thetorontostar--2020-04-15--National super PAC backs Collins in Georgia Senate race

ATLANTA - A national political fundraising committee endorsed Rep. Doug Collins ’ bid Wednesday to unseat his fellow Georgia Republican , Sen. Kelly Loeffler , in a November special election .
The endorsement from Great America PAC comes after the recently appointed Loeffler faced scrutiny over stock transactions she made just before the coronavirus pandemic sent markets tumbling .
The super PAC ’ s chairman , Ed Rollins , made reference to those trades in a statement endorsing Collins .
“ In a very short time , Kelly Loeffler has proven she puts protecting her personal wealth well before protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loeffler took her seat in the Senate in January after being appointed by Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp to fill the seat of Sen. Johnny Isakson , who stepped down due to deteriorating health .
A political newcomer , Loeffler soon drew opposition from within her own party from Collins , a four-term congressman who had actively sought the appointment to Isakson ’ s former seat .
The two Republicans are among more that 20 candidates running in a special election on Nov. 3 to fill the remaining two years of Isakson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be filtered by the normal party primaries , meaning all comers will be together on the November ballot .
The crowded field significantly increases the odds that the race will be decided by a Jan. 5 runoff , required by state law if no candidate breaks 50 % in November .
Great America PAC calls itself as a “ leading pro-Trump super PAC , ” but Loeffler spokesman Stephen Lawson questioned the group ’ s connection to the president .
“ Doug Collins is actively touting support from a group that President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Lawson said in an email .
” That ’ s a typical Washington politician for you.
” Trump , after initially lobbying for Collins to get the Senate appointment , has praised both Collins and Loeffler but has not made an endorsement in the race .
GOP Rep. Drew Ferguson , who represents west Georgia ’ s 3rd Congressional District , endorsed Collins on Monday , becoming the first member of Georgia ’ s congressional delegation to openly break ranks with Loeffler by backing Collins .
Loeffler and her husband , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Stock Exchange , offloaded parts of their portfolio and purchased new stocks , including shares in a chemical company that manufactures protective equipment , as Congress was receiving briefings on the growing threat of the pandemic .
Loeffler has said she played no part in the trades , that they were managed by third-party advisers and that she has not attempted to profit from her time in the Senate .
She also announced that she ’ s selling her holdings in individual stocks to avoid political distraction .
Top Democrats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Atlanta church where the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. preached ; Ed Tarver , a former federal prosecutor who was U.S. attorney for Georgia ’ s Southern District under President Barack Obama ; and Matt Lieberman , a former educator and the son of former vice-presidential candidate Joe Lieberman .

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thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Thousands of drivers create gridlock in Michigan capitol to protest coronavirus measures

LANSING , MICH.—Thousands of flag-waving , honking protesters drove past the Michigan capitol on Wednesday to show their displeasure with Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s orders to keep people home and businesses locked during the coronavirus outbreak .
As snow fell , others got out of their vehicles and raised signs , one of which read , “ Gov .
Whitmer We Are Not Prisoners.
” Another said , “ Michigander Against Gretchen ’ s Abuses.
” Hours later , Whitmer shot back , telling reporters the rally put health at risk .
The “ Operation Gridlock ” protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ripples were widely felt : traffic was barely moving in some areas of Lansing .
“ This arbitrary blanket spread of shutting down businesses , about putting all of these workers out of business , is just a disaster .
It ’ s an economic disaster for Michigan , ” coalition member Meshawn Maddock said .
“ And people are sick and tired of it.
” Whitmer , a Democrat , extended a stay-home order through April 30 and has shut down schools and businesses deemed non-essential .
The governor acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus , which causes a respiratory illness that has killed more than 1,900 Michigan residents and overwhelmed hospitals in the Detroit area .
Whitmer said she was “ really disappointed ” to see protesters close together without masks .
“ I saw someone handing out candy to little kids bare-handed , ” the governor told reporters .
“ People are flying the Confederate flag , and untold numbers who gassed up on the way here or grabbed a bite on the way home .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This kind of activity will put more people at risk and , sadly , it could prolong the amount of time we have to be in this posture.
” During the rally , Republican house Speaker Lee Chatfield , who has urged Whitmer to amend her orders , waved an American flag from a window at his capitol office .
The protest drew an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people , about 150 of whom demonstrated on the capitol steps or main lawn , said Michigan State Police spokeswoman Shanon Banner , who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest when one protester assaulted another .
Police did not ticket anyone for violations of the governor ’ s orders .
“ The majority of demonstrators remained in their vehicles , and most of those who were on foot were practising social distancing , ” Banner said .
Four sheriffs in the northwestern Lower Peninsula called Whitmer ’ s orders a “ vague framework of emergency laws ” that are frustrating citizens .
Leelanau County Sheriff Mike Borkovich said people don ’ t understand why they can ’ t take a child fishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a kayak .
“ We ’ re trying to keep the peace with people .
...
The economy is coming apart in northern Michigan .
People are upset , ” Borkovich told The Associated Press .
“ People are frantic to get back to work .
They have been very edgy .
”

Mike Householder - The Associated Press,Ed White


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--American schools may look radically different as they reopen

SAN FRANCISCO - School administrators across America are trying to re-imagine classrooms — and the prospect of reopening schools — in the era of social distancing .
Will there be staggered start times ?
Will students be asked to wear face coverings ?
Will class sizes be cut in half ?
What about school assemblies and sports and school buses and lunchtime ?
With the majority of schools nationwide shut down , educators are scrambling to plan for the future after a chaotic few weeks that , for many districts , included closing all schools , deciding whether to waive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do distance learning .
Next comes the important question of when schools can safely re-open .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom laid out a few possible scenarios this week for reopening the state ’ s public schools to 6 million students , saying the timeline was still unclear but when students do eventually return things will look radically different .
“ We need to get our kids back to school , ” Newsom said .
“ And we need to do it in a safe way.
” The biggest challenge for schools is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and adults to ensure that “ kids aren ’ t going to school , getting infected and then infecting grandma and grandpa , ” Newsom said .
That could mean requiring schools to stagger schedules , with some students arriving in the morning and the rest in the afternoon .
Officials will be rethinking gym class , recess , school assemblies and all scenarios where students gather in large groups , he said .
State officials , educators and unions will discuss those ideas and other possibilities for safe schooling in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and chief executive of the National Association of State Boards of Education , said administrators across the country are asking not how , but if , schools will reopen in the fall , and planning for any number of scenarios .
Everything is being considered , he said , from masks and gloves to cutting class sizes and adding portable classrooms .
Officials also are weighing the virus ’ s impact on how school buildings and buses are cleaned , how to protect custodial staff , how food is prepared and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says we hope we return to normal , “ Hull said .
“ It ’ s not going to return to normal anytime soon because the new normal is going to be different.
” For the moment , many districts are focused on trying to get through the school year while keeping an eye on what might happen in the fall .
“ You ’ re making battle plans , “ said Hull .
Schools need to plan for a variety of possibilities : What if the virus is contained ?
What if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still infections in the community ?
What if a new wave is starting ?
Schools need “ not just Plan A and Plan B , but it maybe Plan C and Plan D. ” Newsom said he won ’ t loosen California ’ s mandatory , stay-at-home order until hospitalizations , particularly those in intensive care units , “ flatten and start to decline.
” And he said the state needs more testing , treatment and the ability for businesses , schools and childcare facilities to continue the physical distancing that has come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would revisit the question of easing restrictions in two weeks .
Similar conversations are taking place at state school boards across the country .
The issue is on Idaho ’ s agenda Thursday and several other states , including Arkansas and Mississippi , are starting to have the discussion , Hull said .
Issues of equity loom , including how to measure what students are learning and how to help those who ’ ve fallen behind .
Many of the association ’ s members are discussing what to do this summer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer summer learning , Hull said .
Education funding cutbacks have already led to teacher shortages in California and made campus nurses rare , raising questions about how officials might cope with extended days and ensure kids are healthy , said Tony Wold , associate superintendent of the West Contra Costa Unified School District , which includes 55 schools .
“ We can ’ t just build new schools overnight .
Even if the state gives us more money , where will the teachers come from ?
” said Wold , listing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
In his district near San Francisco , schools already stagger lunchtimes and put 8 to 10 kids at each table .
Gym classes can have upwards of 50 students and there are no empty , unused classrooms .
He said some schools will likely extend virtual learning into the fall or possibly figure out a rotation mixing online learning and classroom education .
“ We ’ re trying to reinvent how to do our business in a way we never did it before , “ Wold said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have ever seen in public education.
” Thompson contributed to this report from Buffalo , New York .

Jocelyn Gecker And Carolyn Thompson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Report: Halladay on drugs, doing stunts when plane crashed

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - Baseball Hall of Famer Roy Halladay had high-levels of amphetamines in his system and was doing extreme acrobatics when he lost control of his small plane and nosedived into Tampa Bay in 2017 , killing him , a National Transportation Safety Board report issued Wednesday said .
Halladay had amphetamine levels about 10 times therapeutic levels in his blood along with a high level of morphine and an anti-depressant that can impair judgement as he performed high-pitch climbs and steep turns , sometimes within 5 feet ( 1.5 metres ) of the water , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , crash .
The manoeuvrs put loads of nearly two-times gravity on the plane , an Icon A5 Halladay had purchased a month earlier .
On the last manoeuvr , Halladay entered a steep climb and his speed fell to about 85 miles per hour ( 135 kph ) .
The propeller-driven plane went into a nosedive and smashed into the water .
The report says Halladay , 40 , died of blunt force trauma and drowning .
The report does not give a final reason for the crash .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week before the crash , the former Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies star had flown the plane under Tampa Bay ’ s iconic Skyway Bridge , posting on social media , “ flying the Icon A5 over the water is like flying a fighter jet !
” Halladay , an eight-time All-Star , pitched a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter in 2010 .
He played for the Blue Jays from 1998 to 2009 and for the Phillies from 2009-13 , going 203-105 with a 3.38 ERA .
He was inducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Halladay had taken off from a lake near his home about 15 minutes before the crash and a previous report says he was flying at about 105 mph ( 170 kph ) just 11 feet ( 3.3 metres ) above the water before he started doing his manoeuvrs .
He had about 700 hours of flight time after getting his pilot ’ s license in 2013 , the previous report said , including 51 hours in Icon A5s with 14 in the plane that crashed .
Rolled out in 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be treated like an ATV , a piece of weekend recreational gear with folding wings that can easily be towed on a trailer to a lake where it can take off from the water .
The man who led the plane ’ s design , 55-year-old John Murray Karkow , died while flying an A5 over California ’ s Lake Berryessa on May 8 , 2017 , a crash the NTSB attributed to pilot error .
Because of that crash , Icon issued guidance to its owners two weeks before Halladay ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ can be one of the most rewarding and exciting types of flying , “ it “ comes with an inherent set of additional risks that require additional considerations.
” It added that traditional pilot training focused on high-altitude flying “ does little to prepare pilots for the unique challenges of low altitude flying.
” Icon told the NTSB that Halladay had received and reviewed the guidance .
There is no indication in the report Halladay received low-altitude training .


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Students could take SAT at home if schools in U.S. remain closed

A home version of the SAT college entrance exam is being prepared in case schools in the U.S. remain closed into the fall , College Board officials said Wednesday as they announced the cancellation of June testing .
Instead of a paper-and-pencil test given under proctors ’ supervision , the home version would be digital and rely on “ remote proctoring.
” That could include using the computer ’ s camera and microphone to monitor movement or talking , College Board president Jeremy Singer said on a conference call with reporters .
The rival ACT also will launch an at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the exam ’ s administrators said Wednesday .
Coronavirus-related school closures forced the cancellation of spring testing for about one million first-time SAT test-takers , the majority of them high school juniors planning to enter college in 2021 , College Board officials said .
The national June 6 session is the latest to be cancelled .
“ We would much prefer that schools reopen but we are ready to innovate and deliver in the unlikely case we need to , ” College Board chief executive David Coleman said .
The three-hour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arts proficiency .
The ACT also has a science component .
Most colleges require SAT or ACT exam scores as part of the application process , though an increasing number of institutions have made them optional in recent years , often to be more inclusive of students without access to private test-preparation available to wealthier peers .
In response to the coronavirus , California ’ s public universities and several other institutions around the country have made the tests optional only for 2021 applicants .
If it ’ s safe , the College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing in August , with Saturday sessions offered once a month through December , officials said .
Students who had planned to take the SAT for free in school this spring can instead take it in the fall .
The not-for-profit College Board earlier announced plans to offer Advanced Placement final exams at home for high school students whose schools will remain closed through the May testing dates .
The College Board has offered to help students and schools secure devices and internet access if needed .


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--US relief checks begin arriving as economic damage piles up

WASHINGTON - Government relief checks began arriving in Americans ’ bank accounts as the economic damage to the U.S. from the coronavirus piled up Wednesday and sluggish sales at reopened stores in Europe and China made it clear that business won ’ t necessarily bounce right back when the crisis eases .
With many factories shut down , American industrial output shriveled in March , registering its biggest decline since the U.S. demobilized in 1946 at the end of World War II .
Retail sales fell by an unprecedented 8.7 % , with April expected to be far worse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuing one-time payments this week to tens of millions of people as part of its $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package , with adults receiving up to $ 1,200 each and $ 500 per child to help them pay the rent or cover other bills .
The checks will be directly deposited into accounts or mailed to households in the coming weeks , depending on how people filed their tax returns .
Among those receiving a check was Jacqueline Gonzalez , a 32-year-old single mother who was laid off from her job as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a teacher , in Miami Lakes , Florida .
Gonzalez paid her car insurance and gave her mother $ 500 for rent .
She has signed up for food stamps .
“ There is no other form of income for us right now .
We have no other choice .
We can ’ t work from home , ” she said .
“ We ’ re just sitting here .
Bills are racking up.
” In an unprecedented move , President Donald Trump ’ s name will be printed on the paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under stay-at-home orders , frustrations began to boil over among those worried the economic toll is more crushing than the virus itself .
And elsewhere around the world , the first steps in lifting economically crippling restrictions are running into resistance , with customers staying away from the reopened businesses and workers afraid of risking their health .
In China , millions are still wary of spending much or even going out .
Some cities have resorted to handing out vouchers and trying to reassure consumers by showing officials in state media eating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to change cars and spend almost nothing on eating out or entertainment , ” said Zhang Hu , a truck salesman in Zhengzhou who has gone back to work but has seen his income plummet because few people are buying 20-ton rigs .
“ I have no idea when the situation will turn better.
” In Austria , Marie Froehlich , who owns a clothing store in Vienna , said her staff was happy to be back after weeks cooped up at home .
But dependent largely on tourism , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she expects the business will take months to return to normal .
“ Until then , we are in crisis mode , ” she said .
Rome ’ s streets were also largely deserted despite the reopening of some stores .
Worldwide , deaths have topped 130,000 and confirmed infections 2 million , according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
The figures understate the true size of the crisis , in part because of limited testing , different ways of counting the dead , and concealment by some governments The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest in the world — and over 600,000 confirmed infections , by Johns Hopkins ’ count .
Still , the nightmare scenarios projecting a far greater number of deaths and hospitalizations have not come to pass , raising hopes from coast to coast .
— An investigation by The Associated Press found that six days of delays by China in alerting the public to the growing danger in mid-January set the stage for the global disaster .
— Millions of South Koreans wore masks and maintained social distancing as they voted in parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government resisted calls to postpone the balloting , seen as a midterm referendum on President Moon Jae-in .
— The death toll in Iran is probably almost twice the official figure of about 4,800 as a result of undercounting and because some patients were not tested , a parliamentary report said .
The explosive allegation was buried in a footnote in the 46-page document .
— With deaths and hospitalizations stabilizing or dropping in Europe , Germany announced plans to let smaller shops reopen next week and for school to resume in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hospitalized COVID-19 patients for the time since the outbreak began there .
— New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said people must wear face coverings when they are near others , such as on the street or subway platforms .
The economic damage from the effort to “ flatten the curve ” of infections has mounted alarmingly .
While grocery store sales in the U.S. jumped nearly 26 % in March as Americans stocked up on food and other goods , auto sales plummeted by one-quarter and clothing store sales slid by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The category that mostly includes online shopping rose more than 3 % .
“ Clear signs of panic buying of necessities and the fact that lockdowns were introduced only around the middle of the month means that far worse is to come in April and the second quarter more generally , ” said Michael Pearce , an economist at the consulting firm Capital Economics .
U.S. manufacturing output dropped 6.3 % last month , led by plunging production at auto factories , which have shut down entirely .
As of last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown onto the unemployment rolls .
At least one state , California , is providing its own stimulus to residents : Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced $ 500 payments for individuals , including the state ’ s estimated 2 million immigrants who are in the country illegally and ineligible for the federal payouts .
A day after Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak said his state ’ s idled economy was nowhere near a restart , Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman made an impassioned plea for reopening her city , saying it is withering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses closed .
“ The longer we wait to do this , the more impossible it will become to recover , ” Goodman said .
In Lansing , Michigan , hundreds of honking , flag-waving protesters drove past the Capitol in a snowstorm , bringing traffic to a near-standstill .
“ Gov .
Whitmer We Are Not Prisoners , ” one sign read , while another declared , “ Michigander Against Gretchen ’ s Abuses.
” “ This arbitrary blanket spread of shutting down businesses , about putting all of these workers out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Meshawn Maddock , a member of the Michigan Conservative Coalition , which organized the rally .
“ And people are sick and tired of it.
” Whitmer said she was “ really disappointed ” to see protesters close together without masks .
“ I saw someone handing out candy to little kids barehanded .
... We know that this rally endangered people , “ Whitmer said .
” This kind of activity will put more people at risk and , sadly , it could prolong the amount of time we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Where pushback is mounting , it ’ s happening regardless of political affiliation .
Sisolak and Whitmer are Democrats ; in Ohio , it ’ s Republican Mike DeWine who faces growing pressure to reopen the state and allow even nonessential businesses to resume .
Foreign leaders , meanwhile , rushed to the defence of the World Health Organization after Trump vowed to halt U.S. payments to the U.N. agency for not sounding the alarm over the virus sooner .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the WHO is needed now more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces can we overcome this crisis that knows no borders.
” Kennedy reported from Fort Lauderdale , Florida .
Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Christopher Rugaber, Paul Wiseman And Kelli Kennedy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Honk if you love transit workers! Trains salute vital staff

ORLANDO , Fla. - U.S. train horns can deliver an ear-splitting jolt to drivers sitting in traffic or people drifting off to sleep at home , but on Thursday , they ’ ll be put to another use .
At 3 p.m. EDT , trains across the U.S. will sound their horns to honour the transportation employees who are considered essential workers during the coronavirus crisis .
Amtrak trains , along with regional partner trains across the U.S. , plan to give two blasts of their horns in a toot to transportation workers , as well as health care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grocery store employees and other workers providing essential services during the pandemic .
“ Every hero deserves to be recognized and thanked for their courage , selflessness and the help they are providing to this country during this time , ” Stephen Gardner , Amtrak ’ s chief operating and commercial officer , said in a statement .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Virus concerns lead Holland, Princess to nix Alaska cruises

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - Nearly half of the 1.4 million cruise ship passengers projected to visit Alaska have had their plans cancelled this year , with the biggest blow occurring this week when two industry giants all but set aside their Alaska seasons over concerns with the coronavirus .
The announcement by Holland America Line and Princess Cruises will leave hotels and motels flashing vacancy signs and owners hoping locals will fill empty tables in restaurants during the height of the summer tourist season .
Each passenger spends on average $ 624 in Alaska during their cruise , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survive on the tourism trade will be missing out on more than $ 433 million this summer .
Christie Stoltz , the manager-owner of Meandering Moose Lodging in Talkeenta , said she wasn ’ t totally shocked by Tuesday ’ s announcement by the cruise ship companies because cancellations have been trickling in .
“ The amount of money that ’ s going to be lost , that was shocking to me , ” she said Wednesday .
She ’ s planning for no guests during May and June and hoping for 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer in the quirky tourist town near Denali , the continent ’ s tallest peak .
“ In 2019 , Alaska ’ s visitor industry supported more than 52,000 jobs and created more than $ 4.5 billion in economic activity for Alaska , ” Sarah Leonard , the president and CEO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association , said in a statement .
“ This announcement makes state and federal assistance for Alaska ’ s tourism businesses all the more imperative so that they may reopen successfully once it is safe for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Alaska gulf cruises and tours , and said its five wilderness lodges wouldn ’ t open .
Trains and buses also won ’ t operate this summer .
It said round-trip sailings from Seattle to Alaska on two ships , the Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess , would continue .
Likewise on Tuesday , Holland America Line cancelled all Alaska sailings for the summer on five large cruise ships and axed overland journeys to Denali and the Yukon .
In addition , it will not operate its McKinley Chalet Resort , its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We remain optimistic that Koningsdam and Eurodam will still be able to offer roundtrip cruises from Seattle and Vancouver for part of the summer .
We will continue to assess these plans over the next several weeks , ” Holland America spokesman Erik Elvejord said in an email to The Associated Press .
The announcement affects communities across most of Alaska , from inland places like Talkeetna and Fairbanks , where tourists arrive by train ride or coach , to Ketchikan , the state ’ s southernmost port of call and where cruise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit .
Before the virus changed everything , Ketchikan was expecting 608 port calls this summer from 52 different vessels , said Patti Mackey , president and CEO of Ketchikan Visitors Bureau .
Now , that count is down to 277 port calls .
She described the mood in Ketchikan as that “ punch-in-the-gut feeling , yet you kind of knew it was coming.
” Store owners in Ketchikan began planning different scenarios as the virus kept changing plans and expectations of when the ships might arrive .
“ I think people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and plan for what the season is looking like it ’ s shaping up to be , ” she said .
“ I think everyone ’ s hoping that once things settle down and people feel comfortable travelling again , that we may see some visitation this summer.
” Not having tourists spending money will affect everything from the city tax collections to nearly every shop and store in the city , including Alaska ’ s oldest business .
The Tongass Trading Co. claims that title , saying it ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s an old general store that has evolved to encompass 11 businesses in six buildings , selling everything from clothing , footwear , sporting goods , furniture , hardware items and souvenirs , said Chris Parks , the general manager and president .
Parks said most people he ’ s talked to are hoping there will be some ships in the second half of the summer .
“ I ’ ve basically planned on having no ships at all , and if we get some , great .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Coronavirus cases at D.C. Whole Foods highlight risks facing grocery workers

WASHINGTON—An outbreak of coronavirus infections at an upscale Whole Foods in the heart of the country ’ s capital has focused attention on the plight of grocery store workers deemed essential to stay on the job during the pandemic but increasingly falling ill to its ravages .
The Whole Foods near Washington ’ s trendy Logan Circle told employees on Wednesday that a worker had contracted the virus , one of at least six , but that the store would not close , according to a report by WUSA , a local CBS-affiliated station .
Instead , managers would order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job , according to an email sent to employees that was obtained by the station .
Workers were free to take leave without penalty through the end of April , the email said , but it would be unpaid .
An employee at the store , who declined to be identified , passed a note to a New York Times photographer there on Tuesday stating that 16 employees at the location were confirmed to be infected , a significant outbreak in a city that has so far escaped the horrors of New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In an email , a spokesman for Whole Foods confirmed that the store had “ multiple team members ” with diagnoses of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , but that the site had “ undergone multiple deep cleanings and disinfections ” overnight in recent days that allowed it to remain open during regular business hours .
Another Whole Foods location in Washington ’ s Foggy Bottom neighbourhood was previously closed to the public for cleaning after a worker tested positive for the virus , but the company ’ s spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overnight cleaning was not available .
Such problems are not isolated .
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union , which represents over 900,000 grocery workers countrywide , estimated on Monday that 30 of its members had died from COVID-19 and another 3,000 had taken sick days after showing signs of illness or other possible coronavirus-related complications .
The union also said that in a survey of 5,000 of its members , 85 per cent said customers in their stores were not practicing social distancing as recommended .
Though Washington has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is considered an emerging hot spot , with nearly 2,200 infections and 72 deaths .
Its rate of infection , measured against the district ’ s small population , is above average compared with the states .
The city has required essential businesses to take a variety of steps to enforce social distancing , sending food retailers rushing to install trappings like hand sanitizer stations , Plexiglas barriers between workers and customers , and floor stickers marking the government-recommended two-metre separation distance .
However , the protocols largely leave it to stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the requirement that patrons wear masks while shopping .
More serious measures like closures of essential stores have also been left to management .
At another Whole Foods location in the city ’ s H Street corridor , foot traffic in and out of the store was funneled to a single entrance , where a guard was stationed to turn away shoppers without a mask .
Last week , officials at the daily White House task force briefing began listing Washington as one of the cities most likely to see a spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside Baltimore and Philadelphia .
As cases have increased , local officials have been forced to balance efforts to enforce public health initiatives with the need to ensure access to groceries .
On April 8 , Mayor Muriel E. Bowser issued an order effectively shutting down farmers markets and seafood vendors in the city until they can submit individual social distancing plans and receive approval from the government .
On Wednesday , Bowser issued another order requiring all workers and customers of food sellers to wear masks and extending the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this month , a Trader Joe ’ s store in Washington temporarily closed for cleaning after an employee tested positive .
The retailer lists at least 18 future closings at other locations around the country on a running list on its website .
A spokeswoman for the Washington ’ s Health Department said essential businesses were not legally required to make a public disclosure about whether employees had tested positive for the virus .
But according to protocols , retailers that do not comply with the mayor ’ s order could face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger associated with working in grocery stores that see hundreds of shoppers each day has led to protests from workers involved in getting groceries to consumers .
Last month , employees of Whole Foods and workers who fulfil orders for the grocery delivery service Instacart organized strikes over what they described as hazardous working conditions and insufficient protections .
Marc Perrone , president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union , said many workers have been forced to make do with limited protective gear as masks and other personal protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to medical workers and others dealing directly with people who are already symptomatic or known to be exposed to the virus .
“ Masks and PPE ultimately went to first responders first , and then highest bidders , ” Perrone said .
“ Some of our employers that we deal with lost shipments that were sent to other countries.
” But Perrone stressed that grocery store workers still come into contact with scores of shoppers on a daily basis , many of whom may be asymptomatic carriers .
Whole Foods employees are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition of employees who staged a “ sickout ” to protest working conditions in March have planned another protest on May 1 , according to The Guardian .
The dilemma facing grocery stores comes amid a larger debate between policy-makers and public health experts about how quickly to relax social distancing guidelines in the interest of spurring economic activity .
On Tuesday , Rep. Trey Hollingsworth joined other lawmakers calling for a return to more normalcy , telling an Indianapolis radio station that deciding between continuing the stay-at-home orders and getting people back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Congress .
“ It is not zero evil , but it is the lesser of these evils and we intend to move forward in that direction , ” he said .
“ That is our responsibility , and to abdicate that is to insult the Americans that voted us into office .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Arkansas mayor has blunt message for residents on distancing

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
- The mayor of an eastern Arkansas city has a pointed message for residents who he says aren ’ t following social distancing guidelines to curb the coronavirus .
“ With all emotion and no disrespect , stay your ass at home , ” West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon said in a video posted on the city ’ s Facebook page Tuesday .
“ I can ’ t make it any more blunt than that.
” McClendon ’ s city is across the Mississippi River from Memphis , Tennessee , which has been hit hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Memphis is located , has had more than 1,400 coronavirus cases .
Statewide , Arkansas has had at least 1,569 confirmed cases .
The West Memphis mayor told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his message was spurred by a rise in cases in his city and frustration over some younger residents not taking the threat seriously .
Crittenden County , where West Memphis is located , has the second highest number of cases among Arkansas ’ 75 counties , with 121 .
The city has imposed a nighttime curfew and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that strongly encourages residents to avoid leaving the house for anything other than work or essential needs .
Arkansas ’ governor has shut down public schools for the rest of the academic year , closed many businesses and banned gatherings of more than 10 people .
But the Republican governor has resisted a broader stay-at-home order that most other states have issued .
The governor has also opposed allowing cities to issue their own stay-at-home orders .
McClendon said his city has also closed all but one of its parks .
Despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s still seeing some people gathering for barbecues or playing basketball .
“ It ’ s that certain group that just feels they ’ re invincible , ” McClendon told the AP .
“ I just had to get their attention.
” Nearly 700 people had commented on McClendon ’ s video by Wednesday afternoon , mostly agreeing with the mayor ’ s admonition .
“ People need to just set at home and stop the spread of this nasty virus , “ one user wrote .
Check out more of the AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--California to give cash payments to immigrants hurt by virus

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California will be the first state to give cash to immigrants living in the country illegally who are hurt by the coronavirus , offering $ 500 apiece to 150,000 adults who were left out of the $ 2.2 trillion stimulus package approved by Congress .
Many Americans began receiving $ 1,200 checks from the federal government this week , and others who are unemployed are getting an additional $ 600 a week from the government that has ordered them to stay home and disrupted what had been a roaring economy .
But people living in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that money , and advocates have been pushing for states to fill in the gap .
Wednesday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced he would spend $ 75 million of taxpayer money to create a Disaster Relief Fund for immigrants living in the country illegally .
“ We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportations that are still addressing essential needs of tens of millions of Californians , ” said Newsom , who noted 10 % of the state ’ s workforce are immigrants living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 2.5 billion in state and local taxes last year .
California has an estimated 2.2 million immigrants living in the country illegally , the most of any state , according to the Pew Research Center .
State officials won ’ t decide who gets the money .
Instead , the state will give the money to a network of regional nonprofits to find and vet potential recipients .
Advocates say that ’ s key to making the plan work because immigrants are unlikely to contact the government for fear of deportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have trusted relationships with these families , ” said Jacqueline Martinez , CEO of the Latino Community Foundation .
A group of charities has committed to raising another $ 50 million for the fund from private donors , potentially offering benefits to another 100,000 people .
But that money will have fewer limitations , meaning grants could be more than $ 500 or less , depending on the cost-of-living where a person lives .
Organizers began raising money on Friday and have raised more than $ 6 million so far , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shield of California Foundation , the California Endowment , the James Irvine Foundation , the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and an anonymous donor .
“ We want this to be as equitable as possible and benefit as many people as possible , ” said Daranee Petsod , president of Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees .
California has been the most aggressive state in the nation when it comes to giving benefits to immigrants living in the country illegally .
Last year , California became the first state to give taxpayer-funded health benefits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country illegally .
This year , Newsom had proposed expanding those benefits to seniors 65 and older .
Republicans and conservative groups have mostly opposed those measures , arguing the state should not use public money for people who are not citizens .
But immigrants rights advocates say California — the fifth largest economy in the world with a population of nearly 40 million people — has a responsibility to care for all of its residents .
The spending announced Wednesday means Newsom has committed to spending more than $ 2 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount in just over one month .
Thursday , state lawmakers are scheduled to have their first oversight hearing of Newsom ’ s spending .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
California has more than 26,600 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 850 deaths , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those numbers are far behind other virus hot spots like U.S. like New York and New Jersey , which public health officials attribute to the state ’ s aggressive implementation of physical distancing and stay-at-home orders .
Since mid-March , 2.7 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits — more than all of the claims California processed in 2019 combined .
The state ’ s Employment Development Department has been overwhelmed , causing delays for many people seeking assistance .
Wednesday , Newsom announced the state ’ s call centre will expand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , seven days a week .
More than 1,300 state employees have been reassigned to help process the claims .
And Newsom said the state will begin distributing federal unemployment benefits by the end of the month to people who usually aren ’ t eligible for them , including the gig workers and the self-employed .
At least five other states are already issuing those benefits , prompting criticism from some state lawmakers .
“ The people in Sacramento are making promises , and the bureaucracies and the technology are failing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patterson said .


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Stock awards for SeaWorld execs, despite furloughed staff

ORLANDO , Fla. - Even though 90 % of its staff at its dozen theme parks have been furloughed , SeaWorld Entertainment made a deal this week to give its top executives about $ 6.8 million in restricted stock awards .
Newly appointed CEO Marc Swason is entitled to $ 1.5 million in restricted stock awards and newly-appointed chief operating officer Walter Bogumil is getting about $ 1.3 million in restricted stock awards , provided they stay with SeaWorld for two years , the company said Tuesday in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission .
Both executives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resignation of then-CEO Sergio Rivera , who was the third leader of the theme park company to depart in just over two years .
Chief Legal Officer Tony Taylor is set to get more than $ 1.1 million in restricted stock awards and three other executives will be getting more than $ 900,000 each in restricted stock awards .
The awards are designed “ to recognize employees for their extraordinary contributions and continued expected contributions to the Company and its long term goals during the global COVID-19 pandemic , “ the SEC filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executives get half of the stock awards on the first anniversary of the deal and the rest on the second anniversary .
The company closed the gates to its 12 theme parks last month because of the coronavirus pandemic and furloughed 90 % of its workers .
SeaWorld employs about 4,700 full-time employees and approximately 12,000 part-time employees .
During peak season in 2018 , the company hired more than 4,000 additional seasonal workers , many of whom are high school and college students .
None of the company ’ s employees are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this month , the company ’ s executive officers agreed to a 20 % reduction of their annual base salary until the company resumes normal operations .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Netanyahu, rival, miss coalition deadline but continue talks

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival missed a midnight deadline Wednesday to form an emergency government to tackle the coronavirus threat and prevent another costly and divisive election .
But the sides agreed to continue the discussions .
Representatives from Netanyahu ’ s Likud party and former military chief Benny Gantz ’ s Blue and White gathered late Wednesday , after the end of the Passover holiday , for last-ditch talks on a power-sharing deal .
If they fail , the country moves closer to a fourth consecutive election in just over a year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ extension by President Reuven Rivlin on Monday to try to complete the talks after reporting “ significant progress ” in their negotiations .
Although the deadline passed , they put out a joint statement early Thursday saying discussions would continue later in the day .
A deal would likely require major compromise by both men .
During three bitter campaigns over the past year , Gantz vowed never to serve in a government under Netanyahu , who has been indicted on a slew of corruption charges .
The long-serving Netanyahu , meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allow Gantz to serve as prime minister for part of the time in a rotating power-sharing deal .
Should the talks fail , parliament will have three weeks to agree upon a prime minister .
With that scenario appearing unlikely , parliament would dissolve at the end of the three weeks and the country would be forced into its fourth consecutive election .
Last month ’ s election , just like campaigns last September and April , ended with no clear winner .
But with a slight majority of lawmakers endorsing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at building a coalition .
Although his backers are deeply divided , they were united in their animosity toward Netanyahu , and he began to move forward with legislation that would have disqualified the indicted Netanyahu from serving as prime minister in the future .
But with the virus crisis worsening , and his own shaky alliance fraying , Gantz made an about-face late last month and accepted an offer from Netanyahu to pursue a joint government to deal with the pandemic .
The move drew heavy criticism from Gantz ’ s supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to crumble , leaving him with a faction of only about half its original size .
With the passing of Wednesday ’ s deadline , Gantz ’ s “ mandate ” for forming a government technically expired .
But the sides can continue discussions until parliament is formally dissolved .
Israel has reported over 12,500 cases and at least 130 deaths from the outbreak , which has paralyzed the economy , shuttered Israelis in their homes and driven unemployment to record highs .
Netanyahu and Gantz appeared close to a rotation deal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister .
But last week negotiations stalled , reportedly over a demand by Netanyahu to have more influence over judicial appointments .
Netanyahu is awaiting trial on charges of bribery , breach of trust and fraud .
He has denied any wrongdoing and portrays himself as a victim of a media and judicial witch hunt .
After three nasty campaigns , plenty of distrust and bad blood remain .
Despite his calls for unity , Netanyahu may actually be angling for another election to capitalize on what has generally been regarded as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A poll published late Monday on Channel 12 TV showed Netanyahu ’ s Likud surging in support and easily securing him re-election .
It also would allow him to remain in the prime minister ’ s post for at least several more months to fight his looming trial .
Citing the coronavirus crisis , Netanyahu ’ s hand-picked justice minister has already delayed the trial by shuttering most of the court system .
Netanyahu currently has the support of 59 lawmakers , just two short of a majority in the 120-seat parliament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ period of uncertainty , Netanyahu will likely use that time to try to lure a pair of defectors from the opposition to give him a majority and avert elections .
With the country led by a caretaker government and hobbled by legislative paralysis since the first election was called in late 2018 , a fourth vote would extend the political crisis amid a global pandemic .
It ’ s unclear how an election could take place with present-day stay-at-home orders .


