mercurynews--2020-09-12--Coronavirus: Status of Sunday’s Giants-Padres game remains unknown due to test results

After a positive COVID-19 test within the Giants organization forced the immediate postponements of games against the Padres on Friday and Saturday , Major League Baseball has yet to make a determination as to whether the teams will return to the field Sunday .
The test result that led to the postponement of games in the middle of the series could be a false positive as USA Today reported a Giants player who tested positive Friday has subsequently tested negative on Saturday .
The Giants did not reveal the identity of the player who initially tested positive .
No other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for the novel coronavirus in San Diego and the organization has not had any other positive test results since the initial intake process at the beginning of summer camp in July .
“ The San Francisco Giants learned last night that a member of the organization has tested positive for COVID-19 and have instructed the team ’ s players and staff to self-isolate in their San Diego hotel rooms with recommended safety precautions in place , ” the Giants said in an official statement Saturday .
“ The team conducted contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire traveling party.
” If the teams are cleared to return to the field , it ’ s possible a Sunday doubleheader at Petco Park would allow the Giants and Padres to avoid a nightmare scenario of playing multiple doubleheaders during the final weekend of the regular season when the teams are scheduled to play a three-game series at Oracle Park in San Francisco .
• The Giants ’ roster is starting to lack balance .
Will that help or hurt their playoff chances ?
• How the perception of Farhan Zaidi ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last year • SF Giants Gameday podcast : Farhan Zaidi , Gabe Kapler have decisions to make in rotation After postponements wiped out games on Friday and Saturday between the Giants and Padres , MLB has not announced when the clubs will attempt to make up the missed games .
The clubs could play doubleheaders at Oracle Park during the final weekend of the regular season , but the league could also explore the possibility of using T-Mobile Park in Seattle to host a game or two between the teams on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are scheduled to fly back to the Bay Area following Wednesday ’ s game against the Seattle Mariners , but San Francisco and San Diego have a mutual off day on Thursday before the Padres begin a three-game series in Seattle on Friday .
The Giants and Padres were moments away from first pitch on Friday evening at Petco Park when Giants trainer Dave Groeschner emerged from the dugout and informed the umpire crew of a positive test .
Giants manager Gabe Kapler and general manager Scott Harris began informing players the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement was made regarding the status of the game until 10 minutes after the scheduled 6:10 first pitch .
Two other National League playoff contenders , the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins , dealt with COVID-19 outbreaks earlier this season and are now scrambling to play as many games as possible during the final two weeks of the regular season .
The Marlins have not had an off day since September 3 and will play three doubleheaders over the final two weeks of the regular season to complete 60 games .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next seven days and four before the end of the regular season , but are only set to play 58 games instead of 60 after missing more than two full weeks of games following a coronavirus outbreak .

After a positive COVID-19 test within the Giants organization forced the immediate postponements of games against the Padres on Friday and Saturday, Major League Baseball has yet to make a determination as to whether the teams will return to the field Sunday.
The test result that led to the postponement of games in the middle of the series could be a false positive as USA Today reported a Giants player who tested positive Friday has subsequently tested negative on Saturday. The Giants did not reveal the identity of the player who initially tested positive.
No other member of the Giants traveling party has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in San Diego and the organization has not had any other positive test results since the initial intake process at the beginning of summer camp in July.
“The San Francisco Giants learned last night that a member of the organization has tested positive for COVID-19 and have instructed the team’s players and staff to self-isolate in their San Diego hotel rooms with recommended safety precautions in place,” the Giants said in an official statement Saturday. “The team conducted contact tracing and is continuing testing of the entire traveling party.”
The #SFGiants player who had a positive Covid-19 test has since had two negative tests and if everything is clear tonight, the #SFGiants and #Padres will play a doubleheader Sunday. — Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 12, 2020
If the teams are cleared to return to the field, it’s possible a Sunday doubleheader at Petco Park would allow the Giants and Padres to avoid a nightmare scenario of playing multiple doubleheaders during the final weekend of the regular season when the teams are scheduled to play a three-game series at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
After postponements wiped out games on Friday and Saturday between the Giants and Padres, MLB has not announced when the clubs will attempt to make up the missed games. The clubs could play doubleheaders at Oracle Park during the final weekend of the regular season, but the league could also explore the possibility of using T-Mobile Park in Seattle to host a game or two between the teams on Thursday, September 17.
The Giants are scheduled to fly back to the Bay Area following Wednesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners, but San Francisco and San Diego have a mutual off day on Thursday before the Padres begin a three-game series in Seattle on Friday.
The Giants and Padres were moments away from first pitch on Friday evening at Petco Park when Giants trainer Dave Groeschner emerged from the dugout and informed the umpire crew of a positive test. Giants manager Gabe Kapler and general manager Scott Harris began informing players the game would be postponed, but no official announcement was made regarding the status of the game until 10 minutes after the scheduled 6:10 first pitch.
Two other National League playoff contenders, the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins, dealt with COVID-19 outbreaks earlier this season and are now scrambling to play as many games as possible during the final two weeks of the regular season.
The Marlins have not had an off day since September 3 and will play three doubleheaders over the final two weeks of the regular season to complete 60 games. The Cardinals have three doubleheaders scheduled over the next seven days and four before the end of the regular season, but are only set to play 58 games instead of 60 after missing more than two full weeks of games following a coronavirus outbreak.


mercurynews--2020-09-12--Air pollution from the wildfires can make people more vulnerable to coronavirus, doctors say

“ Multiple studies have shown a correlation between higher levels of pollution in the air and greater spread and severity of Covid-19 cases , ” said Dr. Brad Spellberg , chief medical officer of the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center , citing several studies conducted in the United States , China and Italy .
“ Some studies have also shown that exposure of lung tissue to pollution may increase susceptibility to viral infections.
” Smoke from wildfires can irritate the lungs and cause inflammation that can affect the immune system , said Dr. Rekha Murthy , an infectious disease specialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That inflammation can make people more at risk of lung infections .
“ Whenever the lining of the lung or the airways become inflamed or damaged , it increases the potential for inhaled viral particles to take hold in the lungs and cause infection , ” Murthy said .
There are also concerns that smoke-filled air will drive coronavirus-positive people indoors , CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen said .
That , she said , could potentially increase the spread of the virus .
“ We know being outdoors versus indoors reduces the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being told you have to go indoors because you don ’ t want to breathe in the air that could cause respiratory issues , ” she said .
“ But you don ’ t want to be indoors with other individuals and have a higher rate of contracting COVID-19 … so , it ’ s really a catch-22.
” To prevent the possible spread of coronavirus during the intense fire season , those remaining indoors due to poor air quality should stay away from anyone who is not in their immediate household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million infections have been recorded in the US and 193,482 people have died , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
About 150,000 of those lives would have been saved if more Americans wore masks earlier on in the coronavirus pandemic , a health expert says .
“ If the President had said from day one everyone is wearing a mask , we ’ d have about 45,000 deaths in this country , ” said CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner , who ’ s a cardiologist and professor of medicine at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Germany handled the pandemic .
“ They haven ’ t been the best .
They haven ’ t been the worst .
They ’ ve been OK in their pandemic response and they ’ ve had about 10,000 deaths , ” he told CNN ’ s Erin Burnett .
The US has four times the population of Germany .
“ So we ’ d have about 45,000 deaths in this country , ” he said .
“ So about 150,000 people would be alive.
” He reiterated the importance of embracing masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about why we still have 40,000 cases a day and 1,000 deaths a day in this country , it ’ s because we ’ re still talking about masks , ” Reiner said .
“ It ’ s so basic.
” More deaths predicted if people let their guards down An influential model is predicting a catastrophic winter with a significant rise in coronavirus deaths .
A possible scenario sees 415,090 Covid-19 deaths by January , the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) at the University of Washington says in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 611,000 deaths by January 1 .
“ When we look ahead into the winter with seasonality kicking in , people becoming clearly less vigilant , you know mask use is down , mobility is up in the nation , you put all those together and we look like we ’ re going to have a very deadly December ahead of us in terms of toll of coronavirus , ” IHME director Dr. Christopher Murray told CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper .
Despite the dire prediction , President Donald Trump says the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting the virus .
“ I really do believe we ’ re rounding the corner and the vaccines are right there , but not even discussing vaccines and not discussing therapeutics , we ’ re rounding the corner , ” Trump said .
Speaking with MSNBC ’ s Andrea Mitchell on Friday , Dr. Anthony Fauci said he does not agree with the President ’ s statements .
“ We ’ re plateauing at around 40,000 cases a day , and the deaths of around 1,000 , ” said Fauci , the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Infectious Diseases .
He said test positivity is increasing in some regions of the country and people are spending more time indoors because of cooler weather .
“ That ’ s not good for a respiratory-borne virus , ” he said .
• Fruitvale coronavirus mass testing campaign postponed because of unhealthy air quality • Coronavirus : Bay Area records deadliest day ever led by Alameda and Santa Clara counties Fauci warned that the country needs to get the levels down lower “ so that when you go into a more precarious situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you won ’ t have a situation where you really are at a disadvantage right from the very beginning.
” The US might not return to pre-coronavirus life until the end of next year , Fauci said .
But he is cautiously optimistic the vaccine may be available by the end of the year .

