washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Teachers unions use anti-reopening rallies, safety strike warnings to test resolve

Going back to school after a lazy summer can be a struggle for many children , but this year the biggest challenge may be convincing the teachers to return .
With the fall semester just a few weeks away , teachers ’ unions in many communities are setting up a major test for President Trump as he pushes for schools to reopen , holding anti-reopening rallies and warning that school districts that opt for in-person learning could be hit by “ safety strikes.
” “ Schools haven ’ t even opened , and yet these demonstrations are happening , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation .
“ It ’ s become a call to protest , and that is what unions are built to do .
They ’ re built to design collective action , and so that ’ s what they ’ ve opened the door for.
” Demand Safe Schools , a coalition of a dozen urban teachers ’ unions and the Democratic Socialists of America , offered Monday a taste of things to come by holding multiple events across the nation in opposition to local reopening plans as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their demands included “ police-free schools , ” a moratorium on vouchers , lower class sizes , greater access to online learning , and “ no reopening until the scientific data supports it.
” Among the organizations participating was the Chicago Teachers Union , where organizers held a rally against Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s plan for a mix of remote and classroom learning , followed by a caravan of cars decorated with messages such as , “ We want to teach not die.
” “ You can not go to the beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Chicago Teachers Union president Jesse Sharkey .
“ You can not drink indoors in the city of Chicago , but they ’ re going to send hundreds of thousands of students into school buildings , hundreds to a building … We ’ re not going to stand for it.
” Last week , the American Federation of Teachers sent a shot across the bow at its biennial convention by preapproving “ safety strikes , ” calling them a “ last resort ” against “ unsafe school reopening plans.
” “ Let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have done with our healthcare workers , we will fight on all fronts for the safety of students and their educators , ” AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a July 28 speech .
“ But if the authorities don ’ t protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve , as our executive council voted last week , nothing is off the table — not advocacy or protests , negotiations , grievances or lawsuits or , if necessary and authorized by a local union , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning comes with Mr. Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos calling for schools to reopen in-person , backed by Dr. Richard Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , who told Congress last week that “ the public health and interest of the students in the nation right now is to get a quality education and face-to-face learning.
” The AFT and National Education Association have cited concerns about rising COVID-19 infection rates as they push for the passage of the HEROES Act , the $ 3 trillion House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for K-12 public schools as part of a “ state fiscal stabilization fund.
” “ We may have to pink slip , we may have to lay off massive amounts of teachers , massive amounts of school support staff , ” NEA president Lily Eskelen Garcia told Fox4 in Kansas City .
“ Now what do you do ?
We can ’ t figure this out .
Luckily , there is a cure to this , and it ’ s funding .
What we ’ re asking for is the same kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months ago .
We need that for our public schools.
” Mr. Trump tweeted again Monday his support for reopening , tweeting , “ Open the Schools , ” while his foes on social media noted that his son Barron Trump will be unable to attend in-person after health officials in Montgomery County , Maryland , banned school reopenings until Oct. 1 .
That includes private schools like St. Andrews Episcopal School in Potomac , which the president ’ s son attends .
“ As soon as it ’ s safe for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids , too .
But not until that day , ” tweeted Huffington Post blogger Bryan Behar .
The risk for the teachers ’ unions is that they may overplay their hand , alienating parents worried that their children are falling behind with the distancing-learning approach undertaken earlier this year by virtually all schools at the height of the epidemic .
Dr. Scott Atlas , a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and former neurology chief at Stanford Medical Center , accused the unions of “ panicking , ” arguing that the scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of at-risk teachers while allowing students to return in-person .
“ It ’ s outrageous what they ’ re saying .
Contemplating a strike is outrageous , ” Dr. Atlas said .
“ In the NEA ’ s mission statement , they stress how essential they are , and they are essential .
Step up and open the schools.
” Richard Berman , executive director at the anti-union Center for Union Facts , accused the teachers ’ unions of taking advantage of the crisis to push their political agenda .
“ Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still count on teachers ’ unions to do what they do best : Put their own interests ahead of their hostages — students and parents , ” said Mr. Berman in an email .
He noted that the United Teachers Los Angeles Union , an AFT affiliate , called last month for the reopening to be tied to shutting down publicly funded charter schools , Medicare for All , defunding the police , housing for the homeless and a statewide wealth tax .
“ It ’ s just another example of how unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Mr. Berman said .
Ms. Weingarten , AFT president , said the Los Angeles union ’ s stance was “ not a national position , ” insisting the union wants to see schools reopened , but safely .
“ We said really clearly and have said every single day , we know our kids need to be in school buildings , we need to make it safe , and there are ways of doing it , ” said Ms. Weingarten .
“ You have to reduce the community spread in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety guardrails including testing , masks , physical distancing , cleaning and ventilation , and you have to be able to pay for that.
” Dr. Atlas , who has championed reopening the schools , argued that the science doesn ’ t support the union position , pointing to CDC data showing that children face far less risk from COVID-19 than they do from the seasonal flu .
“ Switzerland did a contact tracing study and they showed that of all the sources of cases , 0.3 % are from schools , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelming evidence that we must open the schools , and that is the president ’ s policy , as he has said many times .
We are the only nation in the Western world who are hysterical about reopening schools.
” As far as the risks to teachers , Dr. Atlas said that 92 % of K-12 public educators are under the age of 60 — and 50 % are under the age of 41 — meaning that nearly all fall well below the at-risk age range .
“ I think the teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give them the benefit of the doubt and say they ’ re afraid , and if they ’ re afraid , we can accommodate the high-risk teachers , ” he said .
“ They can social distance , and number two , if they ’ re still afraid , they can teach from home .
That ’ s not a reason to lock down the schools.
” He also pointed to harms to children from staying out of school , including child abuse cases no longer being reported by teachers .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously harmful to children , and we have to remember that there ’ s nothing more essential than opening our schools and educating our children , ” Dr. Atlas said .
“ Nothing .
”

Going back to school after a lazy summer can be a struggle for many children, but this year the biggest challenge may be convincing the teachers to return.
With the fall semester just a few weeks away, teachers’ unions in many communities are setting up a major test for President Trump as he pushes for schools to reopen, holding anti-reopening rallies and warning that school districts that opt for in-person learning could be hit by “safety strikes.”
“Schools haven’t even opened, and yet these demonstrations are happening,” said Jonathan Butcher, senior education policy analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation. “It’s become a call to protest, and that is what unions are built to do. They’re built to design collective action, and so that’s what they’ve opened the door for.”
Demand Safe Schools, a coalition of a dozen urban teachers’ unions and the Democratic Socialists of America, offered Monday a taste of things to come by holding multiple events across the nation in opposition to local reopening plans as part of a National Day of Resistance.
Their demands included “police-free schools,” a moratorium on vouchers, lower class sizes, greater access to online learning, and “no reopening until the scientific data supports it.”
Among the organizations participating was the Chicago Teachers Union, where organizers held a rally against Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan for a mix of remote and classroom learning, followed by a caravan of cars decorated with messages such as, “We want to teach not die.”
SEE ALSO: Larry Hogan bans on blanket school closings in Maryland
“You cannot go to the beach in the city of Chicago,” said Chicago Teachers Union president Jesse Sharkey. “You cannot drink indoors in the city of Chicago, but they’re going to send hundreds of thousands of students into school buildings, hundreds to a building … We’re not going to stand for it.”
Last week, the American Federation of Teachers sent a shot across the bow at its biennial convention by preapproving “safety strikes,” calling them a “last resort” against “unsafe school reopening plans.”
“Let’s be clear: Just as we have done with our healthcare workers, we will fight on all fronts for the safety of students and their educators,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a July 28 speech. “But if the authorities don’t protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve, as our executive council voted last week, nothing is off the table — not advocacy or protests, negotiations, grievances or lawsuits or, if necessary and authorized by a local union, as a last resort, safety strikes.”
The warning comes with Mr. Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos calling for schools to reopen in-person, backed by Dr. Richard Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who told Congress last week that “the public health and interest of the students in the nation right now is to get a quality education and face-to-face learning.”
The AFT and National Education Association have cited concerns about rising COVID-19 infection rates as they push for the passage of the HEROES Act, the $3 trillion House bill that would deliver $90 billion for K-12 public schools as part of a “state fiscal stabilization fund.”
“We may have to pink slip, we may have to lay off massive amounts of teachers, massive amounts of school support staff,” NEA president Lily Eskelen Garcia told Fox4 in Kansas City. “Now what do you do? We can’t figure this out. Luckily, there is a cure to this, and it’s funding. What we’re asking for is the same kind of emergency funding they gave to businesses a few months ago. We need that for our public schools.”
Mr. Trump tweeted again Monday his support for reopening, tweeting, “Open the Schools,” while his foes on social media noted that his son Barron Trump will be unable to attend in-person after health officials in Montgomery County, Maryland, banned school reopenings until Oct. 1.
That includes private schools like St. Andrews Episcopal School in Potomac, which the president’s son attends.
“As soon as it’s safe for Barron, we’ll send our kids, too. But not until that day,” tweeted Huffington Post blogger Bryan Behar.
The risk for the teachers’ unions is that they may overplay their hand, alienating parents worried that their children are falling behind with the distancing-learning approach undertaken earlier this year by virtually all schools at the height of the epidemic.
Dr. Scott Atlas, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and former chief of neuroradiology at Stanford Medical Center, accused the unions of “panicking,” arguing that the scientific approach would be to protect the small number of at-risk teachers while allowing students to return in-person.
“It’s outrageous what they’re saying. Contemplating a strike is outrageous,” Dr. Atlas said. “In the NEA’s mission statement, they stress how essential they are, and they are essential. Step up and open the schools.”
Richard Berman, executive director of the labor watchdog Center for Union Facts, accused the teachers’ unions of taking advantage of the crisis to push their political agenda.
“Even in these unprecedented times, we can still count on teachers’ unions to do what they do best: Put their own interests ahead of their hostages — students and parents,” Mr. Berman said in an email.
He noted that the United Teachers Los Angeles Union, an AFT affiliate, called last month for the reopening to be tied to shutting down publicly funded charter schools, Medicare for All, defunding the police, housing for the homeless and a statewide wealth tax.
“It’s just another example of how unions use the pandemic to push political agendas,” Mr. Berman said.
Ms. Weingarten, AFT president, said the Los Angeles union’s stance was “not a national position,” insisting the union wants to see schools reopened, but safely.
“We said really clearly and have said every single day, we know our kids need to be in school buildings, we need to make it safe, and there are ways of doing it,” Ms. Weingarten said on Fox News. “You have to reduce the community spread in a community, you have to have the safety guardrails including testing, masks, physical distancing, cleaning and ventilation, and you have to be able to pay for that.”
Dr. Atlas, who has championed reopening the schools, argued that the science doesn’t support the union position, pointing to CDC data showing that children face far less risk from COVID-19 than they do from the seasonal flu.
“Switzerland did a contact tracing study and they showed that of all the sources of cases, 0.3% are from schools,” said Dr. Atlas. “There is overwhelming evidence that we must open the schools, and that is the president’s policy, as he has said many times. We are the only nation in the Western world who are hysterical about reopening schools.”
As far as the risks to teachers, Dr. Atlas said that 92% of K-12 public educators are under the age of 60 — and 50% are under the age of 41 — meaning that nearly all fall well below the at-risk age range.
“I think the teachers union, I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they’re afraid, and if they’re afraid, we can accommodate the high-risk teachers,” he said. “They can social distance, and number two, if they’re still afraid, they can teach from home. That’s not a reason to lock down the schools.”
He also pointed to harms to children from staying out of school, including child abuse cases no longer being reported by teachers.
“We have to remember closing the schools is seriously harmful to children, and we have to remember that there’s nothing more essential than opening our schools and educating our children,” Dr. Atlas said. “Nothing.”
—
Corrected from earlier version: Dr. Atlas was formerly the chief of neuroradiology at Stanford Medical Center, not a former chief of neurology as originally reported.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Mother arrested in her baby's 1988 killing thanks to DNA

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - A California woman has been arrested in the death of her newborn baby boy in the San Francisco Bay Area 32 years ago in a case that was solved decades later because of genetic genealogy , authorities said Monday .
Lesa Lopez , 52 , admitted to investigators she was the mother of the baby and implicated herself in the killing , Alameda County Sheriff ’ s Office spokesman Sgt .
Ray Kelly said in a statement .
“ Lopez , who was 20 years old at the time of the incident , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and friends and provided details of what happened , ” he said .
Lopez , of Salida , was arrested on July 23 and charged with murder .
She is being held on $ 2 million bail .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if she has an attorney who can speak on her behalf .
Two children playing found the baby ’ s body on May 15 , 1988 , inside a paper bag left among trees and bushes on the bank of a creek in Castro Valley .
An autopsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was killed , Kelly said .
The boy , identified by investigators as Baby Joe Doe , was given a funeral at St. Leanders Church in San Leandro attended by more than 200 people .
A priest posthumously named him Richard Jayson Terrance Rein after the church ’ s vicars and priests .
With DNA investigative technology much more advanced , the DNA of a woman was found in 2005 in evidence collected from the crime scene .
Investigators believed it belonged to the baby ’ s mother , who was considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be identified .
Multiple investigators with the sheriff ’ s office tried to solve the case over the past 32 years “ for a baby boy who never had a voice and never had the chance of living a full life , ” Kelly said .
Last year , investigators again took up the case with the help of experts in forensic genetic genealogy from the FBI , and private labs , including Oklahoma-based DNA solutions and Gene-by-Gene ’ , which owns the genealogy website FamilyTreeDNA .
After extensive genealogy research , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s discarded trash , cold case investigators linked Lopez to the crime scene , Kelly said .
They used the same advanced DNA testing that helped crack the decades-old Golden State Killer case .
In 2018 , police investigators identified Joseph DeAngelo , a former police officer , after using DNA from crime scenes to find relatives of their suspect through a popular genealogy website database .
They tailed DeAngelo and secretly collected DNA from his car door and a discarded tissue to get an arrest warrant .
DeAngelo , who terrorized California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to kill more than a dozen people while evading capture for decades , pleaded guilty last month .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A California woman has been arrested in the death of her newborn baby boy in the San Francisco Bay Area 32 years ago in a case that was solved decades later because of genetic genealogy, authorities said Monday.
Lesa Lopez, 52, admitted to investigators she was the mother of the baby and implicated herself in the killing, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said in a statement.
“Lopez, who was 20 years old at the time of the incident, told investigators she hid the pregnancy from her family and friends and provided details of what happened,” he said.
Lopez, of Salida, was arrested on July 23 and charged with murder. She is being held on $2 million bail. It wasn’t immediately known if she has an attorney who can speak on her behalf.
Two children playing found the baby’s body on May 15, 1988, inside a paper bag left among trees and bushes on the bank of a creek in Castro Valley. An autopsy revealed the baby was alive at birth and was killed, Kelly said.
The boy, identified by investigators as Baby Joe Doe, was given a funeral at St. Leanders Church in San Leandro attended by more than 200 people. A priest posthumously named him Richard Jayson Terrance Rein after the church’s vicars and priests.
With DNA investigative technology much more advanced, the DNA of a woman was found in 2005 in evidence collected from the crime scene. Investigators believed it belonged to the baby’s mother, who was considered a suspect, but she couldn’t be identified.
Multiple investigators with the sheriff’s office tried to solve the case over the past 32 years “for a baby boy who never had a voice and never had the chance of living a full life,” Kelly said.
Last year, investigators again took up the case with the help of experts in forensic genetic genealogy from the FBI, and private labs, including Oklahoma-based DNA solutions and Gene-by-Gene’, which owns the genealogy website FamilyTreeDNA.
After extensive genealogy research, surveillance and DNA collected from Lopez’s discarded trash, cold case investigators linked Lopez to the crime scene, Kelly said.
They used the same advanced DNA testing that helped crack the decades-old Golden State Killer case.
In 2018, police investigators identified Joseph DeAngelo, a former police officer, after using DNA from crime scenes to find relatives of their suspect through a popular genealogy website database. They tailed DeAngelo and secretly collected DNA from his car door and a discarded tissue to get an arrest warrant.
DeAngelo, who terrorized California as a serial burglar and rapist and went on to kill more than a dozen people while evading capture for decades, pleaded guilty last month.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Salt Lake City mayor orders stricter use of force rules

