mercurynews--2020-07-23--Fauci doesn’t see ‘real normality’ returning until 2021

Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday that life could return to normal by sometime next year with sufficient coronavirus vaccine production .
Fauci , a member of the White House coronavirus task force , told CNN ’ s David Axelrod on “ The Axe Files ” podcast that the companies behind potential vaccines told him “ that they would have doses to the tunes of tens of millions early in the year , and up to hundreds of millions as we get well into 2021 , and some companies say that even after awhile , you could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ The timetable you suggested of getting into 2021 , well into the year , then I can think with a successful vaccine — if we could vaccinate the overwhelming majority of the population — we could start talking about real normality again , ” Fauci added .
“ But it is going to be a gradual process.
” Fauci ’ s comments come as the US surpassed 4 million officially recorded Covid-19 cases on Thursday — with a quarter of that count coming in just the last 15 days — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Early results of a closely watched Phase 1/2 trial published on Monday in The Lancet suggest a coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca is safe and induces an immune response .
However , researchers stressed more study is needed to know whether the vaccine protects people against the virus .
AstraZeneca told a US congressional hearing on Tuesday that it is on track to have a possible vaccine ready as early as September .
But hours later , the head of the UK vaccine task force warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely available before 2021 .
Meanwhile , other company executives said they were aiming for early 2021 .
The US Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense announced an agreement with Pfizer Inc. on Wednesday for “ large-scale production and nationwide delivery of 100 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine in the United States ” after it is successfully developed and approved .
If the vaccine is successful and receives emergency use authorization or licensure , nationwide delivery would begin in the fourth quarter of 2020 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to locations at the US government ’ s direction and it would be available to American people at no cost , a release said .
Fauci also stressed on Thursday that he has “ a very good relationship ” with President Donald Trump , despite their contradictory stances on numerous elements of the coronavirus response .
“ I am trying my best to completely stay out of politics .
But when you ’ re in a situation that ’ s politically charged , it ’ s kind of difficult to completely not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I stay out of any personal involvement in politics , but I try to do my job .
But I ’ m aware of the tension.
” Fauci continued , “ The one thing that ’ s interesting that I think people don ’ t appreciate is that I do have a very good relationship with the President , in the sense of no animosity at all .
In fact , it ’ s quite a good relationship.
” His assessment comes after CNN previously reported that by early June , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engagements .
Earlier this month , the White House made a concerted effort to discredit Fauci as he became increasingly vocal about his concerns over reopening the country amid a national surge in coronavirus cases .
A White House official told CNN that “ several White House officials are concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things ” and went on to provide a lengthy list of examples , citing Fauci ’ s comments early in the pandemic and linking to past interviews .
Additionally , senior White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocol by publishing an opinion article trashing Fauci last week , with the White House working to distance itself from the piece , which contained viewpoints similar to opinions voiced by Trump himself and distributed by the White House over the prior weekend .
• China says it ‘ must ’ retaliate for consulate closure Fauci addressed the efforts by the White House to disparage him , saying it was “ not OK .
I think that ’ s really bad news to do that , ” but asserted his confidence that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Axelrod asked if he had said as much to the president , Fauci replied , “ I think it ’ s pretty clear around the White House that that ’ s the situation .
I don ’ t think in some respects the President is not happy about that either .
I can tell you , he ’ s not happy personally about that .
”

By Caroline Kelly | CNN
Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday that life could return to normal by sometime next year with sufficient coronavirus vaccine production.
Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, told CNN’s David Axelrod on “The Axe Files” podcast that the companies behind potential vaccines told him “that they would have doses to the tunes of tens of millions early in the year, and up to hundreds of millions as we get well into 2021, and some companies say that even after awhile, you could get as many as a billion doses.”
“The timetable you suggested of getting into 2021, well into the year, then I can think with a successful vaccine — if we could vaccinate the overwhelming majority of the population — we could start talking about real normality again,” Fauci added. “But it is going to be a gradual process.”
Fauci’s comments come as the US surpassed 4 million officially recorded Covid-19 cases on Thursday — with a quarter of that count coming in just the last 15 days — and the accelerated search for a vaccine continues.
[vemba-video id=”health/2020/07/22/anthony-fauci-eradicate-coronavirus-sot-vpx.tb-alliance”]
Early results of a closely watched Phase 1/2 trial published on Monday in The Lancet suggest a coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca is safe and induces an immune response. However, researchers stressed more study is needed to know whether the vaccine protects people against the virus.
AstraZeneca told a US congressional hearing on Tuesday that it is on track to have a possible vaccine ready as early as September. But hours later, the head of the UK vaccine task force warned that a vaccine is unlikely to be made widely available before 2021. Meanwhile, other company executives said they were aiming for early 2021.
The US Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense announced an agreement with Pfizer Inc. on Wednesday for “large-scale production and nationwide delivery of 100 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine in the United States” after it is successfully developed and approved.
If the vaccine is successful and receives emergency use authorization or licensure, nationwide delivery would begin in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to HHS. The doses would be delivered to locations at the US government’s direction and it would be available to American people at no cost, a release said.
Fauci also stressed on Thursday that he has “a very good relationship” with President Donald Trump, despite their contradictory stances on numerous elements of the coronavirus response.
“I am trying my best to completely stay out of politics. But when you’re in a situation that’s politically charged, it’s kind of difficult to completely not be impacted by it,” he said. “I stay out of any personal involvement in politics, but I try to do my job. But I’m aware of the tension.”
Fauci continued, “The one thing that’s interesting that I think people don’t appreciate is that I do have a very good relationship with the President, in the sense of no animosity at all. In fact, it’s quite a good relationship.”
His assessment comes after CNN previously reported that by early June, Trump and Fauci had largely stopped in-person engagements. Earlier this month, the White House made a concerted effort to discredit Fauci as he became increasingly vocal about his concerns over reopening the country amid a national surge in coronavirus cases. A White House official told CNN that “several White House officials are concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci has been wrong on things” and went on to provide a lengthy list of examples, citing Fauci’s comments early in the pandemic and linking to past interviews.
Additionally, senior White House trade official Peter Navarro apparently broke protocol by publishing an opinion article trashing Fauci last week, with the White House working to distance itself from the piece, which contained viewpoints similar to opinions voiced by Trump himself and distributed by the White House over the prior weekend.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms National News | California COVID cases are rising. Here’s why and where health experts are masking Fauci addressed the efforts by the White House to disparage him, saying it was “not OK. I think that’s really bad news to do that,” but asserted his confidence that Trump himself did not support them.
When Axelrod asked if he had said as much to the president, Fauci replied, “I think it’s pretty clear around the White House that that’s the situation. I don’t think in some respects the President is not happy about that either. I can tell you, he’s not happy personally about that.”


mercurynews--2020-07-23--State Supreme Court affirms Lafayette’s costly trial court victory

LAFAYETTE — The California Supreme Court affirmed an appellate court ’ s ruling Thursday in a case alleging bias and closed-door meetings that cost Lafayette nearly $ 1 million in legal fees to defend .
The high court denied a petition for review filed by a small group of Lafayette residents , who filed the motion over the First District Court of Appeal ’ s decision in February to uphold Lafayette ’ s trial court victory , according to a news release from the city .
The residents had sued the city , alleging the Lafayette City Council improperly held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The group contended the city used a biased process in reaching a land-use decision in 2016 .
But the appellate court affirmed a Dec 6 , 2018 , ruling by Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Edward Weil , who found no violation of the state ’ s Brown Act regulating public meetings and no conflict displayed by city ’ s design review or planning commissions in their review of the land-use application .
The appellate court did find that Lafayette committed a minor technical violation of the Brown Act but ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it had no impact on the City Council ’ s decision .
In its order , the court found no evidence that anyone at the city of Lafayette , including council members , staff or the city attorney , was biased .
The lawsuit stemmed approval of a permit allowing Lafayette homeowners Mike and Diane Archer to build a cabana for the tennis court on their property on March 17 , 2015 .
The plaintiff project opponents , who are neighbors of the Archers , objected that the cabana was inconsistent with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent home and would subject people to noise and loss of privacy .
“ We are very pleased that the Supreme Court has denied the petition for review and that our trial court victory stands , ” Lafayette Mayor Mike Anderson said in a statement .
“ The unfortunate outcome , frankly , is that the legal fees to defend the city against this lawsuit have cost Lafayette taxpayers so much.
” Legal fees to defend against the lawsuit cost city of Lafayette taxpayers $ 936,319.08 , according to the city ’ s @ @ @

