upi--2020-05-06--Brain model links herpes virus to development of Alzheimer's disease

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Bio-engineered models of the human brain infected with herpes simplex virus-1 , or HSV-1 , develop many of the same characteristics found in Alzheimer 's disease , according to an analysis published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances .
Engineers and scientists at Tufts University used a 3D human-tissue culture model designed to mimic the components and conditions of the brain to demonstrate a possible causal relationship between sporadic Alzheimer 's disease and HSV-1 .
After infecting neurons in the brain with HSV-1 , the researches observed the same amyloid plaque formation , neuronal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ functioning found in Alzheimer 's disease .
Treatment of the brain tissue models with the antiviral drug valacyclovir , which commonly is used to treat both HSV-1 and HSV-2 , resulted in reduced plaque formation .
The authors hope the model will assist future studies into the causes and possible treatments of this form of dementia .
`` Our model using normal neurons allows us to show that herpes virus alone is sufficient to induce Alzheimer 's disease characteristics , '' study co-author Dana Cairns , postdoctoral research associate in David Kaplan 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press release .
Although treatments exist to slow Alzheimer 's disease progression in some people , no cure is available .
The disease affects more than 5 million Americans of all ages , according to the Alzheimer 's Association .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly half of all Americans between ages 14 and 49 have HSV-1 , while just over 12 percent have the less-common HSV-2 .
The World Health Organization reports that , globally , two out of every three people 50 years old and younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to as `` herpes , '' but HSV-1 typically causes sores around the mouth and lips , while HSV-2 affects the area around the genitals and is sometimes called `` genital herpes . ''
HSV-1 can be spread through kissing or sharing items like toothbrushes or eating utensils , while HSV-2 is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person .
Research attempting to link the herpes virus in any form to Alzheimer 's disease to date has yielded mixed findings -- and has been somewhat controversial , perhaps due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Science Advances study , researchers built a doughnut-shaped human brain model , using a sponge-like material made with silk protein and collagen and normal neural stem cells .
The model effectively mimics both the gray and white matter of the brain , they noted .
Unlike earlier lab models for Alzheimer 's , the Tufts model starts with genetically normal cells , allowing for what researchers said is a clearer examination of environmental factors that potentially lead to disease .
Using imaging technology , they observed physical and biological changes in the neurons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the communication networks between the cells .
They found that 40 Alzheimer 's disease-associated genes were over-expressed in the HSV-1 infected brain tissue constructs compared to non-infected tissue .
This includes genes coding for the enzymes cathepsin G and BACE2 , both of which are associated with the disease and involved in the formation of beta amyloid .
The researchers also found that valacyclovir , which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for herpes treatment , returned the levels of several molecules and enzymes associated with Alzheimer 's disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-infection .
`` Our brain tissue model allowed us to take a closer look at the potential causal relationship between herpes and Alzheimer 's disease , and the results were intriguing , '' noted co-author David Kaplan , the Stern Family Professor of Engineering at Tufts .

A new modeling study has identified a connection between Alzheimer's disease and herpes simplex-1. File photo by Max Pixel
May 6 (UPI) -- Bio-engineered models of the human brain infected with herpes simplex virus-1, or HSV-1, develop many of the same characteristics found in Alzheimer's disease, according to an analysis published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances. Engineers and scientists at Tufts University used a 3D human-tissue culture model designed to mimic the components and conditions of the brain to demonstrate a possible causal relationship between sporadic Alzheimer's disease and HSV-1. Advertisement
After infecting neurons in the brain with HSV-1, the researches observed the same amyloid plaque formation, neuronal loss, neuro-inflammation and diminished neural network functioning found in Alzheimer's disease.
Treatment of the brain tissue models with the antiviral drug valacyclovir, which commonly is used to treat both HSV-1 and HSV-2, resulted in reduced plaque formation. The authors hope the model will assist future studies into the causes and possible treatments of this form of dementia.
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"Our model using normal neurons allows us to show that herpes virus alone is sufficient to induce Alzheimer's disease characteristics," study co-author Dana Cairns, postdoctoral research associate in David Kaplan's lab at Tufts, said in a press release.
Although treatments exist to slow Alzheimer's disease progression in some people, no cure is available. The disease affects more than 5 million Americans of all ages, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly half of all Americans between ages 14 and 49 have HSV-1, while just over 12 percent have the less-common HSV-2. The World Health Organization reports that, globally, two out of every three people 50 years old and younger have HSV-1.
Both viruses are commonly referred to as "herpes," but HSV-1 typically causes sores around the mouth and lips, while HSV-2 affects the area around the genitals and is sometimes called "genital herpes."
HSV-1 can be spread through kissing or sharing items like toothbrushes or eating utensils, while HSV-2 is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person.
Research attempting to link the herpes virus in any form to Alzheimer's disease to date has yielded mixed findings -- and has been somewhat controversial, perhaps due to the stigma attached to HSV.
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For the Science Advances study, researchers built a doughnut-shaped human brain model, using a sponge-like material made with silk protein and collagen and normal neural stem cells. The model effectively mimics both the gray and white matter of the brain, they noted.
Unlike earlier lab models for Alzheimer's, the Tufts model starts with genetically normal cells, allowing for what researchers said is a clearer examination of environmental factors that potentially lead to disease.
Using imaging technology, they observed physical and biological changes in the neurons in real time and monitored electrical activity and the communication networks between the cells.
They found that 40 Alzheimer's disease-associated genes were over-expressed in the HSV-1 infected brain tissue constructs compared to non-infected tissue. This includes genes coding for the enzymes cathepsin G and BACE2, both of which are associated with the disease and involved in the formation of beta amyloid.
The researchers also found that valacyclovir, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for herpes treatment, returned the levels of several molecules and enzymes associated with Alzheimer's disease in model brain to where they were pre-infection.
"Our brain tissue model allowed us to take a closer look at the potential causal relationship between herpes and Alzheimer's disease, and the results were intriguing," noted co-author David Kaplan, the Stern Family Professor of Engineering at Tufts.


upi--2020-05-06--Dallas Cowboys sign former first-round pick Cameron Erving

May 6 ( UPI ) -- The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with free-agent offensive lineman Cameron Erving , the team announced Wednesday .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Erving is signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys .
The team did n't disclose financial details of the agreement .
The Cowboys had a need for a veteran offensive tackle after Cameron Fleming , who served as a key backup over the last two seasons , left Dallas and joined the New York Giants this off-season .
The Cowboys declined to exercise Fleming 's $ 4 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to become a free agent .
Erving , a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 draft , has started 42 of 69 games in his NFL career , including eight contests at left tackle with the Kansas City Chiefs last season .
He spent the past three years in Kansas City , but the team declined to pick up his 2020 option this off-season .
Erving was a versatile piece along the Chiefs ' offensive line .
During his three-year stint with the franchise , he filled in at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both guard spots .

Former first-round pick Cameron Erving (75) spent the past three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with free-agent offensive lineman Cameron Erving, the team announced Wednesday. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Erving is signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys. The team didn't disclose financial details of the agreement. Advertisement
The Cowboys had a need for a veteran offensive tackle after Cameron Fleming, who served as a key backup over the last two seasons, left Dallas and joined the New York Giants this off-season. The Cowboys declined to exercise Fleming's $4 million option for the 2020 campaign, allowing him to become a free agent.
Erving, a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 draft, has started 42 of 69 games in his NFL career, including eight contests at left tackle with the Kansas City Chiefs last season. He spent the past three years in Kansas City, but the team declined to pick up his 2020 option this off-season.
The #DallasCowboys have agreed to terms with veteran lineman, Cameron Erving. Advertisement MORE: https://t.co/hsA88oMuLv pic.twitter.com/v5THjBflop— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 6, 2020
Erving was a versatile piece along the Chiefs' offensive line. During his three-year stint with the franchise, he filled in at multiple positions, including left tackle and both guard spots.


upi--2020-05-06--Israeli High Court permits Benjamin Netanyahu to form government despite indictments

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Israel 's High Court on Wednesday ruled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can form a new government despite facing criminal indictments .
The 11-judge panel rejected petitions by advocacy groups and opposition figures stating that members of Israel 's parliament , known as the Knesset , ca n't be appointed prime minister while facing corruption charges and challenging the legality of a coalition agreement between Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz to form a new government .
In their ruling , the judges said they could not intervene in the appointment of Netanyahu as prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against him , saying he was not automatically disqualified under the law and the court could still review the discretion of any appointment .
They also ruled that the Knesset is responsible for appointing the prime minister and the court must defer heavily to its decision .
Netanyahu 's Likud Party and Gantz 's Blue and White Party issued a joint statement following the decision saying they have `` concluded the establishment of the government '' and announced a swearing-in ceremony would be held May 13 .
Under the agreement reached last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 months and will then be replaced by Gantz .
The government will also comprise 36 ministers and 16 deputies distributed among the Likud and Blue and White parties as well as three other minor parties .
Netanyahu is set to stand trial on the corruption charges on May 24 after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic .

A panel of 11 judges of the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can form a government after reaching a deal with rival Benny Gantz despite his criminal indictments on corruption charges. Pool Photo by Abir Sultan/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Israel's High Court on Wednesday ruled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can form a new government despite facing criminal indictments. The 11-judge panel rejected petitions by advocacy groups and opposition figures stating that members of Israel's parliament, known as the Knesset, can't be appointed prime minister while facing corruption charges and challenging the legality of a coalition agreement between Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz to form a new government. Advertisement
In their ruling, the judges said they could not intervene in the appointment of Netanyahu as prime minister despite "grave charges pending" against him, saying he was not automatically disqualified under the law and the court could still review the discretion of any appointment.
They also ruled that the Knesset is responsible for appointing the prime minister and the court must defer heavily to its decision.
Netanyahu's Likud Party and Gantz's Blue and White Party issued a joint statement following the decision saying they have "concluded the establishment of the government" and announced a swearing-in ceremony would be held May 13.
Under the agreement reached last month, Netanyahu will remain prime minister for 18 months and will then be replaced by Gantz. The government will also comprise 36 ministers and 16 deputies distributed among the Likud and Blue and White parties as well as three other minor parties.
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Netanyahu is set to stand trial on the corruption charges on May 24 after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


upi--2020-05-06--CBS renews 23 shows for 2020-21; cancels 4 sitcoms

May 6 ( UPI ) -- CBS renewed 23 series for the 2020-21 prime-time television season , the network announced Wednesday .
Set to come back are NCIS , NCIS : Los Angeles , NCIS : New Orleans , Young Sheldon , FBI , FBI : Most Wanted , Bob ( Heart ) Abishola , 60 Minutes , All Rise , Blue Bloods , Bull , MacGyver , Magnum P.I.
, S.W.A.T.
, SEAL Team , The Neighborhood , The Unicorn , Undercover Boss , 48 Hours , Evil , Mom , Survivor and The Amazing Race .
`` Thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to win the current season by 1 million viewers , '' Kelly Kahl -- president of CBS Entertainment -- said in a statement .
`` Next year , we 'll have these strong returning series as our foundation ... and Super Bowl LV , too .
It 's a well-balanced lineup across entertainment , news and sports that will put us in an incredibly stable position for 2020-21 . ''
Cut from the schedule , according to Deadline , were the four-year-old Matt LeBlanc sitcom Man with the Plan , and freshman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Second Act .
Hawaii Five-0 , Madam Secretary and Criminal Minds all ended their runs this season , while God Friended Me was canceled last month .

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Mark Harmon's "NCIS" was among the 23 shows CBS has renewed for the 2020-21 season. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- CBS renewed 23 series for the 2020-21 prime-time television season, the network announced Wednesday. Set to come back are NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, Young Sheldon, FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, Bob (Heart) Abishola, 60 Minutes, All Rise, Blue Bloods, Bull, MacGyver, Magnum P.I., S.W.A.T., SEAL Team, The Neighborhood, The Unicorn, Undercover Boss, 48 Hours, Evil, Mom, Survivor and The Amazing Race. Advertisement
"Thanks to these exceptional shows, we're going to win the current season by 1 million viewers," Kelly Kahl -- president of CBS Entertainment -- said in a statement.
"Next year, we'll have these strong returning series as our foundation ... and Super Bowl LV, too. It's a well-balanced lineup across entertainment, news and sports that will put us in an incredibly stable position for 2020-21."
Cut from the schedule, according to Deadline, were the four-year-old Matt LeBlanc sitcom Man with the Plan, and freshman comedies Broke, Tommy and Carol's Second Act.
Hawaii Five-0, Madam Secretary and Criminal Minds all ended their runs this season, while God Friended Me was canceled last month.
Advertisement We  that #BobHeartsAbishola is coming back for Season 2 and we  that Bob himself, @BillyGardell, recorded this special message for the fans: pic.twitter.com/IK1uvAI2dy— CBS (@CBS) May 6, 2020


upi--2020-05-06--Latin American business leaders optimistic about region’s post-pandemic economy

The head of the World Economic Forum 's Latin America team warned Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic could devastate the region 's economy if governments fail to act , but leaders from key industries are envisioning strong post-pandemic recoveries .
Marisol Argueta de Barillas , who leads the WEF 's Latin America team and previously served as El Salvador 's foreign minister , said the pandemic could have unprecedented effects on `` unemployment , social conditions and poverty '' in the region .
`` Policies to protect household incomes and aggregate demand are essential , '' Argueta de Barillas said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson International Center for Scholars .
She added that these protections are especially pertinent considering `` the high level of independent and informal workers in Latin America . ''
Due to the pandemic , the World Bank is projecting gross domestic product in Latin America will shrink 4.6 percent this year , ending several years of slow growth and exacerbating already-occurring economic crises in certain parts of the region .
Despite these negative economic projections , business leaders from major industries across the region , including food service , hospitality and travel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of Arcos Dorados , the master franchisee for McDonald 's restaurants in Latin America , said 70 percent of the company 's units are `` functioning in one way or the other '' during the pandemic .
So far , Staton said , Arcos Dorados has not laid off any of its approximately 90,000 employees and pay cuts outside of the company 's senior leadership have been minimal .
Staton said Arcos Dorados has not received any financial assistance from governments beyond tax deferrals , but noted the deferrals have been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the company is well-positioned to bounce back after the pandemic because many consumers will prefer Acros Dorados ' restaurants to smaller businesses that may lack the necessary `` sanitary practices and hygienic practices . ''
Although the Latin American hospitality industry is among those hit hardest by the pandemic as most travelers are staying home , Iván Chávez , executive vice president of Mexican resort conglomerate Grupo Vidanta , echoed Staton 's optimism about the post-pandemic world .
Chávez said the company 's guests are `` ready to come back '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as they are able to .
`` Going forward , we just have to adjust , '' he said .
`` We see ... reality is this new world .
We 're not fighting it .
We 're juggling those chainsaws and focusing on what we can do better . ''
Chávez said Grupo Vidanta has kept all of its full-time employees on its payroll and has been supporting its part-time staff as much as possible , including by providing meals for part-time employees and their families .
In Argentina , budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to COO Eduardo Gaspari .
`` We need all of [ our employees ] for the time we restart the operation , '' Gaspari said , and Flybondi is not considering layoffs in the coming months .
He added that his outlook for the company remains `` very positive '' because the low-cost carrier runs efficiently and is a popular choice among travelers on the routes it services .
Argueta said the business leaders ' positive forecasts were encouraging because major industries and large companies can help provide economic and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do n't know what the new normal looks like , '' Argueta said .
`` But we do have an opportunity to shape that new normal [ in Latin America ] .

People line up to enter the municipal market of Santa Tecla, El Salvador, on April 14, 2020. Due to the pandemic, the World Bank is projecting gross domestic product in Latin America will shrink 4.6 percent this year. Photo by Rodrigo Sura/EPA-EFE
The head of the World Economic Forum's Latin America team warned Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic could devastate the region's economy if governments fail to act, but leaders from key industries are envisioning strong post-pandemic recoveries. Marisol Argueta de Barillas, who leads the WEF's Latin America team and previously served as El Salvador's foreign minister, said the pandemic could have unprecedented effects on "unemployment, social conditions and poverty" in the region. Advertisement
"Policies to protect household incomes and aggregate demand are essential," Argueta de Barillas said at an event hosted by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She added that these protections are especially pertinent considering "the high level of independent and informal workers in Latin America."
Due to the pandemic, the World Bank is projecting gross domestic product in Latin America will shrink 4.6 percent this year, ending several years of slow growth and exacerbating already-occurring economic crises in certain parts of the region.
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Despite these negative economic projections, business leaders from major industries across the region, including food service, hospitality and travel, remain optimistic.
Woods Staton, executive chairman of Arcos Dorados, the master franchisee for McDonald's restaurants in Latin America, said 70 percent of the company's units are "functioning in one way or the other" during the pandemic. So far, Staton said, Arcos Dorados has not laid off any of its approximately 90,000 employees and pay cuts outside of the company's senior leadership have been minimal.
Staton said Arcos Dorados has not received any financial assistance from governments beyond tax deferrals, but noted the deferrals have been a "huge help."
He also said the company is well-positioned to bounce back after the pandemic because many consumers will prefer Acros Dorados' restaurants to smaller businesses that may lack the necessary "sanitary practices and hygienic practices."
Although the Latin American hospitality industry is among those hit hardest by the pandemic as most travelers are staying home, Iván Chávez, executive vice president of Mexican resort conglomerate Grupo Vidanta, echoed Staton's optimism about the post-pandemic world.
Chávez said the company's guests are "ready to come back" and are signaling they will take vacations as soon as they are able to.
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"Going forward, we just have to adjust," he said. "We see ... reality is this new world. We're not fighting it. We're juggling those chainsaws and focusing on what we can do better."
Chávez said Grupo Vidanta has kept all of its full-time employees on its payroll and has been supporting its part-time staff as much as possible, including by providing meals for part-time employees and their families.
In Argentina, budget airline Flybondi has also avoided employee layoffs, according to COO Eduardo Gaspari.
"We need all of [our employees] for the time we restart the operation," Gaspari said, and Flybondi is not considering layoffs in the coming months.
He added that his outlook for the company remains "very positive" because the low-cost carrier runs efficiently and is a popular choice among travelers on the routes it services.
Argueta said the business leaders' positive forecasts were encouraging because major industries and large companies can help provide economic and social stability in otherwise struggling countries.
"We don't know what the new normal looks like," Argueta said. "But we do have an opportunity to shape that new normal [in Latin America].
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-06--3M inks $126M deal with DoD to increase N95 mask production in October

