mercurynews--2020-05-11--California’s viral video sensation ‘double rainbow guy’ dies at 57

MARIPOSA — Paul L. Vasquez , the burly mountain man whose awestruck reaction upon seeing a double rainbow propelled him to internet stardom and turned him into a folk hero , has died in Central California .
He was 57 .
Vasquez , who called himself Yosemitebear on social media , died early Saturday at a hospital emergency room , the Mariposa County coroner ’ s office told the Modesto Bee .
The cause of death has not been released .
Vasquez had recently posted on his Facebook page that he had gone to get tested for COVID-19 but learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010 , Vasquez posted on YouTube a video shot from his mountainside house of a set of rainbows overlooking the Yosemite valley .
He notes in the caption that the camera couldn ’ t capture the rainbows ’ intensity and brightness .
But that wasn ’ t what led to 46 million views of the video .
It was Vasquez ’ s reaction .
Over the course of the 3-minute video , he repeatedly said “ whoa , ” laughed and even sobbed as he marveled at the sight of the rainbows .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the way across the sky !
” he exclaimed .
He went on to ponder : “ What does it all mean ?
” • The science of gossip ( and why everyone does it ) • Actor and comedian Jerry Stiller has died of natural causes , Ben Stiller says • California man to plead guilty to romance con of ‘ black-ish ’ star The video went viral that summer after talk show host Jimmy Kimmel tweeted about it , and it led to appearances on a number of TV shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delta Air Lines .
“ His ‘ Double Rainbow ’ basically wrote the book on what a viral video was , ” Vasquez ’ s friend , Robert Borchard , told the Bee .
He called Vasquez an “ amazing character ” who was always enthusiastic about the world .
In a 2015 interview with CNN , Vasquez said he was working as a Los Angeles County firefighter before moving in the mid 1980s to Mariposa , where he worked odd jobs and lived alone in a mobile home close to Yosemite National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said he wasn ’ t high when he shot the video .
He told CNN that his solitude allowed him to connect to nature on a deep level and gave him a freedom most people could never understand .
“ You can ’ t look at a rainbow anymore and not think about me , ” he said .

MARIPOSA — Paul L. Vasquez, the burly mountain man whose awestruck reaction upon seeing a double rainbow propelled him to internet stardom and turned him into a folk hero, has died in Central California. He was 57.
Vasquez, who called himself Yosemitebear on social media, died early Saturday at a hospital emergency room, the Mariposa County coroner’s office told the Modesto Bee.
The cause of death has not been released. Vasquez had recently posted on his Facebook page that he had gone to get tested for COVID-19 but learned about another unspecified ailment.
In January 2010, Vasquez posted on YouTube a video shot from his mountainside house of a set of rainbows overlooking the Yosemite valley. He notes in the caption that the camera couldn’t capture the rainbows’ intensity and brightness.
But that wasn’t what led to 46 million views of the video. It was Vasquez’s reaction.
Over the course of the 3-minute video, he repeatedly said “whoa,” laughed and even sobbed as he marveled at the sight of the rainbows.
“It’s a double rainbow all the way across the sky!” he exclaimed.
He went on to ponder: “What does it all mean?”
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Sandra Bullock’s ‘The Blind Side’ long criticized for its ‘White savior’ view of a Black athlete Obituaries | Paris Hilton enjoys beach and resort in Maui, as Lahaina residents reel from disaster The video went viral that summer after talk show host Jimmy Kimmel tweeted about it, and it led to appearances on a number of TV shows and commercials for Smartwater, Microsoft and Delta Air Lines.
“His ‘Double Rainbow’ basically wrote the book on what a viral video was,” Vasquez’s friend, Robert Borchard, told the Bee. He called Vasquez an “amazing character” who was always enthusiastic about the world.
In a 2015 interview with CNN, Vasquez said he was working as a Los Angeles County firefighter before moving in the mid 1980s to Mariposa, where he worked odd jobs and lived alone in a mobile home close to Yosemite National Park.
A cannabis grower and user, he said he wasn’t high when he shot the video. He told CNN that his solitude allowed him to connect to nature on a deep level and gave him a freedom most people could never understand.
“You can’t look at a rainbow anymore and not think about me,” he said.


mercurynews--2020-05-11--Photos: During coronavirus-spurred intermission, theater marquees share funny, hopeful messages

`` You 've written that winning players learn from their mistakes , '' a club player remarked to me .
@ @ @ @ @ 'm not learning much from mine , '' he sighed .
`` I have too @ @ @ @ @ '' Most errors players commit are basic , such as the failure to set up @ @ @ @ @ 's four spades , South won the first club , drew trumps , led a @

Keith Birmingham is a Los Angeles-based photographer specializing in sports, editorial and portrait photography. He has been a staff photographer for 24 years with the Los Angeles Newspaper Group including the Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier Daily News and Los Angeles Daily News. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, Nashville Tennessean, GQ, Life Magazine, Sporting News, Los Angeles Dodgers Magazine, National Sports Daily, along with wire services Associated Press and United Press International, and the books Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach by Kenneth Kobre, and Out of the Blue by Joe Haakenson, the story of the 2002 World Series Champion Anaheim Angels. An award winning photographer, including awards from National Press Photographers Association, Pictures of the Year International, World Press Photo, Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles, California Press Photographers Association, he has also won Picture of the Year from SportsShooter.com and been nominated by his paper for three Pulitzer Prize awards. Keith has covered 20 Rose Bowl games, four Men's Basketball Final Fours , two Women's Basketball Final Fours, Three Major League Baseball World Series, the Super Bowl, six NBA Finals, two Women's World Cups, one Men's World Cup and many other sporting events throughout the United States. He has also covered Hurricane Katrina and many major California wildfires.


mercurynews--2020-05-11--10 takeaways from Sweden’s controversial approach to the coronavirus pandemic

In the worldwide campaign to stamp out death and illness from the coronavirus pandemic , Sweden is clearly an outlier .
There ’ s no lockdown in Sweden .
Its bars , restaurants and even nightclubs have not been closed since COVID-19 first reached its shores on Jan. 31 .
Elementary and middle schools remain open , though high schools and universities now rely on distance learning .
There are no government orders to wear masks or socially distance , though the latter is recommended and most citizens have voluntarily complied .
In fact , voluntary compliance and individual responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s strategy to slow the spread of the virus .
Its approach is not completely hands off , however .
Sweden has banned gatherings of 50 or more people and visits to nursing homes , where about half of its COVID-19 deaths have occurred .
It has encouraged people to work at home if possible .
The country ’ s soft approach was devised by scientists and backed by the government , even though not all of Sweden ’ s virologists and immunologists are convinced it is on the right path .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world for the strategy , its own citizens largely embrace it .
So how are things working out ?
The number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths has been higher in Sweden compared to its Nordic neighbors — Norway and Finland , which both imposed complete lockdowns .
As of Friday , May 8 , Sweden had recorded 25,265 cases of the coronavirus and 3,175 deaths for a population of about 10.2 million .
Norway , with about half the population , has 8,055 cases and 218 deaths , while Finland ( population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 260 deaths .
Dr. Anders Tegnell , the state epidemiologist who devised the country ’ s coronavirus response , talked about Sweden ’ s experience and the lessons learned during a webinar Friday hosted by the International Center for Journalists .
As California and the rest of the nation begin to open up their economies , here are 10 takeaways from Tegnell .
Tegnell said the Swedish health-care system has not been overwhelmed because it spotted cases early on .
Several other countries became overwhelmed , he said , because “ they did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noticed when there were already too many cases.
” Sweden also began testing early on and saw the pandemic coming with spring vacation travel .
Spring break was in full swing in Europe back in February , and that ’ s when cases began to surface .
2 .
Higher infection and fatality rates are cause for concern Tegnell said one of the main reasons the death rate in Sweden is high is because of the spread of the virus in homes for the elderly .
In Sweden , about 70,000 people live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll there has accounted for more than 50 percent of all coronavirus-related deaths in Sweden .
The country ’ s goal , Tegnell said , is to keep the level of spread down while society functions .
He said that has been accomplished with the exception of the higher death toll among the elderly .
The immunity that many have acquired from those infected with the coronavirus , however , will help keep the spread down to a reasonable level until there is a vaccine , which might be at least 12 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When most of a population is immune to an infectious disease , this provides indirect protection or “ herd immunity ” to those who are not immune to the disease .
4 .
We don ’ t know how long this immunity will last Tegnell said that with the coronavirus , the level of antibodies a person has varies from cases to case .
So far , he said , not one person from Sweden has had COVID-19 twice .
And they know this because Sweden has a strict identification and tracking system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tegnell said , is how long this immunity will last .
Their virologists say this could last for up to six months .
But they don ’ t know for sure .
That said , Tegnell believes the reason for the slow decline in the number of cases in Stockolm , the epicenter of the outbreak in Sweden , is due to immunity .
He believes there is enough immunity in the population to keep the cases down .
He also hopes it will hold if there is a second wave of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wearing masks in public is not mandatory Tegnell says there are two main reasons why Sweden has not required citizens to wear masks : First , he said , the science behind it is murky — everyone just points to one “ very theoretical ” study in Hong Kong .
In his opinion , there are no studies that clearly show masks are effective when worn in public .
Secondly , Tegnell said , the Swedish government does not want sick people to go out in public .
He is concerned sick people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if masks are encouraged .
6 .
There is no financial incentive for sick people in Sweden to go to work Sweden made it possible for sick people to stay home by giving them sick pay from the very first day they miss work .
When people get paid for sick days , they have no financial incentive to go to work .
This has also helped the country control the spread of the virus , he said .
7 .
Why younger children still attend school , while high school and college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works quite well in high schools and universities , allowing students to still get their education .
But , he says , there is no evidence of big spreads of the virus among children under 16 , and there ’ s no evidence of spread from children to adults .
The survival rate among those who come to the ICU has been about 80 % , Tegnell said .
About 85 % to 90 % of the death toll nationwide is among people above 80 years of age .
The recovery rate among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
This is mostly because of socioeconomic conditions , Tegnell said .
Migrant families tend to live close together and share living quarters among different generations .
The disease , he said , also came to those communities early — back in February and early March — and spread quickly before anyone was aware of it .
9 .
Disinformation has not been a huge problem • Coronavirus : S.F .
reports more new cases than other Bay Area counties • Photos : South Bay mothers give to others on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change social-distance policing after outcry Tegnell says there is a high level of trust between the population and governmental agencies .
Like other parts of the world , rumors do swirl around in social media , but it doesn ’ t affect the majority of the population who feel they are “ well-informed and not afraid , ” he said , adding that the biggest fear people have is about losing their jobs .
Only 5 % to 10 % actually fear the epidemic in Sweden , based on surveys , Tegnell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says anyone who finds a COVID-19 case must report it to the health department within 24 hours , and a lot of people do , he said .
There is a high level of public trust and confidence in the government ’ s data , Tegnell said .
10 .
Physical distancing is a critical part of keeping the economy open Tegnell says he counts Sweden ’ s approach as a success because people were good about isolating themselves .
He warns people against using the Swedish model to argue you can go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone .
Social distancing , he says , is still the most important thing one can do to prevent spread of the coronavirus .

In the worldwide campaign to stamp out death and illness from the coronavirus pandemic, Sweden is clearly an outlier.
There’s no lockdown in Sweden. Its bars, restaurants and even nightclubs have not been closed since COVID-19 first reached its shores on Jan. 31. Elementary and middle schools remain open, though high schools and universities now rely on distance learning.
There are no government orders to wear masks or socially distance, though the latter is recommended and most citizens have voluntarily complied. In fact, voluntary compliance and individual responsibility is at the heart of Sweden’s strategy to slow the spread of the virus.
Its approach is not completely hands off, however. Sweden has banned gatherings of 50 or more people and visits to nursing homes, where about half of its COVID-19 deaths have occurred. It has encouraged people to work at home if possible.
[vemba-video id=”world/2020/04/29/sweden-no-lockdown-update-phil-black-ebof-dnt-vpx.cnn”]
The country’s soft approach was devised by scientists and backed by the government, even though not all of Sweden’s virologists and immunologists are convinced it is on the right path. Although Sweden has been widely condemned around the world for the strategy, its own citizens largely embrace it.
So how are things working out?
The number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths has been higher in Sweden compared to its Nordic neighbors — Norway and Finland, which both imposed complete lockdowns. As of Friday, May 8, Sweden had recorded 25,265 cases of the coronavirus and 3,175 deaths for a population of about 10.2 million. Norway, with about half the population, has 8,055 cases and 218 deaths, while Finland (population 5.5 million) has 5,738 cases and 260 deaths.
Dr. Anders Tegnell, the state epidemiologist who devised the country’s coronavirus response, talked about Sweden’s experience and the lessons learned during a webinar Friday hosted by the International Center for Journalists. As California and the rest of the nation begin to open up their economies, here are 10 takeaways from Tegnell.
1. Sweden caught the virus early, and started testing early
Tegnell said the Swedish health-care system has not been overwhelmed because it spotted cases early on. Several other countries became overwhelmed, he said, because “they did not see the slow beginning and only noticed when there were already too many cases.” Sweden also began testing early on and saw the pandemic coming with spring vacation travel. Spring break was in full swing in Europe back in February, and that’s when cases began to surface.
2. Higher infection and fatality rates are cause for concern
Tegnell said one of the main reasons the death rate in Sweden is high is because of the spread of the virus in homes for the elderly. In Sweden, about 70,000 people live in these homes, and the death toll there has accounted for more than 50 percent of all coronavirus-related deaths in Sweden.
3. Achieving ‘herd immunity’ is not Sweden’s goal
The country’s goal, Tegnell said, is to keep the level of spread down while society functions. He said that has been accomplished with the exception of the higher death toll among the elderly. The immunity that many have acquired from those infected with the coronavirus, however, will help keep the spread down to a reasonable level until there is a vaccine, which might be at least 12 to 18 months off, he said. When most of a population is immune to an infectious disease, this provides indirect protection or “herd immunity” to those who are not immune to the disease.
4. We don’t know how long this immunity will last
Tegnell said that with the coronavirus, the level of antibodies a person has varies from cases to case. So far, he said, not one person from Sweden has had COVID-19 twice. And they know this because Sweden has a strict identification and tracking system. What they don’t know, Tegnell said, is how long this immunity will last. Their virologists say this could last for up to six months. But they don’t know for sure. That said, Tegnell believes the reason for the slow decline in the number of cases in Stockolm, the epicenter of the outbreak in Sweden, is due to immunity. He believes there is enough immunity in the population to keep the cases down. He also hopes it will hold if there is a second wave of infections in the fall.
5. Wearing masks in public is not mandatory
Tegnell says there are two main reasons why Sweden has not required citizens to wear masks: First, he said, the science behind it is murky — everyone just points to one “very theoretical” study in Hong Kong. In his opinion, there are no studies that clearly show masks are effective when worn in public. Secondly, Tegnell said, the Swedish government does not want sick people to go out in public. He is concerned sick people might be more inclined to go out if masks are encouraged.
6. There is no financial incentive for sick people in Sweden to go to work
Sweden made it possible for sick people to stay home by giving them sick pay from the very first day they miss work. When people get paid for sick days, they have no financial incentive to go to work. This has also helped the country control the spread of the virus, he said.
7. Why younger children still attend school, while high school and college students do not
Tegnell said distance learning works quite well in high schools and universities, allowing students to still get their education. But, he says, there is no evidence of big spreads of the virus among children under 16, and there’s no evidence of spread from children to adults. The survival rate among those who come to the ICU has been about 80%, Tegnell said. About 85% to 90% of the death toll nationwide is among people above 80 years of age. The recovery rate among younger people is “very high,” he said.
8. The pandemic has disproportionately affected migrant communities
This is mostly because of socioeconomic conditions, Tegnell said. Migrant families tend to live close together and share living quarters among different generations. The disease, he said, also came to those communities early — back in February and early March — and spread quickly before anyone was aware of it.
9. Disinformation has not been a huge problem
Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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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 Tegnell says there is a high level of trust between the population and governmental agencies. Like other parts of the world, rumors do swirl around in social media, but it doesn’t affect the majority of the population who feel they are “well-informed and not afraid,” he said, adding that the biggest fear people have is about losing their jobs. Only 5% to 10% actually fear the epidemic in Sweden, based on surveys, Tegnell said. Also, the law in Sweden says anyone who finds a COVID-19 case must report it to the health department within 24 hours, and a lot of people do, he said. There is a high level of public trust and confidence in the government’s data, Tegnell said.
10. Physical distancing is a critical part of keeping the economy open
Tegnell says he counts Sweden’s approach as a success because people were good about isolating themselves. He warns people against using the Swedish model to argue you can go out anywhere to meet and mingle with anyone. Social distancing, he says, is still the most important thing one can do to prevent spread of the coronavirus.


mercurynews--2020-05-11--Letter: Trump wants to reboot the economy to get reelected

Trump wants to reboot the economy to get reelected The only reason why Mr. Trump wants to reboot the economy @ @ @ @ @ is so he can get reelected .
He doesn ’ t care about us ; @ @ @ @ @ he has another four years to line his pockets and that of his supporters .
@ @ @ @ @ too many cases are dying needlessly .
Shelter in place seems to be working and @ @ @ @ @ , people are wearing masks when they go out in public , but not Trump @ @ @ @ @ • Letter : Is Santa Clara County reducing needless contact — or locking us up @ @ @ @ @ can not treat Livermore and Oakland the same Come this November , I hope people @ @ @ @ @ what this man has done to our country .
Submit your letter to the editor @ @ @ @ @ Letters to the Editor

Trump wants to reboot the
economy to get reelected
The only reason why Mr. Trump wants to reboot the economy in the middle of COVID-19 is so he can get reelected. He doesn’t care about us; his only concern is that he has another four years to line his pockets and that of his supporters.
People are sick and in too many cases are dying needlessly. Shelter in place seems to be working and, for the most part, people are wearing masks when they go out in public, but not Trump or his vice president.
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Maryann Sheridan
Walnut Creek
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mercurynews--2020-05-11--Shanghai Disneyland reopens, serving as blueprint for Disney’s California and Florida parks

The reopening of Shanghai Disneyland with a host of mandated COVID-19 health and safety measures is expected to serve as a blueprint for how Disney ’ s U.S. theme parks will need to function if they hope to swing open their gates in the next few months .
The Shanghai Disneyland theme park in China reopened on Monday , May 11 with additional health and safety measures including face masks , temperature checks , reduced attendance , social distancing and constant sanitization .
The first Disney visitors of the post COVID-19 era were welcomed into the Shanghai Disneyland theme park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 p.m.Pacific time ) following a three month-plus coronavirus closure of the park .
The $ 5.5 billion Shanghai Disney resort closed on Jan. 25 amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Shanghai Disneyland resort had previously reopened its outdoor shopping mall and a hotel .
Disney ’ s two Anaheim theme parks , three hotels and outdoor shopping mall were shuttered in mid-March and remain closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The shuttering of the Anaheim parks was preceded by closures of Disney parks in Shanghai , Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney resorts in Florida and France .
California theme parks can ’ t reopen for months based on a plan laid out by Gov .
Gavin Newsom in a four-stage roadmap for reopening the state ’ s economy .
Advanced reservations were required for Monday ’ s reopening of Shanghai Disneyland and tickets sold out in minutes when they were posted online .
Attendance was limited to 24,000 visitors — about 30 % of Shanghai Disneyland ’ s 80,000 capacity .
“ We ’ re going to actually open up far below that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our new procedures and processes to make sure we don ’ t have any lines backing up either as guests enter into the park or as they wade through the park , ” new Disney CEO Bob Chapek said on a conference call with analysts .
“ We ’ re going to approach that very , very slowly.
” Visitors arriving at Shanghai Disneyland passed through a temperature screening tent .
Anyone with a temperature above 37.3 degrees Celsius ( approximately 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit ) was prohibited from entering .
All visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their entire visit — except while dining .
Signs on the ground of the security queues read “ Please do not stand here.
” “ We did various studies with our guests , ” Shanghai Disneyland senior vice president of operations Andrew Bolstein said during a Chinese media tour of the park .
“ We found it was easier to tell the guests where not to stand and then leave the empty space where they can stand.
” All visitors with advanced reservations were required to show their China government ID and Shanghai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the park .
A 90-minute live-stream by China ’ s Pengpai News gave viewers around the globe a front row seat from their homes to watch the opening ceremony and first guests arriving at Shanghai Disneyland .
The Shanghai Disneyland brass band played during a reopening ceremony attended by Mickey , Minnie , Goofy , Pluto and Donald .
A steady stream of socially distanced visitors in Minnie Mouse ears and Disney princess dresses walked down Mickey Avenue around 9 a.m. Monday Shanghai time .
Thor , Mulan , Buzz Lightyear , Elastigirl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Marvel characters waved hello from a balcony over the entry portal of Shanghai Disneyland .
The park was in full bloom with spring flowers throughout the Gardens of Imagination .
Visitors took their masks off to smile for a photo in front of Enchanted Storybook Castle before quickly putting their masks back on .
By Disney theme park standards , the “ sold out ” Shanghai Disneyland looked like a ghost town .
There were wide open spaces for as far as the eye could see and no crowds in sight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still 5 minutes for the Tron Lightcycle Power Run roller coaster and Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for Sunken Treasure — the park ’ s two marquee attractions .
Social distancing was enforced in attraction queues and on rides — with riders sitting in every other row and empty seats left between parties .
A few fans waited in line for the Fantasia Carousel — with each group maintaining social distance .
The merry-go-round was three-quarters full during one ride with the horses naturally spread more than 1 meter apart .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were closed for health and safety reasons — including the Camp Discovery Challenge Trails elevated ropes course and Shipwreck Shore water play area .
Nighttime spectaculars and traditional parades that typically draw big crowds were jettisoned amid social distancing concerns .
The Mickey ’ s Storybook Express parade was scheduled to be replaced by the Mickey and Friends Express character procession during the day .
The Ignite the Dream fireworks show was scheduled to be replaced by the Evening Magical Moments projection show on Enchanted Storybook Castle at dusk .
The Captain Jack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were cancelled until further notice .
Live shows that typically draw smaller crowds had yellow boxes on the ground —– each separated by a meter of space — to indicate where individual parties could stand to watch the performances .
Donald Duck and Chip n ’ Dale were expected to lead Tai Chi exercises in the Gardens of Imagination .
Captain Marvel , Spider-Man and Doctor Strange were scheduled to take the stage in Tomorrowland .
Woody , Jessie and Bo Peep were expected to patrol Toy Story Land on a mission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryder planned to dance to the music of traveling troubadours in Fantasyland .
The day ’ s scheduled called for pirates to engage in mayhem , mischief and frivolity in Treasure Cove and break out into sword fights in Voodoo Alley near Doubloon Market .
“ With our limited numbers of attendees every day we believe everyone will be able to see almost everything they want , ” Bolstein said during the media tour .
Close-up photo opportunities with Disney , Pixar and Marvel characters were prohibited .
Social distancing was the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dining room occupancy was reduced by 50 % .
Table tent cards indicated which tables were unavailable .
Queues with markers were established outside restaurants .
“ With lower attendance levels at the beginning we don ’ t foresee very many queues at all , ” Bolstein said during the Chinese media tour .
“ But if we do have queues we ’ re prepared.
” • How Disneyland helps show the difference between fiction and fake • Disneyland and other California theme parks can ’ t reopen for months under state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch only the merchandise they intended to purchase .
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique hairstyle salon was closed .
China news video taken inside the park showed Disney employees sanitizing and disinfecting trash cans , handrails and other frequent touchpoints .
Hand sanitizer stations were installed at restaurants , stores and attraction entrances and exits .
“ We will have cast members throughout the park doing continuous wiping down , sanitizing and disinfecting all the high-touch surfaces , ” Bolstein said during the Chinese media tour .
“ We will have cast members at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guests to maintain social distancing.
” Hong Kong Disneyland is expected to be the next of Disney ’ s 12 theme parks to reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic .
Temperature screening tents have been set up outside the Hong Kong Disney gates .
Entry queues are dotted with “ please maintain social distance ” and “ no standing please ” signs on ground .
The resort ’ s Disney Explorers Lodge and Disney ’ s Hollywood Hotel have begun accepting reservations starting May 15 , according to WDW News Today .

The reopening of Shanghai Disneyland with a host of mandated COVID-19 health and safety measures is expected to serve as a blueprint for how Disney’s U.S. theme parks will need to function if they hope to swing open their gates in the next few months.
The Shanghai Disneyland theme park in China reopened on Monday, May 11 with additional health and safety measures including face masks, temperature checks, reduced attendance, social distancing and constant sanitization.
The first Disney visitors of the post COVID-19 era were welcomed into the Shanghai Disneyland theme park on Monday morning at 9 a.m. (6 p.m.Pacific time) following a three month-plus coronavirus closure of the park.
The $5.5 billion Shanghai Disney resort closed on Jan. 25 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Shanghai Disneyland resort had previously reopened its outdoor shopping mall and a hotel.
Disney’s two Anaheim theme parks, three hotels and outdoor shopping mall were shuttered in mid-March and remain closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shuttering of the Anaheim parks was preceded by closures of Disney parks in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Japan and followed by closures of Disney resorts in Florida and France.
California theme parks can’t reopen for months based on a plan laid out by Gov. Gavin Newsom in a four-stage roadmap for reopening the state’s economy.
Advanced reservations were required for Monday’s reopening of Shanghai Disneyland and tickets sold out in minutes when they were posted online. Attendance was limited to 24,000 visitors — about 30% of Shanghai Disneyland’s 80,000 capacity.
“We’re going to actually open up far below that just to have our training wheels on with our new procedures and processes to make sure we don’t have any lines backing up either as guests enter into the park or as they wade through the park,” new Disney CEO Bob Chapek said on a conference call with analysts. “We’re going to approach that very, very slowly.”
Visitors arriving at Shanghai Disneyland passed through a temperature screening tent. Anyone with a temperature above 37.3 degrees Celsius (approximately 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit) was prohibited from entering. All visitors were required to wear a mask during their entire visit — except while dining. Signs on the ground of the security queues read “Please do not stand here.”
“We did various studies with our guests,” Shanghai Disneyland senior vice president of operations Andrew Bolstein said during a Chinese media tour of the park. “We found it was easier to tell the guests where not to stand and then leave the empty space where they can stand.”
All visitors with advanced reservations were required to show their China government ID and Shanghai QR health code to gain entrance to the park.
#LIVE #ShanghaiDisneyland reopens to the public on May 11 after #COVID19 disruptions. The number of visitors is limited, and indoor performances, daily parades, and children’s play zone remain closed. Join The Paper at the reopening ceremony! https://t.co/exmcX1rh7f — The Paper 澎湃新闻 (@thepapercn) May 11, 2020
A 90-minute live-stream by China’s Pengpai News gave viewers around the globe a front row seat from their homes to watch the opening ceremony and first guests arriving at Shanghai Disneyland.
The Shanghai Disneyland brass band played during a reopening ceremony attended by Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald.
A steady stream of socially distanced visitors in Minnie Mouse ears and Disney princess dresses walked down Mickey Avenue around 9 a.m. Monday Shanghai time. Thor, Mulan, Buzz Lightyear, Elastigirl, Olaf and other Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters waved hello from a balcony over the entry portal of Shanghai Disneyland.
The park was in full bloom with spring flowers throughout the Gardens of Imagination. Visitors took their masks off to smile for a photo in front of Enchanted Storybook Castle before quickly putting their masks back on.
By Disney theme park standards, the “sold out” Shanghai Disneyland looked like a ghost town. There were wide open spaces for as far as the eye could see and no crowds in sight. By 10:30 a.m. Shanghai time the wait was still 5 minutes for the Tron Lightcycle Power Run roller coaster and Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for Sunken Treasure — the park’s two marquee attractions.
Social distancing was enforced in attraction queues and on rides — with riders sitting in every other row and empty seats left between parties. A few fans waited in line for the Fantasia Carousel — with each group maintaining social distance. The merry-go-round was three-quarters full during one ride with the horses naturally spread more than 1 meter apart.
While most rides were open, several attractions were closed for health and safety reasons — including the Camp Discovery Challenge Trails elevated ropes course and Shipwreck Shore water play area.
Nighttime spectaculars and traditional parades that typically draw big crowds were jettisoned amid social distancing concerns. The Mickey’s Storybook Express parade was scheduled to be replaced by the Mickey and Friends Express character procession during the day. The Ignite the Dream fireworks show was scheduled to be replaced by the Evening Magical Moments projection show on Enchanted Storybook Castle at dusk. The Captain Jack Sparrow stunt show and Frozen sing-along show were cancelled until further notice.
Live shows that typically draw smaller crowds had yellow boxes on the ground —– each separated by a meter of space — to indicate where individual parties could stand to watch the performances. Donald Duck and Chip n’ Dale were expected to lead Tai Chi exercises in the Gardens of Imagination. Captain Marvel, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange were scheduled to take the stage in Tomorrowland.
Woody, Jessie and Bo Peep were expected to patrol Toy Story Land on a mission to find lost toys. Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder planned to dance to the music of traveling troubadours in Fantasyland. The day’s scheduled called for pirates to engage in mayhem, mischief and frivolity in Treasure Cove and break out into sword fights in Voodoo Alley near Doubloon Market.
“With our limited numbers of attendees every day we believe everyone will be able to see almost everything they want,” Bolstein said during the media tour.
Close-up photo opportunities with Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters were prohibited.
Social distancing was the new normal in Shanghai Disneyland restaurants, too. Dining room occupancy was reduced by 50%. Table tent cards indicated which tables were unavailable. Queues with markers were established outside restaurants.
“With lower attendance levels at the beginning we don’t foresee very many queues at all,” Bolstein said during the Chinese media tour. “But if we do have queues we’re prepared.”
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China news video taken inside the park showed Disney employees sanitizing and disinfecting trash cans, handrails and other frequent touchpoints. Hand sanitizer stations were installed at restaurants, stores and attraction entrances and exits.
“We will have cast members throughout the park doing continuous wiping down, sanitizing and disinfecting all the high-touch surfaces,” Bolstein said during the Chinese media tour. “We will have cast members at the entrance of every attraction reminding our guests to maintain social distancing.”
Hong Kong Disneyland is expected to be the next of Disney’s 12 theme parks to reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic. Temperature screening tents have been set up outside the Hong Kong Disney gates. Entry queues are dotted with “please maintain social distance” and “no standing please” signs on ground. The resort’s Disney Explorers Lodge and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel have begun accepting reservations starting May 15, according to WDW News Today.


mercurynews--2020-05-11--The science of gossip (and why everyone does it)

People feed off gossip .
It ’ s one reason why , in the 1960s , the National Enquirer swapped the gory , gruesome headlines they were known for with celebrity scoops and scandal .
The switch gave the tabloid access to supermarket checkout lines and the “ enquiring minds ” in them .
But it ’ s not just tabloid readers who love to dish .
Social scientists have found that everyone is hardwired to pay attention to gossip , and to participate in it .
In fact , it ’ s an evolutionary adaptation — it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ re the descendants of people who were good at this , ” said Frank McAndrew , a psychology professor at Knox College in Galesburg , Illinois .
“ In prehistoric times , people who were fascinated by the lives of other people were more successful.
” McAndrew , an expert on human social behavior and gossip , explains that to thrive in the time of cavemen , we had to know what was happening with the people around us .
“ Who is sleeping with whom ?
Who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And if you weren ’ t good at that , you weren ’ t very successful , ” he said .
Gossip generally has a negative connotation , especially when you think about hurtful rumors , or tabloids and a person ’ s right to privacy .
But in everyday life , researchers say , our chatter about other people tends to be relatively boring and neutral and serves its own unique purpose .
Most researchers define gossip as talking about someone who isn ’ t present and sharing information that isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an analysis by researchers at the University of California Riverside , the average person spends 52 minutes every day doing exactly that .
Yet the majority of our gossip is harmless .
About 15 % of our gabbing involves negative judgment — or what researchers call “ evaluative ” — but outside of that , the average person is just documenting facts , such as “ she ’ s stuck late at work , ” or “ he had to go to the hospital.
” This kind of neutral chitchat actually helps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information that ’ s vital for having a social life , said Megan Robbins , a UC Riverside psychology professor .
“ You can establish a relationship by talking about other people and finding out something about others in the group , ” she said .
“ Even for those types of gossip that are evaluative , you ’ re saying , ‘ I ’ m trusting you with this information . '
” Although gossiping is often stereotyped as a feminine , low-class or uneducated pastime , Robbins said that everyone does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the stereotypes , ” Robbins said .
“ As a social species , we have to talk about people .
We don ’ t live in isolation , and we talk about people who inevitably sometimes are not present.
” Everyone gossips — and it ’ s not all bad The practice becomes purely harmful when it doesn ’ t provide any opportunity for social learning , scientists say , such as with rude comments about someone ’ s appearance or health and comments that are blatantly untrue .
Where judgmental or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it provides cultural learning and compels people to behave better .
Robbins said there is compelling research that gossip might serve as a check on people ’ s moral behavior , deterring potential cheaters or slackers in a group setting because we care about our reputations and the risk of others gossiping about our bad decisions .
It can also be a way to figure out unwritten rules .
For example , when we start a new job , the water cooler talk helps us find out what is acceptable office attire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with on a team project , and whether it ’ s acceptable to take a monthlong vacation .
“ Sharing gossip with someone is a bonding mechanism , ” McAndrew said .
“ It does kind of increase morale.
” This human habit isn ’ t limited to a certain age group .
Sociology professor Stacy Torres studied this habit among elderly people living alone in New York city .
Her research revealed that older adults engaged in gossip at local restaurants and shops as a way to connect with others , maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is something that we see across different cultures and different ages , although it may sort of take a different flavor , ” said Torres .
“ A lot of them would say , ‘ Oh I don ’ t want to partake , ’ or ‘ I need to watch what I say , ’ but then would show up every day and participate.
” Torres , who is now based at the University of California San Francisco , added that gossip gives us the opportunity to vent about people while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties with them overall .
Even when the elders ’ gossip seemed to be negative or rude , it usually came from a place of thoughtfulness .
“ They had nicknames for each other , some that were disparaging , but it was obvious they were thinking about each other , ” Torres said .
For example , they ’ d call each other names but then tack on a comment about reaching out to them : ‘ Has anyone heard from old so-and-so ? '
” “ There was an element of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they were checking on ( each other ) .
” Why do we care about celebrities ?
Humans are hardwired to care about the lives of people who are friends , foes or family .
Researchers call those people “ socially important.
” But why do we care about famous people we ’ ve never actually met ?
“ What ’ s going on is that our caveman brains are unprepared to deal with ( modern communication ) .
In those days , if you knew a lot about someone , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” McAndrew said .
This is especially true today thanks to the internet and social media , which means we know a lot about people we don ’ t actually know .
Being privy to that information tricks our brains into thinking celebrities are socially important to our lives .
One of McAndrew ’ s studies showed that we even gravitate toward celebrity tabloid stories about people of the same gender and age group .
“ They ’ re our cohort — they might be our rivals or allies , ” McAndrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t matter and you ’ re not going to meet them , but they press the same buttons in our brains as people who do matter to us.
” Celebrity gossip also gives us common ground with others .
Pop culture knowledge gives us something to talk about during those awkward small talk encounters or at parties where we don ’ t know many people .
“ You might even think about keeping up with celebrities as a social skill , ” McAndrew said .
“ It makes you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” If you ’ re worried that your gossip is excessive or otherwise harmful , start by examining the reasons why you think you have an issue , McAndrew said , as it may be that you ’ re not using the skill appropriately .
“ Bad gossipers are either people who indiscriminately blab everything they have heard to anyone who will listen , or they are individuals with a clearly selfish agenda in which gossip is designed to damage the reputations of their rivals , ” he said .
Those who do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trusted to be discreet .
They have the well-being of others on their radar.
” If you notice that “ your gossip is hurting your relationships or taking time away from other things you need to be doing , ” McAndrew said , it may be time to cut back .
He suggested you try avoiding the situations or people that bring out the worst in you .

People feed off gossip. It’s one reason why, in the 1960s, the National Enquirer swapped the gory, gruesome headlines they were known for with celebrity scoops and scandal. The switch gave the tabloid access to supermarket checkout lines and the “enquiring minds” in them.
But it’s not just tabloid readers who love to dish. Social scientists have found that everyone is hardwired to pay attention to gossip, and to participate in it. In fact, it’s an evolutionary adaptation — it’s become human nature to spill the tea.
“We’re the descendants of people who were good at this,” said Frank McAndrew, a psychology professor at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. “In prehistoric times, people who were fascinated by the lives of other people were more successful.”
McAndrew, an expert on human social behavior and gossip, explains that to thrive in the time of cavemen, we had to know what was happening with the people around us.
“Who is sleeping with whom? Who has power? Who has access to resources? And if you weren’t good at that, you weren’t very successful,” he said.
Gossip generally has a negative connotation, especially when you think about hurtful rumors, or tabloids and a person’s right to privacy.
But in everyday life, researchers say, our chatter about other people tends to be relatively boring and neutral and serves its own unique purpose.
52 minutes of gossip a day
Most researchers define gossip as talking about someone who isn’t present and sharing information that isn’t widely known.
And according to an analysis by researchers at the University of California Riverside, the average person spends 52 minutes every day doing exactly that.
Yet the majority of our gossip is harmless. About 15% of our gabbing involves negative judgment — or what researchers call “evaluative” — but outside of that, the average person is just documenting facts, such as “she’s stuck late at work,” or “he had to go to the hospital.” This kind of neutral chitchat actually helps us build friendships, community or learn information that’s vital for having a social life, said Megan Robbins, a UC Riverside psychology professor.
“You can establish a relationship by talking about other people and finding out something about others in the group,” she said. “Even for those types of gossip that are evaluative, you’re saying, ‘I’m trusting you with this information.'”
Although gossiping is often stereotyped as a feminine, low-class or uneducated pastime, Robbins said that everyone does it.
“Our data debunked all of the stereotypes,” Robbins said. “As a social species, we have to talk about people. We don’t live in isolation, and we talk about people who inevitably sometimes are not present.”
Everyone gossips — and it’s not all bad
The practice becomes purely harmful when it doesn’t provide any opportunity for social learning, scientists say, such as with rude comments about someone’s appearance or health and comments that are blatantly untrue.
Where judgmental or negative gossip can be useful is when it provides cultural learning and compels people to behave better.
Robbins said there is compelling research that gossip might serve as a check on people’s moral behavior, deterring potential cheaters or slackers in a group setting because we care about our reputations and the risk of others gossiping about our bad decisions.
It can also be a way to figure out unwritten rules. For example, when we start a new job, the water cooler talk helps us find out what is acceptable office attire, who we might want to avoid working with on a team project, and whether it’s acceptable to take a monthlong vacation.
“Sharing gossip with someone is a bonding mechanism,” McAndrew said. “It does kind of increase morale.”
This human habit isn’t limited to a certain age group. Sociology professor Stacy Torres studied this habit among elderly people living alone in New York city. Her research revealed that older adults engaged in gossip at local restaurants and shops as a way to connect with others, maintain social ties and combat loneliness.
“This is something that we see across different cultures and different ages, although it may sort of take a different flavor,” said Torres. “A lot of them would say, ‘Oh I don’t want to partake,’ or ‘I need to watch what I say,’ but then would show up every day and participate.”
Torres, who is now based at the University of California San Francisco, added that gossip gives us the opportunity to vent about people while allowing us to still maintain positive social ties with them overall. Even when the elders’ gossip seemed to be negative or rude, it usually came from a place of thoughtfulness.
“They had nicknames for each other, some that were disparaging, but it was obvious they were thinking about each other,” Torres said. For example, they’d call each other names but then tack on a comment about reaching out to them: ‘Has anyone heard from old so-and-so?'”
“There was an element of concern,” Torres said, “and they were checking on (each other).”
Why do we care about celebrities?
Humans are hardwired to care about the lives of people who are friends, foes or family. Researchers call those people “socially important.” But why do we care about famous people we’ve never actually met?
“What’s going on is that our caveman brains are unprepared to deal with (modern communication). In those days, if you knew a lot about someone, by definition they were socially important to you,” McAndrew said.
This is especially true today thanks to the internet and social media, which means we know a lot about people we don’t actually know. Being privy to that information tricks our brains into thinking celebrities are socially important to our lives. One of McAndrew’s studies showed that we even gravitate toward celebrity tabloid stories about people of the same gender and age group.
“They’re our cohort — they might be our rivals or allies,” McAndrew explained. “Consciously, you know they don’t matter and you’re not going to meet them, but they press the same buttons in our brains as people who do matter to us.”
Celebrity gossip also gives us common ground with others. Pop culture knowledge gives us something to talk about during those awkward small talk encounters or at parties where we don’t know many people.
“You might even think about keeping up with celebrities as a social skill,” McAndrew said. “It makes you know about things that other people care about.”
If you’re worried that your gossip is excessive or otherwise harmful, start by examining the reasons why you think you have an issue, McAndrew said, as it may be that you’re not using the skill appropriately.
“Bad gossipers are either people who indiscriminately blab everything they have heard to anyone who will listen, or they are individuals with a clearly selfish agenda in which gossip is designed to damage the reputations of their rivals,” he said. Those who do it well “know things but are trusted to be discreet. They have the well-being of others on their radar.”
If you notice that “your gossip is hurting your relationships or taking time away from other things you need to be doing,” McAndrew said, it may be time to cut back. He suggested you try avoiding the situations or people that bring out the worst in you.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-05-11--Actor and comedian Jerry Stiller has died of natural causes, Ben Stiller says

Actor and comedian Jerry Stiller has died due to natural causes , his son , actor Ben Stiller said in @ @ @ @ @ 92 .
“ He was a great dad and grandfather , and the most dedicated @ @ @ @ @ 62 years .
He will be greatly missed .
Love you Dad , ” the @ @ @ @ @ most , Jerry Stiller was known for his role as Frank Costanza in the show @ @ @ @ @ a decade later , as Arthur Spooner in the sitcom , “ The King of @ @ @ @ @ his wife , Anne Meara , in 2015 .
The two met in a New @ @ @ @ @ and a few short years later became the timeless “ Stiller & Meara ” comedy @ @ @ @ @ in the 1960s with frequent performances on variety shows , including the “ The Ed @ @ @ @

[vemba-video id=”us/2020/05/11/jerry-stiller-death-obituary-seinfeld-king-of-queens-zoolander-elam-ldn-vpx.cnn”]
Associated Press
NEW YORK — Jerry Stiller, who for decades teamed with wife Anne Meara in a beloved comedy duo and then reached new heights in his senior years as the high-strung Frank Costanza on the classic sitcom “Seinfeld” and the basement-dwelling father-in-law on “The King of Queens,” died at 92, his son Ben Stiller announced Monday.
“I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes,” his son said in a tweet.
“He was a great dad and grandfather and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad,” wrote Ben, who followed in his father’s comedic footsteps and became an A-list box office star with movies like “Tropic Thunder,” “Dodgeball” and “There’s Something About Mary.”
Jerry Stiller was a multi-talented performer who appeared in an assortment of movies, playing Walter Matthau’s police sidekick in the thriller “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” and Divine’s husband Wilbur Turnblad in John Waters’ twisted comedy “Hairspray.”
He also wrote an autobiography, “Married to Laughter,” about his 50-plus year marriage to soul mate and comedic cohort Meara, who died in 2015. And his myriad television spots included everything from “Murder She Wrote” to “Law & Order” — along with 36 appearances alongside Meara on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
Stiller, although a supporting player on “Seinfeld,” created some of the Emmy-winning show’s most enduring moments: co-creator and model for the “bro,” a brassiere for men; a Korean War cook who inflicted food poisoning on his entire unit; an ever-simmering salesman controlling his explosive temper with the shouted mantra, “Serenity now!”
Jason Alexander, his former TV son on “Seinfeld,” said Stiller “was perhaps the kindest man I ever had the honor to work beside. He made me laugh when I was a child and every day I was with him.” Added Billy Eichner “Seeing Jerry Stiller on screen instantly made you happy.”
Stiller earned an 1997 Emmy nomination for his indelible “Seinfeld” performance. In a 2005 Esquire interview, Stiller recalled that he was out of work and not the first choice for the role of Frank Costanza, father to Jason Alexander’s neurotic George.
“My manager had retired,” he said. “I was close to 70 years old, and had nowhere to go.”
He was initially told to play the role as a milquetoast husband with an overbearing wife, Estelle, played by Estelle Harris. But the character wasn’t working — until Stiller suggested his reincarnation as an over-the-top crank who matched his wife scream for scream.
It jump-started the septuagenarian’s career, landing him a spot playing Vince Lombardi in a Nike commercial and the role of another over-the-top dad on the long-running sitcom “King of Queens.”
While he was known as a nut-job father on the small screen, Stiller and wife Meara raised two children in their longtime home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side: daughter Amy, who became an actress, and son Ben, who would become perhaps the most famous Stiller as a writer, director and actor.
He and Ben performed together in “Shoeshine,” which was nominated for a 1988 Academy Award in the short subject category.
Stiller was considerably quieter and reflective in person than in character — although just as funny. The son of a bus driver and a housewife, Stiller grew up in Depression-era Brooklyn. His inspiration to enter show business came at age 8, when his father took him to see the Marx Brothers in the comedy classic “A Night at the Opera.”
Years later, Stiller met Groucho Marx and thanked him.
Stiller earned a drama degree at Syracuse University after serving in World War II, and then headed to New York City to launch his career. There was a brief involvement in Shakespearean theater, including a $55 a week job with Jack Klugman in “Coriolanus.”
But his life and career took off after he met Meara in spring 1953. They were married that fall.
The seemingly mismatched pair — he a short, stocky Jewish guy from Brooklyn, she a tall, Irish Catholic from the Long Island suburbs — shared an immediate onstage chemistry, too. They were soon appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and working nightclubs nationwide.
The pair also wrote and performed radio commercials, most memorably a series of bits for a little-known wine called Blue Nun. The duo’s ads boosted sales by 500%. Ben Stiller recalled trips with his sister to California when his parents would head west to do television appearances.
The couple went on to appear as a team in dozens of film, stage and television productions. One of them was “After-Play,” a 1995 off-Broadway show written by Meara.
Actor Michael McKean honored Stiller on Twitter as “a great comic actor and a splendid man. He and his wife, Anne, were royalty but they would’ve laughed in your face if you said so. And then hugged the hell out of you.”
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Sandra Bullock’s ‘The Blind Side’ long criticized for its ‘White savior’ view of a Black athlete TV Streaming | Paris Hilton enjoys beach and resort in Maui, as Lahaina residents reel from disaster Jerry Seinfeld also shared a tribute, posting a photo of himself holding “The Last Two People in the World,” a 1967 comedy album from Stiller and Meara. Seth Rogen tweeted: “He made me laugh till I cried on many occasions.”
Stiller joined “Seinfeld” in 1993, and moved on to “King of Queens” when the other Jerry & company went off the air in 1998. He also appeared in Ben Stiller’s spoof on modeling, “Zoolander,” released in 2001.
Larry McShane, a former staffer of the Associated Press, was the principal writer of this obituary.


mercurynews--2020-05-11--Letter: Divert the high-speed rail funds to Bay Area projects

Your recent article about the high-speed rail connection between the Bay Area and the Central Valley “ Got $ 13 @ @ @ @ @ speed rail ’ s Bay Area link continues , without money to make it happen @ @ @ @ @ 3 ) shows the vast amount of money we are spending on a problem that @ @ @ @ @ Who needs this ?
The COVID-19 pandemic is the perfect time to re-evaluate our priorities @ @ @ @ @ is needed — not on a wasteful boondoggle .
• Letter : Trump wants to @ @ @ @ @ reelected • Letter : Is Santa Clara County reducing needless contact — or locking us @ @ @ @ @ You can not treat Livermore and Oakland the same Redirect the high-speed rail money to @ @ @ @ @ Bay Area and L.A. , where needs are great and funding is difficult .
And @ @ @ @ @ practical — not like drilling through earthquake faults and hoping for the best !
Submit @ @ @ @ @ via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Divert the high-speed rail
funds to Bay Area projects
Your recent article about the high-speed rail connection between the Bay Area and the Central Valley “Got $13 billion? Planning for high speed rail’s Bay Area link continues, without money to make it happen” (Mercurynews.com, May 3) shows the vast amount of money we are spending on a problem that doesn’t exist.
Who needs this?
The COVID-19 pandemic is the perfect time to re-evaluate our priorities and spend money where it is needed — not on a wasteful boondoggle.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Redirect the high-speed rail money to urban transit projects in the Bay Area and L.A., where needs are great and funding is difficult. And the projects are feasible and practical — not like drilling through earthquake faults and hoping for the best!
Dennis Gaushell
Sunnyvale
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-05-11--Word Game: May 11, 2020

Word Game: May 11, 2020

Can you find 20 or more words in MILLENNIUM ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — MILLENNIUM (MILLENNIUM: mil-LEN-ee-um: A span of a thousand years.)
Average mark 15 words
Time limit 30 minutes
Can you find 20 or more words in MILLENNIUM? The list will be published tomorrow.
SATURDAY’S WORD — BULLETIN bell belt bent bile bill billet bine bite blent blue blunt
built bull bullet bunt unit unite unlit untie until utile lent lentil libel lien lieu lilt line lint lintel
lune lute etui tell tile till tine tube tulle tune inlet nubile null
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--Tesla defies Bay Area coronavirus orders, restarts Fremont plant

Tesla , one of the Bay Area ’ s largest manufacturers , resumed operations at its Fremont plant Monday in a high-profile act of defiance to regional public health orders meant to contain the spread of the fatal COVID-19 disease .
CEO Elon Musk , who has threatened to move his electric car manufacturing company out of California and filed suit over the local orders , announced the reopening on Twitter .
“ Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules .
I will be on the line with everyone else .
If anyone is arrested , I ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote Musk , who has called shelter in place rules “ fascist ” and initially refused to close his plant when the Bay Area in March issued its first-in-the-nation orders .
California last week eased its guidelines for manufacturing but Alameda County and the rest of the Bay Area have kept stricter orders in place .
In a statement Monday afternoon , Alameda County said Tesla was only permitted to conduct “ minimum basic operations ” but that officials were expecting a “ site-specific plan ” by the end of the day as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for manufacturing .
“ We are addressing this matter using the same phased approach we use for other businesses which have violated the Order in the past , and we hope that Tesla will likewise comply without further enforcement measures , ” the statement said .
Musk ’ s tweets came shortly after Gov .
Gavin Newsom , asked repeatedly about Tesla and its 10,000 workers , said at his daily briefing that he believed Alameda County officials and Tesla had held “ some very constructive conversations ” focusing upon the health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to work .
“ My belief and hope and expectation is that as early as next week , they will be able to resume ( operations ) , ” said Newsom , who added that he was not aware the plant was reopening .
However , the governor said Musk sought clarification on the state order a number of days ago and that they “ did have a conversation.
” He said the state ’ s manufacturing modifications include car dealers but he recognizes that some counties want to go farther than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while others , like Alameda , don ’ t .
Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty called the dispute Tesla “ unfortunate , ” and said he had been working with the company for the last three weeks to reach a reasonable resolution .
“ This is not about just Tesla , but all businesses , ” Haggerty said .
“ Mom and pop stores and large manufacturers — We need to work with COVID-19 and not hide from it , because it ’ s not going away .
But , people can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Fremont Police Department , tasked with enforcing Alameda County health orders in the city , indicated no arrests would be made at the plant on Monday .
The already strained relationship between Musk and Alameda County ratcheted up over the weekend when Tesla filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleging that the county ’ s “ power grab not only defies the governor ’ s orders but offends the federal and California constitution.
” In court documents , Tesla argued there ’ s no “ substantial difference in the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighboring San Joaquin County , where the electric carmaker ’ s factory and other facilities continue to operate .
Alameda County has a death rate of 4.2 per 100,000 residents while San Joaquin County maintains a death rate of 3.7 , according to data compiled by this news organization .
Unlike Tesla , some of the Bay Area ’ s other major manufacturers , including spacecraft equipment maker Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale and fuel refiner Chevron in San Ramon , have been deemed essential businesses and therefore permitted to remain open though they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and alternative work arrangements as needed .
Following a threat made by Musk this weekend to move his company to Nevada or Texas , a southern Texas judge Monday wrote a letter to the Silicon Valley CEO , informing him that his county was available to accommodate him and had no public health orders .
“ All that is necessary is for you to pick out a location on which to build your manufacturing plants , something that I am happy to help you choose , ” Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed more than 69,000 cases of COVID-19 and nearly 2,800 deaths .
Newsom said governors and legislative leaders in the Western States Pact — comprised of California , Washington , Colorado , Oregon and Nevada — wrote to Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Monday asking for a $ 1 trillion relief package in response to mounting budget shortfalls .
Last week , Newsom forecasted that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic would create a staggering $ 54.3 billion hole in the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half times the size of California ’ s “ rainy day ” emergency reserves .
Reporters Fiona Kelliher and Joseph Geha contributed to this story .

Tesla, one of the Bay Area’s largest manufacturers, resumed operations at its Fremont plant Monday in a high-profile act of defiance to regional public health orders meant to contain the spread of the fatal COVID-19 disease.
CEO Elon Musk, who has threatened to move his electric car manufacturing company out of California and has filed suit over the local orders, announced the reopening on Twitter. “Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me,” wrote Musk, who has called shelter in place rules “fascist” and initially refused to close his plant in March when the Bay Area issued its first-in-the-nation orders.
California last week eased its guidelines for manufacturing, but Alameda County and the rest of the Bay Area have kept stricter orders in place.
In a statement Monday afternoon, Alameda County said Tesla was only permitted to conduct “minimum basic operations” but that officials were expecting a “site-specific plan” by the end of the day as required under California’s new rules for manufacturing.
“We are addressing this matter using the same phased approach we use for other businesses which have violated the Order in the past, and we hope that Tesla will likewise comply without further enforcement measures,” the statement said.
Musk’s tweets came shortly after Gov. Gavin Newsom, asked repeatedly about Tesla and its 10,000 workers, said at his daily briefing that he believed Alameda County officials and Tesla had held “some very constructive conversations” focusing upon the health and safety of Tesla employees prior to their return to work.
“My belief and hope and expectation is that as early as next week, they will be able to resume (operations),” said Newsom, who added that he was not aware the plant was reopening. However, the governor said Musk sought clarification on the state order a number of days ago and that they “did have a conversation.” He said the state’s manufacturing modifications include car dealers, but he recognizes that some counties want to go further than the state’s orders currently allow while others, such as Alameda, don’t.
Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty called the dispute Tesla “unfortunate” and said he had been working with the company for the last three weeks to reach a reasonable resolution. “This is not about just Tesla but all businesses,” Haggerty said. “Mom-and-pop stores and large manufacturers — we need to work with COVID-19 and not hide from it, because it’s not going away. But people can’t stay out of work, either.”
The Fremont Police Department, tasked with enforcing Alameda County health orders in the city, indicated no arrests would be made at the plant on Monday.
The already strained relationship between Musk and Alameda County ratcheted up over the weekend when Tesla filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleging that the county’s “power grab not only defies the governor’s orders but offends the federal and California constitution.” In court documents, Tesla argued there’s no “substantial difference in the COVID-19 infection rate” between Alameda County and neighboring San Joaquin County, where the electric carmaker’s factory and other facilities continue to operate. Alameda County has a death rate of 4.2 per 100,000 residents, while San Joaquin County maintains a death rate of 3.7, according to data compiled by this news organization.
Unlike Tesla, some of the Bay Area’s other major manufacturers, including spacecraft equipment maker Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale and fuel refiner Chevron in San Ramon, have been deemed essential businesses and therefore permitted to remain open though they have modified operations by instituting screening protocols and alternative work arrangements as needed.
Following a threat made by Musk this weekend to move his company to Nevada or Texas, a southern Texas judge Monday wrote a letter to the Silicon Valley CEO, informing him that his county was available to accommodate him and had no public health orders. “All that is necessary is for you to pick out a location on which to build your manufacturing plants, something that I am happy to help you choose,” Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez wrote.
As of Monday, California had confirmed more than 69,000 cases of COVID-19 and nearly 2,800 deaths.
Newsom said governors and legislative leaders in the Western States Pact — comprised of California, Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Nevada — wrote to Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday asking for a $1 trillion relief package in response to mounting budget shortfalls.
Last week, Newsom forecasted that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic would create a staggering $54.3 billion hole in the state’s budget — almost three and a half times the size of California’s “rainy day” emergency reserves.
Reporters Fiona Kelliher and Joseph Geha contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: Brazil eases restrictions as cases surge

BRASILIA – Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday declared gyms and hair salons as essential services that can stay open through the new coronavirus outbreak , easing measures to control the disease despite new cases and deaths surging in the country .
Brazil has now registered a total of 168,331 confirmed cases of the virus and is closing in on the number of cases recorded in Germany and France , where the outbreak has been slowing .
To date , Brazil has confirmed 11,519 deaths due to the disease .
The president has argued that state and municipal governments have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrict the disease ’ s spread and that it is overly damaging to the economy .
“ The question of life has to be taken in parallel with jobs , ” Bolsonaro told reporters outside his official residence .
“ Without the economy there is no life , there are no doctors , there are no hospital supplies.
” Bolsonaro ’ s latest decree allowing more establishments to stay open comes as Brazil registered 5,632 new coronavirus cases on Monday and 396 deaths from the disease , according to the Health Ministry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharmacies and grocery stores were essential , Bolsonaro later expanded that list to include lotteries and churches .
This third decree expands the list of essential business further , also extending it to industrial production and civil construction , with Bolsonaro promising even more easing to come .
Health Minister Nelson Teich told a briefing on Monday that the ministry had not been consulted about Bolsonaro ’ s decision to allow gyms and beauty salons to reopen .
The ministry also said in a statement that it had issued guidelines to state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing standards , from strict to loose , saying the ultimate decisions rests with local governments .
“ It is local health authorities ’ responsibility to adopt or loosen non-pharmalogical measures , ” it said .
Global automaker Fiat Chrysler on Monday said it was gradually restarting production at three factories in Brazil , with more than half of its roughly 10,000 employees in the country already returning to work .
The plants had been halted for 48 days , Fiat Chrysler said in a statement .
The first task was to train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

By Lisandra Paraguassu and Pedro Fonseca | Reuters
BRASILIA – Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday declared gyms and hair salons as essential services that can stay open through the new coronavirus outbreak, easing measures to control the disease despite new cases and deaths surging in the country.
Brazil has now registered a total of 168,331 confirmed cases of the virus and is closing in on the number of cases recorded in Germany and France, where the outbreak has been slowing. To date, Brazil has confirmed 11,519 deaths due to the disease.
The president has argued that state and municipal governments have gone overboard in social isolation measures to restrict the disease’s spread and that it is overly damaging to the economy.
“The question of life has to be taken in parallel with jobs,” Bolsonaro told reporters outside his official residence. “Without the economy there is no life, there are no doctors, there are no hospital supplies.”
Bolsonaro’s latest decree allowing more establishments to stay open comes as Brazil registered 5,632 new coronavirus cases on Monday and 396 deaths from the disease, according to the Health Ministry.
After initially decreeing that establishments such as pharmacies and grocery stores were essential, Bolsonaro later expanded that list to include lotteries and churches.
This third decree expands the list of essential business further, also extending it to industrial production and civil construction, with Bolsonaro promising even more easing to come.
Health Minister Nelson Teich told a briefing on Monday that the ministry had not been consulted about Bolsonaro’s decision to allow gyms and beauty salons to reopen.
The ministry also said in a statement that it had issued guidelines to state and municipal authorities on the range of social distancing standards, from strict to loose, saying the ultimate decisions rests with local governments.
“It is local health authorities’ responsibility to adopt or loosen non-pharmalogical measures,” it said.
Global automaker Fiat Chrysler on Monday said it was gradually restarting production at three factories in Brazil, with more than half of its roughly 10,000 employees in the country already returning to work.
The plants had been halted for 48 days, Fiat Chrysler said in a statement. The first task was to train employees on new health precautions, it said.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--Kurtenbach: Does the NBA have a plan to play again?

Because Major League Baseball has a plan to return to play .
Monday , it was reported that the league ’ s owners approved a plan to start Spring Training in June with an 82-game regular season starting in early July in front of empty stands in home ballparks .
And last week , the NFL released its 2020 schedule .
Perhaps it ’ s wishful thinking for the league to publicly project playing a normal schedule in September , but they have contingency plans , too .
Yes , these leagues might need to pivot — to make changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse amid this global pandemic — but they ’ re pushing forward .
Their erring on the side of action .
And then there ’ s the NBA , which shut down two months ago Tuesday and yet seems nowhere near close to a return .
Sure , there has been conversation and shuffling , but where ’ s the plan ?
Where ’ s the action ?
It as if Silver is waiting for a perfect environment — a return to normal — to make a move .
But we all know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time soon .
It ’ s probably never going to arrive .
That ’ s no such thing as “ normal ” in life — there is only adaptation to constant change .
Sometimes the changes come so slow that you don ’ t notice the adaptations .
Sometimes — like now — change is forced upon you at rates so fast you can hardly keep up .
Right now , the NBA is not keeping up , and in a re-set sports marketplace , that could bring about even more dire financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running out of time to come up with a viable plan , too .
The NBA commissioner told players last Friday that no decision needs to be made until June .
Yet a proposal to return this summer would take at least a few weeks to organize and ratify with the players , after which there would need to be a period of time to travel , isolate , and then practice .
( These players need to get in shape — they are also carrying the quarantine 15 . )
So even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the regular season would , at best , re-start in July , which means that play could easily stretch into September — the same month 2020-2021 preseason is set to start .
Good luck trying to convince shadow commissioners LeBron James and Chris Paul that they ’ ll only have a few weeks of an “ offseason ” after this campaign finishes .
There is , of course , a more straightforward option : Jump right to the playoffs .
Perhaps the only silver lining of this pandemic is that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretense .
It ’ s real bad out here , we don ’ t have time for nonsense .
So tell the Warriors and all the other teams that have been eliminated from postseason contention to stay home and enjoy their summer as best they can — you ’ ll see them in the fall .
The fact that the Silver and the league can not yet bring it upon itself to cut the obvious fat is telling and concerning .
Because if the NBA really wanted to cut the pretense , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re done — they would jump right to the second round of the playoffs when play returns .
The first round of the postseason is an annual cash-grab , one that ’ s unnecessary given the current circumstances .
The bottom seeds — Nos .
8 , 7 , and sometimes 6 — have next to no chance to winning the title every year .
Yet the playoffs have eight seeds so that mediocre teams can be rewarded with two home playoff games — some extra revenue .
Well , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year because there won ’ t be fans or “ home games ” .
So why bother bringing the sub-.500 Nets or Magic to the Eastern Conference biodome ?
Will some of these conversations and negotiations be uncomfortable for Silver ?
Of course .
Might he have to cross the NBA players , or worse , do to do something that doesn ’ t play well on social media ?
Absolutely .
But NBA owners pay Silver seven figures annually to make big , tough decisions in moments like this .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s worth it .

What’s the plan, Adam Silver?
Because Major League Baseball has a plan to return to play. Monday, it was reported that the league’s owners approved a plan to start Spring Training in June with an 82-game regular season starting in early July in front of empty stands in home ballparks.
And last week, the NFL released its 2020 schedule. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking for the league to publicly project playing a normal schedule in September, but they have contingency plans, too.
Yes, these leagues might need to pivot — to make changes as circumstances change for better or for worse amid this global pandemic — but they’re pushing forward. Their erring on the side of action.
And then there’s the NBA, which shut down two months ago Tuesday and yet seems nowhere near close to a return.
Sure, there has been conversation and shuffling, but where’s the plan? Where’s the action?
It as if Silver is waiting for a perfect environment — a return to normal — to make a move.
But we all know that moment isn’t coming any time soon. It’s probably never going to arrive.
That’s no such thing as “normal” in life — there is only adaptation to constant change. Sometimes the changes come so slow that you don’t notice the adaptations. Sometimes — like now — change is forced upon you at rates so fast you can hardly keep up.
Right now, the NBA is not keeping up, and in a re-set sports marketplace, that could bring about even more dire financial ramifications than already expected.
Silver is running out of time to come up with a viable plan, too.
The NBA commissioner told players last Friday that no decision needs to be made until June. Yet a proposal to return this summer would take at least a few weeks to organize and ratify with the players, after which there would need to be a period of time to travel, isolate, and then practice. (These players need to get in shape — they are also carrying the quarantine 15.)
So even if games are played in regional hubs, the regular season would, at best, re-start in July, which means that play could easily stretch into September — the same month 2020-2021 preseason is set to start.
Good luck trying to convince shadow commissioners LeBron James and Chris Paul that they’ll only have a few weeks of an “offseason” after this campaign finishes.
There is, of course, a more straightforward option: Jump right to the playoffs.
Perhaps the only silver lining of this pandemic is that it’s forcing the world to cut the pretense. It’s real bad out here, we don’t have time for nonsense.
So tell the Warriors and all the other teams that have been eliminated from postseason contention to stay home and enjoy their summer as best they can — you’ll see them in the fall. The fact that the Silver and the league cannot yet bring it upon itself to cut the obvious fat is telling and concerning.
Because if the NBA really wanted to cut the pretense, they would go well beyond telling the Warriors they’re done — they would jump right to the second round of the playoffs when play returns. The first round of the postseason is an annual cash-grab, one that’s unnecessary given the current circumstances.
The bottom seeds — Nos. 8, 7, and sometimes 6 — have next to no chance to winning the title every year. Yet the playoffs have eight seeds so that mediocre teams can be rewarded with two home playoff games — some extra revenue.
Well, that revenue won’t be there this year because there won’t be fans or “home games”. So why bother bringing the sub-.500 Nets or Magic to the Eastern Conference biodome?
Will some of these conversations and negotiations be uncomfortable for Silver? Of course. Might he have to cross the NBA players, or worse, do to do something that doesn’t play well on social media? Absolutely.
But NBA owners pay Silver seven figures annually to make big, tough decisions in moments like this. It’s time for him to show he’s worth it.


mercurynews--2020-05-12--SD Gov. threatens tribes over COVID-19 restrictions

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem on Monday threatened to take legal action against two Native American tribes who have set up vehicle checkpoints in an attempt to contain the coronavirus that has impacted other Native American reservations .
The Republican said during a news conference that she will seek legal clarity in a lawsuit against the nine checkpoints set up by the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes that she claims have restricted the travel of essential services .
“ I certainly understand the spirit behind ( the checkpoints ) , ” the first-term governor said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that if somebody needs an ambulance on a reservation , one could get to them .
I am not sure of that today.
” Noem , a Republican , was among the few U.S. governors who did not issue stay-at-home orders .
It is unclear where or when a lawsuit will be filed .
A spokesman with the state attorney general ’ s office was not immediately available for comment .
On Friday , Noem gave the tribes 48 hours to remove the checkpoints .
“ Her threats don ’ t intimidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to do to safeguard and protect our communities , ” Oglala Sioux Tribe President Julian Bear Runner told Reuters , adding that his reservation of 30,000 people has reported one case .
Leaders of both tribes say the checkpoints along federal and state highways and local roads are legal , given that they are within reservation boundaries and as a result , fall under sovereign law .
Tribal leaders said they will do everything in their power to keep the pandemic off their reservations , given that minority and impoverished communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the virus and that many of their tribe members suffer from underlying medical conditions such as heart disease , diabetes and cancer .
“ Bottom line , it would decimate us , ” said Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe intergovernmental affairs official Remi Bald Eagle , noting that the closest critical care unit is three hours from the reservation of 13,000 members .
Motorists who are driving onto the Sioux Tribe reservation are being stopped and asked who they are , where they have been and where they are going , Bald Eagle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real-time strategy to identify , isolate , quarantine and treat people who may get infected , ” he said , adding that the reservation has reported only one case .
At the Oglala Sioux Tribe checkpoints , workers collect vehicle information from motorists , while informing them of the reservation ’ s curfew , shelter-in-place order and sovereign laws , said Bear Runner , the Oglala Sioux president .

[vemba-video id=”tv/2020/05/11/lead-3p-sara-sidner-live-jake-tapper.cnn”]
By Brendan O’Brien | Reuters
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem on Monday threatened to take legal action against two Native American tribes who have set up vehicle checkpoints in an attempt to contain the coronavirus that has impacted other Native American reservations.
The Republican said during a news conference that she will seek legal clarity in a lawsuit against the nine checkpoints set up by the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes that she claims have restricted the travel of essential services.
“I certainly understand the spirit behind (the checkpoints),” the first-term governor said. “It’s a priority that we make sure that if somebody needs an ambulance on a reservation, one could get to them. I am not sure of that today.”
Noem, a Republican, was among the few U.S. governors who did not issue stay-at-home orders.
It is unclear where or when a lawsuit will be filed. A spokesman with the state attorney general’s office was not immediately available for comment.
On Friday, Noem gave the tribes 48 hours to remove the checkpoints.
“Her threats don’t intimidate us. We have to do what we have to do to safeguard and protect our communities,” Oglala Sioux Tribe President Julian Bear Runner told Reuters, adding that his reservation of 30,000 people has reported one case.
Leaders of both tribes say the checkpoints along federal and state highways and local roads are legal, given that they are within reservation boundaries and as a result, fall under sovereign law.
Tribal leaders said they will do everything in their power to keep the pandemic off their reservations, given that minority and impoverished communities have been hit hard across the U.S. by the virus and that many of their tribe members suffer from underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
“Bottom line, it would decimate us,” said Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe intergovernmental affairs official Remi Bald Eagle, noting that the closest critical care unit is three hours from the reservation of 13,000 members.
Motorists who are driving onto the Sioux Tribe reservation are being stopped and asked who they are, where they have been and where they are going, Bald Eagle told Reuters.
“This is a real-time strategy to identify, isolate, quarantine and treat people who may get infected,” he said, adding that the reservation has reported only one case.
At the Oglala Sioux Tribe checkpoints, workers collect vehicle information from motorists, while informing them of the reservation’s curfew, shelter-in-place order and sovereign laws, said Bear Runner, the Oglala Sioux president.