mercurynews--2020-11-22--Los Angles County posts 4,522 new coronavirus cases as state curfew arrives

Warily watching daily caseload reports that could soon trigger more restrictive stay-home orders , Los Angeles County public health officials reported 4,522 new coronavirus infections on Saturday , Nov. 21 , as the unnerving current surge showed no sign of relenting .
Meanwhile , California was poised to enact a nighttime curfew Saturday night as spiking coronavirus cases threaten to swamp health care systems .
Statewide , the newest restrictions require people not on essential errands to stay home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Dec. 21 , with a possible extension if rapidly worsening trends don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for groceries , pick up food and even walk their dogs .
County officials Friday had already reduced the number of customers allowed for many businesses .
Restaurants , breweries and wineries must cap occupancy to 50 % of their outdoor seating .
Indoor retail stores , personal care business and offices may have no more than 25 % occupancy .
Cardrooms and outdoor entertainment centers are now limited to 50 % .
No more than 15 people should attend any outdoor social gathering , and such groups should be limited to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county averages more than 4,000 newly reported cases a day for a five-day period — or 1,750 hospitalizations — it would end in-person dining entirely ; restaurants would only be able to offer food for takeout and delivery .
If cases or hospitalizations reach 4,500 or 2,000 , respectively , the county will go on lockdown and impose a stay-at-home order for three weeks .
However , county public health Director Barbara Ferrer said businesses would be given several days ’ warning before the rules are enacted .
Hospitalizations , too , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,391 on Saturday — the highest since August — representing a major increase from a month ago when daily hospitalizations were around 730 .
About 26 % of patients are being treated in intensive-care units , officials said .
Over the past four days , the county has reported 17,769 new cases for a four-day average of 4,442 .
Sunday ’ s report will be closely monitored as officials watch for a five-day average that would switch on the tougher rules .
Thursday saw the county ’ s highest daily case count since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Saturday ’ s county update did not include new figures from Long Beach or Pasadena , which operate their own health departments .
Pasadena ’ s 30 new cases raised its total since the pandemic began to 3,311 ; its death toll of 131 did not change .
Long Beach did not update its dashboard Saturday ; as of Friday , the city had reported 14,999 cases and 270 deaths .
Another 34 deaths were also reported Saturday .
So far , the virus has claimed the lives of 7,429 people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide .
“ We send our deepest sympathies to the families and friends that are grieving a loved one lost to COVID-19 , ” said Ferrer .
“ Although this pandemic seems like it will never end , I assure you that it will .
We thank everyone who is working hard and has incorporated public health guidance into their daily lives .
We ask everyone to renew their efforts to slow the spread by staying home as much as possible , to always wear face covering securely over your nose and mouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those not in your household .
LA County , the state ’ s largest with about 10 million people , could see even more stringent lockdowns as early as next week as its caseload and hospitalization figures reach stratospheric levels .
The county accounts for a quarter of the state ’ s 40 million residents , but it has about a third of the coronavirus cases and close to 40 % of the deaths .
“ We ’ re seeing cases increased at a faster rate than we saw over the summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks really bad now and we ’ ve had … three terrible days in terms of case rates and increases in hospitalizations.
” Restaurant owners around the county hunkered down for the curfew .
“ Before , we had closed at 10 p.m. , seating our last guests around then , ” said Chris Martinez , manager of Saint & Second in Long Beach ’ s Belmont Shore , on Saturday .
“ So this only really pushed everything back by about an hour .
We still seat a good amount of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone up.
” Martinez added : “ ( A curfew ) beats the alternative of being closed.
” But the new restrictions — and the promise of more — worried Gregg Smith , owner of three Pasadena restaurants , including the Parkway Grill .
“ It ’ s tragic , ” he said .
“ Especially after spending tens and tens and tens of thousands of dollars getting heaters and getting ready for the weather and cold , and now to be tossed this — boy , it ’ s tough.
” For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst possible time .
Much of his business comes from the holidays and he always has customers who want to stick around for a nightcap after their evening meals .
He doesn ’ t know if he ’ s supposed to kick them out at 10 pm or not ; he ’ s never done anything like that , ever .
“ I think this whole thing has been totally mismanaged , ” he said .
“ But for the health and welfare for our city , our state , our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curfew.
” West Hollywood , famously known for its clubs and vibrant LGBT community , “ will be impacted like no other city ” by the curfew , Mayor Lindsey Horvath said .
“ These businesses have created places , safe places for our LGBT community to go out in particular , to enjoy our nightlife , to be together in community , ” Horvath said .
“ It ’ s terribly heartbreaking to see what ’ s happening right now.
” Rocco Temasamani , who was selling jewelry at a stand at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , said the curfew will just anger people who consider it government overreach , particularly supporters of President Donald Trump .
“ How are you going to enforce it ?
” he asked .
“ You have enough police to give out tickets ?
” Authorities say the focus of the restrictions are on keeping people from social mixing and drinking — the kinds of activities that are blamed for causing COVID-19 infections to soar after dipping only a few months ago .
Dr. Mark Cullen , an infectious disease expert who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the underlying goal is based on a reasonable interpretation of data .
“ Large numbers of people getting together oblivious of controls — no masks , no social distancing , often indoors — a lot of those things are in fact occurring at night , ” Cullen said .
However , he also questioned whether a limited curfew will be effective .
The curfew applies to 41 of the state ’ s 58 counties that are in the “ purple ” tier , the most restrictive of four state tiers allowing various stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 94 % of the nearly 40 million people living in the most populous U.S. state .
LA County hasn ’ t budged from the purple tier since the program was instituted .
California as a whole has seen more than 1 million infections , with a record 13,000 new cases recorded Thursday .
Officials hope to avoid full-on lockdown orders of the kind enacted back when the COVID-19 pandemic was gaining steam in March .
Public health officials since then have reacted to swings in infection rates by easing and then reinforcing various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety and the economy .
The result , however , has been confusion and what some health officials term “ COVID fatigue ” in which people simply become tired of the rules and let down their guard .
Pushback on COVID-19 rules also came from groups representing thousands of fitness centers .
Most gyms in the state have closed or are limited to outdoors .
The surge was also setting off impacts beyond the business limits .
January is no longer a realistic timeframe for Los Angeles Unified to reopen schools , outgoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Do I think it ’ s going to happen ?
No , I don ’ t , ” he said .
“ The way it stands right now , I don ’ t think January is realistic , especially over winter break when people are going to be celebrating with families and traveling .
I ’ m worried.
” School districts in counties that remain in the most restrictive tier on the state ’ s COVID-19 watch list , which includes Los Angeles County , aren ’ t allowed to reopen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LAUSD has never opted to apply for waivers for partial reopenings due to concerns about the area ’ s coronavirus transmission rates .
Dozens of waivers for small-group reopenings have been approved around the county , but it remains to be seen if officials will allow that to continue .
The California Fitness Alliance said the administration of Gov .
Gavin Newsom is using “ arbitrary criteria that defy both science and common sense … to determine the level of risk at which businesses must close , causing thousands of Californians in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • ‘ It ’ s kind of like a nightmare ’ : How Bank of America helped fuel California ’ s unemployment meltdown • Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler tests positive for Covid but is undergoing further testing • Fewer Bay Area Thanksgiving travelers , but some take flight despite health officials ’ warnings Health officials acknowledge that the curfew will help flatten the infection rates only if people heed it voluntarily .
Violators could face fines or be charged with a misdemeanor , and businesses could have their business licenses revoked .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The curfew even could be counterproductive , said Dr. Lee Riley , an infectious disease professor at the University of California , Berkeley , School of Public Health .
Officials in London who tried a similar approach found that “ if anything , for the young people it may have increased their social gathering activities , ” he said .
“ They can ’ t go out , so they congregate in somebody ’ s home or dormitories.
” “ I ’ m not sure how effective this is going to be , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state feels that they have to do something .
I think it ’ s going to be mostly a cosmetic effect and not so much a real impact on interrupting this transmission.
” SCNG staffers David Rosenfeld , Bradley Bermont and Ryan Carter contributed to this report , as well as The Associated Press and City News Service .