May 6 ( UPI ) -- 3M has signed a $ 126 million deal with the Pentagon to increase its production of N95 masks to 26 million per month beginning in October 2020 .
The increase is intended to resupply the Strategic National Stockpile in response to increased national demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , but also to `` continue to ensure a sustainable supply chain of N95 respirators , '' the Department of Defense said Wednesday in a statement .
Under the deal , 3M will increase N95 respirator production by at least 312 million per year within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In order to increase capacity , 3M will expand its facility in Aberdeen , S.D.
, as well as expanding production of the masks to Wisconsin .
In late April , 3M received $ 76 million from the Department of Defense to make N95 masks .
At that time the company was contracted to provide 78 million units within six months , with an additional 13 million units per month by June .
N95 respirator masks , considered the safest for use in medical settings , have been in short supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to criminal charges for price gouging , revised public health recommendations to include washable fabric masks and contracts for decontamination services so N95 masks can be sanitized and reused to address the immediate shortage .
Also on Wednesday , 3M announced Ford is shipping 10,000 powered air-purifying respirators , or PAPRs -- which the two companies collaborated to develop -- to protect healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic .
According to 3M , since the COVID-19 outbreak began , the company has doubled its global output of filtering facepiece respirators , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.1 billion per year , or 100 million per month -- with 35 million N95s being produced in the United States .
The company said that 90 percent of N95s it currently produces go directly to health care workers .
At the end of January , 3M , which currently employs 96,000 employees worldwide , announced it was laying off 1,500 workers globally in an effort to restructure the company .

Wendy Gould, R.N., inspects N95 masks that have been sanitized in a special trailer at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis on April 23. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- 3M has signed a $126 million deal with the Pentagon to increase its production of N95 masks to 26 million per month beginning in October 2020. The increase is intended to resupply the Strategic National Stockpile in response to increased national demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to "continue to ensure a sustainable supply chain of N95 respirators," the Department of Defense said Wednesday in a statement. Advertisement
Under the deal, 3M will increase N95 respirator production by at least 312 million per year within the next 12 months, the Pentagon said.
In order to increase capacity, 3M will expand its facility in Aberdeen, S.D., as well as expanding production of the masks to Wisconsin.
In late April, 3M received $76 million from the Department of Defense to make N95 masks.
At that time the company was contracted to provide 78 million units within six months, with an additional 13 million units per month by June.
N95 respirator masks, considered the safest for use in medical settings, have been in short supply since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, leading to criminal charges for price gouging, revised public health recommendations to include washable fabric masks and contracts for decontamination services so N95 masks can be sanitized and reused to address the immediate shortage.
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Also on Wednesday, 3M announced Ford is shipping 10,000 powered air-purifying respirators, or PAPRs -- which the two companies collaborated to develop -- to protect healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to 3M, since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the company has doubled its global output of filtering facepiece respirators, such as N95s, to more than 1.1 billion per year, or 100 million per month -- with 35 million N95s being produced in the United States.
The company said that 90 percent of N95s it currently produces go directly to health care workers.
At the end of January, 3M, which currently employs 96,000 employees worldwide, announced it was laying off 1,500 workers globally in an effort to restructure the company.


upi--2020-05-06--Ricky Gervais working on third season of 'After Life'

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Ricky Gervais announced Wednesday that he has signed on to write , produce and @ @ @ @ @ of his Netflix dramedy After Life .
`` Because so many of you watched # @ @ @ @ @ it Number 1 again , the nice people at @ Netflix have suggested that I @ @ @ @ @ and do another season .
This is all your fault , '' Gervais tweeted to @ @ @ @ @ of the show about a small-town journalist coping with the death of his wife debuted @ @ @ @ @ Reporter said the renewal is part of a new deal Gervais struck with the streaming @ @ @ @ @ create other shows and headline stand-up specials .
`` I was planning to retire soon @ @ @ @ @ house drunk until I die , but I 've grown a bit tired of doing @ @ @ @ @ and also Netflix made me an offer I could n't refuse , '' Gervais said @ @ @ @

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Ricky Gervais is working on Season 3 of "After Life." File Photo by Paul Treadway/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Ricky Gervais announced Wednesday that he has signed on to write, produce and star in a third season of his Netflix dramedy After Life. "Because so many of you watched #AfterLife2 so quickly and made it Number 1 again, the nice people at @Netflix have suggested that I get off my fat arse and do another season. This is all your fault," Gervais tweeted to his fans. Advertisement
Season 2 of the show about a small-town journalist coping with the death of his wife debuted last month.
The Hollywood Reporter said the renewal is part of a new deal Gervais struck with the streaming service under which he will create other shows and headline stand-up specials.
"I was planning to retire soon and just wander around the house drunk until I die, but I've grown a bit tired of doing that during the lockdown, and also Netflix made me an offer I couldn't refuse," Gervais said in a statement.
Because so many of you watched #AfterLife2 so quickly and made it Number 1 again, the nice people at @Netflix have suggested that I get off my fat arse and do another season. This is all your fault. pic.twitter.com/NDD2gGnFXx— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) May 6, 2020 Advertisement


upi--2020-05-06--At least 194 killed in Kenya flooding this month

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Flooding in Kenya 's rainy season has killed 194 people and displaced more than @ @ @ @ @ officials said Wednesday .
Kenyan Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said more than 122,000 households were @ @ @ @ @ by heavy rains that are expected to continue until June .
He said 30 people @ @ @ @ @ Kenya on Tuesday , bringing the death toll to 194 .
Villagers living near dams @ @ @ @ @ levels were required to evacuate while others near the River Nzoia were forced to leave @ @ @ @ @ the government had flagged additional bags of relief food to be delivered to the areas @ @ @ @ @ landslides .

Officials in Kenya said 194 people have died and more than 100,000 people have been displaced due to heavy floods amid the country's rainy season. Photo courtesy Eugene L. Wamalwa/ Twitter
May 6 (UPI) -- Flooding in Kenya's rainy season has killed 194 people and displaced more than 100,000 households this month, officials said Wednesday. Kenyan Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said more than 122,000 households were displaced by the flooding caused by heavy rains that are expected to continue until June. Advertisement
He said 30 people died amid flooding in West Kenya on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 194.
Villagers living near dams strained by the rising water levels were required to evacuate while others near the River Nzoia were forced to leave their homes.
Wamalwa added the government had flagged additional bags of relief food to be delivered to the areas affected by the floods and landslides.


upi--2020-05-06--U.S. ICUs could still be overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients, analysis says

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Communities across the United States still need to expand hospital capacity to manage new COVID-19 cases , even as some states loosen social distancing restrictions , a study published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open says .
The analysis , performed by researchers at Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , estimates that some U.S. cities could need as many as 4.4 intensive care units per 10,000 adults to manage critically ill patients with the disease caused by the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' outbreak , the authors said , referring to the Chinese city where the global pandemic began .
For a city like Los Angeles , which has nearly 28,000 confirmed cases of the virus , with nearly 1,600 new diagnoses on Tuesday according to Johns Hopkins University , an outbreak of that magnitude could be particularly problematic .
The California Health Care Foundation estimates that Los Angeles County has just over 2,100 ICU beds .
`` Even after the lockdown of Wuhan on Jan. 23 , the number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ICU capacities for at least a month , '' study co-author Ruoran Li , a doctoral student at Harvard T. H. Chan , told UPI on Wednesday .
`` Without efforts to slow the spread of the virus , hospitals , especially ICU beds in major cities around the U.S. , will likely be overwhelmed , '' he said .
The United States has more than 1.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 , and more than 71,000 related deaths to date , according to Johns Hopkins .
As many as 20 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill and require critical care in a hospital ICU , medical experts have said .
Community hospitals nationally have fewer than 98,000 ICU beds , including roughly 23,000 allocated for newborns , according to the American Hospital Association .
A 2014 study published in the journal Critical Care Medicine found that as many as 80 percent of those beds normally are occupied at any given time .
For the analysis , Li and her colleagues analyzed the ICU bed needs in two Chinese cities , Wuhan and Guangzhou , at the peak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then developed estimates on ICU bed needs in the United States , based on the adult population , factoring in the prevalence of high blood pressure , as well as age , both of which have been linked to more severe illness .
In Wuhan , at the peak of the outbreak , more than 2,000 adults with the virus required ICU care daily at the peak of the outbreak , the researchers found .
This translated to a need for 2.6 ICU beds per 10,000 adults in the general population .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounted for 429 ICU patients and 1,521 patients admitted to the hospital in serious condition daily .
Overall , at the epidemic 's peak , 19,425 patients -- or 24.5 per 10,000 adults in the general population -- were hospitalized , with 9,689 -- or 12.2 per 10,000 adults in the general population -- in serious condition .
Despite implementing strict disease control measures in both cities , which restricted travel into and out of both and closed most businesses and public institutions , hospitals were overwhelmed with new cases of the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built two new facilities dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients to address the overflow .
In Wuhan , restrictions were imposed on Jan. 23 , when 500 COVID-19 cases existed in the city .
At peak demand for ICU beds , roughly four weeks later , the per capita need for beds was approximately `` equal to the total number of ICU beds per capita in the United States , empty and full '' -- which is approximately 2.8 per 10,000 adults in the general population , according to study co-author Marc Lipsitch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chan School of Public Health .
In the United States , among adults with high blood pressure , as many as 9.5 per 10,000 in the general population per day could require critical care in the ICU , Li and her team estimated .
More than 108 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Similarly , among U.S. adults 65 years of age and older , as many as eight COVID-19 patients per 10,000 adults in the general population per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison , among those younger than 65 , and without high blood pressure , 1.2 to 1.3 COVID-19 patients per 10,000 adults in the general population per day could need an ICU bed .
`` The per case risk of needing intensive care and the risk for dying are extremely higher for COVID-19 than they are for the seasonal flu , '' Lipsitch said in a conference call with reporters in April , when the findings of the analysis first were made available .
`` The data I 've seen from China indicates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite a long time with this disease , so it 's not just the number of people in intensive care , but the duration of their stay '' that could overwhelm the system , he said .

