mercurynews--2020-03-06--Coronavirus: As cases climb, hospitals brace for patient surge

As clusters of coronavirus infections emerge in the general population , and the possibility of dozens of new patients from a cruise ship headed to San Francisco , the Bay Area ’ s healthcare facilities are racing to prepare for a sudden surge in demand Even in the best of times , hospitals run at near-full capacity .
Infection control is a perennial problem .
Beds are especially full now , because it ’ s flu season .
But coronavirus – infectious , with no vaccine or cure – will test their true readiness .
To save the elderly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of death , hospitals are quickly erecting tents , protecting precious supplies and readying Intensive Care Units and other special services .
For everyone else , they urge : Please stay home .
“ In young and healthy people , the disease is mild , ” said Dr. Sanjay Kurani , Medical Director of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center .
“ Stay home and call your provider.
” They ’ re protecting stockpiles of critical medical supplies , fearing limits as large distributors suspend shipments .
They ’ re rushing to train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , isolating and treating patients .
And they worry about reduced staffing , if workers sicken or must be quarantined .
Meanwhile , they need to make sure they don ’ t accidentally accelerate the viral spread to other patients .
And they must keep providing other essential care , from coronary bypass surgery to knee replacement .
Detailed projections of the expected demand for COVID-19 care have not yet been released by the federal government , but official planning assumptions for pandemic influenza paint a grim picture .
If coronavirus behaves like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health and Human Services predicts that 38 million more people could need medical care , 1 million would be hospitalized and 200,000 would need ICU care .
But in a very severe scenario , such as the 1918 flu , the need escalates .
In that event , a stunning 38 million people would need medical care , 9.6 million would be hospitalized and 2.9 million would need ICU .
“ As there are more and more cases , it is time to start thinking about not how to contain it but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repurpose our health care facilities to deal with it , ” said Dr. Amesh Adalja , an infectious disease specialist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
On Thursday , World Health Organization ’ s Director-General Tedros Adhanom had stern words for health care leaders : “ This is a time for pulling out all the stops , ” he said .
“ Get your hospitals ready .
Ensure essential supplies are available .
Train your health workers to identify cases , provide careful and compassionate treatment , and protect themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay Area hospitals are expanding their telephone and internet-based advice services for those who are otherwise healthy .
At the entrances of Emergency Departments , they ’ re rigorously screening patients to identify risk of infection .
To expand the capacity of emergency care , hospitals like UCSF and Good Samaritan are erecting tents in the parking lots outside entrances .
“ They ’ re military-grade disaster tents , ” said Dr. Maria Raven , chief of emergency medicine at UCSF .
“ We can use them to triage patients that would otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stanford , patients who meet the high-risk criteria – exposure to a known case or recent travel to China , South Korea , Iran and Italy – are directed to a separate entrance , for special attention and separation from others .
But as the virus becomes more widespread , these criteria will become less helpful , noted Dr. Yvonne Maldonado , infectious disease specialist and director of Inspection Control at Stanford Children ’ s Health .
Every patient who arrives at UCSF with a respiratory illness , whether it is the common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask , said UCSF ’ s Raven .
And they ’ re moved to a divided or closed room , in isolation .
If a patient is at very high risk , due to known exposure or travel history , they are placed in a dedicated room and healthcare workers garb up in gowns , face shields , gloves and masks A team of medical specialists – from infectious disease experts to respiratory therapists – then gather to assess the case , said Valley Med ’ s Kurani .
The severely ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative-pressure isolation rooms — which prevent germs from escaping , and perhaps intensive care .
UCSF has prepared 46 beds in these rooms .
If those fill up , one of its new tents could take overflow patients , said Raven .
At Stanford , campus engineers are prepared to create new negative-pressure isolation rooms – even convert an entire ward if necessary .
“ They can bring in equipment that sucks the air into the room , and safely vents , ” said Maldonado .
Hospitals say that if beds fill up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be scaled back .
But that ’ s an economic hardship to the hospitals , because those procedures are the money-makers .
“ If we have to start canceling elective surgery , we are prepared to do so , ” said Kurani .
As the worried public strips store shelves of masks and other supplies , hospitals are securing their supplies of gowns , gloves and medical face masks , especially so-called N95 respirators .
“ We ’ ve seen some of our stock disappear , ” said Maldonado .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Coronavirus : San Jose Sharks ’ game Thursday to go on as scheduled • Coronavirus : Famed Silicon Valley VC firm tells companies to think about cutting jobs And they ’ re braced for shortages of healthcare workers — precisely when they need them most .
At NorthBay VacaValley Hospital , while caring for a profoundly ill coronavirus patient , at least two health care workers have become infected .
And more than 50 California healthcare workers have been sent home in recent weeks upon coming into contact with infected patients , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – United Healthcare Workers West , which represents caregivers .
Five workers at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose were sent home Jan. 31 but have since returned to work ; at least 10 workers at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View and Los Gatos were taken off the job Feb. 27 ; two workers at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles were quarantined March 3 ; 10 workers at Kaiser Permanente in Roseville were isolated March 4 ; and 30 workers at Sutter Santa Rosa were quarantined March 5 .
In Riverside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Because the full scope of the future outbreak is still unknown , health officials say they don ’ t know if they ’ ve done too much — or too little .
“ You build a fire department ahead of time .
You don ’ t wait for a fire , ” said Tom Inglesby of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
“ There is an underappreciation for the amount of time and resources required to build a prepared system .
”

As clusters of coronavirus infections emerge in the general population and the possibly dozens of new patients from a cruise ship are headed to San Francisco, the Bay Area’s health care facilities are racing to prepare for a sudden surge in demand.
Even in the best of times, hospitals run at near-full capacity. Infection control is a perennial problem. Beds are especially full now because it’s flu season. But coronavirus — infectious, with no vaccine or cure — will test their true readiness.
To save the elderly and medically frail who are at greatest risk of death, hospitals quickly are erecting tents, protecting precious supplies and readying intensive care units and other special services.
For everyone else, they urge: Please stay home.
“In young and healthy people, the disease is mild,” said Dr. Sanjay Kurani, medical director of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. “Stay home and call your provider.”
Hospitals are protecting stockpiles of critical medical supplies, fearing limits as large distributors suspend shipments. They’re rushing to train staff about the latest guidelines for identifying, isolating and treating patients. And they worry about reduced staffing if workers become sick or must be quarantined.
Meanwhile, they need to make sure they don’t accidentally accelerate the viral spread to other patients. And they must keep providing other essential care, from coronary bypass surgery to knee replacement.
Detailed projections of the expected demand for COVID-19 care have not yet been released by the federal government, but official planning assumptions for pandemic influenza paint a grim picture.
If coronavirus behaves like the 1968 flu, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services predicts that 38 million people could need medical care and 1 million would be hospitalized. But in a very severe scenario, such as the 1918 flu, the need escalates: 38 million people would still need medical care but 9.6 million would be hospitalized. The U.S. population, by comparison, is 327 million.
There would increased demand for Intensive Care Unit care. In the more moderate scenario, 200,000 would need ICU care; in the severe scenario, 2.9 million would need ICU care. But we currently only have about 46,500 medical ICU beds in the United States, with perhaps an equal number of other ICU beds that could be used in a crisis, write Dr. Eric Toner and Dr. Richard Waldhorn in their February 27 report “What US Hospitals Should Do Now to Prepare for a COVID-19 Pandemic,” published by the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Center for Health Security.
They conclude: “Even spread out over several months, the mismatch between demand and resources is clear.”
“As there are more and more cases, it is time to start thinking about not how to contain it but how to cope with it — and repurpose our health care facilities to deal with it,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at the Center for Health Security.
On Thursday, World Health Organization’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom had stern words for health care leaders:
“This is a time for pulling out all the stops,” he said. “Get your hospitals ready. Ensure essential supplies are available. Train your health workers to identify cases, provide careful and compassionate treatment, and protect themselves from infection.”
To reduce demand, Bay Area hospitals are expanding their telephone and internet-based advice services for those who are otherwise healthy.
At the entrances of emergency departments, they’re rigorously screening patients to identify risk of infection.
To expand the capacity of emergency care, hospitals such as UCSF and Good Samaritan are erecting tents in the parking lots outside entrances.
“They’re military-grade disaster tents,” said Dr. Maria Raven, chief of emergency medicine at UCSF. “We can use them to triage patients that would otherwise be put in a room.”
At Stanford, patients who meet the high-risk criteria — exposure to a known case or recent travel to China, South Korea, Iran and Italy — are directed to a separate entrance for special attention and separation from others.
But as the virus becomes more widespread, these criteria will become less helpful, noted Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, infectious disease specialist and director of Inspection Control at Stanford Children’s Health.
At Stanford’s ambulatory sites, screened patients are placed in a closed-door room and personal protective gear is increased
Every patient who arrives at UCSF with a respiratory illness, whether it is the common cold, flu or coronavirus, gets a mask, said UCSF’s Raven. And they’re moved to a divided or closed room, in isolation.
If a patient is at very high risk, due to known exposure or travel history, they are placed in a dedicated room, and health care workers garb up in gowns, face shields, gloves and masks.
A team of medical specialists — from infectious disease experts to respiratory therapists — then gather to assess the case, said Valley Med’s Kurani.
The severely ill are rushed to special rooms, called negative-pressure isolation rooms — which prevent germs from escaping, and perhaps intensive care.
UCSF has prepared 46 beds in these rooms. If those fill up, one of its new tents could take overflow patients, said Raven.
At Stanford, campus engineers are prepared to create new negative-pressure isolation rooms — even convert an entire ward if necessary.
“They can bring in equipment that sucks the air into the room, and safely vents,” said Maldonado.
Hospitals say that if beds fill up, routine care and elective surgeries can be scaled back. But that’s an economic hardship to the hospitals, because those procedures are the money-makers.
“If we have to start canceling elective surgery, we are prepared to do so,” said Kurani.
As the worried public strips store shelves of masks and other supplies, hospitals are securing their supplies of gowns, gloves and medical face masks, especially so-called N95 respirators.
“We’ve seen some of our stock disappear,” said Maldonado. “We have to keep under lock and key.”
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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 They’re also braced for shortages of healthcare workers — precisely when they need them most. At NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, while caring for a profoundly ill coronavirus patient, at least two health care workers have become infected.
And more than 50 California health care workers have been sent home in recent weeks upon coming into contact with infected patients, according to the Service Employees International Union — United Healthcare Workers West, which represents caregivers.
Five workers at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose were sent home Jan. 31 but have since returned to work; at least 10 workers at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View and Los Gatos were taken off the job Feb. 27; two workers at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles were quarantined Tuesday; 10 workers at Kaiser Permanente in Roseville were isolated Wednesday; and 30 workers at Sutter Santa Rosa were quarantined Thursday. In Riverside, at least 10 caregivers have been sent home.
“At places like Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, Washington Hospital in Fremont and many Kaiser Permanente facilities across the state, protocols to protect workers, patients and the public have been put in place and are effective,” said Dave Regan, SEIU-UHW president.
Because the full scope of the future outbreak is still unknown, health officials say they don’t yet know if they’ve done too much — or too little.
“You build a fire department ahead of time. You don’t wait for a fire,” said Tom Inglesby of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “There is an under-appreciation for the amount of time and resources required to build a prepared system.”


