mercurynews--2020-04-26--Satellite imagery finds likely Kim train amid health rumors

SEOUL , South Korea — A train likely belonging to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been parked at his compound on the country ’ s east coast since last week , satellite imagery showed , amid speculation about his health that has been caused , in part , by a long period out of the public eye .
The satellite photos released by 38 North , a website specializing in North Korea studies , don ’ t say anything about Kim ’ s potential health problems , and they echo South Korean government intelligence that Kim is staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seoul has also repeatedly indicated that there have been no unusual signs that could indicate health problems for Kim .
That hasn ’ t stopped growing unconfirmed rumors and media reports about Kim ’ s health that have emerged since he missed the April 15 commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather , North Korea founder Kim Il Sung .
Kim Jong Un is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea , and he hadn ’ t missed the April 15 event , one of the year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assuming power after his father Kim Jong Il ’ s death in late 2011 .
Kim ’ s health is of crucial importance because of worries that the serious illness or death of a leader venerated with near godlike passion by millions of North Koreans could cause instability in the impoverished , nuclear-armed country .
Many experts in South Korea downplayed speculation that Kim is seriously ill .
They also said North Korea won ’ t likely face a serious immediate turmoil even if Kim is incapacitated or dies because someone else like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly step in , though the prospect for the North ’ s long-term political future would be unclear .
Kim Jong Un ’ s train has been parked at the Leadership Railway Station servicing his Wonsan compound since at least April 21 , the 38 North website said Saturday , citing an analysis of recent satellite photos of the area .
The website said the approximately 820-foot-long train wasn ’ t present on April 15 but was present on both April 21 and 23 .
“ The train ’ s presence does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader or indicate anything about his health , but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country ’ s eastern coast , ” it said .
The photos indicate the train arrived before April 21 and was still present on April 23 , when it appeared to be repositioned for departure .
However , there was no indication when that departure might take place , 38 North said .
North Korea exerts extremely tight control on information about its leadership , making it virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going on at those senior levels .
Even South Korea ’ s main spy agency has a mixed record on confirming developments in North Korea .
When Kim Jong Il died in December 2011 , for instance , few outsiders knew it until it was reported by North Korea ’ s state media two days later .
A U.S. official , speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn ’ t authorized to talk to the media , said the latest rumors about Kim ’ s health had not changed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculation.
” White House counselor Kellyanne Conway wouldn ’ t comment on Kim ’ s status .
“ The president will make any announcement about a head of state , ” she said Saturday night on Fox News Channel ’ s “ Justice with Judge Jeanine.
” Danny Russel , a former National Security Council director and assistant secretary of state for Asia who has dealt with North Korea in the past , cautioned that rumors have abounded for years about Kim , his father , Kim Jong Il , and his grandfather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned out to have been false .
“ While serving in government I was on the receiving end of multiple intelligence reports about alleged accidents , illnesses and assassination attempts against North Korean leaders — only to have them reappear in public , ” he said .
South Korea ’ s presidential office said last week that Kim appeared to be handling state affairs normally and that there had been no suspicious activities , such as an emergency readiness order issued by the North ’ s military or the ruling Workers ’ Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintained its assessment that Kim ’ s health remains the same .
Some South Korean media outlets , citing unidentified government officials , have reported that Kim was staying at Wonsan .
North Korea ’ s state media have been silent about the speculation on Kim ’ s health .
On Saturday , the North ’ s official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim had received a message of greetings from the chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation on the occasion of the first anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Vladimir Putin .
The message wished Kim “ good health and happiness , ” KCNA said .
• Think tank : Train possibly belonging to North Korean leader spotted in resort town • French PM to present plan to unwind coronvirus lockdown on Tuesday It ’ s not the first time that Kim has vanished from the public eye , and past absences in state media dispatches have also triggered speculation about his health .
In 2014 , state media didn ’ t report any public activities for Kim for about six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cane .
South Korea ’ s spy agency said later that he had a cyst removed from his ankle .
AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report .

By Hyung-jin Kim | Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea — A train likely belonging to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been parked at his compound on the country’s east coast since last week, satellite imagery showed, amid speculation about his health that has been caused, in part, by a long period out of the public eye.
The satellite photos released by 38 North, a website specializing in North Korea studies, don’t say anything about Kim’s potential health problems, and they echo South Korean government intelligence that Kim is staying outside of the capital, Pyongyang. Seoul has also repeatedly indicated that there have been no unusual signs that could indicate health problems for Kim.
That hasn’t stopped growing unconfirmed rumors and media reports about Kim’s health that have emerged since he missed the April 15 commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.
Kim Jong Un is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea, and he hadn’t missed the April 15 event, one of the year’s most important for the North, since assuming power after his father Kim Jong Il’s death in late 2011.
Kim’s health is of crucial importance because of worries that the serious illness or death of a leader venerated with near godlike passion by millions of North Koreans could cause instability in the impoverished, nuclear-armed country.
Many experts in South Korea downplayed speculation that Kim is seriously ill. They also said North Korea won’t likely face a serious immediate turmoil even if Kim is incapacitated or dies because someone else like his influential sister Kim Yo Jong will quickly step in, though the prospect for the North’s long-term political future would be unclear.
Kim Jong Un’s train has been parked at the Leadership Railway Station servicing his Wonsan compound since at least April 21, the 38 North website said Saturday, citing an analysis of recent satellite photos of the area. The website said the approximately 820-foot-long train wasn’t present on April 15 but was present on both April 21 and 23.
“The train’s presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health, but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country’s eastern coast,” it said.
The photos indicate the train arrived before April 21 and was still present on April 23, when it appeared to be repositioned for departure. However, there was no indication when that departure might take place, 38 North said.
North Korea exerts extremely tight control on information about its leadership, making it virtually impossible for outsiders to find out what’s going on at those senior levels. Even South Korea’s main spy agency has a mixed record on confirming developments in North Korea. When Kim Jong Il died in December 2011, for instance, few outsiders knew it until it was reported by North Korea’s state media two days later.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to talk to the media, said the latest rumors about Kim’s health had not changed the U.S. assessment of the information as “speculation.”
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway wouldn’t comment on Kim’s status. “The president will make any announcement about a head of state,” she said Saturday night on Fox News Channel’s “Justice with Judge Jeanine.”
Danny Russel, a former National Security Council director and assistant secretary of state for Asia who has dealt with North Korea in the past, cautioned that rumors have abounded for years about Kim, his father, Kim Jong Il, and his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and most turned out to have been false.
“While serving in government I was on the receiving end of multiple intelligence reports about alleged accidents, illnesses and assassination attempts against North Korean leaders — only to have them reappear in public,” he said.
South Korea’s presidential office said last week that Kim appeared to be handling state affairs normally and that there had been no suspicious activities, such as an emergency readiness order issued by the North’s military or the ruling Workers’ Party. The South Korean government has since maintained its assessment that Kim’s health remains the same. Some South Korean media outlets, citing unidentified government officials, have reported that Kim was staying at Wonsan.
North Korea’s state media have been silent about the speculation on Kim’s health. On Saturday, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim had received a message of greetings from the chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation on the occasion of the first anniversary of Kim’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The message wished Kim “good health and happiness,” KCNA said.
It’s not the first time that Kim has vanished from the public eye, and past absences in state media dispatches have also triggered speculation about his health. In 2014, state media didn’t report any public activities for Kim for about six weeks, before he reappeared with a cane. South Korea’s spy agency said later that he had a cyst removed from his ankle.
AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-04-26--Israeli health minister plans to resign amid virus crisis

JERUSALEM — Israel ’ s embattled health minister on Sunday said he would step down following a public uproar over his handling of the coronavirus crisis and his own COVID-19 infection .
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would step aside as the country forms a new government .
In a statement , he made no mention of his much-criticized performance at the Health Ministry , which he has led for most of the past decade , and instead said he would take over the Construction Ministry .
Elsewhere in the region , Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 264 million with China to provide the kingdom with the ability to conduct 9 million coronavirus tests .
Syria also said its schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year , while the Gaza Strip ’ s Hamas rulers said they will allow restaurants and coffee shops to reopen .
In a statement , Litzman said he “ decided not to return to the Health Ministry for a fourth time , and prefers to lead a sweeping development for solving the housing crisis in Israel in the Housing Ministry.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping the coronavirus crisis in check .
The virus has infected over 15,000 Israelis and killed nearly 200 people , but Israel has not seen its health system overwhelmed like hard-hit places such as Italy or New York , and the country has begun easing weeks of lockdown .
Litzman , an ultra-Orthodox politician with no formal medical training , has come under criticism for appearing ill-prepared at news conferences and reportedly resisting proposals to tighten lockdown measures that would affect the country ’ s religious community .
Early this month , Litzman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoring his own ministry ’ s orders to avoid group prayer in public places .
He has since recovered .
In a TV interview Sunday , Litzman said he had never violated lockdown rules and said he was leaving his job because he was ready for a new challenge , not because of public pressure .
“ It ’ s clear things have changed for the better , ” he told Channel 13 TV .
The coronavirus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , who recover within a few weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ death , particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems .
With the crisis appearing to be in check , the Israeli government announced new easing measures Sunday .
Barbershops , beauty salons and other small businesses reopened , and restaurants were permitted to serve takeout orders for the first time in nearly two months .
Last week , some shops were allowed to open as well .
Malls and outdoor markets , however , remain closed .
The restrictions on many small businesses helped propel unemployment in Israel to over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Jerusalem ’ s large central Mahane Yehuda outdoor market protested its continued closure while many other businesses , including furniture giant IKEA , were allowed to reopen .
Some major chain stores also refused to open , saying they wanted government compensation for their losses first .
The Hebrew business paper The Marker reported that the owners of IKEA ’ s Israeli franchisee have donated at least $ 1.3 million in recent years to the ultra-Orthodox organization that Litzman belongs to .
Litzman denied any connection to the decision .
Also Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with China ’ s BGI Group , which also provides the kingdom with 500 experts , specialists and technicians to conduct tests in six new laboratories .
Saudi Arabia said the agreement indicates the kingdom is “ in a race against time to diagnose cases and to work to isolate them.
” The contract also includes conducting comprehensive community testing , genetic mapping of a number of samples in the kingdom and analysis of immunity mapping from 1 million samples .
Saudi Arabia has also signed agreements with companies in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim of testing 40 % of people in the country .
More than 17,000 confirmed cases of the virus have been reported in Saudi Arabia , including more than 130 deaths .
Syria , which has reported three deaths and 42 confirmed cases , decided Sunday not to reopen schools as a precaution .
All elementary and high school students will automatically move up to the next grade .
Public and private universities will stay closed until at least the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan , which this year will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet also approved a Health Ministry plan to receive Syrians who want to return from abroad , and has set up quarantine centers where new arrivals will be quarantined for two weeks .
In the Gaza Strip , Hamas announced the reopening of restaurants and coffee shops where people can smoke water pipes .
Hamas had closed down the establishments early this month .
• PHOTOS : Discarded gloves become the latest thing people litter during COVID-19 pandemic • Virtual Talladega might have been more entertaining than the real thing Gaza , largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported just 17 virus cases , all of them in quarantine centers for people who returned from abroad .
Associated Press writers Aya Batrawy in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Albert Ali in Damascus , Syria contributed to this report .

By Ilan Ben Zion | Associated Press
JERUSALEM — Israel’s embattled health minister on Sunday said he would step down following a public uproar over his handling of the coronavirus crisis and his own COVID-19 infection.
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would step aside as the country forms a new government. In a statement, he made no mention of his much-criticized performance at the Health Ministry, which he has led for most of the past decade, and instead said he would take over the Construction Ministry.
Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia signed a deal worth more than $264 million with China to provide the kingdom with the ability to conduct 9 million coronavirus tests. Syria also said its schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year, while the Gaza Strip’s Hamas rulers said they will allow restaurants and coffee shops to reopen.
In a statement, Litzman said he “decided not to return to the Health Ministry for a fourth time, and prefers to lead a sweeping development for solving the housing crisis in Israel in the Housing Ministry.”
The government has generally been lauded for keeping the coronavirus crisis in check. The virus has infected over 15,000 Israelis and killed nearly 200 people, but Israel has not seen its health system overwhelmed like hard-hit places such as Italy or New York, and the country has begun easing weeks of lockdown.
Litzman, an ultra-Orthodox politician with no formal medical training, has come under criticism for appearing ill-prepared at news conferences and reportedly resisting proposals to tighten lockdown measures that would affect the country’s religious community. Early this month, Litzman was diagnosed with COVID-19, apparently after ignoring his own ministry’s orders to avoid group prayer in public places. He has since recovered.
In a TV interview Sunday, Litzman said he had never violated lockdown rules and said he was leaving his job because he was ready for a new challenge, not because of public pressure.
“It’s clear things have changed for the better,” he told Channel 13 TV.
The coronavirus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, who recover within a few weeks. But it can cause severe illness or death, particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems.
With the crisis appearing to be in check, the Israeli government announced new easing measures Sunday.
Barbershops, beauty salons and other small businesses reopened, and restaurants were permitted to serve takeout orders for the first time in nearly two months. Last week, some shops were allowed to open as well. Malls and outdoor markets, however, remain closed.
The restrictions on many small businesses helped propel unemployment in Israel to over 25% since early March.
Merchants at Jerusalem’s large central Mahane Yehuda outdoor market protested its continued closure while many other businesses, including furniture giant IKEA, were allowed to reopen. Some major chain stores also refused to open, saying they wanted government compensation for their losses first.
The Hebrew business paper The Marker reported that the owners of IKEA’s Israeli franchisee have donated at least $1.3 million in recent years to the ultra-Orthodox organization that Litzman belongs to. Litzman denied any connection to the decision.
Also Sunday, Saudi Arabia signed its coronavirus testing deal with China’s BGI Group, which also provides the kingdom with 500 experts, specialists and technicians to conduct tests in six new laboratories.
Saudi Arabia said the agreement indicates the kingdom is “in a race against time to diagnose cases and to work to isolate them.” The contract also includes conducting comprehensive community testing, genetic mapping of a number of samples in the kingdom and analysis of immunity mapping from 1 million samples.
Saudi Arabia has also signed agreements with companies in the U.S., South Korea and Switzerland with the aim of testing 40% of people in the country. More than 17,000 confirmed cases of the virus have been reported in Saudi Arabia, including more than 130 deaths.
Syria, which has reported three deaths and 42 confirmed cases, decided Sunday not to reopen schools as a precaution. All elementary and high school students will automatically move up to the next grade. Public and private universities will stay closed until at least the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which this year will occur May 23.
Syria’s Cabinet also approved a Health Ministry plan to receive Syrians who want to return from abroad, and has set up quarantine centers where new arrivals will be quarantined for two weeks.
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas announced the reopening of restaurants and coffee shops where people can smoke water pipes. Hamas had closed down the establishments early this month.
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Associated Press writers Aya Batrawy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Albert Ali in Damascus, Syria contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-04-26--White House aiming for Trump pivot from virus to economy

WASHINGTON — After two months of frantic response to the coronavirus , the White House is planning to shift President Donald Trump ’ s public focus to the burgeoning efforts aimed at easing the economic devastation caused by the pandemic .
Days after he publicly mused that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure , Trump has now rejected the utility of his daily task force briefings , where he has time and again clashed with scientific experts .
Trump ’ s aides are aiming to move the president onto more familiar — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking up the economy , in tighter controlled settings .
It ’ s a political imperative as allies have seen an erosion in support for the president .
What had been his greatest asset in the reelection campaign , his ability to blanket news headlines with freewheeling performances , has become a daily liability .
At the same time , new Republican Party polling shows Trump ’ s path to a second term depends on the public ’ s perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from the state-by-state shutdowns meant to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have started to ease closure orders , and Trump is expected to begin to highlight his administration ’ s work in helping businesses and employees .
Aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs , business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions of dollars in federal aid already approved by Congress , and begin to outline what he hopes to see in a future recovery package .
Trump last left the White House grounds a month ago , and plans are being drawn up for a limited schedule of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an aide said .
It would be a symbolic show that the nation is beginning to reopen .
The shift comes in conjunction with what the White House sees as encouraging signs across the country , with the pace of new infections stabilizing and deaths declining .
Still , medical experts warn that the virus will remain until at least a vaccine is developed and that the risk of a severe second wave is high if social distancing is relaxed too quickly or if testing and contact tracing schemes aren ’ t developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The White House is deliberating whether to continue to hold news briefings in a modified form without Trump , potentially at a different location .
Before Trump said in a tweet Saturday that they were “ Not worth the time & effort , ” aides had been eager to use the briefings to highlight positive trends and to overwhelm Americans with statistics .
It was an effort to restore confidence in the response so that the public would be comfortable resuming more normal activities .
“ We know that ’ s important , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House coronavirus task force coordinator , told Fox News Channel ’ s “ Sunday Morning Futures.
” “ We understand those messages of science and policy need to be brought forward to the American people in a nonpolitical way.
” Few Americans regularly look to or trust Trump as a source of information on the pandemic , according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released last week .
On Monday , the White House was expected to release a recap of what the federal government has done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 testing , personal protective equipment and ventilators .
Still , governors in both parties say much more is needed , particularly in testing , in the coming months , as they deliberate how and when to reopen their states .
“ I want to get our economy back opened just as soon as we can , but I want to do so in a safe way so we don ’ t have a spike , we don ’ t cause more deaths or an overloading of our health care system , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” Birx expressed frustration that Trump ’ s injection comments were still in the headlines , illustrating the tensions that have emerged between the president and his medical advisers .
“ As a scientist and a public health official and a researcher , sometimes , I worry that we don ’ t get the information to the American people that they need when we continue to bring up something that was from Thursday night , ” she said on CNN ’ s “ State of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll beat COVID-19 by studying it – not by shopping • Editorial : No time to lose resolve in fight against coronavirus As the White House hopes it has turned a corner , it is also beginning to assess responsibility for critical missteps .
Two senior administration officials said Trump has begun discussions about replacing Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , who led the coronavirus task force during its initial weeks and has been blamed for a culture of bureaucratic infighting during that period .
Azar has been largely sidelined since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the task force in late February .

By Zeke Miller | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — After two months of frantic response to the coronavirus, the White House is planning to shift President Donald Trump’s public focus to the burgeoning efforts aimed at easing the economic devastation caused by the pandemic.
Days after he publicly mused that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure, Trump has now rejected the utility of his daily task force briefings, where he has time and again clashed with scientific experts. Trump’s aides are aiming to move the president onto more familiar — and safer, they hope — ground: talking up the economy, in tighter controlled settings.
It’s a political imperative as allies have seen an erosion in support for the president. What had been his greatest asset in the reelection campaign, his ability to blanket news headlines with freewheeling performances, has become a daily liability. At the same time, new Republican Party polling shows Trump’s path to a second term depends on the public’s perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from the state-by-state shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus.
Some states have started to ease closure orders, and Trump is expected to begin to highlight his administration’s work in helping businesses and employees. Aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs, business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions of dollars in federal aid already approved by Congress, and begin to outline what he hopes to see in a future recovery package.
Trump last left the White House grounds a month ago, and plans are being drawn up for a limited schedule of travel within the next few weeks, an aide said. It would be a symbolic show that the nation is beginning to reopen.
The shift comes in conjunction with what the White House sees as encouraging signs across the country, with the pace of new infections stabilizing and deaths declining.
Still, medical experts warn that the virus will remain until at least a vaccine is developed and that the risk of a severe second wave is high if social distancing is relaxed too quickly or if testing and contact tracing schemes aren’t developed before people return to normal behaviors.
[vemba-video id=”business/2020/04/26/trump-cutting-back-on-coronavirus-press-briefings.cnn”]
The White House is deliberating whether to continue to hold news briefings in a modified form without Trump, potentially at a different location. Before Trump said in a tweet Saturday that they were “Not worth the time & effort,” aides had been eager to use the briefings to highlight positive trends and to overwhelm Americans with statistics. It was an effort to restore confidence in the response so that the public would be comfortable resuming more normal activities.
“We know that’s important,” Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, told Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.” “We understand those messages of science and policy need to be brought forward to the American people in a nonpolitical way.”
Few Americans regularly look to or trust Trump as a source of information on the pandemic, according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released last week.
On Monday, the White House was expected to release a recap of what the federal government has done so far to improve the availability of COVID-19 testing, personal protective equipment and ventilators.
Still, governors in both parties say much more is needed, particularly in testing, in the coming months, as they deliberate how and when to reopen their states.
“I want to get our economy back opened just as soon as we can, but I want to do so in a safe way so we don’t have a spike, we don’t cause more deaths or an overloading of our health care system,” Gov. Larry Hogan, R-Md., told ABC’s “This Week.”
Birx expressed frustration that Trump’s injection comments were still in the headlines, illustrating the tensions that have emerged between the president and his medical advisers.
“As a scientist and a public health official and a researcher, sometimes, I worry that we don’t get the information to the American people that they need when we continue to bring up something that was from Thursday night,” she said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”


mercurynews--2020-04-27--Governor Newsom’s quandary: Who should get California workers’ comp benefits for COVID-19?

Gov .
Gavin Newsom is facing intense lobbying from both business and labor as he weighs an executive order that would make it easier for essential workers such as nurses and grocery clerks to get workers ’ compensation if they contract COVID-19 .
His dilemma : whether to issue an order creating a legal presumption that essential employees were infected with the novel coronavirus at work , rather than in the community — making it easier for them to qualify for benefits .
State lawmakers also have introduced two bills that would accomplish something similar , but the legislative proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers would be covered .
California officials and employers are gearing up for a wave of workers ’ compensation claims that could top $ 33 billion as the state ’ s COVID-19 cases surpass 42,000 and millions of essential workers remain on the job — and at risk .
Already the state had received 1,527 COVID-related claims by April 16 , according to a spokesman for California ’ s Department of Industrial Relations , which oversees workers ’ compensation cases .
Both the California and U.S .
Chambers of Commerce have urged Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some essential workers because their claims could cost employers and insurers billions of dollars .
Unions want Newsom to include as many workers as possible because they often are required to work with inadequate protective gear and access to testing .
A spokesman for the governor did not respond to request questions about a potential executive order or which workers it might cover .
Workers ’ compensation benefits include health care that ’ s not subject to copays or dollar limits , medications , disability payments to partially replace wages and , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits for families .
But workers often find it tough to qualify for workers ’ comp : Currently , those who fall ill on the job must prove they contracted the disease specifically because of their work , with some exceptions for first responders .
And employers can contest their claims .
The State Compensation Insurance Fund , California ’ s largest individual workers ’ compensation insurer with nearly 11 percent of market share , recently lifted that proof requirement for COVID-infected essential workers , but only workers whose employers are insured by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems , including Sutter Health , have said they will presume front-line workers contracted the disease at work .
Ramona Moll , an emergency room nurse at the UC-Davis hospital in Sacramento , can pinpoint the day in March she believes she was infected with COVID-19 : Wearing only a surgical mask , she tried to help a combative elderly patient who was struggling to breathe .
She was hospitalized for shortness of breath several days later .
Moll was too sick to work for 28 days , and even now can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three negative tests for the virus , she told CalMatters .
Moll said she was fortunate her hospital gave her paid leave while she couldn ’ t work , but she ’ s considering applying for workers ’ compensation .
Her daughter , who works in human resources , urged her to do so .
She said she would welcome any state action that would make it easier to file a claim .
“ Nobody knows enough about this virus to know if there ’ s going to be residual issues .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to nail down the exact moment of exposure , ” said Moll , 48 , of Elk Grove .
“ We have all these ( patient privacy ) rules preventing us from going back and retracing our steps .
We ’ re not sitting there and considering our mortality ; we ’ re taking care of patients — which works against us , when we ’ re trying to recreate what happened.
” San Mateo workers ’ compensation attorney Gregory Cattermole said workers shouldn ’ t have to worry about whether their employers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t think it ’ s fair or reasonable that our front-line workers have to bear the burden to prove where it came from , ” Cattermole said .
“ That ’ s a ridiculous burden to put on people who are really protecting us and keeping the state healthy.
” But the potential costs for workers ’ comp insurers — and the employers who must pay for that insurance — are daunting .
A recent analysis from the Workers ’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California estimates that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed essential during the pandemic could range from $ 2.2 billion to $ 33.6 billion annually .
A mid-range estimate of $ 11.2 billion would comprise more than 60 % of all California workers ’ comp annual claims before the pandemic .
Those costs have pitted organized labor against industry groups in California and nationwide as states grapple with claims that could overwhelm their workers ’ compensation systems .
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is considering an executive order that would extend presumptive eligibility to essential workers who contract COVID-19 ; a New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida will cover state workers ’ COVID comp claims , and Kansas will grant the same protection to first responders .
A clause in Wisconsin ’ s pandemic relief legislation , however , would require first responders to identify what call they were infected on , something firefighters and paramedics vociferously oppose .
And in Illinois , a judge recently blocked a state rule that essential workers would be presumed to have gotten infected on the job , even if they worked remotely , after business leaders sued over the change .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety net ” In California , labor groups asked the governor to issue an executive order quickly to protect workers , while business lobbying groups are marshaling their forces in potential opposition — as soon as they know exactly what they need to oppose .
“ Workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic put their lives at risk just doing their jobs , ” the California Labor Federation ’ s leader Art Pulaski wrote in a letter to the governor that requested additional worker protections including more protective gear .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers ’ compensation system must quickly provide medical and indemnity benefits — such workers should not have to fight denials and delays while fighting for their lives.
” The California Chamber of Commerce relayed its concerns to the governor about “ an overly broad executive order because it would create an enormous and unnecessary burden on the worker ’ s compensation system .
Imposing a legal conclusion that any employee who contracts the coronavirus is covered by worker ’ s compensation benefits , shifts the cost of this pandemic to the private sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email .
“ As we have previously stated , the private sector can not be the safety net for this crisis , that is the role of government.
” The U.S. Chamber of Commerce , fearing that other states may follow California ’ s actions , also asked Newsom to avoid covering all essential workers because of the costs .
• Photos : Discarded gloves become the latest thing people litter during COVID-19 pandemic • Virtual Talladega might have been more entertaining than the real thing The Workers ’ Compensation Insurance Rating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for employers for this year and petitioned California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to approve new regulations that would keep employers ’ workers ’ comp insurance premiums from rising if their workers file COVID-19 claims .
Non-COVID workers compensation claims are likely to decrease with so many fewer people in workplaces during the shelter-in-place order , which may also help keep employers ’ rates stable .
State lawmakers also will consider two very different bills , both in committee , that would extend workers ’ comp protections to essential workers .
AB 664 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced by Democratic Assemblymembers Jim Cooper of Elk Grove and Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego .
It would grant “ presumptive eligibility ” to front-line health workers and first responders such as police and firefighters if they contract COVID-19 or any other infectious disease — but only if the state or local government has declared a state of emergency .
A second proposal , SB 1159 by Democratic Sen. Jerry Hill of San Mateo , would apply to a larger group of essential workers , but cover only COVID-19 and would continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually contracted the infection at work .

Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing intense lobbying from both business and labor as he weighs an executive order that would make it easier for essential workers such as nurses and grocery clerks to get workers’ compensation if they contract COVID-19.
His dilemma: whether to issue an order creating a legal presumption that essential employees were infected with the novel coronavirus at work, rather than in the community — making it easier for them to qualify for benefits. State lawmakers also have introduced two bills that would accomplish something similar, but the legislative proposals differ in their approaches and how many workers would be covered.
California officials and employers are gearing up for a wave of workers’ compensation claims that could top $33 billion as the state’s COVID-19 cases surpass 42,000 and millions of essential workers remain on the job — and at risk.
Already the state had received 1,527 COVID-related claims by April 16, according to a spokesman for California’s Department of Industrial Relations, which oversees workers’ compensation cases.
Gov. Gavin Newsom at a press conference in the state capitol following the first COVID-19 death in California. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
Both the California and U.S. Chambers of Commerce have urged Newsom to restrict any executive order to only some essential workers because their claims could cost employers and insurers billions of dollars. Unions want Newsom to include as many workers as possible because they often are required to work with inadequate protective gear and access to testing.
A spokesman for the governor did not respond to request questions about a potential executive order or which workers it might cover.
Workers’ compensation benefits include health care that’s not subject to copays or dollar limits, medications, disability payments to partially replace wages and, in the worst case, death and burial benefits for families.
But workers often find it tough to qualify for workers’ comp: Currently, those who fall ill on the job must prove they contracted the disease specifically because of their work, with some exceptions for first responders. And employers can contest their claims.
The State Compensation Insurance Fund, California’s largest individual workers’ compensation insurer with nearly 11 percent of market share, recently lifted that proof requirement for COVID-infected essential workers, but only workers whose employers are insured by the fund will benefit. Some hospital systems, including Sutter Health, have said they will presume front-line workers contracted the disease at work.
“A ridiculous burden on people protecting us”
Ramona Moll, an emergency room nurse at the UC-Davis hospital in Sacramento, can pinpoint the day in March she believes she was infected with COVID-19: Wearing only a surgical mask, she tried to help a combative elderly patient who was struggling to breathe. She was hospitalized for shortness of breath several days later. Moll was too sick to work for 28 days, and even now can’t return to work until she has three negative tests for the virus, she told CalMatters.
Moll said she was fortunate her hospital gave her paid leave while she couldn’t work, but she’s considering applying for workers’ compensation. Her daughter, who works in human resources, urged her to do so. She said she would welcome any state action that would make it easier to file a claim.
“Nobody knows enough about this virus to know if there’s going to be residual issues. With this virus, it is very difficult to nail down the exact moment of exposure,” said Moll, 48, of Elk Grove. “We have all these (patient privacy) rules preventing us from going back and retracing our steps. We’re not sitting there and considering our mortality; we’re taking care of patients — which works against us, when we’re trying to recreate what happened.”
San Mateo workers’ compensation attorney Gregory Cattermole said workers shouldn’t have to worry about whether their employers will fight their claims for benefits.
“I don’t think it’s fair or reasonable that our front-line workers have to bear the burden to prove where it came from,” Cattermole said. “That’s a ridiculous burden to put on people who are really protecting us and keeping the state healthy.”
But the potential costs for workers’ comp insurers — and the employers who must pay for that insurance — are daunting. A recent analysis from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California estimates that the cost of COVID-19 claims for California workers deemed essential during the pandemic could range from $2.2 billion to $33.6 billion annually. A mid-range estimate of $11.2 billion would comprise more than 60% of all California workers’ comp annual claims before the pandemic.
A health care worker masked against COVID-19 exposure at the check-in area at a Kaiser emergency room in San Francisco on April 9. A potential governor’s executive order and pending legislation would make it easier for such workers to qualify for workers’ comp benefits if they contract the illness. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
Those costs have pitted organized labor against industry groups in California and nationwide as states grapple with claims that could overwhelm their workers’ compensation systems.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is considering an executive order that would extend presumptive eligibility to essential workers who contract COVID-19; a New Jersey state senator has introduced similar legislation. Florida will cover state workers’ COVID comp claims, and Kansas will grant the same protection to first responders.
A clause in Wisconsin’s pandemic relief legislation, however, would require first responders to identify what call they were infected on, something firefighters and paramedics vociferously oppose. And in Illinois, a judge recently blocked a state rule that essential workers would be presumed to have gotten infected on the job, even if they worked remotely, after business leaders sued over the change.
“The private sector cannot be the safety net”
In California, labor groups asked the governor to issue an executive order quickly to protect workers, while business lobbying groups are marshaling their forces in potential opposition — as soon as they know exactly what they need to oppose.
“Workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic put their lives at risk just doing their jobs,” the California Labor Federation’s leader Art Pulaski wrote in a letter to the governor that requested additional worker protections including more protective gear. “If they are infected with COVID-19, the workers’ compensation system must quickly provide medical and indemnity benefits — such workers should not have to fight denials and delays while fighting for their lives.”
The California Chamber of Commerce relayed its concerns to the governor about “an overly broad executive order because it would create an enormous and unnecessary burden on the worker’s compensation system. Imposing a legal conclusion that any employee who contracts the coronavirus is covered by worker’s compensation benefits, shifts the cost of this pandemic to the private sector,” spokeswoman Denise Davis said in an email. “As we have previously stated, the private sector cannot be the safety net for this crisis, that is the role of government.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, fearing that other states may follow California’s actions, also asked Newsom to avoid covering all essential workers because of the costs.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau has scrapped a recommended rate increase for employers for this year and petitioned California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to approve new regulations that would keep employers’ workers’ comp insurance premiums from rising if their workers file COVID-19 claims. Non-COVID workers compensation claims are likely to decrease with so many fewer people in workplaces during the shelter-in-place order, which may also help keep employers’ rates stable.
State lawmakers also will consider two very different bills, both in committee, that would extend workers’ comp protections to essential workers.
AB 664 is sponsored by the California Nurses Association and introduced by Democratic Assemblymembers Jim Cooper of Elk Grove and Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego. It would grant “presumptive eligibility” to front-line health workers and first responders such as police and firefighters if they contract COVID-19 or any other infectious disease — but only if the state or local government has declared a state of emergency.
A second proposal, SB 1159 by Democratic Sen. Jerry Hill of San Mateo, would apply to a larger group of essential workers, but cover only COVID-19 and would continue to allow employers to contest whether an employee actually contracted the infection at work.


mercurynews--2020-04-27--She’s been falsely accused of starting the coronavirus. Her life has been turned upside down

Maatje Benassi , a US Army reservist and mother of two , has become the target of conspiracy theorists who falsely place her at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic , saying she brought the disease to China .
The false claims are spreading across YouTube every day , so far racking up hundreds of thousands of apparent views , and have been embraced by Chinese Communist Party media .
Despite never having tested positive for the coronavirus or experienced symptoms , Benassi and her husband are now subjects of discussion on Chinese social media about the outbreak , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large-scale coordinated activities by their followers .
The claims have turned their lives upside down .
The couple say their home address has been posted online and that , before they shut down their accounts , their social media inboxes were overrun with messages from believers of the conspiracy .
“ It ’ s like waking up from a bad dream going into a nightmare day after day , ” Maatje Benassi told CNN Business in an exclusive interview , the first time she has spoken publicly since being smeared online .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so has misinformation about the disease .
Technology giants have touted the steps they are taking to combat coronavirus misinformation , but these efforts have failed to help the Benassis .
The family ’ s suffering highlights the potential for blatant falsehoods to be rewarded and amplified by social media platforms .
It also serves as a powerful reminder that misinformation online , however wild or obviously untrue it may seem , can have real and lasting consequences offline .
Maajte and her husband Matt are still active in their government jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US Army ’ s Fort Belvoir in Virginia where she works as a security officer .
Matt , a retired Air Force officer , is a civilian employee with the Air Force at the Pentagon .
Despite working for the US government , the couple are experiencing the same feelings of helplessness familiar to others who have been the target of harassment and misinformation .
“ I want everybody to stop harassing me , because this is cyberbullying to me and it ’ s gone way out of hand , ” Maajte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has tried to get the videos taken down from YouTube and to prevent their spread online .
The couple said they contacted an attorney , who told them there was little that could be done , and local police , who told them much the same .
Conspiracy theories are not dissimilar to viruses , in that they evolve and mutate to spread and survive .
Before Maatje Benassi became the main protagonist in this conspiracy , variations had circulated online for months .
In the early weeks of the coronavirus , conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was a US biological weapon .
Later one member of the Chinese government publicly promoted the notion that the US military brought the virus to China .
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said it was “ completely ridiculous and it ’ s irresponsible ” for someone speaking on behalf of the Chinese government to promote such a claim .
It wasn ’ t until March , months after the first reported coronavirus cases in China , that conspiracy theorists turned their focus to Maatje Benassi .
The baseless theory began with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Games , essentially the military Olympics , which was hosted by Wuhan , the Chinese city where the coronavirus outbreak began last year .
Maatje Benassi competed in the cycling competition there , suffering an accident on the final lap that left her with a fractured rib and a concussion .
Despite the crash , Benassi still finished the race , but it turned out to be the start of something worse .
While hundreds of athletes from the US military took part in the games , Maatje Benassi was plucked out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in the conspiracy theory .
Perhaps the most prominent cheerleader of the idea that Benassi had a role in the imaginary plot to infect the world is George Webb , a prolific 59-year-old American misinformation peddler .
Webb has for years regularly streamed hours of diatribe live on YouTube , where he has amassed more than 27 million views and almost 100,000 followers .
In 2017 , CNN revealed how Webb was part of a trio of conspiracy theorists that pushed a false rumor about a cargo ship with a “ dirty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Port of Charleston in South Carolina .
The bomb never materialized , but the claims did lead to parts of the port — one of the biggest in America — being shut down for a time as a safety precaution .
Until recently , Webb said , his YouTube videos included advertisements — meaning the platform , which is owned by Google , was making money from Webb ’ s misinformation , as was Webb himself .
Webb even claimed that the Italian DJ Benny Benassi , whose 2002 song “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the coronavirus and that he , along with Maatje and Matt Benassi , were part of a Benassi plot connected to the virus .
( Benny told CNN Business he has never met Maatje and Matt , and they said that as far as they know , they are not related .
Benny pointed out that Benassi is a very common last name in Italy . )
Benny Benassi told CNN Business he has not been diagnosed with the coronavirus .
Like artists around the world , he canceled his concerts because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Webb previously claimed the DJ is Dutch , he is not . )
In a phone interview with CNN Business on Thursday , which he livestreamed to his followers on YouTube , Webb offered no substantive evidence to support his claims about the Benassis and said he considered himself an “ investigative reporter , ” not a conspiracy theorist .
He also said that YouTube recently stopped running ads on his videos after he began talking about the coronavirus .
Webb said he had normally made a few hundred dollars a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN that it was not currently running ads on Webb ’ s channel , but it declined to say whether ads appeared there in the past or provide details on how much money his channel may have made .
A company spokesperson said YouTube was committed to promoting accurate information about the coronavirus .
The company removed some threatening comments about the Benassis that had been posted under Webb ’ s videos when asked about them by CNN Business .
YouTube also said it had removed some videos posted by Webb in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benassis may be wildly untrue , the threats they face and the fear they feel are very real .
Matt Benassi said he fears this could “ turn into another Pizzagate , ” referencing another baseless conspiracy theory that claimed a pedophilia ring that somehow involved Hillary Clinton , among others , was operating out of a Washington DC pizzeria .
The fringe theory didn ’ t receive much mainstream attention until a man showed up at the pizzeria in late 2016 and fired an assault weapon , saying he was there to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s really hard to hold him [ Webb ] accountable , ” Matt Benassi said .
“ Law enforcement will tell you that there ’ s nothing that we can do about it because we have free speech in this country .
Then they say , ‘ Go talk to a civil attorney , ’ so we did .
We talked to an attorney .
You quickly realize that for folks like us , it ’ s just too expensive to litigate something like this .
We get no recourse from law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts.
” Matt Benassi said he has complained to YouTube but even when the company does take videos down it can take days for it to do so .
By that time , a video can go viral , and the damage is done .
Worse still : videos Webb has posted to YouTube that are removed are often re-uploaded to the platform .
In China , the YouTube videos attacking the Benassis are uploaded to popular platforms there such as WeChat , Weibo , and Xigua Video and are translated into Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chen , a researcher at First Draft , a non-profit that researches disinformation .
• Photos : Discarded gloves become the latest thing people litter during COVID-19 pandemic • Virtual Talladega might have been more entertaining than the real thing The Benassis ’ experience is unfortunately not unique , said Danielle Citron , a professor of law at Boston University School of Law and a MacArthur Fellow who studies online harassment .
Faced with “ cyber mobs , ” as Citron describes them , law enforcement often can ’ t or won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of YouTube , Citron said the law has to change : “ Right now , they ’ re totally immune from legal liability under federal law .
And so they can just walk away.
” Whatever happens next , “ the damage is done , ” according to Maatje Benassi .
“ I know it [ will ] never be the same .
Every time you ’ re going to Google my name , it will pop up as patient zero .
”

Maatje Benassi, a US Army reservist and mother of two, has become the target of conspiracy theorists who falsely place her at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, saying she brought the disease to China.
The false claims are spreading across YouTube every day, so far racking up hundreds of thousands of apparent views, and have been embraced by Chinese Communist Party media. Despite never having tested positive for the coronavirus or experienced symptoms, Benassi and her husband are now subjects of discussion on Chinese social media about the outbreak, including among accounts that are known drivers of large-scale coordinated activities by their followers.
The claims have turned their lives upside down. The couple say their home address has been posted online and that, before they shut down their accounts, their social media inboxes were overrun with messages from believers of the conspiracy.
[vemba-video id=”business/2020/04/26/coronavirus-covid-19-conspiracy-theory-orig.cnn-business”]
“It’s like waking up from a bad dream going into a nightmare day after day,” Maatje Benassi told CNN Business in an exclusive interview, the first time she has spoken publicly since being smeared online.
As the coronavirus has spread around the world, so has misinformation about the disease. Technology giants have touted the steps they are taking to combat coronavirus misinformation, but these efforts have failed to help the Benassis. The family’s suffering highlights the potential for blatant falsehoods to be rewarded and amplified by social media platforms. It also serves as a powerful reminder that misinformation online, however wild or obviously untrue it may seem, can have real and lasting consequences offline.
Maajte and her husband Matt are still active in their government jobs. Maajte is a civilian employee at the US Army’s Fort Belvoir in Virginia where she works as a security officer. Matt, a retired Air Force officer, is a civilian employee with the Air Force at the Pentagon.
Despite working for the US government, the couple are experiencing the same feelings of helplessness familiar to others who have been the target of harassment and misinformation. “I want everybody to stop harassing me, because this is cyberbullying to me and it’s gone way out of hand,” Maajte said while fighting back tears.
Matt has tried to get the videos taken down from YouTube and to prevent their spread online. The couple said they contacted an attorney, who told them there was little that could be done, and local police, who told them much the same.
Origins of a coronavirus conspiracy theory
Conspiracy theories are not dissimilar to viruses, in that they evolve and mutate to spread and survive. Before Maatje Benassi became the main protagonist in this conspiracy, variations had circulated online for months.
In the early weeks of the coronavirus, conspiracy theorists began claiming, without evidence, that it was a US biological weapon. Later one member of the Chinese government publicly promoted the notion that the US military brought the virus to China. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said it was “completely ridiculous and it’s irresponsible” for someone speaking on behalf of the Chinese government to promote such a claim.
It wasn’t until March, months after the first reported coronavirus cases in China, that conspiracy theorists turned their focus to Maatje Benassi. The baseless theory began with her participation in October in the Military World Games, essentially the military Olympics, which was hosted by Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus outbreak began last year.
Maatje Benassi competed in the cycling competition there, suffering an accident on the final lap that left her with a fractured rib and a concussion. Despite the crash, Benassi still finished the race, but it turned out to be the start of something worse. While hundreds of athletes from the US military took part in the games, Maatje Benassi was plucked out of the group and given a starring role in the conspiracy theory.
Perhaps the most prominent cheerleader of the idea that Benassi had a role in the imaginary plot to infect the world is George Webb, a prolific 59-year-old American misinformation peddler. Webb has for years regularly streamed hours of diatribe live on YouTube, where he has amassed more than 27 million views and almost 100,000 followers.
In 2017, CNN revealed how Webb was part of a trio of conspiracy theorists that pushed a false rumor about a cargo ship with a “dirty bomb” that was set to arrive at the Port of Charleston in South Carolina. The bomb never materialized, but the claims did lead to parts of the port — one of the biggest in America — being shut down for a time as a safety precaution.
Until recently, Webb said, his YouTube videos included advertisements — meaning the platform, which is owned by Google, was making money from Webb’s misinformation, as was Webb himself.
Webb even claimed that the Italian DJ Benny Benassi, whose 2002 song “Satisfaction” became a worldwide sensation, had the coronavirus and that he, along with Maatje and Matt Benassi, were part of a Benassi plot connected to the virus. (Benny told CNN Business he has never met Maatje and Matt, and they said that as far as they know, they are not related. Benny pointed out that Benassi is a very common last name in Italy.)
Benny Benassi told CNN Business he has not been diagnosed with the coronavirus. Like artists around the world, he canceled his concerts because of social distancing and travel restrictions. (Webb previously claimed the DJ is Dutch, he is not.)
In a phone interview with CNN Business on Thursday, which he livestreamed to his followers on YouTube, Webb offered no substantive evidence to support his claims about the Benassis and said he considered himself an “investigative reporter,” not a conspiracy theorist.
He also said that YouTube recently stopped running ads on his videos after he began talking about the coronavirus. Webb said he had normally made a few hundred dollars a month directly from YouTube.
YouTube confirmed to CNN that it was not currently running ads on Webb’s channel, but it declined to say whether ads appeared there in the past or provide details on how much money his channel may have made. A company spokesperson said YouTube was committed to promoting accurate information about the coronavirus. The company removed some threatening comments about the Benassis that had been posted under Webb’s videos when asked about them by CNN Business. YouTube also said it had removed some videos posted by Webb in the past.
False theories online spark real world concerns
While the allegations about the Benassis may be wildly untrue, the threats they face and the fear they feel are very real.
Matt Benassi said he fears this could “turn into another Pizzagate,” referencing another baseless conspiracy theory that claimed a pedophilia ring that somehow involved Hillary Clinton, among others, was operating out of a Washington DC pizzeria. The fringe theory didn’t receive much mainstream attention until a man showed up at the pizzeria in late 2016 and fired an assault weapon, saying he was there to investigate “Pizzagate.”
“It’s really hard to hold him [Webb] accountable,” Matt Benassi said. “Law enforcement will tell you that there’s nothing that we can do about it because we have free speech in this country. Then they say, ‘Go talk to a civil attorney,’ so we did. We talked to an attorney. You quickly realize that for folks like us, it’s just too expensive to litigate something like this. We get no recourse from law enforcement. We get no recourse from the courts.”
Matt Benassi said he has complained to YouTube but even when the company does take videos down it can take days for it to do so. By that time, a video can go viral, and the damage is done. Worse still: videos Webb has posted to YouTube that are removed are often re-uploaded to the platform.
In China, the YouTube videos attacking the Benassis are uploaded to popular platforms there such as WeChat, Weibo, and Xigua Video and are translated into Chinese, according to an analysis by Keenan Chen, a researcher at First Draft, a non-profit that researches disinformation.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The Benassis’ experience is unfortunately not unique, said Danielle Citron, a professor of law at Boston University School of Law and a MacArthur Fellow who studies online harassment. Faced with “cyber mobs,” as Citron describes them, law enforcement often can’t or won’t investigate.
As for the likes of YouTube, Citron said the law has to change: “Right now, they’re totally immune from legal liability under federal law. And so they can just walk away.”
Whatever happens next, “the damage is done,” according to Maatje Benassi. “I know it [will] never be the same. Every time you’re going to Google my name, it will pop up as patient zero.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-04-27--How to clean your bathroom to protect against coronavirus

With nearly all American kids out of school and large numbers of workers telecommuting , many houses are more crowded than usual .
And bathrooms are perhaps the one crucial point in the house where all humans — and therefore microbes — pass through .
So during the present pandemic , keeping your toilets , sinks , counters and showers as germ-free as possible is key to keeping you and your family healthy .
The novel coronavirus , or SARS-CoV-2 , is known to live on hard surfaces for up to three days , according to data published in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bathroom has plenty of those .
“ We ’ d be mostly concerned with the inanimate surfaces , ” said Dr. William Schaffner , an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center .
“ Any household disinfectants will work against this virus , ” he said .
“ And soap and water work perfectly well.
” We ’ ve got a guide to help you think about the area of your house that could become ground zero of the fight against coronavirus .
Make sure you follow the right steps As you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start by making sure to wash your hands .
If you ’ re using disinfectants , you should pick higher-quality ones .
The US Environmental Protection Agency released a five-page list of disinfectants — including Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and certain Lysol sprays — which are strong enough to defeat “ harder to kill ” viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 .
It ’ s important to focus on cleaning “ high-touch ” areas of your bathroom including light switches , door knobs and the sink areas in particular .
That can also include less obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including shower heads , shower curtains and around the toilet seat .
Anything that people touch should be cleaned , whether they have symptoms or not .
That includes hair dryers , electric toothbrushes , shavers or other appliances in the bathroom .
( You may not have touched razors recently if you ’ re trying to grow out a gnarly quarantine beard . )
We know you would never forget this , but just a friendly reminder not to forget to make sure devices are assuredly unplugged and turned off before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You should consider placing a wipeable cover on electronic devices if you can , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises , and try to use a solution that ’ s at least 70 % alcohol .
It pays to be thorough , because droplets capable of carrying the virus can really get around within your bathroom .
For instance , one study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology showed that particles and droplets can be spread up to 6 feet when you flush with the seat up .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Brian Sansoni , a spokesman for the American Cleaning Institute .
But he emphasized that you need to make sure you ’ re cleaning correctly .
After you wipe down hard surfaces like sinks and counter tops , make sure to leave them wet for 3 to 5 minutes .
Who knew ?
Turns out , the professionals do .
The American Cleaning Institute recommends letting the surfaces air-dry , and then rinse them with water .
People aren ’ t aware of the need to wait , said Sansoni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give the cleaning products time to actually work and thoroughly kill germs or viruses .
Think there ’ s no way you ’ re doing it wrong ?
Sansoni cited findings from an Ipsos poll his organization commissioned , which found that 42 % of Americans weren ’ t cleaning or disinfecting the right way — and could be leaving themselves vulnerable .
Many people aren ’ t following directions printed on product labels , including allowing cleaning products enough time to work , he said .
Please make sure you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products , and that you ’ re using them as the manufacturer intended .
Use separate bathrooms if a family member is sick If a family member or roommate living with you is showing Covid-19 symptoms , it ’ s important to assign them their own specific bathroom and to separate that person from others .
If you don ’ t have more than one bathroom , have the person with symptoms clean surfaces they ’ ve touched after they use the bathroom , according to the CDC .
If they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option is to have a healthy person clean the area .
Wait as long as you can before entering , wear a mask and gloves to clean and wash the mask and your clothes after cleaning .
( Toss the gloves . )
That might not be an option if your patient needs help using the bathroom .
“ You may have to help the person use the facilities , ” Schaffner said .
“ You can assign one person in the family to help them and to establish their routine.
” If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone showing Covid-19 symptoms , you absolutely must protect yourself with a mask at minimum , he emphasized .
In addition to a mask , Schaffner recommended wearing gloves and some sort of other garment over your regular clothes if you ’ re caring for an ill person in the bathroom .
“ Watch the person , see what they touch , and wipe that off , ” he said .
That could include the toilet seat , which may receive a lot of action since diarrhea and vomiting are common Covid-19 symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also recommended placing any sanitizing wipes you use in a plastic bag and throwing that in the garbage .
Then change your clothes after you ’ re done cleaning the bathroom or helping someone else use it .
If someone in your home is sick , it ’ s especially important to wash any of their towels or dirty clothes separately .
For towels , bath mats , cloth shower curtains and other soft materials , the CDC recommends laundering them according to the manufacturer ’ s directions with the “ warmest appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely .
Soap can work even better than disinfecting products “ By now you know that viruses , including the coronavirus , can live on surfaces for awhile — several hours , even several days — which means we have to be cleaning all the time , ” CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta said in a video .
That gets complicated when you ’ re burning through disinfectants and sanitizing wipes , and store shelves with those products are all to often bare .
But you may already have soap at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find in a supermarket .
And the good news ?
“ Many scientists argue it ’ s actually a better alternative , ” Gupta said .
There ’ s scientific backing for this thinking : At a microscopic level , the novel coronavirus is surrounded by a “ lipid envelope.
” Soap works on the virus by tearing through that layer of lipids that surrounds the proteins inside and breaking apart the virus .
The process is similar to how dish soap eats away at grease on a pan in ways that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cleaning job right is crucial .
• No need to wipe down groceries or takeout , experts say , but do wash your hands • All your questions about how to wear a face mask — answered • WFH burnout is real .
How to avoid it .
• How heat affects coronavirus , and 7 other things to know before going out Gupta explained that you don ’ t necessarily have to wear gloves as you clean .
But if you do , make sure when you ’ re done to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underneath their opening so you don ’ t touch the exposed outer side with your bare hands .
And then wash your hands one last time after you ’ ve thrown away your gloves .

With nearly all American kids out of school and large numbers of workers telecommuting, many houses are more crowded than usual.
And bathrooms are perhaps the one crucial point in the house where all humans — and therefore microbes — pass through. So during the present pandemic, keeping your toilets, sinks, counters and showers as germ-free as possible is key to keeping you and your family healthy.
The novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, is known to live on hard surfaces for up to three days, according to data published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Your bathroom has plenty of those.
“We’d be mostly concerned with the inanimate surfaces,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“Any household disinfectants will work against this virus,” he said. “And soap and water work perfectly well.”
We’ve got a guide to help you think about the area of your house that could become ground zero of the fight against coronavirus.
Make sure you follow the right steps
As you get ready to clean your bathroom, start by making sure to wash your hands.
If you’re using disinfectants, you should pick higher-quality ones. The US Environmental Protection Agency released a five-page list of disinfectants — including Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and certain Lysol sprays — which are strong enough to defeat “harder to kill” viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
It’s important to focus on cleaning “high-touch” areas of your bathroom including light switches, door knobs and the sink areas in particular. That can also include less obvious areas everyone in the house likely touches, including shower heads, shower curtains and around the toilet seat.
Anything that people touch should be cleaned, whether they have symptoms or not. That includes hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, shavers or other appliances in the bathroom. (You may not have touched razors recently if you’re trying to grow out a gnarly quarantine beard.)
We know you would never forget this, but just a friendly reminder not to forget to make sure devices are assuredly unplugged and turned off before you embark on a deep clean.
You should consider placing a wipeable cover on electronic devices if you can, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises, and try to use a solution that’s at least 70% alcohol.
It pays to be thorough, because droplets capable of carrying the virus can really get around within your bathroom.
For instance, one study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology showed that particles and droplets can be spread up to 6 feet when you flush with the seat up.
Follow the cleaning product maker’s directions
“You don’t have to panic clean,” said Brian Sansoni, a spokesman for the American Cleaning Institute. But he emphasized that you need to make sure you’re cleaning correctly.
After you wipe down hard surfaces like sinks and counter tops, make sure to leave them wet for 3 to 5 minutes. Who knew? Turns out, the professionals do. The American Cleaning Institute recommends letting the surfaces air-dry, and then rinse them with water.
People aren’t aware of the need to wait, said Sansoni, who noted that’s important to give the cleaning products time to actually work and thoroughly kill germs or viruses.
Think there’s no way you’re doing it wrong? Sansoni cited findings from an Ipsos poll his organization commissioned, which found that 42% of Americans weren’t cleaning or disinfecting the right way — and could be leaving themselves vulnerable.
Many people aren’t following directions printed on product labels, including allowing cleaning products enough time to work, he said. Please make sure you’re abiding by the instructions on your products, and that you’re using them as the manufacturer intended.
Use separate bathrooms if a family member is sick
If a family member or roommate living with you is showing Covid-19 symptoms, it’s important to assign them their own specific bathroom and to separate that person from others.
If you don’t have more than one bathroom, have the person with symptoms clean surfaces they’ve touched after they use the bathroom, according to the CDC.
If they’re too sick to clean, your second option is to have a healthy person clean the area. Wait as long as you can before entering, wear a mask and gloves to clean and wash the mask and your clothes after cleaning. (Toss the gloves.)
That might not be an option if your patient needs help using the bathroom.
“You may have to help the person use the facilities,” Schaffner said. “You can assign one person in the family to help them and to establish their routine.”
If you’re in close quarters with someone showing Covid-19 symptoms, you absolutely must protect yourself with a mask at minimum, he emphasized.
Protect yourself if you’re helping a sick family member
In addition to a mask, Schaffner recommended wearing gloves and some sort of other garment over your regular clothes if you’re caring for an ill person in the bathroom. “Watch the person, see what they touch, and wipe that off,” he said.
That could include the toilet seat, which may receive a lot of action since diarrhea and vomiting are common Covid-19 symptoms.
As an additional precaution, Schaffner also recommended placing any sanitizing wipes you use in a plastic bag and throwing that in the garbage. Then change your clothes after you’re done cleaning the bathroom or helping someone else use it.
If someone in your home is sick, it’s especially important to wash any of their towels or dirty clothes separately.
For towels, bath mats, cloth shower curtains and other soft materials, the CDC recommends laundering them according to the manufacturer’s directions with the “warmest appropriate water setting.” Then dry those items completely.
Soap can work even better than disinfecting products
“By now you know that viruses, including the coronavirus, can live on surfaces for awhile — several hours, even several days — which means we have to be cleaning all the time,” CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta said in a video.
That gets complicated when you’re burning through disinfectants and sanitizing wipes, and store shelves with those products are all to often bare.
But you may already have soap at home, and it could be easier to find in a supermarket. And the good news? “Many scientists argue it’s actually a better alternative,” Gupta said.
There’s scientific backing for this thinking: At a microscopic level, the novel coronavirus is surrounded by a “lipid envelope.” Soap works on the virus by tearing through that layer of lipids that surrounds the proteins inside and breaking apart the virus.
The process is similar to how dish soap eats away at grease on a pan in ways that plain water can’t.
Finish the job correctly
Finishing the cleaning job right is crucial.
Gupta explained that you don’t necessarily have to wear gloves as you clean.
But if you do, make sure when you’re done to remove them by sliding your finger in underneath their opening so you don’t touch the exposed outer side with your bare hands.
And then wash your hands one last time after you’ve thrown away your gloves.
The-CNN-Wire
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mercurynews--2020-04-27--California beach could close on weekends because of overcrowding amid coronavirus concerns

Newport Beach ’ s shoreline and ocean could be off limits on weekends , a decision that will be taken up by city officials in a special meeting called for Tuesday , April 28 , to address crowds that showed up on beaches during the recent heat wave .
The Newport council meeting will focus on whether to close beaches for three weekends – on Saturdays and Sundays from May 2 through May 17 – the city said in a news release on Sunday , April 26 .
Another idea could be to close roadways leading into popular beach spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Crowds in Newport Beach swelled to an estimated 40,000 on both Friday and Saturday as a heat wave hit and residents and visitors flocked to the seaside town , one of the handful still accessible .
Other Orange County officials said Sunday that while public health during the coronavirus pandemic is a priority , they haven ’ t heard anything that suggests they should immediately tighten rules or shut down additional beaches .
Beach towns , popular attractions across Southern California that draw millions of visitors each year , are trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places where people can find open space to exercise and breathe fresh air , while limiting areas that might become hot spots for crowds .
Some areas like Los Angeles , Seal Beach , Laguna Beach and San Diego County opted to close beaches completely , not allowing anyone on the sand or in the water .
San Clemente shut down for two weeks before deciding to open back up on April 25 , but only for “ active recreation ” like surfing , walking or jogging .
Other places like Huntington Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aliso Beach , and Newport Beach did softer closures by shutting down beachside parking lots and piers .
But some residents thought the weekend beach crowds reflected careless or selfish disregard for public health .
“ I ’ m seeing families with kids , they ’ ve got their coolers , they ’ ve got their beach chairs – to me , the beach is pretty big , but they all seem to be going to the same locations , ” Huntington Beach resident Albert Rivera said Sunday .
“ I just don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huntington Beach is allowing this.
” Huntington Beach Councilwoman Jill Hardy said while plenty of people came to the city ’ s shoreline on Saturday , most didn ’ t appear to be breaking social distancing rules .
Based on aerial photos she saw , “ it was interesting to see how well separated they were , ” she said .
Hardy said her city is in a tough spot .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has recommended people get outside and be active , and with Huntington and Bolsa Chica state beaches remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close the city beach when we have open beaches on either side.
” Having different governmental agencies in charge of different slices of the coast means rules and regulations can vary , sometimes even within the same city .
When the crowds started arriving as heat descended on the region , Newport Beach saw such an influx of visitors officials opted to open up a parking lots , including Balboa Pier and Corona del Mar , because of the pressure on residential neighborhoods and streets .
Once beachgoers find parking , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrow sidewalks that pass close by yards that residents may be trying to enjoy , Newport Beach Councilwoman Diane Dixon said .
“ We want our beaches to be there for people to get their exercise and seek their fresh air enjoyment , ” she said .
“ When people don ’ t respect the Governor ’ s order it becomes something we need to manage in a different way.
” Sunday ’ s cool , foggy weather helped lessen crowds across Southern California , with Newport ’ s shoreline only seeing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s crowd , city spokesman John Pope said .
Lighter crowds also were seen at other beaches , including Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica .
“ The fog today worked out really well for us , ” said Kevin Pearsall , State Parks Orange Coast District superintendent .
“ It was a slower day today .
We were still doing the social distancing PAs , but it was dramatically less today than yesterday.
” Some officials are still evaluating whether the crowds pose a public health threat .
County Supervisor Don Wagner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to make policy decisions based on news photos of beach crowds , after the weekend , “ It ’ s fair to take a look at the situation and decide if we have a problem.
” Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said San Clemente ’ s active recreation policy , which some San Diego County beaches will implement starting Monday , “ seems to make a lot of sense.
” In those communities , beachgoers can do active things like jogging or standup paddleboarding , but they ’ re not welcome to lounge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s colleagues rejected her suggestion to close county beaches for two weeks to minimize crowds .
She said Sunday that she hasn ’ t decided if she ’ ll propose a San Clemente-style policy at the board ’ s Tuesday meeting .
With public health authorities recommending both keeping a distance from others and getting outside for sun and exercise , Wagner said , “ You ’ ve got ta do a tradeoff.
” Also Tuesday , Newport officials will discuss creating an ad hoc City Council committee to guide the reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county ’ s reopening and recovery plan .
To watch the meeting , go to newportbachca.gov .

Newport Beach’s shoreline and ocean could be off limits on weekends, a decision that will be taken up by city officials in a special meeting called for Tuesday, April 28, to address crowds that showed up on beaches during the recent heat wave.
The Newport council meeting will focus on whether to close beaches for three weekends – on Saturdays and Sundays from May 2 through May 17 – the city said in a news release on Sunday, April 26. Another idea could be to close roadways leading into popular beach spots along the peninsula and Corona del Mar.
Crowds in Newport Beach swelled to an estimated 40,000 on both Friday and Saturday as a heat wave hit and residents and visitors flocked to the seaside town, one of the handful still accessible.
Other Orange County officials said Sunday that while public health during the coronavirus pandemic is a priority, they haven’t heard anything that suggests they should immediately tighten rules or shut down additional beaches.
Beach towns, popular attractions across Southern California that draw millions of visitors each year, are trying to find just the right recipe to balance places where people can find open space to exercise and breathe fresh air, while limiting areas that might become hot spots for crowds.
Some areas like Los Angeles, Seal Beach, Laguna Beach and San Diego County opted to close beaches completely, not allowing anyone on the sand or in the water. San Clemente shut down for two weeks before deciding to open back up on April 25, but only for “active recreation” like surfing, walking or jogging.
Other places like Huntington Beach, county beaches like Salt Creek and Aliso Beach, and Newport Beach did softer closures by shutting down beachside parking lots and piers.
But some residents thought the weekend beach crowds reflected careless or selfish disregard for public health.
“I’m seeing families with kids, they’ve got their coolers, they’ve got their beach chairs – to me, the beach is pretty big, but they all seem to be going to the same locations,” Huntington Beach resident Albert Rivera said Sunday. “I just don’t understand how the city of Huntington Beach is allowing this.”
Huntington Beach Councilwoman Jill Hardy said while plenty of people came to the city’s shoreline on Saturday, most didn’t appear to be breaking social distancing rules. Based on aerial photos she saw, “it was interesting to see how well separated they were,” she said.
Hardy said her city is in a tough spot. Gov. Gavin Newsom has recommended people get outside and be active, and with Huntington and Bolsa Chica state beaches remaining open, it “makes it complicated to close the city beach when we have open beaches on either side.”
Having different governmental agencies in charge of different slices of the coast means rules and regulations can vary, sometimes even within the same city.
When the crowds started arriving as heat descended on the region, Newport Beach saw such an influx of visitors officials opted to open up a parking lots, including Balboa Pier and Corona del Mar, because of the pressure on residential neighborhoods and streets.
Once beachgoers find parking, they make the trek to the shore on narrow sidewalks that pass close by yards that residents may be trying to enjoy, Newport Beach Councilwoman Diane Dixon said.
“We want our beaches to be there for people to get their exercise and seek their fresh air enjoyment,” she said.
“When people don’t respect the Governor’s order it becomes something we need to manage in a different way.”
Sunday’s cool, foggy weather helped lessen crowds across Southern California, with Newport’s shoreline only seeing about 25 percent of the previous day’s crowd, city spokesman John Pope said.
Lighter crowds also were seen at other beaches, including Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica.
“The fog today worked out really well for us,” said Kevin Pearsall, State Parks Orange Coast District superintendent. “It was a slower day today. We were still doing the social distancing PAs, but it was dramatically less today than yesterday.”
Some officials are still evaluating whether the crowds pose a public health threat.
County Supervisor Don Wagner said that while he doesn’t want to make policy decisions based on news photos of beach crowds, after the weekend, “It’s fair to take a look at the situation and decide if we have a problem.”
Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said San Clemente’s active recreation policy, which some San Diego County beaches will implement starting Monday, “seems to make a lot of sense.” In those communities, beachgoers can do active things like jogging or standup paddleboarding, but they’re not welcome to lounge and hang out.
Last week, Bartlett’s colleagues rejected her suggestion to close county beaches for two weeks to minimize crowds. She said Sunday that she hasn’t decided if she’ll propose a San Clemente-style policy at the board’s Tuesday meeting.
With public health authorities recommending both keeping a distance from others and getting outside for sun and exercise, Wagner said, “You’ve gotta do a tradeoff.”
Also Tuesday, Newport officials will discuss creating an ad hoc City Council committee to guide the reopening of businesses, with discussions including the county’s reopening and recovery plan.
To watch the meeting, go to newportbachca.gov.