“Multiple studies have shown a correlation between higher levels of pollution in the air and greater spread and severity of Covid-19 cases,” said Dr. Brad Spellberg, chief medical officer of the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, citing several studies conducted in the United States, China and Italy. “Some studies have also shown that exposure of lung tissue to pollution may increase susceptibility to viral infections.”
Smoke from wildfires can irritate the lungs and cause inflammation that can affect the immune system, said Dr. Rekha Murthy, an infectious disease specialist at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. That inflammation can make people more at risk of lung infections.
“Whenever the lining of the lung or the airways become inflamed or damaged, it increases the potential for inhaled viral particles to take hold in the lungs and cause infection,” Murthy said.
There are also concerns that smoke-filled air will drive coronavirus-positive people indoors, CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen said. That, she said, could potentially increase the spread of the virus.
“We know being outdoors versus indoors reduces the rate of transmission … but now people are being told you have to go indoors because you don’t want to breathe in the air that could cause respiratory issues,” she said. “But you don’t want to be indoors with other individuals and have a higher rate of contracting COVID-19 … so, it’s really a catch-22.”
[vemba-video id=”weather/2020/09/11/daily-weather-forecast-smoke-rain-tropical-development.cnn”]
To prevent the possible spread of coronavirus during the intense fire season, those remaining indoors due to poor air quality should stay away from anyone who is not in their immediate household, Wen said.
Early mask-wearing would have saved lives
More than 6.4 million infections have been recorded in the US and 193,482 people have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
About 150,000 of those lives would have been saved if more Americans wore masks earlier on in the coronavirus pandemic, a health expert says.
“If the President had said from day one everyone is wearing a mask, we’d have about 45,000 deaths in this country,” said CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner, who’s a cardiologist and professor of medicine at George Washington University.
Reiner pointed to how Germany handled the pandemic.
“They haven’t been the best. They haven’t been the worst. They’ve been OK in their pandemic response and they’ve had about 10,000 deaths,” he told CNN’s Erin Burnett.
The US has four times the population of Germany. “So we’d have about 45,000 deaths in this country,” he said. “So about 150,000 people would be alive.”
He reiterated the importance of embracing masks.
“If you want to think about why we still have 40,000 cases a day and 1,000 deaths a day in this country, it’s because we’re still talking about masks,” Reiner said. “It’s so basic.”
More deaths predicted if people let their guards down
An influential model is predicting a catastrophic winter with a significant rise in coronavirus deaths.
A possible scenario sees 415,090 Covid-19 deaths by January, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington says in its latest forecast. The worst-case scenario is 611,000 deaths by January 1.
“When we look ahead into the winter with seasonality kicking in, people becoming clearly less vigilant, you know mask use is down, mobility is up in the nation, you put all those together and we look like we’re going to have a very deadly December ahead of us in terms of toll of coronavirus,” IHME director Dr. Christopher Murray told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
Despite the dire prediction, President Donald Trump says the US has done “really well” in fighting the virus.
“I really do believe we’re rounding the corner and the vaccines are right there, but not even discussing vaccines and not discussing therapeutics, we’re rounding the corner,” Trump said.
Speaking with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell on Friday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said he does not agree with the President’s statements.
“We’re plateauing at around 40,000 cases a day, and the deaths of around 1,000,” said Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
He said test positivity is increasing in some regions of the country and people are spending more time indoors because of cooler weather.
“That’s not good for a respiratory-borne virus,” he said.
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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 Fauci warned that the country needs to get the levels down lower “so that when you go into a more precarious situation, like the fall and the winter, you won’t have a situation where you really are at a disadvantage right from the very beginning.”
The US might not return to pre-coronavirus life until the end of next year, Fauci said. But he is cautiously optimistic the vaccine may be available by the end of the year.
The-CNN-Wire
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mercurynews--2020-09-12--Ready or not, here they come: ranking Raiders’ newcomers vs. Carolina and beyond

Raiders coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock were aggressive in upgrading the roster of a 7-9 team in the offseason , with 17 new players on the 53-man roster which will visit the Carolina Panthers Sunday in Week 1 .
Ten of those come on defense , the unit in most need of improvement .
Conversely , with quarterback Derek Carr and nine other players who were offensive mainstays , there is plenty of familiarity on offense .
The hard truth for the Raiders and any other NFL team is if half of your free agents and rookies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offseason .
A look at what the Raiders will need from some key newcomers in 2020 : It says so right on Littleton ’ s contract , where the linebacker signed a three-year deal worth $ 36 million and then proved he was a team player by cutting his first year salary to $ 910,000 and making up the rest in bonus money in a salary cap maneuver .
Littleton ’ s signing was regarded as a coup for the Raiders by acclamation .
I have yet to hear or read where this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tight ends have run free on underneath routes seemingly forever against the Raiders , and Littleton was brought in to help put a stop to that .
OK , I ’ m cheating .
Abram isn ’ t one of the 17 nor his he a newcomer .
The third of three-round draft picks after Clein Ferrell and Josh Jacobs in 2019 , Abram tore his labrum in Week 1 as a rookie and his season was over as a starting strong safety .
There ’ s an interesting line the Raiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abram to be the exuberant physical presence his personality and ability suggests while at the same time toning it down just enough to play with poise and protect himself from injury .
Last year in Napa , another Raiders No .
24 , Charles Woodson , urged Abram to remain true to himself .
Gruden , defensive coordinator Paul Guenther and Mike Mayock have heaped praise upon Collins as the three-technique defensive tackle that can be the centerpiece of the defense .
He already has experience in Dallas with defensive line coach with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good sign that teammates voted him one of the captains .
Yet when free agency hit , the demand for Collins simply wasn ’ t there .
He signed a one-year contract to bet on himself for a bigger payday in 2021 .
Do the Raiders know something that 31 other teams missed ?
The No .
12 overall pick in the draft , the Raiders had their pick of any wideout in the draft and opted for the man Gruden hopes will be the silver and black version of the Chiefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be counted upon to stretch the field and be a touchdown threat on jet sweeps and bubble screens .
Ruggs won ’ t be the first option with Darren Waller around .
He wasn ’ t the even the first option at Alabama where Jerry Jeudy , a Denver first–round pick got more targets .
Of course , the same could be said of Josh Jacobs , who split time at Alabama and quickly became one of the Raiders ’ most valuable players .
Stepped in as a starter opposite Trayvon Mullen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Raiders determined veteran Prince Amukamara wasn ’ t needed .
Gruden and Mayock love his competitive streak , which in theory will enable Arnette to forget the plays he doesn ’ t make and be a factor on the following snap .
Another thing that endears Arnette to Gruden — he ’ s been playing with a soft cast on his right hand because of a fracture in his thumb and hasn ’ t missed a beat .
Consensus would have it that Arnette was a reach with the 19th pick in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty confident the consensus was wrong .
Nassib says he ’ s at home as a 4-3 defensive end after being a 6-foot-7 , 275-pound outside linebacker with Tampa Bay .
Joins Maxx Crosby , Clelin Ferrell and Arden Key as outside rushers who will be shuttled in and out .
Another player whom the Raiders moved on quickly in terms of their checkbook with $ 17 million guaranteed an an average salary of more than $ 8 million .
Edwards ’ value shot up the moment Tyrell Williams was lost for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need surgery .
A third-round pick out of South Carolina , Edwards ( 6-foot-3 , 215 pounds ) provides a contrast with Ruggs in that he ’ s a physical presence with strong hands who can win in traffic .
Top end projection ?
Think Michael Crabtree , but with fewer drops .
Did enough as an injury replacement for Chicago for the Raiders to make him their defensive signal caller in free agency .
Although not in Littleton ’ s class as a pass defender , he ’ s still a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Raiders have had in the past .
Assertive enough to be named a defensive captain by his teammates .
With 1,215 career receptions in Dallas , Witten is a bit of a luxury item considering the presence of Waller , Foster Moreau and Derek Carrier at tight end .
But he could help in the red zone as well as the meeting room and be a trusted target for Carr when first downs are available in the middle of the field .
Will get time as a safety along with Abram and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor tackling season in 2018 and then rebounded to be one of the best tacklers at his position in 2019 .
Heath also contributes on special teams and has played for Rich Biscaccia , who held that role with Dallas before joining Gruden with the Raiders .
Nelson Agholor : Experienced wide receiver has taken to Gruden ’ s system and been a willing mentor for Ruggs and Edwards .
He becomes more than that if they falter as rookies .
Devontae Booker : Was primarily a special teams player in Denver .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary ballcarrier as a running back .
Raekwon McMillan : Responsibilities will be probably be in short-yardage and goal line as a run defender , with Littleton and Kwiatkoski getting most of the work as the two every-down linebackers .
Amik Robertson : Fourth-round draft pick has played outside cornerback and in slot .
If Raiders struggle again on pass defense , he ’ ll get a shot .
Daniel Ross : Defensive tackle import from Dallas will play inside with Collins , Hankins and Maurice Hurst .
• Inside the Raiders : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in over their heads • Coronavirus : Double D ’ s Sports Grille won ’ t be tuning in football games for a while • Raiders ’ rookie wide receivers Ruggs , Edwards are good to go as potential starters in debut John Simpson : Fourth-round draft pick from Clemson will be behind Gabe Jackson , Richie Incognito and Denzellle Good in the pecking order at guard .
Kendal Vickers : A surprise on the 53-man roster , Mayock said Raiders like his get-off and ability to play both defensive end and tackle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described as “ salty ” by Gruden , will be ready to step in if Kolton Miller or Trent Brown go down .

Raiders coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock were aggressive in upgrading the roster of a 7-9 team in the offseason, with 17 new players on the 53-man roster which will visit the Carolina Panthers Sunday in Week 1.
Ten of those come on defense, the unit in most need of improvement. Conversely, with quarterback Derek Carr and nine other players who were offensive mainstays, there is plenty of familiarity on offense.
The hard truth for the Raiders and any other NFL team is if half of your free agents and rookies become significant contributors you had a good offseason.
A look at what the Raiders will need from some key newcomers in 2020:
THE BIG FIVE
1. Cory Littleton
It says so right on Littleton’s contract, where the linebacker signed a three-year deal worth $36 million and then proved he was a team player by cutting his first year salary to $910,000 and making up the rest in bonus money in a salary cap maneuver.
Littleton’s signing was regarded as a coup for the Raiders by acclamation. I have yet to hear or read where this was not a good idea. Backs and tight ends have run free on underneath routes seemingly forever against the Raiders, and Littleton was brought in to help put a stop to that.
2. Johnathan Abram
OK, I’m cheating. Abram isn’t one of the 17 nor his he a newcomer. The third of three first-round draft picks after Clein Ferrell and Josh Jacobs in 2019, Abram tore his labrum in Week 1 as a rookie and his season was over as a starting strong safety.
There’s an interesting line the Raiders are straddling with Abram. They want Abram to be the exuberant physical presence his personality and ability suggests while at the same time toning it down just enough to play with poise and protect himself from injury. Last year in Napa, another Raiders No. 24, Charles Woodson, urged Abram to remain true to himself.
3. Maliek Collins
Gruden, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther and Mayock have heaped praise upon Collins as the three-technique defensive tackle that can be the centerpiece of the defense. He already has experience in Dallas with defensive line coach with Rod Marinelli, and it’s a good sign that teammates voted him one of the captains.
Yet when free agency hit, the demand for Collins simply wasn’t there. He signed a one-year contract to bet on himself for a bigger payday in 2021. Do the Raiders know something that 31 other teams missed?
4. Henry Ruggs III
The No. 12 overall pick in the draft, the Raiders had their pick of any wideout in the draft and opted for the man Gruden hopes will be the silver and black version of the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill. He’ll be counted upon to stretch the field and be a touchdown threat on jet sweeps and bubble screens.
Ruggs won’t be the first option with Darren Waller around. He wasn’t the even the first option at Alabama where Jerry Jeudy, a Denver first-round pick, got more targets. Of course, the same could be said of Jacobs, who split time at Alabama and quickly became one of the Raiders’ most valuable players.
5. Damon Arnette
Stepped in as a starter opposite Trayvon Mullen and looked the part to the point where the Raiders determined veteran Prince Amukamara wasn’t needed. Gruden and Mayock love his competitive streak, which in theory will enable Arnette to forget the plays he doesn’t make and be a factor on the following snap.
Another thing that endears Arnette to Gruden — he’s been playing with a soft cast on his right hand because of a fracture in his thumb and hasn’t missed a beat. Consensus would have it that Arnette was a reach with the 19th pick in the first round. The Raiders seem pretty confident the consensus was wrong.
FIVE TO WATCH
6. Carl Nassib
Nassib says he’s at home as a 4-3 defensive end after being a 6-foot-7, 275-pound outside linebacker with Tampa Bay. Joins Maxx Crosby, Ferrell and Arden Key as outside rushers who will be shuttled in and out. Another player whom the Raiders moved on quickly in terms of their checkbook with $17 million guaranteed an an average salary of more than $8 million.
7. Bryan Edwards
Edwards’ value shot up the moment Tyrell Williams was lost for the season with a torn labrum that will need surgery. A third-round pick out of South Carolina, Edwards (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) provides a contrast with Ruggs in that he’s a physical presence with strong hands who can win in traffic. Top end projection? Think Michael Crabtree, but with fewer drops.
8. Nick Kwiatkoski
Did enough as an injury replacement for Chicago for the Raiders to make him their defensive signal caller in free agency. Although not in Littleton’s class as a pass defender, he’s still a big upgrade in that area compared to what the Raiders have had in the past. Assertive enough to be named a defensive captain by his teammates.
9. Jason Witten
With 1,215 career receptions in Dallas, Witten is a bit of a luxury item considering the presence of Waller, Foster Moreau and Derek Carrier at tight end. But he could help in the red zone as well as the meeting room and be a trusted target for Carr when first downs are available in the middle of the field.
10. Jeff Heath
Will get time as a safety along with Abram and incumbent Erik Harris. Heath had a poor tackling season in 2018 and then rebounded to be one of the best tacklers at his position in 2019. Heath also contributes on special teams and has played for Rich Biscaccia, who held that role with Dallas before joining Gruden with the Raiders.
THE REST
Nelson Agholor: Experienced wide receiver has taken to Gruden’s system and been a willing mentor for Ruggs and Edwards. He becomes more than that if they falter as rookies.
Devontae Booker: Was primarily a special teams player in Denver. Is three years removed from being a primary ballcarrier as a running back.
Raekwon McMillan: Responsibilities will be probably be in short-yardage and goal line as a run defender, with Littleton and Kwiatkoski getting most of the work as the two every-down linebackers.
Amik Robertson: Fourth-round draft pick has played outside cornerback and in slot. If Raiders struggle again on pass defense, he’ll get a shot.
Daniel Ross: Defensive tackle import from Dallas will play inside with Collins, Hankins and Maurice Hurst.
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Kendal Vickers: A surprise on the 53-man roster, Mayock said Raiders like his get-off and ability to play both defensive end and tackle.
Sam Young: Ten-year veteran, described as “salty” by Gruden, will be ready to step in if Kolton Miller or Trent Brown go down.


mercurynews--2020-09-12--Oxford and AstraZeneca resume coronavirus vaccine trial

LONDON — Oxford University announced Saturday it was resuming a trial for a coronavirus vaccine it is developing with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca , a move that comes days after the study was suspended following a reported side-effect in a U.K. patient .
In a statement , the university confirmed the restart across all of its U.K. clinical trial sites after regulators gave the go-ahead following the pause on Sunday .
“ The independent review process has concluded and following the recommendations of both the independent safety review committee and the U.K. regulator , the MHRA , the trials will recommence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The vaccine being developed by Oxford and AstraZeneca is widely perceived to be one of the strongest contenders among the dozens of coronavirus vaccines in various stages of testing around the world .
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the restart , saying in a tweet that it was “ good news for everyone ” that the trial is “ back up and running.
” The university said in large trials such as this “ it is expected that some participants will become unwell and every case must be carefully evaluated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said globally some 18,000 people have received its vaccine so far .
Volunteers from some of the worst affected countries — Britain , Brazil , South Africa and the U.S. — are taking part in the trial .
Brazil ’ s health regulator Anvisa on Saturday said it had approved the resumption of tests of the “ Oxford vaccine ” in the South American country after receiving official information from AstraZeneca .
Although Oxford would not disclose information about the patient ’ s illness due to participant confidentiality , an AstraZeneca spokesman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed severe neurological symptoms that prompted the pause .
Specifically , the woman is said to have developed symptoms consistent with transverse myelitis , a rare inflammation of the spinal cord .
The university insisted that it is “ committed to the safety of our participants and the highest standards of conduct in our studies and will continue to monitor safety closely.
” Pauses in drug trials are commonplace and the temporary hold led to a sharp fall in AstraZeneca ’ s share price following the announcement Tuesday .
The Oxford-AstraZeneca study had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after a participant developed neurological symptoms that turned out to be an undiagnosed case of multiple sclerosis that researchers said was unrelated to the vaccine .
During the third and final stage of testing , researchers look for any signs of possible side effects that may have gone undetected in earlier patient research .
Because of their large size , the studies are considered the most important study phase for picking up less common side effects and establishing safety .
The trials also assess effectiveness by tracking who gets sick and who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine and those receiving a dummy shot .
Dr. Charlotte Summers , a lecturer in intensive care medicine at the University of Cambridge , said the pause was a sign that the Oxford team was putting safety issues first , but that it led to “ much unhelpful speculation.
” “ To tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic , we need to develop vaccines and therapies that people feel comfortable using , therefore it is vital to maintaining public trust that we stick to the evidence and do not draw conclusions before information is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others around the world , including experts at the World Health Organization , have sought to keep a lid on expectations of an imminent breakthrough for coronavirus vaccines , stressing that vaccine trials are rarely straightforward .
Italy ’ s health minister , Roberto Speranza , welcomed the resumption of the vaccine trial , but warned that prudence was still necessary .
“ Science is at work to give the world efficient and secure treatments and vaccines , ” he said .
“ In the meantime , the key continues to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wildfires can make people more vulnerable to coronavirus , doctors say • Fruitvale coronavirus mass testing campaign postponed because of unhealthy air quality • Coronavirus : Bay Area records deadliest day ever led by Alameda and Santa Clara counties Italy , which was ground zero for Europe ’ s outbreak , is one of the main countries investing in the AstraZeneca vaccine .
Two other vaccines are in huge , final-stage tests in the United States , one made by Moderna Inc. and the other by Pfizer and Germany ’ s BioNTech @

By Pan Pylas | Associated Press
LONDON — Oxford University announced Saturday it was resuming a trial for a coronavirus vaccine it is developing with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, a move that comes days after the study was suspended following a reported side-effect in a U.K. patient.
In a statement, the university confirmed the restart across all of its U.K. clinical trial sites after regulators gave the go-ahead following the pause on Sunday.
“The independent review process has concluded and following the recommendations of both the independent safety review committee and the U.K. regulator, the MHRA, the trials will recommence in the U.K.,” it said.
[vemba-video id=”health/2020/09/09/astrazeneca-coronavirus-vaccine-trial-pause-gupta-newday-vpx.cnn”]
Video: Dr. Gupta breaks down AstraZeneca Covid-19 trial pause
The vaccine being developed by Oxford and AstraZeneca is widely perceived to be one of the strongest contenders among the dozens of coronavirus vaccines in various stages of testing around the world.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the restart, saying in a tweet that it was “good news for everyone” that the trial is “back up and running.”
The university said in large trials such as this “it is expected that some participants will become unwell and every case must be carefully evaluated to ensure careful assessment of safety.”
It said globally some 18,000 people have received its vaccine so far. Volunteers from some of the worst affected countries — Britain, Brazil, South Africa and the U.S. — are taking part in the trial.
Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa on Saturday said it had approved the resumption of tests of the “Oxford vaccine” in the South American country after receiving official information from AstraZeneca.
Although Oxford would not disclose information about the patient’s illness due to participant confidentiality, an AstraZeneca spokesman said earlier this week that a woman had developed severe neurological symptoms that prompted the pause. Specifically, the woman is said to have developed symptoms consistent with transverse myelitis, a rare inflammation of the spinal cord.
The university insisted that it is “committed to the safety of our participants and the highest standards of conduct in our studies and will continue to monitor safety closely.”
Pauses in drug trials are commonplace and the temporary hold led to a sharp fall in AstraZeneca’s share price following the announcement Tuesday.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca study had been previously stopped in July for several days after a participant developed neurological symptoms that turned out to be an undiagnosed case of multiple sclerosis that researchers said was unrelated to the vaccine.
During the third and final stage of testing, researchers look for any signs of possible side effects that may have gone undetected in earlier patient research. Because of their large size, the studies are considered the most important study phase for picking up less common side effects and establishing safety. The trials also assess effectiveness by tracking who gets sick and who doesn’t between patients getting the vaccine and those receiving a dummy shot.
Dr. Charlotte Summers, a lecturer in intensive care medicine at the University of Cambridge, said the pause was a sign that the Oxford team was putting safety issues first, but that it led to “much unhelpful speculation.”
“To tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic, we need to develop vaccines and therapies that people feel comfortable using, therefore it is vital to maintaining public trust that we stick to the evidence and do not draw conclusions before information is available,” she said.
Scientists and others around the world, including experts at the World Health Organization, have sought to keep a lid on expectations of an imminent breakthrough for coronavirus vaccines, stressing that vaccine trials are rarely straightforward.
Italy’s health minister, Roberto Speranza, welcomed the resumption of the vaccine trial, but warned that prudence was still necessary.
“Science is at work to give the world efficient and secure treatments and vaccines,” he said. “In the meantime, the key continues to be our behavior.”
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Two other vaccines are in huge, final-stage tests in the United States, one made by Moderna Inc. and the other by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech.
Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed.


mercurynews--2020-09-12--Pence drops plan to go to fundraiser hosted by QAnon backers

BILLINGS , Mont .
— Vice President Mike Pence has canceled plans to attend a Trump campaign fundraiser in Montana following revelations that the event ’ s hosts had expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory .
President Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign told The Associated Press on Saturday that Pence ’ s schedule had been changed , but the campaign did not provide a reason or say whether the fundraiser might be held at a later time .
The change comes after the AP reported Wednesday that hosts Cayrn and Michael Borland in Bozeman , Montana , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ QAnon accounts .
The baseless conspiracy theory alleges Trump is battling an entrenched bureaucracy and sex trafficking ring run by pedophiles .
Three Republicans seeking election in Montana also had been scheduled to attend the fundraiser : U.S. Sen. Steve Daines , who faces a November challenge from Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock ; U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte , a Republican running for governor ; and state auditor Matt Rosendale , a candidate for the U.S. House .
Pence , Daines and the other Republican candidates are still scheduled to hold a campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ east of Bozeman .
Pence will host a rally earlier in the day in Wisconsin , an event that was added as a substitute for the fundraiser , the Trump campaign said .
Daines campaign spokesperson Julia Doyle said the first-term senator does not know the Borlands nor “ does he know what QAnon even is.
” She referred questions on whether the event would be rescheduled to the Trump campaign .
Gianforte also does not know the Borlands or what QAnon is , spokesman Travis Hall said .
The Borlands have donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection bid , the bulk of which was made in Caryn Borland ’ s name , and they were guests at the national GOP convention last month .
The QAnon narrative has grown to include other long-standing conspiracy theories , gaining traction among some extreme Trump supporters .
The movement is often likened to a right-wing cult .
Some followers have run for office , primarily in the Republican Party , though some have been independent or run as third-party candidates .
Trump has refused to say QAnon is false .
Pence has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and last month told CBS , “ I don ’ t know anything about QAnon , and I dismiss it out of hand.
” ” The Borlands have shared multiple QAnon social media posts , as well as other discredited conspiracies .
• Saratoga community briefs for the week of Sept. 18 • Editorial : Prop .
22 would stop the assault on gig firms and workers • Editorial : Alex Lee will bring a youthful perspective to the Assembly • Opinion : How voters can plan an anxiety-free election night Michael Borland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logos on his Facebook page .
Caryn Borland has retweeted or engaged with QAnon Twitter accounts .
In April , she responded to a pro-Trump Tweet from a QAnon account by replying “ Always ” with a praying hands emoji .
The Borlands did not immediately return telephone messages Saturday seeking comment .

By Matthew Brown | Associated Press
BILLINGS, Mont. — Vice President Mike Pence has canceled plans to attend a Trump campaign fundraiser in Montana following revelations that the event’s hosts had expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory.
President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign told The Associated Press on Saturday that Pence’s schedule had been changed, but the campaign did not provide a reason or say whether the fundraiser might be held at a later time. The change comes after the AP reported Wednesday that hosts Cayrn and Michael Borland in Bozeman, Montana, had shared QAnon memes and retweeted posts from QAnon accounts.
The baseless conspiracy theory alleges Trump is battling an entrenched bureaucracy and sex trafficking ring run by pedophiles.
Three Republicans seeking election in Montana also had been scheduled to attend the fundraiser: U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, who faces a November challenge from Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock; U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, a Republican running for governor; and state auditor Matt Rosendale, a candidate for the U.S. House.
Pence, Daines and the other Republican candidates are still scheduled to hold a campaign rally Monday afternoon in Belgrade, just east of Bozeman. Pence will host a rally earlier in the day in Wisconsin, an event that was added as a substitute for the fundraiser, the Trump campaign said.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/08/25/trump-embrace-qanon-cillizza-the-point.cnn”]
Daines campaign spokesperson Julia Doyle said the first-term senator does not know the Borlands nor “does he know what QAnon even is.”
She referred questions on whether the event would be rescheduled to the Trump campaign.
Gianforte also does not know the Borlands or what QAnon is, spokesman Travis Hall said.
The Borlands have donated over $220,000 to Trump’s reelection bid, the bulk of which was made in Caryn Borland’s name, and they were guests at the national GOP convention last month.
The QAnon narrative has grown to include other long-standing conspiracy theories, gaining traction among some extreme Trump supporters. The movement is often likened to a right-wing cult. Some followers have run for office, primarily in the Republican Party, though some have been independent or run as third-party candidates. Trump has refused to say QAnon is false.
Pence has said it’s a conspiracy theory and last month told CBS, “I don’t know anything about QAnon, and I dismiss it out of hand.””
The Borlands have shared multiple QAnon social media posts, as well as other discredited conspiracies.
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ Politics | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 Michael Borland prominently featured several QAnon “Q” logos on his Facebook page. Caryn Borland has retweeted or engaged with QAnon Twitter accounts. In April, she responded to a pro-Trump Tweet from a QAnon account by replying “Always” with a praying hands emoji.
The Borlands did not immediately return telephone messages Saturday seeking comment.


mercurynews--2020-09-13--How to keep loving after being jilted twice? A Raiders fan goes deep

Raiders fans in the Bay Area know the question all too well .
“ Are you still a fan now that the team is in Vegas ?
” I don ’ t even have to think about my reply .
Of course , I ’ m still a fan .
The answer is simple .
It ’ s the question that I struggle to understand .
Why would I stop being a fan ?
Just because the team packed up and walked away from the Oakland Coliseum – again , for the second time in a generation ?
Sure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raiders organization and the city of Oakland had been able to work out a deal for a new stadium because , let ’ s face it , the old place is a dump .
But it didn ’ t work out that way , no matter how much the local fan base pleaded and demanded .
Politics and money , ya know .
That ’ s what drives these sorts of decisions .
But why would I let a decision driven by politics and money erase decades of loyalty to this team when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-the-field opportunities couldn ’ t sway me ?
Why would I hold it against the players and the coaches and everyone else down on the field who have no say or control over any of these business decisions ?
Why would I walk away from an unspoken bond that I have with millions of fans not only in the Bay Area but around the world ?
For me , the Raider Nation is like a big extended family that formed its roots in a hometown — Oakland , in this case — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ location in search of a better opportunity or a nicer home .
Think of a family member or dear friend who left the hometown nest for a nicer , newer , bigger home somewhere else .
Would you disown them and cut them out of your life because of that decision ?
Would you stop supporting them and cheering for their success ?
No , you would wish them well , support them from afar and visit as often as you can .
That applies even if they leave , come back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter .
They ’ re family .
And no matter where they hang their helmets at the end of the day , their roots are here and nothing will ever change that .
Just like family , the Raider Nation has been through too much with this team to just throw in the towel now .
We ’ re well aware of how the politics of the NFL have impacted the underdogs of this league – look no further than Kaepernick .
We ’ re well aware of how the Bay Area media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other in their coverage – and that goes for baseball , too .
And believe me when I say that we haven ’ t forgotten about blatantly bad , game-changing calls that have no excusable explanation .
Tuck rule , anyone ?
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” Over the years , my tailgate crew and I have welcomed plenty of visiting-team fans to our parking lot parties – and each of them has always left the stadium at the end of the day feeling like they were part of something special , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over the years , I ’ ve spotted my Raiders brothers and sisters sporting a Raiders hat or a shirt in cities across the nation – at the airport , in a restaurant or just walking down the street – and never once hesitated to direct the infamous “ Raaaaiders ” chant toward them .
There ’ s a sense of camaraderie and belonging that comes with being a fan of this team , an understanding that our support for the Silver-and-Black is about more than a city or a stadium .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you can never turn your back on .
And that ’ s why , whether they ’ re playing in Oakland or Las Vegas or anywhere else for that matter , I will forever be part of this Raiders family .

Raiders fans in the Bay Area know the question all too well. “Are you still a fan now that the team is in Vegas?”
I don’t even have to think about my reply.
Of course, I’m still a fan.
The answer is simple. It’s the question that I struggle to understand. Why would I stop being a fan? Just because the team packed up and walked away from the Oakland Coliseum – again, for the second time in a generation?
Sure, it would have been great if the Raiders organization and the city of Oakland had been able to work out a deal for a new stadium because, let’s face it, the old place is a dump. But it didn’t work out that way, no matter how much the local fan base pleaded and demanded. Politics and money, ya know. That’s what drives these sorts of decisions.
But why would I let a decision driven by politics and money erase decades of loyalty to this team when countless seasons of letdown losses and missed on-the-field opportunities couldn’t sway me?
Why would I hold it against the players and the coaches and everyone else down on the field who have no say or control over any of these business decisions? Why would I walk away from an unspoken bond that I have with millions of fans not only in the Bay Area but around the world?
For me, the Raider Nation is like a big extended family that formed its roots in a hometown — Oakland, in this case — but then spread its wings to a new location in search of a better opportunity or a nicer home.
Think of a family member or dear friend who left the hometown nest for a nicer, newer, bigger home somewhere else. Would you disown them and cut them out of your life because of that decision? Would you stop supporting them and cheering for their success?
No, you would wish them well, support them from afar and visit as often as you can. That applies even if they leave, come back and leave again. It doesn’t matter. They’re family. And no matter where they hang their helmets at the end of the day, their roots are here and nothing will ever change that.
Just like family, the Raider Nation has been through too much with this team to just throw in the towel now.
We’re well aware of how the politics of the NFL have impacted the underdogs of this league – look no further than Kaepernick. We’re well aware of how the Bay Area media has favored one regional team over the other in their coverage – and that goes for baseball, too. And believe me when I say that we haven’t forgotten about blatantly bad, game-changing calls that have no excusable explanation.
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Years ago, when comedian George Carlin tapped into his colorful vocabulary to explain why he’s a Raiders fan, he reinforced a bad-boy image that would probably scare or otherwise intimidate any visiting fan from Kansas City, Indianapolis or any other part of the American “Heartland.” Over the years, my tailgate crew and I have welcomed plenty of visiting-team fans to our parking lot parties – and each of them has always left the stadium at the end of the day feeling like they were part of something special, like they were part of a family.
Over the years, I’ve spotted my Raiders brothers and sisters sporting a Raiders hat or a shirt in cities across the nation – at the airport, in a restaurant or just walking down the street – and never once hesitated to direct the infamous “Raaaaiders” chant toward them. There’s a sense of camaraderie and belonging that comes with being a fan of this team, an understanding that our support for the Silver-and-Black is about more than a city or a stadium.
It’s a commitment to a family that you can never turn your back on. And that’s why, whether they’re playing in Oakland or Las Vegas or anywhere else for that matter, I will forever be part of this Raiders family.
Just Win, Baby.


mercurynews--2020-09-13--Coronavirus: Six months after sheltering, why things fell apart

Duck , cover and hold on : Californians ’ response to earthquakes is universal and effective .
But our reaction to a different natural disaster – the coronavirus — is profoundly personal and often divisive , revealing differences in risk perception , governance and equity as vast as the Golden State .
Six months after the state ’ s strict stay-at-home order , this response explains our notable early success against the virus , as well as more recent failures , say experts .
It also sheds light on why viral spread is so highly clustered .
“ Every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions , ” said Dr. Bob Wachter , chair of UC San Francisco ’ s Department of Medicine .
In case counts and burials , “ we ’ re seeing the differences in what those decisions were , ” he said .
From the beginning , COVID-19 has been a complicated threat , invisible and abstract .
Humans are wired to respond to immediate danger , like the earth rumbling beneath our homes .
But it ’ s tougher to sustain vigilance — especially as the closures , initially intended to be brief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April through late June , the state ’ s seven-day average for daily deaths was well below 100 — but skyrocketed to 145 by Aug. 6 .
That seven-day average has since flattened to 88 as of Friday .
If we need another lockdown this winter , fears Andrew Noymer of UC Irvine , the public may be unwilling to comply .
We locked down hard , for months .
Few of us had a personal brush with death .
Now , patience has worn thin .
Back in March , watching China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state ’ s quick and unified lockdown spared us a similar fate .
“ California deserves the credit for working collectively and with utmost caution at the start of the pandemic , ” said Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo , chair of UC San Francisco ’ s Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics .
“ We acted quickly , we acted decisively.
” Shocked by the sight of New York ’ s makeshift morgues , Californians engaged .
“ The overarching response was ‘ This is serious .
It is scary .
I am going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to believe the data .
And even though it is hard personally and economically , I am going to do the right thing , ’ ” said Wachter .
Some places , like the Bay Area , used the time to stock up on PPEs , prepare hospital beds , expand testing , erect clinics and launch educational campaigns .
As early as the first week of March , our global tech companies sent employees home .
Only essential workers were expected to venture out .
The region has a deep trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tragic AIDS epidemic .
Similarly , we put faith in data , the foundation of so many Silicon Valley technologies .
Our affluent digerati find it easy to work remotely .
The result has been a shift in the Bay Area ’ s cultural herd behavior .
Just as yoga is stylish and smoking uncool , mask-wearing has become de rigueur .
Social distancing is expected , not asked .
In the mental juggling of cost vs. benefit , such sacrifices can seem simple .
But that ’ s not everyone ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shared trauma , a virus — especially one transmitted with no symptoms — is an abstract threat , affecting different people in different ways .
While the danger is clear of collapsed bridges or crushed schoolhouses , it is hard to imagine the lethality of a family barbecue .
COVID-19 cases and death rates also are disproportionately high among some people , such as Latinos , many of them “ essential workers ” in low-income neighborhoods .
And the worst of the pandemic has shifted to agricultural areas , clustered in Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case counts in the state .
As the weeks dragged into months , our reactions to the reopening rules varied , driven by personal perceptions , local leadership , cultural influences , education , race , marital status , mixed messaging and real-world experiences .
And what seemed like a moment of triumph in March turned deadly with the speedy reopening in May and early June .
Summer ’ s weekly death toll nearly doubled the spring tally .
The devastating Loma Prieta earthquake killed 63 people ; every day , a tiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said UCSF ’ s Dr. George Rutherford , is that the state handed over responsibility to the counties , and what had become a unified response fell apart .
“ Fifty-eight counties did their own thing , ” agreed Wachter .
Said Bibbins-Domingo : “ That was where we saw the biggest reversals in the gains we ’ d made.
” And many counties didn ’ t make good use of those precious months to prepare .
Meanwhile , local politicians pressured county health officials to ease restrictions on struggling businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules about mandatory masks on June 11 .
In Merced County , even after Foster Farms ’ huge poultry plant was ordered closed on August 27 after an outbreak , employees received emails instructing them to show up to work .
Around the state , churches have defied county and state orders to limit indoor services .
Such decentralization of authority only works if local officials have strong guidance and support , said Philip Cohen , professor of sociology at the University of Maryland at College Park .
In more rural areas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have the infrastructure , the personnel , the experience or the resources to deal with the epidemic.
” California ’ s fractured approach violates one of the core principals of risk communication in an emergency : “ Deliver a clear and consistent message by trusted messengers , ” said Lori Peek , director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder .
Instead , the messages were mixed , and confusing .
Masks were useless , then essential .
The virus might kill you , or do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes ; schools are dangerous , depending .
And the messengers were politicized : Republicans said the threat was exaggerated , killing jobs and undermining the president .
Democrats warned of disaster , urging more spending .
Early on , we had a clear goal : Don ’ t overwhelm hospitals .
But that shifted , said Dr. Rajiv Bhatia , clinical assistant professor of primary care and population health at Stanford .
“ You can not fight something without a goal and a measure , ” he said .
For example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates one of the most important measures of whether we were controlling the virus , but that metric is no longer included in the state ’ s new monitoring system .
Experts say this confusion makes it easier for us to engage in what ’ s called “ information avoidance ” — putting our heads in the sand .
“ It ’ s a rational response to unpleasant information , ” said economist Plamen Nikolov of the State University of New York at Binghamton , who is studying responses to the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the true risk , he said .
Moreover , humans are terrible at understanding exponential growth — failing to save enough for retirement , for example — so we underprepared for the virus ’ s quick arrival .
Other traits also influence our response , according to Nikolov ’ s research .
Women , Democrats , married people and college graduates are more likely to mask up and socially distance .
Messaging works best if it ’ s targeted at the most vulnerable populations , said Stanford ’ s Bhatia .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” added Peek .
Without greater funding , she said , protections are hard for people in small crowded apartments who work at essential jobs .
Unlike people in parts of the world afflicted by malaria and other lethal infections , some Californians are resisting health directives .
Nearly one-third of newly-infected people in prosperous Los Angeles County refused to talk to a county disease investigator — or vanished .
Effective disaster response demands both “ top down ” and “ bottom up ” efforts , working in tandem and harmony , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Air pollution from the wildfires can make people more vulnerable to coronavirus , doctors say • Fruitvale coronavirus mass testing campaign postponed because of unhealthy air quality “ I still am grateful we came together to put together a strict shelter-in-place in March .
I feel we prevented a lot of deaths and sorrow as a result , ” said Dr. Sara Cody , Santa Clara County ’ s health officer who helped lead the nation ’ s first regional shutdown .
“ After that , it ’ s become exponentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We no longer have a common vision about what is COVID and what does it mean … and what we all need to do together .
”

Duck, cover and hold on: Californians’ response to earthquakes is universal and effective.
But our reaction to a different natural disaster – the coronavirus — is profoundly personal and often divisive, revealing differences in risk perception, governance and equity as vast as the Golden State.
Six months after the state’s strict stay-at-home order, this response explains our notable early success against the virus, as well as more recent failures, say experts. It also sheds light on why viral spread is so highly clustered.
“Every day, 40 million people make 20 individual decisions,” said Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of UC San Francisco’s Department of Medicine.
In case counts and burials, “we’re seeing the differences in what those decisions were,” he said.
From the beginning, COVID-19 has been a complicated threat, invisible and abstract. Humans are wired to respond to immediate danger, like the earth rumbling beneath our homes. But it’s tougher to sustain vigilance — especially as the closures, initially intended to be brief, have dragged on.
From early April through late June, the state’s seven-day average for daily deaths was well below 100 — but skyrocketed to 145 by Aug. 6. That seven-day average has since flattened to 88 as of Friday.
If we need another lockdown this winter, fears Andrew Noymer of UC Irvine, the public may be unwilling to comply. We locked down hard, for months. Few of us had a personal brush with death. Now, patience has worn thin.
Back in March, watching China’s catastrophe, we mobilized. The state’s quick and unified lockdown spared us a similar fate.
“California deserves the credit for working collectively and with utmost caution at the start of the pandemic,” said Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chair of UC San Francisco’s Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. “We acted quickly, we acted decisively.”
Shocked by the sight of New York’s makeshift morgues, Californians engaged.
“The overarching response was ‘This is serious. It is scary. I am going to believe the experts. I am going to believe the data. And even though it is hard personally and economically, I am going to do the right thing,’ ” said Wachter.
What happened next?
Some places, like the Bay Area, used the time to stock up on PPEs, prepare hospital beds, expand testing, erect clinics and launch educational campaigns. As early as the first week of March, our global tech companies sent employees home. Only essential workers were expected to venture out.
The region has a deep trust in public health, born out of the tragic AIDS epidemic. Similarly, we put faith in data, the foundation of so many Silicon Valley technologies. Our affluent digerati find it easy to work remotely.
The result has been a shift in the Bay Area’s cultural herd behavior. Just as yoga is stylish and smoking uncool, mask-wearing has become de rigueur. Social distancing is expected, not asked.
In the mental juggling of cost vs. benefit, such sacrifices can seem simple.
But that’s not everyone’s experience. While an earthquake is a shared trauma, a virus — especially one transmitted with no symptoms — is an abstract threat, affecting different people in different ways. While the danger is clear of collapsed bridges or crushed schoolhouses, it is hard to imagine the lethality of a family barbecue.
COVID-19 cases and death rates also are disproportionately high among some people, such as Latinos, many of them “essential workers” in low-income neighborhoods. And the worst of the pandemic has shifted to agricultural areas, clustered in Central Valley counties with the highest per capita case counts in the state.
As the weeks dragged into months, our reactions to the reopening rules varied, driven by personal perceptions, local leadership, cultural influences, education, race, marital status, mixed messaging and real-world experiences.
And what seemed like a moment of triumph in March turned deadly with the speedy reopening in May and early June. Summer’s weekly death toll nearly doubled the spring tally. The devastating Loma Prieta earthquake killed 63 people; every day, a tiny virus claims far more.
The problem, said UCSF’s Dr. George Rutherford, is that the state handed over responsibility to the counties, and what had become a unified response fell apart.
“Fifty-eight counties did their own thing,” agreed Wachter. Said Bibbins-Domingo: “That was where we saw the biggest reversals in the gains we’d made.”
And many counties didn’t make good use of those precious months to prepare.
Meanwhile, local politicians pressured county health officials to ease restrictions on struggling businesses and frazzled residents.
Orange County reversed its rules about mandatory masks on June 11. In Merced County, even after Foster Farms’ huge poultry plant was ordered closed on August 27 after an outbreak, employees received emails instructing them to show up to work. Around the state, churches have defied county and state orders to limit indoor services.
Predictably, cases spiked.
Such decentralization of authority only works if local officials have strong guidance and support, said Philip Cohen, professor of sociology at the University of Maryland at College Park.
In more rural areas, he said, counties “just don’t have the infrastructure, the personnel, the experience or the resources to deal with the epidemic.”
California’s fractured approach violates one of the core principals of risk communication in an emergency: “Deliver a clear and consistent message by trusted messengers,” said Lori Peek, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Instead, the messages were mixed, and confusing. Masks were useless, then essential. The virus might kill you, or do nothing. Children are safe, except sometimes; schools are dangerous, depending. And the messengers were politicized: Republicans said the threat was exaggerated, killing jobs and undermining the president. Democrats warned of disaster, urging more spending.
Early on, we had a clear goal: Don’t overwhelm hospitals. But that shifted, said Dr. Rajiv Bhatia, clinical assistant professor of primary care and population health at Stanford.
“You cannot fight something without a goal and a measure,” he said.
For example, early on, state officials considered hospitalization rates one of the most important measures of whether we were controlling the virus, but that metric is no longer included in the state’s new monitoring system.
Experts say this confusion makes it easier for us to engage in what’s called “information avoidance” — putting our heads in the sand.
“It’s a rational response to unpleasant information,” said economist Plamen Nikolov of the State University of New York at Binghamton, who is studying responses to the pandemic.
Without accurate information, we may underestimate the true risk, he said. Moreover, humans are terrible at understanding exponential growth — failing to save enough for retirement, for example — so we underprepared for the virus’s quick arrival.
Other traits also influence our response, according to Nikolov’s research. Women, Democrats, married people and college graduates are more likely to mask up and socially distance.
Messaging works best if it’s targeted at the most vulnerable populations, said Stanford’s Bhatia.
And it must be reasonable and “actionable,” added Peek. Without greater funding, she said, protections are hard for people in small crowded apartments who work at essential jobs.
Unlike people in parts of the world afflicted by malaria and other lethal infections, some Californians are resisting health directives. Nearly one-third of newly-infected people in prosperous Los Angeles County refused to talk to a county disease investigator — or vanished.
Effective disaster response demands both “top down” and “bottom up” efforts, working in tandem and harmony, said Peek. That’s not happening. Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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“I still am grateful we came together to put together a strict shelter-in-place in March. I feel we prevented a lot of deaths and sorrow as a result,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County’s health officer who helped lead the nation’s first regional shutdown.
“After that, it’s become exponentially more complex,” she said. “We no longer have a common vision about what is COVID and what does it mean … and what we all need to do together.”


mercurynews--2020-09-13--Word Game: Sept. 13, 2020

Word Game: Sept. 13, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — SILVERFISH ( SILVERFISH : SIL-ver-fish : A small insect that feeds on starchy materials in paper , clothing , etc . )
Can you find 56 or more words in SILVERFISH ?
TODAY ’ S WORD — SILVERFISH self selfish serf serif shelf shier shies shire shiver shrivel silver sire slier sliver iris isle ivies less lief life lire live liver veil vile viler virile vise elfish elvish evil relish rife rifle rile rise rive file filer fire fish fisher fishier fissile five flesh flier flies fresh fries heir hers hire hiss hisser hive To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — SILVERFISH (SILVERFISH: SIL-ver-fish: A small insect that feeds on starchy materials in paper, clothing, etc.)
Average mark 39 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 56 or more words in SILVERFISH?
TODAY’S WORD — SILVERFISH self selfish serf serif shelf shier shies shire shiver
shrivel silver sire slier sliver iris isle ivies less lief life lire live liver veil vile viler virile
vise elfish elvish evil relish rife rifle rile rise rive file filer fire fish fisher fishier fissile
five flesh flier flies fresh fries heir hers hire hiss hisser hive
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-09-13--Horoscopes Sept. 13, 2020: Jacqueline Bisset and Jean Smart share advice

Happy Birthday : The past will offer insight into how best to proceed this year .
Touch base with people who have been instrumental in helping you get ahead , and you will begin a collaboration that is certain to bring good results .
You are overdue for a change , and with a little help from your friends , good things will transpire .
Embrace the future with open arms .
Your numbers are 4 , 11 , 17 , 28 , 32 , 36 , 49 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Spend time with someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage a relationship that means a lot to you to enjoy positive growth .
Don ’ t let anger or discord emerge when your life ’ s quality is dependent on peace and love .
Romance is favored .
5 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Keep an open mind when dealing with emotional and domestic matters .
Listen and consider suggestions rather than force your will on others .
Take the necessary precautions to protect your health and well-being .
Be a leader , not a follower .
2 stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aim to get things done on time with the least amount of friction .
If an argument erupts with someone close to you , it will ruin your plans .
Allowing others the right to have an opinion will ensure you receive the same treatment in return .
4 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Partnerships will stress you out and test your patience .
Take a step back and do your own thing .
Work on home improvements , tidying up loose ends and sourcing out interests and skills that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash .
3 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Don ’ t buy into something that doesn ’ t make sense .
Use your charm and intellect to navigate your way through any situation that might compromise you physically , financially or emotionally .
Set goals , and do your own thing .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Keep your money in your pocket .
Focus on offering reasonable help , not making a donation .
Take pride in what you do , and don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Personal growth and positive lifestyle changes are favored .
4 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : A rational response is the best way to handle an emotional situation .
Sit back , relax , offer legitimate suggestions and focus on the changes that will make you happy .
Back away from temptation or people who are a terrible influence .
2 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Take the lead .
Find solutions that accommodate family and friends , and set your plans in motion .
An innovative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will bring about positive change .
Take the initiative and be a hero .
5 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Stay in your comfort zone .
Take precautions when it comes to money as well as your health .
Live within your means , and abide by the rules .
You will set an example for those feeling pressured or uncertain or are having trouble fighting temptation .
5 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Emotions will rise to the surface due to the changes you want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to you .
Rethink your objective and motive , and you ’ ll find a way to get what you want and please loved ones .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Make meaningful relationships priorities .
Spend time with people who are mentally stimulating and undeniably fun and thought-provoking .
A mental challenge will lead to new ideas and solutions to pending problems .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : What you do to help others will be applauded and bring about positive change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a savior put you in harm ’ s way .
Abide by the recommendations put forth by experts first and foremost .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are possessive , caring and loyal .
You are proactive and supportive .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Lili Reinhart, 24; Ben Savage, 40; Jean Smart, 69; Jacqueline Bisset, 76.
Happy Birthday: The past will offer insight into how best to proceed this year. Touch base with people who have been instrumental in helping you get ahead, and you will begin a collaboration that is certain to bring good results. You are overdue for a change, and with a little help from your friends, good things will transpire. Embrace the future with open arms. Your numbers are 4, 11, 17, 28, 32, 36, 49.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Spend time with someone you love. Make unique plans that encourage a relationship that means a lot to you to enjoy positive growth. Don’t let anger or discord emerge when your life’s quality is dependent on peace and love. Romance is favored. 5 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep an open mind when dealing with emotional and domestic matters. Listen and consider suggestions rather than force your will on others. Take the necessary precautions to protect your health and well-being. Be a leader, not a follower. 2 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Aim to get things done on time with the least amount of friction. If an argument erupts with someone close to you, it will ruin your plans. Allowing others the right to have an opinion will ensure you receive the same treatment in return. 4 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Partnerships will stress you out and test your patience. Take a step back and do your own thing. Work on home improvements, tidying up loose ends and sourcing out interests and skills that you can use to bring in disposable cash. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t buy into something that doesn’t make sense. Use your charm and intellect to navigate your way through any situation that might compromise you physically, financially or emotionally. Set goals, and do your own thing. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep your money in your pocket. Focus on offering reasonable help, not making a donation. Take pride in what you do, and don’t shy away from doing your own thing. Personal growth and positive lifestyle changes are favored. 4 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A rational response is the best way to handle an emotional situation. Sit back, relax, offer legitimate suggestions and focus on the changes that will make you happy. Back away from temptation or people who are a terrible influence. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take the lead. Find solutions that accommodate family and friends, and set your plans in motion. An innovative approach to something you want to do will bring about positive change. Take the initiative and be a hero. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stay in your comfort zone. Take precautions when it comes to money as well as your health. Live within your means, and abide by the rules. You will set an example for those feeling pressured or uncertain or are having trouble fighting temptation. 5 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Emotions will rise to the surface due to the changes you want to make being not widely accepted by those close to you. Rethink your objective and motive, and you’ll find a way to get what you want and please loved ones. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make meaningful relationships priorities. Spend time with people who are mentally stimulating and undeniably fun and thought-provoking. A mental challenge will lead to new ideas and solutions to pending problems. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): What you do to help others will be applauded and bring about positive change, but don’t let your desire to be a savior put you in harm’s way. Abide by the recommendations put forth by experts first and foremost. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are possessive, caring and loyal. You are proactive and supportive.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Bridge: Sept. 13, 2020

The traditional high-card point requirement for game is 26 , but if your high cards and distribution mesh well — if you have a fit in two suits or if you have no “ wasted ” honors opposite a singleton or void — you may score game with fewer points .
When today ’ s South opened 1NT , North ’ s two hearts was a “ transfer ” response .
South would usually bid two spades , accepting the transfer , but since his hand was ideal for play at spades , he bid three diamonds to show a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North was encouraged enough to try three hearts , and South liked that bid as well .
Since the hands appeared to complement each other perfectly , South jumped to the 21-point game .
Alas , South ’ s play was imperfect .
When West led a trump , South drew trumps , cashed the ace of hearts and led a second heart to dummy ’ s queen .
East took the king and jack and shifted to the eight of diamonds : nine , jack .
West exited with a club and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end .
South should ruff a club at Trick Two , lead a trump to his hand , ruff a club , come to his ace of hearts and ruff his last club .
Dummy then leads a heart .
The defenders are stuck .
On the actual deal , East wins with the jack and shifts to a diamond , but when West takes the jack , he is end-played : He must return a diamond from his king or concede a fatal ruff-sluff .
If West had a heart left to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heart trick in dummy .
In fact , South is sure to succeed no matter how the red suits lie .

The traditional high-card point requirement for game is 26, but if your high cards and distribution mesh well — if you have a fit in two suits or if you have no “wasted” honors opposite a singleton or void — you may score game with fewer points.
When today’s South opened 1NT, North’s two hearts was a “transfer” response. South would usually bid two spades, accepting the transfer, but since his hand was ideal for play at spades, he bid three diamonds to show a big spade fit with diamond strength.
North was encouraged enough to try three hearts, and South liked that bid as well. Since the hands appeared to complement each other perfectly, South jumped to the 21-point game.
Alas, South’s play was imperfect. When West led a trump, South drew trumps, cashed the ace of hearts and led a second heart to dummy’s queen. East took the king and jack and shifted to the eight of diamonds: nine, jack. West exited with a club and scored his king of diamonds at the end.
South should ruff a club at Trick Two, lead a trump to his hand, ruff a club, come to his ace of hearts and ruff his last club. Dummy then leads a heart.
The defenders are stuck. On the actual deal, East wins with the jack and shifts to a diamond, but when West takes the jack, he is end-played: He must return a diamond from his king or concede a fatal ruff-sluff. If West had a heart left to lead, South would be sure of a heart trick in dummy.
In fact, South is sure to succeed no matter how the red suits lie.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 9 8 6 3 2
H Q 4 3 2
D 10 5 2
C None
WEST
S J 10
H 10 8
D K J 7 6
C K J 10 5 2
EAST
S 7
H K J 9 7
D 8 4 3
C A Q 9 4 3
SOUTH
S A K 5 4
H A 6 5
D A Q 9
C 8 7 6
South West North East
1 NT Pass 2 H Pass
3 D Pass 3 H Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — S J
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-09-13--Ask Amy: I found these letters that might hurt my half-sister

Dear Amy : During the pandemic , I started exploring my genealogy and recently found out that I have a half-sister , “ Barb.
” We have the same father .
Barb was put up for adoption as an infant .
Our father passed away without divulging her existence .
Barb and I have been in touch and are sharing information about our lives .
I recently discovered letters written by Barb ’ s biological mother to our father during her pregnancy .
Most of the letters are very loving , and detail what seems like a caring relationship between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and impoverished students who were not ready to raise a child .
I have shared some information in the letters and would like to share more — however , the letters are not all good .
Adoption was not the first plan for this pregnancy , if you get what I mean .
• Ask Amy : I was not the best parent , and now I ’ m being punished • Ask Amy : My mom says this man is part of our family , but I can ’ t forgive him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prude about my boyfriend ’ s ‘ cam work ’ ?
• Ask Amy : We had a little fight and he ’ s been silent for two months • Ask Amy : He refuses to return my letters , and I ’ m worried his niece will read them Should I give the letters to Barb ?
Should I weed out the unsavory ones ?
Should I just give her a couple of letters that detail the love her biological mother had for her new baby and the love these two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very poignant and heartfelt .
Barb has had a very stable , loving upbringing with her adoptive parents and told me that she never felt like she was missing anything by not knowing her biological parents .
Now that she is taking this journey , I thought she might want to have these letters , but I don ’ t want to cause any harm , either to her or to our budding relationship .
Dear Half-Sister : The isolation due to the pandemic seems to have brought on lots of DNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for liberating people from family secrets — those deeply held secrets that generations conspire to hold close .
Your situation does not qualify as a family secret ( you ’ ve already uncovered and disclosed the truth , and have connected with your sibling ) , but this falls into the : “ What good would be served ?
” category .
Sharing a private letter from many decades ago where two very young people discussed the prospect of ending a pregnancy seems pointless .
“ Barb ” might have already assumed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biological parents decided on adoption .
I don ’ t quite know what you consider “ unsavory , ” but I don ’ t think you should share anything unsavory , unless the information disclosed would have an impact on Barb ’ s physical health .
Dear Amy : My longtime partner and I both read your column .
Among our issues is his unending interest in “ death and dying ” TV programs that are so disheartening to me .
I can leave the room , but I can still hear all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to hear .
It also seems unhealthy to watch these programs so often .
He says I am being unfair , and I say he is unfair .
It ’ s a downer to hear so many of these sad programs , but he says it ’ s very interesting .
Are there any compromises you can suggest that will keep us from having this unending disagreement ?
Dear A : I assume you are referring to various “ true crime ” shows ( like “ Forensic Files , ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon and evening on a cable channel near you ) .
I know about these shows because I listen to them ( I get television programming on my radio ) .
Yes , if you are not into them , these shows are depressing and gruesome .
It is especially disheartening to learn how often the victims of these crimes are women and children .
The appeal of some of these shows is that , in the end , the perpetrator is always eventually caught .
Justice is served .
The loop is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try out their own theories .
In forensic-based programs , the processes used to solve the mystery are also fascinating , in a Sherlock Holmes sort of way .
The compromise is for your partner to wear earphones ( connected to the TV ) so that you can be spared having to hear programs that you find upsetting .
Dear Amy : I find the range of people ’ s actions and responses to the pandemic surprising and fascinating .
I read somewhere that the best response to nearly any conflict is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerability , including the specific words , “ I ’ m doing the best I can.
” Personally , when I ’ m dealing with a difficult encounter with anyone ( of any age ) , I think to myself , “ They ’ re doing the best they can.
” It ’ s a great tool to bring down the tension and stop the judging .
Dear Annette : This is perfect .
Thank you .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: During the pandemic, I started exploring my genealogy and recently found out that I have a half-sister, “Barb.” We have the same father.
Barb was put up for adoption as an infant. Our father passed away without divulging her existence.
Barb and I have been in touch and are sharing information about our lives.
I recently discovered letters written by Barb’s biological mother to our father during her pregnancy. Most of the letters are very loving, and detail what seems like a caring relationship between two very young people who were teenagers and impoverished students who were not ready to raise a child. I have shared some information in the letters and would like to share more — however, the letters are not all good. Adoption was not the first plan for this pregnancy, if you get what I mean.
Related Articles Advice | Ask Amy: I found the videos she posted about me, with all the demeaning comments
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Ask Amy: My fiance wants me to stay home. Should I bolt? Advice | Ask Amy: Why did she react that way? It was a compliment!
Ask Amy: Why did she react that way? It was a compliment! Advice | Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now?
Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy Should I give the letters to Barb? Should I weed out the unsavory ones? Should I just give her a couple of letters that detail the love her biological mother had for her new baby and the love these two people had for each other? They are very poignant and heartfelt.
Barb has had a very stable, loving upbringing with her adoptive parents and told me that she never felt like she was missing anything by not knowing her biological parents. Now that she is taking this journey, I thought she might want to have these letters, but I don’t want to cause any harm, either to her or to our budding relationship.
Your advice?
Half-Sister
Dear Half-Sister: The isolation due to the pandemic seems to have brought on lots of DNA searches and closet-cleanouts.
I often advocate for liberating people from family secrets — those deeply held secrets that generations conspire to hold close.
Your situation does not qualify as a family secret (you’ve already uncovered and disclosed the truth, and have connected with your sibling), but this falls into the: “What good would be served?” category.
Sharing a private letter from many decades ago where two very young people discussed the prospect of ending a pregnancy seems pointless. “Barb” might have already assumed that terminating the pregnancy was considered before her biological parents decided on adoption.
I don’t quite know what you consider “unsavory,” but I don’t think you should share anything unsavory, unless the information disclosed would have an impact on Barb’s physical health.
Dear Amy: My longtime partner and I both read your column. Among our issues is his unending interest in “death and dying” TV programs that are so disheartening to me.
I can leave the room, but I can still hear all the gory details that I don’t want to hear. It also seems unhealthy to watch these programs so often.
He says I am being unfair, and I say he is unfair. It’s a downer to hear so many of these sad programs, but he says it’s very interesting.
Are there any compromises you can suggest that will keep us from having this unending disagreement?
A
Dear A: I assume you are referring to various “true crime” shows (like “Forensic Files,” which runs — episode after episode — every afternoon and evening on a cable channel near you).
I know about these shows because I listen to them (I get television programming on my radio).
Yes, if you are not into them, these shows are depressing and gruesome. It is especially disheartening to learn how often the victims of these crimes are women and children.
The appeal of some of these shows is that, in the end, the perpetrator is always eventually caught. Justice is served. The loop is closed, and an armchair investigator can try out their own theories.
In forensic-based programs, the processes used to solve the mystery are also fascinating, in a Sherlock Holmes sort of way.
The compromise is for your partner to wear earphones (connected to the TV) so that you can be spared having to hear programs that you find upsetting.
Dear Amy: I find the range of people’s actions and responses to the pandemic surprising and fascinating. I read somewhere that the best response to nearly any conflict is to express one’s own fear and vulnerability, including the specific words, “I’m doing the best I can.” Personally, when I’m dealing with a difficult encounter with anyone (of any age), I think to myself, “They’re doing the best they can.” It’s a great tool to bring down the tension and stop the judging.
Annette, in Colorado
Dear Annette: This is perfect. Thank you.
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.