upi--2020-03-31--WWE Raw: Brock Lesnar, Edge, The Undertaker make WrestleMania promises

March 31 ( UPI ) -- WWE Champion Brock Lesnar , Edge and The Undertaker and Raw Women 's Champion Becky Lynch made their final statements on Raw before heading into WrestleMania 36 on Saturday and Sunday .
Lesnar was joined by by his advocate Paul Heyman who stood behind him and spoke while The Beast looked into the camera holding the WWE Championship .
Heyman said that every year around this time Lesnar is a world champion heading into WrestleMania , consistently making him the man to beat at WWE 's biggest event .
Heyman guaranteed that Lesnar would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year and will defeat Drew McIntyre .
Heyman complimented McIntyre but said he will end up like all of Lesnar 's other victims .
Edge , meanwhile , gave a more personal interview backstage where he addressed his WrestleMania 36 opponent Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing Match .
The Hall of Famer spoke about his career , returning from injury , how he was going to leave again until Orton attacked his wife , fellow Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix , and took issues with The Viper 's comments about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If you 're not a junkie for this , then you 're just taking up space .
You 're in my way , '' Edge said .
The Undertaker commented on his Boneyard match with AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36 .
It is still unknown what exactly a Boneyard match will entail .
The Deadman was noticeably not wearing his normal black hat and trench coat and was instead donning a leather jacket and skull cap .
The Undertaker said that Styles ' comments about his age does n't affect him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ultimate price for mentioning his wife Michelle McCool .
The living legend stated that Styles is jealous that McCool performed his finishing move The Styles Clash better during her career .
The Undertaker invited Styles to bring his O.C .
partners Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to the fight and declared that they will all rest in peace .
The Undertaker then displayed a tombstone that was made with Styles ' name on it .
Lynch introduced a replay of her historic match against Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair at last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raw and SmackDown Women 's Champion .
Lynch has held the Raw Women 's Championship ever since , bringing her reign to a full , dominating year .
As Lynch started to discuss her WrestleMania 36 opponent Shayna Baszler , the Queen of Spades ambushed the champ from behind and choked her out using the Kirifuda Clutch .
Baszler then lifted Lynch up and violently slammed her into the side of the announcer 's table before she held up the Raw Women 's Championship in celebration .
Other moments from Raw included Aleister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Tag Team Champion Asuka defeating Kayden Carter ; and Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits and Kevin Owens defeating Seth Rollins , Angel Garza and Austin Theory .
The Street Profits were originally set to defend their Raw Tag Team Championships against Garza and United States Champion Andrade who are both managed by Zelina Vega .
Vega announced on Raw that Andrade is out with an injury and is unable to compete at WrestleMania .
Theory , who hails from NXT , will be taking his spot alongside Garza in the @ @

March 31 (UPI) -- WWE Champion Brock Lesnar, Edge and The Undertaker and Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch made their final statements on Raw before heading into WrestleMania 36 on Saturday and Sunday.
Lesnar was joined by by his advocate Paul Heyman who stood behind him and spoke while The Beast looked into the camera holding the WWE Championship.
Advertisement
Heyman said that every year around this time Lesnar is a world champion heading into WrestleMania, consistently making him the man to beat at WWE's biggest event.
Heyman guaranteed that Lesnar would be back in the same position next year and will defeat Drew McIntyre. Heyman complimented McIntyre but said he will end up like all of Lesnar's other victims.
Advertisement
Edge, meanwhile, gave a more personal interview backstage where he addressed his WrestleMania 36 opponent Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing Match.
The Hall of Famer spoke about his career, returning from injury, how he was going to leave again until Orton attacked his wife, fellow Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix, and took issues with The Viper's comments about how he is a junkie for wrestling.
"If you're not a junkie for this, then you're just taking up space. You're in my way," Edge said.
The Undertaker commented on his Boneyard match with AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36. It is still unknown what exactly a Boneyard match will entail.
The Deadman was noticeably not wearing his normal black hat and trench coat and was instead donning a leather jacket and skull cap.
The Undertaker said that Styles' comments about his age doesn't affect him, but that The Phenomenal One will pay the ultimate price for mentioning his wife Michelle McCool. The living legend stated that Styles is jealous that McCool performed his finishing move The Styles Clash better during her career.
Advertisement
The Undertaker invited Styles to bring his O.C. partners Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to the fight and declared that they will all rest in peace. The Undertaker then displayed a tombstone that was made with Styles' name on it.
Lynch introduced a replay of her historic match against Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair at last year's WrestleMania 35 where The Man became Raw and SmackDown Women's Champion. Lynch has held the Raw Women's Championship ever since, bringing her reign to a full, dominating year.
As Lynch started to discuss her WrestleMania 36 opponent Shayna Baszler, the Queen of Spades ambushed the champ from behind and choked her out using the Kirifuda Clutch.
Baszler then lifted Lynch up and violently slammed her into the side of the announcer's table before she held up the Raw Women's Championship in celebration.
Other moments from Raw included Aleister Black defeating Jason Cade; WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Asuka defeating Kayden Carter; and Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits and Kevin Owens defeating Seth Rollins, Angel Garza and Austin Theory.
Advertisement
The Street Profits were originally set to defend their Raw Tag Team Championships against Garza and United States Champion Andrade who are both managed by Zelina Vega.
Vega announced on Raw that Andrade is out with an injury and is unable to compete at WrestleMania. Theory, who hails from NXT, will be taking his spot alongside Garza in the match.


upi--2020-03-31--Starz: What's coming and going in April 2020

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , Spider-Man : Far from Home , the Vida Season 3 premiere and new episodes of Outlander Season 5 are coming to Starz in April .
The network released a list of the movies and TV shows coming and going next month on the Starz app and on demand .
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio , is available on Starz beginning March 30 .
Hundreds of other movies will also be available in `` April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` To Be Young Again '' and other categories .
Here 's a list of films coming to Starz in April : Zombieland : Double Tap ( available on the Starz app March 31 ) To Be Young Again ( April 1-30 ) No Country for Old Men Once Upon a Time in Mexico The Whole Nine Yards The Sandlot and The Sandlot 2 Here 's the full list of what 's coming to Starz in April : Born on the Fourth of July Getting Even with Dad Night at the Museum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Life of John F. Donovan Under the Same Moon Here 's the full list of what 's leaving Starz in April : The Good , The Bad , and the Ugly The Door in the Floor

1/3
Brad Pitt stars in "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," available on the Starz app and on demand in April. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, Spider-Man: Far from Home, the Vida Season 3 premiere and new episodes of Outlander Season 5 are coming to Starz in April. The network released a list of the movies and TV shows coming and going next month on the Starz app and on demand. Advertisement
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, is available on Starz as of Monday. Hundreds of other movies will be available in "April Fools Fun," "Superheroes," "To Be Young Again" and other categories.
Here's a list of films coming to Starz in April:
April Fools Fun (April 1-30)
21 Jump Street
Baseketball
Zombieland: Double Tap (available on the Starz app Tuesday)
Beverly Hills Ninja
Dude, Where's My Car
Advertisement
Patch Adams
The Truman Show
Wet Hot American Summer
Napoleon Dynamite
Half Baked
Major Payne
McHale's Navy
National Lampoon's Animal House
Nutty Professor
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Young Frankenstein
April Fool's Day
Bowfinger
Superheroes -- They Save the Day (April 10-19)
Spider-Man
Spider-Man 2
Hulk
Hellboy (starts April 10)
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Darkman
Spider-Man: Far from Home
Venom
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Mystery Men
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising
To Be Young Again (April 1-30)
13 Going on 30
About a Boy
Adventureland
Hearts in Atlantis
Little Miss Sunshine
Pride & Prejudice
Wet Hot American Summer
You Again
The Breakfast Club
The Sandlot (Starts April 10)
Sixteen Candles
Back to School
Weird Science
Cider House Rules
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Binge in a Day: Denzel Washington (April 1-9)
The Equalizer 2
American Gangster
The Bone Collector
Devil in a Blue Dress
Fallen
Cry Freedom
Carbon Copy
Binge in a Day: Julia Roberts (April 10-19)
Erin Brockovich
America's Sweethearts
Mystic Pizza
Sleeping with the Enemy
Charlie Wilson's War
Larry Crowne
Duplicity
Celebrating Eddie Murphy -- Deliriously Funny (April 27-May 3)
Advertisement
The Nutty Professor
The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
48 Hrs.
Daddy Day Care
Showtime
I Spy
Vampire in Brooklyn
Bowfinger
Another 48 Hrs.
Hardcore Gangster (April 1-30)
American Gangster
Devil in a Blue Dress
Love and a Bullet
Never Die Alone
No Country for Old Men
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Paper Soldiers
Pulp Fiction
White Boy Rick
The Whole Nine Yards
Snatch
Thick as Thieves
The Hitman
American Me
Carlito's Way
Carlito's Way: Rise to Power
Casino
Period Pieces -- Costumes & Drama (April 1-9)
The Queen
Atonement
Pride & Prejudice
William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet
Anna Karenina
Jane Eyre
The Dresser
Family Faves Double Features (April 27-May 5)
The Sandlot and The Sandlot 2
Big Fat Liar and Bigger Fatter Liar
Nanny McPhee and Nanny McPhee Returns
Here's the full list of what's coming to Starz in April:
April 1
The Accused
Born on the Fourth of July
Cadillac Man
Cuban Fury
The Defiant Ones
Diana
Dude, Where's My Car?
Finding Steve McQueen
The Forgotten
Getting Even with Dad
High Spirits
Hombre
Illegally Yours
Looking Glass
My Bloody Valentine
Advertisement
Nanny McPhee Returns
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
The Nutty Professor
Oddball
One Foot i Hell
Original Sin
Paranormal Activity
Red River
Showtime
Snatch
Spider-Man
Spider-Man 2
Stratton
Superstar
Surf's Up
Undercover Brother
War Arrow
Wargames
Ambitious Episodes 101-118
Hatfields & McCoys Episodes 1-3
La Bruja Episodes 101-120
Luther Episodes 501-504
Malcolm & Eddie Episodes 311-322, 401-405
April 4
The Comedian
Irrational Man
Lady in the Van
April 6
Where's My Roy Cohn?
April 10
The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County
Garden State
Hellboy
Napoleon Dynamite
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
The Old Chisholm Trail
Rent Due
Ride Out for Revenge
The Sandlot 2
The Sandlot
Star in the Dust
April 12
Outlander Episode 508
April 13
Power Episode 615
April 15
The Death and Life of John F. Donovan
April 16
Funny People
April 17
The Animal
Apache Drums
Bachelor Party
Blue Collar
The Brass Legend
Brother John
Bulworth
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
First Sunday
The French Connection
The Freshmen
Gun Duel in Durango
Gunfight in Abilene
The Haunting
Ithaca
My All American
Overcomer
Sense and Sensibility
She's Having a Baby
The Shootist
Small Soldiers
Spellbinder
The Stepfather
Under the Same Moon
Advertisement
April 18
Big Fat Liar
Bigger Fatter Liar
April 19
Outlander Episode 509
April 20
Generation Columbine
April 22
Little Dorrit's Story Episodes 1-2
April 24
Beethoven
Beethoven's 2nd
Beethoven's 3rd
Beethoven's 4th
Beethoven's 5th: Big Paw
Beethoven's Big Break
Beethoven's Treasure Tail
The Hired Hand
The Last Sunset
Laws of Attraction
Mr. Baseball
Oklahoma Frontier
Salt and Pepper
April 26
Outlander Episode 510
Vida Episode 301
April 27
Toxic Beauty
April 29
The Bravest
Here's the full list of what's leaving Starz in April:
April 1
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
When in Rome
April 3
Paul, Apostle of Christ
April 14
The Great Gatsby
Stuart Saves His Family
Rocco Shiavone Episodes 101-112
April 15
Baby Mama
The Door in the Floor
Sylvia
April 17
Foxtrot
The Green Hornet
April 22
Intent to Destroy: Death, Denial and Depiction
April 23
The Collection
April 24
The Leisure Seeker
April 26
Battle: Los Angeles
April 29
The Lone Ranger
April 30
21 Grams
8 Mile
Alice in Wonderland
American Me
American Ninja
American Ninja 2: The Confrontation
American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt
Barbarella
Bowfinger
Bustin' Loose
Cave of Outlaws
Chief Crazy Horse
Club Paradise
Advertisement
The Concorde... Airport '79
Conrack
Cop Land
Desperado: Badlands Justice
Desperado: The Outlaw Wars
Dr. Giggles
Duck, You Sucker
Duplex
Erin Brockovich
Escape from Alcatraz
Frenchie
Gridlock'd
Harvard Beats Yale 29-29
The Heartbreak Kid
Hondo
Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom
I Come in Peace
I Spy
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
The Interpreter
Invasion U.S.A.
La Chana
The Last Hard Men
Leave It to Beaver
Left-Handed Law
Love Between the Covers
Lucha Mexico
Man in the Shadow
The Mask of Zorror
Matinee
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Missing in Action
Missing in Action 2: The Beginning
Modern Problems
Patch Adams
The Perfect Man
Prelude to a Kiss
Raw Edge
A Return to Salem's Lot
River of Death
Rocky Balboa
Sanctum
Sandflow
Saving Grace
Serendipity
Shaun of the Dead
Sin Norte
Sklar Brothers: Hipster Ghosts
Smokey and the Bandid
Smokey and the Bandit II
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3
Song of the Sea
Soul Food
Stargate
Summer Rental
Uncle Buck
The Undefeated
Vanity Fair
A Very Long Engagement
Walk the Proud Land
Weird Science
What Haunts Us
Barbie Dreamtopia Episodes 101-116
Digimon Frontier Episodes 101-150
Las Historias de Mama Gansa Episodes 102-313
New York's Funniest Episodes 101-105


upi--2020-03-31--Taco Bell, other chains giving food, discounts amid coronavirus crisis

March 31 ( UPI ) -- National restaurant chain Taco Bell expects to give away more than 1 million free tacos on Tuesday in a bid to promote safety amid the coronavirus crisis in the United States .
The company says it wants to give a a free Doritos Locos Tacos to `` everyone in America , '' as well as donate $ 1 million through its charitable arm to fight child hunger .
The tacos will be given away at Taco Bell drive thru windows , the company said , and will last as long as the supplies hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , we 've been focused on making Taco Bell the safest place to work and eat and now we 're giving America free tacos as a small way of saying thank you for how everyone is showing up for their communities , '' CEO Mark King said in an open letter .
`` We have strict safety policies and are working closely with our franchisees to put additional procedures in place to ensure social distancing is enabled in our working kitchens , '' he added .
`` I continue to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this country , so we want to show our appreciation . ''
Taco Bell has given away free tacos before , usually during major sporting events like the World Series and NBA Finals .
Both sports are on hiatus right now due to the outbreak .
Taco Bell said it will also donate $ 1 million No Kid Hungry , a national campaign to end child hunger in the United States , and solicit donations by allowing customers to round up their order total to the nearest dollar and send the proceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bell also will convert taco trucks into mobile commissaries to deliver food to front-line workers , including healthcare providers , teachers and grocery store workers .
Other U.S. franchises are making similar moves during the national emergency .
Burger King is giving away kids meals via its mobile app .
Donut giant Krispy Kreme is giving donuts to healthcare workers every Monday through May 11 .
Starbucks is giving free coffee to police officers , firefighters , paramedics , doctors , nurses and hospital staff for the next few weeks .
A number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discounted items nationwide as a result of the coronavirus outbreak , including Subway , IHOP , Wendy 's McDonald 's , Popeye 's , Little Caesars , KFC , Denny 's and Buffalo Wild Wings .
Click here for a mote detailed list .
Most restaurants have closed their dining areas , so availability is limited to drive thru and delivery orders .

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
March 31 (UPI) -- National restaurant chain Taco Bell expects to give away more than 1 million free tacos on Tuesday in a bid to promote safety amid the coronavirus crisis in the United States. The company says it wants to give a free Doritos Locos Tacos to "everyone in America," as well as donate $1 million through its charitable arm to fight child hunger. Advertisement
The tacos will be given away at Taco Bell drive-through windows, the company said, and will last as long as the supplies hold out.
"In these tough times, Taco Bell wants its fans to know that we have their back," spokeswoman Polly Densien told UPI Tuesday. "The offer is available via drive-thru and carry-out only, so person-to-person contact will remain limited.
"We are doing our part to provide safe meals that our fans know and love."
"For the past few weeks, we've been focused on making Taco Bell the safest place to work and eat and now we're giving America free tacos as a small way of saying thank you for how everyone is showing up for their communities," CEO Mark King wrote in an open letter.
Advertisement
"We have strict safety policies and are working closely with our franchisees to put additional procedures in place to ensure social distancing is enabled in our working kitchens."
Taco Bell has given away free tacos before, usually during major sporting events like the World Series and NBA Finals. Both sports are on hiatus right now due to the outbreak.
Taco Bell said it will also donate $1 million No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end child hunger in the United States, and solicit donations by allowing customers to round up their order total to the nearest dollar and send the proceeds to the charity.
King said Taco Bell also will convert taco trucks into mobile commissaries to deliver food to front-line workers, including healthcare providers, teachers and grocery store workers.
Other U.S. franchises are making similar moves during the national emergency.
Burger King is giving away kids meals via its mobile app. Donut giant Krispy Kreme is giving donuts to healthcare workers every Monday through May 11. Starbucks is giving free coffee to police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses and hospital staff for the next few weeks.
Advertisement
A number of other restaurants are offering free and discounted items nationwide as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, including Subway, IHOP, Wendy's, McDonald's, Popeye's, Little Caesars, KFC, Denny's and Buffalo Wild Wings. Click here for a detailed list.
Most restaurants have closed their dining areas, so availability is limited to drive-through and delivery orders.


upi--2020-03-31--Coronavirus outbreak deepens worldwide as China's industry rebounds

March 31 ( UPI ) -- China on Tuesday announced its manufacturing sector was recovering after its markets took a steep hit due to the coronavirus outbreak while countries the world over were tightening quarantine restrictions as the pandemic deepened .
China 's National Bureau of Statistics released data Tuesday that showed its factory activity was growing after floundering in February when the nation 's number of COVID-19 infections and deaths exponentially climbed .
According to an index of Chinese manufacturing purchasing managers , factory activity shot up to 52 on the 100-point scale in March from a low 35.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signal market expansion and March 's number is the highest the world 's second-largest economy has experienced in at least a year .
The figures were announced as the former epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen its outbreak seemingly come under control .
Since March 1 , China 's confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew by nearly 1,500 cases , of which nearly half were imported , compared to the more than 65,000 cases it recorded over the month of February .
Chinese health officials said Tuesday they recorded 48 new cases over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which were imported from overseas .
The country also recorded only one death over Monday , increasing its total to 3,305 since the outbreak began in December .
The country temporarily suspended the entry of foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits to the country starting Saturday to prevent further imported infections .
However , while China 's outbreak slows , the global pandemic continues to grow .
As of Tuesday morning , the pandemic consisted of 787,010 infected patients and 37,829 deaths in more than 175 countries , according to a live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University .
China , once home to the largest cluster of cases , has slipped to fourth behind Spain , Italy and the United States , which has become the new epicenter of the pandemic by more than 60,000 cases .
Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued a series of strict social distancing measures on Tuesday preventing the country 's more than 95 million people from leaving their homes for 15 days starting Wednesday .
`` The principle is that each family isolates itself from other families , one village from other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one province from other provinces , '' the government announced in a statement .
Residents will only be permitted to leave their residences to buy food and medicine and work at factories or places that sell essential goods and services that are not subjected to provisional closures , it said .
When out , people are to observe a strict distance of more than six feet from others and are not to congregate in groups of more than two people .
The Asian nation has 204 COVID-19 patients , four of whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively low compared to other nations but the measures were implemented as its number of cases `` increasing rapidly day by day , with a high risk of community infection , '' the government statement read .
The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced Tuesday it was locking down the Al Ras district of Dubai for two weeks to `` facilitate intensified sterilization procedures . ''
Three main roads and interchanges leading into the densely populated historic district will be closed as will be three metro stations that serve the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routes to the area will be diverted and taxis will be restricted .
`` Teams from the Dubai Health Authority will provide all essential supplies to the residents of the area during the two-week period , '' the Dubai Media Office explained via Twitter , adding local police urge to the public `` to cooperate fully with the authorities and abide by all instructions '' to ensure the measures are successful .
The move comes a day after Expo 2020 Dubai announced that it supported a proposal to explore a year postponement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

1/4
China's capital is slowly returning to normal amid a sharp fall in the number of new coronavirus cases and the return of spring weather. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- China on Tuesday announced its manufacturing sector was recovering after its markets took a steep hit due to the coronavirus outbreak while countries the world over were tightening quarantine restrictions as the pandemic deepened. China's National Bureau of Statistics released data Tuesday that showed its factory activity was growing after floundering in February when the nation's number of COVID-19 infections and deaths exponentially climbed. Advertisement
According to an index of Chinese manufacturing purchasing managers, factory activity shot up to 52 on the 100-point scale in March from a low 35.7 in February. Figures above a 50 signal market expansion and March's number is the highest the world's second-largest economy has experienced in at least a year.
The figures were announced as the former epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen its outbreak seemingly come under control. Since March 1, China's confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew by nearly 1,500 cases, of which nearly half were imported, compared to the more than 65,000 cases it recorded over the month of February.
Advertisement
Chinese health officials said Tuesday they recorded 48 new cases over the previous 24 hours -- all of which were imported from overseas. The country also recorded only one death over Monday, increasing its total to 3,305 since the outbreak began in December.
The country temporarily suspended the entry of foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits to the country starting Saturday to prevent further imported infections.
However, while China's outbreak slows, the global pandemic continues to grow.
As of Tuesday morning, the pandemic consisted of 787,010 infected patients and 37,829 deaths in more than 175 countries, according to a live tracker of COVID-19 statistics by Johns Hopkins University.
China, once home to the largest cluster of cases, has slipped to fourth behind Spain, Italy and the United States, which has become the new epicenter of the pandemic by more than 60,000 cases.
Vietnam
Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued a series of strict social distancing measures on Tuesday preventing the country's more than 95 million people from leaving their homes for 15 days starting Wednesday.
"The principle is that each family isolates itself from other families, one village from other villages, one commune from other communes, one province from other provinces," the government announced in a statement.
Advertisement
Residents will only be permitted to leave their residences to buy food and medicine and work at factories or places that sell essential goods and services that are not subjected to provisional closures, it said.
When out, people are to observe a strict distance of more than six feet from others and are not to congregate in groups of more than two people.
The Asian nation has 204 COVID-19 patients, four of whom are in critical condition, which is relatively low compared to other nations but the measures were implemented as its number of cases "increasing rapidly day by day, with a high risk of community infection," the government statement read.
United Arab Emirates
The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced Tuesday it was locking down the Al Ras district of Dubai for two weeks to "facilitate intensified sterilization procedures."
Three main roads and interchanges leading into the densely populated historic district will be closed as will be three metro stations that serve the area, it said, adding all bus routes to the area will be diverted and taxis will be restricted.
"Teams from the Dubai Health Authority will provide all essential supplies to the residents of the area during the two-week period," the Dubai Media Office explained via Twitter, adding local police urge to the public "to cooperate fully with the authorities and abide by all instructions" to ensure the measures are successful.
Advertisement
The move comes a day after Expo 2020 Dubai announced that it supported a proposal to explore a year postponement of the event due to the pandemic.
While everyone involved in #Expo2020 Dubai remains firmly committed, many countries have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and they have expressed a need to postpone Expo's opening by one year, to enable them to overcome this challenge. pic.twitter.com/8xgk5D0UJl— Expo 2020 Dubai (@expo2020dubai) March 30, 2020
Pandemic empties streets, public spaces around the world


upi--2020-03-31--U.S. citizen dies in CBP custody at border

March 31 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection said a 61-year-old man died in its custody over the weekend after agents apprehended him for attempting to enter the country from Mexico through a restricted area .
CBP said in a statement Monday that the U.S. citizen died Sunday night at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California while under its custody .
The man was arrested by CBP agents at the port after he attempted to walk into a restricted area and failed to heed their instructions while also exhibiting `` abnormal behavior , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lt. Andra Brown clarified in a statement that the unnamed U.S. citizen had attempted to enter the United States by foot from Mexico through the exit doors of a processing building .
After he was arrested , the man was placed into a cell and a few minutes later CBP officers noticed that he was unresponsive .
`` CBP officers with medical first responder training rendered aid until local emergency medical services personnel arrived and took over medical care shortly thereafter , '' CBP said .
Brown said the man died at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is investigating and the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility will be reviewing the incident , the federal agency said .

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said a 61-year-old U.S. citizen died in its custody on Sunday at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Photo by Mani Albrecht/ U.S. Customs and Border Protection/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection said a 61-year-old man died in its custody over the weekend after agents apprehended him for attempting to enter the country from Mexico through a restricted area. CBP said in a statement Monday that the U.S. citizen died Sunday night at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California while under its custody. Advertisement
The man was arrested by CBP agents at the port after he attempted to walk into a restricted area and failed to heed their instructions while also exhibiting "abnormal behavior," the CBP statement said.
San Diego Police Lt. Andra Brown clarified in a statement that the unnamed U.S. citizen had attempted to enter the United States by foot from Mexico through the exit doors of a processing building.
After he was arrested, the man was placed into a cell and a few minutes later CBP officers noticed that he was unresponsive.
"CBP officers with medical first responder training rendered aid until local emergency medical services personnel arrived and took over medical care shortly thereafter," CBP said.
Brown said the man died at the scene.
The San Diego Police Department is investigating and the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility will be reviewing the incident, the federal agency said.


upi--2020-03-31--OneWeb bankruptcy opens door for competitors or new investor

ORLANDO , Fla. , March 31 ( UPI ) -- The bankruptcy filing for satellite network company OneWeb opens up the possibility that competitors like SpaceX or Amazon could step in to buy its assets , industry experts said .
OneWeb is one of many companies pursuing faster , global Internet service .
The bankruptcy of a major player like OneWeb , which the company attributed to the coronavirus pandemic , could lead to consolidation that bolsters competitors .
The company has 74 satellites in orbit , with a goal for over 600 .
By contrast , SpaceX has 363 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Starlink , and has plans for up to 42,000 .
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos , who owns Blue Origin space launch company , has n't revealed many details of his proposed satellite network .
`` I ca n't say it would be too surprising if Bezos comes in and buys the production line , satellites ... at very low prices and recycles it all into a new constellation , '' said Shagun Sachdeva , a satellite industry analyst with Northern Sky Research .
Sachdeva noted ties between Blue Origin and OneWeb , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to launch with Blue Origin .
Bezos ' company built a rocket factory complex just down the road from OneWeb Satellites ' factory near Kennedy Space Center in Florida , which would make it easy for Blue Origin to operate at the satellite factory .
OneWeb Satellites , a subsidiary of OneWeb , said Monday it was slashing its workforce by half at the Florida manufacturing factory amid supply chain disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic and the bankruptcy filing Friday .
`` OneWeb 's bankruptcy , while quite disappointing , is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was quite challenging , '' Sachdeva said .
`` I believe things went wrong for OneWeb due to underestimating the costs involved in getting a constellation this big up and running . ''
`` Airbus is the much larger parent in the joint venture , so they will have a lot to say about the final outcome of any bankruptcy sales , '' said Dale Ketcham , vice president of government and external relations with Space Florida , a state agency that arranged the lease of OneWeb Satellites ' factory site .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who 's using it , but we hope it stays OneWeb Satellites , '' Ketchum said .
The plant opened in July 2019 with a plan to employ 250 people by the start of this year .
The company did not say how many people were laid off .
Since aerospace has a limited number of big customers , consolidation often occurs after a company goes bankrupt , said Joel Sercel , and engineer and founder of space startup TransAstra , which develops lunar and asteroid mining technology .
`` In the history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a company files for bankruptcy , other space companies will be interested in their assets , '' Sercel said .
`` It 's quite obvious that SpaceX and Amazon are candidates .
The aerospace industry is full of strange bedfellows . ''
He noted , though , that many companies have tried to launch large satellite constellations before , including Motorola 's Iridium , which became operational in 1998 but filed for bankruptcy a year later .
`` The real question is , will someone come up with a business model that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this -- to get the revenue , '' Sercel said .
SpaceX , Blue Origin and Amazon did not respond to requests for comment .
OneWeb owes its biggest business creditor , launch provider Arianespace , based in France , over $ 238 million .
OneWeb reported assets of $ 3.3 billion , the most significant of which are radio-frequency licenses and licenses to receive signals in nations around the globe , while its debts and liabilities are $ 2.1 billion , according to the bankruptcy petition to the court .
Despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial market fallout from the coronavirus pandemic had interrupted efforts to raise more cash for expansion of the satellite network .
As a startup , the company had no significant revenue .
`` While the company was close to obtaining financing , the process did not progress because of the financial impact and market turbulence related to the spread of COVID-19 , '' the statement said .
OneWeb had received billions in investments , chiefly from Japan-based SoftBank , and was in the process of seeking more , according to a statement by @ @

A crowd of executives, media and VIPs gathers for the opening of OneWeb Satellites' manufacturing facility in Florida in July 2019, but the fate of the plant is uncertain after the bankruptcy of its parent company, OneWeb. File Photo by Paul Brinkmann/UPI
ORLANDO, Fla., March 31 (UPI) -- The bankruptcy filing for satellite network company OneWeb opens up the possibility that competitors like SpaceX or Amazon could step in to buy its assets, industry experts said. OneWeb is one of many companies pursuing faster, global Internet service. The bankruptcy of a major player like OneWeb, which the company attributed to the coronavirus pandemic, could lead to consolidation that bolsters competitors. Advertisement
The company has 74 satellites in orbit, with a goal for over 600. By contrast, SpaceX has 363 satellites in orbit for its high-speed network, Starlink, and has plans for up to 42,000. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns Blue Origin space launch company, hasn't revealed many details of his proposed satellite network.
"I can't say it would be too surprising if Bezos comes in and buys the production line, satellites ... at very low prices and recycles it all into a new constellation," said Shagun Sachdeva, a satellite industry analyst with Northern Sky Research.
Advertisement
Sachdeva noted ties between Blue Origin and OneWeb, including a previously announced contract for OneWeb to launch with Blue Origin. Bezos' company built a rocket factory complex just down the road from OneWeb Satellites' factory near Kennedy Space Center in Florida, which would make it easy for Blue Origin to operate at the satellite factory.
OneWeb Satellites, a subsidiary of OneWeb, said Monday it was slashing its workforce by half at the Florida manufacturing factory amid supply chain disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic and the bankruptcy filing Friday.
No surprise
"OneWeb's bankruptcy, while quite disappointing, is not a big surprise. Their business model was quite challenging," Sachdeva said. "I believe things went wrong for OneWeb due to underestimating the costs involved in getting a constellation this big up and running."
OneWeb Satellites is jointly owned with France-based Airbus.
"Airbus is the much larger parent in the joint venture, so they will have a lot to say about the final outcome of any bankruptcy sales," said Dale Ketcham, vice president of government and external relations with Space Florida, a state agency that arranged the lease of OneWeb Satellites' factory site.
"It's a great facility no matter who's using it, but we hope it stays OneWeb Satellites," Ketchum said.
Advertisement
The plant opened in July 2019 with a plan to employ 250 people by the start of this year. The company did not say how many people were laid off.
Since aerospace has a limited number of big customers, consolidation often occurs after a company goes bankrupt, said Joel Sercel, and engineer and founder of space startup TransAstra, which develops lunar and asteroid mining technology.
Interest in assets
"In the history of space companies, generally speaking, when a company files for bankruptcy, other space companies will be interested in their assets," Sercel said. "It's quite obvious that SpaceX and Amazon are candidates. The aerospace industry is full of strange bedfellows."
He noted, though, that many companies have tried to launch large satellite constellations before, including Motorola's Iridium, which became operational in 1998 but filed for bankruptcy a year later.
"The real question is, will someone come up with a business model that makes sense for a satellite network like this -- to get the revenue," Sercel said.
SpaceX, Blue Origin and Amazon did not respond to requests for comment.
OneWeb owes its biggest business creditor, launch provider Arianespace, based in France, over $238 million.
OneWeb reported assets of $3.3 billion, the most significant of which are radio-frequency licenses and licenses to receive signals in nations around the globe, while its debts and liabilities are $2.1 billion, according to the bankruptcy petition to the court.
Advertisement
Despite the positive balance sheet, the company said financial market fallout from the coronavirus pandemic had interrupted efforts to raise more cash for expansion of the satellite network. As a startup, the company had no significant revenue.
"While the company was close to obtaining financing, the process did not progress because of the financial impact and market turbulence related to the spread of COVID-19," the statement said.
OneWeb had received billions in investments, chiefly from Japan-based SoftBank, and was in the process of seeking more, according to a statement by OneWeb.


upi--2020-03-31--Famous birthdays for March 31: Kate Micucci, Christopher Walken

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries .
-- Boxer @ @ @ @ @ African American to hold the heavyweight title , in 1878 -- Former U.S. Vice President @ @ @ @ @ age 72 )

1/2
Kate Micucci arrives at the world premiere of "Moana" at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on November 14, 2016. The actor turns 40 on March 31. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aries. They include: Advertisement
-- Pope Pius IV in 1499
-- French philosopher Rene Descartes in 1596
-- Pope Benedict XIV in 1675
-- German composer Johann Sebastian Bach in 1685
-- Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn in 1732
-- Poet Edward FitzGerald in 1809
-- Boxer Jack Johnson, the first African American to hold the heavyweight title, in 1878
File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI
-- Actor/singer Richard Kiley in 1922
-- United Farm Workers President Cesar Chavez in 1927
-- Actor William Daniels in 1927 (age 93)
-- Hockey Hall of Fame member Gordie Howe in 1928
-- Fashion designer Liz Claiborne in 1929
-- Author John Jakes in 1932 (age 88)
-- Actor Shirley Jones in 1934 (age 86)
-- Actor Richard Chamberlain in 1934 (age 86)
-- Trumpeter/bandleader/music entrepreneur Herb Alpert in 1935 (age 85)
-- Political commentator Michael Savage in 1942 (age 78)
-- Actor Christopher Walken in 1943 (age 77)
File Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI
Advertisement
-- Actor Gabe Kaplan in 1945 (age 75)
-- Actor Rhea Perlman in 1948 (age 72)
-- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore in 1948 (age 72)
-- Actor/former football player Ed Marinaro in 1950 (age 70)
-- Guitarist Angus Young in 1955 (age 65)
-- Actor Ewan McGregor in 1971 (age 49)
-- Actor Kate Micucci in 1980 (age 40)
-- Rocker Jack Antonoff in 1984 (age 36)


upi--2020-03-31--On This Day, March 31: Terri Schiavo dies after 7-year battle

March 31 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1889 , the Eiffel Tower was dedicated in Paris in a ceremony presided over by its designer , Gustave Eiffel , during the Universal Exhibition of Arts and Manufacturers .
In 1906 , the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States ( later renamed the National Collegiate Athletic Association ) was established .
In 1918 , daylight saving time went into effect in the United States for the first time .
In 1948 , the U.S. Congress passed the Marshall Aid Act , a plan to rehabilitate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Air Force Academy was established at Colorado Springs .
In 1959 , the Dalai Lama fled Chinese-occupied Tibet and was granted political asylum in India .
In 1968 , U.S. President Lyndon Johnson announced he would n't seek re-election and simultaneously ordered the suspension of U.S. bombing of North Vietnam .
In 1971 , U.S. Army Lt. William Calley was sentenced to life in prison for his part in the deaths of 22 Vietnamese civilians in what was called the My Lai Massacre .
Public opinion polls and news reports indicated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe ; many said Calley was a scapegoat .
His sentence was gradually reduced and he was paroled in 1974 .
In 1991 , the Warsaw Pact formally ended , with Soviet commanders surrendering their powers in an agreement between pact members and the Soviet Union .
In 1995 , Major League Baseball players went back to work , ending the longest strike in league history .
The lockout , which began Aug. 12 , 1994 , ended the rest of the 1994 season .
In 1998 , the U.N. Security Council voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after unrest in the Serbian province of Kosovo turned violent .
In 2005 , Terri Schiavo , a 41-year-old Florida woman in a persistent vegetative state since 1990 , died 14 days after removal of her feeding tube amid a legal struggle over her fate that reached the White House and Supreme Court .
In 2007 , Pakistan successfully tested its Hataf-II Abdali ballistic missile , believed capable of carrying a nuclear warhead .
In 2017 , mudslides killed more than 200 people after heavy rains in Colombia .
In 2019 , rapper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Los Angeles clothing store .

1/4
Terri Schiavo, pictured here in an undated family photo, was a 41-year-old severely brain-damaged woman who got the nation involved in her right-to-die case. Schiavo died 14 days after doctors removed her feeding tube at her hospice in Pinellas Park, Fla., on March 31, 2005. UPI File Photo | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1889, the Eiffel Tower was dedicated in Paris in a ceremony presided over by its designer, Gustave Eiffel, during the Universal Exhibition of Arts and Manufacturers. Advertisement
In 1906, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (later renamed the National Collegiate Athletic Association) was established.
In 1918, daylight saving time went into effect in the United States for the first time.
In 1948, the U.S. Congress passed the Marshall Aid Act, a plan to rehabilitate war-ravaged Europe.
In 1954, the U.S. Air Force Academy was established at Colorado Springs.
File Photo by Marc Piscotty/UPI
In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Chinese-occupied Tibet and was granted political asylum in India.
In 1968, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson announced he wouldn't seek re-election and simultaneously ordered the suspension of U.S. bombing of North Vietnam.
In 1971, U.S. Army Lt. William Calley was sentenced to life in prison for his part in the deaths of 22 Vietnamese civilians in what was called the My Lai Massacre. Public opinion polls and news reports indicated that most Americans believed the sentence was too severe; many said Calley was a scapegoat. His sentence was gradually reduced and he was paroled in 1974.
Advertisement
File Photo courtesy of the U.S. government
In 1991, the Warsaw Pact formally ended, with Soviet commanders surrendering their powers in an agreement between pact members and the Soviet Union.
In 1995, Major League Baseball players went back to work, ending the longest strike in league history. The lockout, which began Aug. 12, 1994, ended the rest of the 1994 season.
In 1998, the U.N. Security Council voted to impose an arms embargo on Yugoslavia after unrest in the Serbian province of Kosovo turned violent.
In 2005, Terri Schiavo, a 41-year-old Florida woman in a persistent vegetative state since 1990, died 14 days after removal of her feeding tube amid a legal struggle over her fate that reached the White House and Supreme Court.
In 2007, Pakistan successfully tested its Hataf-II Abdali ballistic missile, believed capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
In 2017, mudslides killed more than 200 people after heavy rains in Colombia.
In 2019, rapper Nipsey Hussle died in a shooting outside his Los Angeles clothing store.
Advertisement


upi--2020-03-31--Fiber-optic broadband brings jobs, access to hard-hit coal country

DENVER , March 31 ( UPI ) -- Installing fiber-optic broadband service in rural areas is helping to retrain coal miners and diversify the economies of some economically depressed U.S. communities .
Colorado 's North Fork Valley , about 275 miles southwest of Denver , has been a coal-mining area for 150 years .
In the valley , a local fiber-optic company has trained and employed some 80 former coal miners as part of an initiative to bring 1 gigabit-per-second Internet service to the region .
`` These coal miners have a work ethic like you can not believe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hotchkiss , Colo. , -based Lightworks Fiber and Consulting , the hiring firm .
`` They are used to shift work , they 're OK on travel , it all seems to work out . ''
Neal 's husband and company co-owner , Eric , is a former miner .
Most ex-miners in the area , like Andy Carver , 38 , come from multi-generation mining families .
Carver worked in the local coal mines for a decade .
`` I lived through more than one layoff in the mines .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Carver said of the fiber-optics job .
`` I have n't had one day that I thought , 'Man I wish I could go back to a coal mine and work there . '
'' As coal jobs disappeared in the valley , some miners relocated to other mining regions .
It did n't always work out .
Garrett Pietak , 34 , followed mining work to Richfield , Utah , when the Bowie Resources mine in Delta County closed in 2016 .
Pietak , who mined coal since high school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved his wife and two children , he said .
`` I kinda hated it there , '' Pietak said .
`` We found ourselves coming home [ to Colorado ] every chance we got .
Following coal mining and making all the money in the world was n't worth living in a place that was n't home to us . ''
Pietak went from working underground to climbing utility poles to install aerial fiber-optic cable .
`` Lightworks is as close to coal mining as you can get in the real world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and [ it has ] a good group of people who get things done while still having a good time , '' Pietak said .
`` I do make less money , but it just means you do n't go on the extravagant trips anymore .
Downgrading our style of living was n't that big of a change for us , '' he said .
Some longtime miners had to retool their expectations to adapt to a different industry .
`` The pay scale is n't an instant gratification like coal mining , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lightworks ' project manager .
Wilson worked in the Colorado western coal mines for 16 years , as did his father and grandfather .
`` But there 's good money in telecom , as well .
People have to work from home now with this coronavirus .
They need this kind of Internet , '' Wilson said .
`` It 's a secure career when you get settled in .
You have to give [ telecom ] an honest shot . ''
Some 900 miners lost their jobs in the North Fork Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Creek Mine led to its closure 2013 .
That was followed by the shuttering of the Bowie Mine three years later .
`` It was a mini-earthquake in this area to lose that many jobs when we only have 30,000 people , '' said Brad Harding , 44 , a fifth-generation resident , part-time coal miner and president of a community bank .
`` It sent shock waves through the community . ''
Harding and other locals pushed the local rural electric cooperative to invest in the high-speed broadband , hoping that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live in a picturesque mountain community .
The cost , in the tens of millions of dollars , was reduced somewhat by national and state grants .
`` The electrical co-op was nervous to go into that field to get fiber to the home , '' Harding said .
The expense and new business model was considered a risk , he said .
`` But they 've already got 7,200 customers in four years , '' Harding said .
High-speed Internet has helped put the area on the map , said Elyse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Community and Economic Development Department .
`` We 're seeing a growth in entrepreneurship and retirees moving in , which is importing wealth .
People are moving here who are tired of Denver traffic and can bring their job with them , '' Casselberry said .
`` When the coal mines closed , everybody agreed that any job was a benefit .
If we grow one job at a time , we grow one job at a time . ''
In Appalachia , electric co-ops also are expanding broadband service to rural coal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last year , seven electric cooperatives in Kentucky , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania and Tennessee won nearly $ 10 million in federal grants to build or expand rural fiber-optic networks .
`` Broadband is very expensive , '' said Tracy Warren , communications manager for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association .
`` But local businesses ca n't grow without it . ''
No single industry can replace coal in a rural area that was formerly centered on extraction , said Ben Alexander , a Montana-based senior program adviser at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group that studies community resiliency .
`` Energy-producing communities have faced the most difficult economic transitions , '' he said , adding that some rural communities also resist change .
`` Rural communities can have their own notion of success that 's place-specific and culturally defined , '' Alexander said .
`` Maybe they do n't want to do things differently . ''
Still , having rural Internet access helps build businesses that can help diversify the economy , and that creates jobs , Alexander said .
`` It 's too simple to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it is part of the solution , '' he said .

