mercurynews--2020-12-21--The Latest: Tenn. governor enacts new virus restrictions

NASHVILLE , Tenn. — Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee has announced new social gathering restrictions while still refusing to implement a mask mandate despite pleas from front-line healthcare workers in a state experiencing the highest new cases per capita in the country .
Instead of a mask mandate , the Republican on Sunday signed an executive order limiting public gatherings to 10 people .
However , places of worship , weddings and funerals are exempt from the order .
He called the state “ ground zero ” in the COVID-19 battle and urged Tennesseans not to gather with people outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His message comes just a day after Lee confirmed that his wife Maria had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Lee says he has tested negative but will remain in quarantine at the governor ’ s residence .
Tennessee is one of a dozen states without a mask mandate .
Instead , local counties have the option of implementing their own mask restrictions .
Lee was originally scheduled to take reporter questions after his statewide address , but his office later postponed that until Monday without giving a reason why .
In Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new round of pandemic aid that would establish a temporary $ 300 per week supplemental jobless benefits and $ 600 direct stimulus payments to most Americans , along with a fresh round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and funding for schools , health care providers , and renters facing eviction .
An expert committee has put people 75 and older and essential workers like firefighters , teachers and grocery store workers next in line for COVID-19 shots as a second vaccine began rolling out to U.S. hospitals .
European countries are halting U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The variant seems to spread more easily than others , though experts are unsure about that , and they add that there is no evidence that it is any deadlier .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : SYDNEY — The apparent spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney ’ s northern beach suburbs had slowed to 83 cases on Monday , an increase of only 15 infections in the past 24 hours .
The number of new infections had halved since the previous 24 hours , despite more than 38,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said .
She cautioned against any assumption that the rate of recorded infections will continue to decline .
“ Unfortunately , one day ’ s results doesn ’ t tell us it ’ s a trend , ” Berejiklian told reporters .
“ In a pandemic , there is a level of volatility , so we ’ ll closely monitor what happens.
” All 15 new cases were linked to two Avlon Beach live music revenues from where many infections originated on Dec. 11 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a U.S.-strain suspected to have leaked from Sydney hotel quarantine .
More than 250,000 Sydney residents in the northern beaches area are under a four-day lockdown until Wednesday .
Berejiklian said what restrictions continue over Christmas will be reviewed on Wednesday .
All Australian states have imposed restrictions on travelers from Sydney and parts of New South Wales because the coronavirus risk .
Berejiklian urged other state leaders to “ think about things compassionately ” due to Christmas approaching and to base decisions on border restrictions on the facts .
TORONTO — Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bid to block a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England .
A person familiar with the matter confirmed the development on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly ahead of an announcement .
France , Germany , Italy , the Netherlands , Belgium , Austria , Ireland and Bulgaria all announced restrictions on U.K. travel , hours after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Christmas shopping and gatherings in southern England must be canceled because of rapidly spreading infections blamed on the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast-moving new variant of the virus that is 70 % more transmissible than existing strains appeared to be driving the rapid spread of new infections in London and southern England in recent weeks .
But he stressed “ there ’ s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness , ” or that vaccines will be less effective against it .
GAINESVILLE , Ga. — The leader of a north Georgia megachurch who has been a spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump has tested positive for COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Sunday services at Free Chapel in Gainesville .
Pastor Javon Ruff announced the diagnosis during Free Chapel ’ s Sunday service .
The diagnosis came within days of Franklin attending a Christmas party at the White House .
More than a dozen parties at the White House have been criticized for being held indoors and not enforcing masks , but a church spokesperson says Franklin ’ s infection wasn ’ t related to that visit .
LOS ANGELES — Medical staffing is stretched increasingly thin as California hospitals scramble to find beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases that threatens to overwhelm the state ’ s emergency care system .
As of Sunday , more than 16,840 people were hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 infections — more than double the previous peak reached in July .
An enormous crush of cases in the last six weeks has California ’ s death toll spiraling ever higher .
Another 161 fatalities were reported Sunday .
All of Southern California and the 12-county San Joaquin Valley to the north have exhausted their regular intensive care unit capacity , and some hospitals have begun using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hard-hit Los Angeles County estimates she ’ s been averaging less than 10 minutes of care per patient every hour .
LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
— Arkansas ’ governor is urging residents to protect each other from the coronavirus this holiday season .
The state on Sunday reported 1,536 new COVID-19 cases and 46 more deaths .
One in every 190 people in Arkansas tested positive in the past week .
The Arkansas Department of Health said that the state has reported more than 201,000 cases and more than 3,200 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high number of Arkansans who have died is heartbreaking , ” Gov .
Asa Hutchinson said Sunday on Twitter .
Noting that Christmas is just five days away , he asked Arkansans to protect each other and said , “ What we do will determine how we start our new year.
” Health officials said that 1,057 people with COVID-19 are in Arkansas hospitals .
TOPEKA , Kan. — A FedEx executive says a higher-than-normal volume of Christmas-season package deliveries won ’ t interfere with the company ’ s effort to ship coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FedEx senior vice president , said two trucks on Sunday moved doses of a vaccine developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health from a factory in Olive Branch , Mississippi , to the company ’ s world hub in nearby Memphis , Tennessee , so that shipments could be loaded onto its airplanes bound for multiple states .
She said the company is keeping its networks for shipping the vaccine and handling Christmas packages separate .
“ Nothing ’ s more important than the delivery of the vaccine to us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ networks that are keeping e-commerce moving through our ground network and vaccines moving through our express network , ” she said .
“ We ’ re able to manage this volume right now.
” Robertson said the company has seen holiday-level volumes for shipping packages since March because consumers switched how they buy products during the pandemic .
ZAGREB , Croatia — Croatia ’ s prime minister says the country is temporarily suspending air traffic with Great Britain over fears about the new strain of coronavirus .
Several European countries said Sunday they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours after Britain ’ s government imposed tough new coronavirus restrictions on large areas of southern England to curb what officials described as a fast-moving new strain of the virus .
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Sunday said on Twitter the suspension will apply for 48 hours until more information is available .
DUBAI , United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended all international passenger flights for citizens and residents over fears about the fast-spreading new variant of the coronavirus .
The kingdom ’ s interior ministry says the one-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical information about the nature of this virus becomes clear.
” The country ’ s land and sea ports will also close for a week .
The government ordered anyone who has returned from or passed through a European country over the past three months to get tested for COVID-19 immediately .
The ministry added that the travel suspension will not affect the country ’ s cargo flights and supply chains .
NEW YORK — Gov .
Andrew Cuomo wants a ban on flights from Great Britain to New York City over fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo told reporters in a teleconference on Sunday that the six flights arriving daily at Kennedy Airport from Britain pose a health risk .
He called on the federal government to either ban the flights or require testing on all passengers .
The first wave of coronavirus infections in New York “ came from Europe and we did nothing , ” the Democratic governor said .
“ Doing nothing is negligent.
” OKLAHOMA CITY — As new daily cases of the coronavirus have surged in Oklahoma , Gov .
Kevin Stitt is starring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit .
The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Sunday reported 4,970 new cases and 23 deaths .
That brings the state ’ s totals to more than 260,000 cases and more than 2,200 deaths since the pandemic began .
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say there were 1,081 new cases per 100,000 people in Oklahoma over the past two weeks , which ranks 12th in the country for new cases per capita .
One in every 175 people in Oklahoma tested positive in the past week .
Stitt , who has resisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars in a 30-second video that has has more than 100,000 views on YouTube .
The video is also being promoted on digital and social media platforms in surrounding states , The Oklahoman reported .
“ Today , we all need a place that offers hope , ” Stitt says in the video .
“ Oklahoma is open to the challenge .
We ’ re open with new , exciting places to explore safely.
” The video was posted on YouTube on Nov. 19 — the same day the Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanksgiving holiday .
An Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department spokeswoman says the ads will run through Dec. 30 .
Stitt spokesman Charlie Hannema tells The Oklahoman newspaper that the campaign is part of a state strategy to support businesses affected by the pandemic .
“ We need people to continue to take precautions , but with the vaccination rollout starting , the light is at the end of the tunnel , ” Hannema said .
Health officials in the state have been pleading with residents to take precautions , and warn that pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Keith Reed , deputy commissioner of health with the Oklahoma State Department of Health , said that while it had been “ a historic , yet emotional week ” for health care workers , “ we still have a long road ahead of us.
” WASHINGTON — The chief science adviser for the U.S. government ’ s vaccine distribution effort says it will be shipping nearly 8 million doses of coronavirus vaccine Monday .
Dr. Moncef Slaoui said Sunday on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” that 5.9 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2 million of a vaccine made by Pfizer will be shipped .
At least a dozen states reported last week that they would receive a smaller second shipment of the Pfizer vaccine than they had been told previously .
Army Gen. Gustave Perna , in charge of the distribution effort , apologized Saturday for “ miscommunication ” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution .
Slaoui said the mistake was assuming vaccines that had been produced were ready for shipment when there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s perfectly right , we will not release vaccine doses for usage , ” he said .
“ And , sometimes , there could be small hiccups .
There have been none , actually , in manufacturing now .
The hiccup was more into the planning.
” Slaoui also said the U.S. will experience “ a continuing surge ” in the coronavirus , with larger numbers of cases possible from gatherings for the Christmas holiday .
SOFIA , Bulgaria— Bulgaria is banning until January 31 all flights coming from and leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus strain .
At an emergency meeting on Sunday , the government had introduced new restrictive measures for all persons arriving from the United Kingdom , including a mandatory 10-day quarantine .
Hours later , it added the flight ban to the list of restrictions .
SAN RAMON , Calif. – More than 1 million people have passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints in each of the past two days in a sign that public health pleas to avoid holiday travel are being ignored , despite an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time U.S. airports have screened more than 1 million passengers since Nov. 29 .
That came at the end of a Thanksgiving weekend that saw far more travel around the country than had been hoped as the weather turned colder and COVID-19 cases were already spiking again .
Now , hospitals in many parts of the country are being overwhelmed amid the largest outbreak of COVID-19 in the U.S. since the pandemic since March when most people in the U.S. were ordered to stay at home and avoid interactions with other households .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee for U.S. surgeon general says it ’ s more realistic to think it may be mid-summer or early fall before coronavirus vaccines are available to the general population in the United States , rather than late spring .
Speaking on Sunday on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press , ” Vivek Murthy said Biden ’ s team is working toward having coronavirus vaccines available to lower-risk individuals by late spring but doing so requires “ everything to go exactly on schedule.
” “ I think it ’ s more realistic to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-summer or early fall when this vaccine makes its way to the general population , ” Murthy said .
“ So , we want to be optimistic , but we want to be cautious as well.
” Murthy , who also served as surgeon general in the Obama administration , said Biden ’ s promise of 100 million vaccines during his first 100 days in office is realistic and that the Biden team has seen more cooperation from Trump administration officials .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s surgeon general is defending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine , saying there are medical reasons for it .
U.S .
Surgeon General and Vice Admiral Jerome Adams , speaking on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” on Sunday , noted that Trump both contracted COVID-19 in October and was treated with monoclonal antibodies .
“ And that is actually one scenario where we tell people maybe you should hold off on getting the vaccine , talk to your health provider to find out the right time , ” Adams said .
Asked about Trump doing a public-service announcement for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , Adams noted that both he and Vice President Mike Pence got vaccinated .
Adams , who is Black , said he understands that mistrust of the medical community and the vaccine among Blacks “ comes from a real place , ” the mistreatment of communities of color .
JERUSALEM __ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the country is banning flights from Britain , Denmark or South Africa due to fears about the new strain of coronavirus .
“ Those are the countries where the mutation is found , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone returning from those countries would have to go into mandatory 14-day quarantine in state-run hotels .
Netanyahu spoke a day after he was vaccinated against the coronavirus – the first Israeli to do so in what he said was an attempt to encourage the public to follow suit .
Israel pushed ahead with its vaccination campaign on Sunday , beginning with other top officials and front-line health-care workers .
LONDON — Eurostar trains between London , Brussels and Amsterdam are being canceled from Monday , after the Belgian government announced that borders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
The high-speed train operator said Sunday that trains continue to operate on the London to Paris route .
The Belgian government has said it will review the position in 24 hours .
Eurostar said they ’ re awaiting further details from relevant governments on how travel restrictions will be enforced .
European countries including the Netherlands , Austria and Italy said Sunday they would halt flights from the U.K. , hours after Britain ’ s government imposed tough new coronavirus restrictions on large areas of southern England to curb what officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
MILAN — Both the number of COVID deaths and new positives were significantly lower on Sunday , a day when typically many fewer tests are carried out .
Deaths rose by 352 , down by several hundred from recent days , and bringing Italy ’ s known coronavirus dead to 68,799 , the highest in Europe .
Another 15,104 people tested positive , down by over 1,000 from a day earlier as the number of tests dropped by nearly a quarter .
Sunday marked the last day Italians were permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a valid motive , including work and health .
The government has imposed more stringent restrictions for the Christmas holiday in a bid to prevent celebrations from setting of a new surge .
Shopping streets in major cities were packed ahead of the imposition of a partial lockdown this week .

The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced new social gathering restrictions while still refusing to implement a mask mandate despite pleas from front-line healthcare workers in a state experiencing the highest new cases per capita in the country.
Instead of a mask mandate, the Republican on Sunday signed an executive order limiting public gatherings to 10 people. However, places of worship, weddings and funerals are exempt from the order.
He called the state “ground zero” in the COVID-19 battle and urged Tennesseans not to gather with people outside their immediate households during the upcoming holidays. His message comes just a day after Lee confirmed that his wife Maria had tested positive for COVID-19. Lee says he has tested negative but will remain in quarantine at the governor’s residence.
Tennessee is one of a dozen states without a mask mandate. Instead, local counties have the option of implementing their own mask restrictions.
Lee was originally scheduled to take reporter questions after his statewide address, but his office later postponed that until Monday without giving a reason why.
___
THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
In Congress, negotiators have reached agreement on a new round of pandemic aid that would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefits and $600 direct stimulus payments to most Americans, along with a fresh round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and funding for schools, health care providers, and renters facing eviction. An expert committee has put people 75 and older and essential workers like firefighters, teachers and grocery store workers next in line for COVID-19 shots as a second vaccine began rolling out to U.S. hospitals. European countries are halting U.K. flights, fearing a new coronavirus variant. The variant seems to spread more easily than others, though experts are unsure about that, and they add that there is no evidence that it is any deadlier.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
SYDNEY — The apparent spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney’s northern beach suburbs had slowed to 83 cases on Monday, an increase of only 15 infections in the past 24 hours.
The number of new infections had halved since the previous 24 hours, despite more than 38,000 people being tested in the latest day, New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
She cautioned against any assumption that the rate of recorded infections will continue to decline.
“Unfortunately, one day’s results doesn’t tell us it’s a trend,” Berejiklian told reporters. “In a pandemic, there is a level of volatility, so we’ll closely monitor what happens.”
All 15 new cases were linked to two Avlon Beach live music revenues from where many infections originated on Dec. 11 and Dec. 13.
The original infection is a U.S.-strain suspected to have leaked from Sydney hotel quarantine.
More than 250,000 Sydney residents in the northern beaches area are under a four-day lockdown until Wednesday.
Berejiklian said what restrictions continue over Christmas will be reviewed on Wednesday.
All Australian states have imposed restrictions on travelers from Sydney and parts of New South Wales because the coronavirus risk.
Berejiklian urged other state leaders to “think about things compassionately” due to Christmas approaching and to base decisions on border restrictions on the facts.
___
TORONTO — Canada is banning passenger flights from the UK in a bid to block a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England.
A person familiar with the matter confirmed the development on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly ahead of an announcement.
France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Ireland and Bulgaria all announced restrictions on U.K. travel, hours after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Christmas shopping and gatherings in southern England must be canceled because of rapidly spreading infections blamed on the new coronavirus variant.
Johnson said Saturday that a fast-moving new variant of the virus that is 70% more transmissible than existing strains appeared to be driving the rapid spread of new infections in London and southern England in recent weeks. But he stressed “there’s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness,” or that vaccines will be less effective against it.
___
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The leader of a north Georgia megachurch who has been a spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump has tested positive for COVID-19.
News outlets report Jentezen Franklin was absent from Sunday services at Free Chapel in Gainesville. Pastor Javon Ruff announced the diagnosis during Free Chapel’s Sunday service.
The diagnosis came within days of Franklin attending a Christmas party at the White House. More than a dozen parties at the White House have been criticized for being held indoors and not enforcing masks, but a church spokesperson says Franklin’s infection wasn’t related to that visit.
___
LOS ANGELES — Medical staffing is stretched increasingly thin as California hospitals scramble to find beds for patients amid an explosion of coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm the state’s emergency care system.
As of Sunday, more than 16,840 people were hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 infections — more than double the previous peak reached in July.
An enormous crush of cases in the last six weeks has California’s death toll spiraling ever higher. Another 161 fatalities were reported Sunday.
All of Southern California and the 12-county San Joaquin Valley to the north have exhausted their regular intensive care unit capacity, and some hospitals have begun using “surge” space.
A nurse in hard-hit Los Angeles County estimates she’s been averaging less than 10 minutes of care per patient every hour.
___
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas’ governor is urging residents to protect each other from the coronavirus this holiday season.
The state on Sunday reported 1,536 new COVID-19 cases and 46 more deaths. One in every 190 people in Arkansas tested positive in the past week. The Arkansas Department of Health said that the state has reported more than 201,000 cases and more than 3,200 deaths since the pandemic began.
“The high number of Arkansans who have died is heartbreaking,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday on Twitter.
Noting that Christmas is just five days away, he asked Arkansans to protect each other and said, “What we do will determine how we start our new year.”
Health officials said that 1,057 people with COVID-19 are in Arkansas hospitals.
___
TOPEKA, Kan. — A FedEx executive says a higher-than-normal volume of Christmas-season package deliveries won’t interfere with the company’s effort to ship coronavirus vaccine doses.
Jenny Robertson, a FedEx senior vice president, said two trucks on Sunday moved doses of a vaccine developed by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health from a factory in Olive Branch, Mississippi, to the company’s world hub in nearby Memphis, Tennessee, so that shipments could be loaded onto its airplanes bound for multiple states.
She said the company is keeping its networks for shipping the vaccine and handling Christmas packages separate.
“Nothing’s more important than the delivery of the vaccine to us, but we have put in place distinct networks that are keeping e-commerce moving through our ground network and vaccines moving through our express network,” she said. “We’re able to manage this volume right now.”
Robertson said the company has seen holiday-level volumes for shipping packages since March because consumers switched how they buy products during the pandemic.
___
ZAGREB, Croatia — Croatia’s prime minister says the country is temporarily suspending air traffic with Great Britain over fears about the new strain of coronavirus.
Several European countries said Sunday they would halt flights from the U.K., hours after Britain’s government imposed tough new coronavirus restrictions on large areas of southern England to curb what officials described as a fast-moving new strain of the virus.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Sunday said on Twitter the suspension will apply for 48 hours until more information is available.
Plenkovic says “citizens’ health comes first.”
___
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended all international passenger flights for citizens and residents over fears about the fast-spreading new variant of the coronavirus.
The kingdom’s interior ministry says the one-week flight ban may be extended “until medical information about the nature of this virus becomes clear.”
The country’s land and sea ports will also close for a week. The government ordered anyone who has returned from or passed through a European country over the past three months to get tested for COVID-19 immediately.
The ministry added that the travel suspension will not affect the country’s cargo flights and supply chains.
___
NEW YORK — Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants a ban on flights from Great Britain to New York City over fears about the new strain of coronavirus.
Cuomo told reporters in a teleconference on Sunday that the six flights arriving daily at Kennedy Airport from Britain pose a health risk. He called on the federal government to either ban the flights or require testing on all passengers.
The first wave of coronavirus infections in New York “came from Europe and we did nothing,” the Democratic governor said. “Doing nothing is negligent.”
___
OKLAHOMA CITY — As new daily cases of the coronavirus have surged in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt is starring in a promotional video encouraging people to visit.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Sunday reported 4,970 new cases and 23 deaths. That brings the state’s totals to more than 260,000 cases and more than 2,200 deaths since the pandemic began. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say there were 1,081 new cases per 100,000 people in Oklahoma over the past two weeks, which ranks 12th in the country for new cases per capita. One in every 175 people in Oklahoma tested positive in the past week.
Stitt, who has resisted calls for a statewide mask mandate, stars in a 30-second video that has has more than 100,000 views on YouTube. The video is also being promoted on digital and social media platforms in surrounding states, The Oklahoman reported.
“Today, we all need a place that offers hope,” Stitt says in the video. “Oklahoma is open to the challenge. We’re open with new, exciting places to explore safely.”
The video was posted on YouTube on Nov. 19 — the same day the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised against traveling around the Thanksgiving holiday. An Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department spokeswoman says the ads will run through Dec. 30.
Stitt spokesman Charlie Hannema tells The Oklahoman newspaper that the campaign is part of a state strategy to support businesses affected by the pandemic.
“We need people to continue to take precautions, but with the vaccination rollout starting, the light is at the end of the tunnel,” Hannema said.
Health officials in the state have been pleading with residents to take precautions, and warn that pandemic is far from over.
On Friday, Keith Reed, deputy commissioner of health with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, said that while it had been “a historic, yet emotional week” for health care workers, “we still have a long road ahead of us.”
___
WASHINGTON — The chief science adviser for the U.S. government’s vaccine distribution effort says it will be shipping nearly 8 million doses of coronavirus vaccine Monday.
Dr. Moncef Slaoui said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that 5.9 million doses of a vaccine made by Moderna and 2 million of a vaccine made by Pfizer will be shipped.
At least a dozen states reported last week that they would receive a smaller second shipment of the Pfizer vaccine than they had been told previously. Army Gen. Gustave Perna, in charge of the distribution effort, apologized Saturday for “miscommunication” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution.
Slaoui said the mistake was assuming vaccines that had been produced were ready for shipment when there was a two-day delay.
“And unless it’s perfectly right, we will not release vaccine doses for usage,” he said. “And, sometimes, there could be small hiccups. There have been none, actually, in manufacturing now. The hiccup was more into the planning.”
Slaoui also said the U.S. will experience “a continuing surge” in the coronavirus, with larger numbers of cases possible from gatherings for the Christmas holiday.
___
SOFIA, Bulgaria— Bulgaria is banning until January 31 all flights coming from and leaving for Britain in reaction to the new coronavirus strain.
At an emergency meeting on Sunday, the government had introduced new restrictive measures for all persons arriving from the United Kingdom, including a mandatory 10-day quarantine. Hours later, it added the flight ban to the list of restrictions.
—-
SAN RAMON, Calif. – More than 1 million people have passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints in each of the past two days in a sign that public health pleas to avoid holiday travel are being ignored, despite an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases across the country.
It marks the first time U.S. airports have screened more than 1 million passengers since Nov. 29. That came at the end of a Thanksgiving weekend that saw far more travel around the country than had been hoped as the weather turned colder and COVID-19 cases were already spiking again.
Now, hospitals in many parts of the country are being overwhelmed amid the largest outbreak of COVID-19 in the U.S. since the pandemic since March when most people in the U.S. were ordered to stay at home and avoid interactions with other households.
—-
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for U.S. surgeon general says it’s more realistic to think it may be mid-summer or early fall before coronavirus vaccines are available to the general population in the United States, rather than late spring.
Speaking on Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Vivek Murthy said Biden’s team is working toward having coronavirus vaccines available to lower-risk individuals by late spring but doing so requires “everything to go exactly on schedule.”
“I think it’s more realistic to assume that it may be closer to mid-summer or early fall when this vaccine makes its way to the general population,” Murthy said. “So, we want to be optimistic, but we want to be cautious as well.”
Murthy, who also served as surgeon general in the Obama administration, said Biden’s promise of 100 million vaccines during his first 100 days in office is realistic and that the Biden team has seen more cooperation from Trump administration officials.
___
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s surgeon general is defending Trump’s not getting a coronavirus vaccine, saying there are medical reasons for it.
U.S. Surgeon General and Vice Admiral Jerome Adams, speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, noted that Trump both contracted COVID-19 in October and was treated with monoclonal antibodies.
“And that is actually one scenario where we tell people maybe you should hold off on getting the vaccine, talk to your health provider to find out the right time,” Adams said.
Asked about Trump doing a public-service announcement for the vaccine to encourage his supporters to get it, Adams noted that both he and Vice President Mike Pence got vaccinated.
Adams, who is Black, said he understands that mistrust of the medical community and the vaccine among Blacks “comes from a real place,” the mistreatment of communities of color.
___
JERUSALEM __ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the country is banning flights from Britain, Denmark or South Africa due to fears about the new strain of coronavirus.
“Those are the countries where the mutation is found,” he said.
He also said Sunday that anyone returning from those countries would have to go into mandatory 14-day quarantine in state-run hotels.
Netanyahu spoke a day after he was vaccinated against the coronavirus – the first Israeli to do so in what he said was an attempt to encourage the public to follow suit. Israel pushed ahead with its vaccination campaign on Sunday, beginning with other top officials and front-line health-care workers.
__
LONDON — Eurostar trains between London, Brussels and Amsterdam are being canceled from Monday, after the Belgian government announced that borders with the U.K will close at midnight Sunday.
The high-speed train operator said Sunday that trains continue to operate on the London to Paris route.
The Belgian government has said it will review the position in 24 hours. Eurostar said they’re awaiting further details from relevant governments on how travel restrictions will be enforced.
European countries including the Netherlands, Austria and Italy said Sunday they would halt flights from the U.K., hours after Britain’s government imposed tough new coronavirus restrictions on large areas of southern England to curb what officials described as a fast-moving new strain of the virus.
___
MILAN — Both the number of COVID deaths and new positives were significantly lower on Sunday, a day when typically many fewer tests are carried out.
Deaths rose by 352, down by several hundred from recent days, and bringing Italy’s known coronavirus dead to 68,799, the highest in Europe.
Another 15,104 people tested positive, down by over 1,000 from a day earlier as the number of tests dropped by nearly a quarter. Sunday marked the last day Italians were permitted to move from one region to another without a valid motive, including work and health.
The government has imposed more stringent restrictions for the Christmas holiday in a bid to prevent celebrations from setting of a new surge. Shopping streets in major cities were packed ahead of the imposition of a partial lockdown this week.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at:
https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine
https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


mercurynews--2020-12-21--Congress seals agreement on $900 billion COVID relief bill

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on an almost $ 1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package , finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them .
The agreement , announced by congressional leaders , would establish a temporary $ 300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $ 600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans , along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools , health care providers and renters facing eviction .
It came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the negotiating dynamic changed in Republicans ’ favor after the election and as the end of the congressional session neared .
President-elect Joe Biden was eager for a deal to deliver long-awaited help to suffering people and a boost to the economy , even though it was less than half the size that Democrats wanted this fall .
House leaders informed lawmakers that they would vote on the legislation on Monday , and the Senate was likely to vote on Monday , too .
Lawmakers were eager to leave Washington and close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be another major rescue package for the American people , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said in announcing the agreement for a relief bill that would total almost $ 900 billion .
“ It is packed with targeted policies to help struggling Americans who have already waited too long.
” A fight over Federal Reserve emergency powers was resolved Saturday night by the Senate ’ s top Democrat , Chuck Schumer of New York , and conservative Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania .
That breakthrough led to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , delays in finalizing the agreement prompted the House to pass a one-day stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown at midnight Sunday .
The Senate was likely to pass the measure Sunday night as well .
The final agreement would be the largest spending measure yet .
It combined $ 900 billion for COVID-19 relief with a $ 1.4 trillion government-wide funding plan and lots of other unrelated measures on taxes , health , infrastructure and education .
The government-wide funding would keep the government open through September .
Passage neared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence piled up that the economy was struggling .
The legislation had been held up by months of dysfunction , posturing and bad faith .
But talks turned serious in recent days as lawmakers on both sides finally faced the deadline of acting before leaving Washington for Christmas .
“ This bill is a good bill .
Tonight is a good night .
But it is not the end of the story , it is not the end of the job , ” Schumer told reporters .
“ Anyone who thinks this bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going on in America.
” The $ 300 per week bonus jobless benefit was one half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the $ 1.8 billion CARES Act in March and would be limited to 11 weeks instead of 16 weeks .
The direct $ 600 stimulus payment to most people would also be half the March payment , subject to the same income limits in which an individual ’ s payment began to phase out after $ 75,000 .
The CARES Act was credited with keeping the economy from falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring , but Republicans controlling the Senate cited debt concerns in pushing against Democratic demands .
Republican politicians , starting with President Donald Trump , focused more on reopening the economy and less on taxpayer-financed steps like supplemental jobless benefits .
Progress came after a bipartisan group of pragmatists and moderates devised a $ 908 billion plan that built a middle ground position that the top four leaders of Congress — the GOP and Democratic leaders of both the House and Senate — used as the basis for their talks .
The lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off of hard-line positions .
“ We put our heads down and worked around the clock for nearly a month to produce a bipartisan , bicameral bill to address the emergency needs of our country , ” the bipartisan group of about a dozen lawmakers said in a statement .
“ Our consensus bill was the foundation of this final package.
” Republicans were most intent on reviving the Paycheck Protection Program with $ 284 billion , which would cover a second round of PPP grants to especially hard-hit businesses .
Democrats won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Late-breaking decisions would limit $ 300 per week bonus jobless benefits — one half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the CARES Act in March — to 11 weeks instead of 16 weeks as before .
The direct $ 600 stimulus payment to most people would be half the March payment , subject to the same income limits in which an individual ’ s payment begins to phase out after $ 75,000 .
After the announcement , Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , announced additional details , including $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 billion for theaters and other live venues , $ 82 billion for local schools , colleges and universities , and $ 10 billion for child care .
Still , Democrats wanted more .
Pelosi , in a letter to colleagues , called the package an initial step .
“ In 31 days , when Joe Biden enters the White House , more help will be on the way , ” Pelosi said .
The governmentwide appropriations bill would fund agencies through next September .
That measure was likely to provide a last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s U.S.-Mexico border wall as a condition of winning his signature .
The bill was an engine to carry much of Capitol Hill ’ s unfinished business , including an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $ 10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control , environmental and coastal protection projects .
Another addition would extend a batch of soon-to-expire tax breaks , including one for craft brewers , wineries and distillers .
It also would carry numerous clean energy provisions , $ 7 billion to increase access to broadband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations vaccinate their people , $ 14 billion for cash-starved transit systems , Amtrak and airports .
Democrats failed in a monthslong battle to deliver direct fiscal relief to states and local governments , but they successfully pressed for $ 22 billion would help states and local governments with COVID-19-related health expenses like testing and vaccines .
The end-of-session rush also promised relief for victims of shockingly steep surprise medical bills , a phenomenon that often occurs when providers drop out of insurance company networks .

By ANDREW TAYLOR
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them.
The agreement, announced by congressional leaders, would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction.
It came after months of battling and posturing, but the negotiating dynamic changed in Republicans’ favor after the election and as the end of the congressional session neared. President-elect Joe Biden was eager for a deal to deliver long-awaited help to suffering people and a boost to the economy, even though it was less than half the size that Democrats wanted this fall.
Biden praised the bipartisan spirit that produced the measure, which he called “just the beginning.”
“This is a model for the challenging work ahead for our nation,” Biden said in a statement.
House leaders informed lawmakers that they would vote on the legislation on Monday, and the Senate was likely to vote on Monday, too. Lawmakers were eager to leave Washington and close out a tumultuous year.
“There will be another major rescue package for the American people,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in announcing the agreement for a relief bill that would total almost $900 billion. “It is packed with targeted policies to help struggling Americans who have already waited too long.”
Democrats acknowledged it wasn’t as robust a relief package as they initially sought — or, they say, the country needs. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed more to come once President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
“It is a first step,” she said. “We have to do more.”
A fight over Federal Reserve emergency powers was resolved Saturday night by the Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, and conservative Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. That breakthrough led to a final round of negotiations Sunday.
Still, delays in finalizing the agreement prompted the House to pass a one-day stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown at midnight Sunday. The Senate was likely to pass the measure Sunday night as well.
The final agreement would be the largest spending measure yet. It combined $900 billion for COVID-19 relief with a $1.4 trillion government-wide funding plan and lots of other unrelated measures on taxes, health, infrastructure and education. The government-wide funding would keep the government open through September.
Passage neared as coronavirus cases and deaths spiked and evidence piled up that the economy was struggling. The legislation had been held up by months of dysfunction, posturing and bad faith. But talks turned serious in recent days as lawmakers on both sides finally faced the deadline of acting before leaving Washington for Christmas.
“This bill is a good bill. Tonight is a good night. But it is not the end of the story, it is not the end of the job,” Schumer told reporters. “Anyone who thinks this bill is enough does not know what’s going on in America.”
The $300 per week bonus jobless benefit was one half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the $1.8 billion CARES Act in March and would be limited to 11 weeks instead of 16 weeks. The direct $600 stimulus payment to most people would also be half the March payment, subject to the same income limits in which an individual’s payment began to phase out after $75,000.
The CARES Act was credited with keeping the economy from falling off a cliff amid widespread lockdowns this spring, but Republicans controlling the Senate cited debt concerns in pushing against Democratic demands. Republican politicians, starting with President Donald Trump, focused more on reopening the economy and less on taxpayer-financed steps like supplemental jobless benefits.
Progress came after a bipartisan group of pragmatists and moderates devised a $908 billion plan that built a middle ground position that the top four leaders of Congress — the GOP and Democratic leaders of both the House and Senate — used as the basis for their talks. The lawmakers urged leaders on both sides to back off of hard-line positions.
“We put our heads down and worked around the clock for nearly a month to produce a bipartisan, bicameral bill to address the emergency needs of our country,” the bipartisan group of about a dozen lawmakers said in a statement. “Our consensus bill was the foundation of this final package.”
Republicans were most intent on reviving the Paycheck Protection Program with $284 billion, which would cover a second round of PPP grants to especially hard-hit businesses. Democrats won set-asides for low-income and minority communities.
Late-breaking decisions would limit $300 per week bonus jobless benefits — one half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the CARES Act in March — to 11 weeks instead of 16 weeks as before. The direct $600 stimulus payment to most people would be half the March payment, subject to the same income limits in which an individual’s payment begins to phase out after $75,000.
After the announcement, Schumer and Pelosi, D-Calif., announced additional details, including $25 billion in rental assistance, $15 billion for theaters and other live venues, $82 billion for local schools, colleges and universities, and $10 billion for child care.
The governmentwide appropriations bill would fund agencies through next September. That measure was likely to provide a last $1.4 billion installment for Trump’s U.S.-Mexico border wall as a condition of winning his signature.
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It also would carry numerous clean energy provisions, $7 billion to increase access to broadband, $4 billion to help other nations vaccinate their people, $14 billion for cash-starved transit systems, Amtrak and airports.
Democrats failed in a monthslong battle to deliver direct fiscal relief to states and local governments, but they successfully pressed for $22 billion would help states and local governments with COVID-19-related health expenses like testing and vaccines.
The end-of-session rush also promised relief for victims of shockingly steep surprise medical bills, a phenomenon that often occurs when providers drop out of insurance company networks.


mercurynews--2020-12-21--Saint Mark AME Zion Church share Holiday spirit with with drive-thru toy and gift drive

With a line that wrapped around Saint Mark AME Zion Church , dozens waited patiently to receive gifts from the @ @ @ @ @ Parents were able to take their kids to the church and receive toys for the @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
Some @ @ @ @ @ along Bay Road that wrapped around to Clarke Avenue , while others chose to drive @ @ @ @ @ lot of the church and receive their gifts that way .
The event was sponsored @ @ @ @ @ Church along with WeHOPE , Saint Samuel COGIC Church , and Samaritan House .
Besides @ @ @ @ @ treated to some popcorn and hot chocolate .
Members of the Palo Alto Police Department @ @ @ @ @ gifts and directing traffic .

With a line that wrapped around Saint Mark AME Zion Church, dozens waited patiently to receive gifts from the East Palo Alto church. Parents were able to take their kids to the church and receive toys for the holidays.
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Benito Garcia, 9, left, takes a photo with Santa Claus with his siblings Yaretzi, 7, center, and Frianco, 11, right, during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Margaret Davis hands some gifts to people during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: A person dressed as Santa Claus waves at families during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Officer Dan Irwin with Palo Alto Police Department writes some information down during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Jacob Virges hands toys to people during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Roxie Roberson, right, hands toys to kids during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Emma Rose Hernandez, 2, holds a toy she received during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Volunteers wear mouth coverings and Santa Claus hats during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: A person wears a mouth covering and small Christmas cap during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Patricia Carter records a video during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Roxie Roberson, left, claps while people drive by to receive gifts during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: Officers with the Palo Alto Police Department direct traffic during the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
EAST PALO ALTO - DECEMBER 20: People wait in line for the toy and gift giveaway at Saint Mark AME Zion Church in East Palo Alto, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
Some waited in the long line along Bay Road that wrapped around to Clarke Avenue, while others chose to drive their vehicles into the parking lot of the church and receive their gifts that way. The event was sponsored by Saint Mark AME Zion Church along with WeHOPE, Saint Samuel COGIC Church, and Samaritan House.
According to Rev. Deborah Lewis-Virges nearly 500 children comprised of over 200 families received toys. In addition to the toys each family received a $100 gift card from Samaritan House. Each child also received a $25 gift card from the same organization.
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Members of the Palo Alto Police Department also helped by handing out gifts and directing traffic.


mercurynews--2020-12-21--Saratoga: None injured in two-alarm house fire

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
SARATOGA — Firefighters @ @ @ @ @ erupted at a home under control , authorities said Sunday .
Just after 3:20 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ Department firefighters responded to reports of a structure fire in the 18900 block of Allendale @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman said .
Around 40 firefighters saw a column of smoke while en route to @ @ @ @ @ aboard five engines and several trucks and specialty vehicles to find an approximately 4,000-square-foot home @ @ @ @ @ from the roof , the spokeswoman said .
A second alarm was immediately called to @ @ @ @ @ Clara County sheriff ’ s deputies and a Pacific Gas & Electric crew also responded @ @ @ @ @ power needs .
The fire was controlled by just before 5 p.m. , with crews @ @ @ @ @ evening on extinguishment and overhaul .
Four people were able to self-evacuate before firefighters ’ @ @ @ @ @ no preliminary information about any possible cause .

SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: Santa Clara County Fire Department firefighters battle a house fire on Allendale Avenue in Saratoga, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: Santa Clara County Fire Department firefighters battle a house fire on Allendale Avenue in Saratoga, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: Santa Clara County Fire Department firefighters battle a house fire on Allendale Avenue in Saratoga, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: Santa Clara County Fire Department firefighters battle a house fire on Allendale Avenue in Saratoga, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 20: Santa Clara County Fire Department firefighters battle a house fire on Allendale Avenue in Saratoga, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
SARATOGA — Firefighters brought a two-alarm fire that erupted at a home under control, authorities said Sunday.
Just after 3:20 p.m., Santa Clara County Fire Department firefighters responded to reports of a structure fire in the 18900 block of Allendale Avenue, a fire department spokeswoman said.
Around 40 firefighters saw a column of smoke while en route to the address, and arrived aboard five engines and several trucks and specialty vehicles to find an approximately 4,000-square-foot home showing heavy smoke and flames from the roof, the spokeswoman said.
A second alarm was immediately called to bring more resources. Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputies and a Pacific Gas & Electric crew also responded to assist with traffic and power needs.
The fire was controlled by just before 5 p.m., with crews set to work into Sunday evening on extinguishment and overhaul. Four people were able to self-evacuate before firefighters’ arrival. A firefighter received treatment at the scene for a minor injury during the response, according to a fire department statement Sunday night.
A cause was still under investigation and the fire’s origin was not considered suspicious, but firefighters reminded residents to take care around increased fire risks this winter due to cooking, heating and holiday decorations.
Check back for updates.
#AllendaleIC #sccfd Fire has been controlled, expect crews to remain on scene through the evening for full extinguishment and cleanup. @SCCoSheriff @FASCV @CityofSaratoga pic.twitter.com/eVqKMeViin — Santa Clara Co Fire (@sccfiredept) December 21, 2020
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-12-21--Coronavirus: Doug Wilson says some San Jose Sharks players who were overseas tested positive

San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said Sunday that some of the team ’ s players that had been competing in Europe in recent months tested positive for the coronavirus .
Wilson added , though , that no Sharks player who had been training in San Jose tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ We ’ ve had some players that were playing over in Europe that did ( test positive ) , yes , ” Wilson said .
“ But since players have been coming into our protocol and our guidelines , no , we haven ’ t had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose or that ’ s been under our medical staff test positive.
” With the NHL on hiatus over the last few months after the Stanley Cup playoffs ended in late September , the Sharks loaned several players to European teams .
Some were older players with NHL experience , others were prospects with European or Russian passports that needed playing time .
The long list of Sharks players or prospects overseas included forwards Marcus Sorensen , Lean Bergmann , Joel Kellman , Antti Suomela , Fredrik Handemark , Jonathan Dahlen and Ivan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexei Melnichuk and Josef Korenar , among others .
A Sharks spokesman said the team is not aware of anyone who is currently prevented from traveling to North America because of the virus .
In September , the NHL announced offseason training protocols for players in league cities .
They included limiting the amount of players who could be in the weight room or on the ice at the same time , and extensive testing for players before and during their use of club facilities .
• The Latest : Canada bans flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Panel : People over 75 , essential workers next for COVID vaccines • Mostly virus-free Kauai hit by pandemic after travel resumes As one of the seven teams that was not part of the NHL ’ s Return to Play earlier this year , the Sharks , who have not played since March 11 , will open training camp Dec. 31 in Scottsdale , Arizona .
The other 24 NHL teams will open Jan. 3 .
The Sharks were forced to look outside of Santa Clara County to hold camp because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials at the start of December .
The NHL and the NHL Players Association still have to finalize protocols for training camps , which could be completed in the next day or two .
While several Sharks players have been in training in San Jose for some time , Wilson said other players will be flying straight into the Phoenix area and will have to quarantine once they arrive .
The Sharks will have 36 skaters at camp plus an unlimited amount of goalies .
“ We ’ ve got players in San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are driving in , ” Wilson said .
“ We ’ ve got a group of guys on planes right now that are flying over here , and we have a group of them that are coming directly in Arizona .
”

San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said Sunday that some of the team’s players that had been competing in Europe in recent months tested positive for the coronavirus.
Wilson added, though, that no Sharks player who had been training in San Jose tested positive for COVID-19.
“We’ve had some players that were playing over in Europe that did (test positive), yes,” Wilson said. “But since players have been coming into our protocol and our guidelines, no, we haven’t had anybody that’s come into San Jose or that’s been under our medical staff test positive.”
With the NHL on hiatus over the last few months after the Stanley Cup playoffs ended in late September, the Sharks loaned several players to European teams. Some were older players with NHL experience, others were prospects with European or Russian passports that needed playing time.
The long list of Sharks players or prospects overseas included forwards Marcus Sorensen, Lean Bergmann, Joel Kellman, Antti Suomela, Fredrik Handemark, Jonathan Dahlen and Ivan Chekhovich, defensemen Tony Sund and goalies Alexei Melnichuk and Josef Korenar, among others.
A Sharks spokesman said the team is not aware of anyone who is currently prevented from traveling to North America because of the virus.
In September, the NHL announced offseason training protocols for players in league cities. They included limiting the amount of players who could be in the weight room or on the ice at the same time, and extensive testing for players before and during their use of club facilities.
As one of the seven teams that was not part of the NHL’s Return to Play earlier this year, the Sharks, who have not played since March 11, will open training camp Dec. 31 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The other 24 NHL teams will open Jan. 3. The Sharks were forced to look outside of Santa Clara County to hold camp because of the contact sports ban implemented by county health officials at the start of December.
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While several Sharks players have been in training in San Jose for some time, Wilson said other players will be flying straight into the Phoenix area and will have to quarantine once they arrive. The Sharks will have 36 skaters at camp plus an unlimited amount of goalies.
“We’ve got players in San Jose, we’ve got players that are driving in,” Wilson said. “We’ve got a group of guys on planes right now that are flying over here, and we have a group of them that are coming directly in Arizona.”


mercurynews--2020-12-20--Teenager succumbs after weekend East Oakland shooting

OAKLAND — A teenager shot early Saturday in East Oakland has died from his wounds , authorities said Sunday .
Police are trying to confirm the youth ’ s name , but believe he is a 17-year-old Oakland resident .
He was shot about 4 a.m. Saturday in the 1400 block of 28th Avenue in the city ’ s Oak Tree neighborhood after getting into a dispute with some other people .
Police said the youth did not live in that neighborhood and they are not sure why he was there or what the dispute was about .
No arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ride from the shooting site to a friend ’ s home in East Oakland , where police and paramedics were called .
He was taken to a hospital , where he died later Saturday , authorities said .
With the youth ’ s death , Oakland police have now investigated 109 homicides this year , of which 102 are classified as murders .
Those are the highest homicide and murder tallies in the city since 2012 .
For all of last year , Oakland police investigated 78 homicides of which 75 were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $ 10,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspect .
Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572 .

OAKLAND — A teenager shot early Saturday in East Oakland has died from his wounds, authorities said Sunday.
Police are trying to confirm the youth’s name, but believe he is a 17-year-old Oakland resident.
He was shot about 4 a.m. Saturday in the 1400 block of 28th Avenue in the city’s Oak Tree neighborhood after getting into a dispute with some other people.
Police said the youth did not live in that neighborhood and they are not sure why he was there or what the dispute was about. No arrests have been announced.
The youth got a ride from the shooting site to a friend’s home in East Oakland, where police and paramedics were called.
He was taken to a hospital, where he died later Saturday, authorities said.
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Those are the highest homicide and murder tallies in the city since 2012. For all of last year, Oakland police investigated 78 homicides of which 75 were classified as murders.
Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-12-20--What the 49ers are saying after their loss to the Cowboys

After another painful , turnover-filled defeat Sunday , the 49ers at least know the merciful end of their frustrating season is just two weeks away .
After their 41-33 loss to Dallas , the 49ers realized their slim postseason chances would soon be officially over .
The Arizona Cardinals ’ victory over the Eagles later in the afternoon officially eliminated the 49ers from the postseason .
A pair of ugly interceptions by Nick Mullens meant the 49ers have now turned over the ball at least two times in nine straight games .
Adding to the woes , the 49ers ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a muffed punt and a Mullens fumble for an unsightly four turnovers .
Those mistakes pretty much enabled the Cowboys ( 5-9 ) to earn their first winning streak of the season .
Third-string quarterback C.J .
Beathard ’ s Hail Mary touchdown pass to Kendrick Bourne as time expired dressed up the score a bit , but couldn ’ t hide the 49ers ’ disappointment .
Here ’ s what the 49ers had to say following the loss in Arlington , Tex .
: “ Jimmie Ward ( concussion ) didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) did not return .
( Raheem ) Mostert ( ankle ) did not return .
Tarvarious Moore ( knee ) did not return .
Richie James ( ankle ) did not return .
Nick Mullens ( elbow ) did not return .
“ I think he asked about his elbow .
I didn ’ t know , probably what you saw on TV .
He just ran out of the huddle and the trainers told me he lost sensation in his elbow .
Why I stuck with Nick after he threw a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought he ’ d been playing well .
We were in a tight game .
And not gon na take a guy out in the fourth quarter of a tight game right after he throws his first interception , especially when the ball was going to the right spots.
” “ We ’ ll see .
I haven ’ t thought about that .
I ’ ll definitely let C.J .
and Nick know first , though.
” “ Yeah , two-man and he threw a corner and the safety drove on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hung in the air too long and the guy made a good play .
Second one , I thought , was a lot worse than the first one.
” “ Extremely frustrated .
I really wanted the guys to come out and play good football and I think offensively , defensively and special teams , guys did a lot of good things .
When you have four turnovers , it doesn ’ t matter what you do .
Especially , when it ’ s four-to-zero ( in turnovers ) and they get 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do on the field in any aspect , it gives you very little chance to win .
“ Real disappointed with the first turnover with the special teams , but ( DeMarcus ) Lawrence made a hell of a play on the strip ( of Nick Mullens ) .
The protection was good , we were in the pocket , he got around there , we were pushing him by and he got his arm on it as Nick was throwing .
But , that ’ s an unbelievable play by him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought we were doing a much better job until the fourth quarter.
” “ We ’ ve dealt with a lot of crap this year , but we would have overcome it without turnovers today .
I don ’ t think the turnovers necessarily had to do with all that .
You play good football , you have a chance to win every week , regardless of our circumstances.
” “ I kind of understood what the first couple years were gon na be like coming here .
We knew what we wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kind of everything went as planned .
This year was the most disappointing one .
We had very high expectations coming into this year .
Losing the Super Bowl and not getting to see our guys until training camp when we were really trying to run that back .
Very similar group , we didn ’ t make too many changes .
We made that change pretty early in the season and we had to go in a different direction with our team .
Definitely a huge challenge this year , obviously we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have so far.
” “ Those guys have been banged up , all three of them .
That ’ s why Tevin ( Coleman ) hasn ’ t been playing much .
All the running backs we played with last year have been battling hard this year to stay out there .
But they all got injuries early in the season and they ’ ve battled to come back .
But they kind of have some tough injuries that linger .
Every time they get out there , they start playing and get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back up there again .
It ’ s been a tough year for all those guys.
” “ With Nick , you just coach him .
Try to get him to go to the right spot with the ball .
I thought there was a couple that he probably shouldn ’ t have attempted with where it was on the field .
Nick ’ s done some good things , but when you turn the ball over that much it ’ s gon na be tough to be given opportunities.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good chance to win , except we just didn ’ t get any turnovers .
I think that would be the only thing that could have gone differently with them .
The score isn ’ t indicative of how they played .
It just got out of hand there later .
We did give them a short field a couple of times .
That last one , when they held them to a field goal with no yards , I thought was very impressive .
There was some real good things I thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of guys .
Not getting ( Jason Verrett ) before the game , and things like that .
I was very impressed from what I saw how ( Ahkello Witherspoon ) came in and stepped it up and he made some good plays .
Was happy to see him do that .
We ’ re not playing well as a team right now and our record shows that.
” “ Every play is different but it ’ s something I ’ ve got to fix and improve on to make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and near interceptions : “ The first three quarters , we did a really good job running the ball .
We ran and made plays on play-action passes .
“ Once the fourth quarter came , I was going to have to make big-time plays for us to finish that game out .
We couldn ’ t just run the ball every play and go all the way down the field .
I had to make some plays and I didn ’ t .
It ’ s my job to make plays , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth quarter , I didn ’ t capitalize on enough opportunities.
” “ We ’ ll see in the morning .
… I was throwing the football , they hit my hand and I jammed my elbow a little bit .
So I figured it was best for the team for somebody who could throw the football to get in the game.
” “ Has it been a challenge , yeah .
But if you go back to the reason why we ’ re losing , it ’ s because of turnovers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re in Arizona or we ’ re not working as hard .
Our defense is playing great , our special teams is playing great .
We ’ re moving the ball and scoring points , but we ’ re not protecting the football .
Arizona ( relocation ) is not a valid excuse for losing games.
” “ I came out good .
I ’ m super happy about coming out healthy .
There was nothing of note to keep me out .
I felt good how it went physically for myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Regardless of what ’ s happening off the field , we have to play complimentary football .
Yeah , we could talk all day about the offense turning the ball over , but at the same time , we haven ’ t helped get the ball back to them .
… You can ’ t point fingers in a year like this .
We can only get better from here , obviously.
” “ I can ’ t answer if it is or isn ’ t .
For myself , I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it ’ s gon na end at some point .
We ’ re not going to have to stay in Arizona for our entire lives .
Guys just have to do their job at the end of the day .
“ We can talk about COVID and injuries , all that has a facotr and means something , but we got ta play complementary football .
You hear the frustration in my voice .
I hate losing .
We ’ ve got to change something .
You can ’ t do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect different results.
” “ It ’ s just how the year has gone and having expectations we have .
We have very high standard in this building going to the Super Bowl last year .
We have a standard we have to uphold and didn ’ t live up to the last few weeks.
” • 49ers ’ Brandon Aiyuk keeps climbing up rookie ranks in franchise lore • Kurtenbach : The Niners ’ playoff hopes are dead and big offseason decisions loom It ’ s extremely tough to win out-leveraged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be undefeated with a 4-0 turnover ratio .
That ’ s where it starts and where it stops .
We ’ ve got to be better and can ’ t expect to win games.
” “ It ’ s extremely frustrating .
No complaints .
The whole league has to deal with it .
Nobody else upped and moved but nobody is gon na feel sorry for us.
” “ He ’ s a very intelligent guy and picked it up well.
” “ We just can ’ t turn the ball over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , don ’ t turn the ball over .
If we don ’ t , there ’ s no telling what our record would be .
We ’ ve just got to hold onto the ball.
” “ I just wanted to mix it up , give them a different look , so I put my hand in the ground and showed them something they haven ’ t seen.
” “ It ’ s fine .
It ’ s an experience we ’ re all going through together , just more adversity being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the field , we ’ re professional football players so we can ’ t let that affect us and get the job done.
” “ We knew going in we could get him on some of those .
Throughout the year , it felt good to have opportunities out there and space to work .
Those opportunities came today and I tried to take advantage of them.
” “ It went good .
We had a few plays we wanted back and I had a few tackles that I got ta get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because you start the season and your goal is to get to the playoffs and make noise .
This year , it ’ s been difficult , with injury after injury .
We ’ ve got the right guys in the room and will keep fighting.
” “ There ’ s no excuses .
We ’ re pros .
Regardless of circumstances , we have to execute our job , and , me personally , I wasn ’ t doing my job at the highest level .
In terms of our circumstances , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on them because they aren ’ t changing .
We ’ re gon na make the best of it.
” “ He ’ s never ruffled .
He ’ s always composed .
He ’ s going to get us going in the huddle regardless of what ’ s going on and the guys have respect for him.
” “ Not sure what the situation is .
They ask me if I want to go at certain times , and today they asked so I did and I go back when they need @ @ @ @

After another painful, turnover-filled defeat Sunday, the 49ers at least know the merciful end of their frustrating season is just two weeks away.
After their 41-33 loss to Dallas, the 49ers realized their slim postseason chances would soon be officially over. The Arizona Cardinals’ victory over the Eagles later in the afternoon officially eliminated the 49ers from the postseason.
A pair of ugly interceptions by Nick Mullens meant the 49ers have now turned over the ball at least two times in nine straight games. Adding to the woes, the 49ers (5-9) also turned it over on a muffed punt and a Mullens fumble for an unsightly four turnovers.
Those mistakes pretty much enabled the Cowboys (5-9) to earn their first winning streak of the season.
Third-string quarterback C.J. Beathard’s Hail Mary touchdown pass to Kendrick Bourne as time expired dressed up the score a bit, but couldn’t hide the 49ers’ disappointment.
Here’s what the 49ers had to say following the loss in Arlington, Tex.:
HEAD COACH KYLE SHANAHAN
(On the in-game injuries)
“Jimmie Ward (concussion) didn’t return. Dion Jordan (knee) did not return. (Raheem) Mostert (ankle) did not return. Tarvarious Moore (knee) did not return. Richie James (ankle) did not return. Nick Mullens (elbow) did not return.
(On Nick Mullens’ injury late and why he stuck with him after interception)
“I think he asked about his elbow. I didn’t know, probably what you saw on TV. He just ran out of the huddle and the trainers told me he lost sensation in his elbow. Why I stuck with Nick after he threw a pick there in the fourth quarter? I thought he’d been playing well. We were in a tight game. And not gonna take a guy out in the fourth quarter of a tight game right after he throws his first interception, especially when the ball was going to the right spots.”
(On whether he’ll go to C.J. Beathard next week, regardless of Mullens’ health?)
“We’ll see. I haven’t thought about that. I’ll definitely let C.J. and Nick know first, though.”
(On what happened on both of Mullens’ interceptions)
“Yeah, two-man and he threw a corner and the safety drove on it. The next, it just hung in the air too long and the guy made a good play. Second one, I thought, was a lot worse than the first one.”
(On his frustrations over turnovers)
“Extremely frustrated. I really wanted the guys to come out and play good football and I think offensively, defensively and special teams, guys did a lot of good things. When you have four turnovers, it doesn’t matter what you do. Especially, when it’s four-to-zero (in turnovers) and they get 24 points off turnovers. Regardless of what you do on the field in any aspect, it gives you very little chance to win.
“Real disappointed with the first turnover with the special teams, but (DeMarcus) Lawrence made a hell of a play on the strip (of Nick Mullens). The protection was good, we were in the pocket, he got around there, we were pushing him by and he got his arm on it as Nick was throwing. But, that’s an unbelievable play by him. Besides the muffed punt, I thought we were doing a much better job until the fourth quarter.”
(On the effect of relocating to Arizona and whether it’s been too much to overcome)
“We’ve dealt with a lot of crap this year, but we would have overcome it without turnovers today. I don’t think the turnovers necessarily had to do with all that. You play good football, you have a chance to win every week, regardless of our circumstances.”
(On third losing season in his four seasons with 49ers)
“I kind of understood what the first couple years were gonna be like coming here. We knew what we wanted to do and build through that. Kind of everything went as planned. This year was the most disappointing one. We had very high expectations coming into this year. Losing the Super Bowl and not getting to see our guys until training camp when we were really trying to run that back. Very similar group, we didn’t make too many changes. We made that change pretty early in the season and we had to go in a different direction with our team. Definitely a huge challenge this year, obviously we could have won more games than we have so far.”
(On the injury situation at running back)
“Those guys have been banged up, all three of them. That’s why Tevin (Coleman) hasn’t been playing much. All the running backs we played with last year have been battling hard this year to stay out there. But they all got injuries early in the season and they’ve battled to come back. But they kind of have some tough injuries that linger. Every time they get out there, they start playing and get into the game then end up popping back up there again. It’s been a tough year for all those guys.”
(On helping Mullens overcome his mistakes)
“With Nick, you just coach him. Try to get him to go to the right spot with the ball. I thought there was a couple that he probably shouldn’t have attempted with where it was on the field. Nick’s done some good things, but when you turn the ball over that much it’s gonna be tough to be given opportunities.”
(On the defense)
“I thought the defense gave us a very good chance to win, except we just didn’t get any turnovers. I think that would be the only thing that could have gone differently with them. The score isn’t indicative of how they played. It just got out of hand there later. We did give them a short field a couple of times. That last one, when they held them to a field goal with no yards, I thought was very impressive. There was some real good things I thought the defense did today, especially losing a number of guys. Not getting (Jason Verrett) before the game, and things like that. I was very impressed from what I saw how (Ahkello Witherspoon) came in and stepped it up and he made some good plays. Was happy to see him do that. We’re not playing well as a team right now and our record shows that.”
(On whether the loss affects whether George Kittle or Jimmy Garoppolo returns)
“No. It doesn’t.”
QUARTERBACK NICK MULLENS
(On accuracy issues)
“Every play is different but it’s something I’ve got to fix and improve on to make it easier on receivers.”
On fourth-quarter interceptions and near interceptions:
“The first three quarters, we did a really good job running the ball. We ran and made plays on play-action passes.
“Once the fourth quarter came, I was going to have to make big-time plays for us to finish that game out. We couldn’t just run the ball every play and go all the way down the field. I had to make some plays and I didn’t. It’s my job to make plays, command the offense, and, in the fourth quarter, I didn’t capitalize on enough opportunities.”
(On his elbow)
“We’ll see in the morning. … I was throwing the football, they hit my hand and I jammed my elbow a little bit. So I figured it was best for the team for somebody who could throw the football to get in the game.”
(On relocation challenge of being in Arizona)
“Has it been a challenge, yeah. But if you go back to the reason why we’re losing, it’s because of turnovers. It’s not because we’re in Arizona or we’re not working as hard. Our defense is playing great, our special teams is playing great. We’re moving the ball and scoring points, but we’re not protecting the football. Arizona (relocation) is not a valid excuse for losing games.”
LINEBACKER FRED WARNER
(On his health after leaving last game with a stinger)
“I came out good. I’m super happy about coming out healthy. There was nothing of note to keep me out. I felt good how it went physically for myself and that was big for me.”
(On the 49ers’ turnovers and losing trend)
“Regardless of what’s happening off the field, we have to play complimentary football. Yeah, we could talk all day about the offense turning the ball over, but at the same time, we haven’t helped get the ball back to them. … You can’t point fingers in a year like this. We can only get better from here, obviously.”
(On Arizona-relocation impact)
“I can’t answer if it is or isn’t. For myself, I don’t care what the situation is because it’s gonna end at some point. We’re not going to have to stay in Arizona for our entire lives. Guys just have to do their job at the end of the day.
“We can talk about COVID and injuries, all that has a facotr and means something, but we gotta play complementary football. You hear the frustration in my voice. I hate losing. We’ve got to change something. You can’t do the same things over and over again and expect different results.”
(On finality of being out of playoff hunt)
“It’s just how the year has gone and having expectations we have. We have very high standard in this building going to the Super Bowl last year. We have a standard we have to uphold and didn’t live up to the last few weeks.”
TACKLE TRENT WILLIAMS
(On Turnovers)
It’s extremely tough to win out-leveraged in the turnover margin. The league might be undefeated with a 4-0 turnover ratio. That’s where it starts and where it stops. We’ve got to be better and can’t expect to win games.”
(On 2020 relocation issues)
“It’s extremely frustrating. No complaints. The whole league has to deal with it. Nobody else upped and moved but nobody is gonna feel sorry for us.”
(On Justin Skule)
“He’s a very intelligent guy and picked it up well.”
RUNNING BACK JEFF WILSON
“We just can’t turn the ball over. At the end of the day, don’t turn the ball over. If we don’t, there’s no telling what our record would be. We’ve just got to hold onto the ball.”
(On hamstring)
“I’m perfectly fine. No problem.”
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ARIK ARMSTEAD
(On his pass rushes)
“I just wanted to mix it up, give them a different look, so I put my hand in the ground and showed them something they haven’t seen.”
(On impact of Arizona relocation)
“It’s fine. It’s an experience we’re all going through together, just more adversity being uprooted together. As far as being on the field, we’re professional football players so we can’t let that affect us and get the job done.”
(On his sacks today)
“We knew going in we could get him on some of those. Throughout the year, it felt good to have opportunities out there and space to work. Those opportunities came today and I tried to take advantage of them.”
CORNERBACK RICHARD SHERMAN
(On defensive changes)
“It went good. We had a few plays we wanted back and I had a few tackles that I gotta get down.”
(On season overview)
“It’s tough because you start the season and your goal is to get to the playoffs and make noise. This year, it’s been difficult, with injury after injury. We’ve got the right guys in the room and will keep fighting.”
(On Arizona relocation impacting morale)
“There’s no excuses. We’re pros. Regardless of circumstances, we have to execute our job, and, me personally, I wasn’t doing my job at the highest level. In terms of our circumstances, there’s so need to comment on them because they aren’t changing. We’re gonna make the best of it.”
WIDE RECEIVER BRANDON AIYUK
(On Nick Mullens in huddle)
“He’s never ruffled. He’s always composed. He’s going to get us going in the huddle regardless of what’s going on and the guys have respect for him.”
(On punt returner role)
“Not sure what the situation is. They ask me if I want to go at certain times, and today they asked so I did and I go back when they need me to.”