upi--2020-05-14--Movie on 1999 U.S. women's World Cup team headed to Netflix

May 14 ( UPI ) -- The World Cup-winning 1999 United States Women 's National Team will be featured in a new film on Netflix .
Several players from the squad announced the movie in a social media video .
The film will be adapted from Jere Longman 's book : The Girls of Summer : The U.S. Women 's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World .
Netflix has not announced a release date for the film .
`` What 's the 1999 World Cup winning U.S. women 's soccer team up to now ?
We checked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Akers , Joy Fawcett , Kristine Lilly , Briana Scurry , Carla Overbeck , and Brandi Chastain to find out , '' Netflix wrote for the caption on the video .
The video featured the retired soccer stars juggling a soccer ball before they each passed the ball off the screen to a player in another location .
It ended with Chastain taking a penalty kick shot .
The film will be about the World Cup run , the lives of the players and their decade-long journey to the 1999 World Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Overbeck said .
`` It was a packed stadium at the Rose Bowl final .
Millions of people were watching .
It came down to the final penalty kick . ''
The U.S. won the 1991 Women 's World Cup before they failed to advance to the 1995 World Cup final .
Several members of the 1999 team were on those two teams .
The 1999 squad cruised through the group stage , outscoring opponents 13-1 .
The Americans edged Germany 3-2 in the quarterfinals before topping Brazil 2-0 in the semifinals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scoreless regulation in the final before they advanced to a penalty kick session .
Chastain make the game-winning kick to give the World Cup trophy to the Americans on July 10 , 1999 , at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena , Calif. '' Watching the USA team that summer made me forget I had no money and little more than a dream to feed me , '' Tendo Nagenda , vice president of original film at Netflix , said in a statement .
`` That team , that goal , and Brandi Chastain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ripped off her shirt and dropped to her knees in astonishment , made me believe I could do anything , and do it my way , ''

Brandi Chastain's game-winning goal from the 1999 World Cup final in Pasadena, Calif., will be featured in a new movie headed to Netflix. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- The World Cup-winning 1999 United States Women's National Team will be featured in a new film on Netflix. Several players from the squad announced the movie in a social media video. The film will be adapted from Jere Longman's book: The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World. Netflix has not announced a release date for the film. Advertisement
"What's the 1999 World Cup winning U.S. women's soccer team up to now? We checked in with Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Joy Fawcett, Kristine Lilly, Briana Scurry, Carla Overbeck, and Brandi Chastain to find out," Netflix wrote for the caption on the video.
The video featured the retired soccer stars juggling a soccer ball before they each passed the ball off the screen to a player in another location. It ended with Chastain taking a penalty kick shot.
The film will be about the World Cup run, the lives of the players and their decade-long journey to the 1999 World Cup victory.
"I remember that," Overbeck said. "It was a packed stadium at the Rose Bowl final. Millions of people were watching. It came down to the final penalty kick."
The U.S. won the 1991 Women's World Cup before they failed to advance to the 1995 World Cup final. Several members of the 1999 team were on those two teams. The 1999 squad cruised through the group stage, outscoring opponents 13-1. The Americans edged Germany 3-2 in the quarterfinals before topping Brazil 2-0 in the semifinals.
The U.S. and China played a scoreless regulation in the final before they advanced to a penalty kick session. Chastain make the game-winning kick to give the World Cup trophy to the Americans on July 10, 1999, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
"Watching the USA team that summer made me forget I had no money and little more than a dream to feed me," Tendo Nagenda, vice president of original film at Netflix, said in a statement.
"That team, that goal, and Brandi Chastain's unforgettable reaction, in which she ripped off her shirt and dropped to her knees in astonishment, made me believe I could do anything, and do it my way,"


upi--2020-05-14--Analyst: COVID-19 swept across China despite Xi Jinping policy

SEOUL , May 14 ( UPI ) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has touted his country 's battle against COVID-19 as a significant strategic achievement , but Xi 's policy priorities , established well before the outbreak , tell a different story , according to a U.S. analyst .
Dan Garrett , an author and visual sociologist who has written about Hong Kong 's protests , told UPI that Xi 's most substantive hallmark policy is heightened national security .
Under the concept of the `` Three Major Dangers , '' Xi has reinvented the Chinese Communist Party 's national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who began ruling without term limits in 2017 , sits at the head of Beijing 's National Security Commission , which he created .
`` All power flows through Xi , '' Garrett said .
`` All significant decisions and security-endangering information does as well , at least in theory . ''
Xi may also have a good handle on provincial affairs , in places like Hubei , where local officials have long been known to hide information from the central government .
Before the lockdown in Wuhan in January , Beijing may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` ground truths , '' Garrett says .
According to the analyst , the central government was involved in the epidemic response as early as Jan. 7 and had `` situational awareness '' before Xi assumed control .
Beijing may have been meticulously monitoring the situation in Wuhan even as Wuhan authorities were denying the occurrence of human-to-human infections .
The disclaimer was finally struck down on Jan. 20 .
`` And while it is unknown who ultimately authorized China 's 'reports ' on the coronavirus outbreak to the World Health Organization and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , it is unlikely this occurred without approval from , or coordination with , senior Chinese leadership , '' the analyst said .
Chief among Xi 's national security concerns have been potential pandemics , a `` known threat to the Chinese regime '' since the SARS outbreak in 2003 .
The Chinese president 's national security framework includes a security sector that deals with biological catastrophes like the novel coronavirus .
`` Xi has also warned repeatedly for China to be vigilant for the dynasty ending threats of 'Black Swans ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January 2019 , '' Garrett said .
`` Yet , here we are with the COVID-19 crisis . ''
Even as Xi remained wary of pandemics , as leader he rallied the country to embark on a `` New Long March , '' a reference to the historical military retreat of the Chinese Communists that culminated in the rise of Mao Zedong and the consolidation of the party in the 1930s .
In China , the historical Long March also evokes bitter suffering among Communist troops .
Xi was urging the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , '' Garrett said .
`` Is the COVID‐19 pandemic part of that stratagem ? ''
Under Xi 's leadership , China 's ascendancy has been mostly depicted as the economic rise of a benign power willing to share its wealth with the world .
China 's status as an autocratic regime could mean there may be more to the facade , however .
Nadège Rolland , a senior fellow for political and security affairs at The National Bureau of Asian Research in Washington , says Chinese projects like the high-profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investments and infrastructure projects .
Less attention has been paid to BRI 's emphasis on cooperation , including people-to-people exchanges , and BRI 's stated objective : the founding of a `` community of a shared future , '' according to the analyst .
That means , `` implicitly , a China-centric sphere of influence under Beijing 's leading authority , '' Rolland says .
`` Any external criticism that counters the narrative China as a great , responsible , peaceful and altruistic power , led by a competent and dedicated party that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the world , is considered as a direct attack against the CCP itself , '' Rolland said .
Shielding the government from criticism has worked in Xi 's favor , Garrett said .
Behind the scenes , the Chinese leader has been absolved of personal responsibility for his handling of COVID-19 not only through purges but also by coercing Beijing 's Politburo Standing Committee to accept collective responsibility for his policies .
`` This ensures they can not [ easily ] attack him without placing their own heads on the chopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's stifling of criticism has produced results .
While the Trump administration has been vocal about a possible cover-up , and has pointed to `` enormous evidence '' the coronavirus outbreak began earlier in a Wuhan laboratory , less attention has been paid to more publicly visible events .
The declaration of a pandemic lockdown in Wuhan and other cities in Hubei Province on Jan. 23 , for example , was announced beforehand , `` thereby allowing those with the means to escape '' to evade quarantine , Garrett said .
`` On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented lockdown of tens of millions , '' the analyst said .
`` But , on the other hand , it still permitted the massive movement of hundreds of millions . ''

1/7
Chinese President Xi Jinping has kept a low profile amid the coronavirus pandemic but has hailed his country's response as a major strategic achievement. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, May 14 (UPI) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has touted his country's battle against COVID-19 as a significant strategic achievement, but Xi's policy priorities, established well before the outbreak, tell a different story, according to a U.S. analyst. Dan Garrett, an author and visual sociologist who has written about Hong Kong's protests, told UPI that Xi's most substantive hallmark policy is heightened national security. Advertisement
Under the concept of the "Three Major Dangers," Xi has reinvented the Chinese Communist Party's national security apparatus.
The Chinese leader, who began ruling without term limits in 2017, sits at the head of Beijing's National Security Commission, which he created.
"All power flows through Xi," Garrett said. "All significant decisions and security-endangering information does as well, at least in theory."
Xi may also have a good handle on provincial affairs, in places like Hubei, where local officials have long been known to hide information from the central government. Before the lockdown in Wuhan in January, Beijing may have been sending officials to root out "ground truths," Garrett says.
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According to the analyst, the central government was involved in the epidemic response as early as Jan. 7 and had "situational awareness" before Xi assumed control. Beijing may have been meticulously monitoring the situation in Wuhan even as Wuhan authorities were denying the occurrence of human-to-human infections. The disclaimer was finally struck down on Jan. 20.
"And while it is unknown who ultimately authorized China's 'reports' on the coronavirus outbreak to the World Health Organization and other nations at the end of December 2019, it is unlikely this occurred without approval from, or coordination with, senior Chinese leadership," the analyst said.
Chief among Xi's national security concerns have been potential pandemics, a "known threat to the Chinese regime" since the SARS outbreak in 2003.
The Chinese president's national security framework includes a security sector that deals with biological catastrophes like the novel coronavirus.
"Xi has also warned repeatedly for China to be vigilant for the dynasty ending threats of 'Black Swans' and 'Gray Rhinos,' most recently in January 2019," Garrett said. "Yet, here we are with the COVID-19 crisis."
Even as Xi remained wary of pandemics, as leader he rallied the country to embark on a "New Long March," a reference to the historical military retreat of the Chinese Communists that culminated in the rise of Mao Zedong and the consolidation of the party in the 1930s. In China, the historical Long March also evokes bitter suffering among Communist troops.
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Xi was urging the country to reclaim the "center stage of the world," Garrett said. "Is the COVID‐19 pandemic part of that stratagem?"
Under Xi's leadership, China's ascendancy has been mostly depicted as the economic rise of a benign power willing to share its wealth with the world.
China's status as an autocratic regime could mean there may be more to the facade, however.
Nadège Rolland, a senior fellow for political and security affairs at The National Bureau of Asian Research in Washington, says Chinese projects like the high-profile Belt and Road Initiative are known for investments and infrastructure projects.
Less attention has been paid to BRI's emphasis on cooperation, including people-to-people exchanges, and BRI's stated objective: the founding of a "community of a shared future," according to the analyst.
That means, "implicitly, a China-centric sphere of influence under Beijing's leading authority," Rolland says.
"Any external criticism that counters the narrative China as a great, responsible, peaceful and altruistic power, led by a competent and dedicated party that cares for its people and for the rest of the world, is considered as a direct attack against the CCP itself," Rolland said.
Shielding the government from criticism has worked in Xi's favor, Garrett said. Behind the scenes, the Chinese leader has been absolved of personal responsibility for his handling of COVID-19 not only through purges but also by coercing Beijing's Politburo Standing Committee to accept collective responsibility for his policies.
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"This ensures they cannot [easily] attack him without placing their own heads on the chopping block," Garrett said.
Xi's stifling of criticism has produced results. While the Trump administration has been vocal about a possible cover-up, and has pointed to "enormous evidence" the coronavirus outbreak began earlier in a Wuhan laboratory, less attention has been paid to more publicly visible events.
The declaration of a pandemic lockdown in Wuhan and other cities in Hubei Province on Jan. 23, for example, was announced beforehand, "thereby allowing those with the means to escape" to evade quarantine, Garrett said.
"On the one hand, China ordered an unprecedented lockdown of tens of millions," the analyst said. "But, on the other hand, it still permitted the massive movement of hundreds of millions."


upi--2020-05-14--Free agent LeSean McCoy teases return to Philadelphia Eagles

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Free agent running back LeSean McCoy says he `` could see '' himself back on the Philadelphia Eagles ' roster in 2020 .
McCoy , 31 , appeared in 13 games last season for the Kansas City Chiefs .
He had 646 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns after he agreed to a one-year contract before the 2019 season with the eventual Super Bowl champions .
`` I could see that , '' McCoy told NFL Network , when asked about signing with the Eagles .
`` On another note , since I left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
25 active in green , so you never know .
`` I 'm going to keep my options open , though .
I could see myself there in Philly .
Like I said , that 's home , so you never know . ''
McCoy said he has spoken to several teams in free agency but wants to wait to make the right decision on where he will sign .
The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection said he wants to play at least one more season .
`` This last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , just to put my stamp on my career , and I want to leave out the way I came in , '' McCoy said .
`` Hard worker , with some success .
`` I 'll probably put one more year together , depending on how I feel , but one year for sure , man , just to put my stamp on it . ''
The Super Bowl LIV champion ranks 22nd in career rushing yards and has the most career rushing yards of any active player .
The second-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first six seasons with the Eagles .
His best season came in 2013 when he had 1,607 rushing yards and 2,146 yards from scrimmage , the best marks in the NFL that year .
McCoy also spent four seasons with the Buffalo Bills before he was released in August .
He said several teams attempted to sign him before he opted to join the Chiefs and reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes .
Miles Sanders was the Eagles ' leading rusher in 2019 with 1,327 yards from scrimmage and six scores after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 2019 NFL Draft .
The Eagles also had running backs Jordan Howard , Boston Scott , Darren Sproles , Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement on their depth chart in 2019 .
They also signed Elijah Holyfield toward the end of the season .
The Eagles let Howard sign with the Miami Dolphins in free agency and Sproles retired after the 2019 season .
Philadelphia re-signed Clement and released Ajayi .
The Eagles did not select a running back in the 2020 NFL Draft last month but signed Mike Warren and Adrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Veteran running back LeSean McCoy says he could see himself returning to the Philadelphia Eagles for possibly his final season in 2020. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Free agent running back LeSean McCoy says he "could see" himself back on the Philadelphia Eagles' roster in 2020. McCoy, 31, appeared in 13 games last season for the Kansas City Chiefs. He had 646 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns after he agreed to a one-year contract before the 2019 season with the eventual Super Bowl champions. Advertisement
"I could see that," McCoy told NFL Network, when asked about signing with the Eagles. "On another note, since I left, you haven't seen the No. 25 active in green, so you never know.
"I'm going to keep my options open, though. I could see myself there in Philly. Like I said, that's home, so you never know."
McCoy said he has spoken to several teams in free agency but wants to wait to make the right decision on where he will sign. The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection said he wants to play at least one more season.
"This last go-around, man, for the last time, just to put my stamp on my career, and I want to leave out the way I came in," McCoy said. "Hard worker, with some success.
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"I'll probably put one more year together, depending on how I feel, but one year for sure, man, just to put my stamp on it."
The Super Bowl LIV champion ranks 22nd in career rushing yards and has the most career rushing yards of any active player. The second-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft spent his first six seasons with the Eagles. His best season came in 2013 when he had 1,607 rushing yards and 2,146 yards from scrimmage, the best marks in the NFL that year.
McCoy also spent four seasons with the Buffalo Bills before he was released in August. He said several teams attempted to sign him before he opted to join the Chiefs and reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.
Miles Sanders was the Eagles' leading rusher in 2019 with 1,327 yards from scrimmage and six scores after the franchise selected him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Eagles also had running backs Jordan Howard, Boston Scott, Darren Sproles, Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement on their depth chart in 2019. They also signed Elijah Holyfield toward the end of the season.
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The Eagles let Howard sign with the Miami Dolphins in free agency and Sproles retired after the 2019 season. Philadelphia re-signed Clement and released Ajayi.
The Eagles did not select a running back in the 2020 NFL Draft last month but signed Mike Warren and Adrian Killins as undrafted rookie free agents.


upi--2020-05-14--Japan lifts emergencies for most regions; New Zealand ends lockdown

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo said Thursday he will lift a state of emergency ahead of schedule for about 80 percent of prefectures .
Abe said the decision was made after a close look at health data and will be finalized at the next meeting of the government 's coronavirus task force .
The move does not include lifting the emergency for Tokyo and Osaka , but Abe said the government will consider them next week .
The worldwide death toll from COVID-19 is now about 297,500 out of about 4.4 million cases since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Johns Hopkins University .
In New Zealand , no new cases were reported for the third consecutive day as a national lockdown ended Thursday .
The health ministry said the total number of cases is about 1,500 and no new deaths were reported .
New Zealand downgraded to a `` level 2 '' alert that allows most businesses to resume and workers to return to offices .
Domestic travel also was allowed to resume Thursday and schools will reopen Monday , followed by bars and restaurants on May 21 .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases were reported Thursday by the National Health Commission .
All were local cases and included two in Liaoning province and one in Jilin province .
No deaths were reported nationwide .

A medical worker collects a sample for polymerase chain reaction tests for the coronavirus disease on May 10 during a simulation for drive-through at the Kashima soccer Stadium in Ibaraki-Prefecture, Japan. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo said Thursday he will lift a state of emergency ahead of schedule for about 80 percent of prefectures. Abe said the decision was made after a close look at health data and will be finalized at the next meeting of the government's coronavirus task force. Advertisement
The move does not include lifting the emergency for Tokyo and Osaka, but Abe said the government will consider them next week.
The worldwide death toll from COVID-19 was more than 301,000 out of about 4.4 million cases since the start of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University on Thursday evening.
In New Zealand, no new cases were reported for the third consecutive day as a national lockdown ended Thursday.
The health ministry said the total number of cases is about 1,500 and no new deaths were reported. New Zealand downgraded to a "level 2" alert that allows most businesses to resume and workers to return to offices.
Domestic travel also was allowed to resume Thursday and schools will reopen Monday, followed by bars and restaurants on May 21.
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War-torn Yemen, meanwhile, has had a spike in coronavirus-related deaths, according to Save the Children. There were at least 380 deaths over the past week, the humanitarian organization said.
There's a shortage of personal protective equipment and ventilators in hospitals there, and some healthcare workers are refusing to work without protection. Some hospitals have closed.
"Our teams on the ground are seeing how people are being sent away from hospitals, breathing heavily or even collapsing. People are dying because they can't get treatment that would normally save their lives," said Mohammed Alshamaa, Save the Children's director of programs in Yemen.
"there are patients who go from hospital to hospital and yet cannot get admitted."
In the former epicenter of China, three new cases were reported Thursday by the National Health Commission. All were local cases and included two in Liaoning province and one in Jilin province. No deaths were reported nationwide.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-05-14--AEW Dynamite: The Inner Circle challenge The Elite

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Chris Jericho and his Inner Circle challenged The Elite to the first-ever Stadium Stampede match on AEW Dynamite .
Jericho issued the challenge on Wednesday after he battled Pineapple Pete .
The Stadium Stampede match will take place at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view event set for May 23 .
Jericho arrived to the ring with a baseball bat in hand and his entire Inner Circle pose which includes Sammy Guevara , Jake Hager , Santana and Ortiz .
Le Champion made short work of Pineapple Pete , earning the three count after delivering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the personal drone of Broken Matt Hardy , arrived to greet Jericho after he issued the challenge for the Stadium Stampeded match .
Vanguard 1 said that The Elite accepted the challenge before Jericho and the Inner Circle smashed the drone into pieces .
Hardy arrived onto the scene and was devastated to find his drone completely destroyed .
Santana and Ortiz were in action against The Elite 's Kenny Omega and Hardy who has aligned himself with the group .
Santana and Ortiz gained an early advantage in the highly-competitive match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and before the match officially started .
Guevara , who was wearing a neck brace after being run over by a golf cart driven by Hardy last week , tried to interfere in the match and brought out a steel chair .
Guevara was stopped in his tracks and received a Twist of Fate from Hardy .
Hardy won the match for his team after he nailed Ortiz with a Twist of Fate while he was placed on the top rope .
The Exalted One Brodie Lee faced off against Christopher Daniels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was joined by masked members of his Dark Order and was holding the AEW World Championship he stole from Jon Moxley .
Lee was able to withstood all of Daniels ' attacks throughout the bout .
SCU members members Scorpio Sky and Frankie Kazarian battled The Dark Order outside the ring .
Lee won the match after countering Daniels with a Powerbomb followed by a Discus Lariat for the three count .
Lee celebrated in the ring with the AEW World Championship until Moxley entered the arena .
Moxley took out a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the title .
Moxley promised to get his championship back after he defeats Lee at Double or Nothing .
Other moments from Dynamite included Cody brawling with Lance Archer before their TNT Championship match at Double or Nothing ; Best Friends defeating Jurassic Express ; Hikaru Shida defeating Penelope Ford , Kris Statlander and Dr. Britt Baker in a Fatal 4-Way match ; and MJF defeating Lee Johnson .

May 14 (UPI) -- Chris Jericho and his Inner Circle challenged The Elite to the first-ever Stadium Stampede match on AEW Dynamite.
Jericho issued the challenge on Wednesday after he battled Pineapple Pete. The Stadium Stampede match will take place at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view event set for May 23.
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Jericho arrived to the ring with a baseball bat in hand and his entire Inner Circle pose which includes Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana and Ortiz. Le Champion made short work of Pineapple Pete, earning the three count after delivering a well-timed Judas Effect.
Vanguard 1, the personal drone of Broken Matt Hardy, arrived to greet Jericho after he issued the challenge for the Stadium Stampeded match. Vanguard 1 said that The Elite accepted the challenge before Jericho and the Inner Circle smashed the drone into pieces.
Hardy arrived onto the scene and was devastated to find his drone completely destroyed.
Santana and Ortiz were in action against The Elite's Kenny Omega and Hardy who has aligned himself with the group. Santana and Ortiz gained an early advantage in the highly-competitive match due to attacking Omega during his entrance and before the match officially started.
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Guevara, who was wearing a neck brace after being run over by a golf cart driven by Hardy last week, tried to interfere in the match and brought out a steel chair. Guevara was stopped in his tracks and received a Twist of Fate from Hardy.
Hardy won the match for his team after he nailed Ortiz with a Twist of Fate while he was placed on the top rope.
The Exalted One Brodie Lee faced off against Christopher Daniels of SCU in the main event. Lee was joined by masked members of his Dark Order and was holding the AEW World Championship he stole from Jon Moxley.
Lee was able to withstood all of Daniels' attacks throughout the bout. SCU members members Scorpio Sky and Frankie Kazarian battled The Dark Order outside the ring.
Lee won the match after countering Daniels with a Powerbomb followed by a Discus Lariat for the three count. Lee celebrated in the ring with the AEW World Championship until Moxley entered the arena.
Moxley took out a number of Dark Order members while Lee escaped with the title. Moxley promised to get his championship back after he defeats Lee at Double or Nothing.
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Other moments from Dynamite included Cody brawling with Lance Archer before their TNT Championship match at Double or Nothing; Best Friends defeating Jurassic Express; Hikaru Shida defeating Penelope Ford, Kris Statlander and Dr. Britt Baker in a Fatal 4-Way match; and MJF defeating Lee Johnson.


upi--2020-05-14--Truck bomb in Afghanistan kills 5 civilians

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Five civilians were killed in Afghanistan on Thursday by a truck bomb in front @ @ @ @ @ in the eastern Paktia province city of Gardiz , officials said .
The explosives , @ @ @ @ @ were detonated in front of a gate just after dawn , said Afghan army spokesman @ @ @ @ @ that five security officers were among 19 injured by the blast .
Another report put @ @ @ @ @ 30 .
Afghanistan 's defense ministry said a suicide bomber was shot when he set @ @ @ @ @ Taliban claimed responsibility , in response to a government decision to order security forces to @ @ @ @ @ posture to offensive mode .
Afghan forces had moved into the offensive phase to counter @ @ @ @ @ .
The explosion was the Talban 's first major car bombing in an urban area @ @ @ @ @ deal with U.S. negotiators in February .

A group of Taliban militants are seen in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on June 17, 2018. File Photo by Muhammad Sadiq/EPA-EFE
May 14 (UPI) -- Five civilians were killed in Afghanistan on Thursday by a truck bomb in front of the defense ministry building in the eastern Paktia province city of Gardiz, officials said. The explosives, on a pickup truck, were detonated in front of a gate just after dawn, said Afghan army spokesman Aimal Mohmand. He added that five security officers were among 19 injured by the blast. Another report put the number of injured at 30. Advertisement
Afghanistan's defense ministry said a suicide bomber was shot when he set off the bomb.
The Taliban claimed responsibility, in response to a government decision to order security forces to switch from an active defensive posture to offensive mode. Afghan forces had moved into the offensive phase to counter attacks by the militant group.
The explosion was the Talban's first major car bombing in an urban area since it signed a peace deal with U.S. negotiators in February.


upi--2020-05-14--Watch live: Vaccine expert Rick Bright warns '2020 will be darkest winter in modern history'

May 14 ( UPI ) -- The former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , a top vaccines expert , will testify in a House hearing Thursday to discuss the United States ' response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Dr. Rick Bright will appear remotely before a subcommittee of the House energy and commerce committee at 10 a.m. EDT .
He is expected to discuss the federal response , as well as his removal from the federal post tasked with developing vaccines and other medical countermeasures .
`` While it is terrifying to acknowledge the extent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the undeniable fact is there will be a resurgence of the COVID-19 this fall , greatly compounding the challenges of seasonal influenza and putting an unprecedented strain on our healthcare system , '' Bright wrote in prepared testimony that was submitted to the committee .
`` Without clear planning and implementation of the steps that I and other experts have outlined , 2020 will be the darkest winter in modern history . ''
Bright , who 'd filed a whistle-blower complaint , was transferred from his role as BARDA chief to a job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
In his testimony , Bright says his reassignment occurred after he resisted efforts by the administration to make `` potentially and harmful drugs widely available , '' including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine , both of which were promoted by President Donald Trump in the fight against the coronavirus .
Bright 's testimony states that the Health and Human Services Department was dismissive of his `` dire predictions '' about the potential impact of an outbreak and was unwilling to act in response to his urging that the United States ramp up production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical supplies .
Bright plans to testify that it 's `` painfully clear '' the Trump administration was not properly prepared to handle the pandemic , according to his written testimony .
`` We missed early warning signals and we forgot important pages from our pandemic playbook , '' he wrote .
Bright 's testimony says he recommends a plan to increase public education about the importance of hand-washing , social distancing , appropriate face coverings , ramping up production and distribution of essential equipment and a national testing strategy .
`` Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to normal , '' he wrote .
`` The normal of 2019 is not going to return , but we all have an opportunity to shape the new normal of 2020 and beyond . ''