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - Salt Lake City ’ s police department will implement stricter policies aimed at limiting the use of deadly force as protests against police brutality continue , the mayor announced Monday .
Mayor Erin Mendenhall signed an executive order Monday directing police Chief Mike Brown to enact several new policy changes , such as mandating deescalation tactics before using force , by Sept. 5 .
Previously , officers only needed to use “ objectively reasonable ” force , but under this order they must only use force when necessary and if it is proportionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this community deserve a city that is equitable for all who reside here , ” Mendenhall told reporters .
Under this order , officers will be expected to act when they believe another officer is about to use force that is illegal or excessive .
The order also includes disciplinary options for officers who fail to activate their body cameras , as well as supervisor oversight for every use of force , regardless of whether it leads to injury .
Officers will also be required to not engage in aggressive behavior that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of force .
They will also not be allowed to use deadly force to prevent someone from self-harming if that person is not a threat to other people .
Salt Lake City police announced it was formally banning chokeholds and prohibiting police from firing tear gas into crowds in early June .
Brown said this new policy reflected what was already standard procedure for the department and that officers were never taught to use chokeholds .
The policy previously said tear gas could be used for crowd dispersal but now it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on the circumstances.
” About a week later , Utah lawmakers voted to ban knee-to-neck chokeholds statewide , though the measure stopped short of criminalizing the use of all chokehold methods .
The mayor ’ s announcement comes as protests against racial injustice in policing have flared up around Salt Lake County this summer after calls for police reform intensified following George Floyd ’ s death .
Floyd , a black man , died after a white officer pressed a knee to his neck in Minneapolis .
“ These have been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but nothing truly when compared to the lifetime of anxiety , concern and legitimate fear that people of color in our community and across the country live with every day , ” Mendenhall said Monday .
Demonstrators clashed with police Sunday night during a protest over the death of a man who was fatally shot by police two years ago in the city of Cottonwood Heights .
Officers took eight people into custody , including the father of the man who was shot .
The father and his wife blamed police for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intended to honor the memory of their son and bring attention to police brutality .
Cottonwood Heights police Lt. Dan Bartlett said officers used pepper spray , stun guns and batons during the arrests made after some protesters refused orders to keep to sidewalks in the suburban neighborhood .
He said police were kicked , choked and hit , sending five officers to a hospital with broken ribs , a broken nose and other injuries .
Mendenhall declined to comment on the protests after the briefing Monday .
Sophia Eppolito is a corps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Salt Lake City’s police department will implement stricter policies aimed at limiting the use of deadly force as protests against police brutality continue, the mayor announced Monday.
Mayor Erin Mendenhall signed an executive order Monday directing police Chief Mike Brown to enact several new policy changes, such as mandating deescalation tactics before using force, by Sept. 5. Previously, officers only needed to use “objectively reasonable” force, but under this order they must only use force when necessary and if it is proportionate to the situation.
“The people of this community deserve a city that is equitable for all who reside here,” Mendenhall told reporters.
Under this order, officers will be expected to act when they believe another officer is about to use force that is illegal or excessive. The order also includes disciplinary options for officers who fail to activate their body cameras, as well as supervisor oversight for every use of force, regardless of whether it leads to injury.
Officers will also be required to not engage in aggressive behavior that could escalate a situation and lead to use of force. They will also not be allowed to use deadly force to prevent someone from self-harming if that person is not a threat to other people.
Salt Lake City police announced it was formally banning chokeholds and prohibiting police from firing tear gas into crowds in early June. Brown said this new policy reflected what was already standard procedure for the department and that officers were never taught to use chokeholds.
The policy previously said tear gas could be used for crowd dispersal but now it can only be used “against barricaded suspects based on the circumstances.”
About a week later, Utah lawmakers voted to ban knee-to-neck chokeholds statewide, though the measure stopped short of criminalizing the use of all chokehold methods.
The mayor’s announcement comes as protests against racial injustice in policing have flared up around Salt Lake County this summer after calls for police reform intensified following George Floyd’s death. Floyd, a black man, died after a white officer pressed a knee to his neck in Minneapolis.
“These have been a difficult couple of months for our city, but nothing truly when compared to the lifetime of anxiety, concern and legitimate fear that people of color in our community and across the country live with every day,” Mendenhall said Monday.
Demonstrators clashed with police Sunday night during a protest over the death of a man who was fatally shot by police two years ago in the city of Cottonwood Heights. Officers took eight people into custody, including the father of the man who was shot.
The father and his wife blamed police for inciting conflict and ruining a peaceful rally intended to honor the memory of their son and bring attention to police brutality.
Cottonwood Heights police Lt. Dan Bartlett said officers used pepper spray, stun guns and batons during the arrests made after some protesters refused orders to keep to sidewalks in the suburban neighborhood.
He said police were kicked, choked and hit, sending five officers to a hospital with broken ribs, a broken nose and other injuries.
Mendenhall declined to comment on the protests after the briefing Monday.
___
Sophia Eppolito is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Trump urges supporters to wear masks in campaign email: "Something we should all try to do"

President Trump , who has resisted wearing a face mask in almost all situations , asked supporters in a campaign email Monday to wear them , saying it might help the country “ get back to our American way of life.
” “ I don ’ t love wearing them , either , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ Masks may be good , they may be just okay , or they may be great.
” In the campaign email entitled “ Patriots wear facemasks , ” Mr. Trump said he was writing “ not to ask for a contribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We are all in this together , ” the president said .
“ And while I know there has been some confusion surrounding the usage of face masks , I think it ’ s something we should all try to do when we are not able to be socially distanced from others.
” He said masks “ can possibly help us to get back to our American way of life that so many of us rightfully cherished before we were so terribly impacted by the China virus.
” “ My feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and possibly everything to gain , including the next chapter to our country and to keep things open , whether it be schools or businesses , ” he said .
The president has rarely been seen in public wearing a mask .
Because he ’ s tested daily for the COVID-19 disease , he said , it ’ s not necessary for him .

President Trump, who has resisted wearing a face mask in almost all situations, asked supporters in a campaign email Monday to wear them, saying it might help the country “get back to our American way of life.”
“I don’t love wearing them, either,” Mr. Trump said. “Masks may be good, they may be just okay, or they may be great.”
In the campaign email entitled “Patriots wear facemasks,” Mr. Trump said he was writing “not to ask for a contribution, but to ask for your help.”
“We are all in this together,” the president said. “And while I know there has been some confusion surrounding the usage of face masks, I think it’s something we should all try to do when we are not able to be socially distanced from others.”
He said masks “can possibly help us to get back to our American way of life that so many of us rightfully cherished before we were so terribly impacted by the China virus.”
“My feeling is, we have nothing to lose and possibly everything to gain, including the next chapter to our country and to keep things open, whether it be schools or businesses,” he said.
The president has rarely been seen in public wearing a mask. Because he’s tested daily for the COVID-19 disease, he said, it’s not necessary for him.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-03--Judge: 'Discriminatory' to deny Puerto Rico access to US aid

SAN JUAN , Puerto Rico ( AP ) - A federal judge on Monday ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. territory access to three federal welfare programs in a major decision cheered by many .
However , the judge also granted a two-month administrative stay of the injunction at the federal government ’ s request , which means the decision for now will apply only to the nine plaintiffs in the case .
Legal experts warned that they expect the U.S. government to appeal the ruling , and if unsuccessful , to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court given the millions of dollars at stake .
“ It ’ s a precedent , it ’ s a significant change , without a doubt .
Whether it will be historic depends on its prevalence , ” Edgardo Román , president of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico , told The Associated Press .
A U.S. Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on the decision .
In a 70-page ruling , Judge William G. Young called it a discriminatory policy to deny Puerto Ricans Supplemental Security Income , which provides extra income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disabled ; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , formerly known as food stamps ; and Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy , which helps cover the cost of a prescription drug plan .
“ The federal safety net is flimsier and more porous in Puerto Rico than in the rest of the nation , ” he wrote .
“ To be blunt , the federal government discriminates against Americans who live in Puerto Rico.
” Young noted that the U.S. territory of 3.2 million people has a 43 % poverty rate , and that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for at least one of the three federal welfare programs .
He noted that the Northern Mariana Islands have access to SSI benefits , and Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands to SNAP , a program that Puerto Rico once had access to until Congress revoked eligibility in 1981 .
Meanwhile , he said Congress funds substitute programs in Puerto Rico , “ but they are less generous by far , ” offering less coverage and smaller benefits .
“ There is no doubt that the constitutional violations here are systemic , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. government has provided three rationales for excluding Puerto Rico residents from the programs : cost , potential disruption to the island ’ s economy and the fact that those living on the island are generally exempt from paying the personal federal income tax .
However , Young in part argued that Congress could have spread out benefit reductions equally , and that poor people generally do not pay income tax regardless of where they live .
He also noted that from 2000 to 2005 , Puerto Rico residents paid more in federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. territories combined .
In addition , he wrote that in fiscal year 2019 , the federal government collected more than $ 3.5 billion in taxes from Puerto Rico residents .
Young ’ s decision also is expected to generate even more discussion about Puerto Rico ’ s political status as voters face an upcoming non-binding referendum on whether they support statehood .
Associated Press writer Mike Balsamo in Washington , D.C. contributed to this story .

