mercurynews--2020-10-28--Raiders’ Josh Jacobs shakes off embarrassment and looks to break a long one against Browns

At this point a year ago , Josh Jacobs had established himself as one of the NFL ’ s breakout stars .
His emotions are different through six games in 2020 , especially after gaining 17 yards on 10 carries in a 45-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
“ It was very embarrassing for me , ” Jacobs said Wednesday during a video teleconference .
“ I went and watched film .
I watched practice .
I watched previous games .
I was trying to see where I could improve my game , what I could bring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be.
” There were extenuating circumstances , which Jacobs acknowledged .
His entire offensive line practiced only on Monday because of a positive COVID-19 test by Trent Brown , with four starters cleared on game day .
Plus , the Raiders were coming off a bye and facing the NFL ’ s top-rated run defense .
“ We weren ’ t all on the same page at the same time .
We were slow getting to certain reads , ” Jacobs said .
Jacobs is averaging 3.4 yards per carry heading into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cleveland Browns , ranking him 44th out of 46 backs with enough carries to qualify among the leaders .
But even before the Bucs game , Jacobs was averaging 3.6 yards per attempt , well off the 4.8 average posted as a rookie over 13 games before missing the last three with a fractured shoulder .
His numbers are down in pretty much every analytic , including yards after contact and rushing averages in different formations and against different fronts .
Jacobs may be embarrassed but said he ’ s not worried .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ running back is ever completely healthy six games into a season — and believes things will get better .
“ I come out every day looking for things I can get better at , ” Jacobs said .
“ Try to be more patient , not to think so much and go out and run .
Every day we ’ re at the 20-yard line and I ’ m running 80 yards to score in practice .
It ’ s just a matter of time before it starts finally clicking.
” Stats be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Raiders ’ three wins over Carolina , New Orleans and Kansas City , picking up tough yards .
It ’ s worth keeping in mind that a 2-yard run for a first down , while it doesn ’ t do anything for the rushing average , is better for an offense than an 8-yard run on third-and-10 .
Jacobs , 5-foot-10 , 220 pounds , is still getting those yards .
The biggest difference has been the lack of explosive runs .
Jacobs ’ longest run is 16 yards , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs of 51 yards and 42 yards — both in games the Raiders lost .
“ I like what we ’ re doing , ” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said .
“ I know our rushing average is not what we ’ d like it to be .
The one thing we ’ re lacking is the long run .
We haven ’ t had that yet .
But we ’ re making positive yards , we ’ re moving the ball and we ’ re doing some good things .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were last year.
” Quarterback Derek Carr said some opponents have “ sold out ” to stop the run but “ even at that , we ’ re a step or two away , an inch here or an inch there , from some really big runs .
.
.
I know it hasn ’ t been stat-wise exactly what he ’ s wanted , but he knows and I know these runs are so close to just popping and being some explosive gains.
” It hasn ’ t helped that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their starting offensive line .
They ’ re hopeful of getting Brown back at right tackle this week , although it appears left guard Richie Incognito ( Achilles ’ ) is another week away .
Jacobs has been tackled 13 times for losses through six games as opposed to five a year ago .
Cleveland , the Raiders ’ next opponent , is ranked fifth against the run ( 92.9 yards per game ) and sixth in yards per carry , giving up just 3.8 .
For all the talk about Jacobs being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ’ ve got plenty of targets .
Any hope of being even a fringe playoff contender is going to require Jacobs doing a lot of damage on the ground regardless of the strength of the opponent .
“ Everybody knows what I bring to the table , but it comes down to us , ” Jacobs said .
“ Certain plays , teams know you ’ re going to run the ball .
But I ’ ve got to be better than the guy in front of me .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have as a team .
When we get that mindset , I think we ’ ll be good.
” The Seattle Seahawks dealt a seventh-round draft pick and reserve offensive lineman B.J .
Finney to Cincinnati in exchange for disgruntled defensive end Carlos Dunlap , who leads the Bengals with 82 1/2 career sacks .
• Raiders mailbag : Is Trent Brown still in team ’ s future plans ?
How about Paul Guenther ?
• Focus on Browns : Why Baker Mayfield could thrive vs .
Raiders without Odell Beckham Jr. • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : ‘ Everything is on the table ’ • Inside the Raiders : Practice matters , so don ’ t get too worked up over loss to Bucs Could the Raiders have gotten a similar deal for a seventh-round pick , and say , Brandon Parker ?
Gruden wouldn ’ t say of course , but he did sound skeptical of making any kind of deal .
“ We have to look at it realistically , ” Gruden said .
“ I ’ m not going to get into our position , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a lot of speculation out there , but reality and speculation are two different things .
I ’ m not saying a trade is out of the question but some of the trades I ’ ve seen thrown out there are unrealistic.
” Gruden said he hoped to get Brown back in the building this week once he ’ s cleared following last week ’ s positive COVID-19 test , and wouldn ’ t rule out having him play against Cleveland .
Wide receiver Bryan Edwards practiced and was limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubtful.
” Safety Johnathan Abram , who sat out against Tampa Bay because of COVID contact tracing ( he ’ s never tested positive ) is back and practice .

At this point a year ago, Josh Jacobs had established himself as one of the NFL’s breakout stars.
His emotions are different through six games in 2020, especially after gaining 17 yards on 10 carries in a 45-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“It was very embarrassing for me,” Jacobs said Wednesday during a video teleconference. “I went and watched film. I watched practice. I watched previous games. I was trying to see where I could improve my game, what I could bring to this team to be where we want to be.”
There were extenuating circumstances, which Jacobs acknowledged. His entire offensive line practiced only on Monday because of a positive COVID-19 test by Trent Brown, with four starters cleared on game day. Plus, the Raiders were coming off a bye and facing the NFL’s top-rated run defense.
“We weren’t all on the same page at the same time. We were slow getting to certain reads,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs is averaging 3.4 yards per carry heading into Sunday’s road game against the Cleveland Browns, ranking him 44th out of 46 backs with enough carries to qualify among the leaders. But even before the Bucs game, Jacobs was averaging 3.6 yards per attempt, well off the 4.8 average posted as a rookie over 13 games before missing the last three with a fractured shoulder.
His numbers are down in pretty much every analytic, including yards after contact and rushing averages in different formations and against different fronts.
Raiders' Josh Jacobs through six games in 2020/2019: Rushing yards: 394/554
Yds per game: 65.7/92.3
Carries: 116/109
Touchdowns: 5/4
Ypc: 3.4./5.1
Long run: 16/51
Tackle for loss: 13/5 — Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) October 28, 2020
Jacobs may be embarrassed but said he’s not worried. He’s relatively healthy — no running back is ever completely healthy six games into a season — and believes things will get better.
“I come out every day looking for things I can get better at,” Jacobs said. “Try to be more patient, not to think so much and go out and run. Every day we’re at the 20-yard line and I’m running 80 yards to score in practice. It’s just a matter of time before it starts finally clicking.”
Stats be damned, Jacobs was a primary mover in the Raiders’ three wins over Carolina, New Orleans and Kansas City, picking up tough yards. It’s worth keeping in mind that a 2-yard run for a first down, while it doesn’t do anything for the rushing average, is better for an offense than an 8-yard run on third-and-10.
Jacobs, 5-foot-10, 220 pounds, is still getting those yards. The biggest difference has been the lack of explosive runs. Jacobs’ longest run is 16 yards, where at this point last season he had runs of 51 yards and 42 yards — both in games the Raiders lost.
“I like what we’re doing,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “I know our rushing average is not what we’d like it to be. The one thing we’re lacking is the long run. We haven’t had that yet. But we’re making positive yards, we’re moving the ball and we’re doing some good things. I think we’re a better offense than we were last year.”
Quarterback Derek Carr said some opponents have “sold out” to stop the run but “even at that, we’re a step or two away, an inch here or an inch there, from some really big runs . . . I know it hasn’t been stat-wise exactly what he’s wanted, but he knows and I know these runs are so close to just popping and being some explosive gains.”
It hasn’t helped that the Raiders have played exactly three snaps with their starting offensive line. They’re hopeful of getting Brown back at right tackle this week, although it appears left guard Richie Incognito (Achilles’) is another week away. Jacobs has been tackled 13 times for losses through six games as opposed to five a year ago.
Cleveland, the Raiders’ next opponent, is ranked fifth against the run (92.9 yards per game) and sixth in yards per carry, giving up just 3.8.
For all the talk about Jacobs being a bigger part of the passing game, they’ve got plenty of targets. Any hope of being even a fringe playoff contender is going to require Jacobs doing a lot of damage on the ground regardless of the strength of the opponent.
“Everybody knows what I bring to the table, but it comes down to us,” Jacobs said. “Certain plays, teams know you’re going to run the ball. But I’ve got to be better than the guy in front of me. That’s the mentality that we need to have as a team. When we get that mindset, I think we’ll be good.”
TRADES NOT LIKELY
The Seattle Seahawks dealt a seventh-round draft pick and reserve offensive lineman B.J. Finney to Cincinnati in exchange for disgruntled defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who leads the Bengals with 82 1/2 career sacks.
Could the Raiders have gotten a similar deal for a seventh-round pick, and say, Brandon Parker? Gruden wouldn’t say of course, but he did sound skeptical of making any kind of deal.
“We have to look at it realistically,” Gruden said. “I’m not going to get into our position, that’s for Mike Mayock and I. There’s a lot of speculation out there, but reality and speculation are two different things. I’m not saying a trade is out of the question but some of the trades I’ve seen thrown out there are unrealistic.”
REINFORCEMENTS
Gruden said he hoped to get Brown back in the building this week once he’s cleared following last week’s positive COVID-19 test, and wouldn’t rule out having him play against Cleveland. Wide receiver Bryan Edwards practiced and was limited, but Gruden termed him as “doubtful.”
Safety Johnathan Abram, who sat out against Tampa Bay because of COVID contact tracing (he’s never tested positive) is back and practice.


mercurynews--2020-10-28--Editorial: Reject Piedmont property tax hike for pool repairs

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations .
Piedmont residents tax themselves to ensure that they have the best schools and premier city government .
The average homeowner pays $ 4,400 in extra taxes for schools and another $ 635 for city services .
But those taxes also drive up the cost of housing in the exclusive city surrounded by Oakland and further ensure that those with average means will not be able to crack the city ’ s residential market .
Voters in Tuesday ’ s election will face two tax hikes .
Measure TT , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would increase the city ’ s tax on property sales to state record-high levels .
Now we look at Measure UU , a $ 19.5 million bond proposal to pay for replacing three old community pools with two new ones .
Voters should reject that , too .
Based on the city estimates provided to voters , Measure UU would add an average $ 263 annually to the tax bill for a home assessed at the city average of slightly over $ 1 million .
It a bit of a tricky calculation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot wording obfuscated the projected average tax rate as 2.6 cents per $ 100 of assessed value rather than an easier-to-understand $ 26 per $ 100,000 .
It turns out that the city overstated that rate , especially for the latter part of the 30-year tax .
The firmer number is that city taxpayers would collectively pay about $ 1.3 million annually to retire the bonds needed to finance the construction .
To put that number in perspective , the city spends more than that – nearly $ 1.7 million to be precise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public employee pension debt .
Put another way , most of the pool bond payments could be covered by Measure TT , which is expected to add about $ 948,462 annually to the city ’ s transfer tax revenues .
Individually and collectively , the two measures raise a question of , how much is too much ?
Rather than throwing multiple tax measures at voters , city leaders need to prioritize and look for savings elsewhere .

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations.
Piedmont residents tax themselves to ensure that they have the best schools and premier city government. The average homeowner pays $4,400 in extra taxes for schools and another $635 for city services.
But those taxes also drive up the cost of housing in the exclusive city surrounded by Oakland and further ensure that those with average means will not be able to crack the city’s residential market.
Voters in Tuesday’s election will face two tax hikes. Measure TT, which we have previously recommended voters reject, would increase the city’s tax on property sales to state record-high levels. Now we look at Measure UU, a $19.5 million bond proposal to pay for replacing three old community pools with two new ones. Voters should reject that, too.
Based on the city estimates provided to voters, Measure UU would add an average $263 annually to the tax bill for a home assessed at the city average of slightly over $1 million.
It a bit of a tricky calculation for voters because city officials in the ballot wording obfuscated the projected average tax rate as 2.6 cents per $100 of assessed value rather than an easier-to-understand $26 per $100,000.
It turns out that the city overstated that rate, especially for the latter part of the 30-year tax. The firmer number is that city taxpayers would collectively pay about $1.3 million annually to retire the bonds needed to finance the construction.
To put that number in perspective, the city spends more than that – nearly $1.7 million to be precise – just to cover the interest payments on public employee pension debt. Put another way, most of the pool bond payments could be covered by Measure TT, which is expected to add about $948,462 annually to the city’s transfer tax revenues.
Individually and collectively, the two measures raise a question of, how much is too much? Rather than throwing multiple tax measures at voters, city leaders need to prioritize and look for savings elsewhere.


mercurynews--2020-10-28--Editorial: Keep Danville leadership strong with Arnerich, Morgan, Fong

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations .
Danville officials like to call their community a town .
With more than 44,000 residents , it ’ s really a city , with all the challenges that come with it .
What ’ s remarkable is how well the city ’ s elected leaders and administration manage those challenges .
For that reason , with three council seats on Tuesday ’ s ballot , we recommend the two incumbents seeking reelection , Newell Arnerich and Renee Morgan .
And , from the seven challengers , Dave Fong stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one most closely aligned with the current council ’ s approach and best-informed about the city ’ s financial issues .
Danville ’ s budget carries strong reserves .
The city does not have a traditional pension system for employees , and it contracts for its police services .
Consequently , it doesn ’ t face the massive retirement debt most other municipalities are confronting .
Yet , it has been ranked as the safest city in the state .
When the economic downturn presented a $ 5 million budget shortfall for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to freeze jobs , postpone some capital projects and reduce the temporary workforce to close the gap .
Meanwhile , with a dwindling number of large parcels left in Danville for development , city leaders are continuing to look for opportunities to provide some affordable housing and , as we saw last year , preserve open space while permitting reasonable development .
In short , the city has reasoned policymaking and cautious budgeting that voters should preserve with their City , er , Town Council selections .
Arnerich , a professional architect and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects around the world , was first elected to the council in 1995 .
Morgan , who was a planning commissioner and worked in architectural design and drafting before she joined the council , is seeking her third term .
And Fong , a pharmaceutical executive and consultant , would bring deep management experience that would be a great asset to an already-strong council .
Together they would maintain the city ’ s prudent leadership .

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations.
Danville officials like to call their community a town. With more than 44,000 residents, it’s really a city, with all the challenges that come with it.
What’s remarkable is how well the city’s elected leaders and administration manage those challenges. For that reason, with three council seats on Tuesday’s ballot, we recommend the two incumbents seeking reelection, Newell Arnerich and Renee Morgan.
And, from the seven challengers, Dave Fong stands out as the best candidate, the one most closely aligned with the current council’s approach and best-informed about the city’s financial issues.
Danville’s budget carries strong reserves. The city does not have a traditional pension system for employees, and it contracts for its police services. Consequently, it doesn’t face the massive retirement debt most other municipalities are confronting. Yet, it has been ranked as the safest city in the state.
When the economic downturn presented a $5 million budget shortfall for this fiscal year, city leaders moved quickly to freeze jobs, postpone some capital projects and reduce the temporary workforce to close the gap.
Meanwhile, with a dwindling number of large parcels left in Danville for development, city leaders are continuing to look for opportunities to provide some affordable housing and, as we saw last year, preserve open space while permitting reasonable development.
In short, the city has reasoned policymaking and cautious budgeting that voters should preserve with their City, er, Town Council selections.
Arnerich, a professional architect and urban planner who has managed big-ticket construction projects around the world, was first elected to the council in 1995. Morgan, who was a planning commissioner and worked in architectural design and drafting before she joined the council, is seeking her third term.
And Fong, a pharmaceutical executive and consultant, would bring deep management experience that would be a great asset to an already-strong council.
Together they would maintain the city’s prudent leadership.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--California GOP congressional candidate used N-word, pushed QAnon conspiracy

An Inland congressional candidate in the Tuesday , Nov. 3 , election has used the N-word , said being born in America doesn ’ t make you American and spread QAnon conspiracy theories alleging that top Democratic officials are involved in child sex trafficking .
Mike Cargile , an Army veteran and filmmaker running against Rep. Norma Torres , D-Pomona , for the 35th Congressional District seat representing Chino , Fontana , Montclair , Ontario and Pomona , doesn ’ t deny the allegations , but says they were taken out of context .
His use of the racial epithet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation about allowing transgender people to serve in the military is similar to how he ’ s used it in films he ’ s written , Cargile said .
“ I have written the N-word in dialogue for characters many , many times , just like Quentin Tarantino has written the N-word for character dialogue , ” Cargile said .
“ I ’ ve had a discussion where the N-word seems to dominate the whole song .
So if I ’ m going to accurately portray a Black artist , then I need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Facebook post , he argued that if a soldier could identify themself by a different gender than the one assigned at birth , then he could identify as a Black person .
He then sketched out a scene that included his Black persona using the word and another character saying , “ Quit blaming white folks for your problems.
” Asked if that was his position , as well , Cargile said in an interview : “ The point of that conversation was responsibility .
Take responsibility for yourself .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cargile has also shared memes stating “ 2 illegal aliens having an anchor baby does not produce an American ” and suggested that LGBTQ people are leading to the end of days .
While the Fourteenth Amendment states explicitly that “ All persons born or naturalized in the United States , and subject to the jurisdiction thereof , are citizens of the United States , ” Cargile described that as a loophole that should be closed .
“ It ’ s not right for a Chinese national who ’ s pregnant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her baby here , and she flies back home , and now her child has all the rights of an American citizen , ” he said .
He didn ’ t mean it in the context of Latinos who have lived their whole life in the United States but whose parents aren ’ t citizens , he said , adding that he has a plan that includes a path to citizenship for those living in the country illegally .
He believes that gay people should have the legal right to marry , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me say , ‘ I like your choice.
’ ” Torres , who has represented the area since 2015 , said she doesn ’ t buy Cargile ’ s explanations .
“ Frankly , I ’ m scared for my community , to have learned that someone with those types of beliefs and values is living among us , ” she said .
Cargile has also spread conspiracy theories of QAnon , which has no factual basis .
Referring to the definition on Wikipedia of it as “ a far-right conspiracy theory alleging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running a global child sex-trafficking ring and plotting against US President Donald Trump , who is battling against the cabal , ” he said he disagreed only that it was a conspiracy theory .
“ For me , the issue of QAanon has coalesced around the single issue of human and child trafficking , ” he said .
“ And so I will support any group or institution that opposes human and child trafficking .
My question is why doesn ’ t everyone ?
” Torres said that she and many — including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human and child trafficking and continue to denounce it , but they ’ ve done it without accusing people without evidence .
As mayor of Pomona , Torres said she fought to limit the influx of registered sex offenders coming to the city .
A 5-year-old who saw news coverage of her ordinance to keep sex offenders farther from playgrounds and other gathering places came to her office , shared a chilling story of his own experiences and gave her a painting he had made in therapy , she said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DC , ” she said .
“ I denounce ( sex trafficking ) 100 % , but QAnon ’ s conspiracies … caused someone to drive across state lines and ( try to ) commit murder.
” • Opinion : Day of reckoning has arrived for Silicon Valley Organization Torres referred to “ Pizzagate , ” a conspiracy that a pizza parlor in Washington , D.C. , was using its basement for child trafficking .
Despite no real evidence — the location didn ’ t even have a basement — the accusation spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to death threats and one person driving to the pizza parlor and opening fire .
Cargile said he didn ’ t support violence , but thinks it ’ s important to ask questions , and he said that , if elected , he will lead investigations into theories promoted by QAnon .

An Inland congressional candidate in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, election has used the N-word, said being born in America doesn’t make you American and spread QAnon conspiracy theories alleging that top Democratic officials are involved in child sex trafficking.
Mike Cargile, an Army veteran and filmmaker running against Rep. Norma Torres, D-Pomona, for the 35th Congressional District seat representing Chino, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario and Pomona, doesn’t deny the allegations, but says they were taken out of context.
His use of the racial epithet targeting Black people in a 2018 Facebook conversation about allowing transgender people to serve in the military is similar to how he’s used it in films he’s written, Cargile said.
“I have written the N-word in dialogue for characters many, many times, just like Quentin Tarantino has written the N-word for character dialogue,” Cargile said. “I’ve had a discussion where the N-word seems to dominate the whole song. So if I’m going to accurately portray a Black artist, then I need to portray that.”
In the case of the Facebook post, he argued that if a soldier could identify themself by a different gender than the one assigned at birth, then he could identify as a Black person. He then sketched out a scene that included his Black persona using the word and another character saying, “Quit blaming white folks for your problems.”
Asked if that was his position, as well, Cargile said in an interview: “The point of that conversation was responsibility. Take responsibility for yourself. I think everybody should be responsible for themselves.”
Cargile has also shared memes stating “2 illegal aliens having an anchor baby does not produce an American” and suggested that LGBTQ people are leading to the end of days.
While the Fourteenth Amendment states explicitly that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States,” Cargile described that as a loophole that should be closed.
“It’s not right for a Chinese national who’s pregnant to fly into the United States, have her baby here, and she flies back home, and now her child has all the rights of an American citizen,” he said.
He didn’t mean it in the context of Latinos who have lived their whole life in the United States but whose parents aren’t citizens, he said, adding that he has a plan that includes a path to citizenship for those living in the country illegally.
He believes that gay people should have the legal right to marry, but adds, “Don’t make me say, ‘I like your choice.’”
Torres, who has represented the area since 2015, said she doesn’t buy Cargile’s explanations.
“Frankly, I’m scared for my community, to have learned that someone with those types of beliefs and values is living among us,” she said.
Cargile has also spread conspiracy theories of QAnon, which has no factual basis. Referring to the definition on Wikipedia of it as “a far-right conspiracy theory alleging that a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles is running a global child sex-trafficking ring and plotting against US President Donald Trump, who is battling against the cabal,” he said he disagreed only that it was a conspiracy theory.
“For me, the issue of QAanon has coalesced around the single issue of human and child trafficking,” he said. “And so I will support any group or institution that opposes human and child trafficking. My question is why doesn’t everyone?”
Torres said that she and many — including law enforcement — have long fought against human and child trafficking and continue to denounce it, but they’ve done it without accusing people without evidence.
As mayor of Pomona, Torres said she fought to limit the influx of registered sex offenders coming to the city. A 5-year-old who saw news coverage of her ordinance to keep sex offenders farther from playgrounds and other gathering places came to her office, shared a chilling story of his own experiences and gave her a painting he had made in therapy, she said.
“I still have that in my office in DC,” she said. “I denounce (sex trafficking) 100%, but QAnon’s conspiracies … caused someone to drive across state lines and (try to) commit murder.”
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ Politics | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 Torres referred to “Pizzagate,” a conspiracy that a pizza parlor in Washington, D.C., was using its basement for child trafficking. Despite no real evidence — the location didn’t even have a basement — the accusation spread widely online during the 2016 election, leading to death threats and one person driving to the pizza parlor and opening fire.
Cargile said he didn’t support violence, but thinks it’s important to ask questions, and he said that, if elected, he will lead investigations into theories promoted by QAnon.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--60 charged in $300 million telemarketing scam that ensnared over 150,000 elderly victims

MINNEAPOLIS — Sixty people have been charged in a widespread magazine telemarketing scam that authorities say netted $ 300 million from more than 150,000 elderly and vulnerable people nationwide , the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Minnesota announced Wednesday .
U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald called the scam the largest elder fraud scheme in the country .
MacDonald said the 60 defendants face a host of charges , including conspiracy , mail fraud , wire fraud , and violating the Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1994 .
The defendants are from 14 states and two Canadian provinces .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ world where fraudsters are willing to take advantage of seniors , who are often trusting and polite .
It ’ s my hope that this prosecution is a call for vigilance and caution , ” MacDonald said in a statement .
The indictments and other court documents say that over the last 20 years , the defendants used a network of dozens of fraudulent magazine sales companies and telemarketing call centers to carry out the scam .
Employees allegedly used deceptive sales scripts to trick people into making large or repeat payments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the defendants used a fraudulent “ renewal ” script in which the telemarketers falsely claimed to be calling from the victim ’ s existing magazine subscription company with a phony offer to reduce monthly subscription costs .
In reality , the callers had no existing relationship with victims and signed them up for expensive , new magazine subscriptions .
As a result , consumers ended up having multiple subscriptions with fraudulent magazine companies .
“ Using a tactic like telemarketing magazine sales , these deceitful scam artists bilk hard earned money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many financially devastated in their retirement years and without recourse for recovery , ” Michael Paul , the FBI ’ s special agent in charge in Minneapolis , said .
Some of the defendants are also accused of using a “ cancellation ” script that targeted people who had been previous victims .
According to the indictments , these defendants took advantage of victims ’ desperation to make the subscriptions stop and offered to consolidate and cancel existing subscriptions and pay off an alleged “ outstanding balance ” in exchange for a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims owed no money .
The indictments charge defendants at all levels of the alleged conspiracies , including people who allegedly led the scheme , company owners , call center managers , telemarketers and others .
Those who led the scheme provided the companies software programs that tracked orders , sales , and other customer information .
The U.S. attorney ’ s office says the fraudulent companies were operating in Minnesota , Florida , Georgia , Mississippi , California , Iowa , Kansas , Missouri , Illinois , Colorado , Arizona , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MINNEAPOLIS — Sixty people have been charged in a widespread magazine telemarketing scam that authorities say netted $300 million from more than 150,000 elderly and vulnerable people nationwide, the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota announced Wednesday.
U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald called the scam the largest elder fraud scheme in the country.
MacDonald said the 60 defendants face a host of charges, including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1994. The defendants are from 14 states and two Canadian provinces.
“Unfortunately, we live in a world where fraudsters are willing to take advantage of seniors, who are often trusting and polite. It’s my hope that this prosecution is a call for vigilance and caution,” MacDonald said in a statement.
The indictments and other court documents say that over the last 20 years, the defendants used a network of dozens of fraudulent magazine sales companies and telemarketing call centers to carry out the scam. Employees allegedly used deceptive sales scripts to trick people into making large or repeat payments to the companies.
The indictments allege that many of the defendants used a fraudulent “renewal” script in which the telemarketers falsely claimed to be calling from the victim’s existing magazine subscription company with a phony offer to reduce monthly subscription costs.
In reality, the callers had no existing relationship with victims and signed them up for expensive, new magazine subscriptions. As a result, consumers ended up having multiple subscriptions with fraudulent magazine companies.
“Using a tactic like telemarketing magazine sales, these deceitful scam artists bilk hard earned money from their aging victims – leaving so many financially devastated in their retirement years and without recourse for recovery,” Michael Paul, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Minneapolis, said.
Some of the defendants are also accused of using a “cancellation” script that targeted people who had been previous victims. According to the indictments, these defendants took advantage of victims’ desperation to make the subscriptions stop and offered to consolidate and cancel existing subscriptions and pay off an alleged “outstanding balance” in exchange for a large lump sum payment. In reality, victims owed no money.
The indictments charge defendants at all levels of the alleged conspiracies, including people who allegedly led the scheme, company owners, call center managers, telemarketers and others. Those who led the scheme provided the companies software programs that tracked orders, sales, and other customer information.
The U.S. attorney’s office says the fraudulent companies were operating in Minnesota, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, California, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Arkansas.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--Porn star Ron Jeremy pleads not guilty to seven new rape charges

Adult film star Ron Jeremy pleaded not guilty Wednesday to new charges of rape and sexual assault involving six victims , including a teenage girl , prosecutors said .
Jeremy , 67 , entered the pleas to seven additional charges including three of forcible rape , according to a statement from the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office .
The new charges involve alleged attacks dating from 1996 to 2013 on victims ranging in age from 17 to 38 , prosecutors said .
The 17-year-old was raped at a Woodland Hills home in 2008 , prosecutors contend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman who was raped during a photo shoot in the San Fernando Valley ; a 26-year-old woman who was raped at a party in a nightclub ; a 38-year-old who was sexually assaulted at a West Hollywood bar where Jeremy was a regular ; a woman who was sexually assaulted at Jeremy ’ s home and a woman who was assaulted at a strip club .
Jeremy is now facing a total of 35 charges involving 23 alleged victims , including a 15-year-old girl .
The attacks occurred from 1996 to 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Jeremy has been among the best-known and most prolific performers in the adult film industry since the 1970s .
Jeremy , whose legal name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt , was investigated and charged by a district attorney ’ s task force formed to take on sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry as the # MeToo era gained momentum in late 2017 .
He has been held in jail on $ 6.6 million bail since June .
If convicted of all charges , Jeremy could face a sentence of more than 330 @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Adult film star Ron Jeremy pleaded not guilty Wednesday to new charges of rape and sexual assault involving six victims, including a teenage girl, prosecutors said.
Jeremy, 67, entered the pleas to seven additional charges including three of forcible rape, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
The new charges involve alleged attacks dating from 1996 to 2013 on victims ranging in age from 17 to 38, prosecutors said.
The 17-year-old was raped at a Woodland Hills home in 2008, prosecutors contend.
The other alleged victims include a 19-year-old woman who was raped during a photo shoot in the San Fernando Valley; a 26-year-old woman who was raped at a party in a nightclub; a 38-year-old who was sexually assaulted at a West Hollywood bar where Jeremy was a regular; a woman who was sexually assaulted at Jeremy’s home and a woman who was assaulted at a strip club.
Jeremy is now facing a total of 35 charges involving 23 alleged victims, including a 15-year-old girl. The attacks occurred from 1996 to 2020, authorities contend.
Nicknamed “The Hedgehog,” Jeremy has been among the best-known and most prolific performers in the adult film industry since the 1970s.
Jeremy, whose legal name is Ronald Jeremy Hyatt, was investigated and charged by a district attorney’s task force formed to take on sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry as the #MeToo era gained momentum in late 2017.
He has been held in jail on $6.6 million bail since June.
If convicted of all charges, Jeremy could face a sentence of more than 330 years to life in state prison.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--Gang member who says he beat up R. Kelly in jail sentenced in 2 deaths

HAMMOND , Ind .
— A convicted gang member who said he beat up jailed R & B singer R. Kelly in a Chicago cell in August has been sentenced to life in prison for a racketeering conviction that involved two 1999 murders .
A federal judge in Hammond , Indiana , sentenced Jeremiah Farmer , 39 , on Tuesday during a hearing in which Farmer represented himself and appeared combative , at times raising his voice and frequently interrupting the judge .
Farmer , a Latin Kings street gang member , had faced a mandatory life sentence following his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racketeering activity in a drug-related case that involved the killings of Marion Lowry , 74 , and Harvey Siegers , 67 .
Lowry and Siegers were beaten to death in June 1999 with a hammer at their Hammond business , Calumet Auto Rebuilders — a business where an indictment stated that employees “ had repeatedly had conflicts with members of the Latin Kings , ” the Chicago Tribune reported .
Farmer made headlines by claiming in court records that he attacked Kelly on Aug. 26 in downtown Chicago ’ s Metropolitan Correctional Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wanted to shed light on wrongdoing by the government in his own criminal case .
Farmer was able to slip away from an employee at the center , enter a cell and repeatedly hit Kelly in the head , according to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons report .
A security officer used pepper spray to stop the attack .
Kelly , 53 , faces several dozen counts of state and federal sexual misconduct charges in Illinois , Minnesota and New York , from sexual assault to heading a racketeering scheme aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Award winning singer has denied ever abusing anyone .

HAMMOND, Ind. — A convicted gang member who said he beat up jailed R&B singer R. Kelly in a Chicago cell in August has been sentenced to life in prison for a racketeering conviction that involved two 1999 murders.
A federal judge in Hammond, Indiana, sentenced Jeremiah Farmer, 39, on Tuesday during a hearing in which Farmer represented himself and appeared combative, at times raising his voice and frequently interrupting the judge.
Farmer, a Latin Kings street gang member, had faced a mandatory life sentence following his conviction last year on conspiracy to commit racketeering activity in a drug-related case that involved the killings of Marion Lowry, 74, and Harvey Siegers, 67.
Lowry and Siegers were beaten to death in June 1999 with a hammer at their Hammond business, Calumet Auto Rebuilders — a business where an indictment stated that employees “had repeatedly had conflicts with members of the Latin Kings,” the Chicago Tribune reported.
Farmer made headlines by claiming in court records that he attacked Kelly on Aug. 26 in downtown Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center — a federal detention center — because he wanted to shed light on wrongdoing by the government in his own criminal case.
Farmer was able to slip away from an employee at the center, enter a cell and repeatedly hit Kelly in the head, according to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons report. A security officer used pepper spray to stop the attack.
Kelly, 53, faces several dozen counts of state and federal sexual misconduct charges in Illinois, Minnesota and New York, from sexual assault to heading a racketeering scheme aimed at supplying him with girls.
The Grammy Award winning singer has denied ever abusing anyone.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--Dr. Scott Atlas push to ‘slow the testing down’ tracks with dramatic decline in one key state

Shortly after joining the White House as President Donald Trump ’ s pandemic adviser , Dr. Scott Atlas launched a quiet effort that seemed counterintuitive to some of his colleagues — encouraging officials to limit Covid-19 testing mainly to people experiencing symptoms .
Atlas , a neuroradiologist , not an infectious disease expert , strongly supported a decision in August to revise federal guidelines to de-emphasize the need to test people without symptoms , according to two sources familiar with the process .
He shared his view with state officials , including Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis and several others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public events and accounts from private meetings in that state .
During a joint tour on August 31 , Atlas and DeSantis urged public health officials in several Florida cities to focus less on universal testing and more on opening the economy and schools .
In private and public meetings , according to transcripts and personal accounts , the two spoke in favor of testing people for Covid-19 primarily if they ’ re experiencing symptoms , a controversial view among epidemiologists .
“ The purpose of testing is to stop people from dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , captured on video .
“ When you start introducing closure of schools because people have positive , asymptomatic tests , that ’ s sort of not the purpose of testing.
” “ I think , Dr. Atlas , we ’ re in agreement on focusing strategies in school on people who are symptomatic , ” DeSantis said in another joint news conference that day .
• Coronavirus : Stanford doctors denounce former colleague Scott Atlas , Trump ’ s new adviser on the COVID-19 pandemic • Twitter removes tweet from Trump coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of masks • CDC director refutes Trump ’ s coronavirus advisor Scott Atlas : ‘ Everything he says is false ’ Their push to de-emphasize tests coincided with a dramatic drop in testing across Florida , even as the country was careening toward a fall coronavirus surge .
A CNN analysis of the Florida state official numbers , aggregated by the Covid Tracking Project , shows that testing dropped off at the end of July and early August , with a peak seven-day average over 90,000 tests per day on July 18 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the seven-day average dropped by nearly half , with fewer than 48,000 tests per day , and hovered between there and 60,000 during the fall .
If Atlas and DeSantis ’ advocacy in Florida is , in fact , responsible for the state ’ s testing decrease , that would be in keeping with the wishes of Trump , who for months has falsely suggested that the US has so many coronavirus cases only because it conducts so many tests .
In June , Trump even said publicly that he wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Though both Atlas and DeSantis declined to discuss their views with CNN for this story , they have articulated them in public .
Some state and local officials believe the pair was influential in taking Trump ’ s anti-testing pronouncements and helping to turn them into public policy .
And the drop-off in testing is of deep concern to some .
It took place as positivity rates remained high , in the range that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers indicative of high community spread .
Asymptomatic Covid-19 carriers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of widespread testing makes it harder to map the disease as it spreads and to warn those at risk of illness .
“ There ’ s no question more people are going to die , ” says Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber , a critic of DeSantis ’ approach to testing and other matters of the governor ’ s pandemic management .
“ We are flying blind without tests.
” At the moment , the nation is experiencing another surge of illness .
Daily case numbers are reaching levels not seen since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see its numbers go up as well .
Experts say that widespread testing , including of asymptomatic carriers , is critical to limiting the spread of the virus .
A White House spokesman claimed Atlas had never advocated reducing testing , despite the doctor ’ s public statements to the contrary .
Atlas and the President “ are focused on using the massive testing program smartly , to save lives and protect individuals at risk in high-risk settings , ” Judd Deere wrote in an email to CNN .
“ The administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlas ’ s advisement , is fundamentally rooted in the bedrock objective of saving lives , while helping schools , businesses , churches , and other institutions , to open , re-open , and stay open.
” A spokesperson for DeSantis said he is acting of his own accord .
“ We aren ’ t marching lockstep with anybody , ” said Fred Piccolo , communications director for the governor .
“ We respect Dr. Atlas .
But we have no marching orders from the White House.
” After advising the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration on August 10 at the request of the President .
Trump had seen Atlas in interviews on Fox News , where he expressed skepticism about the scientific consensus on Covid-19 .
Among other things , Atlas had asserted that it doesn ’ t matter “ how many cases ” there are in the US .
His thoughts jibed with Trump ’ s , and , upon announcing his hire , the President promised Atlas would “ take it to a new level , ” suggesting Atlas would help the administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the role of Trump ’ s most favored public health adviser , supplanting more established members of the coronavirus task force such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx .
The President hardly ever asks doctors on the task force for their counsel anymore , White House officials have told CNN , relying instead on Atlas .
“ I definitely don ’ t have his ear as much as Scott Atlas right now , ” Fauci said of Trump on MSNBC on Friday .
“ That has been a changing situation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hoover Institution at Stanford University , where Atlas is a senior fellow , defended his colleague ’ s willingness to push back against consensus .
“ Wise public policy has to balance a bit of disease spread against immense economic [ and ] social costs , ” said Cochrane , an economist .
“ I think that underlying insight drives much of his particular recommendations.
” One of Atlas ’ earliest moves as a member of the task force was to work to revise CDC guidelines in order to de-emphasize the need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the process .
The advisory was later reversed because of the objections of CDC scientists , but the short-lived guidelines demonstrated Atlas ’ sway and helped him spread a message , including in Florida .
DeSantis shares some Trump ideas about the pandemic Meanwhile , DeSantis has focused on similar things .
Following Trump ’ s demands in July that schools across the country reopen , the governor became a vocal proponent of returning Florida schools to normal operations .
DeSantis supported an emergency order issued by his education commissioner in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open five days a week for in-person learning , comparing schools to open retailers like Walmart and Home Depot .
He also criticized some universities in the state for what he called “ draconian ” punishments for students who violated Covid-19 protocols .
So it was notable that Atlas joined DeSantis in Florida during the first week of classes at the state ’ s flagship public university , the University of Florida .
Starting on August 31 , the pair went across the state , promoting their shared ideas about the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly and not testing asymptomatic people .
As the Republican governor of a crucial swing state , DeSantis had been presenting Florida ’ s reopening at the end of September as a model of the President ’ s view that life should return to normal quickly .
“ The point of all these things are to save lives , ” Atlas said in summing up his viewpoint at a news conference alongside DeSantis that same day , “ not to document asymptomatic people that are low-risk.
” “ I have been speaking with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the pandemic , and he really is an example of doing something with the exact thoughtful approach that we need in this , ” Atlas said later that day at a joint news conference in Tampa .
During their joint tour , DeSantis and Atlas gave multiple news conferences and met privately with public health experts and officials to expound on their shared views .
In one private meeting on August 31 , DeSantis and Atlas told a room of health officials they shouldn ’ t be testing college students without symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present .
“ It was very clear that the governor was fully bought in on that idea and that we were essentially chastised , ” the official said of his personal impression from the meeting .
The general tone , the person said , was like DeSantis had gone to Cape Canaveral and given a lecture on rocket science .
It was like “ so , let me tell you how it works , ” the source said .
“ First the fire comes out of the rocket , then the rocket blasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue part of the sky , then it reaches the black part of the sky , then it ’ s in space.
” An aide to DeSantis said the governor is simply focused on protecting the vulnerable and reopening the economy .
He believes that lockdowns are “ a misguided and counterproductive strategy to defeating coronavirus , ” spokesman Piccolo said .
The idea that asymptomatic people should not be tested is highly controversial among infectious disease experts .
“ There is no way to hide the pandemic by not testing , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scholar at the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University .
“ Even if we don ’ t count the people who have mild or no symptoms , they still have it , and they ’ re still infectious to others , and it will show up eventually.
” • Fact check : Trump falsely claims California requires people to wear ‘ special ’ and ‘ complex ’ mask at all times • MLB will investigate Justin Turner for returning to field ; Dodgers cleared to travel • Video of couple threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule lights up Twitter On the other hand , believers in a theory of “ herd immunity ” are less interested in universal testing .
The White House and Atlas have spoken positively of the work of a group of infectious disease specialists who , in a statement called the Great Barrington Declaration , call for opening the economy and allowing rampant infection to create widespread immunity .
In September , DeSantis appeared in a virtual public conference with two key authors of the declaration group , according to multiple local news accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the complete reopening of the state , without restrictions for businesses or schools and no mask-wearing mandates .
One mayor said he was not notified in advance , nor invited to public hearings .
“ Everybody was surprised , ” said Gelber , the Miami Beach mayor .
“ There had been no warning .
”

Shortly after joining the White House as President Donald Trump’s pandemic adviser, Dr. Scott Atlas launched a quiet effort that seemed counterintuitive to some of his colleagues — encouraging officials to limit Covid-19 testing mainly to people experiencing symptoms.
Atlas, a neuroradiologist, not an infectious disease expert, strongly supported a decision in August to revise federal guidelines to de-emphasize the need to test people without symptoms, according to two sources familiar with the process. He shared his view with state officials, including Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and several others in Florida, according to transcripts of public events and accounts from private meetings in that state.
During a joint tour on August 31, Atlas and DeSantis urged public health officials in several Florida cities to focus less on universal testing and more on opening the economy and schools. In private and public meetings, according to transcripts and personal accounts, the two spoke in favor of testing people for Covid-19 primarily if they’re experiencing symptoms, a controversial view among epidemiologists.
“The purpose of testing is to stop people from dying,” Atlas said during one stop, captured on video. “When you start introducing closure of schools because people have positive, asymptomatic tests, that’s sort of not the purpose of testing.”
“I think, Dr. Atlas, we’re in agreement on focusing strategies in school on people who are symptomatic,” DeSantis said in another joint news conference that day.
Related Articles Health | Coronavirus: Stanford doctors denounce former colleague Scott Atlas, Trump’s new adviser on the COVID-19 pandemic
Coronavirus: Stanford doctors denounce former colleague Scott Atlas, Trump’s new adviser on the COVID-19 pandemic Health | Twitter removes tweet from Trump coronavirus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas that undermined importance of masks
Twitter removes tweet from Trump coronavirus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas that undermined importance of masks Health | CDC director refutes Trump’s coronavirus advisor Scott Atlas: ‘Everything he says is false’ Their push to de-emphasize tests coincided with a dramatic drop in testing across Florida, even as the country was careening toward a fall coronavirus surge. A CNN analysis of the Florida state official numbers, aggregated by the Covid Tracking Project, shows that testing dropped off at the end of July and early August, with a peak seven-day average over 90,000 tests per day on July 18. Six weeks later, in early September, the seven-day average dropped by nearly half, with fewer than 48,000 tests per day, and hovered between there and 60,000 during the fall.
If Atlas and DeSantis’ advocacy in Florida is, in fact, responsible for the state’s testing decrease, that would be in keeping with the wishes of Trump, who for months has falsely suggested that the US has so many coronavirus cases only because it conducts so many tests. In June, Trump even said publicly that he wanted to “slow the testing down, please.”
Though both Atlas and DeSantis declined to discuss their views with CNN for this story, they have articulated them in public. Some state and local officials believe the pair was influential in taking Trump’s anti-testing pronouncements and helping to turn them into public policy. And the drop-off in testing is of deep concern to some. It took place as positivity rates remained high, in the range that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers indicative of high community spread.
Asymptomatic Covid-19 carriers are still contagious, experts say. A lack of widespread testing makes it harder to map the disease as it spreads and to warn those at risk of illness.
“There’s no question more people are going to die,” says Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, a critic of DeSantis’ approach to testing and other matters of the governor’s pandemic management. “We are flying blind without tests.”
At the moment, the nation is experiencing another surge of illness. Daily case numbers are reaching levels not seen since late July, and Florida is starting to see its numbers go up as well. Experts say that widespread testing, including of asymptomatic carriers, is critical to limiting the spread of the virus.
A White House spokesman claimed Atlas had never advocated reducing testing, despite the doctor’s public statements to the contrary.
Atlas and the President “are focused on using the massive testing program smartly, to save lives and protect individuals at risk in high-risk settings,” Judd Deere wrote in an email to CNN. “The administration’s testing strategy, and Dr. Atlas’s advisement, is fundamentally rooted in the bedrock objective of saving lives, while helping schools, businesses, churches, and other institutions, to open, re-open, and stay open.”
A spokesperson for DeSantis said he is acting of his own accord.
“We aren’t marching lockstep with anybody,” said Fred Piccolo, communications director for the governor. “We respect Dr. Atlas. But we have no marching orders from the White House.”
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/10/28/jared-kushner-bob-woodward-trump-doctors-coronavirus-sot-ip-vpx.cnn”]
Atlas: From Fox commentator to trusted Trump adviser
After advising the White House for several weeks, Atlas officially joined the Trump administration on August 10 at the request of the President. Trump had seen Atlas in interviews on Fox News, where he expressed skepticism about the scientific consensus on Covid-19.
Among other things, Atlas had asserted that it doesn’t matter “how many cases” there are in the US. His thoughts jibed with Trump’s, and, upon announcing his hire, the President promised Atlas would “take it to a new level,” suggesting Atlas would help the administration tackle the pandemic.
Atlas quickly assumed the role of Trump’s most favored public health adviser, supplanting more established members of the coronavirus task force such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx. The President hardly ever asks doctors on the task force for their counsel anymore, White House officials have told CNN, relying instead on Atlas.
“I definitely don’t have his ear as much as Scott Atlas right now,” Fauci said of Trump on MSNBC on Friday. “That has been a changing situation.”
John Cochrane, a scholar at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where Atlas is a senior fellow, defended his colleague’s willingness to push back against consensus.
“Wise public policy has to balance a bit of disease spread against immense economic [and] social costs,” said Cochrane, an economist. “I think that underlying insight drives much of his particular recommendations.”
One of Atlas’ earliest moves as a member of the task force was to work to revise CDC guidelines in order to de-emphasize the need for asymptomatic testing, according to two sources familiar with the process.
The advisory was later reversed because of the objections of CDC scientists, but the short-lived guidelines demonstrated Atlas’ sway and helped him spread a message, including in Florida.
DeSantis shares some Trump ideas about the pandemic
Meanwhile, DeSantis has focused on similar things.
Following Trump’s demands in July that schools across the country reopen, the governor became a vocal proponent of returning Florida schools to normal operations. DeSantis supported an emergency order issued by his education commissioner in July that public schools should prepare to open five days a week for in-person learning, comparing schools to open retailers like Walmart and Home Depot.
He also criticized some universities in the state for what he called “draconian” punishments for students who violated Covid-19 protocols.
So it was notable that Atlas joined DeSantis in Florida during the first week of classes at the state’s flagship public university, the University of Florida. Starting on August 31, the pair went across the state, promoting their shared ideas about the importance of reopening schools, focusing on protecting the elderly and not testing asymptomatic people.
As the Republican governor of a crucial swing state, DeSantis had been presenting Florida’s reopening at the end of September as a model of the President’s view that life should return to normal quickly.
“The point of all these things are to save lives,” Atlas said in summing up his viewpoint at a news conference alongside DeSantis that same day, “not to document asymptomatic people that are low-risk.”
“I have been speaking with Gov. DeSantis for quite a while about the pandemic, and he really is an example of doing something with the exact thoughtful approach that we need in this,” Atlas said later that day at a joint news conference in Tampa.
During their joint tour, DeSantis and Atlas gave multiple news conferences and met privately with public health experts and officials to expound on their shared views. In one private meeting on August 31, DeSantis and Atlas told a room of health officials they shouldn’t be testing college students without symptoms, according to one official who was present.
“It was very clear that the governor was fully bought in on that idea and that we were essentially chastised,” the official said of his personal impression from the meeting.
The general tone, the person said, was like DeSantis had gone to Cape Canaveral and given a lecture on rocket science. It was like “so, let me tell you how it works,” the source said. “First the fire comes out of the rocket, then the rocket blasts off, then the rocket reaches the blue part of the sky, then it reaches the black part of the sky, then it’s in space.”
An aide to DeSantis said the governor is simply focused on protecting the vulnerable and reopening the economy.
He believes that lockdowns are “a misguided and counterproductive strategy to defeating coronavirus,” spokesman Piccolo said.
Immunizing the herd
The idea that asymptomatic people should not be tested is highly controversial among infectious disease experts.
“There is no way to hide the pandemic by not testing,” said Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, a senior scholar at the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University. “Even if we don’t count the people who have mild or no symptoms, they still have it, and they’re still infectious to others, and it will show up eventually.”
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 On the other hand, believers in a theory of “herd immunity” are less interested in universal testing. The White House and Atlas have spoken positively of the work of a group of infectious disease specialists who, in a statement called the Great Barrington Declaration, call for opening the economy and allowing rampant infection to create widespread immunity.
In September, DeSantis appeared in a virtual public conference with two key authors of the declaration group, according to multiple local news accounts. The next day, he suddenly announced the complete reopening of the state, without restrictions for businesses or schools and no mask-wearing mandates. One mayor said he was not notified in advance, nor invited to public hearings.
“Everybody was surprised,” said Gelber, the Miami Beach mayor. “There had been no warning.”
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--Fact check: Trump falsely claims California requires people to wear ‘special’ and ‘complex’ mask at

Fact check: Trump falsely claims California requires people to wear ‘special’ and ‘complex’ mask at all times

President Donald Trump has repeatedly mocked former Vice President Joe Biden and others for wearing masks .
At a campaign rally in Arizona on Wednesday — at which there was no social distancing and most attendees did not wear masks — Trump started mocking what he claimed are the mask requirements in California .
“ In California , you have a special mask .
You can not , under any circumstances , take it off .
You have to eat through the mask , ” the President said .
He continued : “ It ’ s a very complex mechanism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those germs , they go through it like nothing .
They look at you with that contraption and they say , ‘ That ’ s an easy one .
… ’ ” Moments later , Trump joked that a meal of spaghetti and meat sauce would mess up a mask someone was forced to wear while eating .
The crowd laughed .
But the President sounded serious enough when he made his other assertions about California ’ s mask rules that his claims are worth fact-checking .
Facts First : Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not required to wear “ complex ” or “ special ” masks ; basic face coverings , even homemade ones , are acceptable there .
Though Gov .
Gavin Newsom has imposed a statewide mask order , Californians are not required to wear masks at all times ; they can remove them when at home , when alone in a room outside their home , when outdoors more than 6 feet from others , and when eating or drinking .
And while people can transmit the coronavirus or get infected with it while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective in reducing the chances of transmission ; they are much better than “ nothing.
” Trump ’ s comments about Californians being forced to eat through their masks appeared to be a reference to an early-October tweet from Newsom ’ s office that told people “ don ’ t forget to keep your mask on in between bites ” when going out to eat with members of their households .
The tweet was widely mocked , particularly in conservative circles .
• Dr. Scott Atlas push to ‘ slow the testing down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key state • MLB will investigate Justin Turner for returning to field ; Dodgers cleared to travel • Video of couple threatening to sue California yogurt shop over mask rule lights up Twitter Despite the tweet , California does not have a requirement to wear a mask in between bites at a restaurant .
Newsom played down the tweet , saying at a virtual news conference that it was posted by “ a staff member ” and that its intent was merely to say that “ if you ’ re just gon na @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it might be good after a while to put on a mask.
” Top health officials in the federal government , including National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Robert Redfield , have emphasized that the widespread use of masks is critical to the fight against the virus .

President Donald Trump has repeatedly mocked former Vice President Joe Biden and others for wearing masks.
At a campaign rally in Arizona on Wednesday — at which there was no social distancing and most attendees did not wear masks — Trump started mocking what he claimed are the mask requirements in California.
“In California, you have a special mask. You cannot, under any circumstances, take it off. You have to eat through the mask,” the President said.
He continued: “It’s a very complex mechanism. And they don’t realize, those germs, they go through it like nothing. They look at you with that contraption and they say, ‘That’s an easy one. …’ ”
Moments later, Trump joked that a meal of spaghetti and meat sauce would mess up a mask someone was forced to wear while eating. The crowd laughed. But the President sounded serious enough when he made his other assertions about California’s mask rules that his claims are worth fact-checking.
Facts First: Trump’s story was false. Californians are not required to wear “complex” or “special” masks; basic face coverings, even homemade ones, are acceptable there. Though Gov. Gavin Newsom has imposed a statewide mask order, Californians are not required to wear masks at all times; they can remove them when at home, when alone in a room outside their home, when outdoors more than 6 feet from others, and when eating or drinking. And while people can transmit the coronavirus or get infected with it while wearing masks, face masks have proven effective in reducing the chances of transmission; they are much better than “nothing.”
Trump’s comments about Californians being forced to eat through their masks appeared to be a reference to an early-October tweet from Newsom’s office that told people “don’t forget to keep your mask on in between bites” when going out to eat with members of their households. The tweet was widely mocked, particularly in conservative circles.
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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 Despite the tweet, California does not have a requirement to wear a mask in between bites at a restaurant. Newsom played down the tweet, saying at a virtual news conference that it was posted by “a staff member” and that its intent was merely to say that “if you’re just gonna read a book at a dinner table, it might be good after a while to put on a mask.”
Top health officials in the federal government, including National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Robert Redfield, have emphasized that the widespread use of masks is critical to the fight against the virus.
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mercurynews--2020-10-29--East Bay man identified as gunman in Marin 7-Eleven robbery

Investigators have identified the alleged gunman in a shooting outside the 7-Eleven in central Novato , police said Wednesday .
Francisco Flores-Avina , 20 , of Pittsburg was booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder , robbery , dissuading a witness , assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm .
Flores-Avina was already in custody in a different case when detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest in the Novato investigation .
He is being held in lieu of $ 551,000 bail .
The shooting happened at about 10:50 a.m. April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a white car met the driver of a gray car in the store ’ s parking lot .
A struggle and gunfire ensued , and both cars left .
A man in the white car fired at a passerby during the escape , police said .
The driver of the gray car later told police that he was robbed of marijuana , and that the gunman shot at him and struck him in the head with the pistol .
Investigators identified one of the suspects as Jason Arevalo , 19 , of Antioch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 7 on allegations of robbery .
Further investigation identified Flores-Avina as the suspected gunman , and detectives obtained the arrest warrant on Monday .
Police think the third person in the white car was a girl .
Her involvement remains under investigation .

Investigators have identified the alleged gunman in a shooting outside the 7-Eleven in central Novato, police said Wednesday.
Francisco Flores-Avina, 20, of Pittsburg was booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, dissuading a witness, assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm.
Flores-Avina was already in custody in a different case when detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest in the Novato investigation. He is being held in lieu of $551,000 bail.
The shooting happened at about 10:50 a.m. April 28. Police said three people in a white car met the driver of a gray car in the store’s parking lot.
A struggle and gunfire ensued, and both cars left. A man in the white car fired at a passerby during the escape, police said. The driver of the gray car later told police that he was robbed of marijuana, and that the gunman shot at him and struck him in the head with the pistol.
Investigators identified one of the suspects as Jason Arevalo, 19, of Antioch. Police arrested him at his home on May 7 on allegations of robbery.
Further investigation identified Flores-Avina as the suspected gunman, and detectives obtained the arrest warrant on Monday.
Police think the third person in the white car was a girl. Her involvement remains under investigation.


mercurynews--2020-10-29--‘Atomic Blonde’ producer arrested at California home on suspicion of sexual assault while out on bai

‘Atomic Blonde’ producer arrested at California home on suspicion of sexual assault while out on bail

David Guillod , a producer who has worked on films like “ Extraction ” and “ Atomic Blonde , ” has been arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department ’ s Robbery-Homicide Division , according to a press release sent by the LAPD .
Detectives from LAPD ’ s special assault unit conducted a search and arrest warrant at his Sherman Oaks residence on Wednesday night .
A 21-year-old woman , whose identity has been protected , reported to the LAPD on Oct. 21 that Guillod had sexually assaulted her during an “ evening meeting.
” He is currently in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center and is being held on $ 5 million bail .
LAPD detectives are interested in other victims of Guillod who have yet to come forward .
If you have any information , call the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division at ( 213 ) -486-6910 .
Guillod , 53 , previously surrendered to authorities in Santa Barbara in June .
He was charged with rape , kidnap to commit rape and rape of a drugged victim for four alleged attacks that occurred between 2012 and 2015 .
• Porn star Ron Jeremy pleads not guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Water Polo aware in 2017 of sexual assault allegations against California coach and his club He previously ran Primary Wave Entertainment , a talent agency , until 2017 when actress Jessica Barth accused him of sexually assaulting and drugging her five years prior .
Barth also reported her case to the LAPD and is one of the four victims whose cases are being investigated by Santa Barbara authorities .
Guillod has also previously been accused of sexually assaulting and drugging an employee during a 2014 retreat .
Guillod was most recently the executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Extraction ” starring Chris Hemsworth , Anthony Russo , Mike Larocca and Joe Russo .
He also executive produced 2017 ’ s “ Atomic Blonde ” starring Charlize Theron .

By Ellise Shafer | Variety
David Guillod, a producer who has worked on films like “Extraction” and “Atomic Blonde,” has been arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, according to a press release sent by the LAPD.
Detectives from LAPD’s special assault unit conducted a search and arrest warrant at his Sherman Oaks residence on Wednesday night. A 21-year-old woman, whose identity has been protected, reported to the LAPD on Oct. 21 that Guillod had sexually assaulted her during an “evening meeting.”
He is currently in custody at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center and is being held on $5 million bail. LAPD detectives are interested in other victims of Guillod who have yet to come forward. If you have any information, call the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division at (213)-486-6910.
Guillod, 53, previously surrendered to authorities in Santa Barbara in June. He was charged with rape, kidnap to commit rape and rape of a drugged victim for four alleged attacks that occurred between 2012 and 2015.
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‘Disturbing uptick’ of sexual assaults on aircraft, officials say Movies | Man who impersonated search-and-rescue official sexually assaulted hiker, Colorado authorities say He previously ran Primary Wave Entertainment, a talent agency, until 2017 when actress Jessica Barth accused him of sexually assaulting and drugging her five years prior. Barth also reported her case to the LAPD and is one of the four victims whose cases are being investigated by Santa Barbara authorities. Guillod has also previously been accused of sexually assaulting and drugging an employee during a 2014 retreat.
Guillod was most recently the executive producer of the 2020 Netflix film “Extraction” starring Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Russo, Mike Larocca and Joe Russo. He also executive produced 2017’s “Atomic Blonde” starring Charlize Theron.
© 2020 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC


mercurynews--2020-10-29--MLB will investigate Justin Turner for returning to field; Dodgers cleared to travel

ARLINGTON , Texas — A little over a week ago with the World Series about to begin , Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner praised MLB players for behaving responsibly and making it possible for the 2020 season to be played to its conclusion despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ It ’ s ultimately a testament to the players for being responsible and making good choices and doing everything we had to do to ensure that the season was able to go on , ” Turner said then .
“ I tip my cap to every player who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of playing and was responsible about it and enabled us to have a season and now participate in the World Series.
” But Turner wound up being the picture of irresponsibility when that season ended .
Pulled from the game in the final innings of the World Series when a positive coronavirus test was confirmed , Turner nonetheless returned to the field for the post-game celebration .
His behavior was admonished by Major League Baseball in a statement released Wednesday afternoon and Turner could be subject to discipline for his actions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ laboratory of a positive test , protocols were triggered , leading to the removal of Justin Turner from last night ’ s game , ” the MLB commissioner ’ s office outlined in a statement released Wednesday afternoon .
“ Turner was placed into isolation for the safety of those around him .
However , following the Dodgers ’ victory , it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others .
“ While a desire to celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk .
When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner , he emphatically refused to comply.
” The statement also said the commissioner ’ s office has begun a “ full investigation ” into Turner ’ s behavior and will consult with the players ’ union “ within the parameters of the joint 2020 Operations Manual.
” The Operations Manual set out in over 100 pages the agreement between MLB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parameters under which the season would be played during the coronavirus pandemic .
The traveling parties for the Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays were tested following Game 6 on Tuesday night and again Wednesday morning .
Late Wednesday afternoon , both teams ’ traveling parties were cleared to return to their home cities .
Turner and his wife , Kourtney , were reportedly the only members of the Dodgers ’ traveling party not on the flight back to Los Angeles .
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he was unaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seventh inning of World Series Game 6 and Turner was immediately removed from the game .
However , Turner returned to the field for the post-game celebration and could be seen mingling with his teammates , hugging many and posing for photos with the World Series trophy and the entire team .
Friedman defended Turner , saying he wore a mask and was “ socially distancing ” from teammates most of that time .
But there are photos clearly showing Turner without a mask – including sitting on the pitcher ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friedman and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts , both maskless .
“ I think the people who were around him would be in the contact tracing web anyway – which is how close a lot of us have been around each other , ” Friedman said Tuesday night .
“ The subsequent tests that we ’ re going to take are really important to figure out what we ’ re doing to do to make sure that any of us who are potentially positive do not spread it to other people.
” Turner posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is asymptomatic .
But COVID-19 can spread from asymptomatic people .
It is not clear how long an asymptomatic person can spread the virus .
“ I think Justin wanted to come out and take a picture with the trophy and he did , ” Friedman said .
“ We did ( follow protocol ) .
When he came out of the game he went and was quarantined in a doctor ’ s office off to the side .
… We ’ ve all been in a bubble and so I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been in that bubble is pretty high .
So now it ’ s important to make sure that the people who are infected are subsequently quarantined .
I think , by and large , it ’ s to make sure that we don ’ t spread it outside of this bubble because from a contact tracing standpoint we ’ re all kind of in that web.
” Turner is not the only one who was more interested in celebrating a championship than following health and safety recommendations .
L.A. County Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Lakers and Dodgers championship runs have contributed to the county ’ s stubbornly high rate of coronavirus infections due to all the gatherings .
“ We are beginning to see another gradual increase , ” Ferrer told the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday .
“ This does coincide with the opening of recent sectors as well as increased gatherings associated with sports teams and it includes celebrations that people have had for the Lakers and Dodgers .
“ At many of these parties , ” Ferrer continued , “ people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sometimes these same dedicated fans are transmitting COVID-19 to other people.
” By the most recent rates of infection , the county was moving further away rather than closer toward reopening schools and additional businesses .
Last week roughly 1,200 people per day in L.A. County tested positive representing a slight increase during October .
Reporter David Rosenfeld contributed to this report .
• Whicker : Dodgers ’ Justin Turner forgot he was part of a larger community • Four SF Giants pitchers become free agents , 40-man roster due for changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60-plus Giants prospects find a way to train for 2021 • Dodgers ’ Justin Turner pulled mid-game during World Series win after positive Covid-19 test , celebrates on field with teammates

ARLINGTON, Texas — A little over a week ago with the World Series about to begin, Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner praised MLB players for behaving responsibly and making it possible for the 2020 season to be played to its conclusion despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s ultimately a testament to the players for being responsible and making good choices and doing everything we had to do to ensure that the season was able to go on,” Turner said then. “I tip my cap to every player who put the uniform on and took that risk of playing and was responsible about it and enabled us to have a season and now participate in the World Series.”
But Turner wound up being the picture of irresponsibility when that season ended.
Pulled from the game in the final innings of the World Series when a positive coronavirus test was confirmed, Turner nonetheless returned to the field for the post-game celebration. His behavior was admonished by Major League Baseball in a statement released Wednesday afternoon and Turner could be subject to discipline for his actions.
“Immediately upon receiving notice from the laboratory of a positive test, protocols were triggered, leading to the removal of Justin Turner from last night’s game,” the MLB commissioner’s office outlined in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. “Turner was placed into isolation for the safety of those around him. However, following the Dodgers’ victory, it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others.
“While a desire to celebrate is understandable, Turner’s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk. When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply.”
The statement also said the commissioner’s office has begun a “full investigation” into Turner’s behavior and will consult with the players’ union “within the parameters of the joint 2020 Operations Manual.” The Operations Manual set out in over 100 pages the agreement between MLB and the players’ union that outlined the parameters under which the season would be played during the coronavirus pandemic.
The traveling parties for the Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays were tested following Game 6 on Tuesday night and again Wednesday morning. Late Wednesday afternoon, both teams’ traveling parties were cleared to return to their home cities. Turner and his wife, Kourtney, were reportedly the only members of the Dodgers’ traveling party not on the flight back to Los Angeles.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he was unaware of Turner’s positive test until the seventh inning of World Series Game 6 and Turner was immediately removed from the game. However, Turner returned to the field for the post-game celebration and could be seen mingling with his teammates, hugging many and posing for photos with the World Series trophy and the entire team.
Friedman defended Turner, saying he wore a mask and was “socially distancing” from teammates most of that time. But there are photos clearly showing Turner without a mask – including sitting on the pitcher’s mound next to the trophy flanked by Friedman and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, both maskless.
“I think the people who were around him would be in the contact tracing web anyway – which is how close a lot of us have been around each other,” Friedman said Tuesday night. “The subsequent tests that we’re going to take are really important to figure out what we’re doing to do to make sure that any of us who are potentially positive do not spread it to other people.”
Turner posted on Twitter on Tuesday night that he is asymptomatic. But COVID-19 can spread from asymptomatic people. It is not clear how long an asymptomatic person can spread the virus.
“I think Justin wanted to come out and take a picture with the trophy and he did,” Friedman said.
“We did (follow protocol). When he came out of the game he went and was quarantined in a doctor’s office off to the side. … We’ve all been in a bubble and so I think the amount of contact and interaction between us that have been in that bubble is pretty high. So now it’s important to make sure that the people who are infected are subsequently quarantined. I think, by and large, it’s to make sure that we don’t spread it outside of this bubble because from a contact tracing standpoint we’re all kind of in that web.”
Turner is not the only one who was more interested in celebrating a championship than following health and safety recommendations.
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said fan celebrations during the Lakers and Dodgers championship runs have contributed to the county’s stubbornly high rate of coronavirus infections due to all the gatherings.
“We are beginning to see another gradual increase,” Ferrer told the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday. “This does coincide with the opening of recent sectors as well as increased gatherings associated with sports teams and it includes celebrations that people have had for the Lakers and Dodgers.
“At many of these parties,” Ferrer continued, “people are gathering together often without face coverings. Sometimes these same dedicated fans are transmitting COVID-19 to other people.”
By the most recent rates of infection, the county was moving further away rather than closer toward reopening schools and additional businesses. Last week roughly 1,200 people per day in L.A. County tested positive representing a slight increase during October.
Reporter David Rosenfeld contributed to this report.