mercurynews--2020-09-12--Coronavirus: US may not get ‘back to normal’ until end of 2021, Fauci says

Dr. Anthony Fauci said it could be the end of 2021 before life gets back to how it was before Covid-19 .
“ If you ’ re talking about getting back to a degree of normality which resembles where we were prior to Covid , it ’ s going to be well into 2021 , maybe even towards the end of 2021 , ” Fauci said Friday .
A vaccine will help , but there are caveats , Fauci said in a series of interviews Friday .
Fauci has said repeatedly that it ’ s possible at least one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration by the end of this year or early next year .
But it won ’ t be available to everyone immediately .
“ By the time you mobilize the distribution of the vaccinations , and you get the majority , or more , of the population vaccinated and protected , that ’ s likely not going to happen to the mid or end of 2021 , ” he told MSNBC ’ s Andrea Mitchell .
One stumbling block — keeping the vaccines cold .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept frozen .
Speaking during a Friends of the Global Fight webinar earlier on Friday , Fauci said , “ One of the things that ’ s always an issue is the cold storage issue , and the ‘ cold chain ’ that is so often required.
” Plus , people are not always doing what they should do to control the spread of the virus , even now , Fauci said .
“ When you ’ re dealing with a situation that requires behavioral change , we in the United States have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very disappointed in , ” Fauci said during the webinar .
“ It was stunning to me … that in some states and cities and counties , you would see television clips of people crowded indoors at bars , which is a superspreading event if you ever saw it.
” Young people may think they are not going to get dangerously ill , and get careless , Fauci said .
“ But what they forget is their societal responsibility to not propagate the outbreak because if they get infected , they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then might infect someone who really is vulnerable and will have a serious severe consequence.
” And people are spreading misinformation , making the virus even harder to fight .
“ The one thing that bothers me is the amount of things that aren ’ t evidence-based , and we ’ ve seen examples of that in the United States like claims that certain drugs have a great positive effect when there ’ s no scientific evidence whatsoever that they have a positive effect , ” Fauci said .
“ And yet it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to spend a lot of time trying to debunk that .
And you ’ re in the middle of a pandemic and you ’ re trying hard to address all the appropriate issues , it is truly a waste of time to have to debunk nonsense.
” Fauci also cautioned that just because coronaviruses are in the spotlight , people should not forget the flu .
“ The one thing I ’ ve learned throughout the years is don ’ t put anything past the flu — don ’ t take anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MSNBC interview .
• After threat of injunction , Santa Clara church backs away from indoor services • COVID-19 could have been in US as early as December , according to new study • 49ers fans without a home : Can they replace that magical game-day experience ?
• Yes , you can have Covid-19 and the flu at the same time .
Here ’ s what that could do to your body There “ a hint of potential good news ” when it comes to flu season .
In Australia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They have had the lightest flu season in memory — which most people think is because they ’ re doing things to prevent SARS-CoV2 infection with masks , distancing , avoiding crowds , outdoor more than indoor .
That what they ’ ve done as a secondary offshoot of that is they brought down the level of influenza cases , very , very low , ” he said .
He added that if Americans can do this , he ’ s optimistic the country will have a light flu season too .

Dr. Anthony Fauci said it could be the end of 2021 before life gets back to how it was before Covid-19.
“If you’re talking about getting back to a degree of normality which resembles where we were prior to Covid, it’s going to be well into 2021, maybe even towards the end of 2021,” Fauci said Friday.
A vaccine will help, but there are caveats, Fauci said in a series of interviews Friday.
Fauci has said repeatedly that it’s possible at least one of the vaccines being tested could get emergency authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration by the end of this year or early next year. But it won’t be available to everyone immediately.
“By the time you mobilize the distribution of the vaccinations, and you get the majority, or more, of the population vaccinated and protected, that’s likely not going to happen to the mid or end of 2021,” he told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell.
One stumbling block — keeping the vaccines cold. Most of the experimental coronavirus vaccines must be kept frozen.
Speaking during a Friends of the Global Fight webinar earlier on Friday, Fauci said, “One of the things that’s always an issue is the cold storage issue, and the ‘cold chain’ that is so often required.”
Debunking nonsense
Plus, people are not always doing what they should do to control the spread of the virus, even now, Fauci said.
“When you’re dealing with a situation that requires behavioral change, we in the United States have a significant issue that I’m very disappointed in,” Fauci said during the webinar.
“It was stunning to me … that in some states and cities and counties, you would see television clips of people crowded indoors at bars, which is a superspreading event if you ever saw it.”
Young people may think they are not going to get dangerously ill, and get careless, Fauci said.
“But what they forget is their societal responsibility to not propagate the outbreak because if they get infected, they’re likely going to infect someone else who then might infect someone who really is vulnerable and will have a serious severe consequence.”
And people are spreading misinformation, making the virus even harder to fight.
“The one thing that bothers me is the amount of things that aren’t evidence-based, and we’ve seen examples of that in the United States like claims that certain drugs have a great positive effect when there’s no scientific evidence whatsoever that they have a positive effect,” Fauci said.
“And yet it gets ingrained and I and my colleagues have to spend a lot of time trying to debunk that. And you’re in the middle of a pandemic and you’re trying hard to address all the appropriate issues, it is truly a waste of time to have to debunk nonsense.”
Fauci also cautioned that just because coronaviruses are in the spotlight, people should not forget the flu.
“The one thing I’ve learned throughout the years is don’t put anything past the flu — don’t take anything for granted,” he said during the MSNBC interview.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge There “a hint of potential good news” when it comes to flu season. In Australia, where the flu season just ended, “They have had the lightest flu season in memory — which most people think is because they’re doing things to prevent SARS-CoV2 infection with masks, distancing, avoiding crowds, outdoor more than indoor. That what they’ve done as a secondary offshoot of that is they brought down the level of influenza cases, very, very low,” he said.
He added that if Americans can do this, he’s optimistic the country will have a light flu season too.


mercurynews--2020-09-11--Top A’s prospect, Cal alum Daulton Jefferies to make big league debut Saturday

Daulton Jefferies , the former Cal pitcher whom the A ’ s drafted 37th overall in 2016 , will make his major league debut Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers .
The 25-year-old righthander has been at the A ’ s alternate site in San Jose this season .
“ He seems to be a real composed kid , ” said manager Bob Melvin , whose team will be playing the second of three doubleheaders in an 8-day period that ends Monday .
“ He had to go through some injuries , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major league debut and he was pretty excited when I told him that.
” A biceps injury during spring training in February set Jefferies back a bit after a promising 2019 in which he ’ d been named the organization ’ s minor league pitcher of the year .
He had a 10.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio at Single-A Stockton and Double-A Midland , striking out 93 batters in 79 innings while walking only nine .
“ It ’ s something that ’ s always been there for him , ” Melvin said of Jefferies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something a lot of pitchers have to work into , knowing where the baseball is going on a consistent basis .
That ’ s never been an issue for him .
”

Daulton Jefferies, the former Cal pitcher whom the A’s drafted 37th overall in 2016, will make his major league debut Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers.
The 25-year-old righthander has been at the A’s alternate site in San Jose this season.
“He seems to be a real composed kid,” said manager Bob Melvin, whose team will be playing the second of three doubleheaders in an 8-day period that ends Monday. “He had to go through some injuries, but he finally gets a chance to make his major league debut and he was pretty excited when I told him that.”
A biceps injury during spring training in February set Jefferies back a bit after a promising 2019 in which he’d been named the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year. He had a 10.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio at Single-A Stockton and Double-A Midland, striking out 93 batters in 79 innings while walking only nine.
“It’s something that’s always been there for him,” Melvin said of Jefferies’ command. “It’s something a lot of pitchers have to work into, knowing where the baseball is going on a consistent basis. That’s never been an issue for him.”


mercurynews--2020-09-11--A.J. Puk to have surgery on troublesome shoulder; Matt Chapman to get second opinion on hip