mercurynews--2020-03-06--“Your bills don’t get sick”: Bay Area gig workers say coronavirus prevention isn’t so easy

For the past five years , Mostafa Maklad has driven for rideshare companies , clearing about $ 100 a day after expenses .
At 36 , he shares a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco with five other roommates and tries to drive up to 100 hours a week to get by .
Maklad , who has driven for both Uber and Lyft and is an organizer with Gig Workers Rising , which advocates for worker protections and benefits , says his days typically begin at 5 a.m. and end after midnight .
He has driven while sick in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of coronavirus cases grows in the Bay Area , he ’ s trying to take as many precautions as possible to protect himself and his passengers : wiping down his car regularly , washing his hands , stocking up on hand sanitizer .
But he worries about how he would sustain himself if he started to feel sick .
“ I could stay home if I ’ m sick but who is going to pay my bills ?
” says Maklad on a recent break from driving in the Bay Area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can not afford to go to the doctor .
I don ’ t have health care to cover my needs and I don ’ t get sick leave from work so I still have to keep working.
” Maklad ’ s dilemma underscores the challenge for independent contractors , gig workers and others in jobs that can ’ t be done remotely : without paid sick time , they say , it ’ s harder to take the kinds of precautionary measures experts advise to minimize and mitigate the spread of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other leaders have repeatedly urged people to stay home if they become ill or to work remotely .
This week , both Twitter and Microsoft Corp. asked Bay Area employees to telecommute if possible , and Square also encouraged employees to work from home .
But for gig workers who help fuel the thriving tech economy , staying home means giving up money they need to pay the bills , setting up a tension that some fear could affect efforts to contain the spread of the virus .
“ In a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how our larger social economic political conditions really affect the ability to comply with these kinds of recommendations that public health officials are giving us , ” says Lili Farhang , co-director of the Oakland-based public health organization Human Impact Partners .
“ The control of coronavirus is wholly dependent on people ’ s ability to comply with this recommendation to isolate .
And that recommendation , that precaution , is totally impractical for people who lack adequate health insurance , who don ’ t have paid sick leave , or who don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home.
” Although there are no federal laws guaranteeing paid sick time , California requires employers to provide employees with three paid sick days each year .
But like many other gig workers , Maklad remains an independent contractor , not an employee , and says he does not receive employee health coverage or paid sick time .
As for preemptively storing up to two week ’ s worth of food in the event he did become sick and could not leave the house ?
Too expensive , he says .
Uber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies have advised drivers or delivery workers to stay safe — and to stay home if they aren ’ t feeling well .
But advocates argue that creates a difficult choice for many workers .
“ If you ’ re not feeling well and it ’ s between not driving and falling behind on bills and rent , what are you going to choose ?
” says Lauren Casey , gig economy campaign lead with working Partnerships USA .
California ’ s landmark gig worker law , Assembly Bill 5 , aimed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contractors as employees .
Under the law , which went into effect January 1 , Lyft and Uber drivers reclassified as employees would be covered by state and city paid sick time policies .
But the companies are challenging the law in court and working to put an initiative before voters .
Carlos Ramos is a 38-year-old Lyft driver and Gig Workers Rising organizer who lives in Bakersfield but regularly drives in the Bay Area .
He ’ s unlike some of his colleagues : He has health coverage through the U.S. Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says taking time off of work to go to the doctor is a luxury .
He says he would not be able to stop driving if he started feeling ill and he worries about the public health impact of drivers staying on the road .
If he tested positive for coronavirus , he said , he wouldn ’ t drive .
“ You might get sick but your bills don ’ t get sick , ” Ramos says .
This article is part of The California Divide , a collaboration among newsrooms examining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

For the past five years, Mostafa Maklad has driven for rideshare companies, clearing about $100 a day after expenses. At 36, he shares a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco with five other roommates and tries to drive up to 100 hours a week to get by.
Maklad, who has driven for both Uber and Lyft and is an organizer with Gig Workers Rising, which advocates for worker protections and benefits, says his days typically begin at 5 a.m. and end after midnight. He has driven while sick in the past to cover his monthly expenses. As the number of coronavirus cases grows in the Bay Area, he’s trying to take as many precautions as possible to protect himself and his passengers: wiping down his car regularly, washing his hands, stocking up on hand sanitizer. But he worries about how he would sustain himself if he started to feel sick.
“I could stay home if I’m sick but who is going to pay my bills?” says Maklad on a recent break from driving in the Bay Area. “If I get sick, I cannot afford to go to the doctor. I don’t have health care to cover my needs and I don’t get sick leave from work so I still have to keep working.”
Maklad’s dilemma underscores the challenge for independent contractors, gig workers and others in jobs that can’t be done remotely: without paid sick time, they say, it’s harder to take the kinds of precautionary measures experts advise to minimize and mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
Public health officials, companies and other leaders have repeatedly urged people to stay home if they become ill or to work remotely. This week, both Twitter and Microsoft Corp. asked Bay Area employees to telecommute if possible, and Square also encouraged employees to work from home.
But for gig workers who help fuel the thriving tech economy, staying home means giving up money they need to pay the bills, setting up a tension that some fear could affect efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
“In a lot of ways what this situation lays bare is how our larger social economic political conditions really affect the ability to comply with these kinds of recommendations that public health officials are giving us,” says Lili Farhang, co-director of the Oakland-based public health organization Human Impact Partners. “The control of coronavirus is wholly dependent on people’s ability to comply with this recommendation to isolate. And that recommendation, that precaution, is totally impractical for people who lack adequate health insurance, who don’t have paid sick leave, or who don’t have the option to work from home.”
Although there are no federal laws guaranteeing paid sick time, California requires employers to provide employees with three paid sick days each year.
But like many other gig workers, Maklad remains an independent contractor, not an employee, and says he does not receive employee health coverage or paid sick time. As for preemptively storing up to two week’s worth of food in the event he did become sick and could not leave the house? Too expensive, he says.
Uber, Lyft, Doordash and other delivery companies have advised drivers or delivery workers to stay safe — and to stay home if they aren’t feeling well. But advocates argue that creates a difficult choice for many workers.
“If you’re not feeling well and it’s between not driving and falling behind on bills and rent, what are you going to choose?” says Lauren Casey, gig economy campaign lead with working Partnerships USA.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Business | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge California’s landmark gig worker law, Assembly Bill 5, aimed to change the employment landscape by reclassifying independent contractors as employees. Under the law, which went into effect January 1, Lyft and Uber drivers reclassified as employees would be covered by state and city paid sick time policies. But the companies are challenging the law in court and working to put an initiative before voters.
Carlos Ramos is a 38-year-old Lyft driver and Gig Workers Rising organizer who lives in Bakersfield but regularly drives in the Bay Area. He’s unlike some of his colleagues: He has health coverage through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, but he still says taking time off of work to go to the doctor is a luxury. He says he would not be able to stop driving if he started feeling ill and he worries about the public health impact of drivers staying on the road. If he tested positive for coronavirus, he said, he wouldn’t drive.
“You might get sick but your bills don’t get sick,” Ramos says.
This article is part of The California Divide, a collaboration among newsrooms examining income inequity and economic survival in California.


