mercurynews--2020-05-05--Pulitzers: Alaska policing report takes top public service prize

NEW YORK — The Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica won the Pulitzer Prize in public service Monday for illuminating the sparse policing of remote Alaska villages , as a delayed awards ceremony recognized writing , photos and — for the first time — audio reporting on topics ranging from climate change to the legacy of slavery .
The public service winners contacted 600 village , tribal and other local governments and traveled by plane , sled and snowmobile to reveal that a third of rural Alaska communities had no local police protection , among other findings .
The “ riveting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influx of spending , the judges noted in an announcement postponed several weeks and held online because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Anchorage Daily News Editor David Hulen said the series “ called attention to some really serious problems in Alaska that have needed attention for a long time.
” “ There ’ s more to be done , ” and the paper will keep pursuing the issue , he said in a phone interview .
The New York Times won the investigative reporting prize for an expose of predatory lending in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the international reporting award for what the judges called “ enthralling stories , reported at great risk , ” about Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s government .
The Times also was awarded the commentary prize for an essay that Nikole Hannah-Jones wrote as part of the paper ’ s ambitious 1619 Project , which followed the throughlines of slavery in American life to this day .
Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet told the staff — in a virtual meeting — that this year ’ s prizes were “ particularly meaningful because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives under great difficulty even as we produce great journalism.
” The Washington Post ’ s work on global warming was recognized for explanatory reporting .
The newspaper tracked nearly 170 years of temperature records to show that 10 % of the planet ’ s surface has already exceeded a rise of 2 degrees Celsius ( 3.6 Fahrenheit ) over pre-industrial times , the threshold world leaders have agreed they ’ d try not to exceed .
While the country is now focused on the coronavirus , “ another worldwide public-health crisis is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Executive Editor Martin Baron said .
Monday ’ s awards recognized reporting last year , before the virus sparked a pandemic .
In a development that recognized how podcasting has brought new attention to reporting aimed at listeners rather than readers or viewers , a first-ever award for audio reporting went to “ This American Life , ” the Los Angeles Times and Vice News for “ The Out Crowd , ” an examination of the Trump administration ’ s “ remain in Mexico ” immigration policy .
In another prize for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the criticism award for what the judges called “ extraordinary community service by a critic ” in examining a proposal to overhaul of the L.A. County Museum of Art .
The staff of The Courier-Journal of Louisville , Kentucky , took the breaking news reporting award for unpacking racial disparities and other issues in a spate of governor ’ s pardons .
Two different projects won the national reporting award : ProPublica ’ s look at deadly accidents in the U.S. Navy and The Seattle Times ’ examination of design flaws in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ProPublica Managing Editor Robin Fields said its reporting “ laid bare the avoidance of responsibility by the military ’ s most senior leaders.
” The local reporting award went to The Baltimore Sun for shedding light on a previously undisclosed financial relationship between the mayor and the public hospital system , which she helped oversee .
The New Yorker took the feature reporting prize for Ben Taub ’ s piece on a detainee at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba .
New Yorker contributor Barry Blitt got the editorial cartooning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personalities and policies emanating from the Trump White House , ” as the judges saw it .
The Associated Press won the feature photography prize for images made during India ’ s clampdown on Kashmir , where a sweeping curfew and shutdowns of phone and internet service added to the challenges of showing the world what was happening in the region .
AP photographers Dar Yasin , Mukhtar Khan and Channi Anand snaked around roadblocks , sometimes took cover in strangers ’ homes and hid cameras in vegetable bags to capture images of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily life .
Then they headed to an airport to persuade travelers to carry the photo files out with them and get them to the AP ’ s office in New Delhi .
“ These journalists ’ courage and compelling storytelling show the absolute best of what we do , ” AP Executive Editor Sally Buzbee said .
Reuters won the breaking news photography award for its coverage of protests that shook Hong Kong .
Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler said the photos “ brilliantly captured the magnitude of the protests.
” While big outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the small Palestine Herald-Press , in East Texas , got a Pulitzer for Jeffery Gerritt ’ s editorials on the deaths of jail inmates awaiting trial .
In the arts categories , Michael R. Jackson ’ s musical “ A Strange Loop ” won the drama prize .
And Colson Whitehead ’ s “ The Nickel Boys ” won the fiction prize ; he also won in 2017 for “ The Underground Railroad.
” The Pulitzer board also issued a special citation Monday to the trailblazing African American journalist and civil rights activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her outstanding and courageous reporting ” on lynchings .
Wells was a journalist and publisher in the late 1800s and later helped found civil rights and women ’ s suffrage groups ; she died in 1931 .
The board said the citation comes with a bequest of at least $ 50,000 in support of Wells ’ mission , with recipients to be announced .
The initial Pulitzer ceremony , which had been scheduled for April 20 , was pushed to give Pulitzer Board members who were busy covering the pandemic more time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in journalism were first awarded in 1917 and are considered the field ’ s most prestigious honor in the U.S. Associated Press writer Deepti Hajela contributed to this report .

By Jennifer Peltz | Associated Press
NEW YORK — The Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica won the Pulitzer Prize in public service Monday for illuminating the sparse policing of remote Alaska villages, as a delayed awards ceremony recognized writing, photos and — for the first time — audio reporting on topics ranging from climate change to the legacy of slavery.
The public service winners contacted 600 village, tribal and other local governments and traveled by plane, sled and snowmobile to reveal that a third of rural Alaska communities had no local police protection, among other findings.
The “riveting” series spurred legislative changes and an influx of spending, the judges noted in an announcement postponed several weeks and held online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Anchorage Daily News Editor David Hulen said the series “called attention to some really serious problems in Alaska that have needed attention for a long time.”
“There’s more to be done,” and the paper will keep pursuing the issue, he said in a phone interview.
The New York Times won the investigative reporting prize for an expose of predatory lending in the New York City taxi industry and also took the international reporting award for what the judges called “enthralling stories, reported at great risk,” about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government.
The Times also was awarded the commentary prize for an essay that Nikole Hannah-Jones wrote as part of the paper’s ambitious 1619 Project, which followed the throughlines of slavery in American life to this day.
Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet told the staff — in a virtual meeting — that this year’s prizes were “particularly meaningful because they come as we are managing our lives under great difficulty even as we produce great journalism.”
The Washington Post’s work on global warming was recognized for explanatory reporting. The newspaper tracked nearly 170 years of temperature records to show that 10% of the planet’s surface has already exceeded a rise of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial times, the threshold world leaders have agreed they’d try not to exceed.
While the country is now focused on the coronavirus, “another worldwide public-health crisis is upon us” as the world warms, Executive Editor Martin Baron said.
Monday’s awards recognized reporting last year, before the virus sparked a pandemic.
In a development that recognized how podcasting has brought new attention to reporting aimed at listeners rather than readers or viewers, a first-ever award for audio reporting went to “This American Life,” the Los Angeles Times and Vice News for “The Out Crowd,” an examination of the Trump administration’s “remain in Mexico” immigration policy.
In another prize for the Los Angeles Times, Christopher Knight won the criticism award for what the judges called “extraordinary community service by a critic” in examining a proposal to overhaul of the L.A. County Museum of Art.
The staff of The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Kentucky, took the breaking news reporting award for unpacking racial disparities and other issues in a spate of governor’s pardons.
Two different projects won the national reporting award: ProPublica’s look at deadly accidents in the U.S. Navy and The Seattle Times’ examination of design flaws in the troubled Boeing 737 MAX jet.
ProPublica Managing Editor Robin Fields said its reporting “laid bare the avoidance of responsibility by the military’s most senior leaders.”
The local reporting award went to The Baltimore Sun for shedding light on a previously undisclosed financial relationship between the mayor and the public hospital system, which she helped oversee.
The New Yorker took the feature reporting prize for Ben Taub’s piece on a detainee at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. New Yorker contributor Barry Blitt got the editorial cartooning award for work that “skewers the personalities and policies emanating from the Trump White House,” as the judges saw it.
The Associated Press won the feature photography prize for images made during India’s clampdown on Kashmir, where a sweeping curfew and shutdowns of phone and internet service added to the challenges of showing the world what was happening in the region.
AP photographers Dar Yasin, Mukhtar Khan and Channi Anand snaked around roadblocks, sometimes took cover in strangers’ homes and hid cameras in vegetable bags to capture images of protests, police and paramilitary action and daily life. Then they headed to an airport to persuade travelers to carry the photo files out with them and get them to the AP’s office in New Delhi.
“These journalists’ courage and compelling storytelling show the absolute best of what we do,” AP Executive Editor Sally Buzbee said.
Reuters won the breaking news photography award for its coverage of protests that shook Hong Kong. Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler said the photos “brilliantly captured the magnitude of the protests.”
While big outlets and collaborations got plenty of recognition, the small Palestine Herald-Press, in East Texas, got a Pulitzer for Jeffery Gerritt’s editorials on the deaths of jail inmates awaiting trial.
In the arts categories, Michael R. Jackson’s musical “A Strange Loop” won the drama prize. And Colson Whitehead’s “The Nickel Boys” won the fiction prize; he also won in 2017 for “The Underground Railroad.”
The Pulitzer board also issued a special citation Monday to the trailblazing African American journalist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells, noting “her outstanding and courageous reporting” on lynchings.
Wells was a journalist and publisher in the late 1800s and later helped found civil rights and women’s suffrage groups; she died in 1931. The board said the citation comes with a bequest of at least $50,000 in support of Wells’ mission, with recipients to be announced.
The initial Pulitzer ceremony, which had been scheduled for April 20, was pushed to give Pulitzer Board members who were busy covering the pandemic more time to evaluate the finalists.
The Pulitzer Prizes in journalism were first awarded in 1917 and are considered the field’s most prestigious honor in the U.S.
Associated Press writer Deepti Hajela contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Menlo Park art gallery opens in defiance of shelter-in-place order

