upi--2020-03-18--Internet service providers scramble to expand broadband access

DENVER , March 18 ( UPI ) -- With pressure from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission , Internet service providers are making broadband and WiFi easier to acquire and faster , as as coronavirus fears have sent countless millions of workers and students home to work remotely .
Several companies including T-Mobile , Sprint and have agreed to offer unlimited or expanded data for the next 60 days .
Others , like Comcast , AT & T and Verizon are waiving late fees and temporarily refraining from canceling accounts for non-payment .
Ajit Pai , chairman of the FCC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Keep Americans Connected Pledge , '' and lift restrictive data caps for Internet use .
Pai also asked internet providers to consider bumping up low-income budget broadband plans to download speeds of 25 megabits per second and to refrain from suspending or charging late fees on residential and business accounts for 60 days .
Comcast made its national `` xfinitywifi '' hotspots network free to anyone for 60 days .
The company is offering free new 60-day subscriptions to Internet Essentials service , which has upgraded download speeds .
Households with K-12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subscribe for 60 days to free Charter/Spectrum and TDS broadband , where it 's available .
About 18 million households in both rural and urban areas do n't have broadband , and that 's a problem , said Angela Siefer , executive director of the Columbus , Ohio , -based National Digital Inclusion Alliance , which advocates for universal home broadband access .
`` For people who have to stay home because of the virus , lost their jobs and are possibly struggling with access to food , they have all these other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have broadband , '' Siefer said .
`` They were using WiFi at McDonald 's , the library , school -- and all those options are gone . ''
In rural areas , like Presque Isle , Maine , population 9,000 , patrons use WiFi in the library parking lot because the building closed to stop the virus , said Director Sonja Eyler at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library .
`` Right now , it 's a wild card for how much demand there 's going to be .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the community , '' Eyler said .
Internet providers maintain that their infrastructure can handle the strain of increased social distance tele-working , educational programs , media games and telemedicine .
But people who are working from home are struggling with broadband speed .
Work emails would not send Tuesday , said Michelle Cooper , of Forest Park , Ill. , whose home broadband service was getting more use , `` with two people working from home , and my husband using a lot of data and two kids using devices .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-profit , said she switched to messenger apps on her phone .
Large Internet service providers , which have invested in fiber-optic cable across the country , say they have the capacity to handle the work-from-home traffic because the digital load is not different -- just differently balanced .
`` These patterns look similar to traditional weekends , '' said Todd Smith , executive director of media relations for Atlanta-based Cox Communications .
On weekends , `` There 's more traffic in residential areas and less in business districts .
Peak times have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Smith said .
Cox , the third-largest U.S. cable provider , serves about 6.5 million customers .
`` Currently , we are seeing no impacts to our network .
However , we know how quickly things can change . ''
Broomfield , Colo. , -based CenturyLink Chief Technology Officer Andrew Dugan said in a statement .
`` Our teams can quickly add capability , modify paths , and shape traffic to meet the changing needs of our customers , '' Dugan said .
Typically , home broadband service is slow when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single WiFi signal , broadband providers say .
For schoolchildren , educational programs , often using gaming software , takes up higher data loads on home broadband systems .
For people who are experiencing broadband slowdowns , sites such as Downdectector show whether websites and services are down or having problems .
Many Internet companies offer free online Internet speed tests .
Extra encryption from an employer 's virtual private network ( VPN ) can slow speeds on a home system , leading to dropped video conferences and slow load times .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best of times , '' said Grant Gross , technology reporter for the non-profit Internet Society and long-time teleworker .
`` If we 've got a bunch of people using VPNs at the same time , that 's where the problem can lie . ''
Meanwhile , some websites are going blank because of increased traffic .
Colorado 's Department of Labor and Employment site crashed Tuesday when more than 6,000 recently laid-off workers tried to fill out online unemployment forms .
State labor agencies in New York , New Jersey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also reported website failures this week from a rush of traffic .
And some worry that reliable Internet service can become a life-or-death issue as healthcare facilities strain to combat the COVID-19 outbreak .
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Monday that telehealth services would be covered by Medicare during the coronavirus outbreak .
For example , Blue Cross-Blue Shield offers a symptom-checking live virtual doctor visits and text consultations over a phone app .
Older patients , more resistant to computer tech , appear to be more at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors from quarantine at home or nursing homes might be able to keep hospital loads down , government officials said .
The new reality of pandemic social distancing for work , education and telemedicine might lead to a new way of looking at broadband Internet connectivity , said Siefer , of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance .
`` In the United States , broadband is a commodity , and companies want to sell it .
In other countries , it 's considered a utility , '' she said .
`` The Internet is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this point . ''

Social distancing because of the world coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many employees working at home. Photo by Free-Photos/Pixabay
DENVER, March 18 (UPI) -- With pressure from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, Internet service providers are making broadband and WiFi easier to acquire and faster, as as coronavirus fears have sent countless millions of workers and students home to work remotely. Several companies including T-Mobile, Sprint and have agreed to offer unlimited or expanded data for the next 60 days. Others, like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon are waiving late fees and temporarily refraining from canceling accounts for non-payment. Advertisement
Ajit Pai, chairman of the FCC, has asked Internet companies to take the "Keep Americans Connected Pledge," and lift restrictive data caps for Internet use.
Pai also asked internet providers to consider bumping up low-income budget broadband plans to download speeds of 25 megabits per second and to refrain from suspending or charging late fees on residential and business accounts for 60 days.
Advertisement
Comcast made its national "xfinitywifi" hotspots network free to anyone for 60 days. The company is offering free new 60-day subscriptions to Internet Essentials service, which has upgraded download speeds.
Cox offers first month free for low-cost Connect2Compete.
Households with K-12 or college students will be able to subscribe for 60 days to free Charter/Spectrum and TDS broadband, where it's available.
About 18 million households in both rural and urban areas don't have broadband, and that's a problem, said Angela Siefer, executive director of the Columbus, Ohio,-based National Digital Inclusion Alliance, which advocates for universal home broadband access.
"For people who have to stay home because of the virus, lost their jobs and are possibly struggling with access to food, they have all these other issues, and now they don't have broadband," Siefer said. "They were using WiFi at McDonald's, the library, school -- and all those options are gone."
In rural areas, like Presque Isle, Maine, population 9,000, patrons use WiFi in the library parking lot because the building closed to stop the virus, said Director Sonja Eyler at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library.
"Right now, it's a wild card for how much demand there's going to be. We are the only place that provides free WiFi in the community," Eyler said.
Advertisement
Internet providers maintain that their infrastructure can handle the strain of increased social distance tele-working, educational programs, media games and telemedicine.
But people who are working from home are struggling with broadband speed.
Work emails would not send Tuesday, said Michelle Cooper, of Forest Park, Ill., whose home broadband service was getting more use, "with two people working from home, and my husband using a lot of data and two kids using devices." Cooper, who runs a medical non-profit, said she switched to messenger apps on her phone.
Large Internet service providers, which have invested in fiber-optic cable across the country, say they have the capacity to handle the work-from-home traffic because the digital load is not different -- just differently balanced.
"These patterns look similar to traditional weekends," said Todd Smith, executive director of media relations for Atlanta-based Cox Communications. On weekends, "There's more traffic in residential areas and less in business districts. Peak times have shifted from evening to throughout the day," Smith said.
Cox, the third-largest U.S. cable provider, serves about 6.5 million customers.
"Currently, we are seeing no impacts to our network. However, we know how quickly things can change." Broomfield, Colo.,-based CenturyLink Chief Technology Officer Andrew Dugan said in a statement.
Advertisement
CenturyLink connects 5 million broadband customers in 37 states.
"Our teams can quickly add capability, modify paths, and shape traffic to meet the changing needs of our customers," Dugan said.
Typically, home broadband service is slow when multiple users are logged in to a single WiFi signal, broadband providers say. For schoolchildren, educational programs, often using gaming software, takes up higher data loads on home broadband systems.
For people who are experiencing broadband slowdowns, sites such as Downdectector show whether websites and services are down or having problems. Many Internet companies offer free online Internet speed tests.
Extra encryption from an employer's virtual private network (VPN) can slow speeds on a home system, leading to dropped video conferences and slow load times.
"VPNs can get be sluggish even in the best of times," said Grant Gross, technology reporter for the non-profit Internet Society and long-time teleworker. "If we've got a bunch of people using VPNs at the same time, that's where the problem can lie."
Meanwhile, some websites are going blank because of increased traffic. Colorado's Department of Labor and Employment site crashed Tuesday when more than 6,000 recently laid-off workers tried to fill out online unemployment forms.
Advertisement
State labor agencies in New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Kentucky and Washington, D.C., also reported website failures this week from a rush of traffic.
And some worry that reliable Internet service can become a life-or-death issue as healthcare facilities strain to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Monday that telehealth services would be covered by Medicare during the coronavirus outbreak.
For example, Blue Cross-Blue Shield offers a symptom-checking live virtual doctor visits and text consultations over a phone app.
Older patients, more resistant to computer tech, appear to be more at risk for COVID-19. But video-consulting with doctors from quarantine at home or nursing homes might be able to keep hospital loads down, government officials said.
The new reality of pandemic social distancing for work, education and telemedicine might lead to a new way of looking at broadband Internet connectivity, said Siefer, of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
"In the United States, broadband is a commodity, and companies want to sell it. In other countries, it's considered a utility," she said. "The Internet is something we can't live without at this point."


upi--2020-03-19--Denver Broncos release veteran QB Joe Flacco with failed physical designation

March 19 ( UPI ) -- The Denver Broncos informed former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco that he is being released with a failed physical designation , the team announced Thursday .
Flacco , who was placed on injured reserve midway through last season because of a herniated disk in his neck , becomes an unrestricted free agent .
The Broncos acquired the former Baltimore Ravens quarterback in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft last off-season .
He posted a 2-6 record as the Broncos ' starting signal-caller in 2019 , throwing for 1,822 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flacco , 35 , had two years left on his contract .
According to Spotrac , he had cap charges of $ 23.65 million this season and $ 27.65 million in 2021 .
With the release of Flacco , Denver will save about $ 10 million in cap space .
The Broncos were expected to release Flacco after the team reached an agreement with quarterback Jeff Driskel earlier this week .
Driskel is projected to serve as the backup to Drew Lock this season .
Flacco has completed 61.9 percent of his passes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 141 interceptions across 12 seasons with the Ravens and Broncos .

Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco was placed on injured reserve midway through last season with a herniated disk in his neck. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- The Denver Broncos informed former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco that he is being released with a failed physical designation, the team announced Thursday. Flacco, who was placed on injured reserve midway through last season because of a herniated disk in his neck, becomes an unrestricted free agent. Advertisement
The Broncos acquired the former Baltimore Ravens quarterback in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft last off-season. He posted a 2-6 record as the Broncos' starting signal-caller in 2019, throwing for 1,822 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions.
Flacco, 35, had two years left on his contract. According to Spotrac, he had cap charges of $23.65 million this season and $27.65 million in 2021. With the release of Flacco, Denver will save about $10 million in cap space.
We have informed QB Joe Flacco that he will be released with a failed physical designation. » https://t.co/h8aOoaWqjz pic.twitter.com/iik5ZtACFb— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 19, 2020
The Broncos were expected to release Flacco after the team reached an agreement with quarterback Jeff Driskel earlier this week. Driskel is projected to serve as the backup to Drew Lock this season.
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Flacco has completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 40,067 yards, 218 touchdowns and 141 interceptions across 12 seasons with the Ravens and Broncos.


upi--2020-03-19--Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: Two Americans released from detention in Iran, Lebanon

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Two Americans detained in Iran and Lebanon were released on Thursday , the U.S. State Department announced .
Michael White , 47 , was released on humanitarian grounds on the condition that he remain in Iran and was placed in the custody of the Swiss Embassy where he will undergo medical testing and evaluation .
`` The United States will continue to work for Michael 's full release as well as the release of all wrongfully detained Americans in Iran , '' U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said .
White , a U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diego , was arrested in July 2018 while visiting a woman in Mashhad , Iran , and was serving a 13-year sentence .
He was sentenced for allegedly insulting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and disclosing private information by posting a phone of a woman he was visiting on Instagram .
Pompeo also announced that Amer Fakhoury , who was detained in Lebanon since September , was being returned to the United States .
`` His return comes as a relief to his family and countless others who have followed his case with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo also called on Iran to immediately release detainees Morad Tahbaz , Baquer Namazi and Siamak Namazi on humanitarian grounds .
`` We also ask the regime to honor the commitment it made to work with the United States for the return of Robert Levinson , '' he said .

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Thursday that U.S. citizens Michael White and Amer Fakhoury were released from detention in Iran and Lebanon respectively, while also calling for the immediate humanitarian release of other Americans held in Iran. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- Two Americans detained in Iran and Lebanon were released on Thursday, the U.S. State Department announced. Michael White, 47, was released on humanitarian grounds on the condition that he remain in Iran and was placed in the custody of the Swiss Embassy where he will undergo medical testing and evaluation. Advertisement
"The United States will continue to work for Michael's full release as well as the release of all wrongfully detained Americans in Iran," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
White, a U.S. Navy veteran and cancer survivor from San Diego, was arrested in July 2018 while visiting a woman in Mashhad, Iran, and was serving a 13-year sentence.
He was sentenced for allegedly insulting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and disclosing private information by posting a phone of a woman he was visiting on Instagram.
Pompeo also announced that Amer Fakhoury, who was detained in Lebanon since September, was being returned to the United States.
"His return comes as a relief to his family and countless others who have followed his case with grave concern," Pompeo said.
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Pompeo also called on Iran to immediately release detainees Morad Tahbaz, Baquer Namazi and Siamak Namazi on humanitarian grounds.
"We also ask the regime to honor the commitment it made to work with the United States for the return of Robert Levinson," he said.


upi--2020-03-19--Lockheed nabs $601.3M for work on Trident II D5 ballistic missile

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $ 601.3 million contract modification for work on @ @ @ @ @ ballistic missile for the Navy , according to a Pentagon announcement .
The deal modifies @ @ @ @ @ and support of the missiles , which were first deployed in 1990 .
The missiles @ @ @ @ @ the Navy announced a life extension program to make the missiles usable until 2040 , @ @ @ @ @ extension contract being awarded in February .
One-third of work on the contract will be @ @ @ @ @ , with other parts of the contract being executed in a variety of locations around @ @ @ @ @ Sunnyvale , Calif. , Denver , Colo. , and Cape Canaveral , Fla. , with @ @ @ @ @ September 2024 .

An unarmed Trident II D5 missile launches from the Ohio-class fleet ballistic-missile submarine USS Maryland off the coast of Florida in this 2016 photo. The Pentagon announced Thursday that it has awarded $601.3 million to Lockheed Martin for upgrades on the missiles. Photo by John Kowalski/U.S. Navy
March 19 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $601.3 million contract modification for work on the Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missile for the Navy, according to a Pentagon announcement. The deal modifies an earlier contract for production and support of the missiles, which were first deployed in 1990. Advertisement
The missiles have undergone constant improvement since the Navy announced a life extension program to make the missiles usable until 2040, with the most recent life extension contract being awarded in February.
One-third of work on the contract will be performed in Magna, Utah, with other parts of the contract being executed in a variety of locations around the United States, including Sunnyvale, Calif., Denver, Colo., and Cape Canaveral, Fla., with an expected completion date of September 2024.


upi--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Saints' Sean Payton becomes first known person in NFL to test positive

March 19 ( UPI ) -- New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has tested positive for the coronavirus , the longtime coach confirmed Thursday on social media .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Payton has been battling the virus for more than a week and has a few days left of quarantine .
He told ESPN that he did n't start feeling symptoms until Sunday and opted to take the test Monday .
He received the positive test results Thursday .
According to NFL Media , he attended a horse race Saturday at Oaklawn Park in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has dealt with fatigue , is resting at home and said he has n't experienced any fever or respiratory issues .
Payton , 56 , becomes the first known person in the NFL to test positive for the virus .
He said he came forward with the diagnosis because he wants people to listen to warnings from government officials about the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` This is not just about social distancing , '' Payton said .
`` It 's shutting down here for a week to two weeks .
If people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bump , we can easily work together as a country to reduce it .
Take a minute to understand what the experts are saying .
It 's not complicated to do what they 're asking of us .
`` Just that type of small investment by every one of us will have a dramatic impact .
I was fortunate to be in the minority , without the serious side effects that some have .
I 'm lucky .
Younger people feel like they can handle this , but they can be a carrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So we all need to do our part .
It 's important for every one of us to do our part . ''
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Monday night that the league and NFL Players Association agreed to indefinitely delay the start of teams ' off-season programs due to the virus .
The NFL also announced Monday that the upcoming draft will proceed as scheduled at the end of April , but the draft will no longer include public events in Las Vegas .
The Philadelphia 76ers announced Thursday that three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
The 76ers ' statement came hours after the Denver Nuggets confirmed one positive test .
The 76ers said players , coaches and basketball operations staff were among those tested for the virus .
According to the team , the three individuals who received positive test results are in self-isolation and will be monitored by medical professionals .
`` Three individuals have received positive test results for COVID-19 .
All other test results are currently negative , '' the 76ers said .
`` We have reported this information to state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CDC guidelines , the individuals are in self-isolation and will be monitored closely by medical professionals .
`` The health of our players , staff , fans and community is paramount , and we continue to be guided by medical experts at this time . ''
The Nuggets individual tested positive after experiencing symptoms Monday .
According to the team 's statement , the person is currently under the care of team medical staff and in self-isolation .
Neither team revealed whether the positive tests belonged to players .
Utah Jazz center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to test positive for the virus .
Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell , Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant and Detroit Pistons big man Christian Wood also had positive test results .
The NBA suspended its season after Gobert 's positive test .
It remains unclear when the league will attempt to resume play .
Earlier Thursday , the league sent out a memo to all 30 teams stating that players will no longer be allowed to work out at team facilities starting Friday , according to ESPN .
Major League Baseball announced Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season in Mexico City and San Juan , Puerto Rico , because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The San Diego Padres were scheduled to play the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 18-19 in Mexico City , and the New York Mets were expected to take on the Miami Marlins on April 28-30 in Puerto Rico .
The games will be rescheduled for the home teams ' cities , according to the league .
Before the cancellation , the games in Mexico City would have marked the first MLB regular-season game there .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing in front of the incredible fans in Mexico this year , but health and safety come first , '' the Diamondbacks said in a statement Thursday .
`` We promise we 'll be back soon . ''
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced Monday that opening day was delayed until the middle of May at the earliest due to the virus .

