washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Montana's air, already good, hasn't improved during closures

BILLINGS , Mont .
( AP ) - While large cities bask in the beauty of less smog created by automobile traffic during the coronavirus pandemic ’ s travel restrictions , Montana ’ s air isn ’ t seeing any significant improvement - it ’ s already good and remains that way .
“ We ’ ve been looking at this out of curiosity , but we ’ re really not seeing any appreciable improvement , ” said Doug Kuenzli , ambient air quality monitoring supervisor for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality .
April in Montana also tends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said , so any changes have been statistically insignificant .
He said agency personnel might take a more in-depth look at the numbers once they ’ re back in their offices .
Large metropolitan areas across the United States are a different story .
NASA satellite measurements have shown significant reductions in air pollution in Los Angeles and New York City , as well as densely populated India .
“ March 2020 shows the lowest monthly atmospheric nitrogen dioxide levels of any March during the ( Ozone Monitoring Instrument ) data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present , ” according to NASA ’ s website .
“ Nitrogen dioxide ( is ) primarily emitted from burning fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation , ” the site noted .
News of cleaner air comes as the United States marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Air Act , a federal law that regulates all sources of air pollution .
The American Lung Association , which has a vested interest in cleaner air , reported that prior to the COVID-19 outbreak , “ more cities experienced more days with spikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western cities reporting the most days ever recorded thanks to smoke from large wildland fires in 2018 .
The Lung Association found that 24 of the 25 “ most polluted cities were located in the western region of the United States , ” affecting more than 53 million people .
No .
7 on that list was Missoula , which because it sits in a bowl-like valley is well-known for holding smoke .
Missoula ’ s high ranking in the Lung Association ratings is not unusual , Kuenzli said .
The ALA used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which included a particularly bad fire season in 2017 , to reach its ratings , he said .
However , more western wildland fires have certainly darkened the skies - with last year being an exception in Montana , he said .
“ Certainly across the state we ’ re seeing more days and longer duration , ” Kuenzli said , especially as winds carry smoke from large fires in Washington , Oregon and Canada into Montana .
As of April 20 the Northern Rockies Coordination Center was reporting dry conditions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region with otherwise low to moderate fire danger across the rest of the state .
Despite the good news about improved air quality , many people are not breathing easier due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advocated people maintain at least 6 feet of distance from each other to lessen the chance of contracting or spreading COVID-19 .
Using face masks or bandannas of some type is being advised to lessen the reach of vaporized droplets that may contain the virus .
But what about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but not peer reviewed , study by Danish and Belgian engineers showed that running or cycling behind someone is more likely to put them at risk than being side-by-side .
The engineers showed that the slipstream behind the athlete can carry the virus farther .
Consequently , the researchers suggested that walkers maintain 16 feet of distance and cyclers extend that to 32 feet .
These distances , however , were calculated without any wind , which could extend or shorten those distances depending on which way it is blowing .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a mask to limit droplet spread .

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - While large cities bask in the beauty of less smog created by automobile traffic during the coronavirus pandemic’s travel restrictions, Montana’s air isn’t seeing any significant improvement - it’s already good and remains that way.
“We’ve been looking at this out of curiosity, but we’re really not seeing any appreciable improvement,” said Doug Kuenzli, ambient air quality monitoring supervisor for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
April in Montana also tends to be a good month for air quality, he said, so any changes have been statistically insignificant. He said agency personnel might take a more in-depth look at the numbers once they’re back in their offices.
Large metropolitan areas across the United States are a different story. NASA satellite measurements have shown significant reductions in air pollution in Los Angeles and New York City, as well as densely populated India.
“March 2020 shows the lowest monthly atmospheric nitrogen dioxide levels of any March during the (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) data record, which spans 2005 to the present,” according to NASA’s website.
“Nitrogen dioxide (is) primarily emitted from burning fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation,” the site noted.
News of cleaner air comes as the United States marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Air Act, a federal law that regulates all sources of air pollution. The American Lung Association, which has a vested interest in cleaner air, reported that prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, “more cities experienced more days with spikes in particle pollution,” with nine western cities reporting the most days ever recorded thanks to smoke from large wildland fires in 2018.
The Lung Association found that 24 of the 25 “most polluted cities were located in the western region of the United States,” affecting more than 53 million people. No. 7 on that list was Missoula, which because it sits in a bowl-like valley is well-known for holding smoke.
Missoula’s high ranking in the Lung Association ratings is not unusual, Kuenzli said. The ALA used an average of the past three years, which included a particularly bad fire season in 2017, to reach its ratings, he said.
However, more western wildland fires have certainly darkened the skies - with last year being an exception in Montana, he said.
“Certainly across the state we’re seeing more days and longer duration,” Kuenzli said, especially as winds carry smoke from large fires in Washington, Oregon and Canada into Montana.
As of April 20 the Northern Rockies Coordination Center was reporting dry conditions in much of Eastern Montana and the Dillon region with otherwise low to moderate fire danger across the rest of the state.
Despite the good news about improved air quality, many people are not breathing easier due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advocated people maintain at least 6 feet of distance from each other to lessen the chance of contracting or spreading COVID-19. Using face masks or bandannas of some type is being advised to lessen the reach of vaporized droplets that may contain the virus. But what about runners and cyclists?
A recently published, but not peer reviewed, study by Danish and Belgian engineers showed that running or cycling behind someone is more likely to put them at risk than being side-by-side. The engineers showed that the slipstream behind the athlete can carry the virus farther.
Consequently, the researchers suggested that walkers maintain 16 feet of distance and cyclers extend that to 32 feet. These distances, however, were calculated without any wind, which could extend or shorten those distances depending on which way it is blowing. The research also makes a good case for wearing a mask to limit droplet spread.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Lawmakers urge feds to include seafood in food aid purchases

BOSTON ( AP ) - Members of the all-Democratic Massachusetts congressional delegation are pushing to include East Coast seafood in @ @ @ @ @ federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program .
Sens .
Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Reps. @ @ @ @ @ said in a letter Friday to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue that when the U.S. Department @ @ @ @ @ programs intended to assist those the pandemic has affected , the USDA should include domestic @ @ @ @ @ announced that the USDA would be making about $ 19 billion in purchases through the @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers said .
The lawmakers said the USDA announced the program would support farmers and @ @ @ @ @ of the food supply chain , but did not specifically say whether seafood would be @ @ @ @ @ The federal government has included seafood in past procurement programs and the lawmakers urged them @ @ @ @ @ the current pandemic .
East Coast seafood producers have been devastated by the ongoing effects @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers said .

BOSTON (AP) - Members of the all-Democratic Massachusetts congressional delegation are pushing to include East Coast seafood in purchasing agreements funded by the federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Reps. William Keating and Seth Moulton said in a letter Friday to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue that when the U.S. Department of Agriculture begins its purchasing programs intended to assist those the pandemic has affected, the USDA should include domestic seafood.
Purdue in April announced that the USDA would be making about $19 billion in purchases through the coronavirus assistance program, the lawmakers said.
The lawmakers said the USDA announced the program would support farmers and ranchers and maintain the integrity of the food supply chain, but did not specifically say whether seafood would be included in the purchases.
The federal government has included seafood in past procurement programs and the lawmakers urged them to do so again during the current pandemic.
East Coast seafood producers have been devastated by the ongoing effects of the pandemic, the lawmakers said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Maine bank to provide $200K in relief to nonprofits

MACHIAS , Maine ( AP ) - A Maine bank is planning to provide $ 200,000 in community grant funding @ @ @ @ @ relief efforts .
Machias Savings Bank said applications for the grants opened on May 1 @ @ @ @ @ made available to nonprofit groups working directly with the outbreak and its consequences for Maine @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
The bank recently provided $ 100,000 in grants to 42 nonprofits .
@ @ @ @ @ funding will be split between two groups .
Half the funding will focus on community @ @ @ @ @ issues such as food security , child care and services for the aging .
The @ @ @ @ @ will be geared toward Maine businesses .
That will include technical assistance for small businesses @ @ @ @ @

MACHIAS, Maine (AP) - A Maine bank is planning to provide $200,000 in community grant funding to organizations working for coronavirus relief efforts.
Machias Savings Bank said applications for the grants opened on May 1. The money will be made available to nonprofit groups working directly with the outbreak and its consequences for Maine, the bank said in a statement.
The bank recently provided $100,000 in grants to 42 nonprofits. It said this round of funding will be split between two groups. Half the funding will focus on community resiliency by providing help with issues such as food security, child care and services for the aging.
The other half of the funding will be geared toward Maine businesses. That will include technical assistance for small businesses, bank representatives said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--In a time of COVID-19, 'Obamacare' still part of the action