Weary of stay-at-home orders now in their seventh week , business owners like Katharina Powers are openly defying state and city orders to remain closed to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Saturday she opened her Art Ventures Gallery on Menlo Park ’ s main commercial strip , and is considering reopening Wednesday with limited hours and urging other galleries in the Bay Area to do the same .
“ Art galleries are essential .
Art does something that nothing else can achieve , which is that it takes us away from our current mindset and everything that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an interview on Monday .
“ People are getting desperate because they don ’ t know how long it ’ s going to take and they ’ re getting nervous .
I want people to get out of this mindset and look at art , which calms you down and gets rid of the stress.
” Powers joins a growing number of businesses deemed non-essential that are ignoring the stay-at-home orders .
Over the weekend , several Orange County restaurants also reopened including Nomads Canteen in San Clemente , an eatery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen despite statewide restrictions .
Powers ’ actions may not sit well with local officials who she said have asked her to comply with the shutdown order and not reopen .
She said she received a call Monday from Menlo Park Police Department Commander William Dixon who told her that “ to have a conversation of being open or not with an art gallery in the middle of a pandemic is ridiculous.
” Her response was simply “ wow.
” Dixon could not be reached for comment Monday .
Powers said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come off as a “ challenge against Governor Newsom and the threat of COVID-19 , ” but that she is considering opening up her gallery following phone calls , requests and emails from Menlo Park residents that she do so .
Powers said it ’ s “ very safe to look at art ” as guests aren ’ t allowed to touch the pieces and there ’ s plenty of space for people to keep a safe distance from each other .
If she re-opens , facemasks will be mandatory and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she also has set up a new one-way viewing system for the gallery so guests come in one way and leave another .
For those with health concerns , private appointments still will be taken , Powers said .
Opening nights , though , still will be conducted through video to avoid large crowds .
“ This isn ’ t meant for disrespect for those on the front lines , those that have been affected and those other companies out there that are being disrupted by the attempt to curb the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in statement .
“ This is a lesson on the sentimentality of art and the survival of art through every catastrophe that man and mother nature threw at it.
” Powers said she has already been contacted by an art gallery in Half Moon Bay and others around the Bay Area who wondered how her soft opening on Saturday went , and whether they should do the same .
About a dozen people went to the gallery on Saturday and Powers said they were “ really happy and appreciative.
” For the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was able to talk with someone about something other than the pandemic and its economic ramifications .
“ People felt so happy , ” Powers said .
“ We talked about the arts , the world wars and normal things .
That ’ s what we need.
” She said it ’ s important for other galleries to do what she ’ s doing , if only to send a message about the power of art .
Two weeks ago , Powers said she sent an email to Newsom ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ essential businesses , ” but never heard back .
Because art galleries are probably the last thing on the governor ’ s mind , Powers said she decided to take matters into her own hands and re-open her business on Saturday .
She didn ’ t ask the Menlo Park mayor or the city council , so Powers was expecting a quick reaction from local officials .
But none came until Monday .
If she ultimately decides to permanently open her gallery , it won ’ t be easy for Powers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently all at home with nothing to keep them busy but online assignments from school .
“ I have to do homeschooling while they ’ re home all the time , meals all the time , making sure the kids do homework .
It ’ s a disaster , ” Powers said .
“ It ’ s an act for me to open the gallery .
It ’ s not fun for me to do it .
It ’ s more like a service to other people to do it .
To give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is culture , so much more important than all the other stuff.
” Powers said she hopes people choose to go to her gallery if she reopens rather than the hair salon or a nail studio .
She said culture is more important .
“ We are so much more important than all the other stuff , ” Powers said .
“ Certainly more important than going to your hairdresser .
”

Weary of stay-at-home orders now in their seventh week, business owners like Katharina Powers are openly defying state and city orders to remain closed to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Saturday she opened her Art Ventures Gallery on Menlo Park’s main commercial strip and on Wednesday will reopen it with limited hours and is urging other galleries in the Bay Area to do the same.
“Art galleries are essential. Art does something that nothing else can achieve, which is that it takes us away from our current mindset and everything that’s going on,” Powers said in an interview on Monday. “People are getting desperate because they don’t know how long it’s going to take and they’re getting nervous. I want people to get out of this mindset and look at art, which calms you down and gets rid of the stress.”
Powers joins a growing number of businesses deemed non-essential that are ignoring the stay-at-home orders. Over the weekend, several Orange County restaurants also reopened including Nomads Canteen in San Clemente, an eatery leading the call for restaurants and shops to reopen despite statewide restrictions.
Powers’ actions may not sit well with local officials who she said have asked her to comply with the shutdown order and not reopen.
She said she received a call Monday from Menlo Park Police Department Commander William Dixon who told her that “to have a conversation of being open or not with an art gallery in the middle of a pandemic is ridiculous.” Her response was simply “wow.” Dixon could not be reached for comment Monday.
Powers said she didn’t mean for her actions to come off as a “challenge against Governor Newsom and the threat of COVID-19,” but that she is opening up her gallery following phone calls, requests and emails from Menlo Park residents that she do so.
Powers said it’s “very safe to look at art” as guests aren’t allowed to touch the pieces and there’s plenty of space for people to keep a safe distance from each other.
Facemasks will be mandatory and social distancing will be enforced. Powers said she also has set up a new one-way viewing system for the gallery so guests come in one way and leave another. For those with health concerns, private appointments still will be taken, Powers said.
Opening nights, though, still will be conducted through video to avoid large crowds.
“This isn’t meant for disrespect for those on the front lines, those that have been affected and those other companies out there that are being disrupted by the attempt to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus,” Powers said in statement. “This is a lesson on the sentimentality of art and the survival of art through every catastrophe that man and mother nature threw at it.”
Powers said she has already been contacted by an art gallery in Half Moon Bay and others around the Bay Area who wondered how her soft opening on Saturday went, and whether they should do the same.
About a dozen people went to the gallery on Saturday and Powers said they were “really happy and appreciative.” For the first time in several months, Powers said she was able to talk with someone about something other than the pandemic and its economic ramifications.
“People felt so happy,” Powers said. “We talked about the arts, the world wars and normal things. That’s what we need.”
She said it’s important for other galleries to do what she’s doing, if only to send a message about the power of art.
Two weeks ago, Powers said she sent an email to Newsom’s office asking him to consider making art galleries “essential businesses,” but never heard back.
Because art galleries are probably the last thing on the governor’s mind, Powers said she decided to take matters into her own hands and re-open her business on Saturday. She didn’t ask the Menlo Park mayor or the city council, so Powers was expecting a quick reaction from local officials. But none came until Monday.
Opening her gallery won’t be easy for Powers, who is a mother of four children currently all at home with nothing to keep them busy but online assignments from school.
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Powers said she hopes people choose to go to her gallery rather than the hair salon or a nail studio. She said culture is more important.
“We are so much more important than all the other stuff,” Powers said. “Certainly more important than going to your hairdresser.”


