upi--2020-05-05--On This Day, May 5: Japanese balloon bomb leads to only WWII civilian deaths on continental U.S. soi

On This Day, May 5: Japanese balloon bomb leads to only WWII civilian deaths on continental U.S. soil

May 5 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1821 , Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile on the island of St. Helena .
In 1847 , the American Medical Association was founded in Philadelphia .
In 1904 , Cy Young of the Boston Americans pitched Major League Baseball 's first perfect game in a 3-0 win over Philadelphia .
In 1925 , biology teacher John Scopes was arrested for teaching Darwin 's theory of evolution in violation of Tennessee state laws .
In 1930 , British and Indian troops were put on alert in the major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarceration of Mahatma Gandhi .
In 1932 , Sen. George W. Norris , R-Neb.
, leader of the western insurgent Republicans , bolted the party and threw his support behind Gov .
Franklin D. Roosevelt for president .
In 1942 , Japanese forces stormed the Philippine island of Corregidor in a bid to capture a strategic access point to Manila Bay .
By 9:30 a.m. on May 6 , the Japanese had taken control of the island fortress .
In 1945 , Elsie Mitchell and five neighborhood children were killed in Lakeview , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had found in the woods exploded .
They were listed as the only known World War II civilian fatalities in the continental United States .
In 1961 , astronaut Alan Shepard became the United States ' first man in space in a brief sub-orbital flight from Cape Canaveral .
In 1981 , imprisoned Irish-Catholic militant Bobby Sands died after refusing food for 66 days in protest of his imprisonment by British authorities as a criminal rather than a political prisoner .
In 1995 , a surprise hail storm and flash flooding in Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst recorded hail storm in the United States in the 20th century .
In 1996 , Jose Maria Aznar became prime minister of Spain .
In 2003 , authorities said a two-day wave of tornadoes killed about 40 people in Kansas , Missouri and Tennessee .
About 400 tornadoes would go on to strike several Southern states over a nine-day period , killing 42 people and causing nearly $ 1 billion in damage .
In 2005 , British Prime Minister Tony Blair was elected to a third term .
In 2010 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long illness and Goodluck Jonathan , the vice president , assumed the presidency .
In 2019 , Thailand crowned a new king for the first time in nearly 70 decades -- Maha Vajiralongkorn .

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Monument to Elsie Mitchell and five children killed by Japanese balloon bomb on May 5, 1945. They were the only civilian deaths on continental U.S. soil in World War II. The monument is located in the Mitchell Recreation Area in Oregon. File Photo by Jayedgerton/Wikimedia
May 5 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1821, Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile on the island of St. Helena. Advertisement
In 1847, the American Medical Association was founded in Philadelphia.
In 1862, Mexican troops, outnumbered 3-1, defeated invading French forces of Napoleon III.
In 1904, Cy Young of the Boston Americans pitched Major League Baseball's first perfect game in a 3-0 win over Philadelphia.
In 1925, biology teacher John Scopes was arrested for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution in violation of Tennessee state laws.
UPI File Photo
In 1930, British and Indian troops were put on alert in the major cities throughout India following the arrest and incarceration of Mahatma Gandhi.
In 1932, Sen. George W. Norris, R-Neb., leader of the western insurgent Republicans, bolted the party and threw his support behind Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt for president.
In 1942, Japanese forces stormed the Philippine island of Corregidor in a bid to capture a strategic access point to Manila Bay. By 9:30 a.m. on May 6, the Japanese had taken control of the island fortress.
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In 1945, Elsie Mitchell and five neighborhood children were killed in Lakeview, Ore., when a Japanese balloon they had found in the woods exploded. They were listed as the only known World War II civilian fatalities in the continental United States.
In 1961, astronaut Alan Shepard became the United States' first man in space in a brief sub-orbital flight from Cape Canaveral.
In 1981, imprisoned Irish-Catholic militant Bobby Sands died after refusing food for 66 days in protest of his imprisonment by British authorities as a criminal rather than a political prisoner.
In 1995, a surprise hail storm and flash flooding in Dallas left 17 people dead. It was the worst recorded hail storm in the United States in the 20th century.
In 1996, Jose Maria Aznar became prime minister of Spain.
File Photo by Michael Kleinfeld/UPI
In 2003, authorities said a two-day wave of tornadoes killed about 40 people in Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. About 400 tornadoes would go on to strike several Southern states over a nine-day period, killing 42 people and causing nearly $1 billion in damage.
Advertisement
In 2005, British Prime Minister Tony Blair was elected to a third term.
In 2010, Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua died after a long illness and Goodluck Jonathan, the vice president, assumed the presidency.
In 2019, Thailand crowned a new king for the first time in nearly 70 decades -- Maha Vajiralongkorn.


upi--2020-05-05--Veterinary clinics operate at full capacity during pandemic

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, May 5 ( UPI ) -- Veterinary clinics across the country say they are operating at full capacity , partly because people forced to stay home by the coronavirus pandemic are spending more time -- and noticing more issues -- with their pets .
`` We 're really busy , and people are very concerned about their pets ' health , '' said Ted Stechschulte , office manager at Forest Hill Animal Hospital in Palm Springs , Fla. '' It seems they are noticing more things -- like a cough or scratching -- because they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of stay-at-home orders , '' he said .
The surge has come despite many states ' governors ordering veterinary clinics to stop performing routine procedures .
`` I think people are calling in much more now , '' said Matthew Salois , the chief economist with the American Veterinary Medical Association .
`` They are spending more time with their pets .
They 're petting them more .
They 're seeing how they act during the day .
So , they 're noticing things they have n't noticed before and calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pet owners are bringing in their animals for issues they had been `` putting off , '' said Glen Cole , the practice manager at Parks Veterinary in Grand Island , Neb .
`` Now they have time . ''
At Cole 's practice , the veterinarians also are seeing a spike in the number of new patients , largely puppies and recently adopted dogs , he said .
`` People are seeking companionship in whatever ways they can get it , '' Cole said .
`` So we have seen a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelters are all fairly empty . ''
Adding to the pressure on veterinary offices , most have gone totally `` curbside , '' Salois said .
And that has added substantial work -- and time -- for every patient .
Veterinary staff members conduct initial intakes over the phone , meet clients at their cars to take their pet inside and then make calls to the owners or conduct parking lot follow-ups to discuss findings and treatment options .
`` What 's happened is the total amount of work I 'm doing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Faith Flower , a veterinarian and the owner of Lomas Veterinary Clinic in Albuquerque , N.M. `` But , it is taking me a lot longer to do it .
I 'm so busy all day .
I 'm just trying to get through it . ''
According to the Toronto-based analytics firm VetSuccess , daily revenue at American veterinary clinics was down about 6 percent in April compared with last year .
Meanwhile , the number of daily invoices dropped by 12 percent .
The freeze on elective procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline in invoices , the veterinary association 's Salois said .
`` All I know is we are busy , '' said Tami Bremer , the practice manager at Mountain View Animal Hospital in Rapid City , S.D .
`` I 've heard the stories about it being because people are home more with their pets .
I ca n't confirm that that 's the case for us , but we 're certainly busy . ''

Veterinary offices say they are seeing patients from open to close, running at maximum capacity, during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of Pixabay
EVANSVILLE, Ind., May 5 (UPI) -- Veterinary clinics across the country say they are operating at full capacity, partly because people forced to stay home by the coronavirus pandemic are spending more time -- and noticing more issues -- with their pets. "We're really busy, and people are very concerned about their pets' health," said Ted Stechschulte, office manager at Forest Hill Animal Hospital in Palm Springs, Fla. Advertisement
"It seems they are noticing more things -- like a cough or scratching -- because they are with their pets a lot more as a result of stay-at-home orders," he said.
The surge has come despite many states' governors ordering veterinary clinics to stop performing routine procedures.
"I think people are calling in much more now," said Matthew Salois, the chief economist with the American Veterinary Medical Association.
"They are spending more time with their pets. They're petting them more. They're seeing how they act during the day. So, they're noticing things they haven't noticed before and calling their veterinarians."
In other cases, pet owners are bringing in their animals for issues they had been "putting off," said Glen Cole, the practice manager at Parks Veterinary in Grand Island, Neb. "Now they have time."
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At Cole's practice, the veterinarians also are seeing a spike in the number of new patients, largely puppies and recently adopted dogs, he said.
"People are seeking companionship in whatever ways they can get it," Cole said. "So we have seen a lot of puppies here, and the shelters are all fairly empty."
Adding to the pressure on veterinary offices, most have gone totally "curbside," Salois said. And that has added substantial work -- and time -- for every patient.
Veterinary staff members conduct initial intakes over the phone, meet clients at their cars to take their pet inside and then make calls to the owners or conduct parking lot follow-ups to discuss findings and treatment options.
"What's happened is the total amount of work I'm doing is probably down for April from last year," said Faith Flower, a veterinarian and the owner of Lomas Veterinary Clinic in Albuquerque, N.M. "But, it is taking me a lot longer to do it. I'm so busy all day. I'm just trying to get through it."
Flower's observations parallels national data.
According to the Toronto-based analytics firm VetSuccess, daily revenue at American veterinary clinics was down about 6 percent in April compared with last year. Meanwhile, the number of daily invoices dropped by 12 percent.
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The freeze on elective procedures in many states likely contributed to the decline in invoices, the veterinary association's Salois said.
"All I know is we are busy," said Tami Bremer, the practice manager at Mountain View Animal Hospital in Rapid City, S.D. "I've heard the stories about it being because people are home more with their pets. I can't confirm that that's the case for us, but we're certainly busy."


upi--2020-05-05--Famous birthdays for May 5: Hannah Jeter, Nathan Chen

May 5 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .
-- Radio @ @ @ @ @ of `` Amos and Andy , '' in 1899 -- U.S. figure skater Nathan Chen @ @ @ @ @ quad jumps in Olympics program , in 1999 ( age 21 )

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Hannah Jeter attends the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2017 launch event at Center 415 Event Space on February 16, 2017, in New York City. The model turns 30 on May 5. File Photo by Andrea Hanks/UPI | License Photo
May 5 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard in 1813
-- German political theorist Karl Marx in 1818
-- Hatmaker John Stetson in 1830
-- Crusading journalist Nellie Bly in 1864
File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI
-- Radio actor Freeman Gosden, Amos of "Amos and Andy," in 1899
-- Chef/cookbook author James Beard in 1903
-- Actor Tyrone Power in 1914
-- Singer/actor Alice Faye in 1915
-- Actor Michael Murphy in 1938 (age 82)
-- Actor Lance Henriksen in 1940 (age 80)
-- Singer Tammy Wynette in 1942
-- Actor Michael Palin in 1943 (age 77)
-- Actor John Rhys-Davies in 1944 (age 76)
-- Actor Roger Rees in 1944
-- Author/columnist Kurt Loder in 1945 (age 75)
-- TV newsman Brian Williams in 1959 (age 61)
-- Actor Tina Yothers in 1973 (age 47)
-- Actor Danielle Fishel in 1981 (age 39)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
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-- Actor Henry Cavill in 1983 (age 37)
-- Singer/songwriter Adele Adkins in 1988 (age 32)
-- Rapper Chris Brown in 1989 (age 31)
-- Model Hannah Jeter in 1990 (age 30)
-- U.S. figure skater Nathan Chen, first to land six quad jumps in Olympics program, in 1999 (age 21)


upi--2020-05-05--Sleep apnea linked to higher diabetes risk in black Americans

Black Americans with severe sleep apnea and other sleep problems are at increased risk for high blood sugar levels that can lead to diabetes , a new study finds .
The researchers examined sleep patterns and blood sugar , or glucose , of 789 men and women , average age 63 , enrolled in the Jackson Heart Study , the largest study of cardiovascular disease in black Americans .
One-quarter of participants had type 2 diabetes 20 percent were taking diabetes medications and 57 percent had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea but were not being treated for it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher fasting blood glucose levels than those without sleep apnea , the findings showed .
Severe sleep apnea was also associated with higher HbA1c levels .
HbA1C is a measure of average blood sugar control over two to three months .
The link between apnea and high blood sugar was stronger in men than in women , the study found .
Black men with severe sleep apnea had 10 percent higher fasting blood glucose levels than black women with severe apnea .
Other types of sleep problems -- including sleep fragmentation and variability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with higher blood glucose levels , and the link was strongest in those with diabetes , according to the study published online April 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association .
The findings suggest that better sleep may help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes in black Americans , whose risk for the disease is higher than that of other groups .
However , the study only found an association and could not prove cause and effect .
The researchers concluded that it 's important to screen black Americans for sleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance of developing interventions to promote regular sleep schedules , particularly in those with diabetes , '' said lead author Dr. Yuichiro Yano , an assistant professor of family medicine and community health at Duke University in Durham , N.C .
The study `` also reaffirms the need to improve the screening and diagnosis of sleep apnea , both in African Americans and other groups , '' Yano said in a news release from the U.S. National Heart , Lung , and Blood Institute .
The American Sleep Apnea Association has more on @ @ @

Black Americans with severe sleep apnea and other sleep problems are at increased risk for high blood sugar levels that can lead to diabetes, a new study finds.
The researchers examined sleep patterns and blood sugar, or glucose, of 789 men and women, average age 63, enrolled in the Jackson Heart Study, the largest study of cardiovascular disease in black Americans.
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One-quarter of participants had type 2 diabetes 20 percent were taking diabetes medications and 57 percent had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea but were not being treated for it.
Those with severe apnea had 14 percent higher fasting blood glucose levels than those without sleep apnea, the findings showed. Severe sleep apnea was also associated with higher HbA1c levels. HbA1C is a measure of average blood sugar control over two to three months.
The link between apnea and high blood sugar was stronger in men than in women, the study found. Black men with severe sleep apnea had 10 percent higher fasting blood glucose levels than black women with severe apnea.
Other types of sleep problems -- including sleep fragmentation and variability in sleep duration -- were also associated with higher blood glucose levels, and the link was strongest in those with diabetes, according to the study published online April 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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The findings suggest that better sleep may help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes in black Americans, whose risk for the disease is higher than that of other groups. However, the study only found an association and could not prove cause and effect.
The researchers concluded that it's important to screen black Americans for sleep apnea.
"The study underscores the importance of developing interventions to promote regular sleep schedules, particularly in those with diabetes," said lead author Dr. Yuichiro Yano, an assistant professor of family medicine and community health at Duke University in Durham, N.C.
The study "also reaffirms the need to improve the screening and diagnosis of sleep apnea, both in African Americans and other groups," Yano said in a news release from the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
More information
The American Sleep Apnea Association has more on sleep apnea.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-05--South Korea again reports no new local COVID-19 infections as it eases social distancing rules

SEOUL , May 5 ( UPI ) -- South Korean health officials reported no new local transmissions of COVID-19 for the second day in a row on Tuesday as the country prepares to ease social distancing rules and reopen schools and public facilities .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported three additional imported cases of COVID-19 , bringing the total number of infections to 10,804 .
The new patients represented the sixth day in a row of single-digit increases and marked the lowest daily total since February 18 , when an outbreak began in the southeastern city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steadily decreasing number of new patients , South Korea is loosening its social distancing policies and will be implementing a phase of what it calls `` everyday life quarantine '' on Wednesday .
The measures provide hygiene and disease prevention guidelines for 31 different locations and situations as the country begins to reopen venues such as recreational facilities , nightclubs , places of worship and museums .
Vice health minister Kim Gang-lip said Tuesday that the new measures would provide an economic and social boost but did not represent a full return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing measures does not mean we will be going back to pre-COVID-19 days , '' Kim said at a press briefing .
`` However , we are making new norms and a new culture .
It is about guaranteeing social and economic activities while individuals and society as a whole become responsible agents of this infection and quarantine . ''
South Korea 's professional baseball league , the Korean Baseball Organization , is scheduled to kick off its regular season on Tuesday evening at stadiums without fans in attendance .
The government announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week , with high school seniors returning to class on May 13 and other grades resuming in a phased process throughout the rest of the month .
Online classes began on April 9 after a five-week postponement from the scheduled start of the semester due to the coronavirus outbreak .
South Korea will also begin reducing the number of hospitals and beds specifically designated for treating COVID-19 patients , Kim said on Tuesday .
The country currently has 5,533 secured beds , with 4,649 immediately available .
Health officials will reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday and will look to further reduce capacity in coming weeks if the trend of limited new cases continues , Kim said .
South Korea was the first country after China to see widespread local transmission of the coronavirus after its February outbreak , but officials managed to dramatically flatten the curve of new infections through early and aggressive testing and tracing .
The country reported two new deaths on Tuesday , bringing the nationwide total to 254 , the KCDC reported .

South Korea reported no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on Tuesday for the second day in a row as the country begins loosening social distancing guidelines. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
SEOUL, May 5 (UPI) -- South Korean health officials reported no new local transmissions of COVID-19 for the second day in a row on Tuesday as the country prepares to ease social distancing rules and reopen schools and public facilities. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported three additional imported cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections to 10,804. The new patients represented the sixth day in a row of single-digit increases and marked the lowest daily total since Feb. 18, when an outbreak began in the southeastern city of Daegu. Advertisement
In response to the steadily decreasing number of new patients, South Korea is loosening its social distancing policies and will be implementing a phase of what it calls "everyday life quarantine" on Wednesday.
The measures provide hygiene and disease prevention guidelines for 31 locations and situations as the country begins to reopen venues such as recreational facilities, nightclubs, places of worship and museums.
Vice health minister Kim Gang-lip said Tuesday the new measures would provide an economic and social boost but did not represent a full return to normal.
"Transitioning into everyday social distancing measures does not mean we will be going back to pre-COVID-19 days," Kim said at a press briefing. "However, we are making new norms and a new culture. It is about guaranteeing social and economic activities while individuals and society as a whole become responsible agents of this infection and quarantine."
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South Korea's professional baseball league, the Korean Baseball Organization, is scheduled to kick off its regular season on Tuesday evening at stadiums without fans in attendance.
The government announced on Monday that schools would start reopening next week, with high school seniors returning to class on May 13 and other grades resuming in a phased process throughout the rest of the month.
Online classes began on April 9 after a five-week postponement from the scheduled start of the semester due to the coronavirus outbreak.
South Korea will also begin reducing the number of hospitals and beds specifically designated for treating COVID-19 patients, Kim said Tuesday. The country currently has 5,533 secured beds, with 4,649 immediately available.
Health officials will reduce the number of COVID-19 beds by 1,725 starting on Wednesday and will look to further reduce capacity in coming weeks if the trend of limited new cases continues, Kim said.
South Korea was the first country after China to see widespread local transmission of the coronavirus after its February outbreak, but officials managed to dramatically flatten the curve of new infections through early and aggressive testing and tracing.
The country reported two new deaths on Tuesday, bringing the nationwide total to 254, the KCDC reported.


upi--2020-05-04--NAIA reaches two-year partnership with NFL to launch women's flag football

May 4 ( UPI ) -- Women 's flag football will become a varsity sport for NAIA schools by 2021 after the organization announced a two-year partnership with the NFL and Reigning Champs Experiences .
With support from the NFL and Reigning Champs Experiences ( RCX ) , the NAIA will work to develop league infrastructure and operations for the first women 's flag football competition governed by a collegiate athletics association .
`` Football is for everyone , '' NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said in a statement Monday .
`` This groundbreaking and historic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values , fun and competitive environment of football to be enjoyed as a varsity sport by female student-athletes attending NAIA institutions across America . ''
The NAIA will host its first showcase open to female football athletes in late summer or early fall of this year .
The first competitive season is expected to be held in the spring of 2021 .
`` Increasing female participation in flag football has been a top priority for NFL FLAG , '' RCX president and general manager Izell Reese said .
`` By teaming up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create even more opportunities for young women to continue the sport they love , and potentially receive scholarships to continue their education and compete at the next level . ''
The NAIA will host an emerging sport or invitational championship in the spring of 2022 .
An emerging sport in the NAIA is defined as at least 15 participating schools , while an invitational is at least 25 .
A sport must have a minimum of 40 participating institutions to be considered for full championship status .

May 4 (UPI) -- Women's flag football will become a varsity sport for NAIA schools by 2021 after the organization announced a two-year partnership with the NFL and Reigning Champs Experiences.
With support from the NFL and Reigning Champs Experiences (RCX), the NAIA will work to develop league infrastructure and operations for the first women's flag football competition governed by a collegiate athletics association.
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"Football is for everyone," NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said in a statement Monday. "This groundbreaking and historic joint venture provides an opportunity for the values, fun and competitive environment of football to be enjoyed as a varsity sport by female student-athletes attending NAIA institutions across America."
The NAIA will host its first showcase open to female football athletes in late summer or early fall of this year. The first competitive season is expected to be held in the spring of 2021.
"Increasing female participation in flag football has been a top priority for NFL FLAG," RCX president and general manager Izell Reese said. "By teaming up with the NAIA, we're able to create even more opportunities for young women to continue the sport they love, and potentially receive scholarships to continue their education and compete at the next level."
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The NAIA will host an emerging sport or invitational championship in the spring of 2022. An emerging sport in the NAIA is defined as at least 15 participating schools, while an invitational is at least 25. A sport must have a minimum of 40 participating institutions to be considered for full championship status.


upi--2020-05-04--Indianapolis Colts declining fifth-year option on S Malik Hooker

May 4 ( UPI ) -- The Indianapolis Colts are declining to pick up the fifth-year option on safety Malik Hooker .
ESPN and NFL Media confirmed the Colts ' decision to not pick up the option Monday , meaning Hooker will be in a contract year this season .
According to Spotrac , he is scheduled to make about $ 2.18 million in the fourth and final season of his rookie contract .
Hooker , the No .
15 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Ohio State , was the last player from the 2017 draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his rookie deal would be picked up .
According to ESPN , he would have made about $ 7 million during the 2021 campaign if the Colts exercised the option .
In total , 17 players from the 2017 draft had their option picked up , 13 had them declined , one player -- Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey -- received a contract extension and another -- defensive lineman Taco Charlton -- was released .
Hooker appeared in only seven regular-season games during his rookie season because of a torn ACL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered quickly enough to play in a career-high 14 games in 2018 , but injuries slowed him again last season .
Hooker missed three games in 2019 due to a torn meniscus .
In 13 games , he notched a career-best 51 total tackles to go along with two interceptions and three passes defensed .
Since entering the league , Hooker has recorded 117 total tackles , seven picks and 11 passes defensed in 34 career games .
The Colts could potentially replace Hooker with Utah 's Julian Blackmon this season .
Indianapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month 's NFL Draft .

Indianapolis Colts safety Malik Hooker (R) missed three games last season because of a torn meniscus. File Photo by Ed Locke/UPI | License Photo
May 4 (UPI) -- The Indianapolis Colts are declining to pick up the fifth-year option on safety Malik Hooker. ESPN and NFL Media confirmed the Colts' decision to not pick up the option Monday, meaning Hooker will be in a contract year this season. According to Spotrac, he is scheduled to make about $2.18 million in the fourth and final season of his rookie contract. Advertisement
Hooker, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, was the last player from the 2017 draft class to learn whether the option year of his rookie deal would be picked up. According to ESPN, he would have made about $7 million during the 2021 campaign if the Colts exercised the option.
In total, 17 players from the 2017 draft had their option picked up, 13 had them declined, one player -- Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey -- received a contract extension and another -- defensive lineman Taco Charlton -- was released.
Hooker appeared in only seven regular-season games during his rookie season because of a torn ACL and MCL. The 24-year-old defensive back recovered quickly enough to play in a career-high 14 games in 2018, but injuries slowed him again last season.
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Hooker missed three games in 2019 due to a torn meniscus. In 13 games, he notched a career-best 51 total tackles to go along with two interceptions and three passes defensed.
Since entering the league, Hooker has recorded 117 total tackles, seven picks and 11 passes defensed in 34 career games.
The Colts could potentially replace Hooker with Utah's Julian Blackmon this season. Indianapolis selected Blackmon in the third round of last month's NFL Draft.


upi--2020-05-05--Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after 'non-surgical' gallbladder treatment

May 5 ( UPI ) -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized on Tuesday after undergoing treatment for @ @ @ @ @ the court said .
The Supreme Court issued a statement saying Ginsburg is `` resting @ @ @ @ @ at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and plans to participate in an oral argument @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
Ginsburg expects to stay in the hospital for `` a day or two @ @ @ @ @ She underwent a non-surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis after undergoing outpatient tests that confirmed a @ @ @ @ @ cystic duct , blocking it and causing an infection .
Ginsburg , 87 , was @ @ @ @ @ admitted for chills and a fever .
She previously treated for a tumor on her @ @ @ @ @ been treated for colon and pancreatic cancer in the past .

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized on Tuesday after undergoing a "non-surgical" treatment for a gallbladder condition but expects to participate in a. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
May 5 (UPI) -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized on Tuesday after undergoing treatment for a benign gallbladder condition, the court said. The Supreme Court issued a statement saying Ginsburg is "resting comfortably" after the treatment at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and plans to participate in an oral argument teleconference tomorrow morning from the hospital. Advertisement
Ginsburg expects to stay in the hospital for "a day or two" the court said.
She underwent a non-surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis after undergoing outpatient tests that confirmed a gallstone had migrated to her cystic duct, blocking it and causing an infection.
Ginsburg, 87, was hospitalized in November after being admitted for chills and a fever. She previously treated for a tumor on her pancreas in August and has been treated for colon and pancreatic cancer in the past.


upi--2020-05-05--German soccer club Erzgebirge Aue in isolation due to COVID-19 ahead of key meeting

May 5 ( UPI ) -- Second-division German soccer club Erzgebirge Aue placed their entire team in home isolation after a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus .
In a statement released Tuesday , the club said the positive test resulted from the German league 's second round of testing .
FC Erzgebirge Aue did n't disclose the name of the staff member or how the person contracted COVID-19 .
The club did n't report any positive results from the first round of testing last week .
It marked the first confirmed case in the German league 's second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before a government meeting on relaxing lockdown measures .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and state governors on Wednesday will discuss resuming soccer in empty stadiums around the country .
A total of 10 people tested positive last week out of the 36 clubs in the top two men 's divisions , which included two Cologne players and a staff member .
The club did n't place its members in isolation , nor did second-division team Stuttgart , which reported one `` inconclusive result . ''
The other confirmed cases have n't been publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Football League , which oversees the top two divisions , previously asked clubs not to reveal cases .

May 5 (UPI) -- Second-division German soccer club Erzgebirge Aue placed their entire team in home isolation after a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.
In a statement released Tuesday, the club said the positive test resulted from the German league's second round of testing. FC Erzgebirge Aue didn't disclose the name of the staff member or how the person contracted COVID-19. The club didn't report any positive results from the first round of testing last week.
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It marked the first confirmed case in the German league's second wave of tests, coming a day before a government meeting on relaxing lockdown measures. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and state governors on Wednesday will discuss resuming soccer in empty stadiums around the country.
A total of 10 people tested positive last week out of the 36 clubs in the top two men's divisions, which included two Cologne players and a staff member. The club didn't place its members in isolation, nor did second-division team Stuttgart, which reported one "inconclusive result."
The other confirmed cases haven't been publicly linked to any club. The German Football League, which oversees the top two divisions, previously asked clubs not to reveal cases.


upi--2020-05-05--Airbnb to lay off 1,900 employees citing COVID-19 impacts

May 5 ( UPI ) -- Aribnb told employees Tuesday that it will lay off nearly 1,900 employees , or 25 percent of the company , citing impacts from the global COVID-19 pandemic .
CEO Brian Chesky sent a note to employees saying in addition to the layoffs Airbnb will stop projects related to hotels , a transportation division and luxury stays , saying `` travel in this new world will look different '' than what the company had planned for .
`` We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime and as it began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standstill , '' Chesky said .
`` Airbnb 's business has been hit hard , with revenue this year forecasted to be less than half of what we earned in 2019 . ''
May 11 will be the last day of work for employees laid off in the United States and Canada , said Chesky .
U.S. employees affected by the layoffs will receive 14 weeks of base pay and an additional week for every year they worked at Airbnb .
The company will also provide 12 months of healthcare for employees who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers before the layoffs and instituted a hiring freeze last month in addition to suspending its marketing , cutting executives ' salary and announcing it did n't expect to give out bonuses in 2020 .

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said Tuesday that the company will lay off 1,900 employees and halt multiple projects citing impacts on travel due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Airbnb/ Wikimedia Commons
May 5 (UPI) -- Aribnb told employees Tuesday that it will lay off nearly 1,900 employees, or 25 percent of the company, citing impacts from the global COVID-19 pandemic. CEO Brian Chesky sent a note to employees saying in addition to the layoffs Airbnb will stop projects related to hotels, a transportation division and luxury stays, saying "travel in this new world will look different" than what the company had planned for. Advertisement
"We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime and as it began to unfold, global travel came to a standstill," Chesky said. "Airbnb's business has been hit hard, with revenue this year forecasted to be less than half of what we earned in 2019."
May 11 will be the last day of work for employees laid off in the United States and Canada, said Chesky.
U.S. employees affected by the layoffs will receive 14 weeks of base pay and an additional week for every year they worked at Airbnb. The company will also provide 12 months of healthcare for employees who are laid off.
Airbnb employed 7,500 workers before the layoffs and instituted a hiring freeze last month in addition to suspending its marketing, cutting executives' salary and announcing it didn't expect to give out bonuses in 2020.


upi--2020-05-05--In photos: Palestinians celebrate Ramadan 2020

Palestinians receive a portion of soup passed out to families in need on May 5 during the Islamic holy month @ @ @ @ @ the southern Gaza Strip .
Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

Men help one another put on masks for the last Friday prayer of Ramadan. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI


upi--2020-05-05--Bell Boeing awarded $10.2M for V-22 Osprey repairs

May 5 ( UPI ) -- Bell Boeing received a $ 10.2 million contract modification Tuesday for repairs of the @ @ @ @ @ for the Navy , the Pentagon announced .
The deal modifies a previously awarded contract @ @ @ @ @ to include additional repairs and non-recurring engineering for a drive tube engineering change proposal .
@ @ @ @ @ tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing as well as short takeoff and @ @ @ @ @ been in use by the U.S. Army , Navy and Marine Corps , and Japan @ @ @ @ @ 2007 .
There are currently about 200 Ospreys in service .
Work on the contract @ @ @ @ @ variety of locations , including Fort Worth , Texas , Ridley Park , Penn.
, @ @ @ @ @ expected completion date for the contract is September 2022 .

A V-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit makes its final approach for landing on the island of Crete for a stopover. Marines of the 24th MEU are assigned to the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group on a six-month deployment. Photo by Paul Farley/U.S. Navy
May 5 (UPI) -- Bell Boeing received a $10.2 million contract modification Tuesday for repairs of the V-22 Osprey multirole combat aircraft for the Navy, the Pentagon announced. The deal modifies a previously awarded contract for production of V-22 aircraft to include additional repairs and non-recurring engineering for a drive tube engineering change proposal. Advertisement
The V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing as well as short takeoff and landing capabilities.
It has been in use by the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Japan's Self-Defense Force, since 2007.
There are currently about 200 Ospreys in service.
Work on the contract will be performed at a variety of locations, including Fort Worth, Texas, Ridley Park, Penn., and Amarillo Texas.
The expected completion date for the contract is September 2022.


upi--2020-05-05--Trump announces delivery of CARES funding for Native Americans during Arizona trip

May 5 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said the federal government on Tuesday began distributing funds allocated to Native American tribes as part of the $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill signed in March .
He made the announcement during his most extensive trip since the COVID-19 crisis began in mid-March -- to Arizona .
`` This is the largest investment in Indian country in our history .
You deserve it , you 've been through a lot , '' Trump said during a roundtable .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin on Tuesday based on the population and will take place over several days .
The government will distribute 60 percent of the $ 8 billion allocated to tribes based on population data and the remaining 40 percent based on the number of people employed by each tribe and any tribally owned entity .
The announcement came after a federal judge issued an injunction blocking the Trump administration from giving the funds set aside for tribal governments to corporations owned by Alaska Natives .
Vice Chairman of the Senate committee on Indian affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the announcement as `` the definition of 'too little , too late , ' '' as it comes weeks after the signing of the bill .
`` I am relieved that the Trump administration is finally beginning to get these dollars Congress provided out the door , especially after the White House and Senate Republican leadership tried to leave Tribes out of the CARES Act altogether , '' Udall said .
`` But Native communities needed these resources for their health and economic recovery plans weeks ago .
The full fund should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also signed a presidential proclamation designating May 5 as Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day .
Tuesday 's visit included a tour of a Honeywell International aerospace facility , which has been transformed to make respirator masks .
North Carolina-based Honeywell is expanding its facilities in Phoenix to produce millions of N95 respirator masks under a contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
They are earmarked for healthcare workers across the country .
`` I 'm going there for two reasons , '' he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his departure .
`` I love Arizona .
I have a lot of friends in Arizona .
I 've had great success over the years in Arizona .
`` And I 'm going to pay my respects to Honeywell , one of our great companies that has done a fantastic job for us .
So I look forward to it , '' he said .
Trump did not wear a mask during his visit , despite saying he would `` have no problem '' wearing a mask at the Honeywell plant if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Mike Pence faced criticism last week for declining to wear a mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota .
The president arrived in Arizona along with Republican members of the state 's congressional delegation , including Sen. Martha McSally and Reps. Debbie Lesko and Paul Gosar .
The White House said there will be no political events during the trip to the key presidential battleground state .

President Donald Trump speaks to the media on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington before his departure to Phoenix on Tuesday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
May 5 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said the federal government on Tuesday began distributing funds allocated to Native American tribes as part of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill signed in March. He made the announcement during his most extensive trip since the COVID-19 crisis began in mid-March -- to Arizona. Advertisement
"This is the largest investment in Indian country in our history. You deserve it, you've been through a lot," Trump said during a roundtable.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt issued a statement announcing payments to tribes will begin on Tuesday based on the population and will take place over several days.
The government will distribute 60 percent of the $8 billion allocated to tribes based on population data and the remaining 40 percent based on the number of people employed by each tribe and any tribally owned entity.
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The announcement came after a federal judge issued an injunction blocking the Trump administration from giving the funds set aside for tribal governments to corporations owned by Alaska Natives.
Vice Chairman of the Senate committee on Indian affairs Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., criticized the announcement as "the definition of 'too little, too late,'" as it comes weeks after the signing of the bill.
"I am relieved that the Trump administration is finally beginning to get these dollars Congress provided out the door, especially after the White House and Senate Republican leadership tried to leave Tribes out of the CARES Act altogether," Udall said. "But Native communities needed these resources for their health and economic recovery plans weeks ago. The full fund should have been distributed by now."
Trump also signed a presidential proclamation designating May 5 as Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives Awareness Day.
Tuesday's visit included a tour of a Honeywell International aerospace facility, which has been transformed to make respirator masks.
North Carolina-based Honeywell is expanding its facilities in Phoenix to produce millions of N95 respirator masks under a contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are earmarked for healthcare workers across the country.
Advertisement
"I'm going there for two reasons," he told reporters at Andrews Air Force Base before his departure. "I love Arizona. I have a lot of friends in Arizona. I've had great success over the years in Arizona.
"And I'm going to pay my respects to Honeywell, one of our great companies that has done a fantastic job for us. So I look forward to it," he said.
Trump did not wear a mask during his visit, despite saying he would "have no problem" wearing a mask at the Honeywell plant if it were "a mask environment."
Vice President Mike Pence faced criticism last week for declining to wear a mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
The president arrived in Arizona along with Republican members of the state's congressional delegation, including Sen. Martha McSally and Reps. Debbie Lesko and Paul Gosar.
The White House said there will be no political events during the trip to the key presidential battleground state.


upi--2020-05-05--Raytheon awarded $325M for repair of ATFLIR system for Navy Super Hornets

May 5 ( UPI ) -- Raytheon was awarded a $ 325 million contract for repair of the Advanced Targeting @ @ @ @ @ the F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft for the Navy Tuesday , according to the Pentagon .
@ @ @ @ @ electro-optical targeting pod used to provide navigation and targeting for military aircraft in adverse weather @ @ @ @ @ as laser-guided bombs .
According to Raytheon , the system is used to provide navigation @ @ @ @ @ in adverse weather , and is intended to replace the Navy 's AN/AA-38 Nite Hawk @ @ @ @ @ Boeing was awarded a $ 163.9 million contract to continue modernizing the F/A-18 fighter jet @ @ @ @ @ modification program , which is expected to extend the operation life of Super Hornet fighter @ @ @ @ @ to 10,000 flight hours .
According to the contract announcement , work on the contract @ @ @ @ @ , Texas , and Jacksonville , Fla. , with an expected completion date of May @ @

U.S. Navy Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jacob Valdes, right, from Sacramento, California, and Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Megan Heimgartner, from Kendrick, Idaho, conduct a hard-landing atflir test on an F/A-18E Super Hornet. Photo by Jarrod A. Schad/U.S. Navy
May 5 (UPI) -- Raytheon was awarded a $325 million contract for repair of the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared System in the F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft for the Navy Tuesday, according to the Pentagon. The ATFLIR is a multi-sensor electro-optical targeting pod used to provide navigation and targeting for military aircraft in adverse weather and using precision-guided munitions such as laser-guided bombs. Advertisement
According to Raytheon, the system is used to provide navigation and targeting for military aircraft in adverse weather, and is intended to replace the Navy's AN/AA-38 Nite Hawk pod.
In May 2019 Boeing was awarded a $163.9 million contract to continue modernizing the F/A-18 fighter jet fleet under the service life modification program, which is expected to extend the operation life of Super Hornet fighter jets from 6,000 flight hours to 10,000 flight hours.
According to the contract announcement, work on the contract will be divided between McKinney, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla., with an expected completion date of May 2025.


upi--2020-05-05--Arctic blast set to punish Northeast with cold, May snow

May 5 ( UPI ) -- An unusually chilly spring is about to turn even more shocking as cold air , moisture and a visit from the polar vortex team up to trigger way out-of-season conditions for mid-May across portions of the Northeast .
AccuWeather meteorologists anticipate the upcoming pattern to bring snow that defies the norms for so late in the season and freezing conditions .
The weather late this week to this weekend and beyond may seem unreal and downright nasty after the warmest weekend of the season so far .
After the temperature in New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during April for the first time in 80 years , since 1940 , according to the National Weather Service , the high soared to 80 on Sunday .
Unfortunately , for gardeners that jumped on the nice weekend weather and started to plant , weather more fitting for early to mid-March is coming on like a freight train .
Episodes of freezing temperatures are forecast for parts of the interior Northeast into the middle of May .
`` Get ready to cover or bring in any sensitive plants you bought during the surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Paul Pastelok , AccuWeather 's top long-range forecaster , said .
Low temperatures in the upper 20s to the lower 30s F are not uncommon through the middle of May in much of the interior Northeast .
In fact , the latest risk of a frost or freeze typically occurs during the middle to latter part of May across much of the interior .
`` The problem is a number of people may have jumped at the recent warmth from this past weekend and started their planting of summer vegetables and annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast over the next 10 days may spell disaster for some gardeners , farmers and vintners alike .
Plunging temperatures could cause damage to sensitive stock , recently bought plants , vineyards and orchards , said Pastelok , whose forecasting team monitors how weather affects the farming industry .
The real out-of-season part of the weather pattern will be the cold days and evenings and the likelihood of snow for some areas .
When the core of the cold air mass has taken over , the high temperature may only be near 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of 70 , which is average for the date .
Temperatures are forecast to be higher in Fairbanks , Alaska , than in New York City , Philadelphia and Cleveland into the weekend due to the chilly weather pattern over the region .
`` It 's not going to just get cold ; it 's going to snow and accumulate in some areas of the Northeast as well , '' Pastelok said .
The first little taste of snow will come on Wednesday as a few snowflakes mix in over the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the rest of the region has rain .
A more general and more significant snowfall event seems likely a couple of days later .
`` This looks like a good setup for accumulating snow from the higher elevations of New York state and northern Pennsylvania to northwestern Connecticut , western Massachusetts and the southern parts of Vermont and New Hampshire spanning late Friday to Saturday , '' Pastelok said .
Some areas a bit outside of the zone Pastelok outlined can also at least get some snowflakes and even a light covering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents in northern Ohio , southwestern Pennsylvania , northern West Virginia , northern New Jersey and southern New England could spot some snowflakes before the cold pattern retreats during the second half of the month .
There is a chance of a rain and snow mix around Boston and a remote chance of the same around New York City or at least the northern and western suburbs .
Two significant storm systems will dive southward into the region between May 9 and 13 along with the flow of cold air from Canada , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing from west to east across the lower Great Lakes to New England from Monday to Tuesday of next week .
Additional , smaller patches of snow can continue until the pattern eases or shifts away around the middle of the month .
`` The crazy pattern is being set into motion by a break-off lobe of the polar vortex or a displacement of the same , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson said .
The pattern will create what is called a large closed low pressure area in the jet stream .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spring , the magnitude of the pattern coming up happens perhaps every 15 to 30 years this late in the season .
`` It 's like a late-spring version of the polar vortex .
If this same pattern was going on during January and February with the major blocking in the jet stream , we would be in a deep freeze with frequent snowstorms in the eastern United States , '' Pastelok explained .
Late-season snowfalls in the past have occurred with a similar pattern to the one expected to emerge into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snow as late as May 25 when 0.5 of an inch accumulated in 1925 , while Buffalo , N.Y. , has recorded measurable snowfall as late as May 20 when 0.1 of an inch fell way back in 1907 .
However , snowfalls this late in the season typically tend to occur in relatively small geographic areas .
What could make the upcoming pattern late this week into early next week so unusual is that it may try to snow over a broad area , along an approximate 500-mile-long swath from northern Ohio @ @ @ @ @

May 5 (UPI) -- An unusually chilly spring is about to turn even more shocking as cold air, moisture and a visit from the polar vortex team up to trigger way out-of-season conditions for mid-May across portions of the Northeast.
AccuWeather meteorologists anticipate the upcoming pattern to bring snow that defies the norms for so late in the season and freezing conditions.
Advertisement
The weather late this week to this weekend and beyond may seem unreal and downright nasty after the warmest weekend of the season so far. After the temperature in New York City failed to climb to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during April for the first time in 80 years, since 1940, according to the National Weather Service, the high soared to 80 on Sunday.
Unfortunately, for gardeners that jumped on the nice weekend weather and started to plant, weather more fitting for early to mid-March is coming on like a freight train. Episodes of freezing temperatures are forecast for parts of the interior Northeast into the middle of May.
Advertisement
"Get ready to cover or bring in any sensitive plants you bought during the surge of warm weather this past weekend," Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather's top long-range forecaster, said.
Low temperatures in the upper 20s to the lower 30s F are not uncommon through the middle of May in much of the interior Northeast. In fact, the latest risk of a frost or freeze typically occurs during the middle to latter part of May across much of the interior.
"The problem is a number of people may have jumped at the recent warmth from this past weekend and started their planting of summer vegetables and annual flowers," Pastelok said.
The forecast over the next 10 days may spell disaster for some gardeners, farmers and vintners alike. Plunging temperatures could cause damage to sensitive stock, recently bought plants, vineyards and orchards, said Pastelok, whose forecasting team monitors how weather affects the farming industry.
The real out-of-season part of the weather pattern will be the cold days and evenings and the likelihood of snow for some areas. When the core of the cold air mass has taken over, the high temperature may only be near 50 in New York City this weekend, instead of 70, which is average for the date.
Advertisement
Temperatures are forecast to be higher in Fairbanks, Alaska, than in New York City, Philadelphia and Cleveland into the weekend due to the chilly weather pattern over the region.
"It's not going to just get cold; it's going to snow and accumulate in some areas of the Northeast as well," Pastelok said.
The first little taste of snow will come on Wednesday as a few snowflakes mix in over the highest terrain in the central Appalachians while much of the rest of the region has rain.
A more general and more significant snowfall event seems likely a couple of days later.
"This looks like a good setup for accumulating snow from the higher elevations of New York state and northern Pennsylvania to northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts and the southern parts of Vermont and New Hampshire spanning late Friday to Saturday," Pastelok said.
Some areas a bit outside of the zone Pastelok outlined can also at least get some snowflakes and even a light covering of snow on non-paved surfaces. Some residents in northern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, northern New Jersey and southern New England could spot some snowflakes before the cold pattern retreats during the second half of the month.
Advertisement
There is a chance of a rain and snow mix around Boston and a remote chance of the same around New York City or at least the northern and western suburbs.
Two significant storm systems will dive southward into the region between May 9 and 13 along with the flow of cold air from Canada, Pastelok explained.
The second system may swing from west to east across the lower Great Lakes to New England from Monday to Tuesday of next week.
Additional, smaller patches of snow can continue until the pattern eases or shifts away around the middle of the month.
"The crazy pattern is being set into motion by a break-off lobe of the polar vortex or a displacement of the same," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson said.
The pattern will create what is called a large closed low pressure area in the jet stream. Even though this is fairly common during the spring, the magnitude of the pattern coming up happens perhaps every 15 to 30 years this late in the season.
"It's like a late-spring version of the polar vortex. If this same pattern was going on during January and February with the major blocking in the jet stream, we would be in a deep freeze with frequent snowstorms in the eastern United States," Pastelok explained.
Advertisement
Late-season snowfalls in the past have occurred with a similar pattern to the one expected to emerge into next week. Pittsburgh has picked up snow as late as May 25 when 0.5 of an inch accumulated in 1925, while Buffalo, N.Y., has recorded measurable snowfall as late as May 20 when 0.1 of an inch fell way back in 1907. However, snowfalls this late in the season typically tend to occur in relatively small geographic areas.
What could make the upcoming pattern late this week into early next week so unusual is that it may try to snow over a broad area, along an approximate 500-mile-long swath from northern Ohio to eastern New England.


upi--2020-05-05--U.S. rural areas soon might be on front lines in COVID-19 pandemic

May 5 ( UPI ) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has cut a path of destruction in urban centers throughout the northeastern United States , but experts worry that the next outbreak hot spots could impact rural areas more because of reduced access to healthcare .
Experts said Tuesday they are concerned about the southeastern United States -- Georgia and Tennessee , in particular -- and spotlighted the emerging crisis in the Navajo nation in the Southwest as an example of the potential problem .
The reservation , which covers parts of Arizona , Utah and New Mexico , has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus despite having an overall population of a little over 350,000 .
At 46 deaths attributed to the virus per 100,000 people , the mortality rate for the disease among tribal members is higher than anywhere in the country outside of New York , New Jersey , Connecticut and Massachusetts , according to figures from the Navajo Department of Health .
`` Some of the states where we 're seeing dramatic increase in rural cases are the same places we 're seeing loosening social distancing restrictions , '' Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota School of Public Health , said Tuesday during a conference call with reporters .
To date , nearly 1.2 million Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19 , according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University .
Although all 50 U.S. states have reported at least a few hundred cases , more than 30 percent of the people diagnosed so far live in the New York City metropolitan area , which includes parts of New Jersey and Connecticut -- but that might be starting to change , Henning-Smith said .
While the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's largest city and surrounding areas appears to be dropping , new outbreaks are emerging in other parts of the country , where many live in poverty and access to healthcare services is limited .
A report last month , published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , highlighted areas of the country with surging case numbers , with Iowa and North and South Dakota among them .
Since that report , Iowa has reported more than 10,000 confirmed cases .
Hundreds of those afflicted work in meat-processing plants located @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , which is in southwestern Georgia , an area where Henning-Smith and her University of Minnesota colleagues have done a lot of research work , has reported more than 1,500 cases .
Many of the residents in these regions are more vulnerable to the new coronavirus .
For example , high percentages of them live in poverty -- the South is the U.S. region with the highest poverty rate , at 13 percent , according to the U.S. Census Bureau -- and might not be able to afford COVID-19 treatment .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't have health insurance , the percentages are much higher in several predominantly rural states .
This includes Texas , at 18 percent ; Oklahoma,14 percent , and Georgia , 14 percent , the U.S. Census Bureau reported .
`` In general , the differences between rural areas and urban areas are important and they 're beginning to emerge now , '' William Hanage , an associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health , said during a conference call last week .
`` I have concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now beginning to see , once the virus gets in there , it can quite rapidly spread .
And some of the smaller towns are being hit really hard , '' Hanage said .
The states with the highest rates of heart disease and diabetes -- such as Alabama , Indiana , Kentucky , Louisiana , Mississippi , Oklahoma , Tennessee and West Virginia -- also are primarily rural .
People with heart disease and diabetes appear to be at increased risk for serious illness with COVID-19 .
Shortages of hospital beds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urban centers have been well-documented , but these issues are arguably even more acute in rural areas , Henning-Smith said .
Rural areas across the United States have seen 170 hospitals close since 2005 , 128 since 2010 and eight in 2020 , according to figures from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina .
The COVID-19 outbreak was a factor in at least three of hospital closures this year , according to Henning-Smith , with the disease taxing their already limited resources .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many of these hospitals face challenges in acquiring personal protective equipment , or PPE , and vital devices like ventilators , as they have found themselves engaged in bidding wars for these products .
`` By themselves , many rural hospitals do n't have the buying power to get ahead in line or get a good price for the PPE and the other equipment they need , '' Henning-Smith said .
While outbreaks in large cities generate more headlines , because of the greater numbers of people at risk in densely populated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more rural areas warrant just as much attention because of the unique public health challenges they pose .
As Hanage noted , `` a pandemic is so-called because it has the capacity to infect everywhere , '' not just large population centers .
`` Rural areas make up the vast majority of the land mass in the United States , '' Henning-Smith said .
`` We need to stabilize funding for rural hospitals and providers to ensure they have enough testing available and enough of the equipment they need . ''

Farmworkers pick strawberries in Marina, Calif., last month. Rural areas may be the next to be hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, experts say. File photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
May 5 (UPI) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has cut a path of destruction in urban centers throughout the northeastern United States, but experts worry that the next outbreak hot spots could impact rural areas more because of reduced access to healthcare. Experts said Tuesday they are concerned about the southeastern United States -- Georgia and Tennessee, in particular -- and spotlighted the emerging crisis in the Navajo nation in the Southwest as an example of the potential problem. Advertisement
The reservation, which covers parts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, has reported more than 2,300 confirmed cases of the virus despite having an overall population of a little over 350,000.
At 46 deaths attributed to the virus per 100,000 people, the mortality rate for the disease among tribal members is higher than anywhere in the country outside of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to figures from the Navajo Department of Health.
Advertisement
"Some of the states where we're seeing dramatic increase in rural cases are the same places we're seeing loosening social distancing restrictions," Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith, a professor and researcher at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, said Tuesday during a conference call with reporters.
To date, nearly 1.2 million Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
Although all 50 U.S. states have reported at least a few hundred cases, more than 30 percent of the people diagnosed so far live in the New York City metropolitan area, which includes parts of New Jersey and Connecticut -- but that might be starting to change, Henning-Smith said.
While the number of new cases in the country's largest city and surrounding areas appears to be dropping, new outbreaks are emerging in other parts of the country, where many live in poverty and access to healthcare services is limited.
A report last month, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlighted areas of the country with surging case numbers, with Iowa and North and South Dakota among them.
Since that report, Iowa has reported more than 10,000 confirmed cases. Hundreds of those afflicted work in meat-processing plants located throughout the state.
Advertisement
And, Dougherty County, which is in southwestern Georgia, an area where Henning-Smith and her University of Minnesota colleagues have done a lot of research work, has reported more than 1,500 cases.
Many of the residents in these regions are more vulnerable to the new coronavirus. For example, high percentages of them live in poverty -- the South is the U.S. region with the highest poverty rate, at 13 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau -- and might not be able to afford COVID-19 treatment.
And, although 8.5 percent of Americans nationwide don't have health insurance, the percentages are much higher in several predominantly rural states. This includes Texas, at 18 percent; Oklahoma,14 percent, and Georgia, 14 percent, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.
"In general, the differences between rural areas and urban areas are important and they're beginning to emerge now," William Hanage, an associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said during a conference call last week.
"I have concerns about rural areas because as we are now beginning to see, once the virus gets in there, it can quite rapidly spread. And some of the smaller towns are being hit really hard," Hanage said.
Advertisement
The states with the highest rates of heart disease and diabetes -- such as Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia -- also are primarily rural. People with heart disease and diabetes appear to be at increased risk for serious illness with COVID-19.
Shortages of hospital beds, personal protective equipment and medical personnel in urban centers have been well-documented, but these issues are arguably even more acute in rural areas, Henning-Smith said.
Rural areas across the United States have seen 170 hospitals close since 2005, 128 since 2010 and eight in 2020, according to figures from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina.
The COVID-19 outbreak was a factor in at least three of hospital closures this year, according to Henning-Smith, with the disease taxing their already limited resources.
With lower budgets than larger counterparts in cities, many of these hospitals face challenges in acquiring personal protective equipment, or PPE, and vital devices like ventilators, as they have found themselves engaged in bidding wars for these products.
"By themselves, many rural hospitals don't have the buying power to get ahead in line or get a good price for the PPE and the other equipment they need," Henning-Smith said.
Advertisement
While outbreaks in large cities generate more headlines, because of the greater numbers of people at risk in densely populated areas, she said, COVID-19 crises in more rural areas warrant just as much attention because of the unique public health challenges they pose.
As Hanage noted, "a pandemic is so-called because it has the capacity to infect everywhere," not just large population centers.
"Rural areas make up the vast majority of the land mass in the United States," Henning-Smith said. "We need to stabilize funding for rural hospitals and providers to ensure they have enough testing available and enough of the equipment they need."


upi--2020-05-05--New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo: 'There's a cost for reopening too quickly'

May 5 ( UPI ) -- A day after he outlined criteria for New York state to begin reopening , possibly this month , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday the primary factor he will weigh is the value of human life .
Cuomo outlined several criteria Monday he said regions must meet to reopen , possibly when his stay-home order expires on May 15 .
At his daily briefing Tuesday , the governor said growing pressure to reopen the state 's economies must be judged against the ongoing reach of the deadly coronavirus pandemic .
`` There 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- economic cost , personal cost , '' Cuomo said .
`` There 's also a cost to reopening quickly .
Either option has a cost .
`` The faster we reopen , the lower the economic cost .
But the higher the human cost because the more lives lost .
That , my friends , is the decision we are really making .
What is that balance ?
What is that trade-off ? ''
Cuomo mentioned that federal projections have changed over the course of the outbreak , and they estimate as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States could potentially die from the virus .
`` When you accelerate the reopening , you will have more people coming in contact with other people .
You 're relaxing social distancing .
The more people in contact with other people , the higher the infection rate of the spread of the virus .
The more people get infected , the more people die .
We know that .
And that 's why the projection models are going up . ''
New York state and New York City have been the U.S. epicenters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been 1.18 million cases and almost 70,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19 , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio each criticized remarks from President Donald Trump that dismiss financial aid to Democratic states as `` blue state bailouts . ''
Trump made the comments to the New York Post .
`` I do n't think the Republicans want to be in a position where they bail out states that are , that have been mismanaged over a long period of time , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as $ 1 trillion for state and local governments in the next relief bill to help them address the impact of the outbreak .
`` What kind of human being sees the suffering here and decides that people in New York City do n't deserve help ?
What kind of person does that ? ''
de Blasio asked while holding a copy of the newspaper .
Trump departed the White House Tuesday for Arizona , where he will visit the Phoenix facility of Honeywell International , which is producing protective face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was scheduled to speak at the plant at 4:30 p.m. EDT .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott announced salons , barbershops , nail salons and tanning salons will be able to reopen on Friday .
Additionally , Abbott said gyms will be able to open with a limited number of patrons wearing gloves and non-essential manufacturers can resume production at 25 percent capacity on May 18 .
Showers and lockers in gyms will be required to remain closed and both gymgoers and workers at manufacturers must maintain 6 feet of distance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremonies including vehicle processions and outdoor events .
In Connecticut , Gov .
Ned Lamont on Tuesday canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year .
`` I know how important it is for so many students and teachers to finish out the school year , '' he said .
`` But given the current circumstances and to protect everyone 's safety , it has become clear that it 's just not possible . ''
Lamont has extended the shutdown order twice since it was imposed in March , most recently to May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue distance learning and meals to children .

A woman walks on an empty Wall Street in New York City on Monday. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday governments must not rush to reopen and risk greater loss of life. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 5 (UPI) -- A day after he outlined criteria for New York state to begin reopening, possibly this month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday the primary factor he will weigh is the value of human life. Cuomo outlined several criteria Monday he said regions must meet to reopen, possibly when his stay-home order expires on May 15. At his daily briefing Tuesday, the governor said growing pressure to reopen the state's economies must be judged against the ongoing reach of the deadly coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
"There's a cost to staying closed, no doubt -- economic cost, personal cost," Cuomo said. "There's also a cost to reopening quickly. Either option has a cost.
"The faster we reopen, the lower the economic cost. But the higher the human cost because the more lives lost. That, my friends, is the decision we are really making. What is that balance? What is that trade-off?"
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Cuomo mentioned that federal projections have changed over the course of the outbreak, and they estimate as many as 134,000 people in the United States could potentially die from the virus.
"When you accelerate the reopening, you will have more people coming in contact with other people. You're relaxing social distancing. The more people in contact with other people, the higher the infection rate of the spread of the virus. The more people get infected, the more people die. We know that. And that's why the projection models are going up."
New York state and New York City have been the U.S. epicenters for the disease. Nationally, there have been 1.18 million cases and almost 70,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio each criticized remarks from President Donald Trump that dismiss financial aid to Democratic states as "blue state bailouts." Trump made the comments to the New York Post.
"I don't think the Republicans want to be in a position where they bail out states that are, that have been mismanaged over a long period of time," Trump said.
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Congressional Democrats have asked for as much as $1 trillion for state and local governments in the next relief bill to help them address the impact of the outbreak.
"What kind of human being sees the suffering here and decides that people in New York City don't deserve help? What kind of person does that?" de Blasio asked while holding a copy of the newspaper.
Trump departed the White House Tuesday for Arizona, where he will visit the Phoenix facility of Honeywell International, which is producing protective face masks for Americans and front-line workers.
Trump was scheduled to speak at the plant at 4:30 p.m. EDT.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced salons, barbershops, nail salons and tanning salons will be able to reopen on Friday.
Additionally, Abbott said gyms will be able to open with a limited number of patrons wearing gloves and non-essential manufacturers can resume production at 25 percent capacity on May 18. Showers and lockers in gyms will be required to remain closed and both gymgoers and workers at manufacturers must maintain 6 feet of distance.
Texas will also plan to allow graduation ceremonies including vehicle processions and outdoor events.
In Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year.
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"I know how important it is for so many students and teachers to finish out the school year," he said. "But given the current circumstances and to protect everyone's safety, it has become clear that it's just not possible."
Lamont has extended the shutdown order twice since it was imposed in March, most recently to May 20. Schools, he said, will continue distance learning and meals to children.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-05-05--Lawsuit seeks stimulus payments for citizen children of undocumented immigrants

May 5 ( UPI ) -- Legal advocates filed a lawsuit on behalf of U.S. citizens whose parents are undocumented immigrants that have been denied $ 500 coronavirus economic relief payments for their children .
Georgetown Law 's Institute for Constitutional Advocacy an Protection filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Maryland on behalf of seven children citing `` intentional and discriminatory exclusion of '' U.S. Citizen children from receiving the stimulus check .
The lawsuit states that the provision of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Securities Act that provides payments to taxpayers violates the equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for the payment without a Social Security number .
`` The CARES Act provides payments solely to taxpayers who file their taxes using a Social Security Number -- meaning U.S. citizens and immigrants with work authorization -- thereby denying payments to U.S. citizen children of undocumented immigrants who pay their taxes using an individual taxpayer identification number , '' the complaint states .
Congress passed the CARES Act in March , including a provision providing taxpayers with a onetime payment of $ 1,200 per adult and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The lawsuit names Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and the U.S. government as defendants and seeks payments of up to $ 500 for each U.S. citizen child named in the lawsuit in accordance with the legislation .
`` The decision to not provide economic impact payments to support citizen children harms the children directly and is a slap in the face to millions of hard-working tax-paying immigrants who comply with our tax laws , file tax returns and pay billions of dollars in taxes , '' professor Leslie Book , of Vilanova Widger @ @ @ @ @ @

A lawsuit aims to secure $500 coronavirus economic relief payments for U.S. citizen children of undocumented immigrant parents who are ineligible for the payments despite paying taxes. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 5 (UPI) -- Legal advocates filed a lawsuit on behalf of U.S. citizens whose parents are undocumented immigrants that have been denied $500 coronavirus economic relief payments for their children. Georgetown Law's Institute for Constitutional Advocacy an Protection filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Maryland on behalf of seven children citing "intentional and discriminatory exclusion of" U.S. Citizen children from receiving the stimulus check. Advertisement
The lawsuit states that the provision of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities Act that provides payments to taxpayers violates the equal protection principles of the Fifth Amendment by not allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for the payment without a Social Security number.
"The CARES Act provides payments solely to taxpayers who file their taxes using a Social Security Number -- meaning U.S. citizens and immigrants with work authorization -- thereby denying payments to U.S. citizen children of undocumented immigrants who pay their taxes using an individual taxpayer identification number," the complaint states.
Congress passed the CARES Act in March, including a provision providing taxpayers with a onetime payment of $1,200 per adult and $500 for each dependent child under 16.
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The lawsuit names Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and the U.S. government as defendants and seeks payments of up to $500 for each U.S. citizen child named in the lawsuit in accordance with the legislation.
"The decision to not provide economic impact payments to support citizen children harms the children directly and is a slap in the face to millions of hard-working tax-paying immigrants who comply with our tax laws, file tax returns and pay billions of dollars in taxes," professor Leslie Book, of Vilanova Widger School of Law, said.


upi--2020-05-05--Blaze at United Arab Emirates tower injures 9

May 5 ( UPI ) -- A fire broke out in a 45-story residential tower in United Arab Emirates on @ @ @ @ @ nine people , local officials said .
The fire erupted on the 10th floor of @ @ @ @ @ city of Sharjah , one of the largest in the UAE .
Col. Sami Khamis @ @ @ @ @ Civil Defense , told Gulf News that medical officials were treating nine people for minor @ @ @ @ @ and drones put out the blaze as emergency officials evacuated the building and five others @ @ @ @ @ contacted the building owner and alternate accommodation will be provided to all residents .
It @ @ @ @ @ many apartments have been affected , '' said Col. Ali Abu al-Zoud , deputy director-general @ @ @ @ @ police .
He said police used drones to make sure no one was trapped inside @ @ @ @

May 5 (UPI) -- A fire broke out in a 45-story residential tower in United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, injuring at least nine people, local officials said.
The fire erupted on the 10th floor of the Abbco Tower in the city of Sharjah, one of the largest in the UAE.
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Col. Sami Khamis al-Naqbi, director of Sharjah Civil Defense, told Gulf News that medical officials were treating nine people for minor injuries on site.
Firefighters and drones put out the blaze as emergency officials evacuated the building and five others nearby.
"We have contacted the building owner and alternate accommodation will be provided to all residents. It is still not clear how many apartments have been affected," said Col. Ali Abu al-Zoud, deputy director-general of central operations of Sharjah police.
He said police used drones to make sure no one was trapped inside the burning building.


upi--2020-05-05--Tests show heating is the best way to disinfect N95 masks for reuse

May 5 ( UPI ) -- Test results suggest N95 masks can be safely disinfected through heating 50 times before their filtration efficiency begins to decline .
With N95 masks still in short supply in many parts of the country .
Doctors , nurses and other professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic have been forced to reuse their masks .
N95 masks feature a fine webbing of `` meltblown '' polypropylene fibers .
The porous material is breathable but capable of capturing 95 percent of particles .
Electrostatically charged fibers help wrangle those particles that slip through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggest heating , ultraviolet radiation and bleach can all be used to disinfect N95 masks .
However , when scientists at Stanford University and 4C Air , a startup company making air filters , tested the different methods , they found heating worked best .
When researchers sprayed ethanol or chlorine bleach solution on N95 masks , they found the respirators ' filtration abilities suffered a swift drop off .
Steam treatments worked fine as a one-off method , but after five steams , filtration efficiency declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to suffer performance declines after 20 disinfecting cycles .
For the heating method , scientists exposed N95 masks to a temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes .
The heating method successfully disinfected the test masks 50 times before scientists measured a decline in filtration efficiency .
Scientists acknowledged that their tests results -- published Tuesday in the journal ACS Nano -- are n't the final word on the matter .
The are other factors to consider , such as fit .
`` Frequently donning and removing N95 masks could affect fit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers wrote in a news release .
Last month , the Pentagon awarded the Battelle Memorial Institute $ 415 million for the decontamination of used N95 respirator systems .
Battelle deploys a concentrated , vapor phase hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate masks for reuse up 20 times .
The latest research suggest there are more promising disinfectant methods than those deployed by Battelle .
`` Treatments involving liquids and vapors require caution , as steam , alcohol , and household bleach all may lead to degradation of the filtration efficiency , leaving the user @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists wrote in their paper .

Wendy Gould, R.N., inspects a N95 masks that have been sanitized in a special trailer at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis on April 23. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
May 5 (UPI) -- Test results suggest N95 masks can be safely disinfected through heating 50 times before their filtration efficiency begins to decline. With N95 masks still in short supply in many parts of the country. Doctors, nurses and other professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic have been forced to reuse their masks. Advertisement
N95 masks feature a fine webbing of "meltblown" polypropylene fibers. The porous material is breathable but capable of capturing 95 percent of particles. Electrostatically charged fibers help wrangle those particles that slip through the pores.
Recommendations from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggest heating, ultraviolet radiation and bleach can all be used to disinfect N95 masks.
However, when scientists at Stanford University and 4C Air, a startup company making air filters, tested the different methods, they found heating worked best.
When researchers sprayed ethanol or chlorine bleach solution on N95 masks, they found the respirators' filtration abilities suffered a swift drop off. Steam treatments worked fine as a one-off method, but after five steams, filtration efficiency declined. Masks treated with UV light began to suffer performance declines after 20 disinfecting cycles.
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For the heating method, scientists exposed N95 masks to a temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. The heating method successfully disinfected the test masks 50 times before scientists measured a decline in filtration efficiency.
Scientists acknowledged that their tests results -- published Tuesday in the journal ACS Nano -- aren't the final word on the matter. The are other factors to consider, such as fit.
"Frequently donning and removing N95 masks could affect fit, which also impacts performance," researchers wrote in a news release.
Last month, the Pentagon awarded the Battelle Memorial Institute $415 million for the decontamination of used N95 respirator systems. Battelle deploys a concentrated, vapor phase hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate masks for reuse up 20 times.
The latest research suggest there are more promising disinfectant methods than those deployed by Battelle.
"Treatments involving liquids and vapors require caution, as steam, alcohol, and household bleach all may lead to degradation of the filtration efficiency, leaving the user vulnerable to the viral aerosols," scientists wrote in their paper.


upi--2020-05-05--DoD releases name of soldier who died in 'non-combat-related' incident in Iraq

May 5 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon released the name of a soldier who died Monday in Iraq in what officials describe as a non-combat-related incident .
Sgt .
Christopher Wesley Curry , 23 , of Terre Haute , Ind.
, died in Erbil , Iraq , in an incident that is under investigation , according to the Department of Defense .
Curry was assigned to the 3rd Battalion , 21st Infantry Regiment , 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team , 25th Infantry Division in Fort Wainwright , Alaska .
`` Sgt .
Curry joined Charlie Company in April 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army family .
His technical expertise enabled the unit to deploy from Alaska in support of Operation Inherent Resolve , and his continued effort eased the Company 's transition while in theater , '' Lt. Col. Jimmy Howell , 3-21 Infantry commander , said in a statement sent to UPI .
`` Sgt .
Curry 's incessant optimism was the hallmark of his personality , and often provided respite for others during times of stress , '' Howell said .
`` His honesty , light heartedness , and wit will always be remembered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss is being felt immensely by Charlie Company , 3-21 Infantry , and the 1/25th SBCT .
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to one of our own . ''
Curry 's death marks the first in the area since March , when two U.S. service members were killed in Northern Iraq in support of operation Inherent Resolve .

Sgt. Christopher Wesley Curry, 23, died Monday in Iraq in what officials are describing as a non-combat-related incident. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
May 5 (UPI) -- The Pentagon released the name of a soldier who died Monday in Iraq in what officials describe as a non-combat-related incident. Sgt. Christopher Wesley Curry, 23, of Terre Haute, Ind., died in Erbil, Iraq, in an incident that is under investigation, according to the Department of Defense. Advertisement
Curry was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
"Sgt. Curry joined Charlie Company in April 2019 and immediately became a part of our Army family. His technical expertise enabled the unit to deploy from Alaska in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and his continued effort eased the Company's transition while in theater," Lt. Col. Jimmy Howell, 3-21 Infantry commander, said in a statement sent to UPI.
"Sgt. Curry's incessant optimism was the hallmark of his personality, and often provided respite for others during times of stress," Howell said. "His honesty, light heartedness, and wit will always be remembered by his brothers in arms. His loss is being felt immensely by Charlie Company, 3-21 Infantry, and the 1/25th SBCT. It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to one of our own."
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Curry's death marks the first in the area since March, when two U.S. service members were killed in Northern Iraq in support of operation Inherent Resolve.


upi--2020-05-05--HHS whistle-blower says he was demoted for resisting 'toxic' COVID-19 treatment

Rick Bright said he warned the administration about hydroxychloroquine's potentially toxic and harmful effects on patients. UPI File Photo | License Photo
May 5 (UPI) -- Rick Bright, the former head of the federal agency tasked with procuring medical products, released a whistle-blower report Tuesday saying he was ousted from the job for raising concerns over a drug pushed by President Donald Trump. Bright said he was transferred from his role as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to a job at the National Institutes of Health on April 20. Advertisement
The complaint said the reassignment came after Bright resisted efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services to make "potentially harmful drugs widely available, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine," both of which Trump touted as a "game changer" during press briefings.
Clinical trials for the anti-malarial drugs haven't been promising, though, and Bright said he warned the administration against promoting their use by the general public due to dangerous side effects. A Veterans Affairs study released April 21 found that COVID-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine were more likely to die than those who weren't.
"Dr. Bright was removed as BARDA director and deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response in the midst of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic because his efforts to prioritize science and safety over political expediency and to expose practices that posed a substantial risk to public health and safety, especially as it applied to chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, rankled those in the administration who wished to continue to push this false narrative," the complaint said.
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Bright said he's also observed evidence of "cronyism and award of contracts to companies with political connections to the administration" since 2017, when Trump came into office. He said in 2017, for example, he was pressured to extend a "failed" contract to Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, whose CEO was a friend of Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner.
Bright also accused HHS Secretary Alex Azar of resisting his efforts to push developing resources in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in January.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic