buzzfeednews--2020-04-07--The Family Of A Beloved School Coach Said Goodbye Through A Pane Of Glass As He Died Of The Coronavi

The Family Of A Beloved School Coach Said Goodbye Through A Pane Of Glass As He Died Of The Coronavirus

`` I genuinely believe I would not be who I am today without the model of leadership and integrity he showed me . ''
The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
Family , friends , and students are mourning a passionate and spirited athletics coach in Georgia who family members said died last month as a result of the coronavirus .
Ron Hill , 63 , was a coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , Georgia , where he mentored boys and girls in various team sports , including track and field , football , and basketball .
`` Ron Hill was a long-time , beloved teacher and coach at The Mount Vernon School .
His passing is an incredible loss for our community , impacting so many of us , '' Anne Katz , the chief community development officer of the school , told BuzzFeed News in a statement .
`` Our thoughts and prayers go out to this grieving family as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
According to family members who spoke to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , Hill died on March 24 of complications due to COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
Hill , who suffered from a number of conditions including asthma , first started feeling sick at the beginning of March , a friend told AJC , adding that Hill visited an urgent care clinic where he was advised he may have pneumonia and that he should see a doctor .
A few days later , on March 14 , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that he could not breathe .
He was hospitalized and later moved to the intensive care unit .
According to his oldest child , Kyndria Hill , Hill texted his sister saying he felt scared .
“ I ’ m going to fight but my body ’ s tired , '' Kyndria Hill told AJC he wrote in the text message .
His daughter said that the family was n't able to see Hill in person while he was in the hospital .
Due to medical protocols , they could only see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He wasn ’ t even aware we were there , '' Kyndria Hill 41 , said .
`` If you don ’ t need to be out , don ’ t go out , ” she urged people .
`` There are people alone in the hospital and their family can ’ t get to them .
People need to think about that . ''
Over the past few weeks , the community around coach Hill and the Mount Vernon School have come together to mourn his death .
Social media posts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , students , and faculty have posted tributes on Facebook with the hashtag # SaluteCoachHill to remember him as a playful and passionate man , whether he was coaching or not .
`` He would fight tigers for you all ... he believed in you ... he loved you all deeply , '' Courtney Thornton wrote on Facebook .
Others , like Mount Vernon alum Britt Whistine , who said she had been mentored by Hill , shared a slideshow of their goofy memories together .
`` I 'm grateful for the care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial times in my life .
I genuinely believe I would not be who I am today without the model of leadership and integrity he showed me , '' she wrote .

Family, friends, and students are mourning a passionate and spirited athletics coach in Georgia who family members said died last month as a result of the coronavirus.
Ron Hill, 63, was a coach at the Mount Vernon School in Fulton County, Georgia, where he mentored boys and girls in various team sports, including track and field, football, and basketball.
"Ron Hill was a long-time, beloved teacher and coach at The Mount Vernon School. His passing is an incredible loss for our community, impacting so many of us," Anne Katz, the chief community development officer of the school, told BuzzFeed News in a statement.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to this grieving family as well as the entire Mount Vernon community mourning this loss."
According to family members who spoke to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hill died on March 24 of complications due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Hill, who suffered from a number of conditions including asthma, first started feeling sick at the beginning of March, a friend told AJC, adding that Hill visited an urgent care clinic where he was advised he may have pneumonia and that he should see a doctor.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-06--A New York Man “Who Worked Hard, Played Hard, And Loved Deeply” Died Of The Coronavirus

“ Instead of gathering around him and each other we are mourning via texts and video and putting our faith in the brave nurses and doctors caring for him that he was not alone.
” Family members are mourning Donald John Pijanowski , a lifelong sports fan who coached some of his sons in Little League and who never missed their games , died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
He was 87 .
Pijanowski , who was from Buffalo , New York , tested positive for the coronavirus when he went into the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few days later on April 1 .
His son said the family was not able to see their father in the last days of his life because doctors did not allow visits .
Pijanowski ’ s son John said his father loved sports and was a huge fan of the Bills , the Yankees , and the UConn women ’ s basketball team .
He had four sons and loved to play baseball and basketball and go bowling .
“ You know , growing up , I heard so many stories about him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of at the end of his playing days , ” John said .
“ One of his friends I reached out to , he told me that there was n't a ball or stick put in his hands that he wasn ’ t instantly great at.
” Despite being a huge Yankees fan , John said his father was never able to attend a game until 2008 , when his kids surprised him with a trip to Yankee Stadium for Father ’ s Day the year after their mom died .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John said in a text message following a phone interview with BuzzFeed News .
“ A-Rod hit a homer , Jeter got a hit and made a jump throw from deep in the hole and Mo came on in the 9th .
It was glorious.
” Pijanowski never missed his sons ’ sports games growing up , which , John said , was amazing given how his father often had to travel for work .
“ When I was playing he always found a way to get a plane or drive an all-nighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never missed one game , ” he said .
“ He coached my brothers in Little League and all that , you name it .
I mean he just gravitated towards it and just loved talking about hitting or second-guessing coaches.
” Pijanowski had to quit school early to help his family and worked many jobs growing up , but his career was working on industrial turbo compressors , his son said .
The family moved to Texas at one point for Pijanowkski ’ s job , but he ultimately retired in Buffalo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who wanted to be back home , ” John said .
John said he and his father talked about the coronavirus before his father ’ s death last week .
“ We talked about , you know , how serious it was .
We talked about how we wish that other people who were n't taking it seriously would get their act together and start taking it seriously , ” John said .
“ He 's a sports guy , right ?
So we talked about how , you know , when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's important to follow the money … [ and ] when billionaire sports owners walk away from a billion-dollar industry because they think this is too dangerous , then everybody should know that it 's really , really dangerous.
” John shared a series of tweets last week about his father that went viral .
“ Instead of gathering around him and each other we are mourning via texts and video and putting our faith in the brave nurses and doctors caring for him that he was not alone , ” he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children born during the Great Depression the stories of his childhood always seemed harsh , but he never told them that way .
Stories of his youth were always told with a warm sense of nostalgia and a twinkle in his eye.
” When he was younger , John said on Twitter , his father would often point out a house he ’ d painted years before and talked about how his supervisor told him only to paint the parts people could see from the street .
“ ‘ I could never do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” John tweeted .
“ My dad was a great man because he left the world a better place for having been in it .
He was an infinitely kind man with a sharp sense of humor who worked hard , played hard , and loved deeply .
I will miss him every day of my life and be grateful I had the privilege to be his son .
”

Family members are mourning Donald John Pijanowski, a lifelong sports fan who coached some of his sons in Little League and who never missed their games, died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. He was 87.
Pijanowski, who was from Buffalo, New York, tested positive for the coronavirus when he went into the hospital on March 29. He died a few days later on April 1. His son said the family was not able to see their father in the last days of his life because doctors did not allow visits.
Pijanowski’s son John said his father loved sports and was a huge fan of the Bills, the Yankees, and the UConn women’s basketball team. He had four sons and loved to play baseball and basketball and go bowling.
“You know, growing up, I heard so many stories about him. I got to watch him sort of at the end of his playing days,” John said. “One of his friends I reached out to, he told me that there wasn't a ball or stick put in his hands that he wasn’t instantly great at.”


buzzfeednews--2020-04-10--One Was A Cowboy, The Other A Store Owner. Both Were Elected To Office. Both Died Of The Coronavirus

One Was A Cowboy, The Other A Store Owner. Both Were Elected To Office. Both Died Of The Coronavirus.

South Dakota State Rep. Bob Glanzer and Jersey City Council Member Michael Yun both died from complications caused by the coronavirus .
South Dakota State Rep. Bob Glanzer died April 3 after being diagnosed with the coronavirus .
He was 74 .
His son , Thomas Glanzer , announced on March 23 that the lawmaker was in the intensive care unit at Hunter Regional Medical Center after contracting COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
He was later transferred to Avera McKennan hospital in Sioux Falls after he stopped responding to treatment .
Local government officials requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day of his funeral , which has yet to be set .
“ I ’ ve had several people tell me he ’ s the only legend they ’ d really ever met , ” Thomas Glanzer told BuzzFeed News .
“ He was an anchor in the community , was an anchor in his church and obviously was a person many , many people have been impacted by — in his life and also in his death.
” Glanzer served two terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Glanzer said his father was inspired to go into politics because of his love for the state and serving people .
The governor of South Dakota released a statement upon hearing of Glanzer ’ s death .
“ Bob was a man of true integrity and someone I greatly respected .
He epitomized what it means to be a true statesman and worked tirelessly for the people of Beadle and Kingsbury counties as well as for our entire state , ” Gov .
Kristi Noem said .
“ Bryon and I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our deepest sympathies to Penny and his entire family . ''
The South Dakota native was born in Huron .
He leaves behind his wife Penny of 52 years , Thomas his son , Sally his daughter and five grandchildren .
In his younger years , he did some rodeo , according to his son .
As a retiree , he became active in the horse-drawn wagon community .
He restored a hand-built wagon from the 1800s and took it and a team of horses across South Dakota with a group of friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glanzer told BuzzFeed News .
“ There was nothing he wouldn ’ t try but he was a cowboy .
He really was.
” New Jersey is mourning Council Member Michael Yun after he died as a result of the coronavirus , his chief of staff told BuzzFeed News .
He was 65 .
Yun and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , on March 29 .
About a week later , on April 6 , Yun died .
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same day Yun died .
“ It ’ s w/a heavy heart that we share that Councilman Yun has passed away , ” Fulop said .
“ He was a great coworker and a tireless advocate for the people of # New Jersey….
” Yun was first elected to the City Council in 2013 , at which time he became the first Korean American to be elected to office in Jersey City .
Before that , he served his community by participating in several community-based organizations , including neighborhood policing initiatives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yun ’ s chief of staff since 2017 , characterized him as a determined worker who , through his own dedication , inspired his staff to “ work harder ” for the people of Jersey City .
“ It is a jewel of my life to have had the opportunity to stand by his side , ” Richardson told BuzzFeed News while choking back tears .
Yun was born in South Korea and moved to New Jersey after first living in Brooklyn , New York .
He owned and operated the Garden State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years before closing it in 2015 to focus on his position as a local official .
He leaves behind his wife , Jennifer , two sons , and three grandchildren .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy , who is desperately working to combat the disease that has plagued certain areas of his state , acknowledged Yun ’ s death in a tweet on the evening of his death .
“ He was a respected leader and a good man , ” Murphy wrote .
“ A terrific husband , father , @ @ @ @

