mercurynews--2020-05-16--Coronavirus: Alameda County has most new cases in the Bay Area

For the fourth day in a row , Alameda County reported the most new COVID-19 cases in the Bay Area , reporting 51 cases for a total of 2,351 and one new death for a total of 83 fatalities .
Alameda County has about 141 cases and 5 deaths for every 100,000 residents , although that varies significantly by race .
Black Alameda County residents had disproportionally high death rates , with 9.6 deaths for every 100,000 residents compared to death rates of 5.3 for Latinos , 5.1 for white residents and 2.7 for Asian residents .
The county also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which reported 15 new cases on Saturday and a total of 2,418 cases , for the most COVID-19 cases in the Bay Area .
Santa Clara County ’ s 135 COVID-19 fatalities are still the most in the region , and it has 122 cases and 1.6 deaths for every 100,000 residents .
• Graduation Day in the coronavirus era : ‘ Anticlimactic ’ but still an accomplishment at Cal • Charges dropped against Florida pastor who held church services despite stay-at-home orders • Inside Rikers Island jails , ‘ the epicenter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic • Letter : Continuing the lockdown is all about defeating Trump San Francisco County reported 28 new cases for a total of 2,054 and no new deaths , staying at 36 COVID-19 fatalities .
The county has 232 cases and 4.1 deaths for every 100,000 residents .
Men represent 59 percent of cases , while women account for 39 percent .
San Mateo County reported 27 cases for a total of 1,602 , and it also did not report any additional deaths , staying at 66 fatalities .
The county has 207 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents .
At 44 percent , whites make up the majority of cases , followed by Asians and Hispanics .
There are more cases in women ( 850 ) than men ( 752 ) .
Contra Costa County , which has the fewest cases and deaths in the five-county Bay Area , reported 21 new cases for a total of 1,121 and no new deaths for a total of 33 .
The county has 97 cases and 2.9 deaths for every 100,000 residents .
Contra Costa and Santa Clara are the only Bay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move towards a Phase 2 reopening , which would allow for curbside pickup from retail stores , opening some offices that can ’ t work remotely and more .
Contra Costa did announce they are allowing some gatherings as long as everyone stays inside their car .

For the fourth day in a row, Alameda County reported the most new COVID-19 cases in the Bay Area, reporting 51 cases for a total of 2,351 and one new death for a total of 83 fatalities.
Alameda County has about 141 cases and 5 deaths for every 100,000 residents, although that varies significantly by race. Black Alameda County residents had disproportionally high death rates, with 9.6 deaths for every 100,000 residents compared to death rates of 5.3 for Latinos, 5.1 for white residents and 2.7 for Asian residents.
The county also moved closer to surpassing Santa Clara County, which reported 15 new cases on Saturday and a total of 2,418 cases, for the most COVID-19 cases in the Bay Area. Santa Clara County’s 135 COVID-19 fatalities are still the most in the region, and it has 122.9 cases and 6.9 deaths for every 100,000 residents.
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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 San Francisco County reported 28 new cases for a total of 2,054 and no new deaths, staying at 36 COVID-19 fatalities. The county has 232 cases and 4.1 deaths for every 100,000 residents. Men represent 59 percent of cases, while women account for 39 percent.
San Mateo County reported 27 cases for a total of 1,602, and it also did not report any additional deaths, staying at 66 fatalities. The county has 207 cases and 8.5 deaths for every 100,000 residents. At 44 percent, whites make up the majority of cases, followed by Asians and Hispanics. There are more cases in women (850) than men (752).
Contra Costa County, which has the fewest cases and deaths in the five-county Bay Area, reported 21 new cases for a total of 1,121 and no new deaths for a total of 33. The county has 97 cases and 2.9 deaths for every 100,000 residents.
Contra Costa and Santa Clara are the only Bay Area counties that have not announced plans to move towards a Phase 2 reopening, which would allow for curbside pickup from retail stores, opening some offices that can’t work remotely and more. Contra Costa did announce they are allowing some gatherings as long as everyone stays inside their car.
Check back for updates


mercurynews--2020-05-17--Word Game: May 17, 2020

Word Game: May 17, 2020

Can you find 59 or more words in DESPAIR ?
To purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
@ @ @ @ @ $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words must be of four or more @ @ @ @ @ that acquire four letters by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ @ @ @ @ @ , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ @ @ @ @ @ s ” may not be used .
For example , if “ bake ” is @ @ @ @ @ or “ bakes ” are not allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking @ @ @ @ @ .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not @ @

TODAY’S WORD — DESPAIR (DESPAIR: dih-SPARE: To lose all hope.)
Average mark 39 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 59 or more words in DESPAIR?
TODAY’S WORD — DESPAIR dais dare dear diaper dire drape dries drip
said sapid sari sear sepia side sire spade spar spare spear sped spider
spied spire spirea spread padre paid pair pare parse pear pied pier praise
pride pried pries aide aired aped aper apse arid arise aside aspire idea
ides raid raise rapid rase rasp read reap repaid ride ripe rise
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.


Bridge: May 17, 2020

At the game at the Mad Hatter ’ s , the Red Queens , who were kibitzing , had argued heatedly over who was greater .
The Queen of Hearts blustered that no ace or king dared capture her .
In today ’ s deal , the Hatter dealt and opened one club as South and jumped to three clubs when North , the March Hare , responded one heart .
The Hare raised to four clubs , and South went on .
As West , Alice led a trump .
( With dummy known to have a heart suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead might have been wiser . )
“ Good luck , ” said the Hare as he tabled dummy .
“ My raise to four clubs was only invitational.
” “ You can ’ t stop on a dime at four clubs , ” the Queen of Hearts snapped .
“ Your bid was forcing.
” “ Nonsense , ” sniffed the Queen of Diamonds .
“ What should North do to invite game ?
” Meanwhile , the Hatter took the ace of trumps and led the queen of hearts : deuce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , six .
The Queen of Hearts beamed , but the contract was unmakable .
No matter how declarer continued , he would lose two spades and a diamond .
“ I could make it , partner , ” the Hatter apologized , “ but I didn ’ t want to lose my head .
I must overtake the queen of hearts with the king .
Since dummy still has two trump entries , I can set up the hearts with two ruffing finesses.
” South succeeds with a similar play — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ace of hearts .
Incidentally , most experts would treat North ’ s four clubs as forcing .

“At least they’re discussing something different,” Alice sighed.
At the game at the Mad Hatter’s, the Red Queens, who were kibitzing, had argued heatedly over who was greater. The Queen of Hearts blustered that no ace or king dared capture her.
In today’s deal, the Hatter dealt and opened one club as South and jumped to three clubs when North, the March Hare, responded one heart. The Hare raised to four clubs, and South went on. As West, Alice led a trump. (With dummy known to have a heart suit declarer might establish, an attacking spade lead might have been wiser.)
“Good luck,” said the Hare as he tabled dummy. “My raise to four clubs was only invitational.”
“You can’t stop on a dime at four clubs,” the Queen of Hearts snapped. “Your bid was forcing.”
“Nonsense,” sniffed the Queen of Diamonds. “What should North do to invite game?”
Meanwhile, the Hatter took the ace of trumps and led the queen of hearts: deuce (!) from Alice, seven, six. The Queen of Hearts beamed, but the contract was unmakable. No matter how declarer continued, he would lose two spades and a diamond.
“I could make it, partner,” the Hatter apologized, “but I didn’t want to lose my head. I must overtake the queen of hearts with the king. Since dummy still has two trump entries, I can set up the hearts with two ruffing finesses.”
South succeeds with a similar play — but more easily — if Alice takes her ace of hearts.
Incidentally, most experts would treat North’s four clubs as forcing.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S J 9 5
H K 10 9 8 7
D 5 2
C K 9 2
WEST
S K 7 6
H A 4 2
D K 9 6 3
C 8 7 6
EAST
S Q 10 8 2
H J 6 5 3
D Q 10 8 7
C 5
SOUTH
S A 4 3
H Q
D A J 4
C A Q J 10 4 3
South West North East
1 C Pass 1 H Pass
3 C Pass 4 C Pass
5 C All Pass
Opening lead — C 8
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-05-17--Horoscopes May 17, 2020: Trent Reznor, sticck to your game plan.

Happy Birthday : Stick to your game plan .
Uncertainty will set you back .
Organization , preparation and staying on track are in your best interest this year .
Don ’ t let a lack of self-confidence cost you .
Trust and believe in yourself , not what others are doing or saying .
Take your time , be certain and use your intelligence to come up with solutions .
Your numbers are 3 , 13 , 26 , 28 , 32 , 34 , 47 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Stick to what you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you into an argument .
Spend your time exploring possibilities and self-improvement projects , and you will benefit .
Refuse to let temptation cost you .
Romance is on the rise .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Finish what you start , and avoid complaints and criticism .
Refuse to let uncertainty cause you to miss out on something you should be doing .
Don ’ t give in to pressure or someone who is asking for too much .
3 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the years , plus a little added discipline and adaptability , will help you make your way in a changing world .
Create your future by keeping up and adding to what you have to offer moving forward .
2 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Look for an unusual way to provide help for those in need without jeopardizing your health , wealth or integrity .
Use your imagination , make personal changes to your daily schedule and do whatever it takes to avoid discord .
5 stars LEO ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of your needs before you tend to others .
If you aren ’ t in a functional headspace , it will be tough to give your undivided attention to those who count on you .
Cut back , learn to budget and take breaks .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Empty promises are likely to be offered .
Before you buy into someone ’ s ideas or plans , consider what ’ s best for you .
A change may be in order , but the wrong move can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve you best .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Keep chipping away at your goals .
Whether it ’ s a personal objective you want to accomplish or an improvement to your environment , the hard work you put in will be well worth the effort .
You ’ ll achieve realistic goals .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Put your cash , possessions and personal documents in a safe place .
Now is not the time to gamble , take a risk or trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who you know .
Physical fitness is encouraged .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Schedule intellectual or physical activities .
Online social media events will help you stay in touch with people .
Someone you encounter through a computer service will be entertaining .
A self-improvement project will boost your confidence and help you initiate positive lifestyle change .
5 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Take an online tour of an art gallery or museum , and you will feel enriched by the experience .
Changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you conduct your life will have positive effects on your health .
2 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : You ’ ll come up with an innovative idea that will help you set goals .
Share your thoughts and intentions , but don ’ t offer personal information such as passwords .
Start a trend among your friends that has to do with online social events .
4 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Someone will come between you and your plans .
Listen carefully to what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in something that benefits someone other than yourself .
Honesty regarding joint money or expenses will be essential if you want to avoid discord .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are emotional , aggressive and changeable .
You are outgoing and ambitious .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Nikki Reed, 32; Derek Hough, 35; Trent Reznor, 55; Bob Saget, 64.
Happy Birthday: Stick to your game plan. Uncertainty will set you back. Organization, preparation and staying on track are in your best interest this year. Don’t let a lack of self-confidence cost you. Trust and believe in yourself, not what others are doing or saying. Take your time, be certain and use your intelligence to come up with solutions. Your numbers are 3, 13, 26, 28, 32, 34, 47.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stick to what you know, and refuse to let anyone bait you into an argument. Spend your time exploring possibilities and self-improvement projects, and you will benefit. Refuse to let temptation cost you. Romance is on the rise. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Finish what you start, and avoid complaints and criticism. Refuse to let uncertainty cause you to miss out on something you should be doing. Don’t give in to pressure or someone who is asking for too much. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The skills you have picked up over the years, plus a little added discipline and adaptability, will help you make your way in a changing world. Create your future by keeping up and adding to what you have to offer moving forward. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Look for an unusual way to provide help for those in need without jeopardizing your health, wealth or integrity. Use your imagination, make personal changes to your daily schedule and do whatever it takes to avoid discord. 5 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take care of your needs before you tend to others. If you aren’t in a functional headspace, it will be tough to give your undivided attention to those who count on you. Cut back, learn to budget and take breaks. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Empty promises are likely to be offered. Before you buy into someone’s ideas or plans, consider what’s best for you. A change may be in order, but the wrong move can lead to setbacks. Do what will serve you best. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep chipping away at your goals. Whether it’s a personal objective you want to accomplish or an improvement to your environment, the hard work you put in will be well worth the effort. You’ll achieve realistic goals. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put your cash, possessions and personal documents in a safe place. Now is not the time to gamble, take a risk or trust someone unfamiliar. Stick to what and who you know. Physical fitness is encouraged. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Schedule intellectual or physical activities. Online social media events will help you stay in touch with people. Someone you encounter through a computer service will be entertaining. A self-improvement project will boost your confidence and help you initiate positive lifestyle change. 5 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take an online tour of an art gallery or museum, and you will feel enriched by the experience. Changes to the way you live and how you conduct your life will have positive effects on your health. 2 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’ll come up with an innovative idea that will help you set goals. Share your thoughts and intentions, but don’t offer personal information such as passwords. Start a trend among your friends that has to do with online social events. 4 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Someone will come between you and your plans. Listen carefully to what’s said, but don’t invest in something that benefits someone other than yourself. Honesty regarding joint money or expenses will be essential if you want to avoid discord. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are emotional, aggressive and changeable. You are outgoing and ambitious.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-05-17--Ask Amy: My worries about his boyfriend made my son irate

DEAR AMY : When my son came out ( a few years ago ) , I struggled at first .
All I want is for him to be in a happy , secure , fulfilling relationship with someone ( of whatever gender ) .
However , he recently Zoom-introduced us to his new boyfriend , “ Adam.
” Adam is HIV-positive .
My son announced this on the Zoom call ( I didn ’ t have time to process it ) , and then became irate when I asked some questions to better understand what that means .
I remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close friend die from AIDS .
My son claims I ’ m being ignorant , but I was alive during that time — he wasn ’ t !
I ’ m scared of what will happen if they stay together and have children .
Will they have to live the rest of their lives in fear that Adam will accidentally infect the children via a small cut ?
It seems like the relationship is quite serious , and I ’ m trying to read up on ways to be supportive .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fired and is refusing to work • Ask Amy : To this immature woman , any criticism is ‘ mean ’ • Ask Amy : Have women forfeited the right to men ’ s courtesy ?
• Ask Amy : His selfish outing put our family at risk • Ask Amy : I don ’ t want to hear these complaints about my son My son is now threatening to cut off contact for a few months if I can ’ t immediately get on board .
I love my son , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I feel anxious about the risk of transmission .
I ’ m not homophobic .
I just need some processing time without the threat of “ I ’ m going to cut you off if you can ’ t understand that love is love ” constantly hanging over my head .
DEAR MOM : You and your son seem to be playing a game of sorts .
He tells you that he is gay , and your eventual reaction is that you only want him to be happy with a partner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have news for you : He has chosen his gender , and it ’ s not “ whatever.
” He then introduces you to lovely “ Adam ” via Zoom and immediately broadsides you with perplexing health news .
You quickly leap to the remote improbability that these two will have children and that Adam will infect their children .
Whoa !
I ’ ve got a pro-tip that will make your life much easier .
If you don ’ t know what to say or how to react to any given situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oh , I see.
” Or : “ Wow , that caught me off-guard .
I don ’ t really know what to say.
” Give yourself time to process things , even if you feel pushed to react .
This is not the 1980s .
You can read more about HIV , treatments and risks on the CDC website : CDC.gov/hiv/basics .
With antiretroviral therapy , people with HIV can reduce the viral load enough that it is considered to be undetectable .
That is a life-saving medical advance .
You should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible ) about his own health .
This might be his way of trying to tell you that he also has HIV .
DEAR AMY : My oldest sister ( 83 ) has talked about her first love ( “ Fred ” ) .
They dated for over a year when she was 20 , but he broke up with her .
She was devastated .
She eventually got married and had two children .
She got divorced from her husband because he was abusive .
She ’ s mentioned many times that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Kiddingly , I said maybe I can find where he is by searching the internet .
She asked me if I could .
This was a couple months ago , and she hasn ’ t asked me about it since .
However , I did find Fred .
Unfortunately , he passed away a number of years ago .
My other sister said I should tell our older sister what I found .
I don ’ t agree .
What ’ s the point at this stage of her life ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives her happy thoughts .
I think telling her would make her very sad , but should she know the truth ?
DEAR UNDECIDED : I think that you should tell your sister the truth , supplying any information about “ Fred ” that you have .
Of course , she will be sad !
You should abide with her through her sadness , and if she wants to muse about “ what might have been , ” then you should be with her through that , too .
DEAR AMY : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quarantine Nagging Nellie , ” until you suggested that she could report her partying neighbors to their town ’ s tip line .
That tip line is for important matters , not for one neighbor to report on another !
• Dear Abby : They won ’ t acknowledge the rough life I ’ ve had • Ask Amy : My employee wants to be fired and is refusing to work • Harriette Cole : I ’ ve started having flashbacks of my shameful behavior • Miss Manners : I ’ m hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken marriage DEAR UPSET : I don ’ t like the idea of neighbors policing each other , but actually I think this is exactly what these local COVID tip lines are for .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

DEAR AMY: When my son came out (a few years ago), I struggled at first. All I want is for him to be in a happy, secure, fulfilling relationship with someone (of whatever gender).
However, he recently Zoom-introduced us to his new boyfriend, “Adam.” Adam is HIV-positive. My son announced this on the Zoom call (I didn’t have time to process it), and then became irate when I asked some questions to better understand what that means.
I remember the ’80s, and actually had a close friend die from AIDS.
My son claims I’m being ignorant, but I was alive during that time — he wasn’t!
I’m scared of what will happen if they stay together and have children. Will they have to live the rest of their lives in fear that Adam will accidentally infect the children via a small cut? It seems like the relationship is quite serious, and I’m trying to read up on ways to be supportive.
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I love my son, and Adam seems lovely, too, but I feel anxious about the risk of transmission.
I’m not homophobic. I just need some processing time without the threat of “I’m going to cut you off if you can’t understand that love is love” constantly hanging over my head.
Am I being unreasonable?
Mom
DEAR MOM: You and your son seem to be playing a game of sorts. He tells you that he is gay, and your eventual reaction is that you only want him to be happy with a partner of “whatever gender.”
Mom, I have news for you: He has chosen his gender, and it’s not “whatever.”
He then introduces you to lovely “Adam” via Zoom and immediately broadsides you with perplexing health news.
You quickly leap to the remote improbability that these two will have children and that Adam will infect their children. Whoa!
I’ve got a pro-tip that will make your life much easier. If you don’t know what to say or how to react to any given situation, respond only in generalities: “Oh, I see.” Or: “Wow, that caught me off-guard. I don’t really know what to say.”
Give yourself time to process things, even if you feel pushed to react.
This is not the 1980s. You can read more about HIV, treatments and risks on the CDC website: CDC.gov/hiv/basics. With antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV can reduce the viral load enough that it is considered to be undetectable. That is a life-saving medical advance.
You should ask your son (as carefully as possible) about his own health. This might be his way of trying to tell you that he also has HIV.
DEAR AMY: My oldest sister (83) has talked about her first love (“Fred”). They dated for over a year when she was 20, but he broke up with her.
She was devastated. She eventually got married and had two children. She got divorced from her husband because he was abusive. She’s mentioned many times that maybe she could find Fred and call him.
Kiddingly, I said maybe I can find where he is by searching the internet. She asked me if I could. This was a couple months ago, and she hasn’t asked me about it since.
However, I did find Fred. Unfortunately, he passed away a number of years ago.
My other sister said I should tell our older sister what I found. I don’t agree. What’s the point at this stage of her life? Let her think about him if it gives her happy thoughts. I think telling her would make her very sad, but should she know the truth?
Undecided Sister
DEAR UNDECIDED: I think that you should tell your sister the truth, supplying any information about “Fred” that you have. Of course, she will be sad! You should abide with her through her sadness, and if she wants to muse about “what might have been,” then you should be with her through that, too.
DEAR AMY: I mainly agreed with your advice to “Quarantine Nagging Nellie,” until you suggested that she could report her partying neighbors to their town’s tip line.
That tip line is for important matters, not for one neighbor to report on another!
Upset
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Miss Manners: They come to my house and yell at my dog Advice | Dear Abby: Is it weird that I think this actress could be my sister? DEAR UPSET: I don’t like the idea of neighbors policing each other, but actually I think this is exactly what these local COVID tip lines are for.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-05-17--Dear Abby: They won’t acknowledge the rough life I’ve had

DEAR ABBY : I wrote to you 12 years ago as a suicidal teenager .
I ’ m thankful to be writing now from a very different place .
I ’ m 28 , happily married , with one child .
I was born into a hyperconservative cult and home-schooled until I was kicked out at 18 .
I then fell into a predictable pattern of abusive relationships and substance abuse .
I have been sober for six years now , and have been in various kinds of therapy longer than that .
I now self-counsel daily with journaling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to therapy when my old patterns resurface .
• Dear Abby : My boyfriend ’ s behavior with his mom grosses me out • Dear Abby : What I said to my husband ’ s buddy could end their friendship • Dear Abby : My mom mocks my fears , but what she ’ s doing is dangerous • Dear Abby : Should I tell what I know about his roommate ?
• Dear Abby : She doesn ’ t believe my wife would be fine with us dating My gripe : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , so much so that I am routinely mistaken for a teenager and summarily dismissed .
Everyone — employers , friends , even family members who “ conveniently ” missed out on my troubled years — does this .
It never happened when I was miserable , hiding behind makeup and uncomfortable clothing , barely able to function .
How can I again command the respect I did as an angsty teen , but without the angst ?
I ’ m an awesome mother and a loving wife , not to mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked hard for years to get this way .
I ’ m proud of what I ’ ve accomplished , and I ’ m tired of my personal satisfaction being misconstrued as naivete , or worse , vanity .
Advice ?
CAME THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE DEAR CAME THROUGH : You have every right to be proud of what you have accomplished .
Do you act the same way at work as you do when hanging out with friends or family ?
You may need to adjust your behavior according to the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some sessions with your therapist might make the process easier .
DEAR ABBY : I am angry at the lack of praise given to respiratory therapists who are on the front lines of coronavirus patient care .
Everything is “ doctor , ” “ nurse.
” By all means they deserve praise , but who do you think is also a vital part in fighting this respiratory virus ?
We manage those ventilators many hotspots are in desperate need of .
We give those breathing treatments that help to calm the airways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lungs .
All health care workers , as well as individuals who work in hospitals and are considered essential , should receive this praise .
We come to work each day uncertain whether we will be exposed or contract the virus .
Yes , it ’ s a trying time for everyone , but I want the world to be aware of these unsung heroes .
DEAR TAKING : So do I , which is why I am printing your letter .
All of the courageous men and women who put their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients and their community are heroes as far as I am concerned .
I , as well as my readers , pray for your safety and success in this battle against this novel virus .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: I wrote to you 12 years ago as a suicidal teenager. I’m thankful to be writing now from a very different place. I’m 28, happily married, with one child.
I was born into a hyperconservative cult and home-schooled until I was kicked out at 18. I then fell into a predictable pattern of abusive relationships and substance abuse.
I have been sober for six years now, and have been in various kinds of therapy longer than that. I now self-counsel daily with journaling, meditation and exercise — and regularly return to therapy when my old patterns resurface.
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Dear Abby: My financial adviser won’t listen to me, but he insists he’s not sexist Advice | Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us
Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us Advice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant My gripe: I’m now a happy, energetic person, so much so that I am routinely mistaken for a teenager and summarily dismissed. Everyone — employers, friends, even family members who “conveniently” missed out on my troubled years — does this. It never happened when I was miserable, hiding behind makeup and uncomfortable clothing, barely able to function. How can I again command the respect I did as an angsty teen, but without the angst?
I’m an awesome mother and a loving wife, not to mention a healthy person because I’ve worked hard for years to get this way. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I’m tired of my personal satisfaction being misconstrued as naivete, or worse, vanity. Advice?
CAME THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE
DEAR CAME THROUGH: You have every right to be proud of what you have accomplished. Do you act the same way at work as you do when hanging out with friends or family? You may need to adjust your behavior according to the situation. If you have trouble doing this, some sessions with your therapist might make the process easier.
DEAR ABBY: I am angry at the lack of praise given to respiratory therapists who are on the front lines of coronavirus patient care. Everything is “doctor,” “nurse.”
By all means they deserve praise, but who do you think is also a vital part in fighting this respiratory virus? We manage those ventilators many hotspots are in desperate need of. We give those breathing treatments that help to calm the airways as this virus takes a toll on the lungs.
All health care workers, as well as individuals who work in hospitals and are considered essential, should receive this praise. We come to work each day uncertain whether we will be exposed or contract the virus. Yes, it’s a trying time for everyone, but I want the world to be aware of these unsung heroes.
TAKING A DEEP BREATH
DEAR TAKING: So do I, which is why I am printing your letter. All of the courageous men and women who put their well-being at risk in service to their patients and their community are heroes as far as I am concerned. I, as well as my readers, pray for your safety and success in this battle against this novel virus.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-05-17--Problem Solved: Flight canceled? You get a refund. Period.

Q : I was supposed to fly from Boston to Detroit on Delta Air Lines for a wedding this month .
But the event was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak .
The groom is serving in the Navy , and military are banned from flying commercially , so he and several guests would not have been able to travel to Detroit .
This morning I received an email from Delta that my flight , which departed at 10:59 a.m. , had been canceled .
Delta has offered me a choice : either another flight leaving at 8:45 a.m. or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not interested in the new flight and would like a refund to my credit card .
Do you think that is a possibility ?
A : Yes !
It ’ s more than a possibility ; it ’ s a requirement .
Let ’ s take a look at the Department of Transportation ’ s refund rules .
It says a passenger is entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight , regardless of the reason , and the passenger chooses not to travel .
It doesn ’ t matter if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets you to Detroit within about two hours of your original itinerary .
Delta canceled your flight .
You get a refund .
Case closed .
So why did Delta offer you either a new flight or a voucher ?
Well , like all airlines , Delta is trying to conserve cash .
If it hands out refunds to everyone who wants them — even if they deserve them — it hastens Delta ’ s downward spiral .
The government money runs out in a few months .
Keeping your money is part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just one problem : It ’ s not allowed to do that without your consent .
There ’ s been an outbreak of similar airline refund problems since the pandemic started .
And , as I ’ ve noted previously , I have a lot of sympathy for the airlines trying to survive during these difficult times .
But , just like it ’ s wrong to base your business model on charging outrageous fees , it ’ s also wrong to break the law in order to survive .
Delta needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I recommended you complain to Delta in writing and , if necessary , copy the Department of Transportation on the note .
I list the names , numbers and email addresses of Delta ’ s customer service managers on my consumer advocacy site , Elliott.org .
You did .
A representative contacted you quickly and offered to process a full refund .
If you need help with a coronavirus-related refund , please contact me .
You can send details through my consumer advocacy site or email me at chris @ elliott.org .
Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps consumers resolve their problems .
Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris @ elliott.org .

Christopher Elliott, King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Q: I was supposed to fly from Boston to Detroit on Delta Air Lines for a wedding this month. But the event was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The groom is serving in the Navy, and military are banned from flying commercially, so he and several guests would not have been able to travel to Detroit.
This morning I received an email from Delta that my flight, which departed at 10:59 a.m., had been canceled. Delta has offered me a choice: either another flight leaving at 8:45 a.m. or a two-year credit. I’m not interested in the new flight and would like a refund to my credit card. Do you think that is a possibility?
Margaret Schomer, Lexington, Massachusetts
A: Yes! It’s more than a possibility; it’s a requirement. Let’s take a look at the Department of Transportation’s refund rules. It says a passenger is entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight, regardless of the reason, and the passenger chooses not to travel. It doesn’t matter if Delta offered you a replacement flight that gets you to Detroit within about two hours of your original itinerary. Delta canceled your flight. You get a refund. Case closed.
So why did Delta offer you either a new flight or a voucher? Well, like all airlines, Delta is trying to conserve cash. If it hands out refunds to everyone who wants them — even if they deserve them — it hastens Delta’s downward spiral. The government money runs out in a few months. Keeping your money is part of its survival strategy.
There’s just one problem: It’s not allowed to do that without your consent.
There’s been an outbreak of similar airline refund problems since the pandemic started. And, as I’ve noted previously, I have a lot of sympathy for the airlines trying to survive during these difficult times. But, just like it’s wrong to base your business model on charging outrageous fees, it’s also wrong to break the law in order to survive. Delta needs to offer you a full refund.
I recommended you complain to Delta in writing and, if necessary, copy the Department of Transportation on the note. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of Delta’s customer service managers on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.
You did. A representative contacted you quickly and offered to process a full refund.
If you need help with a coronavirus-related refund, please contact me. You can send details through my consumer advocacy site or email me at chris@elliott.org.
Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers resolve their problems. Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@elliott.org.


mercurynews--2020-05-17--Walters: California has a budget problem — but how big?

The first step to effectively deal with any problem is defining it accurately — and the recession-battered state budget is a case in point .
There ’ s no doubt that the pandemic-induced recession is one of the worst in California history and that its negative fiscal effects — both increased spending and reduced revenues — are many billions of dollars .
There is , however , much uncertainty about the dimensions of the budget crisis , and therefore what might be required to “ meet the moment , ” to use one of Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom released last week appears to maximize the gap between income and outgo during the fiscal year that ends on June 30 and the 2020-21 fiscal year that begins on July 1 .
He pegs the gap at $ 54.3 billion and is proposing a potpourri of spending reductions , particularly in education , as well as deferrals , new revenues , allocations from the state ’ s rainy-day reserve fund , and federal aid to cover it .
That daunting number , however , is based on his initial budget proposal unveiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything appeared to be economically rosy , so Newsom proposed many billions of dollars in new programs and expansions of old ones .
The revision oddly assumes that the inability to spend more in the forthcoming year represents a chunk of the deficit .
Moreover , it does not entirely account for federal disaster relief that would offset , in large measure , an estimated $ 7 billion in spending directly on the pandemic that Newsom counts as a negative component of his deficit projection .
When those and other factors are added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrinks to more manageable levels , as the Legislature ’ s budget analyst , Gabe Petek , points out .
As Petek sees it , were the economy to recover relatively quickly , the state would have a net $ 18 billion problem to solve , and even if recovery were slower , it might rise to about $ 31 billion .
“ In effect , the administration ’ s estimates largely reflect gross changes in the budget ’ s bottom line while our estimate includes the net effects of current law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom maximize the deficit and thus the spending reductions — especially in education — that his budget would impose to cover them ?
He indirectly told us why during his presentation to reporters on Thursday : to provide political ammunition for his plea , and that of other state and local officials across the nation , for trillions of dollars in new federal relief .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats in the House are pushing for a $ 3 trillion relief package , including about $ 1 trillion for state governments that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So far , it ’ s been dead-on-arrival in the Republican-controlled Senate .
Accordingly , Newsom ’ s budget , if adopted by the Legislature , specifically and automatically rescinds the cuts to education and other popular services if what Pelosi has dubbed the Heroes Act becomes reality and California gets the hoped-for money .
“ The Heroes Act is the best approach , ” Newsom said .
“ We need the federal government .
We need that support.
” There ’ s no doubt that the recession is serious .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just over 12 % during the Great Recession a decade ago , could easily reach twice that level .
The state , indeed , faces a very serious budget problem but how serious is by no means a settled fact .
It now falls to legislative leaders to either go along with Newsom ’ s seemingly inflated deficit number or take the advice of their own budget experts that the real deficit may only be a third as large and deal with it accordingly .
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The first step to effectively deal with any problem is defining it accurately — and the recession-battered state budget is a case in point.
There’s no doubt that the pandemic-induced recession is one of the worst in California history and that its negative fiscal effects — both increased spending and reduced revenues — are many billions of dollars.
There is, however, much uncertainty about the dimensions of the budget crisis, and therefore what might be required to “meet the moment,” to use one of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s favorite phrases.
The revised budget that Newsom released last week appears to maximize the gap between income and outgo during the fiscal year that ends on June 30 and the 2020-21 fiscal year that begins on July 1. He pegs the gap at $54.3 billion and is proposing a potpourri of spending reductions, particularly in education, as well as deferrals, new revenues, allocations from the state’s rainy-day reserve fund, and federal aid to cover it.
That daunting number, however, is based on his initial budget proposal unveiled in January. At the time, everything appeared to be economically rosy, so Newsom proposed many billions of dollars in new programs and expansions of old ones. The revision oddly assumes that the inability to spend more in the forthcoming year represents a chunk of the deficit.
Moreover, it does not entirely account for federal disaster relief that would offset, in large measure, an estimated $7 billion in spending directly on the pandemic that Newsom counts as a negative component of his deficit projection.
When those and other factors are added to the calculations, the potential deficit shrinks to more manageable levels, as the Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, points out. As Petek sees it, were the economy to recover relatively quickly, the state would have a net $18 billion problem to solve, and even if recovery were slower, it might rise to about $31 billion.
“In effect, the administration’s estimates largely reflect gross changes in the budget’s bottom line while our estimate includes the net effects of current law,” Petek wrote.
So why would Newsom maximize the deficit and thus the spending reductions — especially in education — that his budget would impose to cover them? He indirectly told us why during his presentation to reporters on Thursday: to provide political ammunition for his plea, and that of other state and local officials across the nation, for trillions of dollars in new federal relief.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats in the House are pushing for a $3 trillion relief package, including about $1 trillion for state governments that could mean $100 billion for California. So far, it’s been dead-on-arrival in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Accordingly, Newsom’s budget, if adopted by the Legislature, specifically and automatically rescinds the cuts to education and other popular services if what Pelosi has dubbed the Heroes Act becomes reality and California gets the hoped-for money.
“The Heroes Act is the best approach,” Newsom said. “We need the federal government. We need that support.”
There’s no doubt that the recession is serious. Our unemployment rate, which topped out at just over 12% during the Great Recession a decade ago, could easily reach twice that level. The state, indeed, faces a very serious budget problem but how serious is by no means a settled fact.
It now falls to legislative leaders to either go along with Newsom’s seemingly inflated deficit number or take the advice of their own budget experts that the real deficit may only be a third as large and deal with it accordingly.


mercurynews--2020-05-17--The Latest: South Korea reports 13 new virus cases

By The Associated Press The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic .
The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .
— California resident who attended church on Mother ’ s Day tests positive for virus — 8 more sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt test positive again .
SEOUL , South Korea __ South Korea has reported 13 new cases of the coronavirus over a 24-hour period , raising hopes that a new outbreak linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The additional figures released Sunday by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention brought the national tally to 11,050 with 262 deaths .
The agency says 9,888 of them have recovered and that 17,660 were under tests to determine whether they ’ ve contracted the virus .
After weeks of a slowdown of new cases , South Korea ’ s daily jump marked an average of about 30 for several days , mostly associated with nightclubs in Seoul ’ s Itaewon entertainment district .
But the daily increase marked 19 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t immediately say how many of the 13 new cases were linked to nightlife spots in Itaewon .
OROVILLE , Calif. — A person who attended a religious service on Mother ’ s Day has tested positive for the coronavirus , possibly exposing it to more than 180 members of a congregation .
The church in Butte County , north of Sacramento , chose to open its doors despite rules banning gatherings of any size , county public health officials said in a statement Friday .
“ Moving too quickly through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could require us to revert back to more restrictive measures , ” the statement said .
Most people with the virus experience fever and cough for up to three weeks .
Older adults and people with existing health problems can face severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The vast majority recover .
SYDNEY — Opera singer Jane Ede will perform Monday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of live shows , but in an unusual location .
Ede , Opera Australia ’ s principal soprano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 450 guests who have spent two weeks in government-ordered hotel quarantine after returning from overseas locations .
The audience , on their last night in quarantine , will be able to watch the courtyard performance from their balconies , or on their in-room televisions or devices .
“ It ’ s really just to sort of bring everyone together and it will be quite an uplifting concert to sort of have a moment of connection and celebration before they end their quarantine , ” Ede said .
For the soprano , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Figaro , La Boheme , Don Giovanni and Falstaff among many others , it will be her first live performance since March .
“ It will be lovely just to have a really good sing again , ” Ede said .
CARACAS , Venezuela — Venezuela is reporting its biggest one-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic hit the South American nation .
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Saturday that the 45 new cases bring Venezuela ’ s total to 504 illnesses , with 10 resulting in death .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases since the first were discovered in mid-March .
While Venezuela has reported relatively few cases so far , health experts say its hospitals are especially vulnerable to being overwhelmed .
Venezuela is in a deep political and economic crisis that has left its health care system in a shamble .
President Nicolás Maduro ordered a nationwide lockdown shortly after the first cases , and he recently extended it until mid-June , hoping to contain the virus ’ spread .
Officials say that 35 of Saturday ’ s cases involved people returning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Peru .
BEIJING — China on Sunday reported five new cases of coronavirus , as the commercial hub of Shanghai announced the restart of classes for kindergarteners , first- , second- and third-graders from June 2 .
Also , airlines say they have seen a revival of flights .
Of the new cases , two were imported and three were domestic infections in the northeastern province of Jilin that has seen a small spike in cases of unknown origin .
In Shanghai , students retain the option of continuing to follow classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing measures to be imposed at schools .
As in Beijing and other cities , Shanghai has already re-started classes for middle and high school students preparing for exams .
No new deaths have been reported for the past month , but Jilin added one fatality retroactively , bringing China ’ s total to 4,634 out of 82,947 cases reported since the outbreak was first detected in the central city of Wuhan late last year .
Just 86 people remain hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 while another 519 people are in supervised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or having tested positive without displaying symptoms .
China now has the capacity to perform 1.5 million nucleic acid tests per day , National Health Commission Guo Yanhong told reporters Saturday .
The commission is placing a new emphasis on bio-safety , management of laboratories and training of personnel , Guo said .
Meanwhile , the number of domestic flights has returned to 60 percent of pre-outbreak levels , exceeding 10,000 per day for the first time since Feb. 1 , the country ’ s civil aviation regulator reported .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a low of 3,931 flights on Feb. 13 , the Civil Aviation Administration of China said .
No passenger numbers were given .
With the summer holidays approaching , numerous tourist sites have re-opened , including Beijing ’ s storied Forbidden City palace complex and Shanghai ’ s Disneyland resort , although with strict social distancing measures still in place .
ATLANTA — Outdoor exhibits along a one-way flow for visitors at Zoo Atlanta opened Saturday for the first time since mid-March , but indoor habitats , rides , playgrounds and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the zoo is limiting the number of visitors by requiring them to make reservations with specific times to enter the park .
Zoo employees had to answer a health survey and have their temperatures taken before returning to work .
Zoo Atlanta deputy director Hayley Murphy says disinfectant is used on the grounds every 60 to 90 minutes and every hour in restrooms .
BATON ROUGE , La .
— Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards ’ proposal to close a $ 1 billion budget gap caused by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care and education programs by relying on hundreds of millions in federal relief aid and a portion of the state ’ s “ rainy day ” fund .
Under the plan offered by Edwards , Louisiana would use nearly $ 1.2 billion in federal assistance approved by Congress to respond to the pandemic and about $ 90 million from the rainy day fund to fill most of the gaps in the state ’ s $ 30 billion-plus budget .
The recommendations would require only modest reductions in the financial year that begins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program , K-12 schools and the social services department would be spared cuts entirely , though college campuses and health programs would take hits .
The Edwards administration submitted its reworked budget proposal to legislative leaders Friday night .
WASHINGTON — Eight more sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive a second time for the new coronavirus , raising to 13 the number who appear to have become infected again while serving aboard the sidelined aircraft carrier .
All the sailors had previously tested positive and had gone through at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were allowed to go back to the ship , all had to test negative twice in a row , with the tests separated by at least a day or two .
On Saturday , a Navy official confirmed eight additional sailors had tested positive again .
A day earlier the Navy had said in a statement that five had tested positive a second time .
The Navy official was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity .
SANTA FE , N.M. — The loosening of some restrictions imposed on nonessential businesses by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak ’ s spread took effect Saturday , along with a new edict that people wear masks in public under most circumstances .
State officials reported six additional deaths from the outbreak and 185 additional COVID-19 cases .
The loosening of restrictions applied to most of the state but not in the northwest region , where much of the outbreak is centered .
Retailers and many services , along with houses of worship , can reopen at limited capacity .
Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered that face masks be worn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include eating , drinking and exercising .
SEATTLE — The number of deaths in Washington state because of the new coronavirus has reached 1,000 .
The Washington State Department of Health on Saturday added eight more deaths and listed the total number of confirmed cases at 18,288 .
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was in the state on Jan. 20 when a man tested positive .
He had been traveling in Wuhan , China , where the outbreak appears to have originated and had returned to the Seattle area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also saw the nation ’ s first deadly coronavirus cluster at a nursing home .
The Life Care Center of Kirkland was linked to more than 40 deaths .
GREENVILLE , N.C. — A federal judge on Saturday blocked the enforcement of restrictions that North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper ordered affecting indoor religious services during the coronavirus pandemic .
The order from Judge James C. Dever III came days after two Baptist churches , a minister and a Christian revival group filed a federal lawsuit seeking to immediately block enforcement of rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders regarding religious services .
Dever agreed with the plaintiffs , who argued that the limits violate their right to worship freely and treat churches differently from retailers and other secular activities .
Cooper ’ s latest order still largely prevented most faith organizations from holding indoor services attended by more than 10 people .
His office had said the newest order stating permitted services may “ take place outdoors unless impossible ” carries only a narrow exception , such as when religious activities dictate they occur indoors with more people .
Cooper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the governor ’ s office disagrees with the decision but will not appeal .
SAN FRANCISCO — More parks and hiking trails welcomed visitors again in California , and one city declared itself a “ sanctuary ” from the state ’ s stay-at-home order as diverse regions carved their own path toward reopening .
Officials in Atwater , a city of 30,000 in central California , unanimously agreed not to enforce a nearly 2-month-old order intended to slow the spread of the new coronavirus .
That means local authorities won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decides to reopen ahead of state restrictions .
The declaration was a symbolic gesture of defiance against Gov .
Gavin Newson ’ s order , and the city ’ s mayor cautioned that businesses were taking their own risks by reopening .
California is moving through the second phase of relaxing its restrictions .
Businesses deemed lower risk have been gradually allowed to reopen , with retailers offering curbside pickup .
ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. — The results of more than 35,000 COVID-19 tests ordered by a Florida-based health care system and performed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company said Saturday .
According to AdventHealth , a faith-based health care system , the situation has created “ unacceptable delays.
” AdventHealth didn ’ t name the third-party lab but said it had terminated its contract with the lab .
The tests were a mixture of positive and negative results , and some had been at the lab for a while .
About 25,000 of the unreliable tests were in the central Florida area .
AdventHealth president and CEO Terry Shaw said the company will notify patients who are impacted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Company spokeswoman Melanie Lawhorn said two of those states are joint venture systems and were not affected by the unreliable testing .
CAIRO — Sudan ’ s Health Ministry has reported the country ’ s highest one-day tally of coronavirus infections , with 325 new COVID-19 patients and six deaths .
Saturday ’ s figures have taken the country ’ s tally to 2,289 confirmed cases , including 97 fatalities , the ministry said .
A total of 222 were discharged after recovering .
Most of the country ’ s COVID-19 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities imposed round-the-clock curfew in April to stem the spread of the virus .
Sudan ’ s health care system has been weakened by decades of war and sanctions .
The country is still reeling from last year ’ s uprising that toppled longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir .
ISTANBUL — Turkey ’ s health ministry says 41 more people have died from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours , bringing the death toll to 4,096 .
The death rate is the lowest registered since the end of March .
Minister Fahrettin Koca also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed , which brings the total number of confirmed cases 148,067 .
Fifteen provinces , including Istanbul , are on a four-day lockdown .
The country has instituted partial lockdowns to combat the novel coronavirus .
People under 20 and above 65 have been stuck at home for weeks , though they are now allowed to leave for a few hours on allotted days .
Other easing measures have gone into effect , including the opening of malls , barbershops and hair salons .
The number of provinces under lockdown on weekends and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 .
ROME — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte acknowledged on Saturday that the reopening of the Italian economy brings a risk of new outbreaks of the coronavirus but said ‘ ’ we must accept it.
’ Conte told reporters during a press conference that the nationwide lockdown that began in early March had brought ‘ ’ the expected results , ’ putting the country in a position to expand economic activity in the second phase of reopening .
Stores , bars , cafes , restaurants , hairdressers and museums are among the business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Gyms and swimming pools can reopen a week after .
Travel between regions and into Italy from abroad will be permitted starting June 3 .
Conte said the country must accept the risks and open before the availability of a vaccine .
But an extensive monitoring system is in place and the government would intervene to close areas if there are new outbreaks .
ALBANY , N.Y. — Several dozen protesters gathered in front of the New York state Capitol on Saturday holding American flags and signs demanding that businesses reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow large swaths of northern and central New York to begin reopening on Friday , permitting certain businesses such as construction to open their doors under safety guidelines .
But residents in downstate areas hard-hit by cases of COVID-19 remain under tight restrictions as their communities try to lower infection rates and amass enough testing and tracing to reopen in coming weeks .
New York ’ s ban on all non-essential gatherings remains in effect .
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans began taking its first steps Saturday toward loosening two months of restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship .
The city is restricting buildings to 25 % of capacity and requiring restaurants , nail salons and other businesses to only take customers by reservation .
Malls and retail stores can reopen , but casinos , video poker , live entertainment and bars are still closed .
Officials are still urging people to stay home as much as possible and requiring people to wear masks in public unless exercising .
The coronavirus struck New Orleans so quickly in March there were worries the pandemic would overwhelm the state health system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month , but officials warned a spike in cases or deaths could lead to putting restrictions back in place .
CINCINNATI — Just days after announcing it would end hazard “ hero ” pay to front-line workers , Kroger says it will give them extra “ thank you ” bonuses .
That ’ s according to the Cincinnati Enquirer .
The move comes after an outcry from the grocery store ’ s union , which said workers are still risking their lives by coming to work .
The bonus is $ 400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part-time workers , to be paid in two installments , Kroger announced .
Hazard pay was a $ 2-per-hour supplement .
The Cincinnati-based grocer estimates the new bonus will provide $ 130 million to its workers .
United Food and Commercial Workers International estimates that nationwide at least 65 grocery workers have died at Kroger and other retailers after contracting the coronavirus .
RIO DE JANEIRO — A small plane carrying a doctor sick with COVID-19 crashed in the Brazilian state of Ceara on Friday night , killing all four people on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G1 , citing the state ’ s firefighters .
The sick doctor was being transferred to an intensive care unit in his home state of Piaui .
Two medical staffers treating him , as well as the pilot , were also on the plane .
The Ceara Fire Department and Sao Bernardo municipality , where the plane crashed , did not immediately respond to requests for information .
MILAN — Italy recorded the lowest number of deaths in a 24-hour period since early in its coronavirus lockdown at just 153 .
That brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the civil protection agency reported on Saturday .
The last time the death count was that low was March 9 , the day after the nationwide lockdown was announced .
The number of confirmed new infections rose by 875 for a total of 224,760 , while the number of currently infected dropped to just over 70,000 .
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

By The Associated Press
The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.
TOP OF THE HOUR:
— California resident who attended church on Mother’s Day tests positive for virus
— Venezuela sees its largest one-day virus increase
— Atlanta zoo opens outdoor exhibits.
— Louisiana governor releases proposal to close budget gap.
— 8 more sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt test positive again.
— Washington state death total reaches 1,000.
___
SEOUL, South Korea __ South Korea has reported 13 new cases of the coronavirus over a 24-hour period, raising hopes that a new outbreak linked to nightclubs in Seoul may be waning.
The additional figures released Sunday by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention brought the national tally to 11,050 with 262 deaths.
The agency says 9,888 of them have recovered and that 17,660 were under tests to determine whether they’ve contracted the virus.
After weeks of a slowdown of new cases, South Korea’s daily jump marked an average of about 30 for several days, mostly associated with nightclubs in Seoul’s Itaewon entertainment district. But the daily increase marked 19 on Saturday.
The disease control agency didn’t immediately say how many of the 13 new cases were linked to nightlife spots in Itaewon.
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OROVILLE, Calif. — A person who attended a religious service on Mother’s Day has tested positive for the coronavirus, possibly exposing it to more than 180 members of a congregation.
The church in Butte County, north of Sacramento, chose to open its doors despite rules banning gatherings of any size, county public health officials said in a statement Friday.
“Moving too quickly through the reopening process cancause a major setback and could require us to revert back to more restrictive measures,” the statement said.
Most people with the virus experience fever and cough for up to three weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems can face severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority recover.
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SYDNEY — Opera singer Jane Ede will perform Monday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of live shows, but in an unusual location.
Ede, Opera Australia’s principal soprano, will join several other musicians for about 450 guests who have spent two weeks in government-ordered hotel quarantine after returning from overseas locations.
The audience, on their last night in quarantine, will be able to watch the courtyard performance from their balconies, or on their in-room televisions or devices.
“It’s really just to sort of bring everyone together and it will be quite an uplifting concert to sort of have a moment of connection and celebration before they end their quarantine,” Ede said.
For the soprano, who has starred in productions of The Marriage of Figaro, La Boheme, Don Giovanni and Falstaff among many others, it will be her first live performance since March.
“It will be lovely just to have a really good sing again,” Ede said.
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CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela is reporting its biggest one-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic hit the South American nation.
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Saturday that the 45 new cases bring Venezuela’s total to 504 illnesses, with 10 resulting in death. Officials have reported a relatively low number of cases since the first were discovered in mid-March.
While Venezuela has reported relatively few cases so far, health experts say its hospitals are especially vulnerable to being overwhelmed. Venezuela is in a deep political and economic crisis that has left its health care system in a shamble.
President Nicolás Maduro ordered a nationwide lockdown shortly after the first cases, and he recently extended it until mid-June, hoping to contain the virus’ spread.
Officials say that 35 of Saturday’s cases involved people returning to Venezuela, including several on a flight from Peru.
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BEIJING — China on Sunday reported five new cases of coronavirus, as the commercial hub of Shanghai announced the restart of classes for kindergarteners, first-, second- and third-graders from June 2.
Also, airlines say they have seen a revival of flights.
Of the new cases, two were imported and three were domestic infections in the northeastern province of Jilin that has seen a small spike in cases of unknown origin.
In Shanghai, students retain the option of continuing to follow classes online rather than facing virus testing and social distancing measures to be imposed at schools. As in Beijing and other cities, Shanghai has already re-started classes for middle and high school students preparing for exams.
No new deaths have been reported for the past month, but Jilin added one fatality retroactively, bringing China’s total to 4,634 out of 82,947 cases reported since the outbreak was first detected in the central city of Wuhan late last year. Just 86 people remain hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 while another 519 people are in supervised isolation for showing signs of the virus or having tested positive without displaying symptoms.
China now has the capacity to perform 1.5 million nucleic acid tests per day, National Health Commission Guo Yanhong told reporters Saturday. The commission is placing a new emphasis on bio-safety, management of laboratories and training of personnel, Guo said.
Meanwhile, the number of domestic flights has returned to 60 percent of pre-outbreak levels, exceeding 10,000 per day for the first time since Feb. 1, the country’s civil aviation regulator reported. The number of flight hit 10,262 on Friday, up from a low of 3,931 flights on Feb. 13, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said. No passenger numbers were given.
With the summer holidays approaching, numerous tourist sites have re-opened, including Beijing’s storied Forbidden City palace complex and Shanghai’s Disneyland resort, although with strict social distancing measures still in place.
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ATLANTA — Outdoor exhibits along a one-way flow for visitors at Zoo Atlanta opened Saturday for the first time since mid-March, but indoor habitats, rides, playgrounds and other attractions remain closed because of COVID-19.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the zoo is limiting the number of visitors by requiring them to make reservations with specific times to enter the park.
Zoo employees had to answer a health survey and have their temperatures taken before returning to work.
Zoo Atlanta deputy director Hayley Murphy says disinfectant is used on the grounds every 60 to 90 minutes and every hour in restrooms.
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BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ proposal to close a $1 billion budget gap caused by the coronavirus pandemic would avoid deep cuts to health care and education programs by relying on hundreds of millions in federal relief aid and a portion of the state’s “rainy day” fund.
Under the plan offered by Edwards, Louisiana would use nearly $1.2 billion in federal assistance approved by Congress to respond to the pandemic and about $90 million from the rainy day fund to fill most of the gaps in the state’s $30 billion-plus budget.
The recommendations would require only modest reductions in the financial year that begins July 1. The free college tuition program, K-12 schools and the social services department would be spared cuts entirely, though college campuses and health programs would take hits.
The Edwards administration submitted its reworked budget proposal to legislative leaders Friday night.
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WASHINGTON — Eight more sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive a second time for the new coronavirus, raising to 13 the number who appear to have become infected again while serving aboard the sidelined aircraft carrier.
All the sailors had previously tested positive and had gone through at least two weeks of isolation. Before they were allowed to go back to the ship, all had to test negative twice in a row, with the tests separated by at least a day or two.
On Saturday, a Navy official confirmed eight additional sailors had tested positive again. A day earlier the Navy had said in a statement that five had tested positive a second time. The Navy official was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.
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SANTA FE, N.M. — The loosening of some restrictions imposed on nonessential businesses by New Mexico’s governor to slow the coronavirus outbreak’s spread took effect Saturday, along with a new edict that people wear masks in public under most circumstances.
State officials reported six additional deaths from the outbreak and 185 additional COVID-19 cases.
The loosening of restrictions applied to most of the state but not in the northwest region, where much of the outbreak is centered. Retailers and many services, along with houses of worship, can reopen at limited capacity.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered that face masks be worn in public, except with exceptions that include eating, drinking and exercising.
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SEATTLE — The number of deaths in Washington state because of the new coronavirus has reached 1,000.
The Washington State Department of Health on Saturday added eight more deaths and listed the total number of confirmed cases at 18,288.
