mercurynews--2020-08-16--Jill On Money: Coronavirus infects July jobs

Viruses have a nasty way of lingering and COVID-19 is no different .
Despite two strong months of jobs gains in May and June , the uptick in cases in the South and West prompted municipalities to tighten rules ; caused consumers and businesses to slow down their efforts to return to pre-pandemic behavior ; and slowed down job growth in July .
The economy added 1.8 million jobs in July , down from June ’ s 4.8 million and lower than May ’ s 2.7 million .
The unemployment rate slid from 11.1 % to 10.2 % ( the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the broader rate edged down to 16.5 % from 18 % in June , and from a peak of 22.8 % in April .
Before the release , estimates were all over the place , because it was unclear whether the survey period for the monthly report would reveal the extent of the slowing momentum in the labor market .
Of course in “ normal ” times , an increase of 1.8 million jobs would be cause for celebration — and indeed , job gains are better than job losses .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million more jobs still leaves the economy with 12.9 million fewer that existed in February .
At the current pace , it would take well into 2021 to recoup the 12.9 million jobs lost since February .
A peek underneath the hood of the report exposes some other problems .
According to economist Joel Naroff , the June-July period “ could be the high point for the improvement in the economy…For example , restaurants , clothing stores and personal services/laundries accounted for over fifty percent of the total private sector increase .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is happening across the country.
” Diane Swonk , the chief economist at Grant Thornton , points out that government hiring was a surprisingly robust at 301,000 , but “ the much stronger-than-expected jump in public sector employment was misleading .
A quirk in how the data was seasonally adjusted turned a decline in state and local government payrolls into a gain.
” As it turns out , fewer state and local government education employees were let go at the end of the school year because many had already been furloughed during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additionally , there continues to be concern about the viability of many small businesses , especially those that tapped the Paycheck Protection Program to rehire staff .
Some of these firms may do an about-face and be forced to re-layoff their workers .
A survey by Cornell University found that 31 % of returning workers have lost their jobs for a second time , and 26 % say their bosses have put them on notice that they could be laid off again .
Meanwhile , during the past few weeks , you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 enhanced unemployment benefit , claiming that it acts as a disincentive from seeking a new job .
New research from Yale University debunks that idea , finding no correlation between receiving larger benefits and looking for a job .
In fact , those receiving unemployment benefits search intensely for new work , and their effort appears to be somewhat greater than that of the unemployed not receiving benefits .
What ’ s the biggest barrier to getting a new job ?
It ’ s not extra unemployment checks , but the obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of positions .
A separate working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research ( NBER ) found that extended unemployment benefits “ allows workers to search longer and eventually find jobs better suited to their skills.
” The ability to be patient has downstream effects , because a worker can “ turn down other jobs that may also be better suited for others.
” The authors found that the cushion of money and time increases labor market efficiency and productivity overall .
Jill Schlesinger , CFP , is a CBS News business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CIO of an investment advisory firm , she welcomes comments and questions at askjill @ jillonmoney.com .
Check her website at www.jillonmoney.com .

Viruses have a nasty way of lingering and COVID-19 is no different. Despite two strong months of jobs gains in May and June, the uptick in cases in the South and West prompted municipalities to tighten rules; caused consumers and
businesses to slow down their efforts to return to pre-pandemic behavior; and slowed down job growth in July.
The economy added 1.8 million jobs in July, down from June’s 4.8 million and lower than May’s 2.7 million. The unemployment rate slid from 11.1% to 10.2% (the peak was 14.7% in April) and the broader rate edged down to 16.5% from 18% in June, and from a peak of 22.8% in April.
Before the release, estimates were all over the place, because it was unclear whether the survey period for the monthly report would reveal the extent of the slowing momentum in the labor market. Of course in “normal” times, an increase of 1.8 million jobs would be cause for celebration — and indeed, job gains are better than job losses. However, in this extraordinary period, 1.8 million more jobs still leaves the economy with 12.9 million fewer that existed in February. At the current pace, it would take well into 2021 to recoup the 12.9 million jobs lost since February.
A peek underneath the hood of the report exposes some other problems. According to economist Joel Naroff, the June-July period “could be the high point for the improvement in the economy…For example, restaurants, clothing stores and personal services/laundries accounted for over fifty percent of the total private sector increase. That is not likely to be duplicated given what is happening across the country.”
Diane Swonk, the chief economist at Grant Thornton, points out that government hiring was a surprisingly robust at 301,000, but “the much stronger-than-expected jump in public sector employment was misleading. A quirk in how the data was seasonally adjusted turned a decline in state and local government payrolls into a gain.” As it turns out, fewer state and local government education employees were let go at the end of the school year because many had already been furloughed during the lockdowns a few months ago.
Additionally, there continues to be concern about the viability of many small businesses, especially those that tapped the Paycheck Protection Program to rehire staff. Some of these firms may do an about-face and be forced to re-layoff their workers. A survey by Cornell University found that 31% of returning workers have lost their jobs for a second time, and 26% say their bosses have put them on notice that they could be laid off again.
Meanwhile, during the past few weeks, you have heard some lawmakers bemoan the extra $600 enhanced unemployment benefit, claiming that it acts as a disincentive from seeking a new job. New research from Yale University debunks that idea, finding no correlation between receiving larger benefits and looking for a job. In fact, those receiving unemployment benefits search intensely for new work, and their effort appears to be somewhat greater than that of the unemployed not receiving benefits. What’s the biggest barrier to getting a new job? It’s not extra unemployment checks, but the obvious fact that the virus has vaporized millions of positions.
A separate working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that extended unemployment benefits “allows workers to search longer and eventually find jobs better suited to their skills.” The ability to be patient has downstream effects, because a worker can “turn down other jobs that may also be better suited for others.” The authors found that the cushion of money and time increases labor market efficiency and productivity overall.
Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBS News business analyst. A former options trader and CIO of an investment advisory firm, she welcomes comments and questions at askjill@jillonmoney.com. Check her website at www.jillonmoney.com.


mercurynews--2020-08-16--Man dies after confrontation with Sonoma County deputies

A man died in custody Saturday following a physical altercation with two Sonoma County deputies , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
While responding to a report of domestic violence Saturday morning , deputies were flagged down by a passerby on River Road in Guerneville and directed to a house where the passerby had heard a woman screaming “ someone help me , ” according to a sheriff ’ s office news release .
When the deputies arrived at the home and knocked , a man and a woman opened the door .
The woman immediately asked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate the man and woman , the man resisted .
The second deputy used his Taser , but the man continued fighting , according to the release .
After the man was placed in handcuffs , he suffered a “ medical emergency ” and deputies began life-saving measures .
Medical personnel arrived and pronounced the man dead at the scene .
The Sonoma County Sheriff ’ s Office will conduct an administrative review to determine if the deputies involved followed protocol .
The Santa Rosa Police Department also is investigating the incident , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is conducting the death investigation .
“ Any time force is used , the Sheriff ’ s Office takes it seriously , ” the sheriff ’ s office wrote in the news release .
“ Our thoughts are with all those involved in this incident during this difficult time .
”

A man died in custody Saturday following a physical altercation with two Sonoma County deputies, according to the sheriff’s office.
While responding to a report of domestic violence Saturday morning, deputies were flagged down by a passerby on River Road in Guerneville and directed to a house where the passerby had heard a woman screaming “someone help me,” according to a sheriff’s office news release.
When the deputies arrived at the home and knocked, a man and a woman opened the door. The woman immediately asked for help. As one deputy tried to separate the man and woman, the man resisted. The second deputy used his Taser, but the man continued fighting, according to the release.
After the man was placed in handcuffs, he suffered a “medical emergency” and deputies began life-saving measures. Medical personnel arrived and pronounced the man dead at the scene.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office will conduct an administrative review to determine if the deputies involved followed protocol.
The Santa Rosa Police Department also is investigating the incident, and Marin County Coroner’s Office is conducting the death investigation.
“Any time force is used, the Sheriff’s Office takes it seriously,” the sheriff’s office wrote in the news release. “Our thoughts are with all those involved in this incident during this difficult time.”


mercurynews--2020-08-16--Lightning strikes twice at Oracle Park, Giants lose another late lead in jaw-dropping defeat to A’s

SAN FRANCISCO — On two of the warmest evenings in Oracle Park history , lightning struck not once , but twice .
A night after the Giants suffered their worst ninth-inning meltdown in 91 years , closer Trevor Gott gave up a pair of home runs including a three-run , go-ahead blast to A ’ s center fielder Mark Canha in a demoralizing 7-6 defeat .
“ I think it ’ s very difficult to deal with the last couple of losses , it ’ s part of baseball but at the same time , I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and acknowledge the sting of them , ” Kapler said .
“ Beyond that , I believe we have better baseball in us.
” Gott was on the mound on Friday when the Giants blew a five-run ninth inning advantage , but manager Gabe Kapler remained loyal to his closer on Saturday when the club entered the top of the ninth with a 6-3 lead .
Kapler ’ s faith was immediately tested when A ’ s catcher Sean Murphy crushed the first pitch he saw from Gott over the center field fence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the second consecutive day , a jaw-dropping miscue from a veteran Giants fielder extended a horrific inning .
After Wilmer Flores ’ failure to get an out in the ninth inning on Friday led to Stephen Piscotty ’ s game-tying grand slam , it was right fielder Hunter Pence ’ s turn to make Gott ’ s life more diffcult .
Pence severely misjudged a routine flyball into the right center field gap , overrunning a ball that ultimately landed on the outfield grass for a double .
“ He just didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball , ” Kapler said .
“ Misjudged it.
” After Gott walked A ’ s slugger Matt Olson , Kapler allowed his closer to stay in the game for one last hitter .
Despite having left-hander Sam Selman warming in the bullpen , the Giants ’ first-year manager wanted a right-on-right matchup with Gott and Canha .
On a night when rolling blackouts were expected to hit Northern California households , the Giants ’ dugout blacked out for an entirely different reason when Canha ’ s go-ahead home run clanked off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s two tough losses and I didn ’ t pitch well in either one of them , ” Gott said .
It was déjà vu , and the Giants were once again living a nightmare .
“ It ’ s tough .
It ’ s tough to lose two games like that , ” Kapler said .
“ To be in games against a really good Oakland A ’ s team and to not have them come out the way you want in the end is certainly disappointing.
” Another devastating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the season and will go down as another head-scratching , mind-blowing and most of all , heartbreaking collapse from a San Francisco team that ’ s come to be defined by these types of moments .
The ninth-inning meltdown spoiled what was supposed to be a much-needed come-from-behind win as the Giants clawed back from an early 2-0 deficit .
With former Giants reliever Burch Smith on the mound in the bottom of the seventh , left fielder Darin Ruf hit a tie-breaking three-run home run that looked as if it would lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would even the 2020 Bay Bridge Series .
Instead another rough outing from Gott spoiled the Giants ’ plans , contributing to another stunning loss .
“ It happens quick , ” Gott said .
“ I got into some deep counts , they looked like they almost knew what was coming but they put good swings on bad pitches .
That ’ s what happens at the major league level.
” We Need Your Support !
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Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer .
Thank you !
— Kerry Crowley

SAN FRANCISCO — On two of the warmest evenings in Oracle Park history, lightning struck not once, but twice.
A night after the Giants suffered their worst ninth-inning meltdown in 91 years, closer Trevor Gott gave up a pair of home runs including a three-run, go-ahead blast to A’s center fielder Mark Canha in a demoralizing 7-6 defeat.
“I think it’s very difficult to deal with the last couple of losses, it’s part of baseball but at the same time, I think it’s appropriate to feel the sting of them and acknowledge the sting of them,” Kapler said. “Beyond that, I believe we have better baseball in us.”
Gott was on the mound on Friday when the Giants blew a five-run ninth inning advantage, but manager Gabe Kapler remained loyal to his closer on Saturday when the club entered the top of the ninth with a 6-3 lead.
Kapler’s faith was immediately tested when A’s catcher Sean Murphy crushed the first pitch he saw from Gott over the center field fence, bringing Oakland within two runs.
For the second consecutive day, a jaw-dropping miscue from a veteran Giants fielder extended a horrific inning. After Wilmer Flores’ failure to get an out in the ninth inning on Friday led to Stephen Piscotty’s game-tying grand slam, it was right fielder Hunter Pence’s turn to make Gott’s life more diffcult.
Pence severely misjudged a routine flyball into the right center field gap, overrunning a ball that ultimately landed on the outfield grass for a double.
“He just didn’t get a good read on the ball,” Kapler said. “Misjudged it.”
After Gott walked A’s slugger Matt Olson, Kapler allowed his closer to stay in the game for one last hitter. Despite having left-hander Sam Selman warming in the bullpen, the Giants’ first-year manager wanted a right-on-right matchup with Gott and Canha.
On a night when rolling blackouts were expected to hit Northern California households, the Giants’ dugout blacked out for an entirely different reason when Canha’s go-ahead home run clanked off the left center field bleachers.
“It’s two tough losses and I didn’t pitch well in either one of them,” Gott said.
It was déjà vu, and the Giants were once again living a nightmare.
“It’s tough. It’s tough to lose two games like that,” Kapler said. “To be in games against a really good Oakland A’s team and to not have them come out the way you want in the end is certainly disappointing.”
Another devastating loss dropped the Giants to 8-14 on the season and will go down as another head-scratching, mind-blowing and most of all, heartbreaking collapse from a San Francisco team that’s come to be defined by these types of moments.
The ninth-inning meltdown spoiled what was supposed to be a much-needed come-from-behind win as the Giants clawed back from an early 2-0 deficit.
With former Giants reliever Burch Smith on the mound in the bottom of the seventh, left fielder Darin Ruf hit a tie-breaking three-run home run that looked as if it would lift the team to a late win that would even the 2020 Bay Bridge Series.
Instead another rough outing from Gott spoiled the Giants’ plans, contributing to another stunning loss.
“It happens quick,” Gott said. “I got into some deep counts, they looked like they almost knew what was coming but they put good swings on bad pitches. That’s what happens at the major league level.”
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley


mercurynews--2020-08-16--A’s pull off another ninth inning comeback with Mark Canha blast

SAN FRANCISCO — There were too many déjá vu moments in the A ’ s eventual 7-6 comeback win over the San Francisco Giants to ignore .
Every sign indicated the Oakland A ’ s would repeat Friday ’ s comeback heroics Saturday .
“ Our best at bats come late in game , ” manager Bob Melvin said .
Both deciding swings came from Bay Area kids .
Pleasanton native Stephen Piscotty clocked the game-tying , history-making grand slam Friday .
Down to the A ’ s final strike in the ninth , San Jose native Mark Canha hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Check .
“ I was trying to go deep , ” Canha said of his approach against Trevor Gott .
“ Just , hit a homer and let ’ s win this game.
” Canha knew Gott liked to throw that breaking ball , so but the two-strike fastball he struck was still sailing as Canha rounded first and turned to his dugout to point to teammates reliving for a second night comeback jubilation .
“ I ’ ll never forget the homer I hit here in 2018 and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canha said .
“ This park holds a special place in my heart .
It ’ s all the more meaningful to do that in this ballpark.
” The sequence of events felt familiar even before Canha ’ s blast- ‘ n-point .
The A ’ s were down three runs in the ninth inning .
The San Francisco Giants had their quasi-closer , Gott , in for a chance to redeem Friday ’ s blown save .
Check .
Sean Murphy swiped Gott ’ s first-pitch fastball 399 feet into dead center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the season ; the quick chip-away mirrored Matt Olson ’ s ninth inning solo shot the night before .
Check .
Another Giants defensive blunder shook the comeback looser .
Hunter Pence misplayed Tony Kemp ’ s flare with a .050 expected batting average into right-center field , allowing the speedy second baseman to hustle into second base .
Not nearly as puzzling as Wilmer Flores ’ botched double-play that led to a bases-loaded situation the night prior , but puzzling enough .
Perhaps it was the strange breeze that carries there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then , Gott pitched around Olson — who ’ s last seven hits have all been home runs — to put Canha to the plate as the go-ahead run .
That never-say-die calm about the A ’ s just seems to get a little stronger as this strange season progresses .
“ That was kind of the mantra in the dugout , ” Canha said .
“ ’ OK boys , here we go again .
We ’ re in a position to win this thing again.
’ ” The unlikely comeback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who moved up a start day due to Frankie Montas ’ lingering upper back tightness .
After a shutout three innings , itlooked like Manaea ’ s fourth-inning woes would follow him to San Francisco .
Austin Slater led off the fourth with a walk and Donovan Solano singled .
Mike Yastrzemski tripled and scored on Semien ’ s error at third base to give the A ’ s a 3-2 lead .
It erased the lead Marcus Semien ’ s two-run home run afforded them .
But , how Manaea responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1-2-3 fifth inning , Manaea ended up with his best start of the season .
In his previous four starts , Manaea hadn ’ t been able to escape the fifth inning .
Nor had he been able to keep his earned run count below four runs .
Those streaks broke Saturday , as Manaea finished a five inning performance having allowed just two earned runs with five strikeouts .
His velocity was up , too , hitting 92 mph consistently with a changeup that generated six whiffs .
“ It was huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inning .
“ I don ’ t think I ’ ve gotten past the fifth at all this year and honestly it ’ s one of the biggest goals I had .
It is what it is , but to get through the fifth was huge.
” Smith was on hold for a revenge tour , of sorts , should Manaea ’ s struggles bury him early .
Against the team that traded him this February , Smith came into the game for the sixth and struck out two batters in a clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went .
Trouble came in the seventh .
Evan Longoria doubled , Wilmer Flores singled and Darin Ruf hit a game-tying home run .
Smith shook his arm a bit .
His next fastball registered at 91 mph .
Far lower than his average .
He left the mound with a trainer , the diagnosis : a right forearm strain .
The A ’ s hope its muscular , but he ’ ll have an MRI Monday .
No word on if he will hit the injured list yet .

