mercurynews--2020-12-12--Jerry Seinfeld shares 45 years of comedy bits in new book, ‘Is This Anything?’

By John Rogers | The Associated Press Forget the high-performance sports cars , the luxury Rolls-Royces and all those other classic automobiles in which Jerry Seinfeld ushers his fellow comics to the diner on television ’ s “ Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
” The most valuable things Seinfeld owns are the thousands of pieces of paper — yellow , scribbled over , sometimes crumpled — that for years he ’ s been cramming into those brown accordion folders that were once a staple of storage until something better came along called the laptop computer .
They contain the jokes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that first day he walked into a New York nightclub as a 21-year-old wannabe comic who accepted free hamburgers in lieu of a paycheck .
They continue right up to the present-day musings of a 66-year-old man wondering how the world keeps getting more crowded when he doesn ’ t see any more cemeteries being built .
“ Flights , restaurants , theater shows sell out all the time .
Cemetery ?
Anyone croaks , send them in .
We just had an opening .
What happened ?
Somebody came back to life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very lucky.
” He ’ s compiled them all in a new book , “ Is This Anything ?
, ” the title taken from the question every comic asks every other comic when he or she is about to try out new material .
Assembled in chronological order , they provide not just a trove of laugh-out-loud one-liners but also a timeline , beginning with a kid commuting from his parents ’ home on Long Island to New York City to try to make strangers laugh .
It continues through a career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand-up comic of his era and the pivotal figure of the funniest TV sitcom of its time .
Still , why did he save every joke of his career ?
Or at least everyone that got a laugh ?
“ A lot of people ask me that question and I always say I don ’ t know why I saved anything else , ” he replies with a chuckle in a phone interview .
Then he adds more seriously , “ This is the most valuable thing I have.
” Hunkered down in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their three children in East Hampton , New York , he is continuing to add to those folders .
He ’ s also working on another project that for the moment he isn ’ t discussing except to say it involves the people with whom he made the hit 2007 animated comedy film “ Bee Movie.
” Even quarantined from the coronavirus , Seinfeld says he finds no shortage of new material .
“ A lot of material just comes out of being constantly irritated by something else , and that seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially when staying home with four other people .
“ It ’ s usually one good fight per day , I would say , is our basic routine .
Two meals and one good fight.
” Still , unlike his bachelor days in Manhattan , being a family man puts a limit on just how much irritation he can vent .
“ When I lived alone when I was single , I would fill up an entire house with complaints , but now I have to share it , ” he jokes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint diet.
” When the pandemic finally ends , he ’ s looking forward to going back out on the road , rescheduling the stand-up gigs he had to cancel .
But don ’ t look for him to fill them with coronavirus jokes , although several good ones fill the last chapter of “ Is This Anything ?
” “ I think people are going to be so sick of it that they ’ re going to move on and want us to talk about other things , ” he says of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s been consumed by both during the months stuck at home .
Still , he ’ s never been much for political jokes , saying that , one , he ’ s not good at them and two , they don ’ t hold up over time .
“ It ’ s like politics ages and spoils very quickly , ” he continues .
“ But a great piece of stand-up can live a long life.
” • ‘ New ’ royal family revealed for 2021 , and it doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Johnny Depp may drag Angelina Jolie and other A-list women into his next court fight One other thing he ’ ll be doing is heading back to his second home in his beloved Manhattan and dropping by the diners and comedy clubs again .
“ That ’ s kind of my New York lifestyle , diners and comedy clubs .
“ Like on the TV series , ” he adds of the character he portrayed on “ Seinfeld ” from 1989 to 1998 .
“ Funny thing is , ” he continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never went to diners , really , and had coffee in those days .
And now I do .
I ’ m living the life of the character on the show .
”

By John Rogers | The Associated Press
Forget the high-performance sports cars, the luxury Rolls-Royces and all those other classic automobiles in which Jerry Seinfeld ushers his fellow comics to the diner on television’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”
The most valuable things Seinfeld owns are the thousands of pieces of paper — yellow, scribbled over, sometimes crumpled — that for years he’s been cramming into those brown accordion folders that were once a staple of storage until something better came along called the laptop computer.
They contain the jokes Seinfeld has been writing and telling since that first day he walked into a New York nightclub as a 21-year-old wannabe comic who accepted free hamburgers in lieu of a paycheck. They continue right up to the present-day musings of a 66-year-old man wondering how the world keeps getting more crowded when he doesn’t see any more cemeteries being built.
“Flights, restaurants, theater shows sell out all the time. Cemetery? Anyone croaks, send them in. We just had an opening. What happened? Somebody came back to life and walked out. You’re very lucky.”
He’s compiled them all in a new book, “Is This Anything?,” the title taken from the question every comic asks every other comic when he or she is about to try out new material.
Assembled in chronological order, they provide not just a trove of laugh-out-loud one-liners but also a timeline, beginning with a kid commuting from his parents’ home on Long Island to New York City to try to make strangers laugh. It continues through a career during which Seinfeld became arguably the greatest stand-up comic of his era and the pivotal figure of the funniest TV sitcom of its time.
Still, why did he save every joke of his career? Or at least everyone that got a laugh?
“A lot of people ask me that question and I always say I don’t know why I saved anything else,” he replies with a chuckle in a phone interview. Then he adds more seriously, “This is the most valuable thing I have.”
Hunkered down in the family home with his wife and their three children in East Hampton, New York, he is continuing to add to those folders. He’s also working on another project that for the moment he isn’t discussing except to say it involves the people with whom he made the hit 2007 animated comedy film “Bee Movie.”
Even quarantined from the coronavirus, Seinfeld says he finds no shortage of new material.
“A lot of material just comes out of being constantly irritated by something else, and that seems to go on endlessly,” he says, especially when staying home with four other people.
“It’s usually one good fight per day, I would say, is our basic routine. Two meals and one good fight.”
Still, unlike his bachelor days in Manhattan, being a family man puts a limit on just how much irritation he can vent.
“When I lived alone when I was single, I would fill up an entire house with complaints, but now I have to share it,” he jokes. “I’m on a complaint diet.”
When the pandemic finally ends, he’s looking forward to going back out on the road, rescheduling the stand-up gigs he had to cancel. But don’t look for him to fill them with coronavirus jokes, although several good ones fill the last chapter of “Is This Anything?”
“I think people are going to be so sick of it that they’re going to move on and want us to talk about other things,” he says of that and politics, although he admits he’s been consumed by both during the months stuck at home.
Still, he’s never been much for political jokes, saying that, one, he’s not good at them and two, they don’t hold up over time.
“It’s like politics ages and spoils very quickly,” he continues. “But a great piece of stand-up can live a long life.”
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“That’s kind of my New York lifestyle, diners and comedy clubs.
“Like on the TV series,” he adds of the character he portrayed on “Seinfeld” from 1989 to 1998.
“Funny thing is,” he continues, during the TV series “I never went to diners, really, and had coffee in those days. And now I do. I’m living the life of the character on the show.”


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Raiders’ moment of truth — Colts provide the test to see if playoffs are possible

It ’ s time for the Raiders to identify themselves as a contender or resign themselves to another late-season fade sure to infuriate a loyal but skeptical fan base .
The Indianapolis Colts ( 8-4 ) are a game head of the Raiders ( 7-5 ) in the race for one of three AFC wild card berths going in to Sunday ’ s game at Allegiant Stadium .
They provide a barometer of whether the Raiders playoff aspirations are legitimate .
Beat the Colts and the playoffs seem real , with the likelihood of 10 wins necessary to qualify .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raiders out of contention , but they ’ d probably have to win their last three to get in .
Based on the way they ’ ve played of late , that ’ s a tough sell .
The last time the Raiders went to the playoffs in 2016 , quarterback Derek Carr was out with a broken right fibula .
“ It ’ s been a long wait for me , ” Carr said .
“ I would love nothing more than to be able to do that , but if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it doesn ’ t mean anything .
We have our work cut out for us against one of the best teams in the NFL .
.
.
we ’ ve got to bring it .
If not , they ’ ll come in and run us out of our own stadium.
” At first glance , the Colts look like the better all-around team , certainly better defensively and with a similar ability to be balanced on offense and spread the ball around with former AFC West nemesis Philip Rivers at quarterback .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have beaten both the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints and are looking to prove something after going 1-5 in their last six games a year ago en route to 7-9 .
The question is whether the Raiders can conjure up the kind of play they did against the Chiefs and Saints after sputtering in the last two games .
They lost to Atlanta 43-6 and then needed Carr ’ s 46-yard pass to Henry Ruggs III with five seconds left to beat the winless Jets .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re playing for something , ” running back Jalen Richard said .
“ To have that opportunity in December is amazing .
I haven ’ t felt this for awhile , like my rookie year ( 2016 ) .
We had little glimpses of it last year but went on a stink and basically lost our way out of it .
.
.
we really can ’ t wait to play.
” Coach Jon Gruden said his team hasn ’ t put together a complete game all season .
The Raiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indianapolis .
Nationally , the Raiders lost a lot of shine after the Falcons blowout .
Then came last week , where the focus was more on how the Jets lost rather than how the Raiders won .
During a feature on the CBS weekly series “ Monday Morning Quarterback , ” , analysts and former Raiders quarterbacks Rich Gannon and Steve Beuerlein reluctantly conceded they didn ’ t see their former team being of playoff caliber .
Although Gruden wasn ’ t willing to commit to it , the Raiders should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running back Josh Jacobs , right tackle Trent Brown and safety Johnathan Abram .
Jacobs and Abram didn ’ t play against the Jets .
Brown has played 73 snaps all season .
“ We ’ ve won some nail-biters .
Seven of our first 12 games were on the road , ” Gruden said .
“ It ’ s been a challenge .
We ’ ve had a lot of injuries , we ’ ve paid the price to get here and we ’ ll see .
We ’ ll see who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need some of these passengers to jump on .
We ’ ve got a good team that ’ s come in here and they have the same aspirations that we do .
We know we ’ ve got to play better.
” Four things to watch which will determine the Raiders fate : Richard said teams have begun to load the box on the Raiders in recognition of their commitment to the run .
Assuming Brown and Jacobs return , the Raiders will be better equipped to even out their run-pass balance after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s not necessary that the Raiders get huge rushing numbers , only that they keep their down-and-distance reasonable as well as run-pass ratio and as they say , stay on schedule .
The Colts defensively are very good , with DeForest Buckner anchoring the defensive line in the middle and Darius Leonard as one of the NFL ’ s top sideline-to-sideline linebackers .
The Colts don ’ t overreach and gamble so much as they stay within their assignments and run hard to the ball .
Steady forward progress will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt we were out of synch in the run game but trying to make that an important point this week as far as getting back together and re-establishing ourselves as a running team , ” guard Denzelle Good said .
Rivers plays his 29th game against the Raiders , the first 28 with the Chargers .
He ’ s 18-10 lifetime , with 47 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions .
The Raiders know Rivers will take chances , and he ’ ll give defensive backs an opportunity to make a play on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say about the Bears ’ Jay Cutler when he played for the Packers , “ We knew Jay would throw us the ball.
” It ’ s that kind of mindset the Raiders will need against Rivers .
Rivers operates much in the way Carr does , determining the play at the line of scrimmage based on what he sees .
The Colts have a no-nonsense rookie runner in Johnathan Taylor who serves as their Josh Jacobs .
If Taylor is gaining steady yards the odds of getting Rivers to throw them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat Indianapolis 31-24 on Sept. 29 of last season on the strength of two big plays — a 60-yard touchdown run on a reverse by recently acquired Trevor Davis and a 30-yard interception return by Erik Harris against Jacoby Brissett .
Ruggs would fit nicely on a reverse or deep strike .
The Raiders have yet to see Richard do major damage on a big play out of the backfield .
Harris has struggled of late , but he or one of his defensive teammates need a takeaway either for a score or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures here too , perhaps on a Hunter Renfrow punt return .
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But he spent the better part of his Youtube message this week lecturing fans who weren ’ t pleased with the way the Raiders struggled with the winless Jets .
“ For people to even be questioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we won the game , ” Carr said .
“ On the last play .
Just celebrate and enjoy it , OK ?
” Negativity gets to Carr quickly .
Although not quick to anger , Carr seems to play better when he feels he or his teammates have been slighted .
And the Raiders are most definitely in a “ prove it ” mode against the Colts .

It’s time for the Raiders to identify themselves as a contender or resign themselves to another late-season fade sure to infuriate a loyal but skeptical fan base.
The Indianapolis Colts (8-4) are a game ahead of the Raiders (7-5) in the race for one of three AFC wild-card berths going into Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium. They provide a barometer of whether the Raiders’ playoff aspirations are legitimate.
Beat the Colts and the playoffs seem real, with the likelihood of 10 wins necessary to qualify. A loss wouldn’t take the Raiders out of contention, but they’d probably have to win their last three to get in. Based on the way they’ve played of late, that’s a tough sell.
The last time the Raiders went to the playoffs in 2016, quarterback Derek Carr was out with a broken right fibula.
“It’s been a long wait for me,” Carr said. “I would love nothing more than to be able to do that, but if we don’t win this game, it doesn’t mean anything. We have our work cut out for us against one of the best teams in the NFL . . . we’ve got to bring it. If not, they’ll come in and run us out of our own stadium.”
At first glance, the Colts look like the better all-around team, certainly better defensively and with a similar ability to be balanced on offense and spread the ball around with former AFC West nemesis Philip Rivers at quarterback.
On the flip side, the Raiders have beaten both the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints and are looking to prove something after going 1-5 in their last six games a year ago en route to 7-9.
The question is whether the Raiders can conjure up the kind of play they did against the Chiefs and Saints after sputtering in the last two games. They lost to Atlanta 43-6 and then needed Carr’s 46-yard pass to Henry Ruggs III with five seconds left to beat the winless Jets.
“We’re excited, man. We’re playing for something,” running back Jalen Richard said. “To have that opportunity in December is amazing. I haven’t felt this for a while, like my rookie year (2016). We had little glimpses of it last year but went on a stink and basically lost our way out of it . . . we really can’t wait to play.”
Coach Jon Gruden said his team hasn’t put together a complete game all season. The Raiders will need something close to that against Indianapolis.
Nationally, the Raiders lost a lot of shine after the Falcons blowout. Then came last week, where the focus was more on how the Jets lost rather than how the Raiders won.
During a feature on the CBS weekly series “Monday Morning Quarterback,”, analysts and former Raiders quarterbacks Rich Gannon and Steve Beuerlein reluctantly conceded they didn’t see their former team being of playoff-caliber.
Although Gruden wasn’t willing to commit to it, the Raiders should have some important reinforcements in the presence of running back Josh Jacobs, right tackle Trent Brown and safety Johnathan Abram. Jacobs and Abram didn’t play against the Jets. Brown has played 73 snaps all season.
“We’ve won some nail-biters. Seven of our first 12 games were on the road,” Gruden said. “It’s been a challenge. We’ve had a lot of injuries, we’ve paid the price to get here and we’ll see. We’ll see who helps us land the plane, we need some of these passengers to jump on. We’ve got a good team that’s come in here and they have the same aspirations that we do. We know we’ve got to play better.”
Four things to watch which will determine the Raiders fate:
1. Restoring balance
Richard said teams have begun to load the box on the Raiders in recognition of their commitment to the run. Assuming Brown and Jacobs return, the Raiders will be better equipped to even out their run-pass balance after being lost for the last three weeks.
It’s not necessary that the Raiders get huge rushing numbers, only that they keep their down-and-distance reasonable as well as run-pass ratio and as they say, stay on schedule. The Colts defensively are very good, with DeForest Buckner anchoring the defensive line in the middle and Darius Leonard as one of the NFL’s top sideline-to-sideline linebackers.
The Colts don’t overreach and gamble so much as they stay within their assignments and run hard to the ball. Steady forward progress will be huge.
“We kind of felt we were out of synch in the run game but trying to make that an important point this week as far as getting back together and re-establishing ourselves as a running team,” guard Denzelle Good said.
2. Make Rivers throw them the ball
Rivers plays his 29th game against the Raiders, the first 28 with the Chargers. He’s 18-10 lifetime, with 47 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions.
The Raiders know Rivers will take chances, and he’ll give defensive backs an opportunity to make a play on the ball.
As Charles Woodson used to say about the Bears’ Jay Cutler when he played for the Packers, “We knew Jay would throw us the ball.”
It’s that kind of mindset the Raiders will need against Rivers. Rivers operates much in the way Carr does, determining the play at the line of scrimmage based on what he sees. The Colts have a no-nonsense rookie runner in Johnathan Taylor who serves as their Josh Jacobs. If Taylor is gaining steady yards the odds of getting Rivers to throw them the ball is reduced dramatically.
3. Big plays are a must
The Raiders beat Indianapolis 31-24 on Sept. 29 of last season on the strength of two big plays — a 60-yard touchdown run on a reverse by recently acquired Trevor Davis and a 30-yard interception return by Erik Harris against Jacoby Brissett.
Ruggs would fit nicely on a reverse or deep strike. The Raiders have yet to see Richard do major damage on a big play out of the backfield. Harris has struggled of late, but he or one of his defensive teammates need a takeaway either for a score or to set one up. Special teams figures here too, perhaps on a Hunter Renfrow punt return.
4. In Carr they trust
Carr insists he doesn’t care about critics. But he spent the better part of his YouTube message this week lecturing fans who weren’t pleased with the way the Raiders struggled with the winless Jets.
“For people to even be questioning — who cares, man? — we won the game,” Carr said. “On the last play. Just celebrate and enjoy it, OK?”
Negativity gets to Carr quickly. Although not quick to anger, Carr seems to play better when he feels he or his teammates have been slighted.
And the Raiders are most definitely in a “prove it” mode against the Colts.


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Disneyland resort will close on Christmas Day for first time in decades

The annual tradition of trying to figure out when Disneyland will close its gate because of holiday crowds between Christmas Day and New Year ’ s Day won ’ t take place in 2020 because of the global coronavirus pandemic .
Downtown Disney and the partially reopened Disney California Adventure will be closed on Christmas Day , Dec. 25 , along with the gates of Disneyland and the doors of Disney ’ s three Anaheim hotels .
Disneyland and Disney ’ s three Anaheim hotels have been closed for nine months by the COVID-19 pandemic with California theme parks expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next summer .
Downtown Disney reopened in July and DCA ’ s Buena Vista Street returned for shopping and dining in November as an extension of the outdoor mall .
Disneyland was forced to close outdoor dining restaurants in Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street and furlough 350 employees because of the Southern California stay-at-home order in early December .
Disneyland resort President Ken Potrock announced the closure of Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure on Christmas Day in a letter to cast members , Disney parlance for employees .
“ For six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special time at the Disneyland Resort , where our cast members have welcomed generations of guests to make cherished memories , ” Potrock said in the letter .
“ But this year is certainly different .
Given the continued closure of our theme parks and hotels , and in alignment with typical Christmas operations at other retail locations and shopping centers , we have made the decision to close the Downtown Disney District , including Buena Vista Street , on Christmas Day.
” In a normal year , Disneyland , DCA and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day with annual passholders dropping by after opening their presents and the Disneyland Hotel , Disney ’ s Grand Californian and Paradise Pier Hotel filled to near capacity with holiday travelers in town during Christmas break .
Of course , this isn ’ t a normal year .
In 2019 , Disneyland temporarily shut its gates on Dec. 27 as crowds filled the park and new visitors were directed to Disney California Adventure across the esplanade until attendance levels declined .
“ We have temporarily stopped selling tickets to Disneyland Park , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Dec. 27 , 2019 .
“ As of 11:40 am , Disney California Adventure Park tickets remain available .
Updates to follow.
” Disneyland closed its gates at 11:40 a.m. that day , less than 4 hours after the park opened .
Disneyland diverted visitors to Disney California Adventure until later in the day when crowds were expected to diminish .
“ Disneyland Park is currently at capacity , ” Disneyland officials said last year .
“ Visiting the Disneyland resort during the holidays is a tradition for many people and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do all we can to welcome as many guests as possible.
” Visitors who purchase a “ divert ticket ” with park-hopping access on Dec. 27 , 2019 were able to visit Disneyland later in the day after starting at Disney California Adventure .
Disneyland occasionally halts visitors from entering when the park reaches capacity , which is estimated to be about 75,000 people .
Disney doesn ’ t release attendance figures .
The holiday week between Christmas Day and New Year ’ s Day is typically one of the busiest times of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theme parks .
Touring Plans , which tracks wait times at theme parks , estimated crowds at Disneyland would be at peak levels during Christmas Week 2019 on Dec. 27-30 .
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This year , Potrock thanked Disneyland cast members for their service during a difficult 2020 as he presented them with an early gift : The day off on Christmas .
“ I want to acknowledge all of our cast members for your impassioned dedication and service , ” Potrock said in the letter .
“ We all look forward to next year , when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas Day at the Happiest Place on Earth .
In the meantime , we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful and safe holiday season .
”

The annual tradition of trying to figure out when Disneyland will close its gate because of holiday crowds between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day won’t take place in 2020 because of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Downtown Disney and the partially reopened Disney California Adventure will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, along with the gates of Disneyland and the doors of Disney’s three Anaheim hotels.
Disneyland and Disney’s three Anaheim hotels have been closed for nine months by the COVID-19 pandemic with California theme parks expected to remain shuttered until early 2021 or next summer.
Downtown Disney reopened in July and DCA’s Buena Vista Street returned for shopping and dining in November as an extension of the outdoor mall. Disneyland was forced to close outdoor dining restaurants in Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street and furlough 350 employees because of the Southern California stay-at-home order in early December.
Disneyland resort President Ken Potrock announced the closure of Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure on Christmas Day in a letter to cast members, Disney parlance for employees.
“For six decades, Christmas Day has always been a special time at the Disneyland Resort, where our cast members have welcomed generations of guests to make cherished memories,” Potrock said in the letter. “But this year is certainly different. Given the continued closure of our theme parks and hotels, and in alignment with typical Christmas operations at other retail locations and shopping centers, we have made the decision to close the Downtown Disney District, including Buena Vista Street, on Christmas Day.”
In a normal year, Disneyland, DCA and Downtown Disney would be bustling on Christmas Day with annual passholders dropping by after opening their presents and the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian and Paradise Pier Hotel filled to near capacity with holiday travelers in town during Christmas break. Of course, this isn’t a normal year.
In 2019, Disneyland temporarily shut its gates on Dec. 27 as crowds filled the park and new visitors were directed to Disney California Adventure across the esplanade until attendance levels declined.
“We have temporarily stopped selling tickets to Disneyland Park,” the official Disneyland Today Twitter account said on Dec. 27, 2019. “As of 11:40 am, Disney California Adventure Park tickets remain available. Updates to follow.”
Disneyland closed its gates at 11:40 a.m. that day, less than 4 hours after the park opened. Disneyland diverted visitors to Disney California Adventure until later in the day when crowds were expected to diminish.
“Disneyland Park is currently at capacity,” Disneyland officials said last year. “Visiting the Disneyland resort during the holidays is a tradition for many people and on high demand days like today, we do all we can to welcome as many guests as possible.”
Visitors who purchase a “divert ticket” with park-hopping access on Dec. 27, 2019 were able to visit Disneyland later in the day after starting at Disney California Adventure.
Disneyland occasionally halts visitors from entering when the park reaches capacity, which is estimated to be about 75,000 people. Disney doesn’t release attendance figures.
The holiday week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day is typically one of the busiest times of the year at Disney’s Anaheim theme parks.
Touring Plans, which tracks wait times at theme parks, estimated crowds at Disneyland would be at peak levels during Christmas Week 2019 on Dec. 27-30.
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This year, Potrock thanked Disneyland cast members for their service during a difficult 2020 as he presented them with an early gift: The day off on Christmas.
“I want to acknowledge all of our cast members for your impassioned dedication and service,” Potrock said in the letter. “We all look forward to next year, when we can again welcome guests back to spend Christmas Day at the Happiest Place on Earth. In the meantime, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful and safe holiday season.”


mercurynews--2020-12-12--Los Angeles County surpasses 500,000 coronavirus cases, and December already passed November

Less than two weeks in , Los Angeles County has already recorded more coronavirus cases in December than in any other month .
New data reported Friday , Dec. 11 , showed no signs that the current surge of cases , hospitalizations and deaths could slow any time soon .
The total number of cases reported in the county surpassed the 500,000-mark on Friday , hitting 501,635 .
County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer on Friday reported 13,815 new cases , the highest jump in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic .
And the spike brought the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 100,716 .
Until now , the highest number of cases reported in a month in Los Angeles County was in November , when 93,301 were reported .
“ We ’ re in uncharted territory at this point , ” Ferrer said during a media briefing .
“ We ’ re seeing daily numbers of cases and hospitalizations that we ’ ve not experienced and , frankly , did not anticipate .
Our intensive care unit bed capacity continues to drop .
We ’ re on a very dangerous track.
” In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reported 50 more coronavirus-related deaths , including two that were reported Thursday in Long Beach .
The county ’ s death toll is now 8,199 .
Those numbers did not include any data reported on Friday from Long Beach or Pasadena , both of which maintain their own health departments .
So far in December , the county has seen an average of 49 people die per day from the coronavirus .
To this point , July has been LA County ’ s deadliest month of the pandemic , with 1,252 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
So unless LA County ’ s average daily deaths begins to drop — which seems unlikely at this point — December is on track to become the county ’ s deadliest month of the pandemic .
To illustrate the magnitude of the current surge , Ferrer said the number of average daily deaths a month ago was 18 .
Two weeks ago , it was 30 , and this week , it was 51 .
Ferrer said that in two weeks , LA County could be seeing an average of 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These numbers are overwhelming , ” she said , “ and the grief our community continues to experience can ’ t be comprehended.
” There were 3,624 people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Los Angeles County on Friday , Ferrer said , 23 % of whom are being treated in intensive care and 15 % of whom were on ventilators .
Because the growth in hospitalizations tends to lag behind the growth in cases , Ferrer said the current number of hospitalizations stems from two weeks ago , when the county saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
With the current average of 10,200 new cases per day , she said , LA County can expect to see 7,326 hospitalizations per day in two weeks .
And given the current data , about 1,685 of those patients could be expected to need treatment in intensive care units .
“ This is alarming to all of us , given there are only around 2,100 ICU adult beds across all of our county hospitals , ” Ferrer said , “ and many of those beds are essential for all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ferrer said the current surge likely stems from gatherings over Thanksgiving .
But even before that long weekend , LA County was already seeing spikes in coronavirus transmission .
“ Now , ” she said , “ we have a surge on top of a surge.
” Ferrer said , though , that it ’ s still too soon to see the impacts of the regional stay-at-home order that went into effect earlier this week .
The order , which was triggered because intensive care bed capacity throughout Southern California fell below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through at least Dec. 27 .
As of Friday , the region ’ s intensive care bed capacity was 6.2 % .
“ It usually takes us two-to-three weeks to understand what the impact is of our ‘ Safer at Home ’ orders , ” she said , “ so for now , the plea is really : Let ’ s stop the surge by making sure we ’ re doing everything we know we can do , ” which is to stay at home as much as possible , she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it appears the current orders are not having their intended effect , Ferrer said tighter restrictions could come .
“ We may need to look with the state at other possible options for us , ” she said before urging residents to comply with the current rules .
“ I think what we have right now would work if we had almost everybody doing it , ” she said .
“ I think it will slow the surge .
We just need everyone to start doing what they need to do .
”

Less than two weeks in, Los Angeles County has already recorded more coronavirus cases in December than in any other month.
New data reported Friday, Dec. 11, showed no signs that the current surge of cases, hospitalizations and deaths could slow any time soon. The total number of cases reported in the county surpassed the 500,000-mark on Friday, hitting 501,635.
County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer on Friday reported 13,815 new cases, the highest jump in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic. And the spike brought the total number reported so far in December to 100,716. Until now, the highest number of cases reported in a month in Los Angeles County was in November, when 93,301 were reported.
“We’re in uncharted territory at this point,” Ferrer said during a media briefing. “We’re seeing daily numbers of cases and hospitalizations that we’ve not experienced and, frankly, did not anticipate. Our intensive care unit bed capacity continues to drop. We’re on a very dangerous track.”
In addition to the new cases, LA County also reported 50 more coronavirus-related deaths, including two that were reported Thursday in Long Beach. The county’s death toll is now 8,199.
Those numbers did not include any data reported on Friday from Long Beach or Pasadena, both of which maintain their own health departments.
So far in December, the county has seen an average of 49 people die per day from the coronavirus. To this point, July has been LA County’s deadliest month of the pandemic, with 1,252 deaths, or an average of 42 per day. So unless LA County’s average daily deaths begins to drop — which seems unlikely at this point — December is on track to become the county’s deadliest month of the pandemic.
To illustrate the magnitude of the current surge, Ferrer said the number of average daily deaths a month ago was 18. Two weeks ago, it was 30, and this week, it was 51.
Ferrer said that in two weeks, LA County could be seeing an average of 80 deaths to the virus each day.
“These numbers are overwhelming,” she said, “and the grief our community continues to experience can’t be comprehended.”
There were 3,624 people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Los Angeles County on Friday, Ferrer said, 23% of whom are being treated in intensive care and 15% of whom were on ventilators.
Because the growth in hospitalizations tends to lag behind the growth in cases, Ferrer said the current number of hospitalizations stems from two weeks ago, when the county saw an average of 4,200 new cases per day.
With the current average of 10,200 new cases per day, she said, LA County can expect to see 7,326 hospitalizations per day in two weeks. And given the current data, about 1,685 of those patients could be expected to need treatment in intensive care units.
“This is alarming to all of us, given there are only around 2,100 ICU adult beds across all of our county hospitals,” Ferrer said, “and many of those beds are essential for all of the patients that need care for other illnesses.”
Ferrer said the current surge likely stems from gatherings over Thanksgiving. But even before that long weekend, LA County was already seeing spikes in coronavirus transmission.
“Now,” she said, “we have a surge on top of a surge.”
Ferrer said, though, that it’s still too soon to see the impacts of the regional stay-at-home order that went into effect earlier this week. The order, which was triggered because intensive care bed capacity throughout Southern California fell below 15%, will remain in place through at least Dec. 27.
As of Friday, the region’s intensive care bed capacity was 6.2%.
“It usually takes us two-to-three weeks to understand what the impact is of our ‘Safer at Home’ orders,” she said, “so for now, the plea is really: Let’s stop the surge by making sure we’re doing everything we know we can do,” which is to stay at home as much as possible, she said.
If, in a few weeks, it appears the current orders are not having their intended effect, Ferrer said tighter restrictions could come.
“We may need to look with the state at other possible options for us,” she said before urging residents to comply with the current rules.
“I think what we have right now would work if we had almost everybody doing it,” she said. “I think it will slow the surge. We just need everyone to start doing what they need to do.”


mercurynews--2020-12-13--Pedestrian killed in Morgan Hill hit-and-run crash identified

MORGAN HILL – A pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run crash in Morgan Hill on Thursday was identified as a 41-year-old @ @ @ @ @ County Medical Examiner-Coroner ’ s Office identified the man as Raenaldo Abundiz .
Abundiz was @ @ @ @ @ near the 76 gas station north of East Middle Avenue at about 5:35 p.m. when @ @ @ @ @ red compact car , police said .
Abundiz fell to the ground and was hit @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said both vehicles fled and were last seen going south on Monterey Road @ @ @ @ @ at the scene .
As of Saturday evening , police had announced no arrests .
@ @ @ @ @ the case can contact Cpl .
Chris Gridley at 669-253-4972 or chris.gridley @ morganhill.ca.gov , @ @ @ @ @ or Samuel.huezo @ morganhill.ca.gov , or the anonymous tip line at 408-947-7867 .

