mercurynews--2020-10-03--The Latest: GOP Sen. Tillis of North Carolina tests positive

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Latest on President Donald Trump testing positive for the coronavirus and being hospitalized ( all times EDT ) : Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina has tested positive for the coronavirus .
Tillis said in a statement Friday night that his rapid antigen test showed that he is infected .
He issued the statement as President Donald Trump was being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for the same illness .
Tillis , who is up for reelection in November , is the latest person to be diagnosed with the infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the White House Rose Garden for Amy Coney Barrett .
Tillis was wearing a mask at the ceremony .
He is the second member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to test positive .
Just a few hours earlier , Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah announced that he , too , is infected .
Tillis is routinely seen on Capitol Hill wearing a mask .
He says he has no symptoms but will be isolating .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP CONTRACTING THE CORONAVIRUS The president announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus , and the White House said later in the day that he would be going to a military hospital for “ a few days ” for treatment .
His Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , and his wife , Jill , said they tested negative after encountering Trump at Tuesday ’ s debate .
— Trump going to hospital for a ‘ few days ’ for virus treatment HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham says senators can participate virtually in upcoming Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other lawmakers tested positive for the coronavirus .
Graham tweeted Friday evening that “ Any Senator who wants to participate virtually will be allowed to do so.
” Graham ’ s message came out as Trump traveled to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment at the advice of his doctors .
His doctors say he is experiencing mild symptoms .
Graham said he had been tested for COVID-19 following his interaction with fellow Judiciary Committee member Republican Sen. Mike Lee , who has tested positive .
Graham said his test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Lee is “ in good spirits and on the mend ” and expects to be back to work with the committee by Oct. 12 , set as the date for the beginning of the confirmation process .
President Donald Trump has arrived at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and released a video saying that he thinks he ’ s “ doing very well.
” Marine One landed near the military hospital on Friday evening , and Trump was driven to the large complex .
White House officials say that the visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the hospital ’ s presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties .
When he walked out of the White House , he was wearing a mask and gave a thumbs-up to reporters .
He also released a video on Twitter , saying , “ I think I ’ m doing very well , but we ’ re going to make sure that things work out.
” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that Trump “ remains in good spirits , has mild symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Shortly before he departed for the hospital , his personal physician , Dr. Sean Conley , said in a memo issued by the White House that he had received an experimental antibody cocktail .
President Donald Trump has appeared in public for the first time since his COVID-19 diagnosis , giving a thumbs-up before he boarded Marine One for a military hospital .
Trump walked out of the White House to the helicopter Friday evening on his way to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
The White House says Trump will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a military hospital on the advice of his physicians after contracting COVID-19 .
The White House says that the visit is precautionary and that Trump will work from the hospital ’ s presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties .
Earlier Friday the White House said Trump remains “ fatigued ” and had been injected with an experimental antibody drug combination for the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans and spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government .
Joe Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wake of President Donald Trump ’ s coronavirus infection .
That ’ s according to a Biden campaign official who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Friday to discuss internal planning .
The Democrat ’ s campaign is removing all its negative ads , although in some cases , it may take days for ads already in circulation to stop running .
The official says Biden made the decision before news surfaced that Trump was being transferred to a military hospital for a “ few days ” of treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign has not begun removing any of its attack ads against Biden .
The presidential election is just over one month away .
Former President Barack Obama is extending his “ best wishes ” to President Donald Trump following his coronavirus diagnosis .
Obama said Friday that even during “ big political battles ” it ’ s important to remember that “ we ’ re all Americans , and we ’ re all human beings.
” He spoke during a virtual fundraiser with Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris .
Obama says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hope for a speedy recovery for Trump and the first lady and anyone who has been affected by coronavirus around the country .
Harris says she and her husband , Doug Emhoff , share their “ deepest prayers ” for the Trumps .
“ Let it be a reminder to all of us that we must remain vigilant and take care of ourselves and take care of each other , ” she said .
Their comments came amid news that Trump will be taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice of his doctors .
The White House says President Donald Trump will spend a “ few days ” at a military hospital on the advice of his physicians after contracting COVID-19 .
Trump is to depart the White House by helicopter early Friday evening for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
The White House says that the visit is precautionary and that Trump will work from the hospital ’ s presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties .
Earlier Friday the White House said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been injected with an experimental antibody drug combination for the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans and spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government .
Democrat Joe Biden says President Donald Trump testing positive for the coronavirus is a “ bracing reminder ” of the seriousness of the virus .
He also says he ’ s received two tests , and both came back negative .
Speaking at an event in Grand Rapids , Michigan , on Friday , Biden said he received a test in Delaware and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” who came up to Delaware to administer the test , “ and everything ’ s clear.
” The president said early Friday that he and his wife , Melania Trump , had tested positive for coronavirus .
Biden was tested after spending nearly 90 minutes onstage with the president during their debate earlier this week .
Biden said he wished the president and the first lady a full recovery and that “ this is not a matter of politics.
” Biden said it was a “ reminder to all of us that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is not going away automatically.
” President Donald Trump ’ s doctor says Trump is being treated with an experimental drug aimed at supplying antibodies to help fight his coronavirus infection .
Antibodies are proteins the body makes when an infection occurs .
They attach to a virus and help it be eliminated .
But it can take weeks for them to form .
The drugs are purified versions of ones that seemed to work best in lab and animal tests .
Trump is receiving a two-antibody combo drug that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pharmaceuticals Inc .
The company previously developed a successful treatment for Ebola using a similar approach .
It ’ s given as a one-time treatment through an IV .
Trump ’ s physician , Dr. Sean Conley , said the drug was being given “ as a precautionary measure , ” and that Trump also was taking zinc , vitamin D , an antacid called famotidine , melatonin and aspirin .
None of those have been proven to be effective against COVID-19 .
Trump apparently is not receiving hydroxychloroquine , a drug he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many studies to be ineffective for preventing or treating COVID-19 .
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett and her husband had coronavirus earlier this year and recovered , according to two administration officials .
The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity .
Barrett was nominated to the high court last week after the death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Trump held a press conference outside where few people wore masks .
Trump announced Friday that he and first lady Melania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after aide Hope Hicks was diagnosed .
Barrett has also been meeting with senators ahead of her confirmation hearing , including Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah , who also announced Friday that he had tested positive for the virus .
The science is unclear on whether someone who has the virus can get it again .
Whether someone who ’ s been infected with coronavirus has protection against future infection and for how long is unknown .
A large study from Iceland last month suggested that antibodies that people make to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months .
However , several cases have been confirmed of people getting COVID-19 again , months after their initial bout .
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar , a frequent target of President Donald Trump ’ s , is blasting him for what she calls “ actively spreading a deadly virus.
” Omar said earlier this year that her father died of the virus , and she said in a statement Friday that she doesn ’ t wish it on anyone .
Omar , a Democrat , says the nation has been waiting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will get through this together.
” And she says he ’ s saying that now because it ’ s about him .
Trump announced earlier Friday that he and the first lady had tested positive for the coronavirus .
She criticized Trump for holding a rally and fundraiser this week in Minnesota without wearing a mask , saying he exposed hundreds of people in a state where cases are already rising .
The White House does not appear to be making any changes to current virus protocol , even after President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
A senior White House official said Friday that masks will still not be mandatory at the White House , describing facial coverings as “ a personal choice , ” despite overwhelming evidence that they help to stop the spread .
And the White House is not planning to move to a different , more reliable testing system after the one it uses failed to detect that adviser Hope Hicks had the virus the day she began experiencing symptoms .
The president , his White House and his campaign have generally taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing to hold large events and failing to abide by social distancing recommendations .
The official , who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House thinking , defended the current system .
The vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris next week will go on as scheduled after President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday .
An official with the Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed that no changes are anticipated to the Wednesday night debate in Salt Lake City .
Both Pence and Harris underwent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative .
Pence ’ s physician said in a memo that the vice president was not considered a “ close contact ” of anyone infected with COVID-19 and was not required to quarantine .
“ Vice President Mike Pence remains in good health and is free to go about his normal activities , ” said Navy Lt .
Commander Dr. Jesse Schonau in a statement .
President Donald Trump ’ s campaign manager says all campaign events involving the president and his family will either be turned into virtual events or postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who heads Trump ’ s reelection , says Vice President Mike Pence , who has tested negative for COVID-19 , plans to continue to his campaign schedule .
The announcement comes after Trump tweeted earlier Friday that he and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus .
It is not clear when the president was exposed .
One of the president ’ s top advisers , Hope Hicks , tested positive on Thursday for the virus .
Two others — Utah Sen. Mike Lee and University of Notre Dame president Rev .
John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rose Garden ceremony on Saturday to announce the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court — have also tested positive for the virus .
Comedian Joe Piscopo attended the fundraiser at Bedminster on Thursday , which he described as a small gathering in New Jersey for Trump ’ s friends .
“ It was meticulously run , from the Secret Service to COVID testing to masking , ” Piscopo told The Associated Press on the phone .
The president came out of the portico to talk to guests seated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away .
Piscopo said he was at the back of the crowd and said , “ We were all social distancing and it was all outside.
” He added , “ I ’ ve never seen him more on top of his game , warm , funny , vulnerable.
” The president gave a 30-minute speech .
Piscopo said he could not talk about it specifically but said that it was “ all positive.
” The president then answered questions .
Piscopo said the president greeted the crowd of friends and called out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are urging people who attended events associated with President Donald Trump ’ s visit this week to consider being tested for the coronavirus .
The Minnesota Department of Health on Friday urged anyone with symptoms to be tested right away .
Trump announced early Friday morning that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 , just two days after he held a campaign rally in Duluth and a fundraiser in a Minneapolis suburb .
The health department said community transmission was high in St. Louis County — which includes Duluth — before the rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without realizing it .
University of Notre Dame ’ s president has confirmed he has tested positive for the coronavirus days after attending President Donald Trump ’ s announcement that he was nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Rev .
John Jenkins was invited to the Rose Garden ceremony because Barrett is a Notre Dame University alumna and law school professor .
He apologized earlier this week for not wearing a mask at the ceremony .
In a message sent to Notre Dame community Friday , Jenkins said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in contact with had tested positive for the virus , and he went into self-quarantine .
Jenkins said he too was tested and learned he had the virus .
Trump announced earlier Friday that he and the first lady have tested positive for the virus .
Sen. Mike Lee , R-Utah , who attended the ceremony , also announced on Friday that he has tested positive for coronavirus .
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is encouraging people who were at President Donald Trump ’ s campaign rally at Harrisburg International Airport on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling sick .
The department is asking people to download the COVID Alert PA phone app if they do test positive to anonymously alert people they may have come in contact with .
Thousands attended the outdoor rally , held hours after the president introduced his Supreme Court nominee , Amy Coney Barrett , from the Rose Garden at the White House .
Those at the rally were required to pass through a security checkpoint and get their temperatures taken .
Trump announced earlier Friday that he and the first lady have tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is moving forward with plans to travel to Michigan on Friday after he and his wife , Jill , tested negative for the coronavirus .
The Democratic presidential nominee had planned on traveling to Grand Rapids , Michigan , to talk about the economy on Friday morning .
His trip was delayed by several hours as he awaited the test results .
He was tested for the virus after attending Tuesday ’ s debate with President Donald Trump .
The president said early Friday that he and his wife , Melania Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the spring and early summer close to his Wilmington , Delaware , home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
But he ’ s stepped up his travel in the final stretch of the campaign , while still taking heed of public health guidelines .
He regularly wears a mask in public , something that Trump taunted Biden for during this week ’ s debate .
And he mostly appears in front of small , socially distanced crowds .
Joe Biden has tested negative for the coronavirus , his primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic presidential nominee and his wife were tested earlier in the day after news of President Donald Trump ’ s infection was announced .
Dr. Kevin O ’ Connor released the negative results in a statement issued by the Biden campaign .
Biden was on the debate stage with Trump for more than 90 minutes earlier in the week .
It ’ s still unclear if Biden will hold campaign events later in the day .
Biden , in a social media post , thanked his supporters for “ messages of concern.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serves as a reminder : wear a mask , keep social distance , and wash your hands.
” Utah Sen. Mike Lee says he has tested positive for the coronavirus after experiencing “ symptoms consistent with longtime allergies.
” Lee visited the White House on Saturday for President Donald Trump ’ s announcement that he had nominated Judge Amy Comey Barrett to the Supreme Court .
Lee ’ s disclosure comes after Trump said in an early-morning tweet that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the virus .
Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative for the virus when he visited the White House for Saturday ’ s event , which featured little social distancing and few masks .
The Utah Republican also met with Barrett on Tuesday in the Capitol .
The two sat in chairs that were distanced several feet apart but took a photo before the meeting in which they were closer together .
He also spoke to reporters after the meeting , removing his mask in front of the cameras as most lawmakers generally do .
First lady Melania Trump says she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she and President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ Thank you for the love you are sending our way .
I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good .
I am looking forward to a speedy recovery , ” she tweeted Friday morning .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said President Trump was also experiencing mild symptoms , but continues to work from the White House residence as he quarantines .
The Trumps ’ youngest child , Barron , 14 , has tested negative for the virus .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump testing positive for the coronavirus and being hospitalized (all times EDT):
12:10 a.m.
President Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh has confirmed the news, which was first reported by Politico.
Politico said Stepien received his diagnosis Friday and is experiencing “mild flu-like symptoms.”
Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, also announced Friday that she had tested positive, joining Trump, the first lady, top Trump aide Hope Hicks and numerous others.
Stepien, who joined Trump at Tuesday’s first presidential debate, plans to quarantine until he recovers.
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11:35 p.m.
The White House physician says his medical team has “elected to initiate Remdesivir therapy” for President Donald Trump.
Dr. Sean Conley says Trump is “doing very well” and is “not requiring any supplemental oxygen.”
Conley says he recommended Trump be moved to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center “for further monitoring.”
In Trump’s first tweet from Walter Reed since being transported there Friday night, the president says, “Going welI, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!!”
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10:25 p.m.
President Donald Trump’s former adviser Kellyanne Conway said late Friday that she has tested positive for the coronavirus, days after attending a White House event with several others who have since come down with COVID-19.
Conway tweeted Friday that she has a “light cough” and is “feeling fine.” “I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians,” she added.
Conway attended the Rose Garden announcement Saturday where President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Among the attendees, Republican Sens. Mike Lee and Thom Tillis, the president of the University of Notre Dame, as well as Trump himself tested positive Friday for the coronavirus.
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8:35 p.m.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Tillis said in a statement Friday night that his rapid antigen test showed that he is infected. He issued the statement as President Donald Trump was being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for the same illness.
Tillis, who is up for reelection in November, is the latest person to be diagnosed with the infection after attending the Supreme Court nomination ceremony in the White House Rose Garden for Amy Coney Barrett. Tillis was wearing a mask at the ceremony.
He is the second member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to test positive. Just a few hours earlier, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah announced that he, too, is infected.
Tillis is routinely seen on Capitol Hill wearing a mask. He says he has no symptoms but will be isolating.
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HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP CONTRACTING THE CORONAVIRUS
The president announced early Friday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, and the White House said later in the day that he would be going to a military hospital for “a few days” for treatment. His Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill, said they tested negative after encountering Trump at Tuesday’s debate.
Read more:
— Trump going to hospital for a ‘few days’ for virus treatment
— Trump’s diagnosis rocks final stage of presidential campaign
— Trump’s coronavirus infection creates new challenge for GOP
— Trump’s virus infection thrusts world into uncharted territory
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
7:15 p.m.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham says senators can participate virtually in upcoming Supreme Court confirmation hearings after President Donald Trump and other lawmakers tested positive for the coronavirus.
Graham tweeted Friday evening that “Any Senator who wants to participate virtually will be allowed to do so.”
Graham’s message came out as Trump traveled to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment at the advice of his doctors. His doctors say he is experiencing mild symptoms.
Graham said he had been tested for COVID-19 following his interaction with fellow Judiciary Committee member Republican Sen. Mike Lee, who has tested positive.
Graham said his test for the coronavirus was negative. He said Lee is “in good spirits and on the mend” and expects to be back to work with the committee by Oct. 12, set as the date for the beginning of the confirmation process.
6:35 p.m.
President Donald Trump has arrived at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and released a video saying that he thinks he’s “doing very well.”
Marine One landed near the military hospital on Friday evening, and Trump was driven to the large complex. White House officials say that the visit is precautionary and that Trump will work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties.
When he walked out of the White House, he was wearing a mask and gave a thumbs-up to reporters. He also released a video on Twitter, saying, “I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure that things work out.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that Trump “remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day.”
Shortly before he departed for the hospital, his personal physician, Dr. Sean Conley, said in a memo issued by the White House that he had received an experimental antibody cocktail.
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6:20 p.m.
President Donald Trump has appeared in public for the first time since his COVID-19 diagnosis, giving a thumbs-up before he boarded Marine One for a military hospital.
Trump walked out of the White House to the helicopter Friday evening on his way to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The White House says Trump will spend a “few days” at a military hospital on the advice of his physicians after contracting COVID-19.
The White House says that the visit is precautionary and that Trump will work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties.
Earlier Friday the White House said Trump remains “fatigued” and had been injected with an experimental antibody drug combination for the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans and spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government.
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6 p.m.
Joe Biden’s campaign is taking down its attack ads in the wake of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus infection.
That’s according to a Biden campaign official who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Friday to discuss internal planning.
The Democrat’s campaign is removing all its negative ads, although in some cases, it may take days for ads already in circulation to stop running. The official says Biden made the decision before news surfaced that Trump was being transferred to a military hospital for a “few days” of treatment.
At least so far, Trump’s campaign has not begun removing any of its attack ads against Biden.
The presidential election is just over one month away.
— AP writer Steve Peoples
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5:55 p.m.
Former President Barack Obama is extending his “best wishes” to President Donald Trump following his coronavirus diagnosis.
Obama said Friday that even during “big political battles” it’s important to remember that “we’re all Americans, and we’re all human beings.”
He spoke during a virtual fundraiser with Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Obama says he and his wife, Michelle Obama, hope for a speedy recovery for Trump and the first lady and anyone who has been affected by coronavirus around the country. Harris says she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, share their “deepest prayers” for the Trumps.
“Let it be a reminder to all of us that we must remain vigilant and take care of ourselves and take care of each other,” she said.
Their comments came amid news that Trump will be taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a “few days” on the advice of his doctors.
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5:15 p.m.
The White House says President Donald Trump will spend a “few days” at a military hospital on the advice of his physicians after contracting COVID-19.
Trump is to depart the White House by helicopter early Friday evening for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The White House says that the visit is precautionary and that Trump will work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties.
Earlier Friday the White House said Trump remains “fatigued” and had been injected with an experimental antibody drug combination for the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans and spread to the highest reaches of the U.S. government.
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4:50 p.m.
Democrat Joe Biden says President Donald Trump testing positive for the coronavirus is a “bracing reminder” of the seriousness of the virus. He also says he’s received two tests, and both came back negative.
Speaking at an event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Friday, Biden said he received a test in Delaware and one from “the former White House doctor” who came up to Delaware to administer the test, “and everything’s clear.”
The president said early Friday that he and his wife, Melania Trump, had tested positive for coronavirus. Biden was tested after spending nearly 90 minutes onstage with the president during their debate earlier this week.
Biden said he wished the president and the first lady a full recovery and that “this is not a matter of politics.” Biden said it was a “reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously. It is not going away automatically.”
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4:40 p.m.
President Donald Trump’s doctor says Trump is being treated with an experimental drug aimed at supplying antibodies to help fight his coronavirus infection.
Antibodies are proteins the body makes when an infection occurs. They attach to a virus and help it be eliminated. But it can take weeks for them to form. The drugs are purified versions of ones that seemed to work best in lab and animal tests.
Trump is receiving a two-antibody combo drug that’s currently in late-stage studies from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. The company previously developed a successful treatment for Ebola using a similar approach.
It’s given as a one-time treatment through an IV.
Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Conley, said the drug was being given “as a precautionary measure,” and that Trump also was taking zinc, vitamin D, an antacid called famotidine, melatonin and aspirin. None of those have been proven to be effective against COVID-19.
Trump apparently is not receiving hydroxychloroquine, a drug he widely promoted that has been shown in many studies to be ineffective for preventing or treating COVID-19.
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4 p.m.
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett and her husband had coronavirus earlier this year and recovered, according to two administration officials.
The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Barrett was nominated to the high court last week after the death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Trump held a press conference outside where few people wore masks.
Trump announced Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the virus, after aide Hope Hicks was diagnosed.
Barrett has also been meeting with senators ahead of her confirmation hearing, including Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, who also announced Friday that he had tested positive for the virus.
The science is unclear on whether someone who has the virus can get it again. Whether someone who’s been infected with coronavirus has protection against future infection and for how long is unknown. A large study from Iceland last month suggested that antibodies that people make to fight the virus last for at least four months. However, several cases have been confirmed of people getting COVID-19 again, months after their initial bout.
— By AP writers Colleen Long and Jonathan Lemire
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3:30 p.m.
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, a frequent target of President Donald Trump’s, is blasting him for what she calls “actively spreading a deadly virus.”
Omar said earlier this year that her father died of the virus, and she said in a statement Friday that she doesn’t wish it on anyone.
Omar, a Democrat, says the nation has been waiting for months to hear Trump say America “will get through this together.” And she says he’s saying that now because it’s about him.
Trump announced earlier Friday that he and the first lady had tested positive for the coronavirus.
She criticized Trump for holding a rally and fundraiser this week in Minnesota without wearing a mask, saying he exposed hundreds of people in a state where cases are already rising.
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2:40 p.m.
The White House does not appear to be making any changes to current virus protocol, even after President Donald Trump and the first lady tested positive for COVID-19.
A senior White House official said Friday that masks will still not be mandatory at the White House, describing facial coverings as “a personal choice,” despite overwhelming evidence that they help to stop the spread.
And the White House is not planning to move to a different, more reliable testing system after the one it uses failed to detect that adviser Hope Hicks had the virus the day she began experiencing symptoms.
The president, his White House and his campaign have generally taken a lax approach to the pandemic, continuing to hold large events and failing to abide by social distancing recommendations.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House thinking, defended the current system.
— AP writer Jill Colvin
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2:30 p.m.
The vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris next week will go on as scheduled after President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday.
An official with the Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed that no changes are anticipated to the Wednesday night debate in Salt Lake City. Both Pence and Harris underwent tests for the coronavirus on Friday and tested negative.
Pence’s physician said in a memo that the vice president was not considered a “close contact” of anyone infected with COVID-19 and was not required to quarantine.
“Vice President Mike Pence remains in good health and is free to go about his normal activities,” said Navy Lt. Commander Dr. Jesse Schonau in a statement.
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2 p.m.
President Donald Trump’s campaign manager says all campaign events involving the president and his family will either be turned into virtual events or postponed until further notice.
Bill Stepien, who heads Trump’s reelection, says Vice President Mike Pence, who has tested negative for COVID-19, plans to continue to his campaign schedule.
The announcement comes after Trump tweeted earlier Friday that he and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus.
It is not clear when the president was exposed. One of the president’s top advisers, Hope Hicks, tested positive on Thursday for the virus. Two others — Utah Sen. Mike Lee and University of Notre Dame president Rev. John Jenkins — who attended Trump’s Rose Garden ceremony on Saturday to announce the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court — have also tested positive for the virus.
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1:55 p.m.
Comedian Joe Piscopo attended the fundraiser at Bedminster on Thursday, which he described as a small gathering in New Jersey for Trump’s friends.
“It was meticulously run, from the Secret Service to COVID testing to masking,” Piscopo told The Associated Press on the phone. The president came out of the portico to talk to guests seated at tables “yards and yards” away. Piscopo said he was at the back of the crowd and said, “We were all social distancing and it was all outside.”
He added, “I’ve never seen him more on top of his game, warm, funny, vulnerable.” The president gave a 30-minute speech. Piscopo said he could not talk about it specifically but said that it was “all positive.” The president then answered questions. Piscopo said the president greeted the crowd of friends and called out to him specifically.
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1:30 p.m.
Minnesota health officials are urging people who attended events associated with President Donald Trump’s visit this week to consider being tested for the coronavirus.
The Minnesota Department of Health on Friday urged anyone with symptoms to be tested right away. Trump announced early Friday morning that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19, just two days after he held a campaign rally in Duluth and a fundraiser in a Minneapolis suburb.
The health department said community transmission was high in St. Louis County — which includes Duluth — before the rally, and attendees may have been infectious without realizing it.
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1:25 p.m.
University of Notre Dame’s president has confirmed he has tested positive for the coronavirus days after attending President Donald Trump’s announcement that he was nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Rev. John Jenkins was invited to the Rose Garden ceremony because Barrett is a Notre Dame University alumna and law school professor. He apologized earlier this week for not wearing a mask at the ceremony.
In a message sent to Notre Dame community Friday, Jenkins said that he had learned that a colleague he was in contact with had tested positive for the virus, and he went into self-quarantine. Jenkins said he too was tested and learned he had the virus.
Trump announced earlier Friday that he and the first lady have tested positive for the virus. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who attended the ceremony, also announced on Friday that he has tested positive for coronavirus.
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1:10 p.m.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is encouraging people who were at President Donald Trump’s campaign rally at Harrisburg International Airport on Saturday to get tested if they are feeling sick.
The department is asking people to download the COVID Alert PA phone app if they do test positive to anonymously alert people they may have come in contact with.
Thousands attended the outdoor rally, held hours after the president introduced his Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, from the Rose Garden at the White House. Those at the rally were required to pass through a security checkpoint and get their temperatures taken.
Trump announced earlier Friday that he and the first lady have tested positive for the coronavirus.
___
12:45 p.m.
Joe Biden is moving forward with plans to travel to Michigan on Friday after he and his wife, Jill, tested negative for the coronavirus.
The Democratic presidential nominee had planned on traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to talk about the economy on Friday morning. His trip was delayed by several hours as he awaited the test results.
He was tested for the virus after attending Tuesday’s debate with President Donald Trump. The president said early Friday that he and his wife, Melania Trump, tested positive for coronavirus.
Biden spent much of the spring and early summer close to his Wilmington, Delaware, home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But he’s stepped up his travel in the final stretch of the campaign, while still taking heed of public health guidelines.
He regularly wears a mask in public, something that Trump taunted Biden for during this week’s debate. And he mostly appears in front of small, socially distanced crowds.
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12:30 p.m.
Joe Biden has tested negative for the coronavirus, his primary care doctor confirmed on Friday.
The Democratic presidential nominee and his wife were tested earlier in the day after news of President Donald Trump’s infection was announced.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor released the negative results in a statement issued by the Biden campaign. Biden was on the debate stage with Trump for more than 90 minutes earlier in the week. It’s still unclear if Biden will hold campaign events later in the day.
Biden, in a social media post, thanked his supporters for “messages of concern.” He added: “I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands.”
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12:15 p.m.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee says he has tested positive for the coronavirus after experiencing “symptoms consistent with longtime allergies.” Lee visited the White House on Saturday for President Donald Trump’s announcement that he had nominated Judge Amy Comey Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Lee’s disclosure comes after Trump said in an early-morning tweet that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the virus. Lee said in his statement that he had tested negative for the virus when he visited the White House for Saturday’s event, which featured little social distancing and few masks.
The Utah Republican also met with Barrett on Tuesday in the Capitol. The two sat in chairs that were distanced several feet apart but took a photo before the meeting in which they were closer together. He also spoke to reporters after the meeting, removing his mask in front of the cameras as most lawmakers generally do.
___
11:55 a.m.
First lady Melania Trump says she is experiencing “mild symptoms” after she and President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
“Thank you for the love you are sending our way. I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good. I am looking forward to a speedy recovery,” she tweeted Friday morning.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said President Trump was also experiencing mild symptoms, but continues to work from the White House residence as he quarantines. The Trumps’ youngest child, Barron, 14, has tested negative for the virus.


mercurynews--2020-10-03--Misinformation spikes after Trump reveals he has COVID-19

By Amanda Seitz and Beatrice Dupuy | Associated Press CHICAGO — News Friday that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 sparked an explosion of rumors , misinformation and conspiracy theories that in a matter of hours littered the social media feeds of many Americans .
Tweets shared thousands of times claimed Democrats might have somehow intentionally infected the president with the coronavirus during the debates .
Others speculated in Facebook posts that maybe the president was faking his illness .
And the news also ignited constant conjecture among QAnon followers , who peddle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrior against a secret network of government officials and celebrities that they falsely claim is running a child trafficking ring .
In the final weeks of the presidential campaign , Trump ’ s COVID-19 diagnosis was swept into an online vortex of coronavirus misinformation and the falsehoods swirling around this polarizing election .
Trump himself has driven much of that confusion and distrust on the campaign trail , from his presidential podium and his Twitter account , where he ’ s made wrong claims about widespread voter fraud or hawked unproven cures for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is both a political crisis weeks before the election and also a health crisis ; it ’ s a perfect storm , ” said Alexandra Cirone , an assistant professor at Cornell University who studies the effect of misinformation on government .
Facebook said Friday that it immediately began monitoring misinformation around the president ’ s diagnosis and had started applying fact checks to some false posts .
Twitter , meanwhile , was monitoring an uptick in “ copypasta ” campaigns about Trump ’ s illness .
“ Copypasta ” campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parrot the same phrase over and over to inundate users with messaging , and they are sometimes signals of coordinated activity .
The social media company said it was working to limit views on those tweets .
But nearly 30,000 Twitter users had retweeted a variety of conspiracy theories about the news by Friday morning , according to an analysis by VineSight , a tech company that tracks online misinformation .
Roughly 10,000 of those retweets touted the drug hydroxychloroquine , an unproven treatment for COVID-19 , as a treatment for the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a QAnon conspiracy theory that the president is going into quarantine while mass arrests of high-profile politicians like Trump ’ s former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton are carried out , according to the company ’ s analysis .
Most of the conversation was coming from unverified accounts on Twitter , said Gideon Blocq , the CEO of VineSight .
“ A lot of them seem very happy about what ’ s going to happen because they think Hillary Clinton is going to be arrested , ” Blocq said of the QAnon accounts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fringe spheres of the internet but by everyday social media users as well , said Shane Creevy , head of editorial at Kinzen , an Ireland-based company that works to monitor misinformation online .
“ The conspiracy part of the internet is like outside the mainstream , but even among regular users we are seeing quite a lot of crazy thinking pushed out there from people who should know better , ” Creevy said .
Other social media users were suggesting that Trump ’ s diagnosis is a hoax aimed at generating sympathy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next presidential debate against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
That speculation shows up in Facebook comments on news stories about Trump .
“ It is a lie , ” one Facebook user wrote on a TV news network ’ s post about Trump , calling it a “ Strategy to not debate Biden anymore.
” Similar posts making the groundless claim were shared hundreds or thousands of times online .
“ Is Trump faking COVID to avoid narcissistic injury of losing the election ?
” one Twitter user asked in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
Clint Watts , a disinformation expert with the Foreign Policy Research Institute , published a report in July describing one or both of the candidates contracting COVID-19 as a scenario for prompting an onslaught of disinformation in the campaign .
“ The biggest reason why this is a disaster is because there are no trusted information sources remaining that have not been undermined by the president , ” he said .
The news is also ripe for foreign and domestic internet instigators to exploit in a disinformation campaign , and opens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinformation , said Cirone , the Cornell professor .
She predicted that internet users will share video clips of politicians coughing or appearing ill to prematurely claim that they have tested positive for the virus .
In fact , social media users have already employed a similar strategy when they shared video clips of Biden coughing during an event in Pennsylvania on Wednesday to suggest he was sick .
The video resurfaced again — getting more than 160,000 views on Twitter by Friday morning — with social media users suggesting that Biden either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Trump during the debate .
Biden and his wife tested negative Friday for the virus .
“ Individual citizens shouldn ’ t amplify any speculation , ” Cirone said .
“ Nefarious actors are banking on the ( likelihood ) that citizens will be very concerned about this and accidentally spread fake news.
” In perhaps a sign of what ’ s to come , state-backed Russian television channel RT tweeted a story suggesting that Biden ’ s prolonged coughing from the debate raised concerns for the former vice president after Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election , Russia launched an online misinformation campaign with bogus social media accounts that aimed to sway U.S. voters ’ opinions in the race , and there are signs that the Kremlin is at it again .
• Sen. Tillis , R-NC , is second on Judiciary to get COVID-19 • Coronavirus : What happens if Trump can ’ t govern ?
Watts said Russian-backed accounts are mostly only trolling the president and the White House so far , but they are just getting started — especially given that the president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to position all sorts of conspiracies or amplify American conspiracies , ” Watts said .
Dupuy reported from New York .
Associated Press technology reporter Barbara Ortutay in Oakland contributed to this report .