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said he began feeling symptoms last weekend and took a test Monday. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has tested positive for the coronavirus, the longtime coach confirmed Thursday on social media. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Payton has been battling the virus for more than a week and has a few days left of quarantine. He told ESPN that he didn't start feeling symptoms until Sunday and opted to take the test Monday. He received the positive test results Thursday. Advertisement
According to NFL Media, he attended a horse race Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas before his diagnosis. Payton, who has dealt with fatigue, is resting at home and said he hasn't experienced any fever or respiratory issues.
Payton, 56, becomes the first known person in the NFL to test positive for the virus. He said he came forward with the diagnosis because he wants people to listen to warnings from government officials about the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"This is not just about social distancing," Payton said. "It's shutting down here for a week to two weeks. If people understand the curve, and understand the bump, we can easily work together as a country to reduce it. Take a minute to understand what the experts are saying. It's not complicated to do what they're asking of us.
"Just that type of small investment by every one of us will have a dramatic impact. I was fortunate to be in the minority, without the serious side effects that some have. I'm lucky. Younger people feel like they can handle this, but they can be a carrier to someone who can't handle it. So we all need to do our part. It's important for every one of us to do our part."
Appreciate the well wishes. I'm feeling better and fortunate to not have any of the respiratory symptoms. 4 more days at home.#BEATCovid pic.twitter.com/vvjbnqoeZx— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) March 19, 2020
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Monday night that the league and NFL Players Association agreed to indefinitely delay the start of teams' off-season programs due to the virus.
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The NFL also announced Monday that the upcoming draft will proceed as scheduled at the end of April, but the draft will no longer include public events in Las Vegas.
Members of 76ers, Celtics, Lakers, Nuggets test positive
The Philadelphia 76ers announced Thursday that three members of the franchise tested positive for the coronavirus. The 76ers' statement came hours after the Denver Nuggets confirmed one positive test.
The 76ers said players, coaches and basketball operations staff were among those tested for the virus. According to the team, the three individuals who received positive test results are in self-isolation and will be monitored by medical professionals.
"Three individuals have received positive test results for COVID-19. All other test results are currently negative," the 76ers said. "We have reported this information to state and local health authorities as required. Pursuant to CDC guidelines, the individuals are in self-isolation and will be monitored closely by medical professionals.
"The health of our players, staff, fans and community is paramount, and we continue to be guided by medical experts at this time."
The Nuggets individual tested positive after experiencing symptoms Monday. According to the team's statement, the person is currently under the care of team medical staff and in self-isolation.
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Neither team revealed whether the positive tests belonged to players.
Later Thursday, Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart confirmed on social media that he tested positive for the coronavirus. Before his Twitter post, the Celtics released a statement announcing that one player tested positive.
"I'm OK, I feel fine. I don't feel any of the symptoms," Smart said. "But I can't stress enough practicing social distancing and really keeping yourself away from a large group of people and just really washing your hands and help protect yourself. And help protect others by protecting yourself."
I was tested 5 days ago and the results came back tonight, which were positive. Ive been self quarantined since the test, thank goodness. COVID-19 must be taken w the highest of seriousness. I know it's a #1 priority for our nations health experts, & we must get more testing ASAP pic.twitter.com/xkijb9wlKV— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) March 19, 2020
Also Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that two players, both asymptomatic, tested positive for COVID-19. The players were tested Wednesday and received their results a day later.
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The Lakers were prompted to test members of their team after four Brooklyn Nets players tested positive. Los Angeles' last game was against the Nets on March 10 at Staples Center.
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the first NBA player to test positive for the virus. Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell, Nets star Kevin Durant and Detroit Pistons big man Christian Wood also had positive test results.
The NBA suspended its season after Gobert's positive test. It remains unclear when the league will attempt to resume play.
Earlier Thursday, the league sent out a memo to all 30 teams stating that players will no longer be allowed to work out at team facilities starting Friday, according to ESPN.
MLB cancels games in Mexico City and Puerto Rico
Major League Baseball announced Thursday that it has canceled games scheduled for this season in Mexico City and San Juan, Puerto Rico, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The San Diego Padres were scheduled to play the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 18-19 in Mexico City, and the New York Mets were expected to take on the Miami Marlins on April 28-30 in Puerto Rico.
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The games will be rescheduled for the home teams' cities, according to the league. Before the cancellation, the games in Mexico City would have marked the first MLB regular-season game there.
"It breaks our heart we won't be playing in front of the incredible fans in Mexico this year, but health and safety come first," the Diamondbacks said in a statement Thursday. "We promise we'll be back soon."
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced Monday that opening day was delayed until the middle of May at the earliest due to the virus.


upi--2020-03-19--NATO pauses Afghanistan troop rotations as DoD ramps up COVID-19 response

March 19 ( UPI ) -- As U.S. defense forces have announced their plans to ramp up assistance amid the global spread of the novel coronavirus , NATO officials announced Thursday that American and allied troops already deployed in Afghanistan could have their deployments extended due to concerns about the virus .
They 'll be staying in the country as 1,500 newly arrived troops and families have been quarantined in screening facilities , according to NATO Resolute Support .
Resolute Support is also establishing screenings to test troops before they are sent to Afghanistan .
Officials will do more training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
Concern about the novel coronavirus ' spread in Afghanistan , where 22 positive cases have been recorded , created a hiccup in the plan to reduce the number of troops stationed there from 13,000 to 8,600 by July .
Officials say the pause in rotations is intended to ensure personnel coming into Afghanistan are healthy and that troops leaving do n't infect others in their home countries .
The announcement came on the same day the U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens not to travel internationally , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Department of Defense announced restrictions on travel for service members and their families March 12 , including tight restrictions on domestic travel .
Also on Thursday , Pentagon officials announced that about 2,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen have been activated to support coronavirus relief efforts -- and that the number could double by this weekend .
According to Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel , National Guard soldiers are assisting with food distribution , testing , delivery of medical equipment and setting up drive-through testing stations in locations around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Defense announced it would make available up to 5 million respirator masks and other personal protective equipment -- and 2,000 deployable ventilators -- from its strategic reserves .
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also said the Defense Department would make 14 certified testing labs available to test non-defense personnel , and add two labs to that total .

NATO officials announced Thursday that troop rotations in Afghanistan have been put on hold over coronavirus concernst. Photo courtesy Department of Defense
March 19 (UPI) -- As U.S. defense forces have announced their plans to ramp up assistance amid the global spread of the novel coronavirus, NATO officials announced Thursday that American and allied troops already deployed in Afghanistan could have their deployments extended due to concerns about the virus. They'll be staying in the country as 1,500 newly arrived troops and families have been quarantined in screening facilities, according to NATO Resolute Support. Advertisement Resolute Support is working with #NATO to reduce the risk of #COVID19. These measures include screening and testing protocols in accordance with @WHO guidelines. Protecting the force and our collective national security interests are our top priorities. pic.twitter.com/g1sSULFRMj— Resolute Support (@ResoluteSupport) March 19, 2020 Resolute Support is also establishing screenings to test troops before they are sent to Afghanistan. Officials will do more training of Afghan troops online to help prevent spread of the virus. Read More Scientists develop AI device that detects coughs in crowds
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Concern about the novel coronavirus' spread in Afghanistan, where 22 positive cases have been recorded, created a hiccup in the plan to reduce the number of troops stationed there from 13,000 to 8,600 by July.
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Officials say the pause in rotations is intended to ensure personnel coming into Afghanistan are healthy and that troops leaving don't infect others in their home countries.
The announcement came on the same day the U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens not to travel internationally, and urged Americans abroad to come home immediately.
The Department of Defense announced restrictions on travel for service members and their families March 12, including tight restrictions on domestic travel.
Also on Thursday, Pentagon officials announced that about 2,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen have been activated to support coronavirus relief efforts -- and that the number could double by this weekend.
According to Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, National Guard soldiers are assisting with food distribution, testing, delivery of medical equipment and setting up drive-through testing stations in locations around the United States.
Earlier this week the Department of Defense announced it would make available up to 5 million respirator masks and other personal protective equipment -- and 2,000 deployable ventilators -- from its strategic reserves.
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also said the Defense Department would make 14 certified testing labs available to test non-defense personnel, and add two labs to that total.


upi--2020-03-19--Christopher Grant indicted on federal charges in killing of Illinois state trooper Nicholas Hopkins

March 19 ( UPI ) -- A federal grand jury on Thursday charged a St. Louis man in the fatal shooting of an Illinois state trooper last year .
The St. Louis grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Christopher Grant , 46 , including a charge for using a firearm to shoot and kill Illinois state trooper Nicholas Hopkins , 33 , the Department of Justice said .
Grant was charged with three counts of distribution of crack cocaine , maintaining a drug house , possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime , use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trafficking crime , use of a firearm to commit murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a felon .
The shooting took place Aug. 23 , and Grant has been held in state custody on first-degree murder charges since .
Hopkins was killed during a shootout while executing a search warrant with other SWAT team members in a residential neighborhood in east St. Louis .
He was the first Illinois State Police trooper shot and killed since Virgil Lee Bensyl died attempting to arrest a suspect @ @ @

A grand jury introduced an eight-count indictment against a St. Louis man in the fatal shooting of Illinois State Trooper Nicholas Hopkins. File Photo courtesy Illinois State Police | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- A federal grand jury on Thursday charged a St. Louis man in the fatal shooting of an Illinois state trooper last year. The St. Louis grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Christopher Grant, 46, including a charge for using a firearm to shoot and kill Illinois state trooper Nicholas Hopkins, 33, the Department of Justice said. Advertisement
Grant was charged with three counts of distribution of crack cocaine, maintaining a drug house, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, use of a firearm to commit murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The shooting took place Aug. 23, and Grant has been held in state custody on first-degree murder charges since.
Hopkins was killed during a shootout while executing a search warrant with other SWAT team members in a residential neighborhood in east St. Louis.
He was the first Illinois State Police trooper shot and killed since Virgil Lee Bensyl died attempting to arrest a suspect in 1988.


upi--2020-03-19--Engineers develop supercapacitor to power wearable electronics

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Duke University and Michigan State researchers said Thursday they have engineered a new type of supercapacitor for wearable electronics that remains functional after being stretched eight times its original size .
The novel type of supercapacitor they 've designed , outlined in the a study published Thursday in the journal Matter , can be stretched repeatedly without any wear and tear and largely maintains energy performance after 10,000 cycles of charging and discharging .
A supercapacitor stores energy through charge separation and can not create its own electricity , so it must be charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlike a battery , which stores energy chemically and generates charges through chemical reactions .
Also , unlike batteries , supercapacitors charge and discharge much faster , and tolerate many more charge and discharge cycles than rechargeable batteries .
`` Stretchable supercapacitors have received tremendous research interest in recent years because of their ability to serve as independent and conformal power sources for stretchable electronics , biointegrated electronics , and wearable electronics , '' researchers wrote in the study .
`` Nanomaterials including metal , carbon , pseudocapacitive polymer , MXene , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these kinds of devices .
In particular , stretchable supercapacitors made from carbon nanomaterials are very promising and have been widely explored due to their low cost , high surface area , and long cycle lifetime . ''
In particular , crumpled carbon nanotube , or CNT , forest electrodes have been explored recently to fabricate extremely stretchable supercapacitors .
Researchers said they deposited a thin layer of gold film on top of the CNT forest .
The gold layer dropped the resistance of the device , allowing it to charge and discharge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transferred to a pre-stretched elastomer substrate with the gold-side down .
Then , a gel-filled electrode was relaxed to allow pre-strain release that caused it to shrink to a quarter of its size .
The process crumpled the thin layer of gold , which increased the charge it could hold , according to the study 's senior author Jeff Glass , a Duke engineering professor .
The gold-modified CNT forest improved performance under large mechanical strains in charge/discharge rates .
`` Although many nanomaterials and strategies are proposed to fabricate durable devices that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are suffering from the issues of robustness and low performance under large strains , '' researchers said .
`` Here , we successfully fabricated a robust and high-performance stretchable electrode and suprecapacitor via the crumpled Au-CNT forest . ''
`` Our goal is to develop innovative devices that can survive mechanical deformations like stretching , twisting or bending without losing performance , '' said senior author and MSU engineering professor Chanyong Cao .
`` But if the power source of a stretchable electronic device is n't stretchable , then the entire device system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` We still have some work to do for building a complete stretchable electronics system , '' Cao added .
`` But with this foundation of a robust stretchable supercapacitor , we will be able to integrate it into a system that consists of stretchable wires , sensors and detectors to create entirely stretchable devices . ''

When carbon nanotube forests are placed on an elastomer substrate pre-stretched in two directions, it creates a maze of spaghetti instead of rows, improving the stretchable supercapacitor's performance. Photo courtesy of Duke University
March 19 (UPI) -- Duke University and Michigan State researchers said Thursday they have engineered a new type of supercapacitor for wearable electronics that remains functional after being stretched eight times its original size. Researchers envision the supercapacitor being used as part of a flexible electronic system for wearable electronics or biomedical devices. The novel type of supercapacitor they've designed, outlined in the a study published Thursday in the journal Matter, can be stretched repeatedly without any wear and tear and largely maintains energy performance after 10,000 cycles of charging and discharging. Advertisement
A supercapacitor stores energy through charge separation and cannot create its own electricity, so it must be charged from an outside source, and is unlike a battery, which stores energy chemically and generates charges through chemical reactions.
Also, unlike batteries, supercapacitors charge and discharge much faster, and tolerate many more charge and discharge cycles than rechargeable batteries.
"Stretchable supercapacitors have received tremendous research interest in recent years because of their ability to serve as independent and conformal power sources for stretchable electronics, biointegrated electronics, and wearable electronics," researchers wrote in the study. "Nanomaterials including metal, carbon, pseudocapacitive polymer, MXene, and metal oxide have been utilized to fabricate these kinds of devices. In particular, stretchable supercapacitors made from carbon nanomaterials are very promising and have been widely explored due to their low cost, high surface area, and long cycle lifetime."
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In particular, crumpled carbon nanotube, or CNT, forest electrodes have been explored recently to fabricate extremely stretchable supercapacitors.
Researchers said they deposited a thin layer of gold film on top of the CNT forest. The gold layer dropped the resistance of the device, allowing it to charge and discharge much faster.
The CNT forest was transferred to a pre-stretched elastomer substrate with the gold-side down. Then, a gel-filled electrode was relaxed to allow pre-strain release that caused it to shrink to a quarter of its size. The process crumpled the thin layer of gold, which increased the charge it could hold, according to the study's senior author Jeff Glass, a Duke engineering professor.
The gold-modified CNT forest improved performance under large mechanical strains in charge/discharge rates.
"Although many nanomaterials and strategies are proposed to fabricate durable devices that can survive under large strains, they are suffering from the issues of robustness and low performance under large strains," researchers said. "Here, we successfully fabricated a robust and high-performance stretchable electrode and suprecapacitor via the crumpled Au-CNT forest."
"Our goal is to develop innovative devices that can survive mechanical deformations like stretching, twisting or bending without losing performance," said senior author and MSU engineering professor Chanyong Cao. "But if the power source of a stretchable electronic device isn't stretchable, then the entire device system will be constrained to be non-stretchable."
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"We still have some work to do for building a complete stretchable electronics system," Cao added. "But with this foundation of a robust stretchable supercapacitor, we will be able to integrate it into a system that consists of stretchable wires, sensors and detectors to create entirely stretchable devices."


upi--2020-03-19--Scientists develop AI device that detects coughs in crowds

March 19 ( UPI ) -- University of Massachusetts Amherst scientists unveiled Thursday a new artificial intelligence device , FluSense , they invented to detect coughing patterns in crowds , which can then be analyzed to forecast flu-like trends .
Inventors have envisioned the device being used in hospitals , waiting rooms and larger public spaces .
They say it may expand on health surveillance tools already used to forecast seasonal flu and other viral respiratory outbreaks , like the coronavirus pandemic or SARS outbreaks .
And FluSense may also inform public health response with regard to potential travel restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This may allow us to predict flu trends in a much more accurate manner , '' said inventors Tauhidur Rahman , assistant professor of computer and information sciences , and doctoral student Forsad Al Hossain .
Rahman is also Hossain 's adviser and the co-author of the FluSense study published Wednesday in the Association for Computing Machinery on Interactive .
Mobile , Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies , Hossain is the lead author .
The device uses a microphone array , thermal camera and neural computing engine to capture `` cough sounds '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the study 's abstract say .
`` We developed a contactless syndromic surveillance platform FluSense that aims to expand the current paradigm of influenza-like illness surveillance by capturing crowd-level bio-clinical signals directly related to physical symptoms of ILI from hospital waiting areas in an unobstrusive and privacy-sensitive manner , '' the abstract says .
`` FluSense consists of a novel edge-computing sensor system , models and data processing pipelines to track crowd behaviors and influenza-related indictors , such as coughs , and to predict daily ILI and laboratory-confirmed influenza caseloads . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in four public waiting areas within the university hospital .
The testing , from December to July 2019 , analyzed more than 350,000 thermal images and 21 million audio samples from the waiting rooms and found that it was accurately able to predict illness rates at the university clinic .
The FluSense inventors partnered with Dr. George Corey , executive director of University Health Services ; bio-statistician Nicholas Reich , director of UMass based CDC Influenza Forecasting Center of Excellence ; and epidemiologist Andrew Lover , a vector-borne disease expert and assistant public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ device .
Testing out FluSense in other public areas and geographic locations is the next step .
`` We have the initial validation that the coughing indeed has a correlation with influenza-related illness , '' Lover said .
`` Now we want to validate it beyond this specific hospital setting and show that we can generalize across locations . ''

Tauhidur Rahman, left, and Forsad Al Hossain display the FluSense device they invented. Photo courtesy of University of Massachusetts Amherst
March 19 (UPI) -- University of Massachusetts Amherst scientists unveiled Thursday a new artificial intelligence device, FluSense, they invented to detect coughing patterns in crowds, which can then be analyzed to forecast flu-like trends. Inventors have envisioned the device being used in hospitals, waiting rooms and larger public spaces. Advertisement
They say it may expand on health surveillance tools already used to forecast seasonal flu and other viral respiratory outbreaks, like the coronavirus pandemic or SARS outbreaks. And FluSense may also inform public health response with regard to potential travel restrictions and allocation of medical supplies.
"This may allow us to predict flu trends in a much more accurate manner," said inventors Tauhidur Rahman, assistant professor of computer and information sciences, and doctoral student Forsad Al Hossain.
Rahman is also Hossain's adviser and the co-author of the FluSense study published Wednesday in the Association for Computing Machinery on Interactive. Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies, Hossain is the lead author.
The device uses a microphone array, thermal camera and neural computing engine to capture "cough sounds" and crowd size changes in "real-time," the study's abstract say.
"We developed a contactless syndromic surveillance platform FluSense that aims to expand the current paradigm of influenza-like illness surveillance by capturing crowd-level bio-clinical signals directly related to physical symptoms of ILI from hospital waiting areas in an unobstrusive and privacy-sensitive manner," the abstract says. "FluSense consists of a novel edge-computing sensor system, models and data processing pipelines to track crowd behaviors and influenza-related indictors, such as coughs, and to predict daily ILI and laboratory-confirmed influenza caseloads."
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The device was tested over seven months in four public waiting areas within the university hospital. The testing, from December to July 2019, analyzed more than 350,000 thermal images and 21 million audio samples from the waiting rooms and found that it was accurately able to predict illness rates at the university clinic.
The FluSense inventors partnered with Dr. George Corey, executive director of University Health Services; bio-statistician Nicholas Reich, director of UMass based CDC Influenza Forecasting Center of Excellence; and epidemiologist Andrew Lover, a vector-borne disease expert and assistant public health professor, to try out the device.
Testing out FluSense in other public areas and geographic locations is the next step.
"We have the initial validation that the coughing indeed has a correlation with influenza-related illness," Lover said. "Now we want to validate it beyond this specific hospital setting and show that we can generalize across locations."


upi--2020-03-19--Los Angeles Rams release RB Todd Gurley, LB Clay Matthews

March 19 ( UPI ) -- The Los Angeles Rams released star running back Todd Gurley and veteran linebacker Clay Matthews to free up additional salary-cap space , the team announced Thursday .
The Rams made Gurley , the 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year , the highest-paid tailback in league history before the 2018 season after giving him a four-year , $ 57.5 million extension that included $ 45 million in guarantees , according to Spotrac .
At the time of the extension , the former University of Georgia running back had two seasons left on his rookie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decision on whether to keep Gurley before an additional $ 10.5 million in his contract became fully guaranteed at 4 p.m. EST Thursday .
According to NFL Media , the Rams shopped him around the league , but no trade materialized .
League sources told ESPN that the Rams released Gurley with a post-June 1 designation , meaning the franchise will spread the running back 's total dead-money hit of $ 20.15 million over two seasons .
In return , Los Angeles will see about $ 5.5 million in cap savings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 7.55 million roster bonus for this season .
According to NFL Media , a portion of the roster bonus ( $ 2.5 million ) is subject to offsets if he signs with another team .
Gurley , who turns 26 in August , was selected with the No .
10 overall pick in the 2015 draft .
Since entering the league , he has been one of the franchise 's top offensive weapons .
In 73 career games ( 72 starts ) with the Rams , Gurley notched 5,404 rushing yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His 58 rushing scores were tied with Marshall Faulk for the most in team history .
Last season , Gurley 's usage was down from 2018 due to knee issues .
He rushed for a career-worst 857 yards in 15 regular-season games .
Matthews , a six-time Pro Bowl selection , joined the Rams last season after spending 10 seasons with the Green Bay Packers .
He was scheduled to earn a $ 2 million roster bonus Thursday if he remained on the team .
Los Angeles will save $ 3.75 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played in 13 games last season and recorded 37 total tackles , eight sacks , two forced fumbles and three passes defensed .

Former Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (R) had 58 rushing touchdowns with the team, tied for the most in franchise history. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Rams released star running back Todd Gurley and veteran linebacker Clay Matthews to free up additional salary-cap space, the team announced Thursday. The Rams made Gurley, the 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, the highest-paid tailback in league history before the 2018 season after giving him a four-year, $57.5 million extension that included $45 million in guarantees, according to Spotrac. At the time of the extension, the former University of Georgia running back had two seasons left on his rookie deal. Advertisement
Los Angeles needed to make a decision on whether to keep Gurley before an additional $10.5 million in his contract became fully guaranteed at 4 p.m. EST Thursday. According to NFL Media, the Rams shopped him around the league, but no trade materialized.
League sources told ESPN that the Rams released Gurley with a post-June 1 designation, meaning the franchise will spread the running back's total dead-money hit of $20.15 million over two seasons. In return, Los Angeles will see about $5.5 million in cap savings in 2020.
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The Rams still owe Gurley a $7.55 million roster bonus for this season. According to NFL Media, a portion of the roster bonus ($2.5 million) is subject to offsets if he signs with another team.
Damn I got fired on my day off #QuaratineAndChill— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) March 19, 2020
Forever a part of our history. Thank you, @TG3II. pic.twitter.com/XFBlFLNE0q— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 19, 2020
Gurley, who turns 26 in August, was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2015 draft. Since entering the league, he has been one of the franchise's top offensive weapons.
In 73 career games (72 starts) with the Rams, Gurley notched 5,404 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns on 1,265 carries. His 58 rushing scores were tied with Marshall Faulk for the most in team history.
Last season, Gurley's usage was down from 2018 due to knee issues. He rushed for a career-worst 857 yards in 15 regular-season games.
We have released Clay Matthews.— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 19, 2020
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Matthews, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, joined the Rams last season after spending 10 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He was scheduled to earn a $2 million roster bonus Thursday if he remained on the team. Los Angeles will save $3.75 million in cap space with his release.
Matthews played in 13 games last season and recorded 37 total tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defensed.


upi--2020-03-19--Senators introduce proposal to allow remote voting during national crises

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Sens .
Dick Durbin and Rob Portman introduced a proposal Thursday to change the Senate 's rules to allow senators to vote remotely during a national crisis .
Durbin , D-Ill. , and Portman , R-Ohio , introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to permit senators to vote while away from the Senate floor .
Convening the full Senate at the Capitol could violate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on preventing the spread of COVID-19 , the lawmakers said .
`` That should not prevent Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to convene during a crisis , conduct its basic constitutional duties and enact responsible legislation for the nation , '' Portman 's office said .
The resolution would require joint approval from Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to allow remote voting for 30 days after which Congress would vote on whether or not to continue it .
Portman noted that he has long supported allowing remote voting and that modern electronic communications would allow senators to vote in a secure and encrypted way .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have an obvious problem right now but the threat of terrorism , bioterrorism , these sorts of issues , unfortunately , are part of our 21st century life , '' he said .
On Wednesday , Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Ben McAdams announced they tested positive for COVID-19 , becoming the first members of Congress diagnosed with the virus .
Additionally , President Donald Trump on Monday called for Americans to limit non-essential gatherings to fewer than 10 people as part of revised steps to combat the spread of the coronavirus over @ @ @ @ @

Sens. Dick Durbin and Rob Portman proposed rule changes on Thursday allowing senators to vote remotely during national crises such as the current COVID-19 outbreak as two members of Congress have tested positive. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- Sens. Dick Durbin and Rob Portman introduced a proposal Thursday to change the Senate's rules to allow senators to vote remotely during a national crisis. Durbin, D-Ill., and Portman, R-Ohio, introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Standing Rules of the Senate to permit senators to vote while away from the Senate floor. Convening the full Senate at the Capitol could violate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on preventing the spread of COVID-19, the lawmakers said. Advertisement
"That should not prevent Congress from safely engaging in its constitutional responsibility to convene during a crisis, conduct its basic constitutional duties and enact responsible legislation for the nation," Portman's office said.
The resolution would require joint approval from Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to allow remote voting for 30 days after which Congress would vote on whether or not to continue it.
Portman noted that he has long supported allowing remote voting and that modern electronic communications would allow senators to vote in a secure and encrypted way.
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"I think, not just because of COVID-19 where we have an obvious problem right now but the threat of terrorism, bioterrorism, these sorts of issues, unfortunately, are part of our 21st century life," he said.
On Wednesday, Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Ben McAdams announced they tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the first members of Congress diagnosed with the virus.
Additionally, President Donald Trump on Monday called for Americans to limit non-essential gatherings to fewer than 10 people as part of revised steps to combat the spread of the coronavirus over the next 15 days.


upi--2020-03-19--President Donald Trump orders FDA to fast-track drugs for possible COVID-19 treatment

March 19 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said Thursday U.S. regulators are looking at utilizing therapies that are still in the testing phase and some already approved for other uses , like malaria , in the fight against coronavirus .
In a briefing at the White House , Trump ordered the Food and Drug Administration to look into making the treatments -- which include the generic malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and the antiviral medication remdesivir -- available to the public .
`` Individual states will handle it , doctors will handle it , I think it 's going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It could be a game-changer . ''
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said the agency is seeking to fast-track hydroxychloroquine for use in coronavirus patients , while working with drugmaker Gilead in setting up protocols for a large remdesivir trial .
Clinical data could also be collected by doctors using the drug in compassionate care cases , he said .
Trump praised Hahn for `` removing barriers '' and voiced confidence the United States will beat the coronavirus pandemic , which he again called `` the Chinese virus , '' a term that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Mike Pence said shortages of medical equipment are quickly being addressed .
He said as many as 35 million new industrial face masks by 3M are now available to the healthcare sector after liability laws were changed this week .
Pence also said tens of thousands of critical ventilators can be modified for medical uses .
Trump and Pence spoke to governors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters where the vice president said the agency would take the lead in the government 's national response to the virus .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will be locally executed , state-managed and federally supported , '' Pence said .
The governors of Georgia and New Jersey asked Trump to provide the states with block grants , in which the federal government would provide funds to local authorities to then allocate on their own , which Trump said he would consider .
Trump had previously instructed states to seek supplies to combat the virus on their own as much as possible , but Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker said his state lost out to the federal government in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We took very seriously the push that you made previously on one of those calls that we should not just rely on the stockpile and that we should go out and buy stuff and put in orders and try to create pressure on manufacturers and distributors , '' he said .
`` And I 've got to tell you that on three big orders , we lost to the fed . ''
Trump responded by praising Baker 's efforts and suggesting price may have played a factor in the federal government receiving resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out seeing what you can get , if you can get it faster and prices are always a component of that also .
And maybe that 's why you lost to the feds , I 'll tell you that 's probably why , '' he said .
Wednesday , Trump invoked the Defense Production Act -- a rarely-used emergency power established in 1950 -- to help spur the manufacture of critical medical supplies and signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act , which guarantees sick leave to workers .
The legislation provides as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave for some workers , enhanced unemployment insurance and free coronavirus testing .
It also contains protections for frontline workers , increased federal funds for Medicaid and more than $ 1 billion to strengthen food security initiatives .
The White House is working with Congress to finalize a $ 1 trillion package , which includes stimulus payments to most Americans .

1/2
President Donald Trump gives an update Thursday from the White House on the federal response to the coronavirus disease. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Thursday U.S. regulators are looking at utilizing therapies that are still in the testing phase and some already approved for other uses, like malaria, in the fight against coronavirus. In a briefing at the White House, Trump ordered the Food and Drug Administration to look into making the treatments -- which include the generic malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and the antiviral medication remdesivir -- available to the public. Advertisement
"Individual states will handle it, doctors will handle it, I think it's going to be great," he said. "It could be a game-changer."
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said the agency is seeking to fast-track hydroxychloroquine for use in coronavirus patients, while working with drugmaker Gilead in setting up protocols for a large remdesivir trial.
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Clinical data could also be collected by doctors using the drug in compassionate care cases, he said.
Trump praised Hahn for "removing barriers" and voiced confidence the United States will beat the coronavirus pandemic, which he again called "the Chinese virus," a term that's angered the government in Beijing.
Vice President Mike Pence said shortages of medical equipment are quickly being addressed. He said as many as 35 million new industrial face masks by 3M are now available to the healthcare sector after liability laws were changed this week.
Pence also said tens of thousands of critical ventilators can be modified for medical uses.
Trump and Pence spoke to governors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters where the vice president said the agency would take the lead in the government's national response to the virus.
"Our nation's response, through FEMA, will be locally executed, state-managed and federally supported," Pence said.
The governors of Georgia and New Jersey asked Trump to provide the states with block grants, in which the federal government would provide funds to local authorities to then allocate on their own, which Trump said he would consider.
Trump had previously instructed states to seek supplies to combat the virus on their own as much as possible, but Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said his state lost out to the federal government in its attempts to gather resources.
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"We took very seriously the push that you made previously on one of those calls that we should not just rely on the stockpile and that we should go out and buy stuff and put in orders and try to create pressure on manufacturers and distributors," he said. "And I've got to tell you that on three big orders, we lost to the fed."
Trump responded by praising Baker's efforts and suggesting price may have played a factor in the federal government receiving resources.
"We do like you going out seeing what you can get, if you can get it faster and prices are always a component of that also. And maybe that's why you lost to the feds, I'll tell you that's probably why," he said.
Wednesday, Trump invoked the Defense Production Act -- a rarely-used emergency power established in 1950 -- to help spur the manufacture of critical medical supplies and signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which guarantees sick leave to workers.
The legislation provides as many as 10 days of paid sick leave for some workers, enhanced unemployment insurance and free coronavirus testing. It also contains protections for frontline workers, increased federal funds for Medicaid and more than $1 billion to strengthen food security initiatives.
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The White House is working with Congress to finalize a $1 trillion package, which includes stimulus payments to most Americans.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: U.S. warns Americans not to travel abroad, come home

March 19 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. State Department on Thursday advised all U.S. citizens to avoid traveling internationally and warned those currently out of the country to immediately return home amid a coronavirus pandemic that 's killed at least 9,700 globally .
Federal authorities issued a rare Level 4 `` Do Not Travel '' guideline for all foreign countries .
The warning comes as the United States and other countries close their borders and limit international flights to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
`` In countries where commercial departure options remain available , U.S. citizens who live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate return to the United States , unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period , '' the State Department said in its notice .
`` U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel . ''
Officials warn that those who choose to travel internationally should expect their plans to be `` severely disrupted , and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe . ''
President Donald Trump previously shut down travel between the United States and China , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University , there were 237,996 confirmed cases of coronavirus and at least 9,790 deaths worldwide .
In the United States there were a confirmed 11 , 274 cases and 157 deaths as of 2 p.m. EDT .
Meanwhile , there 's been some concern for Americans who say they 're trapped in other countries due to travel restrictions put in place there .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday his department 's working to get them back to the United States .
`` We know of students that are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there as well .
There are other countries , too , where those countries have shut down their airports , '' he said during a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity .
`` We are working to try and solve problems for each of those American citizens .
We just learned about them over the last couple days ; it 'll take us some amount of time .
But know that President Trump has made clear that we 're going to do everything we can to get every American home safely . ''

Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations screen international passengers arriving at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va., on Friday. On Thursday, the State Department advised all Americans to stop international travel. Photo by Glenn Fawcett/U.S. Customs and Border Protection | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department on Thursday advised all U.S. citizens to avoid traveling internationally and warned those currently out of the country to immediately return home amid a coronavirus pandemic that's killed at least 9,700 globally. Federal authorities issued a rare Level 4 "Do Not Travel" guideline for all foreign countries. The warning comes as the United States and other countries close their borders and limit international flights to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Advertisement
"In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period," the State Department said in its notice. "U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel."
Officials warn that those who choose to travel internationally should expect their plans to be "severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe."
President Donald Trump previously shut down travel between the United States and China, the European Union and Canada.
According to Johns Hopkins University, there were 237,996 confirmed cases of coronavirus and at least 9,790 deaths worldwide. In the United States there were a confirmed 11, 274 cases and 157 deaths as of 2 p.m. EDT.
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Meanwhile, there's been some concern for Americans who say they're trapped in other countries due to travel restrictions put in place there. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday his department's working to get them back to the United States.
"We know of students that are in Peru, some other travelers that are there as well. There are other countries, too, where those countries have shut down their airports," he said during a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity.
"We are working to try and solve problems for each of those American citizens. We just learned about them over the last couple days; it'll take us some amount of time. But know that President Trump has made clear that we're going to do everything we can to get every American home safely."


upi--2020-03-19--One in five people under 44 with COVID-19 experiences severe illness

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Older adults and those with underlying health conditions remain at the highest risk for serious illness from COVID-19 , but younger people often experience significant effects from the disease as well , according to new figures about the virus and its impact .
In its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , released Wednesday , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that as many as one in five Americans between 20 and 44 years of age require hospitalization after being sickened with the new coronavirus -- and up to 4 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admission into intensive care .
These figures are a fraction of the corresponding numbers for older adults , but they still highlight the importance of taking steps to maintain health during the pandemic , regardless of age .
`` If 20-year-olds think they are invulnerable to this disease , they 're wrong , '' Dr. Barry Bloom , a research professor at Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health , said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday , describing the CDC data as `` troubling . ''
He added , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this disease , in China and Italy and elsewhere . ''
Having said that , Bloom and other experts noted the CDC numbers might be skewed a bit by the more relaxed criteria for hospital admissions used in the United States , when compared with those in other countries that have had larger outbreaks , like China , South Korea and Italy .
Dr. Caitlin Rivers , a senior scholar in the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , told UPI that , as a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicator of severe disease .
Although the figures on confirmed cases , disease severity and death with COVID-19 change hourly , it 's clear that the virus is highly contagious , which is why experts warn that younger people must also take precautions to limit transmission to people more vulnerable to serious illness .
Indeed , as troubling as the hospitalization and fatality rates are for younger adults -- up to 2 percent -- they are much higher for seniors .
According to the new figures from CDC , up to 70 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older infected with the virus require hospitalization , and nearly 30 percent of them die from it .
Nearly 60 percent of adults between 75 and 84 years of age may also require hospitalization if they are sickened , and up to 10 percent of them may die .
These numbers drop for younger age groups , but even children , adolescents and teens need to be wary .
According to the CDC , up to 2.5 percent of Americans between 0 and 19 years of age sickened with COVID-19 have required hospitalization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensive care or died from the disease .
A small study out of Wuhan , China , also published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine , found that of 171 children 16 years of age and younger diagnosed with the virus -- all of whom were hospitalized -- three required intensive care support and invasive mechanical ventilation .
An one died : a 10-month-old infant with an intestinal blockage who experienced multi-organ failure and succumbed four weeks after admission to the hospital .
In all , according to figures from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 percent of all confirmed cases in the country where the COVID-19 pandemic began involve children 10 years of age and younger .
`` The MMWR report was useful for confirming what we already know about the risk for serious illness among younger people , '' Rivers said .
`` Even though your risk overall is lower , if you are a young person and you get sick and and experience mild illness , you may come in contact with someone more vulnerable to severe disease and make them very sick .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about that and protecting those around us . ''

A man walks on Haight Street past a boarded up business in San Francisco on Wednesday. San Francisco is three days into a three week "shelter in place" order, with exceptions for grocery shopping. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
March 19 (UPI) -- Older adults and those with underlying health conditions remain at the highest risk for serious illness from COVID-19, but younger people often experience significant effects from the disease as well, according to new figures about the virus and its impact. In its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, released Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that as many as one in five Americans between 20 and 44 years of age require hospitalization after being sickened with the new coronavirus -- and up to 4 percent have experienced severe enough symptoms that require admission into intensive care. Advertisement
These figures are a fraction of the corresponding numbers for older adults, but they still highlight the importance of taking steps to maintain health during the pandemic, regardless of age.
"If 20-year-olds think they are invulnerable to this disease, they're wrong," Dr. Barry Bloom, a research professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday, describing the CDC data as "troubling."
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He added, "We have had 20-year-olds die from this disease, in China and Italy and elsewhere."
Having said that, Bloom and other experts noted the CDC numbers might be skewed a bit by the more relaxed criteria for hospital admissions used in the United States, when compared with those in other countries that have had larger outbreaks, like China, South Korea and Italy.
Dr. Caitlin Rivers, a senior scholar in the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told UPI that, as a result, hospital admissions might not be an accurate indicator of severe disease.
Although the figures on confirmed cases, disease severity and death with COVID-19 change hourly, it's clear that the virus is highly contagious, which is why experts warn that younger people must also take precautions to limit transmission to people more vulnerable to serious illness. Indeed, as troubling as the hospitalization and fatality rates are for younger adults -- up to 2 percent -- they are much higher for seniors.
According to the new figures from CDC, up to 70 percent of those 85 years of age and older infected with the virus require hospitalization, and nearly 30 percent of them die from it. Nearly 60 percent of adults between 75 and 84 years of age may also require hospitalization if they are sickened, and up to 10 percent of them may die.
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These numbers drop for younger age groups, but even children, adolescents and teens need to be wary. According to the CDC, up to 2.5 percent of Americans between 0 and 19 years of age sickened with COVID-19 have required hospitalization, although none have been admitted to intensive care or died from the disease.
A small study out of Wuhan, China, also published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that of 171 children 16 years of age and younger diagnosed with the virus -- all of whom were hospitalized -- three required intensive care support and invasive mechanical ventilation. An one died: a 10-month-old infant with an intestinal blockage who experienced multi-organ failure and succumbed four weeks after admission to the hospital.
In all, according to figures from the Chinese Center for Disease Control, roughly 1 percent of all confirmed cases in the country where the COVID-19 pandemic began involve children 10 years of age and younger.
"The MMWR report was useful for confirming what we already know about the risk for serious illness among younger people," Rivers said. "Even though your risk overall is lower, if you are a young person and you get sick and and experience mild illness, you may come in contact with someone more vulnerable to severe disease and make them very sick. So, we all need to be thinking about that and protecting those around us."


upi--2020-03-19--Actor Daniel Dae Kim, Monaco's Prince Albert II diagnosed with coronavirus

March 19 ( UPI ) -- Actor Daniel Dae Kim and Monaco 's Prince Albert II have become the latest public figures to disclose they were diagnosed with coronavirus , joining a list that also includes Tom Hanks and Idris Elba .
Kim , 51 , said in a 10-minute video posted to his Instagram account Thursday that he developed a scratchy throat after flying home to Hawaii when production on the TV series New Amsterdam was halted in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The actor , known for roles on TV shows including Lost and Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and confirmed his diagnosis at a drive-through testing center in Honolulu after developing other symptoms including body aches and a fever .
Kim said his case was `` not a matter of life and death '' and he is already on the mend without requiring hospitalization .
The actor urged others not to engage in the xenophobia that has risen in the wake of the pandemic .
`` Yes , I 'm Asian .
And yes , I have coronavirus , but I did not get it in China .
I got it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` Despite what certain political leaders want to call it , I do n't consider the place where it 's from as important as the people who are sick and dying . ''
Meanwhile , Monaco 's Prince Albert II , 62 , who has been the country 's head of state since 2005 , was diagnosed with coronavirus this week , the palace said in a statement .
The statement said the royal is being treated by specialists from Princess Grace Hospital and is expected to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` His Serene Highness urges the people of Monaco to respect the measures of confinement and to limit contact with others to a minimum , '' the palace said .
Prince Albert is only the 10th person in the country of about 40,000 to be diagnosed with COVID-19 .
In Britain , Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip moved from London to Windsor Castle a week early with plans to stay past Easter .
`` We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and , in particular , to protect the most vulnerable within them , '' the queen said in a statement .
`` At times such as these , I am reminded that our nation 's history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one , concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal . ''
Actor Idris Elba , who was earlier diagnosed with coronavirus , posted a video update Tuesday on Twitter , saying he has not had a fever and is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of asthma .
Tom Hanks , who earlier announced he and wife Rita Wilson both tested positive for the virus , also posted an update Tuesday saying he had `` no fever '' but was suffering from `` the blahs . ''
French actress and model Olga Kurylenko said Wednesday that she was `` feeling better '' and her fever had gone down two days after she tested positive for COVID-19 .

March 19 (UPI) -- Actor Daniel Dae Kim and Monaco's Prince Albert II have become the latest public figures to disclose they were diagnosed with coronavirus, joining a list that also includes Tom Hanks and Idris Elba.
Kim, 51, said in a 10-minute video posted to his Instagram account Thursday that he developed a scratchy throat after flying home to Hawaii when production on the TV series New Amsterdam was halted in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The actor, known for roles on TV shows including Lost and Hawaii 5-0, said he went into self-quarantine and confirmed his diagnosis at a drive-through testing center in Honolulu after developing other symptoms including body aches and a fever.
Kim said his case was "not a matter of life and death" and he is already on the mend without requiring hospitalization.
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The actor urged others not to engage in the xenophobia that has risen in the wake of the pandemic.
"Yes, I'm Asian. And yes, I have coronavirus, but I did not get it in China. I got it in America -- in New York City," he said. "Despite what certain political leaders want to call it, I don't consider the place where it's from as important as the people who are sick and dying."
Meanwhile, Monaco's Prince Albert II, 62, who has been the country's head of state since 2005, was diagnosed with coronavirus this week, the palace said in a statement.
The statement said the royal is being treated by specialists from Princess Grace Hospital and is expected to continue working from his home office while recovering.
"His Serene Highness urges the people of Monaco to respect the measures of confinement and to limit contact with others to a minimum," the palace said.
Prince Albert is only the 10th person in the country of about 40,000 to be diagnosed with COVID-19.
In Britain, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip moved from London to Windsor Castle a week early with plans to stay past Easter.
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"We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them," the queen said in a statement. "At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation's history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal."
Actor Idris Elba, who was earlier diagnosed with coronavirus, posted a video update Tuesday on Twitter, saying he has not had a fever and is not having any trouble breathing, despite his history of asthma.
Tom Hanks, who earlier announced he and wife Rita Wilson both tested positive for the virus, also posted an update Tuesday saying he had "no fever" but was suffering from "the blahs."
French actress and model Olga Kurylenko said Wednesday that she was "feeling better" and her fever had gone down two days after she tested positive for COVID-19.


upi--2020-03-19--North Carolina man wins lottery for a second time 2 1/2 years later

March 19 ( UPI ) -- A North Carolina man scored a $ 100,000 lottery jackpot just two and one-half @ @ @ @ @ 200,000 from a scratch-off ticket .
Israel Carbajal of Pender County told North Carolina Education @ @ @ @ @ Yaya 's Mini Mart in Currie to get a bottle of water after work when @ @ @ @ @ $ 25 Extreme Cash scratch-off ticket .
`` When I scratched it , '' Carbajal @ @ @ @ @ the number and I thought it was $ 100 , but it was a lot @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 , yep . ''
Carbajal visited lottery headquarters Tuesday to collect his prize , @ @ @ @ @ first visit -- he previously won $ 200,000 from a $ 500 Frenzy scratch-off ticket @ @ @ @ @ .
The two-time winner said he plans to use his latest winnings to pay off @ @ @ @ @ and buy a new Honda car .

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March 19 (UPI) -- A North Carolina man scored a $100,000 lottery jackpot just two and one-half years after he won $200,000 from a scratch-off ticket.
Israel Carbajal of Pender County told North Carolina Education Lottery officials he was at Yaya's Mini Mart in Currie to get a bottle of water after work when he decided to buy a $25 Extreme Cash scratch-off ticket.
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"When I scratched it," Carbajal said, "I saw the number and I thought it was $100, but it was a lot more. It was $100,000, yep."
Carbajal visited lottery headquarters Tuesday to collect his prize, and it wasn't his first visit -- he previously won $200,000 from a $500 Frenzy scratch-off ticket he bought in July 2017.
The two-time winner said he plans to use his latest winnings to pay off his father's medical bills and buy a new Honda car.


upi--2020-03-19--Flawed studies distort risk of opioid addiction treatment while pregnant

March 18 ( UPI ) -- Studies designed to assess risks to pregnant women undergoing treatment for opioid addiction may have significant flaws that effectively overstate the impact of drugs like buprenorphine and methadone on child development , a new analysis found .
In a review of existing research published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open , the authors report that medication-based addiction treatment has been associated with lower cognitive development scores in children in several studies -- but suggest studies showing this are missing part of the picture .
While uncontrolled drug use or withdrawal poses significant risk , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that addiction medications have been linked to better growth and lower risk for premature birth .
And mothers , in addition to being less at risk for relapse and overdose , tend to have improved engagement in their pregnancies .
But researchers say many studies on addiction treatment are flawed and fail to provide a true picture of the risks , particularly when weighed against those associated with opioid addiction in pregnancy .
`` Our findings suggest that the slight decrease in cognitive test scores for young children that have previously been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually just be due to problems with study design , particularly recruitment , '' co-author Dr. Leah Nelson , an addiction medicine fellow at the University of New Mexico Hospitals in Albuquerque , told UPI .
`` Most previous research is based on observational cohorts and the unexposed children were recruited from families that were not really similar to the recruited opioid exposed children . ''
Nelson and her colleagues found that there are 27 studies assessing the safety of the effects on unborn children of buprenorphine and methadone .
Collectively , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 children .
However , many of the studies failed to recruit participants for control groups -- children who were not exposed to opioids or treatments for opioid abuse in the womb -- that matched well with the study group .
For example , Nelson said , unexposed children in many of the studies were `` more likely to be born to mothers who completed high school , had higher socioeconomic status and were much less likely to be exposed to tobacco use during pregnancy '' than those exposed to addition treatments -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two groups .
`` With the current data , the effects of opioids can not be separated from the bigger social and environmental picture , '' she said .
Data in the study shows the number of pregnant women with opioid use disorder in the United States has more than quadrupled over the past decade .
Currently , according to Nelson , guidelines from multiple national medical organizations suggest that medications for opioid use disorder , including methadone and buprenorphine , are preferred over no treatment , uncontrolled drug use or drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks to the fetus as well as increasing the mother 's risk of relapse and possible overdose , '' she said .
Nelson and her colleagues looked at data from 27 studies that enrolled a total of 1,086 children , finding that 485 , or roughly 45 percent , had exposure to medication-based addiction treatment .
While opioid use disorder treatment was associated with lower cognitive development scores in children enrolled in the studies , the researchers caution that there were other possible factors as well , including pre-natal exposure to tobacco .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-natal medication-based addiction treatment exposure do not have poor outcomes and are normally developing , '' Nelson said .
`` The best things to do , '' she added , is `` fund evidence-based addiction prevention efforts , increase access to addiction treatment with medications for opioid use disorder , improve educational and employment opportunities for women with addiction , provide pre-natal care and social services including parenting skills and support , actively promote smoking cessation during pregnancy and provide universal access to comprehensive early intervention services for exposed children to promote school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story misstated the potential role addiction treatment medications have on developing babies and the lack of accurate research on the communities that mothers with opioid misuse issues come from .

Many studies exploring the risks with treating pregnant women for opioid addiction are significantly flawed, researchers say. File photo courtesy of Max Pixel
March 18 (UPI) -- Studies designed to assess risks to pregnant women undergoing treatment for opioid addiction may have significant flaws that effectively overstate the impact of drugs like buprenorphine and methadone on child development, a new analysis found. In a review of existing research published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open, the authors report that medication-based addiction treatment has been associated with lower cognitive development scores in children in several studies -- but suggest studies showing this are missing part of the picture. Advertisement
While uncontrolled drug use or withdrawal poses significant risk, both to the mother and baby, researchers say that addiction medications have been linked to better growth and lower risk for premature birth. And mothers, in addition to being less at risk for relapse and overdose, tend to have improved engagement in their pregnancies.
But researchers say many studies on addiction treatment are flawed and fail to provide a true picture of the risks, particularly when weighed against those associated with opioid addiction in pregnancy.
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"Our findings suggest that the slight decrease in cognitive test scores for young children that have previously been attributed to opioid medications during pregnancy may actually just be due to problems with study design, particularly recruitment," co-author Dr. Leah Nelson, an addiction medicine fellow at the University of New Mexico Hospitals in Albuquerque, told UPI. "Most previous research is based on observational cohorts and the unexposed children were recruited from families that were not really similar to the recruited opioid exposed children."
Nelson and her colleagues found that there are 27 studies assessing the safety of the effects on unborn children of buprenorphine and methadone. Collectively, they report on developmental outcomes with more than 1,000 children.
However, many of the studies failed to recruit participants for control groups -- children who were not exposed to opioids or treatments for opioid abuse in the womb -- that matched well with the study group.
For example, Nelson said, unexposed children in many of the studies were "more likely to be born to mothers who completed high school, had higher socioeconomic status and were much less likely to be exposed to tobacco use during pregnancy" than those exposed to addition treatments -- meaning that there were significant differences between the two groups.
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"With the current data, the effects of opioids cannot be separated from the bigger social and environmental picture," she said. Data in the study shows the number of pregnant women with opioid use disorder in the United States has more than quadrupled over the past decade.
Currently, according to Nelson, guidelines from multiple national medical organizations suggest that medications for opioid use disorder, including methadone and buprenorphine, are preferred over no treatment, uncontrolled drug use or drug withdrawal, each of which "poses risks to the fetus as well as increasing the mother's risk of relapse and possible overdose," she said.
Nelson and her colleagues looked at data from 27 studies that enrolled a total of 1,086 children, finding that 485, or roughly 45 percent, had exposure to medication-based addiction treatment. While opioid use disorder treatment was associated with lower cognitive development scores in children enrolled in the studies, the researchers caution that there were other possible factors as well, including pre-natal exposure to tobacco.
"The vast majority of children with pre-natal medication-based addiction treatment exposure do not have poor outcomes and are normally developing," Nelson said.
"The best things to do," she added, is "fund evidence-based addiction prevention efforts, increase access to addiction treatment with medications for opioid use disorder, improve educational and employment opportunities for women with addiction, provide pre-natal care and social services including parenting skills and support, actively promote smoking cessation during pregnancy and provide universal access to comprehensive early intervention services for exposed children to promote school readiness."
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A previous version of this story misstated the potential role addiction treatment medications have on developing babies and the lack of accurate research on the communities that mothers with opioid misuse issues come from.