mercurynews--2020-06-07--The Latest: Arizona university to start, end fall term early

By The Associated Press FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. — Northern Arizona University will start and end its fall semester earlier this year , hoping to mitigate the spread ofthe coronavirus .
University President Rita Cheng has announced in an email that classes will start Aug. 12 and end before Thanksgiving Day .
She adds that the university plans to increase cleaning and sanitation measures , require facial coverings in common areas and maintain social distancing guidelines and protocols for testing and screening .
On Saturday , Arizona state officials reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases , increasing the statewide total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have died from the virus in Arizona .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — Virus encourages American students to consider universities closer to home — More than two dozen COVID-19 cases clustered at sealed-off Rome hospital — Travel restrictions and lockdowns have made for one of Normandy ’ s loneliest D-Day remembrances — People in Asia , Australia and Europe brave gloomy weather , infection risk and protest bans to voice support for George Floyd and for what is becoming an international Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sydney , London , Seoul and other cities in a worldwide wave of solidarity .
— While seasonal colds and the flu spread through NFL locker rooms most years , football teams now have COVID-10 to worry about .
Coaches are returning to their offices , but many players polled by The Associated Press say they ’ re scared to return to work without a cure or a vaccine for the coronavirus .
— Lockdowns that have kept vehicles off roads and people at home have been cited as a temporary boon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus is now hampering critical work to protect threatened species and habitats worldwide .
Go to https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak for updates throughout the day .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING TODAY : LAS CRUCES , N.M. — The Las Cruces city council has moved to ditch a proposal to impose misdemeanor penalties for people not wearing face masks inside businesses during the coronavirus outbreak .
The council decided Friday to table that idea and agreed instead to hold a special meeting Monday to consider a resolution that would only encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to curb the spread of the virus .
City officials said in a statement that the council “ prefers voluntary compliance over enforcement and does not want the effort to be punitive.
” New Mexico state officials reported 129 additional COVID-19 cases Saturday , with five more deaths .
WINDOW ROCK , Ariz. — The Navajo Nation ’ s gambling operation had hoped to reopen its casinos in mid-June but they ’ ll stay closed until at least early July because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise officials say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus will stay in place due to a recent order by tribal President Jonathan Nez that continues closures of tribal government operations through July 5 .
The tribe ’ s sprawling reservation includes parts of Arizona , New Mexico and Utah and its casinos are located near Flagstaff in Arizona , and Farmington , Gallup and Shiprock in New Mexico .
Health officials say nearly 270 people on the Navajo reservation have died from the virus and there have been 5,808 cases .
WASHINGTON — Federal , state and local governments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million jobs since March as they begin to deal with the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic .
And it could get worse for workers in the public sector , usually a stable part of the U.S. economy .
Governments are trying to balance their budgets for a fiscal year that starts July 1 but expect tax revenue to be down by 20 % or more in many places .
That means temporary cuts to get through the next month could become permanent and affect everything from schools to trash pickup .
Unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send state and local governments more help quickly .
Following a $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package in March , the Democratic-led House last month approved an additional $ 3 trillion bill , which includes $ 1 trillion for governments .
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said his chamber will not agree to such as large amount — or anything quickly .
HOUSTON — The Houston , Texas area has begun to see a significant increase in cases and hospitalizations related to the coronavirus .
The upturn began two weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chronicle reported Saturday .
“ This is a trend we ’ re definitely keeping an eye on , ” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo , the county ’ s top elected official .
Health officials believe people might have let down their guard and come in closer contact with others after the state authorized businesses to reopen and last month ’ s Memorial Day weekend holiday .
Restrictions in the Houston area and the rest of Texas began to be lifted on May 1 , with the reopening of restaurants , retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
COVID-19 patients have occupied hospital intensive care units in the nine-county Houston area at higher levels during the first three days in June than they did on any single day in May , according to data compiled by the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council , which coordinates the region ’ s emergency response to disasters .
Counts of COVID-19 cases have also increased .
The rolling average in the Houston region rose from 267 on May 22 to 358 on June 4 .
DENVER — Seasonal colds and the flu spread through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but teams now have COVID-19 to worry about .
Offseason workout programs have been entirely virtual since the league closed team facilities in March .
Coaches began returning to their offices Friday but players not seeking treatment for injuries probably won ’ t be allowed to return until training camps open next month .
Many players polled by The Associated Press say they ’ re scared to return to work without a cure or a vaccine for the coronavirus , which has caused more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health protocols the NFL ’ s medical staff is developing for practices to resume and games to return .
Safeguards are expected to include daily temperature checks and frequent virus tests , with sick players quarantined for two weeks .
ROME — Italy added another 270 confirmed coronavirus cases to its official count , including a cluster of two dozen more cases at a Rome hospital that has been sealed off to contain the spread .
The Italian civil protection agency on Saturday also reported the deaths of 72 more people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 death toll now stands at 33,846 , but officials say the real mortality figure in Europe ’ s one-time coronavirus epicenter likely is much higher .
Regional health authorities in Rome reported 24 new cases at the San Raffaele Pisana hospital , a 298-bed clinic in the Italian capital that specializes in neurological rehabilitation and Parkinson ’ s research .
Another hospital in the same San Raffaele group was placed under quarantine in April after more than 150 viral infections and several deaths were recorded at its Rocca di Papa nursing home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak hit the northern region of Lombardy hardest , with more than 90,000 cases out of Italy ’ s official caseload of 235,000 and more than 16,000 deaths .
SKOPJE , North Macedonia — North Macedonia ’ s Health Minister says 90 % of the country ’ s 125 new coronavirus cases have been traced to 15 families and their contacts .
Another health official said earlier Saturday that people suspected to have been in contact with infected individuals are providing false phone numbers and addresses and refusing to abide by mandatory two-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new spike of COVID-19 cases in North Macedonia this week was the result of people ignoring instructions to wear protective masks and gloves and to maintain social distance .
In response to the spike in cases , North Macedonia ’ s government has imposed an almost total curfew in four regions from 9 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Monday .
Only hospitals and pharmacies are open .
The country now has 2,915 confirmed coronavirus cases , including 151 deaths .
COLOMBO , Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka says it will be reopen for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ successful containment ” of the novel coronavirus .
The country ’ s airports had been closed since March because of the global pandemic .
Sri Lanka Tourism said in a statement on Saturday that all precautionary measures recommended by global health and travel authorities have been put in place to keep visitors and residents safe .
The statement says only online visa applications will be accepted and all tourists must show proof they tested negative for the virus 72 hours before arriving in Sri Lanka .
Visitors also must have a confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a travel insurance with health and hospitalization coverage .
There will be mandatory health screening and testing at the airport .
Tourists will be lodged at a nearby hotel pending COVID-19 test results .
MADRID — Masterpieces by Velázquez , Goya , and Picasso can be enjoyed once again now that the most important art museums in Spain ’ s capital have reopened after almost three months closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Madrid ’ s Museo del Prado opened its doors on Saturday for 1,800 visitors , who had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken before viewing what the museum called its “ most iconic works.
” The special exhibition titled “ Reunited ” includes over 190 works that were relocated inside the huge museum to streamline the flow of visitors , who must stay on a fixed route past Velázquez ’ s “ Las Meninas , ” Fra Angelico ’ s “ The Annunciation ” , and Rubens ’ “ Saturn Devouring a Son.
” El Prado had not been shuttered for such a long time since the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39 .
The city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza , also welcomed back art lovers .
MOSCOW — Moscow residents clad in face masks and gloves have ventured into Red Square for an outdoor book market , a small sign of the Russian capital ’ s gradual efforts to open up amid coronavirus concerns .
Although the city ’ s ban on public gatherings continues , authorities gave permission to hold the market under tight limitations .
Visitation to the outdoor bookstalls is limited to 6,000 people a day , divided into five two-hour shifts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for permission and receive QR codes for admittance .
Many of the attendees on Saturday appeared unconcerned about social distancing as they browsed , but market workers periodically sprayed the books and shelves with disinfectant .
JAKARTA , Indonesia — Indonesia reported nearly 1,000 new cases of the virus on Saturday , a new single-day high for the country that brought its total caseload past 30,000 , as the government unveiled a stimulus package worth $ 47.6 billion to anchor the virus-battered economy .
The health ministry said there were 993 newly infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indonesia has confirmed 30,514 cases , including 1,801 deaths , the most in Southeast Asia .
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said a 677.2 trillion rupiah ( $ 47.6 billion ) stimulus package aims to strengthen the health care system , direct more spending toward social protection to boost consumption , and provide incentives to rescue Indonesian businesses from bankruptcy and workers from layoffs .
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel says more than a third of the stimulus package agreed by her government this week is devoted to tackling future challenges such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three governing parties announced a 130 billion-euro ( $ 146 billion ) package Wednesday to revive the economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
In her weekly video address Saturday , Merkel said that 50 billion euros alone would go toward boosting the use of hydrogen as a clean alternative to fossil fuels , encouraging the purchase of electric vehicles , equipping schools with IT devices and researching future technologies such as quantum computing .
Merkel acknowledged that Germany will have to borrow money to pay for the additional spending , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst economic crisis that ( post-war ) Germany has experienced , it ’ s right to act with bravery and resolve.
” MOSCOW — Russia reported its second-highest one-day death toll from COVID-19 even as the number of new coronavirus infections remained steady .
The national coronavirus task force said Saturday that 197 people died over the past day , sharply up from 144 a day earlier .
The highest one-day death toll was 232 on May 29 .
There were 8,855 new infection cases overall .
Russia has recorded more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although Moscow and its surroundings have been the epicenter of the pandemic , accounting for about half of the infections and deaths , the figures reported Saturday showed only about one-third of the new infections were in the capital area .
DUBAI , United Arab Emirates — After loosening some restrictions , Saudi Arabia on Saturday reimposed a 3 p.m. curfew on residents in its second-largest city of Jiddah and suspended prayers in mosques there again .
The decision comes as confirmed cases of the coronavirus continue to rise , including an alarming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The kingdom has recorded more than 95,000 cases , including 642 deaths .
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan reported 97 more coronavirus deaths on Saturday , the highest 24-hour increase to its fatalities , as authorities urged volunteers to motivate people to adhere to social distancing regulations to contain the spread of the virus .
According to Usman Dar , who heads the “ Corona Relief Tiger Force , ” about 1 million volunteers have signed up recently in response to the government ’ s call to help the country ’ s most vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters that 165,348 volunteers are currently assisting authorities to contain the spread of the virus .
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the volunteers will also be used to deliver food and medicine to needy and poor people if needed .
Pakistan also reported 4,734 new virus cases , raising its overall infections to 93,983 .
With the latest 97 virus-related deaths , Pakistan ’ s overall fatalities have jumped to 1,935 .
PARIS — Paris police have banned a third protest that had been planned for Saturday to condemn alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s death .
Police cited a risk of spreading COVID-19 and fears of public unrest .
The police decree noted that social distancing regulations ban gatherings of more than 10 people .
Online posts called for people to gather Saturday afternoon in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower .
Paris police had previously also banned two other planned gatherings Saturday outside the US Embassy .
NEW DELHI — India surpassed Italy as the sixth worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic after another biggest single-day spike in confirmed infections .
The Health Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing the total to 236,657 .
Most of the new cases are in rural areas following the return of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who left cities and towns after the lockdown in late March .
The lockdown is now largely being enforced in high-risk areas while authorities have partially restored train services and domestic flights and allowed shops and manufacturing to reopen .
Shopping malls and religious places are due to open on Monday with restrictions to avoid large gatherings .

By The Associated Press
BEIJING — China has reported its first non-imported case of the new coronavirus in two weeks, an infected person on the island of Hainan off the southern coast.
The National Health Commission said Sunday that there were also five imported cases in the previous 24-hour period, bringing the nation’s total case count to 83,036.
China says it has largely stopped the spread of the virus at home, though it continues to have occasional localized outbreaks. It is on guard against imported cases as it begins to ease restrictions on flights and people arriving from abroad.
The official death toll in China is 4,634.
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— Virus encourages American students to consider universities closer to home
— More than two dozen COVID-19 cases clustered at sealed-off Rome hospital
— Travel restrictions and lockdowns have made for one of Normandy’s loneliest D-Day remembrances
— People in Asia, Australia and Europe brave gloomy weather, infection risk and protest bans to voice support for George Floyd and for what is becoming an international Black Lives Matter movement. Demonstrations took place in Sydney, London, Seoul and other cities in a worldwide wave of solidarity.
— While seasonal colds and the flu spread through NFL locker rooms most years, football teams now have COVID-10 to worry about. Coaches are returning to their offices, but many players polled by The Associated Press say they’re scared to return to work without a cure or a vaccine for the coronavirus.
— Lockdowns that have kept vehicles off roads and people at home have been cited as a temporary boon for the environment. But scientists say the coronavirus is now hampering critical work to protect threatened species and habitats worldwide.
___
Go to https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak for updates throughout the day.
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING TODAY:
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has reported 57 additional cases of the coronavirus, marking a second day in a row that its daily jump is above 50 as authorities struggle to suppress a spike in fresh infections in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area.
The figures released Sunday by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took the country’s total to 11,776 cases, with 273 deaths. The agency says 10,552 people have recovered while 951 remain in treatment.
South Korea’s caseload peaked in late February and early March but a later significant easing amid aggressive tracing, testing and treatment prompted authorities to loosen strict social distancing rules. The country has since seen an increase in new infections, mostly in the Seoul region, where about half of its 51 million people live.
___
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Northern Arizona University will start and end its fall semester earlier this year, hoping to mitigate the spread ofthe coronavirus.
University President Rita Cheng has announced in an email that classes will start Aug. 12 and end before Thanksgiving Day.
She adds that the university plans to increase cleaning and sanitation measures, require facial coverings in common areas and maintain social distancing guidelines and protocols for testing and screening.
On Saturday, Arizona state officials reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases, increasing the statewide total to nearly 25,500. More than 1,000 people have died from the virus in Arizona.
___
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The Las Cruces city council has moved to ditch a proposal to impose misdemeanor penalties for people not wearing face masks inside businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.
The council decided Friday to table that idea and agreed instead to hold a special meeting Monday to consider a resolution that would only encourage people to wear face coverings as a way to curb the spread of the virus.
City officials said in a statement that the council “prefers voluntary compliance over enforcement and does not want the effort to be punitive.”
New Mexico state officials reported 129 additional COVID-19 cases Saturday, with five more deaths.
___
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation’s gambling operation had hoped to reopen its casinos in mid-June but they’ll stay closed until at least early July because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise officials say closures ordered to help curb spread of the virus will stay in place due to a recent order by tribal President Jonathan Nez that continues closures of tribal government operations through July 5.
The tribe’s sprawling reservation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah and its casinos are located near Flagstaff in Arizona, and Farmington, Gallup and Shiprock in New Mexico.
Health officials say nearly 270 people on the Navajo reservation have died from the virus and there have been 5,808 cases.
___
WASHINGTON — Federal, state and local governments in the United States have shed over 1.5 million jobs since March as they begin to deal with the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. And it could get worse for workers in the public sector, usually a stable part of the U.S. economy.
Governments are trying to balance their budgets for a fiscal year that starts July 1 but expect tax revenue to be down by 20% or more in many places.
That means temporary cuts to get through the next month could become permanent and affect everything from schools to trash pickup.
Unions and bipartisan groups are pushing Congress to send state and local governments more help quickly. Following a $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package in March, the Democratic-led House last month approved an additional $3 trillion bill, which includes $1 trillion for governments.
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said his chamber will not agree to such as large amount — or anything quickly.
___
HOUSTON — The Houston, Texas area has begun to see a significant increase in cases and hospitalizations related to the coronavirus.
The upturn began two weeks ago and accelerated this week, the Houston Chronicle reported Saturday.
“This is a trend we’re definitely keeping an eye on,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the county’s top elected official.
Health officials believe people might have let down their guard and come in closer contact with others after the state authorized businesses to reopen and last month’s Memorial Day weekend holiday.
Restrictions in the Houston area and the rest of Texas began to be lifted on May 1, with the reopening of restaurants, retail stores and malls, but with limits.
COVID-19 patients have occupied hospital intensive care units in the nine-county Houston area at higher levels during the first three days in June than they did on any single day in May, according to data compiled by the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, which coordinates the region’s emergency response to disasters.
Counts of COVID-19 cases have also increased. The rolling average in the Houston region rose from 267 on May 22 to 358 on June 4.
___
DENVER — Seasonal colds and the flu spread through NFL locker rooms just about every year, but teams now have COVID-19 to worry about.
Offseason workout programs have been entirely virtual since the league closed team facilities in March. Coaches began returning to their offices Friday but players not seeking treatment for injuries probably won’t be allowed to return until training camps open next month.
Many players polled by The Associated Press say they’re scared to return to work without a cure or a vaccine for the coronavirus, which has caused more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. But they’re putting their trust in the health protocols the NFL’s medical staff is developing for practices to resume and games to return.
Safeguards are expected to include daily temperature checks and frequent virus tests, with sick players quarantined for two weeks.
___
ROME — Italy added another 270 confirmed coronavirus cases to its official count, including a cluster of two dozen more cases at a Rome hospital that has been sealed off to contain the spread.
The Italian civil protection agency on Saturday also reported the deaths of 72 more people with the virus. Italy’s official COVID-19 death toll now stands at 33,846, but officials say the real mortality figure in Europe’s one-time coronavirus epicenter likely is much higher.
Regional health authorities in Rome reported 24 new cases at the San Raffaele Pisana hospital, a 298-bed clinic in the Italian capital that specializes in neurological rehabilitation and Parkinson’s research. Another hospital in the same San Raffaele group was placed under quarantine in April after more than 150 viral infections and several deaths were recorded at its Rocca di Papa nursing home south of Rome.
Italy’s outbreak hit the northern region of Lombardy hardest, with more than 90,000 cases out of Italy’s official caseload of 235,000 and more than 16,000 deaths.
___
SKOPJE, North Macedonia — North Macedonia’s Health Minister says 90% of the country’s 125 new coronavirus cases have been traced to 15 families and their contacts.
Another health official said earlier Saturday that people suspected to have been in contact with infected individuals are providing false phone numbers and addresses and refusing to abide by mandatory two-week quarantines.
Authorities have said that a new spike of COVID-19 cases in North Macedonia this week was the result of people ignoring instructions to wear protective masks and gloves and to maintain social distance.
In response to the spike in cases, North Macedonia’s government has imposed an almost total curfew in four regions from 9 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Monday. Only hospitals and pharmacies are open.
The country now has 2,915 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 151 deaths.
___
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka says it will be reopen for international tourists starting August 1 after a “successful containment” of the novel coronavirus.
The country’s airports had been closed since March because of the global pandemic.
Sri Lanka Tourism said in a statement on Saturday that all precautionary measures recommended by global health and travel authorities have been put in place to keep visitors and residents safe.
The statement says only online visa applications will be accepted and all tourists must show proof they tested negative for the virus 72 hours before arriving in Sri Lanka. Visitors also must have a confirmed travel itinerary, a return plane ticket and a travel insurance with health and hospitalization coverage.
There will be mandatory health screening and testing at the airport. Tourists will be lodged at a nearby hotel pending COVID-19 test results.
Sri Lanka has reported 1,810 confirmed cases, including 11 deaths.
___
MADRID — Masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Picasso can be enjoyed once again now that the most important art museums in Spain’s capital have reopened after almost three months closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Madrid’s Museo del Prado opened its doors on Saturday for 1,800 visitors, who had to wear face masks and have their temperature taken before viewing what the museum called its “most iconic works.”
The special exhibition titled “Reunited” includes over 190 works that were relocated inside the huge museum to streamline the flow of visitors, who must stay on a fixed route past Velázquez’s “Las Meninas,” Fra Angelico’s “The Annunciation”, and Rubens’ “Saturn Devouring a Son.”
El Prado had not been shuttered for such a long time since the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39.
The city’s other two leading museums, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, also welcomed back art lovers.
___
MOSCOW — Moscow residents clad in face masks and gloves have ventured into Red Square for an outdoor book market, a small sign of the Russian capital’s gradual efforts to open up amid coronavirus concerns.
Although the city’s ban on public gatherings continues, authorities gave permission to hold the market under tight limitations. Visitation to the outdoor bookstalls is limited to 6,000 people a day, divided into five two-hour shifts, and all the shoppers had to apply for permission and receive QR codes for admittance.
Many of the attendees on Saturday appeared unconcerned about social distancing as they browsed, but market workers periodically sprayed the books and shelves with disinfectant.
___
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia reported nearly 1,000 new cases of the virus on Saturday, a new single-day high for the country that brought its total caseload past 30,000, as the government unveiled a stimulus package worth $47.6 billion to anchor the virus-battered economy.
The health ministry said there were 993 newly infected people over the past 24 hours. Indonesia has confirmed 30,514 cases, including 1,801 deaths, the most in Southeast Asia.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said a 677.2 trillion rupiah ($47.6 billion) stimulus package aims to strengthen the health care system, direct more spending toward social protection to boost consumption, and provide incentives to rescue Indonesian businesses from bankruptcy and workers from layoffs.
__
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel says more than a third of the stimulus package agreed by her government this week is devoted to tackling future challenges such as climate change.
Germany’s three governing parties announced a 130 billion-euro ($146 billion) package Wednesday to revive the economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
In her weekly video address Saturday, Merkel said that 50 billion euros alone would go toward boosting the use of hydrogen as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, encouraging the purchase of electric vehicles, equipping schools with IT devices and researching future technologies such as quantum computing.
Merkel acknowledged that Germany will have to borrow money to pay for the additional spending, but insisted that “now, during the worst economic crisis that (post-war) Germany has experienced, it’s right to act with bravery and resolve.”
___
MOSCOW — Russia reported its second-highest one-day death toll from COVID-19 even as the number of new coronavirus infections remained steady.
The national coronavirus task force said Saturday that 197 people died over the past day, sharply up from 144 a day earlier. The highest one-day death toll was 232 on May 29.
There were 8,855 new infection cases overall. Russia has recorded more than 458,000 cases, including 5,725 deaths.
Although Moscow and its surroundings have been the epicenter of the pandemic, accounting for about half of the infections and deaths, the figures reported Saturday showed only about one-third of the new infections were in the capital area.
___
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — After loosening some restrictions, Saudi Arabia on Saturday reimposed a 3 p.m. curfew on residents in its second-largest city of Jiddah and suspended prayers in mosques there again.
The decision comes as confirmed cases of the coronavirus continue to rise, including an alarming spike in the number of critical cases.
The kingdom has recorded more than 95,000 cases, including 642 deaths.
___
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan reported 97 more coronavirus deaths on Saturday, the highest 24-hour increase to its fatalities, as authorities urged volunteers to motivate people to adhere to social distancing regulations to contain the spread of the virus.
According to Usman Dar, who heads the “Corona Relief Tiger Force,” about 1 million volunteers have signed up recently in response to the government’s call to help the country’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak.
He told reporters that 165,348 volunteers are currently assisting authorities to contain the spread of the virus.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the volunteers will also be used to deliver food and medicine to needy and poor people if needed.
Pakistan also reported 4,734 new virus cases, raising its overall infections to 93,983.
With the latest 97 virus-related deaths, Pakistan’s overall fatalities have jumped to 1,935.
___
PARIS — Paris police have banned a third protest that had been planned for Saturday to condemn alleged police abuses in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Police cited a risk of spreading COVID-19 and fears of public unrest. The police decree noted that social distancing regulations ban gatherings of more than 10 people.
Online posts called for people to gather Saturday afternoon in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
Paris police had previously also banned two other planned gatherings Saturday outside the US Embassy.
___
NEW DELHI — India surpassed Italy as the sixth worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic after another biggest single-day spike in confirmed infections.
The Health Ministry reported 9,887 new cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 236,657.
Most of the new cases are in rural areas following the return of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who left cities and towns after the lockdown in late March.
The lockdown is now largely being enforced in high-risk areas while authorities have partially restored train services and domestic flights and allowed shops and manufacturing to reopen. Shopping malls and religious places are due to open on Monday with restrictions to avoid large gatherings.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


