Bridge: Oct. 4, 2020

Experts cherish their views on bidding .
One issue on which they may disagree is which suit to open with five spades and five clubs .
The one-club advocates think it often leads to an economical auction : If responder bids a red suit , opener has a space-saving bid of one spade available .
One-spade bidders believe in getting the major suit mentioned quickly and making it harder for the opponents to come in .
Personally , I almost always open one spade .
Today ’ s deal shows a possible additional edge for opening in the major .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to four spades with the prosaic auction shown .
West led a heart , and South took the ace and led the ace and a low club .
West discarded , and East won and led a trump .
Declarer rose with the ace , cashed his queen of hearts and started a crossruff .
No defense could stop him from winning 10 tricks .
In the replay , the North-South auction was one club-one diamond , one spade-1NT , two spades-three spades , four spades .
Then West knew dummy would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and perhaps not many clubs .
Since West suspected that East had club length and strength , West led a trump .
South won and led a low club , and East captured dummy ’ s queen and returned a trump .
Declarer took the ace and led the ace of clubs , but West ruffed .
Eventually , East got two more club tricks .
Down one .
Defense is easier when you know a lot about declarer ’ s hand .
The auction to game at the first table concealed South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense harder to find .

Experts cherish their views on bidding. One issue on which they may disagree is which suit to open with five spades and five clubs.
The one-club advocates think it often leads to an economical auction: If responder bids a red suit, opener has a space-saving bid of one spade available. One-spade bidders believe in getting the major suit mentioned quickly and making it harder for the opponents to come in.
Personally, I almost always open one spade. Today’s deal shows a possible additional edge for opening in the major.
In a team match, one North-South got to four spades with the prosaic auction shown. West led a heart, and South took the ace and led the ace and a low club. West discarded, and East won and led a trump. Declarer rose with the ace, cashed his queen of hearts and started a crossruff. No defense could stop him from winning 10 tricks.
In the replay, the North-South auction was one club-one diamond, one spade-1NT, two spades-three spades, four spades. Then West knew dummy would table a weak hand with spade support and perhaps not many clubs. Since West suspected that East had club length and strength, West led a trump.
South won and led a low club, and East captured dummy’s queen and returned a trump. Declarer took the ace and led the ace of clubs, but West ruffed. Eventually, East got two more club tricks. Down one.
Defense is easier when you know a lot about declarer’s hand. The auction to game at the first table concealed South’s distribution and made a winning defense harder to find.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S J 8 6
H 7 5 2
D A J 8 5 2
C Q 8
WEST
S K 5 3
H J 9 8 6 3
D K 10 4 3
C 4
EAST
S 4 2
H K 10 4
D Q 9 6
C K J 10 9 7
SOUTH
S A Q 10 9 7
H A Q
D 7
C A 6 5 3 2
South West North East
1 S Pass 2 S Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — Choose it
(C)2020 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.


mercurynews--2020-10-04--Word Game: Oct. 4, 2020

Word Game: Oct. 4, 2020

Can you find 64 or more words in EXTIRPATE ?
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 — EXTIRPATE (EXTIRPATE: EK-stir-pate: To destroy totally; exterminate.)
Average mark 43 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 64 or more words in EXTIRPATE?
TODAY’S WORD — EXTIRPATE eater exert exit expat expert expiate expire extra
tape taper tapir tare tarp tart taxer taxi tear teat tetra text tier tire titer trait trap treat
tree trip tripe trite irate iterate rapt rate ratite reap repeat retie ripe rite pair pare part
pate patter pear peat peer pert peter petite petter pettier pier pieta pirate pita prate
pretext aerie aper apex arete attire
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-10-04--Ask Amy: Am I a busybody for telling her what her 13-year-old is doing?

Dear Amy : Recently , I noticed that the 13-year-old daughter of some close friends has been posting sexually provocative photos of herself on Instagram .
This is a public account , and strange men make sexual comments on her posts and she responds with lewd remarks that couldn ’ t be printed in a family newspaper .
I find it alarming , and so I notified the girl ’ s mother ( who ’ s not on social media ) and she thanked me for speaking up , but she also gave an excuse along the lines of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the content continues .
I think this is dangerous for the girl , but I also feel like it ’ s in the parents ’ hands now .
Is it right to continue to stay silent , once I ’ ve said my piece ?
• Ask Amy : Let him learn about it from the obituary , she says • Ask Amy : A jealous husband lost his head , and I lost my job • Ask Amy : I want to get past my guilt without telling my wife what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m helping my husband find a job , and he says I ’ m stressing him out Dear Worried : The feelings underlying this behavior are developmentally appropriate for a girl her age .
But being sexually precocious at 13 is different now than it was when her parents were her age .
Thirteen-year-olds are no longer only flirting with other eighth-graders at the food court ( or sexually acting out behind the bleachers ) .
When this girl posts these provocative photos online , they can be widely shared among a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be used to bully or exploit her — now or later .
When she responds to strangers using provocative sexual language , she ’ s not making prank phone calls and hanging up — these people could find and exploit her ( in real life ) .
You describe this girl ’ s parents as close friends .
You don ’ t say whether you ’ ve done this , but you might want to take some screenshots of the girl ’ s postings and show these to the parents , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media — may not understand the extent of the behavior , and the risk .
I know this recommendation makes you seem like a busybody , but when people post publicly , they invite others to have — and share — a point of view about what they are doing .
You should not harshly judge the girl ’ s postings ( she is acting out and is too young to comprehend the risk , here ) , but your alarm is real , and so you should also reach out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without judgment : “ I ’ m worried about some of your photos and the responses on Insta .
It ’ s scary to see strange guys contacting you .
I hope you ’ ll be more careful .
I ’ m here if you want to talk.
” She will instantly block you and set her settings to “ private , ” so gather whatever evidence beforehand .
After these efforts , let her folks deal with their daughter .
Dear Amy : I am so tired of staying home .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the COVID-19 mandates , which meant that our church could open up again .
However , I am disappointed and angry with my church ’ s reaction to the remaining mandates .
Ninety-five percent of the congregation do not wear face masks .
There is no social distancing .
People are sitting close , hugging , and shaking hands .
My spouse and I feel like outcasts .
We sit by ourselves in a separate room and watch the service on TV .
That ’ s not “ church.
” We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook , such as , “ Wearing a face mask does not help , ” “ Stop wearing underwear on your face , ” and , from our minister , “ If I see you wearing a face mask , I ’ ll laugh at you.
” We are naturally very uncomfortable with such talk and dangerous behavior .
We ’ re not sure how to deal with all this .
I want to report them to protect the innocent kids and those of us who are compliant .
What do you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find another church .
Your pastor ’ s comments alone are — shameful , to say the least .
Additionally , depending on what denomination you are , you should contact the district or regional governing body of the church to share your concerns .
Send a link to the church ’ s Facebook page ( or screengrab these comments ) , and ask the district to do something about it .
But definitely find another church .
Unfortunately , the spiritual toxicity unleashed by some in this congregation will likely outlast the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently took you to task , insisting that it is a wife ’ s duty to assume total responsibility for the care of her elderly husband , who has dementia .
You had suggested that the adult daughter should be more helpful .
You answered : “ I hope you warn your spouse.
” Be careful with that razor , lady !
You are sharp .
Dear Fan : Perhaps I should arm my readers with a styptic pencil .
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy @ amydickinson.com or send a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 194 , Freeville , NY 13068 .
You can also follow her on Twitter @ askingamy or Facebook .

