mercurynews--2020-03-30--Sentencing postponed for man who killed two kids in Antioch crash, over court shutdown

MARTINEZ — A statewide court shutdown has forced court officials to postpone the sentencing date for a Contra Costa resident who killed two young girls in a January 2018 crash .
Noe Saucedo , 25 , faces a life sentence for convictions of two murder charges , evading police , and possessing meth , related to a horrific crash in Antioch that killed 4-year-old Lenexy Cardoza , and her 2-year-old sister , Camila , and seriously injured the girls ’ mother .
Saucedo was scheduled to be formally sentenced on March 20 , but courts have been shut down or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
In Contra Costa County , where Saucedo was convicted , the presiding judge is requesting that courts be shut down except for urgent hearings through April 30 .
A new hearing date for Saucedo ’ s sentencing has not yet been set , a spokesman for the District Attorney ’ s office said .
The day of the crash , Saucedo was driving a stolen truck in Bay Point when a Contra Costa Sheriff ’ s deputy began to follow him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , traveling at normal freeway speeds , until Saucedo got to Antioch .
When Saucedo reached the Somersville Road exit , he traveled down a dirt embankment , then attempted to speed through a red light in order to get away from the deputy .
Instead , he t-boned a truck containing the two girls and their mother , who were returning home from a doctor appointment .
The crash was so devastating that throughout trial , seasoned first responders routinely broke down on the witness stand while recounting details .
The girls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car and were critically injured .
Lenexy died almost instantly , while Camila briefly survived before being taken to a hospital , where she was pronounced dead .
Saucedo was traveling between 50 and 70 miles per hour through the intersection , prosecutors said during trial .
The defense argued he had unintentionally sped through , after losing control of the truck .
Saucedo could spend the rest of his life in prison , but details are complicated .
Each second-degree murder charge makes him eligible for a sentence of life without parole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make him ineligible for parole for at least three decades .
But because he was less than 25 years old at the time of the crash , a state Supreme Court case opens the door for “ youthful ” murder convicts to receive a parole hearing after serving 15-25 years .
A judge has not yet ruled on this issue in Saucedo ’ s case .

MARTINEZ — A statewide court shutdown has forced court officials to postpone the sentencing date for a Contra Costa resident who killed two young girls in a January 2018 crash.
Noe Saucedo, 25, faces a life sentence for convictions of two murder charges, evading police, and possessing meth, related to a horrific crash in Antioch that killed 4-year-old Lenexy Cardoza and her 2-year-old sister, Camila, and seriously injured the girls’ mother.
Saucedo was scheduled to be formally sentenced on March 20, but courts have been shut down or heavily restricted across the state, as part of ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In Contra Costa County, where Saucedo was convicted, the presiding judge is requesting that courts be shut down except for urgent hearings through April 30.
A new hearing date for Saucedo’s sentencing has not yet been set, a spokesman for the District Attorney’s office said.
The day of the crash, Saucedo was driving a stolen truck in Bay Point when a Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputy began to follow him. The deputy followed Saucedo onto Highway 4, traveling at normal freeway speeds, until Saucedo got to Antioch.
When Saucedo reached the Somersville Road exit, he traveled down a dirt embankment, then attempted to speed through a red light in order to get away from the deputy. Instead, he t-boned a truck containing the two girls and their mother, who were returning home from a doctor appointment.
The crash was so devastating that throughout trial, seasoned first responders routinely broke down on the witness stand while recounting details. The girls were crushed by the impact of the car and were critically injured. Lenexy died almost instantly, while Camila briefly survived before being taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Saucedo was traveling between 50 and 70 miles per hour through the intersection, prosecutors said during trial. The defense argued he had unintentionally sped through, after losing control of the truck.
Saucedo could spend the rest of his life in prison, but details are complicated. Each second-degree murder conviction makes him eligible for a sentence of life without parole eligibility for 15 years, which would make him ineligible for parole for at least three decades. But because he was less than 25 years old at the time of the crash, a state Supreme Court case opens the door for “youthful” murder convicts to receive a parole hearing after serving 15-25 years. A judge has not yet ruled on this issue in Saucedo’s case.


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Why Curt Schilling says Oakland and its fans are worst in baseball

Former All-Star pitcher Curt Schilling , perhaps best known for his bloody sock and runny mouth , eviscerated A ’ s fans as well as the team ’ s stadium as part of a late-night Twitter stream .
Schilling , never one afraid to share his views on social media , said the Bay Area offered the best ( the Giants ) and the worst ( the A ’ s ) of his baseball stadium experiences during his 20-year career .
With the force of one of his trademark 98 mph fastballs , Schilling reared back and delivered his harshest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stadium was poop salad and then tack on the worst , most disrespectful fans in sports , ” Schilling tweeted Saturday night when asked why he disliked the Oakland Coliseum so much .
“ They weren ’ t actual sports fans , ” Schilling continued tweeting about A ’ s fans .
“ They just yelled the dumbest ( stuff ) and acted like idiots .
Clearly not ALL , but those that sat in the OF during BP … they were just ( expletives ) .
” Schilling , a fervent supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an ESPN analyst four years ago for insensitive and bigoted statements that may have also affected his chances to reach the Baseball Hall of Fame .
The 53-year-old , though , climbed closer to Cooperstown in December while earning 70 percent of the needed 75-percent threshold for inclusion .
• On this date , March 29 : A ’ s Charlie Finley uses orange baseballs in spring game • Baseball could extend the season through Thanksgiving • How the MLB and MLBPA ’ s deal affects the Oakland A ’ s • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve probably never heard before Controversy aside , Schilling — @ Gehrig38 — remains one of the best Twitter follows among athletes , if only for his honest , unfiltered views into the game of baseball .
The six-time All-Star and three-time world champion regularly engages followers in unscheduled Q & A sessions while offering unique insights .
Even so , there are times the opinionated Schilling can ’ t help himself , like when explaining what makes the Giants ’ Oracle Park so special .
“ LOVE that stadium and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Exactly like NY fans but with way more liberals… ”

Former All-Star pitcher Curt Schilling, perhaps best known for his bloody sock and runny mouth, eviscerated A’s fans as well as the team’s stadium as part of a late-night Twitter stream.
Schilling, never one afraid to share his views on social media, said the Bay Area offered the best (the Giants) and the worst (the A’s) of his baseball stadium experiences during his 20-year career.
With the force of one of his trademark 98 mph fastballs, Schilling reared back and delivered his harshest criticism straight toward Oakland.
“The stadium was poop salad and then tack on the worst, most disrespectful fans in sports,” Schilling tweeted Saturday night when asked why he disliked the Oakland Coliseum so much.
“They weren’t actual sports fans,” Schilling continued tweeting about A’s fans. “They just yelled the dumbest (stuff) and acted like idiots. Clearly not ALL, but those that sat in the OF during BP … they were just (expletives).”
Schilling, a fervent supporter of conservative-leaning views, lost his job as an ESPN analyst four years ago for insensitive and bigoted statements that may have also affected his chances to reach the Baseball Hall of Fame. The 53-year-old, though, climbed closer to Cooperstown in December while earning 70 percent of the needed 75-percent threshold for inclusion.
Controversy aside, Schilling — @Gehrig38 — remains one of the best Twitter follows among athletes, if only for his honest, unfiltered views into the game of baseball. The six-time All-Star and three-time world champion regularly engages followers in unscheduled Q&A sessions while offering unique insights.
Even so, there are times the opinionated Schilling can’t help himself, like when explaining what makes the Giants’ Oracle Park so special.
“LOVE that stadium and VERY UNDERRATED fans,” he tweeted. “Exactly like NY fans but with way more liberals…”


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Iconic bookstore Powell’s rehires 100 to meet online demand

Powell ’ s Books , the legendary Oregon-based bookstore , announced it has rehired more than 100 of its workers amid the flood of online orders it has received since closing its stores amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Owner and CEO Emily Powell thanked customers for their support in a statement on the store ’ s website .
“ Your kind words , messages of encouragement , ideas for perseverance , and orders for books have taken our breath away , ” she wrote .
“ Thanks to your orders on Powells.com , we now have over 100 folks working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full time with benefits .
Most importantly , we ’ re working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.
” Powell ’ s Books , which describes itself as the world ’ s largest independent bookstore , employed more than 530 people , according to its website .
However , as coronavirus concerns increased nationwide , the indie bookstore chain closed its five Portland-area stores on March 15 and a result had to lay off the majority of its employees .
“ At this time , we feel we can not honor the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have temporarily closed our five Portland-area stores , ” the bookstore wrote in a message to customers on its website .
In a letter to employees on March 17 , Powell warned that she doesn ’ t expect to be able to reopen the stores for at least eight weeks .
She said the chain couldn ’ t afford to pay worker ’ s salaries and benefits while it is closed .
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5 , which represents Powell ’ s employees , welcomed the bookstore ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We continue to urge all Employers , including Powell ’ s Books , to continue to support workers in any and every way possible , ” the union said on its website .
“ The loss of profit is nothing compared to the lifelong trauma such a loss of income and benefits are likely to have for individuals.
” Powell ’ s said it will keep its website sales running for as long as it can , and promised to reopen its stores as soon as it can .
“ Right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on keeping Powell ’ s moving , keeping our community healthy , taking care of our wonderful customers , and having as many folks working with health insurance as our sales can support , ” Powell wrote .

By David Williams | CNN
Powell’s Books, the legendary Oregon-based bookstore, announced it has rehired more than 100 of its workers amid the flood of online orders it has received since closing its stores amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Owner and CEO Emily Powell thanked customers for their support in a statement on the store’s website.
“Your kind words, messages of encouragement, ideas for perseverance, and orders for books have taken our breath away,” she wrote. “Thanks to your orders on Powells.com, we now have over 100 folks working at Powell’s again — all full time with benefits. Most importantly, we’re working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
Powell’s Books, which describes itself as the world’s largest independent bookstore, employed more than 530 people, according to its website.
However, as coronavirus concerns increased nationwide, the indie bookstore chain closed its five Portland-area stores on March 15 and a result had to lay off the majority of its employees.
“At this time, we feel we cannot honor the social distancing guidelines presented by the CDC and have temporarily closed our five Portland-area stores,” the bookstore wrote in a message to customers on its website.
In a letter to employees on March 17, Powell warned that she doesn’t expect to be able to reopen the stores for at least eight weeks. She said the chain couldn’t afford to pay worker’s salaries and benefits while it is closed.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5, which represents Powell’s employees, welcomed the bookstore’s decision to close to protect workers.
“We continue to urge all Employers, including Powell’s Books, to continue to support workers in any and every way possible,” the union said on its website. “The loss of profit is nothing compared to the lifelong trauma such a loss of income and benefits are likely to have for individuals.”
Powell’s said it will keep its website sales running for as long as it can, and promised to reopen its stores as soon as it can.
“Right now, however, our focus is on keeping Powell’s moving, keeping our community healthy, taking care of our wonderful customers, and having as many folks working with health insurance as our sales can support,” Powell wrote.


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Walters: PG&E makes 2 deals to survive, but ultimately customers pay

In any other week , major actions affecting Pacific Gas and Electric ’ s chances of emerging from bankruptcy as an intact and operational utility would have been big news .
But with everyone in and out of government riveted on battling the COVID-19 pandemic , there was only proforma media attention to two big PG & E events : — Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced that he and utility executives had reached an agreement on finances and corporate governance that probably allows PG & E to close bankruptcy later this year .
“ This is the end of business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Newsom said in a statement .
“ Through California ’ s unprecedented intervention in the bankruptcy , we secured a totally transformed board and leadership structure for the company , real accountability tools to ensure safety and reliability and billions more in contributions from shareholders to ensure safety upgrades are achieved.
” — PG & E agreed to plead guilty to 84 involuntary manslaughter counts in connection with the 2018 Camp Fire , the most destructive wildfire in California ’ s history .
The fire destroyed much of the town of Paradise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a plea agreement with the Butte County district attorney ’ s office , PG & E also pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully starting a fire , agreed to pay a fine and build a new water system for the town .
PG & E financial , legal and political issues are not completely resolved , but the twin actions indicate it will survive as an investor-owned , state-regulated monopoly providing electric power and natural gas service to millions of customers in Northern California , rather than being converted into some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or acquired by new owners .
However , even when and if its other issues are settled , such as direct compensation to victims of the Camp Fire and other destructive wildfires caused by poorly maintained power lines that failed during high winds , the utility , its stockholders , its creditors and its customers still face years of financial turmoil .
The settlements which PG & E is negotiating will be very costly and no matter how financing them is structured , including some special state-blessed bonds , ultimately the burden will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monthly checks for service .
Although one of the provisions of the deal with Newsom suspends dividends to stockholders for three years to generate , on paper , about $ 4 billion in savings , PG & E must be able to tap the financial markets for capital and that ability , in turn , is based on profitability and having a stock that is sufficiently attractive to investors .
The California Public Utilities Commission , which is appointed by the governor , has a duty not only to protect the interests of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viability of PG & E and other utilities it regulates .
Over the long run , it must approve power rates that resonate positively on Wall Street , as noxious as that might seem to those who see profit as a dirty word .
Post-bankruptcy , therefore , PG & E ’ s fate will depend on the PUC ’ s ability to balance its competing mandates , which raises another issue — the role played by the state , including the commission , in PG & E ’ s lapses .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new obligations on the state ’ s utilities in recent years , mostly having to do with reducing greenhouse gas emissions .
Is it possible that absorbing those expensive obligations contributed to insufficient spending on transmission line maintenance ?
And is it possible that in overseeing PG & E operations , the PUC failed to insist that no-sex-appeal but vital maintenance receive the priority it deserves ?
Somehow and someday , those questions should be answered .

In any other week, major actions affecting Pacific Gas and Electric’s chances of emerging from bankruptcy as an intact and operational utility would have been big news.
But with everyone in and out of government riveted on battling the COVID-19 pandemic, there was only proforma media attention to two big PG&E events:
— Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he and utility executives had reached an agreement on finances and corporate governance that probably allows PG&E to close bankruptcy later this year. “This is the end of business as usual for PG&E,” Newsom said in a statement. “Through California’s unprecedented intervention in the bankruptcy, we secured a totally transformed board and leadership structure for the company, real accountability tools to ensure safety and reliability and billions more in contributions from shareholders to ensure safety upgrades are achieved.”
— PG&E agreed to plead guilty to 84 involuntary manslaughter counts in connection with the 2018 Camp Fire, the most destructive wildfire in California’s history. The fire destroyed much of the town of Paradise, which had about 26,000 people. In a plea agreement with the Butte County district attorney’s office, PG&E also pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully starting a fire, agreed to pay a fine and build a new water system for the town.
PG&E financial, legal and political issues are not completely resolved, but the twin actions indicate it will survive as an investor-owned, state-regulated monopoly providing electric power and natural gas service to millions of customers in Northern California, rather than being converted into some kind of cooperative or government-owned entity, or acquired by new owners.
However, even when and if its other issues are settled, such as direct compensation to victims of the Camp Fire and other destructive wildfires caused by poorly maintained power lines that failed during high winds, the utility, its stockholders, its creditors and its customers still face years of financial turmoil.
The settlements which PG&E is negotiating will be very costly and no matter how financing them is structured, including some special state-blessed bonds, ultimately the burden will largely fall on customers who write their monthly checks for service.
Although one of the provisions of the deal with Newsom suspends dividends to stockholders for three years to generate, on paper, about $4 billion in savings, PG&E must be able to tap the financial markets for capital and that ability, in turn, is based on profitability and having a stock that is sufficiently attractive to investors.
The California Public Utilities Commission, which is appointed by the governor, has a duty not only to protect the interests of consumers, but to protect the financial viability of PG&E and other utilities it regulates. Over the long run, it must approve power rates that resonate positively on Wall Street, as noxious as that might seem to those who see profit as a dirty word.
Post-bankruptcy, therefore, PG&E’s fate will depend on the PUC’s ability to balance its competing mandates, which raises another issue — the role played by the state, including the commission, in PG&E’s lapses.
The Legislature and recent governors have imposed many new obligations on the state’s utilities in recent years, mostly having to do with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Is it possible that absorbing those expensive obligations contributed to insufficient spending on transmission line maintenance? And is it possible that in overseeing PG&E operations, the PUC failed to insist that no-sex-appeal but vital maintenance receive the priority it deserves?
Somehow and someday, those questions should be answered.


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Watch: California Gov. Gavin Newsom provides update on COVID-19 response, Mar. 30

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device .
Governor Gavin Newsom joined some of California ’ s frontline health care workers Monday and announced an initiative to expand the state ’ s medical workforce .
• Coronavirus : Moscow goes on lockdown , rest of the country braces • Doctor arrested for coughing on nurses in hospital ; caused ‘ substantial ’ alarm • Macy ’ s to furlough majority of its 130,000 workers Newsom also provided an update on the coronavirus pandemic ahead of a surge in cases anticipated by health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California topped 6,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases as the U.S. took the lead in reported cases worldwide with more than 144,672 , according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University .
About one-third of Californians who have tested positive for the respiratory disease are in the Bay Area , which passed 2,000 cases over the weekend .
The nationwide death toll climbed to more than 2,500 on Monday , which Newsom recognized as National Doctors Day on Twitter before the livestream.
” “ To every doctor and healthcare worker out there on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YOU .
Thank you for your tireless work to keep our communities safe and your willingness to risk your own health to help save others.
” Newsom ’ s show of appreciation followed health care workers around the state calling attention to dire shortages of personal protective equipment , or PPE , they use in treating COVID-19 patients , as well as respirators and ventilators some patients require .
To address this concern , Newsom ordered ventilators from the federal government ’ s medical supply stockpile , only to find all 170 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then announced the ventilators were shipped to a Bloom Energy facility in Sunnyvale that he toured with San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo over the weekend , promising the recently converted campus would fix the 170 devices and send them back to Los Angeles by Monday .

CLICK HERE if you’re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device.
Governor Gavin Newsom joined some of California’s frontline health care workers Monday and announced an initiative to expand the state’s medical workforce.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Newsom also provided an update on the coronavirus pandemic ahead of a surge in cases anticipated by health care experts nationwide. Before Newsom spoke, California topped 6,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases as the U.S. took the lead in reported cases worldwide with more than 144,672, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University. About one-third of Californians who have tested positive for the respiratory disease are in the Bay Area, which passed 2,000 cases over the weekend.
The nationwide death toll climbed to more than 2,500 on Monday, which Newsom recognized as National Doctors Day on Twitter before the livestream.”
“To every doctor and healthcare worker out there on the front lines of this pandemic — THANK YOU. Thank you for your tireless work to keep our communities safe and your willingness to risk your own health to help save others.”
Newsom’s show of appreciation followed health care workers around the state calling attention to dire shortages of personal protective equipment, or PPE, they use in treating COVID-19 patients, as well as respirators and ventilators some patients require. To address this concern, Newsom ordered ventilators from the federal government’s medical supply stockpile, only to find all 170 that arrived Saturday were broken.
The governor then announced the ventilators were shipped to a Bloom Energy facility in Sunnyvale that he toured with San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo over the weekend, promising the recently converted campus would fix the 170 devices and send them back to Los Angeles by Monday.
For live coronavirus updates, CLICK HERE


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Tame Impala announces new date for San Francisco

Bay Area Tame Impala fans can mark their calendars ( for the second time ) .
That ’ s because the Grammy-nominated psychedelic rock act from Australia , led by Kevin Parker , has announced a rescheduled date for its sold-out show at Chase Center in San Francisco .
Tame Impala will now perform at the home of the Golden State Warriors on Sept. 21 .
“ The original date of Friday , March 13 was postponed to comply with the City and County of San Francisco ’ s ban on large gatherings and the State of California ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 , ” according to a news release .
All tickets for the original March 13 date will be honored at the rescheduled show .
More information about the concert can be found at chasecenter.com .
Chase credit/debit card holders can also purchase Chase Preferred Seats for the concert .
Tame Impala is supporting its critically acclaimed fourth album , “ The Slow Rush , ” which was released in February and went to No .
3 on the Billboard Top 200 .
“ The Slow Rush is Kevin Parker ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , conjuring the feeling of a lifetime in a lightning bolt , of major milestones whizzing by while you ’ re looking at your phone , it ’ s a paean to creation and destruction and the unending cycle of life , ” according to a news release .
“ A lot of the songs carry this idea of time passing , of seeing your life flash before your eyes , being able to see clearly your life from this point onwards .
I ’ m being swept by this notion of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intoxicating about it , ” Parker reportedly told the New York Times earlier this year .

Bay Area Tame Impala fans can mark their calendars (for the second time).
That’s because the Grammy-nominated psychedelic rock act from Australia, led by Kevin Parker, has announced a rescheduled date for its sold-out show at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Tame Impala will now perform at the home of the Golden State Warriors on Sept. 21.
“The original date of Friday, March 13 was postponed to comply with the City and County of San Francisco’s ban on large gatherings and the State of California’s shelter-in-place order to help stem the spread of COVID-19,” according to a news release.
All tickets for the original March 13 date will be honored at the rescheduled show. More information about the concert can be found at chasecenter.com.
Chase credit/debit card holders can also purchase Chase Preferred Seats for the concert.
Tame Impala is supporting its critically acclaimed fourth album, “The Slow Rush,” which was released in February and went to No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200.
“The Slow Rush is Kevin Parker’s deep dive into the oceans of time, conjuring the feeling of a lifetime in a lightning bolt, of major milestones whizzing by while you’re looking at your phone, it’s a paean to creation and destruction and the unending cycle of life,” according to a news release.
“A lot of the songs carry this idea of time passing, of seeing your life flash before your eyes, being able to see clearly your life from this point onwards. I’m being swept by this notion of time passing. There’s something really intoxicating about it,” Parker reportedly told the New York Times earlier this year.
Ever wonder what song the great @BobSeger was humming from 1962 in "Night Moves"? (And what is wrong with that famous lyric?) https://t.co/4NgMFARFln — Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) March 26, 2020


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Daughter’s ‘heart is shattered into a trillion pieces” following mother’s COVID-19 deat

Coronavirus: Daughter’s ‘heart is shattered into a trillion pieces” following mother’s COVID-19 death

The daughter of a Bay Area woman who died last week from coronavirus wants her death to be a “ wake-up call ” for anyone in the public who may still be reluctant to accept COVID-19 ’ s danger .
“ My heart has shattered into a trillion pieces , ” Adriane Hopper Williams said on a Facebook post that was open to public viewing .
Williams ’ mother , Barbara Johnson Hopper , of Oakland , died in a hospital March 26 .
She was 81 .
Through Sunday night , 132 people in California had died from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a population of about 8 million people across 10 counties , passed 2,000 positive cases through Monday morning , according to data posted by this news organization .
“ I am beyond devastated by her loss , ” Hopper Williams wrote , “ and I sincerely hope that her story can be a wake-up call for those of you who think this pandemic shutdown is a joke .
According to Hopper Williams , of Los Angeles , her mother was a deeply faithful woman who desired and believed she would get better , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the post : “ I want to live !
” “ She told me that she believed with all her heart and every fiber of her being that God could heal her .
And so did I , ” she wrote .
“ And so did the host of family and friends around the world who were praying for her.
” Hopper Williams described her mom as a “ trailblazer , ” saying that she had created a learning school and a dance school in her younger days and that she remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay Area .
In the end , however , Barbara Hopper was isolated in a hospital when she died , her daughter wrote .
“ You do not want your loved one to die like this — with people who have to cover every inch of their bodies to come and care for them — not being able to hold their hand and be with them when they take their final breath .
You do not want this hell .
My mother deserved to be surrounded by her family and not treated like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for getting near her .
“ … Take heed , I would have never in a million years thought that something like this could happen to my family .
But it did .
And it can happen to yours , too , if your are not safe .
Stay home .
This virus doesn ’ t care about your race , class , religion or life ’ s purpose .
Don ’ t let this be your story , too !
”

The daughter of a Bay Area woman who died from coronavirus wants her death to be a “wake-up call” for anyone in the public who may still be reluctant to accept COVID-19’s danger.
“My heart has shattered into a trillion pieces,” Adriane Hopper Williams said on a Facebook post that was open to public viewing.
Williams’ mother, Barbara Johnson Hopper, of Oakland, died in a hospital March 26. She was 81.
Through Monday morning, 50 people in the Bay Area have died from the coronavirus.
The Bay Area, with a population of about 8 million people across 10 counties, passed 2,000 positive cases through Monday morning, according to data posted by this news organization.
“I am beyond devastated by her loss,” Hopper Williams wrote, “and I sincerely hope that her story can be a wake-up call for those of you who think this pandemic shutdown is a joke.
“It is not.”
According to Hopper Williams, of Los Angeles, her mother was a deeply faithful woman who desired and believed she would get better, even saying to her daughter, according to the post: “I want to live!”
“She told me that she believed with all her heart and every fiber of her being that God could heal her. And so did I,” she wrote. “And so did the host of family and friends around the world who were praying for her.”
Hopper Williams described her mom as a “trailblazer,” saying that she had created a learning school and a dance school in her younger days and that she remained a successful real estate agent in the Bay Area.
In the end, however, Barbara Hopper was isolated in a hospital when she died, her daughter wrote.
“You do not want your loved one to die like this — with people who have to cover every inch of their bodies to come and care for them — not being able to hold their hand and be with them when they take their final breath. You do not want this hell. My mother deserved to be surrounded by her family and not treated like a threat to someone’s life for getting near her.
“… Take heed, I would have never in a million years thought that something like this could happen to my family. But it did. And it can happen to yours, too, if your are not safe. Stay home. This virus doesn’t care about your race, class, religion or life’s purpose. Don’t let this be your story, too.”