Hunter Lee, The Associated Press, City News Service

Warily watching daily caseload reports that could soon trigger more restrictive stay-home orders, Los Angeles County public health officials reported 4,522 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, Nov. 21, as the unnerving current surge showed no sign of relenting.
Meanwhile, California was poised to enact a nighttime curfew Saturday night as spiking coronavirus cases threaten to swamp health care systems. Statewide, the newest restrictions require people not on essential errands to stay home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Dec. 21, with a possible extension if rapidly worsening trends don’t improve. People are allowed to shop for groceries, pick up food and even walk their dogs.
County officials Friday had already reduced the number of customers allowed for many businesses. Restaurants, breweries and wineries must cap occupancy to 50% of their outdoor seating. Indoor retail stores, personal care business and offices may have no more than 25% occupancy. Cardrooms and outdoor entertainment centers are now limited to 50%. No more than 15 people should attend any outdoor social gathering, and such groups should be limited to three households.
Officials had said that if the county averages more than 4,000 newly reported cases a day for a five-day period — or 1,750 hospitalizations — it would end in-person dining entirely; restaurants would only be able to offer food for takeout and delivery. If cases or hospitalizations reach 4,500 or 2,000, respectively, the county will go on lockdown and impose a stay-at-home order for three weeks.
However, county public health Director Barbara Ferrer said businesses would be given several days’ warning before the rules are enacted.
Hospitalizations, too, are posting dramatic increases, up to 1,391 on Saturday — the highest since August — representing a major increase from a month ago when daily hospitalizations were around 730. About 26% of patients are being treated in intensive-care units, officials said.
Over the past four days, the county has reported 17,769 new cases for a four-day average of 4,442. Sunday’s report will be closely monitored as officials watch for a five-day average that would switch on the tougher rules.
Thursday saw the county’s highest daily case count since the pandemic began with 5,031 cases reported.
Saturday’s county update did not include new figures from Long Beach or Pasadena, which operate their own health departments. Pasadena’s 30 new cases raised its total since the pandemic began to 3,311; its death toll of 131 did not change. Long Beach did not update its dashboard Saturday; as of Friday, the city had reported 14,999 cases and 270 deaths.
Another 34 deaths were also reported Saturday. So far, the virus has claimed the lives of 7,429 people in L.A. County and more than 250,000 people nationwide.
“We send our deepest sympathies to the families and friends that are grieving a loved one lost to COVID-19,” said Ferrer. “Although this pandemic seems like it will never end, I assure you that it will. We thank everyone who is working hard and has incorporated public health guidance into their daily lives. We ask everyone to renew their efforts to slow the spread by staying home as much as possible, to always wear face covering securely over your nose and mouth when out and to avoid being with those not in your household.
LA County, the state’s largest with about 10 million people, could see even more stringent lockdowns as early as next week as its caseload and hospitalization figures reach stratospheric levels. The county accounts for a quarter of the state’s 40 million residents, but it has about a third of the coronavirus cases and close to 40% of the deaths.
“We’re seeing cases increased at a faster rate than we saw over the summer,” Ferrer said. “The data looks really bad now and we’ve had … three terrible days in terms of case rates and increases in hospitalizations.”
Restaurant owners around the county hunkered down for the curfew.
“Before, we had closed at 10 p.m., seating our last guests around then,” said Chris Martinez, manager of Saint & Second in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore, on Saturday. “So this only really pushed everything back by about an hour. We still seat a good amount of people, but our curbside pickups have also gone up.”
Martinez added: “(A curfew) beats the alternative of being closed.”
But the new restrictions — and the promise of more — worried Gregg Smith, owner of three Pasadena restaurants, including the Parkway Grill.
“It’s tragic,” he said. “Especially after spending tens and tens and tens of thousands of dollars getting heaters and getting ready for the weather and cold, and now to be tossed this — boy, it’s tough.”
For Smith, it’s coming at the worst possible time. Much of his business comes from the holidays and he always has customers who want to stick around for a nightcap after their evening meals. He doesn’t know if he’s supposed to kick them out at 10 pm or not; he’s never done anything like that, ever.
“I think this whole thing has been totally mismanaged,” he said. “But for the health and welfare for our city, our state, our country, we will certainly abide by the curfew.”
West Hollywood, famously known for its clubs and vibrant LGBT community, “will be impacted like no other city” by the curfew, Mayor Lindsey Horvath said.
“These businesses have created places, safe places for our LGBT community to go out in particular, to enjoy our nightlife, to be together in community,” Horvath said. “It’s terribly heartbreaking to see what’s happening right now.”
Rocco Temasamani, who was selling jewelry at a stand at San Diego’s Ocean Beach on Friday, said the curfew will just anger people who consider it government overreach, particularly supporters of President Donald Trump.
“How are you going to enforce it?” he asked. “You have enough police to give out tickets?”
Authorities say the focus of the restrictions are on keeping people from social mixing and drinking — the kinds of activities that are blamed for causing COVID-19 infections to soar after dipping only a few months ago.
Dr. Mark Cullen, an infectious disease expert who recently retired from Stanford University, said the underlying goal is based on a reasonable interpretation of data.
“Large numbers of people getting together oblivious of controls — no masks, no social distancing, often indoors — a lot of those things are in fact occurring at night,” Cullen said. However, he also questioned whether a limited curfew will be effective.
The curfew applies to 41 of the state’s 58 counties that are in the “purple” tier, the most restrictive of four state tiers allowing various stages of economic reopening. Those counties encompass 94% of the nearly 40 million people living in the most populous U.S. state. LA County hasn’t budged from the purple tier since the program was instituted.
California as a whole has seen more than 1 million infections, with a record 13,000 new cases recorded Thursday.
Officials hope to avoid full-on lockdown orders of the kind enacted back when the COVID-19 pandemic was gaining steam in March. Public health officials since then have reacted to swings in infection rates by easing and then reinforcing various stay-at-home orders in an effort to balance safety and the economy.
The result, however, has been confusion and what some health officials term “COVID fatigue” in which people simply become tired of the rules and let down their guard.
Pushback on COVID-19 rules also came from groups representing thousands of fitness centers. Most gyms in the state have closed or are limited to outdoors.
The surge was also setting off impacts beyond the business limits.
January is no longer a realistic timeframe for Los Angeles Unified to reopen schools, outgoing board President Richard Vladovic said Friday. “Do I think it’s going to happen? No, I don’t,” he said. “The way it stands right now, I don’t think January is realistic, especially over winter break when people are going to be celebrating with families and traveling. I’m worried.”
School districts in counties that remain in the most restrictive tier on the state’s COVID-19 watch list, which includes Los Angeles County, aren’t allowed to reopen to the general student body anyway. But LAUSD has never opted to apply for waivers for partial reopenings due to concerns about the area’s coronavirus transmission rates.
Dozens of waivers for small-group reopenings have been approved around the county, but it remains to be seen if officials will allow that to continue.
The California Fitness Alliance said the administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom is using “arbitrary criteria that defy both science and common sense … to determine the level of risk at which businesses must close, causing thousands of Californians in the fitness field to lose their jobs.”
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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 Health officials acknowledge that the curfew will help flatten the infection rates only if people heed it voluntarily. Violators could face fines or be charged with a misdemeanor, and businesses could have their business licenses revoked. But counties are mainly responsible for enforcement.
The curfew even could be counterproductive, said Dr. Lee Riley, an infectious disease professor at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health.
Officials in London who tried a similar approach found that “if anything, for the young people it may have increased their social gathering activities,” he said. “They can’t go out, so they congregate in somebody’s home or dormitories.”
“I’m not sure how effective this is going to be,” Riley said. “But the state feels that they have to do something. I think it’s going to be mostly a cosmetic effect and not so much a real impact on interrupting this transmission.”
SCNG staffers David Rosenfeld, Bradley Bermont and Ryan Carter contributed to this report, as well as The Associated Press and City News Service.


mercurynews--2020-11-22--Man arrested, passenger dies after crashing into California police car

A passenger died and the driver was arrested after a car struck a Santa Ana police SUV with two officers @ @ @ @ @ 20 , the Santa Ana Police Department said .
The officers were in some pain @ @ @ @ @ to a hospital as a precaution , Cpl .
Anthony Bertagna said .
The crash @ @ @ @ @ a report of trespassing at 1300 N. Lowell St. about 10:35 p.m. As officers were @ @ @ @ @ car traveling eastbound crashed head-on into the parked patrol car , Bertagna said .
A @ @ @ @ @ a woman , was taken to Orange County Global Medical Center , where she died @ @ @ @ @ driver , who police identified as Jesus Emmanuel Perez of Santa Ana , was arrested @ @ @ @ @ manslaughter while driving under the influence .

A passenger died and the driver was arrested after a car struck a Santa Ana police SUV with two officers inside Friday night, Nov. 20, the Santa Ana Police Department said.
The officers were in some pain, so they were taken to a hospital as a precaution, Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.
The crash happened as officers were investigating a report of trespassing at 1300 N. Lowell St. about 10:35 p.m. As officers were preparing to leave, a car traveling eastbound crashed head-on into the parked patrol car, Bertagna said.
A passenger in the Honda, a woman, was taken to Orange County Global Medical Center, where she died, Bertagna said. The driver, who police identified as Jesus Emmanuel Perez of Santa Ana, was arrested on suspicion of felony vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence.


mercurynews--2020-11-22--Horoscopes Nov. 22, 2020: Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo share advice

Happy Birthday : Step away from conflict and unpredictable situations .
Concentrate on getting your life and goals in order , and rid yourself of past regrets and situations that hold you hostage .
Look for new ways to make use of your resources , and update your skills to suit trends .
Take the initiative to turn negatives into positives and to live life your way .
Your numbers are 4 , 10 , 19 , 27 , 32 , 40 , 49 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Approach situations realistically .
When dealing with loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support .
Consider what you can do to get up and moving .
Physical fitness will ease stress , and romance will enhance your relationship .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : You ’ ve got what it takes to bring about a positive change .
Discuss your plans with someone you love , and together you can change the way you do things and how you live .
Focus on love , creativity and family , and improve your life .
4 stars GEMINI ( May 21-June 20 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
Someone will use information against you to discredit your ability to pursue something you want .
A secretive approach will be necessary if you want to avoid interference and reach your goal .
2 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Take a chance .
Don ’ t let anxiety stop you from going after what you want .
Discuss your plans with someone you love , and a change to the way you live will unfold .
Love is in the stars , and romance will improve your life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 ) : Do something energetic .
Focus on self-improvement , discipline and building confidence .
You may not welcome a change someone makes , but in the end , it will be beneficial .
Let go of the past and head in a new direction .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Take action , bring about change and discuss your plans with friends and family .
A new beginning , a change of scenery or expanding your interests , knowledge and skills will lead to a brighter future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise .
3 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Anger is a waste of time .
Put your energy to better use and do something that will improve your life , not cause uncertainty .
Be willing to listen , compromise and find a solution that won ’ t disrupt your life or upset those you love .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Discuss your plans with someone you love , and make changes that will encourage you to live the life that brings you peace and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to set goals and to strive to reach the destination of your choice .
5 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : A physical outlet will calm your nerves .
Don ’ t let anyone meddle in your affairs .
It ’ s best to verify information , not jump to conclusions .
Tidy up your space , and make room to start a new project .
Don ’ t give up on someone you love .
2 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : Take your plan to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trends .
You owe it to yourself to bring about change that benefits you personally and professionally .
Romance is in the stars and will improve your relationship with someone special .
4 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Don ’ t get involved in someone ’ s grievance .
Look out for your interests , and handle and protect your finances and lifestyle from anyone trying to disrupt what you ’ ve worked so hard to achieve .
Be smart , direct and unyielding .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , take control and develop a plan that will bring about positive change physically , emotionally and financially .
Focus on romance and your relationship with the ones you love .
Personal gain is within reach .
A joint venture will pay off .
3 stars Birthday Baby : You are imaginative , smart and helpful .
You are energetic and responsive .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Scarlett Johansson, 36; Mark Ruffalo, 53; Jamie Lee Curtis, 62; Steve Van Zandt, 70.
Happy Birthday: Step away from conflict and unpredictable situations. Concentrate on getting your life and goals in order, and rid yourself of past regrets and situations that hold you hostage. Look for new ways to make use of your resources, and update your skills to suit trends. Take the initiative to turn negatives into positives and to live life your way. Your numbers are 4, 10, 19, 27, 32, 40, 49.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Approach situations realistically. When dealing with loved ones, be receptive and offer positive support. Consider what you can do to get up and moving. Physical fitness will ease stress, and romance will enhance your relationship. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ve got what it takes to bring about a positive change. Discuss your plans with someone you love, and together you can change the way you do things and how you live. Focus on love, creativity and family, and improve your life. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be careful what you share with others. Someone will use information against you to discredit your ability to pursue something you want. A secretive approach will be necessary if you want to avoid interference and reach your goal. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take a chance. Don’t let anxiety stop you from going after what you want. Discuss your plans with someone you love, and a change to the way you live will unfold. Love is in the stars, and romance will improve your life. 5 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do something energetic. Focus on self-improvement, discipline and building confidence. You may not welcome a change someone makes, but in the end, it will be beneficial. Let go of the past and head in a new direction. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take action, bring about change and discuss your plans with friends and family. A new beginning, a change of scenery or expanding your interests, knowledge and skills will lead to a brighter future. Love and romance are on the rise. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Anger is a waste of time. Put your energy to better use and do something that will improve your life, not cause uncertainty. Be willing to listen, compromise and find a solution that won’t disrupt your life or upset those you love. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Discuss your plans with someone you love, and make changes that will encourage you to live the life that brings you peace and happiness. It’s up to you to set goals and to strive to reach the destination of your choice. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A physical outlet will calm your nerves. Don’t let anyone meddle in your affairs. It’s best to verify information, not jump to conclusions. Tidy up your space, and make room to start a new project. Don’t give up on someone you love. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take your plan to the next level. Update skills and follow trends. You owe it to yourself to bring about change that benefits you personally and professionally. Romance is in the stars and will improve your relationship with someone special. 4 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t get involved in someone’s grievance. Look out for your interests, and handle and protect your finances and lifestyle from anyone trying to disrupt what you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Be smart, direct and unyielding. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Use your imagination, take control and develop a plan that will bring about positive change physically, emotionally and financially. Focus on romance and your relationship with the ones you love. Personal gain is within reach. A joint venture will pay off. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are imaginative, smart and helpful. You are energetic and responsive.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


Word Game: Nov. 22, 2020

Can you find 56 or more words in GRANDEUR ?
To purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
@ @ @ @ @ $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words must be of four or more @ @ @ @ @ that acquire four letters by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ @ @ @ @ @ , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ @ @ @ @ @ s ” may not be used .
For example , if “ bake ” is @ @ @ @ @ or “ bakes ” are not allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking @ @ @ @ @ .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not @ @

TODAY’S WORD — GRANDEUR (GRANDEUR: GRAN-jer: Magnificence.)
Average mark 39 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 56 or more words in GRANDEUR?
TODAY’S WORD — GRANDEUR gander garden garner gear gerund gnar grade grader
grand grander guard rage rang range ranger rare read rear regard rend reran rerun rude
ruder rued rune rung aged ager ague anger argue arguer augend auger near nude nudge
danger dare darer darn darner dean dear drag dreg drug dune dung earn errand under
unread urea urge
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.


Bridge: Nov. 22, 2020

At a seminar I gave , someone asked how to handle opening hands with a five-card suit and a lower-ranking six-card suit .
Say you hold 3 , A Q 8 6 4 , A J 9 6 4 2 , Q .
Should you open one diamond , planning to “ reverse ” into hearts ?
What if you hold A Q 8 7 4 , A Q 9 7 6 3 , 5 , 4 ?
Expert opinion would differ , and a partnership ’ s choice of system might matter .
I would open one heart on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppress the five-card major .
I would open one spade on the second hand ; I would not open one heart , then bid ( and rebid ) spades , because such a reverse would suggest more high-card strength .
To overbid your high cards is hazardous .
What if you pick up a freak such as today ’ s South hand ?
Not mentioning a seven-card suit promptly is carrying preparedness too far , and I agree with South ’ s one-club opening .
He then bid and rebid his hearts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East could be forgiven for doubling .
When South had shown at least 11 cards in his suits , some of East ’ s high cards weren ’ t cashing .
But since East also had four trumps , South might have control problems .
South ruffed the second diamond and knew he had to cater to bad breaks .
He started correctly by taking the queen of clubs .
He next led dummy ’ s four of trumps to his queen .
When both defenders followed , South ruffed a club with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overtook the jack with his ace and ran the clubs .
He was able to keep control and make his doubled game .
East got two trump tricks but nothing else .

At a seminar I gave, someone asked how to handle opening hands with a five-card suit and a lower-ranking six-card suit.
Say you hold 3, A Q 8 6 4, A J 9 6 4 2, Q. Should you open one diamond, planning to “reverse” into hearts? What if you hold A Q 8 7 4, A Q 9 7 6 3, 5, 4?
Expert opinion would differ, and a partnership’s choice of system might matter. I would open one heart on the first hand; I would not suppress the five-card major. I would open one spade on the second hand; I would not open one heart, then bid (and rebid) spades, because such a reverse would suggest more high-card strength. To overbid your high cards is hazardous.
What if you pick up a freak such as today’s South hand? Not mentioning a seven-card suit promptly is carrying preparedness too far, and I agree with South’s one-club opening. He then bid and rebid his hearts and arrived at four hearts.
I suppose East could be forgiven for doubling. When South had shown at least 11 cards in his suits, some of East’s high cards weren’t cashing. But since East also had four trumps, South might have control problems.
South ruffed the second diamond and knew he had to cater to bad breaks. He started correctly by taking the queen of clubs. He next led dummy’s four of trumps to his queen.
When both defenders followed, South ruffed a club with dummy’s king of trumps, overtook the jack with his ace and ran the clubs. He was able to keep control and make his doubled game. East got two trump tricks but nothing else.
South dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S 10 8 7 5 3 2
H K J 4
D Q 5 2
C Q
WEST
S Q J 9 6 4
H 6
D J 10 6
C J 10 8 4
EAST
S A K
H 10 9 8 7
D A K 9 8 7 4
C 9
SOUTH
S None
H A Q 5 3 2
D 3
C A K 7 6 5 3 2
South West North East
1 C Pass 1 S 2 D
2 H Pass 2 S Pass
3 H Pass 4 H Dbl
All Pass
Opening lead — D J
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-11-23--The Latest: Washington state sees record hospitalizations

By The Associated Press SEATTLE — Health officials in Washington state said the number of people who were hospitalized to receive treatment for the coronavirus has reached a record high .
KOMO-TV reports there were 762 people receiving hospital care for the virus in Washington as of Saturday .
At the Swedish First Hill campus of Seattle ’ s Swedish Medical Center , 10 coronavirus patients were admitted within a span of five hours Wednesday .
Leaders from hospitals statewide met last week to consider strategies to ensure they have room to care for COVID-19 patients as the hospitalization rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cassie Sauer says the cancellations of elective procedures under consideration to make room for coronavirus patients include joint and heart valve replacements and some cancer surgeries .
CARSON CITY , Nev. — Gov .
Steve Sisolak announced plans Sunday to tighten restrictions on casinos , restaurants and private gatherings such as Thanksgiving dinner in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus .
The new restrictions , which are scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday , come amid an unprecedented surge that has broken records in the state in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
The virus has surged throughout the United States and prompted governors to issue a patchwork of area-specific restrictions .
California has curfew order in effect in the majority of its counties and , earlier Sunday , Los Angeles County moved to only allow outdoor dining .
Sisolak , who has avoided tightening mandates throughout the fall due to the havoc they could wreak on Nevada ’ s tourism-based economy , said the trends led to an “ inescapable conclusion.
” “ We are on a rapid trajectory that threatens to overwhelm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health workers , and your access to care .
So it ’ s time to act , ” said Sisolak , who recently contracted COVID-19 .
The new restrictions reduce the capacity limits for high-risk areas including restaurants , bars , gyms , places of worship and casinos .
They will also be applied to public and private gatherings , which case investigators have identified as a major source of spread in Nevada .
That includes on Thanksgiving , when home celebrations will be limited to no more than 10 people , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — Many ignore virus precautions at funeral of Serbian Patriarch Irinej who died after contracting the coronavirus .
— Madrid ’ s emblematic Rastro flea market has reopened Sunday after a contentious eight-month closure because of the pandemic .
— Fears about infection while serving on juries have derailed plans to resume jury trials in many courthouses for the first time since the pandemic started .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : PORTLAND , Ore. — New confirmed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record high for the third straight day in Oregon .
The Oregon Health Authority reported 1,517 new infections Sunday , bringing the state total to 65,170 .
The state reported one additional death from COVID-19 on Sunday , a 65-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive Nov. 15 and died the same day .
That brings the state ’ s death toll to 820 .
The director of the state health department urged residents to cancel indoor Thanksgiving plans and those that involve large groups of family and friends .
LOS ANGELES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus-related restrictions that will prohibit in-person dining for at least three weeks as cases rise throughout the holiday season .
The new rules will take effect Wednesday at 10 p.m .
Restaurants , breweries , wineries and bars will only be able to offer take-out , drive-through and delivery services .
Officials had warned that these restrictions could come into play if the county ’ s five-day average of new cases was above 4,000 .
Sunday ’ s five-day average was 4,097 cases .
Most of California , including Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night at 10 p.m. PROVIDENCE , R.I. — Millions of Americans bought tickets to fly somewhere for Thanksgiving before the nation ’ s top public health agency pleaded with them not to travel for the holiday .
So what are they doing now ?
In many cases , they ’ re still crowding airports and boarding planes .
That ’ s despite relatively lenient cancellation policies that major airlines have implemented since the coronavirus pandemic emerged earlier this year .
According to the Transportation Security Administration , more than 2 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Saturday .
While that ’ s far lower than during the same time last year , Friday was only the second time since mid-March that daily airport screenings topped 1 million .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said Americans should skip Thanksgiving travel and not spend the holiday with people from outside their household .
NEW YORK — Hundreds of bodies are still stored in freezer trucks at a disaster morgue set up during New York City ’ s coronavirus surge in the spring , according to the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many of the 650 bodies at the disaster morgue on the Brooklyn waterfront are of people whose families can ’ t be located or can ’ t afford a proper burial , officials told The Wall Street Journal .
Normally , the deceased would have been buried within a few weeks in a gravesite for the indigent on Hart Island in the Long Island Sound .
But as COVID-19 deaths surged in New York in April , with as many as 800 deaths in one day , Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t take place .
The medical examiner ’ s office is having trouble finding relatives of about 230 deceased people , officials said .
When next of kin have been contacted , many bodies haven ’ t been collected because families haven ’ t arranged burial for financial reasons , nor have they requested free burial on Hart Island .
The city is slowly reducing the number of bodies in storage , with the number declining from 698 to 650 since mid-September , according to Dina Maniotis , the chief medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commissioner .
New York state has reported at least 34,187 deaths of people due to COVID-19 , according to data from John Hopkins University .
ATHENS , Greece — Police interrupted a Sunday Mass in a northern Greek village and fined a priest 1,500 euros ( $ 1,780 ) for allowing two people to attend the service .
They also arrested the priest ’ s 30-year-old son and one of the two worshippers , who they said attacked the police officers .
The priest had been urging parishioners to attend , despite a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re either with Christ or the coronavirus.
” The two attendees were from a neighboring village .
Authorities are strictly enforcing a lockdown and nightly curfew after a recent surge in COVID-19 cases .
In the northern city of Thessaloniki , where most cases have appeared , an 18-year-old university student was given a 6-month suspended sentence and fined 3,000 euros ( $ 3,560 ) for hosting her birthday party , which police raided at 1.30 am Saturday .
The six guests were fined 300 euros ( $ 356 ) each .
Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with 103 deaths , five less than the daily record set Saturday .
The number of confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic is 91,619 , with 1,630 deaths .
SANTIAGO , Chile — Chile says it will open its main border crossing and principal airport to foreign visitors on Monday after an eight-month pandemic shutdown .
Arrivals will have to present evidence of a recent negative test for the new coronavirus as well as health insurance .
They ’ ll also have to report their whereabouts and health status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming from high-risk countries will have to quarantine for 14 days .
President Sebastián Piñera on Sunday urged people to maintain precautions to prevent another wave of COVID-19 : “ The coronavirus is still among us and so we can not be careless.
” Officials plan to gradually reopen other airports and border posts as the South American nation tries to reactivate the tourism industry .
Chile closed its borders on March 18 , two weeks after reporting its first new coronavirus infection .
Since then , the nation of some 18 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 15,000 deaths .
WASHINGTON — The United States ’ top infectious diseases expert says he ’ s worried that crowding at U.S. airports from Thanksgiving travel could lead to a perilous situation as COVID-19 cases surge .
Dr. Anthony Fauci told CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” on Sunday that the “ people at airports ” despite federal guidance to avoid travel “ are going to get us into even more trouble than we ’ re in right now.
” He noted that new COVID-19 cases from Thanksgiving won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it “ very difficult ” as the virus spirals out of control heading into colder weather and the December holiday season .
Fauci said a substantial portion of people being hospitalized for the virus are now between the ages of 40 and 59 , as well as the elderly and vulnerable .
He stressed that vaccines should become available in the coming months , but said Americans will need to “ hang in there ” in the meantime by taking precautions to stem the spread .
That includes limiting holiday gatherings to people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing masks , socially distancing and washing hands .
ANKARA , Turkey — Turkey saw a record number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 for the second day running on Sunday as 6,017 new symptomatic patients were documented , the health ministry said .
The number of new daily cases has surpassed the outbreak ’ s previous peak in April .
Evening lockdowns were introduced over the weekend for the first time since June , with businesses such as restaurants and bars ordered to close .
The ministry said 446,882 patients with symptoms have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first recorded case in March .
Turkey does not publicly report confirmed coronavirus cases in people without COVID-19 symptoms , a policy that has been criticised for masking the true scope of the national outbreak .
Turkey recorded 139 COVID-19 deaths over the previous 24 hours , taking the country ’ s total to 12,358 , the health ministry reported .
ROME — Italy ’ s daily new caseload of confirmed COVID-19 cases dropped by several thousand on Sunday , but nearly 50,000 fewer swab tests to detect the virus were conducted than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Health Ministry .
Italy added 28,337 confirmed cases , raising to 1,408,868 , the country ’ s total in the pandemic .
Weekends usually see a drop in number of tests performed .
In the last 24 hours , 562 deaths of persons with COVID-19 were registered , increasing to 49,823 Italy ’ s known death toll .
Meanwhile , the autonomous Alpine province of Bolzano said that more than 320,000 residents had turned out for voluntary mass COVID-19 screening in a three-day-long campaign , with some 3,000 of them testing positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for screening among its 520,000 residents and the low percentage of positives will better position the province to be ready again for tourism , a mainstay of the local economy .
CAIRO — A Sudanese minister on Sunday tested positive for the coronavirus , the prime minister ’ s office said , the latest in a string of senior officials to be infected as the country shows an increase of confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
Omar Bashir Manis , minister of cabinet affairs , was in good health after testing positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Over the past month , acting ministers of finance and health , the central bank governor and two associates to Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok have tested positive .
Sadiq al-Mahdi , head of the National Umma party , Sudan ’ s largest , tested positive for the virus last month and was taken to the United Arab Emirates where he was still being treated .
Sudan has reported more than 15,830 confirmed cases , including 1,193 deaths .
The actual COVID-19 tally is believed to be higher given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – The head of the U.S. effort to produce a coronavirus vaccine says the first immunizations could happen on Dec. 12 .
A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee is set to meet Dec. 10 to discuss Pfizer Inc. ’ s request for an emergency use authorization for its developing COVID-19 vaccine .
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech recently announced that the vaccine appears 95 % effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease in a large , ongoing study .
Dr. Moncef Slaoui , head of the Operation Warp Speed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are to ship vaccines to states within 24 hours of expected FDA approval .
Slaoui told CNN he expects vaccinations would begin on the second day after approval , Dec. 12 .