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--UN: 51 migrants disembark in Libyan capital amid clashes

CAIRO - More than 50 migrants from Eritrea and Sudan disembarked in Libya ’ s capital Wednesday after spending hours on a coast guard vessel off Tripoli and were detained by local authorities , the U.N. migration agency said .
The U.N. mission in Libya , meanwhile , voiced concern about an escalation of fighting between rival forces over Tripoli in recent days , and the release of over 400 jail inmates in a western town recently taken by Tripoli-allied militias .
The migrants were handed over to Libya ’ s coast guard after being rescued Tuesday night by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the International Organization for Migration said .
At least five bodies were also retrieved , and seven other migrants were reported missing , it said .
The agency first put the number of survivors at 47 , but later said there were 51 .
The rescued migrants spent the night on the coast guard vessel before disembarking in Tripoli on Wednesday and being taken by local authorities to a detention centre , the IOM said .
Safa Mselhi , a spokesperson for the IOM , said the migrants are Eritreans and Sudanese , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Migrants seeking better lives in Europe often land in Libyan detention centres after perilous journeys at the mercy of traffickers who hold them for ransom from their families .
These overcrowded facilities have the potential to become breeding grounds for the spread of the coronavirus and other diseases .
“ We reiterate that people rescued at sea should not be returned to unsafe ports , ” the U.N. migration agency said .
“ An alternative to disembarkation in Libya must be found urgently.
“ Alarm Phone , a crisis hotline for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the migrants were “ illegally abducted ” in Malta ’ s search-and-rescue zone , blaming Maltese authorities for the five deaths and the return of the others to “ war , rape and torture ” in Libya .
The Maltese government said in a statement Wednesday that its Rescue and Coordination Center co-ordinated the rescue of the migrants who entered Malta ’ s waters after a few days in Libyan waters .
It said the Maltese military carried out flights to pinpoint where the boat was located , and called nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the migrants were assisted by a commercial vessel .
Later , a Libyan fishing vessel took the migrants on board , it said .
Malta said the European Union was aware of the boat as it was located in Libya ’ s waters .
The EU flew its aircraft over the area but did not send any vessels to pick up the migrants , it said .
Last week , at least 277 migrants were not allowed to disembark in Tripoli for hours over safety concerns , the IOM said , citing Libyan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hungry and exhausted after 72 hours at sea , remained stuck on a crowded coast guard ship after being denied entry to Tripoli .
Heavy bombardment of the port area at first prevented them from disembarking .
They later were able to get off the vessel and around 200 of them were taken to detention centres , while the rest fled to urban areas , according to the IOM .
The fighting for Tripoli has been raging for over a year between military commander Khalifa Hifter ’ s forces , which are allied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libya , and an array of militias in the west loosely linked to the U.N.-supported authorities in Tripoli .
The fighting has escalated in recent weeks even as the U.N. appealed for a cease-fire so authorities could turn their focus to fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
The virus could potentially devastate war-torn Libya , where a decade-long conflict has ravaged key infrastructure and created dire medical shortages .
Libya has confirmed 48 cases of the virus and one fatality .
The U.N. support mission in Libya said Wednesday it was concerned about attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sorman by Tripoli-allied forces and the release of over 400 jail inmates there “ without adequate legal proceedings or vetting.
” The Tripoli-based Justice Ministry confirmed Wednesday the inmates had since fled and opened an investigation .
It urged Tripoli authorities to rearrest them .
The ministry also said it was alarmed by reports of “ desecration of corpses , retribution , including looting , robberies and torching of public and private properties ” in Sorman and other western towns taken by Tripoli-allied forces .
The U.N. support mission also condemned “ indiscriminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbourhoods in Tripoli .
Hifter ’ s forces , which control much of the country , launched the offensive on Tripoli last April .
It has led to a military stalemate , killed hundreds of civilians and displaced more than 200,000 people , according to the U.N. Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 , when a civil war toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Thousands protest Michigan governor’s social distance order

LANSING , Mich. - Thousands of flag-waving , honking protesters drove past the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday to show their displeasure with Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s orders to keep people at home and businesses locked during the coronavirus outbreak .
As snow fell , others got out of their vehicles and raised signs , one of which read , “ Gov .
Whitmer We Are Not Prisoners.
” Another said , “ Michigander Against Gretchens Abuses.
” Hours later , Whitmer shot back , telling reporters that the rally put health at risk .
The “ Operation Gridlock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative Coalition .
The ripples were widely felt : Traffic was barely moving for miles in some areas of Lansing .
“ This arbitrary blanket spread of shutting down businesses , about putting all of these workers out of business , is just a disaster .
It ’ s an economic disaster for Michigan , ” coalition member Meshawn Maddock said .
“ And people are sick and tired of it.
” Whitmer , a Democrat , extended a stay-home order through April 30 and has shut down schools and businesses deemed non-essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the restrictions were necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus , which causes a respiratory illness that has killed more than 1,900 Michigan residents and overwhelmed hospitals in the Detroit area .
Whitmer said she was “ really disappointed ” to see protesters close together without masks .
“ I saw someone handing out candy to little kids barehanded , ” the governor told reporters .
“ People are flying the Confederate flag , and untold numbers who gassed up on the way here or grabbed a bite on the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endangered people .
This kind of activity will put more people at risk and , sadly , it could prolong the amount of time we have to be in this posture.
” During the rally , Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield , who has urged Whitmer to amend her orders , waved an American flag from a window at his Capitol office .
The protest drew an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people , about 150 of whom demonstrated on the Capitol steps or main lawn , said Michigan State Police spokeswoman Shanon Banner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was an arrest when one protester assaulted another .
Police did not ticket anyone for violations of the governor ’ s orders .
“ The majority of demonstrators remained in their vehicles , and most of those who were on foot were practicing social distancing , ” Banner said .
Four sheriffs in the northwestern Lower Peninsula called Whitmer ’ s orders a “ vague framework of emergency laws ” that are frustrating citizens .
Leelanau County Sheriff Mike Borkovich said people don ’ t understand why they can ’ t take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can use a kayak .
“ We ’ re trying to keep the peace with people .
...
The economy is coming apart in northern Michigan .
People are upset , ” Borkovich told The Associated Press .
“ People are frantic to get back to work .
They have been very edgy.
” White reported from Detroit .
Associated Press writer David Eggert in Lansing contributed to this report .
This story has been corrected to show that police did not ticket anyone for violations of the governor ’ s orders @

Mike Householder And Ed White - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Guatemala expands testing of deportees arriving from US

GUATEMALA CITY - Guatemala has started testing all deportees arriving on flights from the United States for COVID-19 if anyone on their flight tests positive for the disease , a government spokesperson said Wednesday , a day after the health minister said deportees were driving up the country ’ s caseload .
Health Ministry spokeswoman Ana Lucía Gudiel said that when Guatemala resumed receiving deportation flights on Monday after a one week pause , the government began sending any deportees who showed symptoms for immediate testing while the rest were isolated at a shelter at the airport .
If any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all deportees aboard that flight are tested , she said .
If they are negative , all the deportees are sent home within a couple days and told to self-quarantine inside their homes .
Previously , only those who displayed symptoms upon arrival were tested while the rest were sent home with instructions to quarantine themselves .
The new shelter is located at Guatemala City ’ s international airport where the flights arrived .
Circulated photographs of the area show thin foam pads laid out on the floor inside an area of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not answer requests for comment Wednesday .
On Tuesday , he brought the country ’ s reporting of infected deportees into question by mentioning a flight where 50 % to 75 % of the passengers were later found to be infected .
Presidential spokesman Carlos Sandoval later said Monroy was referring to a March 26 flight from Mesa , Arizona .
The government said that plane carried 41 passengers .
That would mean that 20 to 30 deportees were infected , whereas prior to Monroy ’ s comments the government had reported only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number to four later Tuesday .
Asked about Monroy ’ s comments , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement , which arranges the flights said in a written response : “ The health and safety of migrants in our care and custody is one of our highest priorities .
Every ICE detainee must pass a health screening by a flight medical provider or they will be denied boarding and referred to an ICE approved facility for additional screening .
DHS and ICE will continue to work with the Government of Guatemala to ensure their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and together protect the health and security of our nations.
” Guatemala again began receiving deportation flights from the United States after a one-week pause prompted by three deportees testing positive for COVID-19 .
The Guatemalan government had asked the United States to not send more than 25 deportees per flight , to give them health exams before departure and to certify that they were not infected .
But on Monday the U.S. sent nearly 200 deportees aboard two planes .
ICE does not typically disclose details about how and when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 14 flight to Guatemala that left from San Antonio with 112 people on board .
All were medically cleared before takeoff .
The agency says any detainee with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher is not allowed to board a flight and is sent for further evaluation and observation .
U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement said Wednesday the total number of detainees who have tested positive rose to 89 , with 15 at the privately run Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego .
The United States holds about 34,000 people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month .
Since March 13 , when Guatemala declared a health emergency , the Guatemalan Immigration Institute says that more than 1,600 deportees have arrived from the U.S. including 245 minors .
U.S. Rep. Norma Torres , who was born in Guatemala , said Wednesday in a statement that the Trump administration was not using common sense in continuing deportations to less-developed countries during a pandemic .
“ If the Trump Administration continues its callous deportation policies through the midst of this pandemic , the results will be predictable and tragic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of this Administration , deportations have been a way to outsource our challenges to other nations .
Coronavirus changes that – these deportations are exporting death.
” Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei said Tuesday there were a total of 175 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 in Guatemala and five who had died .