Dear Amy: Recently, I noticed that the 13-year-old daughter of some close friends has been posting sexually provocative photos of herself on Instagram.
This is a public account, and strange men make sexual comments on her posts and she responds with lewd remarks that couldn’t be printed in a family newspaper.
I find it alarming, and so I notified the girl’s mother (who’s not on social media) and she thanked me for speaking up, but she also gave an excuse along the lines of “she’s just precocious.”
Meanwhile, the content continues. I think this is dangerous for the girl, but I also feel like it’s in the parents’ hands now. Is it right to continue to stay silent, once I’ve said my piece?
Worried
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Ask Amy: I’ve told them they need therapy, and they refuse to do it. What now? Advice | Ask Amy: The man I love is my grandchild’s uncle, and things have gotten messy Dear Worried: The feelings underlying this behavior are developmentally appropriate for a girl her age. But being sexually precocious at 13 is different now than it was when her parents were her age.
Thirteen-year-olds are no longer only flirting with other eighth-graders at the food court (or sexually acting out behind the bleachers). When this girl posts these provocative photos online, they can be widely shared among a network of strangers, and the photos could be used to bully or exploit her — now or later. When she responds to strangers using provocative sexual language, she’s not making prank phone calls and hanging up — these people could find and exploit her (in real life).
You describe this girl’s parents as close friends. You don’t say whether you’ve done this, but you might want to take some screenshots of the girl’s postings and show these to the parents, who — if they aren’t on social media — may not understand the extent of the behavior, and the risk.
I know this recommendation makes you seem like a busybody, but when people post publicly, they invite others to have — and share — a point of view about what they are doing.
You should not harshly judge the girl’s postings (she is acting out and is too young to comprehend the risk, here), but your alarm is real, and so you should also reach out to her privately to convey — calmly and without judgment: “I’m worried about some of your photos and the responses on Insta. It’s scary to see strange guys contacting you. I hope you’ll be more careful. I’m here if you want to talk.”
She will instantly block you and set her settings to “private,” so gather whatever evidence beforehand. After these efforts, let her folks deal with their daughter.
Dear Amy: I am so tired of staying home. I was happy when my state relaxed some of the COVID-19 mandates, which meant that our church could open up again. However, I am disappointed and angry with my church’s reaction to the remaining mandates.
Ninety-five percent of the congregation do not wear face masks. There is no social distancing. People are sitting close, hugging, and shaking hands.
My spouse and I feel like outcasts. We sit by ourselves in a separate room and watch the service on TV. That’s not “church.”
We have seen negative comments congregants have posted on Facebook, such as, “Wearing a face mask does not help,” “Stop wearing underwear on your face,” and, from our minister, “If I see you wearing a face mask, I’ll laugh at you.”
We are naturally very uncomfortable with such talk and dangerous behavior.
We’re not sure how to deal with all this. I want to report them to protect the innocent kids and those of us who are compliant. What do you think?
Justified Anger
Dear Justified: You need to find another church. Your pastor’s comments alone are — shameful, to say the least.
Additionally, depending on what denomination you are, you should contact the district or regional governing body of the church to share your concerns. Send a link to the church’s Facebook page (or screengrab these comments), and ask the district to do something about it.
But definitely find another church. Unfortunately, the spiritual toxicity unleashed by some in this congregation will likely outlast the pandemic.
Dear Amy: A reader recently took you to task, insisting that it is a wife’s duty to assume total responsibility for the care of her elderly husband, who has dementia. You had suggested that the adult daughter should be more helpful.
You answered: “I hope you warn your spouse.”
Be careful with that razor, lady! You are sharp.
A Fan
Dear Fan: Perhaps I should arm my readers with a styptic pencil.
You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-10-04--Dear Abby: Should I urge my teen back into sports so soon after his friend’s death?

DEAR ABBY : My 14-year-old son , “ Jeff , ” received word that one of his friends was killed in a tragic ATV accident a week ago .
His only experience with death before this was a sick great-grandparent we were able to say goodbye to .
Jeff and I are close , and I have let him know that however he needs to grieve is OK .
He says he ’ s “ good.
” I am concerned that my son is taking the loss harder than he lets on .
Jeff and his friend loved team sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer workouts .
Jeff has been to only one workout since his friend ’ s death .
I know this is recent and he needs time , but I also know the physical activity and the camaraderie would be good for him .
• Dear Abby : Is it normal how my husband reacts to these phone calls ?
• Dear Abby : I may be his last friend , but I can ’ t take this anymore • Dear Abby : These women posted cruel photos of me , and my husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abby : I can ’ t believe how he spent our last $ 100 • Dear Abby : Your only friend was your wife ?
You ’ re off my list .
I ’ m trying not to smother him or project my own grief onto him ( we are a tight sports community ) , but I ’ m unsure what to do .
Can you offer some advice on how I can best support him ?
DEAR GRIEVING , TOO : When a tragedy happens to someone in a teenager ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together to support each other .
Contact the coach of the team to which your son and his late friend belonged .
The surviving team members may need help and possibly grief counseling .
If that isn ’ t necessary , the coach may be able to offer the boys other constructive outlets for their grief or provide you with suggestions .
DEAR ABBY : When I was in my teens , I was kicked out of the house multiple times by my parent .
Mind you , I hadn ’ t done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m still trying to figure out what I did to deserve it because it happened so many times .
My parent would get mad , tell me to leave and then beg me to come back home — all within a three-day time span .
Luckily , other family members took me in when these episodes occurred .
The same thing is now happening to my younger siblings , and it pains me to see them go through what I did .
I try to defend and protect them .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abusive .
It is just the kicking out that throws us off .
I ’ ve mentioned counseling to my parent , but it ’ s not an option .
I love my parent , and I forgave .
But I can ’ t speak for my siblings .
DEAR DISCARDED : If a child is a minor , what your parent has been doing is considered child abandonment .
It is against the law .
Although you have been able to forgive your parent for their abuse ( that ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not be so generous .
Because you are their self-appointed defender , you may have to assume responsibility for them until they become independent — either by taking them in yourself or by arranging for other relatives to do it for longer than three days .
It goes without saying that your parent ’ s behavior is irresponsible and erratic .
If a neighbor or an administrator of your siblings ’ school should get wind of this , they would be required by law to report it to the authorities .
Counseling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sliding financial scale .
Perhaps if your parent is reminded that there are penalties for what has been going on , they will seek the help they need .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .

DEAR ABBY: My 14-year-old son, “Jeff,” received word that one of his friends was killed in a tragic ATV accident a week ago. His only experience with death before this was a sick great-grandparent we were able to say goodbye to.
Jeff and I are close, and I have let him know that however he needs to grieve is OK. He says he’s “good.” I am concerned that my son is taking the loss harder than he lets on.
Jeff and his friend loved team sports and were in the same group for summer workouts. Jeff has been to only one workout since his friend’s death. I know this is recent and he needs time, but I also know the physical activity and the camaraderie would be good for him.
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GRIEVING, TOO, IN OREGON
DEAR GRIEVING, TOO: When a tragedy happens to someone in a teenager’s circle, the friends sometimes pull together to support each other. Contact the coach of the team to which your son and his late friend belonged. The surviving team members may need help and possibly grief counseling. If that isn’t necessary, the coach may be able to offer the boys other constructive outlets for their grief or provide you with suggestions.
DEAR ABBY: When I was in my teens, I was kicked out of the house multiple times by my parent. Mind you, I hadn’t done anything wrong. To this day, I’m still trying to figure out what I did to deserve it because it happened so many times.
My parent would get mad, tell me to leave and then beg me to come back home — all within a three-day time span. Luckily, other family members took me in when these episodes occurred.
The same thing is now happening to my younger siblings, and it pains me to see them go through what I did. I try to defend and protect them.
Our parent has never been verbally or physically abusive. It is just the kicking out that throws us off.
I’ve mentioned counseling to my parent, but it’s not an option. I love my parent, and I forgave. But I can’t speak for my siblings.
DISCARDED IN SOUTH CAROLINA
DEAR DISCARDED: If a child is a minor, what your parent has been doing is considered child abandonment. It is against the law.
Although you have been able to forgive your parent for their abuse (that’s what it was), your younger siblings may not be so generous.
Because you are their self-appointed defender, you may have to assume responsibility for them until they become independent — either by taking them in yourself or by arranging for other relatives to do it for longer than three days.
It goes without saying that your parent’s behavior is irresponsible and erratic. If a neighbor or an administrator of your siblings’ school should get wind of this, they would be required by law to report it to the authorities. Counseling is available in many communities on a sliding financial scale. Perhaps if your parent is reminded that there are penalties for what has been going on, they will seek the help they need.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


mercurynews--2020-10-04--The Latest: India records 75,800 new cases, recovery high

By The Associated Press NEW DELHI — India has registered 75,829 confirmed coronaviruses cases in the past 24 hours , a day after crossing 100,000 fatalities .
The Health Ministry raised India ’ s confirmed total to more than 6.5 million on Sunday and said at least 101,782 people have died of COVID-19 .
India is still registering the highest number of daily cases globally but with the recovery rate at more than 83 % , the number of those cured has surpassed 5.5 million , the Health Ministry said .
India also has the low fatality rate of 1.56 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global one .
The Health Ministry credited the increased testing in the country to a sustained low death rate .
India has conducted nearly 79 million tests so far , according to official data .
India is preparing to reopen cinemas and entertainment parks with limited capacity beginning Oct. 15 , in an effort to revive the economy .
Health experts warn the move has the potential for the virus to spread during the upcoming religious festival and winter season .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but not ‘ out of the woods ’ yet — South Africa and India have asked the World Trade Organization to waive some provisions in the international agreements that regulate intellectual property rights to speed up efforts to prevent , treat and contain the COVID-19 pandemic .
— Madrid has started its first day under a partial lockdown with police controlling travel in and out of the Spanish capital .
The Madrid region has become Europe ’ s most critical hot spot in the second wave of the coronavirus .
— Pope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his nature-loving namesake to sign an encyclical laying out his vision of a post-COVID world built on solidarity , fraternity and care for the environment .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : MELBOURNE , Australia — The premier of Australia ’ s Victoria state has called on citizens to “ stay the course ” after large groups flooded beaches and parks at the weekend in defiance of strict lockdown regulations .
Victoria , emerging from a major winter spike in coronavirus cases , relaxed lockdown regulations last weekend but still allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households to congregate outside .
Many ignored those regulations on Saturday and crowded parks and beaches , causing Premier Daniel Andrews to remind Victorians not to be selfish and maintain social distancing .
Victoria reported only 12 new coronavirus cases and one death Sunday , well down on the peaks of winter .
“ We are so , so close , ” Andrews said .
“ Let ’ s not any of us do anything that might undermine the very positive numbers .
Once we get them low , we can keep them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we don ’ t do anything silly or anything selfish right now.
” Andrews said the situation in Victoria is “ delicately poised ” as the state moves toward further easing of lockdown rules .
“ It ’ s sunny , yes , and people love to go to the beach when it ’ s sunny but there ’ s a global pandemic on , ” he said .
“ Surely , there ’ s a greater urge to see this thing , to defeat it and to have a normal summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021.
” SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea has reported 64 new cases of the coronavirus , the fourth straight day its increase came below 100 , possibly reflecting the fewer number of tests conducted during one of the biggest holidays of the year .
The figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Sunday brought the national caseload to 24,091 , including 421 deaths .
Thirty-eight of the new cases were reported from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , which has been at the center of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have struggled to track transmissions tied to churches , hospitals , schools and offices .
Seventeen of the new cases were linked to international arrivals , mostly from other Asian countries such as the Philippines , India , and Bangladesh .
There are concerns that infections could rise in coming weeks because of increased travel during the five-day Chuseok harvest holiday that continues through Sunday .
SANTA FE , N.M. — New Mexico officials have reported 298 additional known COVID-19 cases and three more deaths , increasing the statewide totals to 30,296 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported Saturday included 75 in Bernalillo County , 67 in Dona Ana County , 32 in Chaves County , 22 in Lea County and 20 in Curry County .
The three deaths occurred one each in Bernalillo , Curry and Dona Ana counties and involving people in their 70s or 80s with underlying conditions .
PHOENIX — Numerous inmates say Arizona ’ s prison system has failed to provide necessary testing , supplies and treatment during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Arizona Republic reports that dozens of letters from inmates in recent months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rehabilitation and Reentry wasn ’ t protecting staff and inmates during the outbreak .
The Republic reports inmates ’ letters describing fears and frustrations , asking for help while others provided graphic details in personal narratives of surviving the virus .
A department spokesperson denied many allegations by inmates , including that sick inmates weren ’ t tested .
Department spokesperson Judy Keane also cited health and safety protocols announced during the pandemic .
LONDON — Britain has recorded 12,872 new coronavirus infections , by far the highest daily total since the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlog of previously unreported cases .
The government says the figure includes an unspecified number of deaths over the past week that have not been reported because of a now-resolved “ technical issue.
” Saturday ’ s total is more than 5,000 cases more than the previous high , recorded earlier this week .
Britain is seeing a second spike in coronavirus cases , though the daily number can ’ t directly be compared to the outbreak ’ s U.K. peak in April because many more tests are now being performed now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also rising but remains far below the U.K. ’ s springtime peak .
Another 49 COVID-19 deaths were reported on Saturday .
Britain ’ s official coronavirus death toll is 42,317 .
The government has imposed restrictions on social gatherings to try and curb the spread of the virus , and almost a third of the country ’ s population of 66 million is under tighter local lockdown measures .
NEW YORK — New York state ’ s daily count of new coronavirus cases is continuing to rise .
The state reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new confirmed cases on Friday , up slightly from the day before with case totals not seen since May .
Some of the hot spots in the state included the New York City borough of Brooklyn , where more than 350 people tested positive , and in suburban Rockland County , which saw at least 120 new cases .
The hardest hit regions of the state , on a per capita basis , were the Southern Tier area along the Pennsylvania border and the Mid-Hudson Valley .
The news of President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminder of the pervasive spread of the coronavirus in the United States .
U.S. infections have been rising for several weeks , a worrying sign with colder weather approaching .
The response to the crisis rests largely with governors , which has meant a patchwork of approaches .
Only a handful of countries rank higher in COVID-19 deaths per capita .
The Midwest is the new hotspot .
Wisconsin reported a record daily death toll Wednesday , and hospitals in multiple cities said they were running out of space .
A 530-bed field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Engineers built on the state fairgrounds in West Allis in April can be used if the situation worsens .
Iowa reported more than 1,000 new cases for the third consecutive day on Friday .
The U.S. leads the world with 7.3 million cases and more than 209,000 dead .
SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
— South Dakota health officials announced 11 new deaths in the last day , increasing the total to 248 since the start of the pandemic .
There were about 617 cases per 100,000 people in South Dakota over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country for cases per capita , according to The COVID Tracking Project .
Officials say there have been 464 new cases since Friday ’ s report and nearly 24,000 have tested positive statewide .
There were 1,758 tests processed in the last day .
BEIRUT — Lebanon has registered a new record 1,321 daily cases of coronavirus amid a sharp increase around the country .
The Health Ministry reported 12 deaths , a day before authorities were to impose an eight-day lockdown in 111 towns and villages around Lebanon .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the first was reported in small tiny of 5 million people in late February .
The death toll has risen to 398 .
The numbers rose following a massive blast in Beirut on Aug. 4 that resulted in many deaths and injuries .
The blast led to people searching through the rubble and crowding at hospitals .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s doctors say the president is doing well , is fever-free and isn ’ t having difficulty breathing after contracting the coronavirus .
Dr. Sean Conley , Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatigue , nasal congestion and coughing , his symptoms are resolving and improving .
He says Trump had not been on oxygen Saturday or when he was with their medical team Friday .
Conley adds Trump said he felt he could walk out of a military hospital .
Conley says the typical range of monitoring is seven to 10 days .
Trump was transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday afternoon in what doctors say was a precaution after he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday ’ s game between New England and the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs after positive coronavirus tests on both teams .
ESPN reported on Saturday that Patriots quarterback Cam Newton was among those contracting the disease .
The NFL says the game will be played Monday or Tuesday .
The league says the move followed “ positive COVID-19 tests on both teams.
” The Patriots confirmed a player has tested positive but didn ’ t reveal his name .
This week , the matchup between Pittsburgh and Tennessee was postponed because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MILAN — New coronavirus cases in Italy maintained a trajectory above 2,500 on Saturday , with about 119,000 people tested .
Twenty-seven people died in the last 24 hours , according to the ministry of health , bringing known deaths to 35,968 .
There have been 322,751 total infections .
Nearly 300 people are in intensive care and 3,205 hospital beds in COVID-19 wards are occupied .
Those number have been increasing with a surge in new cases in recent weeks , following dips to only 100 new cases a day in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macedonia has recorded 243 new coronavirus cases , the highest daily number since the pandemic began .
There were also four new deaths .
Total number of confirmed cases exceed 18,600 with 753 deaths in the country of 2.1 million .
Facing a recent spike in cases , health authorities are considering imposing new restrictions , including banning public gatherings and limiting working hours for bars .
Schools in North Macedonia were opened on Thursday , but only for students in kindergarten and the first three grades .
All other students attended classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says authorities would use local lockdowns to keep a recent surge in coronavirus cases under control .
Health authorities announced another 267 coronavirus cases Saturday and seven deaths .
The total number of confirmed cases is 19,613 , about 80 percent recorded in the past two months .
A daily record of 460 new cases were reported Friday , attributed to people not wearing masks and failing to keep social distancing .
In Thessaloniki , Greece ’ s second largest , people participated in a 2-kilometer ( 1.25 mile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing face masks causes shortness of breath .
Participants measured oxygen and carbon dioxide levels after the walk , finding all within the normal range .

By The Associated Press
NEW DELHI — India has registered 75,829 confirmed coronaviruses cases in the past 24 hours, a day after crossing 100,000 fatalities.
The Health Ministry raised India’s confirmed total to more than 6.5 million on Sunday and said at least 101,782 people have died of COVID-19.
India is still registering the highest number of daily cases globally but with the recovery rate at more than 83%, the number of those cured has surpassed 5.5 million, the Health Ministry said.
India also has the low fatality rate of 1.56%, which is nearly half of the global one.
The Health Ministry credited the increased testing in the country to a sustained low death rate. India has conducted nearly 79 million tests so far, according to official data.
India is preparing to reopen cinemas and entertainment parks with limited capacity beginning Oct. 15, in an effort to revive the economy. Health experts warn the move has the potential for the virus to spread during the upcoming religious festival and winter season.
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HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— Doctor: Trump improving, but not ‘out of the woods’ yet
— Analysis: Trump faces credibility crisis over health scare
— Pence ordered borders closed after CDC experts refused
— South Africa and India have asked the World Trade Organization to waive some provisions in the international agreements that regulate intellectual property rights to speed up efforts to prevent, treat and contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Madrid has started its first day under a partial lockdown with police controlling travel in and out of the Spanish capital. The Madrid region has become Europe’s most critical hot spot in the second wave of the coronavirus.
— Pope Francis has traveled to the tomb of his nature-loving namesake to sign an encyclical laying out his vision of a post-COVID world built on solidarity, fraternity and care for the environment.
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Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
MELBOURNE, Australia — The premier of Australia’s Victoria state has called on citizens to “stay the course” after large groups flooded beaches and parks at the weekend in defiance of strict lockdown regulations.
Victoria, emerging from a major winter spike in coronavirus cases, relaxed lockdown regulations last weekend but still allowed only five people from up to two households to congregate outside.
Many ignored those regulations on Saturday and crowded parks and beaches, causing Premier Daniel Andrews to remind Victorians not to be selfish and maintain social distancing. Victoria reported only 12 new coronavirus cases and one death Sunday, well down on the peaks of winter.
“We are so, so close,” Andrews said. “Let’s not any of us do anything that might undermine the very positive numbers. Once we get them low, we can keep them low and we can open up again if we don’t do anything silly or anything selfish right now.”
Andrews said the situation in Victoria is “delicately poised” as the state moves toward further easing of lockdown rules.
“It’s sunny, yes, and people love to go to the beach when it’s sunny but there’s a global pandemic on,” he said. “Surely, there’s a greater urge to see this thing, to defeat it and to have a normal summer and have a COVID normal Christmas and 2021.”
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SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has reported 64 new cases of the coronavirus, the fourth straight day its increase came below 100, possibly reflecting the fewer number of tests conducted during one of the biggest holidays of the year.
The figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Sunday brought the national caseload to 24,091, including 421 deaths.
Thirty-eight of the new cases were reported from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, which has been at the center of a viral resurgence since August. Health workers have struggled to track transmissions tied to churches, hospitals, schools and offices.
Seventeen of the new cases were linked to international arrivals, mostly from other Asian countries such as the Philippines, India, and Bangladesh.
There are concerns that infections could rise in coming weeks because of increased travel during the five-day Chuseok harvest holiday that continues through Sunday.
___
SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico officials have reported 298 additional known COVID-19 cases and three more deaths, increasing the statewide totals to 30,296 cases with 890 deaths.
The additional cases reported Saturday included 75 in Bernalillo County, 67 in Dona Ana County, 32 in Chaves County, 22 in Lea County and 20 in Curry County.
The three deaths occurred one each in Bernalillo, Curry and Dona Ana counties and involving people in their 70s or 80s with underlying conditions.
___
PHOENIX — Numerous inmates say Arizona’s prison system has failed to provide necessary testing, supplies and treatment during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Arizona Republic reports that dozens of letters from inmates in recent months said the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry wasn’t protecting staff and inmates during the outbreak.
The Republic reports inmates’ letters describing fears and frustrations, asking for help while others provided graphic details in personal narratives of surviving the virus.
A department spokesperson denied many allegations by inmates, including that sick inmates weren’t tested. Department spokesperson Judy Keane also cited health and safety protocols announced during the pandemic.
___
LONDON — Britain has recorded 12,872 new coronavirus infections, by far the highest daily total since the outbreak began, though the figure includes a backlog of previously unreported cases.
The government says the figure includes an unspecified number of deaths over the past week that have not been reported because of a now-resolved “technical issue.”
Saturday’s total is more than 5,000 cases more than the previous high, recorded earlier this week.
Britain is seeing a second spike in coronavirus cases, though the daily number can’t directly be compared to the outbreak’s U.K. peak in April because many more tests are now being performed now.
The number of hospitalizations and deaths is also rising but remains far below the U.K.’s springtime peak. Another 49 COVID-19 deaths were reported on Saturday. Britain’s official coronavirus death toll is 42,317.
The government has imposed restrictions on social gatherings to try and curb the spread of the virus, and almost a third of the country’s population of 66 million is under tighter local lockdown measures.
___
NEW YORK — New York state’s daily count of new coronavirus cases is continuing to rise.
The state reported on Saturday that there were more than 1,700 new confirmed cases on Friday, up slightly from the day before with case totals not seen since May. Some of the hot spots in the state included the New York City borough of Brooklyn, where more than 350 people tested positive, and in suburban Rockland County, which saw at least 120 new cases.
The hardest hit regions of the state, on a per capita basis, were the Southern Tier area along the Pennsylvania border and the Mid-Hudson Valley.
___
The news of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis serves as a reminder of the pervasive spread of the coronavirus in the United States.
U.S. infections have been rising for several weeks, a worrying sign with colder weather approaching. The response to the crisis rests largely with governors, which has meant a patchwork of approaches. Only a handful of countries rank higher in COVID-19 deaths per capita.
The Midwest is the new hotspot. Wisconsin reported a record daily death toll Wednesday, and hospitals in multiple cities said they were running out of space. A 530-bed field hospital that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built on the state fairgrounds in West Allis in April can be used if the situation worsens.
Iowa reported more than 1,000 new cases for the third consecutive day on Friday.
The U.S. leads the world with 7.3 million cases and more than 209,000 dead.
___
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota health officials announced 11 new deaths in the last day, increasing the total to 248 since the start of the pandemic.
There were about 617 cases per 100,000 people in South Dakota over the past two weeks, which ranks second in the country for cases per capita, according to The COVID Tracking Project.
Officials say there have been 464 new cases since Friday’s report and nearly 24,000 have tested positive statewide. There were 1,758 tests processed in the last day.
___
BEIRUT — Lebanon has registered a new record 1,321 daily cases of coronavirus amid a sharp increase around the country.
The Health Ministry reported 12 deaths, a day before authorities were to impose an eight-day lockdown in 111 towns and villages around Lebanon.
The new cases raise the total to 43,480 since the first was reported in small tiny of 5 million people in late February. The death toll has risen to 398.
The numbers rose following a massive blast in Beirut on Aug. 4 that resulted in many deaths and injuries. The blast led to people searching through the rubble and crowding at hospitals.
___
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s doctors say the president is doing well, is fever-free and isn’t having difficulty breathing after contracting the coronavirus.
Dr. Sean Conley, Trump’s physician, says while he had fatigue, nasal congestion and coughing, his symptoms are resolving and improving. He says Trump had not been on oxygen Saturday or when he was with their medical team Friday.
Conley adds Trump said he felt he could walk out of a military hospital. Conley says the typical range of monitoring is seven to 10 days.
Trump was transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday afternoon in what doctors say was a precaution after he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus.
___
BOSTON — The NFL has postponed Sunday’s game between New England and the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs after positive coronavirus tests on both teams.
ESPN reported on Saturday that Patriots quarterback Cam Newton was among those contracting the disease. The NFL says the game will be played Monday or Tuesday.
The league says the move followed “positive COVID-19 tests on both teams.” The Patriots confirmed a player has tested positive but didn’t reveal his name.
This week, the matchup between Pittsburgh and Tennessee was postponed because of an outbreak on the Titans.
___
MILAN — New coronavirus cases in Italy maintained a trajectory above 2,500 on Saturday, with about 119,000 people tested.
Twenty-seven people died in the last 24 hours, according to the ministry of health, bringing known deaths to 35,968. There have been 322,751 total infections.
Nearly 300 people are in intensive care and 3,205 hospital beds in COVID-19 wards are occupied. Those number have been increasing with a surge in new cases in recent weeks, following dips to only 100 new cases a day in July.
___
SKOPJE, North Macedonia — North Macedonia has recorded 243 new coronavirus cases, the highest daily number since the pandemic began. There were also four new deaths.
Total number of confirmed cases exceed 18,600 with 753 deaths in the country of 2.1 million.
Facing a recent spike in cases, health authorities are considering imposing new restrictions, including banning public gatherings and limiting working hours for bars.
Schools in North Macedonia were opened on Thursday, but only for students in kindergarten and the first three grades. All other students attended classes online.
___
ATHENS, Greece — Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says authorities would use local lockdowns to keep a recent surge in coronavirus cases under control.
Health authorities announced another 267 coronavirus cases Saturday and seven deaths.
The total number of confirmed cases is 19,613, about 80 percent recorded in the past two months. A daily record of 460 new cases were reported Friday, attributed to people not wearing masks and failing to keep social distancing.
In Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest, people participated in a 2-kilometer (1.25 mile) fast walk to debunk speculation that wearing face masks causes shortness of breath. Participants measured oxygen and carbon dioxide levels after the walk, finding all within the normal range.


mercurynews--2020-10-05--Several 49ers, Eagles players demonstrate during anthem to protest police violence

Deebo Samuel ’ s first appearance in a 49ers uniform this fall began with a statement familiar to 49ers fans .
The second-year receiver sat on the 49ers bench during the playing of the national anthem ahead of the team ’ s Sunday Night Football matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles .
Next to him sat rookie wideout Brandon Aiyuk .
Running back Jerick McKinnon took a knee in front of the young receivers , and wide receiver Mohamed Sanu raised his fist while standing next to the trio .
Two other 49ers receivers , Kendrick Bourne and Dante Pettis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a visible demonstration .
Across the field , seven Philadelphia Eagles players knelt during the anthem , apparently with their arms linked .
McKinnon also knelt or squatted down during the anthem before the Niners ’ season opener this year , demonstrating alongside receiver Richie James , Jr. • 49ers-Eagles inactives : Injuries force Niners into another new cornerback combo • 49ers officially activate Deebo Samuel to face Eagles ; Dee Ford , Jordan Reed go on IR • 49ers vs. Eagles injury report : Garoppolo will miss second game but Kittle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was the first home game for all the demonstrating 49ers .
Aiyuk debuted in a Week 2 win over the Jets — Sanu dressed for that game after signing with the Niners , but didn ’ t see a snap until Week 3 against the Giants .
Samuel came off the injured reserve list Saturday after suffering a fracture in his foot during the offseason .
James , who demonstrated in Week 1 , is on injured reserve with a leg injury .
Since Week 1 , broadcast networks have shied away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC did not show the anthem performance or demonstrations .

Deebo Samuel’s first appearance in a 49ers uniform this fall began with a statement familiar to 49ers fans.
The second-year receiver sat on the 49ers bench during the playing of the national anthem ahead of the team’s Sunday Night Football matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Next to him sat rookie wideout Brandon Aiyuk.
Running back Jerick McKinnon took a knee in front of the young receivers, and wide receiver Mohamed Sanu raised his fist while standing next to the trio. Two other 49ers receivers, Kendrick Bourne and Dante Pettis, stood alongside the group but did not make a visible demonstration.
#49ers wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk sit on the bench during national anthem. Jerick McKinnon took a knee and Mohamed Sanu held up a fist pic.twitter.com/FF1NSuq92E — Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 5, 2020
Across the field, seven Philadelphia Eagles players knelt during the anthem, apparently with their arms linked.
McKinnon also knelt or squatted down during the anthem before the Niners’ season opener this year, demonstrating alongside receiver Richie James, Jr.
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49ers mailbag: Are rookie Moody’s kicking misses cause for concern? San Francisco 49ers | 49ers: Shanahan sees bright side of Trey Lance’s performance vs. Raiders Aside from McKinnon, this was the first home game for all the demonstrating 49ers. Aiyuk debuted in a Week 2 win over the Jets — Sanu dressed for that game after signing with the Niners, but didn’t see a snap until Week 3 against the Giants.
Samuel came off the injured reserve list Saturday after suffering a fracture in his foot during the offseason. James, who demonstrated in Week 1, is on injured reserve with a leg injury.
Since Week 1, broadcast networks have shied away from showing demonstrations. Sunday night, NBC did not show the anthem performance or demonstrations.


mercurynews--2020-10-05--Trump declares ‘I get it,’ then briefly leaves hospital

BETHESDA , Md .
( AP ) — Two days after being hospitalized with COVID-19 , President Donald Trump declared , “ I get it , ” in a message to the nation Sunday before briefly leaving the hospital to salute supporters from his motorcade , a move that again showed his willingness to disregard basic precautions to contain the virus that has killed more than 209,000 Americans .
Hours earlier , Trump ’ s medical team reported that his blood oxygen level dropped suddenly twice in recent days and that they gave him a steroid typically only recommended for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his health is improving and that he could be discharged as early as Monday .
“ It ’ s been a very interesting journey .
I learned a lot about COVID , ” Trump said , standing in his hospital room in a video posted on social media .
“ I learned it by really going to school.
” He added , “ I get it , and I understand it.
” Before the video was posted , the infected president cruised by supporters in his sealed SUV , windows rolled up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective gear who were potentially exposed to the disease that has swept through the White House in recent days .
“ This is insanity , ” tweeted Dr. James P. Phillips , an attending physician at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where Trump has been hospitalized since Friday evening .
“ Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential ‘ drive-by ’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days .
They might get sick .
They may die , ” the doctor wrote .
“ For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put their lives at risk for theater.
” Meanwhile , former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s campaign said the Democratic presidential nominee again tested negative for coronavirus Sunday .
The results came five days after Biden spent more than 90 minutes on the debate stage with Trump .
Biden had two negative tests on Friday , as well .
Trump ’ s doctors earlier in the day sidestepped questions about exactly when Trump ’ s blood oxygen dropped — an episode they neglected to mention in multiple statements the day before — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was the second straight day of confusion and obfuscation from a White House already suffering from a credibility crisis .
And it raised more doubts about whether the doctors treating the president were sharing accurate , timely information with the American public about the severity of his condition .
Pressed about conflicting information he and the White House released on Saturday , Navy Cmdr .
Dr. Sean Conley acknowledged that he had tried to present a rosy description of the president ’ s condition .
“ I was trying to reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president , that his course of illness has had .
Didn ’ t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction , ” Conley said .
“ And in doing so , you know , it came off that we were trying to hide something , which wasn ’ t necessarily true .
The fact of the matter is that he ’ s doing really well.
” Medical experts said Conley ’ s revelations were hard to square with the doctor ’ s upbeat assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a little bit of a disconnect , ” said Dr. Steven Shapiro , chief medical and scientific officer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center .
At the same time , Trump ’ s drive-by greeting was reminiscent of the moment in 2016 when he emerged from Trump Tower in the midst of the Access Hollywood tape scandal to greet his supporters on the street below .
But this move potentially exposed several people in his security detail to COVID-19 .
According to CDC guidelines , “ In general , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of their room should be limited to medically essential purposes.
” Some Secret Service agents have expressed concern about the lackadaisical attitude toward masks and social distancing inside the White House , but there isn ’ t much they can do , according to agents and officials who spoke to the AP .
This close to the election , thousands of agents are engaged on protective duty so they can be subbed out quickly should someone test positive .
Concern over Trump ’ s impromptu drive capped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his oxygen levels and steroid treatment suggested the president is enduring more than a mild case of COVID-19 .
Blood oxygen saturation is a key health marker for COVID-19 patients .
A normal reading is between 95 and 100 .
Conley said the president had a “ high fever ” and a blood oxygen level below 94 % on Friday and during “ another episode ” on Saturday .
He was evasive about the timing of Trump oxygen drops .
( “ It was over the course of the day , yeah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and asked whether Trump ’ s level had dropped below 90 % , into concerning territory .
( “ We don ’ t have any recordings here on that.
” ) But he revealed that Trump was given a dose of the steroid dexamethasone in response .
At the time of the briefing , Trump ’ s blood oxygen level was 98 % — within normal rage , Trump ’ s medical team said .
Signs of pneumonia or other lung damage could be detected in scans before a patient feels short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors declined to say what those scans have revealed .
“ There ’ s some expected findings , but nothing of any major clinical concern , ” Conley said .
He declined to outline those “ expected findings.
” Asked about Conley ’ s lack of transparency , White House aide Alyssa Farah suggested the doctors were speaking as much to the president as to the American public , “ when you ’ re treating a patient , you want to project confidence , you want to lift their spirits and that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenger , Joe Biden , pulled his attack ads off the air during Trump ’ s hospitalization , and on Sunday , he dispatched senior aides to deliver a largely friendly message .
“ We are sincerely hoping that the president makes a very quick recovery , and we can see him back out on the campaign trail very soon , ” Biden adviser Symone Sanders said on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” She added , “ This is a glaring reminder that the virus is real.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital stay could end soon .
“ Our plan for today is to have him eat and drink , to be up out of bed as much as possible , to be mobile , ” Dr. Brian Garibaldi said .
“ And if he continues to look and feel as well as he does today , our hope is that we can plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the White House where he can continue his treatment course.
” More than 209,000 Americans have been killed by the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatalities in the word .
In all , nearly 7.4 million people have been infected in the United States , and few have access to the kind of around-the-clock attention and experimental treatments as Trump .
Trump ’ s treatment with the steroid dexamethasone is in addition to the single dose he was given Friday of an experimental drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. that supplies antibodies to help the immune system fight the virus .
Trump on Friday also began a five-day course of remdesivir , a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus , and remdesivir curbs the virus ’ ability to multiply .
Garibaldi , a specialist in pulmonary critical care , said the president was not showing any side effects of the drugs “ that we can tell.
” The National Institutes of Health COVID-19 treatment guidelines recommend against using dexamethasone in patients who do not require oxygen .
It has only been proven to help in more serious cases .
Among the concerns with earlier use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells , hindering the body ’ s own ability to fight off infection .
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese , putting him at higher risk of serious complications .
First lady Melania Trump has remained at the White House as she recovers from her own bout with the virus .
Several White House officials this weekend expressed frustration with the way level of transparency and public disclosure since the president announced his diagnosis early Friday .
They were particularly upset by the whiplash between Conley ’ s rosy assessment Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They privately acknowledge that the administration has little credibility on COVID-19 and that they have unnecessarily squandered what remains of it with the lack of clear , accurate updates on Trump ’ s condition .
Many in the White House are also shaken and scared — nervous that they have been exposed to the virus and confronting the reality that what seemed like a bubble of safety has become a COVID-19 hot spot .
There has been no mass directive sent to staff on how they should respond .
Peoples reported from New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press writers Lauran Neergaard and Jonathan Lemire in Washington , and Bill Barrow in Wilmington , Del.
, and Marilynn Marchione in Milwaukee contributed to this report .

By JILL COLVIN, STEVE PEOPLES and ZEKE MILLER
BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — Infected and contagious, President Donald Trump briefly ventured out in a motorcade on Sunday to salute cheering supporters, a move that disregarded precautions meant to contain the deadly virus that has forced his hospitalization and killed more than 209,000 Americans.
Hours earlier, Trump’s medical team reported that his blood oxygen level dropped suddenly twice in recent days and that they gave him a steroid typically only recommended for the very sick. Still, the doctors said Trump’s health is improving and that he could be discharged as early as Monday.
With one month until Election Day, Trump was eager to project strength despite his illness. The still-infectious president surprised supporters who had gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, driving by in a black SUV with the windows rolled up. Secret Service agents inside the vehicle could be seen in masks and other protective gear.
The move capped a weekend of contradictions that fueled confusion about Trump’s health, which has imperiled the leadership of the U.S. government and upended the final stages of the presidential campaign. While Trump’s physician offered a rosy prognosis on his condition, his briefings lacked basic information, including the findings of lung scans, or were quickly muddled by more serious assessments of the president’s health by other officials.
In a short video released by the White House on Sunday, Trump insisted he understood the gravity of the moment. But his actions moments later, by leaving the hospital and sitting inside the SUV with others, suggested otherwise.
“This is insanity,” Dr. James P. Phillips, an attending physician at Walter Reed who is a critic of Trump and his handling of the pandemic. “Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die.”
“For political theater,” the doctor added. “Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater.”
White House spokesman Judd Deere said Trump’s trip outside the hospital “was cleared by the medical team as safe to do.” He added that precautions were taken, including using personal protective equipment, to protect Trump as well as White House officials and Secret Service agents.
Joe Biden’s campaign, meanwhile, said the Democratic presidential nominee again tested negative for coronavirus Sunday. The results come five days after Biden spent more than 90 minutes on the debate stage with Trump. Biden, who has taken a far more cautious approach to in-person events, had two negative tests on Friday.
For his part, Trump still faces questions about his health.
His doctors sidestepped questions on Sunday about exactly when Trump’s blood oxygen dropped — an episode they neglected to mention in multiple statements the day before — or whether lung scans showed any damage.
It was the second straight day of obfuscation from a White House already suffering from a credibility crisis. And it raised more doubts about whether the doctors treating the president were sharing accurate, timely information with the American public about the severity of his condition.
Pressed about conflicting information he and the White House released on Saturday, Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley acknowledged that he had tried to present a sunnier description of the president’s condition.
“I was trying to reflect the upbeat attitude that the team, the president, that his course of illness has had. Didn’t want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction,” Conley said. “And in doing so, you know, it came off that we were trying to hide something, which wasn’t necessarily true. The fact of the matter is that he’s doing really well.”
Medical experts said Conley’s revelations were hard to square with his positive assessment and talk of a discharge.
“There’s a little bit of a disconnect,” said Dr. Steven Shapiro, chief medical and scientific officer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
According to CDC guidelines, “In general, transport and movement of a patient with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of their room should be limited to medically essential purposes.”
Even before Trump’s motorcade outing on Sunday, some Secret Service agents have expressed concern about the lackadaisical attitude toward masks and social distancing inside the White House, but there isn’t much they can do, according to agents and officials who spoke to The Associated Press. This close to the election, thousands of agents are engaged on protective duty so they can be subbed out quickly should someone test positive.
The disclosures about Trump’s oxygen levels and steroid treatment suggested the president is enduring more than a mild case of COVID-19.
Blood oxygen saturation is a key health marker for COVID-19 patients. A normal reading is between 95 and 100. Conley said the president had a “high fever” and a blood oxygen level below 94% on Friday and during “another episode” on Saturday.
He was evasive about the timing of Trump oxygen drops. (“It was over the course of the day, yeah, yesterday morning,” he said) and asked whether Trump’s level had dropped below 90%, into concerning territory. (“We don’t have any recordings here on that.”) But he revealed that Trump was given a dose of the steroid dexamethasone in response.
At the time of the briefing, Trump’s blood oxygen level was 98% — within normal range, Trump’s medical team said.
Signs of pneumonia or other lung damage could be detected in scans before a patient feels short of breath, but the president’s doctors declined to say what those scans have revealed.
“There’s some expected findings, but nothing of any major clinical concern,” Conley said. He declined to outline those “expected findings.”
Asked about Conley’s lack of transparency, White House aide Alyssa Farah suggested the doctors were speaking as much to the president as to the American public, “when you’re treating a patient, you want to project confidence, you want to lift their spirits, and that was the intent.”
In all, nearly 7.4 million people have been infected in the United States, and few have access to the kind of around-the-clock attention and experimental treatments as Trump.
Trump’s treatment with the steroid dexamethasone is in addition to the single dose he was given Friday of an experimental drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. that supplies antibodies to help the immune system fight the virus. Trump on Friday also began a five-day course of remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients. The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus, and remdesivir curbs the virus’ ability to multiply.
Garibaldi, a specialist in pulmonary critical care, said the president was not showing any side effects of the drugs “that we can tell.”
The National Institutes of Health COVID-19 treatment guidelines recommend against using dexamethasone in patients who do not require oxygen. It has only been proven to help in more serious cases. Among the concerns with earlier use is that steroids tamp down certain immune cells, hindering the body’s own ability to fight off infection.
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications.
First lady Melania Trump has remained at the White House as she recovers from her own bout with the virus.
Several White House officials this weekend expressed frustration with the level of transparency and public disclosure since the president announced his diagnosis early Friday.
They were particularly upset by the whiplash between Conley’s upbeat assessment Saturday and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows’ more concerned outlook. They privately acknowledge that the administration has little credibility on COVID-19 and that they have unnecessarily squandered what remains of it with the lack of clear, accurate updates on Trump’s condition.
Many in the White House are also shaken and scared — nervous that they have been exposed to the virus and confronting the reality that what seemed like a bubble of safety has become a COVID-19 hot spot. It took until late Sunday for the White House to send a generic note to staffers suggesting they not come to the building if they do not feel well.
___
Peoples reported from New York. Miller reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Lauran Neergaard, Jonathan Lemire and Aamer Madhani in Washington, and Bill Barrow in Wilmington, Del., and Marilynn Marchione in Milwaukee contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-10-05--Derek Carr breaks Kenny Stabler’s all-time Raiders record in loss

Derek Carr broke a noteworthy Raiders all-time record Sunday , but it was merely a footnote in another disappointing loss because his team was roughed up 30-23 by the Buffalo Bills .
Even Carr would tell you a defeat always eclipses an individual record in this league , especially when it ’ s a second straight loss .
But Carr did pass Raiders Hall of Famer Kenny Stabler for most touchdown passes in franchise history when he connected with Nelson Agholor on a 7-yard scoring pass with 1:29 left .
The second of Carr ’ s two touchdown passes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career , now the most in the Raiders ’ 60-year history .
Although it was a record-breaker , the touchdown itself didn ’ t bring any kind of celebration from the Raiders , who merely pulled a little closer to Buffalo .
In fact , Carr was more interested in being able to walk off the field than dwelling on any otherwise empty scoring play .
Carr , who was hit on the play , was able to get up and walk off a couple minutes after lofting a perfect throw to Agholor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his feet down in the end zone before tumbling to the turf .
• Raiders inactives : Trent Brown , Henry Ruggs out again as WR injuries force Doss into action Still , the record will reflect Carr is tops on the Raiders ’ TD pass list with 151 in just 98 career games .
“ The Snake , ” possibly the most popular Oakland Raider in history , held the record before Sunday with 150 scoring passes in 130 career games with the Silver & Black .
Carr pulled even with Stabler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history when he found tight end Jason Witten on a 3-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left in the first half .
The play also marked the first TD catch in the former Dallas Cowboys great ’ s Raiders career .
That catch also allowed Witten to become on of just 19 players in NFL history to pass the 13,000 career receiving yards plateau .
For the record , Carr also passed the 300-yard passing mark for the 20th time in his seventh season , and first time this year .
He went 32-for-44 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late in the game for one of the Raiders ’ two turnovers in the loss .

Derek Carr broke a noteworthy Raiders all-time record Sunday, but it was merely a footnote in another disappointing loss because his team was roughed up 30-23 by the Buffalo Bills.
Even Carr would tell you a defeat always eclipses an individual record in this league, especially when it’s a second straight loss.
But Carr did pass Raiders Hall of Famer Kenny Stabler for most touchdown passes in franchise history when he connected with Nelson Agholor on a 7-yard scoring pass with 1:29 left. The second of Carr’s two touchdown passes on the day gives him 151 for his career, now the most in the Raiders’ 60-year history.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) kneels on the field after losing to the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Jason Witten #82 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates with Zay Jones #12 after catching a 3 yard touchdown pass thrown by Derek Carr #4 against A.J. Klein #54 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
AP Photo Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) avoids a tackle by the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) stands on the sidelines before an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) tosses the ball to Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) embraces Buffalo Bills cornerback Josh Norman (29) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. The Bills won 30-23. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders gets sacked by Darryl Johnson #92 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 hands off the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 leaves the field after a loss to the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Jason Witten #82 of the Las Vegas Raiders catches a 3 yard touchdown pass thrown by Derek Carr #4 against A.J. Klein #54 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts after a turnover to the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr #4 throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts after a turnover to the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter in the game at Allegiant Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Although it was a record-breaker, the touchdown itself didn’t bring any kind of celebration from the Raiders, who merely pulled a little closer to Buffalo. In fact, Carr was more interested in being able to walk off the field than dwelling on any otherwise empty scoring play.
Carr, who was hit on the play, was able to get up and walk off a couple minutes after lofting a perfect throw to Agholor, who grabbed it while just getting his feet down in the end zone before tumbling to the turf.
Still, the record will reflect Carr is tops on the Raiders’ TD pass list with 151 in just 98 career games. “The Snake,” possibly the most popular Oakland Raider in history, held the record before Sunday with 150 scoring passes in 130 career games with the Silver & Black.
Carr pulled even with Stabler for the most TD passes in team history when he found tight end Jason Witten on a 3-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left in the first half. The play also marked the first TD catch in the former Dallas Cowboys great’s Raiders career. That catch also allowed Witten to become on of just 19 players in NFL history to pass the 13,000 career receiving yards plateau.
For the record, Carr also passed the 300-yard passing mark for the 20th time in his seventh season, and first time this year. He went 32-for-44 for 311 yards but he also fumbled late in the game for one of the Raiders’ two turnovers in the loss.