By The Associated Press
SEATTLE — Health officials in Washington state said the number of people who were hospitalized to receive treatment for the coronavirus has reached a record high.
KOMO-TV reports there were 762 people receiving hospital care for the virus in Washington as of Saturday.
At the Swedish First Hill campus of Seattle’s Swedish Medical Center, 10 coronavirus patients were admitted within a span of five hours Wednesday.
Leaders from hospitals statewide met last week to consider strategies to ensure they have room to care for COVID-19 patients as the hospitalization rate climbs.
Washington State Hospital Association CEO Cassie Sauer says the cancellations of elective procedures under consideration to make room for coronavirus patients include joint and heart valve replacements and some cancer surgeries.
___
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Gov. Steve Sisolak announced plans Sunday to tighten restrictions on casinos, restaurants and private gatherings such as Thanksgiving dinner in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The new restrictions, which are scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday, come amid an unprecedented surge that has broken records in the state in terms of cases, deaths and infection rates throughout November.
The virus has surged throughout the United States and prompted governors to issue a patchwork of area-specific restrictions. California has curfew order in effect in the majority of its counties and, earlier Sunday, Los Angeles County moved to only allow outdoor dining.
Sisolak, who has avoided tightening mandates throughout the fall due to the havoc they could wreak on Nevada’s tourism-based economy, said the trends led to an “inescapable conclusion.”
“We are on a rapid trajectory that threatens to overwhelm our health care system, our frontline health workers, and your access to care. So it’s time to act,” said Sisolak, who recently contracted COVID-19.
The new restrictions reduce the capacity limits for high-risk areas including restaurants, bars, gyms, places of worship and casinos.
They will also be applied to public and private gatherings, which case investigators have identified as a major source of spread in Nevada. That includes on Thanksgiving, when home celebrations will be limited to no more than 10 people, from no more than two households.
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— Russia’s health system under strain as virus surges back
— Inequality ‘baked into’ virus test access as cases soar.
— Many ignore virus precautions at funeral of Serbian Patriarch Irinej who died after contracting the coronavirus.
— Madrid’s emblematic Rastro flea market has reopened Sunday after a contentious eight-month closure because of the pandemic.
— Fears about infection while serving on juries have derailed plans to resume jury trials in many courthouses for the first time since the pandemic started.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
PORTLAND, Ore. — New confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 have reached a record high for the third straight day in Oregon.
The Oregon Health Authority reported 1,517 new infections Sunday, bringing the state total to 65,170.
The state reported one additional death from COVID-19 on Sunday, a 65-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive Nov. 15 and died the same day. That brings the state’s death toll to 820.
The director of the state health department urged residents to cancel indoor Thanksgiving plans and those that involve large groups of family and friends.
____
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County officials have announced new coronavirus-related restrictions that will prohibit in-person dining for at least three weeks as cases rise throughout the holiday season.
The new rules will take effect Wednesday at 10 p.m.
Restaurants, breweries, wineries and bars will only be able to offer take-out, drive-through and delivery services.
Officials had warned that these restrictions could come into play if the county’s five-day average of new cases was above 4,000. Sunday’s five-day average was 4,097 cases.
Most of California, including Los Angeles County, has been under a curfew since Saturday night at 10 p.m.
___
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Millions of Americans bought tickets to fly somewhere for Thanksgiving before the nation’s top public health agency pleaded with them not to travel for the holiday.
So what are they doing now? In many cases, they’re still crowding airports and boarding planes. That’s despite relatively lenient cancellation policies that major airlines have implemented since the coronavirus pandemic emerged earlier this year.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, more than 2 million people were screened at U.S. airports on Friday and Saturday. While that’s far lower than during the same time last year, Friday was only the second time since mid-March that daily airport screenings topped 1 million.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said Americans should skip Thanksgiving travel and not spend the holiday with people from outside their household.
___
NEW YORK — Hundreds of bodies are still stored in freezer trucks at a disaster morgue set up during New York City’s coronavirus surge in the spring, according to the city’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
Many of the 650 bodies at the disaster morgue on the Brooklyn waterfront are of people whose families can’t be located or can’t afford a proper burial, officials told The Wall Street Journal.
Normally, the deceased would have been buried within a few weeks in a gravesite for the indigent on Hart Island in the Long Island Sound. But as COVID-19 deaths surged in New York in April, with as many as 800 deaths in one day, Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged that mass burials in temporary graves wouldn’t take place.
The medical examiner’s office is having trouble finding relatives of about 230 deceased people, officials said. When next of kin have been contacted, many bodies haven’t been collected because families haven’t arranged burial for financial reasons, nor have they requested free burial on Hart Island.
The city is slowly reducing the number of bodies in storage, with the number declining from 698 to 650 since mid-September, according to Dina Maniotis, the chief medical examiner’s office’s executive deputy commissioner. New York state has reported at least 34,187 deaths of people due to COVID-19, according to data from John Hopkins University.
___
ATHENS, Greece — Police interrupted a Sunday Mass in a northern Greek village and fined a priest 1,500 euros ($1,780) for allowing two people to attend the service.
They also arrested the priest’s 30-year-old son and one of the two worshippers, who they said attacked the police officers.
The priest had been urging parishioners to attend, despite a ban, saying, “You’re either with Christ or the coronavirus.” The two attendees were from a neighboring village.
Authorities are strictly enforcing a lockdown and nightly curfew after a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. In the northern city of Thessaloniki, where most cases have appeared, an 18-year-old university student was given a 6-month suspended sentence and fined 3,000 euros ($3,560) for hosting her birthday party, which police raided at 1.30 am Saturday. The six guests were fined 300 euros ($356) each.
Health authorities announced 1,498 new coronavirus cases Sunday, along with 103 deaths, five less than the daily record set Saturday. The number of confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic is 91,619, with 1,630 deaths.
___
SANTIAGO, Chile — Chile says it will open its main border crossing and principal airport to foreign visitors on Monday after an eight-month pandemic shutdown.
Arrivals will have to present evidence of a recent negative test for the new coronavirus as well as health insurance. They’ll also have to report their whereabouts and health status for a two-week watch period. Those coming from high-risk countries will have to quarantine for 14 days.
President Sebastián Piñera on Sunday urged people to maintain precautions to prevent another wave of COVID-19: “The coronavirus is still among us and so we cannot be careless.”
Officials plan to gradually reopen other airports and border posts as the South American nation tries to reactivate the tourism industry.
Chile closed its borders on March 18, two weeks after reporting its first new coronavirus infection. Since then, the nation of some 18 million people has recorded 540.640 infections and more than 15,000 deaths.
___
WASHINGTON — The United States’ top infectious diseases expert says he’s worried that crowding at U.S. airports from Thanksgiving travel could lead to a perilous situation as COVID-19 cases surge.
Dr. Anthony Fauci told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday that the “people at airports” despite federal guidance to avoid travel “are going to get us into even more trouble than we’re in right now.”
He noted that new COVID-19 cases from Thanksgiving won’t become evident till weeks later, making it “very difficult” as the virus spirals out of control heading into colder weather and the December holiday season.
Fauci said a substantial portion of people being hospitalized for the virus are now between the ages of 40 and 59, as well as the elderly and vulnerable.
He stressed that vaccines should become available in the coming months, but said Americans will need to “hang in there” in the meantime by taking precautions to stem the spread. That includes limiting holiday gatherings to people in the same household if possible, wearing masks, socially distancing and washing hands.
___
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey saw a record number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 for the second day running on Sunday as 6,017 new symptomatic patients were documented, the health ministry said.
The number of new daily cases has surpassed the outbreak’s previous peak in April.
Evening lockdowns were introduced over the weekend for the first time since June, with businesses such as restaurants and bars ordered to close.
The ministry said 446,882 patients with symptoms have been identified since the country’s first recorded case in March. Turkey does not publicly report confirmed coronavirus cases in people without COVID-19 symptoms, a policy that has been criticised for masking the true scope of the national outbreak.
Turkey recorded 139 COVID-19 deaths over the previous 24 hours, taking the country’s total to 12,358, the health ministry reported.
___
ROME — Italy’s daily new caseload of confirmed COVID-19 cases dropped by several thousand on Sunday, but nearly 50,000 fewer swab tests to detect the virus were conducted than on the previous day, according to the Health Ministry.
Italy added 28,337 confirmed cases, raising to 1,408,868, the country’s total in the pandemic.
Weekends usually see a drop in number of tests performed. In the last 24 hours, 562 deaths of persons with COVID-19 were registered, increasing to 49,823 Italy’s known death toll.
Meanwhile, the autonomous Alpine province of Bolzano said that more than 320,000 residents had turned out for voluntary mass COVID-19 screening in a three-day-long campaign, with some 3,000 of them testing positive. Local officials hpe the high turnout for screening among its 520,000 residents and the low percentage of positives will better position the province to be ready again for tourism, a mainstay of the local economy.
___
CAIRO — A Sudanese minister on Sunday tested positive for the coronavirus, the prime minister’s office said, the latest in a string of senior officials to be infected as the country shows an increase of confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Omar Bashir Manis, minister of cabinet affairs, was in good health after testing positive for the virus, the prime minister office said in a statement.
Over the past month, acting ministers of finance and health, the central bank governor and two associates to Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok have tested positive.
Sadiq al-Mahdi, head of the National Umma party, Sudan’s largest, tested positive for the virus last month and was taken to the United Arab Emirates where he was still being treated.
Sudan has reported more than 15,830 confirmed cases, including 1,193 deaths. The actual COVID-19 tally is believed to be higher given the country’s limited testing.
___
WASHINGTON – The head of the U.S. effort to produce a coronavirus vaccine says the first immunizations could happen on Dec. 12.
A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee is set to meet Dec. 10 to discuss Pfizer Inc.’s request for an emergency use authorization for its developing COVID-19 vaccine.
Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech recently announced that the vaccine appears 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease in a large, ongoing study.
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, head of the Operation Warp Speed, the coronavirus vaccine program, says plans are to ship vaccines to states within 24 hours of expected FDA approval.
Slaoui told CNN he expects vaccinations would begin on the second day after approval, Dec. 12.


mercurynews--2020-11-23--Body discovered on Las Positas Community College campus

LIVERMORE — The recovery of a body found on the Las Positas Community College campus is under police investigation , @ @ @ @ @ circumstances of the body ’ s discovery Friday morning were not yet available , Chabot-Las @ @ @ @ @ Jennifer Aries said .
Aries said she could only confirm that the person was neither @ @ @ @ @ member at the college , and added that a Livermore police report ’ s results @ @ @ @

LIVERMORE — The recovery of a body found on the Las Positas Community College campus is under police investigation, authorities said Sunday.
The circumstances of the body’s discovery Friday morning were not yet available, Chabot-Las Positas Community College District spokeswoman Jennifer Aries said.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Oakland nonfatal shooting suspect hit with federal gun possession charges
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A Livermore police spokesperson directed a reporter back to the school district Sunday afternoon.
Check back for updates.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.


mercurynews--2020-11-23--Wild finish; San Jose Earthquakes’ season ends in penalty kicks

Chris Wondolowski scored in the seventh minute of extra time to extend the season for the San Jose Earthquakes , but the reprieve was short-lived .
After a 3-3 tie in regulation , host Sporting KC advanced 3-0 in the shootout in the opening round of the MLS Playoffs .
It was an exhilarating match filled with ups and downs that befitted a crazy year .
No .
8 San Jose ’ s return to the MLS playoffs made history as the first postseason match in league history in which both teams scored in extra time .
But top seed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Johnny Russell , Ilie Sanchez and Khiry Shelton beating JT Marcinkowski .
KC goalie Tim Melia stopped shots from Oswaldo Alanis , Jackson Yueill and Cristian Espinoza .
Wondolowski never got a chance to take a shoot .
Gianluca Busio , at 18 the youngest player to make a postseason appearance in club history , gave Sporting a 3-2 lead in the first minute of extra time off a pretty back-heel assist by Khiry Shelton .
That set the stage for Wondolowski , who slipped by his defender and dove into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career MLS playoff goal .
CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device .
Set pieces have been a constant problem for the Quakes , and it continued on Sunday as Sporting got goals at the start of both halves on corner kicks .
Roger Espinoza opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a near-side run , and Sanchez tied it at 2-2 for Sporting in the 47th minute .
San Jose had allowed a league-high 10 goals off set pieces in the regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 in those situations , tied for the most in MLS .
The Quakes scored twice in the first half , and led 2-1 , thanks to crosses from Espinoza , the team leader in assists ( nine ) .
Carlos Fierro got on the end of the first one in the 22nd minute , though he benefitted when his off-target volley deflected off the head of defender Roberto Puncec .
San Jose took the lead in the 35th minute when Shea Salinas , in his 13th MLS season , scored his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first playoff game under second-year coach Matias Almeyda , who came in to revitalize the Quakes and has a record of tournament success , including the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League with Mexican club Chivas .
The match pitted the two hottest teams in the Western Conference , with both clubs finishing 6-3-1 .
That was enough to give Sporting the top seed and allowed the Quakes to make the playoffs despite an eight-match winless streak in September .
San Jose hasn ’ t advanced out of the opening round since 2010 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal since 2012 .
The Quakes lost 5-0 at Vancouver in their last playoff appearance , in 2017 .
This story will be updated with postgame quotes .
• After all they ’ ve overcome in 2020 , SJ Earthquakes now face top-seeded Kansas City • Quakes ’ USL affiliate Reno 1868 folds under financial stress after topping USL standings this season

In the end, there was nothing Chris Wondolowski could do.
The leading scorer in MLS history, Wondolowski had captained the San Jose Earthquakes into the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot after an eight-match winless streak had them at the bottom of the table just two months ago.
The return to the MLS playoffs meant a trip Sunday to top seed Sporting Kansas City, where Wondolowski scored in the 97th minute on his team’s last chance in regulation to send the game to overtime tied at 3-3.
After a scoreless overtime, Wondolowski was scheduled to be one of the last shooters in the shootout. But he didn’t even get to attempt a kick as Sporting KC converted its first three attempts while getting three saves from goalie Tim Melia to advance to the next round, 3-0 in penalty kicks.
When it was over, Wondolowski could only look skyward, pound his chest and then run his hands down his face, overcome with the emotion of another disappointing end for the Quakes.
“I was thinking in the last 12 years I’ve made the playoffs four times, and you have to cherish these opportunities,” Wondolowski said. “I know for some teams it’s a given for them — it’s how many playoff games they’re going to win — and I’m completely jealous of that. It was one of those where the emotions just got the best of me. I was gutted because you put so much into a year, especially this year with so much going on, and it comes to an abrupt end. It’s a gut punch.”
Jamie Squire/Getty Florian Jungwirth and the San Jose Earthquakes defend a penalty kick by Sporting KC's Johnny Russell.
Sporting Kansas City players celebrate after winning an MLS soccer match against the San Jose Earthquakes with a penalty kick in overtime Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Carlos Fierro (21) moves the ball under pressure from a group of Sporting Kansas City players during the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Winston Reid #22 of Sporting Kansas City heads the ball as Florian Jungwirth #23 and goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski #18 of San Jose Earthquakes defend during the MLS Cup playoff game at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Goalkeeper Tim Melia #29 of Sporting Kansas City blocks a penalty kick by Jackson Yueill #14 of the San Jose Earthquakes as Sporting defeats the San Jose Earthquakes in overtime penalty kicks to win the MLS Cup playoff game at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: San Jose Earthquakes players celebrate after a goal in the first half of the MLS Cup playoff game against Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza (10) and Sporting Kansas City defender Amadou Dia (13) battle for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Khiry Shelton #11 of Sporting Kansas City pressures goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski #18 of the San Jose Earthquakes during the MLS Cup playoff game at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Johnny Russell #7 of Sporting Kansas City and Marcos Lopez #27 of San Jose Earthquakes fall while competing for the ball during the MLS Cup playoff game at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Shea Salinas #6 of the San Jose Earthquakes controls the ball as Amadou Dia #13 of Sporting Kansas City defends during the MLS Cup playoff game at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Winston Reid #22 of Sporting Kansas City heads the ball as Florian Jungwirth #23 and goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski #18 of San Jose Earthquakes defend during the MLS Cup playoff game at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Ilie Sanchez #6 of Sporting Kansas City controls the ball during the MLS Cup playoff game against the San Jose Earthquakes at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Chris Wondolowski #8 of San Jose Earthquakes is congratulated by teammates after scoring in the final seconds of regulation time during the MLS Cup playoff game against Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Winston Reid #22 of Sporting Kansas City heads the ball as Florian Jungwirth #23 and goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski #18 of San Jose Earthquakes defend during the MLS Cup playoff game at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Cristian Espinoza of the San Jose Earthquakes challenges Amadou Dia of Sporting Kansas City during Sunday's playoff game.
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Sporting Kansas City players celebrate after defeating the San Jose Earthquakes in overtime penalty kicks to win the MLS Cup playoff game at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 22: Gerso #12 of Sporting Kansas City crosses the ball as Nick Lima #24 of San Jose Earthquakes defends during the MLS Cup playoff game at Children's Mercy Park on November 22, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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San Jose hasn’t advanced out of the opening round since 2010, and hadn’t scored a playoff goal since 2012.
The Quakes lost 5-0 at Vancouver in their last playoff appearance, in 2017. But they held their own Sunday against the top team in the West, producing a 60-40 edge in possession and a 17-14 edge in shots.
“We showed that we belong here and we can contend with any of the teams out here, especially the No. 1 at their place,” Wondolowski said.
Gianluca Busio, at 18 the youngest player to make a postseason appearance in Sporting history, gave KC a 3-2 lead in the first minute of extra time. That set the stage for Wondolowski, who slipped by his defender and dove into a cross by Cristian Espinoza for his second career MLS playoff goal.
It was the first postseason match in league history in which both teams scored in extra time.
“For us to fight back — and the cross from Cristian and the goal from Wondo there at the end – it’s just insane,” longtime Quakes midfielder Shea Salinas said. “My heart still hurts a little bit from the game but it was an awesome experience.”
The Quakes scored twice in the first half thanks to crosses from Espinoza, who led the team with nine assists in the regular season. Carlos Fierro got on the end of the first one in the 22nd minute, though he benefitted when his off-target volley deflected off the head of defender Roberto Puncec.
Then San Jose took a 2-1 lead in the 35th minute when Salinas scored his first playoff goal in his 13th MLS season.
Set pieces have been a constant problem for the Quakes, and it continued on Sunday as Sporting got goals at the start of both halves on corner kicks. Roger Espinoza opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and Ilie Sanchez tied it at 2-2 in the 47th minute.
San Jose had allowed a league-high 10 goals off set pieces in the regular season, while Kansas City had scored 12 in those situations, tied for the most in MLS.
“We’ve worked a long time on set pieces, attacking and defending,” coach Matias Almeyda said through a translator. “But there’s reality in football — if the opposition is 10 centimeter taller than you are, they’re going to beat you in the air. In each goal there’s a virtue in the opponent, and there’s also difficulties on our part.”
This was San Jose’s first playoff game under Almeyda, who came before the 2019 season to revitalize the Quakes and has a record of tournament success, including the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League with Mexican club Chivas.
“We got back into it after the first goal, we got back into after the second goal, and we never stopped battling even after the third goal,” Almeyda said. “That’s the passion to never give up and putting sweat on your jersey until the last second you play, so I can’t be any more grateful to all of them. “
But the momentum from Wondolowski’s goal didn’t carry over to the shootout, which was total domination. Johnny Russell, Ilie Sanchez and Khiry Shelton beat Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski, while shots from Oswaldo Alanis, Jackson Yueill and Cristian Espinoza’s shots were all saved by Melia.
The elimination brings uncertainty for some of the Quakes centerpieces. Salinas, who has the club record for assists, is no longer under contract. Almeyda said he would take a few days and talk to his family before deciding his future as coach. And Wondolowski, who led the team with seven goals in his 16th season, said he hasn’t talked to Quakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli about his future yet.
Wondolowski entered the year thinking this would be his final season, but now wants to continue.
“I want to keep playing (as long as) I can help the team,” Wondolowski said, repeating what he’d told our Elliott Almond last week. “It doesn’t have to be a main role. It’s not a numbers game (with salary), it’s not a minutes thing. To be honest, I want to see what we’re going to do to become a contender every single year. That’s the main question that I have.”


mercurynews--2020-11-23--Raiders inactives: Sam Young out, meaning seventh different O-line combination this season

The Raiders continue to play mix and match on the offensive line , meaning coach Jon Gruden and line coach Tom Cable will start their seventh different offensive line combination of the season Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs .
With Sam Young designated as inactive with knee and back issues , Brandon Parker will start at right tackle .
Parker has played right tackle this season , but only as a substitute .
The rest of the starting line will be Kolton Miller at left tackle , Denzelle Good at left guard , Rodney Hudson at center and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inactives against the Chiefs were running back Jalen Richard ( chest ) , defensive tackles Maurice Hurst ( ankle ) and Daniel Ross , guard John Simpson and quarterback Marcus Mariota .
The following are the seven different offensive line combinations in 10 games the Raiders have started games with this season : The Raiders remain hopeful of getting Incognito ( Achilles ’ ) and Brown ( complications from COVID-19 ) back in the starting lineup before the end of the season .
The projected Raiders offensive line which started against Carolina in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three plays .
• Live updates : Raiders jump out to 7-0 lead over Chiefs on Sunday Night Football • Raiders ’ Joyner rejoins COVID-19 list , won ’ t face Chiefs , seven others expected to be available • Raiders on verge of getting back seven defenders to face Chiefs ; Johnathan Abram fined $ 15,000 • Chiefs realize they saw a different Derek Carr in Week 5 loss to Raiders Additional notes regarding inactive players and how it impacts the game against the Chiefs : — With Richard out and Riddick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raiders will have two active running backs in Josh Jacobs and Devontae Booker to go along with fullback Alec Ingold .
Foster Moreau has done some fill-in work at fullback as well .
Richard ’ s absence also means Henry Ruggs III could see duty returning kickoffs , as he did against Denver after Richard was injured .
— With Hurst out along with end/tackle Clelin Ferrell ( COVID-19 list ) , the Raiders inside players are Johnathan Hankins , Maliek Collins , Kendal Vickers and Chris Smith.Vickers and Smith can also play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving $ 7.5 million in salary and counts more than $ 9 million against the salary cap , remains unable to displace Nathan Peterman as the backup quarterback to Derek Carr .
— The Raiders currently have four players on the COVID-19 reserve list : Ferrell , Brown , Lamarcus Joyner and Riddick .

The Raiders continue to play mix and match on the offensive line, meaning coach Jon Gruden and line coach Tom Cable will start their seventh different offensive line combination of the season Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
With Sam Young designated as inactive with knee and back issues, Brandon Parker will start at right tackle. Parker has played right tackle this season, but only as a substitute. The rest of the starting line will be Kolton Miller at left tackle, Denzelle Good at left guard, Rodney Hudson at center and Gabe Jackson at right guard.
Other inactives against the Chiefs were running back Jalen Richard (chest), defensive tackles Maurice Hurst (ankle) and Daniel Ross, guard John Simpson and quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Chiefs inactives were wide receiver Sammy Watkins, safety Tedric Thompson, cornerback BoPete Keyes, linebacker Darius Harris tight end Ricky Seals-Jones, defensive end Tim Ward and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders.
The following are the seven different offensive line combinations in 10 games the Raiders have started games with this season:
1: Miller, Richie Incognito, Hudson, Jackson, Trent Brown
2: Miller, Incognito, Hudson, Jackson, Good.
3: Miller, Simpson, Hudson, Jackson, Good
4: Miller, Good, Hudson, Jackson, Young
5: Miller, Good, Hudson, Jackson, Brown.
6: Parker, Good, Hudson, Jackson, Young.
7: Miller, Good, Hudson, Jackson, Parker
The Raiders remain hopeful of getting Incognito (Achilles’) and Brown (complications from COVID-19) back in the starting lineup before the end of the season. The projected Raiders offensive line which started against Carolina in Week 1 has been together for only three plays.
Additional notes regarding inactive players and how it impacts the game against the Chiefs:
— With Richard out and Riddick on the COVID-19 reserve list, the Raiders will have two active running backs in Josh Jacobs and Devontae Booker to go along with fullback Alec Ingold. Foster Moreau has done some fill-in work at fullback as well.
Richard’s absence also means Henry Ruggs III could see duty returning kickoffs, as he did against Denver after Richard was injured.
— With Hurst out along with end/tackle Clelin Ferrell (COVID-19 list), the Raiders inside players are Johnathan Hankins, Maliek Collins, Kendal Vickers and Chris Smith.Vickers and Smith can also play end.
— Mariota, who is receiving $7.5 million in salary and counts more than $9 million against the salary cap, remains unable to displace Nathan Peterman as the backup quarterback to Derek Carr.
— The Raiders currently have four players on the COVID-19 reserve list: Ferrell, Brown, Lamarcus Joyner and Riddick.


mercurynews--2020-11-22--Rally calls for attention to medical case of East Bay murder defendant

MARTINEZ — Several dozen supporters on Sunday demanded the release of an 18-year-old man being held on a murder charge at the Martinez Detention Facility , alleging Tyejaun Shepherd is not receiving proper medical care for a deteriorating condition .
Shepherd ’ s mother , Lavette Alexander of Richmond , led the rally to call attention to health care issues at the Contra Costa County jail , organizers said .
Shepherd is charged with murder in the September shooting death of Kevin Santisteban , 24 , on Interstate 80 in San Pablo .
Alexander said that her son entered jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stutter , loss of mobility on his right side and memory loss .
“ That is not the kid I know and raised , ” she said of Shepherd , who she added graduated in June from Kennedy High School in Richmond .
Alexander said she does not know if the symptoms are related to COVID-19 , which has led to deadly outbreaks this year in California prisons .
Alexander said she also wonders if her son suffered a stroke .
“ Clearly , it is something , ” she said .
Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examination of Shepherd have been ignored by the Contra Costa Sheriff ’ s Department , which operates the detention facility .
A spokesman for the sheriff ’ s department declined to comment Sunday .
He referred questions to the county ’ s Health Services Department .
A spokeswoman for health services did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment .
“ We ’ re demanding a diagnosis , ” said Courtney Morris of No Justice Under Capitalism , a group that has staged demonstrations at California prisons this year because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re demanding that Tyejaun Shepard ’ s health issues be taken seriously.
” Morris said family members don ’ t know if Shepherd has been tested for coronavirus .
The protestors Sunday requested that Shepherd be released to a public health facility or to his family pending trial .
Shepherd is currently being held without bail .
Alexander said her son ’ s next court appearance is Dec. 15 .
He had been working at a Richmond grocery store , she said , and planned to study criminal justice at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coming year .
Alexander said Shepherd can not remember his birthday or close friends .
She said jail physicians told her Shepherd showed no abnormalities after undergoing a CAT scan and MRI exam .
Alexander said Sunday ’ s protest was to support proper health care for all incarcerated people .
“ My son just seems to be another case , ” she said .

MARTINEZ — Several dozen supporters on Sunday demanded the release of an 18-year-old man being held on a murder charge at the Martinez Detention Facility, alleging Tyejaun Shepherd is not receiving proper medical care for a deteriorating condition.
Shepherd’s mother, Lavette Alexander of Richmond, led the rally to call attention to health care issues at the Contra Costa County jail, organizers said. Shepherd is charged with murder in the September shooting death of Kevin Santisteban, 24, on Interstate 80 in San Pablo.
Alexander said that her son entered jail last month and suddenly developed a severe stutter, loss of mobility on his right side and memory loss.
“That is not the kid I know and raised,” she said of Shepherd, who she added graduated in June from Kennedy High School in Richmond.
Alexander said she does not know if the symptoms are related to COVID-19, which has led to deadly outbreaks this year in California prisons. Alexander said she also wonders if her son suffered a stroke.
“Clearly, it is something,” she said.
Alexander said repeated requests for a comprehensive medical examination of Shepherd have been ignored by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, which operates the detention facility.
A spokesman for the sheriff’s department declined to comment Sunday. He referred questions to the county’s Health Services Department. A spokeswoman for health services did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
“We’re demanding a diagnosis,” said Courtney Morris of No Justice Under Capitalism, a group that has staged demonstrations at California prisons this year because of the large number of novel coronavirus cases. “We’re demanding that Tyejaun Shepard’s health issues be taken seriously.”
Morris said family members don’t know if Shepherd has been tested for coronavirus.
The protestors Sunday requested that Shepherd be released to a public health facility or to his family pending trial. Shepherd is currently being held without bail.
Alexander said her son’s next court appearance is Dec. 15. He had been working at a Richmond grocery store, she said, and planned to study criminal justice at Diablo Valley College in the East Bay in the coming year.
Alexander said Shepherd cannot remember his birthday or close friends. She said jail physicians told her Shepherd showed no abnormalities after undergoing a CAT scan and MRI exam.
Alexander said Sunday’s protest was to support proper health care for all incarcerated people.
“My son just seems to be another case,” she said.