upi--2020-03-21--Hispanic teens' mental health dives when relatives deported

U.S. immigration policies may put Hispanic teens ' mental and physical health at risk , researchers say .
Of 547 U.S.-born Hispanic kids surveyed in Atlanta , one-quarter had a parent , aunt , uncle or other family member who was detained or deported in 2017 or 2018 .
Participants were questioned twice , six months apart .
Compared to other middle school- and high school-aged youth , those with a detained or deported family member had more than twice the risk of suicidal thoughts .
They also were nearly three times more likely to report early alcohol use , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaged in risky behaviors , such as aggression or truancy .
`` This study found that among kids with a deportation or detention in the family , 28 percent later reported thinking of killing themselves sometimes or often ; 18 percent said they had consumed alcohol and 23 percent had engaged in a high level of risky behavior , '' said study author Kathleen Roche .
She 's an associate professor of prevention and community health at George Washington University , in Washington , D.C. '' The findings are worrisome because these kinds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often result in problems well into adulthood , '' she added in a university news release .
The study was published March 16 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics .
`` Our study offers the first direct scientific evidence indicating that current U.S. immigration policies might contribute to serious mental and behavioral health risks for [ Latino/Latina ] youth , '' Roche said .
`` A deportation or detention in the family may put these young people , most of whom are U.S. citizens , at risk of serious health problems and a downward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she warned .
Roche noted that teens engage in risky behaviors and have suicidal thoughts for reasons other than having family members detained or deported , so this one study ca n't prove that current U.S. immigration policies are harming Hispanic youth .
But even after controlling for factors such as the quality of parent-child relationships and risky behavior reported at the study 's start , there was a strong link with deportation or detention of a family member and the threat of serious behavior , mental health and social problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pediatrics has more on teens and mental health .

U.S. immigration policies may put Hispanic teens' mental and physical health at risk, researchers say.
Of 547 U.S.-born Hispanic kids surveyed in Atlanta, one-quarter had a parent, aunt, uncle or other family member who was detained or deported in 2017 or 2018. Participants were questioned twice, six months apart.
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Compared to other middle school- and high school-aged youth, those with a detained or deported family member had more than twice the risk of suicidal thoughts. They also were nearly three times more likely to report early alcohol use, and were also more likely to have engaged in risky behaviors, such as aggression or truancy.
"This study found that among kids with a deportation or detention in the family, 28 percent later reported thinking of killing themselves sometimes or often; 18 percent said they had consumed alcohol and 23 percent had engaged in a high level of risky behavior," said study author Kathleen Roche. She's an associate professor of prevention and community health at George Washington University, in Washington, D.C.
"The findings are worrisome because these kinds of risks during the early teen years often result in problems well into adulthood," she added in a university news release.
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The study was published March 16 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
"Our study offers the first direct scientific evidence indicating that current U.S. immigration policies might contribute to serious mental and behavioral health risks for [Latino/Latina] youth," Roche said.
"A deportation or detention in the family may put these young people, most of whom are U.S. citizens, at risk of serious health problems and a downward trajectory that could be hard to reverse," she warned.
Roche noted that teens engage in risky behaviors and have suicidal thoughts for reasons other than having family members detained or deported, so this one study can't prove that current U.S. immigration policies are harming Hispanic youth.
But even after controlling for factors such as the quality of parent-child relationships and risky behavior reported at the study's start, there was a strong link with deportation or detention of a family member and the threat of serious behavior, mental health and social problems, she added.
More information
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on teens and mental health.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-20--Steelers signing former Colts TE Eric Ebron to two-year, $12M deal

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Former Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron reached an agreement with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Ebron agreed to a two-year contract worth $ 12 million .
The team has yet to confirm the deal , which is pending a physical .
`` [ Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ] told me he 's been [ high ] on me since I was a Tar Heel , and he 's happy to get one of the guys he wanted out of college , '' Ebron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a defensive coach , he knows I 'm hard to game plan against , and I 'm excited to come [ to Pittsburgh ] . ''
Ebron , who turns 27 in July , recorded 31 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 12 .
He experienced a significant decline in production from 2018 , when he set career highs in receptions ( 66 ) , receiving yards ( 750 ) and touchdowns ( 13 ) to earn his first Pro Bowl appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the No .
10 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of North Carolina .
He spent four seasons in Detroit before signing with the Colts in March 2018 .
In six NFL seasons between the Lions and Colts , Ebron has racked up 283 receptions for 3,195 yards and 29 total touchdowns .

Former Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron recorded 31 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. File Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- Former Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron reached an agreement with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Ebron agreed to a two-year contract worth $12 million. The team has yet to confirm the deal, which is pending a physical. Advertisement
"[Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin] told me he's been [high] on me since I was a Tar Heel, and he's happy to get one of the guys he wanted out of college," Ebron told ESPN. "He said being a defensive coach, he knows I'm hard to game plan against, and I'm excited to come [to Pittsburgh]."
Ebron, who turns 27 in July, recorded 31 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 12. He experienced a significant decline in production from 2018, when he set career highs in receptions (66), receiving yards (750) and touchdowns (13) to earn his first Pro Bowl appearance.
The Detroit Lions selected Ebron with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. He spent four seasons in Detroit before signing with the Colts in March 2018.
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In six NFL seasons between the Lions and Colts, Ebron has racked up 283 receptions for 3,195 yards and 29 total touchdowns.


upi--2020-03-20--Georgia's Anthony Edwards, potential No. 1 pick, declares for 2020 NBA Draft

March 20 ( UPI ) -- Georgia Bulldogs freshman guard Anthony Edwards , widely considered one of the top prospects , has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft .
`` Georgia will always be my home but I am ready to take my game to the next level and have decided to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft , '' Edwards announced Friday on Twitter .
`` I hope I 've made you all proud but the work is far from finished .
`` Family , friends , teammates , coaches , fans and Georgia , this one 's for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future holds and I hope you 'll follow along . ''
Before declaring for the draft , Edwards told 247Sports on Friday that he deserves to be the No .
1 overall pick in the upcoming draft .
Sports Illustrated and ESPN listed Edwards as the projected top pick in its latest mock drafts .
`` I think I should go No .
1 , no doubt , '' Edwards told 247Sports .
`` That 's the only place I think I should go . ''
Edwards also signed with Octagon Basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media .
The firm represents Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry , among others .
Edwards , listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds , averaged 19.1 points , 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game for the Bulldogs this season .

March 20 (UPI) -- Georgia Bulldogs freshman guard Anthony Edwards, widely considered one of the top prospects, has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft.
"Georgia will always be my home but I am ready to take my game to the next level and have decided to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft," Edwards announced Friday on Twitter. "I hope I've made you all proud but the work is far from finished.
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"Family, friends, teammates, coaches, fans and Georgia, this one's for you. I'm excited for what the future holds and I hope you'll follow along."
Before declaring for the draft, Edwards told 247Sports on Friday that he deserves to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Sports Illustrated and ESPN listed Edwards as the projected top pick in its latest mock drafts.
"I think I should go No. 1, no doubt," Edwards told 247Sports. "That's the only place I think I should go."
The No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA draft?@theantman05 pic.twitter.com/ulPYK86u0Z— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 20, 2020
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Edwards also signed with Octagon Basketball, the agency announced Friday on social media. The firm represents Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, among others.
Edwards, listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game for the Bulldogs this season.


upi--2020-03-20--Eating fish in moderation during pregnancy good for baby

Advice on eating fish while pregnant has flip-flopped over the years .
Now , a new study suggests that the benefit of eating fish in moderation during pregnancy outweighs the risk .
Fish is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids , which are important for a developing fetus .
But some fish -- such as swordfish , shark and mackerel -- can contain high levels of mercury , which can cause neurological damage .
The new study included 805 mother-child pairs in five European countries .
During pregnancy , the women were asked about their fish consumption and tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were between 6 and 12 years of age , the kids ' metabolic health was assessed .
Metabolic health includes factors such as waist circumference , blood pressure and cholesterol levels .
The University of Southern California researchers found that children whose moms ate fish one to three times per week during pregnancy were more likely to have better metabolic health than kids whose mothers ate fish less than once a week during pregnancy .
But the benefits decreased if their mothers ate fish more than three times a week during pregnancy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 in JAMA Network Open .
`` Fish is an important source of nutrients , and its consumption should not be avoided , '' said senior investigator Dr. Leda Chatzi , an associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC .
`` But pregnant women should stick to one to three servings of fish a week as recommended , and not eat more , because of the potential contamination of fish by mercury and other persistent organic pollutants , '' she advised in a school news release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scholar , pointed out that fish can be a common route of exposure to dangerous chemical pollutants .
`` It is possible that when women eat fish more than three times a week , that pollutant exposure may counterbalance the beneficial effects of fish consumption seen at lower intake levels , '' Stratakis said .
The researchers now plan to examine the effects of consuming different types of fish with different nutrients and mercury levels .
They also expect to follow the children in the study until their mid-teens .
The U.S. Food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumption during women 's childbearing years .

Advice on eating fish while pregnant has flip-flopped over the years. Now, a new study suggests that the benefit of eating fish in moderation during pregnancy outweighs the risk.
Fish is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for a developing fetus. But some fish -- such as swordfish, shark and mackerel -- can contain high levels of mercury, which can cause neurological damage.
Advertisement
The new study included 805 mother-child pairs in five European countries. During pregnancy, the women were asked about their fish consumption and tested for mercury exposure.
When their children were between 6 and 12 years of age, the kids' metabolic health was assessed. Metabolic health includes factors such as waist circumference, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The University of Southern California researchers found that children whose moms ate fish one to three times per week during pregnancy were more likely to have better metabolic health than kids whose mothers ate fish less than once a week during pregnancy.
But the benefits decreased if their mothers ate fish more than three times a week during pregnancy, according to the study published online March 16 in JAMA Network Open.
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"Fish is an important source of nutrients, and its consumption should not be avoided," said senior investigator Dr. Leda Chatzi, an associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
"But pregnant women should stick to one to three servings of fish a week as recommended, and not eat more, because of the potential contamination of fish by mercury and other persistent organic pollutants," she advised in a school news release.
Study co-author Nikos Stratakis, a postdoctoral scholar, pointed out that fish can be a common route of exposure to dangerous chemical pollutants.
"It is possible that when women eat fish more than three times a week, that pollutant exposure may counterbalance the beneficial effects of fish consumption seen at lower intake levels," Stratakis said.
The researchers now plan to examine the effects of consuming different types of fish with different nutrients and mercury levels. They also expect to follow the children in the study until their mid-teens.
More information
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers advice about fish consumption during women's childbearing years.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-20--Ravens agree to send DL Chris Wormley to Steelers in rare trade

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The Baltimore Ravens agreed to send defensive lineman Chris Wormley to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rare trade between the AFC North rivals .
The Ravens are shipping Wormley and a 2021 seventh-round draft pick to the Steelers in exchange for a 2021 fifth-round choice .
The teams announced Friday that the trade is pending a physical .
The only other player trade between the franchises occurred in 1997 , when the Steelers sent offensive lineman Bernard Dafney to the Ravens in exchange for a seventh-rounder .
Dafney played one game for the Ravens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all 16 regular-season games ( seven starts ) last season .
The 2017 third-round pick out of Michigan recorded career highs in total tackles ( 33 ) and sacks ( 1.5 ) in 2019 .
By trading Wormley to the Steelers , the Ravens will create about $ 2.1 million in salary-cap space .
Wormley became expendable this off-season after the Ravens upgraded their defensive line through trades and free agency .
Baltimore traded for five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell and agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-signed defensive linemen Jihad Ward and Justin Ellis to bolster its depth at the position .
With the pending addition of Wormley , the Steelers helped address the lack of depth on their defensive line after the departure of Javon Hargrave in free agency .

The Baltimore Ravens traded defensive lineman Chris Wormley and a 2021 seventh-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2021 fifth-round selection. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
March 20 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens agreed to send defensive lineman Chris Wormley to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rare trade between the AFC North rivals. The Ravens are shipping Wormley and a 2021 seventh-round draft pick to the Steelers in exchange for a 2021 fifth-round choice. The teams announced Friday that the trade is pending a physical. Advertisement
The only other player trade between the franchises occurred in 1997, when the Steelers sent offensive lineman Bernard Dafney to the Ravens in exchange for a seventh-rounder. Dafney played one game for the Ravens.
Wormley, 26, appeared in all 16 regular-season games (seven starts) last season. The 2017 third-round pick out of Michigan recorded career highs in total tackles (33) and sacks (1.5) in 2019.
By trading Wormley to the Steelers, the Ravens will create about $2.1 million in salary-cap space.
We have agreed to trade our 2021 fifth-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for DL Chris Wormley and a 2021 seventh-round pick, pending a physical.@BordasLaw TRANSACTION: https://t.co/EnrGxb9PbU pic.twitter.com/Pmp88prkRR— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 20, 2020
Advertisement We have agreed to terms to trade Chris Wormley and a seventh-round pick in the 2021 Draft to Pittsburgh, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2021. The deal is pending the passing of a physical. pic.twitter.com/DBC5970pqY— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 20, 2020
Wormley became expendable this off-season after the Ravens upgraded their defensive line through trades and free agency. Baltimore traded for five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell and agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Michael Brockers this week.
Baltimore also re-signed defensive linemen Jihad Ward and Justin Ellis to bolster its depth at the position.
With the pending addition of Wormley, the Steelers helped address the lack of depth on their defensive line after the departure of Javon Hargrave in free agency.


upi--2020-03-20--Raytheon nabs $392.4M for tactical missiles

March 20 ( UPI ) -- The Navy awarded Raytheon a $ 392.4 million contract modification for production and delivery of tactical missiles for the Air Force , Navy and a variety of foreign governments , the Pentagon announced .
The deal modifies an earlier contract , awarded in September 2018 , for repair of Air Intercept Missile ( AIM ) -9X Tactical and Captive Air Training Missiles ( CATMs ) .
Under the modification , Raytheon will exercise options for production and delivery of Lot 20 AIM-9X , Block II and Block II Plus tactical missiles , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test missiles as well as associated equipment .
The AIM-9 Sidewinder was adopted by the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and the AIM-9X Sidewinder entered service in November 2003 .
The latter includes advanced infrared-tracking , short-range air-to-air and surface-to-air capabilities .
In May 2019 Raytheon won a $ 151.5 million contract to provide United States and 20 allies with integrated logistics support and repairs for sustainment of AIM-9X Sidewinder tactical short-range missiles .
The contract is funded with money from the Navy , the Air Force and the Pentagon 's Foreign Military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Air Force , the Navy and 21 governments outside the United States , including Israel , the United Arab Emirates , Qatar , South Korea and Switzerland .
The bulk of work on the contract will be performed in Tucson , Ariz. , with other parts fo the contract being executed in Andover , Mass.
, Keyser , W.V .
; Hillsboro , Ore. ; and various other locations within the United States and Canada .

An AIM-9X missile is externally attached to a 33rd Fighter Wing F-35A Lightning II, during Exercise Combat Archer at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in September 2019. The Navy awarded Raytheon a $392.4 million contract modification for production and delivery of tactical missiles for the U.S. and 21 allies. Photo by Heather Leveille/U.S. Air Force
March 20 (UPI) -- The Navy awarded Raytheon a $392.4 million contract modification for production and delivery of tactical missiles for the Air Force, Navy and a variety of foreign governments, the Pentagon announced. The deal modifies an earlier contract, awarded in September 2018, for repair of Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X Tactical and Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs). Advertisement
Under the modification, Raytheon will exercise options for production and delivery of Lot 20 AIM-9X, Block II and Block II Plus tactical missiles, as well as captive air training missiles and captive test missiles as well as associated equipment.
The AIM-9 Sidewinder was adopted by the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and the AIM-9X Sidewinder entered service in November 2003. The latter includes advanced infrared-tracking, short-range air-to-air and surface-to-air capabilities.
In May 2019 Raytheon won a $151.5 million contract to provide United States and 20 allies with integrated logistics support and repairs for sustainment of AIM-9X Sidewinder tactical short-range missiles.
The contract is funded with money from the Navy, the Air Force and the Pentagon's Foreign Military Sales program.
Missiles will be delivered to the Air Force, the Navy and 21 governments outside the United States, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Korea and Switzerland.
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The bulk of work on the contract will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., with other parts fo the contract being executed in Andover, Mass., Keyser, W.V.; Hillsboro, Ore.; and various other locations within the United States and Canada.
The contract's expected completion date is July 2023.


upi--2020-03-21--6 killed after Indiana bridge collapses

6 killed after Indiana bridge collapses

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Six people died Friday after a bridge collapsed in southern Indiana due to flash @ @ @ @ @ and a van off the road .
CBS Chicago reports that a witness called 911 @ @ @ @ @ cries of help near the bridge , which was situated in the southern part of @ @ @ @ @ of four had been driving in a sedan when the bridge collapsed , and two @ @ @ @ @ another vehicle .
After first responders arrived at the scene they found five bodies .
@ @ @ @ @ until Saturday , when first responders resumed their search and found an additional body .
@ @ @ @ @ much water in the last two days , some of these small creeks , they @ @ @ @ @ Josh Thomas , a spokesman for the law enforcement division of the state Department of @ @ @ @ @

Six people were killed when a bridge collapsed in Indiana Friday, sending two vehicles off the road. Image via CBS Chicago/ YouTube
March 21 (UPI) -- Six people died Friday after a bridge collapsed in southern Indiana due to flash flooding, sweeping a truck and a van off the road. CBS Chicago reports that a witness called 911 early Friday morning after hearing cries of help near the bridge, which was situated in the southern part of the state. Advertisement
A family of four had been driving in a sedan when the bridge collapsed, and two adults were riding together in another vehicle.
After first responders arrived at the scene they found five bodies. A sixth person remained missing until Saturday, when first responders resumed their search and found an additional body.
"We've had so much water in the last two days, some of these small creeks, they flash flood," Officer Josh Thomas, a spokesman for the law enforcement division of the state Department of Natural Resources, said.


upi--2020-03-21--Authorities urge limits on coronavirus testing to conserve equipment

