upi--2020-03-20--South Korea to start quarantining travelers from Europe

SEOUL , March 20 ( UPI ) -- As its rate of new COVID-19 patients continued to slow on Friday , South Korea announced it would begin quarantining travelers from Europe in an effort to contain imported cases .
Starting on Sunday , all travelers coming from Europe will be tested for the coronavirus , said Jung Eun-kyeong , director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , at a press briefing on Friday afternoon .
Anyone who tests positive will be sent immediately to a hospital or treatment center .
Those who test negative will still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recently we have been seeing a surge in the outbreak within Europe , including countries such as Italy , the U.K. , Spain and France and we have identified through immigration quarantine an increase in imported cases , '' she said .
Travelers from Europe with a residence in South Korea will be able to self-quarantine at home , while others will be sent to a separate facility .
Visitors on a short-term stay will have their health checked daily over the phone .
The increased restrictions came a day after South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from abroad .
There are a total of 86 imported coronavirus cases in the country , with 50 coming from visitors from Europe , according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
South Korea announced 87 new COVID-19 cases on Friday , bringing its total number of infections to 8,652 .
The increase was the seventh time in the last eight days that the number of new patients has been below 100 , a sharp drop from previous weeks as the country appears to be flattening the curve for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took an early and aggressive approach of testing , tracking and treating patients .
The country is currently conducting around 15,000 tests per day and has administered over 316,000 tests overall as of Friday .
More than 86 percent of COVID-19 cases are based in the southeastern city of Daegu and neighboring North Gyeongsang Province , with nearly 59 percent of the overall cases tied to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus , a secretive religious sect that was at the heart of the outbreak in South Korea .
`` We are seeing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shincheonji Church of Jesus , although we are seeing an increase of sporadic outbreaks and we also see that we have a risk of imported diseases , '' said Jung on Friday .
`` We have also recently seen an increase in outbreaks among multi-use facilities like churches , nursing homes and welfare facilities . ''
Officials have been concerned by cluster outbreaks around the Seoul metropolitan region , a densely packed urban area home to some 25 million people .
A call center in southwestern Seoul and the River of Grace Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites of group transmissions over the past two weeks .
Seoul 's confirmed cases rose by 17 to 299 on Friday , with at least 91 cases linked to the call center and several others connected to an internet cafe .
Gyeonggi Province added 14 cases to rise to 309 overall , with 60 connected to the River of Grace Church .
South Korea 's coronavirus fatality rate remains relatively low , with 94 deaths as of Friday for a rate of 1.09 percent , while the country has released 2,233 fully recovered @ @ @ @

South Korea announced Friday that it would begin quarantining travelers coming from Europe in an effort to stem a growing number of imported COVID-19 cases. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, March 20 (UPI) -- As its rate of new COVID-19 patients continued to slow on Friday, South Korea announced it would begin quarantining travelers from Europe in an effort to contain imported cases. Starting on Sunday, all travelers coming from Europe will be tested for the coronavirus, Jung Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a press briefing on Friday afternoon. Anyone who tests positive will be sent immediately to a hospital or treatment center. Those who test negative will still be subject to a 14-day quarantine. Advertisement
"Recently we have been seeing a surge in the outbreak within Europe, including countries such as Italy, the U.K., Spain and France, and we have identified through immigration quarantine an increase in imported cases," she said.
Travelers from Europe with a residence in South Korea will be able to self-quarantine at home, while others will be sent to a separate facility. Visitors on a short-term stay will have their health checked daily over the phone.
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The increased restrictions came a day after South Korea announced tighter screening measures for people coming from abroad. There are a total of 86 imported coronavirus cases in the country, with 50 coming from visitors from Europe, according to Korea's CDC.
South Korea announced 87 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing its total number of infections to 8,652. The increase was the seventh time in the last eight days that the number of new patients has been below 100, a sharp drop from previous weeks as the country appears to be flattening the curve for the spread of the disease.
Health authorities took an early and aggressive approach of testing, tracking and treating patients. The country is conducting around 15,000 tests a day and has administered over 316,000 tests overall as of Friday.
More than 86 percent of COVID-19 cases are based in the southeastern city of Daegu and neighboring North Gyeongsang Province, with nearly 59 percent of the overall cases tied to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious sect that was at the heart of the outbreak in South Korea.
"We are seeing a slight decrease among the members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, although we are seeing an increase of sporadic outbreaks, and we also see that we have a risk of imported diseases," Jung said. "We have also recently seen an increase in outbreaks among multi-use facilities like churches, nursing homes and welfare facilities."
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Officials have been concerned by cluster outbreaks around the Seoul metropolitan region, a densely packed urban area home to some 25 million people. A call center in southwestern Seoul and the River of Grace Church in neighboring Gyeonggi Province have been the sites of group transmissions over the past two weeks.
Seoul's confirmed cases rose by 17 to 299 on Friday, with at least 91 cases linked to the call center and several others connected to an Internet cafe. Gyeonggi Province added 14 cases to rise to 309 overall, with 60 connected to the River of Grace Church.
South Korea's coronavirus fatality rate remains relatively low, with 94 deaths as of Friday for a rate of 1.09 percent, while the country has released 2,233 fully recovered patients so far.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-03-20--Coronavirus global death toll tops 10,000; China reports no new domestic cases for a second day

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The worldwide death toll from the deadly and infectious coronavirus topped 10,000 on Friday as China , the former epicenter of COVID-19 , reported no new domestic infections of the virus for the second day in a row .
China 's National Health Commission said in its Friday daily update that 39 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded over the previous 24 hours , but all were imported from overseas .
Hubei province , the former center of the global outbreak and home to Wuhan city were the virus emerged in December , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The commission also reported only three deaths , a number not seen since the early days of China 's outbreak .
`` This is an amazing achievement , which gives us all reassurance that the coronavirus can be beaten , '' World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said via Twitter Friday in response to China first stating it had no new cases .
The new figures increase China 's total infections to 80,967 and 3,248 deaths .
But ss the Asian nation reported its tallies , the global death toll for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to a live tally by Johns Hopkins University , 10,030 people worldwide have died from the virus by Friday morning .
Thursday evening , Italy reported 427 new deaths , surpassing China 's death toll with 3,405 despite having half its number of infections .
In Israel on Friday , the Prime Minister 's Office announced the cabinet had unanimously approved emergency regulations to restrict the movement of its citizens .
The Prime Minister 's Office said in a statement that under the framework , `` activities in the public sphere will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been set for commercial and leisure activities for a period of seven days . ''
According to the Ministry of Health , the restrictions limit people to leaving their house for commuting to and from work , for buying essentials such as food and medicine , obtaining medical services , to protest and to attend legal meetings , among others .
The new rules also prohibit certain commerical and recreational activities , including visiting bars , pubs , fitness centers , movie theatres and the like .
`` Under these restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to stay home , '' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised speech .
`` It is no longer a recommendation .
It is a binding directive that will be enforced by the enforcement authorities . ''
Israel reported 244 new infections in the previous 24 hours , increasing its total to 677 .
In India , the world 's second-most populated country with 1.3 billion people , Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a curfew for Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to slow the spread of the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Ministry of Health .
`` During this curfew , we shall neither leave our homes nor get onto the streets or roam about our localities , '' he announced in a televised speech on Thursday .
`` Only those associated with emergency and essential services will leave their homes . ''
Sunday , he said , will be `` a symbol '' of the nation 's effort to `` fulfill our duty in service of the nation . ''
On that day at 5 p.m. , he encouraged all Indians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and windows and clap , bang pots , ring bells to show their gratitude to those working in the emergency sector .
`` Today , these people run the risk of getting infected themselves , '' he said .
`` Yet , they continue to fulfill their duties , serving others .
As defenders of the nation , they stand firmly between us and the corona pandemic .
The nation is grateful to them all . ''
During his speech , he also encouraged people to stay home over the next few weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age .

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Public health warning displays are put up on roads and bus stops due to the threat of the deadly coronavirus in Beijing on Monday. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- Italy on Friday announced its biggest one-day death toll increase from the coronavirus -- 627 -- bringing the country's death toll to 4,032. Italy's Civil Protection Department said that in addition to the deaths, 37,860 people now have the virus, most in the Lombardy region. Some 5,100 people have recovered from the illness. Advertisement
The update out of Italy came on the same day the global death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 10,000. According to Johns Hopkins University figures from around noon Friday, 11,113 people have died worldwide and 263,071 have been sickened.
As figures rise in Italy, China, the epicenter of the disease, has seen a decrease in its new cases and deaths.
The World Health Organization on Friday confirmed that no new local cases of the coronavirus had been reported in China for the second consecutive day, and said the development shows the virus can be defeated.
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"Wuhan provides hope for the rest of the world that even the most severe situation can be turned around," Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
"It's a message that the virus can be suppressed; we can break chains of transmission," added Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the U.N. agency's emergency health programs. "It takes a huge effort, an all-of-society effort.
"And if it's done, this virus can be turned around."
Ghebreyesus urged further safeguards as global totals continue to rise.
"The situation can reverse," he said. "However, the experience of cities and countries that have pushed back this virus give hope and courage to the rest of the world."
The WHO chief warned that even though older populations have been hardest hit by the disease, younger people are not being spared.
"Data from many countries clearly show that people under 50 make up a significant portion of people requiring hospitalization," he said. "Today, I have message for young people: You're not invincible."
China's National Health Commission said in its Friday daily update that 39 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded over the previous 24 hours, but all were imported from overseas.
Hubei province, the former center of the global outbreak and home to Wuhan city were the virus emerged in December, also recorded no new confirmed or suspected infections.
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The commission reported three deaths, a low number not seen since the early days of China's outbreak.
"This is an amazing achievement, which gives us all reassurance that the coronavirus can be beaten," Ghebreyesus said via Twitter on Friday.
The new figures increase China's total infections to 80,967 and 3,248 deaths.
In Israel on Friday, the prime minister's office announced the Cabinet unanimously approved emergency regulations to restrict the movement of its citizens.
The office said in a statement that under the framework, "activities in the public sphere will be reduced and restricted; restrictions have also been set for commercial and leisure activities for a period of seven days."
According to the Ministry of Health, the restrictions limit people to leaving their house for commuting to and from work, buying essentials such as food and medicine, obtaining medical services, protest, and attend legal meetings, among others.
The new rules also prohibit certain commercial and recreational activities, including visiting bars, pubs, fitness centers, movie theaters and the like.
"Under these restrictions, you, citizens of Israel, are required to stay home," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised speech. "It is no longer a recommendation. It is a binding directive that will be enforced by the enforcement authorities."
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Israel reported 244 new infections in the previous 24 hours, increasing its total to 677.
In India, the world's second-most populated country with 1.3 billion people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a curfew for Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected 163 people nationwide, according to the Ministry of Health.
"During this curfew, we shall neither leave our homes nor get onto the streets or roam about our localities," he announced in a televised speech on Thursday. "Only those associated with emergency and essential services will leave their homes."
Sunday, he said, will be "a symbol" of the nation's effort to "fulfill our duty in service of the nation."
On that day, Modi encouraged all Indians to stand at their doors, balconies and windows at 5 p.m. and clap, bang pots and ring bells to show gratitude to those working in the emergency sector.
"Today, these people run the risk of getting infected themselves," he said. "Yet, they continue to fulfill their duties, serving others. As defenders of the nation, they stand firmly between us and the corona pandemic. The nation is grateful to them all."
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During his speech, Modi also encouraged people to stay home over the next few weeks, especially those above 65 years of age.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-03-20--New melanoma treatments reduce deaths from skin cancer

New treatments for melanoma have dramatically reduced deaths from this often fatal skin cancer .
Leaders of a new study report that the death rate from aggressive melanoma that spread to other organs plummeted 18 percent between 2013 and 2016 , after jumping 7.5 percent between 1986 and 2013 .
The figures apply to white Americans , the group that accounts for nearly all cases of melanoma in the United States , researchers said .
`` This is a stunning example of the power of scientific and medical research to identify the weak points in this deadly tumor , methods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use this knowledge to develop the highly effective medicines that have led to the sharp reductions in deaths that we have seen , and are continuing to see , '' said lead researcher Dr. David Polsky .
He 's a professor of dermatology and pathology at New York University Langone Health Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City .
The drop in melanoma deaths was greater than the drop in deaths from prostate , breast and lung cancer , researchers said .
It dovetailed with introduction of 10 new skin cancer therapies that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight the disease or target melanoma cells directly .
These new treatments are more effective and less toxic than regular chemotherapy , but come at a high cost , researchers said .
One group of drugs targets the BRAF gene , which is mutated in about half of melanoma patients .
The other group is immune checkpoint inhibitors , which prevent melanoma tumors from appearing normal to the immune system .
For the study , Polsky and colleagues used data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than simply turned the corner toward curing melanoma , we are likely to have cured many patients and are keeping many more alive with these new treatments , '' Polsky said .
He added that catching melanoma at its earliest stages , before cells can travel to internal organs , has the highest cure rates .
Dr. Ali Hendi is a dermatologist from Chevy Chase , Md.
, and a spokesman for the Skin Cancer Foundation .
He said that while melanoma cases continue to increase , the decline in deaths due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` In the past eight years or so , a number of immunotherapies have been approved to treat metastatic melanoma and have saved so many lives , '' said Hendi , who was n't involved with the study .
These drugs help a patient 's immune system identify and attack cancerous cells .
`` There are also a new class of treatments called targeted therapies , '' Hendi said .
`` These are oral medications that identify and attack specific types of cancer cells , without killing healthy cells . ''
These treatments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread from the original tumor site , he said .
The last year has brought a flurry of research on vaccines and combination immunotherapies that may be better and faster treatments for melanoma , Hendi noted .
`` The earlier you detect and treat melanoma , the greater your chances of long-term survival and avoiding recurrence , '' he said .
Patients diagnosed early have an estimated 98 percent five-year survival , Hendi said , compared to 63 percent for stage 3 patients and 20 percent for stage 4 patients , even with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of stopping melanoma cold are far better if you can attack it effectively at stage 3 rather than stage 4 , '' he said .
Both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer have been on the rise , Hendi said .
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States .
Overexposure to the sun is a key cause .
`` We 're treating people today who did n't have the knowledge we have today to protect their skin when they were younger , and now they 're paying the price , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published online March 19 in the American Journal of Public Health .
To learn more about melanoma , visit the Skin Cancer Foundation .

New treatments for melanoma have dramatically reduced deaths from this often fatal skin cancer.
Leaders of a new study report that the death rate from aggressive melanoma that spread to other organs plummeted 18 percent between 2013 and 2016, after jumping 7.5 percent between 1986 and 2013. The figures apply to white Americans, the group that accounts for nearly all cases of melanoma in the United States, researchers said.
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"This is a stunning example of the power of scientific and medical research to identify the weak points in this deadly tumor, methods to boost the immune system and to use this knowledge to develop the highly effective medicines that have led to the sharp reductions in deaths that we have seen, and are continuing to see," said lead researcher Dr. David Polsky. He's a professor of dermatology and pathology at New York University Langone Health Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City.
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The drop in melanoma deaths was greater than the drop in deaths from prostate, breast and lung cancer, researchers said.
It dovetailed with introduction of 10 new skin cancer therapies that either use the body's immune system to fight the disease or target melanoma cells directly.
These new treatments are more effective and less toxic than regular chemotherapy, but come at a high cost, researchers said.
One group of drugs targets the BRAF gene, which is mutated in about half of melanoma patients. The other group is immune checkpoint inhibitors, which prevent melanoma tumors from appearing normal to the immune system.
For the study, Polsky and colleagues used data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We have more than simply turned the corner toward curing melanoma, we are likely to have cured many patients and are keeping many more alive with these new treatments," Polsky said.
He added that catching melanoma at its earliest stages, before cells can travel to internal organs, has the highest cure rates.
Dr. Ali Hendi is a dermatologist from Chevy Chase, Md., and a spokesman for the Skin Cancer Foundation. He said that while melanoma cases continue to increase, the decline in deaths due to new treatments is great news.
Advertisement
"In the past eight years or so, a number of immunotherapies have been approved to treat metastatic melanoma and have saved so many lives," said Hendi, who wasn't involved with the study.
These drugs help a patient's immune system identify and attack cancerous cells.
"There are also a new class of treatments called targeted therapies," Hendi said. "These are oral medications that identify and attack specific types of cancer cells, without killing healthy cells."
These treatments are used only when melanoma has already spread from the original tumor site, he said.
The last year has brought a flurry of research on vaccines and combination immunotherapies that may be better and faster treatments for melanoma, Hendi noted.
"The earlier you detect and treat melanoma, the greater your chances of long-term survival and avoiding recurrence," he said. Patients diagnosed early have an estimated 98 percent five-year survival, Hendi said, compared to 63 percent for stage 3 patients and 20 percent for stage 4 patients, even with the new drugs.
"Your chances of stopping melanoma cold are far better if you can attack it effectively at stage 3 rather than stage 4," he said.
Both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer have been on the rise, Hendi said. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Overexposure to the sun is a key cause. "We're treating people today who didn't have the knowledge we have today to protect their skin when they were younger, and now they're paying the price," Hendi said.
Advertisement
The report was published online March 19 in the American Journal of Public Health.
More information
To learn more about melanoma, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-20--Gov. Gavin Newsom orders all Californians to stay home amid coronavirus outbreak

March 19 ( UPI ) -- California Gov .
Gavin Newsom declared a statewide mandatory stay-at-home order Thursday night , making the state the first in the nation to order all of its residents to stay indoors during the coronavirus update .
The order will be in place from Thursday until further notice allowing few exceptions for California 's some 40 million residents to make trips to gas stations , pharmacies , grocery stores , banks and laundromats .
Some 21.3 million California residents were already under some form of stay-at-home order that began on Monday when six counties in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter in place . ''
Newsom said he does n't believe police enforcement of the order is necessary and that the directive will be imposed through the `` social contract . ''
`` We will have social pressure that will encourage people to do the right thing , '' he said during a press conference .
`` Just a nod , a look saying , 'hey , maybe you should reconsider just being out there on the beach , being 22 strong at a park . '
It 's time for all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a community we need to do more to meet this moment . ''
The order was declared , he said , as the state is planning for about 56 percent of the population -- a number he called the attack rate -- to be infected by the virus .
Of them , 20 percent will be hospitalized , exceeding the state 's capacity by 19,543 beds .
The system , he said , consists of 416 hospitals and 78,000 beds , which can be surged by more than 10,000 but that leaves an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be hospitalized , but ca n't .
`` We 're looking at a delta , a gap , that requires about 10,000 beds and that 's currently what we 're up against , '' he said , adding that these figures are projections that can drop `` if we change our behaviors . ''
`` If we meet this moment , we can truly bend the curve , '' he said .
Gavin also sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday requesting a U.S. Navy hospital ship named Mercy be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until Sept. 1 `` to help decompress our current health care delivery system in Los Angeles region in response to COVID-19 . ''
The ship will ensure the United States ' second most populated city has the ability to address acute issues , such as heart attacks , strokes and vehicle accidents .
During a press briefing earlier Thursday , military officials told reporters Mercy and a second U.S. Navy hospital ship called Comfort were being readied for deployment to aid communities ' coronavirus response .
`` The location for Mercy has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you that the goal is to have Mercy sailing out of San Diego harbor next week , '' said Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham said .
Newsom 's order came as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered residents to remain in their homes until at least April 19 .
`` We are all safer at home , '' he said .
`` Staying in our residences , being aggressive about hygiene and practicing safe social distancing are the most effective ways to protect ourselves , the people we love and everyone in our community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states most impacted by the virus , has more than 1,000 infections and at least 18 deaths , according to a live tally by Johns Hopkins University .

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Very light traffic is seen from the Red Line Train at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco on Thursday. Minimal passenger traffic is arriving or departing SFO as the Bay Area starts a three-week shutdown because of Coronavirus. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide mandatory stay-at-home order Thursday night, making the state the first in the nation to order all of its residents to stay indoors during the coronavirus update. The order will be in place from Thursday until further notice allowing few exceptions for California's some 40 million residents to make trips to gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, banks and laundromats. Advertisement
Some 21.3 million California residents were already under some form of stay-at-home order that began on Monday when six counties in the Bay Area ordered residents to "shelter in place."
Newsom said he doesn't believe police enforcement of the order is necessary and that the directive will be imposed through the "social contract."
"We will have social pressure that will encourage people to do the right thing," he said during a press conference. "Just a nod, a look saying, 'hey, maybe you should reconsider just being out there on the beach, being 22 strong at a park.' It's time for all of us to recognize as individuals and as a community we need to do more to meet this moment."
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The order was declared, he said, as the state is planning for about 56 percent of the population -- a number he called the attack rate -- to be infected by the virus. Of them, 20 percent will be hospitalized, exceeding the state's capacity by 19,543 beds.
The system, he said, consists of 416 hospitals and 78,000 beds, which can be surged by more than 10,000 but that leaves an excess of 10,000 people with COVID-19 needing to be hospitalized, but can't.
"We're looking at a delta, a gap, that requires about 10,000 beds and that's currently what we're up against," he said, adding that these figures are projections that can drop "if we change our behaviors."
"If we meet this moment, we can truly bend the curve," he said.
Gavin also sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday requesting a U.S. Navy hospital ship named Mercy be stationed in the port of Los Angeles until Sept. 1 "to help decompress our current health care delivery system in Los Angeles region in response to COVID-19."
The ship will ensure the United States' second most populated city has the ability to address acute issues, such as heart attacks, strokes and vehicle accidents.
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During a press briefing earlier Thursday, military officials told reporters Mercy and a second U.S. Navy hospital ship called Comfort were being readied for deployment to aid communities' coronavirus response.
"The location for Mercy has not been determined, but I can tell you that the goal is to have Mercy sailing out of San Diego harbor next week," said Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham said.
Newsom's order came as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered residents to remain in their homes until at least April 19.
"We are all safer at home," he said. "Staying in our residences, being aggressive about hygiene and practicing safe social distancing are the most effective ways to protect ourselves, the people we love and everyone in our community."
California, one of the states most impacted by the virus, has more than 1,000 infections and at least 18 deaths, according to a live tally by Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-03-20--Honduran man dies by apparent suicide in ICE custody

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities said a Honduran man died by apparent suicide earlier this week at a Texas family detention center .
ICE said in a statement Thursday that the 27-year-old man was pronounced dead at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday after he was found unresponsive by facility staff at the Karnes County Residential Center in Karnes , some 56 miles southeast of San Antonio .
Emergency personnel attempted to revive the man but were unsuccessful , the statement read , adding `` the preliminary cause of death appears to be self-inflicted strangulation . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 with a family member by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Presidio , Texas , port of entry and both were issued expedited removal orders before being transferred to ICE on Feb. 21 , authorities said .
`` At the time of his death , both were awaiting removal back to their home country , '' ICE said , adding the case is under investigation .
The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services said it was `` in shock and deeply disturbed by this devastating news . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were fighting for his and his family 's freedom , '' the organization said in a statement .
`` We stand in solidarity with the family that has to bear this tragedy due to the injustice of Trump 's draconian anti-immigrant policies . ''
The organization said that since President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2017 , 36 people have died under the Department of Homeland Security 's care , including children .
News of the man 's death came a day after ICE said it would stop conducting most arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of a deadly and infectious coronavirus .
Since the outbreak has intensified in the United States , advocates have demanded the government release detainees , fearing they are at heightened risk of being sickened by the virus .
On Monday , lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union sued ICE on behalf of immigrants detained at the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center in Washington who are at high risk of serious illness or death if they contract COVID-19 .
RAICES said Thursday that they have heard from a number of detainees who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus ' spread .
`` We demand that ICE release all immigrant detainees immediately , '' the organization said , adding `` we anticipate that this wo n't be the last death at Karnes unless ICE immediately releases all those detained at this detention center and in custody around the country . ''

March 20 (UPI) -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities said a Honduran man died by apparent suicide earlier this week at a Texas family detention center.
ICE said in a statement Thursday that the 27-year-old man was pronounced dead at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday after he was found unresponsive by facility staff at the Karnes County Residential Center in Karnes, some 56 miles southeast of San Antonio.
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Emergency personnel attempted to revive the man but were unsuccessful, the statement read, adding "the preliminary cause of death appears to be self-inflicted strangulation."
The man was "encountered" Feb. 19 with a family member by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Presidio, Texas, port of entry and both were issued expedited removal orders before being transferred to ICE on Feb. 21, authorities said.
"At the time of his death, both were awaiting removal back to their home country," ICE said, adding the case is under investigation.
The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services said it was "in shock and deeply disturbed by this devastating news."
"The father was our client and we were fighting for his and his family's freedom," the organization said in a statement. "We stand in solidarity with the family that has to bear this tragedy due to the injustice of Trump's draconian anti-immigrant policies."
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The organization said that since President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, 36 people have died under the Department of Homeland Security's care, including children.
News of the man's death came a day after ICE said it would stop conducting most arrests as the country attempts to stymie the spread of a deadly and infectious coronavirus.
Since the outbreak has intensified in the United States, advocates have demanded the government release detainees, fearing they are at heightened risk of being sickened by the virus. On Monday, lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union sued ICE on behalf of immigrants detained at the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center in Washington who are at high risk of serious illness or death if they contract COVID-19.
RAICES said Thursday that they have heard from a number of detainees who are frightened to be locked in detention amid the virus' spread.
"We demand that ICE release all immigrant detainees immediately," the organization said, adding "we anticipate that this won't be the last death at Karnes unless ICE immediately releases all those detained at this detention center and in custody around the country."


upi--2020-03-20--Famous birthdays for March 20: Spike Lee, Holly Hunter

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces .
-- Adventurer/writer @ @ @ @ @ the dime novel , writing as Ned Buntline , in 1821

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Director Spike Lee arrives for the Vanity Fair Oscar party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif., on February 9. The filmmaker turns 63 on March 20. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces. They include: Advertisement
-- Roman poet Ovid in 43 B.C.
-- Adventurer/writer Edward Judson, originator of the dime novel, writing as Ned Buntline, in 1821
-- Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen in 1828
-- Actor/bandleader Ozzie Nelson in 1906
-- Actor Michael Redgrave in 1908
-- Actor Vera Lynn in 1917 (age 103)
-- Diplomat Pamela Harriman in 1920
-- Actor/producer/director Carl Reiner in 1922 (age 98)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- TV personality Fred Rogers in 1928
-- Actor Hal Linden in 1931 (age 89)
-- Author Lois Lowry in 1937 (age 83)
-- Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 1939 (age 81)
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Pat Riley in 1945 (age 75)
-- Hockey Hall of Fame member Bobby Orr in 1948 (age 72)
-- Actor William Hurt in 1950 (age 70)
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-- Filmmaker Spike Lee in 1957 (age 63)
-- Actor Theresa Russell in 1957 (age 63)
-- Actor Holly Hunter in 1958 (age 62)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Actor David Thewlis in 1963 (age 57)
-- Model/actor Kathy Ireland in 1963 (age 57)
-- Singer Chester Bennington in 1976
-- Actor Bianca Lawson in 1979 (age 41)
-- Actor Freema Agyeman in 1979 (age 41)
-- Model/actor Ruby Rose in 1986 (age 34)
-- Tennis player Sloane Stephens in 1993 (age 27)
-- Barron Trump, son of President Donald Trump, in 2006 (age 14)
File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI


upi--2020-03-20--Jack Osbourne: 'Portals' is 'an evolution of my dad's history'

LOS ANGELES , March 20 ( UPI ) -- Jack Osbourne and Katrina Weidman were in the middle of production on Season 2 of Portals to Hell when they had to stop traveling during the coronavirus outbreak .
This will put a pause on production of their Travel Channel series , but the first half of Season 2 will continue to air as scheduled .
Season 2 began Friday with an exploration of Old Paulding Jail .
Nine more episodes are scheduled to air for Season 2A , and the Travel Channel has no premiere date for Season 2B .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Osbourne told UPI .
`` We 're just trying to see how this all rolls out .
We 've stopped down to assess .
Everyone is feeling the effects of this across so many industries .
The call was made : Let 's be responsible and just see how the chips fall . ''
In each episode of Portals to Hell , Osbourne and Weidman investigate a location where people have reported paranormal experiences .
They try to determine whether the location is haunted , or perhaps a gateway to the underworld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit of hype .
`` Jack and I do n't really look at the title of the show as something literal , '' Weidman said .
`` There are these places in the world where people claim to have very negative experiences .
What makes it so different ?
What makes it so unique ?
Is it the history ?
Is there something environmental ?
Is it the power of suggestion ? ''
Interest in the paranormal runs in Osbourne 's family .
His father , singer Ozzy Osbourne , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Osbourne has carried the darkness from his father 's stage into real life investigations .
`` My dad probably would be the first to admit it was very much kind of a gimmicky thing for him , '' Dad is very skeptical when it comes to all sorts of occurrences like this .
I think I 'm probably taking a deeper dive into the paranormal than he ever did .
This is a weird evolution of my dad 's history in an odd way . ''
Whenever Osbourne appears on Portals to Hell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title `` paranormal investigator '' He earned that title with his previous paranormal show , Haunted Highway .
`` It 's what I 'm doing now , '' Osbourne said .
`` This is not my first rodeo when it comes to the paranormal investigator .
I think any time I get a title is funny because I always just have the approach of a job is a job . ''
Actor , singer , producer and speaker Weidman also has a healthy paranormal resume .
She hosted Paranormal State and Paranormal Lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
`` He knew who I was because he used to watch Paranormal State , my first show , '' Weidman said .
`` Then , he was putting together this project , and I got this whole email .
Jack and I met in New York and sat down for a long time , talking about our views of the paranormal .
Our views very much aligned . ''
Episodes combine the travel to a famous destination , the history of a town and its residents , a paranormal investigation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dig into the history because that 's part of the investigation , '' Weidman said .
`` We have eyewitness accounts , and a lot of times that spills into the history or other elements that are n't necessarily supernatural .
Obviously , at a place that 's a prison , there 's going to be elements of true crime . ''
Upcoming episodes of Portals to Hell take Osbourne and Weidman to the Ohio State Reformatory , Fort William Henry , Iron Island Museum and Haunted Hill House .
The Ohio state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shawshank Redemption , but its hauntings were unrelated to the film .
`` The prison has a whole history years and years beyond the movie , '' Weidman said .
`` I think if the activity 's connected to anything , it 's to that . ''
The Haunted Hill House in Texas is also unrelated to The Haunting of Hill House from the book , movie and Netflix TV series .
Weidman said they traced its paranormal activities to lithium in the water supply .
`` There was a woman who seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started drinking the water , '' Weidman said .
`` She had some mental health issues .
So for her , it was actually having an effect on her in some kind of positive way , but for the average person , it was actually having very negative impacts on them . ''
The house claims to be a hub of paranormal activity , too .
Weidman and Osbourne went in skeptical , but came out with questions .
`` Jack and I went there to check out the claims , '' Weidman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiences of our own that we could n't explain . ''
Iron Island claims to have two portals to hell .
The location did not convince Osbourne .
`` From our investigation , I would n't necessarily say that was a full-on portal , '' Osbourne said .
`` We had really profound experiences the whole time we were there .
Portal , I do n't know .
Craziness , absolutely . ''
Fort William Henry in upstate New York provides Portals with another of its heavy history episodes .
`` I loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buff , '' Osbourne said .
Portals to Hell airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on the Travel Channel .

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Jack Osbourne bears the title of paranormal investigator on Travel Channel's series "Portals to Hell." File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, March 20 (UPI) -- Jack Osbourne and Katrina Weidman were in the middle of production on Season 2 of Portals to Hell when they had to stop traveling during the coronavirus outbreak. This will put a pause on production of their Travel Channel series, but the first half of Season 2 will continue to air as scheduled. It began Friday with an exploration of Old Paulding Jail. Nine more episodes are scheduled to air for Season 2A, and the Travel Channel has no premiere date for Season 2B. Advertisement
"Nothing's been canceled yet," Osbourne told UPI. "We're just trying to see how this all rolls out. We've stopped down to assess. Everyone is feeling the effects of this across so many industries. The call was made: Let's be responsible and just see how the chips fall."
In each episode of Portals to Hell, Osbourne and Weidman investigate a location where people have reported paranormal experiences. They try to determine whether the location is haunted, or perhaps a gateway to the underworld. They acknowledge the title is a little bit of hype.
Advertisement
"Jack and I don't really look at the title of the show as something literal," Weidman said. "There are these places in the world where people claim to have very negative experiences. What makes it so different? What makes it so unique? Is it the history? Is there something environmental? Is it the power of suggestion?"
Interest in the paranormal runs in Osbourne's family. His father, singer Ozzy Osbourne, called himself The Prince of Darkness. Jack Osbourne has carried the darkness from his father's stage into real-life investigations.
"My dad probably would be the first to admit it was very much kind of a gimmicky thing for him. Dad is very skeptical when it comes to all sorts of occurrences like this. I think I'm probably taking a deeper dive into the paranormal than he ever did. This is a weird evolution of my dad's history in an odd way."
Whenever Jack Osbourne appears on Portals to Hell, the show identifies him with the title "paranormal investigator" He earned that title with his previous paranormal show, Haunted Highway.
"It's what I'm doing now," Osbourne said. "This is not my first rodeo when it comes to the paranormal investigator. I think any time I get a title is funny because I always just have the approach of a job is a job."
Advertisement
Actor, singer, producer and speaker Weidman also has a healthy paranormal resume. She hosted Paranormal State and Paranormal Lockdown before Jack Osbourne discussed Portals to Hell with her.
"He knew who I was because he used to watch Paranormal State, my first show," Weidman said. "Then, he was putting together this project, and I got this whole email. Jack and I met in New York and sat down for a long time, talking about our views of the paranormal. Our views very much aligned."
Episodes combine the travel to a famous destination, the history of a town and its residents, a paranormal investigation and sometimes true crime.
"We do dig into the history because that's part of the investigation," Weidman said. "We have eyewitness accounts, and a lot of times that spills into the history or other elements that aren't necessarily supernatural. Obviously, at a place that's a prison, there's going to be elements of true crime."
Upcoming episodes of Portals to Hell take them to the Ohio State Reformatory, Fort William Henry, Iron Island Museum and Haunted Hill House. The Ohio state prison was the filming location for The Shawshank Redemption, but its hauntings were unrelated to the film.
Advertisement
"The prison has a whole history years and years beyond the movie," Weidman said. "I think if the activity's connected to anything, it's to that."
The Haunted Hill House in Texas is also unrelated to The Haunting of Hill House from the book, movie and Netflix TV series. Weidman said they traced its paranormal activities to lithium in the water supply.
"There was a woman who seemed to exhibit signs of clarity after she started drinking the water," Weidman said. "She had some mental health issues. So for her, it was actually having an effect on her in some kind of positive way, but for the average person, it was actually having very negative impacts on them."
The house claims to be a hub of paranormal activity, too. Weidman and Osbourne went in skeptical, but came out with questions.
"Jack and I went there to check out the claims," Weidman said. "We certainly had some experiences of our own that we couldn't explain."
Iron Island claims to have two portals to hell. The location did not convince Osbourne.
"From our investigation, I wouldn't necessarily say that was a full-on portal," Osbourne said. "We had really profound experiences the whole time we were there. Portal, I don't know. Craziness, absolutely."
Advertisement
Fort William Henry in upstate New York provides Portals with another of its heavy history episodes.
"I loved it because I'm a big history buff," Jack Osbourne said.
Portals to Hell airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on the Travel Channel.


upi--2020-03-20--On This Day, March 20: LBJ orders National Guard to protect Selma march

March 20 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1852 , Harriet Beecher Stowe 's anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom 's Cabin was published .
In 1854 , in what is considered the founding meeting of the Republican Party , former members of the Whig Party met in Ripon , Wis. , to establish a new party to oppose the spread of slavery into the western territories .
In 1963 , a volcano on the East Indies island of Bali began erupting .
The death toll exceeded 1,500 .
In 1965 , President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a planned civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery the next day .
Earlier marches turned violent and deadly , but the third march was considered more of a success both in terms of safety and in spreading the message of the right to vote for black Americans .
In 1976 , San Francisco newspaper heiress and kidnapping victim Patty Hearst was convicted of bank robbery .
Hearst served 22 months in prison and eventually was granted a full pardon .
In 1987 , the U.S. government approved the sale of AZT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cure , for AIDS .
In 1995 , 12 people were killed , and more than 5,000 made ill in a nerve-gas attack on the Tokyo subway system .
In 1996 , the world learned of `` mad cow '' disease from a British government report questioning the safety of beef in Britain .
In 1997 , the Liggett Group , fifth-largest U.S. tobacco company , agreed to admit that smoking was addictive and caused health problems and that the tobacco industry had sought for years to sell its products to children as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five days after explosions destroyed one of its support beams and killed 11 people , the largest oil rig in the world collapsed and sank off the coast of Brazil .
In 2004 , after narrowly escaping assassination the day before , Chen Shui-bian was re-elected president of Taiwan with about 50 percent of the vote .
In 2007 , former Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan was hanged in Baghdad for his part in the 1982 deaths of 148 Shiites .
In 2010 , the first eruption of a volcano in southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 450 people , but there were no reports of injuries or major property damage .
In 2016 , President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba since 1928 after normalizing relations between the two countries .
In 2019 , the Walt Disney Co. officially completed its $ 71.3 billion purchase of a large chunk of 21st Century Fox .

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Dr. Martin Luther King leads an estimated 10,000 or more civil rights marchers out on last leg of their Selma-to-Montgomery march on March 25, 1965. UPI File Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was published. Advertisement
In 1854, in what is considered the founding meeting of the Republican Party, former members of the Whig Party met in Ripon, Wis., to establish a new party to oppose the spread of slavery into the western territories.
In 1963, a volcano on the East Indies island of Bali began erupting. The death toll exceeded 1,500.
In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered the Alabama National Guard to provide security at a planned civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery the next day. Earlier marches turned violent and deadly, but the third march was considered more of a success both in terms of safety and in spreading the message of the right to vote for black Americans.
In 1976, San Francisco newspaper heiress and kidnapping victim Patty Hearst was convicted of bank robbery. Hearst served 22 months in prison and eventually was granted a full pardon.
File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
Advertisement
In 1987, the U.S. government approved the sale of AZT, a treatment, but not a cure, for AIDS.
In 1995, 12 people were killed, and more than 5,000 made ill in a nerve-gas attack on the Tokyo subway system.
In 1996, the world learned of "mad cow" disease from a British government report questioning the safety of beef in Britain.
In 1997, the Liggett Group, fifth-largest U.S. tobacco company, agreed to admit that smoking was addictive and caused health problems and that the tobacco industry had sought for years to sell its products to children as young as 14.
In 2001, five days after explosions destroyed one of its support beams and killed 11 people, the largest oil rig in the world collapsed and sank off the coast of Brazil.
In 2003, U.S.-led coalition forces begin military operations in Iraq.
In 2004, after narrowly escaping assassination the day before, Chen Shui-bian was re-elected president of Taiwan with about 50 percent of the vote.
File Photo by Sinartus Sosrodjojo/UPI
Advertisement
In 2007, former Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan was hanged in Baghdad for his part in the 1982 deaths of 148 Shiites.
In 2010, the first eruption of a volcano in southern Iceland since the 1820s forced the evacuation of 450 people, but there were no reports of injuries or major property damage.
In 2016, President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba since 1928 after normalizing relations between the two countries.
In 2019, the Walt Disney Co. officially completed its $71.3 billion purchase of a large chunk of 21st Century Fox.


upi--2020-03-20--OneWeb plans Saturday satellite launch from Kazakhstan

March 20 ( UPI ) -- OneWeb plans to launch 34 communications satellites from Kazakhstan at 1:06 p.m. EDT Saturday -- its third such launch of satellites made in Florida .
The communications company based in London and Virginia has been mass-producing satellites near Kennedy Space Center since last year .
The company previously launched 40 satellites from space centers in Kazakhstan and South America .
Saturday 's launch is planned to lift off from Russia 's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan , using Soyuz rockets purchased through the French space firm Arianespace .
OneWeb said the weather for the launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Rocket is now on the launch pad and we are continuing to prep for our third # OneWebLaunch , '' the company said on Twitter .
OneWeb is one of several U.S. companies competing to launch huge new constellations of satellites to provide high-speed reliable internet around the globe .
Others include SpaceX 's Starlink , Amazon and Telesat .
SpaceX has the largest constellation so far , at 362 satellites , and plans for up to 42,000 .
But SpaceX and OneWeb appear to be aiming at different markets , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Sky Research .
`` SpaceX officials have indicated Starlink will be a premium product , that they are n't going super cheap , '' Sachdeva said .
`` With OneWeb , they are going more for rural areas , underserved parts of the planet , and cheaply . ''
OneWeb is a relatively new company that announced its plans to build in Florida in 2016 .
OneWeb Satellites , a subsidiary and a joint venture with European aerospace company Airbus , opened a factory in 2019 .
Initially , OneWeb founder Greg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Galactic , and then signed a deal with Jeff Bezos ' Blue Origin rocket company .
But neither of those companies has launched a payload into space .
OneWeb said it is dedicating Saturday 's launch to the late Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov , who became the first person to walk in space in 1965 .
The satellites will be headed to a near-polar orbit about 280 miles high , after which they will be raised to their final orbit of approximately 745 miles .
OneWeb Satellites are about the size of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satellites orbit at a height of about 340 miles above the Earth , and feature a flat-panel design about the size of a large dinner table .
Both companies ' satellites have solar panels that extend after deployment .
The Kármán line that defines space is 62 miles high , and the International Space Station is orbiting Earth at more than 250 miles high .

A Soyuz rocket is readied for a Saturday launch in Kazakhstan carrying 34 satellites made in Florida for communications company OneWeb. Photo courtesy of OneWeb
ORLANDO, Fla., March 20 (UPI) -- OneWeb plans to launch 34 communications satellites from Kazakhstan at 1:06 p.m. EDT Saturday -- its third such launch of satellites made in Florida. The communications company based in London and Virginia has been mass-producing satellites near Kennedy Space Center since last year. The company previously launched 40 satellites from space centers in Kazakhstan and South America. Advertisement
Saturday's launch is planned for Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using Soyuz rockets purchased through the French space firm Arianespace. OneWeb said the weather for the launch time is expected to be favorable.
"Rocket is now on the launch pad and we are continuing to prep for our third #OneWebLaunch," the company said on Twitter.
OneWeb is one of several U.S. companies competing to launch huge new constellations of satellites to provide high-speed reliable Internet around the globe. Others include SpaceX's Starlink, Amazon and Telesat.
SpaceX has the largest constellation so far, at 362 satellites, and plans for up to 42,000.
But SpaceX and OneWeb appear to be aiming at different markets, said Shagun Sachdeva, a satellite analyst with Northern Sky Research.
"SpaceX officials have indicated Starlink will be a premium product, that they aren't going super cheap," Sachdeva said. "With OneWeb, they are going more for rural areas, underserved parts of the planet, and cheaply."
Advertisement Weather status in Baikonur for Saturday is Green . Rocket is now on the launch pad and we are continuing to prep for our third #OneWebLaunch. pic.twitter.com/kulgBzWjd5— OneWeb (@OneWeb) March 18, 2020
OneWeb is a relatively new company that announced its plans to build in Florida in 2016. OneWeb Satellites, a subsidiary and a joint venture with European aerospace company Airbus, opened a factory in 2019.
Initially, OneWeb founder Greg Wyler said he would launch with Virgin Galactic, and then signed a deal with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket company. But neither of those companies has launched a payload into space.
OneWeb said it is dedicating Saturday's launch to the late Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who became the first person to walk in space in 1965.
The satellites will be headed to a near-polar orbit about 280 miles high, after which they will be raised to their final orbit of approximately 745 miles. OneWeb Satellites are about the size of a small refrigerator.
By comparison, Starlink satellites orbit at a height of about 340 miles above the Earth, and feature a flat-panel design about the size of a large dinner table. Both companies' satellites have solar panels that extend after deployment.
Advertisement
The Kármán line that defines space is 62 miles high, and the International Space Station is orbiting Earth at more than 250 miles high.


upi--2020-03-20--VP Mike Pence staffer tests positive for coronavirus

March 20 ( UPI ) -- A staff member in Vice President Mike Pence 's office tested positive for the coronavirus , the leader 's spokeswoman said Friday .
Press secretary Katie Miller said officials were attempting to discover who the staffer had contact with , in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines .
`` This evening we were notified that a member of the Office of the Vice President tested positive for the coronavirus , '' she said .
`` Neither President [ Donald ] Trump nor Vice President Pence had close contact with the individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the White House Coronavirus Task Force , a team of administration health officials working to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the United States .
The executive branch had another brush with the coronavirus last week when Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and is staff visited Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach , Fla. Bolsonaro 's press officer , Fabio Wajngarten , tested positive for the virus .
Trump and his daughter , adviser Ivanka Trump , both tested negative for the virus in the days after the Brazil visit .

Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary said neither he nor President Donald Trump had close contact with the staffer who tested positive for coronavirus. Photo Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- A staff member in Vice President Mike Pence's office tested positive for the coronavirus, the leader's spokeswoman said Friday. Press secretary Katie Miller said officials were attempting to discover who the staffer had contact with, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Advertisement
"This evening we were notified that a member of the Office of the Vice President tested positive for the coronavirus," she said. "Neither President [Donald] Trump nor Vice President Pence had close contact with the individual."
Pence is Trump's liaison with the White House Coronavirus Task Force, a team of administration health officials working to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the United States.
The executive branch had another brush with the coronavirus last week when Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and is staff visited Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Bolsonaro's press officer, Fabio Wajngarten, tested positive for the virus.
Trump and his daughter, adviser Ivanka Trump, both tested negative for the virus in the days after the Brazil visit.


upi--2020-03-20--DoD urges defense contractors, subcontractors to stay at work

March 20 ( UPI ) -- A Friday Department of Defense memo signaled that defense contractors and their suppliers are `` critical infrastructure '' and urged them to stay on the job amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus .
`` If you work in a critical infrastructure industry , as designated by the Department of Homeland Security , you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule , '' Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord wrote in a Friday memo , Defense News reported .
`` We need your support and dedication in these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Nation .
I understand that this national emergency presents a challenge and we are dedicated to working closely with you to ensure the safety of the workforce and accomplishments of the national security mission . ''
Included in Lord 's memo were the aerospace sector , mechanical and software engineers , manufacturing and production workers , information technology support , security staff , security personnel , intelligency support , aircraft and weapons systems mechanics and maintainers as well as suppliers of medical suppliers and pharmaceuticals .
Lord also advised that personnel working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Defense Departments , should be considered essential -- with the exception of contractors who perform tasks like providing office supplies , recreational support or lawn care .
That could cover as many as 100,000 companies , according to Breaking Defense , which reported the memo came after daily calls with the heads of major defense industry groups to share information and address concerns about the pandemic .
Spread of COVID-19 has sent the global economy reeling , with dramatic fluctuations in U.S. stock markets .
The virus has also created massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urging remote work and schools in many states closing as public-health experts recommend individuals avoid crowded spaces and practice social distancing .
Thousands of service-industry workers -- primarily in restaurants and bars -- have lost their jobs amid restrictions from local governments , even as grocers like Walmart have begun to recruit more aggressively .

Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord, pictured in October, sent a memo to defense industry leaders Friday encouraging them to keep normal working hours despite the spread of the novel coronavirus. Photo by Nicole Mejia/Defense Department
March 20 (UPI) -- A Friday Department of Defense memo signaled that defense contractors and their suppliers are "critical infrastructure" and urged them to stay on the job amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. "If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as designated by the Department of Homeland Security, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule," Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord wrote in a Friday memo, Defense News reported. Advertisement
"We need your support and dedication in these trying times to ensure the security of this Nation. I understand that this national emergency presents a challenge and we are dedicated to working closely with you to ensure the safety of the workforce and accomplishments of the national security mission."
Included in Lord's memo were the aerospace sector, mechanical and software engineers, manufacturing and production workers, information technology support, security staff, security personnel, intelligency support, aircraft and weapons systems mechanics and maintainers as well as suppliers of medical suppliers and pharmaceuticals.
Lord also advised that personnel working for companies, and subcontractors who perform for the Defense Departments, should be considered essential -- with the exception of contractors who perform tasks like providing office supplies, recreational support or lawn care.
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That could cover as many as 100,000 companies, according to Breaking Defense, which reported the memo came after daily calls with the heads of major defense industry groups to share information and address concerns about the pandemic.
Spread of COVID-19 has sent the global economy reeling, with dramatic fluctuations in U.S. stock markets.
The virus has also created massive disruptions to workplaces, with white-collar businesses urging remote work and schools in many states closing as public-health experts recommend individuals avoid crowded spaces and practice social distancing.
Thousands of service-industry workers -- primarily in restaurants and bars -- have lost their jobs amid restrictions from local governments, even as grocers like Walmart have begun to recruit more aggressively.


upi--2020-03-20--Pro Bowl DE Everson Griffen parting ways with Minnesota Vikings

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The Minnesota Vikings are losing Pro Bowl defensive end Everson Griffen to free agency .
Griffen , who spent 10 seasons with the Vikings after the franchise selected him in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft , posted a farewell message Friday on social media .
In the Instagram post , the four-time Pro Bowler thanked Vikings fans for their support .
`` When I came to Minnesota as a fourth-round pick out of USC , I had no idea how much my life would change over the next 10 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my dream of playing in the NFL , went to four Pro Bowls and came within one game of playing in the Super Bowl in front of the best fans in the country .
`` More importantly , I became a husband , a dad , and met teammates who became brothers for life .
I also stumbled a few times on my journey and could not be more grateful for the unconditional support and love I received from SKOL Nation .
`` While it is with a heavy heart that I say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best physical and mental shape I have ever been and have many Pro Bowl seasons to come !
Wherever my next stop is , I will always be grateful to and cheering for the Vikings .
Thank you all for the love , support and memories . ''
Griffen , 32 , voided the remaining three years on his contract last month after accomplishing two milestones last season -- recording six or more sacks and playing at least 57 percent of the Vikings ' defensive snaps .
According to ESPN , Griffen was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a player-controlled void written into his agreement .
Griffen 's agent , Brian Murphy , told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he broke off contract discussions with the Vikings because `` they have to spend their money elsewhere . ''
According to ESPN , Griffen wanted to return to Minnesota but refused to play on another reduced salary , like he did last season .
The move cleared about $ 13.1 million in salary-cap space for the Vikings entering this month 's free agent signing period .
Griffen , who was named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 353 total tackles , 74.5 sacks , two interceptions and 16 passes defensed in 147 career games with the Vikings .
He ranks fourth in franchise history in sacks , recording a career-best 13 quarterback takedowns in the 2017 campaign .

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) voided the remaining three years of his contract last month. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Vikings are losing Pro Bowl defensive end Everson Griffen to free agency. Griffen, who spent 10 seasons with the Vikings after the franchise selected him in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, posted a farewell message Friday on social media. In the Instagram post, the four-time Pro Bowler thanked Vikings fans for their support. Advertisement
"When I came to Minnesota as a fourth-round pick out of USC, I had no idea how much my life would change over the next 10 years," Griffen wrote. "I realized my dream of playing in the NFL, went to four Pro Bowls and came within one game of playing in the Super Bowl in front of the best fans in the country.
"More importantly, I became a husband, a dad, and met teammates who became brothers for life. I also stumbled a few times on my journey and could not be more grateful for the unconditional support and love I received from SKOL Nation.
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"While it is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye, I leave Minnesota in the best physical and mental shape I have ever been and have many Pro Bowl seasons to come! Wherever my next stop is, I will always be grateful to and cheering for the Vikings. Thank you all for the love, support and memories."
Griffen, 32, voided the remaining three years on his contract last month after accomplishing two milestones last season -- recording six or more sacks and playing at least 57 percent of the Vikings' defensive snaps. According to ESPN, Griffen was one of two players last season who had a player-controlled void written into his agreement.
Griffen's agent, Brian Murphy, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he broke off contract discussions with the Vikings because "they have to spend their money elsewhere." According to ESPN, Griffen wanted to return to Minnesota but refused to play on another reduced salary, like he did last season.
The move cleared about $13.1 million in salary-cap space for the Vikings entering this month's free agent signing period.
Griffen, who was named second-team All-Pro in 2017, has notched 353 total tackles, 74.5 sacks, two interceptions and 16 passes defensed in 147 career games with the Vikings. He ranks fourth in franchise history in sacks, recording a career-best 13 quarterback takedowns in the 2017 campaign.


upi--2020-03-20--Connecticut, Illinois, New York issue stay-at-home orders

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The governors of Connecticut , Illinois and New York joined California on Friday in ordering all non-essential workers to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed at least 227 people in the United States .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said all the non-essential workers should refrain from leaving home unless faced with an emergency .
He said public transportation , however , will stay open .
`` This is not life as usual , '' Cuomo said .
`` This is the most drastic measure we can take .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders will be enforced starting Sunday .
`` These are not helpful hints , '' he said .
`` I am not kidding about this .
These provisions will be enforced .
Your actions can affect my health . ''
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Illinois ' stay-at-home order will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday and last through April 7 .
He said residences can visit grocery stores , gas stations and pharmacies , and talk walks outdoors .
He said he asked medical experts , epidemiologists , mathematicians and modelers what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state .
`` Well , they 've come back to me with one inescapable conclusion : To avoid the loss of potentially tens of thousands of lives , we must enact an immediate stay-at-home order for the state of Illinois , '' he said during a news conference .
Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont said he also plans to order all non-essential workers to stay home starting 8 p.m. '' Look , it 's tough medicine , '' he told reporters Friday .
`` I think it 's the right medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaks his order could be fined .
Also , in a joint statement Friday , Cuomo , Lamont , New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy and Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf , said all barbershops , hair and nail salons , tattoo or piercing parlors , hair removal services and other personal care services will close Saturday night .
Thursday , the governors ordered indoor portions of retail shopping malls , amusement parks and bowling alleys in the four states to close and limited crowd gatherings to 50 people .
`` Social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Murphy said .
`` While we understand the challenge these restrictions pose to our region 's small businesses , we are actively working with the federal government to ensure that financial relief is made available to our business owners and workforce as quickly as possible . ''
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered the first statewide restriction that required residents to remain at home .
The only exceptions are for residents traveling to gas stations , pharmacies , grocery stores , banks and laundromats .

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to reporters in New Rochelle, N.Y., on March 13. Friday, he implemented a mandatory stay-at-home order for New York residents. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- The governors of Connecticut, Illinois and New York joined California on Friday in ordering all non-essential workers to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed at least 227 people in the United States. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said all the non-essential workers should refrain from leaving home unless faced with an emergency. He said public transportation, however, will stay open. Advertisement
"This is not life as usual," Cuomo said. "This is the most drastic measure we can take."
The governor also stressed that his orders will be enforced starting Sunday.
"These are not helpful hints," he said. "I am not kidding about this. These provisions will be enforced. Your actions can affect my health."
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois' stay-at-home order will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday and last through April 7. He said residences can visit grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies, and talk walks outdoors.
He said he asked medical experts, epidemiologists, mathematicians and modelers what he can do to save the most lives in the state.
"Well, they've come back to me with one inescapable conclusion: To avoid the loss of potentially tens of thousands of lives, we must enact an immediate stay-at-home order for the state of Illinois," he said during a news conference.
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Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said he also plans to order all non-essential workers to stay home starting 8 p.m.
"Look, it's tough medicine," he told reporters Friday. "I think it's the right medicine."
Lamont said that anyone who breaks his order could be fined.
Also, in a joint statement Friday, Cuomo, Lamont, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, said all barbershops, hair and nail salons, tattoo or piercing parlors, hair removal services and other personal care services will close Saturday night.
Thursday, the governors ordered indoor portions of retail shopping malls, amusement parks and bowling alleys in the four states to close and limited crowd gatherings to 50 people.
"Social distancing is paramount to our broader strategy," Murphy said. "While we understand the challenge these restrictions pose to our region's small businesses, we are actively working with the federal government to ensure that financial relief is made available to our business owners and workforce as quickly as possible."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered the first statewide restriction that required residents to remain at home. The only exceptions are for residents traveling to gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, banks and laundromats.
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U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-03-20--Sen. Richard Burr calls for ethics probe of his stock sales

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Sen. Richard Burr on Friday asked the Senate ethics committee to investigate his sale of up to $ 1.7 million in stocks last month amid daily briefings on the coronavirus epidemic .
Burr , R-N.C. , came under scrutiny Thursday after a ProPublica report detailed the unloading of stocks on Feb. 13 .
In the days after his stock sales , the markets lost about 30 percent of their value amid uncertainty over the COVID-19 outbreak .
As chairman of the Senate intelligence committee , Burr was receiving daily updates on details of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time mostly focused on China .
The virus has since spread across the globe , killing at least 11,200 people and sickening 260,000 as of Friday evening , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .
`` I relied solely on public news reports to guide my decision regarding the sale of stocks on February 13 , '' he said .
`` Specifically , I closely followed CNBC 's daily health and science reporting out of its Asia bureaus at the time .
`` Understanding the assumption many could make in hindsight however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of the Senate ethics committee and asked him to open a complete review of the matter with full transparency . ''
Burr sent a formal letter to committee Chairman James Lankford , R-Okla. , and Vice Chairman Chris Coons , D-Del.
, requesting the inquiry .
`` I stand ready to be fully transparent with you and your committee as you do your work , '' he wrote .
Burr is n't the only senator who sold major holdings around the same time .
Disclosure records indicate Sens .
Dianne Feinstein , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kelly Loeffler , R-Ga. , also sold thousands or million in stocks .
Feinstein and her husband sold $ 1.5 million to $ 6 million worth of holdings in Allogene Therapeutics between Jan. 31 and Feb. 18 .
Inhofe sold $ 400,000 in holdings with PayPal , Apple and Brookfield Asset Management .
And Loeffler and her husband , Jeffrey Sprecher , chairman of the New York Stock Exchange , sold millions in stocks from companies including ExxonMobil , Ross Stores and Autozone .

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., said he sold his stock holdings based on news reports he read in CNBC. File Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- Sen. Richard Burr on Friday asked the Senate ethics committee to investigate his sale of up to $1.7 million in stocks last month amid daily briefings on the coronavirus epidemic. Burr, R-N.C., came under scrutiny Thursday after a ProPublica report detailed the unloading of stocks on Feb. 13. In the days after his stock sales, the markets lost about 30 percent of their value amid uncertainty over the COVID-19 outbreak. Advertisement
As chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, Burr was receiving daily updates on details of the coronavirus outbreak, which was at the time mostly focused on China. The virus has since spread across the globe, killing at least 11,200 people and sickening 260,000 as of Friday evening, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
In a statement released Friday, Burr denied any wrongdoing.
"I relied solely on public news reports to guide my decision regarding the sale of stocks on February 13," he said. "Specifically, I closely followed CNBC's daily health and science reporting out of its Asia bureaus at the time.
"Understanding the assumption many could make in hindsight however, I spoke this morning with the chairman of the Senate ethics committee and asked him to open a complete review of the matter with full transparency."
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Burr sent a formal letter to committee Chairman James Lankford, R-Okla., and Vice Chairman Chris Coons, D-Del., requesting the inquiry.
"I stand ready to be fully transparent with you and your committee as you do your work," he wrote.
Burr isn't the only senator who sold major holdings around the same time. Disclosure records indicate Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; James Inhofe, R-Okla.; and Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., also sold thousands or million in stocks.
Feinstein and her husband sold $1.5 million to $6 million worth of holdings in Allogene Therapeutics between Jan. 31 and Feb. 18. Inhofe sold $400,000 in holdings with PayPal, Apple and Brookfield Asset Management. And Loeffler and her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, sold millions in stocks from companies including ExxonMobil, Ross Stores and Autozone.


upi--2020-03-20--Study: Seeding atmosphere with sulfur dioxide may reduce global warming

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Seeding the upper atmosphere with sulfur dioxide could reduce climate change -- but only if applied sparingly -- a study published Friday suggests .
Simulations indicate that a layer of aerosol particles applied to the earth 's upper atmosphere by aircraft could reduce average global temperatures , at what researchers call a reasonable cost of several billion dollars per year , according to research published today in the journal Environmental Research Letters .
Questions remain , though , regarding region-by-region changes in temperature and water availability , as well as how effective it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one tool that would need to be used to combat temperature rise on Earth .
The also study suggests that an excess of `` solar bioengineering '' could have a destructive effect .
`` Most studies focus on a scenario where solar geoengineering offsets all future warming , '' lead author Peter Irvine of London-based UCL Earth Sciences said in a press release .
`` While this reduces overall climate change substantially , we show that in these simulations , it goes too far in some respects , leading to about 9 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change . ''
`` However , if instead only half the warming is offset , then we find that stratospheric aerosol geoengineering could still reduce climate change overall but would only exacerbate change over 1.3 percent of the land area , '' he added .
In an attempt to reduce climate change through solar bioengineering , only the symptoms are treated and not the underlying cause of carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere , the paper stresses .
The approach explained in the study would only complement other processes to reduce greenhouse gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the procedure would improve the climate change situation in some places , but worsen it in others by producing more atmospheric moisture .
`` There are still many uncertainties about the potential effects of stratospheric aerosol geoengineering and more research is needed to know if this idea is truly viable , '' Irvine added .
The study , which builds on previous research , recommends a goal of reducing global warming by half in using the aerosol method , suggesting that key climate hazards would be substantially reduced .

Researchers say seeding the atmosphere with a layer of sulfur dioxide would reduce climate change in some areas, but could increase it in others. Photo by JuergenPM /Pixabay
March 20 (UPI) -- Seeding the upper atmosphere with sulfur dioxide could reduce climate change -- but only if applied sparingly -- a study published Friday suggests. Simulations indicate that a layer of aerosol particles applied to the earth's upper atmosphere by aircraft could reduce average global temperatures, at what researchers call a reasonable cost of several billion dollars per year, according to research published today in the journal Environmental Research Letters. Advertisement
Questions remain, though, regarding region-by-region changes in temperature and water availability, as well as how effective it could be -- researchers say it is just one tool that would need to be used to combat temperature rise on Earth.
The also study suggests that an excess of "solar bioengineering" could have a destructive effect.
"Most studies focus on a scenario where solar geoengineering offsets all future warming," lead author Peter Irvine of London-based UCL Earth Sciences said in a press release. "While this reduces overall climate change substantially, we show that in these simulations, it goes too far in some respects, leading to about 9 percent of the land area experiencing greater climate change."
"However, if instead only half the warming is offset, then we find that stratospheric aerosol geoengineering could still reduce climate change overall but would only exacerbate change over 1.3 percent of the land area," he added.
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In an attempt to reduce climate change through solar bioengineering, only the symptoms are treated and not the underlying cause of carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere, the paper stresses.
The approach explained in the study would only complement other processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, researchers say. They warn that the procedure would improve the climate change situation in some places, but worsen it in others by producing more atmospheric moisture.
"There are still many uncertainties about the potential effects of stratospheric aerosol geoengineering and more research is needed to know if this idea is truly viable," Irvine added.
The study, which builds on previous research, recommends a goal of reducing global warming by half in using the aerosol method, suggesting that key climate hazards would be substantially reduced.


upi--2020-03-20--YouTube, Netflix reduce video quality in Europe to meet rising demand due to coronavirus

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Streaming giants YouTube and Netflix have reduced their video quality in Europe to offset surging demand from viewers as a result of the coronavirus outbreak .
YouTube on Friday joined Netflix in allowing only standard-definition streaming in Europe after a request from European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton , to ensure adequate bandwidth meets rising demand .
Netflix announced its decision Thursday .
Breton , Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki met this week to discuss the surging demand , although they said there 's been only `` a few usage peaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will last for at least 30 days .
`` We will continue working with member state governments and network operators to minimize stress on the system , while also delivering a good user experience , '' YouTube said in a statement .
Netflix switched to standard definition after CEO Reed Hastings also met with Breton .
`` We estimate that this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent while also ensuring a good quality service for our members , '' Netflix said .
Breton , the official responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moves are a preventive measure to `` preserve the smooth functioning of the Internet '' during the coronavirus crisis -- which has placed unusual strain on providers ' bandwidth because more people are working from home and watching video streams in quarantine .
`` Streaming platforms , telecom operators and users , we all have a joint responsibility to take steps to ensure the smooth functioning of the Internet during the battle against the virus propagation , '' Breton said .
Also on Friday , Netflix announced it 's created a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and film production deal with hardship while productions are shut down during the pandemic .
This includes electricians , carpenters , drivers , and hair and makeup artists .
Netflix said the funds will be in addition to the two weeks of pay the company has already committed to giving cast and crew on productions that were forced to halt last week .
The company said $ 15 million of the fund will go to third parties and non-profits that provide relief to out-of-work crew and casts in countries where Netflix has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each will go to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation COVID-19 Disaster Fund , the Motion Picture and Television Fund and the Actors Fund Emergency Assistance .

March 20 (UPI) -- Streaming giants YouTube and Netflix have reduced their video quality in Europe to offset surging demand from viewers as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
YouTube on Friday joined Netflix in allowing only standard-definition streaming in Europe after a request from European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton, to ensure adequate bandwidth meets rising demand. Netflix announced its decision Thursday.
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Breton, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki met this week to discuss the surging demand, although they said there's been only "a few usage peaks."
The reduction in video quality will last for at least 30 days.
"We will continue working with member state governments and network operators to minimize stress on the system, while also delivering a good user experience," YouTube said in a statement.
Netflix switched to standard definition after CEO Reed Hastings also met with Breton.
"We estimate that this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent while also ensuring a good quality service for our members," Netflix said.
Breton, the official responsible for the EU's internal market, said the moves are a preventive measure to "preserve the smooth functioning of the Internet" during the coronavirus crisis -- which has placed unusual strain on providers' bandwidth because more people are working from home and watching video streams in quarantine.
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"Streaming platforms, telecom operators and users, we all have a joint responsibility to take steps to ensure the smooth functioning of the Internet during the battle against the virus propagation," Breton said.
Also on Friday, Netflix announced it's created a $100 million to help workers in TV and film production deal with hardship while productions are shut down during the pandemic. This includes electricians, carpenters, drivers, and hair and makeup artists.
Netflix said the funds will be in addition to the two weeks of pay the company has already committed to giving cast and crew on productions that were forced to halt last week.
The company said $15 million of the fund will go to third parties and non-profits that provide relief to out-of-work crew and casts in countries where Netflix has a production base. And $1 million each will go to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation COVID-19 Disaster Fund, the Motion Picture and Television Fund and the Actors Fund Emergency Assistance.


upi--2020-03-20--Opening plastic packaging generates microplastics, study says

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Simply opening a plastic package can introduce microplastics into the atmosphere and be ingested or inhaled , a new study indicates .
Chinese scientists , funded by the Australian environmental research company CRC CARE , studied the travel of microplastics -- plastic pieces less than 0.2 millimeters in length -- after plastic bags of food and plastic drink bottles are opened , as well as plastic sealing tape after a package is opened .
The researchers found that fragments of 10 to 30 nanograms , or 0.0001 to 0.00003 milligrams , of plastic remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger pieces of plastic , according to the study , published this week in the journal Scientific Reports .
While microplastics are normally associated with pollution in the form of bulk waste made of chemicals that have proven slow to break down , the researchers noted that everyday human interaction with plastic could be additional sources of pollution .
Simply tearing open a bag of snacks releases nearly invisible plastic fragments into the air , with the amount dependent on the stiffness , thickness and density of the bag .
`` This finding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be careful when opening plastic packaging , if we are concerned about microplastics and care about reducing microplastics contamination , '' the study 's abstract states .
The risk and toxicity to humans was not resolved by the study , researchers say .

March 20 (UPI) -- Simply opening a plastic package can introduce microplastics into the atmosphere and be ingested or inhaled, a new study indicates.
Chinese scientists, funded by the Australian environmental research company CRC CARE, studied the travel of microplastics -- plastic pieces less than 0.2 millimeters in length -- after plastic bags of food and plastic drink bottles are opened, as well as plastic sealing tape after a package is opened.
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The researchers found that fragments of 10 to 30 nanograms, or 0.0001 to 0.00003 milligrams, of plastic remain in the atmosphere through cutting or twisting larger pieces of plastic, according to the study, published this week in the journal Scientific Reports.
While microplastics are normally associated with pollution in the form of bulk waste made of chemicals that have proven slow to break down, the researchers noted that everyday human interaction with plastic could be additional sources of pollution.
Simply tearing open a bag of snacks releases nearly invisible plastic fragments into the air, with the amount dependent on the stiffness, thickness and density of the bag.
"This finding sends an important warning, that we must be careful when opening plastic packaging, if we are concerned about microplastics and care about reducing microplastics contamination," the study's abstract states.
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The risk and toxicity to humans was not resolved by the study, researchers say.


upi--2020-03-20--New drug helps shrink inoperable tumors in children

A new trial confirms that the drug selumetinib shrinks tumors in children suffering from neurofibromatosis Type 1 .
The condition is characterized by changes in skin coloring and the growth of tumors along nerves in the skin , brain and other parts of the body .
The tumors cause disfigurement , limitations on strength and range of motion , and pain .
The tumors are hard to treat , and they can grow quickly and become up to 20 percent of a child 's weight , the study authors noted .
Surgery is often not an option because the tumors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even ones that are partially removed tend to grow back , especially in young children .
In the study , children given selumetinib experienced less pain , improved function and overall better quality of life , the researchers reported .
`` Until now , no effective medical therapies have existed for children with neurofibromatosis type 1 [ NF1 ] and plexiform neurofibromas , and it 's been a long journey to find a drug that can help them , '' said researcher Dr. Brigitte Widemann .
She 's chief of the Center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) .
`` While this is not yet a cure , this treatment is shrinking tumors and it 's making children feel better and have a better quality of life , '' she said in an NIH news release .
The trial included 50 children , aged 3 to 17 , with NF1-related plexiform neurofibromas in 2015 and 2016 .
The children were given selumetinib twice a day in 28-day cycles and assessed at least every four cycles .
By March 2019 , 70 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was a reduction in the size of the tumors of 20 percent or more .
That response lasted a year or more .
After a year of treatment , children and parents reported less pain and meaningful improvement in daily function , overall quality of life , strength and range of motion , the researchers found .
According to Dr. Andrea Gross , also from the Center for Cancer Research , `` One of the most surprising findings of this trial was the impact the treatment had on pain .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with chronic , debilitating pain come off pain medications , which was not something we anticipated .
So , that was a really exciting finding . ''
Five children stopped selumetinib because of possible side effects from the drug , and the disease progressed in six .
The most common side effects were nausea and vomiting , diarrhea and rashes , the researchers said .
Widemann pointed out that `` there 's a lot more to be done .
Even though these children have tumor shrinkage , many still have disabling tumors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward and inspire us to work even harder towards additional progress in NF1 therapies . ''
The report was published March 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine .
For more on NF1 , head to the U.S. National Institutes of Health .

Children given selumetinib experienced less pain, improved function and overall better quality of life, the researchers reported. Photo by Bill Branson/National Cancer Institute
A new trial confirms that the drug selumetinib shrinks tumors in children suffering from neurofibromatosis Type 1. The condition is characterized by changes in skin coloring and the growth of tumors along nerves in the skin, brain and other parts of the body. The tumors cause disfigurement, limitations on strength and range of motion, and pain. Advertisement
The tumors are hard to treat, and they can grow quickly and become up to 20 percent of a child's weight, the study authors noted.
Surgery is often not an option because the tumors intertwine with healthy nerves and tissue. Even ones that are partially removed tend to grow back, especially in young children.
In the study, children given selumetinib experienced less pain, improved function and overall better quality of life, the researchers reported.
"Until now, no effective medical therapies have existed for children with neurofibromatosis type 1 [NF1] and plexiform neurofibromas, and it's been a long journey to find a drug that can help them," said researcher Dr. Brigitte Widemann. She's chief of the Center for Cancer Research's Pediatric Oncology Branch at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).
"While this is not yet a cure, this treatment is shrinking tumors and it's making children feel better and have a better quality of life," she said in an NIH news release.
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The trial included 50 children, aged 3 to 17, with NF1-related plexiform neurofibromas in 2015 and 2016.
The children were given selumetinib twice a day in 28-day cycles and assessed at least every four cycles.
By March 2019, 70 percent of the children had a partial response, which was a reduction in the size of the tumors of 20 percent or more. That response lasted a year or more.
After a year of treatment, children and parents reported less pain and meaningful improvement in daily function, overall quality of life, strength and range of motion, the researchers found.
According to Dr. Andrea Gross, also from the Center for Cancer Research, "One of the most surprising findings of this trial was the impact the treatment had on pain. It even helped patients who had been living with chronic, debilitating pain come off pain medications, which was not something we anticipated. So, that was a really exciting finding."
Five children stopped selumetinib because of possible side effects from the drug, and the disease progressed in six. The most common side effects were nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and rashes, the researchers said.
Widemann pointed out that "there's a lot more to be done. Even though these children have tumor shrinkage, many still have disabling tumors. But these findings are a big step forward and inspire us to work even harder towards additional progress in NF1 therapies."
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The report was published March 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
More information
For more on NF1, head to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
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