mercurynews--2020-10-21--Husband found, arrested in connection to death of 24-year-old Santa Cruz County mother

WATSONVILLE — Police have arrested the man they suspect killed his 24-year-old wife Thursday , authorities said .
Cesar Hernandez , 47 , of Watsonville was detained peacefully by border patrol agents on American soil at the San Ysidro crossing Monday evening after he apparently tried to return to the U.S. from Mexico , Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said during a press conference Tuesday .
Local detectives had alerted their federal counterparts to be on the lookout for the man after developing investigative leads pointing to Hernandez allegedly fleeing to his home county of Mexico , officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail , awaiting formal charging by the Santa Cruz District Attorney ’ s Office and his criminal court arraignment , likely Friday .
Brenda Becerra , who worked for Dignity Health Dominican Hospital , was found dead inside her car shortly before noon Thursday .
Early on , Hernandez was identified as the department ’ s primary suspect , reportedly after leaving the couple ’ s children in the care of family at about 2:30 a.m. Thursday .
The unusual move prompted the family to file a missing person ’ s report for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District Attorney Jeff Rosell commended the “ foresight and the hard work ” of Watsonville detectives in the case during Tuesday ’ s press conference , saying the arrest was not happenstance .
“ This is something that was a rapidly unfolding event , ” Rosell said .
“ Between the time this case came in as a missing persons until Mr. Hernandez was taken into custody was a relatively short time.
” Police Capt .
Tony Magdayao declined to speculate on how Hernandez was able to get to Mexico and on why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. from Mexico this week , saying the department had remaining witnesses to interview and information to uncover .
He also would not say what police believe Hernandez ’ s motive may have been in the killing , or if they think Hernandez may have had accomplices .
Separately , the Santa Cruz County Coroner ’ s Office announced earlier Tuesday that it determined Becerra ’ s cause of death .
An autopsy examination by the county ’ s forensic pathologist determined that her cause of death was “ blunt force head injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information related to the case are asked to contact detective Pablo Andrade at 831-768-3354 , referencing case 20W-03761 .

WATSONVILLE — Police have arrested the man they suspect killed his 24-year-old wife Thursday, authorities said.
Cesar Hernandez, 47, of Watsonville was detained peacefully by border patrol agents on American soil at the San Ysidro crossing Monday evening after he apparently tried to return to the U.S. from Mexico, Watsonville Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said during a press conference Tuesday.
Local detectives had alerted their federal counterparts to be on the lookout for the man after developing investigative leads pointing to Hernandez allegedly fleeing to his home county of Mexico, officials said.
Hernandez remains in Santa Cruz County jail, awaiting formal charging by the Santa Cruz District Attorney’s Office and his criminal court arraignment, likely Friday.
Brenda Becerra, who worked for Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, was found dead inside her car shortly before noon Thursday. Early on, Hernandez was identified as the department’s primary suspect, reportedly after leaving the couple’s children in the care of family at about 2:30 a.m. Thursday. The unusual move prompted the family to file a missing person’s report for Becerra with law enforcement.
Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeff Rosell commended the “foresight and the hard work” of Watsonville detectives in the case during Tuesday’s press conference, saying the arrest was not happenstance.
“This is something that was a rapidly unfolding event,” Rosell said. “Between the time this case came in as a missing persons until Mr. Hernandez was taken into custody was a relatively short time.”
Police Capt. Tony Magdayao declined to speculate on how Hernandez was able to get to Mexico and on why he may have been returning to the U.S. from Mexico this week, saying the department had remaining witnesses to interview and information to uncover. He also would not say what police believe Hernandez’s motive may have been in the killing, or if they think Hernandez may have had accomplices.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Santa Cruz County homicide investigation turns toward Mexico
Santa Cruz County homicide investigation turns toward Mexico Crime and Public Safety | Murder investigation: 24-year-old mother found dead in parked car near Santa Cruz hospital Separately, the Santa Cruz County Coroner’s Office announced earlier Tuesday that it determined Becerra’s cause of death.
An autopsy examination by the county’s forensic pathologist determined that her cause of death was “blunt force head injuries and mechanical asphyxia.”
Those with additional information related to the case are asked to contact detective Pablo Andrade at 831-768-3354, referencing case 20W-03761.


mercurynews--2020-10-21--California healthcare groups dive into Prop 15 ballot fight, eyeing public health money

A November ballot initiative to raise property taxes on big-business owners in California is drawing unconventional political support from healthcare power players and public health leaders .
They see Proposition 15 as a potential savior for chronically underfunded local health departments struggling to respond to the worst public health crisis in more than a century .
The initiative would change California ’ s property tax system to tax some commercial properties higher than residential properties , which backers say could generate billions to help local governments pay for critical public health infrastructure and staffing .
Without such additional state or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to make deeper budget cuts in health and other departments next year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain city and county finances .
“ When you ’ re talking about health care , you ’ re talking about money , ” said Anthony Wright , executive director of Health Access California , a Sacramento-based consumer advocacy group .
“ This is the major revenue measure on the ballot this year , and it ’ s an opportunity to fund public health at the place where the main responsibility for public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least that ’ s how health care advocates are casting the tax hike .
But there ’ s no guarantee that if the measure passes counties would use new revenue to address COVID-19 or other health care needs .
And some rural counties fear they would lose money if the ballot measure passes , which could undercut public health efforts .
Support within the health care and local government worlds is not unanimous .
The powerful California Hospital Association opposes the measure because it would result in higher taxes on private and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nonprofit hospitals , including those run by Sutter Health , Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health , are exempt from paying property taxes despite their regular high revenue .
They would remain exempt under the initiative .
( KHN , which produces California Healthline , is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente . )
“ This new tax will mean millions of dollars will be taken away from patient care , in perpetuity , ” Emerson-Shea said .
Proposition 15 would amend California ’ s landmark 1978 property tax initiative , Proposition 13 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates at 1 % of assessed value at the time of purchase , and limited annual increases thereafter to 2 % .
The drop in property taxes as a result of the initiative decimated a major revenue source for public schools and social welfare programs , leaving many underfunded .
Voters are now being asked to allow higher taxes for business owners with commercial holdings valued at more than $ 3 million .
If passed , the measure could generate up to $ 11.5 billion a year , according to the nonpartisan state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not apply to residential properties .
Forty percent of annual revenue would be distributed to K-12 schools and community colleges , with 60 % sent to cities and counties .
Nothing in the measure would require new local revenue to be spent on health care , but supporters say it ’ s their best hope after losing $ 134 million in state public health money this year as one-time funding for specific programs expired .
At the same time , slammed by a projected $ 54 billion deficit , Gov .
Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase funding for local health departments to combat COVID-19 and rebuild public health infrastructure .
Sponsors of Proposition 15 , including the California Teachers Association and the Service Employees International Union California , argue it ’ s an overdue change that would tax wealthier enterprises in exchange for funding vital school and health care programs .
They point out that the initiative , supported by Newsom and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , would require schools and local governments to disclose all new revenue they receive and how money is spent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would begin flowing to schools and counties in 2022 at the earliest .
Opponents of the measure , including the California Chamber of Commerce , the California Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association , say hiking taxes on commercial property owners would harm struggling businesses hit hard by COVID-related closures .
“ This is being pushed as a panacea cure-all , but at the end of the day , there is no accountability for where these funds go , ” said Michael Bustamante , a spokesperson for the “ No on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , without question , an infinite number of needs , but there is no specificity with what it can or can ’ t be spent on.
” Kat DeBurgh , executive director of the Health Officers Association of California , which represents the state ’ s 61 local health officers and has not taken a position on the initiative , said ongoing , unrestricted revenue could actually benefit counties by allowing them to spearhead public health programs that address local needs .
At present , counties are limited in what they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Most additional funding in recent years has largely been earmarked for specific programs or diseases , such as hepatitis C and HIV , and counties are not allowed to spend it on their COVID-19 response or other public health activities .
“ Maybe your community ’ s highest priority is not something easily funded by one of these grants .
Many rural areas in our state don ’ t have access to clean drinking water , for example , ” DeBurgh said .
“ And our greatest demand — more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be funded with grants or one-time money.
” Health care leaders also argue the initiative could help support community clinics and public hospitals that provide care for uninsured people , who have also suffered financially during the pandemic .
“ What we ’ re really trying to avoid is having to balance the budget on the backs of people who need services , ” said Jodi Hicks , president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California .
“ Our public health system has clear inequities that we need to address , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaps at the county level.
” Hicks said Planned Parenthood , which provides sex education in California public schools , is supporting the initiative not only to improve public health , but also because she worries programs like sex education will be on the chopping block as the state experiences unprecedented job and economic losses .
“ Those types of programs are the first to get cut when there ’ s not enough funding , ” she said .
Small , rural counties could also lose funding , county assessors said .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large commercial property owners who have seen their land and property appreciate in value over the years , it would eliminate property taxes for other business assets , such as machinery and equipment , for the first $ 500,000 in value .
Counties that haven ’ t seen land values climb as high as those in coastal regions like the Bay Area may not collect more property taxes while also losing revenue from the tax cut on other business assets .
Chuck Leonhardt , the elected assessor for rural Plumas County , projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the losers .
“ This would take $ 90 million in assessed value from our tax roll at the beginning , and then I ’ d have to reassess 2,000 commercial properties , ” he said .
“ Many of us rural counties don ’ t feel we ’ ll benefit from doing these reappraisals and my expectation is we could lose some money .
”

