upi--2020-03-23--BTS to offer Korean language lessons in new video series

SEOUL , March 23 ( UPI ) -- Like many bands , BTS have had to postpone upcoming tour dates due to the global COVID-19 pandemic , but fans will soon have a new way to get their fix of the superstar septet : free Korean lessons .
`` Learn Korean with BTS , '' a series of short language videos , will launch on March 24 on the Weverse fan community app , the band 's label Big Hit Entertainment announced on Monday .
Each episode will be built around existing footage from sources such as the `` Run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos `` Bangtan Bomb '' and `` BTS Episode . ''
The lessons will each be about three minutes long and will introduce simple Korean grammar and expressions .
There are 30 episodes planned , with the first three to be available at launch and new lessons released every Monday thereafter .
The curriculum was developed with professors from the Department of Korean Education at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and researchers at the Korea Language Contents Institute , according to Big Hit .
The management company said it plans to add more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incorporate other bands under its label umbrella , which includes Tomorrow x Together and girl group GFriend , Korean language lessons will help international fans connect more closely with their favorite K-pop artists , Big Hit said .
`` With the recent popularity of K-pop and other Korean cultural contents , the demand for learning Korean is increasing greatly , so we are planning Korean education contents to improve our accessibility , '' the company said in a statement .
`` We hope that through learning Korean , global fans will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artists and enjoy a wide range of contents . ''
BTS released their latest studio album , Map of the Soul : 7 , last month .
It debuted at No .
1 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and topped music charts in several other countries including Japan , Britain , Australia , Canada , France and Germany .

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K-pop superstars BTS will be teaching fans Korean with a new video series launched by management company Big Hit Entertainment. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, March 23 (UPI) -- Like many bands, BTS has had to postpone upcoming tour dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but fans will soon have a new way to get their fix of the superstar septet: free Korean language lessons. "Learn Korean with BTS," a series of short language videos, will launch Tuesday on the Weverse fan community app, the band's label Big Hit Entertainment announced on Monday. Advertisement
Each episode will be built around existing footage from sources such as the Run BTS web variety series and behind-the-scenes videos Bangtan Bomb and BTS Episode.
The lessons will each be about 3 minutes long and will introduce simple Korean grammar and expressions. There are 30 episodes planned, with the first three to be available at launch and new lessons released every Monday thereafter.
The curriculum was developed with professors from the Department of Korean Education at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and researchers at the Korea Language Contents Institute, according to Big Hit.
The management company said it plans to add more educational content in the future and to incorporate other bands under its label umbrella, which includes Tomorrow x Together and girl group GFriend,
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Korean language lessons will help international fans connect more closely with their favorite K-pop artists, Big Hit said.
"With the recent popularity of K-pop and other Korean cultural contents, the demand for learning Korean is increasing greatly, so we are planning Korean education contents to improve our accessibility," the company said in a statement. "We hope that through learning Korean, global fans will be able to deeply empathize with the music of artists and enjoy a wide range of contents."
BTS released their latest studio album, Map of the Soul: 7, last month. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and topped music charts in several other countries, including Japan, Britain, Australia, Canada, France and Germany.


upi--2020-03-23--Senate Democrats block stimulus package; Rand Paul tests positive

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Senate Democrats on Sunday blocked a nearly $ 2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill that they said was geared more to helping businesses than the American public during the pandemic .
The legislation , which was introduced by Republicans on Thursday , failed to advance on a 47-47 procedural vote with 60 votes needed to pass .
Among the six lawmakers to abstain from voting was Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , who became the first U.S. senator to test positive for the coronavirus .
A statement posted on his Twitter account read that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine .
He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events .
He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person . ''
Sens .
Mitt Romney , R-Utah , and Mike Lee , R-Utah , who also abstained from voting , both announced that they had self-quarantined .
After the vote failed , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , criticized the Democrats on the Senate floor , stating there had been some 48 hours of bipartisan negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the emotions , healthcare and the markets of the American people .
`` The American people expect us to act tomorrow and I want everyone to fully understand , if we are n't able to act tomorrow , it 'll be because of our colleagues on the other side continuing to dither when the country expects us to come together and address this problem . ''
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , responded that the negotiations were n't bipartisan and that the bill `` has many problems , '' specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections for workers and little oversight .
`` Also very troubling in the bill were significant shortfalls of money that our hospitals , states , cities and medical workers desperately needed , '' he said .
`` This is a public health crisis .
It is inexplicable to skimp on funding to address the pandemic . ''
Pelosi on Sunday signaled that the House might not approve the bill , which Democrats have criticized as pro-business instead of pro-worker .
`` From my standpoint , we 're apart , '' she said when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin earlier told Fox News Sunday that the bill was designed to stimulate the economy over a 10- to 12-week period .
`` We need to get the money into the economy now .
If we do that , we think we can stabilize the economy , '' he said .
`` I think the president has every expectation that this is going to look a lot better four or eight weeks from now . ''
Mnuchin said the first part of the bill includes what he called `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses closed while the federal government has suggested people remain home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and some states have ordered mandatory closures .
`` If you 're a small business , you 'll get two weeks of cash flow to pay your workers .
You 'll also get some overhead , and if you do that , your loans will be forgiven , '' he said .
The bill would also provide direct deposits , which Mnuchin said would see an average family of four receive about $ 3,000 , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been laid off as a result of the outbreak .
Mnuchin said the bill includes a `` significant package '' developed in conjunction with the Federal Reserve to infuse money into the economy .
`` We 'll have up to $ 4 trillion to support liquidity that we can use to support the economy , '' he said .
Trump on Sunday told reporters that McConnell and Schumer were working to quickly pass the legislation that he framed as bipartisan .
`` They worked late into the night last night and started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to pass that legislation on Monday in both the House and the Senate , '' he said .
However , Sen. Elizabeth Warren said it was n't a bipartisan bill but `` a Republican proposal . ''
Concerning possible COVID-19 infections among lawmakers , Senate Majority Whip John Thune , R-S.D.
, said on the Senate floor that senators will be seeking medical advice .
`` We 'll consult with the attending physician here at the Capitol about appropriate measures for those of us who have been in contact with the senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation that Americans across the country are dealing with right now and it underscores the importance of acting immediately to deliver more relief for the American people , '' Thune said .
Diaz-Balart told NBC News on Saturday he is feeling better after a week , but said the initial symptoms hit him `` like a ton of bricks . ''
McAdams told NBC 's `` Today '' last week he `` felt like I had a belt around my chest , and so I could n't breathe deeply . ''

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Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Senate Democrats on Sunday blocked a nearly $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill they said was geared more to helping businesses than the American public during the pandemic. The legislation, which was introduced by Republicans on Thursday, failed to advance on a 47-47 procedural vote with 60 votes needed to pass. Advertisement
Among the six lawmakers to abstain from voting was Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who became the first U.S. senator to test positive for the coronavirus.
A statement posted on his Twitter account read that he "is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person."
Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, who also abstained from voting, both announced that they had self-quarantined.
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After the vote failed, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky criticized the Democrats on the Senate floor, stating there had been some 48 hours of bipartisan negotiations, accusing them of "fiddling" with the emotions, healthcare and the markets of the American people.
"The American people expect us to act tomorrow and I want everyone to fully understand, if we aren't able to act tomorrow, it'll be because of our colleagues on the other side continuing to dither when the country expects us to come together and address this problem."
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York responded that the negotiations weren't bipartisan and that the bill "has many problems," specifically a large corporate bailout that contains no protections for workers and little oversight.
"Also very troubling in the bill were significant shortfalls of money that our hospitals, states, cities and medical workers desperately needed," he said. "This is a public health crisis. It is inexplicable to skimp on funding to address the pandemic."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Sunday signaled that the House might not approve the bill, which Democrats have criticized as pro-business instead of pro-worker.
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"From my standpoint, we're apart," she said when asked about a potential deal on Sunday.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin earlier told Fox News Sunday that the bill was designed to stimulate the economy over a 10- to 12-week period.
"We need to get the money into the economy now. If we do that, we think we can stabilize the economy," he said. "I think the president has every expectation that this is going to look a lot better four or eight weeks from now."
Mnuchin said the first part of the bill includes what he called "small business retention loans" as many businesses closed while the federal government has suggested people remain home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and some states have ordered mandatory closures.
"If you're a small business, you'll get two weeks of cash flow to pay your workers. You'll also get some overhead, and if you do that, your loans will be forgiven," he said.
The bill would also provide direct deposits, which Mnuchin said would see an average family of four receive about $3,000, along with enhanced unemployment insurance for people who have been laid off as a result of the outbreak.
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Mnuchin said the bill includes a "significant package" developed in conjunction with the Federal Reserve to infuse money into the economy.
"We'll have up to $4 trillion to support liquidity that we can use to support the economy," he said.
President Donald Trump on Sunday told reporters that McConnell and Schumer were working to quickly pass the legislation that he framed as bipartisan.
"They worked late into the night last night and started early this morning, and we are working to pass that legislation on Monday in both the House and the Senate," he said.
However, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said it wasn't a bipartisan bill but "a Republican proposal."
Concerning possible COVID-19 infections among lawmakers, Senate Republican Whip John Thune of South Dakota said on the Senate floor that senators will be seeking medical advice.
"We'll consult with the attending physician here at the Capitol about appropriate measures for those of us who have been in contact with the senator, but this is the kind of situation that Americans across the country are dealing with right now and it underscores the importance of acting immediately to deliver more relief for the American people," Thune said.
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Earlier in the week, U.S. Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah, tested positive.
Diaz-Balart told NBC News on Saturday he is feeling better after a week, but said the initial symptoms hit him "like a ton of bricks." McAdams told NBC's Today last week he "felt like I had a belt around my chest, and so I couldn't breathe deeply."


upi--2020-03-22--Canada pulls out of Summer Olympics; Australia expects 1-year delay

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Canada said Sunday it wo n't send athletes to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic , and Australia told its athletes to prepare for the event to be postponed .
Canadian Olympic and Paralympic officials said in a statement their decision is backed by the Canadian government .
Team Canada also called on the International Olympic Committee to postpone the games for one year , and offered to help `` navigate all the complexities that rescheduling the Games will bring . ''
`` While we recognize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community , '' organizers said .
The COC said the decision was made not only to ensure the health of its athletes but to ensure the health of the public .
It said having athletes continue to train `` runs counter to the public health advice , which we urge all Canadians to follow . ''
The announcement follows word from the IOC earlier Sunday that it 's considering postponement and has established a timeline for when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday it expects toe Games to be moved to next year .
`` The AOC believes our athletes now need to prioritize their own health and of those around them , '' it said in a statement .
Ian Chesterman , Australian Team Chef de Mission for Tokyo , said `` it 's clear '' the games ca n't be held in July and the stress of uncertainty has been `` extremely challenging '' for the athletes .
`` We are aware that for many such a postponement will present a range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But when the world does come together at the Tokyo Olympic Games , they can be a true celebration of sport and humanity . ''

Canadian athletes enter the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 5, 2016. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Canada said Sunday it won't send athletes to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Australia told its athletes to prepare for the event to be postponed. Canadian Olympic and Paralympic officials said in a statement their decision is backed by the Canadian government. Advertisement
Team Canada also called on the International Olympic Committee to postpone the games for one year, and offered to help "navigate all the complexities that rescheduling the Games will bring."
"While we recognize the inherent complexities around a postponement, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community," organizers said.
The COC said the decision was made not only to ensure the health of its athletes but to ensure the health of the public. It said having athletes continue to train "runs counter to the public health advice, which we urge all Canadians to follow."
The announcement follows word from the IOC earlier Sunday that it's considering postponement and has established a timeline for when it will decide.
The Australian Olympic Committee said Monday it expects the Games to be moved to next year.
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"The AOC believes our athletes now need to prioritize their own health and of those around them," it said in a statement.
Ian Chesterman, Australian Team Chef de Mission for Tokyo, said "it's clear" the games can't be held in July, and the stress of uncertainty has been "extremely challenging" for the athletes.
"We are aware that for many such a postponement will present a range of new issues," Chesterman said. "But when the world does come together at the Tokyo Olympic Games, they can be a true celebration of sport and humanity."


upi--2020-03-22--President Donald Trump activates National Guard in California, New York, Washington

March 22 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has activated the National Guard in California , New York and Washington in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 .
During a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force , Trump announced that the federal government will fund the missions but all three states will remain in command of the National Guard .
New York and Washington account for about half of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States .
`` We 're dealing also with other states but these states have been hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said he instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to supply four federal medical stations with 1,000 beds for New York , eight federal medical stations with 2,000 beds for California and three federal medical stations as well as three smaller medical stations with 1,000 beds for Washington .
In addition , Washington will receive 369,000 N-95 respirators and 575,000 O-78 surgical masks , and New York will get 186,416 respirators and 444,000 surgical masks .
`` This action will give them maximum flexibility to use the National Guard against the virus without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and freeing up state resources to protect the health and safety of the people in their state , '' he said .
Trump also said that the USNS Mercy Navy hospital ship will be sent to Los Angeles and the USNS Comfort will be sent to the East Coast , likely in the New York harbor .
Trump also approved a request by Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee and California Gov .
Gavin Newsom for a federal major disaster declaration , joining New York , whose request was answered Saturday .
Inslee sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president on Friday to access a slew of federal assistance programs , including crisis counseling and training to lessen the mental impact the pandemic could have on the mental health of his citizens .
Other requests made in the letter remain under review , his office said .
In a statement , Inslee said he appreciates the federal approval of the disaster Washington is experiencing , but it is n't enough .
`` Today 's declaration does not unlock many forms of federal assistance we have requested to help workers and families who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The state urgently requires additional federal emergency assistance in order to save lives , protect public health and safety and limit further spread of the disease . ''
Trump 's approval of the declaration explains funds have been made available to Washington for crisis counseling and for `` certain private nonprofits organizations for emergency protective measures , including direct federal assistance . ''
In California , Newsom said he asked for the declaration in order to provide `` additional assistance , including but not limited to , mass care and emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management , disaster unemployment assistance , disaster legal service and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance , '' according to a statement from his office .
`` Unfortunately , California has been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 , '' Newsom wrote in the letter to Trump .
`` Besides California being home to nearly 40 million people , which itself poses significant logistical issues few other states face , California partnered with the federal government in several extremely complex and challenging repatriation missions , which strained California 's resources and impacted California 's healthcare delivery system @ @

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has activated the National Guard for California, New York and Washington during a briefing of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has activated the National Guard in California, New York and Washington in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. During a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Trump announced that the federal government will fund the missions but all three states will remain in command of the National Guard. Advertisement
New York and Washington account for about half of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States.
"We're dealing also with other states but these states have been hit the hardest," Trump said.
Trump said he instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to supply four federal medical stations with 1,000 beds for New York, eight federal medical stations with 2,000 beds for California and three federal medical stations as well as three smaller medical stations with 1,000 beds for Washington.
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In addition, Washington will receive 369,000 N-95 respirators and 575,000 O-78 surgical masks, and New York will get 186,416 respirators and 444,000 surgical masks.
"This action will give them maximum flexibility to use the National Guard against the virus without having to worry about costs or liability and freeing up state resources to protect the health and safety of the people in their state," he said.
Trump also said that the USNS Mercy Navy hospital ship will be sent to Los Angeles and the USNS Comfort will be sent to the East Coast, likely in the New York harbor.
Trump also approved a request by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and California Gov. Gavin Newsom for a federal major disaster declaration, joining New York, whose request was answered Saturday.
Inslee sent the 74-page letter of request to the president on Friday to access a slew of federal assistance programs, including crisis counseling and training to lessen the mental impact the pandemic could have on the mental health of his citizens. Other requests made in the letter remain under review, his office said.
In a statement, Inslee said he appreciates the federal approval of the disaster Washington is experiencing, but it isn't enough.
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"Today's declaration does not unlock many forms of federal assistance we have requested to help workers and families who are badly hurting," Inslee said. "The state urgently requires additional federal emergency assistance in order to save lives, protect public health and safety and limit further spread of the disease."
Trump's approval of the declaration explains funds have been made available to Washington for crisis counseling and for "certain private nonprofits organizations for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance."
In California, Newsom said he asked for the declaration in order to provide "additional assistance, including but not limited to, mass care and emergency assistance, crisis counseling, disaster case management, disaster unemployment assistance, disaster legal service and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance," according to a statement from his office.
"Unfortunately, California has been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19," Newsom wrote in the letter to Trump. "Besides California being home to nearly 40 million people, which itself poses significant logistical issues few other states face, California partnered with the federal government in several extremely complex and challenging repatriation missions, which strained California's resources and impacted California's healthcare delivery system."


upi--2020-03-22--Former Colts CB Pierre Desir agrees to deal with Jets

March 22 ( UPI ) -- Former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Pierre Desir reached an agreement with the New York Jets on Sunday .
League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Desir agreed to a one-year contract with the Jets .
According to NFL Media , the veteran defensive back 's deal is worth up to $ 5.5 million .
The Colts unexpectedly released Desir on Saturday after three seasons in Indianapolis .
He signed a three-year , $ 22.9 million extension with the team last year and recorded a career-best three interceptions in the 2019-20 campaign .
Desir , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 11 starts ) last season , notching 50 total tackles , three picks and 11 passes defensed .
According to Pro Football Focus , he allowed five touchdown passes and a 95.6 passer rating .
The Jets were in need of secondary help after parting ways with Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts this off-season .
The franchise re-signed nickel corner Brian Poole but still needed additional help on the outside .
The Cleveland Browns selected Desir in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft .
He spent two seasons in Cleveland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diego Chargers in 2016 .
The Colts initially claimed Desir off waivers in September 2017 .
In 61 career games between the Browns , Chargers and Colts , Desir has tallied 210 total tackles , five interceptions , 34 passes defensed , two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery .

Former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Pierre Desir will sign a one-year contract with the New York Jets after his release from the Colts on Saturday. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
March 22 (UPI) -- Former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Pierre Desir reached an agreement with the New York Jets on Sunday. League sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Desir agreed to a one-year contract with the Jets. According to NFL Media, the veteran defensive back's deal is worth up to $5.5 million. Advertisement
The Colts unexpectedly released Desir on Saturday after three seasons in Indianapolis. He signed a three-year, $22.9 million extension with the team last year and recorded a career-best three interceptions in the 2019-20 campaign.
Desir, 29, played in 12 regular-season games (11 starts) last season, notching 50 total tackles, three picks and 11 passes defensed. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed five touchdown passes and a 95.6 passer rating.
The Jets were in need of secondary help after parting ways with Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts this off-season. The franchise re-signed nickel corner Brian Poole but still needed additional help on the outside.
The Cleveland Browns selected Desir in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons in Cleveland before a one-year stint with the then-San Diego Chargers in 2016. The Colts initially claimed Desir off waivers in September 2017.
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In 61 career games between the Browns, Chargers and Colts, Desir has tallied 210 total tackles, five interceptions, 34 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.


upi--2020-03-23--NBA legend Charles Barkley tests negative for coronavirus

March 23 ( UPI ) -- NBA legend Charles Barkley , who announced 10 days ago that he was undergoing tests for the coronavirus after feeling ill , tested negative for the virus .
`` I 've received my COVID-19 test results this morning and they are negative , '' Barkley said in a statement Monday .
`` I 'd like to thank everyone for reaching out and expressing your concern and support .
You all be safe and please take the necessary actions to help ensure your well-being . ''
The colorful Inside the NBA analyst called into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health .
Barkley said he was feeling sick and was self-isolating after undergoing tests for the virus .
`` I 'm just kind of in limbo right now .
I 'm hoping , I 'm really hoping , it was just a bug , '' Barkley said on his show almost two weeks ago .
`` I was in New York earlier this week , and that was a hot spot .
When I got to Atlanta , I just was n't feeling well .
I took the test , I have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's where I 'm at now . ''
Barkley 's announcement came one day after the NBA indefinitely suspended its season .
The league temporarily halted play after Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert became the first player in the NBA to test positive for COVID-19 .
Barkley , 57 , was an 11-time All-Star and the NBA 's Most Valuable Player in 1993 .
The two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee averaged 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds in 16 seasons between the Philadelphia 76ers , Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets @

NBA icon Charles Barkley announced 10 days ago that he was being tested for COVID-19 after falling ill. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- NBA legend Charles Barkley, who announced 10 days ago that he was undergoing tests for the coronavirus after feeling ill, tested negative for the virus. "I've received my COVID-19 test results this morning and they are negative," Barkley said in a statement Monday. "I'd like to thank everyone for reaching out and expressing your concern and support. You all be safe and please take the necessary actions to help ensure your well-being." Advertisement
The colorful Inside the NBA analyst called into the TNT show March 12 to address his health. Barkley said he was feeling sick and was self-isolating after undergoing tests for the virus.
"I'm just kind of in limbo right now. I'm hoping, I'm really hoping, it was just a bug," Barkley said on his show almost two weeks ago. "I was in New York earlier this week, and that was a hot spot. When I got to Atlanta, I just wasn't feeling well. I took the test, I haven't gotten the results back yet, and that's where I'm at now."
Barkley's announcement came one day after the NBA indefinitely suspended its season. The league temporarily halted play after Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert became the first player in the NBA to test positive for COVID-19.
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Barkley, 57, was an 11-time All-Star and the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1993. The two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee averaged 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds in 16 seasons between the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets.


upi--2020-03-23--Colorado Gov. Polis signs bill abolishing death penalty, commutes sentences of 3 inmates

March 23 ( UPI ) -- Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis on Monday signed legislation making the state the 22nd to abolish the death penalty .
In addition to signing the bill , he commuted the death sentences of three death row inmates .
Nathan Dunlap , Mario Owens and Robert Ray will now serve life in prison without the possibility of parole .
`` Commutations are typically granted to reflect evidence of extraordinary change in the offender .
That is not why I am commuting these sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole , '' Polis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these despicable and guilty individuals are consistent with the abolition of the death penalty in the state of Colorado , and consistent with the recognition that the death penalty can not be , and never has been , administered equitably in the state of Colorado . ''
Polis ' signature comes nearly a month after Colorado 's House of Representatives voted to repeal the state 's death penalty law .
Colorado 's Senate passed the legislation Jan. 31 with a 19-13 vote .
The legislation bans the death penalty as a punishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .
It 's not retroactive for Dunlap , Owens and Ray , hence Polis ' commutation .
Kristen Clarke , president and executive director of the Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law , applauded Polis for commuting the sentences of the three death row inmates .
`` The use of the death penalty in Colorado and across the country has been a failed experiment infected with serious legal errors and racial bias that run contrary to principles of fairness and justice , '' she said .
This historic move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant development in the ongoing fight to end the use of the death penalty in our country .
Evidence shows that race plays an especially pernicious role in the administration of the death penalty and that was particularly true in Colorado , where death penalty sentences were largely issued against black defendants . ''
Colorado has executed one person -- Gary Davis in 1997 -- since the death penalty was reinstated in the state in 1974 .
In 2013 , former Gov .
John Hickenlooper signed an executive order granting an indefinite stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's system for capital punishment `` is not flawless . ''
It was considered to be an unofficial moratorium on the punishment in the state .
Robert Dunham , executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center , said Colorado 's move to abolish the death penalty is part of a growing trend in the United States , with one state dropping the form of punishment every year or two over the past decade .
`` This is not a surprise .
Public support for capital punishment has been thinning and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Governor Polis recognized that , as distasteful as the crimes were that resulted in the three remaining death sentences in the state , it was better to close out this chapter in Colorado 's criminal justice history than to let the issue fester while unnecessarily spending millions more of taxpayer dollars . ''

March 23 (UPI) -- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed legislation making the state the 22nd to abolish the death penalty.
In addition to signing the bill, he commuted the death sentences of three death row inmates. Nathan Dunlap, Mario Owens and Robert Ray will now serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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"Commutations are typically granted to reflect evidence of extraordinary change in the offender. That is not why I am commuting these sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole," Polis said. "Rather, the commutations of these despicable and guilty individuals are consistent with the abolition of the death penalty in the state of Colorado, and consistent with the recognition that the death penalty cannot be, and never has been, administered equitably in the state of Colorado."
Polis' signature comes nearly a month after Colorado's House of Representatives voted to repeal the state's death penalty law. Colorado's Senate passed the legislation Jan. 31 with a 19-13 vote.
The legislation bans the death penalty as a punishment for any crime committed after July 1, 2020. It's not retroactive for Dunlap, Owens and Ray, hence Polis' commutation.
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Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, applauded Polis for commuting the sentences of the three death row inmates.
"The use of the death penalty in Colorado and across the country has been a failed experiment infected with serious legal errors and racial bias that run contrary to principles of fairness and justice," she said.
This historic move by the state of Colorado marks a significant development in the ongoing fight to end the use of the death penalty in our country. Evidence shows that race plays an especially pernicious role in the administration of the death penalty and that was particularly true in Colorado, where death penalty sentences were largely issued against black defendants."
Colorado has executed one person -- Gary Davis in 1997 -- since the death penalty was reinstated in the state in 1974.
In 2013, former Gov. John Hickenlooper signed an executive order granting an indefinite stay of execution for Dunlap, saying the state's system for capital punishment "is not flawless." It was considered to be an unofficial moratorium on the punishment in the state.
Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said Colorado's move to abolish the death penalty is part of a growing trend in the United States, with one state dropping the form of punishment every year or two over the past decade.
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"This is not a surprise. Public support for capital punishment has been thinning and is near a generation low," he said.
"Governor Polis recognized that, as distasteful as the crimes were that resulted in the three remaining death sentences in the state, it was better to close out this chapter in Colorado's criminal justice history than to let the issue fester while unnecessarily spending millions more of taxpayer dollars."


upi--2020-03-23--Los Angeles Rams unveil new logos, colors for 2020 season

March 23 ( UPI ) -- As part of the franchise 's off-season rebranding effort , the Los Angeles Rams on Monday revealed new team logos and colors that will debut this season .
The Rams ' new look is one part of a rebranding mission that has been ongoing since the organization returned to Los Angeles in 2016 after 21 seasons in St. Louis .
`` We have studied every look of the Los Angeles Rams over our history -- the blues , the yellows , the whites , the helmets and the Ram horns -- for inspiration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Our goal is to weave together this history into a new , modern look for the Los Angeles Rams , respecting our past and representing our future . ''
The Rams unveiled four new logos as part of Monday 's event .
One of the designs , which was widely criticized at the time , resembled a version that was leaked earlier this month .
The new logo , which features `` LA '' in white letters with a yellow Rams horn coming off the `` A , '' has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media .
The leaked version was navy blue with neon yellow accents .
The Rams ' new colors are called `` Rams Royal , '' a shade of blue , and `` Sol , '' a shade of bright yellow .
White is also featured on the new look .
The logos and colors coincide with the team 's inaugural season in SoFi Stadium , which is expected to be finished later this year .
The Rams will reveal their new uniforms this spring .

