upi--2020-05-27--Ohio counties sue major pharmacies for role in opioid crisis

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Two Ohio counties on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against several major U.S. pharmacies , stating they were complicit in perpetuating the opioid crisis .
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Cleveland alleges that pharmacies operated by CVS , Rite Aid , Walgreens , Giant Eagle and Walmart sold excess quantities of opioids and failed to report suspiciously large orders and sales .
`` The crisis arose not only from the opioid manufacturers ' deliberate marketing strategy , but from distributors ' and pharmacies ' equally deliberate efforts to evade restrictions on opioid distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` These distributors and pharmacies acted without regard for the lives that would be trammeled in pursuit of profit . ''
In the complaint , the counties allege that CVS worked with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to offer its pharmacists seminars on pain management so they would be able to reassure patients and doctors about the safety of opioids .
CVS also partnered with Endo Pharmaceuticals to send letters to patients encouraging them to maintain prescriptions of the opioid Opana .
The Food and Drug Administration ordered the extended-release version of Opana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to extensive abuse , the suit states .
Further , the suit states that a Rite Aid in the town of Painesville , Ohio , which has a population of 19,524 , sold more than 4.2 million doses of oxycodone and hydrocodone while the retailer offered bonuses to stores with the highest productivity .
Other retailers , including Walgreens and Walmart allegedly sought to circumvent federal oversight policies that required them to report large orders to the FDA .
Walgreens and CVS both signed deals with distributors , which stated they would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight from the distributors .
In 2012 , Walmart placed a fixed limit on opioid quantities it would distribute to stores , but allowed stores to place additional orders from third-party distributors .
CVS responded to the suit in a statement to The New York Times , stating that pharmacists are only responsible for dispensing opioids to patients .
`` Opioids are made and marketed by drug manufacturers , not pharmacists , '' the company said .
`` Pharmacists dispense opioid prescriptions written by a licensed physician for a legitimate medical need .
@

A pair of Ohio counties field a lawsuit alleging CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Giant Eagle and pharmacies operated by Walmart were complicit in perpetuating the opioid crisis by selling excess amounts of the drug. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 27 (UPI) -- Two Ohio counties on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against several major U.S. pharmacies, stating they were complicit in perpetuating the opioid crisis. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Cleveland alleges that pharmacies operated by CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Giant Eagle and Walmart sold excess quantities of opioids and failed to report suspiciously large orders and sales. Advertisement
"The crisis arose not only from the opioid manufacturers' deliberate marketing strategy, but from distributors' and pharmacies' equally deliberate efforts to evade restrictions on opioid distribution and dispensing," the suit states. "These distributors and pharmacies acted without regard for the lives that would be trammeled in pursuit of profit."
In the complaint, the counties allege that CVS worked with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to offer its pharmacists seminars on pain management so they would be able to reassure patients and doctors about the safety of opioids.
CVS also partnered with Endo Pharmaceuticals to send letters to patients encouraging them to maintain prescriptions of the opioid Opana. The Food and Drug Administration ordered the extended-release version of Opana removed from the market in 2017 due to extensive abuse, the suit states.
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Further, the suit states that a Rite Aid in the town of Painesville, Ohio, which has a population of 19,524, sold more than 4.2 million doses of oxycodone and hydrocodone while the retailer offered bonuses to stores with the highest productivity.
Other retailers, including Walgreens and Walmart allegedly sought to circumvent federal oversight policies that required them to report large orders to the FDA.
Walgreens and CVS both signed deals with distributors, which stated they would be permitted to regulate their own orders without oversight from the distributors.
In 2012, Walmart placed a fixed limit on opioid quantities it would distribute to stores, but allowed stores to place additional orders from third-party distributors.
CVS responded to the suit in a statement to The New York Times, stating that pharmacists are only responsible for dispensing opioids to patients.
"Opioids are made and marketed by drug manufacturers, not pharmacists," the company said. "Pharmacists dispense opioid prescriptions written by a licensed physician for a legitimate medical need."


upi--2020-05-27--Astronauts poised to return to space from U.S. soil

Astronauts poised to return to space from U.S. soil SpaceX 's first mission with astronauts on board is scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ , from Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
This will be the first crewed launch @ @ @ @ @ space shuttle era ended in 2011 .
The launch was initially scheduled to take place @ @ @ @ @ scrubbed half an hour before liftoff due to bad weather .

NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley (C) waves to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola to return him and NASA astronaut Robert Behnken home to Houston a few hours after the duo landed in their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft off the coast of Pensacola, Fla,, on August 2, 2020. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA


upi--2020-05-27--Canadian judge OKs U.S. extradition case for Weng Wanzhou to proceed

May 27 ( UPI ) -- A judge in Canada ruled Wednesday that the United States can continue its fight to extradite a senior Huawei executive arrested in 2018 on conspiracy and fraud charges .
British Columbia Supreme Court Judge Heather Holmes said Meng Wanzhou 's case meets the criteria to be considered double criminality .
Under Canada 's Extradition Act , dual criminally states that the offense must be reviewed to ensure that it would be considered a crime if it had taken place Canada .
The United States is seeking Meng 's extradition to face allegations she violated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuse Meng of lying to a bank in 2013 about Huawei 's relations with an Iranian-based subsidiary .
Holmes said Canada would charge someone for violating sanctions on Iran even though Canada did n't levy the same sanctions on the country .
`` Canada 's law of fraud looks beyond international boundaries , '' she wrote in her ruling .
Meng has denied the charges and has filed a countersuit against Canada for unlawful detention , accusing the North American country of violating her rights .
China has repeatedly voiced its support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States of abusing their bilateral extradition treaty to `` arbitrarily '' arrest a Chinese national .

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge said Meng Wanzhou would be charged in Canada for her alleged crimes if she had committed them there, making her eligible for extradition to the United States. File Photo by Heinz Ruckemann/UPI | License Photo
May 27 (UPI) -- A judge in Canada ruled Wednesday that the United States can continue its fight to extradite a senior Huawei executive arrested in 2018 on conspiracy and fraud charges. British Columbia Supreme Court Judge Heather Holmes said Meng Wanzhou's case meets the criteria to be considered double criminality. Under Canada's Extradition Act, dual criminally states that the offense must be reviewed to ensure that it would be considered a crime if it had taken place Canada. Advertisement
The United States is seeking Meng's extradition to face allegations she violated U.S. trade sanctions on Iran. Prosecutors accuse Meng of lying to a bank in 2013 about Huawei's relations with an Iranian-based subsidiary.
Holmes said Canada would charge someone for violating sanctions on Iran even though Canada didn't levy the same sanctions on the country.
"Canada's law of fraud looks beyond international boundaries," she wrote in her ruling.
Meng has denied the charges and has filed a countersuit against Canada for unlawful detention, accusing the North American country of violating her rights.
China has repeatedly voiced its support for its citizen, and accused Canada and the United States of abusing their bilateral extradition treaty to "arbitrarily" arrest a Chinese national.


upi--2020-05-27--Storms postpone return of human spaceflight from U.S.

