mercurynews--2020-03-21--Miss Manners: Our wedding guests keep asking. What do we tell them?

DEAR MISS MANNERS : We are a male/male couple , one in his late 50s and one in his early 60s , planning a small wedding with approximately 25-30 guests .
Because of our ages and the fact that we have both lived fairly full and enjoyable lives , we do not need anything , and would prefer our guests not incur the expense of providing gifts .
Heeding your advice , we are creating no registry , shopping lists or any similar shakedowns .
Nonetheless , we are faced with the telephone call inquiries as to what we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ nothing , ” but we don ’ t want to come across as rude or dismissive .
How do you suggest we answer these inquiries ?
GENTLE READER : “ Oh , please , we really do not need anything .
But we ’ ve always admired your exquisite taste.
” Miss Manners makes a distinction between dictating what one should be given and offering some very general assistance when asked .
Or getting others to do so if they are approached .
Trusted friends might discreetly speak of your general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Arthur like art deco ” ) .
Even you can provide helpful clues : “ Where did you say you got that etched glass bowl on display in your kitchen ?
” Of course , such hints should be about things that they can buy within a reasonable price range .
Try not to admire their sofa .
DEAR MISS MANNERS : I have one of those camera doorbells on my front door .
Consequently , I can see the comings and goings of a good friend of mine who walks my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m at work .
( She has a key to my house ; the camera begins to record and sends a live feed to my phone when it detects motion . )
The trouble is that she doesn ’ t always walk my dogs .
I know this because the doorbell camera doesn ’ t show her doing so .
She comes over , but just … hangs out .
Sometimes she does homework , using my printer and Wi-Fi for assignments , and sometimes she does laundry .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I am paying her to walk my dogs , as she ’ s going through a rough patch financially .
I trust her in my home , and just think she gets a little lazy , but I still feel taken advantage of .
I know it sounds sheepish , but I don ’ t know how to say anything to her about this : I don ’ t want her to think I ’ m spying on her with the camera , but I also don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour for her own purposes .
GENTLE READER : And the dogs are also too shy to complain , Miss Manners gathers .
If the consequences of their confinement are not obvious , you might work the fact that you have a doorbell camera into an unrelated conversation .
As in , “ Did you know that the food delivery man often sneaks a breadstick from our order ?
We have one of those front door cameras and can see everything.
” Déjà lu !
Miss Manners ran that same question last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know why , and we ’ re kind of afraid to ask .
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website , www.missmanners.com ; to her email , dearmissmanners @ gmail.com ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners , Andrews McMeel Syndication , 1130 Walnut St. , Kansas City , MO 64106 .

Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We are a male/male couple, one in his late 50s and one in his early 60s, planning a small wedding with approximately 25-30 guests.
Because of our ages and the fact that we have both lived fairly full and enjoyable lives, we do not need anything, and would prefer our guests not incur the expense of providing gifts. Heeding your advice, we are creating no registry, shopping lists or any similar shakedowns. Nonetheless, we are faced with the telephone call inquiries as to what we would like as gifts.
The correct answer is “nothing,” but we don’t want to come across as rude or dismissive. How do you suggest we answer these inquiries?
GENTLE READER: “Oh, please, we really do not need anything. But we’ve always admired your exquisite taste.”
Miss Manners makes a distinction between dictating what one should be given and offering some very general assistance when asked. Or getting others to do so if they are approached.
Trusted friends might discreetly speak of your general taste (“I think that Fred and Arthur like art deco”).
Even you can provide helpful clues: “Where did you say you got that etched glass bowl on display in your kitchen?”
Of course, such hints should be about things that they can buy within a reasonable price range. Try not to admire their sofa.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have one of those camera doorbells on my front door. Consequently, I can see the comings and goings of a good friend of mine who walks my dogs a few times a week while I’m at work. (She has a key to my house; the camera begins to record and sends a live feed to my phone when it detects motion.)
The trouble is that she doesn’t always walk my dogs. I know this because the doorbell camera doesn’t show her doing so. She comes over, but just … hangs out. Sometimes she does homework, using my printer and Wi-Fi for assignments, and sometimes she does laundry.
I’ve freely offered these things to her, but I am paying her to walk my dogs, as she’s going through a rough patch financially. I trust her in my home, and just think she gets a little lazy, but I still feel taken advantage of.
I know it sounds sheepish, but I don’t know how to say anything to her about this: I don’t want her to think I’m spying on her with the camera, but I also don’t want to pay her to come over for an hour for her own purposes.
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GENTLE READER: And the dogs are also too shy to complain, Miss Manners gathers.
If the consequences of their confinement are not obvious, you might work the fact that you have a doorbell camera into an unrelated conversation. As in, “Did you know that the food delivery man often sneaks a breadstick from our order? We have one of those front door cameras and can see everything.”
Déjà lu! Miss Manners ran that same question last year, with a different answer. We don’t know why, and we’re kind of afraid to ask.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Dear Abby: I’m the mother of the bride, and there are going to be awkward questions

DEAR ABBY : My daughter and I have been estranged on and off for many years , most recently for the last 22 months .
At that time , she angrily took her 8-year-old daughter and left our home , where she had been living since another eviction .
She said she was going to tell everyone I kicked her out .
Then she blocked me on Facebook , removed my access to my granddaughter ’ s classroom progress reports and my name from the school emergency card .
• Dear Abby : I ’ m engaged to a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I ’ m impatient for this transgender teen to be ready to date me • Dear Abby : I ’ m giving this selfish woman a taste of her own medicine • Dear Abby : I don ’ t want them to laugh at me in the wedding photos • Dear Abby : I ’ m tired of working next to this martyr I had no idea where they went .
My poor granddaughter was in tears .
She had been upset moving back in with us again , and told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job so they could stay in one place for real .
After no contact , I have been told my daughter is being married .
“ Save the date ” cards have gone out .
I have no desire or intention of going to a wedding of someone who has spent half her life being cruel to me , lying , ignoring me , being jealous at her sister ’ s wedding and so on , with never an apology for her horrible behavior .
She ’ s a Jekyll and Hyde .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I do all I can to avoid seeing her .
I ’ m happy for her and delighted my granddaughter will finally have a bedroom of her own , but I have no intention of playing happy family to someone who regularly sharpens knives in my back .
How do I answer any inquiries that may come up about the wedding ?
CAN ’ T TAKE ANY MORE DEAR CAN ’ T : Do not engage in a litany of complaints and accusations .
You can get the message across to anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you are not involved in the planning of the wedding and questions should be directed to your daughter .
You do not have to discuss it further .
It ’ s short and sweet and gets the message across .
DEAR ABBY : I have had a serious boyfriend for six months .
He ’ s wonderful , a dream come true .
But I find myself more depressed and suicidal than ever .
Mom tells me I don ’ t have any reason to be depressed since I have a boyfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have no right to still be despondent over my twin ’ s death because I now have a significant other .
My eating disorder and self-harm have gotten worse , too .
I feel like I ’ m holding in so much sadness I ’ m not allowed to show that I ’ m turning it all inward in self-destructive ways .
Although I love my boyfriend , I almost feel like breaking up just so everyone won ’ t expect me to be Pollyanna anymore .
The third anniversary of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is making everything more unbearable .
I just don ’ t know what to do .
I just want to disappear .
DEAR THINGS : If your mother truly believes a death in the family ( particularly a twin ! )
is something that can be “ fixed ” by having a boyfriend , she is deluding herself .
You need professional help and right away .
There are support groups for survivors of a family member ’ s suicide , and you are three years overdue for finding one .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Suicide Prevention .
Someone there can help you to locate a support group for the survivors of a loved one ’ s suicide .
To find them , go online to afsp.org .
If you are feeling suicidal , call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and tell a counselor about what ’ s going on .
If you do , you can be directed to a licensed therapist in your community who can help .
The toll-free number to call is 800-273-8255 .
Please do not put it off .
Dear Abby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: My daughter and I have been estranged on and off for many years, most recently for the last 22 months.
At that time, she angrily took her 8-year-old daughter and left our home, where she had been living since another eviction. She said she was going to tell everyone I kicked her out. Then she blocked me on Facebook, removed my access to my granddaughter’s classroom progress reports and my name from the school emergency card.
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Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us Advice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant I had no idea where they went. My poor granddaughter was in tears. She had been upset moving back in with us again, and told me she wished her mom would get a job so they could stay in one place for real.
After no contact, I have been told my daughter is being married. “Save the date” cards have gone out. I have no desire or intention of going to a wedding of someone who has spent half her life being cruel to me, lying, ignoring me, being jealous at her sister’s wedding and so on, with never an apology for her horrible behavior. She’s a Jekyll and Hyde.
We live in the same community, and I do all I can to avoid seeing her. I’m happy for her and delighted my granddaughter will finally have a bedroom of her own, but I have no intention of playing happy family to someone who regularly sharpens knives in my back. How do I answer any inquiries that may come up about the wedding?
CAN’T TAKE ANY MORE
DEAR CAN’T: Do not engage in a litany of complaints and accusations. You can get the message across to anyone who asks about the wedding by saying that you are not involved in the planning of the wedding and questions should be directed to your daughter. You do not have to discuss it further. It’s short and sweet and gets the message across.
DEAR ABBY: I have had a serious boyfriend for six months. He’s wonderful, a dream come true. But I find myself more depressed and suicidal than ever.
Mom tells me I don’t have any reason to be depressed since I have a boyfriend. It’s like she thinks I have no right to still be despondent over my twin’s death because I now have a significant other.
My eating disorder and self-harm have gotten worse, too. I feel like I’m holding in so much sadness I’m not allowed to show that I’m turning it all inward in self-destructive ways. Although I love my boyfriend, I almost feel like breaking up just so everyone won’t expect me to be Pollyanna anymore.
The third anniversary of my twin’s suicide is coming, which is making everything more unbearable. I just don’t know what to do. I just want to disappear.
THINGS AREN’T OK
DEAR THINGS: If your mother truly believes a death in the family (particularly a twin!) is something that can be “fixed” by having a boyfriend, she is deluding herself.
You need professional help and right away. There are support groups for survivors of a family member’s suicide, and you are three years overdue for finding one. I urge you to contact the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Someone there can help you to locate a support group for the survivors of a loved one’s suicide. To find them, go online to afsp.org.
If you are feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and tell a counselor about what’s going on. If you do, you can be directed to a licensed therapist in your community who can help. The toll-free number to call is 800-273-8255. Please do not put it off.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s conditions worsens, now listen in critical care