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Zimbabwe greets lockdown with a hungry shrug

HARARE , Zimbabwe — “ We are already ruined .
What more harm can coronavirus do ?
” Irene Kampira asked as she sorted secondhand clothes at a bustling market in a poor suburb of Zimbabwe ’ s capital , Harare .
People in one of the world ’ s most devastated nations are choosing daily survival over measures to protect themselves from a virus that “ might not even kill us , ” Kampira said .
Even as the country enters a “ total lockdown ” over the virus on Monday , social distancing is pushed aside in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheap public transport , even clean water .
The World Health Organization ’ s recommended virus precautions seem far-fetched for many of Zimbabwe ’ s 15 million people .
“ It ’ s better to get coronavirus while looking for money than to sit at home and die from hunger , ” Kampira said , to loud approval from other vendors .
The southern African nation has few cases but its health system is in tatters , and the virus could quickly overwhelm it .
Hundreds of public hospital doctors and nurses have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment .
Many Zimbabweans are already vulnerable from hunger or underlying health issues like HIV , which is present in 12 % of the population .
Last year a United Nations expert called the number of hungry people in Zimbabwe “ shocking ” for a country not in conflict .
The World Food Program has said more than 7 million people , or half the country , needs aid .
Harare , like most cities and towns across Zimbabwe , has an acute water shortage and residents at times go for months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tap .
Many must crowd communal wells , fearing the close contact will speed the coronavirus ’ spread .
“ If the taps were working we wouldn ’ t be here , swarming the well like bees on a beehive or flies on sewage .
We are busy exchanging coronavirus here coughing and spitting saliva at each other , ” said 18-year old Annastancia Jack while waiting her turn .
The government has closed borders and banned gatherings of more than 50 people while encouraging people to stay at home .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily to put food on the table .
With inflation over 500 % most industries have closed , leaving many people to become street vendors .
Zimbabwe has the world ’ s second-largest informal economy after Bolivia , according to the International Monetary Fund .
Police in recent days have tried to clear vendors from the streets , in vain .
As in other African countries where many people rely on informal markets , a lockdown could mean immediate food shortages .
Once-prosperous Zimbabwe was full of renewed promise with the forced resignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mugabe .
But President Emmerson Mnangagwa has struggled to fulfil promises of prosperity since taking power .
He blames the country ’ s crisis in part on sanctions imposed on certain individuals , including himself , by the U.S. over rights abuses .
Daily necessities in Zimbabwe make social distancing an elusive ideal .
In downtown Harare , hordes of people congregate at banks for cash , which is in short supply .
Others pack public transport .
“ We are the only ones practicing social distancing , we sit in our cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a motorist in a fuel line snaking for more than a kilometer in the poor suburb of Kuwadzana .
“ Look at them , ” he said .
He pointed at a supermarket across the road where hundreds of people shoved to buy maize meal , which has become scarce due to a devastating drought and lack of foreign currency to import more .
“ What is happening in Zimbabwe is very scary .
It ’ s like we are playing cards .
Its either you win coronavirus or you win starvation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supermarket .
“ I am very scared.
” Few health workers are available as doctors and nurses strike .
“ There is a difference between being heroic and being suicidal , ” said Tawanda Zvakada , president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association .
Health workers described a lack of disinfectants , sanitizers and even water at hospitals .
And yet Health Minister Obadiah Moyo repeatedly says Zimbabwe is “ well prepared ” to deal with COVID-19 cases .
But frightened health workers cited the death of a prominent broadcaster at an ill-equipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Coronavirus : Daughter ’ s ‘ heart is shattered into a trillion pieces ” following mother ’ s COVID-19 death • Watch live : See the view out a window at the East Bay Times in Oakland “ They didn ’ t have a ventilator to help him , ” Zvakada said .
“ The inability of our system to manage one patient is worrying .
What about when there are 50 patients ?
” Zimbabwe has has less than 20 ventilators to help people in severe respiratory distress , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds to adequately deal with the virus .
“ We see a situation where Zimbabwe can become a graveyard if we are not careful , ” said Itai Rusike , director of the Harare-based Community Working Group on Health .

By Farai Mutsaka | Associated Press
HARARE, Zimbabwe — “We are already ruined. What more harm can coronavirus do?” Irene Kampira asked as she sorted secondhand clothes at a bustling market in a poor suburb of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.
People in one of the world’s most devastated nations are choosing daily survival over measures to protect themselves from a virus that “might not even kill us,” Kampira said.
Even as the country enters a “total lockdown” over the virus on Monday, social distancing is pushed aside in the struggle to obtain food, cash, cheap public transport, even clean water. The World Health Organization’s recommended virus precautions seem far-fetched for many of Zimbabwe’s 15 million people.
“It’s better to get coronavirus while looking for money than to sit at home and die from hunger,” Kampira said, to loud approval from other vendors.
The southern African nation has few cases but its health system is in tatters, and the virus could quickly overwhelm it. Hundreds of public hospital doctors and nurses have gone on strike over the lack of protective equipment. Many Zimbabweans are already vulnerable from hunger or underlying health issues like HIV, which is present in 12% of the population.
Last year a United Nations expert called the number of hungry people in Zimbabwe “shocking” for a country not in conflict. The World Food Program has said more than 7 million people, or half the country, needs aid.
Harare, like most cities and towns across Zimbabwe, has an acute water shortage and residents at times go for months, even years, without a working tap. Many must crowd communal wells, fearing the close contact will speed the coronavirus’ spread.
“If the taps were working we wouldn’t be here, swarming the well like bees on a beehive or flies on sewage. We are busy exchanging coronavirus here coughing and spitting saliva at each other,” said 18-year old Annastancia Jack while waiting her turn.
The government has closed borders and banned gatherings of more than 50 people while encouraging people to stay at home.
But the majority of Zimbabweans need to go out daily to put food on the table. With inflation over 500% most industries have closed, leaving many people to become street vendors. Zimbabwe has the world’s second-largest informal economy after Bolivia, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Police in recent days have tried to clear vendors from the streets, in vain. As in other African countries where many people rely on informal markets, a lockdown could mean immediate food shortages.
Once-prosperous Zimbabwe was full of renewed promise with the forced resignation in late 2017 of longtime leader Robert Mugabe. But President Emmerson Mnangagwa has struggled to fulfil promises of prosperity since taking power. He blames the country’s crisis in part on sanctions imposed on certain individuals, including himself, by the U.S. over rights abuses.
Daily necessities in Zimbabwe make social distancing an elusive ideal. In downtown Harare, hordes of people congregate at banks for cash, which is in short supply. Others pack public transport.
“We are the only ones practicing social distancing, we sit in our cars all day,” said Blessing Hwiribisha, a motorist in a fuel line snaking for more than a kilometer in the poor suburb of Kuwadzana.
“Look at them,” he said. He pointed at a supermarket across the road where hundreds of people shoved to buy maize meal, which has become scarce due to a devastating drought and lack of foreign currency to import more.
“What is happening in Zimbabwe is very scary. It’s like we are playing cards. Its either you win coronavirus or you win starvation,” said Tinashe Moyo at the supermarket. “I am very scared.”
Few health workers are available as doctors and nurses strike.
“There is a difference between being heroic and being suicidal,” said Tawanda Zvakada, president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association.
Health workers described a lack of disinfectants, sanitizers and even water at hospitals.
And yet Health Minister Obadiah Moyo repeatedly says Zimbabwe is “well prepared” to deal with COVID-19 cases.
But frightened health workers cited the death of a prominent broadcaster at an ill-equipped isolation center specifically reserved for COVID-19 cases.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “They didn’t have a ventilator to help him,” Zvakada said. “The inability of our system to manage one patient is worrying. What about when there are 50 patients?”
Zimbabwe has has less than 20 ventilators to help people in severe respiratory distress, he said. He said the country needs hundreds to adequately deal with the virus.
“We see a situation where Zimbabwe can become a graveyard if we are not careful,” said Itai Rusike, director of the Harare-based Community Working Group on Health.


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Watch live: See the view out a window at the East Bay Times in Oakland

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mercurynews--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Is Bay Area social distancing lockdown working? Some see progress

Two weeks into the Bay Area ’ s first-in-the-nation public lockdown to slow the spread of the deadly new coronavirus , doctors and local health officials are anxiously debating a question with literal life-or-death consequences : Is it working ?
By some accounts , there are encouraging signs .
Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said Monday that they haven ’ t seen a spike in ambulance transports and hospitalizations in his county for the coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 have only slowly risen .
At the University of California San Francisco , doctors took to social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekslong climb of new cases reported to the city ’ s public health department appears to be bending downward , or flattening .
And officials in hard-hit Washington state , as well as Louisiana , are starting to show enthusiasm for the results of social-distancing .
“ These data should be regarded as a ‘ cheer from the sidelines ’ in this marathon we ’ re on together , ” said Dr. Timothy Dyster , a UCSF resident physician , explaining the encouraging signs he noted Sunday on Twitter — that the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trajectory of new infections .
“ It ’ s been hard work and sacrifice , and it will continue to be , but there might be some early evidence that those efforts are paying off , ” Dyster said .
“ So please , keep staying home and keep washing your hands !
” But even the most optimistic of experts are quick to insist there are too many factors — and too much at stake — for the public to relax .
In fact , Bay Area officials on Monday extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the month , and even President Trump , eager to get the country back to work , relented over the weekend to suggest Americans practice social distancing until the end of April .
The “ flattening the curve ” discussion has forced political leaders , like California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , into a delicate balance act .
“ We ’ re in the middle of this , and I think it would be too easy for us to assert a belief at this moment about what has or has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : We know what does work , and that ’ s physical distancing , ” Newsom said Monday .
“ And we believe very strongly the stay-at-home order has helped advance our efforts in reducing the stress on the system that we believe would have already materialized in more acute ways had we not advanced those protocols when we did.
” Newsom noted that over the last four days , the rate of hospitalizations statewide has doubled , from 746 to 1,432 , and the number of those cases requiring intensive care tripled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at UCSF who have been bracing for a surge of coronavirus patients have recently echoed Dyster ’ s optimism on Twitter .
“ It hit me today… we are in a flattened curve , ” associate professor Dr. Jahan Fahimi tweeted Friday .
“ While the surge is surely still coming , we have time .
Each day we are more prepared.
” Dr. Robert Wachter , chairman of the UCSF medical department , tweeted Sunday that it “ seems like we ’ re uber-prepped for a surge that may not be coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Grant Colfax , director of San Francisco ’ s Department of Public Health , however , wasn ’ t ready Monday to share their optimism .
“ We are monitoring the numbers , ” Colfax said .
“ The thing is , is that when this disease takes off , if it does take off , it takes off very rapidly in communities just like we saw in New York… I simply do not know if our aggressive actions early on… have had the intended effect .
I certainly am hoping and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We still need the data to confirm that.
” In Contra Costa County , Farantino also noted “ encouraging ” signs “ the physical distancing is helping in Contra Costa ” but said it was too early to celebrate .
“ Our cases in Contra Costa are doubling every four to five days and our hospital rates are doubling about every seven days , which is better than what New York experienced — so that is encouraging , ” Farnitano said .
“ But we don ’ t want to sound overly optimistic… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effect of the order in the weeks ahead.
” ” ] Health officials in Santa Clara , San Mateo , Marin and Alameda counties have so far been silent .
While Bay Area officials extended the region ’ s stay-at-home order Monday , Newsom ’ s statewide order is in effect “ until further notice , ” and he has suggested people should not expect it to lift any time soon .
“ It ’ s bought us time to prepare , ” Newsom said .
“ But I want to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ICU beds , when you see a doubling of the hospitalizations just over a four-day period , that ’ s a point of not just of consideration , it ’ s a point of obvious concern.
” Other hard-hit areas that also imposed strict measures to stop people from mingling are showing signs they are working .
Like California , the state of Washington , where the first U.S. coronavirus case was confirmed Jan. 20 — five days before the first California case in Orange County and 11 days before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County — imposed progressively strict measures including a March 23 stay-home order .
Those measures , officials in Washington say , are delivering results .
Seattle reported the rate the virus has spread has slowed , and hospitals have not been overwhelmed .
Seatle Mayor Jenny Durkan told the New York Times over the weekend that “ we slowed the transmission , ” and Gov .
Jay Inslee told the newspaper “ there is evidence that doing the aggressive measures can have a benefit.
” In Louisiana , where Gov .
John Bel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least to April 12 , data analysis consultant and former CIA officer Jeff Asher tweeted Monday that there are encouraging signs in that state as well .
“ There were 6,162 tests completed yesterday , the second highest total on record , and only 7.9 percent were positive — the lowest rate on record , ” Asher tweeted .
At UCSF , doctors like Dyster said they are well aware that the data are preliminary and imperfect , and a flattened curve just means “ more time to prepare and care for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation is very dynamic , ” Dyster said .
“ These numbers could shift rapidly with any new cluster of infections , such as in a nursing home or jail .
”

Two weeks into the Bay Area’s first-in-the-nation public lockdown to slow the spread of the deadly new coronavirus, doctors and local health officials are anxiously debating a question with literal life-or-death consequences: Is it working?
By some accounts, there are encouraging signs. Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said Monday that his county hasn’t seen a spike in ambulance transports and that hospitalizations for COVID-19 have only slowly risen.
At the University of California San Francisco, doctors took to social media over the weekend to note that the weeks-long climb of new cases reported to the city’s public health department appears to be bending downward, or flattening.
And officials in hard-hit Washington state, as well as Louisiana, are showing enthusiasm for the results of social distancing.
“These data should be regarded as a ‘cheer from the sidelines’ in this marathon we’re on together,” said Dr. Timothy Dyster, a UCSF resident physician, explaining the encouraging signs he noted Sunday on Twitter — that the city’s shelter-in-place order may be flattening the trajectory of new infections.
“It’s been hard work and sacrifice, and it will continue to be, but there might be some early evidence that those efforts are paying off,” Dyster said. “So please, keep staying home and keep washing your hands!”
Have been graphing #COVID19 data daily based on @SF_DPH case reporting Based on incubation/number of days until severe symptoms, I imagine we’re just starting to see the effect of #ShelterInPlace. Still, *very* hopeful this is an early sign that we did #FlattenTheCurve pic.twitter.com/jLvgy1JGfo — Timothy Dyster (@timdyster) March 29, 2020
But even the most optimistic of experts are quick to insist there are too many factors — and too much at stake — for the public to relax. In fact, Bay Area officials on Monday extended the region’s stay-home orders through the end of the month, and even President Trump, eager to get the country back to work, relented over the weekend to suggest Americans practice social distancing until the end of April.
The “flattening the curve” discussion has forced political leaders, such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, into a delicate balancing act.
“We’re in the middle of this, and I think it would be too easy for us to assert a belief at this moment about what has or has not worked, except to say this: We know what does work, and that’s physical distancing,” Newsom said Monday. “And we believe very strongly the stay-at-home order has helped advance our efforts in reducing the stress on the system that we believe would have already materialized in more acute ways had we not advanced those protocols when we did.”
Newsom noted that over the last four days, the rate of hospitalizations statewide has doubled, from 746 to 1,432, and the number of those cases requiring intensive care tripled from 200 to 597.
But doctors at UCSF who have been bracing for a surge of coronavirus patients have recently echoed Dyster’s optimism on Twitter.
“It hit me today … we are in a flattened curve,” associate professor Dr. Jahan Fahimi tweeted Friday. “While the surge is surely still coming, we have time. Each day we are more prepared.”
Dr. Robert Wachter, chairman of the UCSF medical department, tweeted Sunday that it “seems like we’re uber-prepped for a surge that may not be coming, which’ll be great.”
Dr. Grant Colfax, director of San Francisco’s Department of Public Health, however, wasn’t ready Monday to share their optimism.
“We are monitoring the numbers,” Colfax said. “The thing is, is that when this disease takes off, if it does take off, it takes off very rapidly in communities just like we saw in New York. … I simply do not know if our aggressive actions early on … have had the intended effect. I certainly am hoping and praying that that is the case. We still need the data to confirm that.”
In Contra Costa County, Farantino also noted “encouraging” signs that “the physical distancing is helping in Contra Costa” but said it was too early to celebrate.
“Our cases in Contra Costa are doubling every four to five days, and our hospital rates are doubling about every seven days, which is better than what New York experienced — so that is encouraging,” Farnitano said. “But we don’t want to sound overly optimistic. … We should have a better picture of the effect of the order in the weeks ahead.”
Health officials in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin and Alameda counties have so far been silent on the issue.
While Bay Area officials extended the region’s stay-at-home order Monday for another month, Newsom’s statewide order is in effect “until further notice,” and he has suggested people should not expect it to lift any time soon.
“It’s bought us time to prepare,” Newsom said. “But I want to make this point. When we see a tripling of the ICU beds, when you see a doubling of the hospitalizations just over a four-day period, that’s a point of not just of consideration, it’s a point of obvious concern.”
Other hard-hit areas that also imposed strict measures to stop people from mingling are showing signs they are working. Like California, the state of Washington, where the first U.S. coronavirus case was confirmed Jan. 20 — five days before the first California case in Orange County and 11 days before the first Bay Area case in Santa Clara County — imposed progressively stricter measures, including a March 23 stay-home order.
Those measures, officials in Washington say, are delivering results. Seattle reported the rate the virus has spread has slowed, and hospitals have not been overwhelmed. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan told the New York Times over the weekend that “we slowed the transmission,” and Gov. Jay Inslee told the newspaper “there is evidence that doing the aggressive measures can have a benefit.”
In Louisiana, where Gov. John Bel Edwards ordered residents to stay home at least until April 12, data analysis consultant and former CIA officer Jeff Asher tweeted Monday that there are encouraging signs in that state as well.
There are 4,025 cases in Louisiana and 1,480 in Orleans Parish as of 12 PM. That's +13.7% and +9.6% respectively relative to yesterday. Orleans Parish has increased by 10.9%, 4% and 9.6% over the last 3 days. https://t.co/Num8jrjrLo pic.twitter.com/CD1rxJzeY0 — Jeff Asher (@Crimealytics) March 30, 2020
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “There were 6,162 tests completed yesterday, the second highest total on record, and only 7.9 percent were positive — the lowest rate on record,” Asher tweeted.
At UCSF, doctors such as Dyster said they are well aware that the data are preliminary and imperfect, and a flattened curve just means “more time to prepare and care for people as they become sick.”
“The situation is very dynamic,” Dyster said. “These numbers could shift rapidly with any new cluster of infections, such as in a nursing home or jail.”


mercurynews--2020-03-30--8 real estate twists: coronavirus, late fees, billionaire’s fears

Here are 12 must-read stories about the local real estate market from the Southern California News Group ’ s Home @ @ @ @ @ to the free , twice-weekly email publication , just CLICK HERE !
1 .
LA @ @ @ @ @ makes harsh warning .
Real estate is on the “ brink of collapse.
” READ @ @ @ @ @ making big mistake .
Southern California News Group editorial calls for late fee moratorium on @ @ @ @ @ 3 .
Orange County , LA among 25 nationally with highest economic risks from virus @ @ @ @ @ Some not following virus-containment rules .
“ Non-essential ” businesses found to be open .
@ @ @ @ @ eviction moratoriums work ?
Lawsuits to remove tenants proceed despite offers of relief .
READ @ @ @ @ @ real estate ’ s winners , losers from coronavirus ?
Thoughts from contributor Allan Buchanan @ @ @ @ @ Giant landlord Irvine Co. offers merchants three months of rent relief .
Deferrals to be @ @ @ @ @ MORE

Here are 12 must-read stories about the local real estate market from the Southern California News Group’s Home Stretch newsletter. To subscribe to the free, twice-weekly email publication, just CLICK HERE!
1. LA real estate tycoon Tom Barrack makes harsh warning. Real estate is on the “brink of collapse.” READ MORE
2. Tax collectors making big mistake. Southern California News Group editorial calls for late fee moratorium on property taxes. READ MORE
3. Orange County, LA among 25 nationally with highest economic risks from virus. READ MORE
4. Some not following virus-containment rules. “Non-essential” businesses found to be open. READ MORE
5. Will eviction moratoriums work? Lawsuits to remove tenants proceed despite offers of relief. READ MORE
6. Who are commercial real estate’s winners, losers from coronavirus? Thoughts from contributor Allan Buchanan. READ MORE
7. Giant landlord Irvine Co. offers merchants three months of rent relief. Deferrals to be repaid in 2021. READ MORE
8. Hospitality workers getting hammered. Empty rooms cuts 125,454 California hotel jobs. READ MORE


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: Bay Area officials, advocates look to get in front of COVID-19 hate crimes

With reports of incidents increasing across the country , Bay Area officials and advocacy groups are encouraging people who have suffered harassment because of prejudice fueled by COVID-19 fears to report these incidents to authorities , and are warning those responsible will face criminal consequences .
There has been no shortage of stories .
A San Jose woman of Chinese descent told police that she was waiting in line to enter the Whole Foods on The Alameda near downtown Saturday when she was accosted by a man who began yelling obscenities at her .
“ I ( expletive ) hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the woman , who asked not to be named out of safety concerns , recalled him saying .
“ I never met him , never saw him before , I did not do anything to offend him , ” she told this news organization .
“ This wasn ’ t right.
” Monday , Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen released a public-service announcement video featuring a multi-ethnic slate of his prosecutors including two who have ancestry from China and Italy , countries hard hit by the virus before it began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the top of the 1-minute video , Supervising Deputy District Attorney Charlotte Chang says , “ This is not a Chinese virus.
” The remark is an allusion to how the new coronavirus was initially widely referred to as a “ Chinese virus ” and “ Wuhan virus , ” referencing the city in China where the first major outbreak occurred .
World health officials later adopted COVID-19 as the term for the disease , as it became evident it had become prevalent all over the globe .
The United States now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world .
But the coining and usage of “ Chinese virus ” — including by President Trump until recently — has helped fuel widespread anti-Chinese and anti-Asian sentiment .
Last week , ABC News reported on an internal FBI intelligence report that stated , “ The FBI assesses hate crime incidents against Asian Americans likely will surge across the United States , due to the spread of coronavirus disease … endangering Asian American communities.
” The online reporting site Stop AAPI Hate , run out of San Francisco State University , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of discrimination against Asian Americans since March 19 .
That includes at least 63 cases in the Bay Area between March 19 and 23 .
Professor Russell Jeung , chair of San Francisco State University ’ s Asian American Studies department , said he hopes the data will be used to advocate for better policies on the state level , and give voice to concerns .
He added that the data suggests to him that Asian Americans could face harassment akin to that during the SARS epidemic in 2003 , and what Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2001 attacks .
“ Those big concerns are that because of the political rhetoric , that this anti-Asian hate will be deeper ingrained , ” he said .
Jeung is joined by Rosen in the belief that such hate incidents are largely underreported because of a lack of confidence that authorities will follow up or that they don ’ t believe that instances of harassment don ’ t meet the bar for a crime .
“ Often victims in these situations think this is not a community issue , that ’ s it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , ” Rosen said .
“ We not only want to discourage would-be perpetrators , but empower victims to report it.
” Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O ’ Malley echoed the sentiment , saying “ harassing conduct grounded in xenophobia , is spreading as rapidly as the COVID-19 pandemic , ” and that her office will aggressively investigate hate-crime incidents against Asian American residents .
Richard Konda , executive director of the Asian Law Alliance , said people who experience harassment because of the ethnic background don ’ t always register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know there are instances where people don ’ t recognize it .
There ’ s a line between someone looking at you funny , and someone saying something to you , and physically assaulting you , ” Konda said .
“ But any of it should be reported .
It ’ s important to establish trends that are occurring.
” Hate crime prosecution typically involves an underlying crime — like threats , vandalism or assault — but in the absence of that , prosecutors have latitude to charge someone with a misdemeanor hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalty of a year in jail , a fine and community service .
Rosen said his office has been made aware of at least recent two incidents , one involving an Asian American woman at a Cupertino grocery store who was reportedly told by a cashier , “ I can ’ t believe you ’ re shopping here and spreading the virus , ” and “ You should get out of here and go back to where you came from.
” The cashier was later fired .
The second incident was reported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foods encounter .
Those two anecdotes also highlight a trend that Jeung has noticed so far in his data : Women are three times more likely than men to suffer this kind of harassment .
The reports collected by his department describe instances ranging from slurs and verbal harassment to physical assaults and attacks .
Some instances have gotten more extreme : the FBI report detailed a March 14 case in Midland , Texas describing “ three Asian American family members , including a 2-year-old and 6-year-old , were stabbed … The suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thought the family was Chinese , and infecting people with the coronavirus.
” Rosen said concern about escalation is why he wants people who experience hate-driven harassment and threats to make them known to authorities .
“ If we don ’ t address yelling with a strong message , then we get sticks , then we get knives , and then we get guns , ” he said .
“ It ’ s important to report so things do not get worse .
”

With reports of incidents increasing across the country, Bay Area officials and advocacy groups are encouraging people who have suffered harassment because of prejudice fueled by COVID-19 fears to report these incidents to authorities, and are warning those responsible will face criminal consequences.
There has been no shortage of stories. A San Jose woman of Chinese descent told police that she was waiting in line to enter the Whole Foods on The Alameda near downtown Saturday when she was accosted by a man who began yelling obscenities at her.
“I (expletive) hate Asian people … go somewhere else,” the woman, who asked not to be named out of safety concerns, recalled him saying.
“I never met him, never saw him before, I did not do anything to offend him,” she told this news organization. “This wasn’t right.”
Monday, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen released a public-service announcement video featuring a multi-ethnic slate of his prosecutors including two who have ancestry from China and Italy, countries hard hit by the virus before it began spreading in the United States.
Right off the top of the 1-minute video, Supervising Deputy District Attorney Charlotte Chang says, “This is not a Chinese virus.”
This Virus has no ethnicity. We do – and we are in this together. If you are a victim of a hate crime, please contact your local law enforcement agency. (Chinese, Vietnamese, and Spanish versions will be available soon.) pic.twitter.com/keo0lEsy9I — Santa Clara DA (@SantaClaraDA) March 30, 2020
The remark is an allusion to how the new coronavirus was initially widely referred to as a “Chinese virus” and “Wuhan virus,” referencing the city in China where the first major outbreak occurred. World health officials later adopted COVID-19 as the term for the disease, as it became evident it had become prevalent all over the globe. The United States now has the highest number of confirmed cases in the world.
But the coining and usage of “Chinese virus” — including by President Trump until recently — has helped fuel widespread anti-Chinese and anti-Asian sentiment. Last week, ABC News reported on an internal FBI intelligence report that stated, “The FBI assesses hate crime incidents against Asian Americans likely will surge across the United States, due to the spread of coronavirus disease … endangering Asian American communities.”
The online reporting site Stop AAPI Hate, run out of San Francisco State University, has amassed at least 1,000 self-reported cases of discrimination against Asian Americans since March 19. That includes at least 63 cases in the Bay Area between March 19 and 23.
Professor Russell Jeung, chair of San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies department, said he hopes the data will be used to advocate for better policies on the state level, and give voice to concerns. He added that the data suggests to him that Asian Americans could face harassment akin to that during the SARS epidemic in 2003, and what Muslim Americans faced after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
“Those big concerns are that because of the political rhetoric, that this anti-Asian hate will be deeper ingrained,” he said.
Jeung is joined by Rosen in the belief that such hate incidents are largely underreported because of a lack of confidence that authorities will follow up or that they don’t believe that instances of harassment meet the bar for a crime.
“Often victims in these situations think this is not a community issue, that it’s just something that happened to me,” Rosen said. “We not only want to discourage would-be perpetrators, but empower victims to report it.”
Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley echoed the sentiment, saying “harassing conduct grounded in xenophobia, is spreading as rapidly as the COVID-19 pandemic,” and that her office will aggressively investigate hate-crime incidents against Asian American residents.
Richard Konda, executive director of the Asian Law Alliance, said people who experience harassment because of their ethnic background don’t always see it as something to tell authorities.
“We know there are instances where people don’t recognize it. There’s a line between someone looking at you funny, and someone saying something to you, and physically assaulting you,” Konda said. “But any of it should be reported. It’s important to establish trends that are occurring.”
Hate crime prosecution typically involves an underlying crime — like threats, vandalism or assault — but in the absence of that, prosecutors have latitude to charge someone with a misdemeanor hate crime, which can carry a potential penalty of a year in jail, a fine and community service.
Rosen said his office has been made aware of at least recent two incidents, one involving an Asian American woman at a Cupertino grocery store who was reportedly told by a cashier, “I can’t believe you’re shopping here and spreading the virus,” and “You should get out of here and go back to where you came from.” The cashier was later fired. The second incident was reported by the woman in the San Jose Whole Foods encounter.
Those two anecdotes also highlight a trend that Jeung has noticed so far in his data: Women are three times more likely than men to suffer this kind of harassment. The reports collected by his department describe instances ranging from slurs and verbal harassment to physical assaults and attacks.
Some instances have gotten more extreme: the FBI report detailed a March 14 case in Midland, Texas describing “three Asian American family members, including a 2-year-old and 6-year-old, were stabbed … The suspect indicated that he stabbed the family because he thought the family was Chinese, and infecting people with the coronavirus.”
Rosen said concern about escalation is why he wants people who experience hate-driven harassment and threats to make them known to authorities.
“If we don’t address yelling with a strong message, then we get sticks, then we get knives, and then we get guns,” he said. “It’s important to report so things do not get worse.”


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Coronavirus photos: Germany and Japan’s success, WHO’s new international guidelines

CLICK HERE if you ’ re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device .
As nations continue grappling with COVID-19 and enacting divergent policies to slow the spread , results have varied , with novel policies affecting different countries in similar ways .
Japan and Germany are standouts in Asia and Europe , respectively , for reporting low death tolls amid the pandemic .
But the factors news agencies attribute to their success could hardly contrast more .
Where Germany is credited with early , widespread testing playing a crucial role in its success relative to nearby France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their limited testing nationwide as “ intentional ” and pointed instead to a culture primed for social-distancing .
Though both have been compared as “ relatively unscathed ” so far , Japanese officials have warned citizens that new closures and lockdowns may follow while German lawmakers are convinced that its “ fatality rate may yet rise.
” • Coronavirus : Bay Area officials , advocates look to get in front of COVID-19 hate crimes • Why ‘ Tiger King ’ is the show you need right now • Stanford students want the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , experts are warning the death toll may surpass 100,000 this year , with nearly 160,000 total cases and 3,000 deaths reported in the two months since Johns Hopkins University began tracking the virus outbreak in real-time .
While each country combatting the coronavirus offers its own lesson , the World Health Organization on Monday released a new set of guidelines for nations anticipating a surge in cases in the following weeks .
The measures in WHO ’ s “ Support Country Preparedness and Response ” document emphasize nation-level responses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 and are expected to be updated .

CLICK HERE if you’re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device.
As nations continue grappling with COVID-19 and enacting divergent policies to slow the spread, results have varied, with novel policies affecting different countries in similar ways.
Japan and Germany are standouts in Asia and Europe, respectively, for reporting low death tolls amid the pandemic. But the factors news agencies attribute to their success could hardly contrast more. Where Germany is credited with early, widespread testing playing a crucial role in its success relative to nearby France, Italy and Spain, Japanese officials referred to their limited testing nationwide as “intentional” and pointed instead to a culture primed for social-distancing.
Though both have been compared as “relatively unscathed” so far, Japanese officials have warned citizens that new closures and lockdowns may follow while German lawmakers are convinced that its “fatality rate may yet rise.”
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge In the U.S., experts are warning the death toll may surpass 100,000 this year, with nearly 160,000 total cases and 3,000 deaths reported in the two months since Johns Hopkins University began tracking the virus outbreak in real-time.
While each country combatting the coronavirus offers its own lesson, the World Health Organization on Monday released a new set of guidelines for nations anticipating a surge in cases in the following weeks. The measures in WHO’s “Support Country Preparedness and Response” document emphasize nation-level responses to contain the virus between now and April 1 and are expected to be updated.
For live, local coronavirus updates, CLICK HERE


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: USMC suspends Parris Island new recruit training

The US Marine Corps said Monday that it is “ temporarily suspending the shipping of new recruits ” to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina , where some 50 % of enlisted Marines receive their basic training , due to novel coronavirus concerns .
The move comes as the number of positive cases at the military installation has reached 38 , a defense official told CNN .
Those cases include new recruits , trainers , staff and dependents .
“ Amid the national emergency caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and out of an abundance of caution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect its recruits , recruit training personnel , their families and the communities where they live and serve by temporarily suspending the shipping of new recruits to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , South Carolina , ” the Marines said in a statement .
“ Recruit training for individuals already at the Depot will continue as planned , with continued emphasis on personal and environmental cleanliness and social distancing , ” the statement added .
The Pentagon is refusing to publicly confirm the cases at Parris Island because Defense Secretary Mark Esper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual units , bases , or combatant commands are being affected by the virus .
However , the Department of Defense discloses the overall number of cases across the department on a daily basis .
The temporary suspension at Parris Island also marks a pause to basic training for all female enlisted Marines .
Enlisted entry level training also takes place at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego .
No announcement about training there has been made at this time .
“ The preservation of our Marines , recruits and their families is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this national emergency , ” said Gen. David H. Berger , commandant of the Marine Corps , said in the statement Monday .
As the outbreak has surged across the US , the Pentagon is increasingly preparing for the possibility of wider outbreaks across the force than originally anticipated .
CNN reported earlier this month that US Army is suspending “ non-mission essential functions , ” including some non-critical training of units in the field and physical fitness training involving large numbers of troops , according to an internal Army directive that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures taken by the Army to blunt the spread of COVID-19 have proven insufficient , ” the internal order said .
The coronavirus “ continues to spread geographically as the number of infected persons continues to rise , ” it added , saying “ additional measures and actions are required to protect the force from further spread of COVID-19 .
”

By Ryan Browne, Barbara Starr and Paul LeBlanc | CNN
The US Marine Corps said Monday that it is “temporarily suspending the shipping of new recruits” to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina, where some 50% of enlisted Marines receive their basic training, due to novel coronavirus concerns.
The move comes as the number of positive cases at the military installation has reached 38, a defense official told CNN. Those cases include new recruits, trainers, staff and dependents.
“Amid the national emergency caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and out of an abundance of caution, the Marine Corps is taking steps to protect its recruits, recruit training personnel, their families and the communities where they live and serve by temporarily suspending the shipping of new recruits to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina,” the Marines said in a statement.
“Recruit training for individuals already at the Depot will continue as planned, with continued emphasis on personal and environmental cleanliness and social distancing,” the statement added.
The Pentagon is refusing to publicly confirm the cases at Parris Island because Defense Secretary Mark Esper ordered there be no disclosure of how individual units, bases, or combatant commands are being affected by the virus. However, the Department of Defense discloses the overall number of cases across the department on a daily basis.
The temporary suspension at Parris Island also marks a pause to basic training for all female enlisted Marines.
Enlisted entry level training also takes place at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. No announcement about training there has been made at this time.
“The preservation of our Marines, recruits and their families is the highest priority for Marine Corps Recruiting during this national emergency,” said Gen. David H. Berger, commandant of the Marine Corps, said in the statement Monday.
As the outbreak has surged across the US, the Pentagon is increasingly preparing for the possibility of wider outbreaks across the force than originally anticipated.
CNN reported earlier this month that US Army is suspending “non-mission essential functions,” including some non-critical training of units in the field and physical fitness training involving large numbers of troops, according to an internal Army directive that was obtained by CNN.
“Mitigation measures taken by the Army to blunt the spread of COVID-19 have proven insufficient,” the internal order said. The coronavirus “continues to spread geographically as the number of infected persons continues to rise,” it added, saying “additional measures and actions are required to protect the force from further spread of COVID-19.”


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Oakland’s Fantastic Negrito and fans deliver fascinating coronavirus video

CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing these photos on a mobile device .
Fantastic Negrito tossed out a question to his fans : “ What are you doing during the pandemic ?
” And fans responded from around the globe , sending in videos of how they are keeping themselves busy in these days when the coronavirus has shut down so much of what is normal going on in the world .
He then stitched many of these clips together and the result can be found in the fun video for his new song “ Chocolate Samari.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this video based on seeing so much bad news every day about the coronavirus , ” said the Grammy-winning blues/roots/soul singer from Oakland , whose real name is Xavier Dphrepaulezz .
“ I also wanted to connect with my world audience since So many shows had been canceled .
Last year I was on six continents .
“ So this is my way of bringing a little bit of light and a little bit of joy to the lives of people at a time when we are all quarantined feeling a little isolated.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were eager to participate in this home video project .
“ People sit in their home videos from Japan , Turkey , Mexico , Italy , Germany , France , Sweden , California , Texas , Argentina , South Africa , Boston , New York City , Brazil , Australia , the U.K. , Korea , Chile , Switzerland and many more places , ” he says .
He says the video project “ the right thing to do right now.
” “ There is only one race and that is the human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like it or not one thing the coronavirus has shown us is that we are all connected and everything that we do affects everyone and everything , ” he says .
“ If someone is suffering in India or China Africa or East Oakland , we should be concerned .
“ Never has the playing field then so level .
”

CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing these photos on a mobile device.
Fantastic Negrito tossed out a question to his fans on social media:
“What are you doing during the pandemic?”
And fans responded from around the globe, sending in videos of how they are keeping themselves busy in these days when the coronavirus has shut down so much of what is normal in the world. He then had a number of these clips stitched together, along with his own performance footage, and the result can be seen in the fun video for his new song “Chocolate Samurai.”
“I got the idea for making this video based on seeing so much bad news every day about the coronavirus,” said the Grammy-winning blues/roots/soul singer from Oakland, whose real name is Xavier Dphrepaulezz. “I also wanted to connect with my world audience since so many shows had been canceled. Last year I was on six continents.
“So this is my way of bringing a little bit of light and a little bit of joy to the lives of people at a time when we are all quarantined and feeling a little isolated.”
And people from around the world were eager to participate in this home video project.
“People sent in their home videos from Japan, Turkey, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, California, Texas, Argentina, South Africa, Boston, New York City, Brazil, Australia, the U.K., Korea, Chile, Switzerland and many more places,” he says.
He says the video project is “the right thing to do right now.”
“There is only one race and that is the human race and we are connected whether we like it or not,” he said. “One thing the coronavirus has shown us is that we are all connected and everything that we do affects everyone and everything. If someone is suffering in India or China Africa or East Oakland, we should be concerned.
“Never has the playing field then so level.”
The clips show people doing all sorts of things to keep themselves busy while in quarantine, from playing instruments and dancing to exercising and cooking. And you’ll also see Fantastic Negrito grooving along in the video while holding the most talked-about paper product of 2020.
“I thought dancing with the toilet paper was funny because it was absurd to me that people are buying all the toilet paper,” he says.
Watch the video here:
“Chocolate Samurai” is one of the songs from Fantastic Negrito’s forthcoming album, which is expected some time in April.
“The album is called ‘Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?'” he says. “But this (video) really isn’t about my album. This is about humanity. It was very spontaneous. And people are going through a real tough time right now. This is a true test for our country. Things are so uncertain.
Awesome news: @JohnPrineMusic is now in stable condition. Family asks that everyone keep sending "your amazing love and prayers." Amen! https://t.co/XoP8w7PN9S — Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) March 30, 2020


mercurynews--2020-03-30--Why ‘Tiger King’ is the show you need right now

Over the weekend , my wife and I finally finished “ Tiger King : Murder , Mayhem and Madness , ” the stranger-than-fiction documentary series about the unique subculture of big-cat owners .
My jaw is still embedded in the floor .
This seven-part series is the most bizarre , bewildering , outrageous , hilarious and totally bonkers thing I ’ ve ever seen .
And that ’ s why it just might be the show you need to help you get through the shelter-in-place blues .
Face it , you could use a wild , over-the-top diversion in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a public service , we present five reasons you need to watch “ Tiger King ” : 1 .
It will help you escape … to another world Did you know there are American citizens who actually own and live with lions and tigers and other gigantic animals ?
Neither did we .
It ’ s an incredibly weird community populated with oddballs like Joe Maldonado-Passage , aka Joe Exotic , aka the Tiger King .
He ’ s a gay , mulleted , profane , gun-toting polygamist and country western singer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , runs an Oklahoma roadside zoo , where he breeds tigers for big profits .
Joe has an arch enemy in a Florida woman named Carole Baskin , an animal-rights activist who would love nothing more than to put Joe out of business .
Their rivalry is at a snakes-in-the-mailbox kind of intensity .
The Hatfields and McCoys had nothing on these two .
“ Tiger King ” is filled with characters who you ’ ll want to keep at a distance of way more than six feet .
More like six states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and creeps and potential murderers who will leave you convinced that the wrong creatures are being kept in cages .
( And give you comfort that , yes , you lead a relatively normal life ) .
Included among this bunch is Dr. Bhagavan “ Doc ” Antle , a self-described doctor of “ mystical science.
” As far as we know , he hasn ’ t killed anyone , but he too has his own zoo , where he rides atop an elephant named Bubbles and apparently maintains a harem of female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos rule the Internet .
People can spend hours watching the playful shenanigans of cute kitties on YouTube .
“ Tiger King ” offers up not only supersized cats , but adorable little tiger babies .
Even if you ’ re repulsed by the humans in the documentary series — and how they use animals for questionable purposes — your heart will melt every time a tiger cub is on the screen .
And that just might represent some kind of psychological benefit in these stressful times .
You can ’ t help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outrageous antics of some of the attention-starved misfits in “ Tiger King.
” Joe Exotic , for example , actually ran for governor and instead of generic campaign buttons , he handed out condoms with his face on them .
( He has his own underwear line , too ) .
But the series has also contains all the elements — and then some — of a compelling , down-and-dirty true-crime saga .
Or did we forget to mention that Baskin has been accused by some of killing her first husband — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tiger ?
Or that Joe Exotic apparently targeted Baskin in a murder-for-hire plot ?
5 .
Your favorite celebrity is way into it Remember how everyone — including some famous folk — went nuts on Twitter during the “ Sharknado ” craze ?
It ’ s happening again as isolated viewers look for things to keep them entertained .
Celebrities , including Cardi B , Kim Kardashian West , Sam Smith , Pete Holmes and many others have taken to social media to laugh at , ridicule and obsess over “ Tiger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially smitten , tweeting repeatedly about the series and even talking about starting a GodFundMe account in support of Joe Exotic .
Others aren ’ t so thrilled .
Take , Lucy Lawless .
Seems that the Warrior Princess wants nothing to do with the Tiger King .

Bless you, Netflix.
Over the weekend, my wife and I finally finished “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,” the stranger-than-fiction documentary series about the unique subculture of big-cat owners.
My jaw is still embedded in the floor.
This seven-part series is the most bizarre, bewildering, outrageous, hilarious, deplorable and totally bonkers thing I’ve ever seen. And that’s why it just might be the show you need to help you get through the shelter-in-place blues.
Face it, you could use a wild, over-the-top diversion in this age of coronavirus. And so, as a public service, we present five reasons you need to watch “Tiger King”:
1. It will help you escape … to another world
Did you know there are American citizens who actually own and live with lions and tigers and other gigantic animals? Neither did we.
It’s an incredibly weird community populated with oddballs like Joe Maldonado-Passage, aka Joe Exotic, aka the Tiger King. He’s a gay, mulleted, profane, gun-toting polygamist and country western singer who, when we first meet him, runs an Oklahoma roadside zoo, where he breeds tigers for big profits.
Joe has an arch enemy in a Florida woman named Carole Baskin, an animal-rights activist who would love nothing more than to put Joe out of business.
Their rivalry is at a snakes-in-the-mailbox kind of intensity. The Hatfields and McCoys had nothing on these two.
2. You’ll thank God for social distancing
“Tiger King” is filled with deranged characters who you’ll want to keep at a distance of way more than six feet. More like six states. … At least.
There are felons and creeps and potential murderers who will leave you convinced that the wrong creatures are being kept in cages. (And give you comfort that, yes, you lead a relatively normal life).
Included among this bunch is Dr. Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, a self-described doctor of “mystical science.” As far as we know, he hasn’t killed anyone, but he too has his own zoo, where he rides atop an elephant named Bubbles and apparently maintains a harem of female “apprentices.”
3. Cat videos — the therapy you seek
Everyone knows that cat videos rule the Internet. People can spend hours watching the playful shenanigans of cute kitties on YouTube.
“Tiger King” offers up not only supersized cats, but adorable little tiger babies. Even if you’re repulsed by the humans in the documentary series — and how they use animals for questionable purposes — your heart will melt every time a tiger cub is on the screen.
And that just might represent some kind of psychological boost in these stressful times.
4. A comedy? A drama? Heck, it’s EVERYTHING
You can’t help but laugh (and snicker) at the outrageous antics of some of the attention-starved misfits in “Tiger King.” Joe Exotic, for example, actually ran for governor and instead of generic campaign buttons, he handed out condoms with his face on them. (He has his own underwear line, too).
But the series also contains all the elements — and then some — of a compelling, down-and-dirty true-crime saga. Or did we forget to mention that Baskin has been accused by some of killing her first husband — a multi-millionaire — and feeding him to a tiger?
Or that Joe Exotic apparently targeted Baskin in a murder-for-hire plot?
A wild kingdom, indeed.
5. Your favorite celebrity is way into it
Remember how everyone — including some famous folk — went nuts on Twitter during the “Sharknado” craze? It’s happening again as isolated viewers look for things to keep them entertained.
Celebrities, including Cardi B, Kim Kardashian West, Sam Smith, Pete Holmes and many others have taken to social media to laugh at, ridicule and obsess over “Tiger King.”
Cardi B. seems to be especially smitten, tweeting repeatedly about the series and even talking about starting a GoFundMe account in support of Joe Exotic.
They did Joe so dirty over and over again — iamcardib (@iamcardib) March 27, 2020
Others aren’t so thrilled. Take, Lucy Lawless. Seems that the Warrior Princess wants nothing to do with the Tiger King.