Healthcare workers with George Washington University Hospital talk to a patient before administering a COVID-19 test during the coronavirus pandemic in Washington, D.C., in April. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Communities across the United States still need to expand hospital capacity to manage new COVID-19 cases, even as some states loosen social distancing restrictions, a study published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open says. The analysis, performed by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, estimates that some U.S. cities could need as many as 4.4 intensive care units per 10,000 adults to manage critically ill patients with the disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Advertisement
The figures are based on a "Wuhan-like" outbreak, the authors said, referring to the Chinese city where the global pandemic began.
For a city like Los Angeles, which has nearly 28,000 confirmed cases of the virus, with nearly 1,600 new diagnoses on Tuesday according to Johns Hopkins University, an outbreak of that magnitude could be particularly problematic.
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The California Health Care Foundation estimates that Los Angeles County has just over 2,100 ICU beds.
"Even after the lockdown of Wuhan on Jan. 23, the number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients continued to rise, exceeding local hospitalization and ICU capacities for at least a month," study co-author Ruoran Li, a doctoral student at Harvard T. H. Chan, told UPI on Wednesday.
"Without efforts to slow the spread of the virus, hospitals, especially ICU beds in major cities around the U.S., will likely be overwhelmed," he said.
The United States has more than 1.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, and more than 71,000 related deaths to date, according to Johns Hopkins. As many as 20 percent of those with the virus become seriously ill and require critical care in a hospital ICU, medical experts have said.
Community hospitals nationally have fewer than 98,000 ICU beds, including roughly 23,000 allocated for newborns, according to the American Hospital Association. A 2014 study published in the journal Critical Care Medicine found that as many as 80 percent of those beds normally are occupied at any given time.
For the analysis, Li and her colleagues analyzed the ICU bed needs in two Chinese cities, Wuhan and Guangzhou, at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreaks in each.
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They then developed estimates on ICU bed needs in the United States, based on the adult population, factoring in the prevalence of high blood pressure, as well as age, both of which have been linked to more severe illness.
In Wuhan, at the peak of the outbreak, more than 2,000 adults with the virus required ICU care daily at the peak of the outbreak, the researchers found. This translated to a need for 2.6 ICU beds per 10,000 adults in the general population.
On average, COVID-19 patients in the city accounted for 429 ICU patients and 1,521 patients admitted to the hospital in serious condition daily.
Overall, at the epidemic's peak, 19,425 patients -- or 24.5 per 10,000 adults in the general population -- were hospitalized, with 9,689 -- or 12.2 per 10,000 adults in the general population -- in serious condition.
Despite implementing strict disease control measures in both cities, which restricted travel into and out of both and closed most businesses and public institutions, hospitals were overwhelmed with new cases of the disease in late January.
Chinese officials quickly built two new facilities dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients to address the overflow.
In Wuhan, restrictions were imposed on Jan. 23, when 500 COVID-19 cases existed in the city.
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At peak demand for ICU beds, roughly four weeks later, the per capita need for beds was approximately "equal to the total number of ICU beds per capita in the United States, empty and full" -- which is approximately 2.8 per 10,000 adults in the general population, according to study co-author Marc Lipsitch, professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
In the United States, among adults with high blood pressure, as many as 9.5 per 10,000 in the general population per day could require critical care in the ICU, Li and her team estimated. More than 108 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Similarly, among U.S. adults 65 years of age and older, as many as eight COVID-19 patients per 10,000 adults in the general population per day could require ICU care.
In comparison, among those younger than 65, and without high blood pressure, 1.2 to 1.3 COVID-19 patients per 10,000 adults in the general population per day could need an ICU bed.
"The per case risk of needing intensive care and the risk for dying are extremely higher for COVID-19 than they are for the seasonal flu," Lipsitch said in a conference call with reporters in April, when the findings of the analysis first were made available.
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"The data I've seen from China indicates that patients stay in intensive care for quite a long time with this disease, so it's not just the number of people in intensive care, but the duration of their stay" that could overwhelm the system, he said.


upi--2020-05-06--Florida wildfire prompts evacuations, highway shutdown

May 6 ( UPI ) -- A wildfire in Florida 's panhandle prompted the evacuation of residents near Pensacola , local emergency officials said Wednesday .
The so-called Five Mile Swamp Fire broke out Monday in the southern area of Santa Rosa County between Escambia Bay and Blackwater Bay .
It began as a prescribed burn on private land near a former golf course .
`` Evacuations are recommended for residents south of Interstate 10 from Escambia Bay to Blackwater Bay , '' the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners said in a statement .
`` All residents south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are recommended to evacuate .
`` This is a rapidly evolving situation .
If you do not feel safe in your home , you should leave .
Take your pets with you . ''
The Florida Forest Service also closed I-10 from Avalon Boulevard to Highway 87 .
The agency said the blaze was 250 acres in size with 40 percent containment as of Wednesday morning .
The agency predicts a shift in winds and drop in humidity could make battling the fire more difficult .
`` Today 's weather will bring north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several days -- and extremely low humidity in the 20-25 percent range , '' the FFS said .
`` This will increase fire behavior and push the fire toward the Ski Watch subdivision and Interstate 10 so crews are focusing the majority of their efforts along the south and eastern edges of the fire . ''
The FFS is using 14 tractor/plow units and an airplane to fight the fire , with three helicopters as needed to drop water .

May 6 (UPI) -- A wildfire in Florida's panhandle prompted the evacuation of residents near Pensacola, local emergency officials said Wednesday.
The so-called Five Mile Swamp Fire broke out Monday in the southern area of Santa Rosa County between Escambia Bay and Blackwater Bay. It began as a prescribed burn on private land near a former golf course.
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"Evacuations are recommended for residents south of Interstate 10 from Escambia Bay to Blackwater Bay," the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners said in a statement. "All residents south of I-10 to the Garcon Point Bridge are recommended to evacuate.
"This is a rapidly evolving situation. If you do not feel safe in your home, you should leave. Take your pets with you."
The Florida Forest Service also closed I-10 from Avalon Boulevard to Highway 87.
The agency said the blaze was 250 acres in size with 40 percent containment as of Wednesday morning. The agency predicts a shift in winds and drop in humidity could make battling the fire more difficult.
"Today's weather will bring north winds -- directly opposite of the previous several days -- and extremely low humidity in the 20-25 percent range," the FFS said. "This will increase fire behavior and push the fire toward the Ski Watch subdivision and Interstate 10 so crews are focusing the majority of their efforts along the south and eastern edges of the fire."
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The FFS is using 14 tractor/plow units and an airplane to fight the fire, with three helicopters as needed to drop water.


upi--2020-05-06--Unlike Jurassic Park, real raptors may not have hunted in packs

May 6 ( UPI ) -- New research suggests director Steven Spielberg used just a little bit of creative license when making Jurassic Park .
While the coordinated attacks of Velociraptor dinosaurs depicted in the 1993 blockbuster made for compelling movie viewing , a new study -- published this week in the journal Palaeogeography , Palaeoclimatology , Palaeoecology -- claims raptors most likely hunted solo , not in packs .
`` Raptorial dinosaurs often are shown as hunting in packs similar to wolves , '' Joseph Frederickson , a vertebrate paleontologist and director of the University of Wisconsin 's Weis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news release .
`` The evidence for this behavior , however , is not altogether convincing .
Since we ca n't watch these dinosaurs hunt in person , we must use indirect methods to determine their behavior in life . ''
According to Frederickson , the closest living relatives of dinosaurs , birds and crocodiles , do n't hunt in packs nor target prey larger than themselves .
What 's more , evidence of coordinated hunting does n't fossilize .
For the new study , Frederickson and his colleagues set out to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of raptors and Komodo dragons or crocodiles .
`` We proposed in this study that there is a correlation between pack hunting and the diet of animals as they grow , '' Frederickson said .
When they 're young , Komodo dragons are at risk of predation by adults .
To protect themselves , baby Komodo dragons hide high in trees .
Up in the canopy , these young dragons take advantage of a range of food sources not utilized by their older relatives .
According to authors of the new study , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals that hunt in packs .
`` If we can look at the diet of young raptors versus old raptors , we can come up with a hypothesis for whether they hunted in groups , '' Frederickson said .
Researchers analyzed the teeth of Deinonychus raptors , which roamed North America between 115 and 108 million years ago .
`` Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen were used to get an idea of diet and water sources for these animals , '' Frederickson said .
`` We also looked at a crocodilian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formation . ''
Their analysis revealed a divide between the isotopic composition of older and younger teeth , suggesting the raptors altered their diet as they matured .
`` This is what we would expect for an animal where the parents do not provide food for their young , '' Frederickson said .
`` We also see the same pattern in the raptors , where the smallest teeth and the large teeth do not have the same average carbon isotope values , indicating they were eating different foods .
This means the young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is why we believe Jurassic Park was wrong about raptor behavior . ''