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Dr. Richard Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, testifies Thursday before the House energy and commerce subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI/Pool | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Vaccines expert Dr. Rick Bright warned in congressional testimony Thursday the administration's hopes of developing and deploying a vaccine against COVID-19 within 18 months are likely too optimistic. Appearing before a hearing of the subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Bright said hopes of having a vaccine within an 18-month time frame assumes "everything goes perfectly." Advertisement
"We've never seen everything go perfectly."
He added that even if a vaccine were perfected by then, "We need to have a strategy and plan in place now to make sure that we cannot only fill that vaccine, make it, distribute it, but administer it in a fair and equitable plan.
"We do not have that yet, and it is a significant concern," he said.
President Donald Trump said in a television interview Thursday he believed "we will have a vaccine by the end of the year" and that the U.S. military could be tapped to help distribute it quickly.
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Bright, the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, was removed last month from the federal post that's tasked with developing vaccines and other medical countermeasures. He was transferred to a job at the National Institutes of Health. BARDA is an office of the Department of Health and Human Services.
He said Americans face "the darkest winter in modern history" if proper preparations aren't taken to avert a future resurgence of the coronavirus disease, asserting that time is running out to prevent a potentially catastrophic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases this fall and winter.
"Our window of opportunity is closing," he said in his opening remarks. "If we fail to improve our response now, based on science, I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged.
"There will likely be a resurgence of COVID-19 this fall that will be greatly compounded by the challenges of seasonal influenza. Without better planning, 2020 could be darkest winter in modern history."
Bright also said Americans "deserve the truth" about the federal response to the health crisis and asked that scientists be allowed to speak "without fear of retribution."
"We need to be truthful with the American people. Americans deserve the truth," he said. "The truth must be based on science. We have the world's greatest scientists. Let us lead."
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Bright filed a whistle-blower complaint concerning his removal from BARDA and said it occurred after he resisted Trump administration efforts to make potentially harmful drugs -- including chloroquine, which was promoted early in the crisis by Trump -- widely available as a coronavirus treatment.
He said the HHS was dismissive of his "dire predictions" about the potential impact of an outbreak and was unwilling to act on his recommendation that the United States ramp up production of face masks, respirators and other critical supplies.
Trump attacked Bright on Twitter, calling him "not liked or respected" and labeling him a "disgruntled employee."
The HHS issued a statement saying Bright "has not yet shown up for work, but continues to collect his $285,010 salary, while using his taxpayer-funded medical leave to work with partisan attorneys who are politicizing the response to COVID-19."
Thursday's hearing began with a moment of silence to honor more than 80,000 Americans who have died since the start of the health crisis. Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., called the administration's response "inept, ineffective and extremely late."
"We are the greatest country on earth and yet we have the most cases and the most deaths from COVID-19 of any nation in the world," Eshoo said.
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Eshoo said Bright's whistle-blower report is one of the "most specific" and "troubling" she's ever seen.
"We can't have a system where the government fires those who get it right and reward those who get it completely wrong," she said.
Bright said the federal government still needs to assemble a comprehensive strategy that encompasses nationwide contact tracing, increased testing and a vaccine.
"With proper leadership and collaboration across government, with the best science leading the way, we can devise a comprehensive strategy," he said. "We can devise a plan that includes all Americans and help them help us guide us through this pandemic."
Michael Bowen, executive vice president of surgical mask manufacturer Prestige Ameritech, also testified on Thursday that in 2004, major domestic mask sellers in the United States switched from selling domestically made masks to selling masks imported from foreign nations.
Bowen said Prestige Ameritech identified this shift as a national security risk in 2006.
Under questioning from Eshoo, Bowen said he has increased his production of masks from 75,000 a month to 2 million a month after HHS accepted his offer to produce masks in response to the pandemic and will double that production to 4 million per month within about 40 days.
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He added he had the capacity to produce an additional 7 million N95 respirators per month but said this level of production would require at least three to four months and 100 additional workers.
Bowen said he feared that hiring that many employees without at least a one-year contract from the U.S. government could lead to a similar situation that the company faced during the H1N1 outbreak during which he increased hiring to meet government needs but had to lay off 150 people after the government no longer purchased from the company.
"America has a weakness for low prices," he said.
In his testimony, Bowen also said that Bright and previous BARDA directors, Robin Robinson and Richard Hatchett, were helpful and encouraged him to "continue warning people about the mask supply."
He also confirmed that he sent emails to Bright included in his whistle-blower complaint warning of a shortage of masks amid the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 pandemic alters life in New York City


upi--2020-05-14--New Mexico extends stay-at-home order as several states move to reopen

May 14 ( UPI ) -- New Mexico extended its stay-at-home order with eased restrictions for most businesses while Maryland , Virginia and Wyoming unveiled plans to begin reopening their economies starting this weekend .
The announcements were made Wednesday as the United States ' coronavirus infections neared 1.4 million , according to a tracker of the deadly and infectious virus by Johns Hopkins University .
New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham extended the state 's stay-at-home order first issued March 23 until May 31 but modified it to allow most retail stores to reopen at 25 percent capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expire Friday .
`` We can have slight reopenings , but it 's not an invitation to go out and about and ignore our public health requirements , '' said Grisham in a statement .
`` The virus decides when and how much we reopen , and our behavior will determine how well we control its spread . ''
The state has been in a so-called preparation phase for the last two weeks , during which the coronavirus has continued to spread though the overall transmission rate has dropped and the hospital system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office said .
On Wednesday , the state 's health department announced 155 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 , increasing its total to 5,349 infections and 231 deaths connected to the virus .
The state said it 's using a gating criteria to dictate how and when the state will reopen .
`` We 're going to demand the science guide every decision we make , '' Grisham said .
Of the changes to the stay-at-home order , Grisham said starting Saturday all retailers may open at 25 percent fire code occupancy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffing levels though employees should work from home if able .
Houses of worship , she said , may open at 10 percent capacity .
She also said masks will be required of everyone in public with exceptions for while eating , drinking and exercising .
`` As the state opens up and our risk increases , the only way we save lives and keep the gating criteria where it is is if we 're all wearing face coverings , '' she said .
`` It 's not a guarantee against the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that 's why we 're mandating it . ''
Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan announced the state 's stay-at-home order will expire Friday evening and a safer-at-home public health advisory will take its place , allowing retail stores to reopen at limited capacity .
`` As we begin stage one of our recovery , I want to assure every Marylander who may feel uneasy and anyone who is concerned that we are moving either too quickly or too slowly that each and every decision we make is both fact-based and science-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our expert Coronavirus Recovery Team , '' Hogan said in a statement .
Under the new health advisory , retail stores including clothing , shoe and book stores as well as pet groomers , car washes and art galleries , will be permitted to operate at 50 percent capacity with curbside pickup and delivery strongly encouraged .
Places of worship will also be permitted to open at 50 percent capacity while manufacturing businesses may resume operations in `` a safe manner , '' the governor 's office said in a statement .
Residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as possible and businesses will be encouraged to keep employees working from home .
Hogan announced the state had its first three COVID-19 cases on March 5 .
Since then , there have been 34,812 confirmed cases and 1,694 deaths , the governor said Wednesday during a press conference .
He said aggressive actions the state has taken have `` successfully flatten the curve and avoided the nightmare scenario projected by public health experts . ''
In the District of Columbia , however , Mayor Muriel E. Bowser extended the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to daily COVID-19 diagnoses failing to decline .
`` It is , therefore , necessary to maintain our vigilance , to avoid a rapid increase in the occurrence of new cases and a spike in the number of fatalities , and to protect the public health , safety and welfare of District residents , '' she said in the order .
Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam announced during a press conference Wednesday the state will move into phase one of reopening on Friday , with exceptions for certain northern communities , which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ease restrictions .
He said moving to phase one was dependent on reaching certain health metrics .
`` Phase one will not be like turning on a light switch , '' Northam cautioned .
Under the plan starting Friday , retail and places of worship will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity though restaurants must remain closed except those with outdoor seating may utilize it at 50 percent , he said , adding , salons and barbershops may open under strict social distance guidelines .
Phase one is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended , he said .
However , black Virginia lawmakers voiced `` grave concerns '' with the plan , stating in a letter it is too soon to open the state and doing so may disproportionately endanger the lives of people of color .
`` Once this phase one plan goes into effect there is no turning back , '' Lamont Bagby , member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus , wrote in a letter .
`` Therefore , we must go through with it only when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other countries who have reopened too soon have experienced spikes in the virus , leaving these countries scrambling to dial back these reopening policies . ''
In the letter , Bagby requested Northman to respond to their concerns with a plan `` that explicitly considers and confronts current and potential growth in racial disparities and the needs and safety of underserved and vulnerable populations in Virginia . ''
According to data from the state 's health department , Virginia has recorded 26,746 cases of COVID-19 and 927 deaths .
Wyoming Gov .
Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions from Friday .
`` We have been working diligently to modify our public health order to continue a safe and sensible reawakening of Wyoming 's economy , '' Gordon said .
Movie theaters and performance venues will be allowed to reopen under the new guidelines at limited capacity , he said , and restaurants and bars will be permitted to serve both indoor and outdoor dining .
`` It is important to remember even as we ease restrictions , the virus is not gone .
It is still here .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wreaking havoc and it 's going to be with us some time here in Wyoming , '' he said in a press conference .
According to the state 's health department , Wyoming has 685 confirmed and probable infections and seven deaths related to the virus .
The announcements came a day after Arizona announced the state will be lifting its stay-at-home order on Friday and two days after Louisiana , South Carolina and Wisconsin said they would be easing restrictions on certain businesses .
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anger and protests continue in some states against the measures some say exceed the limits of the law .

Customers walk into a Whole Foods Market store in Silver Spring, Md., on March 31. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Wednesday the state's stay-at-home order would expire Friday, allowing retail stores to reopen at limited capacity. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- New Mexico extended its stay-at-home order with eased restrictions for most businesses while Maryland, Virginia and Wyoming unveiled plans to begin reopening their economies starting this weekend. The announcements were made Wednesday as the United States' coronavirus infections neared 1.4 million, according to a tracker of the deadly and infectious virus by Johns Hopkins University. Advertisement
New Mexico
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham extended the state's stay-at-home order -- first issued March 23 -- until May 31 but modified it to allow most retail stores to reopen at 25 percent capacity.
The order was originally set to expire Friday.
"We can have slight reopenings, but it's not an invitation to go out and about and ignore our public health requirements," Grisham said in a statement. "The virus decides when and how much we reopen, and our behavior will determine how well we control its spread."
Advertisement
The state has been in a so-called preparation phase for the past two weeks, during which the coronavirus has continued to spread though the overall transmission rate has dropped and the hospital system is withstanding demand, the governor's office said.
On Wednesday, the state's health department announced 155 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, increasing its total to 5,349 infections and 231 deaths connected to the virus.
The state said it's using a gating criteria to dictate how and when the state will reopen.
"We're going to demand the science guide every decision we make," Grisham said.
Of the changes to the stay-at-home order, Grisham said starting Saturday all retailers may open at 25 percent fire code occupancy and non-essential businesses may operate at 25 percent staffing levels though employees should work from home if able. Houses of worship, she said, may open at 10 percent capacity.
She also said masks will be required of everyone in public with exceptions for while eating, drinking and exercising.
"As the state opens up and our risk increases, the only way we save lives and keep the gating criteria where it is is if we're all wearing face coverings," she said. "It's not a guarantee against the virus, but it helps slow the spread, and that's why we're mandating it."
Advertisement
Maryland
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced the state's stay-at-home order will expire Friday evening and a safer-at-home public health advisory will take its place, allowing retail stores to reopen at limited capacity.
"As we begin stage one of our recovery, I want to assure every Marylander who may feel uneasy and anyone who is concerned that we are moving either too quickly or too slowly that each and every decision we make is both fact-based and science-based and made only after extensive consultation with our expert Coronavirus Recovery Team," Hogan said in a statement.
Under the new health advisory, retail stores including clothing, shoe and book stores as well as pet groomers, car washes and art galleries, will be permitted to operate at 50 percent capacity with curbside pickup and delivery strongly encouraged.
Places of worship will also be permitted to open at 50 percent capacity while manufacturing businesses may resume operations in "a safe manner," the governor's office said in a statement.
Residents will still be urged to stay home as much as possible and businesses will be encouraged to keep employees working from home.
Hogan announced the state had its first three COVID-19 cases on March 5. Since then, there have been 34,812 confirmed cases and 1,694 deaths, the governor said Wednesday during a press conference.
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He said aggressive actions the state has taken have "successfully flatten the curve and avoided the nightmare scenario projected by public health experts."
In the District of Columbia, however, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser extended the city's stay-at-home order until June 8 due to daily COVID-19 diagnoses failing to decline.
"It is, therefore, necessary to maintain our vigilance, to avoid a rapid increase in the occurrence of new cases and a spike in the number of fatalities, and to protect the public health, safety and welfare of District residents," she said in the order.
Virginia
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced during a press conference Wednesday the state will move into phase one of reopening on Friday, with exceptions for certain northern communities, which will have to wait an additional two weeks to ease restrictions.
He said moving to phase one was dependent on reaching certain health metrics.
"Phase one will not be like turning on a light switch," Northam cautioned.
Under the plan starting Friday, retail and places of worship will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity though restaurants must remain closed except those with outdoor seating may utilize it at 50 percent, he said, adding, salons and barbershops may open under strict social distance guidelines.
Advertisement
Phase one is expected to last two weeks, but could be extended, he said.
However, black Virginia lawmakers voiced "grave concerns" with the plan, stating in a letter it is too soon to open the state and doing so may disproportionately endanger the lives of people of color.
"Once this phase one plan goes into effect there is no turning back," Lamont Bagby, member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, wrote in a letter. "Therefore, we must go through with it only when the proper protections are in place. Other countries who have reopened too soon have experienced spikes in the virus, leaving these countries scrambling to dial back these reopening policies."
In the letter, Bagby requested Northman to respond to their concerns with a plan "that explicitly considers and confronts current and potential growth in racial disparities and the needs and safety of underserved and vulnerable populations in Virginia."
According to data from the state's health department, Virginia has recorded 26,746 cases of COVID-19 and 927 deaths.
Wyoming
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon announced new guidelines to ease business restrictions from Friday.
"We have been working diligently to modify our public health order to continue a safe and sensible reawakening of Wyoming's economy," Gordon said.
Advertisement
Movie theaters and performance venues will be allowed to reopen under the new guidelines at limited capacity, he said, and restaurants and bars will be permitted to serve both indoor and outdoor dining.
"It is important to remember even as we ease restrictions, the virus is not gone. It is still here. It is still invisible and it is still capable of wreaking havoc and it's going to be with us some time here in Wyoming," he said in a press conference.
According to the state's health department, Wyoming has 685 confirmed and probable infections and seven deaths related to the virus.
The announcements came a day after Arizona announced the state will be lifting its stay-at-home order on Friday and two days after Louisiana, South Carolina and Wisconsin said they would be easing restrictions on certain businesses.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday also overturned the state's stay-at-home order as anger and protests continue in some states against the measures some say exceed the limits of the law.
Michigan
Demonstrators gathered outside of the Michigan Capitol building Thursday to protest Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home order.
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Michigan State Police estimated the protest -- organized by MichiganUnited for Liberty -- drew about 200 people "at the high point" on Thursday and later fell to about 75 people.
Police spokeswoman Shannon Banner also said some demonstrators openly carried firearms during the protest.
State police also reported that a fight broke out between two protesters after a man was seen carrying a garbage can containing a sign, an ax and an American flag with an unclothed doll hanging from the bottom by a noose.
"There was an incident between two demonstrators, in which one demonstrator tried to take a sign out of another demonstrator's hand. There are no injuries and no arrests were made," police said.
The Capitol building was closed on Thursday as both chambers of the legislature were out of session on Thursday as they had completed all votes for the week on Wednesday and adjourned for the week.
Late last month, protesters including some carrying firearms entered the Capitol building as Whitmer extended Michigan's state of emergency in response to the pandemic.


upi--2020-05-14--Vigorous exercise safe for people at risk for knee arthritis

People at high risk for knee arthritis do n't need to avoid jogging and other types of vigorous exercise , a new study suggests .
Some folks hold back on physical activity because they fear it will increase their chances of developing knee arthritis , so researchers from Northwestern University 's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago took a closer look .
`` Our study findings convey a reassuring message that adults at high risk for knee arthritis may safely engage in long-term strenuous physical activity at a moderate level to improve their general health and well-being , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of physical therapy and human movement sciences .
The study included nearly 1,200 people from several U.S. cities , ages 45-79 , who were at high risk for knee arthritis but had no evidence of the condition .
Obesity , previous joint injury , surgery , aging and chronic knee symptoms increase the risk of developing arthritis of the knee .
Participants were followed for up to 10 years .
Chang and her colleagues found that long-term participation in strenuous physical activities such as jogging , swimming , cycling , singles tennis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with risk of developing knee arthritis .
In fact , those who did vigorous exercise had a 30 % lower risk of knee arthritis , but that 's not considered statistically significant , according to the authors .
Lots of sitting was n't associated with either an increased or reduced risk of arthritis .
`` People suffering from knee injuries or who had arthroscopic surgical repair of ACL or meniscus are often warned that they are well on the path to develop knee arthritis , '' Chang said in a university news release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participating in vigorous activities or exercises could cause pain and further tissue damage .
To mitigate this perceived risk , some have cut down on or discontinued strenuous physical activities , although these activities are beneficial to physical and mental health , '' she said .
The bottom line ?
`` Health care providers may consider incorporating physical activity counseling as part of the standard care for high-risk individuals at an early stage when physical activity engagement is more attainable , '' Chang said .
The study findings were published May 4 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Academy of Family Physicians has more on arthritis .

People at high risk for knee arthritis don't need to avoid jogging and other types of vigorous exercise, a new study suggests.
Some folks hold back on physical activity because they fear it will increase their chances of developing knee arthritis, so researchers from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago took a closer look.
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"Our study findings convey a reassuring message that adults at high risk for knee arthritis may safely engage in long-term strenuous physical activity at a moderate level to improve their general health and well-being," said study author Alison Chang, associate professor of physical therapy and human movement sciences.
The study included nearly 1,200 people from several U.S. cities, ages 45-79, who were at high risk for knee arthritis but had no evidence of the condition.
Obesity, previous joint injury, surgery, aging and chronic knee symptoms increase the risk of developing arthritis of the knee.
Participants were followed for up to 10 years. Chang and her colleagues found that long-term participation in strenuous physical activities such as jogging, swimming, cycling, singles tennis, aerobic dance and skiing was not associated with risk of developing knee arthritis.
In fact, those who did vigorous exercise had a 30% lower risk of knee arthritis, but that's not considered statistically significant, according to the authors.
Advertisement
Lots of sitting wasn't associated with either an increased or reduced risk of arthritis.
"People suffering from knee injuries or who had arthroscopic surgical repair of ACL or meniscus are often warned that they are well on the path to develop knee arthritis," Chang said in a university news release.
"They may be concerned that participating in vigorous activities or exercises could cause pain and further tissue damage. To mitigate this perceived risk, some have cut down on or discontinued strenuous physical activities, although these activities are beneficial to physical and mental health," she said.
The bottom line? "Health care providers may consider incorporating physical activity counseling as part of the standard care for high-risk individuals at an early stage when physical activity engagement is more attainable," Chang said.
The study findings were published May 4 in the journal JAMA Network Open.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on arthritis.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-14--Famous birthdays for May 14: Rob Gronkowski, Sofia Coppola

May 14 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus .

1/3
Rob Gronkowski attends the 27th annual ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on July 10. The NFL player turns 31 on May 14. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
May 14 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Taurus. They include: Advertisement
-- English portrait painter Thomas Gainsborough in 1727
-- Scottish reformer Robert Owen in 1771
-- Actor Richard Deacon in 1921
-- Opera star Patrice Munsel in 1925
-- Singer Bobby Darin in 1936
-- Hall of Fame baseball player Tony Perez in 1942 (age 78)
-- Filmmaker George Lucas in 1944 (age 76)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis in 1952 (age 68)
-- Musician David Byrne in 1952 (age 68)
-- Irish writer Eoin Colfer in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor Tim Roth in 1961 (age 59)
-- Actor Cate Blanchett in 1969 (age 51)
-- Director Sofia Coppola in 1971 (age 49)
File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
-- Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg in 1984 (age 36)
-- Football player Clay Matthews III in 1986 (age 34)
-- Football player Rob Gronkowski in 1989 (age 31)
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-- Actor Miranda Cosgrove in 1993 (age 28)


upi--2020-05-14--Trump administration overpaid some farmers with trade aid, researchers  say

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, May 14 ( UPI ) -- New university research claims cotton growers ' federal trade bailout payments were 33 times the amount they lost due to the trade war with China .
A study , published this month by researchers at Kansas State University , found that most commodity farmers were overpaid by the Trump administration 's $ 28 billion Market Facilitation Programs .
`` What we tried to do is compare what the price effect of trade war was with the payments that farmers got , '' said Joseph Janzen , an assistant professor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who co-authored the study along with fellow agricultural economics professor Nathan Hendricks .
`` In most cases the payment rate was higher than the price impact , '' Janzen said .
`` And the payments for some of the commodities are pretty huge . ''
Both cotton and sorghum growers received inordinately high payments compared to how their prices were impacted , Janzen said .
Cotton prices dropped an estimated 1.2 percent , according to the study , which was published May 3 in the journal Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growers were paid as if the price had dropped by 40 percent .
That same year , sorghum prices dropped around 6.4 percent , but the payments growers received covered a nearly 47 percent price drop .
Meanwhile , payments to soybean growers were around double their price drop , according to the study .
And corn payments were close to accurate .
Corn prices fell an estimated 2.5 percent due to the trade war , according to the study .
in 2018 , growers received payments equivalent to a 0.3 percent price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equated to a 3.4 percent price drop .
Part of the reason for the discrepancy is the U.S. Department of Agriculture calculated farmers ' losses based in large part on lost trade with China , according to the study .
When it announced the program , the agency said China 's retaliatory tariffs disrupted `` normal marketing patterns , raising costs by forcing commodities to find new markets . ''
While it is true commodities had to find new buyers in different countries , the price drop had the most direct impact on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The USDA methodology is based on a change in quantity ( i.e .
loss in exports ) rather than a change in price , '' according to the study .
`` The damages to farmers would be more accurately assessed as the price decrease caused by retaliatory tariffs multiplied by production-or , even better , the decrease in producer surplus . ''
The National Cotton Council refuted the study , saying cotton growers were underpaid for their trade war losses -- not overpaid .
`` A further look at actual price and trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been overcompensated for the trade damages , '' the group said in a statement .
`` The [ Market Facilitation Program ] assistance has only partially compensated cotton producers for the loss in market revenue . ''
According to the Kansas State University study , the trade war pushed cotton prices down about 1 percent .
Cotton prices ( paid to farmers ) have fallen 20 percent over the last two years , dropping to under 60 cents per pound in May from more than 75 cents per pound in June 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cotton Council is ] saying is absolutely true , '' Kansas State 's Janzen said .
`` Cotton prices have dropped .
But there is all kinds of stuff going on that 's affecting prices . ''
The worldwide coronavirus pandemic , for example , has substantially reduced demand -- and therefore price -- of cotton , he said .
`` For [ 2019 and 2020 ] , the world consumption forecast is reduced ... 12.7 percent below the previous year , '' according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 's World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was released Tuesday .
`` This would be the largest annual decline in world consumption since the 19th century , '' the report said .
The USDA 's trade aid was not intended to help farmers beyond the immediate impact of the trade war , Janzen said .
The agency has established another $ 19 billion aid package aimed at helping farmers through the coronavirus pandemic .
`` What we were trying to do is look at how the Market Facilitation Program payments compared to the effect of the retaliatory tariffs imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Janzen said .
`` I will say , it is difficult to design a single program that fairly distributes that much money across all commodities , '' he said .
`` We understand these payments have been really important to farmers .
[ The USDA ] broadly accomplished their goal .
But , there are significant inequalities across commodities . ''

New research suggests cotton and other commodity growers were overpaid by the Trump administration's aid during the trade war with China. Photo courtesy of Pixabay
EVANSVILLE, Ind., May 14 (UPI) -- New university research claims cotton growers' federal trade bailout payments were 33 times the amount they lost due to the trade war with China. A study, published this month by researchers at Kansas State University, found that most commodity farmers were overpaid by the Trump administration's $28 billion Market Facilitation Programs. Advertisement
"What we tried to do is compare what the price effect of trade war was with the payments that farmers got," said Joseph Janzen, an assistant professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University, who co-authored the study along with fellow agricultural economics professor Nathan Hendricks.
"In most cases, the payment rate was higher than the price impact," Janzen said. "And the payments for some of the commodities are pretty huge."
Cotton and sorghum growers received inordinately high payments compared to how their prices were impacted, Janzen said.
Advertisement
Cotton prices dropped an estimated 1.2 percent, according to the study, which was published May 3 in the journal Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy. But, in 2019, payments to cotton growers were paid as if the price had dropped by 40 percent.
That same year, sorghum prices dropped around 6.4 percent, but the payments growers received covered a nearly 47 percent price drop.
Meanwhile, payments to soybean growers were around double their price drop, according to the study. Corn payments were close to accurate.
Corn prices fell an estimated 2.5 percent due to the trade war, according to the study. In 2018, growers received payments equivalent to a 0.3 percent price drop. In 2019, the payments equated to a 3.4 percent price drop.
Part of the reason for the discrepancy is the U.S. Department of Agriculture calculated farmers' losses based in large part on lost trade with China, according to the study.
When it announced the program, the agency said China's retaliatory tariffs disrupted "normal marketing patterns, raising costs by forcing commodities to find new markets."
While it is true commodities had to find new buyers in different countries, the price drop had the most direct impact on farmers, the researchers said.
Advertisement
"The USDA methodology is based on a change in quantity (i.e. loss in exports) rather than a change in price," according to the study. "The damages to farmers would be more accurately assessed as the price decrease caused by retaliatory tariffs multiplied by production -- or, even better, the decrease in producer surplus."
The National Cotton Council disfuted the study, saying cotton growers were underpaid for their trade war losses -- not overpaid.
"A further look at actual price and trade data confirms that cotton producers have not been overcompensated for the trade damages," the group said in a statement. "The [Market Facilitation Program] assistance has only partially compensated cotton producers for the loss in market revenue."
According to the Kansas State University study, the trade war pushed cotton prices down about 1 percent.
Cotton prices (paid to farmers) have fallen 20 percent over the last two years, dropping to under 60 cents per pound in May from more than 75 cents per pound in June 2018, the group said.
"What [the Cotton Council is] saying is absolutely true," Kansas State's Janzen said. "Cotton prices have dropped. But there is all kinds of stuff going on that's affecting prices."
The worldwide coronavirus pandemic, for example, has substantially reduced demand -- and therefore price -- of cotton, he said.
Advertisement
"For [2019 and 2020], the world consumption forecast is reduced ... 12.7 percent below the previous year," according to the USDA's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, which was released Tuesday.
"This would be the largest annual decline in world consumption since the 19th century," the report said.
The USDA's trade aid was not intended to help farmers beyond the immediate impact of the trade war, Janzen said.
The agency has established another $19 billion aid package aimed at helping farmers through the coronavirus pandemic.
"What we were trying to do is look at how the Market Facilitation Program payments compared to the effect of the retaliatory tariffs imposed by China on commodity prices," Janzen said.
"I will say, it is difficult to design a single program that fairly distributes that much money across all commodities," he said.
"We understand these payments have been really important to farmers. [The USDA] broadly accomplished their goal. But, there are significant inequalities across commodities."


upi--2020-05-14--On This Day, May 14: Million Mom March draws hundreds of thousands

On this date in history : In 1643 , King Louis XIV , who would be known as `` The Sun King , '' became ruler of France at the age of 4 .
In 1796 , Dr. Edward Jenner , a rural England physician , tested his smallpox vaccine .
It was a success .
In 1804 , one year after the United States doubled its territory with the Louisiana Purchase , the Lewis and Clark expedition left St. Louis on a mission to explore the Northwest from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean .
In 1904 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States for the first time -- in St. Louis .
In 1942 , the U.S. Congress established the Women 's Auxiliary Army Corps for World War II duty .
In 1948 , Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel , establishing the first Jewish state in 2,000 years .
In 1973 , the United States launched Skylab , its first manned orbiting laboratory .
Skylab was in orbit until -- long abandoned -- it plunged to Earth July 11 , 1979 , scattering debris over the Indian Ocean and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1988 , a church bus was hit by a pickup truck going the wrong way on a road near Carrollton , Ky .
The collision killed 27 bus passengers , mostly teenagers .
The pickup driver , intoxicated at the time of the crash , served less than 11 years in prison .
In 1992 , Lyle Alzado , NFL lineman-turned-actor/businessman , died of brain cancer , which he had blamed on steroid abuse .
He was 43 .
In 2000 , hundreds of thousands of mothers and other gun-control advocates took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in Washington and several other cities , demanding `` sensible '' gun laws and mourning the loss of children to firearms violence .
In 2008 , the polar bear was chosen for the endangered species list by the U.S. Commerce Department because of shrinkage in its sea-ice habitat blamed on global climate change .
In 2013 , Brazil became the 15th country to legalize same-sex marriage .
In 2019 , San Francisco banned its government from using facial-recognition surveillance , the first city in the nation to ban the technology .

1/5
Marchers in the Million Mom March start out walking down the National Mall with the Washington Monument in the background on May 14, 2000. File Photo by Joel Rennich/UPI | License Photo
On this date in history: In 1643, King Louis XIV, who would be known as "The Sun King," became ruler of France at the age of 4. Advertisement
In 1796, Dr. Edward Jenner, a rural England physician, tested his smallpox vaccine. It was a success.
In 1804, one year after the United States doubled its territory with the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition left St. Louis on a mission to explore the Northwest from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.
In 1904, the Olympic Games were conducted in the United States for the first time -- in St. Louis.
Former Olympic Gold Medalist Jacki Joyner-Kersee and former Olympic speed skater Brendan Eppert unveil an artist's rendition at Washington University in St. Louis on February 5 after it was announced that an Olympic Legacy Committee has been formed that will remember the Summer Olympics that were held at the campus in 1904. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
In 1942, the U.S. Congress established the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps for World War II duty.
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In 1948, Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel, establishing the first Jewish state in 2,000 years.
In 1973, the United States launched Skylab, its first manned orbiting laboratory. Skylab was in orbit until -- long abandoned -- it plunged to Earth July 11, 1979, scattering debris over the Indian Ocean and a remote area of western Australia.
In 1988, a church bus was hit by a pickup truck going the wrong way on a road near Carrollton, Ky. The collision killed 27 bus passengers, mostly teenagers. The pickup driver, intoxicated at the time of the crash, served less than 11 years in prison.
In 1992, Lyle Alzado, NFL lineman-turned-actor/businessman, died of brain cancer, which he had blamed on steroid abuse. He was 43.
In 2000, hundreds of thousands of mothers and other gun-control advocates took part in the "Million Mom March" in Washington and several other cities, demanding "sensible" gun laws and mourning the loss of children to firearms violence.
File Photo by Joel Rennich/UPI
Advertisement
In 2008, the polar bear was chosen for the endangered species list by the U.S. Commerce Department because of shrinkage in its sea-ice habitat blamed on global climate change.
In 2013, Brazil became the 15th country to legalize same-sex marriage.
In 2019, San Francisco banned its government from using facial-recognition surveillance, the first city in the nation to ban the technology.


upi--2020-05-14--Reality TV star, Texas engineer charged with coronavirus relief fraud

May 13 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department has charged two people , including a reality TV personality , for defrauding millions of dollars from the federal government allocated to help small businesses pay workers amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The Paycheck Protection Program -- part of the more than $ 2 trillion coronavirus bailout package President Donald Trump signed into law in late March -- was set up to disperse hundreds of billions of dollars in loans to small businesses to prevent worker furloughs and to pay other expenses as they incur losses due the impacts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said authorities arrested Maurice Fayne of the TV show Love & Hip Hop : Atlanta and Shashank Rai , a Texas engineer , for defrauding the PPP of millions of dollars .
The Department of Justice said in a statement prosecutors have accused Fayne , 37 , of Dacula , Ga. , of using millions of PPP funds to buy jewelry .
According to court documents , Fayne , owner of Georgia corporation Flame Trucking , applied for a PPP loan on April 15 claiming to have a monthly payroll of nearly $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received $ 2.04 million , certifying it would be used to `` retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments , lease payments and utility payments . ''
Fayne allegedly spent more than $ 1.5 million of that money within days of receiving it to purchase $ 85,000 in jewelry , including a Rolex watch , a diamond bracelet and a diamond ring , and to pay $ 40,000 in child support , prosecutors said .
The reality TV star was interviewed last week by federal agents and said he used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover other Flame Trucking business expenses , denying any of it went to personal use .
On Monday , agents executed a search of Fayne 's Dacula residence , and seized about $ 80,000 in cash , the jewelry allegedly purchased with the PPP funds and a 2019 Rolls-Royce Wraith that still had a temporary dealer tag on it , prosecutors said , adding an additional $ 503,000 of PPP funds were also seized from three bank accounts under his name .
`` The defendant allegedly stole money meant to assist hard-hit employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and instead used the money to bankroll his lavish purchases of jewelry and other personal items , '' said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department 's Criminal Division .
Rai , 30 , of Beaumont , was also charged with attempting to defraud the government of more than $ 10 million in forgivable loans by claiming to have 250 employees when no one worked for his business , according to a statement by the Justice Department .
Prosecutors accused Rai of seeking some $ 13 million from the PPP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two different banks .
According to court records , investigators were told by the Texas Workforce Commission that it had no records of employee wages having been paid by Rai or his company , Rai Family LLC , which also reported no revenue for the fourth quarter of 2019 or the first quarter of 2020 .
`` When an individual cheats the Paycheck Protection Program out of money , it deprives hard-working Americans and deserving small businesses , '' said Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month announcing it will investigate potential fraud of the small-business loan program .

May 13 (UPI) -- The Justice Department has charged two people, including a reality TV personality, for defrauding millions of dollars from the federal government allocated to help small businesses pay workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Paycheck Protection Program -- part of the more than $2 trillion coronavirus bailout package President Donald Trump signed into law in late March -- was set up to disperse hundreds of billions of dollars in loans to small businesses to prevent worker furloughs and to pay other expenses as they incur losses due the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
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On Wednesday, prosecutors said authorities arrested Maurice Fayne of the TV show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and Shashank Rai, a Texas engineer, for defrauding the PPP of millions of dollars.
The Department of Justice said in a statement prosecutors have accused Fayne, 37, of Dacula, Ga., of using millions of PPP funds to buy jewelry.
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According to court documents, Fayne, owner of Georgia corporation Flame Trucking, applied for a PPP loan on April 15 claiming to have a monthly payroll of nearly $1.5 million for 107 employees. He received $2.04 million, certifying it would be used to "retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments and utility payments."
Fayne allegedly spent more than $1.5 million of that money within days of receiving it to purchase $85,000 in jewelry, including a Rolex watch, a diamond bracelet and a diamond ring, and to pay $40,000 in child support, prosecutors said.
The reality TV star was interviewed last week by federal agents and said he used the loan to pay employees and to cover other Flame Trucking business expenses, denying any of it went to personal use.
On Monday, agents executed a search of Fayne's Dacula residence, and seized about $80,000 in cash, the jewelry allegedly purchased with the PPP funds and a 2019 Rolls-Royce Wraith that still had a temporary dealer tag on it, prosecutors said, adding an additional $503,000 of PPP funds were also seized from three bank accounts under his name.
"The defendant allegedly stole money meant to assist hard-hit employees and businesses during these difficult times, and instead used the money to bankroll his lavish purchases of jewelry and other personal items," said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.
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Rai, 30, of Beaumont, was also charged with attempting to defraud the government of more than $10 million in forgivable loans by claiming to have 250 employees when no one worked for his business, according to a statement by the Justice Department.
Prosecutors accused Rai of seeking some $13 million from the PPP by filing two claims for relief with two different banks.
According to court records, investigators were told by the Texas Workforce Commission that it had no records of employee wages having been paid by Rai or his company, Rai Family LLC, which also reported no revenue for the fourth quarter of 2019 or the first quarter of 2020.
"When an individual cheats the Paycheck Protection Program out of money, it deprives hard-working Americans and deserving small businesses," said Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The charges follow the Justice Department earlier this month announcing it will investigate potential fraud of the small-business loan program.


upi--2020-05-14--Trials test therapeutic benefits of blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors

Could blood plasma drawn from people who 've recovered from COVID-19 help prevent new coronavirus infections or ease symptoms in those already infected ?
Two groups of researchers aim to find out .
One clinical trial , from doctors at NYU Grossman School of Medicine , Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City , will try to determine whether `` convalescent plasma '' injected into hospitalized COVID-19 patients can protect them from developing severe disease or requiring a ventilator .
Meanwhile , researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new studies looking at the use of plasma in health care workers and those who are sick at home with COVID-19 .
Dr. Corita Grudzen , vice chair for research in NYU Langone Health 's department of emergency medicine , wrote the study protocol for the New York City study .
`` What we hope to see is that convalescent plasma , used at this stage of disease , so early on , prevents patients from dying , from going on a mechanical ventilator , or any sort of bad outcome , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tactic is `` sort of a stopgap measure in the sense that , when you do n't have a vaccine , it 's something that can be used in a new infection where we do n't have known drugs or other therapeutics or biologics that we know can work against the disease , '' Grudzen explained .
COVID-19 survivor Domenico Piccininni , 50 , donated his plasma in late April at Atlanta 's Northside Hospital .
He hopes his antibodies can help kick-start the immune systems of people made very ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , '' he said , laughing .
`` I 've never even donated blood before .
But , we have five kids and if one of them were on the edge , I would hope someone would help .
As nervous as it might make you feel , you have to think about your fellow humankind .
How can you not think about saving a life if you can ? ''
`` Blood plasma is the liquid part of the blood , '' explained Dr. Arturo Casadevall , chair of Hopkins ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead researcher on the two Hopkins studies .
Characterized by its yellowish cast , plasma contains both red and white blood cells , as well as the colorless platelets the body deploys to clot and stem bleeding from wounds or cuts .
`` And that 's [ also ] where the antibodies are , '' Casadevall noted .
`` The antibodies are floating in the liquid . ''
With plasma therapy , he explained , `` you 're taking the antibodies that somebody else made when they recovered and you 're transferring them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new person gets them already made , and can use them right away . ''
Casadevall said the practice of extracting convalescent plasma from survivors of a disease and giving it to patients either as a preventive measure or as a treatment has a `` long history '' in medicine .
`` It 's been used for 120 years , '' he said .
`` The first Nobel Prize was given for it .
This is how [ far ] back it goes . ''
Grudzen also noted convalescent plasma 's long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` It 's not without potential harms . ''
The two main ones are the patient catching an infectious disease , though blood screening helps to lessen that possibility , or a patient 's immune system reacting badly to the injected plasma of another person .
Grudzen noted that , `` especially in older people , it 's a little more risky . ''
And Casadevall cautioned that plasma therapy still needs to be tested on COVID-19 to see if it 'll work against this specific virus , `` simply because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that end , Hopkins is set to start two COVID-19 plasma investigations simultaneously , with funding coming from Bloomberg Philanthropies , the state of Maryland , and Hopkins .
`` The first trial is focused on trying to use plasma on high-risk populations , '' he noted .
That investigation will include health care workers on the frontlines of the pandemic and nursing home residents , with a minimum of 150 participants .
`` The second trial is focused on people who are sick at home , '' Casadevall said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today who are sick are sitting at home hoping to get better .
But we also know that some fraction of them will get worse , '' he added .
`` So the question is , can you intervene at home ?
Can you give them a unit of plasma when they are ill but not yet in respiratory distress , and then prevent them from having to go to the hospital ? ''
he said .
Casadevall acknowledged that his team will not be the first to explore the potential of convalescent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 7,200 COVID-19 patients have already been treated with convalescent plasma in hospitals across the United States .
In the New York City trial , researchers hope to enroll 300 hospitalized patients , aged 18 or older , from seven hospitals .
The trial will focus on patients who are sick enough to be hospitalized , but not so sick they have been moved to the intensive care unit or require a ventilator .
`` We felt strongly we wanted to test it in hospitalized patients , '' Grudzen said .
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better , '' she added .
By contrast , both of the Hopkins studies will be conducted in the community , outside of a hospital setting .
And both will seek to provide hard data to demonstrate that convalescent plasma therapy can really work against COVID-19 .
That means the studies will be randomized , controlled trials , in which some of the patients in each study will get blood plasma with COVID-19 antibodies while others will get regular plasma without antibodies , a placebo .
As to what will constitute success , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals : On the one hand , can convalescent plasma prevent disease , and on the other , did it prevent these individuals from getting worse ?
He expects firm results on both fronts in about two months .
Grudzen noted that while there was n't enough convalescent plasma in the beginning of the pandemic , `` there 's [ now ] plenty of plasma for all the patients that need it . ''
There 's more about the COVID-19 pandemic at Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center .

St. Louis Metropolitan motorcycle Police Officer Dave Tenorio gives the crowd a fist, during a celebration discharge, at St. Luke's Hospital, in Chesterfield, Missouri, on April 24 after treatment for COVID-19. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Could blood plasma drawn from people who've recovered from COVID-19 help prevent new coronavirus infections or ease symptoms in those already infected? Two groups of researchers aim to find out. Advertisement
One clinical trial, from doctors at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, will try to determine whether "convalescent plasma" injected into hospitalized COVID-19 patients can protect them from developing severe disease or requiring a ventilator.
Meanwhile, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore are poised to launch a pair of new studies looking at the use of plasma in health care workers and those who are sick at home with COVID-19.
Dr. Corita Grudzen, vice chair for research in NYU Langone Health's department of emergency medicine, wrote the study protocol for the New York City study.
Advertisement
"What we hope to see is that convalescent plasma, used at this stage of disease, so early on, prevents patients from dying, from going on a mechanical ventilator, or any sort of bad outcome," Grudzen said in a HealthDay Live interview.
The tactic is "sort of a stopgap measure in the sense that, when you don't have a vaccine, it's something that can be used in a new infection where we don't have known drugs or other therapeutics or biologics that we know can work against the disease," Grudzen explained.
COVID-19 survivor Domenico Piccininni, 50, donated his plasma in late April at Atlanta's Northside Hospital. He hopes his antibodies can help kick-start the immune systems of people made very ill by coronavirus.
"My wife volunteered me," he said, laughing. "I've never even donated blood before. But, we have five kids and if one of them were on the edge, I would hope someone would help. As nervous as it might make you feel, you have to think about your fellow humankind. How can you not think about saving a life if you can?"
Long history of plasma treatment
"Blood plasma is the liquid part of the blood," explained Dr. Arturo Casadevall, chair of Hopkins' department of molecular microbiology and immunology and lead researcher on the two Hopkins studies.
Advertisement
Characterized by its yellowish cast, plasma contains both red and white blood cells, as well as the colorless platelets the body deploys to clot and stem bleeding from wounds or cuts.
"And that's [also] where the antibodies are," Casadevall noted. "The antibodies are floating in the liquid."
With plasma therapy, he explained, "you're taking the antibodies that somebody else made when they recovered and you're transferring them to a new person. So, the new person gets them already made, and can use them right away."
Casadevall said the practice of extracting convalescent plasma from survivors of a disease and giving it to patients either as a preventive measure or as a treatment has a "long history" in medicine.
"It's been used for 120 years," he said. "The first Nobel Prize was given for it. This is how [far] back it goes."
Grudzen also noted convalescent plasma's long history in medicine, but added that, "It's not without potential harms."
Not without dangers
The two main ones are the patient catching an infectious disease, though blood screening helps to lessen that possibility, or a patient's immune system reacting badly to the injected plasma of another person. Grudzen noted that, "especially in older people, it's a little more risky."
Advertisement
And Casadevall cautioned that plasma therapy still needs to be tested on COVID-19 to see if it'll work against this specific virus, "simply because it's a new organism."
To that end, Hopkins is set to start two COVID-19 plasma investigations simultaneously, with funding coming from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the state of Maryland, and Hopkins.
"The first trial is focused on trying to use plasma on high-risk populations," he noted. That investigation will include health care workers on the frontlines of the pandemic and nursing home residents, with a minimum of 150 participants.
"The second trial is focused on people who are sick at home," Casadevall said. "We know most people recover. Most people today who are sick are sitting at home hoping to get better. But we also know that some fraction of them will get worse," he added.
"So the question is, can you intervene at home? Can you give them a unit of plasma when they are ill but not yet in respiratory distress, and then prevent them from having to go to the hospital?" he said.
Casadevall acknowledged that his team will not be the first to explore the potential of convalescent plasma. In fact, he noted that 7,200 COVID-19 patients have already been treated with convalescent plasma in hospitals across the United States.
Advertisement
Researchers target different groups
In the New York City trial, researchers hope to enroll 300 hospitalized patients, aged 18 or older, from seven hospitals. The trial will focus on patients who are sick enough to be hospitalized, but not so sick they have been moved to the intensive care unit or require a ventilator.
"We felt strongly we wanted to test it in hospitalized patients," Grudzen said. But, "we know the earlier, the better," she added.
By contrast, both of the Hopkins studies will be conducted in the community, outside of a hospital setting. And both will seek to provide hard data to demonstrate that convalescent plasma therapy can really work against COVID-19.
That means the studies will be randomized, controlled trials, in which some of the patients in each study will get blood plasma with COVID-19 antibodies while others will get regular plasma without antibodies, a placebo.
As to what will constitute success, Casadevall said the trials have relatively straightforward goals: On the one hand, can convalescent plasma prevent disease, and on the other, did it prevent these individuals from getting worse? He expects firm results on both fronts in about two months.
Grudzen noted that while there wasn't enough convalescent plasma in the beginning of the pandemic, "there's [now] plenty of plasma for all the patients that need it."
Advertisement
More information
There's more about the COVID-19 pandemic at Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-05-13--Court appoints retired judge to argue Justice Department's bid to drop Flynn case

May 13 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge presiding over the case of former national security adviser Michael Flynn appointed a retired judge on Wednesday to argue against the Justice Department 's request for the case to be dropped .
U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan named former judge John Gleeson to `` present arguments in opposition to the government 's Motion to Dismiss , '' the order read .
Gleeson , best known as the lead prosecutor in the conviction of John Gotti of the Gambino organized crime family , retired as a judge to join the Debevoise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the company 's website .
Gleeson was one of three legal professionals who penned an op-ed in The Washington Post on Tuesday explaining that the Justice Department 's request is just that and does n't equal an immediate dismissal .
The order came a day after Sullivan delayed ruling on the Justice Department 's request to allow time for third parties to weigh in on the case -- an unusual move that attracted the criticism of Flynn 's defense .
Flynn , a former President Donald Trump advisor , pleaded guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents during a probe into Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election .
He then retracted his plea after his sentence recommendation was increased from probation to six months ' jail time in January .
Last week , the Justice Department filed for the case to be dismissed , which prompted nearly 2,000 former Department of Justice prosecutors and members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to publish an open letter calling for Attorney General William Barr 's resignation over the move for the case to be dropped .

The judge overseeing the case of former national security advisor Michael Flynn has appointed a retired judge who successfully prosecuted organized crime boss John Gotti to argue against the Justice Department's ask for the case to be dropped. Pool photo by Andrew Harrer/UPI | License Photo
May 13 (UPI) -- A federal judge presiding over the case of former national security adviser Michael Flynn appointed a retired judge on Wednesday to argue against the Justice Department's request for the case to be dropped. U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan named former judge John Gleeson to "present arguments in opposition to the government's Motion to Dismiss," the order read. Advertisement
Gleeson, best known as the lead prosecutor in the conviction of John Gotti of the Gambino organized crime family, retired as a judge to join the Debevoise & Plimpton law firm in 2016, according to the company's website.
Gleeson was one of three legal professionals who penned an op-ed in The Washington Post on Tuesday explaining that the Justice Department's request is just that and doesn't equal an immediate dismissal.
The order came a day after Sullivan delayed ruling on the Justice Department's request to allow time for third parties to weigh in on the case -- an unusual move that attracted the criticism of Flynn's defense.
Flynn, a former President Donald Trump advisor, pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to federal agents during a probe into Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election. He then retracted his plea after his sentence recommendation was increased from probation to six months' jail time in January.
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Last week, the Justice Department filed for the case to be dismissed, which prompted nearly 2,000 former Department of Justice prosecutors and members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to publish an open letter calling for Attorney General William Barr's resignation over the move for the case to be dropped.