mercurynews--2020-03-06--Fired police chief plans to sue Oakland; former colleague rips federal monitor

OAKLAND — Fired Oakland police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said Thursday that she will file a lawsuit against the city , and has a retained a prominent San Francisco law firm to represent her .
she has retained a prominent San Francisco law firm to file a lawsuit against the city .
Her announcement came as the Oakland Police Department ’ s former federal compliance director because the latest person to publicly blast the monitor overseeing the police force .
At a press conference Thursday morning , Kirkpatrick said in her three years atop the Oakland Police Department , she took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate administrators within City Hall .
“ I am not one who thinks you settle everything through legal routes , ” Kirkpatrick said .
“ But I will tell you today , I have made that decision , I am going to have to go forward through legal action.
” The Oakland Police Commission and Mayor Libby Schaaf jointly on Feb. 20 fired Kirkpatrick without cause , ending months of tension between the chief and the independent citizen board .
Kirkpatrick has retained Keker Van Nest & Peters of San Francisco , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Oakland chiefs Howard Jordan and Sean Whent in interviews with this news organization , as well as former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton , have questioned monitor Robert Warshaw ’ s handling of OPD ’ s federal oversight program , now in its 17th year .
Jordan joined Kirkpatrick at her press conference Thursday .
In a stunning development , Thomas Frazier , who was Oakland ’ s compliance director and worked alongside Warshaw until 2014 , joined in the criticism of Warshaw , saying the monitor “ saw me as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year gig.
” Then-U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson removed Frazier as compliance director in 2014 , and gave Warshaw the position .
Warshaw was hired as monitor in 2010 , but his appointment as also the department ’ s compliance director greatly expanded his authority over the department .
Giving Warshaw both jobs , Frazier wrote in a statement Thursday , “ created a conflict of interest.
” Fraizer ’ s statement , which is believed to be his first public comments since his 2014 ouster , were released at Chief Kirkpatrick ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely confident that I could have had the Oakland Police Department in compliance , ” Frazier wrote in a statement .
“ I was six to eight months from completing the task when my contract was not renewed , I believe , at the behest of Robert Warshaw .
Warshaw did his best to discredit me with the federal judge , which led to my departure .
“ Clearly , he has continued to keep Oakland from ever reaching compliance because that would eliminate his job and his paycheck , ” Frazier wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week called on the federal government to take a closer look at the department ’ s oversight , plans to go to Washington D.C. to speak with those officials in person .
“ This monitor ’ s actions have vastly affected the dedicated and courageous officers of our police department , ” Gallo said .
“ The monitor has caused extensive demoralization of the department to the extent that our citizen ’ s public safety is at risk at no fault of our officers.
” OPD as part of a 2003 settlement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were accused of beating and planting drugs on West Oakland residents , agreed to achieve 52 reforms .
The department is still eight tasks short , five of which were brought out of compliance under Chief Kirkpatrick .
Kirkpatrick did not say when she would file suit , or who would be named as defendants .
The firm she ’ s retained , Keker Van Nest & Peters , also represents the city of Oakland , Alameda County and the Coliseum Authority , most notably the ongoing legal battle against the Golden State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authority says the team owes .
Having attorney John Keker represent Kirkpatrick required a waiver from the Oakland City Attorney ’ s Office , which did so this week .
The firm practices wrongful termination cases but is better known for representing big names , such as Google , Major League Baseball and celebrities .
Keker prosecuted Lt. Col. Oliver North during the Iran-Contra scandal .

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OAKLAND — Fired Oakland police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said Thursday that she will file a lawsuit against the city, and has retained a prominent San Francisco law firm to represent her.
Her announcement came as the Oakland Police Department’s former federal compliance director became the latest person to publicly blast the monitor overseeing the police force.
At a news conference Thursday morning, Kirkpatrick said in her three years atop the Oakland Police Department, she took concerns about “inappropriate behavior” to various administrators within City Hall.
“I am not one who thinks you settle everything through legal routes,” Kirkpatrick said. “But I will tell you today, I have made that decision. I am going to have to go forward through legal action.”
The Oakland Police Commission and Mayor Libby Schaaf on Feb. 20 jointly fired Kirkpatrick without cause, ending months of tension between the chief and the independent citizen board. Kirkpatrick has retained Keker Van Nest & Peters of San Francisco, she said Thursday.
In interviews with this news organization after Kirkpatrick’s termination, former Oakland chiefs Howard Jordan and Sean Whent, as well as former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, have questioned monitor Robert Warshaw’s handling of OPD’s federal oversight program, now in its 17th year. Jordan joined Kirkpatrick at her news conference Thursday.
In a stunning development, Thomas Frazier, who was Oakland’s compliance director and worked alongside Warshaw until 2014, joined in the criticism of Warshaw, saying the monitor “saw me as a threat to his million-dollar-a-year gig.”
In 2014, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson removed Frazier as compliance director and gave Warshaw the position. Warshaw was hired as monitor in 2010, but his appointment as the department’s compliance director also greatly expanded his authority over the department.
Giving Warshaw both jobs, Frazier wrote in a statement Thursday, “created a conflict of interest.” Fraizer’s statement, which is believed to be his first public comments since his 2014 ouster, was released at Chief Kirkpatrick’s news conference.
“I am absolutely confident that I could have had the Oakland Police Department in compliance,” Frazier wrote in a statement. “I was six to eight months from completing the task when my contract was not renewed, I believe, at the behest of Robert Warshaw.
“Warshaw did his best to discredit me with the federal judge, which led to my departure. Clearly, he has continued to keep Oakland from ever reaching compliance because that would eliminate his job and his paycheck.”
Councilman Noel Gallo, who last week called on the federal government to take a closer look at the department’s oversight, plans to go to Washington, D.C., to speak with those officials in person.
“This monitor’s actions have vastly affected the dedicated and courageous officers of our police department,” Gallo said. “The monitor has caused extensive demoralization of the department to the extent that our citizens’ public safety is at risk at no fault of our officers.”
As part of a 2003 settlement in the Riders case, in which officers were accused of beating and planting drugs on West Oakland residents, Oakland police leaders agreed to achieve 52 reforms. The department is still eight tasks short, five of which were brought out of compliance under Chief Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick did not say when she would file suit, or who would be named as defendants. Keker Van Nest & Peters also represents the city of Oakland, Alameda County and the Coliseum Authority, most notably in the ongoing legal battle against the Golden State Warriors over a roughly $40 million debt the authority says the team owes.
Having attorney John Keker represent Kirkpatrick required a waiver from the Oakland City Attorney’s Office, which did so this week. The firm practices wrongful termination cases but is better known for representing big names, such as Google, Major League Baseball and celebrities. Keker prosecuted Lt. Col. Oliver North during the Iran-Contra scandal.


mercurynews--2020-03-06--Coronavirus: San Jose Sharks’ game Thursday to go on as scheduled

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks said Thursday afternoon their game with the Minnesota Wild at SAP Center later that evening will go on as originally scheduled , although the team will continue to evaluate whether to hold events in the coming days with confirmed coronavirus cases continuing to increase throughout the region .
Earlier Thursday , public health officials from Santa Clara County called for new measures to prevent the coronavirus from circulating in the community , including cancelling large gatherings like sporting events .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Santa Clara County reached 20 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is aware of the recommendations made today by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and we continue to actively monitor the situation , ” the team said in a statement .
“ We will be evaluating further upcoming events in the coming days.
” The Sharks also have two home games this weekend , as they play the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday .
The organization ’ s statement continued , “ SAP Center undergoes a rigorous cleaning procedure after each and every event , with particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas .
Many areas will receive additional , enhanced measures throughout the course of events for the foreseeable future .
“ Guests attending tonight ’ s game and future SAP Center events are strongly encouraged to follow the health department ’ s suggestion , which recommends that “ persons at higher risk avoid mass gatherings such as parades , sporting events , and concerts where large numbers of people are within arm ’ s length of one another.
” A team spokesman said Sharks players have been encouraged to limit interaction whenever possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to keep washing their hands .
Fans are allowed to come to the team ’ s practices at Solar4America Ice in San Jose/ They usually greet players or ask for autographs after practice when the players come off the ice .
A message on a television inside the Sharks ’ locker room Thursday morning asked for players and staff to “ Please wash your hands frequently .
Cover your cough or sneeze.
” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday at the general managers ’ meeting in Florida that the league has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control .
At that time , Bettman did not wish to speculate whether teams will have to postpone games or hold them in empty arenas .
“ At this point , it would be premature to pick any one of the possibilities , especially because it may or may not become necessary in North America , ” Bettman said .
“ We ’ re staying current , we ’ re staying in communication with everyone appropriate , and we ’ ll deal with it if and when the time comes.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things , ” Bettman said .
“ We ’ re going to keep everybody completely informed .
”

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks said Thursday afternoon their game with the Minnesota Wild at SAP Center later that evening will go on as originally scheduled.
Earlier Thursday, public health officials from Santa Clara County called for new measures to prevent the coronavirus from circulating in the community, including cancelling large gatherings like sporting events.
The team will continue to evaluate whether to hold events in the coming days with confirmed coronavirus cases continuing to increase throughout the region.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Santa Clara County reached 20 on Thursday.
“Sharks Sports & Entertainment is aware of the recommendations made today by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and we continue to actively monitor the situation,” the team said in a statement. “We will be evaluating further upcoming events in the coming days.”
The Sharks also have two home games this weekend, as they play the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.
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The organization’s statement continued, “SAP Center undergoes a rigorous cleaning procedure after each and every event, with particular attention paid to high-traffic, high public-contact areas. Many areas will receive additional, enhanced measures throughout the course of events for the foreseeable future.
“Guests attending tonight’s game and future SAP Center events are strongly encouraged to follow the health department’s suggestion, which recommends that “persons at higher risk avoid mass gatherings such as parades, sporting events, and concerts where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another.”
A Sharks spokesman said season ticket holders who feel they are at risk for contracting the disease should contact their representative in the Sharks ticket office.
Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.
The San Jose Earthquakes of MLS also have a home game scheduled against Minnesota United FC Saturday afternoon. That club said in a statement after the county’s Thursday recommendation that it was monitoring the situation, but would not yet say if that match will be canceled:
“The Earthquakes organization is aware of the recent COVID-19 updates from the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department. Public health and safety are our top priorities and we are coordinating with local agencies, the CDC, MLS officials and upcoming opponent Minnesota United FC to ensure the proper measures are taken to protect our community. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates regarding Saturday’s match at Earthquakes Stadium.”
SAP Center has several events scheduled in the next few days. The San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, play San Diego on Friday and Saturday, and Tony Robbins will speak at the arena March 12-15.
As is normal for 7:30 p.m. starts to games, fans started to filter into SAP Center for Thursday’s game shortly after 6 p.m.
“We’re washing our hands all the time, so we’re trying to keep clear,” said Ron Pieracci, 83, of San Jose, who was with his wife, Betty, 82. “Everybody that we know that’s got tickets was coming, or planning to.”
Mike Anderson, 73, of Sunnyvale said he thought about not coming to the game. But as of early Thursday night, he and friend Nancy Cloutier, 83, were also planning to attend the next two Barracuda games.
“I guess it can be serious. We’re both over that tricky age of 70, so we’re both risky,” Anderson said. “But we don’t have any respiratory problems, so we’re thinking we could be worse off.”
The scene inside SAP Center just before puck drop. Light crowd to start. Bad traffic, a non-contending team or people staying away over health concerns? pic.twitter.com/1oqBUi11AW — Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) March 6, 2020
The Sharks asked fans at SAP Center to observe the following guidelines:
▪Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
▪ If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
▪ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
▪Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
▪Stay home when you are sick.
▪Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and clean your hands.”
A Sharks spokesman said the team’s players have been encouraged to limit interaction whenever possible, to minimize any exposure potential, and to keep washing their hands. Fans are allowed to come to the team’s practices at Solar4America Ice in San Jose/ They usually greet players or ask for autographs after practice when the players come off the ice.
A message on a television inside the Sharks’ locker room Thursday morning asked for players and staff to “Please wash your hands frequently. Cover your cough or sneeze.”
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“At this point, it would be premature to pick any one of the possibilities, especially because it may or may not become necessary in North America,” Bettman said. “We’re staying current, we’re staying in communication with everyone appropriate, and we’ll deal with it if and when the time comes.”
“We’re going to continue to monitor things,” Bettman said. “We’re going to keep everybody completely informed.”


mercurynews--2020-03-06--Report: Russian social media accounts are sowing discord again

By Amanda Seitz and Barbara Ortutay | Associated Press Four years after Russia-linked groups stoked divisions in the U.S. presidential election on social media platforms , a new report shows that Moscow ’ s campaign hasn ’ t let up and has become harder to detect .
The report from University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Young Mie Kim found that Russia-linked social media accounts are posting about the same divisive issues — race relations , gun laws and immigration — as they did in 2016 , when the Kremlin polluted American voters ’ feeds with messages about the presidential election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since then , however , the Russians have grown better at imitating U.S. campaigns and political fan pages online , said Kim , who analyzed thousands of posts .
She studied more than 5 million Facebook ads during the 2016 election , identifying Russia ’ s fingerprints on some of the messages through an ad-tracking app .
Her review is co-published by the Brennan Center for Justice , a law and policy institute , where she is a scholar .
The Russian improvements make it harder for voters and social media platforms to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ For normal users , it is too subtle to discern the differences , ” Kim said .
“ By mimicking domestic actors , with similar logos ( and ) similar names , they are trying to avoid verification.
” Kim ’ s report comes weeks after U.S. intelligence officials briefed lawmakers on Russian efforts to stir chaos in American politics and undermine public confidence in this year ’ s election .
The classified briefing detailed Russian efforts to boost the White House bids of both Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that Russia was still waging “ information warfare ” with an army of fictional social media personas and bots that spread disinformation .
In a rare , joint statement Monday , the leaders of America ’ s intelligence agencies cautioned that foreign actors were spreading false information ahead of Super Tuesday to “ cause confusion and create doubt in our system.
” But intelligence officials have not released any details about the type of disinformation or explained how Americans should protect themselves from it .
Russia has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and did again on Thursday .
“ You just want us to repeat again that we have nothing to do with the U.S. elections , ” Russia ’ s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said .
Russia has refined its techniques since 2016 and new foreign actors have joined the game , making it harder to identify Kremlin-backed disinformation said Thomas Rid , a national security expert who has written a book about the Kremlin ’ s history of spreading disinformation .
“ I do pick up some chatter that the visibility into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it may appear , ” Rid said .
“ It ’ s very difficult to spot Russian interference today.
” Still , it ’ s unclear how much impact — if any — Russian disinformation tactics have had on voters .
Some of Russia ’ s social media ads in the 2016 U.S. presidential election were seen by only a handful of people and their impact has been “ vastly overstated , ” Rid said .
But Kim ’ s report pulls back the curtain on some of the online techniques Russia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential race , including targeting battleground states with its divisive messaging .
Her review identified thousands of posts last year from more than 30 Instagram accounts , which Facebook removed from the site in October after concluding that they originated from Russia and had links to the Internet Research Agency , a Russian operation that targeted U.S. audiences in 2016 .
Facebook owns Instagram .
Analysis from Graphika , a disinformation security firm , also concluded at the time that the accounts went to “ great lengths to hide their origins.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcing these influence campaigns , as we did more than 50 times last year , ” Facebook said in an email .
After getting caught off-guard with Russia ’ s 2016 election interference attempts , Facebook , Google , Twitter and others put safeguards in place to prevent it from happening again .
This includes taking down posts , groups and accounts that engage in “ coordinated inauthentic behavior , ” and strengthening verification procedures for political ads .
Kim ’ s analysis found the accounts appeared to mimic existing political ones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used campaign logos to make it seem like it was connected to Sanders ’ campaign or was a fan page for his supporters , Kim said .
Some presidential candidates also were targeted directly .
An account called Stop.Trump2020 posted anti-Trump content .
Other Instagram accounts pushed negative messages about Democrat Joe Biden .
“ Like for Trump 2020 , ” said one meme featuring a portrait photo of Trump and a photo of Biden .
“ Ignore for Biden 2020.
” It was posted by an Instagram account called Iowa.Patriot , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in crucial swing states like Michigan , Ohio and Iowa with messaging .
The accounts also appeared to capitalize on other divisive American issues that emerged after the 2016 election .
Some Instagram accounts pretended to be liberal , feminist groups as fallout from the # MeToo movement , which has exposed sexual misconduct allegations against high-profile public figures .
Others targeted conservative women with posts that criticized abortions .
• Russia , Turkey talk as tensions in Syria rise after airstrike “ I don ’ t need feminism , because real feminism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
NOT about abortions , free birth control ….
” a meme on one account read .
The accounts varied in how often they posted , the size of their following and the traction the posts received .
But they carried the hallmarks of a Russian-backed online disinformation campaign , Kim said .
“ They ’ re clearly adapting to current affairs , ” Kim said .
“ Targeting both sides with messages is very unique to Russia .
”

By Amanda Seitz and Barbara Ortutay | Associated Press
Four years after Russia-linked groups stoked divisions in the U.S. presidential election on social media platforms, a new report shows that Moscow’s campaign hasn’t let up and has become harder to detect.
The report from University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Young Mie Kim found that Russia-linked social media accounts are posting about the same divisive issues — race relations, gun laws and immigration — as they did in 2016, when the Kremlin polluted American voters’ feeds with messages about the presidential election. Facebook has since removed the accounts.
Since then, however, the Russians have grown better at imitating U.S. campaigns and political fan pages online, said Kim, who analyzed thousands of posts. She studied more than 5 million Facebook ads during the 2016 election, identifying Russia’s fingerprints on some of the messages through an ad-tracking app. Her review is co-published by the Brennan Center for Justice, a law and policy institute, where she is a scholar.
The Russian improvements make it harder for voters and social media platforms to identify the foreign interference, Kim said.
“For normal users, it is too subtle to discern the differences,” Kim said. “By mimicking domestic actors, with similar logos (and) similar names, they are trying to avoid verification.”
Kim’s report comes weeks after U.S. intelligence officials briefed lawmakers on Russian efforts to stir chaos in American politics and undermine public confidence in this year’s election. The classified briefing detailed Russian efforts to boost the White House bids of both Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Last month, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that Russia was still waging “information warfare” with an army of fictional social media personas and bots that spread disinformation.
In a rare, joint statement Monday, the leaders of America’s intelligence agencies cautioned that foreign actors were spreading false information ahead of Super Tuesday to “cause confusion and create doubt in our system.”
But intelligence officials have not released any details about the type of disinformation or explained how Americans should protect themselves from it.
Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in the U.S. elections, and did again on Thursday.
“You just want us to repeat again that we have nothing to do with the U.S. elections,” Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
Russia has refined its techniques since 2016 and new foreign actors have joined the game, making it harder to identify Kremlin-backed disinformation said Thomas Rid, a national security expert who has written a book about the Kremlin’s history of spreading disinformation.
“I do pick up some chatter that the visibility into Russian operations is not as good as it may appear,” Rid said. “It’s very difficult to spot Russian interference today.”
Still, it’s unclear how much impact — if any — Russian disinformation tactics have had on voters. Some of Russia’s social media ads in the 2016 U.S. presidential election were seen by only a handful of people and their impact has been “vastly overstated,” Rid said.
But Kim’s report pulls back the curtain on some of the online techniques Russia has already used in this year’s presidential race, including targeting battleground states with its divisive messaging.
Her review identified thousands of posts last year from more than 30 Instagram accounts, which Facebook removed from the site in October after concluding that they originated from Russia and had links to the Internet Research Agency, a Russian operation that targeted U.S. audiences in 2016. Facebook owns Instagram. Analysis from Graphika, a disinformation security firm, also concluded at the time that the accounts went to “great lengths to hide their origins.”
“We will keep evolving our defenses and announcing these influence campaigns, as we did more than 50 times last year,” Facebook said in an email.
After getting caught off-guard with Russia’s 2016 election interference attempts, Facebook, Google, Twitter and others put safeguards in place to prevent it from happening again. This includes taking down posts, groups and accounts that engage in “coordinated inauthentic behavior,” and strengthening verification procedures for political ads.
Kim’s analysis found the accounts appeared to mimic existing political ones, including one called “Bernie.2020_” that used campaign logos to make it seem like it was connected to Sanders’ campaign or was a fan page for his supporters, Kim said.
Some presidential candidates also were targeted directly.
An account called Stop.Trump2020 posted anti-Trump content. Other Instagram accounts pushed negative messages about Democrat Joe Biden.
“Like for Trump 2020,” said one meme featuring a portrait photo of Trump and a photo of Biden. “Ignore for Biden 2020.”
It was posted by an Instagram account called Iowa.Patriot, one of several accounts that targeted specific communities in crucial swing states like Michigan, Ohio and Iowa with messaging.
The accounts also appeared to capitalize on other divisive American issues that emerged after the 2016 election.
Some Instagram accounts pretended to be liberal, feminist groups as fallout from the #MeToo movement, which has exposed sexual misconduct allegations against high-profile public figures. Others targeted conservative women with posts that criticized abortions.
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The accounts varied in how often they posted, the size of their following and the traction the posts received. But they carried the hallmarks of a Russian-backed online disinformation campaign, Kim said.
“They’re clearly adapting to current affairs,” Kim said. “Targeting both sides with messages is very unique to Russia.”


mercurynews--2020-03-05--Former GOP Rep. Schock comes out as gay

Former GOP Rep. Schock comes out as gay

Former Republican Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois on Thursday came out as gay in a statement posted to his Instagram .
“ I am gay , ” Schock wrote .
“ For those who know me and for many who only know of me , this will come as no surprise.
” Schock , who was elected to four terms in Congress , wrote about growing up in the rural Midwest in a family “ centered in a faith and its particular traditions.
” He described coming out to those close to him , and said it was “ unwelcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family.
” While representing Illinois ’ 18th Congressional District , Schock opposed same-sex marriage and voted against the repeal of the “ don ’ t ask , don ’ t tell ” policy that barred gay men and women from serving openly in the military .
“ In 2008 , as a Republican running in a conservative district , I took the same position on gay marriage held by my party ’ s nominee , John McCain .
That position against marriage equality , though , was also then held by Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schock wrote .
“ That fact doesn ’ t make my then position any less wrong , ” Schock continued , “ but it ’ s sometimes easy to forget that it was leaders of both parties who for so long wrongly understood what it was to defend the right to marry.
” Schock wrote that if he were “ in Congress today , I would support LGBTQ rights in every way I could .
I realize that some of my political positions run very much counter to the mainstream of the LGBTQ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those differences .
I hope people will allow for me the same.
” Schock resigned in 2015 in the wake of a congressional ethics investigation into reports that he used taxpayer money to fund lavish trips and events .
In November 2016 , he was charged in a federal spending scandal and indicted on fraud charges .
He was indicted on 24 felony counts including mail and wire fraud , theft of government funds , making false statements and filing false federal tax returns .
Federal authorities ultimately dismissed criminal charges against Schock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he reached a deal with federal prosecutors .
Schock was offered a deferred prosecution agreement if he agreed to pay more than $ 40,000 in back taxes , reimburse his campaign committees approximately $ 68,000 and avoid any future legal problems .
Schock repaid the government the $ 40,000 it had cost to redecorate his office .
The Washington Post published an article in February 2015 that said a woman in his office had characterized the style as inspired by the popular PBS drama “ Downton Abbey ” before the ethics investigation was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Schock said it was an “ utterly false story ” and that he has never seen the show . )

By Kate Sullivan | CNN
Former Republican Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois on Thursday came out as gay in a statement posted to his Instagram.
“I am gay,” Schock wrote. “For those who know me and for many who only know of me, this will come as no surprise.”
Schock, who was elected to four terms in Congress, wrote about growing up in the rural Midwest in a family “centered in a faith and its particular traditions.” He described coming out to those close to him, and said it was “unwelcome news to every single person in my family.”
While representing Illinois’ 18th Congressional District, Schock opposed same-sex marriage and voted against the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that barred gay men and women from serving openly in the military.
“In 2008, as a Republican running in a conservative district, I took the same position on gay marriage held by my party’s nominee, John McCain. That position against marriage equality, though, was also then held by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as well,” Schock wrote.
“That fact doesn’t make my then position any less wrong,” Schock continued, “but it’s sometimes easy to forget that it was leaders of both parties who for so long wrongly understood what it was to defend the right to marry.”
Schock wrote that if he were “in Congress today, I would support LGBTQ rights in every way I could. I realize that some of my political positions run very much counter to the mainstream of the LGBTQ movement, and I respect them for those differences. I hope people will allow for me the same.”
Schock resigned in 2015 in the wake of a congressional ethics investigation into reports that he used taxpayer money to fund lavish trips and events. In November 2016, he was charged in a federal spending scandal and indicted on fraud charges. He was indicted on 24 felony counts including mail and wire fraud, theft of government funds, making false statements and filing false federal tax returns.
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Schock repaid the government the $40,000 it had cost to redecorate his office. The Washington Post published an article in February 2015 that said a woman in his office had characterized the style as inspired by the popular PBS drama “Downton Abbey” before the ethics investigation was launched. (In his statement today, Schock said it was an “utterly false story” and that he has never seen the show.)


mercurynews--2020-03-05--Five things we learned in the Giants’ matchup with the Indians: Bullpen competition taking shape, Sm

Five things we learned in the Giants’ matchup with the Indians: Bullpen competition taking shape, Smyly one and done, new shift