Displaced coal miners in Colorado's North Fork Valley are finding new careers as fiber optic installers. Photo courtesy of Lightworks Fiber and Consulting
DENVER, March 31 (UPI) -- Installing fiber-optic broadband service in rural areas is helping to retrain coal miners and diversify the economies of some economically depressed U.S. communities. Colorado's North Fork Valley, about 275 miles southwest of Denver, has been a coal-mining area for 150 years. In the valley, a local fiber-optic company has trained and employed some 80 former coal miners as part of an initiative to bring 1 gigabit-per-second Internet service to the region. Advertisement
"These coal miners have a work ethic like you cannot believe," said Teresa Neal, co-owner of Hotchkiss, Colo.,-based Lightworks Fiber and Consulting, the hiring firm. "They are used to shift work, they're OK on travel, it all seems to work out." Neal's husband and company co-owner, Eric, is a former miner.
Most ex-miners in the area, like Andy Carver, 38, come from multi-generation mining families. Carver worked in the local coal mines for a decade.
Advertisement
"I lived through more than one layoff in the mines. This is a more stable income for my family," Carver said of the fiber-optics job. "I haven't had one day that I thought, 'Man I wish I could go back to a coal mine and work there.'"
As coal jobs disappeared in the valley, some miners relocated to other mining regions. It didn't always work out.
Headed to Utah
Garrett Pietak, 34, followed mining work to Richfield, Utah, when the Bowie Resources mine in Delta County closed in 2016.
Pietak, who mined coal since high school, had signed a two-year contract and moved his wife and two children, he said.
"I kinda hated it there," Pietak said. "We found ourselves coming home [to Colorado] every chance we got. Following coal mining and making all the money in the world wasn't worth living in a place that wasn't home to us."
Pietak went from working underground to climbing utility poles to install aerial fiber-optic cable.
"Lightworks is as close to coal mining as you can get in the real world, because it's still fun, and [it has] a good group of people who get things done while still having a good time," Pietak said.
Advertisement
"I do make less money, but it just means you don't go on the extravagant trips anymore. Downgrading our style of living wasn't that big of a change for us," he said.
Some longtime miners had to retool their expectations to adapt to a different industry.
"The pay scale isn't an instant gratification like coal mining," said Jeff Wilson, 41, Lightworks' project manager. Wilson worked in the Colorado western coal mines for 16 years, as did his father and grandfather.
"But there's good money in telecom, as well. People have to work from home now with this coronavirus. They need this kind of Internet," Wilson said. "It's a secure career when you get settled in. You have to give [telecom] an honest shot."
900 jobs lost
Some 900 miners lost their jobs in the North Fork Valley after an underground fire in the Elk Creek Mine led to its closure 2013. That was followed by the shuttering of the Bowie Mine three years later.
"It was a mini-earthquake in this area to lose that many jobs when we only have 30,000 people," said Brad Harding, 44, a fifth-generation resident, part-time coal miner and president of a community bank. "It sent shock waves through the community."
Advertisement
Harding and other locals pushed the local rural electric cooperative to invest in the high-speed broadband, hoping that it would attract businesses and people who wanted to live in a picturesque mountain community. The cost, in the tens of millions of dollars, was reduced somewhat by national and state grants.
"The electrical co-op was nervous to go into that field to get fiber to the home," Harding said. The expense and new business model was considered a risk, he said. "But they've already got 7,200 customers in four years," Harding said.
High-speed Internet has helped put the area on the map, said Elyse Casselberry, director of the Delta County Community and Economic Development Department.
"We're seeing a growth in entrepreneurship and retirees moving in, which is importing wealth. People are moving here who are tired of Denver traffic and can bring their job with them," Casselberry said. "When the coal mines closed, everybody agreed that any job was a benefit. If we grow one job at a time, we grow one job at a time."
Electric co-ops grow
In Appalachia, electric co-ops also are expanding broadband service to rural coal country with the help of grant funding. Last year, seven electric cooperatives in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee won nearly $10 million in federal grants to build or expand rural fiber-optic networks.
Advertisement
"Broadband is very expensive," said Tracy Warren, communications manager for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. "But local businesses can't grow without it."
No single industry can replace coal in a rural area that was formerly centered on extraction, said Ben Alexander, a Montana-based senior program adviser at Resources Legacy Fund, a non-profit policy group that studies community resiliency.
"Energy-producing communities have faced the most difficult economic transitions," he said, adding that some rural communities also resist change.
"Rural communities can have their own notion of success that's place-specific and culturally defined," Alexander said. "Maybe they don't want to do things differently."
Still, having rural Internet access helps build businesses that can help diversify the economy, and that creates jobs, Alexander said.
"It's too simple to say that broadband solves the problem, but it is part of the solution," he said.


upi--2020-03-31--Blood sugar control may aid stroke recovery in diabetes patients

Good blood sugar control can help protect against mental decline after a common type of stroke in people with diabetes , new research suggests .
The study included 942 patients with diabetes who suffered a lacunar stroke -- one caused by a blockage in an artery that provides blood to the brain 's deep structures .
Better blood sugar , or glucose , control was associated with better mental , or cognitive , function and less mental decline , while worse control was associated with worse mental function and greater decline , the researchers found .
`` As the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stroke is increasing , and both diseases are risk factors for cognitive dysfunction and dementia , '' said lead author Dr. Tali Cukierman-Yaffe .
She 's a researcher at Sackler School of Medicine of Tel Aviv University , in Israel .
Every 1 percent increase in baseline hemoglobin A1C -- an estimate of average glucose levels in the previous three months -- was associated with a 0.06 lower standardized Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument , or CASI , score .
With a score range of 0 to 100 , CASI measures attention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language abilities and other mental skills .
Higher baseline A1C values were associated with lower cognitive scores over time , and a 1 % increase in A1C over time was associated with a 0.021 decrease in CASI score during follow-up , according to the study published in a special supplemental issue of the Journal of the Endocrine Society .
Although the study could not prove a cause-and-effect relationship , the findings remained statistically significant even after the authors adjusted for such factors as age , sex , education , race , depression , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , heart disease , obstructive sleep apnea , insulin use and abnormalities in brain white matter .
`` Identifying modifiable risk factors that are associated with cognitive dysfunction in people with type 2 diabetes who experience a lacunar stroke has major public health implications , '' Cukierman-Yaffe noted in an Endocrine Society news release .
`` Intervention studies are needed to investigate whether tighter glucose control may slow the rate of cognitive decline in this population , '' she added .
The American Diabetes Association has more on blood sugar control .

Good blood sugar control can help protect against mental decline after a common type of stroke in people with diabetes, new research suggests.
The study included 942 patients with diabetes who suffered a lacunar stroke -- one caused by a blockage in an artery that provides blood to the brain's deep structures.
Advertisement
Better blood sugar, or glucose, control was associated with better mental, or cognitive, function and less mental decline, while worse control was associated with worse mental function and greater decline, the researchers found.
"As the population is aging, the prevalence of diabetes and stroke is increasing, and both diseases are risk factors for cognitive dysfunction and dementia," said lead author Dr. Tali Cukierman-Yaffe. She's a researcher at Sackler School of Medicine of Tel Aviv University, in Israel.
Every 1 percent increase in baseline hemoglobin A1C -- an estimate of average glucose levels in the previous three months -- was associated with a 0.06 lower standardized Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument, or CASI, score.
With a score range of 0 to 100, CASI measures attention, concentration, short- and long-term memory, language abilities and other mental skills.
Higher baseline A1C values were associated with lower cognitive scores over time, and a 1% increase in A1C over time was associated with a 0.021 decrease in CASI score during follow-up, according to the study published in a special supplemental issue of the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
Advertisement
Although the study could not prove a cause-and-effect relationship, the findings remained statistically significant even after the authors adjusted for such factors as age, sex, education, race, depression, high blood pressure, body mass index, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, insulin use and abnormalities in brain white matter.
"Identifying modifiable risk factors that are associated with cognitive dysfunction in people with type 2 diabetes who experience a lacunar stroke has major public health implications," Cukierman-Yaffe noted in an Endocrine Society news release.
"Intervention studies are needed to investigate whether tighter glucose control may slow the rate of cognitive decline in this population," she added.
More information
The American Diabetes Association has more on blood sugar control.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-31--Judges in 3 states block abortion bans amid pandemic

March 31 ( UPI ) -- Federal judges in Alabama , Ohio and Texas blocked the states from enforcing a ban on abortions during the coronavirus pandemic .
In Alabama , Judge Myron Thompson ruled that the March 27 executive order halting all dental , medical and surgical procedures during the pandemic will prevent some women from exercising their right to abortion .
Thompson wrote that the mandatory postponement `` may pose an undue burden that is not justified by the state 's purported rationals . ''
He ruled a temporary suspension of the state 's abortion ban until April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama by the American Civil Liberties Union on Monday on behalf of Dr. Yashica Robinson and three abortion clinics in the state .
`` Pregnant people need healthcare whether it 's prenatal care and childbirth services or abortion care , '' said Randall Marshall , executive director of the ACLU of Alabama .
`` Preventing them from getting an abortion does n't do anything to stop the COVID-19 virus , it just takes the decision whether to have a child out of their hands . ''
In a statement addressing the lawsuit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was brought by the ACLU because the government would n't grant abortion clinics `` a blanket exemption . ''
`` Put simply , no provider or clinic is excused from compliance with this order , '' Marshall wrote .
The Alabama ruling followed that by Judge Michael Barrett in Ohio who granted the ACLU its request for a temporary restraining order to allow abortion procedures amid the pandemic .
Following the ruling , Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement that the Department of Health had issued the order to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in light of the COVID-19 public health emergency . ''
Alexis McGill Johnson , acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America , applauded Barrett 's decision , stating it sends a clear message to politicians and anti-abortion activists that `` exploiting a global pandemic to ban abortion is illegal . ''
`` Anti-abortion activists have tried to exploit fear of the COVID-19 pandemic to push a dangerous political agenda .
Enough is enough , '' she said in a statement .
`` It 's time to get to work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 virus and address urgent public health needs that threaten our communities . ''
Texas was the first state on Monday to lift the ban , with federal Judge Lee Yeakel ruling in favor of the state 's abortion providers .
`` Plaintiffs ' patients will suffer serious and irreparable harm in the absence of a temporary restraining order , '' Yeakel wrote in the ruling .
`` The attorney general 's interpretation fo the executive order prevents Texas women from exercising what the Supreme Court has declared is their fundamental constitutional right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is viable . ''
Abortions were banned under an executive order signed by Gov .
Greg Abbott March 22 forcing all healthcare professionals to postpone all surgeries and procedures `` that are not immediately medically necessary . ''
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement Monday that medical professionals in the state are in dire need of supplies and abortion providers refusing to adhere to the executive order `` are demonstrating a clear disregard for Texans suffering from this medical crisis . ''
Paxton said he will appeal the decision .

Abortion rights supporters demonstrate during the "Stop Abortion Bans Day of Action" rally at the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2019. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 31 (UPI) -- Federal judges in Alabama, Ohio and Texas blocked the states from enforcing a ban on abortions during the coronavirus pandemic. In Alabama, Judge Myron Thompson ruled that the March 27 executive order halting all dental, medical and surgical procedures during the pandemic will prevent some women from exercising their right to abortion. Advertisement
Thompson wrote that the mandatory postponement "may pose an undue burden that is not justified by the state's purported rationals."
He ruled a temporary suspension of the state's abortion ban until April 6.
The lawsuit was brought against Alabama by the American Civil Liberties Union on Monday on behalf of Dr. Yashica Robinson and three abortion clinics in the state.
"Pregnant people need healthcare whether it's prenatal care and childbirth services or abortion care," said Randall Marshall, executive director of the ACLU of Alabama. "Preventing them from getting an abortion doesn't do anything to stop the COVID-19 virus, it just takes the decision whether to have a child out of their hands."
Advertisement
In a statement addressing the lawsuit, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said it was brought by the ACLU because the government wouldn't grant abortion clinics "a blanket exemption."
"Put simply, no provider or clinic is excused from compliance with this order," Marshall wrote.
The Alabama ruling followed that by Judge Michael Barrett in Ohio who granted the ACLU its request for a temporary restraining order to allow abortion procedures amid the pandemic.
Following the ruling, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement that the Department of Health had issued the order to stop all elective surgeries "to save lives in light of the COVID-19 public health emergency."
Alexis McGill Johnson, acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, applauded Barrett's decision, stating it sends a clear message to politicians and anti-abortion activists that "exploiting a global pandemic to ban abortion is illegal."
"Anti-abortion activists have tried to exploit fear of the COVID-19 pandemic to push a dangerous political agenda. Enough is enough," she said in a statement. "It's time to get to work and do what's necessary to contain the COVID-19 virus and address urgent public health needs that threaten our communities."
Advertisement
Texas was the first state on Monday to lift the ban, with federal Judge Lee Yeakel ruling in favor of the state's abortion providers.
"Plaintiffs' patients will suffer serious and irreparable harm in the absence of a temporary restraining order," Yeakel wrote in the ruling. "The attorney general's interpretation fo the executive order prevents Texas women from exercising what the Supreme Court has declared is their fundamental constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy before a fetus is viable."
Abortions were banned under an executive order signed by Gov. Greg Abbott March 22 forcing all healthcare professionals to postpone all surgeries and procedures "that are not immediately medically necessary."
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement Monday that medical professionals in the state are in dire need of supplies and abortion providers refusing to adhere to the executive order "are demonstrating a clear disregard for Texans suffering from this medical crisis."
Paxton said he will appeal the decision.


upi--2020-03-31--World Bank forecasts growth to drastically slow amid pandemic

March 30 ( UPI ) -- The World Bank forecast economic growth throughout East Asia , the Pacific and China to drastically slow this year due to the coronavirus pandemic , urging nations to take action now to mitigate the virus ' immediate market impacts .
The bank said Monday it was `` unusually difficult '' to forecast precise projections due to the changing environment but projected growth in developing EAP countries to slow this year to 2.1 percent in the base-line scenario or , in the lower-case scenario , to -0.5 percent , compared to an estimated 5.8 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former epicenter of the virus , the bank forecast growth to decline to 2.3 percent in the baseline scenario and to 0.1 percent in the lower-case scenario for this year , compared to 6.1 percent in 2019 .
The projections were published in the World Bank 's April 2020 economic update for East Asia and the Pacific , where the bank predicted the economic impact on these markets will prevent nearly 24 million fewer people in the region from escaping poverty , defined as making less than $ 5.50 a day , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation further deteriorates , poverty will expand by 11 million people , it said , compared to its previous estimate that 35 million residents of the EAP region , including 25 million in China , would have escaped poverty this year .
`` Countries in East Asia and the Pacific that were already coping with international trade tensions and the repercussions of the spread of COVID-19 in China are now faced with a global shock , '' said Victoria Kwakwa , vice president for East Asia and the Pacific at the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to implement target fiscal measures , such as subsidies for sick pay and healthcare , to help contain the virus and ensure that the pandemic does n't cause `` long-term losses of human capital . ''
It also calls for new public-private partnerships to boost the production of key medical supplies and services to ensure financial stability once the pandemic is over as well as for countries to implement the easing of credit to help households and firms withstand the immediate economic shock .
`` Countries in East Asia and the Pacific and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep trade open and coordinate macroeconomic policy , '' said Aaditya Mattoo , chief economist at the World Bank for East Asia and the Pacific .
The report follows the bank earlier this month announcing a $ 14 billion package to aid developing nations to fight the virus and shorten their recovery time .
The virus , which has spread to more than 170 countries since it emerged in December , has infected more than 780,000 people worldwide and killed nearly 40,000 people , according to a tracker of medical and government data @ @ @ @ @

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the opening bell on Wall Street in New York City on March 17. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- The World Bank forecast economic growth throughout East Asia, the Pacific and China to drastically slow this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, urging nations to take action now to mitigate the virus' immediate market impacts. The bank said Monday it was "unusually difficult" to forecast precise projections due to the changing environment but projected growth in developing EAP countries to slow this year to 2.1 percent in the base-line scenario or, in the lower-case scenario, to -0.5 percent, compared to an estimated 5.8 percent in 2019. Advertisement
In China, the former epicenter of the virus, the bank forecast growth to decline to 2.3 percent in the baseline scenario and to 0.1 percent in the lower-case scenario for this year, compared to 6.1 percent in 2019.
The projections were published in the World Bank's April 2020 economic update for East Asia and the Pacific, where the bank predicted the economic impact on these markets will prevent nearly 24 million fewer people in the region from escaping poverty, defined as making less than $5.50 a day, if the pandemic had been avoided.
If the situation further deteriorates, poverty will expand by 11 million people, it said, compared to its previous estimate that 35 million residents of the EAP region, including 25 million in China, would have escaped poverty this year.
Advertisement
"Countries in East Asia and the Pacific that were already coping with international trade tensions and the repercussions of the spread of COVID-19 in China are now faced with a global shock," said Victoria Kwakwa, vice president for East Asia and the Pacific at the World Bank.
The report is urging nations to implement target fiscal measures, such as subsidies for sick pay and healthcare, to help contain the virus and ensure that the pandemic doesn't cause "long-term losses of human capital."
It also calls for new public-private partnerships to boost the production of key medical supplies and services to ensure financial stability once the pandemic is over as well as for countries to implement the easing of credit to help households and firms withstand the immediate economic shock.
"Countries in East Asia and the Pacific and elsewhere must fight this disease together, keep trade open and coordinate macroeconomic policy," said Aaditya Mattoo, chief economist at the World Bank for East Asia and the Pacific.
The report follows the bank earlier this month announcing a $14 billion package to aid developing nations to fight the virus and shorten their recovery time.
The virus, which has spread to more than 170 countries since it emerged in December, has infected more than 780,000 people worldwide and killed nearly 40,000 people, according to a tracker of medical and government data by Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-03-30--New York coronavirus cases top 66,000; Trump says national stay-at-home order unlikely

March 30 ( UPI ) -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New York , the U.S. epicenter of the crisis , has surpassed 66,000 with the addition of 7,000 new cases , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said in an update Monday .
Cuomo , speaking to reporters at a makeshift hospital in the Jacob Javits Convention Center , said the majority of the new cases were recorded in New York City , where more than 36,000 patients have so far tested positive .
New York 's death toll rose to more than 1,200 , he added , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 percent .
There have now been more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths in the United States and the total U.S. caseload is more than 164,000 , according to a count by experts at Johns Hopkins University on Monday night .
`` That 's a lot of loss , that 's a lot of pain , that 's a lot of tears , that 's a lot of grief that people all across the state are feeling , '' Cuomo said .
Cuomo waited to stage his daily briefing until after a Navy hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help alleviate crowding in New York City hospitals .
The USNS Comfort adds 1,000 more beds -- 750 of which will be used immediately , Mayor Bill de Blasio said .
New York also converted Central Park 's East Meadow into a field hospital that was designated as a respiratory care unit in response to the virus , with 68 beds including 10 that will serve as a makeshift intensive care unit for patients who require ventilators .
The hospital was constructed by 72 disaster assistance response specialists from humanitarian aid organization Samaritan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tuesday .
`` This is the kind of thing you will see now as this crisis develops , '' de Blasio said .
President Donald Trump , during a briefing in the White House Rose Garden on Monday , said that 1 million people have been tested for the coronavirus .
He touted the Food and Drug Administration 's approval of new tests by Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories that are capable of producing test results in minutes .
`` Just like tests for flu or strep -- where you go to the doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- you can get an answer within minutes of having this test done , '' FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said during the briefing .
`` Now with those tests being approved for Abbott and for others , these are available throughout the country , they 're planning to scale up the number of tests that can be put out throughout the country over the next month and patients can get the answer within as little as 15 to 5 minutes . ''
Trump also said the United States has received donations of supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak .
`` China sent us some stuff , which was terrific .
Russia sent us a very , very large planeload of things , medical equipment which was very nice , '' he said .
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci added Monday that it is likely there will be a second outbreak of the coronavirus in the fall .
`` In fact , I would anticipate that that would actually happen , '' said Fauci , adding , however , that such an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball game '' in regards to the preparedness of the U.S. government .
`` Our ability to go out and be able to test , identify , isolate and detect , trace would be orders of magnitude greater than it was just a couple of months ago , '' he said .
`` In addition , we have a number of clinical trials that are looking at a variety of therapeutic interventions .
We hope one or more of them will be available . ''
Fauci also noted the government has a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development and several other candidates that could be used in a potential second outbreak .
Trump on Monday said that it was `` pretty unlikely '' that he would order a nationwide stay-at-home order beyond the federal social distancing guideline he extended through April 30 on Sunday , noting he has allowed individual governors and other local leaders to make their own distinctions .
In Florida , Gov .
Ron DeSantis issued a stay-home order for the populous southeastern part of the state , which includes Miami-Dade , Broward , Palm Beach and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hogan issued a stay-at-home order that bars residents from traveling outside the state and riding public transportation .
`` This is a rapidly escalating emergency situation , '' the governor said , just days after the coronavirus killed dozens at a senior center in Mount Airy , Md .
Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam also issued a stay-at-home order for the state , ordering all Virginians to stay home except in `` extremely limited circumstances '' including travel to seek medical attention , work , care for family or household members and obtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services until June 10 .
The order also directs all Virginia institutions of higher education to halt in-person classes and instruction and closed private campgrounds as well as beaches for activities other than fishing and exercise .
`` We are in a public health crisis and we need everyone to take this seriously and act responsibly , '' Northam said .
`` Our message to Virginians is clear : stay home .
We know this virus spreads primarily through human-to-human contact and that 's why it 's so important that people follow this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser also issued a stay-at-home order but warned anyone who violates it may be found guilty of committing a misdemeanor crime and sentenced to up to 90 days in jail and fined $ 5,000 .
`` Our message remains the same : stay home , '' Bowser said in a statement .
`` Staying at home is the best way to flatten the curve and protect yourself , your family and our entire community from COVID-19 . ''
Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey issued a similar order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connectedness '' by maintaining communication with social supports including family , friends , neighbors and other social groups and developing habits such as physical activities , virtual social gathering and volunteer activities .
`` This order builds on the state 's efforts to protect public health by reminding Arizonans to maintain healthy habits and find alternative ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones while spending time at home , '' said Ducey .
Also Monday , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer imposed a hiring freeze and halted discretionary spending during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in emergency spending .
Whitmer said her administration must spend to save lives , even though the state faces an expected decline in tax revenues .
`` My number one priority is protecting Michiganders ' health and safety , '' she said .
`` However , we must also work to prepare our state for the impact the COVID-19 crisis will have on our economy and the state budget .
These executive orders will help us do just that . ''
In Louisiana , the state 's caseload and death toll grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Orleans Saints placekicker Tom Dempsey , who also has Alzheimer 's disease and dementia .
Dempsey , 73 , who was born without toes on his right foot , became famous for converting a 63-yard field goal to lift the Saints to a 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions on Nov. 8 , 1970 .
His daughter said he picked up the disease while living at a senior center in New Orleans .
In Tennessee , 33 staff members of a Nashville nursing home were in home isolation Monday after testing positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the home were hospitalized Friday .
In Washington , the Transportation Security Administration said more than 50 screening agents have tested positive over the last two weeks .
Twenty-two other agents , who have had relatively limited interaction with travelers , have also tested positive , the agency said .
Officials said the affected TSA employees worked at 21 airports in 18 states .

1/8
Members of the Maryland National Guard and Prince George's County Department of Health operate a coronavirus screening site at FedEx Field, the home of the Washington Redskins, in Landover, Md., on Monday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 30 (UPI) -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New York, the U.S. epicenter of the crisis, has surpassed 66,000 with the addition of 7,000 new cases, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in an update Monday. Cuomo, speaking to reporters at a makeshift hospital in the Jacob Javits Convention Center, said the majority of the new cases were recorded in New York City, where more than 36,000 patients have so far tested positive. Advertisement
New York's death toll rose to more than 1,200, he added, and the number of patients hospitalized jumped by 12 percent.
There have now been more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths in the United States and the total U.S. caseload is more than 164,000, according to a count by experts at Johns Hopkins University on Monday night.
"That's a lot of loss, that's a lot of pain, that's a lot of tears, that's a lot of grief that people all across the state are feeling," Cuomo said.
Advertisement
Cuomo waited to stage his daily briefing until after a Navy hospital ship docked in Manhattan on Monday to help alleviate crowding in New York City hospitals. The USNS Comfort adds 1,000 more beds -- 750 of which will be used immediately, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
New York also converted Central Park's East Meadow into a field hospital that was designated as a respiratory care unit in response to the virus, with 68 beds including 10 that will serve as a makeshift intensive care unit for patients who require ventilators.
The hospital was constructed by 72 disaster assistance response specialists from humanitarian aid organization Samaritan's Purse and will be operational as of Tuesday.
"This is the kind of thing you will see now as this crisis develops," de Blasio said.
President Donald Trump, during a briefing in the White House Rose Garden on Monday, said that 1 million people have been tested for the coronavirus. He touted the Food and Drug Administration's approval of new tests by Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories that are capable of producing test results in minutes.
Advertisement
"Just like tests for flu or strep -- where you go to the doctor so you can get the test done -- you can get an answer within minutes of having this test done," FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said during the briefing. "Now with those tests being approved for Abbott and for others, these are available throughout the country, they're planning to scale up the number of tests that can be put out throughout the country over the next month and patients can get the answer within as little as 15 to 5 minutes."
Trump also said the United States has received donations of supplies from other countries in order to combat the outbreak.
"China sent us some stuff, which was terrific. Russia sent us a very, very large planeload of things, medical equipment which was very nice," he said.
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci added Monday that it is likely there will be a second outbreak of the coronavirus in the fall.
"In fact, I would anticipate that that would actually happen," said Fauci, adding, however, that such an outbreak would be "a totally different ball game" in regards to the preparedness of the U.S. government.
Advertisement
"Our ability to go out and be able to test, identify, isolate and detect, trace would be orders of magnitude greater than it was just a couple of months ago," he said. "In addition, we have a number of clinical trials that are looking at a variety of therapeutic interventions. We hope one or more of them will be available."
Fauci also noted the government has a vaccine that is on track for an accelerated development and several other candidates that could be used in a potential second outbreak.
Trump on Monday said that it was "pretty unlikely" that he would order a nationwide stay-at-home order beyond the federal social distancing guideline he extended through April 30 on Sunday, noting he has allowed individual governors and other local leaders to make their own distinctions.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a stay-home order for the populous southeastern part of the state, which includes Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a stay-at-home order that bars residents from traveling outside the state and riding public transportation.
"This is a rapidly escalating emergency situation," the governor said, just days after the coronavirus killed dozens at a senior center in Mount Airy, Md.
Advertisement
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam also issued a stay-at-home order for the state, ordering all Virginians to stay home except in "extremely limited circumstances" including travel to seek medical attention, work, care for family or household members and obtain groceries, prescriptions or other goods and services until June 10.
The order also directs all Virginia institutions of higher education to halt in-person classes and instruction and closed private campgrounds as well as beaches for activities other than fishing and exercise.
"We are in a public health crisis and we need everyone to take this seriously and act responsibly," Northam said. "Our message to Virginians is clear: stay home. We know this virus spreads primarily through human-to-human contact and that's why it's so important that people follow this order and practice social distancing."
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser also issued a stay-at-home order but warned anyone who violates it may be found guilty of committing a misdemeanor crime and sentenced to up to 90 days in jail and fined $5,000.
"Our message remains the same: stay home," Bowser said in a statement. "Staying at home is the best way to flatten the curve and protect yourself, your family and our entire community from COVID-19."
Advertisement
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued a similar order while also encouraging improvements to "social connectedness" by maintaining communication with social supports including family, friends, neighbors and other social groups and developing habits such as physical activities, virtual social gathering and volunteer activities.
"This order builds on the state's efforts to protect public health by reminding Arizonans to maintain healthy habits and find alternative ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones while spending time at home," said Ducey.
Also Monday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer imposed a hiring freeze and halted discretionary spending during the health emergency. She authorized $150 million in emergency spending.
Whitmer said her administration must spend to save lives, even though the state faces an expected decline in tax revenues.
"My number one priority is protecting Michiganders' health and safety," she said. "However, we must also work to prepare our state for the impact the COVID-19 crisis will have on our economy and the state budget. These executive orders will help us do just that."
In Louisiana, the state's caseload and death toll grew Monday. Among those hospitalized was legendary New Orleans Saints placekicker Tom Dempsey, who also has Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Advertisement
Dempsey, 73, who was born without toes on his right foot, became famous for converting a 63-yard field goal to lift the Saints to a 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions on Nov. 8, 1970. His daughter said he picked up the disease while living at a senior center in New Orleans.
In Tennessee, 33 staff members of a Nashville nursing home were in home isolation Monday after testing positive, state officials said. Twenty-three residents at the home were hospitalized Friday.
In Washington, the Transportation Security Administration said more than 50 screening agents have tested positive over the last two weeks. Twenty-two other agents, who have had relatively limited interaction with travelers, have also tested positive, the agency said.
Officials said the affected TSA employees worked at 21 airports in 18 states.
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic