usatoday--2020-07-23--Derek Chauvin, ex-Minneapolis officer charged with killing George Floyd, is now facing tax evasion c

Derek Chauvin, ex-Minneapolis officer charged with killing George Floyd, is now facing tax evasion charges

The former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd was also hit with tax evasion charges Wednesday as prosecutors alleged Derek Chauvin and his wife did n't report their incomes from various jobs over several years .
Chauvin and his wife , Kellie May Chauvin , who filed for divorce after Floyd 's death , were each charged in Washington County with nine felony counts of filing false tax returns or failing to file tax returns .
Chauvin and his wife allegedly underreported their joint income in state tax returns by $ 464,433 from 2014 through 2019 .
Chauvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work as an off-duty security guard that was not reported .
`` When you fail to fulfill the basic obligation to file and pay taxes , you are taking money from the pockets of citizens of Minnesota .
Our office has and will continue to file these charges when presented .
Whether you are a prosecutor or police officer , or you are doctor or a realtor , no one is above the law , '' Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said in a statement .
Chauvin is one of four former Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged in connection to the death of Floyd .
Floyd , a Black man , was held to the ground as Chauvin , who is white , pressed his knee into Floyd 's neck for more than eight minutes .
Floyd repeatedly told the officers he could not breathe before he died .
Autopsy reports ruled his death a homicide , and Chauvin is in custody and facing second-degree murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter charges .
The investigation into Chauvin and his wife 's taxes began in June after the Minnesota Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filings .
According to a criminal complaint , the Chauvins did not report all of their income when filing their state taxes in 2014 and 2015 .
From 2016 through 2018 , they did not file state taxes .
The Chauvins this year did file tax returns for 2016 through 2019 , but they allegedly underreported their income in those years , too , the complaint says .
The Chauvins owe $ 37,868 to the state .
Chauvin worked off-duty security at a variety of locations in addition to his work as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay taxes on the income he earned while off-duty .
The criminal complaint says Chauvin worked almost every weekend at El Nuevo Rodeo restaurant from from January 2014 through December 2019 .
He earned roughly $ 220 a night , and a total of $ 95,920 was allegedly not reported on state taxes .
His wife , a real estate agent and photographer , allegedly did not report $ 66,472.75 from 340 checks received at her photography business in 2014 and 2015 .
The Chauvins also allegedly did not pay proper taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 and the purchase of a $ 100,000 BMW in 2018 .
The Associated Press reported that Chauvin 's attorney in the murder case declined to comment while his wife 's attorney in the divorce did not respond to a request for comment .
Neither had attorney listed in the tax case .

Derek Chauvin, ex-Minneapolis officer charged with killing George Floyd, now facing tax evasion charges
Show Caption Hide Caption George Floyd's family sues Minneapolis for 'wrongful death' Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump announces the wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and its police department. USA TODAY
The former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd was hit with tax evasion charges Wednesday as prosecutors alleged Derek Chauvin and his wife didn't report their incomes from various jobs over several years.
Chauvin and his wife, Kellie May Chauvin, who filed for divorce after Floyd's death, were each charged in Washington County with nine felony counts of filing false tax returns or failing to file tax returns.
Chauvin and his wife are accused of underreporting their joint income in state tax returns by $464,433 from 2014 through 2019. Chauvin earned more than $95,000 for his work as an off-duty security guard that was not reported.
"When you fail to fulfill the basic obligation to file and pay taxes, you are taking money from the pockets of citizens of Minnesota. Our office has and will continue to file these charges when presented. Whether you are a prosecutor or police officer, or you are doctor or a realtor, no one is above the law," Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said in a statement.
Chauvin is one of four former Minneapolis police officers who were fired and later charged in connection to the death of Floyd. Floyd, a Black man, was held to the ground as Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes. Floyd repeatedly told the officers he could not breathe. Autopsy reports ruled his death a homicide, and Chauvin faces second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
The investigation into Chauvin and his wife's taxes began in June after the Minnesota Department of Revenue received information about suspicious filings.
According to a criminal complaint, the Chauvins did not report all of their income when filing their state taxes in 2014 and 2015. From 2016 through 2018, they did not file state taxes. The Chauvins this year did file tax returns for 2016 through 2019, but they underreported their income in those years, too, the complaint says. The Chauvins owe $37,868 to the state.
Chauvin worked off-duty security at a variety of locations in addition to his work as a Minneapolis police officer. He was required to pay taxes on the income he earned while off-duty.
The criminal complaint says Chauvin worked almost every weekend at El Nuevo Rodeo restaurant from from January 2014 through December 2019. He earned roughly $220 a night, and a total of $95,920 was allegedly not reported on state taxes.
His wife, a real estate agent and photographer, is accused of not reporting $66,472.75 from 340 checks received at her photography business in 2014 and 2015.
The Chauvins also allegedly did not pay proper taxes on the sale of a rental home in 2017 and the purchase of a $100,000 BMW in 2018, prosecutors said.
The Associated Press reported that Chauvin's attorney in the murder case declined to comment while his wife's attorney in the divorce did not respond to a request for comment. Neither had attorney listed in the tax case.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Follow USA TODAY's Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller


usatoday--2020-07-23--100 days: What can shake things up in the election home stretch? Here are 5 possibilities

On Sunday , the reelection campaign that President Trump officially opened on the day he was inaugurated enters the final stretch .
At the moment , Democratic challenger Joe Biden holds a lead nationwide of 8.4 percentage points , 49.3 % -40.7 % , according to the RealClearPolitics.com average of recent surveys .
That advantage is significant and steady enough that some politicians in both parties have begun calculating what to do in a post-Trump era .
What could possibly shake things up ?
For one thing , development of a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 , an optimistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redefined the campaign .
An economic rebound or new downturn .
A presidential debate that either raised questions about Biden 's acuity – a caustic theme of Trump 's campaign – or reinforced dissatisfaction with Trump 's leadership .
History says it 's premature to assume that the campaign is settled at this point .
In three of the last 10 elections , the candidate with at least a narrow lead at the end of July lost the popular vote in November , although two of them carried the Electoral College and won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three elections , the candidate with no more than a narrow lead in late July ended up winning in a blowout .
That said , since 1980 only one candidate who was clearly ahead at this point then lost the election .
That was Democrat Michael Dukakis in 1988 .
The prospect for turmoil this year is higher than it has been in modern times .
In some election years , both political conventions were over by now ; this time neither has yet been held .
The coronavirus has upended the ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ballots .
And there are an unprecedented number of court cases challenging recent state laws that advocates say improve ballot security and critics say suppress targeted voters .
More : 'We can ’ t support this ' RNC plan , Jacksonville sheriff says while raising security concerns '' Voters have decided that they 're done with Donald Trump , '' veteran Democratic pollster Peter Hart said , calling Trump `` a president of chaos '' who has failed in handling the COVID-19 crisis and protecting the economy .
That has put Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency , '' he said , `` but it would be a mistake to think that he has solidified his position , because he has n't . ''
In focus groups Hart has held , participants on their own have raised concerns about Biden 's mental fitness .
`` The reason this election is n't over is because essentially voters need to understand that he can pass the age and the acuity test , '' Hart said .
Republican strategist John Brabender said he has heard the same thing in focus groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first thing everybody will be looking for at the debates , '' he said .
`` Can Biden stand up not only to the rigor of the questions but also to the rigors of whatever the president throws at him ? ''
The presidential debates top the list of things that could affect the election in the home stretch .
Do the debates turn a referendum into a choice ?
Trump is poised to lose an election against Trump – that is , a referendum on his tenure .
While a core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval rating has sagged and his credibility in handling the coronavirus crisis has crashed .
That 's why the president and his campaign are trying to turn the election into a choice between him and Biden .
Or , even better , a referendum on Biden , on whether the challenger is up to the job .
Trump 's team has unleashed a volley of allegations against Biden , who at age 77 would be the oldest person elected to the White House .
( That 's a distinction that now belongs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More : President Trump 's campaign to paint Joe Biden as mentally unfit becomes a gamble '' Joe Biden is slipping , '' the narrator in one Trump TV ad says .
`` Joe Biden does not have the strength , stamina and mental fortitude required to lead this country . ''
On Twitter , Trump derides him as `` Sleepy Joe '' and worse .
Biden 's best opportunity to demonstrate strength and sharpness will come in the nationally televised debates , which will also be a moment when any misstep would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready and eager to participate in the three debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates , scheduled for Sept. 29 , Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 .
If the presence of debates are the key test for Biden , the absence of rallies could be the key test for Trump .
His test run in Tulsa last month , the first rally he had addressed since March , was a disaster when promised crowds did n't show up .
Now the president 's insistence on a traditional convention audience to watch him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imperiled , even though the Republican National Convention moved the venue to Jacksonville , Fla. , after officials in Charlotte raised coronavirus concerns .
`` This is not a fireside-chat president , '' Brabender said .
`` This is not a press-conference president .
This is a rally president . ''
Loud rallies in packed arenas were the signature of Trump 's 2016 campaign , a way to both energize supporters and the candidate .
`` They allow him to do an enormously effective info-mercial . ''
At a time of pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration faces devastating reviews for its failure to effectively manage the COVID-19 pandemic , a crisis that has now cost more than 140,000 Americans their lives .
That deadly record ca n't be undone .
But the development of a vaccine – one that is safe , effective and widely available – would at least change the narrative and offer assurances that the nation is on the road to controlling the coronavirus threat .
The news could well boost the stock markets and the nation 's mood .
The search for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists are expressing optimism about the early results from several vaccines under development .
But they caution that having a vaccine in production even by the end of the year reflects a very ambitious timetable .
That 's reflected in the administration 's name for the vaccine effort : Operation Warp Speed .
On Wednesday , the Department of Health and Human Services agreed to pay Pfizer nearly $ 2 billion for 100 million doses of its experimental vaccine .
Another $ 2 billion already had been awarded to Novavax and to Regeneron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also crucial to the other biggest issue in the campaign : the economy .
Getting adults back to work , children back to school and commerce back to some version of normal is hard to envision until there is one .
Strong economic growth was Trump 's biggest political asset until the coronavirus slammed the nation into a recession .
How hard is it to vote ?
Voting is going to be harder than usual this year .
The question is how much harder , and for whom .
One issue is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the demands of the coronavirus pandemic , which makes standing in lines at firehouses and schools to cast ballots a dangerous prospect for both voters and poll watchers .
The percentage of ballots cast by mail is expected to skyrocket , though some states have struggled to manage that in primaries this year .
More : ' A substantial challenge ' : What Kentucky , New York tell us about voting in a pandemic come November A second issue is the recent passage of legislation , mostly in states under Republican control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote and to cast a ballot .
Since 2010 , 25 states have significantly tightened their voting laws , according to the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU 's School of Law .
While supporters say the laws attack ballot fraud , critics say they have been crafted to discourage voting by African American people , Hispanic people , poor people and college students – all groups that disproportionately vote for Democrats .
That has prompted an unprecedented number of court challenges that could unfold before the election .
The new rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day itself .
More : Election lawsuits set record pace amid COVID-19 pandemic as results decide who votes and how Nov. 3 '' Certainly in modern times , this is the most dangerous election scenario , by far , '' said Wendy Weiser , director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center .
`` It is at the greatest risk of widespread disenfranchisement and meltdowns , and in a manner that will lead many people to question the fairness of the outcome . ''
Significant problems in access to voting could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key states .
They could also undermine public confidence in the legitimacy of whichever candidate wins .
Finally , is there an October surprise ?
Events outside the control of campaigns , developments abroad and at home , can shake the final weeks of a campaign .
In 2016 , Democrat Hillary Clinton said she `` was on the way to winning '' the White House until then-FBI Director James Comey announced on Oct. 28 that he might reopen the investigation into her use of a personal email server when she was secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump already had been pressing .
He then prevailed in the Electoral College after winning three crucial states by the narrowest of margins .
And in 2008 , the collapse of Lehman Brothers spiraled into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression , dominated media coverage of the final weeks of the campaign and fueled critical coverage of President George W. Bush and his party 's nominee to succeed him , Republican John McCain .
A campaign that had been deadlocked when the investment banking firm filed for bankruptcy on Sept. 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama in November .
Because 100 days can be a long time .
Exclusive USA TODAY poll : Biden widens his lead , but Trump keeps the edge on enthusiasm

