upi--2020-04-20--Georgia, S.C., Tennessee governors say they'll reopen some businesses

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Governors in Georgia , South Carolina and Tennessee announced changes Monday that pave the way for some businesses to reopen between now and May 1 after weeks of pandemic lockdown orders .
Georgia 's Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp announced changes that will take place as soon as Friday , April 24 .
A statewide mandate will allow for the reopening of businesses including fitness centers , tattoo studios , hair and nail salons , barbers , bowling alleys and massage therapy businesses on Friday if they meet social distancing measures , Kemp said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow the state 's safety policies , Kemp said .
Theaters and restaurants will be allowed to open on Monday , April 27 , but night clubs and bars will remain closed for now , Kemp said .
The state will not lift the general `` shelter in place '' order until April 30 , and the governor said `` medically fragile '' people should remain home through May 13 .
Georgia health authorities have confirmed about 19,400 positive cases of COVID-19 , with 3,700 hospitalized and 775 deaths as of Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henry McMaster lifted an April 3 executive order that certain businesses must be limited to curbside service .
Retail stores can reopen for customers if they operate at 20 percent of fire-code occupancy levels or allow no more than five customers per 1,000 square feet , the new rules mandate .
Clothing , furniture , jewelry , department and sporting goods stores will be allowed to welcome back customers , as well as florists and flea markets , McMaster said .
However , still closed will be hair salons and barber shops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bingo halls , the governor said .
Some public beaches were reopened in South Carolina this week , under the jurisdiction of local authorities .
`` This is a gradual step , '' McMaster said .
`` Do n't misunderstand - we 're not opening up all businesses , as usual , by any means . ''
South Carolina has identified 4,439 positive cases of COVID-19 , with 124 deaths , the state health department said Monday .
Tennessee 's Gov .
Bill Lee , also a Republican , said Monday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expire April 30 .
Some businesses will be able open as soon as Monday , April , 27 , Lee said .
`` While I am not extending the 'safer at home ' order past the end of April , we are working directly with our major metropolitan areas to ensure they are in a position to reopen as soon and safely as possible , '' Lee said in a statement .
`` Social distancing works , and as we open up our economy it will be more important than ever that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depend on it . ''
About 7,240 positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 were identified by the state of Tennessee health authorities Monday , and 152 deaths .
When asked whether states should be permitted to reopen businesses without having met the criteria laid out in the White House guidelines to reopen the country , including a 14-day period of decreasing cases , Deborah Birx said the decisions will be left to the states .
`` We have asked every governor to follow the guidelines just as we 've asked every American to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but each of the governors can decide for themselves whether they 've reached specific guidelines in specific areas , '' Birx said .
She added that states could make decisions to reopen in certain areas where coronavirus cases are less frequent based on data from their Department of Health websites that list cases , hospitalizations and other information by county and zip code .
`` When you inform the public and give them the information that they need , then they can make decisions along with the local government and governors , '' @ @ @

Governor-elect Brian Kemp of Georgia participates in a meeting hosted by United States President Donald J. Trump with governors-elect at the White House in Washington, DC on December 13, 2018. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- Governors in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee announced changes Monday that pave the way for some businesses to reopen between now and May 1 after weeks of pandemic lockdown orders. Georgia's Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced changes that will take place as soon as Friday, April 24. Advertisement
A statewide mandate will allow for the reopening of businesses including fitness centers, tattoo studios, hair and nail salons, barbers, bowling alleys and massage therapy businesses on Friday if they meet social distancing measures, Kemp said.
Church services may resume if they follow the state's safety policies, Kemp said.
Theaters and restaurants will be allowed to open on Monday, April 27, but night clubs and bars will remain closed for now, Kemp said.
The state will not lift the general "shelter in place" order until April 30, and the governor said "medically fragile" people should remain home through May 13.
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Georgia health authorities have confirmed about 19,400 positive cases of COVID-19, with 3,700 hospitalized and 775 deaths as of Monday.
In South Carolina, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster lifted an April 3 executive order that certain businesses must be limited to curbside service.
Retail stores can reopen for customers if they operate at 20 percent of fire-code occupancy levels or allow no more than five customers per 1,000 square feet, the new rules mandate.
Clothing, furniture, jewelry, department and sporting goods stores will be allowed to welcome back customers, as well as florists and flea markets, McMaster said.
However, still closed will be hair salons and barber shops, as well as gyms, nightclubs and bingo halls, the governor said.
Some public beaches were reopened in South Carolina this week, under the jurisdiction of local authorities.
"This is a gradual step," McMaster said. "Don't misunderstand - we're not opening up all businesses, as usual, by any means."
South Carolina has identified 4,439 positive cases of COVID-19, with 124 deaths, the state health department said Monday.
Tennessee's Gov. Bill Lee, also a Republican, said Monday that the state's safer-at-home order is set to expire April 30. Some businesses will be able open as soon as Monday, April, 27, Lee said.
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"While I am not extending the 'safer at home' order past the end of April, we are working directly with our major metropolitan areas to ensure they are in a position to reopen as soon and safely as possible," Lee said in a statement.
"Social distancing works, and as we open up our economy it will be more important than ever that we keep social distancing as lives and livelihoods depend on it."
About 7,240 positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 were identified by the state of Tennessee health authorities Monday, and 152 deaths.
When asked whether states should be permitted to reopen businesses without having met the criteria laid out in the White House guidelines to reopen the country, including a 14-day period of decreasing cases, Deborah Birx said the decisions will be left to the states.
"We have asked every governor to follow the guidelines just as we've asked every American to follow the guidelines put out by the president but each of the governors can decide for themselves whether they've reached specific guidelines in specific areas," Birx said.
She added that states could make decisions to reopen in certain areas where coronavirus cases are less frequent based on data from their Department of Health websites that list cases, hospitalizations and other information by county and zip code.
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"When you inform the public and give them the information that they need, then they can make decisions along with the local government and governors," said Birx.


upi--2020-04-20--Lesotho PM Thomas Thabane agrees to step down immediately

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane reached a deal with the country 's government to step down immediately as he faces allegations he was involved in the killing of his ex-wife .
South African mediators brokered a deal with the country 's coalition government ensuring Thabane will be allowed a `` dignified and secure '' exit from office .
`` The coalition government of the Kingdom of Lesotho commits to effecting the implementation process or modalities for the dignified , graceful and secure retirement of the right honorable prime minister , '' South African mediator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monyane Moleleki said in a joint statement .
Radebe said the deal indicated that Thabane 's departure would be `` immediate '' although he had originally planned to step down in July .
`` There are one or two issues that need to be traversed in order to ensure that all political parties are of the same mind in terms of speeding up that parliamentary process , '' Radebe said .
On Saturday , Thabane deployed the army to the streets saying people and institutions were undermining his government and the rule of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with abuse of the courts , freedom of speech and human rights .
Thabane 's former wife , Lipolelo Thabane was shot and killed by gunmen while she sat in her car outside of her home in the country 's capital of Maseru in 2017 , two days before Thabane was set to be inaugurated .
Thabane and his new wife have denied the accusations , describing them as a plot to remove him as prime minister .
His lawyers sought immunity from the charges in February when a magistrate ruled he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional issue was settled as he was a sitting prime minister .

Kingdom of Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane reached a deal with the government agreeing to immediately step down as he faces accusations that he was involved in the 2017 killing of his former wife. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane reached a deal with the country's government to step down immediately as he faces allegations he was involved in the killing of his ex-wife. South African mediators brokered a deal with the country's coalition government ensuring Thabane will be allowed a "dignified and secure" exit from office. Advertisement
"The coalition government of the Kingdom of Lesotho commits to effecting the implementation process or modalities for the dignified, graceful and secure retirement of the right honorable prime minister," South African mediator Jeff Radebe and Lesotho Deputy Prime Minister Monyane Moleleki said in a joint statement.
Radebe said the deal indicated that Thabane's departure would be "immediate" although he had originally planned to step down in July.
"There are one or two issues that need to be traversed in order to ensure that all political parties are of the same mind in terms of speeding up that parliamentary process," Radebe said.
On Saturday, Thabane deployed the army to the streets saying people and institutions were undermining his government and the rule of law and that democracy had been undermined with abuse of the courts, freedom of speech and human rights.
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Killed by gunmen
Thabane's former wife, Lipolelo Thabane was shot and killed by gunmen while she sat in her car outside of her home in the country's capital of Maseru in 2017, two days before Thabane was set to be inaugurated.
Thomas Thabane remarried shortly after the murder.
Thabane and his new wife have denied the accusations, describing them as a plot to remove him as prime minister. His lawyers sought immunity from the charges in February when a magistrate ruled he would not be charged with murder until a constitutional issue was settled as he was a sitting prime minister.


upi--2020-04-20--N.Y. nurses sue state, hospitals for 'inadequate' coronavirus protections

April 20 ( UPI ) -- A New York nurses union announced Monday it had filed three lawsuits accusing the state of New York , along with two hospitals , of allegedly failing to provide adequate protection for members working during the coronavirus pandemic .
The New York State Nurses Association filed state civil suits against the New York State Department of Health and Westchester Medical Center .
The group filed a federal suit in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Montefiore Medical Center .
The suits alleged that nurses have not been given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage of impermeable gowns and masks .
The suits also allege that hospitals have not protected nurses , including pregnant nurses , with safe working conditions .
Nurses redeployed to work in COVID-19 wards have not been adequately trained , the lawsuits also alleged , and testing of nurses has been dangerously slow .
`` More than seven in ten of our nurses are reporting exposure to COVID-19 and most are still untested , '' said Pat Kane , the union 's executive director .
`` We can not allow these dangerous practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and communities were also in danger from `` grossly inadequate and negligent protections . ''
The union said the Department of Health had failed to provide at least one N95 respirator mask daily to direct-care nurses , as ordered by a directive from Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on April 13 .
Nurses at Westchester Medical Center were given inadequate masks and faced intimidation and retaliation if they publicly spoke out , the suit filed in New York Supreme Court , Westchester County , said .
More than 1,600 nurses work at the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave me only one N95 respirator , which I was required to use for a week 's time ... Because it was too big ...
I was exposed to infectious airborne molecules that could reach my nose and mouth , '' Liesl Van Ledjte , a nurse at Westchester said in an affidavit .
Nurses accused Montefiore Medical Center of denying employees COVID-19 tests even when they had symptoms , the suit said .
After cough and fever symptoms , Pamela Brown-Richardson said she `` obtained testing on my own [ and ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , '' she said in an affidavit .
She was diagnosed with double-lobe pneumonia .
`` At the risk of their health and that of their patients , the nurses are being forced to provide this care with inadequate and often ill-fitting equipment , often in rooms that have not been properly converted to deal with COVID-19 patients , often in practice areas where they have never been trained , and generally without adequate testing to ensure they are fit to work without infecting others , '' the suit said .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with COVID-19 , as of April 10 , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Nurses in New York filed suit against two hospitals and the state health department alleging they are forced to work in dangerous conditions while treating patients with COVID-19. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
April 20 (UPI) -- A New York nurses union announced Monday it had filed three lawsuits accusing the state of New York, along with two hospitals, of allegedly failing to provide adequate protection for members working during the coronavirus pandemic. The New York State Nurses Association filed state civil suits against the New York State Department of Health and Westchester Medical Center. The group filed a federal suit in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Montefiore Medical Center. Advertisement
The suits alleged that nurses have not been given adequate personal protection equipment, including a shortage of impermeable gowns and masks. The suits also allege that hospitals have not protected nurses, including pregnant nurses, with safe working conditions.
Nurses redeployed to work in COVID-19 wards have not been adequately trained, the lawsuits also alleged, and testing of nurses has been dangerously slow.
"More than seven in ten of our nurses are reporting exposure to COVID-19 and most are still untested," said Pat Kane, the union's executive director. "We cannot allow these dangerous practices to continue."
Kane said patients and communities were also in danger from "grossly inadequate and negligent protections."
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The union said the Department of Health had failed to provide at least one N95 respirator mask daily to direct-care nurses, as ordered by a directive from Gov. Andrew Cuomo on April 13.
Nurses at Westchester Medical Center were given inadequate masks and faced intimidation and retaliation if they publicly spoke out, the suit filed in New York Supreme Court, Westchester County, said. More than 1,600 nurses work at the hospital.
"Initially, Westchester Medical Center gave me only one N95 respirator, which I was required to use for a week's time... Because it was too big...I was exposed to infectious airborne molecules that could reach my nose and mouth," Liesl Van Ledjte, a nurse at Westchester said in an affidavit.
Nurses accused Montefiore Medical Center of denying employees COVID-19 tests even when they had symptoms, the suit said.
After cough and fever symptoms, Pamela Brown-Richardson said she "obtained testing on my own [and] found out that I tested positive for COVID-19," she said in an affidavit. She was diagnosed with double-lobe pneumonia.
"At the risk of their health and that of their patients, the nurses are being forced to provide this care with inadequate and often ill-fitting equipment, often in rooms that have not been properly converted to deal with COVID-19 patients, often in practice areas where they have never been trained, and generally without adequate testing to ensure they are fit to work without infecting others," the suit said.
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More than 9,000 health workers have been sickened with COVID-19, as of April 10, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


upi--2020-04-20--Poison control calls for cleansers, disinfectants up 20% during pandemic

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Calls to poison control centers across the United States `` increased sharply '' in the beginning of March , likely as a result of the increased use of disinfectants and cleaning products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic , according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Through the first three months of the year , calls to poison control centers related to exposure to cleansers and disinfectants were up more than 20 percent over the same period in 2019 and 2018 , based on records from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The period reviewed roughly coincides with the beginning of the new coronavirus outbreak in the United States -- when the CDC and other public health agencies began recommending regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces to combat the spread of the disease .
To date , more than 760,000 Americans have been sickened during the pandemic , and more than 40,000 have died .
The agency found that poison control centers received more than 3,100 additional calls for exposure to cleaning products through the end of March than they had for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 12 percent increase from year to year , the CDC report noted .
Similarly , poison control centers had more than 4,500 additional calls regarding exposure to disinfectants through the end of March than they had for the same period last year -- or an increase of nearly 40 percent .
Further analysis of the increase in calls from 2019 to 2020 showed that among all cleaner categories , bleach-based products accounted for the largest percentage of the increase -- approximately 62 percent -- while non-alcohol disinfectants and hand sanitizers -- both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest percentages of the increase among disinfectant products .
Most of the increased volume of calls related to accidental inhaling of these products , and up to half of the exposures involved children 5 years of age and younger , according to the CDC .
`` Associated with increased use of cleaners and disinfectants is the possibility of improper use , such as using more than directed on the label , mixing multiple chemical products together , not wearing protective gear , and applying in poorly ventilated areas , '' the CDC @ @

Calls to poison control centers for cleaners and disinfectants are up 20 percent during the pandemic, according to the CDC. Photo by Michael Tavrionov/Pixabay
April 20 (UPI) -- Calls to poison control centers across the United States "increased sharply" in the beginning of March, likely as a result of the increased use of disinfectants and cleaning products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through the first three months of the year, calls to poison control centers related to exposure to cleansers and disinfectants were up more than 20 percent over the same period in 2019 and 2018, based on records from the agency's National Poison Data System. Advertisement
The period reviewed roughly coincides with the beginning of the new coronavirus outbreak in the United States -- when the CDC and other public health agencies began recommending regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces to combat the spread of the disease.
To date, more than 760,000 Americans have been sickened during the pandemic, and more than 40,000 have died.
The agency found that poison control centers received more than 3,100 additional calls for exposure to cleaning products through the end of March than they had for the first three months of 2019. This marked a 12 percent increase from year to year, the CDC report noted.
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Similarly, poison control centers had more than 4,500 additional calls regarding exposure to disinfectants through the end of March than they had for the same period last year -- or an increase of nearly 40 percent.
Further analysis of the increase in calls from 2019 to 2020 showed that among all cleaner categories, bleach-based products accounted for the largest percentage of the increase -- approximately 62 percent -- while non-alcohol disinfectants and hand sanitizers -- both at roughly 37 percent -- accounted for the largest percentages of the increase among disinfectant products.
Most of the increased volume of calls related to accidental inhaling of these products, and up to half of the exposures involved children 5 years of age and younger, according to the CDC.
"Associated with increased use of cleaners and disinfectants is the possibility of improper use, such as using more than directed on the label,mixing multiple chemical products together, not wearing protective gear, and applying in poorly ventilated areas," the CDC noted.


upi--2020-04-20--Air Force saves $7M on fuel for KC-135 by turning windshield wipers vertical

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Windshield wiper blades mounted vertically on a KC-135 Stratotanker 's windshield can save about $ 7 million in annual fuel costs , a U.S. Air Force test concluded .
Aerodynamic drag is reduced by about 1 percent , under cruise conditions , when the wipers are left upright on the windshield , the Air Force said in a statement on Monday .
It could potentially save $ 7 million annually in fuel costs for the 398 KC-135 planes in the Air Force fleet .
`` While one percent efficiency may not seem like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars in fuel savings each year , which can then be re-invested into other programs , '' Daniel Pike , acquisition manager and chief of future operations for Air Force Operational Energy , said in a press release .
`` When you combine the results of optimization efforts across multiple aircraft , you start to understand how much of an impact this could have . ''
First introduced in 1956 , the Boeing-built plane serves as a military aerial refueling aircraft , and was the first jet-powered refueling tanker in the Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 variants .
The militaries of Chile , France and Turkey use the plane , and the United States has 156 in active duty , 70 in the Air Force Reserves and 172 in the Air Force National Guard .
The Air Force fleet of KC-135s consumed 14 percent of total Air Force aviation fuel use , or over 260 million gallons , according to the Air Force .
The windshield wiper blades have remained positioned horizontally since the plane 's debut , but the Advanced Power and Technology Office of the Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio , identified it as a candidate for analysis and modification .
Using planes at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio , computational fluid dynamics tests indicated that less drag was evident if the wiper blades remained to the side , and not below , the windshields .
Data indicated a drag reduction of 0.8 percent on planes with repositioned wiper blades , and another 0.2 percent with a newly designed , slimmer wiper design .
`` This is a significant milestone for us , '' said Ed Clark of the APTO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we performed thousands of flight configurations during CFD testing to prove efficiency gains on the KC-135 . ''
Another phase of design refinement is planned for the summer of 2020 , and the APTO team has partnered with Delta Airlines to assess the possibility of vertical wipers on Delta 's fleet of Boeing 767 planes .

The KC-135 Stratotanker's primary mission is to refuel long-range bombers. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo. Photo by Master Sgt. Dave Nolan/U.S. Air Force
April 20 (UPI) -- Windshield wiper blades mounted vertically on a KC-135 Stratotanker's windshield can save about $7 million in annual fuel costs, a U.S. Air Force test concluded. Aerodynamic drag is reduced by about 1 percent, under cruise conditions, when the wipers are left upright on the windshield, the Air Force said in a statement on Monday. It could potentially save $7 million annually in fuel costs for the 398 KC-135 planes in the Air Force fleet. Advertisement
"While one percent efficiency may not seem like a lot, it equates to millions of dollars in fuel savings each year, which can then be re-invested into other programs," Daniel Pike, acquisition manager and chief of future operations for Air Force Operational Energy, said in a press release. "When you combine the results of optimization efforts across multiple aircraft, you start to understand how much of an impact this could have."
First introduced in 1956, the Boeing-built plane serves as a military aerial refueling aircraft, and was the first jet-powered refueling tanker in the Air Force.
It has since been built in 14 variants. The militaries of Chile, France and Turkey use the plane, and the United States has 156 in active duty, 70 in the Air Force Reserves and 172 in the Air Force National Guard.
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The Air Force fleet of KC-135s consumed 14 percent of total Air Force aviation fuel use, or over 260 million gallons, according to the Air Force.
The windshield wiper blades have remained positioned horizontally since the plane's debut, but the Advanced Power and Technology Office of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, identified it as a candidate for analysis and modification.
Using planes at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio, computational fluid dynamics tests indicated that less drag was evident if the wiper blades remained to the side, and not below, the windshields. Data indicated a drag reduction of 0.8 percent on planes with repositioned wiper blades, and another 0.2 percent with a newly designed, slimmer wiper design.
"This is a significant milestone for us," said Ed Clark of the APTO program. "Over several months, we performed thousands of flight configurations during CFD testing to prove efficiency gains on the KC-135."
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Another phase of design refinement is planned for the summer of 2020, and the APTO team has partnered with Delta Airlines to assess the possibility of vertical wipers on Delta's fleet of Boeing 767 planes.


upi--2020-04-20--Watch: Idaho man catches 98 tennis balls in head-mounted basket

April 20 ( UPI ) -- A pair of Idaho men shared video showing how they beat the Guinness World @ @ @ @ @ in a basket placed on a person 's head .
David Rush , who has @ @ @ @ @ records to promote STEM education , teamed up with coronavirus quarantine buddy Jonathan Hannon to @ @ @ @ @ previously breaking a similar record with a basket strapped to Rush 's back .
Rush @ @ @ @ @ head while Hannon threw tennis balls for a full minute .
Hannon threw a total @ @ @ @ @ allotted time , and Rush caught 98 of them .
The men said they beat @ @ @ @ @ catches .

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April 20 (UPI) -- A pair of Idaho men shared video showing how they beat the Guinness World Record for catching tennis balls in a basket placed on a person's head.
David Rush, who has broken more than 100 Guinness records to promote STEM education, teamed up with coronavirus quarantine buddy Jonathan Hannon to break the record, after previously breaking a similar record with a basket strapped to Rush's back.
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Rush held the basket on his head while Hannon threw tennis balls for a full minute. Hannon threw a total 123 tennis balls in the allotted time, and Rush caught 98 of them.
The men said they beat the previous record of 79 catches.


upi--2020-04-20--U.S. stocks fall as oil prices plunge into negative territory

Stocks fell on Monday, as U.S. oil prices fell into the negative amid concerns about storage. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- The three major U.S. stock indexes dropped on Monday after U.S. oil prices fell into negative territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 592.05 points, or 2.44 percent, while the S&P 500 dropped 1.79 percent and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.03 percent. Advertisement
The U.S. market decline came after West Texas Intermediate crude prices plummetted 275.15 percent to negative $32 per barrel. Brent crude also fell 6.55 percent to $26.24 per barrel.
The June contract for WTI futures also fell 18 percent to $20.43 per barrel.
Oil prices continue to struggle despite OPEC and Russia agreeing to a deal this month to cut production by 10 million barrels per day for two months, starting in May. The move was made to prevent an oversupply of oil on world markets.
Investors were also concerned that companies will not have the space to store the excess oil as they await a rally in crude prices in the future.
"The curves are saying we have a big problem with the storage of oil right now," Bjarne Scheildrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB told CNBC.
Scheildrop added that the storage issue should "vanish rapidly" as oil demand is expected to rebound while inventories draw down.
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President Donald Trump said Monday during a briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force that the United States would look to purchase up to 75 million barrels of oil to fill the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
"This is a great time to buy oil. We'd get it for the right price," Trump said.
The dramatic decrease in demand due to the coronavirus crisis is also depressing oil prices.
Energy, real estate and utilities each fell more than 3 percent to lead the S&P 500's decline, while Chevron and Exxon Mobil each dropped more than 4 percent as oil prices plunged.
Monday's decline followed two weeks of positive gains amid optimism that businesses and other facilities would reopen following orders to remain at home to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Pandemic empties streets, public spaces around the world


upi--2020-04-20--Royal Mountie, elementary teacher, nurses: Victims of Nova Scotia shooting remembered

April 19 ( UPI ) -- Some of the victims killed in a mass-shooting in Nova Scotia were remembered Monday after a man impersonating a police officer killed 19 people during a 12-hour shooting rampage that spanned miles .
Among the dead was Heidi Stevenson , a 23-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police , who was killed by the gunman during an altercation that ended in a gun battle at an Enfield , N.S .
gas station .
`` Heidi answered the call of duty and lost her life while protecting those she served , '' wrote RCMP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Earlier this afternoon , I met with Heidi 's family and there are no words to describe their pain .
Two children have lost their mother and a husband his wife .
Parents lost their daughter and countless others lost an incredible friend and colleague . ''
The suspect , identified as Gabriel Wortman , 51 , who was wearing a Mountie uniform , was also killed , police said .
Authorities said it is the worst mass shooting in Canadian history .
A Portapique family of three , Aaron Tuck , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former waitress from Calgary , and daughter Emily Tuck , 17 , were remembered as recent residents who had moved to be closer to a grandmother .
Emily was a violinist and would help her father , Aaron , an auto mechanic , fix cars in the garage , her aunt told CBCNews .
`` She knew everything underneath the hood , '' said Tammy Oliver-McCurdie .
`` She did n't even get to live her life .
She had so much potential ... so much love , so , smart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Family members started a GoFundMe page to pay for the burials .
Shooting victim and mother of two , Lisa McCully taught elementary school , the Nova Scotia Teachers Union said Sunday .
`` [ Our ] hearts are broken along with those of her colleagues and students at Debert Elementary , as well as her family and friends who knew her not only as a passionate teacher but as a shining love in their lives , '' Paul Wozney , union president wrote on Facebook .
Two nurses were identified as victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement released Monday .
`` All of our frontline care providers are heroes , '' the statement said .
`` Yesterday , two of those heroes , Heather O'Brien and Kristen Beaton , were taken from their families , and from VON .
We mourn their loss , and we mourn for their families . ''
O'Brien , a wife , mother and grandmother , was a licensed practical nurse for nearly 17 years , the organization said .
Beaton , a young wife and mother , worked for six years as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency said .
Greg and Jamie Blair were confirmed by CBCNews to be among the victims .
Greg Blair worked at a gas company and the two were parents of young children .
`` Two beautiful souls were lost today ... and many more , '' family member Jessica MacBurnie wrote on Facebook .
`` I have absolutely no words for the heartache my family & many others are going through . ''
Sean McLeod and Alanna Jenkins worked for Correctional Service Canada and lived together in West Wentworth , about 31 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found dead in their home , which exploded .
A neighbor called 911 after hearing gunshots Sunday morning and reported that the home was on fire .
Tom Bagley , a neighbor was shot and killed when he passed by the scene Sunday morning .
`` He was the type of person who would have run to help , '' neighbor Darrol Thurier told the local Chronicle Herald .
RCMP first reported an active shooter situation in Portapique at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday , urging residents to remain inside their homes and lock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leather said officers responded to a call , discovering `` several casualties inside and outside the home , '' spurring a search for the missing suspect , later identified as Wortman .
Police said Wortman was driving a vehicle resembling an RCMP cruiser and wearing an RCMP uniform .
The manhunt ended at around 11:40 a.m. Sunday in Enfield , about 60 miles south of Portapique .
In a statement , the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team said that there was a `` confrontation '' with the suspect in Enfield , resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wortman .
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki told CBC News that she believes there was `` an initial motivation '' behind the shooting that then `` turned to randomness . ''
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that he spoke with Lucki and Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil to offer his condolences on behalf of the government .
`` The people of Nova Scotia are strong and resilient , and we will be here to support them as they heal from this tragedy , '' he said .

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Const. Heidi Stevenson was one of 16 people killed during a shooting rampage in Nova Scotia. Photo courtesy of Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia/ Facebook
April 19 (UPI) -- Some of the victims killed in a mass-shooting in Nova Scotia were remembered Monday after a man impersonating a police officer killed 19 people during a 12-hour shooting rampage that spanned miles. Heidi Stevenson, RCMP Advertisement
Among the dead was Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who was killed by the gunman during an altercation that ended in a gun battle at an Enfield, N.S. gas station.
"Heidi answered the call of duty and lost her life while protecting those she served," wrote RCMP assistant commissioner Lee Bergerman on Facebook.
"Earlier this afternoon, I met with Heidi's family and there are no words to describe their pain. Two children have lost their mother and a husband his wife. Parents lost their daughter and countless others lost an incredible friend and colleague."
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The suspect, identified as Gabriel Wortman, 51, who was wearing a Mountie uniform, was also killed, police said. Authorities said it is the worst mass shooting in Canadian history.
Family of 3
A Portapique family of three, Aaron Tuck, 45, Jolene Oliver, 40, a former waitress from Calgary, and daughter Emily Tuck, 17, were remembered as recent residents who had moved to be closer to a grandmother.
Emily was a violinist and would help her father, Aaron, an auto mechanic, fix cars in the garage, her aunt told CBCNews.
"She knew everything underneath the hood," said Tammy Oliver-McCurdie. "She didn't even get to live her life. She had so much potential ... so much love, so, smart, so caring, so humble." Family members started a GoFundMe page to pay for the burials.
Elementary teacher
Shooting victim and mother of two, Lisa McCully taught elementary school, the Nova Scotia Teachers Union said Sunday.
"[Our] hearts are broken along with those of her colleagues and students at Debert Elementary, as well as her family and friends who knew her not only as a passionate teacher but as a shining love in their lives," Paul Wozney, union president wrote on Facebook.
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Two nurses
Two nurses were identified as victims by the Victorian Order of Nurses in a statement released Monday.
"All of our frontline care providers are heroes," the statement said.
"Yesterday, two of those heroes, Heather O'Brien and Kristen Beaton, were taken from their families, and from VON. We mourn their loss, and we mourn for their families."
O'Brien, a wife, mother and grandmother, was a licensed practical nurse for nearly 17 years, the organization said.
Beaton, a young wife and mother, worked for six years as a continuing care assistant, the nursing agency said.
Married couple
Greg and Jamie Blair were confirmed by CBCNews to be among the victims. Greg Blair worked at a gas company and the two were parents of young children.
"Two beautiful souls were lost today ... and many more," family member Jessica MacBurnie wrote on Facebook. "I have absolutely no words for the heartache my family & many others are going through."
Corrections employees and passerby
Sean McLeod and Alanna Jenkins worked for Correctional Service Canada and lived together in West Wentworth, about 31 miles north of Portapique. The couple was found dead in their home, which exploded.
A neighbor called 911 after hearing gunshots Sunday morning and reported that the home was on fire.
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Tom Bagley, a neighbor was shot and killed when he passed by the scene Sunday morning.
"He was the type of person who would have run to help," neighbor Darrol Thurier told the local Chronicle Herald.
RCMP first reported an active shooter situation in Portapique at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, urging residents to remain inside their homes and lock their doors.
RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said officers responded to a call, discovering "several casualties inside and outside the home," spurring a search for the missing suspect, later identified as Wortman.
Police said Wortman was driving a vehicle resembling an RCMP cruiser and wearing an RCMP uniform.
The manhunt ended at around 11:40 a.m. Sunday in Enfield, about 60 miles south of Portapique.
In a statement, the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team said that there was a "confrontation" with the suspect in Enfield, resulting in police discharging their weapons and killing Wortman.
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki told CBC News that she believes there was "an initial motivation" behind the shooting that then "turned to randomness."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that he spoke with Lucki and Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil to offer his condolences on behalf of the government.
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"The people of Nova Scotia are strong and resilient, and we will be here to support them as they heal from this tragedy," he said.


upi--2020-04-20--Cable bacteria dramatically curb methane emissions from rice cultivation

April 20 ( UPI ) -- The addition of cable bacteria to soil can reduce the methane emissions of rice cultivation by as much as 90 percent , according to a new study .
The research , published Monday in the journal Nature Communications , could help rice farmers limit the effects of the world 's most popular grain on the climate .
Rice cultivation accounts for 5 percent of global methane emissions .
Though less abundant than CO2 , the greenhouse gas effect of methane is 25 times more than of carbon dioxide .
When rice fields are flooded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , producing an environment in which methane-producing microorganisms thrive .
Scientists in Denmark theorized that cable bacteria , filamentous bacteria that can conduct electricity across short distances , could make life in flooded rice fields less friendly to methane-emitting microbes .
To test their theory , researchers grew rice with and without cable bacteria applications in the lab .
`` The difference was far beyond my expectations , '' Vincent Valentin Scholz , who conducted the experiments while working as a doctoral student at Aarhus University 's Center for Electromicrobiology , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with cable bacteria emitted 93 percent less methane than the pots without cable bacteria . ''
Like methane-emitting microbes , cable bacteria also thrive in oxygen-deprived environs .
The bacteria are often found at the bottoms of oceans , lakes and rivers .
The bacteria form in chains of thousands of cells .
The outer layer of the chain uses the difference in oxygen levels in the water and sediment to drive an electrical current .
The flow of electricity helps the bacteria metabolize energy .
`` Cable bacteria transport electrons over centimeter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ geochemical conditions of the water-saturated soil , '' Vincent Valentin Scholz said .
`` The cable bacteria recycle the soil 's sulfur compounds , thus maintaining a large amount of sulfate in the soil .
This has the consequence that the methane-producing microbes can not maintain their activity . ''
Previous studies have shown scattering sulfate on rice fields slows methane emissions , but the benefit is temporary .
The latest research suggests the addition of cable bacteria can provide a more long-term solution .
Scientists plan to conduct field experiments to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be replicated in actual rice paddies .

Rice paddies account for 5 percent of the planet's methane emissions. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- The addition of cable bacteria to soil can reduce the methane emissions of rice cultivation by as much as 90 percent, according to a new study. The research, published Monday in the journal Nature Communications, could help rice farmers limit the effects of the world's most popular grain on the climate. Advertisement
Rice cultivation accounts for 5 percent of global methane emissions. Though less abundant than CO2, the greenhouse gas effect of methane is 25 times more than of carbon dioxide.
When rice fields are flooded, the soil becomes depleted of oxygen, producing an environment in which methane-producing microorganisms thrive.
Scientists in Denmark theorized that cable bacteria, filamentous bacteria that can conduct electricity across short distances, could make life in flooded rice fields less friendly to methane-emitting microbes. To test their theory, researchers grew rice with and without cable bacteria applications in the lab.
"The difference was far beyond my expectations," Vincent Valentin Scholz, who conducted the experiments while working as a doctoral student at Aarhus University's Center for Electromicrobiology, said in a news release. "The pots with cable bacteria emitted 93 percent less methane than the pots without cable bacteria."
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Like methane-emitting microbes, cable bacteria also thrive in oxygen-deprived environs. The bacteria are often found at the bottoms of oceans, lakes and rivers. The bacteria form in chains of thousands of cells. The outer layer of the chain uses the difference in oxygen levels in the water and sediment to drive an electrical current. The flow of electricity helps the bacteria metabolize energy.
"Cable bacteria transport electrons over centimeter distances along their filaments, changing the geochemical conditions of the water-saturated soil," Vincent Valentin Scholz said. "The cable bacteria recycle the soil's sulfur compounds, thus maintaining a large amount of sulfate in the soil. This has the consequence that the methane-producing microbes cannot maintain their activity."
Previous studies have shown scattering sulfate on rice fields slows methane emissions, but the benefit is temporary. The latest research suggests the addition of cable bacteria can provide a more long-term solution.
Scientists plan to conduct field experiments to ensure the promising results of the lab tests can be replicated in actual rice paddies.


upi--2020-04-20--Australian family's lottery numbers pay off after 20 years

April 20 ( UPI ) -- An Australian family who collected a nearly $ 400,000 lottery jackpot said they have @ @ @ @ @ for nearly 20 years .
The family , from Peel , Western Australia , told @ @ @ @ @ purchased for the April 11 Saturday Lotto drawing at The Lucky Charm Pinjarra bore the @ @ @ @ @ using to play the lottery for two decades .
`` We 've used these numbers @ @ @ @ @ born , almost 20 years ago , '' the mother said .
The family 's @ @ @ @ @ drawn numbers , earning a Division One prize of nearly 400,000 .
`` When I @ @ @ @ @ , the store manager told me he wanted to speak to me in private ; @ @ @ @ @ trouble , '' the woman recalled .

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April 20 (UPI) -- An Australian family who collected a nearly $400,000 lottery jackpot said they have been using the same numbers for nearly 20 years.
The family, from Peel, Western Australia, told Lotterywest officials the ticket they purchased for the April 11 Saturday Lotto drawing at The Lucky Charm Pinjarra bore the same numbers they have been using to play the lottery for two decades.
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"We've used these numbers ever since our children were born, almost 20 years ago," the mother said.
The family's ticket matched all of the drawn numbers, earning a Division One prize of nearly 400,000.
"When I went to check my ticket, the store manager told me he wanted to speak to me in private; I thought I was in trouble," the woman recalled.


upi--2020-04-20--Earlier colonoscopy may catch colon cancer for those with family history

If colon cancer runs in your family , screening at age 40 might help catch the disease at an early stage , or even prevent it , specialists say .
But a new investigation suggests that that advice is rarely heeded among those who go on to develop colon cancer before age 50 .
`` We need better public awareness of the importance of family history , and systems put in place to help make sure that family history is collected and acted upon , '' said study lead author Dr. Samir Gupta .
He 's a professor of clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diego Health and Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla , Calif. Gupta 's team followed nearly 2,500 patients who were diagnosed with colon cancer in their 40s .
About a quarter had first-degree family members -- siblings or parents -- who had also battled the disease .
The American Cancer Society advises such individuals to start screening either at age 40 , which would be five years earlier than those at average risk , or 10 years before the age of diagnosis for the youngest relative with the cancer .
But the study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had n't had early screening , as their cancer diagnosis happened after the point when an initial high-risk screening would have taken place .
And that failure likely represents a missed opportunity to catch colon cancer at a more treatable stage -- or prevent some cancers altogether .
`` Why this is happening is not well-understood , '' said Gupta .
But Gupta suggested it might be due to a lack of appreciation , on the part of patients and their doctors , for the significant role that family history plays in predicting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States .
And the study team points out that colon cancer rates have been rising among adults younger than 50 .
Why that 's happening is also `` not well-understood , '' said Gupta .
However , the cancer society also notes that about a third of colon cancer patients have family members who 've had colon disease , and should therefore get screened at 40 either with a stool test or colonoscopy .
Besides the study participants who had colon cancer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 800 who did not have cancer .
All had enrolled in the Colon Cancer Family Registry between 1998 and 2007 .
The registry collects cancer risk data on more than 15,000 families across the globe .
One in 4 of the cancer patients had a family history of colon cancer , as did 1 in 10 of the healthy patients .
But less than 2 percent of the patients diagnosed with colon cancer appeared to have followed family-based screening guidance .
`` The study , '' said Gupta , `` did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ cancer ] cases or [ healthy ] controls in fact did have their family histories ascertained by physicians , whether the guidelines were considered , and whether early screening was recommended or not . ''
But `` from other studies , '' he added , `` we know family history of cancer is often not collected , and even when collected that it is not collected accurately . ''
That concern was echoed by Dr. Andrew Chan , an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School , who reviewed the findings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not be aware of their family history , or communicating it accurately to their physicians , '' he said .
`` Physicians in turn need to make sure they ask their patients about family history of colorectal cancer , including the age at which a family member was diagnosed .
`` Based on this information , '' added Chan , `` physicians need to recommend screening at the right time for that patient , and the patient needs to follow through in a timely way . ''
Gupta suggested there are ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compliance .
For example , he said , `` electronic health record triggers '' could be deployed to `` remind the health care team to take a family history , and have algorithms built in , which 'flag ' patients who need specialized screening . ''
Meanwhile , Gupta said , the bottom line is simple : `` Know your cancer family history .
And tell your doctor .
It could be lifesaving for you or one of your family members . ''
The findings are in the April 20 online issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer screening recommendations at the American Cancer Society .

More than 98 percent of patients with a family history of colon cancer hadn't had early screening, a new study found. Photo by derneuemann /pixabay
If colon cancer runs in your family, screening at age 40 might help catch the disease at an early stage, or even prevent it, specialists say. But a new investigation suggests that that advice is rarely heeded among those who go on to develop colon cancer before age 50. Advertisement
"We need better public awareness of the importance of family history, and systems put in place to help make sure that family history is collected and acted upon," said study lead author Dr. Samir Gupta. He's a professor of clinical medicine at University of California, San Diego Health and Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, Calif.
Gupta's team followed nearly 2,500 patients who were diagnosed with colon cancer in their 40s.
About a quarter had first-degree family members -- siblings or parents -- who had also battled the disease. The American Cancer Society advises such individuals to start screening either at age 40, which would be five years earlier than those at average risk, or 10 years before the age of diagnosis for the youngest relative with the cancer.
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But the study team found that more than 98 percent hadn't had early screening, as their cancer diagnosis happened after the point when an initial high-risk screening would have taken place. And that failure likely represents a missed opportunity to catch colon cancer at a more treatable stage -- or prevent some cancers altogether.
"Why this is happening is not well-understood," said Gupta.
But Gupta suggested it might be due to a lack of appreciation, on the part of patients and their doctors, for the significant role that family history plays in predicting colon cancer risk.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. And the study team points out that colon cancer rates have been rising among adults younger than 50. Why that's happening is also "not well-understood," said Gupta.
However, the cancer society also notes that about a third of colon cancer patients have family members who've had colon disease, and should therefore get screened at 40 either with a stool test or colonoscopy.
Besides the study participants who had colon cancer, the new investigation included a pool of nearly 800 who did not have cancer. All had enrolled in the Colon Cancer Family Registry between 1998 and 2007. The registry collects cancer risk data on more than 15,000 families across the globe.
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One in 4 of the cancer patients had a family history of colon cancer, as did 1 in 10 of the healthy patients. But less than 2 percent of the patients diagnosed with colon cancer appeared to have followed family-based screening guidance.
"The study," said Gupta, "did not have access to information on whether the [cancer] cases or [healthy] controls in fact did have their family histories ascertained by physicians, whether the guidelines were considered, and whether early screening was recommended or not."
But "from other studies," he added, "we know family history of cancer is often not collected, and even when collected that it is not collected accurately."
That concern was echoed by Dr. Andrew Chan, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, who reviewed the findings.
"This study suggests that patients may not be aware of their family history, or communicating it accurately to their physicians," he said. "Physicians in turn need to make sure they ask their patients about family history of colorectal cancer, including the age at which a family member was diagnosed.
"Based on this information," added Chan, "physicians need to recommend screening at the right time for that patient, and the patient needs to follow through in a timely way."
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Gupta suggested there are ways to use existing technology to boost guidance compliance. For example, he said, "electronic health record triggers" could be deployed to "remind the health care team to take a family history, and have algorithms built in, which 'flag' patients who need specialized screening."
Meanwhile, Gupta said, the bottom line is simple: "Know your cancer family history. And tell your doctor. It could be lifesaving for you or one of your family members."
The findings are in the April 20 online issue of Cancer.
More information
There's more about colon cancer screening recommendations at the American Cancer Society.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-20--U.S., Norway to partner on hypersonic missile propulsion systems

April 20 ( UPI ) -- A joint U.S.-Norwegian effort to produce solid fuel propulsion systems for hypersonic missiles was announced by the U.S. Defense Department on Monday .
The Tactical High-speed Offensive Ramjet for Extended Range project , or THOR-ER , will develop and integrate advancements in solid fuel ramjet technologies into full-size prototypes that are affordable , attain high speeds , and achieve extended range , Pentagon said in a press release .
The United States has admitted a gap in relevant technology , compared to Russian progress , in hypersonic missile development .
The missiles remain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some ballistic missiles which briefly travel through outer space , but theoretically can achieve speeds of up to 15,000 miles per hour .
In December 2019 , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the deployment of the Avangard .
It was said to be the first in a new class of missiles capable of reaching hypersonic velocity and hitting a target , potentially with a nuclear warhead , within minutes of launch from anywhere in the world .
China and France also have also begun hypersonic missile programs .
The statement on Monday did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the THOR-ER program `` continues collaborative research efforts involving the U.S. Navy 's Naval Air Warfare Center , Weapons Division China Lake , Calif. ; the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment ; and with Norwegian industry partner Nammo . ''
The Norwegian Defense Ministry has used its island air base , the Andoya Rocket Range , for hypersonic tests .

Norwegian aerospace company Nammo AS displayed a design for a hypersonic missile in 2019. Photo courtesy of Nammo AS
April 20 (UPI) -- A joint U.S.-Norwegian effort to produce solid fuel propulsion systems for hypersonic missiles was announced by the U.S. Defense Department on Monday. The Tactical High-speed Offensive Ramjet for Extended Range project, or THOR-ER, will develop and integrate advancements in solid fuel ramjet technologies into full-size prototypes that are affordable, attain high speeds, and achieve extended range, Pentagon said in a press release. Advertisement
The United States has admitted a gap in relevant technology, compared to Russian progress, in hypersonic missile development. The missiles remain in the atmosphere as they travel, unlike some ballistic missiles which briefly travel through outer space, but theoretically can achieve speeds of up to 15,000 miles per hour.
In December 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the deployment of the Avangard. It was said to be the first in a new class of missiles capable of reaching hypersonic velocity and hitting a target, potentially with a nuclear warhead, within minutes of launch from anywhere in the world. China and France also have also begun hypersonic missile programs.
The statement on Monday did not include a cost estimate, but said the THOR-ER program "continues collaborative research efforts involving the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division China Lake, Calif.; the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment; and with Norwegian industry partner Nammo."
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The Norwegian Defense Ministry has used its island air base, the Andoya Rocket Range, for hypersonic tests.


upi--2020-04-20--Law firm sues four banks in class-action lawsuits over paycheck program

April 20 ( UPI ) -- A Los Angeles consumer firm filed separate class-action lawsuits against four banks connected with the Paycheck Protection Program , arguing its small business owners were passed over in the loan process for larger companies .
Stalwart Law Group argued in the lawsuits , filled in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Sunday , that its clients were denied loans because of a `` rigged '' process that penalized small businesses .
Bank of America , JPMorgan , US Bank and Wells Fargo were named singularly in separate suits .
Congress dedicated $ 349 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help keep employees on payrolls in a program that began April 3 .
The fund , though , ran out of money Monday , leaving many small businesses without a chance to apply for stimulus money .
The law firm said in its class-action suits that the banks shuffled the loans to accommodate bigger companies instead of on a first-come , first-served basis , leaving 90 percent of small businesses that applied for the loans empty-handed .
The lawsuit said that this application sleight of hand was done unbeknownst to the small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 6 billion in fees for the reshuffling .
`` Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and these businesses and their employees have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic , '' Stalwart lead plaintiff attorney Dylan Ruga said in a statement .
`` Once again , we see big banks prioritize corporate greed at the expense of its small business customers . ''
Amid the lawsuits , there has also been backlash against large chains taking up a large chunk of funds .
Shake Shack , a large restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies with hundreds of millions in annual revenues , said Sunday night it will give a $ 10 million PPP loan back to the government .
Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti and founder Danny Meyer said in a statement on LinkedIn Sunday night the loan was open to businesses with no more than 500 employees per location and the burger chain has roughly 45 employees per restaurant .
They added that they thought applying for the funding was their `` best chance '' to avoid layoffs and furloughs of employees , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used up so fast .
And since they were able to get separate additional capital last Friday `` through an equity transition in the public markets , '' they 've decided to return the loan so restaurants `` who need it most can get it now . ''
Congress is at a stalemate in deciding whether to refill the program , with Republicans wanting to put $ 250 billion more into it , while Democrats want funds for hospitals and local governments , as well .

Wells Fargo is one of four banks sued in federal court over the Paycheck Protection Program. File Photo by Larry W. Smith/UPI
April 20 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles consumer firm filed separate class-action lawsuits against four banks connected with the Paycheck Protection Program, arguing its small business owners were passed over in the loan process for larger companies. Stalwart Law Group argued in the lawsuits, filled in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Sunday, that its clients were denied loans because of a "rigged" process that penalized small businesses. Bank of America, JPMorgan, US Bank and Wells Fargo were named singularly in separate suits. Advertisement
Congress dedicated $349 billion in emergency funds to small businesses to help keep employees on payrolls in a program that began April 3. The fund, though, ran out of money Monday, leaving many small businesses without a chance to apply for stimulus money.
The law firm said in its class-action suits that the banks shuffled the loans to accommodate bigger companies instead of on a first-come, first-served basis, leaving 90 percent of small businesses that applied for the loans empty-handed.
The lawsuit said that this application sleight of hand was done unbeknownst to the small business owners while the banks collected nearly $6 billion in fees for the reshuffling.
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"Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and these businesses and their employees have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic," Stalwart lead plaintiff attorney Dylan Ruga said in a statement. "Once again, we see big banks prioritize corporate greed at the expense of its small business customers."
Amid the lawsuits, there has also been backlash against large chains taking up a large chunk of funds. Shake Shack, a large restaurant chain, among more than a dozen companies with hundreds of millions in annual revenues, said Sunday night it will give a $10 million PPP loan back to the government.
Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti and founder Danny Meyer said in a statement on LinkedIn Sunday night the loan was open to businesses with no more than 500 employees per location and the burger chain has roughly 45 employees per restaurant.
They added that they thought applying for the funding was their "best chance" to avoid layoffs and furloughs of employees, but they didn't realize the funds would be used up so fast. And since they were able to get separate additional capital last Friday "through an equity transition in the public markets," they've decided to return the loan so restaurants "who need it most can get it now."
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Congress is at a stalemate in deciding whether to refill the program, with Republicans wanting to put $250 billion more into it, while Democrats want funds for hospitals and local governments, as well.


upi--2020-04-20--Don't ration asthma meds, expert cautions amid COVID-19 pandemic

Despite increased demand for inhalers in some parts of the United States , Americans with asthma should n't ration their medications during the coronavirus pandemic , the American Lung Association says .
Rescue inhalers are in short supply in some areas because hospitals are giving albuterol to COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms to help them breathe , the group explained .
Albuterol is a quick-relief medication used to treat shortness of breath and wheezing in people with asthma and some other lung disorders .
`` The American Lung Association advises patients with asthma not to ration medications , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Albert Rizzo .
`` If you are running low on a prescription , speak with your health care provider about your options so you can take your medication as prescribed . ''
Patients might want to ask their doctor if switching medications would help with availability or lower costs , he said in an association news release .
`` Consider alternative devices such as nebulizers , '' Rizzo advised .
`` Dosages are different among brands , so do not switch without discussing with your health care provider . ''
Good control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and complications , he emphasized .
`` Any viral infection can lead to a worsening of asthma symptoms , so patients with asthma and particularly those with moderate to severe asthma are at a higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 , '' Rizzo said .
Controlling your asthma may reduce your risk for severe complications from COVID-19 , he added .
People with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to the virus , but Rizzo emphasized that albuterol or quick relief ( rescue ) inhalers do not suppress the immune system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can and should continue to use your rescue inhaler as needed for asthma symptoms , '' he advised .
Rizzo pointed out that communicating with your health care provider is key , and a telehealth consultation from home is a good option for those with asthma or other underlying health conditions .
`` Finally , rigorously follow the CDC recommendations to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 , including social distancing : stay home , avoid others , and thoroughly and frequently wash your hands , '' he said .
The Asthma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on asthma and the coronavirus .

Despite increased demand for inhalers in some parts of the United States, Americans with asthma shouldn't ration their medications during the coronavirus pandemic, the American Lung Association says.
Rescue inhalers are in short supply in some areas because hospitals are giving albuterol to COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms to help them breathe, the group explained. Albuterol is a quick-relief medication used to treat shortness of breath and wheezing in people with asthma and some other lung disorders.
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"The American Lung Association advises patients with asthma not to ration medications," said the association's chief medical officer, Dr. Albert Rizzo. "If you are running low on a prescription, speak with your health care provider about your options so you can take your medication as prescribed."
Patients might want to ask their doctor if switching medications would help with availability or lower costs, he said in an association news release.
"Consider alternative devices such as nebulizers," Rizzo advised. "Dosages are different among brands, so do not switch without discussing with your health care provider."
Good control of asthma is crucial in preventing infections and complications, he emphasized.
"Any viral infection can lead to a worsening of asthma symptoms, so patients with asthma and particularly those with moderate to severe asthma are at a higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19," Rizzo said.
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Controlling your asthma may reduce your risk for severe complications from COVID-19, he added.
People with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to the virus, but Rizzo emphasized that albuterol or quick relief (rescue) inhalers do not suppress the immune system, as some people erroneously think.
"You can and should continue to use your rescue inhaler as needed for asthma symptoms," he advised.
Rizzo pointed out that communicating with your health care provider is key, and a telehealth consultation from home is a good option for those with asthma or other underlying health conditions.
"Finally, rigorously follow the CDC recommendations to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19, including social distancing: stay home, avoid others, and thoroughly and frequently wash your hands," he said.
More information
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has more on asthma and the coronavirus.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-04-20--Watch: Kangaroo hops through empty streets of Australian city

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Police in Australia shared video of a kangaroo speeding through the empty streets of @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
South Australia Police tweeted a video showing the kangaroo hopping through @ @ @ @ @ , where residents have been instructed to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ tracked a suspect wearing a grey fur coat hopping through the heart of the # @ @ @ @ @ '' police joke in the tweet .
`` He was last seen on foot heading @ @ @ @ @ '' The kangaroo was the latest animal to be spotted wandering through urban areas during @ @ @ @ @ Calgary , Alberta , neighborhood said a herd of deer has taken up residence in @ @ @ @ @ in Llandudno , Wales , said a herd of about 122 goats has taken over @ @ @ @ @ the town .

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April 20 (UPI) -- Police in Australia shared video of a kangaroo speeding through the empty streets of a normally bustling city amid the coronavirus pandemic.
South Australia Police tweeted a video showing the kangaroo hopping through the vacant streets of Adelaide, where residents have been instructed to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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"Protective Security Officers tracked a suspect wearing a grey fur coat hopping through the heart of the #adelaide CBD this morning," police joke in the tweet. "He was last seen on foot heading into the West Parklands."
The kangaroo was the latest animal to be spotted wandering through urban areas during lockdown. Residents of a Calgary, Alberta, neighborhood said a herd of deer has taken up residence in the area, while locals in Llandudno, Wales, said a herd of about 122 goats has taken over the streets and yards of the town.


upi--2020-04-20--U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of unanimous-jury convictions

April 20 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that criminal trial juries must be unanimous to convict defendants , an interpretation of the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial that has been adopted by all U.S. states except one .
In a split decision , justices overturned a 2016 Louisiana conviction of a Louisiana man found guilty by a 10-to-2 jury vote of killing a woman in New Orleans .
`` The Sixth Amendment term 'trial by an impartial jury ' carries with it some meaning about the content and requirements of a jury trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` One such requirement is that a jury must reach a unanimous verdict in order to convict . ''
Only the state of Oregon still accepts split-jury verdicts of 10-to-2 to convict in criminal cases .
Louisiana recently changed its laws to accept only unanimous jury votes , after more than 100 years of accepting split-jury verdicts .
Dissenting Justice Samuel Alito , one of four justices opposing the ruling , defended allowing states to make their own rules about jury unanimity .
`` If the majority 's approach is not just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the decision marks an important turn , '' Alito said in his dissent .
The Supreme Court ruling acknowledged that non-unanimous verdicts were holdovers from racist eras that diluted the influence of non-white members of juries , Gorsuch wrote .
Non-unanimous juries were adopted in 1898 in Louisiana , where founding documents said they existed to `` establish the supremacy of the white race , '' Gorsuch 's opinion said .
In Oregon , jury rules adopted in the 1930s , `` can be similarly traced to the rise of the Ku @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evangelisto Ramos was convicted and sentenced to life without parole in Louisiana by a split jury of 10-to-2 , under a system designed during the Jim Crow era .
It was a case that would have resulted in a mistrial in other states , Ramos 's lawyers argued .
`` We are heartened that the court has held , once and for all , that the promise of the Sixth Amendment fully applies in Louisiana , rejecting any concept of second-class justice , '' said Ramos 's lawyer , Ben Cohen , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were deprived liberty without the full protection of the Constitution .
Now , as a result of the spread of COVID-19 , this deprivation of liberty can literally be the difference between life and death , '' Cohen added .
The ruling could result in a new trial for Ramos , and possibly other people imprisoned under split-jury verdicts in Louisiana .
`` It has been a long road to get here , '' said Jamila Johnson , managing attorney of Promise of Justice Initiative .
`` We are focused on identifying those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has no mechanism to identify [ them ] .
Now is the time to ensure no one is left behind . ''

April 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that criminal trial juries must be unanimous to convict defendants, an interpretation of the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial that has been adopted by all U.S. states except one.
In a split decision, justices overturned a 2016 Louisiana conviction of a Louisiana man found guilty by a 10-to-2 jury vote of killing a woman in New Orleans.
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"The Sixth Amendment term 'trial by an impartial jury' carries with it some meaning about the content and requirements of a jury trial," wrote Justice Neil Gorsuch. "One such requirement is that a jury must reach a unanimous verdict in order to convict."
Only the state of Oregon still accepts split-jury verdicts of 10-to-2 to convict in criminal cases. Louisiana recently changed its laws to accept only unanimous jury votes, after more than 100 years of accepting split-jury verdicts.
Dissenting Justice Samuel Alito, one of four justices opposing the ruling, defended allowing states to make their own rules about jury unanimity.
"If the majority's approach is not just a way to dispose of this one case, the decision marks an important turn," Alito said in his dissent.
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The Supreme Court ruling acknowledged that non-unanimous verdicts were holdovers from racist eras that diluted the influence of non-white members of juries, Gorsuch wrote.
Non-unanimous juries were adopted in 1898 in Louisiana, where founding documents said they existed to "establish the supremacy of the white race," Gorsuch's opinion said. In Oregon, jury rules adopted in the 1930s, "can be similarly traced to the rise of the Ku Klux Klan," Gorsuch wrote.
Evangelisto Ramos was convicted and sentenced to life without parole in Louisiana by a split jury of 10-to-2, under a system designed during the Jim Crow era. It was a case that would have resulted in a mistrial in other states, Ramos's lawyers argued.
"We are heartened that the court has held, once and for all, that the promise of the Sixth Amendment fully applies in Louisiana, rejecting any concept of second-class justice," said Ramos's lawyer, Ben Cohen, of Promise of Justice Initiative.
"People were deprived liberty without the full protection of the Constitution. Now, as a result of the spread of COVID-19, this deprivation of liberty can literally be the difference between life and death," Cohen added.
The ruling could result in a new trial for Ramos, and possibly other people imprisoned under split-jury verdicts in Louisiana.
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"It has been a long road to get here," said Jamila Johnson, managing attorney of Promise of Justice Initiative. "We are focused on identifying those who could be impacted ... because the state has no mechanism to identify [them]. Now is the time to ensure no one is left behind."


upi--2020-04-20--NCT Dream to release new EP 'Reload' on April 29

April 20 ( UPI ) -- South Korean boy band NCT Dream will release a new EP next week .
The K-pop group , a subunit of the boy band NCT , shared a release schedule for its forthcoming EP , Reload , Monday on Twitter .
NCT Dream will share `` track videos , '' or teaser videos , for the songs `` Puzzle Piece , '' `` 7 Days , '' `` Love Again '' and `` Quiet Down '' this week .
The first will be released Wednesday .
In addition , NCT Dream will release teaser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version and one `` Rollin ' '' version , on April 26 and 27 , respectively .
NCT Dream will then release Reload and a music video for the single `` Ridin ' '' on April 29 .
A teaser image for the EP shows the group wearing coordinating outfits and posing against some scaffolding .
Reload is NCT Dream 's first Korean-language EP since We Boom , released in July .
The group released the Japanese EP The Dream in January .
NCT Dream consists of NCT members Mark , Renjun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jisung .
NCT also has the subunits NCT U , NCT 127 , and WayV .

NCT DREAM 〖 Ridin' 〗 Music Release ➫ 2020 04 29 6PM (KST) MV Release ➫ 2020 04 29 6PM (KST) Album Release ➫ 2020 04 29#NCTDREAM_Ridin #NCTDREAM #Ridin#NCTDREAM_Reload pic.twitter.com/m34FBvMT3b— NCT DREAM (@NCTsmtown_DREAM) April 20, 2020
April 20 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band NCT Dream will release a new EP next week.
The K-pop group, a subunit of the boy band NCT, shared a release schedule for its forthcoming EP, Reload, Monday on Twitter.
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NCT Dream will share "track videos," or teaser videos, for the songs "Puzzle Piece," "7 Days," "Love Again" and "Quiet Down" this week. The first will be released Wednesday.
In addition, NCT Dream will release teaser images, one "Ridin'" version and one "Rollin'" version, on April 26 and 27, respectively.
'Reload' Schedule poster NCT DREAM 〖 Ridin' 〗 Music Release ➫ 2020 04 29 6PM (KST) MV Release ➫ 2020 04 29 6PM (KST) Album Release ➫ 2020 04 29#NCTDREAM_Ridin #NCTDREAM #Ridin#NCTDREAM_Reload pic.twitter.com/IYXYOYXdUH— NCT DREAM (@NCTsmtown_DREAM) April 20, 2020
NCT Dream will then release Reload and a music video for the single "Ridin'" on April 29. A teaser image for the EP shows the group wearing coordinating outfits and posing against some scaffolding.
Reload is NCT Dream's first Korean-language EP since We Boom, released in July. The group released the Japanese EP The Dream in January.
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NCT Dream consists of NCT members Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle and Jisung. NCT also has the subunits NCT U, NCT 127, and WayV.


upi--2020-04-20--Look: Goose lays egg at British train station

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Police in Britain shared photos of an unusual sight encountered by an officer -- @ @ @ @ @ to lay an egg at an empty train station .
The British Transport Police North @ @ @ @ @ goose laying its egg in a small planter at the entrance of York Train Station @ @ @ @ @ been unusually quiet recently due to lockdown procedures from the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ patrol at York Train Station when he noticed this goose had laid an egg amongst @ @ @ @ @ extremely busy main entrance .
Amazing , '' police tweeted .
Police said they planned @ @ @ @ @ the egg alone due to the current calmness of the station .

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April 20 (UPI) -- Police in Britain shared photos of an unusual sight encountered by an officer -- a goose that settled down to lay an egg at an empty train station.
The British Transport Police North Yorkshire tweeted photos showing the goose laying its egg in a small planter at the entrance of York Train Station, which police said has been unusually quiet recently due to lockdown procedures from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"This afternoon PCSO Ridley was on patrol at York Train Station when he noticed this goose had laid an egg amongst the flowers in the normally extremely busy main entrance. Amazing," police tweeted.
Police said they planned to leave the goose and the egg alone due to the current calmness of the station.


upi--2020-04-20--Gallup: Majority of Americans view environmental movement as good

April 20 ( UPI ) -- The majority of Americans view the environmental movement positively , Gallup said Monday in an update of its trend data ahead of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday .
Sixty-five percent said the environmental movement has done more good than harm , according to the Gallup poll .
This figure includes 20 percent who said the environmental movement in the United States has definitely done more good than harm and 45 percent who said it probably has done more good .
On the other hand , one-third of U.S. adults surveyed said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more harm than good .
This includes 25 percent who said it probably has done more harm than good and 8 percent who said it definitely has done more harm .
Though the majority said they think the environmental movement has done more good than harm , the 65 percent who said so was down from 76 percent in Gallup 's first measurement in 1992 , Gallup Research Consultant Megan Brenan noted .
Eighteen percent of U.S. adults surveyed said that they are active participants of the environmental movement , 44 percent said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active , and 30 percent said they are neutral and 7 percent unsympathetic .
Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents showed more support for the environmental movement than Republicans or Republican-leaning Independents .
Twenty-four percent of Democrats identified as active participants compared to 14 percent of Republicans or Republican-learning Independents .
The Democrats or Democratic-leaning group were also more likely to say they are sympathetic to the movement , 57 percent compared to 30 percent .
The majority of those surveyed said that they have taken action to help the environment .
The most popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the list with 86 percent saying they 'd done it .
Results are based on telephone interviews from a random sample of 1,020 U.S. adults , Feb. 17-28 , along with a random sample of 1,019 adults , March 2-13 , with a margin of error of 4 percentage points .

A worker disinfects a recycling bin in the Westwood section of Los Angeles earlier this month. Gallup said Monday that recycling is the most popular American activity to help the environment. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- The majority of Americans view the environmental movement positively, Gallup said Monday in an update of its trend data ahead of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday. Sixty-five percent said the environmental movement has done more good than harm, according to the Gallup poll. This figure includes 20 percent who said the environmental movement in the United States has definitely done more good than harm and 45 percent who said it probably has done more good. Advertisement
On the other hand, one-third of U.S. adults surveyed said they think the environmental movement has done more harm than good. This includes 25 percent who said it probably has done more harm than good and 8 percent who said it definitely has done more harm.
Though the majority said they think the environmental movement has done more good than harm, the 65 percent who said so was down from 76 percent in Gallup's first measurement in 1992, Gallup Research Consultant Megan Brenan noted.
Eighteen percent of U.S. adults surveyed said that they are active participants of the environmental movement, 44 percent said that they are sympathetic, but not active, and 30 percent said they are neutral and 7 percent unsympathetic.
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Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents showed more support for the environmental movement than Republicans or Republican-leaning Independents.
Twenty-four percent of Democrats identified as active participants compared to 14 percent of Republicans or Republican-learning Independents. The Democrats or Democratic-leaning group were also more likely to say they are sympathetic to the movement, 57 percent compared to 30 percent.
The majority of those surveyed said that they have taken action to help the environment. The most popular activity was voluntarily recycling, which topped the list with 86 percent saying they'd done it.
Results are based on telephone interviews from a random sample of 1,020 U.S. adults, Feb. 17-28, along with a random sample of 1,019 adults, March 2-13, with a margin of error of 4 percentage points.


upi--2020-04-20--Defense Department expects three-month delays in military equipment deliveries

April 20 ( UPI ) -- The Defense Department expects a three-month slowdown in equipment procurement because of the spread of the COVID-19 virus , the Pentagon 's acquisitions chief said Monday .
Ellen Lord , under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment , said the majority of the Defense Department 's Major Defense Acquisition Program will be slowed , particularly in the areas of the aviation supply chain , shipbuilding and small space launches .
`` We believe there will be a three-month impact that we can see right now , so we 're looking at schedule delays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lord said .
`` That is n't a particular program , that 's MDAPs in general , and we are just now looking at key milestones that might be impacted .
Particularly , we see a slowdown in the shipyards , to an extent .
Aviation is actually the most highly impacted sector we have right now . ''
Supply chains have been affected by closures of defense contractors .
Of 10,509 prime companies , 106 are closed , Lord said .
Another 68 companies had closed but have since reopened .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 147 shut down but have since reopened .
Over 1,500 contracts have been `` modified to help companies file invoices at the 'higher progress payment rate , ' '' she said , commending Boeing and Lockheed Martin for advancing invoices so suppliers can be more quickly paid .
Lord added that she has asked Mexico , where numerous U.S. aerospace companies have manufacturing facilities , to help reopen local factories .
She noted that the Defense Department has used $ 500 million of the $ 1 billion authorized under the CARES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service members and federal agencies .
Some of the 60 decontamination systems ordered , used to sterilize up to 80,000 M95 masks per day , have already been delivered , she said .
Three million face masks have been ordered for Defense Department personnel , with 135,000 expected to be delivered by the end of April .

The Defense Department has ordered significant amounts of protective equipment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic but expects a three-month delay in receipt of military equipment because of supply chain delays, Pentagon acquisitions chief Ellen Lord said Monday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
April 20 (UPI) -- The Defense Department expects a three-month slowdown in equipment procurement because of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Pentagon's acquisitions chief said Monday. Ellen Lord, under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said the majority of the Defense Department's Major Defense Acquisition Program will be slowed, particularly in the areas of the aviation supply chain, shipbuilding and small space launches. Advertisement
"We believe there will be a three-month impact that we can see right now, so we're looking at schedule delays and inefficiencies and so forth," Lord said. "That isn't a particular program, that's MDAPs in general, and we are just now looking at key milestones that might be impacted. Particularly, we see a slowdown in the shipyards, to an extent. Aviation is actually the most highly impacted sector we have right now."
Supply chains have been affected by closures of defense contractors. Of 10,509 prime companies, 106 are closed, Lord said. Another 68 companies had closed but have since reopened. Of 11,413 vendor-based companies, 427 are closed, and 147 shut down but have since reopened.
Over 1,500 contracts have been "modified to help companies file invoices at the 'higher progress payment rate,'" she said, commending Boeing and Lockheed Martin for advancing invoices so suppliers can be more quickly paid.
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Lord added that she has asked Mexico, where numerous U.S. aerospace companies have manufacturing facilities, to help reopen local factories.
She noted that the Defense Department has used $500 million of the $1 billion authorized under the CARES Act to contract for protective equipment for service members and federal agencies. Some of the 60 decontamination systems ordered, used to sterilize up to 80,000 M95 masks per day, have already been delivered, she said. Three million face masks have been ordered for Defense Department personnel, with 135,000 expected to be delivered by the end of April.


upi--2020-04-20--Jaguars want to trade RB Leonard Fournette

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Leonard Fournette 's time with the Jacksonville Jaguars could be nearing an end .
This AFC South team is talking to others about a potential trade .
Sources told the NFL Network and ESPN of the trade discussions .
The Jaguars had been active in Fournette-related trade talks for more than a month before they circled back to the negotiations in the last three days .
Fournette , 25 , had a career-high 1,674 yards from scrimmage in 15 starts last season for the Jaguars .
He also led the Jaguars with 76 receptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2017 NFL Draft had just three touchdowns in 2019 .
Fournette ran for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns during his rookie campaign .
Over the last two seasons , he has dealt with numerous injuries and a one-game suspension for unnecessary roughness .
Fournette is set to make a $ 4.16 million base salary in 2020 .
The Jaguars have until May 4 to exercise his fifth-year contract option .
Despite the trade talks , Fournette has hinted he wants to remain in Jacksonville .
The star running back told ESPN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free agent quarterback Cam Newton this off-season .
Jacksonville has been in rebuilding mode over the last two seasons .
The Jaguars traded quarterback Nick Foles to the Chicago Bears in March .
The team also recently traded cornerback A.J .
Bouye to the Denver Broncos and defensive end Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens .

The Jacksonville Jaguars have yet to find a trade partner for running back Leonard Fournette. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- Leonard Fournette's time with the Jacksonville Jaguars could be nearing an end. This AFC South team is talking to others about a potential trade. Sources told the NFL Network and ESPN of the trade discussions. The Jaguars had been active in Fournette-related trade talks for more than a month before they circled back to the negotiations in the last three days. Advertisement
Fournette, 25, had a career-high 1,674 yards from scrimmage in 15 starts last season for the Jaguars. He also led the Jaguars with 76 receptions.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft had just three touchdowns in 2019. Fournette ran for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns during his rookie campaign. Over the last two seasons, he has dealt with numerous injuries and a one-game suspension for unnecessary roughness.
Fournette is set to make a $4.16 million base salary in 2020. The Jaguars have until May 4 to exercise his fifth-year contract option.
Despite the trade talks, Fournette has hinted he wants to remain in Jacksonville. The star running back told ESPN Thursday he wants the Jaguars to sign free agent quarterback Cam Newton this off-season.
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Jacksonville has been in rebuilding mode over the last two seasons. The Jaguars traded quarterback Nick Foles to the Chicago Bears in March. The team also recently traded cornerback A.J. Bouye to the Denver Broncos and defensive end Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens.


upi--2020-04-20--Look: Cole Sprouse slams 'baseless' claims about personal life

April 20 ( UPI ) -- Cole Sprouse is shutting down some `` baseless '' claims about his personal life .
The 27-year-old actor spoke out Sunday on Instagram Stories following rumors he cheated on his on-again , off-again girlfriend and Riverdale co-star , Lili Reinhart , 23 , with model Kaia Gerber , 18 .
`` I tolerate a lot of rumors and slander from people online claiming to be my fans .
Fans who feel entitled to my privacy precisely because I never indulge them .
But attacking my friends , baseless accusations , leaking my address and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insanity and fanaticism , '' Sprouse wrote .
Sprouse said he expected public scrutiny about his relationship but is n't willing to tolerate recent behavior from fans .
`` When I first stepped into a public relationship this was one of the foreseeable consequences .
And while I truly never intended to indulge any part of my private life to the ravenous horde , it 's clear my restraint in updating them has allowed them to push their own agenda onto my habits and lifestyle , '' the actor said .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ expletive ] , '' he concluded .
Sprouse and Reinhart started dating in 2017 and split up in mid-2019 .
The couple reconciled later in the year , with Reinhart calling Sprouse her `` boyfriend '' in an interview with Coveteur in October .
Reinhart previously told Teen Vogue she purposely keeps her relationship out of the spotlight .
`` I keep my relationship private because it 's just between two people , and that 's the way it should be , '' the actress said .
`` It 's not like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of people 's faces like , 'you do n't know anything about us . '
It 's just , you do n't need to know , '' she added .
`` People feel like they 're owed that , and you 're absolutely not owed anything by me . ''
Sprouse and Reinhart play Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper on Riverdale .
The CW series co-stars Camila Mendes and AJ Kapa , and is in the midst of a fourth season .

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Cole Sprouse spoke out following rumors he cheated on Lili Reinhart with Kaia Gerber. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
April 20 (UPI) -- Cole Sprouse is shutting down some "baseless" claims about his personal life. The 27-year-old actor spoke out Sunday on Instagram Stories following rumors he cheated on his on-again, off-again girlfriend and Riverdale co-star, Lili Reinhart, 23, with model Kaia Gerber, 18. Advertisement
"I tolerate a lot of rumors and slander from people online claiming to be my fans. Fans who feel entitled to my privacy precisely because I never indulge them. But attacking my friends, baseless accusations, leaking my address and sending death threats are all qualities of insanity and fanaticism," Sprouse wrote.
"Choose humanity, stop being [clown emoji]," he added.
Sprouse said he expected public scrutiny about his relationship but isn't willing to tolerate recent behavior from fans.
"When I first stepped into a public relationship this was one of the foreseeable consequences. And while I truly never intended to indulge any part of my private life to the ravenous horde, it's clear my restraint in updating them has allowed them to push their own agenda onto my habits and lifestyle," the actor said.
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"So in conclusion- please eat my delectable plump [expletive]," he concluded.
Sprouse and Reinhart started dating in 2017 and split up in mid-2019. The couple reconciled later in the year, with Reinhart calling Sprouse her "boyfriend" in an interview with Coveteur in October.
Reinhart previously told Teen Vogue she purposely keeps her relationship out of the spotlight.
"I keep my relationship private because it's just between two people, and that's the way it should be," the actress said.
"It's not like I'm trying to dangle my relationship in front of people's faces like, 'you don't know anything about us.' It's just, you don't need to know," she added. "People feel like they're owed that, and you're absolutely not owed anything by me."
Sprouse and Reinhart play Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper on Riverdale. The CW series co-stars Camila Mendes and AJ Kapa, and is in the midst of a fourth season.


upi--2020-04-21--In photos: U.S. copes with COVID-19 pandemic

The Rev .
Bob Evans talks to photos of his parishioners during his Sunday service at the Holy Spirit Catholic @ @ @ @ @ Mo.
, on April 19 .
Since members can not attend in person due to @ @ @ @ @ for his church to send in photos of themselves receiving over 500 photos from his @ @ @ @ @ are taped to the pews where the family sits , while he preforms the weekly @ @ @ @ @ Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

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


upi--2020-04-21--In Photos: COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City

New York City swiftly became the U.S. epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic , with cases perhaps starting to peak around @ @ @ @ @ The city is virtually shut down except for essential businesses .
Hospitals are overloaded and @ @ @ @ @ help .
Here 's a collection of scenes from UPI photographer John Angelillo .

A woman wears a face mask while looking at clothing at Diane Von Furstenberg in New York City on September 8. The CFDA announced in June that New York Fashion Week shows will run for only three days in September due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI


upi--2020-04-21--In photos: California life in the COVID-19 pandemic

The state of California has enacted a shelter-in-place order in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus , urging @ @ @ @ @ homes except for essential travel and closing non-essential businesses .
Red carpet events have been @ @ @ @ @ many films and TV shows has been suspended .
Here 's a look at how @ @ @ @ @ life .

A pedestrian walks past a bar established in 1933 after Los Angeles County officials closed it for the second time following a spike in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles on August 10. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI