mercurynews--2020-05-29--Study: Cannabis was used at biblical site in Israel

If there were any more fun facts to learn about cannabis , its ritualistic use at a biblical site in Israel can now be added to the list .
In 1963 , two limestone altars were found at the entrance to the “ Holy of Holies ” of a Judahite shrine at Beersheba Valley , in Israel ’ s Tel Arad , an archaeological mound located west of the Dead Sea and surrounded by mountain ridges known as the Arad Plain .
The site is divided into a lower city and an upper hill .
Inside the site , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hebrew name of God used in the Bible .
Analysis of the materials on two altars , now housed in the Israel Museum , Jerusalem , found they contained cannabis and frankincense , according to a study published Thursday in the journal Tel Aviv .
This is the first time that physical evidence of cannabis has been identified in the Ancient Near East , according to the study authors .
“ We know from all around the Ancient Near East and around the world that many cultures used hallucinogenic materials and ingredients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of religious ecstasy , ” said lead author Eran Arie , curator of Iron Age and Persian Periods archaeology in the Israel Museum , Jerusalem .
“ We never thought about Judah taking part in these cultic practices .
The fact that we found cannabis in an official cult place of Judah says something new about the cult of Judah , ” Arie said .
The study ’ s finding regarding frankincense also provided further insight into the ingredients used in Jerusalem incense , he added .
Several other cultures , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Buganda kingdom of Africa and the Tenetehara of Brazil , have used cannabis recreationally and for ecstasy in cultic ceremonies , according to previous studies .
Some tribes also used cannabis for medicinal purposes , the study said .
A 1993 study on the materials on the remains of a teenage girl who died during labor in an ancient cave in Jerusalem found cannabis was likely used to reduce childbirth pain .
“ What stands out most to me is that cannabis was used in concert with frankincense , rather than being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products , ” said Robert C. Clarke , an independent ethnobotanical researcher who was not part of the study .
“ This implies that there were special independent connotations assigned to the use of each plant substance.
” Tel Arad was excavated between 1962 and 1967 by the late archaeologist Yohanan Aharoni , on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem .
Excavations revealed two superimposed , squared fortresses that dated back to the ninth to early sixth centuries BCE and guarded the Judahite kingdom ’ s southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Hebrew ostracas ( stones with writings ) and the shrine .
The Arad shrine was discovered after Aharoni discovered a cella , a small room holding cult objects .
The shrine is located in the northwestern corner of the fortress and is about 42 feet across and 62 feet deep .
It holds four areas : a fenced-in open courtyard ; a storage area north of the courtyard ; a main hall west of the courtyard and storerooms ; and a small cella west of the main hall .
Previous research suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 750 BCE to 715 BCE , less than half a century .
Around this time , Judah was mostly comprised of rural settlements .
The cella was considered to be the heart of the shrine , thus called “ Holy of Holies.
” The Arad shrine and the First Temple of Jerusalem , constructed sometime around the tenth century BCE , are architecturally similar , the study said , considering the east-west axis upon which they both are built and how the areas are divided — a likeness which could allude to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structures , the study added .
According to previous research , the shrine may have been buried for ritual reasons , or a desire to protect it from the dangers of Assyrian occupation and destruction , the study said .
In 1963 , the limestone altars were found lying between the main hall and cella .
Around this time , the Israel Museum was under construction in Jerusalem .
The original stairs , floor and furniture of the shrine were transferred to an exhibition at the museum in 1965 , and from 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new gallery .
“ This was the point I realized for the first time the real incense was really left there , ” Arie said .
Because the walls of the shrine weren ’ t intact in the museum , the museum decided to reconstruct the wall with stones from Tel Arad to further the exhibition ’ s significance .
Though the excavations were more than 50 years ago , some studies of the materials left on the altars have been inconclusive and no final reports have been issued .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the potential for modern techniques to shed more light on the materials used and rituals performed in the shrine .
The researchers weren ’ t certain about the nature of the rituals or cultish practices the substances might have been used for , but they were able to test the materials .
Small samples of the materials on the altars were taken with a scalpel and preserved in aluminum foil .
To substantiate the results and prevent cross contamination , testing was repeated in two laboratories at the Israel Institute of Technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerusalem , Givat Ram .
Liquid chromatography and gas chromatography , two main , modern methods for identifying cannabinoids , were also used .
The small altar ’ s material contained residues of cannabinoids including cannabidiol ( CBD ) , tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) and cannabinol ( CBN ) , the byproduct of THC when THC degrades .
Fatty acids found in the material were attributed to mammal sources , especially since animal hormones including cholesterol and testosterone were discovered along with the fatty acids .
There was also evidence of mammalian feces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compounds of cannabis , the ones that alter a person ’ s mental or physical state .
However , CBD and THC derive from the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinolic acid ( THCA ) and cannabidiolic acid ( CBDA ) .
THCA and CBDA have to be heated before they release the activated , potent and psychoactive compounds both found on the small altar and that people are familiar with today .
Once the cannabis and animal feces were set afire , the waste could have allowed a slow , low temperature burn that was conducive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the study , these findings suggested that cannabis was burned for a psychoactive role as part of a ritual , since the use of hallucinogenic substances for cultic purposes in the Ancient Near East has been documented .
Terpenoids , which determine the scent of flowers , fruits and grasses , were also discovered .
Since the smell akin to cannabis is available in many plants , the authors concluded the cannabis wasn ’ t imported for its smell or therapeutic qualities , but for its “ mind-altering abilities.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ odor or the fragrance of cannabis , you could ’ ve burned sage , ” Arie said .
“ Only when you are burning cannabis are the [ psychoactive ingredients ] released into the air .
So it ’ s not a matter of smell like with the frankincense ; it ’ s a matter of the ecstasy and the hallucinogenic effects from the burning cannabis.
” How cannabis arrived in Tel Arad is unknown , but since there are no known cannabis seeds or pollen remains in archaeological sites in the Ancient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imported in hashish form — cannabis extracts that are compressed into shapes .
“ As shown in this study , eighth century Judah may now be added to the places where these rituals took place , ” the study said .
Frankincense identified in cultic contexts Atop the big altar were terpenoids , or organic compounds , and more fatty acids .
The terpenoids are associated with frankincense resin , while the fatty acids , also accompanied by hormones , were likely from mammalian fat as well .
Frankincense resin is a fragrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut bark from types of Boswellia trees , which grow naturally in Africa and southern Arabia .
Frankincense was highly valuable , the study said , as reflected in the Bible when frankincense ’ s price is often compared to gold and precious stones , described as a royal treasure and celebrated for its fragrance .
It was also esteemed in Assyria , Babylonia and Persia , and the authors attributed the high price to the efforts required for its import to demanding regions .
Judah ’ s participation in South Arabian trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tel Arad around the end of the eighth century BCE could have contributed to the movement of frankincense in the area .
• Search for missing San Jose man leads to raid of marijuana farm • San Francisco gets alcohol , tobacco and marijuana for addicts quarantined in hotels Frankincense may have also been used for cultic ceremonies ; the discovery in Arad is the first identification of the substance used in such a context .
The animal fat present may have allowed the frankincense to burn at a higher temperature , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release its fragrance .
Frankincense is a component of the incense that was burned in the Temple of Jerusalem for its aroma .
The high price of frankincense further implied the fort of Arad was an official institution of some distinction , the study said , owned by the Kingdom of Judah .
As part of the kingdom , the residents of the fort possibly had the resources to obtain such esteemed materials .
The authors contended that the substances discovered in this study could serve as an extra-biblical source to identify incense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere in Judah .

By Kristen Rogers | CNN
If there were any more fun facts to learn about cannabis, its ritualistic use at a biblical site in Israel can now be added to the list.
In 1963, two limestone altars were found at the entrance to the “Holy of Holies” of a Judahite shrine at Beersheba Valley, in Israel’s Tel Arad, an archaeological mound located west of the Dead Sea and surrounded by mountain ridges known as the Arad Plain.
The site is divided into a lower city and an upper hill. Inside the site, there is a shrine devoted to Yahweh, the Hebrew name of God used in the Bible.
Analysis of the materials on two altars, now housed in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, found they contained cannabis and frankincense, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Tel Aviv.
This is the first time that physical evidence of cannabis has been identified in the Ancient Near East, according to the study authors.
“We know from all around the Ancient Near East and around the world that many cultures used hallucinogenic materials and ingredients in order to get into some kind of religious ecstasy,” said lead author Eran Arie, curator of Iron Age and Persian Periods archaeology in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
“We never thought about Judah taking part in these cultic practices. The fact that we found cannabis in an official cult place of Judah says something new about the cult of Judah,” Arie said. The study’s finding regarding frankincense also provided further insight into the ingredients used in Jerusalem incense, he added.
Several other cultures, such as the Gaddi tribe of the Himalayas, the Buganda kingdom of Africa and the Tenetehara of Brazil, have used cannabis recreationally and for ecstasy in cultic ceremonies, according to previous studies.
Some tribes also used cannabis for medicinal purposes, the study said. A 1993 study on the materials on the remains of a teenage girl who died during labor in an ancient cave in Jerusalem found cannabis was likely used to reduce childbirth pain.
“What stands out most to me is that cannabis was used in concert with frankincense, rather than being mixed with frankincense or other identifiable plant products,” said Robert C. Clarke, an independent ethnobotanical researcher who was not part of the study. “This implies that there were special independent connotations assigned to the use of each plant substance.”
History of a biblical site
Tel Arad was excavated between 1962 and 1967 by the late archaeologist Yohanan Aharoni, on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Excavations revealed two superimposed, squared fortresses that dated back to the ninth to early sixth centuries BCE and guarded the Judahite kingdom’s southern border. More finds were unearthed, including Hebrew ostracas (stones with writings) and the shrine.
The Arad shrine was discovered after Aharoni discovered a cella, a small room holding cult objects. The shrine is located in the northwestern corner of the fortress and is about 42 feet across and 62 feet deep. It holds four areas: a fenced-in open courtyard; a storage area north of the courtyard; a main hall west of the courtyard and storerooms; and a small cella west of the main hall.
Previous research suggested the shrine was built and used from around 750 BCE to 715 BCE, less than half a century. Around this time, Judah was mostly comprised of rural settlements. The cella was considered to be the heart of the shrine, thus called “Holy of Holies.”
The Arad shrine and the First Temple of Jerusalem, constructed sometime around the tenth century BCE, are architecturally similar, the study said, considering the east-west axis upon which they both are built and how the areas are divided — a likeness which could allude to similarities in cultic rituals performed in these structures, the study added.
According to previous research, the shrine may have been buried for ritual reasons, or a desire to protect it from the dangers of Assyrian occupation and destruction, the study said.
In 1963, the limestone altars were found lying between the main hall and cella. Around this time, the Israel Museum was under construction in Jerusalem. The original stairs, floor and furniture of the shrine were transferred to an exhibition at the museum in 1965, and from 2007 to 2010 the exhibition was moved to a new gallery.
“This was the point I realized for the first time the real incense was really left there,” Arie said.
Because the walls of the shrine weren’t intact in the museum, the museum decided to reconstruct the wall with stones from Tel Arad to further the exhibition’s significance. Though the excavations were more than 50 years ago, some studies of the materials left on the altars have been inconclusive and no final reports have been issued.
It was roughly two years ago when Arie realized the potential for modern techniques to shed more light on the materials used and rituals performed in the shrine.
Cannabis for cultic ceremonies
The researchers weren’t certain about the nature of the rituals or cultish practices the substances might have been used for, but they were able to test the materials.
Small samples of the materials on the altars were taken with a scalpel and preserved in aluminum foil. To substantiate the results and prevent cross contamination, testing was repeated in two laboratories at the Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram.
Liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, two main, modern methods for identifying cannabinoids, were also used.
The small altar’s material contained residues of cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN), the byproduct of THC when THC degrades.
Fatty acids found in the material were attributed to mammal sources, especially since animal hormones including cholesterol and testosterone were discovered along with the fatty acids. There was also evidence of mammalian feces.
CBD and THC are the psychoactive compounds of cannabis, the ones that alter a person’s mental or physical state. However, CBD and THC derive from the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). THCA and CBDA have to be heated before they release the activated, potent and psychoactive compounds both found on the small altar and that people are familiar with today.
Once the cannabis and animal feces were set afire, the waste could have allowed a slow, low temperature burn that was conducive to group inhalation, the study suggested.
According to the study, these findings suggested that cannabis was burned for a psychoactive role as part of a ritual, since the use of hallucinogenic substances for cultic purposes in the Ancient Near East has been documented.
Terpenoids, which determine the scent of flowers, fruits and grasses, were also discovered. Since the smell akin to cannabis is available in many plants, the authors concluded the cannabis wasn’t imported for its smell or therapeutic qualities, but for its “mind-altering abilities.”
“If you really wanted only the odor or the fragrance of cannabis, you could’ve burned sage,” Arie said. “Only when you are burning cannabis are the [psychoactive ingredients] released into the air. So it’s not a matter of smell like with the frankincense; it’s a matter of the ecstasy and the hallucinogenic effects from the burning cannabis.”
How cannabis arrived in Tel Arad is unknown, but since there are no known cannabis seeds or pollen remains in archaeological sites in the Ancient Near East, the cannabis was likely imported in hashish form — cannabis extracts that are compressed into shapes.
“As shown in this study, eighth century Judah may now be added to the places where these rituals took place,” the study said.
Frankincense identified in cultic contexts
Atop the big altar were terpenoids, or organic compounds, and more fatty acids. The terpenoids are associated with frankincense resin, while the fatty acids, also accompanied by hormones, were likely from mammalian fat as well.
Frankincense resin is a fragrant yellowish to red plant discharge produced by cut bark from types of Boswellia trees, which grow naturally in Africa and southern Arabia.
Frankincense was highly valuable, the study said, as reflected in the Bible when frankincense’s price is often compared to gold and precious stones, described as a royal treasure and celebrated for its fragrance. It was also esteemed in Assyria, Babylonia and Persia, and the authors attributed the high price to the efforts required for its import to demanding regions.
Judah’s participation in South Arabian trade and Assyria’s later presence in Tel Arad around the end of the eighth century BCE could have contributed to the movement of frankincense in the area.
Frankincense may have also been used for cultic ceremonies; the discovery in Arad is the first identification of the substance used in such a context. The animal fat present may have allowed the frankincense to burn at a higher temperature, which is required for frankincense to evaporate and release its fragrance. Frankincense is a component of the incense that was burned in the Temple of Jerusalem for its aroma.
The high price of frankincense further implied the fort of Arad was an official institution of some distinction, the study said, owned by the Kingdom of Judah. As part of the kingdom, the residents of the fort possibly had the resources to obtain such esteemed materials.
The authors contended that the substances discovered in this study could serve as an extra-biblical source to identify incense used in cultic practices in Arad and elsewhere in Judah.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Coronavirus: Amid new jail infections, South Bay activists push for more releases

SAN JOSE — With a new batch of jail infections surfacing in the past few days , South Bay civil-rights activists and families of Santa Clara County inmates took to their cars and hit the streets Thursday to beat the drum for pretrial and compassionate releases of people they say are in custody mostly because of poverty and a rigid justice system .
“ There are a lot of people who are incarcerated who don ’ t deserve to be there , ” said Devon Atkinson , who was recently released from the Elmwood men ’ s jail in Milpitas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks for a virus outbreak , echoing longstanding complaints from inmates — and some jail staff — about how social distancing continues to be difficult , if not impossible , in a jail setting .
“ Things are still overpopulated , ” he said .
“ People are still sleeping next to each other.
” Atkinson joined a car convoy of demonstrators organized by Silicon Valley De-Bug — as part of a week of similar rallies across the country — taking that message to pillars of the region ’ s criminal-justice infrastructure in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Jose Police Department , Santa Clara County Sheriff ’ s Office and District Attorney ’ s Office , the Main Jail , Hall of Justice and juvenile hall .
The demonstration comes as three new cases since Saturday have brought the county jail system ’ s total to six since mid-March .
In addition , 11 jail employees have tested positive for COVID-19 at some point in that period .
The ongoing risk of a jail-based virus outbreak has fueled wide efforts in the Bay Area to decrease jail crowding through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the early release of offenders with expiring jail sentences .
The state Judicial Council also instituted emergency measures including setting $ 0 bail for misdemeanors and some low-level felonies .
In Santa Clara County , the jail population as of Thursday morning was at 2,156 , about a 34 % decrease from the more than 3,200 inmates held in early March .
Similarly , statewide jail populations have decreased 30 % between the end of February and the first week of May , from about 72,000 to roughly 51,000 inmates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State and Community Corrections .
For its part , the Santa Clara County Sheriff ’ s Office says it has instituted a host of protective measures that emphasize physical distancing , mask-wearing , and providing more soap and sanitizing supplies to inmates .
Last month , the county public health department gave the agency high marks for its efforts to minimize any potential virus spread , though that was challenged by defense attorneys and inmate advocates .
The most recent infections surfaced Tuesday after an inmate presented flu-like symptoms and was moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmate was booked a year ago into the Elmwood minimum-security camp and is being prosecuted for what the sheriff ’ s office described only as “ numerous felonies.
” About two hours later , the 29 inmates who shared barracks with the sick man were “ rehoused into isolation cells ” and screened for COVID-19 .
On Wednesday , one of those men tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
The sheriff ’ s office said it has since ordered testing for all 344 inmates in the minimum-security camp and jail staff who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s in-house contact-tracing team was summoned to track down anyone the exposed staff and inmates may have in turn exposed .
Saturday , another inmate was confirmed to have the virus .
That inmate was booked into the Main Jail in San Jose on May 9 and was immediately put into a 14-day quarantine .
On his final day of quarantine , he tested positive , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Two-dozen inmates housed with the infected man tested negative for COVID-19 , officials said .
But inmate advocates say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak to occur , like what happened in the early weeks of the pandemic at jails in New York and Chicago .
Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County reported clusters of infections on its way to recording at least 50 cases .
The jail reductions have also prompted some authorities to loudly criticize emergency measures like the $ 0 misdemeanor bail , which the Alameda County Sheriff ’ s Office has dubbed “ Zero Bail Fail ” on social media .
Numerous other law-enforcement agencies have put up similar posts , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offenders flouting the law .
“ Time will tell but I think there are unrealized consequences to the zero-bail protocol , ” Alameda Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Ray Kelly said to this news organization earlier this week .
“ You can steal a car every day and just do the revolving door at the jail .
We ’ re working on ways to mitigate that now , but it has been very frustrating.
” That elicited strong pushback from criminal-justice reform advocates , who say police and prosecutors have resorted to rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institute bail when someone ’ s most recent crimes underplay a violent past or other threatening behavior .
Lenore Anderson , president and founder of Californians for Safety and Justice , said criticism of the $ 0 bail measure sidesteps the fact bail is intended to secure court appearances rather than serve as pretrial punishment .
“ How much money you have determines whether you stay in jail , ” Anderson said .
“ We have to start confronting these bureaucratic ways of doing things , that are contributing to the challenges we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even with no overt resistance to the temporary $ 0 bail schedule , its execution has raised alarm in the Santa Clara County Public Defender ’ s Office , whose attorneys attended Thursday ’ s rally and asserted that numerous low-level offenders eligible for swift release after being booked have instead been kept for hours in temporary holding rooms .
In some cases , they said , people were transported to the Elmwood jail first , exposing them to the risky close-quarters facilities the emergency measure was meant to keep them away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Carson White , an attorney fellow with the public defender ’ s office .
“ It ’ s exactly the opposite of what $ 0 bail was supposed to do .
”

SAN JOSE — With a new batch of jail infections surfacing in the past few days, South Bay civil-rights activists and families of Santa Clara County inmates took to their cars and hit the streets Thursday to beat the drum for pretrial and compassionate releases of people they say are in custody mostly because of poverty and a rigid justice system.
“There are a lot of people who are incarcerated who don’t deserve to be there,” said Devon Atkinson, who was recently released from the Elmwood men’s jail in Milpitas.
Atkinson described his firsthand experience about risks for a virus outbreak, echoing longstanding complaints from inmates — and some jail staff — about how social distancing continues to be difficult, if not impossible, in a jail setting.
“Things are still overpopulated,” he said. “People are still sleeping next to each other.”
Atkinson joined a car convoy of demonstrators organized by Silicon Valley De-Bug — as part of a week of similar rallies across the country — taking that message to pillars of the region’s criminal-justice infrastructure in North San Jose, passing by the San Jose Police Department, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office, the Main Jail, Hall of Justice and juvenile hall.
The demonstration comes as three new cases since Saturday have brought the county jail system’s total to six since mid-March. In addition, 11 jail employees have tested positive for COVID-19 at some point in that period.
The ongoing risk of a jail-based virus outbreak has fueled wide efforts in the Bay Area to decrease jail crowding through the release of nonviolent and low-level pretrial detainees, and the early release of offenders with expiring jail sentences. The state Judicial Council also instituted emergency measures including setting $0 bail for misdemeanors and some low-level felonies.
In Santa Clara County, the jail population as of Thursday morning was at 2,156, about a 34% decrease from the more than 3,200 inmates held in early March. Similarly, statewide jail populations have decreased 30% between the end of February and the first week of May, from about 72,000 to roughly 51,000 inmates, according to survey data from the Board of State and Community Corrections.
For its part, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office says it has instituted a host of protective measures that emphasize physical distancing, mask-wearing, and providing more soap and sanitizing supplies to inmates. Last month, the county public health department gave the agency high marks for its efforts to minimize any potential virus spread, though that was challenged by defense attorneys and inmate advocates.
The most recent infections surfaced Tuesday after an inmate presented flu-like symptoms and was moved to a negative-airflow isolation cell. The inmate was booked a year ago into the Elmwood minimum-security camp and is being prosecuted for what the sheriff’s office described only as “numerous felonies.”
About two hours later, the 29 inmates who shared barracks with the sick man were “rehoused into isolation cells” and screened for COVID-19. On Wednesday, one of those men tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The sheriff’s office said it has since ordered testing for all 344 inmates in the minimum-security camp and jail staff who had contact with them. The agency’s in-house contact-tracing team was summoned to track down anyone the exposed staff and inmates may have in turn exposed.
Saturday, another inmate was confirmed to have the virus. That inmate was booked into the Main Jail in San Jose on May 9 and was immediately put into a 14-day quarantine. On his final day of quarantine, he tested positive, the sheriff’s office said. Two-dozen inmates housed with the infected man tested negative for COVID-19, officials said.
But inmate advocates say it wouldn’t take much for an outbreak to occur, like what happened in the early weeks of the pandemic at jails in New York and Chicago. Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County reported clusters of infections on its way to recording at least 50 cases.
The jail reductions have also prompted some authorities to loudly criticize emergency measures like the $0 misdemeanor bail, which the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has dubbed “Zero Bail Fail” on social media. Numerous other law-enforcement agencies have put up similar posts, saying the reduced leniency has led to repeat offenders flouting the law.
“Time will tell but I think there are unrealized consequences to the zero-bail protocol,” Alameda Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said to this news organization earlier this week. “You can steal a car every day and just do the revolving door at the jail. We’re working on ways to mitigate that now, but it has been very frustrating.”
That elicited strong pushback from criminal-justice reform advocates, who say police and prosecutors have resorted to rhetoric instead of petitioning or asking judges to institute bail when someone’s most recent crimes underplay a violent past or other threatening behavior.
Lenore Anderson, president and founder of Californians for Safety and Justice, said criticism of the $0 bail measure sidesteps the fact bail is intended to secure court appearances rather than serve as pretrial punishment.
“How much money you have determines whether you stay in jail,” Anderson said. “We have to start confronting these bureaucratic ways of doing things, that are contributing to the challenges we now face in an emergency.”
And even with no overt resistance to the temporary $0 bail schedule, its execution has raised alarm in the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office, whose attorneys attended Thursday’s rally and asserted that numerous low-level offenders eligible for swift release after being booked have instead been kept for hours in temporary holding rooms.
In some cases, they said, people were transported to the Elmwood jail first, exposing them to the risky close-quarters facilities the emergency measure was meant to keep them away from.
“People are being housed there,” said Carson White, an attorney fellow with the public defender’s office. “It’s exactly the opposite of what $0 bail was supposed to do.”
In a statement, the sheriff’s office said it was “processing $0 bail releases immediately after completion of the booking process,” but said that processing entails paperwork and checking law-enforcement databases for any active warrants or other reasons to hold an arrestee. The agency also contends that “in many cases,” a police agency successfully petitioned a judge for higher bail.
“The jail is working diligently to process all releases as quickly as practicable,” the statement reads.
To date, the sheriff’s office says 910 people have been released under $0 bail in the county since the emergency order went into effect April 13.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--White House decides to not release next economic forecast

By Andrew Taylor , Josh Boak and Aamer Madhani | Associated Press WASHINGTON — The White House took the unusual step on Thursday of deciding not to release an updated economic forecast as planned this year , a fresh sign of the administration ’ s anxiety about how the coronavirus has ravaged the nation just months before the election .
The decision , which was confirmed by a senior administration official who was not authorized to publicly comment on the plan , came amid intensifying signals of the pandemic ’ s grim economic toll .
The U.S. economy shrank at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the first quarter , the Commerce Department reported Thursday .
At least 2.1 million Americans lost their jobs last week , meaning an astonishing 41 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since shutdowns intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus began in mid-March .
Trump argues that the economy will rebound later this year or in 2021 and that voters should give him another term in office to oversee the expansion .
But the delay of the updated midyear economic forecast , typically released in July or August , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to bring attention to the pandemic ’ s impact anytime soon .
“ It ’ s a sign that the White House does not anticipate a major recovery in employment and growth prior to the election and that it has essentially punted economic policy over to the Fed and the Congress , ” said Joe Brusuelas , chief economist for the consultant RSM .
The senior administration official , who spoke on condition of anonymity , maintained that the underlying economic data would be too uncertain to convey a meaningful picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stakes of a weakening economy are hard to overstate , especially in states such as Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin that are critical to the president ’ s reelection .
According to an AP-NORC poll conducted in May , 49 % of Americans approve of how the president is handling the economy .
That has dipped over the last two months , from 56 % who said so in March .
Still , the economy remains a particular strong point for Trump .
Before the outbreak began , and even as the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , approval of how he had handled the issue was the highest it ’ s been over the course of his presidency .
Since then , views on the economy have reversed dramatically .
The May poll found that 70 % of Americans call the nation ’ s economy poor , while just 29 % say it ’ s good .
In January , 67 % called the economy good .
Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , and liberal economists swiftly seized on the report ’ s delay to argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his administration ’ s imprint on bad economic news in the months before the Nov. 3 vote .
“ This desperate attempt to keep the American people in the dark about the economy ’ s performance is not only an acknowledgement that Trump knows he ’ s responsible for some of the most catastrophic economic damage in American history , but also a sign of how stunningly out of touch he is with hard working Americans , ” said Andrew Bates , a Biden campaign spokesman .
While the economic forecast is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s budgetary situation will still be released as expected this summer , the senior administration official said .
A significant decline in tax receipts , as well as outlays from almost $ 3 trillion in coronavirus-related aid bills , is sure to produce a multitrillion-dollar government deficit for the budget year ending Sept. 30 .
Paul Winfree , a former Trump White House director of budget policy , doubted that the holdup on the economic update was on Trump ’ s radar .
“ Honestly , I don ’ t think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-session review and the politics around it , ” Winfree said .
Maya MacGuineas , president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget , noted that the law requires the White House to update its budget forecast .
That responsibility is even more important given the uncertainty in the economy and the trillions of dollars in aid that have already changed the trajectory of government spending , she said .
“ By staying silent on how to reallocate those federal dollars under an unprecedented economic downturn , the executive branch is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions we need to have about the new fiscal reality , ” she said .
Jason Furman , who led the White House Council of Economic Advisers during the Obama administration , said the Trump administration pointing to economic uncertainty as the reason to put off the forecast doesn ’ t hold weight .
Trump has repeatedly predicted improvement in the third and fourth quarters of this year , and the president just this week predicted 2021 is going to be “ one of the best years we ’ ve ever had.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week that a double-digit unemployment rate was possible in November .
“ You have to make decisions on incredibly uncertain information right now , ” Furman said .
“ They are out on TV every day making economic forecasts and predictions about what ’ s going to happen in the economy.
” The Trump team ’ s economic projections , like those from earlier administrations , have tended to be overly optimistic .
Last year ’ s review estimated that the economy would grow more than 3 % last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more lukewarm 2.3 % .
It similarly claimed that growth under Trump would cause the budget deficit to fall as a share of the economy .
That estimate could never have anticipated the outbreak of the coronavirus that forced more than $ 3 trillion in aid as the deficit is on course to reach new highs .
In 2017 , the Trump administration criticized the Obama administration for rosy expectations of growth during the Great Recession more than a decade ago .
An updated forecast in the mid-session review could make the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jared Bernstein , a former economic adviser to Biden , said a timely update on the state of the economy is more important than ever .
“ The idea that you ’ d abrogate that responsibility now is pretty serious fiscal malpractice , ” Bernstein said .
“ They don ’ t like the numbers they ’ d have to write down .
This is a White House that is in denial about the trajectory of the economy.
” Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe and Emily Swanson in Washington contributed to this @ @

By Andrew Taylor, Josh Boak and Aamer Madhani | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The White House took the unusual step on Thursday of deciding not to release an updated economic forecast as planned this year, a fresh sign of the administration’s anxiety about how the coronavirus has ravaged the nation just months before the election.
The decision, which was confirmed by a senior administration official who was not authorized to publicly comment on the plan, came amid intensifying signals of the pandemic’s grim economic toll.
The U.S. economy shrank at a faster-than-expected annual rate of 5% during the first quarter, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. At least 2.1 million Americans lost their jobs last week, meaning an astonishing 41 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since shutdowns intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus began in mid-March.
Trump argues that the economy will rebound later this year or in 2021 and that voters should give him another term in office to oversee the expansion. But the delay of the updated midyear economic forecast, typically released in July or August, was an indication that the administration doesn’t want to bring attention to the pandemic’s impact anytime soon.
“It’s a sign that the White House does not anticipate a major recovery in employment and growth prior to the election and that it has essentially punted economic policy over to the Fed and the Congress,” said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist for the consultant RSM.
The senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, maintained that the underlying economic data would be too uncertain to convey a meaningful picture about the recovery.
But the political stakes of a weakening economy are hard to overstate, especially in states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin that are critical to the president’s reelection.
According to an AP-NORC poll conducted in May, 49% of Americans approve of how the president is handling the economy. That has dipped over the last two months, from 56% who said so in March.
Still, the economy remains a particular strong point for Trump. Before the outbreak began, and even as the virus started sending shock waves through the economy, approval of how he had handled the issue was the highest it’s been over the course of his presidency.
Since then, views on the economy have reversed dramatically.
The May poll found that 70% of Americans call the nation’s economy poor, while just 29% say it’s good. In January, 67% called the economy good.
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, and liberal economists swiftly seized on the report’s delay to argue that Trump is seeking to avoid putting his administration’s imprint on bad economic news in the months before the Nov. 3 vote.
“This desperate attempt to keep the American people in the dark about the economy’s performance is not only an acknowledgement that Trump knows he’s responsible for some of the most catastrophic economic damage in American history, but also a sign of how stunningly out of touch he is with hard working Americans,” said Andrew Bates, a Biden campaign spokesman.
While the economic forecast is being delayed, updated information about the nation’s budgetary situation will still be released as expected this summer, the senior administration official said. A significant decline in tax receipts, as well as outlays from almost $3 trillion in coronavirus-related aid bills, is sure to produce a multitrillion-dollar government deficit for the budget year ending Sept. 30.
Paul Winfree, a former Trump White House director of budget policy, doubted that the holdup on the economic update was on Trump’s radar.
“Honestly, I don’t think the president thinks about the publication of the mid-session review and the politics around it,” Winfree said.
Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, noted that the law requires the White House to update its budget forecast. That responsibility is even more important given the uncertainty in the economy and the trillions of dollars in aid that have already changed the trajectory of government spending, she said.
“By staying silent on how to reallocate those federal dollars under an unprecedented economic downturn, the executive branch is doing a disservice to taxpayers and avoiding tough discussions we need to have about the new fiscal reality,” she said.
Jason Furman, who led the White House Council of Economic Advisers during the Obama administration, said the Trump administration pointing to economic uncertainty as the reason to put off the forecast doesn’t hold weight.
Trump has repeatedly predicted improvement in the third and fourth quarters of this year, and the president just this week predicted 2021 is going to be “one of the best years we’ve ever had.” White House senior adviser Kevin Hassett said earlier this week that a double-digit unemployment rate was possible in November.
“You have to make decisions on incredibly uncertain information right now,” Furman said. “They are out on TV every day making economic forecasts and predictions about what’s going to happen in the economy.”
The Trump team’s economic projections, like those from earlier administrations, have tended to be overly optimistic. Last year’s review estimated that the economy would grow more than 3% last year, but the actual gains were a far more lukewarm 2.3%.
It similarly claimed that growth under Trump would cause the budget deficit to fall as a share of the economy. That estimate could never have anticipated the outbreak of the coronavirus that forced more than $3 trillion in aid as the deficit is on course to reach new highs.
In 2017, the Trump administration criticized the Obama administration for rosy expectations of growth during the Great Recession more than a decade ago. An updated forecast in the mid-session review could make the Trump White House a similar target for criticism.
Jared Bernstein, a former economic adviser to Biden, said a timely update on the state of the economy is more important than ever.
“The idea that you’d abrogate that responsibility now is pretty serious fiscal malpractice,” Bernstein said. “They don’t like the numbers they’d have to write down. This is a White House that is in denial about the trajectory of the economy.”
Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe and Emily Swanson in Washington contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Coronavirus: San Francisco’s plan means Warriors can resume practicing soon

Part of San Francisco ’ s new multiphase plan to reopen the city announced Thursday means the Warriors could return to Chase Center to practice as soon as June 15 .
But Phase 2B of Mayor London Breed ’ s strategy , which allows “ sports with no fans ” in San Francisco in two weeks , also could soon be rendered meaningless for the Warriors .
In the coming days , the NBA ’ s board of governors is expected to release the league ’ s own plan to restart its season in July or August , with games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Disney World in Orlando , Fla.
There ’ s a strong sense the 2020 NBA season ’ s reboot won ’ t include the Warriors or any other team far out of the playoff chase , ESPN reported Wednesday .
Instead of preparing for games , Warriors players may just be at Chase Center to fine-tune their games while adhering to social-distancing protocols .
Nonetheless , the Warriors said they will follow all steps to allow their players to get back on the court .
“ Once we receive approval by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open our practice facility for voluntary workouts with our players , ” the team said in a statement released Thursday .
“ In doing so , we will follow all health and safety protocols and procedures implemented by the NBA , the City and County and our own additional COVID-19 measures.
” • What ‘ The Last Dance ’ didn ’ t tell you : Michael Jordan destroyed the Warriors before comeback • On this date , 2015 : Warriors earn first NBA Finals berth in 40 years When the NBA suspended play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , the Warriors were already going nowhere .
At 15-50 , the Warriors not only have the NBA ’ s worst record , but they ’ re the only one of the league ’ s 30 teams to be mathematically eliminated from the postseason .
They now await word on whether they ’ re going to be eliminated from further competition this season .
Many outlets report the NBA seems to be favoring a plan that would include 20 to 24 teams returning , with a possible play-in tournament for teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Part of San Francisco’s new multiphase plan to reopen the city announced Thursday means the Warriors could return to Chase Center to practice as soon as June 15.
But Phase 2B of Mayor London Breed’s strategy, which allows “sports with no fans” in San Francisco in two weeks, also could soon be rendered meaningless for the Warriors.
In the coming days, the NBA’s board of governors is expected to release the league’s own plan to restart its season in July or August, with games only being played in a bubble environment at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. There’s a strong sense the 2020 NBA season’s reboot won’t include the Warriors or any other team far out of the playoff chase, ESPN reported Wednesday.
Instead of preparing for games, Warriors players may just be at Chase Center to fine-tune their games while adhering to social-distancing protocols. Nonetheless, the Warriors said they will follow all steps to allow their players to get back on the court.
“Once we receive approval by the County Health Officer, we plan to open our practice facility for voluntary workouts with our players,” the team said in a statement released Thursday. “In doing so, we will follow all health and safety protocols and procedures implemented by the NBA, the City and County and our own additional COVID-19 measures.”
When the NBA suspended play 2 1/2 months ago due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Warriors were already going nowhere. At 15-50, the Warriors not only have the NBA’s worst record, but they’re the only one of the league’s 30 teams to be mathematically eliminated from the postseason.
They now await word on whether they’re going to be eliminated from further competition this season. Many outlets report the NBA seems to be favoring a plan that would include 20 to 24 teams returning, with a possible play-in tournament for teams on the outskirts of the playoff chase.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Coronavirus & high school sports workouts: San Mateo district about to test waters

In terms of normal high school sports activities , call this the first baby step .
For four weeks beginning June 8 , San Mateo Union High School District athletes have been cleared by the district to condition on school tracks and fields under a coach ’ s supervision while following strict county health guidelines .
— No more than a group of 12 working with a single coach .
“ This is not driven by our superintendent ( Kevin Skelly ) wanting the six schools in the San Mateo Union High School District to leap to the forefront of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach and athletic director Steve Sell said Thursday .
“ It is all about the kids getting out and getting some exercise.
” Since coronavirus restrictions went into effect more than two months ago , student-athletes in the San Mateo district have sheltered-in-place like peers across the Bay Area , patiently waiting for the OK to do more than video conferencing .
Some details of the San Mateo district ’ s loosening restrictions are still being hashed out and the workouts will be a challenge to execute , given that athletes from all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small groups and scheduled into 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. slots because the public can schedule use of the tracks from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m .
But coaches said they are relieved the students will be doing something .
“ I can ’ t even measure the value , ” San Mateo football coach and athletic director Jeff Scheller said .
“ We ’ re doing what probably most other schools are doing .
Football-wise , we ’ re Zoom meetings , Hudl messaging .
You can get some things done , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at some point , kids just start falling off .
“ They ’ ve been sitting around doing nothing for two months , and that ’ s dangerous , no matter what sport they ’ re in.
” Given the length of inactivity by many athletes because of shelter-in-place , Hillsdale football coach Mike Parodi compared the upcoming workouts to the first day of PE class and not a training camp for an upcoming season .
To him , that ’ s perfectly OK. “ I support that our district is looking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids have a purpose for that day , that hour or whatever the case may be , keeping the light at the end of the tunnel being athletics , ” Parodi said , referring to an eventual season .
“ It ’ s going to happen .
We just don ’ t know where , when , why , how yet .
“ But at least we can get them out of the house , get them back to their bodies being healthier.
” In a Zoom video conference with his assistants Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his goal was to provide a form of physical activity that the kids will enjoy .
“ Football to me right now is a secondary-byproduct of what we ’ re going to do , ” Parodi added .
“ We might use football to have fun and get moving .
But I told them Xs and Os are the least of my concerns right now because who knows when we ’ re going to be playing football anyhow .
“ Sitting there stressing about how to play Cover-2 right now when we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to start is just not relevant.
” Sell said he ordered a thermometer Thursday , adding that he is thankful the workouts are not starting right away .
“ To try to get this organized and communicated to everybody involved is going to be a challenge , ” he said .
“ I am glad we ’ re doing this .
I am happy for the kids .
I am happy for the coaches , to get out and see the kids .
But at the same time , logistically , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beyond the logistics , Sell said , he ’ s concerned about coaches who might be more vulnerable to contracting the virus and students who come from multi-generational homes .
“ There ’ s a lot of things I am worried about and rightfully so , ” Sell said .
“ But at the same time , we are going to do everything possible to mitigate the risks so these kids can start participating .
Balancing the risk of the virus and balancing the risk of kids staying sheltered , that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on.
” The decision to loosen the restrictions has given hope that other districts might do the same .
“ Somebody had to be first , ” Saratoga football coach and athletic director Tim Lugo said .
“ Bless Kevin Skelly ’ s heart .
He did the right thing for kids in his community , and it ’ s going to be easier for other superintendents to say yes now that they ’ re not the first .
”

In terms of normal high school sports activities, call this the first baby step.
For four weeks beginning June 8, San Mateo Union High School District athletes have been cleared by the district to condition on school tracks and fields under a coach’s supervision while following strict county health guidelines.
— No more than a group of 12 working with a single coach.
— Temperature checks before workouts.
— No switching groups.
“This is not driven by our superintendent (Kevin Skelly) wanting the six schools in the San Mateo Union High School District to leap to the forefront of their respective sports,” Aragon football coach and athletic director Steve Sell said Thursday. “It is all about the kids getting out and getting some exercise.”
Since coronavirus restrictions went into effect more than two months ago, student-athletes in the San Mateo district have sheltered-in-place like peers across the Bay Area, patiently waiting for the OK to do more than video conferencing.
Some details of the San Mateo district’s loosening restrictions are still being hashed out and the workouts will be a challenge to execute, given that athletes from all sports will have to be placed into small groups and scheduled into 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. slots because the public can schedule use of the tracks from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
But coaches said they are relieved the students will be doing something.
“I can’t even measure the value,” San Mateo football coach and athletic director Jeff Scheller said. “We’re doing what probably most other schools are doing. Football-wise, we’re Zoom meetings, Hudl messaging. You can get some things done, and it’s constructive. But at some point, kids just start falling off.
“They’ve been sitting around doing nothing for two months, and that’s dangerous, no matter what sport they’re in.”
Given the length of inactivity by many athletes because of shelter-in-place, Hillsdale football coach Mike Parodi compared the upcoming workouts to the first day of PE class and not a training camp for an upcoming season.
To him, that’s perfectly OK.
“I support that our district is looking at ways to try to make it that kids have a purpose for that day, that hour or whatever the case may be, keeping the light at the end of the tunnel being athletics,” Parodi said, referring to an eventual season. “It’s going to happen. We just don’t know where, when, why, how yet.
“But at least we can get them out of the house, get them back to their bodies being healthier.”
In a Zoom video conference with his assistants Wednesday, Parodi said he told them that his goal was to provide a form of physical activity that the kids will enjoy.
“Football to me right now is a secondary-byproduct of what we’re going to do,” Parodi added. “We might use football to have fun and get moving. But I told them Xs and Os are the least of my concerns right now because who knows when we’re going to be playing football anyhow.
“Sitting there stressing about how to play Cover-2 right now when we don’t even know when football is going to start is just not relevant.”
Sell said he ordered a thermometer Thursday, adding that he is thankful the workouts are not starting right away.
“To try to get this organized and communicated to everybody involved is going to be a challenge,” he said. “I am glad we’re doing this. I am happy for the kids. I am happy for the coaches, to get out and see the kids. But at the same time, logistically, this is going to be very challenging.”
Beyond the logistics, Sell said, he’s concerned about coaches who might be more vulnerable to contracting the virus and students who come from multi-generational homes.
“There’s a lot of things I am worried about and rightfully so,” Sell said. “But at the same time, we are going to do everything possible to mitigate the risks so these kids can start participating. Balancing the risk of the virus and balancing the risk of kids staying sheltered, that’s a debate that can go on and on.”
The decision to loosen the restrictions has given hope that other districts might do the same.
“Somebody had to be first,” Saratoga football coach and athletic director Tim Lugo said. “Bless Kevin Skelly’s heart. He did the right thing for kids in his community, and it’s going to be easier for other superintendents to say yes now that they’re not the first.”


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Letter: Many studies seem more self-serving than useful

Re : “ Stanford researcher says coronavirus isn ’ t as fatal as we thought ; critics say he ’ s missing the point ” ( Eastbaytimes.com , May 20 ) : Today , I read in the East Bay Times what will be for me the last article on any study that purportedly establishes the infectious fatality rate ( IFR ) for COVID-19 .
Every study is suspect at this point and there is no shortage of experts who will dispute other experts ’ methodology and conclusions .
Mostly , I think any study that makes comparisons to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they fundamentally assume the metrics for flu are accurate .
I seriously doubt it , so we end up with suspect COVID-19 data measured against unreliable flu data .
• Letter : Abrams is more qualified than Palin , but is Trump ?
• Letter : I ’ ve driven 35th Ave for 30 years–Oakland leaders don ’ t get it • Letter : It ’ s ignorant to equate this with Japanese internment Frankly , I think the media is doing its readers , listeners and viewers a tremendous disservice by reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help us understand anything other than clearly no one knows and that a lot of the research is probably more self-serving than accurate and useful .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Re: “Stanford researcher says coronavirus isn’t as fatal as we thought; critics say he’s missing the point” (Eastbaytimes.com, May 20):
Today, I read in the East Bay Times what will be for me the last article on any study that purportedly establishes the infectious fatality rate (IFR) for COVID-19.
Every study is suspect at this point and there is no shortage of experts who will dispute other experts’ methodology and conclusions.
Mostly, I think any study that makes comparisons to the IFR for seasonal flu are ludicrous because they fundamentally assume the metrics for flu are accurate. I seriously doubt it, so we end up with suspect COVID-19 data measured against unreliable flu data.
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Dan Weakley
San Ramon
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-05-28--Analysis: Trump’s Twitter order is nothing but ‘bluster’

WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s attempt to curb what he says is social media censorship is a political gambit and will not change the legal obligations of companies like Twitter Inc and Facebook Inc , according to legal experts .
An executive order signed by Trump on Thursday directs federal agencies to clarify the scope of a law known as Section 230 , which protects internet companies from liability for illegal content posted by users and allows them to remove lawful but objectionable posts .
Legal experts said it was unclear if the Federal Communications Commission would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 230 laid out in the order .
Even if it does , the agency ’ s regulations will have no binding legal effect on judges who actually have say over the law .
The order “ is 95 % political theater – rhetoric without legal foundation , and without legal impact , ” said Daphne Keller , an expert on internet law at Stanford University .
Marc Randazza , a First Amendment lawyer , said he agreed with Trump ’ s censorship concerns but acknowledged that much of the executive order would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it ’ s much more of just a leadership statement , or a mission statement , than a blueprint for anything that ’ s really going to happen , ” Randazza said .
Trump , a prolific Twitter user , has long claimed that the service and other social media platforms silence conservative viewpoints .
He signed the order two days after Twitter for the first time prompted readers to check the facts in tweets sent by Trump , warning that his claims about mail-in ballots were false and had been debunked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows online platforms like Twitter and Facebook to take down or restrict access to material they determine “ in good faith ” to be lewd , excessively violent , harassing , or otherwise objectionable .
Such restrictions on internet content are generally lawful because the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution , which protects free speech , only applies to government actors , not private companies .
Alleging that censorship of conservative viewpoints is routine , the draft executive order states that online platforms should not be shielded when they engage in “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The order directs the Commerce Department to ask the Federal Communications Commission to clarify the law .
Experts said the analysis of Section 230 in Trump ’ s draft executive order contradicts court decisions that have interpreted the law as providing broad immunity .
“ A lot of the executive order is bluster , ” said Kate Klonick , a professor of internet law at St. John ’ s University .
“ It basically casts aside 25 years of judicial precedent.
” The FCC ’ s lawyers are well-aware of these court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle with how to proceed in the coming months .
“ It is unclear they ( the FCC ) are going to want to do something in which they would obviously get smacked down by a court order , ” Klonick said .
If the FCC does take action , it will likely spark court challenges , and Trump is unlikely to prevail , legal experts said .
• Facebook says Donald Trump ’ s false claims about mail-in ballots don ’ t break its rules • Political cartoons : Trump goes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100K Klonick said the executive order is a way for Trump to score political points , regardless of whether it has actual impact .
Jack Balkin , a professor at Yale Law School , said Trump was trying to use his power as president to frighten social media companies so they do not fact-check him .
“ It ’ s a shot across the bow , ” Balkin said .

By Jan Wolfe | Reuters
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempt to curb what he says is social media censorship is a political gambit and will not change the legal obligations of companies like Twitter Inc and Facebook Inc, according to legal experts.
An executive order signed by Trump on Thursday directs federal agencies to clarify the scope of a law known as Section 230, which protects internet companies from liability for illegal content posted by users and allows them to remove lawful but objectionable posts.
Legal experts said it was unclear if the Federal Communications Commission would embrace Trump’s view of Section 230 laid out in the order. Even if it does, the agency’s regulations will have no binding legal effect on judges who actually have say over the law.
The order “is 95% political theater – rhetoric without legal foundation, and without legal impact,” said Daphne Keller, an expert on internet law at Stanford University.
Marc Randazza, a First Amendment lawyer, said he agreed with Trump’s censorship concerns but acknowledged that much of the executive order would not lead to actual reforms.
“I think it’s much more of just a leadership statement, or a mission statement, than a blueprint for anything that’s really going to happen,” Randazza said.
The White House, Facebook and Twitter declined comment.
Trump, a prolific Twitter user, has long claimed that the service and other social media platforms silence conservative viewpoints. He signed the order two days after Twitter for the first time prompted readers to check the facts in tweets sent by Trump, warning that his claims about mail-in ballots were false and had been debunked.
Section 230 contains a provision that allows online platforms like Twitter and Facebook to take down or restrict access to material they determine “in good faith” to be lewd, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable.
Such restrictions on internet content are generally lawful because the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects free speech, only applies to government actors, not private companies.
Alleging that censorship of conservative viewpoints is routine, the draft executive order states that online platforms should not be shielded when they engage in “deceptive or pretextual actions restricting online content.”
The order directs the Commerce Department to ask the Federal Communications Commission to clarify the law.
Experts said the analysis of Section 230 in Trump’s draft executive order contradicts court decisions that have interpreted the law as providing broad immunity.
“A lot of the executive order is bluster,” said Kate Klonick, a professor of internet law at St. John’s University. “It basically casts aside 25 years of judicial precedent.”
The FCC’s lawyers are well-aware of these court decisions, Klonick said, and may struggle with how to proceed in the coming months.
“It is unclear they (the FCC) are going to want to do something in which they would obviously get smacked down by a court order,” Klonick said.
If the FCC does take action, it will likely spark court challenges, and Trump is unlikely to prevail, legal experts said.
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Jack Balkin, a professor at Yale Law School, said Trump was trying to use his power as president to frighten social media companies so they do not fact-check him.
“It’s a shot across the bow,” Balkin said.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Bicyclist dies after crash with another cyclist near Guadalupe River

SAN JOSE — A 40-year-old man died Wednesday of injuries he sustained in a bicycling accident nearly two weeks ago near the Guadalupe River , police said .
Just after 1:30 p.m. on May 15 , the man was bicycling southbound on Guadalupe River Trail near the 300 block of West Julian Street , according to Officer Gina Tepoorten .
As he approached an underpass , he collided with another cyclist — a 24-year-old man — traveling northbound on the same trail .
While the 24-year-old was treated at the scene for his injuries , the 40-year-old was rushed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until his death Wednesday ; his identity will be released pending his formal identification by the county coroner ’ s office .
Neither man was wearing a helmet , Tepoorten said .
• Two pedestrians hit , killed by vehicles overnight in San Jose • Driver found dead in Tesla that went off road behind Mount Hamilton The man ’ s death marks the city ’ s 20th fatal collision so far this year and third this week .
Overnight on Wednesday , two pedestrians were hit and killed by vehicles in unrelated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident is asked to contact the San Jose Police Department ’ s Traffic Investigations Unit at 408-277-4654 .

SAN JOSE — A 40-year-old man died Wednesday of injuries he sustained in a bicycling accident nearly two weeks ago near the Guadalupe River, police said.
Just after 1:30 p.m. on May 15, the man was bicycling southbound on Guadalupe River Trail near the 300 block of West Julian Street, according to Officer Gina Tepoorten. As he approached an underpass, he collided with another cyclist — a 24-year-old man — traveling northbound on the same trail.
While the 24-year-old was treated at the scene for his injuries, the 40-year-old was rushed to a local hospital. He remained there until his death Wednesday; his identity will be released pending his formal identification by the county coroner’s office.
Neither man was wearing a helmet, Tepoorten said.
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Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the San Jose Police Department’s Traffic Investigations Unit at 408-277-4654.


mercurynews--2020-05-28--Berkeley Rep announces great lineup of plays for 2021 season

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced its 2021 season lineup , and from a scheduling perspective , it ’ s a dramatic departure from the usual September-to-June theater calendar .
With the pandemic-fueled shutdown delaying theater re-openings , Berkeley Rep expects to raise its curtain after the winter holidays , starting with the West Coast premiere of “ Sanctuary City ” by Martyna Majok in late winter .
Other shows include the world premiere musical “ Goddess ” by Saheem Ali , Michael Thurber and Jocelyn Bioh ; the world premiere musical “ Swept Away ” with book by John Logan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brothers , and directed by Michael Mayer ; Lauren Yee ’ s “ Cambodian Rock Band ” ; the world premiere of “ the ripple , the wave that carried me home ” by Christina Anderson , commissioned by Berkeley Rep ; and Charles L. Mee ’ s “ Wintertime , ” directed by Les Waters .
“ I feel incredibly grateful at this moment to be able to look toward the future , and to plan for a time when Berkeley Rep will once again be a place where we will gather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer .
“ The plays and musicals in this upcoming season include stories of lovers , of activists , of dreamers , of sacrifice , and of hope .
I long to be back in the theatre , as soon as it is safe for our audience , artists , and staff to re-inhabit this vital place of joy , inspiration , empathy , and community.
” Ticket packages are now available .
Visit berkeleyrep.org for details .
Music and lyrics by The Avett Brothers Music arrangements and orchestrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by special arrangement with Matthew Masten , Sean Hudock , and MWM Live “ the ripple , the wave that carried me home ”

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced its 2021 season lineup, and from a scheduling perspective, it’s a dramatic departure from the usual September-to-June theater calendar.
With the pandemic-fueled shutdown delaying theater re-openings, Berkeley Rep expects to raise its curtain after the winter holidays, starting with the West Coast premiere of “Sanctuary City” by Martyna Majok in late winter.
Other shows include the world premiere musical “Goddess” by Saheem Ali, Michael Thurber and Jocelyn Bioh; the world premiere musical “Swept Away” with book by John Logan, music and lyrics by the Avett Brothers, and directed by Michael Mayer; Lauren Yee’s “Cambodian Rock Band”; the world premiere of “the ripple, the wave that carried me home” by Christina Anderson, commissioned by Berkeley Rep; and Charles L. Mee’s “Wintertime,” directed by Les Waters.
“I feel incredibly grateful at this moment to be able to look toward the future, and to plan for a time when Berkeley Rep will once again be a place where we will gather,” says Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer. “The plays and musicals in this upcoming season include stories of lovers, of activists, of dreamers, of sacrifice, and of hope. I long to be back in the theatre, as soon as it is safe for our audience, artists, and staff to re-inhabit this vital place of joy, inspiration, empathy, and community.”
Ticket packages are now available. Visit berkeleyrep.org for details.
Here’s the 2021 season at a glance:
“Sanctuary City”
By Martyna Majok
West Coast premiere
Starts late winter 2021
“Wintertime”
By Charles L. Mee
Directed by Les Waters
Starts late winter 2021
“Octet”
A Chamber Choir Musical
By Dave Malloy
Directed by Annie Tippe
West Coast premiere
Starts spring 2021
“Cambodian Rock Band”
Written by Lauren Yee
Featuring songs by Dengue Fever
Directed by Chay Yew
A Signature Theatre Production
Starts spring 2021
“Swept Away”
Book by John Logan
Music and lyrics by The Avett Brothers
Music arrangements and orchestrations by Chris Miller and Brian Usifer
Choreography by David Neumann
Directed by Michael Mayer
World premiere
Starts late spring 2021
Produced by special arrangement with Matthew Masten, Sean Hudock, and MWM Live
“the ripple, the wave that carried me home”
By Christina Anderson
World premiere
Starts early fall 2021
“Goddess”
Conceived by Saheem Ali
Music and lyrics by Michael Thurber
Book by Jocelyn Bioh
Additional material by Mkhululi Z. Mabija
Directed by Saheem Ali
World premiere
Starts fall 2021


mercurynews--2020-05-29--California man rescued from storm drain says he was looking for missing relative

Corona firefighters say the rescue of a man from a storm drain this week was a high-risk , low-frequency operation that was successful after extensive training for such scenarios .
Dispatchers received a 911 call from the man about 11:30 a.m. Monday , May 25 , in the 2000 block of California Avenue .
“ The man was looking for a missing family member ( by his account ) when he became stranded in the storm drainage system due to darkness and encountering a sloped section of pipe , ” Deputy Fire Chief Justin McGough wrote in an email .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s approximate location by “ pinging ” his phone , or sending a signal that is returned to the dispatcher , Battalion Chief Brandon Willson , who was on the scene of the rescue , said in an interview .
From above ground , firefighters called out to the man between California and Compton avenues , and Old Temescal Road and Ontario Avenue .
They eventually found him below Graphite Drive .
Incident commanders assembled a team that included search-and-rescue crews from Corona and Riverside , and a Corona hazardous materials unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue plan , Willson said .
A lone Corona firefighter dropped through a manhole , tethered to firefighters above ground , wearing an oxygen mask , carrying lights and a telephone that was connected to the rescuers above by a cable .
The man was rescued and was standing on the street about five minutes later , Willson said .
Paramedics checked out the man , who was not injured and declined to be hospitalized .
The firefighter was also examined as a precaution and was not injured , Willson said .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Willson said people should not enter storm drains for any reason .
“ Confined spaces are not a safe place to be in , ” he said .
Such rescues are infrequently performed , but firefighters train for such rare eventualities , Willson said .
Their training has long been guided by a tragedy in 1977 when what began as an attempt to save the life of a Norco man from a storm drain soon turned into an effort to rescue the rescuers as , one by one , the firefighters who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toxic gas .
Three Corona firefighters who descended below the area of Cota Street and River Road were overcome by toxic gas .
The first two were not wearing oxygen masks and a third was knocked out when he removed his mask to shout instructions .
All three went unconscious but were pulled from the drain and revived .
The man they attempted to rescue died .
In 2013 , three firefighters on the incident were awarded Medals of Valor .

Corona firefighters say the rescue of a man from a storm drain this week was a high-risk, low-frequency operation that was successful after extensive training for such scenarios.
Dispatchers received a 911 call from the man about 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, in the 2000 block of California Avenue.
“The man was looking for a missing family member (by his account) when he became stranded in the storm drainage system due to darkness and encountering a sloped section of pipe,” Deputy Fire Chief Justin McGough wrote in an email.
Dispatchers were able to determine the man’s approximate location by “pinging” his phone, or sending a signal that is returned to the dispatcher, Battalion Chief Brandon Willson, who was on the scene of the rescue, said in an interview. From above ground, firefighters called out to the man between California and Compton avenues, and Old Temescal Road and Ontario Avenue. They eventually found him below Graphite Drive.
Incident commanders assembled a team that included search-and-rescue crews from Corona and Riverside, and a Corona hazardous materials unit. Everyone then gathered to discuss the rescue plan, Willson said.
A lone Corona firefighter dropped through a manhole, tethered to firefighters above ground, wearing an oxygen mask, carrying lights and a telephone that was connected to the rescuers above by a cable. The man was rescued and was standing on the street about five minutes later, Willson said.
Paramedics checked out the man, who was not injured and declined to be hospitalized. The firefighter was also examined as a precaution and was not injured, Willson said. No one else was pulled from the drain.
Willson said people should not enter storm drains for any reason.
“Confined spaces are not a safe place to be in,” he said.
Such rescues are infrequently performed, but firefighters train for such rare eventualities, Willson said.
Their training has long been guided by a tragedy in 1977 when what began as an attempt to save the life of a Norco man from a storm drain soon turned into an effort to rescue the rescuers as, one by one, the firefighters who descended through a manhole were overcome by toxic gas.
Three Corona firefighters who descended below the area of Cota Street and River Road were overcome by toxic gas. The first two were not wearing oxygen masks and a third was knocked out when he removed his mask to shout instructions. All three went unconscious but were pulled from the drain and revived. The man they attempted to rescue died.
In 2013, three firefighters on the incident were awarded Medals of Valor.


mercurynews--2020-05-29--No screaming on Japanese roller coasters under coronavirus guidelines

A roller coaster tradition as old as thrill rides themselves will go silent in Japan with the introduction of nationwide COVID-19 theme park guidelines that will bring an end to one of the most iconic midway sounds : Screaming .
Screaming , shouting and yelling are prohibited on Japanese roller coasters according to new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines developed by a national theme park industry group .
The East Japan and West Japan Theme Park Associations represent major theme parks such as Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan along with coaster-centric amusement parks like Fuji-Q Highland and Nagashima Spa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear protective face masks and urged to refrain from shouting or screaming while riding , according to the trade organization ’ s Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Infection of the Novel Coronavirus .
Roller coasters and screaming go together like theme parks and funnel cake .
So much so that the shrieks of summer are often incorporated into the very names of the coasters : Rebel Yell at Virginia ’ s Kings Dominion , Scream at Valencia ’ s Six Flags Magic Mountain , Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Six Flags Darien Lake in New York and Howler at Indiana ’ s Holiday World .
The concern in the “ new normal ” world of COVID-19 is the microscopic droplets of saliva released from riders ’ mouths when they let loose a heart-stopping scream just as the coaster crests over the top of the lift hill .
All those airborne particles could fly onto riders in the rear seats .
The “ no screaming , shouting or yelling ” guidelines proposed by the Japanese theme park association also apply to indoor attractions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to adopt the recommendations .
Japan is home to a stellar collection of mind-bending roller coasters designed to elicit yelps , whoops , howls , squeals and caterwauls .
Disney classics like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain can be found at Tokyo Disneyland .
Universal Studios Japan has the Hollywood Dream hypercoaster , Space Fantasy spinning coaster and the Flying Dinosaur flying coaster .
Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land is one of the tallest ( 318 feet ) , longest ( 8,133 feet ) and fastest ( 95 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Roller Coaster Database .
• With new San Mateo County health order on the way , Pacifica to reopen beach parking lots • No meal , no wine : Caymus Vineyards sues Newsom over ‘ discriminatory ’ winery reopening rules Fuji-Q Highland hosts a quartet of steel monsters : The blisteringly fast Do-Dodonpa ( 112 mph ) , epically long Fujiyama ( 6,708 feet ) , super looping Takabisha ( 7 inversions ) and truly terrifying Eejanaika fourth dimension hypercoaster , according to RCDB .
Rounding out Japan ’ s record-setting rides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dome City ( one of the world ’ s tallest steel coasters ) and 5,249-foot-long Jupiter at Kijima Kogen ( one of the world ’ s longest wooden coasters ) , according to RCDB .
Good luck containing your screams on those thrill machines .

A roller coaster tradition as old as thrill rides themselves will go silent in Japan with the introduction of nationwide COVID-19 theme park guidelines that will bring an end to one of the most iconic midway sounds: Screaming.
Screaming, shouting and yelling are prohibited on Japanese roller coasters according to new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines developed by a national theme park industry group.
The East Japan and West Japan Theme Park Associations represent major theme parks such as Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan along with coaster-centric amusement parks like Fuji-Q Highland and Nagashima Spa Land.
Coaster riders are required to wear protective face masks and urged to refrain from shouting or screaming while riding, according to the trade organization’s Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Infection of the Novel Coronavirus.
Roller coasters and screaming go together like theme parks and funnel cake. So much so that the shrieks of summer are often incorporated into the very names of the coasters: Rebel Yell at Virginia’s Kings Dominion, Scream at Valencia’s Six Flags Magic Mountain, Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Over Georgia, Hoot N’ Holler at Six Flags Darien Lake in New York and Howler at Indiana’s Holiday World.
The concern in the “new normal” world of COVID-19 is the microscopic droplets of saliva released from riders’ mouths when they let loose a heart-stopping scream just as the coaster crests over the top of the lift hill. All those airborne particles could fly onto riders in the rear seats.
The “no screaming, shouting or yelling” guidelines proposed by the Japanese theme park association also apply to indoor attractions and shows. Individual parks are not required to adopt the recommendations.
Japan is home to a stellar collection of mind-bending roller coasters designed to elicit yelps, whoops, howls, squeals and caterwauls.
Disney classics like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain can be found at Tokyo Disneyland.
Universal Studios Japan has the Hollywood Dream hypercoaster, Space Fantasy spinning coaster and the Flying Dinosaur flying coaster.
Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land is one of the tallest (318 feet), longest (8,133 feet) and fastest (95 mph) coasters in the world, according to Roller Coaster Database.
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Rounding out Japan’s record-setting rides: The 262-foot-tall Thunder Dolphin at Tokyo Dome City (one of the world’s tallest steel coasters) and 5,249-foot-long Jupiter at Kijima Kogen (one of the world’s longest wooden coasters), according to RCDB.
Good luck containing your screams on those thrill machines.


mercurynews--2020-05-29--State, Santa Cruz County coronavirus death counts misalign

SANTA CRUZ — When it comes to its state-reported COVID-19 death count , Santa Cruz County may be a victim of its own thoroughness .
According to health officials , Santa Cruz County has uncovered two deaths caused by the coronavirus since testing confirmed the first county case March 6 .
The California Department of Public Health ’ s COVID-19 public dashboard at cdph.ca.gov/covid19 , however , reports that the county has had three deaths in that time , with the latest recorded in mid-May .
“ If there ’ s anyone that has a COVID diagnosis and has died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a COVID death , even if it wasn ’ t a COVID death , ” county Health Officer Gail Newel said Thursday .
“ For example , a 25-year-old dies in a motorcycle accident and then , because our coroner is doing post-mortem testing on everyone , she finds out that he incidentally — this is not a true case , but it ’ s an example , came from LA — that he incidentally did have COVID at the time .
Then , the state counts that as a COVID death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motorcycle accident.
” The state database , Newel said , reviews death certificate information but is not using nuanced enough technology to differentiate between a COVID-19 diagnosis before death and a coronavirus-caused death .
She said Santa Cruz County has had to request review of at least one other past incorrectly counted death .
Due to a delay from reporting time to state publication of data , Newel said she expects to need to request correction for two more cases where the infection was detected but was not a cause of death .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state , because it ’ s not only our concern , it ’ s a concern of many counties who ’ ve had this discrepancy in reporting , ” Newel said .
“ So , we want to know , of course , all the cases that we have .
But , at the same time , we don ’ t want to alarm the public , like , ‘ Oh my gosh , we have a much higher death-rate per case than anybody else around us.
’ ” Asked on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative from the state Department of Public Health confirmed that the state database relies on county-reported data to update its coronavirus statistics .
“ At this time , California Department of Public Health is reporting only confirmed deaths , ” an agency representative emailed in response to a Sentinel inquiry .
“ However , we are reviewing the process and multiple data sources necessary to count probable deaths.
” • With new San Mateo County health order on the way , Pacifica to reopen beach parking lots • No meal , no wine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discriminatory ’ winery reopening rules Late last month , Dr. Stephany Fiore , forensic pathologist for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff/Coroner ’ s Office began a comprehensive effort to test for coronavirus infection on all bodies coming through its doors .
As of this week , the county coroner ’ s office had unearthed one case where a person tested positive for COVID-19 post-mortem , but the disease was not determined to be the cause of death , agency spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said .
In addition to implementing a testing process going forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is working backward through the office ’ s past deaths , Keehn said .
Averaging nearly 500 cases in the past three years , approximately a quarter of the county ’ s overall deaths each year are routed through the coroner ’ s office .
Deputy Health Officer Dr. David Ghilarducci on Thursday acknowledged that in Santa Cruz County , as in nationwide , the number of COVID-19 caused deaths are likely being undercounted , because many who die are not tested .
“ Dr .
Fiore has gone through cases from January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that meet the criteria to be tested for COVID yet , ” Keehn wrote in an email to the Sentinel Tuesday .
“ She still has to go through some from late February and March to determine if they should be tested.
” For additional information on Santa Cruz County ’ s response to and tracking of the coronavirus , visit santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus .

SANTA CRUZ — When it comes to its state-reported COVID-19 death count, Santa Cruz County may be a victim of its own thoroughness.
According to health officials, Santa Cruz County has uncovered two deaths caused by the coronavirus since testing confirmed the first county case March 6. The California Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 public dashboard at cdph.ca.gov/covid19, however, reports that the county has had three deaths in that time, with the latest recorded in mid-May.
“If there’s anyone that has a COVID diagnosis and has died, it automatically feeds into their database as a COVID death, even if it wasn’t a COVID death,” county Health Officer Gail Newel said Thursday. “For example, a 25-year-old dies in a motorcycle accident and then, because our coroner is doing post-mortem testing on everyone, she finds out that he incidentally — this is not a true case, but it’s an example, came from LA — that he incidentally did have COVID at the time. Then, the state counts that as a COVID death, although clearly he died in a motorcycle accident.”
The state database, Newel said, reviews death certificate information but is not using nuanced enough technology to differentiate between a COVID-19 diagnosis before death and a coronavirus-caused death. She said Santa Cruz County has had to request review of at least one other past incorrectly counted death. Due to a delay from reporting time to state publication of data, Newel said she expects to need to request correction for two more cases where the infection was detected but was not a cause of death.
“We’ve been working with the state, because it’s not only our concern, it’s a concern of many counties who’ve had this discrepancy in reporting,” Newel said. “So, we want to know, of course, all the cases that we have. But, at the same time, we don’t want to alarm the public, like, ‘Oh my gosh, we have a much higher death-rate per case than anybody else around us.’”
Asked on Thursday to explain the reporting discrepancy, a representative from the state Department of Public Health confirmed that the state database relies on county-reported data to update its coronavirus statistics.
“At this time, California Department of Public Health is reporting only confirmed deaths,” an agency representative emailed in response to a Sentinel inquiry. “However, we are reviewing the process and multiple data sources necessary to count probable deaths.” Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
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Late last month, Dr. Stephany Fiore, forensic pathologist for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff/Coroner’s Office began a comprehensive effort to test for coronavirus infection on all bodies coming through its doors. As of this week, the county coroner’s office had unearthed one case where a person tested positive for COVID-19 post-mortem, but the disease was not determined to be the cause of death, agency spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said.
In addition to implementing a testing process going forward, the coroner’s office also is working backward through the office’s past deaths, Keehn said. Averaging nearly 500 cases in the past three years, approximately a quarter of the county’s overall deaths each year are routed through the coroner’s office. Deputy Health Officer Dr. David Ghilarducci on Thursday acknowledged that in Santa Cruz County, as in nationwide, the number of COVID-19 caused deaths are likely being undercounted, because many who die are not tested.
“Dr. Fiore has gone through cases from January and February and has not found any that meet the criteria to be tested for COVID yet,” Keehn wrote in an email to the Sentinel Tuesday. “She still has to go through some from late February and March to determine if they should be tested.”
For additional information on Santa Cruz County’s response to and tracking of the coronavirus, visit santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus.