mercurynews--2020-04-19--Problem Solved: No refund for a string quartet after a coronavirus cancellation?

Q : I hired a string quartet to perform at my wedding at the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens .
But just before the ceremony , the university announced that as part of its efforts to take proactive measures to limit the potential spread of coronavirus , campus spaces and venues will not be available for any event with 100 or We had to cancel the string quartet .
Under the contract , we should have been refunded a total $ 580 .
The management company that booked the string quartet refuses to issue a refund and has stopped responding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get my refund ?
A : I ’ m sorry about your reception .
UC Berkeley did the right thing by limiting access to its botanical gardens , but unfortunately , that affected your big day .
I think everyone should have been a little more understanding and worked together to find a way to fix this .
I ’ m dealing with hundreds of similar cases now .
They involve not just events but also product purchases and vacations .
Businesses are counting on the revenue to survive ; offering full refunds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution would be to offer the customer a credit , and if they accept it , to defer the service until after the outbreak .
But that ’ s not practical for a wedding .
Your contract with the management company was pretty one-sided .
You had to pay for the event 30 days before the performance and you don ’ t get any refunds , even for extraordinary circumstances like a coronavirus outbreak .
The company could offer a refund as a goodwill gesture , but didn ’ t have to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracts like this — or that people sign them .
You have almost no rights under your string quartet contract .
In fact , I think the musicians could have shown up to your reception , helped themselves to the hors d ’ oeuvres and left — and still gotten paid under the contract .
You can , and absolutely should , consider making some amendments to an agreement like that .
If the quartet can ’ t perform , you should have at least been able to get a refund .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the management company and yourself .
It was cringeworthy .
It quickly devolved from polite requests for a refund to accusations and name-calling , and finally to a scathing social media review .
You also threatened to call a lawyer .
These reactions , while understandable , don ’ t really help .
They just escalate the situation until you ’ re ready to call a lawyer just on principle .
You ’ ll spend more money paying an attorney than the claim is worth .
The company shouldn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean , we ’ re talking about a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that has upended everyone ’ s life .
Had it not done so — and if you had paid with a credit card — then you could have moved to what I call the nuclear option : a credit card dispute .
After all , the company didn ’ t deliver the service you contracted for .
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act , you can get all your money back .
I contacted the company on your behalf .
You received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need help with a coronavirus-related refund , please contact me .
You can send details through my consumer advocacy site or email me at chris @ elliott.org .
Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer of Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps consumers resolve their problems .
Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris @ elliott.org .

Christopher Elliott, King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Q: I hired a string quartet to perform at my wedding at the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens. But just before the ceremony, the university announced that as part of its efforts to take proactive measures to limit the potential spread of coronavirus, campus spaces and venues will not be available for any event with 100 or
more expected attendees.
We had to cancel the string quartet. Under the contract, we should have been refunded a total $580. The management company that booked the string quartet refuses to issue a refund and has stopped responding to my calls. Can you help me get my refund?
Samantha Lew, Pleasant Hill
A: I’m sorry about your reception. UC Berkeley did the right thing by limiting access to its botanical gardens, but unfortunately, that affected your big day. I think everyone should have been a little more understanding and worked together to find a way to fix this.
I’m dealing with hundreds of similar cases now. They involve not just events but also product purchases and vacations. Businesses are counting on the revenue to survive; offering full refunds can wipe them out.
The ideal solution would be to offer the customer a credit, and if they accept it, to defer the service until after the outbreak. But that’s not practical for a wedding.
Your contract with the management company was pretty one-sided. You had to pay for the event 30 days before the performance and you don’t get any refunds, even for extraordinary circumstances like a coronavirus outbreak. The company could offer a refund as a goodwill gesture, but didn’t have to.
I can’t believe businesses write contracts like this — or that people sign them. You have almost no rights under your string quartet contract. In fact, I think the musicians could have shown up to your reception, helped themselves to the hors d’oeuvres and left — and still gotten paid under the contract.
You can, and absolutely should, consider making some amendments to an agreement like that. If the quartet can’t perform, you should have at least been able to get a refund.
You kept a paper trail of the correspondence between the management company and yourself. It was cringeworthy. It quickly devolved from polite requests for a refund to accusations and name-calling, and finally to a scathing social media review. You also threatened to call a lawyer.
These reactions, while understandable, don’t really help. They just escalate the situation until you’re ready to call a lawyer just on principle. You’ll spend more money paying an attorney than the claim is worth.
The company shouldn’t have tried to keep your money. I mean, we’re talking about a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that has upended everyone’s life. Had it not done so — and if you had paid with a credit card — then you could have moved to what I call the nuclear option: a credit card dispute. After all, the company didn’t deliver the service you contracted for. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you can get all your money back.
I contacted the company on your behalf. You received a full $580 refund.
If you need help with a coronavirus-related refund, please contact me. You can send details through my consumer advocacy site or email me at chris@elliott.org.
Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers resolve their problems. Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@elliott.org.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: California reports first prison inmate death caused by COVID-19

By Christopher Weber and Daisy Nguyen | The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Califronia corrections officials announced Sunday the first prison inmate death from complications related to COVID-19 .
The inmate died at a hospital after contracting the coronavirus at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County , the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement .
No further details were released to protect the inmate ’ s medical privacy and next of kin was notified , the statement said .
Nearly 60 inmates at the prison have tested positive for the coronavirus as outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable populations , including people in nursing homes , on the streets or in homeless shelters .
California has for the first time released details about nursing homes facing coronavirus outbreaks , with three facilities in Los Angeles among the hardest-hit , as the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths across the state continue to rise on Sunday .
The Department of Public Health published a list of nearly 260 skilled nursing facilities with more than 3,000 total positive cases among patients and staff .
The information released Friday is a “ point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of California ’ s 1,224 nursing homes that had reported data within the previous 24 hours , the department said on its website .
Eighty patients and 62 staff members tested positive at the Brier Oak on Sunset nursing home in Los Angeles , according to state numbers .
Also in Los Angeles , the Country Villa South Convalescent Center saw 58 residents and 15 staff test positive , and the Garden Crest Rehabilitation Center had 35 patients and 35 staff test positive , the health department said .
To the north , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a town in the agricultural Central Valley , had 91 residents and 46 staff members receive positive tests .
Skilled nursing facilities are a particular concern because of the age and health conditions of residents , and their close living arrangements .
Outbreaks have been reported in facilities in much of the state , and dozens of residents have died .
Facilities have limited visitors since March and workers said they now undergo temperature checks and fill out questionnaires before their shifts to try to limit the spread of the disease .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe life-threatening illness , including pneumonia .
In Riverside County earlier this month , staff at a skilled nursing facility failed to show up for work two days in a row shortly after residents there tested positive for the virus and residents were taken to other nursing facilities in the area .
As of Sunday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more than 1,150 deaths , according to John Hopkins University .
Los Angeles County , where most of the state ’ s cases are clustered , announced 24 additional deaths and 334 new cases on Sunday .
It was a sharp drop from the previous day when the county reported its highest one-day total of 81 deaths and 642 new cases , though the county ’ s public health director has cautioned that the drop may be due to the lag in test results because of the weekend .
There are concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 150,000 homeless people , many of whom have chronic health conditions and lack safe places to quarantine themselves .
San Francisco reported a large-scale outbreak at a homeless shelter after more than 100 people tested positive , including 10 staff members .
The state is on its way to acquiring nearly 16,000 hotel rooms to house the homeless during the pandemic and already more than 4,200 people have been moved out of shelters or off the streets into hotel rooms , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Saturday .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question is when are we going to see those numbers start to decline on a consistent basis as opposed to an episodic basis , ” he said .
Newsom , who made solving the state ’ s homelessness crisis a priority even before the pandemic struck , announced Project Roomkey two weeks ago , a program in which the federal government will pay 75 % of costs associated with housing some homeless .
It covers people who test positive or may have been exposed to the virus , older homeless people and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has acquired nearly 11,000 rooms , and Motel 6 has promised to set aside 5,000 rooms in 19 counties , Newsom said .
In Los Angeles , where more than 30 homeless people have tested positive for coronavirus , medical teams will begin screening people for the virus on the streets , along with fast-result field tests , Mayor Eric Garcetti said .
Those who are infected will be offered transportation to shelters and have hotel rooms set aside for them .
Not all cities are embracing Project Roomkey .
Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bell Gardens threatened to terminate city permits for hotels and motels participating in the program .
There have been signs the outbreak is slowing in the month or more since most of the state ’ s 40 million residents were ordered to stay at home .
Social distancing rules are being praised for that development , but they have hit the economy hard , shutting down schools , tourist spots and most restaurants and retail businesses .
Some have chafed under the restrictions , including dozens of people who rallied in San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against California ’ s stay-at-home order .
Ventura County on Saturday modified its stay-at-home order to permit some businesses that don ’ t serve the public to operate using no more than 10 employees .
Gatherings of up to five people are now permitted , as are gatherings in vehicles , the county said .
Meanwhile San Francisco Mayor London Breed urged people to stay away Monday from the city ’ s Golden Gate Park , where thousands of marijuana enthusiasts traditionally gather every April 20 .
“ We love 420 but let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowds and all that , let ’ s not do that , ” he said .
“ It ’ s got ta be canceled this year.
” To start lifting restrictions and allow businesses to reopen statewide , Newsom has said California needs to test 25,000 people a day and better track those who are infected , up to about 20,000 a day now .
Several areas have begun offering tests to people without symptoms .
Until now , there ’ s been a shortage of test swabs and the chemical agents needed @ @ @ @ @

By Christopher Weber and Daisy Nguyen | The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Califronia corrections officials announced Sunday the first prison inmate death from complications related to COVID-19.
The inmate died at a hospital after contracting the coronavirus at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.
No further details were released to protect the inmate’s medical privacy and next of kin was notified, the statement said.
Nearly 60 inmates at the prison have tested positive for the coronavirus as outbreaks continue to hit California’s most vulnerable populations, including people in nursing homes, on the streets or in homeless shelters.
California has for the first time released details about nursing homes facing coronavirus outbreaks, with three facilities in Los Angeles among the hardest-hit, as the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths across the state continue to rise on Sunday.
The Department of Public Health published a list of nearly 260 skilled nursing facilities with more than 3,000 total positive cases among patients and staff.
The information released Friday is a “point in time snapshot” representing 86% of California’s 1,224 nursing homes that had reported data within the previous 24 hours, the department said on its website.
Eighty patients and 62 staff members tested positive at the Brier Oak on Sunset nursing home in Los Angeles, according to state numbers. Also in Los Angeles, the Country Villa South Convalescent Center saw 58 residents and 15 staff test positive, and the Garden Crest Rehabilitation Center had 35 patients and 35 staff test positive, the health department said.
To the north, Redwood Springs Healthcare Center in Visalia, a town in the agricultural Central Valley, had 91 residents and 46 staff members receive positive tests.
Skilled nursing facilities are a particular concern because of the age and health conditions of residents, and their close living arrangements. Outbreaks have been reported in facilities in much of the state, and dozens of residents have died.
Facilities have limited visitors since March and workers said they now undergo temperature checks and fill out questionnaires before their shifts to try to limit the spread of the disease.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe life-threatening illness, including pneumonia.
In Riverside County earlier this month, staff at a skilled nursing facility failed to show up for work two days in a row shortly after residents there tested positive for the virus and residents were taken to other nursing facilities in the area.
As of Sunday, the state had recorded nearly 31,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,150 deaths, according to John Hopkins University. Los Angeles County, where most of the state’s cases are clustered, announced 24 additional deaths and 334 new cases on Sunday. It was a sharp drop from the previous day when the county reported its highest one-day total of 81 deaths and 642 new cases, though the county’s public health director has cautioned that the drop may be due to the lag in test results because of the weekend.
There are concerns the virus could sweep through the state’s 150,000 homeless people, many of whom have chronic health conditions and lack safe places to quarantine themselves. San Francisco reported a large-scale outbreak at a homeless shelter after more than 100 people tested positive, including 10 staff members.
The state is on its way to acquiring nearly 16,000 hotel rooms to house the homeless during the pandemic and already more than 4,200 people have been moved out of shelters or off the streets into hotel rooms, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Saturday.
“We’ve certainly flattened the curve. The question is when are we going to see those numbers start to decline on a consistent basis as opposed to an episodic basis,” he said.
Newsom, who made solving the state’s homelessness crisis a priority even before the pandemic struck, announced Project Roomkey two weeks ago, a program in which the federal government will pay 75% of costs associated with housing some homeless. It covers people who test positive or may have been exposed to the virus, older homeless people and those with underlying health conditions.
The program has acquired nearly 11,000 rooms, and Motel 6 has promised to set aside 5,000 rooms in 19 counties, Newsom said.
In Los Angeles, where more than 30 homeless people have tested positive for coronavirus, medical teams will begin screening people for the virus on the streets, along with fast-result field tests, Mayor Eric Garcetti said. Those who are infected will be offered transportation to shelters and have hotel rooms set aside for them.
Not all cities are embracing Project Roomkey. Los Angeles County prosecutors filed court papers Friday alleging Lawndale and Bell Gardens threatened to terminate city permits for hotels and motels participating in the program.
There have been signs the outbreak is slowing in the month or more since most of the state’s 40 million residents were ordered to stay at home. Social distancing rules are being praised for that development, but they have hit the economy hard, shutting down schools, tourist spots and most restaurants and retail businesses.
Some have chafed under the restrictions, including dozens of people who rallied in San Diego and Orange counties over the weekend against California’s stay-at-home order.
Ventura County on Saturday modified its stay-at-home order to permit some businesses that don’t serve the public to operate using no more than 10 employees. Gatherings of up to five people are now permitted, as are gatherings in vehicles, the county said.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Crime and Public Safety | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Meanwhile San Francisco Mayor London Breed urged people to stay away Monday from the city’s Golden Gate Park, where thousands of marijuana enthusiasts traditionally gather every April 20.
Breed tweeted a video featuring Bay Area rapper E-40 telling people to skip the unofficial high holiday.
“We love 420 but let’s not get out there in crowds and all that, let’s not do that,” he said. “It’s gotta be canceled this year.”
To start lifting restrictions and allow businesses to reopen statewide, Newsom has said California needs to test 25,000 people a day and better track those who are infected, up to about 20,000 a day now. Several areas have begun offering tests to people without symptoms. Until now, there’s been a shortage of test swabs and the chemical agents needed to process the tests.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--Specialized Bicycles uses business contacts to help deliver masks during pandemic

MORGAN HILL — Mike Sinyard , founder and chief executive of Specialized Bicycle Components , could not stomach another story about a medical worker wearing a used protective mask for multiple days .
“ How can this be in this country where we don ’ t have masks ?
” he asked himself , he said Sunday .
Sinyard turned to his four-decade relationships with Chinese bicycle manufacturers to supply protective masks to hospitals and others in the United States and Europe .
The effort led to 40,000 masks shipped last week to hospitals in New York City , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Sunday that he hopes to donate 1 million masks to medical staff and other essential workers through the Morgan Hill company ’ s warehouses .
“ I saw the need for this and a tremendous shortage , ” he said .
It started with Sinyard following the news about the COVID-19 pandemic .
He found it difficult to accept that the United States lagged behind other countries such as South Korea when it came to testing and personal protective equipment .
First , Specialized created a program to give away 500 bikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get to work now that mass transportation is considered a risk .
The company delivered 250 bikes to New York workers .
It will hand out the rest of the bikes this week , a Specialized executive said .
Sinyard turned his attention to the mask shortage .
He said he asked California government officials to help deliver masks but realized they were too busy with other aspects of the pandemic to give it any attention .
Then Sinyard figured he ’ d do it himself .
He recalled thinking it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taiwanese mask manufacturers and take advantage of Specialized ’ s expertise in supply chain distribution .
None of the Asian bicycle builders also manufactured masks .
But Sinyard said Specialized ’ s contacts knew the companies that did .
“ We told them we need help , ” Sinyard said .
“ This isn ’ t about business or money — it ’ s about saving lives .
They connected us with these people to get the masks.
” Sinyard said Specialized expects to spend at least $ 1 million buying the equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed like a simple endeavor wasn ’ t , ” said Sinyard , a San Jose State graduate .
“ It turned out to be two weeks of day and night work.
” Sinyard said the company has donated masks to Watsonville Community Hospital and is assisting two San Francisco hospitals to secure protective gear .
He said Specialized is collecting a couple of shipments a week and then distributing the equipment as fast as it can .
Some of the masks are being shipped to bike shops that are open because they @ @ @ @ @ @

MORGAN HILL — Mike Sinyard, founder and chief executive of Specialized Bicycle Components, could not stomach another story about a medical worker wearing a used protective mask for multiple days.
“How can this be in this country where we don’t have masks?” he asked himself, he said Sunday.
Sinyard turned to his four-decade relationships with Chinese bicycle manufacturers to supply protective masks to hospitals and others in the United States and Europe. The effort led to 40,000 masks shipped last week to hospitals in New York City, the company said.
Sinyard, 71, said Sunday that he hopes to donate 1 million masks to medical staff and other essential workers through the Morgan Hill company’s warehouses.
“I saw the need for this and a tremendous shortage,” he said.
It started with Sinyard following the news about the COVID-19 pandemic. He found it difficult to accept that the United States lagged behind other countries such as South Korea when it came to testing and personal protective equipment.
First, Specialized created a program to give away 500 bikes to essential workers who needed a way to get to work now that mass transportation is considered a risk. The company delivered 250 bikes to New York workers. It will hand out the rest of the bikes this week, a Specialized executive said.
Sinyard turned his attention to the mask shortage. He said he asked California government officials to help deliver masks but realized they were too busy with other aspects of the pandemic to give it any attention.
Then Sinyard figured he’d do it himself. He recalled thinking it would be easy to connect with Chinese and Taiwanese mask manufacturers and take advantage of Specialized’s expertise in supply chain distribution.
Sinyard said Bob Margevicius, Specialized’s executive vice president, handled the project.
None of the Asian bicycle builders also manufactured masks. But Sinyard said Specialized’s contacts knew the companies that did.
“We told them we need help,” Sinyard said. “This isn’t about business or money — it’s about saving lives. They connected us with these people to get the masks.”
Sinyard said Specialized expects to spend at least $1 million buying the equipment that it will donate.
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Sinyard said the company has donated masks to Watsonville Community Hospital and is assisting two San Francisco hospitals to secure protective gear. He said Specialized is collecting a couple of shipments a week and then distributing the equipment as fast as it can.
Some of the masks are being shipped to bike shops that are open because they are designated as essential businesses.


mercurynews--2020-04-19--Photos: Sons of Liberty’s “Freedom Rally” against the coronavirus shelter-in-place orders

A “ Freedom Rally ” in Morgan Hill attracted about 25 people , one from as far away as Brentwood , on a warm Sunday afternoon .
A few people honked in support , and some yelled at the protesters , who sometimes stood six-feet apart and sometimes not .
They ’ ve held signs and American flags at the corner of Monterey Road and West Edmundson Avenue every day since Tuesday .
The action was started by Morgan Hill resident Justin Bailey , with the group Son ’ s of Liberty .
He says they plan on being at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule is lifted .
Jo Williams , an 89-year-old living in Gilroy and originally from New Jersey , did not agree with Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s shelter-in-place order which includes not “ buying seeds.
” She believes people should plant “ Victory Gardens ” like they did during World War II .
Alison Hayden , a 15th district candidate for Congress from Hayward , who does not dispute coronavirus exists , but does not agree in the shelter-in-place orders , said : “ We need to know more before ruining @ @ @ @

(If you’re having trouble viewing this gallery or video on a mobile device, click here.)
A “Freedom Rally” in Morgan Hill attracted about 25 people, one from as far away as Brentwood, on a warm Sunday afternoon.
A few people honked in support, and some yelled at the protesters, who sometimes stood six-feet apart and sometimes not. They’ve held signs and American flags at the corner of Monterey Road and West Edmundson Avenue every day since Tuesday. The action was started by Morgan Hill resident Justin Bailey, with the group Son’s of Liberty. He says they plan on being at the corner every day until the shelter-in-place rule is lifted.
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Alison Hayden, a 15th district candidate for Congress from Hayward, who does not dispute coronavirus exists, but does not agree in the shelter-in-place orders, said: “We need to know more before ruining peoples lives.”


mercurynews--2020-04-19--Menlo Park rector on leave as Episcopal leaders investigate funds misuse

MENLO PARK — The rector of Trinity Episcopal Church has been placed on leave for using at least $ 125,000 in church funds for personal spending , parish leaders announced Sunday .
A financial review by church leaders determined the Rev .
Matthew Dutton-Gillett , who had led Trinity for a decade , misused funds for at least the last five years , according to a news release attributed to the Rev .
Canon Abbott Bailey .
The release said Dutton-Gillett admitted misusing the unreimbursed funds when asked .
A spokeswoman said Sunday that church leaders intend to file a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the situation in a Zoom conference meeting Sunday before the scheduled 10 a.m. online service , the spokeswoman said .
“ This is a very painful time for me , and particularly for my family , ” Dutton-Gillett said in a statement to this news organization .
“ I have a deep love for the Trinity community , and they for me , and I know that this is painful for them , as well .
I regret that deeply.
” In a message to its membership , the church ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depends on trust , and in some measure , on parishioners ’ generosity , and it is deeply disappointing when this trust and generosity are not honored , but abused.
” The announcement said church leaders are in the process of reviewing financial procedures and controls to ensure security in the future .
The Diocese of California will investigate the case under the clergy disciplinary procedures of the Episcopal Church , the news release said .
Those procedures are confidential , officials added .
“ He was very well respected and much loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew , a member of Trinity ’ s governing committee .
“ He has been part of guiding people through COVID-19 .
There is a lot of sadness but also a lot of compassion for Reverend Matthew.
” Dutton-Gillett , who is married with two children , is prohibited from working in sacramental , pastoral or administrative roles , Bailey said in the release .
Dutton-Gillett , who had lived at the Ravenswood Avenue facility , also is prohibited from accessing the church building and its records .
The Rev .
Thomas Traylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priest-in-charge , the release said .
According to a now-removed Trinity web page , Dutton-Gillett ’ s father was an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ for more than a half-century .
The biographical sketch said Dutton-Gillett discovered the Episcopal Church while attending Michigan State University .
It said he earned a master ’ s degree at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge , Massachusetts .
Dutton-Gillett started working at St. Paul ’ s Cathedral in Detroit in 1991 and became a priest in 1992 at St. Peter ’ s Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as a rector at a church near Chicago and another one in Tennessee before joining the Menlo Park congregation in 2009 .
“ The essence of the Christian faith is repentance and reconciliation with reparation , ” Dutton-Gillett said in the statement .
“ It is my profound hope that we will find a way to continue our journey together in a way that embodies Christ ’ s forgiveness and healing , finding our way back to a place of mutual trust.
” Trinity Church , a block from Menlo-Atherton High School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the 1880s , according to the Menlo Park Historical Association .
It is the third-oldest church still operating in the community .

MENLO PARK — The rector of Trinity Episcopal Church has been placed on leave for using at least $125,000 in church funds for personal spending, parish leaders announced Sunday.
A financial review by church leaders determined the Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillett, who had led Trinity for a decade, misused funds for at least the last five years, according to a news release attributed to the Rev. Canon Abbott Bailey. The release said Dutton-Gillett admitted misusing the unreimbursed funds when asked.
A spokeswoman said Sunday that church leaders intend to file a police report. Church leaders told parishioners about the situation in a Zoom conference meeting Sunday before the scheduled 10 a.m. online service, the spokeswoman said.
“This is a very painful time for me, and particularly for my family,” Dutton-Gillett said in a statement to this news organization. “I have a deep love for the Trinity community, and they for me, and I know that this is painful for them, as well. I regret that deeply.”
In a message to its membership, the church’s vestry wrote, “Our life together depends on trust, and in some measure, on parishioners’ generosity, and it is deeply disappointing when this trust and generosity are not honored, but abused.”
The announcement said church leaders are in the process of reviewing financial procedures and controls to ensure security in the future.
The Diocese of California will investigate the case under the clergy disciplinary procedures of the Episcopal Church, the news release said. Those procedures are confidential, officials added.
“He was very well respected and much loved in the parish,” said Steve Andrew, a member of Trinity’s governing committee. “He has been part of guiding people through COVID-19. There is a lot of sadness but also a lot of compassion for Reverend Matthew.”
Dutton-Gillett, who is married with two children, is prohibited from working in sacramental, pastoral or administrative roles, Bailey said in the release. Dutton-Gillett, who had lived at the Ravenswood Avenue facility, also is prohibited from accessing the church building and its records.
The Rev. Thomas Traylor was appointed as the parish’s priest-in-charge, the release said.
According to a now-removed Trinity web page, Dutton-Gillett’s father was an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ for more than a half-century. The biographical sketch said Dutton-Gillett discovered the Episcopal Church while attending Michigan State University.
It said he earned a master’s degree at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dutton-Gillett started working at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Detroit in 1991 and became a priest in 1992 at St. Peter’s Church in Ladue, Missouri.
He then served as a rector at a church near Chicago and another one in Tennessee before joining the Menlo Park congregation in 2009.
“The essence of the Christian faith is repentance and reconciliation with reparation,” Dutton-Gillett said in the statement. “It is my profound hope that we will find a way to continue our journey together in a way that embodies Christ’s forgiveness and healing, finding our way back to a place of mutual trust.”
Trinity Church, a block from Menlo-Atherton High School, has been part of the community since the 1880s, according to the Menlo Park Historical Association. It is the third-oldest church still operating in the community.


mercurynews--2020-04-19--Police: 13 killed in shooting rampage in Canada

TORONTO — A man wearing a police uniform went on a shooting rampage as he drove around the Canadian province of Nova Scotia on Sunday , killing 13 people , including a police officer .
Officials said the suspected shooter was also dead .
Several of the dead were found inside and outside one home in the small , rural town of Portapique , about 60 miles ( 100 kilometers ) north of Halifax late Saturday .
Police began advising residents of the town — already on lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic — to lock their doors and stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area were set on fire as well .
Police identified the man believed to be the shooter as Gabriel Wortman , 51 , who was thought to live part-time in Portapique .
Authorities said he disguised himself as a police officer in uniform at one point and made his car look like a Royal Canadian Mounted Police cruiser .
Wortman was arrested by the RCMP at a gas station in Enfield , just outside Halifax .
Police later announced that he had died .
“ This is one of the most senseless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s history , ” said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil .
He said it was an additional “ heavy burden ” amid efforts to contain the new coronavirus .
RCMP spokesman Daniel Brien confirmed that 13 people had been killed as had the shooter .
He said he could not rule out that the death toll could still rise .
Already , that makes it one of the worst shootings in Canadian history .
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada .
The country overhauled its gun-control laws after the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and himself at Montreal ’ s Ecole Polytechnique college .
It is now illegal to possess an unregistered handgun or any kind of rapid-fire weapon .
Canada also requires training , a personal risk assessment , two references , spousal notification and criminal record checks to purchase a weapon .
“ We believe it to be one person who is responsible for all the killings and that he alone moved across the northern part of the province and committed what appears to be several homicides , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police have not provided a motive for the attack , but Leather said many of the victims did not know the shooter .
“ That fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act , ” Leather said .
Leather said they would investigate whether the attack had anything to do with the coronavirus pandemic but no link has been found thus far .
The dead officer was identified as Constable Heidi Stevenson , a mother of two and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another officer was also injured .
Leather said at point there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police .
There were half a dozen police vehicles at the scene of a gas station where the suspect was shot .
Yellow police tape surrounded the gas pumps , and a large silver-colored SUV was being investigated .
Police said earlier Sunday the suspect was driving a car that looked like a police vehicle and was wearing a police uniform , but later said he was “ believed to be driving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he is not an RCMP employee or officer .
Cpl .
Lisa Croteau , a spokeswoman with the provincial force , said police received a call about “ a person with firearms ” at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and the investigation “ evolved into an active shooting investigation.
” “ My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation , ” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said .
Christine Mills , a resident of the area , said it had been a frightening night for the small town , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the morning , helicopters flew overhead searching for the suspect .
“ It ’ s nerve-wracking because you don ’ t know if somebody has lost their mind and is going to beat in your front door , ” she said .
Tom Taggart , a lawmaker who represents the Portapique area in the Municipality of Colchester , said the quiet community has been shaken .
“ This is just an absolutely wonderful , peaceful quiet community and the idea that this could happen in our community is unbelievable , ” Taggart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby Bass River .
A Gabriel Wortman is listed as a denturist — a person who makes dentures — in the city of Dartmouth , near Halifax , according to the Denturist Society of Nova Scotia website .
A suspect photo issued by the RCMP appears to be of the same person seen in video footage being interviewed about dentures by CTV Atlantic in 2014 .
Mills also said that Wortman was known locally as someone who divided his time between a residence in Halifax and a residence in Portapique .
Taggart said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but spoke to him a few times when he telephoned about municipal issues .

By Rob Gillies | Associated Press
TORONTO — A gunman disguised as a police officer went on a rampage across the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, shooting people in their homes and setting fires, leaving 16 people dead Sunday, in the deadliest such attack in the country’s history. Officials said the suspected shooter was also dead.
A police officer was among those killed. Several bodies were found inside and outside one home in the small, rural town of Portapique, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of Halifax — what police called the first scene. Bodies were also found at other locations. Authorities believe the shooter may have targeted his first victims but then began attacking randomly.
Overnight, police began advising residents of the town — already on lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic — to lock their doors and stay in their basements. Several homes in the area were set on fire as well.
Police identified the man believed to be the shooter as Gabriel Wortman, 51, who was thought to live part-time in Portapique. Authorities said he wore a police uniform at one point and made his car look like a Royal Canadian Mounted Police cruiser.
Police first announced that they had arrested Wortman at a gas station in Enfield, outside Halifax, but later said he had died. It was not clear how, and they did not explain further.
“This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province’s history,” said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil.
RCMP spokesman Daniel Brien confirmed that 16 people had been killed in addition to the suspect. The dead officer was identified as Constable Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two and a 23-year veteran of the force. Another officer was also injured.
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Canada. The country overhauled its gun-control laws after gunman Marc Lepine killed 14 women and himself at Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique college in 1989. Before this weekend’s rampage, that had been the country’s worst.
It is now illegal to possess an unregistered handgun or any kind of rapid-fire weapon in Canada. The country also requires training, a personal risk assessment, two references, spousal notification and criminal record checks to purchase a weapon.
“As a country, in moments like these, we come together to support one another. Together we will mourn with the families of the victims, and help them get through this difficult time,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a written news release.
While they believe the attack did not begin as random, police did not say what the initial motive was. RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said many of the victims did not know the shooter.
“That fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act,” Leather said. He added that police believe he acted alone.
Leather said they would investigate whether the attack had anything to do with the coronavirus pandemic but no link has been found thus far.
At one point, there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police, he said.
Late Sunday morning, there were half a dozen police vehicles at the scene of the gas station where the suspect died. Yellow police tape surrounded the gas pumps, and a large silver-colored SUV was being investigated.
Cpl. Lisa Croteau, a spokeswoman with the provincial force, said police received a call about “a person with firearms” late Saturday night, and the investigation “evolved into an active shooting investigation.”
Christine Mills, a resident of the area, said it had been a frightening night for the small town, with armed officers patrolling the streets. In the morning, helicopters flew overhead searching for the suspect. “It’s nerve-wracking because you don’t know if somebody has lost their mind and is going to beat in your front door,” she said.
Tom Taggart, a lawmaker who represents the Portapique area in the Municipality of Colchester, said the quiet community has been shaken.
“This is just an absolutely wonderful, peaceful quiet community and the idea that this could happen in our community is unbelievable,” Taggart said by phone from his home in nearby Bass River.
A Gabriel Wortman is listed as a denturist — a person who makes dentures — in the city of Dartmouth, near Halifax, according to the Denturist Society of Nova Scotia website. A suspect photo issued by the RCMP appears to be of the same person seen in video footage being interviewed about dentures by CTV Atlantic in 2014.
Mills also said that Wortman was known locally as someone who divided his time between a residence in Halifax and a residence in Portapique.
Taggart said he didn’t know Wortman well, but spoke to him a few times when he telephoned about municipal issues.
Taggart described knowing Wortman’s “lovely big home” on Portapique Beach Road.


mercurynews--2020-04-19--Protesters descend on Colorado Capitol to oppose coronavirus restrictions

Protesters gathered at the Colorado State Capitol Sunday to oppose the state ’ s stay-at-home order and other social distancing restrictions implemented amid the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Both a vehicle protest — dubbed “ Operation Gridlock ” — and a protest on foot were planned for Sunday afternoon , with organizers hailing from some Libertarian parties around the Denver region .
Jim Fenimore , from Colorado Springs , said he is protesting because “ Our constitutional rights are being violated.
” He says the reaction to the virus is a scare tactic designed to make President Trump look bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea to take precautions like handwashing or staying home when sick , but said closing businesses goes too far .
The stay home order should be lifted now , not April 26 , he said .
“ Every day that goes by is hurting the state.
” A multitude of cars circled the Capitol , horns blaring , while about 200 people stood on the lawn with posters and flags .
Very few people wore masks or followed recommended social-distancing guidelines .
Authorities on Friday recognized the protesters ’ First Amendment rights and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not stop the protest from going forward .
Still , a spokeswoman for the Joint Information Center called the planned vehicle protest “ wholly irresponsible ” and warned that willfully blocking a public right-of-way is illegal .
At least two people were detained briefly after bringing guns to the protest .
Police released them with a warning to put their weapons away .
Protester Mary Conley , of Jefferson County , said she believes the initial shutdown was OK , but that it has gone on too long .
“ Pot shops are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my church is closed , ” she said .
Conley wore a mask even though she said she doesn ’ t think she needs one , because she didn ’ t want to offend or scare anyone else .
“ Death is part of life , and it is time to start living again , ” Conley said .
The pandemic and shut down has wreaked chaos on Colorado ’ s economy , creating unprecedented job loss in the state .
Colorado ’ s stay-at-home order is set to expire April 26 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Jared Polis last week recognized that the current level of social distancing and restrictions are unsustainable for the long term , but cautioned that reopening the state will need to happen slowly , with some precautions persisting for months in order to prevent a second wave of novel coronavirus infections .
The state is expected to release additional details on the phased reopening on Monday .
Similar protests against stay-at-home orders have been held in several states in the last few days , including in Michigan , Ohio , Kentucky , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Protesters gathered at the Colorado State Capitol Sunday to oppose the state’s stay-at-home order and other social distancing restrictions implemented amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Both a vehicle protest — dubbed “Operation Gridlock” — and a protest on foot were planned for Sunday afternoon, with organizers hailing from some Libertarian parties around the Denver region.
Jim Fenimore, from Colorado Springs, said he is protesting because “Our constitutional rights are being violated.” He says the reaction to the virus is a scare tactic designed to make President Trump look bad.
Fenimore said it is a good idea to take precautions like handwashing or staying home when sick, but said closing businesses goes too far. The stay home order should be lifted now, not April 26, he said. “Every day that goes by is hurting the state.”
A multitude of cars circled the Capitol, horns blaring, while about 200 people stood on the lawn with posters and flags. Very few people wore masks or followed recommended social-distancing guidelines.
Authorities on Friday recognized the protesters’ First Amendment rights and said that the novel coronavirus pandemic will not stop the protest from going forward. Still, a spokeswoman for the Joint Information Center called the planned vehicle protest “wholly irresponsible” and warned that willfully blocking a public right-of-way is illegal.
Out at a protest against Colorado's coronavirus stay at home order. It's loud. pic.twitter.com/6W8xejpBp5 — Shelly Bradbury (@ShellyBradbury) April 19, 2020
At least two people were detained briefly after bringing guns to the protest. Police released them with a warning to put their weapons away.
Protester Mary Conley, of Jefferson County, said she believes the initial shutdown was OK, but that it has gone on too long. “Pot shops are open, abortion clinics are open and my church is closed,” she said.
Conley wore a mask even though she said she doesn’t think she needs one, because she didn’t want to offend or scare anyone else. “Death is part of life, and it is time to start living again,” Conley said.
The pandemic and shut down has wreaked chaos on Colorado’s economy, creating unprecedented job loss in the state. Colorado’s stay-at-home order is set to expire April 26 and Denver’s on April 30.
Gov. Jared Polis last week recognized that the current level of social distancing and restrictions are unsustainable for the long term, but cautioned that reopening the state will need to happen slowly, with some precautions persisting for months in order to prevent a second wave of novel coronavirus infections.
The state is expected to release additional details on the phased reopening on Monday.
Similar protests against stay-at-home orders have been held in several states in the last few days, including in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina and Utah.