mercurynews--2020-05-04--Christie says the country will just have to accept more deaths

Former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie said Monday that the country needs to reopen , despite separate , key coronavirus models forecasting that thousands may die daily in the United States from Covid-19 and that more than 100,000 may die in total .
“ Of course , everybody wants to save every life they can — but the question is , towards what end , ultimately ?
” Christie , a Republican tapped to lead President Donald Trump ’ s presidential transition team in 2016 , told CNN ’ s Dana Bash on The Daily DC Podcast .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle here to allow that there are going to be deaths , and there are going to be deaths no matter what ?
” Christie told Bash that “ we ’ ve got to let some of these folks get back to work , because if we don ’ t , we ’ re going to destroy the American way of life in these families — and it will be years and years before we can recover.
” His comments Monday echoed similar characterizations by other Republicans — including President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is just as devastating to the nation as the virus itself .
When Bash pressed Christie on whether people would be able to accept reopening in light of news of a Trump administration model projecting a rise up to about 3,000 daily US deaths from coronavirus by June 1 , Christie responded , “ They ’ re gon na have to.
” “ We ’ re in the midst of a pandemic that we haven ’ t seen in over 100 years , ” he said .
“ And we ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” With governors facing mounting pressure mounting to reopen their states ’ economies and Trump itching to scale back on social distancing nationwide as soon as possible , more than half of states had lifted aspects of their stay-at-home orders as of Monday .
Yet , a separate influential coronavirus model often cited by the White House is now forecasting that 134,000 people will die of Covid-19 in the United States , nearly double its previous prediction .
The model , from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Monday morning .
Christie , asked Monday what his messaging would be to the American public if he sat in the Oval Office , said , “ The message is that the American people have gone through significant death before.
” He pointed to the first and second World Wars as examples of how “ we ’ ve gone through it and we ’ ve survived it .
We sacrificed those lives.
” “ We sent our young men during World War Two over to Europe , out to the Pacific , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not come home alive , ” he said , adding : “ And we decided to make that sacrifice because what we were standing up for was the American way of life .
In the very same way now , we have to stand up for the American way of life.
” The former governor lamented the “ economic devastation ” as “ equally sad , ” and told Bash that while he wasn ’ t advocating for crowded public gatherings like rock concerts or football games , “ we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I can see my own state here.
” • Coronavirus : Stanford Health Care hospitals resume almost all procedures after widespread employee testing Christie encouraged vulnerable populations to stay indoors , as “ they ’ re the ones who are gon na really swallow this burden badly , the elderly and those with respiratory diseases , depressed immune systems from cancer treatments or other things.
” “ Those folks are going to have to be even more careful than the rest of the population , ” he added .
“ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

By Caroline Kelly | CNN
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Monday that the country needs to reopen, despite separate, key coronavirus models forecasting that thousands may die daily in the United States from Covid-19 and that more than 100,000 may die in total.
“Of course, everybody wants to save every life they can — but the question is, towards what end, ultimately?” Christie, a Republican tapped to lead President Donald Trump’s presidential transition team in 2016, told CNN’s Dana Bash on The Daily DC Podcast. “Are there ways that we can… thread the middle here to allow that there are going to be deaths, and there are going to be deaths no matter what?”
Christie told Bash that “we’ve got to let some of these folks get back to work, because if we don’t, we’re going to destroy the American way of life in these families — and it will be years and years before we can recover.” His comments Monday echoed similar characterizations by other Republicans — including President Donald Trump — that the economic impact of coronavirus is just as devastating to the nation as the virus itself.
When Bash pressed Christie on whether people would be able to accept reopening in light of news of a Trump administration model projecting a rise up to about 3,000 daily US deaths from coronavirus by June 1, Christie responded, “They’re gonna have to.”
“We’re in the midst of a pandemic that we haven’t seen in over 100 years,” he said. “And we’re going to have to continue to do things.”
With governors facing mounting pressure mounting to reopen their states’ economies and Trump itching to scale back on social distancing nationwide as soon as possible, more than half of states had lifted aspects of their stay-at-home orders as of Monday.
Yet, a separate influential coronavirus model often cited by the White House is now forecasting that 134,000 people will die of Covid-19 in the United States, nearly double its previous prediction. The model, from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, had predicted 72,433 deaths as of Monday morning.
Christie, asked Monday what his messaging would be to the American public if he sat in the Oval Office, said, “The message is that the American people have gone through significant death before.” He pointed to the first and second World Wars as examples of how “we’ve gone through it and we’ve survived it. We sacrificed those lives.”
“We sent our young men during World War Two over to Europe, out to the Pacific, knowing, knowing that many of them would not come home alive,” he said, adding: “And we decided to make that sacrifice because what we were standing up for was the American way of life. In the very same way now, we have to stand up for the American way of life.”
The former governor lamented the “economic devastation” as “equally sad,” and told Bash that while he wasn’t advocating for crowded public gatherings like rock concerts or football games, “we have to let certain people get back to work because I can see my own state here.”
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“Those folks are going to have to be even more careful than the rest of the population,” he added. “I don’t know what the choice is.”


mercurynews--2020-05-04--Trump administration pushes anti-China outbreak rhetoric

By Deb Reichmann and Zeke Miller | Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is making ever louder pronouncements casting blame on China for the COVID-19 pandemic , aiming to sidestep domestic criticism of the president ’ s own response , tarnish China ’ s global reputation and give the U.S. leverage on trade and other aspects of U.S.-China competition .
President Donald Trump has vowed to penalize China for what U.S. officials have increasingly described as a pattern of deceit that denied the world precious time to prepare for the pandemic .
The opening salvo isn ’ t in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but in a one-sided accounting of China ’ s behavior that could yank the Chinese lower on the global reputation meter .
The State Department , the Department of Homeland Security and the White House have all launched public efforts in recent days to lay bare what they say is clear evidence that China tried to mask the scale of the outbreak and then refused to provide critical access to U.S. and global scientists that could have saved lives .
More than 250,000 people have died globally from COVID-19 , including more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration , a senior administration official says , is trying to convince the world that China isn ’ t playing by the same rules as everyone else , and that may be the biggest punishment for an intensely proud emerging superpower .
The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the issue and spoke only on condition of anonymity .
To that end , the administration has pushed its China criticism beyond the bounds of established evidence .
Trump and allies repeat and express confidence in an unsubstantiated theory linking the origin of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Chinese virology laboratory .
U.S. officials say they are still exploring the subject and describe the evidence as purely circumstantial .
But Trump , aides say , has embraced the notion to further highlight China ’ s lack of transparency .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told ABC ’ s “ This Week with George Stephanopoulos ” that there is “ enormous evidence ” that the virus began in the Wuhan Institute of Virology .
The institute , which is run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences , is about 8 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market that is considered a possible source for the virus .
It has done groundbreaking research tracing the likely origins of the SARS virus , finding new bat viruses and discovering how they could jump to people .
Pompeo said China has denied the U.S. and World Health Organization access to the lab .
But Trump says he has seen information that gives him a high degree of confidence that the Wuhan institute is the origin of the virus .
Asked why he has such confidence , Trump said : “ I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not allowed to tell you that.
” “ From our perspective , this remains speculative , ” WHO emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan says of the lab theory .
“ But like any evidence-based organization , we would be very willing to receive any information that purports to the origin of the virus.
” Trump ’ s ouster of more than a handful of top intelligence officials has given him an additional credibility problem when it comes to the administration ’ s pronouncements based on intelligence .
“ These purges have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence community ’ s work in key ways , ” said Mike Morell , a former acting CIA director under President Barack Obama who now hosts the “ Intelligence Matters ” podcast .
One of our institutions critical to the pursuit of the truth has a large crack in it.
” On Monday , China ’ s official Global Times newspaper said Pompeo was making “ groundless accusations ” against Beijing by suggesting the coronavirus was released from a Chinese laboratory .
The populist tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party mouthpiece People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a politically motivated attempt to preserve Trump ’ s presidency and divert attention from the U.S. administration ’ s own failures in dealing with the outbreak .
While Trump ’ s and Pompeo ’ s critical statements have been at the forefront of the administration ’ s anti-China rhetoric , U.S. government agencies , including the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security , have been compiling often publicly available information to try to support the allegations .
DHS documents , obtained by The Associated Press on Sunday and Monday , accuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope and severity of the spread of the virus in order to buy up international stocks of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies needed to combat the disease .
Although any country might be expected to purchase large quantities of materials necessary to combat a major threat to public health , the administration has sought to portray China ’ s actions as secret , irresponsible and dangerous for the rest of the world .
One such document , drawing from open source material , emphasizes reports about the disappearance of Chinese doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the response , the Chinese government ’ s alleged suppression and destruction of virus samples and closure of relevant laboratories .
It also reports on China ’ s early resistance to acknowledging human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 , the failure of authorities to immediately block domestic or international travel out of Wuhan and China ’ s opposition to calls for an international inquiry into the pandemic .
The focus on China comes as Trump ’ s own record has faced persistent scrutiny .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , told the AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by intelligence agencies about the virus on Jan 23 , and then again on Jan 28 .
Providing a rare glimpse into one of the most sensitive U.S. government practices , the highly classified presidential daily briefing , McEnany said it was only in that second briefing that Trump was told that the virus was spreading outside China .
• Italy eases lockdown as US moves to lift some restrictions Trump , she added , was told that all the deaths were still occurring inside China and that Beijing was not sharing key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to severely curtail travel to the U.S. from China .
The White House ’ s descriptions of the briefing were prepared by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence , a spokesperson said .
But reference to the coronavirus was included in at least passing mention in the written version of the intelligence briefing on Jan. 11 and Jan. 14 , according to a senior U.S. government official within the intelligence community , who said that other officials , including Defense Secretary Mark Esper , were briefed .
Officials emphasized that much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during that period was on Iran , after the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a Jan 3 U.S. drone strike and the subsequent downing of Ukrainian airliner over Tehran .
Associated Press writers James LaPorta and Matthew Lee contributed to this report .

