mercurynews--2020-07-28--Oakland mayor, Black Lives Matter allies warn that vandalism plays into Trump’s hands

The latest peaceful protest to morph into late-night acts of vandalism in Oakland has unleashed a furious response , but this time the torrent of blame didn ’ t come from President Donald Trump .
It came from Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf , one of the City Council ’ s most liberal members , supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement and other allies who fear that constant images of a city that can ’ t seem to control its streets is playing into Trump ’ s hands .
“ Vandalizing our downtown gives Donald Trump the images he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal troops into American cities .
We can ’ t be fooled and play into his twisted campaign strategy , ” Schaaf said in a written statement released Sunday , hours after some people torched the county courthouse and vandalized a police station .
“ We celebrate passionate protest , but Oaklanders need to know that when they attend protests after dark , they may be providing cover for agitators who are more intent on stoking civil unrest than advancing racial justice , ” added the mayor , whose own home was struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , lit fireworks and painted “ Defund OPD ” and “ Cancel Rent.
” Councilman Dan Kalb , who intends to introduce an ordinance Tuesday directing the city attorney and city administrator to take any and all lawful means to protect Oakland residents from a potential invasion of federal troops , said in an interview Monday he heard that a group of young white people were the ones who did the damage .
“ I don ’ t know if they know or even care what ‘ Black Lives Matter ’ actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re not helping the cause at all .
… Lighting fires in the street or breaking windows of our local business does not move the needle forward in that cause .
… The risk is if it gets out of hand , it would give some odd justification to Trump to do what he ’ s threatening to do.
” To those behind the cause of police reform and social justice , he said , “ Let ’ s not let a small subset wreak havoc and take away from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstration started like so many others in the wake of George Floyd ’ s killing by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25 .
About 700 people gathered downtown for a peaceful march to show solidarity with protesters in Portland and the Black Lives Matters movement , calling for police reform .
As the night stretched toward the morning hours , however , groups of people splintered off and vandalized the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse and police headquarters , as well as a slew of downtown businesses , including a bank , restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oakland police .
Small fires were also reported .
Alameda County Sheriff ’ s spokesman Sgt .
Ray Kelly said some kind of accelerant was thrown into the front entrance vestibule of the courthouse , then ignited with fireworks to cause a small blaze .
Damage to the historic courthouse included broken windows and graffiti on the front steps and walls with words such as “ end white supremacy , ” “ kill the cops , ” “ abolish police ” and “ blue lives don ’ t matter.
” Cleanup efforts began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the damaged entrance ; damage was estimated at $ 200,000 .
The vandals also smashed glass doors at Oakland police headquarters and spray-painted graffiti on the building .
Police said they arrested four people , mostly for failing to disperse — two from Oakland , one from McKinleyville and one from Hayward .
At one point during Saturday ’ s march , the demonstration came to a halt as organizers condemned the vandalism taking place .
In a video posted on Twitter by local photojournalist Sarah Belle Lin , an unidentified Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , “ If you want a peaceful march , don ’ t be with the b*****t. If you guys want to smash and bang s*** up , I mean , our lives are on the line.
” Another woman of color captured in the video also addresses the crowd , telling white people to mind what they ’ re doing .
“ You are here as an ally .
… I need y ’ all to understand that , because if we go against the police , it ’ s not y @ @ @ @ @ @ @ y ’ all to understand that right now , ” the woman said .
“ This is our movement , this is a Black Lives Matter movement .
Listen to the Black lives , ” she said .
An organizer of the local Oakland chapter of Wall of Veterans , Zoe Dunning , said she and about a dozen other veterans showed up to volunteer .
The nonpartisan volunteer group ’ s mission is to protect the Constitution and make sure protesters ’ First Amendment rights aren ’ t infringed upon , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not condone in any way , shape or form violence and property damage , ” Dunning said in an interview Monday .
The group was inspired from the events in Portland when federal law enforcement officers were sent there and now has chapters in cities throughout the U.S. Dunning said the march was peaceful early , starting at Frank Ogawa Plaza and proceeding to Jack London Square and then back to downtown at 14th and Broadway .
Vanessa Dove , a spokeswoman for Wall of Moms Bay Area , had a somewhat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neither encourages or denounces ” the vandalism .
“ Our specific focus is to support the physical safety ( of protesters ) .
We are grateful there were no injuries , ” she said .
Wall of Moms is a group of mothers who form a human “ wall ” with their bodies or behind shields to protect protesters from harm .
The group began in Portland to protect protesters from federal agents and now has chapters throughout the U.S. Dove said Oakland has recently been “ very peaceful ” and Trump “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he made the threat to send federal troops here .

The latest peaceful protest to morph into late-night acts of vandalism in Oakland has unleashed a furious response, but this time the torrent of blame didn’t come from President Donald Trump.
It came from Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, one of the City Council’s most liberal members, supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement and other allies who fear that constant images of a city that can’t seem to control its streets is playing into Trump’s hands.
“Vandalizing our downtown gives Donald Trump the images he wants and the justification he seeks to send federal troops into American cities. We can’t be fooled and play into his twisted campaign strategy,” Schaaf said in a written statement released Sunday, hours after some people torched the county courthouse and vandalized a police station.
“We celebrate passionate protest, but Oaklanders need to know that when they attend protests after dark, they may be providing cover for agitators who are more intent on stoking civil unrest than advancing racial justice,” added the mayor, whose own home was struck last Wednesday when someone shot projectiles at it, lit fireworks and painted “Defund OPD” and “Cancel Rent.”
Councilman Dan Kalb, who intends to introduce an ordinance Tuesday directing the city attorney and city administrator to take any and all lawful means to protect Oakland residents from a potential invasion of federal troops, said in an interview Monday he heard that a group of young white people were the ones who did the damage.
“I don’t know if they know or even care what ‘Black Lives Matter’ actually means,” he said. “They’re not helping the cause at all. … Lighting fires in the street or breaking windows of our local business does not move the needle forward in that cause. … The risk is if it gets out of hand, it would give some odd justification to Trump to do what he’s threatening to do.”
To those behind the cause of police reform and social justice, he said, “Let’s not let a small subset wreak havoc and take away from the righteous message.”
Saturday night’s demonstration started like so many others in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25. About 700 people gathered downtown for a peaceful march to show solidarity with protesters in Portland and the Black Lives Matters movement, calling for police reform.
As the night stretched toward the morning hours, however, groups of people splintered off and vandalized the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse and police headquarters, as well as a slew of downtown businesses, including a bank, restaurant and nearby apartment building, according to Oakland police. Small fires were also reported.
Alameda County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said some kind of accelerant was thrown into the front entrance vestibule of the courthouse, then ignited with fireworks to cause a small blaze. Damage to the historic courthouse included broken windows and graffiti on the front steps and walls with words such as “end white supremacy,” “kill the cops,” “abolish police” and “blue lives don’t matter.” Cleanup efforts began Sunday to remove the graffiti and board up the damaged entrance; damage was estimated at $200,000.
The vandals also smashed glass doors at Oakland police headquarters and spray-painted graffiti on the building. Police said they arrested four people, mostly for failing to disperse — two from Oakland, one from McKinleyville and one from Hayward.
At one point during Saturday’s march, the demonstration came to a halt as organizers condemned the vandalism taking place.
In a video posted on Twitter by local photojournalist Sarah Belle Lin, an unidentified Black man with a bullhorn could be heard saying, “If you want a peaceful march, don’t be with the b*****t. If you guys want to smash and bang s*** up, I mean, our lives are on the line.”
Another woman of color captured in the video also addresses the crowd, telling white people to mind what they’re doing.
“You are here as an ally. … I need y’all to understand that, because if we go against the police, it’s not y’all getting shot. I need y’all to understand that right now,” the woman said.
Day 58 of Oakland #GeorgeFloyd and #BlackLivesMatters Movement: the organizers of the solidarity with a Portland stop the march to condemn the looting and window smashing. (1/2) (Taken at 10pm uploaded late due to poor connection) pic.twitter.com/7evq9FKNMO — Sarah Belle Lin (@SarahBelleLin) July 26, 2020
“This is our movement, this is a Black Lives Matter movement. Listen to the Black lives,” she said.
An organizer of the local Oakland chapter of Wall of Veterans, Zoe Dunning, said she and about a dozen other veterans showed up to volunteer. The nonpartisan volunteer group’s mission is to protect the Constitution and make sure protesters’ First Amendment rights aren’t infringed upon, she explained.
“Oakland Wall of Veterans does not condone in any way, shape or form violence and property damage,” Dunning said in an interview Monday.
The group was inspired from the events in Portland when federal law enforcement officers were sent there and now has chapters in cities throughout the U.S. Dunning said the march was peaceful early, starting at Frank Ogawa Plaza and proceeding to Jack London Square and then back to downtown at 14th and Broadway.
Vanessa Dove, a spokeswoman for Wall of Moms Bay Area, had a somewhat different take, saying her group “neither encourages or denounces” the vandalism.
“Our specific focus is to support the physical safety (of protesters). We are grateful there were no injuries,” she said. Wall of Moms is a group of mothers who form a human “wall” with their bodies or behind shields to protect protesters from harm. The group began in Portland to protect protesters from federal agents and now has chapters throughout the U.S.
Dove said Oakland has recently been “very peaceful” and Trump “clearly got the wrong perception” when he made the threat to send federal troops here.


