mercurynews--2020-03-22--Letter: Trump didn’t cause the coronavirus, but he mismanaged it

Trump didn ’ t cause virus , but he mismanaged it Besides having our leader call COVID-19 “ the Chinese virus , ” a Democratic hoax and claim the first group of people testing positive would go down to zero within days , it has become clear the U.S. never had discussions with the World Health Organization about receiving any of the test kits the WHO distributed to over 70 countries .
Our limited testing leaves us not knowing the extent of who has it and who those people have been in contact with .
In addition , our front-line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need while dealing with potentially infected patients .
• Letter : We must support students , and families during school closures • Letter : We must help the seniors suffering huge IRA losses • Letter : Not even the private sector can save Milpitas BART , the VTA • Letter : Contra Costa Libraries should suspend this for now Trump didn ’ t cause this virus , and it ’ s clearly going to be a marathon , but mismanagement on the federal level resulted in the virus getting a 4-mile head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Trump didn’t cause virus,
but he mismanaged it
Besides having our leader call COVID-19 “the Chinese virus,” a Democratic hoax and claim the first group of people testing positive would go down to zero within days, it has become clear the U.S. never had discussions with the World Health Organization about receiving any of the test kits the WHO distributed to over 70 countries.
Our limited testing leaves us not knowing the extent of who has it and who those people have been in contact with.
In addition, our front-line nurses still lack all the protective gear they need while dealing with potentially infected patients.
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Barry Brynjulson
San Ramon
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mercurynews--2020-03-22--Letter: Problem-solve — don’t blame other Bay Area residents

Better to problem-solve than to blame others Re : “ It ’ s rare to find someone whose roots began in the Bay Area ” ( Letter to the editor , Eastbaytimes.com , March 17 ) : I ’ d like to ask the author of this letter whether she is in fact asking “ Who is American enough ?
” If the answer to that question is “ indigenous people ” or Native Americans , then none of us have roots in these United States .
Foreign invasion of this land since the 1600s or earlier left a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of many Native Americans .
The current citizens of this country ( especially those in the Bay Area ) should have this mind before making off-the-cuff remarks .
It is easier to point fingers and blame someone else for one ’ s own problems .
This was done to Irish , Italian , Chinese and other ethnic Americans in the past .
Such knee-jerk reactions might give instant mental relief but festers racism .
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Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Better to problem-solve
than to blame others
Re: “It’s rare to find someone whose roots began in the Bay Area” (Letter to the editor, Eastbaytimes.com, March 17):
I’d like to ask the author of this letter whether she is in fact asking “Who is American enough?”
If the answer to that question is “indigenous people” or Native Americans, then none of us have roots in these United States. Foreign invasion of this land since the 1600s or earlier left a “Trail of Tears” in the minds of many Native Americans.
The current citizens of this country (especially those in the Bay Area) should have this mind before making off-the-cuff remarks.
It is easier to point fingers and blame someone else for one’s own problems. This was done to Irish, Italian, Chinese and other ethnic Americans in the past. Such knee-jerk reactions might give instant mental relief but festers racism.
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Arun Aiyer
Fremont
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mercurynews--2020-03-22--Dear Abby: I’m 17, and I feel like God wants me to keep my baby

DEAR ABBY : I recently found out I am pregnant .
I ’ m only 17 and scared I won ’ t be a good mother .
I ’ m also anxious about giving birth .
I ’ m due in three months , so I know time is going by fast .
My mother never taught me right from wrong , and having to raise a child at my age is really scary .
I don ’ t want to give my baby up for adoption because I know God does things in mysterious ways .
I feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me through to make me stronger in life .
Can you give me some advice on how to be a good mother or guide me on how to give my child the necessities ?
DEAR CONCERNED : You will be facing challenging circumstances .
Consider talking to a social worker at the hospital where you will give birth for advice on how to get the necessities for your baby .
It is more important now than ever to complete your education by getting your high school diploma or a GED , so you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child .
A trusted teacher or counselor at school may be able to guide you .
If there are older , more experienced family members who are willing , they may be able to offer emotional and practical support .
And , if possible , the baby ’ s father should be involved .
DEAR ABBY : I recently quit drinking because it was clearly becoming a problem for me .
I was hiding alcohol , putting it in water bottles , drinking it like water , etc .
I struggle with anxiety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option for me .
I looked online and was able to find SMART Recovery .
So far , it has been a valuable resource for me .
I am sticking to the program and find the people online to be supportive and helpful .
My struggle is , because I had been drinking for so long , people judge me by my past .
Even at home .
How do I get to a point where people take me for who I am now and stop dwelling on the past ?
DEAR SOBERING @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a problem and doing something about it .
You mentioned that you “ recently ” quit drinking .
I wish you had mentioned how long ago because it may have something to do with how you are being treated now .
All you can do to change people ’ s perception of you is sincerely apologize and try to make amends to anyone you may have hurt or offended while you were under the influence .
It may take time for them to trust that you are no longer the person you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work on your sobriety .
With time , you WILL be respected for the person you are now .
DEAR ABBY : Can you think of any way to tell social media friends that I am not interested in their political views ?
I respect everyone ’ s political beliefs , but I am very tired of politics , and there must be something else they can post .
Should I “ unfollow ” these people until after the elections and hope for the best ?
I suspect I am not alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much appreciated !
DEAR WEARY : These days it does seem like everyone ’ s a pundit , but you can not dictate what others choose to post .
Because the posts are not entertaining , I see nothing wrong with “ hiding ” their posts until the election season is over .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA @ @

DEAR ABBY: I recently found out I am pregnant. I’m only 17 and scared I won’t be a good mother. I’m also anxious about giving birth. I’m due in three months, so I know time is going by fast.
My mother never taught me right from wrong, and having to raise a child at my age is really scary. I don’t want to give my baby up for adoption because I know God does things in mysterious ways. I feel like this is an obstacle he is putting me through to make me stronger in life.
Can you give me some advice on how to be a good mother or guide me on how to give my child the necessities?
CONCERNED TEENAGE MOTHER
DEAR CONCERNED: You will be facing challenging circumstances. Consider talking to a social worker at the hospital where you will give birth for advice on how to get the necessities for your baby.
It is more important now than ever to complete your education by getting your high school diploma or a GED, so you will be able to better support the child. A trusted teacher or counselor at school may be able to guide you.
If there are older, more experienced family members who are willing, they may be able to offer emotional and practical support. And, if possible, the baby’s father should be involved.
DEAR ABBY: I recently quit drinking because it was clearly becoming a problem for me. I was hiding alcohol, putting it in water bottles, drinking it like water, etc.
I struggle with anxiety, which makes AA not a viable option for me. I looked online and was able to find SMART Recovery. So far, it has been a valuable resource for me. I am sticking to the program and find the people online to be supportive and helpful.
My struggle is, because I had been drinking for so long, people judge me by my past. Even at home. How do I get to a point where people take me for who I am now and stop dwelling on the past?
SOBERING REALITY
DEAR SOBERING: I applaud you for recognizing you had a problem and doing something about it. You mentioned that you “recently” quit drinking. I wish you had mentioned how long ago because it may have something to do with how you are being treated now.
All you can do to change people’s perception of you is sincerely apologize and try to make amends to anyone you may have hurt or offended while you were under the influence. It may take time for them to trust that you are no longer the person you were, so be patient and continue to work on your sobriety. With time, you WILL be respected for the person you are now.
DEAR ABBY: Can you think of any way to tell social media friends that I am not interested in their political views? I respect everyone’s political beliefs, but I am very tired of politics, and there must be something else they can post. Should I “unfollow” these people until after the elections and hope for the best?
I suspect I am not alone on this. Any help would be much appreciated!
“WAR” WEARY IN ARKANSAS
DEAR WEARY: These days it does seem like everyone’s a pundit, but you cannot dictate what others choose to post. Because the posts are not entertaining, I see nothing wrong with “hiding” their posts until the election season is over.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-03-22--The Latest: Japan urges against nonessential travel to US

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

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


mercurynews--2020-03-22--Antioch man who nearly decapitated SF jewelry store worker loses appeal

SAN FRANCISCO — An Antioch man who attacked the owner and two employees of a San Francisco jewelry store over a belief that they ’ d shortchanged him was denied a shot at new trial .
Barry White Jr. , 29 , argued through his appellate attorney that his two murder and several attempted murder convictions should be overturned in part because of a perceived sexist remark that one juror falsely believed White ’ s attorney made .
The appeals court also denied White ’ s contention that the trial court had withheld records on police officer witnesses that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , White entered San Francisco ’ s Gift Center & JewelryMart , waited for customers to leave , and began attacking the staff .
He shot and stabbed Lina Lim , 51 , and storeowner Victor Hung , and slashing the throat of Khin Min , 3 , cutting her from ear-to-ear .
Lim and Min were killed but Hung survived .
White was apparently angry at Hung over a believe that White had overpaid for a chain he ’ d purchased at the store days earlier .
In 2018 , after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to life without the possibility of parole , plus another 266 years .
During trial , White ’ s attorney argued not that White hadn ’ t killed the victims , but that he was brain-damaged from being shot by a San Francisco officer months earlier .
White ’ s appeal centered on an issue that came up because of an apparently hard-of-hearing juror , who during trial wrote the judge a note about White ’ s attorney .
It read , “ Please let counsel know that asking a female colleague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ reads as sexist .
This is not a question—a question for anyone , just a tip .
It ’ s very distracting , ” according to court records .
As it turned out , White ’ s lawyer had said “ compound , ” which is a shorthand way of expressing a specific legal objection when the opposing attorney asks an improper question .
But White ’ s appeal attorney argued this misperception was an indication that the jury was biased against the defense .
Appellate judges rejected this notion .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court to any further problems , and the record offers no indication that juror ( or any other juror ) was biased against the defense as a result , we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court ’ s refusal to conduct further inquiry , ” the judges wrote in the 27-page decision , handed down last month .
White ’ s appeal attorney also requested that the court review a sealed file containing records on six police witnesses .
Before White ’ s trial , the trial judge granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six officers that may tend to suggest they were dishonest .
The appeals court ruled that the court hadn ’ t withheld any relevant records from White ’ s defense team .
White is currently serving his life sentence at California State Prison , Solano , according to prison records .

SAN FRANCISCO — An Antioch man who attacked the owner and two employees of a San Francisco jewelry store over a belief that they’d overcharged him was denied a new trial.
Barry White Jr., 29, argued through his appellate attorney that his convictions for murder and attempted murder should be overturned in part because of a juror misheard White’s attorney and falsely believed he had made a sexist remark. The appeals court also denied White’s contention that the trial court had withheld records about police officer witnesses that would have benefited the defense.
In 2013, White entered San Francisco’s Gift Center & JewelryMart, waited for customers to leave, and attacked the staff. He shot and stabbed Lina Lim, 51, and store owner Victor Hung, and slashed the throat of Khin Min, 35, cutting her from ear to ear. Lim and Min were killed; Hung survived.
White was apparently angry because he thought he had overpaid for a chain he’d purchased from Hung days earlier.
In 2018, after his trial the previous year, White was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, plus another 266 years. During trial, White’s attorney argued not that White hadn’t killed the victims but that he was brain-damaged from being shot by a San Francisco officer months earlier.
White’s appeal centered on an issue that came up because of a juror who during trial wrote the judge a note about White’s attorney. It read, “Please let counsel know that asking a female colleague to, quote, ‘calm down,’ reads as sexist. This is not a question—a question for anyone, just a tip. It’s very distracting,” according to court records.
As it turned out, White’s lawyer had said “compound,” which is a shorthand way of expressing a specific legal objection to an opposing attorney’s question. White’s appeal attorney argued that the juror’s misperception was an indication that the jury was biased against the defense.
Appellate judges rejected this notion. “Given that the juror did not alert the court to any further problems, and the record offers no indication that juror (or any other juror) was biased against the defense as a result, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s refusal to conduct further inquiry,” the judges wrote in the 27-page decision, handed down last month.
White’s appeal attorney also requested that the court review a sealed file containing records on six police witnesses. Before White’s trial, the trial judge granted a defense request to produce records on six officers that may tend to suggest they were dishonest. The appeals court ruled that the court hadn’t withheld any relevant records from White’s defense team.
White is currently serving his life sentence at California State Prison, Solano, according to prison records.


mercurynews--2020-03-22--The Latest: Senate doesn’t advance COVID-19 rescue package

By The Associated Press The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic , which has infected more than 328,275 people and killed more than 14,300 .
The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people , but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems .
More than 95,650 people have recovered so far , mostly in China .
— Republican Sen. Rand Paul is first U.S. senator to test positive for COVID-19 — German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in quarantine after doctor who administered a vaccine to her tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advance the coronavirus rescue package in a procedural vote with Democrats rejecting a draft from Republicans and pushing for more aid for workers .
Negotiations are expected to continue into the evening Sunday .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has urged senators to “ signal to the public that we ’ re ready to get this job done.
” He wants passage by Monday .
But Democrats have resisted , arguing the nearly $ 1.4 trillion measure needs to bolster aid and put limits on how businesses can use the emergency dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YORK — Futures for U.S. stocks fell sharply at the start of trading Sunday as investors watch to see if Congress can agree on a huge rescue package to try to stem the impact of the coronavirus outbreak .
Futures for the S & P 500 fell by 5 % , triggering a halt in futures trading .
Wall Street is coming off its worst week since 2008 .
The S & P 500 fell 15 % as large swaths of the U.S. economy shut down and investors waited for Washington to deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries such as airlines and hotels .
Democrats have argued the package was tilted toward corporations rather than workers and healthcare providers , so negotiations are ongoing .
Oil prices also tumbled as the broad global economic slowdown threatens demand for energy .
The price of U.S. oil fell 6 % to $ 21.26 a barrel , while the international benchmark dropped 7 % to $ 25.10 WASHINGTON — The White House is urging commercial labs to prioritize the testing of hospital patients as they work to clear a backlog of tests for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the Department of Health and Human Services will issue formal guidance Monday , but that the federal government is encouraging all labs to “ prioritize inpatient testing.
” Pence says the government hopes to have the backlog of existing tests — a milestone the White House hoped to reach on Monday — cleared by the middle of the week .
The White House is encouraging those without symptoms against seeking testing , warning it depletes already scarce supplies of personal protective equipment for healthcare providers .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management Agency to ship mobile hospital centers to the hard-hit states of Washington , California and New York amid the coronavirus pandemic .
For New York , that would mean another 1,000 hospital beds .
Trump is also revealing for the first time the number of respirators and other personal protective equipment sent to the hard-hit states by the federal government .
It comes as state and local leaders have appealed on the federal government to provide far more , and as Trump has held off on using his fully authorities under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector ’ s capabilities .
Trump says it ’ s up to states to try to get the materials first .
He says : “ We ’ re sort of a backup for states.
” Trump says he ’ s also giving governors in those three states in calling up their national guard , keeping it under local control but providing federal funding .
@ Michael Tackett CAIRO — Egypt ’ s President Abdel-Fattah el Sissi appealed to his people to help stem the spread of the coronavirus through staying at home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the virus reached 327 and 15 deaths .
He warned that that numbers of the infected could be in thousands within days , if people did not take the virus seriously .
“ Help us , Egyptians !
” he appealed to his people .
“ We want more commitment and discipline for the next two weeks in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus in Egypt.
” He urged Egypt ’ s more than 100 million people to take the spread of virus “ very seriously.
” He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” including the closure of schools and universities , a nightly curfew on shops , restaurants and other businesses in efforts to minimize interaction between people .
He also thanked doctors and health workers as “ heroes ” who are fighting “ a battle like a “ war.
” Egypt ’ s health ministry added 33 more confirmed cases of the coronavirus and four new deaths , bringing the total number to 327 and 14 deaths .
It said over 50 were discharged from the quarantine after their recovery .
The military earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general while taking part in sterilization efforts .
CAIRO — Egypt ’ s military said a senior officer died Sunday following his infection from the coronavirus .
The military said in a statement that Major General Khaled Shaltout was infected while participating in sterilization which the military has been carrying out across the country .
The military said it has sterilized and disinfected public institutions and several squares in the capital , Cairo and other cities , to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
Military spokesman Tamer el-Refai Saturday posted footage on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear and equipment while disinfecting the Tahrir square , the epicenter of the 2011 uprising , and the metro station there .
Shaltout was the highest official infected by the virus to date in Egypt , which has around 300 cases and 10 deaths .
BATON ROUGE , La .
— Gov .
John Bel Edwards has issued a statewide “ stay at home ” directive , ordering all 4.6 million people in Louisiana to stay at home starting at 5 p.m. on Monday unless they ’ re performing an essential task like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grocery stores , pharmacies , doctors ’ offices and other critical infrastructure are exempt from the governor ’ s directive .
“ The bottom line is we are in a race against time when it comes to this coronavirus and it ’ s rapid spread in Louisiana , ” Edwards said Sunday .
New York , California , Illinois and some cities have issued similar shelter in place or stay at home orders in the last few days .
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell had issued a similar order for that city two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infections in Louisiana have climbed to more than 830 .
Twenty people in the state have died of COVID-19 , state health officials said .
BOUNTIFUL , Utah — Utah has reported its first death related to COVID-19 — a man over the age of 60 who had underlying health problems .
State health and hospital officials said Sunday that the unidentified man from Davis County had been at Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful for two days before his death .
The man tested positive for the coronavirus on Saturday .
Health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who may have been in close contact with him .
His family notified the hospital of the possibility of him having COVID-19 before his arrival .
The hospital ’ s CEO says workers met him in the parking lot in full protective gear , limiting possible exposure .
ISTANBUL — Nine more people have died in Turkey from the coronavirus , bringing the country ’ s death toll to 30 .
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter that 289 people tested positive for COVID-19 Sunday .
The total number of confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,236 .
PARIS — France ’ s Parliament has adopted a bill allowing the government to declare a “ state of health emergency ” meant to better fight the coronavirus epidemic in the country .
The measure voted Sunday allows the government to issue decrees that curtail temporarily freedoms , including restrictions on movements , trade , entrepreneurship and gatherings .
It also enables the government to requisition necessary goods and services to fight against a health disaster .
The state of heath emergency is yet to be formally declared by President Emmanuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting .
The measure was needed to provide legal basis to ensure the continuity of current emergency measures in the country and the democratic functioning of the state .
The bill also includes the postponing of nationwide municipal elections initially due to take place on Sunday and a package of economic measures to support workers and businesses hardly hit by the crisis .
French health authorities have reported 16,018 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , including 674 people who have died .
WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is the first U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the infection caused by the coronavirus .
That ’ s according to a tweet from the senator , who is a top ally of President Donald Trump .
The senator is “ feeling fine , ” the tweet said .
He is “ asymptomatic , ” and in quarantine .
He was not aware “ of any direct contact with any infected person , ” the tweet said .
This comes shortly after the nation ’ s capital announced its second death to coronavirus .
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel has gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor who administered a vaccine to her has tested positive for the coronavirus .
Merkel ’ s spokesman said the German chancellor was informed about the doctor ’ s test shortly after holding a news conference Sunday announcing new measures to curb the spread of the virus .
Her spokesman , Steffen Seibert , said Merkel had received a precautionary vaccine Friday against pneumococcal infection .
Seibert said in a statement that Merkel would undergo “ regular tests ” in the coming days and continue with her work from home for the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths of people with the coronavirus in Italy jumped 651 to 5,476 in the last 24 hours , while new infections rose by 10 % to over 59,000 .
The head of Italy ’ s Civil Protection Agency , Angelo Borrelli , noted that the increases had narrowed from recent days , adding ‘ ’ we hope that this trend can be confirmed in the coming days .
We should not lower our guard.
’ BOGOTA , Colombia — Authorities in Colombia say 23 prisoners died and another 83 were injured in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates argue will spread the coronavirus .
The violence happened overnight at the La Modelo jail in Bogota , where all of the deaths occurred , along with several other penitentiaries .
Officials said seven workers were injured , two of them in critical condition .
Relatives gathered outside the jail Sunday wearing masks and clamoring for information .
Videos shared by inmates online showed fires inside several jails , prisoners outside their cells and inmates complaining of conditions .
Colombia has confirmed 231 coronavirus cases .
Authorities say none are in jails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all international flights except for five destinations starting Friday .
The airline ’ s chief executive officer Bilal Eksi tweeted flights would continue to Hong Kong , Moscow , Addis Ababa , New York and Washington , D.C. All other international passenger flights would be suspended from March 27 to April 17 .
Turkey already suspended flights to 68 countries as part of Ankara ’ s efforts to contain the coronavirus .
Eksi said domestic flights would continue but decrease in number .
Cargo flights are also to continue .
OKLAHOMA CITY — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 as the number of state residents with the illness caused by the coronavirus increased by more than a dozen .
The man who died was in his 50s and lived in Pawnee County , west of Tulsa .
The Oklahoma State Department of Health did not provide further details on the circumstances of his illness and death .
The number of people in the state who have tested positive for the virus increased to 67 Sunday , from 53 the day before .
The health department said 11 of those people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most cases , with 26 , following by Cleveland County , with 13 , and Tulsa County , with six .
PARIS — France ’ s health minister has said the country reached a grim milestone – the first hospital doctor to have died of the coronavirus .
Oliver Veran said Sunday he had learned of the death of the unnamed 68-year-old emergency doctor from Compiegne in Oise the day before and “ shared the pain of the family.
” It is , he said , “ to my knowledge… the first case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Le Parisien newspaper , the doctor ’ s son said his father ’ s illness hit suddenly , saying the family is “ sad and angry.
” He added : “ He came back very tired after being on duty .
He quickly fell ill , no longer ate , had no taste in spite of being of a bon vivant .
Despite everything — knowing he was sick , he wanted to go back to work.
” ATHENS , Greece — Greece has reported an additional two fatalities from the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 .
Also , 94 new cases were confirmed on Sunday , bringing the total to 624 .
Of those , 124 are hospitalized and 34 people are in intensive care .
WASHINGTON — Immigrant advocates have filed a federal lawsuit demanding that family detention centers release immigrants because of an eminent risk of a coronavirus outbreak .
Lawyers filed the lawsuit in the District of Columbia on Saturday .
They say the country ’ s three detention centers where families are held : Berks in Pennsylvania , Karnes and Dilley in Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect families from COVID-19 .
They say there is no justification for risking their health and safety .
Immigration enforcement has a wide latitude on when to release people detained .
Earlier this year , Homeland Security officials said they would detain families as long as possible in an effort to discourage migrants from crossing the border .
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said officers are taking precautions to avoid an outbreak in detention facilities .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The AP is solely responsible for all content .

By The Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 336,000 people and killed more than 14,600. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems. More than 98,300 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.
TOP OF THE HOUR:
— South Korea testing passengers from Europe to prevent illness from re-entering.
— Singapore Airlines cutting 96% of its capacity through April.
— Limited movement now allowed in Chinese city of Wuhan.
— Canada calls for Olympic postponement, won’t send team this summer.
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South Korea says it tested more than 1,440 passengers arriving from Europe for the coronavirus as the country tightens border controls to prevent the illness from re-entering from the West.
The office of Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun on Monday said 152 of the passengers who arrived on Sunday were tested at airport isolation facilities after exhibiting fever or respiratory symptoms.
The office says the other 1,290 passengers were taken to an employee training center of the SK business group in Incheon and that six of them have so far been sent home after testing negative.
South Korea began testing all passengers arriving from Europe on Sunday and enforcing 14-day quarantines on South Korean nationals arriving from Europe and foreigners entering the country from Europe on long-term stay visas.
Chung says his government is also considering expanding the measures to passengers arriving from North America.
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SINGAPORE — Singapore Airlines says it will cut 96% of its capacity until the end of April as international travel is hit by tightening of border controls to battle COVID-19.
The airline says it will ground 138 planes out of its total fleet of 147 in the biggest challenge it has ever faced. It says its low-cost unit Scoot will also suspend most of its network, grounding 47 out of its fleet of 49 aircraft.
The move came as Singapore announced it will completely shut its borders to all travelers from Tuesday in a drastic move to slow the virus spread. The city state has recorded 455 cases with two deaths.
Singapore Airlines said in a statement Monday that it is unclear when it can resume normal services. It said it is taking steps to build up its liquidity, while reducing operating costs and capital expenditure. It is also in talks to defer delivery and payment of new aircraft.
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HONOLULU — A cruise ship that had to cut short its trip because of the coronavirus and mechanical problems docked Sunday in Honolulu’s harbor.
The Norwegian Jewel, which carried about 2,000 passengers, docked in the late afternoon, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
The ship has problems with its propulsion, which will be repaired at Honolulu’s harbor, the Hawaii Department of Transportation said. The repairs to the ship must be made without passengers aboard, the department added.
“A detailed plan is being developed with Norwegian Cruise Line that keeps passengers isolated to avoid any potential strain on Hawaii’s resources, while also addressing the well-being of the cruise line passengers who have been at sea for a very long time,” said Jade Butay, director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
The ship had to cut short its 23-day cruise of Australia and French Polynesia because many ports were closed due to the coronavirus, the ship’s owner, Norwegian Cruise Line, said in a statement. The passengers last disembarked in Fiji on March 11, the transportation department said.
Charter flights have been arranged for ship passengers on Monday and Tuesday from Honolulu to Los Angeles; Sydney; London; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Frankfurt, Germany, the company said.
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka police said on Monday that they have detained 1,589 people and seized hundreds of vehicles for breaching a three-day curfew which has been imposed as part of strict measures designed to contain the spreading of the coronavirus.
Law enforcement agencies have been strictly implementing the curfew as the Indian Ocean island nation is struggling to prevent further spreading of the virus which has so far infected 82 people, a majority of which have returned recently from Italy.
On Monday, police said the 1,589 people were arrested and detained by police during patrols to ensure that people stay in their homes. Some of the suspects were arrested for boozing at public places, some were loitering on streets and some were driving during the curfew. Police have also seized 362 vehicles in which people traveled during the curfew hours.
The island-wide curfew that was imposed on Friday was removed for a few houses in some parts on Monday while in other parts, the curfew will continue until Tuesday.
The government says 3,458 people who have recently returned from Italy, South Korea, Britain and India are being held at 45 quarantine centers across the country.
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BEIJING — The central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus outbreak emerged, is now allowing for limited movement within and outward as its months-long lockdown gradually eases.
The municipal government said in a Monday notice that residents whose health is classified as “green” on an electronic database will be allowed to leave their residential neighborhoods if they have proof that they are returning to work.
Public transportation is being revived, while checkpoints between different districts are being dismantled.
Individuals who want to leave Wuhan for other parts of the province of Hubei — but not beyond it — can apply to do so with medical documentation, including the results of a COVID-19 test.
Wuhan has the bulk of China’s more than 81,000 virus cases. The first infections were reported there, and it was also the first city to be locked down.
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NEW YORK — New York City hospitals are just 10 days from running out of “really basic supplies,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said late Sunday.
“If we don’t get the equipment, we’re literally going to lose lives,” de Blasio told CNN.
De Blasio has called upon the federal government to boost the city’s quickly dwindling supply of protective equipment. The city also faces a potentially deadly dearth of ventilators to treat those infected by the coronavirus.
Health care workers also warned of the worsening shortages, saying they were being asked to reuse and ration disposable masks and gloves.
New York City hospitals scrambled Sunday to accommodate a new swell of patients, dedicating new COVID-19 wings in their facilities. It remained “extremely busy” at Northwell hospitals, a spokesman said, adding their intensive care units were filling up.
“A number of hospitals have reported that they are becoming overwhelmed,” said Jonah Allon, a spokeswoman for Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
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TORONTO — Canada says it won’t attend the Olympics this summer, calling for a postponement for a year.
The Canadian Olympic Committee sent out a statement Sunday night saying it’s refusing to send a team to Tokyo unless the Games, which are scheduled to start on July 24, are pushed back by 12 months.
The COC’s statement comes amid criticism of the International Olympic Committee’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean low-cost airline Eastar Jet says it will shut down all flights, becoming the first South Korean carrier to do so amid a sharp decline in travel over the global coronavirus crisis.
The company on Monday said it will temporarily suspend its domestic flights from Tuesday to April 25 because of decreased demand.
Eastar, which had flown to various places in Asia and Russia’s Vladivostok, halted its last international routes earlier this month when Japan began enforcing 14-day quarantines on passengers arriving from South Korea.
South Korean carriers have been cutting back or suspending flights amid the global spread of COVID-19. Other budget carriers such as Air Seoul, Air Busan and T’Way Air are currently operating only domestic flights after suspending their international services.
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BEIJING — China’s National Health Commission on Monday reported 39 new cases of COVID-19, all of which it says are “imported” infections in recent arrivals from overseas.
For more than a week, the majority of mainland China’s reported cases have been found in people coming from other countries, while community transmission inside the country has dwindled, according to the National Health Commission.
Seeking to prevent a resurgence of the virus, which first emerged late last year in central China, the government is imposing a strict quarantine on individuals entering the country.
Beginning Monday, all flights into Beijing will be diverted to one of 12 airports in other cities. Passengers must pass a health inspection in one of those cities before flying onward to the Chinese capital. They must then quarantine themselves in a hotel for 14 days at their own expense.
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TOKYO — Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that a postponement of the Olympics is unavoidable if it cannot be held in a complete way due to the coronavirus impact.
He was commenting on the International Olympic Committee plan to examine the situation over the next few weeks and make a decision, which could include a postponement option.
Abe, speaking at a parliamentary session, ruled out a possibility of a cancellation.
Whether Japan can hold the Tokyo Games as planned on July 24 has been a major international concern as the COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally, especially hitting hard Europe and the U.S.
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand will go into a full lockdown for about four weeks, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday.
She said the lockdown will begin in 48 hours’ time. People must stay at home and all non-essential businesses and activities cease.
The decision came as health officials announced another 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 102. Most of those cases have been traced to people returning from overseas but crucially two of the cases could not be traced and officials believe are evidence of a local outbreak.
Ardern said there would be an unprecedented level of economic and social disruption as a result of the lockdown.
“I do not underestimate what I’m asking New Zealanders to do,” she said. “It is huge, and I know it will feel daunting.” But she said it was important to act early to save tens of thousands of lives.
There have been no deaths due to the coronavirus in New Zealand, which has a population of 5 million.
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates has announced that it is suspending all passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers in the country for two weeks to stymie the spread of a new virus.
Dubai’s airport, the world’s busiest international airport, is a vital hub connecting Europe and other Western nations with countries in Asia and Australia. Suspending transit flights there impacts travelers around the world. The UAE made the announcement early Monday.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, announced overnight that an evening curfew would go into effect starting Monday from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for 21 days.
The decisions are the latest and most dramatic measures to be announced in what has been a gradual, but rapid tightening of daily life across Gulf Arab states and the world as government’s struggle to slowdown the rate of infections from the new coronavirus.
There are around 26,800 cases of the virus confirmed in the Middle East, but more than 21,000 of those cases are in Iran and many others are linked to travelers from Iran.
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Sunshine lured crowds to California beaches and parks on Sunday despite a statewide stay-at-home order, prompting officials to close some strands and trails and issue more warnings for people to go back indoors.
Santa Monica closed seaside parking lots to discourage people from visiting its famous beach and help curb the coronavirus spread. Most people on the sand took care to heed guidelines to stay 6 feet (1.8 meters) away from others. But spacing became an issue in popular areas like the boardwalk.
“Today is not the day to go to the beach,” city manager Rick Cole said.
Dozens of Southern California parks, trails and facilities overseen by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority were closed to visitors.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, authorities shut Drakes Beach, Agate Beach and other popular coastal spots, including Point Reyes Lighthouse and Chimney Rock Headlands.
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ROSEAU, Dominica — The eastern Caribbean island of Dominica is reporting its first COVID-19 case. Health Minister Irvin McIntyre said Sunday that the patient is a 54-year-old Dominican who recently returned from the United Kingdom. He said the man was immediately placed under quarantine upon his arrival.
Also, the Dominican Republic’s minister of foreign affairs has tested positive for COVID-19.
Miguel Vargas said Sunday that his son also tested positive after recently attending a wedding in the popular upscale resort town of Punta Cana. Vargas also is the chairman of the Dominican Revolutionary Party.
The Dominican Republic has 75 confirmed cases and three deaths. The country shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
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WASHINGTON — The Senate has refused to advance the coronavirus rescue package in a procedural vote with Democrats rejecting a draft from Republicans and pushing for more aid for workers.
Negotiations are expected to continue into the evening Sunday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has urged senators to “signal to the public that we’re ready to get this job done.” He wants passage by Monday.
But Democrats have resisted, arguing the nearly $1.4 trillion measure needs to bolster aid and put limits on how businesses can use the emergency dollars.
More voting is possible.
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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


mercurynews--2020-03-22--IBM partners with White House to direct supercomputing power for coronavirus research

IBM on Sunday announced an initiative to increase access to high-performance computing for groups researching and fighting the novel coronavirus , also known as COVID-19 .
IBM partnered with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Department of Energy to create the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium .
The effort , which IBM started just last week , is expected to harness powerful high-performance computing , or “ supercomputing , ” resources that will massively increase the speed and capacity of coronavirus-related research .
“ How can we find new treatments ?
Or ultimately vaccines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research Dario Gil asked in an interview with CNN Business .
“ Those are the areas we ’ ll be looking at … We ’ re going to bring an unprecedented amount of computing power ” to address coronavirus .
The system will harness 16 supercomputing systems from IBM , national laboratories , several universities , Amazon , Google , Microsoft and others .
Computing power will be provided via remote access to researchers whose projects are approved by the consortium ’ s leadership board , which will be comprised of tech industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
The group plans to begin accepting research proposals through an online portal that will go live Sunday evening .
Supercomputers can solve calculations and run experiments that , if done on traditional computing systems or by hand , would take months or years .
In traditional computing systems and data centers , each computer functions and does calculations independently .
By contrast , high-performance computers can work together and pass calculations between one another to process information more quickly .
Such computers are also especially good for conducting research in areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems mirror the interconnectivity that exists in nature , Gil said .
The consortium will also connect researchers with top computational scientists to ensure the machines are used as efficiently and effectively as possible .
The services and computing power will be provided for free to researchers .
“ We ’ re bringing together expertise … even across competitors , to work on this , ” Gil said .
“ We think it ’ s important to bring a sense of community and to bring science and capability against this goal .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific and computational systems that we have.
” Supercomputing systems , especially those at national laboratories , are used for critical work such as safeguarding the country ’ s nuclear stockpile .
The consortium , Gil said , will manage priorities for the system and ensure as much supercomputing power is allocated to coronavirus research as possible .
An early project by researchers at the University of Tennessee using IBM ’ s Summit supercomputer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Nashville has highlighted the potential for the technology .
Researchers used the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 77 most likely to bind to the main “ spike ” protein in the coronavirus and render it incapable of attaching to host cells in the human body .
Those 77 compounds can now be experimented on with the aim of developing a coronavirus treatment .
The supercomputer , Gil said , made it possible to avoid the lengthy process of experimenting on all 8,000 of those compounds .
• Congress moves toward final decisions on stimulus rescue package as coronavirus hits Senate • Ask an expert : How solid are California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accelerates the process of discovery , ” Gil said .

By Clare Duffy | CNN
IBM on Sunday announced an initiative to increase access to high-performance computing for groups researching and fighting the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
IBM partnered with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Department of Energy to create the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium. The effort, which IBM started just last week, is expected to harness powerful high-performance computing, or “supercomputing,” resources that will massively increase the speed and capacity of coronavirus-related research.
“How can we find new treatments? Or ultimately vaccines and a cure?” Director of IBM Research Dario Gil asked in an interview with CNN Business. “Those are the areas we’ll be looking at … We’re going to bring an unprecedented amount of computing power” to address coronavirus.
The system will harness 16 supercomputing systems from IBM, national laboratories, several universities, Amazon, Google, Microsoft and others. Computing power will be provided via remote access to researchers whose projects are approved by the consortium’s leadership board, which will be comprised of tech industry leaders and White House and Energy Department officials. The group plans to begin accepting research proposals through an online portal that will go live Sunday evening.
Supercomputers can solve calculations and run experiments that, if done on traditional computing systems or by hand, would take months or years.
In traditional computing systems and data centers, each computer functions and does calculations independently. By contrast, high-performance computers can work together and pass calculations between one another to process information more quickly. Such computers are also especially good for conducting research in areas like epidemiology and molecular modeling because the systems mirror the interconnectivity that exists in nature, Gil said.
[vemba-video id=”business/2020/03/22/att-ceo-on-coronavirus-this-is-like-world-war-ii.cnn”]
The consortium will also connect researchers with top computational scientists to ensure the machines are used as efficiently and effectively as possible. The services and computing power will be provided for free to researchers.
“We’re bringing together expertise … even across competitors, to work on this,” Gil said. “We think it’s important to bring a sense of community and to bring science and capability against this goal. These systems are some of the most in-demand scientific and computational systems that we have.”
Supercomputing systems, especially those at national laboratories, are used for critical work such as safeguarding the country’s nuclear stockpile. The consortium, Gil said, will manage priorities for the system and ensure as much supercomputing power is allocated to coronavirus research as possible.
An early project by researchers at the University of Tennessee using IBM’s Summit supercomputer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Nashville has highlighted the potential for the technology.
Researchers used the supercomputer to screen 8,000 compounds to identify the 77 most likely to bind to the main “spike” protein in the coronavirus and render it incapable of attaching to host cells in the human body. Those 77 compounds can now be experimented on with the aim of developing a coronavirus treatment. The supercomputer, Gil said, made it possible to avoid the lengthy process of experimenting on all 8,000 of those compounds.
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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 “This accelerates the process of discovery,” Gil said.
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