Bob Glanzer
South Dakota State Rep. Bob Glanzer died April 3 after being diagnosed with the coronavirus. He was 74.
His son, Thomas Glanzer, announced on March 23 that the lawmaker was in the intensive care unit at Hunter Regional Medical Center after contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. He was later transferred to Avera McKennan hospital in Sioux Falls after he stopped responding to treatment.
Local government officials requested that flags be flown at half-staff on the day of his funeral, which has yet to be set.
“I’ve had several people tell me he’s the only legend they’d really ever met,” Thomas Glanzer told BuzzFeed News. “He was an anchor in the community, was an anchor in his church and obviously was a person many, many people have been impacted by — in his life and also in his death.”
Glanzer served two terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives after a long career in the banking industry. Thomas Glanzer said his father was inspired to go into politics because of his love for the state and serving people. The governor of South Dakota released a statement upon hearing of Glanzer’s death.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-12--Tom Hanks Hosted “SNL” From Home And Joked He’s “More Like America’s Dad Than Ever” Since His Corona

Tom Hanks Hosted “SNL” From Home And Joked He’s “More Like America’s Dad Than Ever” Since His Coronavirus Diagnosis

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
“ It ’ s good to be here , though it ’ s also very weird to be here , hosting Saturday Night Live from home , ” said Hanks from the comfort of his kitchen/living room .
Hanks was one of the first celebrities to test positive for COVID-19 , and he documented his quarantine and recovery for fans .
Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since it suspended production in mid-March because of the coronavirus outbreak in New York City , featuring cast members performing sketches from home and hosted by none other than Tom Hanks .
Hanks contracted the coronavirus while filming an untitled Baz Luhrman project about Elvis Presley in Australia .
In Instagram posts as he recovered with his wife , Rita Wilson , in isolation , he often urged people to do their part in doing their part to stop the spread of the virus .
“ I have been the celebrity canary in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever since being diagnosed , I have been more like America ’ s dad than ever before since no one wants to be around me anymore and I make people uncomfortable , ” he said .
On Saturday , he provided an update on how he and Wilson were doing .
“ Now my wife and I , we ’ re doing great .
We ’ re doing fine .
We ’ re hunkered down like all of us should be .
In fact , this suit is the first time I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweatpants since March 11 .
My wife had to help me put it on because I forgot how buttons work , ” he said .
“ There are these little disks that slide into these slots.
” In his opening monologue , the actor balanced making light of the situation and acknowledging its seriousness .
“ It is a strange time to try and be funny , but trying to be funny is SNL ’ s whole thing , ” he said .
“ Now I was diagnosed back in March with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks in Australia are great in every way , but they use Celsius instead of Fahrenheit when they take your temperature .
So when they come in and say ‘ you ’ re 36 !
’ which seemed bad to me , but 36 is fine .
Thirty-eight is bad — so basically it ’ s how Hollywood treats female actors , ” he said .
He also weighed in on how life has changed across the world due to stay-at-home orders .
“ Also , there ’ s no such thing as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , every day is today .
And we ’ re not really live , but we are doing everything we can to make this the SNL you really love .
I am even using cue cards , see ?
” And in typical Hanksian fashion , he also gave some encouraging words .
“ We ’ re in this for the duration , and we will get through this together .
We are going to thank our hospital workers , our first responders , and all our helpers .
The supermarket stockers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The people who are making the takeout for us .
The men and women who are keeping this country running at a time when we need them more than ever before , ” he said .
“ We ’ re going to take care of them and we ’ re going to take care of each other , so let ’ s try to now just enjoy the show.
” You can watch the entire monologue here .

On Saturday, he provided an update on how he and Wilson were doing.
“Now my wife and I, we’re doing great. We’re doing fine. We’re hunkered down like all of us should be. In fact, this suit is the first time I’ve worn anything that’s not sweatpants since March 11. My wife had to help me put it on because I forgot how buttons work,” he said. “There are these little disks that slide into these slots.”
In his opening monologue, the actor balanced making light of the situation and acknowledging its seriousness.
“It is a strange time to try and be funny, but trying to be funny is SNL’s whole thing,” he said.
“Now I was diagnosed back in March with the coronavirus down in Australia. Now the folks in Australia are great in every way, but they use Celsius instead of Fahrenheit when they take your temperature. So when they come in and say ‘you’re 36!’ which seemed bad to me, but 36 is fine. Thirty-eight is bad — so basically it’s how Hollywood treats female actors,” he said.
He also weighed in on how life has changed across the world due to stay-at-home orders.
“Also, there’s no such thing as Saturdays anymore. It’s just, every day is today. And we’re not really live, but we are doing everything we can to make this the SNL you really love. I am even using cue cards, see?”
And in typical Hanksian fashion, he also gave some encouraging words.
“We’re in this for the duration, and we will get through this together. We are going to thank our hospital workers, our first responders, and all our helpers. The supermarket stockers. The people who deliver our food. The people who are making the takeout for us. The men and women who are keeping this country running at a time when we need them more than ever before,” he said. “We’re going to take care of them and we’re going to take care of each other, so let’s try to now just enjoy the show.”
You can watch the entire monologue here.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-18--Here’s A Timeline Of How A Bill Gates Reddit AMA Turned Into A Coronavirus Vaccine Conspiracy

In less than a month , the baseless claim went from an obscure biohacking blog to the New York Post and RT .
On March 18 , at 1 p.m .
ET , Bill Gates logged on to Reddit for an AMA — an interview in which people asked the billionaire cofounder of Microsoft their burning questions .
Gates makes fairly frequent Reddit appearances , but this one was notable because most of the questions centered around the coronavirus and one of his philanthropic causes , global health .
Gates was asked about how businesses would change because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply chain issues and the need for basic necessities , like water and electricity .
“ Countries are still figuring out what to keep running , ” he wrote .
“ Eventually we will have some digital certificates to show who has recovered or been tested recently or when we have a vaccine who has received it.
” His answer inadvertently kicked off an online frenzy .
Gates has long been a target of conspiracy theorists , including those who falsely paint him as responsible for the global pandemic .
It also fed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have gained traction online and contributed to outbreaks of measles and deaths of children .
One of the first articles to pick up on Gates ’ s response was on a website on biohacking , Biohackinfo , which has only a few thousand followers on Twitter and Instagram .
The day after the AMA , the site published a post titled “ Bill Gates will use microchip implants to fight coronavirus.
” Gates did not mention microchips at any point during his Reddit conversation .
Nevertheless , the article falsely claimed he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Gates Foundation on quantum tattoos — invisible ink that could last five years and be read with a smartphone .
“ These markings were developed to provide a vaccination record and there is no ability to track anyone ’ s movements , ” one of the study ’ s authors told PolitiFact , which debunked the claim .
“ This technology is only able to provide very limited ( e.g .
non-personalized ) data locally .
These markings require direct line-of-sight imaging from a distance of less than one foot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible for a variety of technical reasons.
” The conspiracy theory 's biggest boost came from a March 21 YouTube video on the Law of Liberty channel , which has 27,000 subscribers .
The video , which has been viewed nearly 2 million times , cited the Biohackinfo article and compared quantum tattoos to what it called the “ Mark of Satan , ” while implying that Gates was the Antichrist .
The conspiracy picked up more attention on April 13 , when former Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone speculated on the Answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based in Hackensack , New Jersey , that Gates had created both the coronavirus and a vaccine with a microchip in it to track the global population .
“ Roger Stone : Bill Gates may have created coronavirus to microchip people , ” read a headline from the New York Post from the same day .
The Post made no attempt to challenge Stone ’ s false statements , and the article is now the second-most popular piece of content on Facebook about Gates and microchips , behind the Law of Liberty YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Stone ’ s comments , too .
State-funded website RT translated Stone ’ s comments into its Spanish edition , citing the New York Post report .
Like the Post , RT didn ’ t provide correct information to counteract Stone ’ s speculation , although it did say that Gates had dismissed the theory in an interview with CCTV .
The story has received over 100,000 Facebook likes , shares , and comments .
Dr. Georges Benjamin , the executive director of the American Public Health Association , told BuzzFeed News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microchip small enough to be injected in a vaccine .
“ The whole idea of immunization certificates really is not the idea of a nanoparticle , ” Dr. Benjamin said .
He said there are valid human rights concerns about cellphone-based or ID-card vaccine tracking , adding that testing and vaccinating were the most surefire way of protecting people from the coronavirus .
Dr. Benjamin also stressed that while there are ongoing efforts to find a vaccine for the coronavirus , it could be anywhere from a year to 18 months before it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , once discovered .
He said that risks with anti-vaccination disinformation “ are enormous.
” “ Vaccines are safe and effective , ” he said .
“ That vaccine — once produced and proven to be safe and effective — is going to be a lifesaver .
It 's absolutely a major part of our ability to go back out , leave our homes , go back to work , and go to big sports events.
” Nevertheless , the conspiracy has continued to spread , with the initial story receiving nearly 60,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to data from social media tracking tool BuzzSumo .
One reason the hoax may have spread so widely is that it tied into existing paranoia about Gates and his philanthropic foundation .
Gates has long been accused of wanting to control the global population and other outlandish goals , including that he is the Antichrist Theologian Paul Decock , an expert on the final book of the Bible who teaches at St. Joseph 's Theological Institute in Cedara , South Africa , told BuzzFeed News that interpretation was inaccurate .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who follow Satan were said to receive marks or seals , he said , but “ those who are faithful to God are also sealed [ as ] a sign of protection.
” He added that identifying Gates as the Antichrist was wrong .
“ Almost anyone in history who stands out in one way or another has been identified as the Beast , ” Decock said .
“ In the Book of Revelation , we can not find a simple answer to our particular case of Bill Gates , as if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have to discern whether Bill Gates [ is ] in the service of God or the service of the Devil .
Therefore , it requires reflection , reasoning , discernment .
In any case , for me , Bill Gates appears clearly to be on the side of God.
” Despite its scientific and exegetical inaccuracies , the Law of Liberty YouTube post has 1.3 million Facebook likes , comments , and shares , primarily from Facebook groups , according to data from social media research tool CrowdTangle .
Many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US President Donald Trump , promote conspiracy theories , and oppose vaccination .
“ We have clear policies against COVID misinformation and we quickly remove videos violating these policies when flagged to us , ” a YouTube spokesperson told BuzzFeedNews .
“ For borderline content , such as [ this ] video , we reduce recommendations.
” According to the nonprofit disinformation tracking organization First Draft , false allegations that Gates wanted to implant microchips through coronavirus vaccines have spread not only in North America , but worldwide .
First Draft has found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
Misinformation has also spread across WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages in Africa , with one post from a Congo-based page garnering over 8,000 shares .
“ Conspiracy theories are harmful to people ’ s confidence in vaccines , ” Dr. Benjamin said , adding , “ This will not be the end of conspiracy theories around vaccines .
”

On March 18, at 1 p.m. ET, Bill Gates logged on to Reddit for an AMA — an interview in which people asked the billionaire cofounder of Microsoft their burning questions. Gates makes fairly frequent Reddit appearances, but this one was notable because most of the questions centered around the coronavirus and one of his philanthropic causes, global health.
Gates was asked about how businesses would change because of the virus. He responded by talking about supply chain issues and the need for basic necessities, like water and electricity.
“Countries are still figuring out what to keep running,” he wrote. “Eventually we will have some digital certificates to show who has recovered or been tested recently or when we have a vaccine who has received it.”
His answer inadvertently kicked off an online frenzy. Gates has long been a target of conspiracy theorists, including those who falsely paint him as responsible for the global pandemic. It also fed into false anti-vaccination conspiracies theories, which have gained traction online and contributed to outbreaks of measles and deaths of children.
One of the first articles to pick up on Gates’s response was on a website on biohacking, Biohackinfo, which has only a few thousand followers on Twitter and Instagram. The day after the AMA, the site published a post titled “Bill Gates will use microchip implants to fight coronavirus.”


buzzfeednews--2020-04-18--Florida's Governor Allowed Beaches To Reopen As Coronavirus Cases In The State Surpassed 25,000

More than 25,270 people in Florida have tested positive for the virus so far .
As lawmakers across the country discuss lifting restrictions over the coronavirus , Florida beaches began to reopen on Friday , even while the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state surpassed 25,000 .
Gov .
Ron DeSantis announced that beaches were permitted to reopen Friday afternoon if they could do so safely ; by early evening , some beaches in north Florida had removed police barriers , allowing residents to stroll and surf .
Social distancing orders remain in place , and Jacksonville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen , operated on restricted hours from 6–11 a.m. and 5–8 p.m. Officials said that activities should be limited to exercise and pet care ; sunbathing and lounging were still prohibited .
`` No chairs , coolers , sunbathing , or towels/blankets laid out to sit on , '' read a tweet from the city of Jacksonville 's official account .
Florida 's response to the coronavirus pandemic has been haphazard , and DeSantis has faced criticism for failing to act swiftly to address the crisis .
The state only instituted stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made exceptions to the rule for activities like pro wrestling , which he declared an `` essential business . ''
DeSantis initially declined to close beaches at all , arguing that the state should have a `` tailored '' approach .
Many beaches remained open and crowded with spring breakers early on , and the New York Times reported that people returning from Florida had spread the virus in other states .
The decision to reopen some beaches came on the same day that Florida saw 1,400 new cases of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of new infections since the crisis began — according to the Tampa Bay Times .
Florida surpassed 25,270 total cases of the virus as of Saturday morning , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
In the state , 741 people have died from the virus , and 162 of those deaths came from long-term care facilities .
COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , has ravaged nursing homes around the country .
As the threat of lawsuits looms , assisted living facilities in Florida have asked DeSantis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a request that BuzzFeed News reported the governor is taking into consideration .
On Friday evening , despite the limitations on activities , photos showed large crowds gathering at the beach , many of them not wearing protective gear .
While some locals have eagerly returned to the beaches , the decision to reopen public spaces has also caused alarm .
One Jacksonville resident told a local news outlet that the decision to reopen scared her .

As lawmakers across the country discuss lifting restrictions over the coronavirus, Florida beaches began to reopen on Friday, even while the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state surpassed 25,000.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that beaches were permitted to reopen Friday afternoon if they could do so safely; by early evening, some beaches in north Florida had removed police barriers, allowing residents to stroll and surf.
Social distancing orders remain in place, and Jacksonville beaches, which were among the first to reopen, operated on restricted hours from 6–11 a.m. and 5–8 p.m. Officials said that activities should be limited to exercise and pet care; sunbathing and lounging were still prohibited.
"No chairs, coolers, sunbathing, or towels/blankets laid out to sit on," read a tweet from the city of Jacksonville's official account.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-18--A Doctor Was Charged With Fraud For Allegedly Selling Drugs He Claimed Were A Coronavirus "Miracle C

A Doctor Was Charged With Fraud For Allegedly Selling Drugs He Claimed Were A Coronavirus "Miracle Cure"

Trump has repeatedly touted the use of these drugs as a treatment for the coronavirus , but scientists have not yet determined just how effective they are .
Studies on the effectiveness of these drugs have had mixed results , and health and drug agencies , including the FDA , have urged caution and said that further tests regarding use of the drugs to treat COVID-19 are needed .
Autoimmune drugs like hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine , both developed for use against malaria , are used in various capacities as COVID-19 treatments .
Hydroxychloroquine , which is also taken by patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been used in combination with azithromycin , an antibiotic known by the brand name Zithromax Z-Pak , to treat people with the coronavirus .
FBI agents began investigating Staley after receiving a tip that Skinny Beach sent emails advertising “ COVID-19 treatment packs ” in late March .
The treatments were described as a “ concierge medicine experience ” priced at $ 3,995 for a family of four , and included the medications hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin , and “ anti-anxiety treatments to help you avoid panic if needed and help you sleep.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physician , was charged Thursday with mail fraud in connection with the sale of what he described as a “ 100 % ” cure for COVID-19 , the US Attorney ’ s Office for the Southern District of California said in a statement .
Staley , who operates the Skinny Beach Med Spa , a beauty spa in San Diego , allegedly claimed that the treatment would make customers immune to the virus for at least six weeks .
A California doctor has been charged with fraud for allegedly selling a `` 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs touted by President Donald Trump as an effective treatment for the disease caused by the coronavirus .
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN , taken together , have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine .
The FDA has moved mountains - Thank You !
Hopefully they will BOTH ( H works better with A , International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents ) ... .. Staley claimed that his broker was smuggling hydroxychloroquine from China in order to make his own pills , the US Attorney 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shipment from customs authorities by describing it as sweet potato extract .
Shipping records showed that Staley was in fact importing a shipment of “ yam extract '' to the US .
Following Trump 's comments , health care provider Kaiser Permanente confirmed that it was no longer filling routine prescriptions for chloroquine due to a potential shortage of the drug , leaving patients with autoimmune conditions desperate to find the medication .
In conversations with an undercover FBI agent posing as a customer looking to buy six treatment packs for his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment pack as “ an amazing cure ” and a “ miracle cure ” that would cure COVID-19 “ 100 % .
” Staley claimed that if a person were to take the medication without having the disease , “ you ’ re immune for at least 6 weeks.
” According to the US Attorney 's Office , he referred to medication as a “ magic bullet.
” “ It ’ s preventative and curative , '' he said .
`` It ’ s hard to believe , it ’ s almost too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a remarkable clinical phenomenon.
” '' If I 'm hearing you right , if I buy these kits from you , then that 's going to pretty much guarantee that neither my kids , my dad , my wife , any of us get sick , and if we are , it 's going to cure us right ? ''
Staley was asked by the undercover agent during their phone call , according to the criminal complaint reviewed by BuzzFeed News .
Later in the call , when the agent repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded that `` a little red flag goes off when I hear the word guarantee ...
There are no guarantees in life . ''
When interviewed by FBI agents later on , Staley denied that Skinny Beach had informed patients the treatments were a `` 100 % '' effective cure for COVID-19 .
“ No , that would be foolish .
We would never say anything like that , ” Staley said , adding that it was “ not definitive ” that the medication he offered cured COVID-19 .
Staley allegedly planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , covid19medkits.com , whose homepage read `` protect yourself with hydroxychloroquine and Z-Pack , available by online prescription , shipped to your door , '' according to the criminal complaint .
“ We will not tolerate COVID-19 fraudsters who try to profit and take advantage of the pandemic fear to cheat , steal and harm others , ” said US Attorney Robert Brewer , Jr. “ Rest assured : those who engage in this despicable conduct will find themselves in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors.
” Staley 's attorney , Patrick Griffin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of , and said in a statement sent to BuzzFeed News that it was an `` inherent inconsistency '' for Staley to be prosecuted for promoting the same medications championed by Trump .
`` The same executive branch that has been touting these two medications for weeks has now turned around and criminally charged an [ Iraq ] veteran , Dr. Staley , no criminal record , for doing exactly the same thing that this administration 's been doing this whole time , '' Griffin said .
`` There 's a need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of different people and organizations that are following the lead of our chief executive . ''
Griffin said the government should be focusing on regulation , rather than prosecuting doctors like Staley , who faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty .
`` Does anyone think that if the president did n't start pushing this that we 'd be having this conversation or that this would be in the public space ?
Of course not , '' Griffin said .
`` It 's not a scam .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney 's Office of the Southern District of California did not respond to calls Saturday .
Assistant US Attorney Robert Huie told the New York Times that the case is not about the drugs Staley was allegedly selling .
“ It ’ s not about whether drugs are good or bad .
It ’ s about him telling patients , telling would-be customers , in an effort to sell his services , that what he ’ s offering is a 100 % cure and it confers temporary immunity , '' Huie said .

In conversations with an undercover FBI agent posing as a customer looking to buy six treatment packs for his family, Staley described the medication in his treatment pack as “an amazing cure” and a “miracle cure” that would cure COVID-19 “100%.” Staley claimed that if a person were to take the medication without having the disease, “you’re immune for at least 6 weeks.”
According to the US Attorney's Office, he referred to medication as a “magic bullet.”
“It’s preventative and curative," he said. "It’s hard to believe, it’s almost too good to be true. But it’s a remarkable clinical phenomenon.”
"If I'm hearing you right, if I buy these kits from you, then that's going to pretty much guarantee that neither my kids, my dad, my wife, any of us get sick, and if we are, it's going to cure us right?" Staley was asked by the undercover agent during their phone call, according to the criminal complaint reviewed by BuzzFeed News.
"Guaranteed," the doctor allegedly responded.
Later in the call, when the agent repeated the phrase "guarantee," Staley responded that "a little red flag goes off when I hear the word guarantee...There are no guarantees in life."
When interviewed by FBI agents later on, Staley denied that Skinny Beach had informed patients the treatments were a "100%" effective cure for COVID-19.
“No, that would be foolish. We would never say anything like that,” Staley said, adding that it was “not definitive” that the medication he offered cured COVID-19.
Staley allegedly planned to sell the kits through a new website, covid19medkits.com, whose homepage read "protect yourself with hydroxychloroquine and Z-Pack, available by online prescription, shipped to your door," according to the criminal complaint.
“We will not tolerate COVID-19 fraudsters who try to profit and take advantage of the pandemic fear to cheat, steal and harm others,” said US Attorney Robert Brewer, Jr. “Rest assured: those who engage in this despicable conduct will find themselves in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors.”
Staley's attorney, Patrick Griffin, denied that patients were being taken advantage of, and said in a statement sent to BuzzFeed News that it was an "inherent inconsistency" for Staley to be prosecuted for promoting the same medications championed by Trump.
"The same executive branch that has been touting these two medications for weeks has now turned around and criminally charged an [Iraq] veteran, Dr. Staley, no criminal record, for doing exactly the same thing that this administration's been doing this whole time," Griffin said. "There's a need for these medications, and there's a lot of different people and organizations that are following the lead of our chief executive."
Griffin said the government should be focusing on regulation, rather than prosecuting doctors like Staley, who faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
"Does anyone think that if the president didn't start pushing this that we'd be having this conversation or that this would be in the public space? Of course not," Griffin said. "It's not a scam. It's not a crime."
The US Attorney's Office of the Southern District of California did not respond to calls Saturday. Assistant US Attorney Robert Huie told the New York Times that the case is not about the drugs Staley was allegedly selling.
“It’s not about whether drugs are good or bad. It’s about him telling patients, telling would-be customers, in an effort to sell his services, that what he’s offering is a 100% cure and it confers temporary immunity," Huie said.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-18--It Was Meant To Be An App To Help Immigrants Lead A Normal Life In The US. Now It’s Helping Them Sur

It Was Meant To Be An App To Help Immigrants Lead A Normal Life In The US. Now It’s Helping Them Survive The Coronavirus.

