mercurynews--2020-05-14--‘Bravery and Hope: 7 Days on the Front Line’ a compelling look inside the battle against COVID-19

Television networks and streaming services continue to respond to the coronavirus crisis with special programming aimed at breaking down the most recent developments and the important issues for viewers .
Airing Friday night is “ Bravery and Hope : 7 Days on the Front Line ” ( 9 p.m. May 15 , CBS ) .
It ’ s an hourlong special that follows emergency physicians and critical care specialists struggling to save patients suffering from COVID-19 .
A team of CBS News journalists recently spent a week embedded at at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx , the largest hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City .
At the time the reporters were there , the hospital ’ s Moses Campus was bursting with nearly 700 patients , 80 percent of whom were diagnosed with COVID-19 .
The hospital was forced to convert an auditorium to treat the staggering increase in COVID-19 patients – 70 of whom died during the week CBS News was embedded .
Alongside the loss , there were victories : in that same span , more than 300 patients recovered and were able to go home .
The documentary captures the toll the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and worst-stricken neighborhoods in New York City and the nation .
A Bronx father lights candles and prays that his son , a first responder , will recover and come home from the hospital .
From the back of a pickup truck , a parish priest rolls through the neighborhood with a loudspeaker , blessing the sick and homebound .
And a Montefiore nurse , Selena Thomas , grows weary as she counts the lives lost to a cruel and mysterious virus .
“ It ’ s necessary for us to acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than others , ” she says .
“ If we don ’ t acknowledge that , we can ’ t fix the problem.
” — Also debuting on Friday is “ The Color of COVID ” ( 7 p.m. PT ; 10 p.m .
ET , CNN ) .
In this hourlong live program , anchor Don Lemon and CNN political commentator Van Jones explore the impact of the coronavirus on communities of color , and provide viewers with ways they can help .
The special will feature interviews with Robert Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vista Equity Partners , Bishop T.D .
Jakes , and former Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin , plus video messages from Samuel L. Jackson , Mario Lopez , Common , Alfre Woodard and more .
The program will examine the tense push and pull between those who demand that the country be reopened and healthcare officials who warn that continued vigilance is needed to suppress the virus .
Joining host Robert Costa for a panel discussion are Weijia Jiang of CBS News , Jake Sherman of Politico , Abby Phillip of CNN , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Television networks and streaming services continue to respond to the coronavirus crisis with special programming aimed at breaking down the most recent developments and the important issues for viewers.
Here’s the latest:
Airing Friday night is “Bravery and Hope: 7 Days on the Front Line” (9 p.m. May 15, CBS). It’s an hourlong special that follows emergency physicians and critical care specialists struggling to save patients suffering from COVID-19.
A team of CBS News journalists recently spent a week embedded at at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, the largest hospital in the hardest-hit borough of New York City. At the time the reporters were there, the hospital’s Moses Campus was bursting with nearly 700 patients, 80 percent of whom were diagnosed with COVID-19.
The hospital was forced to convert an auditorium to treat the staggering increase in COVID-19 patients – 70 of whom died during the week CBS News was embedded. Alongside the loss, there were victories: in that same span, more than 300 patients recovered and were able to go home.
The documentary captures the toll the disease has taken on one of the poorest and worst-stricken neighborhoods in New York City and the nation. A Bronx father lights candles and prays that his son, a first responder, will recover and come home from the hospital. From the back of a pickup truck, a parish priest rolls through the neighborhood with a loudspeaker, blessing the sick and homebound.
And a Montefiore nurse, Selena Thomas, grows weary as she counts the lives lost to a cruel and mysterious virus.
“It’s necessary for us to acknowledge that some communities have been touched by COVID more than others,” she says. “If we don’t acknowledge that, we can’t fix the problem.”
— Also debuting on Friday is “The Color of COVID” (7 p.m. PT; 10 p.m. ET, CNN). In this hourlong live program, anchor Don Lemon and CNN political commentator Van Jones explore the impact of the coronavirus on communities of color, and provide viewers with ways they can help.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The special will feature interviews with Robert Smith, founder, CEO & Chairman of Vista Equity Partners, Bishop T.D. Jakes, and former Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, plus video messages from Samuel L. Jackson, Mario Lopez, Common, Alfre Woodard and more.
— Friday also brings a coronavirus-themed installment of “Washington Week” (8 p.m., PBS; check local listings).
The program will examine the tense push and pull between those who demand that the country be reopened and healthcare officials who warn that continued vigilance is needed to suppress the virus. Joining host Robert Costa for a panel discussion are Weijia Jiang of CBS News, Jake Sherman of Politico, Abby Phillip of CNN, and Jonathan Lemiere of The Associated Press.


mercurynews--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Who gave you COVID-19? It’s not who you think

COVID-19 has sparked fierce debate about the risks posed by that careless stranger in the grocery aisle , post office or sidewalk .
But there ’ s a growing body of evidence that it ’ s close contact during gatherings of beloved friends and family that is most likely driving the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Brief interactions — like passing by someone during a walk outside — don ’ t seem to be the primary force behind the epidemic , based on what we know so far from contact tracing studies .
“ Studies indicate that close and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Dr. Muge Cevik , a respected infectious diseases clinician and researcher from Scotland ’ s St. Andrews University , in an analysis of COVID-19 clusters posted on Twitter .
“ The risk is highest in enclosed environments : household , long-term care facilities and public transport , ” she wrote .
The highest risk is within the first five days of symptoms , she added .
While casual , short interactions are not the main driver of the epidemic , “ keep social distancing !
” she urged .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has spread in the past few months : Households : Compared to other contacts , people living in the same house as an infected individual have a higher chance of being infected .
A study from Shenzhen , China found that 11.2 % of household contacts developed COVID-19 , compared to 6.6 % for all close contacts .
Another study from China had similar findings : When checking the contacts of 105 COVID-10-positive individuals , the researchers found 16 % of contacts in the same household tested positive for the virus .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her husband .
Of the other 347 actively-monitored close contacts that interacted with these two patients , 43 developed symptoms and none tested positive for the coronavirus .
Family gatherings : In Chicago , the coronavirus was most likely spread from one infected person to other people — not from the same household — at a funeral in February and a birthday party three days later .
Both events were several hours long and the infected individual , who had symptoms , embraced others and shared food .
In total , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probable COVID-19 cases .
Group gatherings : Public health officials believe that one infected individual spread the virus to choir members in Skagit County , WA .
Of the 61 people who were at a 2.5-hour choir practice in early March , there were 32 confirmed and 20 probable COVID-19 cases .
Restaurants : In a restaurant in Guangzhou , China , one infected individual may have spread the coronavirus to customers at two neighboring tables .
The tables overlapped for about an hour .
The report ’ s authors think that infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the restaurant ’ s air conditioning system .
Homeless shelters : In early April , tests in a Boston homeless shelter showed that the virus had infected 147 residents , or 36 % of the shelter ’ s population .
• Coronavirus : Ex-A ’ s manager Art Howe in ICU in Houston after testing positive • ‘ Bravery and Hope : 7 Days on the Front Line ’ a compelling look inside the battle against COVID-19 • Letter : How many infections are traced to reusable grocery bags ?
• Letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health issues — and I ’ m furious So there ’ s no need to fear the passing stranger — but don ’ t invite them home for drinks .

COVID-19 has sparked fierce debate about the risks posed by that careless stranger in the grocery aisle, post office or sidewalk.
But there’s a growing body of evidence that it’s close contact, often during gatherings of beloved friends and family, that is driving the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Brief interactions — like passing by someone during a walk outside — don’t seem to be the primary force behind the epidemic, based on what we know so far from contact tracing studies.
“Studies indicate that close and prolonged contact is required for COVID-19 transmission,” said Dr. Muge Cevik, a respected infectious diseases clinician and researcher from Scotland’s St. Andrews University, in an analysis of COVID-19 clusters posted on Twitter.
“Early epidemiological studies suggest that most of the spread happens in groups of adults and usually indoors. The risk is highest in enclosed environments such as household, long-term care facilities and public transport,” she wrote. The highest risk is within the first five days of symptoms, she added.
There are increased rates of infection in enclosed, crowded and connected environments, where people gather and spend time in close contact, such as households, social gatherings, churches, public transit and restaurants, according to Cevik.
While casual, short interactions are not the main driver of the epidemic, “Keep social distancing!” she urged.
[vemba-video id=”health/2020/05/13/coronavirus-covid-19-enclosed-spaces-spread-new-day-vpx.cnn”]
Here are some examples of how the coronavirus has spread in the past few months:
Households: Compared to other contacts, people living in the same house as an infected individual have a higher chance of being infected.
A study from Shenzhen, China, found that 11.2% of household contacts developed COVID-19, compared with 6.6% for all close contacts. Another study from China had similar findings: When checking the contacts of 105 COVID-19-positive individuals, the researchers found 16% of contacts in the same household tested positive for the virus.
An Illinois woman with symptoms spread the virus to her husband. Of the other 347 actively-monitored close contacts that interacted with these two patients, 43 developed symptoms and none tested positive for the coronavirus.
Family gatherings: In Chicago, the coronavirus was most likely spread from one infected person to other people — not from the same household — at a funeral in February and a birthday party three days later. Both events were several hours long and the infected individual, who had symptoms, embraced others and shared food. In total, this single individual caused six confirmed and nine probable COVID-19 cases.
Group gatherings: Public health officials believe that one infected individual spread the virus to choir members in Skagit County, Washington. Of the 61 people who were at a 2.5-hour choir practice in early March, there were 32 confirmed and 20 probable COVID-19 cases.
Restaurants: In a restaurant in Guangzhou, China, one infected individual may have spread the coronavirus to customers at two neighboring tables. The tables overlapped for about an hour. The report’s authors think that infectious droplets spread between the tables via airflow from the restaurant’s air conditioning system.
Homeless shelters: In early April, tests in a Boston homeless shelter showed that the virus had infected 147 residents, or 36% of the shelter’s population. In San Francisco, more than 100 residents of the MSC-South shelter had been infected by late April. Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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So there’s no need to fear the passing stranger — but don’t invite them home for drinks.
Lisa M. Krieger contributed to this article.


mercurynews--2020-05-15--Kristof: America’s true COVID-19 death toll already exceeds 100,000

Many supporters of President Donald Trump believe that the figures for coronavirus fatalities are inflated , and Trump himself shared a tweet doubting the accuracy of some virus figures .
He ’ s right that the death toll seems off — but not in the direction he would suggest .
We ’ ve crunched the numbers , state by state , and it appears that somewhere around 100,000 to 110,000 Americans have already died as a result of the pandemic , rather than the 83,000 whose deaths have been attributed to the disease , COVID-19 .
That ’ s my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harvard statistician , Rafael Irizarry , based on a comparison of death rates this spring with those in previous years .
Some states have been largely unaffected — death rates in some even appear to have dropped , perhaps because of less driving and fewer car accidents — but others have seen huge surges in deaths .
Overall , in a bit more than two months , the United States lost more Americans to the coronavirus than died over seven decades in the Korean , Vietnam , Persian Gulf , Afghanistan and Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached our estimates ; they are not definitive , for they are based on preliminary data , and I invite discussion .
The starting point is that the cause of death is often uncertain .
Most people who die don ’ t get an autopsy , and many never had a coronavirus test .
The precise number who died from COVID-19 is in some sense unknowable .
Still , one standard approach to measure the impact of a pandemic like this is to look at “ excess deaths , ” meaning mortality greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
For example , for the seven weeks ending April 25 in the United States , about 70,000 more Americans died than is normal for those weeks ( death is seasonal and normally declines over the course of spring and summer ) .
That 70,000 figure for excess deaths does not include Connecticut , North Carolina and Pennsylvania , which were excluded because of missing or dubious data .
The official number of COVID-19 deaths in that period for the rest of the country was 49,100 .
That suggests an undercount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 25 .
Add those 20,000 missed deaths to today ’ s total of 83,000 , and you already get more than 100,000 pandemic-related deaths .
But the undercount probably continued after April 25 , albeit at a lower rate .
We don ’ t have good enough mortality data to assess excess deaths in late April and early May , a period in which more than 30,000 Americans are reported to have died of COVID-19 .
Testing increased significantly , and over time , doctors seemed more willing to list COVID-19 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s probably less underreporting as time goes on , ” notes Robert N. Anderson , the chief of mortality statistics at the CDC ’ s National Center for Health Statistics .
In New York City , a study likewise found enormous underreporting in the first half of April , then gradually diminishing by the beginning of May .
In the period we looked at , the undercount also diminished .
Initially , there were more than twice as many excess deaths as reported coronavirus deaths , but by April 25 there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercount thereafter were 10 % , that would add a few thousand to the total , possibly bringing it closer to 110,000 .
These numbers are uncertain , but the implication is that somewhere around 25,000 more Americans died as a result of the pandemic than are recorded in the death tallies .
This kind of analysis can ’ t determine if they died directly from the virus or indirectly .
Some presumably perished from heart attacks or strokes because they feared going to hospitals and delayed calling 911 , or because ambulance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , a modest number presumably died because of the virus without being infected by it .
One reason to think that a great majority of the excess deaths are directly caused by the virus is that in some states that seem to have meticulous reporting , such as Massachusetts , the number of excess deaths and the number of COVID-19 deaths are not so far apart .
Irizarry , who is also chairman of the department of data science at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston , notes that our new estimates are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It typically takes two months for deaths to be reported in a reasonably complete way , so one critical issue is how to adjust for lags in reporting .
The CDC tries to estimate what the death total will eventually be based on incomplete reporting , and our estimates depend on its algorithms .
The mortality figures show enormous variation by state .
Texas and California appear to have suffered more deaths from the 2018 flu epidemic than from the coronavirus so far .
And according to the CDC numbers , some states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kansas , North Dakota , Oregon , South Dakota and Rhode Island , actually experienced fewer deaths than normal in the seven weeks ending April 25 .
The reason might be a decline in driving and a drop in accidental deaths .
Irizarry calculates that about 70 % of excess deaths nationally derive from just five states : New York , New Jersey , Michigan , Massachusetts and Illinois .
The idea that official figures are undercounts is widely acknowledged .
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci told a Senate health committee Tuesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real death toll was 50 % higher than the official figures , but that “ almost certainly it ’ s higher.
” “ Most frontline doctors will tell you that the numbers are grossly underreported , ” said Michael P. Jones , an emergency medicine physician who works at hospitals in the Bronx that were particularly hard hit .
Especially in the early days , he said , many COVID-19 deaths were simply listed as some variant of “ respiratory failure ” or “ multisystem organ failure.
” Dr. Alicia Skarimbas , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We signed so many death certificates , we would get behind and take turns doing them.
” Skarimbas said that she would list COVID-19 as the cause of death when that seemed obvious , but her partners might simply list “ respiratory failure ” unless there had been a positive test for the virus .
Thus it was often random whether COVID-19 was listed as the cause of death .
The undercounting is a global problem , not just one in the United States .
Dr. Christopher Murray of the Institute for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Washington estimates that globally , excess deaths are about double the official COVID-19 death counts .
Excess deaths are often used to gauge mortality from an event or an epidemic .
When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017 , the official death toll stood for a year at 64 .
But Irizarry and other scholars used a variety of techniques to calculate that excess deaths in the aftermath exceeded 1,000 , perhaps by a wide margin .
As a result of the statistical work , the official death toll is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kill people in the weeks ahead .
Those who die over the next week or two have already been infected , perhaps several weeks ago .
Dr. Tom Frieden , a former director of the CDC , notes that even if one could end all new infections , thousands would still die from infections already contracted .
Given the uncertainty and the lags in data , why go through this exercise of estimating deaths ?
Because flawed numbers based on an undercount are already a central part of the discussion , informing policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so .
“ We have saved thousands and thousands of lives , ” he said on May 1 .
“ Hopefully , we are going to come in below that 100,000 lives lost.
” In that context , it seems worthwhile to note that this milestone has already been exceeded .

Many supporters of President Donald Trump believe that the figures for coronavirus fatalities are inflated, and Trump himself shared a tweet doubting the accuracy of some virus figures.
He’s right that the death toll seems off — but not in the direction he would suggest. We’ve crunched the numbers, state by state, and it appears that somewhere around 100,000 to 110,000 Americans have already died as a result of the pandemic, rather than the 83,000 whose deaths have been attributed to the disease, COVID-19.
That’s my estimate reached with the help of a Harvard statistician, Rafael Irizarry, based on a comparison of death rates this spring with those in previous years. Some states have been largely unaffected — death rates in some even appear to have dropped, perhaps because of less driving and fewer car accidents — but others have seen huge surges in deaths.
Overall, in a bit more than two months, the United States lost more Americans to the coronavirus than died over seven decades in the Korean, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq Wars.
Here’s how we reached our estimates; they are not definitive, for they are based on preliminary data, and I invite discussion.
The starting point is that the cause of death is often uncertain. Most people who die don’t get an autopsy, and many never had a coronavirus test. The precise number who died from COVID-19 is in some sense unknowable.
Still, one standard approach to measure the impact of a pandemic like this is to look at “excess deaths,” meaning mortality greater than the average for a particular time period.
For example, for the seven weeks ending April 25 in the United States, about 70,000 more Americans died than is normal for those weeks (death is seasonal and normally declines over the course of spring and summer). That 70,000 figure for excess deaths does not include Connecticut, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, which were excluded because of missing or dubious data.
The official number of COVID-19 deaths in that period for the rest of the country was 49,100. That suggests an undercount of more than 20,000 coronavirus-related deaths as of April 25.
Add those 20,000 missed deaths to today’s total of 83,000, and you already get more than 100,000 pandemic-related deaths. But the undercount probably continued after April 25, albeit at a lower rate.
We don’t have good enough mortality data to assess excess deaths in late April and early May, a period in which more than 30,000 Americans are reported to have died of COVID-19. Testing increased significantly, and over time, doctors seemed more willing to list COVID-19 as the cause of death.
“There’s probably less underreporting as time goes on,” notes Robert N. Anderson, the chief of mortality statistics at the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. In New York City, a study likewise found enormous underreporting in the first half of April, then gradually diminishing by the beginning of May.
In the period we looked at, the undercount also diminished. Initially, there were more than twice as many excess deaths as reported coronavirus deaths, but by April 25 there were only 40% more. If the undercount thereafter were 10%, that would add a few thousand to the total, possibly bringing it closer to 110,000.
These numbers are uncertain, but the implication is that somewhere around 25,000 more Americans died as a result of the pandemic than are recorded in the death tallies.
This kind of analysis can’t determine if they died directly from the virus or indirectly. Some presumably perished from heart attacks or strokes because they feared going to hospitals and delayed calling 911, or because ambulance services were stretched thin. In other words, a modest number presumably died because of the virus without being infected by it.
One reason to think that a great majority of the excess deaths are directly caused by the virus is that in some states that seem to have meticulous reporting, such as Massachusetts, the number of excess deaths and the number of COVID-19 deaths are not so far apart.
Irizarry, who is also chairman of the department of data science at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, notes that our new estimates are built on several layers of uncertainty. It typically takes two months for deaths to be reported in a reasonably complete way, so one critical issue is how to adjust for lags in reporting. The CDC tries to estimate what the death total will eventually be based on incomplete reporting, and our estimates depend on its algorithms.
The mortality figures show enormous variation by state. Texas and California appear to have suffered more deaths from the 2018 flu epidemic than from the coronavirus so far. And according to the CDC numbers, some states, including Arkansas, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Rhode Island, actually experienced fewer deaths than normal in the seven weeks ending April 25. The reason might be a decline in driving and a drop in accidental deaths.
Irizarry calculates that about 70% of excess deaths nationally derive from just five states: New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Massachusetts and Illinois.
The idea that official figures are undercounts is widely acknowledged. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci told a Senate health committee Tuesday that he didn’t know if the real death toll was 50% higher than the official figures, but that “almost certainly it’s higher.”
“Most frontline doctors will tell you that the numbers are grossly underreported,” said Michael P. Jones, an emergency medicine physician who works at hospitals in the Bronx that were particularly hard hit. Especially in the early days, he said, many COVID-19 deaths were simply listed as some variant of “respiratory failure” or “multisystem organ failure.”
Dr. Alicia Skarimbas, who practices in New Jersey, said, “We signed so many death certificates, we would get behind and take turns doing them.”
Skarimbas said that she would list COVID-19 as the cause of death when that seemed obvious, but her partners might simply list “respiratory failure” unless there had been a positive test for the virus. Thus it was often random whether COVID-19 was listed as the cause of death.
The undercounting is a global problem, not just one in the United States. Dr. Christopher Murray of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington estimates that globally, excess deaths are about double the official COVID-19 death counts.
Excess deaths are often used to gauge mortality from an event or an epidemic. When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017, the official death toll stood for a year at 64. But Irizarry and other scholars used a variety of techniques to calculate that excess deaths in the aftermath exceeded 1,000, perhaps by a wide margin. As a result of the statistical work, the official death toll is now 2,975.
COVID-19 will inevitably continue to kill people in the weeks ahead. Those who die over the next week or two have already been infected, perhaps several weeks ago. Dr. Tom Frieden, a former director of the CDC, notes that even if one could end all new infections, thousands would still die from infections already contracted.
Given the uncertainty and the lags in data, why go through this exercise of estimating deaths? Because flawed numbers based on an undercount are already a central part of the discussion, informing policy decisions, and Trump has made them so.
“We have saved thousands and thousands of lives,” he said on May 1. “Hopefully, we are going to come in below that 100,000 lives lost.” In that context, it seems worthwhile to note that this milestone has already been exceeded.
Nicholas D. Kristof is a New York Times columnist.


mercurynews--2020-05-15--6.4-magnitude earth quake rattles Nevada-California border

TONOPAH , Nev. — The U.S. Geological Service is reporting that a magnitude-6.4 earthquake struck in remote western Nevada early @ @ @ @ @ reported at 4:03 a.m. about 35 miles outside Tonopah , just east of the Sierra @ @ @ @ @ quake struck about 4.7 miles ( 7.6 kilometers ) deep , the USGS said , @ @ @ @ @ aftershocks were recorded shortly thereafter , including two with estimated magnitudes of 5.4 .
People @ @ @ @ @ Utah , to California ’ s Central Valley tweeted that they felt the quake .

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake shook the Nevada desert early Friday morning — and the tremors were felt as far away as the Bay Area.
Related Articles Environment | Map: Major Nevada highway closed by earthquake damage The quake hit about halfway between Las Vegas and Reno, about 35 miles west of Tonopah, setting off a series of aftershocks in the area, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake is Nevada’s first large one since 1954, Graham Kent, director of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, told CNN.
“As the third most seismic state in the nation, we kind of had a streak of not having big earthquakes for 66 years,” Kent said.
“This was a magnitude 6.5, and it was certainly felt in the Reno-Tahoe area, and also throughout the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys in California,” Kent said.
Cracks appeared on Highway 95, the main highway between Las Vegas and Reno, forcing authorities to close a stretch of the road near Coaldale. The Nevada Department of Transportation said “minor pavement damage” had occurred to a half-mile of highway and that the road would remain closed through Friday evening.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Earthquake damage at US-95 and Esmeralda County MM 89 has closed the highway between SR-360 and US-6 (Coaldale Junction). Use an alternate route and expect delays while @nevadadot makes repairs. pic.twitter.com/QJ0v6FW0Ae — NHP Northern Command (@NHPNorthernComm) May 15, 2020
The first shaking came just after 4 a.m., at a depth of about 2.5 miles below ground, the USGS said. More than 20,000 people reported feeling the quake, including a number of reports from the Bay Area, 300 miles west of the quake’s epicenter, to Salt Lake City, more than 400 miles northeast.
In the hours following the first rumble, the USGS recorded dozens more smaller quakes, including six with magnitudes of 4.5 or higher.
There have been about two dozen M5.0 or higher earthquakes in the region (defined as within 50 kilometers, or about 31 miles) in the past 50 years, according to the USGS, but this was just the third M6.0 or higher earthquake there in the past century.
CNN contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-05-15--California man pleads guilty to blackmailing former Silicon Valley venture capitalist

KALISPELL , Mont .
— A California man pleaded guilty to a single count of blackmail stemming from efforts to extort money from Montana businessman Michael Goguen .
Bryan Gregg Waterfield Nash entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Missoula May 7 , The Flathead Beacon reports .
Nash targeted the Whitefish resident in a “ steadily escalating ” campaign to to extort money from Goguen and “ destroy him personally , ” court documents said Federal prosecutors accepted the plea in exchange for dismissing multiple charges of interstate stalking and interstate communication with the intent to extort .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nash , who is free on supervised release prior to an Aug. 7 sentencing hearing .
The men had a friendly relationship prior to 2008 , when Goguen worked as a venture capitalist for Sequoia Capital Operations LLC in California , court documents said .
The relationship soured after Nash ’ s wife initiated divorce proceedings and he blamed Goguen for the dissolution .
Nash attempted to extort millions of dollars from Goguen beginning in 2013 .
Nash sent Goguen numerous emails threatening retaliation through embarrassing personal revelations , court records said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Sequoia partner thrown out A 2016 civil suit filed against Goguen in California was determined by a judge to be part of an extortion plot .
The case did not involve Nash but appeared to fuel his extortion attempts , which extended to Goguen ’ s friends , family members and business associates .
Nash also contacted Goguen ’ s church in Whitefish by telephone and email , according to investigators .
“ The FBI has interviewed at least 20 individuals in four different states who have received harassing interstate communications from @ @ @ @ @ @