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - A federal judge on Monday ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. territory access to three federal welfare programs in a major decision cheered by many.
However, the judge also granted a two-month administrative stay of the injunction at the federal government’s request, which means the decision for now will apply only to the nine plaintiffs in the case.
Legal experts warned that they expect the U.S. government to appeal the ruling, and if unsuccessful, to take it as far as the U.S. Supreme Court given the millions of dollars at stake.
“It’s a precedent, it’s a significant change, without a doubt. Whether it will be historic depends on its prevalence,” Edgardo Román, president of the Bar Association of Puerto Rico, told The Associated Press.
A U.S. Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on the decision.
In a 70-page ruling, Judge William G. Young called it a discriminatory policy to deny Puerto Ricans Supplemental Security Income, which provides extra income for the elderly, blind, or disabled; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps; and Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy, which helps cover the cost of a prescription drug plan.
“The federal safety net is flimsier and more porous in Puerto Rico than in the rest of the nation,” he wrote. “To be blunt, the federal government discriminates against Americans who live in Puerto Rico.”
Young noted that the U.S. territory of 3.2 million people has a 43% poverty rate, and that the nine plaintiffs are poor enough to qualify for at least one of the three federal welfare programs.
He noted that the Northern Mariana Islands have access to SSI benefits, and Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands to SNAP, a program that Puerto Rico once had access to until Congress revoked eligibility in 1981. Meanwhile, he said Congress funds substitute programs in Puerto Rico, “but they are less generous by far,” offering less coverage and smaller benefits.
“There is no doubt that the constitutional violations here are systemic,” Young wrote.
He acknowledged that the U.S. government has provided three rationales for excluding Puerto Rico residents from the programs: cost, potential disruption to the island’s economy and the fact that those living on the island are generally exempt from paying the personal federal income tax.
However, Young in part argued that Congress could have spread out benefit reductions equally, and that poor people generally do not pay income tax regardless of where they live. He also noted that from 2000 to 2005, Puerto Rico residents paid more in federal taxes than six states and all other U.S. territories combined. In addition, he wrote that in fiscal year 2019, the federal government collected more than $3.5 billion in taxes from Puerto Rico residents.
Young’s decision also is expected to generate even more discussion about Puerto Rico’s political status as voters face an upcoming non-binding referendum on whether they support statehood.
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Associated Press writer Mike Balsamo in Washington, D.C. contributed to this story.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--Argentina reports debt restructuring deal with creditors

BUENOS AIRES , Argentina ( AP ) - Argentina ’ s government said Tuesday it has reached agreement with its @ @ @ @ @ than $ 65 billion in foreign debt following seven months of negotiations and shifting deadlines @ @ @ @ @ Alberto Fernández said the deal means “ significant debt relief , ” adjusting the dates @ @ @ @ @ total amount of capital and interest to be paid .
It said it also improved @ @ @ @ @ previous offer to creditors .
The government said it reached the debt exchange agreement with @ @ @ @ @ Group , The Argentina Creditor Committee and the Exchange Bondholder Group , among others .
@ @ @ @ @ debt obligations earlier this year for the second time in two decades .
The country @ @ @ @ @ even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck .

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Argentina said Tuesday it has reached an agreement with its main creditors to restructure $65 billion in foreign debt, offering some relief for a country hobbled by recession long before the pandemic.
The agreement will allow creditor groups “to support Argentina’s debt restructuring proposal and grant Argentina significant debt relief,” the Economy Ministry said in a statement. It said some payment dates will change without raising the total amount of capital and interest to be paid “while enhancing the value of the proposal for the creditor community,” according to the statement.
The reported deal followed seven months of talks and shifting deadlines, and coincided with another extended period of economic misery in Argentina, where unemployment and inflation are stubbornly high, and the peso has been declining for years. The pandemic made things worse, as Argentina imposed a lockdown that helped to curb the spread of the new coronavirus but paralyzed vast sectors of the economy.
“We resolved an impossible debt during the worst economic crisis in memory and in the middle of a pandemic,” President Alberto Fernández said.
Argentina has also been involved in talks with the International Monetary Fund about restructuring $44 billion in debt owed to the lender. The deal that Argentina announced on Tuesday was seen by analysts as a welcome step forward that could open the way for progress with the IMF, even if Argentina’s economic fortunes look fragile for the long term.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, congratulated Argentine officials for reaching an agreement “in principle” on the nation’s debt.
“A very significant step. Look forward to a successful conclusion in the interest of all,” she said on Twitter.
“Today’s sovereign debt restructuring deal agreed between Argentina’s government and private creditors allays fears of another debilitating legal scrap, akin to what followed the country’s 2001 default,” Capital Economics said in an analysis.
“However, we doubt that the deal is enough to bring sustainability to Argentina’s public debt over the medium to long term,” the London-based consultancy said.
Fernández won election last year, capitalizing on discontent with former leader Mauricio Macri’s handling of the economy. Macri had been determined to impose fiscal discipline and jumpstart the wayward economy, but conditions deteriorated further and he ended up going to the IMF for a record financing deal.
Opponents had associated Fernández with the past leftist populism of his vice president and former president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (the two are not related), though his term so far has been dominated by efforts to avoid a default and reach an accommodation with creditors.
The deal with the creditor groups that was announced on Tuesday alters payment dates on the new bonds to Jan. 9 and July 9, 2021, instead of March 4 and Sept. 4 of the same year as previously proposed, according to the Economy Ministry. Those bonds “will begin amortizing in January 2025 and mature in July 2029,” its statement said.
Argentina will also change some legal clauses in the new bond documentation to address creditor proposals “that seek to strengthen the effectiveness of the contractual framework as a basis for the resolution of sovereign debt restructurings,” the ministry said.
Creditors have until Aug. 24 to formally accept the deal, the ministry said, extending the deadline from its previous expiration date on Tuesday.
A Citi analysis noted that creditor groups hadn’t yet issued a statement supporting Argentina’s amended terms, but said the latest economic terms of both sides had seemed close. It noted that Argentine bonds had soared on news of the agreement.
“With the removal of this uncertainty and potential engagement with the IMF, we think further upside is likely in the coming weeks,” Citi said. It added that local assets are likely to “temporarily benefit” from the announcement.
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Torchia reported from Mexico City.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--Danish prince discharged after brain surgery in France

COPENHAGEN , Denmark ( AP ) - Prince Joachim , the younger son of Queen Margrethe of Denmark , has @ @ @ @ @ surgery in France last month for a blood clot in his brain , the palace @ @ @ @ @ prince , who had been on vacation , was admitted to the Toulouse University Hospital @ @ @ @ @ It is now the assessment of the doctors that the Prince ’ s health has @ @ @ @ @ that His Royal Highness can be discharged , ” Lene Balleby , a spokeswoman for @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
The prince is now residing at his mother ’ s private @ @ @ @ @ Cayx in southwestern France .
Earlier the palace said the blood clot “ was due @ @ @ @ @ an artery , ” and doctors assessed that the risk of recurrence “ is very @ @ @ @ @ healed.
” Joachim is sixth in line to Denmark ’ s throne after his elder @ @ @ @ @ , and his brother ’ s four children .

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Prince Joachim, the younger son of Queen Margrethe of Denmark, has been discharged after undergoing emergency surgery in France last month for a blood clot in his brain, the palace said Tuesday.
The 51-year-old prince, who had been on vacation, was admitted to the Toulouse University Hospital on July 24.
“It is now the assessment of the doctors that the Prince’s health has improved to such an extent that His Royal Highness can be discharged,” Lene Balleby, a spokeswoman for the royal household, said in a statement.
The prince is now residing at his mother’s private summer residence of Chateau de Cayx in southwestern France.
Earlier the palace said the blood clot “was due to a sudden dissection of an artery,” and doctors assessed that the risk of recurrence “is very small when the artery has healed.”
Joachim is sixth in line to Denmark’s throne after his elder brother, Crown Prince Frederik, and his brother’s four children.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--Vermont man killed in logging accident in Stockbridge

STOCKBRIDGE , Vt. ( AP ) - A man has died in a logging accident in Stockbridge , Vermont State @ @ @ @ @ , 58 , of Lyndonville , was killed when he was struck by an uprooted @ @ @ @ @ another tree .
A co-worker found him unresponsive and called 911 early Monday afternoon .
@ @ @ @ @ the scene .