NEW DELHI — An app used by hundreds of thousands of immigrants to find friends , lawyers , therapists , and even dates has been transformed into a space for people to express their deepest fears about the coronavirus , health care , ICE , and the Trump administration .
Messages sent by Homeis users to community managers on the app about IRL meetups , social events , and cultural programs have been replaced with thousands of panicked DMs about COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
The DMs , screenshots of which were reviewed by BuzzFeed News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anxiety and uncertainty experienced by immigrants in the US during the coronavirus pandemic .
The relentless questions are from people afraid of losing their jobs and their visa status , and those who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 but are afraid of getting tested because of the bewildering and expensive US health care system .
Others are worried about being picked up by ICE while at a hospital , contracting the virus in detention , or being deported .
“ Dry cough , painful throat , fatigue ... no fever , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present situation .
Need your advice .
No medical healthcare.
” “ My husband has contracted the dreaded COVID 19 .
I desperately want him to come home to me and our three children .
We are looking for a plasma donor… ” “ An employee at the company I work in died of coronavirus .
None of us were tested… ” “ I am undocumented and I have all the symptoms ... how can I do a check up on myself ?
” Ran Harnevo , the CEO of Homeis , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the pandemic began .
“ We ’ re basically a COVID-19 helpline now , ” he said .
Homeis is a kind of social networking app for immigrants , on which users can sign up to one of the different “ communities ” available : South Asian , French-speaking African , Hispanic and Latin American .
Once they do , they can exchange messages with people who volunteer their time to help new app users find services , classes or jobs that they might be looking for , and thousands of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , meet members at Homeis hosted events in their cities or organize meetings of their own , find services and even advertise small businesses .
Additionally , the Homeis front page also has a constantly updated series of news posts related to the concerns of that particular community , as well as links for chats with immigration lawyers , therapists and now , doctors .
Many Homeis app users had problems that preexist the coronavirus crisis and have struggled to navigate the US health care system .
They are often wrongly diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country — a judge recently blocked the Trump administration ’ s efforts to stop immigrants who can not afford health care at the border .
Often , they are simply unable to find a doctor they can trust .
M. moved to the US from Mexico in the ‘ 90s .
The loneliness of self-isolation is nothing new for the 40-year-old , who learned in 2017 that she could no longer hug her children for fear of passing on a highly infectious skin condition .
Over the phone from Las Vegas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anonymity .
On most days , she said , she felt as though “ 1 million invisible ants ” were moving around under her skin , biting her from the inside .
For three years , M. has slept on a towel on the floor of her bathroom to keep her children safe .
“ I spent a lot of money on medicines , fought with doctors who misdiagnosed me , tried natural remedies ... nothing worked.
” When she joined Homeis last year , M. found two Mexican doctors in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her condition .
“ The biggest difference was that these doctors took me seriously.
” As the coronavirus spreads across the world , infecting and killing medical professionals , the Trump administration has continued to bar entry for foreign health care workers who could make up for the shortage of doctors and nurses .
For immigrants who are already in the US , the fear of falling sick is amplified by financial insecurity and the paranoia of being deported at any moment .
Now several thousands are turning to their communities on Homeis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're someone who is seeing the impact of the coronavirus firsthand , we ’ d like to hear from you .
Reach out to us via one of our tip line channels .
Harnevo had meant for Homeis to be a social network among immigrant groups in the US to remain connected with their culture .
Harnevo , who grew up in Tel Aviv , sold his first US company , a video syndication platform called 5Minute Media , to AOL for $ 65 million in 2010 .
He then began working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ home is ” or “ homies , ” depending on the accent of the user .
Harnevo was convinced that immigrants like him were seeking both — their home and their people .
( Homeis is free to download and currently doesn ’ t feature any advertisements . )
“ The internet has always been broken for immigrants , ” Harnevo told BuzzFeed News over the phone from New York .
“ There is no safe space for us online.
” When you register on Homeis , the app asks you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US state where you now live , and how long you ’ ve been in the country .
Each member receives a message from one of the community managers , who are a mix or volunteers — for small communities — and paid employees .
Like every app , being a woman on Homeis means being instantly and constantly bombarded with unsolicited greetings and requests from men , something that Harnevo said he is aware of and working to change .
It ’ s also the reason the app has occasionally received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anything else users might want to add about themselves is up to them .
Several South Asian profiles reviewed by BuzzFeed News had added the names of small businesses , or offered services that they could provide to other South Asians like cooking or dance classes , career counseling , mental health support groups , and now , a COVID-19 response group .
Homeis users are mainly Indian , Pakistani , Israeli , and French-speaking immigrants from Senegal , DR Congo , and Cameroon .
As growing evidence indicates that the coronavirus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that community managers have been receiving in the past weeks indicate why black and brown bodies in the US are the most susceptible to the coronavirus .
The first lesson L. , a 27-year old from Burkina Faso , said she learned when she came to the US eight years ago was to look everyone in the eye .
“ Where I come from , you never look an elder or an authority figure in the eyes , it ’ s considered a sign of disrespect .
But here , if you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re gon na assume you ’ re guilty of something.
” L. , who lives in New Jersey , volunteers as a community manager on Homeis for French-speaking Africans .
She spoke to BuzzFeed News anonymously because she did not want to upset her employer .
“ Many of the people I speak to on Homeis just got here two or three months ago in the middle of this crisis , and came to the US from primarily black communities .
They don ’ t know what to expect , and they certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they encounter it they don ’ t know how to react , ” she said .
The evening we spoke on the phone , L. had been on a five-hour overnight call with a grieving man whose wife had just died and who did not know how to file the paperwork for her hospital bills .
Many app users who L. counsels must contend with a cascade of disadvantages — race , the fact that they don ’ t speak fluent English , that their education degrees are not recognized in the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paperwork to enable them to earn a dignified living .
“ If you have a name that doesn ’ t sound ‘ standard ’ and seems too African , well , I tell them to expect racism , ” she said .
“ Most people thank me for my honesty.
” Laura Arrazola , 31 , a Yale graduate from Colombia can ’ t remember the last time she had a full night ’ s sleep .
“ I ’ m incredibly thankful .
I have a job .
I am healthy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who works for Homeis as a manager for a Hispanic and Latin American community .
“ At a time like this , you can really see what an ever-present fear the ICE is for our community in particular.
” Arrazola routinely receives questions about the extent of ICE ’ s powers , and what undocumented immigrants who are showing signs of COVID-19 should do .
“ Can ICE show up at the hospital and take me to a detention camp ?
Or the fear of contracting the virus in the camp ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration authorities will deal with us if we fall sick at this present moment.
” Arrazola ’ s most recent call , she said , was with a construction worker in Phoenix , Arizona , who was exposed to a person who had tested positive for COVID-19 at a building site .
“ I told him to self-quarantine and take time off — it seems obvious that this is what he should do to keep everyone safe , but if he doesn ’ t go to work , he doesn ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” For weeks , Homeis has been organizing Zoom conference sessions with doctors , lawyers , and therapists for immigrants who want to talk only about the coronavirus .
Behind the scenes , the app is still struggling to keep up with the flood of new users .
“ We have over 150,000 Mexican users on the app right now , and in the next three weeks we ’ re hoping to add even more Spanish-speakers from different countries , ” Arrazola said .
“ The biggest challenge is that there is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major concern on the app is also keeping up with rapidly evolving information .
Indians in the US , many of whom are in the country on H1B visas , are particularly susceptible .
If an H1B visa-holder is laid off , they have 60 days to find a job to maintain their visa status — something that is next to impossible in the present situation .
Many among the Indian community on Homeis have also rarely paid attention to mental health concerns , preferring to describe their crises as “ domestic issues.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers on the app often counsels the spouses of H1B holders .
“ Domestic violence is on the rise during the pandemic everywhere in the world , and the US is no different , ” said Pundeer .
“ The women I speak with have classic signs of depression — irritability , mood swings , fatigue , sudden outbursts — but we don ’ t know how to recognize our own symptoms.
” In the last three months , Pundeer often finds herself repeating the same tips for mental wellness to a community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much self-care .
“ It helps to have a routine , but that routine has to include actual breaks , time that you spend doing something nice for yourself , ” Pundeer said .
“ Stop saying ‘ I ’ m fine ’ when you don ’ t feel fine.
” What makes these stories particularly heartbreaking is that all of the immigrants BuzzFeed News spoke with said they had come to the US in hope of a better life — an American dream that included better jobs , education , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M. survived gun violence as a teenager in Mexico , and when she moved to the US she gave up a white-collar job as a company executive in Mexico to restart life in Chicago as a cleaner , then working as a waitress , soon working five jobs a week with no time off .
When she fell in love , she said she waited until she was financially stable to have children .
Soon after that , she lost her husband to a horrific workplace accident .
“ I ’ ll do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ I ’ m not a bad person just because I ’ m an immigrant.
” ●

Homeis is a kind of social networking app for immigrants, on which users can sign up to one of the different “communities” available: South Asian, French-speaking African, Hispanic and Latin American. Once they do, they can exchange messages with people who volunteer their time to help new app users find services, classes or jobs that they might be looking for, and thousands of other members on the app from that same community, meet members at Homeis hosted events in their cities or organize meetings of their own, find services and even advertise small businesses. Additionally, the Homeis front page also has a constantly updated series of news posts related to the concerns of that particular community, as well as links for chats with immigration lawyers, therapists and now, doctors.
Many Homeis app users had problems that preexist the coronavirus crisis and have struggled to navigate the US health care system. They are often wrongly diagnosed, sometimes to prevent them from entering the country — a judge recently blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to stop immigrants who cannot afford health care at the border. Often, they are simply unable to find a doctor they can trust.
M. moved to the US from Mexico in the ‘90s. The loneliness of self-isolation is nothing new for the 40-year-old, who learned in 2017 that she could no longer hug her children for fear of passing on a highly infectious skin condition. Over the phone from Las Vegas, she described her condition on the condition of anonymity. On most days, she said, she felt as though “1 million invisible ants” were moving around under her skin, biting her from the inside. For three years, M. has slept on a towel on the floor of her bathroom to keep her children safe.
“I spent a lot of money on medicines, fought with doctors who misdiagnosed me, tried natural remedies...nothing worked.”
When she joined Homeis last year, M. found two Mexican doctors in the US who were finally able to diagnose her condition. “The biggest difference was that these doctors took me seriously.”
As the coronavirus spreads across the world, infecting and killing medical professionals, the Trump administration has continued to bar entry for foreign health care workers who could make up for the shortage of doctors and nurses. For immigrants who are already in the US, the fear of falling sick is amplified by financial insecurity and the paranoia of being deported at any moment. Now several thousands are turning to their communities on Homeis for advice and support.
If you're someone who is seeing the impact of the coronavirus firsthand, we’d like to hear from you. Reach out to us via one of our tip line channels.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-18--How To Plague: Is It Unethical To Get Pregnant Right Now?