The injury bug bit the A ’ s hard again Friday , ending top pitching prospect A.J .
Puk ’ s season before it started and sending All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman for a second opinion on his ailing hip .
Puk will undergo surgery on his left shoulder next week , the second arm surgery in two years for one of the top pitching prospects in the game .
Puk , 25 , underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in 2018 , wiping out all of the 2019 season and delaying his arrival in the majors until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Puk clearly won ’ t be joining the A ’ s for their playoff push , and now they are awaiting news on the status of arguably their most indispensable player .
Chapman had been playing with right hip tendinitis this season and finally was shut down last week after going 0-for-11 with 10 strikeouts during last weekend ’ s series against the Padres .
Manager Bob Melvin said it ’ s an encouraging sign that the two-time Platinum and Gold Glove winner hasn ’ t been placed on the IL after undergoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ it ’ s not unusual to get a second opinion.
” The A ’ s will know more about Champan ’ s status after his visit Friday in Vail , Colo. , with Dr. Marc Philippon .
Puk was penciled into the A ’ s rotation in spring training before left shoulder issues shut him down shortly before the pandemic hit .
The injury wasn ’ t believed to be serious and the sixth overall pick in the 2016 draft was ramping up to join the team for the final weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before this latest setback .
Dr. Nael ElAttrache will perform the surgery Wednesday .
Dr. ElAttrache he also performed Tommy John surgery on Puk ’ s left elbow in 2018 .
“ For A.J.
, obviously , it ’ s been a tough road for him , ” Melvin said .
“ Back and forth , ramping up , having to shut down .
Obviously there ’ s something going on that he needs to take care of.
” The A ’ s are not able to provide details on the nature of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Puk ’ s issues with his throwing shoulder began this spring in Arizona .
The first week of March , Puk was shut down with a shoulder strain and a timetable for his return to the team was still murky when spring training shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The season ’ s hiatus provided time for the 25-year-old to recover , and by mid-July it looked as if Puk , the A ’ s top pick in the 2016 MLB draft , could finally claim his rightful spot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged again before the truncated 2020 season began , and Puk was shut down again .
Puk recovered at the A ’ s alternate site in San Jose .
Without the time allotted to ramp as a starter , Puk was projected to rejoin the big league staff as a bridge reliever , of sorts , for the final third of the regular season and potential postseason .
The injury reared its head , yet again , as Puk was in the final ramp-up stages for in-game action .
In 10 appearances last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA .
How and when Puk will start pitching again for the big league club is unclear .
The A ’ s certainly won ’ t get him back this season .
This late in the 2020 season , with a recovery time unknown , it ’ s possible Puk could miss part of the 2021 season .
We ’ ll know more about a possible timeline and details for his recovery plan after the surgery .
He and the team have to be frustrated at these waning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prized prospect into these few years of contention .
And the A ’ s have to be concerned about how much of Puk ’ s prime is being spent flipping back and forth from injury to rehab .
Will one of their most prized pitching prospects have the time and durability to reach his potential as a top-of-the-rotation arm ?
Shoulder issues can be common for pitchers who ’ ve undergone Tommy John surgery ; it ’ s something Puk ’ s former roommate Jesús Luzardo has spoken about .
Luzardo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was shut down for 4-6 weeks in 2019 with a rotator cuff strain in his left shoulder .
Stephen Picsotty , who hasn ’ t played since Sept. 9 due to a sore left wrist , got a Cortisone shot Thursday and is feeling better .
He could be back in the lineup for Saturday ’ s doubleheader against the Texas Rangers .

The injury bug bit the A’s hard again Friday, ending top pitching prospect A.J. Puk’s season before it started and sending All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman for a second opinion on his ailing hip.
Puk will undergo surgery on his left shoulder next week, the second arm surgery in two years for one of the top pitching prospects in the game. Puk, 25, underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in 2018, wiping out all of the 2019 season and delaying his arrival in the majors until the final weeks of last season.
Puk clearly won’t be joining the A’s for their playoff push, and now they are awaiting news on the status of arguably their most indispensable player.
Chapman had been playing with right hip tendinitis this season and finally was shut down last week after going 0-for-11 with 10 strikeouts during last weekend’s series against the Padres.
Manager Bob Melvin said it’s an encouraging sign that the two-time Platinum and Gold Glove winner hasn’t been placed on the IL after undergoing an MRI exam Monday, and noted that “it’s not unusual to get a second opinion.” The A’s will know more about Champan’s status after his visit Friday in Vail, Colo., with Dr. Marc Philippon.
Puk was penciled into the A’s rotation in spring training before left shoulder issues shut him down shortly before the pandemic hit. The injury wasn’t believed to be serious and the sixth overall pick in the 2016 draft was ramping up to join the team for the final weeks of the regular season and the playoffs before this latest setback.
Dr. Nael ElAttrache will perform the surgery Wednesday. Dr. ElAttrache he also performed Tommy John surgery on Puk’s left elbow in 2018.
“For A.J., obviously, it’s been a tough road for him,” Melvin said. “Back and forth, ramping up, having to shut down. Obviously there’s something going on that he needs to take care of.”
The A’s are not able to provide details on the nature of the surgery until Puk is in recovery.
Puk’s issues with his throwing shoulder began this spring in Arizona. The first week of March, Puk was shut down with a shoulder strain and a timetable for his return to the team was still murky when spring training shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The season’s hiatus provided time for the 25-year-old to recover, and by mid-July it looked as if Puk, the A’s top pick in the 2016 MLB draft, could finally claim his rightful spot in the rotation. But the shoulder strain emerged again before the truncated 2020 season began, and Puk was shut down again.
Puk recovered at the A’s alternate site in San Jose. Without the time allotted to ramp as a starter, Puk was projected to rejoin the big league staff as a bridge reliever, of sorts, for the final third of the regular season and potential postseason. The injury reared its head, yet again, as Puk was in the final ramp-up stages for in-game action.
In 10 appearances last season out of the bullpen, Puk went 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA.
How and when Puk will start pitching again for the big league club is unclear. The A’s certainly won’t get him back this season. This late in the 2020 season, with a recovery time unknown, it’s possible Puk could miss part of the 2021 season. We’ll know more about a possible timeline and details for his recovery plan after the surgery.
He and the team have to be frustrated at these waning opportunities to slide the big left hander and prized prospect into these few years of contention. And the A’s have to be concerned about how much of Puk’s prime is being spent flipping back and forth from injury to rehab. Will one of their most prized pitching prospects have the time and durability to reach his potential as a top-of-the-rotation arm?
Shoulder issues can be common for pitchers who’ve undergone Tommy John surgery; it’s something Puk’s former roommate Jesús Luzardo has spoken about. Luzardo, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2016, was shut down for 4-6 weeks in 2019 with a rotator cuff strain in his left shoulder.
Stephen Picsotty, who hasn’t played since Sept. 9 due to a sore left wrist, got a Cortisone shot Thursday and is feeling better. He could be back in the lineup for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Texas Rangers.


mercurynews--2020-09-11--New sushi restaurant, Kanpai, opens in Dublin

Sugar Mama .
Who ’ s Your Daddy .
The Good , the Bag , The Unagi .
Now that we have your attention , there ’ s a new Japanese restaurant in Dublin ’ s Hacienda Crossings Shopping Center offering 30-plus specialty rolls with some pretty colorful names .
Kanpai Sushi , located in the former Fish on the Grill space , opened at the end of August and is offering a grand opening special : 20 percent off orders through Sept. 16 .
The restaurant is currently open for takeout , delivery and outdoor dining .
Chef-owner Alen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kanpai Sushi at 5865-D Lone Tree Way in Antioch , even offers a roll named after himself : The Alen Roll features crab and shrimp tempura inside and salmon , avocado , crab , honey mustard , spicy mayo and unagi sauce baked on top .
In addition to specialty sushi rolls ( $ 13- $ 18 ) , the extensive menus at both locations also feature a large array of appetizers ( $ 5- $ 15 ) , udon noodle dishes ( $ 11- $ 15 ) , salads ( $ 5- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combos and a substantial kids menu .
Kanpai Sushi is located at 4930 Dublin Blvd.
, Suite 640 , Dublin .
Opening hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 4 to 9 p.m. for dinner Monday-Thursday .
On weekends , the restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. with no break between lunch dinner .

Sugar Mama. Who’s Your Daddy. The Good, the Bag, The Unagi.
Now that we have your attention, there’s a new Japanese restaurant in Dublin’s Hacienda Crossings Shopping Center offering 30-plus specialty rolls with some pretty colorful names.
Kanpai Sushi, located in the former Fish on the Grill space, opened at the end of August and is offering a grand opening special: 20 percent off orders through Sept. 16. The restaurant is currently open for takeout, delivery and outdoor dining.
Chef-owner Alen Yip, who also owns and runs Kanpai Sushi at 5865-D Lone Tree Way in Antioch, even offers a roll named after himself: The Alen Roll features crab and shrimp tempura inside and salmon, avocado, crab, honey mustard, spicy mayo and unagi sauce baked on top.
In addition to specialty sushi rolls ($13-$18), the extensive menus at both locations also feature a large array of appetizers ($5-$15), udon noodle dishes ($11-$15), salads ($5-$15), lunch and dinner combos and a substantial kids menu.
Kanpai Sushi is located at 4930 Dublin Blvd., Suite 640, Dublin. Opening hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 4 to 9 p.m. for dinner Monday-Thursday. On weekends, the restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. with no break between lunch dinner.
For more information, visit www.kanpaisushiantioch.com.
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mercurynews--2020-09-11--Family of girl killed in Gilroy Garlic Festival mass shooting file lawsuit

