upi--2020-04-01--On This Day, April 1: Battle of Okinawa begins

April 1 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1826 , Samuel Morey was granted a patent on the internal combustion engine .
In 1891 , the Wrigley Company is founded in Chicago , Ill. , by William Wrigley , Jr. , originally selling goods such as soap and baking powder .
A year later Wrigley would start packaging packets of gum with each tin of baking powder .
The rest is history .
In 1918 , toward the end of World War I , the British founded the Royal Air Force .
Two months later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from bases in France .
In 1924 , Adolf Hitler was sent to prison for five years after failing to take over Germany by force in the unsuccessful `` Beer Hall Putsch . ''
In 1945 , U.S. forces swarmed ashore on the Japanese island of Okinawa to begin what would be one of the longest battles of World War II .
In 1946 , a massive earthquake near Alaska 's Aleutian Islands created a tsunami that raced south across the Pacific Ocean , slamming into the Hawaiian Islands causing widespread destruction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 165 casualties across three states .
In 1970 , President Richard Nixon signed legislation calling for mandatory health warnings on tobacco product packaging and banning cigarette ads on TV and radio , effective January 1 , 1971 .
In 1976 , Apple Inc. was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak .
In 1979 , the overthrow of the shah becomes official as Iran votes to become an Islamic republic .
In 1984 , Marvin Gaye , whose rhythm and blues hits over nearly 25 years included `` I Heard it Through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' was shot and killed by his preacher father .
In 1992 , U.S. President George H.W .
Bush announced a $ 24 billion aid package for the former Soviet republics .
In 1996 , an outbreak of `` mad cow '' disease forced Britain to plan the mass slaughter of cows .
In 1999 , Canada created a new territory , Nunavut , as a means of providing autonomy for the Inuit people .
In 2003 , U.S. Marines rescued Pfc .
Jessica Lynch , 19 , who had been held prisoner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 .
In 2009 , Sweden became the fifth European nation to legalize same-sex marriages , joining Norway , Belgium , Spain and the Netherlands .
In 2012 , Aung San Suu Kyi , Nobel peace laureate and voice of the political opposition in Myanmar , won a seat in Parliament less than two years after being freed from nearly two decades of house arrest .
In 2019 , Japan announced the name of its new imperial era would be `` Reiwa , '' when Crown Prince Naruhito becomes emperor , which would @ @ @ @ @

1/4
U.S. Marine reinforcements wade ashore to support the beachhead on Okinawa, Japan, on April 1, 1945. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Defense
April 1 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1826, Samuel Morey was granted a patent on the internal combustion engine. Advertisement
In 1891, the Wrigley Company is founded in Chicago, Ill., by William Wrigley, Jr., originally selling goods such as soap and baking powder. A year later Wrigley would start packaging packets of gum with each tin of baking powder. The rest is history.
In 1918, toward the end of World War I, the British founded the Royal Air Force. Two months later it began bombing industrial targets in Germany from bases in France.
File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI
In 1924, Adolf Hitler was sent to prison for five years after failing to take over Germany by force in the unsuccessful "Beer Hall Putsch."
In 1945, U.S. forces swarmed ashore on the Japanese island of Okinawa to begin what would be one of the longest battles of World War II.
In 1946, a massive earthquake near Alaska's Aleutian Islands created a tsunami that raced south across the Pacific Ocean, slamming into the Hawaiian Islands causing widespread destruction. The two events resulted in more than 165 casualties across three states.
Advertisement
In 1970, President Richard Nixon signed legislation calling for mandatory health warnings on tobacco product packaging and banning cigarette ads on TV and radio, effective January 1, 1971.
In 1976, Apple Inc. was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
UPI File Photo
In 1979, the overthrow of the shah becomes official as Iran votes to become an Islamic republic.
In 1984, Marvin Gaye, whose rhythm and blues hits over nearly 25 years included "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" and "Sexual Healing," was shot and killed by his preacher father.
In 1992, U.S. President George H.W. Bush announced a $24 billion aid package for the former Soviet republics.
In 1996, an outbreak of "mad cow" disease forced Britain to plan the mass slaughter of cows.
In 1999, Canada created a new territory, Nunavut, as a means of providing autonomy for the Inuit people.
In 2003, U.S. Marines rescued Pfc. Jessica Lynch, 19, who had been held prisoner in Iraq since an ambush on March 23.
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In 2009, Sweden became the fifth European nation to legalize same-sex marriages, joining Norway, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands.
In 2012, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel peace laureate and voice of the political opposition in Myanmar, won a seat in Parliament less than two years after being freed from nearly two decades of house arrest.
In 2019, Japan announced the name of its new imperial era would be "Reiwa," when Crown Prince Naruhito becomes emperor, which would happen one month later.


upi--2020-04-01--Famous birthdays for April 1: Samuel Alito Jr., Asa Butterfield

April 1 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries .

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Associate Justice Samuel Alito Jr. is shown as members of the U.S. Supreme Court pose for a group photograph in Washington, D.C., on June 1 2017. He turns 70 on April 1. File Photo by Olivier Douliery/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries. They include: Advertisement
-- German military theorist Prince Otto von Bismarck in 1815
-- Italian pianist/composer Ferruccio Busoni in 1866
-- Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff in 1873
-- Actor Lon Chaney Sr. in 1883
-- Scientist Jean Macnamara in 1899
-- Actor Toshiro Mifune in 1920
-- Author Anne McCaffrey in 1926
-- Actor/singer Jane Powell in 1929 (age 91)
File Photo by Bill Hormell/UPI
-- Author Milan Kundera in 1929 (age 91)
-- Actor/singer Debbie Reynolds in 1932
-- Actor Ali MacGraw in 1939 (age 81)
-- Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai in 1940
-- Musician Jimmy Cliff in 1948 (age 72)
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
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-- Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito Jr. in 1950 (age 70)
-- Actor Annette O'Toole in 1952 (age 68)
-- Singer Susan Boyle in 1961 (age 59)
-- Political commentator Rachel Maddow in 1973 (age 47)
-- Reality television personality Jon Gosselin in 1977 (age 43)
-- Country singer Hillary Scott in 1986 (age 34)
-- Actor Mackenzie Davis in 1987 (age 33)
-- Actor Asa Butterfield in 1997 (age 23)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI


upi--2020-04-01--Egg suppliers scramble to restock stores after panic buying reduced supplies

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, April 1 ( UPI ) -- Egg producers are scrambling to restock grocery store shelves after weeks of consumer panic buying month decimated supplies across the country .
`` It effectively wiped out all the eggs in the nation , '' said John Brunnquell , president and CEO of Egg Innovations , which describes itself as the nation 's largest pasture-raised egg farm .
`` Our orders went up 200 to 300 percent . ''
The United States ' overall inventory of shelled eggs was down 10 percent on Friday , according to the U.S. Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eggs was down 14 percent .
Egg producers and plants are running on overtime to fill the backlog of orders .
`` At our plant , we 've gone 15 days now running 24/7 , '' Brunnquell said .
`` We 're grading eggs as fast as we can . ''
Early efforts are beginning to pay off , Brunnquell said .
By the beginning of this week , many stores had at least partially stocked egg cases .
The egg industry expects the demand for retail eggs to remain higher than normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consumers continue to stay home .
The other wild card is whether egg sales will spike again for Easter , April 12 , when eggs are traditionally in high demand .
With more families staying home this holiday , egg coloring is expected to be popular , said Marc Dresner , a spokesman for the American Egg Board , an industry group based in Chicago .
But social distancing means there will be fewer Easter parties and gatherings where people prepare large meals using eggs .
`` If we just look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be lower this year , '' Dresner said .
`` But overall demand is still going to be high .
It 's impossible to predict anything right now , but America 's egg farmers are working hard and we are optimistic there will be eggs available for Easter . ''
The increased demand has started to impact prices .
According to the USDA , the average national wholesale price for a dozen white eggs on Friday was $ 2.58 , up from 58 cents a month ago .
Retail egg prices vary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USDA spokesman .
Many retailers have contracts for eggs , so their prices will not change even when the market does .
Even supermarkets that are paying more are hesitant to `` shock '' the consumer by raising prices .
This is the case with Publix Super Markets , based in Lakeland , Fla. '' This has caused a cost increase from our suppliers , '' Maria Brous , Publix 's director of media and community relations , said in an email .
`` At this time , Publix has not passed along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our customers , as we continually work to minimize the impact of this and future cost increases during this evolving situation . ''
The run on eggs -- and other grocery store staples like bread , meat and potatoes -- began about four weeks ago .
Consumers stocking up in preparation for quarantines stripped grocery store shelves bare in many areas of the country .
The initial surge in egg purchases began to taper off by the end of March .
But it still could take some time before stocks are fully replenished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't increase the total number of eggs available right away .
Egg supplies depend on the number of hens in the nation 's laying flock -- and that number can not change quickly .
It takes several months for a hen to mature enough to begin laying .
Farmers across the country are adding hens , Dresner said .
That process generally takes five to six months .
Wholesalers also are trying to make use of eggs bound for the food service industry , though that , too , takes time .
Normally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-third of the nation 's eggs .
But , those tend to be pre-processed liquid eggs from facilities that crack eggs rather than package them whole .
`` We 're working to redirect those eggs , '' Dresner said .
`` It 's not always easy to do , but we 're working on it . ''

The egg industry is hurrying to replenish supermarket shelves this week after panic buying reduced supplies nationwide. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 1 (UPI) -- Egg producers are scrambling to restock grocery store shelves after weeks of consumer panic buying month decimated supplies across the country. "It effectively wiped out all the eggs in the nation," said John Brunnquell, president and CEO of Egg Innovations, which describes itself as the nation's largest pasture-raised egg farm. "Our orders went up 200 to 300 percent." Advertisement
The United States' overall inventory of shelled eggs was down 10 percent on Friday, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The supply of large eggs was down 14 percent.
Egg producers and plants are running on overtime to fill the backlog of orders.
"At our plant, we've gone 15 days now running 24/7," Brunnquell said. "We're grading eggs as fast as we can."
Early efforts are beginning to pay off, Brunnquell said. By the beginning of this week, many stores had at least partially stocked egg cases.
Advertisement
The egg industry expects the demand for retail eggs to remain higher than normal for as long as restaurants remain closed and consumers continue to stay home.
The other wild card is whether egg sales will spike again for Easter, April 12, when eggs are traditionally in high demand.
With more families staying home this holiday, egg coloring is expected to be popular, said Marc Dresner, a spokesman for the American Egg Board, an industry group based in Chicago.
Fewer parties
But social distancing means there will be fewer Easter parties and gatherings where people prepare large meals using eggs.
"If we just look at Easter alone, we expect the demand will be lower this year," Dresner said. "But overall demand is still going to be high. It's impossible to predict anything right now, but America's egg farmers are working hard and we are optimistic there will be eggs available for Easter."
The increased demand has started to impact prices. According to the USDA, the average national wholesale price for a dozen white eggs on Friday was $2.58, up from 58 cents a month ago.
Retail egg prices vary widely, however, according to a USDA spokesman. Many retailers have contracts for eggs, so their prices will not change even when the market does. Even supermarkets that are paying more are hesitant to "shock" the consumer by raising prices.
Advertisement
This is the case with Publix Super Markets, based in Lakeland, Fla.
"This has caused a cost increase from our suppliers," Maria Brous, Publix's director of media and community relations, said in an email. "At this time, Publix has not passed along the full amount of this increase to our customers, as we continually work to minimize the impact of this and future cost increases during this evolving situation."
The run on eggs -- and other grocery store staples like bread, meat and potatoes -- began about four weeks ago. Consumers stocking up in preparation for quarantines stripped grocery store shelves bare in many areas of the country.
The initial surge in egg purchases began to taper off by the end of March. But it still could take some time before stocks are fully replenished. That's because the industry can't increase the total number of eggs available right away.
Egg supplies depend on the number of hens in the nation's laying flock -- and that number cannot change quickly. It takes several months for a hen to mature enough to begin laying.
Farmers across the country are adding hens, Dresner said. That process generally takes five to six months.
Advertisement
Wholesalers also are trying to make use of eggs bound for the food service industry, though that, too, takes time.
Normally, the food service industry buys about one-third of the nation's eggs. But, those tend to be pre-processed liquid eggs from facilities that crack eggs rather than package them whole.
"We're working to redirect those eggs," Dresner said. "It's not always easy to do, but we're working on it."


upi--2020-04-01--U.S. offers to lift Venezuela sanctions for power-sharing deal

April 1 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration has offered to lift sanctions from Venezuela if the opposition party and President Nicolas Maduro 's socialist party create an interim transitional government with the aim of holding a free and fair presidential election in less than a year .
The State Department unveiled the 13-point plan Tuesday after more than a year of attempting to strong-arm Maduro from power with escalating sanctions imposed against him , his government and those the Trump administration accuses of keeping him at the country 's helm .
Under the plan , Maduro would relinquish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the interim government , which will consist of two people elected from Juan Guaido 's opposition party , two people elected from Maduro 's socialist party and a fifth member chosen by the four elected officials to act as interim president .
That person , then , will be barred from running for president .
If the conditions of the framework are met -- specifically that a council of state is in place and is governing and foreign security forces have left the South American nation -- then the United States will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil sector .
Those sanctions would then be revoked once elections are held and observers deem them to be free and fair .
Sanctions imposed against individual officials would be lifted once they step down .
The plan also consists of establishing a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate `` serious acts of violence '' that have occurred since 1999 , when former socialist President Victor Chavez began his rule , which ended in 2013 with his death .
`` The basic outline is simple : We call for a transitional government that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hold free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections , '' U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters Tuesday .
`` The United States will recognize the result of a free and fair election no matter which party wins . ''
Venezuela flat out rejected the framework late Tuesday , describing it as unconstitutional and in disregard of `` the democratic will expressed by the Venezuelan people at the polls . ''
`` The U.S. pseudo-proposal confirms that the officials of that country completely ignore Venezuela 's legal framework and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement .
The Trump administration began its maximum pressure campaign against the Maduro regime after his 2018 election was deemed illegitimate , backing instead opposition leader Guaido who appointed himself interim president .
Since then , more than 55 mostly Western countries have supported Guaido 's claim to the interim presidency .
Abrams said the framework proposal follows suggestions made by Guaido and his team last year and which he repeated over the weekend .
What has changed since the proposal was first floated is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding the cost of its main export , oil , has not only dropped but the country is producing nearly half as many barrels at under 500,000 a day .
`` The income the regime is getting from the one thing it has to sell , which is oil , has dropped precipitously , '' he said .
`` So , we think there 's a lot more pressure on the regime . ''
In a statement , Guaido said it is not only the United States but other nations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps are being taken to save Venezuela , '' he said , calling on Maduro to `` assume his responsibility and accept the offer made by the international community . ''
The State Department 's offer comes on the heels of the Justice Department charging Maduro and members of his cadre with drug trafficking , which the embattled leader rejected out of hand .
Venezuela 's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the framework offer and the charges are evidence the United States has lost direction with its foreign policy toward the South American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions during recent days against Venezuela can not be labeled in any other way : They are miserable , '' the Foreign Ministry said .
When asked if the indictments will force Maduro to cling ever more tightly to power , Abrams responded that the indictments are not a matter of policy as sanctions are but the plan was built less to address Maduro and more to appeal to the Venezuelan public .
`` By leaving power , Maduro loses a great dal , '' Abrams said .
`` It 's obvious that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that calls for him to leave power , but the framework that we 've proposed , we think , protects the legitimate rights of the Chavista party to contest elections and to be treated absolutely fairly in a transitional government . ''

Hundreds of Venezuelans take to the streets in Caracas on May 1, a day after members of the opposition clashed with government forces. File Photo by Miguel Gutiérrez/EPA-EFE
April 1 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has offered to lift sanctions from Venezuela if the opposition party and President Nicolas Maduro's socialist party create an interim transitional government with the aim of holding a free and fair presidential election in less than a year. The State Department unveiled the 13-point plan Tuesday after more than a year of attempting to strong-arm Maduro from power with escalating sanctions imposed against him, his government and those the Trump administration accuses of keeping him at the country's helm. Advertisement
Under the plan, Maduro would relinquish his hold as leader of the country to the interim government, which will consist of two people elected from Juan Guaido's opposition party, two people elected from Maduro's socialist party and a fifth member chosen by the four elected officials to act as interim president. That person, then, will be barred from running for president.
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If the conditions of the framework are met -- specifically that a council of state is in place and is governing and foreign security forces have left the South American nation -- then the United States will suspend sanctions on the government and its oil sector. Those sanctions would then be revoked once elections are held and observers deem them to be free and fair.
Sanctions imposed against individual officials would be lifted once they step down. The plan also consists of establishing a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate "serious acts of violence" that have occurred since 1999, when former socialist President Victor Chavez began his rule, which ended in 2013 with his death.
"The basic outline is simple: We call for a transitional government that would govern for nine to 12 months and hold free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections," U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told reporters Tuesday. "The United States will recognize the result of a free and fair election no matter which party wins."
Venezuela flat out rejected the framework late Tuesday, describing it as unconstitutional and in disregard of "the democratic will expressed by the Venezuelan people at the polls."
Advertisement
"The U.S. pseudo-proposal confirms that the officials of that country completely ignore Venezuela's legal framework and how its institutions work," the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The Trump administration began its maximum pressure campaign against the Maduro regime after his 2018 election was deemed illegitimate, backing instead opposition leader Guaido who appointed himself interim president. Since then, more than 55 mostly Western countries have supported Guaido's claim to the interim presidency.
Abrams said the framework proposal follows suggestions made by Guaido and his team last year and which he repeated over the weekend.
What has changed since the proposal was first floated is that the regime is worse off, he said, adding the cost of its main export, oil, has not only dropped but the country is producing nearly half as many barrels at under 500,000 a day.
"The income the regime is getting from the one thing it has to sell, which is oil, has dropped precipitously," he said. "So, we think there's a lot more pressure on the regime."
In a statement, Guaido said it is not only the United States but other nations that support this framework.
"The correct steps are being taken to save Venezuela," he said, calling on Maduro to "assume his responsibility and accept the offer made by the international community."
Advertisement
The State Department's offer comes on the heels of the Justice Department charging Maduro and members of his cadre with drug trafficking, which the embattled leader rejected out of hand.
Venezuela's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the framework offer and the charges are evidence the United States has lost direction with its foreign policy toward the South American country.
"The Trump administration's actions during recent days against Venezuela cannot be labeled in any other way: They are miserable," the Foreign Ministry said.
When asked if the indictments will force Maduro to cling ever more tightly to power, Abrams responded that the indictments are not a matter of policy as sanctions are but the plan was built less to address Maduro and more to appeal to the Venezuelan public.
"By leaving power, Maduro loses a great dal," Abrams said. "It's obvious that Maduro is going to resist any plan that calls for him to leave power, but the framework that we've proposed, we think, protects the legitimate rights of the Chavista party to contest elections and to be treated absolutely fairly in a transitional government."


upi--2020-04-01--U.S. military begins furlough of South Korean employees

SEOUL , April 1 ( UPI ) -- As funding from a military cost-sharing arrangement between Washington and Seoul ran out on Wednesday without a new agreement in place , U.S .
Forces Korea placed thousands of South Korean civilian employees on indefinite furlough .
The move came after months of negotiations failed to bridge the gap over spending for a new Special Measures Agreement , which determines how much Seoul must pay for the upkeep of the 28,500 American troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula .
U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly asked for a $ 5 billion annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than five-fold increase from the $ 890 million Seoul paid in 2019 .
About half of the 9,000 South Korean workers whose salaries are covered by the agreement have been furloughed , USFK Commander Gen. Robert B. Abrams said Wednesday .
In a statement , Abrams called the furlough `` unthinkable '' and `` heartbreaking '' and said the move was `` not what we envisioned or hoped would happen . ''
`` The furlough is in no way a reflection of their performance , dedication or conduct , but rather due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmed funds unavailable , '' he said .
The agreement expired at the end of 2019 and the South Korean employees were being paid with residual funds .
South Korea 's top negotiator in the cost-sharing talks , Jeong Eun-bo , expressed regret over the impending furlough on Tuesday .
`` The decision by the U.S. side to press ahead with the furloughs for our workers as planned does not properly reflect the situation of the negotiations and we think this is regrettable , '' Jeong told reporters , according to news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had narrowed their differences and expressed optimism that a deal would be struck soon .
`` Currently , South Korea and the U.S. are making their best efforts to conclude the negotiations , now at their last phase , in a mutually beneficial way , '' he said .
`` Given that the countries have considerably narrowed differences , we expect the final conclusion of the negotiations in the near future . ''
In the seventh and most recent round of negotiations in March , Seoul reportedly offered to cover the wages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bases , but Washington turned down the offer .
Last month , South Korean employees warned that the furlough would comprise U.S. bases .
On Wednesday , Abrams said that the USFK would `` work to minimize the impact '' despite the `` strenuous circumstances . ''
`` It is an understatement to say these are challenging times , as no one feels the impact more than our furloughed employees , '' he said .
The move came as South Korea continues to battle a COVID-19 outbreak that has also impacted U.S. military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the peninsula .
As of Monday , 11 contractors and two service members have been confirmed with the disease .
Last week , the USFK declared the outbreak a public health emergency , limiting services on installations and restricting off-installation travel .

U.S. Forces Korea placed thousands of South Korean employees on indefinite furlough on Wednesday, as Seoul and Washington remain deadlocked over a new cost-sharing arrangement. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, April 1 (UPI) -- As funding from a military cost-sharing arrangement between Washington and Seoul ran out on Wednesday without a new agreement in place, U.S. Forces Korea placed thousands of South Korean civilian employees on indefinite furlough. The move came after months of negotiations failed to bridge the gap over spending for a new Special Measures Agreement, which determines how much Seoul must pay for the upkeep of the 28,500 American troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula. Advertisement
U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly asked for a $5 billion annual contribution from South Korea, a more than five-fold increase from the $890 million Seoul paid in 2019.
About half of the 9,000 South Korean workers whose salaries are covered by the agreement have been furloughed, USFK Commander Gen. Robert B. Abrams said Wednesday.
In a statement, Abrams called the furlough "unthinkable" and "heartbreaking" and said the move was "not what we envisioned or hoped would happen."
"The furlough is in no way a reflection of their performance, dedication or conduct, but rather due to a lack of a burden-sharing agreement making programmed funds unavailable," he said.
The agreement expired at the end of 2019 and the South Korean employees were being paid with residual funds.
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South Korea's top negotiator in the cost-sharing talks, Jeong Eun-bo, expressed regret over the impending furlough on Tuesday.
"The decision by the U.S. side to press ahead with the furloughs for our workers as planned does not properly reflect the situation of the negotiations and we think this is regrettable," Jeong told reporters, according to news agency Yonhap.
Jeong said that both sides had narrowed their differences and expressed optimism that a deal would be struck soon.
"Currently, South Korea and the U.S. are making their best efforts to conclude the negotiations, now at their last phase, in a mutually beneficial way," he said. "Given that the countries have considerably narrowed differences, we expect the final conclusion of the negotiations in the near future."
In the seventh and most recent round of negotiations in March, Seoul reportedly offered to cover the wages of the South Korean nationals on U.S. military bases, but Washington turned down the offer.
Last month, South Korean employees warned that the furlough would comprise U.S. bases.
On Wednesday, Abrams said that the USFK would "work to minimize the impact" despite the "strenuous circumstances."
"It is an understatement to say these are challenging times, as no one feels the impact more than our furloughed employees," he said.
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The move came as South Korea continues to battle a COVID-19 outbreak that has also impacted U.S. military personnel, employees and family members on the peninsula.
As of Monday, 11 contractors and two service members have been confirmed with the disease. Last week, the USFK declared the outbreak a public health emergency, limiting services on installations and restricting off-installation travel.


upi--2020-04-01--AI may help predict type 2 diabetes

AI may help predict type 2 diabetes

Artificial intelligence , or AI , may be able to identify people who will develop type 2 diabetes , researchers say .
For the study , the researchers used machine learning AI to analyze more than 509,000 annual health checkup records of more than 139,000 people in Japan from 2008 to 2018 .
They included more than 65,000 who did not have diabetes in 2008 .
The data included information from physical exams , blood and urine tests , and patient questionnaires .
During the study period , nearly 4,700 cases of diabetes were diagnosed .
Machine learning AI was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the study published March 31 in a special supplemental section of the Journal of the Endocrine Society .
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of severe health problems , including heart disease and cancer , so preventing it is a key to reducing the risk of illness and premature death .
`` Currently we do not have sufficient methods for predicting which generally healthy individuals will develop diabetes , '' said lead author Dr. Akihiro Nomura , a cardiologist at Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences .
`` Using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to precisely identify high-risk groups of future diabetes patients better than using existing risk scores , '' he said in a news release from the Endocrine Society .
`` In addition , the rate of visits to health care providers might be improved to prevent future onset of diabetes . ''
In machine learning , computers learn without being explicitly programmed .
With each exposure to new data , a machine-learning formula gradually becomes better at recognizing patterns .
The next step in this research is conducting clinical trials to assess the effectiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the machine learning model as being at high risk for diabetes , Nomura said .
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains how to prevent type 2 diabetes .

Artificial intelligence, or AI, may be able to identify people who will develop type 2 diabetes, researchers say.
For the study, the researchers used machine learning AI to analyze more than 509,000 annual health checkup records of more than 139,000 people in Japan from 2008 to 2018. They included more than 65,000 who did not have diabetes in 2008.
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The data included information from physical exams, blood and urine tests, and patient questionnaires.
During the study period, nearly 4,700 cases of diabetes were diagnosed. Machine learning AI was 94.9 percent accurate in predicting cases, according to the study published March 31 in a special supplemental section of the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of severe health problems, including heart disease and cancer, so preventing it is a key to reducing the risk of illness and premature death.
"Currently we do not have sufficient methods for predicting which generally healthy individuals will develop diabetes," said lead author Dr. Akihiro Nomura, a cardiologist at Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences.
"Using machine learning, it could be possible to precisely identify high-risk groups of future diabetes patients better than using existing risk scores," he said in a news release from the Endocrine Society. "In addition, the rate of visits to health care providers might be improved to prevent future onset of diabetes."
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In machine learning, computers learn without being explicitly programmed. With each exposure to new data, a machine-learning formula gradually becomes better at recognizing patterns.
The next step in this research is conducting clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of using statins to treat patients identified by the machine learning model as being at high risk for diabetes, Nomura said.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains how to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-01--Spread of COVID-19 on USS Roosevelt is 'ongoing and accelerating,' captain says

March 31 ( UPI ) -- The captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt is pleading with the U.S. Navy for more resources to help contain a coronavirus outbreak aboard the ship and avoid possible deaths .
The aircraft carrier docked in Guam last week so its crew of 5,000 sailors could be tested for the novel coronavirus .
At the time , 23 members of its crew had tested positive for the virus .
On Wednesday , Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly told reporters that three crew had tested positive for the virus .
Now more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capt .
Brett Crozier , in a four-page letter first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle , the situation is rapidly deteriorating .
According to Crozier , only a small contingent of soldiers have been off-boarded , and most remain aboard the ship , where it 's impossible to follow recommendations for 14-day quarantines and social distancing .
`` Due to a warship 's inherent limitations of space , we are not doing this , '' Crozier wrote .
`` The spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating . ''
He asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' for his entire crew in Guam `` as soon as possible . ''
`` This will require a political solution but it is the right thing to do , '' Crozier wrote .
`` We are not at war .
Sailors do not need to die .
If we do not act now , we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset -- our Sailors . ''
Crozier requested the majority of the crew be removed from the ship and isolated for two weeks while 10 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reactor plan , sanitize the ship , ensure security and provide for contingency response to emergencies .
`` This is a necessary risk , '' Crozier wrote .
`` It will enable the carrier and air wing to get back underway as quickly as possible while ensuring the health and safety of our sailors . ''
However , Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told CBS News ' Norah O'Donnell that mass disembarkment wo n't be necessary .
`` I do n't think we 're are that point , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and assistance , medical assistance , out to the carrier in Guam . ''
Late Tuesday , Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. John Aquilino and Fleet Master Chief James Honea published a video message on Facebook to tell their sailors that they doing all they can to ensure their safety .
`` During this specific difficult time , I am a hundred percent confident that the Pacific Fleet sailors are the right team to fight our way through this problem , '' Aquilino said , without mentioning the USS Theodore Roosevelt .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Roosevelt emerged after the ship made a port call in Vietnam in early March , despite warnings that the virus was likely to sweep through the Asia-Pacific region .
Crozier 's letter comes as the number of reported cases among military personnel climbs -- with more than 1,000 total cases as of Monday -- and recruiters have called for the closure of boot camps amid the pandemic .
Esper urged commanders this week to keep quiet about the number of infections among military personnel , saying adversaries could exploit information regarding high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities .
A Monday statement from Pentagon press secretary Alyssa Farah said the Pentagon would `` assiduously continue to make the public aware of the presence of any potential new COVID-19 outbreaks within our base communities '' but would not report the aggregate number `` individual service member cases at individual unit , base or Combatant Commands . ''

The captain of USS Theodore Roosevelt, shown here during a scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific earlier in March, sent a letter this week pleading for more resources to help contain an outbreak of coronavirus among its sailors. Photo by Nicholas V. Huynh/U.S. Navy
March 31 (UPI) -- The captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt is pleading with the U.S. Navy for more resources to help contain a coronavirus outbreak aboard the ship and avoid possible deaths. The aircraft carrier docked in Guam last week so its crew of 5,000 sailors could be tested for the novel coronavirus. Advertisement
At the time, 23 members of its crew had tested positive for the virus.
On Wednesday, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly told reporters that three crew had tested positive for the virus.
Now more than 100 sailors are infected, and according to Capt. Brett Crozier, in a four-page letter first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the situation is rapidly deteriorating.
According to Crozier, only a small contingent of soldiers have been off-boarded, and most remain aboard the ship, where it's impossible to follow recommendations for 14-day quarantines and social distancing.
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"Due to a warship's inherent limitations of space, we are not doing this," Crozier wrote. "The spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating."
He asked the Navy for "compliant quarantine rooms" for his entire crew in Guam "as soon as possible."
"This will require a political solution but it is the right thing to do," Crozier wrote. "We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset -- our Sailors."
Crozier requested the majority of the crew be removed from the ship and isolated for two weeks while 10 percent of the servicemen stay aboard to run the reactor plan, sanitize the ship, ensure security and provide for contingency response to emergencies.
"This is a necessary risk," Crozier wrote. "It will enable the carrier and air wing to get back underway as quickly as possible while ensuring the health and safety of our sailors."
However, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told CBS News' Norah O'Donnell that mass disembarkment won't be necessary.
"I don't think we're are that point," he said. "We are moving a lot of supplies and assistance, medical assistance, out to the carrier in Guam."
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Late Tuesday, Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. John Aquilino and Fleet Master Chief James Honea published a video message on Facebook to tell their sailors that they doing all they can to ensure their safety.
"During this specific difficult time, I am a hundred percent confident that the Pacific Fleet sailors are the right team to fight our way through this problem," Aquilino said, without mentioning the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
According to military.com, the first positive cases aboard the Roosevelt emerged after the ship made a port call in Vietnam in early March, despite warnings that the virus was likely to sweep through the Asia-Pacific region.
Crozier's letter comes as the number of reported cases among military personnel climbs -- with more than 1,000 total cases as of Monday -- and recruiters have called for the closure of boot camps amid the pandemic.
Esper urged commanders this week to keep quiet about the number of infections among military personnel, saying adversaries could exploit information regarding high numbers of cases at specific bases or facilities.
A Monday statement from Pentagon press secretary Alyssa Farah said the Pentagon would "assiduously continue to make the public aware of the presence of any potential new COVID-19 outbreaks within our base communities" but would not report the aggregate number "individual service member cases at individual unit, base or Combatant Commands."


upi--2020-03-31--Seattle Seahawks release TE Ed Dickson, S Tedric Thompson

March 31 ( UPI ) -- The Seattle Seahawks parted ways with veteran tight end Ed Dickson and safety Tedric Thompson , the team announced Tuesday .
The roster moves clear more than $ 5 million in cap space for the Seahawks , according to Over The Cap .
With the extra salary-cap space , the Seahawks are expected to attempt to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney or add one of the other premier pass-rushers available in free agency .
The Seahawks selected Thompson in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Colorado .
He made 16 starts over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for All-Pro safety Earl Thomas at free safety .
Thompson struggled with consistency in 2019 and eventually landed on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury .
He recorded 19 total tackles , two interceptions and two passes defensed in six games last season .
Quandre Diggs , who joined the Seahawks via trade midway through last season , is projected to start at free safety in 2020 , making Thompson expendable .
Dickson , 32 , missed all of last season because of a knee injury that required surgery .
The Seahawks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but put him back on IR before he appeared in a game .
In 134 career games with the Baltimore Ravens , Carolina Panthers and Seahawks , Dickson has notched 190 receptions for 2,128 yards and 15 touchdowns .
The 10-year veteran had 12 catches for 143 yards and three receiving scores with the Seahawks in 2018 .

Seattle Seahawks tight end Ed Dickson (84) missed all of last season because of a knee injury that required surgery before the start of the regular season. File Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- The Seattle Seahawks parted ways with veteran tight end Ed Dickson and safety Tedric Thompson, the team announced Tuesday. The roster moves clear more than $5 million in cap space for the Seahawks, according to Over The Cap. With the extra salary-cap space, the Seahawks are expected to attempt to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney or add one of the other premier pass-rushers available in free agency. Advertisement
The Seahawks selected Thompson in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Colorado. He made 16 starts over the past two seasons after taking over for All-Pro safety Earl Thomas at free safety.
Thompson struggled with consistency in 2019 and eventually landed on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury. He recorded 19 total tackles, two interceptions and two passes defensed in six games last season.
Quandre Diggs, who joined the Seahawks via trade midway through last season, is projected to start at free safety in 2020, making Thompson expendable.
The @Seahawks made two roster moves this afternoon. https://t.co/ffGaD6wD84— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) March 31, 2020
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Dickson, 32, missed all of last season because of a knee injury that required surgery. The Seahawks activated him off injured reserve in November but put him back on IR before he appeared in a game.
In 134 career games with the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers and Seahawks, Dickson has notched 190 receptions for 2,128 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 10-year veteran had 12 catches for 143 yards and three receiving scores with the Seahawks in 2018.


upi--2020-03-31--Magnitude-6.5 earthquake shakes Idaho; no reports of damage

March 31 ( UPI ) -- A magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck near Boise , Idaho , on Tuesday night , the U.S. Geological Survey said .
The quake hit about 45 miles west of Challis , Idaho , at about 5:52 p.m. , at a depth of 6.2 miles , the USGS said .
Challis is about 120 miles northeast of Boise in central Idaho .
The agency said shaking was `` very strong , '' and added that it received about 16,000 reports from people who felt it .
The USGS said it 's likely to have a low impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were no immediate reports of damage .
There is a 4 percent chance of one or more aftershocks larger than magnitude-6.5 throughout the next week , the USGS forecast .
`` It is likely there will be smaller earthquakes over the next week , as well , with 4 to 790 magnitude-3 or higher aftershocks , '' the agency said .
`` Magnitude-3 and above are large enough to be felt near the epicenter .
Then number of aftershocks will drop off over time , but a large aftershock can increase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earthquake near Salt Lake City last month , about 300 miles to the southeast , was followed by dozens of aftershocks .

More on the M 6.5 earthquake - 72km W of Challis, Idaho that just occurred here: https://t.co/Wquf6zjw1L Please let us know what you felt here: https://t.co/mXSyJ1nPuS pic.twitter.com/Mvx09rXimg— USGS (@USGS) April 1, 2020
March 31 (UPI) -- A magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck near Boise, Idaho, on Tuesday night, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The quake hit about 45 miles west of Challis, Idaho, at about 5:52 p.m., at a depth of 6.2 miles, the USGS said. Challis is about 120 miles northeast of Boise in central Idaho.
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The agency said shaking was "very strong," and added that it received about 16,000 reports from people who felt it.
The USGS said it's likely to have a low impact and the Boise Police Department tweeted that there were no immediate reports of damage.
There is a 4 percent chance of one or more aftershocks larger than magnitude-6.5 throughout the next week, the USGS forecast.
"It is likely there will be smaller earthquakes over the next week, as well, with 4 to 790 magnitude-3 or higher aftershocks," the agency said. "Magnitude-3 and above are large enough to be felt near the epicenter. Then number of aftershocks will drop off over time, but a large aftershock can increase the numbers again, temporarily."
A earthquake near Salt Lake City last month, about 300 miles to the southeast, was followed by dozens of aftershocks.


upi--2020-03-31--Trump administration finalizes rollback of Obama fuel emissions standards

March 31 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration on Tuesday completed a rollback of Obama-era fuel emissions standards aimed at combatting climate change , saying the move will lead to cheaper vehicle prices .
The rule would reduce the rate of increase of stringency for corporate average fuel economy and CO2 emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks in the model years 2021-2026 from 5 percent under the Obama rule to 1.5 percent .
`` By making newer , safer and cleaner vehicles more accessible for American families , more lives will be saved and more jobs will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Transportation Elaine L. Chao said .
The Environmental Protection Agency ruled that the standards were `` not appropriate and should be revised '' in April 2018 , after conducting the midterm evaluation process for the greenhouse gas emissions for cars and light trucks for model years 2022 through 2025 .
`` Our final rule puts in place a sensible one national program that strikes the right regulatory balance that protects our environment and sets reasonable targets for the auto industry , '' EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler said .
Former President Barack Obama in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by model year 2025 , nearly doubling the fuel efficiency of those vehicles .
Obama condemned the Trump administration 's rollback of the guidelines in a tweet on Tuesday , likening the threat of climate change to the global COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We 've seen all too terribly the consequences of those who denied warnings of a pandemic .
We ca n't afford any more consequences of climate denial , '' he wrote .
`` All of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand better of our government at every level and vote this fall . ''

The Trump administration on Tuesday finalized a measure that would reduce the rate of increase of stringency for corporate average fuel economy and CO2 emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks from 5 percent to 1.5 percent. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Tuesday completed a rollback of Obama-era fuel emissions standards aimed at combatting climate change, saying the move will lead to cheaper vehicle prices. The rule would reduce the rate of increase of stringency for corporate average fuel economy and CO2 emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks in the model years 2021-2026 from 5 percent under the Obama rule to 1.5 percent. Advertisement
"By making newer, safer and cleaner vehicles more accessible for American families, more lives will be saved and more jobs will be created," U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao said.
The Environmental Protection Agency ruled that the standards were "not appropriate and should be revised" in April 2018, after conducting the midterm evaluation process for the greenhouse gas emissions for cars and light trucks for model years 2022 through 2025.
"Our final rule puts in place a sensible one national program that strikes the right regulatory balance that protects our environment and sets reasonable targets for the auto industry," EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler said.
Former President Barack Obama in 2012 finalized the standards that aimed to increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by model year 2025, nearly doubling the fuel efficiency of those vehicles.
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Obama condemned the Trump administration's rollback of the guidelines in a tweet on Tuesday, likening the threat of climate change to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
"We've seen all too terribly the consequences of those who denied warnings of a pandemic. We can't afford any more consequences of climate denial," he wrote. "All of us, especially young people, have to demand better of our government at every level and vote this fall."


upi--2020-04-01--Navy working to isolate, test sailors amid COVID-19 outbreak on USS Roosevelt

April 1 ( UPI ) -- The Navy and local government officials in Guam are working to isolate and test crew members on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt , which is currently docked in the territory amid a coronavirus outbreak , officials said Wednesday .
According to acting Navy secretary Thomas B. Modly , nearly 1,000 sailors stationed on the Roosevelt have left the ship for testing and quarantining so far .
Of those , 93 sailors have tested positive for the virus , 593 have tested negative and 87 others were showing symptoms linked with the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media outlets reported on a letter written the captain of the Roosevelt in which he pleaded with Navy officials for more resources to help contain a coronavirus outbreak on the vessel , which had been docked in Guam for several days so its 5,000-strong crew could be tested for the virus .
As a result , Navy officials said Wednesday they are developing plans to get sailors off the vessel as soon as possible and quarantine them in appropriately isolated quarters .
That effort includes asking the local government of Guam , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotels .
`` We 're saying the same thing , '' U.S. Pacific Fleet Adm. John Aquilino told the San Francisco Chronicle , which first reported on ship Capt .
Brett Crozier 's letter .
`` I think his concern is with the pace we get sailors off .
Not that we 're not going to get sailors off .
I just want to be really clear , we will have to leave some number of sailors on that ship as we go through testing , quarantine and isolation to generate completely COVID-free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current plan is to rotate groups of sailors off the ship for 14-day quarantines and testing , then have the healthy sailors return from quarantine to relieve individuals on board -- a plan that would keep the Roosevelt docked for a month .
Modly told reporters Wednesday that it was `` disappointing '' that Crozier implied the Navy was not taking care of its personnel , but said he was not likely to be punished for writing the letter .
Both Modly and the Navy 's chief of naval operations , Adm. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communication breakdown between Crozier and top Pentagon brass .
`` The misunderstanding perhaps was the requirement of the speed to get people off the ship , '' Gilday told reporters Wednesday .
`` In order to act on a requirement , we have to clearly understand the requirement . ''

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, shown here as transits the South China Sea March 16, has docked in Guam to test sailors amid a coronavirus outbreak on the ship. Photo by Kaylianna Genier/U.S. Navy
April 1 (UPI) -- The Navy and local government officials in Guam are working to isolate and test crew members on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is currently docked in the territory amid a coronavirus outbreak, officials said Wednesday. According to acting Navy secretary Thomas B. Modly, nearly 1,000 sailors stationed on the Roosevelt have left the ship for testing and quarantining so far. Advertisement
Of those, 93 sailors have tested positive for the virus, 593 have tested negative and 87 others were showing symptoms linked with the virus, Modly has told reporters.
On Tuesday media outlets reported on a letter written the captain of the Roosevelt in which he pleaded with Navy officials for more resources to help contain a coronavirus outbreak on the vessel, which had been docked in Guam for several days so its 5,000-strong crew could be tested for the virus.
As a result, Navy officials said Wednesday they are developing plans to get sailors off the vessel as soon as possible and quarantine them in appropriately isolated quarters.
That effort includes asking the local government of Guam, which is a U.S. territory, for spare hotels.
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"We're saying the same thing," U.S. Pacific Fleet Adm. John Aquilino told the San Francisco Chronicle, which first reported on ship Capt. Brett Crozier's letter. "I think his concern is with the pace we get sailors off. Not that we're not going to get sailors off. I just want to be really clear, we will have to leave some number of sailors on that ship as we go through testing, quarantine and isolation to generate completely COVID-free sailors."
According to Aquilino, the current plan is to rotate groups of sailors off the ship for 14-day quarantines and testing, then have the healthy sailors return from quarantine to relieve individuals on board -- a plan that would keep the Roosevelt docked for a month.
Modly told reporters Wednesday that it was "disappointing" that Crozier implied the Navy was not taking care of its personnel, but said he was not likely to be punished for writing the letter.
Both Modly and the Navy's chief of naval operations, Adm. Michael Gilday, admitted there was a communication breakdown between Crozier and top Pentagon brass.
"The misunderstanding perhaps was the requirement of the speed to get people off the ship," Gilday told reporters Wednesday. "In order to act on a requirement, we have to clearly understand the requirement."


upi--2020-04-01--Gov. Ron DeSantis says state will accept Floridians from coronavirus-infected cruise ship

April 1 ( UPI ) -- Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that he will allow a cruise ship -- on which nine people have tested positive for COVID-19 -- to dock in the state .
DeSantis said Wednesday that he would bring the Floridians from the Zaandam into the state and find a way to `` deal with '' foreign nationals on the ships in order to avoid using resources in South Florida , which is the epicenter of the state 's coronavirus outbreak .
The governor previously said he did n't want any of the cruise ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he changed his stance after learning there were Floridians and other U.S. citizens on board .
`` We were concerned about a deluge into the hospitals but I think it turns out that there will probably be some who will need to go but it 's very , very manageable and the local hospital system thinks that they can handle it , '' DeSantis said .
The Zaandam , owned by Carnival 's Holland America Line , is carrying 1,243 passengers , including 305 U.S. citizens and 247 Canadians , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49 Florida residents .
Four people have died on the Zaandam since it departed Buenos Aires , Argentina , on March 7 for a trip that was expected to end in San Antonio , Chile , on March 21 .
It has been denied ports to disembark passengers due to the global coronavirus pandemic .
Healthy passengers on board the Zaandam were then transferred over to another Holland America ship , the Rotterdam , where they have been kept isolated in their new rooms .
The ships are traveling at a speed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Florida by 1 a.m. Thursday and both the Zaandam and the Rotterdam are on the Port Everglades docking schedule for Thursday at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. , respectively .
On Wednesday , Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine said a Unified Command made up of officials from the sheriff 's office , the U.S. Coast Guard Customs and Border Patrol and Port Everglades had yet to reach an agreement with the cruise line to allow the ships to dock .
`` The Unified Command advised that a suitable plan had not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Untied States Waters , secure a berth at the port and protect the public , '' he wrote .
Port Everglades said the plan must include measures such as disclosure of all illnesses and temperature readings for all disembarking crew and passengers as well as for the cruise line to arrange and pay for personal protective equipment for staff , disposal of waste and disinfection of the ships .

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday said he would allow Floridians on Holland America's Zaandam cruise ship to enter the state after four people died on the ship. File Photo courtesy of Holland America
April 1 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that he will allow a cruise ship -- on which nine people have tested positive for COVID-19 -- to dock in the state. DeSantis said Wednesday that he would bring the Floridians from the Zaandam into the state and find a way to "deal with" foreign nationals on the ships in order to avoid using resources in South Florida, which is the epicenter of the state's coronavirus outbreak. Advertisement
The governor previously said he didn't want any of the cruise ship passengers to disembark in the state but said he changed his stance after learning there were Floridians and other U.S. citizens on board.
"We were concerned about a deluge into the hospitals but I think it turns out that there will probably be some who will need to go but it's very, very manageable and the local hospital system thinks that they can handle it," DeSantis said.
The Zaandam, owned by Carnival's Holland America Line, is carrying 1,243 passengers, including 305 U.S. citizens and 247 Canadians, according to Port Everglades. Among the Americans are 49 Florida residents.
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Four people have died on the Zaandam since it departed Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 7 for a trip that was expected to end in San Antonio, Chile, on March 21. It has been denied ports to disembark passengers due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
Healthy passengers on board the Zaandam were then transferred over to another Holland America ship, the Rotterdam, where they have been kept isolated in their new rooms.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic
Bass Pro Shops marketing manager David Smith (R) carries a box of donated face masks into Mercy Health in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 13. The company is donating 1 million FDA-approved ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Masks to healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
The ships are traveling at a speed that would place them near the coast of South Florida by 1 a.m. Thursday and both the Zaandam and the Rotterdam are on the Port Everglades docking schedule for Thursday at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., respectively.
On Wednesday, Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine said a Unified Command made up of officials from the sheriff's office, the U.S. Coast Guard Customs and Border Patrol and Port Everglades had yet to reach an agreement with the cruise line to allow the ships to dock.
"The Unified Command advised that a suitable plan had not been presented that allows the ship to enter Untied States Waters, secure a berth at the port and protect the public," he wrote.
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Port Everglades said the plan must include measures such as disclosure of all illnesses and temperature readings for all disembarking crew and passengers as well as for the cruise line to arrange and pay for personal protective equipment for staff, disposal of waste and disinfection of the ships.


upi--2020-04-01--New England Patriots release QB Cody Kessler

April 1 ( UPI ) -- The New England Patriots released fifth-year quarterback Cody Kessler after only one season , the team announced Wednesday .
Kessler was the No .
3 quarterback on the Patriots ' depth chart behind Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer , who re-signed with the team this off-season after the departure of future Hall of Fame signal-caller Tom Brady .
Kessler did n't accrue any stats with the Patriots in 2019 .
New England is expected to add a third quarterback in free agency or the draft later this month , making Kessler expendable .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their roster .
The Cleveland Browns selected Kessler in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of USC .
He spent two seasons with the Browns before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2018 .
Kessler appeared in five games ( four starts ) with the Jaguars in the 2018 campaign , completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 709 yards , two touchdowns and two interceptions .
The team released him in May 2019 .
Kessler went to training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles last year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patriots initially signed him at the end of September , but he never appeared in a game .
In 17 career games ( 12 starts ) between the Browns and Jaguars , Kessler has completed 64.2 percent of his throws for 2,215 yards , eight touchdowns and five picks .

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler spent only one season with the New England Patriots. File Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- The New England Patriots released fifth-year quarterback Cody Kessler after only one season, the team announced Wednesday. Kessler was the No. 3 quarterback on the Patriots' depth chart behind Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer, who re-signed with the team this off-season after the departure of future Hall of Fame signal-caller Tom Brady. Kessler didn't accrue any stats with the Patriots in 2019. Advertisement
New England is expected to add a third quarterback in free agency or the draft later this month, making Kessler expendable. The Patriots generally don't carry four quarterbacks on their roster.
The Cleveland Browns selected Kessler in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of USC. He spent two seasons with the Browns before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2018.
Kessler appeared in five games (four starts) with the Jaguars in the 2018 campaign, completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 709 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The team released him in May 2019.
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Kessler went to training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles last year and was eventually released in August. The Patriots initially signed him at the end of September, but he never appeared in a game.
In 17 career games (12 starts) between the Browns and Jaguars, Kessler has completed 64.2 percent of his throws for 2,215 yards, eight touchdowns and five picks.


upi--2020-04-01--New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo closes NYC playgrounds; Florida, Mississippi order lockdowns

April 1 ( UPI ) -- New York 's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic is approaching 2,000 , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday -- as his counterparts in Florida and Mississippi dropped resistance to imposing a statewide lockdown to stem the spread .
At his briefing update , Cuomo said New York has recorded 400 more deaths , bringing the state total to 1,941 .
The number of cases in the state , the U.S. epicenter of the outbreak , grew by about 8,000 , he added .
Cuomo also ordered all playgrounds and basketball courts in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for activity , to close .
`` I warned people that if they did n't stop the density and the [ basketball ] games in the playgrounds ... that we would close [ them ] , '' he said .
The governor added , however , that open spaces in parks will stay open to provide residents with areas to exercise with less density .
In Florida Wednesday , Gov .
Ron DeSantis imposed a 30-day stay-home order barring residents from venturing outside except for essential purposes .
For weeks he refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide encouragement for Floridians to remain mostly at home .
Florida had nearly 7,000 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday evening .
DeSantis , a Republican and close political ally of President Donald Trump , said a day earlier he had n't been asked by the White House to issue a stay-home order .
`` The task force has not recommended that to me .
If they do , obviously that would be something that carries a lot of weight with me , '' he said .
His 30-day order , which takes effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and personal interactions .
Earlier this week , DeSantis gave a similar order for southeastern Florida , where most of the state 's population lives .
Later Wednesday , Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves issued his own stay-at-home order after the state had its largest one-day rise in cases .
The order , which goes into effect 5 p.m. Friday , requires all residents to stay home except to shop for essentials such as groceries , providing care for someone else or going to work at an essential business .
`` We believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right time , to save lives , '' Reeves said in a news conference .
In Georgia , Gov .
Brian Kemp said he plans to announce a shelter-in-place order Thursday .
That order will go into effect Friday and include the closure of all K-12 schools through the end of the school year .
At least 33 states and the District of Columbia have issued orders to stay home .
In the United States , there were more than 213,000 cases and more than 4,700 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 8,400 people have recovered from the virus .
U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Wednesday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reviewing its thinking about otherwise healthy people wearing face masks to ward off the virus .
Adams , the CDC , and the World Health Organization had all previously said it was not necessary for the general public to wear face masks .
`` We 've learned there 's a fair amount of asymptomatic spread and so we 've asked the CDC to take another look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks will prevent transmission of the disease to other people , '' he told ABC 's Good Morning America .
In New Jersey , authorities have charged 10 people who attended an engagement party with violating lockdown rules .
Police in Lakewood , N.J. , broke up the party Tuesday afternoon .
`` No more knucklehead gatherings or parties .
We have got to stay home , '' New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy said .
Wednesday , Disney Parks announced it 's donated more than 100,000 N95 face masks to areas in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use by front-line medical and emergency workers .
Disney , which closed Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida last week , said it 's also donated 150,000 rain ponchos to humanitarian aid organization MedShare to give to hospitals for use as an alternative to surgical gowns , which are in short supply in some locations .

1/4
A medical professional pushes a coronavirus patient on a stretcher Tuesday through the emergency room entrance at Elmhurst Hospital Center in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- New York's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic is approaching 2,000, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday -- as his counterparts in Florida and Mississippi dropped resistance to imposing a statewide lockdown to stem the spread. At his briefing update, Cuomo said New York has recorded 400 more deaths, bringing the state total to 1,941. The number of cases in the state, the U.S. epicenter of the outbreak, grew by about 8,000, he added. Advertisement
Cuomo also ordered all playgrounds and basketball courts in New York City, which are usual hotspots for activity, to close.
"I warned people that if they didn't stop the density and the [basketball] games in the playgrounds ... that we would close [them]," he said.
The governor added, however, that open spaces in parks will stay open to provide residents with areas to exercise with less density.
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President Donald Trump, during a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force on Wednesday, reiterated that he will not issue a national stay-at-home order, saying that some states "don't have much of a problem" with the virus.
"You have to give a little flexibility," he said. "If you have a state in the Midwest, or if Alaska, for example, doesn't have a problem, it's awfully tough to say close it down. We have to have a little bit of flexibility."
Trump also said he was weighing the financial implications of shutting down airline flights between states that have become coronavirus hotspots saying that doing so would be "clamping down on an industry that is desperately needed."
"Closing up every single flight on every single airline, that's a very, very, very rough decision," said Trump. "But we are thinking of hotspots, where you go from spot to spot, both hot," he said, adding that he was also considering similar restrictions for rail travel.
In Florida Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis imposed a 30-day stay-home order barring residents from venturing outside except for essential purposes. For weeks he refused to issue the order, instead favoring a statewide encouragement for Floridians to remain mostly at home.
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Florida had nearly 7,000 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday evening.
DeSantis, a Republican and close political ally of Trump, said a day earlier he hadn't been asked by the White House to issue a stay-home order.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic
Bass Pro Shops marketing manager David Smith (R) carries a box of donated face masks into Mercy Health in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 13. The company is donating 1 million FDA-approved ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Masks to healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
"The task force has not recommended that to me. If they do, obviously that would be something that carries a lot of weight with me," he said.
His 30-day order, which takes effect at midnight Thursday, requires limited movements and personal interactions. Earlier this week, DeSantis gave a similar order for southeastern Florida, where most of the state's population lives.
Later Wednesday, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issued his own stay-at-home order after the state had its largest one-day rise in cases. The order, which goes into effect 5 p.m. Friday, requires all residents to stay home except to shop for essentials such as groceries, providing care for someone else or going to work at an essential business.
"We believe this is the right tool, at the right time, to save lives," Reeves said in a news conference.
In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp said he plans to announce a shelter-in-place order Thursday. That order will go into effect Friday and include the closure of all K-12 schools through the end of the school year.
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At least 33 states and the District of Columbia have issued orders to stay home.
In the United States, there were more than 213,000 cases and more than 4,700 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University as of 5 p.m. Wednesday. More than 8,400 people have recovered from the virus.
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Wednesday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reviewing its thinking about otherwise healthy people wearing face masks to ward off the virus.
Adams, the CDC, and the World Health Organization had all previously said it was not necessary for the general public to wear face masks.
"We've learned there's a fair amount of asymptomatic spread and so we've asked the CDC to take another look at whether or not having more people wear masks will prevent transmission of the disease to other people," he told ABC's Good Morning America.
In New Jersey, authorities have charged 10 people who attended an engagement party with violating lockdown rules. Police in Lakewood, N.J., broke up the party Tuesday afternoon.
"No more knucklehead gatherings or parties. We have got to stay home," New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said.
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Wednesday, Disney Parks announced it's donated more than 100,000 N95 face masks to areas in New York, California and Florida for use by front-line medical and emergency workers.
Disney, which closed Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida last week, said it's also donated 150,000 rain ponchos to humanitarian aid organization MedShare to give to hospitals for use as an alternative to surgical gowns, which are in short supply in some locations.


upi--2020-04-01--Former Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa: 'I feel 100 percent'

April 1 ( UPI ) -- Former Alabama Crimson Tide star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa , widely considered one of the top prospects available in the upcoming draft , said Wednesday that his surgically repaired hip is fully healed .
Tagovailoa , who suffered a season-ending hip injury in November , told NFL Media that he could return to the field and compete at full strength without any issues .
`` I feel 100 percent , '' Tagovailoa said .
`` I feel like if there was a game today , I 'd be able to go out and perform the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in previous years .
I feel as mobile as possible .
I feel 100 percent . ''
Tagovailoa 's agent , Chris Cabott of Steinberg Sports & Entertainment , told Yahoo Sports earlier this week that doctors have medically cleared his client to compete without any restrictions .
Despite being cleared to return , Tagovailoa has been unable to meet face-to-face with prospective NFL teams because of current league rules related to the coronavirus pandemic .
Currently , teams ca n't send their own doctors or trainers to examine any draft prospects or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be one of the top picks in the 2020 NFL Draft , which is scheduled to take place April 23-25 .
`` I have no control over the circumstances or situation , '' Tagovailoa said .
`` If I was healthy , if I was n't , I would have no control .
So , the best thing I can do is continue to work .
Whatever team decides to choose me , I would be grateful . ''
Tagovailoa , the 2018 Heisman Trophy runner-up , sustained a posterior wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which forced him to miss the remainder of his junior season at Alabama .
He declared for the upcoming draft on Jan. 6 , saying that he was optimistic he could return to the field in time for the start of the 2020 NFL season .
Tagovailoa completed 71.4 percent of his passes for 2,840 yards , 33 touchdowns and three interceptions with the Crimson Tide last season .

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending hip injury in November. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- Former Alabama Crimson Tide star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, widely considered one of the top prospects available in the upcoming draft, said Wednesday that his surgically repaired hip is fully healed. Tagovailoa, who suffered a season-ending hip injury in November, told NFL Media that he could return to the field and compete at full strength without any issues. Advertisement
"I feel 100 percent," Tagovailoa said. "I feel like if there was a game today, I'd be able to go out and perform the same way I was able to perform in previous years. I feel as mobile as possible. I feel 100 percent."
Tagovailoa's agent, Chris Cabott of Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, told Yahoo Sports earlier this week that doctors have medically cleared his client to compete without any restrictions.
Despite being cleared to return, Tagovailoa has been unable to meet face-to-face with prospective NFL teams because of current league rules related to the coronavirus pandemic. Currently, teams can't send their own doctors or trainers to examine any draft prospects or free agents.
Still, Tagovailoa is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to take place April 23-25.
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"I have no control over the circumstances or situation," Tagovailoa said. "If I was healthy, if I wasn't, I would have no control. So, the best thing I can do is continue to work. Whatever team decides to choose me, I would be grateful."
Tagovailoa, the 2018 Heisman Trophy runner-up, sustained a posterior wall fracture and dislocated hip in 2019, which forced him to miss the remainder of his junior season at Alabama. He declared for the upcoming draft on Jan. 6, saying that he was optimistic he could return to the field in time for the start of the 2020 NFL season.
Tagovailoa completed 71.4 percent of his passes for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns and three interceptions with the Crimson Tide last season.


upi--2020-04-01--British knitters attempting record for longest bunting

April 1 ( UPI ) -- A British knitting group said members are working from home to reach their goal @ @ @ @ @ Record for the longest knitted bunting .
Deborah Custance Baker , who created the Longest @ @ @ @ @ , said members are working while on lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic so they can @ @ @ @ @ of May 8 .
Baker said the original plan was for the knitted triangles to @ @ @ @ @ gathering , but due to the lockdown she is having members send their finished triangles @ @ @ @ @ where she is stringing them together with about 5 miles of tape .
The finished @ @ @ @ @ displayed at the Devon County Show at the end of August , Baker said .

Knitters in Britain are working from home to break the Guinness World Record for the longest knitted bunting. Photo courtesy of the Devon County Show
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe April 1 (UPI) -- A British knitting group said members are working from home to reach their goal of breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest knitted bunting. Deborah Custance Baker, who created the Longest Knitted Bunting group on Facebook, said members are working while on lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic so they can comply with Guinness' deadline of May 8. Advertisement
Baker said the original plan was for the knitted triangles to be connected at a large gathering, but due to the lockdown she is having members send their finished triangles to her Silverton home, where she is stringing them together with about 5 miles of tape.
The finished bunting is scheduled to be displayed at the Devon County Show at the end of August, Baker said.


upi--2020-04-01--Storms poised to pummel Texas prior to week's end

Thunderstorms will threaten to bring severe weather as well as needed rainfall to portions of central and southern Texas before the end of the week .
A few pockets of heavy and gusty thunderstorms are likely to erupt over portions of the Plains , including central Texas , during Thursday afternoon and evening .
However , the main threat of more widespread severe weather in Texas will come on Friday .
As storms erupt during the afternoon hours over the north-central and northeastern counties as well as the Hill Country northwest of San Antonio , Texas , the main threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hail on Friday .
`` Winds , with gusts to near 70 mph in some cases , can be strong enough to cause localized property damage , knock down trees and trigger power outages , '' Brett Anderson , an AccuWeather forecaster , said .
`` Hail can become large enough to damage vehicles and break windows in the strongest storms , '' Anderson added .
The hail can be propelled by the strong winds in extreme cases .
As with any severe thunderstorm , there is a remote chance of an isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected .
The storms forecast for the region on Friday can also bring beneficial rain to some communities , but also flash flooding to others .
Rainfall will depend on the intensity , location and duration of thunderstorms that erupt and then move southward .
Rainfall is often erratic with thunderstorms , but an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 3 inches is possible where storms focus , linger or repeat .
Soil conditions range from wet in north-central Texas to abnormally dry farther to the south and east , and extreme drought conditions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rainfall in Dallas has been plentiful , or nearly twice that of average during March .
Meanwhile , rainfall in Brownsville , Texas , has only been 6 % of normal for the month with a mere 0.07 of an inch .
The storms will tend to concentrate on the north-central part of the Lone Star State during the afternoon hours , but as the evening transitions into the nighttime , the storms will move toward the lower Rio Grande Valley and the South Texas coast , where they may weaken .
Downpours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as cause normally dry or gentle streams to become raging torrents for a brief time .
Meteorologists advice motorists to avoid driving across flooded roadways or attempting to travel through low-water crossings when storms are in the vicinity or have recently moved by .
Showers , thunderstorms and perhaps localized severe weather will continue to pester central and southeastern Texas this weekend .
Additional heavy rainfall is likely as well as the risk of isolated flash flooding and damaging storms .

A few pockets of heavy and gusty thunderstorms are likely to erupt over portions of the Plains, including central Texas, during Thursday afternoon and evening. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Thunderstorms will threaten to bring severe weather as well as needed rainfall to portions of central and southern Texas before the end of the week. A few pockets of heavy and gusty thunderstorms are likely to erupt over portions of the Plains, including central Texas, during Thursday afternoon and evening. Advertisement
However, the main threat of more widespread severe weather in Texas will come on Friday. As storms erupt during the afternoon hours over the north-central and northeastern counties as well as the Hill Country northwest of San Antonio, Texas, the main threats will be high wind gusts and large hail on Friday.
"Winds, with gusts to near 70 mph in some cases, can be strong enough to cause localized property damage, knock down trees and trigger power outages," Brett Anderson, an AccuWeather forecaster, said.
"Hail can become large enough to damage vehicles and break windows in the strongest storms," Anderson added. The hail can be propelled by the strong winds in extreme cases.
As with any severe thunderstorm, there is a remote chance of an isolated tornado, but an outbreak is not expected.
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The storms forecast for the region on Friday can also bring beneficial rain to some communities, but also flash flooding to others. Rainfall will depend on the intensity, location and duration of thunderstorms that erupt and then move southward.
Rainfall is often erratic with thunderstorms, but an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 3 inches is possible where storms focus, linger or repeat.
Soil conditions range from wet in north-central Texas to abnormally dry farther to the south and east, and extreme drought conditions are gripping the lower Rio Grande Valley.
Rainfall in Dallas has been plentiful, or nearly twice that of average during March. Meanwhile, rainfall in Brownsville, Texas, has only been 6% of normal for the month with a mere 0.07 of an inch.
The storms will tend to concentrate on the north-central part of the Lone Star State during the afternoon hours, but as the evening transitions into the nighttime, the storms will move toward the lower Rio Grande Valley and the South Texas coast, where they may weaken.
Downpours can flood streets and highways, as well as cause normally dry or gentle streams to become raging torrents for a brief time. Meteorologists advice motorists to avoid driving across flooded roadways or attempting to travel through low-water crossings when storms are in the vicinity or have recently moved by.
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Showers, thunderstorms and perhaps localized severe weather will continue to pester central and southeastern Texas this weekend.
Additional heavy rainfall is likely as well as the risk of isolated flash flooding and damaging storms.


upi--2020-04-01--Houston Texans to sign ex-Philadelphia Eagles DT Tim Jernigan

April 1 ( UPI ) -- The Houston Texans reached an agreement on a short-term contract with former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Tim Jernigan on Wednesday .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Jernigan agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $ 3.75 million with the Texans .
According to NFL Media , the veteran defensive lineman will receive $ 1.25 million guaranteed in his agreement .
The Texans had an opening on their defensive line after losing defensive tackle D.J .
Reader in free agency .
Reader agreed to a four-year , $ 53 million deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Baltimore Ravens selected Jernigan in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Florida State .
He spent three seasons in Baltimore before being traded to the Eagles in 2017 .
In the 2017 campaign , Jernigan was paired with fellow defensive tackle Fletcher Cox .
The Eagles ' disruptive line helped power the Eagles to a Super Bowl championship that season .
Jernigan missed 13 games in the 2018 season after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back .
He was then limited to 10 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 71 career games between the Ravens and Eagles , Jernigan has recorded 132 total tackles , 17.5 sacks , 47 quarterback hits , one interception and three passes defensed .

Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Tim Jernigan was limited to 10 games last season because of a foot injury. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 1 (UPI) -- The Houston Texans reached an agreement on a short-term contract with former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Tim Jernigan on Wednesday. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Jernigan agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $3.75 million with the Texans. According to NFL Media, the veteran defensive lineman will receive $1.25 million guaranteed in his agreement. Advertisement
The Texans had an opening on their defensive line after losing defensive tackle D.J. Reader in free agency. Reader agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals last month.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Jernigan in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Florida State. He spent three seasons in Baltimore before being traded to the Eagles in 2017.
In the 2017 campaign, Jernigan was paired with fellow defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. The Eagles' disruptive line helped power the Eagles to a Super Bowl championship that season.
Jernigan missed 13 games in the 2018 season after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back. He was then limited to 10 games in 2019 because of a foot injury.
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In 71 career games between the Ravens and Eagles, Jernigan has recorded 132 total tackles, 17.5 sacks, 47 quarterback hits, one interception and three passes defensed.


upi--2020-04-01--Cancer patients see care disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic

April 1 ( UPI ) -- Some Americans with cancer are experiencing disruptions to treatment because of the COVID-19 pandemic , experts acknowledged Wednesday .
With hospitals in many parts of the country overwhelmed with patients with the new coronavirus , or bracing for an overflow of contagious COVID-19 patients , many clinicians have advised those with cancer to forego chemotherapy and radiation treatment until the outbreak has run its course .
The reason , healthcare providers say , is to avoid exposing patients with already compromised immune systems , such as cancer patients , to the coronavirus .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment also was used as method of protecting patients in China , where the pandemic started , to protect patients .
The American Cancer Society has received hundreds of calls from people with cancer who have experienced treatment interruptions since the pandemic reached the United States , Dr. Len Lichtenfeld , deputy chief medical officer at the organization , told UPI .
The decisions regarding discontinuing treatment , he emphasized , are being made based on existing evidence that weighs benefits against potential risks .
`` We knew this outbreak was going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer patients in active treatment , but in those in post-treatment , as well , '' Lichtenfeld said .
`` The resources healthcare centers do have need to be focused on people who are being treated for cure and people who have an acute need for treatment , like people with acute lymphoma .
Those diseases do n't wait . ''
What this might mean , for example , is that patients who otherwise would have received a third , fourth or fifth round of chemotherapy -- as part of an `` aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits these additional courses provide -- are having those requests denied .
A review published Wednesday in JAMA Oncology notes that `` maintenance chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy treatments for patients with advanced cancer '' often were suspended in many parts of China during the COVID-19 outbreak there .
For those who continued cancer treatment during the outbreak , several safeguards were put in place , including temperature checks upon arrival for appointments and routine monitoring for COVID-19 among patients admitted to the hospital for cancer care , the authors said .
Although no precise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients from COVID-19 , it is well known they are more prone to infections , both because of the disease and its treatment , according to the American Cancer Society .
A study out of Wuhan , China , published last month in The Lancet found that 18 of 1,590 patients , or 1 percent , with severe COVID-19 had a history of cancer .
The national incidence of cancer in the Chinese population is 0.29 percent , according to the authors .
Since early March , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doctors prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures .
The agency has not offered specific guidance about cancer care , but it 's believed that many hospitals are evaluating patients on a case-by-case basis and postponing treatment when doing so does not pose a risk to health .
These decisions are n't made with only the patients in mind , either , experts have said .
Clinicians involved in delivering cancer treatment -- oncologists , radiologists , nurses and others -- also are at risk for COVID-19 , often simply by reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients with the infection have been admitted .
As the authors of the Lancet paper noted , the measures put in place to protect patients from the new coronavirus also were designed avoid COVID-19 `` cross infection between patients and medical staff . ''
In addition to delaying cancer treatment , ACS also recommends that people should not have routine screening for breast , colon , cervix or lung cancer until social distancing measures put in place to stem the pandemic have been lifted .
Although screening often results in earlier diagnosis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing services at normal levels could overburden medical facilities still coming to grips with the thousands of patients testing positive for the new coronavirus .
`` There are going to be indirect effects of this pandemic , and those effects are not just related to postponing treatments or elective surgeries , but also the shift in priority among many hospitals and healthcare centers to treat exclusively COVID-19 , '' Dr. Caroline Buckee , associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health , said in a call with reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we think through the impact of the pandemic , we need to not only think about deaths attributable to COVID-19 , but also any other mortality that might arise as a result of re-directed medical care or redirected financial or healthcare resources , '' Buckee said .
`` It 's a very important issue . ''

Many cancer patients are seeing treatment disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by klbz /Pixabay
April 1 (UPI) -- Some Americans with cancer are experiencing disruptions to treatment because of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts acknowledged Wednesday. With hospitals in many parts of the country overwhelmed with patients with the new coronavirus, or bracing for an overflow of contagious COVID-19 patients, many clinicians have advised those with cancer to forgo chemotherapy and radiation treatment until the outbreak has run its course. Advertisement
The reason, healthcare providers say, is to avoid exposing patients with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients, to the coronavirus. According to a study published Wednesday, pausing treatment also was used as method of protecting patients in China, where the pandemic started, to protect patients.
The American Cancer Society has received hundreds of calls from people with cancer who have experienced treatment interruptions since the pandemic reached the United States, Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer at the organization, told UPI.
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The decisions regarding discontinuing treatment, he emphasized, are being made based on existing evidence that weighs benefits against potential risks.
"We knew this outbreak was going to be of high risk not just to cancer patients in active treatment, but in those in post-treatment, as well," Lichtenfeld said.
"The resources healthcare centers do have need to be focused on people who are being treated for cure and people who have an acute need for treatment, like people with acute lymphoma. Those diseases don't wait."
What this might mean, for example, is that patients who otherwise would have received a third, fourth or fifth round of chemotherapy -- as part of an "aggressive" treatment plan, despite the limited benefits these additional courses provide -- are having those requests denied.
A review published Wednesday in JAMA Oncology notes that "maintenance chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy treatments for patients with advanced cancer" often were suspended in many parts of China during the COVID-19 outbreak there.
For those who continued cancer treatment during the outbreak, several safeguards were put in place, including temperature checks upon arrival for appointments and routine monitoring for COVID-19 among patients admitted to the hospital for cancer care, the authors said.
Advertisement
Although no precise data exists about the risks for cancer patients from COVID-19, it is well known they are more prone to infections, both because of the disease and its treatment, according to the American Cancer Society.
A study out of Wuhan, China, published last month in The Lancet found that 18 of 1,590 patients, or 1 percent, with severe COVID-19 had a history of cancer.
The national incidence of cancer in the Chinese population is 0.29 percent, according to the authors.
Since early March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that healthcare facilities and doctors prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures.
The agency has not offered specific guidance about cancer care, but it's believed that many hospitals are evaluating patients on a case-by-case basis and postponing treatment when doing so does not pose a risk to health.
These decisions aren't made with only the patients in mind, either, experts have said. Clinicians involved in delivering cancer treatment -- oncologists, radiologists, nurses and others -- also are at risk for COVID-19, often simply by reporting for work at a facility at which patients with the infection have been admitted.
As the authors of the Lancet paper noted, the measures put in place to protect patients from the new coronavirus also were designed to avoid COVID-19 "cross infection between patients and medical staff."
Advertisement
In addition to delaying cancer treatment, ACS also recommends against routine screening for breast, colon, cervix or lung cancer until social-distancing measures put in place to stem the pandemic have been lifted.
Although screening often results in earlier diagnosis and saves lives in people with cancer, continuing services at normal levels could overburden medical facilities still coming to grips with the thousands of patients testing positive for the new coronavirus.
"There are going to be indirect effects of this pandemic, and those effects are not just related to postponing treatments or elective surgeries, but also the shift in priority among many hospitals and healthcare centers to treat exclusively COVID-19," Dr. Caroline Buckee, associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said in a call with reporters Wednesday.
"And so, when we think through the impact of the pandemic, we need to not only think about deaths attributable to COVID-19, but also any other mortality that might arise as a result of redirected medical care or redirected financial or healthcare resources," Buckee said. "It's a very important issue."