mercurynews--2020-07-28--Trump lawyers renew fight to keep his tax records hidden

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump ’ s lawyers filed fresh arguments Monday to try to block a criminal subpoena for his tax records , saying it was issued in bad faith , might have been politically motivated and calling it a harassment of the president .
Lawyers filed a rewritten lawsuit in Manhattan federal court to challenge the subpoena by a state prosecutor on grounds they believe conform with how the U.S. Supreme Court said the subpoena can be contested .
They asked a judge to declare it “ invalid and unenforceable.
” The high court ruled earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. could subpoena tax records from Trump ’ s accountant over his objections .
But the court said Trump could challenge the subpoena as improper just as anyone else can .
Trump ’ s lawyers had argued that the president could not be criminally investigated while he was in office .
In their new court papers , Trump ’ s lawyers said the subpoena of his tax records was “ wildly overbroad ” and “ amounts to harassment of the President.
” They said it was issued in bad faith , copying a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney photocopied a congressional subpoena for political reasons , for efficiency reasons , or for both , he knowingly and intentionally issued a wildly overbroad subpoena for the President ’ s records , ” the lawyers said .
They said the subpoena seeks detailed information about all of Trump ’ s assets in the U.S. and abroad for a 10-year period .
“ Simply put , it asks for everything , ” the lawyers wrote .
Vance sought the tax records in part for a probe of how Trump ’ s then-personal lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the porn actress Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal from airing claims of extramarital affairs with Trump .
Trump has denied the affairs .
Vance , a Democrat , has requested eight years of the Republican president ’ s personal and corporate tax records .
The Supreme Court had returned the case to a federal judge in Manhattan who has arranged for both sides to finish filing their legal arguments over challenges to the subpoena by mid-August .
Last year , the same judge ruled against Trump in a written opinion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court .
In their new court filing , Trump ’ s lawyers said the tax subpoena “ demands voluminous documents related to every facet of the business and financial affairs of the President and numerous associated entities — from the banal to the complex , from drafts and memoranda to formal records , from source documents to summaries.
” They said it was wrong for Vance to seek records dating to 2011 when he was primarily investigating events that took place in 2016 .
• NASA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mars The lawsuit said the subpoena concerns entities in California , Florida , Hawaii , Illinois , New Jersey , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , Virginia , and the District of Columbia .
It said other affected entities are located outside the U.S. , including in Canada , the Dominican Republic , Dubai , India , Indonesia , Ireland , the Philippines , Scotland , and Turkey .
“ Taken together , the subpoena demands an accounting and analysis of every single asset and liability of the President , including each one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote , calling the request “ an overreaching demand designed to pick apart the President .
”

By Larry Neumeister | Associated Press
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump’s lawyers filed fresh arguments Monday to try to block a criminal subpoena for his tax records, saying it was issued in bad faith, might have been politically motivated and calling it a harassment of the president.
Lawyers filed a rewritten lawsuit in Manhattan federal court to challenge the subpoena by a state prosecutor on grounds they believe conform with how the U.S. Supreme Court said the subpoena can be contested.
They asked a judge to declare it “invalid and unenforceable.”
The high court ruled earlier this month that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. could subpoena tax records from Trump’s accountant over his objections.
But the court said Trump could challenge the subpoena as improper just as anyone else can.
Trump’s lawyers had argued that the president could not be criminally investigated while he was in office.
In their new court papers, Trump’s lawyers said the subpoena of his tax records was “wildly overbroad” and “amounts to harassment of the President.”
They said it was issued in bad faith, copying a Congressional subpoena.
“Whether the District Attorney photocopied a congressional subpoena for political reasons, for efficiency reasons, or for both, he knowingly and intentionally issued a wildly overbroad subpoena for the President’s records,” the lawyers said.
They said the subpoena seeks detailed information about all of Trump’s assets in the U.S. and abroad for a 10-year period.
“Simply put, it asks for everything,” the lawyers wrote.
Vance sought the tax records in part for a probe of how Trump’s then-personal lawyer arranged during the 2016 presidential race to keep the porn actress Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal from airing claims of extramarital affairs with Trump. Trump has denied the affairs.
Vance, a Democrat, has requested eight years of the Republican president’s personal and corporate tax records.
Danny Frost, a spokesperson for Vance, declined comment Monday.
The Supreme Court had returned the case to a federal judge in Manhattan who has arranged for both sides to finish filing their legal arguments over challenges to the subpoena by mid-August.
Last year, the same judge ruled against Trump in a written opinion that was upheld by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
In their new court filing, Trump’s lawyers said the tax subpoena “demands voluminous documents related to every facet of the business and financial affairs of the President and numerous associated entities — from the banal to the complex, from drafts and memoranda to formal records, from source documents to summaries.”
They said it was wrong for Vance to seek records dating to 2011 when he was primarily investigating events that took place in 2016.
The lawsuit said the subpoena concerns entities in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. It said other affected entities are located outside the U.S., including in Canada, the Dominican Republic, Dubai, India, Indonesia, Ireland, the Philippines, Scotland, and Turkey.
“Taken together, the subpoena demands an accounting and analysis of every single asset and liability of the President, including each one of the listed entities,” the lawyers wrote, calling the request “an overreaching demand designed to pick apart the President.”


mercurynews--2020-07-28--NFL: Alex Smith starts camp on physically unable to perform list

Washington put quarterback Alex Smith on the physically unable to perform list Monday on the eve of the start of training camp .
A physical showed Smith ’ s right leg has medically recovered 20 months after he broke the fibula and tibia in it during a game .
But the 36-year-old veteran hasn ’ t been fully cleared for practices , contact or full football activity .
Putting Smith , the former 49ers quarterback , on the PUP list allows the organization ’ s medical staff to monitor his progress .
Smith is signed through 2022 , though his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t played since the gruesome injury in November 2018 that required multiple surgeries .
The team ’ s previous regime acquired Smith in a trade with Kansas City in 2018 and signed him to a $ 94 million , four-year extension .
Smith threw for 2,180 yards , 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games with Washington .
During his career that included previous stops with San Francisco and Kansas City , the 2005 No .
1 pick has thrown for 34,068 yards , 193 TDs and 101 INTs .
Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PUP list .

Washington put quarterback Alex Smith on the physically unable to perform list Monday on the eve of the start of training camp.
A physical showed Smith’s right leg has medically recovered 20 months after he broke the fibula and tibia in it during a game. But the 36-year-old veteran hasn’t been fully cleared for practices, contact or full football activity.
Putting Smith, the former 49ers quarterback, on the PUP list allows the organization’s medical staff to monitor his progress.
Smith is signed through 2022, though his playing future remains murky. He hasn’t played since the gruesome injury in November 2018 that required multiple surgeries.
The team’s previous regime acquired Smith in a trade with Kansas City in 2018 and signed him to a $94 million, four-year extension.
Smith threw for 2,180 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games with Washington. During his career that included previous stops with San Francisco and Kansas City, the 2005 No. 1 pick has thrown for 34,068 yards, 193 TDs and 101 INTs.
Washington also put linebacker Reuben Foster on the PUP list.


mercurynews--2020-07-28--Trump moves ahead with plan to regulate social media

The Trump administration took a key step on Monday toward fulfilling the president ’ s executive order on social media , formally asking the FCC to develop regulations that could apply to Facebook , Twitter and other tech platforms .
The petition for rulemaking puts the ball in the FCC ’ s court .
The agency must now decide whether to agree to President Donald Trump ’ s call for FCC oversight of internet platforms .
Trump and other Republicans have long criticized companies , including Facebook and Twitter , for allegedly censoring conservatives ; the companies have denied the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protecting the rights of all Americans to express their views and not face unjustified restrictions or selective censorship from a handful of powerful companies , ” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in a statement .
FCC spokesman Brian Hart said the agency will carefully review the petition .
Under Trump ’ s May executive order , a branch of the Commerce Department known as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration was expected to call on the FCC to “ clarify ” Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , the law that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over internet content since its passage in 1996 .
Trump ’ s social media order was introduced and signed days after Twitter applied a warning label to his tweets that said they were “ potentially misleading.
” Twitter highlighted two of Trump ’ s tweets that claimed , without evidence , that mail-in voting would lead to widespread voter fraud .
Trump later threatened to “ strongly regulate ” or shut down social media platforms .
Since then , Trump has continued his attacks against Twitter .
Legal experts say the executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FCC has traditionally avoided regulating internet companies .
The order is already facing at least one legal challenge that claims it is unconstitutional .
Jessica Rosenworcel , a Democratic FCC commissioner , said the agency should steer clear of the request .
“ The FCC shouldn ’ t take this bait , ” Rosenworcel said in a statement .
“ While social media can be frustrating , turning this agency into the President ’ s speech police is not the answer .
If we honor the Constitution , we will reject this petition @ @ @

By Brian Fung | CNN
The Trump administration took a key step on Monday toward fulfilling the president’s executive order on social media, formally asking the FCC to develop regulations that could apply to Facebook, Twitter and other tech platforms.
The petition for rulemaking puts the ball in the FCC’s court. The agency must now decide whether to agree to President Donald Trump’s call for FCC oversight of internet platforms. Trump and other Republicans have long criticized companies, including Facebook and Twitter, for allegedly censoring conservatives; the companies have denied the claims.
“President Trump is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans to express their views and not face unjustified restrictions or selective censorship from a handful of powerful companies,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in a statement.
FCC spokesman Brian Hart said the agency will carefully review the petition.
Under Trump’s May executive order, a branch of the Commerce Department known as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration was expected to call on the FCC to “clarify” Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the law that has shielded tech companies from much litigation over internet content since its passage in 1996.
Trump’s social media order was introduced and signed days after Twitter applied a warning label to his tweets that said they were “potentially misleading.” Twitter highlighted two of Trump’s tweets that claimed, without evidence, that mail-in voting would lead to widespread voter fraud. Trump later threatened to “strongly regulate” or shut down social media platforms. Since then, Trump has continued his attacks against Twitter.
Legal experts say the executive order is on shaky ground, as the FCC has traditionally avoided regulating internet companies. The order is already facing at least one legal challenge that claims it is unconstitutional.
Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democratic FCC commissioner, said the agency should steer clear of the request.
“The FCC shouldn’t take this bait,” Rosenworcel said in a statement. “While social media can be frustrating, turning this agency into the President’s speech police is not the answer. If we honor the Constitution, we will reject this petition immediately.”


mercurynews--2020-07-27--Cottonwood Fire consumes 500 acres in Merced County

Crews on Monday were battling a brush fire along Highway 152 in Merced County , according to the California Department @ @ @ @ @ .
The Cottonwood Fire ignited shortly before 8 a.m. near the Romero Visitor Center , @ @ @ @ @ 3:50 p.m. , it had spread to 500 acres and was 40 percent contained .
@ @ @ @ @ is under investigation , but California Highway Patrol dispatch logs indicated it was related to @ @ @ @ @ and caught fire on the highway .
The Gilroy Police Department also confirmed the highway @ @ @ @ @ a brush fire .
The fire closed both directions of the highway until about 2 @ @ @ @ @ in each direction was reopened .

Crews on Monday were battling a brush fire along Highway 152 in Merced County, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The Cottonwood Fire ignited shortly before 8 a.m. near the Romero Visitor Center, Cal Fire said. By 7:15 p.m., it had spread to 650 acres and was 45 percent contained.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but California Highway Patrol dispatch logs indicated it was related to a tractor-truck that overturned and caught fire on the highway.
The Gilroy Police Department also confirmed the highway was shut down due to a fire.
The fire closed both directions of the highway until about 2 p.m., when one lane in each direction was reopened. The highway did not fully until reopen until about 8:50 p.m.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-07-27--DNC will require face masks, distancing

DNC will require face masks, distancing

MADISON , Wis. — Everyone attending the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee next month will have to wear a face mask , consent to daily testing for COVID-19 , fill out questionnaires and maintain a physical distance from others .
Organizers of the convention released details of the coronavirus safety plan Monday , three weeks before the Aug. 17 start of the four-day event .
The convention has been scaled down from original plans and now will be mostly online with only a few hundred people gathered at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee .
Attendees will have to self-isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departing for Milwaukee or when first entering the convention ’ s main venue if they ’ re already in the city .
Once at the convention , attendees must fill out a daily questionnaire indicating that they are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and have not had contact with anyone who is infected .
All convention guests , law enforcement , media , and staff must agree to daily COVID-19 testing , either at the Wisconsin Center or another offsite location .
They must also agree to follow any other “ reasonable restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changing health conditions.
” While presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and everyone else will be required to wear a mask once inside , anyone making a speech will be allowed to remove theirs .
The podium will be 20 feet from other people .
Organizers are also encouraging attendees to wear a face shield or goggles to protect their eyes .
Organizers are also recommending that attendees “ avoid bars , restaurants , and other locations where social distancing is not possible or not practiced.
” “ Ensuring the safety and well-being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our top priority , ” said convention spokeswoman Katie Peters .
“ After consultation with public health officials , the Democratic National Convention Committee will implement robust health and safety protocols that will govern the convention ’ s in-person activities and keep attendees safe before and during the convention.
” “ While it is important to protect every person attending the convention , it is also important to protect the entire Milwaukee community , ” Barrett said .
“ These protocols establish reasonable requirements in order to prevent additional COVID-19 infections in Milwaukee.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin since mid-June , with roughly a third of the state ’ s 49,417 cases in Milwaukee County and nearly half of the state ’ s 893 deaths there .
A city ordinance requires masks to be worn when in a building that is open to the public or outside in a public space and within 6 feet of any other person who is not a household or family member .

By Scott Bauer | Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. — Everyone attending the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee next month will have to wear a face mask, consent to daily testing for COVID-19, fill out questionnaires and maintain a physical distance from others.
Organizers of the convention released details of the coronavirus safety plan Monday, three weeks before the Aug. 17 start of the four-day event. The convention has been scaled down from original plans and now will be mostly online with only a few hundred people gathered at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee.
Attendees will have to self-isolated for a minimum of 72 hours before departing for Milwaukee or when first entering the convention’s main venue if they’re already in the city. Once at the convention, attendees must fill out a daily questionnaire indicating that they are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and have not had contact with anyone who is infected.
All convention guests, law enforcement, media, and staff must agree to daily COVID-19 testing, either at the Wisconsin Center or another offsite location. They must also agree to follow any other “reasonable restrictions that convention organizers may impose based on changing health conditions.”
While presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and everyone else will be required to wear a mask once inside, anyone making a speech will be allowed to remove theirs. The podium will be 20 feet from other people. Organizers are also encouraging attendees to wear a face shield or goggles to protect their eyes.
Organizers are also recommending that attendees “avoid bars, restaurants, and other locations where social distancing is not possible or not practiced.”
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved with the convention is our top priority,” said convention spokeswoman Katie Peters. “After consultation with public health officials, the Democratic National Convention Committee will implement robust health and safety protocols that will govern the convention’s in-person activities and keep attendees safe before and during the convention.”
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, called the safety protocols “thoughtful and thorough.”
“While it is important to protect every person attending the convention, it is also important to protect the entire Milwaukee community,” Barrett said. “These protocols establish reasonable requirements in order to prevent additional COVID-19 infections in Milwaukee.”
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have spiked in Wisconsin since mid-June, with roughly a third of the state’s 49,417 cases in Milwaukee County and nearly half of the state’s 893 deaths there. A city ordinance requires masks to be worn when in a building that is open to the public or outside in a public space and within 6 feet of any other person who is not a household or family member.


mercurynews--2020-07-27--Coronavirus: Why is San Mateo the only Bay Area county not on state watchlist?

San Mateo County stands alone in the greater Bay Area , an island surrounded by others whose surging coronavirus cases landed them on California ’ s COVID-19 monitoring list that requires closure of everything from indoor classrooms , offices and shopping malls to gyms , churches , hair salons and barbershops .
Not San Mateo County .
As of Monday , you could still go inside for a haircut from East Palo Alto to Pacifica or even workout inside a fitness center in Redwood City .
And for the moment , San Mateo County stands as the only place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to classrooms without special permission .
But there is little cause for celebration .
Local officials and businesses expect they may land on the list any day now .
San Mateo County ’ s rate of disease transmission has appeared to exceed the state ’ s benchmark since early July , but mysteriously it has escaped the state ’ s ominous designation .
“ Of course we ’ re happy our businesses are allowed to remain open , ” said Cheryl Angeles , president of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dyed this week , which is desperately needed .
But the governor could shut us down any day as well .
We ’ re all hanging in and holding our breath.
” San Mateo County is the only coastal California county between Mendocino and the Mexican border not on the state watchlist , after neighboring Santa Cruz County to the south joined it Sunday .
But San Mateo County Health Chief Louise F. Rogers acknowledged her county ’ s 14-day rolling average has topped the state ’ s benchmark of 100 coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely put us on the list soon.
” “ We would like to see the state re-evaluate some of their measures since they are not all measures of the spread of the virus or of our capacity to manage , ” Rogers said .
California has been steadily clamping down on business activity as reopenings in May led to a summer case surge .
The state is closing in on half a million COVID-19 cases , with more than 8,400 deaths .
Cases are up nearly 40 % and deaths 20 % over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin Newsom on Monday to warn Californians to “ wake up to that reality.
” Newsom on July 13 ordered a statewide indoor ban on dining , wine tasting , museums , movie theaters , card rooms and other family entertainment from arcades and bowling to miniature golf and batting cages .
But counties on the state ’ s monitoring list more than three days also must close shopping malls , gyms , places of worship , offices in non-critical sectors , barbershops , hair and nail salons and body waxing unless they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Counties can end up on that list a number of ways : More than 100 new cases per 100,000 people over 14 days , more than 8 % positive test results over seven days , a change of more than 10 % in the three-day average of COVID-19 hospitalized patients , more than 80 % of intensive care unit beds filled .
The state ’ s county data monitoring chart suggests the case rate is the hardest metric to meet , with 37 of California ’ s 58 counties over the 100-cases per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metrics , 22 have a positive test rate over 8 % , 14 have fewer than 20 % of ICU beds available and six have a hospitalization rate over 10 % .
All 58 counties meet two other metrics for case testing and ventilator availability .
The case rate is calculated over a 14-day period with a three-day lag to account for reporting delays , so the rate as of Monday would reflect the 14 days from July 10-23 .
But for some reason , which state officials won ’ t explain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemingly the same 14-day case rate depending where you look .
For example , the state ’ s county data monitoring chart gives San Mateo County a check mark for being below 100 cases per 100,000 over 14 days ; the county ’ s own health chief said it ’ s 101.2 ; and even more perplexing , the state ’ s county data and monitoring status map shows San Mateo County ’ s rate at 140.1 per 100,000 over the last 14 days .
That ’ s higher than neighboring Santa Clara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s watch list for weeks .
The state ’ s sites show Santa Clara ’ s disease transmission rate at 139 per 100,000 in one spot and 114.7 on another .
For residents and businesses , the ever-shifting edicts from Sacramento have been challenging and frustrating to keep up with .
Newsom on July 17 said schools in monitoring-list counties must start the fall instructional year teaching students remotely through online courses .
In San Mateo County , some schools have clung to hope they can welcome kids back to class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archdiocese of San Francisco announced last week that “ since San Mateo is not currently on the California COVID-19 Watch List , all elementary schools in San Mateo County will reopen with in-person instruction following their approved Reopening Plans on their first scheduled day of school.
” But the archdiocese noted that they “ will be required to move to a distance learning program if San Mateo is placed on the California COVID-19 Watch List between now and the first day of school.
” • After 20 years , Peggy Sue ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Businesses , meanwhile , keep an anxious eye on the watchlist .
Angeles said that while many on the list can still operate outdoors , that won ’ t last once the weather turns .
They are struggling as it is , she said , and being added to the watchlist would be “ horrible.
” “ I think we ’ d see a lot of businesses close up if that happens , ” Angeles said .
“ I ’ m keeping my fingers crossed .
”

San Mateo County stands alone in the greater Bay Area, an island surrounded by others whose surging coronavirus cases landed them on California’s COVID-19 monitoring list that requires closure of everything from indoor classrooms, offices and shopping malls to gyms, churches, hair salons and barbershops.
Not San Mateo County. As of Monday, you could still go inside for a haircut from East Palo Alto to Pacifica or even workout inside a fitness center in Redwood City. And for the moment, San Mateo County stands as the only place in the region that can welcome students back to classrooms without special permission.
But there is little cause for celebration. Local officials and businesses expect they may land on the list any day now. San Mateo County’s rate of disease transmission has appeared to exceed the state’s benchmark since early July, but mysteriously it has escaped the state’s ominous designation.
“Of course we’re happy our businesses are allowed to remain open,” said Cheryl Angeles, president of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce. “I can go get my hair dyed this week, which is desperately needed. But the governor could shut us down any day as well. We’re all hanging in and holding our breath.”
San Mateo County is the only coastal California county between Mendocino and the Mexican border not on the state watchlist, after neighboring Santa Cruz County to the south joined it Sunday.
But San Mateo County Health Chief Louise F. Rogers acknowledged her county’s 14-day rolling average has topped the state’s benchmark of 100 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents, which “will likely put us on the list soon.”
“We would like to see the state re-evaluate some of their measures since they are not all measures of the spread of the virus or of our capacity to manage,” Rogers said.
California has been steadily clamping down on business activity as reopenings in May led to a summer case surge. The state is closing in on half a million COVID-19 cases, with more than 8,400 deaths. Cases are up nearly 40% and deaths 20% over two weeks ago, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday to warn Californians to “wake up to that reality.”
Newsom on July 13 ordered a statewide indoor ban on dining, wine tasting, museums, movie theaters, card rooms and other family entertainment from arcades and bowling to miniature golf and batting cages.
But counties on the state’s monitoring list more than three days also must close shopping malls, gyms, places of worship, offices in non-critical sectors, barbershops, hair and nail salons and body waxing unless they can operate outside or by pick-up.
Counties can end up on that list a number of ways: More than 100 new cases per 100,000 people over 14 days, more than 8% positive test results over seven days, a change of more than 10% in the three-day average of COVID-19 hospitalized patients, more than 80% of intensive care unit beds filled.
The state’s county data monitoring chart suggests the case rate is the hardest metric to meet, with 37 of California’s 58 counties over the 100-cases per 100,000 people threshold. Of the other metrics, 22 have a positive test rate over 8%, 14 have fewer than 20% of ICU beds available and six have a hospitalization rate over 10%. All 58 counties meet two other metrics for case testing and ventilator availability.
The case rate is calculated over a 14-day period with a three-day lag to account for reporting delays, so the rate as of Monday would reflect the 14 days from July 10-23. But for some reason, which state officials won’t explain, it reports different figures for what is seemingly the same 14-day case rate depending where you look.
For example, the state’s county data monitoring chart gives San Mateo County a check mark for being below 100 cases per 100,000 over 14 days; the county’s own health chief said it’s 101.2; and even more perplexing, the state’s county data and monitoring status map shows San Mateo County’s rate at 140.1 per 100,000 over the last 14 days.
That’s higher than neighboring Santa Clara County, which has been on the state’s watch list for weeks. The state’s sites show Santa Clara’s disease transmission rate at 139 per 100,000 in one spot and 114.7 on another.
For residents and businesses, the ever-shifting edicts from Sacramento have been challenging and frustrating to keep up with. Newsom on July 17 said schools in monitoring-list counties must start the fall instructional year teaching students remotely through online courses.
In San Mateo County, some schools have clung to hope they can welcome kids back to class with distancing and hygiene protocols.
The Archdiocese of San Francisco announced last week that “since San Mateo is not currently on the California COVID-19 Watch List, all elementary schools in San Mateo County will reopen with in-person instruction following their approved Reopening Plans on their first scheduled day of school.”
But the archdiocese noted that they “will be required to move to a distance learning program if San Mateo is placed on the California COVID-19 Watch List between now and the first day of school.” Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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Businesses, meanwhile, keep an anxious eye on the watchlist. Angeles said that while many on the list can still operate outdoors, that won’t last once the weather turns. They are struggling as it is, she said, and being added to the watchlist would be “horrible.”
“I think we’d see a lot of businesses close up if that happens,” Angeles said. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Staff Writer Harriet Blair Rowan contributed to this report


mercurynews--2020-07-28--Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube scrub platforms of viral video making false coronavirus claims

A video featuring a group of doctors making false and dubious claims related to the coronavirus was removed by Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube after going viral online Monday .
The video , published by the right-wing media outlet Breitbart News , featured a group of people wearing white lab coats calling themselves “ America ’ s Frontline Doctors ” staging a press conference in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington , DC .
President Trump shared multiple versions of the video with his 84 million Twitter followers Monday night despite the dubious claims running counter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts .
Spokespersons for the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
During the press conference , a speaker who identifies herself as a doctor makes a number of dubious claims , including that “ you don ’ t need masks ” to prevent spread of the coronavirus , and that recent studies showing hydroxychloroquine is ineffective for the treatment of Covid-19 are “ fake science ” sponsored by “ fake pharma companies.
” • Cue the debunking : Two California doctors go viral with dubious COVID test conclusions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s called hydroxychloroquine , zinc , and Zithromax , ” the woman claims .
“ You don ’ t need masks , there is a cure.
” The claims run contrary to multiple studies on the anti-malarial drug and advice from public health officials to prevent spread of the virus .
A study found that neither hydroxychloroquine alone nor hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin appeared to affect the condition of patients at the 15-day mark .
Additionally , unusual heart rhythms and elevated liver-enzyme levels were more frequent in patients receiving hydroxychloroquine alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study .
The video quickly went viral on Facebook , becoming one of the top performing posts on the platform with more than 14 million views before it was taken down Monday night for promoting misinformation .
It was shared nearly 600,000 times , according to Crowdtangle , a data-analytics firm owned by Facebook .
“ We ’ ve removed this video for sharing false information about cures and treatments for COVID-19 , ” a Facebook spokesperson told CNN , adding that the platform is “ showing messages in News Feed to people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or shared harmful COVID-19-related misinformation that we have removed , connecting them to myths debunked by the WHO.
” Twitter worked to scrub the video late Monday night after Trump shared versions of the video that amassed hundreds of thousands of views .
“ We ’ re taking action in line with our Covid misinfo policy , ” a Twitter spokesperson told CNN .
Twitter took action against the videos that Trump retweeted .
By early Tuesday morning the videos were no longer able to be viewed on his account .
Twitter also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video posted by Donald Trump Jr. and others shared by Breitbart News .
• More business restrictions coming Tuesday as Santa Cruz County stays on COVID-19 watch list The video was also removed by YouTube , where it had been viewed more than 40,000 times .
Users attempting to access the video late Monday were greeted with a message that said it had been removed for “ violating YouTube ’ s Community Guidelines.
” A Breitbart spokesperson did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment .
According to the website for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group is led by Dr. Simone Gold , a Los Angeles-based emergency medicine specialist who has previously been featured on Fox News for her views that stay-at-home orders are harmful .
Gold told the Associated Press in May she wanted to speak out against stay-home orders because there was “ no scientific basis that the average American should be concerned ” about Covid-19 .
America ’ s Frontline Doctors could not be reached for comment late Monday .
As of Monday , the virus has caused nearly 150,000 US deaths , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track to become a leading cause of death in the country .

A video featuring a group of doctors making false and dubious claims related to the coronavirus was removed by Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube after going viral online Monday.
The video, published by the right-wing media outlet Breitbart News, featured a group of people wearing white lab coats calling themselves “America’s Frontline Doctors” staging a press conference in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC.
President Trump shared multiple versions of the video with his 84 million Twitter followers Monday night despite the dubious claims running counter to his administration’s own public health experts. Spokespersons for the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
[vemba-video id=”business/2020/07/28/viral-video-social-media-false-coronavirus-claims.cnnbusiness”]
During the press conference, a speaker who identifies herself as a doctor makes a number of dubious claims, including that “you don’t need masks” to prevent spread of the coronavirus, and that recent studies showing hydroxychloroquine is ineffective for the treatment of Covid-19 are “fake science” sponsored by “fake pharma companies.”
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Twitter temporarily restricts Donald Trump Jr.’s account after he posts video claiming masks are unnecessary Technology | Cue the debunking: Two California doctors go viral with dubious COVID test conclusions “This virus has a cure, it’s called hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and Zithromax,” the woman claims. “You don’t need masks, there is a cure.”
The claims run contrary to multiple studies on the anti-malarial drug and advice from public health officials to prevent spread of the virus.
A study found that neither hydroxychloroquine alone nor hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin appeared to affect the condition of patients at the 15-day mark. Additionally, unusual heart rhythms and elevated liver-enzyme levels were more frequent in patients receiving hydroxychloroquine alone or with azithromycin, according to the study.
The video quickly went viral on Facebook, becoming one of the top performing posts on the platform with more than 14 million views before it was taken down Monday night for promoting misinformation. It was shared nearly 600,000 times, according to Crowdtangle, a data-analytics firm owned by Facebook.
“We’ve removed this video for sharing false information about cures and treatments for COVID-19,” a Facebook spokesperson told CNN, adding that the platform is “showing messages in News Feed to people who have reacted to, commented on or shared harmful COVID-19-related misinformation that we have removed, connecting them to myths debunked by the WHO.”
Twitter worked to scrub the video late Monday night after Trump shared versions of the video that amassed hundreds of thousands of views.
“We’re taking action in line with our Covid misinfo policy,” a Twitter spokesperson told CNN.
Twitter took action against the videos that Trump retweeted. By early Tuesday morning the videos were no longer able to be viewed on his account. Twitter also took action on a version of the video posted by Donald Trump Jr. and others shared by Breitbart News.
The video was also removed by YouTube, where it had been viewed more than 40,000 times. Users attempting to access the video late Monday were greeted with a message that said it had been removed for “violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines.”
A Breitbart spokesperson did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment.
Related Articles Technology | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Technology | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge According to the website for America’s Frontline Doctors, the group is led by Dr. Simone Gold, a Los Angeles-based emergency medicine specialist who has previously been featured on Fox News for her views that stay-at-home orders are harmful. Gold told the Associated Press in May she wanted to speak out against stay-home orders because there was “no scientific basis that the average American should be concerned” about Covid-19.
America’s Frontline Doctors could not be reached for comment late Monday.
As of Monday, the virus has caused nearly 150,000 US deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University, and is on track to become a leading cause of death in the country.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-07-28--SF Giants Gameday Podcast: Why you’ll finally see Jeff Samardzija against the Padres

The Giants traveled to Los Angeles for a four-game series against the Dodgers and never sent the second-highest paid pitcher on their team to the mound .
Jeff Samardzija is in the final season of a five-year , $ 90 million contract , but first-year manager Gabe Kapler is waiting until Tuesday ’ s home opener at Oracle Park to have the right-hander make his season debut .
It was curious the Giants never had Samardzija pitch at Dodger Stadium and never gave an explanation for the decision , but it seems Kapler and president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 season like it ’ s the postseason .
And in the postseason , Samardzija wouldn ’ t face the Dodgers away from Oracle Park .
A lineup loaded with left-handed sluggers including 2019 MVP Cody Bellinger , Max Muncy and Corey Seager spells trouble for Samardzija , so the Giants will instead have him pitch Tuesday against the Padres and likely again on Sunday against the Rangers .
Samardzija hasn ’ t been given an opportunity to comment about the team ’ s plans , but it ’ s safe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiercest competitors probably isn ’ t the biggest fan of the Giants ’ strategy .
Traditional statistics would seem to back up an argument Samardzija should have received an opportunity , as he allowed six runs over 16 innings against Los Angeles last season and was fairly solid in all three outings against the Dodgers .
In this episode of the SF Giants Gameday podcast , we look at the upcoming homestand , a coronavirus outbreak in baseball and what the Giants can learn from their series against the Dodgers .

The Giants traveled to Los Angeles for a four-game series against the Dodgers and never sent the second-highest paid pitcher on their team to the mound.
Jeff Samardzija is in the final season of a five-year, $90 million contract, but first-year manager Gabe Kapler is waiting until Tuesday’s home opener at Oracle Park to have the right-hander make his season debut.
It was curious the Giants never had Samardzija pitch at Dodger Stadium and never gave an explanation for the decision, but it seems Kapler and president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi are intent on treating every game of the 2020 season like it’s the postseason.
And in the postseason, Samardzija wouldn’t face the Dodgers away from Oracle Park. A lineup loaded with left-handed sluggers including 2019 MVP Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and Corey Seager spells trouble for Samardzija, so the Giants will instead have him pitch Tuesday against the Padres and likely again on Sunday against the Rangers.
Samardzija hasn’t been given an opportunity to comment about the team’s plans, but it’s safe to assume one of the game’s fiercest competitors probably isn’t the biggest fan of the Giants’ strategy. Traditional statistics would seem to back up an argument Samardzija should have received an opportunity, as he allowed six runs over 16 innings against Los Angeles last season and was fairly solid in all three outings against the Dodgers.
In this episode of the SF Giants Gameday podcast, we look at the upcoming homestand, a coronavirus outbreak in baseball and what the Giants can learn from their series against the Dodgers.


mercurynews--2020-07-28--Toddler gets out of California home unnoticed, is struck and killed by pickup truck

A 2-year-old who managed to open the front door of his home Friday night wandered onto Lakeview Avenue in Nuevo @ @ @ @ @ by a pickup truck as another motorist , who saw the child , was running @ @ @ @ @ Highway Patrol said Monday .
The boy , identified as Samuel Rodriguez , was hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ after he was hit , just before 8:30 p.m. , the Riverside County Coroner ’ @ @ @ @ @ driver of the truck stayed at the scene .
Alcohol was not suspected to be @ @ @ @ @ Juan Quintero , a department spokesman , said .
The investigation showed the boy had @ @ @ @ @ his home in the 28000 block of Lakeview Avenue and walked out onto the roadway @ @ @ @ @ passing motorist saw him just south of Stalder Avenue , pulled over to the shoulder @ @ @ @ @ the boy , Quintero said , but as that was happening , a white Ford @ @ @ @ @ struck the child .

A 2-year-old who managed to open the front door of his home Friday night wandered onto Lakeview Avenue in Nuevo and was struck and killed by a pickup truck as another motorist, who saw the child, was running towards him, the California Highway Patrol said Monday.
The boy, identified as Samuel Rodriguez, was hospitalized and died about two hours after he was hit, just before 8:30 p.m., the Riverside County Coroner’s Office said.
The driver of the truck stayed at the scene. Alcohol was not suspected to be a factor, CHP Officer Juan Quintero, a department spokesman, said.
The investigation showed the boy had opened the front door of his home in the 28000 block of Lakeview Avenue and walked out onto the roadway, Quintero said.
A passing motorist saw him just south of Stalder Avenue, pulled over to the shoulder, and began running toward the boy, Quintero said, but as that was happening, a white Ford pickup going southbound on Lakeview struck the child.


mercurynews--2020-07-28--More business restrictions coming Tuesday as Santa Cruz County stays on COVID-19 watch list

SANTA CRUZ — Short of moving their operations outside , Santa Cruz County malls , gyms , churches and more will be forced to shutter indoor operations by 12:01 a.m. Tuesday , according to county officials , due to rapidly increasing coronavirus cases .
Continuing a trend previously outlined by officials , the county moved on Saturday from one that had been “ flagged ” for watching by state officials to one of those listed on the state ’ s county monitoring watch list , according to Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin .
On Monday , the California Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after three consecutive days under state observation , that new orders rolling back indoor commercial operations were pending and would be in effect Tuesday , Hoppin said .
The county government confirmed that timeline in press release Tuesday evening .
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel had announced Wednesday that the county had been “ flagged ” by the state , based on the “ dramatically increasing numbers of ( COVID-19 ) cases.
” As of Sunday , Santa Cruz County had counted 970 positive COVID-19 cases and four deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s latest statistics .
More than a third of the total cases — 397 — were reported in the past two weeks , according to state reports .
The state ’ s response to Santa Cruz County ’ s rising case numbers appeared to come more rapidly than for neighboring Monterey County , which was placed on the state watch list July 2 and not ordered to close indoor operations until July 8 .
“ The criteria is that you don ’ t meet the metrics for two weeks straight , you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 ( residents ) and hospitalizations and everything , ” Hoppin said .
“ If for two weeks you ’ re OK on those , you ’ re eligible to come off the list , but it doesn ’ t mean the state will take you off the list .
I would expect it would relatively imminently , but there ’ s no guarantees.
” Because the county is no longer crafting its own local health orders , it will be subject to state oversight as to when the orders are rescinded — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus-positive cases or other triggering factors .
Among the new rollbacks are those aimed at the somewhat nebulous heading of “ non-critical ” offices .
Hoppin said the county will refer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for guidance on what qualifies as exempt essential critical office infrastructure , a category that generally encompasses the categories of public health , public safety , agriculture , utilities , transportation , government , media , manufacturing , hazardous materials , financial services and other areas .
Retail and existing outdoor restaurant operations will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders and may continue operating under state guidelines for their respective sectors .
Exempt offices are not required to close operations but must continue following state guidance for safe operations .
Additional state guideline specifics are available for hair salon operations and personal services online at covid19.ca.gov .
On Monday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom , during one of his regular live-broadcast COVID-19 broadcasts , acknowledged Santa Cruz County ’ s addition to its watch list .
“ We just included Santa Cruz on the monitoring list , ( with ) 37 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list , as referred to on the monitoring list , ” Newsom said .
“ Those are a cohort of counties that are on that list that are getting the most support in terms of targeted intervention and efforts to mitigate the spread of this disease.
” Newsom was asked by a reporter at what point he might consider uniform statewide standards for reopening , rather than individualized efforts .
He said that while most were relying on state health orders , some counties not on the watch list had unique conditions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the eight-county Central Valley , where he was sending $ 53 million in funding from the Centers for Disease Control .
“ We will get through this .
This is not a permanent state , ” Newsom said at the end of his briefing Monday .
“ This is not the rest of our lives .
Quite the contrary .
We have remarkable capacity to bend this curve again .
We did it as a state many , many months ago .
We will do it again.
” Newsom cited examples with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some parts of the state continue to see increasing hospitalizations and others saw significant drops .
In addition to statewide closures Newsom announced July 13 , Santa Cruz County is now required to shut down additional industries and activities — unless they can be modified to operate outside or by pick-up .
Those closures include : • Places of worship and cultural ceremonies , like weddings and funerals .
Statewide , all counties are required to close indoor operations in these sectors : • Family entertainment centers ( for example : bowling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arcades . )
Separately , shops that offer tattoos , piercings and electrolysis may not be operated outdoors and must close .

SANTA CRUZ — Short of moving their operations outside, Santa Cruz County malls, gyms, churches and more will be forced to shutter indoor operations by 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, according to county officials, due to rapidly increasing coronavirus cases.
Continuing a trend previously outlined by officials, the county moved on Saturday from one that had been “flagged” for watching by state officials to one of those listed on the state’s county monitoring watch list, according to Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin.
On Monday, the California Department of Public Health notified Santa Cruz County, after three consecutive days under state observation, that new orders rolling back indoor commercial operations were pending and would be in effect Tuesday, Hoppin said. The county government confirmed that timeline in press release Tuesday evening.
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel had announced Wednesday that the county had been “flagged” by the state, based on the “dramatically increasing numbers of (COVID-19) cases.” As of Sunday, Santa Cruz County had counted 970 positive COVID-19 cases and four deaths since March, per the state’s latest statistics. More than a third of the total cases — 397 — were reported in the past two weeks, according to state reports.
The state’s response to Santa Cruz County’s rising case numbers appeared to come more rapidly than for neighboring Monterey County, which was placed on the state watch list July 2 and not ordered to close indoor operations until July 8.
“The criteria is that you don’t meet the metrics for two weeks straight, you’re below the 100 case counts per 100,000 (residents) and hospitalizations and everything,” Hoppin said. “If for two weeks you’re OK on those, you’re eligible to come off the list, but it doesn’t mean the state will take you off the list. I would expect it would relatively imminently, but there’s no guarantees.”
Because the county is no longer crafting its own local health orders, it will be subject to state oversight as to when the orders are rescinded — a minimum of 14 days without exponential new coronavirus-positive cases or other triggering factors.
Among the new rollbacks are those aimed at the somewhat nebulous heading of “non-critical” offices. Hoppin said the county will refer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for guidance on what qualifies as exempt essential critical office infrastructure, a category that generally encompasses the categories of public health, public safety, agriculture, utilities, transportation, government, media, manufacturing, hazardous materials, financial services and other areas.
Retail and existing outdoor restaurant operations will be unaffected by this week’s orders and may continue operating under state guidelines for their respective sectors. Exempt offices are not required to close operations but must continue following state guidance for safe operations. Additional state guideline specifics are available for hair salon operations and personal services online at covid19.ca.gov.
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom, during one of his regular live-broadcast COVID-19 broadcasts, acknowledged Santa Cruz County’s addition to its watch list.
“We just included Santa Cruz on the monitoring list, (with) 37 of our 58 counties now on the watch list, as referred to on the monitoring list,” Newsom said. “Those are a cohort of counties that are on that list that are getting the most support in terms of targeted intervention and efforts to mitigate the spread of this disease.”
Newsom was asked by a reporter at what point he might consider uniform statewide standards for reopening, rather than individualized efforts. He said that while most were relying on state health orders, some counties not on the watch list had unique conditions. Newsom highlighted the skyrocketing COVID-19 case counts in the eight-county Central Valley, where he was sending $53 million in funding from the Centers for Disease Control.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “We will get through this. This is not a permanent state,” Newsom said at the end of his briefing Monday. “This is not the rest of our lives. Quite the contrary. We have remarkable capacity to bend this curve again. We did it as a state many, many months ago. We will do it again.”
Newsom cited examples with reduced hospitalization rates statewide, while acknowledging that some parts of the state continue to see increasing hospitalizations and others saw significant drops.
In addition to statewide closures Newsom announced July 13, Santa Cruz County is now required to shut down additional industries and activities — unless they can be modified to operate outside or by pick-up. Those closures include:
• Gyms and fitness centers.
• Places of worship and cultural ceremonies, like weddings and funerals.
• Offices for non-critical infrastructure sectors.
• Personal care services, like nail salons and body waxing.
• Hair salons and barbershops.
• Shopping malls.
Statewide, all counties are required to close indoor operations in these sectors:
• Dine-in restaurants.
• Wineries and tasting rooms.
• Movie theaters.
• Family entertainment centers (for example: bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages and arcades.)
• Zoos and museums.
• Cardrooms.
Separately, shops that offer tattoos, piercings and electrolysis may not be operated outdoors and must close.


mercurynews--2020-07-28--Ex-UCLA coach pleads guilty to accepting $200,000 in bribes to help students gain admission

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER | The Associated Press A former University of California , Los Angeles men ’ s soccer coach pleaded guilty Monday to accepting $ 200,000 in bribes to help two students get into the school as recruits .
Jorge Salcedo , 47 , admitted to participating in the college admissions bribery scheme involving TV celebrities , other wealthy parents and elite universities across the country .
Salcedo was paid $ 100,000 to help California couple Bruce and Davina Isackson get their daughter into UCLA as a bogus soccer recruit , prosecutors said .
The Isacksons have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities in the hope of getting a lighter sentence .
Salcedo also took a $ 100,000 bribe from the admissions consultant at the center of the scheme , Rick Singer , to “ recruit ” the son of Xiaoning Sui , of Surrey , British Columbia , to his team , authorities said .
Singer and Sui have also pleaded guilty .
Salcedo pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge in a hearing held in front of a Boston federal court judge via videoconference because of the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. District Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accept his plea deal at a later date after further review .
He ’ s the sixth coach to plead guilty in the high-profile case .
Three other coaches are fighting the charges .
The coaches were paid in exchange for labeling students as recruits for sports they didn ’ t play to help them get into the schools , authorities said .
Other parents paid bribes to have someone cheat on their kids entrance exams .
Nearly 30 prominent parents have pleaded guilty in the case dubbed “ Operation Varsity Blues.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ star Felicity Huffman , who admitted to paying $ 15,000 to have someone rig her daughter ’ s SAT score .
“ Full House ” actor Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband , Mossimo Giannulli , have pleaded guilty to paying half a million dollars to get their daughters into the University of Southern California .
The famous couple is scheduled to be sentenced in August .
If the judge accepts their plea deals , Loughlin will be sentenced to two months behind bars and Giannulli will get five months .

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER | The Associated Press
A former University of California, Los Angeles men’s soccer coach pleaded guilty Monday to accepting $200,000 in bribes to help two students get into the school as recruits.
Jorge Salcedo, 47, admitted to participating in the college admissions bribery scheme involving TV celebrities, other wealthy parents and elite universities across the country.
Salcedo was paid $100,000 to help California couple Bruce and Davina Isackson get their daughter into UCLA as a bogus soccer recruit, prosecutors said. The Isacksons have also pleaded guilty and have been cooperating with authorities in the hope of getting a lighter sentence.
Salcedo also took a $100,000 bribe from the admissions consultant at the center of the scheme, Rick Singer, to “recruit” the son of Xiaoning Sui, of Surrey, British Columbia, to his team, authorities said. Singer and Sui have also pleaded guilty.
Salcedo pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge in a hearing held in front of a Boston federal court judge via videoconference because of the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said she would decide whether to accept his plea deal at a later date after further review.
He’s the sixth coach to plead guilty in the high-profile case. Three other coaches are fighting the charges.
The coaches were paid in exchange for labeling students as recruits for sports they didn’t play to help them get into the schools, authorities said. Other parents paid bribes to have someone cheat on their kids entrance exams.
Nearly 30 prominent parents have pleaded guilty in the case dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues.”
They include “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman, who admitted to paying $15,000 to have someone rig her daughter’s SAT score.
“Full House” actor Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have pleaded guilty to paying half a million dollars to get their daughters into the University of Southern California.
The famous couple is scheduled to be sentenced in August. If the judge accepts their plea deals, Loughlin will be sentenced to two months behind bars and Giannulli will get five months.


mercurynews--2020-07-28--Protesters chained to Gov. Newsom’s home as prison deaths mount

By DON THOMPSON | The Associated Press SACRAMENTO — Demonstrators chained themselves to a fence outside Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s home on Monday , calling for mass inmate releases and an end to immigration transfers because of the coronavirus pandemic , as deaths mounted at a San Francisco Bay Area prison .
The California Highway Patrol cut the chains linking protesters to the bars of the gate at the front of the residence in suburban Sacramento after about two hours , but could not immediately say how many had been arrested .
Television footage showed 14 demonstrators sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front gate , wearing surgical-style masks and plastic face shields to keep from spreading the virus .
The California Liberation Collective organized the protest that it said included several community organizers who are in the country illegally as well as immigration attorneys whose clients risk becoming infected .
The 14 were backed by dozens of other protesters calling for more prison releases because of outbreaks particularly at San Quentin State Prison .
Nineteen inmates have now died there , including a 10th inmate from death row over the weekend , tying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Men east of Los Angeles .
Demonstrators want Newsom to grant mass clemency and order more earlier releases to reduce the prison population , the collective said in a statement .
The governor has previously ordered steps projected to lead to the early release of about 10,000 inmates , or nearly 10 % of the inmate population .
The collective called that “ too little , too late.
” The 14 were backed by a banner hanging from the governor ’ s gate saying “ Free Them All.
” It accused Newsom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on executions while he is governor but said he has “ presided over dozens of preventable deaths in state prisons ” and “ issues hollow statements about racial justice while leaving Black and Brown people to die in squalid cells.
” Newsom ’ s office did not respond to a request for comment .
The collective also called on Newsom , a Democrat , to halt transfers of inmates from state and local custody to federal immigration officials , and to stop the expansion of immigration detention .
It said he “ criticizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarcerated Californians who are eligible for release over to ICE instead of their loved ones.
” California already has state laws blocking immigration facilities and limiting law enforcement agencies ’ cooperation with immigration officials .
Meanwhile Monday , more than 100 University of California , San Francisco doctors were among 750 people signing a statement delivered to Newsom calling for more prison releases .
The move was organized by UCSF ’ s chapter of White Coats For Black Lives , which said the signers also include nurses and other medical and mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They and the collective both called for reducing San Quentin ’ s inmate population by half to slow the spread of the virus .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
Condemned San Quentin inmate Johnny Avila Jr. , 62 , was the latest to die Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 19 overall deaths there during the state ’ s worst prison outbreak ties San Quentin with the California Institution for Men in Southern California , which previously had the most deaths .
Avila was among three men convicted in 1994 of two counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of two young women in 1991 .
The other two men were sentenced to life prison terms .
Dorothy Medina and Arlene Sanchez attended a party in rural Fresno , “ where Medina was brutally gang-raped , ” according to a state Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence .
She and Sanchez were then driven to the bank of a canal and killed , each with two bullets to the head .
• Coronavirus : Why is San Mateo the only Bay Area county not on state watchlist ?
Avila is the latest of 47 inmates to die statewide of suspected virus complications .
More than 1,800 inmates statewide currently have tested positive for the virus , while officials say more than 5,600 have recovered .
San Quentin has more than 500 active cases , more than the next two @ @ @ @

By DON THOMPSON | The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO — Demonstrators chained themselves to a fence outside Gov. Gavin Newsom’s home on Monday, calling for mass inmate releases and an end to immigration transfers because of the coronavirus pandemic, as deaths mounted at a San Francisco Bay Area prison.
The California Highway Patrol cut the chains linking protesters to the bars of the gate at the front of the residence in suburban Sacramento after about two hours, but could not immediately say how many had been arrested.
Television footage showed 14 demonstrators sitting cross-legged and chained to each other and the front gate, wearing surgical-style masks and plastic face shields to keep from spreading the virus.
The California Liberation Collective organized the protest that it said included several community organizers who are in the country illegally as well as immigration attorneys whose clients risk becoming infected.
The 14 were backed by dozens of other protesters calling for more prison releases because of outbreaks particularly at San Quentin State Prison. Nineteen inmates have now died there, including a 10th inmate from death row over the weekend, tying the death toll with the California Institution for Men east of Los Angeles.
Demonstrators want Newsom to grant mass clemency and order more earlier releases to reduce the prison population, the collective said in a statement. The governor has previously ordered steps projected to lead to the early release of about 10,000 inmates, or nearly 10% of the inmate population.
The collective called that “too little, too late.” The 14 were backed by a banner hanging from the governor’s gate saying “Free Them All.”
It accused Newsom of “hypocrisy” for putting a moratorium on executions while he is governor but said he has “presided over dozens of preventable deaths in state prisons” and “issues hollow statements about racial justice while leaving Black and Brown people to die in squalid cells.”
Newsom’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
The collective also called on Newsom, a Democrat, to halt transfers of inmates from state and local custody to federal immigration officials, and to stop the expansion of immigration detention.
It said he “criticizes Trump when convenient, but … turns incarcerated Californians who are eligible for release over to ICE instead of their loved ones.”
California already has state laws blocking immigration facilities and limiting law enforcement agencies’ cooperation with immigration officials.
Meanwhile Monday, more than 100 University of California, San Francisco doctors were among 750 people signing a statement delivered to Newsom calling for more prison releases. The move was organized by UCSF’s chapter of White Coats For Black Lives, which said the signers also include nurses and other medical and mental health providers, students and community members.
They and the collective both called for reducing San Quentin’s inmate population by half to slow the spread of the virus.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
Condemned San Quentin inmate Johnny Avila Jr., 62, was the latest to die Sunday of suspected complications from the coronavirus. The 19 overall deaths there during the state’s worst prison outbreak ties San Quentin with the California Institution for Men in Southern California, which previously had the most deaths.
Avila was among three men convicted in 1994 of two counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of two young women in 1991. The other two men were sentenced to life prison terms.
Dorothy Medina and Arlene Sanchez attended a party in rural Fresno, “where Medina was brutally gang-raped,” according to a state Supreme Court decision upholding Avila’s death sentence. She and Sanchez were then driven to the bank of a canal and killed, each with two bullets to the head.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms California News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Avila is the latest of 47 inmates to die statewide of suspected virus complications.
More than 1,800 inmates statewide currently have tested positive for the virus, while officials say more than 5,600 have recovered. San Quentin has more than 500 active cases, more than the next two hardest-hit prisons combined.