“ Call me crazy , but I am far more concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than I am getting the coronavirus , but maybe that ’ s just me , ” she said .
Fox Business host Trish Regan said the president ’ s opponents were trying to “ create mass hysteria to encourage a market sell-off ” to undercut his reelection effort .
Conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh suggested that the president is the target of “ virus terrorism.
” Not all Fox News personalities bought into the conspiracy peddling .
Last week , Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum expressed exasperation when Seema Verma , Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrator , repeatedly ignored her question about whether American hospitals had enough ventilators and intensive care units to deal with patients who may stricken .
Fox News host Tucker Carlson , without uttering the president ’ s name , questioned the wisdom of baseless optimism , and offered Trump some advice .
“ In a crisis , it ’ s more important than ever to be calm , ” Carlson said .
“ But staying calm is not the same as remaining complacent .
It does not mean assuring people that everything will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that .
Instead , it ’ s better to tell the truth .
That is always the surest sign of strength.
” By Saturday , the president had abruptly changed course , tweeting “ SOCIAL DISTANCING !
” to his more than 70 million Twitter followers .
Associated Press writer David Sharp in Portland , Maine contributed to this report .

Aamer Madhani And Bev Banks - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Stock futures sink after rate cut, new virus restrictions

NEW YORK - Stock markets are set for another week of turbulent trading as U.S. index futures fell sharply after the Federal Reserve slashed interest rates and more companies and governments took action over the weekend to shut down European and American society .
Futures for the S & P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 5 % Sunday night , triggering a halt in trading .
The price of oil fell about 5 % while gold gained about 2 % .
Stocks are coming off a dizzying week that saw the Dow twice fall by more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s biggest point gain every — 1,985 points on Friday .
The bull market that began in 2009 in the depths of the financial crisis came to an end .
Europe markets suffered similarly sharp declines .
The Fed cut its key rate by a full percentage point — to a range between zero and 0.25 % — and said it would keep it there until it feels confident that the economy can survive a sudden near-shutdown of economic activity in the United States .
The surprise announcement signalled the Fed ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic growth in coming months and that it is prepared to do whatever it can counter the risks .
The fact the Fed made its move before a meeting scheduled for mid-week indicated the Fed policymakers felt they needed to act immediately to shore up financial markets and investors ’ confidence .
Although U.S. stocks did recoup some of last week ’ s losses with a big rally on Friday , most market watchers expected to see more volatility ahead with the number of coronavirus cases still expected to rise in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their business .
American Airlines said over the weekend that it was sharply cutting international flights .
Walmart is limiting store hours to ensure they can keep sought-after items such as hand sanitizer in stock , while other retailers such as Urban Outfitters are closing stores altogether .
Starbucks will prohibit customers from sitting down for coffee in its stores and will close some locations in large gathering places such as malls and campuses .
At the same time the U.S. and other countries further restricted travel and took other actions certain to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen 61 deaths and more than 2,900 infections .
In hard-hit Washington state , officials said the disease is straining the supply of protective gear available to medical providers .
Italy , the worst-hit European country , reported its biggest day-to-day increase in infections — 3,590 more cases in a 24-hour period — for a total of almost 24,747 .
Besides cutting rates , the Fed will buy at least $ 500 billion of Treasury securities and at least $ 200 billion of mortgage-backed securities .
This amounts to an effort to ease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for banks and large investors to sell Treasuries as well as to keep longer-term rates borrowing rates down .
The magnitude of the central bank moves indicated to some analysts that Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other members of the Fed were worried about the health of the financial system .
“ The Fed ’ s actions were very bold and it does appear to have spooked the markets , ” said Nate Thooft , head of global asset allocation at Manulife Investment Management .
“ There was an expectation they would do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at once and it sends the message they are very worried about growth prospects and credit issues .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--US moves nearer to shutdown amid coronavirus fears

CHICAGO - Officials across the country curtailed many elements of American life to fight the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday , with governors closing restaurants , bars , and schools and a government expert saying a 14-day national shutdown may be needed .
The shutdowns came as the nation sank deeper into chaos over the crisis .
Travelers returning home from overseas trips were stuck in line for hours at major airports for screenings , causing them to be crammed into just the kind of crowded spaces that public health officials have been urging people to avoid .
In a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horizon , the Federal Reserve slashed its benchmark interest rate to near zero .
President Donald Trump sought to calm a jittery nation by declaring that the government has “ tremendous control ” over the situation and urging people to stop the panic buying of grocery staples that has depleted the shelves of stores around the country .
Gun stores started seeing a similar run on weapons and ammunition as the panic intensified .
Parts of the country already look like a ghost town , and others are about to follow as theme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring breakers , Starbucks said it will accept only drive-thru and takeout orders and the governors of Ohio and Illinois ordered bars and restaurants shuttered .
California ’ s governor asked the state ’ s bars and restaurants to do the same , but didn ’ t order it .
New York City , New Jersey and elsewhere are considering similar measures .
“ The time for persuasion and public appeals is over , ” Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said .
“ This is not a joke .
No one is immune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Dr. Anthony Fauci , the federal government ’ s top infectious disease expert , said he would like to see a 14-day national shutdown imposed to prevent the virus ’ s spread .
“ I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing , ” said Fauci , a member of the White House task force on combating the spread of coronavirus .
He heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is considering such a move .
The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 162,000 people and left more than 6,000 dead , with thousands of new cases confirmed each day .
The death toll in the United States climbed to 64 , while infections passed 3,200 .
Meanwhile , harsh criticism rained on Trump and his administration Sunday from state and local officials over long lines of returning international passengers at some U.S. airports that could have turned them into coronavirus carriers as they tried to get home .
Chicago Mayor Lori @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,000 Americans returning from Europe to be stuck for hours inside the customs area at O ’ Hare International Airport on Saturday , violating federal recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people practice “ social distancing.
“ The passengers , many of them rushing home because of fears they would be stuck in Europe , were screened for coronavirus symptoms before they were allowed to leave the airport .
Long lines also formed Saturday in Boston , Dallas and others of the 13 airports that are accepting return flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into conditions that are against CDC guidance and are totally unacceptable , ” Lightfoot said .
Elizabeth Pulvermacher , a University of Wisconsin student , arrived Saturday at O ’ Hare from Madrid , where she had been studying and spent hours in line .
The customs process made her feel “ unsafe , “ she said .
“ The whole idea is getting rid of the spread of coronavirus , but there were hundreds and hundreds of people in very close proximity , ” Pulvermacher said .
Dr. Robert Murphy , executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwestern University , said he was “ appalled ” by what he saw Saturday at nearby O ’ Hare .
“ If they weren ’ t exposed to COVID-19 before , they probably are now .
From a public health perspective , this is malpractice , ” Murphy said in a statement Sunday .
“ The lack of preparation and concern is unfathomable.
” But the situation improved markedly Sunday at O ’ Hare and elsewhere .
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said wait times are down to 30 minutes after processes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influx and extra personnel sent to the airports that are “ funneling ” passengers returning from overseas .
Bailey Miles , a 20-year-old sophomore at Taylor University in Indiana , arrived also from Madrid fearing the worst , but she got through customs and a health screening in about an hour .
She said officials seemed to have learned their lesson from Saturday , when some of her friends returned .
“ The employees were really helpful , had positive attitudes and had a lot of grace , ” she said .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey , Amanda Kay said she was asked to keep her distance from other passengers when she arrived from Paris at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey .
“ They wanted 50 people at a time .
So the first 50 people got off , and they asked us to keep a large distance between ourselves , ” she said .
“ We showed them the first form and then as we walk there ’ s a person who has the scan for your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Customs and then that was it.
” Going forward , Wolf said he could not rule out a future halt to air travel within the U.S. Fauci said earlier Sunday on television that halting domestic travel had been discussed , though not seriously .
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 recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people false hope , causing them to venture into crowds that Fauci and others would prefer they avoid .
Even if someone doesn ’ t become visibly ill , they can still carry the disease and spread it to others .
In New Orleans and Chicago , people clad in green for St. Patrick ’ s Day packed bars and spilled onto crowded sidewalks on Saturday even after the cities cancelled their parades .
New York City , which has the nation ’ s largest public school district , announced that it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the rest of the country .
Mayor Bill de Blasio had originally balked , but under pressure from Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and others he said Sunday , “ I became convinced over the course of today that there is no other choice.
” In Florida , Walt Disney World and Universal-Orlando were closing Sunday night for the rest of the month , joining their California siblings , which already closed .
Farther south , Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale officials announced that they are closing their beaches , where thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have flocked .
The cities also ordered restaurants and bars closed by 10 p.m. and to keep crowds below 250 .
“ We can not become a petri dish for a very dangerous virus , ” Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said .
“ Spring break is over .
The party is over.
” Starbucks said Sunday it is closing seating in its cafes and patio areas nationwide , but customers can still order at the counter , at drive-thrus or on the Starbucks app .
It will also close or reduce hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases .
But not all government officials were as concerned .
Oklahoma ’ s Republican Gov .
Kevin Stitt tweeted a picture of himself and his children at a crowded metro restaurant Saturday night .
Republican Rep. Devin Nunes had a similar message on Fox News Sunday , encouraging people to go to local restaurants and pubs despite the warnings of health officials .
Spencer reported from Fort Lauderdale , Florida .
Associated Press journalists Mallika Sen , Vanessa Alvarez , Seth Wenig , Lisa Marie Pane , Christopher Weber , Eugene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Terry Spencer And Teresa Crawford - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Government official: Coronavirus vaccine trial starts Monday

WASHINGTON - A clinical trial evaluating a vaccine designed to protect against the new coronavirus will begin Monday , according to a government official .
The first participant in the trial will receive the experimental vaccine on Monday , the official said , speaking on the condition of anonymity because the trial has not been publicly announced yet .
The National Institutes of Health is funding the trial , which is taking place at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle , the official said .
Public health officials say it will take a year to 18 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Testing will begin with 45 young , healthy volunteers with different doses of shots co-developed by NIH and Moderna Inc.
There ’ s no chance participants could get infected from the shots , because they don ’ t contain the virus itself .
The goal is purely to check that the vaccines show no worrisome side effects , setting the stage for larger tests .
Dozens of research groups around the world are racing to create a vaccine as COVID-19 cases continue to grow .
Importantly , they ’ re pursuing different types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technologies that not only are faster to produce than traditional inoculations but might prove more potent .
Some researchers even aim for temporary vaccines , such as shots that might guard people ’ s health a month or two at a time while longer-lasting protection is developed .
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 worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and left more than 5,800 dead .
The death toll in the United States is more than 50 , while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia .
The vast majority of people recover .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three weeks to six weeks to recover .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all content .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Bolsonaro backers defy health warnings to stage rallies

RIO DE JANEIRO - Thousands of Brazilians ignored warnings to avoid mass gatherings and staged demonstrations in favour of President Jair Bolsonaro and against his antagonists in Congress and the Supreme Court on Sunday .
Bolsonaro himself had urged supporters to delay the demonstrations , which had been announced weeks ago , due to the spread of the new coronavirus .
But he apparently changed his mind Sunday morning , joining a rally in the capital of Brasilia where he shot selfies and shook hands with demonstrators .
Bolsonaro ’ s office announced on Thursday that tests showed him free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his chief spokesman and other aides have tested positive following a visit to Washington , where they met U.S. President Donald Trump .
“ This is priceless , what the people are doing in spite of my recommendation , “ Bolsonaro said in a Facebook Live transmission .
“ With everything against it — the press , the virus , the recommendations — the people took to the streets , ” the president said .
Bolsonaro didn ’ t organize the event , but at times appeared to encourage participation .
Many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical masks while carrying placards supporting the president .
“ The corruption kills a lot more than the virus , “ said Alisson de Oliveira , 42 , though he acknowledged he was worried by the illness .
The demonstrations occurred at a time when Bolsonaro is battling with parts of Congress over the federal budget .
Rodrigo Maia , the president of the Lower House , said on social media that Bolsonaro ’ s decision to attend the demonstration effectively downplays the pandemic and encourages people to hit the streets .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that goes against the orientations of his own government , ” Maia wrote .
So far , Brazil has confirmed more than 170 cases of the new coronavirus .
Authorities in Rio and Sao Paulo on Friday banned mass gatherings and Rio ’ s governor said police would even restrict access to beaches , though they merely looked on as Friday ’ s demonstration occurred and thousands sunned themselves on Copacabana beach .


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Trump calls on Americans to cease hoarding food, supplies

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Americans to cease hoarding groceries and other supplies , while one of the nation ’ s most senior public health officials called on the nation to act with more urgency to safeguard their health as the coronavirus outbreak continued to spread across the United States .
Dr. Anthony Fauci says he would like to see aggressive measures such as a 14-day national shutdown .
Trump assured Americans , after speaking with leading grocery chain executives , that grocers would remain open and that the supply chain remained healthy .
Speaking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice-President Mike Pence urged Americans to only buy the groceries they need for the week ahead .
“ You don ’ t have to buy so much , “ Trump said at a news conference .
” Take it easy .
Just relax.
” The comments from the president came after the government ’ s top infectious disease expert said he would like to see aggressive measures such as a 14-day national shutdown that would require Americans to hunker down even more to help slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , such as to and from hard-hit Washington state and California , probably would not be needed anytime soon .
Officials in Washington were preparing for what was expected to be a long-haul effort to try to stem the virus that has upended life around the globe .
“ The worst is yet ahead for us , ” Fauci said .
“ It is how we respond to that challenge that is going to determine what the ultimate endpoint is going to be.
” Trump on the other hand offered an optimistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate in the U.S. was surging .
The president acknowledged that the virus was “ very contagious ” but asserted that his administration had “ tremendous control ” over the spread of the disease .
Trump said he was also “ very happy ” that the Federal Reserve announced Sunday it was taking emergency action to slash its benchmark interest rate to near zero .
The central bank also announced it would buy $ 700 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds .
The move intended to help the economy withstand the coronavirus came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fire or demote Fed Chairman Jerome Powell .
“ It ’ s really great for our country , ” Trump said of the central bank ’ s actions .
Earlier Sunday , Trump held a call with more than two dozen grocery store and supply chain executives to discuss their response to the coronavirus outbreak .
Retailers have reported shoppers flocking to stores to stock up on food and other essentials .
Consumers have expressed frustration that some items — such as hand sanitizer and toilet paper — were becoming more difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of new coronavirus tests would be made available in the coming weeks , including tests that speed processing of samples , but it was encouraging Americans to exercise restraint in seeking to get tested .
Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House co-ordinator for responding to the pandemic , said those most vulnerable to the respiratory disease and the healthcare providers treating them should go first .
“ We ask you to prioritize them and prioritize them in the lines , ” she said .
Birx said that will result in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more people gain access to tests .
Pence said that he and the president would brief the nation ’ s governors on Monday “ specifically about our expanding testing to the American people.
“ Chad Wolf , the acting secretary of Homeland Security , acknowledged that many travellers were facing “ unacceptable ” long lines as they waited to be screened at U.S. airports this weekend .
He said average wait time for screening was down to 30 minutes at most airports , but the problem had not been fixed for those arriving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Airport .
Pence said the federal government on Monday will release updated guidance concerning restaurants , bars and other establishments .
California and Illinois are among jurisdictions that have ordered restaurants and bars to close to help slow the spread of the virus .
Asked whether restaurants and bars around the nation should close for the time being , Fauci said he wanted to wait for the guidance to come but allowed , “ That could be.
” Expanded protocols were also on the way to protect the president and his staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House complex will have their temperatures taken , according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss protocols not yet announced .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said Congress had started work on a new aid package after the one just approved by the House early Saturday , which provided direct relief to Americans suffering physically , financially and emotionally from the coronavirus pandemic .
It included sick pay and other resources and was pending in Senate .
“ We have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response package , ” Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues .
With the U.S. Capitol among the many iconic landmarks closed to tours , Pelosi also urged lawmakers to have most of their Washington staff telework from home , as health officials urge social distancing .
House lawmakers are away on weeklong recess and many have already curtailed office visits at their local offices , as well .
Fauci , the public face of the administration ’ s messaging during a round of morning TV interviews , said the country should do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” even if officials were criticized for overreacting .
He said he raised the issue of measures such as a shutdown with the Trump administration , and said officials were open to his ideas .
“ I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing , ” said Fauci , who heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 156,000 people and left more than 5,800 dead .
The death toll in the United States is more than 50 , while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia .
The vast majority of people recover .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks to six weeks to recover .
Trump in recent days has imposed sweeping travel restrictions for much of Europe .
On Saturday , he added the United Kingdom and Ireland to a list of countries that would face travel restrictions over the next 30 days .
The State Department on Sunday said it would allow U.S. personnel to leave their diplomatic or consular posts worldwide if they or family members were medically determined to be at a higher risk of falling very ill if exposed to the virus .
Trump also has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as major employers such as Apple Inc. have sent workers home to telework and several states and big cities , including Los Angeles and Boston , shuttered down schools for a week or more .
Trump has suggested that restrictions on travel within the U.S. to areas hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic could be next .
But Fauci on Sunday played down that or having major national lockdowns on the level now seen in European countries such as Italy and Spain .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller , Jill Colvin , Darlene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 responsible for all content .

Hope Yen And Aamer Madhani - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Virus brings new travel restrictions, lockdowns and closures

ROME - Daily life came to a grinding halt around much of the world Sunday amid new travel restrictions , border shutdowns and sweeping closures of restaurants and bars aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
The numbers of cases and deaths continued to rise , including in hard-hit Italy where 368 more deaths brought its overall toll to 1,809 .
With the country under a nearly week-old lockdown , Pope Francis ventured out of the Vatican to visit two churches in Rome to pray for the sick , a spokesman said .
Public worship was curtailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sermons to empty pews or moved to online services .
Muslim authorities announced that the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem ’ s Old City would be closed indefinitely , and the Vatican said next month ’ s Holy Week services would not be open to the public .
Americans returning from abroad found historic closures in cities and faced chaos at airports as overwhelmed border agents tried to screen passengers for illness .
In Spain , long lines for food and police patrols marked the first day of a nationwide quarantine .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the densely populated capital of Manila from most domestic travellers .
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced plans to limit movement nationwide , and Lebanon ’ s government ordered a lockdown in the country , closing down Beirut ’ s famed seaside corniche .
Ireland ordered all pubs and bars to close for two weeks — including on Tuesday , St. Patrick ’ s Day — and urged people not even to hold house parties .
Two pub industry groups had warned of the “ real difficulty ” in keeping people apart in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With new infections dwindling in Asia , Europe has become the main front line of the fight against COVID-19 .
The virus has infected 162,000 people and killed over 6,000 , but more than 75,000 people have recovered .
China , Italy , Iran , South Korea and Spain have the most infections .
For most people , the 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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ only alone or with the people who live in their apartment , “ said Austria ’ s Kurz , whose country has 800 infections .
That was echoed by one of America ’ s top infectious disease experts .
“ I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing , ’ ’ Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health told NBC ’ s ” Meet the Press.
’ ’ Governors in California , Illinois and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants to close or reduce their number of customers .
New York City will shutter the nation ’ s largest public school system as early as Tuesday , sending over 1.1 million children home .
With fears increasing that the viral outbreak will depress economic growth across the U.S. in the coming months , the Federal Reserve took emergency action by slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero and deciding to buy $ 700 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds .
Travellers returning to the U.S. after the Trump administration imposed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced hourslong waits for medical screenings .
Images on social media showed packed arrival halls and winding lines .
“ This is unacceptable , counterproductive and exactly the opposite of what we need to do to prevent # COVID19 , “ Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth tweeted .
Italy , the worst-hit European country , reported its biggest day-to-day increase in infections — 3,590 more cases in a 24-hour period — for a total of almost 24,747 .
“ It ’ s not a wave .
It ’ s a tsunami , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in charge of intensive care at the Monza hospital .
The Transport Ministry banned passengers from taking ferries to the island of Sardinia and halted overnight train trips , which many in the north had used to reach homes and families in the south .
Even as authorities pleaded for people to stay home , Pope Francis visited St. Mary Major Basilica , near Rome ’ s central train station , to pray for the sick , Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said .
The 83-year-old pontiff then walked to another church with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a procession during a plague afflicting Rome .
In his prayer , Francis has ‘ ’ invoked the end of the pandemia that has stricken Italy and the world , implored healing for the many sick , recalled the many victims of these days ” and asked for consolation for their family and friends .
The Vatican said it would close all Holy Week ceremonies to the public starting with Palm Sunday on April 5 .
Although the statement did not specify Easter , which is celebrated on April 12 , it appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well continue in Italy .
Holy Week services usually draw tens of thousands to Rome but , with Italy at the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak , tourism has vanished .
Spain was under lockdown amid a two-week state of emergency .
“ From now , we enter into a new phase , ” said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez , whose wife tested positive .
“ We won ’ t hesitate in doing what we need must to beat the virus .
We are putting health first.
” In Barcelona , there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patrolled parks and told people who were not walking their dogs to go home .
The Las Ramblas promenade , the heart of the city and a tourist magnet , was eerily empty .
Spain ’ s Health Ministry said the country has recorded 288 deaths , up from 136 on Saturday .
The number of infections rose to 7,753 from 5,700 .
The Czech Republic will launch a nationwide lockdown Monday , and Netherlands ordered all schools , day-care centres , restaurants and bars to close until April 6 .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ coffee shops ” and sex clubs .
Elsewhere , Morocco suspended all international flights , and Turkey set aside quarantine beds for more than 10,000 people returning from Islam ’ s holy sites in Saudi Arabia .
In China , where the virus was first detected in December , those arriving on overseas flights were routed to an exhibition centre for initial checks before being shuttled to their homes or other quarantine locations .
Even as social life largely halted — the German capital of Berlin has closed bars , cinemas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up public life persisted .
France , which has over 4,500 infections and 91 deaths , went ahead Sunday with nationwide elections to choose mayors and other local leaders despite a crackdown on gatherings .
The government ordered election organizers to keep a 1-meter ( 3-foot ) gap between people and provide soap or sanitizing gel and disinfectant wipes for voting machines .
In Germany , which had reported more than 5,400 cases and 11 deaths , the state of Bavaria also held municipal elections , with poll workers wearing protective gloves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ France , Switzerland , Austria , Luxembourg and Denmark on Monday , and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said people will no longer be allowed to cross those borders without a valid reason , such as for work .
Britain , which has not yet restricted everyday activities , said it plans to set out emergency powers this week , including potentially requiring people over 70 to self-isolate for up to four months and banning mass gatherings .
“ We will do the right thing at the right time , ” Health Secretary Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered nearly all businesses to close for next two weeks and set a nighttime curfew following confirmation of a fifth case .
Even Montenegro , with no confirmed cases , preemptively banned foreigners and ordered the closure of cafes , restaurants , shopping malls , fitness centres and playgrounds .
With the virus having reached 25 of Africa ’ s 54 countries , sweeping restrictions were announced .
Kenya is banning travellers from countries with infections and closing all schools for three weeks .
Senegal and Mauritania also are closing schools .
Senegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , stopping cruise ships from docking and suspending Muslim and Christian pilgrimages .
Muslim authorities announced that Jerusalem ’ s Al-Aqsa Mosque , Islam ’ s third-holiest site , would be closed indefinitely , with prayers being held on the sprawling esplanade outside .
Dalia Samhouri , a regional official with the World Health Organization , said both Iran and Egypt , two of the most populous countries in the Mideast , were likely underreporting cases because infected people can still show no visible symptoms .
Iran says it has nearly 14,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Egypt has reported 110 cases , including two fatalities .
Wilson reported from Barcelona , Spain .
Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin , Iain Sullivan in Madrid , Sylvie Corbet in Paris , Yanan Wang in Beijing , Andrew Taylor in Washington , and Jim Gomez in Manila contributed .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is @ @ @ @ @ @

Frances D'Emilio And Joseph Wilson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Gov’t virus testing will prioritize medical staff, elderly

WASHINGTON - The federal government ’ s effort to rapidly expand testing for the coronavirus will initially focus on screening health care workers and the elderly , Trump administration officials said Sunday .
Broad-scale testing is a critical part of tracking and containing pandemics .
But the U.S. effort has been hobbled by a series of missteps , including flaws with the testing kits first distributed by the federal government and bureaucratic hurdles that held up testing by private laboratories .
Two days after President Donald Trump previewed a nationwide network of drive-thru testing sites co-ordinated by a Google-designed website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measured effort co-ordinated by state and federal emergency personnel .
Priority for testing would go to medical professionals and senior citizens with symptoms in an effort to avoid “ paralyzing ” the U.S. health system .
“ It ’ s important the tests are available for the people who are most in need and our health care workers and first-responders that are helping and supporting them , ” said Vice-President Mike Pence .
After Trump ’ s speech Friday in the Rose Garden it quickly became clear that a seamless , fast-track testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Google clarified that its efforts were still in “ early stages ” and retail giants including Target said they were still working to identify spaces that could serve as testing sites .
Instead , Brett Giroir , a senior health administration official , said the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other members of the U.S. public health system would co-ordinate with states to set up community testing centres .
Trump tapped Giroir , assistant secretary for health , to become testing “ czar ” earlier this week amid growing complaints about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that each site would be capable to testing 2,000 to 4,000 people per day .
He said the federal government would begin deploying Monday , under increased funding and authorities granted though Trump ’ s declaration of a national emergency .
“ You will see these sites rolling out progressively over the week , ” Giroir said .
“ This is not make believe , this is not fantasy.
” Because of the lack of nationwide testing , public health experts have warned that the coronavirus is likely spreading undetected in parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could quickly overwhelm intensive care units at U.S. hospitals .
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 worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 156,000 people and left more than 5,800 dead .
The death toll in the United States is more than 50 , while infections neared 3,000 across 49 states and the District of Columbia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the World Health 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 Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Fed takes emergency steps to slash rates and ease bank rules

WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve took massive emergency action Sunday to help the economy withstand the coronavirus by slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero and saying it would buy $ 700 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds .
The Fed ’ s surprise announcement signalled its worry that the viral outbreak will depress economic growth in coming months and that it is prepared to do whatever it can counter the risks .
It cut its key rate by a full percentage point — to a range between zero and 0.25 % — and said it would keep it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy can survive a sudden near-shutdown of economic activity in the United States .
The central bank will buy at least $ 500 billion of Treasury securities and at least $ 200 billion of mortgage-backed securities .
This amounts to an effort to ease market disruptions that have made it harder for banks and large investors to sell Treasuries as well as to keep longer-term rates borrowing rates down .
The new purchases will be similar to the several rounds of “ quantitative easing , ” or QE , that the Fed conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bolster the financial system and the economy .
The Fed is also joining in a co-ordinated global action , with the the Bank of Canada , the Bank of England , the Bank of Japan , the European Central Bank and the Swiss National Bank , to provide cheap dollar credit to banks .
This move is intended to ensure that foreign banks continue to have access to dollars that they lend to overseas companies .
In an audio news conference Sunday night , Chairman Jerome Powell explained the Fed ’ s actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ when stresses arise in the Treasury market , they can reverberate throughout financial markets and the entire economy.
” Powell said the Fed acted Sunday after having decided to meet this weekend in lieu of the meeting its policy committee had been scheduled to hold Tuesday and Wednesday this week .
He also said the central bank decided not to issue its usual quarterly projections for the economy and interest rates this week because the virus is altering the economic picture too quickly to make such projections useful .
U.S. stock futures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement .
Futures for the S & P 500 index dropped 4 % , while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3.7 % .
Gold prices rose 3.5 % .
All told , the Fed ’ s massive response is intended to keep financial markets functioning and lending flowing to businesses and consumers .
Otherwise , as revenue dries up for countless small businesses that have suddenly lost customers , these employers could be forced to lay off workers or even seek bankruptcy protection in some cases .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Mark Zandi , chief economist at Moody ’ s Analytics .
“ They are throwing everything they ’ ve got at this .
My sense is they must be nervous about the credit system not functioning properly .
They are trying to shore up confidence.
” By aggressively slashing its benchmark short-term rate and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system , the Fed ’ s moves Sunday recalled the emergency action it took at the height of the financial crisis .
Starting in 2008 , the Fed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and kept it there for seven years .
The central bank has now returned that rate — which influences many consumer and business loans — to its record-low level .
The move drew rare praise from President Donald Trump , who had attacked the Fed as recently as Saturday , as he has frequently , for not acting quickly or aggressively enough .
“ It make me very happy , ” Trump said as he opened a White House briefing on the coronavirus .
“ I think that people and the markets should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member , Loretta Mester , president of the Cleveland Federal Reserve , voted Sunday against the full-point rate cut , favouring a half-point cut instead .
She did support the Fed ’ s other actions to boost credit markets .
As more businesses across the country see their revenue dwindle as consumers stay home , many of them will seek short-term loans to maintain their payrolls .
The Fed said it has dropped its normal requirement that banks hold cash equal to 10 % of its customers ’ deposits , thereby allowing banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said banks can use additional cash buffers that were imposed after the 2008 financial crisis for lending .
“ The Federal Reserve , “ its statement Sunday said , “ is prepared to use its full range of tools to support the flow of credit to households and businesses and thereby promote its maximum employment and price stability goals.
” “ It confirms that the Fed sees the economy going down ... very sharply ’ ’ toward recession , said Adam Posen , president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s actions amount to a recognition that the U.S. economy faces its most perilous juncture since the recession ended more than a decade ago .
Yet with the virus ’ spread causing a broad shutdown of economic activity in the United States , the Fed faces a hugely daunting task .
Its tools — intended to ease borrowing rates , facilitate lending and boost confidence — are not ideally suited to offset a fear-driven shutdown in spending and travelling .
“ We have to hope that the Fed getting out in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central banks , pushes the economy in the right direction , ’ ’ Posen said .
“ The heavy lifting for stimulus and for preventing lasting economic damage has to be done on the fiscal side .
That ’ s nature of this shock.
’ ’ Posen said he favours actions that are outside the Fed ’ s purview , such as providing sick leave and pay for quarantined workers and rolling over bank loans to small and medium sized businesses hit hard by the outbreak .
“ This isn ’ t going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything , ’ ’ said Timothy Duy , an economist at the University of Oregon who follows the Fed , but sends a signal to Congress that the economy needs emergency stimulus .
Duy predicted that the Fed will follow up with further actions , including possibly changing its inflation target to allow for more stimulus and providing more support for commercial paper — the short-term notes that companies issue to meet expenses .
“ I don ’ t think they ’ re done yet , ’ ’ Duy said .
Duy said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep markets from freezing up.
’ ’ Earlier Sunday , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that both the central bank and the federal government have tools at their disposal to support the economy .
Mnuchin also said he did not think the economy is yet in recession .
Many leading economists , though , have said they believe a recession has either already arrived or will soon .
JPMorgan Chase predicts the economy will shrink at a 2 % annual rate in the current quarter and 3 % in the April-June quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , ” Mnuchin said , when asked if the U.S. is in recession .
“ The real issue is what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this.
” Two weeks ago , in a surprise move , the Fed sought to offset the disease ’ s drags on the economy by cutting its short-term rate by a half-percentage point — its first cut between policy meetings since the financial crisis .
The Fed ’ s policymakers have largely accepted research that says once its benchmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a greater economic benefit to cut all the way to zero rather than just to a quarter- or half-point above .
That ’ s because it takes time for rate cuts to work their way through the economy .
So if a recession threatens , quicker action is more effective .
On Thursday , the central bank said it would provide $ 1.5 trillion of short-term loans to banks .
The central bank will provide the cash to interested banks in return for Treasuries .
The loans will be repaid after one or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early response to signs that the bond market has been disrupted in recent days as many traders and banks have sought to unload large sums of Treasurys but haven ’ t found enough willing buyers .
That logjam reduced bond prices and raised their yields — the opposite of what typically happens when the stock market plunges .
The Fed also said last week that it would broaden its $ 60 billion monthly Treasury purchase program , launched last fall , from just short-term bills to all maturities .
The Fed is already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mortgage-backed securities into Treasuries of all durations , thereby bringing its total purchases to $ 80 billion .
Those purchases would help relieve banks of the Treasuries they want to sell .
Some analysts expect the Fed to extend those purchases past their current end-date of the second quarter and even vastly increase the size .
AP Economics Writers Paul Wiseman and Martin Crutsinger contributed to this report .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Israel takes step toward monitoring phones of virus patients

JERUSALEM - Israel has long been known for its use of technology to track the movements of Palestinian militants .
Now , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to use similar technology to stop the movement of the coronavirus .
Netanyahu ’ s Cabinet on Sunday authorized the Shin Bet security agency to use its phone-snooping tactics on coronavirus patients , an official confirmed , despite concerns from civil-liberties advocates that the practice would raise serious privacy issues .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement .
Netanyahu announced his plan in a televised address late Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps would protect the public ’ s health , though it would also “ entail a certain degree of violation of privacy.
” Israel has identified more than 200 cases of the coronavirus .
Based on interviews with these patients about their movements , health officials have put out public advisories ordering tens of thousands of people who may have come into contact with them into protective home quarantine .
The new plan would use mobile-phone tracking technology to give a far more precise history of an infected person ’ s movements before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have been exposed .
In his address , Netanyahu acknowledged the technology had never been used on civilians .
But he said the unprecedented health threat posed by the virus justified its use .
For most people , the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness .
“ They are not minor measures .
They entail a certain degree of violation of the privacy of those same people , who we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into contact with while sick and what preceded that .
This is an effective tool for locating the virus , ” Netanyahu said .
The proposal sparked a heated debate over the use of sensitive security technology , who would have access to the information and what exactly would be done with it .
Nitzan Horowitz , leader of the liberal opposition party Meretz , said that tracking citizens “ using databases and sophisticated technological means are liable to result in a severe violation of privacy and basic civil liberties.
” He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supervised , with “ clear rules ” for the use of the information .
Netanyahu led a series of discussions Sunday with security and health officials to discuss the matter .
Responding to privacy concerns , he said late Sunday he had ordered a number of changes in the plan , including reducing the scope of data that would be gathered and limiting the number of people who could see the information , to protect against misuse .
The only other place believed to have used similar technology to fight coronavirus is Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure infected people didn ’ t leave quarantine .
Netanyahu ’ s office said the Shin Bet would not be involved in enforcing quarantine orders against sick patients .
It also said the order , which still needs approval from a parliamentary subcommittee , would be in effect for no more than 30 days .
Yuval Elovici , the head of the cybersecurity research centre at Israel ’ s Ben-Gurion University , said there are ways to minimize privacy concerns , including the possibility of collecting data anonymously , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There is no doubt about the privacy issue , ” he said .
“ But in a technological society , it makes sense to use such technology to save lives .
I personally strongly support it .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--New York City schools to close Monday to fight coronavirus

New York City will close the nation ’ s largest public school system on Monday , sending over 1.1 million children home in hopes of curbing the spread of coronavirus , the city ’ s mayor announced Sunday , calling it a “ very troubling moment.
” A sombre Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the decision to close schools through at least April 20 and possibly for the school year , following a growing number of school closures in communities and entire states nationwide and mounting pressure in New York from residents , City Council members and others .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment , a moment when I ’ m just distraught at having to take this action , but I became convinced over the course of today that there is no other choice.
” He also announced that there were now five deaths in New York and that he was ordering the end of elective surgeries .
And he said students in kindergarten through 12th grade would begin “ remote learning ” a week from Monday with teachers being trained on the novel methods beginning Tuesday .
“ They have been working on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Blasio said of administrators .
The shutdown affects the city ’ s nearly 1,900 public schools .
Many private schools already have closed .
Multiple states had already announced they were closing schools .
So have cities including Los Angeles , Houston , San Francisco , Seattle and Washington , D.C. Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s office had announced the city school closure moments before de Blasio , but initially said it would start as early as Tuesday .
De Blasio had been reluctant to close the school system because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just Saturday , the Democratic mayor said keeping schools running was critical .
He worried that health care workers , first responders and other needed workers would have to stay home to care for children , and that hundreds of thousands of poor students could go hungry without their free or reduced-price school meals .
“ We ’ ve never been through anything like this , “ de Blasio said .
“ We ’ re all trying to make sense of it .
… Everyone is confused .
Everyone is in pain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the great unknown because we are dealing with the great unknown.
” He said the city would get through it through everyone “ looking out for each other.
“ Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza called it “ a very sobering day for all of us “ and said the decision was made after a situation that ’ s been evolving and been monitored “ day by day , hour by hour and in some cases , minute by minute.
” He said closing the schools was considered the last possible option , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort.
” The shutdown had started to seem inevitable Sunday as de Blasio lost key support to keep schools open and Cuomo called for all downstate schools to be closed .
County officials have said schools will shut on Long Island , in Erie County , including Buffalo , and in Westchester County .
Earlier , George Gresham , president of the health care workers union SIEU 1199 , had called on de Blasio to close city schools , a step the mayor still seemed reluctant to take when he cited the union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open as he spoke on WABC-TV earlier Sunday .
The union had previously warned that hospitals , now bracing for a flood of virus patients , could face a manpower crisis if schools closed suddenly and health care workers had to stay home with their children .
Gresham , though , said in a statement that he was now confident that a plan could be reached to provide childcare for health care workers through school resource centres .
He also called on the city and state to provide more funding for childcare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical processes moving , I am now calling on Mayor de Blasio to close New York City ’ s public schools to help protect public health and prevent the spread of COVID-19 , ” he said in a statement .
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 .
This story has been updated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close by Wednesday , not Monday , as a news release from the governor ’ s office said .

Larry Neumeister And Marina Villeneuve - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Ex-Florida official defends Colorado ski closure complaint

DENVER - Colorado ’ s governor and a state lawmaker criticized a former Florida lieutenant governor who complained that his vacation was ruined when Vail closed its ski resort due to concerns about the coronavirus .
Former Lt. Gov .
Jeff Kottkamp tweeted his displeasure Saturday after industry giants Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company said they would close dozens of North America ’ s most well-known resorts , including the iconic Vail resort in Colorado .
Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis also ordered the state ’ s downhill resorts to close for a week to mitigate the virus ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making this announcement as we are driving in to Vail , ” Kottkamp tweeted after Vail announced its closure .
“ Came all the way from Florida only to have our family ’ s vacation destroyed.
” The Denver Post reports that Polis and Democratic state Sen. Kerry Donovan were quick to react .
“ Thank you for your deep concerns regarding the health of our residents in the face of a global pandemic , as well as your heartfelt sympathy for the difficulties faced by those who work in the ski industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donovan , whose district includes Vail , said , “ We should be commending ( Vail ’ s decision ) , not complaining .
But , please keep thinking of yourself.
” “ ‘ Came all the way from Florida only to realize Colorado is actually stepping up to prevent the spread of a global pandemic , ’ ” Naumann tweeted .
“ Fixed it for you , Lieutenant Governor .
Colorado is united in beating this.
” Kottkamp said Sunday he had “ no quarrel ” with Vail ’ s decision .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was open for business until it suddenly announced otherwise — something he said was “ very unfair to thousands of visitors to the state.
” Had Vail Resorts given advance notice “ before their closure , as was done by Disney World and Universal Studios in my home state , lots of heartaches , inconvenience , and financial loss could have been avoided , “ Kottkamp said in an email to The Associated Press .
Kottkamp , an attorney , was lieutenant governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011 .
The Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House of Representatives .
Later Sunday , Colorado health authorities urged residents of and visitors to four counties in Ski Country over the past week to limit their contact with others and watch for virus symptoms that include cough , fever and shortness of breath .
The Department of Public Health and Environment said the region is seeing “ high rates of community transition ” of the virus .
Eagle , Summit , Pitkin and Gunnison counties saw at least 40 of the state ’ s 131 cases by mid-day Sunday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Aspen and other ski resorts .
Polis has banned public gatherings of more than 250 people and taken other measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus , which the World Health Organization has deemed a pandemic .
The disease for most people causes only mild or moderate symptoms .
For some , it can cause more severe illness .
The vast majority recover .
In the U.S. , at least 61 people have died , including one in Colorado .
Other regional ski resorts suspended operations Sunday , including Alta and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montana .
Wyoming ’ s Jackson Hole closed for the season , as did Montana ’ s Whitefish Mountain Resort and Utah ’ s Snowbasin .
Powder Mountain in Utah limited visitors to 1,000 per day and said it was taking other measures , including not grouping strangers on its chairlifts .