SAN JOSE — The family of a young girl killed during the mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in 2019 has filed a lawsuit against its organizers , the city of Gilroy , and a security company , claiming the festival was “ grossly deficient ” of a host of needed security measures that could have prevented the tragedy .
Attorneys filed the suit Thursday in Santa Clara County Superior Court on behalf of friends and family of 13-year-old Keyla Salazar , who was shot as she ran away from the shooter , 19-year-old Santino William Legan , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at her side .
The suit alleges the perimeter of the July 28 , 2019 , festival , which was held at city-owned Christmas Hill Park , “ was established by an inadequate , unstable , low-height , unsupported chain link fence that included a gate secured by a zip tie.
” Attorneys said in the suit that Legan was able to easily enter when he “ cut thru the zip tie with bolt cutters , ” and “ his presence and entrance were concealed by a wooded area ” that didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to the Uvas Creek Park Preserve .
The lawsuit was filed by attorneys from three firms ; Los Angeles-based McDonald Worley , Richard J. Plezia and Associates , and Owen and Associates , both of Texas .
Similar to another lawsuit filed against the festival organizers in November on behalf of other victims of the shooting , the suit filed this week said that the “ already unsafe ” perimeter was made worse by cars , box trucks , and other obstructions organizers allowed to be placed near the fence where Legan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a proper secure perimeter fence with a locked gate with clear sight lines that was appropriately monitored would have prevented the shooter from entering and this tragedy would not have occurred , ” and could have been put in place for “ minimal additional cost , ” the complaint said .
Authorities said Legan fired 39 shots , fatally wounding Keyla , as well as 6-year-old Stephen Romero , both of San Jose , and 25-year-old New York resident Trevor Irby .
Legan died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound as Gilroy officers rushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday said Keyla was at the festival with her mother Lorena Salazar , her younger sister Lyann Salazar , her mother ’ s boyfriend Eduardo Ponce , and Ponce ’ s young daughter Dasha Pimentel .
Keyla was under a white shade tent just east of an inflatable slide in a play area when she heard gunshots ring out , and ran .
“ Tragically , while running she turned around and the shooter took aim and shot her , killing her.
” Her mother stayed at her daughter ’ s side as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood pouring from her body , ” the complaint said .
Her family has described Keyla as a “ smart , beautiful , vibrant young woman ” whose “ tender smile and charismatic personality conquered everyone ’ s heart.
” Hundreds of family and friends gathered to mourn her death during a funeral service in August 2019 .
When the shooting began , Ponce ran and grabbed his daughter and they took cover under a table , the complaint said , but he was shot in the arm , suffering “ severe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizers of the three-day festival — which has been held at the same park since 1979 and currently draws roughly 100,000 people annually — failed in their duty to protect attendees and vendors “ from the foreseeable risks of mass shootings at large public events.
” Organizers used “ inadequate and outdated security policies , procedures and safeguards ” and a 34-year-old contract with the city to run the event , “ which did not and could not contemplate the modern-day realities of an event of its magnitude , ” the lawsuit said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for medical bills and therapy , past and future loss of earnings , as well as the costs for a funeral and burial of Keyla , among other things .
Organizers of the festival did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment for this story .
The Gilroy Garlic Festival was canceled for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic , and is tentatively set to resume on July 23-25 , 2021 , according to the event ’ s website .

SAN JOSE — The family of a young girl killed during the mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in 2019 has filed a lawsuit against its organizers, the city of Gilroy, and a security company, claiming the festival was “grossly deficient” of a host of needed security measures that could have prevented the tragedy.
Attorneys filed the suit Thursday in Santa Clara County Superior Court on behalf of friends and family of 13-year-old Keyla Salazar, who was shot as she ran away from the shooter, 19-year-old Santino William Legan, and died at the festival with her mother at her side.
The suit alleges the perimeter of the July 28, 2019, festival, which was held at city-owned Christmas Hill Park, “was established by an inadequate, unstable, low-height, unsupported chain link fence that included a gate secured by a zip tie.”
Attorneys said in the suit that Legan was able to easily enter when he “cut thru the zip tie with bolt cutters,” and “his presence and entrance were concealed by a wooded area” that didn’t have inadequate guarding in the area leading to the Uvas Creek Park Preserve.
The lawsuit was filed by attorneys from three firms; Los Angeles-based McDonald Worley, Richard J. Plezia and Associates, and Owen and Associates, both of Texas.
Similar to another lawsuit filed against the festival organizers in November on behalf of other victims of the shooting, the suit filed this week said that the “already unsafe” perimeter was made worse by cars, box trucks, and other obstructions organizers allowed to be placed near the fence where Legan entered.
“Among other things, a proper secure perimeter fence with a locked gate with clear sight lines that was appropriately monitored would have prevented the shooter from entering and this tragedy would not have occurred,” and could have been put in place for “minimal additional cost,” the complaint said.
Authorities said Legan fired 39 shots, fatally wounding Keyla, as well as 6-year-old Stephen Romero, both of San Jose, and 25-year-old New York resident Trevor Irby. Legan died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound as Gilroy officers rushed to confront him.
The suit filed Thursday said Keyla was at the festival with her mother Lorena Salazar, her younger sister Lyann Salazar, her mother’s boyfriend Eduardo Ponce, and Ponce’s young daughter Dasha Pimentel.
Keyla was under a white shade tent just east of an inflatable slide in a play area when she heard gunshots ring out, and ran.
“Tragically, while running she turned around and the shooter took aim and shot her, killing her.” Her mother stayed at her daughter’s side as she “lay on the ground with blood pouring from her body,” the complaint said.
Her family has described Keyla as a “smart, beautiful, vibrant young woman” whose “tender smile and charismatic personality conquered everyone’s heart.” Hundreds of family and friends gathered to mourn her death during a funeral service in August 2019.
When the shooting began, Ponce ran and grabbed his daughter and they took cover under a table, the complaint said, but he was shot in the arm, suffering “severe and permanent injuries.”
The lawsuit said the organizers of the three-day festival — which has been held at the same park since 1979 and currently draws roughly 100,000 people annually — failed in their duty to protect attendees and vendors “from the foreseeable risks of mass shootings at large public events.”
Organizers used “inadequate and outdated security policies, procedures and safeguards” and a 34-year-old contract with the city to run the event, “which did not and could not contemplate the modern-day realities of an event of its magnitude,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages to pay for medical bills and therapy, past and future loss of earnings, as well as the costs for a funeral and burial of Keyla, among other things.
Organizers of the festival did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment for this story.
The Gilroy Garlic Festival was canceled for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and is tentatively set to resume on July 23-25, 2021, according to the event’s website.


mercurynews--2020-09-11--Big Basin: How California’s oldest state park might rebuild after devastating fire