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Federal officials joined health authorities in major cities Saturday in recommending individuals without symptoms of coronavirus refrain from seeking testing .
`` If you do n't have symptoms do n't do a test , '' Vice President Mike Pence told reporters at a Saturday briefing on the novel coronavirus .
Assistant Secretary for Health Brett P. Giroir said while testing capacity is expanding and expected to continue to increase in the near future , officials are prioritizing tests for health care workers who are symptomatic as well as anyone with symptoms who is older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease , elaborated on that recommendation .
`` When you go in to get tested , you are consuming high priority items , such as masks and gowns , '' Fauci said .
He also encouraged patients and care providers to cancel non-urgent medical appointments , particularly dental appointments .
Some jurisdictions have compelled the cancellations of such appointments -- including elective veterinary procedures -- and have asked providers to donate gloves and masks to hospitals .
Much of Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with President Donald Trump saying private companies had `` stepped up '' to manufacture more masks and ventilators .
He named two companies that have offered to help -- Hanes and General Motors -- and said the Department of Health and Human Services has ordered 500,000 new N95 masks .
Trump demurred on reports that state governments are still struggling to acquire equipment and defended a prior claim that malaria drugs can provide relief for those suffering from the virus .
Fauci described such claims as `` anecdotal . ''
The federal recommendation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are moving to change their coronavirus testing protocols , telling healthcare workers to test only those in which knowing the results would change their treatment approach .
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health told doctors on Thursday that because of an increase in patients and a shortage of tests , they should be more selective in whom they choose to test .
The department `` is shifting from a strategy of case containment to slowing disease transmission and averting excess morbidity and mortality , '' said a letter to hospitals viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other local authorities have since followed suit .
The guidance said doctors should only test for the presence of the virus when `` a diagnostic result will change clinical management or inform public health response . ''
The New York City Department of Health has also directed doctors to stop testing non-hospitalized patients .
`` At this point in the pandemic , demand for unnecessary testing is contributing to the rapidly diminishing supply of [ personal protective equipment ] and leading to a decreasing supply of swabs and viral transport media used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' a statement from the department said .
`` Testing may play a more significant role after the pandemic has peaked . ''
At a Saturday press conference , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said the state of New York would send a million N95 respirator masks to New York City .
He also said some clothing manufacturers in the state have rapidly pivoted to making masks .
`` One million masks wo n't get us through the crisis , but it will make a significant contribution to New York City 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , the governors of Oregon and New Jersey are the latest to restrict movement and gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic , but both fell short of issuing full stay-at-home orders .
The states ' new rules come as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 rose to 260 Saturday , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .
The school said the total number of confirmed cases in the United States neared 20,000 as of 7 a.m. Saturday .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown announced plans for the state 's new `` Stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a joint news conference with Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on Friday night .
She said the state will reveal the full details of the plan Monday , but called for `` aggressive social distancing . ''
She declined to describe the new plan as a shelter-in-place order , saying the phrase implied a complete lock-down in the state .
`` The storm is coming but we still have time to change its course .
Stay home and stay healthy , '' she said .
`` I am directing Oregonians ( starting ) tonight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Social distancing , done well , can save lives . ''
Brown called on Oregonians to stay at home `` unless absolutely necessary . ''
The `` Stay Home , Stay Healthy '' is expected to limit dining and drinking at restaurants and bars , ban gatherings of more than 25 people .
Wheeler , though , said the order will be similar to California 's stay-at-home order issued Thursday .
That order requires all residents to stay home except to get groceries or gas , or visit pharmacies banks or laundromats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York issued similar orders Friday , shuttering non-essential travel and business .
`` This is not a lockdown , '' Wheeler said .
`` This will be a 'stay at home unless it 's absolutely necessary ' order . ''
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy , issued an executive order Saturdayshutting down all non-essential business in the state .
Grocery stores , pharmacies , gas stations , hardware stores , laundromats , banks and pet stores are all exempt from the order -- as are liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a commitment to be guided by the facts and take any action necessary to protect the health and safety of New Jersey 's nine million residents , '' Murphy said in a press release announcing the order .
`` We know the virus spreads through person-to person contact , and the best way to prevent further exposure is to limit our public interactions to only the most essential purposes .
This is a time for us all to come together in one mission to 'flatten the curve ' and slow - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

1/2
New York National Guard members collect samples from drivers at the drive-through COVID-19 Mobile Testing Center located at the South Beach Behavioral Center in Staten Island, N.Y., on Thursday. Photo by Maj. Patrick Cordova/U.S. Air National Guard | License Photo
March 21 (UPI) -- Federal officials joined health authorities in major cities Saturday in recommending individuals without symptoms of coronavirus refrain from seeking testing. "If you don't have symptoms don't do a test," Vice President Mike Pence told reporters at a Saturday briefing on the novel coronavirus. Advertisement
Assistant Secretary for Health Brett P. Giroir said while testing capacity is expanding and expected to continue to increase in the near future, officials are prioritizing tests for healthcare workers who are symptomatic as well as anyone with symptoms who is older than 65 or has underlying conditions.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, elaborated on that recommendation.
"When you go in to get tested, you are consuming high priority items, such as masks and gowns," Fauci said.
Advertisement
He also encouraged patients and care providers to cancel non-urgent medical appointments, particularly dental appointments.
Some jurisdictions have compelled the cancellations of such appointments -- including elective veterinary procedures -- and have asked providers to donate gloves and masks to hospitals.
Much of Saturday's briefing focused on equipment shortages, with President Donald Trump saying private companies had "stepped up" to manufacture more masks and ventilators.
He named two companies that have offered to help -- Hanes and General Motors -- and said the Department of Health and Human Services has ordered 500,000 new N95 masks.
Trump demurred on reports that state governments are still struggling to acquire equipment and defended a prior claim that malaria drugs can provide relief for those suffering from the virus. Fauci described such claims as "anecdotal."
The federal recommendation came after reporting that local health officials are moving to change their coronavirus testing protocols, telling healthcare workers to test only those in which knowing the results would change their treatment approach.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health told doctors on Thursday that because of an increase in patients and a shortage of tests, they should be more selective in whom they choose to test.
Advertisement
The department "is shifting from a strategy of case containment to slowing disease transmission and averting excess morbidity and mortality," said a letter to hospitals viewed by the Los Angeles Times.
Several other local authorities have since followed suit.
The guidance said doctors should only test for the presence of the virus when "a diagnostic result will change clinical management or inform public health response."
The New York City Department of Health has also directed doctors to stop testing non-hospitalized patients.
"At this point in the pandemic, demand for unnecessary testing is contributing to the rapidly diminishing supply of [personal protective equipment] and leading to a decreasing supply of swabs and viral transport media used to collect diagnostic specimens for COVID-19 testing," a statement from the department said.
"Testing may play a more significant role after the pandemic has peaked."
At a Saturday press conference, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state of New York would send a million N95 respirator masks to New York City.
He also said some clothing manufacturers in the state have rapidly pivoted to making masks.
Advertisement
"One million masks won't get us through the crisis, but it will make a significant contribution to New York City's mask issue," Cuomo said.
Meanwhile, the governors of Oregon and New Jersey are the latest to restrict movement and gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic, but both fell short of issuing full stay-at-home orders.
The states' new rules come as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 rose to 260 Saturday, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. The school said the total number of confirmed cases in the United States neared 20,000 as of 7 a.m. Saturday.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced plans for the state's new "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" plan in a joint news conference with Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on Friday night.
She said the state will reveal the full details of the plan Monday, but called for "aggressive social distancing." She declined to describe the new plan as a shelter-in-place order, saying the phrase implied a complete lock-down in the state.
"The storm is coming but we still have time to change its course. Stay home and stay healthy," she said. "I am directing Oregonians (starting) tonight to stay home to stay healthy. Social distancing, done well, can save lives."
Advertisement
Brown called on Oregonians to stay at home "unless absolutely necessary." The "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" is expected to limit dining and drinking at restaurants and bars, ban gatherings of more than 25 people.
Wheeler, though, said the order will be similar to California's stay-at-home order issued Thursday. That order requires all residents to stay home except to get groceries or gas, or visit pharmacies banks or laundromats. The governors of Connecticut, Illinois and New York issued similar orders Friday, shuttering non-essential travel and business.
"This is not a lockdown," Wheeler said. "This will be a 'stay at home unless it's absolutely necessary' order."
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, issued an executive order Saturdayshutting down all non-essential business in the state.
Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, hardware stores, laundromats, banks and pet stores are all exempt from the order -- as are liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries.
"From day one, we've made a commitment to be guided by the facts and take any action necessary to protect the health and safety of New Jersey's nine million residents," Murphy said in a press release announcing the order. "We know the virus spreads through person-to person contact, and the best way to prevent further exposure is to limit our public interactions to only the most essential purposes. This is a time for us all to come together in one mission to 'flatten the curve' and slow - and eventually halt - the spread of coronavirus."


upi--2020-03-21--2 Chicago police fired for shooting at car, another cop killed teen