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was in the state on Jan. 20 when a man tested positive. He had been traveling in Wuhan, China, where the outbreak appears to have originated and had returned to the Seattle area five days earlier.
The Seattle area also saw the nation’s first deadly coronavirus cluster at a nursing home. The Life Care Center of Kirkland was linked to more than 40 deaths.
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GREENVILLE, N.C. — A federal judge on Saturday blocked the enforcement of restrictions that North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper ordered affecting indoor religious services during the coronavirus pandemic.
The order from Judge James C. Dever III came days after two Baptist churches, a minister and a Christian revival group filed a federal lawsuit seeking to immediately block enforcement of rules within the Democratic governor’s executive orders regarding religious services. Dever agreed with the plaintiffs, who argued that the limits violate their right to worship freely and treat churches differently from retailers and other secular activities.
Cooper’s latest order still largely prevented most faith organizations from holding indoor services attended by more than 10 people. His office had said the newest order stating permitted services may “take place outdoors unless impossible” carries only a narrow exception, such as when religious activities dictate they occur indoors with more people.
Cooper’s spokesman, Ford Porter, said the governor’s office disagrees with the decision but will not appeal.
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SAN FRANCISCO — More parks and hiking trails welcomed visitors again in California, and one city declared itself a “sanctuary” from the state’s stay-at-home order as diverse regions carved their own path toward reopening.
Officials in Atwater, a city of 30,000 in central California, unanimously agreed not to enforce a nearly 2-month-old order intended to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. That means local authorities won’t interfere with any business or church that decides to reopen ahead of state restrictions.
The declaration was a symbolic gesture of defiance against Gov. Gavin Newson’s order, and the city’s mayor cautioned that businesses were taking their own risks by reopening.
California is moving through the second phase of relaxing its restrictions. Businesses deemed lower risk have been gradually allowed to reopen, with retailers offering curbside pickup.
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The results of more than 35,000 COVID-19 tests ordered by a Florida-based health care system and performed by a third-party lab are unreliable, the company said Saturday.
According to AdventHealth, a faith-based health care system, the situation has created “unacceptable delays.” AdventHealth didn’t name the third-party lab but said it had terminated its contract with the lab.
The tests were a mixture of positive and negative results, and some had been at the lab for a while. About 25,000 of the unreliable tests were in the central Florida area.
AdventHealth president and CEO Terry Shaw said the company will notify patients who are impacted.
AdventHealth has 49 hospitals in nine states. Company spokeswoman Melanie Lawhorn said two of those states are joint venture systems and were not affected by the unreliable testing.
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CAIRO — Sudan’s Health Ministry has reported the country’s highest one-day tally of coronavirus infections, with 325 new COVID-19 patients and six deaths.
Saturday’s figures have taken the country’s tally to 2,289 confirmed cases, including 97 fatalities, the ministry said. A total of 222 were discharged after recovering.
Most of the country’s COVID-19 patients were in the capital, Khartoum where authorities imposed round-the-clock curfew in April to stem the spread of the virus.
Sudan’s health care system has been weakened by decades of war and sanctions. The country is still reeling from last year’s uprising that toppled longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir.
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ISTANBUL — Turkey’s health ministry says 41 more people have died from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 4,096.
The death rate is the lowest registered since the end of March.
Minister Fahrettin Koca also tweeted Saturday that 1,610 new infections were confirmed, which brings the total number of confirmed cases 148,067.
Fifteen provinces, including Istanbul, are on a four-day lockdown. The country has instituted partial lockdowns to combat the novel coronavirus. People under 20 and above 65 have been stuck at home for weeks, though they are now allowed to leave for a few hours on allotted days.
Other easing measures have gone into effect, including the opening of malls, barbershops and hair salons.
The number of provinces under lockdown on weekends and national holidays has dropped from 31 to 15.
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ROME — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte acknowledged on Saturday that the reopening of the Italian economy brings a risk of new outbreaks of the coronavirus but said ‘’we must accept it.’
Conte told reporters during a press conference that the nationwide lockdown that began in early March had brought ‘’the expected results,’ putting the country in a position to expand economic activity in the second phase of reopening.
Stores, bars, cafes, restaurants, hairdressers and museums are among the business and cultural activities that can resume starting Monday. Gyms and swimming pools can reopen a week after. Travel between regions and into Italy from abroad will be permitted starting June 3.
Conte said the country must accept the risks and open before the availability of a vaccine. But an extensive monitoring system is in place and the government would intervene to close areas if there are new outbreaks.
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ALBANY, N.Y. — Several dozen protesters gathered in front of the New York state Capitol on Saturday holding American flags and signs demanding that businesses reopen.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo began to allow large swaths of northern and central New York to begin reopening on Friday, permitting certain businesses such as construction to open their doors under safety guidelines. But residents in downstate areas hard-hit by cases of COVID-19 remain under tight restrictions as their communities try to lower infection rates and amass enough testing and tracing to reopen in coming weeks.
New York’s ban on all non-essential gatherings remains in effect.
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NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans began taking its first steps Saturday toward loosening two months of restrictions on businesses, restaurants and houses of worship.
The city is restricting buildings to 25% of capacity and requiring restaurants, nail salons and other businesses to only take customers by reservation. Malls and retail stores can reopen, but casinos, video poker, live entertainment and bars are still closed.
Officials are still urging people to stay home as much as possible and requiring people to wear masks in public unless exercising.
The coronavirus struck New Orleans so quickly in March there were worries the pandemic would overwhelm the state health system. Hospitalizations have been going down for nearly a month, but officials warned a spike in cases or deaths could lead to putting restrictions back in place.
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CINCINNATI — Just days after announcing it would end hazard “hero” pay to front-line workers, Kroger says it will give them extra “thank you” bonuses.
That’s according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The move comes after an outcry from the grocery store’s union, which said workers are still risking their lives by coming to work.
The bonus is $400 for full-time workers and $200 for part-time workers, to be paid in two installments, Kroger announced. Hazard pay was a $2-per-hour supplement.
The Cincinnati-based grocer estimates the new bonus will provide $130 million to its workers.
United Food and Commercial Workers International estimates that nationwide at least 65 grocery workers have died at Kroger and other retailers after contracting the coronavirus.
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RIO DE JANEIRO — A small plane carrying a doctor sick with COVID-19 crashed in the Brazilian state of Ceara on Friday night, killing all four people on the aircraft, according to online news site G1, citing the state’s firefighters.
The sick doctor was being transferred to an intensive care unit in his home state of Piaui. Two medical staffers treating him, as well as the pilot, were also on the plane.
The Ceara Fire Department and Sao Bernardo municipality, where the plane crashed, did not immediately respond to requests for information.
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MILAN — Italy recorded the lowest number of deaths in a 24-hour period since early in its coronavirus lockdown at just 153.
That brings the total in the epidemic to 31,763, the civil protection agency reported on Saturday. The last time the death count was that low was March 9, the day after the nationwide lockdown was announced.
The number of confirmed new infections rose by 875 for a total of 224,760, while the number of currently infected dropped to just over 70,000.
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Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


mercurynews--2020-05-17--Video: UC Berkeley holds graduation ceremony in ‘Minecraft’

The coronavirus pandemic forced the University of Berkeley to cancel its plans for commencement ceremony on campus , but it @ @ @ @ @ , staff and alumni from getting together and holding a celebration in “ Minecraft.
” @ @ @ @ @ blessing , a virtual commencement was held Saturday in the popular video game .
A @ @ @ @ @ a replica of the campus and allowed students , family and friends to log in @ @ @ @ @ Newly minted grads donned virtual caps and gowns and listened to speakers such as Twitch @ @ @ @ @ CEO Min-Liang Tan .
Their speeches were broadcast via Twitch while in-game celebrants could see @ @ @ @ @ about the virtual Memorial Stadium .
UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ and Vice Chancellor Marc @ @ @ @ @ proceedings , making it feel closer to real life .

The coronavirus pandemic forced the University of Berkeley to cancel its plans for commencement ceremony on campus, but it didn’t stop students, staff and alumni from getting together and holding a celebration in “Minecraft.”
With the university’s blessing, a virtual commencement was held Saturday in the popular video game. A group of dedicate builders crafted a replica of the campus and allowed students, family and friends to log in and celebrate the graduation. Newly minted grads donned virtual caps and gowns and listened to speakers such as Twitch co-founder Justin Kan and Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan. Their speeches were broadcast via Twitch while in-game celebrants could see their online doppelgangers and move about the virtual Memorial Stadium.
UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ and Vice Chancellor Marc Fisher also participated in the proceedings, making it feel closer to real life.


mercurynews--2020-05-17--Fire, explosion in Los Angeles injures 11 firefighters

By Stefanie Dazio and Frank Baker | The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — An explosion Saturday at a hash oil manufacturer in downtown Los Angeles injured 11 firefighters who had gone inside and on the roof to try to knock down a fire and then had to run for their lives when a ball of flames shot out the building and scorched a fire truck across the street .
Los Angeles Fire Department Capt .
Erik Scott said “ one significant explosion ” shook the neighborhood around 6:30 p.m .
Firefighters inside had to run through a wall of flames @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide , and those on the roof scrambled down a ladder that was engulfed in fire .
Scott said people at the scene described the explosion as sounding like a freight train or jet engine .
Some of the fleeing firefighters were on fire and tore off their protective equipment and left it on the sidewalk , along with melted helmets , Scott said .
“ The was one of the worst scenes I ’ ve seen , ” he said .
All 11 firefighters suffered burns ranging from minor to serious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two of them were on ventilators .
All were expected to survive .
“ The good news is everybody ’ s going to make it , ” Mayor Eric Garcetti said at a news conference outside the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center where all the injured were treated .
“ Things could have been so much worse , ” said Los Angeles Fire Department Medical Director Dr. Marc Eckstein , who works at the hospital and helped treat the injured .
Firefighters were called to 327 East Boyd St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a report of a fire at a one-story commercial building .
There was light to moderate smoke when firefighters entered the building and went on the roof , normal procedures to try to quickly knock down any flames .
Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said one of the firefighters inside the building thought things didn ’ t seem right — the pressure from the smoke and heat coming from the rear of the building were increasing .
He directed everyone to get out , and as they quickly started exiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explosion .
Firefighters on the roof scrambled down ladders with their protective coats on fire .
The wall of flames shot out the building and burned seats inside a fire truck across the street .
More than 200 firefighters rushed to the scene , and dozens of engines , trucks and rescue vehicles clogged the streets .
The fire spread to several nearby buildings , but firefighters were able to douse it in about an hour .
The injured firefighters were rushed to the hospital .
Those who remained at the scene , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ injuries , were traumatized by what had transpired , Terrazas said .
“ You can imagine the amount of emotional stress , ” he said .
Scott said the building was a warehouse for SmokeTokes , which he described as a maker of “ butane honey oil.
” Butane is an odorless gas that easily ignites , and it ’ s used in the process to extract the high-inducing chemical THC from cannabis to create a highly potent concentrate also known as hash oil .
The oil is used in vape pens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On its website , SmokeTokes advertises a variety of products including “ puff bars , ” pipes , “ dab ” tools , vaporizers , “ torches and butane , ” and cartridges .
The company says it is “ an international distributor and wholesaler of smoking and vaping products , and related accessories.
” Founded in 2009 , it offers “ discounts to loyal customers , fast shipping , a huge catalog of products and customer service that is untouched.
” The cause of the fire was under investigation .

By Stefanie Dazio and Frank Baker | The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — An explosion Saturday at a hash oil manufacturer in downtown Los Angeles injured 11 firefighters who had gone inside and on the roof to try to knock down a fire and then had to run for their lives when a ball of flames shot out the building and scorched a fire truck across the street.
Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott said “one significant explosion” shook the neighborhood around 6:30 p.m. Firefighters inside had to run through a wall of flames he estimated as 30 feet high and wide, and those on the roof scrambled down a ladder that was engulfed in fire.
Scott said people at the scene described the explosion as sounding like a freight train or jet engine. Some of the fleeing firefighters were on fire and tore off their protective equipment and left it on the sidewalk, along with melted helmets, Scott said.
“The was one of the worst scenes I’ve seen,” he said.
All 11 firefighters suffered burns ranging from minor to serious. Three were listed as critical condition, and two of them were on ventilators. All were expected to survive.
“The good news is everybody’s going to make it,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said at a news conference outside the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center where all the injured were treated.
“Things could have been so much worse,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Medical Director Dr. Marc Eckstein, who works at the hospital and helped treat the injured.
Firefighters were called to 327 East Boyd St. in the city’s Toy District for a report of a fire at a one-story commercial building. There was light to moderate smoke when firefighters entered the building and went on the roof, normal procedures to try to quickly knock down any flames.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said one of the firefighters inside the building thought things didn’t seem right — the pressure from the smoke and heat coming from the rear of the building were increasing. He directed everyone to get out, and as they quickly started exiting the building as it was rocked by the explosion.
Firefighters on the roof scrambled down ladders with their protective coats on fire. The wall of flames shot out the building and burned seats inside a fire truck across the street.
More than 200 firefighters rushed to the scene, and dozens of engines, trucks and rescue vehicles clogged the streets. The fire spread to several nearby buildings, but firefighters were able to douse it in about an hour.
The injured firefighters were rushed to the hospital. Those who remained at the scene, unaware of the seriousness of their colleagues’ injuries, were traumatized by what had transpired, Terrazas said.
“You can imagine the amount of emotional stress,” he said.
Scott said the building was a warehouse for SmokeTokes, which he described as a maker of “butane honey oil.” Butane is an odorless gas that easily ignites, and it’s used in the process to extract the high-inducing chemical THC from cannabis to create a highly potent concentrate also known as hash oil. The oil is used in vape pens, edibles, waxes and other products.
On its website, SmokeTokes advertises a variety of products including “puff bars,” pipes, “dab” tools, vaporizers, “torches and butane,” and cartridges. The company says it is “an international distributor and wholesaler of smoking and vaping products, and related accessories.” Founded in 2009, it offers “discounts to loyal customers, fast shipping, a huge catalog of products and customer service that is untouched.”
The cause of the fire was under investigation.