mercurynews--2020-05-22--Letter: I tried to schedule a test in Contra Costa County but couldn’t

We ’ ve been told that widespread testing is the key to reopening our economy .
Contra Costa County has @ @ @ @ @ ramping up testing capability for residents , but their telephone scheduling system has long on-hold @ @ @ @ @ a significant bottleneck that will likely deter people from getting tested .
Yesterday morning I @ @ @ @ @ hold for a significant period was given an option to enter my phone number for @ @ @ @ @ call back never came .
• Letter : Oakland isn ’ t yet ready to @ @ @ @ @ , I am calling again today and decided to just wait this time .
I @ @ @ @ @ 45 minutes into waiting on hold .
This is going to discourage people from getting @ @ @ @ @ with options such as online scheduling for all test sites .
Submit your letter to @ @ @ @ @ Read more Letters to the Editor

Scheduling issues hobble
Contra Costa’s testing
We’ve been told that widespread testing is the key to reopening our economy. Contra Costa County has done a laudable job in ramping up testing capability for residents, but their telephone scheduling system has long on-hold wait times and has created a significant bottleneck that will likely deter people from getting tested.
Yesterday morning I called and after waiting on hold for a significant period was given an option to enter my phone number for a call back. That call back never came.
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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 So, I am calling again today and decided to just wait this time. I’m now more than 45 minutes into waiting on hold. This is going to discourage people from getting tested and could be solved with options such as online scheduling for all test sites.
Daniel Barrows
Martinez
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mercurynews--2020-05-22--Did 49ers find pass-rushing gem in well-traveled Jonathan Kongbo?

Jonathan Kongbo already owned quite the life story when he stood up and shared it at Holy Cross Regional High School ’ s assembly in Surrey , British Columbia .
He transferred in for his senior year .
His future beamed bright , more so as a basketball star than a potential 49ers defensive end .
His past , as he ’ d divulge that November 2013 , is a unique and riveting tale .
“ He talked in front of all 850 students on Remembrance Day .
They were blown away , ” Holy Cross football coach Ken Buchan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in school two months and wasn ’ t known to a lot of people.
” What ’ s to know ?
A lot more than how he fled Congo ’ s civil war and arrived in Vancouver , Canada at age 4 1/2 with his family .
Since taking up football that senior year at Holy Cross , he ’ s embarked on a hopscotch journey to three college programs , the Canadian Football League and , now , to the 49ers ’ crown jewel , their defensive line .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really know until the pads come on and we ’ re in camp , ” Kongbo , 24 , said in a phone interview this week .
“ But personality-wise and being in meetings with the guys , I feel I ’ ve gelled in pretty well .
“ My goal is I ’ m going to make the team .
There ’ s no Plan B.
” The 49ers don ’ t exactly have room for a self-described “ raw ” pass rusher , much less one who , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee from tears to the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments .
The injury ended his senior season at Tennessee on Oct. 13 , 2018 , and it dashed his NFL Draft dreams .
His future darkened .
“ After the draft last year , I was thinking , ‘ I ’ m done playing football .
It ’ s over for me , ’ ” Kongbo recalled .
“ To get the opportunity again , it means the world.
” Halfway around the world in central Africa sits Kinshasa , capital city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formerly known as Zaire when Kongbo was born there on March 19 , 1996 .
Congo ’ s civil war uprooted his childhood .
Chaos reigned , as did the bullets police fired on civilians as he watched from his doorstep .
“ The country ’ s looking really bad , a lot of people are dying , ” Kongbo recalled , “ so my father decides it ’ s time for us to leave and pursue a new future.
” Joachim Kongbo left his United Nations job two years earlier to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I used to work for UN .
The boys enjoyed life and we did everything we could there , ” Joachim Kongbo said on a recent phone interview .
“ When the political landscape in Congo changed , there was no need for us there .
The Statue of Liberty greeted him upon arrival in New York , he spent a couple months in North Carolina , then immigrated to Canada , where he would eventually summon for his wife , Lily , and their children .
“ We had to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bare minimum to do what they could do , ” said Joachim , now in his 14th year as a federal food inspector at the border .
Not long after Jonathan ’ s October 2000 arrival , he showed athletic prowess , even playing street hockey at day care , his father recalled .
By his junior year at Kitsilano Secondary School , he placed third in the 100-meter dash at the provincial championships , but his sights were on basketball stardom .
He bused three hours round trip from his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kitsilano that junior year .
Upon transferring closer as a senior to Holy Cross , football came calling .
Specifically , principal Chris Blesch and coach Buchan pestered Kongbo for weeks to take up the sport , Blesch even joking he ’ d issue detention , otherwise .
“ He didn ’ t want to play in the first place because he was a basketball superstar here in the province , ” Joakim said .
“ He came out to a practice finally and we guaranteed him he wouldn ’ t get hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where an injury was less likely , ” Buchan said .
“ He had no experience and technique .
We said , ‘ Nobody gets outside you , and track the ball down and get the quarterback.
’ ” Smart coaching .
In Kongbo ’ s first game , he debuted with sacks on three consecutive plays ( or four , as the legend grows ) .
“ Granted , I didn ’ t know what I was doing , ” Kongbo said .
“ The only thing the coach told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball , you go and find the person that has the ball.
’ “ I fell in love with the game instantly and wanted to pursue it more.
” Come February 2014 , on the eve of Holy Cross ’ basketball playoffs , Kongbo committed to the University of Wyoming – to play football .
The jump to Division I football in America wasn ’ t easy .
He would redshirt in 2014 , but once spring practice arrived in April 2015 , Kongbo would sack future Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are off the chart , and we ’ re waiting for those numbers to translate to the grass , ” Wyoming coach Craig Bohl said after the initial practice .
“ I think he showed some signs of that today.
” He became second-string at right defensive end .
But within two months , Kongbo announced he was leaving the program ; Wyoming went on to post a 2-10 season .
“ The more I kept playing , the better I got , ” Kongbo said .
“ I always had aspirations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to just take a shot , go to a junior college and maybe get more looks.
” Arizona Western College in Yuma disbanded its football program in 2018 , but not before producing a handful of NFL stars , including Damien Williams , who scored Kansas City ’ s final two touchdowns in February ’ s Super Bowl comeback over the 49ers .
Kongbo used his 2015 season there as a springboard to fame – and maturity .
He racked up 11 sacks , including five in a game .
He became not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college , but No .
1 overall at any position in some online rankings .
Nearly 25 offers flooded in from around the country .
Alabama .
Ole Miss .
USC .
Oklahoma .
It came down to Florida State and Tennessee .
“ When I left Wyoming , I was just looking for a place to go , ” Kongbo said at his Feb. 3 , 2016 letter-of-intent press conference .
“ Coach ( Tom ) Minnick offered me to come here .
All I can say is hard work and my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point.
” Arriving in the Southeastern Conference as a five-star recruit brings with it massive expectations , and , for Kongbo , unattainable ones .
His modest stats for three seasons at Tennessee : 30 games , 17 starts , 3 1/2 sacks , 5 1/2 tackles for loss , 51 tackles and two interceptions .
His first interception came in 2016 when he picked off Missouri ’ s Drew Lock ( Denver Broncos ) and returned that gift 59 yards for a touchdown .
Kongbo ’ s other interception came against Auburn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patriots ) , and that came in his final game wearing Tennessee ’ s No .
99 .
Kongbo was on crutches by the time Tennessee clinched its first win in 20 years at Auburn , a victory that included a go-ahead touchdown catch by Jauan Jennings , the 49ers ’ seventh-round draft pick last month .
Kongbo ’ s right knee got blown out on a cut block by Auburn fullback Chandler Cox ( Miami Dolphins ) .
“ I hate it for Kongbo , ” Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved around since we have been here and he ’ s worked really hard .
He ’ s been a guy that ’ s tried to do everything we ’ ve asked him to do.
” Kongbo ’ s father was a fixture at games .
He attended 15 , and quipped : “ I know a few corners in Knoxville.
” After the injury , his son told Tennessee fans not to feel sorry for him , with @ King_Kongbo tweeting to “ instead be excited for the marvelous works God is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blue Bombers drafted Kongbo fifth overall last year , their rationale was sound .
“ He ’ s the one where you do the film and you ’ re watching this long , athletic , aggressive , physical player playing at the University of Tennessee in the SEC against big-time opponents , ” general manager Kyle Walters said after the May 2 , 2019 pick .
Kongbo missed the first six games while rehabilitating his knee , then became a versatile sub on the defensive line and at linebacker for the eventual Grey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to thank Winnipeg .
They were really awesome to me , ” Kongbo said .
“ They understood the circumstances why I didn ’ t get drafted or an initial shot in the NFL.
” Kongbo had just 12 tackles and one sack for the Blue Bombers , who released him a week after the Grey Cup so he could pursue a NFL contract , with an open invitation to return to the CFL .
“ I ’ d never won a championship before , ” Kongbo said of the Grey Cup joy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people say , ‘ Once you win your first , it ’ s almost like an addiction.
’ You have that obsession with , ‘ How can I get back to it ?
’ ” After working out for the 49ers , he signed a three-year , reserve/futures contract on Dec. 31 that reportedly guaranteed no money but ultimately could pay out $ 1.9 million .
No 49ers official nor coach has commented on Kongbo since his signing ; none responded to interview requests for this story .
His right knee is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and paperwork are filed so he can come work across the border .
His 6-foot-5 frame is chiseled at a “ lean , cut up ” 262 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arms and an 81-inch wingspan .
“ I ’ m going to be honest , right now , I ’ m raw but athletically there , ” Kongbo said .
“ I feel my strong point is athleticism , my get-off , my ability to move in open space , fluid hips.
” He ’ d love to mimic Khalil Mack ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he won Tennessee ’ s weight-room award in 2018 ) .
For now , he ’ s learning through the 49ers ’ virtual offseason program and staying alert for defensive line coach Kris Kocurek ’ s necessary quizzing .
“ That ’ s the conversation I had with coach : I just need to be taught how to play the game properly , ” Kongbo said .
“ I didn ’ t start playing football until my senior games ( at Holy Cross ) , and even then I just played six games.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ loaded , despite losing DeForest Buckner and Sheldon Day in free agency after the Super Bowl .
Arik Armstead , Nick Bosa , Dee Ford , first-round draft pick Javon Kinlaw and nose tackle D.J .
Jones are mainstays .
As last season proved , injuries can quickly deplete the 49ers ’ depth .
Kongbo isn ’ t the only defensive linemen coming off ACL repair .
So are Ronald Blair , Kentavius Street and Jullian Taylor .
“ Last year , we were really down because of the injury , ” Joachim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been good to us .
( Jonathan ) bounced back and played hard .
He fought .
“ He ’ s going to be there ( with the 49ers ) for a long time .
”

Jonathan Kongbo already owned quite the life story when he stood up and shared it at Holy Cross Regional High School’s assembly in Surrey, British Columbia.
He transferred in for his senior year. His future beamed bright, more so as a basketball star than a potential 49ers defensive end. His past, as he’d divulge that November 2013, is a unique and riveting tale.
“He talked in front of all 850 students on Remembrance Day. They were blown away,” Holy Cross football coach Ken Buchan recalled. “He’d only been in school two months and wasn’t known to a lot of people.”
What’s to know? A lot more than how he fled Congo’s civil war and arrived in Vancouver, Canada at age 4 1/2 with his family. Since taking up football that senior year at Holy Cross, he’s embarked on a hopscotch journey to three college programs, the Canadian Football League and, now, to the 49ers’ crown jewel, their defensive line.
“As far as fitting in, we won’t really know until the pads come on and we’re in camp,” Kongbo, 24, said in a phone interview this week. “But personality-wise and being in meetings with the guys, I feel I’ve gelled in pretty well.
“My goal is I’m going to make the team. There’s no Plan B.”
The 49ers don’t exactly have room for a self-described “raw” pass rusher, much less one who, a year ago, was rehabilitating a right knee from tears to the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. The injury ended his senior season at Tennessee on Oct. 13, 2018, and it dashed his NFL Draft dreams. His future darkened.
“After the draft last year, I was thinking, ‘I’m done playing football. It’s over for me,’ ” Kongbo recalled. “To get the opportunity again, it means the world.”
FLEEING FROM CONGO
Halfway around the world in central Africa sits Kinshasa, capital city for the New Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire when Kongbo was born there on March 19, 1996.
Congo’s civil war uprooted his childhood. Chaos reigned, as did the bullets police fired on civilians as he watched from his doorstep.
“The country’s looking really bad, a lot of people are dying,” Kongbo recalled, “so my father decides it’s time for us to leave and pursue a new future.”
Joachim Kongbo left his United Nations job two years earlier to find a safer life for his family.
“I used to work for UN. The boys enjoyed life and we did everything we could there,” Joachim Kongbo said on a recent phone interview. “When the political landscape in Congo changed, there was no need for us there.”
The Statue of Liberty greeted him upon arrival in New York, he spent a couple months in North Carolina, then immigrated to Canada, where he would eventually summon for his wife, Lily, and their children.
“We had to fight tooth and nail to give our kids the bare minimum to do what they could do,” said Joachim, now in his 14th year as a federal food inspector at the border.
MULTI-SPORT STAR
Not long after Jonathan’s October 2000 arrival, he showed athletic prowess, even in street hockey at day care, his father recalled. By his junior year at Kitsilano Secondary School, he placed third in the 100-meter dash at the provincial championships, but his sights were on basketball stardom.
He bused three hours round trip from his family’s new home to stay at Kitsilano that junior year. Upon transferring closer as a senior to Holy Cross, football came calling. Specifically, principal Chris Blesch and coach Buchan pestered Kongbo for weeks to take up the sport, Blesch even joking he’d issue detention, otherwise.
“He didn’t want to play in the first place because he was a basketball superstar here in the province,” Joachim said.
“He came out to a practice finally and we guaranteed him he wouldn’t get hurt, so he played at defensive end, where an injury was less likely,” Buchan said. “He had no experience and technique. We said, ‘Nobody gets outside you, and track the ball down and get the quarterback.’ ”
Smart coaching. In Kongbo’s first game, he debuted with sacks on three consecutive plays (or four, as the legend grows).
“Granted, I didn’t know what I was doing,” Kongbo said. “The only thing the coach told me was, ‘When they snap the ball, you go and find the person that has the ball.’
“I fell in love with the game instantly and wanted to pursue it more.”
Wyoming has signed (2014) Surrey (Holy Cross) British Columbia, Canada 6'6", 250-pound DE Jonathan Kongbo. #gowyo http://t.co/xfnKqeaqin — Ben Mitchum (@Coach_MitchumBC) March 13, 2014
FIRST STOP: WYOMING
Come February 2014, on the eve of Holy Cross’ basketball playoffs, Kongbo committed to the University of Wyoming – to play football.
The jump to Division I football in America wasn’t easy. He would redshirt in 2014, but once spring practice arrived in April 2015, Kongbo would sack future Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
“Jonathan’s weight room numbers are off the chart, and we’re waiting for those numbers to translate to the grass,” Wyoming coach Craig Bohl said after the initial practice. “I think he showed some signs of that today.”
He became second-string at right defensive end. But within two months, Kongbo announced he was leaving the program; Wyoming went on to post a 2-10 season.
“The more I kept playing, the better I got,” Kongbo said. “I always had aspirations of playing at the highest level. I decided to just take a shot, go to a junior college and maybe get more looks.”
🔁⬆🔥 Game vs Pima was real lit check it!http://t.co/h0uYxghrOq — Jonathan Kongbo (@King_Kongbo) October 5, 2015
NO. 1 JUCO RECRUIT
Arizona Western College in Yuma disbanded its football program in 2018, but not before producing a handful of NFL stars, including Damien Williams, who scored Kansas City’s final two touchdowns in February’s Super Bowl comeback over the 49ers.
Kongbo used his 2015 season there as a springboard to fame – and maturity. He racked up 11 sacks, including five in a game. He became not only the top-rated defensive end in junior college, but No. 1 overall at any position in some online rankings.
Nearly 25 offers flooded in from around the country. Alabama. Ole Miss. USC. Oklahoma. It came down to Florida State and Tennessee.
“When I left Wyoming, I was just looking for a place to go,” Kongbo said at his Feb. 3, 2016 letter-of-intent press conference. “Coach (Tom) Minnick offered me to come here. All I can say is hard work and my faith in God got me to this point.”
TENNESSEE TRIALS
Arriving in the Southeastern Conference as a five-star recruit brings with it massive expectations, and, for Kongbo, unattainable ones.
His modest stats for three seasons at Tennessee: 30 games, 17 starts, 3 1/2 sacks, 5 1/2 tackles for loss, 51 tackles and two interceptions.
His first interception came in 2016 when he picked off Missouri’s Drew Lock (Denver Broncos) and returned that gift 59 yards for a touchdown. Kongbo’s other interception came against Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham (New England Patriots), and that came in his final game wearing Tennessee’s No. 99.
Kongbo was on crutches by the time Tennessee clinched its first win in 20 years at Auburn, a victory that included a go-ahead touchdown catch by Jauan Jennings, the 49ers’ seventh-round draft pick last month.
Kongbo’s right knee got blown out on a cut block by Auburn fullback Chandler Cox (Miami Dolphins). “I hate it for Kongbo,” Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said two days later. “He’s moved around since we have been here and he’s worked really hard. He’s been a guy that’s tried to do everything we’ve asked him to do.”
Kongbo’s father flew down to attend 15, to which he quipped: “I know a few corners in Knoxville.”
After the injury, his son told Tennessee fans not to feel sorry for him, with @King_Kongbo tweeting to “instead be excited for the marvelous works God is about to do.”
GREY CUP CHAMPION
When the Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafted Kongbo fifth overall last year, their rationale was sound. “He’s the one where you do the film and you’re watching this long, athletic, aggressive, physical player playing at the University of Tennessee in the SEC against big-time opponents,” general manager Kyle Walters said after the May 2, 2019 pick.
Kongbo missed the first six games while rehabilitating his knee, then became a versatile sub on the defensive line and at linebacker for the eventual Grey Cup champions.
“I just want to thank Winnipeg. They were really awesome to me,” Kongbo said. “They understood the circumstances why I didn’t get drafted or an initial shot in the NFL.”
Kongbo had just 12 tackles and one sack for the Blue Bombers, who released him a week after the Grey Cup so he could pursue a NFL contract, with an open invitation to return to the CFL.
“I’d never won a championship before,” Kongbo said of the Grey Cup joy. “I understand now when people say, ‘Once you win your first, it’s almost like an addiction.’ You have that obsession with, ‘How can I get back to it?’ ”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6v_AzplPLd/
JOINING THE 49ERS
After working out for the 49ers, he signed a three-year, reserve/futures contract on Dec. 31 that reportedly guarantees no money but ultimately could pay out $1.9 million. No 49ers official nor coach has commented on Kongbo since his signing; none responded to interview requests for this story.
His right knee is “110 percent” now. His visa and paperwork are filed so he can come work across the border. His 6-foot-5 frame is chiseled at a “lean, cut up” 262 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arms and an 81-inch wingspan.
“I’m going to be honest, right now, I’m raw but athletically there,” Kongbo said. “I feel my strong point is athleticism, my get-off, my ability to move in open space, fluid hips.”
He’d love to mimic Khalil Mack’s blend of speed and power (he won Tennessee’s weight-room award in 2018). For now, he’s learning through the 49ers’ virtual offseason program and staying alert for defensive line coach Kris Kocurek’s necessary quizzing.
“That’s the conversation I had with coach: I just need to be taught how to play the game properly,” Kongbo said. “I didn’t start playing football until my senior games (at Holy Cross), and even then I just played six games.”
The 49ers’ defensive line remains loaded, despite losing DeForest Buckner and Sheldon Day in free agency after the Super Bowl. Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, first-round draft pick Javon Kinlaw and nose tackle D.J. Jones are mainstays.
As last season proved, injuries can quickly deplete the 49ers’ depth. Kongbo isn’t the only defensive linemen coming off ACL repair. So are Ronald Blair, Kentavius Street and Jullian Taylor.
“Last year, we were really down because of the injury,” Joachim Kongo said. “But God’s been good to us. (Jonathan) bounced back and played hard. He fought.
“He’s going to be there (with the 49ers) for a long time.”


mercurynews--2020-05-22--Letter: My wife and I visited SJ Heritage Rose Garden–what a shock!

My wife , Dianne , and I decided on a little get-out-of-the-house outing to the Heritage Rose Garden in San @ @ @ @ @ the site with pleasure some eight years ago .
What a shock !
The garden @ @ @ @ @ it has received little attention for years .
Weeds and grown-over paths surround the ill-kept @ @ @ @ @ place of beauty and community pride is now a shame .
In the parking area @ @ @ @ @ in their cars .
I wondered out loud , “ If the garden is forsaken @ @ @ @ @ over and build low-cost housing ?
” • Letter : Oakland isn ’ t yet @ @ @ @ @ place • Letter : I used to be attracted to the populist philosophy On our @ @ @ @ @ discovered that the web site has not been updated since 2018 .
Then it gave @ @ @ @ @ garden .
No more .
Why ?
Submit your letter to the editor via this @ @ @ @ @ the Editor

Put housing where ill-kept
Heritage Rose Garden sits
My wife, Dianne, and I decided on a little get-out-of-the-house outing to the Heritage Rose Garden in San Jose.
We had visited the site with pleasure some eight years ago. What a shock! The garden is in ruins. Apparently it has received little attention for years. Weeds and grown-over paths surround the ill-kept rose bushes.
Once a place of beauty and community pride is now a shame.
In the parking area, two families were living in their cars.
I wondered out loud, “If the garden is forsaken, why not mow it over and build low-cost housing?”
Related Articles Letters to the Editor | Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives
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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 On our sad drive home, we discovered that the web site has not been updated since 2018. Then it gave a glowing description of the garden. No more. Why?
David Bowman
Saratoga
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mercurynews--2020-05-22--Word Game: May 22, 2020

Word Game: May 22, 2020

Can you find 38 or more words in BLINDER ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — BLINDER (BLINDER: BLINE-der: A flap on a horse’s bridle to curtail side vision.)
Average mark 25 words
Time limit 40 minutes
Can you find 38 or more words in BLINDER? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — MISOGAMIST magi maim mass mast mimosa miosis miso
miss mist moat moist moss most imam iota sigma smog stag stigma oasis omit gait
gast gist goat amiss atom toga toss
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-05-22--Horoscopes May 22, 2020: Apolo Ohno, stand tall and set an example.

Happy Birthday : Size up situations , and put a plan in place .
Broaden your vision , and embrace any opportunity to try something new and exciting .
How you use your skills , knowledge and time to make an impact will influence your reputation .
Make a name for yourself by being a doer , helper and humanitarian .
Stand tall and set an example .
Your numbers are 3 , 15 , 22 , 27 , 30 , 36 , 41 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Remember people , places and projects ; this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pursue .
Establish how you can achieve your goal without jeopardizing any rules or infringing on others .
Planning will make a difference in the outcome .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Adapt to what ’ s going on around you to ease tension , but keep your objective in sight .
Don ’ t let a problematic relationship put a wedge between you and your goals .
Consider your options , make a decision and get on with life .
3 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out until you are satisfied .
Preparation is vital if you want your expertise to be acknowledged .
Expect the competition you face to be fierce , and proceed with a winner ’ s mindset .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Transparency will be required if you want to avoid misunderstandings .
Question anyone who appears to be hiding something .
Take care of your responsibilities .
Do your fact-finding , and avoid joint ventures .
Don ’ t give in to emotional blackmail .
4 stars LEO ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and share experiences and knowledge , but don ’ t let anyone take advantage of you .
Being humble , gracious and kind is honorable , but not at your own expense .
You will gain more respect if you are explicit regarding what you will and won ’ t do .
2 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Listen to complaints , but recognize when someone is trying to take advantage of you .
Your insight and solutions will lead to support that will help you achieve your personal interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a well-thought-out plan will bring higher returns .
5 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : You ’ ll face a learning curve , but with discipline and hard work , it will lead to something worthwhile .
Trust your instincts , not what someone tells you .
Knowledge is power , and the more you know , the better you will do .
Concentrate on personal growth .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : You have more options than you realize .
Head down a path that requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring you satisfaction as well as recognition .
Not everyone will be honest with you .
Choose partners carefully .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Stick to the truth , and promise only what ’ s possible .
Expect the people you deal with to withhold important information that ’ s crucial to making a better decision .
Discipline , coupled with having a passion for what you do , will lead to success .
Work alone .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Think big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow through , don ’ t go over budget .
A last-minute change someone makes will limit your options .
Size up your situation , and you ’ ll realize what you ’ ll have to do to get back on track .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : You ’ ll have the intelligence and the energy to pull off whatever you set out to achieve .
Don ’ t trust or rely on someone who talks big .
A physical change at home will turn out to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
2 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Keep a low profile , and take care of responsibilities .
Use your imagination when solving problems , and you will impress someone close to you .
Reconnect with someone from your past , and an unexpected opportunity will come your way .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are focused , proud and determined .
You are precise and meticulous .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Novak Djokovic, 33; Apolo Ohno, 38; Ginnifer Goodwin, 42; Naomi Campbell, 50.
Happy Birthday: Size up situations, and put a plan in place. Broaden your vision, and embrace any opportunity to try something new and exciting. How you use your skills, knowledge and time to make an impact will influence your reputation. Make a name for yourself by being a doer, helper and humanitarian. Stand tall and set an example. Your numbers are 3, 15, 22, 27, 30, 36, 41.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Remember people, places and projects; this will help you decide what you want to pursue. Establish how you can achieve your goal without jeopardizing any rules or infringing on others. Planning will make a difference in the outcome. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Adapt to what’s going on around you to ease tension, but keep your objective in sight. Don’t let a problematic relationship put a wedge between you and your goals. Consider your options, make a decision and get on with life. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Let your thought process play out until you are satisfied. Preparation is vital if you want your expertise to be acknowledged. Expect the competition you face to be fierce, and proceed with a winner’s mindset. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Transparency will be required if you want to avoid misunderstandings. Question anyone who appears to be hiding something. Take care of your responsibilities. Do your fact-finding, and avoid joint ventures. Don’t give in to emotional blackmail. 4 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Offer suggestions and share experiences and knowledge, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Being humble, gracious and kind is honorable, but not at your own expense. You will gain more respect if you are explicit regarding what you will and won’t do. 2 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Listen to complaints, but recognize when someone is trying to take advantage of you. Your insight and solutions will lead to support that will help you achieve your personal interests. Don’t be impulsive; a well-thought-out plan will bring higher returns. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll face a learning curve, but with discipline and hard work, it will lead to something worthwhile. Trust your instincts, not what someone tells you. Knowledge is power, and the more you know, the better you will do. Concentrate on personal growth. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You have more options than you realize. Head down a path that requires imagination and talent. The outcome will bring you satisfaction as well as recognition. Not everyone will be honest with you. Choose partners carefully. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick to the truth, and promise only what’s possible. Expect the people you deal with to withhold important information that’s crucial to making a better decision. Discipline, coupled with having a passion for what you do, will lead to success. Work alone. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Think big, but when it comes time to follow through, don’t go over budget. A last-minute change someone makes will limit your options. Size up your situation, and you’ll realize what you’ll have to do to get back on track. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’ll have the intelligence and the energy to pull off whatever you set out to achieve. Don’t trust or rely on someone who talks big. A physical change at home will turn out to be beneficial. Romance is in the stars. 2 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Keep a low profile, and take care of responsibilities. Use your imagination when solving problems, and you will impress someone close to you. Reconnect with someone from your past, and an unexpected opportunity will come your way. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are focused, proud and determined. You are precise and meticulous.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Bridge: May 22, 2020

“ Did you hear that the inventor of the throat lozenge died ?
” Unlucky Louie asked me in the club lounge .
“ Really , ” I said .
I knew a bad joke was coming but played along anyway .
“ There was a memorial service , ” Louie said solemnly , “ but no coffin.
” Louie made a grave error as today ’ s declarer .
Against four spades doubled , West led the ace and king of diamonds , and Louie ruffed and led the ace and queen of trumps .
West took his king @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East won and led the queen of diamonds , Louie was stuck .
Whether he ruffed low or with the jack , West ’ s ten of trumps would score for down one .
Louie played with his typical haste , and it cost him a bundle of points .
Louie can fail only if the defense promotes a second trump trick for West .
On West ’ s second high diamond , Louie must pitch his heart loser instead of ruffing .
Louie ruffs West ’ s heart shift and leads the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer get in to lead a third diamond , Louie is safe .
You hold : S 5 H A K Q 5 D Q J 9 5 4 2 C 10 6 .
You open one diamond , and your partner responds one spade .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : To bid the chunky four-card heart suit is tempting , but that action would be a “ reverse ” that would overstate your high-card strength and might induce your partner to bid too much .
Rebid two diamonds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more diamonds .
If you belong at hearts , your partner may bid hearts next .

“Did you hear that the inventor of the throat lozenge died?” Unlucky Louie asked me in the club lounge.
“Really,” I said. I knew a bad joke was coming but played along anyway.
“There was a memorial service,” Louie said solemnly, “but no coffin.”
Louie made a grave error as today’s declarer. Against four spades doubled, West led the ace and king of diamonds, and Louie ruffed and led the ace and queen of trumps. West took his king and led a heart, and when East won and led the queen of diamonds, Louie was stuck. Whether he ruffed low or with the jack, West’s ten of trumps would score for down one.
HASTE
Louie played with his typical haste, and it cost him a bundle of points. Louie can fail only if the defense promotes a second trump trick for West. On West’s second high diamond, Louie must pitch his heart loser instead of ruffing.
Louie ruffs West’s heart shift and leads the A-Q of trumps. Since East can no longer get in to lead a third diamond, Louie is safe.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 5 H A K Q 5 D Q J 9 5 4 2 C 10 6. You open one diamond, and your partner responds one spade. What do you say?
ANSWER: To bid the chunky four-card heart suit is tempting, but that action would be a “reverse” that would overstate your high-card strength and might induce your partner to bid too much. Rebid two diamonds to show a minimum-range opening bid with six or more diamonds. If you belong at hearts, your partner may bid hearts next.
East dealer
E-W vulnerable
NORTH
S 7 6 3
H 10 8 4
D 10 7 6 3
C K 7 3
WEST
S K 10 2
H J 9 7 3 2
D A K
C 8 4 2
EAST
S 5
H A K Q 5
D Q J 9 5 4 2
C 10 6
SOUTH
S A Q J 9 8 4
H 6
D 8
C A Q J 9 5
East South West North
1 D 1 S 2 H Pass
3 H 4 C 4 H Pass
Pass 4 S Dbl All Pass
Opening lead — D A
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-05-22--Ask Amy: I want out of our California bubble, but my wife says no

DEAR AMY : I have been happily married for over 20 years .
I love my wife and our son and daughter .
My wife and I are on the same page on most things — except for one big one : She wants to establish roots and stay in one place for her entire life so that the kids have a place to come home to from college and a place to bring our grandchildren ( when they have them ) .
I am different .
I want out of our homogenous bubble of a California beach town .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s friends , because I have a Larry David kind of brain and oftentimes things come out of my mouth that tend to rub people the wrong way .
Both of our kids will be attending college in Georgia .
In my mind , that creates a perfect opportunity for us to start a little adventure and move there for a few years .
You know — live in Savannah , play some golf , do some fishing , play some tennis , etc .
• Ask Amy : My younger wife resents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My neighbor ’ s invitation was nuts , but of course I can ’ t say that • 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 made my son irate My wife disagrees .
She has her mother to take care of , but , Amy , her mother could live for another five to eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our home become the one our kids will bring their children to .
I feel like I am stuck in a bubble-prison .
My term keeps getting extended .
The things that I would have liked to do in my life seem to be slipping away .
Is that just life ?
Do I have to give up on my dreams because they don ’ t intersect with my wife ’ s ?
When I try to push my agenda , my wife feels like she has to make an impossible choice between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , her guilt chooses her mom , so where does that leave me ?
DEAR GEORGIA : Your self-identification as a “ Larry David ” type makes me want to applaud your honesty — and give your wife a medal .
I ’ ll be your ( unofficial ) adjudicator : Your wife ’ s desire/need to take care of her mother is more important than your desire/need to pull her away to hang on the golf course and play some tennis , Larry .
And please don ’ t start the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ span .
You and your wife both seem to have unrealistic expectations for your future .
You want to be footloose , and she seems to believe that your two children will quickly multiply and bring a passel of grandchildren back to the homestead .
This grandchild-centered plan of hers might be well over a decade off , or not happen at all .
You might be able to split the difference , however .
If you have the means ( it sounds as if you do ) , perhaps you could decamp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent a place , and see if your wife can join you for a week or two while you are there .
Getting out of the bubble , even briefly , might inspire both of you to think about your options in a new way .
DEAR AMY : Now that spring is here , with the increased usage of our parks and trails , there is an issue regarding noise .
When someone chooses to use their smartphone ’ s speakerphone while walking , I ’ d like to ask them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is irritating when we can hear your loud voice a block away .
DEAR STEVE : For some reason , the amplification of a speakerphone seems to inspire the other person to also raise their speaking volume .
I agree that this is really annoying — and a violation of the privacy of both parties .
And to you grandparents FaceTiming your grandkids while walking around ?
Please stop .
However , for me , being irritated by this sort of thing harkens back to another time , when it might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively minor irritation would qualify as a comfort right now , but I “ hear ” you , and I hope others will , too .
DEAR AMY : I appreciated your explanation of how flawed the IQ test is .
When I was a kid , apparently , I tested very high .
My parents used this high score ( they never told me what it was ) to basically punish me whenever I didn ’ t get a perfect grade .
They were all , “ You ’ re genius-level smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well enough.
” They assumed I was lazy .
I ’ ve rejected the entire construct , because , as you pointed out , scores do not predict how well you do in life .
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 .

DEAR AMY: I have been happily married for over 20 years. I love my wife and our son and daughter.
My wife and I are on the same page on most things — except for one big one: She wants to establish roots and stay in one place for her entire life so that the kids have a place to come home to from college and a place to bring our grandchildren (when they have them).
I am different. I want out of our homogenous bubble of a California beach town. Our friends are mostly my wife’s friends, because I have a Larry David kind of brain and oftentimes things come out of my mouth that tend to rub people the wrong way.
Both of our kids will be attending college in Georgia. In my mind, that creates a perfect opportunity for us to start a little adventure and move there for a few years. You know — live in Savannah, play some golf, do some fishing, play some tennis, etc.
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Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy My wife disagrees. She has her mother to take care of, but, Amy, her mother could live for another five to eight years. And she wants to have our home become the one our kids will bring their children to.
I feel like I am stuck in a bubble-prison. My term keeps getting extended. The things that I would have liked to do in my life seem to be slipping away.
Is that just life? Do I have to give up on my dreams because they don’t intersect with my wife’s?
When I try to push my agenda, my wife feels like she has to make an impossible choice between her husband and her mom.
Of course, her guilt chooses her mom, so where does that leave me?
Georgia on My Mind
DEAR GEORGIA: Your self-identification as a “Larry David” type makes me want to applaud your honesty — and give your wife a medal.
I’ll be your (unofficial) adjudicator: Your wife’s desire/need to take care of her mother is more important than your desire/need to pull her away to hang on the golf course and play some tennis, Larry.
And please don’t start the clock on your mother-in-law’s life span.
You and your wife both seem to have unrealistic expectations for your future. You want to be footloose, and she seems to believe that your two children will quickly multiply and bring a passel of grandchildren back to the homestead.
This grandchild-centered plan of hers might be well over a decade off, or not happen at all.
You might be able to split the difference, however. If you have the means (it sounds as if you do), perhaps you could decamp for a few weeks to Georgia, rent a place, and see if your wife can join you for a week or two while you are there. Getting out of the bubble, even briefly, might inspire both of you to think about your options in a new way.
DEAR AMY: Now that spring is here, with the increased usage of our parks and trails, there is an issue regarding noise.
When someone chooses to use their smartphone’s speakerphone while walking, I’d like to ask them to please speak in a normal voice.
It is irritating when we can hear your loud voice a block away.
Steve in Denver
DEAR STEVE: For some reason, the amplification of a speakerphone seems to inspire the other person to also raise their speaking volume. I agree that this is really annoying — and a violation of the privacy of both parties.
And to you grandparents FaceTiming your grandkids while walking around? Please stop.
However, for me, being irritated by this sort of thing harkens back to another time, when it might have qualified as an annoyance headline.
This relatively minor irritation would qualify as a comfort right now, but I “hear” you, and I hope others will, too.
DEAR AMY: I appreciated your explanation of how flawed the IQ test is.
When I was a kid, apparently, I tested very high. My parents used this high score (they never told me what it was) to basically punish me whenever I didn’t get a perfect grade. They were all, “You’re genius-level smart, but you’re not doing well enough.” They assumed I was lazy.
Honestly, I was just a kid.
I’ve rejected the entire construct, because, as you pointed out, scores do not predict how well you do in life.
Successful
DEAR SUCCESSFUL: Fortunately, parenting is graded on a curve.
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--2020-05-22--Letter: Oakland isn’t yet ready to stop sheltering in place

Obviously Oakland is not ready for coming out of shelter-in-place .
Along sidewalks and especially around Lake Merritt the number @ @ @ @ @ not observing distance is huge .
• Letter : I used to be attracted to @ @ @ @ @ have thought that in these months we collectively would have developed awareness of the well-being @ @ @ @ @ reduce risks for others .
Instead , it seems to be less .
Sad !
@ @ @ @ @ editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Oakland isn’t yet ready to stop sheltering in place
Obviously Oakland is not ready for coming out of shelter-in-place.
Along sidewalks and especially around Lake Merritt the number of people without masks or not observing distance is huge.
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Jim Allen
Oakland
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-05-22--Harriette Cole: I overheard what he asked my teenage daughter

DEAR HARRIETTE : I overheard my daughter talking to her boyfriend the other day .
He was pressing her to take topless photos to send to him .
They are seniors in high school , and I know that they have engaged in some degree of intimacy .
I ’ m not so happy about it , but I know this is true .
But sending nude pictures is a bad idea and will likely lead to embarrassment — or worse — for her .
How can I get her to listen to me when she already thinks she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ideally you should be in constant conversation with your daughter about life choices and cause and effect .
As she is growing up , she needs to have your family ’ s values repeated to her often so that when she makes decisions , she can hear your voice in her head .
In this case , be direct .
Tell her that you overheard her conversation with her boyfriend .
Point out that you weren ’ t snooping , but you did hear it , and you are concerned .
Explain to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone or computer can be dangerous for a number of reasons .
For starters , once the photos leave her device , she no longer has control over them .
• Harriette Cole : Why won ’ t they invite me to their online parties ?
• Harriette Cole : I walked in on my daughter and saw sex on her screen • Harriette Cole : The women all turn off their video .
Is that OK ?
• Harriette Cole : Should I take the funeral home ’ s advice about my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve started having flashbacks of my shameful behavior Anyone may potentially see them , leaving her vulnerable to ill-meaning people .
If discovered sometime down the line by the wrong people , it could hurt her chances to get into the college of her choice or the internship or job she has been longing for .
She probably doesn ’ t know that it is also considered child pornography if she is under 18 , and both she and her boyfriend could get arrested if it were ever discovered by the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this action .
It will be bad for her and her boyfriend in the long run .
DEAR HARRIETTE : I ’ m really concerned about how much I drink .
Ever since we have been quarantined at home , I have been drinking more than ever .
I know it ’ s too much , but I can ’ t seem to stop myself .
I have even taken to ordering from my local liquor store and having them deliver once a week .
I know it ’ s because I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to stop .
What do you recommend , given that I am stuck in my house ?
DEAR ALCOHOLIC : Congratulations on taking the first step to helping yourself .
It takes a lot to admit your vulnerabilities .
By stating what you know to be a problem and asking for help , you are setting yourself up for success .
The good news is that there are online resources that can support you .
A trusted source is Alcoholics Anonymous , an organization of people who are working to become sober @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other about their lives and their challenges .
They now offer virtual meetings .
Go to aa.org/pages/en_US/options-for-meeting-online to sign up .
You can also call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 800-662-HELP , or go to their website for support , samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline .
Good luck to you .
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS , an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams .
You can send questions to askharriette @ harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas @ @ @ @ @

DEAR HARRIETTE: I overheard my daughter talking to her boyfriend the other day. He was pressing her to take topless photos to send to him.
They are seniors in high school, and I know that they have engaged in some degree of intimacy. I’m not so happy about it, but I know this is true. But sending nude pictures is a bad idea and will likely lead to embarrassment — or worse — for her.
How can I get her to listen to me when she already thinks she is grown?
Drawing the Line
DEAR DRAWING THE LINE: Ideally you should be in constant conversation with your daughter about life choices and cause and effect. As she is growing up, she needs to have your family’s values repeated to her often so that when she makes decisions, she can hear your voice in her head.
In this case, be direct. Tell her that you overheard her conversation with her boyfriend. Point out that you weren’t snooping, but you did hear it, and you are concerned. Explain to her that sending nude pictures via the phone or computer can be dangerous for a number of reasons. For starters, once the photos leave her device, she no longer has control over them.
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She probably doesn’t know that it is also considered child pornography if she is under 18, and both she and her boyfriend could get arrested if it were ever discovered by the police.
Strongly suggest that she not take this action. It will be bad for her and her boyfriend in the long run.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m really concerned about how much I drink.
Ever since we have been quarantined at home, I have been drinking more than ever. I know it’s too much, but I can’t seem to stop myself. I have even taken to ordering from my local liquor store and having them deliver once a week. I know it’s because I’m bored and lonely, but I need to stop.
What do you recommend, given that I am stuck in my house?
Alcoholic
DEAR ALCOHOLIC: Congratulations on taking the first step to helping yourself.
It takes a lot to admit your vulnerabilities. By stating what you know to be a problem and asking for help, you are setting yourself up for success.
The good news is that there are online resources that can support you. A trusted source is Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization of people who are working to become sober and stay that way by talking to each other about their lives and their challenges. They now offer virtual meetings. Go to aa.org/pages/en_US/options-for-meeting-online to sign up.
You can also call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 800-662-HELP, or go to their website for support, samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline. Good luck to you.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-05-22--Miss Manners: I waved and kept walking. Was that rude?

DEAR MISS MANNERS : A friend calls out to you in a parking lot .
You wave hello , and keep going to your destination .
Is it OK just to wave to a friend when you are in a hurry ?
Or do you have to stop and talk ?
GENTLE READER : In our current situation , you could actually be fined for it .
That excuse will not last forever , however .
When things return to normal , Miss Manners assures you that as long as you make it clear that it is your schedule , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in question , it will still be acceptable to keep moving .
This can be accomplished by accompanying the wave with a gesture to a ( real or imagined ) wristwatch and a hurried , but pleasant and apologetic , facial expression .
If you are able to follow up later with a phone call or email , it may quell any fears that the friendship was not worth stopping for .
Unless of course , that is the actual case .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : I often send texts and emails that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crickets .
If I ’ ve made a request , I ’ m totally fine with hearing , “ Sorry , I can ’ t do this , ” but hearing nothing puts me in a quandary .
I ’ m pleasant and friendly in tone , so I don ’ t think I ’ m putting people off .
What ’ s going on here ?
Is this the new norm ?
How can I address these non-responders ?
GENTLE READER : It is endlessly annoying that people seem to find the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that look like humans , yet somehow are unable to answer direct questions like , “ Are we still on for parachuting tomorrow ?
” Electronic correspondents tend to be selective in how they define “ busy.
” Miss Manners suggests that you try calling instead .
Although she holds out little hope that this will be any more effective , it does tend to convey more urgency .
She further allows you , after a reasonable amount of waiting time , to send a follow-up message that says , “ Since I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assume that you are no longer available , ” and make other plans .
Enough rounds of this should either reform your friends — or demonstrate that they may not be worth the correspondence .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : I was married for more than 50 years and have been widowed for two .
I wonder how to refer to certain things and people .
We lived in “ our house ” and raised “ our children.
” I still live in the same place , and of course have the same children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house ” or still “ our house ” ?
Are they “ my children ” or “ our children ” ?
Or are both acceptable ?
Just because he is gone does not mean he was not an important partner and part of my life .
GENTLE READER : There must be someone in your life who thinks otherwise , and is helpfully suggesting that you “ move on.
” Miss Manners gives you her permission to ignore such pressure .
Indeed , the children and house were joint efforts and you may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may continue to wear your wedding ring if you wish , and use your formal name ( i.e.
, Mrs. Giuseppe McCann ) , if that is what you were previously called .
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , dearmissmanners @ gmail.com ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend calls out to you in a parking lot. You wave hello, and keep going to your destination. Is it OK just to wave to a friend when you are in a hurry? Or do you have to stop and talk?
GENTLE READER: In our current situation, you could actually be fined for it. That excuse will not last forever, however.
When things return to normal, Miss Manners assures you that as long as you make it clear that it is your schedule, and not your affection, that is in question, it will still be acceptable to keep moving.
This can be accomplished by accompanying the wave with a gesture to a (real or imagined) wristwatch and a hurried, but pleasant and apologetic, facial expression. If you are able to follow up later with a phone call or email, it may quell any fears that the friendship was not worth stopping for. Unless of course, that is the actual case.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I often send texts and emails that need an answer, but I get crickets. If I’ve made a request, I’m totally fine with hearing, “Sorry, I can’t do this,” but hearing nothing puts me in a quandary.
I’m pleasant and friendly in tone, so I don’t think I’m putting people off.
What’s going on here? Is this the new norm? How can I address these non-responders?
GENTLE READER: It is endlessly annoying that people seem to find the time to regularly text pictures of goldfish that look like humans, yet somehow are unable to answer direct questions like, “Are we still on for parachuting tomorrow?”
Electronic correspondents tend to be selective in how they define “busy.” Miss Manners suggests that you try calling instead. Although she holds out little hope that this will be any more effective, it does tend to convey more urgency. She further allows you, after a reasonable amount of waiting time, to send a follow-up message that says, “Since I have not heard from you, I assume that you are no longer available,” and make other plans.
Enough rounds of this should either reform your friends — or demonstrate that they may not be worth the correspondence.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was married for more than 50 years and have been widowed for two. I wonder how to refer to certain things and people.
We lived in “our house” and raised “our children.” I still live in the same place, and of course have the same children. But is it now “my house” or still “our house”? Are they “my children” or “our children”? Or are both acceptable?
Just because he is gone does not mean he was not an important partner and part of my life.
GENTLE READER: There must be someone in your life who thinks otherwise, and is helpfully suggesting that you “move on.”
Miss Manners gives you her permission to ignore such pressure. Indeed, the children and house were joint efforts and you may refer to them as such. You may continue to wear your wedding ring if you wish, and use your formal name (i.e., Mrs. Giuseppe McCann), if that is what you were previously called.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-05-23--Biden says he was too ‘cavalier’ about black Trump supporters

By Bill Barrow and Kat Stafford | Associated Press ATLANTA — Joe Biden declared he “ should not have been so cavalier ” on Friday after he told a prominent black radio host that African Americans who back President Donald Trump “ ain ’ t black.
” The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee quickly moved to address the fallout from his remark , which was interpreted by some as presuming black Americans would vote for him .
In a call with the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce that was added to his public schedule , Biden said he would never “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I shouldn ’ t have been such a wise guy , ” Biden said .
“ No one should have to vote for any party based on their race or religion or background.
” That was an acknowledgement of the stinging criticism he received in response to his comments , which he made earlier in the day on “ The Breakfast Club , ” a radio program that is popular in the black community .
The rebukes included allies of Trump ’ s reelection campaign — anxious to go on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic — and some activists who warned that Biden must still court black voters , even if African Americans overwhelmingly oppose the president .
“ None of us can afford for the party or for this campaign to mess this election up , and comments like these are the kinds that frankly either make black voters feel like we ’ re not really valued and people don ’ t care if we show up or not , ” said Alicia Garza , a Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Near the end of Biden ’ s appearance on the radio program , host Charlamagne Tha God pressed him on reports that he is considering Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who is white , to be his vice presidential running mate .
The host told Biden that black voters “ saved your political life in the primaries ” and “ have things they want from you.
” Biden said that “ I guarantee you there are multiple black women being considered .
Multiple.
” A Biden aide then sought to end the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ You can ’ t do that to black media.
” Biden responded , “ I do that to black media and white media , ” and said his wife needed to use the television studio .
He then added : “ If you ’ ve got a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or for Trump , then you ain ’ t black.
” Trump ’ s campaign and his allies immediately seized on Biden ’ s comments .
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott , a Trump supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican , said he was “ shocked and surprised ” by Biden ’ s remarks .
“ I was struck by the condescension and the arrogance in his comments , ” Scott said in a conference call arranged by the Trump campaign .
“ I could not believe my ears that he would stoop so low to tell folks what they should do , how they should think and what it means to be black.
” Charlamagne Tha God later said on CNN , “ A black woman running mate is necessary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the question of “ what makes somebody black ” is a discussion for black people , not for “ a white man.
” Trump himself has a history of incendiary rhetoric related to race .
When he launched his presidential campaign in 2015 , Trump called many Mexican immigrants “ rapists.
” Campaigning in 2016 , he asked black voters , “ What the hell do you have to lose ?
” In 2017 , he said there are good people on “ both sides ” of the clash in Charlottesville , Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that left one counterprotester dead .
In 2018 , during a private White House meeting on immigration , Trump wondered why the United States was admitting so many immigrants from “ shithole countries ” like African nations .
He also blasted four Democratic congresswomen of color , saying they hate America and should “ go back ” to where they come from , even though all are U.S. citizens and three were born in the U.S. Black voters helped resurrect Biden ’ s campaign in this year ’ s primaries with a second-place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resounding win in the South Carolina primary after he ’ d started with embarrassing finishes in overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire .
Sixty-one percent of black voters supported Biden during the primary season , according to AP VoteCast surveys across 17 states that voted in February and March .
Biden is now seeking to maintain his standing with black voters while building the type of multiracial and multigenerational coalition that twice elected Barack Obama , whom he served as vice president .
He has already committed to picking a woman as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American contenders who could energize black voters .
But Biden is also considering candidates such as Klobuchar , who could appeal to white moderates .
There is little chance of a sudden shift in support for Trump among black voters .
A recent Fox News poll shows just 14 % of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of Trump , compared with 84 % who view him unfavorably .
Seventy-five percent of African American registered voters say they have a favorable view of Biden ; 21 % hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk , however , of black voters , especially those who are younger , staying home in November , which could complicate Biden ’ s path to victory in a tight election .
The Breakfast Club is a particularly notable venue for Biden ’ s comments because the program is popular among younger African Americans .
Adrianne Shropshire , executive director of BlackPAC , a national organization that works to mobilize black voters , said many black Americans are loyal Biden supporters .
But she said his comments make it harder to attract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting .
• Reade ’ s life marred by abuse and financial hardships • Oakland voters to decide if youth should vote in school elections • Top Trump campaign aide pushed anti-gay positions , said legalizing same-sex marriage would lead to bestiality and pedophilia “ The first thing I thought about was to what degree did this just turn off those voters and how much more work the rest of us are going to have to do to convince people that it is worth their time and their efforts , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running mate , along with his pledge to appoint the first black female Supreme Court justice , could help motivate voters .
He ’ s begun vetting vice presidential contenders , a process he ’ s said will likely last through July .
Several black women are among those under consideration , including California Sen. Kamala Harris , Georgia voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams , Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , Florida Rep. Val Demings , Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge and Susan Rice , Obama ’ s former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writers Jill Colvin , Hannah Fingerhut and Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report .

By Bill Barrow and Kat Stafford | Associated Press
ATLANTA — Joe Biden declared he “should not have been so cavalier” on Friday after he told a prominent black radio host that African Americans who back President Donald Trump “ain’t black.”
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee quickly moved to address the fallout from his remark, which was interpreted by some as presuming black Americans would vote for him. In a call with the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce that was added to his public schedule, Biden said he would never “take the African American community for granted.”
“I shouldn’t have been such a wise guy,” Biden said. “No one should have to vote for any party based on their race or religion or background.”
That was an acknowledgement of the stinging criticism he received in response to his comments, which he made earlier in the day on “The Breakfast Club,” a radio program that is popular in the black community.
The rebukes included allies of Trump’s reelection campaign — anxious to go on the offense after weeks of defending the Republican president’s response to the coronavirus pandemic — and some activists who warned that Biden must still court black voters, even if African Americans overwhelmingly oppose the president.
“None of us can afford for the party or for this campaign to mess this election up, and comments like these are the kinds that frankly either make black voters feel like we’re not really valued and people don’t care if we show up or not,” said Alicia Garza, a Black Lives Matter co-founder and principal of Black Futures Lab.
Near the end of Biden’s appearance on the radio program, host Charlamagne Tha God pressed him on reports that he is considering Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is white, to be his vice presidential running mate. The host told Biden that black voters “saved your political life in the primaries” and “have things they want from you.”
Biden said that “I guarantee you there are multiple black women being considered. Multiple.”
A Biden aide then sought to end the interview, prompting the host to say, “You can’t do that to black media.”
Biden responded, “I do that to black media and white media,” and said his wife needed to use the television studio.
He then added: “If you’ve got a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or for Trump, then you ain’t black.”
Trump’s campaign and his allies immediately seized on Biden’s comments. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, a Trump supporter and the Senate’s sole black Republican, said he was “shocked and surprised” by Biden’s remarks.
“I was struck by the condescension and the arrogance in his comments,” Scott said in a conference call arranged by the Trump campaign. “I could not believe my ears that he would stoop so low to tell folks what they should do, how they should think and what it means to be black.”
Charlamagne Tha God later said on CNN, “A black woman running mate is necessary, especially after today.” He added that the question of “what makes somebody black” is a discussion for black people, not for “a white man.”
Trump himself has a history of incendiary rhetoric related to race.
When he launched his presidential campaign in 2015, Trump called many Mexican immigrants “rapists.” Campaigning in 2016, he asked black voters, “What the hell do you have to lose?”
In 2017, he said there are good people on “both sides” of the clash in Charlottesville, Virginia, between white supremacists and anti-racist demonstrators that left one counterprotester dead.
In 2018, during a private White House meeting on immigration, Trump wondered why the United States was admitting so many immigrants from “shithole countries” like African nations. He also blasted four Democratic congresswomen of color, saying they hate America and should “go back” to where they come from, even though all are U.S. citizens and three were born in the U.S.
Black voters helped resurrect Biden’s campaign in this year’s primaries with a second-place finish in the Nevada caucuses and a resounding win in the South Carolina primary after he’d started with embarrassing finishes in overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire. Sixty-one percent of black voters supported Biden during the primary season, according to AP VoteCast surveys across 17 states that voted in February and March.
Biden is now seeking to maintain his standing with black voters while building the type of multiracial and multigenerational coalition that twice elected Barack Obama, whom he served as vice president. He has already committed to picking a woman as his running mate and is considering several African American contenders who could energize black voters. But Biden is also considering candidates such as Klobuchar, who could appeal to white moderates.
There is little chance of a sudden shift in support for Trump among black voters. A recent Fox News poll shows just 14% of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of Trump, compared with 84% who view him unfavorably.
Seventy-five percent of African American registered voters say they have a favorable view of Biden; 21% hold an unfavorable opinion.
There is a risk, however, of black voters, especially those who are younger, staying home in November, which could complicate Biden’s path to victory in a tight election. The Breakfast Club is a particularly notable venue for Biden’s comments because the program is popular among younger African Americans.
Adrianne Shropshire, executive director of BlackPAC, a national organization that works to mobilize black voters, said many black Americans are loyal Biden supporters. But she said his comments make it harder to attract people who are on the fence about voting.
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ National News | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 “The first thing I thought about was to what degree did this just turn off those voters and how much more work the rest of us are going to have to do to convince people that it is worth their time and their efforts,” she said.
Biden’s selection of a running mate, along with his pledge to appoint the first black female Supreme Court justice, could help motivate voters. He’s begun vetting vice presidential contenders, a process he’s said will likely last through July.
Several black women are among those under consideration, including California Sen. Kamala Harris, Georgia voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Florida Rep. Val Demings, Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge and Susan Rice, Obama’s former U.S. ambassador to the U.N.
Stafford reported from Detroit. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Hannah Fingerhut and Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-05-23--Remains ID’d in Long Island serial killer case, police say

NEW YORK — Authorities investigating the long-running mystery of skeletal remains strewn along a suburban New York beach highway said Friday they have identified the remains of one of the women using DNA technology .
Suffolk County police said they would soon post information about the woman , known as “ Jane Doe No .
6 , ” to a website the department created about the case .
Police officials declined to provide more specific information about when the announcement would be made .
The previously unidentified woman ’ s remains were found in two areas of Long Island , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart : in 2000 in Manorville , near where Long Island splits into its two eastern forks , and in 2011 near Gilgo Beach on the Atlantic Coast , where the remains of 11 people were found .
Investigators have been unable to determine who killed them or whether a lone serial killer or several suspects were involved .
Over the years , they ’ ve said it is unlikely one person killed all the victims .
The case has attracted national headlines , been featured on true-crime television shows and was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The previously unidentified woman is at least the second whose remains were found at the beach and also in Manorville .
Police found the skull of Jessica Taylor , a 20-year-old prostitute who disappeared in 2003 , near Gilgo Beach and most of the rest of her body in a wooded area of Manorville .
In January , police revealed a previously unreleased photograph of initials on a black leather belt — either an HM or WH , depending on the angle — that they say was handled by an unknown suspect .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the green light to ask the FBI to deploy genetic genealogy , a technique in which genetic profiles are run though databases to find potential relatives of a homicide victim or suspect .
It ’ s that technology that led to the woman ’ s identification , police said .

Associated Press
NEW YORK — Authorities investigating the long-running mystery of skeletal remains strewn along a suburban New York beach highway said Friday they have identified the remains of one of the women using DNA technology.
Suffolk County police said they would soon post information about the woman, known as “Jane Doe No. 6,” to a website the department created about the case. Police officials declined to provide more specific information about when the announcement would be made.
The previously unidentified woman’s remains were found in two areas of Long Island, more than 40 miles and a decade apart: in 2000 in Manorville, near where Long Island splits into its two eastern forks, and in 2011 near Gilgo Beach on the Atlantic Coast, where the remains of 11 people were found.
Investigators have been unable to determine who killed them or whether a lone serial killer or several suspects were involved. Over the years, they’ve said it is unlikely one person killed all the victims.
The case has attracted national headlines, been featured on true-crime television shows and was the subject of a recent Netflix film.
The previously unidentified woman is at least the second whose remains were found at the beach and also in Manorville. Police found the skull of Jessica Taylor, a 20-year-old prostitute who disappeared in 2003, near Gilgo Beach and most of the rest of her body in a wooded area of Manorville.
In January, police revealed a previously unreleased photograph of initials on a black leather belt — either an HM or WH, depending on the angle — that they say was handled by an unknown suspect.
Last fall, state officials gave investigators the green light to ask the FBI to deploy genetic genealogy, a technique in which genetic profiles are run though databases to find potential relatives of a homicide victim or suspect. It’s that technology that led to the woman’s identification, police said.


mercurynews--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: Outbreak picks up speed across Latin America

By David Biller and Christopher Sherman | Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO — The coronavirus pandemic accelerated across Latin America on Friday , bringing a surge of new infections and deaths , even as curves flattened and reopening was underway in much of Europe , Asia and the United States .
The region ’ s two largest nations — Mexico and Brazil — reported record counts of new cases and deaths almost daily this week , fueling criticism of their presidents , who have slow-walked shutdowns in attempts to limit economic damage .
Brazil reported more than 20,000 deaths and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third worst-hit country in the world by official counts .
Experts consider both numbers undercounts due to the widespread lack of testing .
The virus “ does not forgive .
It does not choose race or if you are rich or poor , black or white .
It ’ s a cruel disease , ” Bruno Almeida de Mello , a 24-year-old Uber driver , said at his 66-year-old grandmother ’ s burial in Rio de Janeiro .
Infections rose and intensive-care units were also swamped in Peru , Chile and Ecuador , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business shutdowns and quarantines .
Many experts said the rising death toll across Latin America showed the limits of government action in a region where millions labor in informal jobs and many police forces are weak or corrupt and unable to enforce restrictions .
Many governments — even those where the virus is still on the rise — say they must shift their focus to saving jobs that are vanishing as quickly as the disease can spread .
In the United States and China , the world ’ s two largest economies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman has estimated that as many as 1 in 4 Americans could be jobless , while in China analysts estimate around a third of the urban workforce is unemployed .
Meanwhile , the virus is roaring through countries ill-equipped to handle the pandemic , which many scientists fear will seed the embers of a second global wave of infections .
India saw its biggest single-day spike since the pandemic began , and Pakistan and Russia recorded their highest death tolls .
Most new Indian cases are in Bihar , where thousands returned home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a month , some walked among crowds for hundreds of miles .
Also in Russia , state news agencies reported that the authoritarian leader of the southern region of Chechnya was taken to a Moscow hospital with suspected COVID-19 symptoms .
Ramzan Kadyrov , 43 , has run predominantly Muslim Chechnya with an iron fist since 2007 .
The Kremlin has relied on him to keep the North Caucasus region stable after two devastating separatist wars .
The Chechen parliament speaker insisted that Kadyrov was healthy and denied the reports , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Brazil , Vandelma Rosa had all the virus ’ symptoms , but her death certificate reads “ suspected of COVID-19 , ” according to her grandson , because her hospital lacked tests to confirm .
That means her passing did not figure into the death toll , which marked its biggest single-day increase Thursday : 1,181 .
President Jair Bolsonaro has scoffed at the seriousness of the virus and actively campaigned against state governors ’ attempts to impose limits on citizens ’ movements and commerce .
Bolsonaro fired his first health minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ stay-at-home recommendations and restrictions on activity .
His second minister resigned about a month later after openly disagreeing with Bolsonaro about chloroquine , the predecessor of the anti-malarial often touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a viable coronavirus treatment .
“ In Rio de Janeiro , you see people going out normally , without a mask , in some neighborhoods .
They aren ’ t believing in this disease .
And it ’ s sad that in other countries people believe , but not here , ” de Mello said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your family to be able to believe.
” On Thursday , opposition lawmakers and other detractors protested in front of Congress in the capital , Brasilia .
They called for Bolsonaro ’ s impeachment , alleging criminal mishandling of virus response .
Two of them displayed a Brazilian flag , defaced with hundreds of tiny black crosses to represent the dead .
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador downplayed the threat the virus posed for weeks as he continued to travel the country after Mexico ’ s first confirmed case .
He let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis , but continued insisting that Mexico was different , that its strong family bonds and work ethic would pull it through .
Mexico passed 6,000 confirmed deaths on Wednesday .
The country has recently reported more than 400 deaths a day , and new infections still have not peaked .
Many deaths categorized as “ atypical pneumonia ” are suspected of being COVID-19 but not included in the official count .
The true count may be several times higher .
Armando Sepulveda , manager of San Cristobal Mauseleum in the massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his burial and cremation business has doubled in recent weeks .
“ The crematoriums are saturated , ” Sepulveda said Thursday .
“ All of the ovens don ’ t have that capacity.
” Families scour the city looking for funeral services that can handle their dead “ in desperation , ” because the hospitals can not hold the dead for long , he said .
The Mexican government has shifted its attention to reactivating the economy .
Mining , construction and parts of the North American automotive supply chain were allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predict a massive economic contraction in an economy that had already entered a technical recession before the pandemic .
The pandemic reaches from Latin America ’ s mega-cities deep into the Amazon jungle .
The Colombian town of Leticia , which lies along the Amazon River at the border of Brazil and Peru , has nearly 1,300 cases .
Residents are reeling from both the illness and a sudden loss of income , much of which came from tourism .
Families have begun placing red cloth flags outside humble homes with tin roofs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authorities in Colombia have pointed a finger at Brazil to explain the sudden rise in infections there , and President Iván Duque has imposed strict measures aimed at keeping cases out , including militarizing the border .
But with many informal crossing points , it is nearly impossible to completely seal Colombia off .
In Chile , more than 90 % of intensive care beds were full last week in the capital , Santiago , where the main cemetery dug 1,000 emergency graves to prepare for a wave of deaths despite a strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government declared a 2 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew in March , among other measures , but cases have swamped medical and mortuary services in the city of Guayaquil and , now , in the capital , Quito .
Hundreds of people can be seen violating the curfew daily in Ecuadorian cities , many selling goods on the streets to earn enough to buy food .
• Some Bay Area census offices are reopening after coronavirus closures ; response rates still below 2010 count • Couples are getting it on and getting along just fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule-breakers aren ’ t needy .
A doctor treating coronavirus in a hospital in northern Quito said he had treated members of a family who threw a Mother ’ s Day barbeque despite the restrictions .
The family ’ s mother and her brother died of coronavirus , and seven relatives are hospitalized .
The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press .
Peru has 2.5 intensive-care beds per 100,000 people , one quarter of the global standard .
With almost 109,000 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday night , Peruvian media showed images of patients slumped in wheelchairs receiving oxygen .
Doctors say most patients are shopkeepers , taxi drivers or street vendors .
Sherman reported from Mexico City .
Associated Press writers Michael Biesecker in Washington ; Franklin Briceño in Lima , Peru ; Gonzalo Solano in Quito , Ecuador ; Eva Vergara in Santiago , Chile ; and Christine Armario in Bogota , Colombia , contributed .

[vemba-video id=”world/2020/05/21/brazil-coronavirus-cases-graves-walsh-keilar-nr-vpx.cnn”]
By David Biller and Christopher Sherman | Associated Press
RIO DE JANEIRO — The coronavirus pandemic accelerated across Latin America on Friday, bringing a surge of new infections and deaths, even as curves flattened and reopening was underway in much of Europe, Asia and the United States.
The region’s two largest nations — Mexico and Brazil — reported record counts of new cases and deaths almost daily this week, fueling criticism of their presidents, who have slow-walked shutdowns in attempts to limit economic damage.
Brazil reported more than 20,000 deaths and 300,000 confirmed cases, making it the third worst-hit country in the world by official counts. Experts consider both numbers undercounts due to the widespread lack of testing.
The virus “does not forgive. It does not choose race or if you are rich or poor, black or white. It’s a cruel disease,” Bruno Almeida de Mello, a 24-year-old Uber driver, said at his 66-year-old grandmother’s burial in Rio de Janeiro.
Infections rose and intensive-care units were also swamped in Peru, Chile and Ecuador, countries lauded for imposing early and aggressive business shutdowns and quarantines. Many experts said the rising death toll across Latin America showed the limits of government action in a region where millions labor in informal jobs and many police forces are weak or corrupt and unable to enforce restrictions.
Many governments — even those where the virus is still on the rise — say they must shift their focus to saving jobs that are vanishing as quickly as the disease can spread. In the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies, unemployment is soaring.
The Federal Reserve chairman has estimated that as many as 1 in 4 Americans could be jobless, while in China analysts estimate around a third of the urban workforce is unemployed.
Meanwhile, the virus is roaring through countries ill-equipped to handle the pandemic, which many scientists fear will seed the embers of a second global wave of infections.
India saw its biggest single-day spike since the pandemic began, and Pakistan and Russia recorded their highest death tolls. Most new Indian cases are in Bihar, where thousands returned home from jobs in the cities. For over a month, some walked among crowds for hundreds of miles.
Also in Russia, state news agencies reported that the authoritarian leader of the southern region of Chechnya was taken to a Moscow hospital with suspected COVID-19 symptoms. Ramzan Kadyrov, 43, has run predominantly Muslim Chechnya with an iron fist since 2007. The Kremlin has relied on him to keep the North Caucasus region stable after two devastating separatist wars. The Chechen parliament speaker insisted that Kadyrov was healthy and denied the reports, which cited an unidentified medical source.
Back in Brazil, Vandelma Rosa had all the virus’ symptoms, but her death certificate reads “suspected of COVID-19,” according to her grandson, because her hospital lacked tests to confirm. That means her passing did not figure into the death toll, which marked its biggest single-day increase Thursday: 1,181.
President Jair Bolsonaro has scoffed at the seriousness of the virus and actively campaigned against state governors’ attempts to impose limits on citizens’ movements and commerce.
Bolsonaro fired his first health minister for siding against him in backing governors’ stay-at-home recommendations and restrictions on activity. His second minister resigned about a month later after openly disagreeing with Bolsonaro about chloroquine, the predecessor of the anti-malarial often touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a viable coronavirus treatment.
“In Rio de Janeiro, you see people going out normally, without a mask, in some neighborhoods. They aren’t believing in this disease. And it’s sad that in other countries people believe, but not here,” de Mello said. “You need to lose someone in your family to be able to believe.”
On Thursday, opposition lawmakers and other detractors protested in front of Congress in the capital, Brasilia. They called for Bolsonaro’s impeachment, alleging criminal mishandling of virus response. Two of them displayed a Brazilian flag, defaced with hundreds of tiny black crosses to represent the dead.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador downplayed the threat the virus posed for weeks as he continued to travel the country after Mexico’s first confirmed case. He let his health advisers take the lead on the crisis, but continued insisting that Mexico was different, that its strong family bonds and work ethic would pull it through.
Mexico passed 6,000 confirmed deaths on Wednesday. The country has recently reported more than 400 deaths a day, and new infections still have not peaked. Many deaths categorized as “atypical pneumonia” are suspected of being COVID-19 but not included in the official count. The true count may be several times higher.
Armando Sepulveda, manager of San Cristobal Mauseleum in the massive Mexico City suburb of Ecatepec, said his burial and cremation business has doubled in recent weeks.
“The crematoriums are saturated,” Sepulveda said Thursday. “All of the ovens don’t have that capacity.” Families scour the city looking for funeral services that can handle their dead “in desperation,” because the hospitals cannot hold the dead for long, he said.
The Mexican government has shifted its attention to reactivating the economy.
Mining, construction and parts of the North American automotive supply chain were allowed to resume operations this week, but analysts predict a massive economic contraction in an economy that had already entered a technical recession before the pandemic.
The pandemic reaches from Latin America’s mega-cities deep into the Amazon jungle.
The Colombian town of Leticia, which lies along the Amazon River at the border of Brazil and Peru, has nearly 1,300 cases. Residents are reeling from both the illness and a sudden loss of income, much of which came from tourism. Families have begun placing red cloth flags outside humble homes with tin roofs to show they are going hungry.
Authorities in Colombia have pointed a finger at Brazil to explain the sudden rise in infections there, and President Iván Duque has imposed strict measures aimed at keeping cases out, including militarizing the border. But with many informal crossing points, it is nearly impossible to completely seal Colombia off.
In Chile, more than 90% of intensive care beds were full last week in the capital, Santiago, where the main cemetery dug 1,000 emergency graves to prepare for a wave of deaths despite a strict, early quarantine. Ecuador’s government declared a 2 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew in March, among other measures, but cases have swamped medical and mortuary services in the city of Guayaquil and, now, in the capital, Quito.
Hundreds of people can be seen violating the curfew daily in Ecuadorian cities, many selling goods on the streets to earn enough to buy food.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms National News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Other rule-breakers aren’t needy. A doctor treating coronavirus in a hospital in northern Quito said he had treated members of a family who threw a Mother’s Day barbeque despite the restrictions. The family’s mother and her brother died of coronavirus, and seven relatives are hospitalized. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press.
Peru has 2.5 intensive-care beds per 100,000 people, one quarter of the global standard. With almost 109,000 confirmed cases and more than 3,100 dead as of Thursday night, Peruvian media showed images of patients slumped in wheelchairs receiving oxygen. Doctors say most patients are shopkeepers, taxi drivers or street vendors.
Sherman reported from Mexico City. Associated Press writers Michael Biesecker in Washington; Franklin Briceño in Lima, Peru; Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador; Eva Vergara in Santiago, Chile; and Christine Armario in Bogota, Colombia, contributed.