mercurynews--2020-05-20--Coronavirus: Fourth Oakland officer positive for COVID-19

OAKLAND — A fourth Oakland Police Department officer has tested positive for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus , authorities said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ police said the officer was a patrol officer , different from the department ’ s @ @ @ @ @ tested positive nearly two months ago but were not responding to public calls from residents @ @ @ @ @ officer , who has not been on duty since May 14 , tested positive Monday @ @ @ @ @ “ off-site , self-quarantined and recovering , ” an Oakland police officer said .
• @ @ @ @ @ Area hunt for patient zero , no infections found in November or December • Walter @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , after seven delays • These states are accused of fudging or bungling coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ been following Alameda County ’ s public health order and the Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ as well as using PPE ( personal protective equipment ) , training from the Oakland @ @ @ @ @ for first responders .

OAKLAND — Two Oakland Police Department officers have tested positive for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, authorities said this week.
In a statement Tuesday, police said the fourth officer was a patrol officer, different from the department’s three earlier officers who all tested positive nearly two months ago but were not responding to public calls from residents at the time.
That officer, who has not been on duty since May 14, tested positive Monday evening, while the fifth officer, who was on duty Tuesday, tested positive Wednesday. Both are now “off-site, self-quarantined and recovering,” an Oakland police officer said.
More than 330 officers have been tested, and the department plans to increase its testing with help from Hayward Fire Department’s mobile testing van and a series of pre-work shift screenings.
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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 Department personnel have been following Alameda County’s public health order and the Centers for Disease Control’s COVID-19 guidelines, as well as using PPE (personal protective equipment like masks, gloves and sanitizer), training from the Oakland Fire Department and city-provided testing for first responders.
OPD Interim Deputy Chief Roland Holmgren brief the media regarding our 4th case of an employee who tested positive for COVID-19. Today, a mobile testing van came to OPD to provide additional testing for our employees, keeping first responders safe as they serve our community. pic.twitter.com/aeHknoXyYF — Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) May 20, 2020
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-05-20--San Jose: Authorities identify man killed in stabbing

SAN JOSE — A man killed over the weekend in a double stabbing in San Jose ’ s Alum Rock @ @ @ @ @ 51-year-old Gilroy resident Francisco Ibarra , according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner ’ @ @ @ @ @ was reported just before 8 p.m. Sunday on the 400 block of North Capitol Avenue @ @ @ @ @ scene to find two men suffering from at least one stab wound each , according @ @ @ @ @ were rushed to an area hospital , where one died of his injuries .
The @ @ @ @ @ were described as not life-threatening .
No suspects have been arrested , San Jose police @ @ @ @ @ .
The death marked San Jose ’ s 12th homicide of the year .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ can contact San Jose police Detective Sgt .
Ali Miri or Detective Gabriel Cuenca , @ @ @ @ @ Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at svcrimestoppers.org .
Tipsters may be eligible for @ @ @ @

SAN JOSE — A man killed in a double stabbing in San Jose’s Alum Rock neighborhood over the weekend has been identified as 51-year-old Gilroy resident Francisco Ibarra, according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.
The stabbing was reported just before 8 p.m. Sunday on the 400 block of North Capitol Avenue.
Officers arrived at the scene to find two men suffering from at least one stab wound each, according to police. The victims were rushed to an area hospital, where one died of his injuries. The other victim’s injuries were described as not life-threatening.
No suspects have been arrested, San Jose police Officer Gina Tepoorten said Tuesday.
The death marked San Jose’s 12th homicide of the year.
Anyone with information about the stabbing can contact San Jose police Detective Sgt. Ali Miri or Detective Gabriel Cuenca, or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at svcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.


mercurynews--2020-05-20--My ‘decision to make’: Trump defends criticized use of drug

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — President Donald Trump emphatically defended himself Tuesday against criticism from medical experts that his announced use of a malaria drug against the coronavirus could spark wide misuse by Americans of the unproven treatment with potentially fatal side effects .
Trump ’ s revelation a day earlier that he was taking hydroxychloroquine caught many in his administration by surprise and set off an urgent effort by officials to justify his action .
But their attempt to address the concerns of health professionals was undercut by the president himself .
He asserted without evidence that a study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ false ” and an “ enemy statement , ” even as his own government warned that the drug should be administered for COVID-19 only in a hospital or research setting .
“ If you look at the one survey , the only bad survey , they were giving it to people that were in very bad shape , ” Trump said .
That was an apparent reference to a study of hundreds of patients treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs in which more of those in a group who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t .
“ They were very old .
Almost dead , ” Trump said .
“ It was a Trump enemy statement.
” During a Cabinet meeting , he elicited a defense of his practice from other officials , including VA Secretary Robert Wilkie who noted that the study in question was not conducted by his agency .
But the drug has not been shown to combat the virus in a multitude of other studies as well .
Two large observational studies , each involving around 1,400 patients in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydroxychloroquine .
Two new ones published last week in the medical journal BMJ reached the same conclusion .
No large , rigorous studies have found the drug safe or effective for preventing or treating COVID-19 .
Trump said he decided to take hydroxychloroquine after two White House staffers tested positive for the disease , but he already had spent months promoting the drug as a potential cure or preventive despite the cautionary advice of many of his administration ’ s top medical professionals .
“ This is an individual decision to make , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans .
He later claimed , “ It ’ s gotten a bad reputation only because I ’ m promoting it.
” Many studies are testing hydroxychloroquine for preventing or limiting coronavirus illness but “ at this point in time there ’ s absolutely no evidence that this strategy works , ” said Dr. Carlos del Rio , an infectious-disease specialist at Emory University in Atlanta .
“ My concern is , the president has a big bully pulpit … maybe people will think there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug works because Trump has chosen to use it , del Rio said .
“ It creates this conspiracy theory that something works and they ’ re not telling me about it yet.
” The veterans study that Trump slammed was an analysis by researchers at several universities of hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin in COVID-19 patients at veterans hospitals across the nation .
It found no benefit and more deaths among those given hydroxychloroquine versus standard care alone .
The work was posted on an online site for researchers and has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Virginia paid for the work .
Addressing concerns that Trump ’ s example could lead people to misuse the drug , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that “ tens of millions of people around the world have used this drug for other purposes , ” including malaria prophylaxis .
She emphasized , “ You have to have a prescription .
That ’ s the way it must be done.
” The drug is also prescribed for some lupus and arthritis patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommend hydroxychloroquine to him , but that he requested it from the White House physician .
That physician , Dr. Sean Conley , said in a statement that , after “ numerous discussions ” with Trump , “ we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks.
” The Food and Drug Administration warned health professionals last month that the drug should not be used to treat COVID-19 outside hospital or research settings because of sometimes-fatal side effects .
Regulators issued the alert , in part , based on increased reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. poison control centers .
Calls to centers involving hydroxychloroquine increased last month to 96 , compared with 49 in April 2019 , according to data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers provided to the AP .
It was the second month of elevated reports involving the drug , following 79 calls in March .
The problems reported included abnormal heart rhythms , seizures , nausea and vomiting .
Trump dismissed reports of side effects , claiming , “ What has been determined is it doesn ’ t harm you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it doesn ’ t harm you.
” He added , “ I ’ ve had no impact from it.
” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in an emailed statement Tuesday : “ The decision to take any drug is ultimately a decision between a patient and their doctor.
” As research started to emerge that hydroxychloroquine was not helpful , and even potentially harmful , in battling COVID-19 , the president ’ s public rhetoric in support of the drug had faded .
But his private hopes had not , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the White House not authorized to speak publicly about private discussions .
Trump also lashed out at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , calling her a “ sick woman ” who has “ a lot of mental problems ” after she questioned Trump ’ s use of the drug because he is 73 and falsely labeled him “ morbidly obese.
” Her comments were followed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer , who told MSNBC that Trump ’ s move was “ reckless , reckless , reckless.
“ Trump ’ s presumptive Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , chastised the president for being irresponsible in taking hydroxychloroquine .
“ What is he doing ?
What in God ’ s name is he doing ?
” Biden said during a Yahoo News town hall Tuesday night .
“ The words of a president matter.
” After two staffers were known to test positive for COVID-19 earlier this month , the White House mandated that those in the West Wing wear face coverings and introduced daily testing for the president , vice president and those they come in close contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was not taking the drug because his doctor did not recommend it , but said he “ would never begrudge any American taking the advice of their physician.
” Prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine surged roughly 80 % in March to more than 830,000 compared with same period in the prior year , according to data tracking firm IQVIA .
That jump in prescribing came before the federal government accepted nearly 30 million doses of the drug donated to the strategic national stockpile by foreign drugmakers .
Since then , millions of those tablets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for use treating patients with COVID-19 .
Marchione reported from Milwaukee and Lemire reported from New York .
AP writers Matthew Perrone , Will Weissert and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report .

By ZEKE MILLER, MARILYNN MARCHIONE and JONATHAN LEMIRE
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump emphatically defended himself Tuesday against criticism from medical experts that his announced use of a malaria drug against the coronavirus could spark wide misuse by Americans of the unproven treatment with potentially fatal side effects.
Trump’s revelation a day earlier that he was taking hydroxychloroquine caught many in his administration by surprise and set off an urgent effort by officials to justify his action. But their attempt to address the concerns of health professionals was undercut by the president himself.
He asserted without evidence that a study of veterans raising alarm about the drug was “false” and an “enemy statement,” even as his own government warned that the drug should be administered for COVID-19 only in a hospital or research setting.
“If you look at the one survey, the only bad survey, they were giving it to people that were in very bad shape,” Trump said. That was an apparent reference to a study of hundreds of patients treated by the Department of Veterans Affairs in which more of those in a group who were administered hydroxychloroquine died than among those who weren’t.
“They were very old. Almost dead,” Trump said. “It was a Trump enemy statement.” During a Cabinet meeting, he elicited a defense of his practice from other officials, including VA Secretary Robert Wilkie who noted that the study in question was not conducted by his agency.
But the drug has not been shown to combat the virus in a multitude of other studies as well. Two large observational studies, each involving around 1,400 patients in New York, recently found no COVID benefit from hydroxychloroquine. Two new ones published last week in the medical journal BMJ reached the same conclusion.
No large, rigorous studies have found the drug safe or effective for preventing or treating COVID-19.
Trump said he decided to take hydroxychloroquine after two White House staffers tested positive for the disease, but he already had spent months promoting the drug as a potential cure or preventive despite the cautionary advice of many of his administration’s top medical professionals.
“This is an individual decision to make,” Trump told reporters during a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans. He later claimed, “It’s gotten a bad reputation only because I’m promoting it.”
Many studies are testing hydroxychloroquine for preventing or limiting coronavirus illness but “at this point in time there’s absolutely no evidence that this strategy works,” said Dr. Carlos del Rio, an infectious-disease specialist at Emory University in Atlanta.
“My concern is, the president has a big bully pulpit … maybe people will think there’s some non-public evidence” that the drug works because Trump has chosen to use it, del Rio said. “It creates this conspiracy theory that something works and they’re not telling me about it yet.”
The veterans study that Trump slammed was an analysis by researchers at several universities of hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin in COVID-19 patients at veterans hospitals across the nation. It found no benefit and more deaths among those given hydroxychloroquine versus standard care alone. The work was posted on an online site for researchers and has not been reviewed by other scientists. Grants from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Virginia paid for the work.
Addressing concerns that Trump’s example could lead people to misuse the drug, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that “tens of millions of people around the world have used this drug for other purposes,” including malaria prophylaxis. She emphasized, “You have to have a prescription. That’s the way it must be done.”
The drug is also prescribed for some lupus and arthritis patients.
Trump said his doctor did not recommend hydroxychloroquine to him, but that he requested it from the White House physician.
That physician, Dr. Sean Conley, said in a statement that, after “numerous discussions” with Trump, “we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks.”
The Food and Drug Administration warned health professionals last month that the drug should not be used to treat COVID-19 outside hospital or research settings because of sometimes-fatal side effects. Regulators issued the alert, in part, based on increased reports of dangerous side effects called in to U.S. poison control centers.
Calls to centers involving hydroxychloroquine increased last month to 96, compared with 49 in April 2019, according to data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers provided to the AP. It was the second month of elevated reports involving the drug, following 79 calls in March. The problems reported included abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, nausea and vomiting.
Trump dismissed reports of side effects, claiming, “What has been determined is it doesn’t harm you. Very powerful drug, I guess, but it doesn’t harm you.”
He added, “I’ve had no impact from it.”
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in an emailed statement Tuesday: “The decision to take any drug is ultimately a decision between a patient and their doctor.”
As research started to emerge that hydroxychloroquine was not helpful, and even potentially harmful, in battling COVID-19, the president’s public rhetoric in support of the drug had faded. But his private hopes had not, according to three White House officials and Republicans close to the White House not authorized to speak publicly about private discussions.
Trump also lashed out at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, calling her a “sick woman” who has “a lot of mental problems” after she questioned Trump’s use of the drug because he is 73 and falsely labeled him “morbidly obese.” Her comments were followed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who told MSNBC that Trump’s move was “reckless, reckless, reckless.“
Trump’s presumptive Democratic opponent in the 2020 election, Joe Biden, chastised the president for being irresponsible in taking hydroxychloroquine.
“What is he doing? What in God’s name is he doing?” Biden said during a Yahoo News town hall Tuesday night. “The words of a president matter.”
After two staffers were known to test positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, the White House mandated that those in the West Wing wear face coverings and introduced daily testing for the president, vice president and those they come in close contact with.
Pence told Fox on Tuesday that he was not taking the drug because his doctor did not recommend it, but said he “would never begrudge any American taking the advice of their physician.”
Prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine surged roughly 80% in March to more than 830,000 compared with same period in the prior year, according to data tracking firm IQVIA. That jump in prescribing came before the federal government accepted nearly 30 million doses of the drug donated to the strategic national stockpile by foreign drugmakers. Since then, millions of those tablets have been shipped to U.S. hospitals nationwide for use treating patients with COVID-19.
___
Marchione reported from Milwaukee and Lemire reported from New York. AP writers Matthew Perrone, Will Weissert and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-05-20--Letter: How many of us are dismayed with our election process?

How many of us are dismayed with our state and federal election processes , tired of the lack of candidate choices , mudslinging campaigns , and voting against the candidate you don ’ t like instead of voting for a candidate you do like ?
Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank their choices among the candidates rather than selecting just one .
Ranked choice voting gives candidates outside the two major parties an opportunity .
It encourages candidates to seek consensus beyond their respective parties while reducing muck-raking tactics , gives underrepresented voters a voice , encourages voter turnout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite without fear of splitting the vote or merely voting for the least offensive .
• Letter : Eid will be different this year with shelter rules • Letter : We ’ ve rallied to fight virus , we can do it for the earth • Letter : Purpose of government is to provide for its citizens • Letter : ‘ Bookish ’ inspires me to share my favorites The state of Maine and many cities around the country use ranked choice voting , none having problems counting ballots .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Join the RCV movement ( www.FairVote.org ) .
Petition Gov .
Gavin Newsom to sign ranked choice voting legislation in California .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

I’m tired of voting against
a candidate I don’t like
How many of us are dismayed with our state and federal election processes, tired of the lack of candidate choices, mudslinging campaigns, and voting against the candidate you don’t like instead of voting for a candidate you do like?
The solution? Ranked choice voting.
Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank their choices among the candidates rather than selecting just one. Ranked choice voting gives candidates outside the two major parties an opportunity. It encourages candidates to seek consensus beyond their respective parties while reducing muck-raking tactics, gives underrepresented voters a voice, encourages voter turnout, allows one to vote for their favorite without fear of splitting the vote or merely voting for the least offensive.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps The state of Maine and many cities around the country use ranked choice voting, none having problems counting ballots. It’s time to improve our election system. Join the RCV movement (www.FairVote.org). Petition Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign ranked choice voting legislation in California.
David Stahl
San Jose
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-05-20--KPIX-TV mystery: Where is Veronica De La Cruz?

Many Bay Area viewers who watch KPIX ( CBS5 ) newscasts on a regular basis have been wondering where Veronica De La Cruz is .
The co-anchor of the station ’ s 6 p.m. weeknight telecast has been absent for more than a month , triggering a flurry of gossip and speculation that has gone unaddressed by management .
This past weekend , Bay Area media blogger Rich Lieberman — citing anonymous sources — reported that De La Cruz is recovering from the coronavirus and has “ told friends and associates that she ’ s planning on being back at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lieberman wrote that he attempted to reach out to De La Cruz for comment , but she “ did not immediately respond.
” Nor has she responded to several messages from the Bay Area News Group seeking confirmation .
Likewise , social media offers no clues .
De La Cruz ’ s most recent post on Twitter was March 23 and her last post on Facebook was 20 days earlier .
Neither addressed her on-screen absence .
On Tuesday , we reached out to Mike Nelson , Senior Vice President of Communications for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succinct reply : “ Medical privacy laws do not allow us to comment on the status of individuals.
” That , at least , makes it clear a medical issue has kept De La Cruz off the air .
But if she did indeed contract COVID-19 , it ’ s interesting that she chose not to bring a journalist ’ s perspective to the biggest story of the year .
After all , several reporters , including CBS ’ s own Lesley Stahl , have shared accounts of their battles with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ 60 Minutes , ” Stahl revealed that she had been diagnosed with the coronavirus and had managed to make a full recovery after being hospitalized .
In recent posts , Lieberman claims to have been contacted by some KPIX employees who are concerned about her well-being as well as any health risks she might have raised if she did contract the virus .
KPIX , like all Bay Area TV stations , has been largely vacant since shelter-in-place edicts were issued , as many staff members and reporters work from home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 after spending time at CNN and MSNBC .

Many Bay Area viewers who watch KPIX (CBS5) newscasts on a regular basis have been wondering where Veronica De La Cruz is.
The co-anchor of the station’s 6 p.m. weeknight telecast has been absent for more than a month, triggering a flurry of gossip and speculation that has gone unaddressed by management.
This past weekend, Bay Area media blogger Rich Lieberman — citing anonymous sources — reported that De La Cruz is recovering from the coronavirus and has “told friends and associates that she’s planning on being back at KPIX within the next two weeks.”
Lieberman wrote that he attempted to reach out to De La Cruz for comment, but she “did not immediately respond.” Nor has she responded to several messages from the Bay Area News Group seeking confirmation.
Likewise, social media offers no clues. De La Cruz’s most recent post on Twitter was March 23 and her last post on Facebook was 20 days earlier. Neither addressed her on-screen absence.
On Tuesday, we reached out to Mike Nelson, Senior Vice President of Communications for CBS Television Stations, who issued a succinct reply: “Medical privacy laws do not allow us to comment on the status of individuals.”
That, at least, makes it clear a medical issue has kept De La Cruz off the air. But if she did indeed contract COVID-19, it’s interesting that she chose not to bring a journalist’s perspective to the biggest story of the year.
After all, several reporters, including CBS’s own Lesley Stahl, have shared accounts of their battles with the virus. During a May 3 airing of “60 Minutes,” Stahl revealed that she had been diagnosed with the coronavirus and had managed to make a full recovery after being hospitalized.
In recent posts, Lieberman claims to have been contacted by some KPIX employees who are concerned about her well-being as well as any health risks she might have raised if she did contract the virus.
KPIX, like all Bay Area TV stations, has been largely vacant since shelter-in-place edicts were issued, as many staff members and reporters work from home.
De La Cruz came to KPIX in 2014 after spending time at CNN and MSNBC.


mercurynews--2020-05-20--‘Pokemon Go’: Legendary trio Reshiram, Zekrom and Kyurem coming to five-star raids

“ Pokemon Go ” fans will finally have a crack at the Unova region ’ s top legendary trio .
The cover monsters Reshiram , Zekrom and Kyurem will be making their way to five-star raids .
The trio represent some of the strongest Pokemon of their type in the game .
According to Pokemon Go Hub , Reshiram is the strongest fire Pokemon by a significant margin .
Zekrom is an upgrade over previous top electric types Electivire and Raikou .
Meanwhile , Kyurem slightly edges Mamoswine as the best ice attacker .
Black Kyurem and White Kyurem variants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking fairly cool , the Pokemon will likely be mainstays in the Master League .
Trainers should take advantage of their availability and create a raiding team full of them and they should try to get at least one of each in the high IV , or individual value , range .
That would be 90 with a high attack .
The first legendary Pokemon out of the gate is Reshiram .
It will be available from 1 p.m. May 26 to 1 p.m. June 16 .
It will have a raid hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s uncertain which legendary will launch after that , but I ’ m willing to bet it will be Zekrom , the counterpart of Reshiram .

“Pokemon Go” fans will finally have a crack at the Unova region’s top legendary trio.
The cover monsters Reshiram, Zekrom and Kyurem will be making their way to five-star raids. The trio represent some of the strongest Pokemon of their type in the game. According to Pokemon Go Hub, Reshiram is the strongest fire Pokemon by a significant margin. Zekrom is an upgrade over previous top electric types Electivire and Raikou. Meanwhile, Kyurem slightly edges Mamoswine as the best ice attacker. Black Kyurem and White Kyurem variants weren’t announced.
Aside from looking fairly cool, the Pokemon will likely be mainstays in the Master League. Trainers should take advantage of their availability and create a raiding team full of them and they should try to get at least one of each in the high IV, or individual value, range. That would be 90 with a high attack.
The first legendary Pokemon out of the gate is Reshiram. It will be available from 1 p.m. May 26 to 1 p.m. June 16. It will have a raid hour each Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. It’s uncertain which legendary will launch after that, but I’m willing to bet it will be Zekrom, the counterpart of Reshiram.


mercurynews--2020-05-19--Judge: Radio used by Titanic to call for help can be salvaged

A federal judge has ruled that RMS Titanic Inc. can salvage the radio used to call for help by the fated ocean liner after it struck an iceberg in 1912 .
To get to the radio , divers would need to remove a part of the ship ’ s deckhand to reach the room known as the Marconi Suite , which houses the device .
The ruling modified an order issued July 28 , 2000 , that said that RMS Titanic Inc. could not cut into the wreckage or detach any part of it .
Virginia ’ s eastern district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique opportunity to recover an artifact that will contribute to the legacy left by the indelible loss of the Titanic , those who survived and those who gave their lives in the sinking , ” Judge Rebecca Beach Smith wrote .
Experts in the case testified to the “ significant deterioration ” in areas above and around the Marconi room , according to the document , and photos showed the “ increasing breakdown ” in the deck above the suite .
The suite , made of steel , consisted of three areas : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room and the silent room that housed the radio .
Each area was separated by wood walls that officials believe have dissolved , according to court documents .
The Marconi device and the artifacts associated with it face “ significant threat of permanent loss , ” the judge said in her approval of the expedition .
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , acting as an adviser in the case , argued that the expedition didn ’ t meet an international treaty ’ s requirements that intrusive recovery activity must be evaluated based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientific or cultural interest , among other stipulations .
A hearing was held in February , and the judge handed down her final decision Monday .
RMS Titanic Inc. is “ directed to file with the court , and to provide to NOAA , any video and/or audio recordings made during the dive , ” which is currently slated for August , the judge wrote .
She also ruled that they must provide a report detailing the outcome upon completion of the dive , including listing artifacts recovered and the plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the recovered artifacts .
According to the Senate report released on the Titanic , the final calls from the Marconi began about 10:25 p.m .
ET on April 14 , 1912 .
The call from the operator was a distress signal , or CQD .
The report said the Titanic had been struck by an iceberg .
A half hour later , another message said the vessel was sinking by the head and women and children were being placed into lifeboats .
The operator noted the weather was calm and clear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought ships that rescued about 700 people from the disaster , which killed 1,500 passengers and crew .
The ocean liner , which was deemed unsinkable before its first voyage in April 1912 , lies about 12,000 feet below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean , 370 miles ( 600 kilometers ) off the coast of Canada ’ s Newfoundland province .
• Can this San Jose building be historic if people think it ’ s ugly ?
• Cupertino community briefs for the week of May 15 • On this date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The unlikely historic building that could derail downtown San Jose ’ s mega-campus The ship and its contents are protected under the R.M.S .
Titanic International Agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom .
RMS Titanic Inc. has exclusive rights to salvage artifacts from the ship .

A federal judge has ruled that RMS Titanic Inc. can salvage the radio used to call for help by the fated ocean liner after it struck an iceberg in 1912.
To get to the radio, divers would need to remove a part of the ship’s deckhand to reach the room known as the Marconi Suite, which houses the device.
The ruling modified an order issued July 28, 2000, that said that RMS Titanic Inc. could not cut into the wreckage or detach any part of it.
Virginia’s eastern district court amended that order “for a unique opportunity to recover an artifact that will contribute to the legacy left by the indelible loss of the Titanic, those who survived and those who gave their lives in the sinking,” Judge Rebecca Beach Smith wrote.
Experts in the case testified to the “significant deterioration” in areas above and around the Marconi room, according to the document, and photos showed the “increasing breakdown” in the deck above the suite.
The suite, made of steel, consisted of three areas: sleeping accommodations, an operator’s room and the silent room that housed the radio. Each area was separated by wood walls that officials believe have dissolved, according to court documents.
The Marconi device and the artifacts associated with it face “significant threat of permanent loss,” the judge said in her approval of the expedition.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, acting as an adviser in the case, argued that the expedition didn’t meet an international treaty’s requirements that intrusive recovery activity must be evaluated based on whether there is a justified educational, scientific or cultural interest, among other stipulations.
A hearing was held in February, and the judge handed down her final decision Monday.
Conditions for the expedition
RMS Titanic Inc. is “directed to file with the court, and to provide to NOAA, any video and/or audio recordings made during the dive,” which is currently slated for August, the judge wrote.
She also ruled that they must provide a report detailing the outcome upon completion of the dive, including listing artifacts recovered and the plan for “curation, conservation and documentation” of the recovered artifacts.
According to the Senate report released on the Titanic, the final calls from the Marconi began about 10:25 p.m. ET on April 14, 1912. The call from the operator was a distress signal, or CQD. The report said the Titanic had been struck by an iceberg.
A half hour later, another message said the vessel was sinking by the head and women and children were being placed into lifeboats. The operator noted the weather was calm and clear.
Protected by an international agreement
The distress calls made from the radio brought ships that rescued about 700 people from the disaster, which killed 1,500 passengers and crew.
The ocean liner, which was deemed unsinkable before its first voyage in April 1912, lies about 12,000 feet below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean, 370 miles (600 kilometers) off the coast of Canada’s Newfoundland province.
Related Articles National News | Want to stay on the Bay Area’s famed floating island with palm trees and lighthouse? Now you can.
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RMS Titanic Inc. has exclusive rights to salvage artifacts from the ship.


mercurynews--2020-05-19--Oakland R&B star Kehlani says new album is darker, sexier, more meaningful

Oakland R & B star Kehlani is finally back with her second full-length studio album .
And it ’ s a hit right out of the gate .
“ It Was Good Until It Wasn ’ t , ” which follows the 2017 debut “ SweetSexySavage ” ( as well as the 2019 mixtape “ While We Wait ” ) , raced right to No .
1 on Billboard ’ s Top R & B Albums chart after being released in early May .
It also hit No .
1 on the iTunes/Apple Music charts in multiple countries .
Kehlani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ most mature body of work.
” “ It ’ s super honest .
It ’ s darker .
Whereas a lot of my earlier projects were very bright , ‘ It Was Good Until It Wasn ’ t ’ is sexier , ” she said in a statement .
“ When you ’ re a musician , you come from real experience .
No matter what the experience is , it ’ s going to transfer to the music .
Having a baby helped me be a lot more womanly and ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more meaningful .
My daughter is the biggest indirect influence on everything I do .
If it sounds grown-up , it ’ s because of her .
”

‘Good’ news for Kehlani fansOakland R&B star Kehlani is finally back with her second full-length studio album.
And it’s a hit right out of the gate.
“It Was Good Until It Wasn’t,” which follows the 2017 debut “SweetSexySavage” (as well as the 2019 mixtape “While We Wait”), raced right to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart after being released in early May. It also hit No. 1 on the iTunes/Apple Music charts in multiple countries.
Kehlani says that the new album is her “most mature body of work.”
“It’s super honest. It’s darker. Whereas a lot of my earlier projects were very bright, ‘It Was Good Until It Wasn’t’ is sexier,” she said in a statement. “When you’re a musician, you come from real experience. No matter what the experience is, it’s going to transfer to the music. Having a baby helped me be a lot more womanly and ‘Adult’.
“The music is more meaningful. My daughter is the biggest indirect influence on everything I do. If it sounds grown-up, it’s because of her.”


mercurynews--2020-05-19--Oakland voters to decide if youth should vote in school elections

OAKLAND — Oakland could become the next city in Alameda County that allows 16-and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections .
The Oakland City Council unanimously agreed on Tuesday to place the topic before voters in November , after dozens of speakers spoke in favor of the measure .
None who spoke on the topic opposed it .
If passed , the measure would allow citizens 16 years and older to vote for Oakland Unified School District ’ s school board directors .
Aimee Eng , a school board director , spoke in favor of the measure at Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She , along with many others , supported the idea that the more younger students get involved in civic engagement , the better the likelihood they will be engaged as adults .
“ Oakland Youth Vote is a step in the right direction to make a more equitable democratic system , ” said Denilson Garbio , 17 , who is also a student director on the Oakland Unified board .
Other students advocated for having their voices heard by electing officials that will best represent them .
Students said they wanted an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the ones experiencing first-hand what it ’ s like to be a student in Oakland .
“ We want to be on the table , not on the menu , ” said one student , Linh Le .
If passed , the vote would change the city ’ s charter .
Oakland ’ s charter includes guidelines on the Oakland Unified elections of the school board directors .
According to the latest data from 2019 , allowing youths to vote could mean the addition of another roughly 6,500 potential voters , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition of youth advocates , including Oakland Kids First and All City Council Student Union , worked with several council members to help bring forward the ballot measure .
During the past year , students from the Oakland Youth Vote coalition have been researching the political process for this proposed measure .
“ Oakland Youth Vote is a critical opportunity to expand our democracy by elevating the voices and centering the needs of students who are most impacted by OUSD ’ s policies , ” said Lukas Brekke-Miesner , executive director of Oakland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berkeley passed a similar ballot measure in November 2016 with more than 70 % of voters approving the measure .

OAKLAND — Oakland could become the next city in Alameda County that allows 16-and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections.
The Oakland City Council unanimously agreed on Tuesday to place the topic before voters in November, after dozens of speakers spoke in favor of the measure. Nobody called in to oppose the ballot measure. If passed, the measure would allow citizens 16 years old and older to vote for Oakland Unified School District’s school board directors.
Aimee Eng, a school board director, was among those supporting the measure during public comment at Tuesday’s council meeting. She, along with many others, supported the idea that the more students get involved in civic engagement, the better the likelihood they will be engaged as adults.
“Oakland Youth Vote is a step in the right direction to make a more equitable democratic system,” said Denilson Garibo, 17, a student director on the Oakland Unified board.
Other students advocated for having their voices heard by electing officials that will best represent them. Students said they wanted an opportunity to elect directors, as they are the ones experiencing first-hand what it’s like to attend school in Oakland.
“We want to be on the table, not on the menu,” said one student, Linh Le.
If passed, the vote would change the city’s charter, which includes guidelines on the Oakland Unified school board elections. According to the latest data from 2019, allowing youths to vote could mean the addition of another roughly 6,500 potential voters, if all those who qualify register.
All council members applauded the efforts of the young people who worked to bring the proposal to the council, meeting with the elected officials.
“Their leadership is now one of the things that gives me hope for our future,” said Councilwoman Lynette Gibson McElhaney.
A coalition of youth advocates formed “Oakland Youth Vote,” including representatives of advocacy groups such as Oakland Kids First and All City Council Student Union, to bring the proposal forward. During the past year, these students researched the political process to bring forth a ballot measure and built alliances with community organizations, engaged with council members and school board directors to gather support for the measure.
“Oakland Youth Vote is a critical opportunity to expand our democracy by elevating the voices and centering the needs of students who are most impacted by OUSD’s policies,” said Lukas Brekke-Miesner, executive director of Oakland Kids First, in a statement.
Berkeley passed a similar ballot measure in November 2016 with more than 70% voter approval.
In his comments supporting the proposal, Councilman Dan Kalb also spoke of a potential future topic for the council to consider: allowing immigrant parents, documented or not, to also vote in school board elections. He said the number of immigrant parents in the city who currently cannot vote is close to 15,000.
“It’s sad, and criminal really. Parent engagement is crucial to a child’s education,” he said.


mercurynews--2020-05-19--Coronavirus: Stanford finds no COVID-19 infections in 2019 swabs

As the Bay Area continues to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic , a mystery remains : When did the virus arrive here ?
Speculation has been growing that the coronavirus may have been circulating in the region long before we knew it had reached our shores , but a new study out of Stanford suggests it wasn ’ t sickening people here in 2019 .
Stanford University scientists announced on Tuesday that there ’ s no trace of the deadly virus in 1,700 throat swabs taken from sick people visiting Bay Area-wide clinics of Stanford Health Care in November and December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
“ No COVID-19 cases were identified , consistent with limited transmission in this population at this time , ” reported investigator Dr. Catherine A. Hogan , an infectious diseases physician and medical microbiologist with Stanford ’ s Department of Pathology .
This doesn ’ t mean that the virus wasn ’ t here .
Many cases of COVID-19 do not cause symptoms , so infected people may not have sought care from Stanford doctors .
But the study is the most thorough yet to mine a valuable repository of stored information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 and Dec. 31 , then stored .
The analysis offers an important snapshot in time .
Like the Stanford team , researchers across the world are now poring over old medical specimens and reports hunting for clues of the start of the COVID-19 virus .
Scientists believe that finding “ patient zero ” will help them paint a wider , more accurate picture of the spread of the disease in its early stages , deepening our understanding of its transmission .
Once found , it could suggest that reports of winter fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just routine illnesses .
Until now , we ’ ve relied on reported cases and deaths to understand the origins of the outbreak.Testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention didn ’ t start until Feb. 3 , and it was very limited .
The origins of the Bay Area ’ s epidemic officially date back to Santa Clara County ’ s first recorded case on Jan. 31 .
Months later , the CDC and county public health officials revealed new tests showed a San Jose woman had become the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 , suggesting the virus had been here earlier .
Yet such reported cases and deaths are only the tip of the iceberg of this large viral epidemic , said infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. George Lemp , former director of the California HIV AIDS Research Program at the University of California , who was not involved with this study but worked on several landmark “ lookback studies ” for the state ’ s first HIV infections .
“ A lot more is hidden under the surface , ” he said .
“ Scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of it.
” Genetic analyses of the COVID-19 virus suggest it first emerged weeks , if not months , before the World Health Organization was notified of the original cluster of pneumonia cases associated with individuals who visited a wet market in Wuhan City in the Hubei Province of China .
Officials in the Chinese city of Wuhan confirmed the existence of a then-unknown illness with pneumonia-like symptoms to the World Health Organization ’ s China office on Dec. 31 , but it wasn ’ t established as a new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the media indicated the diagnosis of a COVID-19 case in Hubei Province on Nov. 17 , 2019 .
French doctors recently re-examined medical records of intensive care patients admitted for influenza-like illness between Dec. 2 and Jan. 16 .
This helped them establish the coronavirus was already present in Paris by late December — a month before the country ’ s first official recorded case and two and a half months before a nationwide lockdown .
Bay Area health officials were braced for early cases here , because of our cultural and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Executive Jeff Smith , a medical doctor himself , has speculated the virus may have arrived in the county late last year and has been urging public health officials to explore the possibility .
The Stanford team ’ s retrospective study looked at nasopharyngeal swab samples collected last fall and winter at Stanford Health Care clinics around the Bay Area from patients admitted to hospitals or visiting doctors who were sick but tested negative for routine respiratory viruses .
• Walter Barton execution is first during pandemic , after seven delays • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bungling coronavirus testing data • Letter : We ’ ve rallied to fight virus , we can do it for the earth Lemp , for one , isn ’ t surprised that none of them showed signs of coronavirus — but he said that ’ s only part of the picture .
“ It is limited to those persons seeking care at Stanford who were symptomatic , ” Lemp said .
“ The vast majority of people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic .
The chance that they found find a positive specimen — at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus circulating – was quite low.
” As more data accumulates from other studies , we ’ ll gain a better understanding of the epidemic ’ s origins , he said .
“ We are trying to paint a very careful picture of the scope of this viral epidemic .
We have many different sources that each give us a snapshot , ” said Lemp .
“ But we can ’ t see the whole picture .
This is one piece of the epidemic ’ s picture , but we ’ re not @ @ @ @

As the Bay Area continues to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, a mystery remains: When did the virus arrive here?
Speculation has been growing that the coronavirus may have been circulating in the region long before we knew it had reached our shores, but a new study suggests it wasn’t sickening people here in 2019.
Stanford University scientists announced on Tuesday that there’s no trace of the deadly virus in 1,700 throat swabs taken from sick people visiting Bay Area-wide clinics of Stanford Health Care in November and December, when the outbreak was exploding in China.
“No COVID-19 cases were identified, consistent with limited transmission in this population at this time,” reported investigator Dr. Catherine A. Hogan, an infectious diseases physician and medical microbiologist with Stanford’s Department of Pathology.
This doesn’t mean that the virus wasn’t here. Many cases of COVID-19 do not cause symptoms, so infected people may not have sought care from Stanford doctors.
But the study is the most thorough yet to mine a valuable repository of stored information in nasopharyngeal swab samples collected between Oct. 31 and Dec. 31, then stored.
The analysis offers an important snapshot in time. Like the Stanford team, researchers across the world are now poring over old medical specimens and reports hunting for clues of the start of the COVID-19 virus.
Scientists believe that finding “patient zero” will help them paint a wider, more accurate picture of the spread of the disease in its early stages, deepening our understanding of its transmission.
Once found, it could suggest that reports of winter fever, cough and unremitting phlegm were not just routine illnesses.
Until now, we’ve relied on reported cases and deaths to understand the origins of the outbreak.Testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention didn’t start until Feb. 3, and it was very limited.
The origins of the Bay Area’s epidemic officially date back to Santa Clara County’s first recorded case on Jan. 31. Months later, the CDC and county public health officials revealed new tests showed a San Jose woman had become the nation’s first-known coronavirus-related fatality on Feb. 6, suggesting the virus had been here earlier.
Yet such reported cases and deaths are only the tip of the iceberg of this large viral epidemic, said infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. George Lemp, former director of the California HIV AIDS Research Program at the University of California, who was not involved with this study but worked on several landmark “lookback studies” for the state’s first HIV infections.
“A lot more is hidden under the surface,” he said. “Scientists are trying to get some sense of the rest of it.”
Genetic analyses of the COVID-19 virus suggest it first emerged weeks, if not months, before the World Health Organization was notified of the original cluster of pneumonia cases associated with individuals who visited a wet market in Wuhan City in the Hubei Province of China.
Officials in the Chinese city of Wuhan confirmed the existence of a then-unknown illness with pneumonia-like symptoms to the World Health Organization’s China office on Dec. 31, but it wasn’t established as a new coronavirus until Jan. 7.
An unconfirmed report in the media indicated the diagnosis of a COVID-19 case in Hubei Province on Nov. 17, 2019.
French doctors recently re-examined medical records of intensive care patients admitted for influenza-like illness between Dec. 2 and Jan. 16. This helped them establish the coronavirus was already present in Paris by late December — a month before the country’s first official recorded case and two and a half months before a nationwide lockdown.
Bay Area health officials were braced for early cases here, because of our cultural and travel links to China. Santa Clara County Executive Jeff Smith, a medical doctor himself, has speculated the virus may have arrived in the county late last year and has been urging public health officials to explore the possibility.
The Stanford team’s retrospective study looked at nasopharyngeal swab samples collected last fall and winter at Stanford Health Care clinics around the Bay Area from patients admitted to hospitals or visiting doctors who were sick but tested negative for routine respiratory viruses. It was a preprint study — posted online, but not published in a scientific journal and not yet peer-reviewed. Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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Lemp, for one, isn’t surprised that none of them showed signs of coronavirus — but he said that’s only part of the picture.
“It is limited to those persons seeking care at Stanford who were symptomatic,” Lemp said. “The vast majority of people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic. The chance that they would find a positive specimen — at a time when there was not much virus circulating – was quite low.”
As more data accumulates from other studies, we’ll gain a better understanding of the epidemic’s origins, he said.
“We are trying to paint a very careful picture of the scope of this viral epidemic. We have many different sources that each give us a snapshot,” said Lemp. “But we can’t see the whole picture. This is one piece of the epidemic’s picture, but we’re not there yet.”


mercurynews--2020-05-20--Letter: There won’t be jobs until we’re free to run our lives

There won ’ t be jobs until we ’ re free to run our lives We must reopen the country immediately .
The lockdown was an overreaction by a bunch of inept politicians .
Thirty-six million people are now out of work .
I believe most Americans fear losing their jobs , homes and businesses more than they fear catching the coronavirus .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says , “ We are seeing that in places that are opening , we ’ re not seeing this spike in cases.
” There won ’ t be jobs until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives and our own businesses .
• Letter : Let ’ s help neighborhoods east of Hwy .
101 to thrive • Letter : N95 masks for everyone will help economy reopen • Letter : How many of us are dismayed with our election process ?
• Letter : Eid will be different this year with shelter rules The citizens themselves can make informed decisions on how to proceed and protect their lives and livelihood , not the governor of a state .
These out-of-control governors are trampling all over our constitutional rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control back from this government overreach .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

There won’t be jobs until
we’re free to run our lives
We must reopen the country immediately. The lockdown was an overreaction by a bunch of inept politicians. Thirty-six million people are now out of work.
I believe most Americans fear losing their jobs, homes and businesses more than they fear catching the coronavirus.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says, “We are seeing that in places that are opening, we’re not seeing this spike in cases.”
There won’t be jobs until we are free to run our own lives and our own businesses.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps The citizens themselves can make informed decisions on how to proceed and protect their lives and livelihood, not the governor of a state. These out-of-control governors are trampling all over our constitutional rights. It’s time to take control back from this government overreach.
Ken Hambrick
Walnut Creek
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mercurynews--2020-05-20--How NFL’s diversity rules impact 49ers coaching staff, front office

Kyle Shanahan ’ s coordinators are intact for a fourth straight season , and that makes ideal continuity for a 49ers coaching staff plotting another Super Bowl run .
A year from now , those assistants could land promotions elsewhere , and Shanahan will have to adapt to the NFL ’ s hiring practices that got revised Tuesday .
The NFL ’ s quest to diversify coaching staffs and front offices led to these changes : — Teams can not block an assistant from interviewing elsewhere for a coordinator role , something Shanahan did last year with Mike LaFleur and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinators , neither of whom expressed a desire to indeed leave his staff .
— Assistant general manager positions are open to pursue for non-high-level , non-secondary executives .
Currently behind general manager John Lynch are Adam Peters and Martin Mayhew , vice presidents of player personnel who are both strong candidates to become GMs , as are Ethan Waugh ( director of college scouting ) and Ran Carthon ( director of pro personnel ) .
— Teams must submit reporting structures for their staffs .
Shanahan ’ s have not been vague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensue with LaFleur and McDaniel , and special teams coordinator Richard Hightower , who are obligated to speak weekly per league rules regarding coordinators ; defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is the only one who ’ s spoken weekly during the season .
Whereas Saleh and Hightower are minority coordinators , Shanahan ’ s staff is further diversified , including the 2016 hiring of female assistant Katie Sowers .
Shanahan and Lynch are midway through six-year contracts , and CEO Jed York said before the Super Bowl he ’ d consider extending their contracts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rooney Rule standards , clubs must interview at least two external minority candidates for head-coach openings , one minority candidate for coordinator vacancies and one external minority candidate for senior football operations or general manager positions .
Minorities and female applicants must be included in front-office and other staff searches , as well .
“ While we have seen positive strides in our coaching ranks over the years aided by the Rooney Rule , we recognize , after the last two seasons , that we can and must do more , ” NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The policy changes made today are bold and demonstrate the commitment of our ownership to increase diversity in leadership positions throughout the league.
” A 49ers assistant has left to become a coordinator each of the past two offseasons : Rich Scangarello ( Denver Broncos 2019 offensive coordinator ) and Joe Woods ( Cleveland Browns 2020 defensive coordinator ) .
Saleh was a finalist for the Cleveland Browns head-coach opening earlier this year .
LaFleur and McDaniel attracted interest from the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals for coordinator roles last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because neither job came with a promotion to play-calling duties .
“ Both of them could run their own offense right now , probably could have years ago , ” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said Tuesday .
“ … It ’ s going to be a bummer for us when we lose one of them , They ’ re going to be really hard to replace because they ’ re so valuable and important to this offense and contribute so much to what we do as a team.
” The NFL also announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for former players as well as minority and female participants , a practice the 49ers employed for over 40 years in what ’ s become known as the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship .
• Coronavirus : Pro sports could return in California by June , Gov .
Gavin Newsom says • NFL teams can reopen facilities Tuesday – if government rules allow it

Kyle Shanahan’s coordinators are intact for a fourth straight season, and that makes ideal continuity for a 49ers coaching staff plotting another Super Bowl run.
A year from now, those assistants could land promotions elsewhere, and Shanahan will have to adapt to the NFL’s hiring practices that got revised Tuesday.
The NFL’s quest to diversify coaching staffs and front offices led to these changes:
— Teams can not block an assistant from interviewing elsewhere for a coordinator role, something Shanahan did last year with Mike LaFleur and Mike McDaniel, his pass-game and run-game coordinators, neither of whom expressed a desire to indeed leave his staff.
— Assistant general manager positions are open to pursue for non-high-level, non-secondary executives. Currently behind general manager John Lynch are Adam Peters and Martin Mayhew, vice presidents of player personnel who are both strong candidates to become GMs, as are Ethan Waugh (director of college scouting) and Ran Carthon (director of pro personnel).
— Teams must submit reporting structures for their staffs. Shanahan’s have not been vague, although perhaps more media sessions will ensue with LaFleur and McDaniel, and special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, who are obligated to speak weekly per league rules regarding coordinators; defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is the only one who’s spoken weekly during the season.
Whereas Saleh and Hightower are minority coordinators, Shanahan’s staff is further diversified, including the 2016 hiring of female assistant Katie Sowers. Shanahan and Lynch are midway through six-year contracts, and CEO Jed York said before the Super Bowl he’d consider extending their contracts.
Under the NFL’s new Rooney Rule standards, clubs must interview at least two external minority candidates for head-coach openings, one minority candidate for coordinator vacancies and one external minority candidate for senior football operations or general manager positions. Minorities and female applicants must be included in front-office and other staff searches, as well.
“While we have seen positive strides in our coaching ranks over the years aided by the Rooney Rule, we recognize, after the last two seasons, that we can and must do more,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “The policy changes made today are bold and demonstrate the commitment of our ownership to increase diversity in leadership positions throughout the league.”
A 49ers assistant has left to become a coordinator each of the past two offseasons: Rich Scangarello (Denver Broncos 2019 offensive coordinator) and Joe Woods (Cleveland Browns 2020 defensive coordinator).
Saleh was a finalist for the Cleveland Browns head-coach opening earlier this year. LaFleur and McDaniel attracted interest from the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals for coordinator roles last year but were blocked from interviewing, because neither job came with a promotion to play-calling duties.
“Both of them could run their own offense right now, probably could have years ago,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said Tuesday. “… It’s going to be a bummer for us when we lose one of them, They’re going to be really hard to replace because they’re so valuable and important to this offense and contribute so much to what we do as a team.”


mercurynews--2020-05-20--Letter: Let’s help neighborhoods east of Hwy. 101 to thrive

Let ’ s help neighborhoods east of Hwy .
101 to thrive Re : “ It ’ s time to start thinking about a post-pandemic vision ” ( Opinion section , Mercurynews.com , May 15 ) : I appreciate Supervisor Cindy Chavez ’ s oped for how a post-pandemic Santa Clara County should look .
One area that must be accelerated is bringing basic technological infrastructure to neighborhoods currently without it .
Communities of color and neighborhoods east of Highway 101 have been historically deprived of meaningful government investment , causing huge inequity .
Imagine the student trying to finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of WiFi prevents them ?
Or the 8-year-old trying to learn fractions on Khan Academy , but there aren ’ t laptops to spare ?
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved my idea to find funding for connectivity and devices for the thousands of families who live in neighborhoods with spotty or nonexistent internet or who don ’ t have the money for computers .
• Letter : N95 masks for everyone will help economy reopen • Letter : How many of us are dismayed with our election process ?
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year with shelter rules • Letter : We ’ ve rallied to fight virus , we can do it for the earth Once we equip households with these tools , their outcomes for success and good health are further assured .
We mitigate the risk of them falling behind during shelter in place .
These families will be better positioned to thrive .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Let’s help neighborhoods
east of Hwy. 101 to thrive
Re: “It’s time to start thinking about a post-pandemic vision” (Opinion section, Mercurynews.com, May 15):
I appreciate Supervisor Cindy Chavez’s oped for how a post-pandemic Santa Clara County should look.
One area that must be accelerated is bringing basic technological infrastructure to neighborhoods currently without it.
Communities of color and neighborhoods east of Highway 101 have been historically deprived of meaningful government investment, causing huge inequity. Imagine the student trying to finish their exams online, but the lack of WiFi prevents them? Or the 8-year-old trying to learn fractions on Khan Academy, but there aren’t laptops to spare?
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved my idea to find funding for connectivity and devices for the thousands of families who live in neighborhoods with spotty or nonexistent internet or who don’t have the money for computers.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Once we equip households with these tools, their outcomes for success and good health are further assured. We mitigate the risk of them falling behind during shelter in place. These families will be better positioned to thrive.
Dave Cortese
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
San Jose
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mercurynews--2020-05-20--Horoscopes May 20, 2020: Tony Goldwyn, gear up to get moving.

Happy Birthday : Gear up to get moving .
You ’ ll surpass your goal if you are steadfast and use your skills to push past the competition and toward the finish line this year .
Nothing is impossible if you give your all and follow through with your plans .
Don ’ t hesitate when time is of the essence .
Take a position of leadership .
Your numbers are 8 , 11 , 24 , 27 , 33 , 36 , 45 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Don ’ t give in or give up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want , and don ’ t stop until you achieve your goal .
Persistence will pay off and encourage you to set higher objectives .
Someone will honor a promise he or she made .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Consider what you enjoy doing most , and turn it into a part of your daily routine .
Fine-tune your skills to ensure that you take care of your responsibilities efficiently and in the least amount of time .
Change begins with you .
3 stars GEMINI ( May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interest brought on by an emotional situation .
Choose to be creative but realistic .
Strive to keep a steady pace free of interference or outside influence .
Follow your heart , not what someone else wants .
Make health and fitness priorities .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Watch what others do , and learn .
A thoughtful response will grab someone ’ s attention far quicker than ridicule .
Find a way to open a conversation , not to silence how others feel .
How you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well you do .
4 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Do the things you enjoy the most .
Take a break from the stress you are facing , and daydream about your aspirations and desires .
A commitment you make should be for the right reason .
Make only the necessary changes .
2 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Keep both eyes open .
Someone will mislead you if you are too trusting .
Look for practical ways to expand your interests , improve your life or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your experience personally and professionally .
5 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : A change to the way you handle your finances should include a cap on nonessential purchases .
A misleading ad promising to fix a flaw you see in yourself will tempt you .
Knowledge is power ; research will eliminate the uncertainty .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : A change someone makes will catch you off guard .
Don ’ t overreact or respond too quickly .
Look for alternative ways to get what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will put your mind at ease .
An investment will disappoint you .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : An unanticipated change will leave you in a quandary .
Don ’ t act in haste .
Hearsay will be misleading .
Personal improvement and doing what ’ s best for you are encouraged .
Trust issues will develop if you or someone close to you withholds information .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Refuse to let what others do limit you .
Focus on what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll encounter an unexpected opportunity .
Your ability to outmaneuver anyone you come up against will lead to a profit .
Play fair .
5 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Revise your skills .
Implement new technology , and invest time , money and effort in you .
Love and romance are on the rise , and discussing your intentions will help you get a better view of what ’ s to come .
2 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Don ’ t make a decision based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem with a friend , colleague or relative will cause self-doubt .
Talk to an expert to help you figure out your best course of action .
Make health , fitness and moderation priorities .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are patient , observant and hardworking .
You are sensitive and assertive .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Matt Czuchry, 43; Tony Goldwyn, 60; Bronson Pinchot, 61; Cher, 74.
Happy Birthday: Gear up to get moving. You’ll surpass your goal if you are steadfast and use your skills to push past the competition and toward the finish line this year. Nothing is impossible if you give your all and follow through with your plans. Don’t hesitate when time is of the essence. Take a position of leadership. Your numbers are 8, 11, 24, 27, 33, 36, 45.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t give in or give up. Set your sights on what you want, and don’t stop until you achieve your goal. Persistence will pay off and encourage you to set higher objectives. Someone will honor a promise he or she made. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Consider what you enjoy doing most, and turn it into a part of your daily routine. Fine-tune your skills to ensure that you take care of your responsibilities efficiently and in the least amount of time. Change begins with you. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Avoid a conflict of interest brought on by an emotional situation. Choose to be creative but realistic. Strive to keep a steady pace free of interference or outside influence. Follow your heart, not what someone else wants. Make health and fitness priorities. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Watch what others do, and learn. A thoughtful response will grab someone’s attention far quicker than ridicule. Find a way to open a conversation, not to silence how others feel. How you choose to do business will define how well you do. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do the things you enjoy the most. Take a break from the stress you are facing, and daydream about your aspirations and desires. A commitment you make should be for the right reason. Make only the necessary changes. 2 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep both eyes open. Someone will mislead you if you are too trusting. Look for practical ways to expand your interests, improve your life or make a calculated move that will enrich your experience personally and professionally. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A change to the way you handle your finances should include a cap on nonessential purchases. A misleading ad promising to fix a flaw you see in yourself will tempt you. Knowledge is power; research will eliminate the uncertainty. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A change someone makes will catch you off guard. Don’t overreact or respond too quickly. Look for alternative ways to get what you want. Having a backup plan will put your mind at ease. An investment will disappoint you. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): An unanticipated change will leave you in a quandary. Don’t act in haste. Hearsay will be misleading. Personal improvement and doing what’s best for you are encouraged. Trust issues will develop if you or someone close to you withholds information. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Refuse to let what others do limit you. Focus on what you want to do, and you’ll encounter an unexpected opportunity. Your ability to outmaneuver anyone you come up against will lead to a profit. Play fair. 5 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Revise your skills. Implement new technology, and invest time, money and effort in you. Love and romance are on the rise, and discussing your intentions will help you get a better view of what’s to come. 2 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t make a decision based on someone’s opinion. A problem with a friend, colleague or relative will cause self-doubt. Talk to an expert to help you figure out your best course of action. Make health, fitness and moderation priorities. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are patient, observant and hardworking. You are sensitive and assertive.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-05-20--Word Game: May 20, 2020

Word Game: May 20, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — SNAPPILY ( SNAPPILY : SNAP-ih-lee : In an abrupt or sharp manner . )
Can @ @ @ @ @ words in SNAPPILY ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the Word @ @ @ @ @ .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words @ @ @ @ @ more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “ @ @ @ @ @ “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional @ @ @ @ @ “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For example @ @ @ @ @ is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , but @ @ @ @ @ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar @ @ @ @ @ not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — SNAPPILY (SNAPPILY: SNAP-ih-lee: In an abrupt or sharp manner.)
Average mark 24 words
Time limit 40 minutes
Can you find 34 or more words in SNAPPILY? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — DOCUDRAMA dada dado dorm dour dram drama drum
duad orca card carom coda coma cord corm cram curd road roam amour aroma
aura maar maraud marc
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


Bridge: May 20, 2020

“ I ’ m crowdfunding to buy Minnie new glasses , ” Cy the Cynic told me in the club lounge .
“ Want to donate ?
” “ You really should pay for them personally , ” I said .
Minnie Bottoms , our senior member , wears old bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks , often to her opponents ’ dismay .
Cy has been Minnie ’ s chief victim .
“ Look what she did to me in today ’ s duplicate , ” Cy said .
“ I was declarer at 3NT after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West led the queen of clubs , and Minnie played … the king.
” “ I took the ace and let the eight of diamonds ride , and Minnie won with the queen and led the ten of clubs .
I won , but when she took the ace of diamonds , she ran the clubs .
“ West praised Minnie ’ s defense , ” the Cynic went on .
“ Minnie said indignantly that she knew enough to signal with the highest card in a sequence .
She thought her king @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s spectacles nailed Cy again .
If Minnie plays a lower club at Trick One , Cy makes 3NT by playing low .
You hold : S J 10 7 5 H A Q 9 D 8 5 C A J 7 4 .
Your partner opens one diamond .
The next player bids two clubs .
South in today ’ s deal bid 2NT with this hand .
Do you agree with that call ?
ANSWER : South ’ s bid was not an error though a bit timid ; to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many experts would not have bid notrump at all .
They would have made a conventional negative double to look for alternative contracts , especially in spades if partner had four cards there .

“I’m crowdfunding to buy Minnie new glasses,” Cy the Cynic told me in the club lounge. “Want to donate?”
“You really should pay for them personally,” I said.
Minnie Bottoms, our senior member, wears old bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks, often to her opponents’ dismay. Cy has been Minnie’s chief victim.
“Look what she did to me in today’s duplicate,” Cy said. “I was declarer at 3NT after Minnie had bid clubs as East. West led the queen of clubs, and Minnie played … the king.”
DOWN TWO
“I took the ace and let the eight of diamonds ride, and Minnie won with the queen and led the ten of clubs. I won, but when she took the ace of diamonds, she ran the clubs.
“West praised Minnie’s defense,” the Cynic went on. “Minnie said indignantly that she knew enough to signal with the highest card in a sequence. She thought her king of clubs was the jack.”
Minnie’s spectacles nailed Cy again. If Minnie plays a lower club at Trick One, Cy makes 3NT by playing low.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S J 10 7 5 H A Q 9 D 8 5 C A J 7 4. Your partner opens one diamond. The next player bids two clubs. South in today’s deal bid 2NT with this hand. Do you agree with that call?
ANSWER: South’s bid was not an error though a bit timid; to bid 3NT would have been reasonable. Many experts would not have bid notrump at all. They would have made a conventional negative double to look for alternative contracts, especially in spades if partner had four cards there.
North dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A Q
H K 10 5
D K J 10 9 4 3
C 6 3
WEST
S K 8 4 3 2
H J 7 6 3 2
D 7 2
C Q
EAST
S 9 6
H 8 4
D A Q 6
C K 10 9 8 5 2
SOUTH
S J 10 7 5
H A Q 9
D 8 5
C A J 7 4
North East South West
1 D 2 C(!) 2 NT Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — C Q
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-05-20--Ask Amy: My neighbor’s invitation was nuts, but of course I can’t say that

DEAR AMY : I live in northwest Washington state .
I was out walking and paused to chat with neighbors while they were sitting on their porch .
They invited me to join them for dinner that evening .
These are neighbors who have had many family members drop by for visits and outdoor barbecues during the stay-home order .
I was stunned at the invitation and my first thought was , “ Are you crazy ?
” I struggled with what to say beyond , “ No , thanks.
” I don ’ t want to sound judgmental .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ milestone birthday and graduation party in June in a nearby state .
That state has not had a tremendous number of coronavirus cases .
I know through social media that many of my family members have not been taking the virus as seriously as I have .
• Ask Amy : I won ’ t be intimate if she won ’ t wear a mask • Ask Amy : I forgot all about this anguished letter .
My parents didn ’ t .
• Ask Amy : What I said about his boyfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : My employee wants to be fired and is refusing to work • Ask Amy : To this immature woman , any criticism is ‘ mean ’ Everyone expects me to attend .
However , I know that I am unwilling to put myself at risk , and that I can not make the trip .
How do you politely turn down invitations to social gatherings during this time of COVID-19 without being judgmental of their choices and alienating friends ?
“ No , thank you ” doesn ’ t seem to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m trying to figure out the best way to back out without causing friction .
DEAR STAYING HOME : For an impromptu invitation , you can say , “ Thank you for asking , but I won ’ t be able to make it .
So sorry.
” Give your family members advance notice that you won ’ t be at the event in June .
Simply say , “ I ’ m heartsick that I won ’ t be able to make it to the party .
I hope we can FaceTime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DEAR AMY : My fiance has asthma .
I have reoccurring bronchitis , due to complications from emergency lung surgery .
We are both in our late 20s .
Because of those pre-existing conditions , we have been taking our state ’ s stay-at-home order seriously .
We ’ re not scared — just cautious .
We wear masks when we go out .
Otherwise , we are staying in .
We live in a duplex with a shared front yard .
Our neighbors are not taking the stay-at-home seriously ( they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still going to friends ’ houses every weekend , and ( early on ) they had co-workers over every night .
Today they threw a party on our front lawn , where people were standing shoulder to shoulder .
I wanted to call the police to break it up but my fiance didn ’ t want to snitch .
I have been trying to stay away from them , but we do share a few spaces , including the front entrance and basement laundry .
The few times we talked early on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we live in was spiking in coronavirus cases , and how the first case was only a few blocks from us , but it fell on deaf ears .
At what point should I ask them to take this seriously — for our health ?
DEAR SHELTERING : The point has long passed for you to ask your neighbors to take this crisis seriously .
Generally , it is easier to pre-empt negative behavior before it starts , and harder to roll it back — after the fact .
Now that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll have to give it a try , and hope for the best .
My understanding is that because “ stay-at-home ” orders are being handled differently in various cities and states , the police might not be interested ( or legally able ) to bust up a party on your front lawn .
You should take rational and commonsense precautions regarding these very close neighbors .
Wipe shared door handles and any other common point of contact ( railings , door frames , and the handle of the washer and dryer ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wash your hands frequently .
Communicate with your neighbors : “ Hey , we ’ re your neighbors and have serious health conditions that make us vulnerable to COVID-19 .
Could you do us a favor and please be more considerate ?
As you know , the state is discouraging large gatherings .
Having people clustered together on the front lawn is too close for our comfort .
We hope you understand and can respect this , until we get the all-clear .
After that … party on !
” DEAR AMY : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their parents ’ fighting .
Your response was fine , but I wish you had suggested that this teen reach out to the school ’ s counselor .
I assume that even with schools closed , counseling staffs have an online presence .
DEAR CONCERNED : Absolutely .
This is a great suggestion .
The bickering parents could also use some professional help and mediation .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ askingamy or Facebook .

DEAR AMY: I live in northwest Washington state. I was out walking and paused to chat with neighbors while they were sitting on their porch.
They invited me to join them for dinner that evening. These are neighbors who have had many family members drop by for visits and outdoor barbecues during the stay-home order.
I was stunned at the invitation and my first thought was, “Are you crazy?” I struggled with what to say beyond, “No, thanks.” I don’t want to sound judgmental.
I also am grappling with a family milestone birthday and graduation party in June in a nearby state. That state has not had a tremendous number of coronavirus cases. I know through social media that many of my family members have not been taking the virus as seriously as I have.
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How do you politely turn down invitations to social gatherings during this time of COVID-19 without being judgmental of their choices and alienating friends?
“No, thank you” doesn’t seem to be a good enough response.
I’m trying to figure out the best way to back out without causing friction.
Staying Home
DEAR STAYING HOME: For an impromptu invitation, you can say, “Thank you for asking, but I won’t be able to make it. So sorry.”
Give your family members advance notice that you won’t be at the event in June. Simply say, “I’m heartsick that I won’t be able to make it to the party. I hope we can FaceTime while you’re all together.”
DEAR AMY: My fiance has asthma. I have reoccurring bronchitis, due to complications from emergency lung surgery. We are both in our late 20s.
Because of those pre-existing conditions, we have been taking our state’s stay-at-home order seriously. We’re not scared — just cautious. We wear masks when we go out. Otherwise, we are staying in.
We live in a duplex with a shared front yard. Our neighbors are not taking the stay-at-home seriously (they are in their early 20s). They are still going to friends’ houses every weekend, and (early on) they had co-workers over every night.
Today they threw a party on our front lawn, where people were standing shoulder to shoulder. I wanted to call the police to break it up but my fiance didn’t want to snitch.
I have been trying to stay away from them, but we do share a few spaces, including the front entrance and basement laundry.
The few times we talked early on, I talked about how the city we live in was spiking in coronavirus cases, and how the first case was only a few blocks from us, but it fell on deaf ears.
At what point should I ask them to take this seriously — for our health?
Sheltering in Wisconsin
DEAR SHELTERING: The point has long passed for you to ask your neighbors to take this crisis seriously. Generally, it is easier to pre-empt negative behavior before it starts, and harder to roll it back — after the fact.
Now that they are partying under your nose, you’ll have to give it a try, and hope for the best.
My understanding is that because “stay-at-home” orders are being handled differently in various cities and states, the police might not be interested (or legally able) to bust up a party on your front lawn.
You should take rational and commonsense precautions regarding these very close neighbors. Wipe shared door handles and any other common point of contact (railings, door frames, and the handle of the washer and dryer) with disinfectant before you touch them. Wash your hands frequently.
Communicate with your neighbors: “Hey, we’re your neighbors and have serious health conditions that make us vulnerable to COVID-19. Could you do us a favor and please be more considerate? As you know, the state is discouraging large gatherings. Having people clustered together on the front lawn is too close for our comfort. We hope you understand and can respect this, until we get the all-clear. After that … party on!”
DEAR AMY: “Scared Teen” was upset by their parents’ fighting. Your response was fine, but I wish you had suggested that this teen reach out to the school’s counselor. I assume that even with schools closed, counseling staffs have an online presence.
Concerned
DEAR CONCERNED: Absolutely. This is a great suggestion. The bickering parents could also use some professional help and mediation.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-05-20--Letter: N95 masks for everyone will help economy reopen

N95 masks for everyone will help economy reopen Most people will venture out comfortably only if they feel protected with a reliable protective gear like an N95 mask or a vaccine , which is many months away .
The surgical masks and those created by individuals that most of us have access to are meant to mainly protect other people .
We need large quantities of N95 masks that fit tightly around the face that would protect other people as well as the wearer .
Happily , our most deserving health providers do get them .
Philanthropic institutions and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing companies to put out large numbers quickly and make them available to people as they do in Asian countries .
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• Letter : Eid will be different this year with shelter rules People will then feel confident to travel , open businesses and factories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the economy will recover .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

N95 masks for everyone
will help economy reopen
Most people will venture out comfortably only if they feel protected with a reliable protective gear like an N95 mask or a vaccine, which is many months away.
The surgical masks and those created by individuals that most of us have access to are meant to mainly protect other people. We need large quantities of N95 masks that fit tightly around the face that would protect other people as well as the wearer.
Happily, our most deserving health providers do get them.
Philanthropic institutions and our leaders should work with our own U.S. manufacturing companies to put out large numbers quickly and make them available to people as they do in Asian countries.
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Adi Adins
Walnut Creek
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