upi--2020-10-13--Supreme Court gives temporary OK for census count to end

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily allowed the Trump administration to end its field operations as part of the 2020 census count .
The case is still under consideration , though , in the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , which could decide to uphold a lower court 's order extending the counting deadline until the end of October .
Until that decision has been made , though , the Commerce Department can stop going door-to-door .
The counting effort began Jan. 21 , but was suspended in April due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department to push its deadline from the end of July to Oct. 31 .
But Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross backtracked on that plan in August , announcing he would end all door-knocking efforts and self-response filings for the 2020 census at the end of September in order to accelerate its completion .
The department said it 's under pressure to submit initial census data to President Donald Trump by Dec. 31 , and asked for an emergency ruling from the Supreme Court .
The Supreme Court ruling came in response to a lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition of groups led by the National Urban League in August , arguing the truncated schedule would hurt minorities as an inaccurate count could skew the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives .

The Trump administration said it's under pressure to finish the census so it can submit initial findings to President Donald Trump by the end of the year. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily allowed the Trump administration to end its field operations as part of the 2020 census count. The case is still under consideration, though, in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which could decide to uphold a lower court's order extending the counting deadline until the end of October. Until that decision has been made, though, the Commerce Department can stop going door-to-door. Advertisement
The counting effort began Jan. 21, but was suspended in April due to the coronavirus pandemic, forcing the Commerce Department to push its deadline from the end of July to Oct. 31. But Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross backtracked on that plan in August, announcing he would end all door-knocking efforts and self-response filings for the 2020 census at the end of September in order to accelerate its completion.
The department said it's under pressure to submit initial census data to President Donald Trump by Dec. 31, and asked for an emergency ruling from the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought against the Trump administration by a coalition of groups led by the National Urban League in August, arguing the truncated schedule would hurt minorities as an inaccurate count could skew the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives.


upi--2020-10-13--Study: COVID-19 patients produce 'high-quality' antibodies up top 7 months after recovery

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- People sickened with COVID-19 produce `` high-quality '' antibodies against the virus five to seven months after they become infected , according to an analysis published Tuesday by the journal Immunity .
The findings suggest that those infected with the new coronavirus potentially can develop long-lasting immunity to it , researchers from the University of Arizona said .
Antibodies are proteins produced by the human immune system to help the body fight off viruses .
`` Many concerns have been expressed about immunity against COVID-19 not lasting , '' study co-author Deepta Bhattacharya said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see high-quality antibodies still being produced five to seven months after ... infection , '' said Bhattacharya , an associate professor of immunology at the University of Arizona .
With reports of cases of reinfection -- in which people are infected with COVID-19 twice -- in the United States and elsewhere , questions remain about whether it 's possible for those who have the virus to develop an immune response against it naturally .
Earlier studies assessed antibody production from initial infections and suggested that levels drop quickly after a person becomes ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these findings may have been based on short-lived plasma cells and failed to take into account long-lived plasma cells and the high-affinity antibodies they produce , Bhattacharya and his colleagues said .
Short-lived plasma cells are generated in response to an infection , while long-lived plasma cells provide longer term immunity against infections .
For this study , the researchers performed antibody testing on 5,882 volunteers in Arizona starting April 30 .
Most tests look for antibodies at S1 , which is where the so-called `` spike '' protein of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infect cells , the researchers said .
However , the University of Arizona test uses two different parts of the virus -- S1 and S2 -- to search for antibodies , and they must be present in both locations for the test to be deemed positive , they said .
Of 5,882 tests completed , only one returned a false positive , an error rate of less than 0.02 % .
The test received a U.S. Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization in August .
Using the approach , the researchers tracked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 over several months and found that they were present in blood at viable levels for at least five to seven months .
A similar study -- in 300 people infected with COVID-19 -- also published Tuesday , in the journal Science Immunology , found that those sickened with the virus continue to have sufficient antibodies to foster immunity for up to three months .
`` The latest time-points we tracked in infected individuals were past seven months , so that is the longest period of time we can confirm immunity @ @ @ @ @ @

University of Arizona researchers find that people can develop long-lasting immunity to COVID-19. Photo by Shaun_F /Pixabay
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- People sickened with COVID-19 produce "high-quality" antibodies against the virus five to seven months after they become infected, according to an analysis published Tuesday by the journal Immunity. The findings suggest that those infected with the new coronavirus potentially can develop long-lasting immunity to it, researchers from the University of Arizona said. Advertisement
Antibodies are proteins produced by the human immune system to help the body fight off viruses.
"Many concerns have been expressed about immunity against COVID-19 not lasting," study co-author Deepta Bhattacharya said in a statement.
"We clearly see high-quality antibodies still being produced five to seven months after ... infection," said Bhattacharya, an associate professor of immunology at the University of Arizona.
With reports of cases of reinfection -- in which people are infected with COVID-19 twice -- in the United States and elsewhere, questions remain about whether it's possible for those who have the virus to develop an immune response against it naturally.
Earlier studies assessed antibody production from initial infections and suggested that levels drop quickly after a person becomes ill, providing only short-term immunity.
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However, these findings may have been based on short-lived plasma cells and failed to take into account long-lived plasma cells and the high-affinity antibodies they produce, Bhattacharya and his colleagues said.
Short-lived plasma cells are generated in response to an infection, while long-lived plasma cells provide longer term immunity against infections.
For this study, the researchers performed antibody testing on 5,882 volunteers in Arizona starting April 30.
Most tests look for antibodies at S1, which is where the so-called "spike" protein of the new coronavirus binds to a protein receptor to infect cells, the researchers said.
However, the University of Arizona test uses two different parts of the virus -- S1 and S2 -- to search for antibodies, and they must be present in both locations for the test to be deemed positive, they said.
Of 5,882 tests completed, only one returned a false positive, an error rate of less than 0.02%. The test received a U.S. Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization in August.
Using the approach, the researchers tracked antibody levels in study participants who tested positive for COVID-19 over several months and found that they were present in blood at viable levels for at least five to seven months.
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A similar study -- in 300 people infected with COVID-19 -- also published Tuesday, in the journal Science Immunology, found that those sickened with the virus continue to have sufficient antibodies to foster immunity for up to three months.
"The latest time-points we tracked in infected individuals were past seven months, so that is the longest period of time we can confirm immunity lasts," Bhattacharya said.


upi--2020-10-13--Rising atmospheric dust across the Great Plains recalls lead up to the Dust Bowl

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Atmospheric dust levels are rising 5 percent per year across the Great Plains , according to a new survey by scientists at the University of Utah .
The research , published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters , increased cropland conversion and expanded growing seasons are exposing more and more soil and wind erosion .
Authors of the new study suggest the phenomenon , if combined with drier climate conditions as a result of climate change , could yield conditions comparable to the Dust Bowl , the series of droughts and dust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1930s .
`` We ca n't make changes to the earth surface without some kind of consequence just as we ca n't burn fossil fuels without consequences , '' lead study author Andy Lambert said in a news release .
`` So while the agriculture industry is absolutely important , we need to think more carefully about where and how we plant , '' said Lambert , a recent graduate of the University of Utah .
In the 1920s , farmers across the Great Plains converted massive amounts of grassland to farm tracts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , extensive crop failures left newly plowed fields exposed to the wind , yielding waves of dust storms .
`` These dust storms removed nutrients from the soil , making it more difficult for crops to grow and more likely for wind erosion to occur , '' Lambert said .
Soaking rains eventually brought an end to the Dust Bowl , but much of the damage caused by erosion was permanent .
Soils in some parts of the Great Plains have never recovered .
Three-quarters of a century later , around 2000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started clearing additional grassland to biofuel feedstocks .
Between 2006 and 2011 , nearly 2,050 square miles of grassland across five Midwestern states was converted to farmland .
Meanwhile , droughts have become longer and more across the Great Plains .
To gauge the risk of dust storms in the region , researchers amassed data from a variety of instruments designed to measure atmospheric haziness from both the ground up and space down .
The data , from NASA satellites and two federally managed ground monitoring systems , showed the amount of dust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has steadily increased over the last 20 years .
`` The amount of increase is really the story here , '' said study co-author Gannet Hallar , associate professor of atmospheric sciences .
`` That 5 percent a year over two decades , of course , is a hundred percent increase in dust loading .
This is not a small signal to find . ''
Scientists were also able to link rises in dust levels with crop expansion .
Across Iowa , atmospheric dust increased predominantly in June and October , the planting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominant crop .
Across the southern Great Plains , where corn is more popular , the dust increases appeared in March and October .
`` I think it 's fair to say that what 's happening with dust trends in the Midwest and the Great Plains is an indicator that the threat is real if crop land expansion continues to occur at this rate and drought risk does increase because of climate change , '' Lambert says .
`` Those would be the ingredients for another Dust Bowl . ''
Authors of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a warning to farmers and policy makers across the Midwest that proactive measures are needed to ensure history does n't repeat itself .

During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, massive dust storms rolled across the Midwest, leaving fields barren and burying farm equipment. Photo by National Weather Service /NOAA
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Atmospheric dust levels are rising 5 percent per year across the Great Plains, according to a new survey by scientists at the University of Utah. The research, published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, increased cropland conversion and expanded growing seasons are exposing more and more soil and wind erosion. Advertisement
Authors of the new study suggest the phenomenon, if combined with drier climate conditions as a result of climate change, could yield conditions comparable to the Dust Bowl, the series of droughts and dust storms that devastated the Midwest during the 1930s.
"We can't make changes to the earth surface without some kind of consequence just as we can't burn fossil fuels without consequences," lead study author Andy Lambert said in a news release.
"So while the agriculture industry is absolutely important, we need to think more carefully about where and how we plant," said Lambert, a recent graduate of the University of Utah.
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In the 1920s, farmers across the Great Plains converted massive amounts of grassland to farm tracts. When drought hit in the 1930s, extensive crop failures left newly plowed fields exposed to the wind, yielding waves of dust storms.
"These dust storms removed nutrients from the soil, making it more difficult for crops to grow and more likely for wind erosion to occur," Lambert said.
Soaking rains eventually brought an end to the Dust Bowl, but much of the damage caused by erosion was permanent. Soils in some parts of the Great Plains have never recovered.
Three-quarters of a century later, around 2000, as demand for biofuels increased, farmers started clearing additional grassland to biofuel feedstocks.
Between 2006 and 2011, nearly 2,050 square miles of grassland across five Midwestern states was converted to farmland. Meanwhile, droughts have become longer and more across the Great Plains.
To gauge the risk of dust storms in the region, researchers amassed data from a variety of instruments designed to measure atmospheric haziness from both the ground up and space down. The data, from NASA satellites and two federally managed ground monitoring systems, showed the amount of dust in the atmosphere above the Great Plains has steadily increased over the last 20 years.
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"The amount of increase is really the story here," said study co-author Gannet Hallar, associate professor of atmospheric sciences. "That 5 percent a year over two decades, of course, is a hundred percent increase in dust loading. This is not a small signal to find."
Scientists were also able to link rises in dust levels with crop expansion. Across Iowa, atmospheric dust increased predominantly in June and October, the planting and harvesting months for soybeans, the dominant crop. Across the southern Great Plains, where corn is more popular, the dust increases appeared in March and October.
"I think it's fair to say that what's happening with dust trends in the Midwest and the Great Plains is an indicator that the threat is real if crop land expansion continues to occur at this rate and drought risk does increase because of climate change," Lambert says. "Those would be the ingredients for another Dust Bowl."
Authors of the new study said their findings should serve as a warning to farmers and policy makers across the Midwest that proactive measures are needed to ensure history doesn't repeat itself.


upi--2020-10-13--Joe Biden appeals to seniors on healthcare, Social Security in Florida trip

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden appealed to older voters Tuesday in a half-hour speech focused largely on healthcare at a Florida senior center .
Biden spoke at a senior community center in Pembroke Pines as both he and President Donald Trump focused on battleground states Tuesday .
The president was expected to hold a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in the evening .
The former vice president took Trump to task on his attempts to unravel the Affordable Care Act .
`` Trump does n't really care about lowering healthcare costs because he 's beholden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , '' Biden said .
`` He 's asking the United States Supreme Court to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act . ''
Doing so , he said , would increase prescription drug prices and put Medicare at risk .
Biden also took issue with Trump 's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic , which has sickened 7.8 million people and killed 215,000 people in the United States .
He quoted Trump , who said during a campaign rally in Ohio last month that the novel coronavirus `` affects virtually nobody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
Who was he talking about when he said it affects virtually nobody ?
He was talking about America 's seniors , he was talking about you .
He was talking about my family , '' Biden said .
`` You 've worked hard your whole life , contributing to society , building a family , building the country , serving America .
You deserve security , you deserve respect and peace of mind .
But you 're not getting it . ''
Trump has pushed to permanently eliminate the payroll tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if he wins re-election , but Biden says he 'd protect those income streams .
Trump signed an order earlier this year temporarily halting collection on payroll taxes as part of a coronavirus relief measure .
Biden also pledged to invest $ 50 billion into research on diseases such as cancer , Alzheimer 's and and Parkinson 's diseases .
Biden 's son , Beau Biden , died of brain cancer shortly before the end of his last term as vice president .

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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden pledged to invest billions in cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease research. Pool Photo by Jim Watson/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden appealed to older voters Tuesday in a half-hour speech focused largely on healthcare at a Florida senior center. Biden spoke at a senior community center in Pembroke Pines as both he and President Donald Trump focused on battleground states Tuesday. The president was expected to hold a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in the evening. Advertisement
The former vice president took Trump to task on his attempts to unravel the Affordable Care Act.
"Trump doesn't really care about lowering healthcare costs because he's beholden to health insurance companies and the drug companies," Biden said. "He's asking the United States Supreme Court to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act."
Doing so, he said, would increase prescription drug prices and put Medicare at risk.
Biden also took issue with Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sickened 7.8 million people and killed 215,000 people in the United States. He quoted Trump, who said during a campaign rally in Ohio last month that the novel coronavirus "affects virtually nobody."
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"'Nobody.' Think about that. Who was he talking about when he said it affects virtually nobody? He was talking about America's seniors, he was talking about you. He was talking about my family," Biden said.
"You've worked hard your whole life, contributing to society, building a family, building the country, serving America. You deserve security, you deserve respect and peace of mind. But you're not getting it."
Trump has pushed to permanently eliminate the payroll tax, which funds Social Security and Medicare, if he wins re-election, but Biden says he'd protect those income streams. Trump signed an order earlier this year temporarily halting collection on payroll taxes as part of a coronavirus relief measure.
Biden also pledged to invest $50 billion into research on diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's and and Parkinson's diseases. Biden's son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer shortly before the end of his last term as vice president.


upi--2020-10-13--Man's nearly $900,000 lottery ticket was a birthday gift

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- An Australian man is hailing his `` most rewarding birthday present yet '' after @ @ @ @ @ a lottery ticket given to him by his parents .
The Engadine , New South @ @ @ @ @ Lott officials his ticket for the Oct. 10 Saturday Lotto drawing was a gift for @ @ @ @ @ received the ticket as part of a gift pack for my birthday from my dad @ @ @ @ @ man said .
`` It 's the most rewarding birthday gift I 've ever received @ @ @ @ @ out to be an $ 859,320 top prize winner .
`` I had n't checked @ @ @ @ @ even know there was a winner from Engadine until they called me yesterday and reminded @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` They were pretty desperate to find out if they bought @ @ @ @ @ '' The man said his plans for the winnings include buying a new car and @ @ @ @ @

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Oct. 13 (UPI) -- An Australian man is hailing his "most rewarding birthday present yet" after winning nearly $900,000 from a lottery ticket given to him by his parents.
The Engadine, New South Wales, man told The Lott officials his ticket for the Oct. 10 Saturday Lotto drawing was a gift for his birthday.
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"I received the ticket as part of a gift pack for my birthday from my dad and step-mum," the man said. "It's the most rewarding birthday gift I've ever received!"
The ticket turned out to be an $859,320 top prize winner.
"I hadn't checked it yet and didn't even know there was a winner from Engadine until they called me yesterday and reminded me to check it," he said. "They were pretty desperate to find out if they bought me the winning ticket!"
The man said his plans for the winnings include buying a new car and paying off his debts.


upi--2020-10-13--Watch live: Amy Coney Barrett refuses to share views on Roe vs. Wade

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett refused to share her views on the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion in the United States during her high court confirmation hearing Tuesday .
Asked by Sen. Diane Feinstein , D-Calif , if she agreed with the view of her late mentor , Justice Antonin Scalia , that Roe vs. Wade was `` wrongly decided , '' Barrett demurred , saying it would be inappropriate to comment on controversial issues such as abortion .
`` It would be wrong for me to do that as a sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she would not `` grade '' decisions made by Scalia or other justices .
Feinstein pressed further , saying Barrett 's views on Roe vs. Wade could affect `` millions of women .
You could be a very important vote . ''
But Barrett again would not answer , saying , `` Senator , I completely understand why you are asking the question , but again , I ca n't pre-commit or say 'yes , I 'm going in with some agenda . '
'' She referenced the so-called Ginsburg rule -- `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previews '' -- a quote by then-nominee Ruth Bader Ginsburg who similarly refused to share her personal opinion on issues during her confirmation .
`` That had been the practice of nominees before her , but everybody calls it the Ginsburg rule because she stated it so concisely and it has been the practice of every nominee since , '' Barrett said .
Barrett faced questioning Tuesday from lawmakers on the second day of her confirmation hearings .
On Monday , she and members of the Senate judiciary committee read opening statements and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 committee members were given 30 minutes to question Barrett .
A second day of questioning will be held Wednesday , followed by a scheduled committee vote on Thursday .
Barrett is expected to be confirmed along party lines .
If approved , her nomination would move to the full Senate for a final vote , where she needs a simple majority to become a Supreme Court justice .
Earlier Tuesday , President Donald Trump 's third high court nominee told committee members she will be able to set aside her own strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all legal matters presented to the high court .
Asked by committee chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , if she can put aside her Catholic beliefs as a Supreme Court justice , Barrett was insistent .
`` I can .
I have done that in my time on the 7th Circuit , '' she answered .
`` If I stay on the 7th Circuit , I 'll continue to do that .
If I 'm confirmed to the Supreme Court , I will do that . ''
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse , D-R.I. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday and instead used his time to present his thoughts on the Federalist Society , a conservative group with which Barrett has been involved .
He accused the group of being involved in a coordinated effort to stack the federal courts .
`` It 's one scheme , with the same funders selecting judges , funding campaigns for the judges and then showing up in courts in these orchestrated amicus flotillas and telling judges what to do , '' he said .
Barrett was a member of the group in 2005-06 and again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement on Monday that she would be fair and impartial on the Supreme Court .
Barrett , 48 , praised the conservative Scalia , who died four years ago , as well as the liberal Ginsberg , whose death last month created the new vacancy on the high court bench .
During her testimony , Barrett sought to allay Democratic concerns that she would be a conservative activist by saying she has tried in the 7th Circuit `` to reach the result required by the law , whatever my own preferences might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening statements from Democratic senators Monday , many of whom focused on how Barrett might rule in an upcoming legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act .
They voiced fears that Barrett could be the pivotal vote in a case brought by Republican state officials seeking to dismantle the ACA , which Democrats say could strip insurance coverage for 20 million Americans during a pandemic .
Barrett testified Tuesday that she has never discussed the ACA with Trump or anyone else , saying under questioning that she has never been pressured to strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Barrett recuse herself from any cases pertaining to the Nov. 3 election after Trump linked her confirmation with the need for nine justices to decide cases arising from a contested presidential race .
Barrett 's participation in any case involving Trump 's election `` would immediately do explosive enduring harm to the court 's legitimacy and to your own credibility , '' Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , said in his opening statement Monday .
`` You must recuse yourself . ''

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Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett answers questions Tuesday on the second day of her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Pool Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett refused to share her views on the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion in the United States during her high court confirmation hearing Tuesday. Asked by Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., if she agreed with the view of her late mentor, Justice Antonin Scalia, that Roe vs. Wade was "wrongly decided," Barrett demurred, saying it would be inappropriate to comment on controversial issues such as abortion. Advertisement
"It would be wrong for me to do that as a sitting judge," she said, adding she would not "grade" decisions made by Scalia or other justices.
Feinstein pressed further, saying Barrett's views on Roe vs. Wade could affect "millions of women. You could be a very important vote."
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But Barrett again would not answer, saying, "Senator, I completely understand why you are asking the question, but again, I can't pre-commit or say 'yes, I'm going in with some agenda.'"
She referenced the so-called Ginsburg rule -- "no hints, no forecasts, no previews" -- a quote by then-nominee Ruth Bader Ginsburg who similarly refused to share her personal opinion on issues during her confirmation.
"That had been the practice of nominees before her, but everybody calls it the Ginsburg rule because she stated it so concisely and it has been the practice of every nominee since," Barrett said.
Barrett faced questioning Tuesday from lawmakers on the second day of her confirmation hearings. On Monday, she and members of the Senate judiciary committee read opening statements and settled procedural matters.
Each of the 22 committee members were given 30 minutes to question Barrett.
A second day of questioning will be held Wednesday, followed by a scheduled committee vote on Thursday. Barrett is expected to be confirmed along party lines. If approved, her nomination would move to the full Senate for a final vote, where she needs a simple majority to become a Supreme Court justice.
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Earlier Tuesday, President Donald Trump's third high court nominee told committee members she will be able to set aside her own strong religious beliefs and rule with impartiality on all legal matters presented to the high court.
Asked by committee chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., if she can put aside her Catholic beliefs as a Supreme Court justice, Barrett was insistent.
"I can. I have done that in my time on the 7th Circuit," she answered. "If I stay on the 7th Circuit, I'll continue to do that. If I'm confirmed to the Supreme Court, I will do that."
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., declined to ask Barrett any questions Tuesday and instead used his time to present his thoughts on the Federalist Society, a conservative group with which Barrett has been involved. He accused the group of being involved in a coordinated effort to stack the federal courts.
"It's one scheme, with the same funders selecting judges, funding campaigns for the judges and then showing up in courts in these orchestrated amicus flotillas and telling judges what to do," he said.
Barrett was a member of the group in 2005-06 and again in 2014-17.
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Barrett vowed in her opening statement on Monday that she would be fair and impartial on the Supreme Court.
Barrett, 48, praised the conservative Scalia, who died four years ago, as well as the liberal Ginsberg, whose death last month created the new vacancy on the high court bench.
During her testimony, Barrett sought to allay Democratic concerns that she would be a conservative activist by saying she has tried in the 7th Circuit "to reach the result required by the law, whatever my own preferences might be."
Skepticism was evident among the opening statements from Democratic senators Monday, many of whom focused on how Barrett might rule in an upcoming legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act.
They voiced fears that Barrett could be the pivotal vote in a case brought by Republican state officials seeking to dismantle the ACA, which Democrats say could strip insurance coverage for 20 million Americans during a pandemic.
Barrett testified Tuesday that she has never discussed the ACA with Trump or anyone else, saying under questioning that she has never been pressured to strike it down.
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Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., used her time to frame Barrett's nomination as part of the Republicans' push to scrap ACA, stating the confirmation hearing is not in line with what Americans need from the government amid the pandemic.
She said, via teleconference from her office, that Republicans over the last nine years have tried 70 times to repeal or roll back the ACA in Congress and that they were now "scrambling to confirm this nominee as fast as possible because they need one more Trump judge on the bench before Nov. 10 to win and strike down the entire Affordable Care Act."
"This is not hyperbole," she said. "This is not a hypothetical. This is happening."
Harris, the last Democrat of the day to question Barrett, grilled the nominee over her previous criticisms on the ACA and asked if she had been aware of Trump's comments on seeking to nominate a justice who would strike down the ACA.
"I don't recall hearing about or seeing such statements," she said.
Harris later asked her as a sitting judge if she considers the impacts of her rulings on people's lives as the repeal of the ACA will impact millions.
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"Every case has consequences on people's lives, so of course I do on every case that's part of the judicial process," Barrett responded.
Democrats also voiced demands that Barrett recuse herself from any case pertaining to the Nov. 3 election after Trump linked her confirmation with the need for nine justices to decide cases arising from a contested presidential race.
Barrett's participation in any case involving Trump's election "would immediately do explosive enduring harm to the court's legitimacy and to your own credibility," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said in his opening statement Monday. "You must recuse yourself."
Judge Amy Coney Barrett sworn in to U.S. Supreme Court


upi--2020-10-13--Watch: Phoenix couple find apparent airplane piece in back yard

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- An Arizona couple said they found a mysterious item in their back yard that appears to have fallen from a passing airplane .
Charlie and Jaclyn High said the white piece of metal , which appears to be a service door from an airplane lavatory , was found in their Phoenix back yard .
`` The side that was all white was on the ground , and looked to me like a sign with zip ties on it or something , '' Charlie High told KPHO/KTVK .
`` Picked it up and flipped it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and writing on it , and pretty immediately thought this fell from an airplane . ''
The couple said no one saw the item appear in their yard , but they believe it fell out of the sky Friday .
`` I was very thankful my kids were n't outside , even my dogs , '' Jaclyn High said .
`` It missed my tortoise , but I 'm glad it did n't hit a car that somebody was driving . ''
`` I kind of looked around to see if there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or something else other than that , with writing on it .
It looks like its from an airplane , and you think , oh man , that 's crazy , '' she said .
The couple said their home is just a few miles from the Scottsdale Airport .
The Highs said they have contacted the Federal Aviation Administration in the hopes of solving the mystery .

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Oct. 13 (UPI) -- An Arizona couple said they found a mysterious item in their back yard that appears to have fallen from a passing airplane.
Charlie and Jaclyn High said the white piece of metal, which appears to be a service door from an airplane lavatory, was found in their Phoenix back yard.
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"The side that was all white was on the ground, and looked to me like a sign with zip ties on it or something," Charlie High told KPHO/KTVK. "Picked it up and flipped it over and saw some of the words and writing on it, and pretty immediately thought this fell from an airplane."
The couple said no one saw the item appear in their yard, but they believe it fell out of the sky Friday.
"I was very thankful my kids weren't outside, even my dogs," Jaclyn High said. "It missed my tortoise, but I'm glad it didn't hit a car that somebody was driving."
"I kind of looked around to see if there was anything else, like another piece, or something else other than that, with writing on it. It looks like its from an airplane, and you think, oh man, that's crazy," she said.
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The couple said their home is just a few miles from the Scottsdale Airport.
The Highs said they have contacted the Federal Aviation Administration in the hopes of solving the mystery.


upi--2020-10-13--Study: Many older Americans with heart failure take 10 or more meds

When older people hospitalized for heart failure are sent home , they are often given a whopping 10 medications to take for a variety of conditions .
But is this `` polypharmacy '' practice necessary , or does it just place a bigger burden on already frail patients ?
It 's not a question so much of the quantity of the medications , but whether the medications patients are taking are the right ones for them , said senior study author Dr. Parag Goyal , a geriatric cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City .
`` It 's not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medications , there may be situations where we 're not stopping the wrong medications as well , '' Goyal said .
`` I think we need to look at the medication that older adults with heart failure take in a more holistic fashion . ''
For the study , Goyal 's team examined the medical charts of 558 adults aged 65 and older who were hospitalized in the United States between 2003 and 2014 .
When admitted , 84 % of the patients were taking five or more medications and 42 % were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those numbers had risen to 95 % of patients prescribed five or more medications and 55 % taking 10 or more .
Most of the prescribed medicines were not for the patients ' heart failure or heart conditions , the researchers said .
A larger medication burden increases the risk of adverse drug reactions , which could lead to patients ending up in the hospital , Goyal explained .
It can also require more work for the patient , which can have an impact on quality of life .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` How exactly do you reconcile the fact that a lot of these medications are meant to prevent events and to help patients feel better with the concept that as the number of medications rise , you might be negatively affecting these parameters ? ''
The study found that about 90 % of older adults with heart failure have at least three other medical conditions .
More than 60 % have at least five other conditions .
The findings were published online Oct. 13 in the journal Circulation : Heart Failure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to develop strategies that can alleviate the negative effects of polypharmacy .
Among the drugs that may be overused are proton-pump inhibitors , which reduce stomach acid .
There are a host of medications patients may have been taking for years that could be reviewed , Goyal noted .
However , the study suggested that the benefits of medication may outweigh the risks of polypharmacy for people with certain conditions , including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD and diabetes .
Some medications already are multipurpose , including one that treats diabetes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chief of the University of California , Los Angeles , division of cardiology .
`` That does n't mean there are not some medications that are not necessary and could be either reduced or consolidated , but that for patients with heart failure that have a number of other comorbid conditions there are a number of medications that are proven in randomized trials , proven in clinical effectiveness studies -- including in patients above age 65 -- to where the greater the number of medications patients are on , the better the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among the conditions that are common in heart failure patients are diabetes , COPD and atrial fibrillation , or irregular heartbeat , said Fonarow , who was not involved with the new study .
`` These patients have many other comorbid conditions that if left untreated would leave them at risk for complications , '' he added .
The American Heart Association defines heart failure as `` a chronic , progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body 's needs for blood and oxygen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart failure .
It 's one of the most common reasons that individuals aged 65 and older are hospitalized , Fonarow said , and it has a high mortality rate .
Goyal noted that a patient 's doctors -- from primary care physicians to specialists -- should make time to review the patient 's medications to determine if they 're all still needed .
Goyal said he will be developing a shared decision-making approach for optimizing medications in older adults with heart failure , a five-year project recently funded by the U.S. National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's important to reconsider and review medications on a regular basis to ensure that a medication that was previously prescribed is still the right medication , '' Goyal said .
Visit the American Heart Association for more on heart failure .

Researchers say the number of medications prescribed to older adults with heart failure doesn't matter much, but whether the benefits outweigh the risks of mixing them. Photo by EmilianDanaila/Pixabay
When older people hospitalized for heart failure are sent home, they are often given a whopping 10 medications to take for a variety of conditions. But is this "polypharmacy" practice necessary, or does it just place a bigger burden on already frail patients? Advertisement
It's not a question so much of the quantity of the medications, but whether the medications patients are taking are the right ones for them, said senior study author Dr. Parag Goyal, a geriatric cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City.
"It's not just that we're not starting the right medications, there may be situations where we're not stopping the wrong medications as well," Goyal said. "I think we need to look at the medication that older adults with heart failure take in a more holistic fashion."
For the study, Goyal's team examined the medical charts of 558 adults aged 65 and older who were hospitalized in the United States between 2003 and 2014.
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When admitted, 84% of the patients were taking five or more medications and 42% were taking 10 or more. When discharged, those numbers had risen to 95% of patients prescribed five or more medications and 55% taking 10 or more.
Most of the prescribed medicines were not for the patients' heart failure or heart conditions, the researchers said.
A larger medication burden increases the risk of adverse drug reactions, which could lead to patients ending up in the hospital, Goyal explained. It can also require more work for the patient, which can have an impact on quality of life.
"It's a big challenge," Goyal said. "How exactly do you reconcile the fact that a lot of these medications are meant to prevent events and to help patients feel better with the concept that as the number of medications rise, you might be negatively affecting these parameters?"
The study found that about 90% of older adults with heart failure have at least three other medical conditions. More than 60% have at least five other conditions.
The findings were published online Oct. 13 in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.
The researchers concluded that there is a need to develop strategies that can alleviate the negative effects of polypharmacy. Among the drugs that may be overused are proton-pump inhibitors, which reduce stomach acid.
Advertisement
There are a host of medications patients may have been taking for years that could be reviewed, Goyal noted.
However, the study suggested that the benefits of medication may outweigh the risks of polypharmacy for people with certain conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD and diabetes.
Some medications already are multipurpose, including one that treats diabetes and heart failure, said Dr. Gregg Fonarow, chief of the University of California, Los Angeles, division of cardiology.
"That doesn't mean there are not some medications that are not necessary and could be either reduced or consolidated, but that for patients with heart failure that have a number of other comorbid conditions there are a number of medications that are proven in randomized trials, proven in clinical effectiveness studies -- including in patients above age 65 -- to where the greater the number of medications patients are on, the better the clinical outcomes," Fonarow added.
Among the conditions that are common in heart failure patients are diabetes, COPD and atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat, said Fonarow, who was not involved with the new study.
"These patients have many other comorbid conditions that if left untreated would leave them at risk for complications," he added.
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The American Heart Association defines heart failure as "a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen."
About 6 million Americans have heart failure. It's one of the most common reasons that individuals aged 65 and older are hospitalized, Fonarow said, and it has a high mortality rate.
Goyal noted that a patient's doctors -- from primary care physicians to specialists -- should make time to review the patient's medications to determine if they're all still needed.
Goyal said he will be developing a shared decision-making approach for optimizing medications in older adults with heart failure, a five-year project recently funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
"I think it's important to reconsider and review medications on a regular basis to ensure that a medication that was previously prescribed is still the right medication," Goyal said.
More information
Visit the American Heart Association for more on heart failure.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-10-13--U.S. pauses Eli Lilly antibody treatment trial for COVID-19 over safety concerns

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- U.S. health regulators have paused Eli Lilly 's trial of an antibody treatment for COVID-19 over potential safety concerns .
Regulators paused enrollment in the leading late-stage trial of monoclonal antibody treatment for the coronavirus , CNBC confirmed Tuesday .
`` When scientists test promising treatments , sometimes unexpected side effects occur , '' said Dr. Jeremy Faust , an emergency physician at Brigham and Women 's Hospital .
Faust first reported the news through the research site Brief19 .
Eli Lilly said it supports the decision by an independent monitoring board to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participating in this study , '' according to spokeswoman Kathryn Beiser .
Details regarding the safety concern are not yet known .
A review from the independent data and safety monitoring board will be completed before further action is taken .
The ACTIV-3 trial was set up to test the Eli Lilly-developed monoclonal antibody in combination with remdesivir .
Monoclonal antibodies are made to act as immune cells that scientists hope can fight the virus .
A blood sample from one of the first U.S. patients who recovered from COVID-19 was used for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and AstraZenca pharmaceutical company , are also working on antibody treatments .
President Donald Trump received a monoclonal antibody treatment made by Regeneron along with remdesivir earlier this month .
The ACTIV-3 trial is one of several ongoing trials , which are part of the National Institute of Health 's `` Activ '' program set up to accelerate development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments .
The trial is supported by Operation Warp Speed , a Trump administration effort to make and distribute vaccines to fight COVID-19 .
COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and killed over 215,000 in the country , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
Worldwide , COVID-19 has infected over 37.9 million and killed over 1 million people .

Federal regulators have halted Eli Lilly's late-stage trial for an antibody treatment for COVID-19. File Photo by Momoneymoproblemz/ Wikimedia Commons
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. health regulators have paused Eli Lilly's trial of an antibody treatment for COVID-19 over potential safety concerns. Regulators paused enrollment in the leading late-stage trial of monoclonal antibody treatment for the coronavirus, CNBC confirmed Tuesday. Advertisement
"When scientists test promising treatments, sometimes unexpected side effects occur," said Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Faust first reported the news through the research site Brief19.
Eli Lilly said it supports the decision by an independent monitoring board to "cautiously ensure the safety of the patients participating in this study," according to spokeswoman Kathryn Beiser.
Details regarding the safety concern are not yet known. A review from the independent data and safety monitoring board will be completed before further action is taken.
The ACTIV-3 trial was set up to test the Eli Lilly-developed monoclonal antibody in combination with remdesivir. Monoclonal antibodies are made to act as immune cells that scientists hope can fight the virus. A blood sample from one of the first U.S. patients who recovered from COVID-19 was used for the experimental antibody treatment.
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Other companies, such as Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and AstraZenca pharmaceutical company, are also working on antibody treatments.
President Donald Trump received a monoclonal antibody treatment made by Regeneron along with remdesivir earlier this month.
The ACTIV-3 trial is one of several ongoing trials, which are part of the National Institute of Health's "Activ" program set up to accelerate development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The trial is supported by Operation Warp Speed, a Trump administration effort to make and distribute vaccines to fight COVID-19.
COVID-19 has infected over 7.8 million people in the United States and killed over 215,000 in the country, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Worldwide, COVID-19 has infected over 37.9 million and killed over 1 million people.


upi--2020-10-13--Sen. Mitch McConnell to hold stimulus vote next week

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he 'll schedule a vote on a coronavirus relief bill as the chamber 's `` first order of business '' after returning to Washington , D.C. , next week .
His promise to move forward on a stimulus package comes after months of failed talks between House Democrats and White House negotiators on a deal .
`` When the full Senate returns on October 19th , our first order of business will be voting again on targeted relief for American workers , including new funding for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for workers , we will have time to pass it before we proceed as planned to the pending Supreme Court nomination as soon as it is reported by the judiciary committee , '' McConnell said in a statement .
Republicans -- including President Donald Trump -- have called for a `` skinny '' package that includes basic items both sides can agree upon , such as an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program .
House Democrats have backed their so-called HEROES Act , originally passed in May with a $ 3 trillion price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed a slimmed-down bill costing $ 2.2 trillion .
Republicans , meanwhile , were initially reluctant to go above $ 1 trillion for the latest round of aid , but Trump proposed a $ 1.8 trillion plan this weekend .
McConnell said `` there 's no excuse for Democrats to keep blocking job-saving funding . ''
`` Democrats have spent months blocking policies they do not even oppose .
They say anything short of their multi-trillion-dollar wish list , jammed with non-COVID-related demands , is 'piecemeal ' and not worth doing , '' @ @ @

