usatoday--2020-08-03--Businesses pivot to meet the demand for COVID-19 disinfection

MILWAUKEE – As more people are allowed back into offices , restaurants and hotels under the City of Milwaukee 's re-opening plans , the need for disinfection is greater than ever .
Pest 2 Rest Pest Control , a family-owned extermination company , is one of the many businesses that now specialize in COVID-19 disinfection .
`` There is a 0.1 % difference between sanitizing and disinfecting , '' said Jeffery Hardy Sr. , the co-owner of Pest 2 Rest .
`` So , sanitizing , you 're cleaning ; disinfecting , you 're killing the virus .
And that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do . ''
He also encourages clients to have a plan of action after his job is done .
Hardy 's business , as its name would suggest , started out killing bed bugs , roaches , rodents and other critters .
Since March , Hardy chose to pivot like many other entrepreneurs .
Now , he and his wife , Brenda , and sometimes their three kids as well , spray interiors to rid keyboards , desks and doorknobs of the invisible menace that has claimed the lives of almost 150,000 Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February when Hardy was urged by his supplier to make a significant order of something called Nisus DSV .
`` I think he knew something was gon na happen , '' Hardy said .
`` And then March came and everything kind of hit the fan , and come to find out that this product is a disinfectant that 's used for the COVID , '' Hardy said .
`` It 's very kind of hard to find now . ''
The path to 5G : After years of hype , the technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( k ) plans : Do they still make sense for you ?
It might , or might not Nisus DSV can be found under the EPA registration number 10324-80 on List N , which contains EPA-approved disinfectant products `` for use against SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 . ''
Thanks to the switch to office cleaning , Pest 2 Rest is probably doing better financially than it was before , Hardy said .
Pest 2 Rest began in 2009 as a one-man operation .
Once the workload became too much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too .
Eventually , all three of their children came to help out in the family business .
These days , instead of ridding mattresses of unwanted critters , they 're more likely to be spraying down bar stools .
But what they are most passionate about is making churches safe again .
Their desire to help the faithful started a few weeks ago while taking a Saturday drive .
Like so many others , they were looking for a way to fend off boredom .
`` Every bar that we went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 20 or 30 people waiting to get in , '' Hardy said .
The next day , `` We went past six or seven churches , and not one person . ''
The Hardys wondered how this could be and decided to take it upon themselves to do something about it .
The demand for disinfection is so high that many other businesses have reoriented themselves to meet it .
Another company , Onedesk , based in Minneapolis is approaching the new demand for office cleaning from a high-tech perspective .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the look and feel of a thriving Silicon Valley startup , enable clients to message , schedule and pay for services through an online platform .
Onedesk contracts with cleaners throughout the country using a thorough vetting process .
Once approved , contractors are required to maintain industry knowledge with regular assessments .
Like Pest 2 Rest , the company looks a lot different than it did a few months ago .
`` We would just come in , vacuum , we would dust , you know .
We would make offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roman Peysakhovich , CEO of Onedesk .
`` Now the main thing is all about disinfection .
It 's the only thing that people care about .
It 's not so much about just having a tidy office . ''
Contractors now use virucide and electrostatic sprayers , devices that use positively charged particles that cling to surfaces .
Peysakhovich said his company 's services , once seen as a luxury , are now considered fundamental .
Onedesk , formerly Building Masters , took the opportunity to reconfigure itself when statewide orders like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses — and reduced the need for cleaning services — across the country .
`` So it took about a good two months for us to learn all this stuff and review most of the basics , '' Peysakhovich said .
A third alternative for eliminating the virus barely requires human help .
Altapure is a disinfection technology and manufacturing company based in Mequon , Wisconsin .
It has developed the AP-4 , a touchless device that can disinfect a 3,000-cubic-foot room in 45 minutes .
It can be controlled wirelessly , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carl L. Ricciardi co-founded Altapure with his son , Jonathan , in 2003 .
Ever since the coronavirus pandemic hit , AP-4 sales have gone up and its customer base has expanded dramatically .
`` Prior to COVID , we were primarily a medical facility oriented company .
Post-COVID –nursing homes , long-term care facilities , restaurants – any place where people gather has become a customer , '' Ricciardi said .
Altapure has clients in the Midwest , on the East Coast and even in Australia and New Zealand .
`` COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a wake-up call to American medicine and a wake-up call to hospitals and , certainly , a wake-up call to the public . ''
Brenda Hardy of Pest 2 Rest can attest to this last point .
She said her friends and family speak of cleaning and disinfecting to make places such as churches safe enough to visit again .
Hardy said that `` cleanliness is next to godliness , '' but during this pandemic , 'clean ' is simply not good enough .
Reach the reporter at aaning @ Gannett.com or @ @ @ @ @ @

Agya K. Aning, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Businesses pivot to meet the demand for COVID-19 disinfection
MILWAUKEE – As more people are allowed back into offices, restaurants and hotels under the City of Milwaukee's reopening plans, the need for disinfection is greater than ever.
Pest 2 Rest Pest Control, a family-owned extermination company, is one of the many businesses that now specialize in COVID-19 disinfection.
"There is a 0.1% difference between sanitizing and disinfecting," said Jeffery Hardy Sr., the co-owner of Pest 2 Rest. "So, sanitizing, you're cleaning; disinfecting, you're killing the virus. And that's what we're encouraging people to do."
He also encourages clients to have a plan of action after his job is done.
Hardy's business, as its name would suggest, started out killing bed bugs, roaches, rodents and other critters. Since March, Hardy chose to pivot like many other entrepreneurs. Now, he and his wife, Brenda, and sometimes their three kids as well, spray interiors to rid keyboards, desks and doorknobs of the invisible menace that has claimed the lives of almost 150,000 Americans.
The Hardys began their transition in February when Hardy was urged by his supplier to make a significant order of something called Nisus DSV.
"I think he knew something was gonna happen," Hardy said.
"And then March came and everything kind of hit the fan, and come to find out that this product is a disinfectant that's used for the COVID," Hardy said. "It's very kind of hard to find now."
The path to 5G: After years of hype, the technology is making progress in the US
401(k) plans: Do they still make sense for you? It might, or might not
Nisus DSV can be found under the EPA registration number 10324-80 on List N, which contains EPA-approved disinfectant products "for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19."
Thanks to the switch to office cleaning, Pest 2 Rest is probably doing better financially than it was before, Hardy said.
Pest 2 Rest began in 2009 as a one-man operation. Once the workload became too much for Hardy alone, his wife joined, too. Eventually, all three of their children came to help out in the family business.
These days, instead of ridding mattresses of unwanted critters, they're more likely to be spraying down bar stools. But what they are most passionate about is making churches safe again.
Their desire to help the faithful started a few weeks ago while taking a Saturday drive. Like so many others, they were looking for a way to fend off boredom.
"Every bar that we went past had a line out the door, 20 or 30 people waiting to get in," Hardy said. The next day, "We went past six or seven churches, and not one person."
The Hardys wondered how this could be and decided to take it upon themselves to do something about it.
The demand for disinfection is so high that many other businesses have reoriented themselves to meet it.
Another company, Onedesk, based in Minneapolis is approaching the new demand for office cleaning from a high-tech perspective.
The company's website and app, which have the look and feel of a thriving Silicon Valley startup, enable clients to message, schedule and pay for services through an online platform. Onedesk contracts with cleaners throughout the country using a thorough vetting process. Once approved, contractors are required to maintain industry knowledge with regular assessments.
Like Pest 2 Rest, the company looks a lot different than it did a few months ago.
"We would just come in, vacuum, we would dust, you know. We would make offices look good, nice," said Roman Peysakhovich, CEO of Onedesk. "Now the main thing is all about disinfection. It's the only thing that people care about. It's not so much about just having a tidy office."
Contractors now use virucide and electrostatic sprayers, devices that use positively charged particles that cling to surfaces.
Peysakhovich said his company's services, once seen as a luxury, are now considered fundamental.
Onedesk, formerly Building Masters, took the opportunity to reconfigure itself when statewide orders like "Safer at Home" shut down businesses – and reduced the need for cleaning services – across the country.
"So it took about a good two months for us to learn all this stuff and review most of the basics," Peysakhovich said.
A third alternative for eliminating the virus barely requires human help.
Altapure is a disinfection technology and manufacturing company based in Mequon, Wisconsin. It has developed the AP-4, a touchless device that can disinfect a 3,000-cubic-foot room in 45 minutes. It can be controlled wirelessly, which reduces the risk of human contamination.
Carl L. Ricciardi co-founded Altapure with his son, Jonathan, in 2003. Ever since the coronavirus pandemic hit, AP-4 sales have gone up and its customer base has expanded dramatically.
"Prior to COVID, we were primarily a medical facility oriented company. Post-COVID – nursing homes, long-term care facilities, restaurants – any place where people gather has become a customer," Ricciardi said.
Altapure has clients in the Midwest, on the East Coast and even in Australia and New Zealand.
"COVID was a wake-up call for the world and a wake-up call to American medicine and a wake-up call to hospitals and, certainly, a wake-up call to the public."
Brenda Hardy of Pest 2 Rest can attest to this last point.
She said her friends and family speak of cleaning and disinfecting to make places such as churches safe enough to visit again.
Hardy said that "cleanliness is next to godliness," but during this pandemic, 'clean' is simply not good enough.
Reach the reporter at aaning@Gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @agyakaning


usatoday--2020-08-03--'Stop! Sanitize!': Alabama principal parodies MC Hammer ahead of students' return to school amid cor

'Stop! Sanitize!': Alabama principal parodies MC Hammer ahead of students' return to school amid coronavirus

With schools in certain states starting to open for in-person learning during the the ongoing pandemic , Alabama principal Quentin Lee wanted to make sure the more than 300 students at Childersburg High got the message about the school 's new restrictions .
In a musical parody of MC Hammer 's “ U Can ’ t Touch This , ” Lee shows how the school is looking to keep kids safe .
Water fountains ?
Doorknobs ?
Vending machines ?
Can ’ t touch this .
Students are also told to social distance and Lee is seen with a no-contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Stop !
Sanitize !
” to drive the point home .
Lee , who stars in the video along with a teacher and three other students , said the idea “ just really stuck.
” “ Basically , just really wanted to do something fun for back-to-school to kind of reinforce a lot of the new things we ’ re having to do , ” said Lee , who is entering his fourth year as principal at Childersburg .
“ I like making little silly videos for the kids , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school .
I wanted to something to help promote the community.
” In Florida : A school district shared a video of its reopening .
Some parents call it 'apocalyptic-y' The video took a little over an hour to shoot , Lee said .
It was shot and edited by Jaylen Mitchell , film director at CityVizualz .
It also includes students Zay , Jaden , and Aniyah , and the school 's cheerleading coach , Jessica Veazey .
“ I was just thinking about , with school starting back , and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a lot of things that ( students ) just can ’ t touch , ” Lee said .
“ We wanted to do something fun , but with a serious message.
” He added , “ On top of that , it ’ s MC Hammer .
Who doesn ’ t love MC Hammer ?
” Lee has posted videos to get messages to his students before .
In May , Lee posted “ a song of hope , encouragement , and joy regarding COVID-19.
” It was mostly him playing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video has been viewed more than 20,000 times .
Lee said he also created a song called “ Bodak Snow ” – a parody of Cardi B ’ s “ Bodak Yellow ” — in honor of a snow day .
“ It ’ s just fun , ” Lee said with a laugh .
“ It ’ s just really fun.
” Talladega County School District is set to welcome students back to school Aug. 20 .
The district will operate under a “ Blended Learning Model , ” separating students into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning and in-person classes .
One group will be in person Mondays , Tuesdays and alternating Wednesdays .
The other group will take the remaining weekdays .
Lee said he also has students doing a virtual academy .
“ We ’ re always looking out for the safety and wellbeing of our students , ” Lee said .
“ COVID-19 is definitely something that ’ s effecting us all , but we ’ ve got to make sure that with the decision made for us to go back to school , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our guidelines to try to help ensure safety .
“ As an educator , I still have a charge to give my students what they need in terms of education .
I don ’ t want students missing these opportunities for an education.
” Pandemic pods : Online school ?
Some parents want to hire tutors , start mini schools this year .
Most ca n't afford to .
Should I send my child back to school ?
: This is the latest science on coronavirus and kids

'Stop! Sanitize!' Alabama principal parodies MC Hammer ahead of students' return to school amid coronavirus
With schools in certain states starting to open for in-person learning amid the coronavirus pandemic, Alabama principal Quentin Lee wanted to make sure the more than 300 students at Childersburg High got the message about the school's new restrictions.
In a musical parody of MC Hammer's “U Can’t Touch This,” Lee shows how the school is looking to keep kids safe.
Water fountains? Doorknobs? Vending machines? Can’t touch this. Students are also told to social-distance, and Lee is seen with a no-contact thermometer. The song ends with a “Stop! Sanitize!” to drive the point home. Lee, who stars in the video along with a teacher and three other students, said the idea “just really stuck.”
“Basically, just really wanted to do something fun for back-to-school to kind of reinforce a lot of the new things we’re having to do,” said Lee, who is entering his fourth year as principal at Childersburg. “I like making little silly videos for the kids, just to kind of get them excited about school. I wanted to something to help promote the community.”
In Florida: A school district shared a video of its reopening. Some parents call it 'apocalyptic-y'
The video took a little over an hour to shoot, Lee said. It was shot and edited by Jaylen Mitchell, film director at CityVizualz. It includes students Zay, Jaden, and Aniyah, and the school's cheerleading coach, Jessica Veazey.
“I was just thinking about, with school starting back, and with me being a principal, there’s a lot of things that (students) just can’t touch,” Lee said. “We wanted to do something fun, but with a serious message.”
He added: “On top of that, it’s MC Hammer. Who doesn’t love MC Hammer?”
Lee has posted videos to get messages to his students before. In May, Lee posted “a song of hope, encouragement, and joy regarding COVID-19.”
It was mostly him playing the piano and screaming in agony. That video has been viewed more than 20,000 times. Lee said he also created a song called “Bodak Snow” – a parody of Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” – in honor of a snow day.
“It’s just fun,” Lee said with a laugh. “It’s just really fun.”
Talladega County School District is set to welcome students back to school Aug. 20. The district will operate under a “Blended Learning Model,” separating students into two groups for a hybrid of remote learning and in-person classes. One group will be in person Mondays, Tuesdays and alternating Wednesdays. The other group will take the remaining weekdays.
Lee said he also has students doing a virtual academy.
“We’re always looking out for the safety and well-being of our students,” Lee said. “COVID-19 is definitely something that’s effecting us all, but we’ve got to make sure that with the decision made for us to go back to school, we’ve got to follow our protocols and our guidelines to try to help ensure safety.
“As an educator, I still have a charge to give my students what they need in terms of education. I don’t want students missing these opportunities for an education.”
Pandemic pods: Online school? Some parents want to hire tutors, start mini schools this year. Most can't afford to.
Should I send my child back to school?: This is the latest science on coronavirus and kids


usatoday--2020-08-03--Joe Biden's plan for universal preschool forgets key to children's success: Parents.

Last month , the Biden campaign released a plan to implement universal preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds to “ cultivate the potential of young children ” and “ laying a strong foundation ” for their academic success .
While it may be well intentioned , the plan is based on critical errors in interpreting the research on the effects of preschool .
If Joe Biden ’ s goal is to help America ’ s most vulnerable children , universal preschool is a costly mistake .
Proponents of universal preschool make an especially big mistake in misunderstanding a correlation between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that preschool caused those outcomes .
Correlation between two variables does not mean one caused the other .
Two variables are often correlated because a third factor — not visible or accounted for in the data — is causing both .
In the case of preschool , that third factor is crucial : parents .
Does preschool actually provide better opportunities for success ?
Preschool attendance is voluntary .
That means only children with motivated , engaged parents — who go out of their way to find a program , enroll their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day — attend preschool to begin with .
Decades of research have shown that parental engagement and commitment to their children ’ s education are the most powerful factors shaping school outcomes .
The only way to determine whether preschool itself is causing better outcomes is to do a controlled study , designed so the sole difference between children is whether or not they attended preschool .
Just two such studies of scaled-up preschool programs have been done — one on Tennessee ’ s high-quality state prekindergarten program and one on Head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved the children ’ s long-term outcomes .
In both studies , parents tried to enroll their children in a preschool program that didn ’ t have enough spaces for all applicants .
Researchers randomly admitted some children to the program , while the others did not get in .
That means the children in the “ preschool ” and “ nonpreschool ” groups all had parents who demonstrated the same level of motivation and engagement at the outset .
Both studies found the same thing : Children who attended preschool performed better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the preschool year .
But over the kindergarten year , children who had not attended caught up to those who had .
And by second and third grades , children who had not gone to preschool did the same or better than those who had .
Unlike most preschool research , these two studies compared apples with apples , meaning all the children had parents who were sufficiently engaged to seek their enrollment in preschool .
And both studies found that the preschool program itself had no positive impact on children ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these findings is that parents are the primary influence on school performance — not whether children start school when they are 3 or 4 years old instead of 5 years old .
The data interpreted as showing the effects of preschool are actually showing the effects of parenting .
Preschool doesn ’ t cause better long-term outcomes — it predicts them .
I 'm from Texas and here 's my advice for Democrats : Go for it .
What do you have to lose ?
In fact , the outcome differences some researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those who didn ’ t are mostly tiny .
The biggest differences usually reported — for school attendance and high school graduation rates — point clearly to parents , not preschool , as the cause .
Common sense suggests that parents who voluntarily send their children to school for an entire year when they are 3 or 4 years old are more likely to ensure that their children have good attendance and graduate from high school on time .
Finally , science is increasingly clear that “ early ” means the prenatal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after birth , not a year or two before kindergarten .
Improving the trajectories of children ’ s lives requires early intervention as defined by science , not by K-12 schools .
Boomers and Zoom : Boomer grandparents can give working parents a virtual hall pass for kids ' online school A massive expansion of preschool , however well intended , won ’ t help the children who need help the most .
If the goal is to expand the school system and provide free preschool to wealthier parents who otherwise have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfect sense .
If the goal is to boost the life chances of America ’ s most disadvantaged children , however , it ’ s a deeply misguided approach .
Katharine B. Stevens is a resident scholar and leads the early childhood program at the American Enterprise Institute .
Follow her on Twitter : @ kbstevens

Katharine B. Stevens, Opinion contributor

Joe Biden's plan for universal preschool forgets key to children's success: Parents. Preschool attendance is voluntary. That means children with motivated, engaged parents attend preschool to begin with — parents who find a program, enroll their children and get them there every day.
Show Caption Hide Caption Why child care is expensive and hard to reform Here's why the U.S. child care system is so expensive and why it's difficult to change. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Last month, the Biden campaign released a plan to implement universal preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds to “cultivate the potential of young children” and “laying a strong foundation” for their academic success. While it may be well intentioned, the plan is based on critical errors in interpreting the research on the effects of preschool. If Joe Biden’s goal is to help America’s most vulnerable children, universal preschool is a costly mistake.
Proponents of universal preschool make an especially big mistake in misunderstanding a correlation between attending preschool and later school outcomes as evidence that preschool caused those outcomes. Correlation between two variables does not mean one caused the other. Two variables are often correlated because a third factor — not visible or accounted for in the data — is causing both. In the case of preschool, that third factor is crucial: parents.
Does preschool actually provide better opportunities for success?
Preschool attendance is voluntary. That means only children with motivated, engaged parents — who go out of their way to find a program, enroll their children in it and get them there every day — attend preschool to begin with. Decades of research have shown that parental engagement and commitment to their children’s education are the most powerful factors shaping school outcomes.
The only way to determine whether preschool itself is causing better outcomes is to do a controlled study, designed so the sole difference between children is whether or not they attended preschool. Just two such studies of scaled-up preschool programs have been done — one on Tennessee’s high-quality state prekindergarten program and one on Head Start. Neither found that attending preschool improved the children’s long-term outcomes.
In both studies, parents tried to enroll their children in a preschool program that didn’t have enough spaces for all applicants. Researchers randomly admitted some children to the program, while the others did not get in. That means the children in the “preschool” and “nonpreschool” groups all had parents who demonstrated the same level of motivation and engagement at the outset.
Both studies found the same thing: Children who attended preschool performed better on achievement tests at the end of the preschool year. But over the kindergarten year, children who had not attended caught up to those who had. And by second and third grades, children who had not gone to preschool did the same or better than those who had.
Unlike most preschool research, these two studies compared apples with apples, meaning all the children had parents who were sufficiently engaged to seek their enrollment in preschool. And both studies found that the preschool program itself had no positive impact on children’s later outcomes.
Parents are key to preschool success
The bottom line of these findings is that parents are the primary influence on school performance — not whether children start school when they are 3 or 4 years old instead of 5 years old. The data interpreted as showing the effects of preschool are actually showing the effects of parenting. Preschool doesn’t cause better long-term outcomes — it predicts them.
I'm from Texas and here's my advice for Democrats: Go for it. What do you have to lose?
In fact, the outcome differences some researchers have found between children who attended preschool and those who didn’t are mostly tiny. The biggest differences usually reported — for school attendance and high school graduation rates — point clearly to parents, not preschool, as the cause. Common sense suggests that parents who voluntarily send their children to school for an entire year when they are 3 or 4 years old are more likely to ensure that their children have good attendance and graduate from high school on time.
Finally, science is increasingly clear that “early” means the prenatal period and the first couple of years after birth, not a year or two before kindergarten. Improving the trajectories of children’s lives requires early intervention as defined by science, not by K-12 schools.
Boomers and Zoom: Boomer grandparents can give working parents a virtual hall pass for kids' online school
A massive expansion of preschool, however well intended, won’t help the children who need help the most. If the goal is to expand the school system and provide free preschool to wealthier parents who otherwise have to pay for it, universal preschool makes perfect sense. If the goal is to boost the life chances of America’s most disadvantaged children, however, it’s a deeply misguided approach.
Katharine B. Stevens is a resident scholar and leads the early childhood program at the American Enterprise Institute. Follow her on Twitter: @kbstevens


usatoday--2020-08-03--Deborah Birx slammed by both Trump, Pelosi in her role as White House coronavirus coordinator

WASHINGTON – Deborah Birx , who is coordinating the White House 's response to the nation 's worsening coronavirus crisis , has achieved an unusual feat : both President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are mad at her .
Pelosi has said in televised interviews over the past two days that she 's unhappy with Birx for not doing more to stand up to the president when he publicly touts his administration 's response to the pandemic or endorses unproven remedies to coronavirus .
Pelosi told CNN Monday that she did n't have `` any confidence '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump and has not done enough to set the record straight on his faulty medical claims .
For months , Trump has been hailing his administration 's handling of the crisis despite a growing death toll .
The president also has promoted discredited treatments , such as the White House Coronanvirus Task Force news conference in April when he suggested sunlight or disinfectants as possible cures for the virus .
At the same time , Trump accused Birx on Twitter of taking `` the bait '' by saying on a Sunday talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread , '' a message that could be seen as undercutting White House efforts to tamp down panic about the pandemic .
At a White House news conference Monday evening , Trump said he just spoken to Birx in his office and told her he thought the country was `` doing very well '' tackling the pandemic .
He went on to chide Pelosi for trying to take advantage of Birx .
`` Nancy Pelosi has treated her very badly , '' the president told reporters .
The criticism from both sides flew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 4.6 million Americans and killed about 155,000 since March .
Speaking Sunday on CNN 's `` State of the Union , '' Birx acknowledged that the Trump administration 's efforts to contain the virus had not succeeded .
More : Dr. Deborah Birx wins praise for managing the White House 's coronavirus message and Trump '' What we are seeing today is different from March and April , '' she said .
`` It is extraordinarily widespread .
It 's into the rural as equal urban areas . ''
Birx , 64 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration 's response to the coronavirus .
A well-respected physician , she was brought onboard after a stint as the U.S .
Global AIDS Coordinator under President Obama .
For months , she has been able to navigate her role without much criticism from Trump or his Democratic critics .
At one point , her name was floated as a potential replacement for Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar when rumors surfaced that Trump might remove him .
More : Hydroxychloroquine not effective , time to 'move on : ' White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Pelosi 's criticism , Birx said she has `` tremendous respect for the speaker . ''
But Birx also said she 's been blunt in her assessments of the pandemic .
`` I have never been called Pollyannish or non-scientific or non-data-driven , '' she told CNN .
`` And I will stake my 40-year career on those fundamental principles of utilizing data to really implement better programs to save more lives.
” Former colleagues and supporters defended Birx , who has been criticized by some of Trump 's allies but never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` She 's never had this experience in her career , '' said Stephen Morrison , a public health expert who knows Birx from his time serving in the Clinton administration .
`` It 's unprecedented . ''
Pelosi 's criticism of Birx stemmed from her `` collapse of trust and confidence '' in the White House 's response to the coronavirus pandemic , which now extended to Birx , said Morrison , who directs the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies , a Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a signal of a kind of deterioration of the environment here , '' he told USA TODAY , referring to the politics of the pandemic response .
But `` if she were to depart , things would deteriorate even more . ''
More : ' I think I 'm pretty effective ' : Fauci says he 's staying in his job despite 'complicated ' relationship with Trump Katy Talento , a Trump health policy adviser who left the White House last year , said Trump 's tweet was not an attack on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Pelosi 's remarks .
`` I think it 's understandable that he would be frustrated that Speaker Pelosi and her ilk would be trying to misuse Dr. Birx 's is assessments ... to criticize the administration 's response , '' Talento said .
Talento worked with Birx on implementing and then continuing President George W. Bush-era legislation known as PEPFAR ( President 's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ) .
`` I think it speaks very highly of her that , you know , we 're months into this epidemic , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been any misunderstanding about her , '' she said .
Birx is not the first White House Coronavirus Task Force member with whom Trump has clashed .
Anthony Fauci , the long-time director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , has contradicted the president on some pandemic-related controversies , drawing criticism from Trump .
Asked Monday about Fauci 's comments about hydroxychloroquine , Trump said , `` I do n't agree with Fauci on everything . ''
Trump has promoted the anti-malarial drug as a COVID-19 treatment even though experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valid studies that provide it 's effective .
`` I like him .
But we disagree on things , '' Trump said .
The task force member charged with coordinating the U.S. testing effort said Sunday that the nation needs to `` move on '' from the debate over hydroxychloroquine .
Adm. Brett Giroir , assistant secretary of Health and Human Services , said on NBC News ' `` Meet the Press '' that `` from a public health standpoint , at first , hydroxychloroquine looked very promising '' but at `` this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five randomized control , placebo-controlled trials that do not show any benefit to hydroxychloroquine . ''

Deborah Birx slammed by both Trump, Pelosi in her role as White House coronavirus coordinator
Show Caption Hide Caption Deborah Birx: Who is the US Global AIDS coordinator? Dr. Deborah Birx was appointed U.S. Global AIDS coordinator during the Obama administration, but there is more to know about the medical doctor. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Deborah Birx, who is coordinating the White House's response to the nation's worsening coronavirus crisis, has achieved an unusual feat: both President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are mad at her.
Pelosi has said in televised interviews over the past two days that she's unhappy with Birx for not doing more to stand up to the president when he publicly touts his administration's response to the pandemic or endorses unproven remedies to coronavirus.
Pelosi told CNN Monday that she didn't have "any confidence" in Birx, saying she has "enabled" Trump and has not done enough to set the record straight on his faulty medical claims.
For months, Trump has been hailing his administration's handling of the crisis despite a growing death toll. The president also has promoted discredited treatments, such as the White House Coronanvirus Task Force news conference in April when he suggested sunlight or disinfectants as possible cures for the virus.
At the same time, Trump accused Birx on Twitter of taking "the bait" by saying on a Sunday talk show the virus is now "extraordinarily widespread," a message that could be seen as undercutting White House efforts to tamp down panic about the pandemic.
At a White House news conference Monday evening, Trump said he just spoken to Birx in his office and told her he thought the country was "doing very well" tackling the pandemic. He went on to chide Pelosi for trying to take advantage of Birx.
"Nancy Pelosi has treated her very badly," the president told reporters.
So Crazy Nancy Pelosi said horrible things about Dr. Deborah Birx, going after her because she was too positive on the very good job we are doing on combatting the China Virus, including Vaccines & Therapeutics. In order to counter Nancy, Deborah took the bait & hit us. Pathetic! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 3, 2020
The criticism from both sides flew as the pandemic has now infected more than 4.6 million Americans and killed about 155,000 since March.
Speaking Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," Birx acknowledged that the Trump administration's efforts to contain the virus had not succeeded.
More: Dr. Deborah Birx wins praise for managing the White House's coronavirus message and Trump
"What we are seeing today is different from March and April," she said. "It is extraordinarily widespread. It's into the rural as equal urban areas."
Birx, 64, has been a key face of the administration's response to the coronavirus. A well-respected physician, she was brought onboard after a stint as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator under President Obama.
For months, she has been able to navigate her role without much criticism from Trump or his Democratic critics. At one point, her name was floated as a potential replacement for Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar when rumors surfaced that Trump might remove him.
More: Hydroxychloroquine not effective, time to 'move on:' White House coronavirus testing chief Giroir
Asked Sunday about Pelosi's criticism, Birx said she has "tremendous respect for the speaker." But Birx also said she's been blunt in her assessments of the pandemic.
"I have never been called Pollyannish or non-scientific or non-data-driven," she told CNN. "And I will stake my 40-year career on those fundamental principles of utilizing data to really implement better programs to save more lives.”
Former colleagues and supporters defended Birx, who has been criticized by some of Trump's allies but never as directly as the president did Monday.
"She's never had this experience in her career," said Stephen Morrison, a public health expert who knows Birx from his time serving in the Clinton administration. "It's unprecedented."
Pelosi's criticism of Birx stemmed from her "collapse of trust and confidence" in the White House's response to the coronavirus pandemic, which now extended to Birx, said Morrison, who directs the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, D.C., think tank.
"It's a signal of a kind of deterioration of the environment here," he told USA TODAY, referring to the politics of the pandemic response. But "if she were to depart, things would deteriorate even more."
More: 'I think I'm pretty effective': Fauci says he's staying in his job despite 'complicated' relationship with Trump
Katy Talento, a Trump health policy adviser who left the White House last year, said Trump's tweet was not an attack on Birx and was more of a response to Pelosi's remarks.
"I think it's understandable that he would be frustrated that Speaker Pelosi and her ilk would be trying to misuse Dr. Birx's is assessments ... to criticize the administration's response," Talento said. Talento worked with Birx on implementing and then continuing President George W. Bush-era legislation known as PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).
"I think it speaks very highly of her that, you know, we're months into this epidemic, and this is the first time there's been any misunderstanding about her," she said.
Birx is not the first White House Coronavirus Task Force member with whom Trump has clashed. Anthony Fauci, the long-time director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has contradicted the president on some pandemic-related controversies, drawing criticism from Trump.
Asked Monday about Fauci's comments about hydroxychloroquine, Trump said, "I don't agree with Fauci on everything." Trump has promoted the anti-malarial drug as a COVID-19 treatment even though experts including Fauci say there are no scientifically valid studies that provide it's effective.
"I like him. But we disagree on things," Trump said.
The task force member charged with coordinating the U.S. testing effort said Sunday that the nation needs to "move on" from the debate over hydroxychloroquine.
Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, said on NBC News' "Meet the Press" that "from a public health standpoint, at first, hydroxychloroquine looked very promising" but at "this point in time, there's been five randomized control, placebo-controlled trials that do not show any benefit to hydroxychloroquine."


usatoday--2020-08-03--Trump investigation goes beyond hush money to alleged mistresses, Manhattan DA suggests

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. suggested Monday that an investigation into President Donald Trump ranges far beyond disguised payments to alleged mistresses prior to the 2016 election .
As part of a continuing fight to obtain eight years of Trump 's personal and business tax records , Vance 's prosecutors asserted in court documents Monday that their grand jury subpoena was issued at a time when the Trump Organization was at the center of `` allegations of possible criminal activity ... dating back over a decade . ''
Trump 's attorneys have long sought to quash the subpoena issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mazars USA , claiming in part that the request was too broad for an inquiry largely focused on payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ( Stephanie Clifford ) and former Playboy model Karen McDougal , who claimed affairs with Trump before he was elected .
But in the new court filing Vance 's prosecutors said the argument by Trump 's lawyers is based on a `` false premise that the grand jury ’ s investigation is limited to so-called 'hush-money ' payments . ''
`` In light of these public reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Trump Organization , there was nothing facially improper ( or even particularly unusual ) about the Mazars subpoena , which ( was ) issued in connection with a complex financial investigation , '' the prosecutors wrote .
The battle for Trump 's tax returns and financial records has raged on since the Supreme Court ruled last month that the president lacks immunity from criminal investigation , paving the way for Vance to resume an effort to obtain the documents .
Supreme Court : Trump can not keep tax , financial records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity faced skepticism from many of the justices during oral arguments in May , with Chief Justice John Roberts noting that the court had previously allowed former President Bill Clinton to be sued by a former employee .
Jay Sekulow , Trump 's attorney , argued that allowing the Manhattan prosecutor to obtain the president 's financial records would empower some 2,300 local district attorneys in the country , most of whom were elected , to target sitting presidents for political purposes .
Carey Dunne , general counsel for the Manhattan DA 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the subject of the investigation – Trump Organization – is based in New York City .
Later Monday , Trump described the filing as a continuation of a `` witch-hunt . ''
Since the Supreme Court decision , the fight has moved to a New York federal district court where the president filed new papers , claiming that the request was issued in bad faith .

Trump investigation goes beyond hush money to alleged mistresses, Manhattan DA suggests
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump Supreme Court rulings don't mean transparency on his finances The Supreme Court's rulings on President Trump's financial documents will not produce public information, or his tax returns, before the elections. USA TODAY
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. suggested Monday that an investigation into President Donald Trump ranges far beyond disguised payments to alleged mistresses prior to the 2016 election.
As part of a continuing fight to obtain eight years of Trump's personal and business tax records, Vance's prosecutors asserted in court documents Monday that their grand jury subpoena was issued at a time when the Trump Organization was at the center of "allegations of possible criminal activity ... dating back over a decade."
Trump's attorneys have long sought to quash the subpoena issued to the president's accounting firm, Mazars USA, claiming in part that the request was too broad for an inquiry largely focused on payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who claimed affairs with Trump before he was elected.
But in the new court filing Vance's prosecutors said the argument by Trump's lawyers is based on a "false premise that the grand jury’s investigation is limited to so-called 'hush-money' payments."
"In light of these public reports of possibly extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump Organization, there was nothing facially improper (or even particularly unusual) about the Mazars subpoena, which (was) issued in connection with a complex financial investigation," the prosecutors wrote.
The battle for Trump's tax returns and financial records has raged on since the Supreme Court ruled last month that the president lacks immunity from criminal investigation, paving the way for Vance to resume an effort to obtain the documents.
Supreme Court: Trump cannot keep tax, financial records from prosecutors
Trump's claim of absolute immunity faced skepticism from many of the justices during oral arguments in May, with Chief Justice John Roberts noting that the court had previously allowed former President Bill Clinton to be sued by a former employee.
Jay Sekulow, Trump's attorney, argued that allowing the Manhattan prosecutor to obtain the president's financial records would empower some 2,300 local district attorneys in the country, most of whom were elected, to target sitting presidents for political purposes. Carey Dunne, general counsel for the Manhattan DA's office, rejected the argument, noting that the subject of the investigation – Trump Organization – is based in New York City.
Later Monday, Trump described the filing as a continuation of a "witch-hunt."
Since the Supreme Court decision, the fight has moved to a New York federal district court where the president filed new papers, claiming that the request was issued in bad faith.
Contributing: Kristine Phillips and Richard Wolf


usatoday--2020-08-04--Here's why Microsoft wants to buy TikTok and what Trump has to do with it

So why does Microsoft want to buy TikTok , a social media service favored by American teens ?
It could be that the stodgy software giant 's long-awaited fountain of youth .
Microsoft isn ’ t exactly tech 's most consumer-friendly company .
Just think of the long list of doomed products marooned over the years : Groove Music , Mixer streaming service , the social network Socl , the Windows Phone , the Zune digital music player .
But Microsoft aspires to break out of its Windows desktop , suit-and-tie , 9-5 image to capture more of the consumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it saw the potential for social media , investing $ 240 million in Facebook at a $ 15-billion valuation and even offering to buy Mark Zuckerberg 's company outright .
A TikTok acquisition would deliver something that has eluded the software giant for years : a major platform to rival Facebook and Google-owned YouTube .
And it could remake its image with young people .
TikTok , which is owned by China 's ByteDance , is quickly emerging as a potent competitor to Snapchat , Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram , says eMarketer analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would give it another chance to get in on a fast-growing , youth-oriented social media property and be a way to try to get back at Facebook for spurning its advances , '' Williamson said in a statement .
Microsoft in talks for TikTok : CEO Satya Nadella talks to President Trump TikTok ban ?
Trump threatens to ban TikTok from operating in the U.S. '' This would be a major foray into the social media space which has been long overdue for Microsoft over the last decade , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crown jewel '' snapped up at a discount , `` an asset with 100 million users , massive momentum , engagement , advertising revenue and something they could cross-sell into the broader Microsoft base , '' Ives said .
Microsoft wants your data , too Perhaps the biggest prize of all ?
Vast amounts of data about TikTok users .
That data could be used by Microsoft in building software and hardware projects , and not just Xbox .
For the first time , it would have deep insight into consumer behavior and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being taught on Chromebooks and other Google products in classrooms and scrolling through Snapchat and Facebook-owned Instagram in their spare time .
Protection of that data is Microsoft ’ s biggest selling point to the Trump administration which is concerned about TikTok ’ s ties to the Chinese government .
TikTok , which is currently owned by a Chinese company , has come under scrutiny and investigation in the U.S. over allegations it is supplying user data to Beijing , a charge that company officials have denied .
“ Microsoft would ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s American users is transferred to and remains in the United States , ” Microsoft said .
President Donald Trump ’ s threat to issue an executive order to ban TikTok in the U.S. follows another from last year that , due to national security concerns , effectively banned Chinese telecom giant Huawei .
TikTok represents not just a risk of data privacy Chinese surveillance , `` but also a direct challenge to U.S. technological dominance , ” said Michael Priem , founder and CEO at Modern Impact , an advertising technology firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fastest-growth social platform in history and its inception as a Chinese technology threatens the U.S. reputation , ” he said .
“ The U.S. using sanctions to intervene in its usage is unprecedented.
” What kind of data are we talking about ?
Your location , times you are on the app , the time of day you consume certain genres or content , says Shelly Palmer , CEO at The Palmer Group , a tech strategy advisory group .
`` By your behaviors ( known as behavioral data ) , you 'teach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what you hate , what engages you and what you will ignore , '' Palmer said .
`` The vast amount of data gathered from your behaviors on TikTok allow Bytedance to predict , with astounding accuracy , what you are or are not likely to do , '' Palmer said .
`` This is an unprecedented capability . ''
While the data is not personally identifiable , `` the concern has been , will or would China breach these data standards that are regulated here in the U.S. and in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Priem said .
The other upside for Microsoft ?
Potential advertising dollars .
TikTok would boost Microsoft ’ s share of the U.S. digital display ad market .
This year , eMarketer predicts Microsoft to hold just 1.5 % of that market , slightly ahead of Snapchat but well behind Facebook ’ s 42 % and Google ’ s 10.4 % .
“ From an advertising business standpoint , the value of TikTok to Microsoft could potentially be very large , but I want to emphasize that it ’ s just potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williamson said .
“ TikTok is very early in the development of its ad business , and there ’ s no guarantee that it will attract a large share of ad dollars . ''
What it does have : a broad cross-section of marketers and creative ad formats , Williamson said .
`` But to build a lasting ad business , TikTok also needs to develop easy self-serve tools that allow marketers to buy ads in bulk , using automated buying tools .
Microsoft could help with this , although it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology.
” Just how popular is TikTok ?
According to the Cowen Washington Research Group , TikTok is a `` potential disruptive force '' in social media and video .
In the second quarter , TikTok had 14 % penetration of U.S. respondents 18 and older in a survey of 2,500 U.S. consumers .
That result is likely low because of how young the platform skews and Cowen does not survey consumers younger than 18 .
Among respondents 18 to 24 , TikTok 's popularity is even greater , at about 42 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 78 % for Instagram and 63 % for Snapchat .
TikTok is the youngest-skewing of the social media networks , says Andrew Selepak , a professor at the University of Florida and director of the graduate program specializing in social media .
At first , it attracted mostly 13- to 17-years-olds .
`` Then the coronavirus pandemic hit and older people said : ' I guess I will try TikTok ' and now you 've got users over the age of 18 suddenly using it , '' Selepak said .
The prospect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to many tweens and teens who live on the service , Ives said .
If Microsoft saves TikTok , it would have a lot of grateful young people on its hands , Ives said .
`` The perception of Microsoft being your grandpa ’ s technology company , from a consumer perspective , not enterprise , would change overnight , '' he said .
TikTok users are already sharing Microsoft the love for potentially saving TikTok from being banned .
Trump said Monday that he will wait until Sept. 15 to take action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company time and opportunity to purchase it .
Without going into any detail , the president asserted , essentially , that the U.S. should get a cut for allowing the deal to happen .
“ A very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States , because we ’ re making it possible for this deal to happen , ” Trump said .
Late last week , Trump threatened to `` ban '' the company in the United States , but his position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , Microsoft took the unusual step of publicly acknowledging acquisition talks before a deal was reached .
In a blog post , Microsoft said it will `` move quickly to pursue discussions with TikTok ’ s parent company , ByteDance , '' with a final decision expected no later than Sept. 15 .
“ I set a date of around Sept. 15 , at which point it ’ s going to be out of business , ” unless it surrenders Chinese ownership , Trump told reporters on Monday .
`` But if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be interesting . ''
`` TikTok is loved by 100 million Americans because it is a home for entertainment , self-expression , and connection .
We 're motivated by their passion and creativity , and committed to continuing to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform as we build TikTok for the long term , '' the company said .
`` TikTok will be here for many years to come . ''
A concern for the White House : a ban of TikTok would not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his administration is prepared to go along with a sale , though .
In an interview with CNN , White House trade adviser Peter Navarro , who is opposed to the sale , accused Microsoft of allowing the Chinese government to censor and conduct surveillance through its search engine Bing and communications app Skype .
TikTok users got something of an anti-Trump reputation when in June they registered for thousands of tickets but did n't show up in an effort to embarrass the president at his campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app are conservatives .
The deal , if it goes through , would be a part of political discussion through the election `` with Trump being able to say , 'Look I stood up against China and threatened them and now this is an American company for American users , '' Selepak said .
`` There are significant political aspects to this . ''
What are the chances of Microsoft buying TikTok ?
Ives conservatively estimates it at “ 75 % to 80 % .
” That 's because ByteDance needs a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media player in China , is valued at about $ 100 billion , half of which is due to TikTok .
`` Their backs are against the wall because the minute ( TikTok ) gets shut off in the U.S. , the valuation goes down by 50 % , '' Ives says .
And Microsoft is in a good position because no other major tech company – Amazon , Apple Alphabet , Facebook – can make a play because `` they are up to their ears in regulatory scrutiny , '' Ives said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sniff TikTok .
The only one who checks all the boxes and has gotten a green light from the White House is Microsoft , '' Ives said .
The deal could be especially beneficial for Microsoft because the TikTok business in the U.S. is valued in the $ 40-billion range but could eventually reach $ 200 billion if it makes the right moves .
And Microsoft could get TikTok action in other international regions as part of the deal , Ives says .
But nothing is set in stone .
TikTok is leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential buyers .

Jessica Guynn and Mike Snider, USA TODAY

Here’s why Microsoft wants to buy TikTok and what Trump has to do with it
Show Caption Hide Caption TikTok: President Trump says he plans to ban the popular app "As far as TikTok is concerned, we're banning them from the United States," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from Florida. USA TODAY, Wochit
So why does Microsoft want to buy TikTok, a social media service favored by American teens? It could be that stodgy software giant's long-awaited fountain of youth.
Microsoft isn’t exactly tech's most consumer-friendly company. Just think of the long list of doomed products marooned over the years: Groove Music, Mixer streaming service, the social network Socl, the Windows Phone, the Zune digital music player. But Microsoft aspires to break out of its Windows desktop, suit-and-tie, 9-5 image to capture more of the consumer market. Early on in 2007, it saw the potential for social media, investing $240 million in Facebook at a $15-billion valuation and even offering to buy Mark Zuckerberg's company outright.
A TikTok acquisition would deliver something that has eluded the software giant for years: a major platform to rival Facebook and Google-owned YouTube. And it could remake its image with young people.
TikTok, which is owned by China's ByteDance, is quickly emerging as a potent competitor to Snapchat, Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram, says eMarketer analyst Debra Aho Williamson.
“Getting TikTok would give it another chance to get in on a fast-growing, youth-oriented social media property and be a way to try to get back at Facebook for spurning its advances," Williamson said in a statement.
Microsoft in talks for TikTok: CEO Satya Nadella talks to President Trump
TikTok ban? Trump threatens to ban TikTok from operating in the U.S.
Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives agrees.
"This would be a major foray into the social media space which has been long overdue for Microsoft over the last decade," he said.
A TikTok acquisition would be a "crown jewel" snapped up at a discount, "an asset with 100 million users, massive momentum, engagement, advertising revenue and something they could cross-sell into the broader Microsoft base," Ives said.
Microsoft wants your data, too
Perhaps the biggest prize of all? Vast amounts of data about TikTok users.
That data could be used by Microsoft in building software and hardware projects, and not just Xbox. For the first time, it would have deep insight into consumer behavior and a real hook into young people who are being taught on Chromebooks and other Google products in classrooms and scrolling through Snapchat and Facebook-owned Instagram in their spare time.
Protection of that data is Microsoft’s biggest selling point to the Trump administration which is concerned about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government.
TikTok, which is currently owned by a Chinese company, has come under scrutiny and investigation in the U.S. over allegations it is supplying user data to Beijing, a charge that company officials have denied.
“Microsoft would ensure that all private data of TikTok’s American users is transferred to and remains in the United States,” Microsoft said.
President Donald Trump’s threat to issue an executive order to ban TikTok in the U.S. follows another from last year that, due to national security concerns, effectively banned Chinese telecom giant Huawei.
TikTok represents not just a risk of data privacy Chinese surveillance, "but also a direct challenge to U.S. technological dominance,” said Michael Priem, founder and CEO at Modern Impact, an advertising technology firm Minneapolis. “TikTok has become the fastest-growth social platform in history and its inception as a Chinese technology threatens the U.S. reputation,” he said. “The U.S. using sanctions to intervene in its usage is unprecedented.”
What kind of data are we talking about? Your location, times you are on the app, the time of day you consume certain genres or content, says Shelly Palmer, CEO at The Palmer Group, a tech strategy advisory group.
"By your behaviors (known as behavioral data), you 'teach' the algorithm exactly what you love, what you hate, what engages you and what you will ignore," Palmer said.
"The vast amount of data gathered from your behaviors on TikTok allow Bytedance to predict, with astounding accuracy, what you are or are not likely to do," Palmer said. "This is an unprecedented capability."
While the data is not personally identifiable, "the concern has been, will or would China breach these data standards that are regulated here in the U.S. and in Europe and many parts of the world," Priem said.
The other upside for Microsoft?
Potential advertising dollars. TikTok would boost Microsoft’s share of the U.S. digital display ad market. This year, eMarketer predicts Microsoft to hold just 1.5% of that market, slightly ahead of Snapchat but well behind Facebook’s 42% and Google’s 10.4%.
“From an advertising business standpoint, the value of TikTok to Microsoft could potentially be very large, but I want to emphasize that it’s just potential at this point,” eMarketer's Williamson said. “TikTok is very early in the development of its ad business, and there’s no guarantee that it will attract a large share of ad dollars."
What it does have: a broad cross-section of marketers and creative ad formats, Williamson said. "But to build a lasting ad business, TikTok also needs to develop easy self-serve tools that allow marketers to buy ads in bulk, using automated buying tools. Microsoft could help with this, although it’s not particularly well known for its ad technology.”
Just how popular is TikTok?
According to the Cowen Washington Research Group, TikTok is a "potential disruptive force" in social media and video. In the second quarter, TikTok had 14% penetration of U.S. respondents 18 and older in a survey of 2,500 U.S. consumers. That result is likely low because of how young the platform skews and Cowen does not survey consumers younger than 18. Among respondents 18 to 24, TikTok's popularity is even greater, at about 42%, versus 65% for Facebook, 78% for Instagram and 63% for Snapchat.
TikTok is the youngest-skewing of the social media networks, says Andrew Selepak, a professor at the University of Florida and director of the graduate program specializing in social media. At first, it attracted mostly 13- to 17-years-olds. "Then the coronavirus pandemic hit and older people said: 'I guess I will try TikTok' and now you've got users over the age of 18 suddenly using it," Selepak said.
The prospect of TikTok being banned is a nightmare scenario to many tweens and teens who live on the service, Ives said. If Microsoft saves TikTok, it would have a lot of grateful young people on its hands, Ives said.
"The perception of Microsoft being your grandpa’s technology company, from a consumer perspective, not enterprise, would change overnight," he said.
TikTok users are already sharing Microsoft the love for potentially saving TikTok from being banned.
Will Trump ban TikTok?
Trump said Monday that he will wait until Sept. 15 to take action on TikTok, giving Microsoft or another company time and opportunity to purchase it.
Without going into any detail, the president asserted, essentially, that the U.S. should get a cut for allowing the deal to happen.
“A very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States, because we’re making it possible for this deal to happen,” Trump said.
Late last week, Trump threatened to "ban" the company in the United States, but his position softened over the weekend.
On Sunday night, Microsoft took the unusual step of publicly acknowledging acquisition talks before a deal was reached. In a blog post, Microsoft said it will "move quickly to pursue discussions with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance," with a final decision expected no later than Sept. 15.
“I set a date of around Sept. 15, at which point it’s going to be out of business,” unless it surrenders Chinese ownership, Trump told reporters on Monday. "But if somebody ... buys it, that'll be interesting."
TikTok put out a statement in response.
"TikTok is loved by 100 million Americans because it is a home for entertainment, self-expression, and connection. We're motivated by their passion and creativity, and committed to continuing to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform as we build TikTok for the long term," the company said. "TikTok will be here for many years to come."
A concern for the White House: a ban of TikTok would not be popular with young Americans. Not everyone in his administration is prepared to go along with a sale, though.
In an interview with CNN, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, who is opposed to the sale, accused Microsoft of allowing the Chinese government to censor and conduct surveillance through its search engine Bing and communications app Skype.
TikTok users got something of an anti-Trump reputation when in June they registered for thousands of tickets but didn't show up in an effort to embarrass the president at his campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But many top users of the app are conservatives.
The deal, if it goes through, would be a part of political discussion through the election "with Trump being able to say, 'Look I stood up against China and threatened them and now this is an American company for American users," Selepak said. "There are significant political aspects to this."
What are the chances of Microso ft buying TikTok?
Ives conservatively estimates it at “75% to 80%.”
That's because ByteDance needs a deal. The company, a massive social media player in China, is valued at about $100 billion, half of which is due to TikTok. "Their backs are against the wall because the minute (TikTok) gets shut off in the U.S., the valuation goes down by 50%," Ives says.
And Microsoft is in a good position because no other major tech company – Amazon, Apple Alphabet, Facebook – can make a play because "they are up to their ears in regulatory scrutiny," Ives said.
"They can’t even sniff TikTok. The only one who checks all the boxes and has gotten a green light from the White House is Microsoft," Ives said.
The deal could be especially beneficial for Microsoft because the TikTok business in the U.S. is valued in the $40-billion range but could eventually reach $200 billion if it makes the right moves. And Microsoft could get TikTok action in other international regions as part of the deal, Ives says.
But nothing is set in stone. TikTok is leaving the door open for negotiations with other potential buyers.


usatoday--2020-08-03--California's Apple Fire scorches 26,000 acres and is 5% contained; smoke seen as far as Arizona

PALM SPRINGS , Calif. — More than 2,000 firefighters and multiple aircraft battled the Apple Fire about 85 miles east of Los Angeles as it spread to more than 26,000 acres , sent smoke drifting to Arizona and threatened thousands of homes in Riverside and San Bernardino counties .
The blaze , centered near the town of Beaumont , began Friday evening as two smaller fires that eventually merged .
The fire has been fed by low humidity , a slight breeze , thick vegetation and triple-digit temperatures .
The fire had scorched more than 41 square miles , destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contained on Monday .
The U.S. Forest Service said the blaze was being battled by 2,296 firefighters and support personnel , including 32 hand-crews , 275 fire engines and 24 bulldozers .
Multiple helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were dropping water and fire retardant .
About 7,800 people from 2,600 residences had been ordered to evacuate .
No injuries had been reported as of midday Sunday .
Further north , a fire near Reno , Nevada , also burned out of control on Monday .
The North Fire , in Nevada near the California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0 % containment , and evacuations remained in effect , according to Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue .
The leading edge of smoke from the Apple Fire has pushed as far as the city of Globe , Arizona , roughly 400 miles away , according to the National Weather Service 's Phoenix office .
The main body of smoke was visible across south-central and southwest regions of the state .
Riverside County fire officials said the conflagration was caused by accident — a diesel vehicle that emitted burning carbon from its exhaust pipe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the fire was burning on two sides .
The western edge was in the Forest Falls area in San Bernardino County , and the eastern flank was headed toward the Morongo Band of Mission Indians ' reservation in Riverside County .
`` It is steep terrain , rugged terrain , '' he said .
`` Access is limited .
We ca n't really get to it on foot .
We rely a lot on the aircraft to do the work during the day . ''
The only structures lost in the fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbuildings near Avenida Miravilla in Cherry Valley , officials said Saturday .
Herrera said an assessment team would be looking for any other damaged structures where the fire had burned .
`` It 's so hot and it 's so intense in some of these areas that have n't been mopped up that it 's hard to get in to make an assessment , '' he said .
Among those who had to flee were Rick and Rose Stewart , who live on Avenida Miravilla in Cherry Valley .
Rose Stewart , 65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ages 1 , 4 and 8 , when flames appeared in the canyon surrounding their home .
“ Boy , the wind picked up and it moved , ” she said .
“ At that moment , I was worried about the girls because they were really scared .
They were like ‘ I want to go home , I want to go home.
’ ” Their father soon arrived to pick them up .
The canyon filled with flames and the heat destroyed a palm tree and fruits and vegetables in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rick Stewart , 67 , hosed down his home from his backyard .
He soon turned the hose onto himself as fled his yard as the fire moved his way .
“ I was terrified .
You have no idea the amount of heat that came off that .
Literally burning your face , ” he said .
Stewart said he and his son joined firefighters who had gathered in a clearing near the home .
Rose Stewart left , but Rick Stewart was determined to watch his home if it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The Stewarts attribute that to a fire break they installed around their home as a precaution after years of surviving fires in the area .
The Apple Fire broke out amid an extended heat wave across the Inland Empire and in the Coachella Valley .
`` Heat always makes a difference , as does wind and low humidity , '' said Battalion Chief Tim Adams of Anaheim Fire and Rescue .
Contributing : Chris Woodyard and Doyle Rice , USA TODAY ; Maria Sestito and Brian Blueskye , Desert Sun ; and @ @ @ @

Colin Atagi, Amanda Ulrich and Nicole Hayden, Palm Springs Desert Sun

California's Apple Fire scorches 26,000 acres and is 7% contained; smoke seen as far as Arizona
Show Caption Hide Caption Apple Fire spreads and forces evacuations in California Homes are evacuated as the Apple Fire continues to grow in Southern California. Storyful
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — More than 2,000 firefighters and multiple aircraft battled the Apple Fire about 85 miles east of Los Angeles as it spread to more than 26,000 acres, sent smoke drifting to Arizona and threatened thousands of homes in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The blaze, centered near the town of Beaumont, began Friday evening as two smaller fires that eventually merged. The fire has been fed by low humidity, a slight breeze, thick vegetation and triple-digit temperatures.
The fire had scorched nearly 42 square miles, destroyed three structures and was only 7% contained on Monday. The U.S. Forest Service said the blaze was being battled by 2,296 firefighters and support personnel, including 32 hand-crews, 275 fire engines and 24 bulldozers. Multiple helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were dropping water and fire retardant.
About 7,800 people from 2,600 residences had been ordered to evacuate. No injuries had been reported as of midday Sunday.
Further north, a fire near Reno, Nevada, also burned out of control on Monday. The North Fire, in Nevada near the California border, was at 6,300 acres with 10% containment, and evacuations remained in effect, according to Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue.
The leading edge of smoke from the Apple Fire has pushed as far as the city of Globe, Arizona, roughly 400 miles away, according to the National Weather Service's Phoenix office. The main body of smoke was visible across south-central and southwest regions of the state.
Riverside County fire officials said the conflagration was caused by accident — a diesel vehicle that emitted burning carbon from its exhaust pipe.
Cal Fire Capt. Fernando Herrera said the fire was burning on two sides. The western edge was in the Forest Falls area in San Bernardino County, and the eastern flank was headed toward the Morongo Band of Mission Indians' reservation in Riverside County.
"It is steep terrain, rugged terrain," he said. "Access is limited. We can't really get to it on foot. We rely a lot on the aircraft to do the work during the day."
The only structures lost in the fire have been a single-family home and two outbuildings near Avenida Miravilla in Cherry Valley, officials said Saturday. Herrera said an assessment team would be looking for any other damaged structures where the fire had burned.
"It's so hot and it's so intense in some of these areas that haven't been mopped up that it's hard to get in to make an assessment," he said.
All ongoing evacuations orders remain in effect Monday.
Among those who had to flee were Rick and Rose Stewart, who live on Avenida Miravilla in Cherry Valley. Rose Stewart, 65, was home with her three granddaughters, ages 1, 4 and 8, when flames appeared in the canyon surrounding their home.
“Boy, the wind picked up and it moved,” she said. “At that moment, I was worried about the girls because they were really scared. They were like ‘I want to go home, I want to go home.’”
Their father soon arrived to pick them up. The canyon filled with flames and the heat destroyed a palm tree and fruits and vegetables in their backyard garden.
As flames approached, Rick Stewart, 67, hosed down his home from his backyard.
He soon turned the hose onto himself as fled his yard as the fire moved his way.
“I was terrified. You have no idea the amount of heat that came off that. Literally burning your face,” he said.
Stewart said he and his son joined firefighters who had gathered in a clearing near the home. Rose Stewart left, but Rick Stewart was determined to watch his home if it had to burn down.
The home survived: The Stewarts attribute that to a fire break they installed around their home as a precaution after years of surviving fires in the area.
The Apple Fire broke out amid an extended heat wave across the Inland Empire and in the Coachella Valley.
"Heat always makes a difference, as does wind and low humidity," said Battalion Chief Tim Adams of Anaheim Fire and Rescue.
Contributing: Chris Woodyard and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY; Maria Sestito and Brian Blueskye, Desert Sun; and City News Service.


usatoday--2020-08-03--Brian Austin Green talks Megan Fox split, reacts to her Machine Gun Kelly relationship

While fans are still raving about Megan Fox 's new relationship with rapper Machine Gun Kelly , her ex Brian Austin Green is still sending his best wishes and wants `` her to be completely happy . ''
The `` 90210 '' star appeared on Dax Holt and Adam Glyn 's `` Hollywood Raw '' podcast on Monday to open up about co-parenting with the `` Transformers '' actress , describing the experience as `` not bad different , just different . ''
The two share three children together – Noah , 7 , Bodhi , 6 , and Journey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's up to us , and parents in general , how it affects your kids , '' he said , referring to their split in May , `` whether it 's a really negative experience or it 's OK and they feel safe in it and feel loved .
Everyone still loves and respects everyone . ''
He adds that he wishes Fox `` the absolute best in everything . ''
So how did Green find out about Fox 's new viral romance with Kelly ?
He wo n't say much , other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my own way '' and he `` did n't read about it or anything like that . ''
' I will always love her ' : Brian Austin Green confirms split with Megan Fox More : Machine Gun Kelly opens up about Megan Fox , says he 'waited for eternity ' to find her But Fox is n't the only one moving on .
Green said hewas surprised to find himself as a tabloid target after his recent outings with former reality star Courtney Stodden and Australian model Tina Louise , explaining that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of ( a relationship ) is they date . ''
`` Some people use dating apps , they talk to multiple people , they go on multiple dates , they spend time with people until you feel a connection with somebody , '' he said , clarifying that he considers himself to be single despite going on dates .
`` I 'm open to meeting somebody .
I 'm focused on myself and healing with all of this and my kids . ''
Despite no longer being together , Green described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as best as it can . ''
`` There 's no rule book to it , '' Green said .
`` There 's no way of doing it right or doing it wrong .
We are learning as we go .
The important thing for us is just communicating as much as we can . ''
'Bloody Valentine ' : Megan Fox emerges in new Machine Gun Kelly music video after Brian Austin Green split More : Megan Fox believes she and Machine Gun Kelly are 'two halves of the same soul '

Brian Austin Green talks Megan Fox split, reacts to her Machine Gun Kelly relationship
Show Caption Hide Caption Brian Austin Green on Megan Fox dating Machine Gun Kelly On the "Hollywood Raw" podcast, actor Brian Austin Green discussed his single life and co-parenting with his ex, actress Megan Fox. Entertain This!, USA TODAY
While fans are still raving about Megan Fox's new relationship with rapper Machine Gun Kelly, her ex Brian Austin Green is still sending his best wishes and wants "her to be completely happy."
The "90210" star appeared on Dax Holt and Adam Glyn's "Hollywood Raw" podcast on Monday to open up about co-parenting with the "Transformers" actress, describing the experience as "not bad different, just different." The two share three children together – Noah, 7, Bodhi, 6, and Journey, 3.
"I think it's up to us, and parents in general, how it affects your kids," he said, referring to their split in May, "whether it's a really negative experience or it's OK and they feel safe in it and feel loved. Everyone still loves and respects everyone."
He adds that he wishes Fox "the absolute best in everything."
So how did Green find out about Fox's new viral romance with Kelly? He won't say much, other than that he found out "in my own way" and he "didn't read about it or anything like that."
'I will always love her': Brian Austin Green confirms split with Megan Fox
More: Machine Gun Kelly opens up about Megan Fox, says he 'waited for eternity' to find her
But Fox, who recently shared her relationship to Instagram on Wednesday, isn't the only one moving on. Green said he was surprised to find himself as a tabloid target after his recent outings with former reality star Courtney Stodden and Australian model Tina Louise, explaining that "what people normally do when they get out of (a relationship) is they date."
"Some people use dating apps, they talk to multiple people, they go on multiple dates, they spend time with people until you feel a connection with somebody," he said, clarifying that he considers himself to be single despite going on dates.
"I'm open to meeting somebody. I'm focused on myself and healing with all of this and my kids."
Despite no longer being together, Green described his relationship with Fox as "going as best as it can."
"There's no rule book to it," Green said. "There's no way of doing it right or doing it wrong. We are learning as we go. The important thing for us is just communicating as much as we can."
'Bloody Valentine': Megan Fox emerges in new Machine Gun Kelly music video after Brian Austin Green split
More: Megan Fox believes she and Machine Gun Kelly are 'two halves of the same soul'


usatoday--2020-08-03--Former Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Reed signs with San Francisco 49ers

Tight end Jordan Reed has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers , a person familiar with the move told USA TODAY Sports ' Mike Jones .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official .
ESPN 's Adam Schefter was first to report the agre Reed , 30 , was released by Washington in February after seven seasons with the team .
He established himself as a dynamic pass-catching tight end and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016 , but he struggled to stay on the field , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career .
Reed was sidelined for all of 2019 after suffering his latest concussion in a preseason game .
Shanahan served as offensive coordinator in Washington during Reed 's rookie campaign in 2013 , when he recorded 45 catches for 499 yards and three touchdowns .
The 49ers have All-Pro George Kittle entrenched at tight end , but Reed offers the offense a high-upside target if he makes the 53-man roster and stays healthy .
Reed is the second notable former Washington standout to join San Francisco this year after the 49ers traded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams in April .

Former Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Reed signs with San Francisco 49ers
Show Caption Hide Caption What would make the NFL cancel games and the season? USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell breaks down various potential contingencies as the NFL tries to play during a pandemic. USA TODAY
Kyle Shanahan is taking a flier on a familiar figure.
Tight end Jordan Reed has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, a person familiar with the move told USA TODAY Sports' Mike Jones. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet official.
ESPN's Adam Schefter was first to report the agre
Reed, 30, was released by Washington in February after seven seasons with the team. He established himself as a dynamic pass-catching tight end and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016, but he struggled to stay on the field, suffering seven documented concussions in his pro career. Reed was sidelined for all of 2019 after suffering his latest concussion in a preseason game.
Shanahan served as offensive coordinator in Washington during Reed's rookie campaign in 2013, when he recorded 45 catches for 499 yards and three touchdowns.
The 49ers have All-Pro George Kittle entrenched at tight end, but Reed offers the offense a high-upside target if he makes the 53-man roster and stays healthy.
Reed is the second notable former Washington standout to join San Francisco this year after the 49ers traded for seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams in April.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.


usatoday--2020-08-03--Pennsylvania student pulled from HS graduation ceremony for 'Black Lives Matter' mask

YORK , Pa. – When the Facebook post first began circulating on social media , it resulted in immediate shock — hundreds of shares , just as many comments .
A Black student was pulled from his graduation procession on July 28 and told to remove his face mask , displaying the words Black Lives Matter , before being allowed to march in the ceremony with the rest of his classmates from York Catholic High School in Pennsylvania .
And his father is now speaking out against the injustice .
It seemed like such a step back given the strides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , John Holmes said as he reflected on the events that unfolded last week .
His son , Dean , was the student forced to remove that mask .
`` Are you still not hearing us , '' Holmes said during a phone conversation Sunday night .
He sounded frustrated and tired .
In a letter he wrote to the Diocese of Harrisburg , and later shared on social media , Holmes describes the incident and how his son was `` discriminated against in plain sight for his race and prior civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get you another mask' People shared in the outrage , but not everyone was `` shocked '' or `` surprised '' by the sentiment .
When Dean recounted what happened , he said he was wearing the Black Lives Matter mask during the practice before the official ceremony began .
At that time , teachers saw him wearing it , but did not say anything to him or ask him to remove it .
It was n't until the procession began that teachers at the doors reacted to it , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ take his mask off since the students were given face shields to wear instead , but the student refrained and said he wished to still wear his mask .
`` And then they pulled me out of line and they said , 'Dean , we can get you another mask ' — the issue was definitely the Black Lives Matter on the mask , '' he said .
They tried to give him another mask , but Dean did n't want it .
And as he saw his classmates heading into the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So he removed his mask from his face and handed it over to the principal .
`` I sat through the rest of the ceremony very upset , '' Dean said .
`` It felt like another time York Catholic was trying to put me down , kind of make me feel smaller .
Because in the past , there have been issues , too — of them trying to make me smaller , make me feel less like an individual .
But this was graduation . ''
One year later : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walmart shooting York Catholic responded to the incident in a letter signed by Arthur Full , school board chairman .
The letter was sent out to parents and students in the school community .
An excerpt of the letter can be found here : Each graduate was given a face shield to be worn in lieu of a face mask .
Graduates gathered outside the church prior to processing inside .
They were checked in , asked several questions regarding exposure to COVID-19 , and temperature checked .
Two other graduates chose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing in addition to the actual shield and sought permission in advance to do so .
The graduate mentioned in the statement by the parent did not seek permission to wear a face mask in addition to the face shield , nor was the face mask worn at all during the 45 minutes prior to the processional portion of the ceremony .
It was not until the last minute , right before entering the church , that the face mask with writing was put on .
York Catholic administration directed the face mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other graduates and guests .
The decorum of York Catholic ’ s Baccalaureate and Graduation ceremonies follow the tradition that no messages are permitted on caps or gowns .
Any graduate wearing a cap , gown , or mask with any message would have been asked to remove it .
Chad Dion Lassiter , executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission , said he understands that York Catholic is a private institution .
The school is free to set dress codes as it pleases , and the student should have sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was protocol .
However , Lassiter questioned what harm would have occurred had Dean been allowed to express this historical moment with a mask that said Black Lives Matter ?
`` Given the moment that we find ourselves in , '' Lassiter said , `` it 's a very transformative moment , it 's a moment in which some of the traditional norms may have to go by the wayside temporarily or need to be revamped altogether . ''
In a time where we are seeing humanity come together , Lassiter said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this one occasion , make an exception ?
However , Holmes said that this was n't an isolated incident and it speaks to a bigger issue at the school .
`` If you see the comments on the post , this is not a this-year problem , '' Holmes said .
`` So if we do n't speak up , shame on us .
Because it 's been going on for so long , and so many people have gotten hurt . ''
'You only get one high school graduation' He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And though he is hopeful he will find a welcoming community there , the sting of last week 's events will stay with him , he said .
`` You only get one high school graduation , '' Dean said .
`` I wish that mine did n't play out like this . ''
In the letter Holmes wrote , he said not only was his son 's health and safety jeopardized when he was forced to remove his protective mask , but his freedom of expression was censored when he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility of not graduating .
`` The action taken against my son demonstrates that York Catholic High School has miles to go before they can put the ugliness of unconscious bias and racism to sleep , '' Holmes wrote .
Prior to graduation , Dean wrote an essay for his English class , in which he discussed his experiences attending primarily white schools and the hardships that followed .
`` Roses are red ; violets are blue , '' the essay starts off .
`` More than likely I do not look like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courthouse or a fish in the desert , I have been on the outside for a large portion of my life .
Since first grade , I 've been a student at white majority private schools .
Without a doubt , I am grateful that my parents pushed for me to have the best education possible ; however , on the other hand , attending these schools , there is definitely a learning curve . ''
Dean 's essay received a grade of 106 % — his teacher even cried when she read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wanted to enter the essay into a speech contest , he said he was told it was too controversial to read in front of the younger students .
`` Another way they put him down , '' Holmes said .
`` And things need to change .
You have to lead from the front .
You ca n't lead from the middle or the back .
So that 's what we 're doing .
We 're leading from the front .
TikTok : After threatening quick action , Trump says he 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now Manhattan DA : Trump investigation goes beyond hush money to alleged mistresses

Pennsylvania student pulled from HS graduation ceremony for 'Black Lives Matter' mask
Show Caption Hide Caption Face mask care: Use your washer and dryer to clean your mask This is how often you should wash your cloth face mask. ProblemSolved, USA TODAY
YORK, Pa. – When the Facebook post first began circulating on social media, it resulted in immediate shock — hundreds of shares, just as many comments.
A Black student was pulled from his graduation procession on July 28 and told to remove his face mask, displaying the words Black Lives Matter, before being allowed to march in the ceremony with the rest of his classmates from York Catholic High School in Pennsylvania. And his father is now speaking out against the injustice.
It seemed like such a step back given the strides the community has made in recent months, John Holmes said as he reflected on the events that unfolded last week. His son, Dean, was the student forced to remove that mask.
"Are you still not hearing us," Holmes said during a phone conversation Sunday night. He sounded frustrated and tired.
In a letter he wrote to the Diocese of Harrisburg, and later shared on social media, Holmes describes the incident and how his son was "discriminated against in plain sight for his race and prior civil rights activism."
'Dean, we can get you another mask'
People shared in the outrage, but not everyone was "shocked" or "surprised" by the sentiment.
When Dean recounted what happened, he said he was wearing the Black Lives Matter mask during the practice before the official ceremony began. At that time, teachers saw him wearing it, but did not say anything to him or ask him to remove it.
It wasn't until the procession began that teachers at the doors reacted to it, he said. Principal Katie Seufert allegedly told Dean to take his mask off since the students were given face shields to wear instead, but the student refrained and said he wished to still wear his mask.
"And then they pulled me out of line and they said, 'Dean, we can get you another mask' — the issue was definitely the Black Lives Matter on the mask," he said.
They tried to give him another mask, but Dean didn't want it. And as he saw his classmates heading into the church, he feared missing the graduation ceremony. So he removed his mask from his face and handed it over to the principal.
"I sat through the rest of the ceremony very upset," Dean said. "It felt like another time York Catholic was trying to put me down, kind of make me feel smaller. Because in the past, there have been issues, too — of them trying to make me smaller, make me feel less like an individual. But this was graduation."
One year later: El Paso reflects on the hate behind Walmart shooting
How the school responded
York Catholic responded to the incident in a letter signed by Arthur Full, school board chairman. The letter was sent out to parents and students in the school community.
An excerpt of the letter can be found here:
Each graduate was given a face shield to be worn in lieu of a face mask. Graduates gathered outside the church prior to processing inside. They were checked in, asked several questions regarding exposure to COVID-19, and temperature checked. Two other graduates chose to wear a solid face mask with no writing in addition to the actual shield and sought permission in advance to do so. The graduate mentioned in the statement by the parent did not seek permission to wear a face mask in addition to the face shield, nor was the face mask worn at all during the 45 minutes prior to the processional portion of the ceremony. It was not until the last minute, right before entering the church, that the face mask with writing was put on. York Catholic administration directed the face mask to be removed privately, away from the other graduates and guests. The decorum of York Catholic’s Baccalaureate and Graduation ceremonies follow the tradition that no messages are permitted on caps or gowns. Any graduate wearing a cap, gown, or mask with any message would have been asked to remove it.
Chad Dion Lassiter, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, said he understands that York Catholic is a private institution. The school is free to set dress codes as it pleases, and the student should have sought previous permission to wear the mask if that was protocol.
However, Lassiter questioned what harm would have occurred had Dean been allowed to express this historical moment with a mask that said Black Lives Matter?
The answer? "No harm."
"Given the moment that we find ourselves in," Lassiter said, "it's a very transformative moment, it's a moment in which some of the traditional norms may have to go by the wayside temporarily or need to be revamped altogether."
In a time where we are seeing humanity come together, Lassiter said, why couldn't York Catholic, for this one occasion, make an exception?
However, Holmes said that this wasn't an isolated incident and it speaks to a bigger issue at the school.
"If you see the comments on the post, this is not a this-year problem," Holmes said. "So if we don't speak up, shame on us. Because it's been going on for so long, and so many people have gotten hurt."
'You only get one high school graduation'
He is attending New York University in the fall. And though he is hopeful he will find a welcoming community there, the sting of last week's events will stay with him, he said.
"You only get one high school graduation," Dean said. "I wish that mine didn't play out like this."
In the letter Holmes wrote, he said not only was his son's health and safety jeopardized when he was forced to remove his protective mask, but his freedom of expression was censored when he was compelled to remove it or face the possibility of not graduating.
"The action taken against my son demonstrates that York Catholic High School has miles to go before they can put the ugliness of unconscious bias and racism to sleep," Holmes wrote.
Prior to graduation, Dean wrote an essay for his English class, in which he discussed his experiences attending primarily white schools and the hardships that followed.
"Roses are red; violets are blue," the essay starts off. "More than likely I do not look like you. Like a clown in a courthouse or a fish in the desert, I have been on the outside for a large portion of my life. Since first grade, I've been a student at white majority private schools. Without a doubt, I am grateful that my parents pushed for me to have the best education possible; however, on the other hand, attending these schools, there is definitely a learning curve."
Dean's essay received a grade of 106% — his teacher even cried when she read it, he said. But when he wanted to enter the essay into a speech contest, he said he was told it was too controversial to read in front of the younger students.
"Another way they put him down," Holmes said. "And things need to change. You have to lead from the front. You can't lead from the middle or the back. So that's what we're doing. We're leading from the front.
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