Raptors didn't hunt in packs, according to a new study. Photo by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
May 6 (UPI) -- New research suggests director Steven Spielberg used just a little bit of creative license when making Jurassic Park. While the coordinated attacks of Velociraptor dinosaurs depicted in the 1993 blockbuster made for compelling movie viewing, a new study -- published this week in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology -- claims raptors most likely hunted solo, not in packs. Advertisement
"Raptorial dinosaurs often are shown as hunting in packs similar to wolves," Joseph Frederickson, a vertebrate paleontologist and director of the University of Wisconsin's Weis Earth Science Museum, said in a news release. "The evidence for this behavior, however, is not altogether convincing. Since we can't watch these dinosaurs hunt in person, we must use indirect methods to determine their behavior in life."
According to Frederickson, the closest living relatives of dinosaurs, birds and crocodiles, don't hunt in packs nor target prey larger than themselves. What's more, evidence of coordinated hunting doesn't fossilize.
For the new study, Frederickson and his colleagues set out to identify similarities between the diet and hunting practices of raptors and Komodo dragons or crocodiles.
"We proposed in this study that there is a correlation between pack hunting and the diet of animals as they grow," Frederickson said.
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When they're young, Komodo dragons are at risk of predation by adults. To protect themselves, baby Komodo dragons hide high in trees. Up in the canopy, these young dragons take advantage of a range of food sources not utilized by their older relatives.
According to authors of the new study, this dietary divergence is not seen in animals that hunt in packs.
"If we can look at the diet of young raptors versus old raptors, we can come up with a hypothesis for whether they hunted in groups," Frederickson said.
Researchers analyzed the teeth of Deinonychus raptors, which roamed North America between 115 and 108 million years ago.
"Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen were used to get an idea of diet and water sources for these animals," Frederickson said. "We also looked at a crocodilian and an herbivorous dinosaur from the same geologic formation."
Their analysis revealed a divide between the isotopic composition of older and younger teeth, suggesting the raptors altered their diet as they matured.
"This is what we would expect for an animal where the parents do not provide food for their young," Frederickson said. "We also see the same pattern in the raptors, where the smallest teeth and the large teeth do not have the same average carbon isotope values, indicating they were eating different foods. This means the young were not being fed by the adults, which is why we believe Jurassic Park was wrong about raptor behavior."
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upi--2020-05-06--U.S. stocks fall flat after roller coaster day of trading Wednesday

May 6 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks fell flat Wednesday after a roller coaster start to the day of trading .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average made early gains after the opening bell but reversed course to close down 218.45 points , or 0.91 percent .
The S & P 500 rode a similar path and was near flat , falling 0.7 percent , while the Nasdaq was up 0.51 percent at the end of trading .
The Dow , the stock exchange 's bellwether index , had gained about 130 points Tuesday .
Tech stocks built on gains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose 0.68 percent , Apple increased 1.03 percent , Amazon climbed 1.44 percent and Netflix gained 2.26 percent .
General Motors stock rose 3.06 percent after reporting a small profit and announcing it will open most United States and Canadian plants on May 18 .
Fiat Chrysler stock fell 0.97 percent despite announcing Tuesday it also plans to resume production on that date .
Falling oil prices , however , dragged the S & P 500 's energy sector down 2.6 percent as West Texas Intermediate fell 1.67 percent and Brent crude fell @ @ @

The Fearless Girl statue is seen outside the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks fell flat Wednesday after a roller coaster start to the day of trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average made early gains after the opening bell but reversed course to close down 218.45 points, or 0.91 percent. The S&P 500 rode a similar path and was near flat, falling 0.7 percent, while the Nasdaq was up 0.51 percent at the end of trading. Advertisement
The Dow, the stock exchange's bellwether index, had gained about 130 points Tuesday.
Tech stocks built on gains from earlier in the week as Facebook rose 0.68 percent, Apple increased 1.03 percent, Amazon climbed 1.44 percent and Netflix gained 2.26 percent.
General Motors stock rose 3.06 percent after reporting a small profit and announcing it will open most United States and Canadian plants on May 18. Fiat Chrysler stock fell 0.97 percent despite announcing Tuesday it also plans to resume production on that date.
Falling oil prices, however, dragged the S&P 500's energy sector down 2.6 percent as West Texas Intermediate fell 1.67 percent and Brent crude fell 3.52 percent.


upi--2020-05-06--Dr. Anthony Fauci's absence at House hearing earns bipartisan rebuke

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Democratic and Republican lawmakers on a House appropriations subcommittee rebuked the White House for preventing public health official Dr. Anthony Fauci from testifying during Wednesday 's hearing on the coronavirus .
The top two members of the subcommittee on the Departments of Labor , Health and Human Services , Education and Related Agencies opened the hearing with the criticism , saying Fauci 's presence was critical for oversight .
Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro , D-Conn. , said it proved the Trump administration is `` just frightened of oversight . ''
`` I am angry that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pandemic , and the president has done everything he could to avoid accountability , '' she said .
The ranking Republican on the panel , Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma , said he joined DeLauro 's request to have Fauci appear during the hearing .
`` I think it would have been good testimony , useful to this committee and useful to this country .
Frankly , I think going forward , this subcommittee , more than any other , is going to need administration input , expert input , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us . ''
No administration officials appeared at the hearing , which featured testimony from Dr. Tom Frieden , former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and Dr. Caitlin Rivers , senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
Fauci , as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , serves on the White House Coronavirus Task Force .
The White House on Friday blocked Fauci 's appearance , with President Donald Trump telling reporters Tuesday that the House is full of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Fauci will be testifying in front of the Senate , and he looks forward to doing that , '' Trump told reporters .
`` But the House I will tell you , the House , they should be ashamed of themselves .
And , frankly , the Democrats should be ashamed , because they do n't want us to succeed .
They want us to fail so they can win an election . ''

1/4
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., participates in a House appropriations subcommittee hearing on Wednesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- Democratic and Republican lawmakers on a House appropriations subcommittee rebuked the White House for preventing public health official Dr. Anthony Fauci from testifying during Wednesday's hearing on the coronavirus. The top two members of the subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies opened the hearing with the criticism, saying Fauci's presence was critical for oversight. Advertisement
Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said it proved the Trump administration is "just frightened of oversight."
"I am angry that the White House mismanaged America's reaction to the pandemic, and the president has done everything he could to avoid accountability," she said.
The ranking Republican on the panel, Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, said he joined DeLauro's request to have Fauci appear during the hearing.
"I think it would have been good testimony, useful to this committee and useful to this country. Frankly, I think going forward, this subcommittee, more than any other, is going to need administration input, expert input, as we make the important decisions in front of us."
No administration officials appeared at the hearing, which featured testimony from Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Dr. Caitlin Rivers, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
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Fauci, as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, serves on the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
The White House on Friday blocked Fauci's appearance, with President Donald Trump telling reporters Tuesday that the House is full of "Trump haters."
"But Dr. Fauci will be testifying in front of the Senate, and he looks forward to doing that," Trump told reporters. "But the House I will tell you, the House, they should be ashamed of themselves. And, frankly, the Democrats should be ashamed, because they don't want us to succeed. They want us to fail so they can win an election."


upi--2020-05-06--Circuit Court nominee Justin Walker grilled by Democrats, defended by GOP

May 6 ( UPI ) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee 's Wednesday hearing to confirm prospective federal appeals court nominee Justin Walker divided along expected partisan lines .
Walker is backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , in whose office he once worked as an intern , and regards himself as a protégé of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
He was confirmed in October to serve as judge for the western district of Kentucky , and at 37 , has been nominated to serve on the Washington D.C .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
That court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdiction over Congress and government agencies .
Barring an unexpected vacancy on the Supreme Court , Walker 's potential nomination is expected to be the Senate 's foremost judicial battle this year .
The vacancy on the court comes after D.C .
Circuit Court Judge Thomas Griffith , appointed by former President George W. Bush , announced his retirement in March .
Senate Democrats took issue with Walker 's lack of judicial experience as well as comments he made critical of key sections of the Affordable Care Act .
`` You have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision upholding the Affordable Care Act , '' Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vt. , said .
In a 2018 article , Walker called the court 's actions at the time `` indefensible . ''
Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , cited remarks by Walker earlier this year at an event in Kentucky attended by McConnell and Kavanaugh .
Walker referenced a suggestion , later discredited by the Supreme Court , that a mandate to buy health insurance could be interpreted as a tax .
`` Here you come before us having mocked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide health insurance to more Americans ? ''
Durbin said .
`` Do you understand the angst , do you understand the concern that we have ? ''
In testimony , Walker brushed aside those comments as humorous , and an allusion to former Justice Anthony Kennedy 's dissent from the majority position .
Walker also sidestepped Durbin 's suggestion that he should , as circuit court judge , recuse himself from any matter pertinent to the Affordable Care Act .
Senate Democrats said Walker 's criticism of the healthcare act deserves more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans are out of work and lacking healthcare due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , called the hearing a `` waste [ of ] precious time on the nomination of Leader McConnell 's protégé .
Walker is a 37-year-old Federalist Society disciple who has more experience as a cable news commentator than he does trying cases in court , '' referring to the conservative and libertarian think tank espousing an originalist , or non-interpretive , view of the U.S. Constitution .
Walker gave praise to conservative-leaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think Justice Kavanaugh as well as Justice Kennedy are outstanding judges , '' he said .
`` I think that good judging means being faithful to the original meaning of text [ of the Constitution ] . ''
Walker also defended his single notable decision while on the bench in Kentucky , a decision to allow drive-in church services on Easter in Louisville despite the pandemic .
In a 20-page opinion , he said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer , a Democrat , criminalized the celebration of Easter by ordering a ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision an assault on religious liberty .
`` It was a long opinion because I believed it was a momentous and even severe thing for a court to enjoin a mayor in the midst of this terrible pandemic when the mayor is asserting that his actions could save lives , '' Walker said in testimony .
`` And I only made the decision I did because that is what the law required . ''

1/6
Judge Justin Walker departs after testifying before a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be a U.S. circuit court judge on Wednesday. Pool photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License Photo
May 6 (UPI) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee's Wednesday hearing to confirm prospective federal appeals court nominee Justin Walker divided along expected partisan lines. Walker is backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in whose office he once worked as an intern, and regards himself as a protégé of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He was confirmed in October to serve as judge for the western district of Kentucky, and at 37, has been nominated to serve on the Washington D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Advertisement
That court is regarded as influential since it has jurisdiction over Congress and government agencies. Barring an unexpected vacancy on the Supreme Court, Walker's potential nomination is expected to be the Senate's foremost judicial battle this year. The vacancy on the court comes after D.C. Circuit Court Judge Thomas Griffith, appointed by former President George W. Bush, announced his retirement in March.
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Senate Democrats took issue with Walker's lack of judicial experience as well as comments he made critical of key sections of the Affordable Care Act.
"You haven't hidden your contempt for the Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act," Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said. In a 2018 article, Walker called the court's actions at the time "indefensible."
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., cited remarks by Walker earlier this year at an event in Kentucky attended by McConnell and Kavanaugh. Walker referenced a suggestion, later discredited by the Supreme Court, that a mandate to buy health insurance could be interpreted as a tax.
"Here you come before us having mocked the law that basically provides an attempt to provide health insurance to more Americans?" Durbin said. "Do you understand the angst, do you understand the concern that we have?"
In testimony, Walker brushed aside those comments as humorous, and an allusion to former Justice Anthony Kennedy's dissent from the majority position.
Walker also sidestepped Durbin's suggestion that he should, as circuit court judge, recuse himself from any matter pertinent to the Affordable Care Act. Senate Democrats said Walker's criticism of the healthcare act deserves more scrutiny in an era in which many Americans are out of work and lacking healthcare due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the hearing a "waste [of] precious time on the nomination of Leader McConnell's protégé. Walker is a 37-year-old Federalist Society disciple who has more experience as a cable news commentator than he does trying cases in court," referring to the conservative and libertarian think tank espousing an originalist, or non-interpretive, view of the U.S. Constitution.
Walker gave praise to conservative-leaning Supreme Court justices in his testimony.
"I think Justice Kavanaugh as well as Justice Kennedy are outstanding judges," he said. "I think that good judging means being faithful to the original meaning of text [of the Constitution]."
Walker also defended his single notable decision while on the bench in Kentucky, a decision to allow drive-in church services on Easter in Louisville despite the pandemic. In a 20-page opinion, he said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, a Democrat, criminalized the celebration of Easter by ordering a ban on gatherings, and called Fischer's decision an assault on religious liberty.
"It was a long opinion because I believed it was a momentous and even severe thing for a court to enjoin a mayor in the midst of this terrible pandemic when the mayor is asserting that his actions could save lives," Walker said in testimony. "And I only made the decision I did because that is what the law required."


upi--2020-05-06--Lottery winner's prankster past made wife skeptical of $250,000 jackpot

May 6 ( UPI ) -- A South Carolina man had extra trouble convincing his wife that his $ 250,000 lottery win was legitimate due to her memories of a past prank .
The Richburg man and his wife told South Carolina Education Lottery officials they do n't normally play the lottery , but they won $ 10 on a ticket they received as a Christmas gift and used the money to buy another ticket , which was also a winner .
The couple kept their winning streak going until the man stopped for take-out and bought a Money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a $ 250,000 winner .
The man had a difficult time convincing his wife the win was real , and for good reason -- he had previously pranked her with a fake winning ticket .
`` I grabbed his face with both my hands and made him look me the eye , '' the wife recalled .
`` I asked , 'Are you messing with me ? '
'' The couple said their win came at just the right time .
`` This is a life changer , '' said the wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

A South Carolina woman had trouble believing her husband's $250,000 winning lottery ticket was real after he had previously pranked her with a fake ticket. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe May 6 (UPI) -- A South Carolina man had extra trouble convincing his wife that his $250,000 lottery win was legitimate due to her memories of a past prank. The Richburg man and his wife told South Carolina Education Lottery officials they don't normally play the lottery, but they won $10 on a ticket they received as a Christmas gift and used the money to buy another ticket, which was also a winner. Advertisement
The couple kept their winning streak going until the man stopped for take-out and bought a Money to the Max scratch-off that turned out to be a $250,000 winner.
The man had a difficult time convincing his wife the win was real, and for good reason -- he had previously pranked her with a fake winning ticket.
"I grabbed his face with both my hands and made him look me the eye," the wife recalled. "I asked, 'Are you messing with me?'"
The couple said their win came at just the right time.
"This is a life changer," said the wife. "Especially in these times."


upi--2020-05-06--India police: Security forces kill top militant commander in Kashmir

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Police in India said security forces killed a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander amid a series of gunfights in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region on Wednesday .
Riyaz Naikoo , the leader of the militant group , was killed in Beighpora , a police official and a member of Parliament said .
Jammu and Kashmir Police said three anti-militant operations were launched Tuesday night -- one in the village of Sharsali in Awantipora and the other two in south Kashmir 's Pulwama district , where Beighpora is located .
At least one other militant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` encounter '' that started Tuesday night , Jammu and Kashmir Police said .
At the operation in Beigpora , Awantipora , police said a top militant commander has been `` trapped '' amid an exchange of gunfire .
Senior officers have been monitoring the situation since Tuesday night , police added .
The Washington Post reported that protesters in Beighpora threw stones at security forces after Naikoo 's death .
Officials responded by suspending Internet and cellphone service there .
Police said they launched the operations in response to militants killing eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security forces also arrested at least one Jaish-e-Mohammed militant during another operation in Satura , recovering a cache of weaponry , including grenades , ammunition and at least one assault rifle as well as cellphones .
The activities come amid increased anti-militant operations conducted by India in Kashmir .
On Sunday , at least seven people were killed in a gun battle between the Indian army and militants in the region .
The day after , three Central Reserve Police Force members were killed in an attack in North Kashmir .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dlibagh Singh told reporters to expect intensified anti-militant operations in Kashmir in the coming days .
`` Tight security arrangements have been put in place around vital security installations and onwards anti-militancy operations will be further intensified , '' he said .
Kashmir , which is claimed by both India and Pakistan , has for decades been a site of contention , which intensified in August after the Hindu nationalist-led Indian government terminated the predominantly Muslim region 's autonomy , sparking outrage in Pakistan .

Indian paramilitary soldiers walk near site where a gunfight took place in the village of Beighpora in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Wednesday. Photo by Farooq Khan/EPA-EFE
May 6 (UPI) -- Police in India said security forces killed a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander amid a series of gunfights in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region on Wednesday. Riyaz Naikoo, the leader of the militant group, was killed in Beighpora, a police official and a member of Parliament said. Advertisement
Jammu and Kashmir Police said three anti-militant operations were launched Tuesday night -- one in the village of Sharsali in Awantipora and the other two in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, where Beighpora is located.
At least one other militant was killed in Sharsali village following an "encounter" that started Tuesday night, Jammu and Kashmir Police said.
At the operation in Beigpora, Awantipora, police said a top militant commander has been "trapped" amid an exchange of gunfire. Senior officers have been monitoring the situation since Tuesday night, police added.
The Washington Post reported that protesters in Beighpora threw stones at security forces after Naikoo's death. Officials responded by suspending Internet and cellphone service there.
Police said they launched the operations in response to militants killing eight security personnel in two separate attacks.
Advertisement Contact established in the third operation at #Beighpors #Awantipur. Top terrorist commander is trapped. Exchange of fire on. Details shall follow.. https://t.co/umZv0JgVbs— J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) May 6, 2020
Security forces also arrested at least one Jaish-e-Mohammed militant during another operation in Satura, recovering a cache of weaponry, including grenades, ammunition and at least one assault rifle as well as cellphones.
The activities come amid increased anti-militant operations conducted by India in Kashmir. On Sunday, at least seven people were killed in a gun battle between the Indian army and militants in the region. The day after, three Central Reserve Police Force members were killed in an attack in North Kashmir.
On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir Police Director General Dlibagh Singh told reporters to expect intensified anti-militant operations in Kashmir in the coming days.
"Tight security arrangements have been put in place around vital security installations and onwards anti-militancy operations will be further intensified," he said.
Kashmir, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan, has for decades been a site of contention, which intensified in August after the Hindu nationalist-led Indian government terminated the predominantly Muslim region's autonomy, sparking outrage in Pakistan.


upi--2020-05-06--Former pet snake mistakenly released into the wild in Ontario

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Conservation officials in Ontario are asking members of the public to be on the lookout for a former pet snake that was mistakenly released into the wild near a conservation area .
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority said the corn snake was found by a `` caring individual '' who mistook it for a native species and released it into the rural area near the Pittock Conservation Area in Woodstock .
The group said the snake is now believed to be a pet that either escaped from its home or was abandoned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snakes are not native to Canada and the animal would be unlikely to survive a winter in the area .
`` The reason we do not want this animal in the wild is because there is always a chance that pets of any kind can carry an illness that could be transmitted to our native wildlife .
Even dogs and cats can potentially carry pathogens dangerous to wildlife , '' Scott Gillingwater , a conservation authority biologist , told the Woodstock Sentinel Review .
The conservation authority is asking members of the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snake in the conservation area and the surrounding region .

