thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--Killing Eve: 10 Crucial Questions Beautiful Monster Left Us Asking

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And just like that, there’s only one episode left in the current series of Killing Eve – but what a finale we’re in for.
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The penultimate instalment saw Carolyn lose another of her agents (RIP Mo *sniff*) as she sought evidence of Paul’s involvement with The Twelve, while there were also brushes with death for two other major characters.
Most excitingly for fans, though, the stage is finally set for a proper reunion between our two leads.
As excited as we are for that, we’re still going to need a lot of answers, as Beautiful Monster left us asking a hell of a lot more questions (on top of the tonne we already had)...
What is Helena up to?
Sid Gentle/BBC
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That maternal display towards Villanelle was clearly a disturbing attempt to manipulate her – so what does she really want from her “beautiful monster”?
Were the police tipped off about Bitter Pill’s activities?
Bitter Pill was seemingly closed down after a police raid, but did someone tip the authorities off about what they were up to in an attempt to stop their investigation onto The Twelve? Or was it just a case of their search history raising suspicions?
Did Irina actually kill her mum’s boyfriend?
Having mowed down her mum’s boyfriend at the end of the last episode, we met Konstantin’s daughter again after she’d been detained, but we didn’t actually establish whether she’d succeeded in killing him.
Will Dasha seek revenge against Villanelle?
Sid Gentle/BBC
Dasha and Villanelle’s relationship is complicated, so while on the one hand, we could totally imagine Dasha shrugging off her protégée’s attempt on her life before returning to her son (!) in Russia, on the other, we can also see her attempting to exact some sort of revenge. So which will it be? Either way, we can’t wait to find out.
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Will Eve kill again?
Eve’s dark side resurfaced when she nearly finished off what Villanelle had started by killing Dasha. While we know Eve has killed before, when she was tricked by Villanelle in Rome, this time she seemed to enjoy having someone’s life in her hands. Could this signal the start of something?
What will The Twelve do when the find out Villanelle let the target escape?
The Twelve already seem like they’re getting pretty exasperated with Villanelle and her sloppiness, so we can’t imagine they’re going to be cock-a-hoop when they find out she let her latest target off the hook.
If Villanelle is still intending on doing a bunk, she’d just better hope her bosses – or indeed Dasha – don’t catch up with her first.
Where is Villanelle going to retrieve the money?
In what Konstantin believed could have been his final moments, he gave Villanelle a piece of paper with the details of where to retrieve the money he’d planned to abscond from The Twelve with. But what will Villanelle find when she gets there? And will it prove the theory he was the one that stole the money from the Swiss bank account?
How will Carolyn expose Paul’s involvement with The Twelve?
Sid Gentle/BBC
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As Carolyn noted, the walls were closing in on her after Mo was killed by The Twelve having established a link between Carolyn’s MI6 boss and the organisation. Will she be able to expose him before befalling a similar fate to Mo?
Will Villanelle and Eve finally come face to face?
Seven episodes in and the only scene Eve and Villanelle have shared this series is the fight on the London bus. But now the stage is set for a proper showdown, so what form will the finale take, and what does it hold for the pair?
Did the producers really think Spice Girls fans wouldn’t spot the Wannabe staircase?
BBC
Any Spice Girls fan worth their salt knows that the staircase featured in their debut video is located in the St Pancras Hotel in London, but Killing Eve bosses wanted us to believe this was a hotel in Aberdeen. Nice try.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--'I Can't Breathe': Man Dies After Minneapolis Police Officer Seen Kneeling On His Neck

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The FBI is investigating a Black man’s death after bystander video recorded on Monday showed a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee into the handcuffed man’s neck as he shouted that he couldn’t breathe.
Police did not immediately authenticate the video, but Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said Tuesday that he believed what he saw in the clip and characterised the officer’s actions as “wrong on every level.”
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The bystander video, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows the officer, who appears to be white, pinning the man face-down on the street.
In the clip, the man is heard pleading with the officer.
“Please man, I can’t breathe,” he says.
The man repeats the phrase again and again: “I cannot breathe. I cannot breathe.”
Within minutes, the man closes his eyes and stops speaking. The officer appears to keep his knee on the man’s neck, even as onlookers begin shouting for police to attend to him. A second officer is shown nearby, looking in the direction of onlookers.
“Get off of him!” one woman is heard shouting.
“Bro, he’s not fucking moving!” another bystander shouts. “Get off of his neck!”
(Note: A still image from early in the video, before the man in custody stops moving, is below.)
Video captured by a bystander appears to show a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee into the neck of a handcuffed Black man. Twitter
Officers called for an ambulance but the man died shortly after arriving at a hospital, the Minneapolis Police Department said in a press release. Police did not release the man’s identity, but said they believed he was in his 40s.
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The two officers had arrived at the scene in response to a reported “forgery in progress,” the police statement said. The suspect, police said, was in a car and appeared to be under the influence. He “physically resisted” officers, police said.
“Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress,” the statement said.
The press release stated that no weapons were used during the encounter. It did not mention that an officer had pinned the man to the street and had put his knee on the man’s neck prior to his death.
The police department said an investigation was underway. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and FBI would be included, police noted without elaboration.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in a statement that it will present its findings without recommendation to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review. The agency said it would share its findings with the FBI, which is conducting a separate federal civil rights investigation.
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The FBI did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
Video recorded by officers’ body cameras, which were turned on during the encounter, is being reviewed as part of the investigation, police said.
The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, according to the police department. Their names haven’t been publicly released.
“He should not have died,” Mayor Frey said on Tuesday. “What we saw was horrible, completely and utterly messed up. ... Whatever the investigation reveals, it does not change the simple truth that he should be with us this morning.”
“Being Black in America should not be a death sentence,” Frey continued. “When you hear someone calling for help, you are supposed to help. This officer failed in the most basic human sense.”
A protest against police violence has been planned for Tuesday night at the intersection where the incident occurred. Frey said he supported the right of community members to express their anger, but encouraged protesters to social distance and wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
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Social media users noted similarities in the man’s death and that of Eric Garner, an unarmed Black man who died in 2014 after being placed in a chokehold by a New York City police officer.
“I can’t breathe,” Garner said repeatedly before he died.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--Watch Live: Matt Hancock Gives Daily Coronavirus Briefing

Watch Live: Matt Hancock Gives Daily Coronavirus Briefing
The UK Health Secretary and other government officials update the country on the coronavirus outbreak, with 36,914 deaths so far and more than 261,000 testing positive.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--Can Coronavirus Spread In Water Or Swimming Pools? Here's What We Know

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, summer will look a lot different this year. So what does that mean for going in the water?
There is some good news: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no evidence has emerged to suggest that you can contract the coronavirus in pools, hot tubs, water parks or in large bodies of water like at the beach.
That said, some safety measures and health warnings should still be kept in mind before you take a dip. Here’s what you should know:
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It’s still unknown if the spread of coronavirus will slow down in the summer
Some experts suspected at the beginning of the pandemic that the coronavirus could dissipate in the warmer months, similar to the flu and other viruses. However, that’s yet to be determined. The CDC states that hotter temperatures do not kill the virus. The disease can also still spread in warmer, humid climates. So don’t use sunbathing at the pool or the beach as an excuse to not practise healthy habits or follow guidelines.
You should still maintain 2 metres distance, both in the water and on land
Being outside and in the water is not completely risk-free, although it is better than staying in a more confined space. People should still practice safe social distancing when they’re at a pool, the beach, a lake or other recreational areas.
The CDC advises that you should avoid “group events, gatherings, or meetings both in and out of the water if social distancing of at least 6 feet, or two metres, between people who don’t live together cannot be maintained.”
Exceptions to this rule only include emergency evacuations and cases where someone is rescuing a distressed swimmer or providing medical help or first aid.
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Alessandro Marconi / EyeEm via Getty Images
Washing your hands and cleaning surfaces remain a priority
The CDC advises that public pools should be equipped with plenty of hand soap and sanitiser to make it easy for visitors to maintain proper hygiene. All high-touch surfaces ― like handrails and chairs ― should also be regularly disinfected. If you’re swimming in your own pool or a family pool, you should make sure to wipe those areas down regularly.
Proper water maintenance is also important. The regular amount of chlorine used to treat pools should be enough to inactivate the virus, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Don’t share pool floats, goggles or any other equipment
There’s a chance that the virus can be spread when an infected person ― even those who are asymptomatic ― expels respiratory droplets onto surfaces and then someone else touches the same surface. (Although how easily the virus can spread when touching surfaces has been called into question recently, it’s better to assume right now that you could be susceptible to transmission in such a manner.)
It’s best to limit contact where possible, which means you should absolutely not share items like floats, masks, googles, snorkelling equipment, etc. (even with people who are in your own house). Bring or use your own, and be sure to disinfect them regularly.
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Face masks are also recommended in certain areas
Pool operators and people who will be in close proximity to others outside of the water are encouraged to wear a mask, according to the CDC. Take it off once you get in the water ― swimming with such a face covering can make it difficult to breathe.
Guidance on Covid-19 and swimming could change as the season progresses
There’s still a lot we don’t know about the coronavirus, and the knowledge that we do have about it changes quickly. As summer goes on, researchers may discover more about how the virus lives and travels. Be sure to continuously check guidance and recommendations from your local health authorities and the CDC.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--Widower Pleads With Twitter To Delete Trump's Conspiratorial Tweets About Late Wife

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Timothy Klausutis, the widowed husband of the woman who Donald Trump has baselessly suggested was killed by MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, has written a powerful letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey calling for the deletion of the president’s tweets promoting the conspiracy theory.
Trump has this month insinuated in multiple tweets that Scarborough, a former GOP representative, may have been responsible for the 2001 death of Lori Klausutis, when she was an intern in his congressional office.
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Authorities ruled 28-year-old Klausutis’ death an accident: She hit her head on a desk after collapsing from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. No foul play was suspected.
“My request is simple: Please delete these tweets,” Timothy Klausutis wrote in his letter to Dorsey last week that Kara Swisher, a New York Times opinion writer, shared online Tuesday alongside her latest column, headlined “Twitter Must Cleanse the Trump Stain.”
In the letter to Dorsey, Klausutis lamented the “constant barrage of falsehoods, half-truths, innuendo and conspiracy theories” surrounding the death of his wife.
He also slammed conspiracy theorists, including Trump, who “continue to spread their bile and misinformation on your platform disparaging the memory of my wife and our marriage.”
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Klausutis acknowledged he is “a research engineer and not a lawyer,” but said Trump’s unfounded accusations were in violation of Twitter’s terms of service.
“An ordinary user like me would be banished from the platform for such a tweet,” he noted. “But I am only asking that these tweets be removed.”
Concluded Klausutis:
I’m asking you to intervene in this instance because the President of the United States has taken something that does not belong him — the memory of my dead wife and perverted it for perceived political gain. I would also ask that you consider Lori’s niece and two nephews who will eventually come across this filth in the future. They have never met their Aunt and it pains me to think they would ever have to about her this way. My wife deserves better. Thank you for your consideration.
“We are deeply sorry about the pain these statements, and the attention they are drawing, are causing the family,” a Twitter spokesperson said in a statement to HuffPost. “We’ve been working to expand existing product features and policies so we can more effectively address things like this going forward, and we hope to have those changes in place shortly.”
Trump’s unfounded tweets about Scarborough, who has been a fierce critic of the president, have drawn widespread ire from both sides of the aisle.
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Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) on Sunday told Trump to “just stop” promoting the “completely unfounded conspiracy.”
“Just stop,” he tweeted. “Stop spreading it, stop creating paranoia. It will destroy us.”
Mika Brzezinski, Scarborough’s wife and “Morning Joe” co-host, on Wednesday slammed Trump as “a sick person,” later claiming she was in talks with Dorsey about the issue.
Brzezinski and Scarborough on Tuesday tweeted excerpts from the letter:
“‘There has been a constant barrage of falsehoods, half-truths, innuendo and conspiracy theories since the day she died. Because of this, I have struggled to move forward with my life.’
It’s long past time to let him do that and, most of all, to let Lori Klausutis rest in peace.” — Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 26, 2020
Trump, meanwhile, indicated on Tuesday morning that he would not be giving up promoting the theory anytime soon. He launched a renewed attack on Scarborough, describing him as “a total Nut Job.”
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The opening of a Cold Case against Psycho Joe Scarborough was not a Donald Trump original thought, this has been going on for years, long before I joined the chorus. In 2016 when Joe & his wacky future ex-wife, Mika, would endlessly interview me, I would always be thinking.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--Tory Defences Of Dominic Cummings, Ranked From Bad To Really Bad

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At the heart of the ongoing furore over Dominic Cummings is a very simple question: did he break lockdown rules when he drove 260 miles to Durham with his wife and child so he could be closer to his family?
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Judging by the fact the row is now in its fourth day and a junior Tory minister has resigned from the government over it, it appears a sizeable majority of people think, yes, he did.
NEW - YouGov poll
59% think Dominic Cummings should resign (up from 52% at the weekend) pic.twitter.com/h0Jxch9poJ — Sam Coates Sky (@SamCoatesSky) May 26, 2020
Despite this, ministers are lining up to defend Cummings, an unelected bureaucrat with massive influence on government policy most famous for leading the Vote Leave campaign to rid the UK of unelected bureaucrats with massive influence on government policy.
Something hilariously Stalinist about cabinet ministers all tweeting the same message at the same time and thinking it achieves anything other than make them look like ludicrous robots — Nick Boles (@NickBoles) May 25, 2020
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On Tuesday, William Wragg, Tory chair of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, said it was “humiliating” to see ministers defending Cummings.
“We cannot throw away valuable public and political goodwill any longer,” he said.
So in the spirit of keeping an accurate historical record of humiliating government comments, here is a choice selection of Tory defences of Cummings ranked from bad to bloody awful.
10) Michael Gove
First up is Michael Gove’s first intervention on Saturday, in which he simply stated: “Caring for your wife and child is not a crime.”
In all fairness, there is nothing to fault when taken at face value – it is indeed not a crime to look after your wife and child.
Caring for your wife and child is not a crime https://t.co/YCXWhKTq28 — Michael Gove (@michaelgove) May 23, 2020
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But it makes our list for the simple fact that most members of the public didn’t deny themselves a chance to see their families because it was a crime, they did it because the government itself said we shouldn’t.
One very simple sentence in the lockdown guidance states people “should not be visiting family members who do not live in your home”.
My parents, in their late 70’s, have been tested in the last week, as have I. All were negative and they live less than an hour away. I haven’t seen them since February and am still fighting all my instincts that say to jump in the car but beginning to wonder why! — Nat Reed (@nats_reed) May 22, 2020
9) Rishi Sunak
The chancellor took a similar tack to Gove on Saturday, but for good measure accused anyone criticising Cummings as “trying to score political points”.
Taking care of your wife and young child is justifiable and reasonable, trying to score political points over it isn’t. https://t.co/QVkFmKgOsW — Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 23, 2020
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Unfortunately for Sunak, this argument almost immediately fell apart in hours as a number of his own backbenchers have called for Cummings to go.
As much as I despise any baying pitchfork-led trials by social media, I'm unconvinced by the PM's defence of #Cummings.
We've all been tasked with tempering our parental, and other, instincts by strictly adhering to Govt guidance. — David Warburton MP (@DJWarburton) May 24, 2020
8) Matt Hancock
The health secretary has a bit more capital to spend when it comes to coronavirus as he fell ill with the disease himself earlier in the year, a fact he was quick to flaunt in his effort on Saturday.
I know how ill coronavirus makes you. It was entirely right for Dom Cummings to find childcare for his toddler, when both he and his wife were getting ill. — Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) May 23, 2020
Unfortunately, Hancock loses points for not acknowledging that “to find childcare” meant a car journey across England in a vehicle literally filled with virus.
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And there were some big names who thought otherwise. The former head of the Police Federation in England and Wales said it was “most unwise” for the No.10 adviser to have travelled when “known to be infected”.
My Dad died at Easter. I couldn’t go to see him to say goodbye, couldn’t go to comfort my Mum and there were four of us, socially distancing, at his funeral so couldn’t even hold my Mum’s hand. Why is DC so fu**ing special?! — Rachel Kerry (@thebrashgirls) May 22, 2020
7) Downing Street
The official line from Downing Street on Saturday was straightforward enough: “His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines. Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally.”
But again, this suffers from the same flaws as Gove’s earlier attempt – why did no one else interpret the guidelines in the same way?
I’m 5 miles from my shielding parents...we’ve only seen them at a distance to drop off food...my children haven’t seen them at all apart from digitally...the ‘he was with his parents’ stuff is making my blood boil. — Katie Hall (@katiehall1979) May 22, 2020
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Also, if you commit a crime and in court you tell the judge: “Your honour, I do not believe I committed a crime,” it will not have much of an impact.
6) Grant Shapps
If there’s an under appreciated victim of this whole saga, it is Grant Shapps.
Shapps was almost certainly looking forward to standing up at Saturday’s Downing Street briefing and informing the nation that his department had a slew of exciting new projects to make our lives that little bit brighter.
Ironically, given he is transport secretary, he was in fact being thrown under a bus.
No one gave two hoots about the expansion of the A66 and a visibly upset Shapps was instead forced to defend Cummings. Over and over again.
HAHAHAHA Grant Shapps really just said “You’re all asking the same questions, nobody’s asking about the upgrades to the A66.” Absolutely brilliant. #DailyBriefing — Ben (@islandniles) May 23, 2020
Shapps has defended Cummings by saying he went there because “that’s where the family was”.
The transport secretary also said restrictions put in place by the government on March 23 should only be followed “to the best of your ability” and that it was “up to the individual” to make decisions on how best to follow them.
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So, anyone fancy a pint then?
5) Suella Braverman
At this stage in the list we cross from “insulting the public’s intelligence” to just outrightly “insulting the public”.
Attorney general Suella Braverman on Saturday tweeted: “Protecting one’s family is what any good parent does”.
Protecting one’s family is what any good parent does. The @10DowningStreet statement clarifies the situation and it is wholly inappropriate to politicise it. https://t.co/SdI5A1Dn2z — Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) May 23, 2020
Which, when you think about it, isn’t really on given that it’s essentially saying that anyone who didn’t visit their family during lockdown must be a bad parent.
Suella, *any good parent* protects their family by keeping them safe at home
*Not* by driving them 270 miles, while sick with #Covid_19
These are your rules ⬇ pic.twitter.com/647AOYJXuE — The Concerned Lawyer (@LawyerConcerned) May 23, 2020
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A number of people on social media also wondered if the same reasoning also applies to migrants risking their lives by crossing the channel to come to the UK.
Attorney General confirms that all those people on boats trying to reach British shores are no longer doing so illegally, as they are 'protecting one's family' https://t.co/N6NvThaOQ5 — Chris Lowndes (@chrislowndes) May 23, 2020
4) Boris Johnson
As if the implication of the attorney general’s tweet wasn’t bad enough, on Sunday the PM himself stood in front of the nation and basically said the same thing.
Speaking at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing, Boris Johnson said Cummings had “acted responsibly, legally and with integrity” and that “any parent would frankly understand what he did”.
Which, predictably, didn’t go down too well with parents across the country.
Watching Johnson. This is despicable. Parents all over this country have abided by the lockdown rules, even while ill themselves. Hundreds of thousands managed toddlers while shut up inside cramped accommodation, purely for the common good AS THE GOVERNMENT TOLD THEM TO DO. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 24, 2020
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He’s effectively said that every parent who followed the rules, is a bad parent. If he thinks this is the end of it, he’s wrong. — Deb Harvey (@DebLuckyHarvey) May 24, 2020
3) Downing Street (again)
In the midst of the row and before Johnson had taken the stage on Sunday, Downing Street was refusing to even answer questions on the matter.
Instead, it blamed the media, saying: “We will not waste our time answering a stream of false allegations about Mr Cummings from campaigning newspapers.”
The very next day a copy of the Daily Mail landed inside the door of No.10 with the headline: “What planet are they on?”.
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2) Dominic Cummings
On Monday evening an unprecedented scene unfolded as Cummings himself gave a speech and answered questions in the rose garden of 10 Downing Street.
There, in front of the entire nation, he said he drove his car 30 miles to a local beauty spot with his wife and child to see if his eyes worked properly, because apparently we now live in a world where the head of the Police Federation has to tweet things like this:
Folks, I say this in all sincerity and as an important road safety issue. If you’re feeling unwell and your eyesight may be impaired do not drive your vehicle to test your ability to drive. It’s not a wise move. — John Apter (@PFEW_Chair) May 25, 2020
1) Michael Gove (again)
You’d be forgiven for thinking number two on our list was the most ridiculous moment of this whole saga, but then you mustn’t have seen Michael Gove on Tuesday morning attempting to justify driving a car while possibly blind.
Gove, appearing on radio station LBC, begins by saying: “I have on occasions in the past driven with my wife in order to make sure that errrr... what’s the right way of putting it?”
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Host Nick Ferrari interjects: “I’m staggered, I don’t know how you’re going to get out of this one but it’s going to be fun.”
Possibly the most Michael Gove response to a question I've seen yet.
Michael Gove tries to claim he too would take a 60 mile round trip with his wife to test his eyesight, yet can't actually bring himself to try to finish the lie. Astounding. pic.twitter.com/xfNFJHGdiL — Ben Watters (@Dynamite_Shovel) May 26, 2020
At this point Gove basically gives up and informs us that he “is not an authority on driving” which is a bloody good job bearing in mind what he nearly said.
And a special mention...
Shout out to Oliver Dowden and his ability to spot the “end of a story” (tweet posted on Saturday).


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--No.10 Admits It Did Not Know Where Cummings Was When It Said He Was 'At Home'

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Downing Street has admitted it did not know where Dominic Cummings was when it told reporters he was self-isolating “at home”.
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Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson on March 31 told journalists the prime minister’s top aide was “in touch with No.10” but “at home” self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms. In fact, Cummings had in fact driven 260 miles to a family property in Durham where he allegedly broke the lockdown.
Asked whether he knew if “at home” meant Durham or London, the spokesperson told reporters: “No.
“The context of my answer was pointing out that he wasn’t at work.”
Asked whether he knew where Cummings was, the spokesperson said: “No.
“I hadn’t asked the question, it’s not something that I would expect to enquire about beyond telling you that he wasn’t at work and that he was self isolating.”
“I hadn’t asked and I wouldn’t have been expecting to be told that.
“It was based on the fact he wasn’t at work and he was self isolating.”
The PM’s spokesperson was also unable to explain why Downing Street said in a statement on Saturday that Cummings’ wife had been infected with suspected coronavirus, which Cummings himself later contradicted.
He said: “He set out his account of what had happened yesterday. I think it was a very full and detailed account and there’s nothing for me to add to it.”
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The spokesperson also declined to answer numerous questions that followed Cummings extraordinary Monday press conference in which he responded to allegations he broke the lockdown.
“I can’t be a spokesman for special advisers, that’s not my job,” the spokesperson said.
“If you have questions in that regard, they’ll have to go elsewhere, I’m afraid.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--No New Coronavirus Hospital Deaths In Northern Ireland As UK Figure Rises By 134

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Northern Ireland has reported no new coronavirus-linked hospital deaths in 24 hours – for the first time since March 23.
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It comes as the number of people who have died across the UK after contracting coronavirus has risen by 134 in 24 hours.
That includes deaths in care homes and the community as well as in hospital.
It brings the total to 37,048. Here’s a quick primer on how the numbers are calculated and how to understand them.
It comes after the two lowest daily totals since March 23 – 121 on Sunday and 118 on Monday – were reported over the bank holiday weekend.
The low figures, including Northern Ireland’s total, may be in part due to delays in recording data over the long weekend. It means May 25 could eventually end up with a small number of Northern Irish deaths recorded after all – though this is not certain.
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Deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill tweeted: “Let’s keep working together to have more days like this. This battle is not over and we cannot afford for a single person to become complacent to the threat posed by this deadly virus.”
Meanwhile, 109,979 tests were carried out in the 24 hours up to 9am. Boris Johnson said earlier this month he was aiming to hit the 200,000 tests a day mark by June – which is six days away. Today’s tally is in fact more than 11,000 below the 122,000 the government managed at the end of April.
There were 2,004 positive test results, taking the total since the outbreak hit UK shores to 265,227.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--Thousands Of Private Renters Could Face Eviction And Homelessness Once Ban Is Lifted

There are fears that the lifting of the eviction suspension will "unleash a wave of homelessness" in the UK. Paul Bradbury via Getty Images
Almost 65,000 households in the UK could be facing eviction and homelessness when the government’s eviction ban is lifted next month, according to a renters’ union.
Many private tenants have been unable to pay rent and fallen into arrears at the hands of “unsympathetic” landlords during the coronavirus pandemic. For some, the fear of eviction has impacted their mental health.
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In March, the government announced the suspension of evictions for three months to protect private renters. During that period, landlords have not been able to start eviction proceedings and all previous possession cases have been put on hold.
After June 29, however, courts will be able to begin hearing both new and existing cases again. The Tenants Union says this will put tens of thousands of households at risk of eviction and homelessness. Charity Shelter has called for judges to be given extra powers to keep people in their homes.
When Neil, 44, learned that his monthly salary would be slashed by 50% from April, he and his wife, Sally, immediately contacted their landlord to ask if he would be willing to accept a 50% reduction in rent.
The couple, who live in north Wales, were told that although they could temporarily pay half of their monthly rent, this was emphatically “not a discount but something we’d have to pay back in the future.”
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Despite repeated pleas for clarity via Facebook Messenger, they’ve had almost no news in two months. Sally’s supply teaching contract runs out in a few weeks time, after which the pair will be surviving on only half of Neil’s normal salary.
“We’re already stretched paying the current rent,” said Neil. “What if the landlord suddenly turns around and asks for all the debt we’ve accrued? We can’t afford that.”
Sally – who has anxiety – says the looming deadline keeps her up at night, while she has become more and more worried about their growing debt and how to pay it back.
“We’re feeling very vulnerable,” she said. “At least at the beginning [of lockdown] we knew there wasn’t going to be an eviction letter waiting for us, but now that time is running out.
“What’s to stop us from being evicted? Our landlord could get annoyed and throw us out and find someone else.”
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Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has defended the government's eviction suspension as the "most credible" option. PIPPA FOWLES via Getty Images
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG) has said it will keep its protection for renters “under review”, but says landlords and tenants are “expected to work together to establish an affordable repayment plan” after June 29, with government guidance urging landlords to “show compassion”.
However a survey of more than 1,500 people carried out by campaign group Generation Rent found that the proportion of landlords who refused to offer any flexibility to struggling tenants outnumbered those who granted rent reductions that did not need to be repaid eight-to-one. In the same study, more than half of renters said they had lost income since the lockdown started.
And it is not just those who have struggled to pay rent in lockdown who will be at risk of becoming homeless during the pandemic.
Abdul* was in the midst of a two-year legal battle with his landlord – who he says has subjected him to continuous harassment – when the suspension was announced.
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He claims that in July 2017, the landlord of his two-bedroom rented flat abruptly removed the entire kitchen – fridge, shelves, cooker, etc – to “fix a leak”. Since then, he and his young family have been forced to sleep in one bedroom and use the other as a makeshift kitchen, living on microwave ready meals and takeaway food.
When he complained to the landlord, he was served an eviction notice – the first of at least three. Although he has been paying full rent during lockdown, he and his family are once again at risk of being thrown out of their East London flat once the suspension is lifted.
Abdul says that while they have suffered a great deal of emotional and mental distress, they cannot afford to find another place unless their deposit is returned, which his landlord has refused to do.
“He’s forced me to stay in the property and fight back,” he told HuffPost UK. “Now I want justice.”
“It has affected us in many ways. I am taking anti-depressants, my wife is always stressed, my children don’t have any space in the flat to play.”
The Tenants Union say that around 65,000 households are facing eviction and homelessness after lockdown. marcduf via Getty Images
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Ben Clay from the Tenants Union said the issue was “a question of fairness”. While homeowners were offered a three-month mortgage holiday – which last week was extended for a further three months – renters were told to rely on the kindness of their landlords for a sense of security.
“The eviction cliff edge is a huge issue for tenants right now,” he told HuffPost UK.
“Generally the poorest in society are tenants because none of them can afford to buy a house, and yet they’re expected to pay more money back.”
One of England’s busiest civil and family courts informed its regular users that it will restart hearings on June 29, according to the website Landlordzone.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said the charity had heard from renters who were “struggling more than ever as jobs are lost and incomes fall because of the crisis.
She said: “If the government lifts the eviction ban without putting in protections for renters, it will unleash a wave of homelessness that will see councils drown and families needlessly suffer.
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“That’s why it’s critical judges are given extra powers to keep people in their homes.””
An MHCLG spokesperson said: “The government has taken unprecedented action to support renters during the pandemic to ensure no one can be forced from their home - and we will keep these measure under review.
“We continue to urge the need for landlords to work together at this time and to raise issues at the earliest opportunity to address any concerns to agree a workable way forward.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-26--JK Rowling Is Releasing Unpublished Book The Ickabog She Wrote 10 Years Ago

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JK Rowling has announced she’s releasing a new bedtime story for kids – completely free online – to help families confined at home during the pandemic.
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Explaining her new project on Twitter, the author wrote: “Over 10 years ago, I wrote a stand-alone fairy tale called The Ickabog. I always meant to publish it, but after the last Potter was released, I wrote two novels for adults and, after some dithering, decided to put those out next.
“Until very recently, the only people who’d heard the story of The Ickabog were my two younger children.”
I have a small announcement, but before I get started, I
want to head off one possible source of confusion.
********************************************
THIS IS NOT A HARRY POTTER SPIN-OFF
********************************************
1/13 — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 26, 2020
Over time, she wrote, she came to think of “The Ickabog” as just for her family, so the manuscript went up in her attic. But a few weeks ago, she decided to get it down.
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“Opening the box was like opening a time capsule,” she wrote. “Most of the story was handwritten, but bits had been typed up. When I put it into some kind of order (I’m not renowned for my filing skills) I had a patchwork first draft.”
Opening the box was like opening a time capsule. Most of the story was handwritten, but bits had been typed up. When I put it into some kind of order (I'm not renowned for my filing skills) I had a patchwork first draft.
5/13 pic.twitter.com/mz1qaGyyUt — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 26, 2020
She continued: “We’ll be publishing a chapter (or 2 or 3) every weekday, starting at 3pm today and ending on July 10th. You don’t need to register to access the story. You can read it for free on a new website we’ll be launching shortly. But there’s more.”
Rowling went on to explain that she’d like kids to illustrate the book for her. She’ll be suggesting ideas, but says “nobody should feel constrained by my ideas. Let your imaginations run wild!”
The best pictures will be included in the books she intends to publish in November 2020.
She added: “Lastly, I intend to donate my author royalties from the published books to projects and organisations helping the groups most impacted by Covid-19. Full details will be made available later in the year.”
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The first two chapters of The Ickabog will be going live in a couple of hours time. Whether you read it yourself, or have it read to you, I hope you enjoy it ❤
13/13 — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 26, 2020
Explaining more details of the book on her website, Rowling wrote: “The Ickabog is a story about truth and the abuse of power. To forestall one obvious question: the idea came to me well over a decade ago, so it isn’t intended to be read as a response to anything that’s happening in the world right now. The themes are timeless and could apply to any era or any country.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Domestic Abuse Survivors Told To Put Themselves At Risk By Attending Commons In Person

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Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg is under pressure to drop “unsafe” demands for domestic abuse survivors to attend parliament in person to give evidence.
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Rees-Mogg has scrapped the so-called “hybrid” parliament, meaning proceedings will no longer take place via video link despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Eight domestic abuse and women’s rights organisations said the move puts at risk the safety of survivors due to give evidence on the government’s landmark domestic abuse bill.
They urged Rees-Mogg to drop the “unacceptable”, “discriminatory” and “unsafe” demands, warning they will particularly put at risk witnesses from Black and ethnic minority (BAME) communities who are more likely to die from Covid-19.
In a letter to the Commons leader, the charities said some of the witnesses include women who cannot get anyone to look after their children without breaking social distancing rules.
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Another witness has a disability and so would need someone to break social distancing rules to assist them in navigating parliament.
Survivors who will be detailing some of the most traumatic experiences in their lives will need help delivering evidence, which will mean more unnecessary journeys on public transport by support workers, the charity said.
The demand for physical attendance also excludes survivors and organisations from Wales, as the lockdown restrictions there are more stringent.
We’ve co-signed this urgent letter to @Jacob_Rees_Mogg asking for him to drop the requirement for any abuse survivors to actually come to Parliament for the #DABill evidence sessions - MPs need to hear from survivors but this is not reasonable right now, videolink shd be fine https://t.co/NhsMNz1DcJ — EVAW Coalition (@EVAWuk) May 27, 2020
Nicki Norman, acting co-chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “We welcome the public bill committee’s decision to hear the expert evidence of domestic abuse survivors as they scrutinise the landmark domestic abuse bill.
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“However, it is clearly wrong to require them to give evidence in person.
“This requirement is unsafe for survivors, especially for women from BAME communities and those with disabilities.
“It will put survivors and staff supporting them at risk and force them to breach current government guidance.
“The government must urgently reconsider this requirement.”
Gisela Valle, director of the Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) said: “We are highly concerned that survivors have been asked to attend the parliament in person despite the pandemic, its disproportionate effect on BAME communities and social distancing measures.
“This is unnecessarily exposing them to the risk of infection.
“For all these reasons, we are calling on the government to prioritise the safety of survivors and to enable witnesses to present evidence remotely.”
Pragna Patel, director of Southall Black Sisters, said: “This unacceptable condition of attendance only serves to jeopardise the safety of survivors and their key workers, as well as flout the rule on non-essential travel.
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“In a context where facilities exist for participants to give evidence remotely, there is no justification for the requirement.
“Given that BAME groups are amongst those disproportionately affected by Covid-19, BAME survivors and the staff who support them will be placed at unnecessary risk.
“We urge the government to reconsider.”
A government spokesperson said: “The landmark domestic abuse bill will transform the way we support victims and tackle perpetrators.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Dominic Cummings' Actions During Lockdown Are A 'Slap In The Face', Say Frontline NHS Workers

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Frontline medics who have put their own lives on the line during the coronavirus pandemic have described Dominic Cummings’ actions as a “slap in the face”.
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The prime minister’s chief adviser sparked widespread outrage after it emerged he drove 260 miles from London to Durham with his child and sick wife during the Covid-19 lockdown.
However in an extraordinary press conference on Monday, Cummings said he did not regret his decision, which he insisted was motivated by concerns about who would look after his child if he and his wife both developed coronavirus.
As such, he has argued he did not break lockdown rules by making the trip.
Boris Johnson and the cabinet have lined up to defend his actions, with the PM describing his aide as somebody “who was doing the best for his family”.
But the row – which has seen a number of MPs from Johnson’s own benches demand Cummings’ resignation – has left many of the medics on the front line in the battle against Covid-19 furious.
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An ambulance worker from the north-west – who asked not to be named – told HuffPost UK Cummings’ actions during lockdown were a “slap in the face to frontline workers”.
“I’ve been out to critically ill patients and you’ve got families in the same household pleading with you to let them go to the hospital with the patient,” they said.
“We have had to be quite brutal and say no. It sounds really harsh and barbaric, but it’s for a reason.
“So for the very person who has put those lockdown rules into place to flout them just completely undermines all the work that we’ve been doing in the last eight weeks.”
And it’s not just patients who have been suffering during the lockdown, they said.
Like many NHS staff, some of the ambulance worker’s colleagues have moved out of their family homes over fears of picking up the virus at work and giving it to their parents, children or partners.
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“I have colleagues who are staying in hotels and haven’t seen their husbands, wives or children for weeks during this pandemic so they can continue to go to work and provide a service to the public,” they said.
“So to see such a high-ranking governmental figure flout lockdown, putting us at risk of a second spike and prolonging that is just disgusting. It really does boil my blood.”
They also addressed Cummings’ claim that he drove to Barnard Castle – which is around 30 miles away from where he was staying – to test his eyesight, which he said had been affected while he was suffering from a case of suspected coronavirus.
“If Cummings thinks that it is a good idea to drive for 30 miles to test his eyesight, I openly invite him to come and spend a week on an ambulance with us to see how horrific incidents involving careless driving can be.
“I would then invite him to make a formal apology and resign from his position.”
MartinPrescott via Getty Images
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Theatre nurse Lisa said she was “utterly appalled” by Cummings’ actions, which many have argued broke lockdown rules.
At the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, she was redeployed to work in the intensive care unit, looking after the sickest Covid-19 patients in the hospital.
“It was 12-hour shifts looking after patients with Covid-19, intubated with lines and catheters, clinging to life,” she said. “We had nurses crying and having panic attacks because they didn’t want to go in.
“I love my job, but I risked my life for other people’s families, not mine.
“So I am pissed at the government’s elitist, circle the wagons attitude... I’m so angry and frustrated it makes me cry.”
She added: “Cummings has to resign. This could polarise the country and we don’t need that at this time. Between Covid-19 and Brexit, the government needs a surplus of good faith.”
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It’s a call echoed by a nurse in Scotland who spoke to HuffPost UK, who also asked to remain anonymous.
“Speaking as a nurse who has cared for patients with and dying from Covid-19 and those dying from other conditions, I have been left drained, numb, exhausted, crying in my car at the end of a shift and utterly at odds with myself when I have had to tell relatives that they are not allowed to visit their loved ones in hospital,” they said.
“I have had to refuse and strictly adhere to rules when relatives have asked me to bend them, which has often made for some of the most difficult nursing shifts that I have ever worked.”
They said they felt “let down” by ministers who have rushed to support Cummings’ actions.
“All of this is making it harder and harder to go to work and put on our uniforms.
“I know of people who are already using his behaviour as an excuse to bend lockdown rules to fit in with what they think they should be allowed to do. It is already happening.
“As a result of this I am desperately fearful for the safety of my patients, my colleagues, my family, and the wider population, as people grow in confidence when it comes to disregarding Covid-19 advice.”
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But not everyone agrees that Cummings should leave No.10. A GP from Cheshire – who is also a single parent – told HuffPost UK they “take exception to those who blame this one man for the potential second peak”.
“Cummings has made errors of judgement in my view, but as an NHS doctor who has seen patients with coronavirus, I feel more let down by the thousands of people sitting on beaches like sardines and the journalists crowding around Dominic Cummings’ car,” they said.
“They are all literally driving a coach and horses through the coronavirus guidelines. Perhaps they should all resign from their jobs?
“I agree that no one in a position of power should think themselves above everyone else – but on this basis their actions should be assessed with the same understanding as those given to the rest of us. They are only human, after all.”
Any second peak in coronavirus cases will be down to “the premature easing of lockdown”, they added.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Yes, Mums Are Doing More Chores And Childcare Than Dads During Lockdown

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Mothers have taken on more childcare and housework responsibilities than fathers who have the same work arrangements during the Covid-19 lockdown, a study suggests.
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In families where both the parents have paid work, mothers are spending more of their working hours simultaneously trying to care for children compared with their partners, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report.
They’re also more likely to have quit or lost their job, or to have been furloughed, since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.
A sharp reduction in the time that mothers are spending dedicated to work amid the crisis could harm their careers and further increase the gender wage gap when lockdown is lifted, researchers warn.
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Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images
The study, of more than 3,500 two-parent opposite-gender families, found that mothers are also far more likely to be interrupted during paid working hours with household responsibilities than fathers. Researchers surveyed 4,915 parents who currently live with their children in England between April 29 and May 15.
Mothers are doing paid work during two fewer hours of the day than fathers, but they do childcare and housework during two more hours each, the analysis from the IFS and the UCL Institute of Education has found. Mums combine paid work with other activities, such as childcare, in 47% of their work hours, compared with 30% of fathers’ work hours, according to the report.
The research comes as primary schools across England are preparing to admit more children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 from next week. Schools and nurseries across the UK closed nine weeks ago amid Covid-19, remaining open only for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers.
“The vast increase in the amount of childcare that mothers are doing under lockdown, many alongside paid work, is likely to put a strain on their wellbeing.””
The average mother – including those who did not work for pay – was doing nearly 60% of the number of uninterrupted work hours that the average father did in 2014-15, but now she is doing only 35%.
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Lucy Kraftman, a research economist at the IFS, said: “Mothers are doing, on average, more childcare and more housework than fathers who have the same work arrangements, be that not working, working from home or working outside the home.”
She added: “The vast increase in the amount of childcare that mothers are doing under lockdown, which many are juggling alongside paid work, is likely to put a strain on their wellbeing.”
Of parents who were in paid work prior to the lockdown, mothers are one and a half times more likely than fathers to have either lost their job or quit since the lockdown began. Mothers who were in paid work in February are 9% less likely to be currently working for pay than fathers.
Mothers who have stopped paid work during lockdown, while their partner continues, do twice as much childcare and housework as their partner.
But in families where the father has stopped working – and the mother is still in paid work – men only share childcare and housework responsibilities equally with their partner.
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Despite doing less childcare than mothers, fathers have nearly doubled the number of hours they spend on looking after their children during lockdown compared with 2014-2015, the study found.
Sonya Krutikova, a deputy research director at IFS, said: “This may bring about changes in the attitudes of fathers, mothers, children and employers about the role of fathers in meeting family needs for childcare and domestic work during the working week.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Is Bar Soap Safe To Use During The Coronavirus Pandemic?

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We all want to protect ourselves from the coronavirus, and we’re proving it by wearing handmade masks, washing our clothes properly and washing our hands with soap and water as often as humanly possible, which effectively removes the virus.
Most of us are most comfortable using liquid soap during the coronavirus pandemic, because it allows each user to pump out their own ration. But what about bar soap?
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It’s been having a moment in the past year, as it’s more sustainable, easier to find and usually cheaper than liquid soap. Not to mention it’s the only plastic-free soap option and can be used to clean hands, body and face.
But when bar soap is shared among several people, is it hygienic and safe to use during the pandemic? Or is it just a dangerous breeding ground for the virus? We spoke to doctors to find out.
RLT_Images via Getty Images Good news: A virus can't live on a bar of soap.
Bar Soap Is Not A Hospitable Environment For A Virus
Soap works against the coronavirus because it destroys the lipid membrane that surrounds the virus, leading it to fall apart.
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Simply put, science has shown that a virus cannot live on any soap, including bar soap. That’s why you’re encouraged to wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible.
(Note: Don’t confuse soap with hand sanitiser, which isn’t as effective as soap in removing germs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
But Can Bacteria Live On A Bar Of Soap?
Keep in mind that bacteria and viruses are two different things.
Bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus) cannot be transmitted from one person to another via a bar of soap, an extensive study concluded in 1965.
A follow-up study in 1988 looked at whether bacteria such as E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa would transfer from infected bars of soap to a test group. The results confirmed the results of the initial study: Bacteria on a bar of soap can’t be transmitted via hand-washing.
If you’re still not convinced, you can always take extra precautions. You can use liquid soap instead of bar soap, but be mindful not to touch the pump, as you may risk contamination from the container. Liquid “soap is normally in a plastic container, and it’s very hard to use it without touching the outside,” said Darien Sutton, an emergency physician in New York.
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When To Avoid Bars Of Soap
Bars of soap are safe and hygienic to use, but Sutton recommended that you use your own bar and keep it separate from bars used by people you live with, especially if you or they are symptomatic or infected.
“I don’t think there is serious harm if one person is sharing a bar of soap with another, but if you are trying to decrease the risk of contamination as much as possible, especially if someone has active symptoms, you should use your own personal bar of soap,” Sutton told HuffPost.
It’s best to have your own personal soap — especially if you use it on your body or face — to decrease any risk of contamination, added Janette Nesheiwat, a family and emergency physician in New York.
How To Properly Store Bar Soap
if bar soap is your only option, rinse it properly before and after every use, Nesheiwat said.
“Once you’re done with the soap, rinse it off and place it in a dry, open container. If you close it, it’s an opportunity for humidity to build up on the surfaces to allow for bacteria to prosper,” Sutton told HuffPost.
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The Verdict On Bar Soap
The bathroom is a particularly active breeding ground for bacteria. If you share a bathroom with people who go in and out of the house, you and the others should have separate soaps, and you should clean the bathroom after every use with bleach or a product with a minimum of 60% isopropyl alcohol, Sutton recommended.
But don’t obsess over the kind of soap you use, Sutton added. When you share a bathroom with someone, you will probably contaminate surfaces one way or another, whether you share bar soap or not.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Glastonbury's 50th Anniversary Will Still Be Celebrated With Epic BBC Coverage, Despite Festival's C

Glastonbury's 50th Anniversary Will Still Be Celebrated With Epic BBC Coverage, Despite Festival's Cancellation

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You’re reading our series Summer’s Not Cancelled, where we celebrate summer in this new normal. From rediscovering nature and cherishing time with friends and family, to virtual festivals and unforgettable staycations – summer’s still here, it’s just different.
Glastonbury might have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but there’s still lots of action from the festival to enjoy this summer.
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The BBC has unveiled plans to still celebrate Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary, with hours of dedicated programming reliving some of the iconic festival’s best moments and memorable performances.
Beyoncé headlined the festival in 2011 Rune Hellestad - Corbis via Getty Images
The Glastonbury Experience will be broadcast from Thursday 25 June to Monday 29 June across the BBC’s TV channels, iPlayer, radio and BBC Sounds.
A number of recent stand-out headline sets – including Adele in 2016, Beyoncé in 2011, David Bowie in 2000, and Coldplay in 2016 – will air on BBC Two, BBC Four and iPlayer.
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Performances by Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys, Blur, Dizzee Rascal, Lady Gaga, PJ Harvey and The Rolling Stones will also be featured.
In addition to this, there will be three live 90-minute programmes aired during prime time slots on BBC Two from the Friday to Sunday to mark what would have been the three headlining nights of this year’s event.
Adele played the Pyramid Stage in 2016 Jonathan Short/Invision/AP
Meanwhile, there’ll be a new pop-up channel deciated to Glastonbury on the iPlayer, with more than 60 previous sets available, while the BBC Sounds app will have “All Day Glastonbury” curated collections of back-to-back sets, as well as the biggest moments from across BBC Radio.
Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis said: “There are so many memorable sets being played across the BBC over what would have been our 50th anniversary weekend.
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“Personally, I’m looking forward to a weekend of reflecting on the history of our festival and going back to some classic performances from David Bowie, Adele, REM, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, Billie Eilish and lots more. Me and my dad will definitely be watching!”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Experts Predict How Coronavirus May Change Hotel Stays

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The Covid-19 pandemic has altered the travel industry in seemingly every way imaginable. One area undergoing massive changes ― and preparing for more ― is the hotel business.
Public health experts are still advising against nonessential travel, but what will our trips be like in the future?
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“Travellers want to feel safe, period,” Melanie Lieberman, senior travel editor at The Points Guy, told HuffPost. “Hotels will have to consider every amenity and service and determine what they can do to give travellers additional peace of mind. And though many of these changes may be temporary, some may be permanent.”
What might some of these changes be? HuffPost spoke to Lieberman and other travel experts to find out what the hotel experience may look like going forward.
Emphasis On Cleanliness
“Travellers will certainly hear hotels talk about their sanitisation and cleaning protocols, and certain properties or brands may seek cleanliness certifications,” Lieberman noted. “The key here will be communicating their cleanliness standards to guests.”
Many hotels are already touting “enhanced” cleaning standards, which can include more thorough or frequent disinfecting of high-touch surfaces, the use of more aggressive products, and even new sanitation technology.
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“Marriott, for example, said it’s going to use electrostatic sprayers and hospital-grade disinfectants,” Lieberman said. Other examples include the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s “Safe Stay” initiative, which includes new cleanliness measures, as well as Hilton’s “CleanStay” program and Accor’s “ALLSAFE” plan.
“Such things as UV light sanitiser or tech that can assist with social distancing have already started to show promise,” said Robb Monkman, founder and CEO of the hospitality safety brand React Mobile. “Hotels are also making use of digital signage reminding guests and staff about best practices.”
The increased emphasis on cleanliness could also lead to changes in many hotel room layouts and amenities. While there’s been a recent push toward the more eco-friendly bulk toiletry dispensers, some brands may return to single-use bottles. Hand-washing stations and hand sanitisers may also appear in key areas. And minibars could become a thing of the past.
“Hotels will need to evaluate what they put in the room beyond furniture as it will need to be sanitised on a daily basis, including throw pillows and blankets, printed menus, barware, and much more,” said Rob Karp, founder and CEO of the travel planning service MilesAhead. “A specific example is the chocolate that many hotels leave in rooms at turndown ― I think many properties will begin to realise that guests won’t want this additional treat if it means that it could potentially be contaminated.”
Self-Service And Contactless Tech Solutions
“People go to a hotel to enjoy being taken care of, and now in a post Covid-19 world, hotels will need to find new ways to provide excellent service with limited human interaction,” said Adam Deflorian, founder and CEO of the hospitality technology and marketing firm AZDS Interactive Group.
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That’s where technological advancements come in.
“Industry experts say ultraviolet, germ-killing lighting, germ-killing robots and contact-tracing apps could all be embraced by the hospitality industry.” - Melanie Lieberman, senior travel editor at The Points Guy
Hispanolistic via Getty Images Hotels are touting "enhanced" cleaning standards.
“There will be an acceleration of self-service tech solutions in hotels,” said Konrad Waliszewski, co-founder and CEO of the travel app TripScout. “Services that would have happened anyway over the next decade ― such as self-service and contactless check-ins, mobile keys, mobile check-ins, and mobile SMS/chat for requests ― will become the norm for hotels.”
The ability to use your phone to unlock your hotel room would be a game-changer, as would in-room automation like mobile apps to turn on the lights, control the TV, and order room service. Monkman noted that some hotels could even implement food delivery robots — like Cleo and Leo at Chicago’s EMC2 Hotel.
“Every hotel brand and individual property will respond differently to the call for change, but some hotels have turned to technology in a big way. Industry experts say ultraviolet, germ-killing lighting, germ-killing robots and contact-tracing apps could all be embraced by the hospitality industry,” Lieberman suggested. “The Westin Houston Medical Center is already using germ-fighting robots, so it’s no longer the stuff of science fiction.”
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Although recent research suggests that the coronavirus does not spread as easily through contaminated surfaces as previously thought, these measures are still useful to reduce risk and make guests and employees feel safer.
“Many hotels were adopting mobile digital check-in and digital keys prior to the pandemic — so it’s possible, after Covid-19, the days of the hotel room key will be numbered,” Lieberman said. “Or maybe not. As with almost everything these days, there’s a lot of uncertainty, and the situation is always changing.”
Masks And Temperature Checks
“Unquestionably, I think you’ll begin to see mask requirements for guests and staff,” said Deflorian. “It is proven that face coverings can significantly reduce the spread of the coronavirus. I think you’ll begin to see the opportunity to have branded masks for employees, as well as new training methods to teach staff how to show emotions while still wearing their face covering.”
Whether or not hotels require masks in public spaces may vary based on local and national requirements for businesses as well.
“Many hotels may choose to implement temperature checks upon arrival,” Deflorian added. It’s possible this kind of temperature screening technology will come along with previously mentioned enhancements like mobile check-in, digital keys and contactless payment.
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martin-dm via Getty Images Many hotels are already requiring guests and staff to wear masks.
Spacing Changes
“Most, if not all hotels, will be mandated to have fewer rooms open for service, and they will use this to market their properties as safe and secluded vacation destinations,” Karp predicted. “For example, if a hotel or resort has 100 rooms, only 60 will be available for bookings.”
He added that many hotels may implement minimum multiple-night-stay policies (i.e. requiring guests to stay for more than a night or two) to make up for lost revenue while maintaining a lower occupancy.
Having fewer guests on the property will help keep people spaced out, as will changes in lobby layouts and other public areas.
“I think from an operations standpoint, you’ll start seeing lobbies with socially distanced tables, frequent disinfectants and more outdoor seating and dining,” Deflorian said.
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Monkman added that he foresees physically distanced queues, partitions at front desks and no scheduled entertainment offerings that require guest interactions. He noted that some brands like Accor are even offering guests free access to telemedicine consultants and connections to other medical services.
Bye-Bye, Buffets
“I think the days of buffets are gone,” Deflorian said. “Even well after a full recovery, I think guests will be very much concerned about buffets, but I do think there will be an increase in demand for in-room dining.”
Lieberman, however, believes buffets will survive but are not likely to remain self-service. Physically distanced lines and barriers like sneeze guards may also alter the experience.
“As the pandemic picked up, we saw a significant reduction in buffet service all across the travel industry. Airport lounges, for example, suspended self-service stations in favour of prepackaged food with individually wrapped flatware and single-serve condiments,” she said. “Some Las Vegas resorts closed buffets altogether. As with most things, we’ll probably see a gradual, phased approach to hotel buffets. Some might opt for grab-and-go, individually packaged foods, while others might opt for buffets to be staffed, rather than self-service.”
“I think from an operations standpoint, you’ll start seeing lobbies with socially distanced tables, frequent disinfectants and more outdoor seating and dining.” - Adam Deflorian, founder of AZDS Interactive Group, a hospitality tech firm
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Beyond buffets, new hotel dining procedures might involve dining rooms operating at reduced capacity and more guests reserving private dining rooms or balconies for meals. Monkman suggested automats could make a comeback.
Reservations For Amenities
“Similar to guests making a massage appointment, hotels may now require advance-timed reservations for using the tennis court, pool, spa and other amenities where guests can be in close proximity,” Karp noted.
“Golf courses in the age of the Covid-19 pandemic are operating by spacing tee times to promote safe distancing,” he added. “Any use of public facilities at hotels and resorts will need to be treated with extreme care as many guests, including potential carriers, use it on a daily basis.”
Lift Challenges
Lift safety has become a concern not only for hotels, but for high-rise office buildings and apartment complexes as well. Deflorian and Monkman believe that frequent sanitising and limits on the number of riders will be common practice.
“If nothing else, travellers should expect to see hand-sanitising stations deployed to high-touch areas all over hotels, including by lifts,” Lieberman noted. “Who knows? Maybe lift attendants will make a comeback.”
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More Direct Bookings
Waliszewski believes more travellers will book their stays directly with the hotel, rather than a third-party service like Expedia or Booking.com.
“Travellers struggled to figure out if the cancellations and changes were the responsibility of the hotel or who they booked it through,” he said, recalling the early days of the pandemic when people rushed to alter their travel plans. “Many who didn’t book directly with a hotel got screwed, or at least had a lot more hassle.”
Waliszewski also thinks hotel brands may capitalise on this shift of power away from those third-party sites.
“More people will book directly with the hotel in order have more flexibility and protection,” he said. “You already saw brands like Marriott only give reward points to customers who book directly, but expect many more perks to not be available unless booking direct.”
New Packages And Programming
“Hotels will need to figure out ways to entice guests to come, which will be challenging, particularly because the airline lift is so limited,” Deflorian said. “I think for resorts, we will begin to see all sorts of new outdoor programming and new fitness, ‘one of a kind’-type experiences ― paddle-boarding, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, etc.”
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Waliszewski believes hotels may cater to local travellers craving a “staycation” as stay-at-home measures are lifted.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Coronation Street's Simon Gregson Says He Was Drunk When He Defended Dominic Cummings In Sweary Twee

Coronation Street's Simon Gregson Says He Was Drunk When He Defended Dominic Cummings In Sweary Tweets

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Coronation Street star Simon Gregson has said he was drunk when he tweeted an expletive-laden defence of Dominic Cummings over the weekend.
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The actor – best known for playing Steve McDonald on the ITV soap – faced criticism from some of his followers after supporting Boris Johnson’s senior aide’s 260-mile lockdown trip to his parents’ house in Durham.
Simon Gregson PA
As Cummings faced increasing pressure to resign over his breach of the lockdown rules, Simon tweeted over the Bank Holiday: “This discussion gives me the shits. Family first ALWAYS. Regardless.
“People have crawled through shit , gun fire, climbing over dead friends to be with. Put your bullst away dick Ed’s coz you’d do the same. Plus back off press 2 Mtrs knob sucks [sic].”
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He later added: “Ok I take it back to understand that we could all ways do that. So I hold my hands up and say. BD choice of words. But. Wouldn’t you? Fine line people. Let’s not be told but imagine.”
Simon has now admitted he was drunk when he sent the tweets, and posted on Tuesday: “Well sober me has no idea what drunk me was going on about. Time to maybe step away from the phone.”
Well sober me has no idea what drunk me was going on about. Time to maybe step away from the phone 🤭🙁 — simon gregson (@simongregson123) May 26, 2020
However, Simon appeared to stand by his initial sentiments, insisting his tweets came “from a good place”.
Responding to one follower who criticised his excuse of being drunk, the actor responded: “My language was the regret not my thoughts. But a huge social platform isn’t the place for them
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“I just emphasise [sic] with a person who puts kids first regardless. I’m probably wrong not having all the facts. Apart from the choice language it was from a good place.”
My language was the regret not my thoughts. But a huge social platform isn’t the place for them. I just emphasise with a person who puts kids first regardles. I’m probably wrong not having all the facts.Apart from the choice language it was from a good place — simon gregson (@simongregson123) May 26, 2020
Simon also criticised the conduct of the media who have doorstepped Cummings during the controversy.
“The very people trying to cause the pitch fork brigade to light their torches are the ones disobeying every rule shoving cameras and mics in his face,” he said.
And that’s the hugely controversial point. And the very people trying to cause the pitch fork brigade to light their torches are the ones disobeying every rule shoving cameras and mics in his face. Still I could be totally wrong who knows 🤷♂just an opinion — simon gregson (@simongregson123) May 26, 2020
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Cummings has argued that his journey to Durham in March was justified as he sought to protect his family’s health.
But many questions remain unanswered, including over his subsequent drive to Barnard Castle which he said was to test his eyesight after it was affected by Covid-19.
Dominic Cummings PA
Despite continued public unrest, the government has continued to back Cummings, with the prime minister refusing to fire his senior aide.
Public figures such as Piers Morgan and J.K. Rowling are among those who have criticised the government’s continued support of Cummings.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Newsnight's Emily Maitlis Praised For Extraordinary Monologue On Dominic Cummings Backlash

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Newsnight host Emily Maitlis has been widely praised for reading the public mood in her summing up of the Dominic Cummings controversy.
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The presenter opened Tuesday night’s edition of the current affairs programme with a monologue about the backlash to the government aide’s 260-mile lockdown trip to his parents’ house in Durham, amid increasing pressure for him to resign.
Maitlis began by simply saying: “Dominic Cummings broke the rules.”
Emily @maitlis has become the conscience of the nation. We should all be very thankful that she's there.
👏👏👏#cummings #SpeakTruthToPowerpic.twitter.com/74jsuW77d4 — Brexit Bin 🇪🇺 #NotMyBrexit (@BrexitBin) May 27, 2020
She continued: “The country can see that, and it’s shocked the government cannot.
“The longer ministers and the prime minister tell us that we worked within them, the more angry the response to this scandal is likely to be.
“He was the man, remember, who always got the public mood, who tagged the lazy label of ‘elite’ on those who disagreed. He should understand that public mood one now: one of fury, contempt and anguish.
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“He made those who struggled to keep to the rules feel like fools, and has allowed many more to assume they can now flout them.”
Emily Maitlis on Tuesday's Newsnight BBC
She added: “The prime minister knows all this, and despite the resignation of one minister and growing unease from his backbenchers, a dramatic early warning from the polls, and a deep national disquiet, Boris Johnson has chosen to ignore it.”
Clips of Maitlis’ monologue swiftly began circulating online, with many impressed with her firm stance on the controversy.
Truly excellent from @maitlis exercising the freedom to say two plus two make four:pic.twitter.com/yHwOTNvEQb — Sian Berry (@sianberry) May 27, 2020
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Nope. It is NOT an opinion Dominic Cummings broke the rules. It is a FACT. @maitlis spoke the truth & facts. She's spot on to do so.
This is TOTALLY acceptable. I would not expect less from the BBC #newsnight or Maitlis. — Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) May 27, 2020
If you had an early night last night, you missed this sledgehammer of an opening monologue from Emily Maitlis on #newsnight. pic.twitter.com/zjMd5gAnTe — Jim Fraser Rae (@JimFraserRae) May 27, 2020
She’s done it again @maitlis saying it as it is and perfectly sums up the nation’s increasing anger at a government that has one rule for us and another rule for themselves. ‘He made those who struggled to keep the rules look like fools’. #cummings #stayelite @BBCNewsnight https://t.co/XaCSap9tu9 — Monica Harding (@monicabeharding) May 27, 2020
OK, that is an opening... @maitlis tells it how it is. pic.twitter.com/1J3CMWHVpO — Nearly Legal (@nearlylegal) May 26, 2020
‘He made those who struggled to keep to the rules feel like fools and has allowed many more to assume they can now flout them. The prime minister knows all this and has chosen to ignore it.’
Savage brilliance from @maitlis #newsnight pic.twitter.com/1tX879ICqZ — Jonathan Lis (@jonlis1) May 26, 2020
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The Emily Maitlis Miracle MK2. These words were brilliant and most definitely needed. This needs to be the new norm.
‘He made those who struggled to keep to the rules feel like fools and has allowed many more to assume they can now flout them. #BBCBreakfast #SkyNews #GMB pic.twitter.com/PagjxAeC31 — Jon Jones (@JonJonesSnr) May 27, 2020
emily @maitlis sums up Cummings perfectly on #Newsnight pic.twitter.com/CLOGNdCtkp — sources close to michael segalov (@MikeSegalov) May 26, 2020
Honestly I cannot think of a better team than @maitlis and @lewis_goodall in British TV journalism at the moment. Excellent work throughout all of this #Newsnight — Carl Stanton (@Captain_Carlos) May 26, 2020
I am often quite cross with BBC News, but Emily Maitlis is often its very best asset. https://t.co/cbUBhP7VLB — Robin Ince (@robinince) May 26, 2020
“Dominic Cummings broke the rules. The country can see that. (...) We don't expect to be joined by a Government Minister, but that won't stop us asking the questions."
Absolutely love @maitlis' blatantly honest tone on #Newsnight. More of this please! 👏 pic.twitter.com/8oExJEEtRO — Dominic Buxton (@MrDominicBuxton) May 26, 2020
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In a press conference on Monday, Cummings argued that his journey to Durham in March was justified as he sought to protect his family’s health.
But many questions remained unanswered, including over his subsequent drive to Barnard Castle which he said was to test his eyesight after it was affected by Covid-19.
Despite continued public unrest, the government has continued to back Cummings, with prime minister Boris Johnson refusing to fire his senior aide.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Jimmy Fallon Apologises For 'Unquestionably Offensive Decision' To Wear Blackface In Resurfaced Vide

Jimmy Fallon Apologises For 'Unquestionably Offensive Decision' To Wear Blackface In Resurfaced Video

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US chat show host Jimmy Fallon has apologised after video resurfaced of him wearing Blackface during a sketch on Saturday Night Live.
The star’s name trended on Twitter on Tuesday after clips and pictures of him wearing dark make-up to portray comedian and former SNL star Chris Rock began circulating.
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Jimmy Fallon Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Responding to criticism, Jimmy tweeted: “In 2000, while on SNL, I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface.
“There is no excuse for this.
“I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable.”
In 2000, while on SNL, I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface. There is no excuse for this.
I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable. — jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) May 26, 2020
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Jimmy appeared on SNL from 1998 until 2004, leaving the show to pursue film roles, later becoming the sixth permanent host of the late night US chat show The Tonight Show in 2014.
SNL has an established history of casting non-Black actors in Black roles, with Billy Crystal playing Sammy Davis Jr in 1984 and more recently former US president Barack Obama was portrayed by Fred Armisen.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Boris Johnson Faces A Grilling Over Lockdown Row. Plus, 3 Other Things You Need To Know

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Boris Johnson is set to face a grilling from senior MPs as the row about Dominic Cummings’ decision to travel 260 miles during lockdown rages on for another day.
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More than 30 MPs from the PM’s own benches have now called for Johnson’s senior adviser to resign.
According to the latest figures published by the Department of Health and Social Care, 37,048 people have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus and more than 265,000 have tested positive.
Here’s the latest:
Boris Johnson to face grilling from senior MPs
Number 10 special adviser Dominic Cummings TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images
Boris Johnson will appear in front of parliament’s Liaison Committee – the only committee that gets to question the PM – for the first time since he arrived in No. 10.
The cross-party group of senior MPs are expected to ask him about the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic – as well as Cummings’ decision to travel 260 miles from London to Durham during the lockdown.
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It comes amid a growing revolt in Johnson’s party, with at least 30 Tory MPs having now publicly called for the PM”s top aide to be sacked or to resign.
Boris Johnson will face a grilling from MPs at the Liaison Committee amid the Dominic Cummings row PA
On Tuesday, government minister Douglas Ross quit in protest over the incident, saying he could not in “good faith” tell his constituents that Cummings – who helped to write lockdown rules – had followed the letter of the restrictions.
Meanwhile, a poll for the Daily Mail found that two-thirds of the public believe Cummings should resign over the incident, including 55% of Conservative voters.
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Government backtracks on potential review into lockdown fines
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick leaves Downing Street ASSOCIATED PRESS
The government has backtracked on a potential review into fines given to families travelling for childcare during the coronavirus lockdown.
On Tuesday, health secretary Matt Hancock said the Treasury would “look at” reversing penalties in such cases after the PM defended Dominic Cummings decision to travel to Durham during the lockdown over childcare concerns.
It came after he was challenged by Brighton’s reverend Martin Poole at the Downing Street briefing on coronavirus.
Hancock said: “I will have to talk to my Treasury colleagues before I can answer it in full and we will look at it.
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He added the government would later “make an announcement from this podium” on what they decide.
But communities secretary Robert Jenrick said on Wednesday morning there would be no such review.
He told BBC’s Breakfast programme: “No, there isn’t going to be a formal review. It’s for the police to decide whether to impose fines under the law.
“They have the guidance that we’ve provided and the national police chiefs have provided their own guidance, which does give officers a degree of discretion to use their common sense, reflecting the fact that all of our circumstances are different and families, in particular, face particular challenges.
“They are encouraging their officers to engage in the first instance, to explain and to resort to fines only where absolutely necessary and in most cases that is what’s happened.”
Americas are the ‘new epicentre’ of the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO warns
The Americas have emerged as the new epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.
It comes as a US study forecast a surge in deaths in Brazil and other Latin American countries through August.
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More than 2.4 million cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the Americas, as well as 143,000 deaths.
Carissa Etienne, WHO director for the region, said that Latin America had passed Europe and the US in daily infections.
“Now is not the time for countries to ease restrictions,” Etienne, said.
As Brazil’s daily death rate became the world’s highest on Monday, a University of Washington study warned that the country’s total death toll could climb five-fold to 125,000 by early August.
Also of concern to WHO officials are accelerating outbreaks in Peru, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Mothers ‘taking on more childcare than fathers’ during lockdown
Kaan Sezer via Getty Images
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Mothers have taken on more childcare and housework responsibilities than fathers with the same work arrangements during the Covid-19 lockdown, a study suggests.
In families where both the parents have paid work, mothers are spending more of their working hours trying to care for children, an analysis has found.
Mothers are also more likely to have quit or lost their job, or to have been furloughed, since the start of the lockdown, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report.
A sharp reduction in the time that mothers are spending dedicated to work amid the crisis could harm their careers and further increase the gender wage gap when lockdown is lifted, researchers warned.
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The study, of more than 3,500 two-parent opposite-gender families, found that mothers are also far more likely to be interrupted during paid working hours with household responsibilities than fathers.
Mothers who have stopped paid work during lockdown, while their partner continues, do twice as much childcare and housework as their partner.
But in families where the father has stopped working, but the mother is still in paid work, men only share childcare and housework responsibilities equally with their partner.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--George Floyd Death: Four Minneapolis Police Officers Fired

The statement said no weapons were used during the encounter. It did not mention that an officer had pinned the man to the street by kneeling on his neck.
Attorney Ben Crump identified the man as George Floyd after announcing he had been retained by Floyd’s family to represent them.
“We all watched the horrific death of George Floyd on video as witnesses begged the police officer to take him into the police car and get off his neck,” Crump said in a statement. “This abusive, excessive and inhumane use of force cost the life of a man who was being detained by the police for questioning about a non-violent charge.”
“We will seek justice for the family of George Floyd, as we demand answers from the [Minneapolis] Police Department,” he added. “How many ‘white black’ deaths will it take until the racial profiling and undervaluing of black lives by police finally ends?”
A protest in response to Floyd’s death has been planned for Tuesday evening at the intersection where he was killed.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Jennifer Lopez Explains That Creepy Face Spotted Behind Her In Viral Gym Selfie

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Jennifer Lopez has finally set the record straight about that mysterious gym selfie.
The singer and actress, who has kept active in quarantine, hoped to encourage her fans to focus on their own fitness when she posted a snapshot of herself in workout gear on Instagram earlier this month.
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Much of the buzz around the photo, however, focused on what appeared to be a man’s face in the background, positioned just above J-Lo’s shoulder.
Appearing on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon last week, Jen revealed that the man in question was actually someone having a virtual conversation with her fiancé, Alex Rodriguez.
“That was a Zoom,” she said. “Where we have the Zoom set up is right by our garage. We didn’t have a gym in the house, so we got a bench and a few weights, and I have my rehearsal mirrors back there for dance rehearsal.”
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As for the mystery man’s identity, Jen shrugged and explained: “It was some real estate guy Alex was on Zoom with.”
With most of Hollywood shut down due to the coronavirus, Jennifer’s career still remains in high gear. On Tuesday night, she returns as a judge for Season 4 of the US competition series World of Dance.
Though she and Alex had planned to wed this summer, the pandemic has driven the couple to call off their nuptials for now.
But she remains optimistic.
“There’s no planning right now,” she told the Today show on Tuesday morning. “I’m a little heartbroken because we did have some great plans, but I’m also like, you know what, God has a bigger plan. So we just have to wait and see. Maybe it’s going to be better. I have to believe that it will be.”
Watch Jennifer Lopez’s appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon below.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Trump Taunts Reporter For Wearing Mask During White House News Conference

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Donald Trump told a reporter to take off his mask during a White House news conference on Tuesday.
Trump said he had a hard time hearing Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason ask his question.
Mason said he would just speak louder instead ― and Trump used one of his go-to lines to mock the reporter.
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“Oh, OK, because you want to be politically correct,” the US president said at the Rose Garden event.
“No, sir, I just want to wear the mask,” Mason replied. After the event, the reporter tweeted a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump’s own task force has recommended face coverings while in public to help stop the spread of the virus.
But Trump himself has simultaneously endorsed the mask guidelines, mocked former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing one and largely avoided donning one himself, although a photo of him wearing a mask during a tour of a Ford facility surfaced last week.
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Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, called Trump a “fool” for mocking the masks.
“He’s a fool, an absolute fool to talk that way,” Biden told CNN on Tuesday. “This macho stuff, for a guy ... I shouldn’t get going. It’s costing people’s lives.”
Later, he tweeted:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Richard Herd, Star Of Seinfeld And Star Trek, Has Died Aged 87

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Seinfeld star Richard Herd has died at the age of 87.
The actor, who portrayed Mr Wilhelm in the hit US comedy series died on Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles of complications from cancer.
His wife Patricia Crowder Herd confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter.
Richard Herd (1932-2020) Globe Photos / MediaPunch/MediaPunch/IPx
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As well as a successful TV career, Richard also starred in many films, including The China Syndrome with Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas, and All The President’s Men alongside Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.
More recently he played Roman Armitage in Jordan Peele’s award-winning horror, Get Out (2017).
In Seinfeld he played George Costanza’s (Jason Alexander) supervisor during Costanza’s time as assistant to the travelling secretary of the New York Yankees.
He made his first appearance in the show in 1995 and reprised the role a total of 11 times until the series finale in 1998.
Other TV credits included Star Trek, V, M*A*S*H, Dallas, ER, The OC, and Desperate Housewives.
Tributes have been paid on Twitter by those that knew and worked with the star...
RIP Richard Herd. A wonderful man and a true professional. We hadn’t talked much before he arrived on set for Get Out. I asked him to think of the scene as a viagra ad trying to hide deep rage. He responded “That sounds like all Viagra ads to me!” Then he absolutely nailed it. pic.twitter.com/t2dO01fent — Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) May 26, 2020
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It was a great honor to work with the wonderful actor and beautiful man Richard Herd .. I was so blessed to have had him on the set of my first big mini Series V .. RIP Richard ... pic.twitter.com/VCaeRhzZT5 — Jane Badler (@janebadler) May 26, 2020
Rest in peace Richard Herd, who played Admiral Owen Paris in Star Trek: Voyager. Our thoughts are with your family. pic.twitter.com/N0h8Q0VTtZ — Star Trek Online (@trekonlinegame) May 26, 2020
He is survived by his wife, daughter Erica, son Rick, and stepdaughter Alicia.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--Twitter Applies Fact-Check Labels To Trump Tweets For First Time

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Twitter labelled two of Donald Trump’s tweets with a fact-check warning on Tuesday for the first time, prompting the president to accuse the platform of “stifling free speech.”
The social media platform applied the tag on two of Trump’s tweets that made claims, without evidence, that voting with mail-in ballots would be “substantially fraudulent.” The labels say “Get the facts about mail-in ballots” and direct users to a collection of news reports and articles debunking the tweets.
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Near the top of Twitter’s fact-check page, a statement reads: “Trump falsely claimed that mail-in ballots would lead to ‘a Rigged Election.’ However, fact-checkers say there is no evidence that mail-in ballots are linked to voter fraud.”
The US president has ramped up his attacks to discredit the integrity of mail-in voting in recent weeks, despite substantial evidence to the contrary.
Twitter spokesperson Katie Rosborough said the tweets were labelled because they contain “potentially misleading information about voting processes and have been labelled to provide additional context around mail-in ballots.”
Twitter applied fact-check labels to two of Trump's tweets about mail-in ballots. Twitter
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Shortly after the labels were added, Trump tweeted claims that the platform was attempting to interfere in the 2020 presidential election.
....Twitter is completely stifling FREE SPEECH, and I, as President, will not allow it to happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020
.@Twitter is now interfering in the 2020 Presidential Election. They are saying my statement on Mail-In Ballots, which will lead to massive corruption and fraud, is incorrect, based on fact-checking by Fake News CNN and the Amazon Washington Post.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020
The platform had rolled out a new policy earlier this month that it would label misleading information about Covid-19. The company said at the time it would potentially expand this effort to other areas.
“Moving forward, we may use these labels and warning messages to provide additional explanations or clarifications in situations where the risks of harm associated with a Tweet are less severe but where people may still be confused or misled by the content,” a company post read at the time.
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Twitter said this would make it easier for users to “find facts and make informed decisions” about what they see on the platform.
Rosborough said Tuesday’s move was in line with the new policy and confirmed it was the first time one of Trump’s tweets had been labelled.
The social media giant has faced mounting pressure to take responsibility for the president’s persistent use of the platform to spread misinformation and baseless conspiracy theories. Earlier on Tuesday, Twitter was criticised for declining to remove Trump’s tweets suggesting MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, might have killed 28-year-old intern Lori Klausutis when she worked in his Florida office. She died in 2001 after hitting her head on a desk. Authorities determined she fainted due to a previously undiagnosed heart condition and ruled her death an accident.
Lori Klausutis’s widower, Timothy Klausutis, wrote a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey last week imploring Twitter to take down the president’s tweets. It was dated last week but gained attention Tuesday when the New York Times’ Kara Swisher published it in an op-ed.
Twitter issued a statement Tuesday, saying: “We are deeply sorry about the pain these statements, and the attention they are drawing, are causing the family.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-27--31 Funny Tweets About Wearing Face Masks

Dear diary,
I wish I was smart enough to realize the worst idea is to carefully apply red lipstick then put on a mask. Not one person saw my lipstick & when I took the mask off I look like I had feverishly blew someone I liked. Which brought up other feelings
Bye 4 now,
Nicole