mercurynews--2020-06-06--San Jose theater opens lobby as refuge for #BlackLivesMatter protesters

San Jose Stage Company has joined a nationwide # OpenYourLobby movement by theaters to support demonstrators participating in # BlackLivesMatter @ @ @ @ @ effort to support those peacefully fighting for racial justice and systemic change , ” the @ @ @ @ @ as a refuge , according to an announcement Saturday from executive director Cathleen King and @ @ @ @ @ Demonstrators will find first aid , water , snacks and restrooms at the South First @ @ @ @ @ until 7 p.m. “ Our courtyard will serve as a safe space to recharge and @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Please remember to wear your masks and social distance.
” Quoting playwright @ @ @ @ @ added : “ The mission of the theatre , after all , is to change @ @ @ @ @ of people to their human possibilities .
”

San Jose Stage Company has joined a nationwide #OpenYourLobby movement by theaters to support demonstrators participating in #BlackLivesMatter protests.
“In an effort to support those peacefully fighting for racial justice and systemic change,” the theater has opened its lobby as a refuge, according to an announcement Saturday from executive director Cathleen King and artistic director Randall King.
Demonstrators will find first aid, water, snacks and restrooms at the South First and East William streets complex until 7 p.m.
“Our courtyard will serve as a safe space to recharge and reflect,” the notice said. “Please remember to wear your masks and social distance.”
Quoting playwright Arthur Miller, the notice added: “The mission of the theatre, after all, is to change, to raise the consciousness of people to their human possibilities.”
Details: 490 S. First St., www.thestage.org


mercurynews--2020-06-06--Oakland police still searching for hit and run driver who critically injured woman at protest

OAKLAND — A week after a driver critically injured a 24-year-old woman at a protest here , police are still @ @ @ @ @ and locate the car .
The victim , Lucie Flynn , is still in the @ @ @ @ @ a week after she and another person were struck by the driver .
The car @ @ @ @ @ sedan with tinted windows and black rims .
Flynn was one of thousands who turned @ @ @ @ @ Bay Area on May 30 , in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ dispersing the crowd at 7th Street and Telegraph , and a flash-bang grenade went off @ @ @ @ @ hit the gas pedal and struck both pedestrians .
Flynn suffered several broken bones , @ @ @ @ @ as well as a punctured lung , which has made it difficult for her to @ @ @ @ @ She required surgery , and remains at the hospital .
Her family has set up @ @ @ @ @ as of Saturday afternoon , had gathered roughly $ 21,000 in donations .

OAKLAND — A week after a driver critically injured a 24-year-old woman at a protest here, police are still working to identify the suspect and locate the car.
The victim, Lucie Flynn, is still in a hospital battling serious injuries, a week after she and another person were struck by the driver. The car is described as a silver sedan with tinted windows and black rims.
Flynn was one of thousands who turned out for protests across the Bay Area on May 30, in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Police were dispersing the crowd at 17th Street and Telegraph Avenue, and a flash-bang grenade went off seconds before the driver apparently hit the gas pedal and struck both pedestrians.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Judge rules retrial of ex-Philadelphia officer in 2020 protest actions should be held outside city
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Israel’s Netanyahu released from hospital ahead of key vote on legal overhaul Crime and Public Safety | Protesters try to storm Baghdad’s Green Zone over the burning of Quran and Iraqi flag in Denmark Flynn suffered several broken bones, including her entire ribcage, as well as a punctured lung, which has made it difficult for her to breathe on her own. She required surgery, and remains at a hospital.
Her family has set up a GoFundMe page that, as of 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon, had gathered more than $23,000 in donations.


mercurynews--2020-06-06--Correction: Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit

A story published April 23 about a nurses ’ protest at HCA ’ s Regional Medical Center overstated the number @ @ @ @ @ hospital each year .
Hospital spokesperson Sarah Sherwood said Regional had 719 births in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ failed to seek a response from HCA .
An updated version of the story can @ @ @ @

Correction: Alexis Ohanian was misidentified in a headline in Saturday’s Business section. He is a co-founder of Reddit.


mercurynews--2020-06-06--Report: Two deputies shot in Santa Cruz area, at least one suspect arrested

BEN LOMOND — Two Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s deputies were shot and hospitalized Saturday afternoon , according to KSBW8 @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s Office reported Saturday that “ at least one ” suspect was @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re also warning warning the public to stay away from the area of @ @ @ @ @ in the unincorporated Santa Cruz County area of Ben Lomond .
Police have not released @ @ @ @ @ or the deputies , nor have they given updates on the deputies ’ condition .
@ @ @ @ @ squad was also called to the scene .
More details are expected to come in @ @ @ @ @ announced they ’ d arrested at least one person at 4 p.m. , about an @ @ @ @ @ were responding to “ multiple critical incidents ” in the area .
Check back for @ @ @ @ @ Sentinel contributed to this report .

BEN LOMOND — For reasons that federal and state authorities are still investigating, a man armed with bombs and multiple firearms “ambushed” two Santa Cruz deputies Saturday afternoon, fatally shooting one and critically injuring another, before he was shot and taken into custody, authorities said.
The shocking series of events began at around 1:30 p.m., with a call of a white van full of guns and bomb making material, authorities said. An hour later, Santa Cruz Sheriff Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller had been mortally wounded by gunfire. Another deputy, who hasn’t been named, was critically injured by either bullets or shrapnel from a bomb, and a third deputy was shot in the hand, police said.
The suspect, identified as Steven Carrillo, was also shot and arrested on suspicion of murder and several other felony charges. He remains at a hospital, and is expected to be criminally charged in coming days.
Police have not ruled out the possibility that others were involved.
Gutzwiller was a “beloved” deputy at the sheriff’s office and “a true hero,” said Santa Cruz Sheriff Jim Hart. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and a child.
“In my 32-year career, this is the worst day that I’ve ever experienced,” Sheriff Jim Hart said. He described Gutzwiller as: “Compassion, caring, somebody who truly loves his job, he wants to help people. That’s who Damon was.”
The deputy who was injured is still being treated, Hart said, adding that “we hope he’s going to be ok.”
Gutzwiller joined the sheriff’s office in 2006, and volunteered his time there in the years before.
“I watched him grow into a great man and a great police officer,” Hart said.
The FBI has joined the investigation, as have a number of local law enforcement agencies. Carrillo’s motives are as of yet unknown, Hart said.
The chaotic series of events included an ambush and multiple explosions.
It all started with a report of the suspicious van parked at Jamison Creek Road, near the unincorporated Santa Cruz County area of Ben Lomond. When deputies arrived, they saw the van pulling away.
A few minutes later, Carrillo allegedly ambushed the deputies, opening fire and setting off multiple explosive devices. After the ambush, he carjacked one person and attempted a second carjacking, before he was arrested.
Carrillo was shot during his arrest, presumably by police, but Hart didn’t specify how or where he was shot.
“There’s a lot that we don’t know at this point,” Hart said. “I ask that the community be patient as we go through this investigation and the grieving process. Damon will be deeply missed by this community, by this family, and by all of us at the sheriff’s office. His legacy will live on in the work that we provide to the Santa Cruz County community.”
Gutzwiller is the first Santa Cruz deputy to be killed since 1983 when Dep. Michael A. Gray was shot and killed by a homeless man he was attempting to question. The suspect killed himself after shooting Gray.
A vigil has been set for 2:26 p.m. Sunday, exactly 24 hours after the call came in that Gutzwiller had been shot.


mercurynews--2020-06-06--Outdoor restaurant dining: What are the rules in Bay Area counties?

Three more Bay Area counties — Santa Clara , Contra Costa and San Mateo — have joined the California counties now allowing outdoor dining at established restaurants .
“ Outdoor dining provides access to freshly prepared meals at a relatively low risk of transmission ” of the COVID-19 virus , health officers in all three counties said in easing the regulations .
These are the key rules in all three counties : — All tables must be separated to allow for six feet of social distancing .
— Only residents of a single household or living unit may be seated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to six members of the same household or living unit .
— Alcohol may be sold only in injunction with a meal .
— Restaurants that open for outdoor dining must also offer takeout and delivery meals as an alternative .
— State and local protocols for restaurant and employee health and safety must be followed .
— Patrons must wear face coverings except when sitting at the dining table with other members of their household or living unit .
Santa Clara County ’ s amended regulations also address issues of servers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further note that “ patrons dining at the facility may only enter indoor areas of the facility to use the restroom or hand-washing stations , to order and pick up food from a quick-service operation , or to access outdoor seating areas.
” San Mateo County ’ s amended regulations specifically require restaurants to “ designate COVID-19 supervisor/person ( s ) in charge to ensure the implementation of the food facilities ’ health and safety plan and Social Distancing Protocol .
The designated COVID-19 supervisor/person ( s ) in charge shall always be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County officials have not changed that county ’ s current prohibition on outdoor dining .
In San Francisco County , outdoor dining is scheduled to resume June 15 .

Three more Bay Area counties — Santa Clara, Contra Costa and San Mateo — have joined the California counties now allowing outdoor dining at established restaurants.
“Outdoor dining provides access to freshly prepared meals at a relatively low risk of transmission” of the COVID-19 virus, health officers in all three counties said in easing the regulations.
These are the key rules in all three counties:
— All tables must be separated to allow six feet of social distancing.
— Only residents of a single household or living unit may be seated together.
— Each table is limited to six members of the same household or living unit.
— Alcohol may be sold only with a meal.
— Bar areas must remain closed.
— Restaurants that open for outdoor dining must also offer takeout and delivery meals as an alternative.
— State and local protocols for restaurant and employee health and safety must be followed.
— Patrons must wear face coverings except when sitting at the dining table with other members of their household or living unit.
Santa Clara County’s amended regulations also address issues of servers and their interaction with customers. These rules further note that “patrons dining at the facility may only enter indoor areas of the facility to use the restroom or hand-washing stations, to order and pick up food from a quick-service operation, or to access outdoor seating areas.”
San Mateo County’s amended regulations specifically require restaurants to “designate COVID-19 supervisor/person(s) in charge to ensure the implementation of the food facilities’ health and safety plan and Social Distancing Protocol. The designated COVID-19 supervisor/person(s) in charge shall always be present on-site during business hours.”
Alameda County officials have not changed that county’s current prohibition on outdoor dining. In San Francisco County, outdoor dining is scheduled to resume June 15.


mercurynews--2020-06-06--Thousands take to the streets in the Bay Area, and the Golden Gate Bridge, for another day of George

Thousands take to the streets in the Bay Area, and the Golden Gate Bridge, for another day of George Floyd protests

Bay Area residents once again came out in droves in San Francisco , Oakland , Berkeley , Palo Alto , Fremont and beyond for peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd , who died in police custody in Minneapolis , Minnesota .
The demonstrations Saturday appear not to lose any steam as they entered their ninth Day , with volunteer organizers listing more than three dozen actions from Novato through Pittsburg and Cupertino .
Marches against racism and police violence against black people have reached a level not seen in years nationally , sparked by the killing of Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis , who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than 8 minutes , and Breonna Taylor , an African American emergency room technician , shot to death in her own home in Louisville , Kentucky , by police officers who forced their way in with a “ no-knock ” warrant .
In Oakland , hundreds of people — most dressed in black — gathered once again in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza for a large demonstration , while more rallied beside Lake Merritt .
In Berkeley , a crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King Jr. Way , after gathering at Grove Park .
There was a jubilant atmosphere , with folks dancing and a New Orleans-style brass band playing songs .
A handful of protesters attempted to start a disparaging chant against the police , but it dissipated after a few moments And in San Francisco , thousands of demonstrators walked across the Golden Gate Bridge in a march organized by 17-year-old Tiana Day of San Ramon .
She attended the protest with a facemask with the words “ I can ’ t breathe ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lead With Love.
” The demonstrators eventually jumped over the pedestrian divider , at points blocking traffic on the bridge in both directions .
“ I have absolutely no choice but to use my voice and stand out and demand justice for black kids in this country to get the same opportunities and chances at success as a white kid does , ” Day told the assembled protesters .
Day is part of a growing wave of young activists organizing mass protests .
Last week , a rally in San Francisco organized by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , and a Redwood City demonstration with some 2,000 protesters was organized in part by 14-year-old Tiffany Medrano-Martinez .
“ In all honesty , we are smart .
We are really , really smart , ” Day told a cheering crowd .
“ We know what is happening in society today is wrong.
” An earlier demonstration Saturday was held at Candlestick Park , former home of the San Francisco 49ers .
Four years ago , Colin Kaepernick , who played six years for the 49ers at the team ’ s Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by kneeling at the start of football games .
The NFL is widely seen as having blacklisted the prominent player for his activism .
• Thousands gather in Simi Valley for BLM protest as councilman comes under fire • Activist who trained officers on bias ‘ heartbroken ’ after San Jose police seriously injure him with rubber bullet at protest “ Kaepernick tried to take a knee , he tried to take a peaceful knee .
He did this for every single person in the struggle and he was ridiculed for it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father , told the crowd at the Golden Gate Bridge .
“ He was thrown out the NFL .
They did so much to this man and all he did was take a knee.
” Tiayadi Day said he works at San Francisco ’ s Juvenile Hall , where most of the young people are Latino and black .
During three years of work , he said he ’ s only seen three white kids detained at the hall .
“ In our area , right here in San Francisco , you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no white kids that are committing crimes in this city ?
” he said .
“ That ’ s not true , they are .
But the punishment is different for each and everyone.
” Reporters Kerry Crowley , Nate Gartrell and Nico Savidge contributed to this report

Click here if you are having trouble viewing the slideshow on a mobile device.
Bay Area residents once again came out in droves in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Fremont and beyond for peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The demonstrations Saturday appear not to lose any steam as they entered their ninth Day, with volunteer organizers listing more than three dozen actions from Novato through Pittsburg and Cupertino. Marches against racism and police violence against black people have reached a level not seen in years nationally, sparked by the killing of Floyd, an African American man, in Minneapolis, who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than 8 minutes, and Breonna Taylor, an African American emergency room technician, shot to death in her own home in Louisville, Kentucky, by police officers who forced their way in with a “no-knock” warrant.
In Oakland, hundreds of people — most dressed in black — gathered once again in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza for a large demonstration, while more rallied beside Lake Merritt.
In Berkeley, a crowd of several thousand marched down Martin Luther King Jr. Way, after gathering at Grove Park. There was a jubilant atmosphere, with folks dancing and a New Orleans-style brass band playing songs. A handful of protesters attempted to start a disparaging chant against the police, but it dissipated after a few moments
And in San Francisco, thousands of demonstrators walked across the Golden Gate Bridge in a march organized by 17-year-old Tiana Day of San Ramon. She attended the protest with a facemask with the words “I can’t breathe” on it and with a sign reading “Lead With Love.” The demonstrators eventually jumped over the pedestrian divider, at points blocking traffic on the bridge in both directions.
“I have absolutely no choice but to use my voice and stand out and demand justice for black kids in this country to get the same opportunities and chances at success as a white kid does,” Day told the assembled protesters.
Day is part of a growing wave of young activists organizing mass protests. Last week, a rally in San Francisco organized by 17-year-old Simone Jacques drew more than 10,000 people, and a Redwood City demonstration with some 2,000 protesters was organized in part by 14-year-old Tiffany Medrano-Martinez.
“In all honesty, we are smart. We are really, really smart,” Day told a cheering crowd. “We know what is happening in society today is wrong.”
An earlier demonstration Saturday was held at Candlestick Park, former home of the San Francisco 49ers. Four years ago, Colin Kaepernick, who played six years for the 49ers at the team’s Santa Clara home, protested against police brutality by kneeling at the start of football games. The NFL is widely seen as having blacklisted the prominent player for his activism.
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Israel’s Netanyahu released from hospital ahead of key vote on legal overhaul California News | Protesters try to storm Baghdad’s Green Zone over the burning of Quran and Iraqi flag in Denmark “Kaepernick tried to take a knee, he tried to take a peaceful knee. He did this for every single person in the struggle and he was ridiculed for it,” Tiayadi Day, Tiana’s father, told the crowd at the Golden Gate Bridge. “He was thrown out the NFL. They did so much to this man and all he did was take a knee.”
Tiayadi Day said he works at San Francisco’s Juvenile Hall, where most of the young people are Latino and black. During three years of work, he said he’s only seen three white kids detained at the hall.
“In our area, right here in San Francisco, you’re going to tell me there’s no white kids that are committing crimes in this city?” he said. “That’s not true, they are. But the punishment is different for each and everyone.”
Reporters Kerry Crowley, Nate Gartrell and Nico Savidge contributed to this report


mercurynews--2020-06-06--Analysis: White House, Pentagon tensions near breaking point

WASHINGTON — Tensions between the White House and Pentagon have stretched to near a breaking point over President Donald Trump ’ s threat to use military force against street protests triggered by George Floyd ’ s death .
Friction in this relationship , historically , is not unusual .
But in recent days , and for the second time in Trump ’ s term , it has raised a prospect of high-level resignations and the risk of lasting damage to the military ’ s reputation .
Calm may return , both in the crisis over Floyd ’ s death and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s threats to use federal troops to put down protesters .
But it could leave a residue of resentment and unease about this president ’ s approach to the military , whose leaders welcome his push for bigger budgets but chafe at being seen as political tools .
The nub of the problem is that Trump sees no constraint on his authority to use what he calls the “ unlimited power ” of the military even against U.S. citizens if he believes it necessary .
Military leaders generally take a far different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , trained to hunt and kill an enemy , should be used to enforce the law only in the most extreme emergency , such as an attempted actual rebellion .
That limit exists , they argue , to keep the public ’ s trust .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper , a West Point graduate who served 10 years on active duty , argued against bringing federal troops into Washington .
In a contentious Oval Office meeting with Trump and others on Monday , the president demanded 10,000 federal troops be sent to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations .
Esper then pushed for governors from several states to send National Guardsmen as a way of steering Trump away from a buildup of federal forces in Washington , the senior defense official said .
Vincent K. Brooks , a recently retired Army four-star general , says the military ’ s “ sacred trust ” with the public has been breached by Trump ’ s threat to use federal troops for law enforcement in states where he deems a governor has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is a trust that the military , especially the active-duty military — ‘ the regulars ’ — possessing great physical power and holding many levers that could end freedom in our society and could shut down our government , would never , never apply that power for domestic political purposes , ” Brooks wrote in an essay for Harvard University ’ s Belfer Center , where he is a senior fellow .
Esper has made known his regret at having accompanied Trump to a presidential photo opportunity in front of a church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he did not see it coming — a blind spot that cost him in the eyes of critics who saw a supposedly apolitical Pentagon chief implicitly endorsing a political agenda .
Esper two days later risked Trump ’ s ire when he stepped before reporters at the Pentagon to declare his opposition to Trump invoking the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act .
That law allows a president to use the armed forces “ as he considers necessary ” when “ unlawful obstructions … or rebellion against the authority of the United States ” make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any state by normal means .
Esper said plainly that he saw no need for such an extreme measure , a clear counterpoint to Trump ’ s threat to use force .
Almost immediately , word came from the White House that Trump was unhappy with his defense secretary .
On Saturday , the White House press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , said Trump “ remains confident ” in Esper .
“ Secretary Esper has been instrumental in securing our nation ’ s streets and ensuring Americans have peace and confidence in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places of worship , and their homes , ” she said .
After a night of sometimes violent protesting in Washington last Sunday , Esper pulled several active-duty units , including a military police battalion , to bases just outside the nation ’ s capital .
He never called them into action ; just positioning them close to the capital satisfied Trump for the time being , the senior defense official said .
On Friday , the last of those active-duty units were being sent back home .
Trump lost his first defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over an accumulation of grievances , and it took an unusually long time to replace him .
For half a year after Mattis resigned in December 2018 , the Pentagon was run by acting secretaries of defense — three in succession , the longest such stretch of interim leadership in Pentagon history — before Esper took over last July .
This week , Mattis added weight to the worry that Trump is militarizing his response to the street protests in Washington and across the nation .
Mattis wrote in an essay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times of civil unrest is the duty of civilian state and local authorities who best understand their communities and are answerable to them .
“ Militarizing our response , as we witnessed in Washington , D.C. , sets up a conflict — a false conflict — between the military and civilian society , ” Mattis wrote .
The worry felt among Pentagon leaders is reflected in the Joint Chiefs chairman , Gen. Mark Milley , reaching out privately to members of Congress in recent days to discuss concerns about use of the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly quiet since he caused a stir by joining Esper on the walk with Trump across Lafayette Square last Monday .
The optics were awkward .
Police had forcibly pushed peaceful protesters out of the way just before Trump and his entourage strolled to St. John ’ s Church , where Trump held up a Bible .
Esper made matters worse by saying , in a conference call earlier that day with governors , that they should use their National Guard troops to “ dominate the battlespace , ” a term widely interpreted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be treated like battlefield enemies .
Esper said later it was a poor choice of words .
• This year ’ s D-Day events will be one of the loneliest • Military police on alert at White House as Trump orders crackdown • East Bay man who allegedly threatened to murder Jews and police sentenced in federal case over attempt to join army • US accuses Russian jets of ‘ unsafe ’ actions near US planes “ America is not a ‘ battle space , ’ ” former Defense Secretary William J. Perry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people he threatens to dominate are American citizens , not enemy combatants .
”

By Robert Burns | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Tensions between the White House and Pentagon have stretched to near a breaking point over President Donald Trump’s threat to use military force against street protests triggered by George Floyd’s death.
Friction in this relationship, historically, is not unusual. But in recent days, and for the second time in Trump’s term, it has raised a prospect of high-level resignations and the risk of lasting damage to the military’s reputation.
Calm may return, both in the crisis over Floyd’s death and in Pentagon leaders’ angst over Trump’s threats to use federal troops to put down protesters. But it could leave a residue of resentment and unease about this president’s approach to the military, whose leaders welcome his push for bigger budgets but chafe at being seen as political tools.
The nub of the problem is that Trump sees no constraint on his authority to use what he calls the “unlimited power” of the military even against U.S. citizens if he believes it necessary. Military leaders generally take a far different view. They believe that active-duty troops, trained to hunt and kill an enemy, should be used to enforce the law only in the most extreme emergency, such as an attempted actual rebellion. That limit exists, they argue, to keep the public’s trust.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper, a West Point graduate who served 10 years on active duty, argued against bringing federal troops into Washington. In a contentious Oval Office meeting with Trump and others on Monday, the president demanded 10,000 federal troops be sent to the capital city, according to a senior defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Esper then pushed for governors from several states to send National Guardsmen as a way of steering Trump away from a buildup of federal forces in Washington, the senior defense official said.
Vincent K. Brooks, a recently retired Army four-star general, says the military’s “sacred trust” with the public has been breached by Trump’s threat to use federal troops for law enforcement in states where he deems a governor has not tough enough against protesters.
“It is a trust that the military, especially the active-duty military — ‘the regulars’ — possessing great physical power and holding many levers that could end freedom in our society and could shut down our government, would never, never apply that power for domestic political purposes,” Brooks wrote in an essay for Harvard University’s Belfer Center, where he is a senior fellow.
Esper has made known his regret at having accompanied Trump to a presidential photo opportunity in front of a church near the White House. He has said he did not see it coming — a blind spot that cost him in the eyes of critics who saw a supposedly apolitical Pentagon chief implicitly endorsing a political agenda.
Esper two days later risked Trump’s ire when he stepped before reporters at the Pentagon to declare his opposition to Trump invoking the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act. That law allows a president to use the armed forces “as he considers necessary” when “unlawful obstructions … or rebellion against the authority of the United States” make it impractical to enforce U.S. laws in any state by normal means.
[vemba-video id=”us/2020/06/05/martial-law-trump-us-military-kayyem-orig-mg.cnn”]
Esper said plainly that he saw no need for such an extreme measure, a clear counterpoint to Trump’s threat to use force. Almost immediately, word came from the White House that Trump was unhappy with his defense secretary.
On Saturday, the White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, said Trump “remains confident” in Esper.
“Secretary Esper has been instrumental in securing our nation’s streets and ensuring Americans have peace and confidence in the security of their places of business, places of worship, and their homes,” she said.
After a night of sometimes violent protesting in Washington last Sunday, Esper pulled several active-duty units, including a military police battalion, to bases just outside the nation’s capital. He never called them into action; just positioning them close to the capital satisfied Trump for the time being, the senior defense official said. On Friday, the last of those active-duty units were being sent back home.
Trump lost his first defense secretary, retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis, over an accumulation of grievances, and it took an unusually long time to replace him. For half a year after Mattis resigned in December 2018, the Pentagon was run by acting secretaries of defense — three in succession, the longest such stretch of interim leadership in Pentagon history — before Esper took over last July.
This week, Mattis added weight to the worry that Trump is militarizing his response to the street protests in Washington and across the nation.
Mattis wrote in an essay for The Atlantic that keeping public order in times of civil unrest is the duty of civilian state and local authorities who best understand their communities and are answerable to them.
“Militarizing our response, as we witnessed in Washington, D.C., sets up a conflict — a false conflict — between the military and civilian society,” Mattis wrote.
The worry felt among Pentagon leaders is reflected in the Joint Chiefs chairman, Gen. Mark Milley, reaching out privately to members of Congress in recent days to discuss concerns about use of the military on American streets.
Milley has been publicly quiet since he caused a stir by joining Esper on the walk with Trump across Lafayette Square last Monday. The optics were awkward. Police had forcibly pushed peaceful protesters out of the way just before Trump and his entourage strolled to St. John’s Church, where Trump held up a Bible.
Esper made matters worse by saying, in a conference call earlier that day with governors, that they should use their National Guard troops to “dominate the battlespace,” a term widely interpreted by critics as suggesting street protesters should be treated like battlefield enemies. Esper said later it was a poor choice of words.


mercurynews--2020-06-07--Horoscopes June 7, 2020: Iggy Azalea, dig in and learn something new.

Happy Birthday : Dig in and learn something new .
Make a point to find exciting ways to use your skills and knowledge .
Financial gains are within reach if you are open to change and willing to embrace a unique lifestyle .
A past connection will play a role in the way you choose to move forward .
Put more emphasis on facts , truth and completion .
Your numbers are 4 , 11 , 17 , 26 , 35 , 37 , 46 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Keep your opinions to yourself , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a priority .
Update your image and skills to suit what you want to pursue next .
Don ’ t limit what you can do when you should embrace the future .
2 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Share with those who bring out the best in you .
Walk away from situations that will limit your time to enjoy the people you care about most .
Intelligence , coupled with an excellent memory , will help you outsmart a troublemaker .
5 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complains .
Be smart with your money and reluctant to let anyone take over or limit what you can do .
Personal improvement is featured and will give you the edge you need to be successful .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Take a unique approach to work , and it will lead to a positive change that enhances how you earn your living .
The support you receive will help you justify investing in picking up skills or equipment that will help you excel .
3 stars LEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be required if you plan to get anything done .
Don ’ t let uncertainty lead you down the wrong path .
Stay focused on being your best , and enjoy doing something that makes you happy .
Romance is in the stars .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Take part in something that will make a difference to your community .
Sticking to the rules and offering suggestions and solutions to those experiencing difficulties will help you realize what ’ s possible and what ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Don ’ t worry about what everyone else is doing .
Concentrate on what will help you excel .
Gather information , and study the possibility of starting a new hobby or updating your skills and knowledge .
Personal growth will lead to a better lifestyle .
2 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : If it ’ s a change you want , make it happen .
Don ’ t wait for someone to make the first move .
Decide what you want , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation ; don ’ t give someone the chance to hold you back .
4 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Joint ventures will cost you emotionally and financially .
When money is involved , pay your way and let everyone else do the same .
Question a relationship that brings out the worst in you .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : A change at home will be uplifting .
Discuss your plans with someone you love .
Get back to basics , and your finances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you no longer need .
Less mess will lead to less stress .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Take care of your needs .
Relax , pamper yourself or do something to boost your morale .
Refuse to let anyone upset you or back you into a corner .
Distance yourself from manipulative people .
Offer peace and love , and reject discord and chaos .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : A change to the way you do things will be enlightening .
Consider what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that direction .
Don ’ t pressure others to do things your way .
If you want freedom , you have to offer it in return .
4 stars Birthday Baby : You are friendly , intelligent and accommodating .
You are curious and factual .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Iggy Azalea, 30;
, 32; Bill Hader, 42; Liam Neeson, 68.
Happy Birthday: Dig in and learn something new. Make a point to find exciting ways to use your skills and knowledge. Financial gains are within reach if you are open to change and willing to embrace a unique lifestyle. A past connection will play a role in the way you choose to move forward. Put more emphasis on facts, truth and completion. Your numbers are 4, 11, 17, 26, 35, 37, 46.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep your opinions to yourself, and avoid an argument. Make personal improvements a priority. Update your image and skills to suit what you want to pursue next. Don’t limit what you can do when you should embrace the future. 2 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Share with those who bring out the best in you. Walk away from situations that will limit your time to enjoy the people you care about most. Intelligence, coupled with an excellent memory, will help you outsmart a troublemaker. 5 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Tidy up loose ends before someone complains. Be smart with your money and reluctant to let anyone take over or limit what you can do. Personal improvement is featured and will give you the edge you need to be successful. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take a unique approach to work, and it will lead to a positive change that enhances how you earn your living. The support you receive will help you justify investing in picking up skills or equipment that will help you excel. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Discipline will be required if you plan to get anything done. Don’t let uncertainty lead you down the wrong path. Stay focused on being your best, and enjoy doing something that makes you happy. Romance is in the stars. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take part in something that will make a difference to your community. Sticking to the rules and offering suggestions and solutions to those experiencing difficulties will help you realize what’s possible and what’s a waste of time. 5 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Concentrate on what will help you excel. Gather information, and study the possibility of starting a new hobby or updating your skills and knowledge. Personal growth will lead to a better lifestyle. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): If it’s a change you want, make it happen. Don’t wait for someone to make the first move. Decide what you want, and start from the ground up. Control the situation; don’t give someone the chance to hold you back. 4 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Joint ventures will cost you emotionally and financially. When money is involved, pay your way and let everyone else do the same. Question a relationship that brings out the worst in you. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A change at home will be uplifting. Discuss your plans with someone you love. Get back to basics, and your finances will improve. Donate or sell items you no longer need. Less mess will lead to less stress. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take care of your needs. Relax, pamper yourself or do something to boost your morale. Refuse to let anyone upset you or back you into a corner. Distance yourself from manipulative people. Offer peace and love, and reject discord and chaos. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A change to the way you do things will be enlightening. Consider what you enjoy doing, and head in that direction. Don’t pressure others to do things your way. If you want freedom, you have to offer it in return. 4 stars
Birthday Baby: You are friendly, intelligent and accommodating. You are curious and factual.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-06-07--Word Game: June 7, 2020

Word Game: June 7, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — PROCEDURE ( PROCEDURE : pruh-SEE-jer : A particular way of accomplishing something . )
Can @ @ @ @ @ words in PROCEDURE ?
To purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order @ @ @ @ @ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words must be of four or more letters @ @ @ @ @ acquire four letters by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ bats @ @ @ @ @ ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ d @ @ @ @ @ ” may not be used .
For example , if “ bake ” is used @ @ @ @ @ “ bakes ” are not allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking ” @ @ @ @ @ Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed @

TODAY’S WORD — PROCEDURE (PROCEDURE: pruh-SEE-jer: A particular way of accomplishing something.)
Average mark 47 words
Time 60 minutes
Can you find 74 or more words in PROCEDURE?
TODAY’S WORD — PROCEDURE peer perdure pore pour pourer proceed procure prod
produce producer proud prouder prude puce pure puree purer purr record recoup recur
redo reduce reed repro reproduce rode rope roue rude ruder rued rupee order ordure
cede cero code coed cope cord core corer coup coupe credo creed creep crepe crop
croup crude cruder cued curd cure curer ecru educe epode erode erred euro decor deep
deer deuce doer dope dour drop drupe dupe updo
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-06-07--Bridge: June 7, 2020

Bridge: June 7, 2020

“ Let me show you a deal in which I displayed fine bidding judgment , ” Unlucky Louie told me in the club lounge .
I groaned inwardly , but Louie produced today ’ s layout and plunged into his narrative .
“ I was East , ” Louie said , “ and after two passes , I opened four hearts .
South overcalled four spades , and after two passes , I doubled to show my extra defensive strength.
” “ So with probably the best hand at the table , ” I sighed , “ you preempted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do ?
” “ He passed , ” Louie said , “ and led his singleton heart .
I won with the ten and led the ace — my highest remaining heart as a suit-preference signal .
Declarer ruffed with the jack of trumps , and my partner discarded instead of overruffing with a sure trump trick .
“ South next took the ace of trumps , ” Louie went on , “ and led the nine .
My partner put up the queen and duly led a diamond to my ace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and whether declarer ruffed high or low , he had to lose a trump to partner ’ s eight .
Down one .
“ I would have gone down at four hearts , ” Louie said proudly , “ but my tactical opening bid pushed South into a losing contract.
” I don ’ t think much of Louie ’ s “ preempt ” with 16 high-card points .
I wonder what he would have thought about his “ fine judgment ” if South hadn ’ t misplayed .
At Trick Two , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ruffing .
On the next heart , he ruffs with the jack , winning .
He takes the ace and leads the nine , and the defense gets only one trump trick .

“Let me show you a deal in which I displayed fine bidding judgment,” Unlucky Louie told me in the club lounge.
I groaned inwardly, but Louie produced today’s layout and plunged into his narrative.
“I was East,” Louie said, “and after two passes, I opened four hearts. South overcalled four spades, and after two passes, I doubled to show my extra defensive strength.”
“So with probably the best hand at the table,” I sighed, “you preempted and then expected your partner to know what to do?”
“He passed,” Louie said, “and led his singleton heart. I won with the ten and led the ace — my highest remaining heart as a suit-preference signal. Declarer ruffed with the jack of trumps, and my partner discarded instead of overruffing with a sure trump trick.
“South next took the ace of trumps,” Louie went on, “and led the nine. My partner put up the queen and duly led a diamond to my ace. Then I led another heart, and whether declarer ruffed high or low, he had to lose a trump to partner’s eight. Down one.
“I would have gone down at four hearts,” Louie said proudly, “but my tactical opening bid pushed South into a losing contract.”
I don’t think much of Louie’s “preempt” with 16 high-card points. I wonder what he would have thought about his “fine judgment” if South hadn’t misplayed. At Trick Two, South must discard his diamond loser instead of ruffing. On the next heart, he ruffs with the jack, winning. He takes the ace and leads the nine, and the defense gets only one trump trick.
West dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S 4 3
H J 8 5 2
D K Q J 7
C K 7 3
WEST
S Q 8 2
H 9
D 10 8 6 5 4
C 10 9 8 4
EAST
S K
H A K Q 10 7 4 3
D A 3 2
C 6 2
SOUTH
S A J 10 9 7 6 5
H 6
D 9
C A Q J 5
West North East South
Pass Pass 4 H(!) 4 S
Pass Pass Dbl All Pass
Opening lead — H 9
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-06-07--Ask Amy: Her pity party on Facebook never ends, and I’m sick of it

DEAR AMY : An old school friend of mine posts often on Facebook .
Her updates are mostly upbeat , entertaining , and harmless .
Over a decade ago , both her brother and her father died of unexpected illnesses .
A sad situation , of course .
Her mother and one remaining sibling are still alive , and they are close .
However , all these years later , she posts about her father and brother on FB regularly , noting , “ Today would have been H ’ s 55th birthday .
I can ’ t believe he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including ( depressingly ) photos of him in the hospital .
Or : “ Today marks 10 years since Dad started his treatment — greatest Dad ever.
” Again , sad and depressing photos .
• Ask Amy : Her religious belief set off a huge conflict • Ask Amy : My boyfriend ’ s buddy was here before me , but I want him gone • Ask Amy : I have this dream every night .
What could it mean ?
• Ask Amy : I found out why my husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he blew up at me • Ask Amy : My husband behaved badly , and now the neighbors snub me She always gets lots of sympathetic reactions to these posts .
Amy , it is exhausting and inappropriate to see these online pity parties of hers .
Everyone suffers loss .
But no one else I know insists on getting attention for those losses , especially monthly ( or more ! )
, so many years after they happened .
For everyone else but her , it seems , grief is not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see .
She is a successful person with a great family and a full life .
Her grief over her loss is no more important , or tragic , than the losses we have all endured , and yet , continue she does — and it makes me angry every time .
How can I let her know how utterly inappropriate these posts are ?
DEAR GRIEVED-OUT : Facebook ’ s algorithm kicks into gear each day to remind users of items they originally posted about years ago .
If her family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or passed away and she posted about it then ( she obviously did ) , Facebook will remind her of these events now .
She is being regularly triggered , and then she is choosing to share .
I happen to agree with you regarding what feel like beseeching entreaties for virtual hugs on social media .
But — guess what ?
— other people don ’ t feel that way .
And the true beauty of the freedom of expression that social media platforms offer is this : people can say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You seem to want to inspire this person to change her behavior , through some magical statement you might compose .
But — if you did that , and she wasn ’ t too wounded to respond , she might well say ( to you ) : “ If you don ’ t like what I post , then don ’ t ‘ follow ’ me !
” If you do choose to admonish her , do so via private message .
Be aware , however , that she could then choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of “ hugs.
” DEAR AMY : My 50-year-old long-term girlfriend is driving me crazy with her habit of saying , “ You know… ” We live separately during the week and speak on the phone each evening .
Last night I did some tallying : 65 “ you knows ” in 15 minutes , often six or seven per minute .
The extreme was five times in 10 seconds !
It is just so distracting and boring .
This wonderful college-educated person is very pleasant and well-informed .
Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is totally unaware .
Mentioning it would do nothing ; I doubt she can change .
I believe a “ deaf ” ear is my only answer ; any ideas ?
DEAR I DO KNOW : My family recently pointed out my own annoying verbal tic ( evidently , I declare many things and people to be “ legendary ” ) .
This knowledge gave me the opportunity to change .
( And so , from now on , only I will be “ legendary.
” ) Give your partner the same opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid-fire verbal tic annoying ( surely , others do , too ) , and challenge her to try to change .
Nothing helps us notice things about ourselves as well as viewing , or listening , to a recording .
Ask her , “ Hey , I double-dog challenge you not to use ‘ you know ’ any time for 10 minutes .
Can I record you ?
” She will take up the challenge ( because she doesn ’ t believe she does this so often ) .
Engage in normal conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all .
Afterward , send her a sound file , without comment , and let her hear what you ’ ve been hearing .
DEAR AMY : Thank you for printing the letter from “ Survivor of Family Intervention ” who modified her behavior after her children complained about her political rants on social media .
My stereotype of a person who rants on social media is someone who just wants to reinforce their own opinions without looking at facts or caring what others think .
I love having my expectations challenged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy , P.O .
Box 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

DEAR AMY: An old school friend of mine posts often on Facebook. Her updates are mostly upbeat, entertaining, and harmless.
Over a decade ago, both her brother and her father died of unexpected illnesses. A sad situation, of course. Her mother and one remaining sibling are still alive, and they are close.
However, all these years later, she posts about her father and brother on FB regularly, noting, “Today would have been H’s 55th birthday. I can’t believe he’s gone…” accompanied by pictures, including (depressingly) photos of him in the hospital. Or: “Today marks 10 years since Dad started his treatment — greatest Dad ever.” Again, sad and depressing photos.
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Amy, it is exhausting and inappropriate to see these online pity parties of hers. Everyone suffers loss. But no one else I know insists on getting attention for those losses, especially monthly (or more!), so many years after they happened. For everyone else but her, it seems, grief is not to be flogged online for everyone else to see.
She is a successful person with a great family and a full life. Her grief over her loss is no more important, or tragic, than the losses we have all endured, and yet, continue she does — and it makes me angry every time.
How can I let her know how utterly inappropriate these posts are?
Grieved-Out
DEAR GRIEVED-OUT: Facebook’s algorithm kicks into gear each day to remind users of items they originally posted about years ago. If her family members entered the hospital, had a birthday, or passed away and she posted about it then (she obviously did), Facebook will remind her of these events now. She is being regularly triggered, and then she is choosing to share.
I happen to agree with you regarding what feel like beseeching entreaties for virtual hugs on social media.
But — guess what? — other people don’t feel that way. And the true beauty of the freedom of expression that social media platforms offer is this: people can say whatever they want. That includes you.
You seem to want to inspire this person to change her behavior, through some magical statement you might compose. But — if you did that, and she wasn’t too wounded to respond, she might well say (to you): “If you don’t like what I post, then don’t ‘follow’ me!”
If you do choose to admonish her, do so via private message. Be aware, however, that she could then choose to post your statement, inspiring another round of “hugs.”
DEAR AMY: My 50-year-old long-term girlfriend is driving me crazy with her habit of saying, “You know…”
We live separately during the week and speak on the phone each evening. Last night I did some tallying: 65 “you knows” in 15 minutes, often six or seven per minute. The extreme was five times in 10 seconds!
It is just so distracting and boring. This wonderful college-educated person is very pleasant and well-informed. Of course, the habit is so ingrained that she is totally unaware.
Mentioning it would do nothing; I doubt she can change.
I believe a “deaf” ear is my only answer; any ideas?
I DO Know
DEAR I DO KNOW: My family recently pointed out my own annoying verbal tic (evidently, I declare many things and people to be “legendary”). This knowledge gave me the opportunity to change. (And so, from now on, only I will be “legendary.”)
Give your partner the same opportunity. Tell her that you find this rapid-fire verbal tic annoying (surely, others do, too), and challenge her to try to change.
Nothing helps us notice things about ourselves as well as viewing, or listening, to a recording. Ask her, “Hey, I double-dog challenge you not to use ‘you know’ any time for 10 minutes. Can I record you?” She will take up the challenge (because she doesn’t believe she does this so often).
Engage in normal conversation. Do not interrupt or prompt her at all. Afterward, send her a sound file, without comment, and let her hear what you’ve been hearing.
DEAR AMY: Thank you for printing the letter from “Survivor of Family Intervention” who modified her behavior after her children complained about her political rants on social media.
My stereotype of a person who rants on social media is someone who just wants to reinforce their own opinions without looking at facts or caring what others think. I love having my expectations challenged.
Challenged
DEAR CHALLENGED: It’s fun to bust up a stereotype.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-06-07--Dear Abby: My pets lick the plates clean. What’s the problem?

DEAR ABBY : My mother-in-law is wigging out because I allow our two cats and our dog to lick mixing bowls and dinner plates before I put them in the dishwasher .
We have an active , healthy family , with no allergies , chronic health problems or obesity .
Our house is clean , although I wouldn ’ t eat off my floors .
Shoes are left in the laundry room .
We have never even had a case of flu , thanks to flu shots , common sense and probably some luck .
Our dishwasher is set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drying cycle .
Am I terrible ?
I fail to see the problem , but she thinks I ’ m liable to poison the kids .
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DEAR WONDERING : You are not going to poison the kids , yourself or her son , but you could cause problems for your feline family members if they happen to eat any garlic or onions .
That said , you may give your mother-in-law a coronary if you continue letting her see what you have been doing .
So , in the interest of family harmony , when she ’ s around , cut it out .
DEAR ABBY : May I share with you a way my husband and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with the idea .
She and her daughter live a good distance from us .
She decided the four of us should have a virtual dinner together three times a week .
We move our dining chairs together and position a tablet opposite us so we are visible on the screen .
They do the same .
We use FaceTime ( Skype or a similar app would also work ) to connect online .
We set dinner on the table , say grace together and proceed to eat — all the while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were in each other ’ s presence .
Abby , I can ’ t tell you how much this has alleviated the feelings of isolation .
We look forward to it all day .
We phone , text and email at other times , as well , but these dinners together are a very special hour or more that give us a feeling of still being connected .
It ’ s a difficult time right now , but this is such a simple thing .
I bless my amazing and wonderful daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DEAR STAYING CLOSE : For those who , because of travel restrictions or financial constraints , can not be together in person , this is a tradition that could continue well after the quarantine has lifted .
I , too , bless your amazing and wonderful daughter for coming up with the idea and you for sharing it .
Salut and bon appetit !
DEAR ABBY : My wife and I have about a dozen nieces and nephews on each side of our family .
As each of them has married , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife and I have two adult children .
When our daughter was married 10 years ago , she had a big reception , with all the best of everything .
Our son chose to elope last year .
He had a small ceremony when they returned — just parents and grandparents .
My wife is now very upset that no one has acknowledged our son ’ s wedding with even a card — let alone a gift .
Should we bring this up to our families ?
Is it customary to give gifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reception ?
DEAR EMPTY-HANDED : I can see why your wife is upset .
Because you have been so generous with your family members when they were married , it would have been thoughtful had they reciprocated with your son .
However , the rule of etiquette is that gifts are required when someone accepts a wedding invitation , and your son chose to elope instead of having one , which may explain the lack of response from your relatives .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: My mother-in-law is wigging out because I allow our two cats and our dog to lick mixing bowls and dinner plates before I put them in the dishwasher.
We have an active, healthy family, with no allergies, chronic health problems or obesity. Our house is clean, although I wouldn’t eat off my floors. Shoes are left in the laundry room. We have never even had a case of flu, thanks to flu shots, common sense and probably some luck.
Our dishwasher is set to do a long wash with a heated drying cycle. Am I terrible? I fail to see the problem, but she thinks I’m liable to poison the kids.
WONDERING IN THE SOUTH
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Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us Advice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant DEAR WONDERING: You are not going to poison the kids, yourself or her son, but you could cause problems for your feline family members if they happen to eat any garlic or onions. That said, you may give your mother-in-law a coronary if you continue letting her see what you have been doing. So, in the interest of family harmony, when she’s around, cut it out.
DEAR ABBY: May I share with you a way my husband and I are staying connected? My daughter came up with the idea.
She and her daughter live a good distance from us. She decided the four of us should have a virtual dinner together three times a week.
We move our dining chairs together and position a tablet opposite us so we are visible on the screen. They do the same. We use FaceTime (Skype or a similar app would also work) to connect online. We set dinner on the table, say grace together and proceed to eat — all the while talking, joking and laughing as if we were in each other’s presence.
Abby, I can’t tell you how much this has alleviated the feelings of isolation. We look forward to it all day. We phone, text and email at other times, as well, but these dinners together are a very special hour or more that give us a feeling of still being connected. It’s a difficult time right now, but this is such a simple thing. I bless my amazing and wonderful daughter every day for thinking of it.
STAYING CLOSE IN CONNECTICUT
DEAR STAYING CLOSE: For those who, because of travel restrictions or financial constraints, cannot be together in person, this is a tradition that could continue well after the quarantine has lifted. I, too, bless your amazing and wonderful daughter for coming up with the idea and you for sharing it. Salut and bon appetit!
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have about a dozen nieces and nephews on each side of our family. As each of them has married, we have given them generous gifts.
My wife and I have two adult children. When our daughter was married 10 years ago, she had a big reception, with all the best of everything. Our son chose to elope last year. He had a small ceremony when they returned — just parents and grandparents.
My wife is now very upset that no one has acknowledged our son’s wedding with even a card — let alone a gift. Should we bring this up to our families? Is it customary to give gifts only when there is a traditional ceremony and reception?
EMPTY-HANDED IN ILLINOIS
DEAR EMPTY-HANDED: I can see why your wife is upset. Because you have been so generous with your family members when they were married, it would have been thoughtful had they reciprocated with your son.
However, the rule of etiquette is that gifts are required when someone accepts a wedding invitation, and your son chose to elope instead of having one, which may explain the lack of response from your relatives.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.