buzzfeednews--2020-03-13--I've Had A Disability. The Coronavirus Response Is Proof We Need Accessibility For All

Harvard .
Apple .
Biden ’ s campaign rallies .
The list of organizations and events migrating to online platforms multiplies daily .
Moving these hubs of in-person interaction to a virtual space is a critical part of flattening the curve of coronavirus spread — and although I ’ m sure these changes were not always simple to enact , the last few weeks have shown they are exceedingly possible .
Seeing these dramatic changes implemented in a span of weeks has been heartening .
It has also been deeply frustrating for those of us in the disability community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and been told they 're simply not feasible — for our entire working lives .
Disability advocates like Karrie Higgins have been quick to point out that these same accommodations have long been requested by people in the disability community , and long been denied .
Using the hashtags # AccessibilityforAbleds and # DisabledAndSaltyAF , the disability community is gathering stories and keeping receipts of accommodations that they have found extremely difficult to obtain , or flat-out been refused , but that are now being rapidly adopted .
The perception is accommodations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave , and single-use products have been deemed too difficult , or not worthwhile , to provide to the disability community — but organizations are willing and able to provide now that the health of able-bodied people is at stake .
I understand we are in the middle of a terrible public health crisis , and I don ’ t mean to take away from the seriousness of this situation — instead , I want to encourage people to pay even closer attention to changes taking place now .
Disability is generally very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately 25 % of Americans live with a disability .
The last few years have delivered important gains in representation along many axes of diversity , but representation of people with disabilities has lagged .
As a result , the narratives about what a disabled person can look like , or what disability means , remains extremely limited .
Embarrassingly , I was almost 30 before I learned that it was possible to have an invisible disability — and that I was someone who qualified as disabled .
When I was 20 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right side of my face .
I felt it first only when brushing my teeth .
Then when chewing any kind of food .
Eventually , even cold air over my face or lips set off blinding shocks .
I saw half a dozen doctors and dentists , but no one could see anything wrong .
The shocks got worse and worse : It felt like electrified barbed wire being continually flossed through my right jaw , eye , and cheek .
Five months after the initial onset , I sent myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost blacking out in pain .
There , a kind Texan dental resident diagnosed me with a chronic pain condition called trigeminal neuralgia ( TN ) .
TN is a rare condition that typically only impacts one side of the face ( though some people have bilateral TN ) and is widely regarded as one of the most painful known medical conditions .
It is nicknamed “ the suicide disease.
” There is no surefire treatment for trigeminal neuralgia , and it generally doesn ’ t respond to pain medication .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensity over the course of one ’ s life .
Over the years , I saw countless specialists and countless charlatans , took many cocktails of medication , and underwent dozens of medical procedures .
Some of it helped a little ; some of it helped a lot ; none of it ever helped for long .
As this happened , my life went on .
I worked as an adjunct professor , writer , and office manager .
I cultivated tricks that helped me get through speaking engagements : I only smiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and chewed on the left side of my mouth .
I told jokes or asked students to read text out loud , which gave me a few seconds to stop talking .
Throughout my twenties , I kept this equation running : Which hours of today can I least afford to be in pain ?
Which hours of today can I most afford to be in pain ?
How much pain do I think I can be in before I ’ m no longer effective at what I ’ m doing ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases in air pressure would reliably flare up my neuralgia , so I generally turned down engagements that required extensive travel — but I was living on an adjunct professor ’ s salary and couldn ’ t afford to turn down all of them .
I had one medication I took on an in-case-of-emergency basis ( primarily because of the price tag : $ 200 for 60 pills ) .
Prior to flights , I did what many poor Americans do and hoarded medicine to ensure I ’ d have enough to tide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the major speaking and networking obligations .
As a trade-off , I spent the days before flights sequestered at home practicing disgusting personal hygiene , while speaking and eating as little as possible .
For 10 years , this method of hoarding medicine and hoarding sick days worked well enough , until I was finally referred for a surgery that might give me a shot at being pain-free .
A microvascular decompression craniotomy ( MVD ) is a three- to four-hour brain surgery that requires drilling a quarter-inch hole through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trigeminal nerve , insulating it from further compression .
It ’ s a scary and serious surgery that isn ’ t guaranteed to work , but it was the first hope I had of truly alleviating my neuralgia .
I said yes without hesitation .
It was in the lead-up to my surgery that I was finally introduced to the disability community .
When looking for people who had gone through an MVD , I began to find support groups online , many of which pointed me to chronic pain groups , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I read about the experiences of people with disabilities , the more I saw my own experience .
The differences between myself and able-bodied people came into sudden , sharp focus .
For the first time in 10 years , I realized an able-bodied person doesn ’ t experience pain so intense it hinders their swallowing or breathing reflex .
An able-bodied person doesn ’ t get jolted awake by electric shocks every 20 minutes the entire night .
An able-bodied person isn ’ t in constant negotiation with their body .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is just the reality of our bodies .
And we figure it out .
Even when we ’ ve been told telecommunication is not possible .
Even when we ’ ve been told online instruction is not possible .
Even when we ’ ve been told paid sick leave is not possible .
America ’ s response to the coronavirus has exposed many , many systemic shortcomings — the vulnerability of tipped workers , the lack of standardized paid sick leave , and the tenuous capacity of the health care system , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown our capacity for positive change .
The willingness to move classes , conferences , events , work , and interviews online for the sake of public health is a great indicator of what could happen in the future .
Seeing this changing day by day , I can ’ t help but think : What about all the times the same organizations said no to these accommodations ?
And what happens to these new initiatives after the coronavirus becomes less of an imminent threat ?
Maybe this experience means all these organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe a silver lining to COVID-19 is increased flexibility in these policies across the board .
Having that option would be a boon to many in the disability community — and would have massive benefits beyond the disability community .
But it ’ s hard to be hopeful .
One of the first things I learned when I started reading about the disability community was the spoon theory .
Created by Christine Miserandino , the idea goes like this : Think about the energy you have every day represented in the form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to have an unlimited number of spoons .
Every action you take consumes one spoon , but because you are healthy and able-bodied , with unlimited spoons , it ’ s no big deal .
You might go running in the morning , and then commute to work while reading the paper ; you might grab lunch with a friend , and then go on a date ; you might end the night at home , watching Netflix after picking up some ice cream from the bodega .
On the other hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chronic illness , you have a limited number of spoons every day .
Every action you take consumes one spoon , and after each step , you ’ re left to consider what you can do with the spoons you have left .
Sometimes you finish getting ready for your day and you ’ ve already used half your spoons , so you have to be strategic about where the rest go .
You might be able to borrow spoons from the next day , or save spoons — similar to how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it means you borrow against yourself , and that is a debt you will always have to pay .
It can ’ t be solely the task of someone with a limited supply of spoons to fight for accommodations that have widespread benefit , especially when there are people with unlimited spoons sitting right next to them .
During this coronavirus outbreak , healthy , able-bodied people have been important allies to more vulnerable populations and stood alongside members of these communities .
Now that we ’ ve seen the kind of accommodations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to formalize these into permanent policies .
Allowing more flexible and standardized teleconferencing policies across the board is not just helpful for the disability community : It can be helpful for people who are immunosuppressed ; for new parents ; for the environment ; for people who can ’ t afford the plane ticket ; for people who are caretakers ; for people with social anxiety — the list goes on .
I have been extraordinarily lucky .
I underwent my MVD surgery in April 2019 , and since that time I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For the first time in a decade , I do not need to take any daily medication .
I can eat and breathe and move without constantly monitoring my body .
Some things do remain : I have a permanent wad of Teflon in my brain , which protects my trigeminal nerve ; I have a titanium plate covering the borehole in my skull ; I have a 5-inch scar under my hair ; and if you touch the right side of my skull , you can feel a permanent dent at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a great track record , the trigeminal neuralgia could return anytime .
Every few months , I run the equations again : How old might I be when this happens ?
What other medical conditions might I have at that point ?
Should I undergo brain surgery again ?
What if I continue to relapse ?
Out of curiosity , how much more can my skull sink in ?
What if next time there are no more options ?
It is easy to forget physical pain .
Once recovered , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — as the saying goes , “ health is a crown only the sick can see.
” I lived with neuralgia for so long it will always be part of me .
And for all us , in this moment of pandemic , we are learning about ourselves as individuals , as members of a community , and as people capable of compelling change in institutions and organizations that would otherwise resist change indefinitely .
Even when the pandemic is over ; even when the vaccines have been distributed ; even when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember this time when you fought to help people , to be a good citizen and an inclusive neighbor .
Then do it again .
●

Harvard. Apple. Biden’s campaign rallies. The list of organizations and events migrating to online platforms multiplies daily. Moving these hubs of in-person interaction to a virtual space is a critical part of flattening the curve of coronavirus spread — and although I’m sure these changes were not always simple to enact, the last few weeks have shown they are exceedingly possible. Seeing these dramatic changes implemented in a span of weeks has been heartening. It has also been deeply frustrating for those of us in the disability community, who've been asking for these accommodations — and been told they're simply not feasible — for our entire working lives.
Disability advocates like Karrie Higgins have been quick to point out that these same accommodations have long been requested by people in the disability community, and long been denied. Using the hashtags #AccessibilityforAbleds and #DisabledAndSaltyAF, the disability community is gathering stories and keeping receipts of accommodations that they have found extremely difficult to obtain, or flat-out been refused, but that are now being rapidly adopted. The perception is accommodations like online instruction, paying for sick leave, and single-use products have been deemed too difficult, or not worthwhile, to provide to the disability community — but organizations are willing and able to provide now that the health of able-bodied people is at stake. I understand we are in the middle of a terrible public health crisis, and I don’t mean to take away from the seriousness of this situation — instead, I want to encourage people to pay even closer attention to changes taking place now.
Disability is generally very misunderstood and very unacknowledged, even though approximately 25% of Americans live with a disability. The last few years have delivered important gains in representation along many axes of diversity, but representation of people with disabilities has lagged. As a result, the narratives about what a disabled person can look like, or what disability means, remains extremely limited. Embarrassingly, I was almost 30 before I learned that it was possible to have an invisible disability — and that I was someone who qualified as disabled.
When I was 20, I began to feel electric shocks in the right side of my face. I felt it first only when brushing my teeth. Then when chewing any kind of food. Eventually, even cold air over my face or lips set off blinding shocks. I saw half a dozen doctors and dentists, but no one could see anything wrong. The shocks got worse and worse: It felt like electrified barbed wire being continually flossed through my right jaw, eye, and cheek. Five months after the initial onset, I sent myself to NYU’s emergency room after almost blacking out in pain. There, a kind Texan dental resident diagnosed me with a chronic pain condition called trigeminal neuralgia (TN). TN is a rare condition that typically only impacts one side of the face (though some people have bilateral TN) and is widely regarded as one of the most painful known medical conditions. It is nicknamed “the suicide disease.”


buzzfeednews--2020-03-13--Some Kids In New York’s Coronavirus Containment Zone Are Worried Their “Corona Break” Will Set Them

Some Kids In New York’s Coronavirus Containment Zone Are Worried Their “Corona Break” Will Set Them Back

Much like the US health care system seems unprepared to handle an emerging nationwide outbreak , some schools facing shutdowns seem unprepared to continue educating kids .
NEW ROCHELLE — Ninth-grader Ben Feinblum was in his algebra II class when he heard the news around 12:15 p.m. this Tuesday .
A classmate sitting next to him was scrolling through Twitter on his phone , and there it was , straight from Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s office : All schools within one mile of the Young Israel of New Rochelle Synagogue , the epicenter of the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least two weeks .
That included Ben ’ s school , New Rochelle High , the only public high school in town .
“ You get out in the hallway and it ’ s a stream of , ‘ Let ’ s get the eff outta here !
’ ” he told BuzzFeed News .
“ The next class nobody did work.
” Instead , they were livestreaming giddy messages on Instagram , discussing their plans for the unexpected break from classes , celebrating with the excitement you ’ d expect from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly canceled .
“ A lot of the adults in the building were not the most thrilled , ” he said .
As their city became the first in the US to reach more than 100 positive tests for the coronavirus , leading Cuomo to ban large gatherings in the area around the synagogue , the students of New Rochelle High stepped into a sudden reality that their teachers , parents , and district administrators were largely unprepared to handle .
Much like the US health care system seems unprepared to handle an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the educational system struggling to transition into an extended period without classroom teaching , a shutdown local teens in New Rochelle are calling their “ Corona Break ” or “ Virus Vacation.
” Two other schools in the containment zone , an elementary and a middle school , were also closed Tuesday .
And then Thursday , heeding the call of protesting parents worried about the schools still open during the city ’ s outbreak , superintendent Laura Feijoo announced that all 11 schools in the district would be closed through at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister , Olivia , and her sixth-grade classmates at Albert Leonard Middle School , found out their school was closing , “ everybody started screaming , ” Olivia said .
The kids were so loud , Olivia said , that the school ’ s principal , John Barnes , known among students for his constantly upbeat demeanor , had to address them over the school ’ s intercom system to sternly remind them about the “ health issue ” at the heart of the shutdown .
The scope of the closures caught teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epidemic ’ s rapid spread gave the adults little time to form contingency plans .
The first positive COVID-19 test for a New Rochelle resident , a Manhattan-based lawyer who worships at Young Israel Synagogue , had been announced just a week before , on March 3 .
Within days , as his family , friends , and fellow congregants tested positive , the cluster emerged as the largest concentration of known infections in the country .
Throughout the week , teachers warned students that it was possible classes would have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One high school teacher told Ben ’ s class late last week that she and fellow faculty members were directed to prepare four days ’ worth of take-home assignments .
But when the closures were ultimately announced this week , the length of the break was set at two weeks , leaving teachers to quickly scramble together extended lesson plans designed to minimize the dozens of hours of lost classroom time .
Some teachers have filmed videos for students , explaining instructions and offering cheery encouragement through these strange times , adjusting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the classroom .
Without lab time for hands-on experiments , Ben ’ s chemistry teacher had to describe the effects of potassium nitrate in water .
In her video message to students , she noted that she could be reached on email all day , and would be available for “ virtual office hours ” from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. , during which she would respond to messages instantly .
Other faculty members , though , have struggled to adjust , Ben said , citing one less technologically advanced teacher who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without any accompanying context to the Google Classroom system the district uses .
“ The classes that are memorization-heavy , like Spanish , are tough for the teachers because you really need to be in the classroom , ” Ben said .
“ You can only give so many worksheets.
” On Wednesday , Ben ’ s first day of “ Corona Break , ” he woke up at 10:30 a.m. — more than three hours later than he usually would on a school day .
Both his parents were out at work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their home , a spacious two-story house on New Rochelle ’ s wealthy north side , within the containment zone , by the end of the week .
After a quick breakfast , he logged onto Google Classroom , the interface where the district ’ s teachers are communicating with students , to see what work he had to do that day .
It wasn ’ t much , and with help from friends over FaceTime , it took barely any time at all .
He and a friend divvied up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then traded notes verbally once they finished , their video call running more than an hour long .
Ben read some pages from the John Lewis graphic novel March : Book One .
And when it was time to take the chemistry exam scheduled for that day , he and about a dozen classmates all got online together , through FaceTime and Google Hangouts , to pool answers .
With nothing stopping them from looking up answers on the internet , they all aced it , scoring a 103 % , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question , Ben said .
“ There ’ s no integrity in the test anymore , ” he said , admitting that he couldn ’ t resist the temptation to exploit the circumstances for good grades .
“ You don ’ t have to do that , but are you really gon na trust students to not do that ?
” The ongoing pseudo-vacation has left Ben ambivalent .
On Wednesday , he finished his work by 2 p.m. , then played Grand Theft Auto for a few hours , then binged episodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S.W.A.T .
“ I feel like I ’ m losing these two weeks , ” he said .
He worries about final exams and the state ’ s Regents test .
“ That ’ s gon na affect what colleges I get into.
” He watched the news in the evenings , aghast at the surreal juxtaposition of the global pandemic next to his boring days home from school .
The terror of the widening outbreak in the US , exemplified by his suburb , has made him doubt his school will reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prom will be canceled , and if the seniors will have to settle for a virtual graduation .
He knows his experience is shaded by his family ’ s financial stability , he said , and he often thinks about his classmates whose pantries are not so full , whose parents have to worry about electricity bills heightened from increased daily use , and babysitting costs because they can ’ t work remotely from home as his parents can .
Some of his classmates don ’ t own a computer and so had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get them through the time away from the classroom , however long that may be .
On Thursday , as confirmed cases in Westchester County climbed to nearly 150 , some of those classmates joined their parents at the Peter Bracey Apartment Complex on the south side of New Rochelle , where the grassy knolls and high-ceilinged homes of the north give way to brick towers and narrow row houses .
At Bracey , mostly black and Latinx families filed in through the ground floor hallway to a room lined with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with canned goods and nonperishables — meals distributed to residents who are lower income , including to replace the free and discounted breakfasts and lunches some students get daily at school .
Several National Guard troops , among the squadron that arrived in the city Thursday to help with feeding and cleaning efforts , were on site to hand out the provisions , which were supplied by a local nonprofit food pantry , Feeding Westchester .
“ A lot of times , the people impacted most by disruptions like this are people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Timothy McKnight , resident services director for the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority , which organized the food distribution service .
Kids carried the meal packages to the 60 or so senior citizens who live in the building , delivering the food to their doorsteps to protect the elders from potential exposure to the virus .
A few blocks away , in a big white room stacked with boxes of gloves , face masks , and sanitary pads , state officials from a variety of agencies buzzed around , organizing home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hotline because they think they ’ ve been exposed or suffer from possible symptoms .
Seventy-five emergency workers divided into teams of three crisscrossed the city responding to these calls .
By Saturday , officials hope to finish constructing a drive-thru testing area at Glen Island Park , on the city ’ s south coast .
Officials had hoped to open the three-lane tented facility by Friday , but delays in equipment shipments meant that it would likely not be open until Saturday or later , a state emergency services spokesperson told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health — which discontinued publicizing the number of tests it has conducted during a nationwide crisis over low testing numbers — did not respond to multiple inquiries about the number of test kits that would be made available in New Rochelle .
Deep in the containment zone , though , all the bustle to limit the outbreak seemed distant .
Outside Ben ’ s house , in a residential stretch of smooth winding pavement , artificial ponds , and picturesque woodlands , the roads were quiet and the birds were chirping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a boy rode a bike , a girl strolled down the middle of the street .
Most others were inside , hunkered down .
“ There ’ s no end in sight , ” Ben said .
“ It might go into summer vacation .
”

NEW ROCHELLE — Ninth-grader Ben Feinblum was in his algebra II class when he heard the news around 12:15 p.m. this Tuesday. A classmate sitting next to him was scrolling through Twitter on his phone, and there it was, straight from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office: All schools within one mile of the Young Israel of New Rochelle Synagogue, the epicenter of the state’s COVID-19 outbreak, would be closed for at least two weeks. That included Ben’s school, New Rochelle High, the only public high school in town.
“You get out in the hallway and it’s a stream of, ‘Let’s get the eff outta here!’” he told BuzzFeed News. “The next class nobody did work.”
Instead, they were livestreaming giddy messages on Instagram, discussing their plans for the unexpected break from classes, celebrating with the excitement you’d expect from teens who just learned that school was suddenly canceled. “A lot of the adults in the building were not the most thrilled,” he said.
As their city became the first in the US to reach more than 100 positive tests for the coronavirus, leading Cuomo to ban large gatherings in the area around the synagogue, the students of New Rochelle High stepped into a sudden reality that their teachers, parents, and district administrators were largely unprepared to handle. Much like the US health care system seems unprepared to handle an emerging nationwide outbreak, so too is the educational system struggling to transition into an extended period without classroom teaching, a shutdown local teens in New Rochelle are calling their “Corona Break” or “Virus Vacation.”
Two other schools in the containment zone, an elementary and a middle school, were also closed Tuesday. And then Thursday, heeding the call of protesting parents worried about the schools still open during the city’s outbreak, superintendent Laura Feijoo announced that all 11 schools in the district would be closed through at least March 25.


buzzfeednews--2020-03-13--Trump Said He Won't Self-Isolate After Coming Into Contact With Someone With The Coronavirus But He'

Trump Said He Won't Self-Isolate After Coming Into Contact With Someone With The Coronavirus But He'll "Most Likely" Get Tested

Trump said he will likely get tested , but not because he came into contact with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19 .
WASHINGTON — After shaking hands with several CEOs of major US companies , President Donald Trump said Friday he will “ most likely ” get tested for the coronavirus after coming into contact with a Brazilian official who later tested positive .
Trump dined with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro at Mar-a-Lago last weekend and was photographed standing next to Bolsonaro ’ s press secretary , Fabio Wajngarten .
Wajngarten tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Trump has so far declined to get tested or self-isolate , despite Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez doing so after coming in contact with Wajngarten .
Suarez tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday .
Several other Republicans have also self-isolated after coming into contact with an attendee at the Conservative Political Action Conference who later tested positive ; Trump gave a speech at the conference .
There ’ s a lot we still don ’ t know about the coronavirus outbreak .
Our newsletter Outbreak Today will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do know in one place — you can sign up here .
Do you have questions you want answered ?
You can always get in touch .
And if you 're someone who is seeing the impact of this firsthand , we ’ d also love to hear from you ( you can reach out to us via one of our tip line channels ) .
During a lengthy press conference Friday , Trump interacted with several top administration officials and business leaders .
He said he did not need to get tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We have a White House doctor — I should say many White House doctors , '' said Trump .
`` I asked them that same question , and they said , ‘ You don ’ t have any symptoms whatsoever.
’ And we do n't want people without symptoms to go and do the test .
The test is not insignificant . ''
But when he was pressed on his contact with the Brazilian staffer , Trump said , “ I didn ’ t say I wasn ’ t going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be , he said , “ Most likely .
Not for that reason , but because I think I will do it anyway .
Fairly soon .
We ’ re working out a schedule.
” During the same press conference , he announced that all Americans returning from Europe would be directed to self-quarantine for 14 days , regardless of whether they showed symptoms .
Trump said he and Bolsonaro “ sat next to each other for a long period of time ” but he was not concerned , because the Brazilian president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said it was negative .
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham announced Thursday he was self-quarantining because he also was at Mar-a-Lago last weekend , though he said he has no recollection of direct contact with Bolsonaro or Wajngarten .
Graham 's office said he is awaiting the results of a coronavirus test .

WASHINGTON — After shaking hands with several CEOs of major US companies, President Donald Trump said Friday he will “most likely” get tested for the coronavirus after coming into contact with a Brazilian official who later tested positive.
Trump dined with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro at Mar-a-Lago last weekend and was photographed standing next to Bolsonaro’s press secretary, Fabio Wajngarten. Wajngarten tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, on Thursday.
Trump has so far declined to get tested or self-isolate, despite Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez doing so after coming in contact with Wajngarten. Suarez tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Several other Republicans have also self-isolated after coming into contact with an attendee at the Conservative Political Action Conference who later tested positive; Trump gave a speech at the conference.


buzzfeednews--2020-03-12--Katie Porter Got The CDC Director To Promise Free Coronavirus Tests

California Rep. Katie Porter exacted a commitment from the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to pay @ @ @ @ @ Americans , grilling the Trump administration official repeatedly in the middle of a congressional hearing @ @ @ @ @ would pay for the tests .
When CDC Director Robert Redfield agreed to Porter ’ @ @ @ @ @ turned to the American public to urge them to get tested .
“ Everyone in @ @ @ @ @ You are eligible to go get tested for coronavirus and have that covered , regardless @ @ @ @ @ a provision in federal administrative law to ask Redfield if he would commit to “ @ @ @ @ @ pay for diagnostic testing free to every American regardless of insurance .
”

California Rep. Katie Porter exacted a commitment from the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to pay for coronavirus testing for uninsured Americans, grilling the Trump administration official repeatedly in the middle of a congressional hearing until he agreed the government would pay for the tests.
When CDC Director Robert Redfield agreed to Porter’s demands, she quickly turned to the American public to urge them to get tested.
“Everyone in America, hear that. You are eligible to go get tested for coronavirus and have that covered, regardless of insurance.”
Porter cited a provision in federal administrative law to ask Redfield if he would commit to “using that existing authority to pay for diagnostic testing free to every American regardless of insurance.”


buzzfeednews--2020-03-13--Five Laid-Off Baristas At Slack’s Coronavirus-Closed Offices Will Receive Extra Pay

Five baristas who were employed at the headquarters for Slack , the instant messaging platform , said they were terminated last week , after their contracting agency told them to stay away from the company ’ s downtown San Francisco office for fear of the spread of the coronavirus .
But the workers , who were not directly employed by Slack , will now receive three months of pay and an opportunity for full time employment after they raised concerns with Slack ’ s leadership .
On Friday , March 6 , the five workers were told by contracting agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work as baristas at Slack ’ s San Francisco office would be terminated March 27 .
Slack ’ s office has been closed as of March 6 due to fears of the spread of the coronavirus , which as of Thursday had infected 1,323 people in the United States .
Today , those workers won a concession from Slack ’ s leadership , which agreed to provide continued access to health care , and guaranteed wages through for an additional 90 days , through June 28 .
“ If anything good comes out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation as me — not the only ones in this situation — can realize they can stand up and say something , ” said Carly McCarthy , a barista who had worked at Slack for 13 months .
The workers also offered guaranteed wages until the launch of a new Slack program , which would offer all of the baristas full time employment through a vendor .
The program does n't have a firm launch date yet , but all baristas were offered a slot .
`` On February 27 , we notified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Slack ’ s San Francisco office that we were confirming the previously scheduled end dates for five baristas , '' a spokesperson for Slack told BuzzFeed News .
`` This pre-set end date was in no way related to COVID-19 ; our remote work contingency plans were not scheduled or implemented until March 7 . ''
`` In the period since February 27 , however , the environment has changed dramatically as a result of COVID-19 , '' the spokesperson added .
`` When Stewart Butterfield , Slack ’ s Chief Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he asked us to do two things : First , to accelerate the launch of our vendor management program and to give all of these contractors the opportunity for full-time employment through that program at its launch ; and Second , to give all of the baristas the opportunity for full time employment at the launch of our vendor management program and guarantee wages and access to healthcare until that time .
We deeply value the contributions of our contractors , and we want to ensure that they are treated well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of March 7 , we are committed to continue paying all contractors as per normal schedules .
We recognize this is a difficult time , and want to protect their health without risking their livelihood . ''
Premier Talent Partners did not return a request for comment .
McCarthy told BuzzFeed News that she was worried that she had developed symptoms similar to those of the disease .
“ I ’ m sick , ” she said .
“ There ’ s a chance I have it.
” On Thursday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO Stewart Butterfield .
“ We don ’ t know if you know us but we ’ ve been making your coffee for the past few years .
We come in before everyone else in the morning , smiles on our faces , and work hard to make sure everyone at Slack has quality coffee , excellent service , and genuine connections every day , ” it read in part .
The letter went on to say , “ All five of our jobs , our livelihood , health care , salaries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when applying for jobs in the service industry will be next to impossible , with mass layoffs across the country due to the rapid spread of the virus.
” Slack employees also set up a GoFundMe to raise money to support the workers , which as of Thursday had raised $ 15,380 for the baristas .

Five baristas who were employed at the headquarters for Slack, the instant messaging platform, said they were terminated last week, after their contracting agency told them to stay away from the company’s downtown San Francisco office for fear of the spread of the coronavirus. But the workers, who were not directly employed by Slack, will now receive three months of pay and an opportunity for full time employment after they raised concerns with Slack’s leadership.
On Friday, March 6, the five workers were told by contracting agency Premier Talent Partners that their contracts to work as baristas at Slack’s San Francisco office would be terminated March 27. Slack’s office has been closed as of March 6 due to fears of the spread of the coronavirus, which as of Thursday had infected 1,323 people in the United States.
Today, those workers won a concession from Slack’s leadership, which agreed to provide continued access to health care, and guaranteed wages through for an additional 90 days, through June 28.
“If anything good comes out of this, people in the same situation as me — not the only ones in this situation — can realize they can stand up and say something,” said Carly McCarthy, a barista who had worked at Slack for 13 months.
The workers also offered guaranteed wages until the launch of a new Slack program, which would offer all of the baristas full time employment through a vendor. The program doesn't have a firm launch date yet, but all baristas were offered a slot.
"On February 27, we notified the contractor agency that employs baristas working at Slack’s San Francisco office that we were confirming the previously scheduled end dates for five baristas," a spokesperson for Slack told BuzzFeed News. "This pre-set end date was in no way related to COVID-19; our remote work contingency plans were not scheduled or implemented until March 7."
"In the period since February 27, however, the environment has changed dramatically as a result of COVID-19," the spokesperson added. "When Stewart Butterfield, Slack’s Chief Executive Officer, was briefed on the situation, he asked us to do two things: First, to accelerate the launch of our vendor management program and to give all of these contractors the opportunity for full-time employment through that program at its launch; and Second, to give all of the baristas the opportunity for full time employment at the launch of our vendor management program and guarantee wages and access to healthcare until that time. We deeply value the contributions of our contractors, and we want to ensure that they are treated well. While Slack has moved to remote operations as of March 7, we are committed to continue paying all contractors as per normal schedules. We recognize this is a difficult time, and want to protect their health without risking their livelihood."
Premier Talent Partners did not return a request for comment.
McCarthy told BuzzFeed News that she was worried that she had developed symptoms similar to those of the disease. “I’m sick,” she said. “There’s a chance I have it.”
On Thursday, the baristas sent an open letter to Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield. “We don’t know if you know us but we’ve been making your coffee for the past few years. We come in before everyone else in the morning, smiles on our faces, and work hard to make sure everyone at Slack has quality coffee, excellent service, and genuine connections every day,” it read in part.
The letter went on to say, “All five of our jobs, our livelihood, health care, salaries and sense of security are ending at a time when applying for jobs in the service industry will be next to impossible, with mass layoffs across the country due to the rapid spread of the virus.”
Slack employees also set up a GoFundMe to raise money to support the workers, which as of Thursday had raised $15,380 for the baristas.


buzzfeednews--2020-03-13--What Life's Like In Italy's Coronavirus Lockdown. Plus, How The Outbreak Is Changing TV

Catch up on all the stories we ca n't stop talking about from Did You See This ?
From the stories making headlines to what ’ s trending in pop culture , catch up on everything you might have missed this week .
Watch new episodes of Did You See This ?
weekdays on Facebook Watch .
Italy is under a nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
Restaurants and shops across the country have shuttered and travel restrictions have been put in place in response to a growing number of COVID-19 cases .
“ Italy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be watching , ” comedian Tim Platt said .
Viewers watching Good Morning America , Jeopardy , Dr. Phil , and more shows may notice a change as a number of productions move forward without live audiences to encourage social distancing .
“ I think it ’ s great that these shows are taping , as long as everybody on set feels safe , ” comedian Leah Bonnema said .
“ Because I bet it makes people who are staying home feel sane.
” The famous music festival has been moved to October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen , I wasn ’ t at these festivals before the coronavirus , and I ’ m not going to these festivals after the coronavirus , ” comedian Aminah Imani joked .
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Gavin Leatherwood joined Did You See This ?
We grilled the actor on our burning questions about the show 's upcoming season and had him check out some of the most “ chilling ” TikTok videos we could find .
Asked about the potential for a Riverdale crossover episode , Leatherwood said he ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would like there to be , ” he added .
“ I want my moment .
With Jughead .
On a motorcycle .
Riding off into the sunset .
Holding Hands.
” The internet is mourning Marnie the dog .
The lovable dog known for her iconic dangling tongue found Instagram fame late in life when her adoptive family gave a second chance to a senior dog .
“ Not to make it about me , but it is depressing to find out that a dog had more Instagram followers than I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joked .

From the stories making headlines to what’s trending in pop culture, catch up on everything you might have missed this week. Watch new episodes of Did You See This? weekdays on Facebook Watch.
Italy is under a nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Restaurants and shops across the country have shuttered and travel restrictions have been put in place in response to a growing number of COVID-19 cases.
“Italy is taking precautions that the entire world should be watching,” comedian Tim Platt said.


buzzfeednews--2020-03-13--If The Internet Can Handle A Nuclear Bomb, It Can Handle Us All Working From Home

“ We have n't seen dramatic slowdowns anywhere across our network , ” Matthew Prince , CEO of Cloudflare , a web infrastructure and security company , told BuzzFeed News .
“ In Italy , we 're seeing a 30 % increase over normal usage and we 're not seeing any deterioration of service across Italian ISPs .
And that is an entire country that 's in quarantine.
” As people around the world quarantine en masse , the internet is being tested .
Internet traffic surged by 30 % by Wednesday in a locked-down Italy .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Korea and parts of the US , like Seattle , that were hit early by COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
Peak usage , typically on Sunday nights , is now 11:30 a.m. on weekdays .
People are streaming , video-chatting , and reading news like there ’ s no tomorrow .
And yet despite this surge , the internet is holding up .
“ The likelihood that this goes down is rather low .
I do n't think we have to fear.
” After all , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear blast , ” Roger Entner , founder and analyst at Recon Analytics , told BuzzFeed News .
“ The likelihood that this goes down is rather low .
I do n't think we have to fear.
” People confining themselves at home will indeed challenge the web ’ s infrastructure .
Streaming volume is up as people stay inside , according to Cloudflare ’ s data , and as video chats have replaced in-person meetings .
These activities place an additional load on local internet service providers , which aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high volume to residences .
But thanks to the way the web operates today , the worst-case scenario may be slightly lower-quality streams for some people .
Streaming video , which stresses the web 's ability to deliver traffic the most , may be responsible for its resilience , experts like Entner said .
The rise of streaming sites like Netflix led to a surge in content-delivery networks , or servers around the world that cache web pages and video .
These networks , known as CDNs , give people access relatively impervious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the web steady amid higher use .
“ In a world before Netflix and streaming video , it might have looked different , ” Entner said .
“ You needed to have the demand.
” Multiple engineers who work in cloud services said the CDNs should function despite the surge .
“ CDNs and their supporting infrastructure will enable many web services to remain online and largely functional during times of high traffic , ” Joshua Briefman , a senior site reliability engineer who ’ s worked on cloud services for years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that their stability is only as good as the forethought that went into their design and deployment .
If a website loaded all its stress on one data center , for instance , its site could be hurt by potential bottlenecks as local internet service providers struggle to meet greater demand .
“ You have a one-inch pipe that supplies water to the entire house , ” Briefman said .
“ That works great for your house .
But now let 's say you decided you wanted to turn your house into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for eight families , and we need water and showers for those families , that one pipe is not going to be able to supply enough water.
” Sites trying to manage significant data loads without proper infrastructure , like CDNs , could find themselves left to the mercy of the ISPs that host them .
That may be a risk .
“ Can the existing networks handle it ?
I doubt it , ” one person who works at Amazon Web Services , a cloud services provider , told BuzzFeed News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Belson , senior director of internet research and analysis at Internet Society , told BuzzFeed News he expected the ISPs to hold up , but not without challenges .
“ The most significant problems , I think , will be seen in the last mile , ” he said in an email .
“ Those in ‘ connectivity deserts ’ may find that their meager connection is insufficient to handle more than the most basic tasks .
( But frankly , that same issue existed before all of this happened . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said they ’ re ready for the deluge .
“ We work hard to make sure we have enough capacity and it ’ s still early , but our network is performing well , ” Comcast spokesperson Joel Shadle told BuzzFeed News .
“ We have seen some shift in usage patterns toward more daytime usage in some impacted areas , but so far things are still similar to what we normally experience during primetime hours.
” An AT & T spokesperson pointed BuzzFeed News to a statement on the company ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to perform well , ” it said .
“ In cities where the coronavirus has had the biggest impact , we are seeing fewer spikes in wireless usage around particular cell towers or particular times of day because more people are working from home rather than commuting to work and fewer people are gathering in large crowds at specific locations.
” For his part , Entner did not seem overly concerned .
“ Push comes to shove , ” he said , “ we ’ ll watch wonderful movies in standard definition .
@

After all, the internet was “designed to survive a nuclear blast,” Roger Entner, founder and analyst at Recon Analytics, told BuzzFeed News. “The likelihood that this goes down is rather low. I don't think we have to fear.”
People confining themselves at home will indeed challenge the web’s infrastructure. Streaming volume is up as people stay inside, according to Cloudflare’s data, and as video chats have replaced in-person meetings. These activities place an additional load on local internet service providers, which aren’t used to delivering connectivity at such a high volume to residences.
But thanks to the way the web operates today, the worst-case scenario may be slightly lower-quality streams for some people.
Streaming video, which stresses the web's ability to deliver traffic the most, may be responsible for its resilience, experts like Entner said. The rise of streaming sites like Netflix led to a surge in content-delivery networks, or servers around the world that cache web pages and video. These networks, known as CDNs, give people access relatively impervious to network disruptions and should help keep the web steady amid higher use.
“In a world before Netflix and streaming video, it might have looked different,” Entner said. “You needed to have the demand.”
Multiple engineers who work in cloud services said the CDNs should function despite the surge. “CDNs and their supporting infrastructure will enable many web services to remain online and largely functional during times of high traffic,” Joshua Briefman, a senior site reliability engineer who’s worked on cloud services for years, told BuzzFeed News, adding the caveat that their stability is only as good as the forethought that went into their design and deployment.
If a website loaded all its stress on one data center, for instance, its site could be hurt by potential bottlenecks as local internet service providers struggle to meet greater demand.
“You have a one-inch pipe that supplies water to the entire house,” Briefman said. “That works great for your house. But now let's say you decided you wanted to turn your house into a neighborhood. When we plumb this place out for eight families, and we need water and showers for those families, that one pipe is not going to be able to supply enough water.”
Sites trying to manage significant data loads without proper infrastructure, like CDNs, could find themselves left to the mercy of the ISPs that host them. That may be a risk. “Can the existing networks handle it? I doubt it,” one person who works at Amazon Web Services, a cloud services provider, told BuzzFeed News. “They will fall over.”
David Belson, senior director of internet research and analysis at Internet Society, told BuzzFeed News he expected the ISPs to hold up, but not without challenges. “The most significant problems, I think, will be seen in the last mile,” he said in an email. “Those in ‘connectivity deserts’ may find that their meager connection is insufficient to handle more than the most basic tasks. (But frankly, that same issue existed before all of this happened.)”
The ISPs, for their part, said they’re ready for the deluge. “We work hard to make sure we have enough capacity and it’s still early, but our network is performing well,” Comcast spokesperson Joel Shadle told BuzzFeed News. “We have seen some shift in usage patterns toward more daytime usage in some impacted areas, but so far things are still similar to what we normally experience during primetime hours.”
An AT&T spokesperson pointed BuzzFeed News to a statement on the company’s website. “Our network continues to perform well,” it said. “In cities where the coronavirus has had the biggest impact, we are seeing fewer spikes in wireless usage around particular cell towers or particular times of day because more people are working from home rather than commuting to work and fewer people are gathering in large crowds at specific locations.”
For his part, Entner did not seem overly concerned. “Push comes to shove,” he said, “we’ll watch wonderful movies in standard definition.”


buzzfeednews--2020-03-12--The Trump Administration Will Move Ahead With Its Plan To Kick People Off Of Food Stamps Despite The

The Trump Administration Will Move Ahead With Its Plan To Kick People Off Of Food Stamps Despite The Coronavirus Outbreak

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is moving ahead with its plan to enact strict work requirements on people who use food stamps despite the coronavirus pandemic — a move that could result in hundreds of thousands of people losing their eligibility for the program .
People could soon be forced to work public-facing jobs when they should stay home or else risk losing access to the assistance they get to buy food .
The Department of Agriculture confirmed this week it is sticking to its timeline to tighten work requirements starting April 1 .
People without a disability or children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualify for SNAP , the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as food stamps .
The White House projects 700,000 people would lose SNAP eligibility .
Lauren Bauer , a fellow with the Brookings Institution , filed access to information requests for figures from all 50 states and projected the number of people losing assistance would be much higher , at 1.3 million to 1.5 million .
But those projections all came out before the novel coronavirus swept across the United States , causing a wave of self-quarantines and threatening economic downturn .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ much , much higher , ” she said .
“ It ’ s going to cause harm both to the people who are eligible for SNAP , but it ’ s also going to cause harm for the economy.
” One fear in particular is that those who work in the service industry or gig economy will see their hours cut as would-be customers stay inside rather than go out to restaurants , bars , and sporting events .
If those workers fall below 80 hours per month , they can be kicked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public health issue : Hourly workers may go to their jobs while they feel ill , a dangerous proposition when officials are recommending most people stay home to help stop the spread of the disease .
The Trump administration had considered delaying the April 1 start day for the rule change but ultimately decided to stay on schedule , Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue confirmed on Tuesday to a House Appropriations Subcommittee .
Since the mid- ’ 90s , adults between the ages of 18 and 49 without a disability or children have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , or they are capped at three months of SNAP eligibility over three years .
But states are currently waiving that requirement in high-unemployment areas .
The Trump administration rule change would make it harder for states to get those waivers .
Perdue said the administration , however , determined states can mitigate the effects of the coronavirus on SNAP enrollment through “ good cause ” waivers .
These exemptions apply when someone has a good cause for missing work , such as falling ill or an office building being shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorized at the state level and do not need to be approved federally .
“ Whether you are sick or your job says you can ’ t come to work , the good cause will eliminate need for work requirements under this rule , ” Perdue said in a statement released to BuzzFeed News .
Experts have raised concerns that good cause waivers need to be processed on a case-by-case basis .
This can cause case managers to become overloaded , and people may not even know they are able to make such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an odd time to be forcing people to go out and work 80 hours of predominantly public-facing jobs , said Ed Bolen , senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities .
Because “ good cause ” is a relatively obscure provision , he said , it is not clear whether someone with a sick spouse would have cause to stay home from their food service job , even if that ’ s medically wise .
“ It just seems shortsighted and counterproductive to condition SNAP benefits on making those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency , ” he said .
Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee repeatedly pressed Perdue to delay the rule change until the coronavirus was no longer a threat , as well as taking other steps to expand the social safety net .
“ Really it ’ s a cruel rule , taking food out of the mouths of hungry individuals , ” she said .
“ Why can ’ t we just postpone or delay this at least until at least this critical moment is over ?
” But Perdue said any response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be approved by both the White House and Congress as part of a “ one government approach ” to the problem .
House Democrats included a blanket work requirement waiver during the length of the coronavirus outbreak in their signature legislation they introduced to address the crisis .
However , that policy package was rebuffed in the Senate , where Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell denounced the bill for creating a “ thicket of bureaucracy ” that will kill thousands of jobs .
What measures ultimately get passed will depend on negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is moving ahead with its plan to enact strict work requirements on people who use food stamps despite the coronavirus pandemic — a move that could result in hundreds of thousands of people losing their eligibility for the program.
People could soon be forced to work public-facing jobs when they should stay home or else risk losing access to the assistance they get to buy food.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed this week it is sticking to its timeline to tighten work requirements starting April 1. People without a disability or children must work 20 hours per week to qualify for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as food stamps.
The White House projects 700,000 people would lose SNAP eligibility. Lauren Bauer, a fellow with the Brookings Institution, filed access to information requests for figures from all 50 states and projected the number of people losing assistance would be much higher, at 1.3 million to 1.5 million.
But those projections all came out before the novel coronavirus swept across the United States, causing a wave of self-quarantines and threatening economic downturn.
“That number is going to be much, much higher,” she said. “It’s going to cause harm both to the people who are eligible for SNAP, but it’s also going to cause harm for the economy.”
One fear in particular is that those who work in the service industry or gig economy will see their hours cut as would-be customers stay inside rather than go out to restaurants, bars, and sporting events. If those workers fall below 80 hours per month, they can be kicked off SNAP. There’s also a public health issue: Hourly workers may go to their jobs while they feel ill, a dangerous proposition when officials are recommending most people stay home to help stop the spread of the disease.
The Trump administration had considered delaying the April 1 start day for the rule change but ultimately decided to stay on schedule, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue confirmed on Tuesday to a House Appropriations Subcommittee.
Since the mid-’90s, adults between the ages of 18 and 49 without a disability or children have been required to work 80 hours per month, or they are capped at three months of SNAP eligibility over three years. But states are currently waiving that requirement in high-unemployment areas. The Trump administration rule change would make it harder for states to get those waivers.
Perdue said the administration, however, determined states can mitigate the effects of the coronavirus on SNAP enrollment through “good cause” waivers. These exemptions apply when someone has a good cause for missing work, such as falling ill or an office building being shut down due to infection. They can be authorized at the state level and do not need to be approved federally.
“Whether you are sick or your job says you can’t come to work, the good cause will eliminate need for work requirements under this rule,” Perdue said in a statement released to BuzzFeed News.
Experts have raised concerns that good cause waivers need to be processed on a case-by-case basis. This can cause case managers to become overloaded, and people may not even know they are able to make such claims.
It also just seems like an odd time to be forcing people to go out and work 80 hours of predominantly public-facing jobs, said Ed Bolen, senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Because “good cause” is a relatively obscure provision, he said, it is not clear whether someone with a sick spouse would have cause to stay home from their food service job, even if that’s medically wise.
“It just seems shortsighted and counterproductive to condition SNAP benefits on making those kinds of decisions during a public health emergency,” he said.
Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee repeatedly pressed Perdue to delay the rule change until the coronavirus was no longer a threat, as well as taking other steps to expand the social safety net. “Really it’s a cruel rule, taking food out of the mouths of hungry individuals,” she said. “Why can’t we just postpone or delay this at least until at least this critical moment is over?”
But Perdue said any response to the coronavirus involving food programs would need to be approved by both the White House and Congress as part of a “one government approach” to the problem.
House Democrats included a blanket work requirement waiver during the length of the coronavirus outbreak in their signature legislation they introduced to address the crisis. However, that policy package was rebuffed in the Senate, where Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell denounced the bill for creating a “thicket of bureaucracy” that will kill thousands of jobs. What measures ultimately get passed will depend on negotiations between Congress and the White House.


buzzfeednews--2020-03-16--Ohio's Governor Recommended His State Move Tuesday's Presidential Primary Because Of The Coronavirus

Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine said the state ’ s Tuesday primary can not meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for preventing community spread of the coronavirus and is recommending postponing the vote until June 2 while continuing to accept absentee ballots by mail in the interim .
At an afternoon press conference , DeWine talked of a tough decision , made in consultation with other officeholders and voters calling with concerns about plans to go through with the primary as scheduled .
“ We should not force them to make this choice , ” DeWine said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others worried about their health .
“ The choice between their health and their constitutional rights and their duties as American citizens .
Further , we should not be in a situation where the votes of these individuals who are conflicted are suppressed.
” Technically , DeWine can not cancel or postpone the election himself .
A third-party lawsuit will be filed Monday in Franklin County , home of Columbus , the state capital .
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose , the state ’ s chief elections administrator , appeared at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not contest the lawsuit and submit to the court the recommendations DeWine outlined .
The situation was still in flux Monday night : a judge rejected the attempt to delay the election .
It was not immediately clear if the plaintiffs — independent of the state government but operating with their public blessing — would appeal .
DeWine and LaRose issued a joint statement late Monday that made no explicit order or any clear indication of their next moves , though they reiterated their belief that a primary can not be held Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a free and fair election is the health and safety of Ohioans , '' DeWine and LaRose said in the statement .
`` The Ohio Department of Health and the CDC have advised against anyone gathering in groups larger than 50 people , which will occur if the election goes forward .
Additionally , Ohioans over 65 and those with certain health conditions have been advised to limit their nonessential contact with others , affecting their ability to vote or serve as poll workers .
Logistically , under these extraordinary circumstances , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold an election tomorrow that will be considered legitimate by Ohioans .
They mustn ’ t be forced to choose between their health and exercising their constitutional rights . ''
The circumstances around Tuesday 's primaries have shifted rapidly in just the last three days .
On Friday , as some states with primaries later in March or April began to move toward delaying their elections , state officials from Ohio , Arizona , Illinois , and Florida said in a joint statement that they intended to stay on track .
`` Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past , and based on the best information we have from public health officials , we are confident that voters in our states can safely and securely cast their ballots in this election , and that otherwise healthy poll workers can and should carry out their patriotic duties on Tuesday , '' they said .
But in the days since then , states across the country , including Ohio and Illinois , have virtually shut down to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Some states scheduled to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly had trouble recruiting poll workers .
And on Sunday , the CDC recommended that public gatherings of more than 50 people in the next two months be canceled or delayed .
Polling centers often have at least that many people in one location at a given time .
“ We understand the apprehension that voters have right now , '' Katie Hobbs , the secretary of state in Arizona , another state with a Tuesday primary , said in a statement late Monday .
`` I have been in consultation with election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leaders from the Democratic Party who agree that the election should move forward tomorrow . ''
“ This decision was not made lightly , and what it all comes down to is that we have no guarantee that there will be a safer time to hold this election in the near future , and elections do not end on Election Day , '' Hobbs added .
`` There are thousands of workers in communities across the state that must continue the job of counting the ballots in the days following the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more difficult and dangerous it could become . ''
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee , meanwhile , said early Monday night that the state 's primary would go forward as planned .

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said the state’s Tuesday primary cannot meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for preventing community spread of the coronavirus and is recommending postponing the vote until June 2 while continuing to accept absentee ballots by mail in the interim.
At an afternoon press conference, DeWine talked of a tough decision, made in consultation with other officeholders and voters calling with concerns about plans to go through with the primary as scheduled.
“We should not force them to make this choice,” DeWine said of senior citizens, pregnant voters, and others worried about their health. “The choice between their health and their constitutional rights and their duties as American citizens. Further, we should not be in a situation where the votes of these individuals who are conflicted are suppressed.”
Technically, DeWine cannot cancel or postpone the election himself. A third-party lawsuit will be filed Monday in Franklin County, home of Columbus, the state capital. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, the state’s chief elections administrator, appeared at the press conference and said the state would not contest the lawsuit and submit to the court the recommendations DeWine outlined.
The situation was still in flux Monday night: a judge rejected the attempt to delay the election. It was not immediately clear if the plaintiffs — independent of the state government but operating with their public blessing — would appeal.
DeWine and LaRose issued a joint statement late Monday that made no explicit order or any clear indication of their next moves, though they reiterated their belief that a primary cannot be held Tuesday.
"The only thing more important than a free and fair election is the health and safety of Ohioans," DeWine and LaRose said in the statement. "The Ohio Department of Health and the CDC have advised against anyone gathering in groups larger than 50 people, which will occur if the election goes forward. Additionally, Ohioans over 65 and those with certain health conditions have been advised to limit their nonessential contact with others, affecting their ability to vote or serve as poll workers. Logistically, under these extraordinary circumstances, it simply isn’t possible to hold an election tomorrow that will be considered legitimate by Ohioans. They mustn’t be forced to choose between their health and exercising their constitutional rights."
The circumstances around Tuesday's primaries have shifted rapidly in just the last three days. On Friday, as some states with primaries later in March or April began to move toward delaying their elections, state officials from Ohio, Arizona, Illinois, and Florida said in a joint statement that they intended to stay on track.
"Americans have participated in elections during challenging times in the past, and based on the best information we have from public health officials, we are confident that voters in our states can safely and securely cast their ballots in this election, and that otherwise healthy poll workers can and should carry out their patriotic duties on Tuesday," they said.
But in the days since then, states across the country, including Ohio and Illinois, have virtually shut down to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Some states scheduled to vote Tuesday, including Ohio, have also reportedly had trouble recruiting poll workers. And on Sunday, the CDC recommended that public gatherings of more than 50 people in the next two months be canceled or delayed. Polling centers often have at least that many people in one location at a given time.
“We understand the apprehension that voters have right now," Katie Hobbs, the secretary of state in Arizona, another state with a Tuesday primary, said in a statement late Monday. "I have been in consultation with election officials across the state, health experts and leaders from the Democratic Party who agree that the election should move forward tomorrow."
“This decision was not made lightly, and what it all comes down to is that we have no guarantee that there will be a safer time to hold this election in the near future, and elections do not end on Election Day," Hobbs added. "There are thousands of workers in communities across the state that must continue the job of counting the ballots in the days following the election. The longer we wait, the more difficult and dangerous it could become."
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee, meanwhile, said early Monday night that the state's primary would go forward as planned.


buzzfeednews--2020-03-16--Arnold Schwarzenegger Made An Incredible Coronavirus PSA With His Mini Donkey And Mini Horse

Arnold Schwarzenegger is urging people to stay home as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread by making an amazing video featuring his mini donkey and mini horse .
The 72-year-old former actor and governor of California fed his equine friends Lulu ( the mini donkey ) and Whiskey ( the mini horse ) carrots as he advised his 4.4 million Twitter followers to practice social distancing and follow the government 's instructions as the US battles COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Schwarzenegger posted the video Sunday night , shortly after current California Gov .
Gavin Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those with underlying health conditions to isolate themselves from others .
“ The important thing is that you stay at home , because there ’ s a curfew now .
No one is allowed out , '' said Schwarzenegger .
`` Especially someone who is , like , 72 years old .
After you are 65 , you are not allowed out of the house anymore in California .
So we stay home and we eat here . ''
“ No more restaurants , forget all that .
Public gatherings , restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We stay home , '' he said .
`` We don ’ t do anything like that anymore here .
We just eat with Whiskey and with Lulu , we have a good time , we get entertained.
” he said .
“ So much more fun . ''

Arnold Schwarzenegger is urging people to stay home as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread by making an amazing video featuring his mini donkey and mini horse.
The 72-year-old former actor and governor of California fed his equine friends Lulu (the mini donkey) and Whiskey (the mini horse) carrots as he advised his 4.4 million Twitter followers to practice social distancing and follow the government's instructions as the US battles COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Schwarzenegger posted the video Sunday night, shortly after current California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked individuals over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions to isolate themselves from others.
“The important thing is that you stay at home, because there’s a curfew now. No one is allowed out," said Schwarzenegger. "Especially someone who is, like, 72 years old. After you are 65, you are not allowed out of the house anymore in California. So we stay home and we eat here."
“No more restaurants, forget all that. Public gatherings, restaurants, gymnasiums are out the window. We stay home," he said.
"We don’t do anything like that anymore here. We just eat with Whiskey and with Lulu, we have a good time, we get entertained.” he said. “So much more fun."


buzzfeednews--2020-03-16--“We Are Clairvoyant”: Congressional Progressives Say The Coronavirus Proves The Need For Medicare Fo

“We Are Clairvoyant”: Congressional Progressives Say The Coronavirus Proves The Need For Medicare For All And Paid Sick Leave

Jayapal ’ s home state of Washington has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus .
The state had 769 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , and 42 deaths , according to the most recent data from Johns Hopkins University researchers .
“ I really think that our push for Medicare for All is being highlighted — or the need for a system like that is being highlighted — right now with this , ” Congressional Progressive Caucus cochair Rep. Pramila Jayapal said in an interview with BuzzFeed News Thursday .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs of tests … we 're waiving the costs of other barriers that would prevent people from seeking medical care .
And all of you know , a lot of those things would be a ) so much easier and b ) would n't be an issue if we have Medicare for All.
” But it ’ s also an opportunity , congressional progressives have said , to prove that their policies work at a time when they ’ re consistently under attack for being too expensive or unrealistic .
Early Saturday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid sick leave for some people affected by the coronavirus , increase food assistance to students and families , and provide free testing for the disease .
WASHINGTON — The coronavirus pandemic is worsening across the United States , with some states limiting bars and restaurants to carry-out only and forcing gyms and other businesses to close .
There ’ s a lot we still don ’ t know about the coronavirus outbreak .
Our newsletter , Outbreak Today , will do its best to put everything we do know in one place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you have questions you want answered ?
You can always get in touch .
And if you 're someone who is seeing the impact of this firsthand , we ’ d also love to hear from you ( you can reach out to us via one of our tip line channels ) .
As of last Thursday , about a dozen people in nursing homes in the state had tested positive , including one person in Jayapal ’ s own district , she said , a development that ’ s highly concerning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at the most risk should they contract the disease .
The coronavirus response package that passed the House requires some employers to provide full-time employees with up to 10 days of paid leave .
Jayapal said she believes it could be a rare test run for progressive policies .
“ We are clairvoyant , ” Jayapal said , referring to the inclusion of many progressive policies in the Democratic response to coronavirus .
It ’ s not only an opportunity to prove their priorities will work , she said , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the economy to survive.
” “ A lot of times what happens is , you know , these things get pitted against some other cost , ” she said .
“ They 're said to be too expensive or impractical or not necessary .
And what a crisis like this shows — in a time like this shows — is that they are actually all of those things .
They 're practical , they 're necessary , and we can afford them because the cost of not doing them is way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a perfect test for Jayapal .
After BuzzFeed News spoke with the Democrat , the bill ’ s paid sick leave policy was altered to exempt large companies with more than 500 employees .
The legislation , which also includes increased food security benefits , is still the subject of intense negotiation on Capitol Hill .
It still needs to pass the Senate and President Donald Trump is pushing for a payroll tax cut and federal assistance for the oil and gas industry in response to the pandemic .
“ Not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , really , corporate interests , but also doing things that are illogical , like trying to bail out [ the ] oil industry that you know are completely unrelated ” Rep. Mark Pocan , who serves as Jayapal ’ s cochair on the Progressive Caucus , said in an interview with BuzzFeed News Thursday .
Trump ’ s bailout plan is similar to the response to the 2008 financial crisis , Pocan said , and he thinks it ’ s misguided .
“ We gave money to Wall Street , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we gave it to big companies or big industries , ” he said .
“ This time , Nancy [ Pelosi ] has been very , very clear that this is something that 's family-focused first.
” Republicans on Capitol Hill have balked at Trump ’ s payroll tax cut proposal , and though they have resisted House Democrats ’ plan , Jayapal said Thursday she believed it was possible to pick up some Republican votes on the package , particularly because the proposals are temporary and tied to the virus .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are partisan .
I believe that they would bring enormous comfort to and support to everybody across the country , whether you 're in a red district or a blue district , ” she said — especially , now , she added , “ because the cost is death.
” Earlier Thursday , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the Democrats ’ proposal “ as currently drafted ” was dead on arrival in the Senate and merely “ left-wing political messaging.
” But Friday afternoon , House Democrats and the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House last week and is set to pass the Senate early this week .

As of last Thursday, about a dozen people in nursing homes in the state had tested positive, including one person in Jayapal’s own district, she said, a development that’s highly concerning due to the fact that older people are at the most risk should they contract the disease.
The coronavirus response package that passed the House requires some employers to provide full-time employees with up to 10 days of paid leave. Jayapal said she believes it could be a rare test run for progressive policies.
“We are clairvoyant,” Jayapal said, referring to the inclusion of many progressive policies in the Democratic response to coronavirus. It’s not only an opportunity to prove their priorities will work, she said, but also “that they are necessary for the rest of the economy to survive.”
“A lot of times what happens is, you know, these things get pitted against some other cost,” she said. “They're said to be too expensive or impractical or not necessary. And what a crisis like this shows — in a time like this shows — is that they are actually all of those things. They're practical, they're necessary, and we can afford them because the cost of not doing them is way more unaffordable.”
But it’s not a perfect test for Jayapal. After BuzzFeed News spoke with the Democrat, the bill’s paid sick leave policy was altered to exempt large companies with more than 500 employees.
The legislation, which also includes increased food security benefits, is still the subject of intense negotiation on Capitol Hill. It still needs to pass the Senate and President Donald Trump is pushing for a payroll tax cut and federal assistance for the oil and gas industry in response to the pandemic.
“Not only is he trying to focus on corporations and, really, corporate interests, but also doing things that are illogical, like trying to bail out [the] oil industry that you know are completely unrelated ” Rep. Mark Pocan, who serves as Jayapal’s cochair on the Progressive Caucus, said in an interview with BuzzFeed News Thursday.
Trump’s bailout plan is similar to the response to the 2008 financial crisis, Pocan said, and he thinks it’s misguided.
“We gave money to Wall Street, we gave money to the auto industry, we gave it to big companies or big industries,” he said. “This time, Nancy [Pelosi] has been very, very clear that this is something that's family-focused first.”
Republicans on Capitol Hill have balked at Trump’s payroll tax cut proposal, and though they have resisted House Democrats’ plan, Jayapal said Thursday she believed it was possible to pick up some Republican votes on the package, particularly because the proposals are temporary and tied to the virus.
“I've never believed that these ideas are partisan. I believe that they would bring enormous comfort to and support to everybody across the country, whether you're in a red district or a blue district,” she said — especially, now, she added, “because the cost is death.”
Earlier Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the Democrats’ proposal “as currently drafted” was dead on arrival in the Senate and merely “left-wing political messaging.” But Friday afternoon, House Democrats and the White House struck a deal, which passed the House last week and is set to pass the Senate early this week.


buzzfeednews--2020-03-16--Mitt Romney Thinks Every American Adult Should Get $1,000 During The Coronavirus Outbreak

WASHINGTON — As the coronavirus pandemic continues to hit the US , people nationwide are being encouraged to stay inside their homes , and states and cities are beginning to close restaurants , bars , and other businesses .
Utah Sen. Mitt Romney has a plan he thinks can help : Give every adult in the US $ 1,000 .
“ Every American adult should immediately receive $ 1,000 to help ensure families and workers can meet their short-term obligations and increase spending in the economy , ” a press release from Romney said Monday .
“ Congress took similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While expansions of paid leave , unemployment insurance , and SNAP benefits [ the program formally known as food stamps ] are crucial , the check will help fill the gaps for Americans that may not quickly navigate different government options.
” The proposal to give every adult $ 1,000 is one of several put forth by Romney to try and address the pandemic — and was central to entrepreneur Andrew Yang ’ s Democratic presidential campaign .
Yang , who qualified for several debates before exiting the race last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a universal basic income proposal that would give every American adult $ 1,000 per month .
Early Monday morning , ahead of the release of Romney ’ s proposal , Yang tweeted , “ Putting money into people ’ s hands is the obvious thing to do in this situation .
I hope Congress wakes up to this before it ’ s too late .
Every day is enormous at this point.
” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , another Democrat running for president , has also called for all Americans to receive $ 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
The House passed a bipartisan emergency coronavirus spending bill last week .
The bill requires paid leave for some workers — though large companies of more than 500 employees are exempted — and provides increased nutrition benefits as well as free testing for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
The package is supported by the White House and still needs to pass the Senate .
“ We also urgently need to build on this legislation with additional action to help families and small businesses meet their short-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on students entering the workforce , and protect health workers on the front lines and their patients by improving telehealth services , ” Romney said in the statement from his office Monday .
“ I will be pushing these measures as Senate discussions continue about an additional relief package.
” In addition to the $ 1,000 checks , Romney is also proposing grants for small businesses , including “ unexpected costs due to COVID-19 ” as part of the consideration for how much money students receive from Pell Grants , deferring loan repayment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and requiring all insurers to temporarily cover telehealth visits .

WASHINGTON — As the coronavirus pandemic continues to hit the US, people nationwide are being encouraged to stay inside their homes, and states and cities are beginning to close restaurants, bars, and other businesses.
Utah Sen. Mitt Romney has a plan he thinks can help: Give every adult in the US $1,000.
“Every American adult should immediately receive $1,000 to help ensure families and workers can meet their short-term obligations and increase spending in the economy,” a press release from Romney said Monday. “Congress took similar action during the 2001 and 2008 recessions. While expansions of paid leave, unemployment insurance, and SNAP benefits [the program formally known as food stamps] are crucial, the check will help fill the gaps for Americans that may not quickly navigate different government options.”
The proposal to give every adult $1,000 is one of several put forth by Romney to try and address the pandemic — and was central to entrepreneur Andrew Yang’s Democratic presidential campaign.
Yang, who qualified for several debates before exiting the race last month, ran a campaign almost entirely focused on a universal basic income proposal that would give every American adult $1,000 per month.
Early Monday morning, ahead of the release of Romney’s proposal, Yang tweeted, “Putting money into people’s hands is the obvious thing to do in this situation. I hope Congress wakes up to this before it’s too late. Every day is enormous at this point.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, another Democrat running for president, has also called for all Americans to receive $1,000 per month for the remainder of the coronavirus crisis.
The House passed a bipartisan emergency coronavirus spending bill last week. The bill requires paid leave for some workers — though large companies of more than 500 employees are exempted — and provides increased nutrition benefits as well as free testing for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The package is supported by the White House and still needs to pass the Senate.
“We also urgently need to build on this legislation with additional action to help families and small businesses meet their short-term financial obligations, ease the financial burden on students entering the workforce, and protect health workers on the front lines and their patients by improving telehealth services,” Romney said in the statement from his office Monday. “I will be pushing these measures as Senate discussions continue about an additional relief package.”
In addition to the $1,000 checks, Romney is also proposing grants for small businesses, including “unexpected costs due to COVID-19” as part of the consideration for how much money students receive from Pell Grants, deferring loan repayment for students impacted by the disease, and requiring all insurers to temporarily cover telehealth visits.


buzzfeednews--2020-03-16--Want To Get Screened For Coronavirus By Verily? You’ll Need A Google Account For That.

If you want to use Verily — a new testing portal for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus — you ’ ll need a Google account .
This is a prerequisite for the site , which was touted by President Donald Trump as a major part of the nation ’ s response to the pandemic .
Verily provides medical information and directs qualifying users to testing locations in several California counties .
It ’ s a requirement that has alarmed privacy advocates , the latest stumbling block in Verily ’ s bizarre and troubled rollout .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring the use of a Google account to obtain access to public health information , ” Marc Rotenberg , president and executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center told BuzzFeed News .
“ It creates an obvious risk of tracking users .
Google should not operate as a gatekeeper for critical public health information.
” Google did not return a request for comment .
Verily asks users screening questions , like their age and whether they have symptoms , and then directs users who might be sick to in-person testing sites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company requires users to sign up for a Google account to collect answers to the survey , schedule testing , and deliver results — though it does not say why the account is needed .
The site specifies that Verily will never connect the personal data generated by the COVID-19 screening to user data stored in other Google products without first receiving “ explicit permission .
”

If you want to use Verily — a new testing portal for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus — you’ll need a Google account.
This is a prerequisite for the site, which was touted by President Donald Trump as a major part of the nation’s response to the pandemic. Verily provides medical information and directs qualifying users to testing locations in several California counties. It’s a requirement that has alarmed privacy advocates, the latest stumbling block in Verily’s bizarre and troubled rollout.
“I am very concerned that Google is requiring the use of a Google account to obtain access to public health information,” Marc Rotenberg, president and executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center told BuzzFeed News. “It creates an obvious risk of tracking users. Google should not operate as a gatekeeper for critical public health information.”
Google did not return a request for comment.
Verily asks users screening questions, like their age and whether they have symptoms, and then directs users who might be sick to in-person testing sites. According to the Verily FAQ section, the company requires users to sign up for a Google account to collect answers to the survey, schedule testing, and deliver results — though it does not say why the account is needed. The site specifies that Verily will never connect the personal data generated by the COVID-19 screening to user data stored in other Google products without first receiving “explicit permission.”


buzzfeednews--2020-03-06--The “Love Is Blind” Reunion Got Messy! Plus, BTS Fans Are Helping Coronavirus Relief — This Week On

The “Love Is Blind” Reunion Got Messy! Plus, BTS Fans Are Helping Coronavirus Relief — This Week On “Did You See This?”

Catch up on all the stories we ca n't stop talking about from Did You See This ?
Watch new episodes of Did You See This ?
weekdays on Facebook Watch .
The Love Is Blind reunion got a bit messy !
Spoiler alert !
Participants in the Netflix dating show came together 18 months after filming wrapped and fans are scratching their heads about how one couple ended up together .
“ If you ’ re that desperate to go on a show to find love , then you ’ re gon na be pretty desperate to stay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
BTS had to cancel a tour in South Korea over coronavirus fears .
The tour was part of a wave of major event cancellations around the globe , but fans of the K-pop group turned it into something positive by donating over $ 300,000 in ticket refunds to coronavirus relief .
“ It ’ s not like they ’ ve canceled my family ’ s trip to Disneyland , ” comedian Michael Cruz Kayne joked .
“ I mean , they can ’ t cancel my family ’ s trip to Disneyland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why he ’ s playing a “ genderless ” fairy godmother in a new Cinderella reboot .
The actor offered a simple explanation : “ Magic has no gender.
” “ The role of the fairy godmother is to pump you up , to motivate you , and who better than Billy Porter , ” comedian Leah Bonnema said .
An animal shelter sold pet portraits and the results are certainly memorable !
The one-of-a-kind art sale raised $ 12,000 for the Wisconsin Humane Society , with a mix of portraits by professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I would love to get an awful drawing of my cat , Leo , ” comedian Charlie Bardey said .
“ You know I could probably just do it on my own.
” Would you take a seat downgrade on a flight for $ 10,000 ?
Nine passengers on a United flight hit the jackpot when they were given that offer to move from business class to the airline ’ s “ Premium Plus ” offering .
“ I was recently on a Spirit flight where the attendant did trivia for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” comedian Tim Platt said .
“ So , I would personally like $ 10,000 for that .
”

Watch new episodes of Did You See This? weekdays on Facebook Watch.
The Love Is Blind reunion got a bit messy!
Spoiler alert! Participants in the Netflix dating show came together 18 months after filming wrapped and fans are scratching their heads about how one couple ended up together.
“If you’re that desperate to go on a show to find love, then you’re gonna be pretty desperate to stay in love,” comedian Arti Gollapudi joked.