100 days: What can shake things up in the election home stretch? Here are 5 possibilities
Show Caption Hide Caption How a contentious election affects a peaceful transition of power What history has shown us about contested elections and peaceful transitions of power. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
One. Hundred. Days.
Sunday, the reelection campaign that President Donald Trump officially opened on the day he was inaugurated enters the final stretch. Democratic challenger Joe Biden holds a lead nationwide of 8.6 percentage points, 49.3%-40.7%, according to the RealClearPolitics.com average of recent surveys. That advantage is steady enough that some politicians in both parties have begun calculating what to do in a post-Trump era.
What could shake things up?
Possibilities include the development of a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19, an optimistic turn in the pandemic that has redefined the campaign. An economic rebound or new downturn. A presidential debate that either raises questions about Biden's acuity – a caustic theme of Trump's campaign – or reinforces dissatisfaction with Trump's leadership.
History says it's premature to assume that the campaign is settled. In three of the past 10 elections, the candidate with at least a narrow lead at the end of July lost the popular vote in November, although two of them carried the Electoral College and won the White House anyway. In another three elections, the candidate with no more than a narrow lead in late July won in a blowout.
That said, since 1980, only one candidate was clearly ahead at this point, then lost the election. That was Democrat Michael Dukakis in 1988.
The prospect for turmoil this year is higher. In some election years, both political conventions were over by now; this time, neither has been held. The coronavirus upended the ways candidates can campaign and voters can cast their ballots. And an unprecedented number of court cases challenge state laws that advocates say improve ballot security and critics say suppress targeted voters.
More: 'We can’t support this' RNC plan, Jacksonville sheriff says, raising security concerns
"Voters have decided that they're done with Donald Trump," veteran Democratic pollster Peter Hart said, calling Trump "a president of chaos" who failed in handling the COVID-19 crisis and protecting the economy. That put Biden "in a first-rate position to win the presidency," he said, "but it would be a mistake to think that he has solidified his position, because he hasn't."
In focus groups Hart held, participants raised concerns about Biden's mental fitness. "The reason this election isn't over is because essentially, voters need to understand that he can pass the age and the acuity test," Hart said.
Republican strategist John Brabender said he has heard the same thing in focus groups he convened. "That's the first thing everybody will be looking for at the debates," he said. "Can Biden stand up not only to the rigor of the questions but also to the rigors of whatever the president throws at him?"
The presidential debates top the list of things that could affect the election in the home stretch.
Do the debates turn a referendum into a choice?
Trump is poised to lose an election against Trump – that is, a referendum on his tenure. Though core supporters remain loyal, his overall approval rating has sagged, and his credibility in handling the coronavirus crisis has crashed.
That's why the president and his campaign are trying to turn the election into a choice between him and Biden. Or even better, a referendum on Biden, on whether the challenger is up to the job. Trump's team unleashed a volley of allegations against Biden, who at age 77 would be the oldest person elected to the White House. (That's a distinction that now belongs to Trump, 74.)
More: President Trump's campaign to paint Joe Biden as mentally unfit becomes a gamble
"Joe Biden is slipping," the narrator in one Trump TV ad says. "Joe Biden does not have the strength, stamina and mental fortitude required to lead this country." On Twitter, Trump derides him as "Sleepy Joe" and worse.
Biden's best opportunity to demonstrate strength and sharpness will come in the nationally televised debates, which will also be a moment when any misstep would be magnified. Biden said he's ready and eager to participate in the three debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates, scheduled for Sept. 29, Oct. 15 and Oct. 22.
Can Trump rally without rallies?
If the presence of debates is the key test for Biden, the absence of rallies could be the key test for Trump. His test run in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last month, the first rally he had addressed since March, was a disaster when promised crowds didn't show up. The president's insistence on a traditional convention audience to watch him formally accept the GOP nomination may be imperiled, even though the Republican National Convention moved the venue to Jacksonville, Florida, after officials in Charlotte, North Carolina, raised coronavirus concerns.
"This is not a fireside chat president," Brabender said. "This is not a press conference president. This is a rally president." Loud rallies in packed arenas were the signature of Trump's 2016 campaign, a way to energize both supporters and candidate. "They allow him to do an enormously effective infomercial."
At a time of pandemic, that may not be possible.
Is there a vaccine?
The Trump administration faces devastating reviews for its failure to effectively manage the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis that has cost more than 143,000 Americans their lives. That deadly record can't be undone.
The development of a vaccine – one that is safe, effective and widely available – would at least change the narrative and offer assurances that the nation is on the road to controlling the coronavirus threat. The news could boost the stock markets and the nation's mood.
The search for a vaccine is worldwide and unprecedented, and scientists express optimism about the early results from several vaccines under development. They caution that having a vaccine in production even by the end of the year reflects a very ambitious timetable.
That's reflected in the administration's name for the vaccine effort: Operation Warp Speed. Wednesday, the Department of Health and Human Services agreed to pay Pfizer nearly $2 billion for 100 million doses of its experimental vaccine. An additional $2 billion was awarded to Novavax and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
The availability of a vaccine is crucial to the other biggest issue in the campaign: the economy. Getting adults back to work, children back to school and commerce back to some version of normal is hard to envision until there is one. Strong economic growth was Trump's biggest political asset until the coronavirus slammed the nation into a recession.
How hard is it to vote?
Voting is going to be harder than usual this year. The question is how much harder, and for whom.
One issue is the need for voting officials to respond to the demands of the coronavirus pandemic, which makes standing in lines at firehouses and schools to cast ballots a dangerous prospect for voters and poll watchers. The percentage of ballots cast by mail is likely to skyrocket, though some states struggled to manage that in primaries this year.
Are you registered to vote? Check your status or register online now to make sure your vote counts. Go to vote.usatoday.com.
A second issue is the passage of legislation, mostly in states under Republican control, that toughens the rules to register to vote and cast a ballot. Since 2010, 25 states have tightened their voting laws, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University's School of Law. Supporters say the laws attack ballot fraud; critics say they have been crafted to discourage voting by African Americans, Hispanics, poor people and college students – all groups that disproportionately vote for Democrats.
That prompted court challenges that could unfold before the election, and the new rules could create confusion and disputes on Election Day.
More: Election lawsuits set record pace amid COVID-19 pandemic as results decide who votes and how Nov. 3
"Certainly in modern times, this is the most dangerous election scenario, by far," said Wendy Weiser, director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center. "It is at the greatest risk of widespread disenfranchisement and meltdowns, and in a manner that will lead many people to question the fairness of the outcome."
Problems in access to voting could affect the outcome of the election in key states or undermine public confidence in the legitimacy of whichever candidate wins.
Is there an October surprise?
Events outside the control of campaigns, developments abroad and at home, can shake the final weeks of a campaign. In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton said she "was on the way to winning" the White House until then-FBI Director James Comey announced Oct. 28 that he might reopen the investigation into her use of a personal email server when she was secretary of state.
That ignited an issue Trump had been pressing. He prevailed in the Electoral College after winning three crucial states by the narrowest of margins.
In 2008, the collapse of Lehman Brothers spiraled into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, dominated media coverage of the final weeks of the campaign and fueled critical coverage of President George W. Bush and his party's nominee to succeed him, Republican John McCain. A campaign that had been deadlocked when the investment banking firm filed for bankruptcy Sept. 15 ended up as a rout for Democrat Barack Obama in November.
Because 100 days can be a long time.
Exclusive USA TODAY poll: Biden widens his lead, but Trump keeps the edge on enthusiasm


usatoday--2020-07-23--COVID-19 hot spots like frat parties, bars could ruin fall 2020 college reopening plans

As hundreds of universities attempt to offer in-person classes this fall , their success or failure hinges on much more than just emptying out the lecture halls or reducing dorm-room density .
A masked student might successfully navigate her chemistry class , but then contract coronavirus while eating lunch with friends .
Another might wash his hands and wear a mask on campus , but drop his guard at an off-campus fraternity house .
A third could obey all campus guidelines , but pop into a crowded bar on Thursday night .
These are the sorts of scenarios people like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genetics at Vanderbilt University , are imagining while they ’ re quarantined at home .
Kirby has gone a step further and created a series of interactive games where hypothetical undergrads , graduate students and professors try to navigate a prestigious college campus with varying success .
In one scenario , a student may catch coronavirus if they fail to wake up on time for their allotted bathroom time .
Another pitfall ?
An empty bottle of hand sanitizer in a campus common area .
Many public leaders have said colleges are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus because their population skews younger and could be more resistant to the virus ’ effects .
But that isn ’ t true for students like Kirby .
She said she is immunocompromised and hasn ’ t left her apartment since the first week of March .
“ Maybe the average student will be fine if they get COVID , ” she said .
“ But we ca n't just ignore the students who when they get COVID they 'll die , right ?
” It ’ s still unclear at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer an in-person experience , even a limited one , in the fall .
The Chronicle of Higher Education is tracking the reopening plans of more than 1,200 institutions .
The findings : roughly half of universities plan to reopen , a third are proposing a mix of online and in-person classes , and 11 % have committed to fully online learning .
Most college reopening plans are headlined by decisions about classes and housing , but to have students on campus , nearly every aspect of the university experience must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with changing the flow of traffic through dining halls while also worrying about whether students who participate in Greek life are following social-distancing rules .
They ’ ll have to contend with the possibility of disciplining students who repeatedly flout regulations to avoid the spread of the disease not only on university grounds , but off campus as well .
Football players are already on campus : Are they the 'guinea pig ' for COVID-19 protocol planning at universities ?
Even the food will be different Even rule-following students will have to remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s more , they ’ re likely to seek out company when doing so .
The dining halls , whether they are connected to residential spaces or in student common areas , traditionally have provided the venue for students to fellowship and eat all in one space .
By design , they are meant to handle dense groups of students in a short amount of time , which also fosters socializing .
That very design is now working against dining halls in the age of coronavirus , said Orlynn Rosaasen , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food Services .
Rosaasen said a dining hall could serve 200 students in the course of 15 minutes .
That will be much harder with social distancing requirements .
Lines will have to be spaced further apart .
Staff also have relied at least partially on students doing some of the work of serving their food , but that also seems unlikely .
Additionally , students likely will be unable to dine in the halls in the way they had in the past , which means food staff will have to come up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , students will face restrictions in the way they even sit in the dining hall .
Dining side-by-side may be fine , but face-to-face interactions could be barred .
Rosaasen said to expect dining halls to mark six-feet separations for students to sit and stand on .
Some colleges might use mobile applications so students can place orders for pick-up food or reserve some time eating in the dining hall .
Even the food might be different .
Staff often made meals from scratch in the past , but some people may want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of contamination during meal preparation .
Another problem : Rosaasen said dining halls usually can run efficiently because they have students come to them .
But that won ’ t be possible for students who find themselves in quarantine because they have COVID-19 or have been exposed to the virus .
So dining staff will have to develop delivery plans for potentially hundreds of students .
Frats and sororities : 'The target is on their back' Greek chapters have already cropped up as a challenge for some college campuses .
During the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported 47 new cases at fraternities and sororities in one week — blaming the uptick largely on a series of Greek parties .
At the University of Washington , as of Tuesday , at least 145 students had contracted the virus in connection to students living in off-campus Greek housing over the summer .
Nine of those students didn ’ t live in fraternity or sorority houses , but were in close contact with people who did .
Many of these student organizations have relied on packed parties to maintain their ranks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re often attractive to new students on campus who don ’ t yet have a social network and could mix with dozens or hundreds of students in a matter of days .
After they join , students in Greek organizations live together , eat together and almost certainly party together .
Gentry McCreary , a consultant to universities on Greek life , said the students he has spoken to are aware of the perils presented by failing to take the coronavirus seriously .
Leaders of the groups understand Greek organizations are likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the campus .
The question , he said , is whether the more junior members will follow guidelines meant to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
“ The target is on their back , ” he said .
“ And they understand that they do n't want to be the ones who are blamed for a campus having to shut down this semester.
” Young men die in frats every year : Why are they so slow to change ?
Still , summer coronavirus outbreaks at Greek organizations have led to calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sororities .
Some Greek groups may have trouble recruiting this semester in ways they had not in the past .
The ones that only know how to provide a social experience , but fail to provide meaningful connections are likely to struggle in the coronavirus era , McCreary said .
Some have adopted digital recruiting for the first wave of new applicants while saving in-person activities for a smaller pool of people .
Students are most likely to follow campus guidelines at residences on campus , McCreary said .
The challenge will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some chapters already maintain an off-campus house for social gatherings with less university oversight .
One of the biggest concerns for campus officials is where students go off campus , an aspect of the college experience administrators ca n't control .
Already this summer , college towns have expressed concerns over crowded bars and students ' potential to spread the virus .
Students , many of them maskless , mobbed Harry ’ s Chocolate Shop , a block away from Purdue University , the day the bar reopened in May .
The mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shop had done a good job of preparing the inside of the restaurant , but failed to prep for the long lines of people crowding to get in .
Earlier this summer , Harper ’ s Restaurant & Brew Pub , popular among Michigan State students in East Lansing , Michigan , was tied to an outbreak of roughly 160 cases .
Twenty-seven people who contracted coronavirus hadn ’ t gone to the bar at all , but were infected by people who had , health authorities said .
To deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are asking students to sign a pledge — and relying on peer pressure to get students to comply .
The education consulting group EAB surveyed about 70 institutions across the country and found about 40 % of them were planning to ask students to “ sign a pledge or agreement to uphold physical distancing when they arrive on campus.
” The same survey found about two-thirds of the colleges would offer safety kits that include items such as masks , hand sanitizer and pamphlets about social distancing protocols .
Colleges told EAB they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get students to comply with the new rules .
What 's unclear : how colleges will enforce the rules for those who repeatedly break them .
Such course corrections could include talking to the student individually or more stringent measures .
The University of South Carolina 's pledge , # IPledgeColumbia , calls for students to observe local health guidelines , keep their hands sanitized , adhere to social distancing measures and encourage others to do the same .
The City Council of Columbia , the mayor and other community groups were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Deborah Beck , assistant vice president of health and wellness at the college .
“ Everybody is getting together and talking about these issues , ” she said .
“ How can we as a unit or as a huge community contribute to one another so that we keep the community safe ?
” As for those who don ’ t follow the guidance , Beck said the university will have a disciplinary process in place not only for students , but for faculty and staff as well .
To Issy Rushton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of South Carolina , the point of the pledge isn ’ t to shame students , but to try to encourage safe behavior .
About 4,000 of the campus ' roughly 27,500 undergraduates have signed so far , she said .
Students who aren ’ t following the rules , Rushton said , are likely unaware of how their actions can extend beyond themselves and their friends and into the community .
That said , it 's unfair to expect students to avoid restaurants and bars if they 're open , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then the community should be able to go to those places , ” Rushton said .
“ There is the opportunity to have a social life and see your friends and enjoy going outside and leaving your home in South Carolina .
But it 's about doing it safely and being a good citizen of the city.
” Even with pledges and food delivery and canceled rush weeks , a major element of reopening is out of colleges ' hands entirely .
They may be overridden at any time by orders from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering sizes that apply to classes or even ask colleges to put courses entirely online .
If that happens , even with all this planning , it 's still game over .
Education coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation .
The Gates Foundation does not provide editorial input .

COVID-19 hot spots such as frat parties, bars could ruin fall 2020 college reopening plans
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus reopening: College fall 2020 plans vary widely Online learning, single rooms in hotels as dorms and staggered scheduling are just some of the ideas in motion for 2020's fall semester. USA TODAY
As hundreds of universities attempt to offer in-person classes this fall, their success or failure hinges on much more than emptying the lecture halls or reducing dorm-room density.
A masked student might successfully navigate her chemistry class, then contract coronavirus while eating lunch with friends. Another might wash his hands and wear a mask on campus but drop his guard at an off-campus fraternity house. A third could obey all campus guidelines but pop into a crowded bar on Thursday night.
Game over.
These are the sorts of scenarios people such as Cait Kirby, a doctoral student studying genetics at Vanderbilt University, imagine while they’re quarantined at home. Kirby has gone a step further and created a series of interactive games in which hypothetical undergrads, graduate students and professors try to navigate a prestigious college campus with varying success. In one scenario, a student may catch coronavirus if he fails to wake up in time for his allotted bathroom time. Another pitfall? An empty bottle of hand sanitizer in a campus common area.
Many public leaders have said colleges are in a better position to weather the effects of coronavirus because their population skews younger and could be more resistant to the virus’s effects. That isn’t true for Kirby and students like her. She said she is immunocompromised and hasn’t left her apartment since the first week of March.
“Maybe the average student will be fine if they get COVID,” she said. “But we can't just ignore the students who when they get COVID, they'll die, right?”
It’s unclear how many colleges will offer an in-person experience, even a limited one, in the fall.
The Chronicle of Higher Education tracks the reopening plans of more than 1,200 institutions. The findings: Roughly half of universities plan to reopen, a third propose a mix of online and in-person classes, and 11% committed to fully online learning.
Most college reopening plans are headlined by decisions about classes and housing, but to have students on campus, nearly every aspect of the university experience must be adjusted.
Universities will have to contend with changing the flow of traffic through dining halls while worrying about whether students who participate in Greek life follow social distancing rules. They’ll have to contend with the possibility of disciplining students who repeatedly flout regulations to avoid the spread of the disease not only on university grounds but off campus as well.
Football players are already on campus: Are they the 'guinea pig' for COVID-19 protocol planning at universities?
Even the food will be different
Even rule-following students will have to remove their masks to eat. What’s more, they’re likely to seek out company when doing so.
The dining halls, whether they are connected to residential spaces or in student common areas, traditionally have provided the venue for students to fellowship and eat all in one space. By design, they are meant to handle dense groups of students in a short amount of time, which fosters socializing.
That design is working against dining halls in the age of coronavirus, said Orlynn Rosaasen, president of the National Association of College and University Food Services. Rosaasen said a dining hall could serve 200 students in the course of 15 minutes. That will be much harder with social distancing requirements. Lines will have to be spaced farther apart. Staff have relied at least partially on students doing some of the work of serving their food, but that seems unlikely.
Students probably will be unable to dine in the halls the way they had in the past, which means food staff will have to come up with to-go options. In some cases, students will face restrictions in the way they sit in the dining hall. Dining side-by-side may be fine, but face-to-face interactions could be barred. Rosaasen said to expect dining halls to mark 6-feet separations for students to sit and stand on. Some colleges might use mobile applications, so students can place orders for pickup food or reserve some time eating in the dining hall.
Even the food might be different. Staff often made meals from scratch, but some people may want more prepackaged food to reduce the risk of contamination during meal preparation.
Another problem: Rosaasen said dining halls usually can run efficiently because they have students come to them. That won’t be possible for students in quarantine because they have COVID-19 or have been exposed to the virus. Dining staff will have to develop delivery plans for potentially hundreds of students.
Frats and sororities: 'The target is on their back'
Greek chapters have cropped up as a challenge for some college campuses. During the summer, the University of California-Berkeley reported 47 new cases at fraternities and sororities in one week – blaming the uptick largely on a series of Greek parties.
At the University of Washington, as of Tuesday, at least 145 students had contracted the virus in connection to students living in off-campus Greek housing over the summer. Nine of those students didn’t live in fraternity or sorority houses but were in close contact with people who did.
Many of these student organizations relied on packed parties to maintain their ranks, especially during the fall. They’re often attractive to new students on campus who don’t have a social network and could mix with dozens or hundreds of students in a matter of days. After they join, students in Greek organizations live together, eat together and almost certainly party together.
Gentry McCreary, a consultant to universities on Greek life, said the students he has spoken to are aware of the perils of failing to take the coronavirus seriously. Leaders of the groups understand Greek organizations are likely to face more scrutiny than other student organizations on the campus. The question, he said, is whether the more junior members will follow guidelines meant to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“The target is on their back,” he said. “And they understand that they don't want to be the ones who are blamed for a campus having to shut down this semester.”
Young men die in frats every year: Why are they so slow to change?
Summer coronavirus outbreaks at Greek organizations have led to calls on social media for bans on fraternities and sororities.
i literally hear parties every weekend. :\ abolish greek life https://t.co/1cwaKboMNf — lauren 羅蓮 BLM (@Linpug) July 9, 2020
abolish greek life pic.twitter.com/OXE34UvBkz — abolish the police (@twentyyroldbaby) July 8, 2020
Some Greek groups may have trouble recruiting this semester. The ones that provide only a social experience without meaningful connections are likely to struggle in the coronavirus era, McCreary said. Some have adopted digital recruiting for the first wave of applicants while saving in-person activities for a smaller pool of people.
Students are most likely to follow campus guidelines at residences on campus, McCreary said. The challenge will be at informal events off campus. Some chapters maintain an off-campus house for social gatherings under less university oversight.
Don't students need a social life?
One of the biggest concerns for campus officials is where students go off campus, an aspect of the college experience administrators can't control. This summer, college towns expressed concerns over crowded bars and students' potential to spread the virus.
Students, many of them maskless, mobbed Harry’s Chocolate Shop, a block away from Purdue University, the day the bar reopened in May. The mayor of West Lafayette, Indiana, said the shop had done a good job of preparing the inside of the restaurant but failed to prep for the long lines of people crowding to get in.
Harper’s Restaurant & Brew Pub, popular among Michigan State students in East Lansing was tied to an outbreak of roughly 160 cases. Twenty-seven people who contracted coronavirus hadn’t gone to the bar but were infected by people who had, health authorities said.
To deal with off-campus concerns, a lot of colleges ask students to sign a pledge – and rely on peer pressure to get students to comply.
The education consulting group EAB surveyed about 70 institutions across the country and found about 40% of them plan to ask students to “sign a pledge or agreement to uphold physical distancing when they arrive on campus.” The same survey found about two-thirds of the colleges would offer safety kits that include masks, hand sanitizer and pamphlets about social distancing protocols.
Colleges told EAB they are likely to rely on positive reinforcement to get students to comply with the new rules. What's unclear: how colleges will enforce the rules for those who repeatedly break them. Such course corrections could include talking to the student individually or more stringent measures.
The University of South Carolina's pledge, #IPledgeColumbia, calls for students to observe health guidelines, keep their hands sanitized, adhere to social distancing measures and encourage others to do the same. The City Council of Columbia, the mayor and other community groups were involved in crafting the pledge, said Deborah Beck, assistant vice president of health and wellness at the college.
“Everybody is getting together and talking about these issues,” she said. “How can we as a unit or as a huge community contribute to one another so that we keep the community safe?”
As for those who don’t follow the guidance, Beck said the university will have a disciplinary process in place not only for students but for faculty and staff as well.
To Issy Rushton, student body president at the University of South Carolina, the point of the pledge isn’t to shame students but to encourage safe behavior. About 4,000 of the campus's roughly 27,500 undergraduates have signed, she said.
So excited to finally launch the #IPledgeColumbia campaign! Head to https://t.co/nmw80SrcvS today & sign the pledge. Let’s do our part as @uofsc students and protect our Gamecock family and the City of Columbia! https://t.co/JwTcaCj6He — Issy Rushton (@UofSCSGPres) June 30, 2020
Students who don’t follow the rules, Rushton said, are probably unaware of how their actions can extend beyond themselves and their friends and into the community.
That said, it's unfair to expect students to avoid restaurants and bars, she said.
“If they're open, then the community should be able to go to those places,” Rushton said. “There is the opportunity to have a social life and see your friends and enjoy going outside and leaving your home in South Carolina. But it's about doing it safely and being a good citizen of the city.”
Beyond pledges, food delivery and canceled rush weeks, a major element of reopening is out of colleges' hands entirely. They may be overridden by orders from public health officials, who can limit gathering sizes that apply to classes or even ask colleges to put courses entirely online.
If that happens, even after all this planning, it's still game over.
Contributing: Dave Bangert, Lafayette Journal & Courier; Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press
Education coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation does not provide editorial input.


usatoday--2020-07-23--Antonio Brown urges NFL to resolve investigation so he 'can talk to these teams properly'

Free-agent Antonio Brown took to Instagram on Wednesday night to let the NFL know he is ready to talk to teams , but ca n't do so properly until it provides `` clarity '' on his situation .
Just two days after the wide receiver seemingly discussed retirement again from the NFL via Twitter , he urged the league to complete its investigation into his conduct and demanded it informs him of his status .
In Brown 's post on Wednesday , he told the NFL its investigation is `` completely unacceptable , '' claiming that his legal team has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none .
`` @ nfl I have complied with each and every ask of your investigations throughout the past 11 months .
You have had access to all of my phones , you know what the deal is in each and every situation that the media has distorted , '' the wide receiver said .
`` I have been seeing the therapist you asked me to , I have worked on all aspects of my life this past year and have become a better man because of it . ''
The league began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September 2019 by his former trainer alleging Brown sexually assaulted her on three occasions in 2017 and 2018 .
Brown was also accused of sexual misconduct by an artist he hired to paint a mural at his home .
In June , Brown was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation after he pleaded no contest to assault charges against a moving truck in January .
Brown continued his post stating that the NFL is dragging its feet and he is waiting for an update so he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fact that you refuse to provide a deadline and the reason for the fact you won ’ t resolve your investigations is completely unacceptable .
I demand you provide me clarity on this situation immediately if you really care about my wellbeing , '' Brown said .
`` My legal team continues to ask and you provide no answers .
How is it that the league can just drag it ’ s feet on any investigation it chooses on players and we just have to sit there in limbo ?
Need an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams properly , they ’ re waiting on you @ nfl let ’ s get this thing moving !
We ’ ve got history to make !
!
# Himmothy '' The 32-year-old was last with an organization in 2019 .
The Patriots cut him that September after Brown played one week with them .
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey @ usatoday.com or on Twitter @ analisbailey .

Antonio Brown urges NFL to resolve investigation so he 'can talk to these teams properly'
Show Caption Hide Caption Mahomes, Lamar or '04 Vick? Madden ratings guru reveals who the ultimate cheat code is SportsPulse: Who's the greatest Madden cheat code of all-time: Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes or '04 Michael Vick? Mackenzie Salmon connected with Madden's rating adjuster Clint Oldenburg to get the answer. USA TODAY
Free-agent Antonio Brown took to Instagram on Wednesday night to let the NFL know he is ready to talk to teams, but can't do so properly until it provides "clarity" on his situation.
Just two days after the wide receiver seemingly discussed retirement again from the NFL via Twitter, he urged the league to complete its investigation into his conduct and demanded it informs him of his status.
In Brown's post on Wednesday, he told the NFL its investigation is "completely unacceptable," claiming that his legal team has continuously asked for answers but have received none.
"@nfl I have complied with each and every ask of your investigations throughout the past 11 months. You have had access to all of my phones, you know what the deal is in each and every situation that the media has distorted," the wide receiver said. "I have been seeing the therapist you asked me to, I have worked on all aspects of my life this past year and have become a better man because of it."
The league began investigating Brown after a lawsuit was filed in September 2019 by his former trainer alleging Brown sexually assaulted her on three occasions in 2017 and 2018. Brown was also accused of sexual misconduct by an artist he hired to paint a mural at his home. In June, Brown was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation after he pleaded no contest to assault charges against a moving truck in January.
Brown continued his post stating that the NFL is dragging its feet and he is waiting for an update so he can speak with interested teams.
"The fact that you refuse to provide a deadline and the reason for the fact you won’t resolve your investigations is completely unacceptable. I demand you provide me clarity on this situation immediately if you really care about my wellbeing," Brown said. "My legal team continues to ask and you provide no answers. How is it that the league can just drag it’s feet on any investigation it chooses on players and we just have to sit there in limbo? Need an update so I can talk to these teams properly, they’re waiting on you @nfl let’s get this thing moving! We’ve got history to make!! #Himmothy"
The 32-year-old was last with an organization in 2019. The Patriots cut him that September after Brown played one week with them.
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.


usatoday--2020-07-23--One Direction fans lose their minds, beg for reunion after band's first tweet in two years

One Direction sent fans into a frenzy with its first tweet in two years : an announcement celebrating the group 's 10th anniversary .
`` Tomorrow !
You and me got a whole lot of history # 10YearsOf1D , '' One Direction shared Wednesday on Twitter and Instagram .
A simple black-and-white graphic was also posted , with the words `` 10 Years of One Direction . ''
One Direction alum Liam Payne commemorated the anniversary with a screenshot of the first text he ever sent about the group : `` I 'm in a boyband , '' he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010 .
`` What a journey , '' the singer , now 26 and a father , tweeted Thursday morning .
`` I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my Dad ten years ago at this exact time the band was formed .
Thanks to everyone that ’ s supported us over the years and thanks to the boys for sharing this with me # 10YearsOfOneDirection '' It 's been a decade since the popular boy band got together on `` The X Factor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contain their excitement .
Some are brewing interesting theories about what surprises will come on the anniversary , like a reunion tour , while others are sharing their thoughts on their childhood favorites .
`` I 'm sure at 100 % that the only thing that can save 2020 is the onedirection reunion , '' speculated one fan .
Another described Directioners ' response as `` absolutely feral . ''
`` Me finding out that One Direction are possibly doing a reunion tour , '' another tweeted with a meme of a sobbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the band has in store , but a new website and video are among the things fans can look forward to .
One Direction has announced it will launch a new anniversary website on Thursday for `` an immersive and exciting interactive fan experience , '' which includes an archive of music videos , behind-the-scenes content , and , of course , a much-anticipated 10-year celebration video highlighting the group 's historic moments . '
I 've been to rock bottom ' : Louis Tomlinson from 'One Direction ' opens up about mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brand new anniversary celebration video for YouTube will also be released , '' says a statement from Simon Jones PR .
`` The video will document highlights of the band 's career , from forming on 'The X Factor ' to releasing their single 'History , ' including clips from music videos , performances and candid behind-the-scenes video content .
And , of course , the special relationship they have with their fans . ''
The company added that `` fans will also be able to generate their own shareable 'mixtape ' playlist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question : Are Harry Styles , Louis Tomlinson , Niall Horan , Liam Payne and Zayn Malik finally getting back together ?
They are n't saying , but it seems like they intend on making `` History '' tomorrow .

One Direction fans lose their minds, beg for reunion after band's first tweet in two years
Show Caption Hide Caption One Direction break social media silence amid reunion talk British pop band One Direction have broken their silence on social media. Bang Showbiz - Bang Extra, Bang Showbiz - Bang Extra
One Direction sent fans into a frenzy with its first tweet in two years: an announcement celebrating the group's 10th anniversary.
"Tomorrow! You and me got a whole lot of history #10YearsOf1D," One Direction shared Wednesday on Twitter and Instagram. A simple black-and-white graphic was also posted, with the words "10 Years of One Direction."
One Direction alum Liam Payne commemorated the anniversary with a screenshot of the first text he ever sent about the group: "I'm in a boyband," he wrote to his father on July 23, 2010.
"What a journey," the singer, now 26 and a father, tweeted Thursday morning. "I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my Dad ten years ago at this exact time the band was formed. Thanks to everyone that’s supported us over the years and thanks to the boys for sharing this with me #10YearsOfOneDirection"
More: The 10 best One Direction songs, definitively ranked
What a journey… I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my Dad ten years ago at this exact time the band was formed. Thanks to everyone that’s supported us over the years and thanks to the boys for sharing this with me #10YearsOfOneDirection pic.twitter.com/0d17ggB66x — Liam (@LiamPayne) July 23, 2020
It's been a decade since the popular boy band got together on "The X Factor," and fans on Twitter can hardly contain their excitement. Some are brewing interesting theories about what surprises will come on the anniversary, like a reunion tour, while others are sharing their thoughts on their childhood favorites.
"I'm sure at 100% that the only thing that can save 2020 is the onedirection reunion," speculated one fan.
I'm sure at 100% that the only thing that can save 2020 is the onedirection reunion. 😼😼 #ONEDIRECTIONSAVE2020 pic.twitter.com/0zyNxX0Ogy — ʀɪᴋsᴜ²³ | 🕊 (@kximxsonxta) July 22, 2020
Another described Directioners' response as "absolutely feral."
No one:
Me finding out One Direction are possibly doing a reunion tour: pic.twitter.com/heo5n78xMV — Missguided (@Missguided) July 22, 2020
"Me finding out that One Direction are possibly doing a reunion tour," another tweeted with a meme of a sobbing toddler.
📲 Breaking:Directioners worldwide are going absolutely feral over the possibility of a one direction reunion #10YearsOfOneDirection pic.twitter.com/m1T505PYoA — Amirah 🦋 (@jalboyhamirah) July 22, 2020
It's unclear what exactly the band has in store, but a new website and video are among the things fans can look forward to. One Direction has announced it will launch a new anniversary website on Thursday for "an immersive and exciting interactive fan experience," which includes an archive of music videos, behind-the-scenes content, and, of course, a much-anticipated 10-year celebration video highlighting the group's historic moments.
'I've been to rock bottom': Louis Tomlinson from 'One Direction' opens up about mother's and sister's deaths
Album review: Harry Styles brings the funk on nostalgia-infused 'Fine Line'
Tomorrow! You and me got a whole lot of history #10YearsOf1D pic.twitter.com/nwxrm5MSE9 — One Direction (@onedirection) July 22, 2020
"A brand new anniversary celebration video for YouTube will also be released," says a statement from Simon Jones PR. "The video will document highlights of the band's career, from forming on 'The X Factor' to releasing their single 'History,' including clips from music videos, performances and candid behind-the-scenes video content. And, of course, the special relationship they have with their fans."
The company added that "fans will also be able to generate their own shareable 'mixtape' playlist on the site
Thursday, the band's YouTube channel shared a nearly 5-minute compilation of their decade-long history – giving a glimpse at what life was like behind the scenes and expressing appreciation for their fans.
"The fans have obviously given us so much that we've always felt it important to give them new music," Styles says when it appears he's doing promotion for the band's fifth album "Made in the A.M."
Now, the biggest question: Are Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik finally getting back together? They aren't saying, but it seems like they intend on making "History" tomorrow.


usatoday--2020-07-23--Simone Biles says it's hard missing Tokyo Olympics this week, but she sees upside to postponement

Had the world not been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic , Simone Biles would be in Tokyo , ready for an Olympics that will be as much a confirmation of her status as the greatest gymnast ever as it is a competition .
Instead , she ’ s unpacking at her new house and chasing her dogs around a yard that doesn ’ t yet have a fence .
`` Probably for my whole entire life , '' Biles said of the last time she ’ s spent this much time at home .
`` I actually kind of enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time with my family , with my dogs and now with the new house , I have time to unpack .
So I ’ m kind of enjoying it . ''
`` I thought I ’ d be bored and want to travel , '' she added .
`` But right now , I ’ m OK. With everything that ’ s going on right now , the safest place for me is in my house right now . ''
When the International Olympic Committee announced in April that the Tokyo Games would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of emotions .
She was sad , seeing how the disease had ravaged every part of the globe with no sign of stopping .
She was disappointed , having spent the last two-plus years training with the intention that Tokyo would be her last competition .
VOGUE MAGAZINE : Biles graces cover and opens up in interview And she was angry , too , knowing the postponement meant another year of interaction with USA Gymnastics , an organization she will never trust nor forgive because of the abuse she and hundreds of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Larry Nassar .
But with her gym shut down and not much else to do , Biles let herself process everything .
When her gym reopened in May , Biles was there , ready to take on whatever the next year brings .
`` We can only control what we do , which is the training .
Put in the hours and just see what happens .
Because we don ’ t know what will happen , '' she said .
`` It ’ s kind of hard because it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been an elite gymnast .
`` But I ’ m ready for one more ride . ''
Regardless of what organizers need to do to pull the Olympics off .
There ’ s been speculation the Games will have to be scaled back or held without fans because of COVID .
`` As long as the Olympics goes on still at this point , I don ’ t care how they do it , '' she said .
`` If we have to do Zoom meetings from in-home gyms , I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biles is training and taking steps toward a life after gymnastics .
Take the house .
The 23-year-old had owned another one , but it was more suited for a family .
More suited for her older brother and his wife , actually .
Then Biles saw this house , and everything fell into place .
Her brother and his wife moved into her old place , and she just moved into the new one .
So far , the `` all the dog stuff , the gym stuff — the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the kitchen .
Now Biles is tackling her closet .
`` Moving is such a pain , but I ’ m really excited , '' she said .
Difficult as the Tokyo postponement was , Biles recognizes there is an upside to being in the center of the spotlight for another year .
As she ’ s gotten older , she ’ s become more comfortable using her voice to speak up for survivors .
While she picks and chooses her spots , she recognizes the power she has and is willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee accountable for their failings .
Biles is featured on the current cover of Vogue and , in the accompanying story , spoke more frankly than she ever has about how Nassar ’ s abuse affected her .
After acknowledging she ’ d been abused , she told Vogue she was `` very depressed , '' unable to do much more than sleep .
`` I said what I felt comfortable with , '' Biles said .
`` I feel like I ’ m getting older and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more open about what I talk about .
So it was kind of freeing , in a way . ''
As for the photos , which were taken by Annie Leibovitz and criticized by some on the Internet for not being better lit , Biles said she thought they were `` beautiful . ''
`` They were very raw , real and just in the moment .
There were no edits on it or anything , '' she said .
`` That ’ s why I liked the photos . ''
Biles also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Vogue article , specifically the killing of Breonna Taylor , who was at home asleep when she was shot by police who used a no-knock warrant to force their way into her apartment .
While Biles said she ’ s happy white America is recognizing how prevalent systemic racism is , she is incredulous it took the deaths of Taylor , George Floyd and so many others to make that happen .
`` It ’ s actually really shocking how much ( people ) either ignore it or do not pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` To me , it feels like it ’ s the privilege of being white .
If it ’ s not happening to you , it doesn ’ t matter or you ’ re completely unfazed by it .
But I think with the Black Lives Matter movement , you can ’ t ignore it . ''
She hopes it won ’ t be forgotten , either , as time passes and people ’ s attention shifts elsewhere .
`` I think the ( momentum ) will still live on for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Biles said .
`` I feel like there ’ s hope . ''
Hear more from olympians , and other women who are 'Changing The Game ' by clicking below .

Simone Biles says it's hard missing Tokyo Olympics this week, but she sees upside to postponement
Had the world not been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, Simone Biles would be in Tokyo, ready for an Olympics that will be as much a confirmation of her status as the greatest gymnast ever as it is a competition.
Instead, she’s unpacking at her new house and chasing her dogs around a yard that doesn’t yet have a fence.
"Probably for my whole entire life," Biles said of the last time she’s spent this much time at home. "I actually kind of enjoy it because I get to spend more time with my family, with my dogs and now with the new house, I have time to unpack. So I’m kind of enjoying it."
"I thought I’d be bored and want to travel," she added. "But right now, I’m OK. With everything that’s going on right now, the safest place for me is in my house right now."
When the International Olympic Committee announced in April that the Tokyo Games would be postponed, Biles experienced a range of emotions. She was sad, seeing how the disease had ravaged every part of the globe with no sign of stopping. She was disappointed, having spent the last two-plus years training with the intention that Tokyo would be her last competition.
VOGUE MAGAZINE: Biles graces cover and opens up in interview
And she was angry, too, knowing the postponement meant another year of interaction with USA Gymnastics, an organization she will never trust nor forgive because of the abuse she and hundreds of other girls and young women were subjected to by Larry Nassar.
But with her gym shut down and not much else to do, Biles let herself process everything. When her gym reopened in May, Biles was there, ready to take on whatever the next year brings.
"We can only control what we do, which is the training. Put in the hours and just see what happens. Because we don’t know what will happen," she said. "It’s kind of hard because it’s a long journey since I’ve been an elite gymnast.
"But I’m ready for one more ride."
Regardless of what organizers need to do to pull the Olympics off. There’s been speculation the Games will have to be scaled back or held without fans because of COVID.
"As long as the Olympics goes on still at this point, I don’t care how they do it," she said. "If we have to do Zoom meetings from in-home gyms, I don’t care."
In the meantime, Biles is training and taking steps toward a life after gymnastics. Take the house. The 23-year-old had owned another one, but it was more suited for a family. More suited for her older brother and his wife, actually. Then Biles saw this house, and everything fell into place. Her brother and his wife moved into her old place, and she just moved into the new one.
So far, the "all the dog stuff, the gym stuff — the main priorities" have been unpacked, as has the kitchen. Now Biles is tackling her closet.
"Moving is such a pain, but I’m really excited," she said.
Difficult as the Tokyo postponement was, Biles recognizes there is an upside to being in the center of the spotlight for another year.
As she’s gotten older, she’s become more comfortable using her voice to speak up for survivors. While she picks and chooses her spots, she recognizes the power she has and is willing to use it to hold USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee accountable for their failings.
Biles is featured on the current cover of Vogue and, in the accompanying story, spoke more frankly than she ever has about how Nassar’s abuse affected her. After acknowledging she’d been abused, she told Vogue she was "very depressed," unable to do much more than sleep.
"I said what I felt comfortable with," Biles said. "I feel like I’m getting older and more mature, so I can be more open about what I talk about. So it was kind of freeing, in a way."
As for the photos, which were taken by Annie Leibovitz and criticized by some on the Internet for not being better lit, Biles said she thought they were "beautiful."
"They were very raw, real and just in the moment. There were no edits on it or anything," she said. "That’s why I liked the photos."
Biles also talked about the Black Lives Matter movement in the Vogue article, specifically the killing of Breonna Taylor, who was at home asleep when she was shot by police who used a no-knock warrant to force their way into her apartment.
While Biles said she’s happy white America is recognizing how prevalent systemic racism is, she is incredulous it took the deaths of Taylor, George Floyd and so many others to make that happen.
"It’s actually really shocking how much (people) either ignore it or do not pay attention to it," Biles said. "To me, it feels like it’s the privilege of being white. If it’s not happening to you, it doesn’t matter or you’re completely unfazed by it. But I think with the Black Lives Matter movement, you can’t ignore it."
She hopes it won’t be forgotten, either, as time passes and people’s attention shifts elsewhere.
"I think the (momentum) will still live on for a really long time, until things change," Biles said. "I feel like there’s hope."
Hear more from olympians, and other women who are 'Changing The Game' by clicking below.
Follow Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.


usatoday--2020-07-23--Fall Without Football: NFL doing everything it can so COVID-19 doesn't cause a shutdown

All this week , USA TODAY Sports will examine the possibility of a fall without football , and what that would mean in a country where the sport is king .
The cadence of this projected NFL season , with its own sort of DEFCON 1 threat in tow , is nothing without some crucial audible calls .
Sure , training camps are set to open Tuesday , but how will it end ?
The most pressing questions don ’ t involve the chemistry of TB12 and Gronk over 100 yards or the gravitational pull of a Patrick Mahomes throw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic .
Are they really going to be able to pull this off ?
NFL , meet trial and error .
It ’ s the Year of the Contingency Plan .
It would be a shame to open camps and start the season … only to shut it down .
NFL players were so right to push back on health and safety issues during labor talks with owners — and the negotiations are hardly over yet , with significant economic concerns still being discussed — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving the frequency of testing and the preseason .
After all , it ’ s the players who will bear the brunt of the risk in playing during a pandemic , as if the risks of suffering a career-ending injury or long-term effects from concussions aren ’ t enough .
It ’ s the theme that hasn ’ t always worked for the NFL Players Association during other labor battles over the decades that were laced with lockouts , strikes , class-action lawsuits and replacement players , but it has sure resonated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No peace , no labor .
Yet it is undoubtedly a matter of joining forces to confront the common foe : COVID-19 .
What an ominous warning that was recently from straight-shooting Bucs coach Bruce Arians .
`` We ’ ve got to be careful , '' Arians told The Tampa Bay Times in early July .
`` The players , they ’ re all going to get sick , that ’ s for sure .
It ’ s just a matter of how sick they get . ''
Yikes .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be years before long-term ramifications are known .
No , it has never seemed feasible that the NFL could consider the type of `` bubble '' approach that the NBA has employed in Orlando to resume a season that was suspended in March .
Just don ’ t think the NFL isn ’ t operating in a bubble .
It ’ s the USA Bubble , with the patterns , hot spots , governmental mandates ( or not ) and other pandemic developments in society at large shaping the NFL flow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual draft , heard about virtual offseason workouts and rolled with anything-but-virtual uncertainty .
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game and enshrinement ceremonies were scrapped , then half the preseason shuttered .
This week , the rest of the preseason was canceled , which many fans and participants ( although not longshot undrafted rookies ) have long deemed useless .
Now the plan — with so many new details and protocols , empty stadiums and $ 75 million in coronavirus testing in the mix — is to raise the curtain with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs against the Texans on Sept. 10 .
Hopefully .
The stakes are high — as in multi-billion dollar impact .
The best-case scenario at this point is for the 32 teams to hold the fort while players undergo daily testing , the idea being that with cleared participants ( plus coaches and support staff ) testing negative for COVID-19 , they can blitz , swap sweat and pile up as desired .
According the NFLPA , 59 players league-wide had tested positive for the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the infection rate is to a larger degree as players begin reporting to camp , but even if initial results sound alarms , the decreasing test results over the past couple of weeks as the NBA and Major League Baseball have ramped up could be a good sign for the NFL .
But what if … ... there are false negatives ?
The testing to be administered by BioReference Laboratories has a 5 % error rate , according to the NFL , which is encouraging on many levels but represents a risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment of an NFL team .
Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn wasn ’ t kidding when he said recently that his biggest fear was to suddenly have an entire position wiped out on the eve of a game , due to COVID-19 .
Testing should alleviate much of the concern , but the possibility of cases slipping through the cracks underscores the need for daily tests ( unless the positivity rate after two weeks deceases below 5 % ) that could signal issues .
... the virus is contracted after a player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projected to get NFL results back ( in the general population , the timeline could be as long as 10 days ) , it ’ s conceivable a player previously cleared could become infected while away from the team , even if tested on back-to-back days .
A reliable rapid-response test , with point-of-contact results available within an hour , could provide the peace of mind .
Yet experts contend that such tests at this point have a reliability rate of about 80 % , leaving much gray area .
... a coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have said they are taking extra precautions , like possibly wearing a face shield in addition to a mask .
NFL rules say everyone in a team building must wear a mask .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said eight out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths reported in the U.S. are 65 and older .
That range includes some of the NFL 's most prominent head coaches .
The oldest is Seattle 's Pete Carroll who will turn 69 a few days after the season opener .
New England 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn 68 in October .
Perhaps the NFL will benefit from timing .
Maybe a more reliable rapid-response test will be available within weeks .
We can all also hope that a COVID-19 vaccine will be fast-tracked and widely available within months .
Like by the Super Bowl ?
Don ’ t hold your breath .
And wear a mask .
If you attend a game this season , you will be required to .
In the meantime , the NFL ’ s unusual season will try to roll on without fans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance ?
Brace yourself for that NFL cornerstone tenet to fall by the wayside as collateral damage of the pandemic , with advantages chalking up to the teams with starting units largely intact ( like the Chiefs , with 21 of 22 returning ) , coaching staffs returning and to teams with some semblance of a home crowd .
Damage , too , will obviously extend to the game-day workers and businesses near stadiums who would be shut out if there are no fans in the stands .
Are you still ready for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the field figures to be rather sloppy at the onset , to say nothing of the increased injury risk after the virtual offseason programs , scrapped preseason and truncated training camps .
It was crucial for the NFLPA to push for and receive an extended acclimation period after reporting to camp ( 18 days of stretching and conditioning ) as they seek to reduce risks from the types of injuries ( muscle tears , for instance ) that come in ramping up too quickly .
A fall without football would represent Doomsday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base .
As far as the NFL is concerned , the show must go on , somehow , some way…even if contingencies include pushing back the season , or starting , then needing to shorten the season .
Yet even if the NFL ’ s best-laid plans work , it will still be a fall without football as we ’ ve known it .

Fall Without Football: NFL doing everything it can so COVID-19 doesn't cause a shutdown
Show Caption Hide Caption It's time to start imagining a fall without football fans (in the stands) SportsPulse: While some football teams have said they will host no fans at all this fall others appear to be holding out some hope. We discuss the likely reality that football will be played this fall without any fans in attendance. USA TODAY
All this week, USA TODAY Sports will examine the possibility of a fall without football, and what that would mean in a country where the sport is king.
Ready. Set. Hut. Contingency.
The cadence of this projected NFL season, with its own sort of DEFCON 1 threat in tow, is nothing without some crucial audible calls.
Sure, training camps are set to open Tuesday, but how will it end?
The most pressing questions don’t involve the chemistry of TB12 and Gronk over 100 yards or the gravitational pull of a Patrick Mahomes throw, but rather the science of playing football in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic. Are they really going to be able to pull this off?
NFL, meet trial and error. It’s the Year of the Contingency Plan.
It would be a shame to open camps and start the season … only to shut it down.
NFL players were so right to push back on health and safety issues during labor talks with owners — and the negotiations are hardly over yet, with significant economic concerns still being discussed — which resulted in key concessions by the league involving the frequency of testing and the preseason. After all, it’s the players who will bear the brunt of the risk in playing during a pandemic, as if the risks of suffering a career-ending injury or long-term effects from concussions aren’t enough.
It’s the theme that hasn’t always worked for the NFL Players Association during other labor battles over the decades that were laced with lockouts, strikes, class-action lawsuits and replacement players, but it has sure resonated in 2020: No players, no game. No peace, no labor.
Yet it is undoubtedly a matter of joining forces to confront the common foe: COVID-19.
What an ominous warning that was recently from straight-shooting Bucs coach Bruce Arians.
"We’ve got to be careful," Arians told The Tampa Bay Times in early July. "The players, they’re all going to get sick, that’s for sure. It’s just a matter of how sick they get."
Yikes. And when it comes to Covid-19, it could be years before long-term ramifications are known.
No, it has never seemed feasible that the NFL could consider the type of "bubble" approach that the NBA has employed in Orlando to resume a season that was suspended in March.
Just don’t think the NFL isn’t operating in a bubble. It’s the USA Bubble, with the patterns, hot spots, governmental mandates (or not) and other pandemic developments in society at large shaping the NFL flow.
Already, we’ve seen a virtual draft, heard about virtual offseason workouts and rolled with anything-but-virtual uncertainty. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game and enshrinement ceremonies were scrapped, then half the preseason shuttered. This week, the rest of the preseason was canceled, which many fans and participants (although not longshot undrafted rookies) have long deemed useless.
Now the plan — with so many new details and protocols, empty stadiums and $75 million in coronavirus testing in the mix — is to raise the curtain with the opener pitting the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs against the Texans on Sept. 10. Hopefully.
The stakes are high — as in multi-billion dollar impact.
The best-case scenario at this point is for the 32 teams to hold the fort while players undergo daily testing, the idea being that with cleared participants (plus coaches and support staff) testing negative for COVID-19, they can blitz, swap sweat and pile up as desired. According the NFLPA, 59 players league-wide had tested positive for the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic through Tuesday night. We’ll see what the infection rate is to a larger degree as players begin reporting to camp, but even if initial results sound alarms, the decreasing test results over the past couple of weeks as the NBA and Major League Baseball have ramped up could be a good sign for the NFL.
But what if …
... there are false negatives? The testing to be administered by BioReference Laboratories has a 5% error rate, according to the NFL, which is encouraging on many levels but represents a risk that could wreak havoc on the insulated environment of an NFL team. Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn wasn’t kidding when he said recently that his biggest fear was to suddenly have an entire position wiped out on the eve of a game, due to COVID-19. Testing should alleviate much of the concern, but the possibility of cases slipping through the cracks underscores the need for daily tests (unless the positivity rate after two weeks deceases below 5%) that could signal issues.
... the virus is contracted after a player is tested? With a 24-hour window projected to get NFL results back (in the general population, the timeline could be as long as 10 days), it’s conceivable a player previously cleared could become infected while away from the team, even if tested on back-to-back days. A reliable rapid-response test, with point-of-contact results available within an hour, could provide the peace of mind. Yet experts contend that such tests at this point have a reliability rate of about 80%, leaving much gray area.
... a coach tests positive? Some, like Arians, have said they are taking extra precautions, like possibly wearing a face shield in addition to a mask. NFL rules say everyone in a team building must wear a mask. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said eight out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths reported in the U.S. are 65 and older. That range includes some of the NFL's most prominent head coaches. The oldest is Seattle's Pete Carroll who will turn 69 a few days after the season opener. New England's Bill Belichick is 68. Arians will turn 68 in October.
Perhaps the NFL will benefit from timing. Maybe a more reliable rapid-response test will be available within weeks. We can all also hope that a COVID-19 vaccine will be fast-tracked and widely available within months. Like by the Super Bowl? Don’t hold your breath. And wear a mask. If you attend a game this season, you will be required to.
In the meantime, the NFL’s unusual season will try to roll on without fans in the stands in some places. Competitive balance? Brace yourself for that NFL cornerstone tenet to fall by the wayside as collateral damage of the pandemic, with advantages chalking up to the teams with starting units largely intact (like the Chiefs, with 21 of 22 returning), coaching staffs returning and to teams with some semblance of a home crowd.
Damage, too, will obviously extend to the game-day workers and businesses near stadiums who would be shut out if there are no fans in the stands.
Are you still ready for some football? Well, the product on the field figures to be rather sloppy at the onset, to say nothing of the increased injury risk after the virtual offseason programs, scrapped preseason and truncated training camps. It was crucial for the NFLPA to push for and receive an extended acclimation period after reporting to camp (18 days of stretching and conditioning) as they seek to reduce risks from the types of injuries (muscle tears, for instance) that come in ramping up too quickly.
A fall without football would represent Doomsday for the NFL and its enormous fan base. As far as the NFL is concerned, the show must go on, somehow, some way…even if contingencies include pushing back the season, or starting, then needing to shorten the season.
Yet even if the NFL’s best-laid plans work, it will still be a fall without football as we’ve known it.
Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell.


usatoday--2020-07-23--Trump cancels Jacksonville portion of Republican convention planned for August due to COVID-19

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Thursday he is canceling the Jacksonville portion of the Republican National Convention that had been planned next month because of the coronavirus pandemic , a major setback in his effort to energize his struggling bid for reelection .
`` The timing for this event is not right , '' Trump told reporters at the White House during his latest briefing on the virus .
`` There 's nothing more important in our country than keeping our people safe . ''
Trump said that he would deliver remarks to formally accept his party 's nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where or when that will happen .
The abrupt decision was not only a significant blow to his campaign but also raised questions about the president 's narrative that the country is ready to reopen for business .
Trump said convention delegates will still gather in North Carolina , where the official business of the convention was set to take place , and formally nominate him for reelection .
Trump said he would announce additional plans in coming days .
`` I 'll still do a convention speech in a different form , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , crowded convention , '' Trump said .
`` I care deeply about the people of Florida and everywhere else , frankly , in this country and even in the world who would be coming into the state .
And I do n't want to do anything to upset it . ''
The explosion of coronavirus cases in Florida – the state has reported sharp increases in COVID-19 deaths – and the later-than-usual selection of Jacksonville had cast doubt on the party 's ability to convene the major event there to rally supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention organizers were looking to limit the event .
Republican officials announced last month that Trump would move the highest-profile speeches of the Republican National Convention , including his own , to Jacksonville from Charlotte after North Carolina 's Democratic governor , Roy Cooper , imposed a shelter-in-place order that could have limited the made-for-television event .
In a sign of disorder as Republicans scrambled to organize the Florida event , the Jacksonville sheriff , a Republican , raised concerns this week about a lack of funds for a four-day event , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the city .
More : 'We can ’ t support this ' Jacksonville sheriff says of convention concerns '' There can be nothing like our last convention , unfortunately , '' Trump said .
`` It 's a different world , and it will be for a little while . ''
Trump addressed reporters for the third time in as many days after announcing he would restart daily briefings on the virus that were suspended in April .
Trump has used the high-profile sessions to tout efforts to spur vaccine production , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warn that the pandemic is getting worse .
Public health officials reported Thursday that 4 million people in the U.S. had been infected with the virus and experts believe the number of cases is actually much higher .
Meanwhile , almost 150,000 people in the U.S. have died from the coronavirus .
More : U.S. hits 4 million cases of COVID-19 : A look at the milestones and setbacks Minutes before Trump walked into the briefing room , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told his colleagues that Senate Republicans have reached an agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on another round of virus-related economic stimulus .
McConnell said he expected leaders would present details early next week .
Lawmakers have been locked in negotiations for weeks over another round of economic aid .
McConnell 's announcement was incremental – the major political struggle will be fought between Senate Republicans and House Democrats – getting Republicans on the same page as the White House has been viewed as a critical first step .
On Wednesday , Trump blamed a dramatic uptick in U.S. coronavirus cases on young people who attended nationwide protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` substantial increase in travel '' and migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border , even though his own advisers have also attributed the surge to some states ' early reopenings .

John Fritze, Courtney Subramanian and Michael Collins, USA TODAY

Trump cancels Jacksonville portion of Republican convention planned for August due to COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump announces cancellation of convention rally in Florida During his briefing on COVID-19 response, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Thursday he is canceling the Jacksonville portion of the Republican National Convention that had been planned next month because of the coronavirus pandemic, a major setback in his effort to energize his struggling bid for reelection.
"The timing for this event is not right," Trump told reporters at the White House during his latest briefing on the virus. "There's nothing more important in our country than keeping our people safe."
Trump said that he would deliver remarks to formally accept his party's nomination for president but offered no detail on where or when that will happen. The abrupt decision was not only a significant blow to his campaign but also raised questions about the president's narrative that the country is ready to reopen for business.
Trump said convention delegates will still gather in North Carolina, where the official business of the convention was set to take place, and formally nominate him for reelection. Trump said he would announce additional plans in coming days.
"I'll still do a convention speech in a different form, but we won't do a big, crowded convention," Trump said. "I care deeply about the people of Florida and everywhere else, frankly, in this country and even in the world who would be coming into the state. And I don't want to do anything to upset it."
The explosion of coronavirus cases in Florida – the state has reported sharp increases in COVID-19 deaths – and the later-than-usual selection of Jacksonville had cast doubt on the party's ability to convene the major event there to rally supporters. USA TODAY reported this month that convention organizers were looking to limit the event.
More: Republicans fear coronavirus will force scaling back Trump's Florida convention
Republican officials announced last month that Trump would move the highest-profile speeches of the Republican National Convention, including his own, to Jacksonville from Charlotte after North Carolina's Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, imposed a shelter-in-place order that could have limited the made-for-television event.
In a sign of disorder as Republicans scrambled to organize the Florida event, the Jacksonville sheriff, a Republican, raised concerns this week about a lack of funds for a four-day event, which was expected to bring thousands of people to the city.
More: 'We can’t support this' Jacksonville sheriff says of convention concerns
"There can be nothing like our last convention, unfortunately," Trump said. "It's a different world, and it will be for a little while."
Trump addressed reporters for the third time in as many days after announcing he would restart daily briefings on the virus that were suspended in April. Trump has used the high-profile sessions to tout efforts to spur vaccine production, encourage the wearing of face masks and warn that the pandemic is getting worse.
Public health officials reported Thursday that 4 million people in the U.S. had been infected with the virus and experts believe the number of cases is actually much higher. Meanwhile, almost 150,000 people in the U.S. have died from the coronavirus.
More: U.S. hits 4 million cases of COVID-19: A look at the milestones and setbacks
Minutes before Trump walked into the briefing room, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told his colleagues that Senate Republicans have reached an agreement "in principle" with the administration on another round of virus-related economic stimulus. McConnell said he expected leaders would present details early next week.
Lawmakers have been locked in negotiations for weeks over another round of economic aid. McConnell's announcement was incremental – the major political struggle will be fought between Senate Republicans and House Democrats – getting Republicans on the same page as the White House has been viewed as a critical first step.
On Wednesday, Trump blamed a dramatic uptick in U.S. coronavirus cases on young people who attended nationwide protests over police brutality, summer holidays, a "substantial increase in travel" and migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, even though his own advisers have also attributed the surge to some states' early reopenings.
Contributing: Khrysgiana Pineda, Joey Garrison.