By Amanda Seitz and Beatrice Dupuy | Associated Press
CHICAGO — News Friday that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 sparked an explosion of rumors, misinformation and conspiracy theories that in a matter of hours littered the social media feeds of many Americans.
Tweets shared thousands of times claimed Democrats might have somehow intentionally infected the president with the coronavirus during the debates. Others speculated in Facebook posts that maybe the president was faking his illness. And the news also ignited constant conjecture among QAnon followers, who peddle a baseless belief that Trump is a warrior against a secret network of government officials and celebrities that they falsely claim is running a child trafficking ring.
In the final weeks of the presidential campaign, Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis was swept into an online vortex of coronavirus misinformation and the falsehoods swirling around this polarizing election. Trump himself has driven much of that confusion and distrust on the campaign trail, from his presidential podium and his Twitter account, where he’s made wrong claims about widespread voter fraud or hawked unproven cures for the coronavirus, such as hydroxychloroquine.
“This is both a political crisis weeks before the election and also a health crisis; it’s a perfect storm,” said Alexandra Cirone, an assistant professor at Cornell University who studies the effect of misinformation on government.
Facebook said Friday that it immediately began monitoring misinformation around the president’s diagnosis and had started applying fact checks to some false posts.
Twitter, meanwhile, was monitoring an uptick in “copypasta” campaigns about Trump’s illness. “Copypasta” campaigns are attempts by numerous Twitter accounts to parrot the same phrase over and over to inundate users with messaging, and they are sometimes signals of coordinated activity. The social media company said it was working to limit views on those tweets.
But nearly 30,000 Twitter users had retweeted a variety of conspiracy theories about the news by Friday morning, according to an analysis by VineSight, a tech company that tracks online misinformation.
Roughly 10,000 of those retweets touted the drug hydroxychloroquine, an unproven treatment for COVID-19, as a treatment for the president. Another 13,000 retweets were related to a QAnon conspiracy theory that the president is going into quarantine while mass arrests of high-profile politicians like Trump’s former Democratic rival Hillary Clinton are carried out, according to the company’s analysis.
Most of the conversation was coming from unverified accounts on Twitter, said Gideon Blocq, the CEO of VineSight.
“A lot of them seem very happy about what’s going to happen because they think Hillary Clinton is going to be arrested,” Blocq said of the QAnon accounts.
Misinformation was not only promoted in the fringe spheres of the internet but by everyday social media users as well, said Shane Creevy, head of editorial at Kinzen, an Ireland-based company that works to monitor misinformation online.
“The conspiracy part of the internet is like outside the mainstream, but even among regular users we are seeing quite a lot of crazy thinking pushed out there from people who should know better,” Creevy said.
Other social media users were suggesting that Trump’s diagnosis is a hoax aimed at generating sympathy among voters or even getting out of the next presidential debate against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
That speculation shows up in Facebook comments on news stories about Trump.
“It is a lie,” one Facebook user wrote on a TV news network’s post about Trump, calling it a “strategy to not debate Biden anymore.”
Similar posts making the groundless claim were shared hundreds or thousands of times online.
“Is Trump faking COVID to avoid narcissistic injury of losing the election?” one Twitter user asked in a post retweeted more than 4,000 times Friday morning.
Clint Watts, a disinformation expert with the Foreign Policy Research Institute, published a report in July describing one or both of the candidates contracting COVID-19 as a scenario for prompting an onslaught of disinformation in the campaign.
“The biggest reason why this is a disaster is because there are no trusted information sources remaining that have not been undermined by the president,” he said.
The news is also ripe for foreign and domestic internet instigators to exploit in a disinformation campaign, and opens the door for people to unwittingly spread misinformation, said Cirone, the Cornell professor.
She predicted that internet users will share video clips of politicians coughing or appearing ill to claim that they have tested positive for the virus.
In fact, social media users have already employed a similar strategy when they shared video clips of Biden coughing during an event in Pennsylvania on Wednesday to suggest he was sick. The video resurfaced again — getting more than 160,000 views on Twitter by Friday morning — with social media users suggesting that Biden either infected Trump or had caught the virus from Trump during the debate. Biden and his wife tested negative Friday for the virus.
“Individual citizens shouldn’t amplify any speculation,” Cirone said. “Nefarious actors are banking on the (likelihood) that citizens will be very concerned about this and accidentally spread fake news.”
In perhaps a sign of what’s to come, state-backed Russian television channel RT tweeted a story suggesting that Biden’s prolonged coughing from the debate raised concerns for the former vice president after Trump’s test. In the last presidential election, Russia launched an online misinformation campaign with bogus social media accounts that aimed to sway U.S. voters’ opinions in the race, and there are signs that the Kremlin is at it again.
Watts said Russian-backed accounts are mostly only trolling the president and the White House so far, but they are just getting started — especially given that the president has only begun his quarantine.
“They are going to position all sorts of conspiracies or amplify American conspiracies,” Watts said.
Dupuy reported from New York. Associated Press technology reporter Barbara Ortutay in Oakland contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Meet who will be leading San Jose’s new Office of Racial Equity

Zulma Maciel , director of the city ’ s Office of Immigrant Affairs and a daughter of Mexican immigrants , has been selected to lead the city ’ s newly-created Office of Racial Equity , marking the first public step by the city to address inequities in its policies , programs and spending .
“ Throughout her tenure with the city , Zulma has demonstrated time and time again her commitment to our communities and ability to drive results , ” San Jose City Manager David Sykes said in a statement .
“ The stakes are high with this very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence in her ability to make an immediate impact.
” The announcement comes in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic — where San Jose ’ s Latinx communities have been disproportionately affected — and amid an elevated national conversation around racial injustice and police brutality following the police killings of Black men and women like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor earlier this year .
Despite calls for diverting funding away from the city ’ s police department , the city council during its annual budget process in June decided to maintain the force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also create a new Office of Racial Equity , which some councilmembers had been requesting for more than a year , and award it with an initial budget of $ 1 million .
Maciel ’ s new office will be responsible for analyzing city policies , programs and practices with the ambitious goal to “ eradicate any structural or institutional racism ” within the city government structure and working with the city ’ s police department and the independent police auditor to “ reimagine community safety , ” according to a city press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Office of Racial Equity will have the opportunity to work with the community to reimagine and reform the systems that have traditionally handicapped the progress of Black and Brown and Indigenous people , ” Maciel said .
“ …There is a lot of work ahead and I recognize that it ’ s going to take a lot of heavy lifting but also going to take a lot of time as culture changes.
” Although the office will be leading its efforts by looking at policies and programs through a racial lens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider how other factors such as gender , sexual orientation and disability fit into the equation as well .
Maciel was chosen to lead the newly-established office based on her “ diverse leadership experiences with the City , track record of authentic community partnerships , and results-driven approach , ” according to the release .
Maciel , who grew up in Gilroy and graduated from the University of California-Santa Cruz , has worked for the city for more than two decades in various management positions , including most recently serving as the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigrant Affairs .
She led the development of the city ’ s first plan to welcome recently immigrated residents and was in charge of creating new strategies aimed at providing a more welcoming environment to improve the quality of life of immigrants and refugees .
She also has established relationships with many community organizations throughout San Jose while managing a $ 15 million grant portfolio for the city , where she was in charge of evaluating programs and investing dollars .
Over the past two years , Maciel said her office already had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it plays a role in city operations and the quality of life of certain groups of residents , but the expanded office will give her and her team more time and funding to tackle it on a larger scale .
Outside of her career in the city , Maciel also serves as vice president of Grail Family Services — a community nonprofit organization in East San Jose — and is on the advisory boards for HOPE Leadership Institute , also known as Hispanas Organized for Political Equality , and Latina Coalition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo called Maciel “ a fierce champion for San Jose ’ s immigrant and refugee community ” who will be a “ powerful voice in the fight for institutional change.
” Earlier this week , San Jose also appointed Nora Frimann as city attorney , making her the second woman in history to serve in that role .
Frimann joined the San Jose City Attorney ’ s Office in 2001 and had been serving as the interim city attorney since her predecessor , Rick Doyle , retired in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer on August 23 — just a couple weeks after his retirement .