Sonia PéRez D. And Ben Fox - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Mayor: Drive-in church, with windows up, OK during pandemic

JACKSON , Miss .
- Facing two freedom-of-religion lawsuits and pushback from the U.S. attorney general , a Mississippi mayor said Wednesday that people may attend drive-in church services during the coronavirus pandemic but they must keep their windows up .
Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons also said local churches may allow up to 10 people at a time in a building for worship services that are shown online or carried on TV or radio , as long as those inside the church follow public health guidelines to maintain a safe distance from one another .
Greenville leaders enacted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches in the city would be closed for in-person and drive-in services as long as Gov .
Tate Reeves ’ s statewide stay-at-home order remains in place to combat the spread of the virus .
The governor ’ s order does not restrict types of worship .
The day after Greenville leaders set the local order , police issued $ 500 tickets to several people attending drive-in church services .
Some who were ticketed said the city was violating their First Amendment right to worship .
Simmons said Monday that the city would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tickets — and he also said he had received death threats over the city ’ s order .
The Democratic mayor said he wanted the Republican governor to give clear guidance about how the statewide stay-at-home order affects religious services .
Reeves has said during public appearances in the past two weeks that he does not believe government can ban religious services , but he has also asked pastors and other religious leaders to hold worship services online rather than in person because of the pandemic .
Simmons said Reeves provided clear guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with mayors .
“ The governor stated today ... for the very first time that drive-in church services where families stay in their cars with windows up are safe , ” Simmons said .
During a news conference Wednesday in Jackson , Reeves said that Greenville police made people roll down their windows at drive-in church services to be ticketed .
“ The actions taken by an over-burdensome government actually put more people at risk , ” Reeves said .
A conservative legal group called Alliance Defending Freedom filed a federal lawsuit on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , U.S. Attorney General William Barr took the rare step of filing papers to side with those suing the city .
Reeves tweeted thanks to Barr “ for this strong stand in support of religious liberty.
“ A similar lawsuit against the city was filed Wednesday by First Liberty Institute , and it is backed by a group that opposes many government regulations , the Mississippi Justice Institute .
An attorney for First Liberty Institute , Jeremy Dys , issued a statement Wednesday thanking Reeves and Simmons “ for recognizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clarifying that drive-in church services are allowed during this difficult time.
” The governor ’ s statewide stay-at-home order took effect the evening of April 3 and is currently set to expire Monday morning .
Reeves said Wednesday that he could decide in the next couple of days whether he will extend the order .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up within a few weeks .
For some , it can cause more severe illness and even death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Emily Wagster Pettus - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Justice Dept. watchdog to inspect prisons amid virus spread

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department ’ s inspector general will conduct remote inspections of Bureau of Prisons facilities to ensure they are following best practices to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus after hundreds of federal inmates tested positive for the virus .
The review , announced Wednesday , comes as the federal prison system struggles with a growing number of coronavirus cases and complaints from inmates , advocacy groups and correction officers about how officials are handling the pandemic among their 122 facilities .
Attorney General William Barr recently sent some of his closest advisers to federal prisons identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oakdale in Louisiana , where six inmates have died , a Justice Department official said .
The attorney general ’ s counsellors were sent to observe the conditions on the ground firsthand and report back to Barr .
They also visited FCI Elkton in Ohio , where five inmates have died , and FCC Butner , a prison complex in North Carolina that has seen four inmate deaths , and are expected to visit other hot spot prisons in the near future , the official said .
The official could not discuss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press on condition of anonymity .
Health officials have been warning for more than a decade about the dangers of epidemics in jails and prisons , which are ideal environments for virus outbreaks .
As of Wednesday evening , 451 federal inmates and 280 Bureau of Prisons staff members had tested positive for the virus .
Seventeen infected inmates have died at federal prisons across the U.S. since late March .
Weeks ago , Barr reached out to Inspector General Michael Horowitz and asked him to take a look at the federal prisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify any concerns and ways the Justice Department could improve the work being done , a person familiar with the matter said .
Barr has continued to consult with Horowitz since then , said the person , who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations .
The inspector general ’ s office is conducting what it described as a “ series of remote inspections ” at Bureau of Prisons facilities , as well as residential reentry centres , commonly known as halfway houses , and prisons that are contracted to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure the agency is complying with the government ’ s guidance and best practices to prevent , manage and contain a coronavirus outbreak behind bars , according to a posting on the watchdog ’ s website .
The inspector general ’ s office did not immediately provide additional details about how the inspections would work .
A spokesman for the Bureau of Prisons said the agency welcomed the remote inspections .
“ The Bureau of Prisons is working hard to prevent , contain , and mitigate the spread of this global pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to the OIG ’ s assessment of these efforts , ” spokesman Justin Long said in a statement .


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--The Latest: Minn. AG’s mother died of COVID-19 complications

ST. PAUL , Minn. - The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Minnesota ( all times local ) : The family of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says his 82-year-old mother died last month from COVID-19 complications .
Clida Martinez Ellison died March 26 in Michigan .
Her grandson , Minneapolis City Council member Jeremiah Ellison , wrote in a New York Times editorial Wednesday that he found out last week his grandmother tested positive for the coronavirus .
Attorney General Keith Ellison , a Democrat , has responded to scams , evictions and price-gouging related to COVID-19 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday his mother was “ just one of those people who held the sky up and you never thought you ’ d be without and suddenly here we are.
” Originally from Natchitoches , Louisiana , Clida Martinez Ellison was a child advocate and social worker .
She graduated from Xavier University with a bachelor ’ s degree in medical technology and went back to college at age 57 to earn a master ’ s degree in social work .
Keith Ellison was among her five sons .
This story has been corrected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being diagnosed with the coronavirus before her death ; she tested positive after her death .
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota will be closed until early May to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The wilderness area will be closed for both day and overnight use from April 15 through May 4 .
That ’ s when Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s extended state stay-at-home order is set to expire .
Reservations made through May 4 will receive a full refund , including reservation fees .
The Superior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permit pickup requirements beginning May 5 , to follow guidelines for social distancing .
Visitors can either print their Boundary Waters reservation confirmation email at home and use that as their permit , or pick up the permit in person at a business that remains open and is under an agreement with the Forest Service .
Nearly two dozen local elected officials are calling on Gov .
Tim Walz to suspend rent and mortgage payments and stop commercial property evictions during the coronavirus pandemic .
In a letter to Walz , the officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the shuttering of businesses are imminent unless aggressive measures are taken immediately.
” The officials include a majority of the City Council members in Minneapolis and St. Paul .
The governor issued an executive order last month to prevent residential evictions , but added that it doesn ’ t relieve a tenant ’ s obligation to pay rent .
The Star Tribune reports Walz has asked the Legislature for an increase to the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program to help people cover rent and mortgage payments , but there ’ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-15--Alaska pot board plans another meeting on emergency rules

JUNEAU , Alaska - The board that regulates Alaska ’ s legal marijuana market on Wednesday discussed but did not decide on proposed emergency rules that would allow people to order cannabis by phone or online and pick it up at authorized stores amid the coronavirus outbreak .
The Marijuana Control Board asked for revisions , with plans to reconvene Friday .
The proposal would allow retail marijuana shops to take orders by phone or online for pickup at the shop .
The shops would have to verify the recipient is at least 21 years old and have video surveillance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shops also would need to submit plans describing and depicting their delivery option .
Joan Wilson , an attorney for the board , said emergency regulations would last for 120 days .
Board Chair Loren Jones said it was his understanding the board would consider asking the governor to suspend some existing provisions as part of the process .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Multitudes of uncollected seashells in N.C. amid tourist ban

HARKERS ISLAND , N.C. - The ban on tourists in North Carolina ’ s Outer Banks has created large piles @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
A Facebook video posted Monday by the Cape Lookout National Seashore showed @ @ @ @ @ out across the beach as waves splash over them .
While park facilities are closed @ @ @ @ @ , the Charlotte Observer reported both Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras national seashores in the @ @ @ @ @ residents .
The shells remain uncollected since visitors are the ones that tend to gather @ @ @ @ @ Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-16--With price high, Thais with dwindling incomes sell off gold