LAFAYETTE — The California Supreme Court has ruled that Lafayette did not violate the Brown Act or show bias in a 2015 land use decision — in a case that has cost the city almost $1 million.
The high court on Thursday upheld an appellate court’s ruling. It denied a petition for review filed by a small group of Lafayette residents, who filed the motion over the First District Court of Appeal’s decision in February to uphold Lafayette’s trial court victory, according to a news release from the city.
The residents had sued the city, alleging the Lafayette City Council improperly held closed-door meetings and violated the state constitution. The group contended the city used a biased process in reaching a land-use decision in approving a cabana for a tennis court.
The appellate court sided with the city, affirming a Dec. 6, 2018, ruling by a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge, who found no violation of the state’s Brown Act regulating public meetings and no conflict displayed by city’s design review or planning commissions in their review of the land-use application.
The appellate court did find that Lafayette committed a minor technical violation of the Brown Act but ruled that no prejudice resulted from it and said it had no impact on the City Council’s decision. The appellate court found no evidence that anyone at the city of Lafayette, including council members, staff or the city attorney, was biased.
The lawsuit stemmed from the city’s approval of a permit allowing Lafayette homeowners Mike and Diane Archer to build a cabana for the tennis court on their property on March 17, 2015.
The plaintiff project opponents, who are neighbors of the Archers, objected to the cabana, contending that it was inconsistent with the neighborhood and too close to an adjacent home and would subject the residents to noise and loss of privacy.
“We are very pleased that the Supreme Court has denied the petition for review and that our trial court victory stands,” Lafayette Mayor Mike Anderson said in a statement. “The unfortunate outcome, frankly, is that the legal fees to defend the city against this lawsuit have cost Lafayette taxpayers so much.”
Legal fees to defend against the lawsuit cost city of Lafayette taxpayers $936,319.08, according to the city’s news release.


mercurynews--2020-07-24--Marin nursing home’s virus toll hits 12 dead, 89 infected

Eighty-nine people have contracted the coronavirus at a San Rafael nursing home and 12 of them have died , according to the state Department of Public Health .
The infections at Marin Post Acute include 69 residents and 20 employees , state data show .
The outbreak at the 170-bed center on North San Pedro Road has grown rapidly in July .
Three weeks ago , there were 32 confirmed cases and no deaths at the nursing home .
A week after that , the number of cases more than doubled , reaching 66 , and three deaths were confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately respond to requests for comment .
Marin County health officials have recorded 349 coronavirus cases at nursing homes and residential care centers in the county since the beginning of the pandemic .
That includes 180 residents and 169 employees , representing about 15 % of the coronavirus cases recorded in Marin .
According to county data , 144 of those cases are active .
There are 55 residential care centers and 13 skilled nursing centers in Marin with a combined 2,700 residents .
On Wednesday , 24 facilities had active cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing every resident and staff member on a weekly basis at the centers in Marin with confirmed cases , Dr. David Miller , an infectious disease specialist at Kaiser hospital in San Rafael , in a public forum last week .

Eighty-nine people have contracted the coronavirus at a San Rafael nursing home and 12 of them have died, according to the state Department of Public Health.
The infections at Marin Post Acute include 69 residents and 20 employees, state data show.
The outbreak at the 170-bed center on North San Pedro Road has grown rapidly in July. Three weeks ago, there were 32 confirmed cases and no deaths at the nursing home. A week after that, the number of cases more than doubled, reaching 66, and three deaths were confirmed.
Representatives of the center did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Marin County health officials have recorded 349 coronavirus cases at nursing homes and residential care centers in the county since the beginning of the pandemic. That includes 180 residents and 169 employees, representing about 15% of the coronavirus cases recorded in Marin.
According to county data, 144 of those cases are active. There are 55 residential care centers and 13 skilled nursing centers in Marin with a combined 2,700 residents. On Wednesday, 24 facilities had active cases.
A team of health care workers is testing every resident and staff member on a weekly basis at the centers in Marin with confirmed cases, Dr. David Miller, an infectious disease specialist at Kaiser hospital in San Rafael, in a public forum last week.


mercurynews--2020-07-24--Police: California couple found dead had ‘mutual agreement’ to murder-suicide

A man shot a woman , then himself , in what Los Angeles police are saying may have been part of a murder-suicide agreement at a home in Van Nuys Tuesday afternoon , July 21 .
Los Angeles Police Department homicide detectives said they found evidence at the home in the 14200 block of Gilmore Street that the two planned their deaths after entering “ into a mutual agreement to end their lives.
” “ The suspect shot and killed the victim before turning the weapon on himself , ” detectives said in a statement Wednesday .
“ Failing finances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the primary motives behind the tragic event.
” Police did not say what evidence they found that led them to believe the killings were agreed on and planned .
Homicide detectives in LAPD ’ s Valley Division were not immediately available for comment .
The pair was found dead inside the home at around 2:35 p.m. after police received a call to conduct a welfare check there .
The coroner ’ s office on Wednesday identified the pair — 41-year-old Timothy Deshong and 48-year-old Robin Allande , both Van Nuys residents .
Detectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple — it wasn ’ t clear if they were living together or married .
Police said the two had “ immediate family members ” who they were not able to get in contact with as of Wednesday morning .

A man shot a woman, then himself, in what Los Angeles police are saying may have been part of a murder-suicide agreement at a home in Van Nuys Tuesday afternoon, July 21.
Los Angeles Police Department homicide detectives said they found evidence at the home in the 14200 block of Gilmore Street that the two planned their deaths after entering “into a mutual agreement to end their lives.”
“The suspect shot and killed the victim before turning the weapon on himself,” detectives said in a statement Wednesday. “Failing finances and deteriorating health issues appeared to be the primary motives behind the tragic event.”
Police did not say what evidence they found that led them to believe the killings were agreed on and planned.
Homicide detectives in LAPD’s Valley Division were not immediately available for comment.
The pair was found dead inside the home at around 2:35 p.m. after police received a call to conduct a welfare check there.
The coroner’s office on Wednesday identified the pair — 41-year-old Timothy Deshong and 48-year-old Robin Allande, both Van Nuys residents.
Detectives only described Deshong and Allande as a couple — it wasn’t clear if they were living together or married.
Police said the two had “immediate family members” who they were not able to get in contact with as of Wednesday morning.


mercurynews--2020-07-24--Super-low mortgage rates: A blessing or ominous sign of next housing downfall?

Everything happens for a reason .
This week , some lenders began offering the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage below the 2 % threshold , landing at 1.99 % , albeit with more than 2 points cost .
The Freddie Mac average was 2.54 % with 0.7 of a point cost , the third-lowest rate in the three decades Freddie has been tracking those figures .
How do you feel about all of that ?
Blissful .
Elated .
Euphoric .
You are now in the moment .
If you are a homeowner , go ahead and congratulate yourself .
Your property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are sticking it out for the long haul , sell your house now .
Or , refinance into these rock-bottom rates if you are sticking it out .
Because I ’ m going to offer you a sanity check on exactly why mortgage rates are creeping down to zero .
And I have some fodder for you to think about for near-term strategies .
Let ’ s start with the great stuff we get to celebrate .
Nationwide , home sellers realized a gain of almost $ 76,000 on the typical sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the second quarter of 2020 , according to Attom Data Solutions .
The typical profit represented a 36.3 % return on investment compared with the original purchase price .
This marked yet another level of raw profits since the housing market began recovering from the Great Recession in 2012 .
Can Southern California top that ?
Oh , yeah .
A bunch .
Orange County home sellers crushed it with an average gain of $ 251,250 , according to Attom .
Los Angeles County landed at $ 230,000 .
San Bernardino County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was $ 120,250 .
And , with mortgage rates falling to record lows last week , Black Knight estimates there are 18.1 million refinance candidates with good credit and at least 20 % equity who can reduce their 30-year mortgage rates by 0.75 % .
That ’ s $ 6.5 trillion of tappable home equity .
This translates to an average savings of $ 290 per month .
Now , about that sanity check .
COVID-19 has already killed 143,000 Americans and made almost 4 million sick , according to Johns Hopkins .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this in the form of a vaccine , the economy will likely be too far gone .
More than anything else , jobs drive the economy , consumer confidence , housing prices and spur the direction of mortgages rates .
We are in the throes of double-digit national unemployment .
California is hovering around 16 % !
Those lofty numbers will do nothing but further slow down and eventually crush the economy .
A recent Lending Tree survey reports more than 53 % of mortgage borrowers experienced income loss due to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than half .
The six giant U.S. banks cut $ 35 billion from their profits to brace for a tsunami of souring loans , according to a recent Bloomberg article .
Institutional investors ( non-lending entities that purchased at least 10 residential properties ) nationwide accounted for 1.4 % of all one-unit home sales in Q2 2020 , down from 2.2 % in Q1 and the lowest point since 2000 , according to that same Attom Data Solutions report .
Fitch Rating Service recently issued a report showing California home prices are overvalued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year-over-year California home price decrease of 6.6 % from May 2020 to May 2021 .
The U.S. share of active mortgages is roughly 53 million , of which more than 4.1 million ( 7.8 % ) are in forbearance , according to Black Knight .
Unpaid mortgages can quickly reduce national home equity .
Lenders have already advanced $ 6.9 billion of mortgage and escrow payments to investors .
Business bankruptcy attorney Richard Golubow of Winthrop , Golubow , Hollander expects an avalanche of business bankruptcies after the November presidential election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis exposed deeper systemic problems , like staggering unstainable debts run up by companies with unprofitable business models , ” said Golubow .
“ Ultimately , government intervention in the form of printing and giving away money will end , and credit lines and bonds will need to be repaid.
” You are in the moment .
What are you going to do ?
Freddie Mac rate news : The 30-year fixed-rate averaged 3.01 % , up 3 basis points from last week ’ s record low .
The 15-year fixed rate averaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a record set last week .
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 4.1 % increase in loan application volume from one week earlier .
Bottom line : Assuming a borrower gets the average 30-year fixed rate on a conforming $ 510,400 loan , he or she would pay $ 2,155 a month , down $ 209 from a year ago .
Eye catcher loan of the week : A 15-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage at 1.99 % with 2.25 points cost .
Jeff Lazerson is a mortgage broker and adjunct professor at Saddleback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 949-334-2424 or jlazerson @ mortgagegrader.com .
His website is www.mortgagegrader.com .

Everything happens for a reason.
This week, some lenders began offering the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage below the 2% threshold, landing at 1.99%, albeit with more than 2 points cost. The Freddie Mac average was 2.54% with 0.7 of a point cost, the third-lowest rate in the three decades Freddie has been tracking those figures.
How do you feel about all of that? Blissful. Elated. Euphoric.
You are now in the moment. If you are a homeowner, go ahead and congratulate yourself. Your property is probably worth much more.
Unless you are sticking it out for the long haul, sell your house now. Or, refinance into these rock-bottom rates if you are sticking it out. Because I’m going to offer you a sanity check on exactly why mortgage rates are creeping down to zero. And I have some fodder for you to think about for near-term strategies.
Let’s start with the great stuff we get to celebrate.
Nationwide, home sellers realized a gain of almost $76,000 on the typical sale (based on median home prices) in the second quarter of 2020, according to Attom Data Solutions. The typical profit represented a 36.3% return on investment compared with the original purchase price. This marked yet another level of raw profits since the housing market began recovering from the Great Recession in 2012.
Outstanding!
Can Southern California top that? Oh, yeah. A bunch.
Orange County home sellers crushed it with an average gain of $251,250, according to Attom. Los Angeles County landed at $230,000. San Bernardino County was $125,000, and Riverside County was $120,250.
Incredible!
And, with mortgage rates falling to record lows last week, Black Knight estimates there are 18.1 million refinance candidates with good credit and at least 20% equity who can reduce their 30-year mortgage rates by 0.75%. That’s $6.5 trillion of tappable home equity. This translates to an average savings of $290 per month.
Holy smokes!
Now, about that sanity check.
COVID-19 has already killed 143,000 Americans and made almost 4 million sick, according to Johns Hopkins.
Horrific!
It’s killing the economy too.
Even when we miraculously get ahead of this in the form of a vaccine, the economy will likely be too far gone.
More than anything else, jobs drive the economy, consumer confidence, housing prices and spur the direction of mortgages rates. We are in the throes of double-digit national unemployment. California is hovering around 16%!
Those lofty numbers will do nothing but further slow down and eventually crush the economy.
A recent Lending Tree survey reports more than 53% of mortgage borrowers experienced income loss due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Think about that. More than half.
The six giant U.S. banks cut $35 billion from their profits to brace for a tsunami of souring loans, according to a recent Bloomberg article.
Institutional investors (non-lending entities that purchased at least 10 residential properties) nationwide accounted for 1.4% of all one-unit home sales in Q2 2020, down from 2.2% in Q1 and the lowest point since 2000, according to that same Attom Data Solutions report.
Fitch Rating Service recently issued a report showing California home prices are overvalued by 5- 9%. CoreLogic sees a year-over-year California home price decrease of 6.6% from May 2020 to May 2021.
The U.S. share of active mortgages is roughly 53 million, of which more than 4.1 million (7.8%) are in forbearance, according to Black Knight.
Unpaid mortgages can quickly reduce national home equity. Lenders have already advanced $6.9 billion of mortgage and escrow payments to investors.
Business bankruptcy attorney Richard Golubow of Winthrop, Golubow, Hollander expects an avalanche of business bankruptcies after the November presidential election.
“In many cases, the coronavirus crisis exposed deeper systemic problems, like staggering unstainable debts run up by companies with unprofitable business models,” said Golubow. “Ultimately, government intervention in the form of printing and giving away money will end, and credit lines and bonds will need to be repaid.”
You are in the moment.
What are you going to do?
Freddie Mac rate news: The 30-year fixed-rate averaged 3.01%, up 3 basis points from last week’s record low. The 15-year fixed rate averaged 2.54%, up 6 basis points from a record set last week.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 4.1% increase in loan application volume from one week earlier.
Bottom line: Assuming a borrower gets the average 30-year fixed rate on a conforming $510,400 loan, he or she would pay $2,155 a month, down $209 from a year ago.
Eye catcher loan of the week: A 15-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage at 1.99% with 2.25 points cost.


mercurynews--2020-07-24--Afraid you’ll get laid off? Here’s how to prepare

Act surprised , even if you aren ’ t .
And make them feel awful .
That ’ s the first thing you should do if your boss says you ’ re being laid off , said Roy Cohen , who spent 14 years as an in-house career coach at Goldman Sachs Group and now runs his own career consulting business .
“ Always convey utter , absolute shock , ” he said .
“ The goal is to make them feel bad .
That way , if you do want to try and negotiate a better package , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some way.
” An avalanche of layoffs has been moving across the global corporate landscape , in almost every industry , as businesses assess their long-term strategy in a post-pandemic world .
Last week , American Airlines Group Inc. said it might let go of 25,000 employees , or 29 % of its U.S. workforce .
On Monday , U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer Group Plc announced 950 job cuts , and on Wednesday Bloomberg reported that Germany ’ s Daimler AG might cut about 20,000 jobs .
On Thursday , data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week to 1.42 million , increasing for the first time since March .
That could be a reflection that some business that had re-opened are closing back up .
Prepping yourself to play head games is one strategy to try if you worry your job might be next .
But there are many more practical steps to take .
Being laid off will still suck , but it will hurt less if you ’ ve put plans into motion .
Here are some ways to do that , and some pitfalls to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fantasies about beating your company to the punch and quitting .
Don ’ t do it !
And don ’ t accept a company ’ s offer to let you resign rather than be let go .
“ A lot of people think that if they resign , it looks like they ’ ve been in the driver ’ s seat , ” Cohen said .
“ But in this market , where getting fired is the norm , explaining to future employers that you chose to resign will sound very odd and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” That said , “ if you have a gut feeling that you might lose your job , trust that instinct and plan for it , ” said Lindsey Pollak , author of “ The Remix : How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace.
” “ A lot of people are feeling somewhat paralyzed right now in fear .
An important goal is to get out of that paralysis and move into a place of action.
” In the U.S. , with many state unemployment-insurance plans swamped with claims , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ll need in order to apply for benefits so you can file as quickly as possible .
A lot of state-specific unemployment-related groups have been created on Facebook and Reddit , where people ask questions and share tips on hacking through government bureaucracies .
Among many workers ’ most valuable assets are the contacts they ’ ve built up over the years .
If you don ’ t already have current information for business contacts stored in a file on your phone or personal computer , start the process .
Copy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might want to see , while being careful not to run afoul of non-compete clauses and company policies governing proprietary data .
Try to find your company ’ s termination and severance policy .
Dig up your letter of employment or contract to see if it mentions severance .
If it doesn ’ t , quietly ask around and look on a site like Glassdoor.com to see if it ’ s mentioned in company reviews .
In the U.S. , for firms that offer severance , the norm is one or two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , maxing out at about six months , though executives may get a year .
If you work at a large company , check if there ’ s a group for former employees on Facebook .
You may be able to message members for intel .
Your company may not budge , but try to negotiate .
“ Ask for everything and more , ” Cohen said .
“ More money .
Your bonus .
The ability to exercise stock options or receive differed compensation .
Access to your work phone during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do is say no.
” Yes , this means updating your resume and LinkedIn profile .
Highlight your success in working remotely .
But before polishing a LinkedIn profile , go into privacy settings and turn off automatic notifications to your network if you want to keep changes low-profile .
( If you don ’ t want someone at work to see profile updates , you can block specific people . )
If you think a layoff is coming and want to look for a new job discreetly , a feature LinkedIn added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ # OpentoWork ” and to specify who can see that : only recruiters , or everyone .
( LinkedIn itself announced layoffs of about 960 people on Tuesday . )
Having a few months of expenses saved can avoid the need to take on expensive credit-card debt , or skipping payments and hurting your credit score .
Sometimes costs can come out of left field : Consider the $ 3,000 or so that returning expatriates to New Zealand may be asked to pay for their required two weeks of hotel quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of living expenses .
That sounds high , but remember , that ’ s not necessarily six full paychecks .
You want enough to cover essentials : housing , car payments , utilities , internet , mobile phones , health care .
While employed , an easy way to get started is to set up automatic direct deposits from your paycheck into a savings account , so you don ’ t even think about spending the money .
While employed , get in touch with former colleagues who have moved to consulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re let go , consider going that route , which could eventually lead to a full-time job .
One bright spot is that with remote work more common , more employers are willing to look further afield for candidates .
To spark ideas for new directions , check out the site 50 Ways to Get A Job .
Finding groups on Facebook and LinkedIn is the first step , but look into what ’ s offered by your university ’ s career office , professional groups you belong to and ask around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry that you may be able to join .
Practice using Zoom , Skype , Google Hangouts or whatever video conferencing program an interviewer might choose .
Record yourself in a mock interview with a friend .
Use a neutral background , wear solid colors , and remember to silence your phone and computer pop-ups .
Beware of being called back early from work abroad The typical industry practice is that employees working abroad are repatriated before they know that they will be terminated , said Katrin Razzano , a vice president at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the person can be fired on home turf and a company won ’ t run afoul of a foreign country ’ s rules around laying people off .
• Coronavirus : California unemployment claims climb to worst levels in nearly three months There are always growing areas , even in dire economic situations .
In Singapore , for example , gross domestic product plunged an annualized 41.2 % from the first quarter of the year to the second , led by contractions in travel-related industries .
But the Singaporean fintech sector has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , and an expansion by global private banks in Singapore has intensified rivalry for talent , according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts .
As well , interest from Hong Kong-based companies in exploring a move to Singapore has increased .

By Suzanne Woolley and Jack Pitcher | Bloomberg
Act surprised, even if you aren’t. And make them feel awful.
That’s the first thing you should do if your boss says you’re being laid off, said Roy Cohen, who spent 14 years as an in-house career coach at Goldman Sachs Group and now runs his own career consulting business.
“Always convey utter, absolute shock,” he said. “The goal is to make them feel bad. That way, if you do want to try and negotiate a better package, there is some potential they may feel guilted in some way.”
An avalanche of layoffs has been moving across the global corporate landscape, in almost every industry, as businesses assess their long-term strategy in a post-pandemic world. Last week, American Airlines Group Inc. said it might let go of 25,000 employees, or 29% of its U.S. workforce. On Monday, U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer Group Plc announced 950 job cuts, and on Wednesday Bloomberg reported that Germany’s Daimler AG might cut about 20,000 jobs.
On Thursday, data showed new U.S. jobless claims rose last week to 1.42 million, increasing for the first time since March. That could be a reflection that some business that had re-opened are closing back up.
Prepping yourself to play head games is one strategy to try if you worry your job might be next. But there are many more practical steps to take. Being laid off will still suck, but it will hurt less if you’ve put plans into motion. Here are some ways to do that, and some pitfalls to avoid.
Resist the preemptive strike
The stress of uncertainty may prompt fantasies about beating your company to the punch and quitting. Don’t do it! And don’t accept a company’s offer to let you resign rather than be let go.
“A lot of people think that if they resign, it looks like they’ve been in the driver’s seat,” Cohen said. “But in this market, where getting fired is the norm, explaining to future employers that you chose to resign will sound very odd and quite frankly raise questions about your credibility.”
That said, “if you have a gut feeling that you might lose your job, trust that instinct and plan for it,” said Lindsey Pollak, author of “The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace.” “A lot of people are feeling somewhat paralyzed right now in fear. An important goal is to get out of that paralysis and move into a place of action.”
Know your unemployment benefits
In the U.S., with many state unemployment-insurance plans swamped with claims, it pays to know in advance what information you’ll need in order to apply for benefits so you can file as quickly as possible. A lot of state-specific unemployment-related groups have been created on Facebook and Reddit, where people ask questions and share tips on hacking through government bureaucracies.
Copy your contacts
Among many workers’ most valuable assets are the contacts they’ve built up over the years. If you don’t already have current information for business contacts stored in a file on your phone or personal computer, start the process. Copy any samples of work a future employer might want to see, while being careful not to run afoul of non-compete clauses and company policies governing proprietary data.
Sniff out severance
Try to find your company’s termination and severance policy. Dig up your letter of employment or contract to see if it mentions severance. If it doesn’t, quietly ask around and look on a site like Glassdoor.com to see if it’s mentioned in company reviews. In the U.S., for firms that offer severance, the norm is one or two weeks of pay for each year of employment, maxing out at about six months, though executives may get a year. If you work at a large company, check if there’s a group for former employees on Facebook. You may be able to message members for intel.
Your company may not budge, but try to negotiate. “Ask for everything and more,” Cohen said. “More money. Your bonus. The ability to exercise stock options or receive differed compensation. Access to your work phone during the severance period. The worst they can do is say no.”
Raise your profile
Yes, this means updating your resume and LinkedIn profile. Highlight your success in working remotely. But before polishing a LinkedIn profile, go into privacy settings and turn off automatic notifications to your network if you want to keep changes low-profile. (If you don’t want someone at work to see profile updates, you can block specific people.) If you think a layoff is coming and want to look for a new job discreetly, a feature LinkedIn added this year lets you adjust your status to “#OpentoWork” and to specify who can see that: only recruiters, or everyone. (LinkedIn itself announced layoffs of about 960 people on Tuesday.)
Build up savings, pay down debt
Having a few months of expenses saved can avoid the need to take on expensive credit-card debt, or skipping payments and hurting your credit score. Sometimes costs can come out of left field: Consider the $3,000 or so that returning expatriates to New Zealand may be asked to pay for their required two weeks of hotel quarantine. Aim to save six months or more of living expenses. That sounds high, but remember, that’s not necessarily six full paychecks. You want enough to cover essentials: housing, car payments, utilities, internet, mobile phones, health care. While employed, an easy way to get started is to set up automatic direct deposits from your paycheck into a savings account, so you don’t even think about spending the money.
Stay flexible
While employed, get in touch with former colleagues who have moved to consulting or project work, and if you’re let go, consider going that route, which could eventually lead to a full-time job. One bright spot is that with remote work more common, more employers are willing to look further afield for candidates. To spark ideas for new directions, check out the site 50 Ways to Get A Job.
Be a creative networker
Finding groups on Facebook and LinkedIn is the first step, but look into what’s offered by your university’s career office, professional groups you belong to and ask around for private Facebook communities connected to your industry that you may be able to join.
Perfect your video presence
Practice using Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts or whatever video conferencing program an interviewer might choose. Record yourself in a mock interview with a friend. Use a neutral background, wear solid colors, and remember to silence your phone and computer pop-ups.
Beware of being called back early from work abroad
The typical industry practice is that employees working abroad are repatriated before they know that they will be terminated, said Katrin Razzano, a vice president at relocation firm Graebel Companies. That way, the person can be fired on home turf and a company won’t run afoul of a foreign country’s rules around laying people off.
Search out bright spots
There are always growing areas, even in dire economic situations. In Singapore, for example, gross domestic product plunged an annualized 41.2% from the first quarter of the year to the second, led by contractions in travel-related industries. But the Singaporean fintech sector has been growing quickly, even in the pandemic, and an expansion by global private banks in Singapore has intensified rivalry for talent, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts. As well, interest from Hong Kong-based companies in exploring a move to Singapore has increased.


mercurynews--2020-07-24--San Francisco homicide: Man killed in Bayview

A 58-year-old man died in a suspected homicide in San Francisco ’ s Bayview District early Thursday , police said @ @ @ @ @ at 2:49 a.m. in the 2100 block of Jennings Avenue .
The name of the @ @ @ @ @ immediately available from the city ’ s medical examiner ’ s office , and San @ @ @ @ @ any other detail about how he died .
No arrest has been made .
The @ @ @ @ @ block where Michael Hampton , 33 , was fatally shot on Feb. 21 .
Copyright @ @ @ @ @ News , Inc. — Republication , Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written @ @ @ @ @ , Inc. is prohibited .

A 58-year-old man died in a suspected homicide in San Francisco’s Bayview District early Thursday, police said.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Bay Area homicides 2020: Map and details The homicide was reported at 2:49 a.m. in the 2100 block of Jennings Avenue.
The city’s medical examiner’s office later identified the man as Paul Ortega. San Francisco police did not release any other detail about how he died. No arrest has been made.
The death was on the same block where Michael Hampton, 33, was fatally shot on Feb. 21.
Copyright � 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. — Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse
without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.


mercurynews--2020-07-24--Different kind of baseball IQ: How Mark Canha is using creativity to rethink his plate approach

It ’ s a spring training day in mid-February , before a pandemic is on anybody ’ s mind but epidemiologists , and Mark Canha is deep into conversation about his approach to hitting — or , more accurately , his approach before hitting .
Canha turned in a breakout season at age 30 and figures to occupy the middle of the A ’ s order again this year .
The premise of the discussion : How ?
It ’ s not often a guy overhauls his approach nearly a decade into his professional career .
Even rarer : to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You ’ ll hear him credit the mental side .
He describes himself as “ methodical ” and says his time at UC Berkeley was the best thing that ever happened to him .
Then he drops the word “ academic , ” which might conjure in your mind images of analytics and Billy Beane — the new-age baseball stereotype .
But what Canha is talking about has nothing to do with numbers .
“ I think you could argue that the analytics actually take thinking out of the game , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the analytics are just computers telling people what to do.
” His is a different brand of baseball IQ , one that applies its cerebral nature to the margins of modern baseball statsheets , that isn ’ t afraid to try new things .
It ’ s a product of a childhood spent in Silicon Valley and , most of all , the four years he spent at Cal .
( “ He went to Cal , of course he ’ s a cerebral guy , ” joked manager and fellow alum Bob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the why and the how .
The underlying reason why one swing is successful and another isn ’ t .
He compares his career in baseball to a Rubik ’ s Cube , a continuous puzzle he ’ s trying to solve .
“ I think a lot of the way I think about things is probably unconventional , ” Canha says .
“ I ’ m not afraid to try things or experiment .
I think I got outside the box and just started thinking , well what do you have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canha took an introspective look at himself as a hitter .
A career spent , as he describes it , without much help in the minor leagues even more deeply instilled the independent , creative mindset he was first exposed to in Berkeley .
Throughout his five years in the Marlins ’ farm system , he would spend hours in the cage , trying anything from hitting with his eyes closed to standing on one foot .
Erik Goeddel ’ s career took a similar trajectory .
The two kids from the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both went on to play Division I — Canha at Cal , Goeddel at UCLA — and entered pro ball the same year .
Goeddel , who ’ s since hung up his spikes to pursue a Master ’ s in engineering at USC , remembers conversations they had over dinner after facing each other early in their minor-league careers .
“ He felt like he was definitely getting slowed down , I felt that frustration from him , ” Goeddel said .
“ Because he was always hitting but moving ( through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … It seemed like with Mark , whenever he was frustrated , he would just turn that into working harder .
He used that to his advantage.
” Ask Canha who he credits with his success , and he says himself .
Goeddel , who ’ s watched him put in the work , would say the same .
“ Mark kind of always had his approach , ” Goeddel said .
“ He ’ d listen to what coaches were saying , but not everything .
He always had his certain things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It stuck with him.
” The summer before being drafted , Canha and Goeddel were assigned to the same team in the amateur Cape Cod League .
As a pair of 20 year olds in between their junior and senior years of college , they stayed with host families .
Neither had access to a car .
The nearest gym was five miles away .
Both were frustrated with how the summer was going .
But that didn ’ t stop Canha from making it to the gym every morning .
He picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get one , too — and would meet up with Goeddel to ride the five miles there and back .
“ No one else on the team wanted to do that , ” Goeddel said .
“ After a few days I was kind of getting tired .
Mark wasn ’ t gon na slow down .
He was going to make sure we kept doing that.
” It took Canha four years to reach Triple-A , but the work paid off with 20 home runs and his first pro season with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that offseason , Miami , the team that drafted him , left him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft .
Once he got to Oakland , he began working with hitting coach Darren Bush and got the consistent instruction he had been missing .
The way Canha thinks about the game isn ’ t something Bush sees in every player .
He admitted the first year or two was full of trial and error , deciphering the right approach to take with a guy who “ analyzes everything that he does , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made him into the player that he is , ” Bush said .
“ Some guys , they ’ ll just swing until they say , ‘ OK , I got it.
’ He takes his time .
He thinks about each thing individually .
He really looks at it .
… Sometimes you have to use different tools in your tool belt to help that guy move along.
” As a Rule 5 player , he spent the entire 2015 season on the A ’ s roster and immediately impressed with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs in 441 at-bats .
But , between one season-ending hip surgery and trips between Oakland and Triple-A Nashville the next two years , Canha struggled to match that initial success .
Canha has long obsessed over his swing , pinpointing anything he could in his mechanics , but he had never paid much attention to the other aspects of hitting .
Every player has heard it : Even the best hitters are going to fail seven out of 10 times .
Canha was trying to cover the whole plate and fend off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be perfect .
“ It ’ s too hard to do , ” he said .
Last offseason , he came up with a plan , inspired partly by Matt Joyce , who played the 2017 and 2018 seasons in Oakland .
Joyce never batted higher than .243 , but posted on-base percentages of .335 and .322 .
“ I looked to myself , like if I can walk more , I don ’ t even have to do anything , ” Canha said .
“ I just have to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not swing the bat a little bit more and be more selective and get better pitches to hit and I ’ ll walk more .
I don ’ t even have to have a high batting average.
” “ Then I did that and look what happened , ” he continued , “ my batting average went up.
” Canha nearly doubled his walk rate , from 8.3 % in 2018 to 13.5 % in 2019 ( and from 3.7 % in 2017 ) .
He went from chasing balls outside the strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 to 25 % in 2019 , according to Fangraphs data .
He ’ s even been more selective on pitches in the zone .
Just as he has realized he can ’ t be perfect , neither can the hurlers 60 feet , 6 inches away .
“ Now , ” Canha said , “ I ’ m more like , I want the pitch down the middle and I ’ m going to be aggressive in the middle of the plate .
“ Because just because the pitcher ’ s trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s going to go there.
” The new philosophy — “ shrinking the zone , ” he likes to call it , or in other words “ more hitter ’ s pitches and less pitcher ’ s pitches ” — resulted in career-bests in batting average ( .273 ) , home runs ( 26 ) , on-base percentage ( .396 ) and slugging percentage ( .517 ) in 2019 .
Believe it or not , Canha hasn ’ t always had the diverse , developed palate from which 20,000 followers wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it may surprise in the ways his Instagram foodgasms and “ Bat Flippin ’ Season ” T-shirts intersect with his mindset on the field .
Psychologist Robert R. McCrae , in part of a 1987 study that developed the theory behind the popular “ Five Factor ” personality tests , was the first to show a link between openness to experience and creativity .
From creative batting techniques to exotic cuisines , Canha is willing to try just about anything .
Raised in the quiet San Jose suburb of Willow Glen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College Prep , Canha credits his time in Berkeley to opening his eyes to a variety of perspectives .
“ You meet all kinds of different people and everyone ’ s so smart , ” Canha said .
“ Everyone thinks of things a little differently … I like people who are weird and talking to people that are strange and have different ideas .
I like to embrace that.
” He points to the book by Tim Ferriss , “ The 4-Hour Workweek , ” which he calls one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ a testament to thinking outside the box.
” Maybe the only thing Canha was hesitant to try was fish .
He used to think it looked “ yucky ” and wouldn ’ t eat his parents ’ freshly prepared sushi .
As he remembers it , he was 10 or 12 years old when he tasted sushi for the first time .
“ It was like Safeway , grocery store sushi , ” Canha remembered .
“ I couldn ’ t believe how much I liked it , and this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish .
… Now sushi is my favorite food there is.
” It was , in fact , Melvin who “ hooked him up ” at triple-Michelin-starred Chicago restaurant Alinea last season .
The two “ go back and forth ” with restaurant recommendations .
One dinner that didn ’ t make it onto the @ bigleaguefoodie page came back in January .
Canha was in line to receive the Santa Clara Valley major-leaguer of the year award at the annual Hot Stove Dinner at the San Jose Elk ’ s Club .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prep , where he finished with a career .415 batting average and one Central Coast Section championship .
Gary Cunningham , who coached him all three years , said he was “ mature beyond his years ” in high school .
He was tasked by organizer and former Archbishop Mitty baseball coach Bill Hutton to inform Canha of the award and to try to get him to attend .
Some miscommunication led to Canha getting less than two week ’ s notice .
But he was their top award winner and keynote speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corner from Hutton before going on to terrorize his Mitty squads in high school .
A year after losing to in the Central Coast Section title game , Canha and Bellarmine beat Mitty for the trophy the next season .
Cunningham recites Canha ’ s high-school stats from a paper he now has at the ready ( batting averages of .380 , .426 and .434 , with 26 homers in three seasons ) and keeps in touch with the occasional text message during the season .
• Who made the cut ?
Oakland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus-shortened season • Is this safe ?
As San Francisco Giants hit the road , MLB faces daunting challenges After realizing the mistake , Hutton called Canha and said , “ We need you here , ” Cunningham remembered .
Canha told Hutton that his wife , Marci , had a doctor ’ s appointment the following morning ( the couple is expecting their second child ) .
“ Here ’ s what Mark did : He says OK I ’ ll be there.
” Canha caught a late-afternoon flight from his home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept the award , with a speech about what his Bay Area roots mean to him , before flying back that night for his wife ’ s doctor ’ s appointment in the morning .
“ Not many guys would fly all the way from Phoenix to give this little 10-minute talk , ” Cunningham said .
As he keeps showing the baseball world , Canha is not just any other guy .

It’s a spring training day in mid-February, before a pandemic is on anybody’s mind but epidemiologists, and Mark Canha is deep into conversation about his approach to hitting — or, more accurately, his approach before hitting.
Canha turned in a breakout season at age 30 and figures to occupy the middle of the A’s order again this year.
The premise of the discussion: How? It’s not often a guy overhauls his approach nearly a decade into his professional career. Even rarer: to do it with the success of Canha.
You’ll hear him credit the mental side. He describes himself as “methodical” and says his time at UC Berkeley was the best thing that ever happened to him. Then he drops the word “academic,” which might conjure in your mind images of analytics and Billy Beane — the new-age baseball stereotype.
But what Canha is talking about has nothing to do with numbers.
“I think you could argue that the analytics actually take thinking out of the game,” Canha says. “A lot of the analytics are just computers telling people what to do.”
His is a different brand of baseball IQ, one that applies its cerebral nature to the margins of modern baseball statsheets, that isn’t afraid to try new things. It’s a product of a childhood spent in Silicon Valley and, most of all, the four years he spent at Cal. (“He went to Cal, of course he’s a cerebral guy,” joked manager and fellow alum Bob Melvin.)
Canha craves to know the why and the how. The underlying reason why one swing is successful and another isn’t. He compares his career in baseball to a Rubik’s Cube, a continuous puzzle he’s trying to solve.
“I think a lot of the way I think about things is probably unconventional,” Canha says. “I’m not afraid to try things or experiment. I think I got outside the box and just started thinking, well what do you have to lose?”
* * *
Before last season, Canha took an introspective look at himself as a hitter.
A career spent, as he describes it, without much help in the minor leagues even more deeply instilled the independent, creative mindset he was first exposed to in Berkeley. Throughout his five years in the Marlins’ farm system, he would spend hours in the cage, trying anything from hitting with his eyes closed to standing on one foot.
Erik Goeddel’s career took a similar trajectory. The two kids from the South Bay were teammates at Bellarmine Prep and both went on to play Division I — Canha at Cal, Goeddel at UCLA — and entered pro ball the same year. Goeddel, who’s since hung up his spikes to pursue a Master’s in engineering at USC, remembers conversations they had over dinner after facing each other early in their minor-league careers.
“He felt like he was definitely getting slowed down, I felt that frustration from him,” Goeddel said. “Because he was always hitting but moving (through the ranks) kind of slow. … It seemed like with Mark, whenever he was frustrated, he would just turn that into working harder. He used that to his advantage.”
Ask Canha who he credits with his success, and he says himself. Goeddel, who’s watched him put in the work, would say the same.
“Mark kind of always had his approach,” Goeddel said. “He’d listen to what coaches were saying, but not everything. He always had his certain things that he did and that worked. It stuck with him.”
The summer before being drafted, Canha and Goeddel were assigned to the same team in the amateur Cape Cod League. As a pair of 20 year olds in between their junior and senior years of college, they stayed with host families. Neither had access to a car. The nearest gym was five miles away. Both were frustrated with how the summer was going.
But that didn’t stop Canha from making it to the gym every morning. He picked up a bicycle — and convinced Goeddel to get one, too — and would meet up with Goeddel to ride the five miles there and back.
“No one else on the team wanted to do that,” Goeddel said. “After a few days I was kind of getting tired. Mark wasn’t gonna slow down. He was going to make sure we kept doing that.”
It took Canha four years to reach Triple-A, but the work paid off with 20 home runs and his first pro season with a batting average over .300. But that offseason, Miami, the team that drafted him, left him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. Once he got to Oakland, he began working with hitting coach Darren Bush and got the consistent instruction he had been missing.
The way Canha thinks about the game isn’t something Bush sees in every player. He admitted the first year or two was full of trial and error, deciphering the right approach to take with a guy who “analyzes everything that he does,” Bush said.
“It’s made him into the player that he is,” Bush said. “Some guys, they’ll just swing until they say, ‘OK, I got it.’ He takes his time. He thinks about each thing individually. He really looks at it. … Sometimes you have to use different tools in your tool belt to help that guy move along.”
As a Rule 5 player, he spent the entire 2015 season on the A’s roster and immediately impressed with a respectable rookie year, hitting 16 home runs in 441 at-bats. But, between one season-ending hip surgery and trips between Oakland and Triple-A Nashville the next two years, Canha struggled to match that initial success.
Canha has long obsessed over his swing, pinpointing anything he could in his mechanics, but he had never paid much attention to the other aspects of hitting. Every player has heard it: Even the best hitters are going to fail seven out of 10 times. Canha was trying to cover the whole plate and fend off every pitch.
He realized he couldn’t be perfect.
“It’s too hard to do,” he said.
Last offseason, he came up with a plan, inspired partly by Matt Joyce, who played the 2017 and 2018 seasons in Oakland. Joyce never batted higher than .243, but posted on-base percentages of .335 and .322.
“I looked to myself, like if I can walk more, I don’t even have to do anything,” Canha said. “I just have to not do it. I just have to not swing the bat a little bit more and be more selective and get better pitches to hit and I’ll walk more. I don’t even have to have a high batting average.”
“Then I did that and look what happened,” he continued, “my batting average went up.”
Canha nearly doubled his walk rate, from 8.3% in 2018 to 13.5% in 2019 (and from 3.7% in 2017). He went from chasing balls outside the strike zone on 31.1% of pitches in 2018 to 25% in 2019, according to Fangraphs data. He’s even been more selective on pitches in the zone.
Just as he has realized he can’t be perfect, neither can the hurlers 60 feet, 6 inches away.
“Now,” Canha said, “I’m more like, I want the pitch down the middle and I’m going to be aggressive in the middle of the plate.
“Because just because the pitcher’s trying to throw outside doesn’t mean it’s going to go there.”
The new philosophy — “shrinking the zone,” he likes to call it, or in other words “more hitter’s pitches and less pitcher’s pitches” — resulted in career-bests in batting average (.273), home runs (26), on-base percentage (.396) and slugging percentage (.517) in 2019.
* * *
Believe it or not, Canha hasn’t always had the diverse, developed palate from which 20,000 followers wait to see his latest culinary expedition. And it may surprise in the ways his Instagram foodgasms and “Bat Flippin’ Season” T-shirts intersect with his mindset on the field.
Psychologist Robert R. McCrae, in part of a 1987 study that developed the theory behind the popular “Five Factor” personality tests, was the first to show a link between openness to experience and creativity. From creative batting techniques to exotic cuisines, Canha is willing to try just about anything.
Raised in the quiet San Jose suburb of Willow Glen and a three-year varsity letter winner at Bellarmine College Prep, Canha credits his time in Berkeley to opening his eyes to a variety of perspectives.
“You meet all kinds of different people and everyone’s so smart,” Canha said. “Everyone thinks of things a little differently … I like people who are weird and talking to people that are strange and have different ideas. I like to embrace that.”
He points to the book by Tim Ferriss, “The 4-Hour Workweek,” which he calls one of the most interesting books he’s ever read and “a testament to thinking outside the box.”
Maybe the only thing Canha was hesitant to try was fish. He used to think it looked “yucky” and wouldn’t eat his parents’ freshly prepared sushi. As he remembers it, he was 10 or 12 years old when he tasted sushi for the first time.
“It was like Safeway, grocery store sushi,” Canha remembered. “I couldn’t believe how much I liked it, and this was a kid who wouldn’t eat fish. … Now sushi is my favorite food there is.”
It was, in fact, Melvin who “hooked him up” at triple-Michelin-starred Chicago restaurant Alinea last season. The two “go back and forth” with restaurant recommendations.
One dinner that didn’t make it onto the @bigleaguefoodie page came back in January. Canha was in line to receive the Santa Clara Valley major-leaguer of the year award at the annual Hot Stove Dinner at the San Jose Elk’s Club.
He starred for three years at Bellarmine Prep, where he finished with a career .415 batting average and one Central Coast Section championship. Gary Cunningham, who coached him all three years, said he was “mature beyond his years” in high school.
He was tasked by organizer and former Archbishop Mitty baseball coach Bill Hutton to inform Canha of the award and to try to get him to attend. Some miscommunication led to Canha getting less than two week’s notice. But he was their top award winner and keynote speaker.
Canha had grown up around the corner from Hutton before going on to terrorize his Mitty squads in high school. A year after losing to in the Central Coast Section title game, Canha and Bellarmine beat Mitty for the trophy the next season. Cunningham recites Canha’s high-school stats from a paper he now has at the ready (batting averages of .380, .426 and .434, with 26 homers in three seasons) and keeps in touch with the occasional text message during the season.
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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 After realizing the mistake, Hutton called Canha and said, “We need you here,” Cunningham remembered. Canha told Hutton that his wife, Marci, had a doctor’s appointment the following morning (the couple is expecting their second child).
And yet…
“Here’s what Mark did: He says OK I’ll be there.”
Canha caught a late-afternoon flight from his home in Scottsdale to attend the banquet and accept the award, with a speech about what his Bay Area roots mean to him, before flying back that night for his wife’s doctor’s appointment in the morning.
“Not many guys would fly all the way from Phoenix to give this little 10-minute talk,” Cunningham said.
As he keeps showing the baseball world, Canha is not just any other guy.


mercurynews--2020-07-24--Review: A traditional treatment of an extraordinary life

It was dirty work , Marie and Pierre Curie ’ s discovery of radium and polonium .
To investigate uranium at their Paris laboratory , Marie acquired several tons of pitchblende , a black ore , and the industrial waste product left over when uranium was removed from it .
They ground the rock and dissolved it in acid to separate the elements and , in the process , discovered polonium and radium .
They were working , up to their elbows , in poisonous radioactive materials .
“ Radioactive , ” Marjane Satrapi ’ s biopic of the renowned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the toil of science .
Not just its grubby , physical labor , but the burden of a sexist , male-dominated field , the hardships of a public life and the unrelenting tenacity of a pioneer like Curie .
As played by Rosamund Pike , Curie is as tough , prickly and potent as that pitchblende .
The film , which debuts Friday on Amazon Prime , comes from Lauren Redniss ’ 2010 graphic biography , “ Radioactive : Marie & Pierre Curie : A Tale of Love and Fallout.
” Satrapi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roots in graphic novels .
She co-directed the adaptation of her own “ Persepolis , ” a striking coming-of-age tale set against the Islamic Revolution .
“ Persepolis ” had a compelling monochrome look , and Redniss ’ book a more surreal , iridescent style .
But “ Radioactive ” is bathed in the more conventional gauzy glow of a biopic , and clings disappointingly to the genre ’ s familiar rhythms .
With some notable exceptions , this is a traditional treatment of an extraordinary life , complete with deathbed scenes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Jack Thorne ’ s screenplay , in which Curie single-mindedly speaks of scientific progress less like a person than a grade-school teaching tool .
Maybe there ’ s not anything so wrong with that .
Female scientists are so frequently underappreciated that “ Radioactive ” is worthwhile .
Curie hasn ’ t been absent from screens .
There was , most recently , the 2017 international production “ Marie Curie : The Courage of Knowledge ” and the 1997 French drama “ Les Palmes de M. Schutz , ” with Isabelle Huppert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Oscar-nominated “ Madame Curie ” has she had the full biopic treatment .
As the first person to win the Nobel Prize twice — after which she saved countless lives with mobile X-ray labs during World War I — she had the sort of huge life that more than fills a movie .
And “ Radioactive ” has endeavored to capture a full picture of Curie , starting with her romance with Pierre ( Sam Riley ) .
Having suffered the misogyny of colleagues and recently been turned out of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him both professionally and romantically .
But he proves an equitable partner and , besides , has something special to offer : laboratory space .
Their relationship and their historical discoveries make up about half of “ Radioactive , ” and while it may be the most dramatic period of Curie ’ s life , it ’ s the more inert piece of the film .
History is sometimes exaggerated for effect .
Marie quarrels with Pierre when he accepts their Nobel without her ; he , in fact , refused to until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which they did two years later .
Marie is also shown here as an outsider throughout , which minimizes her role in the scientific community .
But “ Radioactive ” picks up after the death of Pierre in a road accident in 1906 .
There is scandal ; Curie years later came to love Pierre ’ s protege , a physics professor named Paul Langevin ( Aneurin Barnard ) , who was married but separated .
The French branded her a homewrecker and cursed as an immigrant .
( Albert Einstein supported her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wartime scenes with her 17-year-old daughter Irène ( the talented Anya Taylor-Joy ) reverberate with electricity missing from much of the film .
In its boldest break from the biopic format , “ Radioactive ” also weaves in flashes of the modern ramifications to Curie ’ s discoveries : a boy , in 1957 , receiving radiation treatment ; the bombing of Hiroshima ; meltdown at Chernobyl .
The leaps ahead — which come from Redniss ’ graphic novel — are disjointed and unexamined .
But they give the often too rigid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , putting Curie into a broader , never-ending context .
In one them , we ’ re plunged into a Nevada atomic test .
There ’ s a mock town , complete with a stereotypical “ nuclear ” family including a housewife .
We watch as the bomb , a product partly of Curie ’ s discoveries decades earlier , eviscerates them .
Rating : PG-13 ( for thematic elements , disturbing images , brief nudity and a scene of sensuality )

By Jake Coyle | Associated Press
It was dirty work, Marie and Pierre Curie’s discovery of radium and polonium. To investigate uranium at their Paris laboratory, Marie acquired several tons of pitchblende, a black ore, and the industrial waste product left over when uranium was removed from it. They ground the rock and dissolved it in acid to separate the elements and, in the process, discovered polonium and radium. They were working, up to their elbows, in poisonous radioactive materials.
“Radioactive,” Marjane Satrapi’s biopic of the renowned Polish-born French physicist, is alive to the toil of science. Not just its grubby, physical labor, but the burden of a sexist, male-dominated field, the hardships of a public life and the unrelenting tenacity of a pioneer like Curie. As played by Rosamund Pike, Curie is as tough, prickly and potent as that pitchblende.
The film, which debuts Friday on Amazon Prime, comes from Lauren Redniss’ 2010 graphic biography, “Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout.” Satrapi, the Iranian-French filmmaker, has her own roots in graphic novels. She co-directed the adaptation of her own “Persepolis,” a striking coming-of-age tale set against the Islamic Revolution.
“Persepolis” had a compelling monochrome look, and Redniss’ book a more surreal, iridescent style. But “Radioactive” is bathed in the more conventional gauzy glow of a biopic, and clings disappointingly to the genre’s familiar rhythms. With some notable exceptions, this is a traditional treatment of an extraordinary life, complete with deathbed scenes that bookend the film and frequent lines, in Jack Thorne’s screenplay, in which Curie single-mindedly speaks of scientific progress less like a person than a grade-school teaching tool.
Maybe there’s not anything so wrong with that. Female scientists are so frequently underappreciated that “Radioactive” is worthwhile. Curie hasn’t been absent from screens. There was, most recently, the 2017 international production “Marie Curie: The Courage of Knowledge” and the 1997 French drama “Les Palmes de M. Schutz,” with Isabelle Huppert as Curie. But not since 1943’s Oscar-nominated “Madame Curie” has she had the full biopic treatment. As the first person to win the Nobel Prize twice — after which she saved countless lives with mobile X-ray labs during World War I — she had the sort of huge life that more than fills a movie.
And “Radioactive” has endeavored to capture a full picture of Curie, starting with her romance with Pierre (Sam Riley). Having suffered the misogyny of colleagues and recently been turned out of her office, she’s skeptical of him both professionally and romantically. But he proves an equitable partner and, besides, has something special to offer: laboratory space.
Their relationship and their historical discoveries make up about half of “Radioactive,” and while it may be the most dramatic period of Curie’s life, it’s the more inert piece of the film. History is sometimes exaggerated for effect. Marie quarrels with Pierre when he accepts their Nobel without her; he, in fact, refused to until they both could travel to Sweden, which they did two years later. Marie is also shown here as an outsider throughout, which minimizes her role in the scientific community.
But “Radioactive” picks up after the death of Pierre in a road accident in 1906. There is scandal; Curie years later came to love Pierre’s protege, a physics professor named Paul Langevin (Aneurin Barnard), who was married but separated. The French branded her a homewrecker and cursed as an immigrant. (Albert Einstein supported her in a memorable letter.) Later, wartime scenes with her 17-year-old daughter Irène (the talented Anya Taylor-Joy) reverberate with electricity missing from much of the film.
In its boldest break from the biopic format, “Radioactive” also weaves in flashes of the modern ramifications to Curie’s discoveries: a boy, in 1957, receiving radiation treatment; the bombing of Hiroshima; meltdown at Chernobyl. The leaps ahead — which come from Redniss’ graphic novel — are disjointed and unexamined. But they give the often too rigid and unimaginative “Radioactive” a charge, putting Curie into a broader, never-ending context.
In one them, we’re plunged into a Nevada atomic test. There’s a mock town, complete with a stereotypical “nuclear” family including a housewife. We watch as the bomb, a product partly of Curie’s discoveries decades earlier, eviscerates them.
“Radioactive”
2 1/2 stars out of 4
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements, disturbing images, brief nudity and a scene of sensuality)
Running time: 109 minutes


mercurynews--2020-07-24--SF Giants Gameday Podcast: An Opening Night to remember, and to forget

LOS ANGELES — Gone are Bruce Bochy and Madison Bumgarner .
And while the Los Angeles Dodgers were without ace @ @ @ @ @ ’ rival replaced their presumed Opening Day starter with a rookie who throws 100-mile per @ @ @ @ @ .
The Giants needed so much to go right to have a chance to open @ @ @ @ @ a win , and in the midst of a seventh-inning meltdown , nearly everything went @ @ @ @ @ Opening Night looks at the miscues , but also the reasons the Giants are staying @ @ @ @ @ this episode of SF Giants Gameday , you ’ ll hear from Kapler on the @ @ @ @ @ lineup as well as Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi , who explains what @ @ @ @ @ mean for this year ’ s team .
Wondering who overcame the longest odds of @ @ @ @ @ ?
You ’ ll also hear from Giants reliever Caleb Baragar and learn the story @ @ @ @ @ him in the bullpen .

LOS ANGELES — Gone are Bruce Bochy and Madison Bumgarner.
Missing were Buster Posey, Evan Longoria and Brandon Belt.
And while the Los Angeles Dodgers were without ace Clayton Kershaw, the Giants’ rival replaced their presumed Opening Day starter with a rookie who throws 100-mile per hour sinkers in Dustin May.
The Giants needed so much to go right to have a chance to open the Gabe Kapler era with a win, and in the midst of a seventh-inning meltdown, nearly everything went wrong.
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In this episode of SF Giants Gameday, you’ll hear from Kapler on the last-second scramble to adjust his lineup as well as Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, who explains what an expanded playoff field could mean for this year’s team.
Wondering who overcame the longest odds of making the Opening Day roster? You’ll also hear from Giants reliever Caleb Baragar and learn the story behind the fastball that landed him in the bullpen.


mercurynews--2020-07-24--Watch: Camp Pendleton Marines in action

Watch: Camp Pendleton Marines in action

A fast-paced , action-packed trailer , “ Ready Now , ” released Thursday previews a re-imaging that is going on @ @ @ @ @ And Camp Pendleton ’ s 1st Marine Expeditionary Force are the stars of the video @ @ @ @ @ and dropping from helicopters into the ocean , reconnaissance Marines in light-weight boats skimming the @ @ @ @ @ , humanitarian aid in a town leveled by an earthquake , the new F-35B fighter @ @ @ @ @ – the video illustrates the Marines capabilities .
“ The Marine Corps retains the core @ @ @ @ @ in being America ’ s 911 force , ” said Staff Sgt .
Royce Dorman @ @ @ @ @ ’ s production .
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger released last year his plan @ @ @ @ @ over the next decade .
While the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force ’ s focus has @ @ @ @ @ of Iraq and Afghanistan , strategies are shifting back to the Marine Corps ’ amphibious @ @ @ @ @ in the Indo-Pacific regions .

A fast-paced, action-packed trailer, “Ready Now,” released Thursday previews a re-imaging that is going on of the Marine Corps.
And Camp Pendleton’s 1st Marine Expeditionary Force are the stars of the video.
Marines scaling rock walls and dropping from helicopters into the ocean, reconnaissance Marines in light-weight boats skimming the water to board a vessel, humanitarian aid in a town leveled by an earthquake, the new F-35B fighter jets banking among the clouds – the video illustrates the Marines capabilities.
“The Marine Corps retains the core value of who we are in being America’s 911 force,” said Staff Sgt. Royce Dorman, who oversaw the video’s production.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger released last year his plan for re-imagining the military branch over the next decade. While the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force’s focus has been deployments to desert regions of Iraq and Afghanistan, strategies are shifting back to the Marine Corps’ amphibious roots and preparation for operations in the Indo-Pacific regions.


mercurynews--2020-07-24--Coronavirus State Tracker: California reported 12,164 new cases and 177 new deaths, leads the nation

Coronavirus State Tracker: California reported 12,164 new cases and 177 new deaths, leads the nation in total cases

California had at least 12,164 new cases of the coronavirus and 177 new deaths reported as of Thursday , July @ @ @ @ @ ’ s total cases to 428,907 and total deaths to 8,173 according to unofficial counts @ @ @ @ @ leads the nation in total cases .
The state ’ s breakdown of CASES by @ @ @ @ @ The state ’ s breakdown of DEATHS by age is as follows : The daily @ @ @ @ @ of local , state and global coronavirus data that began publishing in our Southern California @ @ @ @ @ News Group newspapers on March 18 .
It is designed to be a community service @ @ @ @ @ you with more than 2,000 pieces of valuable data from nearly 80 websites .
To @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus daily tracker page , send us your subscription number and you ’ @ @ @ @ @ newsletter .
You can also follow the daily tracker on Facebook .

California had at least 12,164 new cases of the coronavirus and 177 new deaths reported as of Thursday, July 23, raising the state’s total cases to 428,907 and total deaths to 8,173 according to unofficial counts from county websites. California leads the nation in total cases.
The state’s breakdown of CASES by age is as follows:
5 and younger: 1% (8,073) 5-17: 7% (29,262) 18-34: 35% (149,968) 35-49: 25% (106,885) 50-59: 14% (60,232) 60-64: 5% (21,985) 65-69: 3% (15,272) 70-74: 2% (10,756) 75-79: 1% (7,501) 80 and older: 3% (15,215)
The state’s breakdown of DEATHS by age is as follows:
5 and younger: 0% (0) 5-17: 0% (0) 18-34: 1% (97) 35-49: 5% (429) 50-59: 10% (778) 60-64: 6% (593) 65-69: 10% (760) 70-74: 11% (870) 75-79: 12% (935) 80 and older: 44% (3,487)
Download today’s STATE-TRACKER
The daily state tracker is a compilation of local, state and global coronavirus data that began publishing in our Southern California News Group and Bay Area News Group newspapers on March 18. It is designed to be a community service during this pandemic, providing you with more than 2,000 pieces of valuable data from nearly 80 websites.
To obtain the complete pdf archive of the coronavirus daily tracker page, send us your subscription number and you’ll also receive the daily newsletter. You can also follow the daily tracker on Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-07-25--Supreme Court denies Nevada church’s virus rule appeal

RENO , Nev. — A sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court denied a rural Nevada church ’ s request late Friday to strike down as unconstitutional a 50-person cap on worship services as part of the state ’ s ongoing response to the coronavirus .
In a 5-4 decision , the high court refused to grant the request from the Christian church east of Reno to be subjected to the same COVID-19 restrictions in Nevada that allow casinos , restaurants and other businesses to operate at 50 % of capacity with proper social distancing .
Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unconstitutional violation of its parishioners ’ First Amendment rights to express and exercise their beliefs .
Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the liberal majority in denying the request without explanation .
Three justices wrote strongly worded dissenting opinions on behalf of the four conservatives who said they would have granted the injunctive relief while the court fully considers the merits of the case .
“ That Nevada would discriminate in favor of the powerful gaming industry and its employees may not come as a surprise , but this Court ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in a dissent joined by Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh .
“ We have a duty to defend the Constitution , and even a public health emergency does not absolve us of that responsibility , ” Alito said .
“ The Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion .
It says nothing about freedom to play craps or blackjack , to feed tokens into a slot machine or to engage in any other game of chance.
” Kavanaugh also wrote his own dissent , as did Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last month after a U.S. judge in Nevada upheld the state ’ s policy that allows casinos and other businesses to operate at 50 % of normal capacity .
The appellate court in San Francisco is still considering the appeal , but it has denied the church ’ s request for an emergency injunction in the meantime .
Its ruling July 2 pointed to the Supreme Court ’ s refusal in May to strike down California ’ s limit on the size of religious gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyon County appealed to the Supreme Court six days later , asking for an emergency injunction prohibiting the state from enforcing the cap on religious gatherings .
“ The governor allows hundreds to thousands to assemble in pursuit of financial fortunes but only 50 to gather in pursuit of spiritual ones .
That is unconstitutional , ” its lawyers wrote in their most recent filing to the high court last week .
Nevada ’ s lawyers said last week several courts nationwide have followed the Supreme Court ’ s lead in upholding state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 .
“ Temporarily narrowing restrictions on the size of mass gatherings , including for religious services , protects the health and well-being of Nevada citizens during a global pandemic , ” they wrote .
Kavanaugh said Nevada ’ s policy constitutes “ overt discrimination against places of worship.
” • Coronavirus : As deaths in Latinx community skyrocket , Newsom calls to protect essential workers • White House , GOP at odds over next jobless aid package • Outbreak : Texas hospital may send some patients home to die “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % occupancy cap is good enough for secular businesses where people congregate in large groups or remain in close proximity for extended periods — such at restaurants , bars , casinos and gyms — but is not good enough for places of worship , ” he wrote .
Gorsuch said today ’ s world “ with a pandemic upon us , poses unusual challenges.
” “ But there is no world in which the Constitution permits Nevada to favor Caesars Palace over Calvary Chapel , ” he wrote .

By Scott Sonner | Associated Press
RENO, Nev. — A sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court denied a rural Nevada church’s request late Friday to strike down as unconstitutional a 50-person cap on worship services as part of the state’s ongoing response to the coronavirus.
In a 5-4 decision, the high court refused to grant the request from the Christian church east of Reno to be subjected to the same COVID-19 restrictions in Nevada that allow casinos, restaurants and other businesses to operate at 50% of capacity with proper social distancing.
Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley argued that the hard cap on religious gatherings was an unconstitutional violation of its parishioners’ First Amendment rights to express and exercise their beliefs.
Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the liberal majority in denying the request without explanation.
Three justices wrote strongly worded dissenting opinions on behalf of the four conservatives who said they would have granted the injunctive relief while the court fully considers the merits of the case.
“That Nevada would discriminate in favor of the powerful gaming industry and its employees may not come as a surprise, but this Court’s willingness to allow such discrimination is disappointing,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in a dissent joined by Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh.
“We have a duty to defend the Constitution, and even a public health emergency does not absolve us of that responsibility,” Alito said. “The Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion. It says nothing about freedom to play craps or blackjack, to feed tokens into a slot machine or to engage in any other game of chance.”
Kavanaugh also wrote his own dissent, as did Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last month after a U.S. judge in Nevada upheld the state’s policy that allows casinos and other businesses to operate at 50% of normal capacity.
The appellate court in San Francisco is still considering the appeal, but it has denied the church’s request for an emergency injunction in the meantime. Its ruling July 2 pointed to the Supreme Court’s refusal in May to strike down California’s limit on the size of religious gatherings.
The church in Nevada’s Lyon County appealed to the Supreme Court six days later, asking for an emergency injunction prohibiting the state from enforcing the cap on religious gatherings.
“The governor allows hundreds to thousands to assemble in pursuit of financial fortunes but only 50 to gather in pursuit of spiritual ones. That is unconstitutional,” its lawyers wrote in their most recent filing to the high court last week.
Nevada’s lawyers said last week several courts nationwide have followed the Supreme Court’s lead in upholding state authority to impose emergency restrictions in response to COVID-19.
“Temporarily narrowing restrictions on the size of mass gatherings, including for religious services, protects the health and well-being of Nevada citizens during a global pandemic,” they wrote.
Kavanaugh said Nevada’s policy constitutes “overt discrimination against places of worship.”
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Gorsuch said today’s world “with a pandemic upon us, poses unusual challenges.”
“But there is no world in which the Constitution permits Nevada to favor Caesars Palace over Calvary Chapel,” he wrote.