mercurynews--2020-07-28--Southern California’s hospitalizations, coronavirus spread start to plateau after steady resurgence

Dr. Charles Bailey , medical director for infection prevention at two Providence hospitals in Orange County , sees the current influx of patients sweeping into hospitals across the Southland not as a second wave of coronavirus infections , but the first wave they had been preparing for all along .
Bailey , who oversees infection prevention at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and St. Joseph Hospital in Orange , said surge plans are working and , in general , Orange County ’ s hospitals have been able to absorb the influx of coronavirus patients by shifting resources around .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital capacity , ” Bailey said last week .
“ We ’ ve opened new units , we ’ ve juggled things around in order to accommodate the influx of patients , and we ’ re better prepared in terms of our knowledge — in terms of our clinical experience in patients we do get.
” Five months into the coronavirus pandemic , with the virus still spreading across Southern California , hospitals across the region are experiencing this month sustained numbers of patients at their highest levels yet .
Though medical teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrators continue to say they ’ ve got the surge under control .
The reasons include readiness — as the outbreak endures , teams are learning more about how to prepare .
Also , the wave of patients has not arrived all in one place .
Instead , the surge has been shifting , first with hospitalizations and deaths coming mostly from nursing homes and now to a younger group , though the vast majority of those dying are still older .
This trend has also meant in some cases a change from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas to those in urban centers .
Dr. Nicholas Testa , chief medical officer for CommonSpirit Health , part of Dignity Health , said the shift was especially noticeable among the hospital system ’ s four L.A. hospitals .
In April , patients mostly showed up at Dignity ’ s Northridge Hospital where more nursing homes are located .
But then over the past month , more younger and Latino patients began arriving at its downtown California Hospital , mirroring countywide data , Testa said .
“ The advantage of having high volumes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months is that we ’ ve gotten better at managing situations , ” Testa said .
Last week in L.A. County , those aged 18 to 40 accounted for the highest increase in new patients , up nearly 30 % from a month ago , according to the Department of Public Health .
Average deaths per day over a seven-day period have risen slightly in recent weeks to 30 per day , down from highs of 45 people per day in April .
Where geographically the virus is spreading has also changed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County to higher rates of growth in neighboring regions .
The rate of new hospitalizations , for instance , has been far greater over the past month in counties other than Los Angeles .
The number of people in San Bernardino County hospitals who tested positive for COVID-19 is almost three times higher now than it was in mid-June .
The numbers have more than doubled in Riverside County and Orange County hospitals .
But they ’ ve risen by a more moderate 72 % in L.A. County .
The overall levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in each of the four counties , though they have generally stabilized over the past week or two as more strict health orders were put in place , based on an analysis of the data .
Riverside reported significant declines on Monday , but some of that could be due to changes in how hospitals are reporting data .
Los Angeles County , which bore most of the original surge back in April , continues to record the most cases of any county in America , but that is mainly due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At roughly 10 million people , the county is nearly twice the size of the second-most populous — Cook County , Illinois .
Comparing cases per-capita , L.A. County ranks 13th in the state — with Orange , Riverside and San Bernardino close behind when comparing rates over the past two weeks .
Those three counties , however , are adding new cases at faster rates than L.A. County .
In the past two weeks , the cumulative number of cases has risen 47 % in Orange and San Bernardino counties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in L.A. County .
Riverside County continues to see a surge in coronavirus patients , with 534 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday .
Especially concerning , according to the county ’ s Director of Emergency Management Bruce Barton , were use of intensive care unit beds , which reached a single-day peak on July 22 with 155 COVID-19 positive patients and 28 suspected cases .
“ Hospitals continue to implement their surge plans to expand capacity and are able to meet the current healthcare needs of our communities , ” Barton said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) emergency operations center … is coordinating ongoing supply , equipment and staffing support for hospitals to assure needs are met.
” Dr. Geoffrey Leung , ambulatory medical director for the county-run Riverside University Health System hospital in Moreno Valley , said last week that hospitalizations for COVID-19 have doubled across Riverside County in the previous five weeks .
The number of patients requiring intensive care has risen sharply , too , he said .
As a result , Leung said the county hospital boosted the number of beds in its intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And if we need to , we can go higher than that , ” he said .
Leung said that , although there was more anxiety in March and April about the virus ’ s rapid spread , total COVID-19 hospitalizations are higher now countywide than they were then .
In perhaps a positive side note , however , the proportion of hospitalized patients requiring intensive care is smaller , Leung said .
“ We ’ d like to think it ’ s because we know more about COVID and have a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , ” he said .
In the past few days , hospitalizations have leveled off , Leung said , possibly indicating the governor ’ s recent orders to wear masks and close bars , indoor dining and malls are having an impact .
“ Only time will tell , but we ’ re hopeful that that signals the beginning of a change , ” he said .
Leung said , in general , people are being responsive by covering their faces and keeping their distance when they go to work or shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said contact tracing has shown they aren ’ t as careful in the company of people they know well .
“ We tend to let our guard down when we are with our close family and friends , ” Leung said .
“ It wouldn ’ t occur to someone that their cousin or their grandfather or their best friend could be COVID positive.
” L.A. County Public Health Officials said last week that the spread of the virus was stabilizing .
On Thursday , more than 2,200 people were reported at L.A. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began — though officials said there were signs that transmission rates were slowing .
On Monday , the number dropped to 2,017 due in part to a change in federal reporting requirements , which state and county officials said affected the numbers at the end of the week .
“ The current number of beds is likely to be adequate over the next four weeks , though ICU beds could be a problem , ” said L.A. County Director of Health Services Dr. Christina Ghaly on Wednesday , July 22 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resource.
” L.A. County as of Monday had 1,369 available intensive care unit beds and 2,670 unused ventilators , according to the Department of Public Health .
At Providence hospitals across 11 Southern California facilities and two affiliated hospitals , there were more than 500 admitted patients with coronavirus or awaiting testing — accounting for 18 % of the hospital system ’ s total bed capacity , as of Tuesday , July 21 .
“ This allows us to safely manage the influx while continuing other essential services to avoid delays in care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company statement read .
“ We also have an advantage as a large system of sharing resources , including the ability to transfer patients to another of our hospitals if one should near capacity.
” Testa , the CMO at Dignity , said L.A. County never really had a respite in hospital patients .
“ Cases went up and they stayed pretty high and then in June we started seeing this uptick of cases again as social distancing was relaxed , ” Testa said .
For the medical teams at Dignity , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community .
“ We all are tired , ” he said , “ but I think we ’ ve all been inspired that society has taken this pause to say we really need you right now and it ’ s really impressive .
”

David Rosenfeld, Nikie Johnson, Ian Wheeler, Jeff Horseman, David Downey

Dr. Charles Bailey, medical director for infection prevention at two Providence hospitals in Orange County, sees the current influx of patients sweeping into hospitals across the Southland not as a second wave of coronavirus infections, but the first wave they had been preparing for all along.
Bailey, who oversees infection prevention at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, said surge plans are working and, in general, Orange County’s hospitals have been able to absorb the influx of coronavirus patients by shifting resources around.
“We’re equipped in terms of hospital capacity,” Bailey said last week. “We’ve opened new units, we’ve juggled things around in order to accommodate the influx of patients, and we’re better prepared in terms of our knowledge — in terms of our clinical experience in patients we do get.”
Five months into the coronavirus pandemic, with the virus still spreading across Southern California, hospitals across the region are experiencing this month sustained numbers of patients at their highest levels yet. Though medical teams report being tired and overworked, hospital administrators continue to say they’ve got the surge under control.
The reasons include readiness — as the outbreak endures, teams are learning more about how to prepare.
Also, the wave of patients has not arrived all in one place. Instead, the surge has been shifting, first with hospitalizations and deaths coming mostly from nursing homes and now to a younger group, though the vast majority of those dying are still older. This trend has also meant in some cases a change from patients arriving at hospitals in more suburban areas to those in urban centers.
Dr. Nicholas Testa, chief medical officer for CommonSpirit Health, part of Dignity Health, said the shift was especially noticeable among the hospital system’s four L.A. hospitals.
In April, patients mostly showed up at Dignity’s Northridge Hospital where more nursing homes are located. But then over the past month, more younger and Latino patients began arriving at its downtown California Hospital, mirroring countywide data, Testa said.
“The advantage of having high volumes of hospitalized patients for the past few months is that we’ve gotten better at managing situations,” Testa said.
Last week in L.A. County, those aged 18 to 40 accounted for the highest increase in new patients, up nearly 30% from a month ago, according to the Department of Public Health. Average deaths per day over a seven-day period have risen slightly in recent weeks to 30 per day, down from highs of 45 people per day in April.
Where geographically the virus is spreading has also changed, shifting from the more populated Los Angeles County to higher rates of growth in neighboring regions. The rate of new hospitalizations, for instance, has been far greater over the past month in counties other than Los Angeles.
The number of people in San Bernardino County hospitals who tested positive for COVID-19 is almost three times higher now than it was in mid-June. The numbers have more than doubled in Riverside County and Orange County hospitals. But they’ve risen by a more moderate 72% in L.A. County.
The overall levels of hospitalizations continue to hover around their highest in each of the four counties, though they have generally stabilized over the past week or two as more strict health orders were put in place, based on an analysis of the data. Riverside reported significant declines on Monday, but some of that could be due to changes in how hospitals are reporting data.
Los Angeles County, which bore most of the original surge back in April, continues to record the most cases of any county in America, but that is mainly due to the size of the population, experts say. At roughly 10 million people, the county is nearly twice the size of the second-most populous — Cook County, Illinois.
Comparing cases per-capita, L.A. County ranks 13th in the state — with Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino close behind when comparing rates over the past two weeks. Those three counties, however, are adding new cases at faster rates than L.A. County. In the past two weeks, the cumulative number of cases has risen 47% in Orange and San Bernardino counties, 35% in Riverside County and 33% in L.A. County.
Riverside County continues to see a surge in coronavirus patients, with 534 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday. Especially concerning, according to the county’s Director of Emergency Management Bruce Barton, were use of intensive care unit beds, which reached a single-day peak on July 22 with 155 COVID-19 positive patients and 28 suspected cases.
“Hospitals continue to implement their surge plans to expand capacity and are able to meet the current healthcare needs of our communities,” Barton said. “The (county’s) emergency operations center … is coordinating ongoing supply, equipment and staffing support for hospitals to assure needs are met.”
Dr. Geoffrey Leung, ambulatory medical director for the county-run Riverside University Health System hospital in Moreno Valley, said last week that hospitalizations for COVID-19 have doubled across Riverside County in the previous five weeks.
The number of patients requiring intensive care has risen sharply, too, he said. As a result, Leung said the county hospital boosted the number of beds in its intensive care unit from 36 to 54.
“And if we need to, we can go higher than that,” he said.
Leung said that, although there was more anxiety in March and April about the virus’s rapid spread, total COVID-19 hospitalizations are higher now countywide than they were then.
In perhaps a positive side note, however, the proportion of hospitalized patients requiring intensive care is smaller, Leung said.
“We’d like to think it’s because we know more about COVID and have a better idea of how to take care of them,” he said.
In the past few days, hospitalizations have leveled off, Leung said, possibly indicating the governor’s recent orders to wear masks and close bars, indoor dining and malls are having an impact.
“Only time will tell, but we’re hopeful that that signals the beginning of a change,” he said.
Leung said, in general, people are being responsive by covering their faces and keeping their distance when they go to work or shop at the grocery store. But he said contact tracing has shown they aren’t as careful in the company of people they know well.
“We tend to let our guard down when we are with our close family and friends,” Leung said. “It wouldn’t occur to someone that their cousin or their grandfather or their best friend could be COVID positive.”
L.A. County Public Health Officials said last week that the spread of the virus was stabilizing.
On Thursday, more than 2,200 people were reported at L.A. County hospitals — the most since the pandemic began — though officials said there were signs that transmission rates were slowing. On Monday, the number dropped to 2,017 due in part to a change in federal reporting requirements, which state and county officials said affected the numbers at the end of the week.
“The current number of beds is likely to be adequate over the next four weeks, though ICU beds could be a problem,” said L.A. County Director of Health Services Dr. Christina Ghaly on Wednesday, July 22. “ICU beds remain our most valuable hospital resource.”
L.A. County as of Monday had 1,369 available intensive care unit beds and 2,670 unused ventilators, according to the Department of Public Health.
At Providence hospitals across 11 Southern California facilities and two affiliated hospitals, there were more than 500 admitted patients with coronavirus or awaiting testing — accounting for 18% of the hospital system’s total bed capacity, as of Tuesday, July 21.
“This allows us to safely manage the influx while continuing other essential services to avoid delays in care for anyone in need,” a company statement read. “We also have an advantage as a large system of sharing resources, including the ability to transfer patients to another of our hospitals if one should near capacity.”
Testa, the CMO at Dignity, said L.A. County never really had a respite in hospital patients.
“Cases went up and they stayed pretty high and then in June we started seeing this uptick of cases again as social distancing was relaxed,” Testa said.
For the medical teams at Dignity, he said they were buoyed by support from the community.
“We all are tired,” he said, “but I think we’ve all been inspired that society has taken this pause to say we really need you right now and it’s really impressive.”


mercurynews--2020-07-28--49ers training camp: Previewing Jimmy Garoppolo and the QBs

Predicting the 49ers ’ opening-day roster is a silly exercise , thanks to all the COVID-19 variables , on-field injuries and other 2020 chaos sure to come in the coming weeks .
So let ’ s look at the 90-man roster by each position ’ s depth .
Today ’ s installment : Quarterbacks .
Jimmy Garoppolo : Coaches and players consistently defended Garoppolo ’ s worth after the Super Bowl collapse , the 49ers ’ Tom Brady dalliance , and the media ’ s middle-of-the-pack QB rankings of him .
Improvement is certainly expected , and he must do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a remade offensive line .
Having been limited last offseason by his knee rehabilitation , Garoppolo stayed active this year with self-organized workouts at San Jose State and in Nashville .
His deep-ball accuracy ( and frequency ) needs to better threaten defenses , and he needs to eliminate the baffling interception that seems to surface each game .
He checked in Monday night at No .
43 on the NFL Network ’ s list of the Top 100 players , and he was listed at No .
17 and Tier Three in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coaches and executives .
It ’ s a Super Bowl-or-bust season for the 49ers — and especially him .
Nick Mullens : With no exhibition season , that robs him from publicly showing the progress he ’ s made and improving his stock for a trade in a currently tepid QB market .
The 49ers won ’ t deal him , not in this climate where a COVID-19 hit could take down Garoppolo at a moment ’ s notice .
C.J .
Beathard : Carrying him as an inactive , No .
3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sake , especially if they need to stash him on the practice squad or on the bench again as an insurance policy .
Broc Rutter : This 6-foot-2 , undrafted underdog from North Central College impressively passed for 56 touchdowns and 4,591 yards to light up Division III last season .
If Garoppolo starts every game for a second straight year , he should break the 4,000-yard barrier , cut down on last season ’ s 13 interceptions and perhaps match his 27 touchdown passes which tied for fifth-most last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found guilty of rape in 2015 at Morgan Hill home • Raheem Mostert ’ s trade demand cashes in as 49ers give him incentive-laden contract

Predicting the 49ers’ opening-day roster is a silly exercise, thanks to all the COVID-19 variables, on-field injuries and other 2020 chaos sure to come in the coming weeks. So let’s look at the 90-man roster by each position’s depth. Today’s installment: Quarterbacks.
PROJECTED STARTER
Jimmy Garoppolo: Coaches and players consistently defended Garoppolo’s worth after the Super Bowl collapse, the 49ers’ Tom Brady dalliance, and the media’s middle-of-the-pack QB rankings of him.
Improvement is certainly expected, and he must do so with a youth-laden receiving corps and a remade offensive line.
Having been limited last offseason by his knee rehabilitation, Garoppolo stayed active this year with self-organized workouts at San Jose State and in Nashville. His deep-ball accuracy (and frequency) needs to better threaten defenses, and he needs to eliminate the baffling interception that seems to surface each game.
He checked in Monday night at No. 43 on the NFL Network’s list of the Top 100 players, and he was listed at No. 17 and Tier Three in The Athletic’s quarterback rankings among coaches and evaluators.
It’s a Super Bowl-or-bust season for the 49ers — and especially him.
BACKUP OPTIONS
Nick Mullens: With no exhibition season, that robs him from publicly showing the progress he’s made and improving his stock for a trade in a currently tepid QB market. The 49ers won’t deal him, not in this climate where a COVID-19 hit could take down Garoppolo at a moment’s notice.
C.J. Beathard: Carrying him as an inactive, No. 3 QB last season should help for consistency’s sake, especially if they need to stash him on the practice squad or on the bench again as an insurance policy.
Broc Rutter: This 6-foot-2, undrafted underdog from North Central College impressively passed for 56 touchdowns and 4,591 yards to light up Division III last season.
PROJECTED STATS


mercurynews--2020-07-28--Word Game: July 28, 2020

Word Game: July 28, 2020

Can you find 23 or more words in MUSCULAR ?
The list will be published tomorrow .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — MUSCULAR (MUSCULAR: MUS-kyuh-ler: Having well-developed muscles.)
Average mark 16 words
Time limit 30 minutes
Can you find 23 or more words in MUSCULAR? The list will be published tomorrow.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — PILOSE peso pile plie plies poise pole pose isle lisp lope
lose silo slip sloe slop slope soil sole spoil
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


mercurynews--2020-07-28--Horoscopes July 28, 2020: Sally Struthers, refuse to let emotions stand between you and what’s right

Horoscopes July 28, 2020: Sally Struthers, refuse to let emotions stand between you and what’s right.

Happy Birthday : Take the initiative , and follow through with your plans .
Refuse to let emotions stand between you and what ’ s right .
Pursue your passion , and be true to yourself and honest with those around you .
Be the one to step up and confront what needs to be changed .
Don ’ t take romance , love and family ties for granted .
Your numbers are 3 , 10 , 16 , 21 , 29 , 35 , 47 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Look for a unique way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of reach , but when you crunch the numbers and look at the long-term savings , you ’ ll revisit the idea .
Take physical action , do the work yourself and good things will happen .
3 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : Consider what you want , and make it happen .
A partnership with someone who shares your interests and beliefs will step up and bear half the brunt .
An emotional discussion will bring you closer to someone you love .
3 stars GEMINI ( May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the changes going on around you throw you off guard .
Keep moving at a consistent pace , and you will overcome any setbacks you encounter along the way .
Personal improvements will give you the oomph you need to go the distance .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Don ’ t give up on your dreams .
Take the initiative , and do something to activate what you want to achieve .
Be the one to step up and follow through .
Positive change is within reach .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ move .
5 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : An incident will leave you on shaky ground with someone you live or work alongside .
Be consistent , stick to the truth and follow your heart .
A new routine that promises better health , peace of mind and excellent compatibility with others is encouraged .
2 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : If you aren ’ t happy , it ’ s up to you to make the changes necessary .
Take control of your life , say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refuse to let anyone stand between you and the dreams you want to achieve .
Walk away from manipulative people .
4 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Trust in your skills , intelligence and beliefs .
If someone tries to push you in a direction that isn ’ t right for you , recognize what you have to do , and proceed .
Honesty is favored , regardless of what others do .
3 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : Look at the possibilities , and do whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t forgo an opportunity because someone is jealous or threatened by the changes that will take place .
Concentrate on what makes you happy .
Let go of the past , and forge ahead .
3 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Don ’ t let the compliments you receive lead you down a dangerous path .
Stick to the rules , focus on what ’ s important and gravitate to the people you know you can trust .
Make home and family priorities .
Romance is featured .
3 stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leave nothing to chance .
Make the necessary changes to ensure your plans unfold without a hitch .
Reach out to someone you have worked with previously ; he or she will help you reach your expectations on time .
4 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Don ’ t take a risk .
Iron out any problems before you begin something .
Knowing what you are up against will be half the battle ; the other half will be letting go of what ’ s not working for you anymore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Talks will lead to positive change .
Use connections to enlighten you about changes in your community or the industry in which you work .
Innovation and intelligence will help you surpass any competition you encounter today .
5 stars Birthday Baby : You are open-minded , curious and ambitious .
You are enthusiastic and heartfelt .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Dustin Milligan, 35; Sally Struthers, 73; Jim Davis, 75; Peter Cullen, 79.
Happy Birthday: Take the initiative, and follow through with your plans. Refuse to let emotions stand between you and what’s right. Pursue your passion, and be true to yourself and honest with those around you. Be the one to step up and confront what needs to be changed. Don’t take romance, love and family ties for granted. Your numbers are 3, 10, 16, 21, 29, 35, 47.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Look for a unique way to save money. A change may seem out of reach, but when you crunch the numbers and look at the long-term savings, you’ll revisit the idea. Take physical action, do the work yourself and good things will happen. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Consider what you want, and make it happen. A partnership with someone who shares your interests and beliefs will step up and bear half the brunt. An emotional discussion will bring you closer to someone you love. 3 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Refuse to let the changes going on around you throw you off guard. Keep moving at a consistent pace, and you will overcome any setbacks you encounter along the way. Personal improvements will give you the oomph you need to go the distance. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t give up on your dreams. Take the initiative, and do something to activate what you want to achieve. Be the one to step up and follow through. Positive change is within reach. It’s time to make your move. 5 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): An incident will leave you on shaky ground with someone you live or work alongside. Be consistent, stick to the truth and follow your heart. A new routine that promises better health, peace of mind and excellent compatibility with others is encouraged. 2 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If you aren’t happy, it’s up to you to make the changes necessary. Take control of your life, say what’s on your mind and refuse to let anyone stand between you and the dreams you want to achieve. Walk away from manipulative people. 4 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Trust in your skills, intelligence and beliefs. If someone tries to push you in a direction that isn’t right for you, recognize what you have to do, and proceed. Honesty is favored, regardless of what others do. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Look at the possibilities, and do whatever works best for you. Don’t forgo an opportunity because someone is jealous or threatened by the changes that will take place. Concentrate on what makes you happy. Let go of the past, and forge ahead. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t let the compliments you receive lead you down a dangerous path. Stick to the rules, focus on what’s important and gravitate to the people you know you can trust. Make home and family priorities. Romance is featured. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Leave nothing to chance. Make the necessary changes to ensure your plans unfold without a hitch. Reach out to someone you have worked with previously; he or she will help you reach your expectations on time. 4 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t take a risk. Iron out any problems before you begin something. Knowing what you are up against will be half the battle; the other half will be letting go of what’s not working for you anymore. Get your priorities straight. 2 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Talks will lead to positive change. Use connections to enlighten you about changes in your community or the industry in which you work. Innovation and intelligence will help you surpass any competition you encounter today. 5 stars
Birthday Baby: You are open-minded, curious and ambitious. You are enthusiastic and heartfelt.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-07-29--One of the pandemic’s possible victims? Space Camp

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. — Space Camp , an educational program attended by nearly 1 million people , including a dozen who went on to become astronauts or cosmonauts , said Tuesday it ’ s in danger of closing without a cash infusion because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Part of the state-owned U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville , Space Camp was shut down for weeks earlier this year and has been hampered by low attendance since reopening in June with limited capacity , officials said .
With most of its typical staff slashed and the normal flow of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing for the fall because of the virus , leaders held a news conference announcing a “ Save Space Camp ” drive .
Officials hope to raise at least $ 1.5 million in donations they said were needed to keep the museum open through October , the end of the fiscal year , and to reopen Space Camp in April .
“ We are now struggling for our very survival , ” said John Nerger , chair of a state board that oversees the center .
Donors gave nearly $ 100,000 within a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near NASA ’ s Marshall Space Flight Center , the museum features exhibits including an authentic Saturn V rocket , the Apollo 16 command module and a full-sized model of a space shuttle .
Space Camp students have access to that area plus classes and mockups where they participate in simulated space missions .
Since opening in 1982 , Space Camp has had almost 1 million youth and adult attendees , and it was the inspiration for a 1986 movie of the same name .
Ten people selected as astronauts and two who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camp , promoters said .
“ Space Camp is Huntsville ’ s most visible calling card , ” said Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell , who worked as marketing director for the attraction in its early days .
With government coffers lean because of decreased tax revenues , leaders hope corporations that are part of north Alabama ’ s aerospace industry will donate to the fundraising drive .
But Nerger said the center , which is self-sustaining and doesn ’ t receive government money for operations , also is counting on private donations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for someone wearing a cape to swoop in and rescue us , ” he said .

By Jay Reeves | Associated Press
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Space Camp, an educational program attended by nearly 1 million people, including a dozen who went on to become astronauts or cosmonauts, said Tuesday it’s in danger of closing without a cash infusion because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Part of the state-owned U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Space Camp was shut down for weeks earlier this year and has been hampered by low attendance since reopening in June with limited capacity, officials said.
With most of its typical staff slashed and the normal flow of international students and school groups down to nothing for the fall because of the virus, leaders held a news conference announcing a “Save Space Camp” drive.
Officials hope to raise at least $1.5 million in donations they said were needed to keep the museum open through October, the end of the fiscal year, and to reopen Space Camp in April.
“We are now struggling for our very survival,” said John Nerger, chair of a state board that oversees the center. Donors gave nearly $100,000 within a couple hours of the announcement.
Located near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the museum features exhibits including an authentic Saturn V rocket, the Apollo 16 command module and a full-sized model of a space shuttle. Space Camp students have access to that area plus classes and mockups where they participate in simulated space missions.
Since opening in 1982, Space Camp has had almost 1 million youth and adult attendees, and it was the inspiration for a 1986 movie of the same name. Ten people selected as astronauts and two who went on to become cosmonauts attended the camp, promoters said.
“Space Camp is Huntsville’s most visible calling card,” said Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell, who worked as marketing director for the attraction in its early days.
With government coffers lean because of decreased tax revenues, leaders hope corporations that are part of north Alabama’s aerospace industry will donate to the fundraising drive. But Nerger said the center, which is self-sustaining and doesn’t receive government money for operations, also is counting on private donations.
“We just cannot afford for someone wearing a cape to swoop in and rescue us,” he said.


mercurynews--2020-07-29--Fireworks are set for ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ summer update 2

The “ Animal Crossing : New Horizons ” Summer Update Wave 2 is coming sooner than expected as Nintendo announced the free upgrade will arrive July 30 .
The new content isn ’ t going to be as dramatic as the first one , but it will give players more to chew on .
Wave 2 introduces fireworks shows at 7 p.m. every Sunday .
The nighttime event also comes with Redd ’ s Raffle tickets that can be purchased with prospects receiving festive items .
It ’ s not guaranteed I suppose because we are dealing with the sly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customize the fireworks , which shoot into the sky and reveal images like Tom Nook , Isabelle and K.K .
Slider .
Fireworks were in previous “ Animal Crossing ” games but they look even better on the Nintendo Switch .
Another concept from previous entries is Dreaming .
When players take a nap at their island home in “ New Horizons , ” they can go to a strange realm where a character named Luna transports them to other player-created islands .
Unlike real islands , these are static counterparts that players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a way for players to share their creations without fear of visitors ruining them by digging up plants or chopping down trees .
This was also a feature in “ New Leaf ” on the Nintendo 3DS and it let players share their islands via SpotPass .
The specifics of Dreaming is unknown but it will require players to have a Nintendo Online membership if they want to visit other islands and share their creations as well .
Lastly , Nintendo Switch Online members will also get a new island backup service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in the cloud in case their Nintendo Switch is damaged or stolen .
It ’ s something that may not seem important unless the unthinkable happens and players lose potentially hundreds of hours of work .
The next free update is coming in autumn and it appears that there will be a Halloween theme .
Technically , the fall starts Sept. 21 so the update is a long way off .

The “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” Summer Update Wave 2 is coming sooner than expected as Nintendo announced the free upgrade will arrive July 30.
The new content isn’t going to be as dramatic as the first one, but it will give players more to chew on. Wave 2 introduces fireworks shows at 7 p.m. every Sunday. The nighttime event also comes with Redd’s Raffle tickets that can be purchased with prospects receiving festive items. It’s not guaranteed I suppose because we are dealing with the sly Redd after all. Players can also customize the fireworks, which shoot into the sky and reveal images like Tom Nook, Isabelle and K.K. Slider. Fireworks were in previous “Animal Crossing” games but they look even better on the Nintendo Switch.
Another concept from previous entries is Dreaming. When players take a nap at their island home in “New Horizons,” they can go to a strange realm where a character named Luna transports them to other player-created islands. Unlike real islands, these are static counterparts that players can mess around in. It’s a way for players to share their creations without fear of visitors ruining them by digging up plants or chopping down trees. This was also a feature in “New Leaf” on the Nintendo 3DS and it let players share their islands via SpotPass. The specifics of Dreaming is unknown but it will require players to have a Nintendo Online membership if they want to visit other islands and share their creations as well.
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The next free update is coming in autumn and it appears that there will be a Halloween theme. Technically, the fall starts Sept. 21 so the update is a long way off.


mercurynews--2020-07-29--Theranos: Deadlines set after Elizabeth Holmes claims coronavirus changes may have violated her righ

Theranos: Deadlines set after Elizabeth Holmes claims coronavirus changes may have violated her rights

The federal court judge overseeing proceedings against Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes set deadlines Tuesday for prosecutors and her lawyers to submit arguments , after she claimed pandemic-related changes to grand jury selection may have violated her rights .
Holmes last week filed a motion in U.S. District Court in San Jose , seeking access to the selection records for the grand jury that returned the latest 11-count felony fraud indictment against her and Sunny Balwani , the former president of the defunct Palo Alto blood-testing startup .
The motion suggested that changes to the selection process , intended to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have meant the indictment — which removed a charge added after her original indictment — was not issued by the cross-section of the public required by law .
In citing “ the disproportionate medical and economic impact that the Covid-19 crisis has had on certain populations , ” the motion echoed concerns Holmes ’ legal team have raised about the composition of the trial jury that will hear her case amid a pandemic .
Holmes ’ lawyers said in a court filing that she plans to challenge the selection process for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 .
Judge Edward Davila on Tuesday gave federal prosecutors a July 31 deadline to respond to the motion , and set Aug. 7 as the deadline for Holmes ’ lawyers to file any comment on the government ’ s response .
Holmes , a Stanford University dropout who founded Theranos in 2003 , is charged with allegedly bilking investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars , and defrauding doctors and patients , with false claims that the company ’ s machines could conduct a full range of tests using just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the federal court system ’ s Covid-19 Judicial Task Force issued a report advising courts to expect more prospective jurors than in pre-pandemic times to ask to be excused from serving because of health concerns .
Healthy people not especially vulnerable to Covid-19 might hesitate to serve for family or work reasons related to the pandemic , the task force warned .
Courts were advised to consider bringing in fewer grand jurors than the usual 23 “ in order to make a quorum of 16.
” Holmes , in her motion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury proceedings in the Northern District of California were suspended from April 30 until a date in June not made public .
“ Once resumed , grand jury proceedings were conducted in an undisclosed manner , ” the motion said .
“ The jury-selection procedures apparently were revised from past procedures in light of the ongoing pandemic , and it is unclear what effect these changes had on the constitution of the grand jury.
” She is seeking information including documents or court rulings reflecting coronavirus-related changes to grand jury creation , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selection process was constitutional , plus the number of grand jurors who indicted her , and jurors ’ attendance records .
Holmes ’ trial has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic , with Davila last week declining to set a new date but indicating it might start in February .

The federal court judge overseeing proceedings against Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes set deadlines Tuesday for prosecutors and her lawyers to submit arguments, after she claimed pandemic-related changes to grand jury selection may have violated her rights.
Holmes last week filed a motion in U.S. District Court in San Jose, seeking access to the selection records for the grand jury that returned the latest 11-count felony fraud indictment against her and Sunny Balwani, the former president of the defunct Palo Alto blood-testing startup. The motion suggested that changes to the selection process, intended to keep jurors safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, may have meant the indictment — which removed a charge added after her original indictment — was not issued by the cross-section of the public required by law.
In citing “the disproportionate medical and economic impact that the Covid-19 crisis has had on certain populations,” the motion echoed concerns Holmes’ legal team have raised about the composition of the trial jury that will hear her case amid a pandemic. Holmes’ lawyers said in a court filing that she plans to challenge the selection process for the grand jury whose indictment was filed July 14.
Judge Edward Davila on Tuesday gave federal prosecutors a July 31 deadline to respond to the motion, and set Aug. 7 as the deadline for Holmes’ lawyers to file any comment on the government’s response.
Holmes, a Stanford University dropout who founded Theranos in 2003, is charged with allegedly bilking investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars, and defrauding doctors and patients, with false claims that the company’s machines could conduct a full range of tests using just a few drops of blood.
Last month, the federal court system’s Covid-19 Judicial Task Force issued a report advising courts to expect more prospective jurors than in pre-pandemic times to ask to be excused from serving because of health concerns. Healthy people not especially vulnerable to Covid-19 might hesitate to serve for family or work reasons related to the pandemic, the task force warned. Courts were advised to consider bringing in fewer grand jurors than the usual 23 “in order to make a quorum of 16.”
Holmes, in her motion to access selection records, noted that grand jury proceedings in the Northern District of California were suspended from April 30 until a date in June not made public. “Once resumed, grand jury proceedings were conducted in an undisclosed manner,” the motion said. “The jury-selection procedures apparently were revised from past procedures in light of the ongoing pandemic, and it is unclear what effect these changes had on the constitution of the grand jury.”
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Holmes’ trial has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, with Davila last week declining to set a new date but indicating it might start in February.


mercurynews--2020-07-29--Source: White House, Oregon in talks about pulling agents

By Gillian Flaccus , Andrew Selensky and Jonathan Lemire | Associated Press PORTLAND , Ore. — The Trump administration has started talks with the Oregon governor ’ s office and indicated that it would begin to draw down the presence of federal agents sent to quell two months of chaotic protests in Portland if the state stepped up its own enforcement , a senior White House official said Tuesday .
The official stressed to The Associated Press that the talks with the office of Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown are in the early stages and there is no agreement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss private conversations and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
Brown didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler ’ s office also didn ’ t immediately respond to an email .
Just a day earlier , the U.S .
Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security were weighing whether to send in more agents .
The marshals were taking steps to identify up to 100 additional personnel who could go in case they were needed to relieve or supplement the deputy marshals who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Homeland Security was considering a similar measure with Customs and Border Protection agents , according to an administration official with direct knowledge of the plans who was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity .
President Donald Trump did not let up on criticizing local authorities in their handling of the protests that began after George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of Minneapolis police and have grown to include the presence of federal agents in Portland and other Democratic cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence as demonstrators target the U.S. courthouse in Oregon ’ s largest city with rocks , fireworks and laser pointers and federal agents respond with tear gas , less-lethal ammunition and arrests .
“ We , as you know , have done an excellent job of watching over Portland and watching our courthouse where they wanted to burn it down , they ’ re anarchists , nothing short of anarchist agitators , ” Trump said Tuesday .
“ And we have protected it very powerfully .
And if we didn ’ t go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you wouldn ’ t have a courthouse .
You ’ d have a billion-dollar burned-out building.
” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Tuesday that she had received confirmation that U.S. agents had left her city after being sent to Seattle last week to protect federal buildings amid lingering unrest .
The developments came as the American Civil Liberties Union in Oregon filed a motion alleging that the militarized U.S. agents are attacking journalists and legal observers with riot-control munitions , despite a federal court ordering them to stop .
Last week , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same federal court building that ’ s been the focus of protests — temporarily blocked federal officers from targeting journalists and legal observers at the protests .
The ACLU asked the court to sanction and hold in contempt federal agents for violating the temporary restraining order .
It also asked the court to order Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli to personally appear and show why they should not be sanctioned for contempt .
The organization cited numerous instances in which agents have violated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pepper spray against people clearly marked as journalists or legal observers .
The motion was filed after U.S. Attorney General William Barr defended the aggressive federal response to Congress , saying “ violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests ” sparked by Floyd ’ s death .
The ACLU accused federal agents of acting unlawfully in Portland .
“ This administration claims to be defending the federal courthouse , but won ’ t obey the orders coming out of it .
What purpose are these agents actually serving then ?
” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ACLU of Oregon .
One journalist , Jonathan Levinson of Oregon Public Broadcasting , said in a statement to the court that while he was trying to take a photograph Friday , he saw a federal agent raise his weapon , aim it at him and fire several rounds .
“ My camera and lens were splattered with paint , ” Levinson said .
“ Based on my position and the position of people around me , there is almost no chance the agent was aiming at anyone other than me.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was deployed to Iraq as an Army officer , said he was wearing a press pass and a helmet that says “ PRESS ” in big letters on the front and back .
Kat Mahoney , a legal observer with the ACLU , said a federal agent fired a paintball at her , hitting her in the head Friday .
The next night , an agent sprayed her and three other observers in the face as they told him they were legal observers and pointed to their credentials .
There was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the motion and accusations .
Two groups also have sued the Department of Homeland Security , alleging it violated the Constitution by sending federal law enforcement to disperse crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets .
The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit from the Wall of Moms — a group of self-described mothers — and the Don ’ t Shoot Portland group .
Members of the group of mothers have “ been tear-gassed night after night , left vomiting and unable to eat or sleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , ” the lawsuit said .
Wheeler and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty had asked Wolf on Monday for a meeting to discuss a cease-fire and their desire for the removal of the extra federal agents deployed to Portland .
The same day , U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams insisted that the agents will remain as long as protesters keep attacking the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse .
Protesters have tried almost every night to tear down a fence erected to protect the building , set fires in the street and hurled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocks and bottles at the agents inside .
On the 60th night of protests , demonstrators near the courthouse were met with tear gas , pepper balls and stun grenades fired by agents early Tuesday .
Lemire reported from Washington .
Selsky reported from Salem , Oregon .
Associated Press writers Mike Balsamo and Colleen Long in Washington and Suman Naishadham in Atlanta also contributed to this report .

By Gillian Flaccus, Andrew Selensky and Jonathan Lemire | Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Trump administration has started talks with the Oregon governor’s office and indicated that it would begin to draw down the presence of federal agents sent to quell two months of chaotic protests in Portland if the state stepped up its own enforcement, a senior White House official said Tuesday.
The official stressed to The Associated Press that the talks with the office of Democratic Gov. Kate Brown are in the early stages and there is no agreement. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Brown didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office also didn’t immediately respond to an email.
Just a day earlier, the U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security were weighing whether to send in more agents. The marshals were taking steps to identify up to 100 additional personnel who could go in case they were needed to relieve or supplement the deputy marshals who work in Oregon, spokesman Drew Wade said.
Homeland Security was considering a similar measure with Customs and Border Protection agents, according to an administration official with direct knowledge of the plans who was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
President Donald Trump did not let up on criticizing local authorities in their handling of the protests that began after George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police and have grown to include the presence of federal agents in Portland and other Democratic cities.
The nightly protests often spiral into violence as demonstrators target the U.S. courthouse in Oregon’s largest city with rocks, fireworks and laser pointers and federal agents respond with tear gas, less-lethal ammunition and arrests.
“We, as you know, have done an excellent job of watching over Portland and watching our courthouse where they wanted to burn it down, they’re anarchists, nothing short of anarchist agitators,” Trump said Tuesday. “And we have protected it very powerfully. And if we didn’t go there, I will tell you, you wouldn’t have a courthouse. You’d have a billion-dollar burned-out building.”
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Tuesday that she had received confirmation that U.S. agents had left her city after being sent to Seattle last week to protect federal buildings amid lingering unrest.
The developments came as the American Civil Liberties Union in Oregon filed a motion alleging that the militarized U.S. agents are attacking journalists and legal observers with riot-control munitions, despite a federal court ordering them to stop.
Last week, the U.S. District Court in Portland — located in the same federal court building that’s been the focus of protests — temporarily blocked federal officers from targeting journalists and legal observers at the protests.
The ACLU asked the court to sanction and hold in contempt federal agents for violating the temporary restraining order. It also asked the court to order Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli to personally appear and show why they should not be sanctioned for contempt.
The organization cited numerous instances in which agents have violated the order by firing impact munitions and using pepper spray against people clearly marked as journalists or legal observers.
The motion was filed after U.S. Attorney General William Barr defended the aggressive federal response to Congress, saying “violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests” sparked by Floyd’s death.
The ACLU accused federal agents of acting unlawfully in Portland.
“This administration claims to be defending the federal courthouse, but won’t obey the orders coming out of it. What purpose are these agents actually serving then?” said Kelly Simon, interim legal director of the ACLU of Oregon.
One journalist, Jonathan Levinson of Oregon Public Broadcasting, said in a statement to the court that while he was trying to take a photograph Friday, he saw a federal agent raise his weapon, aim it at him and fire several rounds.
“My camera and lens were splattered with paint,” Levinson said. “Based on my position and the position of people around me, there is almost no chance the agent was aiming at anyone other than me.”
Levinson, who has covered conflicts worldwide and was deployed to Iraq as an Army officer, said he was wearing a press pass and a helmet that says “PRESS” in big letters on the front and back.
Kat Mahoney, a legal observer with the ACLU, said a federal agent fired a paintball at her, hitting her in the head Friday. The next night, an agent sprayed her and three other observers in the face as they told him they were legal observers and pointed to their credentials.
There was no immediate comment from the federal agencies on the motion and accusations.
Two groups also have sued the Department of Homeland Security, alleging it violated the Constitution by sending federal law enforcement to disperse crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit from the Wall of Moms — a group of self-described mothers — and the Don’t Shoot Portland group.
Members of the group of mothers have “been tear-gassed night after night, left vomiting and unable to eat or sleep because of the toxic poison blasted at them,” the lawsuit said.
Wheeler and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty had asked Wolf on Monday for a meeting to discuss a cease-fire and their desire for the removal of the extra federal agents deployed to Portland.
The same day, U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams insisted that the agents will remain as long as protesters keep attacking the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse.
Protesters have tried almost every night to tear down a fence erected to protect the building, set fires in the street and hurled fireworks, Molotov cocktails and bricks, rocks and bottles at the agents inside.
On the 60th night of protests, demonstrators near the courthouse were met with tear gas, pepper balls and stun grenades fired by agents early Tuesday.
Lemire reported from Washington. Selsky reported from Salem, Oregon. Associated Press writers Mike Balsamo and Colleen Long in Washington and Suman Naishadham in Atlanta also contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-07-29--Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting: One year later, vigil honors victims, first responders

GILROY — Members of the community gathered in person and online Tuesday evening to remember the shooting that shocked the town in the closing hours of the city ’ s beloved Garlic Festival one year ago Tuesday .
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen was among those who spoke at the ceremony , remembering the events of July 28 , 2019 .
On that day , a gunman opened fire at the Gilroy Garlic Festival , killing three people — 6-year-old Stephen Romero , 13-year-old Keyla Salazar and 25-year-old Trevor Irby — and wounding 17 others .
The event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fabric of his hometown .
Every July for the past four decades , the festival has drawn 80,000 to 100,000 visitors to celebrate the region ’ s signature crop ; locals grow up visiting the festival , volunteer there in high school and return as adults with their own children .
Salazar ’ s art is displayed at the Gilroy Resiliency Center , and her family is planning a mural to honor her .
But Salazar ’ s family said they want her death to lead to real change , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t happen again , so there isn ’ t another Kayla , ” said Katiuska Pimental , her aunt .
“ I do feel like the system failed her.
” Organizers had hoped to bring the event back this year as a symbol of civic unity , but those plans were scuttled in March by the COVID-19 pandemic , and the festival was postponed until next year .
Even Tuesday ’ s vigil was largely virtual .
While a small number of attendees were able to gather in person in Christmas Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most had to tune into the livestream — a far cry from the hundreds who gathered outside City Hall the day after the shooting , holding candles and hugging each other in their grief .
The vigil honored the three young victims of the shooting : Romero , who had just graduated from kindergarten ; Salazar , who had dreamed of becoming an animator ; and Irby , who had moved to California from New York and had been living in Santa Cruz with his girlfriend .
Speakers also praised the courage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cryar , Hugo Del Moral and Robert Basuino , the three Gilroy police officers who shot and wounded Legan moments after he opened fire .
All three attended the ceremony Tuesday , returning to the park “ where their bravery stopped evil , ” Rosen said An investigative report by the Santa Clara County District Attorney ’ s Office in March found that the officers were “ unquestionably lawful and justified ” when they shot Legan , who killed himself during the gun battle with police .
All three officers received medals of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office for their actions .
“ For the rest of our life , we will never forget those three officers and that one minute of selfless bravery , ” Rosen said .
Rosen pointed out a permanent memorial at the park to the victims of the shooting — three large rocks representing those who died , and a fence with 17 wooden posts for those wounded .
The Gilroy Strong Resiliency Center , which organized the vigil along with the Santa Clara County District Attorney ’ s Office , opened in January to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applying for victim compensation funds .
Longtim—e director Brian Bowe stepped down in December , citing the need for a “ new perspective ” amid a lawsuit over the festival ’ s security measures .

GILROY — Members of the community gathered in person and online Tuesday evening to remember the shooting that shocked the town in the closing hours of the city’s beloved Garlic Festival one year ago Tuesday.
Local leaders and relatives of victims spoke at the ceremony, remembering the events of July 28, 2019. On that day, a gunman opened fire at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, killing three people — 6-year-old Stephen Romero, 13-year-old Keyla Salazar and 25-year-old Trevor Irby — and wounding 17 others.
“Our community owes a huge debt of gratitude to three Gilroy police officers and all of the first responders who worked to stop the shooter, investigate the crime, tend to the injured and help the community,” said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen.
The event 19-year-old Santino Legan targeted was woven into the fabric of his hometown. Every July for the past four decades, the festival has drawn 80,000 to 100,000 visitors to celebrate the region’s signature crop; locals grow up visiting the festival, volunteer there in high school and return as adults with their own children.
Organizers had hoped to bring the event back this year as a symbol of civic unity, but those plans were scuttled in March by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the festival was postponed until next year.
Even Tuesday’s vigil was largely virtual. While a small number of attendees were able to gather in person in Christmas Hill Park, because of social distancing requirements, most had to tune into the livestream — a far cry from the hundreds who gathered outside City Hall the day after the shooting, holding candles and hugging each other in their grief.
The vigil honored the three young victims of the shooting: Romero, who had just graduated from kindergarten; Salazar, who had dreamed of becoming an animator; and Irby, who had moved to California from New York and had been living in Santa Cruz with his girlfriend.
Speakers also praised the courage of the first responders, including Eric Cryar, Hugo Del Moral and Robert Basuino, the three Gilroy police officers who shot and wounded Legan moments after he opened fire. All three attended the ceremony Tuesday, returning to the park “where their bravery stopped evil,” Rosen said; he presented them with medals of honor for their actions.
An investigative report by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office in March found that the officers were “unquestionably lawful and justified” when they shot Legan, who killed himself during the gun battle with police.
“For the rest of our life, we will never forget those three officers and that one minute of selfless bravery,” Rosen said.
One year later, the community is looking back and trying to move forward. Rosen pointed out a permanent memorial at the park to the victims of the shooting — three large rocks representing those who died, and a fence with 17 wooden posts for those wounded.
The Gilroy Strong Resiliency Center, which organized the vigil along with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, opened in January to offer counseling, trauma education and assistance applying for victim compensation funds.
Salazar’s art is displayed at the Gilroy Resiliency Center, and her family is planning a mural to honor her. But Salazar’s family said they want her death to lead to real change, too.
“We should fight so this doesn’t happen again, so there isn’t another Kayla,” said Katiuska Pimental, her aunt. “I do feel like the system failed her.”


mercurynews--2020-07-29--San Jose: Video of cop kicking and dragging woman prompts fresh calls for police reforms. But some w

San Jose: Video of cop kicking and dragging woman prompts fresh calls for police reforms. But some worry it won’t be enough

SAN JOSE — Video that surfaced last week of a San Jose police officer kicking and dragging a woman in a parking lot has prompted fresh outcry over the department ’ s use of excessive force , invigorating a push by city and community leaders for a slate of police reforms proposed in the wake of the recent Black Lives Matter protests .
Calling the video “ deeply disturbing ” and the officer ’ s actions “ appalling , ” Mayor Sam Liccardo said there needs to be “ immediate change , and I expect there will be severe consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , critics of the department argue that the video — which shows the officer dragging the woman across the McDonald ’ s lot on East Santa Clara Street following a vehicle stop , and kicking her as children cry from the backseat — is further evidence the issues plaguing the department are deeply systemic , and unlikely to be resolved through policy alone .
LaDoris Cordell , a retired judge who served as the city ’ s independent police auditor from 2010 to 2015 , said the footage raised deep concerns about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows there are bystanders , it ’ s broad daylight , and knows it ’ s likely he ’ s going to be recorded , and it didn ’ t matter , ” Cordell said .
“ I ’ m so frustrated by this whole thing .
There are no quick fixes to something like this .
This came about because of the culture of the San Jose Police Department.
” The officer in the video , who has not been publicly identified by SJPD , is on leave and under investigation by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team with the Santa Clara County District Attorney ’ s Office has also said it is looking at the incident .
“ For the community , this conduct we saw on the video is indicative of a history of policing we know all too well , ” said Derrick Sanderlin , an organizer with People Acting in Community Together and former police bias trainer who was seriously injured when an officer shot him in the groin with a rubber bullet .
“ It ’ s a well-oiled machine , and to throw a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take more than bolstered training to stop those wheels.
” Police Chief Eddie Garcia said Tuesday while the use of force is under investigation , what he has seen so far is troubling , and emphasized that a use-of-force review was already underway when the video surfaced Thursday .
Police announced the officer ’ s leave the next day , by which point the video had been widely viewed and reported .
“ I ’ m not happy with what I see .
It doesn ’ t look good , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole video to answer legitimate questions we have .
But it ’ s questionable tactics.
” The July 22 encounter involved a silver BMW that police say evaded a traffic stop for an expired registration tag on July 18 , then fled again after being spotted by police July 21 ; the next day officers pulled the car over in the McDonald ’ s lot .
The driver of the car , who was the woman kicked , was arrested on suspected misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest , possessing drug paraphernalia , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergence of the video followed a series of controversies for the department including viral footage of Officer Jared Yuen profanely antagonizing Black Lives Matter demonstrators , and accusations he directly aimed rubber bullets at protesters ; numerous injuries inflicted by police rubber bullets that prompted a conditional ban on the munitions ; and a scandal in which multiple active and retired officers posted racist and anti-Muslim images and remarks on a defunct police alumni Facebook page and elsewhere on the platform .
But Garcia objected to criticism that his department has culture problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commissioned by the department in late May that found between 2015 and 2019 , San Jose officers have sharply decreased racial disparities in their use of force , as well as the severity of force they use during combative arrests .
“ We have empirical data that says there is no culture issue here , ” he said .
Still , he acknowledged such data offers little comfort to people on the receiving end of officer misconduct .
“ We ’ re not just going to fall back on the fact we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have to get better .
But there ’ s got to be some scale that you can put this to , particularly because we have data that shows we ’ re not what the perceptions and optics have indicated.
” This week , Liccardo has requested that city staff evaluate how officer misconduct investigations can be shifted from the department ’ s internal affairs division to purview of the civilian Office of the Independent Police Auditor — a call echoed by county Public Defender Molly O ’ Neal — and explore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arbitration process he contends stymies the city and department ’ s ability to terminate problem officers .
He is also requesting the city assess a process for swifter release of police body-camera videos of high-profile incidents .
“ We can no longer perpetuate a system in which we expect police to police themselves , and we need to empower chiefs to fire bad cops , ” he said .
To the proposals to dismantle internal affairs , Garcia said , “ One thing I ’ ve heard over and over , is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves .
But if you look at these last few incidents , we put officers on administrative leave far quicker than in the past , and launched investigations before incidents go viral.
” When asked about cultural issues in the department , Liccardo said he while he believes there are factions within SJPD that need to be rooted out , he does not ascribe to the idea there is a monolithic solution .
“ There is no question there is a problem with subcultures , ” he said .
“ But it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just say it ’ s culture.
” Jonathan Abel , a UC Hastings law professor who specializes in police misconduct issues , said even if a raft of policy and practices are modified , and consequences are ratcheted up for bad behavior , ultimately , on-the-ground change lies in how officers adopt new sensibilities .
“ Rules tell them what they ’ re supposed to do , but in the heat of the moment , adherence to the rule is based on adrenaline and their own concerns for their own lives , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to re-calibrate an acceptable level of violence , and they have to come to that on their own to some extent.
” Still , Cordell remains unconvinced that there are swift remedies on the horizon , and advises that residents and citizens stay on alert , and be ready to report misconduct .
“ People should make sure they always have their cell phones charged up and can video things , ” she said .
“ If they see something , say something to the IPA office if something ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subject themselves of police action .
”

SAN JOSE — Video that surfaced last week of a San Jose police officer kicking and dragging a woman in a parking lot has prompted fresh outcry over the department’s use of excessive force, invigorating a push by city and community leaders for a slate of police reforms proposed in the wake of the recent Black Lives Matter protests.
Calling the video “deeply disturbing” and the officer’s actions “appalling,” Mayor Sam Liccardo said there needs to be “immediate change, and I expect there will be severe consequences that will be plainly visible.”
Still, critics of the department argue that the video — which shows the officer dragging the woman across the McDonald’s lot on East Santa Clara Street following a vehicle stop, and kicking her as children cry from the backseat — is further evidence the issues plaguing the department are deeply systemic, and unlikely to be resolved through policy alone.
LaDoris Cordell, a retired judge who served as the city’s independent police auditor from 2010 to 2015, said the footage raised deep concerns about the police department.
“The officer clearly knows there are bystanders, it’s broad daylight, and knows it’s likely he’s going to be recorded, and it didn’t matter,” Cordell said. “I’m so frustrated by this whole thing. There are no quick fixes to something like this. This came about because of the culture of the San Jose Police Department.”
The officer in the video, who has not been publicly identified by SJPD, is on leave and under investigation by the police department. A new oversight team with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has also said it is looking at the incident.
“For the community, this conduct we saw on the video is indicative of a history of policing we know all too well,” said Derrick Sanderlin, an organizer with People Acting in Community Together and former police bias trainer who was seriously injured when an officer shot him in the groin with a rubber bullet. “It’s a well-oiled machine, and to throw a wrench in the system, it will take more than bolstered training to stop those wheels.”
Police Chief Eddie Garcia said Tuesday while the use of force is under investigation, what he has seen so far is troubling, and emphasized that a use-of-force review was already underway when the video surfaced Thursday. Police announced the officer’s leave the next day, by which point the video had been widely viewed and reported.
“I’m not happy with what I see. It doesn’t look good,” he said. “I want to review the whole video to answer legitimate questions we have. But it’s questionable tactics.”
The July 22 encounter involved a silver BMW that police say evaded a traffic stop for an expired registration tag on July 18, then fled again after being spotted by police July 21; the next day officers pulled the car over in the McDonald’s lot. The driver of the car, who was the woman kicked, was arrested on suspected misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, possessing drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license.
The emergence of the video followed a series of controversies for the department including viral footage of Officer Jared Yuen profanely antagonizing Black Lives Matter demonstrators, and accusations he directly aimed rubber bullets at protesters; numerous injuries inflicted by police rubber bullets that prompted a conditional ban on the munitions; and a scandal in which multiple active and retired officers posted racist and anti-Muslim images and remarks on a defunct police alumni Facebook page and elsewhere on the platform.
But Garcia objected to criticism that his department has culture problems, and pointed to a data study commissioned by the department in late May that found between 2015 and 2019, San Jose officers have sharply decreased racial disparities in their use of force, as well as the severity of force they use during combative arrests.
“We have empirical data that says there is no culture issue here,” he said.
Still, he acknowledged such data offers little comfort to people on the receiving end of officer misconduct.
“We’re not just going to fall back on the fact we have this data,” he said. “We have to get better. But there’s got to be some scale that you can put this to, particularly because we have data that shows we’re not what the perceptions and optics have indicated.”
This week, Liccardo has requested that city staff evaluate how officer misconduct investigations can be shifted from the department’s internal affairs division to purview of the civilian Office of the Independent Police Auditor — a call echoed by county Public Defender Molly O’Neal — and explore reforming or moving away from the current arbitration process he contends stymies the city and department’s ability to terminate problem officers. He is also requesting the city assess a process for swifter release of police body-camera videos of high-profile incidents.
“We can no longer perpetuate a system in which we expect police to police themselves, and we need to empower chiefs to fire bad cops,” he said.
To the proposals to dismantle internal affairs, Garcia said, “One thing I’ve heard over and over, is the frustration that we can’t police ourselves. But if you look at these last few incidents, we put officers on administrative leave far quicker than in the past, and launched investigations before incidents go viral.”
When asked about cultural issues in the department, Liccardo said he while he believes there are factions within SJPD that need to be rooted out, he does not ascribe to the idea there is a monolithic solution.
“There is no question there is a problem with subcultures,” he said. “But it’s too easy and too simple to just say it’s culture.”
Jonathan Abel, a UC Hastings law professor who specializes in police misconduct issues, said even if a raft of policy and practices are modified, and consequences are ratcheted up for bad behavior, ultimately, on-the-ground change lies in how officers adopt new sensibilities.
“Rules tell them what they’re supposed to do, but in the heat of the moment, adherence to the rule is based on adrenaline and their own concerns for their own lives,” he said. “(Officers) have to re-calibrate an acceptable level of violence, and they have to come to that on their own to some extent.”
Still, Cordell remains unconvinced that there are swift remedies on the horizon, and advises that residents and citizens stay on alert, and be ready to report misconduct.
“People should make sure they always have their cell phones charged up and can video things,” she said. “If they see something, say something to the IPA office if something’s not right, even if they are not the subject themselves of police action.”


mercurynews--2020-07-29--San Jose scraps ballot measure to give Mayor Liccardo more power, 2 extra years

Just one month after the plan was devised , San Jose leaders have scrapped a November 2020 ballot measure that could have awarded Mayor Sam Liccardo considerably more power and two extra years in office .
In a unanimous decision that capped off an 8-hour discussion on Tuesday , the city council reversed course from a strongly-contested move last month to go forward with the measure , and instead opted to establish a charter revision commission that would vet the two proposals before putting them before voters .
The reversal was prompted , in part , by considerable public outcry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations , including the NAACP , League of Women Voters and the South Bay Labor Council , who felt the city was rushing these issues through without adequately engaging the public .
Under the council ’ s new plan , a measure will be placed on the primary ballot in March 2022 to shift the mayoral elections to presidential years to boost voter turnout , particularly among people of color .
If the measure is passed by voters , the mayor elected in the November 2022 election may either serve a two- or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election in 2024 or 2028 — whichever the charter revision commission recommends by late 2021 .
If the city decides in favor of a two-year mayoral term beginning in 2022 , Liccardo would have the option to run despite the city ’ s two-year term limits .
Liccardo declined to comment during Tuesday ’ s meeting on whether he would be interested in running again .
“ I ’ m not even thinking about it , ” he said .
“ That ’ s not the issue for us to discuss today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the best interest of the city.
” His colleague , Councilmember Raul Peralez , has openly voiced his interest in running for mayor when Liccardo ’ s term expires .
The commission , which will consist of 23 members appointed by the council and mayor , also will evaluate potential changes to the city ’ s government structure , including options for awarding the mayor additional powers like other ‘ strong mayor ’ systems in larger cities across the country .
Depending on what the commission recommends , a measure may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change the city ’ s current council-manager government structure .
“ This is not a normal time — we are in the middle of a pandemic , we are in an incredible time of upheaval and so now is not the time to rush through anything , ” Councilmember Maya Esparza said .
“ I want to hear ideas that they are going to research and bring to us that will bring equity , that will rise up the voices in our neighborhoods and that will ensure accountability.
” The council ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liccardo unexpectedly dropped the “ strong mayor ” initiative from consideration after polling showed a tough battle ahead to get the measure passed .
“ Something as important as changing our governmental structure requires public support approaching consensus , and we don ’ t have that , ” Liccardo wrote in a memo penned Monday .
“ Working together under the current flawed system is better than working against each other for a different system.
” The original ballot measure — passed by a split 6-5 vote on council less than a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional years to Liccardo ’ s term and awarded him significantly more power , including overseeing and firing department heads and the city manager .
Under San Jose ’ s current council-manager setup , the mayor has basically the same power as other council members , aside from guiding the budget process .
The measure aimed to combine two years-long efforts by opposing strongholds in the city .
Business organizations have advocated for giving the mayor of San Jose as much clout as the mayors of most large cities across the nation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of years ago to change mayoral elections to presidential years to increase voter participation .
After the mayor and five council members rejected a proposal from the council ’ s five-member Latino delegation in April 2019 to move the mayoral election , a coalition of labor unions and organizations gathered signatures to place it on a ballot themselves .
But that effort , known as the Fair Elections Initiative , recently failed to gather the required signatures .
The plan for the November ballot measure , however , unraveled over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prominent city leaders joined the city manager and the council ’ s five Latino councilmembers — Magdalena Carrasco , Sergio Jimenez , Sylvia Arenas , Raul Peralez and Maya Esparza — in opposing what they saw as a “ power grab ” by the mayor and his supporters .
“ We will not be able to advocate effectively for this cause nor any of the vital issues we face if our government isn ’ t fully representational , transparent , equitable and inclusive , ” Stephanie Morris , a member of Mothers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meeting .
“ It ’ s vital that this process include robust community input , especially from the underrepresented portion of our community and a thorough consideration of the pros and cons of various city governance structures .
”

Just one month after the plan was devised, San Jose leaders have scrapped a November 2020 ballot measure that could have awarded Mayor Sam Liccardo the most powerful position in the city and two extra years in office.
In a unanimous decision that capped off an 8-hour discussion during a meeting this week, the city council reversed course from a strongly-contested move last month to go forward with the measure, and instead opted to establish a charter revision commission that would vet the two proposals before putting them before voters.
The reversal was prompted, in part, by considerable public outcry and adamant opposition from several prominent community organizations, including the NAACP, League of Women Voters and the South Bay Labor Council, who felt the city was rushing these issues through without adequately engaging the public.
San Jose was not the only California city considering a “strong mayor” initiative for the November ballot. The Sacramento City Council will decide next week whether to move forward with a measure that would give its mayor, Darrell Steinberg, considerably more power as well. Despite similar criticisms there, it appears likely that the initiative in the state’s capital will make it to the ballot box, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Under San Jose’s new plan, a measure will be placed on the primary ballot in March 2022 to shift the mayoral elections to presidential years to boost voter turnout, particularly among people of color.
If the measure is passed by voters, the mayor elected in the November 2022 election may either serve a two- or six-year term to align it with the presidential election in 2024 or 2028 — whichever the charter revision commission recommends by late 2021.
If the city decides in favor of a two-year mayoral term beginning in 2022, Liccardo would have the option to run despite the city’s two-year term limits.
Liccardo declined to comment during Tuesday’s meeting on whether he would be interested in running again.
“I’m not even thinking about it,” he said. “That’s not the issue for us to discuss today. The question is what’s in the best interest of the city.”
His colleague, Councilmember Raul Peralez, has openly voiced his interest in running for mayor when Liccardo’s term expires.
The commission, which will consist of 23 members appointed by the council and mayor, also will evaluate potential changes to the city’s government structure, including options for awarding the mayor additional powers like other ‘strong mayor’ systems in larger cities across the country. Depending on what the commission recommends, a measure may be placed on the November 2022 ballot to change the city’s current council-manager government structure.
“This is not a normal time — we are in the middle of a pandemic, we are in an incredible time of upheaval and so now is not the time to rush through anything,” Councilmember Maya Esparza said. “I want to hear ideas that they are going to research and bring to us that will bring equity, that will raise up the voices in our neighborhoods and that will ensure accountability.”
The council’s unanimous decision came just one day after Liccardo unexpectedly dropped the “strong mayor” initiative from consideration after polling showed a tough battle ahead to get the measure passed.
“Something as important as changing our governmental structure requires public support approaching consensus, and we don’t have that,” Liccardo wrote in a memo penned Monday. “Working together under the current flawed system is better than working against each other for a different system.”
The original ballot measure — passed by a split 6-5 vote on council less than a month ago — would have tacked on two additional years to Liccardo’s term and awarded him significantly more power, including overseeing and firing department heads and the city manager. Under San Jose’s current council-manager setup, the mayor has basically the same power as other council members, aside from guiding the budget process.
The measure aimed to combine two years-long efforts by opposing strongholds in the city. Business organizations have advocated for giving the mayor of San Jose as much clout as the mayors of most large cities across the nation. And labor groups started a grassroots effort a couple of years ago to change mayoral elections to presidential years to increase voter participation.
After the mayor and five council members rejected a proposal from the council’s five-member Latino delegation in April 2019 to move the mayoral election, a coalition of labor unions and organizations gathered signatures to place it on a ballot themselves. But that effort, known as the Fair Elections Initiative, recently failed to gather the required signatures.
The plan for the November ballot measure, however, unraveled over the past month after dozens of community organizations and prominent city leaders joined the city manager and the council’s five Latino councilmembers — Esparza, Peralez, Magdalena Carrasco, Sergio Jimenez, and Sylvia Arenas — in opposing what they saw as a “power grab” by the mayor and his supporters.
“We will not be able to advocate effectively for this cause nor any of the vital issues we face if our government isn’t fully representational, transparent, equitable and inclusive,” Stephanie Morris, a member of Mothers Out Front Silicon Valley, said during the meeting. “It’s vital that this process include robust community input, especially from the underrepresented portion of our community and a thorough consideration of the pros and cons of various city governance structures.”


mercurynews--2020-07-29--Miami Marlins’ coronavirus outbreak gives SF Giants opportunity to ‘tighten up our protocols’

SAN FRANCISCO — After a four-game series in Los Angeles over the weekend , the San Francisco Giants flew back to the Bay Area to begin a six-game homestand at Oracle Park on Tuesday .
Not every team in baseball had it so easy .
The Miami Marlins were scheduled to return from their opening weekend series against the Phillies , but a staggering coronavirus outbreak forced the team to remain quarantined in a Philadelphia-area hotel .
Fifteen of 30 Marlins players have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 , compelling Major League Baseball to finally step in and temporarily suspend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who hosted the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park this weekend , had games on Monday and Tuesday against the Yankees canceled , but no players or coaches have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus since the weekend .
MLB says the Marlins are the only team to have a player test positive since Opening Day , but that can be chalked up to convenient bookkeeping .
Washington Nationals star Juan Soto ’ s positive test from last week was announced in the hours leading up to the first game of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the injured list with COVID-19 after playing in Cincinnati ’ s season-opener against the Detroit Tigers .
Within days of the season opener , MLB is now considering scenarios in which not every team plays a full 60-game schedule .
The Giants hope and believe their strict adherence to health and safety protocols will give them a chance to complete the season , but manager Gabe Kapler said the outbreak with the Marlins gives his club “ a good opportunity to talk about it and continue to tighten up our protocols.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high fiving or even fist bumping , but Kapler acknowledged enforcing those rules is nearly impossible on a baseball field .
“ One of the procedures that we ’ ve put in place is we know that every once in a while , emotion is going to take over and you ’ re going to see people bump knuckles , ” Kapler said .
“ When that happens , we ask that players immediately move to a hand-sanitizing station to take that precaution.
” Pitcher Drew Smyly , who started Sunday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news of the Marlins ’ positive tests represented obvious concern , but didn ’ t change his belief the Giants are doing everything within their control to remain healthy .
“ I think everybody is aware of what could happen playing the season in the middle of a pandemic , ” Smyly said .
“ Opting out , no I haven ’ t had those thoughts or conversations with anybody .
It ’ s really unfortunate to see one team have so many ( positive ) tests , but I also feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wearing their masks , everyone is disinfecting everything they touch.
” At the Giants ’ team hotel in Pasadena , the medical and training staff set up an outdoor gathering area where players could meet during their leisure time .
Staffers set up grab-and-go meals in a hotel room and encouraged players to eat outdoors .
“ ( We had ) a large outdoor courtyard where people could see each other , talk about baseball , prepare for the upcoming game and stay physically distant and have masks on and follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baseball have put in place , ” Kapler said .
At times during the team ’ s four-game series at Dodger Stadium , Giants players were spotted in close proximity without masks in the dugout .
The lack of physical distancing and a surprising amount of player-to-player contact were alarming to many television viewers , but Smyly said the Giants haven ’ t had any lapses behind the scenes .
“ I don ’ t really know how we could be much more careful to be honest with you , ” Smyly said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a game , it ’ s hard to hold back some of that adrenaline and excitement when your teams do good .
Inside the locker room and the weight room , literally everything we do is different from years past and every single player has bought into it .
”

SAN FRANCISCO — After a four-game series in Los Angeles over the weekend, the San Francisco Giants flew back to the Bay Area to begin a six-game homestand at Oracle Park on Tuesday.
Not every team in baseball had it so easy.
The Miami Marlins were scheduled to return from their opening weekend series against the Phillies, but a staggering coronavirus outbreak forced the team to remain quarantined in a Philadelphia-area hotel.
Fifteen of 30 Marlins players have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, compelling Major League Baseball to finally step in and temporarily suspend Miami’s season. The Phillies, who hosted the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park this weekend, had games on Monday and Tuesday against the Yankees canceled, but no players or coaches have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus since the weekend.
MLB says the Marlins are the only team to have a player test positive since Opening Day, but that can be chalked up to convenient bookkeeping. Washington Nationals star Juan Soto’s positive test from last week was announced in the hours leading up to the first game of the year while Reds infielder Matt Davidson was placed on the injured list with COVID-19 after playing in Cincinnati’s season-opener against the Detroit Tigers.
Within days of the season opener, MLB is now considering scenarios in which not every team plays a full 60-game schedule. The Giants hope and believe their strict adherence to health and safety protocols will give them a chance to complete the season, but manager Gabe Kapler said the outbreak with the Marlins gives his club “a good opportunity to talk about it and continue to tighten up our protocols.”
Players aren’t supposed to be high fiving or even fist bumping, but Kapler acknowledged enforcing those rules is nearly impossible on a baseball field.
“One of the procedures that we’ve put in place is we know that every once in a while, emotion is going to take over and you’re going to see people bump knuckles,” Kapler said. “When that happens, we ask that players immediately move to a hand-sanitizing station to take that precaution.”
Pitcher Drew Smyly, who started Sunday’s series finale in Los Angeles, said news of the Marlins’ positive tests represented obvious concern, but didn’t change his belief the Giants are doing everything within their control to remain healthy.
“I think everybody is aware of what could happen playing the season in the middle of a pandemic,” Smyly said. “Opting out, no I haven’t had those thoughts or conversations with anybody. It’s really unfortunate to see one team have so many (positive) tests, but I also feel like our protocols are very extensive. Everyone is wearing their masks, everyone is disinfecting everything they touch.”
At the Giants’ team hotel in Pasadena, the medical and training staff set up an outdoor gathering area where players could meet during their leisure time. Staffers set up grab-and-go meals in a hotel room and encouraged players to eat outdoors.
“(We had) a large outdoor courtyard where people could see each other, talk about baseball, prepare for the upcoming game and stay physically distant and have masks on and follow the health and safety protocols that Major League Baseball have put in place,” Kapler said.
At times during the team’s four-game series at Dodger Stadium, Giants players were spotted in close proximity without masks in the dugout. The lack of physical distancing and a surprising amount of player-to-player contact were alarming to many television viewers, but Smyly said the Giants haven’t had any lapses behind the scenes.
“I don’t really know how we could be much more careful to be honest with you,” Smyly said. “I think in the moment of a game, it’s hard to hold back some of that adrenaline and excitement when your teams do good. Inside the locker room and the weight room, literally everything we do is different from years past and every single player has bought into it.”