mercurynews--2020-02-20--18 St. Patrick’s Day Events in the SF Bay Area

St. Patrick ’ s Day brings a mix of amusements to the Bay Area .
Some events celebrate Ireland ’ s culture — its music , dance and other historic traditions , while others salute the universal tradition of the pub crawl .
Whatever you ’ re looking for , you ’ re sure to find it among this array of Bay Area St. Patrick ’ s Day festivities .
The Real Irish Comedy Fest 2020 : This St. Patrick ’ s series showcases the best blend of Irish comedic talent at various venues .
Among them : 7-9 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Battery St. , San Francisco .
Check website for ticket prices .
https : //www.thebatterysf.com/ ; 7:30-9:30 p.m. March 8 , DNA ’ s Comedy Lab , 155 S. River St. , Santa Cruz .
$ 20- $ 30 .
https : //dnascomedylab.com/ ; 8 p.m. March 11 , The Independent , 628 Divisadero St. , San Francisco .
$ 25- $ 30 .
https : //www.ticketweb.com/event/ ; 8 p.m. March 12 , San Jose Improv , 62 S. Second St. , San Jose .
$ 20- $ 75 .
https : //improv.com/sanjose/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arts Center , 4444 Railroad Ave. , Pleasanton .
$ 20- $ 30 .
http : //www.firehousearts.org/events/ ; 7:30 p.m. March 15 , Lesher Center for the Arts , 1601 Civic Drive , Walnut Creek .
$ 30 .
https : //lesherartscenter.showare.com/ ; 8 p.m. March 17 , Throckmorton Theatre , 142 Throckmorton Ave , Mill Valley .
$ 17- $ 27 .
https : //throckmortontheatre.org/event/ Leprechaun Trap Making : 2-4 p.m. March 8 , Campbell Community Center , 1 West Campbell Ave. , Campbell .
Build leprechaun traps for St. Patrick ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; all other materials and decorations will be provided .
Free .
http : //bit.ly/31CNkEH St. Patrick ’ s Day Celebration : March 14-15 , Dublin Civic Center , 100 Civic Plaza , Dublin .
Enjoy Irish entertainment , authentic Irish foods and beverages , an Irish marketplace with more than 200 booths , an Irish Tea Cottage , fun run , parade and pancake breakfast .
https : //www.dublin.ca.gov/ St. Patrick ’ s Day Parade and Festival : 11:30 a.m. March 14 , Second and Market Streets to Civic Center , San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Irish food and other hearty dishes , a kids fun zone and more .
Free .
https : //stpatricksday-sf.com/ St. Patrick ’ s Day Celebration : Noon-4:30 p.m. March 14 , McGrail Vineyards and Winery , 5600 Greenville Road , Livermore .
Enjoy musician Loren Olk from 1-4 p.m. and Irish-themed barbecue fare .
Taste McGrail wine by the flight , glass or bottle .
Free admission .
https : //mcgrailvineyards.com/ St. Patrick ’ s Day Beer Crawl : 1-5 p.m. March 14 , First Street , Benicia .
Sample craft beers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wearing green is encouraged , but not required .
$ 25 .
www.BeniciaMainStreet.org St. Patrick ’ s Day Brew Crawl : 5-8 p.m. March 14 , Main St. , downtown Pleasanton .
Sip craft brews and sample snacks at more than 25 locations .
Guests are encouraged to wear green .
$ 40- $ 45 .
www.pleasantondowntown.net/ Knights of Columbus 5811 St. Patrick ’ s Day Celebration : 5:30-10 p.m. March 14 , Christ the King Catholic Church gym , 199 Brandon Road , Pleasant Hill .
This annual event includes a three-course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dancers and music .
$ 15- $ 35 .
http : //bit.ly/31JgstS Kinights of Columbus Council 3518 St. Pat ’ s Dinner and Dance : 6-11 p.m. March 14 , St. John ’ s Catholic Church , 264 E Lewelling Blvd.
, San Lorenzo .
Good food , fellowship and dance to the Kopi-Kats .
$ 30- $ 35 .
Knights of Columbus 12853 St. Patrick ’ s Dinner : 6-9 p.m. March 14 , Holy Family Community Center , 4848 Pearl Ave. , San Jose .
Corned beef dinner , kids crafts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0- $ 20 .
http : //bit.ly/39s0GWY St. Patrick ’ s Day Celebration : 7-11 p.m. March 14 , Sugar Barge Bar & Grill , 1440 Sugar Barge Road , Bethel Island .
Costume contest , raffle prizes , corned beef and cabbage buffet , and live music and dancing featuring The Billy Martini Show ‘ 70s Musical Tribute .
$ 20 .
http : //bit.ly/38kJeDO Patrick ’ s Pawade : 1-4 p.m. March 15 , Patrick ’ s Park , Fort Mason 11 , San Francisco .
This fundraiser for Rocket Dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costume contest , longest human tunnel record attempt and more .
Free admission , $ 20 yoga class .
http : //bit.ly/386IZvM Paddy Shack Shotgun : 8 a.m. March 15 , Lake Chabot Golf Course , 11450 Golf Links Road , Oakland .
Four-person best ball tournament .
$ 60 .
http : //bit.ly/2ShkmXS Traditional Irish St. Patrick ’ s Day Dinner Cooking class : 5-8 p.m. March 15 , Verlocal , 1509 Shattuck Ave. , Berkeley .
Learn to cook potato pancakes with poached salmon , Irish brown bread , Irish stew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hogan .
$ 126.50 .
http : //bit.ly/2P1nUf5 St. Patrick ’ s Day Celebration : 4 p.m. March 17 , Brentwood ’ s Co. Co. County Wine Co. , 633 First St. , Brentwood .
Plenty of food , music , beer and wine .
http : //bit.ly/2SgUzz8 St. Patrick ’ s Day Pub Crawl : 7-11 p.m. March 17 , meet at Heinold ’ s first and Last Chance Saloon , 48 Webster St. , Oakland .
Then check out some old favorites and new establishments at Jack London Square .
$ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shenanigans 2020 : 6-11 p.m. March 21 , Benicia City Clock Tower , 1189 Washington St. , Benicia .
This event will feature Irish-themed food and drinks , live entertainment , dancing and more .
$ 40- $ 50 .
www.BMS-Shamrock.com

NOTE: San Francisco, Dublin and others have canceled their St. Patrick’s Day events due to coronavirus concerns, and other large-scale events may be canceled as well. Check event websites before you go.
St. Patrick’s Day brings a mix of amusements to the Bay Area. Some events celebrate Ireland’s culture — its music, dance and other historic traditions, while others salute the universal tradition of the pub crawl. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it among this array of Bay Area St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
The Real Irish Comedy Fest 2020: This St. Patrick’s series showcases the best blend of Irish comedic talent at various venues. Among them: 8 p.m. March 11, The Independent, 628 Divisadero St., San Francisco. $25-$30. https://www.ticketweb.com/event/; 8 p.m. March 12, San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose. $20-$75. https://improv.com/sanjose/; 7 p.m. March 14, Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. $20-$30. http://www.firehousearts.org/events/; 8 p.m. March 17, Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. $17-$27. https://throckmortontheatre.org/event/
CANCELED: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: March 14-15, Dublin Civic Center, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin. Enjoy Irish entertainment, authentic Irish foods and beverages, an Irish marketplace with more than 200 booths, an Irish Tea Cottage, fun run, parade and pancake breakfast. https://www.dublin.ca.gov/
Pinstripes Saint Patrick’s Day Events — Cookie Decorating for Saint Patrick’s Day: 10 a.m.-noon March 14. $15 includes a complimentary kids meal. http://bit.ly/2V6V4NV. Green Beer and Guinness floats: all day March 17. Green beer ($4) and Guinness floats ($8). 36 Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo. https://pinstripes.com/
CANCELED: St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival: 11:30 a.m. March 14, Second and Market Streets to Civic Center, San Francisco. The post-parade festival includes vendors, Irish food and other hearty dishes, a kids fun zone and more. Free. https://stpatricksday-sf.com/ Related Articles Entertainment | 6 fantastic St. Patrick’s Day recipes, from corned beef to soda bread
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: Noon-4:30 p.m. March 14, McGrail Vineyards and Winery, 5600 Greenville Road, Livermore. Enjoy musician Loren Olk from 1-4 p.m. and Irish-themed barbecue fare. Taste McGrail wine by the flight, glass or bottle. Free admission. https://mcgrailvineyards.com/
St. Patrick’s Day Beer Crawl: 1-5 p.m. March 14, First Street, Benicia. Sample craft beers inside participating businesses in downtown Benicia. Wearing green is encouraged, but not required. $25. www.BeniciaMainStreet.org
CANCELED: St. Patrick’s Day Brew Crawl: 5-8 p.m. March 14, Main St., downtown Pleasanton. Sip craft brews and sample snacks at more than 25 locations. Guests are encouraged to wear green. $40-$45. www.pleasantondowntown.net/
CANCELED: Knights of Columbus 5811 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: 5:30-10 p.m. March 14, Christ the King Catholic Church gym, 199 Brandon Road, Pleasant Hill. This annual event includes a three-course meal, full Irish bar, Irish dancers and music. $15-$35. http://bit.ly/31JgstS
Knights of Columbus 12853 St. Patrick’s Dinner: 6-9 p.m. March 14, Holy Family Community Center, 4848 Pearl Ave., San Jose. Corned beef dinner, kids crafts, raffle prizes and more. $0-$20. http://bit.ly/39s0GWY
CANCELED: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: 7-11 p.m. March 14, Sugar Barge Bar & Grill, 1440 Sugar Barge Road, Bethel Island. Costume contest, raffle prizes, corned beef and cabbage buffet, and live music and dancing featuring The Billy Martini Show ‘70s Musical Tribute. $20. http://bit.ly/38kJeDO
CANCELED: Patrick’s Pawade: 1-4 p.m. March 15, Patrick’s Park, Fort Mason 11, San Francisco. This fundraiser for Rocket Dog Rescue features dog yoga, a canine costume contest, longest human tunnel record attempt and more. Free admission, $20 yoga class. http://bit.ly/386IZvM
Paddy Shack Shotgun: 8 a.m. March 15, Lake Chabot Golf Course, 11450 Golf Links Road, Oakland. Four-person best ball tournament. $60. http://bit.ly/2ShkmXS
Traditional Irish St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Cooking class: 5-8 p.m. March 15, Verlocal, 1509 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. Learn to cook potato pancakes with poached salmon, Irish brown bread, Irish stew and Irish apple cake with chef Kevin Hogan. $126.50. http://bit.ly/2P1nUf5
Bethel 175’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Fundraiser: 5 p.m. March 15, San Leandro Masonic Building, 116 West Joaquin Ave., San Leandro. Enjoy a corned beef and cabbage dinner and silent auction. $8-$15. http://bit.ly/3bwS3fR
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: 4 p.m. March 17, Brentwood’s Co. Co. County Wine Co., 633 First St., Brentwood. Plenty of food, music, beer and wine. http://bit.ly/2SgUzz8
St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl: 7-11 p.m. March 17, meet at Heinold’s first and Last Chance Saloon, 48
Webster St., Oakland. Then check out some old favorites and new establishments at Jack London Square. $10. http://bit.ly/2UIRRnK
POSTPONED: Shamrocks and Shenanigans 2020: 6-11 p.m. March 21, Benicia City Clock Tower, 1189 Washington St., Benicia. This event will feature Irish-themed food and drinks, live entertainment, dancing and more. $40-$50. www.BMS-Shamrock.com


mercurynews--2020-02-20--No US coronavirus cases were caught by airport temperature checks. Here’s what has worked

One of the enduring images of the current coronavirus outbreak is a space-age looking thermometer pointed at an airplane passenger .
Eleven airports in the United States are using these temperature checks as part of expanded screening for novel coronavirus , and those measures might seem reassuring .
If someone doesn ’ t have a fever , it seems like they ’ re fine — right ?
While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has screened more than 30,000 passengers in the past month , not a single US coronavirus case has been caught by airport temperature checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There has long been debate about the usefulness of airport temperature checks , but this recent experience at US airports , plus a new European study , seem to point in the direction that they don ’ t work .
Earlier this month , British researchers published a study showing that temperature checks will fail to detect a coronavirus infection nearly half the time .
At least one country has found airport temperature checks so unhelpful that it decided not to do them during the novel coronavirus outbreak .
Israel used them in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ H1N1 , but found that they didn ’ t work .
“ It is ineffective and inefficient , ” said Dr. Itamar Grotto , associate director general of Israel ’ s Ministry of Health .
Grotto said the problem is that a normal temperature gives “ false assurance.
” Passengers with normal temperatures could still be in the incubation period , which means they ’ re infected , but have yet to develop a fever .
In addition , a small number of patients with the novel coronavirus don ’ t have fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts are convinced that for these reasons , temperature checks at airports are useless .
“ I don ’ t think airport temperature checks have any major effect on stopping or even slowing down transmission , ” said Michael Osterholm , an epidemiologist and professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health .
“ We just don ’ t have any good data to support that.
” Since mid-January , the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been employing temperature checks at selected airports , at first on people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epicenter of the outbreak , and now on all passengers who ’ ve been anywhere in mainland China in the past 14 days .
The temperature checks are part of an overall screening effort that includes giving passengers cards telling them to watch out for fever , cough and trouble breathing , all symptoms of the novel coronavirus disease , also called COVID-19 .
“ Finding sick people who are at risk for COVID-19 , alerting asymptomatic travelers who may develop COVID-19 symptoms after arrival , and rapidly responding to any suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the health and safety of the American public , ” said Dr. Martin Cetron , director of CDC ’ s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine .
Some experts say it ’ s that card — a simple card listing symptoms in English and Chinese — that holds the key to detecting coronavirus infection — not a thermometer .
CNN reviewed statements by local , state and federal health officials , and emailed and spoke with officials , to determine how many people eventually diagnosed with coronavirus went through airport temperature checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on commercial airliners and were later diagnosed with coronavirus .
CNN ’ s investigation shows that four of those 10 passengers went through temperature checks and were found not to have a fever or any other symptoms of the virus .
Two of those passengers flew into Los Angeles International Airport and two flew into San Francisco International Airport .
Previously , a CDC spokesperson had told CNN that two of the passengers were symptomatic during flight , but the spokesperson later said they were asymptomatic while flying .
Another 4 out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they flew into airports that did not have screening at the time .
Those cases are in Illinois , Washington state , Massachusetts and California .
It ’ s unclear whether the final two passengers went through temperature checks because health officials at the CDC and in Wisconsin and Arizona refused to say when asked by CNN .
When human nature gets in the way There ’ s another reason why airport temperature checks don ’ t always work : human nature .
Let ’ s say someone ’ s on a long-haul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a scratchy throat or feel tired or achy .
The passenger might attribute those feelings to jet lag or dry air on the plane .
Maybe they would take a pain relief medicine such as Advil or Tylenol and try to forget about it .
“ That ’ s just human nature , ” said Osterholm , director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota .
When the person lands , they might not have a fever because , in addition to relieving pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s why for this type of screening , there ’ s no evidence it has any measurable impact on the ultimate course of the outbreak , ” Osterholm said .
While airport temperature checks haven ’ t caught any coronavirus cases , the information cards have helped catch US cases of the virus at least twice .
On January 24 , a man flew into San Francisco “ and was found to be totally healthy and asymptomatic , ” according to Dr. Martin Fenstersheib , interim health officer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the screening routine , the passenger was given a card — technically called a Travel Health Alert Notice — that explained he should take his temperature twice a day and call his local health department if he developed a fever or cough or had difficulty breathing .
The next day , the man had symptoms .
“ So he looked back at [ the card ] and said , ‘ Oh , we need to stay at home , per this information , and contact our local health department , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s good that they were screened , and he abided by that information , so that ’ s good , ” Fenstersheib said at a press conference .
In the other case , a man flew from Wuhan to the Los Angeles airport in mid-January , where he was screened and did not have a fever or other symptoms of coronavirus .
He was given the traveler alert card and flew immediately to Mexico .
After a few days in Mexico , the man had a family emergency in China and flew back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to immediately board a flight to Wuhan .
But at the Los Angeles airport he felt ill , and while wearing a mask , he presented himself to health officials there .
“ He had the card and he remembered , ” a health official told CNN .
US travel restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus The CDC has taken other steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
On February 3 , the CDC announced that most foreign nationals who ’ ve been in China in the past 14 days will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the new policy , US citizens , lawful permanent residents and their families who have been in China in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the United States only through one of the 11 airports that have health screenings .
Those 11 airports include the San Francisco and Los Angeles airports as well as John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York ; Chicago O ’ Hare International Airport , Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , Seattle-Tacoma International Airport , Detroit Metropolitan Airport , Daniel K. Inouye International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airport , Newark Liberty International Airport , and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport .
After screening , passengers who are found to be symptomatic for coronavirus will receive further medical evaluation .
Passengers who are asymptomatic are handled differently depending on their travel history .
If they ’ ve been in Hubei province in the past 14 days , they ’ re not allowed to continue their travels , and must be quarantined at a location near the airport for 14 days .
If they ’ ve been elsewhere in mainland China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to stay home as much as possible and monitor their health .
On September 19 , 2014 , Thomas Eric Duncan , a Liberian citizen , flew to the US to visit family .
By official accounts , he left Liberia a healthy man .
Days later , he fell ill and went to an emergency room in Dallas , Texas .
Doctors there missed his Ebola infection , and later he was admitted to that hospital , where he subsequently infected two nurses and then died .
Five years later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC wants to avoid with the new coronavirus .
• Coronavirus : 12 passengers from virus-stricken cruise ship now in regional hospitals • Here ’ s how long coronaviruses may linger on contaminated surfaces To that end , the CDC has put out guidance to doctors on how to handle possible coronavirus infections , and to hospitals on infection control for the new virus .
“ They ’ re doing a great job at this , ” said Osterholm , the epidemiologist in Minnesota .
These are the measures — information to travelers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help stop the outbreak , Osterholm said , and less so the temperature screening .
“ But everybody around the world is doing it , so I guess if we didn ’ t do it , we would look like we were being derelict in our duty , ” he said .

One of the enduring images of the current coronavirus outbreak is a space-age looking thermometer pointed at an airplane passenger.
Eleven airports in the United States are using these temperature checks as part of expanded screening for novel coronavirus, and those measures might seem reassuring. If someone doesn’t have a fever, it seems like they’re fine — right?
Not so fast.
While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has screened more than 30,000 passengers in the past month, not a single US coronavirus case has been caught by airport temperature checks, according to a CNN investigation.
There has long been debate about the usefulness of airport temperature checks, but this recent experience at US airports, plus a new European study, seem to point in the direction that they don’t work.
Earlier this month, British researchers published a study showing that temperature checks will fail to detect a coronavirus infection nearly half the time.
At least one country has found airport temperature checks so unhelpful that it decided not to do them during the novel coronavirus outbreak. Israel used them in previous years for Ebola, SARS and H1N1, but found that they didn’t work.
“It is ineffective and inefficient,” said Dr. Itamar Grotto, associate director general of Israel’s Ministry of Health.
Grotto said the problem is that a normal temperature gives “false assurance.” Passengers with normal temperatures could still be in the incubation period, which means they’re infected, but have yet to develop a fever.
In addition, a small number of patients with the novel coronavirus don’t have fever, according to published studies.
Some experts are convinced that for these reasons, temperature checks at airports are useless.
“I don’t think airport temperature checks have any major effect on stopping or even slowing down transmission,” said Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist and professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. “We just don’t have any good data to support that.”
Since mid-January, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been employing temperature checks at selected airports, at first on people flying in from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak, and now on all passengers who’ve been anywhere in mainland China in the past 14 days.
The temperature checks are part of an overall screening effort that includes giving passengers cards telling them to watch out for fever, cough and trouble breathing, all symptoms of the novel coronavirus disease, also called COVID-19.
“Finding sick people who are at risk for COVID-19, alerting asymptomatic travelers who may develop COVID-19 symptoms after arrival, and rapidly responding to any suspect COVID-19 illness, we can most effectively protect the health and safety of the American public,” said Dr. Martin Cetron, director of CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine.
Some experts say it’s that card — a simple card listing symptoms in English and Chinese — that holds the key to detecting coronavirus infection — not a thermometer.
Temperature checks for US coronavirus cases
CNN reviewed statements by local, state and federal health officials, and emailed and spoke with officials, to determine how many people eventually diagnosed with coronavirus went through airport temperature checks.
Ten passengers flew into US airports on commercial airliners and were later diagnosed with coronavirus.
CNN’s investigation shows that four of those 10 passengers went through temperature checks and were found not to have a fever or any other symptoms of the virus. Two of those passengers flew into Los Angeles International Airport and two flew into San Francisco International Airport.
Previously, a CDC spokesperson had told CNN that two of the passengers were symptomatic during flight, but the spokesperson later said they were asymptomatic while flying.
Another 4 out of the 10 passengers were not screened because they flew into airports that did not have screening at the time. Those cases are in Illinois, Washington state, Massachusetts and California.
It’s unclear whether the final two passengers went through temperature checks because health officials at the CDC and in Wisconsin and Arizona refused to say when asked by CNN.
When human nature gets in the way
There’s another reason why airport temperature checks don’t always work: human nature.
Let’s say someone’s on a long-haul flight to the United States and starts to have a scratchy throat or feel tired or achy. The passenger might attribute those feelings to jet lag or dry air on the plane. Maybe they would take a pain relief medicine such as Advil or Tylenol and try to forget about it.
“That’s just human nature,” said Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
When the person lands, they might not have a fever because, in addition to relieving pain, Advil and Tylenol also treat fever.
“That’s why for this type of screening, there’s no evidence it has any measurable impact on the ultimate course of the outbreak,” Osterholm said.
What does work
While airport temperature checks haven’t caught any coronavirus cases, the information cards have helped catch US cases of the virus at least twice.
On January 24, a man flew into San Francisco “and was found to be totally healthy and asymptomatic,” according to Dr. Martin Fenstersheib, interim health officer for San Benito County, California.
As part of the screening routine, the passenger was given a card — technically called a Travel Health Alert Notice — that explained he should take his temperature twice a day and call his local health department if he developed a fever or cough or had difficulty breathing.
The next day, the man had symptoms.
“So he looked back at [the card] and said, ‘Oh, we need to stay at home, per this information, and contact our local health department,’ which they did. So it’s good that they were screened, and he abided by that information, so that’s good,” Fenstersheib said at a press conference.
In the other case, a man flew from Wuhan to the Los Angeles airport in mid-January, where he was screened and did not have a fever or other symptoms of coronavirus. He was given the traveler alert card and flew immediately to Mexico.
After a few days in Mexico, the man had a family emergency in China and flew back to the Los Angeles airport with plans to immediately board a flight to Wuhan. But at the Los Angeles airport he felt ill, and while wearing a mask, he presented himself to health officials there.
“He had the card and he remembered,” a health official told CNN.
US travel restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus
The CDC has taken other steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
On February 3, the CDC announced that most foreign nationals who’ve been in China in the past 14 days will be barred from entering the United States.
According to the new policy, US citizens, lawful permanent residents and their families who have been in China in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter the United States only through one of the 11 airports that have health screenings.
Those 11 airports include the San Francisco and Los Angeles airports as well as John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York; Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Washington Dulles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
After screening, passengers who are found to be symptomatic for coronavirus will receive further medical evaluation.
Passengers who are asymptomatic are handled differently depending on their travel history. If they’ve been in Hubei province in the past 14 days, they’re not allowed to continue their travels, and must be quarantined at a location near the airport for 14 days.
If they’ve been elsewhere in mainland China, they can continue their travels and are asked to stay home as much as possible and monitor their health.
The lesson of Ebola
On September 19, 2014, Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian citizen, flew to the US to visit family. By official accounts, he left Liberia a healthy man.
Days later, he fell ill and went to an emergency room in Dallas, Texas. Doctors there missed his Ebola infection, and later he was admitted to that hospital, where he subsequently infected two nurses and then died.
Five years later, that’s exactly the scenario the CDC wants to avoid with the new coronavirus.
Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Health | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Health | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Health | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
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 To that end, the CDC has put out guidance to doctors on how to handle possible coronavirus infections, and to hospitals on infection control for the new virus.
“They’re doing a great job at this,” said Osterholm, the epidemiologist in Minnesota.
These are the measures — information to travelers, doctors and hospitals — that can help stop the outbreak, Osterholm said, and less so the temperature screening.
“But everybody around the world is doing it, so I guess if we didn’t do it, we would look like we were being derelict in our duty,” he said.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-02-20--New California drought report shows dry areas expanding with no rain in forecast

Following another week without rain — and none forecast through the end of this month — the federal government on Thursday announced that unusually dry conditions are expanding across a wider swath of California ’ s landscape .
Overall , 59.9 % of the state ’ s land area is now classified as “ abnormally dry , ” up from 46.1 % last week , according to the U.S. Drought Monitor , a weekly report issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln .
The amount of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more serious category , remained the same as last week , at 9.5 % .
That ’ s the most since a year ago , on Feb. 12 , 2019 , when 10.5 % of California ’ s land area also was in a moderate drought before heavy storms in late February and March brought winter conditions that year back above normal .
Of note Thursday : The area of California where abnormally dry conditions are now present is 14 million acres larger than it was last week , a landscape 44 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine Bay Area counties are now classified as abnormally dry .
And the area where abnormally dry conditions expanded this week also includes places that have suffered devastating fires in recent years : Sonoma , Napa , Lake and Mendocino counties .
Without significant rain in March or April , fire danger in those places and other parts of the state will be higher than normal again this summer .
Altogether , the report noted , 58 % of California ’ s population , or 21.7 million people , live in areas that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dry conditions .
The reason is a persistent weather pattern that is sending California ’ s rain toward Seattle .
“ High pressure off the California coast kept much of California , Nevada , Arizona , and Utah precipitation-free this week , with above-normal temperatures in California , ” wrote David Miskus , a NOAA meteorologist and author of Thursday ’ s drought report .
“ Instead , Pacific storm systems were deflected northward or southward , allowing the Pacific Northwest to receive welcome moisture.
” The area in moderate drought Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Central Valley , covering roughly 10 million acres from Tuolumne County to Kern County .
The new report does not mean , however , that California is heading back into the kind of severe drought that the state experienced from 2012 to 2017 .
There is still another month in the state ’ s rainy season .
And California has had very wet “ Miracle March ” conditions in years past .
By comparison , five years ago , on the week of Feb. 17 , 2015 , an overwhelming 98 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moderate drought , and 41 % was in exceptional drought , the most severe of the five categories used in the report .
That drought was broken by a series of massive atmospheric river , or “ Pineapple Express , ” storms that roared in off the Pacific in early 2017 and caused flooding in downtown San Jose and the collapse of the spillway at Oroville Dam in Butte County .
This winter season , although California experienced some decent rainfall around Thanksgiving and into December , the storms all but shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January and February have been unusually warm and dry .
Just one day in 2020 so far , Jan. 16 , has had enough rain to bring at least 1 inch to San Francisco , Oakland and San Jose .
On Wednesday , the statewide Sierra snowpack , the source of nearly one-third of California ’ s water , was at 52 % of its historic average for that date , down from 92 % on New Year ’ s Day .
The good news is that last year ’ s wet winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s water supply .
On Thursday , Shasta Lake , the state ’ s largest reservoir , was 78 % full — 109 % of its historic average for mid-February .
Oroville was 64 % full , or 93 % of its historic average .
And San Luis Reservoir near Los Banos was 73 % full , or 88 % of average for this time of year .
Water managers are watching the weather trend nervously .
But they note that because of the storage , California unusually needs at least two dry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions are present , so severe water cutbacks are not likely this summer .

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
Following another week without rain — and none forecast through the end of this month across Northern California — the federal government on Thursday announced that unusually dry conditions are expanding across a wider swath of California’s landscape, increasing concerns about summer fire risk and the possible return of at least a modest drought this year.
Overall, 59.9% of the state’s land area is now classified as “abnormally dry,” up from 46.1% last week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a weekly report issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
All nine Bay Area counties are now classified as abnormally dry. So are places that have suffered devastating fires in recent years: Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties. Without significant rain in March or April, fire danger in those areas and other parts of the state will be higher than normal again this summer.
“Given what we’ve seen so far this year and the forecast for the next few weeks, I do think it’s pretty likely we’ll end up in some degree of drought by this summer,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, on Thursday.
Swain noted, however, that the state is equipped to handle one-year droughts pretty well without major water shortages because of water stored in reservoirs, groundwater wells and conservation.
It’s when dry conditions persist for several years, as they did during the state’s historic drought from 2012 to 2017, that problems arise.
“Assuming this year ends dry, which is pretty likely,” Swain said, “the question is what happens next year?”
Of note in Thursday’s federal report: The area of California where abnormally dry conditions are now present is 14 million acres larger than it was last week, a landscape 44 times the size of Los Angeles.
“The plants and the forests don’t benefit from the water storage reservoirs,” Swain said. “If conditions remain very dry heading into summer, the landscape and vegetation is definitely going to feel it this year. From a wildfire perspective, the dry years do tend to be the bad fire years, especially in Northern California.”
Last year, following a wet February and March, the state experienced a mild fire year, with high moisture levels in grasses, shrubs and trees — a welcome departure from prior years when major fires devastated Napa and Sonoma County, along with the town of Paradise in Butte County.
Altogether, Thursday’s report noted, 58% of California’s population, or 21.7 million people, are currently living in areas that are in moderate drought or are abnormally dry.
The amount of the state in “moderate drought,” a more serious category, remained the same this week as last week, at 9.5%. But that’s expected to increase if the National Weather Service’s dry forecast for the next two weeks bears out.
The reason for the dry conditions is a persistent weather pattern that is sending California’s rain toward Seattle.
“High pressure off the California coast kept much of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah precipitation-free this week, with above-normal temperatures in California,” wrote David Miskus, a NOAA meteorologist and author of Thursday’s drought report.
“Instead, Pacific storm systems were deflected northward or southward, allowing the Pacific Northwest to receive welcome moisture.”
The area in moderate drought Thursday, the driest in California, was in the Central Valley, covering roughly 10 million acres from Tuolumne County to Kern County.
The new report does not mean, however, that California is heading back into the kind of severe drought that the state experienced from 2012 to 2017.
There is still another month in the state’s rainy season. And California has had very wet “Miracle March” conditions in years past.
By comparison, five years ago, on the week of Feb. 17, 2015, an overwhelming 98% of the state was in at least a moderate drought, and 41% was in exceptional drought, the most severe of the five categories used in the report. That drought was broken by a series of massive atmospheric river, or “Pineapple Express,” storms that roared in off the Pacific in early 2017 and caused flooding in downtown San Jose and the collapse of the spillway at Oroville Dam in Butte County.
This winter season, although California experienced some decent rainfall around Thanksgiving and into December, the storms all but shut down after the New Year, and January and February have been unusually warm and dry.
Just one day in 2020 so far, Jan. 16, has had enough rain to bring at least 1 inch to San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose.
So far in February, not a drop of rain has fallen in San Francisco. If the month ends without any rain, it will be the first time since 1864 when February, usually one of the wettest months of the year, came up completely dry.
Lack of rain has meant lack of snow. On Wednesday, the statewide Sierra snowpack, the source of nearly one-third of California’s water, was at 52% of its historic average for that date, down from 92% on New Year’s Day.
The good news is that last year’s wet winter filled reservoirs, boosting the state’s water supply. On Thursday, Shasta Lake, the state’s largest reservoir, was 78% full — 109% of its historic average for mid-February. Oroville was 64% full, or 93% of its historic average. And San Luis Reservoir near Los Banos was 73% full, or 88% of average for this time of year.
Water managers are watching the weather trend nervously. Because of the reservoir storage, California usually needs at least two dry winters in a row before significant water conservation measures are imposed.
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some rain,” Swain said. “But there isn’t any on the horizon right now. At this point the odds of ending up at average for the whole winter are astronomically low. A Miracle March wouldn’t dig us all the way out of the hole, but it could help.”


mercurynews--2020-02-20--San Jose: Japanese man charged with fatally stabbing woman at Airbnb home

SAN JOSE — A Japanese man was charged Thursday with fatally stabbing a woman at an Airbnb rental home in the city ’ s east foothills earlier this week , according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney ’ s Office .
Even with an arrest and criminal charges , what fueled the killing remains a mystery , as few details about the crime have been publicly released , including the connection between the slain woman and the man accused of killing her .
The victim ’ s body was found Tuesday afternoon at a home on Mountain View Avenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avenue .
Her name has not been formally released pending notification of her next of kin by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner ’ s Office .
Ryoichi Fuseya , 25 , a resident of Japan , was arrested Wednesday , according to the Sheriff ’ s Office , which is investigating the death because it occurred in unincorporated San Jose .
On Thursday , prosecutors charged Fuseya with murder and a weapon enhancement for allegedly using a knife .
According to accounts from authorities and sources familiar with the investigation , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sheriff ’ s Office to a possible homicide at the Mountain View Avenue home , leading to deputies discovering the victim ’ s body around 4 p.m. Tuesday .
On Wednesday morning , Fuseya and his attorney met with investigators at the Sheriff ’ s Office .
Fuseya was later arrested and jailed in connection with the killing , sources said .
Fuseya is being held without bail at the Santa Clara County Main Jail .
He declined an interview request from this news organization , and his attorney similarly declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon in the Hall of Justice in San Jose .
Authorities confirmed that the home where the victim was staying had been rented through the popular short-term rental app Airbnb , and that other tenants were staying at the property as well .
An Airbnb spokesperson said Wednesday that the home ’ s listing had been temporarily removed from the listing platform .
The registered homeowner declined comment when reached by phone Thursday .
“ I have to keep silence , ” he said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anyone with information about the case can contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff ’ s Office investigations main line at 408-808-4500 or call the anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431 .

SAN JOSE — A Japanese man was charged Thursday with fatally stabbing a woman at an Airbnb rental home in the city’s east foothills earlier this week, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
Even with an arrest and criminal charges, what fueled the killing remains a mystery, as few details about the crime have been publicly released, including the connection between the slain woman and the man accused of killing her.
The victim’s body was found Tuesday afternoon at a home on Mountain View Avenue near Gordon Avenue, off Alum Rock Avenue. Her name has not been formally released pending notification of her next of kin by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.
Ryoichi Fuseya, 25, a resident of Japan, was arrested Wednesday, according to the Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the death because it occurred in unincorporated San Jose.
On Thursday, prosecutors charged Fuseya with murder and a weapon enhancement for allegedly using a knife.
According to accounts from authorities and sources familiar with the investigation, an attorney acting on behalf of Fuseya alerted the Sheriff’s Office to a possible homicide at the Mountain View Avenue home, leading to deputies discovering the victim’s body around 4 p.m. Tuesday.
On Wednesday morning, Fuseya and his attorney met with investigators at the Sheriff’s Office. Fuseya was later arrested and jailed in connection with the killing, sources said.
Fuseya is being held without bail at the Santa Clara County Main Jail. He declined an interview request from this news organization, and his attorney similarly declined to comment on the case.
The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon in the Hall of Justice in San Jose.
Authorities confirmed that the home where the victim was staying had been rented through the popular short-term rental app Airbnb, and that other tenants were staying at the property as well. An Airbnb spokesperson said Wednesday that the home’s listing had been temporarily removed from the listing platform.
The registered homeowner declined comment when reached by phone Thursday.
“I have to keep silence,” he said. “I don’t want to talk.”
Anyone with information about the case can contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office investigations main line at 408-808-4500 or call the anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431.
Staff writer Fiona Kelliher contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-02-20--Lawmakers told that Russia is looking to help Trump in 2020

The intelligence community ’ s top election security official delivered a briefing to lawmakers last week warning them that the intelligence community believes Russia is already taking steps to interfere in the 2020 election with the goal of helping President Donald Trump win , three sources familiar with the matter tell CNN .
Last week ’ s briefing , led by election security official Shelby Pierson and first reported by The New York Times , addressed the overall picture of Russia ’ s efforts , including hacking , weaponizing social media and attacks on election infrastructure , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does favor Trump , but that helping Trump wasn ’ t the only thing they were trying to do as it was also designed to raise questions about the integrity of the elections process , the source added .
House Republicans got very upset during the briefing , another source said .
After the briefing , Trump became upset with outgoing acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire , a source familiar with the matter told CNN .
Trump was concerned the Democrats present would use the briefing against him , reported the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange .
On Wednesday , Trump announced he was naming Richard Grenell , a staunch loyalist and current US ambassador to Germany , as acting DNI despite him not having experience in intelligence .
Two administration officials told the Times the timing of the Grenell announcement and Russia intelligence report is coincidental .

By Dana Bash, Jeremy Herb and Jim Acosta | CNN
The intelligence community’s top election security official delivered a briefing to lawmakers last week warning them that the intelligence community believes Russia is already taking steps to interfere in the 2020 election with the goal of helping President Donald Trump win, three sources familiar with the matter tell CNN.
Last week’s briefing, led by election security official Shelby Pierson and first reported by The New York Times, addressed the overall picture of Russia’s efforts, including hacking, weaponizing social media and attacks on election infrastructure, one of the sources said.
The briefers said Russia does favor Trump, but that helping Trump wasn’t the only thing they were trying to do as it was also designed to raise questions about the integrity of the elections process, the source added.
House Republicans got very upset during the briefing, another source said.
After the briefing, Trump became upset with outgoing acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. Trump was concerned the Democrats present would use the briefing against him, reported the Times, citing people familiar with the exchange.
On Wednesday, Trump announced he was naming Richard Grenell, a staunch loyalist and current US ambassador to Germany, as acting DNI despite him not having experience in intelligence. Two administration officials told the Times the timing of the Grenell announcement and Russia intelligence report is coincidental.


mercurynews--2020-02-20--Apple gets restraining order against alleged Tim Cook stalker

Apple has been granted a temporary restraining order against a man who reportedly harassed Chief Executive Tim Cook , and on two occasions is alleged to have trespassed upon Cook ’ s residence in Palo Alto .
According to the restraining order , which was granted on Feb. 13 in Santa Clara County Superior Court , Rakesh “ Rocky ” Sharma , of San Francisco , must stay at least 200 yards away from Cook and his Palo Alto home , and Apple ’ s Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino .
Sharma is alleged to have left several threatening voicemails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photos on Twitter in which he tagged Cook in the photos , and on occasions in December 2019 and January of this year , trespassed on the grounds of Cook ’ s home .
• Larry Tesler , PC legend who created cut , copy and paste commands , dies at 74 • Apple ordered to pay workers for time lost during security searches • Bay Area tech boom leads a jobs surge like no other The filings included testimony about the incidents from William Burns , Apple ’ s global security specialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 , Sharma attempted to deliver flowers and champagne to Cook at his home .
In his testimony , Burns said Palo Alto police were notified about the January incident at Cook ’ s house , but that Sharma left the property before police arrived .
Neither Apple , nor Palo Alto police returned a request for comment .
A hearing on the matter is set for March 3 in Santa Clara County Superior Court .

Apple has been granted a temporary restraining order against a man who reportedly harassed Chief Executive Tim Cook, and on two occasions is alleged to have trespassed upon Cook’s residence in Palo Alto.
According to the restraining order, which was granted on Feb. 13 in Santa Clara County Superior Court, Rakesh “Rocky” Sharma, of San Francisco, must stay at least 200 yards away from Cook and his Palo Alto home, and Apple’s Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino. Sharma is alleged to have left several threatening voicemails against Cook and Apple, posted sexual photos on Twitter in which he tagged Cook in the photos, and on occasions in December 2019 and January of this year, trespassed on the grounds of Cook’s home.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | California exodus: Top destination for Bay Area transplants isn’t in Texas or Florida. It’s … Seattle?
California exodus: Top destination for Bay Area transplants isn’t in Texas or Florida. It’s … Seattle? Crime and Public Safety | Apple to pay up to $500 million to iPhone users after judge nixes final appeal
Apple to pay up to $500 million to iPhone users after judge nixes final appeal Crime and Public Safety | Retrain your thumb: The iPhone ‘end call’ button is moving
Retrain your thumb: The iPhone ‘end call’ button is moving Crime and Public Safety | First-generation iPhone sells at auction for almost 380 times its original price
First-generation iPhone sells at auction for almost 380 times its original price Crime and Public Safety | Bay Area tech layoffs hit primarily non-tech workers: report The filings included testimony about the incidents from William Burns, Apple’s global security specialist. According to Burns, on January 15, Sharma attempted to deliver flowers and champagne to Cook at his home. In his testimony, Burns said Palo Alto police were notified about the January incident at Cook’s house, but that Sharma left the property before police arrived.
Neither Apple, nor Palo Alto police returned a request for comment.
The temporary restraining order is set to expire on March 3 when a hearing on extending the order is set for that date in Santa Clara County Superior Court.


mercurynews--2020-02-20--Can Jordan Poole emerge as Steph Curry’s longterm backup?

SAN FRANCISCO — About four months before Jordan Poole makes his second start at point guard against the Rockets on Thursday evening , head coach Steve Kerr watched the 20-year-old first-round pick deliver passes with impressive touch during training camp .
As the Warriors aim to make the final leg of this lottery-bound season productive , Kerr will continue to play Poole , who started in last Wednesday ’ s loss to the Suns , at point guard in an effort to see if he can play position going forward .
“ I think Jordan has looked really good in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He ’ s gotten more and more comfortable these last few weeks .
He ’ s gained some confidence and we ’ ll continue to push the envelope.
” Poole , who played point guard in high school , sees the floor well and has good touch on passes he delivers with timely precision .
However , during his two seasons at Michigan , he was mostly used in a catch-and-shoot capacity before the Warriors took him No .
28 overall in last June ’ s NBA Draft .
But Poole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot up and shoot 3-pointers .
After he started the season in a league-worst shooting slump , the Warriors assigned him to their G League affiliate in Santa Cruz , where they empowered him by putting the ball in his hands .
“ It was a good opportunity to be able to get back in the flow of things and be able to play-make , ” Poole said .
“ Be able to see I still have those skills and I ’ m able to use them at different levels .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Santa Cruz , Poole has seen a surge in confidence and production .
His shooting percentage is up from 25.4 % overall to 35.8 % while averaging 2.2 assists per game .
[ How the G League helped Jordan Poole get his rookie season back on track ] After the Warriors traded starting point guard D ’ Angelo Russell and two others to the Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and a pair of future draft picks , rookie Ky Bowman started two games at point guard before being replaced by Poole .
Against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and three assists .
Since the trade deadline , he has the third-best plus-minus on the team , with the Warriors outscoring their opponents by four points while he ’ s on the court .
Though Draymond Green still handles much of the playmaking duties on offense , Poole has struck a balance between playing on and off the ball .
Working with assistant coach Chris DeMarco , Poole has sought to mimic Steph Curry ’ s ability to read the defense , make smart passes and be a threat by moving off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warriors are out to save all the busts , and it ’ s brilliant business • Ex-Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins : ‘ I wasn ’ t supposed to be on the floor ’ in the Finals • Warriors to sign former No .
4 pick Dragan Bender to 10-day contract • Steph Curry launches another search for overlooked hoops prospects , just like him Poole ’ s locker at Chase Center is located next to Curry ’ s , and he is constantly asking the two-time MVP for advice or studying the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s one of the best point guards to play the game and one of the best shooters , ” Poole said .
“ So I ’ m just trying to learn as much as I can from him.
” This partnership will be key for the Warriors going forward .
Two years removed from selecting the now-departed Jacob Evans in the first round , Golden State hopes with Poole they have a player who can contribute for years to come .
Having lost skilled facilitators like Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need of playmakers .
Poole is likely to start until Curry ’ s expected return in March .
By making the most of this opportunity , Poole could emerge as the Warriors ’ backup point guard for next season , helping the team address a position of need ahead of a pivotal summer .
Asked if he wants to play point guard long-term , “ Of course , ” Poole said .
“ Obviously , it would be amazing and I want to stay in this league as long as I can , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for is what I ’ ll do .
”

SAN FRANCISCO — About four months before Jordan Poole makes his second start at point guard against the Rockets on Thursday evening, head coach Steve Kerr watched the 20-year-old first-round pick deliver passes with impressive touch during training camp.
As the Warriors aim to make the final leg of this lottery-bound season productive, Kerr will continue to play Poole, who started in last Wednesday’s loss to the Suns, at point guard in an effort to see if he can play position going forward.
“I think Jordan has looked really good in a playmaking role,” Kerr said. “He’s gotten more and more comfortable these last few weeks. He’s gained some confidence and we’ll continue to push the envelope.”
Poole, who played point guard in high school, sees the floor well and has good touch on passes he delivers with timely precision. However, during his two seasons at Michigan, he was mostly used in a catch-and-shoot capacity before the Warriors took him No. 28 overall in last June’s NBA Draft.
But Poole always felt he could do more than spot up and shoot 3-pointers. After he started the season in a league-worst shooting slump, the Warriors assigned him to their G League affiliate in Santa Cruz, where they empowered him by putting the ball in his hands.
“It was a good opportunity to be able to get back in the flow of things and be able to play-make,” Poole said. “Be able to see I still have those skills and I’m able to use them at different levels. It was needed for sure.”
Since his return from Santa Cruz, Poole has seen a surge in confidence and production. His shooting percentage is up from 25.4% overall to 35.8% while averaging 2.2 assists per game.
[How the G League helped Jordan Poole get his rookie season back on track]
After the Warriors traded starting point guard D’Angelo Russell and two others to the Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and a pair of future draft picks, rookie Ky Bowman started two games at point guard before being replaced by Poole.
Against Phoenix, Poole went for 12 points and three assists. Since the trade deadline, he has the third-best plus-minus on the team, with the Warriors outscoring their opponents by four points while he’s on the court.
Though Draymond Green still handles much of the playmaking duties on offense, Poole has struck a balance between playing on and off the ball. Working with assistant coach Chris DeMarco, Poole has sought to mimic Steph Curry’s ability to read the defense, make smart passes and be a threat by moving off the ball. Related Articles Golden State Warriors | Here’s the Warriors’ schedule for NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament
Here’s the Warriors’ schedule for NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament Golden State Warriors | Kurtenbach: What’d I miss? A summer’s worth of takes on the Warriors, Giants, Niners, and Pac-12
Kurtenbach: What’d I miss? A summer’s worth of takes on the Warriors, Giants, Niners, and Pac-12 Golden State Warriors | Former Warriors president Bob Myers joins ESPN as analyst
Former Warriors president Bob Myers joins ESPN as analyst Golden State Warriors | Report: Bob Myers returning to NBA in a different role
Report: Bob Myers returning to NBA in a different role Golden State Warriors | Warriors to face Suns on NBA Opening Night, per report
Poole’s locker at Chase Center is located next to Curry’s, and he is constantly asking the two-time MVP for advice or studying the way Curry approaches his post-practice work.
“He’s one of the best point guards to play the game and one of the best shooters,” Poole said. “So I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him.”
This partnership will be key for the Warriors going forward. Two years removed from selecting the now-departed Jacob Evans in the first round, Golden State hopes with Poole they have a player who can contribute for years to come.
Having lost skilled facilitators like Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston last summer, Golden State is in need of playmakers. Poole is likely to start until Curry’s expected return in March.
By making the most of this opportunity, Poole could emerge as the Warriors’ backup point guard for next season, helping the team address a position of need ahead of a pivotal summer.
Asked if he wants to play point guard long-term, “Of course,” Poole said. “Obviously, it would be amazing and I want to stay in this league as long as I can, but whatever (the team) calls for is what I’ll do.”


mercurynews--2020-02-20--Stone-throwing protesters in Ukraine greet Wuhan evacuees

By Dmytro Vlasov and Yuras Karmanau | Associated Press NOVI SANZHARY , Ukraine — Ukraine ’ s effort to quarantine more than 70 people evacuated from China over the new virus outbreak plunged into chaos Thursday as local residents opposing the move hurled stones at the evacuees and clashed with police .
Officials deplored the violence and the country ’ s health minister pledged to share evacuees ’ quarantine for two weeks in a bid to reassure protesters who fear they ’ ll be infected .
Buses carrying evacuees were finally able to reach the designated place of quarantine after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , exhausted by the long journey , were peeking through bus windows as they drove slowly under a heavy police escort .
Stones shattered a window in one of the buses , but the evacuees appeared unhurt .
Since the early morning , several hundred residents of the village of Novi Sanzhary in Ukraine ’ s central Poltava region had cut the road to a sanitarium intended to host the evacuees , fearing they could become infected .
Demonstrators , some of whom appeared drunk , put up road blocks , burned tires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clear access .
One protester tried to ram police lines with his car .
Nine police officers and one civilian were hospitalized , the regional police said in a statement .
Ukrainian police said 24 protesters were detained .
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov , who personally visited the site to try to calm the crowd , said he was shocked by the aggression .
“ What we saw was shameful , ” he said in televised remarks .
“ It was one of the biggest disappointments in my life.
” Ukrainian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests showed “ not the best side of our character.
” He tried to reassure people that the quarantined evacuees wouldn ’ t pose any danger to local residents .
In a statement published on his Facebook page , Zelenskiy said the people evacuated from China are healthy and will live in a closed medical center run by the National Guard in the village as a precaution .
“ In the next two weeks it will probably be the most guarded facility in the country , ” Zelenskiy said .
Ukraine ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she would join the evacuees in quarantine for two weeks to help assuage villagers ’ concerns .
She urged residents to show sympathy and support for the evacuees and emphasized that the quarantine facility is in full conformity with international standards .
“ I was shocked by the panic , rejection , negative feelings and aggression , ” she said .
“ It was even a greater shock for the people who were evacuated from China.
” But municipal legislators in the village vowed to continue opposing the evacuation , saying that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the one in the village and ends up in a nearby wastewater facility .
“ We can ’ t allow putting the health and life of local residents at risk , and demand that top officials take urgent moves to prevent people from China from being put here , ” they said in a statement .
Amid the clashes between local residents and police , Ukraine ’ s Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk said he will immediately fly to the site to personally oversee things .
In the early hours of Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign nationals took off from Wuhan , the epicenter of the outbreak that has infected more than 75,000 people worldwid e and killed over 2,100 .
Those evacuated included people from Belarus , Kazakhstan , Argentina , Ecuador , Costa Rica , the Dominican Republic , Panama and other countries .
Argentina ’ s Foreign Ministry in a statement thanked Ukraine for its “ generosity ” and China for its collaboration .
The plane stopped in Kazakhstan to drop off Kazakh passengers .
Later , it sought to land in Kharkiv , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not due to bad weather conditions .
Instead it flew to Kyiv to refuel , and eventually arrived in Kharkiv .
Also Thursday , the Russian Embassy in Japan said that two more Russians aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Japan have been diagnosed with the virus .
That raises to three the number of Russians on the ship confirmed to have the virus .
The two will be transferred to a hospital in Japan for treatment , according to the embassy .
In Slovenia , authorities said two of six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship have been hospitalized in Japan after testing positive for the virus .
The four others have tested negative .
Two of them have arrived back in Slovenia and will be quarantined at home for two weeks .
• No US coronavirus cases were caught by airport temperature checks .
Here ’ s what has worked • Was cruise ship a petri dish for coronavirus ?
Half of all cases outside of China on Diamond Princess , health officials say The Diamond Princess has been docked in the Yokohama port near Tokyo since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board tested positive for the virus .
So far 621 cases of the disease , which has been named COVID-19 , have been confirmed among the the Diamond Princess ’ s original 3,711 people on board .
Russia so far has reported only two cases of the disease on its soil .
Two Chinese nationals diagnosed with the virus and hospitalized in two different regions of Siberia in late January have recovered and have been released from hospitals .
Associated Press writer Dmytro Vlasov reported this sotyr in Novi Sanzhary and AP writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
AP writers Daria Litvinova and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report .

By Dmytro Vlasov and Yuras Karmanau | Associated Press
NOVI SANZHARY, Ukraine — Ukraine’s effort to quarantine more than 70 people evacuated from China over the new virus outbreak plunged into chaos Thursday as local residents opposing the move hurled stones at the evacuees and clashed with police.
Officials deplored the violence and the country’s health minister pledged to share evacuees’ quarantine for two weeks in a bid to reassure protesters who fear they’ll be infected.
Buses carrying evacuees were finally able to reach the designated place of quarantine after hours of clashes. The masked evacuees, exhausted by the long journey, were peeking through bus windows as they drove slowly under a heavy police escort.
Stones shattered a window in one of the buses, but the evacuees appeared unhurt.
Since the early morning, several hundred residents of the village of Novi Sanzhary in Ukraine’s central Poltava region had cut the road to a sanitarium intended to host the evacuees, fearing they could become infected. Demonstrators, some of whom appeared drunk, put up road blocks, burned tires and clashed with riot police who moved to clear access. One protester tried to ram police lines with his car.
Nine police officers and one civilian were hospitalized, the regional police said in a statement.
Ukrainian police said 24 protesters were detained. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, who personally visited the site to try to calm the crowd, said he was shocked by the aggression.
“What we saw was shameful,” he said in televised remarks. “It was one of the biggest disappointments in my life.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy weighed in, saying the protests showed “not the best side of our character.” He tried to reassure people that the quarantined evacuees wouldn’t pose any danger to local residents.
In a statement published on his Facebook page, Zelenskiy said the people evacuated from China are healthy and will live in a closed medical center run by the National Guard in the village as a precaution.
“In the next two weeks it will probably be the most guarded facility in the country,” Zelenskiy said.
Ukraine’s health minister, Zoryana Skaletska, said she would join the evacuees in quarantine for two weeks to help assuage villagers’ concerns. She urged residents to show sympathy and support for the evacuees and emphasized that the quarantine facility is in full conformity with international standards.
“I was shocked by the panic, rejection, negative feelings and aggression,” she said. “It was even a greater shock for the people who were evacuated from China.”
But municipal legislators in the village vowed to continue opposing the evacuation, saying that the sanitarium’s sewage system is linked to the one in the village and ends up in a nearby wastewater facility.
“We can’t allow putting the health and life of local residents at risk, and demand that top officials take urgent moves to prevent people from China from being put here,” they said in a statement.
Amid the clashes between local residents and police, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk said he will immediately fly to the site to personally oversee things.
In the early hours of Thursday, a plane with 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreign nationals took off from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak that has infected more than 75,000 people worldwid e and killed over 2,100.
Those evacuated included people from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama and other countries.
Argentina’s Foreign Ministry in a statement thanked Ukraine for its “generosity” and China for its collaboration.
The plane stopped in Kazakhstan to drop off Kazakh passengers. Later, it sought to land in Kharkiv, a city in northeastern Ukraine, but could not due to bad weather conditions.
Instead it flew to Kyiv to refuel, and eventually arrived in Kharkiv.
Also Thursday, the Russian Embassy in Japan said that two more Russians aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Japan have been diagnosed with the virus. That raises to three the number of Russians on the ship confirmed to have the virus.
The two will be transferred to a hospital in Japan for treatment, according to the embassy.
In Slovenia, authorities said two of six Slovenian citizens who were on the cruise ship have been hospitalized in Japan after testing positive for the virus. The four others have tested negative. Two of them have arrived back in Slovenia and will be quarantined at home for two weeks.
Related Articles National News | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again National News | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds National News | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining National News | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms National News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The Diamond Princess has been docked in the Yokohama port near Tokyo since Feb. 4, when 10 people on board tested positive for the virus. So far 621 cases of the disease, which has been named COVID-19, have been confirmed among the the Diamond Princess’s original 3,711 people on board.
Russia so far has reported only two cases of the disease on its soil. Two Chinese nationals diagnosed with the virus and hospitalized in two different regions of Siberia in late January have recovered and have been released from hospitals.
Associated Press writer Dmytro Vlasov reported this sotyr in Novi Sanzhary and AP writer Yuras Karmanau reported from Minsk, Belarus. AP writers Daria Litvinova and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-02-20--Five things we learned from A’s HQ: Mike Fiers speaks on Astros, Jonah Heim learns the ropes and sit

Five things we learned from A’s HQ: Mike Fiers speaks on Astros, Jonah Heim learns the ropes and situational hitting

MESA , Ariz. — Catchers have spent most of the first week of camp in their natural position : in the squat , catching some of baseball ’ s nastiest pitches these A ’ s pitchers have to offer .
On Thursday , they flipped from pitch receiver to pitch victim .
“ Bad draw for the catchers , who very rarely get to hit off live pitching and they get those guys , ” manager Bob Melvin said .
“ That ’ s the life of a catcher in spring training.
” The life of the catchers in A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
Sean Murphy , the presumptive starting catcher , is getting reacquainted with the pitching staff he ’ s already quite familiar with .
Left-handed hitting Austin Allen , traded to Oakland in the winter , is trying to leverage his bits of big league experience in San Diego into a backup role .
Jonah Heim is the new kid in camp , fast tracked suddenly , is here to prove he might be able to crack the big leagues soon .
The Baltimore Orioles drafted Heim in 2013 , then traded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him briefly before flipping him to the A ’ s in 2017 for Joey Wendle ( who ’ s shined with the Rays ) .
Heim is just 24 with a 6-foot-4 frame that creates a nice wall behind the dish .
He thrived on the merit of his glove and , last year , just started clicking behind the plate .
After hitting .282 with the Midland RockHounds in 2019 , Heim was pushed up to Las Vegas and thrived , batting .358 in 35 games .
His plate discipline between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walks , is particularly noteworthy .
The A ’ s like a guy that can get on base .
Melvin has said that the backup catcher role is still up for grabs .
Allen isn ’ t a lock , even if it seems he has the edge .
Heim is certainly in the mix , and part of the training is taking spring to build a rapport with this staff .
“ Biggest thing we can do in spring training is catch every guy , because next spring training they may come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said at his locker in Mesa .
He caught Montas ’ bullpen today , which was a trip .
“ He got me a couple times , it was a little tough to see .
Frankie has some electric stuff , ” Heim said .
“ He threw me a slider that started in the tree , I didn ’ t see it come back but it got on me quick.
” “ Jesús ( Luzardo ) is always nasty , every single guy has a pitch were you aren ’ t sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them together , when you have to mix all of them up and all for strikes , he just becomes nasty , and it ’ s fun to catch .
Not great if you ’ re hitting.
” Fiers and his teammates spoke about the fears ( or , non-fears ) about possible retribution in Houston .
That the Astros were cheating to steal signs was known in the A ’ s clubhouse .
And Mark Cahna said he feared speaking up because of the powerhouse and protection the Astros had built around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t care much what kind of retribution he might face .
He ’ s gotten death threats before for fracturing Giancarlo Stanton ’ s jaw with a pitch .
He also said he didn ’ t fear punishment ; he came forward expecting to suffer any consequences his 2017 teammates might face , too .
“ I deserve the same ( punishment ) , because everybody was there , ” Fiers said .
“ Everyone was part of it , and I was in the same position as everybody else.
” The Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North Carolina native Logan Davidson .
“ The weather here is much more friendly where it is where I ’ m from , the week before I got here it snowed where I ’ m from , ” Davidson said .
Davidson may get to soak up that Mesa sun a whole lot more in the future .
The A ’ s see a lot of potential in the 22-year-old .
He was a steal in last year ’ s draft ; the A ’ s snatched the switch-hitting Clemson shortstop at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too rare to have first-rounders get spring training invites in their first professional year , but Davidson is noticing the way it can streamline his growth in the minor leagues .
• Former A ’ s catcher Lucroy on Astros : ‘ Every single pitch , we were changing signs ’ • Will A ’ s be target of Astros ’ beanballs after Fiers outed Houston ’ s cheating ?
• Hall of Famer Tony La Russa considered returning to the dugout for 2020 • Q & A with Ramón Laureano : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , team lows and expectations “ The main difference is that the things we ’ re learning are things that have been proven from players and guys that have been performing right now , not necessarily something that may work , ” Davidson said .
“ I feel like in college a lot of things are bounced around until you find something , but there aren ’ t always concrete reasons behind it.
” Davidson wants to work on consistency at the plate , like any young hitter might .
But he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s brain for as much advice and knowledge he can get .
Plus , he ’ s working with new assistant hitting coach Eric Martins , who was one of his coaches in instructional league .
An unfamiliar drill took place hours before the A ’ s took on the Tampa Bay Rays in the wild card game last October .
The A ’ s were practicing their bunting .
Even amid the stress of postseason baseball it drew some chuckles from manager Bob Melvin back then .
Despite the drill and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wild card game , the A ’ s didn ’ t flip into any situational hitting to chip away .
It looks like that resistance might loosen this year .
The team will run some situational hitting drills on Friday .
“ I ’ m sure as I speak , and this is written a little later , my front office will…yeah , ” Melvin joked .
“ But there ’ s times in the season , especially with our pitching and defense , there are times where we can do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
We ’ ll be a better club for it.
” How do you practice something like situational hitting ?
“ It ’ s an awareness right away , and that ’ s what we ’ re trying to do in this camp.
” Situational hitting has gone by the wayside in this modern , all-out approach era .
The American League ’ s employment of the designated hitter removes lineup restrictions that might force some bottom of the lineup situational hitting .
But with some speed in their lineup ( Tony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful bunting in their past ( Matt Olson beating the shift ) , there might be opportunity to flip the script and chip away despite the slew of sluggers up and down the order .
“ It should be something guys are thinking about more than just one game , so we ’ ll try to put a little bit more emphasis on it , ” Melvin said .
Allen isn ’ t a top prospect , yet .
But the short-statured shortstop has wowed with his glove since Day 1 .
Melvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you see him in plain clothes you ’ re not 100 percent sure he ’ s a baseball player , but he is a baseball player , ” Melvin said .
He wanted to get Allen , who the A ’ s drafted in 2017 , into games this spring — but a troublesome shoulder could delay that .
But A ’ s fans should be eager to see him navigate that stretch .
“ He ’ s one of our better prospects and I don ’ t know that we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ You watch him take ground balls , and whatever hop he gets…veteran guys try to get the big hop , but there isn ’ t a hop he ’ s afraid of , he has clean hands , soft hands , one of those guys that doens ’ t come around too often as far as he looks defensively .
It ’ s not just routine stuff , he makes the great plays and he ’ s fun to watch .
He ’ s unique .
”

MESA, Ariz. — Catchers have spent most of the first week of camp in their natural position: in the squat, catching some of baseball’s nastiest pitches these A’s pitchers have to offer. On Thursday, they flipped from pitch receiver to pitch victim.
“Bad draw for the catchers, who very rarely get to hit off live pitching and they get those guys,” manager Bob Melvin said. “That’s the life of a catcher in spring training.”
The life of the catchers in A’s camp this spring varies, too. Sean Murphy, the presumptive starting catcher, is getting reacquainted with the pitching staff he’s already quite familiar with. Left-handed hitting Austin Allen, traded to Oakland in the winter, is trying to leverage his bits of big league experience in San Diego into a backup role.
Jonah Heim is the new kid in camp, fast tracked suddenly, is here to prove he might be able to crack the big leagues soon. The Baltimore Orioles drafted Heim in 2013, then traded him to Tampa Bay Rays who held him briefly before flipping him to the A’s in 2017 for Joey Wendle (who’s shined with the Rays). Heim is just 24 with a 6-foot-4 frame that creates a nice wall behind the dish. He thrived on the merit of his glove and, last year, just started clicking behind the plate.
After hitting .282 with the Midland RockHounds in 2019, Heim was pushed up to Las Vegas and thrived, batting .358 in 35 games. His plate discipline between the two teams, 45 strikeouts to 35 walks, is particularly noteworthy. The A’s like a guy that can get on base.
Melvin has said that the backup catcher role is still up for grabs. Allen isn’t a lock, even if it seems he has the edge. Heim is certainly in the mix, and part of the training is taking spring to build a rapport with this staff.
“Biggest thing we can do in spring training is catch every guy, because next spring training they may come back with new stuff,” Heim said at his locker in Mesa.
He caught Montas’ bullpen today, which was a trip.
“He got me a couple times, it was a little tough to see. Frankie has some electric stuff,” Heim said. “He threw me a slider that started in the tree, I didn’t see it come back but it got on me quick.”
“Jesús (Luzardo) is always nasty, every single guy has a pitch were you aren’t sure how they throw it. All of them together, when you have to mix all of them up and all for strikes, he just becomes nasty, and it’s fun to catch. Not great if you’re hitting.”
Mike Fiers speaks
Fiers and his teammates spoke about the fears (or, non-fears) about possible retribution in Houston. That the Astros were cheating to steal signs was known in the A’s clubhouse. And Mark Cahna said he feared speaking up because of the powerhouse and protection the Astros had built around them.
Fiers said he didn’t care much what kind of retribution he might face. He’s gotten death threats before for fracturing Giancarlo Stanton’s jaw with a pitch.
He also said he didn’t fear punishment; he came forward expecting to suffer any consequences his 2017 teammates might face, too.
“I deserve the same (punishment), because everybody was there,” Fiers said. “Everyone was part of it, and I was in the same position as everybody else.”
Logan Davidson soaking in first camp
The Arizona sun hit a little different for Charlotte, North Carolina native Logan Davidson.
“The weather here is much more friendly where it is where I’m from, the week before I got here it snowed where I’m from,” Davidson said.
Davidson may get to soak up that Mesa sun a whole lot more in the future. The A’s see a lot of potential in the 22-year-old. He was a steal in last year’s draft; the A’s snatched the switch-hitting Clemson shortstop at 29th overall.
It’s not too rare to have first-rounders get spring training invites in their first professional year, but Davidson is noticing the way it can streamline his growth in the minor leagues.
Related Articles Oakland Athletics | Rookie outfielder hits first homer but Oakland’s road losing streak reaches nine
Rookie outfielder hits first homer but Oakland’s road losing streak reaches nine Oakland Athletics | Oakland A’s outfielder could miss rest of season with knee injury
Oakland A’s outfielder could miss rest of season with knee injury Oakland Athletics | Oakland A’s fail to hold another lead as road woes continue
Oakland A’s fail to hold another lead as road woes continue Oakland Athletics | A’s suffer historic ninth-inning collapse while getting swept in Washington
A’s suffer historic ninth-inning collapse while getting swept in Washington Oakland Athletics | A’s fall again as Nationals win on Ruiz’s walkoff home run “The main difference is that the things we’re learning are things that have been proven from players and guys that have been performing right now, not necessarily something that may work,” Davidson said. “I feel like in college a lot of things are bounced around until you find something, but there aren’t always concrete reasons behind it.”
Davidson wants to work on consistency at the plate, like any young hitter might. But he’s also picking fellow shortstop Marcus Semien’s brain for as much advice and knowledge he can get. Plus, he’s working with new assistant hitting coach Eric Martins, who was one of his coaches in instructional league.
Situational hitting lesson
An unfamiliar drill took place hours before the A’s took on the Tampa Bay Rays in the wild card game last October.
The A’s were practicing their bunting. Even amid the stress of postseason baseball it drew some chuckles from manager Bob Melvin back then.
Despite the drill and the early deficit to the Rays in that wild card game, the A’s didn’t flip into any situational hitting to chip away. It looks like that resistance might loosen this year. The team will run some situational hitting drills on Friday.
“I’m sure as I speak, and this is written a little later, my front office will…yeah,” Melvin joked. “But there’s times in the season, especially with our pitching and defense, there are times where we can do that, get guys over, get them in. We’ll be a better club for it.”
How do you practice something like situational hitting? “It’s an awareness right away, and that’s what we’re trying to do in this camp.”
Situational hitting has gone by the wayside in this modern, all-out approach era. The American League’s employment of the designated hitter removes lineup restrictions that might force some bottom of the lineup situational hitting. But with some speed in their lineup (Tony Kemp, Ramón Laureano) and some successful bunting in their past (Matt Olson beating the shift), there might be opportunity to flip the script and chip away despite the slew of sluggers up and down the order.
“It should be something guys are thinking about more than just one game, so we’ll try to put a little bit more emphasis on it,” Melvin said.
Nick Allen’s magical glove
Allen isn’t a top prospect, yet. But the short-statured shortstop has wowed with his glove since Day 1. Melvin raved about him today.
“When you see him in plain clothes you’re not 100 percent sure he’s a baseball player, but he is a baseball player,” Melvin said.
He wanted to get Allen, who the A’s drafted in 2017, into games this spring — but a troublesome shoulder could delay that. But A’s fans should be eager to see him navigate that stretch.
“He’s one of our better prospects and I don’t know that we have a better defender in development,” Melvin said. “You watch him take ground balls, and whatever hop he gets…veteran guys try to get the big hop, but there isn’t a hop he’s afraid of, he has clean hands, soft hands, one of those guys that doens’t come around too often as far as he looks defensively. It’s not just routine stuff, he makes the great plays and he’s fun to watch. He’s unique.”


mercurynews--2020-02-20--Letter: Thanks for highlighting vocational education

I read Dan Walters ’ recent column regarding the comeback of career and technical education ( CTE ) with interest @ @ @ @ @ statewide for students interested in CTE pathways , largely focused on tracks in the mechanical @ @ @ @ @ at Foothill College in the pharmacy technology program , I wanted to bring attention to @ @ @ @ @ our tax dollars — the wonderful local programs at Foothill in the Allied Health Sciences @ @ @ @ @ technicians , veterinary technicians , radiology technicians and others in the health care fields .
@ @ @ @ @ for rise in donations to needy • Letter : New state housing law is truly @ @ @ @ @ have come to appreciate that many of these pathways become “ gateways ” for our @ @ @ @ @ they pursue their career interests .
So thank you , Mr. Walters and The Mercury @ @ @ @ @ career paths open for people interested in careers combining technical skills with mental know how @ @ @ @ @ the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Re: “Walters: Vocational education is making a comeback in California” (Mercurynews.com, Opinion section, Feb. 13)
I read Dan Walters’ recent column regarding the comeback of career and technical education (CTE) with interest.
The piece highlighted opportunities statewide for students interested in CTE pathways, largely focused on tracks in the mechanical fields.
As an instructor at Foothill College in the pharmacy technology program, I wanted to bring attention to other CTE pathways supported by our tax dollars — the wonderful local programs at Foothill in the Allied Health Sciences. These options span pharmacy technicians, veterinary technicians, radiology technicians and others in the health care fields. Related Articles Letters to the Editor | Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives
Letters: Escape Bay Area | CASA program | Feinstein replacement | Faulty comparison | Not conservatives Letters to the Editor | Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances
Letters: Psychiatric beds | SJSU neglect | Squandering cash | Overdoing coverage | Pac-12 negotiations | For climate’s sake | Electric appliances Letters to the Editor | Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language
Letters: Abandoning tenants | Deaf culture | Western contributions | Conservative alienation | Precise language Letters to the Editor | Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path
Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps
Over time, I have come to appreciate that many of these pathways become “gateways” for our diverse and talented students as they pursue their career interests. So thank you, Mr. Walters and The Mercury News for profiling the many career paths open for people interested in careers combining technical skills with mental know how.
Diane DeNagel
Foothill College instructor, San Jose
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-02-20--A year after being cleared in tire shop shooting, Pittsburg man indicted on manslaughter charges

MARTINEZ — In a stunning development , a Pittsburg man who was recorded fatally shooting an unarmed man during an argument has been indicted on manslaughter charges , despite having previously been cleared in the case .
Jason Posey , 39 , was indicted on a charge of voluntary manslaughter with a gun enhancement , in the April 22 , 2019 death of Samijela Vehikite .
Contra Costa County prosecutors had previously cleared Posey , saying he had acted in self-defense because Vehikite had threatened to harm him .
Vehikite ’ s family was outraged by the charging decision .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed a man identified as Posey pulling a gun on Vehikite , who backed away as he was shot .
But this year , county prosecutors brought the case in front of a grand jury — an independent body that is given options of filing various charges or clearing the suspect , and whose proceedings are secret .
A prosecutor typically leads the hearing , and is supposed to present incriminating evidence as well as any evidence that might exonerate the suspect .
The shooting occurred at a tire business on the 1500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Officers arrested Posey at the scene , after a bystander blocked Posey ’ s car in .
Posey and Vehikite knew each other , police said , and had supposedly argued after Vehikite confronted Posey over an unspecified disagreement .
If convicted , the voluntary manslaughter charge with the gun enhancement could result in a prison sentence of more than 20 years .

MARTINEZ — In a stunning development, a Pittsburg man who was seen on a video fatally shooting an unarmed man during an argument has been indicted on manslaughter charges, despite having previously been cleared in the case.
Jason Posey, 39, was indicted on a charge of voluntary manslaughter with a gun enhancement, in the April 22, 2019 death of Samijela Vehikite. Contra Costa County prosecutors had previously cleared Posey, saying he had acted in self-defense because Vehikite had threatened to harm him.
Vehikite’s family was outraged by the charging decision. A widely-distributed surveillance video of the incident showed a man identified as Posey pulling a gun on Vehikite, who backed away as he was shot.
But this year, county prosecutors brought the case in front of a grand jury — an independent body that is given options of filing various charges or clearing the suspect, and whose proceedings are secret. A prosecutor typically leads the hearing, and is supposed to present incriminating evidence as well as any evidence that might exonerate the suspect.
The shooting occurred at a tire business on the 1500 block of Willow Pass Road in Pittsburg. Officers arrested Posey at the scene, after a bystander blocked Posey’s car in. Posey and Vehikite knew each other, police said, and had supposedly argued after Vehikite confronted Posey over an unspecified disagreement.
If Posey is convicted, the voluntary manslaughter charge with the gun enhancement could result in a prison sentence of more than 20 years.


mercurynews--2020-02-20--Former A’s catcher Lucroy on Astros: ‘Every single pitch, we were changing signs’

Jonathan Lucroy knows his way around the AL West .
Between 2016 and 2019 , he played for 60 percent of the division , suiting up for the Rangers , A ’ s and Angels — playing the Houston Astros in six series per year .
Lucroy said Thursday at Red Sox spring training in Florida that Mike Fiers told him as a member of the 2018 Athletics that the Astros had a sign-stealing system outside the normal means for an MLB club .
“ It ’ s kind of hard when you have a computer program that breaks your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first appearance with his new club .
“ We actively changed signs .
Every single pitch , we were changing signs .
You had to because they would relay them to second , stealing them from first , too — from between your legs .
They had a very intricate system going on .
We were well aware of it , and it was a challenge.
” Lucroy echoed A ’ s manager Bob Melvin ’ s assertion earlier this week that the team took the issue to Major League Baseball long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league began its investigation .
He did not hear any of the now-famous trash can banging , but he was bewildered by some of the pitches Astros batters refused to swing at .
“ It all made sense when I found out how they were doing it .
Then it was like , ‘ What are we going to do ? '
” Lucroy said .
“ I was with Oakland , and we had let MLB know , and they just called and said something .
They didn ’ t go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t until Fiers came out publicly that they went and looked at it really hard.
” • Five things we learned from A ’ s HQ : Mike Fiers speaks on Astros , Jonah Heim learns the ropes and situational hitting • Will A ’ s be target of Astros ’ beanballs after Fiers outed Houston ’ s cheating ?
• Hall of Famer Tony La Russa considered returning to the dugout for 2020 • Q & A with Ramón Laureano : The A ’ s outfielder discusses his highs , team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chorus across MLB this week asserting commissioner Rob Manfred was wrong to give Astros players blanket immunity in exchange for information .
Lucroy joined those voices , citing ex-Brewers teammate Ryan Braun ’ s steroid suspension and Fiers ’ argument that the Astros ’ cheat-enabled success harmed the careers of opposing pitchers .
“ It may be a Triple-A up-and-down guy and he gets rocked because you ’ re stealing signs like that and gets sent down and never plays again , ” Lucroy said .
“ Or a guy who gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there and gets rocked .
This game is a business and if you ’ re not performing , you don ’ t play .
Guys have families and have kids .
That ’ s the hardest part for me.
” Meanwhile , a legend associated with Lucroy ’ s new club has a different view .
David Ortiz , also speaking at Red Sox camp , said Fiers is “ looking like a snitch ” for coming forward , asking why he didn ’ t speak out publicly when he was with the @ @

Jonathan Lucroy knows his way around the AL West.
Between 2016 and 2019, he played for 60 percent of the division, suiting up for the Rangers, A’s and Angels — playing the Houston Astros in six series per year.
Lucroy said Thursday at Red Sox spring training in Florida that Mike Fiers told him as a member of the 2018 Athletics that the Astros had a sign-stealing system outside the normal means for an MLB club.
“It’s kind of hard when you have a computer program that breaks your signs,” he said Thursday in his first appearance with his new club. “We actively changed signs. Every single pitch, we were changing signs. You had to because they would relay them to second, stealing them from first, too — from between your legs. They had a very intricate system going on. We were well aware of it, and it was a challenge.”
Lucroy echoed A’s manager Bob Melvin’s assertion earlier this week that the team took the issue to Major League Baseball long before Fiers went public in November and the league began its investigation.
"I knew about that two years ago" Jonathan Lucroy talks in detail about his experience with the Astros and their sign-stealing system pic.twitter.com/GNfFOy7uVP — NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) February 20, 2020
He did not hear any of the now-famous trash can banging, but he was bewildered by some of the pitches Astros batters refused to swing at.
“It all made sense when I found out how they were doing it. Then it was like, ‘What are we going to do?'” Lucroy said. “I was with Oakland, and we had let MLB know, and they just called and said something. They didn’t go through the whole investigation. It wasn’t until Fiers came out publicly that they went and looked at it really hard.”
Related Articles Oakland Athletics | Rookie outfielder hits first homer but Oakland’s road losing streak reaches nine
Rookie outfielder hits first homer but Oakland’s road losing streak reaches nine Oakland Athletics | Oakland A’s outfielder could miss rest of season with knee injury
Oakland A’s outfielder could miss rest of season with knee injury Oakland Athletics | Oakland A’s fail to hold another lead as road woes continue
Oakland A’s fail to hold another lead as road woes continue Oakland Athletics | A’s suffer historic ninth-inning collapse while getting swept in Washington
A’s suffer historic ninth-inning collapse while getting swept in Washington Oakland Athletics | A’s fall again as Nationals win on Ruiz’s walkoff home run There’s been a chorus across MLB this week asserting commissioner Rob Manfred was wrong to give Astros players blanket immunity in exchange for information.
Lucroy joined those voices, citing ex-Brewers teammate Ryan Braun’s steroid suspension and Fiers’ argument that the Astros’ cheat-enabled success harmed the careers of opposing pitchers.
“It may be a Triple-A up-and-down guy and he gets rocked because you’re stealing signs like that and gets sent down and never plays again,” Lucroy said. “Or a guy who gets his career ended because he goes out there and gets rocked. This game is a business and if you’re not performing, you don’t play. Guys have families and have kids. That’s the hardest part for me.”
Meanwhile, a legend associated with Lucroy’s new club has a different view. David Ortiz, also speaking at Red Sox camp, said Fiers is “looking like a snitch” for coming forward, asking why he didn’t speak out publicly when he was with the Astros.