usatoday--2020-09-25--Coronavirus updates: US deaths projected to almost double by Jan. 1; Trump's Virginia rally is 'publ

Coronavirus updates: US deaths projected to almost double by Jan. 1; Trump's Virginia rally is 'public health risk,' official warns

A state health official is warning that President Donald Trump 's scheduled rally Friday night at a Virginia airport , with nearly 4,000 people expected in attendance , poses a `` severe public health threat . ''
`` The rally poses a concerning public health risk , '' Dr. Natasha Dwamena , a Virginia Department of Public Health district director , wrote in a letter to the private company that leases the aircraft hangar where the rally is set to take place .
She said the rally would defy Gov .
Ralph Northam 's public health order that bans gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. nearing 7 million confirmed COVID-19 cases , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have agreed to talk about a new coronavirus relief package , the New York Times reported .
Meanwhile , House Democrats are working on passing a $ 2.4 trillion measure next week .
• The U.S. death toll from the virus could almost double by Jan. 1 , expected to reach approximately 371,500 by the end of the year , according to a projection by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roll out a new COVID-19 testing program for passengers beginning Oct. 15 .
• The Pac-12 and the Mountain West Conference are joining the Big Ten in attempting to play football this fall .
• A rebound in hiring that began this summer is sputtering amid regional flareups of the coronavirus , signaling that it may be years before the jobs market fully recovers .
More than 824,000 Americans filed for unemployment insurance for the first time last week , the Labor Department said Thursday .
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 202,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
Globally , there have been more than 32.2 million cases and over 983,000 fatalities .
A USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data through late Thursday shows seven states — Minnesota , Montana , North Dakota , Oklahoma , Utah , Wisconsin and Wyoming , and also Puerto Rico — set records for new cases in a week while North Dakota had a record number of deaths in a week .
📰 What we 're reading : Is it safe to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year to skip it ?
🗺 Mapping coronavirus : Track the U.S. outbreak , state by state .
This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter .
US hit 200K deaths on Tuesday .
By Friday , almost 3,000 more have died — the number of lives lost on 9/11 .
The United States surpassed 200,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday , and by the end of the week , the country has already lost almost 3,000 more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 11 terror attacks .
As of Friday morning , an additional 2,827 people in the U.S. had died since the country hit the grim 200,000 mark , according to Johns Hopkins data .
On 9/11 , 2,977 people were killed in the attacks .
According to a projection by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington , the U.S. death toll from the virus could almost double by Jan. 1 , expected to reach approximately 371,500 by the end of the year .
New York City could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months as the city 's health department said certain hot spot areas may have nonessential businesses closed if their case numbers continue to rise .
Parts of Brooklyn and Queens were facing a rollback in reopenings after the neighborhoods have seen a spike in cases in the past month .
The city said it was considering closing nonessential businesses and private schools and banning gatherings of 10 or more in the areas if cases do not come down by early next week .
The city also planned to send more inspectors to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social distancing .
Fines could be issues for those refusing to wear masks , the health department said .
DeSantis suggests Florida students need 'bill of rights ' for virus restrictions Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis said he was considering a `` bill of rights '' for college students to counter disciplinary measures universities may hand down amid restrictions on campuses to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
DeSantis said students at Florida 's state universities should be allowed to enjoy themselves without fear of reprisal .
Florida State University said last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attending large parties and students who test positive for COVID-19 but do n't isolate .
“ I personally think it ’ s incredibly draconian that a student would get potentially expelled for going to a party , ” DeSantis said Thursday .
“ That ’ s what college kids do.
” The Pac-12 will join the Big Ten in attempting to play football this fall , the league announced Thursday , reversing a decision made in August to postpone until the winter or spring at the earliest due to the health concerns posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Conference followed a few hours later by announcing an Oct. 24 return , the ninth of 10 FBS conferences that now plan to complete their seasons by Dec. 20 .
Pac-12 play will begin on Nov. 6 with a seven-game schedule consisting of only league games and culminating with the conference championship game on Dec. 18 .
A Virginia health official is warning that President Donald Trump 's planned rally Friday poses a `` severe public health threat '' as 4,000 people are expected to attend .
Dr. Natasha Dwamena , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote a letter to the private company that leases the hangar where the rally is scheduled to take place .
She said the rally at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport would defy Gov .
Ralph 's Northam 's order banning gatherings of more than 250 people .
The governor 's top health and transportation aides also sent letters to airport officials to remind them they have `` the authority to enforce '' the state 's law .
A conservative radio host and chairman of the Virginia delegation for the Trump campaign said Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political reasons .
`` Panic has set amongst Virginia Democrats , '' John Fredericks said .
Rio de Janeiro delayed its annual Carnival parade for the first time in a century due to the coronavirus , officials announced Thursday .
Rio ’ s League of Samba Schools , LIESA , said the spread of the coronavirus has made it impossible to safely hold the traditional parades that are a cultural mainstay and , for many , a source of livelihood .
“ Carnival is a party upon which many humble workers depend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the parades are just one detail of all that , ” Luiz Antonio Simas , a historian who specializes in Rio ’ s Carnival , said in an interview with the Associated Press .
“ An entire cultural and productive chain was disrupted by COVID.
” Rio ’ s City Hall has yet to announce a decision about the Carnival street parties that also take place across the city .
Brazil ’ s first confirmed coronavirus case was Feb. 26 , one day after this year ’ s Carnival ended .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebound in hiring that began this summer is sputtering amid regional flareups of the coronavirus , signaling that it may be years before the jobs market fully recovers .
More than 824,000 Americans filed for unemployment insurance for the first time last week , the Labor Department said Thursday .
The newest round of 824,542 claims is significantly lower than the record high 6.2 million who filed first-time claims in early spring when most non-essential businesses closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
But the number of filings rose from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than seven months , more than 57 million have sought unemployment assistance for the first time .
• In your inbox : Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
• On Facebook : A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do know , we 're sharing with you .
Join our Facebook group , Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be in your inbox , offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart , Together .

Jessica Flores and Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: US cases pass 7 million mark; Florida lifts restrictions; America is nowhere near herd immunity
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 testing: Positivity rates and why they are so important COVID-19 widespread testing is crucial to fighting the pandemic, but is there enough testing? The answer is in the positivity rates. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The U.S. has reported more than 7 million cases of COVID-19 as of Friday, a milestone that comes days after leading experts projected the virus' spread was set to rapidly increase in coming months.
It has been eight months and four days since nation's first case was announced, and in that time the U.S. has become the hardest-hit country in the world for both cases and deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
But the U.S. death toll from the virus may almost double by Jan. 1 amid a "major winter surge," according to a projection by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, a source often cited by the White House and federal public health authorities. Among the factors that could drive such a surge: A restriction-weary public wearing masks and staying at home less.
Researchers warned states would likely need to reenact restrictions to combat the virus' spread. That recommendation came the same week as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted all virus restrictions on restaurants and businesses, saying "We’re not closing anything going forward."
Meanwhile in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam and his wife tested positive for COVID-19, his office announced Friday, the same day that President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally at an airport in the state.
Some significant developments:
A WHO official warned that it was "not only imaginable, but sadly very likely" that 2 million people worldwide would die from the virus before a vaccine is widely available.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have agreed to talk about a new coronavirus relief package, the New York Times reported. Meanwhile, House Democrats are working on passing a $2.4 trillion measure next week.
Current coronavirus outbreaks are heating up fast in smaller cities in the heartland, where anti-mask sentiment tends to run high.
Two former administrators of a Massachusetts veterans home have been charged over their handling of an outbreak where nearly 80 people died, the state attorney general said Friday.
United Airlines will roll out a new COVID-19 testing program for passengers beginning Oct. 15.
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has reported more than 7 million cases and 203,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Globally, there have been more than 32.3 million cases and over 985,000 fatalities. A USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins data through late Thursday shows seven states — Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming, and also Puerto Rico — set records for new cases in a week while North Dakota had a record number of deaths in a week.
📰 What we're reading: Is it safe to travel this Holiday season? Or is this the year to skip it?
🗺 Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak, state by state.
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter.
By the end of July, about 9% of American adults had been exposed to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, according to a new study of dialysis patients, the largest yet looking for evidence of the disease in people's blood.
That data shows the American public is a long way from achieving "herd immunity" – having enough infections to prevent further spread of the virus.
The infection rates varied from essentially zero in some states that avoided infection by mid-summer, to more than one-third of residents in parts of New York hard-hit in the spring.
The new study, published in The Lancet, is in line with previous, smaller studies, and also showed areas with high numbers of Black and non-white Latino residents had higher infection rates than mostly white communities.
— Karen Weintraub
The global death toll from the new coronavirus sits just below 1 million, but without further action to slow the spread, it will likely double before a vaccine is widely available, a World Health Organization official said Friday.
Dr. Mike Ryan, head the WHO’s health emergencies program, said that 2 million deaths was "not only imaginable, but sadly very likely" in the absence of increased testing, tracing, social distancing, mask wearing and other measures to slow the spread of the virus.
“The time for action is now on every single aspect of this strategic approach,” Ryan said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday he was lifting COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants and other businesses across Florida as he pushed to reopen the state's economy.
DeSantis also said any local government limitations affecting restaurants and other businesses would have to be justified by his administration.
“We’re not closing anything going forward,” DeSantis said, while insisting that the state is prepared with plans in place if infections increase again.
The Phase 3 order will allow theme parks to operate at full capacity and lift any restrictions on gatherings, although the state still is recommending people avoid crowded spaces.
Bars can go beyond 50% capacity, if local governments give them the green light, DeSantis said.
– John Kennedy, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and her family are facing a $45 million hit from the coronavirus pandemic, partly due to a shortage of tourists, the monarch’s money-manager said Friday.
Releasing the royal household’s annual accounts, Keeper of the Privy Purse Michael Stevens said a lack of income from visitors to royal buildings was likely to bring a general funding shortfall of $19 million over three years.
He said the impact of the pandemic is also likely to cause a $25.4 million shortfall in a 10-year, $469 million program to replace antiquated heating, plumbing and wiring at Buckingham Palace, the queen’s London home.
Two former operators of a nursing home in Massachusetts for veterans, where almost 80 patients died from the virus, are now facing criminal charges, the state attorney general announced Friday.
The former superintendent and medical director of Holyoke Soldiers’ Home will each face 10 counts, including charges criminal neglect and causing serious bodily injury. Attorney General Maura Healey said Bennett Walsh and David Clinton were indicted by a grand jury, believed to be the first such case in the United States involving nursing home employees facing criminal charges for COVID-19 deaths.
At least 76 veterans at the home died due to COVID-19 after the operators made the “most disturbing” decision to consolidate two units into one, mixing COVID-positive patients with those that had no symptoms and allowing the virus to spread, Healey said.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and first lady Pamela Northam tested positive for COVID-19, his office said in a statement Friday morning.
The two were tested after a staff member in their residence developed symptoms and later tested positive. According to a news release, Gov. Northam is asymptomatic while first lady Northam is experiencing mild symptoms.
"We are grateful for your thoughts and support, but the best thing you can do for us — and most importantly, for your fellow Virginians — is to take this seriously," Northam said.
The United States surpassed 200,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, and by the end of the week, the country has already lost more than 3,000 more people, roughly the death toll of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
As of Friday afternoon, an additional 3,147 people in the U.S. had died since the country hit the grim 200,000 mark, according to Johns Hopkins data. On 9/11, 2,977 people were killed in the attacks.
According to a projection by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, the U.S. death toll from the virus could almost double by Jan. 1, expected to reach approximately 371,500 by the end of the year.
New York City could see its first new COVID-19 shutdowns in months as the city's health department said certain hot spot areas may have nonessential businesses closed if their case numbers continue to rise.
Parts of Brooklyn and Queens were facing a rollback in reopenings after the neighborhoods have seen a spike in cases in the past month. The city said it was considering closing nonessential businesses and private schools and banning gatherings of 10 or more in the areas if cases do not come down by early next week.
The city also planned to send more inspectors to the areas to monitor compliance of mask wearing and social distancing. Fines could be issued for those refusing to wear masks, the health department said.
The Pac-12 will join the Big Ten in attempting to play football this fall, the league announced Thursday, reversing a decision made in August to postpone until the winter or spring at the earliest due to the health concerns posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Mountain West Conference followed a few hours later by announcing an Oct. 24 return, the ninth of 10 FBS conferences that now plan to complete their seasons by Dec. 20.
Pac-12 play will begin on Nov. 6 with a seven-game schedule consisting of only league games and culminating with the conference championship game on Dec. 18.
– Paul Myerberg
A Virginia health official is warning that President Donald Trump's planned rally Friday poses a "severe public health threat" as 4,000 people are expected to attend.
Dr. Natasha Dwamena, a Department of Public Health district director, wrote a letter to the private company that leases the hangar where the rally is scheduled to take place. She said the rally at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport would defy Gov. Ralph's Northam's order banning gatherings of more than 250 people.
The governor's top health and transportation aides also sent letters to airport officials to remind them they have "the authority to enforce" the state's law.
A conservative radio host and chairman of the Virginia delegation for the Trump campaign said Democrats are trying to block the rally for political reasons. "Panic has set amongst Virginia Democrats," John Fredericks said.
Rio de Janeiro delayed its annual Carnival parade for the first time in a century due to the coronavirus, officials announced Thursday. Rio’s League of Samba Schools, LIESA, said the spread of the coronavirus has made it impossible to safely hold the traditional parades that are a cultural mainstay and, for many, a source of livelihood.
“Carnival is a party upon which many humble workers depend. The samba schools are community institutions, and the parades are just one detail of all that,” Luiz Antonio Simas, a historian who specializes in Rio’s Carnival, said in an interview with the Associated Press. “An entire cultural and productive chain was disrupted by COVID.”
Rio’s City Hall has yet to announce a decision about the Carnival street parties that also take place across the city.
Brazil’s first confirmed coronavirus case was Feb. 26, one day after this year’s Carnival ended.
More than 824,000 Americans file for unemployment
A rebound in hiring that began this summer is sputtering amid regional flareups of the coronavirus, signaling that it may be years before the jobs market fully recovers.
More than 824,000 Americans filed for unemployment insurance for the first time last week, the Labor Department said Thursday.
The newest round of 824,542 claims is significantly lower than the record high 6.2 million who filed first-time claims in early spring when most non-essential businesses closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
But the number of filings rose from the week before by 28,527. And in less than seven months, more than 57 million have sought unemployment assistance for the first time.
– Charisse Jones
COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
In your inbox: Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter.
Stay up to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. On Facebook: A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. Join our Facebook group, Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19.
A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19. Tips for coping: Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. Sign up for Staying Apart, Together.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-09-25--Fact check: What's true and what's false about Ruth Bader Ginsburg

In the wake of Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death , misinformation about her life and legacy has spread .
The USA TODAY Fact Check team is dedicated to verifying claims and fighting misinformation .
Here 's a list of recent fact-checks related to Ginsburg : On her life and things she said There is no evidence to suggest Ginsburg died a year and half ago and was replaced by a body double , as she has made several public appearances in the last 18 months .
The claim is false .
Fact check : Ruth Bader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least a few more years Ginsburg never said her seat should have been vacated when she fell ill a year ago , making that claim false .
She said that she planned to work as long as she could on several occasions , and maintained that staying on the court past Barack Obama 's presidency was the right decision .
Fact check : In 2016 , Ginsburg said a president is 'elected for four years not three years' A post on social media conflates the Washington Post 's paraphrasing of Ginsburg 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quote , about the confirmation of Judge Merrick Garland in 2016 , was similar .
But Ginsburg also recognized that the Senate had the power to act as it saw fit .
It 's true that Ginsburg could have retired at age 80 to give President Barack Obama the opportunity to appoint a new judge , but there is little evidence that an `` ultra-progressive '' jurist would have taken her place , even with a Democratic Senate majority .
The claim is missing context .
Fact check : Ruth Bader Ginsburg was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was n't an election year .
It only took 42 days from the time the Senate received Ginsburg 's nomination until her confirmation vote , but it was not an election year .
President Bill Clinton was elected in 1992 , and Ginsburg was nominated in 1993 .
Calling Ginsburg `` anti-Indian , '' as a viral post does , is missing context .
She authored a heavily criticized decision in Sherril v. Oneida that denied tribal sovereignty , but she also authored opinions that affirmed tribal law .
Ginsburg 's reports from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language in federal law , not to lower the age of consent .
To claim otherwise is false .
Thank you for supporting our journalism .
You can subscribe to our print edition , ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here .
Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook .

Fact check: What's true and what's false about Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Show Caption Hide Caption Remembering the life and accomplishments of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died at age 87. Ginsburg is most noted for her lifelong fight for equality for women. USA TODAY
In the wake of Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death, misinformation about her life and legacy has spread. The USA TODAY Fact Check team is dedicated to verifying claims and fighting misinformation. Here's a list of recent fact-checks related to Ginsburg:
On her life and things she said
Fact check: Viral posts falsely claim Ruth Bader Ginsburg had already died
There is no evidence to suggest Ginsburg died a year and half ago and was replaced by a body double, as she has made several public appearances in the last 18 months. The claim is false.
Fact check: Ruth Bader Ginsburg planned to stay on Supreme Court at least a few more years
Ginsburg never said her seat should have been vacated when she fell ill a year ago, making that claim false. She said that she planned to work as long as she could on several occasions, and maintained that staying on the court past Barack Obama's presidency was the right decision.
Fact check: In 2016, Ginsburg said a president is 'elected for four years not three years'
A post on social media conflates the Washington Post's paraphrasing of Ginsburg's words and her actual words. Her quote, about the confirmation of Judge Merrick Garland in 2016, was similar. But Ginsburg also recognized that the Senate had the power to act as it saw fit.
Fact check: No guarantee Obama would've replaced Ginsburg with a progressive justice
It's true that Ginsburg could have retired at age 80 to give President Barack Obama the opportunity to appoint a new judge, but there is little evidence that an "ultra-progressive" jurist would have taken her place, even with a Democratic Senate majority. The claim is missing context.
Fact check: Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed in 42 days. But it wasn't an election year.
It only took 42 days from the time the Senate received Ginsburg's nomination until her confirmation vote, but it was not an election year. President Bill Clinton was elected in 1992, and Ginsburg was nominated in 1993.
On her record
Fact check: Ruth Bader Ginsburg had 'mixed' record on tribal law, Native American sovereignty
Calling Ginsburg "anti-Indian," as a viral post does, is missing context. She authored a heavily criticized decision in Sherril v. Oneida that denied tribal sovereignty, but she also authored opinions that affirmed tribal law.
Fact check: Ruth Bader Ginsburg wanted gender-neutral language, not lower age of consent
Ginsburg's reports from the 1970s were advocating for more gender-neutral language in federal law, not to lower the age of consent. To claim otherwise is false.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.
Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.


usatoday--2020-09-25--Poll: GOP Sen. Susan Collins lags in Maine, where voters overwhelmingly prefer a delay in filling RB

Veteran GOP Sen. Susan Collins remains in a tight contest with her Democratic challenger in the closely watched Maine Senate race , according to a poll released Friday by Colby College in Waterville , Maine .
Democrat Sara Gideon , the speaker of the Maine House , leads with 45 % among the 847 registered voters who were asked for their first ranked choice .
Collins was viewed as the first choice for 41 % of the respondents with 6 % indicating they remain undecided with a 3.4 % margin of error .
`` It 's tight , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right down to the wire if you ask me , '' said Dan Shea , a Colby College political science professor and lead researcher on the poll .
But the survey found a dramatic partisan gulf on the question of giving President Donald Trump 's third nomination to the high court a vote in the Senate .
Ninety-two percent of Democrats said Collins should wait , and 60 % of independents agreed , but among Republicans just 24 % said the four-term senator should wait until either Trump or Biden takes office in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Collins should vote as soon as possible on Trump 's nominee , whom the president said he will name Saturday .
The Pine Tree State contest is coveted by Democrats as a seat to flip in their mission to win back the Senate in 2020 .
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority .
`` Collins was once one of the most well-liked senators in the country dropping from a 68 % approval rating to the mid-40s , '' Shea told USA TODAY .
`` The question is has Susan changed or has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little bit of both as she 's shifted more to the Republican side . ''
Collins , who was first elected in 1996 , is considered one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbent senators on the 2020 map largely due to Trump 's unpopularity in the state .
She has been critical of the president at times in the past , but Democrats have anchored her to high-profile votes such as confirming Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2017 and voting to acquit Trump in his impeachment trial earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks have shown Gideon with a significantly larger lead over Collins .
A Quinnipiac University poll earlier this month showed Gideon up by 12 % with more than half of likely voters polled backing her bid .
That double-digit margin was the largest lead for the House speaker in any publicly released survey during the race .
But Shea said that should be considered an outlier given other surveys , adding that their research has shown a race within the three to four percentage point range for months .
Collins , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an independent voice who values common sense and compromise .
But her brand of moderate Republican politics has lost favor in Washington .
`` She is the last of the Yankee Republicans at the federal level , '' Shea said .
The Colby College poll showed Collins ' biggest problem is in the White House as multiple surveys have shown views of Trump are the number one predictor for who voters prefer in the Senate race .
Asked to use a school grading system , 48 % of Maine voters rated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus as an `` F '' for failing .
That 's compared to 10 % who gave Trump a `` C '' for average and 18 % who rated it as an `` A '' for excellent .
Trump is also being battered in the head-to-head presidential race against Democratic nominee Joe Biden , who holds a comfortable 50-39 statewide lead according to the survey .
A bright spot for Republicans is that Maine is one of two states in the country where it awards its Electoral College votes based on who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colby poll showed Biden and Trump in a dead heat for the state 's 2nd Congressional District , which covers a vast rural area in northern Maine .
There , the former vice president is netting support from 46 % of the respondents versus 43 % for Trump .
Trump won that district 's lone electoral vote in 2016 , and he has been making overtures to the seafood industry to court voters in the region .
But the Biden campaign has also been making investments in the area to try to flip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Electoral College nail-biter on November 3 .
`` There are a number of scenarios where one electoral vote could actually make the difference and decide the presidency , '' Shea said .
Maine wants to wait to fill RBG 's seat Collins was one of only two GOP senators – along with Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska –who rejected the idea of voting on a nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the Nov. 3 election .
`` She 's a real tough spot with the ire from the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But more importantly I 'm convinced that if Collins did n't make that statement there would have been such an outpouring of anger among the left that she would have been in very deep trouble . ''
A day after Ginsburg 's death last week Collins issued a statement saying Republicans should apply the same standard when they blocked former President Barack Obama 's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court months before the 2016 presidential election .
`` Given the proximity of the presidential election ...
I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the nominee prior to the election , '' she said .
Senate Republicans are coalescing around filling the seat with a more conservative justice , which seems more than likely after Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , said he supports a confirmation vote before the election .
The polling shows that a lot of Mainers think Collins works too hard to be on both sides of controversial issues , he said , and that she comes off as `` too calculating '' to many voters .
Collins is losing independents and swing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulk of Maine ’ s Trump loyalists , Shea said .
`` She is a bellwether of the advent of hyper-partisanship that is transforming our country , '' he said .
`` Now she 's hanging on because it is the end of the swing voters , and as they disappear moderate legislators disappear . ''
Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at pbailey @ USAToday.com or 502-582-4475

Poll: GOP Sen. Susan Collins lags in Maine, where voters overwhelmingly prefer a delay in filling RBG's seat
Show Caption Hide Caption Senator Susan Collins' disapproval rating is lowest among all senators The Maine senator's net approval rating has dropped 10 points since the end of September, leaving her with a 52 percent disapproval rating. USA TODAY
Veteran GOP Sen. Susan Collins remains in a tight contest with her Democratic challenger in the closely watched Maine Senate race, according to a poll released Friday by Colby College in Waterville, Maine.
Democrat Sara Gideon, the speaker of the Maine House, leads with 45% among the 847 registered voters who were asked for their first ranked choice.
Collins was viewed as the first choice for 41% of the respondents with 6% indicating they remain undecided with a 3.4% margin of error.
"It's tight, and it's going to be nip and tuck right down to the wire if you ask me," said Dan Shea, a Colby College political science professor and lead researcher on the poll.
But the survey found a dramatic partisan gulf on the question of giving President Donald Trump's third nomination to the high court a vote in the Senate.
Ninety-two percent of Democrats said Collins should wait, and 60% of independents agreed, but among Republicans just 24% said the four-term senator should wait until either Trump or Biden takes office in January.
Seventy-percent of Maine GOP voters said Collins should vote as soon as possible on Trump's nominee, whom the president said he will name Saturday.
The Pine Tree State contest is coveted by Democrats as a seat to flip in their mission to win back the Senate in 2020. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority.
"Collins was once one of the most well-liked senators in the country dropping from a 68% approval rating to the mid-40s," Shea told USA TODAY. "The question is has Susan changed or has Maine changed, and it's a little bit of both as she's shifted more to the Republican side."
Collins, who was first elected in 1996, is considered one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbent senators on the 2020 map largely due to Trump's unpopularity in the state.
She has been critical of the president at times in the past, but Democrats have anchored her to high-profile votes such as confirming Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2017 and voting to acquit Trump in his impeachment trial earlier this year.
Other snapshots of the race in recent weeks have shown Gideon with a significantly larger lead over Collins.
A Quinnipiac University poll earlier this month showed Gideon up by 12% with more than half of likely voters polled backing her bid. That double-digit margin was the largest lead for the House speaker in any publicly released survey during the race.
But Shea said that should be considered an outlier given other surveys, adding that their research has shown a race within the three to four percentage point range for months.
Collins, for her part, has long cast herself as an independent voice who values common sense and compromise. But her brand of moderate Republican politics has lost favor in Washington.
"She is the last of the Yankee Republicans at the federal level," Shea said.
Biden comfortably ahead in Maine
The Colby College poll showed Collins' biggest problem is in the White House as multiple surveys have shown views of Trump are the number one predictor for who voters prefer in the Senate race.
Asked to use a school grading system, 48% of Maine voters rated the president's handling of the response to the coronavirus as an "F" for failing. That's compared to 10% who gave Trump a "C" for average and 18% who rated it as an "A" for excellent.
Trump is also being battered in the head-to-head presidential race against Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who holds a comfortable 50-39 statewide lead according to the survey.
A bright spot for Republicans is that Maine is one of two states in the country where it awards its Electoral College votes based on who wins in each congressional district.
The Colby poll showed Biden and Trump in a dead heat for the state's 2nd Congressional District, which covers a vast rural area in northern Maine. There, the former vice president is netting support from 46% of the respondents versus 43% for Trump.
Trump won that district's lone electoral vote in 2016, and he has been making overtures to the seafood industry to court voters in the region. But the Biden campaign has also been making investments in the area to try to flip the district given the possibility of an Electoral College nail-biter on November 3.
"There are a number of scenarios where one electoral vote could actually make the difference and decide the presidency," Shea said.
Maine wants to wait to fill RBG's seat
Collins was one of only two GOP senators – along with Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska –who rejected the idea of voting on a nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the Nov. 3 election.
"She's a real tough spot with the ire from the right by opposing this," Shea said. "But more importantly I'm convinced that if Collins didn't make that statement there would have been such an outpouring of anger among the left that she would have been in very deep trouble."
A day after Ginsburg's death last week Collins issued a statement saying Republicans should apply the same standard when they blocked former President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court months before the 2016 presidential election.
"Given the proximity of the presidential election... I do not believe that the Senate should vote on the nominee prior to the election," she said.
Senate Republicans are coalescing around filling the seat with a more conservative justice, which seems more than likely after Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said he supports a confirmation vote before the election.
The polling shows a lot of Mainers think Collins works too hard to be on both sides of controversial issues, he said, and that she comes off as "too calculating" to many voters.
Collins is losing independents and swing Democrats while being unable to attract the bulk of Maine’s Trump loyalists, Shea said.
"She is a bellwether of the advent of hyper-partisanship that is transforming our country," he said. "Now she's hanging on because it is the end of the swing voters, and as they disappear moderate legislators disappear."
Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at pbailey@USAToday.com or 502-582-4475


usatoday--2020-09-25--Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal: Don't 'lump' killing of Breonna Taylor with George Floyd, Ahmaud

Part of what has made `` Inside the NBA '' on TNT a top-tier sports studio show is the panelists ' lack of fear to discuss topics that go beyond the 94 feet of a basketball court .
In August , when NBA players paused the playoffs to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha , Wisconsin , Kenny `` The Jet '' Smith walked off the show 's set in solidarity .
On Thursday , the conversation revolved around the previous day 's decision by a Kentucky grand jury to not file murder or manslaughter charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breonna Taylor , who police shot while executing a no-knock warrant .
NBA Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal said that while tragic , Taylor 's death should not be grouped with the deaths of George Floyd , who died after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes , and Ahmaud Arbery , who was fatally shot by two men in a racially charged incident .
`` It 's bad a young lady lost her life .
But we do have to take into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cops and shot a cop .
So , like I said , even though I 'm really sad she lost her life , I do n't think this is something we can put in the same situation as George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery . ''
O'Neal , a deputized sheriff in both Georgia and Florida , also felt Taylor 's death could be distinguished by the presence of a warrant .
`` I have to agree with Charles , this one is sort of lumped in , '' O'Neal said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some states do allow no-knock warrants .
And everyone was asking for murder charges .
When you talk about murder , you have to show intent .
A homicide occurred and we 're sorry a homicide occurred .
When you have a warrant signed by the judge , you are doing your job , and I would imagine that you would fire back . ''
Later , Barkley criticized the `` defund the police '' movement , which he characterized as the eradication of police forces , while it 's main purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I hear these fools on TV talking about 'defund the police ' and things like that .
We need police reform , prison reform ... but you know who 's not going to defund the cops ?
White neighborhoods and rich neighborhoods , '' Barkley said .
`` So that notion they keep saying , I 'm like , 'Who are Black people supposed to call ?
Ghostbusters ? '
'' The comments preceded Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals , in which the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead .
After the game , LeBron James said his emotions were `` very high . ''
`` I do n't want to get into the case and things of that nature , but we lost a beautiful woman in Breonna ... we want justice no matter how long it takes , even though it 's been so many days , so many hours , so many minutes for her family , for her community , '' he said.
`` ... Our hearts are with that family and with that city .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal: Don't 'lump' killing of Breonna Taylor with George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery
Show Caption Hide Caption NBA world reacts to Breonna Taylor decision What I'm Hearing: Jeff Zillgitt is inside the NBA bubble and relays what the players and coaches are saying following the controversial decision made in the Breonna Taylor case. What I'm Hearing, USA TODAY
Part of what has made "Inside the NBA" on TNT a top-tier sports studio show is the panelists' lack of fear to discuss topics that go beyond the 94 feet of a basketball court.
In August, when NBA players paused the playoffs to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Kenny "The Jet" Smith walked off the show's set in solidarity.
On Thursday, the conversation revolved around the previous day's decision by a Kentucky grand jury to not file murder or manslaughter charges against Louisville police in the death of Breonna Taylor, who police shot while executing a no-knock warrant.
NBA Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal said that while tragic, Taylor's death should not be grouped with the deaths of George Floyd, who died after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes, and Ahmaud Arbery, who was fatally shot by two men in a racially charged incident.
"It's bad a young lady lost her life. But we do have to take into account that her boyfriend did shoot at the cops and shot a cop. So, like I said, even though I'm really sad she lost her life, I don't think this is something we can put in the same situation as George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery."
Charles Barkley says you can't put the Breonna Taylor case in the same situation as George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery because her boyfriend shot at the police pic.twitter.com/8dMjVMZp39 — gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 25, 2020
O'Neal, a deputized sheriff in both Georgia and Florida, also felt Taylor's death could be distinguished by the presence of a warrant.
"I have to agree with Charles, this one is sort of lumped in," O'Neal said. "You have to get a warrant signed and some states do allow no-knock warrants. And everyone was asking for murder charges. When you talk about murder, you have to show intent. A homicide occurred and we're sorry a homicide occurred. When you have a warrant signed by the judge, you are doing your job, and I would imagine that you would fire back."
Later, Barkley criticized the "defund the police" movement, which he characterized as the eradication of police forces, while it's main purpose is for increased funding to social programs.
"I hear these fools on TV talking about 'defund the police' and things like that. We need police reform, prison reform ... but you know who's not going to defund the cops? White neighborhoods and rich neighborhoods," Barkley said. "So that notion they keep saying, I'm like, 'Who are Black people supposed to call? Ghostbusters?'"
"We need to stop the defund or abolish the police crap."
- Charles Barkley
pic.twitter.com/0PiBnCOJTI — NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) September 25, 2020
The comments preceded Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, in which the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 114-108 to take a 3-1 series lead. After the game, LeBron James said his emotions were "very high."
"I don't want to get into the case and things of that nature, but we lost a beautiful woman in Breonna ... we want justice no matter how long it takes, even though it's been so many days, so many hours, so many minutes for her family, for her community," he said. " ... Our hearts are with that family and with that city. There's just so much injustice going on."
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.


usatoday--2020-09-25--Apple Watch Series 6: Is it worth it to upgrade?

It 's been just over a week since Apple unveiled its latest fitness device : the Apple Watch Series 6 .
The latest Apple Watch features a lot of you 'd expect from the iPhone giant five years into the smartwatch game : more usable screen space , a brighter always-on display and more customization options .
At the core of the model upgrade is a blood oxygen sensor , which Apple stresses is n't a medical tool .
But it can key you in to what 's happening to your body beneath the surface .
`` It is meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Apple 's vice president of health Sumbul Desai .
`` We 're doing research to learn more . ''
Aside from the blood oxygen tool , Series 6 , priced from $ 399 and up , represents a modest step up from the previous generation with more color options and sleep tracking capabilities .
Apple sent over a unit to test out , and here are my first impressions .
New tech : LG just upped its dual-screen smartphone offering with swiveling LG Wing The blood oxygen app is straight forward and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wait 15 seconds , and it 'll display your results .
You have to be completely still while it generates your results , otherwise , you 'll get a few unsuccessful measurements like I did .
Ultimately , my blood oxygen saturation was 96 % , according to the Apple Watch .
That information was n't really actionable , or inherently useful though .
Oxygen saturation shows what percentage of oxygen is being carried by red blood cells from the lungs to the rest of the body .
When you 're in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 95 % or higher , Apple 's latest watch feature does n't really do you any good .
But health experts say the watch 's ability to passively check for drops in your blood oxygen saturation can be a useful way of nudging you to see a licensed doctor if you drop into an unhealthy range .
`` It 's not useful day-to-day .
It 's really only helpful if it 's low , '' said Dennis Deruelle , a physician and executive director at American Physician Partners .
Certain illnesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oxygen saturation to go down , he added .
But a doctor would have to diagnose what 's truly happening .
Since the Series 6 is n't scientifically approved to be a medical device , its best described as a fitness device for those keen on tracking their calories burned , workout intensity and overall wellness .
I 've spent the past several days comparing the latest edition to the iOS family to my old Series 4 , which lacks the coveted always-on display but still has a similar design feel to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were minuscule , at best .
They both have the same fitness animations and display the same metrics as you work toward closing your rings or reaching your goals .
Maybe there will be more striking differences once Apple unlocks Fitness+ , the company 's upcoming fitness experience that 'll give you streamable content from fitness trainers on your iPhone or iPad .
The $ 9.99-per-month service integrates real-time workout metrics from your Apple Watch .
Until then , the differences between the new Apple Watches and the 2-year-old Series 4 are better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ striking differences was the color .
Apple sent over a navy blue one to test out , though the Series 6 also comes in a new PRODUCT ( RED ) and graphite .
The Series 6 is also the first Apple Watch I 've worn to bed at night , in part because 18-hours of battery life is n't enough to sustain two days of wear , and partially because there was n't a native sleep tracker until now .
The latest WatchOS 7 software update introduced sleep tracking , Sleep Mode and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give those a shot .
The native Sleep app feature tracks your slumber in the background , without any interaction from you .
I set my bedtime and the watch sent me a reminder when that time was approaching .
I mostly ignored it , much like Apple 's reminders to breathe , but I can see how it can come in handy for people who want to make sure they get their recommended eight hours every night .
Before going to bed , I ticked on the watch 's Sleep Mode , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the device in do not disturb mode so notifications do n't wake you up .
Also , the backlight was lowered , so it did n't keep me awake .
The next morning , the sleep app on the watch will display how many hours you slept , and any gaps in your slumber .
I found out that I actually sleep fewer hours than initially thought .
And I 'd likely continue to use the feature if the watch did n't die early the next morning .
Do you need the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is solid , it 's hard to recommend the smartwatch over previous versions .
Blood oxygen is n't something you 're likely to check every day , if ever , and that feature is the most notable new addition to Apple 's family of devices .
Also , Fitbit 's latest device monitors sleep but has a longer battery life and can check for fever symptoms , so that 's a strong contender , too .
If you 're locked into the world of iOS , want something new to toy with , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Series 6 could be well suited for you .
If you 're excited about Apple unlocking Fitness+ soon , the latest watch with the most updated bells and whistles might also be worth checking out .

Apple Watch Series 6: Is it worth it to upgrade?
Show Caption Hide Caption Apple iOS14 update: 5 new features for iPhone and iPad Apple unveils iOS14 with new features for both new and older models of iPhones and iPads. USA TODAY
It's been just over a week since Apple unveiled its latest fitness device: the Apple Watch Series 6.
The latest Apple Watch features a lot of you'd expect from the iPhone giant five years into the smartwatch game: more usable screen space, a brighter always-on display and more customization options.
At the core of the model upgrade is a blood oxygen sensor, which Apple stresses isn't a medical tool. But it can key you in to what's happening to your body beneath the surface.
"It is meant for fitness and wellness purposes," said Apple's vice president of health Sumbul Desai. "We're doing research to learn more."
Aside from the blood oxygen tool, Series 6, priced from $399 and up, represents a modest step up from the previous generation with more color options and sleep tracking capabilities. Apple sent over a unit to test out, and here are my first impressions.
New tech: LG just upped its dual-screen smartphone offering with swiveling LG Wing
More from Reviewed: You can get the new Apple Watch Series 6 on sale at Amazon right now
Blood oxygen levels
The blood oxygen app is straight forward and easy to use. Just tap Start, wait 15 seconds, and it'll display your results. You have to be completely still while it generates your results, otherwise, you'll get a few unsuccessful measurements like I did.
Ultimately, my blood oxygen saturation was 96%, according to the Apple Watch.
That information wasn't really actionable, or inherently useful though.
Oxygen saturation shows what percentage of oxygen is being carried by red blood cells from the lungs to the rest of the body. When you're in a healthy blood oxygen saturation range, around 95% or higher, Apple's latest watch feature doesn't really do you any good.
But health experts say the watch's ability to passively check for drops in your blood oxygen saturation can be a useful way of nudging you to see a licensed doctor if you drop into an unhealthy range.
"It's not useful day-to-day. It's really only helpful if it's low," said Dennis Deruelle, a physician and executive director at American Physician Partners. Certain illnesses, including COVID-19, could cause your blood oxygen saturation to go down, he added. But a doctor would have to diagnose what's truly happening.
Working out with Series 6
Since the Series 6 isn't scientifically approved to be a medical device, its best described as a fitness device for those keen on tracking their calories burned, workout intensity and overall wellness.
I've spent the past several days comparing the latest edition to the iOS family to my old Series 4, which lacks the coveted always-on display but still has a similar design feel to the Series 6.
The differences during workouts were minuscule, at best. They both have the same fitness animations and display the same metrics as you work toward closing your rings or reaching your goals.
Maybe there will be more striking differences once Apple unlocks Fitness+, the company's upcoming fitness experience that'll give you streamable content from fitness trainers on your iPhone or iPad. The $9.99-per-month service integrates real-time workout metrics from your Apple Watch.
Until then, the differences between the new Apple Watches and the 2-year-old Series 4 are better reflected elsewhere.
So what's new?
One of the most striking differences was the color. Apple sent over a navy blue one to test out, though the Series 6 also comes in a new PRODUCT(RED) and graphite.
The Series 6 is also the first Apple Watch I've worn to bed at night, in part because 18-hours of battery life isn't enough to sustain two days of wear, and partially because there wasn't a native sleep tracker until now.
The latest WatchOS 7 software update introduced sleep tracking, Sleep Mode and Wind Down, so I decided to give those a shot. The native Sleep app feature tracks your slumber in the background, without any interaction from you.
I set my bedtime and the watch sent me a reminder when that time was approaching. I mostly ignored it, much like Apple's reminders to breathe, but I can see how it can come in handy for people who want to make sure they get their recommended eight hours every night.
Before going to bed, I ticked on the watch's Sleep Mode, which simplifies your watch face and puts the device in do not disturb mode so notifications don't wake you up. Also, the backlight was lowered, so it didn't keep me awake.
The next morning, the sleep app on the watch will display how many hours you slept, and any gaps in your slumber. I found out that I actually sleep fewer hours than initially thought.
And I'd likely continue to use the feature if the watch didn't die early the next morning.
Do you need the new Series 6?
While the Series 6 is solid, it's hard to recommend the smartwatch over previous versions. Blood oxygen isn't something you're likely to check every day, if ever, and that feature is the most notable new addition to Apple's family of devices.
Also, Fitbit's latest device monitors sleep but has a longer battery life and can check for fever symptoms, so that's a strong contender, too.
If you're locked into the world of iOS, want something new to toy with, or need a new workout tracker, the Series 6 could be well suited for you. If you're excited about Apple unlocking Fitness+ soon, the latest watch with the most updated bells and whistles might also be worth checking out.
Follow Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown


usatoday--2020-09-25--3 railroad workers suspended after 'man cave' found under New York's Grand Central Terminal

Three Metro-North Railroad employees were suspended after Metropolitan Transportation Authority investigators discovered they 'd created a “ man cave , ” complete with a flat-screen television and a beer-stocked refrigerator , in a storage room beneath Grand Central Terminal in New York .
The air-conditioned room came complete with microwave , workout equipment , and hide-a-way beds , MTA Inspector General Carolyn Pokorny said Thursday .
“ Many a New Yorker has fantasized about kicking back with a cold beer in a prime piece of Manhattan real estate — especially one this close to good transportation , ” Pokorny said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chutzpah to commandeer a secret room beneath Grand Central Terminal and make it their very own man-cave , sustained with MTA resources , and maintained at our riders ’ expense.
” The room , located beneath Track 114 at Grand Central , was discovered behind a locked door inside a storage room after MTA investigators were tipped to its existence by an anonymous tip about a spot where Metro-North employees `` hang out and get drunk and party . ''
When investigators questioned employees about the room , they were told it contained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been used to store locksmith supplies .
Inside , they found customized wooden boxes used to disguise the futon and flat screen TV and personal items linked to three Metro-North employees — a wireman , a carpenter foreman and an electrical foreman .
A streaming device connected to a hotspot was linked back to the carpenter foreman ’ s phone .
And there was a receipt for an air mattress with the wireman ’ s name on it .
A shipping sticker on a pull-up bar included the electrical foreman ’ s name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gate , delayed after two passengers refuse to wear face masks Employee arrested : Dunkin ' employee in Illinois arrested after state trooper finds mucus in coffee When questioned , each of the employees denied using the room , the Inspector General 's report says .
The electrical foreman told investigators : “ You can ’ t tell me I can ’ t watch TV during my break.
” The employees ’ names were not revealed in the report .
They ’ ve been suspended without pay and are facing disciplinary charges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the whereabouts of one of the employees could also face discipline , Pokorny said .
Grand Central Terminal managers were not aware of the room ’ s existence .
It did not even appear in a map of the building .
The MTA is the parent agency of Metro-North , which has its headquarters at Grand Central .
The Inspector General first learned of the possible existence of the room in February 2019 when an anonymous tip complained about a “ man cave ” where three employees “ hang out and get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint to Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi , who sent it on to Metro-North ’ s security team .
Several months went by when the Inspector General received another complaint in June 2019 .
Metro-North 's security heads claimed they investigated the complaint and could not substantiate it , a claims investigator refuted .
“ However , the OIG found that the complaints were not investigated and MNR Security does not have a formal way of tracking the investigation and disposition of the complaints it receives from the MNR President ’ s Office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the room was a safety hazard .
“ The risks associated with employees hiding in that room with the door locked create a variety of hazards including the inability of rescue personnel to quickly access the room , ” the report noted .
“ And , in fact , those risks were apparent in how long the OIG waited for a locksmith to respond to the room to open the door.
” In response , Metro-North said it will be create a formal method for tracking complaints to its security office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all rooms located inside Grand Central Terminal .
“ That inventory will document the rooms that are used , which department is responsible for each room , the type of door and lock for each room , permitted access to rooms , and the value of items stored in rooms , ” Metro-North said .
Rinaldi said the three employees were suspended without pay and will be `` disciplined in accordance with their collective bargaining agreements . ''
“ The behavior described in the IG ’ s report is outrageously inappropriate and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the commitment that we have to providing safe , reliable and cost-efficient service to our customers , '' Rinaldi said .

Thomas C. Zambito, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

3 railroad workers suspended after 'man cave' found under New York's Grand Central Terminal
Show Caption Hide Caption 'Man cave' found under New York's Grand Central Terminal The space was complete with a flat-screen TV and a beer-stocked fridge. USA TODAY, Storyful
Three Metro-North Railroad employees were suspended after Metropolitan Transportation Authority investigators discovered they'd created a “man cave,” complete with a flat-screen television and a beer-stocked refrigerator, in a storage room beneath Grand Central Terminal in New York.
The air-conditioned room came complete with microwave, workout equipment, and hide-a-way beds, MTA Inspector General Carolyn Pokorny said Thursday.
“Many a New Yorker has fantasized about kicking back with a cold beer in a prime piece of Manhattan real estate — especially one this close to good transportation,” Pokorny said. “But few would have the chutzpah to commandeer a secret room beneath Grand Central Terminal and make it their very own man-cave, sustained with MTA resources, and maintained at our riders’ expense.”
The room, located beneath Track 114 at Grand Central, was discovered behind a locked door inside a storage room after MTA investigators were tipped to its existence by an anonymous tip about a spot where Metro-North employees "hang out and get drunk and party."
When investigators questioned employees about the room, they were told it contained “sensitive supplies.” It had once been used to store locksmith supplies.
Inside, they found customized wooden boxes used to disguise the futon and flat screen TV and personal items linked to three Metro-North employees — a wireman, a carpenter foreman and an electrical foreman.
A streaming device connected to a hotspot was linked back to the carpenter foreman’s phone. And there was a receipt for an air mattress with the wireman’s name on it. A shipping sticker on a pull-up bar included the electrical foreman’s name.
Travel: Delta flight returns to gate, delayed after two passengers refuse to wear face masks
Employee arrested: Dunkin' employee in Illinois arrested after state trooper finds mucus in coffee
When questioned, each of the employees denied using the room, the Inspector General's report says. The electrical foreman told investigators: “You can’t tell me I can’t watch TV during my break.”
The employees’ names were not revealed in the report. They’ve been suspended without pay and are facing disciplinary charges.
A Metro-North supervisor who lied to investigators about the whereabouts of one of the employees could also face discipline, Pokorny said.
Grand Central Terminal managers were not aware of the room’s existence. It did not even appear in a map of the building.
The MTA is the parent agency of Metro-North, which has its headquarters at Grand Central.
The Inspector General first learned of the possible existence of the room in February 2019 when an anonymous tip complained about a “man cave” where three employees “hang out and get drunk and party.”
Investigators forwarded the complaint to Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi, who sent it on to Metro-North’s security team. Several months went by when the Inspector General received another complaint in June 2019.
Metro-North's security heads claimed they investigated the complaint and could not substantiate it, a claims investigator refuted.
“However, the OIG found that the complaints were not investigated and MNR Security does not have a formal way of tracking the investigation and disposition of the complaints it receives from the MNR President’s Office,” the report noted.
The report said the room was a safety hazard.
“The risks associated with employees hiding in that room with the door locked create a variety of hazards including the inability of rescue personnel to quickly access the room,” the report noted. “And, in fact, those risks were apparent in how long the OIG waited for a locksmith to respond to the room to open the door.”
In response, Metro-North said it will be create a formal method for tracking complaints to its security office. And it will create an inventory of all rooms located inside Grand Central Terminal.
“That inventory will document the rooms that are used, which department is responsible for each room, the type of door and lock for each room, permitted access to rooms, and the value of items stored in rooms,” Metro-North said.
Rinaldi said the three employees were suspended without pay and will be "disciplined in accordance with their collective bargaining agreements."
“The behavior described in the IG’s report is outrageously inappropriate and is not consistent with Metro-North’s values and the commitment that we have to providing safe, reliable and cost-efficient service to our customers," Rinaldi said.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-09-25--Lakers on verge of NBA Finals as they push Nuggets into third straight 3-1 series deficit

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. — Anthony Davis didn ’ t miss in the first quarter .
Dwight Howard didn ’ t miss in the first quarter .
And LeBron James forced Denver star Jamal Murray into misses late in the fourth quarter .
That strong start by the Los Angeles Lakers ’ big men , started the game 10-for-10 from the field , combined with a determined finish led by James ' defense on Murray held off the Denver Nuggets , and the Lakers won Game 4 114-108 on Thursday .
Davis scored 19 of his game-high 34 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and James scored 19 of the Lakers ’ 27 fourth-quarter points , with 13 points coming on foul shots .
The Lakers have a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference finals and are now one victory from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 – the last time the storied franchise won a championship .
Of course , a 3-1 lead isn ’ t safe against these Nuggets , who became the first team in NBA history to come back from 3-1 deficits and win a series twice in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven games in the first round and the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games in the conference semifinals .
`` They are extremely difficult to play against on both sides of the ball , '' Lakers coach Frank Vogel said .
`` They are well-coached defensively .
They have great speed and physicality .
Obviously , Jamal ( Murray ) and the Joker ( Nikola Jokic ) are just playing at an extremely high level offensively , as is their supporting cast .
The bench has been fantastic .
Great respect for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of work to do to finish this series . ''
On the flip side , James has never lost a playoff series when up 3-1 .
Game 5 is on Saturday ( 9 p.m .
ET , TNT ) .
Davis was once again sensational and has been the Lakers ’ best scorer against Denver .
He has scored at least 30 points in three of the four games .
The Lakers gave Davis plenty of support .
James had 26 points , nine rebounds and eight assists , Howard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 13 points .
Backup point guard Rajon Rondo added 11 points and seven assists .
The Lakers made 28 of their 35 free throws , including an 11-for-14 mark by James and a 13-for-14 line by Davis .
“ I ’ m going to have to go through the proper channels like they did to see if we can figure out how we can get some more free throws , ” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone , whose team shot 23 free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 41-33 , including 12-6 on the offensive boards .
They outscored the Nuggets 25-6 on second-chance points .
`` That ’ s really hard to overcome , '' Malone said .
Murray scored a team-high 32 points on 12-for-20 shooting – another stellar game from the 23-year-old who has morphed into a star in the bubble .
Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers gave the Nuggets an underappreciated compliment in the conference semifinals : Denver just keeps playing the same way down 20 or up 10 .
That constant energy keeps the Nuggets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Game 4 .
The Lakers could never shake the Nuggets , and it required a solid defensive effort in the fourth quarter .
Denver trailed 105-102 with a chance to narrow the lead , but James blocked Murray ’ s layup attempt .
With Murray 's offense clicking , James decided to guard Murray in the fourth quarter .
`` I knew it was winning time , and Jamal had it going .
The kid is special , '' James said .
`` He has an array of shots .
Triple threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the paint .
For me , it 's just trusting my defensive keys .
Trusting my study of film .
Trusting personnel .
And living with the results .
`` I told my teammates that I had him and everyone else can kind of stay at bay and stay home .
I was able to get a couple stops and we were able to rebound the basketball , which is the most important thing . ''
Murray said he thought he was fouled a couple of times in the final minutes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
The plays wo n't make the NBA 's Last Two-Minute Report because they happened before the two-minute mark of the fourth quarter so it wo n't be made public how the league saw the plays on review .
The Lakers also neutralized Jokic , who had a quiet 16 points , seven rebounds and four assists .
Vogel wanted his team “ to play harder .
We 've got to play tougher , more physical , with more hustle , quicker to loose balls .
It starts there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Lakers did just that as they took a 37-30 lead after one quarter .
Davis made all six attempts and scored 14 points , and Howard had eight points and eight rebounds in the opening 12 minutes .

Lakers on verge of NBA Finals as they push Nuggets into third straight 3-1 series deficit
Show Caption Hide Caption Lakers take 3-1 lead, but Nuggets have been here before What I'm Hearing: Jeff Zillgitt breaks down what both teams were saying following the Lakers Game 4 win over the Nuggets to take a 3-1 series lead and why this is familiar territory for Denver. USA TODAY
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Anthony Davis didn’t miss in the first quarter. Dwight Howard didn’t miss in the first quarter. And LeBron James forced Denver star Jamal Murray into misses late in the fourth quarter.
That strong start by the Los Angeles Lakers’ big men, started the game 10-for-10 from the field, combined with a determined finish led by James' defense on Murray held off the Denver Nuggets, and the Lakers won Game 4 114-108 on Thursday.
Davis scored 19 of his game-high 34 points in the first half, and he and James scored 19 of the Lakers’ 27 fourth-quarter points, with 13 points coming on foul shots.
The Lakers have a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference finals and are now one victory from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 – the last time the storied franchise won a championship.
Of course, a 3-1 lead isn’t safe against these Nuggets, who became the first team in NBA history to come back from 3-1 deficits and win a series twice in the same postseason – beating Utah in seven games in the first round and the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games in the conference semifinals.
"They are extremely difficult to play against on both sides of the ball," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. "They are well-coached defensively. They have great speed and physicality. Obviously, Jamal (Murray) and the Joker (Nikola Jokic) are just playing at an extremely high level offensively, as is their supporting cast. The bench has been fantastic. Great respect for this team and definitely know that we have a lot of work to do to finish this series."
On the flip side, James has never lost a playoff series when up 3-1.
Game 5 is on Saturday (9 p.m. ET, TNT).
Davis was once again sensational and has been the Lakers’ best scorer against Denver. He has scored at least 30 points in three of the four games.
The Lakers gave Davis plenty of support. James had 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, Howard, who started in place of JaVale McGee, had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 13 points. Backup point guard Rajon Rondo added 11 points and seven assists.
The Lakers made 28 of their 35 free throws, including an 11-for-14 mark by James and a 13-for-14 line by Davis.
“I’m going to have to go through the proper channels like they did to see if we can figure out how we can get some more free throws,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone, whose team shot 23 free throws.
The Lakers outrebounded the Nuggets 41-33, including 12-6 on the offensive boards. They outscored the Nuggets 25-6 on second-chance points.
"That’s really hard to overcome," Malone said.
Murray scored a team-high 32 points on 12-for-20 shooting – another stellar game from the 23-year-old who has morphed into a star in the bubble.
Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers gave the Nuggets an underappreciated compliment in the conference semifinals: Denver just keeps playing the same way down 20 or up 10. That constant energy keeps the Nuggets close most games.
That was true in Game 4. The Lakers could never shake the Nuggets, and it required a solid defensive effort in the fourth quarter.
Denver trailed 105-102 with a chance to narrow the lead, but James blocked Murray’s layup attempt. With Murray's offense clicking, James decided to guard Murray in the fourth quarter.
"I knew it was winning time, and Jamal had it going. The kid is special," James said. "He has an array of shots. Triple threat from the three, mid-range and also in the paint. For me, it's just trusting my defensive keys. Trusting my study of film. Trusting personnel. And living with the results.
"I told my teammates that I had him and everyone else can kind of stay at bay and stay home. I was able to get a couple stops and we were able to rebound the basketball, which is the most important thing."
Murray said he thought he was fouled a couple of times in the final minutes. "We could see the replay clearly," he said.
The plays won't make the NBA's Last Two-Minute Report because they happened before the two-minute mark of the fourth quarter so it won't be made public how the league saw the plays on review.
The Lakers also neutralized Jokic, who had a quiet 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Vogel wanted his team “to play harder. We've got to play tougher, more physical, with more hustle, quicker to loose balls. It starts there,” he said before the game.
The Lakers did just that as they took a 37-30 lead after one quarter. Davis made all six attempts and scored 14 points, and Howard had eight points and eight rebounds in the opening 12 minutes.


usatoday--2020-09-25--Five takeaways from Miami Dolphins' Thursday night win over the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Thursday night jinx is over .
Ryan Fitzpatrick came out on fire as the Miami Dolphins jumped to a 14-0 lead en route to a 31-13 victory over the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night .
Fitzpatrick enjoyed an early stretch of remarkable accuracy and finished with two touchdowns passing and one rushing .
The Dolphins had been handily beaten in their previous four `` Thursday Night Football '' appearances and had to travel for this one but recorded their first win of the season , improving to 1-2 and earning a few days of rest before preparing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 4 .
The Jaguars , meanwhile , fell to 1-2 .
1 .
Patience , Tua fans : They were ready to write Fitzpatrick ’ s career obit after that three-interception opener .
Look at him now .
Fitzpatrick connected on his first 12 passes ( including two touchdowns ) and had a streak of 21 completions dating back to the Bills game .
In short , he was nearly perfect as the Dolphins came storming out of the gate and led 21-7 at halftime .
In the second half , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) passes to finish with one reception on one target .
( Amazing all the stuff you can discover hidden in that beard .
Much more than a mustache . )
Fitz was playing like a 37-year-old man who knew he wouldn ’ t have to suit up again for 1 1/2 weeks .
He was throwing his body around and taking hits , seemingly determined to make sure if Myles Gaskin is going to wrest his team rushing title away , he was going to have to work for it .
POWER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
1 spot after Week 2 NFL NEWSLETTER : Sign up now to get football news delivered to your inbox 2 .
Line coming together … : The Dolphins didn ’ t just retool their offensive line this season .
They blew it up after a poor 2019 .
With Jesse Davis the lone holdover and no preseason to get used to working together , you would have expected this unit to struggle early .
Instead , with two rookies starting , the line dominated .
If you didn ’ t know better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five veterans in sync .
Davis raised eyebrows this week when he said the line had a goal of being “ feared ” around the NFL .
Then Dolphins went out and had drives of 84 , 80 and 75 yards in the first half as the line dictated the tone .
The blockers protected Fitz and opened lanes for Gaskin .
They proved they can get the job done in the toughest spot on the field as Davis and rookie guard Solomon Kindley helped Jordan Howard plow in from a yard out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couldn ’ t spoil the hope that he and fellow rookie Austin Jackson inspire .
3 .
… So why not take advantage ?
Former FAU coach Lane Kiffin keeps binders of tendencies in his office that , he said , make it clear that coaches don ’ t go for it on fourth down nearly enough .
Kiffin believes they coach not to get criticized .
The Dolphins didn ’ t go for it in the third quarter — and they deserve criticism .
Despite how well the line was firing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jags ’ 40 but had Fitzpatrick try to draw Jacksonville offside ( when ’ s the last time that worked ? )
.
They ended up punting , with Matt Haack continuing his outstanding season .
The strategy worked out perfectly in the end , after Kyle Van Noy caused and recovered a fumble to set up Fitz ’ s 1-yard TD run for a 28-7 lead .
That was good fortune .
By not punting , though , you make your own fortune .
4 .
X isn ’ t right : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Howard gave up a long TD to the Bills on Sunday .
OK. Everybody gets beaten now and then .
But Howard was seen playing soft coverage in the first half .
In the third quarter , he was able to run step for step deep with receiver Chris Conley but never located the ball and ran right by him .
A combination of safety Bobby McCain disrupting Conley , and Conley dropping the ball , prevented a big gain .
Howard had a strange stretch in the closing minutes , getting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incomplete '' signal even though he 'd given up a completion ... but following with an interception seconds later .
True to how things are going , Howard got up tending to an aching calf muscle .
Byron Jones missed the game with assorted ailments , so it ’ s going to be into early October at the earliest before we see the bookend corners the Dolphins had in mind when they signed Jones in free agency .
5 , Enough with the arm tackles : Van Noy and cornerback Jamal Perry were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense that insisted on attempting arm tackles .
Van Noy has a strange habit of grading reporters ’ questions before deciding whether to answer them .
He ’ ll probably face a few questions during the film session .
If you love talking football , we have the perfect spot for you .
Join our Facebook Group , The Ruling Off the Field , to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders .
Do the right thing , sign up now !

Five takeaways from Miami Dolphins' Thursday night win over the Jacksonville Jaguars
Show Caption Hide Caption Lorenzo's Locks: The 3 best bets you should consider for NFL Week 3 SportsPulse: Lorenzo had another solid week going 2-1 but he's still searching for the perfect weekend. He's back to provide his best 3 bets for Week 3. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
The Thursday night jinx is over.
Ryan Fitzpatrick came out on fire as the Miami Dolphins jumped to a 14-0 lead en route to a 31-13 victory over the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night.
Fitzpatrick enjoyed an early stretch of remarkable accuracy and finished with two touchdowns passing and one rushing.
The Dolphins had been handily beaten in their previous four "Thursday Night Football" appearances and had to travel for this one but recorded their first win of the season, improving to 1-2 and earning a few days of rest before preparing to play host to the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 4. The Jaguars, meanwhile, fell to 1-2.
Key takeaways from the game:
1. Patience, Tua fans: They were ready to write Fitzpatrick’s career obit after that three-interception opener.
Look at him now.
Fitzpatrick connected on his first 12 passes (including two touchdowns) and had a streak of 21 completions dating back to the Bills game. In short, he was nearly perfect as the Dolphins came storming out of the gate and led 21-7 at halftime.
In the second half, he caught one of his own (deflected) passes to finish with one reception on one target. (Amazing all the stuff you can discover hidden in that beard. Much more than a mustache.)
Fitz was playing like a 37-year-old man who knew he wouldn’t have to suit up again for 1 1/2 weeks. He was throwing his body around and taking hits, seemingly determined to make sure if Myles Gaskin is going to wrest his team rushing title away, he was going to have to work for it.
NFL WEEK 3 PICKS: Chiefs or Ravens in potential AFC championship game preview?
POWER RANKINGS: Ravens replace Chiefs for No. 1 spot after Week 2
NFL NEWSLETTER: Sign up now to get football news delivered to your inbox
Fitz is on FIRE.
11-for-11 including this dart to Mike Gesicki for another TD! #FinsUp 21-7.
📺: #MIAvsJAX on @NFLNetwork
📱: NFL App // Yahoo Sports App: https://t.co/12dXbqaBVJ pic.twitter.com/ffA2FasmSI — NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2020
2. Line coming together … : The Dolphins didn’t just retool their offensive line this season. They blew it up after a poor 2019.
With Jesse Davis the lone holdover and no preseason to get used to working together, you would have expected this unit to struggle early.
Instead, with two rookies starting, the line dominated. If you didn’t know better, you may have thought it was five veterans in sync.
Davis raised eyebrows this week when he said the line had a goal of being “feared” around the NFL. Then Dolphins went out and had drives of 84, 80 and 75 yards in the first half as the line dictated the tone. The blockers protected Fitz and opened lanes for Gaskin. They proved they can get the job done in the toughest spot on the field as Davis and rookie guard Solomon Kindley helped Jordan Howard plow in from a yard out.
Even a holding call on Kindley couldn’t spoil the hope that he and fellow rookie Austin Jackson inspire.
3. … So why not take advantage? Former FAU coach Lane Kiffin keeps binders of tendencies in his office that, he said, make it clear that coaches don’t go for it on fourth down nearly enough. Kiffin believes they coach not to get criticized.
The Dolphins didn’t go for it in the third quarter — and they deserve criticism.
Despite how well the line was firing, the Dolphins faced a fourth-and-1 on the Jags’ 40 but had Fitzpatrick try to draw Jacksonville offside (when’s the last time that worked?). They ended up punting, with Matt Haack continuing his outstanding season.
The strategy worked out perfectly in the end, after Kyle Van Noy caused and recovered a fumble to set up Fitz’s 1-yard TD run for a 28-7 lead. That was good fortune. By not punting, though, you make your own fortune.
4. X isn’t right: Cornerback Xavien Howard is still rusty.
Howard gave up a long TD to the Bills on Sunday. OK. Everybody gets beaten now and then.
But Howard was seen playing soft coverage in the first half. In the third quarter, he was able to run step for step deep with receiver Chris Conley but never located the ball and ran right by him. A combination of safety Bobby McCain disrupting Conley, and Conley dropping the ball, prevented a big gain.
Howard had a strange stretch in the closing minutes, getting up from one play and giving the "incomplete" signal even though he'd given up a completion ... but following with an interception seconds later. True to how things are going, Howard got up tending to an aching calf muscle.
Byron Jones missed the game with assorted ailments, so it’s going to be into early October at the earliest before we see the bookend corners the Dolphins had in mind when they signed Jones in free agency.
5, Enough with the arm tackles: Van Noy and cornerback Jamal Perry were the most obvious offenders on a Dolphins defense that insisted on attempting arm tackles.
Van Noy has a strange habit of grading reporters’ questions before deciding whether to answer them. He’ll probably face a few questions during the film session.
If you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. Do the right thing, sign up now!


usatoday--2020-09-25--SEC opens season with COVID-19 infection rates double the national average

The Southeastern Conference has n't played a down of football in the 2020 season , but the SEC has seven teams ranked in the top 25 of the Amway Coaches Poll .
The SEC also dominates another top 25 list : the most COVID-19 infection rates among counties with Power Five football programs .
Those nine schools include the Florida Gators , who rank in the top six of both lists .
COVID-19 and the commitment to start the season leaves the conference in a precarious position as all 14 teams begin their seasons this weekend with most of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I still am in the hold-my-breath moment — a bit , ” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said this week .
The good news for SEC teams and fans is that the average daily new cases per 100,000 residents in their counties declined by 32 % this week to 25.8 — nearly double the national average of 13.4 .
`` I was really surprised to see that the numbers have declined drastically in SEC counties combined and individually , as well , in 13 counties , '' said Pooja Naik , a master @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rollins School of Public Health , who conducted the data analysis for USA TODAY .
Still , Naik says she worries about the thousands of fans shouting together in `` the same air space '' and potentially driving infection rates up again .
`` We need to understand that numbers going down does not necessarily give us a green signal to stop social distancing and stop using masks , '' Naik said .
`` It wouldn ’ t be surprising to see a completely different picture from our data next week . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging around the country .
About two-thirds of the counties with Power Five programs saw their daily COVID-19 cases decrease during the past week .
SEC schools are highlighted , below , in red .
Beyond the SEC , COVID-19 will be a significant storyline throughout ACC matchups this weekend .
Wake Forest 's game with No .
7 Notre Dame has already been postponed to Dec. 12 because of an outbreak on Notre Dame 's team that has 13 players in isolation and another 10 in quarantine .
A COVID-19 diagnosis sidelined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his team 's game with state rival 14th-ranked Miami in Miami-Dade County .
Miami Dade has nearly triple ( 39.5 ) the national average of daily new infections .
On the other end of the coronavirus spectrum , the University of Virginia will likely open its season against on Duke on Saturday after its three previously scheduled games were postponed by COVID-19 .
Case rates in both schools ' home counties are nearly half the national average .
Among the one third of counties that increased their daily COVID-19 cases this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State , which is scheduled to play No .
3 Oklahoma Saturday , saw cases jump 250 % in Riley County to a Power Five high of 60.3 new cases per day .
The Pac-12 , which plans to start a seven-game season Nov. 6 , accounted for all the other counties with triple-digit increases , including Boulder County where new cases doubled to 43.3 per 100,000 .
The Big Ten , which announced last week that it will begin conference play in mid-October , had a cumulative 24 % decline in cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rate in Centre County , home to Penn State , remains more than four times higher than the national average .
A look at the new COVID-19 daily case rates for all counties with SEC conference schools :

The Southeastern Conference hasn't played a down of football in the 2020 season, but the SEC has seven teams ranked in the top 25 of the Amway Coaches Poll.
The SEC also dominates another top 25 list: the most COVID-19 infection rates among counties with Power Five football programs. Those nine schools include the Florida Gators, who rank in the top six of both lists.
COVID-19 and the commitment to start the season leaves the conference in a precarious position as all 14 teams begin their seasons this weekend with most of their stands filled to 20-25% capacity.
"I still am in the hold-my-breath moment — a bit,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said this week.
The good news for SEC teams and fans is that the average daily new cases per 100,000 residents in their counties declined by 32% this week to 25.8 — nearly double the national average of 13.4.
"I was really surprised to see that the numbers have declined drastically in SEC counties combined and individually, as well, in 13 counties," said Pooja Naik, a master of public health candidate at Emory's Rollins School of Public Health, who conducted the data analysis for USA TODAY.
Still, Naik says she worries about the thousands of fans shouting together in "the same air space" and potentially driving infection rates up again.
"We need to understand that numbers going down does not necessarily give us a green signal to stop social distancing and stop using masks," Naik said. "It wouldn’t be surprising to see a completely different picture from our data next week."
The numbers, though, are similarly encouraging around the country. About two-thirds of the counties with Power Five programs saw their daily COVID-19 cases decrease during the past week. SEC schools are highlighted, below, in red.
Beyond the SEC, COVID-19 will be a significant storyline throughout ACC matchups this weekend.
Wake Forest's game with No. 7 Notre Dame has already been postponed to Dec. 12 because of an outbreak on Notre Dame's team that has 13 players in isolation and another 10 in quarantine.
A COVID-19 diagnosis sidelined Florida State's new coach Mike Norvell from his team's game with state rival 14th-ranked Miami in Miami-Dade County. Miami Dade has nearly triple (39.5) the national average of daily new infections.
On the other end of the coronavirus spectrum, the University of Virginia will likely open its season against on Duke on Saturday after its three previously scheduled games were postponed by COVID-19. Daily new cases in Albemarle County (Virginia) and Durham County (Duke) are below the U.S. average cases.
Among the one third of counties that increased their daily COVID-19 cases this week, five showed triple-digit increases. Kansas State, which is scheduled to play No. 3 Oklahoma Saturday, saw cases jump 250% in Riley County to a Power Five high of 60.3 new cases per day.
The Pac-12, which plans to start a seven-game season Nov. 6, accounted for all the other counties with triple-digit increases, including Boulder County where new cases doubled to 43.3 per 100,000.
The Big Ten, which announced last week that it will begin conference play in mid-October, had a cumulative 24% decline in cases among its universities' counties, but the daily rate in Centre County, home to Penn State, remains more than four times higher than the national average.
A look at the new COVID-19 daily case rates for all counties with SEC conference schools: