usatoday--2020-10-03--'The likely outcome': Trump's COVID diagnosis followed waning precautions at the White House

As President Donald Trump quarantined in the White House residence Friday morning after testing positive for COVID-19 , Chief of Staff Mark Meadows stood outside and said he was n't wearing a mask himself because his test was negative .
“ We ’ re hopefully more than 6 feet away , '' he said to the reporters before him , `` and if there ’ s any concern there from a guidance standpoint , we have protocols in place . ''
From the earliest days of the coronavirus pandemic , there has been a disconnect between the guidance of public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some of his deputies .
From holding large gatherings to resisting masks , the president , his administration and his campaign have sent conflicting messages to the American public as they sought to portray an image of strength and normality .
Experts said Trump and his administration could have done more : Mandate masks at the White House , hold fewer large gatherings and use technology to allow staff to meet remotely .
`` This was not inevitable , but this was the likely outcome , '' said Dr. Michael Mina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T. H. Chan School of Public Health .
Live updates on Trump and COVID-19 : President in hospital for extended stay ; many infected at White House gathering Timeline : President Trump 's travels leading up to his positive coronavirus test Who has tested positive in Washington ?
: A running list of Trump officials and others who have tested positive Trump , he said , is `` as susceptible as anyone else in the world .
Many of us are taking precautions that greatly exceed the cautions that he tends to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ridiculed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for wearing a mask so often , saying , `` If I were a psychiatrist , right , you know I ’ d say : 'This guy ’ s got some big issues . '
'' At a presidential debate Tuesday night , two days before Trump announced his positive test , he did it again .
Experts : Testing is n't enough to stop the spread of the virus Though public health experts recommend social distancing , masks and frequent hand-washing to guard against spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have relied mostly on testing .
Some of the politicians and Trump administration staffers who have announced they had contracted the coronavirus were tested before they were scheduled to appear with Trump at an event or fly with him on Air Force One .
Frequent testing is n't enough , said Michael Ben-Aderet , an infectious disease physician and associate director of hospital epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center .
The White House should be “ setting an example ” through “ good infectious control policy , ” he said .
“ A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect themselves , and I see the president as another essential worker , ” he said .
How they were tested : Trump 's COVID-19 diagnosis puts spotlight on rapid coronavirus tests The president announced his diagnosis early Friday and said he and first lady Melania Trump , who also has COVID-19 , would be quarantining .
Friday evening , he was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
`` Out of an abundance of caution , and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts , the president will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walter Reed for the next few days , '' Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement .
The virus began creeping into the president ’ s inner circle at least as early as May , when Trump ’ s personal valet tested positive .
In short order , several Secret Service agents were diagnosed , along with Vice President Mike Pence ’ s press secretary .
That sent several members of the White House coronavirus task force into quarantine , including Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scary to go to work , ” Kevin Hassett , thenone of Trump ’ s top economic advisers , said at the time in an interview on CBS ’ s `` Face the Nation . ''
Within days , the White House announced it would institute strict protocols .
Trump and Pence would be tested daily , as would every staff member who came into close proximity .
A small white tent was set up on the grounds to test visitors to the White House .
Workspaces would be deep-cleaned regularly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ undergo daily temperature checks and have their symptom histories reviewed .
“ The president ’ s physician and White House operations continue to work closely to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the president , first family and the entire White House complex safe and healthy at all times , ” White House spokesman Judd Deere said May 10 .
Before attending briefings in the small press room , journalists received a second round of temperature checks and were asked if they had any symptoms .
They received a small colored sticker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing cropped up inside the West Wing .
McEnany 's aides regularly donned face masks in the briefing room .
Many staff working at the time in the cramped West Wing wore matching black cloth masks with a small American flag , similar to the one Trump sometimes wore , said a former White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity .
Staff were not required to wear a mask if they were at their desk and were at least six feet apart , the former official said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my colleagues did as well , ” the former official said .
The president continued to eschew mask-wearing even as more Secret Service agents tested positive .
In June , Kimberly Guilfoyle , a campaign aide and the girlfriend of his son Donald Jr. , came down with COVID-19 .
The white tent , the routine temperature checks and other safeguards disappeared by late June , when the White House said it would scale back some of the safety measures , citing Washington , D.C. , entering phase two of reopening .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being tested every two to three days .
The president made those remarks hours after McEnany asserted Trump was tested `` multiple times a day , '' which the president flatly denied hours later .
On July 1 , Trump said he would wear a mask “ in a tight situation with people , ” but he said he rarely found himself in such situations and noted people are tested before they get close to him .
Even after urging the American public to wear masks — a step he took in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one.At a Red Cross event in Washington , D.C. , July 31 , he wore a mask for part of the visit .
After Biden and Democrats held a virtual nominating convention in August , the Trump campaign gathered more than a thousand people at the White House — sitting arm-by-arm , mostly without masks — to hear Trump ’ s acceptance speech .
His large , raucous campaign rallies have continued mostly unabated since : North Carolina , Pennsylvania , New Hampshire , Michigan .
Most are outside , though people often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump held a rally and a “ Latinos for Trump ” roundtable indoors in Las Vegas last month .
Campaign volunteers frequently take the temperature of audience members and distribute masks , but the vast majority of attendees do not wear them .
In interviews with USA TODAY and other media , many have embraced the president ’ s rhetoric questioning face coverings .
Trump 's campaign : President Donald Trump 's coronavirus test result could alter his reelection campaign , undercut pandemic messaging His campaign has been eager to draw a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the coronavirus , which has killed about 209,000 Americans .
But there were questions about safety all along .
Francis Collins , director of the National Institutes of Health , told CNN last month he was `` puzzled and rather disheartened '' by the lack of face coverings at the events .
Attending the rallies — even holding them — is `` is an act of defiance , '' said Republican political strategist Doug Heye .
`` I think there 's a very reasonable question of whether lives are being put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Though White House policy still recommends masks , they 've become a rare sight in the West Wing .
Not only have the president ’ s aides declined to wear them during public events , they have rarely donned them when the cameras are off .
Aides are frequently seen jammed into the warren of offices outside the Oval Office , without any face coverings in sight .
`` Frankly , anyone in the White House who 's not using a mask frequently is a fool , '' Mina said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To not do everything in their power to keep themselves healthy is just absolutely foolish . ''
He added , `` It really pisses me off that we have a president who has failed to do one of the most basic things a president should do , which is to keep himself safe . ''
Last weekend , about 180 people filled the White House Rose Garden to watch Trump announce his nomination of federal judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Less than a third wore masks .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president of the University of Notre Dame , where Barrett is a law school professor .
On Friday , the university announced Jenkins had tested positive for the coronavirus , though it attributed it to contact with a colleague on campus in Indiana .
Ben-Aderet of Cedars-Sinai said based on what we know about the virus , people tend to feel worse in their second week of infection .
Trump has several high-risk factors for COVID morbidity , including obesity and his age .
“ We don ’ t know what other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` It ’ s just another reminder that COVID is still here , '' he said .
Despite the direction from the White House , `` we ’ re still seeing transmission . ''

Donovan Slack and John Fritze, USA TODAY

'The likely outcome': Trump's COVID diagnosis followed waning precautions at the White House
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump said we were 'rounding the turn' on COVID-19 before diagnosis President Donald Trump said we were "rounding the turn" and that the "end of the pandemic is in sight" just before he tested positive for COVID-19. Associated Press, USA TODAY
As President Donald Trump quarantined in the White House residence Friday morning after testing positive for COVID-19, Chief of Staff Mark Meadows stood outside and said he wasn't wearing a mask himself because his test was negative.
“We’re hopefully more than 6 feet away," he said to the reporters before him, "and if there’s any concern there from a guidance standpoint, we have protocols in place."
From the earliest days of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a disconnect between the guidance of public health experts and the actions of Trump and some of his deputies.
From holding large gatherings to resisting masks, the president, his administration and his campaign have sent conflicting messages to the American public as they sought to portray an image of strength and normality.
Experts said Trump and his administration could have done more: Require masks at the White House, hold fewer large gatherings and use technology to allow staff to meet remotely.
"This was not inevitable, but this was the likely outcome," said Dr. Michael Mina, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.
Live updates on Trump and COVID-19: President in hospital for extended stay; many infected at White House gathering
Timeline: President Trump's travels leading up to his positive coronavirus test
Who has tested positive in Washington?: A running list of Trump officials and others who have tested positive
Trump, he said, is "as susceptible as anyone else in the world. Many of us are taking precautions that greatly exceed the cautions that he tends to take."
Just three weeks ago, Trump ridiculed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for wearing a mask so often, saying, "If I were a psychiatrist, right, you know I’d say: 'This guy’s got some big issues.'"
At a presidential debate Tuesday night, two days before Trump announced his positive test, he did it again.
Coronavirus: How R-0 can be used to fight COVID-19 R-0 may be the most important scientific term you’ve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Experts: Testing isn't enough to stop the spread of the virus
Though public health experts recommend social distancing, masks and frequent hand-washing to guard against spreading the virus, the administration appears to have relied mostly on testing. Some of the politicians and Trump administration staffers who have announced they had contracted the coronavirus were tested before they were scheduled to appear with Trump at an event or fly with him on Air Force One.
Frequent testing isn't enough, said Michael Ben-Aderet, an infectious disease physician and associate director of hospital epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The White House should be “setting an example” through “good infectious control policy,” he said.
“A lot of essential workers have been able to protect themselves, and I see the president as another essential worker,” he said.
How they were tested: Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis puts spotlight on rapid coronavirus tests
The president announced his diagnosis early Friday and said he and first lady Melania Trump, who also has COVID-19, would be quarantining. Friday evening, he was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
For more on Trump COVID-19 updates, listen to the latest 5 Things podcast
"Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days," Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement. On Monday, McEnany announced that she also had tested positive for the coronavirus.
First cases at White House spurred testing, cleaning
The virus began creeping into the president’s inner circle at least as early as May, when Trump’s personal valet tested positive. In short order, several Secret Service agents were diagnosed, along with Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary.
That sent several members of the White House coronavirus task force into quarantine, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
“It is scary to go to work,” Kevin Hassett, then one of Trump’s top economic advisers, said at the time in an interview on CBS’s "Face the Nation."
Within days, the White House announced it would institute strict protocols. Trump and Pence would be tested daily, as would every staff member who came into close proximity.
A small white tent was set up on the grounds to test visitors to the White House. Workspaces would be deep-cleaned regularly. Staff would follow social distancing guidelines, get daily temperature checks and have their symptom histories reviewed.
“The president’s physician and White House operations continue to work closely to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the president, first family and the entire White House complex safe and healthy at all times,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said May 10.
Before attending briefings in the small press room, journalists received a second round of temperature checks and were asked if they had any symptoms. They received a small colored sticker if they were cleared. Signs encouraging social distancing cropped up inside the West Wing. McEnany's aides regularly donned face masks in the briefing room.
Many staff working at the time in the cramped West Wing wore matching black cloth masks with a small American flag, similar to the one Trump sometimes wore, said a former White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Staff were not required to wear a mask if they were at their desk and were at least 6 feet apart, the former official said.
“I felt safe, and I know my colleagues did as well,” the former official said.
Safeguards disappeared over the summer
The president continued to eschew mask-wearing even as more Secret Service agents tested positive. In June, Kimberly Guilfoyle, a campaign aide and the girlfriend of his son Donald Jr., came down with COVID-19.
The white tent, the routine temperature checks and other safeguards disappeared by late June, when the White House said it would scale back some of the safety measures. It cited Washington, D.C., entering Phase 2 of reopening.
By July, Trump told reporters he was being tested every two to three days. The president made those remarks hours after McEnany asserted Trump was tested "multiple times a day," which the president flatly denied hours later.
On July 1, Trump said he would wear a mask “in a tight situation with people,” but he said he rarely found himself in such situations and noted people are tested before they get close to him.
Even after urging the American public to wear masks – a step he took in late July – Trump was frequently seen without one. At a Red Cross event in Washington, D.C., on July 31, he wore a mask for part of the visit.
After Biden and Democrats held a virtual nominating convention in August, the Trump campaign gathered more than 1,000 people at the White House – sitting arm-by-arm, most of them without masks – to hear Trump’s acceptance speech.
His large, raucous campaign rallies have continued mostly unabated since: North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Michigan. Most are outside, though people often pack closely together. Defying state rules, Trump held a rally and a “Latinos for Trump” roundtable indoors in Las Vegas last month.
Campaign volunteers frequently take the temperature of audience members and distribute masks, but the vast majority of attendees do not wear them. In interviews with USA TODAY and other media, many have embraced the president’s rhetoric questioning face coverings.
Trump's campaign: President Donald Trump's coronavirus test result could alter his reelection campaign, undercut pandemic messaging
His campaign has been eager to draw a contrast with Biden and change the subject from the coronavirus, which has killed about 209,000 Americans. But there were questions about safety all along.
Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told CNN last month that he was "puzzled and rather disheartened" by the lack of face coverings at the events.
Attending the rallies – even holding them – is "is an act of defiance," said Republican political strategist Doug Heye. "I think there's a very reasonable question of whether lives are being put in jeopardy just to do a political event."
Though White House policy still recommends masks, they've become a rare sight in the West Wing. Not only have the president’s aides declined to wear them during public events, they have rarely donned them when the cameras are off. Aides are frequently seen jammed into the warren of offices outside the Oval Office, without any face coverings in sight.
Wishing the @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS mild symptoms & a speedy recovery. Thinking of the @VP & other White House staff, hoping everyone will be okay. Also hoping this changes the leadership mindset & culture inside the White House to “it’s okay to wear a mask.” It’s important. — Olivia of Troye (@OliviaTroye) October 2, 2020
"Frankly, anyone in the White House who's not using a mask frequently is a fool," Mina said on a Friday call with the media. "To not do everything in their power to keep themselves healthy is just absolutely foolish."
He added, "It really (ticks) me off that we have a president who has failed to do one of the most basic things a president should do, which is to keep himself safe."
Last weekend, about 180 people filled the White House Rose Garden to watch Trump announce his nomination of federal judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Less than a third wore masks.
That included the Rev. John Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame, where Barrett is a law school professor. On Friday, the university announced Jenkins had tested positive for the coronavirus, though it attributed it to contact with a colleague on campus in Indiana.
Ben-Aderet of Cedars-Sinai said based on what we know about the virus, people tend to feel worse in their second week of infection. Trump has several high-risk factors for COVID-19 morbidity, including obesity and his age. “We don’t know what other risk factors he has,” Ben-Aderet said.
"It’s just another reminder that COVID is still here," he said. Despite the direction from the White House, "we’re still seeing transmission."
Contributing: Josh Salman, Karen Weintraub, Kevin McCoy, Courtney Subramanian, David Jackson and Michael Collins.


usatoday--2020-10-03--Sen. Ron Johnson becomes latest member of Congress to test positive for COVID-19

WASHINGTON – Sen. Ron Johnson , R-Wisc.
, became the latest member of Congress to test positive for COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ Johnson , chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs , was @ @ @ @ @ office said in a statement .
`` Senator Johnson feels healthy and is not experiencing @ @ @ @ @ office said a statement .
`` He will remain isolated until given the all-clear by @ @ @ @ @ senators test positive for COVID-19 after Trump ; Democrats say it 's 'premature ' to @ @ @ @ @ hearings Aides said that most staff in Johnson 's Washington office had already been working @ @ @ @ @ test result , the office will go all-virtual , an aide said .
Johnson was @ @ @ @ @ announce a positive test result for coronavirus since Friday .
Sens .
Mike Lee , @ @ @ @ @ , R-N.C. , also tested positive .

Sen. Ron Johnson becomes latest member of Congress to test positive for COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump says he tested positive for coronavirus President Donald Trump said early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus. (Oct. 2) AP
WASHINGTON – Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., became the latest member of Congress to test positive for COVID-19, his office announced Saturday.
Johnson, chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, was tested Friday afternoon, according to the statement from Johnson spokesman Ben Voelkel.
"Senator Johnson feels healthy and is not experiencing symptoms," Voelkel said the statement. "He will remain isolated until given the all-clear by his doctor."
More: 2 GOP senators test positive for COVID-19 after Trump; Democrats say it's 'premature' to move forward with Barrett confirmation hearings
Aides said that most staff in Johnson's Washington office had already been working remotely. With the new test result, the office will go all-virtual, an aide said.
Johnson, 65, was the third GOP senator to announce a positive test result for coronavirus since Friday. Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., also tested positive. The former businessman from Oshkosh is the 16th member of Congress to have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began in March.
Voelkel said Johnson had been exposed to someone who tested positive on Sept. 14 and stayed in quarantine for 14 days. During that time, he tested negative. On Tuesday, he returned to Washington where he came into contact with someone who had the virus. Johnson got tested again and the results were positive, according to Voelkel's statement which does not say where the senator thinks he was infected or who the person he came in contact with was.
For more on the latest Trump COVID-19 updates, listen to the USA TODAY 5 Things podcast
The senator did not attend the White House ceremony announcing the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. At least six people who attended that event, including President Donald Trump, have since tested positive. Lee and Tillis also attended the ceremony on Sept. 27 and have spent the past week on Capitol Hill mingling with other senators.
The positive test of a third GOP senator – with the prospect that more could come forward in the coming days – threatens to disrupt the White House's top priority in Congress: the confirmation of Barrett to replace Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died last month.
More: Trump and 2 senators' positive COVID-19 tests spark worries over Amy Coney Barrett confirmation, but GOP moving forward anyway
Republicans are trying to hold hearings and confirm her before Election Day on Nov. 3. But that schedule could be derailed if the GOP could not muster enough votes for confirmation by the full Senate because senators are back home in quarantine.
Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate and GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine have said they oppose a vote to replace Ginsburg before the election.
Democrats, who uniformly oppose Barrett's nomination, have asked Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to delay the hearings which are set to begin Oct. 12 while lawmakers continue to report positive COVID-19 tests on Capitol Hill.
“It is premature for Chairman Graham to commit to a hearing schedule when we do not know the full extent of potential exposure stemming from the president’s infection and before the White House puts in place a contact tracing plan to prevent further spread of the disease," said California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Contributing: Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


usatoday--2020-10-03--As Titans' COVID-19 cases continue to mount, could game vs. Bills be in jeopardy?

One positive COVID-19 case has ballooned into more than a dozen , and the concern over the Titans playing in Week 4 now has bled into Week 5 .
The Titans ( 3-0 ) , who had Sunday ’ s home game against the Steelers postponed by the NFL on Thursday until Oct. 25 , are dealing with the league ’ s first teamwide COVID-19 outbreak .
Two more players tested positive Friday , bringing the total number of team members infected since Sept. 24 to 15 , including eight players and seven team personnel .
Amid the mounting cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game against the visiting Buffalo Bills is quickly approaching on Oct. 11 .
TITANS COVID-19 OUTBREAK : A timeline of events that led to rescheduling Steelers game What needs to happen for Titans to host Bills as scheduled ?
As it stands , their scheduled noon kickoff next Sunday appears to be in jeopardy — unless the Titans see better results with their daily testing .
Friday ’ s positive tests represented the fourth consecutive day the team had at least one player test positive .
The list of infected players includes : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be critical .
The Titans hope to reopen their team facility early next week after they were forced to shut it down Tuesday , when they reverted to virtual meetings .
NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills on Thursday said the reopening of the Titans facility `` totally depends on test results '' and requires a period where experts are convinced there 's no COVID-19 transmission , according to NFL Network .
TITANS COVID-19 OUTBREAK : It 's easier to blame the team than concede hopelessness of trying to stop COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be able to return a significant portion of infected players ?
That ’ s where the team ’ s expanded practice squad will come into play .
Under the new collective bargaining agreement , the size of teams ' practice squads already was set to increase from 10 to 12 players this year .
But in light on the pandemic , the NFL further increased the size to 16 players for 2020 with six slots open to players with any amount of experience .
Additionally , four players on the practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a weekly basis .
For the Titans ' since-postponed game against the Steelers , for example , they had planned to protect quarterback Trevor Siemian , linebacker Daren Bates , wide receiver Cam Batson and kicker Tucker McCann .
Also new for 2020 : Teams can carry up to 55 players on their roster , up from 53 , by elevating one or two players from their practice squad before 3 p.m. CT on the day before that team 's game .
The move allows teams a larger pool from which to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Batson has benefited from the rule change the past two weeks , playing meaningful snaps for the Titans in both games .
No , it 's not anywhere close to ideal for a 3-0 Titans team that is trying to stay perfect .
There ’ s no one on the practice squad who can make up for Jones ’ run-stopping ability , Brinkley ’ s consistency as long snapper or Fulton ’ s speed at cornerback .
But it ’ s a solution , and one the Titans would have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as scheduled and a significant number of the players who tested positive were unable to return .
In certain instances , like trying to find a fill-in for Brinkley , the Titans could look to free agency for roster help .
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said as much when it comes to filling a niche position like long snapper .
Per the NFL , a player who has tested positive and is asymptomatic can return once 10 days have passed since the initial positive test , or five days have passed since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart within that five-day period .
Those who show symptoms can return 10 days after the symptoms first appear and 72 hours have passed since any symptoms have ended .
Then there are the undefeated Bills .
Would they have any apprehension about traveling to Nashville to face a team that has endured an outbreak ?
Earlier this week , Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin was asked as much when Titans-Steelers was still looking like it could be played in Week 4 .
`` No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical experts , '' Tomlin said .
`` If they deem it safe for us to proceed , then we ’ re going to go down there with the intentions of playing and playing to win . ''
What if Titans-Bills needs to be postponed ?
The Titans were fortunate there existed a clean fix for this week ’ s postponement ; only three teams were affected as Titans-Steelers was moved to Week 7 .
The Steelers-Ravens game originally scheduled for Week 7 was pushed back to Week 8 , when both teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
The Titans have no more open dates on their schedule ; as it is , they are set to play 13 straight weeks to conclude the regular season .
Playing after the final regular season weekend would appear to be the only viable path forward if Titans-Bills needed to be postponed until after Week 5 .

As Titans’ COVID-19 cases continue to mount, could game vs. Bills be in jeopardy?
Show Caption Hide Caption Lorenzo's Locks: Three best bets to consider for NFL Week 4 SportsPulse: Lorenzo's picks have been like clock work going 2-1 each of the first three weeks of the season. For Week 4 he gives his three locks hoping to finally have the perfect weekend. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
One positive COVID-19 case has ballooned into more than a dozen, and the concern over the Titans playing in Week 4 now has bled into Week 5.
The Titans (3-0), who had Sunday’s home game against the Steelers postponed by the NFL on Thursday until Oct. 25, are dealing with the league’s first teamwide COVID-19 outbreak. Two more players tested positive Friday, and one additional player and two team personnel tested positive on Saturday, according to and ESPN report.
Since Sept. 24, the Titans have returned 18 positive tests, including nine players and nine team personnel.
Amid the mounting cases, the team’s Week 5 game against the visiting Buffalo Bills is quickly approaching on Oct. 11.
TITANS COVID-19 OUTBREAK: A timeline of events that led to rescheduling Steelers game
What needs to happen for Titans to host Bills as scheduled?
Put simply, negative COVID-19 tests.
As it stands, their scheduled noon kickoff next Sunday appears to be in jeopardy — unless the Titans see better results with their daily testing. Saturday's positive tests represented the fifth consecutive day the team had at least one player test positive. The list of infected players includes:
defensive lineman DaQuan Jones
long snapper Beau Brinkley
tight end Tommy Hudson (practice squad)
outsideline backer Kamalei Correa
cornerback Kristian Fulton
cornerback Greg Mabin (practice squad)
wide receiver Adam Humphries
wide receiver Cam Batson
Sunday’s test results will be critical. The Titans hope to reopen their team facility early next week after they were forced to shut it down Tuesday, when they reverted to virtual meetings.
NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills on Thursday said the reopening of the Titans facility "totally depends on test results" and requires a period where experts are convinced there's no COVID-19 transmission, according to NFL Network.
TITANS COVID-19 OUTBREAK: It's easier to blame the team than concede hopelessness of trying to stop COVID-19 | Estes
What if the Titans won’t be able to return a significant portion of infected players?
That’s where the team’s expanded practice squad will come into play.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, the size of teams' practice squads already was set to increase from 10 to 12 players this year. But in light on the pandemic, the NFL further increased the size to 16 players for 2020 with six slots open to players with any amount of experience.
Additionally, four players on the practice squad can be protected from other teams on a weekly basis. For the Titans' since-postponed game against the Steelers, for example, they had planned to protect quarterback Trevor Siemian, linebacker Daren Bates, wide receiver Cam Batson and kicker Tucker McCann.
UPDATE: Titans wide receivers Adam Humphries, Cam Batson test positive for COVID-19
Also new for 2020: Teams can carry up to 55 players on their roster, up from 53, by elevating one or two players from their practice squad before 3 p.m. CT on the day before that team's game. The move allows teams a larger pool from which to select their 48 active players on game day. Batson has benefited from the rule change the past two weeks, playing meaningful snaps for the Titans in both games.
No, it's not anywhere close to ideal for a 3-0 Titans team that is trying to stay perfect. There’s no one on the practice squad who can make up for Jones’ run-stopping ability, Brinkley’s consistency as long snapper or Fulton’s speed at cornerback.
But it’s a solution, and one the Titans would have to live with if the game is played as scheduled and a significant number of the players who tested positive were unable to return.
In certain instances, like trying to find a fill-in for Brinkley, the Titans could look to free agency for roster help. Titans coach Mike Vrabel said as much when it comes to filling a niche position like long snapper.
Per the NFL, a player who has tested positive and is asymptomatic can return once 10 days have passed since the initial positive test, or five days have passed since the initial positive test and the player receives two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart within that five-day period. Those who show symptoms can return 10 days after the symptoms first appear and 72 hours have passed since any symptoms have ended.
TITANS COVID-19 OUTBREAK: Mike Vrabel says 'Nobody's to blame'
Safety concerns for Bills?
Then there are the undefeated Bills. Would they have any apprehension about traveling to Nashville to face a team that has endured an outbreak?
Earlier this week, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin was asked as much when Titans-Steelers was still looking like it could be played in Week 4.
"No, we’re going to trust the medical experts," Tomlin said. "If they deem it safe for us to proceed, then we’re going to go down there with the intentions of playing and playing to win."
What if Titans-Bills needs to be postponed?
That’s a nightmare scenario.
The Titans were fortunate there existed a clean fix for this week’s postponement; only three teams were affected as Titans-Steelers was moved to Week 7. The Steelers-Ravens game originally scheduled for Week 7 was pushed back to Week 8, when both teams were originally set to take their open week.
The Titans have no more open dates on their schedule; as it is, they are set to play 13 straight weeks to conclude the regular season.
Playing after the final regular season weekend would appear to be the only viable path forward if Titans-Bills needed to be postponed until after Week 5.
Follow Erik Bacharach on Twitter @ErikBacharach.


usatoday--2020-10-03--Heat don't want your pity down 0-2 and facing long odds against Lakers in NBA Finals

Besides , as he told reporters following the Los Angeles Lakers ’ 124-114 victory over Miami in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday , `` We don ’ t give a ( expletive ) what everybody else thinks . ''
Just a few days ago , Lakers vs. Heat had the promise of competitive Finals .
Both teams rolled through the playoffs and were 12-3 headed into the Finals .
Though they used different styles to get where they are , they are well-coached with talent .
But that promise of competitive , or at least compelling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven-game series — evaporated into the thick central Florida air when Miami ’ s Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic sustained injuries in Game 1 .
Through no fault of anyone ’ s , the series is a dud , a disappointing finish to what was an entertaining playoffs in a bubble .
It ’ s just impossible for a team to lose two starters — its second- and third-best players — and have a chance to beat a Lakers team featuring LeBron James and Anthony Davis .
`` We 're going to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this thing until the wheels fall off , '' Heat All-Star Jimmy Butler said .
`` It 's not over .
We 're just down 0-2 , so we got to do something special .
We 're capable of it , and I would n't want to be in the trenches with any other guys except for the ones that we have . ''
If only we could all be as confident as Butler .
He is also realistic .
`` Like I said at the beginning of this thing , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to beat those guys over there , '' Butler said .
`` We have yet to do it and if we do n't do it soon , it 's not going to be pretty . ''
There are parts of Friday ’ s game that encouraged Spoelstra .
The Heat outshot the Lakers from the field , on 3-pointers and from the foul line .
`` I love a lot of the things , the way we competed tonight , but I think another level would have put us in a position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity there at the end and that 's what you want , '' Spoelstra said .
`` That 's part of the process of learning how to get to that next level .
So we got some time tomorrow to review it , own it and get better .
... '' Our guys brought it and , look , if it ends up being whatever it was 10 , 12-point game , then we need to make up 10 , 12 points to overcome that .
Thirteen , 14 points , to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's what we 'll get to work on .
But , look , I love these guys .
I love the way we compete .
We have to figure out how to overcome this and get over the top . ''
Even if Adebayo returns for Game 3 , that ’ s one massive challenge against the Lakers .
This isn ’ t the way the Heat preferred the series play out so far , just like James wanted Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love on the court with him in the 2015 Finals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson were sidelined with injuries in the 2019 Finals .
Injuries stink .
Even the Lakers are bummed about that .
But it ’ s the way it goes .
Those injuries become just footnotes in the larger context .
We don ’ t remember the losers as much as the winners .
The Heat can ’ t afford to lose Game 3 .
It ’ s already a brutal climb up the mountain , they don ’ t want to trail 3-0 with James sensing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his first .
But don ’ t feel sorry for Spoelstra or the Heat .
`` What will it take ?
Whatever is necessary .
It 's simple as that , '' Spoelstra said .
`` If you want something badly enough , you 'll figure it out .
Our group is extremely stubborn , persistent , and we just need to figure out how to overcome this opponent .
And that we respect the quality , high quality of opponent that we 're playing , you got to figure it out @ @ @ @ @

Heat don't want your pity down 0-2 and facing long odds against Lakers in NBA Finals
Show Caption Hide Caption LeBron, AD dominate their way to 2-0 lead, draw Kobe-Shaq comparisons SportsPulse: LeBron James and Anthony Davis became the first pair of Lakers with 30-plus points in the same Finals game since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal and LA now has a 2-0 series lead over the Heat because of it. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra doesn’t want your pity party.
Besides, as he told reporters following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-114 victory over Miami in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday, "We don’t give a (expletive) what everybody else thinks."
Just a few days ago, Lakers vs. Heat had the promise of competitive Finals. Both teams rolled through the playoffs and were 12-3 headed into the Finals. Though they used different styles to get where they are, they are well-coached with talent.
But that promise of competitive, or at least compelling, series — multiple NBA experts predicted a seven-game series — evaporated into the thick central Florida air when Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic sustained injuries in Game 1.
"We don't give a (expletive) what everybody else thinks," Erik Spoelstra said of his Heat team. pic.twitter.com/yWzKUmL3rJ — USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 3, 2020
Through no fault of anyone’s, the series is a dud, a disappointing finish to what was an entertaining playoffs in a bubble. It’s just impossible for a team to lose two starters — its second- and third-best players — and have a chance to beat a Lakers team featuring LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
"We're going to fight, and we're going to ride with this thing until the wheels fall off," Heat All-Star Jimmy Butler said. "It's not over. We're just down 0-2, so we got to do something special. We're capable of it, and I wouldn't want to be in the trenches with any other guys except for the ones that we have."
If only we could all be as confident as Butler. He is also realistic.
"Like I said at the beginning of this thing, we got to play damn near perfect in order to beat those guys over there," Butler said. "We have yet to do it and if we don't do it soon, it's not going to be pretty."
Jimmy Butler says the Heat still have plenty of belief, but reiterates to come back in the #NBAFinals they have to play "damn near perfect in order to beat those guys over there."
"We've yet to do it, and if we don't do it soon, it's not going to be pretty," he added. pic.twitter.com/uj2ey0KZ5H — USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 3, 2020
There are parts of Friday’s game that encouraged Spoelstra. The Heat outshot the Lakers from the field, on 3-pointers and from the foul line.
"I love a lot of the things, the way we competed tonight, but I think another level would have put us in a position to have an opportunity, a real opportunity there at the end and that's what you want," Spoelstra said. "That's part of the process of learning how to get to that next level. So we got some time tomorrow to review it, own it and get better. ...
"Our guys brought it and, look, if it ends up being whatever it was 10, 12-point game, then we need to make up 10, 12 points to overcome that. Thirteen, 14 points, to make sure we get the win. That's what we'll get to work on. But, look, I love these guys. I love the way we compete. We have to figure out how to overcome this and get over the top."
Even if Adebayo returns for Game 3, that’s one massive challenge against the Lakers.
This isn’t the way the Heat preferred the series play out so far, just like James wanted Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love on the court with him in the 2015 Finals, but injuries derailed that. Or the way Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson were sidelined with injuries in the 2019 Finals.
Injuries stink. Even the Lakers are bummed about that. But it’s the way it goes. Those injuries become just footnotes in the larger context. We don’t remember the losers as much as the winners.
The Heat can’t afford to lose Game 3. It’s already a brutal climb up the mountain, they don’t want to trail 3-0 with James sensing his fourth championship and Davis on the precipice of his first.
But don’t feel sorry for Spoelstra or the Heat.
"What will it take? Whatever is necessary. It's simple as that," Spoelstra said. "If you want something badly enough, you'll figure it out. Our group is extremely stubborn, persistent, and we just need to figure out how to overcome this opponent. And that we respect the quality, high quality of opponent that we're playing, you got to figure it out and overcome it."
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.


usatoday--2020-10-03--Biden campaign sees opportunity in military women, spouses and people of color

This story was published in partnership with The 19th , a nonprofit , nonpartisan newsroom reporting on gender , politics and policy .
As the military ’ s support of President Donald Trump declines , according to recent polls , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s campaign is working to woo both veterans and the families of active military members by capitalizing on media reports of Trump ’ s comments about the military , as well as the support of a high-profile military spouse .
Given the increased diversity of the military — which has been going up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declines — talking to women and voters of color are key to the Biden campaign ’ s strategy .
Rory Brosius , an advisor to the Biden campaign on military families , said it ’ s important to look at the military holistically and consider the role of identity in a service member ’ s life , as well as how their families , who serve alongside members every day , can be impacted by programs and policies .
“ I think there ’ s a lot of intersectionality on the issues that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Brosius , whose husband served in the Marine Corps for 10 years .
“ A Black woman veteran might have an experience unique from a White woman .
It ’ s important to create that space to have these conversations and acknowledge the diversity within our military forces and families.
” According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs , there are more than 2 million female veterans in the U.S. and Puerto Rico , representing nearly 10 % of the total veteran population .
The total population of women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women per year .
More than 25 % of all veterans are people of color , and that is expected to increase to more than 35 % by 2040 .
Earlier this summer , the Military Times released a poll showing a decline in the president ’ s popularity among active-duty service members .
Trump 's tensions with the military grow after reports that he disparaged soldiers , generals According to the poll , conducted in partnership with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University , there has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the president ’ s election four years ago .
As of August 2020 , nearly half of the 1,018 surveyed troops had an unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion of him .
Less than 40 % had a favorable or very favorable opinion , and about 12 % were neutral .
The military has historically been known to lean Republican .
While George W. Bush , a Republican , was in office , a 2009 Gallup poll found that 34 % of active-duty personnel and veterans were Republican while only 29 % were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains slightly higher than that of Barack Obama , a Democrat , but the latest polls show that more troops would vote for Democratic candidate Joe Biden than Donald Trump .
In early September , The Atlantic published an article alleging that Trump disparaged Americans who died in war as “ losers ” and “ suckers.
” Trump denied the story .
Biden himself responded in a statement : “ As the proud parents of a son who served in Iraq , we ’ ve made supporting military spouses , caregivers and children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report , Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois wrote a piece of her own .
Duckworth , an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient , argued that Trump ’ s “ personal insecurities endanger America ’ s national security ” and he is “ not fit to be commander in chief.
” The Biden campaign quickly launched a digital ad campaign geared towards military families , and nearly 500 retired senior military officers , former cabinet secretaries and service chiefs signed an open letter in support of the Democratic nominee .
Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 retired top military , national security officials On September 22 , Cindy McCain , the widow of Republican Sen. John McCain , urged Republicans to cross party lines and vote for Biden in the upcoming election .
Sen. McCain , who lost to President Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race , was a naval aviator shot down over Vietnam and spent more than five years there as a prisoner of war .
In 2015 , Trump criticized the senator : “ I like people who weren ’ t captured.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : country first , ” McCain said on Twitter .
“ We are Republicans , yes , but Americans foremost .
There ’ s only one candidate in this race who stands up for our values as a nation , and that is Joe Biden.
” McCain added that Biden “ will be a commander in chief that the finest fighting force in the history of the world can depend on , because he knows what it is like to send a child off to fight.
” Some voters are responding to Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family member .
Sarah Streyder , an Air Force spouse and a military families advocate for the Biden campaign , said she ’ s been impressed by Biden ’ s character and ability to relate on a personal level to the military experience .
“ Military spouses and families are as diverse as the communities they come from , but we ’ re a lot less ideological than people think , ” Streyder said .
“ We ’ re more pragmatic : less about team red or blue .
We ’ re more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fact check : Jill Biden never said Joe Biden had 'three strokes' Streyder said she ’ s focused on engaging with military partners and spouses , the overwhelming majority of which are women .
These spouses do not have the same kind of restrictions and political boundaries around supporting candidates that their service member partners do .
They have a responsibility “ to be active , be vocal and give voice to our loved ones , ” Streyder added .
“ I think if there ’ s anything we ’ ve learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s that foreign policy is dominated by a lot of men in suits , ” Streyder said .
“ And we need more women in jeans — the military spouses — to mobilize.
” Screams of 'defund police ' misplaced .
Instead , use military as example for progress .
Margo Drakos , an active-duty military spouse based in Fort Bragg and volunteer for the Biden campaign , said she ’ s been moving around the country for nearly nine years to support her husband while working remotely as an executive of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You ’ re seeing such a diverse cross section of military spouses across this nation and stationed around this world who are in support of Vice President Biden for President , ” Drakos said .
“ We ’ re deeply troubled by the unpredictability and disrespect that is coming from our current commander in chief .
”

Biden campaign sees opportunity in military women, spouses and people of color
Show Caption Hide Caption Nearly 500 generals, admirals endorse Biden and blast President Trump Nearly 500 retired generals, admirals and senior civilian national security officials endorse Joe Biden and blast President Donald Trump. USA TODAY
This story was published in partnership with The 19th, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy.
As the military’s support of President Donald Trump declines, according to recent polls, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign is working to woo both veterans and the families of active military members by capitalizing on media reports of Trump’s comments about the military, as well as the support of a high-profile military spouse.
Given the increased diversity of the military — which has been going up for decades even as the total veteran population declines — talking to women and voters of color are key to the Biden campaign’s strategy.
Rory Brosius, an advisor to the Biden campaign on military families, said it’s important to look at the military holistically and consider the role of identity in a service member’s life, as well as how their families, who serve alongside members every day, can be impacted by programs and policies.
“I think there’s a lot of intersectionality on the issues that we deal with in the military community,” said Brosius, whose husband served in the Marine Corps for 10 years. “A Black woman veteran might have an experience unique from a White woman. It’s important to create that space to have these conversations and acknowledge the diversity within our military forces and families.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are more than 2 million female veterans in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, representing nearly 10% of the total veteran population. The total population of women veterans is expected to increase about 18,000 women per year. More than 25% of all veterans are people of color, and that is expected to increase to more than 35% by 2040.
Earlier this summer, the Military Times released a poll showing a decline in the president’s popularity among active-duty service members.
According to the poll, conducted in partnership with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, there has been a steady drop in favorable opinion of Trump since the president’s election four years ago. As of August 2020, nearly half of the 1,018 surveyed troops had an unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion of him. Less than 40% had a favorable or very favorable opinion, and about 12% were neutral.
The military has historically been known to lean Republican. While George W. Bush, a Republican, was in office, a 2009 Gallup poll found that 34% of active-duty personnel and veterans were Republican while only 29% were Democrats. Trump’s popularity still remains slightly higher than that of Barack Obama, a Democrat, but the latest polls show that more troops would vote for Democratic candidate Joe Biden than Donald Trump.
In early September, The Atlantic published an article alleging that Trump disparaged Americans who died in war as “losers” and “suckers.” Trump denied the story.
Biden himself responded in a statement: “As the proud parents of a son who served in Iraq, we’ve made supporting military spouses, caregivers and children a focus of our service.”
Following the report, Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois wrote a piece of her own. Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, argued that Trump’s “personal insecurities endanger America’s national security” and he is “not fit to be commander in chief.” The Biden campaign quickly launched a digital ad campaign geared towards military families, and nearly 500 retired senior military officers, former cabinet secretaries and service chiefs signed an open letter in support of the Democratic nominee.
On September 22, Cindy McCain, the widow of Republican Sen. John McCain, urged Republicans to cross party lines and vote for Biden in the upcoming election. Sen. McCain, who lost to President Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race, was a naval aviator shot down over Vietnam and spent more than five years there as a prisoner of war. In 2015, Trump criticized the senator: “I like people who weren’t captured.”
“My husband John lived by a code: country first,” McCain said on Twitter. “We are Republicans, yes, but Americans foremost. There’s only one candidate in this race who stands up for our values as a nation, and that is Joe Biden.”
McCain added that Biden “will be a commander in chief that the finest fighting force in the history of the world can depend on, because he knows what it is like to send a child off to fight.”
Some voters are responding to Biden’s message of being a military family member.
Sarah Streyder, an Air Force spouse and a military families advocate for the Biden campaign, said she’s been impressed by Biden’s character and ability to relate on a personal level to the military experience.
“Military spouses and families are as diverse as the communities they come from, but we’re a lot less ideological than people think,” Streyder said. “We’re more pragmatic: less about team red or blue. We’re more about whether you can fulfill the mission.”
Streyder said she’s focused on engaging with military partners and spouses, the overwhelming majority of which are women. These spouses do not have the same kind of restrictions and political boundaries around supporting candidates that their service member partners do. They have a responsibility “to be active, be vocal and give voice to our loved ones,” Streyder added.
“I think if there’s anything we’ve learned from this political moment, it’s that foreign policy is dominated by a lot of men in suits,” Streyder said. “And we need more women in jeans — the military spouses — to mobilize.”
Margo Drakos, an active-duty military spouse based in Fort Bragg and volunteer for the Biden campaign, said she’s been moving around the country for nearly nine years to support her husband while working remotely as an executive of an AmeriCorps program and raising two young children.
“You’re seeing such a diverse cross section of military spouses across this nation and stationed around this world who are in support of Vice President Biden for President,” Drakos said. “We’re deeply troubled by the unpredictability and disrespect that is coming from our current commander in chief.”


usatoday--2020-10-03--'It could have gone either way': What British leader Boris Johnson's COVID-19 battle may tell us abo

`` It could have gone either way , '' British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a video message posted on April 12 as he reflected on his personal battle with COVID-19 .
It was 16 days after Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 and three days after he spent 72 hours in an intensive-care unit in central London , which he credited with saving his life .
Over the last few years , there have been many comparisons – some apt , others a stretch – made between Britain 's leader and President Donald Trump : the political polarization , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hairstyles .
Now , there 's a new one : Johnson may be one of the few world leaders who understands what Trump may be facing in the days and weeks ahead following his positive coronavirus diagnosis .
Trump and COVID-19 : President in hospital ; many infected at White House gathering Trump tests positive for COVID-19 : Here 's what we know .
Trump is currently receiving treatment at the Walter Reed National Military Hospital just outside Washington , D.C. , where the White House said he will spend the next few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optimistic '' about the president 's condition Saturday but did not give a timetable for his discharge from the hospital .
First Lady Melania Trump and at least 10 other people who were in close proximity with the Trumps have also tested positive for the new coronavirus .
When Johnson tested positive for coronavirus in late March , he became the first world leader to publicly acknowledge his illness .
His descent into the clutches of a disease , which he later said he believed he had only a `` 50-50 '' chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Johnson vowed it would be `` business as usual '' because he , like Trump , had only `` mild symptoms '' – a slight fever .
He said he would continue to work in isolation from his official office and residence at No .
10 Downing Street in London and keep in constant touch with his Cabinet and lawmakers .
He would do this through , he said , the `` wizardry of modern technology , '' referring to applications such as Zoom and WhatsApp .
It got off to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his diagnosis , Johnson 's health secretary contracted the virus .
`` Although I am sequestered ...
I am absolutely confident we will beat it together , '' he said in a video message published on his social media accounts on April 1 .
At that point , he had been COVID-positive for four days .
A few days later , things still seemed to be going to plan .
Johnson appeared on the doorstep of Downing Street to `` Clap for Carers '' – applaud hospital staff and other emergency workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he looked unwell , even though aides insisted he would soon be on the mend , and it would n't be long before he could come out of isolation and get back to work full-tilt .
On April 5 , Downing Street released a very brief statement saying that Johnson had been admitted to the hospital for tests purely `` as a precautionary step '' because his symptoms were persisting almost 10 days after he tested positive .
It was then announced that Dominic Raab , Johnson 's foreign secretary , take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson was incapacitated .
But the prime minister , his aides insisted , was receiving `` excellent care '' and there was genuinely nothing to worry about .
Two days later , Johnson was in intensive care .
He was not put on a ventilator but later confirmed in media interviews that he received what he characterized as `` liters and liters '' of oxygen .
A succession plan was drawn up and there were also discussions about how to announce it .
Johnson admitted that he feared being near death .
Queen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , during the three nights that Johnson spent in the intensive care unit at London 's St. Thomas Hospital , the public was told only that he was there for `` close monitoring , '' that his condition remained stable and he was in `` good spirits . ''
In the 18-second video that Trump posted on Twitter on Friday , immediately before traveling to Walter Reed , he said : `` I think I 'm doing very well .
But we 're going to make sure that things work out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well .
So thank you very much . ''
Five hours later , another tweet : `` Going welI , I think !
Thank you to all .
LOVE !
!
! ''
Shortly before midnight , Sean Conley , the president 's physician , gave an update , saying in a memo that Trump was `` doing very well '' and has not required any supplemental oxygen , but that doctors have started treating him with the antiviral drug remdesivir .
Remdesivir been shown to shorten recovery time for some coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president is doing `` very well . ''
He is not on oxygen or having trouble breathing .
However , the rosy assessment appears to contradict a source with knowledge of the president 's health status who told USA TODAY that Trump 's condition was `` very concerning '' over the last 24 hours .
Trump given remdesivir to fight COVID : Here 's what you need to know about it Since the coronavirus outbreak began , doctors and scientists have stressed that those who test positive for the virus have responded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not formally released information about which drugs he was treated with , but in March remdesivir was not being widely used .
Johnson , like Trump , is categorized as obese .
At 74 , Trump is 18 years older than Johnson .
Both men are considered to be at high-risk from the disease .
Britain 's leader left the hospital on April 9 and then spent two weeks recovering at Chequers , the prime minister 's country retreat , before returning to work .
Opinion : I know the pain of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson did not play down the threat of coronavirus as much as Trump did , but in its earliest stages he resisted calls for a lockdown .
In press statements , Johnson has repeatedly said that he owes his life to extremely dedicated hospital workers and staff .
`` They pulled my chestnuts out of the fire , no question , '' he said .
Still , several weeks after he started back at work , Johnson often appeared to be short of breath in public appearances .
He visibly lost weight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he had taken up jogging .
He has denied reports in the British press that he is struggling to recover from coronavirus and plans to step down in six months .

'It could have gone either way': What British leader Boris Johnson's COVID-19 battle may tell us about Trump's
Show Caption Hide Caption Where Trump traveled the week before testing positive for COVID-19 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19. Here's a look at where he traveled the week before his diagnosis. USA TODAY
"It could have gone either way," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a video message posted April 12 as he reflected on his personal battle with COVID-19.
It was 16 days after Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 and three days after he spent 72 hours in an intensive care unit in central London, which he credited with saving his life.
Over the past few years, there have been many comparisons – some apt, others a stretch – made between Britain's leader and President Donald Trump: the political polarization, their distinctive hairstyles. Now, there's a new one: Johnson may be one of the few world leaders who understands what Trump faces in the days and weeks ahead after his positive coronavirus diagnosis.
Trump and COVID-19: President in hospital; many infected at White House gathering
Trump tests positive for COVID-19: Here's what we know.
Trump is receiving treatment at the Walter Reed National Military Hospital outside Washington, where the White House said he will spend the next few days. His doctors were "cautiously optimistic" about the president's condition Saturday but did not give a timetable for his discharge from the hospital.
First lady Melania Trump and at least 10 other people who were in close proximity with the Trumps also tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Boris Johnson's COVID-19 blueprint
When Johnson tested positive for coronavirus in late March, he became the first world leader to publicly acknowledge his illness. His descent into the clutches of a disease, which he said he believed he had a "50-50" chance of surviving, started slowly.
Initially, Johnson vowed it would be "business as usual" because he, like Trump, had only "mild symptoms" – a slight fever. He said he would continue to work in isolation from his official office and residence at No. 10 Downing St. in London and keep in constant touch with his Cabinet and lawmakers. He would do this through, he said, the "wizardry of modern technology," referring to applications such as Zoom and WhatsApp.
'Likely outcome':Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis followed waning precautions at White House
Within a few hours of his diagnosis, Johnson's health secretary contracted the virus.
Still, Johnson remained upbeat.
"Although I am sequestered ... I am absolutely confident we will beat it together," he said in a video message published on his social media accounts on April 1.
He had been COVID-19-positive for four days.
A few days later, Johnson appeared on the doorstep of Downing Street to "Clap for Carers" – applaud hospital staff and other emergency workers battling the epidemic.
He looked unwell, though aides insisted he would soon be on the mend, and it wouldn't be long before he could come out of isolation and get back to work full-tilt.
Then, a change.
On April 5, Downing Street released a very brief statement saying that Johnson had been admitted to a hospital for tests purely "as a precautionary step" because his symptoms persisted almost 10 days after he tested positive.
Questions swirled.
It was announced that Dominic Raab, Johnson's foreign secretary, would take over the running of the government if Johnson was incapacitated. But the prime minister, his aides insisted, was receiving "excellent care," and there was genuinely nothing to worry about.
Two days later, Johnson was in intensive care.
He was not put on a ventilator but confirmed later in media interviews that he received what he characterized as "liters and liters" of oxygen. A succession plan was drawn up, and there were discussions about how to announce it.
Johnson admitted he feared being near death.
World reacts: President Donald Trump's coronavirus infection draws international sympathy and a degree of schadenfreude
Queen Elizabeth II was briefed on the situation.
"They had a strategy to deal with a 'death of Stalin'-type scenario," Johnson told a British newspaper.
During the three nights that Johnson spent in the intensive care unit at London's St. Thomas Hospital, the public was told only that he was there for "close monitoring," that his condition remained stable and he was in "good spirits."
Higher risk for severe illness
In an 18-second video Trump posted on Twitter on Friday, immediately before traveling to Walter Reed, he said, "I think I'm doing very well. But we're going to make sure that things work out. The first lady is doing very well. So thank you very much."
Five hours later, another tweet: "Going welI, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!!"
Shortly before midnight, Sean Conley, the president's physician, gave an update, saying in a memo that Trump was "doing very well" and did not require any supplemental oxygen but that doctors started treating him with the antiviral drug remdesivir. Remdesivir has shortened recovery time for some coronavirus patients.
Saturday, Conley said the president was still doing "very well." He was not on oxygen or having trouble breathing, and he was fever-free.
The president’s vitals over the past day were "very concerning" and the next 48 hours would be critical for his care, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told The Associated Press on Saturday.
Trump posted a video on Twitter saying he was doing well, but the next couple of days would be the "real test."
Trump given remdesivir to fight COVID-19: Here's what you need to know about it
Since the coronavirus outbreak began, doctors and scientists have stressed that those who test positive for the virus respond in different ways.
Johnson's doctors have not formally released information about which drugs he was treated with, but in March. remdesivir was not widely used.
Johnson, like Trump, is categorized as obese. At 74, Trump is 18 years older than Johnson. Both men are at high risk from the disease.
Britain's leader left the hospital April 9, then spent two weeks recovering at Chequers, the prime minister's country retreat, before returning to work.
Opinion: I know the pain of COVID-19 and how challenging recovery can be
Johnson did not play down the threat of coronavirus as much as Trump did, but in its earliest stages, he resisted calls for a lockdown.
In news statements, Johnson has repeatedly said that he owes his life to extremely dedicated hospital workers and staff.
"They pulled my chestnuts out of the fire, no question," he said.
Several weeks after he started back at work, Johnson often appeared to be short of breath in public appearances. He lost weight. The prime minister said this was partly because he had taken up jogging. He denied reports in the British media that he is struggling to recover from coronavirus and plans to step down in six months.


usatoday--2020-10-04--Texas AG Ken Paxton took bribes and abused office, top aides say in call for federal investigation

AUSTIN , Texas – Top aides of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have asked federal law enforcement authorities to investigate allegations of improper influence , abuse of office , bribery and other potential crimes against the state ’ s top lawyer .
In a one-page letter to the state agency ’ s director of human resources , obtained Saturday by the Austin American-Statesman , part of the USA TODAY Network , and KVUE-TV , seven executives in the upper tiers of the office said they are seeking the investigation into Paxton “ in his official capacity as the current Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that each “ has knowledge of facts relevant to these potential offenses and has provided statements concerning those facts to the appropriate law enforcement.
” His office said in a statement Saturday evening : “ The complaint filed against Attorney General Paxton was done to impede an ongoing investigation into criminal wrongdoing by public officials including employees of this office .
Making false claims is a very serious matter and we plan to investigate this to the fullest extent of the law.
” The statement did not elaborate .
The letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first assistant , Jeff Mateer , who resigned Friday , as well as Mateer ’ s deputy and deputy attorneys general overseeing divisions that include criminal investigations , civil litigation , administration and policy .
“ We have a good faith belief that the attorney general is violating federal and/or state law including prohibitions related to improper influence , abuse of office , bribery and other potential criminal offenses , ” the letter states .
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Health , security experts say America needs 'total honesty ' on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible illegal activity involving their employer represents a stunning development in an agency that prizes loyalty , particularly from within Paxton ’ s inner circle .
It places a renewed spotlight on Paxton , who is already under indictment for alleged securities fraud .
The complaint concluded by saying that they notified Paxton in a text message Thursday that they had reported the alleged violations to law enforcement .
The whistleblowers , who notified human resources to protect their jobs , offered no other details about the allegations and do not describe what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Efforts to reach them were unsuccessful Saturday .
Mateer ’ s inclusion in the complaint letter , and his departure as Paxton ’ s second in command , was particularly significant , coming from a political ally who shared a conservative Christian perspective on many social and legal issues .
Chris Christie : Former New Jersey governor checks into hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 Paxton has past indictments of which he claims innocence When President Donald Trump tapped Mateer to become a federal judge in 2017 , Paxton lauded him as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of character — who has done an outstanding job for the State of Texas.
” Mateer ’ s nomination was later withdrawn after revelations of anti-LGBT remarks , including calling transgender children part of “ Satan ’ s plan.
” Mateer has told colleagues that he is leaving the government to rejoin a Plano-based conservative nonprofit law firm helping to nominate judges to federal courts , the Dallas Morning News reported Friday .
Mateer worked for the First Liberty Institute prior to joining Paxton ’ s office .
Paxton has been operating under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2015 , when he was indicted on three felony counts related to private business deals in 2011 and 2012 .
Seven months after being sworn in for his first four-year term as attorney general , Paxton was arrested , booked into Collin County Jail and quickly released on a no-money bond .
He has steadfastly proclaimed his innocence and dismissed the charges as a political attack from those who oppose his strong conservative principles .
“ Don ’ t believe the attacks on me , ” Paxton said in a 2016 video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t true , and I am going to fight them.
” The most serious charge , two counts of securities fraud , was related to Paxton ’ s efforts to solicit investors in Servergy Inc. without revealing that the McKinney tech company was paying him for the work .
The first-degree felonies carry a maximum of 99 years in prison .
He also was charged with failing to register with state securities regulators while conducting other investment business , a third-degree felony with a maximum 10-year sentence .
Paxton has aggressively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case has been delayed by numerous appeals and legal wrangling from defense lawyers and prosecutors .
There still is no trial date set .
Paxton also was accused of fraud related to the Servergy venture in a civil complaint by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2016 .
A federal judge , however , dismissed the complaint , ruling that federal securities law didn ’ t require Paxton to tell potential investors about his deal with Servergy .
Still , the SEC filing provided most of the public details about Paxton ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SEC , Servergy paid Paxton with 100,000 shares of the company ’ s stock , worth $ 1 a share , for his work in lining up $ 840,000 in investments – a sum that represented 32 % of all Servergy investments in 2011 .
Two of those investors were mentioned in the Collin County indictments – state Rep. Byron Cook , R-Corsicana , who has since left office , and Florida businessman Joel Hochberg , both of whom belonged to an investment club that included Paxton .
Responding to the criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paxton has argued that his actions were not illegal , and he has accused prosecutors of stretching the definition of fraud beyond its legal meaning .
Paxton also blamed his legal trouble on political opponents , particularly moderate Republicans in Collin County and the Legislature .
Running for reelection in 2018 against a Democratic opponent who made the indictments a centerpiece of the campaign , Paxton was given a second term with 50.6 % of the vote .
But even as Republicans swept , yet again , every statewide office , Paxton ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the closest statewide race on the ballot .
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Tony Plohetski and Chuck Lindell, Austin American-Statesman

Texas AG Ken Paxton took bribes and abused office, top aides say in call for federal investigation
AUSTIN, Texas – Top aides of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have asked federal law enforcement authorities to investigate allegations of improper influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential crimes against the state’s top lawyer.
In a one-page letter to the state agency’s director of human resources, obtained Saturday by the Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network, and KVUE-TV, seven executives in the upper tiers of the office said they are seeking the investigation into Paxton “in his official capacity as the current Attorney General of Texas.”
The Thursday letter said that each “has knowledge of facts relevant to these potential offenses and has provided statements concerning those facts to the appropriate law enforcement.”
Paxton, a 57-year-old Republican, was elected in 2014.
His office said in a statement Saturday evening: “The complaint filed against Attorney General Paxton was done to impede an ongoing investigation into criminal wrongdoing by public officials including employees of this office. Making false claims is a very serious matter and we plan to investigate this to the fullest extent of the law.”
The statement did not elaborate.
The letter to human resources was signed by Paxton’s first assistant, Jeff Mateer, who resigned Friday, as well as Mateer’s deputy and deputy attorneys general overseeing divisions that include criminal investigations, civil litigation, administration and policy.
“We have a good faith belief that the attorney general is violating federal and/or state law including prohibitions related to improper influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential criminal offenses,” the letter states.
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Their decision to report possible illegal activity involving their employer represents a stunning development in an agency that prizes loyalty, particularly from within Paxton’s inner circle. It places a renewed spotlight on Paxton, who is already under indictment for alleged securities fraud.
The complaint concluded by saying that they notified Paxton in a text message Thursday that they had reported the alleged violations to law enforcement.
The whistleblowers, who notified human resources to protect their jobs, offered no other details about the allegations and do not describe what they believe Paxton did that was illegal. Efforts to reach them were unsuccessful Saturday.
Mateer’s inclusion in the complaint letter, and his departure as Paxton’s second in command, was particularly significant, coming from a political ally who shared a conservative Christian perspective on many social and legal issues.
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Paxton has past indictments of which he claims innocence
When President Donald Trump tapped Mateer to become a federal judge in 2017, Paxton lauded him as “a principled leader — a man of character — who has done an outstanding job for the State of Texas.”
Mateer’s nomination was later withdrawn after revelations of anti-LGBT remarks, including calling transgender children part of “Satan’s plan.”
Mateer has told colleagues that he is leaving the government to rejoin a Plano-based conservative nonprofit law firm helping to nominate judges to federal courts, the Dallas Morning News reported Friday. Mateer worked for the First Liberty Institute prior to joining Paxton’s office.
Paxton has been operating under a separate legal cloud since the summer of 2015, when he was indicted on three felony counts related to private business deals in 2011 and 2012. Seven months after being sworn in for his first four-year term as attorney general, Paxton was arrested, booked into Collin County Jail and quickly released on a no-money bond.
He has steadfastly proclaimed his innocence and dismissed the charges as a political attack from those who oppose his strong conservative principles.
“Don’t believe the attacks on me,” Paxton said in a 2016 video released by his campaign. “They aren’t true, and I am going to fight them.”
The most serious charge, two counts of securities fraud, was related to Paxton’s efforts to solicit investors in Servergy Inc. without revealing that the McKinney tech company was paying him for the work. The first-degree felonies carry a maximum of 99 years in prison.
He also was charged with failing to register with state securities regulators while conducting other investment business, a third-degree felony with a maximum 10-year sentence.
Paxton has aggressively fought the charges, and the criminal case has been delayed by numerous appeals and legal wrangling from defense lawyers and prosecutors.
There still is no trial date set.
Paxton also was accused of fraud related to the Servergy venture in a civil complaint by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2016. A federal judge, however, dismissed the complaint, ruling that federal securities law didn’t require Paxton to tell potential investors about his deal with Servergy.
Still, the SEC filing provided most of the public details about Paxton’s involvement with Servergy.
According to the SEC, Servergy paid Paxton with 100,000 shares of the company’s stock, worth $1 a share, for his work in lining up $840,000 in investments – a sum that represented 32% of all Servergy investments in 2011.
Two of those investors were mentioned in the Collin County indictments – state Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, who has since left office, and Florida businessman Joel Hochberg, both of whom belonged to an investment club that included Paxton.
Responding to the criminal charges resulting from his Servergy involvement, Paxton has argued that his actions were not illegal, and he has accused prosecutors of stretching the definition of fraud beyond its legal meaning. Paxton also blamed his legal trouble on political opponents, particularly moderate Republicans in Collin County and the Legislature.
Running for reelection in 2018 against a Democratic opponent who made the indictments a centerpiece of the campaign, Paxton was given a second term with 50.6% of the vote.
But even as Republicans swept, yet again, every statewide office, Paxton’s 3.6-point victory over Democrat Justin Nelson was the closest statewide race on the ballot.
Follow reporters Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) and Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) on Twitter.
'Starting to feel good': Trump releases new video from Walter Reed amid COVID battle
We're paying a lot of attention to Trump's case: But the US just recorded the most daily COVID-19 infections in nearly 2 months


usatoday--2020-10-03--Delta 'investigating' after Republican Sen. Roger Wicker spotted not wearing mask on flight

Sen. Roger Wicker was seen on a Delta flight with his mask pulled down to his chin for most of a trip from Atlanta to Jackson , Mississippi .
A photo of the Mississippi Republican on the Thursday flight was tweeted by Matt Harringer , who works for an advertising and media company in Washington , D.C. “ I ’ ve seen enough Republican senators test positive to tweet this photo , '' Harringer tweeted .
`` @ SenatorWicker – because you refused to wear a mask on our @ Delta flight last night , please let your fellow passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been tested . ''
The senator ’ s communications director , Rick VanMeter , told USA TODAY that Wicker `` lowered his face mask to eat a snack and forgot to put it back up .
When he was reminded by a flight attendant , he put the mask back up . ''
Trump , insiders test positive for COVID : A running list of those close to the White House being tested and their results But Harringer said Wicker was not wearing his mask before the plane took off and told USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his nose after the flight attendant asked him to put it back on .
Harringer also took pictures of Wicker at various points of the flight with his mask on his chin .
Harringer said he told the woman sitting in front of Wicker that she should get tested for the virus because the senator did n't wear his mask for the majority of the flight .
According to Harringer , Wicker was `` very surprised '' he called him out and asked why Harringer did n't tell him to put his mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the senator had been tested for COVID-19 but said Wicker `` did not attend any recent events at the White House and has not been in contact with any of the individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days . ''
Harringer waited 24 hours before tweeting the image of Wicker , saying that it was n't until Sens .
Mike Lee , R-Utah , and Thom Tillis , R-N.C. , who both serve on a committee with Wicker , tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` I think the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results of Wicker 's coronavirus test `` if he 's hanging out with a bunch of people who are positive and not going to wear a mask , '' Harringer said .
Delta Airlines says it ’ s investigating the incident in response to Harringer ’ s tweet .
`` Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our people and our customers , '' the airline said .
`` We take our mask policy seriously and are investigating this incident . ''

Delta 'investigating' after Republican Sen. Roger Wicker spotted not wearing mask on flight
Show Caption Hide Caption Where Trump traveled the week before testing positive for COVID-19 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19. Here's a look at where he traveled the week before his diagnosis. USA TODAY
Sen. Roger Wicker was seen on a Delta flight with his mask pulled down to his chin for most of a trip from Atlanta to Jackson, Mississippi.
A photo of the Mississippi Republican on the Thursday flight was tweeted by Matt Harringer, who works for an advertising and media company in Washington, D.C.
“I’ve seen enough Republican senators test positive to tweet this photo," Harringer tweeted. "@SenatorWicker – because you refused to wear a mask on our @Delta flight last night, please let your fellow passengers know your status once you’ve been tested."
The senator’s communications director, Rick VanMeter, told USA TODAY that Wicker "lowered his face mask to eat a snack and forgot to put it back up. When he was reminded by a flight attendant, he put the mask back up."
Trump, insiders test positive for COVID: A running list of those close to the White House being tested and their results
I’ve seen enough Republican senators test positive to tweet this photo. @SenatorWicker — because you refused to wear a mask on our @Delta flight last night, please let your fellow passengers know your status once you’ve been tested. pic.twitter.com/j2TW6g1gwO — Matt Harringer (@MattHarringer) October 3, 2020
But Harringer said Wicker was not wearing his mask before the plane took off and told USA TODAY he doesn't believe Wicker covered his nose after the flight attendant asked him to put it back on.
Harringer also took pictures of Wicker at various points of the flight with his mask on his chin.
Harringer said he told the woman sitting in front of Wicker that she should get tested for the virus because the senator didn't wear his mask for the majority of the flight.
According to Harringer, Wicker was "very surprised" he called him out and asked why Harringer didn't tell him to put his mask on earlier.
VanMeter did not address whether the senator had been tested for COVID-19 but said Wicker "did not attend any recent events at the White House and has not been in contact with any of the individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days."
Harringer waited 24 hours before tweeting the image of Wicker, saying that it wasn't until Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who both serve on a committee with Wicker, tested positive for COVID-19.
"I think the people on the plane deserve to know" the results of Wicker's coronavirus test "if he's hanging out with a bunch of people who are positive and not going to wear a mask," Harringer said.
Delta Airlines says it’s investigating the incident in response to Harringer’s tweet.
"Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our people and our customers," the airline said. "We take our mask policy seriously and are investigating this incident."


usatoday--2020-10-03--Swiss Skydiver wins Preakness Stakes over Authentic in photo finish

A Triple Crown season unlike any other ended with a photo finish .
Swiss Skydiver outlasted Kentucky Derby winner Authentic down the stretch , putting the expression “ winning by a nose ” to the test , to take home the 145th Preakness Stakes on Saturday .
The filly , rode by jockey Robby Albarado , started the race in the fourth stall and waited patiently before pulling into the lead and holding off a charging Authentic after a stretch duel .
It was the second Preakness win for Albardao , who was not originally slated to ride Swiss Skydiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and first since Rachel Alexandra in 2009 to win the Preakness .
“ She ’ s just such a special filly , ” said trainer Kenny McPeek , who won the Preakness for the first time for his second Triple Crown race victory .
“ Just a real honor to be around a horse like this.
” This year , the Preakness Stakes , run at mostly empty Pimlico , represented the final leg of the Triple Crown , as the Belmont Stakes , normally run last , kicked off the competition in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derby last month .
It was the first time since the 1930s the Triple Crown races were held out of order .
Jesus ’ Team was a distant third at 40-1 and Art Collector fourth at 2-1 .
At 11-1 odds , Swiss Skydiver pulled off an upset of 3-2 favorite Authentic .
Albarado made a powerful move around the final turn that would usually come right by revelers in the infield unable to catch a glimpse of the home stretch .
“ I had an opportunity , ” said Albarado , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Curlin .
“ I took advantage of the rail .
Johnny stayed off the fence there , made a conscious decision to move at that time .
Give or take now .
If I make that move now or I wait and get smothered.
” McPeek won a Triple Crown race for the first time since the 2002 Belmont with Sarava , which was the biggest upset in the history of that race .
Swiss Skydiver was the first filly to run in the Preakness since 2014 , when Ria Antonia finished last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that much tension really , ” McPeek said .
“ I felt like we had her well-prepared .
Any horse race , things have to go your way .
But every day she was happy , she was bright-eyed.
” It went Swiss Skydiver ’ s way in part because Authentic ’ s Hall of Fame jockey , John Velazquez , abandoned the rail , giving Albarado the lane for a near-perfect trip .
“ That ’ s a good filly , ” said Authentic and Thousand Words trainer Bob Baffert , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He had every chance to get by her .
He got beat .
He just couldn ’ t get by her .
She dug in .
She ’ s tough.
” Swiss Skydiver avenged her loss in her only other competition against colts , when she finished second to Art Collector in the Blue Grass Stakes on July 11 .
She since won the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga on Aug. 15 and finished second in the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4 .
“ She continues to get stronger , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I ’ ve been doing this for 35 years and you ’ re around horses and sometimes you run them and they come back tired .
She never gets tired .
If anything , she makes me tried dragging me around the barn every day.
” Swiss Skydiver paid $ 25.40 to win , $ 8.40 to place and $ 5.80 to show .
The Preakness was run with only owners , trainers and essential personnel in attendance , a far cry from the usual mid-May party with patrons in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the track and revelers in shorts and T-shirts in the infield .
Even after canceling the annual infield concert and festivities , the Maryland Jockey Club and Stronach Group that owns Pimlico hoped back in the spring that moving the race to the fall would allow for the possibility of having fans .
Instead , all three Triple Crown races went on without them .
It sets up what could be an incredible showdown in the Breeders ' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 7 at Keeneland , where Horse of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to Swiss Skydiver and Authentic , the potential starters include Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law , who won the Travers Stakes at Saratoga and ran second behind Authentic in the Kentucky Derby .
They 're likely to be joined by a new challenger , with Improbable , trained by Baffert , the impressive winner of three straight Grade 1 stakes , including a recent takedown of Maximum Security in the Awesome Again at Santa Anita .
Contributing : Stephen Edelson , Asbury Park Press ; and The Associated Press

Swiss Skydiver wins Preakness Stakes over Authentic in photo finish
A Triple Crown season unlike any other ended with a photo finish.
Swiss Skydiver outlasted Kentucky Derby winner Authentic down the stretch, putting the expression “winning by a nose” to the test, to take home the 145th Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
The filly, r by jockey Robby Albarado, started the race in the fourth stall and waited patiently before pulling into the lead and holding off a charging Authentic after a stretch duel. It was the second Preakness win for Albardao, who was not originally slated to ride Swiss Skydiver.
Swiss Skydiver is the sixth filly and first since Rachel Alexandra in 2009 to win the Preakness.
“She’s just such a special filly,” said trainer Kenny McPeek, who won the Preakness for the first time for his second Triple Crown race victory. “Just a real honor to be around a horse like this.”
This year, the Preakness Stakes, run at mostly empty Pimlico, represented the final leg of the Triple Crown, as the Belmont Stakes, normally run last, kicked off the competition in June and was followed by the Kentucky Derby last month. It was the first time since the 1930s the Triple Crown races were held out of order.
Jesus’ Team was a distant third at 40-1 and Art Collector fourth at 2-1.
At 11-1 odds, Swiss Skydiver pulled off an upset of 3-2 favorite Authentic. Albarado made a powerful move around the final turn that would usually come right by revelers in the infield unable to catch a glimpse of the home stretch.
“I had an opportunity,” said Albarado, who won his second Preakness after 2007 aboard Curlin. “I took advantage of the rail. Johnny stayed off the fence there, made a conscious decision to move at that time. Give or take now. If I make that move now or I wait and get smothered.”
McPeek won a Triple Crown race for the first time since the 2002 Belmont with Sarava, which was the biggest upset in the history of that race. Swiss Skydiver was the first filly to run in the Preakness since 2014, when Ria Antonia finished last.
“I didn’t feel that much tension really,” McPeek said. “I felt like we had her well-prepared. Any horse race, things have to go your way. But every day she was happy, she was bright-eyed.”
It went Swiss Skydiver’s way in part because Authentic’s Hall of Fame jockey, John Velazquez, abandoned the rail, giving Albarado the lane for a near-perfect trip.
“That’s a good filly,” said Authentic and Thousand Words trainer Bob Baffert, who was denied a record-breaking eighth Preakness victory. “He had every chance to get by her. He got beat. He just couldn’t get by her. She dug in. She’s tough.”
SHE BEAT THE BOYS!
It’s only right the final jewel of the Triple Crown ends in dramatic fashion.
Swiss Skydiver, the only filly in the race, WINS the @PreaknessStakes. pic.twitter.com/73SZJwHOHZ — NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 3, 2020
Swiss Skydiver avenged her loss in her only other competition against colts, when she finished second to Art Collector in the Blue Grass Stakes on July 11. She since won the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga on Aug. 15 and finished second in the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4.
“She continues to get stronger, and it’s amazing,” McPeek said. “I’ve been doing this for 35 years and you’re around horses and sometimes you run them and they come back tired. She never gets tired. If anything, she makes me tried dragging me around the barn every day.”
Swiss Skydiver paid $25.40 to win, $8.40 to place and $5.80 to show.
The Preakness was run with only owners, trainers and essential personnel in attendance, a far cry from the usual mid-May party with patrons in fancy hats and suits in some areas of the track and revelers in shorts and T-shirts in the infield.
Even after canceling the annual infield concert and festivities, the Maryland Jockey Club and Stronach Group that owns Pimlico hoped back in the spring that moving the race to the fall would allow for the possibility of having fans. Instead, all three Triple Crown races went on without them.
It sets up what could be an incredible showdown in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 7 at Keeneland, where Horse of the Year will be on the line.
In addition to Swiss Skydiver and Authentic, the potential starters include Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law, who won the Travers Stakes at Saratoga and ran second behind Authentic in the Kentucky Derby. They're likely to be joined by a new challenger, with Improbable, trained by Baffert, the impressive winner of three straight Grade 1 stakes, including a recent takedown of Maximum Security in the Awesome Again at Santa Anita.
Contributing: Stephen Edelson, Asbury Park Press; and The Associated Press