ORLANDO , Fla. , May 27 ( UPI ) -- NASA and SpaceX postponed the agency 's historic return to human spaceflight from U.S. soil Wednesday because of storms near Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
Another attempt is scheduled for Saturday afternoon , when a 40 percent chance of unfavorable weather exists , according to the U.S. Space Force forecast .
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Douglas Hurley had been scheduled for launch to the International Space Station at 4:33 p.m. EDT in SpaceX 's Crew Dragon capsule atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket .
They left the capsule just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours after the flight was canceled for the day .
Heavy rains swept the area around the space center Monday , due to a system that moved north and became Tropical Storm Bertha near Georgia on Wednesday morning .
Lightning also was a concern .
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted Wednesday that he hoped the storm would clear out moisture and create quieter seas behind it , but that was not to be .
`` This is a unique opportunity to bring all of America together at one moment in time and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , ' '' Bridenstine said Tuesday at a space agency briefing .
On Wednesday , after the postponement , he told the media , `` We simply had too much electricity in the atmosphere . ''
He called it `` a good day for NASA , a good day for SpaceX , '' despite the three-day delay because the countdown proceeded without a hitch until bad weather forced a halt .
The historic launch would have marked the first time astronauts have flown inside the Crew Dragon space capsule , built by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were to have flown on the Falcon 9 rocket , which has proven to be a reliable workhorse for carrying supplies to the space station 250 miles above Earth .
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence had traveled to the space center Wednesday .
The astronauts had suited up and were locked into the capsule , which was fueled and ready for liftoff when the launch was scrubbed .
Following the decision to postpone the mission , the astronauts stayed inside the capsule as the rocket was emptied of propellant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ system was disarmed and the door opened for them to exit .
The capsule 's flight path was to take it east over the Atlantic Ocean toward the United Kingdom , where viewers might have seen it for 15 minutes , according to the website MeteorWatch.org .
The astronauts entered SpaceX 's Crew Dragon capsule a little earlier than planned Wednesday afternoon .
Technicians strapped their spacesuit boots into place , harnessed them to their seats , and closed the capsule door after testing communications and other systems .
A small group saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a white Tesla Model X for a motorcade to Launch Complex 39A .
Before they drove off , they received good wishes and virtual hugs from their families .
Pence , SpaceX founder Elon Musk and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine also offered words of praise before the astronauts ' departure to the pad .
Trump arrived in the area in Air Force One just after the capsule door was being closed .
His plane flew close to the launch tower as it headed to a landing .
Musk , speaking to family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong sense of responsibility for their safety .
`` I said we 've done everything we can to make sure your dads come back OK '' in referring to each astronaut 's only child , Musk recalled at a NASA briefing .
He added : `` What today is about is reigniting the dream of space and getting people fired up about the future . ''
`` This is a unique opportunity to bring all of America together at one moment in time and say , 'look at how bright our future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a space agency briefing .
After launch , at the 12-minute mark , the Crew Dragon capsule was to separate from the second-stage booster , and the capsule 's nose cone was to open to prepare for docking at the space station .
After the capsule reached the same altitude as the space station and caught up to it , Crew Dragon was to inch closer very slowly and dock via a fully autonomous system .
The astronauts could override the system , if necessary .
The spacecraft was due to arrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ docking planned for 11:29 a.m. EDT .
When they got there , astronauts Behnken and Hurley would have remained in the capsule for almost two hours as it is locked in place and checks made on its systems .
Once the hatch opened , astronaut Chris Cassidy -- already on board the space station -- was to greet the new arrivals .
He and Russians Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner arrived in April and are to stay there until October .
During the mission , called Demo 2 , Behnken and Hurley were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dragon capsule before it is certified for regular ferry service to the space station .
The two planned to fly manually part of the way to the space station , using the capsule 's unique touchscreen controls .
`` We 've longed to be a part of a test mission , a test spaceflight , '' Behnken said during a brief press conference Friday .
`` It 's something we dreamed about , flying something other than the space shuttle '' to carry people into space .
Behnken and Hurley did n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the space station .
NASA has said it could be as little as six weeks and as much as 16 weeks , depending on how quickly the crew completes necessary maintenance on the space station and how favorable weather conditions are for spacecraft splashdown .
While the seas generally are not rough in the Atlantic during summer , it will be hurricane season , and tropical activity in the landing zone would delay the return .
If the mission ultimately is successful , NASA plans to launch another SpaceX capsule to the space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASA administrator , said Tuesday .
Crew members for that mission are NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins , Victor Glover and Shannon Walker , along with Soichi Noguchi , an astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency .
The return to Earth for this mission would have marked the first splashdown of a U.S. space capsule carrying astronauts since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975 .
`` Remember , this is a test flight , '' Bridenstine said Tuesday .
`` And as such , if we have a good window to come home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not necessary on the International Space Station , we will be taking '' the opportunity to return to Earth .
SpaceX is more than two years behind schedule for the launch .
NASA awarded two finalist contracts in 2014 to certify new spacecraft to carry people by 2017 -- Boeing received $ 4.2 billion for its Starliner capsule and SpaceX received $ 2.6 billion for Crew Dragon .
Starliner failed to reach the space station during a test flight in December , and is scheduled for another attempt in the third quarter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a rebirth of Kennedy Space Center , said Bob Cabana , the center 's director , following years of renovations and new infrastructure at Launch Complex 39A -- now leased by SpaceX .
`` We went to the moon from pad 39A , and 82 of the 135 shuttle missions launched off that pad , and now -- rather than rusting away in the salt air -- through our partnership with SpaceX , that pad is being used once again , '' Cabana said .
Over the past decade , NASA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capsules to reach the space station , at a cost of more than $ 70 million per seat .
Behnken , 49 , and Hurley , 53 , have been astronauts since their selection in 2000 .
They worked closely with SpaceX to develop the new spacecraft systems .
`` I hope the nation can look at this [ launch ] and recognize this is still something we can accomplish and still something we can be successful at , and we 're going to do it in the face of the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share similar life experiences .
Both are married to female astronauts who have traveled into space , and both have one child .
Both were military test pilots and hold the rank of colonel -- Behnken with the U.S. Air Force and Hurley with the U.S. Marine Corps .
Behnken , originally from the St. Louis area , was a former chief of NASA 's Astronaut Office .
Hurley , originally from upstate New York , flew on the last shuttle mission in 2011 and was the first Marine pilot to fly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falcon 9 rocket is the first orbital launch vehicle to be fully reusable , although the rocket for this launch is new .
The Falcon 9 is just short of 230 feet tall , with a 12-foot diameter .
Nine of SpaceX 's Merlin engines provide thrust of 1.7 million pounds upon liftoff .
By comparison , a typical F-16 fighter jet emits 32,000 pounds of thrust .
The launch was to be the first such American liftoff of astronauts during a global pandemic .
NASA has urged the public to watch the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency restricts access to the launch site at Kennedy Space Center to essential personnel only .

NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley (C) waves to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola to return him and NASA astronaut Robert Behnken home to Houston a few hours after the duo landed in their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft off the coast of Pensacola, Fla,, on August 2, 2020. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., May 27 (UPI) -- NASA and SpaceX postponed the agency's historic return to human spaceflight from U.S. soil Wednesday because of storms near Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Another attempt is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, when a 40 percent chance of unfavorable weather exists, according to the U.S. Space Force forecast. Advertisement
Astronauts Bob Behnken and Douglas Hurley had been scheduled for launch to the International Space Station at 4:33 p.m. EDT in SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
They left the capsule just before 6 p.m., about 1 1/2 hours after the flight was canceled for the day.
Heavy rains swept the area around the space center Monday, due to a system that moved north and became Tropical Storm Bertha near Georgia on Wednesday morning. Lightning also was a concern.
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NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted Wednesday that he hoped the storm would clear out moisture and create quieter seas behind it, but that was not to be.
"This is a unique opportunity to bring all of America together at one moment in time and say, 'look at how bright our future is,'" Bridenstine said Tuesday at a space agency briefing.
On Wednesday, after the postponement, he told the media, "We simply had too much electricity in the atmosphere." He called it "a good day for NASA, a good day for SpaceX," despite the three-day delay because the countdown proceeded without a hitch until bad weather forced a halt.
The historic launch would have marked the first time astronauts have flown inside the Crew Dragon space capsule, built by Elon's Musk's SpaceX.
They were to have flown on the Falcon 9 rocket, which has proven to be a reliable workhorse for carrying supplies to the space station 250 miles above Earth.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence had traveled to the space center Wednesday. The astronauts had suited up and were locked into the capsule, which was fueled and ready for liftoff when the launch was scrubbed.
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Following the decision to postpone the mission, the astronauts stayed inside the capsule as the rocket was emptied of propellant. When that was accomplished, the abort system was disarmed and the door opened for them to exit.
To head east
The capsule's flight path was to take it east over the Atlantic Ocean toward the United Kingdom, where viewers might have seen it for 15 minutes, according to the website MeteorWatch.org.
The astronauts entered SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule a little earlier than planned Wednesday afternoon.
Technicians strapped their spacesuit boots into place, harnessed them to their seats, and closed the capsule door after testing communications and other systems.
A small group saw the astronauts off as they got into a white Tesla Model X for a motorcade to Launch Complex 39A. Before they drove off, they received good wishes and virtual hugs from their families.
Pence, SpaceX founder Elon Musk and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine also offered words of praise before the astronauts' departure to the pad.
Trump arrived in the area in Air Force One just after the capsule door was being closed. His plane flew close to the launch tower as it headed to a landing.
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Musk, speaking to family members of both astronauts, said he felt a strong sense of responsibility for their safety.
"I said we've done everything we can to make sure your dads come back OK" in referring to each astronaut's only child, Musk recalled at a NASA briefing.
He added: "What today is about is reigniting the dream of space and getting people fired up about the future."
"This is a unique opportunity to bring all of America together at one moment in time and say, 'look at how bright our future is,'" Bridenstine said Tuesday at a space agency briefing.
After launch, at the 12-minute mark, the Crew Dragon capsule was to separate from the second-stage booster, and the capsule's nose cone was to open to prepare for docking at the space station.
After the capsule reached the same altitude as the space station and caught up to it, Crew Dragon was to inch closer very slowly and dock via a fully autonomous system. The astronauts could override the system, if necessary.
The spacecraft was due to arrive at the space station Thursday, with docking planned for 11:29 a.m. EDT.
When they got there, astronauts Behnken and Hurley would have remained in the capsule for almost two hours as it is locked in place and checks made on its systems.
Advertisement The day before our launch on the @NASA/@SpaceX Demo Mission 2, I took the time to review pre-launch activities, hone my launch operation technique, practice one more docking with @Space_Station https://t.co/1RBMI0g1Gp, and review the path home. We are ready! #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/piYtLEtoiw— Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) May 27, 2020
Greeting new arrivals
Once the hatch opened, astronaut Chris Cassidy -- already on board the space station -- was to greet the new arrivals. He and Russians Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner arrived in April and are to stay there until October.
During the mission, called Demo 2, Behnken and Hurley were to conduct final tests of the Crew Dragon capsule before it is certified for regular ferry service to the space station.
The two planned to fly manually part of the way to the space station, using the capsule's unique touchscreen controls.
"We've longed to be a part of a test mission, a test spaceflight," Behnken said during a brief press conference Friday. "It's something we dreamed about, flying something other than the space shuttle" to carry people into space.
Behnken and Hurley didn't know how long they were to be on the space station. NASA has said it could be as little as six weeks and as much as 16 weeks, depending on how quickly the crew completes necessary maintenance on the space station and how favorable weather conditions are for spacecraft splashdown.
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While the seas generally are not rough in the Atlantic during summer, it will be hurricane season, and tropical activity in the landing zone would delay the return.
If the mission ultimately is successful, NASA plans to launch another SpaceX capsule to the space station Aug. 30, Bridenstine, the NASA administrator, said Tuesday.
Next crew
Crew members for that mission are NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker, along with Soichi Noguchi, an astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The return to Earth for this mission would have marked the first splashdown of a U.S. space capsule carrying astronauts since the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975.
"Remember, this is a test flight," Bridenstine said Tuesday. "And as such, if we have a good window to come home and [Hurley and Behnken] are not necessary on the International Space Station, we will be taking" the opportunity to return to Earth.
SpaceX is more than two years behind schedule for the launch. NASA awarded two finalist contracts in 2014 to certify new spacecraft to carry people by 2017 -- Boeing received $4.2 billion for its Starliner capsule and SpaceX received $2.6 billion for Crew Dragon.
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Starliner failed to reach the space station during a test flight in December, and is scheduled for another attempt in the third quarter of this year.
The planned launch is part of a rebirth of Kennedy Space Center, said Bob Cabana, the center's director, following years of renovations and new infrastructure at Launch Complex 39A -- now leased by SpaceX.
"We went to the moon from pad 39A, and 82 of the 135 shuttle missions launched off that pad, and now -- rather than rusting away in the salt air -- through our partnership with SpaceX, that pad is being used once again," Cabana said.
$70 million a seat
Over the past decade, NASA astronauts only used Russian Soyuz rockets and capsules to reach the space station, at a cost of more than $70 million per seat.
Behnken, 49, and Hurley, 53, have been astronauts since their selection in 2000. They worked closely with SpaceX to develop the new spacecraft systems.
"I hope the nation can look at this [launch] and recognize this is still something we can accomplish and still something we can be successful at, and we're going to do it in the face of the pandemic," Behnken said.
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The two men share similar life experiences. Both are married to female astronauts who have traveled into space, and both have one child. Both were military test pilots and hold the rank of colonel -- Behnken with the U.S. Air Force and Hurley with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Behnken, originally from the St. Louis area, was a former chief of NASA's Astronaut Office. Hurley, originally from upstate New York, flew on the last shuttle mission in 2011 and was the first Marine pilot to fly the F/A‐18 E/F Super Hornet.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is the first orbital launch vehicle to be fully reusable, although the rocket for this launch is new.
The Falcon 9 is just short of 230 feet tall, with a 12-foot diameter. Nine of SpaceX's Merlin engines provide thrust of 1.7 million pounds upon liftoff. By comparison, a typical F-16 fighter jet emits 32,000 pounds of thrust.
The launch was to be the first such American liftoff of astronauts during a global pandemic. NASA has urged the public to watch the launch on TV or online, while the agency restricts access to the launch site at Kennedy Space Center to essential personnel only.


upi--2020-05-27--Canadian man receives package ordered 8 years earlier

May 27 ( UPI ) -- A Toronto man said he was surprised and confused when a package showed up at his home containing a product he had ordered eight years earlier .
Elliot Berinstein said a Canada Post delivery worker left the package from Well.ca on his doorstep May 6 , and he was initially confounded about its origins .
`` I was very confused because I had n't ordered anything from Well.ca in a while , '' Berinstein told CBC News .
`` And then I remembered one time about eight years ago , I ordered something from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tube of Brylcreem -- a hair-styling product -- he had ordered in 2012 , along with an invoice dated that year .
`` I started laughing because I thought it was pretty funny that it came eight years later , '' Berinstein told CTV News .
Berinstein said he checked the package 's tracking code , but found it no longer was valid .
`` I think it was just in a corner somewhere and then someone just decided to mail it , '' he said .
`` I thought it was pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out or something .
...
I wonder why now they sent it out since they 're pretty far behind on their current packages and stuff . ''
A Canada Post representative said the late package is being investigated .
`` This is certainly a unique situation , and we can only speculate at this point as to what may have happened , '' the representative said in a statement .
Berinstein said he elected not to attempt to use the Brylcreem .
`` When I opened it , it was bright yellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've never used it before , it seemed like it was supposed to be white , so I did n't try it , '' he said .

A Toronto man said the Canada Post delivered a package to his home this month -- eight years after he ordered it. Photo by SsmIntrigue/Wikimedia Commons
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe May 27 (UPI) -- A Toronto man said he was surprised and confused when a package showed up at his home containing a product he had ordered eight years earlier. Elliot Berinstein said a Canada Post delivery worker left the package from Well.ca on his doorstep May 6, and he was initially confounded about its origins. Advertisement
"I was very confused because I hadn't ordered anything from Well.ca in a while," Berinstein told CBC News. "And then I remembered one time about eight years ago, I ordered something from them."
The package included a tube of Brylcreem -- a hair-styling product -- he had ordered in 2012, along with an invoice dated that year.
"I started laughing because I thought it was pretty funny that it came eight years later," Berinstein told CTV News.
Berinstein said he checked the package's tracking code, but found it no longer was valid.
"I think it was just in a corner somewhere and then someone just decided to mail it," he said. "I thought it was pretty funny that they just didn't throw it out or something. ... I wonder why now they sent it out since they're pretty far behind on their current packages and stuff."
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A Canada Post representative said the late package is being investigated.
"This is certainly a unique situation, and we can only speculate at this point as to what may have happened," the representative said in a statement.
Berinstein said he elected not to attempt to use the Brylcreem.
"When I opened it, it was bright yellow, and when I Googled it, I've never used it before, it seemed like it was supposed to be white, so I didn't try it," he said.


upi--2020-05-27--NASCAR rookie Tyler Reddick says isolation a challenge before races

May 27 ( UPI ) -- NASCAR Cup Series rookie Tyler Reddick said it has been a challenge to sit for hours in isolation before he jumps into his car to compete against other drivers .
`` It 's very hard to convince my body that we are racing , as often as we are showing up to the racetrack and sitting in isolation for hours before you hop in a car and not really interacting with anybody , '' Reddick said Tuesday .
`` It 's a really different change of pace . ''
Reddick , 24 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sport 's first race back from a coronavirus suspension May 17 in Darlington , S.C .
He has since competed in three additional races and will jump into his No .
8 Chevrolet for the Alsco Uniforms 500 Wednesday in Charlotte , N.C .
Drivers knew to expect new protocols like mandates to wear personal protective equipment , social distancing and washing their hands when they returned to the track .
They can be fined for violating NASCAR 's safety guidelines .
They also have new responsibilities and need to be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film and bringing the correct equipment to their races , as other crew members are n't around to remind them or carry it for them .
`` You walk out there and it was kind of funny because about 10 minutes before we are supposed to be there all of a sudden you see drivers popping out of their motor homes carrying their helmets and walking to the grid , '' Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace said on the Rich Eisen Show after the first Darlington race .
Drivers ' bodies also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the actual races .
Instead of a walk through fans and signing autographs , drivers must stay alone in their motor homes or other vehicles for hours before they get into their cars for races .
They do media interviews through video conference software in their motor homes and communicate with their teams through their phones and computers .
`` That first race back in Darlington , was really easy to get ready for because it was on a Sunday and had anticipation built around it , '' Reddick said .
`` Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or four days to go back to the racetrack . ''
Reddick placed seventh in The Real Heroes 400 May 17 at Darlington Raceway .
He finished 13th three days later in another Cup Series race at the same track .
Reddick finished eighth in Sunday 's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte .
He 'll line up 13th to start Wednesday 's 208-lap race .
Drivers have gotten used to not seeing fans in the grandstands -- a policy NASCAR enforced as a safety precaution for all races so far .
Reddick said not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety protocols -- since the NASCAR season resumed .
He said he tries to get to the track as early as possible so he can get himself prepared to race and normalize the process of being alone .
`` This is how I have to get ready to race now , '' Reddick said .
`` You do n't have anyone around to help you get caught up .
It 's just so odd .
`` I 'm used to being at the racetrack and bumping into fans .
I 'm used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finish .
We see one person when we get [ medically ] screened .
They give us a sticker and you are good to go into the racetrack .
If your temperature is fine , you do n't see a soul until you walk onto pit road . ''
The Cup Series Alsco Uniforms 500 airs at 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday on FS1 .

Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick said he has to get his body ready to compete after hours of isolation in his motorhome before NASCAR races as the sport uses social distancing guidelines at racetracks. File Photo by Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell/UPI | License Photo
May 28 (UPI) -- NASCAR Cup Series rookie Tyler Reddick said it has been a challenge to sit for hours in isolation before he jumps into his car to compete against other drivers. "It's very hard to convince my body that we are racing, as often as we are showing up to the racetrack and sitting in isolation for hours before you hop in a car and not really interacting with anybody," Reddick said Tuesday. "It's a really different change of pace." Advertisement
Reddick, 24, was one of many drivers to compete in the sport's first race back from a coronavirus suspension May 17 in Darlington, S.C. He has since competed in three additional races and will jump into his No. 8 Chevrolet for the Alsco Uniforms 500 Thursday in Charlotte, N.C.
Drivers knew to expect new protocols like mandates to wear personal protective equipment, social distancing and washing their hands when they returned to the track. They can be fined for violating NASCAR's safety guidelines.
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They also have new responsibilities and need to be more accountable when it comes to watching prerace film and bringing the correct equipment to their races, as other crew members aren't around to remind them or carry it for them.
"You walk out there and it was kind of funny because about 10 minutes before we are supposed to be there all of a sudden you see drivers popping out of their motor homes carrying their helmets and walking to the grid," Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace said on the Rich Eisen Show after the first Darlington race.
Drivers' bodies also have a new normal when it comes to the actual races. Instead of a walk through fans and signing autographs, drivers must stay alone in their motor homes or other vehicles for hours before they get into their cars for races.
They do media interviews through video conference software in their motor homes and communicate with their teams through their phones and computers.
"That first race back in Darlington, was really easy to get ready for because it was on a Sunday and had anticipation built around it," Reddick said. "Now we have been going back every three or four days to go back to the racetrack."
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Reddick placed seventh in The Real Heroes 400 May 17 at Darlington Raceway. He finished 13th three days later in another Cup Series race at the same track. Reddick finished eighth in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. He'll line up 13th to start Thursday's 208-lap race.
Drivers have gotten used to not seeing fans in the grandstands -- a policy NASCAR enforced as a safety precaution for all races so far.
Reddick said not much has changed -- in terms of safety protocols -- since the NASCAR season resumed. He said he tries to get to the track as early as possible so he can get himself prepared to race and normalize the process of being alone.
"This is how I have to get ready to race now," Reddick said. "You don't have anyone around to help you get caught up. It's just so odd.
"I'm used to being at the racetrack and bumping into fans. I'm used to a lot of interaction from start to finish. We see one person when we get [medically] screened. They give us a sticker and you are good to go into the racetrack. If your temperature is fine, you don't see a soul until you walk onto pit road."
The Cup Series Alsco Uniforms 500, which was postponed on Wednesday, airs at 7 p.m. EDT Thursday on FS1.


upi--2020-05-27--Naughty Dog declares the 'Last of Us Part II' will be their 'largest, most ambitious game'

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Developer Naughty Dog declared that The Last of Us Part II will be the studio 's `` largest , most ambitious game , '' during a live stream Wednesday .
The presentation , part of PlayStation 's State of Play series , detailed the setting , gameplay and story of the follow-up to 2013 's The Last of Us .
Creative director and vice president of Naughty Dog , Neil Druckmann , said the story takes place several years after the original game in which protagonists Ellie and Joel have settled in a thriving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wyo .
Despite temporarily finding peace , Ellie , now 19 years old , sets out in search of retribution and justice , following a traumatic event as detailed in a recently released cinematic trailer .
The journey will take Ellie throughout parts of the Pacific Northwest not previously featured in the series , including a former quarantine zone in Seattle that Druckmann said features some of the developer 's largest and most detailed environments .
`` Our goal was to make these environments not only beautiful but feel as grounded and authentic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible , '' he said .
In order to traverse these environments , The Last of Us II features new mechanics such as using ropes to scale vertical terrain or swing over obstacles , horseback riding to travel great distances and boats to manuever flooded streets .
Throughout her journey , Ellie will encounter the Washington Liberation Front and the Seraphites -- a pair of warring factions in the area -- as well as infected humans mutated by the pandemic that affected the world known as `` The Infected . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard dogs capable of detecting Ellie 's scent , while the Seraphites are religious zealots identified by their self-inflicted scars that use stealth and silent weapons such as bows and arrows .
The various forms of Infected from the original game return in the sequel , including the recently infected Runners -- which have become more numerous and aggressive -- the blind Clickers and the stealthy Stalkers .
The game will also feature new varieties such as large , armored enemies covered in pustules , known as Chandlers , and other `` terrifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be revealed while playing the game .
Ellie can utilize stealth to avoid these enemies , or wait as multiple groups are pitted against each other , as well as running away by breaking glass or traveling in tight spaces .
When combat can not be avoided , Ellie can use weapons that can be modified and upgraded by scavanging parts from the environment , take advantage of her superior agility to quickly dodge and counter , stunning enemies with well-placed shots or thrown items or use them as a shield .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ different points of her journey to help her traverse parts of the map and assist in combat .
The Last of Us Part II is set to be released for the PlayStation 4 on June 19 .
A limited-edition PlayStation 4 Pro console themed around The Last of Us Part II will be released alongside the game .
The console and accompanying controller feature series star Ellie 's signature fern tattoo .
PlayStation 's last State of Play presentation focused on the exploration and combat of upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusive title Ghost of @ @

May 27 (UPI) -- Developer Naughty Dog declared that The Last of Us Part II will be the studio's "largest, most ambitious game," during a live stream Wednesday.
The presentation, part of PlayStation's State of Play series, detailed the setting, gameplay and story of the follow-up to 2013's The Last of Us.
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Creative director and vice president of Naughty Dog, Neil Druckmann, said the story takes place several years after the original game in which protagonists Ellie and Joel have settled in a thriving community of pandemic survivors in Jackson, Wyo.
Despite temporarily finding peace, Ellie, now 19 years old, sets out in search of retribution and justice, following a traumatic event as detailed in a recently released cinematic trailer.
The journey will take Ellie throughout parts of the Pacific Northwest not previously featured in the series, including a former quarantine zone in Seattle that Druckmann said features some of the developer's largest and most detailed environments.
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"Our goal was to make these environments not only beautiful but feel as grounded and authentic to the cities they're based on as possible," he said.
In order to traverse these environments, The Last of Us II features new mechanics such as using ropes to scale vertical terrain or swing over obstacles, horseback riding to travel great distances and boats to manuever flooded streets.
Throughout her journey, Ellie will encounter the Washington Liberation Front and the Seraphites -- a pair of warring factions in the area -- as well as infected humans mutated by the pandemic that affected the world known as "The Infected."
The Washington Liberation Front patrol the area with guard dogs capable of detecting Ellie's scent, while the Seraphites are religious zealots identified by their self-inflicted scars that use stealth and silent weapons such as bows and arrows.
The various forms of Infected from the original game return in the sequel, including the recently infected Runners -- which have become more numerous and aggressive -- the blind Clickers and the stealthy Stalkers. The game will also feature new varieties such as large, armored enemies covered in pustules, known as Chandlers, and other "terrifying and lethal" new enemies Druckmann said will be revealed while playing the game.
Advertisement
Ellie can utilize stealth to avoid these enemies, or wait as multiple groups are pitted against each other, as well as running away by breaking glass or traveling in tight spaces.
When combat cannot be avoided, Ellie can use weapons that can be modified and upgraded by scavanging parts from the environment, take advantage of her superior agility to quickly dodge and counter, stunning enemies with well-placed shots or thrown items or use them as a shield.
Various companions will also accompany Ellie at different points of her journey to help her traverse parts of the map and assist in combat.
The Last of Us Part II is set to be released for the PlayStation 4 on June 19.
A limited-edition PlayStation 4 Pro console themed around The Last of Us Part II will be released alongside the game. The console and accompanying controller feature series star Ellie's signature fern tattoo.
PlayStation's last State of Play presentation focused on the exploration and combat of upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusive title Ghost of Tsushima.


upi--2020-05-27--Report: USAF covered up incidents of racial bias

May 27 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Air Force tried to cover up racial bias in its justice system , a report by an independent advocacy group said Wednesday .
The 25-page report was issued by Protect Our Defenders , a Virginia-based group with a self-described mission of `` ending the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military and to combating a culture of pervasive misogyny , sexual harassment , and retribution against victims . ''
Using the Freedom of Information Act and a prior report portraying racial disparities in the military justice system , it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet regularly and offer only superficial recommendations in fixing a perceived racial bias .
`` The Air Force has engaged in a multi-year effort to keep the findings and recommendations of its working group hidden , forcing POD to file suit in federal court , '' a statement on Wednesday said .
`` A U.S. District Court in Connecticut referred to the Air Force 's investigation as a 'mystery , ' questioned whether it conducted any 'real governmental decision making process , ' and accused it of trying to change its story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' It cited a slide in a 2017 presentation to Air Force headquarters , which said , `` the data reflects a persistent and consistent racial disparity '' in the Air Force justice system .
Another slide said African American airmen of the E-2 rank , the lowest in the Air Force , are disciplined at double the rate of other demographics .
That slide added , `` If this were the case for airmen that were female , versus male , we were would have concerns about what is making the difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address this disparity in the same way . ''
The Air Force has done nothing to solve the problem , POD president Don Christensen , a former Air Force colonel and former Air Force chief prosecutor , said .
`` Instead , the Air Force dedicated time and effort to cover up its failure to act on any solutions , '' Christensen said .
`` All service members must have faith that they are treated equally when facing punishment .
The Air Force has utterly failed to do that . ''
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Air Force acknowledged that it is working on a long-standing problem .
`` While we have taken steps to elevate unconscious bias training at all levels of our command structure , we have more work to do to identify and remove barriers that stand in the way of our people 's success , '' she said .

A report on Wednesday by Protect Our Defenders alleges that the U.S. Air Force knew about racial bias within its ranks but failed to follow through on recommendations. Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force
May 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force tried to cover up racial bias in its justice system, a report by an independent advocacy group said Wednesday. The 25-page report was issued by Protect Our Defenders, a Virginia-based group with a self-described mission of "ending the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military and to combating a culture of pervasive misogyny, sexual harassment, and retribution against victims." Advertisement
Using the Freedom of Information Act and a prior report portraying racial disparities in the military justice system, it said that an Air Force working group failed to meet regularly and offer only superficial recommendations in fixing a perceived racial bias.
"The Air Force has engaged in a multi-year effort to keep the findings and recommendations of its working group hidden, forcing POD to file suit in federal court," a statement on Wednesday said. "A U.S. District Court in Connecticut referred to the Air Force's investigation as a 'mystery,' questioned whether it conducted any 'real governmental decision making process,' and accused it of trying to change its story and 'plug gaps' over time."
It cited a slide in a 2017 presentation to Air Force headquarters, which said, "the data reflects a persistent and consistent racial disparity" in the Air Force justice system. Another slide said African American airmen of the E-2 rank, the lowest in the Air Force, are disciplined at double the rate of other demographics.
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That slide added, "If this were the case for airmen that were female, versus male, we were would have concerns about what is making the difference, and investigate -- we clearly must address this disparity in the same way."
The Air Force has done nothing to solve the problem, POD president Don Christensen, a former Air Force colonel and former Air Force chief prosecutor, said.
"Instead, the Air Force dedicated time and effort to cover up its failure to act on any solutions," Christensen said. "All service members must have faith that they are treated equally when facing punishment. The Air Force has utterly failed to do that."
In a statement by Lt. Col. Ann Stefanek, the Air Force acknowledged that it is working on a long-standing problem.
"While we have taken steps to elevate unconscious bias training at all levels of our command structure, we have more work to do to identify and remove barriers that stand in the way of our people's success," she said.


upi--2020-05-27--40% of COVID-19 patients may be asymptomatic as disease progresses

May 27 ( UPI ) -- As many as 40 percent of patients with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic , according to a small analysis of cases in China published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open .
Although patients with milder , asymptomatic COVID-19 -- the disease caused by the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 -- may suffer less damage to their immune systems , they may still be contagious , but for less time than those with more serious illness , the authors concluded .
`` As shown in prior studies , you can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 but not show symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an associate professor of infectious diseases at the University of Utah School of Medicine , told UPI .
`` Those who did not show symptoms were more likely to be younger and be women , '' added Leung , who was not involved in the JAMA study but has studied COVID-19 extensively .
Through Wednesday morning , there were nearly 1.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the United States , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .
However , it has been suggested that total cases may actually be much higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected experience few if any symptoms , the World Health Organization has said .
For the study , the researchers from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in China , where the virus was first identified , analyzed data from 78 cases of confirmed COVID-19 .
The cases were linked with 26 people exposed to the Hunan seafood market -- where the outbreak is believed to have originated -- or close contact with others who had been infected .
All 78 patients were hospitalized in the same area of the hospital and given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the researchers said .
In all , 33 , or 42 percent , of the patients were asymptomatic , even though they were monitored for symptoms and signs such as fever , fatigue and dry cough daily .
Further , all 78 were tested for COVID-19 every 24 to 48 hours , with throat or nasal swabs evaluated using RT-PCR .
Patients in stable condition also had multiple chest CT scans -- for assessment of lung damage -- and their levels of CD4+ T lymphocyte were also measured routinely .
CD4+ T @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system function .
The researchers found that COVID-19 patients who were asymptomatic tended to be younger , on average 37 years old , compared to those who had evident symptoms , who were roughly 56 years old .
In addition , two thirds of the asymptomatic patients were women , they observed .
Overall , asymptomatic patients had `` less consumption '' of CD4+T lymphocytes and had faster lung recovery in CT scans , showing improvement in nine days versus 15 days in those with symptoms , the researchers noted .
Asymptomatic patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for eight days , compared to 19 days in patients with outward symptoms , they said .
`` The shorter window means we probably have to do more asymptomatic testing relative to what would be the case if their duration of shedding was just as long as symptomatic individuals -- that is , they 're a bit harder to catch , '' Matthew Ferrari , an associate professor of biology at Pennsylvania State University 's Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics , told UPI .
Ferrari was not part of the study .
Asymptomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus testing findings over the study period than those with symptoms .
This , researchers said , suggests those with milder illness have more `` stable '' levels of virus while they 're sick , whereas more seriously ill patients see higher or lower amounts of the virus in their system as the disease progresses .
`` The findings show the importance of test-and-trace strategy -- identifying those who are infected through making testing available to anyone with symptoms , testing all their contacts whether they have symptoms or not and isolating anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Leung said .
`` Currently , it is impossible to test every asymptomatic person , so the test-and-trace strategy is one way to identify and isolate those who are infected but asymptomatic , '' he added .

An employee wearing a face shield and face masks uses an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of customers at the entrance of the Matsuya Ginza department store, which partially reopened in Tokyo on Monday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
May 27 (UPI) -- As many as 40 percent of patients with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic, according to a small analysis of cases in China published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open. Although patients with milder, asymptomatic COVID-19 -- the disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 -- may suffer less damage to their immune systems, they may still be contagious, but for less time than those with more serious illness, the authors concluded. Advertisement
"As shown in prior studies, you can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 but not show symptoms," Dr. Daniel T. Leung, an associate professor of infectious diseases at the University of Utah School of Medicine, told UPI.
"Those who did not show symptoms were more likely to be younger and be women," added Leung, who was not involved in the JAMA study but has studied COVID-19 extensively.
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Through Wednesday morning, there were nearly 1.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the United States, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. However, it has been suggested that total cases may actually be much higher, as roughly 80 percent of those infected experience few if any symptoms, the World Health Organization has said.
For the study, the researchers from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in China, where the virus was first identified, analyzed data from 78 cases of confirmed COVID-19. The cases were linked with 26 people exposed to the Hunan seafood market -- where the outbreak is believed to have originated -- or close contact with others who had been infected.
All 78 patients were hospitalized in the same area of the hospital and given the same treatments by the same healthcare workers, the researchers said.
In all, 33, or 42 percent, of the patients were asymptomatic, even though they were monitored for symptoms and signs such as fever, fatigue and dry cough daily.
Further, all 78 were tested for COVID-19 every 24 to 48 hours, with throat or nasal swabs evaluated using RT-PCR. Patients in stable condition also had multiple chest CT scans -- for assessment of lung damage -- and their levels of CD4+ T lymphocyte were also measured routinely.
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CD4+ T lymphocyte tests are used to assess immune system function.
The researchers found that COVID-19 patients who were asymptomatic tended to be younger, on average 37 years old, compared to those who had evident symptoms, who were roughly 56 years old. In addition, two thirds of the asymptomatic patients were women, they observed.
Overall, asymptomatic patients had "less consumption" of CD4+T lymphocytes and had faster lung recovery in CT scans, showing improvement in nine days versus 15 days in those with symptoms, the researchers noted. Asymptomatic patients also shed virus -- were contagious -- for eight days, compared to 19 days in patients with outward symptoms, they said.
"The shorter window means we probably have to do more asymptomatic testing relative to what would be the case if their duration of shedding was just as long as symptomatic individuals -- that is, they're a bit harder to catch," Matthew Ferrari, an associate professor of biology at Pennsylvania State University's Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, told UPI.
Ferrari was not part of the study.
Asymptomatic patients had fewer "fluctuations" in virus testing findings over the study period than those with symptoms.
This, researchers said, suggests those with milder illness have more "stable" levels of virus while they're sick, whereas more seriously ill patients see higher or lower amounts of the virus in their system as the disease progresses.
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"The findings show the importance of test-and-trace strategy -- identifying those who are infected through making testing available to anyone with symptoms, testing all their contacts whether they have symptoms or not and isolating anyone who tests positive, regardless of symptoms," Leung said.
"Currently, it is impossible to test every asymptomatic person, so the test-and-trace strategy is one way to identify and isolate those who are infected but asymptomatic," he added.


upi--2020-05-27--Poverty, lower education levels may double heart attack risk, study shows

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Lower socioeconomic status doubles a person 's risk for a heart attack and the likelihood of dying from heart disease earlier in life , according to analysis published Wednesday in JAMA Cardiology .
Higher rates of risk factors for heart disease -- including smoking , high blood pressure and diabetes -- account for roughly 40 percent of the increased risk , but the remaining 60 percent was attributable to `` other factors , '' researchers reported in the study .
Increased risk was associated with lower socioeconomic status , such as `` lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe housing , '' co-author Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo , a physician and epidemiologist at the University of California-San Francisco , told UPI .
`` Our study suggests that we need to do even more to keep those of low socioeconomic status from developing these high rates of heart disease before age 65 , '' she said .
Nearly 650,000 Americans die from heart disease each year , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
More than 700,000 heart attacks are reported annually , the agency said .
Older adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease , but the new analysis estimates that more than 31.2 million adults in the United States have low socioeconomic status .
For the study , this was defined as household income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level -- $ 12,760 for a household of one -- or educational level less than high school .
The researchers used a computer simulation study based on the Cardiovascular Disease Policy Model , which estimates heart disease and stroke incidence , prevalence and mortality among adults in the United States .
They determined that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status , men and women in the low-socioeconomic status group had double the rate of heart attacks -- 34.8 per 10,000 person-years versus 17.6 per 10,000 person-years in men and 15.1 per 10,000 person-years versus 6.8 per 10,000 person-years in women .
Deaths from heart disease among those in the low-socioeconomic group also were double that of the higher socioeconomic group -- 14.3 per 10,000 person-years versus 7.6 per 10,000 person-years in men and 5.6 per 10,000 person-years versus 2.5 per 10,000 person-years in women .
Person-years is a measurement that takes into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study and the length of time each person spends in the study .
For example , a study that follows 1,000 people for one year would contain 1,000 person-years of data .
In additiony , among a simulated cohort of 1.3 million adults with low socioeconomic status who were 35 years old in 2015 , the model projected that 250,000 , or 19 percent , would develop heart disease by age 65 .
This is more than twice the number among those of higher socioeconomic status .
To reduce risk for heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower socioeconomic status need to `` stop smoking , exercise , keep a healthy body weight and see a doctor to help manage blood pressure and cholesterol . ''
However , she said , `` policies that directly address poverty or support resources for access to healthy foods for example are also likely to be important to address these big gaps in health . ''

Low socioeconomic status might increase a person's risk for heart disease, a new study says. Photo by Sri Harsha Gera/Pixabay
May 27 (UPI) -- Lower socioeconomic status doubles a person's risk for a heart attack and the likelihood of dying from heart disease earlier in life, according to analysis published Wednesday in JAMA Cardiology. Higher rates of risk factors for heart disease -- including smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes -- account for roughly 40 percent of the increased risk, but the remaining 60 percent was attributable to "other factors," researchers reported in the study. Advertisement
Increased risk was associated with lower socioeconomic status, such as "lack of resources for healthcare, nutritious food and safe housing," co-author Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a physician and epidemiologist at the University of California-San Francisco, told UPI.
"Our study suggests that we need to do even more to keep those of low socioeconomic status from developing these high rates of heart disease before age 65," she said.
Nearly 650,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 700,000 heart attacks are reported annually, the agency said.
Older adults generally are at increased risk for heart disease, but the new analysis estimates that more than 31.2 million adults in the United States have low socioeconomic status.
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For the study, this was defined as household income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level -- $12,760 for a household of one -- or educational level less than high school.
The researchers used a computer simulation study based on the Cardiovascular Disease Policy Model, which estimates heart disease and stroke incidence, prevalence and mortality among adults in the United States.
They determined that, compared with individuals with higher socioeconomic status, men and women in the low-socioeconomic status group had double the rate of heart attacks -- 34.8 per 10,000 person-years versus 17.6 per 10,000 person-years in men and 15.1 per 10,000 person-years versus 6.8 per 10,000 person-years in women.
Deaths from heart disease among those in the low-socioeconomic group also were double that of the higher socioeconomic group -- 14.3 per 10,000 person-years versus 7.6 per 10,000 person-years in men and 5.6 per 10,000 person-years versus 2.5 per 10,000 person-years in women.
Person-years is a measurement that takes into account both the number of people in the study and the length of time each person spends in the study. For example, a study that follows 1,000 people for one year would contain 1,000 person-years of data.
In additiony, among a simulated cohort of 1.3 million adults with low socioeconomic status who were 35 years old in 2015, the model projected that 250,000, or 19 percent, would develop heart disease by age 65. This is more than twice the number among those of higher socioeconomic status.
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To reduce risk for heart disease, Bibbins-Domingo said, people with lower socioeconomic status need to "stop smoking, exercise, keep a healthy body weight and see a doctor to help manage blood pressure and cholesterol."
However, she said, "policies that directly address poverty or support resources for access to healthy foods for example are also likely to be important to address these big gaps in health."


upi--2020-05-27--Ozone layer collapse preceded mass extinction event 360 million years ago

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Until now , scientists were n't sure caused the Late Devonian extinction , one of five major extinction events in Earth 's history .
But new research -- published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances -- suggests a combination of global warming and the collapse of the ozone layer preceded the mass terrestrial die-off that occurred 360 million years ago .
The extinction event that killed the dinosaurs is the only die-off caused by an asteroid .
At least two were caused by some combination of volcanic activity and ozone destruction .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mystery .
`` There has always been the view that continental scale volcanic eruptions at the End Permian Great Dying and the Triassic/Jurassic mass extinction caused ozone damage , '' John Marshall , professor of earth sciences at the University of Southampton in Britain , told UPI in an email .
`` There are malformed pollen/spores through both these extinctions . ''
`` What is different here is that there is no vast eruption at the D-C boundary , '' Marshall said .
`` We have shown this by the absence of mercury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners conducted a survey of ancient plant spores trapped in the sediment layers of lakes in Greenland and Bolivia , they found evidence of genetic damage caused by ultraviolet radiation .
`` In the rocks in Greenland nearly all of the spores with spines are malformed , '' Marshall said .
`` The [ percentage ] of this malformation increases progressively into the center of the lake bed .
As it gets warmer there is more malformation . ''
`` Experimental work has been done that shows modern pollen malform if you subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Researchers already knew that the Late Devonian extinction event was preceded by a period of warming , which followed a prolonged ice age .
They were surprised to find that the global warming corresponded with a breakdown of the ozone layer and an increase in UV radiation .
The ozone layer exists in a constant state of flux .
The latest findings confirm that large volcanic eruptions are n't needed to trigger the momentary but compete depletion of the layer .
Scientists suspect the period of global warming at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher into the atmosphere , depleting the layer that normally protects Earth 's surface and its living residents from the sun 's most damaging rays .
The disruptive effects of global warming and ozone depletion created a negative feedback loop that spelled doom for many of the planet 's terrestrial species .
`` Ozone eating chemicals are a metabolic byproduct of many living algae , fungi and land plants , '' Marshall said .
`` Start the process , strip off the forests and the nutrients flush to the sea .
This will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feedback . ''
Marshall and his colleagues suggest a similar breakdown could result from human-caused global warming .
As the atmosphere gets warmer , ozone-eating chemicals could once again get pushed into the upper layers of the atmosphere .
`` As our climate warms rapidly , the same process may happen , '' Marshall said .
`` We are not in a Devonian world but the key is rapid warming .
It 's a warning from Deep Time . ''

A combination of global warming and the collapse of the ozone layer preceded the mass terrestrial die-off that occurred 360 million years ago, called the Late Devonian extinction. Pictured, the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea, as seen from the International Space Station. Photo courtesy of NASA
May 27 (UPI) -- Until now, scientists weren't sure caused the Late Devonian extinction, one of five major extinction events in Earth's history. But new research -- published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances -- suggests a combination of global warming and the collapse of the ozone layer preceded the mass terrestrial die-off that occurred 360 million years ago. Advertisement
The extinction event that killed the dinosaurs is the only die-off caused by an asteroid. At least two were caused by some combination of volcanic activity and ozone destruction. But the cause of the Devonian-Carboniferous extinction remained a mystery.
"There has always been the view that continental scale volcanic eruptions at the End Permian Great Dying and the Triassic/Jurassic mass extinction caused ozone damage," John Marshall, professor of earth sciences at the University of Southampton in Britain, told UPI in an email. "There are malformed pollen/spores through both these extinctions."
"What is different here is that there is no vast eruption at the D-C boundary," Marshall said. "We have shown this by the absence of mercury."
When Marshall and his research partners conducted a survey of ancient plant spores trapped in the sediment layers of lakes in Greenland and Bolivia, they found evidence of genetic damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.
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"In the rocks in Greenland nearly all of the spores with spines are malformed," Marshall said. "The [percentage] of this malformation increases progressively into the center of the lake bed. As it gets warmer there is more malformation."
"Experimental work has been done that shows modern pollen malform if you subject them to UV light," Marshall said.
Researchers already knew that the Late Devonian extinction event was preceded by a period of warming, which followed a prolonged ice age. They were surprised to find that the global warming corresponded with a breakdown of the ozone layer and an increase in UV radiation.
The ozone layer exists in a constant state of flux. The latest findings confirm that large volcanic eruptions aren't needed to trigger the momentary but compete depletion of the layer.
Scientists suspect the period of global warming at the end of the Devonian period pushed ozone-eating chemicals higher into the atmosphere, depleting the layer that normally protects Earth's surface and its living residents from the sun's most damaging rays.
The disruptive effects of global warming and ozone depletion created a negative feedback loop that spelled doom for many of the planet's terrestrial species.
"Ozone eating chemicals are a metabolic byproduct of many living algae, fungi and land plants," Marshall said. "Start the process, strip off the forests and the nutrients flush to the sea. This will produce more ozone eating chemicals. Positive feedback."
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Marshall and his colleagues suggest a similar breakdown could result from human-caused global warming. As the atmosphere gets warmer, ozone-eating chemicals could once again get pushed into the upper layers of the atmosphere.
"As our climate warms rapidly, the same process may happen," Marshall said. "We are not in a Devonian world but the key is rapid warming. It's a warning from Deep Time."


upi--2020-05-27--Italy-bound flight returns to Germany due to closed airport

May 27 ( UPI ) -- A flight that departed from Germany landed at the same airport four hours later because the intended destination hub in Italy was be closed .
Low-cost German carrier Eurowings confirmed Flight EW9844 departed Saturday from Dusseldorf , intending the land at Olbia Airport in Sardinia .
The plane entered Sardinian airspace before the crew was informed by an air traffic controller that the airport was closed to commercial traffic .
The Airbus A320 , which was carrying only two passengers , landed back in Dusseldorf four hours and 10 minutes after its departure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a misunderstanding .
`` Against the background of the corona crisis , the situation at numerous airports in Europe is very dynamic , '' the representative told CNN .
`` The large amount of information provided on operating hours or airport closures are often changed at short notice . ''
Olbia Airport was ordered reopened by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation on May 17 , but the decision was overruled by a regional authority on the same day .
The airport is currently scheduled to remain closed until June 2 @

A plane that departed from Dusseldorf, Germany, landed at the same airport four hours later because the destination airport in Italy was closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe May 27 (UPI) -- A flight that departed from Germany landed at the same airport four hours later because the intended destination hub in Italy was be closed. Low-cost German carrier Eurowings confirmed Flight EW9844 departed Saturday from Dusseldorf, intending the land at Olbia Airport in Sardinia. Advertisement
The plane entered Sardinian airspace before the crew was informed by an air traffic controller that the airport was closed to commercial traffic.
The Airbus A320, which was carrying only two passengers, landed back in Dusseldorf four hours and 10 minutes after its departure.
A Eurowings representative said the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding.
"Against the background of the corona crisis, the situation at numerous airports in Europe is very dynamic," the representative told CNN. "The large amount of information provided on operating hours or airport closures are often changed at short notice."
Olbia Airport was ordered reopened by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation on May 17, but the decision was overruled by a regional authority on the same day. The airport is currently scheduled to remain closed until June 2.


upi--2020-05-27--Minneapolis mayor calls for arrest of officer who kneeled on George Floyd's neck

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday called for the arrest of the police officer seen in a video kneeling on the neck of a handcuffed man who later died .
The mayor urged Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to file charges against the officer , whom the city identified as Derek Chauvin .
In a video taken by a witness , Chauvin can be seen kneeling and putting pressure on the neck of George Floyd , who struggled and said he could n't breathe .
Police called an ambulance for Floyd after he became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
The Minneapolis Police Department fired Chauvin and three other officers involved in the arrest -- J. Alexander Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao .
`` Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail ? ''
Frey asked during a news conference Wednesday .
`` If you had done it or I had done it , we would be behind bars right now and I can not come up with an answer to that question . ''
The mayor said his call for charges agains Chauvin is based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We watched for 5 whole excruciating minutes as a white officer firmly pressed his knee into the neck of an unarmed handcuffed black man .
I saw no threat .
I saw nothing that would signal that this kind of force was necessary . ''
Frey said Chauvin 's use of force was not a technique authorized by the police department 's training .
The mayor 's news conference comes the morning after protests over Floyd 's death broke out in Minneapolis on Tuesday night , leading to some violence .
Thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd 's arrest , chanting `` I ca n't breathe '' and calling for the officer involved to be charged and convicted .
The group marched toward the 3rd Precinct location and WCCO-TV reported that a smaller group began vandalizing the police building and cars .
Police responded in riot gear , setting off tear gas and flash grenades in an attempt to disperse the crowd .
Some protesters responded by throwing water bottles and rocks at the officers .
Some non-violent protesters said they were injured in the violence .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a peace sign and they tear gassed me , '' one protester told WCCO .
`` And I said , 'Tear gas me again because non-violence seems healing . '
''

May 27 (UPI) -- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday called for the arrest of the police officer seen in a video kneeling on the neck of a handcuffed man who later died.
The mayor urged Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to file charges against the officer, whom the city identified as Derek Chauvin. In a video taken by a witness, Chauvin can be seen kneeling and putting pressure on the neck of George Floyd, who struggled and said he couldn't breathe.
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Police called an ambulance for Floyd after he became unconscious. He later died at the hospital.
The Minneapolis Police Department fired Chauvin and three other officers involved in the arrest -- J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao.
"Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail?" Frey asked during a news conference Wednesday. "If you had done it or I had done it, we would be behind bars right now and I cannot come up with an answer to that question."
The mayor said his call for charges agains Chauvin is based on the footage from the scene.
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"We watched for 5 whole excruciating minutes as a white officer firmly pressed his knee into the neck of an unarmed handcuffed black man. I saw no threat. I saw nothing that would signal that this kind of force was necessary."
Frey said Chauvin's use of force was not a technique authorized by the police department's training.
The mayor's news conference comes the morning after protests over Floyd's death broke out in Minneapolis on Tuesday night, leading to some violence. Thousands of protests gathered at the site of Floyd's arrest, chanting "I can't breathe" and calling for the officer involved to be charged and convicted.
The group marched toward the 3rd Precinct location and WCCO-TV reported that a smaller group began vandalizing the police building and cars.
Police responded in riot gear, setting off tear gas and flash grenades in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Some protesters responded by throwing water bottles and rocks at the officers.
Some non-violent protesters said they were injured in the violence.
"I got on my knees and I put up a peace sign and they tear gassed me," one protester told WCCO. "And I said, 'Tear gas me again because non-violence seems healing.'"


upi--2020-05-27--Dow surges 553 points as bank stocks rise amid reopening hopes

May 27 ( UPI ) -- The major U.S. markets continued their winning streak on Wednesday , closing with gains as optimism about states reopening grows .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 553 points , or 2.21 percent , a day after it gained 529 to close Tuesday .
The S & P 500 rose 1.48 percent to around the 3,000 level , which the index surpassed on Tuesday for the first time since the coronavirus crisis arrived in March .
The Nasdaq Composite also closed up 0.77 percent after it had slid about 70 points by noon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent after falling earlier in the day and Zoom Video declined 1.24 percent on Wednesday , contributing to the Nasdaq 's flat closing .
Bank stocks continued to rise Wednesday as Citigroup stock soared 8.49 percent and JPMorgan Chase gained 5.78 percent .
Wednesday is the second day since the New York Stock Exchange reopened its trading floor to about a quarter capacity .
It was closed for about two months due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Despite positive results in the past two weeks , the Dow remains down more than 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P 500 has fallen 7.4 percent , while the Nasdaq has risen more than 4 percent .

The trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange opens on Tuesday after remaining closed for about two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo | License Photo
May 27 (UPI) -- The major U.S. markets continued their winning streak on Wednesday, closing with gains as optimism about states reopening grows. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 553 points, or 2.21 percent, a day after it gained 529 to close Tuesday. Advertisement
The S&P 500 rose 1.48 percent to around the 3,000 level, which the index surpassed on Tuesday for the first time since the coronavirus crisis arrived in March. The Nasdaq Composite also closed up 0.77 percent after it had slid about 70 points by noon EDT Wednesday.
Netflix stock gained 1.23 percent after falling earlier in the day and Zoom Video declined 1.24 percent on Wednesday, contributing to the Nasdaq's flat closing.
Bank stocks continued to rise Wednesday as Citigroup stock soared 8.49 percent and JPMorgan Chase gained 5.78 percent.
Wednesday is the second day since the New York Stock Exchange reopened its trading floor to about a quarter capacity. It was closed for about two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite positive results in the past two weeks, the Dow remains down more than 12 percent in 2020 and the S&P 500 has fallen 7.4 percent, while the Nasdaq has risen more than 4 percent.


upi--2020-05-27--China's planned military exercise in South China Sea worries neighbors

May 27 ( UPI ) -- China 's two aircraft carriers will be deployed in August near Taiwanese waters for military exercises , according to reports .
The aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong will be deployed together in the Yellow Sea 's Bohai Bay for combat readiness drills which could include a simulation of a future assault on Taiwan 's Dongsha , or Pratas , Islands , according to the Global Times , Taiwan News and reports from Australia .
The islands consist of three atolls controlled by Taiwan .
China has claimed all of the South China Sea as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries in the region .
`` The United States has a strong interest in preventing China from asserting control over the South China Sea , '' a report by the non-governmental organization U. S. Council on Foreign Relations said last week .
`` Maintaining free and open access to this waterway is not only important for economic reasons , but also to uphold the global norm of freedom of navigation , '' the report said .
`` The United States is also at risk of being drawn into a military conflict with China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. defense treaty obligations to at least one of the claimants to the contested territory , the Philippines . ''
It added that `` the risk of a military confrontation in the South China Sea involving the United States and China could rise significantly in the next eighteen months . ''
It has also been reported that any invasion of the Pratas Islands was no longer part of China 's plans , since China has man-made islands nearby in the South China Sea .
`` Both the Pratas and Taiping Island in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their geostrategic importance since the mainland developed eight artificial islands , '' Lu Li-Shih , formerly of Taiwan 's Naval Academy , told the South China Morning Post .
`` Beijing has three 3,000-meter [ 9,842 feet ] airstrips on its man-made islands nearby , and they can each accommodate all kinds of aircraft . ''
The Chinese aircraft carriers have been conducting combat readiness training in the Yellow Sea in May , and have traveled throughout the Asian coast in the past several months .
Countries in the South China Sea can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air force drills as evidence that it intends to militarize the region , Taipei-based military observer Chi Le-yi said .
`` The landing exercise is part of the PLA [ People 's Liberation Army ] navy 's regular training to achieve Beijing 's plan to bring the South China Sea under its control , '' he said .
`` A landing drill could be seen as preparation for an attack on Taiwan , but it is more to do with the PLA building up its combat systems for any possible conflict in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been no official announcement from China about the planned exercises , but concerns have been raised in Taiwan and other countries in the region , including Vietnam , the Philippines , Malaysia and Australia .

China will send its two aircraft carriers, including the Shandong, pictured, to military exercised in the South China Sea later this summer. Photo courtesy of China Defense Ministry
May 27 (UPI) -- China's two aircraft carriers will be deployed in August near Taiwanese waters for military exercises, according to reports. The aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong will be deployed together in the Yellow Sea's Bohai Bay for combat readiness drills which could include a simulation of a future assault on Taiwan's Dongsha, or Pratas, Islands, according to the Global Times, Taiwan News and reports from Australia. Advertisement
The islands consist of three atolls controlled by Taiwan.
China has claimed all of the South China Sea as its own, despite competing claims from countries in the region.
"The United States has a strong interest in preventing China from asserting control over the South China Sea," a report by the non-governmental organization U. S. Council on Foreign Relations said last week.
"Maintaining free and open access to this waterway is not only important for economic reasons, but also to uphold the global norm of freedom of navigation," the report said. "The United States is also at risk of being drawn into a military conflict with China in this region as a result of U.S. defense treaty obligations to at least one of the claimants to the contested territory, the Philippines."
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It added that "the risk of a military confrontation in the South China Sea involving the United States and China could rise significantly in the next eighteen months."
It has also been reported that any invasion of the Pratas Islands was no longer part of China's plans, since China has man-made islands nearby in the South China Sea.
"Both the Pratas and Taiping Island in the Spratly [Islands]chain have lost their geostrategic importance since the mainland developed eight artificial islands," Lu Li-Shih, formerly of Taiwan's Naval Academy, told the South China Morning Post. "Beijing has three 3,000-meter [9,842 feet] airstrips on its man-made islands nearby,and they can each accommodate all kinds of aircraft."
The Chinese aircraft carriers have been conducting combat readiness training in the Yellow Sea in May, and have traveled throughout the Asian coast in the past several months.
Countries in the South China Sea can regard China's increase in naval and air force drills as evidence that it intends to militarize the region, Taipei-based military observer Chi Le-yi said.
"The landing exercise is part of the PLA [People's Liberation Army] navy's regular training to achieve Beijing's plan to bring the South China Sea under its control," he said. "A landing drill could be seen as preparation for an attack on Taiwan, but it is more to do with the PLA building up its combat systems for any possible conflict in the South China Sea."
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There has been no official announcement from China about the planned exercises, but concerns have been raised in Taiwan and other countries in the region, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Australia.


upi--2020-05-27--U.S. Air Force scales back fitness testing, citing COVID-19 concerns

Stylist Katie Winston ( R ) , cuts the hair of customer Dee Broderick on the sidewalk outside the 7-0-3 @ @ @ @ @ , on May 26 .
Although stylists and customers wear masks , the salon has @ @ @ @ @ haircuts outdoors , for those who may have coronavirus concerns .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI @ @ @ @ @ a high-speed drill at his office in Chesterfield , Mo.
, on May 19 .
@ @ @ @ @ filtration system that destroys airborne viruses that could be caused by the drill , and @ @ @ @ @ , masks , gloves and face shields to protect themselves .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI @ @ @ @ @ at Kilwins as others walk on the sidewalk in St. Charles .
The shop on @ @ @ @ @ with other selected businesses after being closed for nearly two months by an emergency state @ @ @ @ @ spread of coronavirus .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI |

The U.S. Air Force announced a postponement of its fitness testing, until October 1, 2020, to reduce exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force
May 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force announced a postponement of official physical fitness tests to Oct. 1 to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. A prior directive called for a resumption of the tests on June 1 after they were canceled in March. The test, officially the U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training Physical Fitness Test is a three-event physical performance test of endurance, used to measure physical strength, abilities, and cardio-respiratory fitness. Advertisement
"When testing resumes, the Air Force will take a systematic approach to reintegrating official physical fitness assessments," Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly said in a memo last week. "All policies and procedures should reinforce physical distancing, use of personal protective equipment, Airmen health and personal hygiene, and cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting work spaces and common areas."
The U.S. Army said that it intends to go ahead with its new Army Combat Fitness Test, scheduled to be rolled out in June. The improved ACFT is better suited for physical distancing than the prior test, Sgt.Maj. Michael A. Grinston said last week.
"Do I think we're confident when we start the ACFT that we can do it given the conditions of a COVID-19 environment? Absolutely," Grinston said.
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The Army test includes a 2-mile run, pushups and other demonstrations of fitness that can be performed individually and using social distancing protocols. The Navy Physical Readiness Test similarly consists of push-ups, curl-ups [sit-ups], and either running or swimming.
On Wednesday the Navy issued adjustments to its standard operational guidance in light of the pandemic, listing minimum actions for safe deployment. It includes at least 14 days of pre-deployment restriction of sequestered status, and adherence to preventative measures like hand washing and face coverings while underway. Screening will include a daily assessment of COVID-19 exposure history, a temperature check, a check for COVID-19 signs and symptoms, a review of any past COVID-19 testing, and a thorough evaluation of the member's high risk factors.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-27--Watch: Researchers baffled by 'completely weird' underwater tornado

May 27 ( UPI ) -- Researchers said a tornadolike formation caught on camera off the coast of Australia was @ @ @ @ @ Schmidt Ocean Institute researchers were performing live commentary on a live-stream video of a remotely @ @ @ @ @ Sea Marine Park , off the Queensland coast , when the underwater tornado appeared on @ @ @ @ @ commentators described the formation as `` amazing , '' `` completely weird '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ geologist Robin Beaman , one of the scientists performing the commentary , said the formation @ @ @ @ @ storm , which involves waves traveling under the surface and creating turbulence near the ocean @ @ @ @ @ they do not know the cause of the whirling water .

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May 27 (UPI) -- Researchers said a tornadolike formation caught on camera off the coast of Australia was "completely weird."
Schmidt Ocean Institute researchers were performing live commentary on a live-stream video of a remotely operated vehicle dive in Coral Sea Marine Park, off the Queensland coast, when the underwater tornado appeared on the sea floor.
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The commentators described the formation as "amazing," "completely weird" and "really unusual."
Marine geologist Robin Beaman, one of the scientists performing the commentary, said the formation was reminiscent of a benthic storm, which involves waves traveling under the surface and creating turbulence near the ocean floor.
The scientists said they do not know the cause of the whirling water.