washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Florida shop makes face masks from python skin

DANIA BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - Across America , people are making coronavirus masks with everything from t-shirts and pillowcases to vacuum cleaner bags .
Because it ’ s Florida , one guy is using python skin .
Brian Wood , owner of All American Gator Products in Dania Beach , is crafting decorative mask coverings from the skin of the Burmese python , the infamous invasive species wreaking havoc on the native wilidlife of the Everglades .
“ People are going to have to cover their faces , and unfortunately the situation may last longer than we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of All American Gator Products in Dania Beach .
“ Some people want to make a fashion statement even during this pandemic , so I want to give them options.
” The python skin itself doesn ’ t provide protection but his designing a mask allows for a filter or a lining to be inserted and removed .
He said he is is in talks with suppliers of filters and is considering using cloth because surgical-grade materials are scarce and in high demand by medical professionals .
He said that some masks may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N95 mask , which blocks very small airborne particles and currently is advised for use only by medical professionals treating patients with COVID-19 , the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
The python masks will be made with holes framed by black , silver or gold metal rings , which will add a hint of luxury to the items , he said .
They will probably be secured with a band with a VELCRO closure , and will come in different colors and finishes .
A metal nose clamp will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The designs are still in the early stages and I want to take advantage of the supply we have here not only of python skin , but also alligator and crocodile , ” said Wood , who also has a pest control business that specializes in invasive iguanas .
The prices will be “ reasonable , ” Wood said : about $ 20 to $ 40 for the skins plus the cost of manufacturing .
Alligator skin , “ the diamond of leathers , ” would be more expensive , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , more and more people are wearing masks in public settings .
On social media , many people are making fashion statements with colorful hand-made face coverings with original prints and even embroidery .
YouTube , Facebook and other social media are teeming with DIY videos on how to make cloth masks , allowing for some self-expression during the pandemic .
Miami-Dade ordered county residents to wear a mask in public spaces , defining a mask as a “ covering which snugly covers the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with “ ties or ear loops.
” Earlier in the week , the city of Miami stepped up the battle to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic when officials mandated that everyone inside grocery stores , pharmacies and convenience stores wear face coverings .
The measure also requires all delivery workers to don masks , as well as all construction workers on job sites .
Other cities around the country have issued similar orders , igniting demand for a full range of products , from basic handmade cotton masks sold on e-commerce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leather , monogrammed and lace-covered face coverings offered through online channels and social media .
There are even designer knockoffs , like a Louis Vuitton monogram mask that has circulated on Instagram .
Self-described Russian influencer Tair Marassulov posed outside a Louis Vuitton store in Paris wearing what appears to be a leather mask with the iconic French luxury house ’ s monogram , along with a monogrammed jacket .
The company confirmed the mask in Marassulov ’ s selfie is not a legitimate Louis Vuitton product .
Earlier this week Louis Vuitton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in France to produce non-surgical masks to donate to healthcare workers in the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 , said spokeswoman Emily Huang .
Though state lands are now closed for public use as part of the social distancing campaign , python removal agents for the state are still at work , and Wood hopes to do brisk business with them if the masks take off .
Wood , who also hunts alligators and used to supply luxury goods maker Hermes , said one 10-foot snake could potentially yield as many as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me they want to buy 5 , 12 of these masks , so I ’ ll definitely be buying snakes from local hunters .
”

DANIA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Across America, people are making coronavirus masks with everything from t-shirts and pillowcases to vacuum cleaner bags.
Because it’s Florida, one guy is using python skin.
Brian Wood, owner of All American Gator Products in Dania Beach, is crafting decorative mask coverings from the skin of the Burmese python, the infamous invasive species wreaking havoc on the native wilidlife of the Everglades.
“People are going to have to cover their faces, and unfortunately the situation may last longer than we imagined,” said Wood, owner of All American Gator Products in Dania Beach. “Some people want to make a fashion statement even during this pandemic, so I want to give them options.”
The python skin itself doesn’t provide protection but his designing a mask allows for a filter or a lining to be inserted and removed. He said he is is in talks with suppliers of filters and is considering using cloth because surgical-grade materials are scarce and in high demand by medical professionals.
He said that some masks may come with a filtration system like the N95 mask, which blocks very small airborne particles and currently is advised for use only by medical professionals treating patients with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The python masks will be made with holes framed by black, silver or gold metal rings, which will add a hint of luxury to the items, he said. They will probably be secured with a band with a VELCRO closure, and will come in different colors and finishes. A metal nose clamp will help ensure a good fit, Wood said.
“The designs are still in the early stages and I want to take advantage of the supply we have here not only of python skin, but also alligator and crocodile,” said Wood, who also has a pest control business that specializes in invasive iguanas. The prices will be “reasonable,” Wood said: about $20 to $40 for the skins plus the cost of manufacturing. Alligator skin, “the diamond of leathers,” would be more expensive, he added.
In line with recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more and more people are wearing masks in public settings. On social media, many people are making fashion statements with colorful hand-made face coverings with original prints and even embroidery. YouTube, Facebook and other social media are teeming with DIY videos on how to make cloth masks, allowing for some self-expression during the pandemic.
Miami-Dade ordered county residents to wear a mask in public spaces, defining a mask as a “covering which snugly covers the face and mouth” and which is secured with “ties or ear loops.”
Earlier in the week, the city of Miami stepped up the battle to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic when officials mandated that everyone inside grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores wear face coverings. The measure also requires all delivery workers to don masks, as well as all construction workers on job sites.
Other cities around the country have issued similar orders, igniting demand for a full range of products, from basic handmade cotton masks sold on e-commerce site Etsy and on Amazon, to leather, monogrammed and lace-covered face coverings offered through online channels and social media.
There are even designer knockoffs, like a Louis Vuitton monogram mask that has circulated on Instagram. Self-described Russian influencer Tair Marassulov posed outside a Louis Vuitton store in Paris wearing what appears to be a leather mask with the iconic French luxury house’s monogram, along with a monogrammed jacket.
The company confirmed the mask in Marassulov’s selfie is not a legitimate Louis Vuitton product. Earlier this week Louis Vuitton said it repurposed some of its workshops in France to produce non-surgical masks to donate to healthcare workers in the frontline of the battle against COVID-19, said spokeswoman Emily Huang.
Though state lands are now closed for public use as part of the social distancing campaign, python removal agents for the state are still at work, and Wood hopes to do brisk business with them if the masks take off.
Wood, who also hunts alligators and used to supply luxury goods maker Hermes, said one 10-foot snake could potentially yield as many as 10 masks.
“People are telling me they want to buy 5, 12 of these masks, so I’ll definitely be buying snakes from local hunters.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Fort Myers nurses travel to New York City to help

NEW YORK CITY ( AP ) - Gina Willaford , Jackie Lemm and Jennifer Concepcion are suited up .
Instead of a suit with an S emblazoned on the chest , the three Lee County women are wearing their scrubs .
The three are among hundreds of nurses in a New York City hotel , where last week they waited to be deployed to hospitals in the area to help combat COVID-19 .
The three women arrived April 5 in New York City - 48 hours after they decided to travel there - to try to provide care to one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by the disease spread by the novel coronavirus .
New York City has recorded 87,725 cases , according to its health department .
As of Friday ( April 10 ) , the city reported 5,820 deaths .
On a recent morning , the three were awake for a 5:45 a.m. briefing , ready for what the day would bring .
“ We want to be out there , ” Willaford , 52 , said .
“ We are ready to go.
” Willaford and Lemm , both certified registered nurse anesthetists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work at Associates in Digestive Health in Fort Myers .
Their employer has given the three permission to travel to New York City .
When they return to Lee County , they are required to quarantine for 14 days to make sure they are healthy , Willaford said .
Willaford said she began looking for companies that were bringing nurses to New York City .
She chose one that focused on critical care and crucial staffers .
The company expedited the paperwork to get the nurses credentialed in New York state and during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be brought on board .
Their stint in New York City is supposed to last 21 days .
Willaford and Conception are assigned to Bellevue Hospital while Lemm is working in Kings County Hospital Center .
The nurses declined to name the company they are working for .
“ New York City is doing all of the hard work for the country , ” Willaford said .
“ I feel like it ’ s my responsibility to come up here and see what ’ s working and what ’ s not working.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday was at 17,531 cases , with Lee County ’ s total at 547 .
Fourteen people have died in Lee County .
Willaford , of Cape Coral , said she used to work across ICUs in Lee County and has been sending back best practices to healthcare workers she knows .
“ Everybody in the country needs to be aware of not trying to reinvent the wheel but seeing what works in the epicenter , ” Willaford said .
“ Our responsibility as healthcare workers is to be here not only to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Lee County and be ready.
” When Willaford decided to head to New York City last week she shared her plans with Lemm and Concepcion , and they quickly agreed to join her .
“ We all decided to come here together and support each other , ” Lemm , 40 , said .
“ I honestly feel that to come and do something like this , to have friends with you and moral support is very important.
” The three of them will serve as a buddy system and help each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City , she said .
“ As nurses and healthcare providers we just have the urge to help others and that ’ s just what we do , ” Lemm said .
“ We know that the majority of patients in the hospital here are positive for the coronavirus .
It does make us nervous , but we ’ ve been guaranteed by our agency we ’ ll have the proper protective gear , and we are just taking that leap of faith.
” Willaford said she might extend her contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Lemm said after this tour of duty , she has to return to Lee County .
Families of the nurses were worried for them when they declared their need to help , but since their arrival in New York City , attitudes have changed .
“ I have a 19-year-old son who is amazing , ” Willaford said .
“ He was really scared to begin with .
But I am telling you , once I landed up here , he is very proud of me.
” Lemm ’ s father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was a bittersweet kind of thing when she told me she was going , ” said Scott Brown , Lemm ’ s father .
“ It ’ s like sending your son into a war zone .
You are proud to have them serve the country.
” Lee Health , the region ’ s largest healthcare provider , doesn ’ t have a program to deploy nurses to New York City , but some nurses may have decided to go on their own , said Jonathon Little , communications supervisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lemm and Conception have been given the blessings of their employer to travel to New York City , Willaford said that isn ’ t the case for all of the nurses that have volunteered to work in New York City .
“ A lot of healthcare workers are hesitant to come because they are scared of losing their positions at home , ” Willaford said .
“ We started talking to other nurses and they actually quit their jobs to come here.
” The nurses are staying in a hotel in the Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting to join the battle .
Each nurse has their own room to maintain social distancing guidelines .
From Willaford ’ s hotel window , she can see the military and homeless people in Times Square .
“ It ’ s not the New York City people are used to , ” Lemm said .
Times Square is empty .
The advertising billboards have been turned into screens bearing messages of support for healthcare workers .
People who have seen them wearing their scrubs thank the nurses for coming to New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into consideration I will say there was some fear , ” Lemm said .
Considering it ’ s a pandemic like few have seen in their lifetime , fear is present , she added .
“ Considering how contagious this disease is I would say it is very scary , ” Lemm said .
“ The fact we had the opportunity to use our skills to help people in need - that superseded the fear .
“ There are healthcare workers that are getting sick and that have been sick - I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do have that in our heads .
”

MELISSA MONTOYA, The Fort Myers News-Press

NEW YORK CITY (AP) - Gina Willaford, Jackie Lemm and Jennifer Concepcion are suited up.
Instead of a suit with an S emblazoned on the chest, the three Lee County women are wearing their scrubs.
The three are among hundreds of nurses in a New York City hotel, where last week they waited to be deployed to hospitals in the area to help combat COVID-19.
The three women arrived April 5 in New York City - 48 hours after they decided to travel there - to try to provide care to one of the regions in the country most affected by the disease spread by the novel coronavirus.
New York City has recorded 87,725 cases, according to its health department. As of Friday (April 10), the city reported 5,820 deaths.
On a recent morning, the three were awake for a 5:45 a.m. briefing, ready for what the day would bring.
“We want to be out there,” Willaford, 52, said. “We are ready to go.”
Willaford and Lemm, both certified registered nurse anesthetists, and Concepcion, a registered nurse, work at Associates in Digestive Health in Fort Myers. Their employer has given the three permission to travel to New York City. When they return to Lee County, they are required to quarantine for 14 days to make sure they are healthy, Willaford said.
Willaford said she began looking for companies that were bringing nurses to New York City. She chose one that focused on critical care and crucial staffers. The company expedited the paperwork to get the nurses credentialed in New York state and during the first few days they waited to be brought on board.
Their stint in New York City is supposed to last 21 days. Willaford and Conception are assigned to Bellevue Hospital while Lemm is working in Kings County Hospital Center. The nurses declined to name the company they are working for.
“New York City is doing all of the hard work for the country,” Willaford said. “I feel like it’s my responsibility to come up here and see what’s working and what’s not working.”
Florida’s statewide case count on Friday was at 17,531 cases, with Lee County’s total at 547. Fourteen people have died in Lee County.
Willaford, of Cape Coral, said she used to work across ICUs in Lee County and has been sending back best practices to healthcare workers she knows.
“Everybody in the country needs to be aware of not trying to reinvent the wheel but seeing what works in the epicenter,” Willaford said. “Our responsibility as healthcare workers is to be here not only to learn, but to take that back to Lee County and be ready.”
When Willaford decided to head to New York City last week she shared her plans with Lemm and Concepcion, and they quickly agreed to join her.
“We all decided to come here together and support each other,” Lemm, 40, said. “I honestly feel that to come and do something like this, to have friends with you and moral support is very important.”
The three of them will serve as a buddy system and help each other handle the growing death toll in New York City, she said.
“As nurses and healthcare providers we just have the urge to help others and that’s just what we do,” Lemm said. “We know that the majority of patients in the hospital here are positive for the coronavirus. It does make us nervous, but we’ve been guaranteed by our agency we’ll have the proper protective gear, and we are just taking that leap of faith.”
Willaford said she might extend her contract to travel to the next hot spot, but Lemm said after this tour of duty, she has to return to Lee County.
Families of the nurses were worried for them when they declared their need to help, but since their arrival in New York City, attitudes have changed.
“I have a 19-year-old son who is amazing,” Willaford said. “He was really scared to begin with. But I am telling you, once I landed up here, he is very proud of me.”
Lemm’s father has been cheering his daughter from afar.
“It was a bittersweet kind of thing when she told me she was going,” said Scott Brown, Lemm’s father. “It’s like sending your son into a war zone. You are proud to have them serve the country.”
Lee Health, the region’s largest healthcare provider, doesn’t have a program to deploy nurses to New York City, but some nurses may have decided to go on their own, said Jonathon Little, communications supervisor for Lee Health.
While Willaford, Lemm and Conception have been given the blessings of their employer to travel to New York City, Willaford said that isn’t the case for all of the nurses that have volunteered to work in New York City.
“A lot of healthcare workers are hesitant to come because they are scared of losing their positions at home,” Willaford said. “We started talking to other nurses and they actually quit their jobs to come here.”
The nurses are staying in a hotel in the Times Square with more than 600 other nurses waiting to join the battle. Each nurse has their own room to maintain social distancing guidelines. From Willaford’s hotel window, she can see the military and homeless people in Times Square.
“It’s not the New York City people are used to,” Lemm said.
Times Square is empty. The advertising billboards have been turned into screens bearing messages of support for healthcare workers.
People who have seen them wearing their scrubs thank the nurses for coming to New York City.
“When I first took it into consideration I will say there was some fear,” Lemm said.
Considering it’s a pandemic like few have seen in their lifetime, fear is present, she added.
“Considering how contagious this disease is I would say it is very scary,” Lemm said. “The fact we had the opportunity to use our skills to help people in need - that superseded the fear.
“There are healthcare workers that are getting sick and that have been sick - I think that all of us who are here do have that in our heads.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--The Latest: Spain reports fewest daily deaths for a month

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic .
The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .
- Spain reports 410 deaths in last 24 hours , fewest daily since March 22 - Italy to indicate “ in coming days ” if restrictions will be loosened - More than a thousand sailors contract virus on France ’ s flagship aircraft carrier ROME - The Italian coast guard is transferring 34 migrants from the Spanish rescue ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sicilian capital Palermo onto a naval ship for quarantine .
The new arrivals will join 146 migrants from the German-run rescue ship Alan Kurdi , who were transferred on Friday to the Rubattino .
The Italian naval ship will remain a mile off the coast for the duration of the quarantine , which is being overseen by the Italian Red Cross .
BEIRUT - Lebanon ’ s Interior Ministry has announced that the nighttime curfew will be shortened by one hour to start at 8 p.m. Sunday ’ s announcement comes days before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ramadan when observant Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset .
Nearly two thirds of the Mediterranean country ’ s 5 million people are Muslims , while a third are Christians .
Lebanon imposed a nighttime curfew last month in an attempt to limit the spread of the new coronavirus .
Most businesses , schools and universities have been closed for weeks .
The ministry ’ s decision that will go into effect Monday and restaurants will be allowed to deliver food until the start of the curfew .
OSLO , Norway - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s prisons to serve their sentences at home in efforts to reduce crowding in penitentiaries and contain the spread of COVID-19 .
Director Lise Sannerud from the Norwegian Correctional Service says prisoners are being fitted with ankle monitors and some 94 inmates have now been released to serve their sentences at home .
There now 405 inmates in Norway who have been released from prison to serve their sentences at home .
MADRID - Spain has reported its lowest daily death total for confirmed coronavirus victims in nearly a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has killed more than 20,000 people there .
Spanish health officials said Sunday another 410 people have died in the last 24 hours .
That is the lowest daily death toll since March 22 .
It takes the total to 20,453 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic .
Spain also reported 4,218 confirmed new cases , pushing the total to 195,944 - second only to the United States .
Top health official Fernando Simón said the latest data gives Spain hope , adding that it shows “ the rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the correct path.
” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced Saturday he will seek a two-week extension of the state of emergency that is set to run out next week .
But he also said that the government will begin to allow children to leave their homes from April 27 .
ROME - Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte is promising a clear indication ‘ ’ in the coming days ’ ’ of loosened restrictions in the so-called Phase II of the country ’ s response to the virus outbreak .
It is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an easing of the industrial shutdown .
Conte met with regional governors this weekend and told the right-wing conservative daily il Giornale in an interview published Sunday that ‘ ’ we are working on some proposals to loosen the measures in a way that we can ‘ live with ’ the virus in the coming months in conditions of maximum security.
’ ’ Italy ’ s lockdown runs through May 3 .
Regional governors in the hardest-hit north , which is also the nation ’ s economic engine , have been pushing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been on shutdown since March 26 .
Schools are expected to remain closed until September , while there is no indication yet of how Italy might be able to relaunch tourism , even domestically .
Conte said it is important to keep the curve of infection down and continue to ease pressure on hospitals and intensive care units .
Italy was the first western country to be struck by the virus and has registered the most deaths in Europe , at 23,227 .
SOFIA , Bulgaria - The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has resisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has urged worshippers to pray at home rather than going to church , however , following demands by health authorities .
The main Easter services will be broadcast live on television .
PARIS - Figures from France ’ s military leadership show more than half the sailors aboard the country ’ s flagship aircraft carrier contracted the new virus as the ship traveled through the Mediterranean Sea , the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean .
A navy official says 1,046 of the 1,760 people aboard the Charles de Gaulle tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Staff Adm. Christophe Prazuck attributed the quick spread to the “ great population density aboard the ship.
” Speaking Saturday evening to Europe-1 radio , Prazuck said virus protection measures weren ’ t followed properly , which “ did not allow us to detect the beginning of the epidemic , and therefore to contain it.
” The ship is undergoing a lengthy disinfection process since returning to its home base in Toulon last week .
One person who served aboard is in intensive care and more than 20 others are hospitalized .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of an exchange program .
Investigations are underway into what happened , and French military leaders have been questioned in parliament .
A similar outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt led to the firing of its captain and the resignation of the acting U.S. Navy secretary .
BERLIN - Germany is holding virtual commemorations for the liberation of two Nazi concentration camps 75 years ago , as long-planned anniversary events have had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Before the outbreak occurred , dozens of survivors had planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video message , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas recalled the over 20,000 people who died at Sachsenhausen concentration camp north of Berlin , noting that a minute ’ s silence for each of the victims would take two weeks .
Many of those killed at Sachsenhausen were Soviet soldiers .
The camp was also used to intern Jews , political prisoners , gay people and Jehovah ’ s Witnesses from more than 40 countries .
The virtual ceremony also commemorated the liberation of nearby Ravensbrueck concentration camp .
Germany ’ s culture minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure of memorial sites due to the pandemic made it particularly important to hold virtual ceremonies and recall the atrocities committed by the Nazis .
Numerous further ceremonies are being affected by the lockdowns imposed to curb the virus spreading , including the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II on May 8 .
CAIRO - Pope Tawadros II , the spiritual leader of Egypt ’ s Coptic Orthodox Christians , has held Easter services in an empty monastery in the desert amid coronavirus restrictions which kept the faithful from gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The services were held at the Monastery of Saint Pishoy , in a desert valley west of Cairo known as Wadi Natrun .
Few clergies attended the services , which aired on Coptic Orthodox television station .
The clerics were seen practicing social distancing during the prayers .
The Coptic Orthodox Church , one of the world ’ s oldest Christian communities , decided this month to suspend Easter prayers and celebrations at churches and monasteries because of the spread of the virus .
Christians constitute around 10 % of Egypt ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population .
Egypt has 3,032 cases including 224 deaths .
TAIPEI , Taiwan - Two dozen crew members of a Taiwanese naval ship have tested positive for the new coronavirus after returning from a nearly two-month training mission that took them to the Pacific island nation of Palau .
Taiwan ’ s Centers for Disease Control said Sunday that 21 more cases had been identified from a refueling ship , on top of three reported Saturday .
More than 700 officers and sailors from the refueling ship and the two warships that took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days .
The CDC said that a Taiwanese student returning from the United States had also tested positive .
That brought the total for Sunday to 22 , an upward spike for the self-governing island .
New cases had fallen to single digits in the past week , including three days in which none were reported .
SEOUL , South Korea - South Korea ’ s prime minister says the country will maintain much of its social distancing guidelines until May 5 but will relax some limits .
The comments by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s health authorities reported eight more coronavirus cases , the first time a daily increase has dropped to a single digit in about two months .
Chung says the government will stop “ strongly advising ” religious organizations , gyms and bars to suspend their operations and allow less risky outdoor public facilities , like recreational parks , to be reopened .
He says outdoor sports games also can be held if there are no spectators .
He says the government will allow a limited number of essential employment- and license-related examinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in place .
Despite a recent continued downward trend , Chung says that “ it ’ s definitely not time to feel relieved.
” While saying South Korea must find ways to revitalize the economy , Chung says the government will toughen its social distancing rules if the danger of a spread of the virus increases again .
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.
TOP OF THE HOUR:
- At least 20 employees at Afghanistan’s presidential palace test positive.
- Tulips razed at Japanese park to prevent crowds.
- Thousands of LA city workers must take 26 furlough days.
- Trump to use Defense Production Act to increase swab manufacturing.
___
KABUL, Afghanistan - At least 20 employees at Afghanistan’s presidential palace have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a senior government official who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to comment on the subject.
It wasn’t clear whether President Ashraf Ghani had been in contact with any of the employees or whether he had been tested himself. The presidential palace has refused to comment.
Ghani has reportedly been self-isolating, although he still meets daily with some senior officials. At 70 and a cancer survivor, Ghani is considered in the higher risk category.
Afghanistan has reported only 993 positive cases even as the International Office of Migration, which monitors the movement of refugees, says more than 200,000 Afghans have returned from Iran in the last two months. Iran is one of the hardest-hit countries in the region with more than 82,000 confirmed cases and over 5,000 deaths.
Many of the returning refugees scattered throughout Afghanistan without testing, generating widespread fears of an outbreak of cases that could overwhelm the country’s war-ravaged health care facilities.
The United Nations has called for cease fires to conflicts around the world but, still the war goes on in Afghanistan as both sides in the conflict - the Taliban and the Afghan administration - squabble over details in an agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban in February.
- By Rahim Faiez
___
TOKYO - Tens of thousands of tulips in full bloom were razed at a Japanese park to prevent crowds from gathering amid worries about the coronavirus outbreak.
The 800,000 tulips have long been a centerpiece for an annual festival at picturesque Sakura Furusato Square east of Tokyo.
The April 1-26 festival attracts about 100,000 people every year. It was canceled after the Japanese government declared a state of emergency due to the pandemic earlier this month.
People still gathered to admire the flowers, making social distancing difficult. The tulips were chopped down April 14-15, Takahiro Kogo, a city official overseeing the park, said Monday.
“We, of course, wish for many people to see our flowers, but this situation is now about human life. It was a heart-wrenching decision, but we had to do it,” he said.
Afterward, red and yellow petals lay smashed and scattered on the ground.
Deaths from COVID-19 in Japan number about 250, according to Johns Hopkins University, but reported cases have been growing lately.
___
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday announced the country will remain in a strict lockdown for another week before easing the rules a little to allow some parts of the economy to reopen.
New Zealand has been in the lockdown for nearly four weeks, allowing nonessential workers to leave their homes only to buy groceries or get exercise. Beginning next week, workers at some businesses such as construction and manufacturing will be able to resume their jobs, and some schools will reopen, although parents will be encouraged to continue having their children learn from home.
New Zealand has reported 1,440 cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths.
___
LOS ANGELES - Thousands of Los Angeles city workers must take 26 furlough days - the equivalent of a 10% pay cut - over the course of the next fiscal year as the nation’s second-largest city deals with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis.
Mayor Eric Garcetti made the announcement Sunday in his emotional State of the City address as he warned of an economic blow far worse than the 2008 recession, when city leaders laid off hundreds of workers and eliminated thousands of jobs.
“Our city is under attack. Our daily life is unrecognizable,” Garcetti said.
“We are bowed, and we are worn down. We are grieving our dead,” the mayor continued as he fought back tears. “But we are not broken, nor will we ever be.”
The news provided a glimpse of what cities across California can expect as the state copes with the loss of 100,000 jobs last month because the coronavirus outbreak shuttered nonessential businesses. The figure barely begins to account for damage done to the world’s fifth-largest economy.
Tax revenues will come in far short of projections because of a major decline in hotel reservations and airport passenger traffic, Garcetti said. The city has already tapped $70 million from its special funds and reserve fund to cover the costs of responding to the pandemic, he said.
___
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump says he will use the Defense Production Act to increase manufacturing of swabs used to test for the coronavirus.
Many governors have for weeks urged the White House to further evoke federal powers to increase private industry’s production of medical supplies as health officials work to slow the spread of the virus. Trump has generally been reluctant to do so.
But the president said during a briefing Sunday evening that he would use the measure to increase production of swabs and that he would soon announce that production reaching 10 million per month.
To emphasize the point, Trump waved a swab in front of reporters. Trump also said Vice President Mike Pence would hold a call with governors on Monday to discuss testing and send a list of lab facilities in their states.
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BEIJING - China on Monday reported 12 new coronavirus cases, eight of them brought from outside the country, and no new deaths.
Another 992 people were being isolated and monitored for suspected cases or positive tests without showing symptoms. Wuhan, once the epicenter of the global pandemic, reported no new cases. China has now reported a total of 4,632 deaths and 82,747 cases.
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SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea has reported 13 more cases of the coronavirus, its 19th day in a row with a daily jump below 100, as infections continue to wane in the hardest-hit city of Daegu.
Figures from South Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday brought national totals to 10,674 cases and 236 deaths. At least 1,006 cases were linked to arrivals from abroad, mostly students and other South Korean nationals who returned home in recent weeks amid outbreaks in Europe and the United States.
With its caseload slowing, South Korea has relaxed some of its social distancing guidelines, including lifting administrative orders that advised churches, gyms and bars to close. Schools remain shut while providing children remote learning.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Monday called for vigilance to maintain hard-won gains against the virus while instructing officials to draw up “delicate anti-virus measures” to contain the risk of transmissions as people increase their social and economic activities.
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WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has announced new guidelines requiring nursing homes nationwide to report to patients, their families and the federal government when they have cases of coronavirus.
Seema Verma, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said during a Sunday evening White House press briefing that the new rules will mandate that nursing homes report cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She said the moves are aimed at increasing transparency about the spread of the virus at facilities where populations can be especially vulnerable to its effects.
There have been 7,121 deaths at long-term care facilities nationwide, according to an Associated Press tally.
Verma also discussed plans to allow elective surgeries to resume after being placed on hold during the pandemic.
That move is coming as part of larger Trump administration guidelines to reopen the economy and Verma said lifting restrictions would be gradual - not like flipping on a light switch, but “more like a sunrise.”
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CHINO, Calif. - California corrections officials announced Sunday the first prison inmate death from complications related to COVID-19.
The inmate died at a hospital after contracting the coronavirus at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.
No further details were released to protect the inmate’s medical privacy, and next of kin was notified, the statement said.
Statewide, 115 inmates and 89 corrections employees have tested positive for the coronavirus as officials work to prevent outbreaks among California’s most vulnerable populations, including people living in nursing homes, on the streets or in homeless shelters.
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka has partially lifted a monthlong curfew in an effort to restore normal public life disrupted by the spread of the coronavirus.
The government lifted the curfew in more than two-thirds of the country Monday. The curfew had been in effect throughout the entire nation since March 20.
In the remaining seven districts, including the capital of Colombo, the curfew will stay in effect until Wednesday.
The government’s decision comes as the country’s top health official, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, declared that COVID-19 is “under control” in Sri Lanka.
Despite the curfew being relaxed, schools and cinemas will remain closed until further notice. But state departments, corporations and banks would operate as usual.
The government has ordered that buses, vans and rail carriages should transport only half the passengers of full capacity in order to ensure social distancing, and asked to disinfect all the vehicles.
The number of confirmed cases rose to 271 by Sunday in Sri Lanka. Seven people have died from the virus since it was first reported in January, while 96 patients have recovered.
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BERLIN - The European Center for Disease Control says the continent now has more than 1 million confirmed cases and almost 100,000 deaths from the new coronavirus.
According to a tally posted on the ECDC website Sunday, Spain had the most cases in the region with 191,726, followed by Italy, Germany, Britain and France.
It listed Italy as having the most deaths in Europe, with 23,227, followed by Spain, France, Britain and Belgium.
According to the tally, Europe accounts for almost half the global case load and more than half the total deaths.
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NEW YORK - The coronavirus death toll in New York dropped again, a sign that Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday means the state is “on the other side of the plateau” and that ongoing social distancing practices are working to stem the spread of the virus.
Cuomo said 507 people died on Saturday, down 33 from the previous day. Hospitalizations and other medical indicators are trending downward.
But Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio maintained their warnings that people in New York City and the rest of the state need to stay vigilant.
De Blasio blasted President Donald Trump, saying Sunday that the president is betraying his fellow New Yorkers by failing to push for billions of dollars in additional federal aid needed to help the city deal with the coronavirus economic crisis.
De Blasio referenced an infamous tabloid headline - “FORD TO CITY: DROP DEAD” - from 1975 when then-President Gerald Ford denied assistance to spare New York from bankruptcy.
“Are you going to save New York City,” the mayor said, “or are you saying to New York City ‘drop dead?’”
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France’s prime minister warned Sunday that his compatriots will need to “learn to live with the virus” after the country lifts its lockdown.
People will probably be required to wear masks in public transport, and those who can work from home should continue doing so, even after France starts easing confinement rules May 11, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said.
And he suggested that no one should be planning faraway summer vacations.
The virus has hit France especially hard, killing nearly 20,000 people as of Sunday and overwhelming its renowned health system.
While the virus appears to have peaked in France earlier this month and is now receding “slowly but surely,” Philippe warned: “Our life after May 11 will not be the same as before. … And probably not for a long time.”
He warned that the economic crisis, France’s worst since World War II, “will be brutal.”
Philippe said France is “far from herd immunity,” citing estimations that about 2 million to 6 million French people have been infected with the virus, or about 3% to 9% of the population. He did not elaborate on the projections.
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BERLIN - The head of the World Health Organization has warned countries that are moving to ease their pandemic lockdowns to be prepared to respond rapidly to any resurgence.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual meeting of health ministers from the G-20 group of major developed and emerging economies Sunday that he was “encouraged” by the fact that several are “starting to plan how to ease social restrictions.”
But he said “it is critical that these measures are a phased process.”
Tedros told ministers that “lifting so-called lockdown restrictions is not the end of the epidemic in any country; it’s just the beginning of the next phase.”
He said that “it’s vital in this next phase that countries educate, engage and empower their people to prevent and respond rapidly to any resurgence; to ensure they have the capacity to detect, test, isolate and care for every case, and trace every contact; and to ensure their health systems have the capacity to absorb any increase in cases.”
Tedros also expressed concern about the growing pace of the pandemic in poor countries that lack the resources to cope with a major outbreak.
In an apparent retort to leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, who slammed the organization’s response to the pandemic, Tedros insisted that “since the beginning, WHO has sounded the alarm bell loud and clear.”
He also urged ministers “to continue to fight the pandemic with determination, guided by science and evidence.”
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MILAN - Italy on Sunday registered the lowest number of deaths of people with coronavirus in a month, with the death toll rising by 433 in the past 24 hours.
That brings the national total to 23,660, still the second-highest in the world after the United States. The number of positives rose by just over 3,000 to 178,972 - the lowest increase in more than a month.
Because of the lack of comprehensive testing, health authorities estimate that the number of cases and deaths have been significantly underestimated.
Italy was the first western country to be hit by the coronavirus, in late February. While the epidemic curve continues to plateau, authorities have begun discussions on how to ease a nationwide lockdown, which has been extended through May 3.
Pressure on Italian hospitals continues to ease, but by just 26 beds on Sunday, with 25,033 people hospitalized and 2,635 in intensive care.
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Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Ventilator from old car parts? Afghan girls pursue prototype

KABUL , Afghanistan ( AP ) - On most mornings , Somaya Farooqi and four other teen-age girls pile into her dad ’ s car and head to a mechanic ’ s workshop .
They use back roads to skirt police checkpoints set up to enforce a lockdown in their city of Herat , one of Afghanistan ’ s hot spots of the coronavirus pandemic .
The members of Afghanistan ’ s prize-winning girls ’ robotics team say they ’ re on a live-saving mission - to build a ventilator from used car parts and help their war-stricken country battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save one life with our device , we will be proud , ” said Farooqi , 17 .
Their pursuit is particularly remarkable in conservative Afghanistan .
Only a generation ago , during the rule of the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban in the late 1990s , girls weren ’ t allowed to go to school .
Farooqi ’ s mother was pulled from school in third grade .
After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 , girls returned to schools , but gaining equal rights remains a struggle .
Farooqi is undaunted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said in a phone interview .
“ We fight and work for people .
Girl and boy , it does not matter anymore.
” Afghanistan faces the pandemic nearly empty-handed .
It has only 400 ventilators for a population of more than 36.6 million .
So far , it has reported just over 900 coronavirus cases , including 30 deaths , but the actual number is suspected to be much higher since test kits are in short supply .
The Herat province in western Afghanistan is one of the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran , the region ’ s epicenter of the outbreak .
This has spurred Farooqi and her team members , ages 14 to 17 , to help come up with a solution .
On a typical morning , Farooqi ’ s father collects the girls from their homes and drives them to the team ’ s office in Herat , zigzagging through side streets to skirt checkpoints .
From there , another car takes them to a mechanic ’ s workshop on the outskirts of the city .
In Herat , residents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgent needs .
The robotics team has a limited number of special permits for cars .
So far , Farooqi ’ s father hasn ’ t been able to get one , but the girls are in a hurry .
“ We are concerned about security driving out of the city but there is no other option , we have to try to save people ’ s life , ” Farooqi said .
At the workshop , the team is experimenting with two different designs , including an open-source blueprint from the Massachusetts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used include the motor of a Toyota windshield wiper , batteries and sets of bag valve masks , or manual oxygen pumps .
A group of mechanics helps them build the frame of a ventilator .
Daniela Rus , a professor at MIT , welcomed the team ’ s initiative to develop the prototype .
“ It will be excellent to see it tested and locally produced , ” she said .
Tech entrepreneur Roya Mahboob , who founded the team and raises funds to empower girls , said she hopes Farooqi ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by May or June .
In all , the team has 15 members who work on various projects .
The ventilator model , once completed , would then be sent to the Health Ministry for testing , initially on animals , said spokesman Wahid Mayar .
Farooqi , who was just 14 years old when she participated in the first World Robot Olympiad in the U.S. , in 2017 , said she and her team members hope to make a contribution .
“ Afghans should be helping Afghanistan in this pandemic , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait for others .
”

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - On most mornings, Somaya Farooqi and four other teen-age girls pile into her dad’s car and head to a mechanic’s workshop. They use back roads to skirt police checkpoints set up to enforce a lockdown in their city of Herat, one of Afghanistan’s hot spots of the coronavirus pandemic.
The members of Afghanistan’s prize-winning girls’ robotics team say they’re on a life-saving mission - to build a ventilator from used car parts and help their war-stricken country battle the virus.
“If we even save one life with our device, we will be proud,” said Farooqi, 17.
Their pursuit of a low-cost breathing machine is particularly remarkable in conservative Afghanistan. Only a generation ago, during the rule of the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban in the late 1990s, girls weren’t allowed to go to school. Farooqi’s mother was pulled from school in third grade.
After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, girls returned to schools, but gaining equal rights remains a struggle. Farooqi is undaunted. “We are the new generation,” she said in a phone interview. “We fight and work for people. Girl and boy, it does not matter anymore.”
Afghanistan faces the pandemic nearly empty-handed. It has only 400 ventilators for a population of more than 36.6 million. So far, it has reported just over 900 coronavirus cases, including 30 deaths, but the actual number is suspected to be much higher since test kits are in short supply.
Herat province in western Afghanistan is one of the nation’s hot spots because of its proximity to Iran, the region’s epicenter of the outbreak.
This has spurred Farooqi and her team members, ages 14 to 17, to help come up with a solution.
On a typical morning, Farooqi’s father collects the girls from their homes and drives them to the team’s office in Herat, zigzagging through side streets to skirt checkpoints. From there, another car takes them to a mechanic’s workshop on the outskirts of the city.
In Herat, residents are only permitted to leave their homes for urgent needs. The robotics team has a limited number of special permits for cars.
So far, Farooqi’s father hasn’t been able to get one, but the girls are in a hurry. “We are concerned about security driving out of the city but there is no other option, we have to try to save people’s lives,” Farooqi said.
At the workshop, the team is experimenting with two different designs, including an open-source blueprint from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The parts being used include the motor of a Toyota windshield wiper, batteries and sets of bag valve masks, or manual oxygen pumps. A group of mechanics helps them build the frame of a ventilator.
Daniela Rus, a professor at MIT, welcomed the team’s initiative to develop the prototype. “It will be excellent to see it tested and locally produced,” she said.
Tech entrepreneur Roya Mahboob, who founded the team and raises funds to empower girls, said she hopes Farooqi’s group will finish building a prototype by May or June. In all, the team has 15 members who work on various projects.
The ventilator model, once completed, would then be sent to the Health Ministry for testing, initially on animals, said spokesman Wahid Mayar.
Farooqi, who was just 14 years old when she participated in the first World Robot Olympiad in the U.S., in 2017, said she and her team members hope to make a contribution.
“Afghans should be helping Afghanistan in this pandemic,” she said. “We should not wait for others.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--In pandemic, faithful still see a higher power at work

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Dan Frachey of Springfield said he doesn ’ t believe in “ a capricious or mercurial God.
” The COVID-19 pandemic has caused deaths , stripped people of their livelihoods and even shuttered places of worship .
But Frachey , a Roman Catholic and program director for the Chiara Center , a spiritual retreat center in Springfield , rejects any theology that pins the blame on God .
“ When bad things happen , people write that maybe God ’ s trying to teach us something , ” Frachey said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Driss El Akrich , a Springfield Muslim , said even in the miasma of a pandemic he sees people ’ s faith lives more deeply planted and more prayer and sacrifice being offered .
He said Muslims can look to the words of the prophet Muhammad for encouragement .
“ Muhammad said God never gave us any significant disease without giving a cure for it.
” With Christians marking the beginning of Holy Week today as a lead-up to Easter on April 12 , the Jewish community celebrating the first night of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks from the start of Ramadan , they do so in a time of upheaval , with the coronavirus seemingly touching every facet of life .
Over 50,000 people worldwide have succumbed to the virus .
Political leaders have implemented “ stay at home ” measures and discouraged large gatherings leading most places of worship to re-fashion how they stay connected with their communities , mainly through online streaming services .
People of faith say they still see God at work amid the uncertainty .
For Willa Barger of Chatham , God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of God , Barger said , but also “ a God of grace and mercy .
I have faith in God because he ’ s still in control .
He ’ s taking care of things behind the scenes we don ’ t see.
” A Sunday school teacher and a lifelong member of Union Baptist Church , Barger said she hopes to come out of the current situation “ stronger in my faith ” by strengthening others and praying .
The Rev .
Blythe Denham Kieffer , the pastor and head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has come to embrace and teach the “ transcendent perspective , ” which means to be able “ to look beyond what is in front of us .
“ It allows us to put our present circumstances in the proper perspective , to see things not only from our point of view , but also from another point of view , and most importantly from God ’ s perspective , ” Kieffer added .
“ Because of faith in a loving God who is for each of us and all of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , wait with hope while honoring the guidelines for the well-being of our communities and world.
” For Rabbi Mendy Turen , the mystery of where is God in the midst of all the suffering is “ the million dollar question , ” he said .
“ We ’ re all suffering in this and it brings up the question every day.
” Turen , the founder and director of the Chabad Jewish of Springfield , said suffering is part of the natural but one of the best tools is to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hands .
Wash your hands often , but remember whose hands you ’ re in.
” “ There ’ s always some sort of suffering , ” Frachey agreed .
“ It ’ s all around us .
This time we ’ re suffering communally .
When suffering happens , we can grow from it.
” El Akrich , a legislative assistant to Illinois Rep. Mary Flowers , said the pandemic has made people rearrange priorities “ with faith on top .
People are rethinking this life .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not do that without serving humanity .
“ When you go serve in ( St. John ’ s ) Breadline of MERCY Communities , you just go and serve .
You don ’ t ask if you ’ re Muslim .
In times of calamity , you see people of all different faiths working ( together ) .
It ’ s good for us to unite and get past this pandemic .
We ’ re all in this together , ” he said .
Turen added “ that it ’ s human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain times .
We ’ re there to nurture it .
God never closes the door .
We always have a chance .
The moment is always now .
Every day we serve God , we ’ re doing the right thing.
” “ Presbyterians believe , ” said the Rev .
Susan Phillips , pastor of First Presbyterian Church , “ that in life and in death we belong to God .
So , in the midst of pandemic , we live out of gratitude for divine love and justice , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is that we are staying home to save lives and finding new ways to serve faithfully.
” Turen said it isn ’ t lost on him that this Passover , which begins Wednesday night , is much like the first one 3,300 to 3,500 years ago in that it is a time of plague or pandemic .
The situation will dictate that it will be a mostly family affair .
As Jews partake of matzah , or unleavened bread , at the seder meal , it is a reminder , Turen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and strengthening of faith , two things we need now more than ever.
” If the mosque in Springfield is still closed due to the limit on social gatherings as Ramadan begins the evening of April 23 , “ it will be a challenge for some Muslims , ” said El Akrich , noting that many gather there for evening prayer.
” Barbara Fuhrwerk said her community , Holy Family Inclusive Catholic Church , has gone to online mass and Zoom for meetings .
“ The depth of friendship I have with my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ somewhat eluded me until we can ’ t be together.
” The online communication , Fuhrwerk admitted , “ often leaves me in tears as I am aware of missing the physical presence.
” Barger said she would love to be in Union Baptist ’ s sanctuary on Easter Sunday “ but we can ’ t be , ” she said .
“ You could dwell on what you ’ re not able to do .
I ’ m dwelling on the alternative and being grateful.
” While she has a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s kept her community together , Rev .
Kieffer said “ in a way we take gathering physically for granted .
It will be an incredible joy to be in each other ’ s presence again.
” Added Frachey , “ now we have Zoom and all sorts of different things that mean connection .
Technology is helping .
We ’ re discovering who we are ( as a church ) without the construct of buildings or committee meetings .
”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Dan Frachey of Springfield said he doesn’t believe in “a capricious or mercurial God.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused deaths, stripped people of their livelihoods and even shuttered places of worship.
But Frachey, a Roman Catholic and program director for the Chiara Center, a spiritual retreat center in Springfield, rejects any theology that pins the blame on God.
“When bad things happen, people write that maybe God’s trying to teach us something,” Frachey said. “I don’t believe in that God.”
Driss El Akrich, a Springfield Muslim, said even in the miasma of a pandemic he sees people’s faith lives more deeply planted and more prayer and sacrifice being offered. He said Muslims can look to the words of the prophet Muhammad for encouragement.
“Muhammad said God never gave us any significant disease without giving a cure for it.”
With Christians marking the beginning of Holy Week today as a lead-up to Easter on April 12, the Jewish community celebrating the first night of Passover Wednesday and Muslims a little over two weeks from the start of Ramadan, they do so in a time of upheaval, with the coronavirus seemingly touching every facet of life.
Over 50,000 people worldwide have succumbed to the virus. Political leaders have implemented “stay at home” measures and discouraged large gatherings leading most places of worship to re-fashion how they stay connected with their communities, mainly through online streaming services.
People of faith say they still see God at work amid the uncertainty.
For Willa Barger of Chatham, God is multi-faceted. There is the wrath of God, Barger said, but also “a God of grace and mercy. I have faith in God because he’s still in control. He’s taking care of things behind the scenes we don’t see.”
A Sunday school teacher and a lifelong member of Union Baptist Church, Barger said she hopes to come out of the current situation “stronger in my faith” by strengthening others and praying.
The Rev. Blythe Denham Kieffer, the pastor and head of staff at Westminster Presbyterian Church, said she has come to embrace and teach the “transcendent perspective,” which means to be able “to look beyond what is in front of us.
“It allows us to put our present circumstances in the proper perspective, to see things not only from our point of view, but also from another point of view, and most importantly from God’s perspective,” Kieffer added. “Because of faith in a loving God who is for each of us and all of us, we can look beyond the immediate crisis, wait with hope while honoring the guidelines for the well-being of our communities and world.”
For Rabbi Mendy Turen, the mystery of where is God in the midst of all the suffering is “the million dollar question,” he said. “We’re all suffering in this and it brings up the question every day.”
Turen, the founder and director of the Chabad Jewish of Springfield, said suffering is part of the natural but one of the best tools is to “understand that we’re in God’s hands. Wash your hands often, but remember whose hands you’re in.”
“There’s always some sort of suffering,” Frachey agreed. “It’s all around us. This time we’re suffering communally. When suffering happens, we can grow from it.”
El Akrich, a legislative assistant to Illinois Rep. Mary Flowers, said the pandemic has made people rearrange priorities “with faith on top. People are rethinking this life. We’re here to serve God, but we cannot do that without serving humanity.
“When you go serve in (St. John’s) Breadline of MERCY Communities, you just go and serve. You don’t ask if you’re Muslim. In times of calamity, you see people of all different faiths working (together). It’s good for us to unite and get past this pandemic. We’re all in this together,” he said.
Turen added “that it’s human nature that people need God more in certain times. We’re there to nurture it. God never closes the door. We always have a chance. The moment is always now. Every day we serve God, we’re doing the right thing.”
“Presbyterians believe,” said the Rev. Susan Phillips, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, “that in life and in death we belong to God. So, in the midst of pandemic, we live out of gratitude for divine love and justice, just like any other day. The difference now is that we are staying home to save lives and finding new ways to serve faithfully.”
Turen said it isn’t lost on him that this Passover, which begins Wednesday night, is much like the first one 3,300 to 3,500 years ago in that it is a time of plague or pandemic. The situation will dictate that it will be a mostly family affair.
As Jews partake of matzah, or unleavened bread, at the seder meal, it is a reminder, Turen said, “of our ancestors for health and strengthening of faith, two things we need now more than ever.”
If the mosque in Springfield is still closed due to the limit on social gatherings as Ramadan begins the evening of April 23, “it will be a challenge for some Muslims,” said El Akrich, noting that many gather there for evening prayer.”
Barbara Fuhrwerk said her community, Holy Family Inclusive Catholic Church, has gone to online mass and Zoom for meetings.
“The depth of friendship I have with my faith community,” Fuhrwerk admitted, “somewhat eluded me until we can’t be together.” The online communication, Fuhrwerk admitted, “often leaves me in tears as I am aware of missing the physical presence.”
Barger said she would love to be in Union Baptist’s sanctuary on Easter Sunday “but we can’t be,” she said. “You could dwell on what you’re not able to do. I’m dwelling on the alternative and being grateful.”
While she has a new appreciation of technology and how it’s kept her community together, Rev. Kieffer said “in a way we take gathering physically for granted. It will be an incredible joy to be in each other’s presence again.”
Added Frachey, “now we have Zoom and all sorts of different things that mean connection. Technology is helping. We’re discovering who we are (as a church) without the construct of buildings or committee meetings.”
___
Source: The (Springfield) State Journal-Register, https://bit.ly/3bQEx5W


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Tulsa museum showcasing quarantine art project amid pandemic

TULSA , Okla. ( AP ) - The term “ artist in residence ” has taken on new meaning as the populace continues to confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ It ’ s probably safe to say that every artist these days is an artist in residence since they are having to stay at home just like everyone else , ” Lauren Rogers , communications specialist at Gilcrease Museum , told the Tulsa World .
It was during a discussion about how Gilcrease , which is closed to the public in accordance with the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease , might still find ways to connect with audiences during this time .
“ One of our staff members , Calvin Frank , came up with the idea of reaching out to artists we have worked with before and have them submit work that was about how they felt about the current situation and share that with the public , ” Rogers said .
“ I sort of hijacked the idea and said that , instead of limiting it to certain groups , let ’ s open it up to everyone.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the “ # ArtistsinQuarantine ” project went out March 20 , and so far , more than 50 artists have responded .
Gilcrease staff members selected certain images that it features regularly on its various social media platforms , including Facebook , Instagram and Twitter .
Gilcrease Museum Executive Director Susan Neal said , “ Our plan to engage the community during this crisis was to focus on what we call ‘ The Three Cs ’ - feeling calm , connected and creative .
And I thought this idea ticked all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ art can ’ t help but give one a personal sense of calm , and offering this outlet for area artists is a way of helping them stay connected and engaged with the museum , ” she said .
Other online programs include “ Maker ’ s Moments , ” videos of artists guiding viewers through art projects that can be done with everyday objects , and “ Soothing Scenes , ” images from the museum ’ s collection that offer a touch of tranquility .
For some of the artists whose work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the # ArtistsinQuarantine ” project has been a unique opportunity .
“ I know a lot of artists , including myself , have had to cancel shows due to COVID-19 , ” Travis Mammedaty said .
“ Submitting a piece of my work is a way for it to be seen on a large platform and to show that we artists are still out there making art , even in the most trying times.
” “ I ’ m self-taught and have been making art for about two years now , ” Heath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work can maybe inspire someone else to try ( to make art of their own ) , especially with all the potential free time many of us have.
” Roy Boney , a Cherokee artist from Tahlequah who also works in the Cherokee Nation ’ s language revitalization program , used an image of Sequoyah as a starting point .
“ I decided to transform the famous portrait of Sequoyah by Charles Bird King into a public service announcement , ” Boney said .
“ The tablet Sequoyah is holding in my mixed-media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Help stop the spread of germs.
’ He is wearing a mask so emblematic of our current situation .
“ I submitted the image to the Gilcrease Facebook page because several artist friends of mine pointed me to the project , ” he said .
“ The Gilcrease has such a long history with native artists in Oklahoma so I thought it was a good match .
I also hope it might provide some health advice and expose people to a bit of Cherokee language.
” Rogers said artists wishing to submit their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project may do so on any of the museum ’ s social media sites .
Submissions must include the “ # ArtistsinQuarantine ” hashtag .
“ Most of what we ’ ve received so far has been paintings , but we ’ re open to anything , ” Rogers said .
“ Songs , dance , video , you name it .
We want to see what artists of all types are doing .
”

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The term “artist in residence” has taken on new meaning as the populace continues to confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s probably safe to say that every artist these days is an artist in residence since they are having to stay at home just like everyone else,” Lauren Rogers, communications specialist at Gilcrease Museum, told the Tulsa World.
It was during a discussion about how Gilcrease, which is closed to the public in accordance with the city’s policies in halting the spread of the disease, might still find ways to connect with audiences during this time.
“One of our staff members, Calvin Frank, came up with the idea of reaching out to artists we have worked with before and have them submit work that was about how they felt about the current situation and share that with the public,” Rogers said. “I sort of hijacked the idea and said that, instead of limiting it to certain groups, let’s open it up to everyone.”
The first call for artists to contribute to the “#ArtistsinQuarantine” project went out March 20, and so far, more than 50 artists have responded. Gilcrease staff members selected certain images that it features regularly on its various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Gilcrease Museum Executive Director Susan Neal said, “Our plan to engage the community during this crisis was to focus on what we call ‘The Three Cs’ - feeling calm, connected and creative. And I thought this idea ticked all the boxes.
“Enjoying a work of art can’t help but give one a personal sense of calm, and offering this outlet for area artists is a way of helping them stay connected and engaged with the museum,” she said.
Other online programs include “Maker’s Moments,” videos of artists guiding viewers through art projects that can be done with everyday objects, and “Soothing Scenes,” images from the museum’s collection that offer a touch of tranquility.
For some of the artists whose work has been chosen to be featured, the #ArtistsinQuarantine” project has been a unique opportunity.
“I know a lot of artists, including myself, have had to cancel shows due to COVID-19,” Travis Mammedaty said. “Submitting a piece of my work is a way for it to be seen on a large platform and to show that we artists are still out there making art, even in the most trying times.”
“I’m self-taught and have been making art for about two years now,” Heath Lane said. “I hope my work can maybe inspire someone else to try (to make art of their own), especially with all the potential free time many of us have.”
Roy Boney, a Cherokee artist from Tahlequah who also works in the Cherokee Nation’s language revitalization program, used an image of Sequoyah as a starting point.
“I decided to transform the famous portrait of Sequoyah by Charles Bird King into a public service announcement,” Boney said. “The tablet Sequoyah is holding in my mixed-media drawing says, in Cherokee, ‘Help stop the spread of germs.’ He is wearing a mask so emblematic of our current situation.
“I submitted the image to the Gilcrease Facebook page because several artist friends of mine pointed me to the project,” he said. “The Gilcrease has such a long history with native artists in Oklahoma so I thought it was a good match. I also hope it might provide some health advice and expose people to a bit of Cherokee language.”
Rogers said artists wishing to submit their work for the “#ArtistsinQuarantine” project may do so on any of the museum’s social media sites. Submissions must include the “#ArtistsinQuarantine” hashtag.
“Most of what we’ve received so far has been paintings, but we’re open to anything,” Rogers said. “Songs, dance, video, you name it. We want to see what artists of all types are doing.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Rockford businesses lean on each other to survive virus

ROCKFORD , Ill. ( AP ) - Small businesses are leaning on each other in order to withstand the effects of the novel coronavirus .
The “ Here For Good ” collection by the Rockford Art Deli is an example of the unifying effort from small businesses .
Companies that have T-shirts made through this collection will get $ 10 of the profits paid directly to them weekly .
With the stay-at-home order in place many small business have had to drastically adjust their operating procedures to continue to make money until things return to normal .
Jarrod Hennis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was inspired by what larger screen printing shops across the country were doing to reinvent themselves during this time and created the collection as his way to support local businesses .
In the first three days , Hennis said that 200 businesses have signed up , more than 885 T-shirts have been ordered and more $ 22,000 has been raised .
“ The heart of Rockford is small business , ” Hennis said .
“ What creates the community is the experience .
Going down the street at Prairie Street and grabbing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a T-shirt .
It ’ s the small businesses that create the experience of a city.
” It ’ s a process made simple , within 10 minutes a company can have a digital mocked version of the T-shirt and a link to send to customers to purchase .
Once the stay-at-home order is lifted and Rockford Art Deli is back operating the shirts will be sent out to customers .
The Here For Good collection allows local businesses to earn extra money without any overhead cost .
Rockford Art Deli continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it still provides 1 % of proceeds from each purchase to Severson Dells Nature Center as part of their contribution to the 1 % For The Planet campaign .
Hennis is proud that his company is able to use their brand and prevalence in the community to help other businesses .
“ It ’ s humbling knowing that what we ’ ve kind of created with the 815 pride movement over the last five years is able to now able to help everyone in the community , ” he said .

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - Small businesses are leaning on each other in order to withstand the effects of the novel coronavirus.
The “Here For Good” collection by the Rockford Art Deli is an example of the unifying effort from small businesses. Companies that have T-shirts made through this collection will get $10 of the profits paid directly to them weekly.
With the stay-at-home order in place many small business have had to drastically adjust their operating procedures to continue to make money until things return to normal.
Jarrod Hennis, owner of the Rockford Art Deli, was inspired by what larger screen printing shops across the country were doing to reinvent themselves during this time and created the collection as his way to support local businesses.
In the first three days, Hennis said that 200 businesses have signed up, more than 885 T-shirts have been ordered and more $22,000 has been raised.
“The heart of Rockford is small business,” Hennis said. “What creates the community is the experience. Going down the street at Prairie Street and grabbing a pizza and coming to us and grabbing a T-shirt. It’s the small businesses that create the experience of a city.”
It’s a process made simple, within 10 minutes a company can have a digital mocked version of the T-shirt and a link to send to customers to purchase. Once the stay-at-home order is lifted and Rockford Art Deli is back operating the shirts will be sent out to customers.
The Here For Good collection allows local businesses to earn extra money without any overhead cost. Rockford Art Deli continues to keep its business viable while closed and it still provides 1% of proceeds from each purchase to Severson Dells Nature Center as part of their contribution to the 1% For The Planet campaign.
Hennis is proud that his company is able to use their brand and prevalence in the community to help other businesses.
“It’s humbling knowing that what we’ve kind of created with the 815 pride movement over the last five years is able to now able to help everyone in the community,” he said.
___
Source: Rockford Register Star, https://bit.ly/3aA8F5d


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Marion artist hopes work on fence lessens virus cabin fever

MARION , Iowa ( AP ) - Every morning , if weather allows , Shane McCallister hangs artwork on the fence outside his house .
McCallister , 32 , hopes his “ roadside attraction ” on the corner of 13th Avenue and Ninth Street in Marion helps alleviate some of the cabin fever of passersby who are hunkering down to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus .
“ I ’ m just so happy with the response to this project , ” he told The Gazette .
“ It warms my heart how the community is appreciating this gesture.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hundreds of thousands of people across the United States who are decorating their houses with paper hearts or putting stuffed bears in their windows for “ bear hunts ” - scavenger hunts where kids look for bears .
The trend of sharing art during this time originated on Facebook and picked up speed fast as states impose shelter-at-home orders and social-distancing guidelines .
McCallister , an image editor at Nordstrom Photo Studio who has found himself working from home the past few weeks , said it ’ s been fun to watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their cars to take a closer look at his art .
McCallister collects leaves and flower petals to create his art , which he scans in and then uses Photoshop to create his portraits .
“ The idea behind it is to show how we ’ re all kind of connected to this world , ” he said .
The Marion resident ’ s favorite piece is one of Greta Thunberg , a teenage environmental activist from Sweden who attracted thousands during a visit last fall to Iowa City .
“ I used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work with her message .
It ’ s a metaphor , ” McCallister said .
Another favorite of his is the Iowa Wave , showing fans at Hawkeye home football games waving to young patients at the nearby University of Iowa Stead Family Children ’ s Hospital .
That picture sold in December and the money was donated to the Children ’ s Hospital , he said .
McCallister gets a lot of his ideas from seeing people being interviewed on TV and thinking , “ I need to learn more about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got a list of people I ’ m inspired by , ” McCallister said .
The project - creating art with nature - began ore than four years ago , McCallister said .
His wife was pregnant at the time , and he found himself appreciating the beauty of the fall leaves .
“ I started collecting them , and I originally was going to start making a picture for my son ’ s room and it grew and grew , ” McCallister said .
McCallister finds Marion to be the perfect community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rich history and events like the Marion Arts Festival , he said .
“ I think people around here appreciate artwork a lot , ” McCallister said .
And his art is for sale .
Anyone who wishes to purchase a picture can ring his doorbell or message him on his Facebook page SMAC Artist .
“ I hope everyone is getting through this as smoothly as possible and enjoying all the extra family time , ” McCallister said .
“ I know I am .
”

MARION, Iowa (AP) - Every morning, if weather allows, Shane McCallister hangs artwork on the fence outside his house.
McCallister, 32, hopes his “roadside attraction” on the corner of 13th Avenue and Ninth Street in Marion helps alleviate some of the cabin fever of passersby who are hunkering down to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“I’m just so happy with the response to this project,” he told The Gazette. “It warms my heart how the community is appreciating this gesture.”
McCallister’s artwork joins that of hundreds of thousands of people across the United States who are decorating their houses with paper hearts or putting stuffed bears in their windows for “bear hunts” - scavenger hunts where kids look for bears.
The trend of sharing art during this time originated on Facebook and picked up speed fast as states impose shelter-at-home orders and social-distancing guidelines.
McCallister, an image editor at Nordstrom Photo Studio who has found himself working from home the past few weeks, said it’s been fun to watch families walk by or get out of their cars to take a closer look at his art.
McCallister collects leaves and flower petals to create his art, which he scans in and then uses Photoshop to create his portraits.
“The idea behind it is to show how we’re all kind of connected to this world,” he said.
The Marion resident’s favorite piece is one of Greta Thunberg, a teenage environmental activist from Sweden who attracted thousands during a visit last fall to Iowa City.
“I used a lot of dry, tough leaves to work with her message. It’s a metaphor,” McCallister said.
Another favorite of his is the Iowa Wave, showing fans at Hawkeye home football games waving to young patients at the nearby University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. That picture sold in December and the money was donated to the Children’s Hospital, he said.
McCallister gets a lot of his ideas from seeing people being interviewed on TV and thinking, “I need to learn more about this person.”
“I’ve got a list of people I’m inspired by,” McCallister said.
The project - creating art with nature - began ore than four years ago, McCallister said. His wife was pregnant at the time, and he found himself appreciating the beauty of the fall leaves.
“I started collecting them, and I originally was going to start making a picture for my son’s room and it grew and grew,” McCallister said.
McCallister finds Marion to be the perfect community to share his artwork, with its rich history and events like the Marion Arts Festival, he said.
“I think people around here appreciate artwork a lot,” McCallister said.
And his art is for sale. Anyone who wishes to purchase a picture can ring his doorbell or message him on his Facebook page SMAC Artist.
“I hope everyone is getting through this as smoothly as possible and enjoying all the extra family time,” McCallister said. “I know I am.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Circus performers stranded in Texas amid virus outbreak

GRAND PRAIRIE , Texas ( AP ) - Exequiel Lopez hoisted himself up in the air and spun around , first horizontally , then upside down , supporting himself with one arm .
Ideally he ’ d be several feet in the air above a circus-tent crowd in some North Texas town , but on this hot Wednesday afternoon he settled for a shade tree in a vacant Grand Prairie parking lot , his aerial straps tied around a formidable branch .
Lopez , originally from Argentina , is one of more than 40 members of the Cirque MonteCarlo circus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot .
The novel coronavirus outbreak and the government-mandated shutdowns that followed cut the circus tour season short just as it was beginning , the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported .
Speaking in Spanish , Lopez said he must continue to perform and practice , even if it ’ s in a tree , just to stay busy .
“ That ’ s why we practice , you know .
We want to keep it going , somehow , even if it ’ s just for us , ” said Franchesca Cavallini , 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It definitely hurts.
” Cirque MonteCarlo ’ s situation is one example of how life has screeched to a halt as the coronavirus spreads , leaving many questioning where their next paycheck will come from .
Now , the circus performers are looking for a place to go and wondering when they ’ ll get back to work .
A typical circus camp would be filled with excitement as the crew prepares the tent and performers ready their costumes .
A few people mingle in a cafeteria trailer while a handful practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stick to their trailers .
To reduce the risk of exposing the troupe to the virus , only one or two people leave the camp for food or other supplies , so most of the troupe has not been outside the campsite in weeks .
At night the group gathers for board games , puzzles , bingo or movies , Cavallini said .
Sometimes they play soccer or volleyball .
For a group of extroverts , games and practicing are no substitute for a live crowd .
“ It really gets to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We all love performing , we love putting on a show , we love getting ready for the show .
So it ’ s hard to just kind of not do anything and to just stay there .
This abrupt end to the circus season has been tricky for the troupe .
Typically , a circus would return to winter quarters , where its equipment is stored , while performers return to family .
But Cirque MonteCarlo , in its first season , doesn ’ t have a permanent base , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States on specific work visas .
They came from Italy , Spain , Argentina , Ecuador and other places to perform for American crowds , said Cindi Cavalli , Franchesca ’ s aunt .
The older Cavallini is the company ’ s office manager .
Those performers are in the United States on a P-1 Visa , she said .
Entertainers and athletes are eligible for the temporary visas that allow them to perform or train in the United States .
Though Cavallini Entertainment applied for a Small Business Administration loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal paycheck protection program , and performers with visas aren ’ t eligible for unemployment .
So far , many performers have been reluctant to return home .
Flying internationally amid the outbreak is discouraged and risky .
Parts of Europe are among the hardest hit regions , and many South American countries have travel bans .
Also , if they were to head home , they may not be able to get back if the circus season were allowed to resume .
“ It ’ s in the back of everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We really want the situation to kind of just end , you know , so we can get started again.
” Cirque MonteCarlo is camped on the Tarrant County side of Grand Prairie , where Judge Glen Whitley has banned gatherings of any kind outside of a household .
His order didn ’ t specifically address traveling shows or RV parks .
Whitley said he was unaware of the circus but suggested it stay put .
Cavallini Entertainment has an office in DeSoto , but nowhere to park and store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campers and bunks .
The Cavallini family has performed for at least five generations , but this year owner Julio Cavallini started a new company , Cindi Cavallini said .
Julio is Cindi ’ s brother-in-law .
Until recently , the troupe had rented space from another circus while they gathered equipment and crew .
The show should be on the road through November , leaving them time to secure a permanent winter quarters .
But the coronavirus changed that , Cavallini said .
The owner of an outdoor recreation venue in Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the edge of the parking lot , for a small fee , but Cavallini said the agreement is week by week .
As the group sits in the parking lot , they ’ re “ burning through money , ” she said .
The circus is paid only when it puts on a show .
While the company has cash reserves for emergencies , it ’ s running out fast , she said .
The generator costs roughly $ 140 a day to run and a single grocery store trip to feed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be upwards of $ 400 .
They could soon be out of money .
Cavallini said her greatest fear is the company will not be able to provide for its troupe .
Though she established a GoFundMe page , they have been reluctant to contact food banks or ask people for money , she said .
“ The thing that ’ s so horrible is , at this point to ask people for money when they ’ re struggling is , you know , a hard thing to do , ” Cindi Cavallini @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has their own problems right now .
I mean , so many people have been laid off , so many people have been furloughed.
” Traveling circus performers are not the only entertainers struggling to find work during the outbreak .
Musicians , artists and other athletes have found themselves looking for second income .
In mid-March , Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group laid off all its performers after postponing several Las Vegas shows , Reuters reported .
The Recording Academy and its foundation , MusiCares , established a COVID-19 fund to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Similarly , Hear Fort Worth and Film Fort Worth , along with the United Way of Tarrant County , expanded a creative industry relief fund to help support musicians , artists and filmmakers who have lost work .
The group hopes to raise $ 20,000 and provide grants of at least $ 200 to applicants .
While most professional athletes have contracts that guarantee pay , boxers are only compensated when they fight , Forbes noted .
Few fighters make millions of dollars , and most must pay their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franchesca Cavallini said she ’ s holding onto hope .
“ I think it ’ ll all work out , ” she said .

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (AP) - Exequiel Lopez hoisted himself up in the air and spun around, first horizontally, then upside down, supporting himself with one arm. Ideally he’d be several feet in the air above a circus-tent crowd in some North Texas town, but on this hot Wednesday afternoon he settled for a shade tree in a vacant Grand Prairie parking lot, his aerial straps tied around a formidable branch.
Lopez, originally from Argentina, is one of more than 40 members of the Cirque MonteCarlo circus troupe camped out in the deserted parking lot. The novel coronavirus outbreak and the government-mandated shutdowns that followed cut the circus tour season short just as it was beginning, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Speaking in Spanish, Lopez said he must continue to perform and practice, even if it’s in a tree, just to stay busy.
“That’s why we practice, you know. We want to keep it going, somehow, even if it’s just for us,” said Franchesca Cavallini, 23, whose expertise is hula hooping. “It definitely hurts.”
Cirque MonteCarlo’s situation is one example of how life has screeched to a halt as the coronavirus spreads, leaving many questioning where their next paycheck will come from. Now, the circus performers are looking for a place to go and wondering when they’ll get back to work.
A typical circus camp would be filled with excitement as the crew prepares the tent and performers ready their costumes.
This camp is quiet.
A few people mingle in a cafeteria trailer while a handful practice in the shade, but mostly folks stick to their trailers. To reduce the risk of exposing the troupe to the virus, only one or two people leave the camp for food or other supplies, so most of the troupe has not been outside the campsite in weeks.
At night the group gathers for board games, puzzles, bingo or movies, Cavallini said. Sometimes they play soccer or volleyball. For a group of extroverts, games and practicing are no substitute for a live crowd.
“It really gets to you really fast,” Cavallini said. “We all love performing, we love putting on a show, we love getting ready for the show. So it’s hard to just kind of not do anything and to just stay there.
This abrupt end to the circus season has been tricky for the troupe. Typically, a circus would return to winter quarters, where its equipment is stored, while performers return to family.
But Cirque MonteCarlo, in its first season, doesn’t have a permanent base, and about 20 of the performers are in the United States on specific work visas. They came from Italy, Spain, Argentina, Ecuador and other places to perform for American crowds, said Cindi Cavalli, Franchesca’s aunt. The older Cavallini is the company’s office manager.
Those performers are in the United States on a P-1 Visa, she said. Entertainers and athletes are eligible for the temporary visas that allow them to perform or train in the United States. Though Cavallini Entertainment applied for a Small Business Administration loan, it can’t apply for the federal paycheck protection program, and performers with visas aren’t eligible for unemployment.
So far, many performers have been reluctant to return home. Flying internationally amid the outbreak is discouraged and risky. Parts of Europe are among the hardest hit regions, and many South American countries have travel bans.
Also, if they were to head home, they may not be able to get back if the circus season were allowed to resume.
“It’s in the back of everybody’s head,” Franchesca Cavallini said. “We really want the situation to kind of just end, you know, so we can get started again.”
Cirque MonteCarlo is camped on the Tarrant County side of Grand Prairie, where Judge Glen Whitley has banned gatherings of any kind outside of a household. His order didn’t specifically address traveling shows or RV parks. Whitley said he was unaware of the circus but suggested it stay put.
Cavallini Entertainment has an office in DeSoto, but nowhere to park and store a dozen tractor trailers and 14 RV campers and bunks.
The Cavallini family has performed for at least five generations, but this year owner Julio Cavallini started a new company, Cindi Cavallini said. Julio is Cindi’s brother-in-law.
Until recently, the troupe had rented space from another circus while they gathered equipment and crew. The show should be on the road through November, leaving them time to secure a permanent winter quarters. But the coronavirus changed that, Cavallini said.
The owner of an outdoor recreation venue in Grand Prairie has allowed the circus to stay on the edge of the parking lot, for a small fee, but Cavallini said the agreement is week by week.
As the group sits in the parking lot, they’re “burning through money,” she said. The circus is paid only when it puts on a show. While the company has cash reserves for emergencies, it’s running out fast, she said. The generator costs roughly $140 a day to run and a single grocery store trip to feed the crew for a few days can be upwards of $400.
They could soon be out of money.
Cavallini said her greatest fear is the company will not be able to provide for its troupe. Though she established a GoFundMe page, they have been reluctant to contact food banks or ask people for money, she said.
“The thing that’s so horrible is, at this point to ask people for money when they’re struggling is, you know, a hard thing to do,” Cindi Cavallini said. “Obviously, everybody else has their own problems right now. I mean, so many people have been laid off, so many people have been furloughed.”
Traveling circus performers are not the only entertainers struggling to find work during the outbreak. Musicians, artists and other athletes have found themselves looking for second income.
In mid-March, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group laid off all its performers after postponing several Las Vegas shows, Reuters reported.
The Recording Academy and its foundation, MusiCares, established a COVID-19 fund to help those in the music industry struggling during the pandemic. Similarly, Hear Fort Worth and Film Fort Worth, along with the United Way of Tarrant County, expanded a creative industry relief fund to help support musicians, artists and filmmakers who have lost work. The group hopes to raise $20,000 and provide grants of at least $200 to applicants.
While most professional athletes have contracts that guarantee pay, boxers are only compensated when they fight, Forbes noted. Few fighters make millions of dollars, and most must pay their own expenses.
Despite the uncertainty looming, Franchesca Cavallini said she’s holding onto hope.
“I think it’ll all work out,” she said.