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
Hi , I ’ m Katie Notopoulos , a tech reporter here at BuzzFeed News , and I have no actual expertise in epidemiology , but I sure do enjoy telling people how to live their lives .
Which means I ’ m the perfect person to tell you How to Plague .
This is BuzzFeed News ' advice column for these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly , with new information coming out seemingly by the hour .
I ’ ll try to help with your queries about social distancing etiquette and ethical dilemmas large and small , and call up some actual experts to weigh in when needed .
Is it possible to maintain social distancing while playing tennis with my friend ?
Say we both have our own set of balls and only touch our own , stay away from each other during changeovers , and use hand sanitizer a lot ?
The public tennis courts near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no , but my heart really wants to do something fun .
—Jim , Chicago suburbs As the sage founder of Poosh reminded us , Kim , there ’ s people that are dying .
The problem is not so much whether or not your Maria Sharapova–style grunts while hitting backhands could create enough respiratory droplets to spread the infection .
It ’ s that while there are literally people dying , as well as millions of people losing their jobs , struggling with childcare and food insecurity , and essential workers having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs that never before seemed risky or unsafe , you want to play tennis .
Tennis , the bougiest sport after dressage .
It ’ s not even pure exercise — it ’ s a game for fun .
I ’ m sorry , but this definitely qualifies you for a primo spot at the center line for the guillotine .
This isn ’ t about whether you can play tennis safely .
If you ’ re standing on the other side of an outdoor tennis court from someone , the risks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is about whether you have permission to play tennis , or if you ’ ll be shamed for it .
The social shaming for people doing questionable activities right now is very real .
My colleague Anne Helen Petersen wrote about exactly this : No one knows exactly what ’ s “ OK ” or not to do , because the information is changing constantly .
And so everyone ’ s mad .
We ’ re mad at people wearing masks , then the next week mad at people NOT wearing homemade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joggers , which is not a bougie sport at all .
REALLY mad at the joggers .
Joggers have now reached a status in society once reserved for anti-vaxxers or people who recline their airline seats .
You are well aware of the rules : Stay home .
You ’ re trying to figure out some plausible workaround where you do n't follow The Rules .
The answer is that the ethical thing to do is not play .
Take a Tennis Court Oath to skip it .
The whole point of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must suffer slightly to serve the greater good .
There will be plenty of time for tennis in the rest of your life .
What are the ethics of trying to have children during a pandemic ?
My husband and I have long planned that 2020 will be the year we start trying to have children .
We have been building a steady well of savings to afford to have a child , and our jobs seem secure despite COVID-19 , with great parental leave policies .
This is really the best time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our careers , health , and financial situation .
However , it seems like the pandemic might last for a considerable amount of time , and we do n't want to take away critical resources from others .
So , should we try to have a `` plague baby '' as my husband jokingly calls it ?
—Anonymous , NYC Having a baby doesn ’ t really take away resources from people sick with COVID-19 .
Obstetricians aren ’ t going to start treating pulmonary patients instead of delivering babies ; the labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t going to become ICU beds with ventilators .
With the possible exception of masks and gloves used by staff , the actual medical resources you ’ d be drawing on to have a baby — ultrasound machines , forceps , glucose tests — are not things that could otherwise be used to fight the pandemic .
So you ’ re not selfishly draining resources , per se .
Of course , there ’ s the question of whether you really want to bring a baby into this nightmare world .
Although it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen in nine months or a year , it seems unlikely the world will have fully returned to normal .
A vaccine may take 18 months to two years to develop .
There may be several waves of stay-at-home orders , you may be stuck inside without relatives or friends being able to visit or help out with a newborn , or unable to get childcare for your baby when your parental leave is up .
I say this as someone expecting a baby literally any day now — I was looking forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with trips to the beach or visits with friends in the neighborhood and getting to spend afternoons with my older child .
Now I ’ m like…fffffuuuuuck .
Life with a newborn is grueling and isolating .
Without any of the things like friends or “ going outside ” that make it bearable , it ’ s utterly grim .
On the plus side , this period of self-quarantine is a good introduction to what will be the rest of your life with a child : no going out to see friends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no movie theaters , no leisurely shopping the aisles of TJ Maxx or doing anything fun .
The loss of your social life and freedom is usually a tough adjustment for new parents , but you ’ ve already made it through !
I have been talking to this girl on Tinder over the quarantine .
We facetime sometimes ; it ’ s nice .
She ’ s chill .
USUALLY .
But then she saw this tweet which is now setting very unrealistic standards :

Is it possible to maintain social distancing while playing tennis with my friend? Say we both have our own set of balls and only touch our own, stay away from each other during changeovers, and use hand sanitizer a lot? The public tennis courts near me are open. My head says no, but my heart really wants to do something fun.
—Jim, Chicago suburbs
As the sage founder of Poosh reminded us, Kim, there’s people that are dying. The problem is not so much whether or not your Maria Sharapova–style grunts while hitting backhands could create enough respiratory droplets to spread the infection. It’s that while there are literally people dying, as well as millions of people losing their jobs, struggling with childcare and food insecurity, and essential workers having to risk their lives each day for jobs that never before seemed risky or unsafe, you want to play tennis.
Tennis, the bougiest sport after dressage. It’s not even pure exercise — it’s a game for fun. I’m sorry, but this definitely qualifies you for a primo spot at the center line for the guillotine.
This isn’t about whether you can play tennis safely. If you’re standing on the other side of an outdoor tennis court from someone, the risks of infecting each other are pretty small. This is about whether you have permission to play tennis, or if you’ll be shamed for it.
Yes, you'll be shamed.
The social shaming for people doing questionable activities right now is very real. My colleague Anne Helen Petersen wrote about exactly this: No one knows exactly what’s “OK” or not to do, because the information is changing constantly. And so everyone’s mad. We’re mad at people wearing masks, then the next week mad at people NOT wearing homemade masks. People are mad at the joggers, which is not a bougie sport at all. REALLY mad at the joggers. Joggers have now reached a status in society once reserved for anti-vaxxers or people who recline their airline seats.
You are well aware of the rules: Stay home. You’re trying to figure out some plausible workaround where you don't follow The Rules.
The answer is that the ethical thing to do is not play. Take a Tennis Court Oath to skip it. The whole point of this social distancing nightmare is that each individual must suffer slightly to serve the greater good. There will be plenty of time for tennis in the rest of your life.
What are the ethics of trying to have children during a pandemic? My husband and I have long planned that 2020 will be the year we start trying to have children. We have been building a steady well of savings to afford to have a child, and our jobs seem secure despite COVID-19, with great parental leave policies. This is really the best time for us to start trying based on our careers, health, and financial situation. However, it seems like the pandemic might last for a considerable amount of time, and we don't want to take away critical resources from others. So, should we try to have a "plague baby" as my husband jokingly calls it?
—Anonymous, NYC
Having a baby doesn’t really take away resources from people sick with COVID-19. Obstetricians aren’t going to start treating pulmonary patients instead of delivering babies; the labor and delivery floors of hospitals aren’t going to become ICU beds with ventilators. With the possible exception of masks and gloves used by staff, the actual medical resources you’d be drawing on to have a baby — ultrasound machines, forceps, glucose tests — are not things that could otherwise be used to fight the pandemic. So you’re not selfishly draining resources, per se.
Of course, there’s the question of whether you really want to bring a baby into this nightmare world.
Although it’s impossible to predict what will happen in nine months or a year, it seems unlikely the world will have fully returned to normal. A vaccine may take 18 months to two years to develop. There may be several waves of stay-at-home orders, you may be stuck inside without relatives or friends being able to visit or help out with a newborn, or unable to get childcare for your baby when your parental leave is up. I say this as someone expecting a baby literally any day now — I was looking forward to a nice summer of maternity leave with trips to the beach or visits with friends in the neighborhood and getting to spend afternoons with my older child. Now I’m like…fffffuuuuuck. Life with a newborn is grueling and isolating. Without any of the things like friends or “going outside” that make it bearable, it’s utterly grim.
On the plus side, this period of self-quarantine is a good introduction to what will be the rest of your life with a child: no going out to see friends, no more restaurants, no bars, no movie theaters, no leisurely shopping the aisles of TJ Maxx or doing anything fun. The loss of your social life and freedom is usually a tough adjustment for new parents, but you’ve already made it through!
Have the damn baby.
I have been talking to this girl on Tinder over the quarantine. We facetime sometimes; it’s nice. She’s chill. USUALLY. But then she saw this tweet which is now setting very unrealistic standards:


buzzfeednews--2020-04-02--Twitter Just Took Down 9,000 Accounts Pushing Coronavirus Propaganda Praising The Government Of The

Twitter Just Took Down 9,000 Accounts Pushing Coronavirus Propaganda Praising The Government Of The United Arab Emirates

The network , parts of which were taken down last year , also attacked the UAE 's rivals in the Middle East .
The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
On April 2 , Twitter took down a pro–United Arab Emirates network of accounts that was pushing propaganda about the coronavirus pandemic and criticizing Turkey ’ s military intervention in Libya .
Previously tied to marketing firms in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed by Facebook and Twitter last year .
The network was made up of roughly 9,000 accounts , according to disinformation research firm DFRLab and independent researcher Josh Russell .
Although it promoted narratives in line with the political stances of the governments of the UAE , Saudi Arabia , and Egypt , its origins were unclear .
The reappearance of a network that social media companies previously took down shows how misinformation campaigns persist on online platforms , undeterred by previous suspensions .
The pro-UAE network found by Russell and analyzed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hallmarks of inauthentic accounts .
Many Twitter handles contained alphanumeric characters instead of names , and many did not post photos .
Accounts that did have profile pictures often used images of Indian models .
One video pushed by the fake accounts voiced support for the Chinese government during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in China in February .
The video remains online , but lost over 4,000 retweets and likes after the takedown .
The video now has four retweets .
“ The United Arab Emirates and its people are ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this humanitarian crisis , ” said a woman in the video in Chinese as upbeat music played .
“ We are willing to cooperate with the international community to tackle this virus.
” The video was posted by the account @ uaevoiceurdu , which was created in February and remains online .
The bot network also amplified a video of a woman thanking the government of the UAE for transporting Yemeni students out of Wuhan , China .
Today , that video , which is also still online , went from having nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propaganda about the coronavirus didn ’ t seem to have been the network 's focus .
“ While posts related to the coronavirus hashtag were not the primary goal of the network , ” the DFRLab wrote , “ a close look at the accounts suggests they were used for broader political messaging , demonstrating how information ops can be repurposed for different uses.
” The accounts , some of which posed as journalists and news outlets , amplified an article about the UAE government 's disapproval of the Libyan prime minister and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of militias in Libya .
A different part of the network was taken down by Facebook in August of last year .
BuzzFeed News found another part of this network active across social media channels in October .
The network was operated by marketing firms in the Middle East and India .
Researchers from the Stanford Internet Observatory also said that marketing firms were involved with the previous manifestations of the network .

The reappearance of a network that social media companies previously took down shows how misinformation campaigns persist on online platforms, undeterred by previous suspensions.
The pro-UAE network found by Russell and analyzed by DFRLab researcher Kanishk Karan had all the hallmarks of inauthentic accounts. Many Twitter handles contained alphanumeric characters instead of names, and many did not post photos. Accounts that did have profile pictures often used images of Indian models.
One video pushed by the fake accounts voiced support for the Chinese government during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in China in February. The video remains online, but lost over 4,000 retweets and likes after the takedown. The video now has four retweets.
“The United Arab Emirates and its people are ready to help and support China to overcome this humanitarian crisis,” said a woman in the video in Chinese as upbeat music played. “We are willing to cooperate with the international community to tackle this virus.”
The video was posted by the account @uaevoiceurdu, which was created in February and remains online.
The bot network also amplified a video of a woman thanking the government of the UAE for transporting Yemeni students out of Wuhan, China. Today, that video, which is also still online, went from having nearly 4,500 retweets to having 70.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-28--This Nurse Is Speaking Out Against Coronavirus Rumors And Hoaxes

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`` If you do n't know what the fuck you 're talking about it 's okay to just shut the fuck up right NOW .
This is not a joke . ''
“ While we 're busy working to save people 's lives we 're also growing really concerned about the conspiracy theory BS that 's seeming to become a bigger problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eric Sartori arrived home on April 19 after working in the COVID-19 unit of a community hospital in Arizona .
After reading social media posts claiming the virus was a hoax , the intensive care nurse opened Facebook and vented .
A month ago , Sartori was going to work and spending time with his family , in addition to tending to his Facebook page , where he posts about work and his urban farm for just over 5,000 followers .
Now he had people telling him the virus was a hoax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're feeling personally attacked , '' Sartori told BuzzFeed News .
“ And it 's just like we have this eerie feeling of ‘ How can this be reality right now ?
’ ” In addition to treating COVID-19 patients and worrying about their own health , health care workers like Satori are suddenly on the front lines of the coronavirus information wars .
On social media and in person , they ’ re battered with conspiracy theories about Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates , the COVID-19 death toll , and the existence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , India , the Philippines , and Pakistan , rumors and lies have led to nurses and other health care workers getting assaulted , doused with bleach , and chased by mobs .
It ’ s a shocking situation for nurses , who have been rated the most trusted profession in the United States for 18 years in a row .
“ For people to now say , ‘ Well , I do n't even trust the most trusted profession ’ — that 's baseless , ” Dr. Eileen Sullivan-Marx , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing , told BuzzFeed News .
Nurses are sad and angry — and pushing back .
Sartori ’ s Facebook post was shared more than 22,000 times .
He ’ s received support from the post , but it has also attracted conspiracy theorists .
“ I 've had people asking me if I 'm paid by Bill Gates .
They think I 'm a crisis actor .
It shows me how easily people can be manipulated.
” Sartori said he has empathy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was skeptical of vaccines before becoming a nurse and learning the truth about them .
“ When I 'm on Twitter , I talk to anti-vaxxers a lot , and I try and understand their plight and understand where they 're at , ” he said .
But after a heated discussion on social media with someone who believed the coronavirus is a hoax , he realized how different things are with the pandemic .
“ He just kept pushing and pushing , and he was saying horrible things .
He called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should die .
A whole bunch of horrible , nasty things , ” Sartori said .
“ And then I found out that he actually works in health care .
He works for some organizations that deliver things to my hospital.
” Sartori cut off the conversation once he realized the man lived near him .
“ It 's a little disconcerting , ” he said .
“ It ’ s like a slap in the face , ” Laura , a nurse at a hospital in North Carolina , told BuzzFeed News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurses are n't trustworthy , you 're also disputing my education when you 're saying that what you think is right because you saw it on social media.
” She asked to use her first name because she didn ’ t want to face blowback on social media .

A month ago, Sartori was going to work and spending time with his family, in addition to tending to his Facebook page, where he posts about work and his urban farm for just over 5,000 followers. Now he had people telling him the virus was a hoax and sending him death threats.
“We're feeling personally attacked," Sartori told BuzzFeed News. “And it's just like we have this eerie feeling of ‘How can this be reality right now?’”
In addition to treating COVID-19 patients and worrying about their own health, health care workers like Satori are suddenly on the front lines of the coronavirus information wars. On social media and in person, they’re battered with conspiracy theories about Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, the COVID-19 death toll, and the existence of the coronavirus itself. In Mexico, India, the Philippines, and Pakistan, rumors and lies have led to nurses and other health care workers getting assaulted, doused with bleach, and chased by mobs.
It’s a shocking situation for nurses, who have been rated the most trusted profession in the United States for 18 years in a row. “For people to now say, ‘Well, I don't even trust the most trusted profession’ — that's baseless,” Dr. Eileen Sullivan-Marx, president of the American Academy of Nursing and dean of the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, told BuzzFeed News.
Nurses are sad and angry — and pushing back.
Sartori’s Facebook post was shared more than 22,000 times. He’s received support from the post, but it has also attracted conspiracy theorists. “I've had people asking me if I'm paid by Bill Gates. They think I'm a crisis actor. It shows me how easily people can be manipulated.”
Sartori said he has empathy for people who mistrust the medical establishment. He was skeptical of vaccines before becoming a nurse and learning the truth about them. “When I'm on Twitter, I talk to anti-vaxxers a lot, and I try and understand their plight and understand where they're at,” he said.
But after a heated discussion on social media with someone who believed the coronavirus is a hoax, he realized how different things are with the pandemic.
“He just kept pushing and pushing, and he was saying horrible things. He called me a faggot. He said I should die. A whole bunch of horrible, nasty things,” Sartori said. “And then I found out that he actually works in health care. He works for some organizations that deliver things to my hospital.”
Sartori cut off the conversation once he realized the man lived near him. “It's a little disconcerting,” he said.
“It’s like a slap in the face,” Laura, a nurse at a hospital in North Carolina, told BuzzFeed News. “Not only are you saying nurses aren't trustworthy, you're also disputing my education when you're saying that what you think is right because you saw it on social media.” She asked to use her first name because she didn’t want to face blowback on social media.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-28--US Health Officials Now Say There Are 9 Main COVID-19 Symptoms. Here's What They Are.

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The CDC is now warning there are nine main symptoms for COVID-19 .
The common symptoms , which may appear in some combination within 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus , are : • New loss of taste or smell The CDC notes online that even the updated symptom list is not comprehensive .
Federal officials warn that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for COVID-19 — such as trouble breathing , persistent pain or pressure in the chest , or bluish lips or face — they should seek medical attention immediately .
Earlier this month , the CDC had only listed cough , shortness of breath or difficulty breathing , and fever as the primary symptoms .
This short list reflected the prevalence of these symptoms reported in people who were infected in China , where the disease originated .
According to one report released by the World Health Organization , based on nearly 56,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 , most infected people were observed to have a fever ( 87.9 % ) or dry cough ( 67.7 % ) — but a recent Journal of the American Medical Association study of 5,700 patients who were sick enough to be admitted to New York City hospitals found that only 31 % had a fever .
As more people have become infected and died worldwide , with about 1 million confirmed infections so far in the United States , the health community ’ s understanding of the disease has increased greatly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ear , nose , and throat doctors in the United Kingdom wrote an open letter detailing reports of patients with a loss of taste and smell in South Korea , Italy , and some other locations with high rates of COVID-19 cases .
Since then , a growing number of people worldwide have reported the complete loss of smell or taste , both alone and in combination with other COVID-19 symptoms .
A CDC report from April 14 detailing coronavirus infections in US health care workers , for example , found 750 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with reported symptoms experienced a loss of taste or smell .
While health experts previously thought the virus was mostly spread by observably sick people , it is currently accepted that people can spread the disease before they start exhibiting symptoms .
Others with the disease may never experience symptoms at all , while still being able to spread the infection to others .
Moreover , medical experts have come to understand that even young and healthy people with no underlying conditions can get critically ill and die from the disease .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early April issued updated COVID-19 guidance , which recommended health care providers report patients who have one of the following symptoms ( cough , shortness of breath , or difficulty breathing ) or at least two of these other symptoms : fever , chills , `` rigors '' or shivering combined with a fever , `` myalgia '' or muscle soreness , headache , sore throat , or loss of smell or taste .
The CDC expanded its symptom list in response , according to an agency spokesperson .

The CDC is now warning there are nine main symptoms for COVID-19.
The common symptoms, which may appear in some combination within 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, are:
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fever
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
The CDC notes online that even the updated symptom list is not comprehensive. Federal officials warn that if someone is experiencing “emergency warning signs” for COVID-19 — such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or bluish lips or face — they should seek medical attention immediately.
Earlier this month, the CDC had only listed cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and fever as the primary symptoms. This short list reflected the prevalence of these symptoms reported in people who were infected in China, where the disease originated.
According to one report released by the World Health Organization, based on nearly 56,000 confirmed cases in China as of Feb. 20, most infected people were observed to have a fever (87.9%) or dry cough (67.7%) — but a recent Journal of the American Medical Association study of 5,700 patients who were sick enough to be admitted to New York City hospitals found that only 31% had a fever.
As more people have become infected and died worldwide, with about 1 million confirmed infections so far in the United States, the health community’s understanding of the disease has increased greatly.
In late March, a group of ear, nose, and throat doctors in the United Kingdom wrote an open letter detailing reports of patients with a loss of taste and smell in South Korea, Italy, and some other locations with high rates of COVID-19 cases. Since then, a growing number of people worldwide have reported the complete loss of smell or taste, both alone and in combination with other COVID-19 symptoms. A CDC report from April 14 detailing coronavirus infections in US health care workers, for example, found 750 (or 16%) of the 4,707 people with reported symptoms experienced a loss of taste or smell.
While health experts previously thought the virus was mostly spread by observably sick people, it is currently accepted that people can spread the disease before they start exhibiting symptoms. Others with the disease may never experience symptoms at all, while still being able to spread the infection to others. Moreover, medical experts have come to understand that even young and healthy people with no underlying conditions can get critically ill and die from the disease.
The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists in early April issued updated COVID-19 guidance, which recommended health care providers report patients who have one of the following symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing) or at least two of these other symptoms: fever, chills, "rigors" or shivering combined with a fever, "myalgia" or muscle soreness, headache, sore throat, or loss of smell or taste.
The CDC expanded its symptom list in response, according to an agency spokesperson.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-20--The University Of California Will Suspend Payments On Student Loans That It Holds Through September

The University Of California Will Suspend Payments On Student Loans That It Holds Through September 30

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WASHINGTON — The University of California is suspending student loan payments for some alumni of the massive state public university system during the coronavirus pandemic , allowing thousands of borrowers who were left behind by a law passed by Congress last month to take nearly six months off of payments .
Borrowers who took out student loans from the UC system will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their loans from April 15 through Sept. 30 .
This includes federal Perkins loans ( a needs-based loan program that ended in 2017 ) , California DREAM Loans ( for undocumented students ) , and other institutional loans that were borrowed from the UC system .
Through Sept. 30 , all UC system loans will have 0 % interest rates and won ’ t have any penalties , fees , or collections for nonpayment .
The system contacted borrowers through their loan servicer about the move on April 15 .
The move lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , passed by Congress in March , which canceled payments and set a 0 % interest rate for federally held student loans through the end of September .
But that law left behind borrowers with some other types of federal and institutional loans , so the UC system decided to “ provide some similar relief ” for its own borrowers , Shawn Brick , University of California systemwide director of student financial support , told BuzzFeed News Friday .
“ Our intent with this was to make sure that we did all that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for students , ” Brick said , estimating that $ 140 million in loans taken out by about 40,000 UC alumni will qualify for suspended payments .
“ This is small in comparison to the direct loan program , ” he said , but UC wanted to extend relief to borrowers whose loans they have control over given the coronavirus pandemic .
As with federally held loans affected by the CARES Act , the UC system is putting loans in administrative forbearance .
That means that not paying will not affect a borrower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , commercially held federal loans , and other loans that were not taken out from the UC system will not be affected .
( See our guide on how to know if you qualify for federal student loan relief and what “ commercially held ” and “ federally held ” actually mean here . )
Borrowers will have to opt in to put their loan payments on hold , but Brick said anyone who misses payments during this period will have their loans automatically put in administrative forbearance and there ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system decided to have borrowers opt-in , Brick said , is to avoid the “ hassle ” of having to set up automatic payments again for people who want to continue paying off their loans during this 0 % interest period .
The UC system plans to contact borrowers who take advantage of the suspended payments in September about reconnecting automatic payments .

WASHINGTON — The University of California is suspending student loan payments for some alumni of the massive state public university system during the coronavirus pandemic, allowing thousands of borrowers who were left behind by a law passed by Congress last month to take nearly six months off of payments.
Borrowers who took out student loans from the UC system will no longer have to make payments on their loans from April 15 through Sept. 30. This includes federal Perkins loans (a needs-based loan program that ended in 2017), California DREAM Loans (for undocumented students), and other institutional loans that were borrowed from the UC system.
Through Sept. 30, all UC system loans will have 0% interest rates and won’t have any penalties, fees, or collections for nonpayment. The system contacted borrowers through their loan servicer about the move on April 15.
The move lines up with benefits from the CARES Act, passed by Congress in March, which canceled payments and set a 0% interest rate for federally held student loans through the end of September. But that law left behind borrowers with some other types of federal and institutional loans, so the UC system decided to “provide some similar relief” for its own borrowers, Shawn Brick, University of California systemwide director of student financial support, told BuzzFeed News Friday.
“Our intent with this was to make sure that we did all that we could to level the playing field for students,” Brick said, estimating that $140 million in loans taken out by about 40,000 UC alumni will qualify for suspended payments. “This is small in comparison to the direct loan program,” he said, but UC wanted to extend relief to borrowers whose loans they have control over given the coronavirus pandemic.
As with federally held loans affected by the CARES Act, the UC system is putting loans in administrative forbearance. That means that not paying will not affect a borrower’s credit.
Private student loans, commercially held federal loans, and other loans that were not taken out from the UC system will not be affected. (See our guide on how to know if you qualify for federal student loan relief and what “commercially held” and “federally held” actually mean here.)
Borrowers will have to opt in to put their loan payments on hold, but Brick said anyone who misses payments during this period will have their loans automatically put in administrative forbearance and there’s no penalty for doing so. The reason the system decided to have borrowers opt-in, Brick said, is to avoid the “hassle” of having to set up automatic payments again for people who want to continue paying off their loans during this 0% interest period. The UC system plans to contact borrowers who take advantage of the suspended payments in September about reconnecting automatic payments.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-20--They Own More Than 1,000 Burger Kings. They May Apply For A Coronavirus Small Business Loan.

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One of the largest restaurant franchisees in the US has signaled it is considering applying for a loan under a federal crisis fund set up to support small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic .
Executives at Carrols Restaurant Group , which owns 1,036 Burger King restaurants in 23 states , making it the largest Burger King franchisee in the country , alerted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filing late Friday night that they had amended a credit agreement with Wells Fargo bank “ to incur and , if necessary , repay indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program under the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act.
” The filing was uploaded to the SEC website on Monday .
The company , which also owns 65 Popeyes restaurants across seven states , already has access to a line of credit from Wells Fargo worth more than $ 145 million .
Roughly 31,500 people work for Carrols Restaurant Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.4 billion in revenue in 2019 , according to its latest financial report .
CEO Daniel T. Accordino took home more than $ 3.7 million in compensation in 2018 .
A Carrols spokesperson told BuzzFeed News the company had no comment .
The Paycheck Protection Program , or PPP , was established as part of the federal government ’ s efforts to back $ 350 billion worth of loans to small businesses .
But hotel and restaurant groups could apply under the program if they had less than 500 employees working at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed other large companies such as Potbelly and Ruth ’ s Chris Steakhouse to apply for loans worth millions — as much smaller companies struggled to apply .
Amid growing outrage on Sunday , rival burger chain Shake Shack announced it was returning their $ 10 million PPP loan — a move praised by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin .
Representatives from the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the secretary believed it was appropriate for Carrols to apply under the program .

One of the largest restaurant franchisees in the US has signaled it is considering applying for a loan under a federal crisis fund set up to support small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.
Executives at Carrols Restaurant Group, which owns 1,036 Burger King restaurants in 23 states, making it the largest Burger King franchisee in the country, alerted the Securities and Exchange Commission in a filing late Friday night that they had amended a credit agreement with Wells Fargo bank “to incur and, if necessary, repay indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.” The filing was uploaded to the SEC website on Monday.
The company, which also owns 65 Popeyes restaurants across seven states, already has access to a line of credit from Wells Fargo worth more than $145 million.
Roughly 31,500 people work for Carrols Restaurant Group and the company took in more than $1.4 billion in revenue in 2019, according to its latest financial report. CEO Daniel T. Accordino took home more than $3.7 million in compensation in 2018.
A Carrols spokesperson told BuzzFeed News the company had no comment.
The Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, was established as part of the federal government’s efforts to back $350 billion worth of loans to small businesses. But hotel and restaurant groups could apply under the program if they had less than 500 employees working at a single location — a provision that allowed other large companies such as Potbelly and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse to apply for loans worth millions — as much smaller companies struggled to apply.
Amid growing outrage on Sunday, rival burger chain Shake Shack announced it was returning their $10 million PPP loan — a move praised by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Representatives from the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the secretary believed it was appropriate for Carrols to apply under the program.