Some trees are still smoldering at Big Basin Redwoods State Park .
But already the discussion has begun about how to rebuild after a massive fire roared through the iconic landscape of ancient redwoods in Santa Cruz County last month , destroying the historic headquarters and visitor center , nature museum , lodge , amphitheater and other facilities at California ’ s first state park .
A fund set up by two long-time conservation organizations , Save the Redwoods League and Sempervirens Fund , to help pay for immediate needs like removing toxic materials and clearing other hazards in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Friday afternoon .
Another fund established by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks had raised $ 58,000 so far .
The nonprofit group is giving grants of up to $ 1,000 to help the 24 rangers and other parks workers who lost their homes , cars and other possessions in the fire .
“ We ’ ve been gratified and humbled by the outpouring of support , ” said Bonny Hawley , executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks .
“ We have received donations from as far away as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 structures at Big Basin were destroyed in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire last month , including campgrounds and even the entrance kiosk .
The headquarters building was a classic structure of heavy timbers with a stone fireplace that was built in 1936 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places .
State parks officials say the park will not reopen for at least a year .
They have not yet completed a damage assessment .
That ’ s in part because the fire is still burning in some places .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 86,509 acres .
But replacing the structures — enjoyed by 1 million visitors a year — will cost “ tens of millions of dollars , ” estimated Sam Hodder , president of Save the Redwoods League .
Walking through the damage on Thursday afternoon as part of a tour with parks officials and journalists , Hodder and other parks advocates said that while the classic architectural style is likely to be a part of any rebuilding effort , it ’ s unlikely all the buildings and other facilities will be put back exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have been for nearly a century .
“ The grand park architecture that characterized the work of the Depression-era park construction is something that we want to respect and carry forward , ” Hodder said .
“ But there are also a lot of things to think about how California today differs from the 1930s .
For example should there be this much pavement in an old growth grove ?
” Hodder mentioned restoration work done at Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park .
Two years ago , another nonprofit , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million renovation of the area around the massive old-growth sequoias there , which were first set aside for protection by Abraham Lincoln .
In that project , a 110-car parking lot was removed around the base of the trees .
Pit toilets built 50 years ago were replaced with a gleaming new restroom with flush toilets and tile work .
Crews built four miles of new hiking trails , constructing wooden boardwalks and bridges over sensitive wetland areas .
And they planted thousands of native plants , including lupin , wild strawberries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sedges and dogwood .
Visitors park in a new 300-vehicle parking area at the park ’ s South Entrance and ride a free shuttle for two miles that runs every 10 minutes .
Another 33 spaces remain closer to the grove for disabled visitors and for visitors during off-peak times of the year when shuttles run less frequently .
“ Should the buildings be right in the place where if something were to happen they scorch the old-growth trees ?
” Hodder said of Big Basin rebuilding .
“ Is there anything we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for underrepresented audiences ?
” Last week , Gov .
Gavin Newsom toured the park with state parks Director Armando Quintero , Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot , FEMA officials and others .
Asked Tuesday by this news organization how he would like to see the structures at Big Basin rebuilt , Newsom said the historic style will be respected .
“ I ’ m not an architect or a historian , ” Newsom said .
“ But I have great admiration for architects and historians and I ’ ll defer to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outpouring of philanthropic inquiry and commitments of support to help rebuild those sites .
I ’ m humbled by that and I think all of us will be blessed by that largess .
I have all the confidence in the world in our capacity to bring back some of those historic components and do our best to try and build memories for generations to come based upon the extraordinary contribution of those who designed and developed those sites in the first place.
” Sara Barth , executive director of the Sempervirens Fund , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions to expand Big Basin since 1902 when its founders lobbied state lawmakers to establish the park in the first place , said she hopes there isn ’ t a rush to rebuild .
“ Our vision of a new Big Basin is one in which the facilities are light on the land , environmentally sustainable , ” she said .
There is some money available .
President Trump declared Santa Cruz and other counties hit by recent fires as federal disaster areas , which makes them eligible for federal help to rebuild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed Proposition 68 , a parks bond with $ 200 million earmarked for state parks .
Jordan Burgess , deputy director of the Santa Cruz District of state parks , said that rangers and other officials haven ’ t yet been able to inspect the entire park to compile a damage estimate , including popular back country camps or places like Berry Creek Falls , because trees are still burning , and falling .
She said she expects it will be done by the end of this year , and that eventually the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more trees fall in winter storms and areas are deemed safe .
Rebuilding the structures in such a beloved park will take time , she added .
“ This will be a community collaborative effort , ” Burgess said .
“ It will involve the public , and stakeholders .
It will be a very iterative and deliberate process .
”

Some trees are still smoldering at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
But already the discussion has begun about how to rebuild after a massive fire roared through the iconic landscape of ancient redwoods in Santa Cruz County last month, destroying the historic headquarters and visitor center, nature museum, lodge, amphitheater and other facilities at California’s first state park.
A fund set up by two long-time conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League and Sempervirens Fund, to help pay for immediate needs like removing toxic materials and clearing other hazards in the park had raised $240,000 in donations by Friday afternoon.
Another fund established by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks had raised $58,000 so far. The nonprofit group is giving grants of up to $1,000 to help the 24 rangers and other parks workers who lost their homes, cars and other possessions in the fire.
“We’ve been gratified and humbled by the outpouring of support,” said Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. “We have received donations from as far away as Vermont and British Columbia.”
An estimated 75 structures at Big Basin were destroyed in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire last month, including campgrounds and even the entrance kiosk. The headquarters building was a classic structure of heavy timbers with a stone fireplace that was built in 1936 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
State parks officials say the park will not reopen for at least a year. They have not yet completed a damage assessment. That’s in part because the fire is still burning in some places. It was 85% contained Friday, at 86,509 acres.
But replacing the structures — enjoyed by 1 million visitors a year — will cost “tens of millions of dollars,” estimated Sam Hodder, president of Save the Redwoods League.
Walking through the damage on Thursday afternoon as part of a tour with parks officials and journalists, Hodder and other parks advocates said that while the classic architectural style is likely to be a part of any rebuilding effort, it’s unlikely all the buildings and other facilities will be put back exactly as they were in the same places they have been for nearly a century.
“The grand park architecture that characterized the work of the Depression-era park construction is something that we want to respect and carry forward,” Hodder said. “But there are also a lot of things to think about how California today differs from the 1930s. For example should there be this much pavement in an old growth grove?”
Hodder mentioned restoration work done at Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park.
Two years ago, another nonprofit, the Yosemite Conservancy, completed a $40 million renovation of the area around the massive old-growth sequoias there, which were first set aside for protection by Abraham Lincoln. In that project, a 110-car parking lot was removed around the base of the trees. Pit toilets built 50 years ago were replaced with a gleaming new restroom with flush toilets and tile work.
Crews built four miles of new hiking trails, constructing wooden boardwalks and bridges over sensitive wetland areas. And they planted thousands of native plants, including lupin, wild strawberries, and near the streams, willows, sedges and dogwood. Visitors park in a new 300-vehicle parking area at the park’s South Entrance and ride a free shuttle for two miles that runs every 10 minutes. Another 33 spaces remain closer to the grove for disabled visitors and for visitors during off-peak times of the year when shuttles run less frequently.
“Should the buildings be right in the place where if something were to happen they scorch the old-growth trees?” Hodder said of Big Basin rebuilding. “Is there anything we can do to make it more accessible for underrepresented audiences?”
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom toured the park with state parks Director Armando Quintero, Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot, FEMA officials and others. Asked Tuesday by this news organization how he would like to see the structures at Big Basin rebuilt, Newsom said the historic style will be respected.
“I’m not an architect or a historian,” Newsom said. “But I have great admiration for architects and historians and I’ll defer to them. We’ve already received an outpouring of philanthropic inquiry and commitments of support to help rebuild those sites. I’m humbled by that and I think all of us will be blessed by that largess. I have all the confidence in the world in our capacity to bring back some of those historic components and do our best to try and build memories for generations to come based upon the extraordinary contribution of those who designed and developed those sites in the first place.”
Sara Barth, executive director of the Sempervirens Fund, a Los Altos group that has raised millions to expand Big Basin since 1902 when its founders lobbied state lawmakers to establish the park in the first place, said she hopes there isn’t a rush to rebuild.
“Our vision of a new Big Basin is one in which the facilities are light on the land, environmentally sustainable,” she said.
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Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Environment | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult There is some money available. President Trump declared Santa Cruz and other counties hit by recent fires as federal disaster areas, which makes them eligible for federal help to rebuild. Two years ago, California voters passed Proposition 68, a parks bond with $200 million earmarked for state parks.
Jordan Burgess, deputy director of the Santa Cruz District of state parks, said that rangers and other officials haven’t yet been able to inspect the entire park to compile a damage estimate, including popular back country camps or places like Berry Creek Falls, because trees are still burning, and falling. She said she expects it will be done by the end of this year, and that eventually the park could reopen in stages, after more trees fall in winter storms and areas are deemed safe. Rebuilding the structures in such a beloved park will take time, she added.
“This will be a community collaborative effort,” Burgess said. “It will involve the public, and stakeholders. It will be a very iterative and deliberate process.”


mercurynews--2020-09-11--The Giants’ roster is starting to lack balance. Will that help or hurt their playoff chances?

After signing veteran free agent Justin Smoak to a minor league contract on Wednesday , the Giants wasted little time adding the switch-hitting first baseman to their active roster .
Smoak spent Wednesday in Sacramento taking six at-bats in an alternate site scrimmage and then joined the team Thursday in San Diego for a series in which the Giants will face four right-handed starters .
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said the club views Smoak as a pinch-hit option off the bench and a potential candidate to serve as a designated hitter against righties , but Smoak wasn ’ t included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
One of the primary challenges Kapler and the Giants face in finding playing time for Smoak is that like several other position players on the roster , his best fit is in the DH role .
At the beginning of spring training , Kapler and Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi highlighted the value of positional flexibility and creating a roster with versatile players who were comfortable moving around the diamond on a daily basis .
With a little more than two weeks left in the season , the Giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ float between the infield and outfield and even Dubón hasn ’ t played anywhere but center field since August 15 .
The Giants spent the first month of the season trying to shed a label as the worst defensive team in baseball , which has been a slow but effective process as they ’ re now tied for sixth in the majors in Defensive Runs Saved with 13 .
One of the reasons they ’ ve likely improved is that players have settled in at their respective positions and two of the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brandon Belt– have gone from part-time roles as platoon players to locking in the everyday jobs they ’ ve held throughout most of their careers .
With Crawford , Belt and third baseman Evan Longoria providing more defensive stability , the Giants aren ’ t making as many mistakes .
Outside of the trio of infielders , Dubón and Mike Yastrzemski , nearly every other position player on the roster currently profiles best as a designated hitter .
Alex Dickerson and Darin Ruf have been serviceable in left field , but the Giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost exclusively to beef up their late-inning defense .
Infielders Donovan Solano and Wilmer Flores have been good defenders at times during their careers , but both have been defensive liabilities this season .
The Giants can ’ t take Solano and Flores out of the lineup because they ’ re hitting so well , but that also means they can ’ t find a spot for Smoak or outfielder Austin Slater , who is currently limited to hitting and baserunning because of an elbow injury that ’ s preventing him from playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Giants would rather use in the DH role than see in the field , it ’ s more difficult to build lineups and a greater challenge to substitute as freely as Kapler did at the beginning of the season .
The question the Giants are now confronting is whether having so many bat-first position players on the roster will help or hurt the club in its push for a playoff spot .
The question isn ’ t all that different from the one the Giants are facing with their pitching staff makeup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the starting rotation .
With scheduled off days set for Monday and Thursday and then a stretch of 10 consecutive games to close the season , Kapler said the Giants are considering three different ways to structure the rotation for the end of the season .
Following Drew Smyly ’ s strong relief outing on Thursday in San Diego in which he struck out eight of the 15 hitters he faced , it ’ s likely Smyly will join Johnny Cueto and Kevin Gausman as a starter .
The trio of veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoulder inflammation ) , too , as the right-hander threw four innings in a simulated game in Sacramento Thursday and is nearing a return to the staff .
Samardzija hasn ’ t pitched out of the bullpen since 2011 when he threw 75 games with the Chicago Cubs , but Kapler suggested the Giants haven ’ t committed to bringing him back to the team in a starting role yet .
It ’ s hard to know how the changes to the rotation will affect rookie Logan Webb and left-hander Tyler Anderson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a good bet to pitch out of the bullpen during the final two weeks of the season given his recent struggles .
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— @ @

After signing veteran free agent Justin Smoak to a minor league contract on Wednesday, the Giants wasted little time adding the switch-hitting first baseman to their active roster.
Smoak spent Wednesday in Sacramento taking six at-bats in an alternate site scrimmage and then joined the team Thursday in San Diego for a series in which the Giants will face four right-handed starters.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said the club views Smoak as a pinch-hit option off the bench and a potential candidate to serve as a designated hitter against righties, but Smoak wasn’t included in the starting lineup on Thursday or Friday.
One of the primary challenges Kapler and the Giants face in finding playing time for Smoak is that like several other position players on the roster, his best fit is in the DH role.
At the beginning of spring training, Kapler and Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi highlighted the value of positional flexibility and creating a roster with versatile players who were comfortable moving around the diamond on a daily basis. With a little more than two weeks left in the season, the Giants have one player –Mauricio Dubón– who can float between the infield and outfield and even Dubón hasn’t played anywhere but center field since August 15.
The Giants spent the first month of the season trying to shed a label as the worst defensive team in baseball, which has been a slow but effective process as they’re now tied for sixth in the majors in Defensive Runs Saved with 13. One of the reasons they’ve likely improved is that players have settled in at their respective positions and two of the team’s strongest defenders –Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt– have gone from part-time roles as platoon players to locking in the everyday jobs they’ve held throughout most of their careers.
With Crawford, Belt and third baseman Evan Longoria providing more defensive stability, the Giants aren’t making as many mistakes.
Outside of the trio of infielders, Dubón and Mike Yastrzemski, nearly every other position player on the roster currently profiles best as a designated hitter.
Alex Dickerson and Darin Ruf have been serviceable in left field, but the Giants have prospect Luis Basabe on the roster almost exclusively to beef up their late-inning defense. Infielders Donovan Solano and Wilmer Flores have been good defenders at times during their careers, but both have been defensive liabilities this season.
The Giants can’t take Solano and Flores out of the lineup because they’re hitting so well, but that also means they can’t find a spot for Smoak or outfielder Austin Slater, who is currently limited to hitting and baserunning because of an elbow injury that’s preventing him from playing the field.
With six position players the Giants would rather use in the DH role than see in the field, it’s more difficult to build lineups and a greater challenge to substitute as freely as Kapler did at the beginning of the season. The question the Giants are now confronting is whether having so many bat-first position players on the roster will help or hurt the club in its push for a playoff spot.
The question isn’t all that different from the one the Giants are facing with their pitching staff makeup as Kapler indicated Friday changes are coming to the starting rotation.
With scheduled off days set for Monday and Thursday and then a stretch of 10 consecutive games to close the season, Kapler said the Giants are considering three different ways to structure the rotation for the end of the season. Following Drew Smyly’s strong relief outing on Thursday in San Diego in which he struck out eight of the 15 hitters he faced, it’s likely Smyly will join Johnny Cueto and Kevin Gausman as a starter.
The trio of veterans could have company from Jeff Samardzija (shoulder inflammation), too, as the right-hander threw four innings in a simulated game in Sacramento Thursday and is nearing a return to the staff. Samardzija hasn’t pitched out of the bullpen since 2011 when he threw 75 games with the Chicago Cubs, but Kapler suggested the Giants haven’t committed to bringing him back to the team in a starting role yet.
It’s hard to know how the changes to the rotation will affect rookie Logan Webb and left-hander Tyler Anderson, but it appears veteran righty Trevor Cahill is a good bet to pitch out of the bullpen during the final two weeks of the season given his recent struggles.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley


mercurynews--2020-09-12--Editorial: Prop. 22 would stop the assault on gig firms and workers

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations .
With the likes of Uber , Lyft , DoorDash and Instacart , the gig economy has revolutionized transportation and how we shop .
During the pandemic , we ’ ve witnessed the importance of its flexibility , as the companies have been able to ramp up to meet grocery delivery demand while providing jobs that allow workers to choose their hours .
Without these companies , our stores would be packed , exacerbating the spread of coronavirus , and fewer people would have jobs .
But state lawmakers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroying the gig economy , which provided about 1 million app-based rideshare and food delivery jobs in 2018 .
Rather than embracing its flexibility , legislators and labor leaders have bemoaned that it doesn ’ t fit into the old-style business paradigm — and they have imposed restrictions designed to kill it .
Proposition 22 would stop that assault , protecting the flexibility of the gig economy for companies and workers while ensuring very fair compensation for its workers .
Californians should vote yes on Prop .
22 .
The initiative would guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage for the hours they ’ re driving in addition to their tips , payments for full health insurance coverage for those who work full-time and proportional payment for those who work less , disability insurance and compensation for mileage expenses .
It would provide protections against harassment and discrimination .
And it would preserve drivers ’ independence by allowing them to turn down rides or deliveries , and work for more than one gig company at a time .
Labor unions should be rejoicing .
The gig companies , in drafting Prop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support , locked in big improvements in total compensation for drivers over what they ’ ve received in years past .
It ’ s a very fair deal .
But labor leaders are more concerned about unionizing the workers than helping them get a fair deal .
So they want to force gig drivers to be company employees rather than allowing them to continue to work as independent contractors free to choose their schedules .
Last year , lawmakers doing the unions ’ bidding passed legislation designed to undermine the independent status of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the companies must treat the drivers as their employees , with all the old-style restrictions that come with it and none of the flexibility that has made the gig economy a success .
Prop .
22 would replace those AB 5 rules .
It ’ s the right thing for consumers , for the companies and , most important , the workers .
After all , most gig drivers work part-time and many work only for a short time or only drive occasionally .
It ’ s a flexibility that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the industry .
To be sure , some of the gig companies , especially Uber , have been disrupters who have tried to run roughshod over the rules .
Unfortunately , the unions are fixated on that in their campaign against Prop .
22 — and they take it to silly extremes by attacking the companies for wanting to turn profits .
• Editorial : Alex Lee will bring a youthful perspective to the Assembly For the record , Uber has never made a profit .
But seeking to do so is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their drivers .
And that ’ s exactly what they would legally be bound to do if Prop .
22 passes .
Vote yes .

Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards

Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations.
With the likes of Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart, the gig economy has revolutionized transportation and how we shop.
During the pandemic, we’ve witnessed the importance of its flexibility, as the companies have been able to ramp up to meet grocery delivery demand while providing jobs that allow workers to choose their hours. Without these companies, our stores would be packed, exacerbating the spread of coronavirus, and fewer people would have jobs.
But state lawmakers and their labor union supporters seem hellbent on destroying the gig economy, which provided about 1 million app-based rideshare and food delivery jobs in 2018. Rather than embracing its flexibility, legislators and labor leaders have bemoaned that it doesn’t fit into the old-style business paradigm — and they have imposed restrictions designed to kill it.
Proposition 22 would stop that assault, protecting the flexibility of the gig economy for companies and workers while ensuring very fair compensation for its workers. Californians should vote yes on Prop. 22.
The initiative would guarantee workers at least 120% of minimum wage for the hours they’re driving in addition to their tips, payments for full health insurance coverage for those who work full-time and proportional payment for those who work less, disability insurance and compensation for mileage expenses.
It would provide protections against harassment and discrimination. And it would preserve drivers’ independence by allowing them to turn down rides or deliveries, and work for more than one gig company at a time.
Labor unions should be rejoicing. The gig companies, in drafting Prop. 22 so it could win voter support, locked in big improvements in total compensation for drivers over what they’ve received in years past. It’s a very fair deal.
But labor leaders are more concerned about unionizing the workers than helping them get a fair deal. So they want to force gig drivers to be company employees rather than allowing them to continue to work as independent contractors free to choose their schedules.
Last year, lawmakers doing the unions’ bidding passed legislation designed to undermine the independent status of the drivers. Under Assembly Bill 5, the companies must treat the drivers as their employees, with all the old-style restrictions that come with it and none of the flexibility that has made the gig economy a success.
Prop. 22 would replace those AB 5 rules. It’s the right thing for consumers, for the companies and, most important, the workers. After all, most gig drivers work part-time and many work only for a short time or only drive occasionally. It’s a flexibility that’s key to the success of the companies and the industry.
To be sure, some of the gig companies, especially Uber, have been disrupters who have tried to run roughshod over the rules. Unfortunately, the unions are fixated on that in their campaign against Prop. 22 — and they take it to silly extremes by attacking the companies for wanting to turn profits.
For the record, Uber has never made a profit. But seeking to do so is hardly a sin provided they fairly compensate their drivers. And that’s exactly what they would legally be bound to do if Prop. 22 passes. Vote yes.


mercurynews--2020-09-12--Coronavirus: Frequent testing at California colleges is critical, but many campuses aren’t close to

Coronavirus: Frequent testing at California colleges is critical, but many campuses aren’t close to meeting the standard

The infectious disease specialist in Seattle and the public health expert in Connecticut agree : The key to college campuses returning to normal activity before there ’ s a widely-available COVID-19 vaccine is absolutely , unequivocally a four-letter word .
Test the students .
Test the faculty .
Test the staff .
Then test ‘ em all again , a few days later .
“ And if twice-a-week doesn ’ t cut it , ” said Carl Bergstrom , a professor at the University of Washington , “ then you have to be prepared to change the cadence .
Test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to San Diego — at public schools and private schools , semester schools and quarter schools , urban campuses and rural campuses — the state of coronavirus planning in higher education in California this fall is a scattered , confusing , infuriating mess .
And absent a vaccine , experts agree , there is just one way out : Cheap , quick , plentiful tests would allow universities to reclaim their pre-coronavirus lives , with full dormitories , crowded dining halls and free-spending students .
Mitigation strategies such as masks and social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they won ’ t prevent outbreaks .
Nor will testing once a week , according to a study published on the Journal of the American Medical Association ’ s open network .
Yale School of Medicine public health expert David Paltiel ran computer simulations of a college campus and determined that “ screening every two days ” would give universities a fighting chance .
But schools in California aren ’ t close to meeting that standard .
Chico State didn ’ t require COVID-19 tests prior to returning to campus .
One week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising , the school told students to scram .
San Diego State experienced a similar , rapid rise in case counts but — crucially — so far has found space for hundreds of students needing to be quarantined or isolated .
Stanford never got its fall quarter started , at least in semi-normal fashion .
After planning to welcome half of its undergraduate students onto campus , the university reversed course and told them to stay away .
But no return-to-campus situation is more bizarre than the one unfolding at Cal Poly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the absence of a testing requirement prior to the fall quarter , published an open letter to students on social media : “ We are writing to alert you to the significant health and safety risks posed by Cal Poly ’ s current campus reopening plan .
We appeal to you to consider these factors as you make your decision whether to return in person for fall quarter.
” A week later , the university announced a revision , requiring COVID-19 tests for the thousands of students planning to live on campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those showing symptoms of illness ( or close contacts of those infected ) .
“ I ’ m worried about the lack of surveillance testing — that ’ s my biggest concern , ’ ’ said Cal Poly biological sciences professor Candace Winstead , an author of the faculty letter and member of the San Luis Obispo health commission .
“ I want it to work .
I want to be back in the classroom .
But I want them to start testing yesterday , ” she said .
The outbreaks and lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University system to announce Thursday that it will remain remote through the spring .
Neither Winstead or Bergstrom is surprised by the campus outbreaks or policy reversals .
Because for all their differences , universities across California have one thing in common : They have students .
And whether they ’ re living on campus or off campus , students like to socialize , especially when they aren ’ t feeling sick — and sometimes , even when they are .
“ You can figure out as many behavioral and structural interventions as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You can minimize the opportunities for exposure .
You can try to control frat parties .
You can make classrooms safe.
” You can even hire a private security firm to enforce social distancing and mask-wearing , as San Diego State did recently , according to The San Diego Union-Tribune .
“ But no matter how much you do , ” Bergstrom said , “ you ’ re unlikely to get ( containment ) because the socializing students don ’ t realize they ’ re sick .
You have to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are sick and don ’ t know it.
” Speed is crucial .
It often takes three or four days on average for an infected person to become contagious , but they may not begin to feel sick even then .
That ’ s why testing everyone twice a week is a reasonable starting point .
according to Bergstrom .
“ For a few days , there isn ’ t enough virus in your body to test positive , ” he added .
Paltiel , the Yale expert , used a hypothetical campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ identified no circumstance … under which symptom-based screening alone would be sufficient to contain an outbreak.
” Instead , his modeling determined that testing every two days , combined with mitigation measures , would “ yield a modest number of containable infections.
” What ’ s more , the analysis assumed a cost of $ 10 to $ 25 per test .
Apply the high-end figure to a campus with 30,000 students , faculty and staff — each of them tested twice per week for five months — and the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one semester .
That ’ s a steep price , except when compared to the crushing cost of empty campuses .
Cal and UCLA , for example , are estimating a $ 900 million ( combined ) impact on their budgets from coronavirus .
But there are other obstacles to attaining testing utopia .
Ideally , universities across California would use antigen tests , which are less accurate , but produce results in one hour , rather than PCR tests , which are expensive and can often take backlogged labs several days to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than enough time for an asymptomatic student to infect one or two friends — or an entire fraternity .
But the antigen test supply hasn ’ t yet reached the necessary threshold for higher education or society writ large .
Experts hope that will change later this year or early in 2021 , with millions of antigen tests becoming available .
“ Part of it is a resource issue , ” Winstead said .
“ The pipeline isn ’ t easy , but I think we ’ re close with the rapid tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( to open ) until we had it all together .
”

The infectious disease specialist in Seattle and the public health expert in Connecticut agree: The key to college campuses returning to normal activity before there’s a widely-available COVID-19 vaccine is absolutely, unequivocally a four-letter word.
Test the students. Test the faculty. Test the staff.
Then test ‘em all again, a few days later.
“And if twice-a-week doesn’t cut it,” said Carl Bergstrom, a professor at the University of Washington, “then you have to be prepared to change the cadence. Test everybody, every day.”
From Chico to San Diego — at public schools and private schools, semester schools and quarter schools, urban campuses and rural campuses — the state of coronavirus planning in higher education in California this fall is a scattered, confusing, infuriating mess.
And absent a vaccine, experts agree, there is just one way out: Cheap, quick, plentiful tests would allow universities to reclaim their pre-coronavirus lives, with full dormitories, crowded dining halls and free-spending students.
Mitigation strategies such as masks and social distancing will help, Bergstrom said, but they won’t prevent outbreaks.
Nor will testing once a week, according to a study published on the Journal of the American Medical Association’s open network.
Yale School of Medicine public health expert David Paltiel ran computer simulations of a college campus and determined that “screening every two days” would give universities a fighting chance.
But schools in California aren’t close to meeting that standard.
Chico State didn’t require COVID-19 tests prior to returning to campus. One week into the semester, with case counts rising, the school told students to scram.
San Diego State experienced a similar, rapid rise in case counts but — crucially — so far has found space for hundreds of students needing to be quarantined or isolated.
Stanford never got its fall quarter started, at least in semi-normal fashion. After planning to welcome half of its undergraduate students onto campus, the university reversed course and told them to stay away.
But no return-to-campus situation is more bizarre than the one unfolding at Cal Poly, where hundreds of faculty members, alarmed at the absence of a testing requirement prior to the fall quarter, published an open letter to students on social media:
“We are writing to alert you to the significant health and safety risks posed by Cal Poly’s current campus reopening plan. We appeal to you to consider these factors as you make your decision whether to return in person for fall quarter.”
A week later, the university announced a revision, requiring COVID-19 tests for the thousands of students planning to live on campus. Additional tests are only necessary for those showing symptoms of illness (or close contacts of those infected).
“I’m worried about the lack of surveillance testing — that’s my biggest concern,’’ said Cal Poly biological sciences professor Candace Winstead, an author of the faculty letter and member of the San Luis Obispo health commission.
“I want it to work. I want to be back in the classroom. But I want them to start testing yesterday,” she said.
The outbreaks and lack of testing infrastructure led the California State University system to announce Thursday that it will remain remote through the spring.
Neither Winstead or Bergstrom is surprised by the campus outbreaks or policy reversals. Because for all their differences, universities across California have one thing in common: They have students.
And whether they’re living on campus or off campus, students like to socialize, especially when they aren’t feeling sick — and sometimes, even when they are.
“You can figure out as many behavioral and structural interventions as you want,’’ Bergstrom said. “You can minimize the opportunities for exposure. You can try to control frat parties. You can make classrooms safe.”
You can even hire a private security firm to enforce social distancing and mask-wearing, as San Diego State did recently, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.
“But no matter how much you do,” Bergstrom said, “you’re unlikely to get (containment) because the socializing students don’t realize they’re sick. You have to use the tests to find the people who are sick and don’t know it.”
Speed is crucial. It often takes three or four days on average for an infected person to become contagious, but they may not begin to feel sick even then. That’s why testing everyone twice a week is a reasonable starting point. according to Bergstrom.
“For a few days, there isn’t enough virus in your body to test positive,” he added.
Paltiel, the Yale expert, used a hypothetical campus of 5,000 students for his computer simulation and “identified no circumstance … under which symptom-based screening alone would be sufficient to contain an outbreak.”
Instead, his modeling determined that testing every two days, combined with mitigation measures, would “yield a modest number of containable infections.”
What’s more, the analysis assumed a cost of $10 to $25 per test. Apply the high-end figure to a campus with 30,000 students, faculty and staff — each of them tested twice per week for five months — and the total outlay would be $30 million for one semester.
That’s a steep price, except when compared to the crushing cost of empty campuses. Cal and UCLA, for example, are estimating a $900 million (combined) impact on their budgets from coronavirus.
But there are other obstacles to attaining testing utopia.
Ideally, universities across California would use antigen tests, which are less accurate, but produce results in one hour, rather than PCR tests, which are expensive and can often take backlogged labs several days to return results.
That’s more than enough time for an asymptomatic student to infect one or two friends — or an entire fraternity.
But the antigen test supply hasn’t yet reached the necessary threshold for higher education or society writ large. Experts hope that will change later this year or early in 2021, with millions of antigen tests becoming available.
“Part of it is a resource issue,” Winstead said. “The pipeline isn’t easy, but I think we’re close with the rapid tests.
“I wish we had waited (to open) until we had it all together.”


mercurynews--2020-09-12--Fantasy football: 49ers’ Week 1 outlook vs. Arizona Cardinals

SANTA CLARA — Here is how I ’ m handicapping the 49ers ’ fantasy-football stats for their season opener Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals : Kittle only had one touchdown catch as the 49ers won their first seven games last season .
He will be as heavily involved as usual , perhaps more so because Deebo Samuel is out .
Samuel has yet to practice on the left foot he broke in June .
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that Samuel will be day-to-day next week and is not a candidate for injured reserve .
If not for a hamstring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-plus weeks , Aiyuk would be a great Week 1 steal and possibly hit the 100-yard mark .
Maybe next week .
Reed ’ s 49ers debut should benefit from all the attention Kittle merits , and that could be this season ’ s theme if health permits .
He ran for 220 yards and four touchdowns last time on the 49ers ’ home field , in the NFC Championship Game , and he is hungry to establish himself as a potential workhorse rather than part of a committee .
Not an RB1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but … This 49ers debut has been years in the making since his September 2018 knee injury , and McKinnon figures to steal some carries while flourishing as a receiving threat .
He ’ s looked great in camp , but poor air quality will limit Coleman ’ s snaps , if he plays .
Those aren ’ t big numbers but keep in mind Garoppolo passed for 741 yards and eight touchdowns in two wins over Arizona last season .
A big day will take heat off his Super Bowl fourth quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radar .
He returns from a one-year absence and is a comfort blanket for Garoppolo .
It ’ s more about quality than quantity here .
Yes , Bourne could have a big day as a projected starter and a trusted target on third down and the red zone .
Is he a WR1 ?
No , not yet .
But if you ’ re in a bind , take a flier on him .
He had a career-high seven catches against Arizona in 2018 .
He could bust out of his sophomore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Samuel and likely Aiyuk .
If so , keep him in mind for Week 2 .
If the 49ers red-zone offense is not sharp because of limited practice time , then Gould will benefit from Kyle Shanahan ’ s ability to put them in scoring position .
Kyler Murray ’ s mobility and DeAndre Hopkins ’ debut do not make for enticing reasons to play the 49ers otherwise stout defense , at least not as a Week 1 lock .
Plus , Larry Fitzgerald is in Year 17 as a 49er tormentor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat .
• Good news on why the 49ers won ’ t put Deebo Samuel injured reserve • 49ers fans without a home : Can they replace that magical game-day experience ?
• Why Bill Walsh ’ s fight to integrate NFL coaching was another form of ‘ Genius ’

SANTA CLARA — Here is how I’m handicapping the 49ers’ fantasy-football stats for their season opener Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals:
Tight end George Kittle: Start him
Projected stats: 6 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD
Kittle only had one touchdown catch as the 49ers won their first seven games last season. He will be as heavily involved as usual, perhaps more so because Deebo Samuel is out.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel: Sit him
Projected stats: 0
Samuel has yet to practice on the left foot he broke in June. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that Samuel will be day-to-day next week and is not a candidate for injured reserve.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk: Sit him
Projected stats: 3 catches, 50 yards
If not for a hamstring strain Aug. 23 that kept him out two-plus weeks, Aiyuk would be a great Week 1 steal and possibly hit the 100-yard mark. Maybe next week.
Tight end Jordan Reed: Start him
Projected stats: 4 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD
Reed’s 49ers debut should benefit from all the attention Kittle merits, and that could be this season’s theme if health permits.
Running back Raheem Mostert: Start him
Projected stats: 16 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD
He ran for 220 yards and four touchdowns last time on the 49ers’ home field, in the NFC Championship Game, and he is hungry to establish himself as a potential workhorse rather than part of a committee.
Running back Jerick McKinnon: Start him
Projected stats: 5 carries, 20 yards; 5 receptions, 30 yards; 1 TD
Not an RB1 or an RB2 at this point, but … This 49ers debut has been years in the making since his September 2018 knee injury, and McKinnon figures to steal some carries while flourishing as a receiving threat.
Running back Tevin Coleman: Sit him
Projected stats: 5 carries, 18 yards
He’s looked great in camp, but poor air quality will limit Coleman’s snaps, if he plays.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo: Start him
Projected stats: 225 passing yards, 3 TDs
Those aren’t big numbers but keep in mind Garoppolo passed for 741 yards and eight touchdowns in two wins over Arizona last season. A big day will take heat off his Super Bowl fourth quarter, too.
Wide receiver Trent Taylor: Sit him
Projected stats: 4 catches, 45 yards
Keep him on your radar. He returns from a one-year absence and is a comfort blanket for Garoppolo. It’s more about quality than quantity here.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne: Start him
Projected stats: 5 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
Yes, Bourne could have a big day as a projected starter and a trusted target on third down and the red zone. Is he a WR1? No, not yet. But if you’re in a bind, take a flier on him. He had a career-high seven catches against Arizona in 2018.
Wide receiver Dante Pettis: Sit him
Projected stats: 3 receptions, 40 yards
He could bust out of his sophomore slump and seize this opportunity in place of Samuel and likely Aiyuk. If so, keep him in mind for Week 2.
Kicker Robbie Gould: Start him
Projected stats: 3 field goals, 5 extra points
If the 49ers red-zone offense is not sharp because of limited practice time, then Gould will benefit from Kyle Shanahan’s ability to put them in scoring position.
Defense: Sit them
Projected stats: 4 sacks, 2 takeaways


mercurynews--2020-09-12--Horoscopes Sept. 12, 2020: Jennifer Hudson, greater opportunities will come your way

Happy Birthday : A change of attitude will lead to a new adventure .
Revisit problems that have plagued you during the years , and make adjustments to ensure you don ’ t head down a similar path .
Greater opportunities will come your way if you adapt to the changes going on around you .
Keep up with the latest technology and economic trends , and you will surpass expectations .
Your numbers are 6 , 13 , 20 , 24 , 32 , 36 , 47 .
ARIES ( March 21-April 19 ) : Be a leader .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and don ’ t back down .
Your strength and conviction will encourage others to listen to what you have to offer and support your efforts .
Don ’ t let emotions interfere with common sense .
2 stars TAURUS ( April 20-May 20 ) : You ’ ll have decisions to make regarding work and home and how you balance your time .
Look at the possibilities , and consider what will help you appease everyone , including yourself , before making a final decision .
Protect against illness and injury .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : Pay more attention to your fitness and diet .
Protect yourself from risky situations that can affect finances , contracts or your health .
Keep matters in perspective to ensure that whatever decision you make is reasonable .
Love and romance are on the rise .
3 stars CANCER ( June 21-July 22 ) : Say less and do more .
Your reputation depends on your actions , not empty promises .
Look for unique solutions to situations that can spin out of control .
Anger isn ’ t a solution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower stress .
3 stars LEO ( July 23-Aug. 22 ) : Charm , intelligence , kindness and common sense will be your tickets to freedom .
Put energy into what matters to you , and focus on using what you have going for you instead of adopting concepts that aren ’ t proven .
3 stars VIRGO ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22 ) : Consider what someone asks you to do , and then determine the risks .
Follow the path that maintains your rules , integrity and values .
A change is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s best for you will be the key to your success .
4 stars LIBRA ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22 ) : Work with what you have .
Overdoing , overspending and overindulging will lead to financial and emotional problems .
Do your best to get along with others , but not at the expense of going into debt or putting your health at risk .
2 stars SCORPIO ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21 ) : You ’ ll see situations differently if you are open-minded , seek knowledge and information , and are dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t let a change someone makes upset you or lure you into heading down the same path .
Do what ’ s best for you .
5 stars SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21 ) : Spend more time taking care of your financial and physical well-being .
Refuse to let anyone handle personal matters for you .
Stay in control , and protect against being taken advantage of by someone offering false information .
Avoid joint ventures and risky situations .
3 stars CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19 ) : You ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you desire and your current situation at home .
Call on someone you trust to give you good advice regarding your options , and you will come up with a workable solution that will be beneficial .
3 stars AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18 ) : Channel your energy into clearing up unfinished business .
Look at personal investments as a safety net .
A backup plan will ease your mind and make it easier for you to deal with everyday life .
3 stars PISCES ( Feb. 19-March 20 ) : Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not jeopardize your health or financial well-being .
Share your feelings with someone you love , and put a game plan in place that gives you the incentive to work hard .
5 stars Birthday Baby : You are curious , persistent and open-minded .
You are helpful and resourceful .

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ryan Potter, 25; Emmy Rossum, 34; Jennifer Hudson, 39; Benjamin McKenzie, 42.
Happy Birthday: A change of attitude will lead to a new adventure. Revisit problems that have plagued you during the years, and make adjustments to ensure you don’t head down a similar path. Greater opportunities will come your way if you adapt to the changes going on around you. Keep up with the latest technology and economic trends, and you will surpass expectations. Your numbers are 6, 13, 20, 24, 32, 36, 47.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be a leader. Know your worth, add your comments and don’t back down. Your strength and conviction will encourage others to listen to what you have to offer and support your efforts. Don’t let emotions interfere with common sense. 2 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll have decisions to make regarding work and home and how you balance your time. Look at the possibilities, and consider what will help you appease everyone, including yourself, before making a final decision. Protect against illness and injury. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Pay more attention to your fitness and diet. Protect yourself from risky situations that can affect finances, contracts or your health. Keep matters in perspective to ensure that whatever decision you make is reasonable. Love and romance are on the rise. 3 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Say less and do more. Your reputation depends on your actions, not empty promises. Look for unique solutions to situations that can spin out of control. Anger isn’t a solution or an option if you want to lower stress. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Charm, intelligence, kindness and common sense will be your tickets to freedom. Put energy into what matters to you, and focus on using what you have going for you instead of adopting concepts that aren’t proven. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Consider what someone asks you to do, and then determine the risks. Follow the path that maintains your rules, integrity and values. A change is necessary, but figuring out what’s best for you will be the key to your success. 4 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Work with what you have. Overdoing, overspending and overindulging will lead to financial and emotional problems. Do your best to get along with others, but not at the expense of going into debt or putting your health at risk. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll see situations differently if you are open-minded, seek knowledge and information, and are dedicated to finding out the truth. Don’t let a change someone makes upset you or lure you into heading down the same path. Do what’s best for you. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Spend more time taking care of your financial and physical well-being. Refuse to let anyone handle personal matters for you. Stay in control, and protect against being taken advantage of by someone offering false information. Avoid joint ventures and risky situations. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll change your mind regarding the lifestyle you desire and your current situation at home. Call on someone you trust to give you good advice regarding your options, and you will come up with a workable solution that will be beneficial. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Channel your energy into clearing up unfinished business. Look at personal investments as a safety net. A backup plan will ease your mind and make it easier for you to deal with everyday life. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look for alternative ways to socialize that will not jeopardize your health or financial well-being. Share your feelings with someone you love, and put a game plan in place that gives you the incentive to work hard. 5 stars
Birthday Baby: You are curious, persistent and open-minded. You are helpful and resourceful.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.


mercurynews--2020-09-12--Word Game: Sept. 12

Word Game: Sept. 12

Can you find 47 or more words in LEISURELY ?
The list will be published Monday .
To purchase the @ @ @ @ @ WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
@ @ @ @ @ or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of @ @ @ @ @ as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
@ @ @ @ @ a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ ” is used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , @ @ @ @ @ “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — LEISURELY (LEISURELY: LEE-zher-lee: In an unhurried manner.)
Average mark 33 words
Time limit 45 minutes
Can you find 47 or more words in LEISURELY? The list will be published Monday.
YESTERDAY’S WORD — RELIABLE rail rale real rebel reel rile rill earl label labeler
lair leer liable liar libel liberal libra lira lire able abler aerie alee bail bailer bale baler
ball bare bear beer belie bell belle bier bile bill biller blare blear brail braille
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.


Bridge: Sept. 12, 2020

Today ’ s North raises South ’ s one-heart response to two hearts .
North would prefer four-card support , but a raise is still best .
A bid of neither 1NT nor two clubs is attractive , and auctions are easier when a trump suit is set early .
South ’ s hand is worth game .
He has five good hearts , a useful queen and a side ace .
When West leads the jack of diamonds , the defense takes three diamond tricks , and East shifts to a spade .
After declarer wins , how should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the clubs break 3-3 , he has no worries .
If they break 4-2 , South can set up the fifth club with a ruff , but then he must draw trumps , ending in dummy , to cash it — and if the missing trumps break 4-1 , he can ’ t do that .
South should test the trumps by taking the A-K .
If East-West followed , South would take the Q-K of clubs , ruff a club high , draw the missing trump with the queen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South draws all the trumps and hopes for 3-3 clubs .
You hold : S 7 6 H K Q 4 D Q 6 5 C A K 6 5 4 .
Your partner opens one heart , you bid two clubs , he rebids two diamonds and you jump to three hearts , forcing .
Partner next bids three spades .
What do you say ?
ANSWER : It ’ s possible that partner is probing for the best game ; you might belong at 3NT despite your established heart fit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a control — surely the ace — and slam interest .
Cue-bid four clubs in reply .

Today’s North raises South’s one-heart response to two hearts. North would prefer four-card support, but a raise is still best. A bid of neither 1NT nor two clubs is attractive, and auctions are easier when a trump suit is set early.
South’s hand is worth game. He has five good hearts, a useful queen and a side ace.
When West leads the jack of diamonds, the defense takes three diamond tricks, and East shifts to a spade. After declarer wins, how should he play?
NINE WINNERS
South has nine winners. If the clubs break 3-3, he has no worries. If they break 4-2, South can set up the fifth club with a ruff, but then he must draw trumps, ending in dummy, to cash it — and if the missing trumps break 4-1, he can’t do that.
South should test the trumps by taking the A-K. If East-West followed, South would take the Q-K of clubs, ruff a club high, draw the missing trump with the queen and claim. When trumps break 4-1, South draws all the trumps and hopes for 3-3 clubs.
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S 7 6 H K Q 4 D Q 6 5 C A K 6 5 4. Your partner opens one heart, you bid two clubs, he rebids two diamonds and you jump to three hearts, forcing. Partner next bids three spades. What do you say?
ANSWER: It’s possible that partner is probing for the best game; you might belong at 3NT despite your established heart fit. More likely, his three spades shows a control — surely the ace — and slam interest. Cue-bid four clubs in reply.
North dealer
E-W vulnerable
NORTH
S 7 6
H K Q 4
D Q 6 5
C A K 6 5 4
WEST
S K J 9
H 9 7 6 3
D J 10 7
C 10 7 2
EAST
S Q 10 5 3 2
H 8
D A K 9 8
C J 9 8
SOUTH
S A 8 4
H A J 10 5 2
D 4 3 2
C Q 3
North East South West
1 C Pass 1 H Pass
2 H Pass 4 H All Pass
Opening lead — D J
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