upi--2020-04-30--Poet Laureate Joy Harjo gets second term

April 30 ( UPI ) -- Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday announced that she appointed poet laureate Joy Harjo for a second term .
Her second project will be called Living Nations , Living Words : A Map of First Peoples Poetry .
This would include a digital collection and online map featuring Native poets and poetry .
The project will feature biographies and locations of current Native American poets , as well as recordings of the poets reading their work .
`` Poetry reminds us that we are connected beyond words , and to communicate through poetry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into wordless depths , to help us move collectively into fresh cultural vision , '' Harjo said in a news release .
`` In this country , the roots are found in the poetry of the more than 500 living indigenous nations . ''
As the 23rd poet laureate , Harjo was the first Native American appointed to that position in 2019 .
She began her first term on Sept. 19 .
Harjo recently contributed to the Library of Congress and Washington Post 's video series The Poetry of Home .
She and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pinsky shared poems about their idea of home during the coronavirus pandemic .
Harjo lives in Tulsa , Okla. , and has published multiple collections of work including Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings , The Woman Who Fell From the Sky and In Mad Love and War .

Poet Laureate Joy Harjo will serve a second term. File Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress
April 30 (UPI) -- Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday announced that she appointed poet laureate Joy Harjo for a second term. Harjo's second one-year term begins Sept. 1. Advertisement
Her second project will be called Living Nations, Living Words: A Map of First Peoples Poetry. This would include a digital collection and online map featuring Native poets and poetry.
The project will feature biographies and locations of current Native American poets, as well as recordings of the poets reading their work.
"Poetry reminds us that we are connected beyond words, and to communicate through poetry has the potential to expand the conversation into wordless depths, to help us move collectively into fresh cultural vision," Harjo said in a news release. "In this country, the roots are found in the poetry of the more than 500 living indigenous nations."
As the 23rd poet laureate, Harjo was the first Native American appointed to that position in 2019. She began her first term on Sept. 19.
Harjo recently contributed to the Library of Congress and Washington Post's video series The Poetry of Home. She and poet laureates Juan Felipe Herrera and Robert Pinsky shared poems about their idea of home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertisement
Harjo lives in Tulsa, Okla., and has published multiple collections of work including Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings, The Woman Who Fell From the Sky and In Mad Love and War.


upi--2020-04-30--Nancy Pelosi proposes $1T for state, local governments in next coronavirus bill

April 30 ( UPI ) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said Congress would seek to include about $ 1 trillion in funds for state and local governments in its next coronavirus relief bill .
Pelosi said states require $ 500 billion in funding , according to the National Governors Association , and municipalities and local governments have similar needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` This is strictly about the coronavirus .
It is about what your outlays are for the virus and what your revenue loss is on that , '' Pelosi said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to cover all of it , but to the extent that we can keep the states and localities sustainable , that 's our goal . ''
She added the funding could be added in multiple tranches over several years .
Some of that funding might be needed to help states with the cost of elections .
An analysis by New York University 's Brennan Center for Justice found that states such as Georgia , Michigan , Missouri , Ohio and Pennsylvania could require between $ 60 million and $ 124 million to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions to prevent potential spread of COVID-19 .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy said during a meeting with President Donald Trump Thursday that his state could suffer $ 20 billion to $ 30 billion in losses due to the coronavirus .
`` This is to allow us to keep firefighters , teachers , police , [ emergency medical services ] on the payroll , serving the communities in their hour of need , '' Murphy said .
`` And that 's something we feel strongly about .
We do n't see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a partnership . ''
Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have opposed providing funding for states , fearing the funds would serve as a bailout for financial mismanagement by governors prior to the pandemic .
`` That strikes me as a pretty outrageous number , just for state and local support , '' Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , said of Pelosi 's proposal , adding that Congress provided $ 150 billion in funds in the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act signed last month .
Senate Republican leader Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need `` an epidemic of lawsuits '' after the pandemic .
`` So if we do another rescue package , and we may , we need to take our time , do it right and it needs to include these liability protections so that all of these brave workers and brave businesses that will be reopening are not subjected to this second epidemic of litigation . ''
Pelosi said House Democrats `` would not be inclined to be supporting any immunity from liability . ''

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said Congress would seek to include $1 trillion in funding for states in its next coronavirus releif bill, facing opposition from Republicans who have said they do not wish to "bail out" governors for mismanaging their states before the outbreak. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 30 (UPI) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said Congress would seek to include about $1 trillion in funds for state and local governments in its next coronavirus relief bill. Pelosi said states require $500 billion in funding, according to the National Governors Association, and municipalities and local governments have similar needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
"This is strictly about the coronavirus. It is about what your outlays are for the virus and what your revenue loss is on that," Pelosi said. "We're not going to be able to cover all of it, but to the extent that we can keep the states and localities sustainable, that's our goal."
She added the funding could be added in multiple tranches over several years.
Some of that funding might be needed to help states with the cost of elections.
An analysis by New York University's Brennan Center for Justice found that states such as Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania could require between $60 million and $124 million to run elections in the fall due to precautions to prevent potential spread of COVID-19.
Advertisement
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said during a meeting with President Donald Trump Thursday that his state could suffer $20 billion to $30 billion in losses due to the coronavirus.
"This is to allow us to keep firefighters, teachers, police, [emergency medical services] on the payroll, serving the communities in their hour of need," Murphy said. "And that's something we feel strongly about. We don't see it as a bailout. We see this as a partnership."
Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have opposed providing funding for states, fearing the funds would serve as a bailout for financial mismanagement by governors prior to the pandemic.
"That strikes me as a pretty outrageous number, just for state and local support," Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said of Pelosi's proposal, adding that Congress provided $150 billion in funds in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed last month.
Advertisement
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell similarly said the country doesn't need "an epidemic of lawsuits" after the pandemic.
"So if we do another rescue package, and we may, we need to take our time, do it right and it needs to include these liability protections so that all of these brave workers and brave businesses that will be reopening are not subjected to this second epidemic of litigation."
Pelosi said House Democrats "would not be inclined to be supporting any immunity from liability."


upi--2020-04-30--Researchers move toward once-yearly treatment for HIV

Researchers have reformulated an HIV medication into a version they hope can eventually be taken as infrequently as once a year .
The work is only in the early stages , having been studied in lab animals .
But the goal is to create an HIV drug that can be injected annually -- offering protection from infection or control of the virus in people who already have it .
The researchers , at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha , started with a drug that is already in clinical trials , called cabotegravir .
It 's an injection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and treatment , and designed to be given once every month or two .
The investigators chemically modified cabotegravir to become a `` prodrug '' -- an inert substance that , once in the body , is converted into an active form .
In this case , that conversion happens gradually , with the drug being released for up to a year in lab animals .
The findings , published online April 27 in the journal Nature Materials , are an initial step , and much more work remains .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said researcher Dr. Howard Gendelman , who heads the department of pharmacology and experimental neuroscience at the Nebraska center .
And it 's hard to predict how long it could take to move ahead , according to Gendelman .
`` We 're repurposing a medication that other people invented , '' he said , and there will be `` multiple facets '' to getting it into human trials .
Cabotegravir is being developed by North Carolina-based ViiV Healthcare .
It belongs to a relatively newer class of HIV drugs called integrase inhibitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus needs to replicate itself and spread .
A prevention trial is underway to see if cabotegravir injections , every eight weeks , can lower infection rates among people at high risk of HIV .
Other trials are testing the drug for maintaining HIV suppression in people who 've gotten the virus down to very low levels with standard medication there it 's given in monthly injections along with another drug , called rilpivirine .
The idea is to free people from needing daily pills .
Oral medications for HIV , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have changed the face of the epidemic .
They are no cure , but when people can stick with their medication regimen , the virus can be suppressed for years .
`` The main challenge we face today is adherence , '' said Dr. Melanie Thompson , former chairwoman of the HIV Medicine Association .
Taking pills every day , for life , is `` not so easy , '' noted Thompson , who was not involved in the new study .
People can simply forget , she said , or fail to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They can also run out of pills , or have trouble paying for them .
Longer-acting medications could be helpful in that regard .
On the other hand , Thompson said , safety becomes an even bigger concern if a drug is going to persist in the body for a long time .
`` If you take it and you do n't do well , you 're stuck with it , '' she said .
`` You ca n't take it away . ''
Another question , Thompson said , is what happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life in the body .
Does it suddenly shut off ?
Or do levels of the drug wane to where they would no longer be protective , but possibly allow the virus to develop resistance to it ?
The safety concerns also include possible drug interactions : What if someone on a long-acting drug develops an infection and needs medication ?
Or , Thompson said , what if she becomes pregnant ?
With a yearly formulation , instead of every two months , those issues loom even larger .
`` The idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year is exciting , '' Thompson said .
But , she stressed , many unknowns would have to be addressed .
Gendelman said that while the cabotegravir injections currently in trials could free people from daily pills , they would still require frequent doctor visits -- and a regular jab into the buttocks muscle , which can be uncomfortable for days .
That 's what led him and colleague Benson Edagwa , an assistant professor , to the current project .
Edagwa , a chemist , designed the modifications necessary to turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After it 's injected , much of that modified substance takes up residence in muscle , some of it in the liver and spleen , Gendelman said .
Over time , the body 's own enzymes `` very slowly '' convert it into active drug .
At least that 's what happens in lab mice and rhesus macaque monkeys .
Results in humans are often different than in animals .
And Thompson said more animal research is needed to evaluate safety .
The results of the ongoing prevention trial , where cabotegravir is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be informative , she said .
If a once-a-year version were ever to be used for HIV treatment , it would have to be paired with another long-acting medication -- since , Thompson noted , HIV is never treated with a single drug .
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has more on HIV treatment .

Researchers aim to create an HIV drug that can be injected annually -- offering protection from infection or control of the virus in people who already have it. Photo by marcolohpsoares /Pixabay
Researchers have reformulated an HIV medication into a version they hope can eventually be taken as infrequently as once a year. The work is only in the early stages, having been studied in lab animals. But the goal is to create an HIV drug that can be injected annually -- offering protection from infection or control of the virus in people who already have it. Advertisement
The researchers, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, started with a drug that is already in clinical trials, called cabotegravir. It's an injection drug being developed for both HIV prevention and treatment, and designed to be given once every month or two.
The investigators chemically modified cabotegravir to become a "prodrug" -- an inert substance that, once in the body, is converted into an active form. In this case, that conversion happens gradually, with the drug being released for up to a year in lab animals.
Advertisement
The findings, published online April 27 in the journal Nature Materials, are an initial step, and much more work remains.
"We haven't studied this in humans yet," said researcher Dr. Howard Gendelman, who heads the department of pharmacology and experimental neuroscience at the Nebraska center.
And it's hard to predict how long it could take to move ahead, according to Gendelman.
"We're repurposing a medication that other people invented," he said, and there will be "multiple facets" to getting it into human trials.
Cabotegravir is being developed by North Carolina-based ViiV Healthcare. It belongs to a relatively newer class of HIV drugs called integrase inhibitors. They work by blocking an enzyme the virus needs to replicate itself and spread.
A prevention trial is underway to see if cabotegravir injections, every eight weeks, can lower infection rates among people at high risk of HIV. Other trials are testing the drug for maintaining HIV suppression in people who've gotten the virus down to very low levels with standard medication there it's given in monthly injections along with another drug, called rilpivirine.
The idea is to free people from needing daily pills.
Oral medications for HIV, which came to market in the 1990s, have changed the face of the epidemic. They are no cure, but when people can stick with their medication regimen, the virus can be suppressed for years.
Advertisement
"The main challenge we face today is adherence," said Dr. Melanie Thompson, former chairwoman of the HIV Medicine Association.
Taking pills every day, for life, is "not so easy," noted Thompson, who was not involved in the new study. People can simply forget, she said, or fail to bring their medication on a trip. They can also run out of pills, or have trouble paying for them.
Longer-acting medications could be helpful in that regard. On the other hand, Thompson said, safety becomes an even bigger concern if a drug is going to persist in the body for a long time.
"If you take it and you don't do well, you're stuck with it," she said. "You can't take it away."
Another question, Thompson said, is what happens toward the end of the drug's life in the body. Does it suddenly shut off? Or do levels of the drug wane to where they would no longer be protective, but possibly allow the virus to develop resistance to it?
The safety concerns also include possible drug interactions: What if someone on a long-acting drug develops an infection and needs medication? Or, Thompson said, what if she becomes pregnant?
With a yearly formulation, instead of every two months, those issues loom even larger.
Advertisement
"The idea of moving toward something that's given once a year is exciting," Thompson said. But, she stressed, many unknowns would have to be addressed.
Gendelman said that while the cabotegravir injections currently in trials could free people from daily pills, they would still require frequent doctor visits -- and a regular jab into the buttocks muscle, which can be uncomfortable for days.
That's what led him and colleague Benson Edagwa, an assistant professor, to the current project.
Edagwa, a chemist, designed the modifications necessary to turn cabotegravir into a "nanocrystal." After it's injected, much of that modified substance takes up residence in muscle, some of it in the liver and spleen, Gendelman said. Over time, the body's own enzymes "very slowly" convert it into active drug.
At least that's what happens in lab mice and rhesus macaque monkeys. Results in humans are often different than in animals.
And Thompson said more animal research is needed to evaluate safety. The results of the ongoing prevention trial, where cabotegravir is being given every eight weeks, should be informative, she said.
If a once-a-year version were ever to be used for HIV treatment, it would have to be paired with another long-acting medication -- since, Thompson noted, HIV is never treated with a single drug.
Advertisement
More information
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has more on HIV treatment.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-30--Artifacts, skulls at ancient cemetery reveal early multicultural community in Europe

April 30 ( UPI ) -- Archaeologists have recovered evidence of the formation of a multicultural community during Europe 's Migration Period .
During the first half of the 5th century , the Huns invaded Central Europe , triggering the collapse of the Roman Empire .
As the Romans retreated from the Pannonia provinces of western Hungary , migrants from elsewhere -- many seeking refuge from the hordes of Huns -- moved in .
To better understand this transitional period , researchers used a combination of archaeological , anthropological and isotopic analysis techniques to survey the artifacts and human remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- recovered from the 5th century Mözs-Icsei dülő cemetery , located near the town of Szekszárd .
`` Archaeological analysis of grave forms and grave goods is always the basis of such investigations because it informs on chronological placements of sites as well as cultural associations and backgrounds , '' Corina Knipper , researcher at the Curt-Engelhorn-Center for Archaeometry in Germany , told UPI in an email .
`` Isotope analyses produce data on the individuals level .
They reveal whether a person was locally born or non-local to a site and inform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , researchers surveyed 96 burials .
The analysis , detailed this week in the journal PLOS One , revealed the presence of three distinct groups across two or three generations .
The settlement 's founding group was distinguished by Roman burial traditions , while a second group of migrants was characterized by skull deformation .
`` Grave forms were the most important archaeological characteristics of the different cultural groups , '' Knipper said .
`` Brick structure graves were typical for the Roman population .
Ledge graves or niche graves are unknown from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different , non-local cultural background .
Parts of the grave goods , especially elements of jewelry were also informative regarding cultural associations . ''
More than just cohabitation , researchers found evidence of cultural exchange and hybridization .
The third group of later burials was characterized by a mix of Roman and various foreign traditions .
Isotopic analysis confirmed that the area 's multicultural characteristics were fueled by the arrival of migrants .
The members of the second group , who arrived around a decade after the founders , all came from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Though the Migration Period was marked by instability , the latest research suggests peace persisted in the Pannonian settlement of Mözs .
`` Interestingly , the burials did not contain any weapons , as they are rather common among inhumations about a century later , '' Knipper said .
`` The anthropological excavation also did not identify any indications for injuries that were likely caused by interpersonal violence .
The placement of burials with different cultural backgrounds in the same burial groups may also be taken as an indication for a rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Scientists have previously found evidence that non-local individuals successfully integrated into local communities in Germany during the 5th and 6th centuries .
Researchers hope to use the investigative strategies deployed at Mözs to better understand the dynamics of the Migration Period in other parts of Europe .
`` The investigation of the cemetery of Mözs is part of a larger project that includes archaeological , anthropological and isotope analyses of several hundred burials from cemeteries of the fifth to the seventh centuries , '' Knipper said .
`` We are investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we identified them at Mözs also occurred in other places and over time . ''

The remains of a girl at a grave site in the 5th century Mözs-Icsei dülő cemetery in Hungary show she belonged to a group of people with non-local origin. Researchers say the group she was a part of arrived in the community about 10 years after it was established. Photo by Wosinsky Mór Museum
April 30 (UPI) -- Archaeologists have recovered evidence of the formation of a multicultural community during Europe's Migration Period. During the first half of the 5th century, the Huns invaded Central Europe, triggering the collapse of the Roman Empire. As the Romans retreated from the Pannonia provinces of western Hungary, migrants from elsewhere -- many seeking refuge from the hordes of Huns -- moved in. Advertisement
To better understand this transitional period, researchers used a combination of archaeological, anthropological and isotopic analysis techniques to survey the artifacts and human remains -- including a group of deformed skulls -- recovered from the 5th century Mözs-Icsei dülő cemetery, located near the town of Szekszárd.
"Archaeological analysis of grave forms and grave goods is always the basis of such investigations because it informs on chronological placements of sites as well as cultural associations and backgrounds," Corina Knipper, researcher at the Curt-Engelhorn-Center for Archaeometry in Germany, told UPI in an email. "Isotope analyses produce data on the individuals level. They reveal whether a person was locally born or non-local to a site and inform about dietary habits."
Advertisement
In total, researchers surveyed 96 burials. The analysis, detailed this week in the journal PLOS One, revealed the presence of three distinct groups across two or three generations. The settlement's founding group was distinguished by Roman burial traditions, while a second group of migrants was characterized by skull deformation.
"Grave forms were the most important archaeological characteristics of the different cultural groups," Knipper said. "Brick structure graves were typical for the Roman population. Ledge graves or niche graves are unknown from Roman cemeteries, and point to a different, non-local cultural background. Parts of the grave goods, especially elements of jewelry were also informative regarding cultural associations."
More than just cohabitation, researchers found evidence of cultural exchange and hybridization. The third group of later burials was characterized by a mix of Roman and various foreign traditions.
Isotopic analysis confirmed that the area's multicultural characteristics were fueled by the arrival of migrants. The members of the second group, who arrived around a decade after the founders, all came from the same place and shared similar dietary habits.
Though the Migration Period was marked by instability, the latest research suggests peace persisted in the Pannonian settlement of Mözs.
"Interestingly, the burials did not contain any weapons, as they are rather common among inhumations about a century later," Knipper said. "The anthropological excavation also did not identify any indications for injuries that were likely caused by interpersonal violence. The placement of burials with different cultural backgrounds in the same burial groups may also be taken as an indication for a rather peaceful integration of representatives of different groups."
Advertisement
Scientists have previously found evidence that non-local individuals successfully integrated into local communities in Germany during the 5th and 6th centuries. Researchers hope to use the investigative strategies deployed at Mözs to better understand the dynamics of the Migration Period in other parts of Europe.
"The investigation of the cemetery of Mözs is part of a larger project that includes archaeological, anthropological and isotope analyses of several hundred burials from cemeteries of the fifth to the seventh centuries," Knipper said. "We are investigating whether group mobility and dietary habits as we identified them at Mözs also occurred in other places and over time."


upi--2020-04-30--Older Americans delaying medical care amid pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has led many older adults to postpone medical care , a new survey finds .
The University of Chicago survey found that 55 percent of U.S. adults aged 70 and older experienced a disruption in their medical care during the first month of social distancing .
Thirty-nine percent put off non-essential care and 32 percent delayed primary or preventive care since social distancing began .
And 15 percent said they delayed or canceled essential medical treatment , the survey found .
`` The first month of social distancing in America certainly saved lives , and yet it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults are not getting the care they need to manage serious health conditions , '' said Dr. Bruce Chernof .
He is president and CEO of the SCAN Foundation , an independent charity focused on care of older adults , that co-sponsored the survey .
`` As our nation grapples with when and how to reopen , the healthcare system will reckon with unaddressed medical needs and learn how to maximize new protocols to care for older adults with complex needs in flexible , person-centered ways , '' Chernof added in a foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older adults are worried about delays in getting support to manage their medical conditions .
Many doctors , however , are using telehealth to keep tabs on their patients .
Nearly 25 percent said that their doctors had reached out to them since the start of the outbreak to check on how they were doing .
More than 20 percent had a telehealth appointment since the start of the pandemic .
And nearly 50 percent said it was like having a personal visit .
Only 4 percent said it was worse .
Terry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hartford Foundation , a survey co-sponsor .
`` Healthcare organizations have stepped up quickly to help older adults get their care needs met with this important technology , '' she said .
`` Comfort levels with telehealth vary , but we are seeing rapid uptake in both urgent and primary care delivery .
The survey results offer a promising glimpse into the future , '' Fulmer added .
In all , 83 percent of older adults said they were ready to self-isolate for several months , if necessary .
A month into social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they felt lonely .
To combat it , many were spending more time on hobbies , watching TV , chatting with family and being physically active .
Older Americans also said that healthcare professionals and non-elected public health officials were the most trustworthy , not elected officials .
The survey of 1,039 adults was conducted April 10 to 15 .
It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.28 percentage points .
For more on telehealth , visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine .

A new study found that 55 percent of U.S. adults aged 70 and older experienced a disruption in their medical care during the first month of social distancing. Photo courtesy of the Public Health Image Library.
The coronavirus pandemic has led many older adults to postpone medical care, a new survey finds. The University of Chicago survey found that 55 percent of U.S. adults aged 70 and older experienced a disruption in their medical care during the first month of social distancing. Advertisement
Thirty-nine percent put off non-essential care and 32 percent delayed primary or preventive care since social distancing began. And 15 percent said they delayed or canceled essential medical treatment, the survey found.
"The first month of social distancing in America certainly saved lives, and yet it also created a situation where many older adults are not getting the care they need to manage serious health conditions," said Dr. Bruce Chernof. He is president and CEO of the SCAN Foundation, an independent charity focused on care of older adults, that co-sponsored the survey.
"As our nation grapples with when and how to reopen, the healthcare system will reckon with unaddressed medical needs and learn how to maximize new protocols to care for older adults with complex needs in flexible, person-centered ways," Chernof added in a foundation news release.
The researchers found that older adults are worried about delays in getting support to manage their medical conditions. Many doctors, however, are using telehealth to keep tabs on their patients.
Advertisement
Nearly 25 percent said that their doctors had reached out to them since the start of the outbreak to check on how they were doing.
More than 20 percent had a telehealth appointment since the start of the pandemic. And nearly 50 percent said it was like having a personal visit. Only 4 percent said it was worse.
Terry Fulmer is president of the John A. Hartford Foundation, a survey co-sponsor. "Healthcare organizations have stepped up quickly to help older adults get their care needs met with this important technology," she said.
"Comfort levels with telehealth vary, but we are seeing rapid uptake in both urgent and primary care delivery. The survey results offer a promising glimpse into the future," Fulmer added.
In all, 83 percent of older adults said they were ready to self-isolate for several months, if necessary.
A month into social distancing, however, 33 percent said they felt lonely. To combat it, many were spending more time on hobbies, watching TV, chatting with family and being physically active.
Older Americans also said that healthcare professionals and non-elected public health officials were the most trustworthy, not elected officials.
The survey of 1,039 adults was conducted April 10 to 15. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.28 percentage points.
Advertisement
More information
For more on telehealth, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-30--72-year-old breaks three world records in solo trans-Atlantic rowing trip

April 30 ( UPI ) -- A 72-year-old man has broken three world records in completing his solo trans-Atlantic rowing trip .
Graham Walters is not only the oldest person to row across the same ocean multiple times , but he also is the oldest person to row across the Atlantic solo and the oldest person to row across any ocean solo , according to Guinness World Records .
He set off in late January , before the coronavirus became a pandemic from the Spanish island , Gran Canaria , for the 13-week , 3,000-mile trip , and arrived in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The British rower was 72 years and 192 days old when he completed the trip , Guinness World Records said .
He beat the record held by Frenchman Gerard Marie , 66 , who rowed across the Atlantic in 2015 , CNN reported .
Walters faced several challenges .
`` At the start of the crossing , the weather was cold and wet and miserable so my spirits got quite low , but once the sun came out when I got to the Atlantic everything was fine , '' Walters told CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused problems later on , especially at the end of his trip , when the Coast Guard towed him in because strong winds were blowing him in the opposite direction .
`` As I was at such a critical point , I had to face the fact that if I did n't take up their offer then I would miss Antigua , '' he said .
`` But I 'm delighted to have arrived and it was great to have such a fantastic welcome . ''
Still , Walters said he was shocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
`` Nothing like this has ever happened in our lifetime , so it 's been hard to imagine what kind of world I would be returning to , '' he said .
Since he landed in Antigua , he 's been wearing a mask amid restrictions because of the pandemic .
Walters previously rowed the Atlantic four times , including three times solo and twice in two-person boats .
He rowed solo to raise funds for the U.K. military veterans charity , Help for Heroes .
As a retired carpenter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the trip and named it Geary , after his grandfather , George Geary , a cricket player in England who joined the Air Force during World War I .

Graham Walters was listed Wednesday as having broken three Guinness World Records for his solo trans-Atlantic rowing trip. Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records.
April 30 (UPI) -- A 72-year-old man has broken three world records in completing his solo trans-Atlantic rowing trip. Graham Walters is not only the oldest person to row across the same ocean multiple times, but he also is the oldest person to row across the Atlantic solo and the oldest person to row across any ocean solo, according to Guinness World Records. Advertisement
He set off in late January, before the coronavirus became a pandemic from the Spanish island, Gran Canaria, for the 13-week, 3,000-mile trip, and arrived in the English Harbor in Antigua on Wednesday.
The British rower was 72 years and 192 days old when he completed the trip, Guinness World Records said.
He beat the record held by Frenchman Gerard Marie, 66, who rowed across the Atlantic in 2015, CNN reported. Walters faced several challenges.
"At the start of the crossing, the weather was cold and wet and miserable so my spirits got quite low, but once the sun came out when I got to the Atlantic everything was fine," Walters told CNN.
However, Walters said the weather caused problems later on, especially at the end of his trip, when the Coast Guard towed him in because strong winds were blowing him in the opposite direction.
Advertisement
"As I was at such a critical point, I had to face the fact that if I didn't take up their offer then I would miss Antigua," he said. "But I'm delighted to have arrived and it was great to have such a fantastic welcome."
Still, Walters said he was shocked when his wife updated him on the coronavirus crisis.
"Nothing like this has ever happened in our lifetime, so it's been hard to imagine what kind of world I would be returning to," he said.
Since he landed in Antigua, he's been wearing a mask amid restrictions because of the pandemic.
Walters previously rowed the Atlantic four times, including three times solo and twice in two-person boats.
He rowed solo to raise funds for the U.K. military veterans charity, Help for Heroes.
As a retired carpenter, Walters built the boat he used for the trip and named it Geary, after his grandfather, George Geary, a cricket player in England who joined the Air Force during World War I.


upi--2020-04-30--Blue Angels, Thunderbirds to fly over Baltimore, D.C., Atlanta on Saturday

April 30 ( UPI ) -- The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds will fly over Baltimore , Washington D.C. and Atlanta on Saturday , the Navy and Air Force announced .
The formation flights follow a similar display carried out Tuesday in New York City , New Jersey and Pennsylvania and intended as a tribute to first responders fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
Flyovers in Baltimore will start at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and last about 15 minutes , with flyovers in Washington D.C. beginning at 11:45 a.m. , lasting about 20 minutes .
Flyovers in Atlanta will begin at 1:35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several more flyover tributes are scheduled in American cities over the coming weeks , the military branches have said .
`` America Strong is a way for both teams to show appreciation to the thousands of doctors , nurses , first responders and essential workers out there serving on the frontline day-in and day-out , '' Cmdr .
Brian Kesselring , U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader for the flyover , said in a statement .
`` This is an extraordinary and unprecedented time but we will get through this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons and six F/A-18C/D Hornet aircraft will fly in a formation to conduct the exercises `` as a collaborative salute to healthcare workers , first responders , military , and other essential personnel while standing in solidarity with all Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic , '' according to the Navy .
According to the Navy , residents of these areas should be able to see the display `` from the safety of their home-quarantine '' and should maintain social distancing guidelines during the event .
The military will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .

U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly in formation by One World Trade Center and the Manhattan skyline in New York City on Tuesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 30 (UPI) -- The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds will fly over Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Atlanta on Saturday, the Navy and Air Force announced. The formation flights follow a similar display carried out Tuesday in New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and intended as a tribute to first responders fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
Flyovers in Baltimore will start at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and last about 15 minutes, with flyovers in Washington D.C. beginning at 11:45 a.m., lasting about 20 minutes.
Flyovers in Atlanta will begin at 1:35 p.m. and last about 25 minutes.
Several more flyover tributes are scheduled in American cities over the coming weeks, the military branches have said.
"America Strong is a way for both teams to show appreciation to the thousands of doctors, nurses, first responders and essential workers out there serving on the frontline day-in and day-out," Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader for the flyover, said in a statement. "This is an extraordinary and unprecedented time but we will get through this. We are all in this together."
Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons and six F/A-18C/D Hornet aircraft will fly in a formation to conduct the exercises "as a collaborative salute to healthcare workers, first responders, military, and other essential personnel while standing in solidarity with all Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic," according to the Navy.
Advertisement
According to the Navy, residents of these areas should be able to see the display "from the safety of their home-quarantine" and should maintain social distancing guidelines during the event.
The military will also release a more detailed flight route on Friday.


upi--2020-04-30--Navajo Nation COVID-19 outbreak predicted to peak in May

April 30 ( UPI ) -- Cases of COVID-19 in the hard-hit Navajo Nation are predicted to peak in May , a medical spokeswoman said Thursday , adding that an outbreak among transient residents of a detox center caused case numbers to spike in New Mexico .
The reservation has become a hot spot for the pandemic , with among the highest infection rates in the United States .
That is because some 30 percent of residents live without running water and because so many residents live in multi-generational households , Dr. Loretta Christensen , chief medical officer of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
`` We 've seen a lot of clusters of cases among family members from the same households , '' Christensen said during an online meeting with Indian Health Service representatives .
The reservation spans 27,000 square miles in an area about the size of West Virginia , crossing the borders of Arizona , Utah and New Mexico .
A new cluster of cases appeared in the Gallup , N.M. , area -- in McKinley County -- among homeless residents , Christensen said .
`` It 's unfortunate there was a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where people were living in a congregate setting , '' Christensen said .
The most recent data available shows that the number of confirmed cases on the reservation rose by 104 Wednesday , to 1,977 with 62 deaths .
More than 11,400 tests have been administered on the Navajo Nation , which is more than one-third of the 31,707 total tests administered by the Indian Health Service in the country , according to data released by the agency Thursday .
National positive cases in Indian Country totaled 3,212 , the agency said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epidemiological modeling predicts that May 10 will be the peak of new cases on the reservation , with 200 new patients a day , half of those in intensive care , Christensen said .
Hospital services on the reservation would be at capacity at that point .
Three new post-acute care sites have been built on the reservation by staff from the Federal Emergency Management Agency , Army Corps of Engineers and Arizona National Guard at high schools and community centers near Chinle , Ariz. , and near Shiprock and Gallup , N.M @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care to recover in these multi-bed sites , receiving oxygen and medication , along with basic care , until they can be discharged to home or to temporary housing , Christensen said .
Even as Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey has started to ease state stay-in-place lockdown orders , Navajo Nation residents will remain on shelter-at-home orders and weekend curfews for two more weeks , until May 17 .
The health department has ordered no one to leave home without a mask .
Meanwhile government employees were distributing drive-up groceries and firewood in @ @ @ @ @ @

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers converted a high school in Shiprock, N.M., to a 40-bed alternative care site for the Navajo Nation to care for COVID-19 patients released from intensive care. Photo courtesy of the Navajo Nation
April 30 (UPI) -- Cases of COVID-19 in the hard-hit Navajo Nation are predicted to peak in May, a medical spokeswoman said Thursday, adding that an outbreak among transient residents of a detox center caused case numbers to spike in New Mexico. The reservation has become a hot spot for the pandemic, with among the highest infection rates in the United States. Advertisement
That is because some 30 percent of residents live without running water and because so many residents live in multi-generational households, Dr. Loretta Christensen, chief medical officer of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, said Thursday.
"We've seen a lot of clusters of cases among family members from the same households," Christensen said during an online meeting with Indian Health Service representatives.
The reservation spans 27,000 square miles in an area about the size of West Virginia, crossing the borders of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.
A new cluster of cases appeared in the Gallup, N.M., area -- in McKinley County -- among homeless residents, Christensen said.
"It's unfortunate there was a big outbreak from the local detox center, where people were living in a congregate setting," Christensen said.
Advertisement
The most recent data available shows that the number of confirmed cases on the reservation rose by 104 Wednesday, to 1,977 with 62 deaths.
More than 11,400 tests have been administered on the Navajo Nation, which is more than one-third of the 31,707 total tests administered by the Indian Health Service in the country, according to data released by the agency Thursday.
National positive cases in Indian Country totaled 3,212, the agency said, but those numbers likely are low.
Epidemiological modeling predicts that May 10 will be the peak of new cases on the reservation, with 200 new patients a day, half of those in intensive care, Christensen said. Hospital services on the reservation would be at capacity at that point.
Three new post-acute care sites have been built on the reservation by staff from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Army Corps of Engineers and Arizona National Guard at high schools and community centers near Chinle, Ariz., and near Shiprock and Gallup, N.M.
Patients will be released from intensive care to recover in these multi-bed sites, receiving oxygen and medication, along with basic care, until they can be discharged to home or to temporary housing, Christensen said.
Even as Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has started to ease state stay-in-place lockdown orders, Navajo Nation residents will remain on shelter-at-home orders and weekend curfews for two more weeks, until May 17. The health department has ordered no one to leave home without a mask.
Advertisement
Meanwhile government employees were distributing drive-up groceries and firewood in remote areas of the reservation.


upi--2020-04-30--Wife tops husband's $10 lottery win with $360,000 jackpot

April 30 ( UPI ) -- A British Columbia woman said her husband 's boast about winning $ 10 from a lottery drawing led her to check her own tickets -- and discover a $ 360,000 jackpot .
Jolene Keith of Delta told BCLC officials she was working from home Tuesday morning when her husband texted her to share some good news .
`` I was working early on Tuesday morning , '' Keith said .
`` My husband texted me saying he had won $ 10 on his tickets , so I checked mine .
When I found out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a screenshot of the win and sent it to him and said ' I think I have you beat . '
'' Keith won the second prize in the Daily Grand 's April 20 drawing .
She chose to take her winnings as a $ 360,000 lump sum , rather than $ 18,000 a year for life .
`` I could n't believe it right away , '' the winner said .
`` I had to put my phone down for a few minutes because I was shaking for a few minutes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
April 30 (UPI) -- A British Columbia woman said her husband's boast about winning $10 from a lottery drawing led her to check her own tickets -- and discover a $360,000 jackpot.
Jolene Keith of Delta told BCLC officials she was working from home Tuesday morning when her husband texted her to share some good news.
Advertisement
"I was working early on Tuesday morning," Keith said. "My husband texted me saying he had won $10 on his tickets, so I checked mine. When I found out I won Daily Grand, I took a screenshot of the win and sent it to him and said 'I think I have you beat.'"
Keith won the second prize in the Daily Grand's April 20 drawing. She chose to take her winnings as a $360,000 lump sum, rather than $18,000 a year for life.
"I couldn't believe it right away," the winner said. "I had to put my phone down for a few minutes because I was shaking for a few minutes and it didn't seem real."


upi--2020-04-30--Dow, S&P close down 1 percent, still report best month since 1987

April 30 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks closed Thursday with shallow losses a day after the blue chip bellwether @ @ @ @ @ 500 points .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 288.14 , or 1.17 percent @ @ @ @ @ P 500 fell 0.92 percent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.28 percent .
Earlier Thursday @ @ @ @ @ that another 3.8 million Americans had filed new unemployment claims , pushing the six-week total @ @ @ @ @ .
In the midst of the overall market decline , several tech stocks rose on @ @ @ @ @ .
Despite Thursday 's drops the S & P 500 is looking to close out @ @ @ @ @ .
Going into Thursday , the index had climbed 13 percent in value over the @ @ @ @ @ up 10.5 percent in April , also recording its best month since 1987 .
Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ points following a rather flat performance a day earlier .
In March , the S @ @ @ @ @ percent while the S & P 500 lost more than 13 percent .