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier , D-Concord , has been moved to critical care , a week after being hospitalized with complications @ @ @ @ @ rib , according to aides .
DeSaulnier was originally listed in serious but stable condition @ @ @ @ @ taken a turn for the worse .
He is being treated at a hospital in @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
Last week , DeSaulnier fell during one of his regular runs in @ @ @ @ @ House office buildings .
Staff members did not say when the accident happened .
DeSaulnier @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , and has served as a State Senator , mayor of Concord , and @ @ @ @ @ .
His biography on his web site says that he is an avid runner who @ @ @ @ @

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, who has been hospitalized with pneumonia after fracturing a rib in a running accident, is in critical condition.
DeSaulnier was originally listed in serious but stable condition, but his health has taken a turn for the worse, according to a statement Saturday afternoon from his office. He is being treated at a hospital in the Washington, D.C., area.
DeSaulnier, a 67-year-old cancer survivor and avid runner who has completed 21 marathons, tested negative for COVID-19.
“Unfortunately, Congressman DeSaulnier’s condition has deteriorated and he is in critical condition. The doctors are doing everything they can to care for the congressman. Mark’s family and staff appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” said his chief of staff, Betsy Arnold Marr.
DeSaulnier fell and fractured his rib near a U.S. House office building during one of his regular runs in the capital.
DeSaulnier has served in Congress since 2015, and previously as a state senator, state assemblyman, Contra Costa County supervisor, mayor of Concord, and on the Concord City Council.


mercurynews--2020-03-21--The Latest: Federal inmate in US tests positive for virus

By The Associated Press The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic , which has infected more than 303,000 people and killed more than 12,940 .
The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people , but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems .
More than 91,600 people have recovered so far , mostly in China .
WASHINGTON — An inmate at a federal jail in New York City has tested positive for the new coronavirus , marking the first confirmed case in the federal prison system .
The federal Bureau of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and complained of chest pains on Thursday , a few days after he arrived at the facility .
Officials say he was taken to a hospital and tested for COVID-19 .
The inmate was discharged from the hospital on Friday and returned to the jail , where he was immediately placed in isolation .
The Bureau of Prisons learned Saturday he had tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Palestinian Health Ministry has announced the first two cases of the coronavirus in the Gaza Strip .
The ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two people who returned recently from Pakistan .
The discovery increases fears of a potential outbreak in the crowded enclave , amid an overstretched health care system that struggles under years of an Israeli-Egyptian blockade and Palestinian political division .
ROME — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte has told the nation he is tightening the lockdown to fight the rampaging spread of the coronavirus , shutting down all production facilities except those that are “ necessary , crucial , indispensable to guarantee essential goods ” for the country .
Conte said Italy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War II.
” Conte said while it ’ s not easy to renounce habits , that sacrifice pales in comparison to the sacrifices made by other citizens , ranging from doctors and nurses to supermarket clerks and security forces .
Local authorities in Italy ’ s northern regions have been pleading with the national government to enact ever stricter measures .
The most hard-hit region , Lombardy , accounts for more than 60 % of Italy ’ s rapidly surging death toll .
Italy ’ s economy has been stagnant for several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were reluctant to shut down industry , in a move that would deepen Italy ’ s economic crisis .
The new stricter measures will be in effect until April 3 .
PARDUBICE , Czech Republic — A giant transport plane landed late Saturday at an airport in the Czech Republic loaded with over 100 tons of much needed supplies for the medical sector to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus .
The transport was part of a NATO program .
The Czech Defense Ministry said the plane was flying from the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metric tons ( 117 tons ) of equipment .
The Czech Republic has 995 infected people with the coronavirus .
The flight was made possible by the Strategic Air Lift International Solution ( SALIS ) , whose goal is to provide to participating NATO allies a capability to transport heavy and outsized cargo .
LONDON — The British government is heightening its response to the new coronavirus , telling up to 1.5 million sick and vulnerable people to stay home and avoid contact with others for at least 12 weeks .
The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including recipients of organ transplants , people with cystic fibrosis , patients with blood or bone marrow cancer and some people on immune-suppressing drugs — should “ shield themselves ” from the spreading pandemic by living in isolation .
Special deliveries of groceries and medicine will be arranged by an alliance of public agencies , the military , food retailers and volunteers .
The move came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the spread of the virus was accelerating .
He said Britain ’ s health system would be “ completely overwhelmed ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort ” of social isolation to slow it .
Britain has 5,018 confirmed cases of the virus , and 233 deaths , an increase of more than 50 deaths from a day earlier .
NICOSIA , Cyprus — The eastern Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus has recorded its first death as a result of the cororavirus .
The Cyprus health ministry says the man , whose age was not given , had been suffering from long-term liver , kidney and heart ailments .
The ministry says the patient appears to have contracted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he was being treated for liver disease .
At latest count , there are 84 confirmed coronavirus cases in the internationally recognized south of ethnically divided Cyprus .
There are another 31 cases in the breakaway , Turkish Cypriot north .
Cyprus has banned entry to all foreign nationals except those who live and work in the country as well as diplomats .
It also has enacted a 14-day ban on inbound flights from 28 countries including Germany , Israel and the U.K .
The East African nation of Uganda has announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The West African nation of Ghana announced its first death .
Both countries are closing their borders , but the measures don ’ t apply to cargo .
ROME — Losing patience over unanswered demands for stronger measures by the national government , the leader of Italy ’ s region most stricken by COVID-19 cases has ordered his own stiffer measures .
The ordinance by Lombardy Gov .
Attilio Fontana issued Saturday night orders all guests out of hotels in Lombardy within 72 hours and directs supermarkets to take the temperature of customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also bans all outdoor sports or exercise , even if practiced by individuals at a safe distance .
Earlier in the day the mayor of Milan , Italy ’ s financial hub and Lombardy ’ s main city , warned local officials would crack down if some citizens kept flaunting national lock-down restrictions , including hanging out with others outdoors to stroll or jog .
Hotels may only now be used in case of need for Italy ’ s increasingly desperate efforts to contain Europe ’ s largest outbreak of the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health ministry says 18 people have died so far from the new coronavirus , with 1,128 infected in Latin America ’ s largest nation .
The state of Sao Paulo alone has recorded 15 deaths , six of them reported on Saturday .
That led Sao Paulo state Gov .
João Doria to announce a two-week , statewide partial shutdown — a first in Brazil .
Bars , restaurants and nonessential shops may not open , but people will be allowed to go outside .
SKOPJE , North Macedonia — North Macedonia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting from Sunday in a bid to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus .
Caretaker Prime Minister Oliver Spasovski said after an urgent session of his cabinet that authorities were forced to impose such a ” rigorous ” decision — for the first time in the tiny Balkan country ’ s history— in order to protect the people ’ s health .
Health authorities have confirmed 85 people , including a 4-year old girl , infected with the new coronavirus .
No deaths has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition .
Authorities said more than 3,700 people among the country ’ s population of about 2.1 million are in quarantine .
Two western regions have been sealed for 30 days .
ISTANBUL — Turkey has announced the death of 12 more patients , bringing the death toll from the novel coronavirus to 21 .
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter the number of infections has risen to 947 , with 277 new cases of COVID-19 detected Saturday .
The ministry also announced a 15-minute rapid test kit was being distributed across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far Saturday , banning people over 65 and those with chronic health problems from leaving their homes .
The interior ministry ordered all restaurants shut to customers except for deliveries and pickups .
Earlier , the ministry banned picnics and barbecues as Turkish citizens ignored warnings to remain at home .
ROME — One of the latest deaths in Italy ’ s coronavirus crisis is the father of a young man known as Italy ’ s Patient No .
1 .
Italian state TV said the father was one of 62 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred in Castiglione d ’ Adda , one of 10 Lombard towns which were the first to be put on lockdown in northern Italy .
The man ’ s son , 38 , is recovering after weeks of being in critical condition , but his condition has notably improved .
The patient is also an expectant father , with a child due to be born with days .
Castiglione d ’ Adda ’ s has about 4,600 inhabitants .
Italian news reports said the father of Italy ’ s first confirmed patient with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Italy has more than 53,500 cases of the new coronavirus .
MOSCOW — The capital of Uzbekistan is halting public transport as of Sunday , according to the country ’ s office for preventing spread of the novel coronavirus .
The announcement said the ban includes subways , buses and fixed-route minibuses in Tashkent , a city of 2.4 million .
Taxis will be allowed to operate if they are disinfected at an official center .
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel was seen doing some shopping Friday , stocking up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supermarket .
Merkel has urged Germans to stay at home and practice social distancing to help beat the coronavirus outbreak .
Tabloid newspaper Bild reported Saturday that Merkel filled a small shopping cart with soap , preserved cherries and toilet paper .
The paper also published pictures showing what appeared to be four bottles of wine .
PARIS — France ’ s health ministry says the country is “ rapidly evolving towards a generalized epidemic on the territory ” concerning COVID-19 .
It says France ’ s current containment measures , in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be renewed depending “ on the observance of the application of containment by the population.
” The French Ministry says severe forms of the new coronavirus are observed even in young adults : 50 % of people hospitalized in intensive care are less than 60 years old .
Eritrea , one of the world ’ s most closed-off countries , is reporting its first coronavirus case .
Information minister Yemane Gebremeskel says the 39-year-old patient is an Eritrean national who arrived Saturday in the East African nation from Norway .
Eritrea on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and foreign travel except for “ extremely urgent and unavoidable ” reasons .
At least 41 of Africa ’ s 54 countries now have cases with a total over 1,100 .
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration has lifted a brief suspension of flights to New York City-area airports because of coronavirus-related staffing issues at a regional air-traffic control center .
In an alert posted online Saturday , the agency advised air traffic controllers to “ stop all departures ” to Kennedy , LaGuardia , Newark and other airports in the region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
Initially air traffic controllers were warned it could last several hours .
MOSCOW — The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin told Italian PM Giuseppe Conte that Russia will provide aid to help Italy cope with the new coronavirus .
Putin said Russia will provide protection means , aerosol disinfection trucks , medical and other equipment and will send teams of experts to the worst affected regions of Italy .
The supplies will be provided by the Russian Defense Ministry and carried by its transport planes .
SAN JUAN , Puerto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first COVID-19 death .
The Health Department says the victim is an elderly Italian woman who was aboard the Costa Luminosa cruise ship that stopped in the U.S. territory earlier this month .
Officials say 21 people have tested positive and another 71 are awaiting test results .
Among those infected are people without a history of travel .
Police also have cited more than 120 people for violating a curfew imposed earlier this week to help curb coronavirus cases .
ROME — Italy ’ s grim tally of coronavirus cases and deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcing new day-to-day highs : 793 dead and 6,557 cases .
The country , the heart of western Europe ’ s rampaging outbreak , now counts 53,578 known cases .
More than 60 percent of the latest deaths occurred in the northern region of Lombardy , whose hospitals have been reeling under a staggering case load that has left intensive care beds hard to find and respirators in dire supply .
The new increases come nearly two weeks into a national lock-down in a desperate bid to contain the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drug Administration has approved the first rapid coronavirus test , which produces results in about 45 minutes .
An FDA spokeswoman confirmed the approval after an announcement from Cepheid , a Silicon Valley molecular diagnostics company .
It can take at least a few days to get results from current coronavirus tests , which typically are sent in batches to reference labs , said Dr. David Persing , the company ’ s chief medical and technology officer .
“ What ’ s really needed is a test that can rapidly determine status of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen , ” he said on a company video .
Cepheid said it will begin shipping its tests next week .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

By The Associated Press
TOKYO (AP) — The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 307,200 people and killed more than 13,000. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems. More than 92,300 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.
TOP OF THE HOUR:
—Japan urges no nonessential travel to the United States.
—Singapore to fully shut its borders after recording its first two deaths.
—Colombia reports its first death from the coronavirus.
—Sri Lanka police detain nearly 300 for breaching curfew.
___
Japan has issued a travel warning for its nationals, urging not to make unessential trips to the United States because of the rapidly expanding coronavirus outbreak in that country, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Japan has taken similar steps to most European countries and banned trips to China, South Korea as well as Iceland, San Marino and parts of Italy, Switzerland and Spain.
As of Saturday, the U.S. had 15,219 confirmed cases and 201 deaths, the ministry said, citing the U.S. Center for Disease Control.
The foreign ministry also said the decision came after the U.S. raised travel caution to Japan and four countries to level three, urging Americans not to make nonessential trips to Japan and requiring a 14-day self-imposed quarantine for Japanese nationals entering the U.S.
___
SINGAPORE — Singapore says it will fully shut its borders starting Tuesday after recording its first two deaths.
The city-state has banned visitors from several countries and requires all short-term visitors to observe a 14-day home quarantine. But the government says all short-term visitors beginning Tuesday will be barred from entering or transiting through the country.
It said in a statement Sunday that this will reduce the risk of imported cases and free up resources to focus on its citizens. It said Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreigners with a long-term work pass can return but must undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.
The city-state of nearly 6 million people has recorded 432 cases so far. On Saturday, it reported that a 75-year-old Singaporean woman and an Indonesian visitor, 64, have succumbed to the virus.
___
BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia is reporting its first death from the new coronavirus.
Officials said Saturday that he was a 58-year-old taxi driver who had driven tourists from Italy, which is one the countries worst hit by the virus.
Colombia’s Ministry of Health says the man had previous health issues, including untreated diabetes.
President Iván Duque has prohibited all non-resident foreigners from entering the country and has decreed a mandatory quarantine starting Tuesday.
Colombia has confirmed 210 cases of the coronavirus.
___
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Police say they have detained 291 people for breaching a three-day curfew which has been imposed as part of strict measures designed to contain the spreading of the coronavirus in the Indian Ocean island nation.
Police said Sunday the detentions were made by police during patrols to ensure that people stay in their homes. The curfew was imposed on Friday and will end on Tuesday.
Some of them were arrested for boozing at a playground while some were loitering on streets during the curfew.
The government is urging people to stay at homes as the number of positive cases have risen to 77.
___
PERTH, Australia — Australia has unveiled a 66.4 billion Australian dollar ($38.50 billion) stimulus package in a bid to ward off a recession and safeguard employment from the coronavirus pandemic.
The package includes cash payments for eligible small businesses and welfare recipients. The total economic assistance packages so far total almost 10% of the country’s GDP.
Australia has recorded more than 1,000 cases of the virus as fears heighten that it is headed for its first recession in nearly three decades.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says: “We want to help businesses keep going as best they can or to pause instead of falling apart. We want to ensure that when this crisis has passed Australia can bounce back.”
He says more draconian social distancing measures would be considered during a Cabinet meeting Sunday.
Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach was closed on Saturday after thousands of people flouted regulations that prohibit more than 500 people gathering.
___
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea on Sunday reported 98 more cases of the new coronavirus, taking the total here to 8,897.
Fatalities in South Korea increased by two to 104, according to the state-run Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
___
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s governor has instituted a mandatory 14-day quarantine starting Thursday of all people traveling to the state as part of efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus, Hawaii News Now reported.
The order applies to returning residents as well as visitors.
“We need to come together as a community to fight this virus,” Gov. David Ige said at a news conference in the state Capitol. “This mandate is the first of its kind in the nation. We want this action to send the message to visitors and residents alike that we appreciate their love for Hawaii but we are asking them to postpone their visit.”
The state announced 11 new cases of people with the coronavirus, bringing Hawaii’s total to 48, according to Hawaii News Now. Three of them are hospitalized.
The U.S. Army announced a soldier with the 25th Infantry Battalion based in Hawaii tested positive for the coronavirus, the first case linked to the Army community in the state, Hawaii News Now reported. The soldier is in isolation.
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SEATTLE — Target Corp. has apologized for selling face masks in Seattle stores while hospitals face a dire shortage.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said his office intervened when it received reports Saturday that the much-needed N95 masks were on Target shelves.
Target said on Twitter that the masks were being sold in error and that it was removing them from shelves and donating them to the Washington Department of Health. The company said it would also search its inventory for additional masks to donate.
___
BRASILIA, Brazil — The U.S. Embassy in Brazil says it is making “final arrangements” to return home 103 American citizens and two permanent residents.
They are currently stranded aboard the Silver Shadow cruise ship off the northeastern Brazilian city of Recife. The vessel has been in isolation and its passengers not allowed to disembark since a 78-year-old Canadian passenger tested positive for the coronavirus.
The embassy’s Saturday statement says a special charter flight will be sent out “as soon as possible.”
___
NEW YORK — Columbia University’s chief surgeon, Dr. Craig Smith, has been raising alarms about the rapid surge of patients and dwindling supplies in daily letters to colleagues that are being posted to the Columbia surgery department’s Twitter account.
Smith warned that new projections estimate the number of coronavirus patients will continue to grow over the next 22 to 32 days, overwhelming the New York-Presbyterian system’s emergency rooms and intensive care units, even with measures taken to build new capacity.
The projections show the system’s hospitals needing 700 to 934 ICU beds when the outbreak reaches its peak.
Just Friday, Smith wrote, the system saw a 50% increase in coronavirus patients, making for a total of 300 being treated and another 200 awaiting test results. He said hospitals in the system are burning through about 40,000 masks a day — about 10 times the normal amount.
At NYU Langone Health, another hospital operator in New York City, the “ERs are extremely busy” and some patients are being treated in space retrofitted to expand capacity, spokesman Jim Mandler said Saturday.
___
WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, have tested negative for the coronavirus.
The vice president’s press secretary, Katie Miller, tweeted the results of the tests Saturday night.
Pence had announced earlier Saturday that, out of an abundance of caution, he and his wife would be tested for the virus. A member of the vice president’s staff had tested positive for the virus.
The vice president had said the staffer, who did not have close contact with either the president or vice president, was doing well. Still, Pence stood just a few feet from President Donald Trump at the podium during their press conference.
___
BEIJING — The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the global pandemic was first detected, went a fourth consecutive day on Sunday without reporting any new or suspected cases of the virus.
Elsewhere, the country reported 46 new cases over the previous 24 hours, 45 of them coming from overseas. The health ministry did not say where the domestic case was found. Another six deaths were also reported, one in Wuhan, four in the surrounding province of Hubei and one elsewhere.
China now recorded a total of 81,054 cases and 3,261 deaths. A total of 72,244 people have been declared cured and released from hospital.
Wuhan must go 14 straight days without a new case in order for draconian travel restrictions to be lifted and the city remains isolated from the rest of the province, which is itself closed off to the rest of the country. Even while social distancing and quarantines for new arrivals remain the norm, China is striving to restore activity in the world’s second-largest economy.
Wuhan is a center of China’s crucial auto industry and a special train carrying more than 1,000 employees of Dongfeng Motor Corporation arrived Saturday afternoon in the city for the first time since the outbreak. All were sent directly by bus to factories or residential communities.
___
WASHINGTON — Washington DC has announced 21 new identified cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, including a 9-year-old girl, bringing the total to 98. The new infections include a cluster of young people, with 12 victims identified below the age of 40.
District of Columbia health officials have long predicted that the local numbers would spike as more people were tested. Earlier Thursday, they announced that a third member of the DC fire department had tested positive.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a state of emergency and closed all schools through the end of the month. The popular Cherry Blossom Festival has been postponed, White House and Capitol tours have been cancelled and the National Zoo, Smithsonian museum network and Kennedy Center have closed.
Washington’s tally doesn’t include people who may have been infected in Washington but live in nearby northern Virginia or southern Maryland.
___
MOSCOW — The Russian Defense Ministry says it is ready to fly its mobile medical teams and disinfection equipment to Italy to help it deal with the new coronavirus.
The ministry’s statement followed Saturday’s phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in which the Russian leader offered to send military medical personnel and equipment to help Italy contain the outbreak of the new coronavirus.
The Russian Defense Ministry says its transport planes stand ready to airlift eight mobile medical teams along with various medical equipment and aerosol disinfection trucks to Italy.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had a call with his Italian counterpart Lorenzo Guerini, who said Italy was ready to receive Russian planes with medical personnel and equipment starting Sunday.
___
WASHINGTON — An inmate at a federal jail in New York City has tested positive for the new coronavirus, marking the first confirmed case in the federal prison system.
The federal Bureau of Prisons says the man is housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and complained of chest pains on Thursday, a few days after he arrived at the facility.
Officials say he was taken to a hospital and tested for COVID-19. The inmate was discharged from the hospital on Friday and returned to the jail, where he was immediately placed in isolation.
The Bureau of Prisons learned Saturday he had tested positive for COVID-19.
___
The Palestinian Health Ministry has announced the first two cases of the coronavirus in the Gaza Strip.
The ministry said early Sunday that the cases were for two people who returned recently from Pakistan.
The discovery increases fears of a potential outbreak in the crowded enclave, amid an overstretched health care system that struggles under years of an Israeli-Egyptian blockade and Palestinian political division.
___
ROME — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte has told the nation he is tightening the lockdown to fight the rampaging spread of the coronavirus, shutting down all production facilities except those that are “necessary, crucial, indispensable to guarantee essential goods” for the country. Conte said Italy is living through “ïts gravest crisis since World War II.”
Conte said while it’s not easy to renounce habits, that sacrifice pales in comparison to the sacrifices made by other citizens, ranging from doctors and nurses to supermarket clerks and security forces.
Local authorities in Italy’s northern regions have been pleading with the national government to enact ever stricter measures. The most hard-hit region, Lombardy, accounts for more than 60% of Italy’s rapidly surging death toll.
Italy’s economy has been stagnant for several years, and some in the country were reluctant to shut down industry, in a move that would deepen Italy’s economic crisis.
The new stricter measures will be in effect until April 3.
___
PARDUBICE, Czech Republic — A giant transport plane landed late Saturday at an airport in the Czech Republic loaded with over 100 tons of much needed supplies for the medical sector to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus. The transport was part of a NATO program.
The Czech Defense Ministry said the plane was flying from the city of Shenzhen in south-eastern China with over 106 metric tons (117 tons) of equipment.
The Czech Republic has 995 infected people with the coronavirus.
The flight was made possible by the Strategic Air Lift International Solution (SALIS), whose goal is to provide to participating NATO allies a capability to transport heavy and outsized cargo.
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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Number of COVID-19 cases in Santa Clara County jumps by more than one-third in 24 hours

SAN JOSE — Santa Clara County saw 67 new cases of coronavirus in a single day , a jump of @ @ @ @ @ Friday , which brings the total amount of known cases to 263 , county officials @ @ @ @ @ say the sharp increase in cases could be in part due to a greater testing @ @ @ @ @ the Santa Clara District Attorney to ask residents to report people and businesses that are @ @ @ @ @ ’ s shelter in place order .
“ This increased case count is not unexpected @ @ @ @ @ increase in provider reporting , and growing testing capacity through the commercial market , ” @ @ @ @ @ The death toll in Santa Clara County remains at eight .
Anyone interested in reporting @ @ @ @ @ pubhealthreferral @ dao.sccgov.org , or call 408-792-2300 to leave a voicemail .

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 20: Naksh Nautiyal, 3, of Santa Clara, watches planes take off and land at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport from the safety of the family car in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, March 20, 2020. Nautiyal's parents brought him to the airport after spending the day inside at home. In a news conference Thursday evening, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered all of the state's 40 million residents to stay at home, with exceptions for essential work, food or other needs. Outdoor recreation and exercise is allowed as long as social distancing and other “common sense” preventive measures are followed. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Sunnyvale company wins FDA approval for first rapid coronavirus test with 45-minute detection time

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first rapid coronavirus diagnostic test , with a detection time of about 45 minutes , the test ’ s developer , Sunnyvale-based molecular diagnostics company Cepheid , said on Saturday .
Cepheid said in a statement it had received an emergency use authorization from the FDA for the test , which will be used primarily in hospitals and emergency rooms .
The company plans to begin shipping it to hospitals next week , it said .
The FDA confirmed its approval in a separate statement .
It said the company intends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing by March 30 .
Under the current testing regime , samples must be sent to a centralized lab , where results can take days .
“ With new tools like point-of-care diagnostics , we are moving into a new phase of testing , where tests will be much more easily accessible to Americans who need them , ” U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said on Saturday .
The diagnostic test for the virus that causes COVID-19 has been designed to operate on any of Cepheid ’ s more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company said .
The systems do not require users to have specialty training to perform testing , and are capable of running around the clock , Cepheid President Warren Kocmond said in the statement .
The company said the test would begin shipping next week , but did not give further details or say how much the test will cost .
The U.S. FDA has been pushing to expand screening capacity for the virus while the World Health Organization has called for “ order and discipline ” in the market for health @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first rapid coronavirus diagnostic test, with a detection time of about 45 minutes, the test’s developer, Sunnyvale-based molecular diagnostics company Cepheid, said on
Saturday.
Cepheid said in a statement it had received an emergency use authorization from the FDA for the test, which will be used primarily in hospitals and emergency rooms. The company plans to begin shipping it to hospitals next week, it said.
The FDA confirmed its approval in a separate statement. It said the company intends to roll out the availability of its testing by March 30.
Under the current testing regime, samples must be sent to a centralized lab, where results can take days.
“With new tools like point-of-care diagnostics, we are moving into a new phase of testing, where tests will be much more easily accessible to Americans who need them,” U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said on
Saturday.
The diagnostic test for the virus that causes COVID-19 has been designed to operate on any of Cepheid’s more than 23,000 automated GeneXpert Systems globally, the company said.
The systems do not require users to have specialty training to perform testing, and are capable of running around the clock, Cepheid President Warren Kocmond said in the statement.
The company said the test would begin shipping next week, but did not give further details or say how much the test will cost.
The U.S. FDA has been pushing to expand screening capacity for the virus while the World Health Organization has called for “order and discipline” in the market for health equipment needed
to fight the outbreak.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru
Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Reserve San Jose police officer with COVID-19 worsens, hospitalized

SAN JOSE — The health of a reserve police officer who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month has worsened , and he is now hospitalized in an intensive-care unit , according to the San Jose Police Department .
The reserve officer , whose identity has not been publicly released , is over 50 years old and considered to be at elevated risk .
Additional details were not disclosed by police , citing medical privacy protections .
Police Chief Eddie Garcia said Thursday the reserve officer was diagnosed by a private physician March 12 .
As a result , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-time , who had some kind of contact with the infected officer were ordered to quarantine .
How the reserve officer contracted the virus is unknown .
Garcia said the officer worked a patrol shift in late February and another assignment March 1 , and attended a bi-annual assembly for reserve officers March 10 , which included a buffet lunch for attendees .
The officers who came into contact with him during the street assignments have been cleared , Garcia said .
Officers at the assembly , including detectives with the SJPD family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the reserves , have until March 24 to show they don ’ t have symptoms before they can resume duty .
The building was also ordered deep cleaned .
Also , in San Jose , officials confirmed that 13 firefighters have tested positive for the virus and that 75 others were being monitored for possible exposure .
Santa Clara County announced Thursday that first responders would be prioritized for COVID-19 testing should they exhibit symptoms , which include a combination of fever , cough and shortness of breath or respiratory distress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer tested positive for the virus , and that city is also prioritizing first responders for COVID-19 testing .
A Santa Clara police officer is also self-quarantining for the virus .
Check back later for updates to this story .

SAN JOSE — The health of a reserve police officer who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month has worsened, and he is now hospitalized in an intensive-care unit, according to the San Jose Police Department.
The reserve officer, whose identity has not been publicly released, is over 50 years old and considered to be at elevated risk. Additional details were not disclosed by police, citing medical privacy protections.
Police Chief Eddie Garcia said Thursday the reserve officer was diagnosed by a private physician March 12. As a result, more than 20 officers, both reserve and full-time, who had some kind of contact with the infected officer were ordered to quarantine.
How the reserve officer contracted the virus is unknown. Garcia said the officer worked a patrol shift in late February and another assignment March 1, and attended a bi-annual assembly for reserve officers March 10, which included a buffet lunch for attendees.
The officers who came into contact with him during the street assignments have been cleared, Garcia said. Officers at the assembly, including detectives with the SJPD family violence unit who share an offsite space with the reserves, have until March 24 to show they don’t have symptoms before they can resume duty. The building was also ordered deep cleaned.
Also, in San Jose, officials confirmed that 13 firefighters have tested positive for the virus and that 75 others were being monitored for possible exposure.
Santa Clara County announced Thursday that first responders would be prioritized for COVID-19 testing should they exhibit symptoms, which include a combination of fever, cough and shortness of breath or respiratory distress.
Friday, officials announced an Oakland police officer tested positive for the virus, and that city is also prioritizing first responders for COVID-19 testing. A Santa Clara police officer is also self-quarantining for the virus.
Check back later for updates to this story.


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Overturned tanker spills 6K gallons of oil near California dam

SANTA MARIA , Calif. ( AP ) — A tanker truck overturned down an embankment Saturday , spilling up to 6,000 gallons of crude oil into a river that flows into a dam and reservoir near the city of Santa Maria , authorities said .
The driver was not injured and the cause of the single-vehicle crash on State Route 166 was under investigation , said Santa Barbara County Fire Capt .
Nikki Stevens .
He said crews were racing to stop the oil that spilled into the Cuyama River from reaching Twitchell Dam and reservoir , which provides flood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Central Coast .
They constructed a dirt berm and threw a boom — essentially a floating fence — into the water to contain the oil .
Additionally , Stevens said , they placed large pipes at the bottom of the river to keep uncontaminated water flowing to the dam while they use pads to absorb the floating oil slick .
Time was of the essence because rain was in the forecast for Sunday .
• Pedestrian who was fatally hit while walking on a major East Bay boulevard that doubles as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get priority testing for COVID-19 in San Jose , Santa Clara County “ The dirt berm is not going to withstand running water , ” Stevens said .
“ They ’ re working as aggressively as they can to clean this up .
”

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) — A tanker truck overturned down an embankment Saturday, spilling up to 6,000 gallons of crude oil into a river that flows into a dam and reservoir near the city of Santa Maria, authorities said.
The driver was not injured and the cause of the single-vehicle crash on State Route 166 was under investigation, said Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Nikki Stevens.
He said crews were racing to stop the oil that spilled into the Cuyama River from reaching Twitchell Dam and reservoir, which provides flood control and water conservation to the region on the Central Coast.
They constructed a dirt berm and threw a boom — essentially a floating fence — into the water to contain the oil. Additionally, Stevens said, they placed large pipes at the bottom of the river to keep uncontaminated water flowing to the dam while they use pads to absorb the floating oil slick.
Time was of the essence because rain was in the forecast for Sunday.


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Phone call between Kanye West, Taylor Swift again roils net

NEW YORK — Taylor Swift may have ended her feud with Katy Perry but the one with Kanye West seems simply not to want to die .
New leaked video clips of the entire four-year-old phone call between the rapper and pop superstar about his controversial song “ Famous ” have been posted online and further complicate the picture of what happened .
In “ Famous , ” West raps : “ I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex , Why ?
I made that bitch famous.
” Upon its release in 2016 , West was condemned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted Swift had given her blessing to the lyric .
But she denied ever hearing the lyric “ I made that bitch famous.
” The new clips seem to corroborate Swift ’ s claims that West didn ’ t tell her the full lyrics of the song .
But they also show West repeatedly asking Taylor for her approval of the sex lyric and she does tell him she thinks it ’ s funny , just as the rapper said when the song first was released .
“ I never would have expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one of your songs , ” Swift tells him .
“ That ’ s really nice that you did.
” This new footage was posted online from an unknown source late Friday night and rapidly spread across social media .
Unlike other videos previously posted of the call , it shows all 25 minutes , albeit chopped up .
Representatives for the artists did not immediately reply to a request for comment Saturday .
The release of the new footage has added a new twist to the drama : While West was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Swift made it clear she was unhappy with it , West ’ s wife , Kim Kardashian , seemed to vindicate her husband months later by releasing snippets of the call where Swift appeared to approve the lyrics .
That led to a major backlash for Swift , who has described that time as a low point in her life and career .
In the newly released video clips , West tells Swift he ’ s working on a song and wants to use the lyric : “ I feel like me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he hasn ’ t ever been captured telling her the line , “ I made that bitch famous.
” In response , Swift is heard saying : “ I ’ m glad it ’ s not mean though .
It doesn ’ t feel mean , but like , oh my God , the build-up you gave it .
I thought it was gon na be like that stupid dumb bitch , like , but it ’ s not.
” • Coronavirus : Daniel Dae Kim tests positive , calls for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian people ’ The two have had a contentious past .
West famously interrupted Swift ’ s speech during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when she won for best female video .
But the two apparently put differences aside and she introduced him when he won the video vanguard award at the 2015 VMAs .
Then came the infamous phone call about “ Famous .
”

By Mark Kennedy | Associated Press
NEW YORK — Taylor Swift may have ended her feud with Katy Perry but the one with Kanye West seems simply not to want to die.
New leaked video clips of the entire four-year-old phone call between the rapper and pop superstar about his controversial song “Famous” have been posted online and further complicate the picture of what happened.
In “Famous,” West raps: “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex, Why? I made that bitch famous.” Upon its release in 2016, West was condemned by many for the line. He insisted Swift had given her blessing to the lyric. But she denied ever hearing the lyric “I made that bitch famous.”
The new clips seem to corroborate Swift’s claims that West didn’t tell her the full lyrics of the song. But they also show West repeatedly asking Taylor for her approval of the sex lyric and she does tell him she thinks it’s funny, just as the rapper said when the song first was released.
“I never would have expected you to tell me about a line in one of your songs,” Swift tells him. “That’s really nice that you did.”
This new footage was posted online from an unknown source late Friday night and rapidly spread across social media. Unlike other videos previously posted of the call, it shows all 25 minutes, albeit chopped up.
Representatives for the artists did not immediately reply to a request for comment Saturday.
The release of the new footage has added a new twist to the drama: While West was heavily criticized when it was initially released and Swift made it clear she was unhappy with it, West’s wife, Kim Kardashian, seemed to vindicate her husband months later by releasing snippets of the call where Swift appeared to approve the lyrics.
That led to a major backlash for Swift, who has described that time as a low point in her life and career.
In the newly released video clips, West tells Swift he’s working on a song and wants to use the lyric: “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex.” But he hasn’t ever been captured telling her the line, “I made that bitch famous.”
In response, Swift is heard saying: “I’m glad it’s not mean though. It doesn’t feel mean, but like, oh my God, the build-up you gave it. I thought it was gonna be like that stupid dumb bitch, like, but it’s not.”


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Two men sentenced to prison in Monterey County burglaries

SALINAS — Two men have been sentenced to prison for their parts in two burglaries , Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced Friday .
Luis Chavez , 33 , was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the burglary of C & N Tractor of Watsonville , and Jose Yanez , 36 , was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for the same burglary and an additional burglary of the Marina Club , prosecutors said .
Both men are suspected gang members and committed the crimes for the benefit of the Norteño criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 29 , 2019 , Yanez and two other gang members used crowbars to break into the Marina Club card parlor in Marina and stole an ATM machine , prosecutors said .
Security camera footage showed the burglars with their identities concealed entering the business after hours .
Yanez was seen on video surveillance stealing the get-away vehicle that had been taken the night before from William ’ s Roofing yard in Castroville , prosecutors said .
On June 3 , 2018 , Yanez and Chavez broke into the C & N Tractor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ window with a brick closed the business .
A safe and tools were taken during the burglary .
There was a loss of around $ 6,000 in tools and damage reported due to the burglary .
• San Jose officials remind residents to stay at home , warn of firmer enforcement • Danville is ‘ safest ’ city in California for third year , survey shows • Bay Area courts , authorities ramp up release of inmates to stem COVID-19 risks in jails • Despite ‘ reluctance , ’ court upholds 1996 East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for woman ’ s deportation Prosecutors said Yanez and Chavez were seen trying to sell the tools , and the witness reported the incident to the Monterey County Sheriff ’ s Office .

Bay City News
SALINAS — Two men have been sentenced to prison for their parts in two burglaries, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced Friday.
Luis Chavez, 33, was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the burglary of C&N Tractor of Watsonville, and Jose Yanez, 36, was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for the same burglary and an additional burglary of the Marina Club, prosecutors said.
Both men are suspected gang members and committed the crimes for the benefit of the Norteño criminal street gang, prosecutors said.
On May 29, 2019, Yanez and two other gang members used crowbars to break into the Marina Club card parlor in Marina and stole an ATM machine, prosecutors said.
Security camera footage showed the burglars with their identities concealed entering the business after hours.
Yanez was seen on video surveillance stealing the get-away vehicle that had been taken the night before from William’s Roofing yard in
Castroville, prosecutors said.
On June 3, 2018, Yanez and Chavez broke into the C&N Tractor store in Watsonville when smashing the front window with a brick closed the
business.
A safe and tools were taken during the burglary. There was a loss of around $6,000 in tools and damage reported due to the burglary.


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Photos: Coronavirus empties city streets making world look like a postapocalyptic movie

The coronavirus pandemic has emptied out normally busy streets around the world as local governments and nations have closed businesses @ @ @ @ @ .
The move is made in an effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ in places such as Germany , Spain , the United Kingdom , Italy , the @ @ @ @ @ As of Saturday afternoon , more than 303,180 cases have been confirmed , according to @ @ @ @ @ deserted streets have made cities look like scenes from postapocalyptic movies and TV shows such @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ I Am Legend ” minus the zombies and monsters , of course @ @ @ @ @ shows a world where people have sheltered at home and the streets have one or @ @ @ @ @ lingering around , creating surreal images of the crisis .

A man walks in an empty street of Paris, Friday, March 20, 2020. French President Emmanuel Macron said that for 15 days starting at noon on Tuesday, people will be allowed to leave the place they live only for necessary activities such as shopping for food, going to work or taking a walk. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness, especially in older adults and people with existing health problems. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)


mercurynews--2020-03-21--Coronavirus: Food bank leaders say governors deployment of National Guard desperately needed

Gov .
Gavin Newsom has ordered the California National Guard to deploy to food banks across the state that are being overwhelmed by people who are suddenly out of work as the coronavirus crisis worsens .
Demand for food has tripled in just the past few days as some people have found themselves suddenly unemployed and needing help .
“ We are really the first line of defense in this disaster , ” Leslie Bacho , executive director of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley , said in a phone interview Saturday .
Newsom issued the order late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign ” in which he is asking people to help others , primarily seniors , while stay-at-home orders are in effect .
California Volunteers , a state office focused on engaging people in service , will run the campaign and provide training on how to check on others safely .
“ It ’ s in these times of crisis that Californians are at their best , coming to the aid of those in their community who are most in need , ” the governor said in a statement .
He also emphasized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food banks .
“ Food banks provide a critical lifeline for families , and are needed now more than ever , ” Guard members began the work Saturday at Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services .
The effort is expected to reach the Bay Area next week .
Both Bacho and Lisa Sherrill , a spokesperson for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties , said the way services are provided has shifted suddenly as the coronavirus crisis has taken hold .
People use to be able to browse the facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they are given pre-packed boxes of food to cut down on the chances of exposure to the virus .
“ We ’ ve had to completely retool our operation , ” Bacho said .
Second Harvest is also moving to a drive-through model to “ reduce the chances of contamination.
” That means the guard members will be packing boxes , working in warehouses and driving trucks .
“ We need the manpower , ” Sherrill said .
Newsom cited a drop-off of volunteers as one of the reasons for the action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as short-term and meant to help stabilize the food bank ’ s immediate needs .
Other organizations such as AmeriCorps , California Conservation Corps , and Local Conservation Corps members are eventually expected to take over the guard members ’ duties .
The impact of the coronavirus on food banks has hit hard , Bacho said .
By the end of this week , the daily average of cases had skyrocketed to 700 , she said , and 120 food boxes were delivered to senior citizens .
“ We are seeing people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the California National Guard to deploy to food banks across the state that are being overwhelmed by people who are suddenly out of work as the coronavirus crisis worsens.
Demand for food has tripled in just the past few days as some people have found themselves suddenly unemployed and needing help.
“We are really the first line of defense in this disaster,” Leslie Bacho, executive director of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley, said in a phone interview Saturday.
At a late afternoon news conference Saturday, Newsom said that 500 guard members would be deployed to assist in food distribution while the statewide stay-at-home order is in effect.
He also said the National Guard was “gearing up for mutual aid” with local law enforcement and the highway patrol should that be needed as the crisis continues.
Guard members began the work Saturday at Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, and the effort is expected to reach the Bay Area next week.
Newsom issued the National Guard order late Friday and also announced a “Neighbor-to-Neighbor campaign” that asks people to help others, primarily seniors, while stay-at-home orders are in effect. California Volunteers, a state office focused on engaging people in service efforts, will run the campaign and provide training on how state residents can check on others safely.
“It’s in these times of crisis that Californians are at their best, coming to the aid of those in their community who are most in need,” Newsom said in a statement. Explaining the move, the governor cited a drop-off in the number of volunteers in California and described the National Guard deployment in his statement as a short-term measure meant to help stabilize the state’s immediate needs in the face of the spreading coronavirus.
“Food banks provide a critical lifeline for families and are needed now more than ever,” he added.
Both Bacho and Lisa Sherrill, a spokesperson for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties, said the way public services are provided has shifted dramatically since the new shelter-in-place orders went into effect less than a week ago.
“We’ve had to completely retool our operation,” Bacho said, adding that Second Harvest will soon move to a drive-through model to “reduce the chances of contamination.”
At the same time, the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic — including from the layoffs that resulted from the statewide shutdown — threatens to overwhelm organizations that are trying to provide relief. “We seeing people who have never had to ask for help before,” Bacho said.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms California News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge At food banks, people who used to be able to take time to browse the shelves for what they needed are now handed pre-packed boxes of food, in an attempt to limit exposure to the coronavirus.
That means the guard members will be packing boxes, working in warehouses and driving trucks. Other organizations such as AmeriCorps, California Conservation Corps, and Local Conservation Corps members are eventually expected to take over the guard members’ duties.
“We need the manpower,” Sherrill said.


mercurynews--2020-03-22--Letter: We must support students, and families during school closures

We must support students , and families during closure Re : “ Coronavirus : Newsom warns most schools could be closed until summer as lockdown expands ” ( Mercurynews.com , March 17 ) : The decision for school closures was not taken lightly , and how this will impact children will not show until much later .
Many are stating it was unnecessary to close schools or was a hasty move .
But in retrospect , how can the state implement “ shelter in place ” yet still allow students to congregate in large groups at school ?
There has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children with COVID-19 , but that does not mean they are not carriers just like anyone else .
Students could be exposed to this virus and take it home to those who may be a higher risk , such as parents , grandparents or other caregivers .
• Letter : Trump didn ’ t cause the coronavirus , but he mismanaged it • Letter : We must help the seniors suffering huge IRA losses • Letter : Not even the private sector can save Milpitas BART , the VTA • Letter : Contra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schools are closed , potentially for the remainder of the year , therefore , our efforts must now be directed on how to support students and their families while they are out .
Providing food is a great start but much more will have to be done .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

We must support students,
and families during closure
Re: “Coronavirus: Newsom warns most schools could be closed until summer as lockdown expands” (Mercurynews.com, March 17):
The decision for school closures was not taken lightly, and how this will impact children will not show until much later.
Many are stating it was unnecessary to close schools or was a hasty move. But in retrospect, how can the state implement “shelter in place” yet still allow students to congregate in large groups at school?
There has yet to be many confirmed cases of children with COVID-19, but that does not mean they are not carriers just like anyone else. Students could be exposed to this virus and take it home to those who may be a higher risk, such as parents, grandparents or other caregivers.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Schools are closed, potentially for the remainder of the year, therefore, our efforts must now be directed on how to support students and their families while they are out. Providing food is a great start but much more will have to be done.
Elizabeth Castillo
San Jose
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-03-22--Horoscopes March 22, 2020: Reese Witherspoon, take one step at a time.

Happy Birthday : Take one step at a time .
Use reason when it comes to financial , professional and medical matters .
Live within your means , practice moderation and avoid situations that could be costly , explosive or limiting .
An opportunity to get involved in something new and exciting will help you grow personally as well as encourage you to make a positive lifestyle change .
Your numbers are 4 , 11 , 21 , 26 , 32 , 38 , 43 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Move forward with an open mind and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and be sensitive to what ’ s going on around you .
Too much of anything will drag you down .
Make balance , integrity and compassion your priorities .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Don ’ t limit what you can do .
Speak up and do whatever you can to make a difference .
How you reach out to others will make an impression that can influence a relationship with someone you love .
Romance should be a priority .
4 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are if you don ’ t finish what you start .
If you don ’ t understand what others are implying or offering you , ask .
An emotional incident will put you in a compromising position .
If you have reservations , take a pass .
2 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Trust what you know and what you are capable of doing .
Reach out to those you enjoy being around .
Make exciting plans that will bring you closer to someone you love .
A good relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
5 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Temptation will get the better of you if you are too generous , easygoing or indulgent .
Choose wisely if you want to keep your life running smoothly and your finances healthy .
Do what ’ s right and best for you .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : A change will help you see situations differently .
Take a day trip , do something inspirational or spend time with someone who brings out the best in you .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to be willing to make a move .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Evaluate what ’ s happening , and size up what and who is being fair .
Take care of your responsibilities , but don ’ t take on chores that don ’ t belong to you unless you are getting something in return .
Your sanity and peace of mind should come first .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Experience something unique .
Explore what you want to do as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your life .
Love is on the rise , and with it will come peace of mind .
It ’ s time for a new adventure .
5 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Keep your money , secrets and passwords tucked away in a safe place .
Don ’ t let compliments go to your head or make you feel comfortable with someone who is trying to manipulate you .
Focus on what ’ s important to you .
2 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will brighten your day .
Attend a reunion or make unique plans with someone you love .
A personal plan will give you the boost you need to take care of unfinished business .
Preparation will help you get your way .
4 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Don ’ t let anyone hustle you into doing something risky .
Fast talk and empty promises are apparent .
When in doubt , become an observer , not a participant .
Avoid being put in a precarious or costly position .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : Emotions will have an impact on the way you think , how you respond and the decisions you make .
If you want to make improvements , put in the time to finish what you start .
Romance is featured and will improve your personal life .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are imaginative , adaptable and entertaining .
You are robust and playful .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Reese Witherspoon, 44; Elvis Stojko, 48; Bob Costas, 68; William Shatner, 89.
Happy Birthday: Take one step at a time. Use reason when it comes to financial, professional and medical matters. Live within your means, practice moderation and avoid situations that could be costly, explosive or limiting. An opportunity to get involved in something new and exciting will help you grow personally as well as encourage you to make a positive lifestyle change. Your numbers are 4, 11, 21, 26, 32, 38, 43.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Move forward with an open mind and a willingness to compromise. Show consideration, and be sensitive to what’s going on around you. Too much of anything will drag you down. Make balance, integrity and compassion your priorities. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t limit what you can do. Speak up and do whatever you can to make a difference. How you reach out to others will make an impression that can influence a relationship with someone you love. Romance should be a priority. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Recognize what the implications are if you don’t finish what you start. If you don’t understand what others are implying or offering you, ask. An emotional incident will put you in a compromising position. If you have reservations, take a pass. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Trust what you know and what you are capable of doing. Reach out to those you enjoy being around. Make exciting plans that will bring you closer to someone you love. A good relationship will increase your desire to do well. 5 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Temptation will get the better of you if you are too generous, easygoing or indulgent. Choose wisely if you want to keep your life running smoothly and your finances healthy. Do what’s right and best for you. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change will help you see situations differently. Take a day trip, do something inspirational or spend time with someone who brings out the best in you. A positive change is within reach, but you have to be willing to make a move. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Evaluate what’s happening, and size up what and who is being fair. Take care of your responsibilities, but don’t take on chores that don’t belong to you unless you are getting something in return. Your sanity and peace of mind should come first. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Experience something unique. Explore what you want to do as you move on to the next chapter in your life. Love is on the rise, and with it will come peace of mind. It’s time for a new adventure. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your money, secrets and passwords tucked away in a safe place. Don’t let compliments go to your head or make you feel comfortable with someone who is trying to manipulate you. Focus on what’s important to you. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Getting together with people you share history with will brighten your day. Attend a reunion or make unique plans with someone you love. A personal plan will give you the boost you need to take care of unfinished business. Preparation will help you get your way. 4 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t let anyone hustle you into doing something risky. Fast talk and empty promises are apparent. When in doubt, become an observer, not a participant. Avoid being put in a precarious or costly position. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Emotions will have an impact on the way you think, how you respond and the decisions you make. If you want to make improvements, put in the time to finish what you start. Romance is featured and will improve your personal life. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are imaginative, adaptable and entertaining. You are robust and playful.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-03-22--Word Game: March 22, 2020

Word Game: March 22, 2020

Can you find 61 or more words in CREPUSCULE ?
TODAY ’ S WORD — CREPUSCULE clue creel creep crepe cruel cruse cure curl curse cusp recluse recuse reel repel repulse rescue reuse rule rupee ruse ecru else peel peer perse peruse plus puce pule pulse pure puree purl purse pursue ulcer user usurp scree scruple scup secure seep seer sere sleep slue slur slurp spree spruce spur suer super sure leer leper lucre lues lupus lure To purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For example , if “ bake ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — CREPUSCULE (CREPUSCULE: krih-PUS-kyool: Twilight.)
Average mark 42 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 61 or more words in CREPUSCULE? TODAY’S WORD — CREPUSCULE clue creel
creep crepe cruel cruse cure curl curse cusp recluse recuse reel repel repulse rescue reuse rule
rupee ruse ecru else peel peer perse peruse plus puce pule pulse pure puree purl purse pursue
ulcer user usurp scree scruple scup secure seep seer sere sleep slue slur slurp spree spruce
spur suer super sure leer leper lucre lues lupus lure
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-03-22--Bridge: March 22, 2020

Bridge: March 22, 2020

“ Do you believe in miracles ?
” Unlucky Louie asked me in the club lounge .
“ Jesus is said to have turned water into wine at that wedding in Cana , ” I replied .
“ Sometimes when I ’ m at McDonald ’ s , ” Cy the Cynic offered , “ and the girl behind the counter isn ’ t looking , I turn water into Sprite.
” “ How about turning four losers into three ?
” Louie asked .
In a penny game , Louie was declarer at today ’ s four hearts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won with dummy ’ s king , led a trump to his king and continued with the queen .
East took the ace and returned a diamond , and Louie won and cashed his jack of trumps .
When West discarded , Louie led a third diamond , hoping for a 3-3 break and a discard for his losing spade .
But West won , and East showed out , and Louie had to lose a spade plus a trump to East ’ s ten .
Down one .
It shouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract .
All declarer must do is take 10 winners , compressing his four losers into three .
He can win the first diamond in his hand , take the ace of clubs , ruff a club and lead the king of trumps to East ’ s ace .
Declarer wins the diamond return in dummy , ruffs a club and takes the Q-J of trumps .
When West discards , South cashes the K-A of spades .
Having won nine tricks , he leads dummy ’ s last club .
No matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to score his last low trump .
The defenders ’ three remaining tricks — a trump , a diamond and a spade — clash on the last two tricks .

“Do you believe in miracles?” Unlucky Louie asked me in the club lounge.
“Jesus is said to have turned water into wine at that wedding in Cana,” I replied.
“Sometimes when I’m at McDonald’s,” Cy the Cynic offered, “and the girl behind the counter isn’t looking, I turn water into Sprite.”
“How about turning four losers into three?” Louie asked.
In a penny game, Louie was declarer at today’s four hearts, and West led a diamond. Louie won with dummy’s king, led a trump to his king and continued with the queen. East took the ace and returned a diamond, and Louie won and cashed his jack of trumps.
When West discarded, Louie led a third diamond, hoping for a 3-3 break and a discard for his losing spade. But West won, and East showed out, and Louie had to lose a spade plus a trump to East’s ten. Down one.
“No miracles when I’m declarer,” Louie sighed.
It shouldn’t take a miracle worker to make the contract. All declarer must do is take 10 winners, compressing his four losers into three. He can win the first diamond in his hand, take the ace of clubs, ruff a club and lead the king of trumps to East’s ace. Declarer wins the diamond return in dummy, ruffs a club and takes the Q-J of trumps.
When West discards, South cashes the K-A of spades. Having won nine tricks, he leads dummy’s last club. No matter what East does, South is sure to score his last low trump. The defenders’ three remaining tricks — a trump, a diamond and a spade — clash on the last two tricks.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S A 8 7 3
H 4
D K 6 5 2
C A 10 6 5
WEST
S J 5
H 8 3
D Q 10 9 7
C J 9 4 3 2
EAST
S Q 10 9 6
H A 10 9 7
D J 8
C K Q 8
SOUTH
S K 4 2
H K Q J 6 5 2
D A 4 3
C 7
South West North East
1 H Pass 1 S Pass
2 H Pass 2 NT Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — D 10
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-03-22--Ask Amy: Embarrassed advice columnist admits she was pranked

DEAR READERS : In my ( almost ) 17 years of writing the Ask Amy column , I have been seriously , thoroughly , and publicly pranked two times .
I assume I might have been fooled with other “ faux ” problems , but the following two questions created viral gotcha moments that , while embarrassing for me , were highly entertaining for the scores of readers who immediately recognized the spoofing .
I reacted to both columns by owning my gullibility and doing my very best to laugh along with my readers .
I rerun these two questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the reminder that — even in this very serious world we inhabit — it ’ s important not to take yourself too seriously .
At the end of this column , I ’ ll reveal the original sources of these problematic plotlines .
• Ask Amy : My wife doesn ’ t know the truth about my gym friend • Ask Amy : My friend suddenly ditched me for a mysterious daily meeting • Ask Amy : I can guess people ’ s ethnicity and it seems to annoy them • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at church seem afraid of me ?
• Ask Amy : I ’ m convinced that women don ’ t understand how to drive I ’ ll be back with original Ask Amy Q and A next week .
DEAR AMY : I have a serious problem with my future wife .
She has not been faithful to me .
I recently overheard her talking to her friend about how she was unfaithful to me .
When I confronted her , all that she said was that she couldn ’ t talk right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to record everything in my own house just to learn the truth .
To make things even more stressful is the fact that she recently told a couple of people that I hit her , but it ’ s not true .
I did not hit her .
I ’ m not sure why she has been acting like this lately .
She did just find out that her mother has breast cancer , and that might be playing a role in her behavior .
We still always find time to make love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why she would go out seeking it from someone else .
I just can ’ t believe she would do this to me .
I love her so much , she is my everything , and I don ’ t know that I could go on without her .
She is tearing me apart .
What should I do ?
DEAR DEVASTATED : The first thing you should do is to NOT get married .
Your fiancee ’ s behavior and your response are the very essence of dysfunction .
If you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , this is a huge problem .
Your declaration that you feel like you “ have to record everything … just to learn the truth ” is chilling .
Her counter-accusation that you hit her is potentially very dangerous for you .
Because of an escalation in behavior I sense in both of you — and the seemingly toxic connection between you two — it would be wisest for you to separate .
Seek the support of close friends , family , and a professional counselor to help you deal with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I recently ran into a famous local sports figure at my gym .
I didn ’ t want to bother him , but much to my surprise he approached me .
Turns out he knew me from my profession .
He asked if I wanted to go out for coffee , and we exchanged numbers .
A few days later we had coffee , and I thought it was pretty cool that he considered us friends .
Then everything changed .
He told me he was interested in taking out a woman we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we ’ ve remained good friends .
He asked me a couple of times if I would mind if he asked her out .
I reluctantly said no .
I made plans with him , and then after talking to my ex I found out that he ditched our plans so he could go out with her .
The next day he called me and asked if I could help him move some furniture .
I barely know the guy , next thing he will be asking me to drive him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned me not to trust this guy .
What ’ s the deal — am I being too rash , or should I dump the guy as a friend ?
DEAR FOOLISH : The good news here is that you won ’ t have to dump the guy as a friend because he is not a friend .
He ’ s an opportunist who just keeps asking you for stuff .
I suspect that when you turn down his generous offer to let you move furniture for him , you ’ ll likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ READERS : The first question ( from “ Devastated ” ) is from the cult movie “ The Room , ” which is widely beloved and possibly the worst movie ever made .
The question from “ Feeling Foolish ” is based on two episodes in the third season of “ Seinfeld ” that co-starred Mets star Keith Hernandez .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on @ @ @ @ @ @

DEAR READERS: In my (almost) 17 years of writing the Ask Amy column, I have been seriously, thoroughly, and publicly pranked two times.
I assume I might have been fooled with other “faux” problems, but the following two questions created viral gotcha moments that, while embarrassing for me, were highly entertaining for the scores of readers who immediately recognized the spoofing. I reacted to both columns by owning my gullibility and doing my very best to laugh along with my readers.
I rerun these two questions (and my original answers) today, with the reminder that — even in this very serious world we inhabit — it’s important not to take yourself too seriously.
At the end of this column, I’ll reveal the original sources of these problematic plotlines.
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Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy I’ll be back with original Ask Amy Q and A next week.
DEAR AMY: I have a serious problem with my future wife. She has not been faithful to me. I recently overheard her talking to her friend about how she was unfaithful to me. When I confronted her, all that she said was that she couldn’t talk right now. I feel like I have to record everything in my own house just to learn the truth.
To make things even more stressful is the fact that she recently told a couple of people that I hit her, but it’s not true. I did not hit her. I’m not sure why she has been acting like this lately. She did just find out that her mother has breast cancer, and that might be playing a role in her behavior.
We still always find time to make love, so I don’t know why she would go out seeking it from someone else. I just can’t believe she would do this to me. I love her so much, she is my everything, and I don’t know that I could go on without her. She is tearing me apart.
What should I do?
Devastated
DEAR DEVASTATED: The first thing you should do is to NOT get married. Your fiancee’s behavior and your response are the very essence of dysfunction. If you are correct and she is stepping out on you, this is a huge problem. Your declaration that you feel like you “have to record everything … just to learn the truth” is chilling. Her counter-accusation that you hit her is potentially very dangerous for you.
Because of an escalation in behavior I sense in both of you — and the seemingly toxic connection between you two — it would be wisest for you to separate. Seek the support of close friends, family, and a professional counselor to help you deal with this loss and change.
July 2015
Want Ask Amy delivered to your inbox for free on weekdays?
DEAR AMY: I recently ran into a famous local sports figure at my gym.
I didn’t want to bother him, but much to my surprise he approached me. Turns out he knew me from my profession. He asked if I wanted to go out for coffee, and we exchanged numbers. A few days later we had coffee, and I thought it was pretty cool that he considered us friends.
Then everything changed. He told me he was interested in taking out a woman we ran into. She is my ex-girlfriend and we’ve remained good friends. He asked me a couple of times if I would mind if he asked her out. I reluctantly said no. I made plans with him, and then after talking to my ex I found out that he ditched our plans so he could go out with her.
The next day he called me and asked if I could help him move some furniture. I barely know the guy, next thing he will be asking me to drive him to the airport. Two friends of mine warned me not to trust this guy.
What’s the deal — am I being too rash, or should I dump the guy as a friend?
Feeling Foolish
DEAR FOOLISH: The good news here is that you won’t have to dump the guy as a friend because he is not a friend. He’s an opportunist who just keeps asking you for stuff.
I suspect that when you turn down his generous offer to let you move furniture for him, you’ll likely never hear from him again.
January 2016
DEAR READERS: The first question (from “Devastated”) is from the cult movie “The Room,” which is widely beloved and possibly the worst movie ever made.
The question from “Feeling Foolish” is based on two episodes in the third season of “Seinfeld” that co-starred Mets star Keith Hernandez.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.