By Deb Reichmann and Zeke Miller | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is making ever louder pronouncements casting blame on China for the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to sidestep domestic criticism of the president’s own response, tarnish China’s global reputation and give the U.S. leverage on trade and other aspects of U.S.-China competition.
President Donald Trump has vowed to penalize China for what U.S. officials have increasingly described as a pattern of deceit that denied the world precious time to prepare for the pandemic. The opening salvo isn’t in the form of tariffs or sanctions, but in a one-sided accounting of China’s behavior that could yank the Chinese lower on the global reputation meter.
The State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the White House have all launched public efforts in recent days to lay bare what they say is clear evidence that China tried to mask the scale of the outbreak and then refused to provide critical access to U.S. and global scientists that could have saved lives. More than 250,000 people have died globally from COVID-19, including more than 68,000 in the U.S.
The Trump administration, a senior administration official says, is trying to convince the world that China isn’t playing by the same rules as everyone else, and that may be the biggest punishment for an intensely proud emerging superpower. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the issue and spoke only on condition of anonymity.
To that end, the administration has pushed its China criticism beyond the bounds of established evidence.
Trump and allies repeat and express confidence in an unsubstantiated theory linking the origin of the outbreak to a possible accident at a Chinese virology laboratory. U.S. officials say they are still exploring the subject and describe the evidence as purely circumstantial. But Trump, aides say, has embraced the notion to further highlight China’s lack of transparency.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” that there is “enormous evidence” that the virus began in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The institute, which is run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is about 8 miles, or 13 kilometers, from a market that is considered a possible source for the virus. It has done groundbreaking research tracing the likely origins of the SARS virus, finding new bat viruses and discovering how they could jump to people.
Pompeo said China has denied the U.S. and World Health Organization access to the lab. But Trump says he has seen information that gives him a high degree of confidence that the Wuhan institute is the origin of the virus. Asked why he has such confidence, Trump said: “I can’t tell you that. I’m not allowed to tell you that.”
Health officials are dubious.
“From our perspective, this remains speculative,” WHO emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan says of the lab theory. “But like any evidence-based organization, we would be very willing to receive any information that purports to the origin of the virus.”
Trump’s ouster of more than a handful of top intelligence officials has given him an additional credibility problem when it comes to the administration’s pronouncements based on intelligence.
“These purges have already, I fear, politicized the intelligence community’s work in key ways,” said Mike Morell, a former acting CIA director under President Barack Obama who now hosts the “Intelligence Matters” podcast. One of our institutions critical to the pursuit of the truth has a large crack in it.”
China strongly rejects Trump’s version of events.
On Monday, China’s official Global Times newspaper said Pompeo was making “groundless accusations” against Beijing by suggesting the coronavirus was released from a Chinese laboratory.
The populist tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily said the claims were a politically motivated attempt to preserve Trump’s presidency and divert attention from the U.S. administration’s own failures in dealing with the outbreak.
While Trump’s and Pompeo’s critical statements have been at the forefront of the administration’s anti-China rhetoric, U.S. government agencies, including the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, have been compiling often publicly available information to try to support the allegations.
DHS documents, obtained by The Associated Press on Sunday and Monday, accuse the Chinese government of intentionally downplaying the scope and severity of the spread of the virus in order to buy up international stocks of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies needed to combat the disease.
Although any country might be expected to purchase large quantities of materials necessary to combat a major threat to public health, the administration has sought to portray China’s actions as secret, irresponsible and dangerous for the rest of the world.
One such document, drawing from open source material, emphasizes reports about the disappearance of Chinese doctors who raised early alarms about the virus and the response, the Chinese government’s alleged suppression and destruction of virus samples and closure of relevant laboratories.
It also reports on China’s early resistance to acknowledging human-to-human transmission of COVID-19, the failure of authorities to immediately block domestic or international travel out of Wuhan and China’s opposition to calls for an international inquiry into the pandemic.
The focus on China comes as Trump’s own record has faced persistent scrutiny. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, told the AP on Monday that Trump was first briefed by intelligence agencies about the virus on Jan 23, and then again on Jan 28.
Providing a rare glimpse into one of the most sensitive U.S. government practices, the highly classified presidential daily briefing, McEnany said it was only in that second briefing that Trump was told that the virus was spreading outside China.
Trump, she added, was told that all the deaths were still occurring inside China and that Beijing was not sharing key data. Days later, Trump moved to severely curtail travel to the U.S. from China. The White House’s descriptions of the briefing were prepared by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, a spokesperson said.
But reference to the coronavirus was included in at least passing mention in the written version of the intelligence briefing on Jan. 11 and Jan. 14, according to a senior U.S. government official within the intelligence community, who said that other officials, including Defense Secretary Mark Esper, were briefed.
Officials emphasized that much of the U.S. government’s attention during that period was on Iran, after the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a Jan 3 U.S. drone strike and the subsequent downing of Ukrainian airliner over Tehran.
Associated Press writers James LaPorta and Matthew Lee contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Top doc calls state plan to put COVID-19 patients in assisted living facilities ‘medica

Coronavirus: Top doc calls state plan to put COVID-19 patients in assisted living facilities ‘medically unsound’

Even as senior care centers have been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus — with patient and staff deaths accounting for nearly 40 percent of all COVID-19 deaths across California — the state is calling on assisted living facilities to house infected patients in exchange for money .
A letter from the state Department of Social Services sent to licensees of senior and adult care residential facilities on Friday urged them to temporarily take in patients who have tested positive for the virus — for up to $ 1,000 a day — to make room in hospitals for people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But health experts and advocates say the plan risks introducing the virus into facilities that have been spared or those already dealing with their own outbreaks .
That need continues to grow .
As of May 3 , nearly 10,000 patients and staff in long-term care facilities in the state of California have tested positive for the virus , and 926 of them have died , according to figures released by DSS , which oversees assisted living , and the California Department of Public Health , which oversees nursing homes .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandatory testing in long-term care facilities .
“ There is an urgent need to provide housing and care for adult and senior care residents that , while positive for COVID-19 , do not require hospitalization , ” the letter said .
“ In order to meet this need , the CDSS , Community Care Licensing Division ( CCLD ) , announces an opportunity for Adult and Senior Care licensees to assist in providing additional beds by entering into contracts with the State to temporarily house COVID19-positive individuals in their facility.
” Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment on the plan , but medical experts and advocates have sharply criticized the move , saying the contracts could potentially introduce the virus into facilities that have been spared or that are already dealing with their own outbreaks .
But Dr. Michael Wasserman , a geriatrician and the president of the California Association of Long Term Medicine , said , “ Any guidance from the government that opens the door to send more COVID-19 into a nursing home or assisted living facility , to me , is medically unsound.
” He pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — while they might help residents with personal care — are not required to have medical staff on site and are not equipped to deal with infection control .
“ The assisted living industry is a real estate industry — it is not a health care business , ” he said .
For facilities with six or fewer beds , often referred to as board-and-care homes , the state will pay them an “ all-inclusive rate ” of $ 1,000 per day from the date the first resident is placed under the contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fully staff the facility.
” There is no listed reimbursement rate for larger facilities , but the letter encourages them to indicate their interest via an online survey , and a representative from the state will be in touch .
Mike Dark , a staff attorney for watchdog group California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform , called the idea of moving COVID-19-positive patients to assisted living facilities “ awful and stupid.
” These facilities are lacking in protective equipment for staff , are often less prepared and “ just as vulnerable ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
The letter sent by DSS said that it prefers to send patients to places that are currently empty , have only COVID-19 positive residents or have a separate structure to separate COVID-19-positive patients from noninfected patients .
But the state didn ’ t rule out placing infected and noninfected patients in the same facility if it is “ unable to locate contracted beds in facilities that would house solely COVID-19 positive residents.
” It would be up to the licensed facility to coordinate the housing , staffing and other required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contract with the state , and staff caring for the residents under contract would not be allowed to work at other facilities .
Skilled nursing facilities have been asked to take COVID-19 positive cases , too .
After doctors and advocates objected to a March letter from the state public health department instructing nursing homes to accept the patients to make room in acute care hospitals , the department slightly modified the order .
An April 24 letter advised that nursing facilities would be expected to accept a resident who is positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility can follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) infection prevention and control recommendations for the care of COVID-19 patients , including adequate supplies of personal protective equipment.
” The facility would also have to be able to segregate the positive patients .
Wasserman said the state and county health departments are not listening to experts in geriatric medicine and that this latest letter from DSS is an example of that lack of guidance .
He said hospitals are trying to discharge patients to make room for more lucrative elective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital Association said she didn ’ t know anything about the DSS letter but that it had nothing to do with hospitals pushing for returns to elective surgeries .
“ Hospitals would never transfer a patient who needs to be hospitalized , ” said the spokesperson , Jan Emerson-Shea , in a telephone interview Monday .
“ Most people who have coronavirus don ’ t need to be hospitalized .
They ’ re not showing acute symptoms.
” The president of the California Assisted Living Association , Sally Michael , didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the association wrote in an email , “ To our knowledge , there is very limited participation in this effort to date.
” But as the virus has swept through homes such as Gordon Manor in Redwood City , where more than two dozen residents and staff members were struck with the virus and at least 10 died , Wasserman and other critics of the state ’ s contract offer say any further introduction of the virus into a facility is misguided .
“ It ’ s becoming clearer that the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred where the virus is allowed to grow unfettered , ” he said .
“ If you have a facility that has a couple of cases and you contain them … even in some cases where we ’ ve seen fairly large outbreaks and lots of good infection control is applied , we ’ re seeing better outcomes .
So , the least amount of virus you have in your facility , the better .
”

Even as senior care centers have been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus — with patient and staff deaths accounting for nearly 40 percent of all COVID-19 deaths across California — the state is calling on assisted living facilities to house infected patients in exchange for money.
A letter from the state Department of Social Services sent to licensees of senior and adult care residential facilities on Friday urged them to temporarily take in patients who have tested positive for the virus — for up to $1,000 a day — to make room in hospitals for people who become critically ill and require acute care.
But health experts and advocates say the plan risks introducing the virus into facilities that have been spared or those already dealing with their own outbreaks.
That need continues to grow. As of May 3, nearly 10,000 patients and staff in long-term care facilities in the state of California have tested positive for the virus, and 926 of them have died, according to figures released by DSS, which oversees assisted living, and the California Department of Public Health, which oversees nursing homes. So far, the state has not ordered mandatory testing in long-term care facilities.
“There is an urgent need to provide housing and care for adult and senior care residents that, while positive for COVID-19, do not require hospitalization,” the letter said. “In order to meet this need, the CDSS, Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), announces an opportunity for Adult and Senior Care licensees to assist in providing additional beds by entering into contracts with the State to temporarily house COVID19-positive individuals in their facility.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office declined to comment on the plan, instead deferring questions to DSS. But medical experts and advocates have sharply criticized the move, saying the contracts could potentially introduce the virus into facilities that have been spared or that are already dealing with their own outbreaks.
But Dr. Michael Wasserman, a geriatrician and the president of the California Association of Long Term Medicine, said, “Any guidance from the government that opens the door to send more COVID-19 into a nursing home or assisted living facility, to me, is medically unsound.”
He pointed out that assisted and independent living facilities — while they might help residents with personal care — are not required to have medical staff on site and are not equipped to deal with infection control.
“The assisted living industry is a real estate industry — it is not a health care business,” he said.
For facilities with six or fewer beds, often referred to as board-and-care homes, the state will pay them an “all-inclusive rate” of $1,000 per day from the date the first resident is placed under the contract, “in recognition of the need to fully staff the facility.” There is no listed reimbursement rate for larger facilities, but the letter encourages them to indicate their interest via an online survey, and a representative from the state will be in touch.
Mike Dark, a staff attorney for watchdog group California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, called the idea of moving COVID-19-positive patients to assisted living facilities “awful and stupid.”
These facilities are lacking in protective equipment for staff, are often less prepared and “just as vulnerable” as residents in skilled nursing facilities, he said.
The letter sent by DSS said that it prefers to send patients to places that are currently empty, have only COVID-19 positive residents or have a separate structure to separate COVID-19-positive patients from noninfected patients. But the state didn’t rule out placing infected and noninfected patients in the same facility if it is “unable to locate contracted beds in facilities that would house solely COVID-19 positive residents.”
It would be up to the licensed facility to coordinate the housing, staffing and other required services to care for the residents under the contract with the state, and staff caring for the residents under contract would not be allowed to work at other facilities.
Skilled nursing facilities have been asked to take COVID-19 positive cases, too. After doctors and advocates objected to a March letter from the state public health department instructing nursing homes to accept the patients to make room in acute care hospitals, the department slightly modified the order. An April 24 letter advised that nursing facilities would be expected to accept a resident who is positive for COVID-19 “as long as the facility can follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection prevention and control recommendations for the care of COVID-19 patients, including adequate supplies of personal protective equipment.” The facility would also have to be able to segregate the positive patients.
Wasserman said the state and county health departments are not listening to experts in geriatric medicine and that this latest letter from DSS is an example of that lack of guidance. He said hospitals are trying to discharge patients to make room for more lucrative elective surgeries.
A spokesperson for the California Hospital Association said she didn’t know anything about the DSS letter but that it had nothing to do with hospitals pushing for returns to elective surgeries.
“Hospitals would never transfer a patient who needs to be hospitalized,” said the spokesperson, Jan Emerson-Shea, in a telephone interview Monday. “Most people who have coronavirus don’t need to be hospitalized. They’re not showing acute symptoms.”
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The president of the California Assisted Living Association, Sally Michael, didn’t return a message Monday. A spokesperson for the association wrote in an email, “To our knowledge, there is very limited participation in this effort to date.”
But as the virus has swept through homes such as Gordon Manor in Redwood City, where more than two dozen residents and staff members were struck with the virus and at least 10 died, Wasserman and other critics of the state’s contract offer say any further introduction of the virus into a facility is misguided.
“It’s becoming clearer that the worst outbreaks — the worst situations — have occurred where the virus is allowed to grow unfettered,” he said. “If you have a facility that has a couple of cases and you contain them … even in some cases where we’ve seen fairly large outbreaks and lots of good infection control is applied, we’re seeing better outcomes. So, the least amount of virus you have in your facility, the better.”
Please help us shed light on senior care by providing details by scrolling down and filling out the form below or email us at seniorcareinquiries@bayareanewsgroup.com. Your information will reach reporters who are covering the impact coronavirus is having on nursing homes and assisted living facilities. You can also leave a phone message at 510-208-6458. Thank you for your help.


mercurynews--2020-05-04--Critter Corner: Spaying and neutering a new pet is a high priority

Dear Miss Behavin ’ : I recently adopted a stray cat .
I heard that spaying a cat could change their personality .
I also think it would be cute for her to have kittens so I can play with them .
What should I do ?
A. Spaying and neutering your pets is one of the most important things you can do for them and an important part of responsible pet ownership .
It not only helps your pet but your community as well .
Every spring shelters are over-run with kittens from cats that are not spayed or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipped with volunteers or a kitten nursery , stray kittens will be euthanized since they require round the clock care .
Every year nationwide 6.5 million animals are euthanized in shelters .
By spaying your cat , you will be saving lives !
There are health benefits as well .
Fixing your animal can reduce or eliminate the risk of several cancers .
Giving birth is not easy – it will eliminate any complications and pain your cat would have to go through during pregnancy and birth .
There is also no guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes for the kittens .
While the average litter size for a cat is four kittens , cats can have up to twelve !
You will also only see positive behavioral changes after a cat is spayed/neutered .
It reduces the tendency to roam and fight with other cats .
Depending on the age of they were neutered , male cats will not spray .
Overall , fixing your cat is one of the best things you can do for them .
It will save many cat lives down the road and keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local shelter is a great way to get your kitten fix .
Spay your cat and she will thank you !
Alex Elias is the Assistant for the Behavior and Training Department at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA .
For more information , visit www.PHS-SPCA.org , call 650-340-7022 , ext .
416 , or e-mail aelias @ phs-spca.org .

Dear Miss Behavin’: I recently adopted a stray cat. I heard that spaying a cat could change their personality. I also think it would be cute for her to have kittens so I can play with them. What should I do?
A. Spaying and neutering your pets is one of the most important things you can do for them and an important part of responsible pet ownership. It not only helps your pet but your community as well. Every spring shelters are over-run with kittens from cats that are not spayed or neutered. If a shelter is not equipped with volunteers or a kitten nursery, stray kittens will be euthanized since they require round the clock care. Every year nationwide 6.5 million animals are euthanized in shelters. By spaying your cat, you will be saving lives! There are health benefits as well. Fixing your animal can reduce or eliminate the risk of several cancers. Giving birth is not easy – it will eliminate any complications and pain your cat would have to go through during pregnancy and birth.
There is also no guarantee you would be able to find forever homes for the kittens. While the average litter size for a cat is four kittens, cats can have up to twelve! You will also only see positive behavioral changes after a cat is spayed/neutered. It reduces the tendency to roam and fight with other cats. Depending on the age of they were neutered, male cats will not spray.
Overall, fixing your cat is one of the best things you can do for them. It will save many cat lives down the road and keep them out of shelters. Volunteering at a local shelter is a great way to get your kitten fix. Spay your cat and she will thank you!
Alex Elias is the Assistant for the Behavior and Training Department at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. For more information, visit www.PHS-SPCA.org, call 650-340-7022, ext. 416, or e-mail aelias@phs-spca.org.


mercurynews--2020-05-04--Person hit, killed by Caltrain in Redwood City

REDWOOD CITY – A person was hit and killed by a Caltrain in Redwood City on Monday afternoon , officials @ @ @ @ @ which involved southbound train no .
156 , was reported at the Main Street crossing @ @ @ @ @ City station , said Caltrain spokesman Alex Eisenhart .
Eisenhart said no injuries were reported @ @ @ @ @ four passengers .
All trains were stopped in the area .
The northbound track was @ @ @ @ @ speed restriction of 10 mph in the area , Eisenhart said .
Delays up to @ @ @ @ @ The death marks Caltrain ’ s third fatality of the year .

REDWOOD CITY – A person was hit and killed by a Caltrain in Redwood City on Monday afternoon, officials said.
The collision, which involved southbound train no. 156, was reported at the Main Street crossing just south of the Redwood City station, said Caltrain spokesman Alex Eisenhart.
Eisenhart said no injuries were reported among the train’s four passengers.
All trains were briefly stopped in the area. About 4:25 p.m., the northbound track was cleared for movement with a speed restriction of 10 mph, and trains were single-tracking through the area as of 5:30 p.m. Delays up to an hour were anticipated.
The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office will release the person’s identity once it has been confirmed and their next of kin is notified. The death marks Caltrain’s third fatality of the year.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Stanford Health Care hospitals resume almost all procedures after widespread employee t

Coronavirus: Stanford Health Care hospitals resume almost all procedures after widespread employee testing

STANFORD — Previously delayed surgeries , diagnostic tests and other procedures at Stanford Health Care hospitals resumed on Monday after the system tested over 11,000 of its 14,000 employees .
The university health care system announced on Tuesday that 99.7 percent of employees without symptoms tested negative following a decision to provide COVID-19 exams for all patient-facing workers .
Officials say 0.3 percent of those without symptoms did test positive , though there have not been any recorded transmissions of the coronavirus between patients and health care workers .
Given the low rate of infection and safety measures that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials decided to start treating patients who have been waiting weeks for care .
“ Stanford Medicine prepared for the worst , and now we ’ re ready to resume much of what was put on pause during this health crisis , ” said David Entwistle , president and CEO of Stanford Health Care .
“ We have planned for this recovery and restoration , and I ’ m confident that we can hit the ground running.
” Stanford Medicine halted nonemergency procedures on March 13 in an effort to prepare for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , Stanford Hospital , Stanford ValleyCare and Stanford Children ’ s Health have been treating coronavirus patients and those with needs that could not wait more than 30 days .
Other clinics and hospitals in the health system were serving only patients with urgent needs .
But the surge of patients never arrived .
Now Stanford Health officials are looking to the future and toward a return to normalcy .
Last week , Stanford Health Care staff started rescheduling patient procedures , and this week procedure rooms will operate at about 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and administrative director of operations Amy Semple said she expects to be 100 percent within about three weeks .
She said all operations except cosmetic ones have resumed or are planned to resume .
“ With all the cases that have been waiting , it shouldn ’ t take long before we ’ re back to normal , ” she said .

STANFORD — Previously delayed surgeries, diagnostic tests and other procedures at Stanford Health Care hospitals resumed on Monday after the system tested over 11,000 of its 14,000 employees.
The university health care system announced on Tuesday that 99.7 percent of employees without symptoms tested negative following a decision to provide COVID-19 exams for all patient-facing workers.
Officials say 0.3 percent of those without symptoms did test positive, though there have not been any recorded transmissions of the coronavirus between patients and health care workers.
Given the low rate of infection and safety measures that the hospital system has put in place, officials decided to start treating patients who have been waiting weeks for care.
“Stanford Medicine prepared for the worst, and now we’re ready to resume much of what was put on pause during this health crisis,” said David Entwistle, president and CEO of Stanford Health Care. “We have planned for this recovery and restoration, and I’m confident that we can hit the ground running.”
Stanford Medicine halted nonemergency procedures on March 13 in an effort to prepare for a possible flood of COVID-19 patients. Since then, Stanford Hospital, Stanford ValleyCare and Stanford Children’s Health have been treating coronavirus patients and those with needs that could not wait more than 30 days. Other clinics and hospitals in the health system were serving only patients with urgent needs.
But the surge of patients never arrived.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Now Stanford Health officials are looking to the future and toward a return to normalcy. Last week, Stanford Health Care staff started rescheduling patient procedures, and this week procedure rooms will operate at about 50 to 60 percent capacity.
Registered Nurse and administrative director of operations Amy Semple said she expects to be 100 percent within about three weeks. She said all operations except cosmetic ones have resumed or are planned to resume.
“With all the cases that have been waiting, it shouldn’t take long before we’re back to normal,” she said.


mercurynews--2020-05-04--Ghost Ship fire defendant Derick Almena released from jail amid coronavirus concerns

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
DUBLIN — The man accused of 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of three dozen who perished in the Ghost Ship fire in 2016 was released from custody Monday afternoon .
Derick Almena , 50 , was granted his release by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson after a teleconference hearing Monday .
Around 3:45 p.m. , he was no longer in custody , according to jail records .
Almena had posted a $ 150,000 bail bond last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while he awaits his trial needed to be approved by the court before he was released .
That address was verified Monday .
Almena was released to the city of Upper Lake , in Lake County , where his wife and children currently live .
Almena is to remain on an electronic ankle monitor and shelter in place during his release .
He is also to have no contact with any of the victims ’ family members or witnesses .
He can not leave the home for any reason unless given written approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send him back into custody .
Almena is facing a retrial for his role in the Dec. 2 , 2016 , blaze , which killed 36 people , including one tenant who lived at the Fruitvale district warehouse with about 20 others .
Almena was the master tenant who signed the lease in 2013 with the understanding the building would only be used as an art collective .
But he rented out the living space in the warehouse to others , and the prosecution alleged , allowed it to be filled to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other items .
The warehouse also was used for dance parties , much like the one on Dec. 2 , 2016 , that was taking place when the fire broke out .
The fire spread so quickly that most of those on the second floor where the gathering was being held , were trapped and unable to escape the flames and smoke .
David Gregory , whose daughter Michela Angelina Gregory was one of the 36 who perished in the fire , said his family is serving a life sentence waiting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fire on Dec. 2 , 2016 .
“ It ’ s been super stressful for me and my family , and we just want justice and some kind of closure , if that is even possible , ” he said to this news organization on Friday .
Colleen Dolan , the mother of Chelsea Faith Dolan , who also died in the fire , was adamant in October that Almena should remain in custody .
She told the press after a judge denied lowering Almena ’ s bail at that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he were ever released .
“ I fully believe he would flee with his family , ” she said .
“ I would personally like to see him stay , and be held accountable.
” Last month , Judge Thompson agreed to reduce Almena ’ s bail amount from $ 750,000 to $ 150,000 after Almena ’ s attorneys argued that the 50-year-old was vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 virus inside the Dublin jail .
Almena and former Ghost Ship tenant Max Harris were arrested in June 2017 , and each was charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In September , a jury acquitted Harris of all 36 counts but deadlocked 10-2 in favor of guilt for Almena .
Following the verdict , Harris was released from Santa Rita Jail and is now living in Oregon .
Last month , one of Almena ’ s defense attorneys , Vincent Barrientos , told this news organization that a jail doctor who examined Almena determined his health had deteriorated during his time in Santa Rita .
The attorney said that “ should a COVID outbreak occur in there , Almena would be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 36 inmates at Santa Rita have been infected with the virus .
The jail has released about 900 other inmates since the shelter in place order went into effect March 17 and the current population is down to 1,773 from the daily average of 2,600 .
• San Jose police : ‘ Chaotic ’ scene with fatal stabbing and attacker being shot and killed by officers The Alameda County District Attorney ’ s office and Almena ’ s defense attorneys are not able to comment on the case because of a gag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The trial is expected to begin on July 6 .
The next hearing will be held on May 22 .

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
DUBLIN — Derick Almena — accused of 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of three dozen people who perished in the Ghost Ship fire in 2016 — was released from custody Monday afternoon.
Almena, 50, was granted his release by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson after a teleconference hearing Monday. Around 3:45 p.m., he was no longer in custody, according to jail records.
Almena had posted a $150,000 bail bond last month, but his address where he would live while he awaits his trial needed to be approved by the court before he was released. That address was verified Monday.
Almena was released to the city of Upper Lake, in Lake County, where his wife and children currently live. Almena is to remain on an electronic ankle monitor and shelter in place during his release.
He is also to have no contact with any of the victims’ family members or witnesses. He cannot leave the home for any reason unless given written approval by the court; any violation can send him back into custody.
Almena is facing a retrial for his role in the Dec. 2, 2016, blaze, which killed 36 people, including one tenant who lived at the Fruitvale district warehouse with about 20 others. Almena was the master tenant who signed the lease in 2013 with the understanding the building would only be used as an art collective. But he rented out the living space in the warehouse to others, the prosecution alleged, and allowed it to be filled to the brim with art, furniture, pianos and other items. The warehouse also was used for dance parties, much like the one on Dec. 2, 2016, that was taking place when the fire broke out. The fire spread so quickly that most of those on the second floor where the gathering was being held, were trapped and unable to escape the flames and smoke.
David Gregory, whose daughter Michela Angelina Gregory was one of the 36 who perished in the fire, said his family is serving a life sentence waiting for justice to be served since the night of the fire on Dec. 2, 2016.
“It’s been super stressful for me and my family, and we just want justice and some kind of closure, if that is even possible,” he said to this news organization on Friday.
Colleen Dolan, the mother of Chelsea Faith Dolan, who also died in the fire, was adamant in October that Almena should remain in custody. She told the press after a judge denied lowering Almena’s bail at that time that he would be a flight risk if he were ever released.
“I fully believe he would flee with his family,” she said. “I would personally like to see him stay, and be held accountable.”
Last month, Judge Thompson agreed to reduce Almena’s bail amount from $750,000 to $150,000 after Almena’s attorneys argued that the 50-year-old was vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 virus inside the Dublin jail.
Almena and former Ghost Ship tenant Max Harris were arrested in June 2017, and each was charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter. In September, a jury acquitted Harris of all 36 counts but deadlocked 10-2 in favor of guilt for Almena. Following the verdict, Harris was released from Santa Rita Jail and is now living in Oregon.
Last month, one of Almena’s defense attorneys, Vincent Barrientos, told this news organization that a jail doctor who examined Almena determined his health had deteriorated during his time in Santa Rita. The attorney said that “should a COVID outbreak occur in there, Almena would be in serious trouble.” Since then, at least 36 inmates at Santa Rita have been infected with the virus. The jail has released about 900 other inmates since the shelter in place order went into effect March 17 and the current population is down to 1,773 from the daily average of 2,600.
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The trial is expected to begin on July 6. The next hearing will be held on May 22.


mercurynews--2020-05-05--Letter: Kudos to Walnut Creek for celebrating diversity

Re : “ Walnut Creek shouldn ’ t honor any controversial lifestyle ” ( Letter to the editor , Eastbaytimes.com , May 1 ) : Responding to a recent letter to the editor , I wish to address a misunderstanding about the pride flag .
The meaning of the flag is as follows : Red stands for life – our individual existence is both meaningful and valuable .
Orange stands for healing – we restore one another through community .
Yellow stands for sunshine – we should never hide our true selves in darkness .
Green stands for nature – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Blue stands for harmony – we can coexist in peace with one another .
Purple stands for spirit – we are defined by our unique selves .
Together , the pride flag is a symbol of love , community and inclusion .
• Letter : We must learn from the tragedy of Vietnam War • Letter : If Biden ’ s not better than Trump , buy a burial plot • Letter : My best friend has been homeless for three years • Letter : Trump ’ s Lysol advice is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not Congratulations to the residents of Walnut Creek for electing a City Council that sees your individual worth and collective value , celebrates your diversity and believes in unifying symbols rooted in love and inclusion .
Love will always prevail .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Re: “Walnut Creek shouldn’t honor any controversial lifestyle” (Letter to the editor, Eastbaytimes.com, May 1):
Responding to a recent letter to the editor, I wish to address a misunderstanding about the pride flag.
The meaning of the flag is as follows: Red stands for life – our individual existence is both meaningful and valuable. Orange stands for healing – we restore one another through community. Yellow stands for sunshine – we should never hide our true selves in darkness. Green stands for nature – we share one world as our common home. Blue stands for harmony – we can coexist in peace with one another. Purple stands for spirit – we are defined by our unique selves.
Together, the pride flag is a symbol of love, community and inclusion.
Related Articles Letters to the Editor | Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Congratulations to the residents of Walnut Creek for electing a City Council that sees your individual worth and collective value, celebrates your diversity and believes in unifying symbols rooted in love and inclusion. Love will always prevail.
John Bauters
Councilmember
City of Emeryville
Vice President
East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club
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mercurynews--2020-05-05--Letter: We must learn from the tragedy of Vietnam War

The Vietnam War ended on April 30 , 1975 .
Over 3 million Vietnamese were killed .
Over 58,000 Americans died .
What lessons have we learned from the Vietnam War ?
Since the end of the war , Vietnamese-Americans have referred to April 30 as “ Ngay Giai Phong ” ( Day of Liberation ) , “ Ngay Mat Nuoc ” ( The Day We Lost Our Country ) and “ Ngay Thong Nhat ” ( Day of Reunification ) .
• Letter : If Biden ’ s not better than Trump , buy a burial plot • Letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for three years • Letter : Trump ’ s Lysol advice is toxic , whether he ’ s serious or not • Letter : Pizarro again captures the spirit of San Jose Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. , condemned the U.S. war in Vietnam and its slaughter of Vietnamese children , women , and men and called for the immediate halt of U.S. bombings , a negotiated peace settlement and the end of the war .
The Vietnam War is a monumental tragedy that we must learn from .
My Lai Massacre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Napalm .
B-52 bombers .
Yet , Vietnam and the Vietnamese people prevailed .
It is in the mind , heart , and soul of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people to be free .
May Vietnam enjoy everlasting peace .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

The Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975. Over 3 million Vietnamese were killed. Over 58,000 Americans died.
What lessons have we learned from the Vietnam War? Since the end of the war, Vietnamese-Americans have referred to April 30 as “Ngay Giai Phong” (Day of Liberation), “Ngay Mat Nuoc” (The Day We Lost Our Country) and “Ngay Thong Nhat” (Day of Reunification).
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., condemned the U.S. war in Vietnam and its slaughter of Vietnamese children, women, and men and called for the immediate halt of U.S. bombings, a negotiated peace settlement and the end of the war.
The Vietnam War is a monumental tragedy that we must learn from. My Lai Massacre. War Crimes. Agent Orange. Napalm. B-52 bombers. Yet, Vietnam and the Vietnamese people prevailed.
It is in the mind, heart, and soul of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people to be free. May Vietnam enjoy everlasting peace.
Anh Lê
San Francisco
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mercurynews--2020-05-05--Letter: If Biden’s not better than Trump, buy a burial plot

Your April 28 editorial column titled “ Clendaniel : COVID-19 forcing U.S. to re-think national security ” ( Mercurynews.com ) is quite right .
America does need to re-think national security .
It should not have taken this pandemic to spur the investment of far more money in forestalling viral outbreaks ; they have been killing humans throughout recorded history .
Indeed , many scientists are now calling the virus that causes COVID-19 “ SARS-Cov-2.
” SARS came from horseshoe bats via a virus experiment lab in China in 2002 .
The current virus is killing 6.4 % of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 1 million cases and 63,000 deaths ) .
Most of the deaths are excruciating .
Without more testing , we can not know how bad it could get — 300 million cases might lead to 15 million breathtakingly horrible deaths .
And there are thousands of viruses in animals that could kill humans — perhaps with even more efficiency .
• Letter : We must learn from the tragedy of Vietnam War • Letter : My best friend has been homeless for three years • Letter : Trump ’ s Lysol advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious or not If Joe Biden is not better prepared than has been Donald Trump , buy yourself a burial plot while you still can .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Your April 28 editorial column titled “Clendaniel: COVID-19 forcing U.S. to re-think national security” (Mercurynews.com) is quite right. America does need to re-think national security.
It should not have taken this pandemic to spur the investment of far more money in forestalling viral outbreaks; they have been killing humans throughout recorded history. Indeed, many scientists are now calling the virus that causes COVID-19 “SARS-Cov-2.”
SARS came from horseshoe bats via a virus experiment lab in China in 2002.
The current virus is killing 6.4% of those infected worldwide (nationwide there have been about 1 million cases and 63,000 deaths). Most of the deaths are excruciating.
Without more testing, we cannot know how bad it could get — 300 million cases might lead to 15 million breathtakingly horrible deaths. And there are thousands of viruses in animals that could kill humans — perhaps with even more efficiency.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps If Joe Biden is not better prepared than has been Donald Trump, buy yourself a burial plot while you still can.
Gary Wesley
Mountain View
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mercurynews--2020-05-05--Word Game: May 5, 2020

Word Game: May 5, 2020

Can you find 25 or more words in RETRORSE ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — RETRORSE (RETRORSE: rih-TRORS: Turned back or down.)
Average mark 18 words
Time limit 30 minutes
Can you find 25 or more words in RETRORSE? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — NAPERY nape nary neap near aery aper pane pare payer
pear pray prey pyre earn rape reap repay yare yarn year yearn
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-05-05--Horoscopes May 5, 2020: Adele, you’ll gain acclaim for your actions.

Happy Birthday : How you pitch in and help will make a difference that will influence your reputation and ability to advance .
Reach out and do whatever it takes to support and encourage those who share your beliefs and values .
Don ’ t let uncertainty stand between you and being a part of the solution .
You ’ ll gain acclaim for your actions .
Personal gain is within reach .
Your numbers are 7 , 16 , 22 , 27 , 31 , 35 , 43 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Speak openly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you want to do .
Good intentions , coupled with high energy , discipline and devotion , will help you achieve what you set out to do .
Romance is on the rise .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Observation will help you make a better decision .
Don ’ t trust someone to contribute while under pressure .
Look for alternatives , and consider doing your own thing .
An option that will help you change your direction is favored .
3 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard and be proud of what you achieve .
Personal gain is within reach if you step up and take over .
Offer suggestions , but don ’ t take on someone ’ s responsibilities .
A makeover or updating your image will lift your spirits .
5 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Try something new or unfamiliar .
The experience you gain will help you make changes that will improve your life .
Don ’ t let your emotions stand between you and what you deserve .
Being forward-thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to better health .
2 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : The opposition you face or the changes others are making will leave you questioning whether you are doing the right thing .
Take a moment to consider the consequences and how your decisions will affect others .
Personal gain is apparent .
4 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Learn from experience .
Information is power , and talking to an expert will point you in the right direction .
Branch out , and you ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you realize .
Take physical action , and do the best job possible .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Making recommendations and physically taking over and doing the work yourself are not the same .
How much you accomplish and the rewards and results you receive will be directly linked to what ’ s tangible .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : You ’ ll face issues you should have addressed in the past .
Don ’ t linger over something that is standing in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary changes , and keep moving forward .
Anger and revenge are wastes of time .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Adventure , excitement and participation will encourage new beginnings .
Don ’ t let anyone interfere in your personal life or stop you from doing things you enjoy .
You are in charge of your happiness , so follow your heart , and proceed with confidence .
4 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : The changes you make at home should be well-thought-out and executed personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in someone else ’ s hands .
Don ’ t let emotions infiltrate your professional action .
Stick to the script , and finish what you start .
2 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Use your skills to put your ideas in motion .
A change at home will be good for the soul and encourage you to plan for the future .
Turn a talent you have into a lucrative sideline .
Romance is encouraged .
5 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Make an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the times , and adjust to whatever is trending .
A responsible attitude , coupled with a desire to make your life better , will bring about positive change .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are stubborn , proactive and reliable .
You are competitive and commanding .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Adele, 32; Henry Cavill, 36; Danielle Fishel, 39; Tina Yothers, 47.
Happy Birthday: How you pitch in and help will make a difference that will influence your reputation and ability to advance. Reach out and do whatever it takes to support and encourage those who share your beliefs and values. Don’t let uncertainty stand between you and being a part of the solution. You’ll gain acclaim for your actions. Personal gain is within reach. Your numbers are 7, 16, 22, 27, 31, 35, 43.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Speak openly, share your feelings and be demonstrative about what you want to do. Good intentions, coupled with high energy, discipline and devotion, will help you achieve what you set out to do. Romance is on the rise. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Observation will help you make a better decision. Don’t trust someone to contribute while under pressure. Look for alternatives, and consider doing your own thing. An option that will help you change your direction is favored. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Work hard, play hard and be proud of what you achieve. Personal gain is within reach if you step up and take over. Offer suggestions, but don’t take on someone’s responsibilities. A makeover or updating your image will lift your spirits. 5 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Try something new or unfamiliar. The experience you gain will help you make changes that will improve your life. Don’t let your emotions stand between you and what you deserve. Being forward-thinking will be required. Physical activity will lead to better health. 2 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The opposition you face or the changes others are making will leave you questioning whether you are doing the right thing. Take a moment to consider the consequences and how your decisions will affect others. Personal gain is apparent. 4 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Learn from experience. Information is power, and talking to an expert will point you in the right direction. Branch out, and you’ll discover you have more to offer than you realize. Take physical action, and do the best job possible. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Making recommendations and physically taking over and doing the work yourself are not the same. How much you accomplish and the rewards and results you receive will be directly linked to what’s tangible. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll face issues you should have addressed in the past. Don’t linger over something that is standing in the way of your progress. Make the necessary changes, and keep moving forward. Anger and revenge are wastes of time. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Adventure, excitement and participation will encourage new beginnings. Don’t let anyone interfere in your personal life or stop you from doing things you enjoy. You are in charge of your happiness, so follow your heart, and proceed with confidence. 4 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The changes you make at home should be well-thought-out and executed personally. Don’t leave sensitive matters in someone else’s hands. Don’t let emotions infiltrate your professional action. Stick to the script, and finish what you start. 2 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Use your skills to put your ideas in motion. A change at home will be good for the soul and encourage you to plan for the future. Turn a talent you have into a lucrative sideline. Romance is encouraged. 5 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Make an effort to use your skills uniquely. Keep up with the times, and adjust to whatever is trending. A responsible attitude, coupled with a desire to make your life better, will bring about positive change. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are stubborn, proactive and reliable. You are competitive and commanding.
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