washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Pentagon's inspector general to probe Navy's handling of coronavirus outbreaks aboard ships

The Pentagon ’ s inspector general is opening a review of the U.S. Navy ’ s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak to examine whether Navy leaders took strong enough action to stop the virus ’ spread aboard ships , and whether their plan was effectively implemented across the U.S. fleet .
The review , slated to begin before the end of the month , comes amid high case counts aboard U.S. ships and recent news that Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday has self-isolated after potential contact with someone who tested positive for the virus .
As of Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases — by far the most of any military service .
The inspector general ’ s review will examine whether the Navy took strong enough action to prevent such a high case count .
“ The objective of this evaluation is to determine whether the Navy has implemented policies and procedures to prevent and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases , such as coronavirus-disease-2019 ( COVID-19 ) , on ships and submarines , ” the watchdog said in a statement circulated Monday .
“ In addition , we will determine whether mitigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 were implemented across the fleet , ” the IG said .
“ We may revise the objective as the evaluation proceeds , and we will also consider suggestions from management for additional or revised objectives.
” The Navy declined to comment on the inquiry Tuesday .
In April , a group of 17 Democrat senators called on the Pentagon ’ s inspector general to “ immediately conduct a formal investigation ” into the Navy ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the firing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crozier .
The incident had generated global headlines after Capt .
Crozier , who tested positive for the virus himself , wrote a letter to Navy leaders pleading for help and warning that the situation on his vessel was dire — and that sailors would likely die without a stronger response .
The ship was eventually forced to dock in Guam as the case count rose .
After Capt .
Crozier ’ s dismissal in early April , then-acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned over his own handling of the matter , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during which he referred Capt .
Crozier as “ stupid.
” In an April letter to the Pentagon ’ s inspector general , the Democrat senators said it was “ essential ” that a “ comprehensive investigation ” be conducted “ to avoid any potential conflicts of interest within the Navy chain of command.
” “ Given the concerns for the health and safety of the sailors on the U.S.S .
Theodore Roosevelt , in addition to the potential for future COVID-19 outbreaks on other ships and submarines , we urge you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said the letter signed by a number of former Democratic presidential hopefuls , including Bernard Sanders of Vermont , Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts .
Military officials are now conducting a separate investigation into the Crozier ordeal .
It remains to be seen whether Capt .
Crozier will return to his former post aboard the Roosevelt .
There has also been a coronavirus outbreak aboard the USS Kidd , where it is believed that at least 100 sailors have tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Navy has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of April .
The Navy has nearly twice as many confirmed cases of COVID-19 as any other service , according to Pentagon figures released Tuesday showing 1,128 cases in the Army and 1,043 in the National Guard .
The Air Force and Marine Corps have reported 430 and 470 confirmed cases , respectively .
• Lauren Meier and Mike Glenn contributed to this report .

The Pentagon’s inspector general is opening a review of the U.S. Navy’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak to examine whether Navy leaders took strong enough action to stop the virus’ spread aboard ships, and whether their plan was effectively implemented across the U.S. fleet.
The review, slated to begin before the end of the month, comes amid high case counts aboard U.S. ships and recent news that Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday has self-isolated after potential contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.
As of Tuesday, the Navy had at least 2,166 confirmed cases — by far the most of any military service. The inspector general’s review will examine whether the Navy took strong enough action to prevent such a high case count.
“The objective of this evaluation is to determine whether the Navy has implemented policies and procedures to prevent and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases, such as coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19), on ships and submarines,” the watchdog said in a statement circulated Monday.
“In addition, we will determine whether mitigation measures that are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 were implemented across the fleet,” the IG said. “We may revise the objective as the evaluation proceeds, and we will also consider suggestions from management for additional or revised objectives.”
The Navy declined to comment on the inquiry Tuesday.
In April, a group of 17 Democrat senators called on the Pentagon’s inspector general to “immediately conduct a formal investigation” into the Navy’s response to the coronavirus pandemic aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the firing of its commander, Capt. Brett E. Crozier.
The incident had generated global headlines after Capt. Crozier, who tested positive for the virus himself, wrote a letter to Navy leaders pleading for help and warning that the situation on his vessel was dire — and that sailors would likely die without a stronger response.
The ship was eventually forced to dock in Guam as the case count rose. After Capt. Crozier’s dismissal in early April, then-acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned over his own handling of the matter, which included a controversial visit to the Roosevelt during which he referred Capt. Crozier as “stupid.”
In an April letter to the Pentagon’s inspector general, the Democrat senators said it was “essential” that a “comprehensive investigation” be conducted “to avoid any potential conflicts of interest within the Navy chain of command.”
“Given the concerns for the health and safety of the sailors on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, in addition to the potential for future COVID-19 outbreaks on other ships and submarines, we urge you to investigate the Navy’s response,” said the letter signed by a number of former Democratic presidential hopefuls, including Bernard Sanders of Vermont, Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
Military officials are now conducting a separate investigation into the Crozier ordeal. It remains to be seen whether Capt. Crozier will return to his former post aboard the Roosevelt.
There has also been a coronavirus outbreak aboard the USS Kidd, where it is believed that at least 100 sailors have tested positive for COVID-19. The Navy has not released updated figures on the situation since the end of April.
The Navy has nearly twice as many confirmed cases of COVID-19 as any other service, according to Pentagon figures released Tuesday showing 1,128 cases in the Army and 1,043 in the National Guard. The Air Force and Marine Corps have reported 430 and 470 confirmed cases, respectively.
• Lauren Meier and Mike Glenn contributed to this report.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--TestNebraska contractor says senators' criticism unfounded

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - A Utah company that agreed to provide Nebraska with 540,000 coronavirus tests @ @ @ @ @ four state senators called on Gov .
Pete Ricketts to cancel the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the firm .
Nomi Health said in a statement that the company has delivered more @ @ @ @ @ the state ahead of schedule , launched the state ’ s TestNebraska website , set @ @ @ @ @ them and helped mobilize testing sites in four Nebraska cities .
“ TestNebraska is an @ @ @ @ @ ’ s public and private sectors , ” the company said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ senators ’ allegation that the company hasn ’ t delivered the contractually required number of @ @ @ @ @ The contract only requires the company to provide testing materials , hardware and technology for @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t hold the company responsible for testing turnaround times .

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A Utah company that agreed to provide Nebraska with 540,000 coronavirus tests defended its work Tuesday after four state senators called on Gov. Pete Ricketts to cancel the state’s $27 million contract with the firm.
Nomi Health said in a statement that the company has delivered more than 200,000 FDA-approved tests to the state ahead of schedule, launched the state’s TestNebraska website, set up a lab to process them and helped mobilize testing sites in four Nebraska cities.
“TestNebraska is an incredible collaboration between this state’s public and private sectors,” the company said in a statement.
Company officials also disputed the senators’ allegation that the company hasn’t delivered the contractually required number of tests within 48 hours. The contract only requires the company to provide testing materials, hardware and technology for the TestNebraska program, but doesn’t hold the company responsible for testing turnaround times.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--MAC eliminating and scaling back postseason tournaments

The Mid-American Conference is eliminating postseason tournaments in eight sports , including baseball and softball , and men ’ s and women ’ s basketball are among nine sports that will have postseasons scaled back .
The MAC ’ s announced the cost-cutting move Tuesday in response to the financial crisis being brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
Postseason tournaments will also be discontinued in field hockey , women ’ s lacrosse , men ’ s and women ’ s tennis and men ’ s and women ’ s soccer .
Champions in the 12-team conference will be determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournaments .
Men ’ s and women ’ s basketball tournaments will only include the top eight teams in the final regular-season standings .
Regular-season basketball schedules will increase to 20 conference games and opening round , on-campus tournament games will be eliminated .
Volleyball , men ’ s and women ’ s swimming and diving , men ’ s and women ’ s indoor and outdoor track and field and men ’ s and women ’ s golf will also have postseasons with fewer participants .
The postseason changes cover the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the economic situation stabilizes and improves , ” the conference said in a statement .
More AP college football : https : //apnews.com/APTop25CollegeFootballPoll and https : //apnews.com/Collegefootball and https : //twitter.com/AP_Top25

The Mid-American Conference is eliminating postseason tournaments in eight sports, including baseball and softball, and men’s and women’s basketball are among nine sports that will have postseasons scaled back.
The MAC’s announced the cost-cutting move Tuesday in response to the financial crisis being brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Postseason tournaments will also be discontinued in field hockey, women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s soccer. Champions in the 12-team conference will be determined by regular-season results in sports without postseason tournaments.
Men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will only include the top eight teams in the final regular-season standings. Regular-season basketball schedules will increase to 20 conference games and opening round, on-campus tournament games will be eliminated.
Volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field and men’s and women’s golf will also have postseasons with fewer participants.
The postseason changes cover the next four seasons and will be “evaluated as the economic situation stabilizes and improves,” the conference said in a statement.
___
Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and https://appodcasts.com/category/ap-top-25-college-football/
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/APTop25CollegeFootballPoll and https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Judge: US not unreasonably delaying virus relief for tribes

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. ( AP ) - The U.S. Treasury Department is not unreasonably delaying the release of coronavirus relief funding to Native American tribes , a federal judge ruled this week .
The department is tasked with disbursing $ 8 billion to tribes that was included in a relief package approved in late March .
The payments didn ’ t start going out until more than a week after the April 26 deadline set by Congress , and 40 % of the money is being withheld .
Despite that , U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington , D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steven Mnuchin was “ twiddling his thumbs.
” Congress required Mnuchin to consult with tribes and the Interior Department before sending any payments , making the job more difficult .
The Treasury Department estimated it has spent about 2,200 hours so far on the effort .
Mehta said that amount of work should have produced better results but doesn ’ t justify court intervention .
“ ‘ Egregious ’ delay is the governing standard , and the secretary is not there quite yet , even in the midst of a public health crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tribes can renew their motion to force the distribution of the entire $ 8 billion if the Treasury Department takes more than twice the time Congress mandated , Mehta said .
States and local governments received funding under the $ 2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act , largely based on population data .
The Treasury Department also used existing population data in issuing $ 4.8 billion in payments to tribes .
But the department plans to gather more data from tribes on spending and employment numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is holding back an undisclosed amount calculated for Alaska Native corporations until a separate lawsuit is resolved .
Mehta has limited the distribution of the funding to tribal nations in that case while he settles the question of eligibility .
Attorneys hope to have a final decision by the end of June , according to a court document filed Tuesday .
The Treasury Department and the tribes disagree over whether the corporations , which own most Native lands in Alaska under a 1971 settlement but are not tribal governments , qualify for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department ’ s Office of Inspector General said it is investigating allegations that the federal government improperly released data that tribal governments had submitted in applying for the relief funding .
A spokesperson for the Interior Department said Tuesday it requested the review .
Tribes and members of Congress also had called for an investigation .
-The Inspector General ’ s office also is looking into whether any Interior official violated ethics rules relating to the funding .
Some tribes have suggested that Tara Sweeney , who oversees the U.S. Bureau of Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaska Native corporations receive funding and have sought her resignation .
Sweeney worked for nearly two decades for one of the regional corporations before taking the BIA job and remains a shareholder as a birthright .
The Interior Department said Sweeney is “ upholding her ethical responsibilities and complies with all laws and regulations , ” relying on the advice of career ethics officials .

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - The U.S. Treasury Department is not unreasonably delaying the release of coronavirus relief funding to Native American tribes, a federal judge ruled this week.
The department is tasked with disbursing $8 billion to tribes that was included in a relief package approved in late March. The payments didn’t start going out until more than a week after the April 26 deadline set by Congress, and 40% of the money is being withheld.
Despite that, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., rejected an assertion that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was “twiddling his thumbs.” Congress required Mnuchin to consult with tribes and the Interior Department before sending any payments, making the job more difficult.
The Treasury Department estimated it has spent about 2,200 hours so far on the effort.
Mehta said that amount of work should have produced better results but doesn’t justify court intervention.
“‘Egregious’ delay is the governing standard, and the secretary is not there quite yet, even in the midst of a public health crisis,” Mehta wrote in his ruling.
The tribes can renew their motion to force the distribution of the entire $8 billion if the Treasury Department takes more than twice the time Congress mandated, Mehta said.
“Treasury indicated as recently as last Thursday that it might not disburse the remaining funds for two months, a delay that the court’s order explicitly says will not be acceptable,” Keith Harper, an attorney for the tribes, said in a statement Tuesday. “We agree, and we, along with the court, will be closely following Treasury’s progress and will not hesitate to renew our motion for immediate relief if Treasury continues to drag its feet.”
States and local governments received funding under the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, largely based on population data.
The Treasury Department also used existing population data in issuing $4.8 billion in payments to tribes. But the department plans to gather more data from tribes on spending and employment numbers before releasing the rest. It also is holding back an undisclosed amount calculated for Alaska Native corporations until a separate lawsuit is resolved.
Mehta has limited the distribution of the funding to tribal nations in that case while he settles the question of eligibility. Attorneys hope to have a final decision by the end of June, according to a court document filed Tuesday.
The Treasury Department and the tribes disagree over whether the corporations, which own most Native lands in Alaska under a 1971 settlement but are not tribal governments, qualify for a share of the funding.
In other related developments:
- The Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General said it is investigating allegations that the federal government improperly released data that tribal governments had submitted in applying for the relief funding. A spokesperson for the Interior Department said Tuesday it requested the review. Tribes and members of Congress also had called for an investigation.
- The Inspector General’s office also is looking into whether any Interior official violated ethics rules relating to the funding.
Some tribes have suggested that Tara Sweeney, who oversees the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, has personal motives in ensuring Alaska Native corporations receive funding and have sought her resignation. Sweeney worked for nearly two decades for one of the regional corporations before taking the BIA job and remains a shareholder as a birthright.
The Interior Department said Sweeney is “upholding her ethical responsibilities and complies with all laws and regulations,” relying on the advice of career ethics officials.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--New Mexico judicial experts weigh pretrial recommendations

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - A committee appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court on Tuesday finished hashing out recommendations for amending some of the rules that govern whether defendants can be locked up pending trial .
The committee gathered for a virtual meeting that lasted several hours .
Members discussed numerous proposals that deal with the procedural aspects of New Mexico ’ s pretrial detention system - from the timing for filing certain motions to how evidence is presented and which courts should retain jurisdiction .
Prosecutors , judges and public defenders all have voiced concerns with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , prompting the state Supreme Court to appoint the committee .
The panel , which is made up of representatives from all three branches of government , has heard from national experts and reviewed reams of data as part of its work .
Retired Supreme Court Justice Edward Chávez , who chairs the committee , said he plans to summarize the panel ’ s work in a report that will be submitted to the court Friday .
It will be up to the high court to accept , reject or even modify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still struggling with rules for magistrate and metro courts , as the challenges are different for lower courts as well as courts in more rural areas of the state , where there are fewer resources .
A constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2016 cleared the way for state district judges to detain defendants facing felony charges in jail pending trial if prosecutors prove by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is so dangerous that nothing other than detention will reasonably protect public safety .
The change also was aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained in jail because they did not have the means to make bond .
Supporters have argued that under the previous system , even the most violent offenders could post bail and be freed if they had the money .
Opponents have pointed to high-profile cases in which defendants have been released .
The state Supreme Court in 2017 crafted the rules for the pretrial release system .
As part of the process , prosecutors are required to file a written motion to seek a defendant ’ s detention .
Rules for such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors - including those with the district attorney ’ s office in New Mexico ’ s busiest judicial jurisdiction - have argued that changes are needed .
Bernalillo County Deputy District Attorney James Grayson said that under the current system , New Mexico ’ s safety rate ranks below that of the national average based on separate data from prosecutors , the courts and researchers at the University of New Mexico ’ s Institute for Social Research .
The question for the committee , Grayson said , is how to improve that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about predicting future behavior and that ’ s not an easy thing to do , ” he said .

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A committee appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court on Tuesday finished hashing out recommendations for amending some of the rules that govern whether defendants can be locked up pending trial.
The committee gathered for a virtual meeting that lasted several hours. Members discussed numerous proposals that deal with the procedural aspects of New Mexico’s pretrial detention system - from the timing for filing certain motions to how evidence is presented and which courts should retain jurisdiction.
Prosecutors, judges and public defenders all have voiced concerns with different aspects of the system in recent years, prompting the state Supreme Court to appoint the committee. The panel, which is made up of representatives from all three branches of government, has heard from national experts and reviewed reams of data as part of its work.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Edward Chávez, who chairs the committee, said he plans to summarize the panel’s work in a report that will be submitted to the court Friday. It will be up to the high court to accept, reject or even modify the recommendations.
Chávez said the committee is still struggling with rules for magistrate and metro courts, as the challenges are different for lower courts as well as courts in more rural areas of the state, where there are fewer resources.
“This is not one-size-fits-all,” Chávez told fellow committee members.
A constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2016 cleared the way for state district judges to detain defendants facing felony charges in jail pending trial if prosecutors prove by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is so dangerous that nothing other than detention will reasonably protect public safety.
The change also was aimed at releasing low-risk defendants who otherwise may have remained in jail because they did not have the means to make bond.
Supporters have argued that under the previous system, even the most violent offenders could post bail and be freed if they had the money. Opponents have pointed to high-profile cases in which defendants have been released.
The state Supreme Court in 2017 crafted the rules for the pretrial release system. As part of the process, prosecutors are required to file a written motion to seek a defendant’s detention. Rules for such requests also set deadlines for related hearings.
Prosecutors - including those with the district attorney’s office in New Mexico’s busiest judicial jurisdiction - have argued that changes are needed.
Bernalillo County Deputy District Attorney James Grayson said that under the current system, New Mexico’s safety rate ranks below that of the national average based on separate data from prosecutors, the courts and researchers at the University of New Mexico’s Institute for Social Research.
The question for the committee, Grayson said, is how to improve that rate.
“We’re talking about predicting future behavior and that’s not an easy thing to do,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on the job as Americans reel from coronavirus crisis

