mercurynews--2020-12-14--Elon Musk is leaving Silicon Valley for Texas. These millionaires and companies are joining him

Silicon Valley has been the epicenter of the tech industry for decades , starting in 1938 when Bill Hewlett and David Packard started tinkering in a Palo Alto garage .
But that may be changing .
Perhaps the most striking evidence of that : A descendant of the company they founded , Hewlett Packard Enterprise , will move its headquarters to Texas .
On Friday , another longtime Silicon Valley stalwart , Oracle , announced plans to join them , saying it will relocate its headquarters to Austin .
A string of high profile tech investors and executives are leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Elon Musk said he has moved to Texas after selling his Bel Air homes earlier this year .
Such moves are to be expected during the pandemic , when people are working from home anyway .
Several tech firms have said they ’ ll give employees the option to permanently work from home even after the pandemic ends .
But the relocation of corporate headquarters , company founders and big-name VC investors points to a corporate diaspora of the tech industry — and what some have called a “ tech exodus ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already left San Francisco complained of mismanagement of the city and state .
Though it ’ s not clear what exactly they ’ re referring to , California has implemented Covid-19 related restrictions that some in tech — particularly Musk — were critical of ( though others in the industry took the opposite tack ) .
Florida and Texas , by comparison , have applied somewhat less stringent restrictions .
Silicon Valley also has notoriously high real estate prices .
And California has a high personal income tax rate , while Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they going ?
A tech company decamping to Texas , and especially to Austin , is hardly groundbreaking .
The tech hub , nicknamed “ Silicon Hills , ” is already home to industry leaders including Advanced Micro Devices , Dell and others .
As of November , 39 companies — in tech and other industries had relocated to Austin so far this year , according to data from the Austin Chamber of Commerce .
Among those are 8VC , the venture capital firm run by Palantir co-founder Joe Londonsdale .
Tesla is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility just outside Austin that ’ s expected to create 5,000 jobs , the Chamber ’ s records show .
And though it ’ s not a tech firm , e-cigarette maker Juul Labs moved its corporate office from the Bay Area to Austin last year .
“ We talk about ourselves as the Human Capital , ” said Laura Huffman , president and CEO of the Austin Chamber , citing the diverse and highly educated population of the region as one reason companies seek to relocate there .
She noted that 47 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population has a bachelor ’ s degree , thanks to the 25 colleges and universities in the area .
“ I also would not underestimate the importance of quality of life , ” Huffman said .
“ There are a lot of things about this community — it ’ s got a great local flavor , a great music scene , it ’ s an outdoors city .
That ’ s where people want to be .
I think 2020 has taught us all that we have more choice when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Suarez has also jumped on the opportunity to attract more leading firms to the area .
When Delian Asparouhov , a principal at Peter Thiel ’ s Founders Fund and co-founder at Varda Space Industries , tweeted earlier this month : “ Ok guys hear me out , what if we move Silicon Valley to Miami [ ? ]
, ” Suarez quickly responded : “ How can I help ?
” On Monday , Suarez is hosting a virtual roundtable discussion on how to foster the city ’ s growing tech scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing Miami ’ s reputation as an international tech/startup hub and making Miami the city of the future , we want to hear from you , ” Suarez said on Twitter .
“ Let ’ s work together to enhance innovation and catalyze entrepreneurship.
” At least one tech leader was way ahead of the curve on ditching Silicon Valley for the opposite coast — Reddit Co-founder Alexis Ohanian tweeted earlier this month that he moved from San Francisco to Florida several years ago .
( Serena Williams , then his fiancee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years ) .
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Looking into Silicon Valley ’ s future “ People [ were ] shocked , ” Ohanian said .
“ ‘ But how will you do business from South Florida ?
’ Three years later , my business life [ is ] doing pretty well … and [ now there are ] headlines every time another Silicon Valley exec leaves for Miami.
” Goldman Sachs , based in New York , is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miami .
Here is a rundown of some of the big names in tech who have announced plans to leave the Bay Area for Texas just this year : • Hewlett Packard Enterprises : The company announced plans to relocate its headquarters from San Jose to Texas earlier this month .
Houston is already its largest employment hub , and the company is constructing a new campus in the city .
• Oracle : Oracle is moving its headquarters from Redwood City , California , to Austin , though it plans to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe these moves best position Oracle for growth and provide our personnel with more flexibility about where and how they work , ” spokesperson Deborah Hellinger told CNN Business .
• Elon Musk : The Tesla CEO revealed his move from California to Texas during The Wall Street Journal ’ s CEO Council annual summit last week .
He previously suggested on Twitter that he would move Tesla ’ s headquarters to Texas — that hasn ’ t happened yet , but the company is developing a large facility outside Austin .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is moving its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin .
“ It ’ s just become really obvious that there are a lot of places to build around the country , not just Silicon Valley , due to cost of living , talent and all sorts of other things , culture and what not , ” Lonsdale told the Austin American Statesman last month .
• Drew Houston : The Dropbox CEO has purchased a home in Austin and plans to make it his permanent residence , according to a report from The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The formerly San Jose-based firm , which makes records management software for law firms , moved to Austin in April .
• DZS Inc. : The telecommunications equipment firm said in March it would move its headquarters from Oakland , California , to Plano , Texas , and create a new “ engineering center of excellence ” in the city .
• QuestionPro : This online survey software firm announced its move from the Bay Area to Austin in January .
And here are a few who have recently moved to Florida : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managing partner of early-stage venture capital firm Blumberg Capital left the Bay Area for Miami , the San Francisco Business Times reported earlier this month .
“ We certainly hope and pray that California will take action to remedy the disastrous self-inflicted political situation and restore its former luster and quality of life , but for now we are voting with our feet , ” Blumberg said on Facebook , according to the Business Times .
• Keith Rabois : Rabois , a general partner at Founders Fund and former executive at PayPal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month that he is leaving the Bay Area for Miami .
• Joe Oringer : The founder and executive chairman of Shutterstock and a former New York resident bought a $ 42 million mansion in Miami Beach in October , according to the South Florida Business Journal .
Oringer has since formed Pareto Holdings , a firmed aimed at incubating and investing in startups in the Miami tech scene .

Silicon Valley has been the epicenter of the tech industry for decades, starting in 1938 when Bill Hewlett and David Packard started tinkering in a Palo Alto garage.
But that may be changing. Perhaps the most striking evidence of that: A descendant of the company they founded, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, will move its headquarters to Texas. On Friday, another longtime Silicon Valley stalwart, Oracle, announced plans to join them, saying it will relocate its headquarters to Austin.
A string of high profile tech investors and executives are leaving San Francisco, too: Last week, Elon Musk said he has moved to Texas after selling his Bel Air homes earlier this year.
Such moves are to be expected during the pandemic, when people are working from home anyway. Several tech firms have said they’ll give employees the option to permanently work from home even after the pandemic ends.
But the relocation of corporate headquarters, company founders and big-name VC investors points to a corporate diaspora of the tech industry — and what some have called a “tech exodus” from the Bay Area.
Some who have already left San Francisco complained of mismanagement of the city and state. Though it’s not clear what exactly they’re referring to, California has implemented Covid-19 related restrictions that some in tech — particularly Musk — were critical of (though others in the industry took the opposite tack). Florida and Texas, by comparison, have applied somewhat less stringent restrictions.
Silicon Valley also has notoriously high real estate prices. And California has a high personal income tax rate, while Florida and Texas have none.
Where are they going?
A tech company decamping to Texas, and especially to Austin, is hardly groundbreaking. The tech hub, nicknamed “Silicon Hills,” is already home to industry leaders including Advanced Micro Devices, Dell and others.
As of November, 39 companies — in tech and other industries had relocated to Austin so far this year, according to data from the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Among those are 8VC, the venture capital firm run by Palantir co-founder Joe Londonsdale. Tesla is also building a 4 million square foot facility just outside Austin that’s expected to create 5,000 jobs, the Chamber’s records show.
And though it’s not a tech firm, e-cigarette maker Juul Labs moved its corporate office from the Bay Area to Austin last year.
“We talk about ourselves as the Human Capital,” said Laura Huffman, president and CEO of the Austin Chamber, citing the diverse and highly educated population of the region as one reason companies seek to relocate there. She noted that 47% of the city’s working population has a bachelor’s degree, thanks to the 25 colleges and universities in the area.
“I also would not underestimate the importance of quality of life,” Huffman said. “There are a lot of things about this community — it’s got a great local flavor, a great music scene, it’s an outdoors city. That’s where people want to be. I think 2020 has taught us all that we have more choice when it comes to where we live.”
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has also jumped on the opportunity to attract more leading firms to the area.
When Delian Asparouhov, a principal at Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and co-founder at Varda Space Industries, tweeted earlier this month: “Ok guys hear me out, what if we move Silicon Valley to Miami[?],” Suarez quickly responded: “How can I help?”
On Monday, Suarez is hosting a virtual roundtable discussion on how to foster the city’s growing tech scene.
“If you are interested in growing Miami’s reputation as an international tech/startup hub and making Miami the city of the future, we want to hear from you,” Suarez said on Twitter. “Let’s work together to enhance innovation and catalyze entrepreneurship.”
At least one tech leader was way ahead of the curve on ditching Silicon Valley for the opposite coast — Reddit Co-founder Alexis Ohanian tweeted earlier this month that he moved from San Francisco to Florida several years ago. (Serena Williams, then his fiancee and now his wife, had lived there for years).
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Two rival robotaxi services win approval to operate throughout San Francisco despite safety concerns Business | Google loses bid to toss lawsuit over ‘potentially embarrassing’ Incognito mode data grabbing “People [were] shocked,” Ohanian said. “‘But how will you do business from South Florida?’ Three years later, my business life [is] doing pretty well … and [now there are] headlines every time another Silicon Valley exec leaves for Miami.”
Goldman Sachs, based in New York, is also reportedly looking at moving some operations to Miami.
Who is leaving?
Here is a rundown of some of the big names in tech who have announced plans to leave the Bay Area for Texas just this year:
Hewlett Packard Enterprises: The company announced plans to relocate its headquarters from San Jose to Texas earlier this month. Houston is already its largest employment hub, and the company is constructing a new campus in the city.
Oracle: Oracle is moving its headquarters from Redwood City, California, to Austin, though it plans to maintain a presence in California. “We believe these moves best position Oracle for growth and provide our personnel with more flexibility about where and how they work,” spokesperson Deborah Hellinger told CNN Business.
Elon Musk: The Tesla CEO revealed his move from California to Texas during The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council annual summit last week. He previously suggested on Twitter that he would move Tesla’s headquarters to Texas — that hasn’t happened yet, but the company is developing a large facility outside Austin.
8VC: Londonsdale’s VC firm is moving its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin. “It’s just become really obvious that there are a lot of places to build around the country, not just Silicon Valley, due to cost of living, talent and all sorts of other things, culture and what not,” Lonsdale told the Austin American Statesman last month.
Drew Houston: The Dropbox CEO has purchased a home in Austin and plans to make it his permanent residence, according to a report from The Information last month.
FileTrail: The formerly San Jose-based firm, which makes records management software for law firms, moved to Austin in April.
DZS Inc.: The telecommunications equipment firm said in March it would move its headquarters from Oakland, California, to Plano, Texas, and create a new “engineering center of excellence” in the city.
QuestionPro: This online survey software firm announced its move from the Bay Area to Austin in January.
And here are a few who have recently moved to Florida:
David Blumberg: The founder and managing partner of early-stage venture capital firm Blumberg Capital left the Bay Area for Miami, the San Francisco Business Times reported earlier this month. “We certainly hope and pray that California will take action to remedy the disastrous self-inflicted political situation and restore its former luster and quality of life, but for now we are voting with our feet,” Blumberg said on Facebook, according to the Business Times.
Keith Rabois: Rabois, a general partner at Founders Fund and former executive at PayPal and LinkedIn, told a Fortune reporter last month that he is leaving the Bay Area for Miami.
Joe Oringer: The founder and executive chairman of Shutterstock and a former New York resident bought a $42 million mansion in Miami Beach in October, according to the South Florida Business Journal. Oringer has since formed Pareto Holdings, a firmed aimed at incubating and investing in startups in the Miami tech scene.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-12-14--California has appointed its first ever Muslim chaplain to the state legislature

A Muslim man has made history after becoming the first Muslim chaplain appointed to the California Legislature .
Imam Mohammad Yasir Khan was appointed by Anthony Rendon , speaker of the California State Assembly , on December 7 as the assembly chaplain for the 2021-22 session , according to a news release .
“ Imam Yasir Khan represents California ’ s growing diversity in all the best ways , ” Rendon said in a statement .
“ I ’ ve seen the growth of the Islamic community in my own district and have become close to both religious and civic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong desire to contribute to the spiritual and civic vitality of California .
He has already done so in many ways.
” Khan has served as a chaplain at his local county jails , sheriff ’ s offices and hospitals for the past six years .
He is also the founder and president of the non-profit organization Al-Misbaah .
Al-Misbaah works in collaboration with the Sacramento Food Bank to provide food distributions across Sacramento .
The organization also helps provide low income families with vehicles that allows them to become mobile .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I am humbled and grateful to have been chosen for this role , ” Khan told CNN .
“ I hope this is a step for other imams and other Islamic leaders in the country to take on positions so we are able to connect with our local communities on the county , city , state and federal level.
” The main role of a State Assembly chaplain is to say a prayer at the beginning of each session , but Khan hopes to use this opportunity to bring the community closer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my life is to develop an understanding that members of the American Muslim community are Americans , we are contributors to society , we care about hunger , we care about poverty , ” Khan said .
“ I sincerely want to do whatever I can do to show our fellow Americans that we want to celebrate diversity and make this world a better place for everybody .
We ’ re not an exclusive group of people living in America , we are active contributors to society and we care about our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council on American-Islamic Relations ( CAIR-CA ) celebrated Khan ’ s appointment , and applauded Rendon for “ sending a message ” that California leaders are paying attention to the contributions of the Muslim community , Basim Elkarra , the executive director of CAIR-Sacramento Valley , told CNN .
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“ This appointment sends a message of inclusion – that American Muslims are an integral part of our society .
Despite all the hate Muslims have faced during four years under Trump ’ s administration , our community is resilient and continues to help and play critical roles in all aspects of society .
”

A Muslim man has made history after becoming the first Muslim chaplain appointed to the California Legislature.
Imam Mohammad Yasir Khan was appointed by Anthony Rendon, speaker of the California State Assembly, on December 7 as the assembly chaplain for the 2021-22 session, according to a news release.
“Imam Yasir Khan represents California’s growing diversity in all the best ways,” Rendon said in a statement.
“I’ve seen the growth of the Islamic community in my own district and have become close to both religious and civic leaders. Like them, Khan shows a strong desire to contribute to the spiritual and civic vitality of California. He has already done so in many ways.”
Khan has served as a chaplain at his local county jails, sheriff’s offices and hospitals for the past six years. He is also the founder and president of the non-profit organization Al-Misbaah.
Al-Misbaah works in collaboration with the Sacramento Food Bank to provide food distributions across Sacramento. The organization also helps provide low income families with vehicles that allows them to become mobile.
“God allowed me to be here and I am humbled and grateful to have been chosen for this role,” Khan told CNN. “I hope this is a step for other imams and other Islamic leaders in the country to take on positions so we are able to connect with our local communities on the county, city, state and federal level.”
The main role of a State Assembly chaplain is to say a prayer at the beginning of each session, but Khan hopes to use this opportunity to bring the community closer together.
“One of the objectives of my life is to develop an understanding that members of the American Muslim community are Americans, we are contributors to society, we care about hunger, we care about poverty,” Khan said.
“I sincerely want to do whatever I can do to show our fellow Americans that we want to celebrate diversity and make this world a better place for everybody. We’re not an exclusive group of people living in America, we are active contributors to society and we care about our communities.”
The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) celebrated Khan’s appointment, and applauded Rendon for “sending a message” that California leaders are paying attention to the contributions of the Muslim community, Basim Elkarra, the executive director of CAIR-Sacramento Valley, told CNN.
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“This appointment sends a message of inclusion – that American Muslims are an integral part of our society. Despite all the hate Muslims have faced during four years under Trump’s administration, our community is resilient and continues to help and play critical roles in all aspects of society.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-12-14--Yes, a Covid-19 vaccine has arrived. But here’s what NOT to do

The country ’ s first Covid-19 vaccines could be administered as soon as Monday , after the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine received green lights from the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Shipments of the vaccine are expected to arrive in all 50 states on Monday , with more on the way .
It ’ s a monumental moment and achievement , given the new coronavirus emerged just a year ago .
But the pandemic isn ’ t over yet .
Here are three things you shouldn ’ t do until things are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your doctor to get a vaccine First things first : It will be months before most people can receive the vaccine , so be patient and don ’ t rush out to your doctor ’ s office or pharmacy in hopes of getting one right away .
It ’ s up to states to allocate their share of vaccines , but the CDC has recommended that frontline health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities get the vaccine first .
Other high-priority groups include essential workers , emergency personnel and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a higher risk of complications or death .
For the next several months , the focus will be on vaccinating these individuals , Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , told CNN last week .
And it will likely be the spring when the vaccine becomes more widely available .
“ I would project by the time you get to April , it will be … ‘ open season , ’ in the sense of anyone , even the non-high-priority groups , could get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the other vaccine candidates in clinical trials and under FDA review , US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told Axios last week there will be enough vaccines for any American who wants one by the end of the second quarter of 2021 .
“ We want to make this eventually so it ’ s as much like getting your flu vaccine as possible , ” he said .
Jan Malcolm , commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health , told CNN she thinks it ’ s a “ great idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office to find out what their plan might be for administering vaccines , but that information may not be readily available just yet .
“ Much more information is going to be coming in the near future about how people will be able to access those vaccines when they ’ re more broadly available , but frankly , that ’ s probably a month or more off , ” Malcolm added .
In the meantime , if receiving a new vaccine gives you pause , you should read up on it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be safe and effective , but Moncef Slaoui , the head of the federal government ’ s Operation Warp Speed vaccine initiative , told “ Fox News Sunday ” that he was concerned about the level of vaccine hesitancy .
“ We hope that now that all the data is out and available to be discussed in detail that people will keep their mind open , to listen to the data , ” Slaoui said , “ and hopefully agree that this is a very effective and safe vaccine , and therefore take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial tools in the fight against Covid-19 , even as shots go into arms .
Dr. Sandro Cinti , an infectious disease specialist and medical professor at the University of Michigan , explained that it remains unclear whether people vaccinated against the virus can still infect someone else .
The trials only tracked Covid-19 in people who were showing symptoms .
But according to the CDC , about 40 % of cases are in people who show no symptoms .
“ You have to wear your mask , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was if you get the vaccine and you ’ re protected , can you still get some virus that then goes in your nose and then infect somebody else.
” Fauci echoed that message while speaking to CNN ’ s Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Anderson Cooper during CNN ’ s coronavirus town hall last week .
Even if you get vaccinated in January or February , he said , “ There may be half the country that is still not vaccinated , which means there is a lot of virus floating around there.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated , you may be protected against getting sick , but you may not be protected from infection , ” he said .
It ’ s possible that vaccinated individuals could still pick up the virus .
While it may not make them sick , they could still spread it to someone else through a cough or sneeze .
“ The more and more people that get vaccinated , the less and less the threat is , ” Fauci said .
“ Whether you get to the point if you have an overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good umbrella of herd immunity , you can get back to as close to normal as you want.
” Throughout the pandemic , social distancing has gone hand in hand with masks , and that doesn ’ t change now .
Both will still be necessary , even after receiving the vaccine , the CDC said Saturday .
No vaccine is 100 % effective and protection is not immediate , CDC Dr. Sarah Mbaeyi said in a meeting Saturday with the agency ’ s vaccine advisory committee .
Pfizer ’ s vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach 95 % efficacy , and it will take one to two weeks after the second dose for a person to be considered “ fully vaccinated.
” “ Given the currently limited information on how well the vaccine works in the general population ; how much it may reduce disease , severity or transmission ; and how long protection lasts , vaccinated persons should continue to follow all current guidance to protect themselves and others , ” Mbaeyi said , including masking , social distancing and washing hands .
Sadly , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may mean not gathering with their loved ones for the holidays .
Even Fauci has said that while he wants to see his three daughters , his family will not gather for Christmas for the first time in 30 years .
In an interview hosted by the Milken Institute last week , Fauci told CBS ’ Norah O ’ Donnell that even modest gatherings of families and friends were driving the ongoing surge of Covid-19 .
“ We ’ re starting to see infections that are emerging from what otherwise seem like benign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern about the potential for spread over the holidays .
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Looking into Silicon Valley ’ s future Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti urged residents to stay home for the holidays and adhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointing to a surge in cases that followed Thanksgiving gatherings .
“ We have to make sure there ’ s not a Christmas and holiday surge on top of that , ” he said .
“ That ’ s in our hands to stop these numbers from climbing , these ( hospital ) beds from disappearing , and these lives from being ended.
” North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper made a similar plea in a written statement , asking North Carolinians to have virtual gatherings this holiday season .
“ As tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holidays , the sacrifices we ’ re making now will ensure that our loved ones can gather again at next year ’ s Thanksgiving and Christmas tables , ” he wrote .

The country’s first Covid-19 vaccines could be administered as soon as Monday, after the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine received green lights from the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Shipments of the vaccine are expected to arrive in all 50 states on Monday, with more on the way. It’s a monumental moment and achievement, given the new coronavirus emerged just a year ago.
But the pandemic isn’t over yet. Here are three things you shouldn’t do until things are under control.
Don’t rush to your doctor to get a vaccine
First things first: It will be months before most people can receive the vaccine, so be patient and don’t rush out to your doctor’s office or pharmacy in hopes of getting one right away.
It’s up to states to allocate their share of vaccines, but the CDC has recommended that frontline health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities get the vaccine first. Other high-priority groups include essential workers, emergency personnel and those with underlying health conditions that put them at a higher risk of complications or death.
For the next several months, the focus will be on vaccinating these individuals, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN last week. And it will likely be the spring when the vaccine becomes more widely available.
“I would project by the time you get to April, it will be … ‘open season,’ in the sense of anyone, even the non-high-priority groups, could get vaccinated,” Fauci said.
Pointing to the other vaccine candidates in clinical trials and under FDA review, US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told Axios last week there will be enough vaccines for any American who wants one by the end of the second quarter of 2021.
“We want to make this eventually so it’s as much like getting your flu vaccine as possible,” he said.
Jan Malcolm, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, told CNN she thinks it’s a “great idea” for people to call their doctor’s office to find out what their plan might be for administering vaccines, but that information may not be readily available just yet.
“Much more information is going to be coming in the near future about how people will be able to access those vaccines when they’re more broadly available, but frankly, that’s probably a month or more off,” Malcolm added.
In the meantime, if receiving a new vaccine gives you pause, you should read up on it. The vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective, but Moncef Slaoui, the head of the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed vaccine initiative, told “Fox News Sunday” that he was concerned about the level of vaccine hesitancy.
“We hope that now that all the data is out and available to be discussed in detail that people will keep their mind open, to listen to the data,” Slaoui said, “and hopefully agree that this is a very effective and safe vaccine, and therefore take it.”
[vemba-video id=”health/2020/12/13/coronavirus-vaccine-fda-commissioner-stephen-hahn-sotu-tapper-vpx.cnn”]
Don’t stop wearing masks
Masks will continue to be crucial tools in the fight against Covid-19, even as shots go into arms.
Dr. Sandro Cinti, an infectious disease specialist and medical professor at the University of Michigan, explained that it remains unclear whether people vaccinated against the virus can still infect someone else.
The trials only tracked Covid-19 in people who were showing symptoms. But according to the CDC, about 40% of cases are in people who show no symptoms.
“You have to wear your mask,” he said. “What they didn’t look at was if you get the vaccine and you’re protected, can you still get some virus that then goes in your nose and then infect somebody else.”
Fauci echoed that message while speaking to CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Anderson Cooper during CNN’s coronavirus town hall last week. Even if you get vaccinated in January or February, he said, “There may be half the country that is still not vaccinated, which means there is a lot of virus floating around there.”
“And even if you are vaccinated, you may be protected against getting sick, but you may not be protected from infection,” he said.
It’s possible that vaccinated individuals could still pick up the virus. While it may not make them sick, they could still spread it to someone else through a cough or sneeze.
“The more and more people that get vaccinated, the less and less the threat is,” Fauci said. “Whether you get to the point if you have an overwhelming majority of people vaccinated and you have a good umbrella of herd immunity, you can get back to as close to normal as you want.”
Don’t stop social distancing
Throughout the pandemic, social distancing has gone hand in hand with masks, and that doesn’t change now.
Both will still be necessary, even after receiving the vaccine, the CDC said Saturday.
No vaccine is 100% effective and protection is not immediate, CDC Dr. Sarah Mbaeyi said in a meeting Saturday with the agency’s vaccine advisory committee. Pfizer’s vaccine requires two doses administered three weeks apart to reach 95% efficacy, and it will take one to two weeks after the second dose for a person to be considered “fully vaccinated.”
“Given the currently limited information on how well the vaccine works in the general population; how much it may reduce disease, severity or transmission; and how long protection lasts, vaccinated persons should continue to follow all current guidance to protect themselves and others,” Mbaeyi said, including masking, social distancing and washing hands.
Sadly, for many Americans, continuing to social distance may mean not gathering with their loved ones for the holidays.
Even Fauci has said that while he wants to see his three daughters, his family will not gather for Christmas for the first time in 30 years. In an interview hosted by the Milken Institute last week, Fauci told CBS’ Norah O’Donnell that even modest gatherings of families and friends were driving the ongoing surge of Covid-19.
“We’re starting to see infections that are emerging from what otherwise seem like benign settings,” he said, expressing concern about the potential for spread over the holidays.
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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 Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti urged residents to stay home for the holidays and adhere to California’s regional stay-at-home order, pointing to a surge in cases that followed Thanksgiving gatherings.
“We have to make sure there’s not a Christmas and holiday surge on top of that,” he said. “That’s in our hands to stop these numbers from climbing, these (hospital) beds from disappearing, and these lives from being ended.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper made a similar plea in a written statement, asking North Carolinians to have virtual gatherings this holiday season.
“As tough as this is, especially at the holidays, the sacrifices we’re making now will ensure that our loved ones can gather again at next year’s Thanksgiving and Christmas tables,” he wrote.
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mercurynews--2020-12-14--Redwood City’s EA snaps up racing game developer Codemasters in $1.2 billion deal

Electronic Arts has leapfrogged one of its rivals with a $ 1.2 billion deal for UK video game developer Codemasters .
EA said in a statement on Monday that it will pay £6.04 ( $ 8.10 ) per share for the producer of racing games including Formula One and DIRT .
That ’ s roughly 14 % more than November ’ s cash and share offer from Take-Two Interactive Software .
Codemasters had originally agreed to be bought by Take-Two but its board has now ditched that recommendation in favor of the richer offer from EA .
The EA deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter of next year .
EA is based in California , and best known for games such as The Sims and FIFA .
CEO Andrew Wilson said that EA had admired Codemasters ’ “ creative talent ” and games “ for many years.
” “ We believe there is a deeply compelling opportunity in bringing together Codemasters and EA to create amazing and innovative new racing games for fans , ” he said in a statement .
“ Our industry is growing , the racing category is growing , and together we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era of racing entertainment.
” Shares in Codemasters increased by more than 20 % to £6.42 ( $ 8.61 ) in London , suggesting that some investors expect a counteroffer to materialize .
Take-Two did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Video game sales have increased during the pandemic as people spend more time at home , part of a broader trend that has benefited tech companies that offer digital services and online shopping .
More people have become gamers this year , and more people started watching gamers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The Game Awards : See the big winners , reveals and important takeaways • Review : HyperX Cloud II Wireless keeps iconic design and cuts the cord • All original 150 Pokemon will be shiny for Pokemon Go Tour : Kanto celebration • ‘ Echo Generation ’ demo available through Dec. 15 on Xbox Series X|S Surging sales and earnings have dramatically boosted investor demand for tech shares , and valuations are skyrocketing .
The dynamic has been underscored by several recent deals and IPOs .
Airbnb shares went from $ 68 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debut last week , valuing the company at more than $ 100 billion .
That meant Airbnb was worth more than Marriott , Hilton and Hyatt combined .
That came just after shares in food delivery app DoorDash skyrocketed in their first day of trading , valuing the company at around $ 70 billion , or almost as much as FedEx .

Electronic Arts has leapfrogged one of its rivals with a $1.2 billion deal for UK video game developer Codemasters.
EA said in a statement on Monday that it will pay £6.04 ($8.10) per share for the producer of racing games including Formula One and DIRT. That’s roughly 14% more than November’s cash and share offer from Take-Two Interactive Software.
Codemasters had originally agreed to be bought by Take-Two but its board has now ditched that recommendation in favor of the richer offer from EA. The EA deal is expected to close in the first quarter of next year. EA is based in California, and best known for games such as The Sims and FIFA.
[vemba-video id=”business/2020/12/10/cyberpunk-2077-keanu-reeves-glitches-orig.cnn-business”]
CEO Andrew Wilson said that EA had admired Codemasters’ “creative talent” and games “for many years.”
“We believe there is a deeply compelling opportunity in bringing together Codemasters and EA to create amazing and innovative new racing games for fans,” he said in a statement. “Our industry is growing, the racing category is growing, and together we will be positioned to lead in a new era of racing entertainment.”
Shares in Codemasters increased by more than 20% to £6.42 ($8.61) in London, suggesting that some investors expect a counteroffer to materialize. Take-Two did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Video game sales have increased during the pandemic as people spend more time at home, part of a broader trend that has benefited tech companies that offer digital services and online shopping. More people have become gamers this year, and more people started watching gamers on services like Amazon’s Twitch.
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Airbnb shares went from $68 to $146 a piece in their debut last week, valuing the company at more than $100 billion. That meant Airbnb was worth more than Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt combined.
That came just after shares in food delivery app DoorDash skyrocketed in their first day of trading, valuing the company at around $70 billion, or almost as much as FedEx.
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™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-12-15--Tony-winning choreographer, actress Reinking dies at 71

NEW YORK — Ann Reinking , the Tony Award-winning choreographer , actress and Bob Fosse collaborator who helped spread a cool , muscular hybrid of jazz and burlesque movement to Broadway and beyond , has died .
She was 71 .
Reinking died Saturday while visiting family in Seattle , said her manager , Lee Gross .
No cause of death was disclosed .
Tributes poured in from the Broadway community , including from Tony Yazbeck , who called her “ an absolute inspiration ” and Leslie Odom , Jr. , who thanked Reinking for being a mentor : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RIP to a legend.
” Bernadette Peters took to Twitter to say her heart was broken and Billy Eichner said she was “ one of the most mesmerizing people I ’ ve ever seen on stage .
A singular genius .
RIP.
” Trained as a ballet dancer , Reinking was known for her bold style of dance epitomized by her work in the revival of the Kander and Ebb musical “ Chicago , ” complete with net stockings , chair dancing and plenty of pelvic thrusts .
Reinking co-starred as Roxie Hart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and created the choreography “ in the style of Bob Fosse , ” the show ’ s original director and choreographer who died in 1987 .
She and Fosse worked together for 15 years and she was also his lover for several of them .
“ I ’ m beyond words to hear of the sudden and untimely passing of my dear friend Ann Reinking .
The world has lost such a beautiful soul and talent , ” said Chita Rivera .
“ I loved sharing the stage with her whenever we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be with me forever.
” Reinking ’ s work on “ Chicago ” earned her a 1997 Tony , Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards .
Reinking replicated its choreography in productions throughout the world — England , Australia , Austria , Sweden , the Netherlands and elsewhere .
She was portrayed by Margaret Qualley in the recent FX series “ Fosse/Verdon.
” The musical ’ s revival was first done in a concert version at City Center ’ s “ Encores ” series in 1996 and then moved to Broadway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longest-running show in Broadway history .
“ You know how you hear sometimes a woman goes into labor and 10 minutes later she ’ s got this beautiful baby ?
You couldn ’ t believe that it was materializing in such a beautiful way , ” she told The Associated Press in 2011 about the early days of the revival .
In 1998 , she co-directed “ Fosse , ” a salute to the man who had the largest influence , both professionally and personally , on her life .
He once called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the jazz-modern idiom.
” Her movie credits include “ Annie ” ( 1982 ) , “ Movie , Movie ” ( 1978 ) and the documentary “ Mad Hot Ballroom ” ( 2005 ) , which portrayed Reinking as a ballroom-dance competition judge for New York City kids .
Reinking ’ s career began in Seattle , where she grew up .
In the beginning , she wanted to be a ballet dancer , “ like all girls , ” she said .
As a student , she won a scholarship in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but at many of the students ’ after-hours improvisations , she would just sing and not dance .
Robert Joffrey said that with her outgoing personality and other abilities , she should pursue musical theater .
“ I waited tables to save up enough money to get here , ” she said of New York City , where she arrived with a round-trip ticket back to Seattle and $ 500 .
She didn ’ t need the return trip .
“ You wouldn ’ t get into this if you had a guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a certain sense of the high stakes , ” she said .
“ You need the break and when you get it , you ’ d better be ready for it.
” Reinking ’ s break was strung out over several shows .
She was in the ensemble for Broadway ’ s “ Coco , ” which starred Katharine Hepburn as Coco Chanel , in 1969 , and was in the chorus of “ Pippin ” in 1972 , picked by its director and choreographer , Fosse .
The ensemble was so small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dancers were really seen .
Choreographer Pat Birch was one who noticed , and in 1974 put her in “ Over Here , ” a World War II musical starring two of the three Andrews Sisters and featuring another unknown , John Travolta .
It led to a starring role in “ Goodtime Charley , ” a musical about Joan of Arc opposite Joel Grey .
The musical was not a success , but it did make theatergoers look at Reinking as a principal performer and not just a member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , was in “ Dancin ' ” in 1978 , “ because I realized you had to be in an original part and that show has to be a hit.
” The music-and-dance revue directed and choreographed by Fosse was , running more than three years and earned her a 1978 Tony nomination .
But it was her work on the revival of “ Chicago ” where Reinking basked in the most attention .
The original , a dark indictment of celebrity and hucksterism , opened in the summer of 1975 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Though not in the opening night cast , Reinking eventually slipped into the role of Roxie Hart , taking over the part from Gwen Verdon , Fosse ’ s third wife and dancing alter ego .
In the 1996 revival , which is still on Broadway , Reinking kept the part of Hart opposite Gray and Neuwirth .
Lin-Manuel Miranda was among those praising her talent .
“ A singular talent has left us , ” he wrote on Twitter .
Jason Alexander added : “ She was a pure joy — fun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Heaven ’ s chorus line just got a star.
” Reinking also gained experience — and stayed in shape — by replacing stars in hit shows : Donna McKechnie in “ A Chorus Line ” ; Gwen Verdon in Fosse ’ s original “ Chicago ” ; and Debbie Allen in the 1986 revival of “ Sweet Charity.
” And she embarked on an eclectic film career — from playing Roy Scheider ’ s lover in Fosse ’ s 1979 semi-autobiographical film “ All That Jazz , ” to the screen version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ “ Micki and Maude.
” She also created dances for a revival of “ Pal Joey ” at Chicago ’ s Goodman Theater and a musical about first lady Eleanor Roosevelt called “ Eleanor.
” She was on the national tour of “ Bye Bye Birdie ” opposite Tommy Tune .
After “ Eleanor , ” offers to choreograph “ kept falling in my lap , ” Reinking said .
She created dances for a pre-Encores “ Chicago ” in Long Beach , California , with Neuwirth and Juliet Prowse .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her career , Reinking was asked to sing and perform the Oscar nominated song “ Against All Odds ” by Phil Collins at the 1985 telecast .
Reinking lip-synched as she danced a bombastic , cheesy rendition marred by fog .
In recent years , she choreographed “ The Look of Love ” on Broadway and the Roger Rees-directed off-Broadway “ Here Lies Jenny ” ( 2004 ) , starring Neuwirth .
In 2011 , she helped choreograph “ An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin ” on Broadway .
Reinking also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hands , ” about working with children of Marfan ’ s Syndrome , a rare genetic disorder of the connective tissues that often leaves its victims with limbs that are disproportionately long .
She also produced the film “ Two Worlds , One Planet , ” about “ high-functioning ” autism .
Reinking ’ s first three marriages ended in divorce .
Since 1994 , she had been married to Peter Talbert .
She also is survived by a son , Christopher , who has been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome and autism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first Black star , dies at 86 of COVID-19 complications • Chuck Yeager , first to break sound barrier , dead at 97 • Dick Allen , feared hitter who battled racism while playing for Phillies in 1960s , dies at 78 “ If there is a heaven , I think Bob can look down and be satisfied .
He really did have an exponential effect on the next generation of choreographers and dancers , ” Reinking once said .
“ He demanded the best from you and you wanted to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All great directors — however , they do it — make you want to be good .
I hope I do it .
It ’ s like being a parent , a psychiatrist , a disciplinarian and a friend .
You really have to know when to hold them and when to show them .
”

By Mark Kennedy | Associated Press
NEW YORK — Ann Reinking, the Tony Award-winning choreographer, actress and Bob Fosse collaborator who helped spread a cool, muscular hybrid of jazz and burlesque movement to Broadway and beyond, has died. She was 71.
Reinking died Saturday while visiting family in Seattle, said her manager, Lee Gross. No cause of death was disclosed.
Tributes poured in from the Broadway community, including from Tony Yazbeck, who called her “an absolute inspiration” and Leslie Odom, Jr., who thanked Reinking for being a mentor: “She honored the calling for real. RIP to a legend.” Bernadette Peters took to Twitter to say her heart was broken, and Billy Eichner said she was “one of the most mesmerizing people I’ve ever seen on stage. A singular genius. RIP.”
Trained as a ballet dancer, Reinking was known for her bold style of dance epitomized by her work in the 1996 revival of the Kander and Ebb musical “Chicago,” complete with net stockings, chair dancing and plenty of pelvic thrusts.
Reinking co-starred as Roxie Hart alongside Bebe Neuwirth’s Velma, and created the choreography “in the style of Bob Fosse,” the show’s original director and choreographer who died in 1987.
She and Fosse worked together for 15 years, and she was also his lover for several of them.
“I’m beyond words to hear of the sudden and untimely passing of my dear friend Ann Reinking. The world has lost such a beautiful soul and talent,” said Chita Rivera. “I loved sharing the stage with her whenever we could. Her spirit and razzle-dazzle will be with me forever.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda was among those praising her talent. “A singular talent has left us,” he wrote on Twitter. Jason Alexander added: “She was a pure joy — fun and funny and endlessly kind and talented. Heaven’s chorus line just got a star.”
Reinking’s work on “Chicago” earned her a 1997 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. Reinking replicated its choreography in productions throughout the world — England, Australia, Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands and elsewhere. She was portrayed by Margaret Qualley in the recent FX series “Fosse/Verdon.”
The musical’s revival was first done in a concert version at City Center’s “Encores” series in 1996 and then moved to Broadway, where in 2011 it became the second longest-running show in Broadway history, after “Phantom of the Opera.” It is also the longest-running revival and the longest-running U.S. show on Broadway.
“You know how you hear sometimes a woman goes into labor and 10 minutes later she’s got this beautiful baby? You couldn’t believe that it was materializing in such a beautiful way,” she told The Associated Press in 2011 about the early days of the revival.
In 1998, she co-directed “Fosse,” a salute to the man who had the largest influence, both professionally and personally, on her life. He once called her “one of the finest dancers in the jazz-modern idiom.”
Her movie credits include “All That Jazz” (1979) — Fosse’s acclaimed semi-autobiographical feature — as well as “Annie” (1982) and the documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom” (2005).
Reinking’s career began in Seattle, where she grew up. In the beginning, she wanted to be a ballet dancer, “like all girls,” she said. As a student, she won a scholarship in San Francisco with the Joffrey Ballet, but at many of the students’ after-hours improvisations, she would just sing and not dance.
Robert Joffrey said that with her outgoing personality and other abilities, she should pursue musical theater. “I waited tables to save up enough money to get here,” she said of New York City, where she arrived with a ticket back to Seattle and $500. She didn’t need the return trip.
“You wouldn’t get into this if you had a guarantee. People who get into this have a certain sense of the high stakes,” she said. “You need the break and when you get it, you’d better be ready for it.”
Reinking’s break was strung out over several shows. She was in the ensemble for Broadway’s “Coco,” which starred Katharine Hepburn as Coco Chanel, in 1969, and was in the chorus of “Pippin” in 1972, picked by its director and choreographer, Fosse. The ensemble was so small — there were only eight — that the dancers were really seen.
Choreographer Pat Birch was one who noticed, and in 1974 put her in “Over Here,” a World War II musical starring two of the three Andrews Sisters and featuring another unknown, John Travolta.
It led to a starring role in “Goodtime Charley,” a musical about Joan of Arc opposite Joel Grey. The musical was not a success, but it did make theatergoers look at Reinking as a principal performer and not just a member of the chorus.
Her other big break, she said, was in “Dancin'” in 1978, “because I realized you had to be in an original part and that show has to be a hit.” The music-and-dance revue directed and choreographed by Fosse was a hit, running more than three years, and it earned her a 1978 Tony nomination.
But it was her work on the revival of “Chicago” where Reinking basked in the most attention. The original, a dark indictment of celebrity and hucksterism, opened in the summer of 1975 and ran for about 900 performances. Though not in the opening night cast, Reinking eventually slipped into the role of Roxie Hart, taking over the part from Gwen Verdon, Fosse’s third wife and dancing alter ego. In the 1996 revival, which is still on Broadway, Reinking kept the part of Hart opposite Gray and Neuwirth.
Reinking also replaced Donna McKechnie in “A Chorus Line” and Debbie Allen in the 1986 revival of “Sweet Charity.”
She created dances for a revival of “Pal Joey” at Chicago’s Goodman Theater and a musical about first lady Eleanor Roosevelt called “Eleanor.” She was on the national tour of “Bye Bye Birdie” opposite Tommy Tune.
After “Eleanor,” offers to choreograph “kept falling in my lap,” Reinking said. She created dances for a pre-Encores “Chicago” in Long Beach, California, with Neuwirth and Juliet Prowse.
In one of the more cringe-worthy moments in her career, Reinking was asked to sing and perform the Oscar-nominated song “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins at the 1985 telecast. Reinking lip-synched as she danced a bombastic, cheesy rendition marred by fog.
In recent years, she choreographed “The Look of Love” on Broadway and the Roger Rees-directed off-Broadway “Here Lies Jenny” (2004), starring Neuwirth. In 2011, she helped choreograph “An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin” on Broadway.
Reinking also produced a documentary called “In My Hands,” about working with children of Marfan’s Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder of the connective tissues that often leaves its victims with limbs that are disproportionately long. She also produced the film “Two Worlds, One Planet,” about “high-functioning” autism.
Reinking’s first three marriages ended in divorce. Since 1994, she had been married to Peter Talbert. She also is survived by a son, Christopher, who has been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome and autism.
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A lonely life ends. A brother writes a ‘brutally honest’ obituary. Entertainment | Jamie Reid dies at 76; anarchist artist designed iconic Sex Pistols covers “If there is a heaven, I think Bob can look down and be satisfied. He really did have an exponential effect on the next generation of choreographers and dancers,” Reinking once said.
“He demanded the best from you and you wanted to give it. So you got better. All great directors — however, they do it — make you want to be good. I hope I do it. It’s like being a parent, a psychiatrist, a disciplinarian and a friend. You really have to know when to hold them and when to show them.”


mercurynews--2020-12-15--Inside James Wiseman’s first Warriors practice: ‘A perfect snapshot of what might be coming’

In their first practice of the 2020-21 season , Draymond Green carefully talked rookie James Wiseman through where he needed to be because , to get the ball and create the highlight of Monday ’ s Warriors practice , they first needed to get a stop .
This was the two-team drill drawn up by head coach Steve Kerr .
If the defense got a stop , that team was awarded one offensive possession .
Green and Wiseman ’ s team got the stop .
With the ball , Green raced down the floor as Wiseman ran the full-length of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100-meter dash .
With his right hand , Green floated a lob and , as it sailed above the outstretched arm of Kent Bazemore , Wiseman rose , caught the ball with both hands and threw down a thunderous dunk .
“ It was a perfect snapshot of what we hope to see , what Warriors fans hope to see and what might be coming , ” Kerr said .
For two weeks , Green and Wiseman were inactive after testing positive for the coronavirus prior to training camp .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the same time , and a strange start to what might be the Warriors ’ most important partnership for now and the future .
Though both are ruled out for Tuesday ’ s preseason game in Sacramento , they could return as soon as Thursday for the preseason finale against the Kings , according to Kerr .
Their participation in practice , however , will help a team that needs to coalesce quickly in order to make a playoff push .
“ It ’ s so great to have those guys back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding Green “ Made his presence felt immediately with advice in the film section and on the floor , and a whole lot of trash talking , too .
So the energy level today skyrocketed.
” “ Then with James , ” he said , “ it ’ s just so exciting to see the potential that ’ s there.
” Wiseman , the No .
2 pick in November ’ s draft , impressed teammates and coaches in his first practice with his athleticism , size and effort on both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drills , Wiseman set strong screens that consistently sprung open 3-point shots — including one for Steph Curry that Wiseman described as “ dope.
” Kerr lauded Wiseman for his natural feel playing in the pick-and-roll , which should help him contribute when eventually he does play .
“ He seems to be picking up the plays pretty quickly , ” Kerr said .
“ I ’ m excited about seeing him get more work under his belt so he can make bigger strides , but today was a really good stride.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curve for Wiseman who , at 19 , has not played in a true basketball game since November of last year , and won ’ t until he completes a full scrimmage .
Unless the Warriors scrimmage between their last two preseason games , it ’ s more likely Wiseman makes his debut at some point in the regular season .
• James Wiseman , Draymond Green practice with Warriors for first time since positive coronavirus tests • How the Warriors plan to mold Alen Smailagic into a floor-spacing big man • Five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win over the Nuggets Although Wiseman ’ s energy during practice was appreciated , Green said he was often out of position on defense , but made up for it with his speed and 7-foot-6 wingspan .
“ He can cover a lot of ground around the basket , ” he said .
Meanwhile , a noticeably slimmer Green said he ’ s spent the last few months working on his strength and mobility , but does not know how much weight he ’ s lost and appreciated having more than nine months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejuvenated , motivated , ” Green said .
“ I ’ m really excited to get out there and just compete again.
” Having Green — who played in only 43 games last season because of various injuries and averaged the fewest minutes per game since his third NBA season — in peak shape will be key as the Warriors aim to return to the playoffs after stumbling to the league ’ s worst record and fifth-worst defense last season .
Green watched the Warriors ’ first preseason game on TV and took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on defense .
Though young players such as Eric Paschall , Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins impressed , there were several things that could have been cleaned up by Green ’ s presence on the court and in practice leading up to the game .
Stephen Curry , who missed most of last season recovering from a broken hand , will power the offense .
On defense , Green and Wiseman highlight a backline for a team that aspires to rank among the top 10 in defensive rating this season .
Doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate impact .
The Warriors in their preseason opening win against the Nuggets gave up 58 points in the paint .
With only Kevon Looney and Marquese Chriss — reliable but undersized big men — the Warriors did not have someone big enough to guard against Nikola Jokic ’ s bruising post-ups or the athleticism in the middle of the floor to make up for missed perimeter rotations .
Putting too much responsibility on Wiseman too early would be irresponsible , and the Warriors plan to bring him along slowly .
When Wiseman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him with Green for several minutes per game so he can learn from the team ’ s best defender and begin to form this crucial partnership .
“ James was all over the place today , ” Green said .
“ Energy was through the roof , which took him out of position at times , which I love to see because you can teach positioning but you can ’ t teach high energy.
” Several teammates and coaches commented on Wiseman ’ s enthusiasm Monday .
When he found out two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his practice debut , Wiseman became so anxious that he needed to tell himself to calm down and use the energy on the court .
That energy may have overflowed into a few mistakes here and there , but it also led to the alley-oop highlight of the day .
It ’ s been a while since Wiseman has played in a game , but setting screens , running the floor and dunking are familiar enough to help quell the nerves .
“ As soon as I got that first bucket , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ I ’ m in the game now .
’ ”

In their first practice of the 2020-21 season, Draymond Green carefully talked rookie James Wiseman through where he needed to be because, to get the ball and create the highlight of Monday’s Warriors practice, they first needed to get a stop.
This was the two-team drill drawn up by head coach Steve Kerr. If the defense got a stop, that team was awarded one offensive possession. Green and Wiseman’s team got the stop. With the ball, Green raced down the floor as Wiseman ran the full-length of the court like a sprinter in a 100-meter dash. With his right hand, Green floated a lob and, as it sailed above the outstretched arm of Kent Bazemore, Wiseman rose, caught the ball with both hands and threw down a thunderous dunk.
“It was a perfect snapshot of what we hope to see, what Warriors fans hope to see and what might be coming,” Kerr said.
For two weeks, Green and Wiseman were inactive after testing positive for the coronavirus prior to training camp. It’s a happy accident that they began practicing at the same time, and a strange start to what might be the Warriors’ most important partnership for now and the future.
Though both are ruled out for Tuesday’s preseason game in Sacramento, they could return as soon as Thursday for the preseason finale against the Kings, according to Kerr. Their participation in practice, however, will help a team that needs to coalesce quickly in order to make a playoff push.
“It’s so great to have those guys back out on the floor,” Kerr said, adding Green “Made his presence felt immediately with advice in the film section and on the floor, and a whole lot of trash talking, too. So the energy level today skyrocketed.”
“Then with James,” he said, “it’s just so exciting to see the potential that’s there.”
A DRAYMOND LOB
TO A WISEMAN DUNK pic.twitter.com/Fe3MaO4gst — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 14, 2020
Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in November’s draft, impressed teammates and coaches in his first practice with his athleticism, size and effort on both ends of the court.
During offensive drills, Wiseman set strong screens that consistently sprung open 3-point shots — including one for Steph Curry that Wiseman described as “dope.” Kerr lauded Wiseman for his natural feel playing in the pick-and-roll, which should help him contribute when eventually he does play.
“He seems to be picking up the plays pretty quickly,” Kerr said. “I’m excited about seeing him get more work under his belt so he can make bigger strides, but today was a really good stride.”
But the Warriors expect a steep learning curve for Wiseman who, at 19, has not played in a true basketball game since November of last year, and won’t until he completes a full scrimmage. Unless the Warriors scrimmage between their last two preseason games, it’s more likely Wiseman makes his debut at some point in the regular season. Related Articles Golden State Warriors | Here’s the Warriors’ schedule for NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament
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Report: Bob Myers returning to NBA in a different role Golden State Warriors | Warriors to face Suns on NBA Opening Night, per report
Although Wiseman’s energy during practice was appreciated, Green said he was often out of position on defense, but made up for it with his speed and 7-foot-6 wingspan. “He can cover a lot of ground around the basket,” he said.
Meanwhile, a noticeably slimmer Green said he’s spent the last few months working on his strength and mobility, but does not know how much weight he’s lost and appreciated having more than nine months off between games.
“I feel rejuvenated, motivated,” Green said. “I’m really excited to get out there and just compete again.”
Having Green — who played in only 43 games last season because of various injuries and averaged the fewest minutes per game since his third NBA season — in peak shape will be key as the Warriors aim to return to the playoffs after stumbling to the league’s worst record and fifth-worst defense last season.
Green watched the Warriors’ first preseason game on TV and took note of the team’s potential on defense. Though young players such as Eric Paschall, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins impressed, there were several things that could have been cleaned up by Green’s presence on the court and in practice leading up to the game.
Stephen Curry, who missed most of last season recovering from a broken hand, will power the offense. On defense, Green and Wiseman highlight a backline for a team that aspires to rank among the top 10 in defensive rating this season.
Doing so will require Wiseman to make an immediate impact. The Warriors in their preseason opening win against the Nuggets gave up 58 points in the paint. With only Kevon Looney and Marquese Chriss — reliable but undersized big men — the Warriors did not have someone big enough to guard against Nikola Jokic’s bruising post-ups or the athleticism in the middle of the floor to make up for missed perimeter rotations.
Putting too much responsibility on Wiseman too early would be irresponsible, and the Warriors plan to bring him along slowly. When Wiseman eventually does play, they will pair him with Green for several minutes per game so he can learn from the team’s best defender and begin to form this crucial partnership.
“James was all over the place today,” Green said. “Energy was through the roof, which took him out of position at times, which I love to see because you can teach positioning but you can’t teach high energy.”
Several teammates and coaches commented on Wiseman’s enthusiasm Monday. When he found out two days ago that he’d be making his practice debut, Wiseman became so anxious that he needed to tell himself to calm down and use the energy on the court.
That energy may have overflowed into a few mistakes here and there, but it also led to the alley-oop highlight of the day. It’s been a while since Wiseman has played in a game, but setting screens, running the floor and dunking are familiar enough to help quell the nerves.
“As soon as I got that first bucket,” Wiseman said, “I was like, ‘I’m in the game now.’”


mercurynews--2020-12-15--President-elect Biden, after EC win, lauds the ‘rule of law’

President-elect Joe Biden declared Monday , hours after the Electoral College made his victory over President Donald Trump official , that “ the rule of law , our Constitution and the will of the people prevailed ” over Trump ’ s efforts to undo the results of the election .
“ The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago .
And we now know nothing , not even a pandemic or an abuse of power , can extinguish that flame , ” Biden said .
In a speech Monday night in Delaware , Biden issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican allies — including 17 state attorneys general and 126 members of Congress who backed a baseless Texas lawsuit seeking to undo other states ’ election results — for seeking to undercut the democratic process .
He condemned attacks by Trump and his supporters , who have sought to throw out legitimately cast ballots , on state and local elections officials .
“ It is my sincere hope we never again see anyone subjected to the kinds of threats and abuse we saw in this election .
It ’ s simply unconscionable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move past Trump ’ s denials of reality , pointing to record-breaking voter turnout that he said “ should be celebrated , not attacked.
” The President-elect noted more than 81 million votes being cast in favor of himself and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , the most in history and 7 million more than Trump and Vice President Mike Pence received .
Biden also noted that he won by the same electoral vote count that Trump received in 2016 , saying that it was a “ clear victory ” then and now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected resoundingly in state and federal courts .
“ And yet , none of this could stop baseless claims about the legitimacy of the results , ” Biden said .
Biden ’ s speech came hours after the Electoral College voted 306-232 in his favor , with each state ’ s electors following the popular vote results .
Biden declared it time to “ turn the page , to unite , to heal.
” “ In this battle for the soul of America , democracy prevailed , ” Biden said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions held .
The integrity of our elections remains intact .
And so , now it is time to turn the page .
To unite .
To heal.
” The President-elect also laid out the work that will dominate the early days of his administration : the battle against the coronavirus pandemic , including distributing vaccines and slowing its spread as those vaccines become available , and rebuilding an economy battered by the pandemic .
“ There is urgent work in front of all of us , ” he said .
“ Getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation vaccinated against this virus .
Delivering immediate economic help so badly needed by so many Americans who are hurting today — and then building our economy back better than it ever was .
”

[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/12/15/biden-electoral-college-win-trump-lawsuits-sot-vpx.cnn”]
By Eric Bradner | CNN
President-elect Joe Biden declared Monday, hours after the Electoral College made his victory over President Donald Trump official, that “the rule of law, our Constitution and the will of the people prevailed” over Trump’s efforts to undo the results of the election.
“The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago. And we now know nothing, not even a pandemic or an abuse of power, can extinguish that flame,” Biden said.
In a speech Monday night in Delaware, Biden issued a stern condemnation of Trump and his Republican allies — including 17 state attorneys general and 126 members of Congress who backed a baseless Texas lawsuit seeking to undo other states’ election results — for seeking to undercut the democratic process.
He condemned attacks by Trump and his supporters, who have sought to throw out legitimately cast ballots, on state and local elections officials.
“It is my sincere hope we never again see anyone subjected to the kinds of threats and abuse we saw in this election. It’s simply unconscionable,” Biden said.
He sought to move past Trump’s denials of reality, pointing to record-breaking voter turnout that he said “should be celebrated, not attacked.”
The President-elect noted more than 81 million votes being cast in favor of himself and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the most in history and 7 million more than Trump and Vice President Mike Pence received.
Biden also noted that he won by the same electoral vote count that Trump received in 2016, saying that it was a “clear victory” then and now.
Lawsuits from Trump and his allies were rejected resoundingly in state and federal courts.
“And yet, none of this could stop baseless claims about the legitimacy of the results,” Biden said.
Biden’s speech came hours after the Electoral College voted 306-232 in his favor, with each state’s electors following the popular vote results.
Biden declared it time to “turn the page, to unite, to heal.”
“In this battle for the soul of America, democracy prevailed,” Biden said. “We the people voted. Faith in our institutions held. The integrity of our elections remains intact. And so, now it is time to turn the page. To unite. To heal.”
The President-elect also laid out the work that will dominate the early days of his administration: the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, including distributing vaccines and slowing its spread as those vaccines become available, and rebuilding an economy battered by the pandemic.
“There is urgent work in front of all of us,” he said. “Getting the pandemic under control to getting the nation vaccinated against this virus. Delivering immediate economic help so badly needed by so many Americans who are hurting today — and then building our economy back better than it ever was.”


mercurynews--2020-12-15--COVID-19 vaccine Q & A: How our effort went off without a hitch – and what’s ahead

Monday marked the official launch of the nation ’ s historic mass vaccination campaign — and it went off without a hitch .
“ Never before have governments , industry , academia , and nonprofits thrown more money , muscle , and brains at the same infectious disease in such short order , ” wrote Jon Cohen in Monday ’ s issue of the journal Science .
This is what we ’ ve learned , so far , about this historic event : Q : Who were the first Americans to receive the Pfizer vaccine ?
A : The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place on Monday morning in Queens , New York , a community hard-hit by the COVID-19 virus .
Sandra Lindsay , the director of critical care nursing at Long Island Jewish Medical Center , received the shot in a Monday morning media event .
Later Monday morning , a group of health-care workers — emergency medicine nurses , anesthesiologists , and labor and delivery nurses — at Washington D.C. ’ s George Washington University Hospital were among the initial recipients of Pfizer ’ s vaccine .
Vaccinations were also launched in Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California healthcare workers were right behind .
Five employees at Kaiser Permanente ’ s Hollywood hospital , were vaccinated Monday , according to the Los Angeles Times .
Initial allotments of vaccine were expected to arrive at all designated sites by Tuesday and others on Wednesday .
UCSF will start vaccinating people by Wednesday .
Kaiser Permanente in Northern California said in a news release that it expects delivery of the first doses beginning Wednesday and Thursday .
Q : When do nursing homes get it ?
A : Some states will begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , according to U.S. Gen. Gustave Perna , who oversees the nationwide rollout .
By Monday over 1,100 long term healthcare facilities and nursing homes will have begun vaccinations .
What ’ s taking so long ?
Administration is complicated , said Perna .
The correct number of vaccines has to be shipped to each facility , so there ’ s not a lot of back-and-forth .
Residents , or their families , need to sign consent paperwork .
And staff will be inoculated at the same time , so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Q : Is there anyone who should avoid the vaccine ?
A : The U.S. Centers for Disease Control ’ s guidance falls into three categories — proceed with vaccination , vaccination with caution , and don ’ t vaccinate .
It ’ s safe for people who have allergies to foods , animals , insects , latex , and other common allergies .
People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or an injectable therapy can be vaccinated , but should first undergo a risk assessment with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of a severe allergic reaction to any of the components of the Pfizer vaccine should not be vaccinated with it , according to the CDC .
It ’ s authorized for use in people 16 years of age and older , but not adolescents aged 12 to 15 .
Q : So far , have there been any problems with the national rollout ?
A : Nothing serious .
No UPS delivery trucks lost their shipments ; no FedEx planes crashed .
There have been paperwork problems – for instance , Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Ft .
Collins ” and that confused the computers .
Computers also didn ’ t like the spelling of a city ’ s name – there were two spaces between words , not one .
Q : Do rural areas have to wait ?
A : No .
Despite the vaccine ’ s ultra-cold requirements , rural Americans won ’ t be left behind .
Mobile vans will reach remote areas .
Even if rural regions don ’ t have ultra-cold storage , they can use the vaccine in Pfizer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s good for five days – even longer , if the dry ice is refreshed , said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar .
The bigger challenge for rural areas is the large size of the box : 975 doses .
They need to line up that many healthcare workers for vaccination , so it ’ s not wasted .
Q : When do the rest of us get it ?
A : Monday ’ s effort is just the start .
By the end of December , 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Operation Warp Speed chief adviser Dr. Moncef Slaoui in a Monday morning press conference .
Another 30 million Americans will be immunized in January .
The United States expects to have immunized 100 million people – one-third of the U.S. population — by the end of March .
To halt widespread transmission of the deadly virus , the country would need to have immunized about 75 % or 80 % of the population , according to Slaoui .
He hopes to reach that point between May and June .
Q : What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when will it be distributed ?
A : On Thursday , Moderna ’ s Covid-19 vaccine will be reviewed by an independent panel of U.S. Food and Drug Administration experts .
If they give the go-ahead , and the FDA authorizes it , the vaccine will likely get the green light on Friday and be ready to go over the weekend .
U.S. officials said Monday they plan to ship just under 6 million doses of Moderna ’ s vaccine , significantly the country ’ s boosting supplies .
If the FDA gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot like this week , with vaccines shipped across the nation on Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday , said Perna .
And the Moderna vaccine has a logistical edge oover Pfizer ’ s vaccine : it does not have to be stored at –70°C , but can tolerate a much warmer –20°C , which is standard for most hospital and pharmacy freezers .
That makes it easier to distribute and store .
It also comes in a smaller shipping package size , so it will be more appropriate for smaller communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna vaccine will not be shipped directly from the company ’ s manufacturing site .
Instead , McKesson Corporation will be the centralized distributor for the vaccine and ancillary supplies , such as syringes and dilutants .
It ’ ll use FedEx and UPS to make deliveries .
Q : What other vaccines are in the pipeline ?
A : Two vaccines made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are now in late-stage clinical trials in the United States .
They use a different approach from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of genetically modified virus that leads the body to produce a protective protein .
But one of the world ’ s leading vaccine manufacturers , Sanofi Pasteur , has suffered a major setback .
Sanofi had hoped to produce 100 million doses in 2020 and 1 billion doses in 2021 .
This problem — an inadequate formulation of the vaccine — has delayed deployment until the second half of 2021 .

Monday marked the official launch of the nation’s historic mass vaccination campaign — and it went off without a hitch.
“Never before have governments, industry, academia, and nonprofits thrown more money, muscle, and brains at the same infectious disease in such short order,” wrote Jon Cohen in Monday’s issue of the journal Science.
This is what we’ve learned, so far, about this historic event:
Q: Who were the first Americans to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
A: The first coronavirus vaccination in the United States took place on Monday morning in Queens, New York, a community hard-hit by the COVID-19 virus. Sandra Lindsay, the director of critical care nursing at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, received the shot in a Monday morning media event.
Later Monday morning, a group of health-care workers — emergency medicine nurses, anesthesiologists, and labor and delivery nurses — at Washington D.C.’s George Washington University Hospital were among the initial recipients of Pfizer’s vaccine. Vaccinations were also launched in Florida, Kentucky and other east coast states.
California healthcare workers were right behind. Five employees at Kaiser Permanente’s Hollywood hospital, were vaccinated Monday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Initial allotments of vaccine were expected to arrive at all designated sites by Tuesday and others on Wednesday. UCSF will start vaccinating people by Wednesday. Kaiser Permanente in Northern California said in a news release that it expects delivery of the first doses beginning Wednesday and Thursday.
Q: When do nursing homes get it?
A: Some states will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines to nursing home residents this week, according to U.S. Gen. Gustave Perna, who oversees the nationwide rollout.
By Monday over 1,100 long term healthcare facilities and nursing homes will have begun vaccinations. What’s taking so long? Administration is complicated, said Perna. The correct number of vaccines has to be shipped to each facility, so there’s not a lot of back-and-forth. Residents, or their families, need to sign consent paperwork. And staff will be inoculated at the same time, so that each facility becomes a disease-free “bubble.”
Q: Is there anyone who should avoid the vaccine?
A: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s guidance falls into three categories — proceed with vaccination, vaccination with caution, and don’t vaccinate.
It’s safe for people who have allergies to foods, animals, insects, latex, and other common allergies.
People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or an injectable therapy can be vaccinated, but should first undergo a risk assessment with their doctor.
People who have had a history of a severe allergic reaction to any of the components of the Pfizer vaccine should not be vaccinated with it, according to the CDC.
It’s authorized for use in people 16 years of age and older, but not adolescents aged 12 to 15.
Q: So far, have there been any problems with the national rollout?
A: Nothing serious. No UPS delivery trucks lost their shipments; no FedEx planes crashed. There have been paperwork problems – for instance, Fort Collins, Colorado, was identified as “Ft. Collins” and that confused the computers. Computers also didn’t like the spelling of a city’s name – there were two spaces between words, not one.
Q: Do rural areas have to wait?
A: No. Despite the vaccine’s ultra-cold requirements, rural Americans won’t be left behind. Mobile vans will reach remote areas. Even if rural regions don’t have ultra-cold storage, they can use the vaccine in Pfizer’s special shipping box. In this box, it’s good for five days – even longer, if the dry ice is refreshed, said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.
The bigger challenge for rural areas is the large size of the box: 975 doses. They need to line up that many healthcare workers for vaccination, so it’s not wasted.
Q: When do the rest of us get it?
A: Monday’s effort is just the start. By the end of December, 20 million Americans will be immunized, said U.S. Operation Warp Speed chief adviser Dr. Moncef Slaoui in a Monday morning press conference. Another 30 million Americans will be immunized in January.
The United States expects to have immunized 100 million people – one-third of the U.S. population — by the end of March.
To halt widespread transmission of the deadly virus, the country would need to have immunized about 75% or 80% of the population, according to Slaoui. He hopes to reach that point between May and June.
Q: What is happening with the Moderna vaccine and when will it be distributed?
A: On Thursday, Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine will be reviewed by an independent panel of U.S. Food and Drug Administration experts. If they give the go-ahead, and the FDA authorizes it, the vaccine will likely get the green light on Friday and be ready to go over the weekend.
U.S. officials said Monday they plan to ship just under 6 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine, significantly the country’s boosting supplies. If the FDA gives the OK, next week will look a lot like this week, with vaccines shipped across the nation on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, said Perna.
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Unlike Pfizer’s vaccine, the Moderna vaccine will not be shipped directly from the company’s manufacturing site. Instead, McKesson Corporation will be the centralized distributor for the vaccine and ancillary supplies, such as syringes and dilutants. It’ll use FedEx and UPS to make deliveries.
Q: What other vaccines are in the pipeline?
A: Two vaccines made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are now in late-stage clinical trials in the United States. They use a different approach from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. They use an adenoviral vector, a type of genetically modified virus that leads the body to produce a protective protein.
But one of the world’s leading vaccine manufacturers, Sanofi Pasteur, has suffered a major setback. Sanofi had hoped to produce 100 million doses in 2020 and 1 billion doses in 2021. This problem — an inadequate formulation of the vaccine — has delayed deployment until the second half of 2021.


mercurynews--2020-12-15--Living conditions were so dire at two Oakland apartment buildings, a court ruled the landlords must

Living conditions were so dire at two Oakland apartment buildings, a court ruled the landlords must cede control

OAKLAND — Living conditions at two Oakland apartment buildings were so dire for tenants that an Alameda County Superior Court judge granted a request by the Oakland city attorney to take away control of the building from the landlords and transfer it to a new operator to improve the residences .
The judge ’ s decision comes after Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker filed a lawsuit earlier this year charging three landlords — King V. Chau , James H. Chau , and Judy N. Chau — with ignoring numerous city notices to fix the properties they owned on 1100 block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block of Eighth Avenue and the 1000 block of Foothill Boulevard .
The city ’ s attorneys allege that the property owners rented out illegally converted units , did not provide safety protections such as carbon monoxide or smoke detectors , created fire hazards through unapproved wiring , forced their tenants to live without power and gas , and then subjected tenants to repeated harassment , including one instance described in the lawsuit in which a tenant was locked out of the building and threatened by men hired by the owners .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building , the judge ’ s decision will put the other two properties at 1030 Foothill Blvd .
and 1130 E. 11th St. into a receivership , in which a neutral third-party will take over the building operations and be tasked with remedying the conditions , according to court documents .
“ The tenants and neighbors of 1030 Foothill and 1130 E. 11th Street are entitled to safe and habitable housing , ” Parker said in a written statement about the court ’ s decision last week .
“ In the midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , there is even greater urgency to ensure Oaklanders ’ basic rights are protected .
The court ’ s ruling clearly recognizes these tenants ’ and neighbors ’ plights and grants them the immediate relief they desperately needed.
” The city had conducted 27 separate inspections and issued multiple notices of violation , an order to abate and red-tags formally declaring the property unsafe .
Still , the city attorney alleged , the building owners did not comply to improve the conditions , which worsened over time : There were five fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few years , including one as recently as Nov. 23 at the Foothill property , according to court documents .
The tenants had no electricity or gas since at least then and were forced to cook using charcoal .
It ’ s rare that the city has to sue property owners to improve conditions for tenants .
According to the order issued by Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman , the landlord defendants had previously stated in court hearings they did not have the finances to improve the building conditions and there was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building .
The proposed owners also offered no plan to remediate the buildings , the judge wrote .
Instead , the properties will go under the control of Gerard Keena II , president of a group called the Bay Area Receivership Group , who is tasked with making the necessary fixes , according to the court order .

OAKLAND — Living conditions at two Oakland apartment buildings were so dire for tenants that an Alameda County Superior Court judge granted a request by the Oakland city attorney to take away control of the building from the landlords and transfer it to a new operator to improve the residences.
The judge’s decision comes after Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker filed a lawsuit earlier this year charging three landlords — King V. Chau, James H. Chau and Judy N. Chau — with ignoring numerous city notices to fix the properties they owned in the 1100 block of East 11th Street, the 1400 block of Eighth Avenue and the 1000 block of Foothill Boulevard.
The city’s attorneys allege that the property owners rented out illegally converted units, did not provide safety protections such as carbon monoxide or smoke detectors, created fire hazards through unapproved wiring, forced their tenants to live without power and gas, and then subjected tenants to repeated harassment, including one instance described in the lawsuit in which a tenant was locked out of the building and threatened by men hired by the owners.
While the owners have sold the Eighth Avenue building, the judge’s decision will put the other two properties at 1030 Foothill Blvd. and 1130 E. 11th St. into a receivership, in which a neutral third-party will take over the building operations and be tasked with remedying the conditions, according to court documents.
“The tenants and neighbors of 1030 Foothill and 1130 E. 11th Street are entitled to safe and habitable housing,” Parker said in a written statement about the court’s decision last week. “In the midst of a global pandemic and with winter upon us, there is even greater urgency to ensure Oaklanders’ basic rights are protected. The court’s ruling clearly recognizes these tenants’ and neighbors’ plights and grants them the immediate relief they desperately needed.”
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The tenants had no electricity or gas since at least then and were forced to cook using charcoal.
It’s relatively rare that the city has to sue property owners to improve conditions for tenants.
According to the order issued by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman, the landlord defendants had previously stated in court hearings they did not have the finances to improve the building conditions and there was no plan to do so other than selling the buildings. The proposed owners also offered no plan to remediate the buildings, the judge wrote.
Instead, the properties will go under the control of Gerard Keena II, president of a group called the Bay Area Receivership Group, who will be expected to make the necessary fixes, according to the court order.