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Two Chicago police officers have been fired for opening fire on a stolen car in a 2016 videotaped incident that ended with another cop killing the unarmed teen driver in a foot chase .
Officers Michael Coughlin Jr. and his partner , Jose Torres , both U.S. Marine Corps veterans , were dismissed late Thursday after the Chicago Police Board found in an 8-0 decision that they violated Chicago Police Department rules for shooting at the moving car , which Paul O ' Neal , 18 , drove on July 28 , 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatally shot O'Neal , who was unarmed , after he got out of the Jaguar and took off running through the backyards of the South Shore neighborhood .
One of the nine Chicago Police Board members recused himself during the meeting where the vote was held through teleconference because of restrictions on public meetings due to the coronavirus pandemic , the Chicago Sun-Times reported .
Their decision to open fire on the stolen Jaguar was `` unreasonable and unjustified '' according to the Chicago Police Board 's 27-page ruling released after the dismissals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to fire put fellow officers close by and other bystanders safety at risk .
`` Officer Coughlin 's reactive decision to shoot - - and keep shooting - - created a chaotic situation in which any person present could have been killed , '' the board wrote .
The board also discredited Coughlin 's testimony from his disciplinary hearing last year that he believed the stolen car was being used as a weapon to kill Torres .
`` While the Board credits the fact that the situation quickly became chaotic , Officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he exited his car and the fact that he shot his firearm immediately defeats his defense , '' according to the board .
`` And while there was a brief period in which the stolen vehicle veered toward Officer Torres , the shots fired by Officer Coughlin started before - - and continued after - - that occurrence . ''
In regard to Torres , the board criticized his decision to fire his gun after the Jaguar drove by him and was no longer a threat , adding that he shot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them `` directly in harm 's way . ''
Officers are generally prohibited from opening fire on a moving car if the vehicle is the only weapon being used against them , under department rules .
The finding follows the now-defunct Independent Police Review Authority , which investigated the shooting , recommending back in September 2017 that Coughlin and Torres be fired .
The IPRA said in its report that they risked the lives of fellow officers and innocent bystanders when they opened fire on the stolen Jaguar and there was no merit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop the vehicle .
Diaz fired five times at O'Neal during the foot chase and fatally shot him in the back .
O'Neal was lying face down on the ground with three officers standing over him as Diaz was captured kicking him on body camera video , and screaming profanities , records show .
O'Neal was also handcuffed as he lay dying .
When the IPRA asked Diaz why he kicked the teen , he responded , `` anger , rage , frustration . ''
The IPRA recommended a six-month suspension , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a gun , but citing him for kicking him and yelling profanities at him , but Diaz has fought the suspension .
The killing of O'Neal came amid the Chicago Police Department undergoing a U.S. Department of Justice probe of its policing practices stemming from the court-ordered release in 2015 of police dashboard camera video of Officer Jason Van Dyke fatally shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald on October , 20 , 2014 .
In October 2018 , Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder in the McDonald case with surveillance footage showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was walking away from him and last year he was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison .
After widespread criticism of the city 's policy to withhold videos and other evidence of police-involved shootings from the public following the fatal shooting of McDonald and shortly before the fatal shooting of O'Neal , the city changed it policy .
A week after Diaz fatally shot O'Neal , the IPRA released body camera and dash camera videos of the incident .

March 21 (UPI) -- Two Chicago police officers have been fired for opening fire on a stolen car in a 2016 videotaped incident that ended with another cop killing the unarmed teen driver in a foot chase.
Officers Michael Coughlin Jr. and his partner, Jose Torres, both U.S. Marine Corps veterans, were dismissed late Thursday after the Chicago Police Board found in an 8-0 decision that they violated Chicago Police Department rules for shooting at the moving car, which Paul O' Neal, 18, drove on July 28, 2016. A third officer, Jose Diaz, fatally shot O'Neal, who was unarmed, after he got out of the Jaguar and took off running through the backyards of the South Shore neighborhood.
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One of the nine Chicago Police Board members recused himself during the meeting where the vote was held through teleconference because of restrictions on public meetings due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
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Their decision to open fire on the stolen Jaguar was "unreasonable and unjustified" according to the Chicago Police Board's 27-page ruling released after the dismissals.
The board added that Coughlin's decision to fire put fellow officers close by and other bystanders safety at risk.
"Officer Coughlin's reactive decision to shoot - - and keep shooting - - created a chaotic situation in which any person present could have been killed," the board wrote.
The board also discredited Coughlin's testimony from his disciplinary hearing last year that he believed the stolen car was being used as a weapon to kill Torres.
"While the Board credits the fact that the situation quickly became chaotic, Officer Coughlin's act of unholstering his firearm before he exited his car and the fact that he shot his firearm immediately defeats his defense," according to the board. "And while there was a brief period in which the stolen vehicle veered toward Officer Torres, the shots fired by Officer Coughlin started before - - and continued after - - that occurrence."
In regard to Torres, the board criticized his decision to fire his gun after the Jaguar drove by him and was no longer a threat, adding that he shot in the direction of fellow officers, placing them "directly in harm's way."
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Officers are generally prohibited from opening fire on a moving car if the vehicle is the only weapon being used against them, under department rules. The finding follows the now-defunct Independent Police Review Authority, which investigated the shooting, recommending back in September 2017 that Coughlin and Torres be fired. The IPRA said in its report that they risked the lives of fellow officers and innocent bystanders when they opened fire on the stolen Jaguar and there was no merit to their explanations that they were trying to stop the vehicle.
Diaz fired five times at O'Neal during the foot chase and fatally shot him in the back.
O'Neal was lying face down on the ground with three officers standing over him as Diaz was captured kicking him on body camera video, and screaming profanities, records show. O'Neal was also handcuffed as he lay dying.
When the IPRA asked Diaz why he kicked the teen, he responded, "anger, rage, frustration."
The IPRA recommended a six-month suspension, concluding he "genuinely believed" O'Neal had a gun, but citing him for kicking him and yelling profanities at him, but Diaz has fought the suspension.
The killing of O'Neal came amid the Chicago Police Department undergoing a U.S. Department of Justice probe of its policing practices stemming from the court-ordered release in 2015 of police dashboard camera video of Officer Jason Van Dyke fatally shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald on October, 20, 2014.
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In October 2018, Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder in the McDonald case with surveillance footage showing that he appeared to shoot McDonald while he was walking away from him and last year he was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison.
After widespread criticism of the city's policy to withhold videos and other evidence of police-involved shootings from the public following the fatal shooting of McDonald and shortly before the fatal shooting of O'Neal, the city changed it policy.
A week after Diaz fatally shot O'Neal, the IPRA released body camera and dash camera videos of the incident.


upi--2020-03-21--Pence, wife to be tested for coronavirus after staffer tests positive

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Vice President Mike Pence told reporters at a Saturday afternoon press briefing that he and his wife would be tested for the novel coronavirus later that day .
On Friday , Pence 's spokeswoman confirmed that a staff member in his office tested positive for the virus , and that the individual did not have close contact with either Pence or President Donald Trump .
Trump also told reporters he had been tested a second time that morning before the briefing .
Pence said the staffer had mild cold-like symptoms but is recovering well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had increased testing capacity but encouraged individuals not to seek testing unless they are symptomatic , saying while the number of available testing kits has improved , the testing process involves the use of protective medical equipment whose supplies are rapidly dwindling .
Trump said the private sector is `` stepping up '' to address equipment shortages and named Hanes and General Motors as manufacturers that are working to produce more medical equipment .
He also said that while he has signed the War Powers Act that allows him to use the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage in medical supplies , he has not yet invoked it .
The briefing came as the U.S. death toll hit 260 and the number of cases neared 20,000 , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .

March 21 (UPI) -- Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, both received negative tests for the novel coronavirus Saturday, according to his spokeswoman, Katie Miller.
Pence told reporters earlier Saturday that he and his wife would be tested after his spokeswoman confirmed that a staff member in his office tested positive for the virus, and that the individual did not have close contact with either Pence or President Donald Trump.
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Trump also told reporters he had been tested a second time that morning before the briefing.
"I feel great," he said.
Pence said the staffer had mild cold-like symptoms but is recovering well.
At the briefing officials also said they had increased testing capacity but encouraged individuals not to seek testing unless they are symptomatic, saying while the number of available testing kits has improved, the testing process involves the use of protective medical equipment whose supplies are rapidly dwindling.
Trump said the private sector is "stepping up" to address equipment shortages and named Hanes and General Motors as manufacturers that are working to produce more medical equipment.
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He also said that while he has signed the War Powers Act that allows him to use the private sector to make up for the shortage in medical supplies, he has not yet invoked it.
The briefing came as the U.S. death toll hit 260 and the number of cases neared 20,000, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: Italy sees one-day death toll of nearly 800

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Italy again set a one-day death toll record from COVID-19 , reporting another 793 deaths Saturday .
Italy 's Civil Protection Department said the country 's overall coronavirus death toll reached 4,825 , with 53,578 confirmed cases .
Some 6,000 people have recovered from the disease .
Most of the cases are centered in the Lombardy region -- 17,370 .
A strict nationwide lockdown , including restrictions on travel and closure of most stores , had been in place for 11 days in Italy , but the number of known coronavirus cases continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelming hospitals .
Meanwhile , new figures released Saturday show that the number of coronavirus cases in Spain jumped 25 percent in 24 hours .
The number of cases increased by almost 5,000 in one day and more than 300 people died from the virus in the same time frame .
That brings the total number of cases in Spain to 24,926 , with 1,612 people in intensive care and 1,326 deaths , the Spanish government said .
Compared to Friday , the figures represent a 25 percent increase in the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of people in intensive care and a 32 percent jump in the death toll .
In Spain , 2,125 people have recovered , according to the Worldometer .
The country 's hospitals and intensive care units are struggling to cope with the demand .
Despite some Madrid hotels being temporarily converted to hospitals , Madrid is still the hardest hit part of the country with 8,921 cases , 767 people in intensive care and 804 deaths .
Spain is second only to Italy in all of Europe in the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Australia , which has 791 cases and seven deaths , ordered people off Sydney 's famous Bondi Beach after thousands defied a ban on large gatherings .
The beach is still open , but only 500 people are allowed on it , Australian Police Minister David Elliott said after making the decision with `` a significant level of disappointment '' to remove people from the beach .
Amid coronavirus travel restrictions and growing number of cases and deaths worldwide , the U.S. Air Force has flown dozens of Americans back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The evacuation of 89 Americans from Honduras on Friday night on a pair of charter flights came after the State Department issued a rare Level 4 travel advisory .
The advisory warned U.S. citizens not to travel internationally , saying they may have to remain outside the United States for an `` indefinite time frame . ''
One couple , Beth Rosenzweig and Ray Bahr , in Honduras ' Bay Islands since March 9 for a scuba trip , said they were stranded after the evacuations , along with other Americans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their responsibilities , '' Bahr told The Washington Post , adding that he believes more than a dozen Americans are still stuck at his hotel .
Honduras has 24 cases of the coronavirus and zero deaths , according to the John Hopkins global tracker .
The United States has 19,624 cases and 260 deaths .
Columbian President Ivan Duque ordered a 19-day nationwide quarantine starting next week to curb the coronavirus spread and ensure access to food , medical care and other essential services .
Columbia has over 150 cases and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Singapore , which has 385 cases , reported its first two deaths from the virus .
A 75-year-old Singaporean woman and a 64-year-old Indonesian man died Saturday , Singapore 's Health Ministry said in a statement .
The United Arab Emirates , which has 140 cases , also reported its first two deaths .

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An ambulance arrives at Humanitas Gavazzeni hospital first aid service as workers of a funeral agency take away a body during the coronavirus crisis in Bergamo, Italy, on Saturday. Photo by Filippo Venezia/EPA-EFE
March 21 (UPI) -- Italy again set a one-day death toll record from COVID-19, reporting another 793 deaths Saturday. Italy's Civil Protection Department said the country's overall coronavirus death toll reached 4,825, with 53,578 confirmed cases. Some 6,000 people have recovered from the disease. Advertisement
Most of the cases are centered in the Lombardy region -- 17,370.
A strict nationwide lockdown, including restrictions on travel and closure of most stores, had been in place for 11 days in Italy, but the number of known coronavirus cases continued to rise about 15 percent every day, overwhelming hospitals.
Meanwhile, new figures released Saturday show that the number of coronavirus cases in Spain jumped 25 percent in 24 hours.
The number of cases increased by almost 5,000 in one day and more than 300 people died from the virus in the same time frame. That brings the total number of cases in Spain to 24,926, with 1,612 people in intensive care and 1,326 deaths, the Spanish government said.
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Compared to Friday, the figures represent a 25 percent increase in the number of cases, a 40 percent increase in the number of people in intensive care and a 32 percent jump in the death toll.
In Spain, 2,125 people have recovered, according to the Worldometer.
The country's hospitals and intensive care units are struggling to cope with the demand.
Despite some Madrid hotels being temporarily converted to hospitals, Madrid is still the hardest hit part of the country with 8,921 cases, 767 people in intensive care and 804 deaths.
Spain is second only to Italy in all of Europe in the number of coronavirus cases.
On Saturday, authorities in Australia, which has 791 cases and seven deaths, ordered people off Sydney's famous Bondi Beach after thousands defied a ban on large gatherings.
The beach is still open, but only 500 people are allowed on it, Australian Police Minister David Elliott said after making the decision with "a significant level of disappointment" to remove people from the beach.
Amid coronavirus travel restrictions and growing number of cases and deaths worldwide, the U.S. Air Force has flown dozens of Americans back to the United States who were stranded in Honduras.
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The evacuation of 89 Americans from Honduras on Friday night on a pair of charter flights came after the State Department issued a rare Level 4 travel advisory. The advisory warned U.S. citizens not to travel internationally, saying they may have to remain outside the United States for an "indefinite time frame."
One couple, Beth Rosenzweig and Ray Bahr, in Honduras' Bay Islands since March 9 for a scuba trip, said they were stranded after the evacuations, along with other Americans.
"Our government has literally stepped back from their responsibilities," Bahr told The Washington Post, adding that he believes more than a dozen Americans are still stuck at his hotel.
Honduras has 24 cases of the coronavirus and zero deaths, according to the John Hopkins global tracker. The United States has 19,624 cases and 260 deaths.
Columbian President Ivan Duque ordered a 19-day nationwide quarantine starting next week to curb the coronavirus spread and ensure access to food, medical care and other essential services.
Columbia has over 150 cases and has not reported any deaths.
On Saturday, Singapore, which has 385 cases, reported its first two deaths from the virus.
A 75-year-old Singaporean woman and a 64-year-old Indonesian man died Saturday, Singapore's Health Ministry said in a statement.
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The United Arab Emirates, which has 140 cases, also reported its first two deaths.


upi--2020-03-21--Igor Matovic sworn in as Slovakia's prime minister

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Slovak President Zuzana Caputova administered the oath of office to new Prime Minister Igor Matovic on Saturday amid economic turmoil due to the spread of the coronavirus .
Matovic , 46 , is taking the leadership role as the country heads into recession after measures to control the virus have shuttered shops and cafes for more than a week .
By Monday , production will be suspended at all four of the country 's car-making plants , which is key to its export economy .
`` We are taking responsibility for Slovakia at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is minimal , when Slovakia tops corruption rankings , '' Matovic said after being sworn in .
`` We 'll do anything to ensure that citizens will trust their state again . ''
Matovic 's party , Ordinary People , won the Feb. 29 general election and created a landslide-majority coalition with three other parties -- right-wing populist We Are Family , the center-right start-up For the People and liberal SaS Party .
Caputova accepted the resignation of former Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini on Friday evening .
Matovic , of Trnava , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Slovak Republic in 2010 .
The transition of power has also halted economic response to the pandemic .
Neighboring Poland and Czech Republic have approved stimulus packages , with Slovakia yet to unveil such a package .
`` He will have to do some firefighting quickly , '' said economist Lubomir Korsnak .
`` But the virus overshadows a bigger problem : The business model based on cheap labor has exhausted itself .
The new administration must tackle this as well . ''

Slovak President Zuzana Caputova (R) hands over the documents as she appoints leader of the Ordinary People Party Igor Matovic (L) as new Slovak prime minister Saturday. File Photo courtesy of Slovak President's Office/EPA-EFE
March 21 (UPI) -- Slovak President Zuzana Caputova administered the oath of office to new Prime Minister Igor Matovic on Saturday amid economic turmoil due to the spread of the coronavirus. Matovic, 46, is taking the leadership role as the country heads into recession after measures to control the virus have shuttered shops and cafes for more than a week. By Monday, production will be suspended at all four of the country's car-making plants, which is key to its export economy. Advertisement
"We are taking responsibility for Slovakia at a time when confidence in police and courts is minimal, when Slovakia tops corruption rankings," Matovic said after being sworn in. "We'll do anything to ensure that citizens will trust their state again."
Matovic's party, Ordinary People, won the Feb. 29 general election and created a landslide-majority coalition with three other parties -- right-wing populist We Are Family, the center-right start-up For the People and liberal SaS Party.
Caputova accepted the resignation of former Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini on Friday evening.
Matovic, of Trnava, became a member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic in 2010.
The transition of power has also halted economic response to the pandemic. Neighboring Poland and Czech Republic have approved stimulus packages, with Slovakia yet to unveil such a package.
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"He will have to do some firefighting quickly," said economist Lubomir Korsnak. "But the virus overshadows a bigger problem: The business model based on cheap labor has exhausted itself. The new administration must tackle this as well."


upi--2020-03-21--Philadelphia court orders COVID-19 testing, treatment for Walter Ogrod

March 21 ( UPI ) -- A Pennsylvania court on Saturday ordered a condemned inmate be tested for coronavirus as he sits on death row despite prosecutors ' statements that he 's likely innocent .
The Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas said the state 's Department of Corrections must transport Walter Ogrod , 55 , to a local hospital for testing and treatment .
Ogrod has had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 , including cough , difficulty breathing and a 106-degree fever .
His lawyers asked the courts to allow him to be transported off death row for medical treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court has ordered the Department of Corrections to allow Walter Ogrod to receive testing and treatment for possible COVID-19 outside of the prison , '' his lawyer , James Rollins said .
`` To make an innocent man remain even one extra day on death row is unjust .
To leave him on death row showing symptoms of COVID-19 without adequate medical treatment would be unconscionable . ''
In February , the Philadelphia District Attorney 's Office filed briefs in court saying Ogrod is `` likely innocent '' of assaulting and killing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was convicted on flawed evidence , including a coerced confession and testimony from discredited jailhouse informants .
The filings called Ogrod 's conviction a `` gross miscarriage of justice '' and requested his 1996 conviction be vacated and he be released from prison .
Ogrod has spent 23 years on death row for the conviction .
Earlier this week , the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas rejected defense lawyers ' request for an expedited hearing on his case in light of the prosecutors ' filings and Ogrod 's illness .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed is another day that Mr. Ogrod remains on death row for a crime he did not commit and at grave risk to his life , '' Rollins said earlier this week .
The court 's order Saturday comes after a Texas appeals court issued stays of execution for two death row inmates , citing the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Lawyers for those inmates -- John Hummel and Tracy Beatty -- said the outbreak has limited their ability to conduct investigations in the days before their client 's scheduled executions @

Walter Ogrod was sentenced in 1996 for the death of a 4-year-old girl. Prosecutors, though, now say he's "likely innocent." File Photo courtesy of attorneys for Walter Ogrod
March 21 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania court on Saturday ordered a condemned inmate be tested for coronavirus as he sits on death row despite prosecutors' statements that he's likely innocent. The Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas said the state's Department of Corrections must transport Walter Ogrod, 55, to a local hospital for testing and treatment. Advertisement
Ogrod has had symptoms consistent with COVID-19, including cough, difficulty breathing and a 106-degree fever. His lawyers asked the courts to allow him to be transported off death row for medical treatment.
"We are grateful that the court has ordered the Department of Corrections to allow Walter Ogrod to receive testing and treatment for possible COVID-19 outside of the prison," his lawyer, James Rollins said. "To make an innocent man remain even one extra day on death row is unjust. To leave him on death row showing symptoms of COVID-19 without adequate medical treatment would be unconscionable."
In February, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office filed briefs in court saying Ogrod is "likely innocent" of assaulting and killing a 4-year-old girl in 1988. They said he was convicted on flawed evidence, including a coerced confession and testimony from discredited jailhouse informants.
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The filings called Ogrod's conviction a "gross miscarriage of justice" and requested his 1996 conviction be vacated and he be released from prison. Ogrod has spent 23 years on death row for the conviction.
Earlier this week, the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas rejected defense lawyers' request for an expedited hearing on his case in light of the prosecutors' filings and Ogrod's illness.
"Every day a decision and/or hearing is delayed is another day that Mr. Ogrod remains on death row for a crime he did not commit and at grave risk to his life," Rollins said earlier this week.
The court's order Saturday comes after a Texas appeals court issued stays of execution for two death row inmates, citing the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawyers for those inmates -- John Hummel and Tracy Beatty -- said the outbreak has limited their ability to conduct investigations in the days before their client's scheduled executions.


upi--2020-03-21--'Lost,' 'Taken' alum Maggie Grace pregnant with first child

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Lost , Taken and Fear the Walking Dead actress Maggie Grace has announced on @ @ @ @ @ with her first child .
`` In the midst of these uncertain times , we @ @ @ @ @ joyful reminder of what 's most important .
Our first little one will be joining @ @ @ @ @ love to you and your families , may you stay safe and healthy .
# @ @ @ @ @ istayhomefor # letstakecareofeachother # grateful , '' Grace posted on Friday , along with a @ @ @ @ @ cradling her baby bump , while wearing a white lace dress and sitting in a @ @ @ @ @ comes as COVID-19 is keeping most people indoors , with schools and businesses shut down @ @ @ @ @ canceled in an effort to keep people from gathering in large groups and spreading the @ @

March 21 (UPI) -- Lost, Taken and Fear the Walking Dead actress Maggie Grace has announced on Instagram that she is pregnant with her first child.
"In the midst of these uncertain times, we've been blessed with a joyful reminder of what's most important. Our first little one will be joining us this summer. Sending love to you and your families, may you stay safe and healthy. #isolatingbutihavecompany! #saferathomeCA #istayhomefor #letstakecareofeachother #grateful," Grace posted on Friday, along with a photo of her smiling and cradling her baby bump, while wearing a white lace dress and sitting in a chair.


upi--2020-03-21--Rosario Dawson to guest star in Season 2 of 'Mandalorian'

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Briarpatch and Zombieland : Double Tap actress Rosario Dawson has joined the ensemble for @ @ @ @ @ Star Wars series The Mandalorian .
She will play Ahsoka Tano , Anakin Skywalker 's @ @ @ @ @ from the animated TV series Star Wars : The Clone Wars and Star Wars : @ @ @ @ @ reported .
The Mandalorian follows bounty hunter Mando ( Pedro Pascal ) on his adventures @ @ @ @ @ Empire and before the emergence of the First Order .
Production on Season 2 of @ @ @ @ @ .
It is expected to air on the streaming service in the fall .

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Rosario Dawson will guest star on Season 2 of "The Mandalorian." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
March 21 (UPI) -- Briarpatch and Zombieland: Double Tap actress Rosario Dawson has joined the ensemble for Season 2 of the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian. She will play Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's apprentice and an iconic character from the animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels, Deadline and Variety reported. Advertisement
The Mandalorian follows bounty hunter Mando (Pedro Pascal) on his adventures after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order.
Production on Season 2 of the sci-fi show has wrapped. It is expected to air on the streaming service in the fall.


upi--2020-03-21--Federal judge extends online voter registration in Wisconsin

March 21 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge has extended the online voter registration deadline in Wisconsin 's primary election in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. District Judge William Conley ruled that the online portal , which had been shut down after Wednesday , should be reinstated until March 30 for the April 7 election due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Not extending the deadline past Wednesday would have put voters in an `` excruciating dilemma , '' since they would have to `` either venture into public spaces , contrary to public directives and health guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to vote , '' Conley wrote in his opinion .
The decision was a partial win for the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Party of Wisconsin .
They had asked for both electronic and by-mail voter registration to be extended to April 3 because of the `` growing coronavirus threat . ''
The number of COVID-19 cases statewide grew to 206 Friday , according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services , with a total of four deaths .
In addition to the presidential primary , the April 7 ballot includes races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor , Milwaukee County executive and other offices .
State officials have said it could take up to 72 hours to resume online voter registration .
Conley also denied state Democratic Party and DNC 's other request for absentee ballots to be counted after election day in light of increased demand for such ballots .
Still , he raised the possibility in his 21-page ruling he might reconsider his decision in coming weeks .
`` While this request may have merit , and may be of assistance for the Elections Commission and municipal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fulfill their promise to ensure sufficient staffing before and on election day , the court will not speculate about the need for this relief on the limited record before it , '' Conley wrote in his opinion .
`` Instead ... the court will allow plaintiffs to pursue additional relief in a motion for preliminary injunction , with a more robust record , following the court 's guidelines . ''

Wisconsin has extended its online voter registration deadline from March 18 to March 30 after a federal judge's ruling Friday. File Photo by Bob Strong/UPI | License Photo
March 21 (UPI) -- A federal judge has extended the online voter registration deadline in Wisconsin's primary election in response to the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. District Judge William Conley ruled that the online portal, which had been shut down after Wednesday, should be reinstated until March 30 for the April 7 election due to the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
Not extending the deadline past Wednesday would have put voters in an "excruciating dilemma," since they would have to "either venture into public spaces, contrary to public directives and health guidelines or stay at home and lose the opportunity to vote," Conley wrote in his opinion.
The decision was a partial win for the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
They had asked for both electronic and by-mail voter registration to be extended to April 3 because of the "growing coronavirus threat."
The number of COVID-19 cases statewide grew to 206 Friday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, with a total of four deaths.
In addition to the presidential primary, the April 7 ballot includes races for the state Supreme Court, Milwaukee mayor, Milwaukee County executive and other offices.
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State officials have said it could take up to 72 hours to resume online voter registration.
Conley also denied state Democratic Party and DNC's other request for absentee ballots to be counted after election day in light of increased demand for such ballots.
Still, he raised the possibility in his 21-page ruling he might reconsider his decision in coming weeks.
"While this request may have merit, and may be of assistance for the Elections Commission and municipal clerks should state and local officials not fulfill their promise to ensure sufficient staffing before and on election day, the court will not speculate about the need for this relief on the limited record before it," Conley wrote in his opinion. "Instead ... the court will allow plaintiffs to pursue additional relief in a motion for preliminary injunction, with a more robust record, following the court's guidelines."


upi--2020-03-21--Watch: Hugh Jackman sings 'You Will Be Found' while social distancing

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Entertainer Hugh Jackman has posted a video on Twitter of him singing `` You @ @ @ @ @ social distancing at home .
`` This is a beautiful song written for the musical @ @ @ @ @ mates Justin [ Paul ] and Benj [ Pasek , ] who also wrote the @ @ @ @ @ , by the way .
I think the words are pertinent for now and always @ @ @ @ @ said before starting his performance .
Dear Evan Hansen is about a lonely teen who @ @ @ @ @ It won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Musical .
Jackman , who is expected @ @ @ @ @ Man on Broadway this fall , shared his `` You Will Be Found '' video @ @ @ @ @ closed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic , which is preventing people from gathering @ @ @ @

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Hugh Jackman sings "You Will Be Found" in a new video he posted on Twitter. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
March 21 (UPI) -- Entertainer Hugh Jackman has posted a video on Twitter of him singing "You Will Be Found" while social distancing at home. "This is a beautiful song written for the musical Dear Evan Hansen by my mates Justin [Paul] and Benj [Pasek,] who also wrote the music for The Greatest Showman, by the way. I think the words are pertinent for now and always, actually," Jackman said before starting his performance. Advertisement
Dear Evan Hansen is about a lonely teen who suffers from social anxiety. It won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Musical.
Jackman, who is expected to star in The Music Man on Broadway this fall, shared his "You Will Be Found" video as schools and theaters remain closed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is preventing people from gathering in large groups.