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said a vote on a stimulus package will be the Senate's first order of business after returning to Washington next week. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he'll schedule a vote on a coronavirus relief bill as the chamber's "first order of business" after returning to Washington, D.C., next week. His promise to move forward on a stimulus package comes after months of failed talks between House Democrats and White House negotiators on a deal. Advertisement
"When the full Senate returns on October 19th, our first order of business will be voting again on targeted relief for American workers, including new funding for the PPP. Unless Democrats block this aid for workers, we will have time to pass it before we proceed as planned to the pending Supreme Court nomination as soon as it is reported by the judiciary committee," McConnell said in a statement.
Republicans -- including President Donald Trump -- have called for a "skinny" package that includes basic items both sides can agree upon, such as an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program.
House Democrats have backed their so-called HEROES Act, originally passed in May with a $3 trillion price tag. In September, the chamber passed a slimmed-down bill costing $2.2 trillion.
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Republicans, meanwhile, were initially reluctant to go above $1 trillion for the latest round of aid, but Trump proposed a $1.8 trillion plan this weekend.
McConnell said "there's no excuse for Democrats to keep blocking job-saving funding."
"Democrats have spent months blocking policies they do not even oppose. They say anything short of their multi-trillion-dollar wish list, jammed with non-COVID-related demands, is 'piecemeal' and not worth doing," McConnell said.


upi--2020-10-13--Army to reduce demands, training requirements for deployments

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- The Army plans to reduce the demands of rotational deployments and decrease requirements for brigade and battalion level training to improve unit dynamics and prioritize investment in troops .
Army secretary Ryan McCarthy announced the proposed changes Tuesday at the virtual opening ceremony of the Association of the United States Army virtual conference .
`` We will focus our training on the basics of individual , squad , platoon and company-level training and key leader training while reducing the requirement to conduct brigade and battalion live-fire exercises , '' McCarthy said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers that are a mix of in-the-box organic battalions , command post exercises and heavy-light rotations , '' he said .
The idea is to give more time to units so leaders can invest in soldiers and their families .
Typically rotational deployments involve a long list of trainings that must be completed before departure , which can extend the pre-deployment process .
It 's not clear which requirements McCarthy plans to eliminate .
Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said last week that the Army is looking for ways to shorten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the service .
In his address McCarthy said the loss of Spc .
Vanessa Guillen , who went missing from Fort Hood this spring and whose remains were found near the installation this summer , caused a reckoning that pushed the Army to make personnel a higher priority .
Multiple investigations have been launched into deaths and charges of racial and sexual harassment at the base , which also installed a new commanding general at the beginning of September .

Secretary of the Army, Hon. Ryan D. McCarthy, speaks at a congressional breakfast during the Association of the United States Army's 2019 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Photo by Sgt. Dana Clarke/U.S. Army
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The Army plans to reduce the demands of rotational deployments and decrease requirements for brigade and battalion level training to improve unit dynamics and prioritize investment in troops. Army secretary Ryan McCarthy announced the proposed changes Tuesday at the virtual opening ceremony of the Association of the United States Army virtual conference. Advertisement
"We will focus our training on the basics of individual, squad, platoon and company-level training and key leader training while reducing the requirement to conduct brigade and battalion live-fire exercises," McCarthy said.
"We will pursue options for brigade combat training centers that are a mix of in-the-box organic battalions, command post exercises and heavy-light rotations," he said.
The idea is to give more time to units so leaders can invest in soldiers and their families.
Typically rotational deployments involve a long list of trainings that must be completed before departure, which can extend the pre-deployment process.
It's not clear which requirements McCarthy plans to eliminate.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said last week that the Army is looking for ways to shorten noncombat tours to reduce the strain on the service.
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In his address McCarthy said the loss of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who went missing from Fort Hood this spring and whose remains were found near the installation this summer, caused a reckoning that pushed the Army to make personnel a higher priority.
Multiple investigations have been launched into deaths and charges of racial and sexual harassment at the base, which also installed a new commanding general at the beginning of September.


upi--2020-10-13--In photos: Judge Amy Coney Barrett nominated to U.S. Supreme Court

Barrett refused to answer questions about her opinion of the 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling that legalized abortion .
`` @ @ @ @ @ me to do that as a sitting judge , '' she said .
Pool Photo @ @ @

Barrett will take the official oath tomorrow at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, allowing her to begin work on the court and establishing a 6-3 conservative majority. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI


upi--2020-10-13--Watch: Blindfolded man smashes 50 coconuts around another man's body

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- An Indian martial artist showed off his strength and precision when he donned a @ @ @ @ @ that were arranged around the body of another man .
A video shared by Guinness @ @ @ @ @ wearing a blindfold and smashing the coconuts without hitting the other man with his sledge @ @ @ @ @ 50 coconuts in the 1-minute time period .
The men , Rakesh B and Prabhakar @ @ @ @ @ the Guinness record for most coconuts smashed around a person blindfolded in 1 minute .
@ @ @ @ @ to local animals in Nellore , Andhra Pradesh .

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Oct. 13 (UPI) -- An Indian martial artist showed off his strength and precision when he donned a blindfold and smashed 50 coconuts that were arranged around the body of another man.
A video shared by Guinness World Records shows the man wearing a blindfold and smashing the coconuts without hitting the other man with his sledge hammer.
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The man smashed 50 coconuts in the 1-minute time period.
The men, Rakesh B and Prabhakar Reddy P, were awarded the Guinness record for most coconuts smashed around a person blindfolded in 1 minute.
The smashed coconuts were fed to local animals in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.


upi--2020-10-13--Facebook to ban ads that 'explicitly' discourage vaccine use

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- Facebook said Tuesday that it will ban ads that `` explicitly '' discourage vaccine use , expanding on its policy to reject vaccine hoaxes .
The social media company 's head of health , Kang-Xing Jin , and Rob Leathern , director of product management , announced the ban against such ads in a joint statement .
`` We already do n't allow ads with vaccine hoaxes that have been publicly identified by leading global health organizations , such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Now , if an ad explicitly discourages someone from getting a vaccine , we 'll reject it .
Enforcement will begin over the next few days . '
They added that the ban will not include ads that advocate for or against legislation or government policies around vaccines , but those ads will have to be authorized and will include a `` paid for by '' label for people to see who is behind them .
`` If an ad that advocates for/against legislation or government policies explicitly discourages a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Facebook spokesperson told CNBC .
`` That includes portraying vaccines as useless , ineffective , unsafe or unhealthy , describing the disease vaccines are created for as harmless , or the ingredients in vaccines as harmful or deadly . ''
Facebook officials also said in the statement Tuesday that the social media platform will launch a new flu vaccine information campaign and work with global health partners to increase immunization rates .
This work includes working with the World Health Organization and UNICEF on public messaging campaigns to increase immunization rates with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the world .

Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Facebook said Tuesday that it will ban ads that "explicitly" discourage vaccine use, expanding on its policy to reject vaccine hoaxes.
The social media company's head of health, Kang-Xing Jin, and Rob Leathern, director of product management, announced the ban against such ads in a joint statement.
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"We already don't allow ads with vaccine hoaxes that have been publicly identified by leading global health organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," they said in the joint statement. "Now, if an ad explicitly discourages someone from getting a vaccine, we'll reject it. Enforcement will begin over the next few days.'
They added that the ban will not include ads that advocate for or against legislation or government policies around vaccines, but those ads will have to be authorized and will include a "paid for by" label for people to see who is behind them.
"If an ad that advocates for/against legislation or government policies explicitly discourages a vaccine, it will be rejected," a Facebook spokesperson told CNBC. "That includes portraying vaccines as useless, ineffective, unsafe or unhealthy, describing the disease vaccines are created for as harmless, or the ingredients in vaccines as harmful or deadly."
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Facebook officials also said in the statement Tuesday that the social media platform will launch a new flu vaccine information campaign and work with global health partners to increase immunization rates. This work includes working with the World Health Organization and UNICEF on public messaging campaigns to increase immunization rates with such rates still being low in many parts of the world.


upi--2020-10-13--Top Ramen offering $10,000 for 'Chief Noodle Officer'

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- The makers of Top Ramen announced they are seeking a `` Chief Noodle Officer @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 to help develop and test new ramen noodle soup recipes .
Top Ramen manufacturer @ @ @ @ @ a Chief Noodle Officer with a `` passion for noodles '' to help test out @ @ @ @ @ the company .
Interested candidates are being instructed to post photos and recipes of their @ @ @ @ @ social media , and the winner will be selected by celebrity judge Melissa King , @ @ @ @ @ Chef : All-Stars L.A .
The winner will receive $ 10,000 , the chance for @ @ @ @ @ with Nissin CEO Mike Price and a 50-year supply of various Top Ramen products .
@ @ @ @ @ Oct. 30 .