The Dow Jones and The S&P 500 ended April with their best month since 1987 despite losses on Thursday amid reports of new unemployment claims. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 30 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks closed Thursday with shallow losses a day after the blue chip bellwether index climbed by more than 500 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 288.14, or 1.17 percent, while the S&P 500 fell 0.92 percent and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.28 percent. Advertisement
Earlier Thursday, the Labor Department reported that another 3.8 million Americans had filed new unemployment claims, pushing the six-week total to more than 30 million.
In the midst of the overall market decline, several tech stocks rose on Thursday amid positive financial reports.
Facebook stock climbed 5.42 percent, while Amazon rose 4.27 percent, Apple rose 2.11 percent and Netflix increased 1.93 percent.
Despite Thursday's drops the S&P 500 is looking to close out its best month since 1987. Going into Thursday, the index had climbed 13 percent in value over the month.
The Dow was up 10.5 percent in April, also recording its best month since 1987.
Wednesday, the Dow gained 532 points following a rather flat performance a day earlier.
In March, the S&P 500 fell 12.5 percent while the S&P 500 lost more than 13 percent.
Advertisement


upi--2020-04-30--Poverty, lack of insurance can make heart failure prognosis worse, AHA says

April 30 ( UPI ) -- Poverty and poor or non-existent health insurance coverage can make the effects of heart failure worse , the American Heart Association said Thursday .
Two statements published in the AHA 's peer-reviewed medical journal Circulation suggest heart failure treatment should take `` social determinants of health '' into consideration .
These include a person 's overall living environment as well as socio-economic status .
Patients with less or no insurance , who struggle with food , transportation or affording medications or do n't have a safe place to exercise have worse heart failure outcomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Nursing Services and the Heart Failure Transitional Care Clinic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital , said in a statement .
`` It 's important that we ask patients about the life issues and challenges they may be facing , '' said White-Williams , who chaired the AHA committee that drafted the statements .
`` These issues have a direct impact on the patient 's ability to adhere to any care plan . ''
Heart failure affects 6.5 million Americans , according to the AHA .
It is a slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not pump blood effectively .
Although there is no cure , people with heart failure can live full lives with medication , lifestyle changes and social support , the group said .
The county in which a person lives , as well as personal and social factors , might restrict the ability of people with heart failure to receive state-of-the-art care , White-Williams and researchers write in the statement `` Addressing Social Determinants of Health in the Care of Patients with Heart Failure . ''
These factors can include insurance status , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income inequality , with AHA recommending an inter-professional healthcare team works together to support patients and their families and caregivers .
This support should address the life challenges that impact prognosis , such as a living situation , access to caregivers , ability to pay for medications and understanding of medical information , they said .
`` This is a model we should be working towards implementing whenever possible , '' White-Williams said , noting that many clinical practices do n't have the resources to deal with such challenges .
`` Recognizing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a critical first step toward getting health systems engaged in developing approaches to mitigate the many adverse consequences of these factors in different settings . ''
The other statement published Thursday , `` Family Care-giving for Individuals with Heart Failure , '' suggests that caregivers for heart failure patients , who spend an average of 22 hours per week with patients , require more attention from health care providers than they get .
In addition to making sure that caregivers know how to deliver the required care , paying attention to the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial to caring for heart failure patients .
Dr. Lisa Kitko , chair of the family care-giving writing committee , noted that it is important to assess caregiver capabilities .
That includes their motivation to provide care , their physical , sensory , motor and cognitive ability to perform required tasks and their level of distress and depression .
This , she said , includes consideration of loss of income for unpaid caregivers and various physical and psychological risks .
`` In our current system health care system , there is a lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs and offer direct support , '' said Kitko , who is an associate professor and associate dean of graduate education at the Penn State University College of Nursing .
`` The largest barrier is the lack of payment and reimbursement mechanisms that would allow clinicians to provide direct support to caregivers . ''

Poverty and lack of health insurance may make health outcomes in people with heart failure worse. Photo by Myriam Zilles/Pixabay
April 30 (UPI) -- Poverty and poor or non-existent health insurance coverage can make the effects of heart failure worse, the American Heart Association said Thursday. Two statements published in the AHA's peer-reviewed medical journal Circulation suggest heart failure treatment should take "social determinants of health" into consideration. These include a person's overall living environment as well as socio-economic status. Advertisement
Patients with less or no insurance, who struggle with food, transportation or affording medications or don't have a safe place to exercise have worse heart failure outcomes, Dr. Connie White-Williams, senior director of Nursing Services and the Heart Failure Transitional Care Clinic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, said in a statement.
"It's important that we ask patients about the life issues and challenges they may be facing," said White-Williams, who chaired the AHA committee that drafted the statements. "These issues have a direct impact on the patient's ability to adhere to any care plan."
Advertisement
Heart failure affects 6.5 million Americans, according to the AHA. It is a slow, progressive disease in which the heart does not pump blood effectively. Although there is no cure, people with heart failure can live full lives with medication, lifestyle changes and social support, the group said.
The county in which a person lives, as well as personal and social factors, might restrict the ability of people with heart failure to receive state-of-the-art care, White-Williams and researchers write in the statement "Addressing Social Determinants of Health in the Care of Patients with Heart Failure."
These factors can include insurance status, disability status, race, ethnicity and income inequality, with AHA recommending an inter-professional healthcare team works together to support patients and their families and caregivers.
This support should address the life challenges that impact prognosis, such as a living situation, access to caregivers, ability to pay for medications and understanding of medical information, they said.
"This is a model we should be working towards implementing whenever possible," White-Williams said, noting that many clinical practices don't have the resources to deal with such challenges.
"Recognizing the importance of social determinants of health is a critical first step toward getting health systems engaged in developing approaches to mitigate the many adverse consequences of these factors in different settings."
Advertisement
The other statement published Thursday, "Family Care-giving for Individuals with Heart Failure," suggests that caregivers for heart failure patients, who spend an average of 22 hours per week with patients, require more attention from health care providers than they get.
In addition to making sure that caregivers know how to deliver the required care, paying attention to the ability and mental health of these people is crucial to caring for heart failure patients.
Dr. Lisa Kitko, chair of the family care-giving writing committee, noted that it is important to assess caregiver capabilities. That includes their motivation to provide care, their physical, sensory, motor and cognitive ability to perform required tasks and their level of distress and depression.
This, she said, includes consideration of loss of income for unpaid caregivers and various physical and psychological risks.
"In our current system health care system, there is a lack of incentives for clinicians to evaluate caregiver needs and offer direct support," said Kitko, who is an associate professor and associate dean of graduate education at the Penn State University College of Nursing. "The largest barrier is the lack of payment and reimbursement mechanisms that would allow clinicians to provide direct support to caregivers."


upi--2020-04-30--Watch: Indian engineer's 'COVID-19 Bike' keeps riders 5 feet apart

April 30 ( UPI ) -- An Indian automobile engineer custom-built a `` COVID-19 Bike '' with about 5 feet @ @ @ @ @ seats .
Partha Saha of Tripura said he wanted to practice safe social distancing on @ @ @ @ @ custom-built an electric motorcycle with a long central chassis to keep the bike 's two @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the distance between the seats of the `` COVID-19 Bike '' is @ @ @ @ @ said he does n't plan to turn the bike into a commercial product , but @ @ @ @ @ tool to raise awareness of the importance of social distancing in slowing the spread of @ @ @ @ @ engineer said he had originally planned to use the bike to drive his daughter to @ @ @ @ @ ended , but he determined the process of making the vehicle street legal would be @ @ @

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
April 30 (UPI) -- An Indian automobile engineer custom-built a "COVID-19 Bike" with about 5 feet of distance between its two seats.
Partha Saha of Tripura said he wanted to practice safe social distancing on the road, so he custom-built an electric motorcycle with a long central chassis to keep the bike's two riders a safe distance apart.
Advertisement
He said the distance between the seats of the "COVID-19 Bike" is about 5 feet.
Saha said he doesn't plan to turn the bike into a commercial product, but rather use it as a tool to raise awareness of the importance of social distancing in slowing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The engineer said he had originally planned to use the bike to drive his daughter to school once lockdown conditions have ended, but he determined the process of making the vehicle street legal would be too cumbersome.


upi--2020-04-30--Foodborne illnesses rise 15% in U.S. in 2019, CDC says

April 30 ( UPI ) -- Infections caused by contaminated food are up 15 percent across the United States , according to preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network that was published Thursday .
The FoodNet report suggests the rise in infections from food is a sign that `` progress in controlling major foodborne pathogens in the United States has stalled , '' the agency said .
`` Reducing foodborne illness will require more widespread implementation of known prevention measures and of strategies that target particular pathogens , '' it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 26,000 cases of foodborne infections .
Of these , more than 6,100 required hospital treatment .
In all , 122 people died after being sickened by a foodborne infection last year .
Campylobacter -- an infection caused by eating raw or under-cooked poultry -- was the most common foodborne illness reported , with more than 9,700 cases , followed by salmonella , with roughly 8,600 cases .
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli , or STEC , with 3,100 or so cases , andhigella , with more than 2,400 , rounded out the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of STEC increased 34 percent in 2019 .
The incidence of campylobacter rose 13 percent .
The incidence of infection caused by listeria , salmonella and shigella remained unchanged , while there was a decline in the number of salmonella serotype typhimurium cases .
This indicates that interventions designed to reduce infections -- like vaccinating chickens and other food animals -- can be effective , FoodNet said .
Notably , overall , 86 percent of infections were acquired domestically , according to the report .
Several factors are likely behind the increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved diagnostic and surveillance approaches .

The CDC reports that foodborne infections are up 15 percent nationwide in the last year, suggesting progress on controlling them "has stalled." Photo by Beth Rosengard/Pixabay
April 30 (UPI) -- Infections caused by contaminated food are up 15 percent across the United States, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network that was published Thursday. The FoodNet report suggests the rise in infections from food is a sign that "progress in controlling major foodborne pathogens in the United States has stalled," the agency said. Advertisement
"Reducing foodborne illness will require more widespread implementation of known prevention measures and of strategies that target particular pathogens," it added.
In 2019, FoodNet identified nearly 26,000 cases of foodborne infections. Of these, more than 6,100 required hospital treatment. In all, 122 people died after being sickened by a foodborne infection last year.
Campylobacter -- an infection caused by eating raw or under-cooked poultry -- was the most common foodborne illness reported, with more than 9,700 cases, followed by salmonella, with roughly 8,600 cases. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC, with 3,100 or so cases, andhigella, with more than 2,400, rounded out the top four.
Compared with 2016-2018, cases of STEC increased 34 percent in 2019. The incidence of campylobacter rose 13 percent.
Advertisement
The incidence of infection caused by listeria, salmonella and shigella remained unchanged, while there was a decline in the number of salmonella serotype typhimurium cases. This indicates that interventions designed to reduce infections -- like vaccinating chickens and other food animals -- can be effective, FoodNet said.
Notably, overall, 86 percent of infections were acquired domestically, according to the report.
Several factors are likely behind the increase in infections, the agency said, including improved diagnostic and surveillance approaches.


upi--2020-04-30--Senate schedules DNI confirmation hearing for Rep. Ratcliffe

April 30 ( UPI ) -- The Senate intelligence committee on Thursday scheduled a confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ nominee , Rep. John Ratcliffe .
The hearing is set to be held Tuesday morning @ @ @ @ @ twice nominated the Texas Republican to the position , first in July after Dan Coats @ @ @ @ @ the position .
Ratcliffe stepped aside less than a week later , citing media scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ .
Critics accused the congressman of padding his resume .
His second nomination came in @ @ @ @ @ , has served as the U.S. representative for Texas ' 4th District since 2015 and @ @ @ @ @ on Intelligence .
He previously worked as a U.S. attorney and federal terrorism prosecutor and @ @ @ @ @ of Heath , Texas .
The position of director of national intelligence was created in @ @ @ @ @ 11 , 2001 , terror attacks as a means of fostering inter-agency dialogue and cooperation @ @ @ @ @ make up the U.S. intelligence-gathering network .

The confirmation hearing for Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, is scheduled for Tuesday morning. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 30 (UPI) -- The Senate intelligence committee on Thursday scheduled a confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence nominee, Rep. John Ratcliffe. The hearing is set to be held Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill. Advertisement
Trump twice nominated the Texas Republican to the position, first in July after Dan Coats chose to step down from the position.
Ratcliffe stepped aside less than a week later, citing media scrutiny, which targeted his experience. Critics accused the congressman of padding his resume.
His second nomination came in February.
Ratcliffe, 53, has served as the U.S. representative for Texas' 4th District since 2015 and serves on the House Committee on Intelligence.
He previously worked as a U.S. attorney and federal terrorism prosecutor and as mayor of the city of Heath, Texas.
The position of director of national intelligence was created in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks as a means of fostering inter-agency dialogue and cooperation among the 16 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence-gathering network.


upi--2020-05-01--Saints coach Sean Payton swiped QB from Carolina Panthers late in NFL Draft

May 1 ( UPI ) -- New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said he used last week 's NFL Draft to prevent the NFC South divisional foe Carolina Panthers from signing quarterback prospect Tommy Stevens .
Payton detailed the battle to acquire Stevens in an interview with The Athletic .
New Orleans selected Stevens in the seventh round of the draft .
The dynamic quarterback attended Penn State before he played his 2019 campaign at Mississippi State .
Because the Saints did n't have a seventh-round pick , Payton and the Seattle Seahawks front office spent that time negotiating with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign as undrafted free agents .
Payton targeted Stevens as one of those players .
The Saints soon learned that the Panthers were on Stevens ' trail and had the inside track to sign the quarterback .
They 'd hired former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady as their offensive coordinator this off-season .
Brady was a graduate assistant at Penn State when Stevens signed with the Nittany Lions .
Joe Moorhead , who coached Penn State and was Brady 's boss within the football program , was later hired as Mississippi State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Stevens .
The Saints knew this information and learned the details of the Panthers ' offer to sign Stevens .
New Orleans matched the offer and told Stevens he could be the next Taysom Hill .
Payton molded Hill -- a quarterback on the Saints ' roster -- into one of the most dynamic weapons in the NFL , as he often lines up at quarterback , running back , wide receiver and other positions .
Payton and the Saints eventually learned their offer was n't good enough , and offered Stevens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared likely to sign with the Panthers , so Payton and the Saints brainstormed for other ways to get their guy .
They called other NFL teams that had picks in the seventh round , negotiating with the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans before they completed a trade with the Texans to acquire the No .
240 overall pick .
Payton sent Brady a text message that read `` not so fast , '' before the Saints finally took Stevens in the seventh round .
`` [ Carolina ] felt like they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Saints General Manager Jeff Ireland said Monday on the Saints ' podcast .
`` [ Stevens ' ] agent was n't really talking to us , so we just decided we 'd just go take him from them . ''
Stevens will still have to fight to make the Saints ' roster this off-season .
The 6-foot-5 , 235-pound athlete completed 60.2 percent of his throws for 1,155 yards , 11 touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games last season at Mississippi State .
He also had 83 carries for 381 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saints drafted former Michigan center Cesar Ruiz with the No .
24 overall pick , former Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun and former Dayton tight end Adam Trautman .
The team now has Stevens , Hill and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston on their depth chart to back up starter Drew Brees .
`` I think Taysom brings his own game to the table and I bring mine , '' Stevens told reporters after he was drafted .
`` I 'm glad I 'm going to be teammates with someone like Taysom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton (R) said he thought the Carolina Panthers had the edge to sign quarterback Tommy Stevens, before his team traded into the seventh round to pick the former Mississippi State star in the 2020 NFL Draft. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said he used last week's NFL Draft to prevent the NFC South divisional foe Carolina Panthers from signing quarterback prospect Tommy Stevens. Payton detailed the battle to acquire Stevens in an interview with The Athletic. New Orleans selected Stevens in the seventh round of the draft. The dynamic quarterback attended Penn State before he played his 2019 campaign at Mississippi State. Advertisement
Because the Saints didn't have a seventh-round pick, Payton and the Seattle Seahawks front office spent that time negotiating with players and agents they thought they could sign as undrafted free agents. Payton targeted Stevens as one of those players.
The Saints soon learned that the Panthers were on Stevens' trail and had the inside track to sign the quarterback. They'd hired former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady as their offensive coordinator this off-season. Brady was a graduate assistant at Penn State when Stevens signed with the Nittany Lions. Joe Moorhead, who coached Penn State and was Brady's boss within the football program, was later hired as Mississippi State's coach, where he again worked with Stevens.
Advertisement
The Saints knew this information and learned the details of the Panthers' offer to sign Stevens. New Orleans matched the offer and told Stevens he could be the next Taysom Hill. Payton molded Hill -- a quarterback on the Saints' roster -- into one of the most dynamic weapons in the NFL, as he often lines up at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and other positions.
Payton and the Saints eventually learned their offer wasn't good enough, and offered Stevens more money. Yet, Stevens still appeared likely to sign with the Panthers, so Payton and the Saints brainstormed for other ways to get their guy.
They called other NFL teams that had picks in the seventh round, negotiating with the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans before they completed a trade with the Texans to acquire the No. 240 overall pick.
Payton sent Brady a text message that read "not so fast," before the Saints finally took Stevens in the seventh round.
"[Carolina] felt like they had him signed, sealed and delivered," Saints General Manager Jeff Ireland said Monday on the Saints' podcast. "[Stevens'] agent wasn't really talking to us, so we just decided we'd just go take him from them."
Advertisement
Stevens will still have to fight to make the Saints' roster this off-season. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound athlete completed 60.2 percent of his throws for 1,155 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games last season at Mississippi State. He also had 83 carries for 381 yards and four scores in 2019.
The Saints drafted former Michigan center Cesar Ruiz with the No. 24 overall pick, former Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun and former Dayton tight end Adam Trautman. The team now has Stevens, Hill and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston on their depth chart to back up starter Drew Brees.
"I think Taysom brings his own game to the table and I bring mine," Stevens told reporters after he was drafted. "I'm glad I'm going to be teammates with someone like Taysom and the other quarterbacks in that room."


upi--2020-05-01--Justice Dept. looking for fraud related to small business Paycheck Protection Program

May 1 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department said it 's investigating potential fraud in a small business fund created last month by the $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package .
Authorities said Thursday they are looking into claims involving the Paycheck Protection Program that ineligible businesses may have improperly received government-funded loans .
The department acknowledged the inquiry after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin warned that ineligible companies receiving the low-interest , forgivable loans will be prosecuted .
About $ 350 billion was initially put into the fund , but the money quickly ran out and Congress subsequently had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been several instances , however , of larger companies taking money from the fund -- including national restaurant chains Shake Shack and Ruth 's Chris Steak House and the NBA 's Los Angeles Lakers .
Created to help small businesses keep employees on the payroll during coronavirus-related shutdowns , Mnuchin sought to discourage larger businesses from trying to access the PPP .
To discourage larger businesses , those with more than 500 employees , from trying to get around program restrictions , the Small Business Administration said corporate groupings of individual subsidiary companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in aggregate .
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Brian Benczkowski told Bloomberg a preliminary investigation has already turned up instances of possible fraud .
`` There are unfortunately businesses that are sending in loan applications for large amounts of money that are overstating their payroll costs , overstating the number of employees they 've had , overstating the nature of their business , '' he said .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appears at the White House on March 25 during a briefing of the president's Coronavirus Task Force. File Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- The Justice Department said it's investigating potential fraud in a small business fund created last month by the $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package. Authorities said Thursday they are looking into claims involving the Paycheck Protection Program that ineligible businesses may have improperly received government-funded loans. The department acknowledged the inquiry after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin warned that ineligible companies receiving the low-interest, forgivable loans will be prosecuted. Advertisement
About $350 billion was initially put into the fund, but the money quickly ran out and Congress subsequently had to approve more money. There have been several instances, however, of larger companies taking money from the fund -- including national restaurant chains Shake Shack and Ruth's Chris Steak House and the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers.
Created to help small businesses keep employees on the payroll during coronavirus-related shutdowns, Mnuchin sought to discourage larger businesses from trying to access the PPP.
To discourage larger businesses, those with more than 500 employees, from trying to get around program restrictions, the Small Business Administration said corporate groupings of individual subsidiary companies will be limited to $20 million in aggregate.
Advertisement
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Brian Benczkowski told Bloomberg a preliminary investigation has already turned up instances of possible fraud.
"There are unfortunately businesses that are sending in loan applications for large amounts of money that are overstating their payroll costs, overstating the number of employees they've had, overstating the nature of their business," he said.


upi--2020-05-01--State police powers are a less than optimal remedy for pandemic

Some people have protested the government restrictions on movement during the pandemic. But these government powers, referred to generally as state police powers, are inherent in our legal system and are as constitutionally valid as the Bill of Rights. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- As the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are experiencing -- for the first time in the nation's history -- an extraordinary and unprecedented exercise of government power affecting over 90 percent of the population: quarantines, stay-at-home-orders and prohibitions on many businesses and most gatherings. These restrictions infringe on fundamental constitutional rights and liberties, such as those associated with freedom of movement, association, worship and economic activity. And yet, these government powers, referred to generally as state police powers, are inherent in our legal system and are as constitutionally valid as the Bill of Rights. Advertisement
Police powers are the powers of a state government to make and enforce all laws necessary to preserve public health, safety and general welfare. They originate from the English common law system that colonists brought with them to America. When the Constitution was ratified in 1788, the states did not surrender their powers as a condition of entering into the union.
Advertisement
The Constitution only limits police powers when states exercise them in a manner that is unreasonable, arbitrary or oppressive to rights and liberties protected by the Constitution itself. For example, a state may not authorize its law enforcement officers to go door to door to search homes or persons within the state without a warrant simply because it wishes to reduce crime rates. Nor may a state pass a law banning nighttime driving simply to reduce crash-related deaths or injuries.
However, courts have consistently upheld the constitutionality of states' powers to quarantine and vaccinate individuals against their will for public health purposes, enforce curfews or other lockdown measures during emergencies, seize property without a warrant if exigent circumstances exist and even declare martial law if necessary to maintain public order.
Aside from a series of isolated protests, few Americans question the need to continue to enforce coronavirus-related restrictions where the science doesn't support an easing. The risk to public health, and particularly this risk to elderly and minority populations, is too great. Nonetheless, however legal and necessary they are, given the threat of the coronavirus, it has also become clear to Americans that the exercise of police powers en masse is both a blunt and draconian mechanism for dealing with national level threats.
Advertisement
In this case, using the mechanism may have changed lives permanently in many ways. Aside from the cost to individual rights and liberties, the economic cost of such measures has been staggering thus far: an increase in the deficit of about $2.6 trillion and a real unemployment rate of just over 20 percent. Perhaps even more concerning, these economic costs tend to impact marginalized and disadvantaged groups and populations who are the least likely to be able to absorb and withstand their ill effects.
Such disparate impacts by age, race, nationality or class is another direct threat to constitutional values, as well as the health and stability of the democracy. This begs a number of critical questions: How can the United States face what may be a growing threat of pandemics, or other national threats, without having to exercise powers so extraordinary that they not only restrict fundamental rights and liberties, but also damage or jeopardize the economic livelihood of so many?
Can the United States afford to employ the same scope of police powers to fight future pandemics given their extraordinary costs? Are there less restrictive and cheaper approaches that don't have such crushing effects on society? In the case of public health and pandemics, one approach to mitigate against the future need to exercise police powers nationally may be to make substantial investments in healthcare and biotechnology infrastructure.
Advertisement
Research indicates that the effects of pandemics can be substantially reduced, and even isolated or localized to small areas, if governments invest in the required infrastructure. These investments could focus on equipment, personnel and training that would enhance the following capacities: disease surveillance and detection; widespread availability of basic healthcare; contact tracing; rapid diagnostic testing for pathogen identification and treatment; and a robust, global risk communication system.
Additionally, the ability to quickly surge personnel, PPE equipment, medical space and intervention therapies could also help. All of the above would require a significant financial investment. However, such an investment may very well minimize, insure against, or even negate the need of states to exercise their police powers -- which can be their most blunt, ham-fisted and draconian of authorities -- to preserve Americans' health and safety at such a profound expense.
It may be an instance where, although billions are spent, it results in the savings of trillions, the preservation of our fundamental constitutional rights and liberties and most importantly, the saving of tens (or hundreds) of thousands of lives.
Douglas Ligor is a senior behavioral/social scientist researcher at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corp. Formerly, he served as deputy chief of the Northeast Law Division for the Office of the Chief Counsel, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security. He has also served as a trial attorney for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Advertisement
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic
Bass Pro Shops marketing manager David Smith (R) carries a box of donated face masks into Mercy Health in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 13. The company is donating 1 million FDA-approved ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Masks to healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-01--Look: Anderson Cooper announces birth of baby boy

May 1 ( UPI ) -- CNN anchor Anderson Cooper announced on Instagram the birth of his baby boy named Wyatt Morgan Cooper via surrogate .
Cooper uploaded photos of himself with the newborn on Thursday and said that Wyatt was born on Monday , weighing 7.2 lbs .
The 52-year-old explained in a lengthy post the meaning behind Wyatt 's name and how it felt to be a father .
`` He is named after my father who died when I was ten .
I hope I can be as good a dad as he was .
My son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a family name on my mom 's side .
I know my mom and dad liked the name Morgan because I recently found a list they made 52 years ago when they were trying to think of names for me , '' Cooper said .
`` As a gay kid , I never thought it would be possible to have a child , and I 'm grateful for all those who have paved the way , and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son 's birth .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt , and watched over him lovingly , and tenderly , and gave birth to him , '' he continued .

May 1 (UPI) -- CNN anchor Anderson Cooper announced on Instagram the birth of his baby boy named Wyatt Morgan Cooper via surrogate.
Cooper uploaded photos of himself with the newborn on Thursday and said that Wyatt was born on Monday, weighing 7.2 lbs.
Advertisement
The 52-year-old explained in a lengthy post the meaning behind Wyatt's name and how it felt to be a father.
"He is named after my father who died when I was ten. I hope I can be as good a dad as he was. My son's middle name is Morgan. It's a family name on my mom's side. I know my mom and dad liked the name Morgan because I recently found a list they made 52 years ago when they were trying to think of names for me," Cooper said.
"As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and I'm grateful for all those who have paved the way, and for the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son's birth. Most of all, I am grateful to a remarkable surrogate who carried Wyatt, and watched over him lovingly, and tenderly, and gave birth to him," he continued.


upi--2020-05-01--Justice Dept.: Honduras police chief aided cocaine shipments to U.S.

May 1 ( UPI ) -- Federal prosecutors have charged a former Honduras police chief with various drug offenses , including helping to traffic tons of cocaine into the United States .
The Justice Department said the chief , Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares , used his power and help from Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez Alvarado to ship cocaine through Honduras to the Guatemalan border and , eventually , the United States .
Prosecutors convicted the president 's brother , Juan Antonio `` Tony '' Hernandez Alvarado , on trafficking charges last year .
The department lists the Honduran president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bonilla Valladares faces charges of conspiring to import cocaine and two weapons charges .
He faces 30 years to life on the charges .
`` Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares allegedly used his high ranking position to influence those working for him and violently protect the politically connected drug traffickers who would smuggle cocaine destined for the United States , '' DEA Special Agent in Charge Wendy Woolcock said .
`` As alleged , this was a blatant and horrific violation of the oath taken by Bonilla Valladares to protect the citizens of Honduras @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another positive action taken by the United States to bring corrupt officials to justice . ''
Prosecutors said Bonilla Valladares used violence , including murder , to protect powerful traffickers and political figures .
In Thursday 's complaint , prosecutors paint Honduras as a country controlled by drug traffickers since 2003 and a nation where public and private figures involved in trafficking are protected .
They said tons of cocaine was shipped from Colombia and Venezuela to the United States .

A U.S. Coast Guard crewman guards more than 28,000 pounds of cocaine at Naval Base San Diego in California on April 16, 2015. Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged a Honduras police official with helping traffic tons of cocaine into the United States over the years. File Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Connie Terrell/U.S. Coast Guard/UPI
May 1 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors have charged a former Honduras police chief with various drug offenses, including helping to traffic tons of cocaine into the United States. The Justice Department said the chief, Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares, used his power and help from Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez Alvarado to ship cocaine through Honduras to the Guatemalan border and, eventually, the United States. Advertisement
Prosecutors convicted the president's brother, Juan Antonio "Tony" Hernandez Alvarado, on trafficking charges last year. The department lists the Honduran president as a co-conspirator in the case.
Bonilla Valladares faces charges of conspiring to import cocaine and two weapons charges. He faces 30 years to life on the charges.
"Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares allegedly used his high ranking position to influence those working for him and violently protect the politically connected drug traffickers who would smuggle cocaine destined for the United States," DEA Special Agent in Charge Wendy Woolcock said.
"As alleged, this was a blatant and horrific violation of the oath taken by Bonilla Valladares to protect the citizens of Honduras. The filing of these charges is another positive action taken by the United States to bring corrupt officials to justice."
Advertisement
Prosecutors said Bonilla Valladares used violence, including murder, to protect powerful traffickers and political figures.
In Thursday's complaint, prosecutors paint Honduras as a country controlled by drug traffickers since 2003 and a nation where public and private figures involved in trafficking are protected. They said tons of cocaine was shipped from Colombia and Venezuela to the United States.


upi--2020-05-01--Workers at Amazon, Walmart, others plan 'May Day' strike Friday over safety conditions

A contractor arranges Amazon Prime groceries at a Whole Foods Market in Silver Spring, Md., on March 31. The same day, a workers group encouraged employees to call out sick to demand improved safety and benefits during the coronavirus crisis. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 1 (UPI) -- Employees for a number of major U.S. companies planned a mass strike Friday -- International Worker's Day -- to protest health conditions at their workplaces due to the coronavirus pandemic. A coalition of workers from Amazon, Instacart, Whole Foods, Walmart, Target, FedEx and Shipt plan to stage a walkout or "sickout" due to what they say are flawed policies and lack of protective equipment that's exposed some to the coronavirus disease. Advertisement
The workers will either call out sick or walk out during their lunch break Friday. Union members are also expected to join the coalition.
"Because of the failings of our employers, many of our fellow employees have contracted this deadly virus and some have died," said a statement shared by organizer Christian Smalls, who was fired from Amazon after organizing a strike at a Staten Island facility last month. "Although there have been some changes in company policies, they are not enough to adequately protect us."
Advertisement
"It's very important for us as similarly positioned workers to come together for demands that are pretty universal," Vanessa Bain, an organizer of the Instacart walkout, said. "In addition to building broader worker power, the point of our mass strike action is to bring this to the attention of the politicians and policy makers. We need them to address our demands now, and the fastest way to ensure that this happens is for companies to feel pressured into doing it."
The workers also shared a list of demands they deem necessary during the health crisis -- including hazard pay, personal protective equipment, disinfectant and hand sanitizer, clean delivery vehicles and closing facilities where workers have been infected.
Amazon said disinfecting and protective equipment is already available to workers.
"Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer are already standard across our network, and the procurement teams have worked tirelessly to create new sources of supply to keep these critical items flowing," a spokesperson said in an email to UPI. "In fact, we've sourced millions of additional units of items like disinfectant wipes, gloves, and hand sanitizer for our teams and also reconfigured buildings to include additional hand-washing and sanitary equipment stations.
Advertisement
"Masks too are now standard across our network and in ample supply, and all Amazon [workers and partners] are required to wear them."
Amazon workers also say the retailer hasn't been transparent about the number of its workforce who have tested positive for the disease. The company also disputes that claim.
"When a COVID-19 case is confirmed in one of our buildings, we communicate this news to all individuals who work at that site -- not just to those who've come in close contact with the diagnosed individual," the spokesperson said.
Instacart said it's been "diligently working to offer new policies, guidelines, product features, resources, increased bonuses and personal protective equipment to ensure the health and safety of shoppers during this critical time."
Target dismissed the protest, saying a "very small minority" of its workers are involved.
"The vast majority of our more than 340,000 front-line team members have expressed pride in the role they are playing in helping provide for families across the country during this time of need," the retailer said.
"This is why we're conducting health screens and daily temperature checks and providing masks and gloves to all associates," Walmart representative Jami Lamontagne added.
FedEx representative Jim Masilak said the shipping company doesn't expect any of its drivers to participate in the protest, saying the effort seems "almost entirely focused on other companies within the service and retail industries."
Advertisement
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-01--Will Ferrell crashes Seattle Seahawks video conference

May 1 ( UPI ) -- Actor Will Ferrell shocked Seattle Seahawks players when he crashed their video conference with coach Pete Carroll .
Carroll led the Zoom conference on Thursday .
NFL teams are not allowed to meet at team facilities or have large group workouts due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Carroll spoke to his players , including star quarterback Russell Wilson , before he said veteran tight end Greg Olsen was about to join the call .
Carroll introduced Olsen -- but it was Ferrell who showed up on the screen .
The actor impersonated the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several demands to the Seahawks , while pretending to be Olsen .
Ferrell said he drew up his own plays when he played with the Panthers and wanted to do the same thing with the Seahawks .
He held up a whiteboard with a play he drew up , called `` 90-60-Flywheel Kanye Starburst . ''
Wilson said he liked the play .
He also said he would n't participate in any max-protection plays , which require tight ends to block in the backfield instead of running routes .
He also said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I know what you 're thinking , '' Ferrell said .
`` I 'm an older guy , I 'm 36 .
But do n't worry , I 've been working out .
Does this look like the body of a 36 year old ? ''
Ferrell , 52 , then stood up and lifted up his shirt .
Seahawks players laughed as Ferrell did a turn before he detailed his off-season yoga regimen .
`` What a warm welcome , '' the real Olsen tweeted in response to the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Seahawks coach served as coach at the University of Southern California from 2001 through 2009 .
He often incorporated Ferrell into team activities as a way to keep his players loose .
The Seahawks signed Greg Olsen in free agency on Feb. 18 .
Olsen , 35 , had 597 yards and two scores on 52 catches in 14 starts last season for the Panthers .
The 13-year veteran made the Pro Bowl for three consecutive seasons from 2014 through 2016 .
Olsen 's 8,444 receiving yards rank as the 10-most among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receptions and eight-most receiving scores among active players .

May 1 (UPI) -- Actor Will Ferrell shocked Seattle Seahawks players when he crashed their video conference with coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll led the Zoom conference on Thursday. NFL teams are not allowed to meet at team facilities or have large group workouts due to the coronavirus pandemic. Carroll spoke to his players, including star quarterback Russell Wilson, before he said veteran tight end Greg Olsen was about to join the call.
Advertisement
Carroll introduced Olsen -- but it was Ferrell who showed up on the screen. The actor impersonated the former Carolina Panthers star. He also gave several demands to the Seahawks, while pretending to be Olsen.
Ferrell said he drew up his own plays when he played with the Panthers and wanted to do the same thing with the Seahawks. He held up a whiteboard with a play he drew up, called "90-60-Flywheel Kanye Starburst." Wilson said he liked the play.
He also said he wouldn't participate in any max-protection plays, which require tight ends to block in the backfield instead of running routes. He also said he will only play 12 plays per game.
Advertisement
"I know what you're thinking," Ferrell said. "I'm an older guy, I'm 36. But don't worry, I've been working out. Does this look like the body of a 36 year old?"
Ferrell, 52, then stood up and lifted up his shirt. Seahawks players laughed as Ferrell did a turn before he detailed his off-season yoga regimen.
"What a warm welcome," the real Olsen tweeted in response to the video.
Ferrell became friends with Carroll when the Seahawks coach served as coach at the University of Southern California from 2001 through 2009. He often incorporated Ferrell into team activities as a way to keep his players loose.
The Seahawks signed Greg Olsen in free agency on Feb. 18. Olsen, 35, had 597 yards and two scores on 52 catches in 14 starts last season for the Panthers. The 13-year veteran made the Pro Bowl for three consecutive seasons from 2014 through 2016. Olsen's 8,444 receiving yards rank as the 10-most among active players. He has the sixth-most receptions and eight-most receiving scores among active players.


upi--2020-05-01--WWE releases Curtis Axel

WWE releases Curtis Axel

May 1 ( UPI ) -- WWE has announced that it has come to terms on the release of professional wrestler Curtis Axel .
`` We wish him all the best in his future endeavors , '' WWE said in a statement on Thursday .
Axel is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Mr .
Perfect and made his debut in the company in 2010 as a member of The Nexus .
Axel is a former Intercontinental Champion and a two-time Tag Team Champion , once with David Otunga and once with Bo Dallas .
He was also briefly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dallas had famously spent time backing up The Miz as The Miztourage in 2018 before they formed the B-Team together .
The grappler has not been featured on WWE programming in months .
WWE released a number of superstars in April including Hall of Famer Kurt Angle , Rusev , Drake Maverick , Zack Ryder , Curt Hawkins , Luke Gallows , Karl Anderson , Heath Slater , Eric Young , Rowan , Sarah Logan , No Way Jose , referee Mike Chioda , Mike Kanellis , Maria Kanellis , EC3 , Aiden @ @ @ @ @

WWE has come to terms on the release of Curtis Axel. WWE wishes him all the best in his future endeavors. https://t.co/E0XaMVvEkN— WWE (@WWE) April 30, 2020
May 1 (UPI) -- WWE has announced that it has come to terms on the release of professional wrestler Curtis Axel.
"We wish him all the best in his future endeavors," WWE said in a statement on Thursday.
Advertisement
Axel is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Perfect and made his debut in the company in 2010 as a member of The Nexus.
Axel is a former Intercontinental Champion and a two-time Tag Team Champion, once with David Otunga and once with Bo Dallas. He was also briefly managed by Paul Heyman.
Axel and Dallas had famously spent time backing up The Miz as The Miztourage in 2018 before they formed the B-Team together.
The grappler has not been featured on WWE programming in months.
WWE released a number of superstars in April including Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, Rusev, Drake Maverick, Zack Ryder, Curt Hawkins, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Heath Slater, Eric Young, Rowan, Sarah Logan, No Way Jose, referee Mike Chioda, Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis, EC3, Aiden English and Lio Rush.