mercurynews--2020-03-14--Iran death toll from virus passes 600, Syria shuts schools

By Amir Vahdat and Zeina Karam | Associated Press TEHRAN , Iran — Iran said Saturday the coronavirus outbreak has killed another 97 people , pushing the death toll in the country to 611 , as war-ravaged Syria announced a number of strict measures despite the government saying it has no confirmed cases .
Iran is suffering from the worst outbreak in the Middle East , with 12,729 cases and even senior officials testing positive .
It is a close ally of the Syrian government in the civil war , with military advisers as well as Shiite pilgrims frequently traveling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns that the number of infections in Iran is much higher than the confirmed cases reported by the government , with some Iranian lawmakers having questioned the official toll .
It ’ s also unclear if local hospitals are able to cope with the influx of new cases , with at least 2,500 new infections announced in just the last two days .
State TV reported earlier this week that hospitals in some areas are overwhelmed .
Authorities have vowed to set up mobile clinics , but have not provided figures on needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spared Iran ’ s top officials , with its senior vice president , Cabinet ministers , members of parliament , Revolutionary Guard members and Health Ministry officials among those infected .
Iran has suspended schools and banned spectators from stadiums , but religious shrines remain open and the markets and streets are still crowded in the capital , Tehran , which has been hit hardest by the virus .
State TV said authorities would “ soon ” close the Masoume shrine in the holy city of Qom , the epicenter of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timeline .
Iran has already applied some restrictions at the popular pilgrimage site , including forbidding the traditional practice of touching and kissing the metal grating .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus in a matter of weeks , but the outbreak has caused more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly contagious , and even those showing no symptoms can spread it , making large gatherings particularly risky .
A number of major sporting events , conferences and other gatherings have been canceled across the globe .
The Syrian government announced a series of precautionary measures , including closing schools and universities until April 2 .
Following a Cabinet meeting Friday evening , the government also said it was canceling all cultural and sporting events , and all other large gatherings , for the time being .
Syria also says it has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossings .
It has suspended travel with neighboring Iraq and Jordan , and it has halted religious tourism for a month .
Even in the tenth year of its devastating civil war , Syria had continued to receive large numbers of pilgrims from Iran , Iraq and neighboring Lebanon .
They particularly visit the shrine of Sayida Zaynab , the prophet Muhammad ’ s granddaughter , in a suburb of the capital , Damascus .
The shrine itself remained open , and health officials were checking pilgrims ’ temperatures before allowing them entry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are scrambling to contain the outbreak .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday that restaurants and places of entertainment would be closed and said everyone should work from home unless absolutely necessary .
But he stopped short of declaring a total lockdown , saying essential services would continue and grocery stores would remain open .
Israel imposed sweeping travel restrictions and quarantine measures more than a week ago , but its confirmed cases have almost doubled in the last two days , to nearly 200 .
The United Arab Emirates , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuing of visas to all foreigners except diplomats .
It also suspended all flights to and from Lebanon , Syria , Turkey and Iraq .
Saudi Arabia said it would halt all flights to the kingdom for two weeks starting Sunday .
Qatar said it would bar entry to all visitors from Italy , France , Germany and Spain , where the number of new cases is on the rise , and require holders of residency permits to enter quarantine for 14 days .
It also suspended entry from Sudan , which reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week .
Sudan , whose infrastructure has been devastated by decades of war and sanctions , banned public gatherings and closed schools and universities for the next month .
Egypt , which has reported more than 100 cases and two fatalities , said it would close all schools and universities for the next two weeks .
In Jordan , where the only known case was a man who recovered , the government suspended all flights into and out of the kingdom except for aid workers and diplomats .
It said schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the smoking of hookahs , or water pipes , in cafes .
In the Gaza Strip , the ruling Hamas militant group has found itself in the odd position of sealing the Palestinian territory ’ s borders .
For more than a decade , Hamas has demanded that Israel and Egypt lift closures they imposed on Gaza after the militants seized power from rival Palestinian security forces .
But on Saturday , Hamas said exit via the Rafah crossing with Egypt would be restricted to “ urgent cases ” and all arrivals would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field hospital near the crossing .
Last week Israel stopped allowing in even the small number of Gazan businessmen and workers with permits , limiting traffic to aid workers and humanitarian cases .
• Garamendi urges HHS to investigate concerns reported during quarantine at Travis AFB • Washington confronts coronavirus with new tools and angst • At the Vatican , even the Swiss Guard can ’ t protect against coronavirus Authorities in Iraq ’ s northern Kurdish region imposed a 48-hour curfew in the cities of Irbil and Sulaimaniyah that began overnight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ including one fatality .
Karam reported from Beirut .
Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus , Salar Salim in Irbil , Iraq , Omar Akour in Amman , Jordan , Samy Magdy in Cairo , Fares Akram in Gaza City , Gaza Strip , and Josef Federman and Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed .

By Amir Vahdat and Zeina Karam | Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Saturday the coronavirus outbreak has killed another 97 people, pushing the death toll in the country to 611, as war-ravaged Syria announced a number of strict measures despite the government saying it has no confirmed cases.
Iran is suffering from the worst outbreak in the Middle East, with 12,729 cases and even senior officials testing positive. It is a close ally of the Syrian government in the civil war, with military advisers as well as Shiite pilgrims frequently traveling between the two countries.
There are concerns that the number of infections in Iran is much higher than the confirmed cases reported by the government, with some Iranian lawmakers having questioned the official toll.
It’s also unclear if local hospitals are able to cope with the influx of new cases, with at least 2,500 new infections announced in just the last two days. State TV reported earlier this week that hospitals in some areas are overwhelmed. Authorities have vowed to set up mobile clinics, but have not provided figures on needs and capabilities.
The outbreak has not spared Iran’s top officials, with its senior vice president, Cabinet ministers, members of parliament, Revolutionary Guard members and Health Ministry officials among those infected.
[vemba-video id=”van/ns-acc/2020/03/04/IN-157WE_CNNA-ST1-1000000005ad19d2″]
Iran has suspended schools and banned spectators from stadiums, but religious shrines remain open and the markets and streets are still crowded in the capital, Tehran, which has been hit hardest by the virus.
State TV said authorities would “soon” close the Masoume shrine in the holy city of Qom, the epicenter of the country’s outbreak, without giving a timeline. Iran has already applied some restrictions at the popular pilgrimage site, including forbidding the traditional practice of touching and kissing the metal grating.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus in a matter of weeks, but the outbreak has caused more than 5,000 deaths worldwide.
The virus is highly contagious, and even those showing no symptoms can spread it, making large gatherings particularly risky. A number of major sporting events, conferences and other gatherings have been canceled across the globe.
The Syrian government announced a series of precautionary measures, including closing schools and universities until April 2.
Following a Cabinet meeting Friday evening, the government also said it was canceling all cultural and sporting events, and all other large gatherings, for the time being.
Syria also says it has taken preventive measures at all ports and border crossings. It has suspended travel with neighboring Iraq and Jordan, and it has halted religious tourism for a month.
Even in the tenth year of its devastating civil war, Syria had continued to receive large numbers of pilgrims from Iran, Iraq and neighboring Lebanon. They particularly visit the shrine of Sayida Zaynab, the prophet Muhammad’s granddaughter, in a suburb of the capital, Damascus. The shrine itself remained open, and health officials were checking pilgrims’ temperatures before allowing them entry.
Other countries across the Middle East are scrambling to contain the outbreak.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday that restaurants and places of entertainment would be closed and said everyone should work from home unless absolutely necessary. But he stopped short of declaring a total lockdown, saying essential services would continue and grocery stores would remain open.
Israel imposed sweeping travel restrictions and quarantine measures more than a week ago, but its confirmed cases have almost doubled in the last two days, to nearly 200.
The United Arab Emirates, a major global travel hub, suspended the issuing of visas to all foreigners except diplomats. It also suspended all flights to and from Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Iraq.
Saudi Arabia said it would halt all flights to the kingdom for two weeks starting Sunday.
Qatar said it would bar entry to all visitors from Italy, France, Germany and Spain, where the number of new cases is on the rise, and require holders of residency permits to enter quarantine for 14 days.
It also suspended entry from Sudan, which reported its first case, a fatality, earlier this week. Sudan, whose infrastructure has been devastated by decades of war and sanctions, banned public gatherings and closed schools and universities for the next month.
Egypt, which has reported more than 100 cases and two fatalities, said it would close all schools and universities for the next two weeks.
In Jordan, where the only known case was a man who recovered, the government suspended all flights into and out of the kingdom except for aid workers and diplomats. It said schools would close for two weeks and banned the smoking of hookahs, or water pipes, in cafes.
In the Gaza Strip, the ruling Hamas militant group has found itself in the odd position of sealing the Palestinian territory’s borders.
For more than a decade, Hamas has demanded that Israel and Egypt lift closures they imposed on Gaza after the militants seized power from rival Palestinian security forces. But on Saturday, Hamas said exit via the Rafah crossing with Egypt would be restricted to “urgent cases” and all arrivals would be quarantined for 14 days at a field hospital near the crossing.
Last week Israel stopped allowing in even the small number of Gazan businessmen and workers with permits, limiting traffic to aid workers and humanitarian cases.
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Karam reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Salar Salim in Irbil, Iraq, Omar Akour in Amman, Jordan, Samy Magdy in Cairo, Fares Akram in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, and Josef Federman and Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--Congress’ emergency coronavirus bill leaves some gaps

WASHINGTON — The House , just before 1 a.m. Saturday , passed an emergency relief package to address the sweeping effects of the coronavirus pandemic and cushion the economic blow to the most vulnerable Americans .
The legislation , the result of round-the-clock negotiations between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , includes a series of measures intended to bolster the safety net for families and workers whose livelihoods and health are affected by the disease .
With President Donald Trump weighing in late to voice his approval — in a tweet Friday evening , only hours before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take up the package in the coming week when they return to Washington .
It is unclear how much the package will cost , because the Congressional Budget Office , the independent federal agency that assesses the revenue effects of legislation , did not have time to calculate a price tag .
Lawmakers from both parties have said that they plan to consider additional stimulus measures in future legislation that is already being discussed .
Here ’ s what ’ s in the package that passed the House early Saturday .
It allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the uninsured .
As the White House moved on Friday to catch up with the surging demand for coronavirus testing , Pelosi emphasized that “ testing , testing , testing ” would be the centerpiece of the legislation .
The final package includes a number of waivers to allow the costs of tests to be covered by insurance and federal government programs .
It also includes a 6.2-percentage point increase in federal payments to Medicaid for states .
There is also $ 64 million for the Indian Health Service to cover the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of federally recognized Native American tribes .
The Department of Veterans Affairs would receive $ 60 million to provide testing for veterans , while the National Disaster Medical System would receive $ 1 billion to reimburse the costs of testing and services to people without health insurance .
There is paid sick leave for workers — but millions aren ’ t covered .
The measure gives some workers two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave , equal to no less than two-thirds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at encouraging people to follow the advice of public health officials who have said the best way to contain the spread of the virus is to have anyone experiencing symptoms stay at home .
But those benefits only apply to employees of businesses with fewer than 500 employees , or the government , who are infected by the virus , quarantined , have a sick family member or are impacted by school closures .
Large employers are excluded , and the Labor Department will have the option of exempting workers at any company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determines that providing paid leave “ would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern.
” Those exemptions could potentially exclude nearly 20 million workers .
About 59 million Americans work for companies with 500 or more employees , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , and about 6.5 million of them do not have any paid sick days .
Another 12 million work for companies with fewer than 50 employees and do not have paid sick days .
( Some large companies have announced since the outbreak began that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who get the virus .
Walmart said it would give up to two weeks of pay ; Target said it would give 14 days . )
The bill also limits benefits to workers who are sick , subject to a quarantine or caring for a family member ; it stops short of what some public health experts have called for — effectively paying any worker to stay home in order to reduce the spread of the virus .
It also excludes “ certain health care providers and emergency responders ” from the benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not foot the bill for paid leave .
The government is providing new tax credits to both help offset the costs of accommodating the new mandate and lessen the economic impact of the outbreak .
The paid leave provisions were among the most contentious elements of the legislation .
Republicans objected to a proposal by Democrats to establish a permanent paid sick leave entitlement for all families , according to a Democratic aide familiar with the negotiations , who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private negotiations .
The provision would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insistence of Republicans , and exemptions are available for small businesses .
The bill includes about $ 1 billion for food security programs aimed at helping those who may struggle to get access to meals during the pandemic , including those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , food banks and free or reduced-price lunch at school .
Those new funds include $ 500 million to help provide nutritious food to low-income pregnant women or mothers with young children who lose their jobs as a result of the coronavirus outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food banks purchase , store and distribute food .
There is also $ 100 million to provide nutrition assistance grants to Puerto Rico , American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands and $ 250 million to provide additional home-delivered and prepackaged meals to low-income seniors who rely on federal programs .
The legislation allows for emergency food assistance to households with children who would receive free or reduced-price meals in school if they close for five days or longer .
Democrats also included language that bars the administration from pushing ahead with tougher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
Under the package , the work and work training requirements for SNAP would be suspended during the coronavirus pandemic .
It strengthens unemployment insurance benefits .
The legislation provides $ 1 billion in 2020 for emergency grants to states to assist with processing and paying unemployment insurance .
Half of those funds would be used to provide immediate additional funding to all states for staffing , technology and other administrative costs .
The other half would be used for emergency grants to states that experienced at least a 10 % increase @ @ @

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

WASHINGTON — The House, just before 1 a.m. Saturday, passed an emergency relief package to address the sweeping effects of the coronavirus pandemic and cushion the economic blow to the most vulnerable Americans.
The legislation, the result of round-the-clock negotiations between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, includes a series of measures intended to bolster the safety net for families and workers whose livelihoods and health are affected by the disease. With President Donald Trump weighing in late to voice his approval — in a tweet Friday evening, only hours before the vote — senators are expected to take up the package in the coming week when they return to Washington.
It is unclear how much the package will cost, because the Congressional Budget Office, the independent federal agency that assesses the revenue effects of legislation, did not have time to calculate a price tag.
Lawmakers from both parties have said that they plan to consider additional stimulus measures in future legislation that is already being discussed.
Here’s what’s in the package that passed the House early Saturday.
It allows for free coronavirus testing for all, including the uninsured.
As the White House moved on Friday to catch up with the surging demand for coronavirus testing, Pelosi emphasized that “testing, testing, testing” would be the centerpiece of the legislation.
The final package includes a number of waivers to allow the costs of tests to be covered by insurance and federal government programs. It also includes a 6.2-percentage point increase in federal payments to Medicaid for states.
There is also $64 million for the Indian Health Service to cover the costs of coronavirus diagnostic testing for members of federally recognized Native American tribes. The Department of Veterans Affairs would receive $60 million to provide testing for veterans, while the National Disaster Medical System would receive $1 billion to reimburse the costs of testing and services to people without health insurance.
There is paid sick leave for workers — but millions aren’t covered.
The measure gives some workers two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave, equal to no less than two-thirds of their pay. The provision is aimed at encouraging people to follow the advice of public health officials who have said the best way to contain the spread of the virus is to have anyone experiencing symptoms stay at home.
But those benefits only apply to employees of businesses with fewer than 500 employees, or the government, who are infected by the virus, quarantined, have a sick family member or are impacted by school closures. Large employers are excluded, and the Labor Department will have the option of exempting workers at any company with fewer than 50 employees if it determines that providing paid leave “would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern.”
Those exemptions could potentially exclude nearly 20 million workers. About 59 million Americans work for companies with 500 or more employees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and about 6.5 million of them do not have any paid sick days. Another 12 million work for companies with fewer than 50 employees and do not have paid sick days. (Some large companies have announced since the outbreak began that they will provide paid leave for workers who get the virus. Walmart said it would give up to two weeks of pay; Target said it would give 14 days.)
The bill also limits benefits to workers who are sick, subject to a quarantine or caring for a family member; it stops short of what some public health experts have called for — effectively paying any worker to stay home in order to reduce the spread of the virus.
It also excludes “certain health care providers and emergency responders” from the benefit.
Companies covered by the policy will not foot the bill for paid leave. The government is providing new tax credits to both help offset the costs of accommodating the new mandate and lessen the economic impact of the outbreak.
The paid leave provisions were among the most contentious elements of the legislation. Republicans objected to a proposal by Democrats to establish a permanent paid sick leave entitlement for all families, according to a Democratic aide familiar with the negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private negotiations.
The provision would expire in a year, at the insistence of Republicans, and exemptions are available for small businesses.
The package increases funding for food assistance programs.
The bill includes about $1 billion for food security programs aimed at helping those who may struggle to get access to meals during the pandemic, including those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food banks and free or reduced-price lunch at school.
Those new funds include $500 million to help provide nutritious food to low-income pregnant women or mothers with young children who lose their jobs as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, and $400 million to help local food banks purchase, store and distribute food. There is also $100 million to provide nutrition assistance grants to Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands and $250 million to provide additional home-delivered and prepackaged meals to low-income seniors who rely on federal programs.
The legislation allows for emergency food assistance to households with children who would receive free or reduced-price meals in school if they close for five days or longer.
Democrats also included language that bars the administration from pushing ahead with tougher work requirements for food stamps beginning April 1. Under the package, the work and work training requirements for SNAP would be suspended during the coronavirus pandemic. It strengthens unemployment insurance benefits.
The legislation provides $1 billion in 2020 for emergency grants to states to assist with processing and paying unemployment insurance.
Half of those funds would be used to provide immediate additional funding to all states for staffing, technology and other administrative costs. The other half would be used for emergency grants to states that experienced at least a 10% increase in unemployment.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--The angry merging debate rages on: Roadshow

Q : Generally speaking , you give pretty good advice .
But argh .
How dare you tell that clueless , arrogant Prius driver that he had the right of way , and it was perfectly fine to continue blocking the right lane on the freeway so a driver in a pickup could not merge ?
A : Yep , that is what I wrote a few days ago .
The pickup driver merging onto the freeway did not have the right of way and should have slowed and merged behind our Prius , pal .
Q : What you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver to show a little courtesy and move over .
Any driver with half a brain knows that if they are in the right or slow lane and approaching a freeway on-ramp , they have room to move over , so do it .
Truck drivers do this all the time .
But since you were once a Prius driver , maybe I expected too much .
I do not blame that angry driver one bit for yelling at the Prius driver .
I see lots and lots of people do it all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
A : But others think the pickup driver was a jerk , too .
Q : The pickup driver who refused to adjust his speed for a safe merge is a jerk .
However , this type of stubbornness is a problem , too , with the Prius guy saying , “ I will not change my speed to let a car merge when there is plenty of space behind me.
” All it takes is two people with that attitude to create a bad situation .
Typically , they both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrongly .
Q : The vehicle code is clear .
Merging traffic must yield to traffic on the freeway .
Ignoring this is dangerous and illegal .
Q : Yet another complaint about people who do not know ( or prefer to ignore ) how to merge on the freeway .
Have we forgotten to forgive , to give people a break , to be nice to each other ?
Just because you have the right of way does not make you right .
Let ’ s not follow the examples of some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in civility .
Put yourself in the shoes of the other person .
Everybody can have a bad day .
There is nothing wrong with being nice to your fellow man .
It might even make you feel good .
A : Yes , it can .
At the least , it might defuse a potential road rage incident .
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats .
Look for Gary at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow @ bayareanewsgroup.com .

Q: Generally speaking, you give pretty good advice. But argh. How dare you tell that clueless, arrogant Prius driver that he had the right of way, and it was perfectly fine to continue blocking the right lane on the freeway so a driver in a pickup could not merge?
Diane G., San Jose
Like Mr. Roadshow’s Facebook page for more questions and answers about Bay Area roads, freeways and commuting.
A: Yep, that is what I wrote a few days ago. The pickup driver merging onto the freeway did not have the right of way and should have slowed and merged behind our Prius, pal.
Q: What you should have done is tell the Prius driver to show a little courtesy and move over. Any driver with half a brain knows that if they are in the right or slow lane and approaching a freeway on-ramp, they have room to move over, so do it. Truck drivers do this all the time. But since you were once a Prius driver, maybe I expected too much.
I do not blame that angry driver one bit for yelling at the Prius driver. I see lots and lots of people do it all the time. And yes, including me.
Diane G.
A: But others think the pickup driver was a jerk, too.
Q: The pickup driver who refused to adjust his speed for a safe merge is a jerk. However, this type of stubbornness is a problem, too, with the Prius guy saying, “I will not change my speed to let a car merge when there is plenty of space behind me.”
All it takes is two people with that attitude to create a bad situation. Typically, they both think they have priority, rightly or wrongly.
Mike Smith
A: And …
Q: The vehicle code is clear. Merging traffic must yield to traffic on the freeway. Ignoring this is dangerous and illegal.
E. John
A: Everyone, take a deep, soothing breath.
Q: Yet another complaint about people who do not know (or prefer to ignore) how to merge on the freeway.
Have we forgotten to forgive, to give people a break, to be nice to each other? Just because you have the right of way does not make you right. Let’s not follow the examples of some of our leaders who are completely lacking in civility. Put yourself in the shoes of the other person. Everybody can have a bad day.
There is nothing wrong with being nice to your fellow man. It might even make you feel good.
Pierre Messerli, Pacifica
A: Yes, it can. At the least, it might defuse a potential road rage incident.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for Gary at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--Is there really a toilet paper shortage?

If there ’ s one image that captures the panic seeping through the United States this week , it might be the empty store shelves where toilet paper usually sits .
Shoppers , preparing for the possibility that the coronavirus could keep them quarantined for weeks or months , have been snapping up every roll they can find .
The more images of stockpiling that emerged on social media , the more panicky buying that ensued .
The result : The household staple has been consistently out of stock , whether at big box stores , at bodegas or on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping gratification and same-day delivery , the idea that something so mundane could be unavailable seemed downright scary and an ominous sign that a basic supply chain is under stress because of the pandemic .
But is there really a toilet paper shortage ?
Major retailers say toilet paper hasn ’ t been out of stock in stores for more than a day or two , or even a few hours .
Manufacturers , paper industry executives say , are raising production to meet demand , but there is only so much capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add .
They want to satisfy panic buying without going overboard and creating a glut on the market when the surge subsides .
Unlike some other products , toilet paper is not likely to be used more by Americans who are stricken with respiratory symptoms , even as the coronavirus spreads .
“ You are not using more of it .
You are just filling up your closet with it , ” said Jeff Anderson , president of Precision Paper Converters , a paper product manufacturer with 65 employees outside Green Bay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer when demand dries up and people have all this extra product in their homes ?
” Anderson ’ s business focuses on facial tissues , which are also in high demand , and he is paying employees overtime to work longer shifts .
“ We can ’ t make as much as they want right now , ” he said .
Perhaps more than in its recent past , the paper industry seems well positioned to meet the surging demand .
After decades of declining sales , as newspapers and printed documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many manufacturers converted to making tissue products , like toilet paper and wipes .
That means there is more manufacturing capacity that can be brought online .
But toilet paper is typically made to order .
Because it takes up so much room , storing large quantities is not profitable , so the industry typically has only a few months of inventory on hand .
“ There is not some big underground warehouse like in ‘ Raiders of the Lost Ark ’ where there is all this toilet paper sitting around in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clarahan , president of United Converting , which sells manufacturing equipment to tissue companies .
In more normal times , toilet paper demand grows by only a few percentage points each year , mirroring population growth .
Asked about the shortages , many retailers would not commit to a specific timetable for when the shelves would be restocked , calling the situation “ fluid.
” A retail analyst , Burt Flickinger of Strategic Resource Group , said big box retailers like Costco and BJ ’ s Wholesale Club have been able to restock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or by the next morning , according to his survey of hundreds of stores across the country this week .
But it ’ s clear that the retailers , even those with experience in dealing with crisis-related demand before a hurricane or a blizzard , are being tested as demand surges across the country all at once .
Walmart said it was adjusting its supply routes to keep up .
The company is picking up many high-demand products at factories and shipping them in trucks directly to stores , bypassing regional distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the frenzied buying , standing in the Rose Garden on Friday next to the executives of major retailers including Walmart .
“ Toilet paper is not an effective way to prevent getting the coronavirus , but they ’ re selling out , ” he said .
People have been sharing images of toilet paper shortages and other empty shelves at Giant Eagle , a private grocery chain that has more than 400 locations and is based in Pittsburgh .
The chain said it had been working to increase the frequency of deliveries of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked corporate employees to assist in stores , where other employees are stocking shelves and fulfilling curbside pickup and delivery orders .
All Giant Eagles have begun to temporarily limit toilet paper purchases to three packages per customer , Dick Roberts , a company spokesman , said in an email .
The vast majority of toilet paper consumed by Americans is made in North America .
But about 10 % of the giant rolls of paper that are used to make the rolls that end up in American bathrooms come from China and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the broader bottleneck of shipments from Asia , as the region begins to recover from the virus outbreak and factories come back online .
Joe Raccuia , chief executive of Morcon Tissue , which makes toilet paper in plants across the United States , said his supplier in Mexico had warned him about delays .
“ It ’ s a matter of weeks , not months , ” said Raccuia , who sells his toilet paper mostly to hotels and restaurants .
It ’ s not just toilet paper that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , there were shortages of hand sanitizer .
By Friday , the panic buying had extended to bottled water and thermometers .
Popular thermometers , like those sold under the Vicks brand , were listed as out of stock on the websites of retailers like Target , Walmart , CVS , Walgreens and Staples .
Even on Amazon , the options were grim .
For example , a Vicks ComfortFlex thermometer that was listed for about $ 10 on Walmart ’ s website was being sold by two sellers on Amazon for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be delivered for at least a week — a far cry from Amazon ’ s usual advantages on price and speed .
Amazon did not respond to a request for comment Friday .

If there’s one image that captures the panic seeping through the United States this week, it might be the empty store shelves where toilet paper usually sits.
Shoppers, preparing for the possibility that the coronavirus could keep them quarantined for weeks or months, have been snapping up every roll they can find. The more images of stockpiling that emerged on social media, the more panicky buying that ensued. The result: The household staple has been consistently out of stock, whether at big box stores, at bodegas or on Amazon.
In an age of instant shopping gratification and same-day delivery, the idea that something so mundane could be unavailable seemed downright scary and an ominous sign that a basic supply chain is under stress because of the pandemic.
But is there really a toilet paper shortage?
Major retailers say toilet paper hasn’t been out of stock in stores for more than a day or two, or even a few hours. Manufacturers, paper industry executives say, are raising production to meet demand, but there is only so much capacity that they can or are willing to add.
They want to satisfy panic buying without going overboard and creating a glut on the market when the surge subsides.
Unlike some other products, toilet paper is not likely to be used more by Americans who are stricken with respiratory symptoms, even as the coronavirus spreads.
“You are not using more of it. You are just filling up your closet with it,” said Jeff Anderson, president of Precision Paper Converters, a paper product manufacturer with 65 employees outside Green Bay, Wisconsin. “What happens in the summer when demand dries up and people have all this extra product in their homes?”
Anderson’s business focuses on facial tissues, which are also in high demand, and he is paying employees overtime to work longer shifts. “We can’t make as much as they want right now,” he said.
Perhaps more than in its recent past, the paper industry seems well positioned to meet the surging demand. After decades of declining sales, as newspapers and printed documents lost out in the digital age, many manufacturers converted to making tissue products, like toilet paper and wipes. That means there is more manufacturing capacity that can be brought online.
But toilet paper is typically made to order. Because it takes up so much room, storing large quantities is not profitable, so the industry typically has only a few months of inventory on hand.
“There is not some big underground warehouse like in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ where there is all this toilet paper sitting around in case it is needed,” said Dan Clarahan, president of United Converting, which sells manufacturing equipment to tissue companies.
In more normal times, toilet paper demand grows by only a few percentage points each year, mirroring population growth.
Asked about the shortages, many retailers would not commit to a specific timetable for when the shelves would be restocked, calling the situation “fluid.” A retail analyst, Burt Flickinger of Strategic Resource Group, said big box retailers like Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club have been able to restock most empty shelves within a few hours, or by the next morning, according to his survey of hundreds of stores across the country this week.
But it’s clear that the retailers, even those with experience in dealing with crisis-related demand before a hurricane or a blizzard, are being tested as demand surges across the country all at once.
Walmart said it was adjusting its supply routes to keep up. The company is picking up many high-demand products at factories and shipping them in trucks directly to stores, bypassing regional distribution centers.
Even President Donald Trump acknowledged the frenzied buying, standing in the Rose Garden on Friday next to the executives of major retailers including Walmart.
“Toilet paper is not an effective way to prevent getting the coronavirus, but they’re selling out,” he said.
People have been sharing images of toilet paper shortages and other empty shelves at Giant Eagle, a private grocery chain that has more than 400 locations and is based in Pittsburgh.
The chain said it had been working to increase the frequency of deliveries of “essential items” to stores and asked corporate employees to assist in stores, where other employees are stocking shelves and fulfilling curbside pickup and delivery orders.
All Giant Eagles have begun to temporarily limit toilet paper purchases to three packages per customer, Dick Roberts, a company spokesman, said in an email.
The vast majority of toilet paper consumed by Americans is made in North America. But about 10% of the giant rolls of paper that are used to make the rolls that end up in American bathrooms come from China and India. Those imports have been delayed because of the broader bottleneck of shipments from Asia, as the region begins to recover from the virus outbreak and factories come back online.
Joe Raccuia, chief executive of Morcon Tissue, which makes toilet paper in plants across the United States, said his supplier in Mexico had warned him about delays.
“It’s a matter of weeks, not months,” said Raccuia, who sells his toilet paper mostly to hotels and restaurants.
It’s not just toilet paper that people are stockpiling, of course. Weeks ago, there were shortages of hand sanitizer. By Friday, the panic buying had extended to bottled water and thermometers.
Popular thermometers, like those sold under the Vicks brand, were listed as out of stock on the websites of retailers like Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and Staples.
Even on Amazon, the options were grim. For example, a Vicks ComfortFlex thermometer that was listed for about $10 on Walmart’s website was being sold by two sellers on Amazon for at least $40 and could not be delivered for at least a week — a far cry from Amazon’s usual advantages on price and speed.
Amazon did not respond to a request for comment Friday.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--Bay Area life grinds to a halt as coronavirus anxiety builds

As worried shoppers strip store shelves bare and nearly everything grinds to a halt amid fears of spreading coronavirus , Bay Area residents are bracing for what could be weeks of uncertainty and major disruption to their daily lives .
With schools , workplaces and other public places shutting down and governments banning large gatherings , people are doing their best to adjust and plan for their new restrictive reality .
Crowds of shoppers lined up outside Bay Area stores Saturday morning and quickly picked shelves clean of frozen foods , meat , bread and toilet paper — a rush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collective anxiety of a region that has been at the center of the pandemic ’ s outbreak in the United States .
Meanwhile , parents scrambled to find ways to keep their kids and themselves from going crazy while trapped in the house with no work or school .
And everyone tried to figure out just how much they should worry about the potentially deadly disease .
“ The world ’ s a little upside down right now , ” said John Kelble as he shopped at the Alemany Farmers Market in San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not sure what to expect.
” Contra Costa County on Saturday became the latest to ban gatherings of 100 or more people as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 29 .
San Mateo County took an even more restrictive step , prohibiting 50 or more people from congregating in a county that had 32 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Saturday .
In Santa Clara County , where public officials announced 17 more cases Saturday — bringing the total to 91 — large gatherings have been banned since Friday .
San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , also is banning large gatherings , as is Alameda County , which had reported seven confirmed COVID-19 cases .
Meanwhile , public schools in San Francisco , Santa Clara , San Mateo , Alameda and Contra Costa counties have closed and won ’ t reopen for weeks , and Stanford and UC Berkeley each reported a confirmed COVID-19 case .
The uncertainty has driven some Bay Area residents to stock up on supplies .
Chicken and beef were practically gone from a Smart and Final in Pleasanton , which has limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand soap , pasta , instant ramen , rice and beans — shoppers can buy to stop people from hoarding .
A line of people holding umbrellas and pushing empty carts waited in the rain outside a Costco in South San Francisco .
And another location of the warehouse store in Richmond pulled down the garage door at its entrance because it had already reached its capacity less than half an hour after opening .
For 35-year-old Steve Caples , the timing of the coronavirus panic couldn ’ t be worse .
Caples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intending to find work as a bartender .
But now that people are staying home , bars and restaurants around the region are cutting hours .
“ It ’ s crazy , ” he said .
“ It ’ s going to be very tough to get a job in the service industry.
” Caples had considered taking advantage of the situation by buying a plane ticket to New York for a vacation while prices are low .
But he ’ s mindful of the risk .
“ I can ’ t shake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it could kill them , ” he said .
A weather forecast predicting rain for most of the weekend and coming week compounded Bay Area residents ’ frustration , by taking off the table the hikes and other outdoor activities they ’ d been looking forward to while everything else is closed .
“ There ’ s not much I can do .
I can ’ t really leave the house much anymore , ” said 11-year-old Naomi Bloom of Pleasanton .
Her school , Mohr Elementary , is closed .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Basketball and her school science fair have been canceled .
On Saturday , she and her father were stocking up on books at the Oakland library ’ s Lakeview branch before it closes on Monday .
Zeke and Sarah Durantini , of Oakland , spent Saturday afternoon buying supplies to keep themselves and their family occupied during the shutdown — colored pencils and oil pastels for the kids , and the ingredients for mai-tais for mom and dad .
Starting Monday , Zeke , who typically goes to work at Magnolia Brewing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition to life as a stay-at-home dad and home-school teacher .
School has been canceled for the couple ’ s second- and fourth-grade daughters , and Zeke will be working from home and leading them through their online lessons .
“ It ’ s going to be a big adjustment for all of us , that ’ s for sure , ” he said .
Zeke worries about how he ’ ll keep the kids active all day , but his plan is to stick to a schedule similar to their typical routine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning “ recess.
” To get their social fix , on Sunday the Durantinis are planning a game of charades — not in person , but over Facetime — with some friends in San Francisco .
For Jason McNeely , a 37-year-old private tutor from New York , the coronavirus closures have put a damper on his Bay Area vacation .
McNeely , who comes here every year to visit friends , was supposed to stay with a friend in San Francisco , but had to find new lodging after the elementary school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down and advised students to self-quarantine for two weeks .
Now he ’ s staying with another friend in Oakland , who also has kids that aren ’ t in school .
As a result , the vacation has turned into a “ babysitting trip , ” and adults-only long hikes or outings to restaurants are mostly off the table , McNeely said .
It ’ s left him unsure how to occupy himself for the rest of the trip .
“ It would be a shame to come to San Francisco , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole time , ” he said .
After President Donald Trump on Saturday suggested the government may restrict domestic travel , McNeely also worries he won ’ t be able to get home .
He ’ s already reserved a rental car , just in case he can ’ t fly back to New York .
While many Bay Area residents were staying home Saturday , others were out and about supporting local businesses struggling during the coronavirus outbreak , or simply staving off boredom .
Dress shops , arcades and massage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in San Bruno stood mostly empty as employees looked at their phones or wiped down tables .
For Natalia and Isaac Dacanay , the mall was a place to go now that their schools have closed and switched to take-home work .
They said it was unusually empty for a Saturday .
• Is there really a toilet paper shortage ?
• Coronavirus : San Mateo County bans gatherings of more than 50 people “ We ’ re kinda bored so we ’ re here to waste time , ” Natalia said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ errands in Oakland , saw a silver lining .
“ I ’ m kind of really just viewing it as a nice opportunity to spend extra time with the family , ” she said .

Marisa Kendall, Leonardo Castañeda, Nico Savidge

CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
As worried shoppers strip store shelves bare and nearly everything grinds to a halt amid fears of spreading coronavirus, Bay Area residents are bracing for what could be weeks of uncertainty and major disruption to their daily lives.
With schools, workplaces and other public places shutting down and governments banning large gatherings, people are doing their best to adjust and plan for their new restrictive reality. Crowds of shoppers lined up outside Bay Area stores Saturday morning and quickly picked shelves clean of frozen foods, meat, bread and toilet paper — a rush of stocking up that reflects the rising collective anxiety of a region that has been at the center of the pandemic’s outbreak in the United States.
Meanwhile, parents scrambled to find ways to keep their kids and themselves from going crazy while trapped in the house with no work or school. And everyone tried to figure out just how much they should worry about the potentially deadly disease.
“The world’s a little upside down right now,” said John Kelble as he shopped at the Alemany Farmers Market in San Francisco on Saturday. “I’m not sure what to expect.”
Contra Costa County on Saturday became the latest to ban gatherings of 100 or more people as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 29. San Mateo County took an even more restrictive step, prohibiting 50 or more people from congregating in a county that had 32 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Saturday. In Santa Clara County, where public officials announced 17 more cases Saturday — bringing the total to 91 — large gatherings have been banned since Friday. San Francisco, with 28 cases as of Saturday, also is banning large gatherings, as is Alameda County, which had reported seven confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Meanwhile, public schools in San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa counties have closed and won’t reopen for weeks, and Stanford and UC Berkeley each reported a confirmed COVID-19 case.
The uncertainty has driven some Bay Area residents to stock up on supplies. Chicken and beef were practically gone from a Smart and Final in Pleasanton, which has limited how much of certain items — like hand soap, pasta, instant ramen, rice and beans — shoppers can buy to stop people from hoarding.
A line of people holding umbrellas and pushing empty carts waited in the rain outside a Costco in South San Francisco. And another location of the warehouse store in Richmond pulled down the garage door at its entrance because it had already reached its capacity less than half an hour after opening.
For 35-year-old Steve Caples, the timing of the coronavirus panic couldn’t be worse. Caples moved to Oakland from Chico last week intending to find work as a bartender. But now that people are staying home, bars and restaurants around the region are cutting hours.
“It’s crazy,” he said. “It’s going to be very tough to get a job in the service industry.”
Caples had considered taking advantage of the situation by buying a plane ticket to New York for a vacation while prices are low. But he’s mindful of the risk. “I can’t shake hands with anybody over 60 after that because it could kill them,” he said.
A weather forecast predicting rain for most of the weekend and coming week compounded Bay Area residents’ frustration, by taking off the table the hikes and other outdoor activities they’d been looking forward to while everything else is closed.
“There’s not much I can do. I can’t really leave the house much anymore,” said 11-year-old Naomi Bloom of Pleasanton.
Her school, Mohr Elementary, is closed. So is the park near her house. Basketball and her school science fair have been canceled. On Saturday, she and her father were stocking up on books at the Oakland library’s Lakeview branch before it closes on Monday.
Zeke and Sarah Durantini, of Oakland, spent Saturday afternoon buying supplies to keep themselves and their family occupied during the shutdown — colored pencils and oil pastels for the kids, and the ingredients for mai-tais for mom and dad. Starting Monday, Zeke, who typically goes to work at Magnolia Brewing in San Francisco during the day, will transition to life as a stay-at-home dad and home-school teacher. School has been canceled for the couple’s second- and fourth-grade daughters, and Zeke will be working from home and leading them through their online lessons.
“It’s going to be a big adjustment for all of us, that’s for sure,” he said.
Zeke worries about how he’ll keep the kids active all day, but his plan is to stick to a schedule similar to their typical routine — including snack and play breaks during morning “recess.”
To get their social fix, on Sunday the Durantinis are planning a game of charades — not in person, but over Facetime — with some friends in San Francisco.
For Jason McNeely, a 37-year-old private tutor from New York, the coronavirus closures have put a damper on his Bay Area vacation. McNeely, who comes here every year to visit friends, was supposed to stay with a friend in San Francisco, but had to find new lodging after the elementary school his friend’s daughter attends shut down and advised students to self-quarantine for two weeks. Now he’s staying with another friend in Oakland, who also has kids that aren’t in school.
As a result, the vacation has turned into a “babysitting trip,” and adults-only long hikes or outings to restaurants are mostly off the table, McNeely said. It’s left him unsure how to occupy himself for the rest of the trip.
“It would be a shame to come to San Francisco, the Bay Area, and watch movies the whole time,” he said.
After President Donald Trump on Saturday suggested the government may restrict domestic travel, McNeely also worries he won’t be able to get home. He’s already reserved a rental car, just in case he can’t fly back to New York.
While many Bay Area residents were staying home Saturday, others were out and about supporting local businesses struggling during the coronavirus outbreak, or simply staving off boredom.
Dress shops, arcades and massage parlors at the Stores at Tanforan mall in San Bruno stood mostly empty as employees looked at their phones or wiped down tables.
For Natalia and Isaac Dacanay, the mall was a place to go now that their schools have closed and switched to take-home work. They said it was unusually empty for a Saturday.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “We’re kinda bored so we’re here to waste time,” Natalia said.
But 38-year-old Genevieve Hernandez, out running errands in Oakland, saw a silver lining.
“I’m kind of really just viewing it as a nice opportunity to spend extra time with the family,” she said.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--Review: HyperX Cloud Flight S shows wireless gaming headsets can be comfortable

Wireless gaming headsets usually had a trade-off .
For the convenience of removing cords near the face , players had to endure a set of cans that were heavier and bulkier than their wired counterparts .
Comfort was sacrificed for the sake of convenience , but the HyperX Cloud Flight S shows that a device can excel at both .
It can give players a good wireless experience and be wearable for hours at a time .
That shouldn ’ t be surprising coming from HyperX .
The peripheral maker built the HyperX Cloud after all .
That brand line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for marathon sessions .
They ’ re my go-to headsets if I ’ m playing anything beyond two hours .
With the HyperX Cloud Flight S , the company brings that same care and attention to ergonomics and design to the wireless gaming headset .
Not only does the device have good sound , but it also boasts a notable extra — wireless charging .
It ’ s not a game-changing feature , but it is a desirable perk for two reasons .
The first is that it ’ s an extra layer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do is put it on any Qi wireless charger — it ’ s often the same ones available for smartphones — and let it power up .
Users can also plug a micro-USB cord to charge the Cloud Flight S. The second benefit is that wireless charging is a godsend when players don ’ t have that cord available or if the plug is obstructed .
Think of wireless charging as a back-up plan if things go wrong .
In many cases , the Qi standard is the closest tech consumers have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to actual audio , users will find a good headset that produces solid sound .
It ’ s not the type of booming and rich audio that will make them sit up and take notice .
When compared to the Sennheiser GSP 600 , the Cloud Flight S lacks a certain punch .
The mids and highs are good , but the headset doesn ’ t bring out the more delicate notes like the sound of running water in a scene or the clatter of a headress .
Even the bass ends up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s decent nonetheless .
Although the quality of sound is good , the way the Cloud Flight S handles spatial audio is top notch .
Using a custom-tuned 7.1 surround sound setup , the headset accurately tracks the audio around users .
That means in gameplay , they ’ ll be able to hear if gunshots are coming in front of them or to the side in competitive shooters such “ Fortnite.
” In horror games such as “ Resident Evil 2 , ” the growling or snarls from unseen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the type of headset designed to give players an edge in games where sound matters .
For streamers , they ’ ll be happy to learn that the Cloud Flight S is easy on the ears .
At 300 grams without the boom microphone , it ’ s lighter than its peers .
For example , the Astro A50 weighs in at 363 grams and the Sennheiser GSP 670 is a bulky 398 grams .
( The GSP 370 is still lighter at 285 grams . )
Users can wear these without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the device will hold up with its 30-hour battery life .
That ’ s enough juice for players to pull a marathon session and still keep going the next day if they forget to charge it .
If great battery life weren ’ t enough , the Cloud Flight S has fantastic range .
Players can walk a little beyond 20 meters from a console and hear what ’ s going on .
That means one can grab a soda in the kitchen downstairs and still know what ’ s going on in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cloud Flight S is cleverly designed so that players can get to what they need by touch .
The button to switch from stereo to 7.1 surround sound is convex while the On button is concave so players can easily distinguish them .
The volume knob goes endlessly and the device will beep once users hit max volume .
Meanwhile , the left ear cup has buttons that let players mute the microphone and mix the audio between the game and chat .
The buttons aren ’ t labeled so they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own , but they are easily available without having to look at the headset .
Lastly , the earcups be turned sideways and sit flat on the shoulders .
Again , these aren ’ t ground-breaking design choices but taken altogether , it shows that HyperX took great care into crafting the Cloud Flight S. The small details are what should be appreciated .
They contribute to a greater user-experience .
The one big flaw in the HyperX Cloud Flight S is the NGenuity Software that ’ s supposed to augment the experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had trouble getting the software to work .
It took some experimentation and figuring out the differences between the legacy and beta versions .
Once it gets working though , the PC software is fine but a little barebones .
Players can customize the button layout on the earcup and they can configure the game-chat balance , but there ’ s nothing that lets users get into the nitty-gritty or easily share or use other customization options .
Although the software is lackluster , that doesn ’ t overshadow the excellent hardware design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s built for comfort and marathon gaming sessions of “ Fortnite , ” “ Apex Legends ” or any other competitive title gamers throw at it .
The HyperX Cloud Flight S costs $ 159.99 and is compatible with the PlayStation 4 and PC .

Wireless gaming headsets usually had a trade-off. For the convenience of removing cords near the face, players had to endure a set of cans that were heavier and bulkier than their wired counterparts.
Comfort was sacrificed for the sake of convenience, but the HyperX Cloud Flight S shows that a device can excel at both. It can give players a good wireless experience and be wearable for hours at a time.
That shouldn’t be surprising coming from HyperX. The peripheral maker built the HyperX Cloud after all. That brand line is the definition of comfort and built for marathon sessions. They’re my go-to headsets if I’m playing anything beyond two hours.
With the HyperX Cloud Flight S, the company brings that same care and attention to ergonomics and design to the wireless gaming headset. Not only does the device have good sound, but it also boasts a notable extra — wireless charging.
It’s not a game-changing feature, but it is a desirable perk for two reasons. The first is that it’s an extra layer of convenience. All users have to do is put it on any Qi wireless charger — it’s often the same ones available for smartphones — and let it power up. Users can also plug a micro-USB cord to charge the Cloud Flight S. The second benefit is that wireless charging is a godsend when players don’t have that cord available or if the plug is obstructed. Think of wireless charging as a back-up plan if things go wrong. In many cases, the Qi standard is the closest tech consumers have to a universal charger.
When it comes to actual audio, users will find a good headset that produces solid sound. It’s not the type of booming and rich audio that will make them sit up and take notice. When compared to the Sennheiser GSP 600, the Cloud Flight S lacks a certain punch. The mids and highs are good, but the headset doesn’t bring out the more delicate notes like the sound of running water in a scene or the clatter of a headress. Even the bass ends up distorted and muddy in the deeper frequencies but it’s decent nonetheless.
Although the quality of sound is good, the way the Cloud Flight S handles spatial audio is top notch. Using a custom-tuned 7.1 surround sound setup, the headset accurately tracks the audio around users. That means in gameplay, they’ll be able to hear if gunshots are coming in front of them or to the side in competitive shooters such “Fortnite.” In horror games such as “Resident Evil 2,” the growling or snarls from unseen monsters feel closer than normal. This is the type of headset designed to give players an edge in games where sound matters.
For streamers, they’ll be happy to learn that the Cloud Flight S is easy on the ears. At 300 grams without the boom microphone, it’s lighter than its peers. For example, the Astro A50 weighs in at 363 grams and the Sennheiser GSP 670 is a bulky 398 grams. (The GSP 370 is still lighter at 285 grams.) Users can wear these without feeling fatigue over several hours, and the device will hold up with its 30-hour battery life. That’s enough juice for players to pull a marathon session and still keep going the next day if they forget to charge it.
If great battery life weren’t enough, the Cloud Flight S has fantastic range. Players can walk a little beyond 20 meters from a console and hear what’s going on. That means one can grab a soda in the kitchen downstairs and still know what’s going on in a game.
In addition, the Cloud Flight S is cleverly designed so that players can get to what they need by touch. The button to switch from stereo to 7.1 surround sound is convex while the On button is concave so players can easily distinguish them. The volume knob goes endlessly and the device will beep once users hit max volume. Meanwhile, the left ear cup has buttons that let players mute the microphone and mix the audio between the game and chat. The buttons aren’t labeled so they’ll have to learn the function on their own, but they are easily available without having to look at the headset. Lastly, the earcups be turned sideways and sit flat on the shoulders.
Again, these aren’t ground-breaking design choices but taken altogether, it shows that HyperX took great care into crafting the Cloud Flight S. The small details are what should be appreciated. They contribute to a greater user-experience.
Related Articles Entertainment | Review: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X meshes comfort with performance
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What to play: ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ will keep gamers busy during August Entertainment | ‘First Descendant’ crossplay beta delayed until September but will be open to all The one big flaw in the HyperX Cloud Flight S is the NGenuity Software that’s supposed to augment the experience. I downloaded it, but I had trouble getting the software to work. It took some experimentation and figuring out the differences between the legacy and beta versions. Once it gets working though, the PC software is fine but a little barebones. Players can customize the button layout on the earcup and they can configure the game-chat balance, but there’s nothing that lets users get into the nitty-gritty or easily share or use other customization options.
Although the software is lackluster, that doesn’t overshadow the excellent hardware design of the Cloud Flight S. It’s built for comfort and marathon gaming sessions of “Fortnite,” “Apex Legends” or any other competitive title gamers throw at it.
The HyperX Cloud Flight S costs $159.99 and is compatible with the PlayStation 4 and PC.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: San Mateo County bans gatherings of more than 50 people

SAN MATEO COUNTY — Two days after San Mateo County County Health Officer Scott Morrow issued an order banning gatherings of 250 more people , he further tightened the restriction to legally prohibit gatherings of more than 50 people in the county .
The mandate will go into effect 12:01 a.m. Sunday and continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 6 .
The order also bars gatherings of fewer than 50 unless event hosts implement certain risk mitigation measures , which includes : ensuring attendees can stand or sit at least six feet from any other person ; providing soap and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guests at least 24 hours prior to the event gatherings pose a heightened risk of COVID-19 transmission , and that older adults and individuals with existing health conditions are at “ particularly serious risk if they contract COVID-19 ” and should not attend ; and disinfecting surfaces before , during and after the event .
The order does not include group living situations like dormitories or assisted living situations , or “ normal operations ” at airports or transit hubs , commercial office space or hotels , regular religious services , grocery stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or medical facilities .
As of Saturday , there were 32 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county .
San Mateo County ’ s ban followed others made on Saturday , including in Contra Costa and San Francisco , where health officials barred all gatherings of over 100 people as the number of confirmed cases continued to rise .

SAN MATEO COUNTY — Two days after San Mateo County County Health Officer Scott Morrow issued an order banning gatherings of 250 more people, he further tightened the restriction to legally prohibit gatherings of more than 50 people in the county.
The mandate will go into effect 12:01 a.m. Sunday and continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 6.
The order also bars gatherings of fewer than 50 unless event hosts implement certain risk mitigation measures, which includes: ensuring attendees can stand or sit at least six feet from any other person; providing soap and water or hand sanitizer; alerting prospective guests at least 24 hours prior to the event gatherings pose a heightened risk of COVID-19 transmission, and that older adults and individuals with existing health conditions are at “particularly serious risk if they contract COVID-19” and should not attend; and disinfecting surfaces before, during and after the event.
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As of Saturday, there were 32 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.
San Mateo County’s ban followed others made on Saturday, including in Contra Costa and San Francisco, where health officials barred all gatherings of over 100 people as the number of confirmed cases continued to rise.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--More ‘Hamilton’ performances canceled due to coronavirus

Organizers are canceling even “ Hamilton ” shows in San Francisco ’ s Oprheum Theatre due to coronavirus concerns .
BroadwaySF have announced that the hit Broadway musical , which had already been canceled for the rest of March , will remain dark through April due to the City of San Francisco ’ s recent mandate to ban events larger of 100 or more people .
The organization also announced that the entire cancellation of the upcoming San Francisco run of “ The Book of Mormon , ” which was set to open on March 31 and run through April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other BroadwaySF shows impacted by the ban are : Sting ’ s musical , which was set to run through March 22 at the Golden Gate Theatre , has been canceled .
“ Men Are from Mars — Women Are from Venue Live !
” The production , scheduled for March 20-21 at the Marines ’ Memorial Theatre , has been canceled .
Other shows impacted by coronavirus include “ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ” at the Curran Theater in San Francisco .
The play , which was originally set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will now be suspended another full month , according to a statement from organizers .
“ Last night , the San Francisco Health Officer restricted all events to a maximum of 100 persons through April 30 , 2020 .
As such , performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at San Francisco ’ s Curran Theater will now be suspended through Thursday , April 30 , ” the statement reads .

Organizers are canceling even “Hamilton” shows in San Francisco’s Oprheum Theatre due to coronavirus concerns.
BroadwaySF have announced that the hit Broadway musical, which had already been canceled for the rest of March, will remain dark through April due to the City of San Francisco’s recent mandate to ban events larger of 100 or more people.
The organization also announced that the entire cancellation of the upcoming San Francisco run of “The Book of Mormon,” which was set to open on March 31 and run through April 26 at the Golden Gate Theatre.
Other BroadwaySF shows impacted by the ban are:
“The Last Ship”
Sting’s musical, which was set to run through March 22 at the Golden Gate Theatre, has been canceled.
“Men Are from Mars — Women Are from Venue Live!”
The production, scheduled for March 20-21 at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre, has been canceled.
Other shows impacted by coronavirus include “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” at the Curran Theater in San Francisco. The play, which was originally set to go dark through the end of March, will now be suspended another full month, according to a statement from organizers.
“Last night, the San Francisco Health Officer restricted all events to a maximum of 100 persons through April 30, 2020. As such, performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at San Francisco’s Curran Theater will now be suspended through Thursday, April 30,” the statement reads.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--‘Book of Mormon’ San Francisco run canceled due to coronavirus

“ The Book of Mormon ” will not be coming to San Francisco this spring .
Promoters BroadwaySF have announced that the hit Broadway musical , which was set to play March 31 through April 26 Golden Gate Theatre , has been canceled due to the City of San Francisco ’ s recent mandate to ban events larger of 100 or more people .
Other BroadwaySF shows impacted by the ban are : Sting ’ s musical , which was set to run through March 22 at the Golden Gate Theatre , has been canceled .
Shows at the Oprheum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 30 “ Men Are from Mars — Women Are from Venue Live !
” The production , scheduled for March 20-21 at the Marines ’ Memorial Theatre , has been canceled .
Other shows impacted by coronavirus include “ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child ” at the Curran Theater in San Francisco .
The play , which was originally set to go dark through the end of March , will now be suspended another full month , according to a statement from organizers .
“ Last night , the San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum of 100 persons through April 30 , 2020 .
As such , performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at San Francisco ’ s Curran Theater will now be suspended through Thursday , April 30 , ” the statement reads .

“The Book of Mormon” will not be coming to San Francisco this spring.
Promoters BroadwaySF have announced that the hit Broadway musical, which was set to play March 31 through April 26 Golden Gate Theatre, has been canceled due to the City of San Francisco’s recent mandate to ban events larger of 100 or more people.
Other BroadwaySF shows impacted by the ban are:
“The Last Ship”
Sting’s musical, which was set to run through March 22 at the Golden Gate Theatre, has been canceled.
“Hamilton”
Shows at the Oprheum Theatre in San Francisco are canceled through April 30
“Men Are from Mars — Women Are from Venue Live!”
The production, scheduled for March 20-21 at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre, has been canceled.
Other shows impacted by coronavirus include “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” at the Curran Theater in San Francisco. The play, which was originally set to go dark through the end of March, will now be suspended another full month, according to a statement from organizers.
“Last night, the San Francisco Health Officer restricted all events to a maximum of 100 persons through April 30, 2020. As such, performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at San Francisco’s Curran Theater will now be suspended through Thursday, April 30,” the statement reads.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--Navarrette: For women in politics, it’s a crazy world–just ask Warren

SAN DIEGO — Just like in the mind-bending 1944 film “ Gaslight , ” some men like to make women think they ’ re crazy .
You don ’ t know what you ’ re talking about .
You ’ re imagining things .
She ’ s just a friend from work .
This is my first drink .
No , of course , I didn ’ t blow the rent money at the racetrack .
It ’ s a cruel sport .
Rather than take responsibility for their own misdeeds , gaslighters try to change the subject by convincing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you ’ re seeing , not hearing what you ’ re hearing , or not experiencing what you ’ re experiencing .
Guess what ?
Elizabeth Warren is not crazy .
She was present , mindful and lucid for every minute of her unsuccessful White House bid .
And the Massachusetts senator believes that one thing that tripped her up — and stuck Democrats with a sad choice between two old white men , neither of whom seems as smart or as capable as Warren — was ol ’ fashioned sexism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired of the “ -isms.
” No time for racism , nativism , ethnocentrism , anti-Semitism — or , in this case , sexism ?
I figured .
Americans have famously short memories , and we feel like everything our society did wrong is tucked away safely in the past .
We never think about the vestiges of historical injustices .
We resist political correctness and mock the “ woke.
” Eager to let ourselves off the hook , we think that all our sins were wiped clean by the social movements of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the race , some people took to social media to dismiss the suggestion that sexism played a role in her electoral misfortune .
After all , they said , she got elected a U.S. senator , didn ’ t she ?
Sure , that ’ s the same thing .
But just because you ’ re tired of hearing about the “ -isms ” doesn ’ t mean they no longer exist .
Sexism is alive and well .
In politics , and in media , some men still treat women as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you seen a cable news show lately , where male commentators too frequently ignore the females sitting next to them , brushing past their points as they hurry to make their own ?
How can so many smart people who aced social studies come up short on social skills ?
Last fall , Warren was the Democratic front-runner and the media ’ s preferred candidate .
But that was before her campaign veered into a ditch just before the Iowa caucuses .
Things really started to go sideways for Warren in mid-January , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders had told her , essentially , that running for president against Donald Trump was man ’ s work .
Specifically , Warren said , Sanders believed that a woman could not defeat President Trump in 2020 .
But once the statement passed through the media meat grinder , what came out was a much broader allegation — advanced by Warren supporters — that Sanders had said that a woman could not be elected president .
Ever .
The episode backfired on Warren , making her look thin-skinned and devious enough to launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ironically , it was that reaction that proved Sanders right .
It is much harder for a woman to be elected president than a man , and much of that is because men make it harder than it needs to be .
If the game is rigged , it was men who rigged it .
That ’ s why I was pleased to hear Warren — as she spoke to reporters outside her home in Cambridge , Massachusetts , on the day she exited the race — address what she described as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tries to break new ground but fails , someone will ask her if she thinks sexism played a role .
No matter how she responds , she can ’ t win .
“ Gender in this race , you know , that is the trap question for every woman , ” Warren said .
“ If you say , ‘ yeah , there was sexism in this race , ’ everyone says ‘ whiner.
’ And if you say , ‘ no , there was no sexism , ’ about a bazillion women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live on ? '
” Say what you like about Warren , her ideas or her campaign .
Maybe she wasn ’ t your cup of tea .
She wasn ’ t mine .
But in this year ’ s Democratic primary , Warren was the spark plug .
Years from now , when political historians look back on this election , they ’ re likely to say that , when she left the field , she took a lot of the enthusiasm with her .
• Navarrette : Politics has the magical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navarrette : Biden , Warren still have a lot of fight left in them • Navarrette : Nevada could decide which Democrats hit the jackpot • Letter : The economy pushed Trump to act , not compassion • Letter : We may face a demoralizing choice : Biden or Trump ?
• Letter : The world could avoid much COVID-19 misery and death

SAN DIEGO — Just like in the mind-bending 1944 film “Gaslight,” some men like to make women think they’re crazy.
You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re imagining things. She’s just a friend from work. This is my first drink. No, of course, I didn’t blow the rent money at the racetrack.
It’s a cruel sport. Rather than take responsibility for their own misdeeds, gaslighters try to change the subject by convincing you that you’re not seeing what you’re seeing, not hearing what you’re hearing, or not experiencing what you’re experiencing.
Guess what? Elizabeth Warren is not crazy. She was present, mindful and lucid for every minute of her unsuccessful White House bid. And the Massachusetts senator believes that one thing that tripped her up — and stuck Democrats with a sad choice between two old white men, neither of whom seems as smart or as capable as Warren — was ol’ fashioned sexism.
Let me guess. You’re tired of the “-isms.” No time for racism, nativism, ethnocentrism, anti-Semitism — or, in this case, sexism?
I figured. Americans have famously short memories, and we feel like everything our society did wrong is tucked away safely in the past. We never think about the vestiges of historical injustices. We resist political correctness and mock the “woke.” Eager to let ourselves off the hook, we think that all our sins were wiped clean by the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
After Warren left the race, some people took to social media to dismiss the suggestion that sexism played a role in her electoral misfortune. After all, they said, she got elected a U.S. senator, didn’t she? Sure, that’s the same thing.
But just because you’re tired of hearing about the “-isms” doesn’t mean they no longer exist.
Sexism is alive and well. In politics, and in media, some men still treat women as if they’re inferior. Have you seen a cable news show lately, where male commentators too frequently ignore the females sitting next to them, brushing past their points as they hurry to make their own? How can so many smart people who aced social studies come up short on social skills?
Last fall, Warren was the Democratic front-runner and the media’s preferred candidate. But that was before her campaign veered into a ditch just before the Iowa caucuses.
Things really started to go sideways for Warren in mid-January, when she alleged that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders had told her, essentially, that running for president against Donald Trump was man’s work. Specifically, Warren said, Sanders believed that a woman could not defeat President Trump in 2020. But once the statement passed through the media meat grinder, what came out was a much broader allegation — advanced by Warren supporters — that Sanders had said that a woman could not be elected president. Ever.
The episode backfired on Warren, making her look thin-skinned and devious enough to launch a late hit on a chief rival. Ironically, it was that reaction that proved Sanders right. It is much harder for a woman to be elected president than a man, and much of that is because men make it harder than it needs to be. If the game is rigged, it was men who rigged it.
That’s why I was pleased to hear Warren — as she spoke to reporters outside her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on the day she exited the race — address what she described as the impossible question.
Whenever a woman tries to break new ground but fails, someone will ask her if she thinks sexism played a role. No matter how she responds, she can’t win.
“Gender in this race, you know, that is the trap question for every woman,” Warren said. “If you say, ‘yeah, there was sexism in this race,’ everyone says ‘whiner.’ And if you say, ‘no, there was no sexism,’ about a bazillion women think, ‘what planet do you live on?'”
Say what you like about Warren, her ideas or her campaign. Maybe she wasn’t your cup of tea. She wasn’t mine.
But in this year’s Democratic primary, Warren was the spark plug. Years from now, when political historians look back on this election, they’re likely to say that, when she left the field, she took a lot of the enthusiasm with her.


mercurynews--2020-03-15--Pipeline owner agrees to pay $60M over 2015 California spill

SANTA BARBARA , Calif. ( AP ) — The owner of an oil pipeline that spewed thousands of barrels of crude oil onto Southern California beaches in 2015 will pay $ 60 million to settle allegations that it violated safety laws , the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday .
Texas-based Plains All American Pipeline didn ’ t admit any wrongdoing or liability in the consent decree that will end a lawsuit filed on behalf of federal and state agencies .
But it agreed to operational changes and to five years of federal and state scrutiny to ensure it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agreement still must undergo a public comment period and needs federal court approval .
On May 19 , 2015 , oil gushed from a corroded pipeline north of Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County , northwest of Los Angeles .
The spill blackened popular beaches for miles , killed or fouled hundred of seabirds , seals and other wildlife and hurt tourism and fishing .
It was the worst California coastal oil spill since 1969 .
Nearly 3,000 barrels of oil were released , or about 100,000 gallons .
Federal inspectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ errors , failed to quickly detect the pipeline rupture and responded too slowly as oil flowed toward the ocean .
Plains operators working from a Texas control room more than 1,000 miles away had turned off an alarm that would have signaled a leak and , unaware a spill had occurred , restarted the hemorrhaging line after it had shut down , which only made matters worse , inspectors found .
Plains apologized for the spill and paid for the cleanup .
The company ’ s 2017 annual report estimated costs from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including lost revenues .
The company also revised its plans for dealing with onshore pipeline spills .
The consent decree includes $ 24 million in penalties and more than $ 22 million in compensation for damage to the environment .
That money will be used for restoration , recreation , education and research projects .
Plains also agreed to bring its nationwide pipeline system into compliance with federal safety laws .
The spill crippled the local oil business because the pipeline was used to transport crude to refineries from seven offshore rigs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been idle since the spill .
Plains has applied for permission to build a pipeline .
The decree “ represents a significant step and is the culmination of collaborative discussions with federal and state agencies over the course of a multi-year period , ” Plains spokesman Brad Leone said in a statement .
“ The consent decree sets forth certain improvement actions that we are implementing into our operations .
We take our responsibility for the safe delivery of energy resources very seriously.
” • Richmond slammed with multiple federal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ petcoke • An honor fit for a pop diva : New insect named for Lady Gaga • Half of California now in drought — why recent rains didn ’ t alter trend • Lawsuit threatened over ship strikes on whales near California ports California ’ s worst coastal oil spill was the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill that leaked at least 80,000 barrels of crude , or about 3 million gallons , into the Santa Barbara Channel .

SANTA BARBARA — The owner of an oil pipeline that spewed thousands of barrels of crude oil onto Southern California beaches in 2015 will pay $60 million to settle allegations that it violated safety laws, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday.
Texas-based Plains All American Pipeline didn’t admit any wrongdoing or liability in the consent decree that will end a lawsuit filed on behalf of federal and state agencies. But it agreed to operational changes and to five years of federal and state scrutiny to ensure it is obeying the pollution and safety rules.
The agreement still must undergo a public comment period and needs federal court approval.
On May 19, 2015, oil gushed from a corroded pipeline north of Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County, northwest of Los Angeles. The spill blackened popular beaches for miles, killed or fouled hundred of seabirds, seals and other wildlife and hurt tourism and fishing.
It was the worst California coastal oil spill since 1969. Nearly 3,000 barrels of oil were released, or about 100,000 gallons.
Federal inspectors found that Plains had made several preventable errors, failed to quickly detect the pipeline rupture and responded too slowly as oil flowed toward the ocean.
Plains operators working from a Texas control room more than 1,000 miles away had turned off an alarm that would have signaled a leak and, unaware a spill had occurred, restarted the hemorrhaging line after it had shut down, which only made matters worse, inspectors found.
Plains apologized for the spill and paid for the cleanup. The company’s 2017 annual report estimated costs from the spill at $335 million, not including lost revenues. The company also revised its plans for dealing with onshore pipeline spills.
The consent decree includes $24 million in penalties and more than $22 million in compensation for damage to the environment. That money will be used for restoration, recreation, education and research projects.
Plains also agreed to bring its nationwide pipeline system into compliance with federal safety laws.
The spill crippled the local oil business because the pipeline was used to transport crude to refineries from seven offshore rigs, including three owned by Exxon Mobil, that have been idle since the spill.
Plains has applied for permission to build a pipeline.
The decree “represents a significant step and is the culmination of collaborative discussions with federal and state agencies over the course of a multi-year period,” Plains spokesman Brad Leone said in a statement. “The consent decree sets forth certain improvement actions that we are implementing into our operations. We take our responsibility for the safe delivery of energy resources very seriously.”


mercurynews--2020-03-15--Letter: Milpitas BART extension is becoming laughable

The Milpitas and Berryessa/North San Jose BART extension is becoming laughable .
Delay after delay after delay .
In private @ @ @ @ @ or program suffered this many delays from bad planning and incompetence , heads would roll @ @ @ @ @ walked out the door .
• Letter : Some Bay Area workers need a doctor @ @ @ @ @ home ?
• Letter : One thing many Bernie backers and Trump have in common @ @ @ @ @ pushed Trump to act , not compassion • Letter : We may face a demoralizing @ @ @ @ @ ?
It is past time for BART/VTA to start kicking some backside .
If this @ @ @ @ @ time to clean house and re-staff project leadership with people who can get the job @ @ @ @ @ is enough .
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Milpitas BART extension
is becoming laughable
The Milpitas and Berryessa/North San Jose BART extension is becoming laughable. Delay after delay after delay.
Latest word is late April 2020, maybe.
In private industry, if a project or program suffered this many delays from bad planning and incompetence, heads would roll. Incompetent managers would be walked out the door.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps It is past time for BART/VTA to start kicking some backside. If this April date is missed, time to clean house and re-staff project leadership with people who can get the job done per schedule. Enough is enough.
John Stokes
Milpitas
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