upi--2020-03-25--Coronavirus : WHO urges countries not to lift lockdowns yet

March 25 ( UPI ) -- World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus urged all countries to continue lockdown measures as the global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic surpassed the 20,000 milestone Wednesday .
He said global leaders should undertake several `` aggressive measures '' to stop the transmission of the virus and cut down on deaths .
Primarily , he said , countries should make sure people `` stay home and stay safe . ''
`` The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses , only to be forced to close them again because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` By taking the same aggressive actions now , these countries have the chance to prevent community transmission and avoid some of the more severe social and economic costs seen in other countries . ''
Among his recommendations were for countries to expand , train and deploy healthcare workers ; root out every suspected case ; ramp up testing ; equip facilities for treating cases ; create a plan to investigate contacts ; and refocus the entire government 's efforts on COVID-19 .
`` These measures are the best way to suppress and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are lifted , the virus does n't resurge , '' he said .
Ghebreyesus 's comments come as the worldwide death toll reached more than 20,000 , according to Johns Hopkins University 's coronavirus tracker .
There are more than 450,000 confirmed cases , with some 113,000 people having recovered from the illness .
Spain has now recorded more deaths from the coronavirus outbreak than any other nation except for Italy , health officials said earlier Wednesday .
More than 700 new deaths were reported in Spain , bringing the nation 's total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed the Spanish toll ahead of the number of dead in China , where nearly 3,300 have died so far .
Italy has reported more deaths than any nation , with more than 7,500 so far , according to Johns Hopkins .
In India , more than 1.3 billion have begun a 21-day lockdown to clamp down on the spread of the virus .
Modi ordered the lockdown on Tuesday and it took effect at midnight .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there will be a `` total ban '' on Indian citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
In New Zealand , Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the defense ministry has declared a state of national emergency ahead of a lockdown to halt the spread of the coronavirus disease .
Ardern 's message came as New Zealand 's health ministry reported 50 new and probable cases , increasing its total to more than 200 ahead of a lockdown scheduled for Wednesday night '' From midnight tonight , we bunker down for four weeks to try and stop the virus in its tracks , to break the chain , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Make no mistake , this will get worse before it gets better . ''
Of all infections nationwide , only five have so far been hospitalized and there have been no deaths , but Ardern said the state of emergency was declared to hit `` a window of opportunity '' to stop the virus before it gets worse and save lives .
`` It 's that simple , '' she said .
`` In this fight against a virus , we have some things on our side . ''
The prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zealand cases surpassed 200 and ordered 4.7 million people to prepare to stay at home and not interact with others for at least a month .
Ardern said the declaration allows the director of Civil Defense Emergency Management to coordinate and use resources made available and gives it power to oversee the supply of food , fuel and other essential supplies ; regulate land , water and air traffic ; close roads and public places ; evacuate premises including public spaces ; and prohibit people from any place deemed necessary .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the exposure of the most vulnerable members of our community , to COVID-19 , '' she added .
`` In short , it will help save lives . ''
The police and military will remind New Zealanders to follow the lockdown and can escalate the measure , if required .
`` They can arrest if needed , '' Ardern said .
This is the second time an emergency has been declared in New Zealand , following an earthquake in Christchurch in 2011 .
In Malaysia , Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 14 , the Malay Mail reported .
The order , essentially a shutdown of all non-essential businesses and closing of its borders , began March 18 and was originally to expire March 31 , but Muhyiddin extended it by two weeks on Wednesday as Malaysia 's number of cases rose .
The prime minister said the extension was called in response to an uptick in cases .
`` I know you feel burdened but I do n't have a choice , '' he said .
`` I have to extend the [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Health officials said there are about 1,800 cases in Malaysia and 20 deaths .

People wear protective face masks to guard against spread of the coronavirus disease on Tuesday while visiting a shopping area in Beijing, China. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 25 (UPI) -- World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus urged all countries to continue lockdown measures as the global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic surpassed the 20,000 milestone Wednesday. He said global leaders should undertake several "aggressive measures" to stop the transmission of the virus and cut down on deaths. Primarily, he said, countries should make sure people "stay home and stay safe." Advertisement
"The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses, only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence," Ghebreyesus said.
"By taking the same aggressive actions now, these countries have the chance to prevent community transmission and avoid some of the more severe social and economic costs seen in other countries."
Among his recommendations were for countries to expand, train and deploy healthcare workers; root out every suspected case; ramp up testing; equip facilities for treating cases; create a plan to investigate contacts; and refocus the entire government's efforts on COVID-19.
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"These measures are the best way to suppress and stop transmission, so that when restrictions are lifted, the virus doesn't resurge," he said.
Ghebreyesus's comments come as the worldwide death toll reached more than 20,000, according to Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus tracker. There are more than 450,000 confirmed cases, with some 113,000 people having recovered from the illness.
Spain has now recorded more deaths from the coronavirus outbreak than any other nation except for Italy, health officials said earlier Wednesday.
More than 700 new deaths were reported in Spain, bringing the nation's total to more than 3,400. The spike pushed the Spanish toll ahead of the number of dead in China, where nearly 3,300 have died so far. Italy has reported more deaths than any nation, with more than 7,500 so far, according to Johns Hopkins.
In India, more than 1.3 billion have begun a 21-day lockdown to clamp down on the spread of the virus. Modi ordered the lockdown on Tuesday and it took effect at midnight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there will be a "total ban" on Indian citizens venturing out from their homes during the period.
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In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the defense ministry has declared a state of national emergency ahead of a lockdown to halt the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Ardern's message came as New Zealand's health ministry reported 50 new and probable cases, increasing its total to more than 200 ahead of a lockdown scheduled for Wednesday night
"From midnight tonight, we bunker down for four weeks to try and stop the virus in its tracks, to break the chain," Ardern said before New Zealand Parliament. "Make no mistake, this will get worse before it gets better."
Of all infections nationwide, only five have so far been hospitalized and there have been no deaths, but Ardern said the state of emergency was declared to hit "a window of opportunity" to stop the virus before it gets worse and save lives.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19
A health worker with the Israeli national emergency service, Magen David Adam, wears protective gear while taking swabs to test for COVID-19 at a drive-through testing center in East Jerusalem on August 26. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
"It's that simple," she said. "In this fight against a virus, we have some things on our side."
The prime minister announced the lockdown on Monday when New Zealand cases surpassed 200 and ordered 4.7 million people to prepare to stay at home and not interact with others for at least a month.
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Ardern said the declaration allows the director of Civil Defense Emergency Management to coordinate and use resources made available and gives it power to oversee the supply of food, fuel and other essential supplies; regulate land, water and air traffic; close roads and public places; evacuate premises including public spaces; and prohibit people from any place deemed necessary.
"This declaration helps us limit our exposure, and the exposure of the most vulnerable members of our community, to COVID-19," she added. "In short, it will help save lives."
The police and military will remind New Zealanders to follow the lockdown and can escalate the measure, if required.
"They can arrest if needed," Ardern said.
This is the second time an emergency has been declared in New Zealand, following an earthquake in Christchurch in 2011.
In Malaysia, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin extended the national movement control order until April 14, the Malay Mail reported.
The order, essentially a shutdown of all non-essential businesses and closing of its borders, began March 18 and was originally to expire March 31, but Muhyiddin extended it by two weeks on Wednesday as Malaysia's number of cases rose.
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The prime minister said the extension was called in response to an uptick in cases.
"I know you feel burdened but I don't have a choice," he said. "I have to extend the [order] for your own safety."
Health officials said there are about 1,800 cases in Malaysia and 20 deaths.


upi--2020-03-25--Chef Floyd Cardoz dies of complications of COVID-19

CNN reported the statement from Hunger Inc. Hospitality and People confirmed with a spokesperson .
Cardoz was 59 .
Cardoz checked into Mountainside Medical Center on March 18 with a fever .
He tested positive for COVID-19 .
The chef told his Instagram followers he was going to the hospital as a precautionary measure .
He had flown home to New York after filming the Netflix series Ugly Delicious in India , and connected in Frankfurt , Germany .
`` I was feeling feverish and hence as a precautionary measure , admitted myself into hospital in New York , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxious about my state of health . ''
He is survived by his mother Beryl , wife and business partner Barkha and their sons Peter , 27 , and Justin , 22 .
Cardoz won Top Chef Masters in 2011 , the show 's third season .
He 'd opened Indian restaurants Tabla , North End Grill , Paowalla and Bombay Bread Bar in New York City .
He also opened restaurants The Bombay Canteen , O Pedro and Bombay Sweet Shop in Mumbai , where he was raised .
Born in Bombay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up from New York City kitchens to partnering with Union Square Hospitality Group .
He authored two cookbooks : One Spice , Two Spice : American Food , Indian Flavors and Floyd Cardoz : Flavorwalla : Big Flavor , Bold Spices .
A New Way to Cook the Foods You Love .
Colleagues of Cardoz posted their condolences on social media .
Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi wrote , `` Nobody who lived in NY in the early aughts could forget how delicious and packed Tabla always was .
He had an impish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those around him happy , and a delicious touch . ''
David Chang tweeted , `` People may not realize it , but so much of the food you eat today was influenced by Floyd when he was the cdc at Lespinasse with the late chef Grey Kunz.
``

March 25 (UPI) -- Chef Floyd Cardoz died Wednesday in New Jersey.
CNN reported the statement from Hunger Inc. Hospitality and People confirmed with a spokesperson. Cardoz was 59.
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Cardoz checked into Mountainside Medical Center on March 18 with a fever. He tested positive for COVID-19.
The chef told his Instagram followers he was going to the hospital as a precautionary measure. He had flown home to New York after filming the Netflix series Ugly Delicious in India, and connected in Frankfurt, Germany.
"I was feeling feverish and hence as a precautionary measure, admitted myself into hospital in New York," Cardoz wrote. "I was hugely anxious about my state of health."
He is survived by his mother Beryl, wife and business partner Barkha and their sons Peter, 27, and Justin, 22.
Cardoz won Top Chef Masters in 2011, the show's third season. He'd opened Indian restaurants Tabla, North End Grill, Paowalla and Bombay Bread Bar in New York City. He also opened restaurants The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro and Bombay Sweet Shop in Mumbai, where he was raised.
Born in Bombay, India, Cardoz worked his way up from New York City kitchens to partnering with Union Square Hospitality Group. He authored two cookbooks: One Spice, Two Spice: American Food, Indian Flavors and Floyd Cardoz: Flavorwalla: Big Flavor, Bold Spices. A New Way to Cook the Foods You Love.
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Colleagues of Cardoz posted their condolences on social media. Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi wrote, "Nobody who lived in NY in the early aughts could forget how delicious and packed Tabla always was. He had an impish smile, an innate need to make those around him happy, and a delicious touch."
David Chang tweeted, "People may not realize it, but so much of the food you eat today was influenced by Floyd when he was the cdc at Lespinasse with the late chef Grey Kunz. "
People may not realize it, but so much of the food you eat today was influenced by Floyd when he was the cdc at Lespinasse with the late chef Grey Kunz. The family tree that branched out of that hall of fame kitchen changed gastronomy in America for the better— Dave Chang (@davidchang) March 25, 2020
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-03-25--Mislabeled museum artifact is 5,000-year-old Bronze Age sword

March 25 ( UPI ) -- A sword found regarded as a medieval antiquity was confirmed to be from the Bronze Age and about 5,000 years old , scholars in Italy announced .
The sword , 17 inches long and made of arsenical bronze , a copper-arsenic alloy used around the fourth century B.C.
, was discovered mislabeled in the San Lazzaro degli Armeni Museum .
The museum houses artifacts of Armenian heritage and is operated by Mekhitarist friars of the Armenian Catholic faith .
Vittoria Dall'Armellina , a Ph.D. student at Ca ' Forcasi University of Venice , first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's and doctorate theses to it and similar artifacts .
Scientific analysis indicated that the sword was forged sometime around 300 B.C .
Dall'Armellina 's comparisons with other weapons of the era confirmed that it shared similarities with objects found in tombs of high-ranking Bronze Age leaders of the Caucasus , Anatolia and Aegean regions , who tended to be buried with relics of their authority .
Early swords would be buried with owners in their graves , along with other insignia of high-ranking social , military and political status .
`` Swords @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Elena Rova , who supervised Dall'Armellina 's research .
`` They signify royalty , and a ruler 's right to sovereignty .
Take , for example , the legend of King Arthur .
While this symbolism is well documented in medieval times , it has roots in much more ancient traditions . ''
`` I had visited the monastery several times over the years and never noticed the sword , '' she added .
Clerical research by Father Serafino Jambourlian indicated that the sword was one of many artifacts shipped from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yervant Khorasandjian , a member of the Mekhitarist congregation , in the late 19th century .
Jambourlian said he believes the sword was a gift to Khorasandjian for overseeing engineering projects in what is now Turkey .
The sword has no ceremonial markings or decoration , suggesting that it could have actually been usable in combat .
The museum , in the monastery on an island in a Venice lagoon , is currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak , but the sword eventually will be displayed more prominently .

Father Serafino Jamourlian of the San Lazzaro degli Armeni Museum, and doctoral candidate Vittoria Dell'Armellina, of the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, display a sword housed in the museum and found to be a 5,000-year-old relic of the Bronze Age. Photo by Andrea Avezzi/Ca' Foscari University of Venice
March 25 (UPI) -- A sword found regarded as a medieval antiquity was confirmed to be from the Bronze Age and about 5,000 years old, scholars in Italy announced. The sword, 17 inches long and made of arsenical bronze, a copper-arsenic alloy used around the fourth century B.C., was discovered mislabeled in the San Lazzaro degli Armeni Museum. Advertisement
The museum houses artifacts of Armenian heritage and is operated by Mekhitarist friars of the Armenian Catholic faith. Vittoria Dall'Armellina, a Ph.D. student at Ca' Forcasi University of Venice, first noticed the sword and dedicated her master's and doctorate theses to it and similar artifacts.
Scientific analysis indicated that the sword was forged sometime around 3000 B.C. Dall'Armellina's comparisons with other weapons of the era confirmed that it shared similarities with objects found in tombs of high-ranking Bronze Age leaders of the Caucasus, Anatolia and Aegean regions, who tended to be buried with relics of their authority.
Early swords would be buried with owners in their graves, along with other insignia of high-ranking social, military and political status.
"Swords are objects loaded with symbolic value," said Elena Rova, who supervised Dall'Armellina's research. "They signify royalty, and a ruler's right to sovereignty. Take, for example, the legend of King Arthur. While this symbolism is well documented in medieval times, it has roots in much more ancient traditions."
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"I had visited the monastery several times over the years and never noticed the sword," she added.
Clerical research by Father Serafino Jambourlian indicated that the sword was one of many artifacts shipped from the Ottoman Empire to the monastery by Yervant Khorasandjian, a member of the Mekhitarist congregation, in the late 19th century.
Jambourlian said he believes the sword was a gift to Khorasandjian for overseeing engineering projects in what is now Turkey.
The sword has no ceremonial markings or decoration, suggesting that it could have actually been usable in combat.
The museum, in the monastery on an island in a Venice lagoon, is currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, but the sword eventually will be displayed more prominently.


upi--2020-03-25--Jerry Falwell Jr. answers criticisms, says Liberty University 'did not reopen'

March 25 ( UPI ) -- Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. on Wednesday rejected criticisms that the Christian Virginia campus has reopened against the advice of U.S. health officials .
The conservative evangelical university drew backlash early this week from local and state officials after it was reported that students could return .
Falwell said , however , that while the campus did allow the return of some students with nowhere else to go , it has n't restarted classes .
`` Liberty did not reopen , '' Falwell told CNN .
`` Liberty has between 1,000 and 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and almost a thousand are international students who have nowhere else to go .
Others have no place else to be except in their dorms . ''
Falwell attributed the report about the campus reopening to an `` irresponsible '' article from a local news outlet .
He added that most classes are now online and the school is complying with all state restrictions .
Liberty University spokesman Scott Lamb said about 1,900 students are still on the Lynchburg , Va. , campus and the university expects more than 4,000 will eventually return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus are open , all classes will remain online and professors will work from home .
`` The campus has become more like an apartment complex than a university , '' Falwell added .
`` All the education is being done online .
All the restaurants are serving takeout only .
We are wiping down every surface that is touched off on every hour , we have extra police . ''
Lynchburg Mayor Treney Tweedy criticized Falwell Tuesday , saying he told officials initially that the campus would only open to international students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , faculty and employees at Liberty University , and I am also very concerned for the residents of the Lynchburg community , '' he said .
Falwell answered by saying he never committed to closing campus dormitories .
Central Virginia Health District Director Dr. Kerry Gateley said inspectors found recently that the university is complying with state regulations limiting groups to 10 people .
`` While the health department inspectors reported no significant findings at this time , we will continue to monitor campus conditions in the weeks ahead , '' the @ @ @

Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, disputed reports that he has reopened the Christian campus. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
March 25 (UPI) -- Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. on Wednesday rejected criticisms that the Christian Virginia campus has reopened against the advice of U.S. health officials. The conservative evangelical university drew backlash early this week from local and state officials after it was reported that students could return. Falwell said, however, that while the campus did allow the return of some students with nowhere else to go, it hasn't restarted classes. Advertisement
"Liberty did not reopen," Falwell told CNN. "Liberty has between 1,000 and 2,000 students on a campus built for 15,500 and almost a thousand are international students who have nowhere else to go. Others have no place else to be except in their dorms."
Falwell attributed the report about the campus reopening to an "irresponsible" article from a local news outlet.
He added that most classes are now online and the school is complying with all state restrictions.
Liberty University spokesman Scott Lamb said about 1,900 students are still on the Lynchburg, Va., campus and the university expects more than 4,000 will eventually return. Falwell said although academic buildings on campus are open, all classes will remain online and professors will work from home.
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"The campus has become more like an apartment complex than a university," Falwell added. "All the education is being done online. All the restaurants are serving takeout only. We are wiping down every surface that is touched off on every hour, we have extra police."
Lynchburg Mayor Treney Tweedy criticized Falwell Tuesday, saying he told officials initially that the campus would only open to international students.
"I am concerned for the students, faculty and employees at Liberty University, and I am also very concerned for the residents of the Lynchburg community," he said.
Falwell answered by saying he never committed to closing campus dormitories.
Central Virginia Health District Director Dr. Kerry Gateley said inspectors found recently that the university is complying with state regulations limiting groups to 10 people.
"While the health department inspectors reported no significant findings at this time, we will continue to monitor campus conditions in the weeks ahead," the district said.


upi--2020-04-16--USC Trojans quarterback J.T. Daniels entering NCAA transfer portal

April 16 ( UPI ) -- USC Trojans head football coach Clay Helton announced Thursday that quarterback J.T .
Daniels is entering his name in the NCAA transfer portal .
Daniels sustained a season-ending knee injury in the regular-season opener last year , leading to the emergence of Kedon Slovis .
Slovis earned Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2019 after taking over for the injured Daniels .
USC was optimistic that Daniels would remain at the school .
But with Slovis listed as the team 's current starting quarterback , Daniels is opting to explore his options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't rule out Daniels ' return to the school .
`` We have been working with J.T .
and his family , as well as our compliance office , to help him navigate the process of entering his name in the transfer portal , '' Helton said .
`` It is his desire to explore all of his options going into the 2020 season .
`` We will continue to support J.T .
in every way possible and help him through his decision , including the option of staying on with our football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , student , player , and valued member of our football family . ''
ESPN listed Daniels as a four-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class , while 247Sports ranked him as a five-star recruit .
He has been rehabbing his knee but is n't expected to be ready to return until at least this summer .
In place of Daniels , Slovis threw for 3,502 yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season .

USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton (C) didn't rule out J.T. Daniels' potential return to the school. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- USC Trojans head football coach Clay Helton announced Thursday that quarterback J.T. Daniels is entering his name in the NCAA transfer portal. Daniels sustained a season-ending knee injury in the regular-season opener last year, leading to the emergence of Kedon Slovis. Slovis earned Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2019 after taking over for the injured Daniels. Advertisement
USC was optimistic that Daniels would remain at the school. But with Slovis listed as the team's current starting quarterback, Daniels is opting to explore his options.
In his statement, Helton didn't rule out Daniels' return to the school.
"We have been working with J.T. and his family, as well as our compliance office, to help him navigate the process of entering his name in the transfer portal," Helton said. "It is his desire to explore all of his options going into the 2020 season.
"We will continue to support J.T. in every way possible and help him through his decision, including the option of staying on with our football team. J.T. is a terrific person, student, player, and valued member of our football family."
Advertisement USC QB JT Daniels has put his name in the transfer portal. Here is @USCCoachHelton's statement: pic.twitter.com/yCl2hnK6Kj— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) April 16, 2020
ESPN listed Daniels as a four-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, while 247Sports ranked him as a five-star recruit. He has been rehabbing his knee but isn't expected to be ready to return until at least this summer.
In place of Daniels, Slovis threw for 3,502 yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season.


upi--2020-04-16--President Donald Trump outlines three-phase plan for reopening U.S.

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The White House Coronavirus Task Force on Thursday outlined a three-phase plan to allow states to lift restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force on Thursday presented a plan to allow states to lift restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The plan -- known as "Opening Up America" -- will take place in three phases, with individual governors maintaining the authority to decide when to reopen upon meeting certain thresholds set out by the Trump administration. Advertisement
"We are not opening all at once but one careful state at a time and some states will be able to open up sooner than others," Trump said. "Some states are not in the kind of trouble that others are in."
Task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said that to enter phase one, states must have plans to ensure the health and safety of workers in critical industries and meet certain requirements in testing and contact tracing. They must also be able to independently supply Personal Protective Equipment and critical medical equipment to hospitals and have the ability to surge intensive care unit capacity.
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States must also exhibit a downward trajectory of influenza- and COVID-like illnesses as well as documented coronavirus cases and positive tests within a 14-day period. Hospitals must also ensure the ability to treat all patients without crisis care.
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
Under phase one, vulnerable individuals must continue to shelter in place, social distance should be maximized when in public, social gatherings should be limited to no more than 10 people and non-essential travel should be minimized.
In this phase, telework should be encouraged and special considerations should be made for vulnerable workers while returning to work in phases. Birx said that schools should remain closed, visits to hospitals and senior living facilities are prohibited and elective surgeries can resume on an outpatient basis.
Large venues and gyms will be able to operate under strict physical distancing.
Upon reaching phase two, many of the same restrictions remain, but gatherings can increase to as many as 50 people, non-essential travel can resume, schools, daycares and camps are permitted to re-open, and elective surgeries can resume on an outpatient and in-patient basis.
In phase three, vulnerable individuals would be permitted to resume public interactions while practicing physical distancing and unrestricted staffing of worksites can resume, while low-risk populations are encouraged to minimize time spent in crowded environments.
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Birx added, however, that Americans should maintain certain hygiene practices such as frequently washing their hands and refraining from touching their faces.
"Phase three is essentially returning to our 'new normal' with all of what we talked about through all phases, continuing the good hygiene practices, continuing the respect for spaces between individuals because we know that we still have an issue with asymptomatic spread," she said.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci said individual states will begin to open at different times and each area must exhibit that they have not experienced a resurgence in the virus before moving on to the next phase.
"You go into phase one, if you get no rebound and you satisfy the gating for yet again a second time, then you go to phase two. If you have no rebound and you satisfy the gating criteria for a third time you go into phase three," he said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement in response to the outline describing the plan as "vague and inconsistent" and stating Trump has not addressed recommendations from scientists to ensure national rapid testing.
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"The president's continued insistence on moving forward without testing, contact tracing, demographic data collection and a respect for science and the facts risks further death and economic disaster," said Pelosi.
Former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden, said Trump offered a "false choice" between economy and health.
"If you don't fix the health side of it, the economy is never going to get right," Biden said on CNN. "You're never going to be in the place where you get remotely a new normal."


upi--2020-04-16--Denver Broncos star LB Von Miller tests positive for coronavirus

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Denver Broncos All-Pro linebacker Von Miller tested positive for the coronavirus , the team confirmed Thursday .
In a statement , the Broncos said Miller went public with his diagnosis to `` emphasize that anyone can be afflicted with coronavirus . ''
According to the team , he remains under the care of team doctors .
`` After experiencing flu-like symptoms , Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has tested positive for COVID-19 , '' the organization said in its statement .
`` Von has elected to share his diagnosis publicly to emphasize that anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Von is doing well and recovering at home in self-isolation .
He remains under the care of team doctors , who are following all coronavirus treatment procedures to ensure a safe environment for Von and our community . ''
Miller is the first member of the Broncos organization known to have tested positive for the virus , the team said .
He is the second active NFL player known to have contracted COVID-19 .
On Wednesday , Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Brian Allen told FOX Sports that he tested positive .
Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's All-Decade Team , told 9NEWS in Denver that his assistant encouraged him to go to the hospital Tuesday to get tested .
`` It 's true , '' Miller said .
`` I 've just been here in the crib and I started to get a little cough .
You know , I have asthma and I started getting a little cough a couple days ago .
My girlfriend ... she told me when I was asleep , she said my cough , it did n't sound normal . ''
Miller had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until returning to his home in the Denver area last month amid the coronavirus outbreak .
`` It 's crazy .
I have to be quarantined at the house , '' Miller said .
`` There 's not really any medicine or anything like that .
Dr. Geraghty told me if my breathing changed ... honestly , I 'm still new to this .
This is like an hour [ since learning I tested positive ] .
`` I 'm not sure what 's going on , but I tell you what , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm still Von .
I 'm not feeling sick or hurting or anything like that . ''
Miller is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time All-Pro choice .

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller is the first member of the franchise known to have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the team. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- Denver Broncos All-Pro linebacker Von Miller tested positive for the coronavirus, the team confirmed Thursday. In a statement, the Broncos said Miller went public with his diagnosis to "emphasize that anyone can be afflicted with coronavirus." According to the team, he remains under the care of team doctors. Advertisement
"After experiencing flu-like symptoms, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has tested positive for COVID-19," the organization said in its statement. "Von has elected to share his diagnosis publicly to emphasize that anyone can be afflicted with coronavirus.
"Von is doing well and recovering at home in self-isolation. He remains under the care of team doctors, who are following all coronavirus treatment procedures to ensure a safe environment for Von and our community."
Miller is the first member of the Broncos organization known to have tested positive for the virus, the team said. He is the second active NFL player known to have contracted COVID-19. On Wednesday, Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Brian Allen told FOX Sports that he tested positive.
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Miller, a unanimous choice for the NFL's All-Decade Team, told 9NEWS in Denver that his assistant encouraged him to go to the hospital Tuesday to get tested.
"It's true," Miller said. "I've just been here in the crib and I started to get a little cough. You know, I have asthma and I started getting a little cough a couple days ago. My girlfriend ... she told me when I was asleep, she said my cough, it didn't sound normal."
Miller had been working out in the Bay Area until returning to his home in the Denver area last month amid the coronavirus outbreak.
"It's crazy. I have to be quarantined at the house," Miller said. "There's not really any medicine or anything like that. Dr. Geraghty told me if my breathing changed ... honestly, I'm still new to this. This is like an hour [since learning I tested positive].
"I'm not sure what's going on, but I tell you what, I'm in good spirits. I'm still Von. I'm not feeling sick or hurting or anything like that."
Miller is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time All-Pro choice.


upi--2020-04-16--Two felons escape from Wisconsin prison

Two felons escape from Wisconsin prison

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Two felons escaped from a maximum-security prison in Wisconsin and are considered to be @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
The Wisconsin State Patrol announced on Twitter that James Robert Newman , 37 @ @ @ @ @ , 46 , escaped from the Columbia Correctional Facility in Portage , Wis. , 40 @ @ @ @ @ Residents were warned to stay home and lock their doors as law enforcement conducts an @ @ @ @ @ .
The Columbia County Sheriff 's Office said they believe the pair have traveled outside @ @ @ @ @ Portage Police Department said they escaped before 5 a.m. Thursday and were believed to be @ @ @ @ @ .
Newman was convicted on firearm , kidnapping and theft charges and Deering was convicted @ @ @ @ @ and battery .

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Authorities in Wisconsin said that James Robert Newman, 37, and Thomas E. Deering, 46, escaped from the Columbia Correctional Facility in Portage, Wis.
April 16 (UPI) -- Two felons escaped from a maximum-security prison in Wisconsin and are considered to be dangerous, authorities warned on Thursday. The Wisconsin State Patrol announced on Twitter that James Robert Newman, 37, and Thomas E. Deering, 46, escaped from the Columbia Correctional Facility in Portage, Wis., 40 miles north of Madison. Advertisement
Residents were warned to stay home and lock their doors as law enforcement conducts an investigation to determine their whereabouts.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office said they believe the pair have traveled outside of the county.
The Portage Police Department said they escaped before 5 a.m. Thursday and were believed to be heading toward the Madison area.
Newman was convicted on firearm, kidnapping and theft charges and Deering was convicted for sexual assault, kidnapping and battery.


upi--2020-04-16--Watch live: Astronauts depart space station Thursday to a changed world

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Two astronauts and a cosmonaut are scheduled to depart from the International Space Station at 9:53 p.m. EDT Thursday after concluding their mission .
Live coverage begins at 9:30 p.m. NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan , who has spent nine months living and working on the space station , will join NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and Oleg Skripochka of the Russian space agency Roscosmos for the return flight .
All three had left Earth before the coronavirus pandemic began , as Meir noted in a live broadcast Friday from the space station .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we are truly going back to a different planet , '' Meir said .
She added that watching from space as billions of people on Earth dealt with the pandemic was `` surreal . ''
The three space travelers were scheduled to say goodbye to their successors on the space station at 6 p.m. and then be locked inside a Russian Soyuz capsule at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the undocking .
Once the space travelers are on the way back , NASA plans to provide coverage again during the deorbit burn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parachute-assisted landing at 1:16 a.m. EDT in Kazakhstan .
Morgan 's 272-day mission began July 20 .
His flight spanned 4,352 Earth orbits and 115.3 million miles .
He conducted seven spacewalks , totaling 45 hours , 48 minutes , four of which were to improve and extend the life of the station 's Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer as it looks for evidence of dark matter in the universe .
Meir and Skripochka , who lifted off Sept. 25 , will land with Morgan after 205 days in space , 3,280 orbits of Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During what was her first spaceflight , Meir conducted the first three all-woman spacewalks with crewmate Christina Koch of NASA that totaled 21 hours , 44 minutes .
Skripochka was completing his third spaceflight for a cumulative 536 days in orbit .
U.S astronaut Chris Cassidy took charge on the space station Wednesday .
He is accompanied by cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner .

NASA flight engineers Andrew Morgan (L) and Jessica Meir (R) flank Expedition 62 Commander Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos for a portrait in the weightless environment of the International Space Station. Photo courtesy of NASA
April 16 (UPI) -- Two astronauts and a cosmonaut were scheduled to depart from the International Space Station at 9:53 p.m. EDT Thursday after concluding their mission. NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan, who has spent nine months living and working on the space station, will join NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and Oleg Skripochka of the Russian space agency Roscosmos for the return flight. Advertisement
All three had left Earth before the coronavirus pandemic began, as Meir noted in a live broadcast Friday from the space station.
"It's a little bit difficult to believe that we are truly going back to a different planet," Meir said. She added that watching from space as billions of people on Earth dealt with the pandemic was "surreal."
The three space travelers were scheduled to say goodbye to their successors on the space station at 6 p.m. and then be locked inside a Russian Soyuz capsule at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the undocking.
Once the space travelers are on the way back, NASA plans to provide coverage again during the deorbit burn at 12:22 a.m. EDT Friday and the parachute-assisted landing at 1:16 a.m. EDT in Kazakhstan.
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Morgan's 272-day mission began July 20. His flight spanned 4,352 Earth orbits and 115.3 million miles. He conducted seven spacewalks, totaling 45 hours, 48 minutes, four of which were to improve and extend the life of the station's Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer as it looks for evidence of dark matter in the universe.
Meir and Skripochka, who lifted off Sept. 25, will land with Morgan after 205 days in space, 3,280 orbits of Earth and a trip of 86.9 million miles.
During what was her first spaceflight, Meir conducted the first three all-woman spacewalks with crewmate Christina Koch of NASA that totaled 21 hours, 44 minutes. Skripochka was completing his third spaceflight for a cumulative 536 days in orbit.
U.S astronaut Chris Cassidy took charge on the space station Wednesday. He is accompanied by cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner.


upi--2020-04-16--Storm-weary South put on alert for another round of violent weather

A repeat of the ferociousness of the tornado outbreak during the Easter weekend of 2020 is not anticipated , but a new round of severe weather , including the potential for tornadoes , seems likely to target many of the same areas hit hard recently in the southern United States .
Many communities in the South are cleaning up and beginning to pick up the pieces following a major outbreak of violent weather that struck Saturday to Monday and triggered approximately 960 incidents of severe weather , including more than 140 tornado reports .
Severe weather incidents were reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storms claimed the lives of at least 34 people across six states .
The pandemic and social distancing measures have been complicating an already difficult time in the aftermath of the devastating storms .
`` We saw more tragedy in the midst of what is already one of the most trying times our state has endured , '' South Carolina Gov .
Henry McMaster said over social media , referencing dealing with the severe weather amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` This environment has come with some unique complications , but the Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the nation , '' Stephanie Wagner , spokesperson for the American Red Cross told AccuWeather 's Brittany Boyle in a TV interview .
`` Our goal is to support people in their time of need after a disaster , to provide comfort , care and hope .
And in this time with this COVID-19 environment , we 're adjusting some of our service delivery to be done so in a virtual capacity , providing things like financial assistance , mental health , '' Wagner said , adding that the Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and instead has focused on getting people shelter through hotels , dormitories , etc .
A storm system forecast to bring a modest amount of rain and mountain snow to California late this week will make the difficult trek across the southern Rockies and is likely to reorganize upon nearing the lower Mississippi Valley this weekend .
The storm will then begin to tap moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and pump warm and humid air over the South Central and Southeast states .
`` All forms of severe weather are anticipated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday and Monday in the South , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said .
`` The strongest storms will have the potential to bring wind gusts to 60 mph , flash flooding , large hail and perhaps even a tornado during the upcoming severe weather outbreak , '' Miller said .
Adding to the danger will be the risk that some of the tornadoes could be wrapped in rain or may occur after dark .
AccuWeather meteorologists do not believe the number of tornadoes with the upcoming event will come close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the major outbreak during the 2020 Easter weekend .
However , all it takes is for one tornado to strike a community to cause widespread destruction and potentially cause loss of life .
And the event from Sunday to Monday is still likely to produce multiple tornadoes .
The overall strength of this storm system will pale in comparison to the powerful storm that traveled from the Deep South to the Great Lakes and southeastern Canada last weekend , so a broad area of high winds outside of thunderstorms is not expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather event is also likely to be somewhat more compact in nature , when compared to the Easter weekend outbreak .
Severe weather is not expected to reach into the middle Mississippi and Ohio valleys or the mid-Atlantic region .
The severe weather risk from Sunday to Monday is forecast to extend from northeastern Texas to northern Florida , Georgia , South Carolina and southern North Carolina .
Even though the upcoming event may not have the coverage or perhaps the intensity of the Easter weekend outbreak , people are encouraged to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plan of action in place prior to the arrival of a severe thunderstorm .
Doing so could save valuable seconds and ultimately prove to be life-saving .
Many major cities are in the potential path of severe weather with the upcoming event .
These cities include Port Arthur , Texas ; Atlanta and Augusta , Ga. ; Jackson , Miss .
; New Orleans and Baton Rouge , La .
; Birmingham and Montgomery , Ala. ; Columbia and Charleston , S.C. ; Wilmington , N.C. ; and Tallahassee and Jacksonville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the storm system is forecast to be roughly along Interstate 20 with a slight turn toward the northeast near the Atlantic coast .
Near and just north of I-20 , a swath of drenching rain is forecast with a general 1 inch to 2 inches likely in about 24 hours .
An AccuWeather Local StormMax of 4 inches is anticipated during the same period , which can be enough to cause not only urban flooding but also a rapid rise on small streams .
Forecasters urge motorists not to attempt driving through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away underneath floodwaters , and the force of flowing water could carry vehicles downstream where they could become submerged .
The period from April to May is prime time for tornadoes over the lower Mississippi Valley and the Southeast .
These two months are when the atmosphere can quickly warm and turn moist as strong storm systems from the western U.S. still travel far enough south to cause strong wind shear .
Wind shear is the turning of winds from different direction and increasing speed at increasing elevation in the atmosphere .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the atmosphere , which can than cause a tornado to form .
Additional rounds of severe weather are anticipated for the South in the coming weeks .
`` In terms of severe weather and tornado risk , the overall weather pattern is loaded for the rest of April and into May , '' Paul Pastelok , AccuWeather 's top long-range forecaster , said .
The weather pattern also looks conducive for significant rounds of severe weather over the Central states well into May , according to meteorologists .

A repeat of the ferociousness of the tornado outbreak during the Easter weekend of 2020 is not anticipated, but a new round of severe weather, including the potential for tornadoes, seems likely to target many of the same areas hit hard recently in the southern United States.
Many communities in the South are cleaning up and beginning to pick up the pieces following a major outbreak of violent weather that struck Saturday to Monday and triggered approximately 960 incidents of severe weather, including more than 140 tornado reports. Severe weather incidents were reported in every state in the South. The storms claimed the lives of at least 34 people across six states. The pandemic and social distancing measures have been complicating an already difficult time in the aftermath of the devastating storms.
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"We saw more tragedy in the midst of what is already one of the most trying times our state has endured," South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said over social media, referencing dealing with the severe weather amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"This environment has come with some unique complications, but the Red Cross is practicing social distancing just like the rest of the nation," Stephanie Wagner, spokesperson for the American Red Cross told AccuWeather's Brittany Boyle in a TV interview.
"Our goal is to support people in their time of need after a disaster, to provide comfort, care and hope. And in this time with this COVID-19 environment, we're adjusting some of our service delivery to be done so in a virtual capacity, providing things like financial assistance, mental health," Wagner said, adding that the Red Cross has not opened shelters for victims and instead has focused on getting people shelter through hotels, dormitories, etc.
A storm system forecast to bring a modest amount of rain and mountain snow to California late this week will make the difficult trek across the southern Rockies and is likely to reorganize upon nearing the lower Mississippi Valley this weekend.
The storm will then begin to tap moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and pump warm and humid air over the South Central and Southeast states.
"All forms of severe weather are anticipated with the event that is forecast to span Sunday and Monday in the South," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said.
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"The strongest storms will have the potential to bring wind gusts to 60 mph, flash flooding, large hail and perhaps even a tornado during the upcoming severe weather outbreak," Miller said.
Adding to the danger will be the risk that some of the tornadoes could be wrapped in rain or may occur after dark.
AccuWeather meteorologists do not believe the number of tornadoes with the upcoming event will come close to the dozens of tornadoes that were spawned with the major outbreak during the 2020 Easter weekend. However, all it takes is for one tornado to strike a community to cause widespread destruction and potentially cause loss of life. And the event from Sunday to Monday is still likely to produce multiple tornadoes.
The overall strength of this storm system will pale in comparison to the powerful storm that traveled from the Deep South to the Great Lakes and southeastern Canada last weekend, so a broad area of high winds outside of thunderstorms is not expected to affect northern locations.
The severe weather event is also likely to be somewhat more compact in nature, when compared to the Easter weekend outbreak. Severe weather is not expected to reach into the middle Mississippi and Ohio valleys or the mid-Atlantic region. The severe weather risk from Sunday to Monday is forecast to extend from northeastern Texas to northern Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and southern North Carolina.
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Even though the upcoming event may not have the coverage or perhaps the intensity of the Easter weekend outbreak, people are encouraged to take all severe weather events seriously and have a plan of action in place prior to the arrival of a severe thunderstorm. Doing so could save valuable seconds and ultimately prove to be life-saving.
Many major cities are in the potential path of severe weather with the upcoming event. These cities include Port Arthur, Texas; Atlanta and Augusta, Ga.; Jackson, Miss.; New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La.; Birmingham and Montgomery, Ala.; Columbia and Charleston, S.C.; Wilmington, N.C.; and Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Fla.
The path of the center of the storm system is forecast to be roughly along Interstate 20 with a slight turn toward the northeast near the Atlantic coast.
Near and just north of I-20, a swath of drenching rain is forecast with a general 1 inch to 2 inches likely in about 24 hours.
An AccuWeather Local StormMax of 4 inches is anticipated during the same period, which can be enough to cause not only urban flooding but also a rapid rise on small streams.
Advertisement
Forecasters urge motorists not to attempt driving through flooded roads. Road surfaces can wash away underneath floodwaters, and the force of flowing water could carry vehicles downstream where they could become submerged.
The period from April to May is prime time for tornadoes over the lower Mississippi Valley and the Southeast.
These two months are when the atmosphere can quickly warm and turn moist as strong storm systems from the western U.S. still travel far enough south to cause strong wind shear.
Wind shear is the turning of winds from different direction and increasing speed at increasing elevation in the atmosphere. This creates rotation in the lower part of the atmosphere, which can than cause a tornado to form.
Additional rounds of severe weather are anticipated for the South in the coming weeks.
"In terms of severe weather and tornado risk, the overall weather pattern is loaded for the rest of April and into May," Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather's top long-range forecaster, said.
The weather pattern also looks conducive for significant rounds of severe weather over the Central states well into May, according to meteorologists.


upi--2020-04-16--Textron awarded $386.3M for construction of new LCACs for Navy

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Textron , Inc. , has been awarded a $ 386.3 million contract modification for the construction of new landing craft , air cushion vehicles for the Navy , the Pentagon announced Thursday .
The landing craft , air cushion is a high-speed , fully amphibious landing craft capable of carrying a 60-75 ton payload , and is used to transport weapons systems , equipment and cargo and personnel for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force from ship to shore , according to the Navy .
According to the Department of Defense , the existing fleet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its service life and are being replaced through the Pentagon 's Ship-to-Shore Connector Program .
`` The SSC mission is to land surface assault elements in support of operational maneuver from the sea at over-the-horizon distances while operating from amphibious ships and mobile landing platforms .
SSC provides increased performance to handle current and future missions , as well as improvements , which will increase craft availability and reduce total ownership cost , '' said the Pentagon 's contract announcement .
The bulk of work on the contract will be performed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has an expected completion date of January 2025 .

Landing Craft, Air Cushion 50 transits alongside the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio during a friends and family day cruise in 2006. Photo by Charles A. Ordoqui/U.S. Navy
April 16 (UPI) -- Textron, Inc., has been awarded a $386.3 million contract modification for the construction of new landing craft, air cushion vehicles for the Navy, the Pentagon announced Thursday. The landing craft, air cushion is a high-speed, fully amphibious landing craft capable of carrying a 60-75 ton payload, and is used to transport weapons systems, equipment and cargo and personnel for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force from ship to shore, according to the Navy. Advertisement
According to the Department of Defense, the existing fleet of LCAC vehicles is nearing the end of its service life and are being replaced through the Pentagon's Ship-to-Shore Connector Program.
"The SSC mission is to land surface assault elements in support of operational maneuver from the sea at over-the-horizon distances while operating from amphibious ships and mobile landing platforms. SSC provides increased performance to handle current and future missions, as well as improvements, which will increase craft availability and reduce total ownership cost," said the Pentagon's contract announcement.
The bulk of work on the contract will be performed in New Orleans, La. The deal has an expected completion date of January 2025.


upi--2020-04-16--Judge declines Roger Stone's request for new trial

April 16 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge in Washington , D.C. , on Thursday denied former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone 's request for a new trial .
Stone sought to have the conviction overturned based on the suspected political leanings of one of the jurors on his case .
His attorney said jury foreman Tomeka Hart wrote a message online before the sentencing that defended the four prosecutors in the case .
Those attorneys quit the case on Feb. 11 after the Justice Department voided their recommended sentence for Stone -- following criticism from President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated unfairly .
Berman Jackson said defense lawyers failed to show that Hart misrepresented her political leanings .
`` The assumption underlying the motion -- that one can infer from the juror 's opinions about the president that she could not fairly consider the evidence against the defendant -- is not supported by any facts or data and it is contrary to controlling legal precedent , '' she wrote .
`` The motion is a tower of indignation , but at the end of the day , there is little of substance holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone to 40 months in prison in February after he was convicted on several criminal counts stemming from the Justice Department 's Russia investigation .
She also gave Stone two years of probation and ordered him to pay $ 20,000 in fines .
The Trump ally was convicted in November of charges that included lying to Congress , witness tampering and interfering in the House 's Russia investigation , which searched for any links between the Trump campaign and Moscow .

Roger Stone, former campaign adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, was unsuccessful in having his conviction overturned. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Thursday denied former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone's request for a new trial. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said Stone's Nov. 15 "conviction is final." Advertisement
Stone sought to have the conviction overturned based on the suspected political leanings of one of the jurors on his case. His attorney said jury foreman Tomeka Hart wrote a message online before the sentencing that defended the four prosecutors in the case.
Those attorneys quit the case on Feb. 11 after the Justice Department voided their recommended sentence for Stone -- following criticism from President Donald Trump that said his former adviser was being treated unfairly.
Berman Jackson said defense lawyers failed to show that Hart misrepresented her political leanings.
"The assumption underlying the motion -- that one can infer from the juror's opinions about the president that she could not fairly consider the evidence against the defendant -- is not supported by any facts or data and it is contrary to controlling legal precedent," she wrote.
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"The motion is a tower of indignation, but at the end of the day, there is little of substance holding it up."
Berman Jackson sentenced Stone to 40 months in prison in February after he was convicted on several criminal counts stemming from the Justice Department's Russia investigation. She also gave Stone two years of probation and ordered him to pay $20,000 in fines.
The Trump ally was convicted in November of charges that included lying to Congress, witness tampering and interfering in the House's Russia investigation, which searched for any links between the Trump campaign and Moscow.


upi--2020-04-16--Akima Logistics awarded $385M for work on C-21

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Akima Logistics Services was awarded a $ 385 million contract for work on the @ @ @ @ @ of Defense announced Thursday .
The contract funds program management and maintenance work for the @ @ @ @ @ Air-Ground Task Force uses to transport personnel , weapons , equipment , and cargo ship @ @ @ @ @ the contract will be performed at Scott Air Force Base , Ill. , Joint Base @ @ @ @ @ Ramstein Air Base in Germany and a variety of other locations .
In May 2019 @ @ @ @ @ a $ 23.3 million contract for maintenance and support of C-21 planes .
According to @ @ @ @ @ was awarded through a competitive bidding process with five bids received .
The contract has @ @ @ @ @ August 2030 .

The 76th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, lost three of its 13 C-21 aircraft in January as the Air Force retires the aircraft from the active-duty inventory. Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force
April 16 (UPI) -- Akima Logistics Services was awarded a $385 million contract for work on the C-21 aircraft, the Department of Defense announced Thursday. The contract funds program management and maintenance work for the C-21, which the Marine Air-Ground Task Force uses to transport personnel, weapons, equipment, and cargo ship to shore. Advertisement
Work on the contract will be performed at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Joint Base Andrews, Md., and Ramstein Air Base in Germany and a variety of other locations.
In May 2019 MI support services was awarded a $23.3 million contract for maintenance and support of C-21 planes.
According to the DoD, this contract was awarded through a competitive bidding process with five bids received.
The contract has an expected completion date of August 2030.


upi--2020-04-16--USAA to stop seizing stimulus payments to cover customer debts

April 16 ( UPI ) -- The military-focused financial company USAA said Thursday it has reversed a decision to seize customers ' federal stimulus payments to cover existing debts .
The American Prospect first reported that the insurance and banking firm was seizing veterans ' and military families ' stimulus checks to settle existing debts and account balances .
`` For members with negative deposit account balances , USAA will pause the collection of a negative account balance existing at the time their stimulus payment was deposited for 90 days , '' USAA spokesman Matthew Hartwig said .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus payment to help cover the costs of rent , food and other important necessities . ''
Initially the company defended the practice , saying it was permissible under federal rules .
It is , and the New York Times reported Thursday that USAA is not the only financial institution to have garnished individual payments so far .
That caveat has prompted outcry from members of the public as well as lawmakers asking Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin to change the rules so customers get direct access to their payments .
Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Get My Payment '' tool which went live Wednesday , but has for many users resulted in a dead end of error messages and no information on the current status of payments .
USAA -- which announced earlier this month that it would offer rebates to car insurance customers due to domestic travel restrictions -- also said Thursday that it would restore access to funds for individuals who had previously had funds seized to cover debts .
The checks -- $ 1,200 for individuals and up to $ 3,000 for families -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package passed by Congress in March to help families cover immediate debts and expenses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic .
According to the Department of Labor more than 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the last month .

The military-focused financial services company USAA said Thursday it will halt seizures of customers' stimulus payments to cover existing debts. Photo courtesy of USAA
April 16 (UPI) -- The military-focused financial company USAA said Thursday it has reversed a decision to seize customers' federal stimulus payments to cover existing debts. The American Prospect first reported that the insurance and banking firm was seizing veterans' and military families' stimulus checks to settle existing debts and account balances. Advertisement
"For members with negative deposit account balances, USAA will pause the collection of a negative account balance existing at the time their stimulus payment was deposited for 90 days," USAA spokesman Matthew Hartwig said. "This will allow members access to their full stimulus payment to help cover the costs of rent, food and other important necessities."
Initially the company defended the practice, saying it was permissible under federal rules.
It is, and the New York Times reported Thursday that USAA is not the only financial institution to have garnished individual payments so far.
That caveat has prompted outcry from members of the public as well as lawmakers asking Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin to change the rules so customers get direct access to their payments.
Americans have also reported problems with the IRS "Get My Payment" tool which went live Wednesday, but has for many users resulted in a dead end of error messages and no information on the current status of payments.
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USAA -- which announced earlier this month that it would offer rebates to car insurance customers due to domestic travel restrictions -- also said Thursday that it would restore access to funds for individuals who had previously had funds seized to cover debts.
The checks -- $1,200 for individuals and up to $3,000 for families -- are part of a $2 trillion package passed by Congress in March to help families cover immediate debts and expenses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Department of Labor more than 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the last month.


upi--2020-04-16--Fighting continues in Yemen despite cease-fire, coronavirus outbreak

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Combatting forces in Yemen have continued attacks despite a cease-fire as the country faces the threat of a spreading COVID-19 outbreak , U.N. officials warned Thursday .
U.N. Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths told a virtual meeting of the U.N. Security Council that fighting has continued in some areas after the Saudi-led coalition that backs the Yemeni government in the conflict announced a two-week cease-fire on April 8 .
`` Marib , the governorate of Marib to the east of Sanaa , remains the center of gravity of this war , yet it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The sooner we can stop the fighting , the better . ''
Griffiths said a halt to fighting in Yemen is especially necessary after it reported its first confirmed case of the coronavirus on April 10 .
`` Yemen can not face two fronts at the same time : a war and a pandemic , '' Griffiths said .
`` The new battle that Yemen faces in confronting the virus will be all-consuming .
We can do no less than stop this war and turn all our attention to this new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N. humanitarian relief coordinator told the Security Council that 31 of its 41 programs that provide aid to Yemen may shut down this year after the United Nations ' humanitarian fund for Yemen received $ 800 million , a fraction of the $ 2.6 billion it received last year .
`` This means we will have to start eliminating many of the activities that may offer Yemenis ' best chance to avoid COVID-19 , '' Lowcock said .
He added the cuts will include nutrition programs , the loss of which will leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more vulnerable to COVID-19 and other diseases .

United Nations officials on Thursday warned that conflicts in the country have continued despite a cease-fire as the country braces for a COVID-19 outbreak and funding for support programs has decreased, potentially forcing many to close. Photo courtesy STR/EPA-EFE
April 16 (UPI) -- Combatting forces in Yemen have continued attacks despite a cease-fire as the country faces the threat of a spreading COVID-19 outbreak, U.N. officials warned Thursday. U.N. Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths told a virtual meeting of the U.N. Security Council that fighting has continued in some areas after the Saudi-led coalition that backs the Yemeni government in the conflict announced a two-week cease-fire on April 8. Advertisement
"Marib, the governorate of Marib to the east of Sanaa, remains the center of gravity of this war, yet it is not the only theater," Griffiths said. "The sooner we can stop the fighting, the better."
Griffiths said a halt to fighting in Yemen is especially necessary after it reported its first confirmed case of the coronavirus on April 10.
"Yemen cannot face two fronts at the same time: a war and a pandemic," Griffiths said. "The new battle that Yemen faces in confronting the virus will be all-consuming. We can do no less than stop this war and turn all our attention to this new threat."
Mark Lowcock, the U.N. humanitarian relief coordinator told the Security Council that 31 of its 41 programs that provide aid to Yemen may shut down this year after the United Nations' humanitarian fund for Yemen received $800 million, a fraction of the $2.6 billion it received last year.
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"This means we will have to start eliminating many of the activities that may offer Yemenis' best chance to avoid COVID-19," Lowcock said.
He added the cuts will include nutrition programs, the loss of which will leave children with weakened immune systems making them more vulnerable to COVID-19 and other diseases.


upi--2020-04-16--Galleries, artists forced to get creative in response to coronavirus pandemic

April 16 ( UPI ) -- As soon as states and cities began shutting down non-essential businesses , museums began making their collections available online , whether through simple digital slideshows or more elaborate virtual reality tours .
Large art institutions like New York City 's Metropolitan Museum or Paris ' Louvre will survive the economic impact of the pandemic , despite temporary closures and staff layoffs .
Smaller art galleries and individual artists , though , could lose everything .
While the Guggenheim and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art rely largely on donations and tourist dollars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afloat .
Some are having to get creative -- like many other industries -- in learning how to operate in this new world in which they 've found themselves .
Like their museum counterparts , galleries are turning to digital exhibits to draw in clients .
Representatives from multiple galleries in New York City told Crain 's they 've created online viewing rooms and are being more transparent about pricing to boost sales .
One gallery , Gagosian , said it 's started highlighting one artist each week -- focusing on those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and listing one artwork and its price from each show for sale for 48 hours .
`` To anyone who 's not familiar with how the art market works , it 's literally the most counterintuitive way to do business , '' gallery director Sam Orlofsky told Crain 's .
For some , galleries , though , even that may not be enough to save their business .
Griff Williams , owner of Gallery 16 in San Francisco , said a government small business loan may be able to help pay his five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we may not be able to pay all of our full-time staff , '' he told the San Francisco Chronicle .
`` We have been in business for 26 years and this may very well be the end .
Only those with vast cash resources will be able to weather the next several months . ''
Even large art fairs like Art Basel are offering online viewing rooms for the first time , The New York Times reported last month .
The Hong Kong version of the fair was canceled due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than 230 art dealers to bring some $ 270 million in art to the market .
The Times reported that while most art buyers still prefer to view artworks in person before shelling out thousands -- or even millions -- of dollars , some have become more comfortable making online purchases from galleries and artists with which they 're familiar .
`` The online platform is something we have envisioned as an important part of what we do , '' art dealer David Zwirner told the Times .
`` In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late to the party if you think about other retail experiences . ''
It 's possible even more large art fairs will be canceled over the coming months as health experts warn social distancing measures may have to be taken off and on until 2020 .
But it 's not just the galleries that are feeling the impact of the various bans on large gatherings and non-essential businesses .
Without galleries and fairs , artists have restricted ability to sell their artworks .
Without museums operating , a whole host of art handlers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have jobs or health insurance .
Next City reported nearly 5 million Americans work as artists or at cultural organizations .
In Massachusetts , nearly 58 percent of organizations expect to lay off or furlough employees .
Many large cities have established artist relief funds , including Boston , Cambridge , Mass.
, and Denver .
Some are providing no-strings-attached grants for artists , prioritizing those with lower incomes .
`` Half of our budget is dedicated to funding and programming for individual artists .
They are our friends , family and community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arts and culture , Kara Elliott-Ortega .
A group of non-profit organizations have also established the Artist Relief fund , making about $ 10 million in grants for artists impacted by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic .
About 2,000 people will receive $ 5,000 unrestricted grants .
United States Artists CEO Deana Haggag told Quartz the application process will be pared down compared to the normal elaborate application process for artist grants .
`` You do not have to upload anything -- no paperwork , no work samples , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about equity , access , geographical range and discipline range ... we needed enough information to be able to do that .
But we did n't want to burden artists to work too hard in a moment when frankly I have no idea how people are being productive . ''
And while exhibitions are off the table for most artists , many are taking their work to the streets -- literally .
Some urban artists say they 've been inspired by the pandemic , spray painting celebrities wearing face masks , like Jules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells , like Eric Joza in Brooklyn .
Toilet paper makes an appearance in Hijack Art 's mural in Los Angeles .

A mural urges residents to stay home as a couple wearing masks kiss while taking a selfie on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles on Saturday. Some urban artists have been inspired by the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- As soon as states and cities began shutting down non-essential businesses, museums began making their collections available online, whether through simple digital slideshows or more elaborate virtual reality tours. Large art institutions like New York City's Metropolitan Museum or Paris' Louvre will survive the economic impact of the pandemic, despite temporary closures and staff layoffs. Advertisement
Smaller art galleries and individual artists, though, could lose everything. While the Guggenheim and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art rely largely on donations and tourist dollars, smaller galleries must make sales to stay afloat.
Some are having to get creative -- like many other industries -- in learning how to operate in this new world in which they've found themselves.
Galleries
Like their museum counterparts, galleries are turning to digital exhibits to draw in clients. Representatives from multiple galleries in New York City told Crain's they've created online viewing rooms and are being more transparent about pricing to boost sales.
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One gallery, Gagosian, said it's started highlighting one artist each week -- focusing on those who may have had an exhibition canceled -- and listing one artwork and its price from each show for sale for 48 hours.
"To anyone who's not familiar with how the art market works, it's literally the most counterintuitive way to do business," gallery director Sam Orlofsky told Crain's.
For some, galleries, though, even that may not be enough to save their business. Griff Williams, owner of Gallery 16 in San Francisco, said a government small business loan may be able to help pay his five employs through June.
"Past that we may not be able to pay all of our full-time staff," he told the San Francisco Chronicle.
"We have been in business for 26 years and this may very well be the end. Only those with vast cash resources will be able to weather the next several months."
Even large art fairs like Art Basel are offering online viewing rooms for the first time, The New York Times reported last month. The Hong Kong version of the fair was canceled due to the growing virus outbreak, foiling the plans of more than 230 art dealers to bring some $270 million in art to the market.
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The Times reported that while most art buyers still prefer to view artworks in person before shelling out thousands -- or even millions -- of dollars, some have become more comfortable making online purchases from galleries and artists with which they're familiar.
"The online platform is something we have envisioned as an important part of what we do," art dealer David Zwirner told the Times. "In a funny way, the art world is late to the party if you think about other retail experiences."
It's possible even more large art fairs will be canceled over the coming months as health experts warn social distancing measures may have to be taken off and on until 2020.
Cultural workers
But it's not just the galleries that are feeling the impact of the various bans on large gatherings and non-essential businesses. Without galleries and fairs, artists have restricted ability to sell their artworks. Without museums operating, a whole host of art handlers, educators and other workers may not have jobs or health insurance.
Next City reported nearly 5 million Americans work as artists or at cultural organizations. In Massachusetts, nearly 58 percent of organizations expect to lay off or furlough employees.
Advertisement
Many large cities have established artist relief funds, including Boston, Cambridge, Mass., and Denver. Some are providing no-strings-attached grants for artists, prioritizing those with lower incomes.
"Half of our budget is dedicated to funding and programming for individual artists. They are our friends, family and community," said Boston's chief of arts and culture, Kara Elliott-Ortega.
A group of non-profit organizations have also established the Artist Relief fund, making about $10 million in grants for artists impacted by the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. About 2,000 people will receive $5,000 unrestricted grants.
United States Artists CEO Deana Haggag told Quartz the application process will be pared down compared to the normal elaborate application process for artist grants.
"You do not have to upload anything -- no paperwork, no work samples," she said. "We are thinking critically about equity, access, geographical range and discipline range ... we needed enough information to be able to do that. But we didn't want to burden artists to work too hard in a moment when frankly I have no idea how people are being productive."
And while exhibitions are off the table for most artists, many are taking their work to the streets -- literally. Some urban artists say they've been inspired by the pandemic, spray painting celebrities wearing face masks, like Jules Muck in Miami, and animated coronavirus cells, like Eric Joza in Brooklyn. Toilet paper makes an appearance in Hijack Art's mural in Los Angeles.


upi--2020-04-16--Smartphone device as effective as check-ups to monitor blood pressure

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Smartphone-based devices designed to monitor blood pressure following a heart attack may be convenient and as effective as routine care at helping people keep their blood pressure under control , a study published Thursday in JAMA Network Open has found .
For the analysis , researchers at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands evaluated the impact of AliveCor , a smartphone-compatible , battery-powered device the size of a credit card that tracks users ' blood pressure , or BP .
While AliveCor accurately recorded readings over a one-year period , the researchers found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had `` controlled BP '' as those in the control group , who were not managed using the device .
Essentially , this means the device was no more and no less effective at helping heart attack sufferers maintain a healthy BP than routine check-ups .
Based on these findings , `` it is feasible to implement a remote monitoring solution in clinical practice and that outcomes are not different , '' co-author Dr. Roderick W. Treskes , a postdoctoral researcher at Leiden University Medical Center , told UPI .
`` This means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice , especially during this COVID-19 pandemic , to continue non-urgent but nevertheless important care delivery to our patients , '' he added .
`` If we wait until the pandemic is over , serious health damage will occur in many patients . ''
Roughly 80 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure , according to the American Heart Association , and approximately 70 percent of Americans use smartphones , research suggests .
Hence , the potential value of technology like AliveCor and apps used to monitor heart health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants -- with median age just under 60 -- who had a heart attack , or myocardial infarction .
Half the participants had their BP monitored over a one-year period using AliveCor and three other devices -- including a weight scale , heart-rhythm monitor and step counter -- while the other half had routine check-ups four times during the study period .
After a year , 79 percent of the participants who used the smartphone-compatible devices had `` controlled BP , '' compared to 76 percent in the routine care group .
General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , and all-cause death rates were 2 percent in both groups .
In all , 20 participants -- eight in the smartphone group -- were hospitalized for `` non-fatal adverse cardiac events . ''
Among the device users , 32 percent submitted measurements weekly , while 63 percent sent in data for at least 80 percent of the weeks they participated in the trial .
More than 90 percent of the participants were satisfied with the smartphone technology .
`` There are many ways in which remote care can be improved and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution , '' Treskes said .
`` We will teach computers to do the majority of data checks and with AI , they will be able to detect patterns in healthcare data which will turn out to be of predictive value and thus allow for prevention . ''

A smartphone-compatible device to measure blood pressure in heart attack sufferers is effective and convenient, a study has found. File photo by niekverlaan /Pixabay
April 16 (UPI) -- Smartphone-based devices designed to monitor blood pressure following a heart attack may be convenient and as effective as routine care at helping people keep their blood pressure under control, a study published Thursday in JAMA Network Open has found. For the analysis, researchers at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands evaluated the impact of AliveCor, a smartphone-compatible, battery-powered device the size of a credit card that tracks users' blood pressure, or BP. Advertisement
While AliveCor accurately recorded readings over a one-year period, the researchers found that roughly the same percentage of users had "controlled BP" as those in the control group, who were not managed using the device.
Essentially, this means the device was no more and no less effective at helping heart attack sufferers maintain a healthy BP than routine check-ups.
Based on these findings, "it is feasible to implement a remote monitoring solution in clinical practice and that outcomes are not different," co-author Dr. Roderick W. Treskes, a postdoctoral researcher at Leiden University Medical Center, told UPI.
"This means that we should use eHealth in clinical practice, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, to continue non-urgent but nevertheless important care delivery to our patients," he added. "If we wait until the pandemic is over, serious health damage will occur in many patients."
Advertisement
Roughly 80 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association, and approximately 70 percent of Americans use smartphones, research suggests. Hence, the potential value of technology like AliveCor and apps used to monitor heart health.
For the study, researchers enrolled 200 participants -- with median age just under 60 -- who had a heart attack, or myocardial infarction. Half the participants had their BP monitored over a one-year period using AliveCor and three other devices -- including a weight scale, heart-rhythm monitor and step counter -- while the other half had routine check-ups four times during the study period.
After a year, 79 percent of the participants who used the smartphone-compatible devices had "controlled BP," compared to 76 percent in the routine care group. General satisfaction with care was the same between groups, and all-cause death rates were 2 percent in both groups.
In all, 20 participants -- eight in the smartphone group -- were hospitalized for "non-fatal adverse cardiac events."
Among the device users, 32 percent submitted measurements weekly, while 63 percent sent in data for at least 80 percent of the weeks they participated in the trial. More than 90 percent of the participants were satisfied with the smartphone technology.
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"There are many ways in which remote care can be improved and we are continuously working on improving our solution," Treskes said. "We will teach computers to do the majority of data checks and with AI, they will be able to detect patterns in healthcare data which will turn out to be of predictive value and thus allow for prevention."


upi--2020-04-16--Tech stocks drive markets to slight gains despite COVID-19 job losses

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Tech stocks drove the U.S. markets slightly higher on Thursday despite news of extended business closures and high unemployment due to COVID-19 .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 33.33 points , or 0.14 percent , while the S & P 500 climbed 0.58 percent and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.66 percent .
Netflix stock rose 2.91 percent and Amazon climbed 4.36 percent as both reached record highs and drove the markets to gains .
Thursday 's increases came after markets closed with losses on Wednesday as the Dow fell 445 points amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
The Dow and S & P 500 are 20 percent and 17.9 percent below their respective all-time highs set in February as the market has experienced severe ups and downs in 2020 amid concerns about the outbreak .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that business closures in the state will extend through May 15 .
The Labor Department also announced another 5.2 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in its weekly report , adding to 16 million who had filed in the three weeks prior .

Markets rose slightly on Thursday as Netflix and Amazon stocks hit record highs, while the Labor Department reported that another 5.2 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- Tech stocks drove the U.S. markets slightly higher on Thursday despite news of extended business closures and high unemployment due to COVID-19. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 33.33 points, or 0.14 percent, while the S&P 500 climbed 0.58 percent and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.66 percent. Advertisement
Netflix stock rose 2.91 percent and Amazon climbed 4.36 percent as both reached record highs and drove the markets to gains.
Thursday's increases came after markets closed with losses on Wednesday as the Dow fell 445 points amid poor bank earnings reports and concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
The Dow and S&P 500 are 20 percent and 17.9 percent below their respective all-time highs set in February as the market has experienced severe ups and downs in 2020 amid concerns about the outbreak.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that business closures in the state will extend through May 15.
The Labor Department also announced another 5.2 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in its weekly report, adding to 16 million who had filed in the three weeks prior.


upi--2020-04-16--FDA approves trial of stem cells for severe COVID-19 treatment

April 16 ( UPI ) -- Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine received approval Thursday from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to start a small clinical trial using stem cells against COVID-19 .
The trial will evaluate use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to address life-threatening lung inflammation suffered by people with the severe form of the disease caused by the new coronavirus .
`` There is no time to waste , '' Dr. Camillo Ricordi , director of the Diabetes Research Institute and Cell Transplant Center at the school and the principal investigator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press release .
`` Patients who die from COVID-19 have a median time of just 10 days between first symptoms and death . ''
To date , nearly 650,000 Americans are confirmed to have the coronavirus , and more than 30,000 have died .
Most people who die from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 , develop a severe lower-respiratory tract infection , like pneumonia .
`` In severe cases oxygen levels in the bloodstream drop , and the inability to breathe pushes patients toward their end very quickly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that might prevent that trajectory would be highly desirable . ''
Ricordi will begin the 24-patient clinical trial to test safety and efficacy of stem cells , administered intravenously , to block the life-threatening lung inflammation as soon as possible .
The trial will be based at the University of Miami Health System and Jackson Health System , and is being conducted under the auspices of The Cure Alliance , a non-profit group of scientists dedicated to accelerating the development of cures for all diseases .
The Cure Alliance has pivoted all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group has shared the clinical protocol for the stem cell trial with other academic institutions throughout the world so that they can test similar treatment strategies .
Previously , the FDA has authorized the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell products in patients with type 1 diabetes and Alzheimer 's disease at the University of Miami , as part of other clinical trials .
For the COVID-19 trial , Ricordi enlisted additional experts from around the world with extensive experience in infectious diseases , pulmonary medicine and critical care , while others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are very grateful to the FDA 's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research , Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies , for performing four rounds of reviews in a record time -- one week , '' said Ricordi .

The University of Miami is poised to start a small clinical trial to test safety and efficacy of stem cells against lung inflammation in COVID-19. Photo by jarmoluk /Pixabay
April 16 (UPI) -- Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine received approval Thursday from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to start a small clinical trial using stem cells against COVID-19. The trial will evaluate use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to address life-threatening lung inflammation suffered by people with the severe form of the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Advertisement
"There is no time to waste," Dr. Camillo Ricordi, director of the Diabetes Research Institute and Cell Transplant Center at the school and the principal investigator on the trial, said in a press release. "Patients who die from COVID-19 have a median time of just 10 days between first symptoms and death."
To date, nearly 650,000 Americans are confirmed to have the coronavirus, and more than 30,000 have died. Most people who die from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, develop a severe lower-respiratory tract infection, like pneumonia.
"In severe cases oxygen levels in the bloodstream drop, and the inability to breathe pushes patients toward their end very quickly," Ricordi said. "Any intervention that might prevent that trajectory would be highly desirable."
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Ricordi will begin the 24-patient clinical trial to test safety and efficacy of stem cells, administered intravenously, to block the life-threatening lung inflammation as soon as possible. The trial will be based at the University of Miami Health System and Jackson Health System, and is being conducted under the auspices of The Cure Alliance, a non-profit group of scientists dedicated to accelerating the development of cures for all diseases.
The Cure Alliance has pivoted all of its resources toward fighting COVID-19. The group has shared the clinical protocol for the stem cell trial with other academic institutions throughout the world so that they can test similar treatment strategies.
Previously, the FDA has authorized the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell products in patients with type 1 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease at the University of Miami, as part of other clinical trials. For the COVID-19 trial, Ricordi enlisted additional experts from around the world with extensive experience in infectious diseases, pulmonary medicine and critical care, while others provided expertise in cell-based product development.
"We are very grateful to the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies, for performing four rounds of reviews in a record time -- one week," said Ricordi.


upi--2020-04-16--7 Midwest governors to look at 4 factors in reopening economy

Seven governors announced Thursday a plan to reopen the economy in the Midwest region. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 16 (UPI) -- Seven Midwest governors unveiled a plan Thursday to analyze four factors in determining whether to reopen their economies. The seven governors said in a statement they will work together to reopen the Midwest region economy. Advertisement
They include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
"Sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations," is the first among four factors the governors outlined. Second is "enhanced ability to test and trace." Third is "sufficient healthcare capacity to handle resurgence" and the fourth is "best practices for social distancing in the workplace."
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker indicated Tuesday that the partnership to come up with a reopening plan had been underway after similar announcements from northeastern and western coast governors.
Collectively, the governors said the "health and safety of our citizens" is the "number one priority."
The reopening should also be done in a manner that "prioritizes our workers' health," governors said.
"We look forward to working with experts and taking a fact-based, data-driven approach to reopening our economy in a way that protects families from the spread of COVID-19," they added. "We will make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in healthcare, business, labor, and education."
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The governors pointed out that their economies may not reopen "at the same time," but working together to develop the four guidelines ensures the reopening is done the right way. "Over time, people will go back to work, restaurants will reopen, and things will go back to normal," their statement said. "We look forward to working together as one region to tackle this challenge together."
President Donald Trump backed down from Monday's tweet that it was his decision, not governors, "to open up the states" after governors pushed back, saying Tuesday he's fine with governors deciding.
Trump added Thursday that governors can choose to reopen before next month.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-04-16--Diploma carried away by Georgia tornado found 30 miles away

April 16 ( UPI ) -- A Georgia man whose diploma was among the objects carried away by a tornado was reunited with the document after it was found 30 miles from his home .
Kelvin Duke said his middle school diploma was packed away in a box inside one of the three barns in the back yard of his Upson County home when the tornado swept through the area Monday morning .
`` I could feel the air coming up from the floor , '' Duke told WGCL-TV .
`` I was waiting for the home to be picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house was left standing , albeit severely damaged , when the tornado left the area , but all three of the barns were destroyed , Duke said .
Duke said he was surprised to later receive a text from a friend saying his diploma had been found 30 miles away from his house .
The document had come to a rest near I-75 in Monroe County .
`` It was n't crumpled , it was white as snow ... it did n't even look like it had been in that tornado , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WGXA-TV .

A Georgia man whose home was severely damaged by a tornado was reunited with his middle school diploma after it was found 30 miles away. Photo by Ekrulila/Pexels.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe April 16 (UPI) -- A Georgia man whose diploma was among the objects carried away by a tornado was reunited with the document after it was found 30 miles from his home. Kelvin Duke said his middle school diploma was packed away in a box inside one of the three barns in the back yard of his Upson County home when the tornado swept through the area Monday morning. Advertisement
"I could feel the air coming up from the floor," Duke told WGCL-TV. "I was waiting for the home to be picked up from its foundation."
The house was left standing, albeit severely damaged, when the tornado left the area, but all three of the barns were destroyed, Duke said.
Duke said he was surprised to later receive a text from a friend saying his diploma had been found 30 miles away from his house. The document had come to a rest near I-75 in Monroe County.
"It wasn't crumpled, it was white as snow...it didn't even look like it had been in that tornado," Duke's daughter, Summer, told WGXA-TV.