mercurynews--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: Contra Costa County reports seven new cases, one death

Contra Costa public health officials on Sunday reported seven new confirmed coronavirus cases in the county , bringing the total to 693 .
The latest figures came after 34 new cases were confirmed on Saturday .
That number more than doubled the previous day ’ s total , the first time the number of county cases had grown in the three previous days .
One new death was reported Sunday , bringing the county ’ s death toll to 34 in the pandemic .
Thirty-four people were hospitalized as of Sunday morning .
Though Richmond has the most confirmed positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Orinda — a town of just over 19,000 — has the most cases for its population at 44 .
That ’ s about 243 cases per 100,000 people .
Officials reported 63 confirmed cases in Concord , 52 in Antioch and 43 in Brentwood .
There were 37 cases in Walnut Creek , 36 in San Pablo , 35 in Bay Point , 28 each in Oakley and San Ramon , 20 in Danville and 18 each in El Sobrante and Lafayette .
Alamo reported 17 cases , with 14 in Pinole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each in El Cerrito and Hercules .
There were eight cases in Moraga , seven each in Discovery Bay and Rodeo , five each in Pacheco and Clayton and one in Bethel Island .
There were 13 cases in other , unspecified county locations .

Contra Costa public health officials on Sunday reported seven new confirmed coronavirus cases in the county, bringing the total to 693.
The latest figures came after 34 new cases were confirmed on Saturday. That number more than doubled the previous day’s total, the first time the number of county cases had grown in the three previous days.
One new death was reported Sunday, bringing the county’s death toll to 20 in the pandemic. Thirty-four people were hospitalized as of Sunday morning.
Though Richmond has the most confirmed positive coronavirus cases in the county with 77, Orinda — a town of just over 19,000 — has the most cases for its population at 44. That’s about 243 cases per 100,000 people.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Officials reported 63 confirmed cases in Concord, 52 in Antioch and 43 in Brentwood. There were 37 cases in Walnut Creek, 36 in San Pablo, 35 in Bay Point, 28 each in Oakley and San Ramon, 20 in Danville and 18 each in El Sobrante and Lafayette.
Alamo reported 17 cases, with 14 in Pinole, 11 in Martinez, and 10 each in El Cerrito and Hercules. There were eight cases in Moraga, seven each in Discovery Bay and Rodeo, five each in Pacheco and Clayton and one in Bethel Island.
There were 13 cases in other, unspecified county locations.


mercurynews--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: 50 more cases reported in Alameda County, where 42 people have died

Oakland remains at the top of the list of cities with the most confirmed coronavirus cases in Alameda County at 301 , up from 280 on Saturday , public health officials reported .
New numbers from the Alameda County coronavirus dashboard showed that over half of the 50 new cases reported Sunday were in Oakland .
Public health officials also reported one more death , bringing the total number of confirmed cases of the virus to 1,164 .
Forty-two people have died .
Second to Oakland in the number of positive cases is Hayward with 226 .
Next was Fremont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Union City with 55 confirmed cases .
Pleasanton had 47 cases , Newark showed 42 and Livermore 30 cases .
There were 29 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alameda , 21 in Dublin and 10 in Piedmont , with fewer than 10 reported in Albany and Emeryville .
The city of Berkeley , which operates an independent public health department , had not updated its numbers as of midday Sunday .
The Saturday totals showed 42 confirmed cases in the city and one death .
Public health officials reported that less than 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are known to be homeless , and about 11 have no known address and are believed to be unhoused .
Thirty-one cases have been reported at the county jail in Santa Rita and 148 cases are spread across unincorporated areas of the county .
In an effort to contain the spread of the virus , Alameda County joined others in the Bay Area in mandating the use of face masks or coverings for its 1.6 million residents .
The new orders mean more than 5 million Bay Area residents could soon face a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health ” that is “ punishable by fine , imprisonment , or both ” for refusing to wear cloth face coverings in public settings .
San Francisco , Alameda , Contra Costa and Marin counties issued orders Friday mandating face masks in public for those over age 12 starting at noon Wednesday .
San Mateo County also was expected to issue a similar order .

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Oakland remains at the top of the list of cities with the most confirmed coronavirus cases in Alameda County at 301, up from 280 on Saturday, public health officials reported.
New numbers from the Alameda County coronavirus dashboard showed that over half of the 50 new cases reported Sunday were in Oakland. Public health officials also reported one more death, bringing the total number of confirmed cases of the virus to 1,164. Forty-two people have died.
Second to Oakland in the number of positive cases is Hayward with 226. Next was Fremont with 86, San Leandro with 67 and Union City with 55 confirmed cases.
Pleasanton had 47 cases, Newark showed 42 and Livermore 30 cases. There were 29 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alameda, 21 in Dublin and 10 in Piedmont, with fewer than 10 reported in Albany and Emeryville.
The city of Berkeley, which operates an independent public health department, had not updated its numbers as of midday Sunday. The Saturday totals showed 42 confirmed cases in the city and one death.
Public health officials reported that less than 10 people who have tested positive for coronavirus are known to be homeless, and about 11 have no known address and are believed to be unhoused. Thirty-one cases have been reported at the county jail in Santa Rita and 148 cases are spread across unincorporated areas of the county.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge In an effort to contain the spread of the virus, Alameda County joined others in the Bay Area in mandating the use of face masks or coverings for its 1.6 million residents.
The new orders mean more than 5 million Bay Area residents could soon face a criminal charge as a “menace to public health” that is “punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both” for refusing to wear cloth face coverings in public settings.
San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa and Marin counties issued orders Friday mandating face masks in public for those over age 12 starting at noon Wednesday. San Mateo County also was expected to issue a similar order.


mercurynews--2020-04-19--Number of COVID-19 patients in San Francisco hospitals falls

SAN FRANCISCO — The number of people who were in the hospital in the city with confirmed cases of COVID-19 fell to its lowest level since April 4 , according to data released Sunday , and the number of suspected cases fell to its lowest level since data-tracking began in March .
According to the Public Health Department website , hospitals had 77 patients confirmed to have COVID-19 , with 50 people in acute care and 27 others in the intensive care unit .
Officials also reported that 32 others suspected of having coronavirus were hospitalized , with one quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The April 4 report showed 67 people confirmed to have the virus in city hospitals , by comparison .
The next lowest number was 83 , recorded on April 5 and 16 .
Officials said there were a total of 1,157 confirmed coronavirus cases in San Francisco — an increase of 20 cases from the previous day ’ s reporting .
There were no additional deaths reported , holding the total at 20 .
The total cases rank seventh in California based on figures compiled by this news organization .
The latest figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have COVID-19 and 1,146 people have died .
The state ’ s overall figures showed an increase from Friday ’ s count of 29,348 confirmed cases and 1,050 deaths .
San Francisco , Alameda and Santa Clara are the three Bay Area counties to report more than 1,000 confirmed cases so far .
San Mateo County reported 838 cases in its latest figures on Friday .
San Francisco has reported fewer fatalities than Santa Clara ( 73 ) , Alameda ( 41 ) and San Mateo ( 28 ) .
Contra Costa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco officials said Hispanics and Latinos made up 25 percent of its 1,157 confirmed cases .
Whites comprised 19 percent whereas Asians were at 14 percent .
Men made up 60 percent of the cases compared to 38 percent for women , according to the website .
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San Francisco Leaders announced plans for extensive contact tracing — an important step to lift shelter-in-place orders .
They said the city , its health department , UC San Francisco and a technology company are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the digital tracking program .
A voluntary program will allow health workers to connect remotely with anyone who has tested positive and who would be able to communicate their symptoms via text for 14 days .
Dr. Grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer , described the need for a “ fast-moving , comprehensive system to track cases and support people to prevent further spread as much as possible as we ultimately move out of shelter-in-place into a new phase of fighting the pandemic .
”

SAN FRANCISCO — The number of people who were in the hospital in the city with confirmed cases of COVID-19 fell to its lowest level since April 4, according to data released Sunday, and the number of suspected cases fell to its lowest level since data-tracking began in March.
According to the Public Health Department website, hospitals had 77 patients confirmed to have COVID-19, with 50 people in acute care and 27 others in the intensive care unit. Officials also reported that 32 others suspected of having coronavirus were hospitalized, with one quarter of those patients in intensive care.
The April 4 report showed 67 people confirmed to have the virus in city hospitals, by comparison. The next lowest number was 83, recorded on April 5 and 16.
Officials said there were a total of 1,157 confirmed coronavirus cases in San Francisco — an increase of 20 cases from the previous day’s reporting. There were no additional deaths reported, holding the total at 20.
The total cases rank seventh in California based on figures compiled by this news organization. The latest figures Sunday morning showed 30,754 Californians are confirmed to have COVID-19 and 1,146 people have died. The state’s overall figures showed an increase from Friday’s count of 29,348 confirmed cases and 1,050 deaths.
San Francisco, Alameda and Santa Clara are the three Bay Area counties to report more than 1,000 confirmed cases so far. San Mateo County reported 838 cases in its latest figures on Friday.
San Francisco has reported fewer fatalities than Santa Clara (73), Alameda (41) and San Mateo (28). Contra Costa County lists 19 deaths so far.
San Francisco officials said Hispanics and Latinos made up 25 percent of its 1,157 confirmed cases. Whites comprised 19 percent whereas Asians were at 14 percent. Men made up 60 percent of the cases compared to 38 percent for women, according to the website.
Officials reported performing 10,855 tests with a 13 percent positive rate.
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Dr. Grant Colfax, the city’s health officer, described the need for a “fast-moving, comprehensive system to track cases and support people to prevent further spread as much as possible as we ultimately move out of shelter-in-place into a new phase of fighting the pandemic.”


mercurynews--2020-04-20--California’s marijuana 4/20 celebrations go virtual as industry adjusts to new reality

This Monday — and , really , all of April 2020 — was supposed to be big in the world of cannabis .
Since 1971 , when a group of Northern California teens started meeting at 4:20 p.m. each day to smoke weed and hunt for an elusive marijuana patch , the figure 420 has been tied to cannabis .
And so the fourth month of 2020 , and the date 4/20/20 in particular , was poised to give marijuana consumers extra cause to celebrate the industry ’ s unofficial holiday while offering legal cannabis companies a welcome marketing hook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic have pumped the brakes on most 4/20 celebrations .
Even in weed-friendly San Francisco , Mayor London Breed is threatening to arrest anyone who shows up for the state ’ s largest annual cannabis gathering at “ Hippie Hill ” in Golden Gate Park .
Beyond canceling holiday plans , the coronavirus has hit the cannabis industry hard .
After a short-lived spike in panic purchases last month , marijuana sales statewide are dropping .
And the coronavirus fallout is casting even more uncertainty over an industry that ’ s already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations , local business bans and a still-thriving illicit market .
“ Layer in global pandemic on top of everything , and it is just wild , and so much more unpredictable than it ever was , ” said Conrad Gregory , board president of the California Cannabis Industry Association and head of government relations at the Oakland-based chain Harborside .
Marijuana businesses are nothing if not resilient , though .
With shelter-in-place rules in effect , some shops are remaking their operations to match public health guidelines , while manufacturers are pivoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight .
Some 4/20 festivals are going virtual , including the Highstream 420 Festival , where Melissa Etheridge will perform to raise money for charity .
And many people received $ 1,200 stimulus checks from the federal government , which still classifies marijuana as an illegal drug on par with heroin , just in time to spend some of that money celebrating the marijuana industry ’ s holiday season .
The coronavirus outbreak threw just about every industry into chaos , and California ’ s marijuana companies were no exception .
On March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become the first in the nation to enforce stay-at-home rules , cannabis businesses were deemed non-essential .
But a day later , following a surge of protests focused largely on access for medical marijuana , the counties gave the OK for cannabis shops to stay open .
That policy went statewide March 20 , when Gov .
Gavin Newsom said licensed recreational and medical cannabis shops , plus the industry ’ s entire supply chain , were “ essential businesses.
” It ’ s one of the most liberal policies in the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recreational cannabis .
Nevada limits all sales to delivery , Colorado allows only curbside pickup and Massachusetts is limiting sales only to medical marijuana patients .
While those policies were up in the air , California ’ s marijuana shops saw a temporary but dramatic sales boom .
Industry data firm BDS Analytics reported business was up more than 140 % on March 16 when compared with the same day the year before .
Firm CEO Roy Bingham noted it was the highest sales day ever in California , even topping last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55 % of people who stocked up on products in those days said they did so as a way to stay calm during the pandemic , according to an online survey by American Marijuana , a website that publishes guides and reviews of CBD products .
Another 23 % said they were worried about product shortages , while 34 % said they had been using more marijuana since the outbreak started .
But that sales spike lasted about a week , after which California cannabis shops have struggled .
Bingham reports that recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 % below average .
At TerraTech , an Irvine company with cultivation and retail locations in California and Nevada , sales were down 65 % as of Thursday , according to chief executive Derek Peterson .
The company is selling real estate and has cut about one-third of its staff in the past three months , he said , with the coronavirus severely compounding previously existing problems .
The biggest issue , he said , is a lack of capital for an industry that ’ s still in start-up mode .
Marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loans because of federal law .
And funding from family offices , hedge funds and the Canadian market , where marijuana is legally nationally , has been drying up since last summer .
And when coronavirus pluged the world into a deep recession , whatever private capital was left evaporated .
Cannabis companies also aren ’ t eligible for federal coronavirus relief money , since marijuana remains illegal at the federal level .
That leaves cannabis businesses with no options for capital .
Even most ancillary businesses that don ’ t touch the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars .
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It didn ’ t last .
Politicians including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have voiced support for including cannabis businesses in the next round of federal stimulus money .
But some in the industry aren ’ t optimistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains and how many people need help .
“ The state didn ’ t do anything for us , either , ” Peterson said .
Many state leaders , he believes , think that allowing the industry to stay open solves the problem .
“ But being open as an essential business just means you have more fixed operating costs , ” Peterson said .
“ And if you don ’ t have the sales to support that , you ’ re in a bad place.
” That ’ s why many industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies will fold during the coronavirus pandemic , though Bulbulyan says the virus will simply accelerate failures that were already inevitable .

This Monday — and, really, all of April 2020 — was supposed to be big in the world of cannabis.
Since 1971, when a group of Northern California teens started meeting at 4:20 p.m. each day to smoke weed and hunt for an elusive marijuana patch, the figure 420 has been tied to cannabis. And so the fourth month of 2020, and the date 4/20/20 in particular, was poised to give marijuana consumers extra cause to celebrate the industry’s unofficial holiday while offering legal cannabis companies a welcome marketing hook.
But shelter-at-home orders tied to the coronavirus pandemic have pumped the brakes on most 4/20 celebrations. Even in weed-friendly San Francisco, Mayor London Breed is threatening to arrest anyone who shows up for the state’s largest annual cannabis gathering at “Hippie Hill” in Golden Gate Park.
Beyond canceling holiday plans, the coronavirus has hit the cannabis industry hard.
After a short-lived spike in panic purchases last month, marijuana sales statewide are dropping. And the coronavirus fallout is casting even more uncertainty over an industry that’s already struggling due to high taxes, stiff regulations, local business bans and a still-thriving illicit market.
“Layer in global pandemic on top of everything, and it is just wild, and so much more unpredictable than it ever was,” said Conrad Gregory, board president of the California Cannabis Industry Association and head of government relations at the Oakland-based chain Harborside.
Marijuana businesses are nothing if not resilient, though.
With shelter-in-place rules in effect, some shops are remaking their operations to match public health guidelines, while manufacturers are pivoting to make supplies needed in the coronavirus fight.
Some 4/20 festivals are going virtual, including the Highstream 420 Festival, where Melissa Etheridge will perform to raise money for charity. And many people received $1,200 stimulus checks from the federal government, which still classifies marijuana as an illegal drug on par with heroin, just in time to spend some of that money celebrating the marijuana industry’s holiday season.
From chaos to essential
The coronavirus outbreak threw just about every industry into chaos, and California’s marijuana companies were no exception.
On March 16, when six Bay Area counties become the first in the nation to enforce stay-at-home rules, cannabis businesses were deemed non-essential. But a day later, following a surge of protests focused largely on access for medical marijuana, the counties gave the OK for cannabis shops to stay open.
That policy went statewide March 20, when Gov. Gavin Newsom said licensed recreational and medical cannabis shops, plus the industry’s entire supply chain, were “essential businesses.” It’s one of the most liberal policies in the nation, even among states that have legalized recreational cannabis. Nevada limits all sales to delivery, Colorado allows only curbside pickup and Massachusetts is limiting sales only to medical marijuana patients.
While those policies were up in the air, California’s marijuana shops saw a temporary but dramatic sales boom. Industry data firm BDS Analytics reported business was up more than 140% on March 16 when compared with the same day the year before. Firm CEO Roy Bingham noted it was the highest sales day ever in California, even topping last year’s historic 4/20 sales.
Some 55% of people who stocked up on products in those days said they did so as a way to stay calm during the pandemic, according to an online survey by American Marijuana, a website that publishes guides and reviews of CBD products. Another 23% said they were worried about product shortages, while 34% said they had been using more marijuana since the outbreak started.
Challenges compound for industry
But that sales spike lasted about a week, after which California cannabis shops have struggled. Bingham reports that recent sales have been running as much as 20% below average.
At TerraTech, an Irvine company with cultivation and retail locations in California and Nevada, sales were down 65% as of Thursday, according to chief executive Derek Peterson. The company is selling real estate and has cut about one-third of its staff in the past three months, he said, with the coronavirus severely compounding previously existing problems.
The biggest issue, he said, is a lack of capital for an industry that’s still in start-up mode. Marijuana businesses can’t access traditional bank loans because of federal law. And funding from family offices, hedge funds and the Canadian market, where marijuana is legally nationally, has been drying up since last summer. And when coronavirus pluged the world into a deep recession, whatever private capital was left evaporated.
Cannabis companies also aren’t eligible for federal coronavirus relief money, since marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. That leaves cannabis businesses with no options for capital.
Even most ancillary businesses that don’t touch the plant are cut off from federal stimulus dollars.
Politicians including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have voiced support for including cannabis businesses in the next round of federal stimulus money. But some in the industry aren’t optimistic, given how politically charged the bill remains and how many people need help.
“The state didn’t do anything for us, either,” Peterson said. Many state leaders, he believes, think that allowing the industry to stay open solves the problem. “But being open as an essential business just means you have more fixed operating costs,” Peterson said. “And if you don’t have the sales to support that, you’re in a bad place.”
That’s why many industry experts predict a significant number of cannabis companies will fold during the coronavirus pandemic, though Bulbulyan says the virus will simply accelerate failures that were already inevitable.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--California music industry, lawmakers, unions agree on revamp to AB5

California ’ s music industry has reached a hard-fought agreement with state lawmakers and unions on Assembly Bill 5 amendments that will again allow most professionals to operate as independent contractors .
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez , D-San Diego , authored AB5 with the backing of union interests .
The bill was designed to protect workers ’ rights by changing their status from independent contractors to employees , which affords them benefits and protections they otherwise wouldn ’ t have .
But the law had the reverse effect on a variety of self-employed workers , and none have been more adversely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musicians , singers and songwriters who performed at a club were considered self-employed .
But the legislation reclassified them as direct employees of the venue .
So instead of simply writing a check to pay artists , club owners have been forced to issue a W2 form to each player , while also providing a variety of protections , ranging from unemployment insurance and Social Security benefits to disability insurance and workers ’ compensation coverage .
An artist who hired backup musicians would likewise be considered an employer of those players and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits and protections .
Many club owners didn ’ t want to shoulder the additional expense and red tape , so they stopped providing live entertainment , putting scores of musicians out of work .
The bill has created similar ripples for scores of others in the industry .
The pending amendments to AB5 , announced by Gonzalez alongside Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon , D-Whittier , will be considered by the state Legislature when it reconvenes .
“ We all hope for an urgency measure , ” said singer/songwriter Ari Herstand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United to exempt musicians from the constraints of AB5 .
“ That only happens if you get a two-thirds vote from both the Assembly and Senate .
But if you do get that , it goes into effect immediately.
” Mitch Glazier , chairman , and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America , applauded the revamp .
“ The amendments appropriately narrow the effect of AB5 to clarify that music professionals , due to the unique nature of our business , can not be treated as an employer every time they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new language has been agreed upon by the Recording Industry Association of America , American Association of Independent Music , American Federation of Musicians , Screen Actors Guild and Teamsters , among others .
“ I had lots of sleepless nights to get musicians relief under AB5 , but I ’ m happy we were able to come to an agreement , ” Herstand said .
“ We didn ’ t get 100 % of what we wanted .
We weren ’ t able to exempt small orchestras and small community theater productions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
” The language also specifically provides for unions to continue to organize the work of recording artists , musicians , singers and others , ensuring that current and future collective bargaining agreements will always govern in California .
Herstand hopes to see the music industry begin to rebound in late summer or early fall , depending on how quickly the COVID-19 pandemic is reined in .
But he ’ s not waiting around .
“ I launched a virtual UnCancelled Music Festival that is live-streamed around the world to support artists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In the first week and a half we raised almost $ 100,000 .
We feature 10 to 12 artists a day.
” The money was generated through online ticket sales and tips for the artists .

California’s music industry has reached a hard-fought agreement with state lawmakers and unions on Assembly Bill 5 amendments that will again allow most professionals to operate as independent contractors.
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, authored AB5 with the backing of union interests. The bill was designed to protect workers’ rights by changing their status from independent contractors to employees, which affords them benefits and protections they otherwise wouldn’t have.
But the law had the reverse effect on a variety of self-employed workers, and none have been more adversely impacted than musicians.
Before AB5, musicians, singers and songwriters who performed at a club were considered self-employed. But the legislation reclassified them as direct employees of the venue. So instead of simply writing a check to pay artists, club owners have been forced to issue a W2 form to each player, while also providing a variety of protections, ranging from unemployment insurance and Social Security benefits to disability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
An artist who hired backup musicians would likewise be considered an employer of those players and would have to provide them with the same benefits and protections.
Many club owners didn’t want to shoulder the additional expense and red tape, so they stopped providing live entertainment, putting scores of musicians out of work. The bill has created similar ripples for scores of others in the industry.
The pending amendments to AB5, announced by Gonzalez alongside Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, D-Whittier, will be considered by the state Legislature when it reconvenes.
“We all hope for an urgency measure,” said singer/songwriter Ari Herstand, who helped found California Independent Music Professionals United to exempt musicians from the constraints of AB5. “That only happens if you get a two-thirds vote from both the Assembly and Senate. But if you do get that, it goes into effect immediately.”
Mitch Glazier, chairman, and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America, applauded the revamp.
“The amendments appropriately narrow the effect of AB5 to clarify that music professionals, due to the unique nature of our business, cannot be treated as an employer every time they collaborate,” he said.
The new language has been agreed upon by the Recording Industry Association of America, American Association of Independent Music, American Federation of Musicians, Screen Actors Guild and Teamsters, among others.
Sleepless nights
“I had lots of sleepless nights to get musicians relief under AB5, but I’m happy we were able to come to an agreement,” Herstand said. “We didn’t get 100% of what we wanted. We weren’t able to exempt small orchestras and small community theater productions … they wouldn’t budge on that.”
The language also specifically provides for unions to continue to organize the work of recording artists, musicians, singers and others, ensuring that current and future collective bargaining agreements will always govern in California.
Virtual festival
Herstand hopes to see the music industry begin to rebound in late summer or early fall, depending on how quickly the COVID-19 pandemic is reined in. But he’s not waiting around.
“I launched a virtual UnCancelled Music Festival that is live-streamed around the world to support artists and music venues,” he said. “In the first week and a half we raised almost $100,000. We feature 10 to 12 artists a day.”
The money was generated through online ticket sales and tips for the artists.


mercurynews--2020-04-20--Here’s a look at the coronavirus’s economic hit to California and the U.S.

The coronavirus pandemic and its associated shutdowns created a bleak job market , statewide and nationally .
Jobless claims soared through mid-April .
Employment levels in March are down but don ’ t fully reflect the layoff spree .
Here are the weekly initial unemployment claims in California from January 2010 to April 11 , 2020 : California ’ s month-over-month jobs data shows that March 2020 had the biggest monthly loss for the state since 2009 .
WalletHub released a study of which states had the biggest increases in unemployment due to the pandemic .
California ranks 45th .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected .
Have you lost your job or had your work hours reduced ?
File and manage your Unemployment Insurance claim using the UI Online website : edd.ca.gov/UI_Online • Certify for benefits and get paid faster .
• Choose a personal image and caption .
Select and answer four security questions .
• Check your email .
Select the unique link within 48 hours of receiving the email to complete the process or you ’ ll need to start over .
• Important : Check your junk/spam folder if you don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here ’ s how to file your UI claim : • Log in to Benefit Programs Online and select UI Online to get started .
• Provide your general information , last employer information , and employment history .
• Review the information you provided on the summary page and then select Submit .
• Note : After submitting your claim , a confirmation page will display .
You may keep your confirmation number for your records .
UI Online is available during the times listed below : California ’ s self-employed workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income slashed due to COVID-19 will have the chance to apply for federal relief — but not until the end of April .
The state ’ s Employment Development Department is creating a one-stop website for people to apply for as much as $ 600 a week for their unemployed time from March 29 .

The coronavirus pandemic and its associated shutdowns created a bleak job market, statewide and nationally. Jobless claims soared through mid-April. Employment levels in March are down but don’t fully reflect the layoff spree.
Here are the weekly initial unemployment claims in California from January 2010 to April 11, 2020:
California’s month-over-month jobs data shows that March 2020 had the biggest monthly loss for the state since 2009.
Sectors
California sectors that shed jobs in March:
National picture
WalletHub released a study of which states had the biggest increases in unemployment due to the pandemic. California ranks 45th. The map shows the Top 10 most affected.
Initial jobless claims in the U.S.(Weekly, seasonally adjusted)
How to file
Have you lost your job or had your work hours reduced? File and manage your Unemployment Insurance claim using the UI Online website: edd.ca.gov/UI_Online
File or reopen a claim.
Certify for benefits and get paid faster.
Create a Benefit Programedd.ca.gov/BPO
Choose a personal image and caption. Select and answer four security questions.
Check your email. Select the unique link within 48 hours of receiving the email to complete the process or you’ll need to start over.
Important: Check your junk/spam folder if you don’t see this message in your inbox.
Here’s how to file your UI claim:
Log in to Benefit Programs Online and select UI Online to get started.
Select file a claim.
Provide your general information, last employer information, and employment history.
Review the information you provided on the summary page and then select Submit.
Note: After submitting your claim, a confirmation page will display. You may keep your confirmation number for your records.
UI Online is available during the times listed below:
Mon. 4 a.m.-10 p.m.
Tues.-Friday 2 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sat. 2 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sun. 5 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Contractors needing relief
California’s self-employed workers and independent contractors who have seen their income slashed due to COVID-19 will have the chance to apply for federal relief — but not until the end of April.
The state’s Employment Development Department is creating a one-stop website for people to apply for as much as $600 a week for their unemployed time from March 29.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oxford Economics/Haver, WalletHub, California Employment Development Department


mercurynews--2020-04-20--49ers draft preview: Any space in linebacker room for one more?

Patrick Willis reset the 49ers ’ standard for linebackers upon his 2007 arrival , and 11 linebackers have followed in 12 drafts since then .
Some succeeded .
Some flopped .
Some retired .
And some are flourishing , such as 2018 third-round pick Fred Warner and ’ 19 fifth-rounder Dre Greenlaw .
Could the 49ers still draft another linebacker onto a young corps , which gained inspiration and leadership last year from pricey free agent Kwon Alexander ?
That could depend on the 49ers ’ ability to trade back into the second , third and fourth rounds where linebackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at how the 49ers ’ draft shapes up regarding linebackers : Who ’ s here : Warner , Alexander and Greenlaw are returning starters .
Azeez Al-Shaair saw action as an undrafted rookie but sat out the playoffs upon Alexander ’ s return from a midseason pectoral tear .
Alexander ’ s longevity is a concern , not his intensity or passion .
Veterans Mark Nzeocha and Joe Walker add depth , along with Joey Alfieri and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles .
Cream of the crop : Clemson ’ s Isaiah Simmons is a top-10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40-yard dash at the scouting combine .
His athleticism and coverage ability could make him an instant All-Pro and surely gone by the 49ers at No .
13 in the draft .
Film critic : Oklahoma ’ s Kenneth Murray ( 6-2 , 241 pounds ) said at the combine he watches five to six hours of film a day .
But not all on his upcoming opponents .
“ I watch Ray Lewis highlights before every game , still to this day , ” Murray said .
“ Just try to pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pattern my play after Ray Lewis.
” Support local : Cal ’ s Evan Weaver led the nation with a school-record 182 tackles this past season , and that magnetism toward the football will carry over to the NFL .
“ He ’ s excited for the next level .
He knows he ’ s going to have to prove a lot of people wrong , ” Weaver ’ s father , Todd , said before Cal ’ s RedBox Bowl finale .
Appalachian trail : Akeem Davis-Gaither could be the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking to prove their way onto the 49ers , who used fifth-round picks on center Daniel Kilgore ( 2011 ) and defensive end Ronald Blair ( 2016 ) .
“ That ’ s the motto : Once you go to App State , you come in and you ’ re an underdog .
I thrived off that underdog mentality , ” Davis-Gaither said at the combine .
Oregon innovation : Troy Dye created his own pro-day video for clubs unable to see him in person amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Dye ( 6-3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lead Oregon in tackles four straight seasons .
Drafted since 2007 : Willis ( ’ 07 , first round ) , Larry Grant ( ’ 08 , seventh ) , Scott McKillop ( ’ 09 , fifth ) , NaVorro Bowman ( ’ 10 , third ) , Darius Fleming ( ’ 12 , fifth ) , Nick Moody ( ’ 13 , third ) , Chris Borland ( ’ 14 , third ) , Eli Harold ( ’ 15 , third ) , Reuben Foster ( ’ 17 , first ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth ) , Warner ( ’ 18 , third ) , Greenlaw ( ’ 19 , fifth ) .
• ‘ No pandemic playbook ’ : Sports grapples with how to return • 49ers draft preview : Dare they add yet another safety ?
• April 18 : The day Joe Montana said goodbye to football • On this date , April 18 : When the Bay Area lost Joe Montana for good

Patrick Willis reset the 49ers’ standard for linebackers upon his 2007 arrival, and 11 linebackers have followed in 12 drafts since then.
Some succeeded. Some flopped. Some retired.
And some are flourishing, such as 2018 third-round pick Fred Warner and ’19 fifth-rounder Dre Greenlaw.
Could the 49ers still draft another linebacker onto a young corps, which gained inspiration and leadership last year from pricey free agent Kwon Alexander?
That could depend on the 49ers’ ability to trade back into the second, third and fourth rounds where linebackers typically go.
Here is a look at how the 49ers’ draft shapes up regarding linebackers:
Priority: Low
Who’s here: Warner, Alexander and Greenlaw are returning starters. Azeez Al-Shaair saw action as an undrafted rookie but sat out the playoffs upon Alexander’s return from a midseason pectoral tear. Alexander’s longevity is a concern, not his intensity or passion. Veterans Mark Nzeocha and Joe Walker add depth, along with Joey Alfieri and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.
Cream of the crop: Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons is a top-10 prospect, as assured by his 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. His athleticism and coverage ability could make him an instant All-Pro and surely gone by the 49ers at No. 13 in the draft.
Film critic: Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray (6-2, 241 pounds) said at the combine he watches five to six hours of film a day. But not all on his upcoming opponents. “I watch Ray Lewis highlights before every game, still to this day,” Murray said. “Just try to pattern my leadership after Ray Lewis and try to pattern my play after Ray Lewis.”
Support local: Cal’s Evan Weaver led the nation with a school-record 182 tackles this past season, and that magnetism toward the football will carry over to the NFL. “He’s excited for the next level. He knows he’s going to have to prove a lot of people wrong,” Weaver’s father, Todd, said before Cal’s RedBox Bowl finale.
Appalachian trail: Akeem Davis-Gaither could be the latest in a line of Appalachian State players looking to prove their way onto the 49ers, who used fifth-round picks on center Daniel Kilgore (2011) and defensive end Ronald Blair (2016). “That’s the motto: Once you go to App State, you come in and you’re an underdog. I thrived off that underdog mentality,” Davis-Gaither said at the combine.
Oregon innovation: Troy Dye created his own pro-day video for clubs unable to see him in person amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dye (6-3, 231) is the only player to lead Oregon in tackles four straight seasons.
Here is another make-shift Pro Day: This time, #Oregon LB Troy Dye, who played the second half of the season with a club on his hand for a broken thumb and a meniscus tear that cost him postseason games and workouts. The potential Friday pick wanted to show teams he’s heathy: pic.twitter.com/kwVBNVYWzd — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 9, 2020