BANGKOK - With gold prices rising to a seven-year high , many Thais have been flocking to gold shops to trade in their necklaces , bracelets , rings and gold bars for cash , eager to reap profits during an economic downturn .
In Thailand , where measures against the spread of COVID-19 have been less severe than in other countries , gold shops are de facto financial institutions , and generally remain open .
Long lines formed all week outside major gold shops in Chinatown in the capital Bangkok .
The sell-off has some gold shop owners claiming they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them short on cash to continue purchasing .
They are unable to carry out their normal practice of quickly reselling the gold abroad because of the greatly reduced number of flights to ship the gold and a shortage of buyers in other countries , who are restricted by lockdown orders and market closures .
Jitti Tangsithpakdi , chairman of the Gold Traders Association and owner of Chin Hua Heng Goldsmith Co , told The Associated Press that more than 90 % of recent gold shop customers are sellers .
Shops are bound by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell .
Prices are fixed by an industry association .
“ There ’ s never been a case where a goldsmith doesn ’ t buy back the gold , especially if the gold carries markings showing it is from their own shop , ” Jitti said .
It would destroy customers ’ trust in that goldsmith .
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha , heeding industry appeals , urged restraint on the part of sellers .
“ I ’ m asking people to sell gradually , not in large amounts , as shops may face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The price of gold has been rising since the coronavirus crisis began .
That ’ s typical of times of uncertainty as people shift their wealth into what they believe is a hedge against uncertain financial markets .
Gold was trading Thursday at $ 1,755.60 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange , the highest level since late 2012 .
Many Asians hold gold as savings and investments .
In Bangkok , gold shops are clustered in Chinatown , where long lines were stretched even further by social distancing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sellers mostly are seeking to profit from the high price .
However , some of those waiting said they were selling their gold to get cash to support their families since many have lost their jobs .
Saranya Prasert , a fruit exporter , said the COVID-19 crisis has halted her business and her family is struggling for money .
They are selling gold jewelry that they had kept for more than 10 years as savings .
“ The reason we are selling our gold today is because we need to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay our employees so need the money now for the expense .
The situation has impacted us .
We can ’ t export our goods.
” Many in line had similar stories .
Not all of them were selling because the price is high .
Pleonjit Sukcharoen , an office worker , said that while she is lucky that she still has a job , her sister is a street vendor who is unable to work because of a market shutdown order and now needs help with her hospital bill .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell her stash of gold that she had received as bonuses over the years from her employer .
Associated Press journalist Preeyapa T. Khunsong contributed to this report .

Tassanee Vejpongsa - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Global stocks up slightly ahead of US unemployment data

BEIJING - Global stocks mostly turned higher on Thursday as investors braced for another report on the number of jobless claims filed in the United States amid the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
European indexes and Wall Street futures were up slightly after a mixed session in Asia .
The latest weekly jobless claims report in the U.S. is expected to show several million more people out of work , adding to the 17 million laid off in the previous three weeks .
The sharp rise in unemployment is one of the most painful results of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have enforced to contain the spread of the new coronavirus .
The tone was darkened this week after a separate report showed that U.S. retail sales and factory output plunged in March .
The retail figures hit especially hard because consumer spending is two-thirds of the U.S. economy .
The announcements shook investors who economists have warned are too optimistic about a quick rebound from what is shaping up to be the deepest global slump since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
“ Boy , were U.S. data a rude awakening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a report .
Any notion of a “ V-shaped recovery ” once anti-virus controls are lifted “ is now being questioned more seriously , ” Ogawa said .
In Europe , London ’ s FTSE 100 gained 0.4 % to 5,621 and Frankfurt ’ s DAX rose 1 % to 10,379 .
The CAC 40 in Paris added 0.5 % to 4,376 .
On Wall Street , the future for the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.4 % while that for the S & P 500 was 0.5 % higher .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 225 fell 1.3 % to 19,290.20 and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.6 % to 24,006.45 .
Sydney ’ s S & P-ASX 200 lost 1.3 % to 5,397.60 .
The Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.3 % to 2,819.94 .
Seoul ’ s Kospi ended unchanged at 1,857.07 after swinging between gains and losses .
India ’ s Sensex gained 1.1 % to 30,716.93 .
New Zealand ’ s main index added 0.6 % while Singapore gained and Thailand and Jakarta retreated .
The U.S. retail sales decline exceeded the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Recession in November 2008 .
Auto sales dropped 25.6 % , while clothing store sales plunged 50.5 % .
Restaurants and bars reported a nearly 27 % fall in revenue .
Spending may be falling at an even faster pace than retail figures suggest .
Those data don ’ t include spending on services such as hotel stays , airline tickets or movie theatres , industries that have been largely shut down by anti-virus controls .
Also Wednesday , the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said its gauge for manufacturing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monthly margin in April .
The index is at its lowest level on record .
Traders say stocks will be volatile until investors can see more clearly when countries might be able to stop the outbreak .
The price of oil , meanwhile , stabilized after touching another 18-year low on Wednesday , when the International Energy Agency forecast that global demand for crude will fall this year by a record amount .
Benchmark U.S. crude gained 27 cents to $ 20.14 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its lowest price since 2002 before recovering to $ 19.87 .
Brent crude , used to price international oils , advanced $ 1.14 to $ 28.83 per barrel in London .
It fell $ 1.91 , or 6.5 % , the previous session to $ 27.69 .
Investors are focusing on how and when authorities may begin to ease business shutdowns and limits on people ’ s movements .
President Donald Trump has been discussing how to roll back federal social distancing recommendations .
U.S. governors are collaborating on plans to reopen their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gradual process to prevent the coronavirus from rebounding .
China has reopened factories , shops and other businesses after declaring victory over the outbreak , but forecasters say it will take months for industries to return to normal output , while exporters will face depressed global demand .
With millions of job losses worldwide , “ the more lasting damage to confidence and labour market shocks is also being under-estimated , and these may not recover in tandem with the pandemic , ” said Mizuho ’ s Ogawa .
The dollar advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 107.43 yen .
The euro fell to $ 1.0874 from $ 1.0911 .


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Coronavirus could erode global fight against other diseases

NEW DELHI - Lavina D ’ Souza hasn ’ t been able to collect her government-supplied anti-HIV medication since the abrupt lockdown of India ’ s 1.3 billion people last month during the coronavirus outbreak .
Marooned in a small city away from her home in Mumbai , the medicine she needs to manage her disease has run out .
The 43-year-old is afraid that her immune system will crash : “ Any disease , the coronavirus or something else , I ’ ll fall sick faster.
“ D ’ Souza said others also must be “ suffering because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” As the world focuses on the pandemic , experts fear losing ground in the long fight against other infectious diseases like AIDS , tuberculosis and cholera that kill millions every year .
Also at risk are decadeslong efforts that allowed the World Health Organization to set target dates for eradicating malaria , polio and other illnesses .
With the coronavirus overwhelming hospitals , redirecting medical staff , causing supply shortages and suspending health services , “ our greatest fear ” is resources for other diseases being diverted and depleted , said Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
That is compounded in countries with already overburdened health care systems , like Sudan .
Doctors at Al-Ribat National Hospital in Sudan ’ s capital , Khartoum , shared a document detailing nationwide measures : fewer patients admitted to emergency rooms , elective surgeries indefinitely postponed , primary care eliminated for non-critical cases , and skilled doctors transferred to COVID-19 patients .
Similar scenes are unfolding worldwide .
Even in countries with highly developed health care systems , such as South Korea , patients seeking treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned away , said Hojoon Sohn , of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , who is based in South Korea .
About 30 % of global TB cases — out of 10 million each year — are never diagnosed , and the gaps in care are concentrated in 10 countries with the most infections , Sohn said .
“ These are people likely not seeking care even in normal circumstances , ” he said .
“ So with the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in health systems overload , and governments issuing stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of TB patients who remain undetected will increase.
” In Congo , already overwhelmed by the latest outbreak of Ebola and years of violent conflict , the coronavirus comes as a measles outbreak has killed over 6,000 people , said Anne-Marie Connor , national director for World Vision , a humanitarian aid organization .
“ It ’ s likely we ’ ll see a lot of ‘ indirect ’ deaths from other diseases , ” she said .
The cascading impact of the pandemic isn ’ t limited to treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a lockdown , are threatening India ’ s progress on TB .
Patients and doctors can ’ t get to clinics , and it ’ s difficult to send samples for testing .
India has nearly a third of the world ’ s TB cases , and diagnosing patients has been delayed in many areas .
Dr. Yogesh Jain in Chhattisgarh — one of India ’ s poorest states — and other doctors fear that means “ TB cases would certainly increase.
” Coronavirus-related lockdowns also have interrupted the flow of supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and oxygen , said Dr. Marc Biot , director of operations for international aid group Doctors Without Borders .
“ These are difficult to find now because everybody is rushing for them in the same moment , ” Biot said .
The fear of some diseases resurging is further aggravated by delays in immunization efforts for more than 13.5 million people , according to the vaccine alliance GAVI .
The international organization said 21 countries are reporting vaccine shortages following border closures and disruptions to air travel — mostly in Africa — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and measles have been postponed .
The Measles & Rubella Initiative said measles immunization campaigns in 24 countries already are delayed , and it fears that more than 117 million children in 37 countries may miss out .
Dr. Jay Wenger , who heads polio eradication efforts for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , said recommending the suspension of door-to-door polio vaccinations was difficult , and while it could lead to a spurt in cases , “ it is a necessary move to reduce the risk of increasing transmission of COVID-19.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hampered .
In Sri Lanka , where cases of dengue nearly doubled in 2019 over the previous year , health inspectors are tasked with tracing suspected COVID-19 patients , disrupting their “ routine work “ of destroying mosquito breeding sites at homes , said Dr. Anura Jayasekara , director of Sri Lanka ’ s National Dengue Control Unit .
During a pandemic , history shows that other diseases can make a major comeback .
Amid the Ebola outbreak in Guinea , Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2014-16 , almost as many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of reduced access to health care .
Rashid Ansumana , a community health expert in Sierra Leone who studied the Ebola outbreak , said the coronavirus ’ s “ impact will definitely be higher.
“ Health providers are trying to ease the crisis by giving months of supplies to people with hepatitis C , HIV and TB , said Biot of Doctors Without Borders .
As countries face difficult health care choices amid the pandemic , Nkengasong of the Africa CDC warns that efforts to tackle other diseases can ’ t fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advocate for those programs is not when COVID is over .
The time is now , ” he said .
Milko reported from Jakarta .
Associated Press journalists Cara Anna in Johannesburg , Bharatha Mallawarachi in Colombo , Sri Lanka , Isabel DeBre in Cairo , and Maria Cheng in London contributed to this report .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Aniruddha Ghosal And Victoria Milko - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Africa to roll out more than 1 million coronavirus tests

JOHANNESBURG - More than 1 million coronavirus tests will be rolled out starting next week in Africa to address the “ big gap ” in assessing the true number of cases on the continent , the head of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday .
“ Maybe 15 million tests ” will be required in Africa over the next three months , John Nkengasong said .
The new initiative to dramatically accelerate testing comes as the continent of 1.3 billion people braces for its turn in the pandemic that has rolled from China to Europe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said Africa is weeks behind Europe and the U.S. but the rise in cases has looked alarmingly similar .
Africa has suffered in the global race to obtain testing kits and other badly needed medical equipment .
While the number of virus cases across the continent was above 17,000 on Thursday , health officials have said the testing shortage means more are out there .
South Africa , the most assertive African nation in testing , has carried out perhaps 80,000 tests so far , Nkengasong said .
He also expressed concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the World Health Organization , saying it “ absolutely will affect ( African Union ) member states ’ ability to receive support ” from the U.N. agency .
The U.S. is the top donor to the WHO , but President Donald Trump has complained about alleged mismanagement , to widespread objections .
The WHO ’ s regional chief for Africa , Matshidiso Moeti , said in a separate briefing that for the current biennium , or two years , the region has received almost $ 50 million from the U.S. Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be significant and “ we are very much hoping it will be rethought.
“ Overall , the WHO ’ s 47-country sub-Saharan Africa region will need about $ 300 million over the next six months to support what the countries are doing to combat the virus , she said .
Any reduction in support for African nations will be painful as the continent has some of the world ’ s weakest health systems .
Ten African nations have no ventilators at all to treat virus patients who need respiratory support , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being made to deliver some recently donated by the Jack Ma Foundation .
Nkengasong did not name the 10 countries .
He again called for solidarity inside and outside Africa in combating the virus , saying that “ COVID-19 will not be defeated anywhere on the continent until it is defeated everywhere on the continent.
” And he would not get into specific projections on how widely the virus could spread in Africa , saying there are many factors in play and “ we don ’ t know what we don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough .
But for some , especially older adults and those with other health problems , it can cause pneumonia and death .
Millions of low-income people across Africa are struggling as countries begin to extend weeks-long lockdowns to slow the virus ’ spread .
Nkengasong acknowledged the economic pain the lockdowns and other measures create but said “ the long-term gains are incomparable ” for the continent .
“ We find ourselves between a hard place and a rock ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
He also made a point of addressing one widespread concern — the alleged abuse of lockdown powers by some countries ’ security forces .
Human rights groups have said police in some cases have beaten , even killed , people accused of defying lockdowns or curfews .
“ Security forces should be trained in non-violent methods in controlling the population , ” Nkengasong said .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--US unemployment applications are set to shoot up again

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is poised Thursday to announce the latest alarming report on the layoffs that have been sweeping across the economy since the coronavirus outbreak struck hard last month .
Several million more people are expected to have filed for unemployment benefits last week , after nearly 17 million applied for aid in the previous three weeks .
It is the worst stretch of U.S. job losses on record .
All businesses deemed nonessential have been closed in 48 states as the economy has essentially shut down .
Some economists say the unemployment rate could reach as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which would be the highest rate since the Great Depression .
Layoffs have spread beyond services industries such as restaurants and hotels into blue-collar and professional occupations , including software programmers , construction workers and sales jobs .
Up to 50 million jobs are vulnerable to coronavirus-related layoffs , economists say — about one-third of all positions in the United States .
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Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-16--Medical intelligence sleuths tracked, warned of new virus

WASHINGTON - In late February when President Donald Trump was urging Americans not to panic over the novel coronavirus , alarms were sounding at a little-known intelligence unit situated on a U.S. Army base an hour ’ s drive north of Washington .
Intelligence , science and medical professionals at the National Center for Medical Intelligence were quietly doing what they have done for decades — monitoring and tracking global health threats that could endanger U.S. troops abroad and Americans at home .
On Feb. 25 , the medical intelligence unit raised its warning that the coronavirus would become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a probable crisis — to WATCHCON 1 — an imminent one , according to a U.S. official .
That was 15 days before the W orld Health Organization declared the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic .
At the time of the warning , few coronavirus infections had been reported in the United States .
That same day , Trump , who was in New Delhi , India , tweeted : “ The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA.
“ Soon , however , the coronavirus spread across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people with the disease COVID-19 and killing more than 26,000 people in the United States .
The centre ’ s work typically is shared with defence and health officials , including the secretary of health and human services .
Its Feb. 25 warning , first reported last month by Newsweek , was included in an intelligence briefing provided to the Joint Chiefs of Staff , but it ’ s unknown whether Trump or other White House officials saw it .
Various intelligence agencies had been including information about the coronavirus in briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official , who spoke only on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to confirm details about the alert .
At least 100 epidemiologists , virologists , chemical engineers , toxicologists , biologists and military medical expert — all schooled in intelligence trade craft — work at the medical intelligence unit , located at Fort Detrick in Frederick , Maryland .
Requests to interview current workers were denied , but former employees described how they go through massive amounts of information , looking for clues about global health events .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for needles in a stack of needles , “ said Denis Kaufman , who worked in the medical intelligence unit from 1990 to 2005 and again later before retiring .
Most of the information they study is public , called “ open source ” material .
A local newspaper in Africa might publish a story about an increasing number of people getting sick , and that raises a flag because there ’ s no mention of any such illness on the other side of the country .
A doctor in the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media .
But unlike organizations such as the WHO , the medical intelligence team , part of the Defence Intelligence Agency , also has access to classified intelligence collected by the 17 U.S. spy agencies .
The medical unit can dig into signals intelligence and intercepts of communications collected by the National Security Agency .
It can read information that CIA officers pick up in the field overseas .
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency can share satellite imagery and terrain maps to help assess how a disease , like Ebola or avian flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Every day , all of us would come into work and read and research our area for anything that ’ s different — anything that doesn ’ t make sense , whether it ’ s about disease , health care , earthquakes , national disaster — anything that would affect the health of a nation , ” said Martha ” Rainie ” Dasche , a specialist on Africa who retired from the DIA in 2018 .
“ We start wondering .
We look at things with a jaundice eye.
” They don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and produce medical intelligence assessments , forecasts and databases on infectious disease and health risks from natural disasters , toxic materials , bioterrorism as well as certain countries ’ capacity to handle them .
Their reports are written for military commanders , defence health officials and researchers as well as policymakers at the Defence Department , White House and federal agencies , especially the Department of Health and Human Services .
The centre was originally in the U.S. Army Surgeon General ’ s office during World War II , but military leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the danger that disease poses to troops .
“ In the Spanish-American War , there were major epidemics of typhoid fever and dysentery , ” according to a report written in 1951 at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in Texas .
“ World War I saw widespread outbreaks of influenza and malaria .
In World War II , there was a high incidence of malaria and infectious hepatitis .
...
In all wars prior to World War II , losses from disease exceeded losses from battle injury.
” Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in providing early warnings that prevent illness .
That can be difficult if a country doesn ’ t report or share information out of fear that the news will affect its economy or tourism .
Some undeveloped countries with poor health systems might not compile good data .
Information from countries trying to play down the seriousness of an epidemic can ’ t be trusted .
Kaufman said massive amounts of information come out of China , where the first reports of the new coronavirus surfaced in the city of Wuhan .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authoritarian government , the medical intelligence researchers glean information from the local level , not Beijing .
“ Researchers , in some cases , have more success in learning information from the bottom up — not from the central communist government , but from localities , ” he said .
“ That ’ s where some guy in Wuhan might be saying ‘ I can ’ t report this because I don ’ t want to look bad to my boss ’ or there ’ s a guy who says he can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cousin runs the bird market and doesn ’ t want to hurt his business .
”