SCOTTSDALE , Ariz. — After being held scoreless in a 4-0 loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday , the Giants scored a run but managed just three hits in a 7-1 loss to the Indians on Thursday .
There ’ s not much to glean from the at-bats Giants hitters have taken over the last two days , but there ’ s plenty to learn about a pitching staff that continues to take shape .
Manager Gabe Kapler expects competition for spots in the rotation and bullpen will go down to the wire , but there ’ s no shortage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into consideration for jobs .
Relievers Jarlín García and Andrew Triggs both extended spring scoreless streaks to four appearances and are firmly on the radar for bullpen jobs .
García is on the 40-man roster , out of minor league options and a relatively safe bet to make the team at this point in the spring given the Giants ’ need for experienced arms .
“ Jarlin has done a really good job of staying off barrels to both left-handers and right-handers , ” Kapler said .
“ Strike-throwers are really important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have a lot of superstar firepower.
” Triggs arrived in camp as a low-profile non-roster invitee after missing most of the last two seasons due to thoracic outlet surgery and a hip injury , but he ’ s emerged as an early-camp bright spot .
With a funky “ crossfire ” delivery , Triggs has now thrown 4 1/3 innings of one-hit ball while racking up five strikeouts in Cactus League play .
“ Triggs is interesting , it ’ s a different look , ” Kapler said .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s really two pitches .
Fastball and breaking ball .
He ’ s shown the ability to get right-handers and left-handers out and that ’ s extremely valuable.
” With no timetable set for Tony Watson to appear in a game ( shoulder tightness ) , most of the roster spots that will eventually belong to relievers remain unclaimed .
Returnees Trevor Gott and Tyler Rogers appear to have an inside track on late-inning roles , but the Giants are still determining how they ’ ll fill the final five-to-six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of potential and little certainty .
Drew Smyly gets an out , gets out About halfway through the spring , starting pitchers begin working deeper into games as they build up stamina for the regular season .
That was the initial plan for Giants left-hander Drew Smyly on Thursday , but an extended first inning compelled Kapler to scrap the idea .
Smyly allowed a pair of walks and a single to the first three hitters before picking up a strikeout with a beautiful 12-6 curveball on his 32nd pitch of the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really good , I felt the ball was coming out of my hand great and my stuff seemed really sharp , ” Smyly said .
“ It ’ s frustrating because it ’ s just one of those days where I couldn ’ t seem to put them away.
” With a chance to get out of the inning unscathed , Smyly looked up and saw Kapler emerge from the dugout while signaling to the bullpen for a reliever .
The decision to remove Smyly was out of caution as the lefty missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to injury and Kapler didn ’ t want Smyly exerting himself too much in a spring training game .
As Smyly watched from the dugout , right-hander Brandon Lawson entered and immediately induced a 5-4-3 double play against former Padres slugger Franmil Reyes .
“ 32 ( pitches ) and I had one out , ” Smyly said .
“ Next guy throws one pitch , gets two outs .
It ’ s a crazy game.
” Lawson spent the 2019 season in Double-A Richmond and posted a 3.70 ERA in 24 starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this spring and isn ’ t considered one of the organization ’ s top pitching prospects .
A year after left-hander Andrew Suárez allowed 53 baserunners in just 32 2/3 innings , the Giants ’ 2015 second round draft pick looks refreshed and prepared to handle a bigger role this season .
Suárez recorded a pair of scoreless outings in his first two appearances of the spring and looked strong again on Thursday despite allowing a two-run home run to Cleveland center fielder Oscar Mercado .
With Tyler Beede sidelined an indefinite amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Suárez was mentioned by Kapler as a candidate for the fifth starter role on Tuesday .
In a 2 2/3-inning stint out of the bullpen on Thursday , Suárez had good late movement on his pitches and his slider looked strong as he struck out three batters .
Suárez is still working on consistency with his slider as he ’ s been instructed to throw the pitch harder than in years past , so the command of the pitch is still a work in progress .
Mercado hit one of Suárez ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the lefty was also throwing the pitch around 87-to-88 miles per hour instead of the 83-to-86 miles per hour he threw it at last season .
The new Giants coaching staff has also encouraged Suárez to ditch his two-seam fastball and throw his four-seam fastball above the hands to right-handed hitters .
Kapler has given no indication as to what the Giants ’ regular lineups will look like this season , but Thursday ’ s look against the Indians was filled with likely starters and a few platoon players .
The Giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brandon Crawford at shortstop , Wilmer Flores at second , Brandon Belt at first and Buster Posey catching , which is an infield set-up they could use against right and left-handed pitchers alike .
Left fielder Alex Dickerson is expected to platoon with Hunter Pence in left field and will play against righties while Thursday ’ s right fielder , Austin Slater , could factor in against left-handed pitchers .
Center fielder Steven Duggar has changed his approach at the plate and is competing to be the Opening Day center fielder , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duggar to Triple-A to open the year and move forward with Mike Yastrzemski as their primary starter at the position .
The Giants will likely have platoons at several positions –particularly in the outfield– but as Cactus League play continues , expect the lineups to provide a glimpse of what ’ s to come early in the season .
Kapler hasn ’ t named a leadoff hitter or suggested where most starters will hit in the batting order , but Yastrzemski and Brandon Belt are good bets to hit near the top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this spring , the Giants employed a four-man outfield and aligned the three remaining infielders to the right of second base .
With Indians slugger José Ramírez hitting from the left side the plate in the top of the fifth inning , the Giants sent Flores , the second baseman , out to deep right field where he lined up about 50 feet inside of the right field foul line .
The shift also brought third Longoria over to play in between Crawford and Belt on the right side .
Unlike when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , the shift worked as the switch-hitting Ramírez lined out to Belt at first base .
According to Statcast , teams employed the shift against Ramírez in 72 percent of his plate appearances from the left-handed batter ’ s box last season .
• Brandon Belt hit his second home run of the spring Thursday , a solo shot that bounced off the front of the Charro Lodge at Scottsdale Stadium .
• Barry Bonds popped by the clubhouse on Thursday morning and was around the facility for part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lefty Sam Selman extended his scoreless streak to four appearances with a clean inning of work against Cleveland .
• Catcher Joey Bart drew a ninth-inning walk and has a team-high 1.550 OPS this spring ( minimum 10 plate at-bats ) .
• MLB.com released its new Top 30 prospect rankings on Thursday • Right-hander Shaun Anderson will start Saturday ’ s game at Scottsdale Stadium after throwing a bullpen on Thursday .
Kapler said Anderson is working on fastball grips after struggling in his first Cactus League appearances .
• The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyler Beede ( UCL sprain , flexor strain ) will go to receive a second opinion on his injured elbow .

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — After being held scoreless in a 4-0 loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday, the Giants scored a run but managed just three hits in a 7-1 loss to the Indians on Thursday.
There’s not much to glean from the at-bats Giants hitters have taken over the last two days, but there’s plenty to learn about a pitching staff that continues to take shape.
Manager Gabe Kapler expects competition for spots in the rotation and bullpen will go down to the wire, but there’s no shortage of candidates who have pitched their way into consideration for jobs.
Relievers Jarlín García and Andrew Triggs both extended spring scoreless streaks to four appearances and are firmly on the radar for bullpen jobs. García is on the 40-man roster, out of minor league options and a relatively safe bet to make the team at this point in the spring given the Giants’ need for experienced arms.
“Jarlin has done a really good job of staying off barrels to both left-handers and right-handers,” Kapler said. “Strike-throwers are really important for young bullpens and on teams that don’t have a lot of superstar firepower.”
Triggs arrived in camp as a low-profile non-roster invitee after missing most of the last two seasons due to thoracic outlet surgery and a hip injury, but he’s emerged as an early-camp bright spot. With a funky “crossfire” delivery, Triggs has now thrown 4 1/3 innings of one-hit ball while racking up five strikeouts in Cactus League play.
“Triggs is interesting, it’s a different look,” Kapler said. “There’s a bit of a crossfire, it’s really two pitches. Fastball and breaking ball. He’s shown the ability to get right-handers and left-handers out and that’s extremely valuable.”
With no timetable set for Tony Watson to appear in a game (shoulder tightness), most of the roster spots that will eventually belong to relievers remain unclaimed. Returnees Trevor Gott and Tyler Rogers appear to have an inside track on late-inning roles, but the Giants are still determining how they’ll fill the final five-to-six spots in a bullpen that has plenty of potential and little certainty.
Drew Smyly gets an out, gets out
About halfway through the spring, starting pitchers begin working deeper into games as they build up stamina for the regular season.
That was the initial plan for Giants left-hander Drew Smyly on Thursday, but an extended first inning compelled Kapler to scrap the idea. Smyly allowed a pair of walks and a single to the first three hitters before picking up a strikeout with a beautiful 12-6 curveball on his 32nd pitch of the game against Carlos Santana.
“I felt really good, I felt the ball was coming out of my hand great and my stuff seemed really sharp,” Smyly said. “It’s frustrating because it’s just one of those days where I couldn’t seem to put them away.”
With a chance to get out of the inning unscathed, Smyly looked up and saw Kapler emerge from the dugout while signaling to the bullpen for a reliever. The decision to remove Smyly was out of caution as the lefty missed the entire 2017 and 2018 seasons due to injury and Kapler didn’t want Smyly exerting himself too much in a spring training game.
As Smyly watched from the dugout, right-hander Brandon Lawson entered and immediately induced a 5-4-3 double play against former Padres slugger Franmil Reyes.
“32 (pitches) and I had one out,” Smyly said. “Next guy throws one pitch, gets two outs. It’s a crazy game.”
Lawson spent the 2019 season in Double-A Richmond and posted a 3.70 ERA in 24 starts, but is in minor league camp this spring and isn’t considered one of the organization’s top pitching prospects.
Suárez shows he’s a different pitcher
A year after left-hander Andrew Suárez allowed 53 baserunners in just 32 2/3 innings, the Giants’ 2015 second round draft pick looks refreshed and prepared to handle a bigger role this season.
Suárez recorded a pair of scoreless outings in his first two appearances of the spring and looked strong again on Thursday despite allowing a two-run home run to Cleveland center fielder Oscar Mercado.
With Tyler Beede sidelined an indefinite amount of time due to an elbow injury, Suárez was mentioned by Kapler as a candidate for the fifth starter role on Tuesday. In a 2 2/3-inning stint out of the bullpen on Thursday, Suárez had good late movement on his pitches and his slider looked strong as he struck out three batters.
Suárez is still working on consistency with his slider as he’s been instructed to throw the pitch harder than in years past, so the command of the pitch is still a work in progress. Mercado hit one of Suárez’s sliders for a home run, but the lefty was also throwing the pitch around 87-to-88 miles per hour instead of the 83-to-86 miles per hour he threw it at last season.
The new Giants coaching staff has also encouraged Suárez to ditch his two-seam fastball and throw his four-seam fastball above the hands to right-handed hitters.
Lineup watch
Kapler has given no indication as to what the Giants’ regular lineups will look like this season, but Thursday’s look against the Indians was filled with likely starters and a few platoon players.
The Giants had Evan Longoria at third base, Brandon Crawford at shortstop, Wilmer Flores at second, Brandon Belt at first and Buster Posey catching, which is an infield set-up they could use against right and left-handed pitchers alike. Left fielder Alex Dickerson is expected to platoon with Hunter Pence in left field and will play against righties while Thursday’s right fielder, Austin Slater, could factor in against left-handed pitchers.
Center fielder Steven Duggar has changed his approach at the plate and is competing to be the Opening Day center fielder, but it’s possible the Giants send Duggar to Triple-A to open the year and move forward with Mike Yastrzemski as their primary starter at the position.
The Giants will likely have platoons at several positions –particularly in the outfield– but as Cactus League play continues, expect the lineups to provide a glimpse of what’s to come early in the season.
Kapler hasn’t named a leadoff hitter or suggested where most starters will hit in the batting order, but Yastrzemski and Brandon Belt are good bets to hit near the top of the lineup.
Four-man outfield
For the second time this spring, the Giants employed a four-man outfield and aligned the three remaining infielders to the right of second base.
With Indians slugger José Ramírez hitting from the left side the plate in the top of the fifth inning, the Giants sent Flores, the second baseman, out to deep right field where he lined up about 50 feet inside of the right field foul line. The shift also brought third Longoria over to play in between Crawford and Belt on the right side.
Unlike when the Giants faced Justin Smoak of the Brewers last week, the shift worked as the switch-hitting Ramírez lined out to Belt at first base.
According to Statcast, teams employed the shift against Ramírez in 72 percent of his plate appearances from the left-handed batter’s box last season.
Other notes


mercurynews--2020-03-05--Bill Clinton: Still no apology for Monica Lewinsky, but he feels ‘terrible’ that affair defined her

Bill Clinton: Still no apology for Monica Lewinsky, but he feels ‘terrible’ that affair defined her life

It ’ s not likely that Monica Lewinsky will get much satisfaction from former President Bill Clinton ’ s new interview in which he talks candidly about his role in their affair , which nearly destroyed his presidency and left her demonized for decades .
“ I feel terrible about the fact that Monica Lewinsky ’ s life was defined by it , unfairly I think , ” Clinton said in “ Hillary , ” a new four-part Hulu documentary series , according to the Daily Beast and other outlets .
“ Over the years I watched her trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But you got ta decide how to define normal.
” So , Clinton expresses sympathy for Lewinsky but also implies that it ’ s her fault if she hasn ’ t moved on ?
The 42nd president also doesn ’ t offer a direct , personal apology , though saying he feels “ terrible ” may be the closest he has ever come to expressing contrition , as the Daily Beast explained .
Lewinsky has yet to issue a statement in response to Clinton ’ s comments in the series , intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s life and political career .
Bill Clinton ’ s critics made much of the fact Thursday that the former president said he pursued a sexual relationship with a much younger woman as a way to manage his “ anxieties.
” Clinton , 73 , said he felt beaten down by the pressures of the presidency .
“ You feel like you ’ re staggering around , you ’ ve been in a 15-round prize fight that was extended to 30 rounds and here ’ s something that will take your mind off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what happens , ” Clinton said .
“ Whenever Bill Clinton opens his mouth to speak publicly about his affair with Monica Lewinsky in the 1990s , he inevitably ends up saying something astonishingly tone-deaf , ” wrote New York magazine writer Amanda Arnold .
She added that Clinton repeats much of what he ’ s said about the affair in the past , including how much he regrets the pain that it caused him and his family .
In the Hulu interview , Clinton insisted that he is a different person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Things I did to manage my anxieties for years .
I ’ m a different , totally different person than I was , a lot of that stuff 20 years ago , ” the former president said .
As people wait to see if Lewinsky responds , the anti-bullying advocate and speaker has previously offered her own take on whether she thinks Clinton has sufficiently taken responsibility for his actions , which led to his impeachment .
Lewinsky explained in a 2018 essay for Vanity Fair that the original imbalance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected her life .
During their affair , from 1995 to 1997 , Clinton was president of the United States and she was a young woman in her 20s working as a White House intern — very much his subordinate .
When news of the affair became public in 1998 , Lewinsky wrote that Clinton dismissed her as “ that woman , ” in his now infamous statement , “ I did not have sexual relations with that woman , Miss Lewinsky.
” “ With that , the demonization of Monica Lewinsky began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it so often does , power throws a protective cape around the shoulders of the man , and he dictates the spin by denigrating the less powerful woman.
” Lewinsky also wrote that Clinton “ safely , even smugly ” gave interviews for years without ever having to answer for how he treated her during the scandal and in the aftermath .
This immunity to questions ended in June of 2018 , amid the rise of the # MeToo movement , when NBC ’ s Craig Melvin queried Clinton about the affair and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a personal apology .
Clinton then insisted he had said “ sorry ” in public on more than one occasion .
Lewinsky said she , too , had offered a number of public and personal apologies .
She apologized to Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton directly in her 1999 interview with Barbara Walters .
“ If I were to see Hillary Clinton in person today , I know that I would summon up whatever force I needed to again acknowledge to her — sincerely — how very sorry I am , ” Lewinsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written letters apologizing to many others , including to people whom she says “ wronged me gravely.
” Lewinsky wrote that it was necessary for her personal growth to apologize .
“ I believe that when we are trapped by our inability to evolve , by our inability to empathize humbly and painfully with others , then we remain victims ourselves , ” she wrote .
For this reason , Lewinsky said she thought Bill Clinton should want to apologize .
“ What feels more important to me than whether I am owed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my belief that Bill Clinton should want to apologize , ” she wrote .
“ I ’ m less disappointed by him , and more disappointed for him .
He would be a better man for it .
.
.
and we , in turn , a better society .
”

It’s not likely that Monica Lewinsky will get much satisfaction from former President Bill Clinton’s new interview in which he talks candidly about his role in their affair, which nearly destroyed his presidency and left her demonized for decades.
“I feel terrible about the fact that Monica Lewinsky’s life was defined by it, unfairly I think,” Clinton said in “Hillary,” a new four-part Hulu documentary series, according to the Daily Beast and other outlets. “Over the years I watched her trying to get a normal life back again. But you gotta decide how to define normal.”
So, Clinton expresses sympathy for Lewinsky but also implies that it’s her fault if she hasn’t moved on? The 42nd president also doesn’t offer a direct, personal apology, though saying he feels “terrible” may be the closest he has ever come to expressing contrition, as the Daily Beast explained.
Lewinsky has yet to issue a statement in response to Clinton’s comments in the series, intended to be a portrait of his wife’s life and political career.
Bill Clinton’s critics made much of the fact Thursday that the former president said he pursued a sexual relationship with a much younger woman as a way to manage his “anxieties.” Clinton, 73, said he felt beaten down by the pressures of the presidency.
“You feel like you’re staggering around, you’ve been in a 15-round prize fight that was extended to 30 rounds and here’s something that will take your mind off it for a while, that’s what happens,” Clinton said.
“Whenever Bill Clinton opens his mouth to speak publicly about his affair with Monica Lewinsky in the 1990s, he inevitably ends up saying something astonishingly tone-deaf,” wrote New York magazine writer Amanda Arnold. She added that Clinton repeats much of what he’s said about the affair in the past, including how much he regrets the pain that it caused him and his family.
In the Hulu interview, Clinton insisted that he is a different person now than he was 20 years ago.
“Things I did to manage my anxieties for years. I’m a different, totally different person than I was, a lot of that stuff 20 years ago,” the former president said.
As people wait to see if Lewinsky responds, the anti-bullying advocate and speaker has previously offered her own take on whether she thinks Clinton has sufficiently taken responsibility for his actions, which led to his impeachment.
Lewinsky explained in a 2018 essay for Vanity Fair that the original imbalance of power between them dictated how the scandal affected her life.
During their affair, from 1995 to 1997, Clinton was president of the United States and she was a young woman in her 20s working as a White House intern — very much his subordinate. When news of the affair became public in 1998, Lewinsky wrote that Clinton dismissed her as “that woman,” in his now infamous statement, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”
“With that, the demonization of Monica Lewinsky began,” Lewinsky wrote. “As it so often does, power throws a protective cape around the shoulders of the man, and he dictates the spin by denigrating the less powerful woman.”
Lewinsky also wrote that Clinton “safely, even smugly” gave interviews for years without ever having to answer for how he treated her during the scandal and in the aftermath. This immunity to questions ended in June of 2018, amid the rise of the #MeToo movement, when NBC’s Craig Melvin queried Clinton about the affair and asked whether he thought he owed Lewinsky a personal apology.
Clinton said indignantly, “No, I do not.”
Clinton then insisted he had said “sorry” in public on more than one occasion. Lewinsky said she, too, had offered a number of public and personal apologies. She apologized to Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton directly in her 1999 interview with Barbara Walters.
“If I were to see Hillary Clinton in person today, I know that I would summon up whatever force I needed to again acknowledge to her — sincerely — how very sorry I am,” Lewinsky wrote. She also said she had written letters apologizing to many others, including to people whom she says “wronged me gravely.”
Lewinsky wrote that it was necessary for her personal growth to apologize. “I believe that when we are trapped by our inability to evolve, by our inability to empathize humbly and painfully with others, then we remain victims ourselves,” she wrote.
For this reason, Lewinsky said she thought Bill Clinton should want to apologize.
“What feels more important to me than whether I am owed or deserving of a personal apology is my belief that Bill Clinton should want to apologize,” she wrote. “I’m less disappointed by him, and more disappointed for him. He would be a better man for it … and we, in turn, a better society.”


mercurynews--2020-03-05--San Jose arson suspect arrested in Molotov cocktail incidents

SAN JOSE — Police say they have arrested a man on allegations of throwing Molotov cocktails at homes in the vicinity of downtown San Jose , bringing some peace to residents rattled by the mysterious attacks spanning the past two weeks .
Brian Gillean , 34 , of San Jose , was located and taken into custody Wednesday night , and later booked into the Elmwood men ’ s jail in Milpitas on suspicion of multiple counts of arson , according to San Jose police .
Gillean is being held without bail , according to jail records .
Investigators from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bureau of fire prevention were able to identify and arrest Gillean on the strength of residents ’ home-security footage and witness tips , including one person who reportedly followed the suspect after he was seen throwing the makeshift incendiary devices in the Rose Garden neighborhood .
“ I ’ m very thankful for the vigilance of our community members and the tenacity and thoughtfulness of our officers and investigators , ” police Chief Eddie Garcia said .
“ Hopefully the neighborhoods impacted can sleep easier tonight knowing this dangerous individual has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Jose fire Chief Robert Sapien Jr. lauded the joint investigation : “ The solid investigative skills on both teams have led to the quick capture of a suspect who was endangering our community.
” The first string of suspected arsons were reported Feb. 23 in the areas near William Street Park , East San Fernando Street , and north Willow Glen .
Police say that in each of the reports , someone threw a glass bottle filled with some kind of fuel , using a wick as an ignition source .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents captured some of the resulting fire with home-security cameras and described a man on a bicycle as the possible hurler .
One resident could be seen hosing down a fire before it could cause any serious damage .
On a Facebook page bearing Gillean ’ s name and photo , he appears to have posted about visiting , two days later , the locations of at least one of the Feb. 23 incidents .
Investigators and witnesses say the case broke open around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday when a man in an SUV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garden area and was seen throwing several firebombs in the direction of homes .
He was partially recorded by home-security cameras , and one witness followed the vehicle in their own car to provide descriptions for police .
Using the footage and witness accounts , the police Street Crimes Unit tracked Gillean to Fifth and William streets , and arrested him around 9:30 p.m .
Besides the arrest warrant for the arson incidents , he was also wanted on an active warrant for a probation violation , police said .
“ A suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” SJPD assaults unit Lt. Todd Trayer said .
“ Fortunately we were able to take him into custody without the community being harmed by his arson activity.
” Trayer said there was no evidence so far indicating that Gillean was targeting anyone in particular , and said the suspect chose the areas because he either lived there or frequented them in the past .
Jeff Levine , a Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association board member who captured the first incident from his home-security camera , said Thursday that word of the arrest was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past few weeks , the first Molotov cocktail prompted widespread concern in the neighborhood that Levine said he hadn ’ t seen since a serial arsonist tore through San Jose in 2014 .
“ It ’ s a different story if someone ’ s just lighting paper and it floats away and falls in your yard .
He had to have planned this out — it ’ s not something you casually do , and that ’ s why it ’ s frightening , ” Levine said .
Anyone with information about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department tip line at 408-272-7766 .
Anonymous tips can be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at svcrimestoppers.org .

SAN JOSE — Police say they have arrested a man on allegations of throwing Molotov cocktails at homes in the vicinity of downtown San Jose, bringing some peace to residents rattled by the mysterious attacks spanning the past two weeks.
Brian Gillean, 34, of San Jose, was located and taken into custody Wednesday night, and later booked into the Elmwood men’s jail in Milpitas on suspicion of multiple counts of arson, according to San Jose police. Gillean is being held without bail, according to jail records.
Investigators from SJPD and the San Jose Fire Department’s bureau of fire prevention were able to identify and arrest Gillean on the strength of residents’ home-security footage and witness tips, including one person who reportedly followed the suspect after he was seen throwing the makeshift incendiary devices in the Rose Garden neighborhood.
“I’m very thankful for the vigilance of our community members and the tenacity and thoughtfulness of our officers and investigators,” police Chief Eddie Garcia said. “Hopefully the neighborhoods impacted can sleep easier tonight knowing this dangerous individual has been apprehended.”
In a statement, San Jose fire Chief Robert Sapien Jr. lauded the joint investigation: “The solid investigative skills on both teams have led to the quick capture of a suspect who was endangering our community.”
The first string of suspected arsons were reported Feb. 23 in the areas near William Street Park, East San Fernando Street, and north Willow Glen. Police say that in each of the reports, someone threw a glass bottle filled with some kind of fuel, using a wick as an ignition source.
In at least one of those incidents, residents captured some of the resulting fire with home-security cameras and described a man on a bicycle as the possible hurler. One resident could be seen hosing down a fire before it could cause any serious damage.
On a Facebook page bearing Gillean’s name and photo, he appears to have posted about visiting, two days later, the locations of at least one of the Feb. 23 incidents.
Investigators and witnesses say the case broke open around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday when a man in an SUV drove along Emory Street in the Rose Garden area and was seen throwing several firebombs in the direction of homes. He was partially recorded by home-security cameras, and one witness followed the vehicle in their own car to provide descriptions for police.
Using the footage and witness accounts, the police Street Crimes Unit tracked Gillean to Fifth and William streets, and arrested him around 9:30 p.m. Besides the arrest warrant for the arson incidents, he was also wanted on an active warrant for a probation violation, police said.
“A suspect of this caliber is not predictable,” SJPD assaults unit Lt. Todd Trayer said. “Fortunately we were able to take him into custody without the community being harmed by his arson activity.”
Trayer said there was no evidence so far indicating that Gillean was targeting anyone in particular, and said the suspect chose the areas because he either lived there or frequented them in the past.
Jeff Levine, a Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association board member who captured the first incident from his home-security camera, said Thursday that word of the arrest was a “huge relief.”
Over the past few weeks, the first Molotov cocktail prompted widespread concern in the neighborhood that Levine said he hadn’t seen since a serial arsonist tore through San Jose in 2014.
“It’s a different story if someone’s just lighting paper and it floats away and falls in your yard. He had to have planned this out — it’s not something you casually do, and that’s why it’s frightening,” Levine said.
Anyone with information about the case can contact the San Jose Fire Department tip line at 408-272-7766. Anonymous tips can be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at svcrimestoppers.org.
Staff writer Fiona Kelliher contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-03-06--Letter: Imagine a novel where Sanders is president in one world, Trump in another

Re : “ Thiessen : Now Bernie Sanders wants a worldwide Green New Deal ” ( Opinion section , March 1 ) : I wish Philip K. Dick were around to write an alternate reality novel in which Bernie Sanders wins the presidency in one world , and Donald Trump in another .
Marc Thiessen is welcome to live in the version led by his good friend Trump .
In the concluding paragraph of his article , he writes that , “ In addition to guaranteeing all Americans a government job , forgiving all student loans , guaranteeing free public-college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free child care and free government health care… , Sanders is going to finance a Green New Deal for the World.
” The funniest thing is that the article is meant to be a hit-piece against Sanders .
How dare Sanders attempt to address these deeply entrenched , systemic issues ?
Spend money on social and environmental concerns at the expense of military expenditures ?
Balderdash !
Give Americans good jobs , health care and education ?
Who does he think he is ?
• Letter : If not Costco , where can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I ’ ll tell you why I voted no on Contra Costa ’ s Measure J • Letter : Trump tax cuts are OK , but Sanders ’ ideas are too costly ?
Thiessen is a well-spoken mercenary who will write for anyone who butters his bread .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Sanders blasted for plan to
provide jobs, health care
Re: “Thiessen: Now Bernie Sanders wants a worldwide Green New Deal” (Opinion section, March 1):
I wish Philip K. Dick were around to write an alternate reality novel in which Bernie Sanders wins the presidency in one world, and Donald Trump in another.
Marc Thiessen is welcome to live in the version led by his good friend Trump. In the concluding paragraph of his article, he writes that, “In addition to guaranteeing all Americans a government job, forgiving all student loans, guaranteeing free public-college tuition, providing paid family leave, free child care and free government health care…, Sanders is going to finance a Green New Deal for the World.”
The funniest thing is that the article is meant to be a hit-piece against Sanders. How dare Sanders attempt to address these deeply entrenched, systemic issues? Spend money on social and environmental concerns at the expense of military expenditures? Balderdash! Give Americans good jobs, health care and education? Who does he think he is?
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Matthew Cummings
Oakland
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