By Angela Hart | Kaiser Health News
A November ballot initiative to raise property taxes on big-business owners in California is drawing unconventional political support from healthcare power players and public health leaders.
They see Proposition 15 as a potential savior for chronically underfunded local health departments struggling to respond to the worst public health crisis in more than a century. The initiative would change California’s property tax system to tax some commercial properties higher than residential properties, which backers say could generate billions to help local governments pay for critical public health infrastructure and staffing.
Without such additional state or federal funding, local governments could be forced to make deeper budget cuts in health and other departments next year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain city and county finances.
“When you’re talking about health care, you’re talking about money,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a Sacramento-based consumer advocacy group. “This is the major revenue measure on the ballot this year, and it’s an opportunity to fund public health at the place where the main responsibility for public health lies — at the county level.”
At least that’s how health care advocates are casting the tax hike. But there’s no guarantee that if the measure passes counties would use new revenue to address COVID-19 or other health care needs. And some rural counties fear they would lose money if the ballot measure passes, which could undercut public health efforts.
Support within the health care and local government worlds is not unanimous. The powerful California Hospital Association opposes the measure because it would result in higher taxes on private and investor-owned hospitals, said spokesperson Jan Emerson-Shea. Nonprofit hospitals, including those run by Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health, are exempt from paying property taxes despite their regular high revenue. They would remain exempt under the initiative. (KHN, which produces California Healthline, is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.)
“This new tax will mean millions of dollars will be taken away from patient care, in perpetuity,” Emerson-Shea said.
Proposition 15 would amend California’s landmark 1978 property tax initiative, Proposition 13, which capped commercial and residential property tax rates at 1% of assessed value at the time of purchase, and limited annual increases thereafter to 2%. The drop in property taxes as a result of the initiative decimated a major revenue source for public schools and social welfare programs, leaving many underfunded.
Voters are now being asked to allow higher taxes for business owners with commercial holdings valued at more than $3 million. If passed, the measure could generate up to $11.5 billion a year, according to the nonpartisan state Legislative Analyst’s Office. It would not apply to residential properties.
Forty percent of annual revenue would be distributed to K-12 schools and community colleges, with 60% sent to cities and counties. Nothing in the measure would require new local revenue to be spent on health care, but supporters say it’s their best hope after losing $134 million in state public health money this year as one-time funding for specific programs expired. At the same time, slammed by a projected $54 billion deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers declined this year to increase funding for local health departments to combat COVID-19 and rebuild public health infrastructure.
Sponsors of Proposition 15, including the California Teachers Association and the Service Employees International Union California, argue it’s an overdue change that would tax wealthier enterprises in exchange for funding vital school and health care programs. They point out that the initiative, supported by Newsom and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, would require schools and local governments to disclose all new revenue they receive and how money is spent.
If passed, money from the measure would begin flowing to schools and counties in 2022 at the earliest.
Opponents of the measure, including the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, say hiking taxes on commercial property owners would harm struggling businesses hit hard by COVID-related closures.
“This is being pushed as a panacea cure-all, but at the end of the day, there is no accountability for where these funds go,” said Michael Bustamante, a spokesperson for the “No on Prop 15” campaign. “There are, without question, an infinite number of needs, but there is no specificity with what it can or can’t be spent on.”
Kat DeBurgh, executive director of the Health Officers Association of California, which represents the state’s 61 local health officers and has not taken a position on the initiative, said ongoing, unrestricted revenue could actually benefit counties by allowing them to spearhead public health programs that address local needs.
At present, counties are limited in what they can do with their public health dollars, she said. Most additional funding in recent years has largely been earmarked for specific programs or diseases, such as hepatitis C and HIV, and counties are not allowed to spend it on their COVID-19 response or other public health activities.
“Maybe your community’s highest priority is not something easily funded by one of these grants. Many rural areas in our state don’t have access to clean drinking water, for example,” DeBurgh said. “And our greatest demand — more public health workers — can’t be funded with grants or one-time money.”
Health care leaders also argue the initiative could help support community clinics and public hospitals that provide care for uninsured people, who have also suffered financially during the pandemic.
“What we’re really trying to avoid is having to balance the budget on the backs of people who need services,” said Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “Our public health system has clear inequities that we need to address, and additional funding can help fill in the gaps at the county level.”
Hicks said Planned Parenthood, which provides sex education in California public schools, is supporting the initiative not only to improve public health, but also because she worries programs like sex education will be on the chopping block as the state experiences unprecedented job and economic losses.
“Those types of programs are the first to get cut when there’s not enough funding,” she said.
Small, rural counties could also lose funding, county assessors said.
While the initiative would likely raise taxes on large commercial property owners who have seen their land and property appreciate in value over the years, it would eliminate property taxes for other business assets, such as machinery and equipment, for the first $500,000 in value.
Counties that haven’t seen land values climb as high as those in coastal regions like the Bay Area may not collect more property taxes while also losing revenue from the tax cut on other business assets.
Chuck Leonhardt, the elected assessor for rural Plumas County, projects that his county could be one of the losers.
“This would take $90 million in assessed value from our tax roll at the beginning, and then I’d have to reassess 2,000 commercial properties,” he said. “Many of us rural counties don’t feel we’ll benefit from doing these reappraisals and my expectation is we could lose some money.”


mercurynews--2020-10-22--US officials say Russia, Iran interfering in election

By Frank Bajak and Eric Tucker | Associated Press BOSTON — Iran is responsible for emails meant to intimidate American voters and sow unrest in multiple states , U.S. officials said Wednesday night in calling out both Tehran and Russia for activities meant to interfere in the upcoming presidential election .
The announcement at a rare news conference just two weeks before the election underscored the concern within the U.S. government about efforts by foreign countries to spread false information meant to suppress voter turnout and undermine American confidence in the vote .
“ These actions are desperate attempts by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the government ’ s top intelligence official , who , along with FBI Director Chris Wray , insisted the U.S. would impose costs on any foreign countries that interfere in the 2020 U.S. election .
Both countries have also obtained voter registration information , though such data is considered easily accessible .
Despite the Iranian and Russian actions , the officials said Americans can be confident that their vote will be counted .
While state-backed Russian hackers are known to have infiltrated U.S. election infrastructure in 2016 , there is no evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cybersecurity experts consider it to be a second-rate actor in online espionage .
The news conference was held as Democratic voters in at least four battleground states , including Florida and Pennsylvania , have received threatening emails , falsely purporting to be from the far-right group Proud Boys , that warned “ we will come after you ” if the recipients didn ’ t vote for President Donald Trump .
The voter-intimidation operation apparently used email addresses obtained from state voter registration lists , which include party affiliation and home addresses and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those addresses were then used in an apparently widespread targeted spamming operation .
The senders claimed they would know which candidate the recipient was voting for in the Nov. 3 election , for which early voting is ongoing .
Federal officials have long warned about the possibility of this type of operation , as such registration lists are not difficult to obtain .
“ These emails are meant to intimidate and undermine American voters ’ confidence in our elections , ” Christopher Krebs , the top election security official at the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports of the emails first surfaced .

By Frank Bajak and Eric Tucker | Associated Press
BOSTON — Iran is responsible for emails meant to intimidate American voters and sow unrest in multiple states, U.S. officials said Wednesday night in calling out both Tehran and Russia for activities meant to interfere in the upcoming presidential election.
The announcement at a rare news conference just two weeks before the election underscored the concern within the U.S. government about efforts by foreign countries to spread false information meant to suppress voter turnout and undermine American confidence in the vote.
“These actions are desperate attempts by desperate adversaries,” said John Ratcliffe, the government’s top intelligence official, who, along with FBI Director Chris Wray, insisted the U.S. would impose costs on any foreign countries that interfere in the 2020 U.S. election.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/10/21/fbi-us-election-interference-sot-vpx.cnn”]
Video: Feds: Iran and Russia have interfered with presidential election
Both countries have also obtained voter registration information, though such data is considered easily accessible. Despite the Iranian and Russian actions, the officials said Americans can be confident that their vote will be counted.
While state-backed Russian hackers are known to have infiltrated U.S. election infrastructure in 2016, there is no evidence that Iran has ever done so. Cybersecurity experts consider it to be a second-rate actor in online espionage.
The news conference was held as Democratic voters in at least four battleground states, including Florida and Pennsylvania, have received threatening emails, falsely purporting to be from the far-right group Proud Boys, that warned “we will come after you” if the recipients didn’t vote for President Donald Trump.
The voter-intimidation operation apparently used email addresses obtained from state voter registration lists, which include party affiliation and home addresses and can include email addresses and phone numbers. Those addresses were then used in an apparently widespread targeted spamming operation. The senders claimed they would know which candidate the recipient was voting for in the Nov. 3 election, for which early voting is ongoing.
Federal officials have long warned about the possibility of this type of operation, as such registration lists are not difficult to obtain.
“These emails are meant to intimidate and undermine American voters’ confidence in our elections,” Christopher Krebs, the top election security official at the Department of Homeland Security, tweeted Tuesday night after reports of the emails first surfaced.


mercurynews--2020-10-22--PG&E pushes forward with public safety power shutoff

SAN FRANCISCO – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will shut off power to 37,000 customers , including 4,200 in the Bay Area , starting Wednesday night because of dry and windy conditions that could help spark new wildfires , the utility said .
The public safety power shutoff , or PSPS , will begin at 8 p.m. and ultimately affect customers in parts of Alameda , Butte , Colusa , Contra Costa , Glenn , Humboldt , Lake , Napa , Plumas , Santa Clara , Shasta , Sonoma , Tehama , Trinity and Yolo counties , the utility said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E had initially anticipated shutting off power to 54,000 customers in parts of 19 counties , but the scope was scaled back because of changes in the weather forecast .
The utility said it will open 21 community resource centers for customers impacted by the PSPS .
The centers will provide ADA-accessible restrooms , hand-washing stations , medical equipment charging , WiFi , bottled water and nonperishable snacks .
On Wednesday , the centers will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until the PSPS ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being forecast increase the potential for damage and hazards to PG & E ’ s infrastructure , which could cause sparks if lines are energized , according to the utility .
Once an all-clear has been issued , crews will inspect the de-energized lines for damage .
PG & E said the goal is to restore power to most customers within 12 daylight hours .
The PSPS follows one last week that affected 41,000 customers in parts of 24 counties .

SAN FRANCISCO – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will shut off power to 37,000 customers, including roughly 4,200 in the Bay Area, starting Wednesday night because of dry and windy conditions that could help spark new wildfires, the utility said.
The public safety power shutoff, or PSPS, will begin at 8 p.m. and ultimately affect customers in parts of Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Contra Costa, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Napa, Plumas, Santa Clara, Shasta, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity and Yolo counties, the utility said in a news release.
PG&E had initially anticipated shutting off power to 54,000 customers in parts of 19 counties, but the scope was scaled back because of changes in the weather forecast.
The utility said it will open 21 community resource centers for customers impacted by the PSPS. The centers will provide ADA-accessible restrooms, hand-washing stations, medical equipment charging, WiFi, bottled water and nonperishable snacks. On Wednesday, the centers will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until the PSPS ends.
The North Bay mountains and the East Bay hills and interior valleys will be under a red flag warning starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday. The warning will be extended to the Santa Cruz Mountains and the San Mateo County coast starting at 1 a.m. Thursday and run through 8 a.m. Friday. The highest elevations will see north-northeast winds of 10 to 25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
“It’s a beautiful day, but beautiful days come with costs this time of year,” said NWS meteorologist Brian Garcia in a video about the red flag warning. “Fuels are very dry. Winds are starting to kick up across the area.”
Meteorologist Brian Garcia talks about the upcoming 🔥🚒Red Flag Warnings🚒🔥 for the North Bay Mountains, East Bay Hills & Interior Valleys, Santa Cruz Mountains, & the San Mateo County shoreline, along with an outlook on temperatures in the coming days: https://t.co/LN5vcP4A52 — NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) October 21, 2020
Dry and windy conditions like those being forecast increase the potential for damage and hazards to PG&E’s infrastructure, which could cause sparks if lines are energized, according to the utility.
Once an all-clear has been issued, crews will inspect the de-energized lines for damage. PG&E said the goal is to restore power to most customers within 12 daylight hours.
The PSPS follows one last week that affected 41,000 customers in parts of 24 counties.
Garcia said dry and windy conditions could return to the region by early next week, potentially setting the stage for another PSPS.
“By the time we get into early Monday morning, some models are showing very strong offshore winds and extremely dry conditions,” he said. “So not only do we have extremely dry fuels already, we continue to bring in very dry air and windy conditions.”
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-10-22--Concord man accused of anti-Semitic mass murder threats charged with recent death threat against pol

Concord man accused of anti-Semitic mass murder threats charged with recent death threat against policeman, back in jail

MARTINEZ — Ross Farca , the Concord man who was accused of threatening mass murder of police officers and Jewish people last year , is back in jail after he allegedly threatened an officer during a federal probation search of his home , court records show .
Farca , 25 , is being held in a Contra Costa County jail on a no-bail warrant , and was hit with new charges of threatening a peace officer and obstructing law enforcement .
The charges allege that Farca threatened to kill Concord police Det .
Greg Mahan , the lead investigator in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probation search .
Farca ’ s arrest overshadows a significant legal victory for him : Earlier this week , Judge Nancy Stark agreed to dismiss a criminal threats charge against Farca after hearing defense arguments that Farca ’ s alleged conduct — making comments about plotting indiscriminate murder of a synagogue — was too vague to support a criminal threats charge .
Farca ’ s attorney , Joseph Tully , blasted prosecutors for filing the case at the last minute “ It was trial by ambush … It was a denial of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Tully said .
“ It just shows you that they ’ re overcharging him , that this about an agenda and not about fairness.
” Stark did order Farca to stand trial on related charges that he illegally manufactured an assault weapon from parts he ordered online .
Concord police arrested Farca last year after receiving tips about his online comments .
Farca allegedly used his account — with a screen name of “ Adolf Hitler ” and a reference to the 6 million people killed in the Holocaust — to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers .
“ I would probably get a body count of like 30 ( Jews ) and then like five police officers because I would also decide to fight to the death , ” Farca said in one post .
In other posts , he allegedly discussed picking a “ better target than some random synagogue , ” and referred to Jews by various slurs .
His attorney , Joseph Tully , has argued that Farca was “ just trolling ” and had no intention to actually commit a shooting .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never had a best friend .
He ’ s never kissed a girl .
He can ’ t drive , and he can ’ t hold down a job due to his condition , ” Tully said .
“ This case shows what is still really wrong with our criminal justice system .
… It would be a lot more humane and cost effective to actually reach out to disenfranchised people who suffer from a disability or mental health rather than jail them.
” While fighting his state case , Farca was successfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application form .
Farca was discharged from an army training camp in 2017 , after getting into a fight , and it was later discovered he lied about his mental health history .
In that case , Farca pleaded guilty to a federal offense and was released from Santa Rita Jail earlier this year .
He remained free until his Oct. 15 arrest .
Farca is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 10 in front of Judge David Goldstein .

MARTINEZ — Ross Farca, the Concord man who was accused of threatening mass murder of police officers and Jewish people last year, is back in jail after he allegedly threatened an officer during a federal probation search of his home, court records show.
Farca, 25, is being held in a Contra Costa County jail on a no-bail warrant, and was hit with new charges of threatening a peace officer and obstructing law enforcement. The charges allege that Farca threatened to kill Concord police Det. Greg Mahan, the lead investigator in his case who was present during the probation search.
Farca’s arrest overshadows a significant legal victory for him: Earlier this week, Judge Nancy Stark agreed to dismiss a criminal threats charge against Farca after hearing defense arguments that Farca’s alleged conduct — making comments about plotting indiscriminate murder of a synagogue — was too vague to support a criminal threats charge.
Farca’s attorney, Joseph Tully, blasted prosecutors for filing the case at the last minute
“It was trial by ambush … It was a denial of his Fifth Amendment rights to due process,” Tully said. “It just shows you that they’re overcharging him, that this about an agenda and not about fairness.”
Stark did order Farca to stand trial on related charges that he illegally manufactured an assault weapon from parts he ordered online.
Concord police arrested Farca last year after receiving tips about his online comments. Farca allegedly used his account — with a screen name of “Adolf Hitler” and a reference to the 6 million people killed in the Holocaust — to discuss wanting to kill Jewish people and police officers.
“I would probably get a body count of like 30 (Jews) and then like five police officers because I would also decide to fight to the death,” Farca said in one post. In other posts, he allegedly discussed picking a “better target than some random synagogue,” and referred to Jews by various slurs.
His attorney, Joseph Tully, has argued that Farca was “just trolling” and had no intention to actually commit a shooting.
“He is severely autistic. He’s never had a best friend. He’s never kissed a girl. He can’t drive, and he can’t hold down a job due to his condition,” Tully said. “This case shows what is still really wrong with our criminal justice system. … It would be a lot more humane and cost effective to actually reach out to disenfranchised people who suffer from a disability or mental health rather than jail them.”
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Hair relaxers have been linked to cancer among Black women, litigation says. ‘Nobody cares except us.’ Crime and Public Safety | Contra Costa DA attempts to block publicization of new racist texts by Antioch cops While fighting his state case, Farca was successfully prosecuted for lying on his U.S. Army application form. Farca was discharged from an army training camp in 2017, after getting into a fight, and it was later discovered he lied about his mental health history.
In that case, Farca pleaded guilty to a federal offense and was released from Santa Rita Jail earlier this year. He remained free until his Oct. 15 arrest.
Farca is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 10 in front of Judge David Goldstein.


mercurynews--2020-10-22--Alameda DA files murder charges in Vallejo man’s killing; prosecutors say he initiated shooting, vic

Alameda DA files murder charges in Vallejo man’s killing; prosecutors say he initiated shooting, victim was also accidentally shot by friend

OAKLAND — A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murdering a man whom police say was also shot by another person — the victim ’ s friend — after the defendant allegedly opened fire at their car .
Danny Webb Jr. was charged with murder and shooting at an occupied car last June , though the charges have not been previously reported .
Last week , he was ordered to stand trial by Judge Steven Thomas , court records show .
A trial date has not been set .
Webb is charged with murdering Justin Esco , 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 11 p.m. April 17 , in a shooting on the 9700 block of Golf Links Road .
A 21-year-old man was wounded but survived .
According to a police probable cause statement , Webb opened fire at a car containing Esco and at least one other person .
Esco ’ s friend returned fire and struck him in the torso , police said .
He died of multiple gunshot wounds .
Later that day , Webb was dropped off at a hospital in Richmond for medical treatment .
The car that dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting , the probable cause statement alleges .
Webb was arrested May 28 in Pleasanton , records show .
A decade ago , Webb was charged with murder in a shooting that police alleged was accidental .
In 2012 — after his case went to trial and jurors deadlocked twice — he was sentenced to nine years in a voluntary manslaughter plea deal .
• Oakland man charged with shooting at moving car , killing teen and injuring another • Oakland man charged with murdering his neighbor , in shooting police say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts for East Bay man charged with killing CHP officer in DUI crash • On the first day of trial , Contra Costa DA dismisses murder charges against man accused of killing wife , staging suicide • ‘ I don ’ t like this , I am not cool with this ’ : Defense releases new details in Boogaloo-linked killing of federal officer in Oakland In that case , prosecutors alleged that Webb accidentally shot and killed 30-year-old David Perry , after Perry ’ s friend spat on Perry ’ s mother during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Webb wasn ’ t even present for the shooting and had been falsely accused .
Webb is in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and is being held without bail .
His next court date , an arraignment , is set for Friday , according to court records .

OAKLAND — A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murdering a man whom police say was also shot by another person — the victim’s friend — after the defendant allegedly opened fire at their car.
Danny Webb Jr. was charged with murder and shooting at an occupied car last June, though the charges have not been previously reported. Last week, he was ordered to stand trial by Judge Steven Thomas, court records show. A trial date has not been set.
Webb is charged with murdering Justin Esco, 25, a Vallejo resident who was killed around 11 p.m. April 17, in a shooting on the 9700 block of Golf Links Road. A 21-year-old man was wounded but survived.
According to a police probable cause statement, Webb opened fire at a car containing Esco and at least one other person. Esco’s friend returned fire and struck him in the torso, police said. He died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Later that day, Webb was dropped off at a hospital in Richmond for medical treatment. The car that dropped him off was also seen driving from the shooting, the probable cause statement alleges. Webb was arrested May 28 in Pleasanton, records show.
A decade ago, Webb was charged with murder in a shooting that police alleged was accidental. In 2012 — after his case went to trial and jurors deadlocked twice — he was sentenced to nine years in a voluntary manslaughter plea deal.
In that case, prosecutors alleged that Webb accidentally shot and killed 30-year-old David Perry, after Perry’s friend spat on Perry’s mother during an argument. The defense argued that Webb wasn’t even present for the shooting and had been falsely accused.
Webb is in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and is being held without bail. His next court date, an arraignment, is set for Friday, according to court records.


mercurynews--2020-10-21--Campaigning for Biden, Obama urges voters to oust Trump

By Alexandra Jaffe and Bill Barrows | Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Former President Barack Obama blasted President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , his response to racial unrest and his fundamental unfitness for the job in his first in-person campaign pitch Wednesday for Joe Biden , his former vice president .
With less than two weeks until Election Day , Obama delivered a sweeping condemnation of Trump while urging Black men , progressives and other voters not to sit out the Nov. 3 election .
“ This election requires every single one of us to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next 13 days will matter for decades to come , ” Obama said at a drive-in rally of about 300 cars .
He later warned : “ The fact that we don ’ t get 100 % of what we want right away is not a good reason not to vote.
” Obama ’ s visit to Philadelphia underscores the significance of Pennsylvania , the swing state that Biden himself has visited the most this campaign season .
Trump has prioritized the state as well , and his aides acknowledge that his path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s 20 electoral votes .
The president on Wednesday was in Erie , one of a handful of Pennsylvania counties that Obama won twice before it flipped to Trump .
Specifically targeting voters who might be disillusioned , Obama offered a defense of the nation ’ s decency and personal validation that Biden and his running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , can live up to it .
“ America is a good and decent place , but we ’ ve just seen so much nonsense and noise that sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ I ’ m asking you to remember what this country can be .
… I ’ m asking you to believe in Joe ’ s ability and Kamala ’ s ability to lead this country out of these dark times and help us build it back better.
” During his speech and at an earlier roundtable with Black men , Biden talked up the Democrats ’ plans to confront the coronavirus while dealing with the country ’ s social and economic tensions , including disparities deeply rooted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Joe Biden and Kamala Harris surrounding themselves with people who are serious , who know what they ’ re doing , who are representative of all people — not just some people — and us being able to then dig ourselves out of this hole , ” Obama said .
Four years ago , Obama delivered Hillary Clinton ’ s closing argument in Philadelphia — at a rally for thousands the night before Election Day on Independence Mall .
Now , with the coronavirus pandemic upending campaigning , far fewer voters saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he used the spotlight he had to remind voters of 2016 , when Trump upset Clinton narrowly in Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin to forge an Electoral College majority despite losing the popular vote nationally .
“ We can ’ t be complacent , ” Obama warned .
“ I don ’ t care about the polls .
There were a whole bunch of polls last time .
Didn ’ t work out because a whole bunch of folks stayed at home and got lazy and complacent .
Not this time .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personalized version of the same message , with the nation ’ s first Black president urging Black men especially not to give into apathy .
The host city , Philadelphia , is among the Democratic bastions in key battleground states where Black turnout four years ago fell off from Obama ’ s 2012 reelection in large enough numbers to tip the election in Trump ’ s favor .
Obama , 59 , said he understood young voters ’ skepticism and disinterest , recalling his own attitude decades ago .
“ I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old , I wasn ’ t all that woke , ” he said at the roundtable , adding that young Black men are “ not involved because they ’ re young and they ’ re distracted.
” But he said not voting gives away power .
“ The answer for young people when I talk to them is not that voting makes everything perfect , ” Obama said .
“ It ’ s that it makes things better ” because politicians respond to and reflect the citizens who cast votes .
“ One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perpetrated on the American people is this idea that the government is separate from you , ” Obama said .
“ The government ’ s us .
Of , by and for the people .
It wasn ’ t always for all of us , but the way it ’ s designed , it works based on who ’ s at the table.
” Despite the smaller scale , Democrats say that as one of the men who knows Biden best , both as his former partner in the White House and personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s greatest assets in the final stretch of the campaign .
Obama has already been helpful to the Biden campaign , adapting to the shift to virtual events by focusing much of his work on getting younger Americans to vote .
He ’ s appeared on Twitch , the video game streaming platform , pushed a voter registration message on Snapchat and recorded a video for the Shade Room , a Black-owned Instagram page and media company with 21 million followers .
Obama has appeared on two podcasts run by some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name to texts and emails encouraging supporters to register to vote and donate money to the campaign .
Obama has also been a big money draw for the campaign — he appeared at two virtual fundraisers with Harris this month and a handful prior to that .
A grassroots virtual fundraiser Obama headlined with Biden in June brought in $ 7.6 million .
• Election night is a crazy show .
Here ’ s how to follow along on Nov. 3 Obama has also been active for down-ballot Democrats , raising money for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the party ’ s top candidates , like Sara Gideon , running for the Senate in Maine , and for vulnerable incumbents , like Michigan Sen. Gary Peters .
And he filmed a series of digital videos for the Democratic National Committee emphasizing the need for voters to make plans for casting their ballot .

By Alexandra Jaffe and Bill Barrows | Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — Former President Barack Obama blasted President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, his response to racial unrest and his fundamental unfitness for the job in his first in-person campaign pitch Wednesday for Joe Biden, his former vice president.
With less than two weeks until Election Day, Obama delivered a sweeping condemnation of Trump while urging Black men, progressives and other voters not to sit out the Nov. 3 election.
“This election requires every single one of us to do our part. What we do these next 13 days will matter for decades to come,” Obama said at a drive-in rally of about 300 cars. He later warned: “The fact that we don’t get 100% of what we want right away is not a good reason not to vote.”
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/10/21/trump-chinese-account-barack-obama-joe-biden-campaign-remarks-vpx.cnn”]
Video: Obama blasts Trump’s foreign bank account in campaign speech
Obama’s visit to Philadelphia underscores the significance of Pennsylvania, the swing state that Biden himself has visited the most this campaign season. Trump has prioritized the state as well, and his aides acknowledge that his path to victory would narrow considerably without the state’s 20 electoral votes. The president on Wednesday was in Erie, one of a handful of Pennsylvania counties that Obama won twice before it flipped to Trump.
Specifically targeting voters who might be disillusioned, Obama offered a defense of the nation’s decency and personal validation that Biden and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, can live up to it.
“America is a good and decent place, but we’ve just seen so much nonsense and noise that sometimes it’s hard to remember,” he said. “I’m asking you to remember what this country can be. … I’m asking you to believe in Joe’s ability and Kamala’s ability to lead this country out of these dark times and help us build it back better.”
During his speech and at an earlier roundtable with Black men, Biden talked up the Democrats’ plans to confront the coronavirus while dealing with the country’s social and economic tensions, including disparities deeply rooted in racism.
“I am so confident in Joe Biden and Kamala Harris surrounding themselves with people who are serious, who know what they’re doing, who are representative of all people — not just some people — and us being able to then dig ourselves out of this hole,” Obama said.
Four years ago, Obama delivered Hillary Clinton’s closing argument in Philadelphia — at a rally for thousands the night before Election Day on Independence Mall. Now, with the coronavirus pandemic upending campaigning, far fewer voters saw the former president in person. But he used the spotlight he had to remind voters of 2016, when Trump upset Clinton narrowly in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin to forge an Electoral College majority despite losing the popular vote nationally.
“We can’t be complacent,” Obama warned. “I don’t care about the polls. There were a whole bunch of polls last time. Didn’t work out because a whole bunch of folks stayed at home and got lazy and complacent. Not this time. Not this election.”
The roundtable was a personalized version of the same message, with the nation’s first Black president urging Black men especially not to give into apathy. The host city, Philadelphia, is among the Democratic bastions in key battleground states where Black turnout four years ago fell off from Obama’s 2012 reelection in large enough numbers to tip the election in Trump’s favor.
Obama, 59, said he understood young voters’ skepticism and disinterest, recalling his own attitude decades ago. “I’ll confess, when I was 20 years old, I wasn’t all that woke,” he said at the roundtable, adding that young Black men are “not involved because they’re young and they’re distracted.”
But he said not voting gives away power.
“The answer for young people when I talk to them is not that voting makes everything perfect,” Obama said. “It’s that it makes things better” because politicians respond to and reflect the citizens who cast votes.
“One of the biggest tricks that’s perpetrated on the American people is this idea that the government is separate from you,” Obama said. “The government’s us. Of, by and for the people. It wasn’t always for all of us, but the way it’s designed, it works based on who’s at the table.”
Despite the smaller scale, Democrats say that as one of the men who knows Biden best, both as his former partner in the White House and personally, Obama remains one of the party’s greatest assets in the final stretch of the campaign.
Obama has already been helpful to the Biden campaign, adapting to the shift to virtual events by focusing much of his work on getting younger Americans to vote. He’s appeared on Twitch, the video game streaming platform, pushed a voter registration message on Snapchat and recorded a video for the Shade Room, a Black-owned Instagram page and media company with 21 million followers.
Obama has appeared on two podcasts run by some of his former aides and has lent his name to texts and emails encouraging supporters to register to vote and donate money to the campaign. Obama has also been a big money draw for the campaign — he appeared at two virtual fundraisers with Harris this month and a handful prior to that. A grassroots virtual fundraiser Obama headlined with Biden in June brought in $7.6 million.


mercurynews--2020-10-21--Cooking for a cause: Chefs host drive-thru Hunger at Home fundraiser

Hunger at Home , the Silicon Valley nonprofit that matches meals with the needy , will again host its annual fundraising gala .
But , given the parameters of this pandemic year , the Bridge the Gap event this Saturday , Oct. 24 , will be a socially distanced one — with the flair of an indoor event .
South Bay chefs will create a five-course dinner and package it for home eating .
Donors will get to dress up — from the neck up , because they ’ ll be seen only from the car window — for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picking up their meals and heading home to enjoy .
The kitchen talents include chefs from Bridges Restaurant , DoubleTree San Jose , Fairmont San Jose , Flik Hospitality , Hotel De Anza , Levi ’ s Stadium , Oracle Park , Sandi ’ s Catering , San Jose Marriott and Team San Jose .
Working with chef Dinari Brown , who is the H @ H chief operating officer , and lead chef Janelle Ferrer , the chefs have fashioned a dinner that includes a Charcuterie Plate , Fire-Roasted Corn and Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a three-meat ragu , Heirloom Apple and Berry Crisp and a finale of mignardises , Pâté de Fruit and Chocolate Truffles .
Vegetarians may order a version that features Manicotti Alla Florentine , Fall Squash and Root Vegetable Potage , plus a vegan appetizer plate and dessert .
All will be packaged with instructions for home reheating .
• After surprising crackdown by police , San Jose to expand late-night outdoor dining downtown • How a D.C. chef is reviving Berkeley ’ s Limewood Bar & Restaurant at the Claremont Tickets are $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assigned time slot between 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday .
Guests should bring their ticket printout and may arrive at the venue anytime during their 30-minute slot .
Driving the route will take about 20 minutes ; all attendees must remain in their vehicles for the duration .
Details : Order tickets online by Friday , Oct. 23 , at https : //hungerathome.org/bridge-the-gap-gala .
The Avaya/Earthquakes Stadium is located at 1123 Coleman Ave. , San Jose .

Hunger at Home, the Silicon Valley nonprofit that matches meals with the needy, will again host its annual fundraising gala.
But, given the parameters of this pandemic year, the Bridge the Gap event this Saturday, Oct. 24, will be a socially distanced one — with the flair of an indoor event.
South Bay chefs will create a five-course dinner and package it for home eating. Donors will get to dress up — from the neck up, because they’ll be seen only from the car window — for some fun drive-thru festivities at Earthquakes Stadium before picking up their meals and heading home to enjoy.
The kitchen talents include chefs from Bridges Restaurant, DoubleTree San Jose, Fairmont San Jose, Flik Hospitality, Hotel De Anza, Levi’s Stadium, Oracle Park, Sandi’s Catering, San Jose Marriott and Team San Jose.
Working with chef Dinari Brown, who is the H@H chief operating officer, and lead chef Janelle Ferrer, the chefs have fashioned a dinner that includes a Charcuterie Plate, Fire-Roasted Corn and Blue Crab Bisque, Manicotti alla Bolognese with a three-meat ragu, Heirloom Apple and Berry Crisp and a finale of mignardises, Pâté de Fruit and Chocolate Truffles.
Vegetarians may order a version that features Manicotti Alla Florentine, Fall Squash and Root Vegetable Potage, plus a vegan appetizer plate and dessert.
All will be packaged with instructions for home reheating.
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Details: Order tickets online by Friday, Oct. 23, at https://hungerathome.org/bridge-the-gap-gala. Earthquakes Stadium is located at 1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose.


mercurynews--2020-10-21--Coronavirus: Bill Gates describes what we did wrong, and how to do better

Five years ago , Bill Gates predicted that a pandemic would spread very quickly , shake the global economy and transform daily life .
On Wednesday , Dr. Lloyd Minor , Dean of Stanford University School of Medicine , posed questions to the Microsoft co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation about the strategies and innovations needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic that , as Gates forecast , is now sweeping the world .
Q : Where did we go wrong ?
A : “ There are some things we didn ’ t do before the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the things that we didn ’ t do once the epidemic hit .
We can definitely say in those early days , getting the PCR machines and the commercial sector up and running , and getting them to every community with results coming back in less than 24 hours — the way that was done in South Korea , Australia , Taiwan — was a model that sadly , the U.S. did not use .
Usually , you ’ d expect the worst to be the ‘ ground zero ’ country — in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next wave , which was all in Asia , and then in Europe , and then finally , the U.S. We had all this community spread .
With a travel ban , where you actually force people to come back from China , you have to have a way to be able to either just assume they ’ re infected and quarantine them , or test them .
And then if they test positive , to have that enforced quarantine .
We actually seeded a lot of infection by saying , ‘ Okay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back ( and not testing or quarantining ) .
’ Diagnostics and quarantine — we knew those were important .
We didn ’ t do a good job executing on them.
” Q : How do we rebuild the public health infrastructure in our country ?
A : “ The CDC is the best in the world .
Everyone in the world looks to the CDC , whether it ’ s how you message during a pandemic , how you do the epidemiology or how you track the data .
In some respects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those skill sets , making sure the database system really would pull the information together in a rich way .
I ’ d say overwhelmingly , we didn ’ t take advantage of that expertise , because we didn ’ t take the spokespeople in the CDC and give them the opportunity to be the voice .
Now , to some degree , Dr. Fauci — who ’ s fantastic — once in awhile he is allowed to go out and talk and so he ’ s carried out the public health mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message , by not having the federal government say , early on , ‘ We need to intervene aggressively , ’ we missed what capacity there is at the CDC to minimize the epidemic .
The U.S. also ( cut ) the people who would have bought the materials and who would have gathered the information .
Q : What ’ s the course of economic recovery going to be ?
A : “ One thing I underestimated was how quickly people ’ s behavior would change .
And that when death stalks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of deaths going on a day , I didn ’ t realize how much people would say : ‘ Let ’ s not go into work.
’ ” ( In a 2015 talk ) , I talked about $ 3 trillion economic costs .
It ’ ll easily get to $ 10 trillion , perhaps even $ 15 trillion , overall .
Q : How are we going to democratize the distribution of vaccines , both within our country and then in the world ?
A : “ Let me talk a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is largely six or seven Western companies that invent the novel vaccines .
And then as they get out there in developing countries , the manufacturers — mostly in India , but Indonesia , Brazil , a few other places — they ’ ll make a different version of the vaccine and sell it at a much lower price .
“ This is not a case where you want to use just a market-based approach , charging the highest price you can for the vaccine and getting it to just the richest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a lot of vaccines underway .
The ones that really count are the ones that are going to go through a ‘ gold standard ’ regulator , which would be the U.S. FDA or the European regulator .
All the countries in the world look at those kind of blessings before they say , ‘ Okay , this is quite safe.
’ We ’ ve got six vaccines that U.S. and other monies is funding into Phase Three trials .
And potentially , we ’ re going to have an Emergency Use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming in the first half of next year.
” Q : How much capacity do these manufacturers have ?
A : We have the capacity to go way faster than for any vaccine in history .
This is the first time ever in history ( that ) we ’ re going to have a vaccine invented by a Western company , such as Johnson & Johnson , partnering with the Indian company Biological E , which has an even bigger factory and will have the right to manufacture .
Likewise , the British-Swedish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Serum Institute of India .
So overall , thank goodness , our ability to create vaccines , and the many different approaches we can use , gives us the high likelihood of one , or multiples of them , working.
” Q : What is your assessment of the therapeutic landscape today ?
A : “ The thing that ’ s most promising in this whole space is the monoclonal antibodies .
If you catch somebody early — someone who just tested positive — and then give these antibodies either as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you probably will be able to reduce the death rate 70 % or 80 % .
There ’ s a lot of great work going on in this space .
Particularly if it ’ s a low dose intervention , that really is a big deal in reducing overall deaths.
” Q : What are the prospects for global screening of the emergence of another new virus ?
• 49ers on Wednesday : Shanahan wants fans at Levi ’ s ; ‘ good news ’ on Trent Williams • Despite county restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosting fans at Levi ’ s Stadium A : “ We always have to be serious about public health in a global sense and surveillance for ‘ the next one , ’ because we don ’ t know where it will emerge .
”

Five years ago, Bill Gates predicted that a pandemic would spread very quickly, shake the global economy and transform daily life.
On Wednesday, Dr. Lloyd Minor, Dean of Stanford University School of Medicine, posed questions to the Microsoft co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation about the strategies and innovations needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic that, as Gates forecast, is now sweeping the world.
Q: Where did we go wrong?
A: “There are some things we didn’t do before the epidemic hit. And then there’s the things that we didn’t do once the epidemic hit.
We can definitely say in those early days, getting the PCR machines and the commercial sector up and running, and getting them to every community with results coming back in less than 24 hours — the way that was done in South Korea, Australia, Taiwan — was a model that sadly, the U.S. did not use.
Usually, you’d expect the worst to be the ‘ground zero’ country — in this case, China, then the next wave, which was all in Asia, and then in Europe, and then finally, the U.S. We had all this community spread.
With a travel ban, where you actually force people to come back from China, you have to have a way to be able to either just assume they’re infected and quarantine them, or test them. And then if they test positive, to have that enforced quarantine.
We actually seeded a lot of infection by saying, ‘Okay, everybody, residents and citizens come back (and not testing or quarantining).’
Diagnostics and quarantine — we knew those were important. We didn’t do a good job executing on them.”
Q: How do we rebuild the public health infrastructure in our country?
A: “The CDC is the best in the world. Everyone in the world looks to the CDC, whether it’s how you message during a pandemic, how you do the epidemiology or how you track the data. In some respects, we have under invested in practicing those skill sets, making sure the database system really would pull the information together in a rich way.
I’d say overwhelmingly, we didn’t take advantage of that expertise, because we didn’t take the spokespeople in the CDC and give them the opportunity to be the voice. Now, to some degree, Dr. Fauci — who’s fantastic — once in awhile he is allowed to go out and talk and so he’s carried out the public health mission.
But by not having a consistent message, by not having the federal government say, early on, ‘We need to intervene aggressively,’ we missed what capacity there is at the CDC to minimize the epidemic.
The U.S. also (cut) the people who would have bought the materials and who would have gathered the information.
Q: What’s the course of economic recovery going to be?
A: “One thing I underestimated was how quickly people’s behavior would change. And that when death stalks the land and you’ve got thousands of deaths going on a day, I didn’t realize how much people would say: ‘Let’s not go into work.’ ” (In a 2015 talk), I talked about $3 trillion economic costs. It’ll easily get to $10 trillion, perhaps even $15 trillion, overall.
Q: How are we going to democratize the distribution of vaccines, both within our country and then in the world?
A: “Let me talk a tiny bit about the vaccine business. It is largely six or seven Western companies that invent the novel vaccines. And then as they get out there in developing countries, the manufacturers — mostly in India, but Indonesia, Brazil, a few other places — they’ll make a different version of the vaccine and sell it at a much lower price.
“This is not a case where you want to use just a market-based approach, charging the highest price you can for the vaccine and getting it to just the richest patient for the richest countries.
We have a lot of vaccines underway. The ones that really count are the ones that are going to go through a ‘gold standard’ regulator, which would be the U.S. FDA or the European regulator. All the countries in the world look at those kind of blessings before they say, ‘Okay, this is quite safe.’
We’ve got six vaccines that U.S. and other monies is funding into Phase Three trials. And potentially, we’re going to have an Emergency Use license for two or three of them coming in the first half of next year.”
Q: How much capacity do these manufacturers have?
A: We have the capacity to go way faster than for any vaccine in history.
This is the first time ever in history (that) we’re going to have a vaccine invented by a Western company, such as Johnson & Johnson, partnering with the Indian company Biological E, which has an even bigger factory and will have the right to manufacture. Likewise, the British-Swedish company AstraZeneca has a vaccine licensing agreement with Serum Institute of India.
So overall, thank goodness, our ability to create vaccines, and the many different approaches we can use, gives us the high likelihood of one, or multiples of them, working.”
Q: What is your assessment of the therapeutic landscape today?
A: “The thing that’s most promising in this whole space is the monoclonal antibodies. If you catch somebody early — someone who just tested positive — and then give these antibodies either as an infusion or a couple of shots, you probably will be able to reduce the death rate 70% or 80%.
There’s a lot of great work going on in this space. Particularly if it’s a low dose intervention, that really is a big deal in reducing overall deaths.”
Q: What are the prospects for global screening of the emergence of another new virus? Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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A: “We always have to be serious about public health in a global sense and surveillance for ‘the next one,’ because we don’t know where it will emerge.”


mercurynews--2020-10-21--Milpitas: DA clears officer in fatal shooting of suicidal man who stabbed stepfather

MILPITAS — Prosecutors have legally cleared a Milpitas police officer who shot and killed a suicidal man who had stabbed his father and charged the officer while holding kitchen knives while yelling “ Kill me , ” according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney ’ s Office .
A shooting report released Tuesday largely echoes previous police accounts of the June 21 encounter , which ended with Officer Nathan Brasil fatally wounding 19-year-old Brandeis Codde outside his family ’ s apartment off North Temple Drive .
“ Brandeis Codde , a young man suffering from mental illness , committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker wrote in the report .
“ Codde ’ s own words and actions put Officer Brasil in a situation in which he had no choice but to use lethal force to protect himself from certain death or grievous bodily injury.
” According to a police investigation , Codde had been staying with his family at the apartment after an apparent breakup with a girlfriend in Stockton , and the day of the shooting pushed a vanity to the ground in the bedroom of his mother and stepfather .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ living room , where the stepfather grappled with Codde , who had armed himself with paring knives .
The stepfather suffered multiple stab wounds and cuts in the struggle .
Soon after , the injured stepfather went into a locked bedroom to join Codde ’ s brother and mother , who called 911 , according to the DA report .
Brasil was the first officer on scene to respond to the stabbing report , and was later joined by Officer Mohammed Ali .
By that point , Codde was outside , holding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pair of knives in the other .
In body-camera footage released in July , Brasil , a crisis-trained officer , could be heard telling Codde , “ Please put the knife down man , I don ’ t want to hurt you .
We can work through whatever happened .
We can work through it .
Just put the knife down.
” At one point , Codde walks toward Ali — who was approaching from an opposite direction along the side of the building — then reverses course and starts to run toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Taser , which did not fully connect , according to the report .
Brasil fired his service pistol five times at Codde , with Ali standing in the background , within line of sight .
Codde was hit in the arm and abdomen , with the latter determined to have been the fatal wound .
He died at a local hospital .
According to the report , the stepfather said Codde had exhibited paranoia and delusions — often stating he was under surveillance — and in multiple past instances he had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to hurt or kill himself .
Codde ’ s stepfather is expected to survive his injuries .

MILPITAS — Prosecutors have legally cleared a Milpitas police officer who shot and killed a suicidal man who had stabbed his father and charged the officer while holding kitchen knives while yelling “Kill me,” according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
A shooting report released Tuesday largely echoes previous police accounts of the June 21 encounter, which ended with Officer Nathan Brasil fatally wounding 19-year-old Brandeis Codde outside his family’s apartment off North Temple Drive.
“Brandeis Codde, a young man suffering from mental illness, committed ‘suicide by cop,’ ” Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker wrote in the report. “Codde’s own words and actions put Officer Brasil in a situation in which he had no choice but to use lethal force to protect himself from certain death or grievous bodily injury.”
According to a police investigation, Codde had been staying with his family at the apartment after an apparent breakup with a girlfriend in Stockton, and the day of the shooting pushed a vanity to the ground in the bedroom of his mother and stepfather. That led to a confrontation in the living room, where the stepfather grappled with Codde, who had armed himself with paring knives. The stepfather suffered multiple stab wounds and cuts in the struggle.
Soon after, the injured stepfather went into a locked bedroom to join Codde’s brother and mother, who called 911, according to the DA report. Brasil was the first officer on scene to respond to the stabbing report, and was later joined by Officer Mohammed Ali.
By that point, Codde was outside, holding a sake bottle in one hand and a pair of knives in the other. In body-camera footage released in July, Brasil, a crisis-trained officer, could be heard telling Codde, “Please put the knife down man, I don’t want to hurt you. We can work through whatever happened. We can work through it. Just put the knife down.”
At one point, Codde walks toward Ali — who was approaching from an opposite direction along the side of the building — then reverses course and starts to run toward Brasil. That prompted Ali to fire his Taser, which did not fully connect, according to the report.
Brasil fired his service pistol five times at Codde, with Ali standing in the background, within line of sight. Codde was hit in the arm and abdomen, with the latter determined to have been the fatal wound. He died at a local hospital.
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Utah man, suspected of threatening Biden, shot dead by FBI Crime and Public Safety | Road rage leads to deaths of Tesla driver and police dog at San Diego campus According to the report, the stepfather said Codde had exhibited paranoia and delusions — often stating he was under surveillance — and in multiple past instances he had to wrestle knives away from Codde when he threatened to hurt or kill himself.
Codde’s stepfather is expected to survive his injuries.


mercurynews--2020-10-21--Photos show NASA’s successful asteroid touchdown

New images taken by the OSIRIS-REx mission show the historic first touchdown of a NASA spacecraft on the near-Earth asteroid Bennu .
The spacecraft collected a sample that will be returned to Earth in 2023 .
In the images , which were stitched together to show the spacecraft touching down , the spacecraft ’ s robotic arm appeared to crush some of the porous rocks on the surface .
A nitrogen gas bottle fired on the surface appeared to stir up a substantial amount of material in a “ rubble shower.
” The spacecraft then spent five seconds collecting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spacecraft is in “ good health ” after the event which occurred on Tuesday , according to the mission ’ s team .
Data and images were sent back by the spacecraft overnight and shared by the agency on Wednesday .
Data from the spacecraft shows it touched down within 3 feet of the targeted location — all while the spacecraft autonomously worked through commands sent ahead of time , using its advanced navigation system to help it land without assistance from Earth due to a 18.5-minute communication delay .
Although all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far indicates that everything happened as planned during the “ Touch-and-Go ” event , called TAG , it will take the mission teams about a week to determine how much of a sample was collected by the spacecraft .
The required amount for the sample is about 60 grams — about a full-size candy bar — but the capsule can hold up to 2 kilograms of material from the asteroid ’ s surface .
Since launching in 2016 , the mission has been filled with surprises and firsts , challenging its team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asteroid revealed information that ultimately changed how NASA would attempt its first collection of a sample from an asteroid .
Located more than 200 million miles from Earth , Bennu is a boulder-studded asteroid shaped like a spinning top and as tall as the Empire State Building .
It ’ s a “ rubble pile ” asteroid , which is a grouping of rocks held together by gravity rather than a single object .
Rather than the sandy beach-like surface the mission team was expecting at first , it turns out that Bennu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also actively ejecting little rocks , pebbles and particles into space — as first witnessed by the spacecraft ’ s cameras soon after arriving at the asteroid in December 2018 .
The spacecraft orbited the asteroid for nearly two years , observing it in detail .
This resulted in the closest orbit for a spacecraft around an object , setting a Guinness World Record .
It ’ s also the smallest body to be orbited by a NASA spacecraft .
And Bennu has now been mapped in greater detail than our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our solar system .
Due to the rocky nature of the asteroid , which could have spelled doom for the spacecraft attempting to collect a sample from it , the team had to pick its collection site carefully and shrink the landing site to one-tenth of its original size .
Imagine a van that can seat 15 passengers flying through space and approaching a rock that has the height of the Empire State Building and is rapidly rotating .
The landing site , called Nightingale , is 52 feet in diameter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces .
This is where the spacecraft briefly touched the asteroid with its 11-foot robotic arm for just seconds on Wednesday .
The touchdown and sample collection occurred about 4.5 hours after the spacecraft departed orbit around the asteroid and slowly descended .
Data has shown that the arm touched the surface of the asteroid and fired a burst of nitrogen gas , stirring up dust and pebbles that could be stowed by the arm ’ s collection head .
After the collection , the spacecraft backed away from the asteroid to safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrates how an incredible team from across the country came together and persevered through incredible challenges to expand the boundaries of knowledge , ” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement after the event on Tuesday .
“ Our industry , academic , and international partners have made it possible to hold a piece of the most ancient solar system in our hands.
” The mission team over the next week will use a camera on the spacecraft to take pictures of the collection head on the robotic arm to try and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collected .
The spacecraft will also perform a bit of a pirouette on Saturday , spinning about an axis that is perpendicular to its robotic arm , to determine the mass of the sample .
The team will analyze this data and make a decision by October 30 if they have collected a sufficient sample .
“ We will use the combination of data from TAG and the post-TAG images and mass measurement to assess our confidence that we have collected at least 60 grams of sample , ” said Rich Burns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt , Maryland , in a statement .
“ If our confidence is high , we ’ ll make the decision to stow the sample on October 30.
” Stowing the sample means that the mission team on Earth will send a command to the spacecraft to place the sample collection head in the sample return capsule , which is located inside the spacecraft ’ s body .
Once everything is sealed , the spacecraft will prepare to depart Bennu in March 2021 .
This is when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shorter trip home .
If the spacecraft did not collect enough of a sample , OSIRIS-REx will attempt another TAG at the backup Osprey landing site on the asteroid .
This TAG event would occur on January 12 , 2021 .
Once the spacecraft has a sufficient sample , it will travel back to Earth , parachuting into Utah ’ s west desert on September 24 , 2023 .
What we can learn from a sample There are more than a million known asteroids in our solar system , but Bennu was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it fit certain criteria regarding size , location and composition , according to Heather Enos , the mission ’ s deputy principal investigator at the University of Arizona .
Bennu ’ s sample won ’ t be the first asteroid sample returned to Earth .
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency , known as JAXA , collected a sample from the asteroid Ryugu during their Hayabusa2 mission .
It should be returned to Earth in December .
The two mission teams have collaborated closely throughout their missions and will be exchanging a portion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NASA team hopes that its mission will collect a sample with “ significantly more mass ” because its sampling method is a little different from Hayabusa2 ’ s approach , according to NASA .
Enos hopes for a “ completely full capsule ” that represents Bennu ’ s carbon-rich compositon and hydrated minerals , both discovered based on observations and data sent back by OSIRIS-REx over the last two years .
She also hopes that the sample includes a variety of sizes of material , including tiny grains and small pieces that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak and porous boulders on Bennu .
“ Diversity is the key to get the most out of this sample , ” Enos said .
Scientists are already anticipating what they could learn from the returned sample .
They don ’ t expect to find life on the asteroid , which has been subjected to intense radiation , but the building blocks of life may be present in organic molecules and hydrated minerals on the asteroid .
Recently , scientists discovered that the fine material at the Nightingale site was only recently exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the material gathered by OSIRIS-REx will be some of the most pristine material on the asteroid .
“ One of the prime goals of the mission is to understand the origins of the solar system and life on Earth , and the role asteroids may have played in delivering life-forming compounds on Earth , ” said Jamie Elsila , a research scientist at Goddard , during Monday ’ s press conference .
Asteroids may have also delivered these compounds to other planets in the solar system .
Cutting-edge instruments in labs on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the sample .
This is vastly preferable to studying meteorite fragments that land on Earth and are contaminated by our environment , she said .
However , the mission will archive 75 % of the collected material .
Much like samples from the Apollo 17 mission to the moon that were recently opened , scientists hope that future generations could learn more than we are currently able .
“ This will allow people not yet born using techniques not yet invented to answer questions not yet asked , ” Elsila said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to searching for these organic molecules , these building blocks , and determining their formation , evolution and distribution throughout the solar system .
Then , we can figure out how life got started from those ingredients .
”

By Ashley Strickland | CNN
New images taken by the OSIRIS-REx mission show the historic first touchdown of a NASA spacecraft on the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. The spacecraft collected a sample that will be returned to Earth in 2023.
In the images, which were stitched together to show the spacecraft touching down, the spacecraft’s robotic arm appeared to crush some of the porous rocks on the surface. A nitrogen gas bottle fired on the surface appeared to stir up a substantial amount of material in a “rubble shower.” The spacecraft then spent five seconds collecting that material before backing away.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is in “good health” after the event which occurred on Tuesday, according to the mission’s team. Data and images were sent back by the spacecraft overnight and shared by the agency on Wednesday.
Data from the spacecraft shows it touched down within 3 feet of the targeted location — all while the spacecraft autonomously worked through commands sent ahead of time, using its advanced navigation system to help it land without assistance from Earth due to a 18.5-minute communication delay.
Although all of the data sent back by the spacecraft so far indicates that everything happened as planned during the “Touch-and-Go” event, called TAG, it will take the mission teams about a week to determine how much of a sample was collected by the spacecraft.
The required amount for the sample is about 60 grams — about a full-size candy bar — but the capsule can hold up to 2 kilograms of material from the asteroid’s surface.
Since launching in 2016, the mission has been filled with surprises and firsts, challenging its team to think on their feet as the asteroid revealed information that ultimately changed how NASA would attempt its first collection of a sample from an asteroid.
Located more than 200 million miles from Earth, Bennu is a boulder-studded asteroid shaped like a spinning top and as tall as the Empire State Building. It’s a “rubble pile” asteroid, which is a grouping of rocks held together by gravity rather than a single object.
The OSIRIS-REx mission stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer.
Rather than the sandy beach-like surface the mission team was expecting at first, it turns out that Bennu is covered in building-size boulders. It’s also actively ejecting little rocks, pebbles and particles into space — as first witnessed by the spacecraft’s cameras soon after arriving at the asteroid in December 2018.
The spacecraft orbited the asteroid for nearly two years, observing it in detail. This resulted in the closest orbit for a spacecraft around an object, setting a Guinness World Record. It’s also the smallest body to be orbited by a NASA spacecraft. And Bennu has now been mapped in greater detail than our own moon or any other celestial body in our solar system.
Due to the rocky nature of the asteroid, which could have spelled doom for the spacecraft attempting to collect a sample from it, the team had to pick its collection site carefully and shrink the landing site to one-tenth of its original size.
Imagine a van that can seat 15 passengers flying through space and approaching a rock that has the height of the Empire State Building and is rapidly rotating.
The landing site, called Nightingale, is 52 feet in diameter, about the size of a few parking spaces. This is where the spacecraft briefly touched the asteroid with its 11-foot robotic arm for just seconds on Wednesday. The touchdown and sample collection occurred about 4.5 hours after the spacecraft departed orbit around the asteroid and slowly descended.
Data has shown that the arm touched the surface of the asteroid and fired a burst of nitrogen gas, stirring up dust and pebbles that could be stowed by the arm’s collection head.
After the collection, the spacecraft backed away from the asteroid to safety.
“This amazing first for NASA demonstrates how an incredible team from across the country came together and persevered through incredible challenges to expand the boundaries of knowledge,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement after the event on Tuesday. “Our industry, academic, and international partners have made it possible to hold a piece of the most ancient solar system in our hands.”
What’s next
The mission team over the next week will use a camera on the spacecraft to take pictures of the collection head on the robotic arm to try and determine how much of a sample was collected.
The spacecraft will also perform a bit of a pirouette on Saturday, spinning about an axis that is perpendicular to its robotic arm, to determine the mass of the sample. The team will analyze this data and make a decision by October 30 if they have collected a sufficient sample.
“We will use the combination of data from TAG and the post-TAG images and mass measurement to assess our confidence that we have collected at least 60 grams of sample,” said Rich Burns, OSIRIS-REx project manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, in a statement. “If our confidence is high, we’ll make the decision to stow the sample on October 30.”
Stowing the sample means that the mission team on Earth will send a command to the spacecraft to place the sample collection head in the sample return capsule, which is located inside the spacecraft’s body.
Once everything is sealed, the spacecraft will prepare to depart Bennu in March 2021. This is when the asteroid will be aligned with Earth for a shorter trip home.
If the spacecraft did not collect enough of a sample, OSIRIS-REx will attempt another TAG at the backup Osprey landing site on the asteroid. This TAG event would occur on January 12, 2021.
Once the spacecraft has a sufficient sample, it will travel back to Earth, parachuting into Utah’s west desert on September 24, 2023.
What we can learn from a sample
There are more than a million known asteroids in our solar system, but Bennu was singled out for the OSIRIS-REx mission because it fit certain criteria regarding size, location and composition, according to Heather Enos, the mission’s deputy principal investigator at the University of Arizona.
Bennu’s sample won’t be the first asteroid sample returned to Earth. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency , known as JAXA, collected a sample from the asteroid Ryugu during their Hayabusa2 mission. It should be returned to Earth in December.
The two mission teams have collaborated closely throughout their missions and will be exchanging a portion of the samples collected from each asteroid. The NASA team hopes that its mission will collect a sample with “significantly more mass” because its sampling method is a little different from Hayabusa2’s approach, according to NASA.
Enos hopes for a “completely full capsule” that represents Bennu’s carbon-rich compositon and hydrated minerals, both discovered based on observations and data sent back by OSIRIS-REx over the last two years. She also hopes that the sample includes a variety of sizes of material, including tiny grains and small pieces that have chipped off of the large yet weak and porous boulders on Bennu.
“Diversity is the key to get the most out of this sample,” Enos said.
Scientists are already anticipating what they could learn from the returned sample. They don’t expect to find life on the asteroid, which has been subjected to intense radiation, but the building blocks of life may be present in organic molecules and hydrated minerals on the asteroid.
Recently, scientists discovered that the fine material at the Nightingale site was only recently exposed to the space environment. This means that the material gathered by OSIRIS-REx will be some of the most pristine material on the asteroid.
“One of the prime goals of the mission is to understand the origins of the solar system and life on Earth, and the role asteroids may have played in delivering life-forming compounds on Earth,” said Jamie Elsila, a research scientist at Goddard, during Monday’s press conference.
Asteroids may have also delivered these compounds to other planets in the solar system.
Cutting-edge instruments in labs on Earth will be used to analyze portions of the sample. This is vastly preferable to studying meteorite fragments that land on Earth and are contaminated by our environment, she said.
However, the mission will archive 75% of the collected material. Much like samples from the Apollo 17 mission to the moon that were recently opened, scientists hope that future generations could learn more than we are currently able.
“This will allow people not yet born using techniques not yet invented to answer questions not yet asked,” Elsila said. “But we’re really looking forward to searching for these organic molecules, these building blocks, and determining their formation, evolution and distribution throughout the solar system. Then, we can figure out how life got started from those ingredients.”