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - COVID-19 could have stamped a person “ uninsurable ” if not for the Affordable Care Act .
The ban on insurers using preexisting conditions to deny coverage is a key part of the Obama-era law that the Trump administration still seeks to overturn .
Without the law , people who recovered from COVID-19 and tried to purchase an individual health insurance policy could be turned down , charged higher premiums or have follow-up care excluded from coverage .
Those considered vulnerable because of conditions such as respiratory problems or early-stage diabetes would have run into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as defenders of the ACA submit written arguments to the Supreme Court next week countering the latest challenge to its existence , the Trump administration remains adamant that former President Barack Obama ’ s health law , known as “ Obamacare , ” must go .
“ A global pandemic does not change what Americans know : Obamacare has been an unlawful failure and further illustrates the need to focus on patient care , ” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement .
Deere asserted that the law limits patient choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restricts patients with high-risk conditions from going to the doctors and hospitals they need .
Trump has said he would protect people with preexisting conditions , as have other Republicans , but he hasn ’ t spelled out a plan .
Some GOP lawmakers in contested races this fall are unnerved by the prospect of Trump administration lawyers asking the Supreme Court during the coronavirus outbreak to toss out a law that provides coverage to at least 20 million Americans .
“ The ACA remains the law of the land , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s duty to defend it , ” said Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine .
“ That is especially true during the current public health crisis our country is facing due to COVID-19.
” She is among those urging the administration not to get rid of the law but instead make broader use of it to cover uninsured people during the pandemic .
Collins is considered among the most endangered incumbents as Republicans try to keep their Senate majority .
It ’ s unclear whether the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states contends that because Congress repealed an ACA tax penalty , the law ’ s requirement for individuals to carry health insurance is unconstitutional .
If the insurance mandate is unconstitutional , their argument goes , then the rest of the law must collapse like a house of cards .
The administration agrees , but has also suggested that federal judges could decide to keep some parts of the law .
The Supreme Court took the case after a federal appeals court in New Orleans said the ACA ’ s insurance mandate is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the law .
From nearly 12 million people to 35 million could lose their workplace coverage due to layoffs in the coronavirus shutdown , according to an estimate by the consulting firm Health Management Associates .
They have more options because of the Obama-era law .
They are entitled to a special sign-up opportunity for coverage through HealthCare.gov or their state insurance market , and may qualify for financial assistance with premiums and other costs .
They can not be asked about health problems .
In states that expanded Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , usually at little or no cost .
Before the law , people who lost their jobs and wanted to keep their employer health insurance could do so under a law known as COBRA .
It ’ s still on the books , but it requires them to pay the full premium , plus an administrative fee .
That ’ s often cost-prohibitive .
Karen Pollitz of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation said people seeking an individual health insurance policy “ would have been very much at risk in today ’ s pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
“ The conditions associated with a more complicated case of COVID-19 would have been especially radioactive , ” she said .
For Republicans , the Supreme Court case “ has to be the ultimate in ‘ be careful you don ’ t get what you wish for , ’ ” said health industry consultant Robert Laszewski .
Part of the reason Trump failed to repeal and replace the law in 2017 was that Republicans didn ’ t have a plan they could agree on , he said .
“ Before COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then what ?
” asked Laszewski .
“ And now with COVID … in the face of a major medical crisis , and depression-level unemployment , and people losing their health insurance ?
Yikes !
” Last week the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and some 30 health groups called on Congress to help maintain health insurance coverage during the economic shutdown caused by the pandemic .
They urged a broad approach that includes subsidies for COBRA , opening up the ACA to more people and allowing those with tax-sheltered health accounts to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House is resisting anything that includes “ Obamacare.
” Instead the administration is using a health system relief fund created by Congress to reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured patients with COVID-19 .
That “ is way less than adequate , ” said Richard Pollack , president of the American Hospital Association .
“ What we need to do is provide coverage in a more comprehensive way for people.
” Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) - COVID-19 could have stamped a person “uninsurable” if not for the Affordable Care Act. The ban on insurers using preexisting conditions to deny coverage is a key part of the Obama-era law that the Trump administration still seeks to overturn.
Without the law, people who recovered from COVID-19 and tried to purchase an individual health insurance policy could be turned down, charged higher premiums or have follow-up care excluded from coverage. Those considered vulnerable because of conditions such as respiratory problems or early-stage diabetes would have run into a wall of insurer suspicion.
Yet as defenders of the ACA submit written arguments to the Supreme Court next week countering the latest challenge to its existence, the Trump administration remains adamant that former President Barack Obama’s health law, known as “Obamacare,” must go.
“A global pandemic does not change what Americans know: Obamacare has been an unlawful failure and further illustrates the need to focus on patient care,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.
Deere asserted that the law limits patient choice, has premiums that are too expensive and restricts patients with high-risk conditions from going to the doctors and hospitals they need. Trump has said he would protect people with preexisting conditions, as have other Republicans, but he hasn’t spelled out a plan.
Some GOP lawmakers in contested races this fall are unnerved by the prospect of Trump administration lawyers asking the Supreme Court during the coronavirus outbreak to toss out a law that provides coverage to at least 20 million Americans.
“The ACA remains the law of the land, and it is the Department of Justice’s duty to defend it,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. “That is especially true during the current public health crisis our country is facing due to COVID-19.”
She is among those urging the administration not to get rid of the law but instead make broader use of it to cover uninsured people during the pandemic. Collins is considered among the most endangered incumbents as Republicans try to keep their Senate majority.
It’s unclear whether the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments before the November election. A group of GOP-led states contends that because Congress repealed an ACA tax penalty, the law’s requirement for individuals to carry health insurance is unconstitutional. If the insurance mandate is unconstitutional, their argument goes, then the rest of the law must collapse like a house of cards.
The administration agrees, but has also suggested that federal judges could decide to keep some parts of the law. The Supreme Court took the case after a federal appeals court in New Orleans said the ACA’s insurance mandate is unconstitutional, but did not rule on the rest of the law.
From nearly 12 million people to 35 million could lose their workplace coverage due to layoffs in the coronavirus shutdown, according to an estimate by the consulting firm Health Management Associates. They have more options because of the Obama-era law.
They are entitled to a special sign-up opportunity for coverage through HealthCare.gov or their state insurance market, and may qualify for financial assistance with premiums and other costs. They cannot be asked about health problems. In states that expanded Medicaid, some may qualify for that program, usually at little or no cost.
Before the law, people who lost their jobs and wanted to keep their employer health insurance could do so under a law known as COBRA. It’s still on the books, but it requires them to pay the full premium, plus an administrative fee. That’s often cost-prohibitive.
Karen Pollitz of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation said people seeking an individual health insurance policy “would have been very much at risk in today’s pandemic” were it not for the health law.
“The conditions associated with a more complicated case of COVID-19 would have been especially radioactive,” she said.
For Republicans, the Supreme Court case “has to be the ultimate in ‘be careful you don’t get what you wish for,’ ” said health industry consultant Robert Laszewski.
Part of the reason Trump failed to repeal and replace the law in 2017 was that Republicans didn’t have a plan they could agree on, he said.
“Before COVID, if they won the suit, then what?” asked Laszewski. “And now with COVID … in the face of a major medical crisis, and depression-level unemployment, and people losing their health insurance? Yikes!”
Last week the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and some 30 health groups called on Congress to help maintain health insurance coverage during the economic shutdown caused by the pandemic. They urged a broad approach that includes subsidies for COBRA, opening up the ACA to more people and allowing those with tax-sheltered health accounts to use that money for premiums.
But the White House is resisting anything that includes “Obamacare.” Instead the administration is using a health system relief fund created by Congress to reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured patients with COVID-19.
That “is way less than adequate,” said Richard Pollack, president of the American Hospital Association. “What we need to do is provide coverage in a more comprehensive way for people.”
___
Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Insider Q&A: Jack Heath of Washington Trust Bank

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Banks both large and small have had to dramatically adapt to the coronavirus pandemic .
They ’ ve closed branches as customers fall behind on their debts and small businesses that were fine in February find themselves in dire straits .
Washington Trust Bank is an over century-old family-owned bank with 42 branches across Washington state , Idaho and Oregon .
It ’ s had to radically scale up productivity to administer applications for the federal government ’ s Paycheck Protection Program , $ 349 billion-worth of emergency loans to help keep workers in jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of the program , Washington Trust ’ s loan officers processed 20 times the number of loan applications than they normally do in an entire year .
Jack Heath is the CEO of Washington Trust .
The interview is edited for length and clarity .
Q : Your bank had to scale up its small business division quickly after the pandemic .
What ’ s been the result ?
A : Phase one of the Paycheck Protection Program went really well for us .
The ongoing challenge has been the Small Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been slow , we were only able to get 57 applications in on the first day .
But now we have done 3,800 applications for phase one , and have more than 1,000 applications in process for phase two .
Overall we did $ 1.2 billion in loans in just two weeks for PPP .
Q : What about your branches ?
A : We are going to be reopening slowly and prudently .
We ’ ve learned through this crisis that we are able to answer and help customers remotely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are making them available to them .
We also have drive-thru banking .
Online banking has been a must have , and we ’ ve been grateful to our IT department who has kept everything running despite the surge in demand .
Q : Many banks have had to write down loans or takes hits to their balance sheets because of COVID .
How has your bank done financially ?
A : We ’ ve been diverting the proceeds from the PPP to our loan-loss reserves .
We know more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure in the coming weeks and months , so we wanted to be prepared .
Fortunately , the FDIC has allowed banks to make deferrals to customers who were fine before the pandemic without it negatively impacting their balance sheet .
It was a great move by them .
Q : What ’ s the long-term impact of this pandemic going to be on your bank ?
A : The Paycheck Protection Program has been a rallying call for our organization .
It ’ s broken down barriers and silos in the bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to accomplish in weeks .
It ’ s also changed the way I , and many others , look at remote working .
Everyone is still interacting and collaborating , despite being distant .
It ’ s certainly changed my perspective .