Conservation officials in Ontario are asking members of the public to be on the lookout for a former pet snake that was mistakenly released into the wild. Photo courtesy of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe May 6 (UPI) -- Conservation officials in Ontario are asking members of the public to be on the lookout for a former pet snake that was mistakenly released into the wild near a conservation area. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority said the corn snake was found by a "caring individual" who mistook it for a native species and released it into the rural area near the Pittock Conservation Area in Woodstock. Advertisement
The group said the snake is now believed to be a pet that either escaped from its home or was abandoned by its previous owner.
Experts said corn snakes are not native to Canada and the animal would be unlikely to survive a winter in the area.
"The reason we do not want this animal in the wild is because there is always a chance that pets of any kind can carry an illness that could be transmitted to our native wildlife. Even dogs and cats can potentially carry pathogens dangerous to wildlife," Scott Gillingwater, a conservation authority biologist, told the Woodstock Sentinel Review.
The conservation authority is asking members of the public to keep an eye out for the snake in the conservation area and the surrounding region.
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upi--2020-05-06--Astronomers find black hole just 1,000 light-years from Earth

May 6 ( UPI ) -- Scientists have discovered the closest black hole to Earth , located just 1,000 light-years away .
Astronomers were able to pinpoint the black hole by tracking the trajectories of its two companion stars using a 2.2-meter telescope in Chile , managed by the European Southern Observatory and the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy .
`` We were totally surprised when we realized that this is the first stellar system with a black hole that can be seen with the unaided eye , '' Petr Hadrava , an astronomer at the Academy of Sciences of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a news release .
The newly discovered black hole is part of the star system that forms the constellation Telescopium .
On a clear night in the Southern Hemisphere , the black hole 's companion stars can be seen with the naked eye .
Scientists shared their discovery of Earth 's matter-eating neighbor this week in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics .
Astronomers set out to study the two Telescopium stars -- officially the HR 6819 system -- as part of a broader survey of binary star systems .
The orbital pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a third object , a black hole .
Observations showed one of the two stars orbits the black hole once every 40 days , while the second star orbits the star-black hole pair at a large distance .
The stellar-mass black hole boasts a mass roughly four times that of the sun .
It is n't violent enough to affect the surrounding environment , and so it is truly black .
Most of the two dozen or so black holes found inside the Milky Way strongly interact with the gas and dust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ object with a mass at least 4 times that of the Sun can only be a black hole , '' said ESO scientist Thomas Rivinius , lead author of the new study .
The discovery of a quiet , totally invisible black hole so close to Earth suggests there are a massive population of black holes scattered throughout the galaxy and the cosmos .
`` There must be hundreds of millions of black holes out there , but we know about only very few .
Knowing what to look for should put us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Rivinius .

An artistic rendering shows a star system centered around a totally invisible black hole. Photo by ESO
May 6 (UPI) -- Scientists have discovered the closest black hole to Earth, located just 1,000 light-years away. Astronomers were able to pinpoint the black hole by tracking the trajectories of its two companion stars using a 2.2-meter telescope in Chile, managed by the European Southern Observatory and the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy. Advertisement
"We were totally surprised when we realized that this is the first stellar system with a black hole that can be seen with the unaided eye," Petr Hadrava, an astronomer at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Prague, said in a news release.
The newly discovered black hole is part of the star system that forms the constellation Telescopium. On a clear night in the Southern Hemisphere, the black hole's companion stars can be seen with the naked eye.
Scientists shared their discovery of Earth's matter-eating neighbor this week in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Astronomers set out to study the two Telescopium stars -- officially the HR 6819 system -- as part of a broader survey of binary star systems. The orbital pattern of the two stars revealed the presence of a third object, a black hole. Observations showed one of the two stars orbits the black hole once every 40 days, while the second star orbits the star-black hole pair at a large distance.
Advertisement
The stellar-mass black hole boasts a mass roughly four times that of the sun. It isn't violent enough to affect the surrounding environment, and so it is truly black. Most of the two dozen or so black holes found inside the Milky Way strongly interact with the gas and dust that surround them.
"An invisible object with a mass at least 4 times that of the Sun can only be a black hole," said ESO scientist Thomas Rivinius, lead author of the new study.
The discovery of a quiet, totally invisible black hole so close to Earth suggests there are a massive population of black holes scattered throughout the galaxy and the cosmos.
"There must be hundreds of millions of black holes out there, but we know about only very few. Knowing what to look for should put us in a better position to find them," said Rivinius.


upi--2020-05-07--Exit from coronavirus lockdown -- nations must move slowly

May 7 ( UPI ) -- It has been less than two months since the world scrambled to go into the `` Great Lockdown '' to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
Now , many countries are considering their exit strategies .
Some have already eased up .
The push is largely economic .
There is a lot scientists do n't yet understand about the novel coronavirus , and there is no known cure or vaccine .
Many countries are still experiencing a rise in infections .
But the lockdowns have played havoc with people 's livelihoods .
Entire economies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund predicts the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression .
Just as each nation chose a different route into lockdown , each is likely to choose its own exit path .
I have launched a research initiative , `` Imagining a Digital Economy for All 2030 , '' with a focus on the post-pandemic global economy .
We have been studying the characteristics of 40 countries that help explain how governments and citizens have acted to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and their preparedness to take an economy online .
Our analysis offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared for a safe exit .
It seems clear that the safest idea is to reopen slowly , in phases , while remaining ready to re-enter lockdown in case of new outbreaks .
By looking at how well a nation managed the first wave of the pandemic , and how ready it is to work remotely by falling back onto the online economy , we now understand how prepared nations are to restart economic activity without triggering fresh rounds of public health disasters .
Not every country is well equipped to ease itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation 's ability to manage the outbreak relies on many factors : the willingness of governments to take decisive action ; citizen compliance in staying home and social distancing ; and capacity for adequate testing for the disease , including `` contact tracing '' -- tracking down the people who have been in contact with those infected .
Those characteristics are also key to managing future outbreaks .
In parallel , not every country is ready to shift much of its economic activity online .
Around the world , not everyone has affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs , devices and digital apps that would let them work productively from home ; or ways to make payments and get public services online .
In some countries -- though not all -- workers who ca n't do their jobs remotely can reduce their in-person contact by using digital transactions , whether it is for carry-out food , e-commerce or receiving bailout checks and unemployment benefits .
Countries such as Germany , New Zealand and South Korea are strong in both disease-fighting and digital-economy preparedness .
Their economic activity is n't as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond quickly if loosened rules result in a spike in cases .
In contrast , the United States , Italy and Japan face different challenges before they can safely lift lockdowns .
Compared to countries worldwide , the United States is more prepared to operate parts of its economy online , but its response to the outbreak indicates there may be difficulties after reopening .
States were inconsistent in issuing stay-at-home orders , and citizens ' compliance with the rules has varied widely .
Officials have been unable to test in large numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or are on track to meet , the contact-tracing required to control future outbreaks .
The results are evident in the mortality rates in the United States and other , better-prepared countries : On Tuesday , the key statistic shows the U.S. death rate was more than three times that of Germany , nearly 200 times those in New Zealand and South Korea .
The countries that more efficiently managed this first outbreak and its consequences capitalized on their public health preparation to get a grip on the infection quickly .
Germany has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortality .
The country only knows this because it had tested extensively -- at a rate of 21 people per 1,000 , as compared with 9.8 per 1,000 in the United States .
New Zealand 's government proved willing to rapidly impose severe restrictions on movement and found the public largely supportive and ready to comply .
South Korea , while among the earliest countries affected , kept its mortality among the lowest in the world through widespread testing and deploying technology for widespread contact tracing .
Infected individuals ' interactions were retraced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage and credit card records .
Websites and apps offer details on infected people 's travel and exposure risks .
These approaches may prove hard for the United States to replicate .
The country is far from having testing rates like Germany 's .
New Zealand has a much less polarized citizenry and far more trust in its national leadership than the United States .
The South Korean technology-intensive approach to contact tracing would be considered too intrusive on individual privacy for the United States .
Italy initially underestimated the severity of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown with high citizen compliance and widespread testing and tracing .
However , we found in our study that Italy is among the least prepared European Union members for a shift to a digital economy .
Germany , New Zealand and South Korea all have higher levels of Internet access and service , digital payments and public services , and employers ready to handle remote work .
Japan 's situation is particularly challenging because it eased its restrictions too early and then had to impose an emergency to stem additional outbreaks .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of a host of factors , ranging from peer pressure to come into the office , to security concerns , transactions that require a paper trail , often requiring official corporate seals , missing digital infrastructure and a continued aversion to digital payments .
Each of these countries is a wealthy , developed nation , so the differences are not due to affordability .
Our research has found that preparedness requires not just funding but also farsighted , credible and transparent leadership and citizens ' trust in that leadership .
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the second contributes to citizens ' willingness to cooperate with those decisions .
For instance , German Chancellor Angela Merkel 's background as a trained scientist gave her powerful credibility when facing a scientific crisis .
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern clearly explained her `` go early , go hard '' approach to lockdown restrictions , and her citizens agreed .
In South Korea , authorities controlled the virus through `` decisive and transparent leadership based on data , not emotion . ''
As governments seek their own exit pathways , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are weak , there 's no way to be completely certain or fully prepared for what might happen next .
In our research , we 've found one principle that governments might find useful to guide them through the uncertainty .
It 's from a former New Zealand prime minister , Helen Clark : `` Economies can recover ; the dead ca n't . ''
Bhaskar Chakravorti is dean of global business at The Fletcher School at Tufts University .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
@ @ @ @ @

1/4
People hit the beach in Isle of Palms, S.C., on Wednesday after the the city relaxed restrictions. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License Photo
May 7 (UPI) -- It has been less than two months since the world scrambled to go into the "Great Lockdown" to slow the spread of COVID-19. Now, many countries are considering their exit strategies. Some have already eased up. The push is largely economic. There is a lot scientists don't yet understand about the novel coronavirus, and there is no known cure or vaccine. Many countries are still experiencing a rise in infections. But the lockdowns have played havoc with people's livelihoods. Entire economies are in meltdown: The International Monetary Fund predicts the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Advertisement
Just as each nation chose a different route into lockdown, each is likely to choose its own exit path. I have launched a research initiative, "Imagining a Digital Economy for All 2030," with a focus on the post-pandemic global economy. We have been studying the characteristics of 40 countries that help explain how governments and citizens have acted to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and their preparedness to take an economy online. Our analysis offers ways to gauge which countries are best prepared for a safe exit.
Advertisement
It seems clear that the safest idea is to reopen slowly, in phases, while remaining ready to re-enter lockdown in case of new outbreaks. By looking at how well a nation managed the first wave of the pandemic, and how ready it is to work remotely by falling back onto the online economy, we now understand how prepared nations are to restart economic activity without triggering fresh rounds of public health disasters.
Public health, technology
Not every country is well equipped to ease itself out of a lockdown safely.
A nation's ability to manage the outbreak relies on many factors: the willingness of governments to take decisive action; citizen compliance in staying home and social distancing; and capacity for adequate testing for the disease, including "contact tracing" -- tracking down the people who have been in contact with those infected. Those characteristics are also key to managing future outbreaks.
In parallel, not every country is ready to shift much of its economic activity online. Around the world, not everyone has affordable, reliable Internet service; or the jobs, devices and digital apps that would let them work productively from home; or ways to make payments and get public services online. In some countries -- though not all -- workers who can't do their jobs remotely can reduce their in-person contact by using digital transactions, whether it is for carry-out food, e-commerce or receiving bailout checks and unemployment benefits.
Advertisement
Countries such as Germany, New Zealand and South Korea are strong in both disease-fighting and digital-economy preparedness. Their economic activity isn't as dependent on in-person interactions and authorities can respond quickly if loosened rules result in a spike in cases. In contrast, the United States, Italy and Japan face different challenges before they can safely lift lockdowns.
Difficulties ahead for U.S.
Compared to countries worldwide, the United States is more prepared to operate parts of its economy online, but its response to the outbreak indicates there may be difficulties after reopening. States were inconsistent in issuing stay-at-home orders, and citizens' compliance with the rules has varied widely.
Officials have been unable to test in large numbers, and only four states meet, or are on track to meet, the contact-tracing required to control future outbreaks.
The results are evident in the mortality rates in the United States and other, better-prepared countries: On Tuesday, the key statistic shows the U.S. death rate was more than three times that of Germany, nearly 200 times those in New Zealand and South Korea.
What made the difference?
The countries that more efficiently managed this first outbreak and its consequences capitalized on their public health preparation to get a grip on the infection quickly. Germany has a high volume of infections but low mortality. The country only knows this because it had tested extensively -- at a rate of 21 people per 1,000, as compared with 9.8 per 1,000 in the United States.
Advertisement
New Zealand's government proved willing to rapidly impose severe restrictions on movement and found the public largely supportive and ready to comply.
South Korea, while among the earliest countries affected, kept its mortality among the lowest in the world through widespread testing and deploying technology for widespread contact tracing. Infected individuals' interactions were retraced using cellphone location data, surveillance camera footage and credit card records. Websites and apps offer details on infected people's travel and exposure risks.
These approaches may prove hard for the United States to replicate. The country is far from having testing rates like Germany's. New Zealand has a much less polarized citizenry and far more trust in its national leadership than the United States. The South Korean technology-intensive approach to contact tracing would be considered too intrusive on individual privacy for the United States.
Troubles for other nations
Italy initially underestimated the severity of its outbreak, but then imposed a strict lockdown with high citizen compliance and widespread testing and tracing. However, we found in our study that Italy is among the least prepared European Union members for a shift to a digital economy. Germany, New Zealand and South Korea all have higher levels of Internet access and service, digital payments and public services, and employers ready to handle remote work.
Advertisement
Japan's situation is particularly challenging because it eased its restrictions too early and then had to impose an emergency to stem additional outbreaks. It is also relatively unprepared in digital terms because of a host of factors, ranging from peer pressure to come into the office, to security concerns, transactions that require a paper trail, often requiring official corporate seals, missing digital infrastructure and a continued aversion to digital payments.
Each of these countries is a wealthy, developed nation, so the differences are not due to affordability. Our research has found that preparedness requires not just funding but also farsighted, credible and transparent leadership and citizens' trust in that leadership. The first leads to timely and firm decisions, and the second contributes to citizens' willingness to cooperate with those decisions.
For instance, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's background as a trained scientist gave her powerful credibility when facing a scientific crisis. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern clearly explained her "go early, go hard" approach to lockdown restrictions, and her citizens agreed. In South Korea, authorities controlled the virus through "decisive and transparent leadership based on data, not emotion."
Advertisement
As governments seek their own exit pathways, and aim to strengthen areas where they are weak, there's no way to be completely certain or fully prepared for what might happen next.
In our research, we've found one principle that governments might find useful to guide them through the uncertainty. It's from a former New Zealand prime minister, Helen Clark: "Economies can recover; the dead can't."
Bhaskar Chakravorti is dean of global business at The Fletcher School at Tufts University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-07--Brooks Koepka learned not to smack talk Michael Jordan on golf course

May 7 ( UPI ) -- PGA Tour star Brooks Koepka said he 'll no longer smack talk Michael Jordan on the golf course after he lost a round to the basketball legend .
Koepka said he played against Jordan and a few others a few years ago at Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens , Fla .
He had a lead on Jordan and started to talk some trash before Jordan heated up and won .
Koepka talked about the sequence on ESPN 's SportsCenter .
The No .
3 player in the Official World Golf Ranking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he won the previous few holes against `` His Airness . ''
`` I 've got you right where I want you , '' Koepka told Jordan .
`` He just tees the ball up .
He takes his practice swing .
He looks at me and goes : 'It 's the fourth quarter , baby , I do n't lose . '
`` And sure enough , I lost 17 and I lost 18 .
So that 's probably the last time I 've ever smack-talked him . ''
Koepka said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golf measure used to allow players of different skill level to compete against each other .
The PGA Tour has been suspended since March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Golfers are set to return at the Charles Schwab Challenge from June 11 to 14 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth , Texas .

Brooks Koepka said he had a lead on Michael Jordan during a round of golf before the basketball legend responded to his trash talk with a great finish to win the matchup. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
May 7 (UPI) -- PGA Tour star Brooks Koepka said he'll no longer smack talk Michael Jordan on the golf course after he lost a round to the basketball legend. Koepka said he played against Jordan and a few others a few years ago at Old Palm Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. He had a lead on Jordan and started to talk some trash before Jordan heated up and won. Advertisement
Koepka talked about the sequence on ESPN's SportsCenter. The No. 3 player in the Official World Golf Ranking said he headed to the 17th tee after he won the previous few holes against "His Airness."
"I've got you right where I want you," Koepka told Jordan.
"He just tees the ball up. He takes his practice swing. He looks at me and goes: 'It's the fourth quarter, baby, I don't lose.'
"And sure enough, I lost 17 and I lost 18. So that's probably the last time I've ever smack-talked him."
Koepka said Jordan played with a handicap, a golf measure used to allow players of different skill level to compete against each other.
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The PGA Tour has been suspended since March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Golfers are set to return at the Charles Schwab Challenge from June 11 to 14 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.