mercurynews--2020-05-12--49ers mailbag: How will coronavirus impact schedule, crowds?

Fielding 49ers fans ’ questions via social-media replies is old school in this video-conference , tell-me-to-my-virtual-face world .
Never underestimate the power of a keyboard , however .
Let ’ s solve these 49ers ’ fans riddles that came in via Instagram and Twitter : Which game has you most excited this year ?
( @ nicholas_rego__ ) Before my Biggest Game reveal , an obvious answer would be the Sept. 13 season opener against the Arizona Cardinals , which makes a daring assumption there is no pandemic-delayed start .
If a delay pushes early games to the back end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week 17 visit by Seattle .
No matchup looms larger than a Nov. 15 visit to New Orleans ’ Superdome .
It ’ s an encore to last December ’ s 48-46 thriller that keyed the 49ers ’ path to the No .
1 seed .
The Saints remain the 49ers ’ biggest obstacle to a NFC repeat .
The 49ers ’ Nola trip this year comes after road games at New England and Seattle , then a Thursday night showdown against Green Bay .
Hopefully fans ( and media ) can travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Easy aura is unmatched on the NFL circuit .
If games are played at Levi ’ s Stadium with limited percentage of capacity , how would it be determined who gets to attend ?
I ’ m a season-ticket holder and if I go to games , I ’ d wear mask and gloves .
( @ ninercat81680 ) All that remains in flux .
Perhaps the NFL will take an all-or-none approach to fans in the stands .
Dr. Anthony Fauci says the virus ’ state ultimately will decide things , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus is so low that even in the general community the risk is low , then I could see filling a third of the stadium or half the stadium so people could be six feet apart , ” Dr. Fauci told NBC Sports ’ Peter King on Saturday night .
“ I mean , that ’ s something that is again feasible depending on the level of infection .
… But I would hope that by the time you get to September it ’ s not gon na be the way it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tickets and re-assign seats to space out fans , who ’ d otherwise be able to crowd the concourse in beer lines ?
Will there even be beer lines or concessions to get your veggie-dog fix ?
A come-at-your-own-risk approach must be approved first by government officials , rather than the 49ers .
For now , just keep wearing masks and gloves when in public , please .
Is a Super Bowl repeat more or less likely given schedule and modified training camp ?
( @ 2excel ) Virtual offseason programs likely stunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , quarterbacks and coaches .
The 49ers don ’ t fit those categories .
Their continuity should help them transition from one Super Bowl run to the next .
Not that any of it will be easy .
Do you think Kinlaw will have a Nick Bosa-type of year ?
( @ 49nerfan2001 ) Respectfully , no .
Javon Kinlaw ’ s rookie impact as an interior defensive lineman , for one , won ’ t be as noticeable as a play-making defensive end like Bosa .
On top of that , Bosa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came in so polished and groomed for such success .
Kinlaw will have opportunities to thrive , but don ’ t count on him playing 78 percent of the defensive snaps like his predecessor , DeForest Buckner .
Do you think Brandon Aiyuk will have a Deebo-like rookie year ?
( @ leestreet_ ) Similar question , similar answer .
Whereas Deebo Samuel evolved into a physical and athletic threat as his rookie year evolved , Aiyuk will line up opposite him in a different spot and without the benefit of offseason practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garoppolo ’ s trust .
Keep in mind that Samuel had the second-most receiving yards ( 802 ) in 49ers history , behind only Jerry Rice ( 927 ) .
I hope the 49ers pull off the possible trade with the Packers , sending Dante Pettis to Green Bay for cornerback Josh Jackson .
( @ Dinoniner ) Since you did not actually pose a question , allow me : Do you really think last year ’ s NFC finalists would forge an alliance that could make either side better ?
Also , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unloaded Marquise Goodwin and Matt Breida on Day 3 of the draft .
Pettis stays , until he proves in training camp ( or later ) he can ’ t rebound from his sophomore slump ( 11 catches , 109 yards , two touchdowns ) .
Which wide receiver gets squeezed out : Taylor , Pettis , Benjamin or James ?
One or two have to not make it , right ?
( @ kingofgrease ) If the receiver-room capacity is six , Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are assured entry , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jalen Hurd are in if healthy , which is a big assumption .
Thus , one vacancy exists .
Pettis and James fell out of favor last season , so they ’ ll need to climb ahead of speed receiver Travis Benjamin .
Don ’ t forget about seventh-round pick Jauan Jennings .
It ’ s a hodgepodge , no doubt .
Assuming 100 percent health , what is your prediction for the top five in targets this season ?
( @ OLDHAM2016 ) First , here ’ s to full health all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our health-care workers !
Top-five targets : George Kittle , Deebo Samuel , Kendrick Bourne , Trent Taylor and Raheem Mostert .
Honorable mention : Jalen Hurd , Kyle Juszczyk and , oh yeah , Jerick McKinnon .
• Jimmy G speaks !
49ers quarterback , silent since shortly after Super Bowl , appears in video honoring skilled-trade profession • Newsom says restarting sports is ‘ difficult to imagine ’ until a vaccine is available • Former 49er Frank Gore signs a one-year deal with the Jets • NFL schedule expected to be @ @ @ @ @

Fielding 49ers fans’ questions via social-media replies is old school in this video-conference, tell-me-to-my-virtual-face world. Never underestimate the power of a keyboard, however.
Let’s solve these 49ers’ fans riddles that came in via Instagram and Twitter:
Which game has you most excited this year? (@nicholas_rego__)
Before my Biggest Game reveal, an obvious answer would be the Sept. 13 season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, which makes a daring assumption there is no pandemic-delayed start. If a delay pushes early games to the back end of the schedule, that cheapens the Week 17 visit by Seattle.
No matchup looms larger than a Nov. 15 visit to New Orleans’ Superdome. It’s an encore to last December’s 48-46 thriller that keyed the 49ers’ path to the No. 1 seed. The Saints remain the 49ers’ biggest obstacle to a NFC repeat. The 49ers’ Nola trip this year comes after road games at New England and Seattle, then a Thursday night showdown against Green Bay. Hopefully fans (and media) can travel by then because New Orleans’ Big Easy aura is unmatched on the NFL circuit.
If games are played at Levi’s Stadium with limited percentage of capacity, how would it be determined who gets to attend? I’m a season-ticket holder and if I go to games, I’d wear mask and gloves. (@ninercat81680)
All that remains in flux. Perhaps the NFL will take an all-or-none approach to fans in the stands. Dr. Anthony Fauci says the virus’ state ultimately will decide things, such as a limited crowd.
“If the virus is so low that even in the general community the risk is low, then I could see filling a third of the stadium or half the stadium so people could be six feet apart,” Dr. Fauci told NBC Sports’ Peter King on Saturday night. “I mean, that’s something that is again feasible depending on the level of infection. … But I would hope that by the time you get to September it’s not gonna be the way it is right now.”
Do teams redistribute tickets and re-assign seats to space out fans, who’d otherwise be able to crowd the concourse in beer lines? Will there even be beer lines or concessions to get your veggie-dog fix? A come-at-your-own-risk approach must be approved first by government officials, rather than the 49ers. For now, just keep wearing masks and gloves when in public, please.
Is a Super Bowl repeat more or less likely given schedule and modified training camp? (@2excel)
Virtual offseason programs likely stunt the growth of teams installing new systems, quarterbacks and coaches. The 49ers don’t fit those categories. Their continuity should help them transition from one Super Bowl run to the next. Not that any of it will be easy.
Do you think Kinlaw will have a Nick Bosa-type of year? (@49nerfan2001)
Respectfully, no. Javon Kinlaw’s rookie impact as an interior defensive lineman, for one, won’t be as noticeable as a play-making defensive end like Bosa. On top of that, Bosa won rookie of the year because he came in so polished and groomed for such success. Kinlaw will have opportunities to thrive, but don’t count on him playing 78 percent of the defensive snaps like his predecessor, DeForest Buckner.
Do you think Brandon Aiyuk will have a Deebo-like rookie year? (@leestreet_)
Similar question, similar answer. Whereas Deebo Samuel evolved into a physical and athletic threat as his rookie year evolved, Aiyuk will line up opposite him in a different spot and without the benefit of offseason practices to learn the system and gain Jimmy Garoppolo’s trust. Keep in mind that Samuel had the second-most receiving yards (802) in 49ers rookie history, behind only Jerry Rice (927).
I hope the 49ers pull off the possible trade with the Packers, sending Dante Pettis to Green Bay for cornerback Josh Jackson. (@Dinoniner)
Since you did not actually pose a question, allow me: Do you really think last year’s NFC finalists would forge an alliance that could make either side better? Also, the timing is off. The 49ers unloaded Marquise Goodwin and Matt Breida on Day 3 of the draft. Pettis stays, until he proves in training camp (or later) he can’t rebound from his sophomore slump (11 catches, 109 yards, two touchdowns).
Which wide receiver gets squeezed out: Taylor, Pettis, Benjamin or James? One or two have to not make it, right? (@kingofgrease)
If the receiver-room capacity is six, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are assured entry, and probably Kendrick Bourne. Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd are in if healthy, which is a big assumption. Thus, one vacancy exists. Pettis and James fell out of favor last season, so they’ll need to climb ahead of speed receiver Travis Benjamin. Don’t forget about seventh-round pick Jauan Jennings. It’s a hodgepodge, no doubt.
Assuming 100 percent health, what is your prediction for the top five in targets this season? (@OLDHAM2016)


mercurynews--2020-05-12--La Russa surprised to hear Air Jordan almost became A’s Jordan

Tony La Russa , until recently , never knew his days managing the A ’ s almost included a rookie named Michael Jordan .
You know , the Double-A outfielder for the 1994 Birmingham Barons , better known as the Chicago Bulls ’ six-time champion .
Can you imagine a lineup card with legends including Rickey Henderson , Mark McGwire , Dennis Eckersley and , ahem , Jordan ?
“ I wish Michael took advantage of the opportunity , ” La Russa said Monday by phone upon reflecting on that 1994 season .
Alas , there would be no going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Jordan .
La Russa is among those riveted to every minute of ESPN ’ s docuseries on Jordan .
A few weeks ago , upon the debut of “ The Last Dance , ” La Russa was surprised to hear former A ’ s general manger Sandy Alderson confess how he courted Jordan , even promising a major-league roster spot .
“ That ’ s one that got away , ” Alderson told ESPN ’ s Buster Olney .
“ It would have been fun , but it didn ’ t come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have won us a World Series.
” The A ’ s won the World Series five years earlier .
But they were coming off a 94-loss season when Jordan switched sports and opted for the White Sox ’ s Double-A farm team .
“ When I saw Sandy had made that comment , that was the first I heard of it , ” La Russa said .
“ He never mentioned it to me or the coaches .
Maybe he wanted to see if there was a chance before he spread any rumors.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s third-winningest manager , handled Jordan , who hit .202 for Birmingham while producing three home runs , 51 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 127 games ?
“ You know the athletic skills and you would have evaluated how they translated into baseball , ” La Russa said .
“ As an outfielder , we wouldn ’ t have had any question about his ability to play defense , or run the bases .
Just , how soon could you get his bat with its barrel to the ball.
” La @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior advisor for the Los Angeles Angels .
He was the A ’ s manager from 1986-95 and got inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2014 .
Over the years , through his contacts in baseball , La Russa heard the White Sox were convinced Jordan could reach the majors had he played a couple more years .
“ It ’ s not just the atheltic talent that is so evident , that a lot of people including myself have watched , ” La Russa said .
“ The intensity and relentlessness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four times with the Bulls , to see him work that hard and push teammates.
” La Russa loved how Jordan “ nonchalantly ” dropped a defining characteristic of success during Sunday ’ s episodes of “ The Last Dance , ” when Jordan said : “ Winning has a price .
And leadership has a price .
So I pulled people along when they didn ’ t want to be pulled.
” La Russa said in response : “ The truth of that comment , that ’ s how you win.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus-delayed season in July • Why Matt Williams left the A ’ s to manage a team in Korea • Study : Only 0.7 % of Major League Baseball employees test positive for virus antibodies • On this date , 1968 : Catfish Hunter is perfect The A ’ s won 51 of 114 games in that strike-shortened season of 1994 .
Before that season began , Alderson made the A ’ s pitch to Jordan ’ s agent , David Falk .
“ I called four or five teams to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falk told MLB.com .
“ By far , Sandy had the most interesting and impactful response .
He offered Michael a spot on the Major League roster .
“ I was excited about ( the offer ) , and Michael was very appreciative , ” Falk added .
“ But he wanted to do the baseball thing from the ground up .
He didn ’ t feel he deserved a spot on the Major League roster and didn ’ t feel he was ready .
”

Tony La Russa, until recently, never knew his days managing the A’s almost included a rookie named Michael Jordan.
You know, the Double-A outfielder for the 1994 Birmingham Barons, better known as the Chicago Bulls’ six-time champion.
Can you imagine a lineup card with legends including Rickey Henderson, Mark McGwire, Dennis Eckersley and, ahem, Jordan?
“I wish Michael took advantage of the opportunity,” La Russa said Monday by phone upon reflecting on that 1994 season.
Alas, there would be no going from Air Jordan to the A’s Jordan.
La Russa is among those riveted to every minute of ESPN’s docuseries on Jordan. A few weeks ago, upon the debut of “The Last Dance,” La Russa was surprised to hear former A’s general manger Sandy Alderson confess how he courted Jordan, even promising a major-league roster spot.
“That’s one that got away,” Alderson told ESPN’s Buster Olney. “It would have been fun, but it didn’t come to fruition. It wouldn’t have won us a World Series.”
The A’s won the World Series five years earlier. But they were coming off a 94-loss season when Jordan switched sports and opted for the White Sox’s Double-A farm team.
La Russa, in retrospect, applauds Alderson’s “initiative.”
“When I saw Sandy had made that comment, that was the first I heard of it,” La Russa said. “He never mentioned it to me or the coaches. Maybe he wanted to see if there was a chance before he spread any rumors.”
How would La Russa, baseball’s third-winningest manager, handled Jordan, who hit .202 for Birmingham while producing three home runs, 51 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 127 games?
“You know the athletic skills and you would have evaluated how they translated into baseball,” La Russa said. “As an outfielder, we wouldn’t have had any question about his ability to play defense, or run the bases. Just, how soon could you get his bat with its barrel to the ball.”
La Russa, 75, is now a senior advisor for the Los Angeles Angels. He was the A’s manager from 1986-95 and got inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2014.
Over the years, through his contacts in baseball, La Russa heard the White Sox were convinced Jordan could reach the majors had he played a couple more years.
“It’s not just the atheltic talent that is so evident, that a lot of people including myself have watched,” La Russa said. “The intensity and relentlessness … I saw him practice three or four times with the Bulls, to see him work that hard and push teammates.”
La Russa loved how Jordan “nonchalantly” dropped a defining characteristic of success during Sunday’s episodes of “The Last Dance,” when Jordan said: “Winning has a price. And leadership has a price. So I pulled people along when they didn’t want to be pulled.”
La Russa said in response: “The truth of that comment, that’s how you win.” Related Articles Oakland Athletics | Rookie outfielder hits first homer but Oakland’s road losing streak reaches nine
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The A’s won 51 of 114 games in that strike-shortened season of 1994. Before that season began, Alderson made the A’s pitch to Jordan’s agent, David Falk.
“I called four or five teams to get the lay of the land,” Falk told MLB.com. “By far, Sandy had the most interesting and impactful response. He offered Michael a spot on the Major League roster.
“I was excited about (the offer), and Michael was very appreciative,” Falk added. “But he wanted to do the baseball thing from the ground up. He didn’t feel he deserved a spot on the Major League roster and didn’t feel he was ready.”


mercurynews--2020-05-13--Judge signals he won’t immediately toss Flynn case

Not so fast for a Michael Flynn exoneration .
The judge overseeing Michael Flynn ’ s criminal case opened the door on Tuesday for people outside of the Justice Department and the former national security adviser ’ s legal team to comment on the Trump administration ’ s effort to dismiss the case against him .
Judge Emmet Sullivan said third-parties may be able to file “ friend of the court ” briefs in the case , an extraordinary development for criminal proceedings and a development that will likely delay a ruling on the request to dismiss the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cryptic order five days after the Justice Department ’ s stunning request .
His veer toward considering additional voices implies Sullivan isn ’ t ready to drop the case and may want to do more fact-finding about what happened to it , especially after the Justice Department ’ s about-face on Flynn last week set off a torrent of criticism from former prosecutors , defense attorneys and even witnesses claiming Attorney General William Barr had interfered because of President Donald Trump ’ s political wishes .
Tuesday ’ s development keeps the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more fireworks and potentially allow people with “ unique information or perspective ” or other reasons to speak up , such as Mueller ’ s former office and former Justice Department leadership , if they wanted .
CNN legal analyst Elie Honig , a former prosecutor-turned-defense lawyer in New York , said that to him , the order signaled Sullivan “ has real questions and is not ready to sign onto a dismissal .
It is a very unusual step for a district judge.
” Sullivan previously accepted Flynn ’ s sworn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the FBI .
The judge has been unpredictable and harsh toward Flynn for misleading the administration and the FBI while serving as Trump ’ s first national security adviser .
After almost two years cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller and other federal investigations following his guilty plea , Flynn claimed he had been set up by prosecutors and tried to get out of the conviction as his sentencing neared .
Political appointees under Barr revealed last week they were convinced by internal FBI documents that Flynn shouldn ’ t face a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been investigated .
Several key former Justice Department officials have complained in newspaper op-eds and open letters about the move to dismiss the charge against Flynn .
They have alleged Barr was dropping the case for political reasons , so the President and his supporters could undercut the Russia investigation in an election year .
Many attacked the DC US Attorney ’ s legal brief arguing to dismiss the case , because of what they called twisted , thin or too-defense-friendly reasoning .
Barr has said there was no political influence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped because the lie that Flynn was prosecuted for telling investigators wasn ’ t actually “ material ” or influential to an investigation .
“ A crime can not be established here .
They did not have a basis for a counterintelligence investigation against Flynn at that stage , ” Barr said in an interview last week with CBS News , referring to the FBI .
“ Given the current posture of this case , the Court anticipates that individuals and organizations will seek leave of the Court to file amicus curiae brief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is not yet clear if Sullivan will allow briefs from former prosecutors , or witnesses like former DOJ national security head Mary McCord and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates , whose recounting of events the Justice Department had relied upon in their brief .
McCord wrote on Sunday her statements to investigators had been misconstrued .
Sullivan said he will give more guidance on how third parties can submit their briefs to the court about the case “ at the appropriate time.
” Two filings came into the case this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the court record .

[vemba-video id=”tv/2020/05/07/lead-sara-murray-three-live-jake-tapper.cnn”]
By Katelyn Polantz | CNN
Not so fast for a Michael Flynn exoneration.
The judge overseeing Michael Flynn’s criminal case opened the door on Tuesday for people outside of the Justice Department and the former national security adviser’s legal team to comment on the Trump administration’s effort to dismiss the case against him.
Judge Emmet Sullivan said third-parties may be able to file “friend of the court” briefs in the case, an extraordinary development for criminal proceedings and a development that will likely delay a ruling on the request to dismiss the case.
Sullivan made the announcement in a somewhat cryptic order five days after the Justice Department’s stunning request.
His veer toward considering additional voices implies Sullivan isn’t ready to drop the case and may want to do more fact-finding about what happened to it, especially after the Justice Department’s about-face on Flynn last week set off a torrent of criticism from former prosecutors, defense attorneys and even witnesses claiming Attorney General William Barr had interfered because of President Donald Trump’s political wishes.
Tuesday’s development keeps the case alive in a way that could create even more fireworks and potentially allow people with “unique information or perspective” or other reasons to speak up, such as Mueller’s former office and former Justice Department leadership, if they wanted.
CNN legal analyst Elie Honig, a former prosecutor-turned-defense lawyer in New York, said that to him, the order signaled Sullivan “has real questions and is not ready to sign onto a dismissal. It is a very unusual step for a district judge.”
Sullivan previously accepted Flynn’s sworn admission that he was guilty of lying to the FBI. The judge has been unpredictable and harsh toward Flynn for misleading the administration and the FBI while serving as Trump’s first national security adviser. After almost two years cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller and other federal investigations following his guilty plea, Flynn claimed he had been set up by prosecutors and tried to get out of the conviction as his sentencing neared.
Political appointees under Barr revealed last week they were convinced by internal FBI documents that Flynn shouldn’t face a criminal charge because he shouldn’t have been investigated.
Several key former Justice Department officials have complained in newspaper op-eds and open letters about the move to dismiss the charge against Flynn. They have alleged Barr was dropping the case for political reasons, so the President and his supporters could undercut the Russia investigation in an election year. Many attacked the DC US Attorney’s legal brief arguing to dismiss the case, because of what they called twisted, thin or too-defense-friendly reasoning.
Barr has said there was no political influence in the decision and said the case was dropped because the lie that Flynn was prosecuted for telling investigators wasn’t actually “material” or influential to an investigation.
“A crime cannot be established here. They did not have a basis for a counterintelligence investigation against Flynn at that stage,” Barr said in an interview last week with CBS News, referring to the FBI.
“Given the current posture of this case, the Court anticipates that individuals and organizations will seek leave of the Court to file amicus curiae brief,” Sullivan wrote on Tuesday.
It is not yet clear if Sullivan will allow briefs from former prosecutors, or witnesses like former DOJ national security head Mary McCord and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates, whose recounting of events the Justice Department had relied upon in their brief. McCord wrote on Sunday her statements to investigators had been misconstrued.
Sullivan said he will give more guidance on how third parties can submit their briefs to the court about the case “at the appropriate time.” Two filings came into the case this week from unknown parties under seal, according to the court record.


mercurynews--2020-05-13--After two-month delay, San Jose finally prepares to serve homeless residents in trailers

Nearly two months after San Jose received more than 100 trailers from the state to house homeless residents especially vulnerable to the coronavirus pandemic , the units are still sitting vacant .
But later this week , the city is finally set to put the trailers — located in a city-owned parking lot at the intersection of Story Road and Remillard Court and adjacent to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo — to use .
The San Jose City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday to allocate nearly $ 730,000 to operate 90 trailers that will be used to isolate homeless individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 or who have pre-existing conditions and are at a high risk of contracting the disease .
The city says residents will start moving in on Thursday .
“ During COVID-19 , this administration is doing everything we can to increase the shelter opportunities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to save the lives of our homeless residents who are vulnerable to this disease , ” San Jose housing director Jacky Morales-Ferrand said during the meeting .
Just days after California went under a statewide shelter-in-place order , authorities in the Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emergency Services delivered 104 trailers to San Jose .
But after inspecting them and completing necessary repairs , only 90 were deemed habitable .
Some of the issues with the trailers included missing sinks and countertops , damaged vents and inadequate electrical , water and sewage hookups , according to city staff .
“ These trailers , although some of them are quite beautiful and in great condition , there were a significant number of them — because they were in storage for a long period of time — that had been broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city has entered a contract with Abode Services to operate the trailers at their current site on the Happy Hollow parking lot until the end of October .
A clause in the agreement will allow the city to break the contract sooner or extend the deadline further , given the state of the pandemic and public health guidelines .
Amy Pizzaro , executive director for the Happy Hollow Foundation , said the trailers were a symbol of the city ’ s “ whatever-it-takes attitude to save lives.
” But , she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fully reopen , the plan for getting the trailers off of the parking lot must kick into gear quickly .
“ There ’ s a lot of speculation about the level of gathering people will be comfortable with in the months to come , but one thing is clear — they will want to go outside and Happy Hollow can serve an important role , ” Pizzaro said .
“ …We must preserve this and give it back to our community as soon as it is safe to do so.
” San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ major health concern ” for anyone nearby the site , as well as the zoo ’ s animals .
“ What if a homeless person with COVID-19 climbs over the fence and infects our animals ?
” she asked the council members .
The city plans to use a phased approach to welcome homeless residents to the site — utilizing just 30 of the trailers to begin with .
A temporary fence with a single entryway was put up around the trailers to secure the site and a private security firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to monitor the site .
No guests will be allowed to enter the site and residents will recieve daily temperature and wellness checks , according to city staff .
Since the pandemic began , the city has added more than 400 temporary shelter beds across the city , including at two large facilities on the downtown convention center grounds , the city ’ s tiny homes community for homeless individuals , the Plaza Hotel and Casa de Novo .

Nearly two months after San Jose received more than 100 trailers from the state to house homeless residents especially vulnerable to coronavirus, the units are still sitting vacant.
But by Thursday, the city is expected to finally put some of the trailers to use on a city-owned parking lot at the intersection of Story Road and Remillard Court, adjacent to Happy Hollow Park.
The San Jose City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday to allocate nearly $730,000 to operate 90 trailers that will be used to isolate homeless individuals with confirmed or presumed cases of COVID-19 or who have pre-existing conditions and are at a high risk of contracting the disease.
“During COVID-19, this administration is doing everything we can to increase the shelter opportunities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to save the lives of our homeless residents who are vulnerable to this disease,” San Jose housing director Jacky Morales-Ferrand said during the meeting.
Nearly 6,200 people in San Jose don’t have a place to call home and county health officials have already identified that at least 2,500 of them are at high risk of infection due to underlying conditions, according to Ferrand-Morales. The majority of the city’s homeless population identify as Hispanic or African American — two segments of the population that are being hit the hardest by COVID-19 deaths within the city.
Just days after California went under a statewide shelter-in-place order, authorities in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Office of Emergency Services delivered 104 emergency trailers to San Jose. But after the city inspected them and completed necessary repairs, city staff discovered many were riddled with defects and decided that only 90 of them were habitable.
Many of the trailers were missing sinks and countertops,and had damaged vents and inadequate electrical, water and sewage hookups, according to city staff.
“These trailers, although some of them are quite beautiful and in great condition, there were a significant number of them — because they were in storage for a long period of time — that had been broken into,” Morales-Ferrand said.
The city entered a contract with Abode Services to operate the trailers at their current site on the Happy Hollow parking lot until the end of October. A clause in the agreement will allow the city to break the contract sooner or extend the deadline further, given the state of the pandemic and public health guidelines.
Amy Pizarro, executive director for the Happy Hollow Foundation, said the trailers were a symbol of the city’s “whatever-it-takes attitude to save lives.” But, she said, when county health guidance allows the zoo to fully reopen, the plan for getting the trailers off the parking lot must kick into gear quickly.
“There’s a lot of speculation about the level of gathering people will be comfortable with in the months to come, but one thing is clear — they will want to go outside and Happy Hollow can serve an important role,” Pizarro said. “…We must preserve this and give it back to our community as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The zoo borders Coyote Creek — near a popular place where homeless residents tend to seek refuge.
San Jose resident Kathy Imamura called the plan to add more homeless residents to the area a “major health concern” for anyone near the site, as well as the zoo’s animals. “What if a homeless person with COVID-19 climbs over the fence and infects our animals?” she asked council members.
The city plans to use a phased approach to welcome homeless residents to the site — utilizing just 30 of the trailers to begin with in order to make sure the plan is “working properly,” city staff said. A temporary fence with a single entryway was installed around the trailers to secure the site and a private security firm, First Alarm, has been hired to monitor the site.
No guests will be allowed to enter the site and residents will receive daily temperature and wellness checks, according to city staff.
When Happy Hollow is ready to return to full capacity, Deputy City Manager Jim Ortbal said the city will have three options — seek a new site for the trailers to add shelter capacity, put them in storage for future emergency needs or return them to the state.
Since the pandemic began, the city has added more than 400 temporary shelter beds within its borders, including at two large facilities on the downtown convention center grounds, the city’s tiny homes community for homeless individuals, the Plaza Hotel and Casa de Novo.


mercurynews--2020-05-13--Photos: SJPD, first responders, recognizes healthcare workers at Regional Medical Center

SAN JOSE — “ Thank you ’ s ” were volleyed back and forth between first responders , over a hundred from different departments throughout the region , and the healthcare workers coming and going at the afternoon shift change at the Regional Medical Center emergency room entrance .
First responders waved , thanked , cheered , or gave thumbs up to healthcare workers .
“ We ’ re here to honor our true first line workers and our true heroes here , ” San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia said .
“ This isn ’ t just about COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week we should be doing this.
” Along with the San Jose Police Department , on site were deputies and officers from the Santa Clara County Sheriff ’ s Office and California Highway Patrol ; police from Milpitas , Los Gatos and Monte Sereno , Milpitas , Campbell , and Santa Clara ; and personnel from Santa Clara County EMS , , the volunteer Santa Clara Valley Fire Associates , Rural/Metro Ambulance .
State Assemblyman and former San Jose city councilmember Kansen Chu and Sheriff Laurie Smith were among those in attendance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles , cars , SUV ’ s , motorcycles and even an armored vehicle to secure an impromptu parade route for healthcare workers .
“ I know personally we ’ ve had hundreds of officers who ’ ve been taken care of by individuals at this facility , ” Garcia said .
“ We ’ ve had our fallen in ruins in the facility and they ’ ve seen us grieve.
” “ Our community doesn ’ t realize the amount of victims of our crimes that have been saved by individuals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ so it ’ s the least we can do is to come out to honor them as they ’ re working hard to help us on the front lines .
”

Nhat V. Meyer has been a staff photographer for the Bay Area News Group since 2000. He previously worked at The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. for three years. He graduated with a degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri. He covers all types of assignments, including news, features, and business, with an emphasis on sports. He has photographed five Olympics, four World Series, three Super Bowls, NBA playoffs, and many other professional sports as well as college and high school sports.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--PHOTOS: Notre Dame High School seniors get surprise from teachers, principal

Click here if you are having trouble viewing the gallery on your mobile device .
Like many other institutions across the country , Notre Dame High School in San Jose has been forced to make changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Remote learning , a nontraditional prom and a toned-down graduation are among the adjustments the students have had to face .
However , for the class of 2020 , Notre Dame administrators and teachers wanted to make the seniors ’ last few weeks of high school feel special .
Principal Mary Beth Riley and the teachers assembled and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year ’ s graduating seniors .
Riley loaded her SUV with a crate of gift bags about noon May 12 , then headed out to deliver the gifts .
The first stop was the home of Kadence Martinez , 17 , on the north side of the city .
Riley planted a lawn sign that congratulated the class of 2020 on the front yard of the Martinez home and dropped the bag off on the door step .
That ’ s where a surprised Kadence spotted and opened the package .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the student ’ s cap and gown , a class photo , a commemorative face mask and yard sign .
The gift was tied together together with a pink rose .
The school will hold a virtual graduation in June .

Click here if you are having trouble viewing the gallery on your mobile device.
Like many other institutions across the country, Notre Dame High School in San Jose has been forced to make changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote learning, a nontraditional prom and a toned-down graduation are among the adjustments the students have had to face.
However, for the class of 2020, Notre Dame administrators and teachers wanted to make the seniors’ last few weeks of high school feel special. Principal Mary Beth Riley and the teachers assembled and delivered more than 150 gift bags for this year’s graduating seniors.
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America’s educational culture wars hit Bay Area school district Education | Taliban have no plans to lift ban on female education Riley loaded her SUV with a crate of gift bags about noon May 12, then headed out to deliver the gifts. The first stop was the home of Kadence Martinez, 17, on the north side of the city. Riley planted a lawn sign that congratulated the class of 2020 on the front yard of the Martinez home and dropped the bag off on the door step. That’s where a surprised Kadence spotted and opened the package.
The bags were filled with goodies such as the student’s cap and gown, a class photo, a commemorative face mask and yard sign. The gift was tied together together with a pink rose.
The school will hold a virtual graduation in June.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--Fremont Tesla factory remains open, as Elon Musk continues his standoff over shelter-in-place orders

FREMONT — Elon Musk ’ s kept his Tesla factory here running Tuesday , after suing over Alameda County ’ s shelter in place order , and daring law enforcement to arrest him for violating the health department mandate .
Workers showed up at the Fremont factory early Tuesday and worked throughout the day without interruption , in violation of the orders mandated by six Bay Area counties and the city of Berkeley to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
Meanwhile , President Donald Trump tweeted his support for Musk ’ s decision , drawing more attention to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county and the city of Fremont had a plan to handle Musk ’ s disobedience , it remained a well-kept secret .
Fremont Councilman Vinnie Bacon said Tuesday that Tesla and Alameda County health officials were negotiating a plan for the plant ’ s reopening , echoing statements by County Supervisor Scott Haggerty who said Musk ’ s lawsuit was filed just as an agreement seemed within reach .
“ We are the enforcement agency , but as of now , they are negotiating , so we ’ re basically hoping those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not stepping in at this point , ” Bacon said .
“ I think that ’ s the more prudent approach as opposed to going in guns blazing , ” This is not the first time that Tesla has defied local authorities over the shelter-in-place directives .
In March , days after the first order was announced by Bay Area public health departments , Musk delayed shutting down the Fremont plant for a week , until eventually reaching a deal with the county .
One person who works in the Fremont factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s workers are opposed to restarting operations , but felt they had no choice but to show up .
Workers have been given surgical masks to wear , and gloves , and had their temperature taken before entering the facility , said the employee , who asked not to be named for fear of losing their job .
However , some of the tools used on the production line are shared between multiple workers and are not cleaned or sanitized between each use , the employee said .
In response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter-in-place order , Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Director Colleen Chawla reiterated to Tesla ’ s vice president of environmental , health , and safety that the company could maintain “ minimum basic operations ” at the Fremont factory , such as facility security , inventory tracking and payroll services .
Any other work , Chawla added , “ must cease until the health officer approves Tesla ’ s site-specific plan , ” as required .
On Monday night , however , Musk tweeted that Tesla had re-started auto production “ against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 workers and builds its Model 3 , Model S , Model X and Model Y vehicles at its Fremont plant .
Tesla didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment about negotiations it is having with Alameda County or the city of Fremont .
On Saturday , Tesla posted some details of it re-opening plan on its company blog , but it hasn ’ t said how many people will initially come back to work at Fremont , or how long it might be before it its plant is fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Tesla “ untenable ” and that it needs to be resolved soon .
“ I ’ m OK with letting this go for a day for a day or two , ” Bacon said of the negotiations .
“ Obviously there are economic implications that are being considered , especially when he ’ s ( Musk ) threatening to move his jobs away.
” Fremont city leaders acknowledged the trickiness of the situation , saying that there must be a way to balance the economic importance of Tesla ’ s manufacturing operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-opening does not set back the progress the county and region have made against coronavirus .
“ Tesla is an important partner for the city of Fremont and a part of Silicon Valley , ” said Fremont Councilman Raj Salwan .
Salwan , who owns a Tesla , said , he loves his car , “ but no one is above the law.
” “ I ’ m not advocating for arresting Elon , ” Salwan said .
“ But , I ’ m sure there are ways to cease ( Tesla ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a few days away from reopening of manufacturing .
”

FREMONT — Elon Musk’s kept his Tesla factory here running Tuesday, after suing over Alameda County’s shelter in place order, and daring law enforcement to arrest him for violating the health department mandate.
Workers showed up at the Fremont factory early Tuesday and worked throughout the day without interruption, in violation of the orders mandated by six Bay Area counties and the city of Berkeley to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump tweeted his support for Musk’s decision, drawing more attention to the confrontation.
But if public officials in the county and the city of Fremont had a plan to handle Musk’s disobedience, it remained a well-kept secret.
Fremont Councilman Vinnie Bacon said Tuesday that Tesla and Alameda County health officials were negotiating a plan for the plant’s reopening, echoing statements by County Supervisor Scott Haggerty who said Musk’s lawsuit was filed just as an agreement seemed within reach.
“We are the enforcement agency, but as of now, they are negotiating, so we’re basically hoping those negotiations go well. So we’re not stepping in at this point,” Bacon said. “I think that’s the more prudent approach as opposed to going in guns blazing,”
This is not the first time that Tesla has defied local authorities over the shelter-in-place directives. In March, days after the first order was announced by Bay Area public health departments, Musk delayed shutting down the Fremont plant for a week, until eventually reaching a deal with the county.
One person who works in the Fremont factory said Tuesday that many of the plant’s workers are opposed to restarting operations, but felt they had no choice but to show up. Workers have been given surgical masks to wear, and gloves, and had their temperature taken before entering the facility, said the employee, who asked not to be named for fear of losing their job.
However, some of the tools used on the production line are shared between multiple workers and are not cleaned or sanitized between each use, the employee said.
In response to the automaker’s latest flouting of the shelter-in-place order, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Director Colleen Chawla reiterated to Tesla’s vice president of environmental, health, and safety that the company could maintain “minimum basic operations” at the Fremont factory, such as facility security, inventory tracking and payroll services.
Any other work, Chawla added, “must cease until the health officer approves Tesla’s site-specific plan,” as required.
On Monday night, however, Musk tweeted that Tesla had re-started auto production “against Alameda County rules.” Tesla employs about 10,000 workers and builds its Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles at its Fremont plant.
Tesla didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about negotiations it is having with Alameda County or the city of Fremont. On Saturday, Tesla posted some details of it re-opening plan on its company blog, but it hasn’t said how many people will initially come back to work at Fremont, or how long it might be before it its plant is fully operational.
Bacon called the ongoing situation with Tesla “untenable” and that it needs to be resolved soon.
“I’m OK with letting this go for a day for a day or two,” Bacon said of the negotiations. “Obviously there are economic implications that are being considered, especially when he’s (Musk) threatening to move his jobs away.”
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“Tesla is an important partner for the city of Fremont and a part of Silicon Valley,” said Fremont Councilman Raj Salwan. Salwan, who owns a Tesla, said, he loves his car, “but no one is above the law.”
“I’m not advocating for arresting Elon,” Salwan said. “But, I’m sure there are ways to cease (Tesla’s) operations especially considering we are only a few days away from reopening of manufacturing.”
Rex Crum contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: Key model now predicts 147,000+ deaths in the US

A newly revised coronavirus mortality model predicts more than 147,000 Americans will die from COVID-19 by early August , up nearly 10,000 from the last projection , as restrictions for curbing the pandemic are increasingly relaxed , researchers said on Tuesday .
The latest forecast from the University of Washington ’ s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) reflects “ key drivers of viral transmission like changes in testing and mobility , as well as easing of distancing policies , ” the report said .
The revised projection reinforced public health warnings , including U.S. Senate testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , that prematurely lifting lockdowns could lead to more outbreaks of the respiratory virus .
Fauci and other medical experts have urged caution in relaxing restraints on commerce before diagnostic testing and the ability to trace close contacts of infected individuals can be vastly expanded , along with other safeguards .
Still , IHME researchers acknowledged that precise consequences of moves to reopen shuttered businesses and loosen stay-at-home orders remains difficult to gauge .
“ The full potential effects of recent actions to ease social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures have yet to be fully scaled up , may not be fully known for a few weeks due to the time periods between viral exposure , possible infection and full disease progression , ” the report said .
COVID-19 , the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus , has already claimed nearly 81,000 lives in the United States , out of more than 1.36 million known infections nationwide , according to a Reuters tally .
The last revision of the IHME mortality model , frequently cited by the White House and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cumulative U.S. death toll will climb to 147,040 by August , up 9,856 from the institute ’ s previous update on May 10 .
A week earlier , the model had put the figure at nearly 135,000 , almost double its April 29 forecast .

[vemba-video id=”business/2020/05/12/reopening-economy-massive-experiment-mohamed-el-erian.cnn-business”]
By Steve Gorman | Reuters
A newly revised coronavirus mortality model predicts more than 147,000 Americans will die from COVID-19 by early August, up nearly 10,000 from the last projection, as restrictions for curbing the pandemic are increasingly relaxed, researchers said on Tuesday.
The latest forecast from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) reflects “key drivers of viral transmission like changes in testing and mobility, as well as easing of distancing policies,” the report said.
The revised projection reinforced public health warnings, including U.S. Senate testimony on Tuesday from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, that prematurely lifting lockdowns could lead to more outbreaks of the respiratory virus.
Fauci and other medical experts have urged caution in relaxing restraints on commerce before diagnostic testing and the ability to trace close contacts of infected individuals can be vastly expanded, along with other safeguards.
Still, IHME researchers acknowledged that precise consequences of moves to reopen shuttered businesses and loosen stay-at-home orders remains difficult to gauge.
“The full potential effects of recent actions to ease social distancing policies, especially if robust containment measures have yet to be fully scaled up, may not be fully known for a few weeks due to the time periods between viral exposure, possible infection and full disease progression,” the report said.
COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, has already claimed nearly 81,000 lives in the United States, out of more than 1.36 million known infections nationwide, according to a Reuters tally.
The last revision of the IHME mortality model, frequently cited by the White House and other public health authorities, predicted that the cumulative U.S. death toll will climb to 147,040 by August, up 9,856 from the institute’s previous update on May 10. A week earlier, the model had put the figure at nearly 135,000, almost double its April 29 forecast.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--Raiders working on free agent deal with corner Prince Amukamara

The Raiders have been in the market for a veteran cornerback since free agency started , losing out to Miami in a bidding war for Byron Jones and then having a deal with Eli Apple negated after a failed physical .
They were still at it Tuesday , as team officals were working on a contract to bring in veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara .
First reported by NFL Media , a team source confirmed to the Bay Area News Group the Raiders were “ working on ” a deal to bring Amukamara in for a 10th NFL season .
Amukamara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Bears for the last three seasons , including 15 starts last season .
He also played the 2016 season as a starter in Jacksonville after five seasons with the New York Giants after being a first-round draft pick out of Nebraska in 2011 .
The Raiders return starter Trayvon Mullen , a second-round draft pick last season , and brought in two corners expected to be immediate contributors in first-round draft pick Damon Arnette of Ohio State and fourth-round selection Amik Robertson of Louisiana Tech .
Amukamara would lend a veteran presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starter Daryl Worley signing with the Dallas Cowboys in free agency .
In 2018 , Amukamara had one of his best NFL seasons for a Bears team that won the NFC North , tying a career high with three interceptions including one intercepted for a touchdown .
The Bears slumped in 2019 , Amukamara didn ’ t intercept a pass , and he was released when due a salary of more than $ 9 million .
Amukamara does his best work in press coverage and is more adept at preventing receivers from receptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as evidenced by 10 career interceptions in 113 games .
• Photos : Son of Raiders coach Jon Gruden buys condo in Las Vegas for $ 360,000 • NFL schedule expected to be released on time next week Arnette will be given every chance to seize a starting role along with Mullen , with veteran Lamarcus Joyner returning as the slot corner .
Amukamara would then be in competition with Nevin Lawson , Isaiah Johnson , Keisean Nixon , Nick Nelson , Dylan Mabin and Ken Crawley for spots on the 53-man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third week of their voluntary “ virtual ” off-season program , with players in telecommunications with coaches from their homes .
Rookies joined the virtual program this week .

The Raiders have been in the market for a veteran cornerback since free agency started, losing out to Miami in a bidding war for Byron Jones and then having a deal with Eli Apple negated after a failed physical.
They were still at it Tuesday, as team officals were working on a contract to bring in veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara. First reported by NFL Media, a team source confirmed to the Bay Area News Group the Raiders were “working on” a deal to bring Amukamara in for a 10th NFL season.
Amukamara, 30, has started for the Chicago Bears for the last three seasons, including 15 starts last season. He also played the 2016 season as a starter in Jacksonville after five seasons with the New York Giants after being a first-round draft pick out of Nebraska in 2011.
The Raiders return starter Trayvon Mullen, a second-round draft pick last season, and brought in two corners expected to be immediate contributors in first-round draft pick Damon Arnette of Ohio State and fourth-round selection Amik Robertson of Louisiana Tech.
Amukamara would lend a veteran presence to the position, with the 2019 starter Daryl Worley signing with the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.
In 2018, Amukamara had one of his best NFL seasons for a Bears team that won the NFC North, tying a career high with three interceptions including one intercepted for a touchdown. The Bears slumped in 2019, Amukamara didn’t intercept a pass, and he was released when due a salary of more than $9 million.
Amukamara does his best work in press coverage and is more adept at preventing receivers from receptions rather than making plays on the ball, as evidenced by 10 career interceptions in 113 games.
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The Raiders are in their third week of their voluntary “virtual” off-season program, with players in telecommunications with coaches from their homes. Rookies joined the virtual program this week.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--Bay Area meat, dairy prices spike as alcohol cost stays level in pandemic

Scenes from inside Bay Area grocery stores are quite different in the coronavirus age : face coverings , fewer shoppers , plexiglass separators .
You can add rising price tags on meat and dairy products to the list .
According to Consumer Price Index data released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , meat prices in the Bay Area last month were 10.4 percent higher than they were in February and 14.5 percent higher than in April 2019 .
Dairy prices rose 9.6 percent over last April , and prices on food at home ( bought in stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frame , the majority of which has come since February .
On the plus side for consumers , gas prices have totally plummeted in the region , as many have already noted .
With fewer people driving to work , the cost of motor fuel has dropped 27.6 percent in the region since April 2019 .
The starkest drop is in unleaded regular gasoline , which has seen a 28.4 percent decrease .
But both of those drops are less than the 32 percent decrease in gas prices nationwide .
One item that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The cost has dropped 0.6 percent since last April , but it ’ s up just over one percent since February .
In Los Angeles , the price of alcohol has jumped 6.1 percent , the biggest leap in more than 12 years .
• Coronavirus : Key model now predicts 147,000+ deaths in the US Bay Area shoppers also paid significantly less for clothing ( 12 % ) and transportation ( 7.8 % ) than they did in April 2019 .
It ’ s important to note that the BLS does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metro region , sticking to Alameda , Contra Costa , Marin , San Francisco , San Mateo counties .
While common sense may lead to the belief that San Jose ’ s fluctuations would be in line with those measured in the Bay Area , a BLS spokesperson declined to say whether the numbers can be extrapolated to the South Bay .
The overall U.S. Consumer Price Index for all goods and services dropped 0.8 percent in April compared to March , but it has increased 0.3 percent over the last 12 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , measured every two months , was down just 0.5 percent over since February and up 1.1 percent compared to April 2019 .
Click here to check out the CPI statistics yourself .

Scenes from inside Bay Area grocery stores are quite different in the coronavirus age: face coverings, fewer shoppers, plexiglass separators. You can add rising price tags on meat and dairy products to the list.
According to Consumer Price Index data released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, meat prices in the Bay Area last month were 10.4 percent higher than they were in February and 14.5 percent higher than in April 2019.
Dairy prices rose 9.6 percent over last April, and prices on food at home (bought in stores) jumped 6.7 percent over that time frame, the majority of which has come since February.
On the plus side for consumers, gas prices have totally plummeted in the region, as many have already noted. With fewer people driving to work, the cost of motor fuel has dropped 27.6 percent in the region since April 2019. The starkest drop is in unleaded regular gasoline, which has seen a 28.4 percent decrease. But both of those drops are less than the 32 percent decrease in gas prices nationwide.
One item that has stayed relatively steady is alcohol. The cost has dropped 0.6 percent since last April, but it’s up just over one percent since February. In Los Angeles, the price of alcohol has jumped 6.1 percent, the biggest leap in more than 12 years.
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It’s important to note that the BLS does not include San Jose in its San Francisco metro region, sticking to Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo counties. While common sense may lead to the belief that San Jose’s fluctuations would be in line with those measured in the Bay Area, a BLS spokesperson declined to say whether the numbers can be extrapolated to the South Bay.
The overall U.S. Consumer Price Index for all goods and services dropped 0.8 percent in April compared to March, but it has increased 0.3 percent over the last 12 months. The Bay Area’s CPI, measured every two months, was down just 0.5 percent over since February and up 1.1 percent compared to April 2019.
Click here to check out the CPI statistics yourself.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--‘Legend’: Santa Cruz surfer killed by shark celebrated as the brightest of lights

Kyle Pitchford was back in the ocean on Monday , one of the few close friends of Ben Kelly ready to return to surfing .
He paddled out at the spot the two of them and other friends frequented , a beachbreak on the fringes of Pleasure Point within walking distance of Kelly ’ s home — far from the Aptos break where a shark had taken Kelly ’ s life two days earlier .
At 26 , Kelly was the young pup among a tightknit group of friends who had bonded over their love of surfing , the beauty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devotion to their Christian faith .
Pitchford , Steve Craig and Mark Hillenga are all youth pastors at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos — one in his 30s , one in his 40s , one in his 60s .
Yet it was the bright-eyed millennial who typically supplied the most wisdom .
“ If one of us had an incident in the water , he ’ d be the one trying to bring peace , ” said buddy Zach Shull .
“ If I got mad because I blew a wave , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to let it go , ” recalls Pitchford .
The young surfboard shaper and entrepreneur used his religious devotion as a guide map for channeling good energy to his friends and an open hand to strangers .
Daily life was Kelly ’ s ministry .
And everyone he encountered provided an opportunity for giving .
As Pitchford puts it , “ It just naturally poured out of him.
” But it was Kelly ’ s authenticity that left the biggest impression .
“ He had none of the inhibitions the rest of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about them , ” friend Alex Kelso said .
“ Ben was never afraid to tell you he loves you .
He did it every time he saw you.
” “ When you said goodbye to Ben , ” recalls Baker Carroll , “ he ’ d wrap you up and give you a giant bear hug and two slaps on the back and say ‘ Love you , brother.
’ ” So Saturday ’ s tragic event , the first time a shark has killed a surfer within Monterey Bay waters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
In a surf town where hard edges and gruff looks are worn with pride , where territorial bad vibes lurk right around the next cliffside corner , Ben Kelly provided a refreshing antithesis .
“ He was a good , godly , humble man who deserved many , many more laps around the sun and more than a few good waves , ” Shull wrote in an Instagram testimonial .
“ I miss you Ben .
Was really looking forward to a Baja trip with you.
” Kelly , an Orange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of three years , Katie , who he met at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa .
Their close circle of friends and family have surrounded her with love and support and set up a GoFundMe campaign to “ carry on Ben ’ s legacy of love and generosity.
” Kelly had begun shaping surfboards while attending college in Southern California .
He used his burgeoning skills as a surfboard shaper to connect to people and share what one friend called “ the enthusiasm and joy of 10 people.
” “ Ben actually cared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pitchford said .
“ He just wanted people to be stoked.
” One of his customers was Carroll , who had moved to the area shortly after Kelly .
Carroll said he sought out a young underground shaper like Kelly , hoping to learn about the craft while getting a perfect surfboard .
He got way more than he bargained for in a good friend and adventure seeker .
“ He was always on the move , dreaming big and chasing it — whether that was finding the right wave or starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly and his wife began a social marketing company called Authentic Approach , focused on helping small businesses get off the ground .
The nature of the business allowed them to chase their own adventurous spirit ( they recently spent a month in Oahu where Ben checked surfing the North Shore off his bucket list ) and connect to others in their coastal community .
“ He was so passionate about creating businesses , ” Kelso said .
“ They started it not to fund their life as much as ‘ Our whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help their businesses.
’ ” That Kelly would be surfing “ The Beaches , ” a stretch from Sand Dollar up past Manresa and La Selva , didn ’ t surprise those who knew him best .
Even though it has been a haven for juvenile white sharks , giving some surfers pause , Kelly frequented spots north and south of Santa Cruz known for even greater abundances of aquatic wildlife .
“ Ben was an explorer to the core — always down to find some uncrowded little mysto wave , ” recalls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you how many times he ’ d start out the day looking at Waddell Creek and end up surfing at Asilomar.
” As Pitchford puts it : “ He was for sure a ‘ We can ’ t live our lives scared of everything ’ person.
” It wasn ’ t unusual for Kelly to pick up and drive to Big Sur for a solo camping and surfing excursion .
It gave him the perfect setting to re-center and re-focus on his faith .
But he also loved his boys trips near and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life on a big day at a notoriously sharky spot up north , calmly helping him navigate an energy-sapping rip current .
But he most remembers the surfboard Kelly was going to help him shape and the final bear hug he didn ’ t get .
“ I swung by his house to talk about the board he was going to help me make , ” he recalled .
“ When I left , because of the coronavirus , we had to just do the air fist bump thing .
I feel robbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But I ’ m gon na see that board through for him.
” As heartbroken as they are trying to process his loss , Kelly ’ s friends are secure in his legacy .

Kyle Pitchford was back in the ocean on Monday, one of the few close friends of Ben Kelly ready to return to surfing.
He paddled out at the spot the two of them and other friends frequented, a beachbreak on the fringes of Pleasure Point within walking distance of Kelly’s home — far from the Aptos break where a shark had taken Kelly’s life two days earlier.
At 26, Kelly was the young pup among a tightknit group of friends who had bonded over their love of surfing, the beauty of where they lived and a shared devotion to their Christian faith.
Courtesy Baker Carroll
Pitchford, Steve Craig and Mark Hillenga are all youth pastors at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos — one in his 30s, one in his 40s, one in his 60s. Yet it was the bright-eyed millennial who typically supplied the most wisdom.
Related Articles Crashes and Disasters | New details revealed about Santa Cruz surfer attacked by shark “If one of us had an incident in the water, he’d be the one trying to bring peace,” said buddy Zach Shull.
“If I got mad because I blew a wave, he’d be the one telling me to let it go,” recalls Pitchford.
The young surfboard shaper and entrepreneur used his religious devotion as a guide map for channeling good energy to his friends and an open hand to strangers. Daily life was Kelly’s ministry. And everyone he encountered provided an opportunity for giving. As Pitchford puts it, “It just naturally poured out of him.”
But it was Kelly’s authenticity that left the biggest impression.
Courtesy Baker Carroll
“He had none of the inhibitions the rest of us have about telling people how they feel about them,” friend Alex Kelso said. “Ben was never afraid to tell you he loves you. He did it every time he saw you.”
“When you said goodbye to Ben,” recalls Baker Carroll, “he’d wrap you up and give you a giant bear hug and two slaps on the back and say ‘Love you, brother.’”
So Saturday’s tragic event, the first time a shark has killed a surfer in Santa Cruz County, naturally shook the faith of an entire community.
In a surf town where hard edges and gruff looks are worn with pride, where territorial bad vibes lurk right around the next cliffside corner, Ben Kelly provided a refreshing antithesis.
“He was a good, godly, humble man who deserved many, many more laps around the sun and more than a few good waves,” Shull wrote in an Instagram testimonial. “I miss you Ben. Was really looking forward to a Baja trip with you.”
‘Authentic Approach’
Kelly, an Orange County native, leaves behind his wife of three years, Katie, who he met at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. Their close circle of friends and family have surrounded her with love and support and set up a GoFundMe campaign to “carry on Ben’s legacy of love and generosity.”
Kelly had begun shaping surfboards while attending college in Southern California. He used his burgeoning skills as a surfboard shaper to connect to people and share what one friend called “the enthusiasm and joy of 10 people.”
“Ben actually cared about how it worked for you,” Pitchford said. “He just wanted people to be stoked.”
Courtesy Baker Carroll
One of his customers was Carroll, who had moved to the area shortly after Kelly. Carroll said he sought out a young underground shaper like Kelly, hoping to learn about the craft while getting a perfect surfboard. He got way more than he bargained for in a good friend and adventure seeker.
“He was always on the move, dreaming big and chasing it — whether that was finding the right wave or starting his company,” Carroll said.
Kelly and his wife began a social marketing company called Authentic Approach, focused on helping small businesses get off the ground.
The nature of the business allowed them to chase their own adventurous spirit (they recently spent a month in Oahu where Ben checked surfing the North Shore off his bucket list) and connect to others in their coastal community.
“He was so passionate about creating businesses,” Kelso said. “They started it not to fund their life as much as ‘Our whole goal is to serve these people and help their businesses.’”
Adventurous spirit
That Kelly would be surfing “The Beaches,” a stretch from Sand Dollar up past Manresa and La Selva, didn’t surprise those who knew him best.
Even though it has been a haven for juvenile white sharks, giving some surfers pause, Kelly frequented spots north and south of Santa Cruz known for even greater abundances of aquatic wildlife.
“Ben was an explorer to the core — always down to find some uncrowded little mysto wave,” recalls Kelso “I can’t tell you how many times he’d start out the day looking at Waddell Creek and end up surfing at Asilomar.”
Courtesy Baker Carroll
As Pitchford puts it: “He was for sure a ‘We can’t live our lives scared of everything’ person.”
It wasn’t unusual for Kelly to pick up and drive to Big Sur for a solo camping and surfing excursion. It gave him the perfect setting to re-center and re-focus on his faith. But he also loved his boys trips near and far.
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Where California lands on list of world’s most shark-filled waters Crashes and Disasters | ‘Shark Week’: Jason Momoa set to host popular TV spectacle Carroll says Kelly saved his life on a big day at a notoriously sharky spot up north, calmly helping him navigate an energy-sapping rip current. But he most remembers the surfboard Kelly was going to help him shape and the final bear hug he didn’t get.
“I swung by his house to talk about the board he was going to help me make,” he recalled. “When I left, because of the coronavirus, we had to just do the air fist bump thing. I feel robbed I didn’t get that hug.
“But I’m gonna see that board through for him.”
As heartbroken as they are trying to process his loss, Kelly’s friends are secure in his legacy.
“He’s a legend,” Kelso said.
The ‘Ben Kelly Memorial Fund’ GoFundMe campaign had tallied nearly $80,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. Here’s the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/3wktg-ben-kelly-memorial-fund


mercurynews--2020-05-12--Putin’s spokesman hospitalized with coronavirus

Dmitry Peskov , the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin , has been hospitalized with coronavirus , he told state-run news agency RIA Novosti on Tuesday .
The development makes Peskov the latest of a number of senior Russian political figures to contract Covid-19 , raising concerns about its spread throughout the Kremlin .
Putin himself has largely been working from a residence in the Moscow region via videoconferencing , with only a few in-person meetings .
Peskov told the TASS news agency later on Tuesday that the last time the two men met in person was “ over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously tested positive for the virus , including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , who is still in hospital , as well as Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova and Minister of Housing Vladimir Yakushev .
Peskov ’ s announcement comes as Russia struggles to contain its outbreak of the coronavirus .
The country now has more confirmed cases — 232,000 — than anywhere in the world outside of the United States , according to Johns Hopkins University figures .
While the country ’ s official death toll is relatively low , with more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts say the figure is almost certainly underestimated .
Moscow ’ s mortality rate surged by 18 % in April compared to the same month last year , as well as compared to the April average for the past decade , according to data released by the city ’ s civil register office .
The situation has led to growing anger in the country , with concerns raised about the conditions in which medical workers are forced to operate .
Hours before Peskov confirmed his diagnosis , a fire at a hospital in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead .
The fire broke out on the sixth floor of an intensive care unit at the St. George Hospital in St. Petersburg , killing five people connected to ventilating equipment , TASS reported , citing medical personnel .
According to initial findings , the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in a ventilator or its malfunction , state news agencies said .
It was the second deadly blaze at a medical facility in recent days ; on Saturday , another fire at a Moscow hospital killed one person and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state news agencies reported .
Before those incidents , three frontline health care workers fell out of hospital windows in Russia over the space of two weeks , heightening public attention to the working conditions for doctors and medical professionals .
All three incidents , which are being investigated by Russian law enforcement authorities , prompted intense discussion in the Russian press and on social media .

By Mary Ilyushina and Rob Picheta | CNN
Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been hospitalized with coronavirus, he told state-run news agency RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
The development makes Peskov the latest of a number of senior Russian political figures to contract Covid-19, raising concerns about its spread throughout the Kremlin.
Putin himself has largely been working from a residence in the Moscow region via videoconferencing, with only a few in-person meetings. Peskov told the TASS news agency later on Tuesday that the last time the two men met in person was “over a month ago.”
Three Russian ministers have previously tested positive for the virus, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who is still in hospital, as well as Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova and Minister of Housing Vladimir Yakushev.
Peskov’s announcement comes as Russia struggles to contain its outbreak of the coronavirus. The country now has more confirmed cases — 232,000 — than anywhere in the world outside of the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University figures.
[vemba-video id=”tv/2020/05/12/lead-matthew-chance-dnt-live-jake-tapper.cnn”]
While the country’s official death toll is relatively low, with more than 2,000 fatalities reported, some critics and experts say the figure is almost certainly underestimated. Moscow’s mortality rate surged by 18% in April compared to the same month last year, as well as compared to the April average for the past decade, according to data released by the city’s civil register office.
The situation has led to growing anger in the country, with concerns raised about the conditions in which medical workers are forced to operate.
Hours before Peskov confirmed his diagnosis, a fire at a hospital in Russia left at least five coronavirus patients dead. The fire broke out on the sixth floor of an intensive care unit at the St. George Hospital in St. Petersburg, killing five people connected to ventilating equipment, TASS reported, citing medical personnel.
According to initial findings, the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in a ventilator or its malfunction, state news agencies said.
It was the second deadly blaze at a medical facility in recent days; on Saturday, another fire at a Moscow hospital killed one person and forced the evacuation of patients, Russian state news agencies reported.
Before those incidents, three frontline health care workers fell out of hospital windows in Russia over the space of two weeks, heightening public attention to the working conditions for doctors and medical professionals.
All three incidents, which are being investigated by Russian law enforcement authorities, prompted intense discussion in the Russian press and on social media.


mercurynews--2020-05-13--Kobe and Gianna Bryant knew the risks of flying, helicopter company says in legal filing

The helicopter company involved in the January crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant denied wrongdoing and claimed that he and his daughter Gianna knew of the risks involved in flying , according to court papers .
Bryant and his daughter “ had actual knowledge of all of the circumstances , particular dangers , and an appreciation for the risks involved and the magnitude thereof , and proceeded to encounter a known risk , and voluntarily assumed the risk of the accident , injury , and damages , ” lawyers for Island Express wrote in the filing .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine people on board , was caused by unforeseeable events beyond its control and argued that they are not responsible for damages “ due to an act of God.
” The filing came in response to a wrongful death suit filed by Vanessa Bryant , Kobe ’ s widow , on February 24 , the same day a memorial service was held for Kobe and Gianna Bryant .
The lawsuit held Island Express and pilot Ara Zobayan responsible for the crash , citing numerous counts of negligence .
The helicopter crashed into hilly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The flight was on its way to Thousand Oaks , California , for a basketball game , where Gianna , 13 , was expected to play and Kobe , 41 , was expected to coach .
In an earlier filing , the brother of the pilot in the crash said the passengers had fault and were negligent , according to court papers filed recently .
Attorneys for Berge Zobayan , listed as successor in interest for Ara Zobayan , alleged “ any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent was directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the negligence or fault of plaintiffs and/or their decedent , ” according to the seven-page document .
The lawyers added that the passengers knew the risks involved .
“ And that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing their purported damages , for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility , ” the response says .
No trial date has been scheduled .

The helicopter company involved in the January crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant denied wrongdoing and claimed that he and his daughter Gianna knew of the risks involved in flying, according to court papers.
Bryant and his daughter “had actual knowledge of all of the circumstances, particular dangers, and an appreciation for the risks involved and the magnitude thereof, and proceeded to encounter a known risk, and voluntarily assumed the risk of the accident, injury, and damages,” lawyers for Island Express wrote in the filing.
The company said the crash, which killed all nine people on board, was caused by unforeseeable events beyond its control and argued that they are not responsible for damages “due to an act of God.”
The filing came in response to a wrongful death suit filed by Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, on February 24, the same day a memorial service was held for Kobe and Gianna Bryant. The lawsuit held Island Express and pilot Ara Zobayan responsible for the crash, citing numerous counts of negligence.
The helicopter crashed into hilly terrain in foggy conditions on January 26. The flight was on its way to Thousand Oaks, California, for a basketball game, where Gianna, 13, was expected to play and Kobe, 41, was expected to coach.
CNN has requested comment from Vanessa Bryant’s lawyers.
In an earlier filing, the brother of the pilot in the crash said the passengers had fault and were negligent, according to court papers filed recently.
Attorneys for Berge Zobayan, listed as successor in interest for Ara Zobayan, alleged “any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent was directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs and/or their decedent,” according to the seven-page document.
The lawyers added that the passengers knew the risks involved.
“And that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing their purported damages, for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility,” the response says.
No trial date has been scheduled.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-05-13--Why does immune response to coronavirus save some, kill others?

Doctors in Southern California are working with researchers in Arizona to better understand the body ’ s sometimes bizarre immune response to COVID-19 — an antibody onslaught that may kill the patient , rather than kill the virus .
The nonprofit Translational Genomics Research Institute ( TGen ) , an affiliate of City of Hope , is peering into specific proteins on the virus to see how they react with different antibodies — a “ high-resolution view ” that might guide treatment , testing and vaccine development .
“ The hypothesis is that antibodies can make things worse , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people , ” said John Altin , assistant professor in TGen ’ s infectious-disease branch .
“ We want to understand how that might be different from an immune response that protects somebody.
” As many critically ill patients are treated in clinical trials with convalescent plasma therapy — that is , injecting antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients into those who are very ill , in hopes of triggering protective immune responses — it ’ s imperative to understand what ’ s behind the differing reactions .
“ Usually , antibodies provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of an exception with this virus , ” Altin said .
“ That is a serious concern.
” To that end , TGen and the Center for Gene Therapy at City of Hope are cooperating on a COVID Immunity Study that aims to collect blood from COVID-19 survivors .
“ The researchers will analyze your blood and profile your immune memory , ” the study consent form explains .
Participants can use the TGen kit at home .
They ’ ll get a study kit by mail and collect one small “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finger-prick device , for two consecutive weeks .
Then they ’ ll mail the study kit back to TGen .
About 500 people are expected to participate through the course of the study , and researchers may reach out for additional samples , and/or with additional questions , to see how “ immune memory ” changes over time .
Participants must be U.S. residents , at least 18 years old , have tested positive for COVID-19 , and then recovered .
For more information , see https : //covidimmunity.org/ .
“ This will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when and why we produce antibodies in response to a COVID-19 infection , ” said David Engelthaler , director of TGen North , in a prepared statement .
“ One class of antibodies tackles the infection first , and then another comes in to finish the job .
Knowing when these different immune responses occur , and how long they last , could help us understand if some patients gain a certain degree of immunity against reinfection .
We need to know how that works.
” While large-scale clinical trials involving convalescent plasma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this study aims not to treat the disease , but to better understand the mechanisms behind it .
TGen describes its approach as “ a high-resolution view ” of the antibody response .
It seeks to not only map the virus ’ s proteins in detail , but to also see which parts of those proteins are targeted by antibodies .
“ Our approach will not only tell you which proteins are being targeted , but also be able to tell which regions of each protein are being targeted , ” Altin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protein can be recognized by many different types of antibodies .
By looking at this level of detail , we then could see elements of the antibody response that others might be missing.
” TGen hopes to tease out subtle differences that can help develop therapies , vaccines and better antibody testing .
“ Others are looking at responses to the entire protein .
Our approach is a little different .
When we look at the antibody response , we divide it up into thousands of pieces .
There ’ s potential for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and un-beneficial response might look like , ” Altin said .
John Zaia , director of the Center for Gene Therapy at City of Hope , is working with TGen , and has other COVID-19-related projects happening as well .
Zaia is leading a research project at City of Hope , in collaboration with Altin ’ s lab , that could lead to development of a COVID-19 virus antibody neutralization test , which would quantify antibodies .
Zaia also has received a $ 750,000 grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood plasma as a potential treatment for COVID-19 .
“ They ’ re doing what you could call qualitative and quantitative measurements of the nature of the antibody — what does it actually bind to ?
” Zaia said .
“ The virus has this surface protein , the spike protein , but there are also other things the immune system might be seeing .
It might be focused on one or more parts of the spike.
” The CIRM project will focus on finding plasma donors to determine if there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick patient who received the plasma and the specific antibody that went in .
It will focus on under-served areas .
• Despite budget shortfall , Alameda County supervisors OK millions to increase jail staffing • San Jose to finally open trailers for homeless next to Happy Hollow Park • Fremont Tesla factory remains open , as Elon Musk continues his standoff over shelter-in-place orders Duarte-based City of Hope was founded in 1913 and is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network .
It has many sites throughout Southern California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish clinics and a cancer center in Orange County .
A clinic opened in Newport Beach in January , and a hospital dedicated to cancer treatment and research is slated for Irvine .
On the forefront of science , new discoveries are made every day and so much is still unknown .
“ I think the FDA said it best : There ’ s no way that one group could solve all the problems , do all the testing that needs to be done , ” Zaia said .
“ The whole field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a balance that must be struck between moving quickly and moving carefully , Altin said .
“ We should know a lot in the next three months about how the antibody response looks , ” he said .
“ Vaccine development will take much longer .

Doctors in Southern California are working with researchers in Arizona to better understand the body’s sometimes bizarre immune response to COVID-19 — an antibody onslaught that may kill the patient, rather than kill the virus.
The nonprofit Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope, is peering into specific proteins on the virus to see how they react with different antibodies — a “high-resolution view” that might guide treatment, testing and vaccine development.
“The hypothesis is that antibodies can make things worse, and that’s what’s killing some people,” said John Altin, assistant professor in TGen’s infectious-disease branch. “We want to understand how that might be different from an immune response that protects somebody.”
As many critically ill patients are treated in clinical trials with convalescent plasma therapy — that is, injecting antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients into those who are very ill, in hopes of triggering protective immune responses — it’s imperative to understand what’s behind the differing reactions.
“Usually, antibodies provide protection, but there may be a bit of an exception with this virus,” Altin said. “That is a serious concern.”
Immunity study
To that end, TGen and the Center for Gene Therapy at City of Hope are cooperating on a COVID Immunity Study that aims to collect blood from COVID-19 survivors.
“The researchers will analyze your blood and profile your immune memory,” the study consent form explains.
Participants can use the TGen kit at home. They’ll get a study kit by mail and collect one small “spot” blood sample, via a finger-prick device, for two consecutive weeks. Then they’ll mail the study kit back to TGen.
About 500 people are expected to participate through the course of the study, and researchers may reach out for additional samples, and/or with additional questions, to see how “immune memory” changes over time.
Participants must be U.S. residents, at least 18 years old, have tested positive for COVID-19, and then recovered. For more information, see https://covidimmunity.org/.
“This will help us learn more about how, when and why we produce antibodies in response to a COVID-19 infection,” said David Engelthaler, director of TGen North, in a prepared statement. “One class of antibodies tackles the infection first, and then another comes in to finish the job. Knowing when these different immune responses occur, and how long they last, could help us understand if some patients gain a certain degree of immunity against reinfection. We need to know how that works.”
How’s this study different?
While large-scale clinical trials involving convalescent plasma are under way all over the nation, this study aims not to treat the disease, but to better understand the mechanisms behind it.
TGen describes its approach as “a high-resolution view” of the antibody response. It seeks to not only map the virus’s proteins in detail, but to also see which parts of those proteins are targeted by antibodies.
“Our approach will not only tell you which proteins are being targeted, but also be able to tell which regions of each protein are being targeted,” Altin said in a statement. “Each protein can be recognized by many different types of antibodies. By looking at this level of detail, we then could see elements of the antibody response that others might be missing.”
TGen hopes to tease out subtle differences that can help develop therapies, vaccines and better antibody testing.
“Others are looking at responses to the entire protein. Our approach is a little different. When we look at the antibody response, we divide it up into thousands of pieces. There’s potential for that to tell us what a beneficial and un-beneficial response might look like,” Altin said.
John Zaia, director of the Center for Gene Therapy at City of Hope, is working with TGen, and has other COVID-19-related projects happening as well.
Zaia is leading a research project at City of Hope, in collaboration with Altin’s lab, that could lead to development of a COVID-19 virus antibody neutralization test, which would quantify antibodies.
Zaia also has received a $750,000 grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for a clinical study on the use of blood plasma as a potential treatment for COVID-19.
“They’re doing what you could call qualitative and quantitative measurements of the nature of the antibody — what does it actually bind to?” Zaia said. “The virus has this surface protein, the spike protein, but there are also other things the immune system might be seeing. It might be focused on one or more parts of the spike.”
The CIRM project will focus on finding plasma donors to determine if there’s any correlation between the outcome in the sick patient who received the plasma and the specific antibody that went in. It will focus on under-served areas.
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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 Duarte-based City of Hope was founded in 1913 and is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. It has many sites throughout Southern California, and is investing $1 billion to establish clinics and a cancer center in Orange County. A clinic opened in Newport Beach in January, and a hospital dedicated to cancer treatment and research is slated for Irvine.
On the forefront of science, new discoveries are made every day and so much is still unknown.
“I think the FDA said it best: There’s no way that one group could solve all the problems, do all the testing that needs to be done,” Zaia said. “The whole field is so new.”
There’s a balance that must be struck between moving quickly and moving carefully, Altin said. “We should know a lot in the next three months about how the antibody response looks,” he said. “Vaccine development will take much longer.