PHOENIX (AP) - Banks both large and small have had to dramatically adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. They’ve closed branches as customers fall behind on their debts and small businesses that were fine in February find themselves in dire straits.
Washington Trust Bank is an over century-old family-owned bank with 42 branches across Washington state, Idaho and Oregon. It’s had to radically scale up productivity to administer applications for the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, $349 billion-worth of emergency loans to help keep workers in jobs and bills paid. In the first days of the program, Washington Trust’s loan officers processed 20 times the number of loan applications than they normally do in an entire year.
Jack Heath is the CEO of Washington Trust. The interview is edited for length and clarity.
Q: Your bank had to scale up its small business division quickly after the pandemic. What’s been the result?
A: Phase one of the Paycheck Protection Program went really well for us. The ongoing challenge has been the Small Business Administration’s E-Tran system. It’s been slow, we were only able to get 57 applications in on the first day. But now we have done 3,800 applications for phase one, and have more than 1,000 applications in process for phase two. Overall we did $1.2 billion in loans in just two weeks for PPP.
Q: What about your branches?
A: We are going to be reopening slowly and prudently. We’ve learned through this crisis that we are able to answer and help customers remotely, and if they need an appointment, we are making them available to them. We also have drive-thru banking. Online banking has been a must have, and we’ve been grateful to our IT department who has kept everything running despite the surge in demand.
Q: Many banks have had to write down loans or takes hits to their balance sheets because of COVID. How has your bank done financially?
A: We’ve been diverting the proceeds from the PPP to our loan-loss reserves. We know more of our customers are going to be under pressure in the coming weeks and months, so we wanted to be prepared. Fortunately, the FDIC has allowed banks to make deferrals to customers who were fine before the pandemic without it negatively impacting their balance sheet. It was a great move by them.
Q: What’s the long-term impact of this pandemic going to be on your bank?
A: The Paycheck Protection Program has been a rallying call for our organization. It’s broken down barriers and silos in the bank that we have worked for years to try to accomplish in weeks. It’s also changed the way I, and many others, look at remote working. Everyone is still interacting and collaborating, despite being distant. It’s certainly changed my perspective.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Utah boy who beat leukemia now faces brain cancer

ST. GEORGE , Utah ( AP ) - By the time doctors discovered Mac Rogers had brain cancer , he was already a leukemia survivor .
Mac was three years old .
He ’ s seven now , and his prognosis is uncertain .
But 10 months ago , parents Brittny and Jeremy Rogers of Hurricane made a momentous decision : They would take him off chemotherapy , at least for a while , and give him a chance at living without its devastating side effects .
She ’ s written a children ’ s book called “ This Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” featuring Mac as the main character .
Recently she found an illustrator for the project , then put it on Kickstarter to raise money for the book and audiobook .
Only six hours later , it was fully funded .
“ I hope that kids and families will be able to take the words that we ’ ve learned over lots and lots of years of doing hard things and just be able to be more hopeful in dark times , ” Brittny said .
Brittny and Jeremy first noticed Mac was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months old .
The bruises showed up first around his eyes .
The Rogers took Mac to see a doctor who said their son was fine ; perhaps he was just bumping into things .
But the Rogers weren ’ t convinced .
Mac wasn ’ t an active kid , Jeremy said .
Several weeks went by , and so did several more doctor ’ s appointments as Mac only got sicker .
By then , he had a double ear infection and a double eye infection .
Doctors told the Rogers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a weekend that a normally-hungry Mac wasn ’ t eating much , the Rogers took their son to a pediatrician ’ s office , where medical staff ran blood work .
At the time they were living in Colorado .
That ’ s when a doctor came into the room and said , “ You need to get to Children ’ s Hospital Colorado.
” Mac , they would eventually learn , had acute myeloid leukemia .
Months of cancer treatments and blood transfusions followed , along with surgeries and nights sleeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital room .
When Mac went into remission , the Rogers thought the worst was over .
Following Mac ’ s leukemia ordeal , the Rogers moved to the St. George area in 2016 .
They had been there several months when they took a trip to Kansas to visit family .
It was there that Mac , then three , became dehydrated and began sleeping much more than usual .
Doctors at an emergency room told the Rogers that Mac had a virus , but then Brittny noticed Mac could only lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smile .
He also began saying he was cold when it was hot outside and asking to put his shoes on when they were already on .
The Rogers took Mac back to Children ’ s Hospital Colorado , where an MRI revealed high grade gliomas - fast-growing brain tumors which spread quickly , making them difficult to treat .
Outlook for the disease is generally poor , according to Cincinnati Children ’ s Hospital Medical Center .
“ The leukemia thing was life-altering , ” Jeremy said .
“ You ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been through something pretty difficult.
’ … ( But ) this is completely different , completely new.
” Mac received an external drain that hung on the outside of his head to relieve pressure on his brain , which the Rogers monitored carefully so Mac wouldn ’ t accidentally yank it out .
Surgery removed all of one tumor closer to the surface , while another , deeper tumor required a 12-hour operation which put Mac ’ s ability to eat and walk at risk .
He came out of that surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garlic bread .
After his surgeries came months of intense physical and occupational therapy , and his chemotherapy treatments resumed in the form of shots , pills and a port .
The Rogers said Mac took a chemotherapy pill every day and night for over three years , which they put in cut-up Pop-Tarts to help Mac swallow them .
Brittny said last summer is when the side-effects of Mac ’ s chemotherapy were the worst she ’ s ever seen them .
Mac felt terrible all the time , she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Jeffrey said Mac couldn ’ t be in the sun at all .
“ He had just no quality of life , ” Brittny said .
“ Every day was such a struggle for him and he just didn ’ t feel good ever.
” The Rogers knew the stakes involved in taking Mac off his chemotherapy .
But ten months ago , after intensive prayer and consideration , they decided to do it , at least for now .
” ( He ) can ’ t keep living like this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no quality of life.
” The Rogers said at this point , they don ’ t know what to expect medically .
Mac has MRIs every three months , and since they haven ’ t ruled out the possibility of resuming chemotherapy treatments at some point , doctors have told them to enjoy this break .
“ We ’ ve altered our life in a way where just everything is just about us and our family , ” Jeremy said .
“ We spend as much time with him as we can.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blessing to see Mac play in the sun with his brothers for the first time .
Mac has a lot of quiet strength , she said , and has been asked to do so many hard things .
“ And he does it with a lot of grace and understanding… He just kind of accepted that this is what he had to do , ” she said .
Brittny said Jeremy first had the idea of a children ’ s book years ago , but it wasn ’ t until last summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemotherapy , that Brittny realized she didn ’ t want to write it without Mac .
She got to work and the words came easily .
“ This Is Hard But You Can Do It ” tells the story of Mac being nervous the night before a surgery , and how his mom encouraged him with words of hope , positivity and courage .
Brittny said her biggest goal for the book is to share it with families , and already she ’ s seen people connect with the story and draw strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s received messages from people facing everything from a root canal to donating blood who thought of Mac and realized , “ This is hard , but I can do it.
” Brittny also said the book has been an opportunity to turn all of her family ’ s hardships into something good they can give to those who have supported and loved them .
“ It ’ s meant to just really encourage kids ( and show them ) that they can do hard things and that they ’ re loved @ @ @ @ @

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) - By the time doctors discovered Mac Rogers had brain cancer, he was already a leukemia survivor. Mac was three years old.
He’s seven now, and his prognosis is uncertain. But 10 months ago, parents Brittny and Jeremy Rogers of Hurricane made a momentous decision: They would take him off chemotherapy, at least for a while, and give him a chance at living without its devastating side effects.
And Brittny decided Mac’s story was worth sharing.
She’s written a children’s book called “This Is Hard But You Can Do It,” featuring Mac as the main character. Recently she found an illustrator for the project, then put it on Kickstarter to raise money for the book and audiobook. Only six hours later, it was fully funded.
“I hope that kids and families will be able to take the words that we’ve learned over lots and lots of years of doing hard things and just be able to be more hopeful in dark times,” Brittny said.
___
Battling leukemia
Brittny and Jeremy first noticed Mac was bruising easily when he was about 8 months old.
The bruises showed up first around his eyes.
The Rogers took Mac to see a doctor who said their son was fine; perhaps he was just bumping into things.
But the Rogers weren’t convinced. Mac wasn’t an active kid, Jeremy said.
Several weeks went by, and so did several more doctor’s appointments as Mac only got sicker. By then, he had a double ear infection and a double eye infection. Doctors told the Rogers it was all viral.
Finally, during a weekend that a normally-hungry Mac wasn’t eating much, the Rogers took their son to a pediatrician’s office, where medical staff ran blood work. At the time they were living in Colorado.
That’s when a doctor came into the room and said, “You need to get to Children’s Hospital Colorado.” Mac, they would eventually learn, had acute myeloid leukemia.
Months of cancer treatments and blood transfusions followed, along with surgeries and nights sleeping on the floor of Mac’s hospital room. When Mac went into remission, the Rogers thought the worst was over.
___
Difficult decisions
Following Mac’s leukemia ordeal, the Rogers moved to the St. George area in 2016. They had been there several months when they took a trip to Kansas to visit family.
It was there that Mac, then three, became dehydrated and began sleeping much more than usual. Doctors at an emergency room told the Rogers that Mac had a virus, but then Brittny noticed Mac could only lift one half of his mouth in a smile. He also began saying he was cold when it was hot outside and asking to put his shoes on when they were already on.
The Rogers took Mac back to Children’s Hospital Colorado, where an MRI revealed high grade gliomas - fast-growing brain tumors which spread quickly, making them difficult to treat. Outlook for the disease is generally poor, according to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
“The leukemia thing was life-altering,” Jeremy said. “You’re thinking, ‘Okay, we’ve been through something pretty difficult.’ … (But) this is completely different, completely new.”
Mac received an external drain that hung on the outside of his head to relieve pressure on his brain, which the Rogers monitored carefully so Mac wouldn’t accidentally yank it out. Surgery removed all of one tumor closer to the surface, while another, deeper tumor required a 12-hour operation which put Mac’s ability to eat and walk at risk.
He came out of that surgery, though, asking for pepperonis and garlic bread. After his surgeries came months of intense physical and occupational therapy, and his chemotherapy treatments resumed in the form of shots, pills and a port.
The Rogers said Mac took a chemotherapy pill every day and night for over three years, which they put in cut-up Pop-Tarts to help Mac swallow them.
Brittny said last summer is when the side-effects of Mac’s chemotherapy were the worst she’s ever seen them. Mac felt terrible all the time, she said, and couldn’t go anywhere, while Jeffrey said Mac couldn’t be in the sun at all.
“He had just no quality of life,” Brittny said. “Every day was such a struggle for him and he just didn’t feel good ever.”
The Rogers knew the stakes involved in taking Mac off his chemotherapy. But ten months ago, after intensive prayer and consideration, they decided to do it, at least for now.
”(He) can’t keep living like this,” Jeremy said. “There’s no quality of life.”
The Rogers said at this point, they don’t know what to expect medically. Mac has MRIs every three months, and since they haven’t ruled out the possibility of resuming chemotherapy treatments at some point, doctors have told them to enjoy this break.
“We’ve altered our life in a way where just everything is just about us and our family,” Jeremy said. “We spend as much time with him as we can.”
Brittny said it’s been a blessing to see Mac play in the sun with his brothers for the first time. Mac has a lot of quiet strength, she said, and has been asked to do so many hard things.
“And he does it with a lot of grace and understanding… He just kind of accepted that this is what he had to do,” she said.
___
Sharing hope and courage
Brittny said Jeremy first had the idea of a children’s book years ago, but it wasn’t until last summer, when Mac was particularly sick from chemotherapy, that Brittny realized she didn’t want to write it without Mac.
She got to work and the words came easily. “This Is Hard But You Can Do It” tells the story of Mac being nervous the night before a surgery, and how his mom encouraged him with words of hope, positivity and courage.
Brittny said her biggest goal for the book is to share it with families, and already she’s seen people connect with the story and draw strength from Mac’s experiences.
She’s received messages from people facing everything from a root canal to donating blood who thought of Mac and realized, “This is hard, but I can do it.”
Brittny also said the book has been an opportunity to turn all of her family’s hardships into something good they can give to those who have supported and loved them.
“It’s meant to just really encourage kids (and show them) that they can do hard things and that they’re loved,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--I-93 off-ramp to I-89 to be temporarily closed for repairs

CONCORD , N.H. ( AP ) - The Interstate 93 northbound off-ramp to I-89 north will be temporarily closed for @ @ @ @ @ Department of Transportation said .
The work is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ hours .
It would be re-opened at about noon Wednesday .
Workers are repairing a @ @ @ @ @ a stream under I-93 north- and southbound lanes .
This project also replaces a smaller @ @ @ @ @ I-93 northbound off ramp to I-89 .
Traffic will be detoured north to Exit 12S @ @ @ @ @ then to I-89 North .
Portable message signs and detour signs will be in place @ @ @ @ @ detour .

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The Interstate 93 northbound off-ramp to I-89 north will be temporarily closed for repairs, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation said.
The work is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. Tuesday and last for about 29 hours. It would be re-opened at about noon Wednesday.
Workers are repairing a 48-inch drain pipe that carries a stream under I-93 north- and southbound lanes. This project also replaces a smaller drain pipe that crosses the I-93 northbound off ramp to I-89.
Traffic will be detoured north to Exit 12S onto 3-A South, and then to I-89 North. Portable message signs and detour signs will be in place to assist drivers with the detour.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Vermont school district eliminates 36 teaching assistants

BELLOWS FALLS , Vt. ( AP ) - The school superintendent for Vermont ’ s Windham Northeast Supervisory Union said he has terminated 39 out of 84 teaching assistants known as paraprofessionals for the 2020-2021 school year .
The staff cuts are in response to the financial shortfalls the state is expecting from the coronavirus outbreak and the high ratio of paraprofessionals to students , the Brattleboro Reformer reported .
The supervisory union is made up schools in Bellows Falls , Grafton , Saxtons River and Westminster .
“ I am extremely saddened to announce that due to the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the stability of our economy , on Wednesday , Windham Northeast Supervisory Union released 36 para-educators from their jobs starting on June 30 , 2020 , ” Superintendent Christopher Pratt wrote in a written statement .
He said it has been one of the hardest decisions he has had to make in his 26 years in education and thanked the employees for all they have done for the school , students and community .
Pratt also announced 11 school bus drivers have been furloughed and will be called back once school is @ @ @ @

BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. (AP) - The school superintendent for Vermont’s Windham Northeast Supervisory Union said he has terminated 39 out of 84 teaching assistants known as paraprofessionals for the 2020-2021 school year.
The staff cuts are in response to the financial shortfalls the state is expecting from the coronavirus outbreak and the high ratio of paraprofessionals to students, the Brattleboro Reformer reported.
The supervisory union is made up schools in Bellows Falls, Grafton, Saxtons River and Westminster.
“I am extremely saddened to announce that due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are facing and the uncertainty of the stability of our economy, on Wednesday, Windham Northeast Supervisory Union released 36 para-educators from their jobs starting on June 30, 2020,” Superintendent Christopher Pratt wrote in a written statement. He said it has been one of the hardest decisions he has had to make in his 26 years in education and thanked the employees for all they have done for the school, students and community.
Pratt also announced 11 school bus drivers have been furloughed and will be called back once school is in normal session.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--After record year, Alabama tourism revenues expected to fall

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - The coronavirus pandemic is expected to end years of record growth in Alabama ’ s tourism revenues as spending falls by the billions .
The Alabama Tourism Department said 28 million visitors spent nearly $ 17 billion in the state in 2019 , which was the third straight year that travel spending grew by more than $ 1 billion in the state .
Tourist spending increased nearly 8 % statewide , according to the agency .
But that growth streak will likely end because people are reducing travel during the pandemic , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year could decline to as low as $ 14 billion , he said .
“ That would put us where we were three years ago , ” said Sentell .
With schools out early to guard against spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 , a longer-than-normal beach season could help fill some of the gap , he said .
A report from the tourism agency said the state ’ s travel and hospitality industry employed more than 200,000 people for the first time last year , but that also could change because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , entertainment venues and other attractions have scaled back operations or closed since mid-March .
Coastal Baldwin County was the state ’ s top moneymaker for tourism last year , with $ 5.2 billion in revenues and about 54,000 people employed around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach .
Yet the coast is just now reopening after being shut down for weeks because of the new coronavirus .
In Baldwin alone , about 12,500 unemployment claims have been filed since the economic slowdown began , state labor statistics show .
But Bill Brett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,500 coastal condominiums , said business has picked up substantially since Gov .
Kay Ivey allowed the state ’ s beaches to reopen on Thursday .
“ When the governor made the announcement , right away we booked about eight times what we did the previous day .
It had an immediate effect , ” he said in an interview Friday .
With people trying to get back to the coast after weeks at home , bookings since Wednesday have been about 20 % better than normal for this time of year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the company ’ s condominiums were reserved for this weekend compared to 75 % in a normal year , Brett said , and business could still be only 70 % of normal by July .
“ We are expecting a much slower summer , ” he said .
About 11,500 unemployment claims have been filed in Shelby County , where many jobs are tied to the hospitality industry around Birmingham .
Despite often having the state ’ s lowest jobless rate , the county is second-highest in the state per capita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak sent unemployment claims skyrocketing .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The coronavirus pandemic is expected to end years of record growth in Alabama’s tourism revenues as spending falls by the billions.
The Alabama Tourism Department said 28 million visitors spent nearly $17 billion in the state in 2019, which was the third straight year that travel spending grew by more than $1 billion in the state. Tourist spending increased nearly 8% statewide, according to the agency.
But that growth streak will likely end because people are reducing travel during the pandemic, said state tourism director Lee Sentell. Revenues this year could decline to as low as $14 billion, he said.
“That would put us where we were three years ago,” said Sentell. With schools out early to guard against spreading the virus that causes COVID-19, a longer-than-normal beach season could help fill some of the gap, he said.
A report from the tourism agency said the state’s travel and hospitality industry employed more than 200,000 people for the first time last year, but that also could change because of the pandemic since many hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and other attractions have scaled back operations or closed since mid-March.
Coastal Baldwin County was the state’s top moneymaker for tourism last year, with $5.2 billion in revenues and about 54,000 people employed around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Yet the coast is just now reopening after being shut down for weeks because of the new coronavirus.
In Baldwin alone, about 12,500 unemployment claims have been filed since the economic slowdown began, state labor statistics show. But Bill Brett, whose Brett/Robinson real estate manages about 3,500 coastal condominiums, said business has picked up substantially since Gov. Kay Ivey allowed the state’s beaches to reopen on Thursday.
“When the governor made the announcement, right away we booked about eight times what we did the previous day. It had an immediate effect,” he said in an interview Friday.
With people trying to get back to the coast after weeks at home, bookings since Wednesday have been about 20% better than normal for this time of year, Brett said. But only about 30% of the company’s condominiums were reserved for this weekend compared to 75% in a normal year, Brett said, and business could still be only 70% of normal by July.
“We are expecting a much slower summer,” he said.
About 11,500 unemployment claims have been filed in Shelby County, where many jobs are tied to the hospitality industry around Birmingham. Despite often having the state’s lowest jobless rate, the county is second-highest in the state per capita for claims behind rural Hale County since the coronavirus outbreak sent unemployment claims skyrocketing.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Deborah Birx: U.S. 'underestimated' asymptomatic coronavirus spread early on

The U.S. is in the early stages of understanding how the coronavirus spreads through people who display no symptoms , according to Dr. Deborah Birx , the U.S. coronavirus response coordinator .
Dr. Birx said on Fox News ’ “ Justice with Judge Jeanine ” that the understanding of the virus changes on a daily basis .
“ I think we underestimated very early on the number of asymptomatic cases , ” Dr. Birx said .
“ And I think we ’ re really beginning to understand there are people that get infected that those symptoms are so low-grade that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re infected.
” Dr. Birx added that many of those dying from coronavirus have other diseases , such as heart disease or problems with their immune systems .
“ [ W ] e ’ re seeing the majority of the people that we ’ re losing to this disease have those other diseases that you just described , ” she said .
“ And so , I do believe that a lot of the diseases we ’ re seeing in the hospital right now , yes , they may have preexisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in them having a much more serious course when they ’ re infected with this virus.
” Dr. Birx also reiterated her view that the most important way to get rid of the virus is with a vaccine .

The U.S. is in the early stages of understanding how the coronavirus spreads through people who display no symptoms, according to Dr. Deborah Birx, the U.S. coronavirus response coordinator.
Dr. Birx said on Fox News’ “Justice with Judge Jeanine” that the understanding of the virus changes on a daily basis.
“I think we underestimated very early on the number of asymptomatic cases,” Dr. Birx said. “And I think we’re really beginning to understand there are people that get infected that those symptoms are so low-grade that they don’t even know that they’re infected.”
Dr. Birx added that many of those dying from coronavirus have other diseases, such as heart disease or problems with their immune systems.
“[W]e’re seeing the majority of the people that we’re losing to this disease have those other diseases that you just described,” she said. “And so, I do believe that a lot of the diseases we’re seeing in the hospital right now, yes, they may have preexisting conditions but those preexisting conditions are resulting in them having a much more serious course when they’re infected with this virus.”
Dr. Birx also reiterated her view that the most important way to get rid of the virus is with a vaccine.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Family finds a different world after sailing around globe

COLORADO SPRINGS , Colo. ( AP ) - By the time they sailed away from Brazil , the Grosjeans were about 130 miles from their goal of circumnavigating the globe .
“ When we left Brazil , pretty much the world was normal , ” recalled Lara Grosjean , who along with her husband , Joe , are beloved in Colorado Springs for their downtown climbing gym CityROCK .
“ And then by the time we landed in Grenada , people were standing 6 feet apart and wearing face masks .
Grenada had shut down.
” So there the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the parents and their three young kids only leaving their docked boat to swim around it , The Gazette reported .
‘ “ Actually , ” Joe said , “ we had not a bad time there.
” “ Actually , ” added Lara , “ what we ’ ve been saying is , those of us who live on boats are kind of uniquely qualified to handle this pandemic and isolation .
It ’ s what we do.
” It ’ s what they ’ ve been doing for the better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a lifelong dream of Joe ’ s - he grew up in Portland , Ore. , sailing and obsessing over old adventure tales - had become an idea to make the kids ’ lives richer .
Cobin was 10 when they left the Springs in 2017 .
Sisters Marin and Tully were 6 and 3 , respectively .
“ It originally was about me wanting to do it since I was 10 , ” Joe said .
“ But we soon as parents figured out , if we get our kids together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world will be bigger than most kids their age and they ’ ll be able to make better choices in life later.
” After lockdown in Grenada , the Grosjeans last week crossed their wake near the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia .
A line on a map tracking their voyage spanned three major oceans , 33 countries and territories , and represented approximately 50,000 miles .
Charm , their 55-foot catamaran , had lived up to the name .
And from their temporary base in the U.S. Virgin Islands , the Grosjeans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They were in no rush to get home .
Adjustment to life on land would be a challenge , they expected - no less with life on land altered by COVID-19 .
Then again , they felt uniquely qualified .
“ We have a skill set we ’ ve built up over the past three to four years that we can definitely deploy at this particular time , ” Lara said .
“ The kids get it .
Everything this whole time was built around surviving the unexpected.
” The unexpected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were stranded on the notorious Indian Ocean , 1,600 miles from their destination .
The Grosjeans sprung to action , rushing Charm to their aid .
The unexpected , such as the rough passage through the Cape of Good Hope , the rocky promontory approaching Cape Town , South Africa .
The autopilot had died .
Joe held firm to the wheel while fierce winds damaged the mast .
Lara roped up to fix the issue .
Cobin belayed her while the girls looked on in a perilous moment .
The unexpected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the coast of the Dominican Republic .
Worsening the ordeal was Joe ’ s lingering illness .
The kids knew the waves as “ plate crashers , ” and that ’ s what these waves did - crashed and shattered plates in the cupboards .
There were no snow days , but there were “ wave days , ” when Lara called off home schooling .
There were taco Tuesdays and pizza Fridays .
There was entertainment from iPads , but mostly the kids looked forward to whatever surprise awaited them at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diving from the Galapagos Islands .
There was sledding down a volcano .
There was hiking up another volcano in Indonesia ; Marin very much wanted to camp at the top .
Little Tully , meanwhile , was always on the lookout for new animals .
“ Dolphins were probably our most regular creature , ” she said .
And they all looked forward to the celebration at the end , when family and friends were to greet them in Saint Lucia .
It didn ’ t work out that way .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , the Grosjeans were used to the unexpected .
“ Adaptability .
That ’ s one of the big things we ’ ve learned , ” Lara said .
“ When things wouldn ’ t pan out the way they were supposed to , ( the kids ) wouldn ’ t cry .
It was just what happened .
Things are always changing ; that ’ s what they ’ ve learned as well .
They just roll with the punches .
”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - By the time they sailed away from Brazil, the Grosjeans were about 130 miles from their goal of circumnavigating the globe.
“When we left Brazil, pretty much the world was normal,” recalled Lara Grosjean, who along with her husband, Joe, are beloved in Colorado Springs for their downtown climbing gym CityROCK.
“And then by the time we landed in Grenada, people were standing 6 feet apart and wearing face masks. Grenada had shut down.”
So there the family stayed for much of March and April, the parents and their three young kids only leaving their docked boat to swim around it, The Gazette reported.
‘“Actually,” Joe said, “we had not a bad time there.”
“Actually,” added Lara, “what we’ve been saying is, those of us who live on boats are kind of uniquely qualified to handle this pandemic and isolation. It’s what we do.”
It’s what they’ve been doing for the better part of four years. What had been a lifelong dream of Joe’s - he grew up in Portland, Ore., sailing and obsessing over old adventure tales - had become an idea to make the kids’ lives richer. Cobin was 10 when they left the Springs in 2017. Sisters Marin and Tully were 6 and 3, respectively.
“It originally was about me wanting to do it since I was 10,” Joe said. “But we soon as parents figured out, if we get our kids together and sail around the world, their world will be bigger than most kids their age and they’ll be able to make better choices in life later.”
Mission accomplished.
After lockdown in Grenada, the Grosjeans last week crossed their wake near the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. A line on a map tracking their voyage spanned three major oceans, 33 countries and territories, and represented approximately 50,000 miles.
Charm, their 55-foot catamaran, had lived up to the name. And from their temporary base in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Grosjeans reflected on the journey of a lifetime.
They were in no rush to get home. Adjustment to life on land would be a challenge, they expected - no less with life on land altered by COVID-19.
Then again, they felt uniquely qualified. “We have a skill set we’ve built up over the past three to four years that we can definitely deploy at this particular time,” Lara said. “The kids get it. Everything this whole time was built around surviving the unexpected.”
The unexpected, such as the call from Austrian friends who were stranded on the notorious Indian Ocean, 1,600 miles from their destination. The Grosjeans sprung to action, rushing Charm to their aid.
The unexpected, such as the rough passage through the Cape of Good Hope, the rocky promontory approaching Cape Town, South Africa. The autopilot had died. Joe held firm to the wheel while fierce winds damaged the mast. Lara roped up to fix the issue. Cobin belayed her while the girls looked on in a perilous moment.
The unexpected, such as the even fiercer winds off the coast of the Dominican Republic. Worsening the ordeal was Joe’s lingering illness. The kids knew the waves as “plate crashers,” and that’s what these waves did - crashed and shattered plates in the cupboards.
There were no snow days, but there were “wave days,” when Lara called off home schooling. There were taco Tuesdays and pizza Fridays. There was entertainment from iPads, but mostly the kids looked forward to whatever surprise awaited them at their next stop.
There was scuba diving from the Galapagos Islands. There was sledding down a volcano. There was hiking up another volcano in Indonesia; Marin very much wanted to camp at the top. Little Tully, meanwhile, was always on the lookout for new animals. “Dolphins were probably our most regular creature,” she said.
And they all looked forward to the celebration at the end, when family and friends were to greet them in Saint Lucia.
It didn’t work out that way. The coronavirus had changed things.
But by then, the Grosjeans were used to the unexpected.
“Adaptability. That’s one of the big things we’ve learned,” Lara said. “When things wouldn’t pan out the way they were supposed to, (the kids) wouldn’t cry. It was just what happened. Things are always changing; that’s what they’ve learned as well. They just roll with the punches.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Legal action fears if Premier League season doesn't finish

The Premier League could face years of legal challenges if this season is not completed due to the coronavirus pandemic , the chairman of Crystal Palace warned Sunday .
Steve Parish offered public support for the league ’ s “ Project Restart ” plans after relegation-threatened Brighton and West Ham expressed concerns about teams being forced to play their remaining games in neutral stadiums .
The league is working with the government to find a safe way for players to resume group training and play games by June at the earliest .
But the French and Dutch league seasons have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing concerns about sporting fixtures spreading COVID-19 infections .
While Paris Saint-Germain was crowned French champion last week despite Ligue 1 ending prematurely , Ajax will not be awarded the Dutch title .
“ I want to complete the competition for reasons of sporting integrity , ” Parish said in a column published Sunday on the Palace website .
“ I want to crown Liverpool champions and give every other club a fair crack at the best league position they can achieve .
I certainly don ’ t want to have difficult conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
“ The ramifications of each are complex and could involve legal challenges that run on for months , if not years .
But , yes , it is partly about the money .
And we should all care about the money.
” Parish highlighted the “ many secondary industries football enriches , ” with the Premier League fearing losses of more than 1 billion pounds from an incomplete campaign as broadcasting commitments are not met .
“ Nobody wins if the Premier League receives less money , ” Parish said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficient tax-generating industries in Britain : we pay the players a lot but 50 percent goes straight back into the public purse .
Overall we pay about 3.3 billion pounds in tax every year and it is the Premier League that largely funds the whole football pyramid.
” The national lockdown remains in place through Thursday in Britain where more than 28,000 people have died in around two months in hospitals , care homes and the wider community after testing positive for the new coronavirus .
Parish ’ s explanation of “ Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced heavy criticism from one of the main pundits for the broadcaster that provides the league ’ s single biggest revenue stream .
Gary Neville , the former England and Manchester United defender turned Sky Sports commentator , said the Premier League was having a “ nightmare ” and was “ hiding , scared to death of communicating ” its plans fully in public .
The league has not made any official available for interview since the competition was suspended almost two months ago .
“ I want football to return .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a response to Parish ’ s tweet linking to his column .
“ No one wants to be responsible for this one !
Just in case the unthinkable happens .
… I ’ d respect them more if they said ‘ We accept the increase in Health Risk but it ’ s one we are willing to take.
’ They won ’ t as they are frightened to death !
” The Spanish league has been communicating its plans more substantially ahead of players resuming training individually at the clubs ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of safety measures pre-established by the league and local authorities , including regular COVID-19 testing .
There is more uncertainty in Italy where the government has only allowed players in regions containing eight of the 20 Serie A clubs to resume individual training from Monday .
While the leagues in England , Italy and Spain will not start until at least June , the German top flight is hoping to resume this month .
But the Bundesliga ’ s plans were unsettled by three positive tests for coronavirus last week at Cologne , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted that there is no need for the rest of the squad and coaching staff to go into quarantine .
“ The prerequisite for this is , of course , that now that we have started testing , we continue to test consistently , thus ensuring that only those who have tested negatively are part of training , ” team doctor Paul Klein said .
Cologne said Sunday that players will only resume training after two consecutive negative COVID-19 tests .

English Premier League clubs opposed to resuming the season in empty, neutral stadiums were urged by the Crystal Palace chairman on Sunday to accept the plans or the “game might never fully recover.”
Steve Parish warned there could be years of legal challenges if the Premier League is curtailed, with French clubs already exploring damages claims over their season prematurely ending last week.
A leading sports lawyer also raised the prospect of players refusing to take to the field if they feel unsafe playing as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Parish’s support for the league’s “Project Restart” proposal came as Brighton and West Ham publicly resisted playing their remaining home games in neutral venues as they fight relegation.
The league is working with authorities to find a way for players to resume group training and play games by June at the earliest while ensuring that does not spread COVID-19 infections.
“We need to try to play if we can make it safe,” Parish tweeted. “I believe we can and should continue however imperfect the other elements: neutral venues empty stadia, etc. If we can’t make it work then I fear for next season. The game might never fully recover.”
Government rulings led to the French and Dutch league seasons ending last week. While Paris Saint-Germain was crowned French champion with 10 rounds of games remaining, Ajax - which was first on goal difference - will not be awarded the Dutch title.
Palace has little to play for, sitting midtable, but Parish said he wants the season completed for “reasons of sporting integrity” and to protect the league’s finances. Liverpool is 25 points clear with nine games remaining.
“I want to crown Liverpool champions and give every other club a fair crack at the best league position they can achieve,” Parish said. “I certainly don’t want to have difficult conversations about curtailing, voiding and points per game.
“The ramifications of each are complex and could involve legal challenges that run on for months, if not years. But, yes, it is partly about the money. And we should all care about the money.”
The Premier League fears losses of more than 1 billion pounds (around $1.3 billion) from an incomplete campaign as broadcasting commitments are not met.
The league has not commented on opposition to playing games in neutral stadiums, only saying after Friday’s call with clubs that they all wanted to complete the season if it was safe.
“Ending the season early would undoubtedly leave the Premier League more exposed to costly and reputationally damaging legal action from certain disgruntled clubs, unhappy with the difficult decisions that would ultimately follow in determining league positions,” lawyer Simon Leaf, head of sport at Mishcon de Reya, told The Associated Press.
“After all, a significant portion of the revenues that the clubs receive from broadcasters and sponsors is related to where the club finishes in the table.”
Players would have to face regular COVID-19 tests to show they were clear of the disease.
“We could still see players themselves take their own legal stand by refusing to take the field for fear of their own safety and clubs unhappy with the venue allocations threaten action,” Leaf said.
It is almost two months since the competition was suspended and the league’s rule book has no guidelines for resolving standings if a team cannot play all 38 games.
“The league will need to continue to manage the situation delicately in order to keep all sides on board and avoid league places and revenues being determined in the courtroom rather than on the pitch,” Leaf said.
The national lockdown remains in place through at least Thursday in Britain where more than 28,000 people have died in around two months in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for the new coronavirus.
The Premier League faced heavy criticism Sunday from one of the main pundits for the broadcaster that provides the league’s single biggest revenue stream.
Gary Neville, the former England and Manchester United defender turned Sky Sports commentator, said the Premier League was having a “nightmare” and was “hiding, scared to death of communicating” its plans fully in public.
“No one wants to be responsible for this one! Just in case the unthinkable happens,” Neville tweeted. “I’d respect them more if they said ‘We accept the increase in Health Risk but it’s one we are willing to take.’ They won’t as they are frightened to death!”
Some Premier League players returned to club training facilities last week to resume individual work. Players in Spain and Italy will be allowed to do the same from Monday.
While the leagues in England, Italy and Spain will not start until at least June, the German top flight is hoping to resume this month.
But the Bundesliga’s plans were unsettled by three positive tests for coronavirus last week at Cologne, reportedly including two players.
Cologne said Sunday that players will only resume training after two consecutive negative COVID-19 tests, ruling out the need for the entire squad and coaching staff to go into quarantine.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Jeffrey Epstein frequented Harvard, had own office, report finds

CAMBRIDGE , Mass .
— Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein visited Harvard University ’ s campus more than 40 times after his 2008 sex crimes conviction and was given his own office and unfettered access to a research center he helped establish , according to a review of his ties to the school .
The review , completed at the request of Harvard ’ s president , also found that the university accepted more than $ 9 million from Epstein during the decade leading up to his conviction but barred him from making further donations after that point .
About $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school said , and will be given to groups that support victims of sexual violence .
The report found that while Harvard ’ s top leaders cut ties with Epstein in 2008 , he maintained close ties with Martin Nowak , a math professor and director of the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics , a research center created in 2003 with $ 6.5 million from Epstein .
Nowak gave Epstein an office at the program ’ s building in Harvard Square , the review found , and circumvented campus security rules to grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlimited ” access to the facility .
Epstein frequently visited Office 610 , which was known as “ Jeffrey ’ s Office , ” and met with scholars to hear about their work , the review found .
He brought his own rug and hung his own photos on the wall .
Nowak argued that the office was Epstein ’ s in name only , the report says , but others in the building said it was commonly known to be reserved for the financier .
Harvard announced Friday that Nowak had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review allegations of misconduct detailed in the report .
A message seeking comment was left with Nowak .
“ We do not take this step lightly , but the seriousness of the matter leads us to believe it is not appropriate for Professor Nowak to continue in his role , ” wrote Claudine Gay , dean of Harvard ’ s Faculty of Arts and Sciences .
Epstein killed himself in his New York City prison cell in August after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges .
He had pleaded not guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and young women in New York and Florida in the early 2000s .
In lawsuits , women say the abuse spanned decades .
Among other allegations against Nowak , the report alleged that he allowed his program ’ s website to be used to burnish Epstein ’ s reputation after his 2008 conviction .
In 2013 , at the request of Epstein ’ s publicist , Nowak agreed to post links to the financier ’ s websites , which had flattering descriptions of Epstein and made false claims about his level of giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nowak is also accused of devoting a page on the program ’ s website to Epstein , also at the request of the financier ’ s publicist .
There ’ s no evidence that Harvard ’ s top officials knew about the postings , the report says .
Epstein ’ s page on the website was removed in 2014 after Harvard received complaints from a sexual assault survivor ’ s group .
The report concludes that Harvard ’ s senior leaders acted appropriately in their dealings with Epstein .
Former President Drew Faust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his conviction , the review says , and a university dean rejected a 2013 request from some faculty to reconsider the decision , saying it would be inconsistent with Harvard ’ s values .
Some professors beyond Nowak appear to have enjoyed close ties with Epstein , the review found .
The report says “ a number ” of faculty members visited Epstein at his homes in New York , Florida , New Mexico and the Virgin Islands .
Some said they visited him in jail or took trips on his planes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity , the report said , and do not appear to violate Harvard rules .
In total , Epstein made more than 20 donations to Harvard , the largest of which was the $ 6.5 million to Nowak ’ s research group .
Smaller shares supported faculty research in psychology , economics , art and education .
Although his gifts were blocked after 2008 , the report found that Harvard accepted $ 736,000 between his arrest and conviction .
Most went to Harvard ’ s medical school , while $ 150,000 went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harvard President Lawrence Bacow called for the review in September 2019 amid public outcry over the university ’ s relationship with Epstein .
Other schools have faced similar scrutiny , including nearby Massachusetts Institute of Technology , which revealed in January that Epstein donated $ 750,000 and visited the campus at least nine times after his conviction .
The former director of MIT ’ s famed Media Lab , Joi Ito , resigned last year amid uproar over his ties to Epstein .
He issued a public apology and vowed to raise money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s report urges the university to develop clearer procedures for reviewing “ potentially controversial gifts , ” and for enforcing bans on certain donors .
Bacow said he has instructed top officials to implement the suggestions as soon as possible .
“ We will always do our best to improve , ” Bacow said in a campus message on Friday .
“ The report issued today describes principled decision-making but also reveals institutional and individual shortcomings that must be addressed - not only for the sake of the university but also in recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring Epstein to justice .
”

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein visited Harvard University’s campus more than 40 times after his 2008 sex crimes conviction and was given his own office and unfettered access to a research center he helped establish, according to a review of his ties to the school.
The review, completed at the request of Harvard’s president, also found that the university accepted more than $9 million from Epstein during the decade leading up to his conviction but barred him from making further donations after that point.
About $200,000 of that funding remains unspent, the school said, and will be given to groups that support victims of sexual violence.
The report found that while Harvard’s top leaders cut ties with Epstein in 2008, he maintained close ties with Martin Nowak, a math professor and director of the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics, a research center created in 2003 with $6.5 million from Epstein.
Nowak gave Epstein an office at the program’s building in Harvard Square, the review found, and circumvented campus security rules to grant the financier a key card and “unlimited” access to the facility.
Epstein frequently visited Office 610, which was known as “Jeffrey’s Office,” and met with scholars to hear about their work, the review found. He brought his own rug and hung his own photos on the wall. Nowak argued that the office was Epstein’s in name only, the report says, but others in the building said it was commonly known to be reserved for the financier.
Harvard announced Friday that Nowak had been placed on paid administrative leave while officials review allegations of misconduct detailed in the report. A message seeking comment was left with Nowak.
“We do not take this step lightly, but the seriousness of the matter leads us to believe it is not appropriate for Professor Nowak to continue in his role,” wrote Claudine Gay, dean of Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Epstein killed himself in his New York City prison cell in August after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges. He had pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing girls as young as 14 and young women in New York and Florida in the early 2000s. In lawsuits, women say the abuse spanned decades.
Among other allegations against Nowak, the report alleged that he allowed his program’s website to be used to burnish Epstein’s reputation after his 2008 conviction.
In 2013, at the request of Epstein’s publicist, Nowak agreed to post links to the financier’s websites, which had flattering descriptions of Epstein and made false claims about his level of giving to Harvard, the review found. Nowak is also accused of devoting a page on the program’s website to Epstein, also at the request of the financier’s publicist.
There’s no evidence that Harvard’s top officials knew about the postings, the report says. Epstein’s page on the website was removed in 2014 after Harvard received complaints from a sexual assault survivor’s group.
The report concludes that Harvard’s senior leaders acted appropriately in their dealings with Epstein. Former President Drew Faust decided to bar donations from Epstein after his conviction, the review says, and a university dean rejected a 2013 request from some faculty to reconsider the decision, saying it would be inconsistent with Harvard’s values.
Some professors beyond Nowak appear to have enjoyed close ties with Epstein, the review found. The report says “a number” of faculty members visited Epstein at his homes in New York, Florida, New Mexico and the Virgin Islands. Some said they visited him in jail or took trips on his planes. The visits were done in a personal capacity, the report said, and do not appear to violate Harvard rules.
In total, Epstein made more than 20 donations to Harvard, the largest of which was the $6.5 million to Nowak’s research group. Smaller shares supported faculty research in psychology, economics, art and education.
Although his gifts were blocked after 2008, the report found that Harvard accepted $736,000 between his arrest and conviction. Most went to Harvard’s medical school, while $150,000 went to its Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Harvard President Lawrence Bacow called for the review in September 2019 amid public outcry over the university’s relationship with Epstein. Other schools have faced similar scrutiny, including nearby Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which revealed in January that Epstein donated $750,000 and visited the campus at least nine times after his conviction.
The former director of MIT’s famed Media Lab, Joi Ito, resigned last year amid uproar over his ties to Epstein. He issued a public apology and vowed to raise money for victims of trafficking.
Harvard’s report urges the university to develop clearer procedures for reviewing “potentially controversial gifts,” and for enforcing bans on certain donors. Bacow said he has instructed top officials to implement the suggestions as soon as possible.
“We will always do our best to improve,” Bacow said in a campus message on Friday. “The report issued today describes principled decision-making but also reveals institutional and individual shortcomings that must be addressed - not only for the sake of the university but also in recognition of the courageous individuals who sought to bring Epstein to justice.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Modoc County, California, defies Gavin Newsom stay-at-home order

ALTURAS , Calif. — Defiance came with biscuits and gravy as a remote California county became the first to buck Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order .
Modoc County moved Friday to reopen hair salons , churches , restaurants and the county ’ s only movie theater .
There haven ’ t been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 among 9,000 residents , but the reopening came with strict social distancing limits .
Businesses could only have half the patrons , and customers must stay 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) apart .
The county is an outlier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is tucked into the far northeast near the Oregon border , hundreds of miles from the capitol of Sacramento and even further politically from the Democrat-controlled state ; it ’ s a place where seven in 10 voted for Donald Trump in 2016 .
At the Brass Rail in Alturas , two neon signs beamed “ OPEN ” and about a dozen customers were at the bar - the only portion of the Basque restaurant open so far .
After a six-week shutdown , people were eager to be back among friends and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long haul .
We ’ re a small community , ” owner Jodie Larranga said .
“ It ’ s not that we ’ ve been given permission , we ’ ve just had a belly full .
People are fed up.
” Residents were putting their faith in local officials , not the state .
“ Tex would never say it ’ s OK to be out in public if he didn ’ t truly feel it in his heart , ” said Amber McCandles , 41 , referring to Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great job keeping us healthy .
He shut the town down and kept us isolated , in quarantine , and kept us COVID-free.
” Local officials stressed the reopening followed Newsom ’ s phased plan to reopen the whole state , albeit earlier than he has approved .
“ Our residents were moving forward with or without us , ” Heather Hardwick , deputy director of emergency services , said in an email , adding that residents needed guidelines to do it safely .
At Country Hearth Restaurant and Bakery in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irene served up breakfast orders of biscuits and gravy , sausage , hash browns , omelettes and chicken fried steak .
Irene said she ’ s been following “ the guiding light ” of county officials in keeping the small eatery she ’ s run for 35 years closed except for takeout during the lockdown and was relieved to welcome folks back inside .
“ People were constantly asking to be able to sit in the restaurant , and it was really , really difficult during this time to deny that , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the hardest thing I ’ ve ever done in my life , because part of that time we had inclement weather , rain and - no snow - but cold outside.
” Irene agreed that it was difficult for a law-respecting person to figure out what should be done when different levels of government are giving out different instructions .
Newsom has declined to address Modoc County ’ s move directly and has not responded to a demand from six other rural Northern California counties to also be allowed to reopen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing that he is paying attention to their pleas .
“ I ’ m looking forward to answering your call , addressing your anxiety , ” he said , adding : “ We ’ re not turning our back to those concerns.
” California is hardly the only state where restrictions designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus have been met with recalcitrance .
On Thursday , the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered the mayor of the small city of Grants to comply with a statewide public health order and stop nonessential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Hicks moved to let his city ’ s businesses open despite rising New Mexico COVID-19 cases .
One local business , a pawn shop , was notified of a possible $ 60,000 fine for remaining open .
In Arizona , warnings from police and health officials didn ’ t stop Debbie Thompson from serving food Friday inside her small-town Horseshoe Café in Wickenburg , a town of 6,300 people west of Phoenix .
Thompson , 65 , said her restaurant can ’ t survive on only carry-out orders until the restrictions expire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just told me that I have to shut down .
I am not .
They will have to arrest me , ” Thompson declared to the cheers and applause from several seated customers .
Though she was not arrested , Thompson later received a call from the state Department of Health Services telling her to stop violating Gov .
Doug Ducey ’ s stay-at-home order that ’ s designed to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
In Maine , more than 100 people - virtually none wearing the required masks - gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brewing Co. in violation of executive orders by Gov .
Janet Mills , which bars restaurants from offering inside seating until June 1 .
The restaurant is in Oxford County , where there have been only 15 virus cases and no deaths .
Owner Rick Savage was undeterred after the health department took away his food license Friday evening .
That meant an automatic liquor license revocation , as well .
“ They ’ re going to give me fine after fine after fine .
I don ’ t care , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m defying the order and staying open.
” However , a post late Friday on the Sunday River Brewing Company ’ s Facebook page said the restaurant was closed .
Savage said Saturday he would be consulting with his attorney on Monday about the status of his federal license for making beer and if that license is not affected , he planned to reopen .
“ It ’ s only for a couple of days , ” Savage said .
In Louisiana , LaSalle Parish in central Louisiana and East Feliciana Parish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s continued coronavirus order by letting churches and other establishments open their doors to more people Friday .
Williams reported from San Francisco .
Associated Press writers John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report .

ALTURAS, Calif. — Defiance came with biscuits and gravy as a remote California county became the first to buck Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order.
Modoc County moved Friday to reopen hair salons, churches, restaurants and the county’s only movie theater. There haven’t been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 among 9,000 residents, but the reopening came with strict social distancing limits. Businesses could only have half the patrons, and customers must stay 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart.
The county is an outlier in every sense of the word. It is tucked into the far northeast near the Oregon border, hundreds of miles from the capitol of Sacramento and even further politically from the Democrat-controlled state; it’s a place where seven in 10 voted for Donald Trump in 2016.
At the Brass Rail in Alturas, two neon signs beamed “OPEN” and about a dozen customers were at the bar - the only portion of the Basque restaurant open so far. After a six-week shutdown, people were eager to be back among friends and neighbors.
“It’s been a long haul. We’re a small community,” owner Jodie Larranga said. “It’s not that we’ve been given permission, we’ve just had a belly full. People are fed up.”
Residents were putting their faith in local officials, not the state.
“Tex would never say it’s OK to be out in public if he didn’t truly feel it in his heart,” said Amber McCandles, 41, referring to Sheriff Tex Dowdy. He “has done a great job keeping us healthy. He shut the town down and kept us isolated, in quarantine, and kept us COVID-free.”
Local officials stressed the reopening followed Newsom’s phased plan to reopen the whole state, albeit earlier than he has approved.
“Our residents were moving forward with or without us,” Heather Hardwick, deputy director of emergency services, said in an email, adding that residents needed guidelines to do it safely.
At Country Hearth Restaurant and Bakery in the small town of Cedarville, manager Janet Irene served up breakfast orders of biscuits and gravy, sausage, hash browns, omelettes and chicken fried steak.
Irene said she’s been following “the guiding light” of county officials in keeping the small eatery she’s run for 35 years closed except for takeout during the lockdown and was relieved to welcome folks back inside.
“People were constantly asking to be able to sit in the restaurant, and it was really, really difficult during this time to deny that,” she said. “It’s like the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, because part of that time we had inclement weather, rain and - no snow - but cold outside.”
Irene agreed that it was difficult for a law-respecting person to figure out what should be done when different levels of government are giving out different instructions.
Newsom has declined to address Modoc County’s move directly and has not responded to a demand from six other rural Northern California counties to also be allowed to reopen.
He said Friday during his daily coronavirus briefing that he is paying attention to their pleas.
“I’m looking forward to answering your call, addressing your anxiety,” he said, adding: “We’re not turning our back to those concerns.”
California is hardly the only state where restrictions designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus have been met with recalcitrance.
On Thursday, the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered the mayor of the small city of Grants to comply with a statewide public health order and stop nonessential businesses from reopening. Martin “Modey” Hicks moved to let his city’s businesses open despite rising New Mexico COVID-19 cases. One local business, a pawn shop, was notified of a possible $60,000 fine for remaining open.
In Arizona, warnings from police and health officials didn’t stop Debbie Thompson from serving food Friday inside her small-town Horseshoe Café in Wickenburg, a town of 6,300 people west of Phoenix.
Thompson, 65, said her restaurant can’t survive on only carry-out orders until the restrictions expire in two weeks.
“They have just told me that I have to shut down. I am not. They will have to arrest me,” Thompson declared to the cheers and applause from several seated customers.
Though she was not arrested, Thompson later received a call from the state Department of Health Services telling her to stop violating Gov. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order that’s designed to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
In Maine, more than 100 people - virtually none wearing the required masks - gathered Friday to dine at the Sunday River Brewing Co. in violation of executive orders by Gov. Janet Mills, which bars restaurants from offering inside seating until June 1.
The restaurant is in Oxford County, where there have been only 15 virus cases and no deaths.
Owner Rick Savage was undeterred after the health department took away his food license Friday evening. That meant an automatic liquor license revocation, as well.
“They’re going to give me fine after fine after fine. I don’t care,” he told The Associated Press. “I’m defying the order and staying open.”
However, a post late Friday on the Sunday River Brewing Company’s Facebook page said the restaurant was closed. Savage said Saturday he would be consulting with his attorney on Monday about the status of his federal license for making beer and if that license is not affected, he planned to reopen.
“It’s only for a couple of days,” Savage said.
In Louisiana, LaSalle Parish in central Louisiana and East Feliciana Parish near Baton Rouge were bucking the governor’s continued coronavirus order by letting churches and other establishments open their doors to more people Friday.
___
Williams reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writers John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--Ken Turnage II, Antioch, California official, removed over coronavirus 'Herd Immunity' remarks

ANTIOCH , Calif. — A Northern California city official has been ousted after he suggested on social media that sick , old and homeless people should be left to meet their “ natural course in nature ” during the coronavirus pandemic .
City council members in Antioch , a city of about 110,000 people 35 miles east of Oakland , voted unanimously Friday night to remove Ken Turnage II from his post as chairman of the city ’ s planning commission .
NBC Bay Area reports there was a swift uproar after Turnage characterized people with weak immune systems as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook : “ the World has been introduced to a new phrase Herd Immunity which is a good one .
In my opinion we need to adapt a Herd Mentality .
A herd gathers it ranks , it allows the sick , the old , the injured to meet its natural course in nature.
” As for homeless people , he added that the virus would “ fix what is a significant burden on our society and resources that can be used.
” Turnage later deleted the post but refused to resign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the two-hour council meeting held on Zoom , Turnage said his personal opinion had no bearing on his duties as a planning commissioner and that removing him would violate his freedom of speech .
But city officials countered that his posting caused a loss in confidence and created a disruption to the city .
Mayor Steve Wright said politicians are held to a higher standard by representing the city to all .
After the council stripped him of his post , Turnage said that if residents had lost confidence in him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can ’ t help that.
” “ It ’ s not like it used to be , ” he lamented , “ when you could have an opinion , talk about it and then sit down and have a beer together and talk about football .
”

ANTIOCH, Calif. — A Northern California city official has been ousted after he suggested on social media that sick, old and homeless people should be left to meet their “natural course in nature” during the coronavirus pandemic.
City council members in Antioch, a city of about 110,000 people 35 miles east of Oakland, voted unanimously Friday night to remove Ken Turnage II from his post as chairman of the city’s planning commission.
NBC Bay Area reports there was a swift uproar after Turnage characterized people with weak immune systems as a drain on society.
He wrote on Facebook: “the World has been introduced to a new phrase Herd Immunity which is a good one. In my opinion we need to adapt a Herd Mentality. A herd gathers it ranks, it allows the sick, the old, the injured to meet its natural course in nature.”
As for homeless people, he added that the virus would “fix what is a significant burden on our society and resources that can be used.”
Turnage later deleted the post but refused to resign or back down from his comments. During the two-hour council meeting held on Zoom, Turnage said his personal opinion had no bearing on his duties as a planning commissioner and that removing him would violate his freedom of speech.
But city officials countered that his posting caused a loss in confidence and created a disruption to the city. Mayor Steve Wright said politicians are held to a higher standard by representing the city to all.
After the council stripped him of his post, Turnage said that if residents had lost confidence in him, “that’s their opinion and I can’t help that.”
“It’s not like it used to be,” he lamented, “when you could have an opinion, talk about it and then sit down and have a beer together and talk about football.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-03--ICE detainees refuse coronavirus tests, damage detention center

DARTMOUTH , Mass .
— A group of about 10 federal immigration detainees who refused to be tested for the virus that causes COVID-19 caused extensive damage to the center in Dartmouth where they are being held , the sheriff ’ s office said in a Friday night news release .
The inmates involved in the incident at the C. Carlos Carreiro Immigration Detention Center reported multiple symptoms of COVID-19 and when told they had to be tested , they rushed officers .
A news release from the Bristol County sheriff said the detainees barricaded themselves inside the facility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall , broke windows and “ ‘ trashed the entire unit.
” A special response team restrained the detainees , the department said .
No staff injuries were reported .
One detainee was hospitalized with “ symptoms of a panic attack , ” another was hospitalized due to a pre-existing condition and a third “ for a medical incident after being removed from the ICE wing.
” All three are expected “ to be fine , ” the sheriff ’ s department said .
In a Saturday statement , Todd Lyons , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Removal Operations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement , commended the sheriff ’ s office staff “ who responded rapidly and professionally to de-escalate a volatile situation , limiting injuries and further damage to the facility and restoring order.
” But Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal , the executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights in Boston which has filed suit on behalf of the detainees , said it appeared that correctional officers were attempting to move detainees from one part of the facility to the medical wing .
“ ‘ These individuals were justifiably concerned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of infection given the cross-contamination with many different individuals from all over the facility who come and go from the medical unit and with many shared surfaces , ” he said in a statement .
Sheriff Thomas Hodgson said the detainees have been moved to single cells pending disciplinary action , COVID-19 testing and criminal charges .

DARTMOUTH, Mass. — A group of about 10 federal immigration detainees who refused to be tested for the virus that causes COVID-19 caused extensive damage to the center in Dartmouth where they are being held, the sheriff’s office said in a Friday night news release.
The inmates involved in the incident at the C. Carlos Carreiro Immigration Detention Center reported multiple symptoms of COVID-19 and when told they had to be tested, they rushed officers.
A news release from the Bristol County sheriff said the detainees barricaded themselves inside the facility, ripped washing machines and pipes off the wall, broke windows and “‘trashed the entire unit.” A special response team restrained the detainees, the department said.
No staff injuries were reported. One detainee was hospitalized with “symptoms of a panic attack,” another was hospitalized due to a pre-existing condition and a third “for a medical incident after being removed from the ICE wing.” All three are expected “to be fine,” the sheriff’s department said.
In a Saturday statement, Todd Lyons, the acting field office director of Enforcement and Removal Operations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commended the sheriff’s office staff “who responded rapidly and professionally to de-escalate a volatile situation, limiting injuries and further damage to the facility and restoring order.”
But Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, the executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights in Boston which has filed suit on behalf of the detainees, said it appeared that correctional officers were attempting to move detainees from one part of the facility to the medical wing.
“‘These individuals were justifiably concerned that doing so would dangerously expose them to risk of infection given the cross-contamination with many different individuals from all over the facility who come and go from the medical unit and with many shared surfaces,” he said in a statement.
Sheriff Thomas Hodgson said the detainees have been moved to single cells pending disciplinary action, COVID-19 testing and criminal charges.
Damage was estimated at $25,000.