mercurynews--2020-07-17--GOP officials to Trump: Stop denigrating mail-in voting

Republican officials throughout the country are reacting with growing alarm to President Donald Trump ’ s attacks on mail-in ballots , saying his unsubstantiated claims of mass voting fraud are already corroding the views of GOP voters , who may ultimately choose not to vote at all if they can ’ t make it to the polls come November .
Behind the scenes , top Republicans are urging senior Trump campaign officials to press the President to change his messaging and embrace mail-in voting , warning that the party could lose the battle for control of Congress and the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tune , according to multiple GOP sources .
Trump officials , sources said , are fully aware of the concerns .
The impact could be detrimental to the GOP up and down the ticket , according to a bevy of Republican election officials , field operatives , pollsters and lawmakers who are watching the matter closely .
Every vote will count in critical battleground states , they argue , fearful that deterring GOP voters from choosing a convenient option to cast their ballots could ultimately sway the outcome of races are decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And with the coronavirus pandemic potentially bound to get worse in the fall , voting by mail is becoming an increasingly popular option since many voters may prefer not to wait in long lines at polling stations .
That will leave Democrats with a major advantage if their voters send their ballots by mail while Republican voters forgo that option simply because they are listening to the concerns of the President .
In Wisconsin , a state that was central to Trump ’ s narrow 2016 victory , Republicans were “ begging our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic first hit , said Rohn Bishop , Republican Party chairman in Fond du Lac County , where Trump will need to drive up GOP turnout in November .
“ Then the President has some tweets and gets upset with mail-in balloting and we dropped the issue like a hot potato , and that ’ s where I think we ’ re making a mistake , ” Bishop said .
“ Our voters are running away from it .
That kind of terrifies me.
” Bishop added bluntly : “ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re only hurting ourselves .
… Anything that ties an arm behind my back , I don ’ t like that.
” Bishop ’ s concerns are shared by Republican officials at the county and state level — as well as ones who are deeply involved with the national part .
Glen Bolger , a top Republican pollster , told CNN he had just surveyed a battleground state and found that three-quarters of voters who plan to vote by mail or absentee vote intend to support former Vice President Joe Biden ; just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survey planned to use the mail option to vote for Trump .
Bolger declined to name the state , but said it exemplified the real problems for Republicans if the trend continues .
“ It could have a corrosive impact if some voters who would have voted don ’ t get to vote on Election Day — a bunch of votes would have been left on the table , ” Bolger said .
“ If he changed his message on this , he could have a positive impact , ” referring to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Republican who was a Cabinet secretary under President George W. Bush , said discouraging mail-in voting is “ very perilous for the Republican Party ” and puts his party at “ an incredible disadvantage.
” “ There ’ s no inherent advantage to one party or the other , ” said Ridge , who chairs the bipartisan group VoteSafe , which advocates for expanded voting access .
“ The advantage goes to the party that utilizes that method — that option of maximizing participation — on Election Day .
So if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own base , and suggesting they don ’ t use absentee ballots , while the Democrats have demonstrated , particularly thus far in the primary season , they understand its value … then he puts his own party as a decided disadvantage because it discourages Republicans from using it.
” And Republicans , too , are concerned that Trump ’ s criticism of the process could cast doubt on the integrity of the election , particularly in closely contested states like Ohio .
“ It is irresponsible — whether it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a sense , incorrectly , in the minds of voters that they can ’ t trust their elections , ” said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose , a Republican , referring to both the President ’ s claims and Biden ’ s recent suggestion that Trump might not leave office if he loses .
In Ohio , nearly 8 million registered voters will get absentee ballot requests after Labor Day , and LaRose predicts that roughly 35 % -40 % of the ballots will ultimately come by mail in November , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in past elections , amounting to the “ highest level of vote-by-mail that we ’ ve ever seen in our state ’ s history.
” “ When people try to say that voting by mail or absentee mailing benefits one party — it just doesn ’ t bear out in Ohio .
People want to vote , ” LaRose said .
But asked if fewer Republican voters may choose to vote absentee in November because of the President ’ s criticisms , he said : “ That ’ s absolutely a possibility.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have publicly and privately called for more resources for mail-in voting — and hope the President changes his tune .
“ A lot of people are going to vote by mail , and we need to do what we can to both see that is done safely and encourage people to believe and ensure people that it is going to be done safely , ” Senate Rules Chairman Roy Blunt , a Missouri Republican , said Thursday .
New York ’ s 27th Congressional District special election last month illustrated the potential dangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in voting .
The state , which has several closely contested House races , expanded mail-in voting this year after Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order in April to mail all residents applications for absentee ballots .
In the solidly Republican district , GOP state Sen. Chris Jacobs was leading Democrat Nate McMurray 64 % -27 % after election night — but before absentee ballots were counted , according to the state ’ s unofficial results .
After the district ’ s absentee ballots were tallied , the margin shrank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tries to make a distinction over mailed ballots Republicans on Capitol Hill , worry the trend will continue if Trump keeps up his rhetoric , have tried to push the President to change his message .
Sources said the issue has been raised repeatedly with Trump campaign officials , who have acknowledged the potential problems for the GOP .
After prodding from campaign officials , the President has tried to massage his messaging in recent days .
Indeed , campaign officials were successful in getting him to try to make a distinction during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garden on Tuesday evening .
Trump argued that it ’ s perfectly acceptable for voters to request absentee ballots .
But he argued that states that proactively send out ballots to voters are creating a system rife with fraud .
“ You ’ ll have tremendous fraud if you do these mail-in ballots , ” Trump told reporters .
“ Now , absentee ballots are OK , because absentee ballots — you have to get applications .
You have to go through a process.
” Trump has been railing about mail-in voting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeating numerous false claims about voter fraud .
There ’ s no widespread fraud in US elections .
Absentee voting , of course , is conducted by mail , and experts say Trump is creating a distinction where none exists .
It ’ s true that some states require voters to request absentee ballots , and some require voters to have excuses for absentee ballots , while others do not .
And some states require ballots to be sent unsolicited to all registered voters .
But in every case , the ballots are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail .
Asked if most voters would understand the distinction Trump is trying to make between absentee ballots and ones sent proactively in the mail , Matt Mashburn , who serves on Georgia ’ s State Elections Board , said : “ No.
” He added : “ I think Georgia has a wise system.
” The June primary in Georgia saw an explosion of interest in absentee ballots in a state where voters must request absentee ballots after their applications are verified and their signatures are matched by county officials .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ballots are returned by absentee ; in the June primary , however , roughly 49 % of the ballots were absentee — which amounted to 1.15 million , according to Gabriel Sterling , who is the statewide voting implementation manager in Georgia .
Democrats outpaced Republicans on absentee voting , but they had a competitive Senate primary , which the GOP did not .
“ There is a weaponizing of election administration from the left and right — and it ’ s not helpful to how elections are supposed to run , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Democrats about voter suppression and from Republicans about claims of voter fraud .
And as Trump tries to make a distinction between ballots mailed proactively and absentee ballots , voters “ probably ” don ’ t see much of a difference , Sterling said .
“ Most people think voting is voting , ” he said .
• Trump shakes up campaign staff as poll numbers sink While Trump has claimed that vote-by-mail will be a disaster for Republicans , recent election results suggest that ’ s not necessarily the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special election to fill former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill ’ s seat was conducted almost entirely by mail , with Republican Mike Garcia easily winning the seat over Democrat Christ Smith , 54 % -46 % .
Still , Republican legislators in states across the country are introducing bills to limit mail-in voting in November .
And lawsuits have emerged as well .
LaRose , the Ohio secretary of state , has wanted to make it even easier to request absentee ballots by allowing voters to go online and request them — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he has faced opposition in the state Legislature , and he said the President ’ s criticism of the process is “ a factor.
” In Florida , Democrats held a 300,000-voter advantage last month in the number of people who had applied to vote by mail .
“ It just means that we have work to do , and we ’ re going to do the work and we ’ ll take care of it , ” said Dean Black , chairman of the Republican Party in Duval County , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works in Republicans ’ favor .
And so that would tend to be a net positive for President Trump .
”

By Manu Raju and Jeremy Herb | CNN
Republican officials throughout the country are reacting with growing alarm to President Donald Trump’s attacks on mail-in ballots, saying his unsubstantiated claims of mass voting fraud are already corroding the views of GOP voters, who may ultimately choose not to vote at all if they can’t make it to the polls come November.
Behind the scenes, top Republicans are urging senior Trump campaign officials to press the President to change his messaging and embrace mail-in voting, warning that the party could lose the battle for control of Congress and the White House if he doesn’t change his tune, according to multiple GOP sources. Trump officials, sources said, are fully aware of the concerns.
The impact could be detrimental to the GOP up and down the ticket, according to a bevy of Republican election officials, field operatives, pollsters and lawmakers who are watching the matter closely. Every vote will count in critical battleground states, they argue, fearful that deterring GOP voters from choosing a convenient option to cast their ballots could ultimately sway the outcome of races are decided by a couple of percentage points.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/04/28/2020-election-vote-by-mail-coronavirus-orig-vf.cnn”]
And with the coronavirus pandemic potentially bound to get worse in the fall, voting by mail is becoming an increasingly popular option since many voters may prefer not to wait in long lines at polling stations. That will leave Democrats with a major advantage if their voters send their ballots by mail while Republican voters forgo that option simply because they are listening to the concerns of the President.
In Wisconsin, a state that was central to Trump’s narrow 2016 victory, Republicans were “begging our voters” to vote absentee when the pandemic first hit, said Rohn Bishop, Republican Party chairman in Fond du Lac County, where Trump will need to drive up GOP turnout in November.
“Then the President has some tweets and gets upset with mail-in balloting and we dropped the issue like a hot potato, and that’s where I think we’re making a mistake,” Bishop said. “Our voters are running away from it. That kind of terrifies me.”
Bishop added bluntly: “I’m getting aggravated because I think we’re only hurting ourselves. … Anything that ties an arm behind my back, I don’t like that.”
Bishop’s concerns are shared by Republican officials at the county and state level — as well as ones who are deeply involved with the national part.
Glen Bolger, a top Republican pollster, told CNN he had just surveyed a battleground state and found that three-quarters of voters who plan to vote by mail or absentee vote intend to support former Vice President Joe Biden; just 15% of mail-in voters in that survey planned to use the mail option to vote for Trump. Bolger declined to name the state, but said it exemplified the real problems for Republicans if the trend continues.
“It could have a corrosive impact if some voters who would have voted don’t get to vote on Election Day — a bunch of votes would have been left on the table,” Bolger said. “If he changed his message on this, he could have a positive impact,” referring to Trump.
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, a Republican who was a Cabinet secretary under President George W. Bush, said discouraging mail-in voting is “very perilous for the Republican Party” and puts his party at “an incredible disadvantage.”
“There’s no inherent advantage to one party or the other,” said Ridge, who chairs the bipartisan group VoteSafe, which advocates for expanded voting access. “The advantage goes to the party that utilizes that method — that option of maximizing participation — on Election Day. So if you have a Republican President undermining his own base, and suggesting they don’t use absentee ballots, while the Democrats have demonstrated, particularly thus far in the primary season, they understand its value … then he puts his own party as a decided disadvantage because it discourages Republicans from using it.”
And Republicans, too, are concerned that Trump’s criticism of the process could cast doubt on the integrity of the election, particularly in closely contested states like Ohio.
“It is irresponsible — whether it’s a Republican or Democrat — for people to create a sense, incorrectly, in the minds of voters that they can’t trust their elections,” said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, referring to both the President’s claims and Biden’s recent suggestion that Trump might not leave office if he loses.
In Ohio, nearly 8 million registered voters will get absentee ballot requests after Labor Day, and LaRose predicts that roughly 35%-40% of the ballots will ultimately come by mail in November, up from roughly 20%-25% in past elections, amounting to the “highest level of vote-by-mail that we’ve ever seen in our state’s history.”
“When people try to say that voting by mail or absentee mailing benefits one party — it just doesn’t bear out in Ohio. People want to vote,” LaRose said. But asked if fewer Republican voters may choose to vote absentee in November because of the President’s criticisms, he said: “That’s absolutely a possibility.”
GOP leaders in the House and Senate have publicly and privately called for more resources for mail-in voting — and hope the President changes his tune.
“A lot of people are going to vote by mail, and we need to do what we can to both see that is done safely and encourage people to believe and ensure people that it is going to be done safely,” Senate Rules Chairman Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican, said Thursday.
New York’s 27th Congressional District special election last month illustrated the potential dangers for Republicans if their voters swear off mail-in voting. The state, which has several closely contested House races, expanded mail-in voting this year after Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order in April to mail all residents applications for absentee ballots.
In the solidly Republican district, GOP state Sen. Chris Jacobs was leading Democrat Nate McMurray 64%-27% after election night — but before absentee ballots were counted, according to the state’s unofficial results. After the district’s absentee ballots were tallied, the margin shrank to 55%-44%.
Trump tries to make a distinction over mailed ballots
Republicans on Capitol Hill, worry the trend will continue if Trump keeps up his rhetoric, have tried to push the President to change his message. Sources said the issue has been raised repeatedly with Trump campaign officials, who have acknowledged the potential problems for the GOP.
After prodding from campaign officials, the President has tried to massage his messaging in recent days. Indeed, campaign officials were successful in getting him to try to make a distinction during his speech in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday evening. Trump argued that it’s perfectly acceptable for voters to request absentee ballots. But he argued that states that proactively send out ballots to voters are creating a system rife with fraud.
“You’ll have tremendous fraud if you do these mail-in ballots,” Trump told reporters. “Now, absentee ballots are OK, because absentee ballots — you have to get applications. You have to go through a process.”
Trump has been railing about mail-in voting for months as states expand vote-by-mail options, repeating numerous false claims about voter fraud. There’s no widespread fraud in US elections.
Absentee voting, of course, is conducted by mail, and experts say Trump is creating a distinction where none exists. It’s true that some states require voters to request absentee ballots, and some require voters to have excuses for absentee ballots, while others do not. And some states require ballots to be sent unsolicited to all registered voters.
But in every case, the ballots are returned the same way: through the mail.
Asked if most voters would understand the distinction Trump is trying to make between absentee ballots and ones sent proactively in the mail, Matt Mashburn, who serves on Georgia’s State Elections Board, said: “No.” He added: “I think Georgia has a wise system.”
The June primary in Georgia saw an explosion of interest in absentee ballots in a state where voters must request absentee ballots after their applications are verified and their signatures are matched by county officials.
In typical Georgia elections, about 5% of ballots are returned by absentee; in the June primary, however, roughly 49% of the ballots were absentee — which amounted to 1.15 million, according to Gabriel Sterling, who is the statewide voting implementation manager in Georgia. Democrats outpaced Republicans on absentee voting, but they had a competitive Senate primary, which the GOP did not.
“There is a weaponizing of election administration from the left and right — and it’s not helpful to how elections are supposed to run,” Sterling said, referring to concerns from Democrats about voter suppression and from Republicans about claims of voter fraud.
And as Trump tries to make a distinction between ballots mailed proactively and absentee ballots, voters “probably” don’t see much of a difference, Sterling said.
“Most people think voting is voting,” he said.
While Trump has claimed that vote-by-mail will be a disaster for Republicans, recent election results suggest that’s not necessarily the case. In California’s 25th District, a special election to fill former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill’s seat was conducted almost entirely by mail, with Republican Mike Garcia easily winning the seat over Democrat Christ Smith, 54%-46%.
Still, Republican legislators in states across the country are introducing bills to limit mail-in voting in November. And lawsuits have emerged as well.
LaRose, the Ohio secretary of state, has wanted to make it even easier to request absentee ballots by allowing voters to go online and request them — rather than doing it by mail. But he has faced opposition in the state Legislature, and he said the President’s criticism of the process is “a factor.”
In Florida, Democrats held a 300,000-voter advantage last month in the number of people who had applied to vote by mail.
“It just means that we have work to do, and we’re going to do the work and we’ll take care of it,” said Dean Black, chairman of the Republican Party in Duval County, which encompasses Jacksonville. “Historically, vote-by-mail works in Republicans’ favor. And so that would tend to be a net positive for President Trump.”


mercurynews--2020-07-16--Theranos founder Holmes gets a victory as new fraud charge dropped

After hitting Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes with a twelfth felony fraud charge in May , federal prosecutors this week filed a new indictment showing the charge removed .
Holmes is now back to facing 11 counts of defrauding patients , doctors and investors through claims about the blood-testing technology developed by her Palo Alto startup .
The removed charge , added via a supplemental filing from the government rather than in an indictment , concerned test results from a patient in Arizona .
The Department of Justice confirmed Thursday that the new indictment that prosecutors filed Tuesday in U.S. District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 11 fraud counts , represented the full list of charges Holmes and Balwani face .
Prosecutors allege Stanford University dropout Holmes , while claiming Theranos ’ machines could conduct a full range of tests on just a few drops of blood from a finger-stick , knew the technology was unreliable , inaccurate and could conduct only a limited number of tests .
The government claims “ many hundreds ” of patients were defrauded , with investors bilked out of more than $ 700 million .
Holmes and her co-accused , former Theranos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations , with lawyers for Holmes arguing in a December court filing that the government ’ s case was “ unconstitutionally vague ” and lacked specific claims of misrepresentation .
Following the May 8 addition of the now-removed fraud charge , Holmes ’ legal team in a court filing • Theranos founder Holmes , on firm ’ s reported false-negative pregnancy test : ‘ How did that happen ?
’ called it illegal and unconstitutional , saying she had not given up her right to be tried on the 11-count indictment .
Holmes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer , was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic until fall , with jury selection scheduled to start Oct. 27 .
However , Judge Edward Davila has expressed doubt about whether that start date will stand , and has set a status hearing for July 20 to consider the matter .

After hitting Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes with a twelfth felony fraud charge in May, federal prosecutors this week filed a new indictment showing the charge removed. Holmes is now back to facing 11 counts of defrauding patients, doctors and investors through claims about the blood-testing technology developed by her Palo Alto startup.
The removed charge, added via a supplemental filing from the government rather than in an indictment, concerned test results from a patient in Arizona. The Department of Justice confirmed Thursday that the new indictment that prosecutors filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, which showed only 11 fraud counts, represented the full list of charges Holmes and Balwani face.
Prosecutors allege Stanford University dropout Holmes, while claiming Theranos’ machines could conduct a full range of tests on just a few drops of blood from a finger-stick, knew the technology was unreliable, inaccurate and could conduct only a limited number of tests. The government claims “many hundreds” of patients were defrauded, with investors bilked out of more than $700 million. Holmes and her co-accused, former Theranos president Sunny Balwani, have denied the allegations, with lawyers for Holmes arguing in a December court filing that the government’s case was “unconstitutionally vague” and lacked specific claims of misrepresentation.
Following the May 8 addition of the now-removed fraud charge, Holmes’ legal team in a court filing Related Articles Technology | Theranos founder Holmes, on firm’s reported false-negative pregnancy test: ‘How did that happen?’
Theranos founder Holmes, on firm’s reported false-negative pregnancy test: ‘How did that happen?’ Technology | Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ fraud case: Mattis, Kissinger, Murdoch are possible witnesses
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ fraud case: Mattis, Kissinger, Murdoch are possible witnesses Technology | Elizabeth Holmes’ financial jeopardy: Will court cases leave Theranos founder ruined? called it illegal and unconstitutional, saying she had not given up her right to be tried on the 11-count indictment.
Holmes’ trial, originally set for this summer, was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic until fall, with jury selection scheduled to start Oct. 27. However, Judge Edward Davila has expressed doubt about whether that start date will stand, and has set a status hearing for July 20 to consider the matter.


mercurynews--2020-07-16--Analysis: Trump is running the same campaign as in 2016

WASHINGTON — In the summer of 2016 , Donald Trump was trailing in the polls .
With time running out , he changed up his campaign leadership team , though not his own mercurial behavior .
Four years later , and in the midst of another summer slump , Trump is hoping a similar campaign shakeup will help put him on the path to another come-from-behind victory in November , this time against Democrat Joe Biden .
But there are multiple reasons why 2020 is a very different campaign year for Trump .
Chief among them is Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an outsider , someone who could shake up Washington and bring a businessman ’ s acumen to the federal government .
Now , he ’ s the chief executive in Washington at a time of extraordinary national crises and facing overwhelmingly negative reviews from Americans for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and for his response to a national reckoning over race .
The issue that needs to be addressed , according to some Republicans , isn ’ t how Trump ’ s campaign is run .
It ’ s Trump himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the president is alienating so many people that their pool of potential voters is getting dangerously too small to win , ” said Brendan Buck , a Republican who advised former House Speaker Paul Ryan .
“ Until that changes , good campaign management is going to be insufficient.
” Indeed , Trump has often appeared to be out of step with most Americans in recent months .
He all but declared victory over the coronavirus pandemic as infections were starting to surge in new pockets across the country , including in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he ’ s enjoyed strong support .
He ’ s shown little concrete interest in police reform following the deaths of Black Americans and has instead focused much of his energy on defending prominent displays of Confederate monuments .
The president and his campaign advisers say they ’ ve been here before , fighting against what they see as establishment forces that don ’ t reflect the scope of Trump ’ s self-proclaimed “ silent majority ” of supporters .
They repeatedly point to polling from 2016 that showed Trump on track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton .
But privately , Trump ’ s campaign and outsider advisers acknowledge that the president ’ s situation is dire and showing no signs of improvement .
The campaign is worried about its support with moderate Republicans and independents , suburban woman and older white voters — all groups that could find a comfortable home with Biden , who was among the most centrist Democrats in the 2020 race .
Wednesday ’ s ouster of campaign manager Brad Parscale was the campaign ’ s clearest acknowledgement that Trump ’ s reelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correction .
Parscale , whose role had already been diminished , was replaced by Bill Stepien , an experienced GOP operative .
Some Republicans welcomed the change but said it would only matter if it signaled the start of a revamped campaign .
“ Resets are important in campaigns as long as you take full advantage of the fresh start , ” said Scott Reed , senior political strategist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce .
He said the campaign was in need of both a “ new and improved level of message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and a robust battleground state strategy .
Trump ’ s 2020 campaign apparatus was initially supposed to be the major advantage he didn ’ t have four years ago , when he set out to run for president with a small , inexperienced clutch of advisers .
He set up his reelection campaign quickly after his inauguration , drawing in more experienced Republican hands and amassing a formidable bank account for advertising and field operations .
Those resources were supposed to be used to sell the strong economy Trump planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign is urging voters to stick with Trump through the downturn that has accompanied the pandemic .
The campaign is also leaning hard into the barely coded racial rhetoric Trump has used following nationwide protests over police brutality against Black Americans , warning of violence in cities with large minority populations .
The campaign has also struggled to launch a formidable assault on Biden , who is familiar to many Americans after his eight years as vice president and is more well-liked than Clinton .
After spending months trying to cast Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime , advisers have been urging Trump to level two main attacks : accusing Biden of being soft on China and painting the former vice president as a puppet for liberal Democrats , despite his more moderate record .
Trump ’ s weakened state has indeed been cheered by Democrats , who view his handling of the pandemic in particular as an “ I told you so ” moment for a president they ’ ve long contended is out of his depth in the Oval Office .
Yet many in the party say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s upset win four years ago and wary of over-reading the current political state of play .
With few high-profile campaign events this year because of pandemic restrictions , Biden ’ s campaign is well aware that the three debates this fall will likely take on outsize importance .
And Priorities USA , a super PAC backing Biden , projected this week that a single-digit drop in Biden ’ s support among white working-class voters or a small drop in turnout among minority voters in November could swing the race back in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers certainly have been encouraging for Democrats , we are not done and we still have more work to do to maintain , to retain the gains that we ’ ve made , ” said Guy Cecil , chair of Priorities USA .
The one intangible that is giving Democrats confidence ?
The likelihood that Trump himself won ’ t change , even if the chess pieces around him do .
“ Observing his behavior , I have concluded he is like the man who refuses to ask for directions , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press writer Alexandra Jaffe contributed to this report .

By Julie Pace | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — In the summer of 2016, Donald Trump was trailing in the polls. With time running out, he changed up his campaign leadership team, though not his own mercurial behavior.
Four years later, and in the midst of another summer slump, Trump is hoping a similar campaign shakeup will help put him on the path to another come-from-behind victory in November, this time against Democrat Joe Biden.
But there are multiple reasons why 2020 is a very different campaign year for Trump.
Chief among them is Trump’s own positioning. Trump ran in 2016 as an outsider, someone who could shake up Washington and bring a businessman’s acumen to the federal government. Now, he’s the chief executive in Washington at a time of extraordinary national crises and facing overwhelmingly negative reviews from Americans for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and for his response to a national reckoning over race.
The issue that needs to be addressed, according to some Republicans, isn’t how Trump’s campaign is run. It’s Trump himself.
“This campaign’s problem is the president is alienating so many people that their pool of potential voters is getting dangerously too small to win,” said Brendan Buck, a Republican who advised former House Speaker Paul Ryan. “Until that changes, good campaign management is going to be insufficient.”
Indeed, Trump has often appeared to be out of step with most Americans in recent months. He all but declared victory over the coronavirus pandemic as infections were starting to surge in new pockets across the country, including in states like Florida, Texas and Arizona where he’s enjoyed strong support. He’s shown little concrete interest in police reform following the deaths of Black Americans and has instead focused much of his energy on defending prominent displays of Confederate monuments.
The president and his campaign advisers say they’ve been here before, fighting against what they see as establishment forces that don’t reflect the scope of Trump’s self-proclaimed “silent majority” of supporters. They repeatedly point to polling from 2016 that showed Trump on track to lose to his Democratic challenger, Hillary Clinton.
But privately, Trump’s campaign and outsider advisers acknowledge that the president’s situation is dire and showing no signs of improvement. The campaign is worried about its support with moderate Republicans and independents, suburban woman and older white voters — all groups that could find a comfortable home with Biden, who was among the most centrist Democrats in the 2020 race.
Wednesday’s ouster of campaign manager Brad Parscale was the campaign’s clearest acknowledgement that Trump’s reelection effort is in need of a course correction. Parscale, whose role had already been diminished, was replaced by Bill Stepien, an experienced GOP operative.
Some Republicans welcomed the change but said it would only matter if it signaled the start of a revamped campaign.
“Resets are important in campaigns as long as you take full advantage of the fresh start,” said Scott Reed, senior political strategist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He said the campaign was in need of both a “new and improved level of message discipline that includes the White House staff,” and a robust battleground state strategy.
Trump’s 2020 campaign apparatus was initially supposed to be the major advantage he didn’t have four years ago, when he set out to run for president with a small, inexperienced clutch of advisers. He set up his reelection campaign quickly after his inauguration, drawing in more experienced Republican hands and amassing a formidable bank account for advertising and field operations.
Those resources were supposed to be used to sell the strong economy Trump planned to run on in November. Instead, the campaign is urging voters to stick with Trump through the downturn that has accompanied the pandemic. The campaign is also leaning hard into the barely coded racial rhetoric Trump has used following nationwide protests over police brutality against Black Americans, warning of violence in cities with large minority populations.
The campaign has also struggled to launch a formidable assault on Biden, who is familiar to many Americans after his eight years as vice president and is more well-liked than Clinton. After spending months trying to cast Biden as “sleepy” and past his prime, advisers have been urging Trump to level two main attacks: accusing Biden of being soft on China and painting the former vice president as a puppet for liberal Democrats, despite his more moderate record.
Trump’s weakened state has indeed been cheered by Democrats, who view his handling of the pandemic in particular as an “I told you so” moment for a president they’ve long contended is out of his depth in the Oval Office. Yet many in the party say they are still scarred from Trump’s upset win four years ago and wary of over-reading the current political state of play.
With few high-profile campaign events this year because of pandemic restrictions, Biden’s campaign is well aware that the three debates this fall will likely take on outsize importance.
And Priorities USA, a super PAC backing Biden, projected this week that a single-digit drop in Biden’s support among white working-class voters or a small drop in turnout among minority voters in November could swing the race back in the president’s favor.
“While the numbers certainly have been encouraging for Democrats, we are not done and we still have more work to do to maintain, to retain the gains that we’ve made,” said Guy Cecil, chair of Priorities USA.
The one intangible that is giving Democrats confidence? The likelihood that Trump himself won’t change, even if the chess pieces around him do.
“Observing his behavior, I have concluded he is like the man who refuses to ask for directions,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
Associated Press writer Alexandra Jaffe contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-07-16--The Newsroom @Home: Restaurants + COVID-19, the struggles, challenges and changes

The Bay Area ’ s dazzling restaurant scene has been hit hard by the coronavirus shutdown and changing rules about reopening .
While some longtime bistros have shuttered permanently , others have pivoted in wildly creative ways to try to keep the fires burning — and some of those changes may be here to stay .
Listen to what our experts had to say about the challenges facing the Bay Area ’ s restaurants .
Jackie Burrell , Eat Drink Play/Features editor , along with journalists Linda Zavoral , and Jessica Yadegaran tackled this topic on June 4 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our reader ’ s minds at the time .
This discussion hit on the possibility of open-air eating , some of the creative ways other cities are doing it , and how restaurants have pivoted during the COVID-19 crisis .
What is The Newsroom @ Home ?
For the past year , we have been holding In Real Life events where readers get the chance to meet some of our journalists in person .
Since this is not possible with limits on large gatherings and social distancing , we created The Newsroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtually as we all figure out how to navigate the coronavirus pandemic .
Over the past few months , we have brought our readers discussions about restaurants in the Bay Area dealing with COVID-19 , diving into the behind-the-scenes stories of how our photojournalists shot some of their favorite photos , a candid conversation with author Robin Sloan and more .
To see upcoming events or catch up on any you missed , go to MercuryNews.com/Events , EastBayTimes.com/Events or MarinIJ.com/Events .

The Bay Area’s dazzling restaurant scene has been hit hard by the coronavirus shutdown and changing rules about reopening. While some longtime bistros have shuttered permanently, others have pivoted in wildly creative ways to try to keep the fires burning — and some of those changes may be here to stay. Listen to what our experts had to say about the challenges facing the Bay Area’s restaurants.
Jackie Burrell, Eat Drink Play/Features editor, along with journalists Linda Zavoral, and Jessica Yadegaran tackled this topic on June 4, 2020 and answered some of the questions on our reader’s minds at the time. This discussion hit on the possibility of open-air eating, some of the creative ways other cities are doing it, and how restaurants have pivoted during the COVID-19 crisis.
What is The Newsroom @Home?
For the past year, we have been holding In Real Life events where readers get the chance to meet some of our journalists in person. Since this is not possible with limits on large gatherings and social distancing, we created The Newsroom @ Home to bring you discussions and insights virtually as we all figure out how to navigate the coronavirus pandemic.
Over the past few months, we have brought our readers discussions about restaurants in the Bay Area dealing with COVID-19, diving into the behind-the-scenes stories of how our photojournalists shot some of their favorite photos, a candid conversation with author Robin Sloan and more. To see upcoming events or catch up on any you missed, go to MercuryNews.com/Events, EastBayTimes.com/Events or MarinIJ.com/Events.


mercurynews--2020-07-16--After 15 former female employees allege sexual harassment, Washington NFL team hires firm to review

After 15 former female employees allege sexual harassment, Washington NFL team hires firm to review culture

Owner Dan Snyder has hired a District of Columbia law firm to review the Washington NFL team ’ s culture , policies and allegations of workplace misconduct .
Beth Wilkinson of Wilkinson Walsh LLP confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the firm had been retained to conduct an independent review .
ESPN was first to report the hiring .
The Washington Post reported Thursday that 15 female former employees said they were sexually harassed during their time with the team .
In a statement , the team said it takes issues of employee conduct seriously and , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee situations publicly , when new allegations of conduct are brought forward that are contrary to these policies , we address them promptly.
” Within the past week , three members of the front office have left the organization .
Director of player personnel Alex Santos , assistant Richard Mann II and longtime broadcaster and senior vice president Larry Michael are no longer with the team .
Michael announced Wednesday he was retiring after 16 years .
Also Wednesday , the team promoted Jeff Scott to assistant director of pro scouting and advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Racial issues have put the NFL in deep trouble • Raiders rookie Ruggs says he ’ s at least as fast as Chiefs ’ Tyreek Hill • Raiders ’ Trent Brown : Pro Bowl right tackle says he ’ s serious about lifting weights for the first time • ‘ Washington Warriors ’ ?
Steph Curry ’ s team could soon be sharing a nickname • NFL ’ s Washington will change ‘ Redskins ’ name and logo , team says Santos , Mann , Michael and former business executives Dennis Greene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post story .
Washington is in the midst of several months of significant change .
President Bruce Allen was fired at the end of the 2019 season , coach Ron Rivera was hired on New Year ’ s Day and given control of football operations and the team this week announced it ’ s dumping the name “ Redskins ” after 87 years .
Allen ’ s departure coincided with the firing of the team ’ s previous medical and training staff , and Rivera brought trainers with him from Carolina and hired @ @ @ @ @

By STEPHEN WHYNO
Owner Dan Snyder has hired a District of Columbia law firm to review the Washington NFL team’s culture, policies and allegations of workplace misconduct.
Beth Wilkinson of Wilkinson Walsh LLP confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the firm had been retained to conduct an independent review. ESPN was first to report the hiring.
The Washington Post reported Thursday that 15 female former employees said they were sexually harassed during their time with the team. In a statement, the team said it takes issues of employee conduct seriously and, “While we do not speak to specific employee situations publicly, when new allegations of conduct are brought forward that are contrary to these policies, we address them promptly.”
Within the past week, three members of the front office have left the organization. Director of player personnel Alex Santos, assistant Richard Mann II and longtime broadcaster and senior vice president Larry Michael are no longer with the team. Michael announced Wednesday he was retiring after 16 years.
Also Wednesday, the team promoted Jeff Scott to assistant director of pro scouting and advance coordinator to replace Mann.
Santos, Mann, Michael and former business executives Dennis Greene and Mitch Gershman were mentioned in the Post story.
Washington is in the midst of several months of significant change. President Bruce Allen was fired at the end of the 2019 season, coach Ron Rivera was hired on New Year’s Day and given control of football operations and the team this week announced it’s dumping the name “Redskins” after 87 years.
Allen’s departure coincided with the firing of the team’s previous medical and training staff, and Rivera brought trainers with him from Carolina and hired a new coaching staff.


mercurynews--2020-07-16--Oakland settles Ghost Ship lawsuit for $32.7 million

OAKLAND — Oakland has reached a $ 32.7 million settlement with most of the families of the Ghost Ship warehouse fire victims .
Of that total , $ 23.5 million will go to 32 families who filed suit after their loved ones died in the fire , and $ 9.2 million to Sam Maxwell , who survived but had permanent lifelong injuries and major medical bills .
The Dec. 2 , 2016 , fire at the warehouse in East Oakland killed 36 people , most of whom were there for a dance party .
One of the victims was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the settlement Thursday afternoon and maintains that it is not liable for the losses of those who died .
Instead , the city said it settled the case because of a “ cost-benefit analysis ” — analyzing what it likely would cost Oakland if it had gone through a full-blown civil trial .
The city ’ s insurance coverage is $ 22 million .
Although the lawsuit included 12 people who lived at the 31st Avenue Ghost Ship warehouse and escaped the fire , the city has not settled with them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These people are like wildfire victims .
They had to run for their lives through smoke and flames and lost their homes , many of them displaced for a long time , ” Alexander said .
With a total of 32 families of victims who sued the city , that is about $ 734,000 per family .
Paul Matiasic , an attorney for five of those families , said the amount of money is not the point of the lawsuit .
“ The amount doesn ’ t come close to approximating the loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money is insignificant .
There ’ s no amount of money in the world that can bring their loved ones back , ” he said in an interview .
The lawsuit was more to shine a light on Oakland and its lack of action , when city officials should have been sounding the alarm to the illegal use of the warehouse and red-tagging it , he said .
From an analysis by this newspaper , police , fire , public works and building department employees visited the Ghost Ship and other nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most of them after 2007 .
“ There were hundreds of contacts , ” Alexander said .
“ And they didn ’ t do anything about it.
” Matiasic said it ’ s “ unfortunate ” the city did not admit liability and is not taking accountability for its actions .
The amount is one of the largest settlements in city history .
In 2003 , 119 plaintiffs who sued the city over the Riders police scandal received a $ 10.9 million settlement .
Besides the city of Oakland , PG & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Ng family , are also named in the suit .
There have not been any announcements related to those defendants .
Master tenant Derick Almena is accused of 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the lives of the three dozen who perished .
A jury could not reach a verdict in September 2019 , although 10-2 voted in favor of his guilt .
He faces a retrial of the criminal case , which is expected to begin in October .
Former co-defendant , Max Harris was acquitted of all charges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the lease with the warehouse owners , the Ng family , Almena agreed the warehouse would be used as an art collective .
Instead , prosecutors allege he allowed people to live and work there , filling the space from floor to ceiling with pianos , tapestries , wooden furniture and other objects .
After Almena signed the lease in November 2013 , police officers were frequently called to the warehouse for parties , fights and disturbances .
Several officers had intimate knowledge of the space , going inside on more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside a year before the fire noticed the clutter and said , “ one spark and it will be all bad , ” according to police body camera footage .
Firefighters from Station 13 , located around the corner from Ghost Ship , also were called there multiple times and one firefighter attended a holiday party on the second floor .
Two weeks before the blaze , a city worker arrived to investigate a report of people living there illegally but no one answered the door , so the worker never got inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several city officials gave depositions about what they knew about the warehouse , which was not zoned for housing or to host large events .

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OAKLAND — Oakland has reached a $32.7 million settlement with families of 32 of the three dozen victims who perished in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire — the deadliest blaze in the city’s history.
In announcing the settlement Thursday afternoon, the city maintained it’s not liable for the losses of those who died. Instead, the city said it settled the case after taking into account a “cost-benefit analysis” of what a full-blown civil trial might have cost. The city’s insurance coverage is $22 million.
Paul Matiasic, an attorney representing the families of five victims, said money wasn’t the point of the lawsuit.
“The amount doesn’t come close to approximating the loss of loved ones for my clients. The money is insignificant. There’s no amount of money in the world that can bring their loved ones back,” Matiasic said in an interview.
The lawsuit was more to shine a light on Oakland and the failure of its officials, he said. Those officials didn’t flag an artists collective that illegally occupied the old warehouse, described by witnesses in a long criminal trial as a fire trap.
The Dec. 2, 2016, fire at the warehouse in East Oakland killed 36 people, most of whom were there for a dance party. One victim was a resident of the warehouse.
“These people are like wildfire victims. They had to run for their lives through smoke and flames and lost their homes, many of them displaced for a long time,” said attorney Mary Alexander, who represented the families of 13 victims.
Of the $32.7 million settlement, $23.5 million will go to 32 families who sued after their loved ones died in the fire and $9.2 million to Sam Maxwell, who survived the inferno but suffered permanent lifelong injuries and major medical bills.
The settlement came out to about $734,000 per family.
Although the lawsuit included 12 people who lived at the 31st Avenue Ghost Ship warehouse and escaped the fire, the city has not settled with them, Alexander said.
Sami Long Kopelman, mother of 34-year-old victim Edmond Lapine, said she is pleased Maxwell is receiving that amount, “though I am sure it is only a fraction of what he requires.”
Kopelman wasn’t assuaged by the settlement.
“I am surprised that we are being offered anything at all. Oakland argues they have immunity from such calamities. My son and all victims had lives, and leave memories, for which the city’s settlement can only be construed as insulting.”
A previous analysis by this news organization revealed that police, fire, public works and building department employees visited the Ghost Ship warehouse and other nearby properties at least 245 times since 1988, mostly after 2007.
“There were hundreds of contacts,” Alexander said. “And they didn’t do anything about it.”
Matiasic said it’s “unfortunate” the city did not admit liability and is not taking accountability for its actions.
The amount is one of the largest settlements in city history. In 2003, 119 plaintiffs who sued the city over the Riders police misconduct scandal received a $10.9 million settlement — believed to be largest until now.
Besides the city of Oakland, PG&E and the owners of the warehouse, the Ng family, are also named in the suit. There have not been any announcements regarding the status of claims against those defendants.
Meanwhile, the man charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter was recently let out of jail over concerns that he could be at risk of contracting COVID-19.
The warehouse’s master tenant, Derick Almena, faces a retrial in the criminal case tentatively set for October after a jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict in the case. The jury voted 10-2 for a conviction.
His former co-defendant, Max Harris, was acquitted of all charges and no longer lives in the state.
In the lease with the Ng family, Almena agreed the warehouse would be used as an art collective. Instead, prosecutors allege he allowed people to live and work there, filling the space from floor to ceiling with pianos, tapestries, wooden furniture and other objects.
All 36 victims died of smoke inhalation.
After Almena signed the lease in November 2013, police officers were frequently called to the warehouse for parties, fights and disturbances. Several officers had intimate knowledge of the space, going inside on more than one occasion. One officer who went inside a year before the fire noticed the clutter and said, “One spark and it will be all bad,” according to police body camera footage.
Firefighters from Station 13, located around the corner from Ghost Ship, also were called there multiple times, and one firefighter attended a holiday party on the second floor.
Two weeks before the blaze, a city worker arrived to investigate a report of people living there illegally but no one answered the door, so the worker never got inside. As part of the lawsuit, several city officials gave depositions about what they knew about the warehouse, which was not zoned for housing or to host large events.


mercurynews--2020-07-17--Coronavirus rising in kids, teens with school approaching

As the school year draws near , children and teens represent a ballooning percentage of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. as the youngest Americans increasingly venture outside their homes and are able to get tested .
While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long maintained on its website that those younger than 18 make up only 2 % of cases , state data paints a much less rosy picture .
California and Mississippi , for instance , are recording rates nearing 10 % of overall cases .
Florida has found that about a third of all children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to questions from Bloomberg , the CDC cited a chart , updated today , with data from the states showing children make up 6.4 % of those infected , though information isn ’ t included on almost 1 million cases .
The numbers are rising , epidemiologists say , as testing has become more available to those with mild or no symptoms , encompassing many of the pediatric cases , and as those under 18 are increasingly involved in social activities .
At the same time , there is enormous pressure building to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to work , childhood development specialists and the Trump administration , which sees it as a linchpin for the economy in an election year .
Others remain skeptical .
“ I think we need to understand why that ’ s happening and what it means for the risk of this virus in kids , ” said Jennifer Nuzzo , a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health ’ s Center for Health Security .
“ Our understanding for how it effects kids is evolving.
” Virus data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manner across states .
But publicly available databases show that in many cases the numbers are vastly different than what the CDC continues to say on the portion of its website meant to provide Covid-19 information to pediatric health-care providers , a site that hasn ’ t been updated since May 29 .
In producing this report , Bloomberg gathered data from state health departments across the U.S.
Here ’ s a breakdown among selected states : • Arizona : 11 % of total cases in those younger than 20 .
• California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 .
• Mississippi : 9.4 % in those under 18 .
• Washington state : 11 % in those 20 and younger .
• Tennessee : 4.5 % of cases involving those 10 and under , and 11 % for those 11 through 20 .
Regional authorities are also seeing the surge .
Harris County , Texas , where Houston is located , is an epicenter of the recent rise in U.S. cases .
There , those younger than 20 made up 11.4 % of about 49,000 cases , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Children up to age 9 represented 4.1 % .
Studies have found that children tend not to suffer from severe coronavirus symptoms as often as adults , but there remain unknowns .
They include the potential long-term effects of a Covid-19 infection , and at what rate students can transmit the virus to each other while in the classroom , as well as the effect on their teachers .
“ Just because somebody doesn ’ t die from this doesn ’ t mean that something bad doesn ’ t happen to them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at University of South Florida ’ s College of Public Health .
“ Think about cancer .
A cancer could have a tumor developing over 10 to 20 years , and you don ’ t know.
” Florida ’ s schools are slated to reopen in the fall despite the surge of cases there and state reports that 31 % of children tested there were positive .
Salemi , who helps run the CovKids Project , which collects data on cases in children and teens , said he supports schools reopening responsibly with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , something he doesn ’ t think Florida is capable of right now .
The project has tracked 769 pediatric intensive-care unit admissions related to the virus across the U.S. since mid-March , and 66 deaths in those younger than 20 .
Some of the severe cases have resulted in a condition similar to Kawasaki disease , which can cause heart and circulatory problems .
Age data collected from state health departments by Bloomberg shows that the oldest Americans now represent a lower percentage of infections than they did at the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent cases is led by the group most likely to have school-aged children , those in their 20s , 30s and up to their 50s in some states .
At the same time , the prevalence in children has risen as testing has become more available to those with mild or no symptoms .
• Why an All-American pole vaulter wants to be exposed to coronavirus • Desperate parents pay whatever they can to escape online schools • Gov .
Newsom to update school reopening Friday as more Bay Area districts drop in-class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were blind , ” said Margaret Aldrich , director of infection control for the Children ’ s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx .
Aldrich ’ s hospital has its own lab so it tests every child admitted and is able to turn around results in about six hours , a much different experience than the long wait times at testing sites around the country .
For many doctors , it isn ’ t surprising that children have the virus in larger numbers than was believed .
But it begs the question , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Children are often the primary driver in spreading influenza , and though coronavirus transmission hasn ’ t appeared to be as strong via children in other countries , not all researchers are reassured with the U.S. unable to bring the virus under control .
The U.S. National Institutes of Health began a study in May looking at 6,000 children to try to determine the rate of coronavirus infection in children .
The study is slated to last six months , meaning the results won ’ t come out until at least November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen .
“ I ’ m not sure we ’ re going to have all the pediatric data understood by Sept. 1 , so some hard decisions are going to have to be made , ” Montefiore ’ s Aldrich said .

By Anna Edney, Bloomberg
As the school year draws near, children and teens represent a ballooning percentage of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. as the youngest Americans increasingly venture outside their homes and are able to get tested.
While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long maintained on its website that those younger than 18 make up only 2% of cases, state data paints a much less rosy picture. California and Mississippi, for instance, are recording rates nearing 10% of overall cases. Florida has found that about a third of all children tested there are infected.
In response to questions from Bloomberg, the CDC cited a chart, updated today, with data from the states showing children make up 6.4% of those infected, though information isn’t included on almost 1 million cases. The numbers are rising, epidemiologists say, as testing has become more available to those with mild or no symptoms, encompassing many of the pediatric cases, and as those under 18 are increasingly involved in social activities.
At the same time, there is enormous pressure building to reopen in-class schooling from parents who need to return to work, childhood development specialists and the Trump administration, which sees it as a linchpin for the economy in an election year. Others remain skeptical.
“I think we need to understand why that’s happening and what it means for the risk of this virus in kids,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for Health Security. “Our understanding for how it effects kids is evolving.”
Virus data isn’t reported in a consistent manner across states. But publicly available databases show that in many cases the numbers are vastly different than what the CDC continues to say on the portion of its website meant to provide Covid-19 information to pediatric health-care providers, a site that hasn’t been updated since May 29.
In producing this report, Bloomberg gathered data from state health departments across the U.S. Here’s a breakdown among selected states:
State hotspots:
Arizona: 11% of total cases in those younger than 20.
California: 8.4% in those younger than 18.
Mississippi: 9.4% in those under 18.
Washington state: 11% in those 20 and younger.
Tennessee: 4.5% of cases involving those 10 and under, and 11% for those 11 through 20.
Regional authorities are also seeing the surge. Harris County, Texas, where Houston is located, is an epicenter of the recent rise in U.S. cases. There, those younger than 20 made up 11.4% of about 49,000 cases, according to the county’s public health department. Children up to age 9 represented 4.1%.
Studies have found that children tend not to suffer from severe coronavirus symptoms as often as adults, but there remain unknowns. They include the potential long-term effects of a Covid-19 infection, and at what rate students can transmit the virus to each other while in the classroom, as well as the effect on their teachers.
“Just because somebody doesn’t die from this doesn’t mean that something bad doesn’t happen to them,” said Jason Salemi, an epidemiologist at University of South Florida’s College of Public Health. “Think about cancer. A cancer could have a tumor developing over 10 to 20 years, and you don’t know.”
Florida’s schools are slated to reopen in the fall despite the surge of cases there and state reports that 31% of children tested there were positive.
Salemi, who helps run the CovKids Project, which collects data on cases in children and teens, said he supports schools reopening responsibly with robust plans in place to keep children safe, something he doesn’t think Florida is capable of right now.
The project has tracked 769 pediatric intensive-care unit admissions related to the virus across the U.S. since mid-March, and 66 deaths in those younger than 20. Some of the severe cases have resulted in a condition similar to Kawasaki disease, which can cause heart and circulatory problems.
Older Americans
Age data collected from state health departments by Bloomberg shows that the oldest Americans now represent a lower percentage of infections than they did at the start of the outbreak. The surge in recent cases is led by the group most likely to have school-aged children, those in their 20s, 30s and up to their 50s in some states.
At the same time, the prevalence in children has risen as testing has become more available to those with mild or no symptoms.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Education | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “Without the testing, we were blind,” said Margaret Aldrich, director of infection control for the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx. Aldrich’s hospital has its own lab so it tests every child admitted and is able to turn around results in about six hours, a much different experience than the long wait times at testing sites around the country.
For many doctors, it isn’t surprising that children have the virus in larger numbers than was believed. But it begs the question, to what extent will they spread it?
Flu spread
Children are often the primary driver in spreading influenza, and though coronavirus transmission hasn’t appeared to be as strong via children in other countries, not all researchers are reassured with the U.S. unable to bring the virus under control.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health began a study in May looking at 6,000 children to try to determine the rate of coronavirus infection in children. The study is slated to last six months, meaning the results won’t come out until at least November, months after schools are supposed to reopen.
“I’m not sure we’re going to have all the pediatric data understood by Sept. 1, so some hard decisions are going to have to be made,” Montefiore’s Aldrich said.


mercurynews--2020-07-17--Review: What if ‘Fatal Attraction’ was a Lifetime movie?

If you ’ re of a certain age , much of the new Netflix thriller “ Fatal Affair ” will be very familiar .
That ’ s because it ’ s really just a diluted retelling of another , similarly named film — 1987 ’ s “ Fatal Attraction.
” Weirdly , that doesn ’ t mean this one — reuniting Omar Epps and Nia Long — isn ’ t worth microwaving a bucket of popcorn and connecting to Netflix when the kids are asleep .
It ’ s actually a bit of a romp , even if the filmmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a thriller that feels safe the second time around .
You can even enjoy it with the sound off .
Both films share similar DNA — a middle-aged and wealthy but slightly bored spouse has a fling and then that lover goes on a full-on psychopathic rampage until one of them has to die .
In 1987 , Glenn Close was the spurned lover and Michael Douglas was the cheater .
“ Fatal Affair ” scrambles the deck , but not by much .
Long stars as a well-to-do lawyer in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is stalked by an unstable acquaintance from her college days , played by Epps .
“ I do have the perfect life , the perfect husband , the perfect daughter , the perfect home , ” Long ’ s Ellie tells Epp ’ s character David when they have a few too many drinks after work one night .
( Too bad she ’ s not in a perfect film . )
David , who crushed on Ellie 20 years ago , is still smitten and probes a weakness in his prey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who appreciates you , ” he tells her .
They make out in one of those dimly lit , beautifully appointed empty and clean nightclub bathrooms that only appear in movies .
She suddenly pulls away and goes home .
That ’ s it .
( “ Affair ” in the title is kind of a stretch ) .
He starts a slow boil to Crazytown , but thankfully this time there ’ s no bunny in the pot .
The second half of the film is the familiar chasing down of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peeping and blackmailing , the nasty unexpected dinner show-up , the turning her best friend against her .
But director Peter Sullivan doesn ’ t have his heart set on a white-knuckle thriller .
He is more happy with a Lifetime film .
Sullivan — who also co-wrote the script with Rasheeda Garner — likes surface beauty more than internal strife .
He offers lazy , hazy editing you ’ d come to expect from a daytime movie , filled with pretty people alone , deep in thought , then sighing and turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their faces .
Waves crashing on the shore are a motif .
( Drink whenever you see ’ em ) .
This is a world of the insular rich , where very nice kitchen knives in a very nice wood block are going to be used in ways their German makers never intended .
It ’ s a world of big fluffy beds in mansions and where an Audi with Ellie in the diver ’ s seat slowly follows a Lexus piloted by David through San Francisco .
It has a script where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at sunset , tells her daughter , “ Now I can breathe.
” This is where Epps ’ David plays a high-level computer hacker but hasn ’ t yet enabled biometrics on his own cellphone and chooses terrible passwords on his personal laptop .
Twenty-one years after starring as lovers in “ In Too Deep , ” Long and Epps get few chances to let sparks fly and the script always gets in the way .
“ You ’ re a bad influence , ” she tells him .
“ Things don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he tells her .
( Well , to be fair , they kind of do . )
There are some nice updates to the same old story , especially the addition of cellphones and security footage to make things feel intrusive .
And the filmmakers have incorporated some old tech , namely an LP of that disco favorite “ Forget Me Nots , ” which is now made forever creepy .
If you rejoice when David appears dead with some 20 minutes to go in the film , you are an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part would be all about Ellie repairing her marriage in a loving montage ?
Oh , no .
This will end in blood .
Just kidding , not a lot — happy landings for all the main nice characters .
No one you cared about is ever in real jeopardy and this film will disappear from memory like butter in that popcorn bowl .

By Mark Kennedy | Associated Press
If you’re of a certain age, much of the new Netflix thriller “Fatal Affair” will be very familiar. That’s because it’s really just a diluted retelling of another, similarly named film — 1987’s “Fatal Attraction.”
Weirdly, that doesn’t mean this one — reuniting Omar Epps and Nia Long — isn’t worth microwaving a bucket of popcorn and connecting to Netflix when the kids are asleep. It’s actually a bit of a romp, even if the filmmakers didn’t intend that. This is a thriller that feels safe the second time around. You can even enjoy it with the sound off.
Both films share similar DNA — a middle-aged and wealthy but slightly bored spouse has a fling and then that lover goes on a full-on psychopathic rampage until one of them has to die. In 1987, Glenn Close was the spurned lover and Michael Douglas was the cheater.
“Fatal Affair” scrambles the deck, but not by much. Long stars as a well-to-do lawyer in a luxurious beachside property outside San Francisco who is stalked by an unstable acquaintance from her college days, played by Epps.
“I do have the perfect life, the perfect husband, the perfect daughter, the perfect home,” Long’s Ellie tells Epp’s character David when they have a few too many drinks after work one night. (Too bad she’s not in a perfect film.)
David, who crushed on Ellie 20 years ago, is still smitten and probes a weakness in his prey. “You deserve to be with a man who appreciates you,” he tells her.
They make out in one of those dimly lit, beautifully appointed empty and clean nightclub bathrooms that only appear in movies. She suddenly pulls away and goes home. That’s it. (“Affair” in the title is kind of a stretch). He starts a slow boil to Crazytown, but thankfully this time there’s no bunny in the pot.
The second half of the film is the familiar chasing down of his obsession — outwitting caller ID, peeping and blackmailing, the nasty unexpected dinner show-up, the turning her best friend against her. But director Peter Sullivan doesn’t have his heart set on a white-knuckle thriller. He is more happy with a Lifetime film.
Sullivan — who also co-wrote the script with Rasheeda Garner — likes surface beauty more than internal strife. He offers lazy, hazy editing you’d come to expect from a daytime movie, filled with pretty people alone, deep in thought, then sighing and turning toward home, a determined expression on their faces. Waves crashing on the shore are a motif. (Drink whenever you see ’em).
This is a world of the insular rich, where very nice kitchen knives in a very nice wood block are going to be used in ways their German makers never intended. It’s a world of big fluffy beds in mansions and where an Audi with Ellie in the diver’s seat slowly follows a Lexus piloted by David through San Francisco.
It has a script where Ellie, gazing off into the ocean at sunset, tells her daughter, “Now I can breathe.” This is where Epps’ David plays a high-level computer hacker but hasn’t yet enabled biometrics on his own cellphone and chooses terrible passwords on his personal laptop.
Twenty-one years after starring as lovers in “In Too Deep,” Long and Epps get few chances to let sparks fly and the script always gets in the way. “You’re a bad influence,” she tells him. “Things don’t have to be awkward between us,” he tells her. (Well, to be fair, they kind of do.)
There are some nice updates to the same old story, especially the addition of cellphones and security footage to make things feel intrusive. And the filmmakers have incorporated some old tech, namely an LP of that disco favorite “Forget Me Nots,” which is now made forever creepy.
If you rejoice when David appears dead with some 20 minutes to go in the film, you are an optimist. Did you expect that final part would be all about Ellie repairing her marriage in a loving montage? Oh, no. This will end in blood.
Just kidding, not a lot — happy landings for all the main nice characters. No one you cared about is ever in real jeopardy and this film will disappear from memory like butter in that popcorn bowl.
“Fatal Affair”
1 star out of 4
Rating: TV-14 (for sex and language)
Running time: 89 minutes


mercurynews--2020-07-17--In a historic first, Latino students are the largest group admitted to University of California’s fr

In a historic first, Latino students are the largest group admitted to University of California’s freshman class

For the first time in history , Latino students make up the largest ethnic or racial group of Californians admitted to the University of California for the upcoming school year .
Latinos surpassed Asian Americans to comprise 36 % of the 79,953 students from California who were offered admission to at least one of the nine UC campuses , according to preliminary data released on Thursday .
Asian American students made up 35 % , White students 21 % and Black students 5 % .
American Indian and Pacific Islander students made up 0 % , and 3 % declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overall , offers to California freshmen from underrepresented groups increased by 16 % from last year , while the proportion of low-income students grew to 44 % , up from 40 % , according to a news release .
The nine undergraduate campuses offered admission to 119,054 freshmen , up from 108,178 last year .
“ This has been an incredibly challenging time as many students have been making their college decision in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic , ” UC President Janet Napolitano said in a statement .
“ UC continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we seek to educate a diverse student body of future leaders .
The incoming class will be one of our most talented and diverse yet , and UC is proud to invite them to join us.
” Out of all the University of California campuses , UC Berkeley saw the biggest jump in admission offers to underrepresented minority students .
The school accepted 737 Black freshmen , 200 more than it did a year ago , and 3,379 Chicanx and Latinx freshmen , the highest since at least the late 1980s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of undergraduate admissions at UC Berkeley , said it was important for him to ensure that the school ’ s high academic standards were not compromised in order to achieve a higher rate of diversity .
“ We are showing that you can admit a diverse that is academically excellent , ” Ogundele said in a statement , noting that the GPA for this year ’ s admitted freshman class is 3.91 , the same as the year prior .
• Peralta colleges chancellor resigns after 9 months on the job , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus : Five more positive tests give Cal athletes eight since return to campus • California mom gets 5 weeks in prison for son ’ s online class cheating “ This is something I am by far the most proud of and something I am going to try to replicate year after year after year.
” Still , while Latinos make up the highest percentage of Californians admitted across the entire school system , Asian Americans lead in eight out of the nine campuses .
As the coronavirus pandemic shows no signs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have released varying plans to reopen for the fall .
UC San Diego hopes to welcome back students through an “ incremental repopulation of campus , ” with about 30 % of classes conducted in person .
Meanwhile , UCLA anticipates that 15-20 % of classes will be offered on site or in an on-site and remote hybrid format .

For the first time in history, Latino students make up the largest ethnic or racial group of Californians admitted to the University of California for the upcoming school year.
Latinos surpassed Asian Americans to comprise 36% of the 79,953 students from California who were offered admission to at least one of the nine UC campuses, according to preliminary data released on Thursday.
Asian American students made up 35%, White students 21% and Black students 5%. American Indian and Pacific Islander students made up 0%, and 3% declined to state their race or ethnicity.
Overall, offers to California freshmen from underrepresented groups increased by 16% from last year, while the proportion of low-income students grew to 44%, up from 40%, according to a news release.
The nine undergraduate campuses offered admission to 119,054 freshmen, up from 108,178 last year.
“This has been an incredibly challenging time as many students have been making their college decision in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” UC President Janet Napolitano said in a statement. “UC continues to see increased admissions of underrepresented students as we seek to educate a diverse student body of future leaders. The incoming class will be one of our most talented and diverse yet, and UC is proud to invite them to join us.”
Out of all the University of California campuses, UC Berkeley saw the biggest jump in admission offers to underrepresented minority students. The school accepted 737 Black freshmen, 200 more than it did a year ago, and 3,379 Chicanx and Latinx freshmen, the highest since at least the late 1980s.
Olufemi Ogundele, assistant vice chancellor and director of undergraduate admissions at UC Berkeley, said it was important for him to ensure that the school’s high academic standards were not compromised in order to achieve a higher rate of diversity.
“We are showing that you can admit a diverse that is academically excellent,” Ogundele said in a statement, noting that the GPA for this year’s admitted freshman class is 3.91, the same as the year prior.
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Still, while Latinos make up the highest percentage of Californians admitted across the entire school system, Asian Americans lead in eight out of the nine campuses.
As the coronavirus pandemic shows no signs of slowing in the US, UC campuses have released varying plans to reopen for the fall.
UC San Diego hopes to welcome back students through an “incremental repopulation of campus,” with about 30% of classes conducted in person. Meanwhile, UCLA anticipates that 15-20% of classes will be offered on site or in an on-site and remote hybrid format.
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