Zulma Maciel, director of the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and a daughter of Mexican immigrants, has been selected to lead the city’s newly-created Office of Racial Equity, marking the first public step by the city to address inequities in its policies, programs and spending.
“Throughout her tenure with the city, Zulma has demonstrated time and time again her commitment to our communities and ability to drive results,” San Jose City Manager David Sykes said in a statement. “The stakes are high with this very important new role and I have full confidence in her ability to make an immediate impact.”
The announcement comes in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic — where San Jose’s Latinx communities have been disproportionately affected — and amid an elevated national conversation around racial injustice and police brutality following the police killings of Black men and women like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor earlier this year.
Despite calls for diverting funding away from the city’s police department, the city council during its annual budget process in June decided to maintain the force’s $449 million budget but also create a new Office of Racial Equity, which some councilmembers had been requesting for more than a year, and award it with an initial budget of $1 million.
Maciel’s new office will be responsible for analyzing city policies, programs and practices with the ambitious goal to “eradicate any structural or institutional racism” within the city government structure and working with the city’s police department and the independent police auditor to “reimagine community safety,” according to a city press release and an interview with Maciel.
“The Office of Racial Equity will have the opportunity to work with the community to reimagine and reform the systems that have traditionally handicapped the progress of Black and Brown and Indigenous people,” Maciel said. “…There is a lot of work ahead and I recognize that it’s going to take a lot of heavy lifting but also going to take a lot of time as culture changes.”
Although the office will be leading its efforts by looking at policies and programs through a racial lens, Maciel said her office will also consider how other factors such as gender, sexual orientation and disability fit into the equation as well.
Maciel was chosen to lead the newly-established office based on her “diverse leadership experiences with the City, track record of authentic community partnerships, and results-driven approach,” according to the release.
Maciel, who grew up in Gilroy and graduated from the University of California-Santa Cruz, has worked for the city for more than two decades in various management positions, including most recently serving as the director of the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. She led the development of the city’s first plan to welcome recently immigrated residents and was in charge of creating new strategies aimed at providing a more welcoming environment to improve the quality of life of immigrants and refugees.
She also has established relationships with many community organizations throughout San Jose while managing a $15 million grant portfolio for the city, where she was in charge of evaluating programs and investing dollars.
Over the past two years, Maciel said her office already had begun having conversations about racial equity and how it plays a role in city operations and the quality of life of certain groups of residents, but the expanded office will give her and her team more time and funding to tackle it on a larger scale.
Outside of her career in the city, Maciel also serves as vice president of Grail Family Services — a community nonprofit organization in East San Jose — and is on the advisory boards for HOPE Leadership Institute, also known as Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, and Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley.
In a statement Friday, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo called Maciel “a fierce champion for San Jose’s immigrant and refugee community” who will be a “powerful voice in the fight for institutional change.”
Earlier this week, San Jose also appointed Nora Frimann as city attorney, making her the second woman in history to serve in that role. Frimann joined the San Jose City Attorney’s Office in 2001 and had been serving as the interim city attorney since her predecessor, Rick Doyle, retired in early August. Doyle passed away from cancer on August 23 — just a couple weeks after his retirement.


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Coronavirus: What happens if Trump can’t govern?

President Donald Trump has tested positive for Covid-19 and is quarantining with first lady Melania Trump .
Here ’ s what happens if he begins to show symptoms and gets too sick to fulfill his role as President .
The Constitution lays out rules for succession When Boris Johnson , the British prime minister , was hospitalized with Covid this year it underscored that there was no formal succession procedure in the UK and raised serious questions about who was leading the country .
Johnson called on his foreign secretary to be deputized if he was fully incapacitated .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both in the Constitution and in federal law that dictate who takes over if Trump can ’ t do his work .
But the first step is determining that a President is incapacitated — and on this point there is very little clarity .
According to the 25th Amendment , he could make that determination himself and , with a letter to the Senate , formally hand power to Vice President Mike Pence , who would then govern until Trump informed the Senate that he was taking power back .
Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office , and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary , such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
” Ronald Reagan did this when he had cancerous polyps removed from his colon and George W. Bush did it twice when he had colonoscopies .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under anesthesia , they handed over power for a few hours , although Reagan disputed it was an intended use of the 25th Amendment .
The New York Times reporter Mike Schmidt recently reported that Pence was on standby to temporarily assume the powers of the presidency in 2019 , when it was possible Trump would have to undergo a procedure requiring anesthesia at Walter Reed hospital , although very little is known about that situation and the White House has been guarded about details .
The Cabinet can step in There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s worth considering .
If the President were incapacitated to such a degree that he could not temporarily transmit power , the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet could , technically , take it from him .
If the vice president and a majority of the cabinet disagree , a supermajority of Congress and the Senate could vote to take it from him permanently .
This clause had in mind a President who was in a coma or suffered a stroke .
The Reagan administration drafted , but did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate that would have taken power from Reagan after he was shot in 1981 .
You can see them at the Reagan Library ’ s website .
Dwight Eisenhower , for instance , suffered a debilitating heart attack while in office in the 1950s .
That was before the 25th Amendment , so there was no constitutional rule .
Instead he came to an agreement with Vice President Richard Nixon about handing over power .
Line of succession for the president and vice president Article 2 , Section 1 , Clause 6 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Case of the Removal of the President from Office , or of his Death , Resignation , or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office , the Same shall devolve on the Vice President , and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal , Death , Resignation or Inability , both of the President and Vice President declaring what Officer shall then act as President , and such Officer shall act accordingly , until the Disability be removed , or a President shall be elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve , the line of succession falls to the speaker of the House , then to the Senate president pro tempore , then to Cabinet members .
The Cabinet line of succession is : 1 .
Secretary of State 2 .
Secretary of the Treasury 3 .
Secretary of Defense 4 .
Attorney General 5 .
Secretary of the Interior 6 .
Secretary of Agriculture 7 .
Secretary of Commerce 8 .
Secretary of Labor 9 .
Secretary of Health and Human Services 10 .
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 11 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Energy 13 .
Secretary of Education 14 .
Secretary of Veterans Affairs 15 .
Secretary of Homeland Security Eight vice presidents have assumed the presidency upon the death of the president ; one upon the president ’ s resignation .
The president pro tempore serves as leader of the Senate in the vice president ’ s absence and is usually the senior member of the majority party .
The 20th Amendment provides that the vice president-elect becomes president if the president-elect dies before his term starts but after the Electoral College has met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president to serve as acting president temporarily in the case that the president is ill or otherwise temporarily unable to fulfill his or her official duties .
On July 13 , 1985 , Vice President George H. W. Bush served as president for eight hours while President Ronald Reagan had surgery .

By Zachary B. Wolf | CNN
President Donald Trump has tested positive for Covid-19 and is quarantining with first lady Melania Trump.
Here’s what happens if he begins to show symptoms and gets too sick to fulfill his role as President.
The Constitution lays out rules for succession
When Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, was hospitalized with Covid this year it underscored that there was no formal succession procedure in the UK and raised serious questions about who was leading the country. Johnson called on his foreign secretary to be deputized if he was fully incapacitated.
In the US, there are specific guidelines both in the Constitution and in federal law that dictate who takes over if Trump can’t do his work. But the first step is determining that a President is incapacitated — and on this point there is very little clarity.
According to the 25th Amendment, he could make that determination himself and, with a letter to the Senate, formally hand power to Vice President Mike Pence, who would then govern until Trump informed the Senate that he was taking power back.
Here’s how that looks in the 25th Amendment:
“Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.”
Ronald Reagan did this when he had cancerous polyps removed from his colon and George W. Bush did it twice when he had colonoscopies. In both cases, when the presidents were under anesthesia, they handed over power for a few hours, although Reagan disputed it was an intended use of the 25th Amendment.
The New York Times reporter Mike Schmidt recently reported that Pence was on standby to temporarily assume the powers of the presidency in 2019, when it was possible Trump would have to undergo a procedure requiring anesthesia at Walter Reed hospital, although very little is known about that situation and the White House has been guarded about details.
The Cabinet can step in
There is another clause in the 25th Amendment that’s worth considering. If the President were incapacitated to such a degree that he could not temporarily transmit power, the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet could, technically, take it from him. If the vice president and a majority of the cabinet disagree, a supermajority of Congress and the Senate could vote to take it from him permanently.
This clause had in mind a President who was in a coma or suffered a stroke.
The Reagan administration drafted, but did not sign or transmit, letters to the Senate that would have taken power from Reagan after he was shot in 1981. You can see them at the Reagan Library’s website.
Dwight Eisenhower, for instance, suffered a debilitating heart attack while in office in the 1950s. That was before the 25th Amendment, so there was no constitutional rule. Instead he came to an agreement with Vice President Richard Nixon about handing over power.
Line of succession for the president and vice president
Article 2, Section 1, Clause 6, Constitution of the United States: In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
If the vice president cannot serve, the line of succession falls to the speaker of the House, then to the Senate president pro tempore, then to Cabinet members.
The Cabinet line of succession is:
1. Secretary of State
2. Secretary of the Treasury
3. Secretary of Defense
4. Attorney General
5. Secretary of the Interior
6. Secretary of Agriculture
7. Secretary of Commerce
8. Secretary of Labor
9. Secretary of Health and Human Services
10. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
11. Secretary of Transportation
12. Secretary of Energy
13. Secretary of Education
14. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
15. Secretary of Homeland Security
Eight vice presidents have assumed the presidency upon the death of the president; one upon the president’s resignation.
The president pro tempore serves as leader of the Senate in the vice president’s absence and is usually the senior member of the majority party.
The 20th Amendment provides that the vice president-elect becomes president if the president-elect dies before his term starts but after the Electoral College has met.
The 25th Amendment allows the vice president to serve as acting president temporarily in the case that the president is ill or otherwise temporarily unable to fulfill his or her official duties. On July 13, 1985, Vice President George H. W. Bush served as president for eight hours while President Ronald Reagan had surgery.


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Map: 31 people killed in California wildfires, 2020 season

Thirty-one deaths have been attributed to California wildfires since August — four firefighters and 27 other people overtaken by the flames .
By far the deadliest fire is the Bear Fire in the North Complex , which killed 15 people in the communities of Berry Creek and Feather Falls .
The list of names is below , with numbers keyed to the map , which indicates approximate position .
• Peter Hein , 61 , Big Pine .
A firefighter with the Big Pine Volunteer Firefighter Department , he suffered a fatal heart attack Aug. 11 at the Kern County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pine department after retiring as an engineer with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
• Tad Jones , 73 , Last Chance ( Santa Cruz County ) .
He was found dead near his charred minivan , apparently having tried to drive away from the fire on Aug. 18 or 19 .
An Army veteran , he had lived for three decades in a tiny cabin , much of it under a vow of silence .
• Mary Hintemeyer , 70 ; Leo McDermott , 71 ; Tom McDermott , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Hintemeyer and the elder McDermott had been a couple for several years ; Tom was his son .
On Aug. 18 , Hintemeyer spoke with her own son and told him they were preparing to leave the mobile homes where they lived .
Apparently they could not get out in time .
They were found dead Aug. 19 in a bunker on the property that had been outfitted as a fire shelter .
• James Leon Bone , 64 , Solano County .
Found dead Aug. 19. in his home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was visually impaired and that his house — where he had lived since childhood — had no electricity or running water .
• Douglas Mai , 82 , Solano County .
Found dead Aug. 19 at his Pleasants Valley Road home , which he had refused to leave .
• Michael John Fournier , 52 , Rancho Cucamonga .
The helicopter pilot was making water drops on a Fresno County fire Aug. 19 when his helicopter crashed .
He was the only person aboard .
• Diana Jones , 63 , Cresson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical technician with the volunteer department in her Texas town , she had traveled to California with her son to work as a contract firefighter .
She was killed Aug. 31 when the truck in which she was riding went down an embankment and hit a tree as she and two fellow firefighters tried to move to a safer position on the lines of the Tatham Fire in Tehama County .
• Josiah Williams , 16 , Berry Creek .
Two of his family members safely evacuated on Sept. 8 , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car .
• Philip Rubel , 68 ; Millicent Catarancuic , 77 ; Susan Zurz , 76 , Berry Creek .
The three were found Sept. 9 near their vehicles , packed to leave , at their home on Graystone Lane .
Rubel was in a pickup truck ; Catarancuic ( his wife ) and Zurz ( her sister ) were nearby .
They had told relatives by phone on Sept. 8 that they were preparing to evacuate but an hour later reported they had decided to wait , because of erroneous information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
• John Butler , 79 , and Sandra Butler , 75 , Berry Creek .
Found near their home .
They had told relatives that they wouldn ’ t evacuate but would go to a nearby pond if the fire got close .
• Paul Winer , 68 , and Linda Longenbach , 71 , Berry Creek .
Found Sept. 10 near their home on Handkirk Lane .
She was in a car and he near an all-terrain vehicle .
• Kin Lee , 61 , Berry Creek .
Found Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He had told a family member on Sept. 8 that he would evacuate if he saw flames .
• Larry Holder , 61 , Berry Creek .
Found Sept. 12 in a metal shed on his property on Bay Ranch Road .
Neighbors told investigators Holder planned to “ ride out ” the fire in the shed .
• Mark Delagardie , 61 , Berry Creek .
Found Sept. 14 at his residence on Bean Creek Road .
The friend who requested a welfare check said Delagardie had decided not to evacuate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feather Falls .
Found Sept. 10 in a vehicle on Lumpkin Road near Cedar Tree Lane .
• Two people found dead near Happy Camp , on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 .
• Charles Morton , 39 , Big Bear .
The hotshot squad boss died Sept. 17 while fighting the San Bernardino Mountains fire .
The circumstances of the death have not been publicized .
• Karin King , 79 , Igo .
Found Sept. 28 on Zogg Mine Road , near where the fire started .
• Kenneth Vossen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being taken to the medical center at the University of California , Davis .
• Two as-yet-unidentified people found dead on Sept. 27 or Sept. 28 .

Thirty-three deaths have been attributed to California wildfires since August — four firefighters and 29 other people overtaken by the flames.
By far the deadliest fire is the Bear Fire in the North Complex, which killed 16 people in the communities of Berry Creek and Feather Falls.
The list of names is below, with numbers keyed to the map. Positions are approximate.
(1) Stagecoach Fire
Peter Hein, 61, Big Pine. A firefighter with the Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department, he suffered a fatal heart attack Aug. 11 at the Kern County wildfire. He had joined the Big Pine department after retiring as an engineer with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
(2) CZU Complex
Tad Jones, 73, Last Chance (Santa Cruz County). He was found near his charred minivan, apparently having tried to drive away from the fire on Aug. 18 or 19. An Army veteran, he had lived for three decades in a tiny cabin, much of it under a vow of silence.
(3 & 4) LNU Complex
Mary Hintemeyer , 70; Leo McDermott , 71; Tom McDermott , 41, Markley Cove (Napa County). Hintemeyer and the elder McDermott had been a couple for several years; Tom was his son. On Aug. 18, Hintemeyer spoke with her own son and told him they were preparing to leave the mobile homes where they lived. Apparently they could not get out in time. They were found Aug. 19 in a bunker on the property that had been outfitted as a fire shelter.
, 70; , 71; , 41, Markley Cove (Napa County). Hintemeyer and the elder McDermott had been a couple for several years; Tom was his son. On Aug. 18, Hintemeyer spoke with her own son and told him they were preparing to leave the mobile homes where they lived. Apparently they could not get out in time. They were found Aug. 19 in a bunker on the property that had been outfitted as a fire shelter. James Leon Bone , 64, Solano County. Found Aug. 19 in his home in the English Hills. Neighbors said he was visually impaired and that his house — where he had lived since childhood — had no electricity or running water.
, 64, Solano County. Found Aug. 19 in his home in the English Hills. Neighbors said he was visually impaired and that his house — where he had lived since childhood — had no electricity or running water. Douglas Mai, 82, Solano County. Found Aug. 19 at his Pleasants Valley Road home, which he had refused to leave.
(5) Hills Fire
Michael John Fournier, 52, Rancho Cucamonga. The helicopter pilot was making water drops on a Fresno County fire Aug. 19 when his helicopter crashed. He was the only person aboard.
(6) August Complex
Diana Jones, 63, Cresson, Texas. A firefighter and emergency medical technician with the volunteer department in her Texas town, she had traveled to California with her son to work as a contract firefighter. She was killed Aug. 31 when the truck in which she was riding went down an embankment and hit a tree as she and two fellow firefighters tried to move to a safer position while battling the Tatham Fire in Tehama County.
(7 & 8) North Complex
Josiah Williams , 16, Berry Creek. Two of his family members safely evacuated on Sept. 8, and he was supposed to follow them in another car.
, 16, Berry Creek. Two of his family members safely evacuated on Sept. 8, and he was supposed to follow them in another car. Khawar Bhatti , 58, Berry Creek.
, 58, Berry Creek. Philip Rubel , 68; Millicent Catarancuic , 77; Susan Zurz , 76, Berry Creek. The three were found Sept. 9 near their vehicles, packed to leave, at their home on Graystone Lane. Rubel was in a pickup truck; Catarancuic (his wife) and Zurz (her sister) were nearby. They had told relatives by phone on Sept. 8 that they were preparing to evacuate but an hour later reported they had decided to wait, because of erroneous information that the fire was moving away from them.
, 68; , 77; , 76, Berry Creek. The three were found Sept. 9 near their vehicles, packed to leave, at their home on Graystone Lane. Rubel was in a pickup truck; Catarancuic (his wife) and Zurz (her sister) were nearby. They had told relatives by phone on Sept. 8 that they were preparing to evacuate but an hour later reported they had decided to wait, because of erroneous information that the fire was moving away from them. John Butler , 79, and Sandra Butler , 75, Berry Creek. Found near their home. They had told relatives that they wouldn’t evacuate but would go to a nearby pond if the fire got close.
, 79, and , 75, Berry Creek. Found near their home. They had told relatives that they wouldn’t evacuate but would go to a nearby pond if the fire got close. Paul Winer , 68, and Linda Longenbach , 71, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 10 near their home on Handkirk Lane. She was in a car and he near an all-terrain vehicle.
, 68, and , 71, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 10 near their home on Handkirk Lane. She was in a car and he near an all-terrain vehicle. Kin Lee , 61, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 10 at his home on Starcrest Lane. He had told a family member on Sept. 8 that he would evacuate if he saw flames.
, 61, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 10 at his home on Starcrest Lane. He had told a family member on Sept. 8 that he would evacuate if he saw flames. Larry Holder , 61, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 12 in a metal shed on his property on Bay Ranch Road. Neighbors told investigators Holder planned to “ride out” the fire in the shed.
, 61, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 12 in a metal shed on his property on Bay Ranch Road. Neighbors told investigators Holder planned to “ride out” the fire in the shed. Jorge Hernandez-Juarez , 26, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 13 on a property on Milsap Bar Road.
, 26, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 13 on a property on Milsap Bar Road. Mark Delagardie , 61, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 14 at his residence on Bean Creek Road. The friend who requested a welfare check said Delagardie had decided not to evacuate.
, 61, Berry Creek. Found Sept. 14 at his residence on Bean Creek Road. The friend who requested a welfare check said Delagardie had decided not to evacuate. Win Naing , 54, Berry Creek. Died Oct. 21 after several weeks in a medically induced coma. He had been burned on Sept. 8 at his Sandy Springs Lane home but was able to drive and find help.
, 54, Berry Creek. Died Oct. 21 after several weeks in a medically induced coma. He had been burned on Sept. 8 at his Sandy Springs Lane home but was able to drive and find help. Randy Harrell , 67, Feather Falls. Found Sept. 10 in a vehicle on Lumpkin Road near Cedar Tree Lane.
, 67, Feather Falls. Found Sept. 10 in a vehicle on Lumpkin Road near Cedar Tree Lane. Jacob Albright, 74, Feather Falls. Found Sept. 12 in a vehicle on Island Bar Hill Road.
(9) Slater Fire
Martin “Wolfy” Peterson , 65, Happy Camp. Found Sept. 9-10 near Happy Camp.
, 65, Happy Camp. Found Sept. 9-10 near Happy Camp. “Elderly female,” name not released. Also found near Happy Camp.
(10) El Dorado Fire
Charles Morton, 39, Irvine. The Big Bear hotshot squad boss died Sept. 17 when flames burned over him while he was fighting the fire in the San Bernardino Mountains.
(11) Zogg Fire
Karin King , 79, Igo. Found Sept. 28 on Zogg Mine Road, near where the fire started.
, 79, Igo. Found Sept. 28 on Zogg Mine Road, near where the fire started. Alaina Michelle Rowe , 45, Igo. Found Sept. 28 on Archer Road.
, 45, Igo. Found Sept. 28 on Archer Road. 8-year-old girl , Igo. Rowe’s daughter was found near her mother. She is not being publicly identified.
, Igo. Rowe’s daughter was found near her mother. She is not being publicly identified. Kenneth Vossen, 52, Igo. Died Sept. 29 after being taken to the medical center at the University of California, Davis.
(12) Mountain View Fire


mercurynews--2020-10-02--Farmhouse Kitchen’s northern Thai cuisine comes to Menlo Park

Chef Kasem “ Pop ” Saengsawang ’ s signature chicken wings — and the rest of his northern Thai menu — have finally made their way to the Peninsula .
His wildly popular Farmhouse Kitchen empire , which launched in San Francisco in 2015 , is now serving alfresco , takeout and delivery meals in Menlo Park .
Saengsawang and wife/co-owner Iing Chatterjee have taken over the Merrill Street restaurant space near Caltrain that formerly had been home to chef Bradley Ogden ’ s Bradley ’ s Fine Diner .
• ‘ Our restaurants are struggling ’ : Dine Downtown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six weeks this time • Oakland ’ s Dopo to close after 17 years due to pandemic • 7 amazing Bay Area things to do this weekend Saengsawang ’ s menu recalls the vibrant food he grew up with in northeast Thailand , including family recipes , as well as modern re-imaginings of classic fare , from curries to slow-braised short rib to lobster pad thai .
The crowd-pleasing wings are made the way his grandparents taught him : They ’ re marinated in pineapple and Thai fish sauce and then grilled or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the duo expanded to Portland , Oregon , and Oakland .
They currently operate full restaurants in those cities and Thai Farmhouse Express locations in San Leandro and San Francisco .

Chef Kasem “Pop” Saengsawang’s signature chicken wings — and the rest of his northern Thai menu — have finally made their way to the Peninsula.
His wildly popular Farmhouse Kitchen empire, which launched in San Francisco in 2015, is now serving alfresco, takeout and delivery meals in Menlo Park. Saengsawang and wife/co-owner Iing Chatterjee have taken over the Merrill Street restaurant space near Caltrain that formerly had been home to chef Bradley Ogden’s Bradley’s Fine Diner.
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Montebello Market closes after 15 months in Los Gatos Restaurants, Food and Drink | Semi-permanent parklets under construction in downtown Campbell Saengsawang’s menu recalls the vibrant food he grew up with in northeast Thailand, including family recipes, as well as modern re-imaginings of classic fare, from curries to slow-braised short rib to lobster pad thai. The crowd-pleasing wings are made the way his grandparents taught him: They’re marinated in pineapple and Thai fish sauce and then grilled or fried.
After opening in San Francisco, the duo expanded to Portland, Oregon, and Oakland. They currently operate full restaurants in those cities and Thai Farmhouse Express locations in San Leandro and San Francisco.
Details: 1165 Merrill St., Menlo Park. www.farmhousethai.com