washingtontimes--2020-12-06--Gavin Newsom California shutdown order faces resistance

After enduring some of the most restrictive novel coronavirus lockdowns in the nation , some Californians are putting up a fight .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s latest stay-at-home order , which required Southern California to tighten restrictions starting at midnight Sunday , touched off shutdown resistance from some small-business owners , sheriffs and lawmakers .
Republican Assembly member James Gallagher on Sunday urged small businesses to defy the shutdown orders by keeping their doors open .
“ We ’ re fighting the governor ’ s overreach , ” said Mr. Gallagher on “ Fox & Friends.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses just to stay open .
They can stay open with safety protocols the same way that the big-box owners can stay open and have been open during this period.
” Leading the way are restaurants .
Celebrity chef Andrew Gruel said Thursday that he would keep open Slapfish , his Huntington Beach-based chain of 27 eateries , criticizing the state ’ s latest lockdown rules as arbitrary and unscientific .
“ Do we take this pandemic seriously ?
Of course we do , ” he said in a video .
“ Am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down outdoor dining ?
Yes , I am .
At every single juncture along the way here from the beginning shutdown to today , we ’ ve listened to all the advice of our government officials only to be shut down over and over and over again and then not compensated for the elements that we put in place in our businesses to protect our customers.
” Businesses that refuse to close their doors could face penalties , but at least two sheriffs say they will refuse to enforce the governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a Friday video that he would not allow his department to be “ blackmailed ” by the “ dictatorial ” order , citing the governor ’ s warning that he would withhold funding from counties that fail to comply with the rules .
Same with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes , who posted a statement saying that complying with public health orders is “ a matter of personal responsibility and not a matter of law enforcement.
” The governor ’ s order announced Thursday places two regions — Southern California and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home orders and business restrictions pegged to their hospital ICU-bed capacity .
Both regions saw their available ICU beds fall below 15 % , triggering the restrictions , which include bans on both indoor and outdoor dining , as well as the closure of outdoor playgrounds , hair salons , movie theaters , campgrounds , wineries and amusement parks .
Retailers are limited to 20 % capacity .
“ We are at a tipping point in our fight against the virus and we need to take decisive action now to prevent California ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming weeks , ” said Mr. Newsom in a statement .
“ By invoking a Stay at Home Order for regions where ICU capacity falls below 15 percent , we can flatten the curve as we ’ ve done before and reduce stress on our health care system.
” The state ’ s other three regions — Northern California , the Bay Area and Greater Sacramento — have reported that their ICU capacity still exceeds 20 % , according to the California Department of Public Health .
Restaurant owners held a protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl , who voted Nov. 24 to shutter outdoor dining , then had a meal at her favorite Santa Monica restaurant .
Her office said in a statement that she wanted to support the restaurant , a favorite of hers , and that outdoor dining was still allowed that night under county public health rules , which failed to appease protesters chanting , “ Let us work !
” Angela Marsden , owner of Pineapple Hill Saloon and Grill , said she spent $ 80,000 to turn her outdoor parking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County closed down outdoor dining .
Her video showing a movie production company opening an outdoor eating area next to her shuttered patio went viral over the weekend .
“ There ’ s no science that shows outdoor dining is hurting anybody , ” Ms. Marsden told conservative talk show host Dave Rubin , adding , “ I ’ ve been working with the public since day one , because I have not had the option to be inside , not working , and I have not gotten the virus because we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ everything they asked , ” only to have the rules changed after spending money on the latest requirements .
“ They give you a little project that costs you everything you have and they think you won ’ t reopen or can ’ t reopen , then you find a way to open , and they change that on you , ” Ms. Marsden said .
Dave Foldes , owner of Cronies Sports Bar and Grill in Agoura Hills , said he has defied the county ’ s outdoor-dining ban .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is we ’ re here for our staff members during Christmas time who need money more than ever , and we don ’ t have the heart to lay them off , ” Mr. Foldes told Fox11 Los Angeles .
Mr. Gallagher expressed doubts about the shutdown strategy , saying that California is seeing “ the same spikes that we ’ re seeing across the country.
” “ So that really shows that these shutdowns don ’ t have the effect that a lot of the politicians say that they have , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only consistency of our governor out here has been his inconsistency .
When you combine that with hypocrisy , it creates a complete lack of trust.
” California reported that Friday ’ s figures show another 25,068 new daily positive cases , bringing the total cases to 1.3 million , and 19,791 deaths after adding an additional 209 fatalities .
The state ’ s population is 39.5 million .

After enduring some of the most restrictive novel coronavirus lockdowns in the nation, some Californians are putting up a fight.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest stay-at-home order, which required Southern California to tighten restrictions starting at midnight Sunday, touched off shutdown resistance from some small-business owners, sheriffs and lawmakers.
Republican Assembly member James Gallagher on Sunday urged small businesses to defy the shutdown orders by keeping their doors open.
“We’re fighting the governor’s overreach,” said Mr. Gallagher on “Fox & Friends.” “I have encouraged many of these businesses just to stay open. They can stay open with safety protocols the same way that the big-box owners can stay open and have been open during this period.”
Leading the way are restaurants. Celebrity chef Andrew Gruel said Thursday that he would keep open Slapfish, his Huntington Beach-based chain of 27 eateries, criticizing the state’s latest lockdown rules as arbitrary and unscientific.
“Do we take this pandemic seriously? Of course we do,” he said in a video. “Am I saying we shouldn’t close down outdoor dining? Yes, I am. At every single juncture along the way here from the beginning shutdown to today, we’ve listened to all the advice of our government officials only to be shut down over and over and over again and then not compensated for the elements that we put in place in our businesses to protect our customers.”
Businesses that refuse to close their doors could face penalties, but at least two sheriffs say they will refuse to enforce the governor’s orders.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said in a Friday video that he would not allow his department to be “blackmailed” by the “dictatorial” order, citing the governor’s warning that he would withhold funding from counties that fail to comply with the rules.
Same with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, who posted a statement saying that complying with public health orders is “a matter of personal responsibility and not a matter of law enforcement.”
The governor’s order announced Thursday places two regions — Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley — under renewed stay-at-home orders and business restrictions pegged to their hospital ICU-bed capacity.
Both regions saw their available ICU beds fall below 15%, triggering the restrictions, which include bans on both indoor and outdoor dining, as well as the closure of outdoor playgrounds, hair salons, movie theaters, campgrounds, wineries and amusement parks. Retailers are limited to 20% capacity.
“We are at a tipping point in our fight against the virus and we need to take decisive action now to prevent California’s hospital system from being overwhelmed in the coming weeks,” said Mr. Newsom in a statement. “By invoking a Stay at Home Order for regions where ICU capacity falls below 15 percent, we can flatten the curve as we’ve done before and reduce stress on our health care system.”
The state’s other three regions — Northern California, the Bay Area and Greater Sacramento — have reported that their ICU capacity still exceeds 20%, according to the California Department of Public Health.
‘No science’
Restaurant owners held a protest Saturday outside the home of Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who voted Nov. 24 to shutter outdoor dining, then had a meal at her favorite Santa Monica restaurant.
Her office said in a statement that she wanted to support the restaurant, a favorite of hers, and that outdoor dining was still allowed that night under county public health rules, which failed to appease protesters chanting, “Let us work!”
Angela Marsden, owner of Pineapple Hill Saloon and Grill, said she spent $80,000 to turn her outdoor parking lot into a patio before Los Angeles County closed down outdoor dining. Her video showing a movie production company opening an outdoor eating area next to her shuttered patio went viral over the weekend.
“There’s no science that shows outdoor dining is hurting anybody,” Ms. Marsden told conservative talk show host Dave Rubin, adding, “I’ve been working with the public since day one, because I have not had the option to be inside, not working, and I have not gotten the virus because we were safe.”
She said she had done “everything they asked,” only to have the rules changed after spending money on the latest requirements.
“They give you a little project that costs you everything you have and they think you won’t reopen or can’t reopen, then you find a way to open, and they change that on you,” Ms. Marsden said.
Dave Foldes, owner of Cronies Sports Bar and Grill in Agoura Hills, said he has defied the county’s outdoor-dining ban.
“The thing that hurts the most here is we’re here for our staff members during Christmas time who need money more than ever, and we don’t have the heart to lay them off,” Mr. Foldes told Fox11 Los Angeles.
Mr. Gallagher expressed doubts about the shutdown strategy, saying that California is seeing “the same spikes that we’re seeing across the country.”
“So that really shows that these shutdowns don’t have the effect that a lot of the politicians say that they have,” he said. “And really the only consistency of our governor out here has been his inconsistency. When you combine that with hypocrisy, it creates a complete lack of trust.”
California reported that Friday’s figures show another 25,068 new daily positive cases, bringing the total cases to 1.3 million, and 19,791 deaths after adding an additional 209 fatalities. The state’s population is 39.5 million.
⦁ Andrew Blake contributed to this report.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-06--Masses of shrimp eggs leave visible slick on Utah lake

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - Tiny shrimp eggs have been showing up in such huge numbers in Utah @ @ @ @ @ that some parts of the lake look covered with an oil slick .
Cold weather @ @ @ @ @ the lake ’ s small brine shrimp to produce the eggs , called cysts .
@ @ @ @ @ as this year , the eggs come together in giant masses .
Photos from the @ @ @ @ @ and Marina show what looks like a swirling , brown slick on the water at @ @ @ @ @ Lake City .
When the weather warms up the eggs are expected to hatch and @ @ @ @ @ Commercial boats harvest the eggs to be raised into adult shrimp known as “ sea @ @ @ @ @ to fish farms .
Brine shrimp also feed the millions of birds from some 300 @ @ @ @ @ at the Great Salt Lake during their annual migrations , according to the Great Salt @ @ @ @

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Tiny shrimp eggs have been showing up in such huge numbers in Utah’s Great Salt Lake that some parts of the lake look covered with an oil slick.
Cold weather in fall or winter causes the lake’s small brine shrimp to produce the eggs, called cysts. When conditions are right such as this year, the eggs come together in giant masses.
Photos from the Great Salt Lake State Park and Marina show what looks like a swirling, brown slick on the water at the marina west of Salt Lake City.
When the weather warms up the eggs are expected to hatch and continue their life cycle. Commercial boats harvest the eggs to be raised into adult shrimp known as “sea monkeys” that are sold to fish farms.
Brine shrimp also feed the millions of birds from some 300 species that breed or stopover at the Great Salt Lake during their annual migrations, according to the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program.


washingtontimes--2020-12-06--Iowa prison inmate with COVID-19 dies at hospital

IOWA CITY , Iowa ( AP ) - An Iowa prison inmate with COVID-19 and other medical conditions has died @ @ @ @ @ Iowa Department of Corrections said Sunday that Larry Whaley died Saturday morning at the University @ @ @ @ @ in Iowa City .
Whaley had been serving a 50-year sentence for second-degree murder at @ @ @ @ @ has had a significant coronavirus outbreak this fall .
The 64-year-old Whaley had been hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ death .

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - An Iowa prison inmate with COVID-19 and other medical conditions has died at a hospital.
The Iowa Department of Corrections said Sunday that Larry Whaley died Saturday morning at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Whaley had been serving a 50-year sentence for second-degree murder at Anamosa State Penitentiary, which has had a significant coronavirus outbreak this fall. The 64-year-old Whaley had been hospitalized for several days before his death.


washingtontimes--2020-12-06--Danny Presti, co-owner of Mac's Public House, arrested after hitting police deputy

NEW YORK — The co-owner of a New York City bar that authorities said has been defying coronavirus restrictions was taken into custody early Sunday after running over a deputy with a car , authorities said .
Danny Presti tried to drive away from his bar , Mac ’ s Public House , as deputies were arresting him for serving patrons in violation of city and state closure orders , Sheriff Joseph Fucito said .
Deputies attempted to arrest Presti as he left the bar early Sunday , but Presti got into his car , struck a deputy and kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy was left hanging onto the hood , Fucito said .
Presti , 34 , was eventually stopped and apprehended , the sheriff said .
Presti was arraigned Sunday afternoon in Staten Island ’ s 122nd Precinct on 10 charges including third-degree assault , reckless driving , menacing and resisting arrest .
A phone message was left for Mark Fonte , an attorney for Presti .
The injured deputy was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries .
The deputy ’ s condition wasn ’ t immediately available .
The Staten Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week after the sheriff ’ s office arrested Presti on charges of violating restrictions aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus and obstructing governmental administration .
The tavern is in an area designated by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo as an orange zone because of spiking COVID-19 rates and was not supposed to be serving customers indoors .
But the owners had declared the bar an “ autonomous zone , ” a nod to protesters who claimed control over a Seattle neighborhood in June .
A spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for human life .
“ In both of these instances , whether it ’ s flouting public health laws or ramming a car into a uniformed deputy , this individual has endangered the lives of others , ” said the spokesperson , Bill Neidhardt .
Authorities said the bar was still serving patrons Saturday night even though it was ordered closed entirely after Presti ’ s earlier arrest .
Deputies surveilling the pub saw that the front door to the bar was locked but customers were being directed to a building next door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were able to enter Mac ’ s Public House through a back door and order food and beverages , he said .
Staten Island is much more conservative than the rest of New York City and is the only one of the city ’ s five boroughs that voted for Republican President Donald Trump in November .
The borough is home to many police officers and firefighters and is usually seen as supportive of law enforcement .

NEW YORK — The co-owner of a New York City bar that authorities said has been defying coronavirus restrictions was taken into custody early Sunday after running over a deputy with a car, authorities said.
Danny Presti tried to drive away from his bar, Mac’s Public House, as deputies were arresting him for serving patrons in violation of city and state closure orders, Sheriff Joseph Fucito said.
Deputies attempted to arrest Presti as he left the bar early Sunday, but Presti got into his car, struck a deputy and kept driving for about 100 yards as the deputy was left hanging onto the hood, Fucito said.
Presti, 34, was eventually stopped and apprehended, the sheriff said. Presti was arraigned Sunday afternoon in Staten Island’s 122nd Precinct on 10 charges including third-degree assault, reckless driving, menacing and resisting arrest. A phone message was left for Mark Fonte, an attorney for Presti.
The injured deputy was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. The deputy’s condition wasn’t immediately available.
The Staten Island bar was the site of protests last week after the sheriff’s office arrested Presti on charges of violating restrictions aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus and obstructing governmental administration.
The tavern is in an area designated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo as an orange zone because of spiking COVID-19 rates and was not supposed to be serving customers indoors. But the owners had declared the bar an “autonomous zone,” a nod to protesters who claimed control over a Seattle neighborhood in June.
A spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio said Presti’s actions showed a disregard for human life. “In both of these instances, whether it’s flouting public health laws or ramming a car into a uniformed deputy, this individual has endangered the lives of others,” said the spokesperson, Bill Neidhardt.
Authorities said the bar was still serving patrons Saturday night even though it was ordered closed entirely after Presti’s earlier arrest.
Deputies surveilling the pub saw that the front door to the bar was locked but customers were being directed to a building next door, Fucito said. From there, they were able to enter Mac’s Public House through a back door and order food and beverages, he said.
Staten Island is much more conservative than the rest of New York City and is the only one of the city’s five boroughs that voted for Republican President Donald Trump in November. The borough is home to many police officers and firefighters and is usually seen as supportive of law enforcement.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Gun sales are rising amid fears of more regulation, unrest

The Baltimore Sun reported Monday that Maryland has seen a more than 76 % spike in background checks this year compared to last year .
This number doesn ’ t represent the number of actual gun sales .
But it ’ s a sign of the growing demand for firearms .
Background checks have been up 49 % nationwide .
Research consulting group Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting said that gun sales are at a all-time highs across the country .
Timothy Lytton , a professor at Georgia State University , said that gun sales traditionally spike due to two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might win the White House .
Another is when people think regulations will become more strict following a mass shooting .
Carroll County gun store owner Dan Hartman said the increase is due to the uncertainty people feel about coronavirus pandemic as well as frequent protests in major cities .
He also cited President-elect Joe Biden , who is a gun control advocate .
“ I don ’ t know if that ’ s something you necessarily have to worry about in your home , but people are scared , ” said Hartman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finksburg .

BALTIMORE (AP) - Gun sales are booming in Maryland.
The Baltimore Sun reported Monday that Maryland has seen a more than 76% spike in background checks this year compared to last year.
This number doesn’t represent the number of actual gun sales. But it’s a sign of the growing demand for firearms. Background checks have been up 49% nationwide.
Research consulting group Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting said that gun sales are at a all-time highs across the country.
Timothy Lytton, a professor at Georgia State University, said that gun sales traditionally spike due to two factors. One is when a Democrat might win the White House. Another is when people think regulations will become more strict following a mass shooting.
Carroll County gun store owner Dan Hartman said the increase is due to the uncertainty people feel about coronavirus pandemic as well as frequent protests in major cities. He also cited President-elect Joe Biden, who is a gun control advocate.
“I don’t know if that’s something you necessarily have to worry about in your home, but people are scared,” said Hartman, who owns Maryland Elite Firearms in Finksburg.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Man killed in carjacking at St. Louis gas station

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - A man is dead after being shot during a carjacking at a St. Louis @ @ @ @ @ the crime happened just after 2 a.m. Monday at a Phillips 66 station in north @ @ @ @ @ the victim , who was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead .
The victim @ @ @ @ @ been released .
No arrests have been made and the stolen vehicle has not been @ @

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A man is dead after being shot during a carjacking at a St. Louis gas station.
Police say the crime happened just after 2 a.m. Monday at a Phillips 66 station in north St. Louis. Officers found the victim, who was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. The victim’s name has not been released.
No arrests have been made and the stolen vehicle has not been recovered.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Coronavirus takes toll on Black, Latino child care providers

INDIANAPOLIS ( AP ) - When Mary De La Rosa closed her toddler and preschool program in March because of the coronavirus pandemic , she fully expected to serve the 14 children again some day .
In the end , though , Creative Explorers closed for good .
It left the families to search for other care options - and the three teachers to file for unemployment benefits .
“ We kept trying to find a way , ” said De La Rosa , who is of Mexican and Egyptian descent .
“ But eventually we realized there wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Rosa ’ s program in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles is being repeated across the country as the pandemic ’ s effects ripple through child care , disproportionately affecting Black and Latino-owned centers in an industry that has long relied on providers of color .
Policy experts say the U.S. spends a small fraction of federal funds on child care compared to other industrialized nations , an underfunding exacerbated by COVID-19 .
Soon nearly half of the child care centers in the U.S. may be lost , according to the Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , the child care system was fractured.
” said Lynette Fraga , executive director of Child Care Aware of America .
“ Now , it ’ s shattered.
” Even before the coronavirus , many parents already faced an impossible choice - caring for their children or earning a living .
But COVID-19 ’ s impact on the system has worsened that , Fraga says , and its effects risk creating “ child care deserts , ” leaving parents unable to return to work , reducing incomes and taking away early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s development .
The U.S. child care industry has long relied on Black and Latina women , with women of color making up 40 % of its workforce , according to the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment .
These women have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 .
A July survey from the National Association for the Education of Young Children stated half of minority-owned child care businesses expect to close permanently without additional assistance .
“ The pandemic has unveiled how little access to support many of these women have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s exacerbated and spotlighted the inequities we ’ ve always known existed here.
” Economic disparities in the child care industry fell along racial lines long before COVID-19 , said Lea Austin , executive director of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment .
Black early educators earn an average of $ 0.78 less per hour than white early educators , according to the center .
While 15 % of white women in child care live below the poverty line , poverty rates for Black and Latina child care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a 2017 analysis by the National Women ’ s Law Center .
“ They ’ re earning lower wages for doing the exact same work , ” Austin said .
Rooted in slavery , professional child care has historically been seen as the domain of women of color , says Shana Bartley , director of community partnerships for the National Women ’ s Law Center .
As a result , she says , child care is undervalued because of cultural biases suggesting the work of women of color is worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child care system goes all the way back to slavery when women who were enslaved and forced to care for others ’ children did so with no pay , ” she said .
“ Later , those domestic jobs were among the only available for Black women and other women of color .
Because we have these antiquated systems and cultural biases rooted in sexism and racism , we ’ re not willing to adequately value these women and their work.
” This undervaluing was perpetuated by policies like the 1938 Fair Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and standardized hours but excluded domestic workers .
Even today , Bartley says child care providers of color are less supported with reduced access to federal funding and less support from banks when navigating licenses , loans and grants .
Angelique Marshall , director of Ms. P ’ s Daycare , feels lucky her center is still open to care for children with special needs in the Washington , D.C. , area , especially as other Black and Latino-owned centers close around her .
Marshall , who is Black , serves half the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her emergency funds bought cleaning and personal protective equipment , and operating costs have more than doubled .
“ We ’ re not even making money , ” she said .
“ It ’ s just about survival.
” Marshall said she ’ s surviving largely on loans and grants .
But the process is exhausting , requiring her to file paperwork , log spending , save receipts and write reports .
She said providers of color don ’ t have the resources and information they need to navigate grant applications and government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us how to do this , ” she said .
“ We ’ re figuring it out on our own .
We have to fend for ourselves , and nobody seems to care.
” Maria Potts , director of Kids World in Falls Church , Virginia , is also relying on grants and PPP loans .
With only seven of the original 14 children she served still in her program , Potts laid off three assistants and works 70-hour weeks .
She goes through three times as much paper towels , sanitizers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes to PPE and cleaning supplies .
“ If it wasn ’ t for the Paycheck Protection Plan , I don ’ t think we would have survived , ” said Potts , who is Latina .
Many of her colleagues in the Hispanic Association for Child Care in Northern Virginia have had to close .
Potts has helped many of those remaining apply for grants .
She says language barriers prevent many Spanish-speaking child care business owners from accessing grants and support .
The U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act - in July , aiming to stabilize the child care industry during the pandemic and create a $ 50 billion fund for the child care sector .
Christine Johnson-Staub , a senior policy analyst with the Center for Law and Social Policy , considers moving this legislation forward only the first step .
Johnson-Staub , who has worked in child care policy for three decades , said workers need hazard pay and funds for cleaning supplies and PPE .
She said federal dollars should be tracked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and policies should support fair compensation and job quality for child care providers of color .
Austin recommends shifting the burden of child care costs away from individual families and providers .
Because parents pay most child care costs , centers in lower-income communities of color are at a disadvantage .
“ We don ’ t tell students that they can ’ t go to third grade unless they can pay for it , ” she said .
“ And we don ’ t tell third-grade teachers that they ’ ll get paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So why is that OK for child care workers ?
” Policy changes didn ’ t come soon enough to save De La Rosa ’ s center .
After she sent parents a letter announcing the closing , Katie Nance was so devastated that she cried .
Nance ’ s 5-year-old daughter , Lily , had been in the program for almost two years .
Nance says the lessons De La Rosa taught Lily , as well as the perspective she offered as a Latina teacher , were crucial to her growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s house feels empty and quiet .
She misses the children ’ s laughter .
Her husband ’ s job has helped keep their family afloat , but losing the business has forced them to rethink their budget .
It has also had other effects - some more intangible , but just as real .
“ It was like mourning someone , ” De La Rosa said .
“ This school was such a huge part of who I am , and then all of a sudden it was gone.
” Fernando is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ethnicity team .
Follow her on Twitter at https : //twitter.com//christinetfern .

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - When Mary De La Rosa closed her toddler and preschool program in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, she fully expected to serve the 14 children again some day. In the end, though, Creative Explorers closed for good.
It left the families to search for other care options - and the three teachers to file for unemployment benefits.
“We kept trying to find a way,” said De La Rosa, who is of Mexican and Egyptian descent. “But eventually we realized there wasn’t one.”
The story of De La Rosa’s program in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles is being repeated across the country as the pandemic’s effects ripple through child care, disproportionately affecting Black and Latino-owned centers in an industry that has long relied on providers of color.
Policy experts say the U.S. spends a small fraction of federal funds on child care compared to other industrialized nations, an underfunding exacerbated by COVID-19. Soon nearly half of the child care centers in the U.S. may be lost, according to the Center for American Progress.
“Prior to the pandemic, the child care system was fractured.” said Lynette Fraga, CEO of Child Care Aware of America. “Now, it’s shattered.”
Even before the coronavirus, many parents already faced an impossible choice - caring for their children or earning a living. But COVID-19’s impact on the system has worsened that, Fraga says, and its effects risk creating “child care deserts,” leaving parents unable to return to work, reducing incomes and taking away early education opportunities crucial for a child’s development.
The U.S. child care industry has long relied on Black and Latina women, with women of color making up 40% of its workforce, according to the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. These women have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. A July survey from the National Association for the Education of Young Children stated half of minority-owned child care businesses expect to close permanently without additional assistance.
“The pandemic has unveiled how little access to support many of these women have,” Fraga said. “It’s exacerbated and spotlighted the inequities we’ve always known existed here.”
Economic disparities in the child care industry fell along racial lines long before COVID-19, said Lea Austin, executive director of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment.
Black early educators earn an average of $0.78 less per hour than white early educators, according to the center. While 15% of white women in child care live below the poverty line, poverty rates for Black and Latina child care workers are 23% and 22% respectively, according to a 2017 analysis by the National Women’s Law Center.
“They’re earning lower wages for doing the exact same work,” Austin said.
Rooted in slavery, professional child care has historically been seen as the domain of women of color, says Shana Bartley, director of community partnerships for the National Women’s Law Center. As a result, she says, child care is undervalued because of cultural biases suggesting the work of women of color is worth less.
“The roots of our child care system goes all the way back to slavery when women who were enslaved and forced to care for others’ children did so with no pay,” she said. “Later, those domestic jobs were among the only available for Black women and other women of color. Because we have these antiquated systems and cultural biases rooted in sexism and racism, we’re not willing to adequately value these women and their work.”
This undervaluing was perpetuated by policies like the 1938 Fair Labor Standard Act, which guaranteed minimum wages and standardized hours but excluded domestic workers. Even today, Bartley says child care providers of color are less supported with reduced access to federal funding and less support from banks when navigating licenses, loans and grants.
Angelique Marshall, director of Ms. P’s Daycare, feels lucky her center is still open to care for children with special needs in the Washington, D.C., area, especially as other Black and Latino-owned centers close around her.
Marshall, who is Black, serves half the number of children she used to. Her emergency funds bought cleaning and personal protective equipment, and operating costs have more than doubled.
“We’re not even making money,” she said. “It’s just about survival.”
Marshall said she’s surviving largely on loans and grants. But the process is exhausting, requiring her to file paperwork, log spending, save receipts and write reports. She said providers of color don’t have the resources and information they need to navigate grant applications and government offices.
“No one is telling us how to do this,” she said. “We’re figuring it out on our own. We have to fend for ourselves, and nobody seems to care.”
Maria Potts, director of Kids World in Falls Church, Virginia, is also relying on grants and PPP loans. With only seven of the original 14 children she served still in her program, Potts laid off three assistants and works 70-hour weeks.
She goes through three times as much paper towels, sanitizers and bleach. Much of her grant money goes to PPE and cleaning supplies.
“If it wasn’t for the Paycheck Protection Plan, I don’t think we would have survived,” said Potts, who is Latina.
Many of her colleagues in the Hispanic Association for Child Care in Northern Virginia have had to close. Potts has helped many of those remaining apply for grants. She says language barriers prevent many Spanish-speaking child care business owners from accessing grants and support.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed two bills - the Child Care is Essential Act and the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act - in July, aiming to stabilize the child care industry during the pandemic and create a $50 billion fund for the child care sector.
Christine Johnson-Staub, a senior policy analyst with the Center for Law and Social Policy, considers moving this legislation forward only the first step.
Johnson-Staub, who has worked in child care policy for three decades, said workers need hazard pay and funds for cleaning supplies and PPE. She said federal dollars should be tracked to ensure they are allocated equitably, and policies should support fair compensation and job quality for child care providers of color.
Austin recommends shifting the burden of child care costs away from individual families and providers. Because parents pay most child care costs, centers in lower-income communities of color are at a disadvantage.
“We don’t tell students that they can’t go to third grade unless they can pay for it,” she said. “And we don’t tell third-grade teachers that they’ll get paid based on what their students can afford. So why is that OK for child care workers?”
Policy changes didn’t come soon enough to save De La Rosa’s center. After she sent parents a letter announcing the closing, Katie Nance was so devastated that she cried. Nance’s 5-year-old daughter, Lily, had been in the program for almost two years. Nance says the lessons De La Rosa taught Lily, as well as the perspective she offered as a Latina teacher, were crucial to her growth.
Today, De La Rosa’s house feels empty and quiet. She misses the children’s laughter. Her husband’s job has helped keep their family afloat, but losing the business has forced them to rethink their budget. It has also had other effects - some more intangible, but just as real.
“It was like mourning someone,” De La Rosa said. “This school was such a huge part of who I am, and then all of a sudden it was gone.”
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Fernando is a member of AP’s Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com//christinetfern.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Virus continues to surge in Maine as cases reach new high

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - The daily number of new cases of the coronavirus has reached a new @ @ @ @ @ to battle a surge of COVID-19 .
The seven-day rolling average rose to 291 on @ @ @ @ @ number compared to a month ago .
The daily number topped 400 for the first @ @ @ @ @ but there were no new deaths reported , the Maine Center for Disease Control reported @ @ @ @ @ was 349 new cases on Dec. 2 .
Health officials have warned Mainers that “ @ @ @ @ @ transmission is occurring across Maine .
Gov .
Janet Mills announced on Saturday she had @ @ @ @ @ being exposed to the virus by a member of her security detail .
“ Masks @ @ @ @ @ m proof , ” Mills said in a statement .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A surge in cases of the coronavirus in Maine has necessitated changes to the way the state investigates new cases of the virus, the director of the Maine Center for Control and Prevention said Monday.
Until now, every person who tested positive for the virus received a notification from Maine CDC, Dr. Nirav Shah said.
The state is now going to conduct investigations for vulnerable groups and essential workers, such as people who are 65 or older or who work as health care providers or first responders, he said.
The growing case burden in the state required Maine to redirect resources to people who face the heaviest risks, Shah said.
“Maine finds itself in the position of a very busy, crowded emergency room,” he said. “Just like an emergency room, we have to take our available resources and make sure we are addressing the people with the greatest needs.”
Others who will still receive a case investigation include people 18 or younger, hospitalized people, people with disabilities, people who live or work in congregate facilities, and people identified as members of a demographic that has a higher burden of the disease in Maine, Shah said.
The daily number of new cases of the coronavirus has reached a new high Monday as the state continued to battle the spread of COVID-19.
In other Maine virus news:
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CASES SURGE
The seven-day rolling average rose to 291 on Monday, about double the number from a month ago.
The daily number topped 400 for the first time - hitting 427 - but no new deaths were reported, the Maine Center for Disease Control reported. The previous daily record was 349 new cases on Dec. 2.
Health officials have warned Mainers that “forceful and widespread” community transmission is occurring across Maine.
The positivity rate is also rising in the state. The latest average positivity rate in Maine is 2.53%. State health departments are calculating positivity rate differently across the country, but for Maine the AP calculates the rate by dividing new cases by test specimens using data from The COVID Tracking Project.
The seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Maine has risen over the past two weeks from 2.32% on Nov. 22 to 2.53% on Dec. 6.
Gov. Janet Mills announced on Saturday she had tested negative for the coronavirus after being exposed to it by a member of her security detail. “Masks work! And I’m proof,” Mills said in a statement.
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AGRICULTURE HELP
The state has created a program to reimburse Maine food and agriculture businesses for infrastructure purchases or projects they have invested in to fix supply chain disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Mills administration said.
The program will be funded by $10 million in federal coronavirus aid, the administration said. The grants will run up to $100,000.
Mills said the “funding aims to help cover some of those unanticipated costs and sustain businesses across the food production and distribution landscape.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Police: Woman fatally shot in Kansas City; person arrested

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - A woman died in a shooting at the south end of @ @ @ @ @ person was arrested , police there said .
The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ Ditman Avenue , the Kansas City Star reported .
Arriving officers found a woman at @ @ @ @ @ wounds , and she died at the scene , police said .
Her name had @ @ @ @ @ morning .
Police said one person was taken into custody , and detectives were not @ @ @ @ @ The shooting death marked Kansas City ’ s 175th this year , compared with 143 @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 , according to data kept by the Kansas City Star .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A woman died in a shooting at the south end of Kansas City, and another person was arrested, police there said.
The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. Sunday at a home along Ditman Avenue, the Kansas City Star reported. Arriving officers found a woman at the scene suffering from gunshot wounds, and she died at the scene, police said. Her name had not been released by Monday morning.
Police said one person was taken into custody, and detectives were not looking for additional suspects.
The shooting death marked Kansas City’s 175th this year, compared with 143 homicides by the same time in 2019, according to data kept by the Kansas City Star.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Indonesia expects halal certificate for experimental vaccine

JAKARTA , Indonesia ( AP ) - Indonesia ’ s highest Muslim clerical body is expected to issue a halal certification for the experimental COVID-19 vaccine developed by China-based Sinovac Biotech , officials said Monday .
The certification would be a significant step in immunization efforts in the world ’ s most populous Muslim country , should the vaccine be approved for use .
“ A study by the Indonesian Ulema Council Halal Product Guarantee Agency and Institute for the Assessment of Food , Drugs and Cosmetics has been completed and has been submitted to the council for the making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said at a news conference .
Over one million doses of the experimental COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac arrived in Indonesia on Sunday evening .
The government has no exact schedule for distributing the doses .
Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said on Monday that the experimental vaccine needs to successfully complete phase-three clinical trials before it can be distributed in Indonesia .
“ The government will provide a vaccine that is proven safe and passes clinical trials under World Health Organization recommendations , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indonesian Public Health Expert Association said the 1.2 million doses are only enough for an initial group of 600,000 people , since each person must receive two doses .
“ It does not really have significant meaning .
The government should guarantee that there will be enough to for distribution to the entire country , ” Saputra said .
Saputra said that if the experimental vaccine passes the third-phase clinical trials , immunization programs are expected to begin in the middle of next year .
The government has announced that it plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its effort to vaccinate the world ’ s fourth most populated country .
So far , the Sinovac candidate vaccine is the only one to arrive in the country .
Monday , the Health Ministry announced 5,754 new COVID-19 cases , bringing the confirmed total to 581,550 , including 17,867 deaths , the highest in Southeast Asia .
Associated Press writer Victoria Milko contributed to this report .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is @ @ @ @ @ @

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesia’s highest Muslim clerical body is expected to issue a halal certification for the experimental COVID-19 vaccine developed by China-based Sinovac Biotech, officials said Monday.
The certification would be a significant step in immunization efforts in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, should the vaccine be approved for use.
“A study by the Indonesian Ulema Council Halal Product Guarantee Agency and Institute for the Assessment of Food, Drugs and Cosmetics has been completed and has been submitted to the council for the making of a fatwa and halal certification,” Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said at a news conference.
Over 1 million doses of the experimental COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac arrived in Indonesia on Sunday evening. The government has no exact schedule for distributing the doses.
Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said Monday that the experimental vaccine needs to successfully complete phase-three clinical trials before it can be distributed in Indonesia.
“The government will provide a vaccine that is proven safe and passes clinical trials under World Health Organization recommendations,” Putranto said.
Hermawan Saputra of the Indonesian Public Health Expert Association said the 1.2 million doses are only enough for an initial group of 600,000 people, since each person must receive two doses. “It does not really have significant meaning. The government should guarantee that there will be enough to for distribution to the entire country,” Saputra said.
Saputra said that if the experimental vaccine passes the third-phase clinical trials, immunization programs are expected to begin in the middle of next year.
The government has announced that it plans to use vaccines from several different producers in its effort to vaccinate the world’s fourth most populated country. So far, the Sinovac candidate vaccine is the only one to arrive in the country.
Monday, the Health Ministry announced 5,754 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the confirmed total to 581,550, including 17,867 deaths, the highest in Southeast Asia.
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Associated Press writer Victoria Milko contributed to this report.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Hospitals: Partial shutdown is working, should be extended

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - Michigan hospital officials said Monday the state ’ s partial shutdown of businesses @ @ @ @ @ should be extended through the holiday season to alleviate stress on the health care system @ @ @ @ @ before Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s administration planned to announce to what it extent @ @ @ @ @ to end late Tuesday .
The three-week “ pause ” is expected to be lengthened @ @ @ @ @ has prohibited in-person instruction at high schools , dine-in eating at restaurants and organized sports @ @ @ @ @ theaters and bowling alleys are closed .
The chief medical officers of hospitals and health @ @ @ @ @ saying the order is slowly stabilizing the spread of COVID-19 and related hospitalizations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ must not let our guard down and reverse this progress , ” they said .

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday extended a partial shutdown of businesses and schools through Dec. 20, rejecting desperate appeals to lift a ban on indoor restaurant dining while the state tries to stop a wave of new coronavirus cases.
The 12-day addition will enable the health department to assess how Thanksgiving travel affected the spread of COVID-19, Whitmer, a Democrat, said in announcing the latest health department strategy.
“We’ve made progress during this three-week pause … but there is more work we need to do to protect one another,” she said at a news conference. “Our progress is fragile and we cannot let up yet.”
In-person instruction at high schools and colleges, dine-in eating at restaurants and organized sports will continue to be prohibited, including the completion of fall high school sports tournaments. Entertainment venues such as movie theaters and bowling alleys will remain closed. Indoor residential gatherings are limited to 10 people from two households.
State health Director Robert Gordon said he wants to see a drop in new cases, a lower rate of positive tests and a flattening of or reduction in the number of hospital beds filled with COVID-19 patients.
The priority will be reopening high schools, then entertainment businesses where people can consistently wear masks like theaters and bowling centers if concessions are closed.
“Let me be clear: There’s no formula. These numbers don’t capture some things that matter, like the age of people getting sick or the mix of tests being measured,” Gordon said. “You don’t ask your doctor to judge your health by a formula. You don’t judge your family’s financial well-being by one formula. Michigan lives are too important to use a faulty formula.”
Hospital executives applauded the action, saying while hospitalizations had begun to stabilize, dozens of hospitals across the state were reporting critical staffing issues. The Michigan Health & Hospital Association urged the public to “honor” health care workers by getting a flu shot, wearing a mask, avoiding social gatherings and washing hands.
“We are in this together,” CEO Brian Peters said.
A top restaurant industry official, though, said he was “exceptionally disappointed,” albeit not surprised.
“We firmly believe there is a better approach - one followed by 45 other states - that doesn’t use blunt force closure of a single industry to resolve a shared crisis,” said Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. Restaurant dining rooms will have been closed for 118 days, nearly a third of the year, later this month.
“We maintain that a more nuanced approach that allows for limited indoor capacity with a curfew will result in greater compliance, better health outcomes and substantially reduced economic fallout,” Winslow said.
Whitmer said it is no one’s fault that restaurants must bar indoor dining. “This is how COVID-19 spreads. It’s just that simply - the science of the virus,” she said.
The current restrictions, many of which were in place earlier in the pandemic, took effect Nov. 18.
The seven-day average of daily new cases was 6,918 on Sunday, down from 7,604 two weeks before, according to the COVID Tracking Project. The rate of tests coming back positive, 12.4%, was up from 11.3%. The average daily death count was 122 - an increase from 71.3 on Nov. 22 and the fourth-highest in the country.
More than 4,100 people were hospitalized with symptoms, including about 500 on ventilators.
Whitmer said the administration is “very worried” that Thanksgiving could have a “significant” effect on cases and hospitalizations. The state will start to see the impact Thursday, two weeks after the holiday, she said.
A group representing Catholic and other religious high schools quickly challenged the lengthened order in federal court, saying the prohibition on face-to-face classes is an unconstitutional restriction on religion.
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White reported from Detroit.
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Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Surfer bitten by shark at popular Oregon surfing spot

SEASIDE , Ore. ( AP ) - A surfer in Seaside , Oregon , was bitten by a shark and suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his lower leg .
The incident took place about 3:20 p.m. Sunday in a popular surfing spot in South Seaside known as The Cove , near Tillamook Head , according to Jon Rahl , a spokesman for the City of Seaside , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Seaside Fire and local medics arrived at the scene to find the adult male victim being carried to the parking lot by fellow surfers .
An off-duty Seaside lifeguard had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leg to help slow the bleeding .
The victim was transferred to the trauma unit of the local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries .
His condition is not known .
Rahl credited the quick response of fellow surfers and said it was a valuable reminder not to recreate alone .
“ The fact that there were additional people on scene helped move this along pretty quickly , ” he said .
Sunday ’ s attack came nine years to the day after another surfer suffered a shark bite at the Seaside Cove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also survived with non-life-threatening injuries .

SEASIDE, Ore. (AP) - A surfer in Seaside, Oregon, was bitten by a shark and suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his lower leg.
The incident took place about 3:20 p.m. Sunday in a popular surfing spot in South Seaside known as The Cove, near Tillamook Head, according to Jon Rahl, a spokesman for the City of Seaside, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Seaside Fire and local medics arrived at the scene to find the adult male victim being carried to the parking lot by fellow surfers. An off-duty Seaside lifeguard had applied a field tourniquet to the man’s leg to help slow the bleeding.
The victim was transferred to the trauma unit of the local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His condition is not known.
Rahl credited the quick response of fellow surfers and said it was a valuable reminder not to recreate alone. “The fact that there were additional people on scene helped move this along pretty quickly,” he said.
Sunday’s attack came nine years to the day after another surfer suffered a shark bite at the Seaside Cove. That victim, a female, also survived with non-life-threatening injuries.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Alaska officials say landslide danger remains after storm

HAINES , Alaska ( AP ) - Officials in southeast Alaska have repeated warnings about possible landslide danger in the community of Haines , where two people remain missing after a large slide last week .
Torrential rain across much of the region caused havoc in many communities , including Ketchikan , where emergency officials announced there was no longer a danger of dam failure .
Searchers were still trying to find two people reported missing after a massive landslide crashed into Haines last Wednesday .
The community of about 2,500 people experienced several landslides , which followed a deluge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) of rain over two days .
The largest slide was estimated at about 600 feet wide ( 183 meters ) and took out four homes while pushing debris to the water line .
Authorities initially said six people were missing , but revised the count Thursday when four people were found safe .
David Simmons and Jenae Larson were those identified as still missing .
Simmons , newly hired to lead the city ’ s economic development corporation , lives in one of the four destroyed homes .
Larson , a recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her first year as a kindergarten teacher in her native Haines and rents an apartment above Simmons ’ garage .
Haines residents were warned about potential evacuations over the weekend as weather conditions deteriorated and the risk of landslides remained high .
The Haines Borough government on Saturday night cautioned about a third of the residents to be prepared to leave at a moment ’ s notice .
The Haines Emergency Operations Center said the notice remained in effect Sunday .
Up to 1.5 inches ( 3.8 centimeters ) of rain was expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to melt new snowpack .
The combined runoff could further erode hillsides and cause additional avalanches , officials said .
The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center said in a statement Saturday that evacuated residents were permitted to return home after rainfall slowed and the water level at Ketchikan Lakes fell to about 349 feet ( 106 meters ) .
Alaska Republican Gov .
Mike Dunleavy declared a state of emergency Saturday for communities affected by the severe storm that led to landslides , flooded buildings and roads , downed trees and caused power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported damages and the need for disaster recovery assistance , the governor ’ s office said .

HAINES, Alaska (AP) - The search has been suspended for two people missing after a landslide in a small southeast Alaska community amid continued rain and the likelihood of additional slides, Alaska State Troopers said Monday.
Torrential rains prompted several landslides in the community last Wednesday. The largest, about 600 feet (183 meters) wide, took out four homes in the community of Haines.
David Simmons, 30, and Jenae Larson, 23, have been missing since the slide. Simmons, the interim executive director of the Haines Economic Development Corp., owned one of the homes that was destroyed. Larson, 23, a recent University of Idaho graduate who returned to her hometown to teach kindergarten, rented an apartment above Simmons’ garage.
Ground searchers sent to Haines with troopers left Monday, with one officer remaining to coordinate efforts with the borough police department and the incident command center.
The agency would reevaluate search efforts if new information or evidence is located, troopers said in a web posting.
More than four dozen families have evacuated because of the conditions, and motels in the city of about 2,500 are full. Borough officials have encouraged nearly a third of the town’s residents to pack essentials and be ready to move on a moment’s notice as weather conditions deteriorated and the risk of landslides remained high.
Up to 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) of rain was expected Monday and warmer temperatures were expected to melt new snowpack. The combined runoff could further erode hillsides and cause additional avalanches, officials said.
The heavy rains have caused damage in at least 12 communities, prompting local officials to seek disaster recovery assistance, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office said. Dunleavy declared a state of emergency Saturday for communities affected by the severe storm that led to landslides, flooded buildings and roads, downed trees and caused power outages.
In the southeast Alaska community of Ketchikan, some residents were evacuated over fears of a dam failure. The residents were permitted to return home Saturday night after rainfall slowed and the water level at Ketchikan Lakes fell to about 349 feet (106 meters). Some residents grabbed surf boards to enjoy the 3-foot surges.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan: It is not hard to say Donald Trump lost Georgia

Georgia Lt. Gov .
Geoff Duncan took umbrage Monday over the refusal of President Trump and his allies to accept the results of the election in Georgia , where presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden was declared the winner .
Mr. Duncan said it is not hard to see that Mr. Biden won the morning after a debate in which Sen. Kelly Loeffler deflected when asked whether Mr. Trump lost the election in Georgia .
“ No , it wasn ’ t hard at all , ” Mr. Duncan said on CNN .
“ This isn ’ t a third world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been running elections for a long , long time.
” Gov .
Brian Kemp , who appointed Ms. Loeffler to her Senate seat last year , and Mr. Duncan have been on the receiving end of sharp criticism from Mr. Trump since Mr. Biden emerged with a 12,000-vote win in the Nov. 3 election .
Mr. Trump says the election was rigged and alleges massive voter fraud .
The argument has not gained much traction in the courts .
The charge , however , has caught fire with Trump supporters , revealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worry could hurt their chances of defending a pair of Senate seats in the Georgia runoff races on Jan. 5 .
In the Georgia Senate debate Sunday , Democrat Raphael Warnock asked Ms. Loeffler , “ Yes or no , Senator Loeffler , did Donald Trump lose a recent presidential election ?
” Ms. Loeffler responded that Mr. Trump “ has every right to use every legal recourse available ” before pivoting to a scripted attack against Mr. Warnock .
“ My opponent , radical liberal Raphael Warnock , would be a rubber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bought and paid for by tens of millions of dollars from out of state , dark liberal money from Chuck Schumer , ” she said , referring to Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer .

Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan took umbrage Monday over the refusal of President Trump and his allies to accept the results of the election in Georgia, where presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden was declared the winner.
Mr. Duncan said it is not hard to see that Mr. Biden won the morning after a debate in which Sen. Kelly Loeffler deflected when asked whether Mr. Trump lost the election in Georgia.
“No, it wasn’t hard at all,” Mr. Duncan said on CNN. “This isn’t a third world country here in Georgia. We’ve been running elections for a long, long time.”
Gov. Brian Kemp, who appointed Ms. Loeffler to her Senate seat last year, and Mr. Duncan have been on the receiving end of sharp criticism from Mr. Trump since Mr. Biden emerged with a 12,000-vote win in the Nov. 3 election.
Mr. Trump says the election was rigged and alleges massive voter fraud. The argument has not gained much traction in the courts.
The charge, however, has caught fire with Trump supporters, revealing fissures in the GOP that some Republicans worry could hurt their chances of defending a pair of Senate seats in the Georgia runoff races on Jan. 5.
In the Georgia Senate debate Sunday, Democrat Raphael Warnock asked Ms. Loeffler, “Yes or no, Senator Loeffler, did Donald Trump lose a recent presidential election?”
Ms. Loeffler responded that Mr. Trump “has every right to use every legal recourse available” before pivoting to a scripted attack against Mr. Warnock.
“My opponent, radical liberal Raphael Warnock, would be a rubber stamp for Chuck Schumer, because he’s bought and paid for by tens of millions of dollars from out of state, dark liberal money from Chuck Schumer,” she said, referring to Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Delaware congresswoman will co-chair inauguration committee

WILMINGTON , Del .
( AP ) - Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester will serve as co-chair of the inauguration @ @ @ @ @ .
The News Journal reports that Biden ‘ s transition team made the announcement on @ @ @ @ @ a longtime friend of the Biden family .
She served on the committee that helped @ @ @ @ @ to be Biden ‘ s running mate .
Blunt Rochester said in a statement that @ @ @ @ @ President-elect Biden ’ s profound empathy for others , commitment to uniting the country , @ @ @ @ @ future.
” The ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 20 , although it will not look @ @ @ @ @ due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden has said his staff will work with public @ @ @ @ @ event .
Biden said that it is “ highly unlikely ” that hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ ceremony .

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester will serve as co-chair of the inauguration committee for President-elect Joe Biden.
The News Journal reports that Biden’s transition team made the announcement on Monday.
Blunt Rochester is a longtime friend of the Biden family. She served on the committee that helped choose Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to be Biden’s running mate.
Blunt Rochester said in a statement that the inauguration “will reflect President-elect Biden’s profound empathy for others, commitment to uniting the country, and relentless optimism for our future.”
The ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 20, although it will not look like those of years past due to the coronavirus pandemic. Biden has said his staff will work with public health experts while planning the event.
Biden said that it is “highly unlikely” that hundreds of thousands of people will attend the ceremony.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Spokane jail officer fatally shot woman in facility lobby

SPOKANE , Wash. ( AP ) - A Spokane County Jail corrections officer shot and killed a woman in the lobby of the facility , the first fatal shooting the jail has recorded .
Around 8 p.m. Friday , a woman came into the foyer of the jail , Spokane County Jail director Mike Sparber said .
She pressed a button several times to be buzzed in by the receptionist , the Spokesman-Review reported .
The receptionist was trying to figure out what the woman needed , but she did not respond and continued to “ pound on the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a sergeant to respond .
When he reached the door , it was open , meaning the receptionist unlocked it .
The woman came in and was carrying “ an edged weapon , ” which Sparber said he believes was a knife .
The officer told her to back away and disarm herself , Sparber said .
The officer fired shots and the woman died .
Sparber said he does not know why she was trying to come in , but the foyer is open for people who want to post bail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nor has the identity of the officer .
While some corrections officers do have stun guns or pepper spray , Jared Webley , a spokesperson for the county , said he didn ’ t know whether the officer had either on him .
Washington State Patrol is the lead agency on the investigation and Spokane Police Department is assisting , Sgt .
Terry Preuninger said .

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - A Spokane County Jail corrections officer shot and killed a woman in the lobby of the facility, the first fatal shooting the jail has recorded.
Around 8 p.m. Friday, a woman came into the foyer of the jail, Spokane County Jail director Mike Sparber said. She pressed a button several times to be buzzed in by the receptionist, the Spokesman-Review reported.
The receptionist was trying to figure out what the woman needed, but she did not respond and continued to “pound on the door,” Sparber said.
Protocol called for a sergeant to respond. When he reached the door, it was open, meaning the receptionist unlocked it. The woman came in and was carrying “an edged weapon,” which Sparber said he believes was a knife. The officer told her to back away and disarm herself, Sparber said.
The officer fired shots and the woman died.
Sparber said he does not know why she was trying to come in, but the foyer is open for people who want to post bail. Her identity has not been released, nor has the identity of the officer.
While some corrections officers do have stun guns or pepper spray, Jared Webley, a spokesperson for the county, said he didn’t know whether the officer had either on him.
Washington State Patrol is the lead agency on the investigation and Spokane Police Department is assisting, Sgt. Terry Preuninger said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Pearl Harbor ceremony to honor those killed in 1941 attack

Officials were scheduled to gather in Pearl Harbor on Monday to remember those killed in the 1941 Japanese attack , though public health measures adopted because of the coronavirus pandemic mean no survivors will be present .
The military will broadcast video of the ceremony live online for survivors and members of the public to watch from afar .
“ I think it ’ s too bad , but it ’ s for safety reasons , ” said Warren Upton , a 101-year-old who served on the USS Utah .
He plans to watch the event from his home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of silence is scheduled to be held at 7:55 a.m. , the same time the attack began 79 years ago .
Aircraft will fly above the harbor in missing man formation immediately afterward .
Also during the ceremony , sailors aboard a Navy guided missile destroyer will pass by the USS Arizona with its sailors standing along the rails to honor the sunken battleship .
The Arizona remains in the same spot where it sank in 1941 after being hit by two bombs .
More than 900 sailors and Marines remain entombed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops died in the attack .
Upton was getting ready to shave when he felt the first torpedo hitting the Utah .
No one on board knew what caused the ship to shake .
Then , the second torpedo hit and the ship began to list and capsize .
Upton swam ashore to Ford Island , where he jumped in a trench to avoid strafing planes .
He sought refuge there for about 30 minutes until a truck came and took him to safety .
Utpon said he doesn ’ t mind talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more is losing shipmates over the years .
He said only three crew members of the Utah are still alive , including himself .

Officials were scheduled to gather in Pearl Harbor on Monday to remember those killed in the 1941 Japanese attack, though public health measures adopted because of the coronavirus pandemic mean no survivors will be present.
The military will broadcast video of the ceremony live online for survivors and members of the public to watch from afar.
“I think it’s too bad, but it’s for safety reasons,” said Warren Upton, a 101-year-old who served on the USS Utah. He plans to watch the event from his home in San Jose, California.
A moment of silence is scheduled to be held at 7:55 a.m., the same time the attack began 79 years ago. Aircraft will fly above the harbor in missing man formation immediately afterward.
Also during the ceremony, sailors aboard a Navy guided missile destroyer will pass by the USS Arizona with its sailors standing along the rails to honor the sunken battleship. The Arizona remains in the same spot where it sank in 1941 after being hit by two bombs. More than 900 sailors and Marines remain entombed on board.
Altogether more than 2,300 U.S. troops died in the attack.
Upton was getting ready to shave when he felt the first torpedo hitting the Utah. No one on board knew what caused the ship to shake. Then, the second torpedo hit and the ship began to list and capsize.
Upton swam ashore to Ford Island, where he jumped in a trench to avoid strafing planes. He sought refuge there for about 30 minutes until a truck came and took him to safety.
Utpon said he doesn’t mind talking about that day. What upsets him more is losing shipmates over the years. He said only three crew members of the Utah are still alive, including himself.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--2-year-old child dies after being struck by parent's car

ANGIER , N.C. ( AP ) - A 2-year-old child died in North Carolina after a parent accidentally struck the @ @ @ @ @ the family ’ s yard .
The child was run over in the family ’ @ @ @ @ @ town of Angier and taken to a hospital in Raleigh , where they died , @ @ @ @ @ were no signs of intoxication or impairment , Johnston County Sheriff ’ s Capt .
@ @ @ @ @ Nothing appears criminal , ” he told WNCN-TV .
No charges are expected to be @ @ @ @ @ Observer reported .

ANGIER, N.C. (AP) - A 2-year-old child died in North Carolina after a parent accidentally struck the toddler with a car in the family’s yard.
The child was run over in the family’s driveway Sunday near the town of Angier and taken to a hospital in Raleigh, where they died, news outlets reported.
There were no signs of intoxication or impairment, Johnston County Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Caldwell said. “Nothing appears criminal,” he told WNCN-TV. No charges are expected to be filed, The News & Observer reported.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--1 killed in crash near Hutchinson; driver charged with DUI

HUTCHINSON , Kan. ( AP ) - One person died , seven others were injured and the driver was arrested @ @ @ @ @ south-central Kansas , authorities there said .
The crash happened late Saturday night near Hutchinson @ @ @ @ @ .
Deputies who arrived on the scene found a sport utility vehicle resting on its @ @ @ @ @ the Reno County Sheriff ’ s Office said .
Investigators said eight people were in @ @ @ @ @ of the crash .
All had been injured , including one person who later died @ @ @ @ @ from Hutchinson , authorities said .
Officials did not immediately release the names of those @ @ @ @ @ .
The SUV ’ s driver , Viola Rhodes , 31 , was arrested on @ @ @ @ @ involuntary manslaughter , illegal transportation of alcoholic beverage and aggravated battery , sheriff ’ s @ @ @

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) - A Hutchinson woman who was driving a vehicle carrying seven passengers when it rolled - killing one passenger - lost a bid for a lower bond and can be detained until charges are formally filed, a judge ruled during a hearing Monday.
Viola G. Rhodes, 31, of Hutchinson, faces several possible charges, including involuntary manslaughter, after the crash Saturday night near Hutchinson. One of the passengers, Brian Bookout, 44, of Hutchinson was thrown from the vehicle later died from his injuries.
The others passengers suffered minor injuries, Sheriff’s Capt. Levi Blumanhourst said.
Rhodes bond was originally set at $83,250 but the arrest record listed it at $385,250. The difference was caused because the Reno County Jail listed only one aggravated battery count, rather than six, as well as involuntary manslaughter and DUI, The Hutchinson News reported.
Rhodes lowered the correct bond to $200,000 and set a hearing for next Monday when formal charges will be filed.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Woman in wheelchair dies after getting struck by snowplow

LOWELL , Mass .
( AP ) - Authorities are investigating the death of a woman in a wheelchair who @ @ @ @ @ the person pushing her were struck by a vehicle with a snowplow attached .
The @ @ @ @ @ by a 39-year-old man at about 7 p.m. Saturday when they were struck at a @ @ @ @ @ to a statement Sunday from the office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan .
It @ @ @ @ @ .
The woman was thrown under a parked vehicle across the street .
The driver @ @ @ @ @ appeared from behind a parked vehicle , police Capt .
James Hodgdon told The Sun @ @ @ @ @ the operator , he could not stop in time and struck both , ” he @ @ @ @ @ taken to the hospital .
The woman died from her injuries on Sunday morning , @ @ @ @ @ The man remains hospitalized with injuries not considered life threatening .
The driver stayed at @ @ @ @ @ were released and the crash remains under investigation , authorities said .

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) - Authorities are investigating the death of a woman in a wheelchair who was killed when she and the person pushing her were struck by a vehicle with a snowplow attached.
The 27-year-old woman was being pushed by a 39-year-old man at about 7 p.m. Saturday when they were struck at a Lowell street corner, according to a statement Sunday from the office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. It was snowing at the time.
The woman was thrown under a parked vehicle across the street.
The driver struck the pair when they appeared from behind a parked vehicle, police Capt. James Hodgdon told The Sun of Lowell
“According to the operator, he could not stop in time and struck both,” he said.
Both victims were taken to the hospital. The woman died from her injuries on Sunday morning, according to the statement. The man remains hospitalized with injuries not considered life threatening.
The driver stayed at the scene.
No names were released and the crash remains under investigation, authorities said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Fire destroys antique-filled building in Fargo

FARGO , N.D. ( AP ) - It took three hours for firefighters to control a blaze that destroyed a @ @ @ @ @ .
The three-alarm fire Saturday at Reinhart Auction required assistance from firefighters in nearby West @ @ @ @ @ .
Fargo Fire Marshal Ryan Erickson says the large amount of antiques in the building @ @ @ @ @ fight .
Witnesses say flames were visible on the roof of the building and the @ @ @ @ @ KVRR reports .
The owner , Gary Reinhart , is an auctioneer .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ the value of the damage .

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - It took three hours for firefighters to control a blaze that destroyed a Fargo building filled with antiques.
The three-alarm fire Saturday at Reinhart Auction required assistance from firefighters in nearby West Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota.
Fargo Fire Marshal Ryan Erickson says the large amount of antiques in the building made the blaze difficult to fight. Witnesses say flames were visible on the roof of the building and the fire generated heavy smoke, KVRR reports.
The owner, Gary Reinhart, is an auctioneer. There’s no immediate word on the value of the damage.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Cedric Richmond: GOP has been 'absolutely neutered' by Donald Trump

Rep. Cedric Richmond said the refusal of the vast majority of GOP members of Congress to recognize presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden as the winner of the 2020 race underscores how President Trump has “ absolutely neutered ” the Republican Party .
During an appearance on CNN , Mr. Richmond , who Mr. Biden tapped as a senior adviser in the White House Office of Public Engagement , was asked to weigh in on a Washington Post report that found that 27 out of the 249 Republicans in the House and Senate acknowledged Mr. Biden won the election .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it for what it is , ” the Louisiana Democrat said .
“ It is a party scared of their president — a president who only cares about himself and a Republican Party that has been absolutely neutered.
” Mr. Trump has launched a series of largely unsuccessful legal challenges against the results of the election and maintains the process was rigged against him .
Mr. Richmond said the GOP ’ s reluctance to embrace Mr. Biden as president-elect is a distraction away from the pressing problems facing the nation such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave .
“ I would hope that those Republican members of Congress will focus on the American people , and that is what is so important right now as we head into these holidays , ” he said .
“ I mean the stress of families is tremendous , and one of the reasons I supported Joe Biden very early is that he cares about other people more than he cares about himself , and I think that is what we need.
” Mr. Richmond said he is hopeful that Congress will pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said lawmakers should make another “ investment in the American people ” when the new Congress convenes next year .

Rep. Cedric Richmond said the refusal of the vast majority of GOP members of Congress to recognize presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden as the winner of the 2020 race underscores how President Trump has “absolutely neutered” the Republican Party.
During an appearance on CNN, Mr. Richmond, who Mr. Biden tapped as a senior adviser in the White House Office of Public Engagement, was asked to weigh in on a Washington Post report that found that 27 out of the 249 Republicans in the House and Senate acknowledged Mr. Biden won the election.
“I think the American people should see it for what it is,” the Louisiana Democrat said. “It is a party scared of their president — a president who only cares about himself and a Republican Party that has been absolutely neutered.”
Mr. Trump has launched a series of largely unsuccessful legal challenges against the results of the election and maintains the process was rigged against him.
Mr. Richmond said the GOP’s reluctance to embrace Mr. Biden as president-elect is a distraction away from the pressing problems facing the nation such as the expiration of unemployment benefits and paid family leave.
“I would hope that those Republican members of Congress will focus on the American people, and that is what is so important right now as we head into these holidays,” he said. “I mean the stress of families is tremendous, and one of the reasons I supported Joe Biden very early is that he cares about other people more than he cares about himself, and I think that is what we need.”
Mr. Richmond said he is hopeful that Congress will pass a coronavirus relief package this week and said lawmakers should make another “investment in the American people” when the new Congress convenes next year.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-07--England ODI series in South Africa canceled because of COVID

CAPE TOWN , South Africa ( AP ) - England ’ s ODI cricket series in South Africa was called off Monday after an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at the luxurious and supposedly bio-secure Cape Town hotel where both teams are staying .
Both squads have had members infected , while two workers at the hotel also contracted the disease .
The decision to cancel the series was taken by both the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa , the two federations said in a statement , and was made “ to ensure the mental and physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams.
” The ECB and CSA said they were effectively postponing the series until a suitable time could be found for England to travel back to South Africa to play the games .
The opening game of the series was scheduled for Friday at Newlands in Cape Town but was postponed to Sunday and moved to the nearby city of Paarl after a South African player tested positive for COVID-19 on the morning of the game .
That first ODI was then canceled completely on Sunday after it was revealed that two hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development forced the England contingent to undergo a new round of tests .
Two members of the England group then tested positive for COVID-19 , although the ECB said it wanted the tests verified by an independent medical team before making a decision on the remainder of the tour .
Both the ECB and Cricket South Africa had said there was hope that the remaining two ODI games might be able to go ahead but that was ended with Monday ’ s announcement .
“ We have always maintained that the welfare of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ECB CEO Tom Harrison said .
“ We were concerned about the potential impact that recent developments might have on the wellbeing of the touring party , and so after consultation with Cricket South Africa , we have jointly made the decision to postpone the remaining matches in this series in the best interest of the players ’ welfare.
” England still hadn ’ t received the results of the follow-up tests to confirm those two positives , team spokesman Danny Reuben said .
The results were expected Tuesday at the earliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also didn ’ t have a confirmed date to leave for home .
The squad was scheduled to return home on a chartered plane on Thursday .
If the two members of England ’ s touring party were confirmed as positive for COVID-19 , they would likely have to remain in South Africa and self-isolate for 10 days , as has been the protocol for South African players who have tested positive during the tour .
None of the people to test positive on the tour have been named .
The premature end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South African cricket , which has failed to keep the “ bio-bubble ” in the Cape Town hotel secure .
Three South African players have tested positive during the tour , which began in mid-November - two of them after entering the supposedly secure environment .
“ The decision to postpone the tour is the most responsible and reasonable course of action for us , ” CSA acting CEO Kugandrie Govender said .
South Africa ‘ s failed bio-bubble might also have repercussions for future series , with Sri Lanka due to arrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Australia and Pakistan due to tour South Africa early next year .
England ’ s limited-overs tour was organized at short-notice to give both teams a chance to play some cricket after the coronavirus pandemic led to a string of series cancellations across the world .
The teams have already played a three-game Twenty20 series , which went ahead even after the first two South African players contracted COVID-19 , and which England won 3-0 .

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) - England’s ODI cricket series in South Africa was called off Monday after an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at the luxurious and supposedly bio-secure Cape Town hotel where both teams are staying.
Both squads have had members infected, while two workers at the hotel also contracted the disease.
The decision to cancel the series was taken by both the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa, the two federations said in a statement, and was made “to ensure the mental and physical health and welfare of players from both teams.”
The ECB and CSA said they were effectively postponing the series until a suitable time could be found for England to travel back to South Africa to play the games.
The opening game of the series was scheduled for Friday at Newlands in Cape Town but was postponed to Sunday and moved to the nearby city of Paarl after a South African player tested positive for COVID-19 on the morning of the game.
That first ODI was then canceled completely on Sunday after it was revealed that two hotel staff members had tested positive. That development forced the England contingent to undergo a new round of tests. Two members of the England group then tested positive for COVID-19, although the ECB said it wanted the tests verified by an independent medical team before making a decision on the remainder of the tour.
Both the ECB and Cricket South Africa had said there was hope that the remaining two ODI games might be able to go ahead but that was ended with Monday’s announcement.
“We have always maintained that the welfare of our players and management is paramount,” ECB CEO Tom Harrison said. “We were concerned about the potential impact that recent developments might have on the wellbeing of the touring party, and so after consultation with Cricket South Africa, we have jointly made the decision to postpone the remaining matches in this series in the best interest of the players’ welfare.”
England still hadn’t received the results of the follow-up tests to confirm those two positives, team spokesman Danny Reuben said. The results were expected Tuesday at the earliest, he said. The England party also didn’t have a confirmed date to leave for home. The squad was scheduled to return home on a chartered plane on Thursday.
If the two members of England’s touring party were confirmed as positive for COVID-19, they would likely have to remain in South Africa and self-isolate for 10 days, as has been the protocol for South African players who have tested positive during the tour.
None of the people to test positive on the tour have been named.
The premature end to the tour is highly embarrassing for South African cricket, which has failed to keep the “bio-bubble” in the Cape Town hotel secure. Three South African players have tested positive during the tour, which began in mid-November - two of them after entering the supposedly secure environment.
“The decision to postpone the tour is the most responsible and reasonable course of action for us,” CSA acting CEO Kugandrie Govender said.
South Africa’s failed bio-bubble might also have repercussions for future series, with Sri Lanka due to arrive late this year for a two-test series and Australia and Pakistan due to tour South Africa early next year.
England’s limited-overs tour was organized at short-notice to give both teams a chance to play some cricket after the coronavirus pandemic led to a string of series cancellations across the world. The teams have already played a three-game Twenty20 series, which went ahead even after the first two South African players contracted COVID-19, and which England won 3-0.
___
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washingtontimes--2020-12-07--Researchers are testing sewage for COVID in Charlottesville

CHARLOTTESVILLE , Va. ( AP ) - Researchers are now monitoring sewage in Charlottesville , Virginia , in an effort @ @ @ @ @ .
The Daily Progress reported Sunday that the research is part of a modeling project @ @ @ @ @ .
Data from the area ’ s wastewater will be shared with local and state @ @ @ @ @ the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s National Wastewater Surveillance System .
@ @ @ @ @ that are testing sewage for COVID-19 include Hampton Roads and Stafford County .
“ Where @ @ @ @ @ the wastewater surveillance in a post-surge period , during a calm time … the wastewater @ @ @ @ @ way to detect an unanticipated resurgence and even to zero in on what part of @ @ @ @ @ occurring , ” said Brent French , a professor of biomedical engineering at UVa .

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Researchers are now monitoring sewage in Charlottesville, Virginia, in an effort predict surges of the coronavirus.
The Daily Progress reported Sunday that the research is part of a modeling project at the University of Virginia.
Data from the area’s wastewater will be shared with local and state health officials as well as the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Wastewater Surveillance System.
In Virginia, other areas that are testing sewage for COVID-19 include Hampton Roads and Stafford County.
“Where we see the value in the wastewater surveillance in a post-surge period, during a calm time … the wastewater surveillance would be a good way to detect an unanticipated resurgence and even to zero in on what part of the city that resurgence is occurring,” said Brent French, a professor of biomedical engineering at UVa.