upi--2020-09-01--CDC's missteps are causing people to lose trust in a great institution

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been the premier U.S. public health agency since its founding on July 1 , 1946 .
The CDC is responsible for assuring the health of all Americans and promoting evidence-based public health practice .
It also is responsible for researching the causes of death and illness , as well as working on ways to prevent them .
Americans have come to trust it for accurate information .
However , recent actions by the CDC have led many in public health to call into question the integrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignore the science and bow to political pressure .
Their actions have hurt public health efforts and led to confusion and mistrust by the public at large .
As an infectious disease epidemiologist , I have spent my career in academia and in public health practice studying how viruses infect people and testing populations to determine current infection and immunity .
I find the politicization of advice coming out of the CDC disturbing , to say the least .
The latest , most egregious non-science-based advice is a change in recommendation for who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's what happened and why it matters so much -- not just to public health experts , but to the public .
Public health experts have learned a great deal about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 since the coronavirus first appeared .
They have learned , for example , that an estimated 4 out of 10 infected people will never show symptoms -- but can unknowingly infect others .
In addition , infected persons who will go on to develop symptoms can spread the disease one to two days before those symptoms occur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus is so hard to contain .
Evidence suggests that widespread testing of people without symptoms would greatly reduce the spread of the virus by allowing people to know they 're infected and self-quarantine .
Contacts of those asymptomatic cases can be identified and tested for the same reasons .
This has been the CDC 's recommendation since studies first began to show asymptomatic transmission .
Then , the CDC on Aug. 24 changed course and recommended to test only those people who have symptoms for COVID-19 .
Many public health experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have symptoms will miss close to half of those who are infected .
Two days after the revised guidelines had been quietly changed on the CDC website , Director Robert Redfield clarified that those who come into contact with confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients could be tested even in the absence of symptoms .
That has always been the case , though .
In the meantime , the altered guidelines on the CDC website promote confusion and remain unchanged as of Monday .
Arizona , California , Connecticut , Florida , Illinois , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have announced they will not follow the new CDC testing guidelines , showing more understanding of the benefits of testing than our national public health institution .
Fauci had no say This new recommendation came from the White House Coronavirus Task Force , and the CDC fell in line .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , a task force member and head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , was undergoing surgery on his vocal cords when the task force met Aug. 20 and decided on the change .
The American Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change was made without effective consultation with public health professionals working on the ground to control the pandemic .
The World Health Organization continues to support testing of asymptomatic persons .
Nearly every public health organization has called for a reversal .
It is a particularly confusing decision given that lack of access to adequate testing has been an ongoing issue and has led to serious barriers in getting control of the pandemic .
See no virus , have no virus ?
Without test data , epidemiologists are flying blind .
Not knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a picture of how many infected persons are in the community and how the virus is being transmitted .
Identifying those who may have been exposed to the virus is the whole rationale for contact tracing -- find cases , identify contacts who may have been infected , ask them to self-quarantine and test them for the virus .
Testing is at the core of controlling infectious disease spread .
The thinking seems to be that if you do n't test , the number of cases will go down .
Clearly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense .
Yes , the number of reported cases will decrease , but the number of infected persons will not .
By not identifying those who are infected but do n't have symptoms , spread of the virus will increase as those who do n't know they are infected , infect others .
President Donald Trump has said that he `` likes the numbers where they are '' and said at a campaign rally in Tulsa , Okla. , that he would tell his people to `` slow the testing down . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a political struggle many times during this pandemic .
In May , it was revealed that CDC had been adding antibody tests , a marker of previous infection , to the number of PCR tests , a marker of current infection , performed .
This made it appear that more tests to detect current infection had been performed than actually had .
In July , hospitalization data , historically reported to CDC and used by health departments and researchers throughout the country to understand the pandemic , disappeared from the CDC website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It reappeared a few days later , but this raised concerns this would hurt the ability of CDC to gather and analyze these data .
In another instance , the administration pressured CDC to rewrite its guidelines for safely reopening schools .
It did this , even though once again , the guidelines did not reflect current scientific knowledge .
The world is in the midst of the worst pandemic in over a century .
The United States has 4.4 % of the world 's population but 24 % of COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , and lack of trust in CDC 's guidance , as well as contantly changing messaging , is hampering our efforts to control the virus .
No wonder the public is confused about what they should be doing .
It does not bode well if we Americans can no longer trust the advice and guidelines emanating from our national public health entity , not just for control efforts in this pandemic but for future health concerns , as well .
I answer questions about COVID-19 weekly on a radio call-in show .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked me if we could trust the information coming out of the CDC .
I never thought I would be in a position where I could n't give an unequivocal `` yes . ''
When politics overcomes science , public health can not fulfill its mission , and everyone will all suffer .
Catherine Lynne Troisi is an associate professor of management , policy and community health and epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ note : Any views in this article reflect the opinion of the author and not of the University of Texas Health Science Center .

Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies before a House Subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been the premier U.S. public health agency since its founding on July 1, 1946. The CDC is responsible for assuring the health of all Americans and promoting evidence-based public health practice. It also is responsible for researching the causes of death and illness, as well as working on ways to prevent them. Americans have come to trust it for accurate information. Advertisement
However, recent actions by the CDC have led many in public health to call into question the integrity of the CDC's leadership as they ignore the science and bow to political pressure. Their actions have hurt public health efforts and led to confusion and mistrust by the public at large.
As an infectious disease epidemiologist, I have spent my career in academia and in public health practice studying how viruses infect people and testing populations to determine current infection and immunity. I find the politicization of advice coming out of the CDC disturbing, to say the least.
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The latest, most egregious non-science-based advice is a change in recommendation for who should get tested for COVID-19. Here's what happened and why it matters so much -- not just to public health experts, but to the public.
Testing key to containment
Public health experts have learned a great deal about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 since the coronavirus first appeared.
They have learned, for example, that an estimated 4 out of 10 infected people will never show symptoms -- but can unknowingly infect others.
In addition, infected persons who will go on to develop symptoms can spread the disease one to two days before those symptoms occur. These are two of the reasons the virus is so hard to contain.
Evidence suggests that widespread testing of people without symptoms would greatly reduce the spread of the virus by allowing people to know they're infected and self-quarantine. Contacts of those asymptomatic cases can be identified and tested for the same reasons. This has been the CDC's recommendation since studies first began to show asymptomatic transmission.
Then, the CDC on Aug. 24 changed course and recommended to test only those people who have symptoms for COVID-19.
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Many public health experts were shocked. Testing only those who have symptoms will miss close to half of those who are infected.
Two days after the revised guidelines had been quietly changed on the CDC website, Director Robert Redfield clarified that those who come into contact with confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients could be tested even in the absence of symptoms.
That has always been the case, though.
In the meantime, the altered guidelines on the CDC website promote confusion and remain unchanged as of Monday. Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey and New York have announced they will not follow the new CDC testing guidelines, showing more understanding of the benefits of testing than our national public health institution.
Fauci had no say
This new recommendation came from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and the CDC fell in line. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a task force member and head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was undergoing surgery on his vocal cords when the task force met Aug. 20 and decided on the change.
The American Public Health Association has pointed out that the change was made without effective consultation with public health professionals working on the ground to control the pandemic. The World Health Organization continues to support testing of asymptomatic persons. Nearly every public health organization has called for a reversal.
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It is a particularly confusing decision given that lack of access to adequate testing has been an ongoing issue and has led to serious barriers in getting control of the pandemic.
See no virus, have no virus?
Without test data, epidemiologists are flying blind. Not knowing who is infected, we do not have a picture of how many infected persons are in the community and how the virus is being transmitted.
Identifying those who may have been exposed to the virus is the whole rationale for contact tracing -- find cases, identify contacts who may have been infected, ask them to self-quarantine and test them for the virus. Testing is at the core of controlling infectious disease spread.
The thinking seems to be that if you don't test, the number of cases will go down.
Clearly, this is true only in the political sense. Yes, the number of reported cases will decrease, but the number of infected persons will not. By not identifying those who are infected but don't have symptoms, spread of the virus will increase as those who don't know they are infected, infect others.
President Donald Trump has said that he "likes the numbers where they are" and said at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla., that he would tell his people to "slow the testing down."
Advertisement
Series of tussles
The CDC has been in the midst of a political struggle many times during this pandemic.
In May, it was revealed that CDC had been adding antibody tests, a marker of previous infection, to the number of PCR tests, a marker of current infection, performed. This made it appear that more tests to detect current infection had been performed than actually had.
In July, hospitalization data, historically reported to CDC and used by health departments and researchers throughout the country to understand the pandemic, disappeared from the CDC website as reporting switched to a private contractor. It reappeared a few days later, but this raised concerns this would hurt the ability of CDC to gather and analyze these data.
In another instance, the administration pressured CDC to rewrite its guidelines for safely reopening schools. It did this, even though once again, the guidelines did not reflect current scientific knowledge.
The world is in the midst of the worst pandemic in over a century. The United States has 4.4% of the world's population but 24% of COVID-19 cases. Plainly, we are not doing well, and lack of trust in CDC's guidance, as well as contantly changing messaging, is hampering our efforts to control the virus. No wonder the public is confused about what they should be doing.
Advertisement
It does not bode well if we Americans can no longer trust the advice and guidelines emanating from our national public health entity, not just for control efforts in this pandemic but for future health concerns, as well.
I answer questions about COVID-19 weekly on a radio call-in show. A few weeks ago, a caller asked me if we could trust the information coming out of the CDC. I never thought I would be in a position where I couldn't give an unequivocal "yes." When politics overcomes science, public health cannot fulfill its mission, and everyone will all suffer.
Catherine Lynne Troisi is an associate professor of management, policy and community health and epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Editor's note: Any views in this article reflect the opinion of the author and not of the University of Texas Health Science Center.


upi--2020-09-01--Chiefs extend contracts of coach Reid, GM Veach through 2025

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have made another move to keep their current structure in place with six-year contract extensions for coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach .
Sources told NFL Network and ESPN the team is finalizing pacts to keep Reid and Veach tied to the AFC West franchise through the 2025 season .
Reid , 62 , led the franchise to its first Super Bowl in 50 years when the Chiefs knocked off the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2 in Miami .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he spent 14 years as coach of the Philadelphia Eagles .
Reid owns a 77-35 record in seven seasons as Chiefs coach .
He said in July that he plans to coach into his 70s .
Veach , 42 , also joined the Chiefs in 2013 when he was hired as a scout .
He became the youngest general manager in the NFL when he was promoted to the role in 2017 .
The Chiefs selected Mahomes out of Texas Tech with the No .
10 overall pick in the 2017 NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a general manager .
Mahomes signed a 10-year , $ 503 million contract extension in July .
Kansas City also agreed to off-season pacts with Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones .
The Chiefs host the Houston Texans in the first game of the 2020 NFL season at 8:20 p.m. EDT Sept. 10 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City , Mo .

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid will be under contract with the franchise through the 2025 season after he finalizes his new extension. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have made another move to keep their current structure in place with six-year contract extensions for coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach. Sources told NFL Network and ESPN the team is finalizing pacts to keep Reid and Veach tied to the AFC West franchise through the 2025 season. Advertisement
"Well deserved," Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted Monday.
Reid, 62, led the franchise to its first Super Bowl in 50 years when the Chiefs knocked off the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2 in Miami. The veteran coach joined the Chiefs in 2013 after he spent 14 years as coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Reid owns a 77-35 record in seven seasons as Chiefs coach. He said in July that he plans to coach into his 70s.
Veach, 42, also joined the Chiefs in 2013 when he was hired as a scout. He became the youngest general manager in the NFL when he was promoted to the role in 2017.
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The Chiefs selected Mahomes out of Texas Tech with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Veach's first draft as a general manager.
Mahomes signed a 10-year, $503 million contract extension in July. Kansas City also agreed to off-season pacts with Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones.
The Chiefs host the Houston Texans in the first game of the 2020 NFL season at 8:20 p.m. EDT Sept. 10 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Highlights from Super Bowl LIV in Miami


upi--2020-09-01--U.S. COVID-19 cases rise by 34,000; August total near 1.5 million

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- The United States recorded another 34,000 COVID-19 cases on Monday -- a decline from the previous day and the fewest in more than two months , data from Johns Hopkins University showed Tuesday .
Research at the university 's Center for Systems Science and Engineering showed 33,900 cases on the final day of the August , the lowest one-day total since June 22 .
The total number of new U.S. cases for the month of August , according to the data , was about 1.47 million -- an average of about 47,300 cases per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
Since the start of the pandemic , Johns Hopkins data showed , there have been 6.031 million cases and 183,600 deaths .
About 600 patients died Monday , the fourth straight day of fewer than 1,000 .
In California , Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed a bill that grants tenants who have lost income because of the pandemic another five months before they must start paying rents in full again .
The measure , passed after acrimonious debate as the state Legislature raced to meet a midnight deadline , protects tenants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through August .
Back rent will be converted into civil debt , which landlords can pursue in small claims court next year .
Tenants , however , are still responsible for paying 25 % of their total rent between September and January .
if they ca n't meet that obligation by February , landlords are then allowed to file eviction notices .
`` California is stepping up to protect those most at-risk because of COVID-related nonpayment , but it 's just a bridge to a more permanent solution once the federal government finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , '' he said .
`` We need a real , federal commitment of significant new funding to assist struggling tenants and homeowners in California and across the nation . ''
In Iowa , the athletics department at the University of Iowa shut down workouts Monday for all sports after dozens of positive tests last week .
`` We have made the decision to pause voluntary and mandatory workouts until after Labor Day , '' Dr. Andrew Peterson , the university 's head team physician , said in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including testing , contact tracing and daily health screening . ''
The university reported more than 500 student cases Friday .
A White House Coronavirus Task Force report written Sunday and obtained by The Des Moines Register warned that Iowa has the country 's most virulent outbreak and recommends that bars in 61 counties be closed .
Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds ordered bars closed in six counties last week .
Despite the upsurge in cases , Iowa State University in Ames said it 's proceeding with plans to allow 25,000 football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 home opener .
`` Our staff has strategically reassigned all seat locations using current Cyclone Club giving levels , priority points within those levels and taking into account location and/or price , to create improved social distancing , '' ISU Athletics Director Jamie Pollard wrote in a letter to fans .

Three masked children are seen riding scooters on a sidewalk in New York City on Monday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The United States recorded another 34,000 COVID-19 cases on Monday -- a decline from the previous day and the fewest in more than two months, data from Johns Hopkins University showed Tuesday. Research at the university's Center for Systems Science and Engineering showed 33,900 cases on the final day of the August, the lowest one-day total since June 22. Advertisement
The total number of new U.S. cases for the month of August, according to the data, was about 1.47 million -- an average of about 47,300 cases per day -- and there were nearly 30,000 deaths.
Since the start of the pandemic, Johns Hopkins data showed, there have been 6.03 million cases and 183,600 deaths. About 600 patients died Monday, the fourth straight day of fewer than 1,000.
Cases have explode at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, which on Tuesday reported nearly double the number of infections compared to one week ago.
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The school said there were 1,026 active cases, all but nine of which were among students. Since Aug. 1, there have been 1,192 confirmed infections.
Of the 2,318 people tested from Friday to Monday, 26% were positive. The overall positivity rate since Aug. 1 was 10%.
School President Robert Caslen warned students Tuesday they may have to face punishment if they break coronavirus mitigation rules by throwing large parties or violating quarantine.
"I applaud the large number of tests we have been doing, enabling us to get same-day results," he said in a statement according to The State. "It is important to identify all positive cases and take care of them.
"We will begin to focus our testing where we are seeing increased numbers of positives, mostly identified through our wastewater surveillance. The science is informing us and enabling us to specifically act in places that require intervention."
In Iowa, the athletics department at the University of Iowa shut down workouts Monday for all sports after dozens of positive tests last week.
"We have made the decision to pause voluntary and mandatory workouts until after Labor Day," Dr. Andrew Peterson, the university's head team physician, said in a statement. "We remain confident in our overall process, including testing, contact tracing and daily health screening."
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The university reported more than 500 student cases Friday.
A White House Coronavirus Task Force report written Sunday and obtained by The Des Moines Register warned that Iowa has the country's most virulent outbreak and recommends that bars in 61 counties be closed.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered bars closed in six counties last week.
Despite the upsurge in cases, Iowa State University in Ames said it's proceeding with plans to allow 25,000 football fans to attend the Cyclones' Sept. 12 home opener.
"Our staff has strategically reassigned all seat locations using current Cyclone Club giving levels, priority points within those levels and taking into account location and/or price, to create improved social distancing," ISU Athletics Director Jamie Pollard wrote in a letter to fans.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that grants tenants who have lost income because of the pandemic another five months before they must start paying rents in full again.
The measure, passed after acrimonious debate as the state Legislature raced to meet a midnight deadline, protects tenants from eviction over missed rent from March through August. Back rent will be converted into civil debt, which landlords can pursue in small claims court next year.
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Tenants, however, are still responsible for paying 25% of their total rent between September and January. if they can't meet that obligation by February, landlords are then allowed to file eviction notices.
Newsom signed the measure shortly before midnight Tuesday.
"California is stepping up to protect those most at-risk because of COVID-related nonpayment, but it's just a bridge to a more permanent solution once the federal government finally recognizes its role in stabilizing the housing market," he said. "We need a real, federal commitment of significant new funding to assist struggling tenants and homeowners in California and across the nation."


upi--2020-09-01--Thunder force Game 7 with win over Rockets

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- Chris Paul scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series to force a decisive Game 7 in Orlando , Fla. Paul paced the Thunder with 28 points , seven rebounds , three assists and three steals in the 104-100 win Monday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside Walt Disney World Resort .
The game featured 14 lead changes and was tied 11 times .
`` We 've been in these kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just sort of thrive in them , '' Paul said of the Thunder 's vital victory .
Rockets guard James Harden had a game-high 32 points , eight rebounds and seven assists in the loss .
Russell Westbrook scored 17 points but had a game-high seven of the Rockets ' 22 turnovers .
`` We all have a common goal : to win the game , '' Paul said .
`` We just try to compete and fight as hard as we can and try to take it quarter by quarter and minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City exchanged the lead in the first quarter until the Rockets went on an 8-0 run to take a 13-8 edge with 5:30 remaining in the frame .
The teams exchanged the lead once again before Westbrook made a shot with 52 seconds remaining in the quarter to give the Rockets a 25-24 edge .
Harden poured in 11 points in the second quarter to help the Rockets own a 51-48 edge at halftime .
He scored another nine points in the third frame , but the Thunder used an 8-0 run over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snatch momentum .
Oklahoma City took a 77-75 lead into the final 12 minutes .
The Rockets fought back and took a six-point lead with 4:29 remaining before Paul willed his team to victory .
The Thunder guard hit back-to-back 3 pointers to tie the score at 98-98 with 2:57 remaining .
Dennis Schroder tied the score again at 100-100 with a minute remaining before Paul sank two clutch free throws with 13.1 seconds remaining to give the final lead to the Thunder .
Oklahoma City held off Harden and Westbrook down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tie the series at 3-3 .
Danilo Gallinari scored 25 points and had five rebounds in the win .
Robert Covington scored 18 points for Houston .
`` We will be fine , '' Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said .
`` We played about as bad as we can play and we will have to do a better job [ in Game 7 ] .
`` We are going to respond . ''
The Thunder and Rockets will face off in Game 7 at 9 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Orlando .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles Lakers in the second round at 9 p.m. EDT Friday .

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul (3) scored 28 points to lead his team to a Game 6 win over the Houston Rockets on Monday Orlando, Fla. Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA-EFE
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Chris Paul scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series to force a decisive Game 7 in Orlando, Fla. Paul paced the Thunder with 28 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in the 104-100 win Monday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside Walt Disney World Resort. The game featured 14 lead changes and was tied 11 times. Advertisement
"We've been in these kind of situations all season long, so we just sort of thrive in them," Paul said of the Thunder's vital victory.
Rockets guard James Harden had a game-high 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the loss. Russell Westbrook scored 17 points but had a game-high seven of the Rockets' 22 turnovers.
"We all have a common goal: to win the game," Paul said. "We just try to compete and fight as hard as we can and try to take it quarter by quarter and minute by minute."
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Houston and Oklahoma City exchanged the lead in the first quarter until the Rockets went on an 8-0 run to take a 13-8 edge with 5:30 remaining in the frame. The teams exchanged the lead once again before Westbrook made a shot with 52 seconds remaining in the quarter to give the Rockets a 25-24 edge.
Harden poured in 11 points in the second quarter to help the Rockets own a 51-48 edge at halftime. He scored another nine points in the third frame, but the Thunder used an 8-0 run over the final 2:30 of the quarter to snatch momentum. Oklahoma City took a 77-75 lead into the final 12 minutes.
The Rockets fought back and took a six-point lead with 4:29 remaining before Paul willed his team to victory. The Thunder guard hit back-to-back 3 pointers to tie the score at 98-98 with 2:57 remaining. Dennis Schroder tied the score again at 100-100 with a minute remaining before Paul sank two clutch free throws with 13.1 seconds remaining to give the final lead to the Thunder.
Oklahoma City held off Harden and Westbrook down the stretch to secure the Game 6 win and tie the series at 3-3.
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Danilo Gallinari scored 25 points and had five rebounds in the win. Robert Covington scored 18 points for Houston.
"We will be fine," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We played about as bad as we can play and we will have to do a better job [in Game 7].
"We are going to respond."
The Thunder and Rockets will face off in Game 7 at 9 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Orlando. The winner of the series will face the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round at 9 p.m. EDT Friday.


upi--2020-09-01--WWE Raw: Randy Orton, Keith Lee, Seth Rollins battle for title match

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- Randy Orton , Keith Lee and Seth Rollins faced off in a Triple Threat match on Raw to decide the No .
1 contender for Drew McIntyre 's WWE Championship .
Orton , Lee and Rollins each had to win a qualifying match earlier in the night to reach the Triple Threat bout in the main event .
McIntyre was absent as he continues to recover from Orton kicking him in the head multiple times last week .
Lee was up first and defeated Dolph Ziggler with a Spirit Bomb to reach the Triple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an RKO in his qualifying match due to Aleister Black attacking Owens from behind before the bell could ring .
Rollins was originally scheduled to face Rey Mysterio in his qualifying match but the high-flyer 's son Dominik Mysterio took his place due to his father being injured .
The Mysterio family were able to defeat Rollins and his disciple Murphy Sunday at Payback .
The Monday Night Messiah was mad at Murphy for the lost and made him leave the ringside area before his bout with Dominik Mysterio started .
Dominik @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rollins , and nearly won the match before he missed a Frog Splash from the top rope .
Rollins then finished things with a Curb Stomp for the three count .
Orton played mind games throughout the main event , avoiding contact when he could , attacking at the perfect times and also briefly joined forces with Rollins .
The Viper betrayed Rollins , eventually , and nailed him with a Draping DDT .
Lee used his superior strength to manhandle Orton and Rollins .
The Limitless One went on a rampage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up by tackling Orton across the ringside area .
Lee , back in the ring , avoided a Curb Stomp and planted Rollins with a Spirit Bomb but Orton returned and took out Lee with an RKO .
Orton then pinned Rollins to win the match and earn another shot at the WWE Championship .
Orton will face McIntyre at at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view event on Sept. 27 .
The event features every WWE championship being defended on the same night .
Also on Raw , The IIconics took on The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly crowned Women 's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler .
The loser of the bout would be forced to disband as a team .
The IIconics lost after Ruby Riott defeated Billie Kay with a roll up pin .
Peyton Royce and Kay of The IIconics will be going their separate ways .
Royce , during the Raw Underground Segment , pushed Kay into the ring where she got attacked by Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke .
The mysterious Retribution group attacked once again and interrupted a Tornado Tag Team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street Profits and Andrade and Angel Garza .
Garza quickly ran to the backstage area with his guest Demi Burnett of The Bachelor fame , leaving his partner Andrade behind along with their manager Zelina Vega .
Garza , backstage , then left Burnett behind and ran away after encountering Retribution a second time .
Burnett was also able to get away on her own .
Other moments from Raw included Mickie James defeating Lana after both argued about facing Raw Women 's Champion Asuka ; Cedric Alexander and The Viking Raiders defeating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Shelton Benjamin ; Riddick Moss defeating Titus O'Neil in Raw Underground ; and Lashley , MVP and Benjamin beating Alexander , Apollo Crews and Ricochet in Raw Underground .

Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Randy Orton, Keith Lee and Seth Rollins faced off in a Triple Threat match on Raw to decide the No. 1 contender for Drew McIntyre's WWE Championship.
Orton, Lee and Rollins each had to win a qualifying match earlier in the night to reach the Triple Threat bout in the main event. McIntyre was absent as he continues to recover from Orton kicking him in the head multiple times last week.
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Lee was up first and defeated Dolph Ziggler with a Spirit Bomb to reach the Triple Threat. Orton easily defeated Kevin Owens with an RKO in his qualifying match due to Aleister Black attacking Owens from behind before the bell could ring.
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Rollins was originally scheduled to face Rey Mysterio in his qualifying match but the high-flyer's son Dominik Mysterio took his place due to his father being injured. The Mysterio family were able to defeat Rollins and his disciple Murphy Sunday at Payback.
The Monday Night Messiah was mad at Murphy for the lost and made him leave the ringside area before his bout with Dominik Mysterio started. Dominik Mysterio put on an impressive performance against Rollins, and nearly won the match before he missed a Frog Splash from the top rope. Rollins then finished things with a Curb Stomp for the three count.
Orton played mind games throughout the main event, avoiding contact when he could, attacking at the perfect times and also briefly joined forces with Rollins. The Viper betrayed Rollins, eventually, and nailed him with a Draping DDT.
Lee used his superior strength to manhandle Orton and Rollins. The Limitless One went on a rampage and threw Rollins into Orton which he followed up by tackling Orton across the ringside area.
Lee, back in the ring, avoided a Curb Stomp and planted Rollins with a Spirit Bomb but Orton returned and took out Lee with an RKO. Orton then pinned Rollins to win the match and earn another shot at the WWE Championship. Orton will face McIntyre at at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view event on Sept. 27. The event features every WWE championship being defended on the same night.
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Also on Raw, The IIconics took on The Riott Squad to determine who will face newly crowned Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. The loser of the bout would be forced to disband as a team.
The IIconics lost after Ruby Riott defeated Billie Kay with a roll up pin. Peyton Royce and Kay of The IIconics will be going their separate ways.
Royce, during the Raw Underground Segment, pushed Kay into the ring where she got attacked by Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke.
The mysterious Retribution group attacked once again and interrupted a Tornado Tag Team match between Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits and Andrade and Angel Garza.
Garza quickly ran to the backstage area with his guest Demi Burnett of The Bachelor fame, leaving his partner Andrade behind along with their manager Zelina Vega.
Garza, backstage, then left Burnett behind and ran away after encountering Retribution a second time. Burnett was also able to get away on her own.
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Other moments from Raw included Mickie James defeating Lana after both argued about facing Raw Women's Champion Asuka; Cedric Alexander and The Viking Raiders defeating United States Champion Bobby Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin; Riddick Moss defeating Titus O'Neil in Raw Underground; and Lashley, MVP and Benjamin beating Alexander, Apollo Crews and Ricochet in Raw Underground.


upi--2020-09-01--Gallup/West Health poll: Half of Americans worried about medical bankruptcy

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- About half of Americans in the COVID-19 era fear a health-related incident could drive them into bankruptcy , according to a new survey Tuesday by Gallup and West Health .
Gallup and West Health said 50 % of respondents said they 're concerned about medical bankruptcy -- a 5 % increase from early this year , before the pandemic .
That concern rose 12 points among U.S. adults between 18 and 29 and non-White Americans .
`` Dovetailing with the new health-related concerns brought on by the coronavirus outbreak is the economic catastrophe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs since May -- persists in form of 28 million people receiving some form of unemployment aid at the end of July , '' Gallup wrote .
`` As such , Americans ' concerns about a major health event putting them in bankruptcy , while substantial in early 2019 , are likely only intensified today because of the pandemic . ''
The study found that 15 % of respondents said at least one person in their home currently has medical debt that will not be repaid in the next 12 months .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40,000 per year are more than four times as likely as those in households earning $ 100,000 or more to be carrying long-term medical debt ( 28 % vs. 6 % , respectively ) , '' Gallup added .
`` The rate is also about twice as high among self-identified political independents ( 18 % ) and Democrats ( 16 % ) as among Republicans ( 8 % ) . ''
More than a quarter of adults said they 'd need to borrow to pay a medical bill of just $ 500 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into debt .
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults for the survey , which has a margin of error of 4 points .

Nurses, elected officials and community members hold candles to Nurses Week in Yonkers, N.Y., on May 12. The vigil honored healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- About half of Americans in the COVID-19 era fear a health-related incident could drive them into bankruptcy, according to a new survey Tuesday by Gallup and West Health. Gallup and West Health said 50% of respondents said they're concerned about medical bankruptcy -- a 5% increase from early this year, before the pandemic. That concern rose 12 points among U.S. adults between 18 and 29 and non-White Americans. Advertisement
"Dovetailing with the new health-related concerns brought on by the coronavirus outbreak is the economic catastrophe that -- despite the recouping of millions of jobs since May -- persists in form of 28 million people receiving some form of unemployment aid at the end of July," Gallup wrote.
"As such, Americans' concerns about a major health event putting them in bankruptcy, while substantial in early 2019, are likely only intensified today because of the pandemic."
The study found that 15% of respondents said at least one person in their home currently has medical debt that will not be repaid in the next 12 months.
"Those in households earning less than $40,000 per year are more than four times as likely as those in households earning $100,000 or more to be carrying long-term medical debt (28% vs. 6%, respectively)," Gallup added. "The rate is also about twice as high among self-identified political independents (18%) and Democrats(16%) as among Republicans (8%)."
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More than a quarter of adults said they'd need to borrow to pay a medical bill of just $500. Many others said they would have to go into debt.
Gallup polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults for the survey, which has a margin of error of 4 points.


upi--2020-09-01--NFL takes over Washington Football Team investigation

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- The NFL is now handling the investigation into claims of sexual harassment within the Washington Football Team workplace .
The team had hired attorney Beth Wilkinson to investigate the claims after a story broke in the Washington Post in July , which featured 15 former female employees who said multiple members of the organization sexually harassed and verbally abused them from 2006 through 2019 .
Washington Football Team owner Daniel Snyder said he and his wife Tanya suggested to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that the league take over the investigation .
`` Recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third-party investigation into allegations about our culture and incidents of harassment , '' Snyder said in a statement .
`` In conversations with commissioner Goodell , Tanya and I suggested that the NFL assume full oversight of the investigation so that the results are thorough , complete and trusted by the fans , the players , our employees and the public .
`` I appreciate commissioner Goodell agreeing to our suggestion and the entire Washington Football Team remains committed to fully cooperating with all aspects of the investigation . ''
The Post published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations of sexual harassment within organization .
Wilkinson and her team are still expected to conduct the investigation , but will now report to Goodell and the NFL .
Snyder , 55 , has owned the Washington , D.C. , franchise since 1999 .

Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder said he and his wife Tanya suggested for the NFL to take over an investigation into sexual harassment allegations within the team's facilities. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The NFL is now handling the investigation into claims of sexual harassment within the Washington Football Team workplace. The team had hired attorney Beth Wilkinson to investigate the claims after a story broke in the Washington Post in July, which featured 15 former female employees who said multiple members of the organization sexually harassed and verbally abused them from 2006 through 2019. Advertisement
Washington Football Team owner Daniel Snyder said he and his wife Tanya suggested to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that the league take over the investigation.
"Recently, the Washington Football Team launched an independent third-party investigation into allegations about our culture and incidents of harassment," Snyder said in a statement. "In conversations with commissioner Goodell, Tanya and I suggested that the NFL assume full oversight of the investigation so that the results are thorough, complete and trusted by the fans, the players, our employees and the public.
"I appreciate commissioner Goodell agreeing to our suggestion and the entire Washington Football Team remains committed to fully cooperating with all aspects of the investigation."
The Post published a second article Wednesday that detailed additional allegations of sexual harassment within organization.
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Wilkinson and her team are still expected to conduct the investigation, but will now report to Goodell and the NFL.
Snyder, 55, has owned the Washington, D.C., franchise since 1999.


upi--2020-09-01--Google honors cartoonist Jackie Ormes with new Doodle

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- Google is celebrating cartoonist and activist Jackie Ormes with a new Doodle .
Ormes had her groundbreaking single panel , titled Patty-Jo ' n ' Ginger , appear in the Pittsburgh Courier for the first time on this day in 1945 .
Google 's homepage features a slideshow of artwork from Philadelphia-based guest artist Liz Montague that chronicles Ormes life from self-taught artist to successful humorist .
Ormes ' satirical comic strips challenged derogatory portrayals of Black female characters who faced real-life issues .
She is widely recognized as the first and only Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
She had her first comic strip , titled Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem , published in the Pittsburgh Courier in 1937 .
Ormes has released comic strips Candy , her longest-running series Patty-Jo ' n ' Ginger and her final comic , Torchy in Heartbeats .
Ormes made history in 1949 by designing a Patty-Jo doll , one of the first high quality American Black dolls .
Ormes was posthumously inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists ' Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Will Eisner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Google is paying homage to cartoonist Jackie Ormes with a new Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating cartoonist and activist Jackie Ormes with a new Doodle. Ormes had her groundbreaking single panel, titled Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger, appear in the Pittsburgh Courier for the first time on this day in 1945. Advertisement
Google's homepage features a slideshow of artwork from Philadelphia-based guest artist Liz Montague that chronicles Ormes life from self-taught artist to successful humorist.
Ormes' satirical comic strips challenged derogatory portrayals of Black female characters who faced real-life issues. She is widely recognized as the first and only Black female newspaper cartoonist of her time in the United States.
She had her first comic strip, titled Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem, published in the Pittsburgh Courier in 1937. Ormes has released comic strips Candy, her longest-running series Patty-Jo'n' Ginger and her final comic, Torchy in Heartbeats.
Ormes made history in 1949 by designing a Patty-Jo doll, one of the first high quality American Black dolls.
Ormes was posthumously inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists' Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Will Eisner Comic Industry Hall of Fame in 2018.


upi--2020-09-01--Hamas, Israel agree to simmer tensions

Hamas, Israel agree to simmer tensions

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced a Qatari-brokered deal has been reached to simmer escalating tensions with Israel .
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar 's office announced the deal Monday night in a statement saying the agreement will calm tensions following weeks of border conflicts between the two sides .
`` After a round of talks , mediated by the Qatari representative Mohammed al-Emadi , an understanding has been reached to avoid an escalation and stabilize the situation , '' the statement said .
Following weeks of relative calm due to the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balloons have been launched daily since early August from Gaza into Israel with Jerusalem forces retaliating with strikes against Hamas targets in the Palestinian territory .
In exchange for essentially returning tensions to before the recent flare-up , Sinwar 's office said they have been promised several unspecified projects `` that will service and alleviate the situation for our people in Gaza , given the coronavirus crisis that has struck us . ''
Israel said as part of the deal it will open the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza for cargo and expand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 15 nautical miles from shore .
`` This decision will be tested on the ground , '' the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories said in a statement .
`` If Hamas , which is accountable for all actions that are taken in the Gaza Strip , fails to stand by its obligations , Israel will act accordingly . ''
The deal will also see the resumption of fuel shipments through the border crossing , which Israel stopped amid escalating tensions on Aug. 13 .
Jamie McGoldrick , the U.N. humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement earlier on Monday called on Hamas to cease launching balloons that would further escalate the situation and on Israel to resume fuel shipments as it was undermining Gaza 's critical infrastructure as it battles a coronavirus outbreak .
The reduction in fuel caused the Gaza Power Plant to cease operation on Aug. 18 , and the reduced electricity supply was affecting all Gaza water wells , sewage pumping stations , wastewater treatment plants and some desalination plants , he said , adding there was now `` high risk '' of sewage flooding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mediterranean Sea .
`` The situation is hindering the provision of services in the quarantine facilities and the capacity of the health system to cope with the increased demands , such as the ability to detect new COVID-19 cases , '' McGoldrick said .
`` Power outages in hospitals are having serious repercussions , with patients in intensive care , chronic and emergency cases particularly vulnerable . ''
On Monday , Defense Minister Benny Gantz told The Jerusalem Post that Israel would be `` happy '' to aid Palestine in its fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will come to their senses and take the security aspect away in order to fight corona , but it 's in their hands , '' he said .
`` I hope Yahya Sinwar will understand that he 's hurting Gaza . ''

Hamas said the deal will return tensions with Israel to what they were before the recent flare-up. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The Palestinian militant group Hamas has announced a Qatari-brokered deal has been reached to simmer escalating tensions with Israel. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's office announced the deal Monday night in a statement saying the agreement will calm tensions following weeks of border conflicts between the two sides. Advertisement
"After a round of talks, mediated by the Qatari representative Mohammed al-Emadi, an understanding has been reached to avoid an escalation and stabilize the situation," the statement said.
Following weeks of relative calm due to the coronavirus pandemic, tensions have been ratcheting as incendiary balloons have been launched daily since early August from Gaza into Israel with Jerusalem forces retaliating with strikes against Hamas targets in the Palestinian territory.
Explosive balloons were launched from #Gaza into #Israel throughout the day, igniting fires on land across southern Israel. Advertisement In response, our tanks just struck Hamas military posts in Gaza.— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 30, 2020
In exchange for essentially returning tensions to before the recent flare-up, Sinwar's office said they have been promised several unspecified projects "that will service and alleviate the situation for our people in Gaza, given the coronavirus crisis that has struck us."
Israel said as part of the deal it will open the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza for cargo and expand Gaza's fishing zone in the Mediterranean to 15 nautical miles from shore.
"This decision will be tested on the ground," the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories said in a statement. "If Hamas, which is accountable for all actions that are taken in the Gaza Strip, fails to stand by its obligations, Israel will act accordingly."
The deal will also see the resumption of fuel shipments through the border crossing, which Israel stopped amid escalating tensions on Aug. 13.
Jamie McGoldrick, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Palestinian territories, in a statement earlier on Monday called on Hamas to cease launching balloons that would further escalate the situation and on Israel to resume fuel shipments as it was undermining Gaza's critical infrastructure as it battles a coronavirus outbreak.
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The reduction in fuel caused the Gaza Power Plant to cease operation on Aug. 18, and the reduced electricity supply was affecting all Gaza water wells, sewage pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants and some desalination plants, he said, adding there was now "high risk" of sewage flooding populated areas and increased pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.
"The situation is hindering the provision of services in the quarantine facilities and the capacity of the health system to cope with the increased demands, such as the ability to detect new COVID-19 cases," McGoldrick said. "Power outages in hospitals are having serious repercussions, with patients in intensive care, chronic and emergency cases particularly vulnerable."
On Monday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz told The Jerusalem Post that Israel would be "happy" to aid Palestine in its fight against COVID-19 in Gaza.
"I hope they will come to their senses and take the security aspect away in order to fight corona, but it's in their hands," he said. "I hope Yahya Sinwar will understand that he's hurting Gaza."


upi--2020-09-01--Study: Gun licensing laws linked to reduced murders, suicides

Handgun licensing laws in U.S. states lead to fewer gun-related homicides and suicides , a new study finds .
These laws go beyond federal background checks by requiring a prospective buyer to apply for a license or permit from state or local law enforcement .
`` So much of the gun policy discussion focuses on background checks alone , '' said study author Alex McCourt , an assistant scientist at the Center for Gun Policy and Research at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health .
`` We need to recognize that background checks are necessary for identifying people prohibited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complemented by licensing , our research indicates they are not sufficient to reduce gun fatalities , '' he added in a Hopkins news release .
To come to that conclusion , McCourt 's team assessed the effects of different gun laws in Connecticut , Missouri , Maryland and Pennsylvania .
Connecticut enacted a purchaser licensing law in 1995 and had a 28 % decrease in firearm homicide rates and a 33 % decrease in firearm suicides from 1996 to 2017 .
Connecticut also increased its use of a law allowing police to temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves or others , the researchers added .
Conversely , Missouri repealed its purchaser licensing law in 2007 , and there was a 47 % increase in the rate of firearm homicides and a 23.5 % increase in firearm suicide rates from 2007 to 2016 .
Meanwhile , in 1996 both Maryland and Pennsylvania implemented comprehensive background check laws for handguns , but not purchaser licensing requirements .
Maryland had a 17.5 % increase in firearm homicide rates from 1997 to 2013 .
There was a 15 % decline in firearm suicides , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enacted a purchaser licensing law in 2013 , but there were too few years of data available for the study .
Pennsylvania had a 21.5 % increase of firearm homicide rates and no significant change in firearm suicides after it enacted its comprehensive background check law without licensing requirements , according to the study published recently in the American Journal of Public Health .
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has more on gun legislation .

Handgun licensing laws in U.S. states lead to fewer gun-related homicides and suicides, a new study finds.
These laws go beyond federal background checks by requiring a prospective buyer to apply for a license or permit from state or local law enforcement.
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"So much of the gun policy discussion focuses on background checks alone," said study author Alex McCourt, an assistant scientist at the Center for Gun Policy and Research at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
"We need to recognize that background checks are necessary for identifying people prohibited from accessing a firearm, but unless complemented by licensing, our research indicates they are not sufficient to reduce gun fatalities," he added in a Hopkins news release.
To come to that conclusion, McCourt's team assessed the effects of different gun laws in Connecticut, Missouri, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Connecticut enacted a purchaser licensing law in 1995 and had a 28% decrease in firearm homicide rates and a 33% decrease in firearm suicides from 1996 to 2017.
Connecticut also increased its use of a law allowing police to temporarily remove guns from people threatening to harm themselves or others, the researchers added.
Conversely, Missouri repealed its purchaser licensing law in 2007, and there was a 47% increase in the rate of firearm homicides and a 23.5% increase in firearm suicide rates from 2007 to 2016.
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Meanwhile, in 1996 both Maryland and Pennsylvania implemented comprehensive background check laws for handguns, but not purchaser licensing requirements. Maryland had a 17.5% increase in firearm homicide rates from 1997 to 2013. There was a 15% decline in firearm suicides, but non-firearm suicides also declined.
Maryland enacted a purchaser licensing law in 2013, but there were too few years of data available for the study.
Pennsylvania had a 21.5% increase of firearm homicide rates and no significant change in firearm suicides after it enacted its comprehensive background check law without licensing requirements, according to the study published recently in the American Journal of Public Health.
More information
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has more on gun legislation.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-09-01--WHO: COVID-19 has disrupted health services in almost every country

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- Nearly every country has experienced disruptions to essential health services amid the pandemic , the World Health Organization said , with low- and middle-income countries being the greatest affected .
The data was revealed in a survey concerning the impact of the pandemic on WHO member states published Monday that found 90 % of the 105 responding countries reported experiencing disruptions to essential health services .
The survey said that while most countries ' health systems were impacted , the great majority of service disruptions were defined as `` partial , '' meaning they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in service provision .
All services from communicable diseases to nutrition and reproductive were disrupted , it said .
Routine immunization outreach services such as for malaria treatments were the most heavily impacted with 70 % of countries saying they experienced disruptions in such services followed by non-communicable disease diagnosis and treatment at 69 % , family planning and contraception at 68 % , facility-based services at 61 % , treatment for mental health disorders at 61 % and cancer diagnosis and treatment at 55 % .
Emergencies services were the least impacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such departments and nearly a quarter of responding nations said they experience disruptions to potentially life-saving emergency services , such as 24-hour emergency rooms , blood transfusions and emergency surgeries .
In a statement , WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the pandemic should stand as a lesson that health is not an either-or equation and that all issues should be addressed .
`` The survey shines a light on the cracks in our health systems , but it also serves to inform new strategies to improve healthcare provision during the pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We must better prepare for emergencies but also keep investing in health systems that fully respond to people 's needs throughout the life course . ''
The survey said the cause for the disruptions was a mix of supply and demand factors with 76 % of countries reporting a reduction in outpatient care attendance due to government-instituted lockdowns and patient financial difficulties , while the most common factor on the supply side at 66 % was the cancellation of elective services .
WHO warned that the disruption to services may extend beyond the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but find resources overwhelmed .
The survey concludes that these disruptions could increase morbidity and mortality from causes other than COVID-19 in the short , medium and long term while stating a greater understanding of the potential impact of such disruptions is needed in order to weigh the benefits and risks of pursuing specific mitigation strategies .
`` In all countries , health systems have been put under extreme pressure , and the true impact of the pandemic in terms of increased sickness and death from other diseases remains to be seen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the coronavirus .

A health worker with the Israeli national emergency service conducts a COVID-19 test at a drive-through testing center in East Jerusalem, on Wednesday. The WHO said nearly all countries have experienced disruptions to essential services due to the pandemic. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Nearly every country has experienced disruptions to essential health services amid the pandemic, the World Health Organization said, with low- and middle-income countries being the greatest affected. The data was revealed in a survey concerning the impact of the pandemic on WHO member states published Monday that found 90% of the 105 responding countries reported experiencing disruptions to essential health services. Advertisement
The survey said that while most countries' health systems were impacted, the great majority of service disruptions were defined as "partial," meaning they experienced a change of between 5-50% in service provision.
All services from communicable diseases to nutrition and reproductive were disrupted, it said.
Routine immunization outreach services such as for malaria treatments were the most heavily impacted with 70% of countries saying they experienced disruptions in such services followed by non-communicable disease diagnosis and treatment at 69%, family planning and contraception at 68%, facility-based services at 61%, treatment for mental health disorders at 61% and cancer diagnosis and treatment at 55%.
Emergencies services were the least impacted although 16 countries reported disruptions across all such departments and nearly a quarter of responding nations said they experience disruptions to potentially life-saving emergency services, such as 24-hour emergency rooms, blood transfusions and emergency surgeries.
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In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the pandemic should stand as a lesson that health is not an either-or equation and that all issues should be addressed.
"The survey shines a light on the cracks in our health systems, but it also serves to inform new strategies to improve healthcare provision during the pandemic and beyond," he said. "We must better prepare for emergencies but also keep investing in health systems that fully respond to people's needs throughout the life course."
The survey said the cause for the disruptions was a mix of supply and demand factors with 76% of countries reporting a reduction in outpatient care attendance due to government-instituted lockdowns and patient financial difficulties, while the most common factor on the supply side at 66% was the cancellation of elective services.
WHO warned that the disruption to services may extend beyond the pandemic as countries try to catch up but find resources overwhelmed.
The survey concludes that these disruptions could increase morbidity and mortality from causes other than COVID-19 in the short, medium and long term while stating a greater understanding of the potential impact of such disruptions is needed in order to weigh the benefits and risks of pursuing specific mitigation strategies.
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"In all countries, health systems have been put under extreme pressure, and the true impact of the pandemic in terms of increased sickness and death from other diseases remains to be seen," Tedros said Monday during a briefing on the coronavirus.


upi--2020-09-01--Greece struggles to lure tourists back amid rising COVID-19 cases

ATHENS , Greece , Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- Greece has been one of Europe 's COVID-19 success stories , keeping infections and deaths to a rate far lower than most of its neighbors .
But the country 's crucial tourism industry has struggled since reopening in July , as infections are rising and international travelers have remained wary of visiting .
On the streets surrounding the Acropolis , the magnificent archeological site that looms over Athens , small groups of tourists can be found browsing souvenir shops and dining outside colorful tavernas .
However , foot traffic remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Europe and a handful of other countries on July 1 .
`` My business is 10 to 15 % of what it was a year ago , '' said Mikhail Koshevyy , an artist who sells watercolors near the Acropolis .
`` Maybe there are more tourists going to the islands , but not many are coming to Athens .
I 'm happy they are returning , but I 'm only working three days a week now because it 's still so empty here . ''
It 's not hard to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its tourism industry moving again .
The sector accounts for around 20 % of Greece 's GDP and provides 700,000 jobs .
Last year , some 33 million international tourists visited .
While neighbors such as Italy , Spain and Turkey suffered massive coronavirus outbreaks , Greece managed the pandemic with a strict and early lockdown and an effective health messaging campaign that saw widespread public buy-in .
Even after a recent surge in cases , the country 's overall death toll stood at only 262 as of Sunday .
The response was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was ready to declare that `` Greek tourism is back . ''
`` Essentially , we 're trying to save whatever we can from what many considered to be a completely lost tourism season , '' he told reporters on the picturesque Aegean island of Santorini .
`` As people come and as we open up gradually in July , and if news continue to be positive , I 'm sure that towards the tail end of the summer in August , September , why not October , people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holidays and start traveling again , '' he added .
The early returns on the reopening have been modest .
Greece 's Civil Aviation Authority recorded just 1.1 million international passenger arrivals in July , down 72.5 % compared to the previous year .
In an August report , the International Monetary Fund placed Greece second only to Thailand among countries hardest hit by a decline in tourism due to COVID-19 , projecting a 6 % decline in GDP for 2020 .
Hotels saw their revenues for the second quarter of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year before , according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority .
Greece is planning to help rebuild its tourism industry with a large chunk of the more than 70 billion euros in COVID-19 recovery funds it will receive from the European Union .
In the meantime , those who make a living based around tourism are holding on and hoping for the best .
`` I still have a little bit of hope that more tourists will come , '' said Lefteros Mylonopoulos , a 30-year-old street performer who dresses as a Spartan warrior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites .
Right now , though , he says business is slower than he 's even seen it , gesturing to a nearly empty pedestrian boulevard , Dionysiou Areopagitou , which is usually filled with tourists .
`` I used to take as many as 500 photos a day with tourists , '' he said .
`` Now , it 's around 10 or 20 . ''
For the international travelers who have decided to come to Greece , there are certainly benefits -- hotel prices are low and availability is high , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are nearly empty .
On a recent Friday afternoon , only a small number of tourists were lined up to buy tickets to access the Acropolis , a complex of ancient sites that includes the Parthenon and Odeon of Herodes Atticus , an ancient outdoor theater where performances are still held .
Once they entered , the tourists had plenty of room to linger in front of the ancient wonders , taking photos and selfies among the strangely empty backdrop .
The act of traveling after months of isolation also offered a tantalizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to some visitors .
`` Traveling again been wonderful , '' said Maddie Hopen , 24 , who lives in London .
`` I 've been stuck at home for four or five months . ''
She said she was felt safe in Greece , but still wore a face mask even as many other visitors to the Acropolis went without .
`` I 'm not too worried about the coronavirus , but I 'm still being cautious , '' she said .
`` There could be a second wave coming as people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in recent weeks Greece has seen a surge in infections that have further rattled tourism hopes for this year .
The country added over 5,000 new cases in the month of August , more than doubling its total caseload since the pandemic began .
Greek officials have been quick to point out that the surge in cases is not due to international travel , however .
`` Is tourism responsible for the upward trend in cases in our country ?
The answer is categorically no , '' Greece 's Deputy Civil Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hardalias said 615 cases came from arrivals to Greece in the period between July 1 and Aug. 16 , representing just 17 % of the overall total .
He added that Greece was `` a long way '' from another lockdown .
Authorities have instead taken a targeted approach in specific locations , such as the popular islands of Mykonos and Paros , where bars and restaurants must close early , large gatherings are banned and masks are mandated indoors and out .
For experts , that measured approach makes the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not be talking about lockdowns anymore , '' said Stella Ladi , an assistant professor of public management at Queen Mary University of London and Panteion University , Athens .
The outbreak `` should handled locally and with specific measures .
You can not ban everything -- you have to choose what you are doing . ''
Ladi agreed that tourism is not the primary factor in the recent rise in cases in Greece .
`` The main problem right now is the younger people that are relaxing and trying to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer , '' she said .
`` It 's not so much that the spread is coming from opening the borders . ''
Mark Cameron , an immunologist at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , said Greece has the capability to keep the virus from spreading but that health officials will have to keep a close eye on numerous factors , including tourism .
`` They can stomp out the brush fires before they get connected and cause an epidemic level event in Greece , but they 're going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` The bright spot is that Greece has shown that it knows how to stop the infection and get it back to almost zero .
How they do that will involve some tough decisions . ''

1/11
Tourism has been slow to return to Greece since it reopened to international travelers in July. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
ATHENS, Greece, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Greece has been one of Europe's COVID-19 success stories, keeping infections and deaths to a rate far lower than most of its neighbors. But the country's crucial tourism industry has struggled since reopening in July, as infections are rising and international travelers have remained wary of visiting. On the streets surrounding the Acropolis, the magnificent archaeological site that looms over Athens, small groups of tourists can be found browsing souvenir shops and dining outside colorful tavernas. However, foot traffic remains sparse since Greece began allowing international arrivals from Europe and a handful of other countries on July 1. Advertisement
"My business is 10 to 15% of what it was a year ago," said Mikhail Koshevyy, an artist who sells watercolors near the Acropolis. "Maybe there are more tourists going to the islands, but not many are coming to Athens. I'm happy they are returning, but I'm only working three days a week now because it's still so empty here."
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It's not hard to understand why Greece has been eager to get its tourism industry moving again. The sector accounts for around 20% of Greece's GDP and provides 700,000 jobs. Last year, some 33 million international tourists visited.
While neighbors such as Italy, Spain and Turkey suffered massive coronavirus outbreaks, Greece managed the pandemic with a strict and early lockdown and an effective health messaging campaign that saw widespread public buy-in. Even after a recent surge in cases, the country's overall death toll stood at only 262 as of Sunday.
The response was so successful that by mid-June, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was ready to declare that "Greek tourism is back."
"Essentially, we're trying to save whatever we can from what many considered to be a completely lost tourism season," he told reporters on the picturesque Aegean island of Santorini.
"As people come and as we open up gradually in July, and if news continue to be positive, I'm sure that towards the tail end of the summer in August, September, why not October, people will feel more comfortable to book even late holidays and start traveling again," he added.
The early returns on the reopening have been modest. Greece's Civil Aviation Authority recorded just 1.1 million international passenger arrivals in July, down 72.5% compared to the previous year.
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In an August report, the International Monetary Fund placed Greece second only to Thailand among countries hardest hit by a decline in tourism due to COVID-19, projecting a 6% decline in GDP for 2020. Hotels saw their revenues for the second quarter of the year drop by 94.3% compared to the year before, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority.
Greece is planning to help rebuild its tourism industry with a large chunk of the more than 70 billion euros in COVID-19 recovery funds it will receive from the European Union. In the meantime, those who make a living based around tourism are holding on and hoping for the best.
"I still have a little bit of hope that more tourists will come," said Lefteros Mylonopoulos, a 30-year-old street performer who dresses as a Spartan warrior and takes photos with tourists near ancient sites.
Right now, though, he says business is slower than he's even seen it, gesturing to a nearly empty pedestrian boulevard, Dionysiou Areopagitou, which is usually filled with tourists.
"I used to take as many as 500 photos a day with tourists," he said. "Now, it's around 10 or 20."
For the international travelers who have decided to come to Greece, there are certainly benefits -- hotel prices are low and availability is high, while popular destinations once overrun with crowds are nearly empty.
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On a recent Friday afternoon, only a small number of tourists were lined up to buy tickets to access the Acropolis, a complex of ancient sites that includes the Parthenon and Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an ancient outdoor theater where performances are still held.
Once they entered, the tourists had plenty of room to linger in front of the ancient wonders, taking photos and selfies among the strangely empty backdrop.
The act of traveling after months of isolation also offered a tantalizing glimpse of a return to normal life to some visitors.
"Traveling again been wonderful," said Maddie Hopen, 24, who lives in London. "I've been stuck at home for four or five months."
She said she was felt safe in Greece, but still wore a face mask even as many other visitors to the Acropolis went without.
"I'm not too worried about the coronavirus, but I'm still being cautious," she said. "There could be a second wave coming as people start to relax."
And indeed, in recent weeks Greece has seen a surge in infections that have further rattled tourism hopes for this year. The country added over 5,000 new cases in the month of August, more than doubling its total caseload since the pandemic began.
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Greek officials have been quick to point out that the surge in cases is not due to international travel, however.
"Is tourism responsible for the upward trend in cases in our country? The answer is categorically no," Greece's Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias said on Aug. 18.
Hardalias said 615 cases came from arrivals to Greece in the period between July 1 and Aug. 16, representing just 17% of the overall total.
He added that Greece was "a long way" from another lockdown.
Authorities have instead taken a targeted approach in specific locations, such as the popular islands of Mykonos and Paros, where bars and restaurants must close early, large gatherings are banned and masks are mandated indoors and out.
For experts, that measured approach makes the most sense at this point.
"You should not be talking about lockdowns anymore," said Stella Ladi, an assistant professor of public management at Queen Mary University of London and Panteion University, Athens. The outbreak "should handled locally and with specific measures. You cannot ban everything -- you have to choose what you are doing."
Ladi agreed that tourism is not the primary factor in the recent rise in cases in Greece.
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"The main problem right now is the younger people that are relaxing and trying to go back to their normal life and enjoy the summer," she said. "It's not so much that the spread is coming from opening the borders."
Mark Cameron, an immunologist at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, said Greece has the capability to keep the virus from spreading but that health officials will have to keep a close eye on numerous factors, including tourism.
"They can stomp out the brush fires before they get connected and cause an epidemic level event in Greece, but they're going to have to manage that very carefully," he said. "The bright spot is that Greece has shown that it knows how to stop the infection and get it back to almost zero. How they do that will involve some tough decisions."


upi--2020-09-01--On This Day, Sept. 1: Hurricane Dorian slams into Bahamas

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1715 , France 's King Louis XIV died after ruling the country for 72 years , the longest reign for a French monarch .
In 1807 , Aaron Burr , vice president of the United States under Thomas Jefferson , was acquitted of treason charges growing out of an alleged plot to set up an independent empire in the country 's south and west .
In 1914 , the last known passenger pigeon died at the Cincinnati Zoo .
In 1923 , an earthquake struck Yokohama , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed an estimated 143,000 people .
In 1939 , after Germany invaded Poland , Great Britain and France served an ultimatum on Adolf Hitler but it was ignored .
This date is considered to be the start of World War II .
In 1964 , Masanori Murakami became the first Japanese player to appear in a Major League Baseball game in the San Francisco Giants ' 4-1 loss to the New York Mets .
He finished out the 1964 season and played another full season in 1965 with the Giants before returning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 1972 , American Bobby Fischer defeated Russian Boris Spassky for the world chess championship .
In 1983 , a Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 -- Flight 007 -- strayed into Soviet airspace and was shot down by a Soviet jet fighter .
All 269 people on the airliner died .
In 1985 , scientists found the wreck of the British luxury liner Titanic , sunk by an iceberg in 1912 , in the Atlantic Ocean south of Newfoundland .
In 1991 , U.S. President George H.W .
Bush established diplomatic relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1998 , a law passed in 1991 went into effect requiring all vehicles sold in the United States to have airbags on both sides of the front seat .
In 2004 , a group of Chechen separatists took more than 1,000 people hostage at a school in Beslan , Russia , ultimately killing nearly 340 people , including children .
In 2008 , Hurricane Gustav slammed into Louisiana southwest of New Orleans as a Category 2 storm , forcing the evacuation of about 2 million people .
New Orleans ' levee system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devastated the area , held against a 12-foot storm surge .
In 2015 , Pope Francis said priests can forgive women who have had an abortion if they seek forgiveness during the upcoming extraordinary jubilee .
In 2019 , Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm .
The hurricane killed 84 people , mostly in the Bahamas , but also in Puerto Rico , Florida and North Carolina , and caused more than $ 4 billion in damage .

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On September 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1715, France's King Louis XIV died after ruling the country for 72 years, the longest reign for a French monarch. Advertisement
In 1807, Aaron Burr, vice president of the United States under Thomas Jefferson, was acquitted of treason charges growing out of an alleged plot to set up an independent empire in the country's south and west.
In 1914, the last known passenger pigeon died at the Cincinnati Zoo.
In 1923, an earthquake struck Yokohama, Japan. The so-called Great Kantō earthquake killed an estimated 143,000 people.
In 1939, after Germany invaded Poland, Great Britain and France served an ultimatum on Adolf Hitler but it was ignored. This date is considered to be the start of World War II.
In 1964, Masanori Murakami became the first Japanese player to appear in a Major League Baseball game in the San Francisco Giants' 4-1 loss to the New York Mets. He finished out the 1964 season and played another full season in 1965 with the Giants before returning to Japan to play for the Nankai Hawks.
In 1972, American Bobby Fischer defeated Russian Boris Spassky for the world chess championship.
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In 1983, a Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 -- Flight 007 -- strayed into Soviet airspace and was shot down by a Soviet jet fighter. All 269 people on the airliner died.
In 1985, scientists found the wreck of the British luxury liner Titanic, sunk by an iceberg in 1912, in the Atlantic Ocean south of Newfoundland.
Artifacts recovered from the wreck site of the RMS Titanic are on display at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum before being auctioned in New York City on January 5, 2012. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
In 1991, U.S. President George H.W. Bush established diplomatic relations with Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
In 1998, a law passed in 1991 went into effect requiring all vehicles sold in the United States to have airbags on both sides of the front seat.
In 2004, a group of Chechen separatists took more than 1,000 people hostage at a school in Beslan, Russia, ultimately killing nearly 340 people, including children.
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In 2008, Hurricane Gustav slammed into Louisiana southwest of New Orleans as a Category 2 storm, forcing the evacuation of about 2 million people. New Orleans' levee system, strengthened since 2005's Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, held against a 12-foot storm surge.
File Photo by Diaa El Din/UPI
In 2015, Pope Francis said priests can forgive women who have had an abortion if they seek forgiveness during the upcoming extraordinary jubilee.
In 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm. The hurricane killed 84 people, mostly in the Bahamas, but also in Puerto Rico, Florida and North Carolina, and caused more than $4 billion in damage.


upi--2020-09-01--Jessica Sutton: ‘Rogue’ is mayhem with message

NEW YORK , Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- Jessica Sutton describes her new movie , Rogue , as `` mayhem with message . ''
Directed by M.J. Bassett from a screenplay she penned with her daughter , Isabel , Rogue follows ex-Marine Samantha ( Megan Fox ) as she leads a team of mercenaries in Africa to rescue the governor 's teen daughter Asilia ( Sutton ) and two classmates .
They had been kidnapped by men who also raise lions for nefarious reasons .
With a cast that includes the younger Bassett , Philip Winchester , Greg Kriek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sisanda Henna , the film is available on video-on-demand platforms , as well as DVD and Blu-ray .
`` It 's Megan Fox with a man-eating lion , but if that does n't do it for you , then the message of the film that resonates is shedding awareness about the lion-tanning industry in Africa , in which lions are bred in captivity purely to be butchered for their parts and sold to rich foreigners , '' Sutton told UPI in a recent phone interview .
`` It 's disgusting and it needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African actress is considering a role , sometimes it is the script that entices her , other times it is the character .
The main appeal of Rogue was the chance to work with Bassett again .
The two previously collaborated on the film Inside Man : Most Wanted and an episode of Sutton 's TV show , Motherland : Fort Salem .
The experiences taught Sutton that Bassett was the kind of director who gives cast members direction , and then trusts them to take it from there .
`` She pitched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Africa , and I just said 'yes ' before I 'd even seen the script , '' Sutton said .
`` She is so formidable .
She is one of my favorite artists and people to work with . ''
Bassett also tailor-made the character of Asilia for Sutton , enabling her to use her natural accent .
`` That was really exciting .
I really felt the heartbeat of the character .
She goes through this great arc of being this scared , helpless victim to join the fight .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll just accept , and I just love the fact that she got some steel at the end , '' the actress said .
Although Sutton relishes playing strong characters , she does n't find them easy to come by .
`` It 's awesome to have these three-dimensional characters , '' said The Kissing Booth alum .
`` At the beginning of my career , I was often reading for parts that were like 'woman at the door ' or 'love interest . '
There 's no fleshing out there . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sutton surviving the film 's insane pace and grueling night shoots of Rogue .
`` There are not a lot of breathing periods in the film , '' she said .
`` It 's just go , go , go !
There 's explosions and there 's attacks .
You 're either being mauled by some wild animal or you are being shot at by people .
It 's just total chaos . ''
While she often finds it difficult not to second-guess her performance when viewing the finished product of something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she was proud of Rogue and actually able to enjoy and experience it as an audience member .
`` It just totally absorbed me .
I think that just is the masterful filmmaking of M.J. and an incredible cast and crew and , by the end of the film , my parents and I were crying .
We were really moved , '' she added .
`` It 's been one of those meaningful projects for me , being that it was shot on my home turf in South Africa . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 of Motherland in Vancouver .
`` I 'll be going back into the character of Tally Craven and being a warrior-witch .
I am trading in the school girl uniform and going back into my own military gear , '' she laughed .
After months of isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic , the actress ca n't wait to work with people in person again .
`` It 's been such a crazy time and I 've pretty much reached my screen saturation level .
I find myself just wanting to throw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting she has been reading a lot of books to escape from reality in recent months .
`` I 'm so ready for a tactile experience , not one that is just virtually oriented .
Yes , please , people !
It 's going to be an adventure going back to film because there is going to be strict protocol .
It 's going to be a whole new way of shooting .
I 'm just so excited to go back to my craft . ''

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Left to right, Jessica Sutton, Calli Taylor and Megan Fox run in a scene from the action-thriller, "Rogue," which is now available on VOD, DVD and Blu-ray. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
NEW YORK, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Jessica Sutton describes her new movie, Rogue, as "mayhem with message." Directed by M.J. Bassett from a screenplay she penned with her daughter, Isabel, Rogue follows ex-Marine Samantha (Megan Fox) as she leads a team of mercenaries in Africa to rescue the governor's teen daughter Asilia (Sutton) and two classmates. They had been kidnapped by men who also raise lions for nefarious reasons. Advertisement
With a cast that includes the younger Bassett, Philip Winchester, Greg Kriek, Brandon Auret, Calli Taylor and Sisanda Henna, the film is available on video-on-demand platforms, as well as DVD and Blu-ray.
"It's Megan Fox with a man-eating lion, but if that doesn't do it for you, then the message of the film that resonates is shedding awareness about the lion-tanning industry in Africa, in which lions are bred in captivity purely to be butchered for their parts and sold to rich foreigners," Sutton told UPI in a recent phone interview. "It's disgusting and it needs to stop."
Advertisement
When the South African actress is considering a role, sometimes it is the script that entices her, other times it is the character. The main appeal of Rogue was the chance to work with Bassett again. The two previously collaborated on the film Inside Man: Most Wanted and an episode of Sutton's TV show, Motherland: Fort Salem.
The experiences taught Sutton that Bassett was the kind of director who gives cast members direction, and then trusts them to take it from there.
"She pitched me this epic, action-packed adventure set in Africa, and I just said 'yes' before I'd even seen the script," Sutton said. "She is so formidable. She is one of my favorite artists and people to work with."
Bassett also tailor-made the character of Asilia for Sutton, enabling her to use her natural accent.
"That was really exciting. I really felt the heartbeat of the character. She goes through this great arc of being this scared, helpless victim to join the fight. Some people just stay the victim. They'll just accept, and I just love the fact that she got some steel at the end," the actress said.
Although Sutton relishes playing strong characters, she doesn't find them easy to come by.
Advertisement
"It's awesome to have these three-dimensional characters," said The Kissing Booth alum. "At the beginning of my career, I was often reading for parts that were like 'woman at the door' or 'love interest.' There's no fleshing out there."
Camaraderie, sleep and yoga were key to Sutton surviving the film's insane pace and grueling night shoots of Rogue.
"There are not a lot of breathing periods in the film," she said. "It's just go, go, go! There's explosions and there's attacks. You're either being mauled by some wild animal or you are being shot at by people. It's just total chaos."
While she often finds it difficult not to second-guess her performance when viewing the finished product of something on which she has worked, Sutton said she was proud of Rogue and actually able to enjoy and experience it as an audience member.
"It just totally absorbed me. I think that just is the masterful filmmaking of M.J. and an incredible cast and crew and, by the end of the film, my parents and I were crying. We were really moved," she added. "It's been one of those meaningful projects for me, being that it was shot on my home turf in South Africa."
Advertisement
Next up for Sutton is filming Season 2 of Motherland in Vancouver.
"I'll be going back into the character of Tally Craven and being a warrior-witch. I am trading in the school girl uniform and going back into my own military gear," she laughed.
After months of isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic, the actress can't wait to work with people in person again.
"It's been such a crazy time and I've pretty much reached my screen saturation level. I find myself just wanting to throw my phone away," she said, noting she has been reading a lot of books to escape from reality in recent months.
"I'm so ready for a tactile experience, not one that is just virtually oriented. Yes, please, people! It's going to be an adventure going back to film because there is going to be strict protocol. It's going to be a whole new way of shooting. I'm just so excited to go back to my craft."


upi--2020-09-01--Famous birthdays for Sept. 1: Phil McGraw, Jungkook

Sept. 1 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this day are under the sign of Virgo .

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Phil McGraw attends the star unveiling ceremony honoring him with the 2,688th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on February 21. He turns 70 on September 1. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Those born on this day are under the sign of Virgo. They include: Advertisement
-- German composer Engelbert Humperdinck in 1854
-- Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1875
-- Undefeated heavyweight boxing champ Rocky Marciano in 1923
-- Actor George Maharis in 1928 (age 92)
-- Country music singer Boxcar Willie in 1931
-- Country music singer Conway Twitty in 1933
-- Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards in 1933
-- Symphony conductor Seiji Ozawa in 1935 (age 85)
File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI
-- Lawyer/commentator Alan Dershowitz in 1938 (age 82)
-- Comedian/actor Lily Tomlin in 1939 (age 81)
-- Conductor Leonard Slatkin in 1944 (age 76)
-- Musician Barry Gibb in 1946 (age 74)
-- Phil McGraw, host of Dr. Phil, in 1950 (age 70)
-- Singer Gloria Estefan in 1957 (age 63)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- TV host Padma Lakshmi in 1970 (age 50)
-- Stylist Rachel Zoe in 1971 (age 49)
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-- Musician Bill Kaulitz in 1989 (age 31)
-- Musician Tom Kaulitz in 1989 (age 31)
-- Actor Zendaya Coleman in 1996 (age 24)
-- Pop singer Jungkook, born Jeon Jung-kook, in 1997 (age 23)