upi--2020-04-21--United States urges China to lift restrictions on prominent human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang

April 21 ( UPI ) -- In its latest rebuff against Beijing 's human rights record , the Trump administration has called on China to lift restrictions of movement on prominent lawyer Wang Quanzhang who was recently released from prison .
State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Monday that the United States urges China to allow Wang 's freedom of movement , including the ability to join his family in Beijing , following his years of `` unjust detention . ''
`` We remain very concerned about reports of his declining physical and mental health , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ortagus said .
Wang , 44 , was released from prison on April 5 after completing his sentence but has been placed under de-facto house arrest in the city of Jinan , preventing him from joining his family in the capital Beijing where he calls home , according to advocacy organization China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group .
Wang was arrested during the so-called 709 crackdown that began on July 9 , 2015 , resulting in the arrests of hundreds of human rights lawyers and activists .
In December 2018 , Wang was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trial Amnesty International called a `` cruel charade '' and was sentenced in January of last year to four and a half years in prison .
The China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group said in a statement that Chinese authorities have used the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to prevent him from joining his family in defiance of Chinese law that says he should be returned upon his release to his main residential address .
The advocacy group said this tactic is an attempt to isolate Wang and has been used against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was released in February 2019 but is still under house arrest in Henan .
Ortagus also called for the release of human rights lawyers Li Yuhan and Yu Wensheng as well as `` other Chinese citizens who are in detention simply for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms in pursuit of a more equitable and just society , govern by the rule of law . ''
The Trump administration has repeatedly issued warnings against China for its human rights situation .
In the past few months , the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such abuses against its Muslim population in its northwestern Xinjiang province and against protesters in Hong Kong .

Li Wenzu (out of frame) holds up a mobile phone showing a photo of her husband, human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, who was arrested in July 2015, in Beijing, China. Photo by How Hwee Young/EPA-EFE
April 21 (UPI) -- In its latest rebuff against Beijing's human rights record, the Trump administration has called on China to lift restrictions of movement on prominent lawyer Wang Quanzhang who was recently released from prison. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Monday that the United States urges China to allow Wang's freedom of movement, including the ability to join his family in Beijing, following his years of "unjust detention." Advertisement
"We remain very concerned about reports of his declining physical and mental health, and of his mistreatment in prison," Ortagus said.
Wang, 44, was released from prison on April 5 after completing his sentence but has been placed under de-facto house arrest in the city of Jinan, preventing him from joining his family in the capital Beijing where he calls home, according to advocacy organization China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group.
Wang was arrested during the so-called 709 crackdown that began on July 9, 2015, resulting in the arrests of hundreds of human rights lawyers and activists.
In December 2018, Wang was found guilty of subverting state power during a trial Amnesty International called a "cruel charade" and was sentenced in January of last year to four and a half years in prison.
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The China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group said in a statement that Chinese authorities have used the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to prevent him from joining his family in defiance of Chinese law that says he should be returned upon his release to his main residential address.
The advocacy group said this tactic is an attempt to isolate Wang and has been used against other such lawyers, including Jiang Tianyon, who was released in February 2019 but is still under house arrest in Henan.
Ortagus also called for the release of human rights lawyers Li Yuhan and Yu Wensheng as well as "other Chinese citizens who are in detention simply for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms in pursuit of a more equitable and just society, govern by the rule of law."
The Trump administration has repeatedly issued warnings against China for its human rights situation. In the past few months, the United States has moved to punish Beijing for committing such abuses against its Muslim population in its northwestern Xinjiang province and against protesters in Hong Kong.


upi--2020-04-21--Trump to suspend U.S. immigration in fight against COVID-19

April 20 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump said late Monday that he will suspend immigration to the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trump announced the temporary suspension will be invoked through an executive order to prevent further spread of the coronavirus and protect jobs as millions apply for unemployment benefits while businesses shutter under government lockdowns .
`` In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy , as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens , I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the tweet .
He did not say when the order would be issued or how long it will last .
The legal basis and reasoning behind the order were also not made clear .
The announcement came hours after the president held a coronavirus task force briefing where his administration explained the instructions given to state governors for the gradual reopening of their economies without mention of a possible immigration ban .
Trump has previously exercised his executive powers amid the pandemic to restrict entry to the United States for asylum seekers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing `` grave public health consequences of mass uncontrolled cross-border movement , '' Trump announced he was closing the U.S. borders to Mexico and Canada for all but essential travel .
Migrants captured unlawfully crossing into the United States at either crossing would be sent back without detention or processing to whichever North American nation they entered from .
Trump has already banned travel to the United States from Europe , Britain , Ireland , Iran and China due to the threat of COVID-19 .
The first travel restriction , instituted against China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time with criticism from the Asian nation and the World Health Organization , but the president has championed the restriction as having prevented further spread of the virus within the United States .
Since the first person in the United States was diagnosed with the coronavirus in late January , the virus has spread exponentially within the country , infecting nearly 800,000 Americans and killing more than 42,300 , according to a case tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University .
Some 22 million Americans applied for unemployment last month as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off or found themselves without work due to lockdowns restricting which businesses may operate .
The immigration suspension is expected to attract widespread criticism from Democrats , and Rep. Joaquin Castro , D-Texas , swiftly condemned it via Twitter as an attempt to exploit the global health crisis .
`` This action is not only an attempt to divert attention away from Trump 's failure to stop the spread of the coronavirus and save lives , but an authoritarian-like move to take advantage of a crisis and advance his anti-immigrant agenda , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Hispanic Caucus and vice chairman of the House foreign affairs committee .
Rep. Judy Chu , D-Calif. , derided the move on Twitter as `` an insult to the millions of immigrants '' risking their lives as essential workers , a sentiment shared by Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York and chairman of the House judiciary committee .
`` We need to come together to beat this disease , not attack each other and divide the country , '' he said .
`` This is a disgrace -- demonizing so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front lines against COVID while the President shows himself as small and ineffective . ''

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said late Monday that he will suspend immigration to the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump announced the temporary suspension will be invoked through an executive order to prevent further spread of the coronavirus and protect jobs as millions apply for unemployment benefits while businesses shutter under government lockdowns. Advertisement
"In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration to the United States!" he said in the tweet.
He did not say when the order would be issued or how long it will last. The legal basis and reasoning behind the order were also not made clear.
Advertisement In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2020
The announcement came hours after the president held a coronavirus task force briefing where his administration explained the instructions given to state governors for the gradual reopening of their economies without mention of a possible immigration ban.
Trump has previously exercised his executive powers amid the pandemic to restrict entry to the United States for asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants.
In March, citing "grave public health consequences of mass uncontrolled cross-border movement," Trump announced he was closing the U.S. borders to Mexico and Canada for all but essential travel. Migrants captured unlawfully crossing into the United States at either crossing would be sent back without detention or processing to whichever North American nation they entered from.
Trump has already banned travel to the United States from Europe, Britain, Ireland, Iran and China due to the threat of COVID-19.
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The first travel restriction, instituted against China in late January, was met at the time with criticism from the Asian nation and the World Health Organization, but the president has championed the restriction as having prevented further spread of the virus within the United States.
Since the first person in the United States was diagnosed with the coronavirus in late January, the virus has spread exponentially within the country, infecting nearly 800,000 Americans and killing more than 42,300, according to a case tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University.
Some 22 million Americans applied for unemployment last month as increasing numbers of people have been laid off or found themselves without work due to lockdowns restricting which businesses may operate.
The immigration suspension is expected to attract widespread criticism from Democrats, and Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, swiftly condemned it via Twitter as an attempt to exploit the global health crisis.
"This action is not only an attempt to divert attention away from Trump's failure to stop the spread of the coronavirus and save lives, but an authoritarian-like move to take advantage of a crisis and advance his anti-immigrant agenda," said Castro, who is chairman of the House Hispanic Caucus and vice chairman of the House foreign affairs committee.
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Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., derided the move on Twitter as "an insult to the millions of immigrants" risking their lives as essential workers, a sentiment shared by Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York and chairman of the House judiciary committee.
"We need to come together to beat this disease, not attack each other and divide the country," he said. "This is a disgrace -- demonizing so many of those who are serving on the front lines against COVID while the President shows himself as small and ineffective."


upi--2020-04-21--South Korean president's office: No signs Kim Jong Un in dire health

SEOUL , April 21 ( UPI ) -- As reports swirl claiming that Kim Jong Un is in dire health , South Korea 's presidential Blue House said Tuesday that there have been no unusual signs about the North Korean leader 's condition .
`` There has been nothing to confirm regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 's health anomalies recently reported by some media , and so far no unusual activities have been identified inside North Korea , '' Blue House spokesman Kang Min-seok said in a text message sent to reporters .
A report on Monday by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that receives information from sources inside North Korea , claimed that Kim was under treatment at a hospital after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure .
Citing an unnamed source , the article said Kim underwent the procedure on April 12 at the Hyangsan Clinic , a private hospital for the Kim family in North Pyongyan Province , as a result of `` excessive smoking , obesity and overwork . ''
The North Korean leader was reported to be in recovery following the procedure in a villa near the hospital .
After judging that Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the medical team treating him returned to Pyongyang on April 19 , the Daily NK report said .
CNN on Tuesday reported that Kim was in `` grave danger '' following surgery , citing an anonymous U.S. official .
Speculation has been rife about the North Korean leader 's health since he did not attend an annual ceremony observing the birth anniversary of founder Kim Il Sung on April 15 for the first time since he fully assumed power in 2012 .
Kim 's last reported public appearance came on April 11 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political bureau , during which he called for stricter measures to contain the coronavirus in North Korea .
He was not present at a meeting of North Korea 's legislature , the Supreme People 's Assembly , on the following day , and his presence was also not reported at the launch of several missiles on April 14 .

South Korean officials said Tuesday that there have been no indications of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un being in grave health as media reports have claimed. Photo by KCNA/EPA-EFE
SEOUL, April 21 (UPI) -- As reports swirl claiming that Kim Jong Un is in dire health, South Korea's presidential Blue House said Tuesday that there have been no unusual signs about the North Korean leader's condition. "There has been nothing to confirm regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's health anomalies recently reported by some media, and so far no unusual activities have been identified inside North Korea," Blue House spokesman Kang Min-seok said in a text message to reporters. Advertisement
A report on Monday by the Daily NK, a Seoul-based website that receives information from sources inside North Korea, claimed that Kim was under treatment at a hospital after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure.
Citing an unnamed source, the article said Kim underwent the procedure on April 12 at the Hyangsan Clinic, a private hospital for the Kim family in North Pyongyan Province, as a result of "excessive smoking, obesity and overwork."
The North Korean leader was reported to be in recovery following the procedure in a villa near the hospital. After judging that Kim's condition had improved, most of the medical team treating him returned to Pyongyang on April 19, the Daily NK report said.
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CNN on Tuesday reported that Kim was in "grave danger" following surgery, citing an anonymous U.S. official.
Speculation has been rife about the North Korean leader's health since he did not attend an annual ceremony observing the birth anniversary of founder Kim Il Sung on April 15 for the first time since he fully assumed power in 2012.
Kim's last reported public appearance came on April 11 at a meeting of the ruling party's political bureau, during which he called for stricter measures to contain the coronavirus in North Korea.
He was not present at a meeting of North Korea's legislature, the Supreme People's Assembly, on the following day, and his presence was also not reported at the launch of several missiles on April 14.


upi--2020-04-20--Jacksonville Jaguars release veteran WR Marqise Lee

April 20 ( UPI ) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars parted ways with former second-round pick and oft-injured wide receiver Marqise Lee , the team announced Monday .
Lee , who turned 28 in November , was scheduled to earn a base salary of $ 6.25 million and count $ 8.75 million against the cap in 2020 , according to Spotrac .
The Jaguars saved about $ 5.25 million by releasing Lee , but the franchise will absorb $ 3.5 million in dead money .
The Jaguars selected Lee in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of USC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playmaker for Jacksonville in the 2016 season , posting career highs in receptions ( 63 ) , receiving yards ( 851 ) and total touchdowns ( five ) .
Lee followed up his breakout 2016 campaign with 56 catches for 702 yards and three receiving scores in 2017 .
His increased production over those two seasons landed him a four-year , $ 34 million contract with $ 16.5 million guaranteed .
Since signing that deal in March 2018 , Lee has played in only six games and recorded three catches for 18 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after suffering a torn ACL , MCL and PCL in his left knee during the preseason .
Lee appeared in six of the Jaguars ' first eight games last season , but a shoulder injury forced him to end the year on injured reserve .
He also missed nine combined games in the 2014 and 2015 seasons and two games in 2017 .
Since entering the league , Lee has notched 174 catches for 2,184 yards and eight touchdowns in 59 career games with the Jaguars .
Jacksonville also announced the release of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee played in only six games last season because of a shoulder injury. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars parted ways with former second-round pick and oft-injured wide receiver Marqise Lee, the team announced Monday. Lee, who turned 28 in November, was scheduled to earn a base salary of $6.25 million and count $8.75 million against the cap in 2020, according to Spotrac. The Jaguars saved about $5.25 million by releasing Lee, but the franchise will absorb $3.5 million in dead money. Advertisement
The Jaguars selected Lee in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of USC. The veteran wideout was a dynamic playmaker for Jacksonville in the 2016 season, posting career highs in receptions (63), receiving yards (851) and total touchdowns (five).
Lee followed up his breakout 2016 campaign with 56 catches for 702 yards and three receiving scores in 2017. His increased production over those two seasons landed him a four-year, $34 million contract with $16.5 million guaranteed.
Since signing that deal in March 2018, Lee has played in only six games and recorded three catches for 18 yards. He missed the entire 2018 season after suffering a torn ACL, MCL and PCL in his left knee during the preseason.
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Lee appeared in six of the Jaguars' first eight games last season, but a shoulder injury forced him to end the year on injured reserve. He also missed nine combined games in the 2014 and 2015 seasons and two games in 2017.
Since entering the league, Lee has notched 174 catches for 2,184 yards and eight touchdowns in 59 career games with the Jaguars.
We have waived WR Marqise Lee and RB Taj McGowan. pic.twitter.com/ArxyFrAEqu— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) April 20, 2020
Jacksonville also announced the release of running back Taj McGowan on Monday.


upi--2020-04-21--Death toll in Canadian mass shooting raised to 23

April 21 ( UPI ) -- The death toll from the weekend 's mass shooting at multiple locations across Nova Scotia , Canada , increased to 22 in a Tuesday update by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police .
A news release from the RCMP said the toll went up after discovering remains inside some of the structure fires the suspect set during the multi-site shooting .
Police initially reported 19 victims in the attack , which began Saturday and continued into Sunday .
Among the victims was an unborn baby and a 17-year-old girl .
The suspected gunman , Gabriel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police in Enfield .
The RCMP confirmed the shooting involved victims known to Wortman and took place across 16 separate locations in Portapique , Wentworth , Desert , Shubenacadie/Milford and Enfield .
The suspect set fires at five structures .
Among the dead was Constable Heidi Stevenson , a 23-year veteran of the RCMP .
Constable Chad Morrison also was injured in the shooting .
`` Our thoughts are with all of the victims ' families and we are particularly mindful of families who have not yet received confirmation that their loved ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident that has resulted in incredible loss and heartbreak for countless families and loved ones , '' RCMP Nova Scotia said in a Facebook post .
Officials said they 're investigating a motive for the attack and how Wortman gained access to an RCMP uniform and vehicle .

April 21 (UPI) -- The death toll from the weekend's mass shooting at multiple locations across Nova Scotia, Canada, increased to 22 in a Tuesday update by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
A news release from the RCMP said the toll went up after discovering remains inside some of the structure fires the suspect set during the multi-site shooting. Police initially reported 19 victims in the attack, which began Saturday and continued into Sunday.
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Among the victims was an unborn baby and a 17-year-old girl.
The suspected gunman, Gabriel Wortman, died in a confrontation with police in Enfield.
The RCMP confirmed the shooting involved victims known to Wortman and took place across 16 separate locations in Portapique, Wentworth, Desert, Shubenacadie/Milford and Enfield. The suspect set fires at five structures.
Among the dead was Constable Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the RCMP. Constable Chad Morrison also was injured in the shooting.
"Our thoughts are with all of the victims' families and we are particularly mindful of families who have not yet received confirmation that their loved ones were involved. This is an unprecedented incident that has resulted in incredible loss and heartbreak for countless families and loved ones," RCMP Nova Scotia said in a Facebook post.
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Officials said they're investigating a motive for the attack and how Wortman gained access to an RCMP uniform and vehicle.


upi--2020-04-21--Pentagon awards $133M in N95 contracts to 3M, O&M Halyward and Honeywell

April 21 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon announced Tuesday that it is awarding $ 133 million to increase domestic production of N95 masks by over 39 million over the next 90 days .
Under the deal , 3M will receive $ 76 million , O & M Halyward will receive $ 29 million and Honeywell will receive $ 27.4 million to make the masks , which have been in short supply since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic .
According to the Department of Defense , the investment is intended to ensure the United States government `` gets dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs of the nation . ''
3M is contracted to provide 78 million units within six months , with an additional 13 million units per month by June , where O & M Halyward will add 25 million units within 6 months and an additional 12.5 million masks every month after .
Under the contract Honeywell will add 38 million units within six months and 12 million units per month after .
On Tuesday attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia sent a letter to 3M CEO and board Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight price gouging , saying their offices have been flooded with complaints about excessive prices for the respirators .
Also on Tuesday , National Nurses United , the largest union of nurses in the United States , protested at the White House to demand President Donald Trump `` use his authority under the Defense Production Act to order the mass production of PPE , including N95 respirators , face shields , gowns , gloves and shoe coverings , as well as ventilators and COVID-19 testing kits . ''
Earlier this month the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Aurora Industries to provide face masks for the Defense Logistics Agency and last week Battelle Industries was awarded a $ 415 million deal to decontaminate N95 respirators , increasing the number of times they can be used twentyfold .

Army 1st Lt. Liston Barber administers an N95 respirator fit test for Air Force 1st Lt. Jennifer Rossi, registered nurse, at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Friday. The Department of Defense on Tuesday awarded $133 million to three contractors to increase production of the masks. Photo by Jason W. Edwards/U.S. Army
April 21 (UPI) -- The Pentagon announced Tuesday that it is awarding $133 million to increase domestic production of N95 masks by over 39 million over the next 90 days. Under the deal, 3M will receive $76 million, O&M Halyward will receive $29 million and Honeywell will receive $27.4 million to make the masks, which have been in short supply since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
According to the Department of Defense, the investment is intended to ensure the United States government "gets dedicated long term industrial capacity to meet the needs of the nation."
3M is contracted to provide 78 million units within six months, with an additional 13 million units per month by June, where O&M Halyward will add 25 million units within 6 months and an additional 12.5 million masks every month after. Under the contract Honeywell will add 38 million units within six months and 12 million units per month after.
On Tuesday attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia sent a letter to 3M CEO and board Chairman Michael Romando calling on the company more to fight price gouging, saying their offices have been flooded with complaints about excessive prices for the respirators.
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Also on Tuesday, National Nurses United, the largest union of nurses in the United States, protested at the White House to demand President Donald Trump "use his authority under the Defense Production Act to order the mass production of PPE, including N95 respirators, face shields, gowns, gloves and shoe coverings, as well as ventilators and COVID-19 testing kits."
Earlier this month the Pentagon awarded an $86.4 million contract to Aurora Industries to provide face masks for the Defense Logistics Agency and last week Battelle Industries was awarded a $415 million deal to decontaminate N95 respirators, increasing the number of times they can be used twentyfold.


upi--2020-04-21--Patriots agree to trade retired TE Rob Gronkowski to Buccaneers

April 21 ( UPI ) -- The New England Patriots agreed to trade retired tight end Rob Gronkowski to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday , reuniting the four-time All-Pro with star quarterback Tom Brady .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that New England will receive a fourth-round pick in this week 's NFL Draft in exchange for Gronkowski and a seventh-round selection .
The teams have yet to confirm the deal , but Gronkowski has passed his physical for the Buccaneers .
Tampa Bay was the only team that Gronkowski was willing to end his retirement to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The five-time Pro Bowl pass-catcher , who turns 31 next month , has one year and a base salary of $ 9 million remaining on his current deal with the Patriots .
Gronkowski will honor his current contract , according to NFL Media , meaning he will play in 2020 on a one-year deal worth about $ 10 million .
`` He tells me he feels fantastic , the best he 's ever felt , '' Gronkowski 's agent , Drew Rosenhaus , said .
`` His weight 's back up to 260 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colors today .
He 's just really excited about playing football again , and being in Florida is exciting for him .
`` ...
Shortly after Tom Brady went to Tampa , Rob and I had a conversation that this is a situation that would be appealing to him .
Obviously this was a deal that New England had to feel good about , Tampa had to feel good about .
This was n't just about Rob .
All the parties involved had to be in agreement . ''
Gronkowski announced his retirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , after playing nine seasons alongside Brady in New England .
During his time with the Patriots , `` Gronk '' was one of the league 's most colorful personalities and won three Super Bowl championships .
The Patriots selected Gronkowski in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Arizona .
Since entering the league , he has recorded 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in 115 career regular-season games .
`` I 'm back .
I always said when I have that feeling and it feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the field again , '' Gronkowski said in a text message to FOX Sports on Tuesday .
`` And I have that feeling .
I 'm ready . ''
Brady , who signed a two-year , $ 50 million contract with the Buccaneers earlier in the off-season , will have multiple weapons to target this season following the acquisition of Gronkowski .
Tampa Bay already has O.J .
Howard and Cameron Brate at tight end along with Pro Bowl wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin .

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) will reunite with ex-Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in Tampa. Gronkowski played nine seasons alongside Brady in New England before retiring after the 2018 season. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- The New England Patriots agreed to trade retired tight end Rob Gronkowski to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday, reuniting the four-time All-Pro with star quarterback Tom Brady. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that New England will receive a fourth-round pick in this week's NFL Draft in exchange for Gronkowski and a seventh-round selection. The teams have yet to confirm the deal, but Gronkowski has passed his physical for the Buccaneers. Advertisement
Tampa Bay was the only team that Gronkowski was willing to end his retirement to play for, according to ESPN. The five-time Pro Bowl pass-catcher, who turns 31 next month, has one year and a base salary of $9 million remaining on his current deal with the Patriots.
Gronkowski will honor his current contract, according to NFL Media, meaning he will play in 2020 on a one-year deal worth about $10 million.
"He tells me he feels fantastic, the best he's ever felt," Gronkowski's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said. "His weight's back up to 260. He passed his physical with flying colors today. He's just really excited about playing football again, and being in Florida is exciting for him.
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"... Shortly after Tom Brady went to Tampa, Rob and I had a conversation that this is a situation that would be appealing to him. Obviously this was a deal that New England had to feel good about, Tampa had to feel good about. This wasn't just about Rob. All the parties involved had to be in agreement."
Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL on March 24, 2019, after playing nine seasons alongside Brady in New England. During his time with the Patriots, "Gronk" was one of the league's most colorful personalities and won three Super Bowl championships.
The Patriots selected Gronkowski in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Arizona. Since entering the league, he has recorded 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in 115 career regular-season games.
"I'm back. I always said when I have that feeling and it feels right, I will be ready to take the field again," Gronkowski said in a text message to FOX Sports on Tuesday. "And I have that feeling. I'm ready."
Brady, who signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Buccaneers earlier in the off-season, will have multiple weapons to target this season following the acquisition of Gronkowski. Tampa Bay already has O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate at tight end along with Pro Bowl wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.


upi--2020-04-21--USNS Comfort to depart from N.Y.; Andrew Cuomo says COVID-19 deaths still falling

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President Donald Trump announced the USNS Comfort Navy ship will depart from Pier 90 in New York City after meeting with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who said deaths and hospitalizations in the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic have declined. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump announced that the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort will leave New York City after meeting with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the White House on Tuesday. During a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Trump said that Cuomo agreed to allow the ship to depart from the state after requesting it be deployed to relieve hospitals from excess patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later to treat patients diagnosed with the virus. Advertisement
"We'll be bringing the ship back at the earliest time and we'll get it ready for it's next mission, which I'm sure will be a very important one also," Trump said.
Both Trump and Cuomo described the meeting as productive and the president said they discussed plans to double testing in the state in the next few weeks, making use of medical labs throughout the state.
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"We'll all work together to help hem secure additional tests and we hope that this model will work with other states as well," Trump said.
Cuomo said he asked Trump for help with the supply chain to expand testing and called for states and localities to receive federal aid in the coronavirus relief bill that was passed by the Senate on Tuesday.
"I stayed focused on what we were there to talk about and for me, the substantive agenda was testing -- who does what, how do we get it up to scale -- and somebody has to stand up for funding for states," he said. "You can talk about small businesses and airlines. How about police? How about fire? How about teachers? And how about funding the reopening?"
Ahead of the meeting, Cuomo reported fewer than 500 deaths in the state for the fifth straight day.
In a briefing in Buffalo, N.Y., Cuomo said coronavirus deaths, hospitalizations and other indicators in his state were flat or declining. He said the latest single-day death toll, Monday's, was 481. To date, there have been 14,347 COVID-19 deaths in New York state.
Cuomo said new hospitalizations fell for the eighth day in a row, to around 1,300 -- the lowest in three weeks. The number of those in a hospital also fell.
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"The current question now ... is how long is the descent and how steep is the descent?" he asked. "That's what we are trying to figure out."
Cuomo stopped in Buffalo en route to Washington for the meeting with Trump.
A Democrat, Cuomo has criticized the federal response to the crisis as chaotic and disorganized and bemoaned the lack of medical equipment and supplies. Other times, he's thanked Trump for intervening on New York's behalf.
Trump has attacked Cuomo and made conciliatory comments. At his daily briefing on Monday, the president played edited video clips of Cuomo that were complimentary of Trump's efforts.
Nationally, the coronavirus death toll approached 43,000 Tuesday and the caseload close to 800,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been nearly 74,000 recoveries.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday that a lack of consistent federal help spurred him to create the city's own stockpile of medical equipment.
"We have watched in the last few weeks that when we called for our federal government to help us, sometimes they responded, sometimes they didn't," he said. "We're not going to be fooled again."
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The new reserve will include 3,000 "bridge" ventilators from Boyce Technologies in Long Island City, N.Y., he said.
De Blasio also promised the city would stage one of its famous ticker-tape parades for front-line health workers once life returns to normal.
"We will honor those who saved us," he said.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday reported 42 new deaths, bringing the state's total since the beginning of the pandemic to more than 1,200.
State hospitals reported a 1.9 percent spike in new coronavirus patients on Sunday.
Newsom said the curve in new cases and deaths was "beginning to flatten, but it is still nonetheless rising."
"Deaths continue to rise, hospitalization numbers modestly continuing to rise and ICU numbers beginning to flatten," Newsom said. "But we're not seeing that downward trend we need to see in order to provide more clarity" on relaxing lockdown rules and reopening businesses.
In Louisiana, state health officials reported 77 new coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the state's total to 1,405, while the number of hospitalized patients rose slightly and the number of patients on ventilators fell.
Some 331 new coronavirus cases were identified, adding to the statewide total of nearly 25,000.
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In Michigan, state health officials said COVID-19 cases and deaths continued a recent decline on Monday.
They reported 576 new confirmed cases, pushing Michigan's total to 32,000. It was the lowest daily total since March 25. Deaths, meanwhile, numbered 77 -- the fewest since March 26.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-04-21--United Technologies Pratt & Whitney nabs $111.1M for F-35B propulsion systems

April 21 ( UPI ) -- United Technologies Pratt & Whitney received an $ 111.1 million contract modification Tuesday to deliver propulsion systems to the the Marine Corps , the Pentagon announced .
The deal , which modifies a contract originally awarded in March 2019 , provides for the delivery of four Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600 propulsion systems to be installed in F-35B short take-off and vertical landing aircraft .
Work on the deal will be divided between East Hartford , Conn. , Indianapolis , Ind.
, and Bristol , United Kingdom and is expected to be complete by July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that it has delivered eight F-35B Lightning IIs to the Marine Aircraft Wing 's Marine Fight Attack Squadron 121 ( VFMA-121 ) in Iwakuni , Japan .
According to the Marine Corps , VFMA-121 permanently relocated from Yuma , Ariz. , to Iwakuni in 2017 after becoming the Marine Corps ' first operational F-35B squadron in 2012 .
`` Through actions like these , 3rd MAW helps equip our comrades forward-deployed in Japan with the newest and most lethal equipment .
These brand new aircraft were transferred to 1st MAW upon arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force has the most capable jets in the world , '' Lt. Col. John Dirk , commanding officer of VMFA-122 said of the delivery of the new aircraft , which were delivered shortly after completing production .

The Marine Crops announced this week that is has delivered eight F-35B Lightning IIs to the Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Fight Attack Squadron 121 (VFMA-121) in Iwakuni, Japan. Photo by John Hall/U.S. Marine Corps
April 21 (UPI) -- United Technologies Pratt & Whitney received an $111.1 million contract modification Tuesday to deliver propulsion systems to the the Marine Corps, the Pentagon announced. The deal, which modifies a contract originally awarded in March 2019, provides for the delivery of four Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-600 propulsion systems to be installed in F-35B short take-off and vertical landing aircraft. Advertisement
Work on the deal will be divided between East Hartford, Conn., Indianapolis, Ind., and Bristol, United Kingdom and is expected to be complete by July 2022.
On Tuesday the Marine Corps announced that it has delivered eight F-35B Lightning IIs to the Marine Aircraft Wing's Marine Fight Attack Squadron 121 (VFMA-121) in Iwakuni, Japan.
According to the Marine Corps, VFMA-121 permanently relocated from Yuma, Ariz., to Iwakuni in 2017 after becoming the Marine Corps' first operational F-35B squadron in 2012.
"Through actions like these, 3rd MAW helps equip our comrades forward-deployed in Japan with the newest and most lethal equipment. These brand new aircraft were transferred to 1st MAW upon arrival, ensuring that our 'Fight Tonight' force has the most capable jets in the world," Lt. Col. John Dirk, commanding officer of VMFA-122 said of the delivery of the new aircraft, which were delivered shortly after completing production.
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upi--2020-04-21--U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic

U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic

The novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , pandemic is spreading across the United States .
People are discouraged ( even banned @ @ @ @ @ large gatherings , public spaces are closed , store shelves are empty , with long @ @ @ @ @ and travel is limited .
Here are some scenes from across America .

Bass Pro Shops marketing manager David Smith (R) carries a box of donated face masks into Mercy Health in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 13. The company is donating 1 million FDA-approved ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Masks to healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI


upi--2020-04-21--Senate passes $484B coronavirus aid deal

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Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell praised the bill's passage but criticized Democrats for seeking to add funding beyond the Paycheck Protection Program. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- The Senate on Tuesday passed a $484 billion coronavirus aid bill that President Donald Trump is expected to sign. The bill passed by a unanimous vote that will send it to the House for a vote expected by Thursday. Advertisement
The measure includes another $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program. The PPP, initially set up to provide $350 billion in loans to small businesses to survive the coronavirus crisis, ran out of money last week. In this round, $60 billion of the funding is specifically set aside for underbanked businesses.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky wanted to provide $250 billion in additional general funding for PPP alone. Democrats sought to prioritize underbanked businesses, and fought for additional funding for hospitals and local governments to be included in the deal.
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The deal also includes $60 billion in economic disaster assistance loans and grants, $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for coronavirus testing. Out of the testing funds, $11 billion is set aside for states while the federal government will also get some of the funding.
"Congressional Democrats are proud to have secured an agreement on an interim emergency funding package that has been transformed to provide real support for the lives and livelihoods of the American people," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer of New York said in a joint statement.
The relief comes on top of the $2.3 trillion Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act passed last month to help Americans and the U.S. economy recover from the coronavirus crisis.
More than a dozen companies with hundreds of millions in annual revenues received loans under the PPP and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the department would explain the certification and give companies the opportunity to pay back the loan, as Shake Shack did on Sunday night.
"We will give people the benefit of the doubt, we're going to put an FAQ out to explain the certification," Mnuchin said during a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force. "If you pay back the loan right away, you won't have liability to the [Small Business Adminsitration] and to Treasury but there are severe consequences to people who don't test properly for this certification."
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McConnell issued a statement praising the additional funding for the PPP section of the CARES Act.
"I am encouraged that Democratic leaders have finally agreed to reopen the Paycheck Protection Program and abandon a number of their unrelated demands," McConnell said.
"In a week-plus while our Democratic colleagues delayed the urgent PPP funds, additional federal help for hospitals and healthcare providers became urgent as well," McConnell added. "Republicans have always supported more medical funding as soon as necessary and I am proud this package will provide roughly $75 billion more to fund hospitals and healthcare providers in this crisis."
McConnell also thanked Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who both worked with Mnuchin on resolving issues in the bill's passage, for negotiating the additional $25 billion for COVID-19 testing.
Trump is expected to sign the bill into law.
"I urged the House to pass the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act with additional funding for PPP, hospitals and testing," Trump tweeted. "After I sign this bill, we will begin discussions on the next legislative initiative with fiscal relief."
Mnuchin said he expects this bill will provide the last injection required to provide loans for small buissnesses.
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"We would expect this is the last traunch but obviously we can reconsider that but this is a lot of money going out," he said.
He added, however, a "phase four" coronavirus stimulus bill focused on infrastructure as well as incentives for restaurants, sports teams and other entertainment businesses, a payroll tax cut, and funding for states will "most likely" be required.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-04-21--Attack on WHO vehicle kills Myanmar driver transporting COVID-19 samples

Pope Francis , isolated in front of an empty square from the sagrato of St. Peter 's Basilica in St. @ @ @ @ @ City , offers an extraordinary moment of prayer in time of pandemic , the adoration @ @ @ @ @ on March 27 .
The `` Salus Populi Romani '' icon and the crucifix of @ @ @ @ @ in front of the central door of the basilica .
Vatican media broadcast the ceremony @ @ @ @ @ it could also be followed in several languages on Facebook and YouTube .
Photo by @ @ @

April 21 (UPI) -- An attack on a World Health Organization vehicle transporting coronavirus samples in Myanmar left one aid worker dead, the United Nations said Tuesday.
The attack happened Monday in Minbya Township in the western Rakhine state, which has seen years of violence against the ethnic Rohingya.
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The Myanmar driver, Pyae Sone Win Maung, was transporting samples for COVID-19 testing along with a Ministry of Health and Sports official, who was injured.
A U.N. spokesman said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack.
"The secretary-general expresses his condolences to the family of the deceased and wishes a swift recovery to the injured," the statement said. "He calls for a full and transparent investigation into the incident and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice."
A statement on behalf of 16 humanitarian organizations said the violence demonstrates the growing need for a cease-fire in the region.
"The ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin States between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army is causing an increasing number of civilian casualties, while severely hampering access to healthcare as well as other efforts to reach communities with much needed assistance in the midst of a global pandemic," the statement said.
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"Across the globe and in Myanmar, millions of frontline health workers, humanitarian staff and other key workers are trying to contain the spread of the COVID 19 virus."
In addition to the cease-fire, the organizations asked for unfettered access to Rakhine state or humanitarian and healthcare workers.
Those signing the statement included Action Contre La Faim MA-UK, CARE International Mercy Corps, CDN-ZOA Norwegian Refugee Council, Christian Aid Oxfam, Danish Refugee Council Save the Children, Humanity and Inclusion Solidarites International, International Rescue Committee Triangle Generation Humaniaire, and Lutheran World Federation World Vision International.
Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19


upi--2020-04-21--New stop-movement order will allow some soldiers to change station

April 21 ( UPI ) -- Army officials say they will allow hundreds of soldiers to make scheduled permanent-change-of-station moves later this year following less-restrictive measures approved in the Pentagon 's extended stop-movement order .
The Department of Defense announced Saturday that it had extended travel restrictions affecting military personnel and their families through June 30 as part of its efforts to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic .
But the new travel order , which was officially released Monday , includes exemptions for service members receiving new assignments that are deemed essential to the DoD 's mission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new permanent changes of station this summer , according to Stars & Stripes .
Just how many will be covered under the exemption is not clear , but Seamands did say those soldiers who have been stuck in limbo after the initial stop-movement order was issued in March will be among those exempted .
`` If you were at Fort Hood , and you were out-processing and getting ready to go to Korea and then the stop-movement happened , you 've been remaining in place , '' Seamands said in a Tuesday telephone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do is get those people kind of in limbo to be able to move on to their next location . ''
Under the new order , new Army recruits will be screened for symptoms and possible exposure to COVID-19 for two weeks in advance of their ship date .

Army officials say some soldiers will be exempt from restrictions on travel affecting service members and their families, allowing them to go forward with permanent-change-of-station assignments. Photo by Amaani Lyle/ U.S.Air Force
April 21 (UPI) -- Army officials say they will allow hundreds of soldiers to make scheduled permanent-change-of-station moves later this year following less-restrictive measures approved in the Pentagon's extended stop-movement order. The Department of Defense announced Saturday that it had extended travel restrictions affecting military personnel and their families through June 30 as part of its efforts to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
But the new travel order, which was officially released Monday, includes exemptions for service members receiving new assignments that are deemed essential to the DoD's mission.
About 48,000 soldiers are on orders to new permanent changes of station this summer, according to Stars & Stripes.
Just how many will be covered under the exemption is not clear, but Seamands did say those soldiers who have been stuck in limbo after the initial stop-movement order was issued in March will be among those exempted.
"If you were at Fort Hood, and you were out-processing and getting ready to go to Korea and then the stop-movement happened, you've been remaining in place," Seamands said in a Tuesday telephone briefing. "What we want to do is get those people kind of in limbo to be able to move on to their next location."
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Under the new order, new Army recruits will be screened for symptoms and possible exposure to COVID-19 for two weeks in advance of their ship date.


upi--2020-04-21--CDC to implement contact tracing initiative to bolster COVID-19 response

April 21 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration announced plans on Tuesday to send teams working under the direction of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to all 50 states to conduct COVID-19 contact tracing .
Administration officials said that CDC teams would be conducting surveillance on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 , the coronavirus that has caused the global COVID-19 pandemic .
The teams will be tracking individuals who have been in close contact with people confirmed to have the disease so that they can be tested and , if necessary , quarantined and treated .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will want to test their close contacts or people who they may be working with in close proximity to see if anyone else has the virus , '' Dr. Brandon Brown , an associate professor at the Center for Healthy Communities in the Department of Social Medicine , Population and Public Health at the University of California-Riverside , told UPI on Tuesday .
`` Contact tracing is just one tool we have in the COVID-19 prevention toolkit that can be used with limited tests , '' he added .
More than 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been tested for the virus so far , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University , and more than 800,000 people have received positive tests for the disease .
Since the disease first emerged domestically in early February , however , shortfalls in supplies of testing kits and labs capable of processing samples have been a cause for concern .
Reports suggest the CDC will be using members of its staff , in addition to private contractors , to assist state and local health departments in the efforts .
While the concept of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , the concept is well-established as a public health approach to contain outbreaks of infectious diseases .
Workers contact sick individuals and anyone they have been in contact with in order to isolate them and prevent the spread of the virus .
Richard Serino , distinguished visiting fellow at Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health 's National Preparedness Leadership Initiative and a deputy minister at the Federal Emergency Management Agency under President Barack Obama , said during a conference call with reporters on Monday that the approach may help limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures in the United States are lifted .
`` Test , trace and isolate is the mantra , '' he said .
`` But it 's not going to be one thing that 's going to get us through this crisis . ''
While the approach has the potential to infringe on on personal privacy , several countries -- including China , South Korea and Israel -- have already used technology to assist in tracking efforts as part of their surveillance .
Israel , for example , in March passed an emergency law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone data to track people infected with COVID-19 -- and to identify and quarantine others they come in contact with .
Going a step further , Chile announced plans to issue `` immunity passports '' to people who have tested positive for the disease and recovered , so that they can return to normal activities .
`` If we can overcome the privacy concerns , there 's a good possibility you could see something like that here , '' Serino said .
Dr. Anthony Fauci this month suggested a method of identifying people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be useful in the United States .
Apple and Google are already working together to use phone location data to help people track if they 've been near an infected person .
Both ideas , however , carry controversy .
`` These are great ideas and tools to use to help track cases in the community and find those who may have been exposed to infection , '' Brown added .
`` But I know many people are concerned with others knowing exactly where they are in the world by following where we @ @ @ @ @

A patient waits to receive a COVID-19 test at a testing site run by George Washington University Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic in Washington, D.C., at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- The Trump administration announced plans on Tuesday to send teams working under the direction of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to all 50 states to conduct COVID-19 contact tracing. Administration officials said that CDC teams would be conducting surveillance on the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that has caused the global COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
The teams will be tracking individuals who have been in close contact with people confirmed to have the disease so that they can be tested and, if necessary, quarantined and treated.
"If someone tests positive for COVID-19, we will want to test their close contacts or people who they may be working with in close proximity to see if anyone else has the virus," Dr. Brandon Brown, an associate professor at the Center for Healthy Communities in the Department of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health at the University of California-Riverside, told UPI on Tuesday.
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"Contact tracing is just one tool we have in the COVID-19 prevention toolkit that can be used with limited tests," he added.
More than 4 million people in the United States have been tested for the virus so far, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University, and more than 800,000 people have received positive tests for the disease.
Since the disease first emerged domestically in early February, however, shortfalls in supplies of testing kits and labs capable of processing samples have been a cause for concern.
Reports suggest the CDC will be using members of its staff, in addition to private contractors, to assist state and local health departments in the efforts.
While the concept of contact tracing may be new to many Americans, the concept is well-established as a public health approach to contain outbreaks of infectious diseases. Workers contact sick individuals and anyone they have been in contact with in order to isolate them and prevent the spread of the virus.
Richard Serino, distinguished visiting fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's National Preparedness Leadership Initiative and a deputy minister at the Federal Emergency Management Agency under President Barack Obama, said during a conference call with reporters on Monday that the approach may help limit future outbreaks of COVID-19 once social distancing measures in the United States are lifted.
Advertisement
"Test, trace and isolate is the mantra," he said. "But it's not going to be one thing that's going to get us through this crisis."
While the approach has the potential to infringe on on personal privacy, several countries -- including China, South Korea and Israel -- have already used technology to assist in tracking efforts as part of their surveillance.
Israel, for example, in March passed an emergency law enabling its health officials to use mobile phone data to track people infected with COVID-19 -- and to identify and quarantine others they come in contact with.
Going a step further, Chile announced plans to issue "immunity passports" to people who have tested positive for the disease and recovered, so that they can return to normal activities.
"If we can overcome the privacy concerns, there's a good possibility you could see something like that here," Serino said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci this month suggested a method of identifying people who have recovered or are vaccinated could be useful in the United States. Apple and Google are already working together to use phone location data to help people track if they've been near an infected person. Both ideas, however, carry controversy.
Advertisement
"These are great ideas and tools to use to help track cases in the community and find those who may have been exposed to infection," Brown added. "But I know many people are concerned with others knowing exactly where they are in the world by following where we move via phone."


upi--2020-04-21--White House on President Donald Trump blocking migrants: 'Action is necessary'

President Donald Trump appears at a White House coronavirus briefing Monday. Later, he tweeted that he will sign an executive order soon temporarily barring U.S. entry to immigrants as a method to stem the spread of the disease. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- A plan by President Donald Trump to temporarily close off U.S. borders to migrants during the coronavirus crisis has stirred criticism and confusion about how and when it will be implemented. Administration officials met Tuesday to begin crafting the language of the president's executive order, which he announced in a tweet late Monday. Senior White House officials and legal experts conferred at the White House to iron out the details of the plan, The Washington Post and CNN reported. Advertisement
Trump said the move to suspend immigration is focused to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease and "protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens."
During a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Trump said the ban will remain in effect for 60 days at which point he will evaluate the need for any extension based on economic conditions at the time. He added the order would apply only to individuals seeking a permanent residency in the United States.
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"By pausing immigration we will help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens," he said.
Trump said the order is being drafted and would likely be signed on Wednesday. The legal grounds for the order were not immediately clear.
"President Trump is committed to protecting the health and economic well-being of American citizens as we face unprecedented times," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Tuesday.
"As President Trump has said, 'Decades of record immigration have produced lower wages and higher unemployment for our citizens, especially for African-American and Latino workers.' At a time when Americans are looking to get back to work, action is necessary."
Trump also said the administration will examine implementing additional immigration restrictions moving forward.
"We want to protect our U.S. workers and I think as we move forward we will become more and more protective of them," Trump said.
The plan has drawn criticism from some who argue Trump is using the coronavirus crisis to try for his promised "Muslim ban." Prior efforts to bar U.S. entry to certain refugees and visitors have met with resistance in federal court.
"This is not about the policy. It is about the message the president wants to send," Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, tweeted. "He wants people to turn against 'the other.'
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"And, regardless of the valuable contributions immigrants are making to the response and recovery, he sees immigrants as the easiest to blame."
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries called Trump the "xenophobe in chief" while Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, said the order is an "authoritarian-like move" to take advantage of the crisis and advance an "anti-immigrant agenda."
The Cato Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, said Trump's move "doesn't make sense" as a means to fight the virus because it's "based on a misconception."
"There is no correlation between immigrant share of a county's population in the United States and its rate of cases or deaths from COVID-19," the institute said in a statement, adding that other research has previously proven travel bans are ineffective at stopping spread of the coronavirus.
In another tweet Tuesday, Trump lauded his administration's handling of the national health emergency.
"Ninety-six percent approval rating in the Republican Party," he wrote. "This must also mean that, most importantly, we are doing a good (great) job in the handling of the pandemic."
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-04-21--Active older veterans more likely to fall, less likely to get hurt

Physically active U.S. veterans are more likely to fall but less likely to get hurt when they do , compared with inactive older adults who did n't serve in the military , a new study finds .
Researchers analyzed 2006-2015 data from nearly 12,000 veterans and nearly 37,000 others .
Compared to non-veterans , vets had 11 percent more falls that did n't result in injuries , but 28 percent fewer falls that did , the study revealed .
The risk of falls increased more with age for vets than for others , but physical activity was more protective against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study published recently in the Journal of Applied Gerontology .
`` The inference is that being active puts you at more risk for a fall , but if you are more active/in shape , the fall is more likely to be a minor one and not a serious one resulting in injury , '' said study author Geoffrey Hoffman , an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Michigan .
`` A worthwhile trade-off , arguably , '' he said in a university news release .
Hoffman said there 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings apply to all active men or just to vets , who are more likely to be active than non-veterans .
This type of research is important because of the need to identify a suitable balance between activity and fall risk as people age , he said .
`` Personally , I 'd rather not be the older adult who feels it 's best to always sit on my couch because I 'm too afraid of having a fall , so that when I do fall , it 's really serious , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mental health risks for older adults , including diabetes , obesity , high blood pressure , social isolation and depression .
`` In an ideal world , we 'd hope that you could get the benefits of being active , such as well-being , fitness and happiness , while avoiding all risk and having no falls , '' Hoffman said .
It could be that when a person is active , a fall is n't as risky because that person is in better shape , even when being more active marginally increases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he suggested .
`` That 's important , I think , '' Hoffman said .
`` A good trade-off can be made : more activity and independence at the cost of some more minor falls .
It 's up to each older individual with the input of family caregivers to weigh those trade-offs . ''
The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about exercise and physical activity .

Physically active U.S. veterans are more likely to fall but less likely to get hurt when they do, compared with inactive older adults who didn't serve in the military, a new study finds.
Researchers analyzed 2006-2015 data from nearly 12,000 veterans and nearly 37,000 others. Compared to non-veterans, vets had 11 percent more falls that didn't result in injuries, but 28 percent fewer falls that did, the study revealed.
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The risk of falls increased more with age for vets than for others, but physical activity was more protective against non-injury falls for veterans, according to the study published recently in the Journal of Applied Gerontology.
"The inference is that being active puts you at more risk for a fall, but if you are more active/in shape, the fall is more likely to be a minor one and not a serious one resulting in injury," said study author Geoffrey Hoffman, an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Michigan.
"A worthwhile trade-off, arguably," he said in a university news release.
Hoffman said there's not enough data to state conclusively if the findings apply to all active men or just to vets, who are more likely to be active than non-veterans.
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This type of research is important because of the need to identify a suitable balance between activity and fall risk as people age, he said.
"Personally, I'd rather not be the older adult who feels it's best to always sit on my couch because I'm too afraid of having a fall, so that when I do fall, it's really serious," Hoffman said.
Inactivity poses both physical and mental health risks for older adults, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, social isolation and depression.
"In an ideal world, we'd hope that you could get the benefits of being active, such as well-being, fitness and happiness, while avoiding all risk and having no falls," Hoffman said.
It could be that when a person is active, a fall isn't as risky because that person is in better shape, even when being more active marginally increases the risk of a nonserious spill, he suggested.
"That's important, I think," Hoffman said. "A good trade-off can be made: more activity and independence at the cost of some more minor falls. It's up to each older individual with the input of family caregivers to weigh those trade-offs."
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about exercise and physical activity.
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Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-21--Scripps National Spelling Bee cancels 2020 finals due to coronavirus

April 21 ( UPI ) -- Scripps National Spelling Bee officials on Tuesday canceled the 2020 national finals citing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The national finals were originally scheduled to be held in Maryland in May and officials last month suspended the national finals with plans to reschedule .
On Tuesday , though , organizers announced there was `` no clear path to safely set a new date '' in 2020 .
`` Our thoughts immediately go to our spellers and their families .
The students have dedicated time and effort to their passion for learning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spelling Bee 's executive director , said .
`` They should be proud of all they have accomplished by winning spelling bees at the classroom , school and regional level .
Nevertheless , our first priority has to be the health and well-being of our spellers and their families and the hundreds of staff and spectators that come together for Bee Week . ''
The Bee said it will recognize champions from more than 150 regional programs `` in the coming months . ''
This year is the first time the national finals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eight champions split the 2019 spelling bee title after tying for five consecutive rounds .

The Scripps National Spelling Bee on Tuesday announced that the 2020 finals will be canceled after saying there was no clear path to set a date for the competition this year due to the global coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- Scripps National Spelling Bee officials on Tuesday canceled the 2020 national finals citing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The national finals were originally scheduled to be held in Maryland in May and officials last month suspended the national finals with plans to reschedule. On Tuesday, though, organizers announced there was "no clear path to safely set a new date" in 2020. Advertisement
"Our thoughts immediately go to our spellers and their families. The students have dedicated time and effort to their passion for learning," Paige Kimble, the Scripps National Spelling Bee's executive director, said. "They should be proud of all they have accomplished by winning spelling bees at the classroom, school and regional level. Nevertheless, our first priority has to be the health and well-being of our spellers and their families and the hundreds of staff and spectators that come together for Bee Week."
The Bee said it will recognize champions from more than 150 regional programs "in the coming months."
This year is the first time the national finals have been canceled since World War II.
Eight champions split the 2019 spelling bee title after tying for five consecutive rounds.
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Each winner received a cash prize of $50,000.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker extended the closure of K-12 schools and non-emergency childcare programs through the end of the school year in an effort to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
The extended closures were issued through an emergency order, his office said in a statement, adding the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will issue guidelines for schools to support remote learning.
Massachusetts joins 36 other states, 3 U.S territories and the District of Columbia to have ordered or recommended school building closures for the rest of the academic calendar, according to Education Week.


upi--2020-04-21--FDA approves at-home COVID-19 test

FDA approves at-home COVID-19 test

April 21 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday approved a new test for COVID-19 that allows users to collect their own samples for evaluation , from the comfort of own homes .
The test , developed by the Laboratory Corporation of America , will be available in the next few weeks for people who have symptoms of the disease caused by the new coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2 , or those at risk for serious illness after infection .
Cleared for use after the FDA re-issued an Emergency Use Authorization , it is the first COVID-19 test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' using LabCorp 's Pixel home collection kit .
`` This is one more test that 's available and it has the added benefit of allowing people to test themselves from the safety of their own homes , without having to travel to a clinic or drive-through testing site , '' Dr. Bobbi Pritt , a professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at the Mayo Clinic and a member of the microbiology committee at the College of American Pathologists , told UPI .
More than 4 million Americans have already been tested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving positive results , according to estimates by researchers at Johns Hopkins University .
Most public health specialists agree , however , that more people need to be tested in order to understand the true scope of the outbreak across the country , and ultimately whether or not it 's safe to relax the social distancing restrictions that have been implemented in most communities .
The Pixel kit from LabCorp is just one of several new products that can be used to help expand testing capacity , Pritt said .
Like other available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a PCR molecular test that is designed to evaluate samples collected from the test-takers nose , with a specially developed swab .
`` It looks a lot like a Q-tip , but it is designed to be used specifically for this test , '' Pritt said .
Due to concerns with sterility and other issues with conventional cotton swabs , other commercially available swabs should not be used with this test at the present time , the FDA added .
Once users have collected their nasal sample , they mail it , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kit , to a LabCorp lab for testing .
LabCorp plans to make the kits available to consumers in most states , with a doctor 's order .
At present , most clinicians across the country are reserving testing for those who have symptoms or who may have been exposed to people with confirmed COVID-19 as well as those who would `` require a change in clinical management '' based on the results , Pritt said .
This latter group includes those at risk for serious illness after infection , such as people @ @ @ @ @

People wears masks as they sit on a bench in downtown Annapolis, Md., amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday approved a new test for COVID-19 that allows users to collect their own samples for evaluation, from the comfort of own homes. The test, developed by the Laboratory Corporation of America, will be available in the next few weeks for people who have symptoms of the disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, or those at risk for serious illness after infection. Advertisement
Cleared for use after the FDA re-issued an Emergency Use Authorization, it is the first COVID-19 test kit with a "home collection option" using LabCorp's Pixel home collection kit.
"This is one more test that's available and it has the added benefit of allowing people to test themselves from the safety of their own homes, without having to travel to a clinic or drive-through testing site," Dr. Bobbi Pritt, a professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at the Mayo Clinic and a member of the microbiology committee at the College of American Pathologists, told UPI.
More than 4 million Americans have already been tested for the virus, with at least 800,000 receiving positive results, according to estimates by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
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Most public health specialists agree, however, that more people need to be tested in order to understand the true scope of the outbreak across the country, and ultimately whether or not it's safe to relax the social distancing restrictions that have been implemented in most communities.
The Pixel kit from LabCorp is just one of several new products that can be used to help expand testing capacity, Pritt said. Like other available tests for the virus, it is a PCR molecular test that is designed to evaluate samples collected from the test-takers nose, with a specially developed swab.
"It looks a lot like a Q-tip, but it is designed to be used specifically for this test," Pritt said. Due to concerns with sterility and other issues with conventional cotton swabs, other commercially available swabs should not be used with this test at the present time, the FDA added.
Once users have collected their nasal sample, they mail it, in an insulated package that comes with the kit, to a LabCorp lab for testing. LabCorp plans to make the kits available to consumers in most states, with a doctor's order.
At present, most clinicians across the country are reserving testing for those who have symptoms or who may have been exposed to people with confirmed COVID-19 as well as those who would "require a change in clinical management" based on the results, Pritt said. This latter group includes those at risk for serious illness after infection, such as people with pre-existing health problems.


upi--2020-04-21--Watch: Bear visits Connecticut fire department

April 21 ( UPI ) -- A bear that wandered into a Connecticut city 's downtown was captured after paying @ @ @ @ @ fire station .
The Danbury Fire Department said in a Facebook post Tuesday the bear @ @ @ @ @ lot behind the station Monday .
`` Yesterday was a bear of a day !
@ @ @ @ @ cleaning and equipment checks one of our firefighters spotted a bear in the lot behind @ @ @ @ @ the post said .
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police responded to the scene and the @ @ @ @ @ up a nearby tree .
DEEP said the bear , estimated to be about 15 @ @ @ @ @ to a more suitable habitat .

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April 21 (UPI) -- A bear that wandered into a Connecticut city's downtown was captured after paying a visit to a local fire station.
The Danbury Fire Department said in a Facebook post Tuesday the bear was spotted in the parking lot behind the station Monday.
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"Yesterday was a bear of a day! While doing our morning station cleaning and equipment checks one of our firefighters spotted a bear in the lot behind our fire station," the post said.
Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton nicknamed the bruin "Dan Berry."
Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police responded to the scene and the animal was captured after fleeing up a nearby tree.
DEEP said the bear, estimated to be about 15 months old, was relocated to a more suitable habitat.


upi--2020-04-21--Gallup: Americans more concerned with getting COVID-19 than economic fallout

A healthcare worker with George Washington University Hospital administers a COVID-19 test during the coronavirus pandemic in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- The coronavirus pandemic tops the list of the most important problems facing Americans, a poll released Tuesday indicates. The Gallup poll found that 45 percent of Americans find COVID-19 to be the biggest problem facing the United States, up from 13 percent in March. The pollster didn't ask about the virus prior to the March survey. Advertisement
The second-most important problem facing the United States is the government and poor leadership at 20 percent, down from 27 percent in March. The government was the top concern in February with 32 percent.
The remaining responses were healthcare and the economy in general at 6 percent each; unifying the country and unemployment at 3 percent each; and immigration, the environment/climate change/pollution, ethics/morals, lack of respect for each other, the media, and the gap between rich and poor at 2 percent each.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic
Bass Pro Shops marketing manager David Smith (R) carries a box of donated face masks into Mercy Health in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 13. The company is donating 1 million FDA-approved ASTM Level 1 Procedure Face Masks to healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Concerns about unemployment rose from 1 percent in February to 3 percent in April, while immigration dropped from 8 percent in February to 2 percent in April.
While economic and job concerns have risen since February, the poll results indicate Americans are more concerned with getting the virus than the financial fallout from the pandemic, Gallup said.
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"Since February, mentions of the economy or unemployment have ticked up slightly. But even with unemployment soaring, economic confidence tumbling, and seven in 10 Americans saying the U.S. economy is in a recession or depression, government is seen as more of a problem than the economy," the pollster said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there were more than 816,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States, with a death toll of at least 43,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-04-21--Dow drops 631 points as U.S. stocks fall after historic oil sell-off

April 21 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks closed with losses for a second consecutive day Tuesday as oil prices continued to drop .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 631.56 points , or 2.67 percent , while the S & P 500 dropped 3.07 percent and the Nasdaq Composite slid 3.48 percent The losses follow a historic decline of oil prices on Monday .
West Texas Intermediate 's contract for May delivery -- which traded below $ 0 on Monday for the first time in history -- rebounded slightly Tuesday but was trading at less than $ 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view as a better indicator of how Wall Street views oil prices , WTI fell 43.4 percent to $ 11.57 per barrel Tuesday .
Brent crude dropped below $ 20 per barrel on Tuesday , at one point settling at about $ 18 per barrel , its lowest price since late 2001 .
The United States Oil Fund fell 25.07 percent on Tuesday , while Marathon Petroleum fell 4.55 percent and Conoco Phillips dropped 3.99 percent to drag down the S & P 's energy sector .
Dramatic cutbacks in demand , driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Russia and OPEC nations , have propelled the historic oil sell-off .
OPEC and Russia eventually agreed to cut production by 10 million barrels per day in May .
President Donald Trump on Tuesday tweeted that he has instructed the Treasury and Energy secretaries to develop a plan to `` make funds available so that these very important companies and jobs will be secured long into the future . ''

A sign for Wall Street hangs outside at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City on Monday. A historic selloff in oil prices continued to influence U.S. stocks on Tuesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks closed with losses for a second consecutive day Tuesday as oil prices continued to drop. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 631.56 points, or 2.67 percent, while the S&P 500 dropped 3.07 percent and the Nasdaq Composite slid 3.48 percent Advertisement
The losses follow a historic decline of oil prices on Monday.
West Texas Intermediate's contract for May delivery -- which traded below $0 on Monday for the first time in history -- rebounded slightly Tuesday but was trading at less than $5. For June delivery, which experts view as a better indicator of how Wall Street views oil prices, WTI fell 43.4 percent to $11.57 per barrel Tuesday.
Brent crude dropped below $20 per barrel on Tuesday, at one point settling at about $18 per barrel, its lowest price since late 2001.
The United States Oil Fund fell 25.07 percent on Tuesday, while Marathon Petroleum fell 4.55 percent and Conoco Phillips dropped 3.99 percent to drag down the S&P's energy sector.
Dramatic cutbacks in demand, driven by the coronavirus and a weekslong dispute between Russia and OPEC nations, have propelled the historic oil sell-off. OPEC and Russia eventually agreed to cut production by 10 million barrels per day in May.
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President Donald Trump on Tuesday tweeted that he has instructed the Treasury and Energy secretaries to develop a plan to "make funds available so that these very important companies and jobs will be secured long into the future."


upi--2020-04-21--Jackpot-winning lottery ticket spent 4 months at bottom of purse

April 21 ( UPI ) -- An Australian woman said a lottery ticket she purchased in December spent four months at the bottom of her purse before she discovered it was a $ 1.7 million winner .
The Sydney woman told The Lott officials she bought a ticket for the Dec. 28 $ 30 Million Megadraw at Queens Square Newsagency in Sydney and put the ticket in her bag -- where it remained for months .
The woman said she was shocked when it occurred to her to check the ticket Monday and discovered it was a $ 1.7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my handbag for the last four months , '' the woman said .
`` I just was n't in a rush to check it and I just thought of it yesterday and decided to check it .
I was in shock .
I was so surprised . ''
The winner said she is planning to share the wealth .
`` A friend bought me that ticket , '' she said , `` So I will certainly be sharing some with them . ''
`` But the rest I do n't know !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take some time to figure out , '' she said .
`` I 'm isolating at home at the moment so I will have plenty of time to think about it , but I know I will definitely be sharing it with my family . ''

An Australian woman said the lottery ticket that won her $1.7 million was at the bottom of her purse for four months before she discovered it was a big winner. Photo courtesy of The Lott
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe April 21 (UPI) -- An Australian woman said a lottery ticket she purchased in December spent four months at the bottom of her purse before she discovered it was a $1.7 million winner. The Sydney woman told The Lott officials she bought a ticket for the Dec. 28 $30 Million Megadraw at Queens Square Newsagency in Sydney and put the ticket in her bag -- where it remained for months. Advertisement
The woman said she was shocked when it occurred to her to check the ticket Monday and discovered it was a $1.7 million winner.
"That ticket has been in my handbag for the last four months," the woman said. "I just wasn't in a rush to check it and I just thought of it yesterday and decided to check it. I was in shock. I was so surprised."
The winner said she is planning to share the wealth.
"A friend bought me that ticket," she said, "So I will certainly be sharing some with them."
"But the rest I don't know! It's still in shock and it will take some time to figure out," she said. "I'm isolating at home at the moment so I will have plenty of time to think about it, but I know I will definitely be sharing it with my family."


upi--2020-04-21--COVID-19 infections in LA up to 55 times higher than reported

An early analysis of antibody testing from Los Angeles County finds a coronavirus infection rate that is up to 55 times the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases .
According to the researchers behind the study , the vast majority of people infected with the new coronavirus may be going without symptoms or have minimal symptoms .
It 's one of the first in-depth analyses of local population infection rates conducted in the United States .
Los Angeles County 's population totals more than 10 million .
As the research team noted , by early April , there were 7,994 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including 600 COVID-19 deaths .
But new findings from the first round of ongoing antibody blood testing of county residents showed that about 4.1 percent of adults had antibodies to the coronavirus .
Adjusting for any statistical margin of error , that suggests that between 2.8 percent to 5.6 percent of the county 's adults have antibodies to the coronavirus , which translates to between 221,000 to 442,000 adults in Los Angeles County having already had the infection .
That estimate is 28 to 55 times higher than the number of confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the time of the study in early April , said researchers from the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health .
`` We have n't known the true extent of COVID-19 infections in our community because we have only tested people with symptoms , and the availability of tests has been limited , '' lead investigator Neeraj Sood , professor of public policy and senior fellow at the Center for Health Policy and Economics at USC , explained in a university news release .
Now that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penetration of coronavirus within the general public is known , `` we might have to recalibrate disease prediction models and rethink public health strategies , '' Sood said .
Dr. Barbara Ferrer directs the L.A. County Department of Public Health .
Speaking in the news release , she said the antibody test results `` indicate that many persons may have been unknowingly infected and at risk of transmitting the virus to others . ''
The study also highlights the need for expanded polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) testing , she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and quarantined , while also maintaining the broad social distancing interventions . ''
The antibody test can help detect past coronavirus infection , but a PCR test is required to diagnose current infection , Ferrer explained .
According to study co-leader Dr. Paul Simon , chief science officer at L.A. County Department of Public Health , `` Though the results indicate a lower risk of death among those with infection than was previously thought , the number of COVID-related deaths each day continues to mount , highlighting the need for continued vigorous prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to test new groups of people every few weeks over the coming months to assess the pandemic 's spread in the county .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 .

Delores Park, usually packed with sunbathers on a beautiful day, has only a few people, in San Francisco on Sunday. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
An early analysis of antibody testing from Los Angeles County finds a coronavirus infection rate that is up to 55 times the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. According to the researchers behind the study, the vast majority of people infected with the new coronavirus may be going without symptoms or have minimal symptoms. Advertisement
It's one of the first in-depth analyses of local population infection rates conducted in the United States.
Los Angeles County's population totals more than 10 million. As the research team noted, by early April, there were 7,994 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the county, including 600 COVID-19 deaths.
But new findings from the first round of ongoing antibody blood testing of county residents showed that about 4.1 percent of adults had antibodies to the coronavirus.
Adjusting for any statistical margin of error, that suggests that between 2.8 percent to 5.6 percent of the county's adults have antibodies to the coronavirus, which translates to between 221,000 to 442,000 adults in Los Angeles County having already had the infection.
That estimate is 28 to 55 times higher than the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the county by the time of the study in early April, said researchers from the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
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"We haven't known the true extent of COVID-19 infections in our community because we have only tested people with symptoms, and the availability of tests has been limited," lead investigator Neeraj Sood, professor of public policy and senior fellow at the Center for Health Policy and Economics at USC, explained in a university news release.
Now that the true, and much wider, penetration of coronavirus within the general public is known, "we might have to recalibrate disease prediction models and rethink public health strategies," Sood said.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer directs the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Speaking in the news release, she said the antibody test results "indicate that many persons may have been unknowingly infected and at risk of transmitting the virus to others."
The study also highlights the need for expanded polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, she said, so infected individuals "can be isolated and quarantined, while also maintaining the broad social distancing interventions." The antibody test can help detect past coronavirus infection, but a PCR test is required to diagnose current infection, Ferrer explained.
According to study co-leader Dr. Paul Simon, chief science officer at L.A. County Department of Public Health, "Though the results indicate a lower risk of death among those with infection than was previously thought, the number of COVID-related deaths each day continues to mount, highlighting the need for continued vigorous prevention and control efforts."
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The researchers plan to test new groups of people every few weeks over the coming months to assess the pandemic's spread in the county.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
California life in the COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-04-21--20 attorneys general call on 3M to prevent price gouging of N95 masks

April 21 ( UPI ) -- The attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday called on 3M to do more to fight price gouging on its N95 respirator masks , part of the critical equipment healthcare workers need to battle the coronavirus pandemic .
In a letter sent to CEO and board Chairman Michael Roman , the states 's top law enforcement officials praised the work 3M has done to boost its production of the face masks .
The officials , though , said the Saint Paul , Minn.-based manufacturer should do more to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doctors can better access them .
The attorneys general said their offices have been `` flooded '' with complaints and `` excessive prices '' for the respirators .
`` As you know , there have been critical shortages of N95 respirators and other [ personal protection equipment ] due to the increased use and demand worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic , '' the letter reads .
`` While 3M has committed to maintain the same prices for N95 respirators , others in the marketplace are charging unconscionable prices .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its policies prohibiting price gouging and refrain from doing business with distributors who violate those policies .
The attorneys general also asked the company to submit a database of its N95 inventory to government officials and make it transparent how the inventory is distributed .
N95 respirators are among the most critical PPE items in use by doctors and nurses during the COVID-19 crisis .
They are specially designed to filter out most airborne particles and liquid .
A shortage of the devices has left healthcare workers relying on less-protective surgical masks or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients .
The National Nurses United union protested at the White House on Tuesday calling for President Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to produce more PPEs , including N95 masks .

A healthcare workers wears an N95 respirator as she consults with a patient who arrives to be tested for coronavirus in Yonkers, N.Y., on April 17. Twenty attorneys general urged 3M to take steps to prevent price gouging on the respirators. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 21 (UPI) -- The attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday called on 3M to do more to fight price gouging on its N95 respirator masks, part of the critical equipment healthcare workers need to battle the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter sent to CEO and board Chairman Michael Roman, the states's top law enforcement officials praised the work 3M has done to boost its production of the face masks. The officials, though, said the Saint Paul, Minn.-based manufacturer should do more to fight price gouging so health facilities, nurses and doctors can better access them. Advertisement
The attorneys general said their offices have been "flooded" with complaints and "excessive prices" for the respirators.
"As you know, there have been critical shortages of N95 respirators and other [personal protection equipment] due to the increased use and demand worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," the letter reads. "While 3M has committed to maintain the same prices for N95 respirators, others in the marketplace are charging unconscionable prices."
The letter urged 3M to publish its policies prohibiting price gouging and refrain from doing business with distributors who violate those policies. The attorneys general also asked the company to submit a database of its N95 inventory to government officials and make it transparent how the inventory is distributed.
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N95 respirators are among the most critical PPE items in use by doctors and nurses during the COVID-19 crisis. They are specially designed to filter out most airborne particles and liquid. A shortage of the devices has left healthcare workers relying on less-protective surgical masks or even reusing N95 respirators while treating multiple patients.
The National Nurses United union protested at the White House on Tuesday calling for President Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to produce more PPEs, including N95 masks.
Nurses protest in front of White House