SAN FRANCISCO — There were too many déjá vu moments in the A’s eventual 7-6 comeback win over the San Francisco Giants to ignore. Every sign indicated the Oakland A’s would repeat Friday’s comeback heroics Saturday.
They couldn’t, right?
“Our best at bats come late in game,” manager Bob Melvin said.
Both deciding swings came from Bay Area kids. Pleasanton native Stephen Piscotty clocked the game-tying, history-making grand slam Friday. Down to the A’s final strike in the ninth, San Jose native Mark Canha hit the go-ahead three-run home run to seal it. Check.
“I was trying to go deep,” Canha said of his approach against Trevor Gott. “Just, hit a homer and let’s win this game.”
Canha knew Gott liked to throw that breaking ball, so but the two-strike fastball he struck was still sailing as Canha rounded first and turned to his dugout to point to teammates reliving for a second night comeback jubilation.
“I’ll never forget the homer I hit here in 2018 and I’ll never forget this one,” Canha said. “This park holds a special place in my heart. It’s all the more meaningful to do that in this ballpark.”
The sequence of events felt familiar even before Canha’s blast-‘n-point. The A’s were down three runs in the ninth inning. The San Francisco Giants had their quasi-closer, Gott, in for a chance to redeem Friday’s blown save. Check.
Sean Murphy swiped Gott’s first-pitch fastball 399 feet into dead center field for his second home run of the season; the quick chip-away mirrored Matt Olson’s ninth inning solo shot the night before. Check.
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A’s suffer historic ninth-inning collapse while getting swept in Washington Oakland Athletics | A’s fall again as Nationals win on Ruiz’s walkoff home run Another Giants defensive blunder shook the comeback looser. Hunter Pence misplayed Tony Kemp’s flare with a .050 expected batting average into right-center field, allowing the speedy second baseman to hustle into second base. Not nearly as puzzling as Wilmer Flores’ botched double-play that led to a bases-loaded situation the night prior, but puzzling enough. Perhaps it was the strange breeze that carries there, Melvin pondered aloud. Still, check.
Then, Gott pitched around Olson — who’s last seven hits have all been home runs — to put Canha to the plate as the go-ahead run. That never-say-die calm about the A’s just seems to get a little stronger as this strange season progresses.
“That was kind of the mantra in the dugout,” Canha said. “’OK boys, here we go again. We’re in a position to win this thing again.’”
Sean Manaea’s improvement
The unlikely comeback followed a promising start for Sean Manaea, who moved up a start day due to Frankie Montas’ lingering upper back tightness.
After a shutout three innings, itlooked like Manaea’s fourth-inning woes would follow him to San Francisco. Austin Slater led off the fourth with a walk and Donovan Solano singled. Mike Yastrzemski tripled and scored on Semien’s error at third base to give the A’s a 3-2 lead. It erased the lead Marcus Semien’s two-run home run afforded them.
But, how Manaea responded was far more telling. After a 1-2-3 fifth inning, Manaea ended up with his best start of the season. In his previous four starts, Manaea hadn’t been able to escape the fifth inning. Nor had he been able to keep his earned run count below four runs.
Those streaks broke Saturday, as Manaea finished a five inning performance having allowed just two earned runs with five strikeouts. His velocity was up, too, hitting 92 mph consistently with a changeup that generated six whiffs.
“It was huge,” Manaea said of the fifth inning. “I don’t think I’ve gotten past the fifth at all this year and honestly it’s one of the biggest goals I had. It is what it is, but to get through the fifth was huge.”
Burch Smith forearm strain
Smith was on hold for a revenge tour, of sorts, should Manaea’s struggles bury him early.
Against the team that traded him this February, Smith came into the game for the sixth and struck out two batters in a clean inning, pumping 96 mph as he went.
Trouble came in the seventh. Evan Longoria doubled, Wilmer Flores singled and Darin Ruf hit a game-tying home run. Smith shook his arm a bit.
His next fastball registered at 91 mph. Far lower than his average. He left the mound with a trainer, the diagnosis: a right forearm strain. The A’s hope its muscular, but he’ll have an MRI Monday. No word on if he will hit the injured list yet.
Mike Fiers to start Sunday
Frankie Montas is still dealing with upper back tightness. He could skip his start this week, with a Tuesday start the earliest possible return date for Montas, Melvin said.
The day off Thursday allows the A’s to move up a spot on regular rest. So, Mike Fiers will get the ball in Sunday’s finale against the Giants.


mercurynews--2020-08-17--The Latest: New Zealand postpones elections due to virus

By The Associated Press WELLINGTON , New Zealand — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday chose to delay New Zealand ’ s national elections by four weeks as the country deals with a new coronavirus outbreak in its largest city , Auckland .
The election had been scheduled for Sept. 19 but will now be held on Oct. 17 .
Under New Zealand law , Ardern had the option of delaying the election for up to about two months .
Opposition parties had been requesting a delay after the virus outbreak in Auckland last week prompted the government to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halted election campaigning .
Ardern said she wouldn ’ t consider delaying the election again , no matter what was happening with any virus outbreaks .
Opinion polling indicates Ardern ’ s liberal Labour Party is favored to win a second term in office .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — The first Mediterranean cruise sets sail after virus tests .
— The coronavirus doesn ’ t appear to have devastated homeless people as initially feared .
— Workers returning to offices after months will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , staggered shifts , spaced-apart desks and daily health questions .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : MELBOURNE , Australia : Australia ’ s hard-hit Victoria state on Monday recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic with 25 coronavirus fatalities .
The death toll surpasses the previous 24-hour record of 21 set on Wednesday last week .
Victoria ’ s Health Department recorded 282 new cases , slightly more than 279 new infections posted on Sunday but maintaining a downward trend over the past week .
Victoria posted a record 725 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 5 .
BEIRUT — Lebanon , still grappling with the aftermath of the Aug. 4 blast that killed 180 people and wounded thousands , has registered a record daily number of coronavirus infections , with 439 people contracting the virus and six fatalities .
The new infections bring to 8,881 the total number of people reported infected in the small country of just over 5 million .
Some 103 have died because of COVID-19 .
The explosion at Beirut ’ s port was set off when thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causing widespread damage across the city .
Daily coronavirus cases had already been on the rise , and the explosion made social distancing more difficult for many .
Lebanon ’ s health sector has been challenged by the pandemic that hit amid a deepening economic crisis .
The blast that hit in Beirut ’ s center knocked out at least three hospitals in the capital and greatly increased pressure on those still operating .
ROME — Vacationers arriving in Rome from four Mediterranean countries lined up with their suitcases at Leonardo da Vinci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus on Sunday .
Last week , Italy ’ s health minister issued an ordinance requiring the tests for all travelers arriving in Italy from Croatia , Greece , Malta or Spain .
Travelers have the option of being tested instead within 48 hours of arrival at local public health offices closer to their home or destination in Italy .
Vacationers coming from abroad are fueling an increase in new coronavirus infections in Italy in recent weeks .
On Saturday , the daily caseload of new infections topped 600 for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amato , health commissioner for Lazio , the region including Rome , said at the airport that concern was mounting about the rising number of infections , especially since school resumes in Italy on Sept. 14 , for the first time since the pandemic began .
LA PAZ , Bolivia — Esther Morales , the 70-year-old sister of former Bolivian President Evo Morales , has died of COVID-19 , the ex-leader said Sunday .
“ She was like my mother , ” tweeted Morales , who was forced to resign last year after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is in Argentina , faces sedition and other charges if he returns to Bolivia .
He blamed “ racism and political persecution ” for preventing him from visiting his sister in a hospital in Oruro , southeast of La Paz .
In the last two weeks , supporters of Morales ’ party set up nationwide blockades to protest the recent postponement of elections as Bolivia struggles with the coronavirus pandemic .
While doctors had warned that oxygen and other medical supplies were not reaching some hospitals because of the protests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been cleared .
BRASILIA , Brazil — Michelle Bolsonaro , the wife of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro , said Sunday that she had tested negative for the new coronavirus following a July 30 announcement that she had tested positive .
“ Negative exam .
Thanks for the prayers and for all the expressions of affection , ” 38-year-old Michelle Bolsonaro said on Instagram .
She published an image of what she said was her laboratory exam .
“ Undetected , ” it read .
Bolsonaro ’ s youngest son , 22-year-old Jair Renan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
On Saturday , he released a video in which he takes pills that he says are hydroxychloroquine .
The drug has no proven efficacy against the new coronavirus but has been widely publicized by the Brazilian president as a treatment for COVID-19 .
President Bolsonaro had said he tested positive for the coronavirus on July 7 , suffered mild symptoms and was free of the virus in late July .
He has downplayed the devastating impact of COVID-19 , often appearing in public without a mask and meeting supporters in close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Bavarian authorities said Sunday they ’ re still haven ’ t been able to contact 46 of more than 900 people who tested positive for the new coronavirus upon entering Germany recently , but didn ’ t receive the results .
The southern German state admitted last week that tens of thousands of travelers returning back home had to wait for weeks to receive their test results — among them the more than 900 who had tested positive but were not aware of it because of the missing results .
The bureaucratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over concerns that those who tested positive but were not aware of it could spread the virus to others .
The Bavarian state government said the long delays in getting the results were linked to problems with the software and an unexpectedly high number of people wanting to be tested at newly established test centers , primarily at highway rest stops near the country ’ s southern borders .
On Saturday , authorities in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate said there had been delays in informing people of their test results in the southwestern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were at least able to contact all those who tested positive immediately , the German news agency dpa reported .
PARIS — After France recorded its highest one-day rise in virus infections since May , the government is pushing for wider mask use and tighter protections for migrant workers and in slaughterhouses .
But France still plans to reopen schools nationwide in two weeks , and the labor minister says the government is determined to avoid a new nationwide lockdown that would further hobble the economy and threaten jobs .
France ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , blamed in part on people criss-crossing the country for weddings , family gatherings or annual summer vacations with friends .
Britain re-imposed quarantine measures Saturday for vacationers returning from France as a result .
France reported 3,310 new infections in a single day Saturday , and the rate of positive tests has been growing and is now at 2.6 % .
The daily case count was down to several hundred a day for two months , but started rising again in July .
Overall France has reported more than 30,400 virus-related deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tolls .
Labor Minister Elisabeth Borne said in an interview published Sunday with the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that the government wants to expand mask use in workplaces .
“ We must avoid new confinement at any cost , ” she said .
WELLINGTON , New Zealand — Health authorities reported 13 new cases of the coronavirus in New Zealand on Sunday , including 12 linked to an outbreak in the city of Auckland and one returning traveler who was already in quarantine .
The outbreak in Auckland , discovered Tuesday , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s largest city back into a two-week lockdown .
The outbreak has now grown to 49 infections , with authorities saying they believe all the cases are all connected , giving them hope the virus isn ’ t spreading beyond that cluster .
New Zealand had gone 102 days without community spread of the disease before the latest outbreak .
Officials believe the virus was reintroduced to New Zealand from abroad but haven ’ t yet been able to figure out how it happened .
KAHULUI , Hawaii — Kahului Airport on Maui @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thermal screening project meant to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
The screening uses thermal imaging and facial recognition technology to pinpoint people with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher .
Dual lens cameras have been installed at all arrival gates and TSA checkpoints in the airport .
The Maui News reports that when phase three is completed , the cameras will be able to track travelers with high body temperatures so contact tracers can stop and screen them before they leave the airport .
KANSAS CITY — Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kansas to urge people to wear masks regardless of where they live .
“ What ’ s really important for every Kansan to understand is that this epidemic that we have been seeing this summer is both urban and rural , ” Dr. Deborah Birx , coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force said Saturday .
“ So we are really asking all communities , whether you are urban or rural communities , to really wear a mask inside , outside , every day.
” She also stressed that people should socially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kansas City , Kansas , for a meeting with Kansas Gov .
Laura Kelly , as well as community and state health officials at KU Medical Center , The Kansas City Star reports .
“ You can ’ t tell who ’ s infected , ” Birx said .
“ Much of the spread is asymptomatic .
I know we all want to believe that our family members can not be positive .
They are.
” Birx said when communities start seeing a rise in positive cases , leaders need to close the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social gatherings and ensure there ’ s a mask mandate .
“ We have been doing that across the South and we ’ ve seen a dramatic decrease in cases where the population has followed those guidelines , ” she said .

By The Associated Press
TOKYO — Japan’s economy shrank at annual rate of 27.8% in April-June, the worst contraction on record, as the coronavirus pandemic slammed consumption and trade, according to government data released Monday.
The Cabinet Office reported that Japan’s preliminary seasonally adjusted real gross domestic product, or GDP, the sum of a nation’s goods and services, fell 7.8% quarter on quarter.
The annual rate shows what the number would have been if continued for a year.
Japanese media reported the latest drop was the worst since World War II. But the Cabinet Office said comparable records began in 1980. The previous worst contraction was during the global financial crisis of 2009.
The world’s third largest economy was already ailing when the virus outbreak struck late last year. The fallout has since gradually worsened both in COVID-19 cases and social distancing restrictions.
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HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— The first Mediterranean cruise sets sail after virus tests.
— High schools are facing tough choices about football season.
— The coronavirus doesn’t appear to have devastated homeless people as initially feared.
— Workers returning to offices after months will see lots of changes, including masks, staggered shifts, spaced-apart desks and daily health questions.
— AP PHOTOS: Masks hold images of pandemic, Hong Kong protests.
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— Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has reported 197 newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus, the fourth straight day of triple-digit daily increases, as health workers scramble to slow transmissions in the greater capital area where churches have emerged as major sources of infections.
The figures announced by South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Monday brought the national caseload to 15,515, including 305 deaths. The country reported 279 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, its biggest single-day jump since early May, as government officials expressed concerns about a massive outbreak in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area.
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday chose to delay New Zealand’s national elections by four weeks as the country deals with a new coronavirus outbreak in its largest city, Auckland. The election had been scheduled for Sept. 19 but will now be held on Oct. 17. Under New Zealand law, Ardern had the option of delaying the election for up to about two months. Opposition parties had been requesting a delay after the virus outbreak in Auckland last week prompted the government to put the city into a two-week lockdown and halted election campaigning. Ardern said she wouldn’t consider delaying the election again, no matter what was happening with any virus outbreaks. Opinion polling indicates Ardern’s liberal Labour Party is favored to win a second term in office.
MELBOURNE, Australia: Australia’s hard-hit Victoria state on Monday recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic with 25 coronavirus fatalities.
The death toll surpasses the previous 24-hour record of 21 set on Wednesday last week.
Victoria’s Health Department recorded 282 new cases, slightly more than 279 new infections posted on Sunday but maintaining a downward trend over the past week.
Victoria posted a record 725 new COVID-19 cases in a day on Aug. 5.
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BEIRUT — Lebanon, still grappling with the aftermath of the Aug. 4 blast that killed 180 people and wounded thousands, has registered a record daily number of coronavirus infections, with 439 people contracting the virus and six fatalities.
The new infections bring to 8,881 the total number of people reported infected in the small country of just over 5 million. Some 103 have died because of COVID-19.
The explosion at Beirut’s port was set off when thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate ignited, injuring about 6,000 people and causing widespread damage across the city. Daily coronavirus cases had already been on the rise, and the explosion made social distancing more difficult for many.
Lebanon’s health sector has been challenged by the pandemic that hit amid a deepening economic crisis. The blast that hit in Beirut’s center knocked out at least three hospitals in the capital and greatly increased pressure on those still operating.
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ROME — Vacationers arriving in Rome from four Mediterranean countries lined up with their suitcases at Leonardo da Vinci airport to be immediately tested for the new coronavirus on Sunday.
Last week, Italy’s health minister issued an ordinance requiring the tests for all travelers arriving in Italy from Croatia, Greece, Malta or Spain.
Travelers have the option of being tested instead within 48 hours of arrival at local public health offices closer to their home or destination in Italy.
Vacationers coming from abroad are fueling an increase in new coronavirus infections in Italy in recent weeks. On Saturday, the daily caseload of new infections topped 600 for the first time since May.
Alessio D’Amato, health commissioner for Lazio, the region including Rome, said at the airport that concern was mounting about the rising number of infections, especially since school resumes in Italy on Sept. 14, for the first time since the pandemic began.
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LA PAZ, Bolivia — Esther Morales, the 70-year-old sister of former Bolivian President Evo Morales, has died of COVID-19, the ex-leader said Sunday.
“She was like my mother,” tweeted Morales, who was forced to resign last year after an election marred by irregularities.
Morales, who is in Argentina, faces sedition and other charges if he returns to Bolivia. He blamed “racism and political persecution” for preventing him from visiting his sister in a hospital in Oruro, southeast of La Paz.
In the last two weeks, supporters of Morales’ party set up nationwide blockades to protest the recent postponement of elections as Bolivia struggles with the coronavirus pandemic.
While doctors had warned that oxygen and other medical supplies were not reaching some hospitals because of the protests, police said Saturday that most roads had been cleared.
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BRASILIA, Brazil — Michelle Bolsonaro, the wife of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, said Sunday that she had tested negative for the new coronavirus following a July 30 announcement that she had tested positive.
“Negative exam. Thanks for the prayers and for all the expressions of affection,” 38-year-old Michelle Bolsonaro said on Instagram. She published an image of what she said was her laboratory exam. “Undetected,” it read.
On Wednesday, Michelle Bolsonaro’s grandmother died of COVID-19.
Bolsonaro’s youngest son, 22-year-old Jair Renan, has also tested positive for the virus. On Saturday, he released a video in which he takes pills that he says are hydroxychloroquine. The drug has no proven efficacy against the new coronavirus but has been widely publicized by the Brazilian president as a treatment for COVID-19.
President Bolsonaro had said he tested positive for the coronavirus on July 7, suffered mild symptoms and was free of the virus in late July. He has downplayed the devastating impact of COVID-19, often appearing in public without a mask and meeting supporters in close proximity despite social distancing recommendations.
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BERLIN — Bavarian authorities said Sunday they’re still haven’t been able to contact 46 of more than 900 people who tested positive for the new coronavirus upon entering Germany recently, but didn’t receive the results.
The southern German state admitted last week that tens of thousands of travelers returning back home had to wait for weeks to receive their test results — among them the more than 900 who had tested positive but were not aware of it because of the missing results.
The bureaucratic breakdown led to an uproar in Germany over concerns that those who tested positive but were not aware of it could spread the virus to others.
The Bavarian state government said the long delays in getting the results were linked to problems with the software and an unexpectedly high number of people wanting to be tested at newly established test centers, primarily at highway rest stops near the country’s southern borders.
On Saturday, authorities in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate said there had been delays in informing people of their test results in the southwestern state. However, the authorities there were at least able to contact all those who tested positive immediately, the German news agency dpa reported.
___
PARIS — After France recorded its highest one-day rise in virus infections since May, the government is pushing for wider mask use and tighter protections for migrant workers and in slaughterhouses.
But France still plans to reopen schools nationwide in two weeks, and the labor minister says the government is determined to avoid a new nationwide lockdown that would further hobble the economy and threaten jobs.
France’s infection count has resurged in recent weeks, blamed in part on people criss-crossing the country for weddings, family gatherings or annual summer vacations with friends. Britain re-imposed quarantine measures Saturday for vacationers returning from France as a result.
France reported 3,310 new infections in a single day Saturday, and the rate of positive tests has been growing and is now at 2.6%. The daily case count was down to several hundred a day for two months, but started rising again in July. Overall France has reported more than 30,400 virus-related deaths, among the world’s highest tolls.
Labor Minister Elisabeth Borne said in an interview published Sunday with the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that the government wants to expand mask use in workplaces.
“We must avoid new confinement at any cost,” she said.


mercurynews--2020-08-16--Football recruiting: Los Gatos star flips from Nebraska to Notre Dame

LOS GATOS — College football recruiting commitments are never official until a player puts pen to paper , which for rising seniors can happen during the early letter-of-intent signing period in December or the traditional period that starts in February .
In June , Los Gatos outside linebacker Will Schweitzer orally committed to Nebraska .
Sunday , he announced on Twitter that he changed his mind , committing to Notre Dame .
“ When I started the recruiting process , ” Schweitzer wrote on the social media platform , “ I had 3 goals in mind : academics , football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe that any school could give me the best in every area .
But today , my dreams have come true .
Every box has been checked .
“ I am humbled and very proud to announce that I will continue my academic and football pursuits at the University of Notre Dame.
” Schweitzer made the announcement about two hours after he wrote on Twitter that he withdrew his commitment from Nebraska and would be making a new commitment at 4 p.m. “ After a long talk with my parents and coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have decided to decommit from the University of Nebraska .
I ’ d like to say that this has nothing to do with the university , the coaching staff or Huskernation.
” He thanked Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and two assistants for giving him an opportunity , adding , “ They have been the best mentors anyone could ask for during this recruiting process.
” If Schweitzer signs with the Irish , he will be the third high-profile Bay Area product on the roster , joining tight end Isaiah Foskey ( De @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defensive back TaRiq Bracy ( Milpitas Class of 2018 ) .
According to 247Sports , Schweitzer had two dozen offers .
When he chose Nebraska , the other schools in his final five were Cal , TCU , Utah and San Diego State .

LOS GATOS — College football recruiting commitments are never official until a player puts pen to paper, which for rising seniors can happen during the early letter-of-intent signing period in December or the traditional period that starts in February.
In June, Los Gatos outside linebacker Will Schweitzer orally committed to Nebraska. Sunday, he announced on Twitter that he changed his mind, committing to Notre Dame.
“When I started the recruiting process,” Schweitzer wrote on the social media platform, “I had 3 goals in mind: academics, football and personal development. It was hard to believe that any school could give me the best in every area. But today, my dreams have come true. Every box has been checked.
“I am humbled and very proud to announce that I will continue my academic and football pursuits at the University of Notre Dame.”
Schweitzer made the announcement about two hours after he wrote on Twitter that he withdrew his commitment to Nebraska and would be making a new commitment at 4 p.m.
“After a long talk with my parents and coaches,” Schweitzer wrote, “I have decided to decommit from the University of Nebraska. I’d like to say that this has nothing to do with the university, the coaching staff or Huskernation.”
He thanked Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and two assistants for giving him an opportunity, adding, “They have been the best mentors anyone could ask for during this recruiting process.”
If Schweitzer signs with Notre Dame, he will be the third high-profile Bay Area product on the roster, joining defensive end Isaiah Foskey (De La Salle Class of 2019) and defensive back TaRiq Bracy (Milpitas Class of 2018).
According to 247Sports, Schweitzer had two dozen offers. When he chose Nebraska, the other schools in his final five were Cal, TCU, Utah and San Diego State.


mercurynews--2020-08-16--A’s: Nine-run fifth inning opens up blowout win over Giants

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SAN FRANCISCO — Lightning might struck the Bay Area on Sunday morning , but it wouldn ’ t strike three times again in the ninth inning at Oracle Park .
There was no need .
After back-to-back unlikely ninth-inning comebacks , the A ’ s put the series sweeper away comfortably thanks to three home runs in the fifth inning , breaking open an eventual 15-3 win over the San Francisco Giants .
“ For a while we were just doing enough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the pitching was ruling the day , ” manager Bob Melvin said .
“ It seems the bats have woken up some.
” Maybe the hot air goaded some of the A ’ s contact throughout this Bay Bridge series , but the hard contact they made in that fifth inning was nothing cheap .
They started that big inning in a 2-2 tie .
They left it with an 11-2 lead .
Starter Logan Webb got the boot following a leadoff walk and out .
But Chad Pinder took reliever Wandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halfway up the left-field bleachers for a two-run home run that broke a 2-2 tie .
The carousel kept moving .
Matt Chapman singled , Matt Olson bunt-singled and Mark Canha doubled to extend the lead to 6-2 .
Against Dereck Rodriguez , Stephen Piscotty managed to out-distance Pinder with a 454-foot three-run jack .
“ I have not seen a ball — maybe a couple rows from the top — but that one almost hit the concourse , ” Melvin said of Piscotty ’ s third home run .
“ Not even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball go up there .
It looked like it was headed for the glove ( next to the Coca-Cola slide bottle ) .
” Marcus Semien kept the home run derby with a two-run home run to round out the A ’ s nine-run effort .
Piscotty added two more RBIs for good measure in the sixth on a two-out double .
But , he ’ ll remember this day as the day he almost hit the giant Coca-Cola bottle beyond the left-field bleachers .
“ I think he made the comment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ever hit a ball , ” Melvin said .
What to make of Matt Olson If you ’ re scanning the A ’ s slash lines , Matt Olson ’ s .158 average heading into Sunday ’ s game might give you pause .
Why is a slugger batting a buck-fifty consistently batting in the middle of the A ’ s order ?
A fair question for those that value basic statistics .
But , it ’ s important to read between the lines and into a few other numbers when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of the A ’ s 16-6 start to the 2020 season .
“ I feel like every time I ’ ve been up to the plate I ’ m taking solid at bats , ” Olson said Saturday on a call with reporters .
“ I don ’ t feel like I ’ m going up to the plate as a .150 hitter or putting together .150 hitter at bats.
” Olson is right to point out , abstractly , that he ’ s not putting together .150 at bats .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his .952 OPS over his last 11 games and and .404 weighted on base average overall .
Here ’ s the most telling sequence : A bloop single — and three singles thereafter — in Sunday ’ s game snapped a streak in which all seven of Olson ’ s hits over 11 games were home runs .
• A ’ s pull off another ninth inning comeback with Mark Canha blast • What distinguishes the Oakland A ’ s from MLB ’ s strongest teams ?
• ‘ We are now the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A ’ s react to Ramón Laureano ’ s shortened brawl suspension That kind of streak is as rare as it sounds .
There have been seven instances in which an MLB player had at least seven straight hits as home runs .
Two of them are by Olson .
The others : Jay Bruce , Marcus Thames , Harmon Killebrew , Hee-Seop Choi and Mark McGwire .
McGwire hit 11 straight in 18 games .
Olson has become one of baseball ’ s standout three outcome players .
In simple terms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in either a strikeout , a walk or a home run without opposing defense involved .
Olson ranks among baseball ’ s top third in producing one of the three true outcomes .
He holds a 22 % strikeout 10 % walk , and 5 % home run percentages .
Olson falls into one of the three true outcomes 42 % of the time — Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo does a league-high 59 % and Minnesota Twins ’ Miguel Sano is second at 54 % , for comparison ’ s sake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the team ’ s lowest , but his 118 wRC+ points to the weighted value of his offensive contributions that don ’ t translate to the basic batting average .
His threat perhaps most evident when Giants closer Trevor Gott pitched around Olson in the bottom of the ninth of Saturday ’ s game to put the go-ahead run at the plate .
Mark Canha , that go-ahead batter , would homer to give the A ’ s another comeback win .
But , Gott wasn ’ t pitching around a .150 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is omnipresent .
Behind all the power : Mike Fiers has best start Fiers allowed just two earned runs over six innings , matching his best start of the season he had against the Seattle Mariners three starts ago .
Fiers gave up seven hits and walked one , striking out four Giants .
The right-hander is most potent when he has feel for his curveball .
He hasn ’ t quite found that this season , and it looks like he didn ’ t quite find it Sunday .
He threw it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You know , the curveball is a big pitch for him , ” Melvin said before the game .
“ I don ’ t think he ’ s had a ton of faith in that at this point .
It allows him to pitch up and down some even though he ’ s not a guy that throws at high velocity .
He ’ s got good spin rate on his fastball and his curveball , maybe that ’ s not there yet.
” Fiers ’ fastball velocity averaged 87 mph , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his start progressed .
Within this start , and overall , Fiers needs time to align himself .
“ I ’ m still getting everything going , ” he said .
“ I wouldn ’ t say I ’ m myself yet .
Today was definitely a step in the right direction.
” James Kaprielian felt numb when he took the mound for the first time as a big-leaguer Sunday in the seventh inning .
Years of Tommy John rehab , doubt , hard work and slow progress finally dissipated with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UCLA alum Brandon Crawford greeted him to the majors with a solo shot off a 97 mph fastball .
But , that ’ d be the only hit and run the rookie would allow , though he walked a batter .
He struck out Donovan Solano swinging at a slider .
He finished his two innings having thrown 35 pitches , 23 of them for strikes .
His fastball velocity averaged 96 mph , which is a promising sign for the right-hander three years removed from elbow surgery .
The final step he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m pretty glad it ’ s behind me now , ” Kaprielian said of his debut .
“ It ’ s been a long time coming , and there ’ s been a lot of ups and downs along the road to get here .
And I ’ m just happy it ’ s done .
I ’ m happy to be part of this team .
”

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SAN FRANCISCO — Lightning might’ve struck the Bay Area on Sunday morning, but it wouldn’t strike three times in the ninth inning at Oracle Park. There was no need.
After back-to-back unlikely ninth-inning comebacks, the A’s put the series sweeper away comfortably thanks to a three-home run fifth inning, breaking open an eventual 15-3 win over the San Francisco Giants.
“For a while we were just doing enough, winning close games, getting big hits and the pitching was ruling the day,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It seems the bats have woken up some.”
Maybe the hot air guided some of the A’s contact out of Oracle Park’s pitcher-friendly confines, but the hard contact they made in that fifth inning was nothing cheap. They started that big inning in a 2-2 tie. They left it with an 11-2 lead.
Starter Logan Webb got the boot following a leadoff walk and out. But Chad Pinder took reliever Wandy Peralta’s first-pitch fastball 112 mph halfway up the left-field bleachers for a two-run home run that broke the tie.
The carousel kept moving. Matt Chapman singled, Matt Olson bunt-singled and Mark Canha doubled to extend the lead to 6-2. Against Dereck Rodriguez, Stephen Piscotty managed to out-distance Pinder with a 454-foot three-run jack.
“I have not seen a ball go that far — maybe a couple rows from the top — but that one almost hit the concourse,” Melvin said of Piscotty’s home run. “Not even in batting practice have I seen a ball go up there. It looked like it was headed for the glove (next to the Coca-Cola slide bottle).”
Marcus Semien kept the home run derby going with a two-run home run to round out the A’s nine-run effort.
Piscotty added two more RBIs for good measure in the sixth on a two-out double. But, he’ll remember this game as the day he almost hit the giant Coca-Cola bottle beyond the left-field bleachers.
“I think he made the comment, that’s as far as he’s ever hit a ball,” Melvin said.
In total, the A’s scored 30 runs with seven home runs in the three game series. They’ve won four straight, 13 of their last 15 games and improve to a league-best 16-6 record.
“It’s been a fun two weeks,” Pinder said. “There’s no doubt about that. Just got to keep it going.”
What to make of Matt Olson
If you’re scanning the A’s slash lines, Matt Olson’s .158 average heading into Sunday’s game might give you pause. Why is a slugger batting a buck-fifty consistently batting in the middle of the A’s order?
A fair question for those that value basic statistics. But, it’s important to read between the lines and into a few other numbers when it comes Olson’s value over the course of the A’s 16-6 start to the 2020 season.
“I feel like every time I’ve been up to the plate I’m taking solid at bats,” Olson said Saturday on a call with reporters. “I don’t feel like I’m going up to the plate as a .150 hitter or putting together .150 hitter at bats.”
Olson is right to point out, abstractly, that he’s not putting together .150 at bats. The value in his at bats lies within his .952 OPS over his last 11 games and and .404 weighted on base average overall. Here’s the most telling sequence: A bloop single — and two singles thereafter — in Sunday’s game snapped a streak in which all seven of Olson’s hits over 11 games were home runs.
“He had three singles today,” Melvin said. “I told him after the third one, that’s enough of that. Start hitting home runs again.”
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A’s suffer historic ninth-inning collapse while getting swept in Washington Oakland Athletics | A’s fall again as Nationals win on Ruiz’s walkoff home run The kind of streak he had prior to Sunday’s single fest is as rare as it sounds. There have been seven instances in which an MLB player had at least seven straight hits as home runs. Two of them are by Olson. The others: Jay Bruce, Marcus Thames, Harmon Killebrew, Hee-Seop Choi and Mark McGwire. McGwire hit 11 straight in 18 games.
Olson has become one of baseball’s standout three outcome players. In simple terms, this means most of his at bats result in either a strikeout, a walk or a home run without opposing defenses involved.
Olson ranks among baseball’s top third in producing one of the three true outcomes. He holds 22% strikeout, 10% walk, and 5% home run percentages. Olson falls into one of the three true outcomes 42% of the time — Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo does a league-high 59% and Minnesota Twins’ Miguel Sano is second at 54%, for comparison’s sake.
Olson’s average might be among the team’s lowest, but his 118 wRC+ points to the weighted value of his offensive contributions that don’t translate to the basic batting average. His threat perhaps most evident when Giants closer Trevor Gott pitched around Olson in the top of the ninth of Saturday’s game to put the go-ahead run at the plate.
Mark Canha, that go-ahead batter, would homer to give the A’s another comeback win. But, Gott wasn’t pitching around a .150 hitter, Olson’s power threat is omnipresent.
Behind all the power: Mike Fiers has best start
Fiers allowed just two earned runs over six innings Sunday, matching his best start of the season he had against the Seattle Mariners three starts ago.
Fiers gave up seven hits and walked one, striking out four Giants. The right-hander is most potent when he has feel for his curveball, which hasn’t quite found season. He didn’t quite find it Sunday, either. He threw it seven times with no whiffs.
“You know, the curveball is a big pitch for him,” Melvin said before the game. “I don’t think he’s had a ton of faith in that at this point. It allows him to pitch up and down some even though he’s not a guy that throws at high velocity. He’s got good spin rate on his fastball and his curveball, maybe that’s not there yet.”
Fiers’ fastball velocity averaged 87 mph, but he kicked it up to 89 mph as his start progressed. Within this start, and overall, Fiers needs time to align himself.
“I’m still getting everything going,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’m myself yet. Today was definitely a step in the right direction.”
James Kaprielian’s big league debut
James Kaprielian felt numb when he took the mound for the first time as a big-leaguer Sunday in the seventh inning. Years of Tommy John rehab, doubt, hard work and slow progress finally dissipated with his first-pitch, 96 mph fastball.
Fellow UCLA alum Brandon Crawford greeted him with a solo shot off a 97 mph fastball.
But, that’d be the only hit and run the rookie would allow, though he walked a batter. He struck out Donovan Solano swinging at a slider. He finished his two innings having thrown 35 pitches, 23 of them for strikes.
His fastball velocity averaged 96 mph, which is a promising sign for the right-hander three years removed from elbow surgery. The final step he could finally check off.
“I’m pretty glad it’s behind me now,” Kaprielian said of his debut. “It’s been a long time coming, and there’s been a lot of ups and downs along the road to get here. And I’m just happy it’s done. I’m happy to be part of this team.”
Kaprielian came to the organization in the 2017 Sonny Gray trade with the New York Yankees. He had his first big-league call up last week, but became a victim of the 28-man roster-trim. Melvin predicted he’d be back soon, though. And, with Smith down, he became the next man up.
The 26-year-old is the A’s No. 13 prospect, he accumulated a 3.18 ERA over 68 seasons in the A’s minor league system.
Burch Smith to the IL
Kaprielian was recalled Sunday when right-handed reliever Burch Smith was placed on the 10-day IL with a right forearm strain.
Something was clearly up with him Saturday. He’d given up his first runs in 10.1 innings — a three-run home run off Darin Ruf’s bat — and his velocity dipped from 96 mph to 91 mph.
Smith will have an MRI Monday and the A’s should have a better idea of when the breakout bullpen star with one of the best fastballs on the squad can return to the team.


mercurynews--2020-08-16--Giants bullpen melts under heat from A’s lineup, team feels a different kind of sting

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SAN FRANCISCO — With a pair of dramatic , gut-wrenching ninth-inning meltdowns to open the Bay Bridge series , the San Francisco Giants ’ bullpen had already taken two knockout punches .
In the midst of a nine-run fifth inning for the Oakland A ’ s in Sunday ’ s series finale , someone should have stepped in and called the fight .
In the ninth inning of a 15-3 loss to the A ’ s , Giants manager Gabe Kapler finally did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending starting catcher Tyler Heineman to the mound to give his bullpen a breather .
The A ’ s left no doubt in their quest to secure a series sweep Sunday as pinch-hitter Chad Pinder launched the first pitch thrown by a Giants reliever halfway up the left field bleachers at Oracle Park .
Pinder ’ s solo blast started an interminable parade around the basepaths for an Oakland lineup that exposed San Francisco ’ s bullpen all weekend .
“ I think the name of the game when it comes to having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limiting damage and the two things both have to happen simultaneously to have a really , really good bullpen , ” Kapler said .
“ It ’ s throwing strikes and not putting runners on base via the walk and if you ’ re going to give up a home run every once in a while , make sure it ’ s a solo shot.
” With nine runs on eight hits including three home runs in the fifth against Giants pitchers Wandy Peralta and Dereck Rodríguez , the A ’ s made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s worst inning at Oracle Park since giving up 13 in a single frame on May 5 , 2016 against the Colorado Rockies .
Giants relievers have now surrendered a major league-worst 24 home runs in 24 games , seven of which came during this weekend ’ s three-game series .
“ I just think we ’ re coming out and being aggressive with our pitches and some of them are missing in the middle of the plate , ” Heineman said .
“ These guys are big league hitters , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting good swings on the ball.
” A Giants defense that also leads the league in errors didn ’ t help its pitchers much on Sunday as center fielder Mauricio Dubón misjudged a long flyball from Saturday ’ s hero , Mark Canha , that was ruled a triple only a few innings after Dubón missed a cut-off man and was charged with a throwing error on a Matt Chapman double .
The only positive of the afternoon for the Giants came from their left-handed hitting veteran infielders , Brandon Crawford and Brandon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slumps with strong days at the plate .
Belt hit a solo home run in the second inning and finished the day with three hits while Crawford added a pair of hits including a solo home run in the seventh inning that marked the 99th of his career .
Both homers were a glimmer of hope for a Giants offense that needs more production from its regulars , but it ’ s clear a team that ’ s now lost eight of its last 11 needs a lot more to go right too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations Farhan Zaidi entered the 2020 season with the best intentions for the team ’ s bullpen , but have clearly seen how much room is left for improvement in a year in which the club is determined to find contributors for the future .
The Giants understood that protecting late-inning leads would be a challenge considering the team entered the summer with only three healthy relievers with more than 100 games of major league experience , but they likely didn ’ t anticipate the trouble to be so severe .
A handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gott and rookie Tyler Rogers have all had great moments that have given the organization reason to maintain optimism about their potential , but all have also endured serious struggles in crushing defeats like Sunday ’ s .
“ What makes a consistent major league reliever is the ability to be dependable , do it day in and day out , and be able to bounce back from a one-plus , a back-to-back , three out of four , and there ’ s a lot you have to prove here , ” Kapler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of criticism for the way he ’ s managed inexperienced relievers , but none of the young pitchers in his bullpen have made his job easier or pitched well enough to earn a clearly-defined role .
It ’ s hard for the Giants to expect Kapler to pull all the right strings when he doesn ’ t have many reliable options to work with and it ’ s difficult for relievers to shine in high-leverage situations when most are still working to establish themselves as competent major leaguers .
“ We knew that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be an exploration in learning about our relievers , particularly the ones that haven ’ t had much if any major league experience , ” Kapler said .
“ We knew that was going to come with growing pains , that doesn ’ t take away the sting of not having success early in the season.
” The circumstances have led to widespread frustration from a fan base that ’ s watched the Giants stay relatively competitive with their opponents on a daily basis , only to see games unravel at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday against the first-place A ’ s hurt because the Giants were oh-so-close to stealing a series , but Sunday ’ s stings in a different way because it shows how far the franchise has to go to compete with a juggernaut like Oakland .
It ’ s likely the Giants ’ bullpen will look much different the next time San Francisco fields a contender , but the team ’ s hope moving forward is that at least two or three of the pitchers auditioning for future jobs this season take advantage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t happened .
We Need Your Support !
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I ’ ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you ’ ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com .
Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer .
Thank you !
— Kerry Crowley

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
SAN FRANCISCO — With a pair of dramatic, gut-wrenching ninth-inning meltdowns to open the Bay Bridge series, the San Francisco Giants’ bullpen had already taken two knockout punches.
In the midst of a nine-run fifth inning for the Oakland A’s in Sunday’s series finale, someone should have stepped in and called the fight.
In the ninth inning of a 15-3 loss to the A’s, Giants manager Gabe Kapler finally did. He raised the white flag, sending starting catcher Tyler Heineman to the mound to give his bullpen a breather.
The A’s left no doubt in their quest to secure a series sweep Sunday as pinch-hitter Chad Pinder launched the first pitch thrown by a Giants reliever halfway up the left field bleachers at Oracle Park. Pinder’s solo blast started an interminable parade around the basepaths for an Oakland lineup that exposed San Francisco’s bullpen all weekend.
“I think the name of the game when it comes to having a good bullpen is throwing strikes and limiting damage and the two things both have to happen simultaneously to have a really, really good bullpen,” Kapler said. “It’s throwing strikes and not putting runners on base via the walk and if you’re going to give up a home run every once in a while, make sure it’s a solo shot.”
With nine runs on eight hits including three home runs in the fifth against Giants pitchers Wandy Peralta and Dereck Rodríguez, the A’s made the Giants suffer through the franchise’s worst inning at Oracle Park since giving up 13 in a single frame on May 5, 2016 against the Colorado Rockies.
Giants relievers have now surrendered a major league-worst 24 home runs in 24 games, seven of which came during this weekend’s three-game series.
“I just think we’re coming out and being aggressive with our pitches and some of them are missing in the middle of the plate,” Heineman said. “These guys are big league hitters, they’re making adjustments and they’re putting good swings on the ball.”
A Giants defense that also leads the league in errors didn’t help its pitchers much on Sunday as center fielder Mauricio Dubón misjudged a long flyball from Saturday’s hero, Mark Canha, that was ruled a triple only a few innings after Dubón missed a cut-off man and was charged with a throwing error on a Matt Chapman double.
The only positive of the afternoon for the Giants came from their left-handed hitting veteran infielders, Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt, who each broke out of slumps with strong days at the plate. Belt hit a solo home run in the second inning and finished the day with three hits while Crawford added a pair of hits including a solo home run in the seventh inning that marked the 99th of his career.
Both homers were a glimmer of hope for a Giants offense that needs more production from its regulars, but it’s clear a team that’s now lost eight of its last 11 needs a lot more to go right too.
Kapler and Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi entered the 2020 season with the best intentions for the team’s bullpen, but have clearly seen how much room is left for improvement in a year in which the club is determined to find contributors for the future.
The Giants understood that protecting late-inning leads would be a challenge considering the team entered the summer with only three healthy relievers with more than 100 games of major league experience, but they likely didn’t anticipate the trouble to be so severe.
A handful of relievers including Peralta, closer Trevor Gott and rookie Tyler Rogers have all had great moments that have given the organization reason to maintain optimism about their potential, but all have also endured serious struggles in crushing defeats like Sunday’s.
“What makes a consistent major league reliever is the ability to be dependable, do it day in and day out, and be able to bounce back from a one-plus, a back-to-back, three out of four, and there’s a lot you have to prove here,” Kapler said.
Kapler has shouldered a lot of criticism for the way he’s managed inexperienced relievers, but none of the young pitchers in his bullpen have made his job easier or pitched well enough to earn a clearly-defined role. It’s hard for the Giants to expect Kapler to pull all the right strings when he doesn’t have many reliable options to work with and it’s difficult for relievers to shine in high-leverage situations when most are still working to establish themselves as competent major leaguers.
“We knew that the early part of the season was going to be an exploration in learning about our relievers, particularly the ones that haven’t had much if any major league experience,” Kapler said. “We knew that was going to come with growing pains, that doesn’t take away the sting of not having success early in the season.”
The circumstances have led to widespread frustration from a fan base that’s watched the Giants stay relatively competitive with their opponents on a daily basis, only to see games unravel at the wire. Losses on Friday and Saturday against the first-place A’s hurt because the Giants were oh-so-close to stealing a series, but Sunday’s stings in a different way because it shows how far the franchise has to go to compete with a juggernaut like Oakland.
It’s likely the Giants’ bullpen will look much different the next time San Francisco fields a contender, but the team’s hope moving forward is that at least two or three of the pitchers auditioning for future jobs this season take advantage of the opportunity.
So far, that hasn’t happened.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley


mercurynews--2020-08-16--Rally supports inmates’ hunger strike over coronavirus at Santa Clara County jails

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SAN JOSE — More than 100 protesters withstood hot and humid weather Sunday to show support for incarcerated people who have staged hunger strikes to protest conditions inside Santa Clara County ’ s jails .
Prisoners across the county jail system launched the strike Friday to outline poor conditions , including a series of recent COVID-19 outbreaks , as well participate in ongoing protests against racial injustice spurred by the police killing of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis .
About a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Main Jail North in San Jose to address problems with the jails and the country ’ s criminal justice system that they say amounts to institutional racism .
Jose Valle II of Silicon Valley De-Bug , which organized the event , said prisoners in housing units and dorms in both the Main Jail and the Elmwood Correctional Complex in Milpitas were participating in the strike , set to last until Tuesday .
“ They hear and read about defunding the police and police brutality and the murder of George Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other and saying , ‘ That ’ s us , ’ ” Valle said .
The Santa Clara County Sheriff ’ s office said in a statement it was aware of the hunger strike and that jail staff would monitor the participants .
“ We take the health and welfare of those in our care seriously and we will work closely with Custody Health Services regarding those who elect to participate , ” the statement read .
“ Our office will continue to work to address and resolve concerns related to jail operations.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incarcerated , including some who were engaging in a sympathy fast .
Derick Tompkins said he started fasting Saturday to support friend Dolores Negrate , who has two sons in the Main Jail facing homicide charges .
They drove from Stockton to participate in the rally .
Tompkins , 37 , said he had spent six years in Pleasant Valley and Solano State Prisons where he once participated in hunger strikes .
“ They ’ re helpful to a point , ” Tompkins said .
“ They help bring change for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to where it was.
” Some of the leaders said Sunday they are hopeful this time will be different .
State Assemblymember Ash Kalra ( D-San Jose ) , one of the event ’ s speakers , said in an interview that current justice-reform bills moving through the California legislature would not have been possible a year ago .
“ But after the murder and torture of George Floyd , and millions of people being out in the streets , it has forced us to look in the mirror of our criminal justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty sight , ” Kalra said .
Valle sent a letter to county officials on behalf of the prisoners outlining their concerns : access to educational programming and legal research resources , decreased phone access and the amount of time they are allowed out of their cells .
Those issues have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic , as positive tests in the county jail system have more than tripled over the past month .
Of the 166 cases logged as of Thursday , at least 75 have surfaced since the beginning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Elmwood ’ s M8 dorms .
Those surges occurred even after county officials instituted a series of early release , bail relief and other amnesty measures that decreased the county ’ s daily jail census by more than 35 percent , to a little more than 2,000 prisoners .
Complaints involved the difficulties of enforcing physical distancing in jail as well as inconsistent mask-wearing and lagging hygiene and sanitation practices .
Last week , sheriff ’ s administrators acknowledged that adherence to those safety protocols in jail has fallen short of full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials both in jail and with the county to expand testing for jail staff and get at least 20 percent of them tested every week .
Prisoners held hunger strikes in the Main Jail in 2016 , 2017 , and 2018 to secure concessions for time out of their cells , and what they said was unfair use of gang and other security classifications for housing prisoners .
The incarcerated people also protested isolation practices that jail watchdog groups said were tantamount to illegal solitary confinement .
TerriAnn Maciel ’ s son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a robbery charge .
Last week , Maciel said her son joined the ranks of COVID-positive prisoners .
“ It ’ s one thing to have this deadly virus out here , ” she said .
“ But in there , you ’ re so helpless .
”

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SAN JOSE — More than 100 protesters withstood hot and humid weather Sunday to show support for incarcerated people who have staged hunger strikes to protest conditions inside Santa Clara County’s jails.
Prisoners across the county jail system launched the strike Friday to outline poor conditions, including a series of recent COVID-19 outbreaks, as well participate in ongoing protests against racial injustice spurred by the police killing of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis.
About a half dozen speakers stood on the steps of the Main Jail North in San Jose to address problems with the jails and the country’s criminal justice system that they say amounts to institutional racism.
Jose Valle II of Silicon Valley De-Bug, which organized the event, said prisoners in housing units and dorms in both the Main Jail and the Elmwood Correctional Complex in Milpitas were participating in the strike, set to last until Tuesday.
“They hear and read about defunding the police and police brutality and the murder of George Floyd, and they’re looking at each other and saying, ‘That’s us,’ ” Valle said.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office said in a statement it was aware of the hunger strike and that jail staff would monitor the participants.
“We take the health and welfare of those in our care seriously and we will work closely with Custody Health Services regarding those who elect to participate,” the statement read. “Our office will continue to work to address and resolve concerns related to jail operations.”
Supporters included many family members of the incarcerated, including some who were engaging in a sympathy fast.
Derick Tompkins said he started fasting Saturday to support friend Dolores Negrate, who has two sons in the Main Jail facing homicide charges. They drove from Stockton to participate in the rally.
Tompkins, 37, said he had spent six years in Pleasant Valley and Solano State Prisons where he once participated in hunger strikes.
“They’re helpful to a point,” Tompkins said. “They help bring change for a moment. Then things go right back to where it was.”
Some of the leaders said Sunday they are hopeful this time will be different. State Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), one of the event’s speakers, said in an interview that current justice-reform bills moving through the California legislature would not have been possible a year ago.
“But after the murder and torture of George Floyd, and millions of people being out in the streets, it has forced us to look in the mirror of our criminal justice system and it’s not a pretty sight,” Kalra said.
Valle sent a letter to county officials on behalf of the prisoners outlining their concerns: access to educational programming and legal research resources, decreased phone access and the amount of time they are allowed out of their cells.
Those issues have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, as positive tests in the county jail system have more than tripled over the past month. Of the 166 cases logged as of Thursday, at least 75 have surfaced since the beginning of August. Many of them were concentrated in Elmwood’s M8 dorms.
Those surges occurred even after county officials instituted a series of early release, bail relief and other amnesty measures that decreased the county’s daily jail census by more than 35 percent, to a little more than 2,000 prisoners.
Complaints involved the difficulties of enforcing physical distancing in jail as well as inconsistent mask-wearing and lagging hygiene and sanitation practices.
Last week, sheriff’s administrators acknowledged that adherence to those safety protocols in jail has fallen short of full compliance and that they are working with health officials both in jail and with the county to expand testing for jail staff and get at least 20 percent of them tested every week.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Santa Clara County jail inmates, families launch hunger strike to protest conditions
Santa Clara County jail inmates, families launch hunger strike to protest conditions Crime and Public Safety | Coronavirus: Santa Clara County sees largest jail outbreak to date Prisoners held hunger strikes in the Main Jail in 2016, 2017, and 2018 to secure concessions for time out of their cells, and what they said was unfair use of gang and other security classifications for housing prisoners. The incarcerated people also protested isolation practices that jail watchdog groups said were tantamount to illegal solitary confinement.
TerriAnn Maciel’s son has been in Elmwood for 1½ years on a robbery charge. Last week, Maciel said her son joined the ranks of COVID-positive prisoners.
“It’s one thing to have this deadly virus out here,” she said. “But in there, you’re so helpless.”


mercurynews--2020-08-16--Tahoe residents tell Bay Area tourists: Clean it up

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LAKE TAHOE — For a resort community used to roadside placards touting outdoor adventures and drop-in dining , the signs took a stern tone Sunday morning along the highway next to Kings Beach .
“ Be kind .
Be smart .
Be respectful.
” “ Don ’ t trash our future .
Pack your trash.
” “ If you don ’ t pick up your trash , you are the real trash.
” Tahoe , an increasingly vocal group of locals say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lax adherence to health safety measures , and overflowing trash cans and refuse scattered along once-pristine strands and trails .
With the added worry of COVID-19 transmission from residents fleeing stay-at-home orders , some took to the streets Sunday .
“ It ’ s been like the Fourth of July every day for months , ” said Lisa Besio , 38 , a Kings Beach resident who carried a homemade sign taped to an old rake reading “ Tahoe ’ s Full .
Stay Out.
” Tensions have flared in the tourist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone where locals prefer to embrace solitude and outdoor sports .
The resort region largely re-opened in June , and in recent weeks has seen an influx of visitors — many cooped up for months and ready to let loose .
The demonstrations emerged from a social media campaign by local environmental groups and frustrated year-round residents .
“ The lake has taken a huge hit this year and the level of disrespect from tourists is through the roof , ” read a Facebook post from local musician Josh Lease , who helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in pack it out ’ is not a hard thing to do and our own health and safety is our first priority.
” Trash been an ongoing concern for two years , with dirty diapers , empty beer cases , stray picnic plates and glasses , leftover barbecue pans , pizza boxes and any number of overstuffed plastic bags sometimes dirtying one of the state ’ s most beautiful natural locales .
Left-behind garbage can attract bears if not secured properly .
Local businesses have been frustrated , too , with what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacation folly and bad behavior .
Steve Teshara , CEO of the Tahoe Chamber of Commerce , said the rush of visitors is welcomed by businesses , but the stress of health precautions , limited service space and lower sales have pushed some business to cut operations .
Workers are spending extra time cleaning up outside messes .
Highways , beaches and parking lots around the lake have been jammed since June , bringing revenue but also unwanted public urination and the trash emergency .
“ ( Visitors ) expect that some woodland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up all the trash , ” Teshara said .
“ The fairies don ’ t come out at night to pick up trash.
” Cynthia and Bob Faure , who live in the Central Valley town of Ripon , bought a cabin in South Lake Tahoe four years ago and visit at least twice a month .
When restrictions loosened up in early June , the “ crazy ” flood of visitors arrived , said Cynthia Faure , a retired educator who said she had never seen the area so busy .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Faure and her neighbors have an almost daily chore to clean litter from their front yards .
“ They leave trash right in our front yard , ” she said .
“ They drop it out of their cars and leave.
” But the lure of stunning beaches , rare mountain lake vistas , buzzing vacation shops , diversions and casinos , have pulled Bay Area residents back again and again .
Sometimes , the escape is just for a day .
Gabriel Jaquez , 39 , drove from Tracy for a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their extended family on Saturday morning .
By late afternoon , Jaquez was flipping carne asada , peppers and onions on a propane grill set along the shoreline in Regan Beach .
It was the family ’ s first trip to Tahoe , and first break since the pandemic hit .
“ I like it , ” he said , and pointed to his wife staring out over the water .
“ She likes it , too.
” The family brought their own garbage bags , and Jaquez instructed his three teenage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts at home , ” he said .
The crowds have also brought a heightened fear of the spread of COVID-19 to local communities and their healthcare system .
The region has seen its caseload creep up and an infection rate that threatens to put local communities on a state watchlist for deeper restrictions .
El Dorado County saw cases start to grow in June and peak in July .
Placer County has seen a similar trend , with cases rising though June and spiking in late July and early August .
Cristian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leandro for on Saturday .
In the evening , the group strolled Heavenly Village , Guillen wearing a Spiderman-themed mask , his wife and two young children also covered .
But many other visitors seemed to consider masks optional , despite county health guidelines .
“ Seeing so many people without masks is a little disappointing , ” said Guillen , 40 , who works for a nonprofit in San Jose .
His message to his children all day : “ Don ’ t touch.
” For locals , the stakes are higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to online learning , Lake Tahoe residents worry that the summer vacation season may stretch into the fall .
Kari Michael , a local school administrator and lifelong resident , came out to a roundabout at Kings Beach at 9 a.m. to wave signs made by her young children .
The crowds of virus-flouting visitors , leaving behind trash , has become overwhelming , she said .
“ People want to be here .
We ’ re not against tourists , ” Michael said .
“ They ’ re just in vacation mode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
LAKE TAHOE — For a resort community used to roadside placards touting outdoor adventures and drop-in dining, the signs took a stern tone Sunday morning along the highway next to Kings Beach.
“Be kind. Be smart. Be respectful.” “Don’t trash our future. Pack your trash.” “If you don’t pick up your trash, you are the real trash.”
Tahoe, an increasingly vocal group of locals say, is tapped out — by packed beaches, lax adherence to health safety measures, and overflowing trash cans and refuse scattered along once-pristine strands and trails. With the added worry of COVID-19 transmission from residents fleeing stay-at-home orders, some took to the streets Sunday.
“It’s been like the Fourth of July every day for months,” said Lisa Besio, 38, a Kings Beach resident who carried a homemade sign taped to an old rake reading “Tahoe’s Full. Stay Out.”
Tensions have flared in the tourist community, usually a laid-back, protest-free zone where locals prefer to embrace solitude and outdoor sports. The resort region largely re-opened in June, and in recent weeks has seen an influx of visitors — many cooped up for months and ready to let loose.
The demonstrations emerged from a social media campaign by local environmental groups and frustrated year-round residents.
“The lake has taken a huge hit this year and the level of disrespect from tourists is through the roof,” read a Facebook post from local musician Josh Lease, who helped kick-start the campaign. “ ’Pack it in pack it out’ is not a hard thing to do and our own health and safety is our first priority.”
Trash been an ongoing concern for two years, with dirty diapers, empty beer cases, stray picnic plates and glasses, leftover barbecue pans, pizza boxes and any number of overstuffed plastic bags sometimes dirtying one of the state’s most beautiful natural locales. Left-behind garbage can attract bears if not secured properly.
Local businesses have been frustrated, too, with what some see as an unprecedented eruption of vacation folly and bad behavior.
Steve Teshara, CEO of the Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, said the rush of visitors is welcomed by businesses, but the stress of health precautions, limited service space and lower sales have pushed some business to cut operations. Workers are spending extra time cleaning up outside messes.
Highways, beaches and parking lots around the lake have been jammed since June, bringing revenue but also unwanted public urination and the trash emergency.
“(Visitors) expect that some woodland fairies come out at night and pick up all the trash,” Teshara said. “The fairies don’t come out at night to pick up trash.”
Cynthia and Bob Faure, who live in the Central Valley town of Ripon, bought a cabin in South Lake Tahoe four years ago and visit at least twice a month.
When restrictions loosened up in early June, the “crazy” flood of visitors arrived, said Cynthia Faure, a retired educator who said she had never seen the area so busy. And they haven’t been clean – Faure and her neighbors have an almost daily chore to clean litter from their front yards.
“They leave trash right in our front yard,” she said. “They drop it out of their cars and leave.”
But the lure of stunning beaches, rare mountain lake vistas, buzzing vacation shops, diversions and casinos, have pulled Bay Area residents back again and again. Sometimes, the escape is just for a day. Related Articles California News | After 21 alleged home break-ins, bear family captured in South Lake Tahoe
After 21 alleged home break-ins, bear family captured in South Lake Tahoe California News | A travel guide’s warning to avoid Lake Tahoe may jolt the region into managing huge tourist crowds
A travel guide’s warning to avoid Lake Tahoe may jolt the region into managing huge tourist crowds California News | Former Berkeley resident pleads guilty to setting 3 Lake Tahoe fires
Gabriel Jaquez, 39, drove from Tracy for a day trip with his wife, three sons and their extended family on Saturday morning. By late afternoon, Jaquez was flipping carne asada, peppers and onions on a propane grill set along the shoreline in Regan Beach.
It was the family’s first trip to Tahoe, and first break since the pandemic hit. “I like it,” he said, and pointed to his wife staring out over the water. “She likes it, too.”
The family brought their own garbage bags, and Jaquez instructed his three teenage sons to clean up. “It starts at home,” he said.
The crowds have also brought a heightened fear of the spread of COVID-19 to local communities and their healthcare system. The region has seen its caseload creep up and an infection rate that threatens to put local communities on a state watchlist for deeper restrictions.
El Dorado County saw cases start to grow in June and peak in July. Placer County has seen a similar trend, with cases rising though June and spiking in late July and early August.
Cristian Guillen brought his family up from San Leandro for on Saturday. In the evening, the group strolled Heavenly Village, Guillen wearing a Spiderman-themed mask, his wife and two young children also covered. But many other visitors seemed to consider masks optional, despite county health guidelines.
“Seeing so many people without masks is a little disappointing,” said Guillen, 40, who works for a nonprofit in San Jose. His message to his children all day: “Don’t touch.”
For locals, the stakes are higher. And with Bay Area schools going to online learning, Lake Tahoe residents worry that the summer vacation season may stretch into the fall.
Kari Michael, a local school administrator and lifelong resident, came out to a roundabout at Kings Beach at 9 a.m. to wave signs made by her young children.
The crowds of virus-flouting visitors, leaving behind trash, has become overwhelming, she said.
“People want to be here. We’re not against tourists,” Michael said. “They’re just in vacation mode. We’re in survival mode.”