MORGAN HILL – A pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run crash Thursday in Morgan Hill was identified as a 41-year-old man.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office identified the man Saturday as Raenaldo Abundiz.
Abundiz was trying to cross Monterey Road near the 76 gas station north of East Middle Avenue at about 5:35 p.m. when he was hit by a red compact car, police said. Abundiz fell to the ground and was hit by a light-colored pickup truck. Police said both vehicles fled and were last seen going south on Monterey Road.
Abundiz was pronounced dead at the scene. As of Saturday evening, police had announced no arrests.
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San Jose man is second pedestrian killed in two days on same stretch of Highway 101 Crime and Public Safety | While a criminal case against a Tesla driver ends, legal and ethical questions on Autopilot endure Anyone with information related to the case can contact Cpl. Chris Gridley at 669-253-4972 or chris.gridley@morganhill.ca.gov, Officer Samuel Huezo at 669-253-4931 or Samuel.huezo@morganhill.ca.gov, or the anonymous tip line at 408-947-7867.
Staff writer Jason Green contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-12-13--The Latest: US leads world with 16 million cases of virus

BALTIMORE — The U.S. has recorded more than 16 million cases of COVID-19 , by far the most of any country in the world , according to data kept by Johns Hopkins University .
Cases of the virus have been rising across much of the U.S. , causing record death totals in recent days .
India and Brazil are the only two other countries that have reported more than 3 million cases of COVID-19 .
Globally , more than 71 million cases have been confirmed .
The actual number of cases is believed to be far higher because many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who get the disease don ’ t show symptoms .
The U.S. also leads the world in deaths related to the coronavirus at more than 297,600 , including a record 3,309 recorded on Friday .
The increases come as millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer start rolling into U.S. hospitals on Monday .
The first vaccines will go to hospital staff and other health care professionals .
The coronavirus has caused more than 1.6 million global deaths .
U.S. officials say the nation ’ s first COVID-19 vaccine will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trucks will roll out Sunday morning as shipping companies deliver Pfizer ’ s vaccine to nearly 150 distribution centers across the United States .
Meanwhile , President Donald Trump hasn ’ t publicly acknowledged this week ’ s record number of coronavirus deaths , hospitalizations and cases .
He hailed the vaccine but made no mention of the toll the virus has taken .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : FRESNO , Calif. — California public health officials say the number of available intensive care unit beds in the vast San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time Saturday .
Just a day earlier , ICU capacity in region comprised of 12 counties was at 4.5 % .
The news comes as ICU units fill up across California amid spiking COVID-19 cases .
Last week , San Joaquin Valley and the enormous Southern California region were ordered to follow the strictest anti-COVID-19 rules under a new stay-at-home order .
Overflowing ICUs was a major factor in Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s decision to implement the new order .
SPRINGFIELD , Ill. — The U.S. has reached a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
The deaths reported Friday exceeded by 6 % the previous high of 3,124 deaths reported Wednesday .
The U.S. also reached a record daily confirmed infections at 231,775 , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
That ’ s nearly 4,000 more than the previous high on Dec. 4 .
The increases come as millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer start rolling into hospitals on Monday .
The first vaccines will go to hospital staff and other health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in confirmed cases at 15.9 million and deaths at more than 296,000 .
The coronavirus has caused more than 1.6 million global deaths .
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration says pilots may receive the COVID-19 vaccine but may not fly for 48 hours .
The FAA says it is requiring the observation period “ to maintain the highest level of safety ” in the airspace it regulates .
The 48-hour observation also applies to air traffic controllers .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved emergency use of a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in various states on Monday .
The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses taken three weeks apart .
The 48-hour period applies after both doses .
The FAA says it will monitor reaction to the vaccine .
It requires similar waiting periods after aviation employees receive other vaccines , such tuberculosis and typhoid .
ROME — Italy added another 649 coronavirus deaths Saturday , bringing its official total to 64,036 and just shy of Britain ’ s Europe-leading 64,123 dead .
Italy could overtake Britain despite having 6 million people fewer than the U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only the much larger U.S. , Brazil , India and Mexico , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Italy has the most deaths per 100,000 population among the most affected countries .
Italy has added nearly 29,000 dead since Sept. 1 .
More than 1.8 million Italians have contracted the virus since the start of the pandemic .
Health experts say the numbers reflect an underfunded health care system with few ICU beds , government delays in imposing restrictions and an elderly population .
Global cases and death tolls are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections , limited testing and different counting criteria .
PHOENIX — Arizona reported 8,076 confirmed coronavirus cases , one of the state ’ s largest daily total .
The Department of Health Services reported 77 more deaths on Saturday , increasing the state ’ s confirmed totals to 402,589 cases and 7,322 deaths .
The cases eclipsed Friday ’ s 6,983 as the third-largest daily case report , behind 12,314 on Tuesday and 10,322 on Dec. 1 .
The coronavirus hospitalizations on Friday reached 3,534 , up 52 from Thursday and topping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 .
There were 799 patients in intensive care units .
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say the nation ’ s first COVID-19 vaccine will begin arriving in states Monday morning .
Army Gen. Gustave Perna says trucks will roll out Sunday morning as shipping companies UPS and FedEx begin delivering Pfizer ’ s vaccine to nearly 150 distribution centers across the states .
An additional 450 sites will get the vaccine between Tuesday and Wednesday .
Perna is with Operation Warp Speed , the Trump administration ’ s vaccine development program .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday morning so health workers would be available to receive the shots and begin giving them .
BOISE , Idaho — Idaho Gov .
Brad Little has authorized another 150 Idaho National Guard soldiers to help medical facilities battle the coronavirus .
The Republican governor added the soldiers to the 100 he activated last month to help the state deal with surging infections and deaths .
The 250 soldiers will help with mobile testing support , facility decontamination and coronavirus screenings .
They are also helping at food banks .
State officials say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There have been 1,151 confirmed deaths .
The positivity rate is 20 % , well above the 5 % or less state officials recommend .
VATICAN CITY — Vatican citizens , employees and their families will begin to receive the coronavirus vaccine early next year , according to Vatican News .
The head of the Vatican health service , Dr. Andrea Arcangeli , says the Pfizer vaccine has been chosen , but others might be introduced later .
Arcangeli says the Vatican health services planned a campaign to underline the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to anyone over 18 .
The Vatican , a tiny city state of about 600 people in the center of Rome , has beefed up its coronavirus measures amid a resurgence of the outbreak in Italy , including requiring protective masks indoors .
In October , a resident of the Vatican hotel where Pope Francis lives and several Swiss Guards tested positive .
Italy has registered 1.8 million confirmed cases and more than 63,000 confirmed deaths , sixth highest in the world .
PARIS — The French government is allowing care home residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive visits , even if residents are positive for coronavirus .
The deputy health minister in charge of elderly affairs says injecting the spirit of Christmas into care homes is “ essential ” to maintain family ties and fight loneliness .
The relaxed rules will start Tuesday to Jan. 3 .
Roughly one-third of France ’ s more than 57,500 virus deaths have occurred in care homes .
Residents have been subjected to strict confinement measures , including being limited to their rooms , to curb infections .
LIMA , Peru — Peru @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine from Chinese state company Sinopharm after an elderly volunteer developed muscle weakness .
Peru ’ s Health Ministry says “ the adverse event is under investigation to determine if it is related to the vaccine or if there ’ s another explanation.
” Germán Málaga , professor of medicine at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and coordinator of the trial , told RPP radio a 64-year-old volunteer showed a “ decrease in strength in the legs ” and the condition could be related to Guillain-Barré syndrome .
Sinopharm began its Phase 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes 12,000 people ages 18 to 75 .
MINNEAPOLIS — New coronavirus patients say they socialized over Thanksgiving with people outside their households , despite emphatic public health warnings to stay home and keep their distance from others .
That ’ s what contact tracers and emergency room doctors are hearing repeatedly from patients across the country .
The virus was raging nationally even before Thanksgiving but was showing some signs of flattening out .
It has picked up steam since , with new cases per day regularly climbing well over 200,000 by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % increase from the day before Thanksgiving , according to an Associated Press analysis .
Deaths are averaging almost 2,260 per day over a seven-day period , about equal to the peak seen in mid-April when the New York City was under siege .
The dire outlook comes as the U.S. stands on the brink of a major vaccination campaign against COVID-19 , with the Food and Drug Administration giving the final go-ahead Friday to use Pfizer ’ s shot .
The coronavirus has killed more than 295,000 Americans and infected 15.8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California judge has ordered a 50 percent reduction of the population in Orange County jails to protect people from a coronavirus outbreak .
Superior Court Judge Peter Wilson ’ s decision comes in response to a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union that says conditions at the jails violate the state ’ s constitution and disability discrimination law .
The county was ordered to file a plan with the court no later than Dec. 31 .
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes says his department is “ evaluating the order , its impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the order stands , it could result in the release of more than 1,800 inmates , Barnes says .
He says the latest outbreak at Orange County jails had 74 confirmed cases , 75 tests pending and more inmates waiting to be tested .
BERLIN — Senior German officials are calling for tough new measures to curb the spread of coronavirus and record high cases .
The country ’ s disease control agency , the Robert Koch Institute , reported 28,438 confirmed cases in the past 24 hours and 496 deaths .
Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate than some of its large European neighbors in the spring , now has 1.3 million confirmed cases and 21,466 confirmed deaths since the start of the outbreak .
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz called for the swift closure of most stores and pledged financial support for affected businesses .
The governor of the southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg , Winfried Kretschmann , says he expects a “ hard lockdown ” before Christmas .
Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled to meet the governors of Germany ’ s 16 states on Sunday to discuss the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Tokyo reported 621 new coronavirus cases Saturday , setting a new record in the capital where a lack of government measures triggered concerns about a surge during the holiday season .
Nationwide , Japan reported a total of 174,000 cases , with about 2,500 deaths since the pandemic began .
Experts on a Tokyo metropolitan task force say serious cases are on the rise , putting burdens on hospitals and forcing many of them to scale back on care for other patients .
Japan issued a non-binding state of emergency in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a lockdown .
SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea has reported another 950 coronavirus cases , its largest daily increase since the emergence of the pandemic .
The figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Saturday brought the country ’ s caseload to 41,736 , after health officials added more than 8,900 cases in the last 15 days alone .
Six COVID-19 patients died in the past 24 hours to bring the death toll to 578 .
Most of the new cases came from the densely populated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have struggled to track transmissions that occur at hospitals , long-term care facilities , restaurants , saunas , schools and army units .
Officials restored some restrictions in recent weeks , such as shutting nightclubs and allowing restaurants to provide only deliveries and takeout after 9 p.m. President Moon Jae-in in a Facebook message apologized for his government ’ s failure to contain the outbreak despite months of measures that hurt the economy .
He pleaded for vigilance , saying the country was going through its “ last crisis before the arrival of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calif. — An outbreak of 77 coronavirus cases in Santa Clara County has been traced to an illegal youth basketball tournament held last month in Placer County .
Officials say those who tested positive attended the event Nov. 7 to 8 at Courtside Basketball Center in Rocklin .
They included 39 middle- and high school players , three coaches and 35 additional contacts .
An additional 17 cases outside Santa Clara County have been traced to the tournament .
The California Department of Public Health has initiated an enforcement investigation involving the tournament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the final go-ahead to the nation ’ s first COVID-19 vaccine , marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans .
Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech .
Initial doses are scarce and rationed as the U.S. joins Britain and several other countries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible ahead of winter .
It will take months of work to tamp down the coronavirus that has surged to catastrophic levels in recent weeks and claimed 1.5 million lives globally .
JUNEAU , Alaska — Alaska Gov .
Mike Dunleavy is proposing what he calls an extraordinary response to revive Alaska ’ s pandemic-stunted economy .
His proposal outlined Friday includes about $ 5,000 in direct payments to residents from the state ’ s oil-wealth fund and an infrastructure plan he said is intended to create jobs .
He says Alaskans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time to act .
The state ’ s economy has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic , with tourism and hospitality industries hit hard .
North Slope oil prices have been below $ 50 a barrel for much of the year .

The Associated Press
TOKYO — Japan’s daily coronavirus cases have exceeded 3,000 for the first time while the government delays stricter measures for fear of hurting the economy ahead of the holiday season.
The 3,030 new cases, including 621 in Tokyo, took Japan’s national tally to 177,287 with 2,562 deaths, the Health Ministry said Sunday.
Experts say serious cases are on the rise around the country, putting burden on hospitals and affecting the daily medical treatment for other patients. They urged authorities to take measures such as suspending out-of-town trips and requesting stores to close early.
Recent media surveys show support ratings for the government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga have dropped about 20 points from around 70% during his first three months in office amid public discontent over his coronavirus handling.
Japan issued a non-binding state of emergency in the spring and has survived earlier infection peaks without a lockdown. Experts say the ongoing resurgence in the dry and cold season would be a bigger challenge.
___
SEOUL — South Korea has set another record for its daily coronavirus tally with 1,030, as authorities struggle to suppress the viral spread. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Sunday the additional cases including two deaths raised the national caseload to 42,766 with 580 fatalities. About 80% of the new cases were found in the densely populated Seoul area, where authorities have shut nightclubs and other high-risk venues, banned late-night dining and taken other steps to slow the spread. But such measures have shown little effect. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Saturday his government may have to enforce its highest-level social distancing rules if the virus doesn’t slow down. Such restrictions would ban a gathering of more than 10 people, shut down schools, theaters and department stores and suspend professional sports leagues.
___
THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
U.S. officials say the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine will begin arriving in states Monday morning. Trucks will roll out Sunday morning as shipping companies deliver Pfizer’s vaccine to nearly 150 distribution centers across the United States.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump hasn’t publicly acknowledged this week’s record number of coronavirus deaths, hospitalizations and cases. He hailed the vaccine but made no mention of the toll the virus has taken.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
___
BALTIMORE — The U.S. has recorded more than 16 million cases of COVID-19, by far the most of any country in the world, according to data kept by Johns Hopkins University.
Cases of the virus have been rising across much of the U.S., causing record death totals in recent days.
India and Brazil are the only two other countries that have reported more than 3 million cases of COVID-19. Globally, more than 71 million cases have been confirmed. The actual number of cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and some who get the disease don’t show symptoms.
The U.S. also leads the world in deaths related to the coronavirus at more than 297,600, including a record 3,309 recorded on Friday.
The increases come as millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer start rolling into U.S. hospitals on Monday. The first vaccines will go to hospital staff and other health care professionals.
The coronavirus has caused more than 1.6 million global deaths.
___
FRESNO, Calif. — California public health officials say the number of available intensive care unit beds in the vast San Joaquin Valley has dropped to zero for the first time Saturday. Just a day earlier, ICU capacity in region comprised of 12 counties was at 4.5%.
The news comes as ICU units fill up across California amid spiking COVID-19 cases. Last week, San Joaquin Valley and the enormous Southern California region were ordered to follow the strictest anti-COVID-19 rules under a new stay-at-home order.
Overflowing ICUs was a major factor in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to implement the new order.
___
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The U.S. has reached a record 3,309 daily coronavirus deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
The deaths reported Friday exceeded by 6% the previous high of 3,124 deaths reported Wednesday.
The U.S. also reached a record daily confirmed infections at 231,775, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. That’s nearly 4,000 more than the previous high on Dec. 4.
The increases come as millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer start rolling into hospitals on Monday. The first vaccines will go to hospital staff and other health care professionals.
The U.S. leads the world in confirmed cases at 15.9 million and deaths at more than 296,000. The coronavirus has caused more than 1.6 million global deaths.
___
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration says pilots may receive the COVID-19 vaccine but may not fly for 48 hours.
The FAA says it is requiring the observation period “to maintain the highest level of safety” in the airspace it regulates. The 48-hour observation also applies to air traffic controllers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved emergency use of a vaccine developed by Pfizer and shipments are expected in various states on Monday. The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses taken three weeks apart. The 48-hour period applies after both doses.
The FAA says it will monitor reaction to the vaccine. It requires similar waiting periods after aviation employees receive other vaccines, such tuberculosis and typhoid.
___
ROME — Italy added another 649 coronavirus deaths Saturday, bringing its official total to 64,036 and just shy of Britain’s Europe-leading 64,123 dead.
Italy could overtake Britain despite having 6 million people fewer than the U.K.’s 66 million, and trails only the much larger U.S., Brazil, India and Mexico, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
Italy has the most deaths per 100,000 population among the most affected countries. Italy has added nearly 29,000 dead since Sept. 1.
More than 1.8 million Italians have contracted the virus since the start of the pandemic. Health experts say the numbers reflect an underfunded health care system with few ICU beds, government delays in imposing restrictions and an elderly population.
Global cases and death tolls are believed to greatly underestimated because of missed infections, limited testing and different counting criteria.
___
PHOENIX — Arizona reported 8,076 confirmed coronavirus cases, one of the state’s largest daily total.
The Department of Health Services reported 77 more deaths on Saturday, increasing the state’s confirmed totals to 402,589 cases and 7,322 deaths.
The cases eclipsed Friday’s 6,983 as the third-largest daily case report, behind 12,314 on Tuesday and 10,322 on Dec. 1.
The coronavirus hospitalizations on Friday reached 3,534, up 52 from Thursday and topping the summer surge high of 3,517 on July 13. There were 799 patients in intensive care units.
___
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine will begin arriving in states Monday morning.
Army Gen. Gustave Perna says trucks will roll out Sunday morning as shipping companies UPS and FedEx begin delivering Pfizer’s vaccine to nearly 150 distribution centers across the states. An additional 450 sites will get the vaccine between Tuesday and Wednesday.
Perna is with Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s vaccine development program. He says the vaccine was timed to arrive Monday morning so health workers would be available to receive the shots and begin giving them.
___
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little has authorized another 150 Idaho National Guard soldiers to help medical facilities battle the coronavirus.
The Republican governor added the soldiers to the 100 he activated last month to help the state deal with surging infections and deaths. The 250 soldiers will help with mobile testing support, facility decontamination and coronavirus screenings. They are also helping at food banks.
State officials say nearly 120,000 Idaho residents have been infected. There have been 1,151 confirmed deaths.
The positivity rate is 20%, well above the 5% or less state officials recommend.
___
VATICAN CITY — Vatican citizens, employees and their families will begin to receive the coronavirus vaccine early next year, according to Vatican News.
The head of the Vatican health service, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, says the Pfizer vaccine has been chosen, but others might be introduced later. Arcangeli says the Vatican health services planned a campaign to underline the importance of the vaccine, which can be administered to anyone over 18.
The Vatican, a tiny city state of about 600 people in the center of Rome, has beefed up its coronavirus measures amid a resurgence of the outbreak in Italy, including requiring protective masks indoors.
In October, a resident of the Vatican hotel where Pope Francis lives and several Swiss Guards tested positive.
Italy has registered 1.8 million confirmed cases and more than 63,000 confirmed deaths, sixth highest in the world.
___
PARIS — The French government is allowing care home residents to spend time with their families and receive visits, even if residents are positive for coronavirus.
The deputy health minister in charge of elderly affairs says injecting the spirit of Christmas into care homes is “essential” to maintain family ties and fight loneliness. The relaxed rules will start Tuesday to Jan. 3.
Roughly one-third of France’s more than 57,500 virus deaths have occurred in care homes. Residents have been subjected to strict confinement measures, including being limited to their rooms, to curb infections.
___
LIMA, Peru — Peru suspended an advanced-phase trial of the coronavirus vaccine from Chinese state company Sinopharm after an elderly volunteer developed muscle weakness.
Peru’s Health Ministry says “the adverse event is under investigation to determine if it is related to the vaccine or if there’s another explanation.”
Germán Málaga, professor of medicine at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and coordinator of the trial, told RPP radio a 64-year-old volunteer showed a “decrease in strength in the legs” and the condition could be related to Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Sinopharm began its Phase 3 trial in Peru in September. It includes 12,000 people ages 18 to 75.
___
MINNEAPOLIS — New coronavirus patients say they socialized over Thanksgiving with people outside their households, despite emphatic public health warnings to stay home and keep their distance from others.
That’s what contact tracers and emergency room doctors are hearing repeatedly from patients across the country.
The virus was raging nationally even before Thanksgiving but was showing some signs of flattening out. It has picked up steam since, with new cases per day regularly climbing well over 200,000 by Friday.
That’s a 16% increase from the day before Thanksgiving, according to an Associated Press analysis. Deaths are averaging almost 2,260 per day over a seven-day period, about equal to the peak seen in mid-April when the New York City was under siege.
The dire outlook comes as the U.S. stands on the brink of a major vaccination campaign against COVID-19, with the Food and Drug Administration giving the final go-ahead Friday to use Pfizer’s shot.
The coronavirus has killed more than 295,000 Americans and infected 15.8 million.
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SANTA ANA, Calif. — A California judge has ordered a 50 percent reduction of the population in Orange County jails to protect people from a coronavirus outbreak.
Superior Court Judge Peter Wilson’s decision comes in response to a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union that says conditions at the jails violate the state’s constitution and disability discrimination law.
The county was ordered to file a plan with the court no later than Dec. 31. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes says his department is “evaluating the order, its impacts and our options for appeal.”
If the order stands, it could result in the release of more than 1,800 inmates, Barnes says. He says the latest outbreak at Orange County jails had 74 confirmed cases, 75 tests pending and more inmates waiting to be tested.
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BERLIN — Senior German officials are calling for tough new measures to curb the spread of coronavirus and record high cases.
The country’s disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, reported 28,438 confirmed cases in the past 24 hours and 496 deaths.
Germany, which had a much lower death rate than some of its large European neighbors in the spring, now has 1.3 million confirmed cases and 21,466 confirmed deaths since the start of the outbreak.
Finance Minister Olaf Scholz called for the swift closure of most stores and pledged financial support for affected businesses.
The governor of the southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, says he expects a “hard lockdown” before Christmas.
Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled to meet the governors of Germany’s 16 states on Sunday to discuss the next steps in containing the pandemic.


mercurynews--2020-12-13--Photos: Worshipers celebrate feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Catholic worshipers eschewed traditional big gatherings to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Saturday , instead joining car processions and reduced outdoor services around the Bay Area .
At Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in East San Jose , about 100 cars trickled through the parking lots throughout the morning in a drive-through procession , with a few people getting out to pay homage to four colorful Guadalupe memorials set up around the building .
Meanwhile , in Oakland , 100 parishioners holding Our Lady of Guadalupe images and sculptures were allowed to join an outdoor mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot across from the church after they were screened for symptoms .
CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device And in San Francisco , where Archbishop Salvatore Joseph Cordileone has previously protested stay-at-home rules barring indoor mass , the plaza of St. Mary ’ s Cathedral hosted an outdoor gathering with a maximum of 200 socially distanced attendees , a spokesperson said .
The church saw even fewer worshipers thanks to the rainy weather .
For days , leaders have urged people to stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge , emphasizing that California ’ s Latinx community continues to bear the brunt of COVID-19 infections — making up about 57 % of cases as compared to 39 % of the population .
In Mexico City , the Basilica that typically welcomes thousands of pilgrims yearly for Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations closed down .
“ We are in an extraordinary time , ” said South Bay Bishop Oscar Cantú in a news conference Friday .
“ It calls for extraordinary measures , and that is what we ’ re carrying out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and practice your faith from home , from that safety .
”

Catholic worshipers eschewed traditional big gatherings to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Saturday, instead joining car processions and reduced outdoor services around the Bay Area.
At Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in East San Jose, about 100 cars trickled through the parking lots throughout the morning in a drive-through procession, with a few people getting out to pay homage to four colorful Guadalupe memorials set up around the building.
Meanwhile, in Oakland, 100 parishioners holding Our Lady of Guadalupe images and sculptures were allowed to join an outdoor mass at the St. Elizabeth Catholic School parking lot across from the church after they were screened for symptoms.
SAN JOSE, CA - DEC. 12: The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated with both limited, socially-distant walk-up visits and a drive-thru vehicle access due to the pandemic restrictions at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - DEC. 12: The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated with both limited, socially-distant walk-up visits and a drive-thru vehicle access due to the pandemic restrictions at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - DEC. 12: The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated with both limited, socially-distant walk-up visits and a drive-thru vehicle access due to the pandemic restrictions at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: A parishioners attends a mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Saint Elizabeth Catholic School parking lot in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, services were held outdoors with social distancing and limited to 100 parishioners after they checked in and used hand sanitizer provided by the church. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Father Vicente Pastro gets ready to distribute Sacramental bread to parishioners during a mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Saint Elizabeth Catholic School parking lot in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, services were held outdoors with social distancing and limited to 100 parishioners after they checked in and used hand sanitizer provided by the church. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Sabrina Alejo, Isaac Hernandez, Ulises Hernandez and Agustin Hernandez, from left, all of Oakland, attend a mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Saint Elizabeth Catholic School parking lot in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, services were held outdoors with social distancing and limited to 100 parishioners after they checked in and used hand sanitizer provided by the church. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - DEC. 12: The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated with both limited, socially-distant walk-up visits and a drive-thru vehicle access due to the pandemic restrictions at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - DEC. 12: The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated with both limited, socially-distant walk-up visits and a drive-thru vehicle access due to the pandemic restrictions at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE, CA - DEC. 12: The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated with both limited, socially-distant walk-up visits and a drive-thru vehicle access due to the pandemic restrictions at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Parishioners attend a mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Saint Elizabeth Catholic School parking lot in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, services were held outdoors with social distancing and limited to 100 parishioners after they checked in and used hand sanitizer provided by the church. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Maria Sandra Ponce, right, and her mother Maximina Gonzalez, both of Oakland, along with fellow parishioners attend a mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Saint Elizabeth Catholic School parking lot in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, services were held outdoors with social distancing and limited to 100 parishioners after they checked in and used hand sanitizer provided by the church. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
4 of 5000SJM-GUADALUPE-1213-9.JPG OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Jose Leal, of Oakland, attends a mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Saint Elizabeth Catholic School parking lot in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, services were held outdoors with social distancing and limited to 100 parishioners after they checked in and used hand sanitizer provided by the church. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Father Vicente Pastro distributes Sacramental bread to parishioners during a mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Saint Elizabeth Catholic School parking lot in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, services were held outdoors with social distancing and limited to 100 parishioners after they checked in and used hand sanitizer provided by the church. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Juan Jimenez, right, takes flowers from parishioners and place them in an altar in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe outside the Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, services were held outdoors with social distancing and limited to 100 parishioners after they checked in and used hand sanitizer provided by the church. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Father Antonio Galindo delivers a message to parishioners at the conclusion of a mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Saint Elizabeth Catholic School parking lot in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, services were held outdoors with social distancing and limited to 100 parishioners after they checked in and used hand sanitizer provided by the church. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you are having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device
And in San Francisco, where Archbishop Salvatore Joseph Cordileone has previously protested stay-at-home rules barring indoor mass, the plaza of St. Mary’s Cathedral hosted an outdoor gathering with a maximum of 200 socially distanced attendees, a spokesperson said. The church saw even fewer worshipers thanks to the rainy weather.
For days, leaders have urged people to stay home or celebrate outdoors amid the latest coronavirus surge, emphasizing that California’s Latinx community continues to bear the brunt of COVID-19 infections — making up about 57% of cases as compared to 39% of the population.
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Disneyland is already decking the halls for the Christmas holiday season Local News | Grammy-winning pop act sets Christmas concert tour with 2 California stops In Mexico City, the Basilica that typically welcomes thousands of pilgrims yearly for Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations closed down.
“We are in an extraordinary time,” said South Bay Bishop Oscar Cantú in a news conference Friday. “It calls for extraordinary measures, and that is what we’re carrying out. … We encourage you to celebrate and practice your faith from home, from that safety.”


mercurynews--2020-12-13--Cal football: What Saturday’s canceled game could mean for the Bears

A Cal football season that began with lofty hopes took another wrong turn Saturday when the Bears ’ game at Washington State was canceled after another blow from COVID-19 .
Barely 90 minutes before the Bears and Cougars were scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. in Pullman , Washington , the Pac-12 announced the game was canceled .
Cal did not have the minimum number of available scholarship players after one player tested positive and others were put into isolation according to contract tracing protocols .
The game was declared a no-contest — Cal ’ s third canceled game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a 1-3 record and far more questions than answers .
The biggest question : Is Cal ’ s season over ?
The Bears were picked second in the Pac-12 North after going 8-5 last season and had designs on challenging Oregon for the division crown .
As it turns out , Oregon provided Cal with its only victory so far after starting 0-3 .
The Pac-12 on Sunday will announce matchups for the final weekend of the regular season , but it ’ s unclear whether the Bears will be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justin Wilcox available for comment on Saturday .
A spokesperson for the program said he expected the team to return home Saturday via its charter flight , but could not address the status of the player or players impacted through Saturday ’ s pregame testing .
According to the Pac-12 , the Cal player who tested positive apparently will travel back to the Bay Area separately from the team .
The conference announced in early November an arrangement with AirMed International air ambulance service “ to provide game-day transport for individuals who test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Berkeley Public Health website , anyone who travels out of the region – or who gathers with a traveler from outside the region – is strongly urged to quarantine for 14 days .
Berkeley city officials could not be reached for comment .
Even if the team gets the go-ahead from the Berkeley Health Department , it seems likely the Bears would face the same manpower shortage that caused the WSU game to be canceled .
The Pac-12 ’ s game cancellation policy states that games can be declared no-contests if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players available or if it can not meet specific position requirements , which involve having one scholarship quarterback , seven offensive linemen and four defensive linemen .
The Bears already were facing a shortage on the defensive line this season and were forced to cancel their season opener against Washington because they did not have enough available players in that position group after one tested positive and others were quarantined following contact tracing .
Bruce Feldman reported Saturday that the player who tested positive pregame also was a defensive lineman and that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position group .
Cal could still choose to play next week , even if it ’ s below the threshold at defensive line .
But it seems unlikely the Bears would agree to playing a game while at a physical disadvantage .
Either way , it ’ s been a season for Cal that reflects all the uncertainty and disappointment of 2020 .
Expectations the Bears might challenge for a Pac-12 title began to unravel from the start .
After the Washington opener was canceled , Week 2 featured a sudden change of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel the day before due to a coronavirus outbreak that included coach Herm Edwards .
Cal pivoted quickly to play at UCLA on Sunday morning of that week and suffered a decisive 34-10 loss .
• Bay Area stay-at-home order : Warriors ’ season is safe , for now • Cal football vs. Oregon : What to know before Saturday ’ s game in Berkeley • A refuge of normalcy amid a pandemic ?
Try Tightwad Hill during the Big Game The Bears made progress the next two weeks , despite playing without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of others , who tested positive .
Cal lost 31-27 at Oregon State and 24-23 to Stanford in the Big Game at Berkeley after a series of critical mistakes in both games .
Cal was positioned to tie Stanford in the final minute when the Cardinal blocked a PAT kick .
Nearly at full strength last week for the first time all season , the Bears may have gotten their only glimpse at what they could have been in a 21-17 upset of then-No .
23 Oregon .

A Cal football season that began with lofty hopes took another wrong turn Saturday when the Bears’ game at Washington State was canceled after another blow from COVID-19.
Barely 90 minutes before the Bears and Cougars were scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. in Pullman, Washington, the Pac-12 announced the game was canceled. Cal did not have the minimum number of available scholarship players after one player tested positive and others were put into isolation according to contract tracing protocols.
The game was declared a no-contest — Cal’s third canceled game this season — and left the Bears with a 1-3 record and far more questions than answers.
The biggest question: Is Cal’s season over?
The Bears were picked second in the Pac-12 North after going 8-5 last season and had designs on challenging Oregon for the division crown. As it turns out, Oregon provided Cal with its only victory so far after starting 0-3.
The Pac-12 on Sunday will announce matchups for the final weekend of the regular season, but it’s unclear whether the Bears will be able to play.
Cal did not make coach Justin Wilcox available for comment on Saturday.
A spokesperson for the program said the team returned home Saturday via its charter flight, but could not address the status of the player or players impacted through Saturday’s pregame testing.
According to the Pac-12, the Cal player who tested positive apparently will travel back to the Bay Area separately from the team.
The conference announced in early November an arrangement with AirMed International air ambulance service “to provide game-day transport for individuals who test positive while traveling for competition.”
According to the Berkeley Public Health website, anyone who travels out of the region – or who gathers with a traveler from outside the region – is strongly urged to quarantine for 14 days.
Berkeley city officials could not be reached for comment.
Even if the team gets the go-ahead from the Berkeley Health Department, it seems likely the Bears would face the same manpower shortage that caused the WSU game to be canceled.
The Pac-12’s game cancellation policy states that games can be declared no-contests if one team does not have 53 scholarship players available or if it cannot meet specific position requirements, which involve having one scholarship quarterback, seven offensive linemen and four defensive linemen.
The Bears already were facing a shortage on the defensive line this season and were forced to cancel their season opener against Washington because they did not have enough available players in that position group after one tested positive and others were quarantined following contact tracing.
Bruce Feldman reported Saturday that the player who tested positive pregame also was a defensive lineman and that the Bears were down to two in that position group.
Cal could still choose to play next week, even if it’s below the threshold at defensive line. But it seems unlikely the Bears would agree to playing a game while at a physical disadvantage.
Either way, it’s been a season for Cal that reflects all the uncertainty and disappointment of 2020. Expectations the Bears might challenge for a Pac-12 title began to unravel from the start.
After the Washington opener was canceled, Week 2 featured a sudden change of direction when Arizona State was forced to cancel the day before due to a coronavirus outbreak that included coach Herm Edwards. Cal pivoted quickly to play at UCLA on Sunday morning of that week and suffered a decisive 34-10 loss.
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The Bears made progress the next two weeks, despite playing without three offensive line starters, and a couple of others, who tested positive.
Cal lost 31-27 at Oregon State and 24-23 to Stanford in the Big Game at Berkeley after a series of critical mistakes in both games. Cal was positioned to tie Stanford in the final minute when the Cardinal blocked a PAT kick.
Nearly at full strength last week for the first time all season, the Bears may have gotten their only glimpse at what they could have been in a 21-17 upset of then-No. 23 Oregon.