STOCKBRIDGE, Vt. (AP) - A man has died in a logging accident in Stockbridge, Vermont State Police said.
James Gilman, 58, of Lyndonville, was killed when he was struck by an uprooted tree as he was cutting another tree. A co-worker found him unresponsive and called 911 early Monday afternoon.
He was declared dead at the scene.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--Judge rules disputed ballots must be counted in NY primary

A federal judge sided with the challenger in a tight New York City Democratic congressional primary and ruled that at least 1,000 disputed ballots should be counted .
The ruling late Monday by Judge Analisa Torres comes six weeks after the June 23 primary for the seat long held by Rep. Carolyn Maloney .
It will likely not affect the outcome , since Maloney is leading her closest challenger , Suraj Patel , by some 3,700 votes .
But it highlights problems with a race that President Donald Trump suggested Monday should be scrapped and done over again .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they have no clue what ’ s going on , and I think I can say right here and now , you have to rerun that race because it ’ s a mess , ” Trump said at a White House briefing .
Patel , who is challenging Maloney for the Democratic nomination for a district that includes parts of Manhattan , Brooklyn and Queens , was among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit that alleged that thousands of ballots that were mailed on time by June 23 were invalidated over postmark issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ballots received on June 24 will be counted regardless of whether they are postmarked by June 23 .
Patel estimates that about 1,200 ballots are in that category .
Ballots that were received by June 25 will also be valid as long as they don ’ t have a postmark later than June 23 .
Aiming to contain the spread of the coronavirus , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ordered election officials to mail absentee ballots to every qualified voter in the state .
More than 400,000 people voted by absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure that was 10 times the number of absentee ballots cast in the 2016 primary .
Patel , who has not conceded , said in a statement Monday that the issues in the race “ are now bigger than any one candidate or campaign.
” Patel said more than 1-in-5 mail-in ballots were invalidated in the race , “ a jarring statistic for any developed democracy.
” Messages seeking comment on Torres ’ ruling were left with Cuomo ’ s office and with the state Board of Elections , which is a defendant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment was sent to Maloney ’ s campaign .

A federal judge sided with the challenger in a tight New York City Democratic congressional primary and ruled that at least 1,000 disputed ballots should be counted.
The ruling late Monday by Judge Analisa Torres comes six weeks after the June 23 primary for the seat long held by Rep. Carolyn Maloney. It will likely not affect the outcome, since Maloney is leading her closest challenger, Suraj Patel, by some 3,700 votes. But it highlights problems with a race that President Donald Trump suggested Monday should be scrapped and done over again.
“They are six weeks into it now and they have no clue what’s going on, and I think I can say right here and now, you have to rerun that race because it’s a mess,” Trump said at a White House briefing.
Patel, who is challenging Maloney for the Democratic nomination for a district that includes parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, was among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit that alleged that thousands of ballots that were mailed on time by June 23 were invalidated over postmark issues.
Under Judge Torres’s decision, ballots received on June 24 will be counted regardless of whether they are postmarked by June 23. Patel estimates that about 1,200 ballots are in that category. Ballots that were received by June 25 will also be valid as long as they don’t have a postmark later than June 23.
Aiming to contain the spread of the coronavirus, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered election officials to mail absentee ballots to every qualified voter in the state. More than 400,000 people voted by absentee ballot in New York City, a figure that was 10 times the number of absentee ballots cast in the 2016 primary.
Patel, who has not conceded, said in a statement Monday that the issues in the race “are now bigger than any one candidate or campaign.” Patel said more than 1-in-5 mail-in ballots were invalidated in the race, “a jarring statistic for any developed democracy.”
Maloney said in a statement Tuesday that she welcomed the ruling. “Weeks ago I called for all of these ballots to be counted,” Maloney said. “Although the number involved cannot possibly affect the outcome of my primary election, which I won by a significant margin, I am happy that voters in my district will have their votes counted notwithstanding the Postal Services mistake.”
Defendants in the lawsuit include Cuomo and the state Board of Elections. Messages seeking comment were left with the governor’s office and with the board.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--Sanford gives $12.5 million to USD law school

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - Philanthropist Denny Sanford has given $ 12.5 million to the University @ @ @ @ @ law school which will be renamed the Knudson School of Law in honor of Sioux @ @ @ @ @ Knudson , his longtime adviser .
Knudson received his MBA from the university in 1981 @ @ @ @ @ as chief of staff for Gov .
Bill Janklow before being elected to the state @ @ @ @ @ majority leader .
Knudson is now a senior vice president at United National Corporation .
@ @ @ @ @ says the gift is an unrestricted endowment , meaning it has no expiration date .
@ @ @ @ @ the size of the school ’ s current endowment and will fund up to 10 @ @ @ @ @ incoming class for generations , the Argus Leader reported .
Sanford said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ of the law school .
He says Knudson has been his adviser and his attorney @ @ @ @ @ .

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Philanthropist Denny Sanford has given $12.5 million to the University of South Dakota’s law school which will be renamed the Knudson School of Law in honor of Sioux Falls lawyer and businessman David Knudson, his longtime adviser.
Knudson received his MBA from the university in 1981 and went on to serve as chief of staff for Gov. Bill Janklow before being elected to the state Senate and serving as its majority leader. Knudson is now a senior vice president at United National Corporation.
Law school dean Neil Fulton says the gift is an unrestricted endowment, meaning it has no expiration date. He says it will double the size of the school’s current endowment and will fund up to 10 full-tuition student scholarships for each incoming class for generations, the Argus Leader reported.
Sanford said in a statement that Knudson represents the ideals of the law school. He says Knudson has been his adviser and his attorney for more than three decades.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--Thai Cabinet approves draft law expanding access to cannabis

BANGKOK ( AP ) - Thailand ’ s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal from the Public Health Ministry that would allow health professionals , farmers and medical patients to grow , produce and export cannabis and its products .
Deputy government spokeswoman Trisulee Trisaranakul said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul submitted a draft amendment to the Narcotics Act to expand access to medical cannabis in Thailand .
The draft amendment would allow patients who are certified by doctors , traditional and applied medicine professionals , and farmers to ask for permission from the ministry to produce , import , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
The existing law allows only government units and those who are involved in medical cannabis development with permission from the ministry to engage in such activities to develop medical knowledge in collaboration with the government .
The draft law would also hand responsibility to the Public Health Ministry to use seized cannabis for medical use .
The draft will be sent to the Council of State for legal scrutiny and fine-tuning and then to Parliament for a vote .
Thailand ’ s legislature in 2018 amended the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of cannabis as well as kratom , a locally grown plant traditionally used as a stimulant and painkiller .
Thailand was previously known for harsh anti-drug laws , but is now eyeing the economic potential of cannabis .
A report last year by Prohibition Partners , which claims to be the leading authority on the subject , said Asia ’ s medical cannabis market would be worth around $ 5.8 billion by 2024 .
In January , Thailand opened its first two full-time clinics dispensing cannabis oil for medical treatment , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of promoting the licensed use of marijuana products to relieve the symptoms of a range of ailments .

BANGKOK (AP) - Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal from the Public Health Ministry that would allow health professionals, farmers and medical patients to grow, produce and export cannabis and its products.
Deputy government spokeswoman Trisulee Trisaranakul said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul submitted a draft amendment to the Narcotics Act to expand access to medical cannabis in Thailand.
The draft amendment would allow patients who are certified by doctors, traditional and applied medicine professionals, and farmers to ask for permission from the ministry to produce, import, export, distribute and possess cannabis, she said.
The existing law allows only government units and those who are involved in medical cannabis development with permission from the ministry to engage in such activities to develop medical knowledge in collaboration with the government.
The draft law would also hand responsibility to the Public Health Ministry to use seized cannabis for medical use.
The draft will be sent to the Council of State for legal scrutiny and fine-tuning and then to Parliament for a vote.
Thailand’s legislature in 2018 amended the country’s drug law to allow the licensed medical use of cannabis as well as kratom, a locally grown plant traditionally used as a stimulant and painkiller.
Thailand was previously known for harsh anti-drug laws, but is now eyeing the economic potential of cannabis. A report last year by Prohibition Partners, which claims to be the leading authority on the subject, said Asia’s medical cannabis market would be worth around $5.8 billion by 2024.
In January, Thailand opened its first two full-time clinics dispensing cannabis oil for medical treatment, a step in the government’s policy of promoting the licensed use of marijuana products to relieve the symptoms of a range of ailments.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--3 nursing homes gets warnings from state

BOSTON ( AP ) - The Massachusetts ’ state Medicaid program has issued termination notices to three private nursing homes in the state for allegedly failing to meet care expectations during the coronavirus pandemic .
Hermitage Healthcare in Worcester , Town and Country Health Care Center in Lowell , and Wareham Healthcare received the notices Monday from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services .
The notices are the first step in being eliminated from MassHealth , which could force the closure of the facilities .
Next Step Healthcare , the parent company of Hermitage Healthcare and Wareham Healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boston Globe that the state Department of Public Health had found both facilities in compliance with infection control standards on three out of four recent visits .
The company said it would appeal both decisions .
A person who answered a phone call to Town and Country on Monday told The Sun of Lowell that the facility would have no comment .
Hermitage Healthcare has had 12 deaths from COVID-19 , Town and Country has had 10 deaths and Wareham Healthcare has had no reported deaths .
The state said the facilities demonstrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , improper use of protective equipment , had inadequate staffing , and in certain cases , refused support offered by the state when dealing with outbreaks and staffing shortages .
Framingham is the latest Massachusetts community to get a free coronavirus testing site as part of the state ’ s Stop the Spread program .
The free testing sites are set up in communities that are above the state average in total cases , positive test rate , and while at the same time fewer people are getting tested .
Seventeen such sites @ @ @ @ @ @

BOSTON (AP) - The number of new COVID-19 cases has ticked up in Massachusetts.
On Tuesday, the state reported 438 newly confirmed cases and 108 new probable cases, for a total of more than 540 confirmed and probable cases. That brings the total number of confirmed and probable cases to more than 119,000 in Massachusetts since the start of the pandemic.
The state also reported nine newly confirmed deaths linked to COVID-19 on Tuesday - bringing the number of confirmed and probable deaths to 8,657.
There were 354 people reported hospitalized Tuesday because of COVID-19, while 56 were in intensive care units.
The number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 related deaths at long-term care homes rose to 5,512 or nearly 64% of all confirmed and probable deaths in Massachusetts attributed to the disease.
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VISITOR QUARANTINE
Rhode Island has been removed from a list of lower risk states that allowed residents there to be exempted from Massachusetts travel quarantine requirements.
Health officials said Tuesday the decision to remove Rhode Island was due to increases in both the state’s positive test rate and cases per 100,000.
Thousands of travelers to Massachusetts have begun filling out forms required by the state to help combat the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday.
On Saturday, the state began requiring visitors comply with a new executive order mandating they quarantine for 14 days or face a $500-per-day fine.
That includes residents returning home from out-of-state trips.
Travelers who can produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours before their arrival in Massachusetts are exempt.
Those visiting from a lower-risk state including every New England state - except Rhode Island -and New York, New Jersey and Hawaii are exempted from completing the online form.
There are also exemptions for people passing through the state, people who commute across state lines for work, and for those traveling to Massachusetts for medical treatment or to comply with military orders.
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SOLDIERS HOME
Eleven people at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke have again tested positive for COVID-19, state health officials said Tuesday.
Four veteran residents have been placed in isolation, and seven staffers have been asked to self-quarantine over the past week, according to officials. All 11 had previously tested positive and are considered clinically recovered from COVID-19.
None are showing symptoms and the tests may have an alternate non-COVID explanation. Health officials said the home has implemented protocols for clinically recovered individuals who may test positive even after they are clinically recovered.
The veterans’ home, which was the site of one of the deadliest outbreaks of the virus in a nursing home in the nation, with 76 resident deaths, has suspended visits until Aug. 11 in response to the new cases.
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NURSING HOME WARNINGS
The Massachusetts’ state Medicaid program has issued termination notices to three private nursing homes for allegedly failing to meet care expectations during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hermitage Healthcare in Worcester, Town and Country Health Care Center in Lowell, and Wareham Healthcare received the notices Monday from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The notices are the first step in being eliminated from MassHealth, which could force the facilities to close.
Next Step Healthcare, the parent company of Hermitage Healthcare and Wareham Healthcare, said in a statement to The Boston Globe that the state Department of Public Health had found both facilities in compliance with infection control standards on three out of four recent visits.
The company said it would appeal both decisions.
A person who answered a phone call to Town and Country on Monday told The Sun of Lowell that the facility would have no comment.
Hermitage Healthcare has had 12 deaths from COVID-19, Town and Country has had 10 deaths and Wareham Healthcare has had no reported deaths.
The state said the facilities demonstrated poor adherence to basic infection control practices.
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SALEM HALLOWEEN
Salem is scaling back Halloween celebrations because of the coronavirus.
Each year thousands of revelers descend on Salem, which has embraced the moniker of “Witch City,” a reference to the infamous witch trials of the late 1600s. But the mayor’s office announced Tuesday that many city-run events are being canceled.
The Salem News reports events that have been called off include the Haunted Happenings grand parade, food truck festivals, the Great Salem Pumpkin Walk, and the Mayor’s Night Out.
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‘PROM’ PARTY
A Massachusetts town has canceled high school graduation after a “prom-like” house party sparked concerns of COVID-19 transmission among parents and students.
Cohasset Superintendent Patrick Sullivan and Cohasset High School Principal Brian Scott said in a letter to families this week that canceling graduation was the “most prudent course of action“ given the July 25 party happened so close to this Friday’s ceremony.
Town officials said last Friday there have so far been no reported cases of the virus linked to the party, but have urged all those who attended to get tested, since photos from the event show many were not wearing face masks or socially distancing.
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RESTAURANT WORKERS PARTY
No new cases have been reported from an outbreak on Cape Cod stemming from Chatham house party attended by restaurant workers, town officials said Tuesday.
Robert Duncanson, Chatham’s health director, said 33 of the 34 people tested at a “pop-up” testing site offered July 27 have tested negative for COVID-19. One test result is still pending, he said.
The July 12 party has been linked to at least 13 positive cases of the virus.
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FREE TESTING SITE
Framingham is the latest Massachusetts community to get a free coronavirus testing site as part of the state’s Stop the Spread program.
The free testing sites are set up in communities that are above the state average in total cases, positive test rate, and while at the same time have fewer people getting tested.
Seventeen such sites have now been set up.
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Associated Press reporter Philip Marcelo contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--Police: Woman dead, 3 others wounded in St. Louis shooting

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - A woman died and three others were injured in an overnight shooting in north @ @ @ @ @ .
The shooting happened around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday near the Walnut Park East neighborhood , @ @ @ @ @ .
All four people who were shot were inside a vehicle at the time , @ @ @ @ @ not released other details of the shooting or the identities of those shot , except @ @ @ @ @ victims were in their 20s .
The woman died at the scene , police said @ @ @ @ @ stable condition and a fourth victim was in critical condition .
The Walnut Park East @ @ @ @ @ of nine homicides this year and is a focus of an anti-violence campaign that began @ @ @ @ @ reported .
St. Louis has seen 157 homicide so far this year , compared with @ @ @ @ @ last year .

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A woman died and three others were injured in an overnight shooting in north St. Louis, police said.
The shooting happened around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday near the Walnut Park East neighborhood, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. All four people who were shot were inside a vehicle at the time, police said.
Officials have not released other details of the shooting or the identities of those shot, except to say that all the victims were in their 20s.
The woman died at the scene, police said. Two men were in stable condition and a fourth victim was in critical condition.
The Walnut Park East neighborhood has been the scene of nine homicides this year and is a focus of an anti-violence campaign that began last week, the Post-Dispatch reported.
St. Louis has seen 157 homicide so far this year, compared with 114 during the same period last year.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--EU regulators investigate Google's plan to buy Fitbit

LONDON ( AP ) - European Union regulators say they ’ re opening an in-depth investigation into U.S. tech giant @ @ @ @ @ buy fitness tracking device maker Fitbit The EU ’ s executive commission said Tuesday it @ @ @ @ @ would entrench Google ’ s position in the online ad market by “ increasing the @ @ @ @ @ ” that the company could use to personalize ads .
EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager @ @ @ @ @ to ensure that control by Google over data collected through wearable devices as a result @ @ @ @ @ distort competition.
” Google agreed to buy Fitbit in November for $ 2.1 billion .
@ @ @ @ @ called on authorities to block the deal , citing privacy and antitrust concerns .

LONDON (AP) - European Union regulators opened an in-depth investigation Tuesday into Google’s plan to buy fitness tracking device maker Fitbit.
The EU’s executive commission said it was concerned the deal would entrench the U.S. tech giant’s position in the online ad market by “increasing the already vast amount of data” the company uses to personalize ads.
“Our investigation aims to ensure that control by Google over data collected through wearable devices as a result of the transaction does not distort competition,” said European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, who also is the EU’s competition commissioner.
Google agreed to buy Fitbit in November for $2.1 billion. Privacy, social justice and consumer groups have called on authorities to block the deal, citing privacy and antitrust concerns.
The EU said the deal could expand Google’s “data advantage” and therefore raise barriers for rivals to match Google’s online advertising services.
“This deal is about devices, not data,” said Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president for devices and services. “We’ve been clear from the beginning that we will not use Fitbit health and wellness data for Google ads,” he wrote in a blog post.
The investigation adds more scrutiny of the transaction, which Australia’s competition watchdog is also examining. And it underscores the lead role EU authorities have taken in global efforts to regulate the big technology companies.
Vestager has been at the forefront of the movement to rein in the likes of Google and its Silicon Valley rivals. During her first five-year term as competition commissioner, she slapped Google with nearly $10 billion in penalties for multiple antitrust cases involving its Android operating system, advertising business and shopping service.
Critics say big fines failed to change how tech giants behave and have called on regulators to take tougher action.
The EU commission has until Dec. 9 to decide on whether to block or approve the deal.
In an effort to allay the apprehension, Google offered to put all information collected from wearable devices into a virtual data silo. But the overture wasn’t enough to satisfy the European Commission, which said the proposal wouldn’t cover all the data Google could access as a result of the acquisition.
The regulators will also look into how Europe’s digital healthcare sector would be affected by the Google acquisition, as well as whether the purchase would give the company the ability and incentive to make it harder for wearable devices developed by rivals to work with Android.
Google may suggest more concessions to get the purchase cleared, but it’s hard to see what else the company could do to offset its formidable market power, said Agustin Reyna, director of economic and legal affairs at European consumer group BEUC, one of 20 organizations that jointly warned about the dangers of the Fitbit deal.
“Here, we’re talking about Google acquiring a new source of data which no other competitor has access to,” he said.
Google’s plan to acquire Fitbit marked a bold plunge into health and fitness technology for the search behemoth as it tries to become a force in consumer hardware.
Fitbit pioneered wearable fitness technology, with devices that track activities such as running, cycling and swimming and record heart rates and sleep patterns. The company has about 30 million active users worldwide and has sold more than 100 million devices.
Apple dominates the wearables market, accounting for about 30% of wristbands and watches sold, according to International Data Corp. Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei are the next leading players, while Fitbit holds fifth place.
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For all of AP’s tech coverage, visit https://apnews.com/apf-technology
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Follow Kelvin Chan at twitter.com/chanman


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--Donald Trump: Antifa, not law enforcement, should be investigated over Portland

President Trump said in a new interview that the anti-fascist group Antifa , not law enforcement , should be investigated over the recent clashes in cities like Portland , Oregon .
“ I think Antifa should be investigated — not the law enforcement , ” Mr. Trump said on “ Axios on HBO , ” which aired Monday evening .
“ It ’ s Antifa and anarchists that are causing the problems — not law enforcement.
” “ Take a look at what they ’ ve done to the courthouse .
Take a look at what they ’ ve done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The interview was taped before the Department of Homeland Security and the city announced a tentative deal where federal agents would gradually leave the city if local forces keep the peace near a federal courthouse after more than two months of protests .
The Justice Department ’ s inspector general is investigating the federal response in Portland and whether law enforcement officers used excessive force .
Members of the public have raised concerns about reports that at least one person was swept up in an unmarked vehicle without being told why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said federal officials are “ unmarked ” because of “ these terrorists , these Antifa people.
” “ When they see the name on a uniform of person…they find out where that person lives and then they go and they scare the hell out of the person ’ s family , ” he said .
Homeland Security officials have said that while agents ’ names aren ’ t on their uniforms , their outfits are clearly identifiable .
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is chairing a hearing Tuesday afternoon on Antifa and anarchist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from acting Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli , among others .
The Senate ’ s chief oversight committee is also scheduled to hold a hearing on Thursday with acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf , who Mr. Trump praised in the interview .

President Trump said in a new interview that the anti-fascist group Antifa, not law enforcement, should be investigated over the recent clashes in cities like Portland, Oregon.
“I think Antifa should be investigated — not the law enforcement,” Mr. Trump said on “Axios on HBO,” which aired Monday evening. “It’s Antifa and anarchists that are causing the problems — not law enforcement.”
“Take a look at what they’ve done to the courthouse. Take a look at what they’ve done to the streets,” the president said.
The interview was taped before the Department of Homeland Security and the city announced a tentative deal where federal agents would gradually leave the city if local forces keep the peace near a federal courthouse after more than two months of protests.
The Justice Department’s inspector general is investigating the federal response in Portland and whether law enforcement officers used excessive force.
Members of the public have raised concerns about reports that at least one person was swept up in an unmarked vehicle without being told why they were being detained.
Mr. Trump said federal officials are “unmarked” because of “these terrorists, these Antifa people.”
“When they see the name on a uniform of person…they find out where that person lives and then they go and they scare the hell out of the person’s family,” he said.
Homeland Security officials have said that while agents’ names aren’t on their uniforms, their outfits are clearly identifiable.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is chairing a hearing Tuesday afternoon on Antifa and anarchist violence that is supposed to feature testimony from acting Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli, among others.
The Senate’s chief oversight committee is also scheduled to hold a hearing on Thursday with acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who Mr. Trump praised in the interview.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--Ford CEO Hackett to retire, COO Jim Farley to lead automaker

DETROIT ( AP ) - Ford Chief Operating Officer Jim Farley will lead the storied automaker into the future starting Oct. 1 when current CEO Jim Hackett retires .
The company has struggled in recent years and is in the midst of an $ 11 billion restructuring plan designed to make it leaner and crank out new vehicles to replace what was an aging model lineup .
As COO , the 58-year-old Farley led the company ’ s global markets and product development .
He was in charge as Ford rolled out a revamped F-150 pickup , the new Bronco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mach-E SUV .
Farley was was hired away from Toyota by then-CEO Alan Mulally in November of 2007 to run Ford ’ s marketing operations .
The 65-year-old Hackett took over for the ousted Mark Fields in May of 2017 .
Almost immediately he began reviewing Ford ’ s management structure and flattened the organization so it could move faster .
But his often lengthy directives confused employees who weren ’ t clear on where the company was headed .
Hackett , a retired Steelcase CEO who had run Ford ’ s mobility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser to Farley through March of 2021 .
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford , the great grandson of company founder Henry Ford , praised Hackett for modernizing the company and reducing bureaucracy .
“ We now have compelling plans for electric and autonomous vehicles , as well as full vehicle connectivity .
And we are becoming much more nimble , ” Ford said .
He cited Ford ’ s quick shift to make ventilators , face shields and other protective equipment to help alleviate shortages at the start of the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning , Ford shares rose 2 % to $ 6.84 in premarket trading .

DETROIT (AP) - Jim Farley will lead Ford Motor Co. into the future as the global auto industry faces a new era of autonomous and electric vehicles.
The company named Farley, 58, as its new CEO effective Oct. 1, replacing Jim Hackett, who will retire after three years at the helm. Farley, who has been with Ford for more than a decade, had been chief operating officer since February and clearly was being groomed for the top position.
He faces tough challenges as the industry emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. Ford is losing money and is transitioning from an aging model lineup to new vehicles, including those powered by electricity. It’s also in the midst of an $11 billion restructuring plan to cut costs and bureaucracy and make money off its autonomous vehicle unit.
Executive Chairman Bill Ford, the great grandson of founder Henry Ford, said the board briefly discussed looking outside for a CEO, but was inspired by Farley’s leadership and felt the company is moving in the right direction. “We talked about it and we did throw some names around,” he said on a conference call Tuesday. “Every time we did that, we always felt that Jim Farley rose to the top.”
As COO, Farley led the company’s global markets and product development. He was in charge as Ford rolled out a revamped F-150 pickup - the country’s best-selling vehicle - the new Bronco off-road SUV brand and the electric Mustang Mach-E SUV.
Farley, who was hired away from Toyota by then-CEO Alan Mulally in 2007 to run Ford’s marketing operations, said Tuesday that his main goal is for a smooth transition, but he has plans for the future that will be announced later.
The company, he said, would continue on the path set by Hackett, with priorities of reaching a 10% profit margin in North America, seeking immediate material and warranty cost improvements, fixing under-performing businesses, maximizing opportunities in commercial vehicles and outperforming the industry in rolling out new models.
The 117-year-old company, he said, would grow and expand where it is strong, like making the transition from internal combustion engines to electric powered commercial vehicles. It also wants to move more toward digital sales and add revenue from services such as electric vehicle charging and software, he said in an interview.
Ford has been phasing out most cars in recent years because they didn’t make money. But that has left the company without low-priced vehicles. Farley said he wants to change that by using Ford’s lower cost structure “to really create a lineup of more affordable products that go below what we offer today, so the brand is approachable and affordable, but do so in a profitable way.”
He wouldn’t say whether the new vehicles would be cars or SUVs.
In a nod to the changing auto industry, Farley left out traditional rivals General Motors and Fiat Chrysler when naming Ford’s competitors. Instead, he identified them as retail giant Amazon, Chinese search engine Baidu, electric car maker Tesla, iPhone maker Apple, and Japanese automaker Toyota.
The 65-year-old Hackett took over for the ousted Mark Fields in May of 2017. Almost immediately he began reviewing Ford’s management structure and flattened the organization so it could move faster. But his often lengthy directives confused employees who weren’t clear on where the company was headed. In 2018, an analyst asked Hackett how much longer he expected to be with the company.
Investors weren’t impressed during Hackett’s tenure as analysts complained about the slow pace of restructuring. Ford shares lost 37% of their value under Hackett, but they closed 2.5% higher at $6.86 on Tuesday.
Farley said Tuesday he’s optimistic about Ford’s future as new products arrive and cost cuts take hold.
Hackett, a retired Steelcase office furniture CEO who had run Ford’s mobility efforts, will stay on as an adviser through March. Bill Ford praised Hackett for taking difficult steps to modernize the company, reducing bureaucracy, and preparing it for the future.
“We now have compelling plans for electric and autonomous vehicles, as well as full vehicle connectivity. And we are becoming much more nimble,” Ford said. He cited Ford’s quick shift to make ventilators, face shields and other protective equipment at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hackett also made the difficult decision to move Ford out of the sedan business in the U.S. as the market shifted dramatically to SUVs and trucks.
It was apparent that Farley would take over as CEO in February, when Ford announced a management shakeup after a poor fourth-quarter financial performance and the botched launch of the Explorer SUV.
Farley’s chief rival, automotive President Joe Hinrichs was pushed out and retired March 1, and Farley was named COO.
Ford’s full-year profit plunged last year by more than $3.6 billion. It lost nearly $2 billion in the first quarter this year, and made just over $1 billion in the second quarter only because of an increase in the value of its autonomous vehicle unit.
Hackett has said the company fell short of expectations for last year, and he blamed the performance largely on the flubbed launch of the new Explorer at a factory in Chicago.
Morningstar analyst David Whiston said the jury is still out on Hackett’s tenure as CEO because his restructuring efforts are still in progress. “If the fitness moves started under him eventually lead to nice free cash flow generation, then history may be kinder to Hackett than his critics have been while he was CEO,” Whiston said.
____
This story has been corrected to show that Ford’s stock price dropped 37% since Hackett became CEO, not 25%.


washingtontimes--2020-08-04--County pledges probe into health worker's coronavirus death

Officials in a Maryland county say they “ will spare no time or expense ” investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a veteran public health worker who died of COVID-19 after relatives and coworkers believe she contracted the virus on the job .
The probe follows a story by Kaiser Health News and The Associated Press two weeks ago focusing on the worker , Chantee Mack , a 44-year-old disease intervention specialist at the Prince George ’ s County Health Department who union officials said was among at least 20 department employees infected by the coronavirus .
The outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s front-line public health army , the subject of an ongoing series by KHN and the AP , “ Underfunded and Under Threat.
” Mack ’ s coworker Rhonda Wallace , leader of a local branch of the American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees , said she and others from the union met with two county council members shortly after the stories ran , then was told about the investigation after a separate meeting among county council members and officials .
“ Your article started everything , ” Wallace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter discussed the need for a probe at a coronavirus news conference on July 30 .
“ Ms .
Mack ’ s death hurt all of us .
It is the worst-case scenario that we would lose one of our employees who was there courageously working to save lives .
… We believe that it deserves an investigation , ” Alsobrooks said .
“ I want to know what happened.
” She said the county would “ spare no time or expense ” finding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness and death and “ if there are things we should adjust , we absolutely will do it.
” Mack , who worked in the sexually transmitted diseases program , faced health challenges and was twice denied permission to work from home in March , when the coronavirus was first appearing in Maryland .
She was among 100 staffers deemed essential during the pandemic out of the more than 500 employees at the health department .
An internal union document obtained by KHN detailed a conference call by department managers in which Diane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all family health services workers were essential .
Only those 65 or older , those with an “ altered ” immune system or with small children would be eligible to work from home , and decisions would be made case by case .
Mack ’ s supervisors supported her requests to work from home , but the department ’ s upper management rejected them , according to union documents .
Some employees told KHN that the department also didn ’ t provide face masks and other protective gear to employees who worked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early days of the pandemic .
They even held a staff meeting at which people sat close together .
Mack was exposed to a pregnant employee who later became the first in the program to be diagnosed with COVID-19 .
Mack was tested for the coronavirus in early April , was hospitalized mid-month and stayed on a ventilator for four weeks .
She died May 11 .
Mack ’ s younger brother Roland Mack wrote an email to Alsobrooks ’ office with the subject line “ The health department killed my sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preventative measures that could have been taken.
” Another employee spent time on a ventilator , suffered strokes and is learning to walk again .
“ They failed us - the employees , ” Wallace said .
At the recent news conference , Alsobrooks said the nation has gained a greater understanding of the virus since those early days .
“ What we knew in March is very different than what we know today , ” she said .
“ The way that we were working in March is different than today because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen it before .
So many of the rules that we have implemented , the policies that we have implemented , they have evolved since March.
” Even as Carter said an investigation was underway , he defended the department ’ s actions , saying they followed guidelines at the time from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The CDC had been encouraging social distancing by mid-March , but the White House Coronavirus Task Force and the CDC began recommending face coverings in public on April 3 .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , ” Carter said at the news conference .
“ We did everything - everything we were supposed to do during that period.
” Wallace , the union leader , says now most rank-and-file employees are allowed to telework , and another union leader says work conditions have improved .
All the while , the health department is dealing with Maryland ’ s largest COVID-19 caseload , with more than 22,800 cases and 720 deaths .
COVID-19 has also stricken public health workers fighting the pandemic in states such as Ohio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a worker at a local mosquito control district in California .
Mack ’ s brother said he hopes his late sister ’ s colleagues , and other front-line workers , heed an important lesson : “ Ain ’ t no job worth your life.
” Laura Ungar is a reporter with Kaiser Health News .
This story is a collaboration between The Associated Press and KHN , which is a nonprofit news service covering health issues .
It is an editorially independent program of KFF ( Kaiser Family Foundation ) that is not @ @ @ @ @

Officials in a Maryland county say they “will spare no time or expense” investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a veteran public health worker who died of COVID-19 after relatives and coworkers believe she contracted the virus on the job.
The probe follows a story by Kaiser Health News and The Associated Press two weeks ago focusing on the worker, Chantee Mack, a 44-year-old disease intervention specialist at the Prince George’s County Health Department who union officials said was among at least 20 department employees infected by the coronavirus. The outbreak underscores the stark dangers facing the nation’s front-line public health army, the subject of an ongoing series by KHN and the AP, “Underfunded and Under Threat.”
Mack’s coworker Rhonda Wallace, leader of a local branch of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said she and others from the union met with two county council members shortly after the stories ran, then was told about the investigation after a separate meeting among county council members and officials.
“Your article started everything,” Wallace said in an interview this week.
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter discussed the need for a probe at a coronavirus news conference on July 30.
“Ms. Mack’s death hurt all of us. It is the worst-case scenario that we would lose one of our employees who was there courageously working to save lives. … We believe that it deserves an investigation,” Alsobrooks said. “I want to know what happened.”
She said the county would “spare no time or expense” finding out what led to Mack’s illness and death and “if there are things we should adjust, we absolutely will do it.”
Mack, who worked in the sexually transmitted diseases program, faced health challenges and was twice denied permission to work from home in March, when the coronavirus was first appearing in Maryland. She was among 100 staffers deemed essential during the pandemic out of the more than 500 employees at the health department.
An internal union document obtained by KHN detailed a conference call by department managers in which Diane Young, an associate director, said all family health services workers were essential. Only those 65 or older, those with an “altered” immune system or those with small children would be eligible to work from home, and decisions would be made case by case.
Mack’s supervisors supported her requests to work from home, but the department’s upper management rejected them, according to union documents.
Some employees told KHN that the department also didn’t provide face masks and other protective gear to employees who worked in the office and with the public in the early days of the pandemic. They even held a staff meeting at which people sat close together.
Mack was exposed to a pregnant employee who later became the first in the program to be diagnosed with COVID-19. Mack was tested for the coronavirus in early April, was hospitalized around mid-month and stayed on a ventilator for four weeks. She died May 11.
Mack’s younger brother Roland Mack wrote an email to Alsobrooks’ office with the subject line “The health department killed my sister,” saying there are “better preventative measures that could have been taken.”
Another employee spent time on a ventilator, suffered strokes and is learning to walk again.
“They failed us - the employees,” Wallace said.
At the recent news conference, Alsobrooks said the nation has gained a greater understanding of the virus since those early days.
“What we knew in March is very different than what we know today,” she said. “The way that we were working in March is different than today because the pandemic occurred and we had never seen it before. So many of the rules that we have implemented, the policies that we have implemented, they have evolved since March.”
Even as Carter said an investigation was underway, he defended the department’s actions, saying they followed guidelines at the time from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC had been encouraging social distancing by mid-March, but the White House Coronavirus Task Force and the CDC began recommending face coverings in public on April 3.
“What we did was follow principles of public health,” Carter said at the news conference. “We did everything - everything we were supposed to do during that period.”
Wallace, the union leader, says now most rank-and-file employees are allowed to telework, and another union leader says work conditions have improved.
All the while, the health department is dealing with Maryland’s largest COVID-19 caseload, with more than 22,800 cases and 720 deaths. COVID-19 has also stricken public health workers fighting the pandemic in states such as Ohio, Georgia, Oregon and California - killing a worker at a local mosquito control district in California.
Mack’s brother said he hopes his late sister’s colleagues, and other front-line workers, heed an important lesson: “Ain’t no job worth your life.”
___
Laura Ungar is a reporter with Kaiser Health News. This story is a collaboration between The Associated Press and KHN, which is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.