KALISPELL, Mont. — A California man pleaded guilty to a single count of blackmail stemming from efforts to extort money from Montana businessman Michael Goguen.
Bryan Gregg Waterfield Nash entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Missoula May 7, The Flathead Beacon reports.
Nash targeted the Whitefish resident in a “steadily escalating” campaign to to extort money from Goguen and “destroy him personally,” court documents said
Federal prosecutors accepted the plea in exchange for dismissing multiple charges of interstate stalking and interstate communication with the intent to extort.
Prosecutors recommended a five-year probationary sentence for Nash, who is free on supervised release prior to an Aug. 7 sentencing hearing.
The men had a friendly relationship prior to 2008, when Goguen worked as a venture capitalist for Sequoia Capital Operations LLC in California, court documents said.
The relationship soured after Nash’s wife initiated divorce proceedings and he blamed Goguen for the dissolution.
Nash attempted to extort millions of dollars from Goguen beginning in 2013. Nash sent Goguen numerous emails threatening retaliation through embarrassing personal revelations, court records said.
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Silicon Valley venture capitalist fights sex abuse accusations Crime and Public Safety | Sequoia Capital partner out after sex abuse allegations A 2016 civil suit filed against Goguen in California was determined by a judge to be part of an extortion plot.
The case did not involve Nash but appeared to fuel his extortion attempts, which extended to Goguen’s friends, family members and business associates. Nash also contacted Goguen’s church in Whitefish by telephone and email, according to investigators.
“The FBI has interviewed at least 20 individuals in four different states who have received harassing interstate communications from Nash,” records said.


mercurynews--2020-05-15--Hanson: Losing our fears, in war and plague

Seventy-five years ago this month , Germany surrendered , ending the European theater of World War II .
At the war ’ s beginning , no one believed Germany would utterly collapse in May 1945 .
On the morning of Dec. 7 , 1941 , the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor , German invaders were on the verge of capturing Moscow .
Britain was isolated .
London had barely survived a terrible German bombing during the Blitz .
A sleeping America was neutral , but it was beginning to realize it was weak and mostly unarmed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a booming U.S. economy was fielding vast military forces from Alaska to the Sahara .
Britain and America were bombing the German heartland .
The Soviet Red Army had trapped and destroyed a million-man German army at Stalingrad .
How did the Allies — Britain , the Soviet Union and the U.S. — turn around the European war so quickly ?
The huge Red Army would suffer close to 11 million deaths in halting German offensives .
Britain would never give up despite terrible losses at home and at sea from German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key to victory was the U.S. economy .
It would eventually outproduce all the major economies on both sides of the war combined .
But how did the U.S. arm so quickly , build such effective weapons so soon and from almost nothing field a military some 12 million strong ?
Neo-socialist President Franklin D. Roosevelt unleashed American business under the aegis of successful entrepreneurs such as Henry Ford of the Ford Motor Company , William Knudsen of General Motors , Henry Kaiser of Kaiser Shipyards and Charles Wilson of General Electric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rein from New Deal strictures to work and profit without burdensome government regulations .
The result was a military juggernaut that overwhelmed America ’ s enemies .
Politics went on , but in less partisan fashion .
Republicans picked up seats in the House and Senate in 1942 , while Roosevelt won a fourth presidential term in 1944 .
Roosevelt was able to dodge charges of rank partisanship during the war by appointing Republicans to key positions in his administration .
Republican Henry Stimson became secretary of war .
Former Republican vice presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Navy .
Roosevelt stocked the War Production Board with Republican capitalists .
The media turned from either propagandizing the success of the New Deal or hyping its failures to warning Americans of the looming existential threat that would soon make their differences irrelevant .
From 1929 to 1938 , the U.S. economy was in ruins .
FDR ’ s New Deal could not restore economic growth or consumer confidence .
As late as 1938 , economic growth had sunk to negative 3.3 % .
Unemployment soared to an unsustainable 19 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans into taking a gamble — to work feverishly and to ramp up industry .
By the end 1941 , the early rearmament effort had spiked GDP growth to 17.7 % .
Unemployment had fallen to about 10 % and would soon fall to about 2 % .
Americans began losing their dread that they could do nothing against a decadelong depression .
The less they feared the Axis powers , the more they restarted the economy and began to produce a plethora of goods and services .
After Pearl Harbor , Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government assistance or expect other nations to protect them .
Does World War II offer any lessons regarding our wrecked economy and staggering unemployment from the lockdown reaction to the coronavirus ?
Perhaps .
Government can not restore prosperity .
Only entrepreneurs and risk-takers can .
Americans must master their fears of the virus and dare to go back to work .
Otherwise , locked-down states will continue to borrow to pay out public assistance without creating wealth from labor , production and investment .
Bankrupt states will beg the federal government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have for bailouts to pay those who are not working and not creating collective wealth .
The media must stick to reporting on the virus and the ailing economy .
Their often petty obsessions with destroying President Donald Trump are long past monotonous .
Trump himself must keep working with any Democratic governors who realize they must put their states back to work in order to have the money to pay for the fight against the virus .
Interest rates are low .
Gas is as cheap as it ’ s been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tired of being housebound .
They want to get back to work to make and spend money .
All that is missing is confidence — or rather , the conviction that the coronavirus is no more dangerous than were the Axis powers and can be beaten far more quickly if we show the sort of will our grandparents had .

Seventy-five years ago this month, Germany surrendered, ending the European theater of World War II. At the war’s beginning, no one believed Germany would utterly collapse in May 1945.
On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, German invaders were on the verge of capturing Moscow. Britain was isolated. London had barely survived a terrible German bombing during the Blitz.
A sleeping America was neutral, but it was beginning to realize it was weak and mostly unarmed in a scary world.
But by 1943, a booming U.S. economy was fielding vast military forces from Alaska to the Sahara. Britain and America were bombing the German heartland. The Soviet Red Army had trapped and destroyed a million-man German army at Stalingrad.
How did the Allies — Britain, the Soviet Union and the U.S. — turn around the European war so quickly?
The huge Red Army would suffer close to 11 million deaths in halting German offensives. Britain would never give up despite terrible losses at home and at sea from German bombers, rockets and submarines.
Yet the key to victory was the U.S. economy. It would eventually outproduce all the major economies on both sides of the war combined.
But how did the U.S. arm so quickly, build such effective weapons so soon and from almost nothing field a military some 12 million strong?
Neo-socialist President Franklin D. Roosevelt unleashed American business under the aegis of successful entrepreneurs such as Henry Ford of the Ford Motor Company, William Knudsen of General Motors, Henry Kaiser of Kaiser Shipyards and Charles Wilson of General Electric.
They were all given relatively free rein from New Deal strictures to work and profit without burdensome government regulations. The result was a military juggernaut that overwhelmed America’s enemies.
Politics went on, but in less partisan fashion. Republicans picked up seats in the House and Senate in 1942, while Roosevelt won a fourth presidential term in 1944.
Roosevelt was able to dodge charges of rank partisanship during the war by appointing Republicans to key positions in his administration. Republican Henry Stimson became secretary of war. Former Republican vice presidential candidate Frank Knox was the all-important secretary of the Navy. Roosevelt stocked the War Production Board with Republican capitalists.
The media turned from either propagandizing the success of the New Deal or hyping its failures to warning Americans of the looming existential threat that would soon make their differences irrelevant.
Most importantly, Americans lost their fears.
From 1929 to 1938, the U.S. economy was in ruins. FDR’s New Deal could not restore economic growth or consumer confidence. As late as 1938, economic growth had sunk to negative 3.3%. Unemployment soared to an unsustainable 19%.
Only the threat of war terrified Americans into taking a gamble — to work feverishly and to ramp up industry.
By the end 1941, the early rearmament effort had spiked GDP growth to 17.7%. Unemployment had fallen to about 10% and would soon fall to about 2%.
Americans began losing their dread that they could do nothing against a decadelong depression. The less they feared the Axis powers, the more they restarted the economy and began to produce a plethora of goods and services.
After Pearl Harbor, Americans did not stay neutral, wait for government assistance or expect other nations to protect them.
Does World War II offer any lessons regarding our wrecked economy and staggering unemployment from the lockdown reaction to the coronavirus?
Perhaps. Government cannot restore prosperity. Only entrepreneurs and risk-takers can. Americans must master their fears of the virus and dare to go back to work.
Otherwise, locked-down states will continue to borrow to pay out public assistance without creating wealth from labor, production and investment. Bankrupt states will beg the federal government to print money that it doesn’t have for bailouts to pay those who are not working and not creating collective wealth.
The media must stick to reporting on the virus and the ailing economy. Their often petty obsessions with destroying President Donald Trump are long past monotonous.
Trump himself must keep working with any Democratic governors who realize they must put their states back to work in order to have the money to pay for the fight against the virus.
Interest rates are low. Gas is as cheap as it’s been in years. Inflation remains moribund. People are tired of being housebound. They want to get back to work to make and spend money.
All that is missing is confidence — or rather, the conviction that the coronavirus is no more dangerous than were the Axis powers and can be beaten far more quickly if we show the sort of will our grandparents had.
Victor Davis Hanson is a syndicated columnist.


mercurynews--2020-05-15--San Francisco church sues Zoom after ‘zoombomber’ streamed porn in a Bible study class

A San Francisco church is suing Zoom after one of its bible study classes was allegedly infiltrated by a hacker who bombarded the video call with porn .
The Saint Paulus Lutheran Church , one of the oldest churches in the city , held a bible study class on May 6 , in which most of the attendees were senior citizens .
But 42 minutes into the class , their computer screens were “ hijacked ” and “ control buttons disabled ” while pornographic video was streamed , according to a federal lawsuit filed on Wednesday on behalf of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The footages were sick and sickening — portraying adults engaging in sexual acts with each other and performing sexual acts on infants and children , in addition to physically abusing them , ” the lawsuit said , adding that Zoom admitted the hacker was a “ known serial offender ” who had been reported “ multiple times to the authorities.
” In the suit , the plaintiffs accuse Zoom of “ prioritizing profit and revenue over data protection and user security ” and are seeking damages for negligence , invasion of privacy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy statutes among other things .
“ The Church filed this lawsuit only after Zoom refused to take its concerns seriously , ” Mark Molumphy , one of the church ’ s lawyers , told CNN in an email statement .
“ One would think that Zoom — having been informed of the Church ’ s horrific experience — would ’ ve done everything possible to acknowledge and fix the security vulnerabilities of its platform , ” Molumphy , a partner at Cotchett , Pitre & McCarthy One , said .
“ Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Zoom likely hoped that the Church would just go away .
However , it is not going away , and instead , courageously stepping up to try to change Zoom ’ s practices and make sure this doesn ’ t happen again to anyone else.
” Zoom disputed the church ’ s claims that it did not immediately take action following the incident .
“ We were deeply upset to hear about this incident , and our hearts go out to those impacted by this horrific event .
Words can not express @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a spokesperson for Zoom said in an email statement to CNN .
“ On the same day we learned of this incident , we identified the offender , took action to block their access to the platform and reported them to the relevant authorities .
We encourage users to report any incidents of this kind either to Zoom so we can take appropriate action or directly to law enforcement authorities .
We also encourage all meeting hosts to take advantage of Zoom ’ s recently updated security features and follow other best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadly share meeting IDs and passwords online , as appeared to be the case here , ” the spokesperson added .
The spokesperson pointed to a series of blog posts by the company that highlighted the security enhancements Zoom has made in recent months , such as making meeting passwords a default and updating its encryption standard .
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Newsom , explained With the coronavirus pandemic forcing people to stay at home , many have taken to Zoom to virtually attend school classes , work meetings or just connect with friends .
But as the video conference app surged in popularity , the FBI has said that it received multiple reports of “ Zoombombing , ” in which calls were hijacked by individuals who share “ pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language.
” Zoom ’ s CEO Eric Yuan apologized for the company ’ s shortcomings last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fallen short of the community ’ s — and our own — privacy and security expectations .
For that , I am deeply sorry , ” he wrote in a blog post from April 1 .
The company released an updated Zoom 5.0 on April 27 , which allows meeting hosts to report misbehaving users for review , lock meetings after all participants have arrived , and remove any unwanted participants .

A San Francisco church is suing Zoom after one of its bible study classes was allegedly infiltrated by a hacker who bombarded the video call with porn.
The Saint Paulus Lutheran Church, one of the oldest churches in the city, held a bible study class on May 6, in which most of the attendees were senior citizens.
But 42 minutes into the class, their computer screens were “hijacked” and “control buttons disabled” while pornographic video was streamed, according to a federal lawsuit filed on Wednesday on behalf of the church and its church administrator.
“The footages were sick and sickening — portraying adults engaging in sexual acts with each other and performing sexual acts on infants and children, in addition to physically abusing them,” the lawsuit said, adding that Zoom admitted the hacker was a “known serial offender” who had been reported “multiple times to the authorities.”
In the suit, the plaintiffs accuse Zoom of “prioritizing profit and revenue over data protection and user security” and are seeking damages for negligence, invasion of privacy and violations of California state consumer protection and privacy statutes among other things.
“The Church filed this lawsuit only after Zoom refused to take its concerns seriously,” Mark Molumphy, one of the church’s lawyers, told CNN in an email statement.
“One would think that Zoom — having been informed of the Church’s horrific experience — would’ve done everything possible to acknowledge and fix the security vulnerabilities of its platform,” Molumphy, a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy One, said. “Instead, the Church was basically ignored, and Zoom likely hoped that the Church would just go away. However, it is not going away, and instead, courageously stepping up to try to change Zoom’s practices and make sure this doesn’t happen again to anyone else.”
Zoom disputed the church’s claims that it did not immediately take action following the incident.
“We were deeply upset to hear about this incident, and our hearts go out to those impacted by this horrific event. Words cannot express how strongly we condemn such behavior,” a spokesperson for Zoom said in an email statement to CNN.
“On the same day we learned of this incident, we identified the offender, took action to block their access to the platform and reported them to the relevant authorities. We encourage users to report any incidents of this kind either to Zoom so we can take appropriate action or directly to law enforcement authorities. We also encourage all meeting hosts to take advantage of Zoom’s recently updated security features and follow other best practices, including making sure not to broadly share meeting IDs and passwords online, as appeared to be the case here,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson pointed to a series of blog posts by the company that highlighted the security enhancements Zoom has made in recent months, such as making meeting passwords a default and updating its encryption standard.
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But as the video conference app surged in popularity, the FBI has said that it received multiple reports of “Zoombombing,” in which calls were hijacked by individuals who share “pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language.”
Zoom’s CEO Eric Yuan apologized for the company’s shortcomings last month.
“We recognize that we have fallen short of the community’s — and our own — privacy and security expectations. For that, I am deeply sorry,” he wrote in a blog post from April 1.
The company released an updated Zoom 5.0 on April 27, which allows meeting hosts to report misbehaving users for review, lock meetings after all participants have arrived, and remove any unwanted participants.
The-CNN-Wire
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mercurynews--2020-05-15--Here’s exactly what the new L.A. County stay-home order says

Los Angeles County issued new health officer orders Wednesday , May 13 , two days before the prior order , first issued on March 16 then amended several times , was about to expire .
County officials vowed to strive to ease the new order — as it had the previous order — in a gradual fashion , aiming to reopen businesses and attractions as it becomes safe to do so — with such restrictions as social distancing and required facemasks .
The new order , like the previous one , is known as Safer-at-Home .
But there are certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all means : First off , the new L.A. County Safer-at-Home order is meant to comply with a state executive order that requires individuals to stay home or at their place of residence , except for those working in essential businesses and government employees .
As the governor relaxes the state order , which he has several times , the county has the option to do the same locally , but it can always choose to be more restrictive , such as the case with indoor shopping malls .
The state opened the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but so far the county will not allow it .
Likewise , local cities can choose to make their orders more restrictive as well .
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“ We continue to call our health officer order Safer-at-Home to emphasize that all of us are still more protected when we remain home as much as possible , ” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer .
Any aspect of the health officer order can be enforced by L.A. County Sheriff ’ s or city police departments as a public nuisance violation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in jail and a $ 1,000 fine .
The new health officer order requires that specific higher-risk businesses remain closed , but it does allow for lower-risk retail businesses to reopen for “ curbside , door-side or other outdoor or outside pickup or delivery.
” These include all retailers that are not located within an indoor mall and manufacturing and logistics businesses that supply these retailers .
Other restrictions include the following : • Trails , beaches , golf courses , tennis and pickleball courts , shooting and archery ranges , equestrian centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bike paths may now open but with certain restrictions .
• As a precondition to reopening , businesses must implement certain protocols such as employees wearing masks , maintaining social distancing , posting safety protocols and supplying hand sanitizer .
• Beaches are conditionally opened , currently for active use only , but other uses will soon be allowed under the second phase of beach reopening to include the bike path , parking lots and lounging on the sand .
• Essential activity is allowed but social distancing is still required .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay in their residence as much as possible .
If working from home is possible , it ’ s advised to continue doing so .
Residents are only supposed to leave their home for essential activities such as health care services , shopping or work .
People experiencing homelessness are exempt from the stay-home portion of the order .
• For anyone leaving their residence , a face covering is required whenever there can be contact with others who are non-household members in both public and private places .
There is no change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anyone over 65 and/or with active or unstable pre-existing health conditions should remain home , leaving only when necessary to seek medical care or obtain food or other necessities .
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These higher-risk businesses include the following : • Personal grooming such as barbers , hair salons and nail salons , • Indoor and outdoor playgrounds for children , except those in childcare centers , • All events and gatherings unless specifically allows .
Essential activities that are exempt include the following : • Tasks important to health and safety of themselves or family such as visiting a veterinary clinic or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary services to supply themselves or family with groceries or needed supplies , • To perform work for an essential business or lower-risk business , • To obtain or access services from essential government functions such as court or law enforcement services , • To care for minors , the elderly , dependents or persons with disabilities , • To obtain in-person behavioral or substance use disorder support in small group meetings limited to 10 people , • Staff of faith-based organizations may gather in a single space , no more than 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparing and facilitating live-stream or other virtual communications with members , • Engaging in outdoor recreation activity as long as it complies with other restrictions .

Los Angeles County issued new health officer orders Wednesday, May 13, two days before the prior order, first issued on March 16 then amended several times, was about to expire.
County officials vowed to strive to ease the new order — as it had the previous order — in a gradual fashion, aiming to reopen businesses and attractions as it becomes safe to do so — with such restrictions as social distancing and required facemasks.
The new order, like the previous one, is known as Safer-at-Home. But there are certain differences. Here’s what it all means:
First off, the new L.A. County Safer-at-Home order is meant to comply with a state executive order that requires individuals to stay home or at their place of residence, except for those working in essential businesses and government employees.
As the governor relaxes the state order, which he has several times, the county has the option to do the same locally, but it can always choose to be more restrictive, such as the case with indoor shopping malls. The state opened the door for curbside pickup at malls, but so far the county will not allow it. Likewise, local cities can choose to make their orders more restrictive as well.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge In addition, at any time the county health officer order could be loosened or made more restrictive, depending on what county officials see in the number of confirmed cases, deaths and hospitalizations related to the novel coronavirus.
“We continue to call our health officer order Safer-at-Home to emphasize that all of us are still more protected when we remain home as much as possible,” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.
Any aspect of the health officer order can be enforced by L.A. County Sheriff’s or city police departments as a public nuisance violation with fines punishable of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
What is allowed
The new health officer order requires that specific higher-risk businesses remain closed, but it does allow for lower-risk retail businesses to reopen for “curbside, door-side or other outdoor or outside pickup or delivery.” These include all retailers that are not located within an indoor mall and manufacturing and logistics businesses that supply these retailers.
Other restrictions include the following:
Trails, beaches, golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, shooting and archery ranges, equestrian centers, model airplane areas, community gardens and bike paths may now open but with certain restrictions.
As a precondition to reopening, businesses must implement certain protocols such as employees wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, posting safety protocols and supplying hand sanitizer.
Beaches are conditionally opened, currently for active use only, but other uses will soon be allowed under the second phase of beach reopening to include the bike path, parking lots and lounging on the sand.
Essential activity is allowed but social distancing is still required.
County residents are still meant to stay in their residence as much as possible. If working from home is possible, it’s advised to continue doing so. Residents are only supposed to leave their home for essential activities such as health care services, shopping or work. People experiencing homelessness are exempt from the stay-home portion of the order.
For anyone leaving their residence, a face covering is required whenever there can be contact with others who are non-household members in both public and private places. There is no change in this policy since April.
Anyone over 65 and/or with active or unstable pre-existing health conditions should remain home, leaving only when necessary to seek medical care or obtain food or other necessities.
What must remain closed
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The new Safer-at-Home order continues to require closure of certain higher-risk businesses, recreational sites, commercial properties and activities where frequent and prolonged person-to-person contacts are likely.
These higher-risk businesses include the following:
Bars and nightclubs,
Gyms and fitness centers,
Movie theaters, drive-in theaters, live performances, concert halls, stadiums, arenas, gaming facilities, theme parks, festivals,
Bowling alleys, arcades,
Public piers, public beach parking lots, bike paths that traverse the sand,
Personal grooming such as barbers, hair salons and nail salons,
Massage or body art establishments,
Indoor and outdoor playgrounds for children, except those in childcare centers,
Community centers, including indoor pools, hot tubs and saunas in multi-unit residences,
Indoor and outdoor flea markets,
Indoor and outdoor museums, galleries, zoos and libraries,
Indoor malls and indoor shopping centers,
All events and gatherings unless specifically allows.
Essential activities that are exempt include the following:
Tasks important to health and safety of themselves or family such as visiting a veterinary clinic or obtaining medical supplies,
To obtain necessary services to supply themselves or family with groceries or needed supplies,
To perform work for an essential business or lower-risk business,
To obtain or access services from essential government functions such as court or law enforcement services,
To care for minors, the elderly, dependents or persons with disabilities,
To obtain in-person behavioral or substance use disorder support in small group meetings limited to 10 people,
Staff of faith-based organizations may gather in a single space, no more than 10 people, for the sole purpose of preparing and facilitating live-stream or other virtual communications with members,
Engaging in outdoor recreation activity as long as it complies with other restrictions.
Read the full order here.


mercurynews--2020-05-15--Bay Area real estate group sue Realtors over ban on pocket listings

A San Francisco-based agent network that privately markets homes outside the Realtor-run “ multiple listing service ” sued the National Association of Realtors in federal court this week , accusing the trade group of stifling competition when it banned “ pocket listings ” last November .
Top Agent Network Inc. , a private service made up of nearly 10,000 real estate agents in 31 U.S. markets , complained that NAR ’ s newly adopted “ clear cooperation policy ” seeks to shut their operation down .
Under the policy , which took effect on May 1 , real estate agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within one business day after they start marketing it publicly .
According to the lawsuit , more than 80 % of homes sold in the U.S. are listed on the MLS .
NAR adopted the policy after members complained that pocket listings were discriminatory and unfairly left many buyers out of the running for desirable homes .
Pocket listings include private listing networks , email blasts , “ coming soon ” announcements , yard signs , flyers and other tactics that market homes outside Realtor-run MLS directories .
The network ’ s lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for membership fees .
“ Top Agent Network Inc. ( TAN ) is a prime example of a competitor providing an alternative to NAR-controlled MLS , ” the lawsuit , filed Monday in San Francisco , said .
“ Realizing the threat TAN poses , NAR recently promulgated a rule … intended to undercut TAN ’ s entire business model.
” NAR issued a statement saying there ’ s no legal basis for the network ’ s lawsuit .
The pocket listing ban “ ensures greater transparency and competition between real estate listings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy concerns , ” the statement by NAR Communications Vice President Mantill Williams said .
“ Cooperation with other MLS participants is in ( a ) client ’ s interests and enables the listing to be shared with the widest group of potential buyers , ” the statement said .
According to the lawsuit , the Top Agent Network platform allows high-producing agents to exchange market data and information on a more selective basis while allowing high-profile clients like celebrities and the wealthy to avoid the exposure of the relatively public MLS .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit names the California Association of Realtors and the San Francisco Association of Realtors as defendants .
Pocket listing critics complain such “ off-MLS ” tactics cut agents and buyers out of real estate deals , often allowing listing brokers to represent both buyers and sellers so they can “ hog ” the whole commission .
Pocket listings also deprive sellers of the widest possible exposure to the full market and can be discriminatory against minorities , they say .
Listings on the MLS also are shared with a wide range of real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redfin , allowing “ homebuyers ( to ) see those listings on every website , not just the one preferred by the listing agent , ” Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman wrote on his company ’ s blog .
The Top Agent Network says its membership is limited to the top 10 % of real estate agents , with members involved in home sales totaling $ 165 billion , or about 11 % of all U.S. sales .
Enforcement of the policy is left to local Realtor associations .
The lawsuit says the San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5,000 for the first violation , with penalties doubled or tripled for subsequent infractions .

A San Francisco-based agent network that privately markets homes outside the Realtor-run “multiple listing service” sued the National Association of Realtors in federal court this week, accusing the trade group of stifling competition when it banned “pocket listings” last November.
Top Agent Network Inc., a private service made up of nearly 10,000 real estate agents in 31 U.S. markets, complained that NAR’s newly adopted “clear cooperation policy” seeks to shut their operation down.
Under the policy, which took effect on May 1, real estate agents must add a home to the MLS within one business day after they start marketing it publicly. According to the lawsuit, more than 80% of homes sold in the U.S. are listed on the MLS.
NAR adopted the policy after members complained that pocket listings were discriminatory and unfairly left many buyers out of the running for desirable homes.
Pocket listings include private listing networks, email blasts, “coming soon” announcements, yard signs, flyers and other tactics that market homes outside Realtor-run MLS directories.
The network’s lawsuit says it is in competition with NAR for membership fees.
“Top Agent Network Inc. (TAN) is a prime example of a competitor providing an alternative to NAR-controlled MLS,” the lawsuit, filed Monday in San Francisco, said. “Realizing the threat TAN poses, NAR recently promulgated a rule … intended to undercut TAN’s entire business model.”
NAR issued a statement saying there’s no legal basis for the network’s lawsuit.
The pocket listing ban “ensures greater transparency and competition between real estate listings and between brokers, while still addressing privacy concerns,” the statement by NAR Communications Vice President Mantill Williams said.
“Cooperation with other MLS participants is in (a) client’s interests and enables the listing to be shared with the widest group of potential buyers,” the statement said.
According to the lawsuit, the Top Agent Network platform allows high-producing agents to exchange market data and information on a more selective basis while allowing high-profile clients like celebrities and the wealthy to avoid the exposure of the relatively public MLS.
The network “provides behind-the-scenes ‘matchmaking’ services, connecting a seller’s agent and buyer’s agent.”
In addition to NAR, the federal suit names the California Association of Realtors and the San Francisco Association of Realtors as defendants.
Pocket listing critics complain such “off-MLS” tactics cut agents and buyers out of real estate deals, often allowing listing brokers to represent both buyers and sellers so they can “hog” the whole commission.
Pocket listings also deprive sellers of the widest possible exposure to the full market and can be discriminatory against minorities, they say.
Listings on the MLS also are shared with a wide range of real estate websites like Realtor.com, Zillow and Redfin, allowing “homebuyers (to) see those listings on every website, not just the one preferred by the listing agent,” Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman wrote on his company’s blog.
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Enforcement of the policy is left to local Realtor associations. The lawsuit says the San Francisco Realtor association plans to fine violators $5,000 for the first violation, with penalties doubled or tripled for subsequent infractions.


mercurynews--2020-05-15--A fourth of American restaurants won’t reopen, OpenTable says

One in every four U.S. restaurants will go out of business due to the coronavirus quarantines that have battered the food-service industry , according to a forecast by OpenTable .
The bleak projection underscores the widespread pain for American restaurants as lockdowns have forced people to cook at home or order takeout rather than eat out .
Total reservations and walk-in customers from OpenTable ’ s network were down 95 % on May 13 from the same day a year ago , according to data from the service , which is owned by Booking Holdings .
This has been calamitous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 30 billion in sales during March and $ 50 billion in April , according to National Restaurant Association estimates .
In 2019 , U.S. Bureau of Labor data showed 9.6 million Americans working in foodservice .
OpenTable tracks more than 54,000 restaurants on its reservation site for online and phone reservations as well as walk-in customers .
Take-out and deliveries are excluded .
The company ’ s data shows there are growing signs patrons are willing to dine out again in states like Arizona and Texas where it ’ s allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below where they were last year .
Scottsdale showed the greatest improvement .
It had zero reservations almost every day since March 21 , but on May 13 this eased to a down 72 % from reservations on the same day in 2019 .
The next most significant recoveries were in Houston and Phoenix .
While it was Arizona and Texas cities that improved the most , Florida showed the most statewide gain , reporting restaurant foot traffic down 83 % year-on-year .
Florida began a phased reopening May 4 , with restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indiana started the second phase of reopening its economy on May 4 , allowing restaurants to operate at 50 % of capacity .
It is targeting a full reopening by July 4 .
Tennessee also allows restaurants to operate at half their normal capacity .
Even where they ’ re allowed to reopen , some restaurants have not done so .
“ Restaurants are complicated beasts , ” Steve Hafner , chief executive officer of Booking Holdings ’ OpenTable and Kayak , said in an interview .
“ You have to order food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure you ’ ve prepped the kitchen and service areas to be easily disinfected.
” Hafner also cited state unemployment benefits and federal supplements as to why it ’ s been hard to hire help in an industry that relies on hourly workers making tips .
“ A lot of people are making $ 1,200 a week doing nothing .
That ’ s good pay , ” he said .
To help , OpenTable has waived fees and subscription costs for restaurants that list on its platform .
On Thursday , it also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars and wineries that need to comply with capacity controls and distancing rules .
• 10 ways California restaurants will be different when they reopen • Wisconsin bars reopen after court throws out stay-at-home order — some with new rules • Black light experiment shows how quickly a virus like Covid-19 can spread at a restaurant

By Ed Ludlow, Bloomberg
One in every four U.S. restaurants will go out of business due to the coronavirus quarantines that have battered the food-service industry, according to a forecast by OpenTable.
The bleak projection underscores the widespread pain for American restaurants as lockdowns have forced people to cook at home or order takeout rather than eat out. Total reservations and walk-in customers from OpenTable’s network were down 95% on May 13 from the same day a year ago, according to data from the service, which is owned by Booking Holdings.
This has been calamitous for the industry. Restaurants lost more than $30 billion in sales during March and $50 billion in April, according to National Restaurant Association estimates. In 2019, U.S. Bureau of Labor data showed 9.6 million Americans working in foodservice.
OpenTable tracks more than 54,000 restaurants on its reservation site for online and phone reservations as well as walk-in customers. Take-out and deliveries are excluded.
The company’s data shows there are growing signs patrons are willing to dine out again in states like Arizona and Texas where it’s allowed, though the numbers are still far below where they were last year.
Scottsdale showed the greatest improvement. It had zero reservations almost every day since March 21, but on May 13 this eased to a down 72% from reservations on the same day in 2019. The next most significant recoveries were in Houston and Phoenix.
While it was Arizona and Texas cities that improved the most, Florida showed the most statewide gain, reporting restaurant foot traffic down 83% year-on-year. Florida began a phased reopening May 4, with restaurants allowed to operate at one-quarter capacity.
Indiana started the second phase of reopening its economy on May 4, allowing restaurants to operate at 50% of capacity. It is targeting a full reopening by July 4. Tennessee also allows restaurants to operate at half their normal capacity.
Even where they’re allowed to reopen, some restaurants have not done so.
“Restaurants are complicated beasts,” Steve Hafner, chief executive officer of Booking Holdings’ OpenTable and Kayak, said in an interview. “You have to order food and supplies. You have to make sure you’ve prepped the kitchen and service areas to be easily disinfected.”
Hafner also cited state unemployment benefits and federal supplements as to why it’s been hard to hire help in an industry that relies on hourly workers making tips. “A lot of people are making $1,200 a week doing nothing. That’s good pay,” he said.


mercurynews--2020-05-15--What do the Houseparty app, Katy Perry and Buffy the Vampire Slayer have in common?

Houseparty , a face-to-face social networking app , is throwing a three-day In The House virtual event May 15-17 with a variety of video content coming from over 40 musicians , celebrities , chefs and pro athletes .
Fans can download the Houseparty app for free to tune into the In The House videos , which include everything from cooking demos and workouts to musical performances and dance parties .
Oh , and actress Sarah Michelle Gellar will reprise her role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and share her # quarantips to help prepare the masses for the apocalypse During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katy Perry , Chvrches , Dua Lipa , DaBaby and Idina Menzel will perform some of their favorite songs and discuss some of the inspiration behind them .
Chefs Roy Choi , José Andrés and Chef Mike will host cooking demos and rapper Snoop Dogg will show off his culinary skills as he whips up and shares his favorite breakfast recipe .
Magician David Blane will perform and actor Neil Patrick Harris will be doing his own magic show .
Actress and She & Him singer Zooey Deschanel will showcase her favorite vinyl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ball bounce challenge master class .
To help keep our bodies in check , singer-songwriter Alicia Keys will sing and share her workout routine ; Football quarterback Cam Newton will lead an NFL-inspired workout ; Yogi Kerri Verna will conduct a “ Quick Quarantine Yoga Flow ” class ; “ Brooklyn 99 ” actor and fitness enthusiast Terry Crews is going to teach us how to have some fun while we sweat .
During an In The House live video , Houseparty users can add it to their group chats for private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the Houseparty videos can be found at houseparty.com/in-the-house .

Houseparty, a face-to-face social networking app, is throwing a three-day In The House virtual event May 15-17 with a variety of video content coming from over 40 musicians, celebrities, chefs and pro athletes.
Fans can download the Houseparty app for free to tune into the In The House videos, which include everything from cooking demos and workouts to musical performances and dance parties.
Oh, and actress Sarah Michelle Gellar will reprise her role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and share her #quarantips to help prepare the masses for the apocalypse
During the event, artists like Miguel, Katy Perry, Chvrches, Dua Lipa, DaBaby and Idina Menzel will perform some of their favorite songs and discuss some of the inspiration behind them.
Chefs Roy Choi, José Andrés and Chef Mike will host cooking demos and rapper Snoop Dogg will show off his culinary skills as he whips up and shares his favorite breakfast recipe.
Magician David Blane will perform and actor Neil Patrick Harris will be doing his own magic show.
Actress and She & Him singer Zooey Deschanel will showcase her favorite vinyl records; actor Keegan-Michael Key will host a ball bounce challenge master class.
To help keep our bodies in check, singer-songwriter Alicia Keys will sing and share her workout routine; Football quarterback Cam Newton will lead an NFL-inspired workout; Yogi Kerri Verna will conduct a “Quick Quarantine Yoga Flow” class; “Brooklyn 99” actor and fitness enthusiast Terry Crews is going to teach us how to have some fun while we sweat.
During an In The House live video, Houseparty users can add it to their group chats for private viewing parties. A full schedule featuring all of the Houseparty videos can be found at houseparty.com/in-the-house.


mercurynews--2020-05-15--Coronavirus unemployment: Scores of jobless Californians still waiting for benefits

Scores of Southern California employees who filed for unemployment benefits and had their claims approved by the state Employment Development Department amid the COVID-19 pandemic hope that ’ s the case .
But many say they ’ ve waited for weeks and have yet to receive one .
The agency issues unemployment benefit payments via EDD debit cards .
Those who were issued one over the past three years will simply see their card reloaded , and others who need a new debit card or have an expired one will get a new one .
The crux , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hundreds of thousands of business owners and employees have lost their jobs due to the closure of nonessential businesses while other workers have seen their hours whittled down by half or more .
While things are beginning to loosen up as some California businesses can now provide curbside pickup , staffing at most of those places remains well below previous levels .
Philip Wang , 38 , of Rancho Santa Margarita is among the claimants still waiting for financial help to arrive .
Wang said he was working full-time for a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late March .
He was later furloughed due to COVID-19 , he said .
The out-of-work dentist said he applied for unemployment benefits March 27 and had his claim approved April 2 , but he has yet to receive an EDD debit card .
He reached out to the state agency to no avail .
“ I have not been able to contact anyone associated with the EDD .
I am unable to certify eligibility , ” he said .
“ Numerous phone calls every day for the past six weeks have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holdup could be tied to the fact that he initially filed under reduced hours but was furloughed a week later .
He figures he was likely categorized differently by the EDD as a result .
But he ’ s been unable to verify it .
“ The problem is that the EDD has given me no notice nor instruction on how to proceed further , ” he said .
“ I was looking to buy a house … it ’ s frustrating.
” When contacted Thursday , an EDD representative released this response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be accounted for to give an accurate assessment of an individual ’ s claims status , and there could be a number of reasons a claimant ’ s benefit certification has been delayed , ” the statement said .
“ These issues are often unique to each claimant ’ s case and are best mitigated by the unemployment claims analysts who are working these individuals ’ cases.
” The EDD ’ s website offers a guide to applying for unemployment benefits .
The agency also provides a variety of support services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had their hours reduced or had their businesses affected due to the impacts of COVID-19 in California .
Those services can be accessed here .
In a video message released last week , EDD Director Sharon Hilliard said her department has been overwhelmed .
“ I ’ ve been with the the Employment Development Department for the past 37 years and I ’ ve never seen anything to this degree or this magnitude , ” she said .
“ We went from processing 2,000 to 5,000 claims to hundreds of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not like our staff all of the sudden grew in one day.
” Hilliard said she ’ s shifted hundreds of EDD workers from other programs to help process applications and claims .
The department has also recruited volunteers from other state agencies , she said .
“ We ’ ve been working as diligently and as quickly as we can to make that we ’ re implementing the laws and what was required successfully , ” Hilliard said .
“ Our number one goal from day one has been to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimants as soon as possible.
” Two small children and no income But “ as soon as possible ” may not come fast enough for Andrea Sleigh .
“ I have been unemployed because of COVID-19 since March 17 , ” she said via email .
“ I got approved for unemployment benefits and then disqualified with no explanation why.
” Sleigh said she ’ s been unable to receive the benefits she ’ s entitled to .
“ I have two small children and no income , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there have been no responses to my five emails , as I ’ ve been reaching out to them for a month .
The only response I received was one that had absolutely no bearing on what I was asking.
” • Coronavirus : Zoom Video to hire 500 new software engineers as usage surges Nearly 4.6 million Californians have filed for unemployment claims since March 12 .
That ’ s 2.4 million more workers than filed during the peak of unemployment during fallout from the Great Recession , Gov .
Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Newsom said California ’ s jobless rate could hit 24.5 % as a result of economic fallout from COVID-19 .
The state is grappling with a budget shortfall of $ 54.3 billion .

“The debit card’s in the mail.”
Scores of Southern California employees who filed for unemployment benefits and had their claims approved by the state Employment Development Department amid the COVID-19 pandemic hope that’s the case. But many say they’ve waited for weeks and have yet to receive one.
The agency issues unemployment benefit payments via EDD debit cards. Those who were issued one over the past three years will simply see their card reloaded, and others who need a new debit card or have an expired one will get a new one.
The crux, however, is getting one in a timely manner.
Hundreds of thousands of business owners and employees have lost their jobs due to the closure of nonessential businesses while other workers have seen their hours whittled down by half or more.
While things are beginning to loosen up as some California businesses can now provide curbside pickup, staffing at most of those places remains well below previous levels.
Still waiting
Philip Wang, 38, of Rancho Santa Margarita is among the claimants still waiting for financial help to arrive.
Wang said he was working full-time for a large dental corporation and had his hours reduced in late March. He was later furloughed due to COVID-19, he said.
The out-of-work dentist said he applied for unemployment benefits March 27 and had his claim approved April 2, but he has yet to receive an EDD debit card. He reached out to the state agency to no avail.
“I have not been able to contact anyone associated with the EDD. I am unable to certify eligibility,” he said. “Numerous phone calls every day for the past six weeks have yielded no results.”
Wang suspects the holdup could be tied to the fact that he initially filed under reduced hours but was furloughed a week later. He figures he was likely categorized differently by the EDD as a result. But he’s been unable to verify it.
“The problem is that the EDD has given me no notice nor instruction on how to proceed further,” he said. “I was looking to buy a house … it’s frustrating.”
‘Many variables’
When contacted Thursday, an EDD representative released this response:
“There are many variables that need to be accounted for to give an accurate assessment of an individual’s claims status, and there could be a number of reasons a claimant’s benefit certification has been delayed,” the statement said. “These issues are often unique to each claimant’s case and are best mitigated by the unemployment claims analysts who are working these individuals’ cases.”
The EDD’s website offers a guide to applying for unemployment benefits. The agency also provides a variety of support services to people who have lost their jobs, had their hours reduced or had their businesses affected due to the impacts of COVID-19 in California. Those services can be accessed here.
Overwhelmed
In a video message released last week, EDD Director Sharon Hilliard said her department has been overwhelmed.
“I’ve been with the the Employment Development Department for the past 37 years and I’ve never seen anything to this degree or this magnitude,” she said. “We went from processing 2,000 to 5,000 claims to hundreds of thousands of claims overnight. And it’s not like our staff all of the sudden grew in one day.”
Hilliard said she’s shifted hundreds of EDD workers from other programs to help process applications and claims. The department has also recruited volunteers from other state agencies, she said.
“We’ve been working as diligently and as quickly as we can to make that we’re implementing the laws and what was required successfully,” Hilliard said. “Our number one goal from day one has been to make sure we get money in the hands of claimants as soon as possible.”
Two small children and no income
But “as soon as possible” may not come fast enough for Andrea Sleigh.
“I have been unemployed because of COVID-19 since March 17,” she said via email. “I got approved for unemployment benefits and then disqualified with no explanation why.”
Sleigh said she’s been unable to receive the benefits she’s entitled to.
“I have two small children and no income,” she said. “The phone lines aren’t working and there have been no responses to my five emails, as I’ve been reaching out to them for a month. The only response I received was one that had absolutely no bearing on what I was asking.”
Big numbers
Nearly 4.6 million Californians have filed for unemployment claims since March 12. That’s 2.4 million more workers than filed during the peak of unemployment during fallout from the Great Recession, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a Thursday press briefing.
Newsom said California’s jobless rate could hit 24.5% as a result of economic fallout from COVID-19. The state is grappling with a budget shortfall of $54.3 billion.