upi--2020-03-21--OneWeb launches 34 communications satellites from Kazakhstan

March 21 ( UPI ) -- A Soyuz rocket carried 34 satellites toward orbit from Kazakhstan on time at 1:06 p.m. EDT Saturday in the third such launch for OneWeb spacecraft made in Florida .
The launch will boost OneWeb 's global network of satellites to 74 as it strives to provide high-speed Internet access to remote areas .
OneWeb previously launched 40 satellites from space centers in Kazakhstan and South America .
Saturday 's launch came from Russia 's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Soyuz rocket purchased through French space firm Arianespace .
OneWeb is one of several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constellations of satellites to provide high-speed , reliable internet around the globe .
SpaceX has the largest constellation so far , at 362 satellites , and plans for up to 42,000 .
OneWeb Satellites , a subsidiary and a joint venture with European aerospace company Airbus , opened a satellite factory in Florida in 2019 .
The company said it dedicated Saturday 's launch to the late Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov , who became the first person to walk in space in 1965 .
He died in October .
OneWeb satellites are about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The spacecraft will be headed to a near-polar orbit about 280 miles up , after which they travel to their final orbit of approximately 745 miles high .

A Soyuz rocket is readied for a Saturday launch in Kazakhstan, carrying 34 satellites made in Florida for communications company OneWeb. Photo courtesy of Arianespace
March 21 (UPI) -- A Soyuz rocket carried 34 satellites toward orbit from Kazakhstan on time at 1:06 p.m. EDT Saturday in the third such launch for OneWeb spacecraft made in Florida. The launch will boost OneWeb's global network of satellites to 74 as it strives to provide high-speed Internet access to remote areas. Advertisement
OneWeb previously launched 40 satellites from space centers in Kazakhstan and South America. Saturday's launch came from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Soyuz rocket purchased through French space firm Arianespace.
OneWeb is one of several U.S. companies competing to launch vast new constellations of satellites to provide high-speed, reliable internet around the globe.
SpaceX has the largest constellation so far, at 362 satellites, and plans for up to 42,000.
OneWeb Satellites, a subsidiary and a joint venture with European aerospace company Airbus, opened a satellite factory in Florida in 2019.
The company said it dedicated Saturday's launch to the late Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who became the first person to walk in space in 1965. He died in October.
OneWeb satellites are about the size of a small refrigerator. The spacecraft will be headed to a near-polar orbit about 280 miles up, after which they travel to their final orbit of approximately 745 miles high.
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upi--2020-03-21--Senate reconvenes to negotiate $1T coronavirus package

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Senators are reconvening Saturday after missing a midnight deadline for a $ 1 trillion coronavirus stimulus package that could include a cash payment to individuals and assistance to businesses affected by the pandemic .
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky originally set midnight as a deadline to pass the bill to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 .
He now aims to pass the legislation by Monday .
The 247-page proposal includes up to $ 50 billion for airlines , $ 8 billion for cargo air carriers , and $ 150 billion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loan for payroll or other obligations , capped at $ 10 million .
It also includes $ 1,200 cash payment for individuals , $ 2,400 for couples , with the sum increasing by $ 500 for each child for taxpayers beneath a certain income threshold .
The legislation moves the deadline for filing income taxes to July 15 .
Democrats have criticized the package as pro-business instead of `` pro-worker . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described McConnell 's proposal in a letter to Democratic colleagues Friday as a `` non-starter , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-worker and puts corporations ahead of working people . ''
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the bill has `` virtually no input from Democrats , '' and warned against bailouts for large industries .
`` We have to put the workers first , '' Schumer said .
`` We do n't want these industries to go under , but we do n't want the dollars that are put there to go to corporate executives or shareholders .
They must go to the workers first . ''
Washington , D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus Friday .
Across the United States , there are 19,624 cases and 260 deaths , according to the John Hopkins global tracker .

The Senate missed a midnight deadline Friday that Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell set to pass a $1 trillion coronavirus stimulus package. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
March 21 (UPI) -- Senators are reconvening Saturday after missing a midnight deadline for a $1 trillion coronavirus stimulus package that could include a cash payment to individuals and assistance to businesses affected by the pandemic. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky originally set midnight as a deadline to pass the bill to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19. He now aims to pass the legislation by Monday. Advertisement
The 247-page proposal includes up to $50 billion for airlines, $8 billion for cargo air carriers, and $150 billion for other severely distressed businesses and small business loan for payroll or other obligations, capped at $10 million. It also includes $1,200 cash payment for individuals, $2,400 for couples, with the sum increasing by $500 for each child for taxpayers beneath a certain income threshold. The legislation moves the deadline for filing income taxes to July 15.
Democrats have criticized the package as pro-business instead of "pro-worker."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described McConnell's proposal in a letter to Democratic colleagues Friday as a "non-starter," saying it's "not at all pro-worker and puts corporations ahead of working people."
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Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the bill has "virtually no input from Democrats," and warned against bailouts for large industries.
"We have to put the workers first," Schumer said. "We don't want these industries to go under, but we don't want the dollars that are put there to go to corporate executives or shareholders. They must go to the workers first."
Washington, D.C., announced its first death from the coronavirus Friday. Across the United States, there are 19,624 cases and 260 deaths, according to the John Hopkins global tracker.


upi--2020-03-21--'Walking Dead' spinoff premiere postponed

March 21 ( UPI ) -- The third show in The Walking Dead zombie-apocalypse television franchise will not premiere next @ @ @ @ @ announced .
A tweet on the official The Walking Dead Twitter feed said Friday , @ @ @ @ @ World Beyond is moving its premiere date from Sunday April 12th to later this year @ @ @ @ @ as the entertainment industry has been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic , which has prompted @ @ @ @ @ , awards shows , festivals and filmed productions around the world .
The two-season limited @ @ @ @ @ Ormond , Aliyah Royale , Alexa Mansour , Annet Mahendru , Nicolas Cantu , Hal @ @ @ @ @ It is about the first generation of people raised after the civilization collapses .

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The premiere date of Julia Ormond's "The Walking Dead: World Beyond" will not premiere as planned on April 12. File Photo by Danny Moloshok/UPI | License Photo
March 21 (UPI) -- The third show in The Walking Dead zombie-apocalypse television franchise will not premiere next month as planned, AMC announced. A tweet on the official The Walking Dead Twitter feed said Friday, "The Walking Dead: World Beyond is moving its premiere date from Sunday April 12th to later this year." Advertisement
The change comes as the entertainment industry has been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted the cancellation of live performances, awards shows, festivals and filmed productions around the world.
The two-season limited event World Beyond stars Julia Ormond, Aliyah Royale, Alexa Mansour, Annet Mahendru, Nicolas Cantu, Hal Cumpston and Nico Tortorella. It is about the first generation of people raised after the civilization collapses.


upi--2020-03-21--U.S. airlines reduce passenger flights amid coronavirus pandemic

March 21 ( UPI ) -- United and Southwest airlines have reduced flights and American is flying its first cargo-only flights in decades amid a slow-down in business due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Southwest made the decision to cancel approximately 1,000 of its almost 4,000 daily flights from Sunday until April 14 , amid the `` drop in travel demand '' , a statement Friday said .
The airline will also suspend service to all of its international destinations at the end of the operating day on Sunday .
`` We have made this decision due to the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders , as well as guidance from the United States government , and we hope to resume normal operations to our international destinations on May 4 , subject to change , '' the statement said .
Then , from April 14 through June 5 , Southwest will reduce capacity by at least 20 percent , according to a previously revised schedule .
`` We sincerely regret any inconvenience to our customers and our employees , '' the statement said .
Meanwhile , United Airlines said in a statement Friday that it is reducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
American Airlines announced a day earlier it would use its grounded passenger aircraft to fly its first cargo-only flight in decades between the United States and Europe and `` help keep business moving , '' amid coronavirus .
The first cargo-only flight since 1984 -- when American retired the last of its Boeing 747 freighters -- has been scheduled to depart Friday from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and land Saturday at Frankfurt Airport in Germany .
The airline said in the announcement it will operate two round-trip cargo flights between Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The flights are expected to carry medical supplies , active U.S. military mail , electronics to support people working at home and e-commerce packages .
`` It 's an honor to be part of these cargo-only flights , said Ken Jarrell , fleet service clerk , cargo services , DFW , in a statement .
`` Our team members across the airline are ready and willing to do what it takes to make sure people have the things they need during these unprecedented times . ''
Earlier in the week , Airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. airlines , called for $ 60 billion in direct assistance and loan guarantees amid slowing business from the coronavirus pandemic .
Three global alliances , Oneworld , SkyTeam and Star Alliance , representing nearly 60 airlines worldwide , also pleaded for help from government and stakeholders amid estimates of billions of dollars in lost revenue due to the decline in travel .
The reduced business has impacted workers at airports across the country .
In New York and New Jersey alone , 1,200 airport workers , employed at airport restaurants and stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no severance and told their health insurance would lapse on March 31 .
The laid-off workers were employed at La Guardia , Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International airports , according to the union representing them , Unite Here Local 100 .
`` You ca n't pay people , '' when the company is taking in very little revenue , senior OTG executive Lawrence Schwartz said .
`` The airports are dead , '' he added .
`` No one 's flying . ''
United Arab Emirates on Thursday effectively temporarily suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , a Dubai Airports statement said .
All scheduled UAE passenger flights from several countries have been suspended , including Bahrain , Egypt , Iraq , Iran , Italy , except for Rome , Jordan , Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , Lebanon , People 's Republic of China , except Beijing , Syria , Turkey and Morocco .

American Airlines has scheduled its first cargo-only flights in decades amid the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 21 (UPI) -- United and Southwest airlines have reduced flights and American is flying its first cargo-only flights in decades amid a slow-down in business due to the coronavirus pandemic. Southwest made the decision to cancel approximately 1,000 of its almost 4,000 daily flights from Sunday until April 14, amid the "drop in travel demand", a statement Friday said. The airline will also suspend service to all of its international destinations at the end of the operating day on Sunday. Advertisement
"We have made this decision due to the number of governments restricting air travel across their borders, as well as guidance from the United States government, and we hope to resume normal operations to our international destinations on May 4, subject to change," the statement said.
Then, from April 14 through June 5, Southwest will reduce capacity by at least 20 percent, according to a previously revised schedule.
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"We sincerely regret any inconvenience to our customers and our employees," the statement said.
Meanwhile, United Airlines said in a statement Friday that it is reducing its international schedule by 95 percent for April.
American Airlines announced a day earlier it would use its grounded passenger aircraft to fly its first cargo-only flight in decades between the United States and Europe and "help keep business moving," amid coronavirus.
The first cargo-only flight since 1984 -- when American retired the last of its Boeing 747 freighters -- has been scheduled to depart Friday from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and land Saturday at Frankfurt Airport in Germany.
The airline said in the announcement it will operate two round-trip cargo flights between Dallas and Frankfurt over the next four days. The flights are expected to carry medical supplies, active U.S. military mail, electronics to support people working at home and e-commerce packages.
"It's an honor to be part of these cargo-only flights, said Ken Jarrell, fleet service clerk, cargo services, DFW, in a statement. "Our team members across the airline are ready and willing to do what it takes to make sure people have the things they need during these unprecedented times."
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Earlier in the week, Airlines for America, the trade group for U.S. airlines, called for $60 billion in direct assistance and loan guarantees amid slowing business from the coronavirus pandemic. Three global alliances, Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance, representing nearly 60 airlines worldwide, also pleaded for help from government and stakeholders amid estimates of billions of dollars in lost revenue due to the decline in travel.
The reduced business has impacted workers at airports across the country. In New York and New Jersey alone, 1,200 airport workers, employed at airport restaurants and stores operated by OTG, were laid off with no severance and told their health insurance would lapse on March 31.
The laid-off workers were employed at La Guardia, Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International airports, according to the union representing them, Unite Here Local 100.
"You can't pay people," when the company is taking in very little revenue, senior OTG executive Lawrence Schwartz said.
"The airports are dead," he added. "No one's flying."
United Arab Emirates on Thursday effectively temporarily suspended issuance of all entry visas to the country, a Dubai Airports statement said.
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All scheduled UAE passenger flights from several countries have been suspended, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Italy, except for Rome, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, People's Republic of China, except Beijing, Syria, Turkey and Morocco.


upi--2020-03-21--'Hangmen' won't return to Broadway after COVID-19 crisis ends

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Playwright Martin McDonagh 's new stage comedy Hangmen will not resume performances when Broadway reopens next month , producers announced .
New York 's theaters , along with other cultural institutions and schools across the United States , closed earlier this month in an attempt to keep large crowds from gathering and hence stem the spread of coronavirus .
Starring Mark Addy , Tracie Bennett , Ewen Bremner , Owen Campbell , Jeremy Crutchley , Gaby French , Josh Goulding , John Hodgkinson , Richard Hollis , John Horton , Ryan Pope and Dan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and played 13 previews before it was shut down March 12 .
It was scheduled to officially open Thursday .
`` Because of the current health crisis which has created circumstances beyond our control , it is with deep regret that we are not able to resume performances of Hangmen , '' producers Robert Fox , Jean Doumanian , Elizabeth I. McCann and Craig Balsam said in a statement Friday .
`` With no definite end in sight of the government 's closure and Broadway 's suspension , we have no alternative but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and close the production .
Given our show 's budget and capitalization , we do not have the economic resources to be able to continue to pay the theater owners , cast and crew through this still undefined closure period .
Therefore , in the interests of all involved , we regretfully have no choice but to close the show .
We are all extremely disappointed that we can not give Martin McDonagh and our fabulous director , cast and team the celebrated opening they all deserve . ''
Hangmen had a sold-out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court Theatre in September 2015 before transferring to the West End 's Wyndham 's Theatre in 2016 .
It won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best Play .
McDonagh 's plays include A Behanding in Spokane , The Beauty Queen of Leenane , The Cripple of Inishmaan , The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Pillowman .
In Bruges was McDonagh 's film directorial debut in 2008 .
His other movies include 2012 's Seven Psychopaths and 2017 's Three Billboards Outside Ebbing , Missouri .
Before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and halted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , McDonagh was slated to reunite with his In Bruges stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in Ireland this summer to make the new movie The Banshees of Inisheer .
The fate of that project is currently unclear .

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Actor Dan Stevens' play "Hangmen" will not resume performances when Broadway reopens next month. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 21 (UPI) -- Playwright Martin McDonagh's new stage comedy Hangmen will not resume performances when Broadway reopens next month, producers announced. New York's theaters, along with other cultural institutions and schools across the United States, closed earlier this month in an attempt to keep large crowds from gathering and hence stem the spread of coronavirus. Advertisement
Broadway is expected to reopen April 13.
Starring Mark Addy, Tracie Bennett, Ewen Bremner, Owen Campbell, Jeremy Crutchley, Gaby French, Josh Goulding, John Hodgkinson, Richard Hollis, John Horton, Ryan Pope and Dan Stevens, Hangmen started performances Feb. 28 and played 13 previews before it was shut down March 12.
It was scheduled to officially open Thursday.
"Because of the current health crisis which has created circumstances beyond our control, it is with deep regret that we are not able to resume performances of Hangmen," producers Robert Fox, Jean Doumanian, Elizabeth I. McCann and Craig Balsam said in a statement Friday.
"With no definite end in sight of the government's closure and Broadway's suspension, we have no alternative but to release the actors from their contracts and close the production. Given our show's budget and capitalization, we do not have the economic resources to be able to continue to pay the theater owners, cast and crew through this still undefined closure period. Therefore, in the interests of all involved, we regretfully have no choice but to close the show. We are all extremely disappointed that we cannot give Martin McDonagh and our fabulous director, cast and team the celebrated opening they all deserve."
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Hangmen had a sold-out, world-premiere run at London's Royal Court Theatre in September 2015 before transferring to the West End's Wyndham's Theatre in 2016.
It won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best Play.
McDonagh's plays include A Behanding in Spokane, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Pillowman.
In Bruges was McDonagh's film directorial debut in 2008. His other movies include 2012's Seven Psychopaths and 2017's Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and halted film and TV productions all over the world, McDonagh was slated to reunite with his In Bruges stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in Ireland this summer to make the new movie The Banshees of Inisheer.
The fate of that project is currently unclear.


upi--2020-03-21--Andy Cohen tests positive for COVID-19

Andy Cohen tests positive for COVID-19

March 21 ( UPI ) -- Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen has announced on Instagram he tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` After a few days of self-quarantine , and not feeling great , I have tested positive for coronavirus , '' Cohen said in Friday 's post .
`` As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do # WWHL from home , we 're putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better .
I want to thank all the medical professionals who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and urge everybody to stay home and take care of themselves . ''
The 51-year-old television personality also shared a photo of him sitting on the couch , with an unshaven face and wearing a terry cloth sweatshirt .
EW.com said Bravo had previously announced Cohen 's show would be taped at his New York City apartment with celebrity guests appearing via video chat .
Other well-known entertainment figures who have tested positive for the virus include Hollywood couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson , Luther star Idris Elba , Lost alum Daniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast-mates Indira Varma and Kristofer Hivju .

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Andy Cohen said he has tested positive for the COVID-19 . File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 21 (UPI) -- Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen has announced on Instagram he tested positive for COVID-19. "After a few days of self-quarantine, and not feeling great, I have tested positive for coronavirus," Cohen said in Friday's post. Advertisement
"As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do #WWHL from home, we're putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better. I want to thank all the medical professionals who are working tirelessly for all of us, and urge everybody to stay home and take care of themselves."
The 51-year-old television personality also shared a photo of him sitting on the couch, with an unshaven face and wearing a terry cloth sweatshirt.
EW.com said Bravo had previously announced Cohen's show would be taped at his New York City apartment with celebrity guests appearing via video chat.
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Other well-known entertainment figures who have tested positive for the virus include Hollywood couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Luther star Idris Elba, Lost alum Daniel Dae Kim and former Game of Thrones cast-mates Indira Varma and Kristofer Hivju.