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Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The makers of Top Ramen announced they are seeking a "Chief Noodle Officer" to get paid $10,000 to help develop and test new ramen noodle soup recipes.
Top Ramen manufacturer Nissin announced it is seeking a Chief Noodle Officer with a "passion for noodles" to help test out new Top Ramen recipes for the company.
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Interested candidates are being instructed to post photos and recipes of their own Top Ramen creations to social media, and the winner will be selected by celebrity judge Melissa King, a recent winner of Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.
The winner will receive $10,000, the chance for a one-on-one "mentorship" with Nissin CEO Mike Price and a 50-year supply of various Top Ramen products.
Submissions are being accepted through Oct. 30.


upi--2020-10-13--U.S. Forces Korea reports 22 new COVID-19 cases among recent arrivals

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- U.S .
Forces Korea confirmed Tuesday that 22 people associated with USFK have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks .
According to USFK , 18 service members arrived at Osan Air Base from the United States between Sept. 25 and Oct. 9 , and four others arrived at Incheon International Airport on commercial flights during the same window .
Of the 22 , half tested positive on entering the country and the second half tested positive when taking their second COVID-19 test , which is required to exit quarantine .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military the infected individuals belonged to , and USFK has said the new patients pose no threat to the broader community because they must undergo strict testing and a two-week quarantine upon entering Korea .
In August , the Army began requiring soldiers and family members to test negative for the virus before boarding international flights .
All 22 individuals were transferred to an isolation facility designed for confirmed COVID-19 cases at Camp Humphreys , Osan Air Base , and Kunsan Air Base , USFK said .
`` USFK health professionals determined contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members , and all other passengers on the commercial and chartered flights being tested upon arrival , and immediately quarantined without interacting with anybody besides other individuals on their flight or those providing administrative and medical support after their arrival , '' USFK officials said in a statement .
`` None of the new arrivals have interacted with anyone residing within USFK installations or the local community , '' they said .
The Department of Defense has reported a cumulative total of 48,513 cases of COVID-19 among military personnel , eight of whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported 10,941 cases among civilian defense employees , 6,518 cases among dependents and 4,555 cases among contractors .

Two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 25th Fighter Squadron land at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, in 2015. Photo by Robert Howard/U.S. Air Force
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Forces Korea confirmed Tuesday that 22 people associated with USFK have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks. According to USFK, 18 service members arrived at Osan Air Base from the United States between Sept. 25 and Oct. 9, and four others arrived at Incheon International Airport on commercial flights during the same window. Advertisement
Of the 22, half tested positive on entering the country and the second half tested positive when taking their second COVID-19 test, which is required to exit quarantine.
It is not clear which branch of the military the infected individuals belonged to, and USFK has said the new patients pose no threat to the broader community because they must undergo strict testing and a two-week quarantine upon entering Korea.
In August, the Army began requiring soldiers and family members to test negative for the virus before boarding international flights.
All 22 individuals were transferred to an isolation facility designed for confirmed COVID-19 cases at Camp Humphreys, Osan Air Base, and Kunsan Air Base, USFK said.
"USFK health professionals determined contact tracing was limited due to the service members, and all other passengers on the commercial and chartered flights being tested upon arrival, and immediately quarantined without interacting with anybody besides other individuals on their flight or those providing administrative and medical support after their arrival," USFK officials said in a statement.
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"None of the new arrivals have interacted with anyone residing within USFK installations or the local community," they said.
The Department of Defense has reported a cumulative total of 48,513 cases of COVID-19 among military personnel, eight of whom have died.
The Pentagon has also reported 10,941 cases among civilian defense employees, 6,518 cases among dependents and 4,555 cases among contractors.


upi--2020-10-13--Lebanese expect the worst as poverty surges

BEIRUT , Lebanon , Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- With no new government in sight to adopt reforms that would release urgently needed international aid , poverty is growing in Lebanon , with a pervasive fear that it 's going to get worse .
The streets are increasingly filled with beggars , mostly Syrian refugees .
The minimum monthly wage has fallen to 600,000 Lebanese lira , the equivalent of $ 400 just a year ago , currently worth $ 69 at the black market rate .
In August , the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surged to 55 percent in May , compared to 28 percent last year .
Bader Jamal el Naboulsi , a construction worker from the Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhood in Tripoli , has been jobless for months .
`` Now , I just do anything like cleaning homes and carpets or [ work ] as porter to raise at the end of the day 25,000 LL , '' which equates to $ 16 at the official rate and less than $ 3 at the black market rate , Naboulsi , a father of eight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleep without food .
I never beg for anything . ''
But his wife , Rima , is obliged to ask her neighbors for `` bread , potatoes or anything they can spare '' to feed her children .
`` I need at least 50,000 LL just to put some food on the table for my children . ''
What the Lebanese people fear most is that the central bank will not be able to maintain the subsidy over basic commodities .
What is left of its U.S. dollar reserves , estimated at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue subsidizing wheat , fuel and medicine at the official exchange rate of 1,507 Lebanese pound for $ 1 , compared to LL 3,900 per U.S. dollar traded at the banks and nearly LL 8,700 in the black market .
Already drivers are seen queuing up at the gas stations to fill their tanks while many are touring the pharmacies to get medications that are in short supply .
Lebanon 's descent began a year ago with an unprecedented economic and financial crisis resulting in the national currency losing 80 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflation , poverty and unemployment rates reaching record levels ; foreign currency reserves at the Central Bank nearing depletion ; and severe banking restrictions depriving depositors of their life savings -- restrictions that remain in place .
The alarming spread of COVID-19 and the Aug. 4 massive blast at the Beirut port accentuated the population 's suffering .
Many hospitals were badly damaged by the port explosion , at a time the health sector was greatly affected by the financial crisis , facing dwindling medical supplies and shortage of medication due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like the Naboulsis , the eight-member family of Khaled Suleiman al Assi only `` eat meat and chicken if donated . ''
Everything in their house `` is by donation -- the TV , the fridge , the oven and even the closet and the blankets , '' said 13-year-old Amina .
In the predominantly Shiite southern suburbs of Beirut , a Hezbollah stronghold , people are in no better situation .
`` Here , not everyone is being paid by Hezbollah in U.S. dollars , '' one resident , who refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a living , told UPI .
`` Many poor people , including Syrians , are seen late at night or early morning rushing to the vegetable and fruit markets to get the leftover for free or whenever they hear that donated food boxes are being distributed . ''
The man , 46 , has been unemployed for more than two years .
`` My life was completely destroyed ... Not only I can not support my family , I am about to lose the apartment I bought after so many years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay my housing loan to the bank , '' he said .
`` It is a catastrophe ... the situation will turn really bad : People will steal or kill to eat . ''
Despite the `` dreadful situation , '' Hani Bohsali , the owner of Bohsali Foods and president of the Syndicate of Importers of Foodstuffs in Lebanon , said the country is not at risk of starvation , at least for the time being .
`` Anything is possible , but we have n't reached that point ... it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Bohsali told UPI , explaining that the country is surviving on its remaining food reserves .
`` But what will happen in 2021 when no more reserves or money [ are ] left ? ''
Venezuela has been in crisis for years , suffering from growing political discontent and a collapsed economy that resulted in skyrocketing hyperinflation , soaring unemployment , widespread poverty and hunger , medicine shortages , power cuts and rising crime rates .
Nearly 5 million people have fled the country to seek refuge in neighboring countries .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous countries and international organizations after the Beirut port explosion , which killed more than 190 people and made 300,000 homeless , helped meet immediate needs , but the country can not survive without sustainable solutions .
Only a big infusion of U.S. dollars -- mainly as part of a program with the International Monetary Fund -- can contribute to adjusting the financial situation , reactivating a stagnant local economy and making fresh U.S. dollars available in the market .
However , the IMF and other donor countries wo n't pay unless the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's political leaders thus have to end their endless disputes and agree on forming a new government to spare the country another cycle of violence .
`` Lifting subsidies mean that the price of bread will triple , 20 liters of gasoline will jump from LL 25,000 to more than LL 75,000 and the salary of an army soldier will drop to $ 20- $ 30 a month ... and so we will enter an ugly cycle , '' said Joseph Bahout , the newly appointed director of the Issam Fares Institute for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American University of Beirut .
`` The most important is that violence does not exceed a certain level . ''
With a heavily armed Hezbollah and other groups recently displaying their weapons , the risk of slipping into a civil war is a frightening possibility , former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Thursday .
`` We are all waiting for the U.S. presidential elections , for Washington and Tehran to resume their negotiations and for a big change in the region , '' Bahout told UPI .
`` But the situation may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiate and so Washington will increase its sanctions .
We do n't know what will happen first : Lebanon 's collapse or the regional developments . ''

Business owners, most of whom had to close their companies, gather with anti-government protesters during a demonstration over deteriorating living conditions and after the government raised bread prices, in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 2. File Photo by Nabil Mounzer/EPA-EFE
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- With no new government in sight to adopt reforms that would release urgently needed international aid, poverty is growing in Lebanon, with a pervasive fear that it's going to get worse. The streets are increasingly filled with beggars, mostly Syrian refugees. The minimum monthly wage has fallen to 600,000 Lebanese lira, the equivalent of $400 just a year ago, currently worth $69 at the black market rate. Advertisement
In August, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia estimated Lebanon's poverty rate had surged to 55 percent in May, compared to 28 percent last year.
Bader Jamal el Naboulsi, a construction worker from the Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhood in Tripoli, has been jobless for months.
"Now, I just do anything like cleaning homes and carpets or [work] as porter to raise at the end of the day 25,000 LL," which equates to $16 at the official rate and less than $3 at the black market rate, Naboulsi, a father of eight, told UPI. "Some days we sleep without food. I never beg for anything."
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But his wife, Rima, is obliged to ask her neighbors for "bread, potatoes or anything they can spare" to feed her children. "I need at least 50,000 LL just to put some food on the table for my children."
What the Lebanese people fear most is that the central bank will not be able to maintain the subsidy over basic commodities. What is left of its U.S. dollar reserves, estimated at $1.8 billion, barely allows it to continue subsidizing wheat, fuel and medicine at the official exchange rate of 1,507 Lebanese pound for $1, compared to LL 3,900 per U.S. dollar traded at the banks and nearly LL 8,700 in the black market.
Already drivers are seen queuing up at the gas stations to fill their tanks while many are touring the pharmacies to get medications that are in short supply.
Lebanon's descent began a year ago with an unprecedented economic and financial crisis resulting in the national currency losing 80 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar; inflation, poverty and unemployment rates reaching record levels; foreign currency reserves at the Central Bank nearing depletion; and severe banking restrictions depriving depositors of their life savings -- restrictions that remain in place.
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The alarming spread of COVID-19 and the Aug. 4 massive blast at the Beirut port accentuated the population's suffering. Many hospitals were badly damaged by the port explosion, at a time the health sector was greatly affected by the financial crisis, facing dwindling medical supplies and shortage of medication due to the lack of liquidity of the dollar.
Like the Naboulsis, the eight-member family of Khaled Suleiman al Assi only "eat meat and chicken if donated." Everything in their house "is by donation -- the TV, the fridge, the oven and even the closet and the blankets," said 13-year-old Amina.
In the predominantly Shiite southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, people are in no better situation.
"Here, not everyone is being paid by Hezbollah in U.S. dollars," one resident, who refused to be identified or disclose what he does for a living, told UPI. "Many poor people, including Syrians, are seen late at night or early morning rushing to the vegetable and fruit markets to get the leftover for free or whenever they hear that donated food boxes are being distributed."
The man, 46, has been unemployed for more than two years.
"My life was completely destroyed...Not only I cannot support my family, I am about to lose the apartment I bought after so many years of hard work because I can no longer pay my housing loan to the bank," he said. "It is a catastrophe...the situation will turn really bad: People will steal or kill to eat."
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Despite the "dreadful situation," Hani Bohsali, the owner of Bohsali Foods and president of the Syndicate of Importers of Foodstuffs in Lebanon, said the country is not at risk of starvation, at least for the time being.
"Anything is possible, but we haven't reached that point...it is not to be compared with Venezuela," Bohsali told UPI, explaining that the country is surviving on its remaining food reserves. "But what will happen in 2021 when no more reserves or money [are] left?"
Venezuela has been in crisis for years, suffering from growing political discontent and a collapsed economy that resulted in skyrocketing hyperinflation, soaring unemployment, widespread poverty and hunger, medicine shortages, power cuts and rising crime rates. Nearly 5 million people have fled the country to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
The humanitarian assistance that poured into Lebanon from numerous countries and international organizations after the Beirut port explosion, which killed more than 190 people and made 300,000 homeless, helped meet immediate needs, but the country cannot survive without sustainable solutions.
Only a big infusion of U.S. dollars -- mainly as part of a program with the International Monetary Fund -- can contribute to adjusting the financial situation, reactivating a stagnant local economy and making fresh U.S. dollars available in the market. However, the IMF and other donor countries won't pay unless the Lebanese authorities adopt requested reforms.
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Lebanon's political leaders thus have to end their endless disputes and agree on forming a new government to spare the country another cycle of violence.
"Lifting subsidies mean that the price of bread will triple, 20 liters of gasoline will jump from LL 25,000 to more than LL 75,000 and the salary of an army soldier will drop to $20-$30 a month...and so we will enter an ugly cycle," said Joseph Bahout, the newly appointed director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut. "The most important is that violence does not exceed a certain level."
With a heavily armed Hezbollah and other groups recently displaying their weapons, the risk of slipping into a civil war is a frightening possibility, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Thursday.
"We are all waiting for the U.S. presidential elections, for Washington and Tehran to resume their negotiations and for a big change in the region," Bahout told UPI. "But the situation may not change: Iran might not accept to negotiate and so Washington will increase its sanctions. We don't know what will happen first: Lebanon's collapse or the regional developments."


upi--2020-10-13--Watch: Chaeyoung poses among flowers in 'Eyes Wide Open' concept film

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- South Korean girl group Twice is gearing up to release its new album .
@ @ @ @ @ `` concept film '' for the album , Eyes Wide Open , Tuesday featuring Chaeyoung @ @ @ @ @ Chaeyoung , 21 , posing among colorful flowers .
The singer is also shown posing @ @ @ @ @ scene .
Eyes Wide Open is Twice 's second Korean studio album .
The album @ @ @ @ @ `` I Ca n't Stop Me , '' are slated for release Oct. 26 .
@ @ @ @ @ for Eyes Wide Open featuring Nayeon on Monday .
Twice also consists of Jeongyeon , @ @ @ @ @ , Mina , Dahyun and Tzuyu .
The group released a video last week in @ @ @ @ @ that shows the members reflecting on their early days .

Oct. 13 (UPI) -- South Korean girl group Twice is gearing up to release its new album.
The K-pop stars shared a "concept film" for the album, Eyes Wide Open, Tuesday featuring Chaeyoung.
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The teaser video shows Chaeyoung, 21, posing among colorful flowers. The singer is also shown posing in a black and white scene.
Twice also released a "style teaser" photo featuring Chaeyoung.
TWICE THE 2ND FULL ALBUM Eyes wide open - I CAN'T STOP ME STYLE Teaser - CHAEYOUNG 2020.10.26 6pm in KST 2020.10.26 5am in EST#TWICE #트와이스 #Eyeswideopen #ICANTSTOPME pic.twitter.com/q8bW5KiZmd— TWICE (@JYPETWICE) October 13, 2020
Eyes Wide Open is Twice's second Korean studio album. The album and its lead single, "I Can't Stop Me," are slated for release Oct. 26.
Twice released a concept film for Eyes Wide Open featuring Nayeon on Monday.
Twice also consists of Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun and Tzuyu. The group released a video last week in honor of its fifth anniversary that shows the members reflecting on their early days.


upi--2020-10-13--Trump asks Supreme Court for stay on subpoena for tax returns

Oct. 13 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump 's attorneys filed an emergency application Tuesday with the Supreme Court asking the court for a stay on a New York grand jury subpoena for his tax returns .
The request is pending filing of Trump 's expected request that the Supreme Court hear his appeal of the lower court rulings that allowed the subpoena .
The filing also marks the second time Trump has appealed to the Supreme Court to block Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. from obtaining eight years of his tax records .
Vance Jr. is seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe into allegations of `` insurance and bank fraud by the Trump Organization and its officers , '' and accusations of `` hush money '' payments to cover up Trump 's sexual affairs with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal ahead of the 2016 election .
Trump 's lawyers said Tuesday that `` there is a reasonable probability that '' the Supreme Court will take up the appeal .
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in a landmark 7-2 decision over the summer that the presidency does not protected Trump from the subpoena directed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said that Trump could make arguments against the subpoena with a federal district court in Manhattan .
Last week , a federal appeals court ruled against Trump in his attempt to stop a New York grand jury from seeing years of income tax returns , upholding a lower court ruling that denied Trump 's request to block a grand jury subpoena for the records Vance Jr. is seeking .
Trump had claimed that the subpoena seeking his tax records was overly broad and politically motivated .
Tuesday 's filing seeks to temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the enforceability of the grand jury subpoena since Trump intends to file a formal appeal .

President Donald Trump (shown Monday at a campaign rally) asked Supreme Court justices Tuesday to delay enforcement of a grand jury subpoena for his tax records. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 13 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump's attorneys filed an emergency application Tuesday with the Supreme Court asking the court for a stay on a New York grand jury subpoena for his tax returns. The request is pending filing of Trump's expected request that the Supreme Court hear his appeal of the lower court rulings that allowed the subpoena. Advertisement
The filing also marks the second time Trump has appealed to the Supreme Court to block Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. from obtaining eight years of his tax records.
Vance Jr. is seeking the tax returns as part of a probe into allegations of "insurance and bank fraud by the Trump Organization and its officers," and accusations of "hush money" payments to cover up Trump's sexual affairs with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal ahead of the 2016 election.
Trump's lawyers said Tuesday that "there is a reasonable probability that" the Supreme Court will take up the appeal.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in a landmark 7-2 decision over the summer that the presidency does not protected Trump from the subpoena directed at his accounting firm, Mazars USA, but said that Trump could make arguments against the subpoena with a federal district court in Manhattan.
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Last week, a federal appeals court ruled against Trump in his attempt to stop a New York grand jury from seeing years of income tax returns, upholding a lower court ruling that denied Trump's request to block a grand jury subpoena for the records Vance Jr. is seeking.
Trump had claimed that the subpoena seeking his tax records was overly broad and politically motivated.
Tuesday's filing seeks to temporarily halt last week's ruling that upheld the enforceability of the grand jury subpoena since Trump intends to file a formal appeal.


upi--2020-10-14--2020 Election: scenes from final stretch of presidential campaign

2020 Election : scenes from final stretch of presidential campaign GOP President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger , former @ @ @ @ @ are crossing the country to sell voters , who are already casting ballots in many @ @ @ @ @ election .
Here 's a look at events on the campaign trial in the final @ @

Biden and Harris supporters celebrate before former President Obama speaks on stage at the Election Eve Close-Out drive-in rally campaigning for Biden for President at Florida International University, in Miami on Monday. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI


upi--2020-10-14--Watch: Kristen Bell gives update after Dax Shepard's relapse

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Kristen Bell says her husband , actor Dax Shepard , is `` doing really great '' in the wake of his relapse .
The 40-year-old actress gave an update during Wednesday 's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show after Shepard , 45 , went public about his relapse in sobriety .
`` He is actually doing really great , '' Bell said .
`` I mean look , you know , everybody 's up against their own demons .
Sometimes it 's anxiety and depression , sometimes it 's substance abuse . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dax is A , that he was able to tell me , and tell us and say , 'We need a different plan , ' '' she added .
`` Like , we have a plan ... but he was like , 'So we need a stronger plan .
I was faltering and I have to do some sort of emotional work to figure out why I wanted to use again . '
'' Bell said one of the attributes she loves most about Shepard is how he is `` addicted to growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolving .
And he was like , ' I do n't want to risk this family and I did .
So let 's put new things in place to make sure it does n't happen again . '
'' Bell voiced her support for Shepard and said they are going back to therapy .
`` I will continue to stand by him , because he is very , very worth it , '' she said .
Shepard said on his podcast , Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard , in September that he relapsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor recounted how he started abusing prescription pills during his father 's illness and after a series of injuries .
Shepard was still using on the 16th anniversary of his sobriety .
He told Bell and his podcast host , Monica Padman , about his addiction in September but did n't fully come clean until a later AA meeting .
`` It turned into the most incredible , like , 90 minutes I 've ever experienced , where there was just so much love and so much understanding and kindness and unconditional love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shepard and Bell married in October 2013 .
The couple have two daughters , Lincoln , 7 , and Delta , 5 .
On Ellen , Bell also played a game of Drawer Dash to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation .

Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Kristen Bell says her husband, actor Dax Shepard, is "doing really great" in the wake of his relapse.
The 40-year-old actress gave an update during Wednesday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show after Shepard, 45, went public about his relapse in sobriety.
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"He is actually doing really great," Bell said. "I mean look, you know, everybody's up against their own demons. Sometimes it's anxiety and depression, sometimes it's substance abuse."
"The thing that I love most about Dax is A, that he was able to tell me, and tell us and say, 'We need a different plan,'" she added. "Like, we have a plan ... but he was like, 'So we need a stronger plan. I was faltering and I have to do some sort of emotional work to figure out why I wanted to use again.'"
Bell said one of the attributes she loves most about Shepard is how he is "addicted to growth."
"He's addicted to evolving. And he was like, 'I don't want to risk this family and I did. So let's put new things in place to make sure it doesn't happen again.'"
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Bell voiced her support for Shepard and said they are going back to therapy.
"I will continue to stand by him, because he is very, very worth it," she said.
Shepard said on his podcast, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, in September that he relapsed after 16 years of sobriety. The actor recounted how he started abusing prescription pills during his father's illness and after a series of injuries.
Shepard was still using on the 16th anniversary of his sobriety. He told Bell and his podcast host, Monica Padman, about his addiction in September but didn't fully come clean until a later AA meeting.
"It turned into the most incredible, like, 90 minutes I've ever experienced, where there was just so much love and so much understanding and kindness and unconditional love," Shepard said of the meeting.
Shepard and Bell married in October 2013. The couple have two daughters, Lincoln, 7, and Delta, 5.
On Ellen, Bell also played a game of Drawer Dash to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.


upi--2020-10-14--Watch: Hoda Kotb names Frank Sinatra Jr. as least favorite 'Today' guest

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- Hoda Kotb says late singer Frank Sinatra , Jr. , was her least favorite guest on Today .
The Today co-host , 56 , said as much while playing Plead the Fifth during Tuesday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live .
WWHL host Andy Cohen brought in Kotb 's former Today co-host Kathie Lee Gifford to question Kotb .
Gifford asked Kotb to name who she thought was Gifford 's least favorite guest of all time .
`` I know exactly who that is .
It 's Frank Sinatra , Jr. , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst guest we 've ever had , bar none , '' she agreed .
`` He came for a book -- he had a book he was promoting -- and he did n't want to talk about it , so he did n't say anything .
It was so weird . ''
Kotb and Gifford spoke to Sinatra , who died in March 2016 , on Today in October 2015 .
Kotb and Gifford discussed the interview on Today the following day .
`` In the fifty years I 've been in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a guy named Craig T. Nelson , who 's a really lovely guy .
He was promoting Poltergeist -- he never said a word to me and Regis [ Philbin ] , '' Gifford said .
`` This was the worst ever , '' she said of the Sinatra interview .
`` The good news is , Hoda , it will never be that bad again for you . ''
On WWHL , Kotb also gave an update on her wedding to Joel Schiffman , which the couple postponed due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope to marry in summer 2021 .

Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Hoda Kotb says late singer Frank Sinatra, Jr., was her least favorite guest on Today.
The Today co-host, 56, said as much while playing Plead the Fifth during Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.
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WWHL host Andy Cohen brought in Kotb's former Today co-host Kathie Lee Gifford to question Kotb. Gifford asked Kotb to name who she thought was Gifford's least favorite guest of all time.
"I know exactly who that is. It's Frank Sinatra, Jr.," Kotb said.
"It was the worst guest we've ever had, bar none," she agreed. "He came for a book -- he had a book he was promoting -- and he didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't say anything. It was so weird."
Kotb and Gifford spoke to Sinatra, who died in March 2016, on Today in October 2015.
Kotb and Gifford discussed the interview on Today the following day.
"In the fifty years I've been in this business ... the worst interview ever was with a guy named Craig T. Nelson, who's a really lovely guy. He was promoting Poltergeist -- he never said a word to me and Regis [Philbin]," Gifford said.
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"This was the worst ever," she said of the Sinatra interview. "The good news is, Hoda, it will never be that bad again for you."
On WWHL, Kotb also gave an update on her wedding to Joel Schiffman, which the couple postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kotb said they now hope to marry in summer 2021.


upi--2020-10-14--'No way' slain South Korea officer swam North, lawmaker says

Oct. 14 ( UPI ) -- South Korea 's political opposition is demanding answers after conducting an on-site investigation at sea , where a South Korean fisheries officer went missing and was confirmed dead in North Korea last month .
Bae June-young , a spokesman for the main opposition People Power Party , a conservative faction , said he and other lawmakers visited the area near Soyeonpyeong Island and met with the Coast Guard , News 1 reported Wednesday .
According to Bae , crew members of the Mugunghwa 10 , the boat where the officer was last seen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said it is `` impossible '' to swim to North Korea from the area due to strong currents .
`` Yet the Coast Guard , the military and the government has yet to retract the claim that Lee , a public servant , voluntarily fled to North Korea , '' Bae said .
The South Korean lawmaker said skepticism is growing over Seoul 's claims .
The government is shifting responsibility for the protection of South Korean lives , Bae said .
The South Korean fisheries ministry officer who disappeared on Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities have said .
The man may have also been burned because of draconian North Korean measures against COVID-19 , according to South Korean press reports .
Seoul has called for a cooperative joint investigation with the North , but Pyongyang has yet to respond to the offer .
The 47-year-old South Korean victim 's brother , Lee Rae-jin , has said his sibling was a patriotic public servant and that the government was framing him with claims of defection .
Lee , who has met with the United Nations human rights office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling into question South Korean Coast Guard claims his brother defected to the North , Yonhap reported Wednesday .
Lee said he is requesting written statements from the nine crew members of the Mugunghwa 10 regarding the claim of defection , according to the report .

South Korean politicians and the family of a South Korean fisheries ministry officer shot and killed in North Korea are seeking answers. Seoul has said the man may have defected to the North. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 14 (UPI) -- South Korea's political opposition is demanding answers after conducting an on-site investigation at sea, where a South Korean fisheries officer went missing and was confirmed dead in North Korea last month. Bae June-young, a spokesman for the main opposition People Power Party, a conservative faction, said he and other lawmakers visited the area near Soyeonpyeong Island and met with the Coast Guard, News 1 reported Wednesday. Advertisement
According to Bae, crew members of the Mugunghwa 10, the boat where the officer was last seen in September, as well as local residents, said it is "impossible" to swim to North Korea from the area due to strong currents.
"Yet the Coast Guard, the military and the government has yet to retract the claim that Lee, a public servant, voluntarily fled to North Korea," Bae said.
The South Korean lawmaker said skepticism is growing over Seoul's claims. The government is shifting responsibility for the protection of South Korean lives, Bae said.
The South Korean fisheries ministry officer who disappeared on Sept. 21 was shot in the North, authorities have said. The man may have also been burned because of draconian North Korean measures against COVID-19, according to South Korean press reports.
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Seoul has called for a cooperative joint investigation with the North, but Pyongyang has yet to respond to the offer. The 47-year-old South Korean victim's brother, Lee Rae-jin, has said his sibling was a patriotic public servant and that the government was framing him with claims of defection.
Lee, who has met with the United Nations human rights office in Seoul, said Wednesday he is calling into question South Korean Coast Guard claims his brother defected to the North, Yonhap reported Wednesday.
Lee said he is requesting written statements from the nine crew members of the Mugunghwa 10 regarding the claim of defection, according to the report.