March 23 (UPI) -- As part of the franchise's off-season rebranding effort, the Los Angeles Rams on Monday revealed new team logos and colors that will debut this season.
The Rams' new look is one part of a rebranding mission that has been ongoing since the organization returned to Los Angeles in 2016 after 21 seasons in St. Louis.
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"We have studied every look of the Los Angeles Rams over our history -- the blues, the yellows, the whites, the helmets and the Ram horns -- for inspiration," Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said. "Our goal is to weave together this history into a new, modern look for the Los Angeles Rams, respecting our past and representing our future."
The Rams unveiled four new logos as part of Monday's event. One of the designs, which was widely criticized at the time, resembled a version that was leaked earlier this month.
The new logo, which features "LA" in white letters with a yellow Rams horn coming off the "A," has different coloring than the one that leaked on social media. The leaked version was navy blue with neon yellow accents.
Advertisement "It just feels like we did it right." Helmets. Uniforms. Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/y3pXw6uZ2s— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 23, 2020
The Rams' new colors are called "Rams Royal," a shade of blue, and "Sol," a shade of bright yellow. White is also featured on the new look.
The logos and colors coincide with the team's inaugural season in SoFi Stadium, which is expected to be finished later this year. The Rams will reveal their new uniforms this spring.


upi--2020-03-23--New York converting Javits Center into 2,000-bed COVID-19 hospital

March 23 ( UPI ) -- New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo provided a look Monday at the Javits Convention Center as the state transforms it into a complex to treat COVID-19 .
The center will add about 2,000 beds to New York 's 53,000-bed hospital system .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will construct four 250-bed temporary hospitals and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will build a fifth facility with an additional 1,000 beds .
New York has nearly 21,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 157 people in the state have died after becoming ill .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand for 110,000 hospital beds .
`` For us , a major thrust is increasing hospital capacity , '' Cuomo said .
`` We 're trying to reduce the rate of the spread of the virus .
But at the same time , we have to get that hospital capacity up . ''
Cuomo said construction on the facilities is expected to be completed in about seven to 10 days at which point they can begin admitting patients .
The hospitals , which will serve to take on patients from the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also come with medical supplies and be run by 320 federal staffers .
`` This will be a backfill facility , where we can relieve some of the pressure and the tension from hospitals by using these beds , '' Cuomo said .
Cuomo also issued an order for the state 's hospitals to increase their capacities by at least 50 percent .
`` I do n't think it 's unreasonable to say try to reach a 100 percent increase but you must reach a 50 percent increase , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand at the Javits Center on Monday after President Donald Trump activated the component of the armed forces on Sunday for New York , California and Washington .

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressed media Monday from the Javits Convention Center which will be converted into a hospital facility to treat COVID-19 patients. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo provided a look Monday at the Javits Convention Center as the state transforms it into a complex to treat COVID-19. The center will add about 2,000 beds to New York's 53,000-bed hospital system. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will construct four 250-bed temporary hospitals and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will build a fifth facility with an additional 1,000 beds. Advertisement
New York has nearly 21,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 157 people in the state have died after becoming ill. The virus is projected to lead to a demand for 110,000 hospital beds.
"For us, a major thrust is increasing hospital capacity," Cuomo said. "We're trying to reduce the rate of the spread of the virus. But at the same time, we have to get that hospital capacity up."
Cuomo said construction on the facilities is expected to be completed in about seven to 10 days at which point they can begin admitting patients.
The hospitals, which will serve to take on patients from the state's traditional hospitals as they are overwhelmed, will also come with medical supplies and be run by 320 federal staffers.
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"This will be a backfill facility, where we can relieve some of the pressure and the tension from hospitals by using these beds," Cuomo said.
Cuomo also issued an order for the state's hospitals to increase their capacities by at least 50 percent.
"I don't think it's unreasonable to say try to reach a 100 percent increase but you must reach a 50 percent increase," he said.
The National Guard was also on hand at the Javits Center on Monday after President Donald Trump activated the component of the armed forces on Sunday for New York, California and Washington.


upi--2020-03-23--COVID-19: British PM Boris Johnson issues sweeping stay-at-home order

March 23 ( UPI ) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday issued a sweeping stay-at-home order for the entire country , banning people from leaving their homes except in `` very limited '' instances during the coronavirus pandemic .
The restrictions are in place for at least three weeks .
The prime minister took the extraordinary action -- with support from the opposition -- after the death toll reached 336 Monday .
Johns Hopkins University said there have been 6,724 cases of COVID-19 in the country .
`` From this evening I must give the British people a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home , '' Johnson said in a televised address .
`` Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households . ''
Under the new restrictions , Britons will be allowed to leave home only to shop for necessities , attend to medical needs , provide help for a vulnerable person , travel to and from essential work and one period of exercise each day .
`` That 's all -- these are the only reasons you should leave your home .
You should not be meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet , you should say 'No . '
You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home , '' Johnson said .
`` If you do n't follow the rules , the police will have the power to enforce them , '' he said , saying police will break up gatherings and possibly levy fines .
Johnson said the new restrictions will be `` under constant review , '' and could be extended beyond the initial three-week period .
`` The prime minister is right to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect our [ National Health Service ] and save lives .
This is the right response for the coronavirus pandemic , and one we have been calling for , '' he said .
`` There now needs to be clear guidance to employers and workers about which workplaces should close -- and the government must close the loopholes to give security to all workers , including the self-employed , as well as renters and mortgage holders . ''

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new restrictions will last for at least three weeks. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday issued a sweeping stay-at-home order for the entire country, banning people from leaving their homes except in "very limited" instances during the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions are in place for at least three weeks. The prime minister took the extraordinary action -- with support from the opposition -- after the death toll reached 336 Monday. Johns Hopkins University said there have been 6,724 cases of COVID-19 in the country. Advertisement
"From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction -- you must stay at home," Johnson said in a televised address. "Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households."
Under the new restrictions, Britons will be allowed to leave home only to shop for necessities, attend to medical needs, provide help for a vulnerable person, travel to and from essential work and one period of exercise each day.
"That's all -- these are the only reasons you should leave your home. You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say 'No.' You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home," Johnson said.
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"If you don't follow the rules, the police will have the power to enforce them," he said, saying police will break up gatherings and possibly levy fines.
Johnson said the new restrictions will be "under constant review," and could be extended beyond the initial three-week period.
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition Labour Party, backed Johnson's order.
"The prime minister is right to call for people to stay at home, protect our [National Health Service] and save lives. This is the right response for the coronavirus pandemic, and one we have been calling for," he said.
"There now needs to be clear guidance to employers and workers about which workplaces should close -- and the government must close the loopholes to give security to all workers, including the self-employed, as well as renters and mortgage holders."


upi--2020-03-23--Russia ends war games as precaution against COVID-19

March 23 ( UPI ) -- The Russian army ended war exercises on its western border , it announced on Monday , as a preventative measure against the COVID-19 virus .
The war games were to be a response to a massive exercise by NATO troops in March , Europe-Defender 20 , that was to involve over 20,000 U.S. troops and personnel from 10 other countries but was severely reduced in scope after the outbreak .
The NATO exercise was criticized by the Kremlin , and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in February that Russia would respond with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's obvious that all of this is connected with preventive measures , '' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday of the cancellation of the Russian war games .
`` It 's linked to the situation around the general fight against coronavirus . ''
An earlier statement from a Russian military official said the war games were called off as a sign of goodwill toward NATO .
Russia has announced only 200 confirmed cases of coronavirus , and on Friday Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said none were in the country 's armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an airlift of medical personnel and material to Italy , which has been severely struck by the pandemic .
Russia 's military also announced that the annual spring conscription , a military draft held between April and July , will go on as planned , and despite a ban on outdoor public gatherings in Moscow , over 10,000 soldiers have been practicing their routines for the planned May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow 's Red Square .

A Russian missile launcher stands in Kaliningrad region. Photo courtesy of Russian Defense Ministry
March 23 (UPI) -- The Russian army ended war exercises on its western border, it announced on Monday, as a preventative measure against the COVID-19 virus. The war games were to be a response to a massive exercise by NATO troops in March, Europe-Defender 20, that was to involve over 20,000 U.S. troops and personnel from 10 other countries but was severely reduced in scope after the outbreak. The NATO exercise was criticized by the Kremlin, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in February that Russia would respond with a reciprocal show of force. Advertisement
"It's obvious that all of this is connected with preventive measures," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday of the cancellation of the Russian war games. "It's linked to the situation around the general fight against coronavirus."
An earlier statement from a Russian military official said the war games were called off as a sign of goodwill toward NATO.
Russia has announced only 200 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and on Friday Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said none were in the country's armed forces. The Russian military is involved in an airlift of medical personnel and material to Italy, which has been severely struck by the pandemic.
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Russia's military also announced that the annual spring conscription, a military draft held between April and July, will go on as planned, and despite a ban on outdoor public gatherings in Moscow, over 10,000 soldiers have been practicing their routines for the planned May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square.


upi--2020-03-23--New England Patriots release Pro Bowl kicker Stephen Gostkowski

March 23 ( UPI ) -- The New England Patriots released veteran kicker Stephen Gostkowski after 14 seasons , the team announced Monday .
Gostkowski , who is coming off hip surgery that limited him to four games last season , served as the Patriots ' starter since 2006 , when he replaced All-Pro kicker Adam Vinatieri .
Gostkowski is the franchise 's all-time scoring leader with 1,775 career points .
Gostkowski , 36 , became the Patriots ' longest-tenured player after franchise quarterback Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week .
According to Spotrac , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million against the salary cap this season .
The Patriots , who have about $ 23 million in cap charges for players not on their roster , currently have no kickers on the team .
Veteran Nick Folk , who filled in for the injured Gostkowski last season , remains an unrestricted free agent .
Gostkowski converted 374-of-428 field goal attempts ( 87.4 percent ) with the Patriots .
In the postseason , he was 31-for-36 on field goals .
With his departure , the longest-tenured player on the Patriots is special teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the franchise for 12 seasons .

Former New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) spent the last 14 seasons with the Patriots. File Photo by Rich Kane/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- The New England Patriots released veteran kicker Stephen Gostkowski after 14 seasons, the team announced Monday. Gostkowski, who is coming off hip surgery that limited him to four games last season, served as the Patriots' starter since 2006, when he replaced All-Pro kicker Adam Vinatieri. Gostkowski is the franchise's all-time scoring leader with 1,775 career points. Advertisement
Gostkowski, 36, became the Patriots' longest-tenured player after franchise quarterback Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. According to Spotrac, the kicker was scheduled to count $4.8 million against the salary cap this season.
The Patriots, who have about $23 million in cap charges for players not on their roster, currently have no kickers on the team. Veteran Nick Folk, who filled in for the injured Gostkowski last season, remains an unrestricted free agent.
Gostkowski converted 374-of-428 field goal attempts (87.4 percent) with the Patriots. In the postseason, he was 31-for-36 on field goals.
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With his departure, the longest-tenured player on the Patriots is special teams star Matthew Slater, who has been with the franchise for 12 seasons.


upi--2020-03-23--Boeing shuts down KC-46, P-8 plants for two weeks because of COVID-19

March 23 ( UPI ) -- Boeing announced a two-week shutdown of its Seattle-area plants on Monday , stopping production of KC-46 refueling and P-8 surveillance military planes .
The manufacturing suspension will last until March 25 , the company said in a statement .
The shutdown comes as Washington state is under a state of emergency because of the spread of COVID-19 , and several Boeing employees have tested positive for the virus .
KC-46s are made for U.S. Air Force at Boeing 's Everett , Wash. , plant , and P-8s are made for the U.S. Navy at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The two planes , each delivered at a rate of about one or two per month , are derived from civilian models and are built on the same assembly lines as commercial aircraft .
Any delay in commercial production could harm the company in delivering aircraft to the military .
Boeing said it will work closely with defense and space customers to `` develop plans to ensure customers are supported throughout this period . ''
While some employees can work from home , it acknowledged that telecommuting could compromise some elements of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been particularly hard-hit by the response to the spread of the virus , as air travel has declined and aircraft manufacturers have seen a decline in orders .
Boeing also saw its entire production of 737 Max aircraft grounded earlier this year until software problems are corrected .
`` These actions are being taken to ensure the well-being of employees , their families and the local community , and will include an orderly shutdown consistent with the requirements of its customers , '' the Boeing statement said .
The company also announced on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman Larry Kellner will forgo pay raises in 2020 , that its dividend to stockholders will be suspended and that it will extend the interruption in its stock repurchasing program .

Boeing Co. announced a two-week shutdown on Monday of Washington State plants manufacturing the KC-46 tanker plane, depicted, and the P-8 surveillance plane for the U.S. military. Photo courtesy of Boeing Co.
March 23 (UPI) -- Boeing announced a two-week shutdown of its Seattle-area plants on Monday, stopping production of KC-46 refueling and P-8 surveillance military planes. The manufacturing suspension will last until March 25, the company said in a statement. Advertisement
The shutdown comes as Washington state is under a state of emergency because of the spread of COVID-19, and several Boeing employees have tested positive for the virus.
KC-46s are made for U.S. Air Force at Boeing's Everett, Wash., plant, and P-8s are made for the U.S. Navy at Boeing's Renton, Wash., facility. The two planes, each delivered at a rate of about one or two per month, are derived from civilian models and are built on the same assembly lines as commercial aircraft. Any delay in commercial production could harm the company in delivering aircraft to the military.
Boeing said it will work closely with defense and space customers to "develop plans to ensure customers are supported throughout this period." While some employees can work from home, it acknowledged that telecommuting could compromise some elements of classified projects.
The aviation industry has been particularly hard-hit by the response to the spread of the virus, as air travel has declined and aircraft manufacturers have seen a decline in orders. Boeing also saw its entire production of 737 Max aircraft grounded earlier this year until software problems are corrected.
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"These actions are being taken to ensure the well-being of employees, their families and the local community, and will include an orderly shutdown consistent with the requirements of its customers," the Boeing statement said.
The company also announced on Monday that CEO Dave Calhoun and Board Chairman Larry Kellner will forgo pay raises in 2020, that its dividend to stockholders will be suspended and that it will extend the interruption in its stock repurchasing program.


upi--2020-03-23--Taking steroids for rheumatoid arthritis, IBD may raise odds for hypertension

People taking steroids to treat chronic inflammatory diseases are at high risk for developing high blood pressure , British investigators report .
Inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis are often treated with steroids for an extended period , at high doses , and as many as a third of patients in the study became hypertensive , the scientists said .
`` Steroids are very good at tamping down inflammation and save many lives , but they can also cause harm , '' said researcher Dr. Paul Stewart , executive dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are often kept on steroids for too long at doses higher than they need , he said .
`` One of the major side effects is high blood pressure , which is a major health hazard , '' Stewart said .
`` It 's a risk factor for heart disease , stroke and premature death . ''
`` This is a wake-up call for doctors to be more vigilant in measuring blood pressure and using a minimum effective dose for the shortest period of time , '' he said .
Patients taking steroids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor if they still need steroids and if their dose is the lowest dose possible , Stewart said .
He also said that treating high blood pressure can lower the risk caused by the steroids , especially in patients who need to keep taking them .
For the study , Stewart and his university team collected data on more than 71,000 patients from general practices in England between 1998 and 2017 .
Inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis were the most common conditions being treated with steroids .
Other conditions included vasculitis ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lupus , the researchers noted .
Among these patients , 35 percent developed high blood pressure .
The longer patients took steroids , the greater the odds of hypertension .
Researchers were not able to pinpoint who makes up this third of patients .
So whether obesity or other risk factors for high blood pressure were at play is n't known .
Stewart does n't think , however , that these risk factors are relevant to the effect of steroids .
But the study only found associations , not a cause-and-effect link .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Canadian Medical Association Journal .
One U.S. heart expert not involved with the study outlined how dangerous high blood pressure can be .
`` Hypertension is known as the silent killer .
It is often not seen as a symptom by patients until it leads to heart attacks and strokes , '' said Dr. Satjit Bhusri , a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
`` Numerous studies support that blood pressure control is a major player in heart disease . ''
Chronic steroid use increases the body 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood pressure , he explained .
This spike can lead to hypertension , increasing the risk for heart disease , Bhusri added .
`` It is important that all patients on chronic steroids be screened for hypertension and their risk profile for heart disease , '' he said .
For more on high blood pressure , see the American Heart Association .

Among patients taking steroids for inflammatory diseases, 35 percent developed high blood pressure, a new study found. Photo by agilemktg1/Flickr
People taking steroids to treat chronic inflammatory diseases are at high risk for developing high blood pressure, British investigators report. Inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis are often treated with steroids for an extended period, at high doses, and as many as a third of patients in the study became hypertensive, the scientists said. Advertisement
"Steroids are very good at tamping down inflammation and save many lives, but they can also cause harm," said researcher Dr. Paul Stewart, executive dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Leeds.
Patients, however, are often kept on steroids for too long at doses higher than they need, he said.
"One of the major side effects is high blood pressure, which is a major health hazard," Stewart said. "It's a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and premature death."
"This is a wake-up call for doctors to be more vigilant in measuring blood pressure and using a minimum effective dose for the shortest period of time," he said.
Patients taking steroids for a long time should ask their doctor if they still need steroids and if their dose is the lowest dose possible, Stewart said.
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He also said that treating high blood pressure can lower the risk caused by the steroids, especially in patients who need to keep taking them.
For the study, Stewart and his university team collected data on more than 71,000 patients from general practices in England between 1998 and 2017.
Inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis were the most common conditions being treated with steroids. Other conditions included vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) and lupus, the researchers noted.
Among these patients, 35 percent developed high blood pressure. The longer patients took steroids, the greater the odds of hypertension.
Researchers were not able to pinpoint who makes up this third of patients. So whether obesity or other risk factors for high blood pressure were at play isn't known. Stewart doesn't think, however, that these risk factors are relevant to the effect of steroids. But the study only found associations, not a cause-and-effect link.
The report was published March 23 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
One U.S. heart expert not involved with the study outlined how dangerous high blood pressure can be. "Hypertension is known as the silent killer. It is often not seen as a symptom by patients until it leads to heart attacks and strokes," said Dr. Satjit Bhusri, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "Numerous studies support that blood pressure control is a major player in heart disease."
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Chronic steroid use increases the body's stress response and causes a spike in blood pressure, he explained.
This spike can lead to hypertension, increasing the risk for heart disease, Bhusri added.
"It is important that all patients on chronic steroids be screened for hypertension and their risk profile for heart disease," he said.
More information
For more on high blood pressure, see the American Heart Association.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-23--Excessive 'screen time' could delay toddler's language skills

Everyone is glued to some sort of media these days , but for young kids , that screen time could delay or limit their language skills , a new research review suggests .
`` Our findings are really consistent with the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics [ AAP ] , and the bottom line is that kids should use screens in moderation and parents should try to prioritize using screens together with their kids , '' said the study 's lead author , Sheri Madigan .
She 's a child development expert from the University of Calgary in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that for kids under 2 years of age , there 's little benefit to any screen time , even educational viewing .
`` The majority of language learning [ in the youngest children ] comes from caregivers talking to children .
It 's called a serve-and-return interaction , and that 's when children learn language the most , '' she said .
What 's a serve-and-return interaction ?
Think of a very young child who gets excited at seeing a dog .
The parent notices that enthusiasm and says , `` Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' That simple act helps a child learn language , but screens do n't provide the same response to a child 's interest .
Madigan 's review did find that educational programming was associated with stronger language development in children over 2 , however .
But she said the quality of the media really matters , and shows like `` Sesame Street '' or `` Dora the Explorer '' that pause and let children respond , are probably better at fostering language skills .
And , ideally , Madigan said , parents will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and helping reinforce some of what they 're learning .
The review also found that TV 's left playing in the background appeared to have a detrimental effect on language development in little ones .
The researchers combed medical literature for studies on screen time and children 's language development from 1960 through March 2019 .
The review ultimately included 42 studies with a total of almost 19,000 kids under age 12 .
Only two studies included mobile devices .
Many focused on TV viewing , Madigan said .
The review found a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lower language skills .
Because the studies were varied , however , the review could n't pinpoint how much time -- say , more than an hour a day -- was linked to reduced language skills .
But it appears that the more screen time a child has , the greater the potential impact on language skills .
Madigan advised parents -- particularly those now at home with their kids , searching for something to do -- to come up with a family media plan .
`` Follow the AAP guidelines as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media plan , decide how , when and how often devices will be used so you can balance digital media use in the home , '' she suggested .
`` Screens can be used positively , but they should be used in moderation , and whenever possible , co-view with your children .
And , prioritize your off-line interactions . ''
Evan Ortleib , literacy program coordinator at St. John 's University in New York City , said one big concern is what kids are n't doing when they 're glued to screens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , children are less likely to be conversing with adults and other children .
But screen time can be part of a parent 's tool kit -- it 's a technological tool , but you have to have balance , '' he said .
During this unprecedented time when schools are closed and parents are sometimes expected to act as their children 's teacher , it may be tempting to let the screen time rules fall by the wayside , or to ban screens altogether .
`` Parents do n't need to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the learning experience , '' Ortleib said .
`` There is a lot of curriculum content online that 's tailored to children 's ages .
It 's much like when radio was first invented .
It was n't always used for educational purposes , but now we have so many educational podcasts . ''
However , in kids who have n't developed language yet , Ortleib said screen time `` could provide too much stimuli . ''
Little brains ca n't sort out what 's important , he said .
Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco , N.Y. , agreed that the youngest children do n't need any screen time .
`` Having them passively get information from screens does n't work , '' she said .
`` Kids need interaction and positive reinforcement . ''
And , for kids of any age , screen time should n't replace interactive play and connection , she said .
One exception to screen time rules should be any type of video conferencing that lets you connect to loved ones you ca n't be with , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Skype are interactive , and now with everyone practicing social distancing , could really be positive .
Unlike a pre-recorded program , a child speaking to grandparents can see their expressions and interact with them , '' she said .
The study was published online March 23 in JAMA Pediatrics .
Learn more about creating a family media plan from the American Academy of Pediatrics .

Pixabay For kids under 2 years of age, there's little benefit to any screen time, even educational viewing, a new research review suggests. Photo by Andi Graf
Everyone is glued to some sort of media these days, but for young kids, that screen time could delay or limit their language skills, a new research review suggests. "Our findings are really consistent with the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP], and the bottom line is that kids should use screens in moderation and parents should try to prioritize using screens together with their kids," said the study's lead author, Sheri Madigan. She's a child development expert from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Advertisement
Madigan also noted that for kids under 2 years of age, there's little benefit to any screen time, even educational viewing.
"The majority of language learning [in the youngest children] comes from caregivers talking to children. It's called a serve-and-return interaction, and that's when children learn language the most," she said. What's a serve-and-return interaction? Think of a very young child who gets excited at seeing a dog. The parent notices that enthusiasm and says, "Yes, that's a dog. Dog." That simple act helps a child learn language, but screens don't provide the same response to a child's interest.
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Madigan's review did find that educational programming was associated with stronger language development in children over 2, however. But she said the quality of the media really matters, and shows like "Sesame Street" or "Dora the Explorer" that pause and let children respond, are probably better at fostering language skills.
And, ideally, Madigan said, parents will be viewing these programs with their kids and helping reinforce some of what they're learning.
The review also found that TV's left playing in the background appeared to have a detrimental effect on language development in little ones.
The researchers combed medical literature for studies on screen time and children's language development from 1960 through March 2019. The review ultimately included 42 studies with a total of almost 19,000 kids under age 12. Only two studies included mobile devices. Many focused on TV viewing, Madigan said.
The review found a strong association between more time with screens and lower language skills. Because the studies were varied, however, the review couldn't pinpoint how much time -- say, more than an hour a day -- was linked to reduced language skills. But it appears that the more screen time a child has, the greater the potential impact on language skills.
Advertisement
Madigan advised parents -- particularly those now at home with their kids, searching for something to do -- to come up with a family media plan.
"Follow the AAP guidelines as much as possible. When developing a media plan, decide how, when and how often devices will be used so you can balance digital media use in the home," she suggested. "Screens can be used positively, but they should be used in moderation, and whenever possible, co-view with your children. And, prioritize your off-line interactions."
Evan Ortleib, literacy program coordinator at St. John's University in New York City, said one big concern is what kids aren't doing when they're glued to screens.
"If screen time is misused, children are less likely to be conversing with adults and other children. But screen time can be part of a parent's tool kit -- it's a technological tool, but you have to have balance," he said.
During this unprecedented time when schools are closed and parents are sometimes expected to act as their children's teacher, it may be tempting to let the screen time rules fall by the wayside, or to ban screens altogether.
"Parents don't need to run away from screens. They can be part of the learning experience," Ortleib said. "There is a lot of curriculum content online that's tailored to children's ages. It's much like when radio was first invented. It wasn't always used for educational purposes, but now we have so many educational podcasts."
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However, in kids who haven't developed language yet, Ortleib said screen time "could provide too much stimuli." Little brains can't sort out what's important, he said.
Dr. Maryann Buetti-Sgouros, chairwoman of pediatrics at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y., agreed that the youngest children don't need any screen time.
"Having them passively get information from screens doesn't work," she said. "Kids need interaction and positive reinforcement."
And, for kids of any age, screen time shouldn't replace interactive play and connection, she said.
One exception to screen time rules should be any type of video conferencing that lets you connect to loved ones you can't be with, Buetti-Sgouros said.
"Things like FaceTime or Skype are interactive, and now with everyone practicing social distancing, could really be positive. Unlike a pre-recorded program, a child speaking to grandparents can see their expressions and interact with them," she said.
The study was published online March 23 in JAMA Pediatrics.
More information
Learn more about creating a family media plan from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-03-23--Supreme Court sides with Comcast in $20B racial discrimination suit

March 23 ( UPI ) -- The Supreme Court ruled Monday in favor of Comcast in black media mogul Byron Allen 's racial discrimination suit against the company , setting a high bar for bringing such suits under the 1866 Civil Rights Act .
The case arises from Comcast , which owns CNBC parent company NBCUniversal , refusing to carry channels , such as Justice Center.TV , Comedy.TV , Pets.TV and Cars.TV , from Entertainment Studios , which Allen founded .
Comcast argued that it did not carry the channels because of limited bandwidth and preference for news and sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons were pretexts and Comcast has a history of rejecting business from `` 100 percent African American-owned media companies . ''
At issue was whether Allen must prove Comcast would have carried his channels if he was not black or whether proving that race was one `` motivating factor '' among others was sufficient for the case to proceed .
Allen agreed that the tougher standard would need to be met to win the suit , but said that he should only have to meet the lower bar in earlier stages .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor that the `` motivating factor '' was enough to proceed .
But the Supreme Court 's decision reversed the Ninth Circuit ruling , and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its opinion .
`` The guarantee that each person is entitled to the 'same right ... as is enjoyed by white citizens ' directs our attention to the counterfactual -- what would have happened if the plaintiff had been white ? ''
Justice Neil Gorsuch , a President Donald Trump appointee , wrote in the opinion .
`` This focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plaintiff must prove but-for causation . ''
`` We are pleased the Supreme Court unanimously restored certainty on the standard to bring and prove civil rights claims , '' Comcast said in a statement .
`` The well-established framework that has protected civil rights for decades continues .
The nation 's civil rights laws have not changed with this ruling ; they remain the same as before the case was filed . ''
On the other hand , Allen said in a statement the decision was `` harmful to the civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney , Erwin Chemerinksy , a leading scholar of constitutional law , added that the battle `` will now shift to Congress . ''
A goal going forward is to get Congress to amend the law `` to allow claims to go forward on a showing that race is a motivating factor in the denial of a contract , '' Chemerinksky said .
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who concurred with the judgment of the court , was the only justice to offer a separate opinion in the case , noting that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights legislation only barred discrimination in a contract 's final stages .

Media mogul Byron Allen lost a battle against Comcast Monday in the Supreme Court related to a $20 billion racial discrimination suit. Photo by Jason Szenes/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court ruled Monday in favor of Comcast in black media mogul Byron Allen's racial discrimination suit against the company, setting a high bar for bringing such suits under the 1866 Civil Rights Act. The case arises from Comcast, which owns CNBC parent company NBCUniversal, refusing to carry channels, such as Justice Center.TV, Comedy.TV, Pets.TV and Cars.TV, from Entertainment Studios, which Allen founded. Comcast argued that it did not carry the channels because of limited bandwidth and preference for news and sports coverage. But Allen argued that those reasons were pretexts and Comcast has a history of rejecting business from "100 percent African American-owned media companies." Advertisement
At issue was whether Allen must prove Comcast would have carried his channels if he was not black or whether proving that race was one "motivating factor" among others was sufficient for the case to proceed. Allen agreed that the tougher standard would need to be met to win the suit, but said that he should only have to meet the lower bar in earlier stages.
The lower court had ruled in Allen's favor that the "motivating factor" was enough to proceed. But the Supreme Court's decision reversed the Ninth Circuit ruling, and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its opinion.
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"The guarantee that each person is entitled to the 'same right ... as is enjoyed by white citizens' directs our attention to the counterfactual -- what would have happened if the plaintiff had been white?" Justice Neil Gorsuch, a President Donald Trump appointee, wrote in the opinion. "This focus fits naturally with the ordinary rule that a plaintiff must prove but-for causation."
Comcast praised the decision.
"We are pleased the Supreme Court unanimously restored certainty on the standard to bring and prove civil rights claims," Comcast said in a statement. "The well-established framework that has protected civil rights for decades continues. The nation's civil rights laws have not changed with this ruling; they remain the same as before the case was filed."
On the other hand, Allen said in a statement the decision was "harmful to the civil rights of millions of Americans."
His attorney, Erwin Chemerinksy, a leading scholar of constitutional law, added that the battle "will now shift to Congress."
A goal going forward is to get Congress to amend the law "to allow claims to go forward on a showing that race is a motivating factor in the denial of a contract," Chemerinksky said.
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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who concurred with the judgment of the court, was the only justice to offer a separate opinion in the case, noting that she disagreed with Comcast's assertion that civil rights legislation only barred discrimination in a contract's final stages.


upi--2020-03-23--Less than half of women in their 40s screened for breast cancer each year

March 23 ( UPI ) -- Private health insurers spend more than $ 2 billion a year to screen women in their 40s for breast cancer , though fewer than half those eligible undergo mammograms , a new study shows .
In results published Monday by JAMA Internal Medicine , researchers noted that just over 41 percent of women between age 40 and 49 who had private insurance had a mammogram in 2017 .
The mean per person cost among these women was $ 353 , according to researchers .
`` Breast cancer screening is associated with high costs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research fellow at the Yale School of Medicine and Public Health and a doctoral candidate in health decision science at the University of Oslo in Norway , told UPI .
`` These substantial costs are borne despite the fact that health outcomes associated with breast cancer screening in this population remain uncertain and there is inconsistency between professional society guidelines for screening women '' in this age group , she added .
Indeed , the lack of consensus regarding the value of routine mammograms for women in their 40s has resulted in significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services Task Force recommends that women begin breast cancer screening at age 50 , while the American Cancer Society recommends women have their first mammogram at 45 .
Most private insurance companies in the United States reimburse patients in their 40s for the costs of a mammography , despite concerns over lack of accuracy and exposure to low-dose radiation associated with the procedure .
For their study , Kunst and her colleagues reviewed data on more than 2.2 million women from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Axis , a large commercial claims database @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years old who were eligible to receive screening mammography in 2017 .
Of the women included in the analysis , just over 930,000 were screened in 2017 , with 543,380 , or 24.1 percent , undergoing 2-dimensional mammography .
Of this latter group , 387,146 , or 17.2 percent , had the procedure with digital breast tomosynthesis , or DBT .
Among the women who had a screening mammography , 137,764 , or 15 percent , were recalled for diagnostic evaluation and 20,229 , or just over 2 percent , were referred for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the main contributor to the overall cost of screening was the mammography itself -- this represented $ 249 of the $ 353 mean total per person cost -- followed by recall -- $ 56 -- and other diagnostic tests -- $ 45 .
In all , after extrapolating these costs to the U.S. population with private insurance , the total national cost of screening women in their 40s was $ 2.13 billion per year , most of which was accounted for by the initial screening mammography .
`` Our findings indicate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screening women in their 40s outweigh the potential harms , '' Kunst said .
`` We hope that a better understanding of real-world utilization and costs of breast cancer screening in this population will enable healthcare policymakers to perform more accurate decisions about breast cancer screening women in their 40s . ''

A technician positions a woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram. Photo by Rhoda Baer/Wikimedia Commons
March 23 (UPI) -- Private health insurers spend more than $2 billion a year to screen women in their 40s for breast cancer, though fewer than half those eligible undergo mammograms, a new study shows. In results published Monday by JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers noted that just over 41 percent of women between age 40 and 49 who had private insurance had a mammogram in 2017. The mean per person cost among these women was $353, according to researchers. Advertisement
"Breast cancer screening is associated with high costs," study co-author Natalia Kunst, a research fellow at the Yale School of Medicine and Public Health and a doctoral candidate in health decision science at the University of Oslo in Norway, told UPI.
"These substantial costs are borne despite the fact that health outcomes associated with breast cancer screening in this population remain uncertain and there is inconsistency between professional society guidelines for screening women" in this age group, she added.
Indeed, the lack of consensus regarding the value of routine mammograms for women in their 40s has resulted in significant confusion.
Currently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women begin breast cancer screening at age 50, while the American Cancer Society recommends women have their first mammogram at 45.
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Most private insurance companies in the United States reimburse patients in their 40s for the costs of a mammography, despite concerns over lack of accuracy and exposure to low-dose radiation associated with the procedure.
For their study, Kunst and her colleagues reviewed data on more than 2.2 million women from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Axis, a large commercial claims database, focusing on women 40 to 49 years old who were eligible to receive screening mammography in 2017.
Of the women included in the analysis, just over 930,000 were screened in 2017, with 543,380, or 24.1 percent, undergoing 2-dimensional mammography. Of this latter group, 387,146, or 17.2 percent, had the procedure with digital breast tomosynthesis, or DBT.
Among the women who had a screening mammography, 137,764, or 15 percent, were recalled for diagnostic evaluation and 20,229, or just over 2 percent, were referred for other diagnostic tests.
The authors found that the main contributor to the overall cost of screening was the mammography itself -- this represented $249 of the $353 mean total per person cost -- followed by recall -- $56 -- and other diagnostic tests -- $45.
In all, after extrapolating these costs to the U.S. population with private insurance, the total national cost of screening women in their 40s was $2.13 billion per year, most of which was accounted for by the initial screening mammography.
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"Our findings indicate the importance of determining if the benefits of screening women in their 40s outweigh the potential harms," Kunst said. "We hope that a better understanding of real-world utilization and costs of breast cancer screening in this population will enable healthcare policymakers to perform more accurate decisions about breast cancer screening women in their 40s."


upi--2020-03-23--Dow Jones falls 582 points on first day of all-electronic trading for NYSE

March 23 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 582 points on Monday after a coronavirus stimulus package stalled in Congress , as the New York Stock Exchange conducted its first day of electronic-only trading due to the virus .
The Dow closed down 3.04 percent on Monday , while the S & P 500 slid 2.93 percent and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.27 percent after Senate Democrats for a second time voted against advancing a more-than $ 1 trillion stimulus package aimed at helping individuals and businesses weather the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlimited buying of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities , saying `` aggressive efforts '' must be taken to `` limit the losses to jobs and incomes .
U.S. oil prices also fell after plummeting 30 percent last week as WTI crude fell 1 percent at $ 22.36 and Brent crude fell 4.5 percent .
For the first time in history on Wall Street , there was n't any waving or shouting or bustling among traders on the NYSE floor at the opening bell Monday .
Instead , things were mostly quiet as stockbrokers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As a result of the global coronavirus outbreak , the exchange decided to end physical trading on the floor -- an activity that usually involves large gatherings there .
Traders and managers will begin working remotely until further notice .
The closure affects two main areas in New York City and one in Northern California -- the equities trading floor and American Options trading floor in Manhattan , and the Arca Options trading floor in San Francisco .
Monday 's move to telecommuting was the first time the stock exchange closed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its current location in 1903 .
The floor has closed before , during times of war and severe weather , but the stock markets themselves were also closed for business on those occasions .
NYSE President Stacey Cunningham made the decision last week to close the trading floor after two workers tested positive for the coronavirus disease .
`` NYSE trading floors provide unique value to issuers and investors , but our markets are fully capable of operating in an all-electronic fashion , '' she said .
`` And we will proceed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading floors to our members .
`` While we are taking [ this ] precautionary step ... we continue to firmly believe the markets should remain open and accessible to investors .
All NYSE markets will continue to operate under normal trading hours despite the closure of the trading floors . ''
The three major U.S. indices that trade at the NYSE have seen wild , virus-related volatility in recent weeks .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average , which has been on a steady upswing for years , has erased all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump took office -- one of the primary pillars of his re-election campaign .
The Securities and Exchange Commission published rules over the weekend to allow the NYSE to move to electronic trading .
`` The nation 's capital markets have functioned well as market participants have implemented their business continuity plans , '' it said .
`` NYSE will move to fully electronic trading on Monday .
Normal market hours will apply . ''
The emergency circuit breakers that cut power to trading infrastructure , installed after the `` Black Monday '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses become too steep , will continue to operate normally , officials said .
NYSE Group Chief Operating Officer Michael Blaugrund said the market 's resilience has been impressive , but operating remotely has been frustrating .
`` To be in market conditions that are this extraordinary and dealing with strategic questions that are this significant and having to do it from a distance is maddening , '' he said .
Analyst Tim Anderson of Equity Market Strategist at TJM Investments said he expects the switch will `` kill the business '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managers use price and volume information they get directly from the trading floor to help 'right size ' buy and sell orders , '' he said .
The SEC 's rule changes are temporary .
They will last until May 15 -- unless the floor can reopen sooner .
Amid the wild trading days on Wall Street recently , there have been some calls to close the markets .
Cunningham and leaders of the Nasdaq and global markets firm CME have opposed the idea .
The move to remote trading is not related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Andrew Cuomo for all nonessential workers to remain home as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , as financial services workers are formally considered `` essential '' by the state of New York .
Nonetheless , the reason for Cunningham 's and Cuomo 's decisions is the same .
`` The NYSE has robust , regularly tested contingency plans in place to initiate fully electronic trading on its exchanges , '' the NYSE said in a statement .
`` However , floor broker order types will be unavailable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , electronic trading will continue normally but open-outcry trading will be suspended with the closure of the options trading floors .
`` The decision to temporarily close the trading floors represents a precautionary step to protect the health and well-being of employees and the floor community in response to COVID-19 . ''

Workers sweep the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday after the closing bell. Monday was the first day of all-electronic trading, the first time in history the trading floor is closed while the stock market is open. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 582 points on Monday after a coronavirus stimulus package stalled in Congress, as the New York Stock Exchange conducted its first day of electronic-only trading due to the virus. The Dow closed down 3.04 percent on Monday, while the S&P 500 slid 2.93 percent and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.27 percent after Senate Democrats for a second time voted against advancing a more-than $1 trillion stimulus package aimed at helping individuals and businesses weather the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Advertisement
Stocks fell despite the Federal Reserve permitting unlimited buying of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities, saying "aggressive efforts" must be taken to "limit the losses to jobs and incomes.
U.S. oil prices also fell after plummeting 30 percent last week as WTI crude fell 1 percent at $22.36 and Brent crude fell 4.5 percent.
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For the first time in history on Wall Street, there wasn't any waving or shouting or bustling among traders on the NYSE floor at the opening bell Monday.
Instead, things were mostly quiet as stockbrokers began their first day of electronic trading.
As a result of the global coronavirus outbreak, the exchange decided to end physical trading on the floor -- an activity that usually involves large gatherings there. Traders and managers will begin working remotely until further notice.
The closure affects two main areas in New York City and one in Northern California -- the equities trading floor and American Options trading floor in Manhattan, and the Arca Options trading floor in San Francisco.
Monday's move to telecommuting was the first time the stock exchange closed the trading floor since it began operating at its current location in 1903. The floor has closed before, during times of war and severe weather, but the stock markets themselves were also closed for business on those occasions.
NYSE President Stacey Cunningham made the decision last week to close the trading floor after two workers tested positive for the coronavirus disease.
"NYSE trading floors provide unique value to issuers and investors, but our markets are fully capable of operating in an all-electronic fashion," she said. "And we will proceed in that manner until we can reopen our trading floors to our members.
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"While we are taking [this] precautionary step ... we continue to firmly believe the markets should remain open and accessible to investors. All NYSE markets will continue to operate under normal trading hours despite the closure of the trading floors."
The three major U.S. indices that trade at the NYSE have seen wild, virus-related volatility in recent weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has been on a steady upswing for years, has erased all of the gains it's made since President Donald Trump took office -- one of the primary pillars of his re-election campaign.
The Securities and Exchange Commission published rules over the weekend to allow the NYSE to move to electronic trading.
"The nation's capital markets have functioned well as market participants have implemented their business continuity plans," it said. "NYSE will move to fully electronic trading on Monday. Normal market hours will apply."
The emergency circuit breakers that cut power to trading infrastructure, installed after the "Black Monday" crash in 1987 to halt trading if losses become too steep, will continue to operate normally, officials said.
NYSE Group Chief Operating Officer Michael Blaugrund said the market's resilience has been impressive, but operating remotely has been frustrating.
Advertisement
"To be in market conditions that are this extraordinary and dealing with strategic questions that are this significant and having to do it from a distance is maddening," he said.
Analyst Tim Anderson of Equity Market Strategist at TJM Investments said he expects the switch will "kill the business" of some floor brokers.
"Many portfolio managers use price and volume information they get directly from the trading floor to help 'right size' buy and sell orders," he said.
The SEC's rule changes are temporary. They will last until May 15 -- unless the floor can reopen sooner.
Amid the wild trading days on Wall Street recently, there have been some calls to close the markets. Cunningham and leaders of the Nasdaq and global markets firm CME have opposed the idea.
The move to remote trading is not related to an order Friday by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for all nonessential workers to remain home as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as financial services workers are formally considered "essential" by the state of New York. Nonetheless, the reason for Cunningham's and Cuomo's decisions is the same.
Advertisement
"The NYSE has robust, regularly tested contingency plans in place to initiate fully electronic trading on its exchanges," the NYSE said in a statement. "However, floor broker order types will be unavailable. On the NYSE's options markets, electronic trading will continue normally but open-outcry trading will be suspended with the closure of the options trading floors.
"The decision to temporarily close the trading floors represents a precautionary step to protect the health and well-being of employees and the floor community in response to COVID-19."
U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic