mercurynews--2020-10-16--Inside the Raiders: Pass rush, and not deep ball, is biggest reason for playoff hopes

The NFL world is astonished and amazed because Derek Carr , the quarterback who never met a 5-yard pass he didn ’ t like , started flinging it long against Kansas City as if the Raiders were the Greatest Show on Turf reincarnated .
Even Kurt Warner , the Hall of Fame downfield thrower for the Rams when they were the original Greatest Show on Turf , listed Carr as his top Week 5 quarterback during his weekly NFL Network feature and cited his willingness to “ push the ball down the field.
” It was impressive , with Carr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more yards in the air , for 219 yards and a pair of touchdowns .
Yet the Chiefs win had another development that will have more bearing on a potential run at a division title or playoff berth .
The long strikes , featuring rookie Henry Ruggs III , as nostalgic as they were for those who long for Al Davis ’ “ vertical game , ” take a backseat to the way the Raiders bewitched , bothered and bewildered Chiefs quarterback and NFL standard bearer Patrick Mahomes in the second half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtually non-existent showed up in a big way .
The sack totals weren ’ t much — just three for seven yards — and one of those was a Nevin Lawson tackle of Mahomes for no gain on a scramble .
But Mahomes was hit early and often , although still able to escape enough to put up good numbers in 24-24 first half .
The second half was another matter , with Mahomes going 8 of 16 for 103 yards ( 78 yards of which came on a late fourth-quarter drive ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards to set up a Raiders ’ touchdown .
The Raiders were credited with 24 pressures by SportRadar , a data web site .
The same site had the Raiders with 26 pressures in the first four games of the season combined .
SportRadar had the Raiders with only three blitzes , which took away many of the quick-read , blitz-beating throws at which Mahomes has excelled of late .
Clein Ferrell , last year ’ s No .
4 overall draft pick , looked the part for the first time with five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mahomes ’ fourth-and-7 interception .
Maxx Crosby ran sideline to sideline chasing Mahomes to the tune of 1,423.9 yards according to SportRadar .
Practice squad promotions Datone Jones and Chris Smith had their moments .
The 24 pressures were the most credited to the Raiders since Khalil Mack ’ s five-sack game against Denver in 2016 , when they had 25 .
The pass rush , combined with minimal blitzing , put more defenders in coverage and less time for receivers to get open .
“ I think we simplified some stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play a little faster and I think that helped up front , ” Raiders defensive backs coach Jim O ’ Neil said Wednesday in a video conference .
“ I think it helped us in the back end .
But if the rush can save us a click , it helps us .
If we can buy them a click , it helps them .
When the rush and the coverage is working together like it was this past Sunday in Kansas City , it ’ s good for everybody.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspect because if the Raiders can keep it up , they go from being a poor defense to average or even above average .
The Raiders were already a good offense before they played the Chiefs .
With Ruggs aboard , that could go from good to exceptional .
Without a decent pass rush , they ’ re not going anywhere .
Next up for the Raiders are Tom Brady of Tampa Bay , largely a stationary target at age 43 .
Then it ’ s Baker Mayfield of Cleveland and Justin Herbert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles Chargers .
We ’ ll know by midseason whether the rush the Raiders put on Mahomes was the real thing or a one-week aberration .
The Raiders ’ postseason hopes will depend on it .
A few other bye week impressions of the Raiders 3-2 start : Remember the Rod Woodson coin toss at the 2018 NFL scouting combine ?
The one that gave the 49ers a first shot at tackle Mike McGlinchey at No .
9 in the first round and taking the player the Raiders supposedly wanted ?
The Raiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 and selected Kolton Miller of UCLA .
Offensive line coach Tom Cable swore by Miller , but the pick was universally panned as a reach .
Not only did the Raiders not get McGlinchey , they also passed on Florida State safety Derwin James .
Fast forward to 2020 .
McGlinchey is playing poorly at right tackle for the 49ers .
James has been unlucky , his career derailed by injuries .
As for Miller , he ’ s playing at a Pro Bowl level at left tackle and basically made rush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not sure what happened to that coin , but G.M .
Mike Mayock should find it and put in his pocket before the 2021 draft .
Much of the Raiders free agent buzz was about high-end expenditures Cory Littleton ( three years , $ 36 million ) , defensive end Carl Nassib ( three years , $ 25 million ) and defensive tackle Maliek Collins ( one year , $ 6 million ) .
All three are a work in progress in a new defensive system , and Nassib ( toe ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gruden and Mayock did some solid work in the secondary market on offense , however , landing Nelson Agholor and Devontae Booker to one-year veteran minimum contracts of $ 910,000 with modest signing bonuses .
Agholor , whose occasional drops with the Eagles became the focus of the notoriously tough Philadelphia fan base , has 10 catches for 182 yards and three touchdowns .
Carr is 10 of 11 throwing to Agholor .
• Raiders mailbag : Did Derek Carr question Jon Gruden ’ s trust in him ?
• Raiders ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Booker complementing Jacobs , and more • Raiders ’ Carl Nassib out with broken toe , but team won ’ t rush him to IR • Is Raiders ’ Derek Carr on an MVP track ?
Rich Gannon , who won it in 2002 , thinks so • Police : Man upset about Chiefs ’ loss to Raiders pointed a gun before fight Booker is coming off a 7-carry , 62-yard performance against the Chiefs and has 121 yards on 17 carries .
Gruden and running backs Kirby Wilson expect Booker to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help keep Josh Jacobs fresh .
Jacobs has an NFL high 106 carries through five games .
As a rookie in 2016 , Booker , 5-foot-11 , 219 pounds , carried 174 times for 612 yards .
His workload dwindled to 79 , 34 and two carries in the last three years .
“ He had a couple of lean years in Denver when he didn ’ t get the opportunity , ” Wilson said .
“ We thought when we got him up to speed here he would have an impact.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Le ’ Veon Bell before the Jets released him , and they may be better off standing pat .
No one has seen Bell at his best since 2017 , the year he had 406 touches rushing and receiving with Pittsburgh .
He sat out 2018 in a contract dispute and with a poor Jets team was a faint copy of what he did with the Steelers .
How will Bell do splitting time with Clyde Edwards-Helaire ?
And as much as the Chiefs pass the ball , can he get enough work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And even if Bell gets the ball often , how much did 2017 take out of him ?
That ’ s a lot of questions that need to be answered .
Sometimes when things seem too good to be true , that ’ s exactly what they are .

The NFL world is astonished and amazed because Derek Carr, the quarterback who never met a 5-yard pass he didn’t like, started flinging it long against Kansas City as if the Raiders were the Greatest Show on Turf reincarnated.
Even Kurt Warner, the Hall of Fame downfield thrower for the Rams when they were the original Greatest Show on Turf, listed Carr as his top Week 5 quarterback during his weekly NFL Network feature and cited his willingness to “push the ball down the field.”
It was impressive, with Carr completing 4 of 7 passes thrown 20 or more yards in the air, for 219 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Yet the win over the Chiefs had another development that will have more bearing on a potential run at a division title or playoff berth.
The long strikes, featuring rookie Henry Ruggs III, as nostalgic as they were for those who long for Al Davis’ “vertical game,” take a backseat to the way the Raiders bewitched, bothered and bewildered Chiefs quarterback and NFL standard bearer Patrick Mahomes in the second half.
A pass rush that had been virtually non-existent showed up in a big way. The sack totals weren’t much — just three for seven yards — and one of those was a Nevin Lawson tackle of Mahomes for no gain on a scramble.
But Mahomes was hit early and often, although still able to escape enough to put up good numbers in 24-24 first half. The second half was another matter, with Mahomes going 8 of 16 for 103 yards (78 yards of which came on a late fourth-quarter drive) and an interception Jeff Heath returned 47 yards to set up a Raiders’ touchdown.
The Raiders were credited with 24 pressures by SportRadar, a data web site. The same site had the Raiders with 26 pressures in the first four games of the season combined. SportRadar had the Raiders with only three blitzes, which took away many of the quick-read, blitz-beating throws at which Mahomes has excelled of late.
Clelin Ferrell, last year’s No. 4 overall draft pick, looked the part for the first time with five pressures, including the one that led to Mahomes’ fourth-and-7 interception. Maxx Crosby ran sideline to sideline chasing Mahomes to the tune of 1,423.9 yards according to SportRadar. Practice squad promotions Datone Jones and Chris Smith had their moments.
The 24 pressures were the most credited to the Raiders since Khalil Mack’s five-sack game against Denver in 2015, when they had 25.
The pass rush, combined with minimal blitzing, put more defenders in coverage and less time for receivers to get open.
“I think we simplified some stuff for the guys, and allowed them to play a little faster and I think that helped up front,” Raiders defensive backs coach Jim O’Neil said Wednesday in a video conference. “I think it helped us in the back end. But if the rush can save us a click, it helps us. If we can buy them a click, it helps them. When the rush and the coverage is working together like it was this past Sunday in Kansas City, it’s good for everybody.”
The pass rush supersedes the downfield field throwing aspect because if the Raiders can keep it up, they go from being a poor defense to average or even above average. The Raiders were already a good offense before they played the Chiefs. With Ruggs aboard, that could go from good to exceptional.
Without a decent pass rush, they’re not going anywhere.
Next up for the Raiders after this week’s bye is Tom Brady of Tampa Bay, largely a stationary target at age 43. Then it’s Baker Mayfield of Cleveland and Justin Herbert, the impressive rookie of the Los Angeles Chargers. We’ll know by midseason whether the rush the Raiders put on Mahomes was the real thing or a one-week aberration.
The Raiders’ postseason hopes will depend on it.
A few other bye week impressions of the Raiders’ 3-2 start:
Kolton Miller shut down Frank Clark in Week 5. If you said these words two years ago on this website it would've been dismissed & laughed at by nearly everyone (including me). Incredible job by Tom Cable & Miller. Great example of why "traits" matter so much in the process too. pic.twitter.com/SXTHi7vhZM — Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) October 13, 2020
Miller Time
Remember the Rod Woodson coin toss at the 2018 NFL scouting combine? The one that gave the 49ers a first shot at tackle Mike McGlinchey at No. 9 in the first round and taking the player the Raiders supposedly wanted? The Raiders ended up trading back to No. 15 and selected Kolton Miller of UCLA.
Offensive line coach Tom Cable swore by Miller, but the pick was universally panned as a reach.
Not only did the Raiders not get McGlinchey, they also passed on Florida State safety Derwin James.
Fast forward to 2020. McGlinchey is playing poorly at right tackle for the 49ers. James has been unlucky, his career derailed by injuries.
As for Miller, he’s playing at a Pro Bowl level at left tackle and basically made rush end Frank Clark disappear against the Chiefs.
Not sure what happened to that coin, but G.M. Mike Mayock should find it and put in his pocket before the 2021 draft.
The Agholor and Booker bargains
Much of the Raiders free agent buzz was about high-end expenditures Cory Littleton (three years, $36 million), defensive end Carl Nassib (three years, $25 million) and defensive tackle Maliek Collins (one year, $6 million).
All three are a work in progress in a new defensive system, and Nassib (toe) and Collins (shoulder) are ailing.
Gruden and Mayock did some solid work in the secondary market on offense, however, landing Nelson Agholor and Devontae Booker to one-year veteran minimum contracts of $910,000 with modest signing bonuses.
Agholor, whose occasional drops with the Eagles became the focus of the notoriously tough Philadelphia fan base, has 10 catches for 182 yards and three touchdowns. Carr is 10 of 11 throwing to Agholor.
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49ers-Raiders practice: ‘Bang-bang’ defense takes out Davante Adams Raiders | Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers get sentimental at Vegas reunion — to an extent Booker is coming off a 7-carry, 62-yard performance against the Chiefs and has 121 yards on 17 carries. Gruden and running backs Kirby Wilson expect Booker to get more work down the road to help keep Josh Jacobs fresh. Jacobs has an NFL high 106 carries through five games.
As a rookie in 2016, Booker, 5-foot-11, 219 pounds, carried 174 times for 612 yards. His workload dwindled to 79, 34 and two carries in the last three years.
“He had a couple of lean years in Denver when he didn’t get the opportunity,” Wilson said. “We thought when we got him up to speed here he would have an impact.”
The Raiders reportedly kicked the tires on Le’Veon Bell before the Jets released him, and they may be better off standing pat. No one has seen Bell at his best since 2017, the year he had 406 touches rushing and receiving with Pittsburgh. He sat out 2018 in a contract dispute and with a poor Jets team was a faint copy of what he did with the Steelers.
How will Bell do splitting time with Clyde Edwards-Helaire? And as much as the Chiefs pass the ball, can he get enough work to get back in to a groove? And even if Bell gets the ball often, how much did 2017 take out of him?
That’s a lot of questions that need to be answered. Sometimes when things seem too good to be true, that’s exactly what they are.


mercurynews--2020-10-16--12 people died in a Gilroy nursing home Covid-19 outbreak. Other facilities across the US are report

12 people died in a Gilroy nursing home Covid-19 outbreak. Other facilities across the US are reporting infections

Twelve residents at a South Bay nursing home have died from Covid-19 , the facility announced this week .
The Gilroy Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center said in a news release Thursday 75 residents and 54 employees have tested positive for the virus throughout the course of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Sixty-three residents and 53 employees have since recovered , it said .
It ’ s unclear from the news release when the infections and deaths occurred .
“ To add an additional level of protection we are committed to facility wide testing on all residents and staff in collaboration with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center said in a statement .
“ We understand the importance of knowing the status of our residents , employees , and essential health care providers .
In this new world of COVID-19 , rest assured we are aggressively treating and responding to potential community exposures by conducting routine testing of all our residents and staff until such time as a vaccine becomes available or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) instructs otherwise.
” Since the start of the pandemic , Covid-19 has taken a devastating toll on nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country becoming hotspots for the virus and reporting dozens of deaths and infections .
Some public health officials in recent days have sounded the alarm over infections in more facilities .
In Washington state , Whatcom County health officials announced an outbreak among residents and staff in the Highland Health and Rehabilitation nursing facility that began in mid-September .
At least 37 residents have tested positive , 10 of whom have died , health officials said in an October 9 news release .
Seventeen staff members have also been infected , health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s National Guard was called in to assist with two Covid-19 nursing home outbreaks , CNN affiliate KQDS reported .
In a statement posted on Facebook last week , the Guardian Angels Health and Rehabilitation Center said the national guard would provide “ staffing relief.
” In a separate statement , the Sacred Heart Care Center — the second facility receiving aid — said it was prohibiting visitors , with some exceptions , and conducting weekly Covid-19 testing for all staff , among other efforts .
Virginia health officials said this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 have tested positive for Covid-19 in a retirement community in Chesterfield County , according to CNN affiliate WTVR .
• Switching stadiums for Big Game would benefit Cal and Stanford “ VDH has provided infection control recommendations , conducted a site visit , and followed up with the facility regularly since learning about it , ” Brookie Crawford , with the state health department , told the news station .
“ The facility is also continuing to do additional testing.
” And in Connecticut , health officials were monitoring outbreaks in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CNN affiliate WTIC reported .
In the nursing facility , at least 22 residents have tested positive , the affiliate reported .

Twelve residents at a South Bay nursing home have died from Covid-19, the facility announced this week.
The Gilroy Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center said in a news release Thursday 75 residents and 54 employees have tested positive for the virus throughout the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sixty-three residents and 53 employees have since recovered, it said.
It’s unclear from the news release when the infections and deaths occurred.
“To add an additional level of protection we are committed to facility wide testing on all residents and staff in collaboration with local public health departments,” the center said in a statement.
“We understand the importance of knowing the status of our residents, employees, and essential health care providers. In this new world of COVID-19, rest assured we are aggressively treating and responding to potential community exposures by conducting routine testing of all our residents and staff until such time as a vaccine becomes available or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructs otherwise.”
Since the start of the pandemic, Covid-19 has taken a devastating toll on nursing home residents, with facilities across the country becoming hotspots for the virus and reporting dozens of deaths and infections.
Outbreaks across US
Some public health officials in recent days have sounded the alarm over infections in more facilities.
In Washington state, Whatcom County health officials announced an outbreak among residents and staff in the Highland Health and Rehabilitation nursing facility that began in mid-September. At least 37 residents have tested positive, 10 of whom have died, health officials said in an October 9 news release. Seventeen staff members have also been infected, health officials said.
In Minnesota, the state’s National Guard was called in to assist with two Covid-19 nursing home outbreaks, CNN affiliate KQDS reported. In a statement posted on Facebook last week, the Guardian Angels Health and Rehabilitation Center said the national guard would provide “staffing relief.”
[vemba-video id=”health/2020/10/15/herd-immunity-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-gupta-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn”]
In a separate statement, the Sacred Heart Care Center — the second facility receiving aid — said it was prohibiting visitors, with some exceptions, and conducting weekly Covid-19 testing for all staff, among other efforts.
Virginia health officials said this week four people have died and more than 80 have tested positive for Covid-19 in a retirement community in Chesterfield County, according to CNN affiliate WTVR.
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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 “VDH has provided infection control recommendations, conducted a site visit, and followed up with the facility regularly since learning about it,” Brookie Crawford, with the state health department, told the news station. “The facility is also continuing to do additional testing.”
And in Connecticut, health officials were monitoring outbreaks in a nursing home and an assisted living facility, CNN affiliate WTIC reported. In the nursing facility, at least 22 residents have tested positive, the affiliate reported.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-10-16--Review: Lee, Byrne take us on a mesmerizing journey

Ever since the pandemic darkened theaters earlier this year , sending the entire performing arts world into a catastrophic state of limbo , we ’ ve seen all manner of creative virtual substitutes : Digital dance seasons , clever musical mashups , a live-captured version of “ Hamilton.
” Many of these have been good , some great .
Yet none have truly matched the visceral experience many of us crave so profoundly : live performance , in a theater .
And honestly , how could anything come close ?
Well , now we have Spike Lee ’ s mesmerizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrific Broadway concert “ American Utopia , ” which feels so thrillingly alive , you may actually forget you ’ re not in a theater .
Or perhaps you ’ ll feel like the stage has somehow been lifted from its moorings and delivered straight to your living room — or , as Byrne might prefer , right into your brain .
In any case , this hypnotic film experience is a badly needed shot in the arm for all of us — music lovers , theater lovers , dance lovers , culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s also one of the best concert films in recent memory .
Of course , “ David Byrne ’ s American Utopia , ” a major Broadway happening that was due to return to the Hudson Theatre this fall , feels like far more than a concert .
It ’ s based on Byrne ’ s music , yes , from his 2018 album of the same name but also other solo work and some iconic Talking Heads tracks .
But that ’ s just the launching point .
The show , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on community and connectedness , is filled with pungent Byrne-ian commentary , on everything from brain function to Dadaism to climate change .
“ Meeting people is hard , ” he muses at one point .
But he can also get more political , as when he chides Americans for low voter turnout , especially in local elections .
A crucial element of the show ’ s success is its enormously talented multicultural supporting cast of 11 musicians and dancers , who hail from Brooklyn to Brazil .
Dressed just like Byrne in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play fascinating percussion instruments , and also sing and dance ; everyone here does double or triple duty .
Standouts include the exuberant Bobby Wooten III on bass and the elegant Angie Swan on guitar .
Then there ’ s the endlessly inventive choreography by Annie-B Parson , not so much dancing as a holistic system of movement performed joyfully by lead dancers Chris Giarmo and Tendayi Kuumba .
“ I dance like this because it feels so damn good , ” goes the Byrne song “ I Dance Like This , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good , both to watch and to emulate .
By the way , go ahead and try to get through this film without dancing yourself .
Lee ’ s cameras constantly find new and exciting angles on the action ( the cinematography is by Ellen Kuras ) — overhead , underneath , behind the performers or half an inch from their faces .
And yet we never glimpse a camera , even though 11 operators were involved .
The set is spare and stylish , surrounded by shimmering metallic curtains in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought , what if we could eliminate everything from the stage , except the stuff we cared about the most ?
” Byrne explains .
“ What would be left ?
… Us , and you.
” Lee has made a few additions to the Broadway show .
For example , when Byrne and the cast sing Janelle Monae ’ s stirring protest song “ Hell You Talmbout , ” chanting names of Black men and women who died in racial violence or at the hands of police , Lee provides powerful visuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor and George Floyd .
As for Byrne , at 68 a remarkable font of quirky energy , he shifts seamlessly from somber moments like this to ebullient renditions of Talking Heads classics like “ I Zimbra , ” “ Once in a Lifetime , ” and “ Road to Nowhere.
” But nothing gets the audience out of their seats like the rollicking version here of “ Burning Down the House.
” Chances are you won ’ t stay in yours .
On the show ’ s closing day in February — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister and cousin — there was happy news during curtain calls .
Byrne announced to cheers that the show would return in September .
Then the pandemic happened .
The show has just announced a return for September 2021 — a year later than planned .
Until that one fine day , let ’ s thank Lee and Byrne for giving us something a little better — no , a lot better — than merely the next best thing .

By Jocelyn Noveck | Associated Press
Ever since the pandemic darkened theaters earlier this year, sending the entire performing arts world into a catastrophic state of limbo, we’ve seen all manner of creative virtual substitutes: Digital dance seasons, clever musical mashups, a live-captured version of “Hamilton.”
Many of these have been good, some great. Yet none have truly matched the visceral experience many of us crave so profoundly: live performance, in a theater. And honestly, how could anything come close?
Well, now we have Spike Lee’s mesmerizing film version of David Byrne’s terrific Broadway concert “American Utopia,” which feels so thrillingly alive, you may actually forget you’re not in a theater. Or perhaps you’ll feel like the stage has somehow been lifted from its moorings and delivered straight to your living room — or, as Byrne might prefer, right into your brain. In any case, this hypnotic film experience is a badly needed shot in the arm for all of us — music lovers, theater lovers, dance lovers, culture lovers, life lovers. It’s also one of the best concert films in recent memory.
Of course, “David Byrne’s American Utopia,” a major Broadway happening that was due to return to the Hudson Theatre this fall, feels like far more than a concert. It’s based on Byrne’s music, yes, from his 2018 album of the same name but also other solo work and some iconic Talking Heads tracks. But that’s just the launching point.
The show, which one could broadly describe as a reflection on community and connectedness, is filled with pungent Byrne-ian commentary, on everything from brain function to Dadaism to climate change. “Meeting people is hard,” he muses at one point. But he can also get more political, as when he chides Americans for low voter turnout, especially in local elections.
A crucial element of the show’s success is its enormously talented multicultural supporting cast of 11 musicians and dancers, who hail from Brooklyn to Brazil. Dressed just like Byrne in silver-gray suits and bare feet, they play fascinating percussion instruments, and also sing and dance; everyone here does double or triple duty. Standouts include the exuberant Bobby Wooten III on bass and the elegant Angie Swan on guitar.
Then there’s the endlessly inventive choreography by Annie-B Parson, not so much dancing as a holistic system of movement performed joyfully by lead dancers Chris Giarmo and Tendayi Kuumba. “I dance like this because it feels so damn good,” goes the Byrne song “I Dance Like This,” and yes, it does feel damn good, both to watch and to emulate. By the way, go ahead and try to get through this film without dancing yourself.
Lee’s cameras constantly find new and exciting angles on the action (the cinematography is by Ellen Kuras) — overhead, underneath, behind the performers or half an inch from their faces. And yet we never glimpse a camera, even though 11 operators were involved.
The set is spare and stylish, surrounded by shimmering metallic curtains in the same silver-gray as the suits. “I thought, what if we could eliminate everything from the stage, except the stuff we cared about the most?” Byrne explains. “What would be left? … Us, and you.”
Lee has made a few additions to the Broadway show. For example, when Byrne and the cast sing Janelle Monae’s stirring protest song “Hell You Talmbout,” chanting names of Black men and women who died in racial violence or at the hands of police, Lee provides powerful visuals and adds more recent names like Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
As for Byrne, at 68 a remarkable font of quirky energy, he shifts seamlessly from somber moments like this to ebullient renditions of Talking Heads classics like “I Zimbra,” “Once in a Lifetime,” and “Road to Nowhere.” But nothing gets the audience out of their seats like the rollicking version here of “Burning Down the House.” Chances are you won’t stay in yours.
On the show’s closing day in February — I happened to be there with my sister and cousin — there was happy news during curtain calls. Byrne announced to cheers that the show would return in September.
Then the pandemic happened. The show has just announced a return for September 2021 — a year later than planned. Until that one fine day, let’s thank Lee and Byrne for giving us something a little better — no, a lot better — than merely the next best thing.
“David Byrne’s American Utopia”
4 stars out of 4
Unrated
Running time: 105 minutes


mercurynews--2020-10-16--Sponsored: Finding the perfect match in a Realtor

No .
833 in a series of true experiences in real estate Often we talk first to someone who wants to sell months , or even years , before their house is on the market .
They want information about who we are , how we go about our job , what we charge .
They want to see if together we “ click.
” Plus , they ’ re interested in what we think of their house , what sorts of improvements they might make , who they could hire to make them , and of course , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All of these are important to us , too .
We list houses in areas we are familiar with , where we know the housing stock , are acquainted with respected inspectors and workmen , and also the local ordinances that may affect our sales .
It ’ s certainly more fun to list a house we like a lot , but even better is working with sellers we enjoy and with whom we feel compatible .
Selling a house is a big deal , full of attention to zillions of details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosures to whether the screen on the back door should be replaced or removed .
When we and the seller are in agreement , our journey together is likely to be a pleasurable one .
And so , far more than whether a house is worth a lot or a little , we invariably choose our listings because we like our sellers and feel sure that we can work well for and with them .
We know that there will be decisions — legal , ethical , aesthetic — that we will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our sellers will listen and participate , collaborate , ensuring the best process for us all .
The period of time between our first meeting and the marketing of a house may be lengthy for a number of reasons .
Sometimes we are asked to the house by an heir of an owner who has died and has the responsibility of settling the estate .
Other times the seller plans to move to take a new job or is moving closer to a friend or relative , but a search for a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All of these people have questions .
“ Redo the kitchen entirely ?
” they ask .
“ How about upgrading the electrical service ?
How much will it cost to get the house ready ?
Do we know good workmen ?
” Getting ready to sell can take a long time , even years .
But occasionally we talk to someone who has set aside an hour to sign a listing contract .
He wants his house on multiple listings and a sign in his yard tomorrow .
We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even if the house and grounds look great , there are other important preparations to be made .
Research and thought must go into appropriate pricing , for example .
And we feel that pre-market inspections are vital .
It ’ s just no good telling prospective buyers that the termite report has been ordered but isn ’ t available yet .
And , if we ’ re to represent the seller and his house well , we must know much about the house .
The good and bad of the systems will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before making his offer , what exactly he is offering to buy .
And disclosures : Considered and thorough disclosures do take time .
We work with our sellers on the numerous required disclosures .
We ask questions , we look closely at the house ; we look , too , to the inspections .
We do everything possible to reveal in writing to interested buyers and their agents what is right and what is wrong with a property .
Because once our listing is sold , we want it to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misrepresentation or avoidable disappointment , let alone a lawsuit , afterward .
Marketing a house before inspections have been made , before disclosure packages are ready for buyers to read , before the house is clean and tidy , before the house is advertised to the fullest would be , in our opinion , an inexcusable disservice to our clients .
Probably three weeks is the fastest we ’ ve ever gotten a house on the market , and six weeks is far more typical .
If the floors are being refinished and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being laid or appliances replaced , it ’ s likely to be longer .
In fact , it is amazing how long getting ready can take .
We ’ ve had people who have lived in their houses for 50 years tell us that they ’ d be all moved and ready to sell in a matter of weeks , then found it took three months of constant , full-time attention .
This isn ’ t surprising , really .
Think about a single closet in your house , the linen closet or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long would you estimate it would take you to completely empty the contents , sort through it , box and move every single item , or to discard or pass each along to someone else ?
Now consider your garage or basement .
Pat Talbert and Anet Tarpoff are residential real estate agents who can be reached at ( 510 ) 653-2050 and at TarpoffandTalbert.com , where you can sign up to get these columns via email .

No. 833 in a series of true experiences in real estate
Often we talk first to someone who wants to sell months, or even years, before their house is on the market. They want information about who we are, how we go about our job, what we charge. They want to see if together we “click.”
Plus, they’re interested in what we think of their house, what sorts of improvements they might make, who they could hire to make them, and of course, for what price the house will likely sell.
All of these are important to us, too. We list houses in areas we are familiar with, where we know the housing stock, are acquainted with respected inspectors and workmen, and also the local ordinances that may affect our sales.
It’s certainly more fun to list a house we like a lot, but even better is working with sellers we enjoy and with whom we feel compatible. Selling a house is a big deal, full of attention to zillions of details, everything from what to include in disclosures to whether the screen on the back door should be replaced or removed.
When we and the seller are in agreement, our journey together is likely to be a pleasurable one. And so, far more than whether a house is worth a lot or a little, we invariably choose our listings because we like our sellers and feel sure that we can work well for and with them.
We know that there will be decisions — legal, ethical, aesthetic — that we will be making together, and we expect that our sellers will listen and participate, collaborate, ensuring the best process for us all.
The period of time between our first meeting and the marketing of a house may be lengthy for a number of reasons. Sometimes we are asked to the house by an heir of an owner who has died and has the responsibility of settling the estate. Other times the seller plans to move to take a new job or is moving closer to a friend or relative, but a search for a new place hasn’t even started yet.
All of these people have questions. “Redo the kitchen entirely?” they ask. “How about upgrading the electrical service? How much will it cost to get the house ready? Do we know good workmen?”
Getting ready to sell can take a long time, even years. But occasionally we talk to someone who has set aside an hour to sign a listing contract. He wants his house on multiple listings and a sign in his yard tomorrow.
We’ve never done real estate this way. Even if the house and grounds look great, there are other important preparations to be made. Research and thought must go into appropriate pricing, for example.
And we feel that pre-market inspections are vital. It’s just no good telling prospective buyers that the termite report has been ordered but isn’t available yet. And, if we’re to represent the seller and his house well, we must know much about the house. The good and bad of the systems will impact price and will inform a buyer, before making his offer, what exactly he is offering to buy.
And disclosures: Considered and thorough disclosures do take time. We work with our sellers on the numerous required disclosures. We ask questions, we look closely at the house; we look, too, to the inspections.
We do everything possible to reveal in writing to interested buyers and their agents what is right and what is wrong with a property. Because once our listing is sold, we want it to stay sold, with nary a claim of misrepresentation or avoidable disappointment, let alone a lawsuit, afterward.
Marketing a house before inspections have been made, before disclosure packages are ready for buyers to read, before the house is clean and tidy, before the house is advertised to the fullest would be, in our opinion, an inexcusable disservice to our clients.
Probably three weeks is the fastest we’ve ever gotten a house on the market, and six weeks is far more typical. If the floors are being refinished and painting done, if new carpet is being laid or appliances replaced, it’s likely to be longer.
In fact, it is amazing how long getting ready can take. We’ve had people who have lived in their houses for 50 years tell us that they’d be all moved and ready to sell in a matter of weeks, then found it took three months of constant, full-time attention.
This isn’t surprising, really. Think about a single closet in your house, the linen closet or coat closet, for instance. How long would you estimate it would take you to completely empty the contents, sort through it, box and move every single item, or to discard or pass each along to someone else? Now consider your garage or basement.
Pat Talbert and Anet Tarpoff are residential real estate agents who can be reached at (510) 653-2050 and at TarpoffandTalbert.com, where you can sign up to get these columns via email.


mercurynews--2020-10-16--California Supreme Court to review legality of Bay Area bridge toll hikes

In a case that could decide whether $ 4.5 billion will be used to improve regional transportation options , the California Supreme Court this week agreed to take up a challenge from taxpayer advocates on whether a $ 3 toll hike on Bay Area bridges is legal .
The case , which affects tolls on seven state-owned bridges , including the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge , is being closely watched by both government officials and transit activists .
At its core is whether the toll hike required a two-thirds majority approval by voters in the nine-county Bay Area to pass rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot by the state Legislature in 2017 and approved by 55 % of Bay Area voters in 2018 , Regional Measure 3 increases tolls on the seven state-owned bridges by $ 3 between 2019 and 2025 .
The next $ 1 toll increase is set to take effect in January 2022 .
The final increase is slated for January 2025 .
Officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission , which manages the bridge tolls and revenues , said they were disappointed by the court ’ s decision to take up the case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfortunate , really , is that we may be held in this limbo and having to escrow these funds for another year or longer , ” MTC spokesman John Goodwin said .
About $ 200 million in toll revenues collected from the measure so far have been held in escrow ever since the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and Oakland resident Randall Whitney filed their challenges against the measure in the San Francisco Superior Court in 2018 .
If the measure is upheld , MTC plans to use the toll revenues to fund a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transit expansion , express lanes , sea-level rise adaptation and traffic relief among others .
These include a $ 135 million project to build a direct connector from northbound Highway 101 in Marin County to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge ; completion of the Highway 101 widening project in Marin and Sonoma counties known as the Marin-Sonoma Narrows ; a $ 325 million project to extend BART train service further into Santa Clara County ; and a $ 300 million expansion of express toll lanes in Alameda , Contra Costa , San Mateo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties .
Currently , the state charges a minimum $ 6 toll for the Antioch , Benicia-Martinez , Carquinez , Dumbarton , Richmond-San Rafael , and San Mateo-Hayward bridges and between $ 5- $ 7 for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge depending on the vehicle type and time of day .
The Golden Gate Bridge is not affected by the measure as its tolls are managed by a separate district .
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association argues the tolls are a special tax and not a fee because the revenue would disproportionately benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as transit , and not the motorists paying the tolls .
Opponents of the measure argue upholding the toll hikes could set a precedent for how the courts interpret Proposition 26 , the 2010 ballot initiative that broadened the definition of taxes versus fees .
If the measure is upheld , it could lead to a trickle-down effect of the state charging exorbitant “ tax-like ” fees for the use of other public properties such as rights of way , shipping ports and water , the association argued in its court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just about bridge tolls , ” said Tim Bittle , director of legal affairs for Howard Jarvis .
“ The way the court ultimately interprets that provision of Proposition 26 is going to spill over into a lot of other areas.
” The superior court rejected these arguments in 2019 .
The First District Court of Appeal upheld the lower court ’ s ruling in June 2020 .
Howard Jarvis requested the state Supreme Court review the appellate court ruling soon after .
In a brief filed with the state Supreme Court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argue Proposition 26 specifically excludes bridge tolls and other fee charges to enter or use state property from the definition of a tax .
“ A toll to cross a state-owned bridge is plainly such a charge , ” the court filing states .
The Supreme Court is holding off its review of the toll measure , however , until it decides on a related case in Oakland .
The case , Zolly v. City of Oakland , is a challenge to nearly $ 28 million waste franchise fees the city charged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property such as roads and sidewalks .
Customers filed a lawsuit alleging the franchise fee charges , which are typically passed through to customers , were excessive and did not represent the actual costs of services , thus making them an improper tax .
The First District Court of Appeal rejected Oakland ’ s request to dismiss the case , causing the city to petition the state Supreme Court for review .
“ It also apparently agreed that resolution of that legal question in the Zolly case will probably answer the question for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bittle said .
In its briefing to the state Supreme Court , the state ’ s attorneys requested the court review its case alongside the Zolly case rather than decide on Zolly first .
They argued the Oakland case has no bearing on the toll measure as the issues and requirements only apply to local governments and not the state .
The Supreme Court opted to hear the Oakland case first , however , with the initial briefs due on Thursday .
Bittle said he does not expect a decision in that case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on electric cars when hydrogen is an option ?
Roadshow • Jet-pack powered person spotted flying again in skies near LAX • This crash could have become a catastrophe : Roadshow • ‘ I ’ ve never met an EV owner with a charging problem ’ : Roadshow David Schonbrunn , whose San Rafael-based organization Transportation Solutions Defense and Education Fund opposed Regional Measure 3 , said the Supreme Court ’ s decision could have “ huge ” implications .
He said he plans to file a brief with the court supporting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richman , executive director of the congestion management agency , the Transportation Authority of Marin , said she is disappointed in the court ’ s decision .
Multiple projects in the county including the completion of the Marin-Sonoma Narrows project between Sonoma and Novato are relying on these toll funds .
“ The tolls are already being collected , ” Richman said .
“ It ’ s frustrating to not be able to put them to use to get these projects going and provide the benefits when people are paying the tolls already @ @

In a case that could decide whether $4.5 billion will be used to improve regional transportation options, the California Supreme Court this week agreed to take up a challenge from taxpayer advocates on whether a $3 toll hike on Bay Area bridges is legal.
The case, which affects tolls on seven state-owned bridges, including the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, is being closely watched by both government officials and transit activists. At its core is whether the toll hike required a two-thirds majority approval by voters in the nine-county Bay Area to pass rather than a simple majority.
Placed on the ballot by the state Legislature in 2017 and approved by 55% of Bay Area voters in 2018, Regional Measure 3 increases tolls on the seven state-owned bridges by $3 between 2019 and 2025. The next $1 toll increase is set to take effect in January 2022. The final increase is slated for January 2025.
Officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which manages the bridge tolls and revenues, said they were disappointed by the court’s decision to take up the case, but not surprised.
“What is unfortunate, really, is that we may be held in this limbo and having to escrow these funds for another year or longer,” MTC spokesman John Goodwin said.
About $200 million in toll revenues collected from the measure so far have been held in escrow ever since the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and Oakland resident Randall Whitney filed their challenges against the measure in the San Francisco Superior Court in 2018.
If the measure is upheld, MTC plans to use the toll revenues to fund a variety of projects throughout the region including transit expansion, express lanes, sea-level rise adaptation and traffic relief among others.
These include a $135 million project to build a direct connector from northbound Highway 101 in Marin County to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge; completion of the Highway 101 widening project in Marin and Sonoma counties known as the Marin-Sonoma Narrows; a $325 million project to extend BART train service further into Santa Clara County; and a $300 million expansion of express toll lanes in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco and Solano counties.
Currently, the state charges a minimum $6 toll for the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, and San Mateo-Hayward bridges and between $5-$7 for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge depending on the vehicle type and time of day. The Golden Gate Bridge is not affected by the measure as its tolls are managed by a separate district.
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association argues the tolls are a special tax and not a fee because the revenue would disproportionately benefit people who use other modes of transportation, such as transit, and not the motorists paying the tolls.
Opponents of the measure argue upholding the toll hikes could set a precedent for how the courts interpret Proposition 26, the 2010 ballot initiative that broadened the definition of taxes versus fees. If the measure is upheld, it could lead to a trickle-down effect of the state charging exorbitant “tax-like” fees for the use of other public properties such as rights of way, shipping ports and water, the association argued in its court filings.
“This case is not just about bridge tolls,” said Tim Bittle, director of legal affairs for Howard Jarvis. “The way the court ultimately interprets that provision of Proposition 26 is going to spill over into a lot of other areas.”
The superior court rejected these arguments in 2019. The First District Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s ruling in June 2020. Howard Jarvis requested the state Supreme Court review the appellate court ruling soon after.
In a brief filed with the state Supreme Court, attorneys for MTC and the state Legislature argue Proposition 26 specifically excludes bridge tolls and other fee charges to enter or use state property from the definition of a tax.
“A toll to cross a state-owned bridge is plainly such a charge,” the court filing states.
The Supreme Court is holding off its review of the toll measure, however, until it decides on a related case in Oakland.
The case, Zolly v. City of Oakland, is a challenge to nearly $28 million waste franchise fees the city charged to two waste hauling companies to use city property such as roads and sidewalks. Customers filed a lawsuit alleging the franchise fee charges, which are typically passed through to customers, were excessive and did not represent the actual costs of services, thus making them an improper tax.
The First District Court of Appeal rejected Oakland’s request to dismiss the case, causing the city to petition the state Supreme Court for review.
“It also apparently agreed that resolution of that legal question in the Zolly case will probably answer the question for the Regional Measure 3 cases,” Bittle said.
In its briefing to the state Supreme Court, the state’s attorneys requested the court review its case alongside the Zolly case rather than decide on Zolly first. They argued the Oakland case has no bearing on the toll measure as the issues and requirements only apply to local governments and not the state. The Supreme Court opted to hear the Oakland case first, however, with the initial briefs due on Thursday. Bittle said he does not expect a decision in that case until next year.
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150th Anniversary: The San Francisco cable cars, history in motion Transportation | Kentucky school district scrambles after new bus route debacle David Schonbrunn, whose San Rafael-based organization Transportation Solutions Defense and Education Fund opposed Regional Measure 3, said the Supreme Court’s decision could have “huge” implications. He said he plans to file a brief with the court supporting the repeal of the toll measure.
Anne Richman, executive director of the congestion management agency, the Transportation Authority of Marin, said she is disappointed in the court’s decision. Multiple projects in the county including the completion of the Marin-Sonoma Narrows project between Sonoma and Novato are relying on these toll funds.
“The tolls are already being collected,” Richman said. “It’s frustrating to not be able to put them to use to get these projects going and provide the benefits when people are paying the tolls already.”


mercurynews--2020-10-16--Judge calls federal government ‘dishonest,’ orders prisoner reduction at private California ICE dete

Judge calls federal government ‘dishonest,’ orders prisoner reduction at private California ICE detention center

A U.S. District Court judge on Thursday , saying he was “ concerned with a lack of candor and honesty , ” ordered the federal government to reduce its prisoner population at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center by more than 38 percent beginning Monday .
Judge Terry J. Hatter ordered ICE to release 50 prisoners a day beginning Monday until the private prison ’ s population whittles down from 772 to 475 .
“ The Court has been concerned for some time with the lack of candor exhibited by the Government and its counsel in this case .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dishonesty on the part of the Government ’ s counsel , ” Hatter wrote in his 15-page order .
Hatter ’ s order is the latest in a lawsuit filed in April by the American Civil Liberties Union against the private prison , the Department of Homeland Security and ICE over alleged overcrowded conditions at the facility that fail to address proper social distancing and sanitation guidelines amid the novel coronavirus pandemic .
The lawsuit alleges , among other things , that bunk beds are placed only 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into 8-by-10-foot cells , detainees share sinks , toilets , counters , and showers , showers are less than six feet apart , and six to 10 prisoners dine at the same table during meal periods .
“ Eight months into the pandemic , over 700 people remain imprisoned for civil immigration violations in an overcrowded jail where basic protective measures are impossible and dozens fall ill with COVID-19 each day , ” said Jessica Bansal , senior staff attorney at the ACLU SoCal .
“ Today ’ s order confirms that our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for human lives and safety.
” The private prison , operated by The Geo Group and the largest immigration detention facility in California , has long been the target of protests by Latino and Immigrant rights groups , who allege unsafe conditions and inhumane treatment of detainees .
Things came to a head on June 7 , when hundreds of protestors vandalized the prison and vehicles in its parking lot with rocks , bottles and spray paint .
A week later , a detainee protest inside the prison over the suspension of telephone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being forced to stay in their cells 23 hours a day during a lockdown led to a skirmish between guards and about 150 prisoners .
ICE reported 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19-infected detainees on Thursday ; none has died from the virus .
Hatter noted that while it is rare that the court is presented with direct evidence of dishonesty , he said the government provided the court with a “ blaring example ” of it .
And although that “ blaring example ” involved a minor technicality surrounding the filing of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the straw that broke the Court ’ s back.
” “ The Court has started to re-assess the information the Government has provided it in this case , as well as the arguments the Government has made .
The Court is concerned that the facts and arguments that it previously perceived to be merely inaccurate or ambiguous might have been , actually , dishonest or , at best , disingenuous.
” • Stanford soccer star gets citizenship , wants to play for U.S. women ’ s team In a statement released Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ICE ) spokesman Alexx Pons said the agency is “ assessing its options in light of the court ’ s order to release at least 50 illegal aliens per day from the Adelanto detention facility.
” “ While ICE complies with binding court orders , the agency is concerned that this order could ultimately harm the American people by forcing the release of criminal aliens into our communities , ” Pons said .
“ As the court ’ s order would prevent ICE from transferring the detainees to other facilities where there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use all tools at its disposal to ensure that any aliens released under the order are placed under strict reporting requirements , that may include GPS monitoring .
”

A U.S. District Court judge on Thursday, saying he was “concerned with a lack of candor and honesty,” ordered the federal government to reduce its prisoner population at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center by more than 38 percent beginning Monday.
Judge Terry J. Hatter ordered ICE to release 50 prisoners a day beginning Monday until the private prison’s population whittles down from 772 to 475.
“The Court has been concerned for some time with the lack of candor exhibited by the Government and its counsel in this case. Now, the Court is concerned with straight up dishonesty on the part of the Government’s counsel,” Hatter wrote in his 15-page order.
Hatter’s order is the latest in a lawsuit filed in April by the American Civil Liberties Union against the private prison, the Department of Homeland Security and ICE over alleged overcrowded conditions at the facility that fail to address proper social distancing and sanitation guidelines amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that bunk beds are placed only 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart, four to eight detainees are crammed into 8-by-10-foot cells, detainees share sinks, toilets, counters, and showers, showers are less than six feet apart, and six to 10 prisoners dine at the same table during meal periods.
“Eight months into the pandemic, over 700 people remain imprisoned for civil immigration violations in an overcrowded jail where basic protective measures are impossible and dozens fall ill with COVID-19 each day,” said Jessica Bansal, senior staff attorney at the ACLU SoCal. “Today’s order confirms that our Constitution does not condone such basic disregard for human lives and safety.”
The private prison, operated by The Geo Group and the largest immigration detention facility in California, has long been the target of protests by Latino and Immigrant rights groups, who allege unsafe conditions and inhumane treatment of detainees.
Things came to a head on June 7, when hundreds of protestors vandalized the prison and vehicles in its parking lot with rocks, bottles and spray paint. A week later, a detainee protest inside the prison over the suspension of telephone, television and newspaper privileges and detainees being forced to stay in their cells 23 hours a day during a lockdown led to a skirmish between guards and about 150 prisoners.
ICE reported 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19-infected detainees on Thursday; none has died from the virus.
Hatter noted that while it is rare that the court is presented with direct evidence of dishonesty, he said the government provided the court with a “blaring example” of it. And although that “blaring example” involved a minor technicality surrounding the filing of a trial brief, Hatter said it was “the straw that broke the Court’s back.”
“The Court has started to re-assess the information the Government has provided it in this case, as well as the arguments the Government has made. The Court is concerned that the facts and arguments that it previously perceived to be merely inaccurate or ambiguous might have been, actually, dishonest or, at best, disingenuous.”
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Record number of people braving Darien Gap this year Crime and Public Safety | 60 smuggled people found working in ‘horrible’ conditions at illegal Central Valley marijuana plant In a statement released Thursday night, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesman Alexx Pons said the agency is “assessing its options in light of the court’s order to release at least 50 illegal aliens per day from the Adelanto detention facility.”
“While ICE complies with binding court orders, the agency is concerned that this order could ultimately harm the American people by forcing the release of criminal aliens into our communities,” Pons said. “As the court’s order would prevent ICE from transferring the detainees to other facilities where there is adequate space, ICE will undoubtedly use all tools at its disposal to ensure that any aliens released under the order are placed under strict reporting requirements, that may include GPS monitoring.”


mercurynews--2020-10-17--Avalanche of early votes transforms the 2020 election

By Nicholas Riccardi and Angeliki Kastanis | Associated Press More than 22 million Americans have already cast ballots in the 2020 election , a record-shattering avalanche of early votes driven both by Democratic enthusiasm and a pandemic that has transformed the way the nation votes .
The 22.2 million ballots submitted as of Friday night represents 16 % of all the votes cast in the 2016 presidential election , even as eight states are not yet reporting their totals and voters still have more than two weeks to cast ballots .
Americans ’ rush to vote is leading election experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes may be cast and turnout rates could be higher than in any presidential election since 1908 .
“ It ’ s crazy , ” said Michael McDonald , a University of Florida political scientist who has long tracked voting for his site ElectProject.org .
McDonald ’ s analysis shows roughly 10 times as many people have voted compared with this point in 2016 .
“ We can be certain this will be a high-turnout election , ” McDonald said .
So far the turnout has been lopsided , with Democrats outvoting Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states included in The Associated Press count .
Republicans have been bracing themselves for this early Democratic advantage for months , as they ’ ve watched President Donald Trump rail against mail-in ballots and raise unfounded worries about fraud .
Polling , and now early voting , suggest the rhetoric has turned his party ’ s rank and file away from a method of voting that , traditionally , they dominated in the weeks before Election Day .
That gives Democrats a tactical advantage in the final stretch of the campaign .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ banked ” a chunk of their voters and can turn their time and money toward harder-to-find infrequent voters .
But it does not necessarily mean Democrats will lead in votes by the time ballots are counted .
Both parties anticipate a swell of Republican votes on Election Day that could , in a matter of hours , dramatically shift the dynamic .
“ The Republican numbers are going to pick up , ” said John Couvillon , a GOP pollster who is tracking early voting .
“ The question is at what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Democrats can not rest on their voting lead , but Republicans are themselves making a big gamble .
A number of factors , from rising virus infections to the weather , can impact in-person turnout on Election Day .
“ If you ’ re putting all your faith into one day of voting , that ’ s really high risk , ” Couvillon said .
That ’ s why , despite Trump ’ s rhetoric , his campaign and party are encouraging their own voters to cast ballots by mail or early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been sending volunteers and staffers into the field for months despite the pandemic , touts a swell in voter registration in key swing states like Florida and Pennsylvania — a sharp reversal from the usual pattern as a presidential election looms .
But it ’ s had limited success in selling absentee voting .
In key swing states , Republicans remain far less interested in voting by mail .
In Pennsylvania , more than three-quarters of the more than 437,000 ballots sent through the mail so far have been from Democrats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent through the mail so far have been from Democrats and less than a third of them from Republicans .
Even in Colorado , a state where every voter is mailed a ballot and Republicans usually dominate the first week of voting , only 19 % of ballots returned have been from Republicans .
“ This is all encouraging , but three weeks is a lifetime , ” Democratic data strategist Tom Bonier said of the early vote numbers .
“ We may be midway through the first quarter and Democrats have put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The massive amount of voting has occurred without any of the violent skirmishes at polling places that some activists and law enforcement officials feared .
It has featured high-profile errors — 100,000 faulty mail ballots sent out in New York , 50,000 in Columbus , Ohio , and a vendor supplying that state and Pennsylvania blaming delays in sending ballots on overwhelming demand .
But there ’ s little evidence of the mass disruption that some feared as election offices had to abruptly shift to deal with the influx of early voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hourslong wait times in Georgia , Texas and North Carolina as they ’ ve opened in-person early voting .
The delays were largely a result of insufficient resources to handle the surge , something advocates contend is a form of voter suppression .
Republicans argue that these signs of enthusiasm are meaningless — Democratic early voters are people who would have voted anyway , they say .
But an AP analysis of the early vote shows 8 % of early voters had never cast a ballot before , and 13.8 % had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections for which they were eligible .
The data also show voters embracing mail voting , which health officials say is the safest way to avoid coronavirus infection while voting .
Of the early voters , 82 % cast ballots through the mail and 18 % in person .
Black voters cast 10 % of the ballots cast , about the same as their share of the national electorate , according to the AP analysis of data from L2 , a political data firm .
That ’ s a sign that those voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote by mail than white people and Latinos , have warmed to the method .
Mail ballots so far have skewed toward older voters , with half coming from voters over age 64 .
Traditionally , younger and minority voters send their mail ballots in closer to Election Day or vote in person .
The mail ballots already returned in several states dwarf the entire total in prior elections .
In Wisconsin , more than five times as many mail ballots have been cast compared with the entire number in 2016 .
North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far .
In-person early voting began this week in several major states and also broke records , particularly in crowded , Democratic-leaning metropolitan areas .
In Texas , Houston ’ s Harris County saw a record 125,000 ballots cast .
In Georgia , hourslong lines threaded from election offices through much of the state ’ s urban areas .
• McFeatters : Recusal in potential election case is up to Barrett • Rapper Kanye West is on your ballot .
How did that happen ?
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Will it help him or the suburbs ?
Tunde Ezekiel , a 39-year-old lawyer and Democrat who voted early in Atlanta on Thursday , said he wanted to be certain he had a chance to oust Trump from office : “ I don ’ t know what things are going to look like on Election Day .
… And I didn ’ t want to take any chances.
” The obvious enthusiasm among Democrats has cheered party operatives , but they note that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way turnout will eventually fall .
Republicans may be just as motivated , but saving themselves for Election Day .
“ High turnout can benefit either side , ” Bonier said .
“ It just depends.
” Associated Press writers Kate Brumback in Atlanta and Pia Deshpande in Chicago contributed to this report .

By Nicholas Riccardi and Angeliki Kastanis | Associated Press
More than 22 million Americans have already cast ballots in the 2020 election, a record-shattering avalanche of early votes driven both by Democratic enthusiasm and a pandemic that has transformed the way the nation votes.
The 22.2 million ballots submitted as of Friday night represents 16% of all the votes cast in the 2016 presidential election, even as eight states are not yet reporting their totals and voters still have more than two weeks to cast ballots. Americans’ rush to vote is leading election experts to predict that a record 150 million votes may be cast and turnout rates could be higher than in any presidential election since 1908.
“It’s crazy,” said Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political scientist who has long tracked voting for his site ElectProject.org. McDonald’s analysis shows roughly 10 times as many people have voted compared with this point in 2016.
“We can be certain this will be a high-turnout election,” McDonald said.
So far the turnout has been lopsided, with Democrats outvoting Republicans by a 2-1 ratio in the 42 states included in The Associated Press count. Republicans have been bracing themselves for this early Democratic advantage for months, as they’ve watched President Donald Trump rail against mail-in ballots and raise unfounded worries about fraud. Polling, and now early voting, suggest the rhetoric has turned his party’s rank and file away from a method of voting that, traditionally, they dominated in the weeks before Election Day.
That gives Democrats a tactical advantage in the final stretch of the campaign. In many critical battleground states, Democrats have “banked” a chunk of their voters and can turn their time and money toward harder-to-find infrequent voters.
But it does not necessarily mean Democrats will lead in votes by the time ballots are counted. Both parties anticipate a swell of Republican votes on Election Day that could, in a matter of hours, dramatically shift the dynamic.
“The Republican numbers are going to pick up,” said John Couvillon, a GOP pollster who is tracking early voting. “The question is at what velocity, and when?”
Couvillon said Democrats cannot rest on their voting lead, but Republicans are themselves making a big gamble. A number of factors, from rising virus infections to the weather, can impact in-person turnout on Election Day. “If you’re putting all your faith into one day of voting, that’s really high risk,” Couvillon said.
That’s why, despite Trump’s rhetoric, his campaign and party are encouraging their own voters to cast ballots by mail or early and in-person. The campaign, which has been sending volunteers and staffers into the field for months despite the pandemic, touts a swell in voter registration in key swing states like Florida and Pennsylvania — a sharp reversal from the usual pattern as a presidential election looms.
But it’s had limited success in selling absentee voting. In key swing states, Republicans remain far less interested in voting by mail.
In Pennsylvania, more than three-quarters of the more than 437,000 ballots sent through the mail so far have been from Democrats. In Florida, half of all ballots sent through the mail so far have been from Democrats and less than a third of them from Republicans. Even in Colorado, a state where every voter is mailed a ballot and Republicans usually dominate the first week of voting, only 19% of ballots returned have been from Republicans.
“This is all encouraging, but three weeks is a lifetime,” Democratic data strategist Tom Bonier said of the early vote numbers. “We may be midway through the first quarter and Democrats have put a couple of points on the board.”
The massive amount of voting has occurred without any of the violent skirmishes at polling places that some activists and law enforcement officials feared. It has featured high-profile errors — 100,000 faulty mail ballots sent out in New York, 50,000 in Columbus, Ohio, and a vendor supplying that state and Pennsylvania blaming delays in sending ballots on overwhelming demand. But there’s little evidence of the mass disruption that some feared as election offices had to abruptly shift to deal with the influx of early voting.
But there have been extraordinary lines and hourslong wait times in Georgia, Texas and North Carolina as they’ve opened in-person early voting. The delays were largely a result of insufficient resources to handle the surge, something advocates contend is a form of voter suppression.
Republicans argue that these signs of enthusiasm are meaningless — Democratic early voters are people who would have voted anyway, they say. But an AP analysis of the early vote shows 8% of early voters had never cast a ballot before, and 13.8% had voted in half or fewer of previous elections for which they were eligible.
The data also show voters embracing mail voting, which health officials say is the safest way to avoid coronavirus infection while voting. Of the early voters, 82% cast ballots through the mail and 18% in person. Black voters cast 10% of the ballots cast, about the same as their share of the national electorate, according to the AP analysis of data from L2, a political data firm. That’s a sign that those voters, who have been less likely to vote by mail than white people and Latinos, have warmed to the method.
Mail ballots so far have skewed toward older voters, with half coming from voters over age 64. Traditionally, younger and minority voters send their mail ballots in closer to Election Day or vote in person.
The mail ballots already returned in several states dwarf the entire total in prior elections. In Wisconsin, more than five times as many mail ballots have been cast compared with the entire number in 2016. North Carolina has seen nearly triple the number so far.
In-person early voting began this week in several major states and also broke records, particularly in crowded, Democratic-leaning metropolitan areas. In Texas, Houston’s Harris County saw a record 125,000 ballots cast. In Georgia, hourslong lines threaded from election offices through much of the state’s urban areas.
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ National Politics | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 Tunde Ezekiel, a 39-year-old lawyer and Democrat who voted early in Atlanta on Thursday, said he wanted to be certain he had a chance to oust Trump from office: “I don’t know what things are going to look like on Election Day. … And I didn’t want to take any chances.”
The obvious enthusiasm among Democrats has cheered party operatives, but they note that it’s hard to tell which way turnout will eventually fall. Republicans may be just as motivated, but saving themselves for Election Day.
“High turnout can benefit either side,” Bonier said. “It just depends.”
Associated Press writers Kate Brumback in Atlanta and Pia Deshpande in Chicago contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-10-16--Sharks players, fans take to social media to thank Joe Thornton for 15 years in San Jose

For the first time in 15 years , Joe Thornton will be taking the ice in an NHL sweater with no teal thread .
The longtime Sharks center is Toronto-bound , signing a one-year deal with the iconic — though recently unsuccessful — club located just a two-hour drive from his hometown of St. Thomas , Ontario .
It ’ s an emotional afternoon for Sharks fans , who watched Thornton ’ s beard grow and go gray over the course of nearly 1,250 games with the organization , including 144 playoff games .
In that time , the Leafs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series while Thornton ’ s Sharks have won 14 — but the Leafs may be closer to resurgence than the Sharks , who appeared last year to be quite far from contending for the Cup .
Several of Thornton ’ s Sharks teammates took to social media to share that they will miss playing alongside Jumbo Joe , including Brent Burns , who shared the SAP Center ice with Thornton since the 2011-12 season .
Forward Kevin Labanc , who just re-upped to stay in San Jose four more years , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 41-year-old Thornton into the fold .
The Sharks announced that they were planning to make the healthy choice on a difficult Friday afternoon , by logging off .
Plenty of Sharks fans shared their affection for Thornton in response to the Sharks .
Thornton ’ s former Sharks teammate , TJ Galiardi , lauded the move from Toronto ’ s perspective .
One Maple Leafs fan found a strange connection between Thornton and his new teammate , All-Star center Auston Matthews : Thornton ’ s first NHL point came in a Boston Bruins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was born in San Ramon .
• End of an era : Joe Thornton signs with Maple Leafs , not Sharks • Sharks sign Ozzy Wiesblatt — his WHL coach explains why he ’ ll fit so well in San Jose • Joe Thornton signs with pro team — just not the Sharks or Maple Leafs The Sharks lose another piece of their longtime identity in the person of Thornton , just like they lost in captain Joe Pavelski last offseason .
“ It ’ ll be tough to start a season and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locker room and there ’ s not a number 19 there , ” Tomas Hertl told this news organization ’ s Curtis Pashelka Friday afternoon .
“ Sitting there with a big smile .
First guy in , always around making jokes .
”

For the first time in 15 years, Joe Thornton will be taking the ice in an NHL sweater with no teal thread.
The longtime Sharks center is Toronto-bound, signing a one-year deal with the iconic — though recently unsuccessful — club located just a two-hour drive from his hometown of St. Thomas, Ontario.
It’s an emotional afternoon for Sharks fans, who watched Thornton’s beard grow and go gray over the course of nearly 1,250 games with the organization, including 144 playoff games. In that time, the Leafs haven’t won a single playoff series while Thornton’s Sharks have won 14 — but the Leafs may be closer to resurgence than the Sharks, who appeared last year to be quite far from contending for the Cup.
Several of Thornton’s Sharks teammates took to social media to share that they will miss playing alongside Jumbo Joe, including Brent Burns, who shared the SAP Center ice with Thornton since the 2011-12 season.
Daaaamn…. going to miss a lot more then just laughing with this guy… ultimate teammate, friend and guy to learn from..@MapleLeafs got a great one coming! pic.twitter.com/S0WMD3aHy7 — Brent Burns (@Burnzie88) October 16, 2020
Forward Kevin Labanc, who just re-upped to stay in San Jose four more years, said the Leafs were fortunate to be bringing the 41-year-old Thornton into the fold.
Mentor, line mate, friend and all of the above. Going to miss having him around the locker room. They don’t make them like him anymore! You got a good one @MapleLeafs. Good luck in Blue Jumbo! pic.twitter.com/gyDlWqRMNe — Kevin Labanc (@Str8ToTheBanc) October 16, 2020
The Sharks announced that they were planning to make the healthy choice on a difficult Friday afternoon, by logging off.
Plenty of Sharks fans shared their affection for Thornton in response to the Sharks.
Can’t wait for the tribute video. 15 great seasons. Thank you Jumbo, no one should ever wear #19 in teal ever again. What a player. What a teammate. What a member of the community. What a human being. 🦈🦈🦈 #JUMBO #JoeThornton pic.twitter.com/PfS1NmjM6N — Previn Naidu 🇺🇸🇸🇬🎃👻 (@PrevDiesel) October 16, 2020
Thornton’s former Sharks teammate, TJ Galiardi, lauded the move from Toronto’s perspective.
This is just about the most impactful signing the @MapleLeafs could have made for this upcoming season and future seasons. No better teammate or leader! — TJ Galiardi (@TJGaliardi) October 16, 2020
One Maple Leafs fan found a strange connection between Thornton and his new teammate, All-Star center Auston Matthews: Thornton’s first NHL point came in a Boston Bruins preseason game on the same day Matthews was born in San Ramon.
September 17, 1997, the day Joe Thornton picked up his first-ever point while wearing an NHL uniform (an assist in a 3-2 Bruins preseason win against the Blues in Oklahoma City), is also the day Auston Matthews was born. — ℳatt (@matttomic) October 16, 2020
The Sharks lose another piece of their longtime identity in the person of Thornton, just like they lost in captain Joe Pavelski last offseason.
For more than two decades, Jumbo and I have been friends, with the vast majority of those years being teammates, too. I now consider him a brother. Toronto has gained a tremendous influence, and we will miss his presence here in San Jose. Good luck in TO! -PM pic.twitter.com/pE09ZLjllz — Christina Marleau (@c_marleau) October 17, 2020
“It’ll be tough to start a season and just see when you get to the locker room and there’s not a number 19 there,” Tomas Hertl told this news organization’s Curtis Pashelka Friday afternoon. “Sitting there with a big smile. First guy in, always around making jokes.”
All the best to the big man. Hopefully this is not our last photo taken together both as sharks. 😉 #covidtimes pic.twitter.com/a8vkE1fQ5b — Erik Karlsson (@ErikKarlsson65) October 16, 2020


mercurynews--2020-10-16--California readies its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan

California has prepared an unprecedented vaccination campaign against the COVID-19 virus , according to a plan submitted to federal authorities on Friday , a major step along the Golden State ’ s roadmap to protect 40 million residents from the deadly disease .
That plan , while not yet made public , specifies who will first get the vaccine , where it will be distributed , and how it will be stored and transported .
“ This is a mammoth task for a state the size of California , ” said Claire Hannan , executive director of the Association of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials .
“ You need to spread that vaccine out across so many agencies and health care provider groups , to make it as accessible as you can .
“ You ’ ve got to have them all ready to go , once the vaccine starts rolling out.
” California has been awarded about $ 28 million for COVID-19 vaccine planning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
That is 70 cents per resident .
The state is currently assessing what else it needs to launch its historic campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be authorized until late November or December — and there won ’ t be sufficient quantities for a release to the general public until at least the middle of 2021 .
At least at first , vaccines will be authorized under an Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , rather than traditional approval .
But the nation can ’ t wait for a finished product to invent an effective plan for a vaccine that could require sub-zero refrigeration and a complex distribution system .
To prepare , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave states a Friday deadline to describe their customized local efforts .
The plans — which address 15 topics — vary from place to place , and the CDC needs time to organize its oversight .
Virginia and Colorado turned in their plans earlier this week .
“ It is a lot of work to figure out , ” said UCSF epidemiologist Dr. George Rutherford .
“ Who ’ s going to get it ?
Where are they going to get it ?
How many people can you vaccinate in a day ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
How are we going to transport it ?
” “ How are we going to keep track of the people who get immunized ?
What about the supply chain — not just the vaccine , but the needles , syringes , swabs and all the other pieces ?
And we need a surveillance system , to keep track of adverse events.
” When a vaccine is available , it will be shipped by its manufacturer to distribution centers of McKesson Corporation , a partner with the CDC for other vaccine rollouts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sacramento and one in Memphis — and will ship the product to state health departments for distribution .
It is expected that the size of each state ’ s allotment will be based on its population .
“ State and local governments will need to work with their communities and local businesses to convert unconventional spaces like workplaces , churches , schools , and grocery stores into vaccine sites , ” according to John Auerbach of the Trust for America ’ s Health .
Bay Area counties say they ’ ve joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timing and logistics .
“ We are also discussing local distribution protocols with our health care partners , hospitals and clinics — and plan on convening a group for community input to ensure the process follows our mission to achieve health equity for all residents , ” said Neetu Balram of the Alameda County Public Health Department .
Contra Costa County also has been involved in statewide plans , although “ we do not yet know when a vaccine may be available or how many doses will be allocated to Contra Costa County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson Will Harper .
Santa Clara , San Mateo and San Francisco counties did not respond to questions Friday afternoon about their involvement .
All California health care providers — from Kaiser and Sutter to big university hospitals and small public clinics — must be engaged in the planning , Rutherford said .
Family practitioners could administer the vaccine , along with internists , emergency department doctors , ob-gyns and other specialists .
The frontrunner vaccine , made by Pfizer , may demand a lot of special refrigerators that are only available at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be stored in the refrigeration systems found at the typical doctor ’ s office .
Instead , it requires special ultra-low-temperature freezers that can store medicine at minus-328 degrees Fahrenheit .
It also requires a booster shot , further complicating its rollout .
Because supplies will be limited , the plan will have several phases .
During Phase 1 , the vaccine will go to high-priority populations at high risk of exposure or death , such as health care workers , first responders and the elderly in nursing homes .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be distributed more widely .
The state already has a robust and effective structure for immunizing people , called The Vaccines for Children Program , said Rutherford .
The program has enrolled more than 4,000 public and private provider sites since its inception in 1995 , protecting children from birth to age 18 at no cost .
The computer system of the new program could be based on the expanded framework of that program , he said .
“ It ’ s a very enormous planning task , ” Hannan said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs and 50 different messages on why the vaccine is critical.
” • Kyle Shanahan responds to Patriots ’ COVID-19 positive tests : ‘ Don ’ t freak out about it ’ • Senior Living : Pandemic erects barriers for prized bloc of voters in nursing homes , senior facilities • Feds have plan to get vaccines quickly to nursing homes “ States have a plan on the books , but every situation is different , ” she said .
“ You can ’ t take an old plan off the shelf .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

A correction to an earlier version of this article has been appended to the end of the article.
California has prepared an unprecedented vaccination campaign against the COVID-19 virus, according to a plan submitted to federal authorities on Friday, a major step along the Golden State’s roadmap to protect 40 million residents from the deadly disease.
That plan, while not yet made public, specifies who will first get the vaccine, where it will be distributed, and how it will be stored and transported.
“This is a mammoth task for a state the size of California,” said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers, whose members include state health officials. “You need to spread that vaccine out across so many agencies and health care provider groups, to make it as accessible as you can.
“You’ve got to have them all ready to go, once the vaccine starts rolling out.”
California has been awarded about $28 million for COVID-19 vaccine planning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is 70 cents per resident. The state is currently assessing what else it needs to launch its historic campaign.
A vaccine isn’t expected to be authorized until late November or December — and there won’t be sufficient quantities for a release to the general public until at least the middle of 2021. At least at first, vaccines will be authorized under an Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, rather than traditional approval.
But the nation can’t wait for a finished product to invent an effective plan for a vaccine that could require sub-zero refrigeration and a complex distribution system.
To prepare, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave states a Friday deadline to describe their customized local efforts. The plans — which address 15 topics — vary from place to place, and the CDC needs time to organize its oversight. Virginia and Colorado turned in their plans earlier this week.
“It is a lot of work to figure out,” said UCSF epidemiologist Dr. George Rutherford. “Who’s going to get it? Where are they going to get it? How many people can you vaccinate in a day? How are we going to store it? How are we going to transport it?”
“How are we going to keep track of the people who get immunized? What about the supply chain — not just the vaccine, but the needles, syringes, swabs and all the other pieces? And we need a surveillance system, to keep track of adverse events.”
When a vaccine is available, it will be shipped by its manufacturer to distribution centers of McKesson Corporation, a partner with the CDC for other vaccine rollouts. McKesson has two distribution centers — one in Sacramento and one in Memphis — and will ship the product to state health departments for distribution.
It is expected that the size of each state’s allotment will be based on its population.
“State and local governments will need to work with their communities and local businesses to convert unconventional spaces like workplaces, churches, schools, and grocery stores into vaccine sites,” according to John Auerbach of the Trust for America’s Health.
Bay Area counties say they’ve joined in discussions about the statewide coordination of timing and logistics.
“We are also discussing local distribution protocols with our health care partners, hospitals and clinics — and plan on convening a group for community input to ensure the process follows our mission to achieve health equity for all residents,” said Neetu Balram of the Alameda County Public Health Department.
Contra Costa County also has been involved in statewide plans, although “we do not yet know when a vaccine may be available or how many doses will be allocated to Contra Costa County during the initial rollout,” said spokesperson Will Harper. Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties did not respond to questions Friday afternoon about their involvement.
All California health care providers — from Kaiser and Sutter to big university hospitals and small public clinics — must be engaged in the planning, Rutherford said. Family practitioners could administer the vaccine, along with internists, emergency department doctors, ob-gyns and other specialists.
The frontrunner vaccine, made by Pfizer, may demand a lot of special refrigerators that are only available at academic research centers. This vaccine can’t be stored in the refrigeration systems found at the typical doctor’s office. Instead, it requires special ultra-low-temperature freezers that can store medicine at minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit. It also requires a booster shot, further complicating its rollout.
Because supplies will be limited, the plan will have several phases. During Phase 1, the vaccine will go to high-priority populations at high risk of exposure or death, such as health care workers, first responders and the elderly in nursing homes. As supplies become more abundant, it will be distributed more widely.
The state already has a robust and effective structure for immunizing people, called The Vaccines for Children Program, said Rutherford. The program has enrolled more than 4,000 public and private provider sites since its inception in 1995, protecting children from birth to age 18 at no cost.
The computer system of the new program could be based on the expanded framework of that program, he said.
“It’s a very enormous planning task,” Hannan said. “Different states are doing 50 different training programs and 50 different messages on why the vaccine is critical.” Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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“States have a plan on the books, but every situation is different,” she said. “You can’t take an old plan off the shelf. You have to engage with stakeholders.”