Banks are offering plenty of leeway on paying bills during coronavirus , but consumers who have cash should still pay off everything they can because they ’ ll save money in the long run , the country ’ s top consumer advocate told The Washington Times on Tuesday .
Kathleen Kraninger , director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , said everyone should evaluate their own situations , but for most bills , creditors are still going to charge interest , even if they grant an extension on paying the amount that ’ s due .
“ If you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because regular interest still accrues .
You will pay less if you pay now , ” she said .
Ms. Kraninger said her agency , created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis to police Wall Street , is on the job .
That means collecting complaints from consumers , and doling out data about the relief that ’ s available to them .
Ms. Kraninger said they got a record number of complaints in March and April , though most of the coronavirus-related reports were because of confusion and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , companies have been good actors .
“ There are a couple institutions where there have been problems in the past and perhaps not surprisingly there are a couple outliers , but for the most part this really is a confusion point and an evolving point in my estimation , ” she said .
The pain of the virus is beginning to bite , with tens of millions pushed out of work .
Polling last month by The Associated Press and NORC at the University of Chicago found 11 % have already been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically because of the coronavirus .
The poll also found 11 % have been unable to make a rent or mortgage payment and 19 % have missed another type of bill .
The pain is being felt the most among those at the lower end of the income spectrum with 28 % of those making less than $ 50,000 saying they ’ ve missed another type of bill because of the virus Those who face tough choices should call their creditors and see what help is available , Ms. Kraninger said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers now on accommodations , as the regulators have directed , ” she said .
CFPB has created a worksheet to help people struggling to pay figure out how to prioritize their bills , with warnings about consequences for missing various payments .
For example , missing a credit card payment can still mean a negative entry on a credit record , even during the pandemic .
Anyone with a federally backed mortgage is entitled to a 180-day forbearance , for example , meaning no additional fees or penalties .
Payments on federally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and interest isn ’ t accruing on the balance .
Mr. Kraninger said consumers need to be on the lookout for scammers seeking to separate them from their money at this vulnerable time .
No government assistance agency offering help is going to call and demand personal information over the phone , she said .
The Federal Trade Commission has warned of scams offering testing , treatments or cures for coronavirus .
Testing is indeed available , though at government-approved sites .
There is no cure or vaccine , so any message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One prominent scheme involves a phony email from a relative supposedly in need — a grandchild , for example , stranded in another country , seeking help .
Those scammers often beg for secrecy and urgency on the part of those sending money or buying gift cards .
And phishing emails or messages trying to hook unwary consumers into scams are proliferating , with some claiming to be from the World Health Organization or the White House .
“ Take a close look , and don ’ t follow a link automatically , @ @ @ @ @

Banks are offering plenty of leeway on paying bills during coronavirus, but consumers who have cash should still pay off everything they can because they’ll save money in the long run, the country’s top consumer advocate told The Washington Times on Tuesday.
Kathleen Kraninger, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, said everyone should evaluate their own situations, but for most bills, creditors are still going to charge interest, even if they grant an extension on paying the amount that’s due.
“If you can pay some of your bills you should, because regular interest still accrues. You will pay less if you pay now,” she said.
Ms. Kraninger said her agency, created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis to police Wall Street, is on the job.
That means collecting complaints from consumers, and doling out data about the relief that’s available to them.
Ms. Kraninger said they got a record number of complaints in March and April, though most of the coronavirus-related reports were because of confusion and the evolving situation. For the most part, companies have been good actors.
Mortgage and credit card complaints topped the coronavirus list.
“There are a couple institutions where there have been problems in the past and perhaps not surprisingly there are a couple outliers, but for the most part this really is a confusion point and an evolving point in my estimation,” she said.
The pain of the virus is beginning to bite, with tens of millions pushed out of work.
Polling last month by The Associated Press and NORC at the University of Chicago found 11% have already been unable to pay a credit card bill specifically because of the coronavirus.
The poll also found 11% have been unable to make a rent or mortgage payment and 19% have missed another type of bill. The pain is being felt the most among those at the lower end of the income spectrum with 28% of those making less than $50,000 saying they’ve missed another type of bill because of the virus
Those who face tough choices should call their creditors and see what help is available, Ms. Kraninger said.
“All of the institutions are working with consumers now on accommodations, as the regulators have directed,” she said.
CFPB has created a worksheet to help people struggling to pay figure out how to prioritize their bills, with warnings about consequences for missing various payments. For example, missing a credit card payment can still mean a negative entry on a credit record, even during the pandemic.
Anyone with a federally backed mortgage is entitled to a 180-day forbearance, for example, meaning no additional fees or penalties.
Payments on federally backed student loans have also been frozen, and interest isn’t accruing on the balance.
Mr. Kraninger said consumers need to be on the lookout for scammers seeking to separate them from their money at this vulnerable time.
No government assistance agency offering help is going to call and demand personal information over the phone, she said.
The Federal Trade Commission has warned of scams offering testing, treatments or cures for coronavirus. Testing is indeed available, though at government-approved sites. There is no cure or vaccine, so any message offering those is automatically a scam.
One prominent scheme involves a phony email from a relative supposedly in need — a grandchild, for example, stranded in another country, seeking help. Those scammers often beg for secrecy and urgency on the part of those sending money or buying gift cards.
And phishing emails or messages trying to hook unwary consumers into scams are proliferating, with some claiming to be from the World Health Organization or the White House.
“Take a close look, and don’t follow a link automatically,” Ms. Kraninger said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--AP Exclusive: CDC docs stress plans for more virus flareups

GAINESVILLE , Fla. ( AP ) - Advice from the nation ’ s top disease control experts on how to safely reopen businesses and institutions in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic included detailed instructive guidance and some more restrictive measures than the plan released by the White House last month .
The guidance , which was shelved by Trump administration officials , also offered recommendations to help communities decide when to shut facilities down again during future flareups of COVID-19 .
The Associated Press obtained a 63-page document that is more detailed than other , previously reported segments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention .
It shows how the thinking of the CDC infection control experts differs from those in the White House managing the pandemic response .
The White House ’ s “ Opening Up America Again ” plan that was released April 17 included some of the CDC ’ s approach , but made clear that the onus for reopening decisions was solely on state governors and local officials .
By contrast , the organizational tool created by the CDC advocates for a coordinated national response to give community leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civic life , ” with the idea that there would be resurgences of the virus and lots of customization needed .
The White House said last week that the document was a draft and not ready for release .
It contains the kinds of specifics that officials need to make informed decisions , some experts said .
“ The White House is pushing for reopening but the truth of the matter is the White House has just not had a comprehensive plan where all the pieces fit .
They ’ re doing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , executive director of the American Public Health Association .
Such detailed advice should have been available much earlier , said Stephen Morse , a Columbia University expert on the spread of diseases .
“ Many different places are considering how to safely develop return-to-work procedures .
Having more guidance on that earlier on might have been more reassuring to people .
And it might have have prevented some cases , ” Morse said .
From the start , CDC staffers working on the guidance were uncomfortable tying it specifically to reopening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House officials tasked with approving the guidance for release , according to a CDC official granted anonymity because they were not cleared to speak with the press .
The CDC ’ s detailed guidance was eventually shelved by the administration April 30 , according to internal government emails and CDC sources who were granted anonymity because they were not cleared to speak to the press .
After The AP reported about the burying of the guidance last week , the White House asked the CDC to revive parts of it , which were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emails and interviews .
On Tuesday , CDC Director Robert Redfield testified before a U.S. Senate committee that the recommendations would be released “ soon.
” He provided no further details .
Internal government emails show that Redfield had repeatedly sought White House approval for CDC ’ s guidance , starting as early as April 10 .
Both the CDC document and the White House ’ s published plan recommend communities reopen in phases as local cases of coronavirus subside .
One of many differences , however , is advice for when communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel .
The shelved CDC guide advises communities to avoid all nonessential travel in phases of reopening until the last one , when cases are at the lowest levels .
Even then , the CDC is cautious and advises only a “ consideration ” of the resumption of nonessential travel after 42 continuous days of declining cases of COVID-19 .
The White House plan , by contrast , recommends that communities “ minimize ” travel in Phase 1 , and that in Phase 2 , after 28 consecutive days of decline , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , CDC ’ s web page on travel guidance during the pandemic still linked to the White House plan .
The stricter guidance is not there .
Another stark difference in the final White House plan and that designed by epidemiologists at the CDC is the latter ’ s acknowledgement that COVID-19 cases will likely surge after states reopen , and that local governments need to continuously monitor their communities closely .
The White House ’ s final reopening plan lacks guidance on how local communities can track information beyond positive cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to plan for where case increases might occur more quickly , using demographic information .
The CDC says local leaders could take special notice of the number of households with limited English literacy in an area , how many people live in poverty or have no health insurance coverage , and even what it calls areas of “ civic strain ” caused by the virus , such as places where many workers were sick or lost wages due to shutdowns .
The White House plan offers few such specifics and instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protect the health and safety of workers in critical industries , ” and advises states to “ protect the most vulnerable ” by developing “ appropriate policies.
” On Tuesday , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , warned that lifting stay-at-home orders too quickly could lead to serious consequences , both in deaths and economic hardship .
President Donald Trump , meanwhile , has continued to push states to act to right a free-falling economy .
The CDC ’ s guidelines stress the dangers of states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perilous times .
The agency advises a national approach , rather than a patchwork , because policies in one state will in time affect others .
“ Travel patterns within and between jurisdictions will impact efforts to reduce community transmission too .
Coordination across state and local jurisdictions is critical — especially between jurisdictions with different mitigation needs , ” the report states .

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Advice from the nation’s top disease control experts on how to safely reopen businesses and institutions in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic included detailed instructive guidance and some more restrictive measures than the plan released by the White House last month. The guidance, which was shelved by Trump administration officials, also offered recommendations to help communities decide when to shut facilities down again during future flareups of COVID-19.
The Associated Press obtained a 63-page document that is more detailed than other, previously reported segments of the shelved guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It shows how the thinking of the CDC infection control experts differs from those in the White House managing the pandemic response.
The White House’s “Opening Up America Again” plan that was released April 17 included some of the CDC’s approach, but made clear that the onus for reopening decisions was solely on state governors and local officials.
By contrast, the organizational tool created by the CDC advocates for a coordinated national response to give community leaders step-by-step instructions to “help Americans re-enter civic life,” with the idea that there would be resurgences of the virus and lots of customization needed. The White House said last week that the document was a draft and not ready for release.
It contains the kinds of specifics that officials need to make informed decisions, some experts said.
“The White House is pushing for reopening but the truth of the matter is the White House has just not had a comprehensive plan where all the pieces fit. They’re doing it piecemeal,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association.
Such detailed advice should have been available much earlier, said Stephen Morse, a Columbia University expert on the spread of diseases.
“Many different places are considering how to safely develop return-to-work procedures. Having more guidance on that earlier on might have been more reassuring to people. And it might have have prevented some cases,” Morse said.
From the start, CDC staffers working on the guidance were uncomfortable tying it specifically to reopening, and voiced their objections to the White House officials tasked with approving the guidance for release, according to a CDC official granted anonymity because they were not cleared to speak with the press.
The CDC’s detailed guidance was eventually shelved by the administration April 30, according to internal government emails and CDC sources who were granted anonymity because they were not cleared to speak to the press. After The AP reported about the burying of the guidance last week, the White House asked the CDC to revive parts of it, which were sent back for approval, according to emails and interviews.
On Tuesday, CDC Director Robert Redfield testified before a U.S. Senate committee that the recommendations would be released “soon.” He provided no further details. Internal government emails show that Redfield had repeatedly sought White House approval for CDC’s guidance, starting as early as April 10.
Both the CDC document and the White House’s published plan recommend communities reopen in phases as local cases of coronavirus subside.
One of many differences, however, is advice for when communities should allow for the resumption of nonessential travel.
The shelved CDC guide advises communities to avoid all nonessential travel in phases of reopening until the last one, when cases are at the lowest levels. Even then, the CDC is cautious and advises only a “consideration” of the resumption of nonessential travel after 42 continuous days of declining cases of COVID-19.
The White House plan, by contrast, recommends that communities “minimize” travel in Phase 1, and that in Phase 2, after 28 consecutive days of decline, “Non-essential travel can resume.”
As of Tuesday, CDC’s web page on travel guidance during the pandemic still linked to the White House plan. The stricter guidance is not there.
Another stark difference in the final White House plan and that designed by epidemiologists at the CDC is the latter’s acknowledgement that COVID-19 cases will likely surge after states reopen, and that local governments need to continuously monitor their communities closely.
The White House’s final reopening plan lacks guidance on how local communities can track information beyond positive cases. But the CDC document offers thoughts on how to plan for where case increases might occur more quickly, using demographic information. The CDC says local leaders could take special notice of the number of households with limited English literacy in an area, how many people live in poverty or have no health insurance coverage, and even what it calls areas of “civic strain” caused by the virus, such as places where many workers were sick or lost wages due to shutdowns.
The White House plan offers few such specifics and instead provides broad guidance, such as “Protect the health and safety of workers in critical industries,” and advises states to “protect the most vulnerable” by developing “appropriate policies.”
On Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, warned that lifting stay-at-home orders too quickly could lead to serious consequences, both in deaths and economic hardship. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has continued to push states to act to right a free-falling economy.
The CDC’s guidelines stress the dangers of states and regions going it alone in such perilous times. The agency advises a national approach, rather than a patchwork, because policies in one state will in time affect others.
“Travel patterns within and between jurisdictions will impact efforts to reduce community transmission too. Coordination across state and local jurisdictions is critical — especially between jurisdictions with different mitigation needs,” the report states.
—
Contact AP’s Global Investigative Team at Investigative@AP.org


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Joe Biden: No plans to resume campaigning

Joe Biden has no foreseeable plans to resume in-person campaigning amid a pandemic that is testing whether a national presidential election can be won by a candidate communicating almost entirely from home .
The virtual campaign Biden is waging from Wilmington , Delaware , is a stark contrast with President Donald Trump , who is planning travel despite warnings from public health experts about the coronavirus ’ s spread .
It also intensifies the spotlight on how Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , will manage his campaign , with some in his party fretting that his still-developing approach isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , Biden and his aides are brushing back hand-wringing from Democrats and mockery from Republicans who argue that the 77-year-old is “ hiding in his basement.
” “ Voters don ’ t give a s– about where he ’ s filming from , ” campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon told The Associated Press .
“ What they care about is what he ’ s saying and how we connect with them.
” Biden was more diplomatic in assessing the situation on Tuesday .
“ The idea that somehow we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules and following the instructions that ( have ) been put forward by doctors is absolutely bizarre , ” he told ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America.
” O ’ Malley Dillon took the helm of Biden ’ s campaign in mid-March , just as coronavirus shutdowns commenced .
She recently beefed up the campaign ’ s digital and finance teams and said she ’ ll unveil battleground state leadership in coming weeks .
She also pointed to budding “ partnerships ” that include the national party ’ s battleground state program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevented critiques from prominent Democrats , including the architects of President Barack Obama ’ s 2008 campaign , who question Biden ’ s digital savvy and capacity to build the national vote-by-mail effort that might be necessary to win during a pandemic .
Obama allies David Plouffe and David Axelrod wrote in a recent New York Times op-ed that Biden ’ s home studios resemble “ an astronaut beaming back to earth from the International Space Station.
” They encouraged Biden to make wider use of platforms from Facebook and Twitter to Snapchat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar piece , Lis Smith , media strategist behind Pete Buttigieg ’ s 2020 campaign , touted the virtues of local-market media and using celebrities more on other platforms .
Yvette Simpson , who leads the progressive group Democracy for America , said she ’ s “ very concerned ” she can not see “ how we ’ re going to engage people.
” She said the campaign has squandered time since Biden took command of the primary in early March .
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina , a close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run of primary victories , said he ’ s “ very worried ” about Democrats building a voter turnout operation that balances in-person voting with absentee balloting .
Clyburn , however , emphasized that it ’ s not Biden ’ s place to worry over the details .
“ His job is to be the candidate , ” Clyburn said .
To some degree , the naysaying reflects Democrats ’ desperation to beat Trump – who holds a clear early lead in fundraising and organizing – and the reality that Biden emerged from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play catch-up .
Tara McGowan , founder and CEO of the Democrat-aligned digital firm ACRONYM , credited the campaign with making progress .
“ You can ’ t just snap your fingers and create an entirely different culture in their campaign , ” she said .
Clyburn argued there ’ s been a turnaround , especially in fundraising .
“ Winning is a great tonic , ” he said .
Biden raised $ 46.7 million in March , and in April he combined with the Democratic National Committee to raise $ 60.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have far outraised Democrats this cycle , and they have more than $ 250 million cash on hand , but Biden ’ s April total nearly pulled even with Trump ’ s monthly total of $ 61.7 million .
Erskine Bowles , one of Biden ’ s fundraisers and a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton , said the question isn ’ t whether Biden will catch Trump in total fundraising – he won ’ t – but whether he will have the resources to build a winning campaign .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does , ” Bowles said .
From inside the campaign , the outside worries seem as much about timing and perception as about reality : The April and May fundraising windfall is just now being put into hiring .
Biden has ramped up his social media presence , including a recent Instagram appearance with soccer star Megan Rapinoe and an economic speech on NowThis , a digital news medium targeting younger voters .
O ’ Malley Dillon said she has “ zero concern that we ’ re not at pace.
” Critics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Biden ’ s core pitch – touting his experience and empathy , making a moral and competence case against Trump , and promising to “ rebuild the middle class ” – won over Democratic primary voters even before the coronavirus upended daily life .
Now , Biden ’ s argument against Trump is sharpened but stems from the same roots , with recent polling suggesting it ’ s reaching voters .
“ Joe ’ s got the right message , ” Clyburn said .
Indeed , days before his co-signed critique was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraiser that pulled in more than $ 1 million .
On that call , Plouffe agreed with O ’ Malley Dillon that Trump ’ s turbulent presidency alongside Biden ’ s candidacy means “ an expanded map ” of battleground states .
On a call with reporters Tuesday , the president ’ s daughter-in-law , Lara Trump , called it the “ largest field and data program ” in GOP campaign history .
And while O ’ Malley Dillon has spent two months building a general election campaign in a new digital environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his role as Trump ’ s campaign manager .
The Trump campaign hasn ’ t had to worry about money , with the president pulling in more than $ 700 million so far this cycle .
“ The Trump campaign never skipped a beat ” when the emphasis shifted to digital , Lara Trump said .
And now the president wants to return to a conventional travel schedule .
He travels next on Thursday to Pennsylvania , and aides say he wants to travel at least once a week .
Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and campaign ” but is staying home “ to set an example … with this health and economic crisis.
” “ This is not politics , ” Biden said .
“ This is life.
” • Associated Press writers Zeke Miller , Julie Pace and Will Weissert contributed from Washington .

Joe Biden has no foreseeable plans to resume in-person campaigning amid a pandemic that is testing whether a national presidential election can be won by a candidate communicating almost entirely from home.
The virtual campaign Biden is waging from Wilmington, Delaware, is a stark contrast with President Trump, who is planning travel despite warnings from public health experts about the coronavirus’ spread. It also intensifies the spotlight on how Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will manage his campaign, with some in his party fretting that his still-developing approach isn’t reaching enough voters.
For now, Biden and his aides are brushing back hand-wringing from Democrats and mockery from Republicans who argue that the 77-year-old is “hiding in his basement.”
“Voters don’t give a s—- about where he’s filming from,” campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon told The Associated Press. “What they care about is what he’s saying and how we connect with them.”
Biden was more diplomatic in assessing the situation on Tuesday.
“The idea that somehow we are being hurt by my keeping to the rules and following the instructions that (have) been put forward by doctors is absolutely bizarre,” he told ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
O’Malley Dillon took the helm of Biden’s campaign in mid-March, just as coronavirus shutdowns commenced. She recently beefed up the campaign’s digital and finance teams and said she’ll unveil battleground state leadership in coming weeks. She also pointed to budding “partnerships” that include the national party’s battleground state program.
But those moves haven’t prevented critiques from prominent Democrats, including the architects of President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, who question Biden’s digital savvy and capacity to build the national vote-by-mail effort that might be necessary to win during a pandemic.
Obama allies David Plouffe and David Axelrod wrote in a recent New York Times op-ed that Biden’s home studios resemble “an astronaut beaming back to earth from the International Space Station.” They encouraged Biden to make wider use of platforms from Facebook and Twitter to Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok.
In a similar piece, Lis Smith, media strategist behind Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 campaign, touted the virtues of local-market media and using celebrities more on other platforms.
Yvette Simpson, who leads the progressive group Democracy for America, said she’s “very concerned” she cannot see “how we’re going to engage people.” She said the campaign has squandered time since Biden took command of the primary in early March.
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, a close Biden friend whose endorsement helped spur his run of primary victories, said he’s “very worried” about Democrats building a voter turnout operation that balances in-person voting with absentee balloting.
Clyburn, however, emphasized that it’s not Biden’s place to worry over the details.
“His job is to be the candidate,” Clyburn said.
To some degree, the naysaying reflects Democrats’ desperation to beat Trump – who holds a clear early lead in fundraising and organizing – and the reality that Biden emerged from a haphazard primary campaign and must now play catch-up.
Tara McGowan, founder and CEO of the Democrat-aligned digital firm ACRONYM, credited the campaign with making progress. “You can’t just snap your fingers and create an entirely different culture in their campaign,” she said.
Clyburn argued there’s been a turnaround, especially in fundraising. “Winning is a great tonic,” he said.
Biden raised $46.7 million in March, and in April he combined with the Democratic National Committee to raise $60.5 million. Trump and the Republican National Committee have far outraised Democrats this cycle, and they have more than $250 million cash on hand, but Biden’s April total nearly pulled even with Trump’s monthly total of $61.7 million.
Erskine Bowles, one of Biden’s fundraisers and a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, said the question isn’t whether Biden will catch Trump in total fundraising – he won’t – but whether he will have the resources to build a winning campaign.
“People are giving to make sure he does,” Bowles said.
From inside the campaign, the outside worries seem as much about timing and perception as about reality: The April and May fundraising windfall is just now being put into hiring. Biden has ramped up his social media presence, including a recent Instagram appearance with soccer star Megan Rapinoe and an economic speech on NowThis, a digital news medium targeting younger voters.
O’Malley Dillon said she has “zero concern that we’re not at pace.”
Critics, Biden allies say, also gloss over how Biden’s core pitch – touting his experience and empathy, making a moral and competence case against Trump, and promising to “rebuild the middle class” – won over Democratic primary voters even before the coronavirus upended daily life. Now, Biden’s argument against Trump is sharpened but stems from the same roots, with recent polling suggesting it’s reaching voters.
“Joe’s got the right message,” Clyburn said.
Indeed, days before his co-signed critique was published, Plouffe appeared at a Biden fundraiser that pulled in more than $1 million. On that call, Plouffe agreed with O’Malley Dillon that Trump’s turbulent presidency alongside Biden’s candidacy means “an expanded map” of battleground states.
Trump is answering with a daunting reelection behemoth.
On a call with reporters Tuesday, the president’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, called it the “largest field and data program” in GOP campaign history. And while O’Malley Dillon has spent two months building a general election campaign in a new digital environment, Brad Parscale has long been established in his role as Trump’s campaign manager.
The Trump campaign hasn’t had to worry about money, with the president pulling in more than $700 million so far this cycle.
“The Trump campaign never skipped a beat” when the emphasis shifted to digital, Lara Trump said.
And now the president wants to return to a conventional travel schedule. He travels next on Thursday to Pennsylvania, and aides say he wants to travel at least once a week.
Biden, meanwhile, is “anxious to go out and campaign” but is staying home “to set an example … with this health and economic crisis.”
“This is not politics,” Biden said. “This is life.”
• Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Julie Pace and Will Weissert contributed from Washington.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--California State University campuses staying closed for fall

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California State University will hold most fall classes online and leave classrooms closed , Chancellor Timothy White announced Tuesday .
Retaining the current closures is necessary because of unknowns about the coronavirus pandemic and how it will play out in coming months , White said in a statement .
“ A course that might begin in a face-to-face modality would likely have to be switched to a virtual format during the term if a serious second wave of the pandemic occurs , as forecast , ” he said .
Cal State and University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March because of the COVID-19 outbreak .
Many other college systems around the country also closed their doors and now are trying to determine whether they can safely reopen at least some of their classrooms .
But White told the Cal State Board of Trustees that the 23-campus system must consider the health and safety of students .
“ Our university when open without restrictions and fully in person … is a place where over 500,000 people come together in close and vibrant proximity , ” he told trustees , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sadly just isn ’ t in the cards now.
” A few exceptions will be made for instruction and research that must be done in person , such as training for clinical nursing and maritime students and use of science labs and art facilities .
But the studies must be judged “ indispensable ” and have virus safety measures in place , White said .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California State University will hold most fall classes online and leave classrooms closed, Chancellor Timothy White announced Tuesday.
Retaining the current closures is necessary because of unknowns about the coronavirus pandemic and how it will play out in coming months, White said in a statement.
“A course that might begin in a face-to-face modality would likely have to be switched to a virtual format during the term if a serious second wave of the pandemic occurs, as forecast,” he said.
Cal State and University of California campuses have been closed since March because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Many other college systems around the country also closed their doors and now are trying to determine whether they can safely reopen at least some of their classrooms.
But White told the Cal State Board of Trustees that the 23-campus system must consider the health and safety of students.
“Our university when open without restrictions and fully in person … is a place where over 500,000 people come together in close and vibrant proximity,” he told trustees, according to the Los Angeles Times. “That approach sadly just isn’t in the cards now.”
A few exceptions will be made for instruction and research that must be done in person, such as training for clinical nursing and maritime students and use of science labs and art facilities. But the studies must be judged “indispensable” and have virus safety measures in place, White said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--2 suspects fleeing police crash into car, killing woman

ORLANDO , Fla. ( AP ) - A car carrying two men suspected of a fatal shooting in Daytona Beach crashed into a car while feeling police in Orlando on Tuesday , killing a woman , police said .
The car was driving recklessly as it fled police , Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolón said during a news conference .
Police tried to disable the vehicle with stop sticks , but it got away .
The woman , who was in her 70s , died in the crash , the Orlando Sentinel reported .
“ The point here is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Rolón said during the news conference .
“ These individuals elected to elude the officers , and in the process took the life of an innocent person.
” In Daytona Beach , police Chief Craig Capri said one of the men in the car , was a person of interest in a fatal shooting Monday night .
He said the other man was believed to be at that shooting scene , which “ appears to be narcotics-related.
” The 2019 Kia the pair drove was spotted on surveillance video in Daytona Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was spotted Monday night in Orlando by automated license plate reader cameras .
Officers spotted the vehicle on Tuesday while reviewing the notifications , Rolón said .
“ They did not initiate a traffic stop , but in the process , the individual began to elude the officers , ” Rolón said .
Multiple charges are pending against the men , said Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Montes .

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A car carrying two men suspected of a fatal shooting in Daytona Beach crashed into a car while feeling police in Orlando on Tuesday, killing a woman, police said.
The car was driving recklessly as it fled police, Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolón said during a news conference.
Police tried to disable the vehicle with stop sticks, but it got away.
The woman, who was in her 70s, died in the crash, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
“The point here is that this could have all been avoided,” Rolón said during the news conference. “These individuals elected to elude the officers, and in the process took the life of an innocent person.”
In Daytona Beach, police Chief Craig Capri said one of the men in the car, was a person of interest in a fatal shooting Monday night. He said the other man was believed to be at that shooting scene, which “appears to be narcotics-related.”
The 2019 Kia the pair drove was spotted on surveillance video in Daytona Beach shooting, Capri said.
The car was spotted Monday night in Orlando by automated license plate reader cameras. Officers spotted the vehicle on Tuesday while reviewing the notifications, Rolón said.
“They did not initiate a traffic stop, but in the process, the individual began to elude the officers,” Rolón said.
Multiple charges are pending against the men, said Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Montes.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--AP Courtside: Last day of phone arguments is about electors

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The Supreme Court is holding two weeks of arguments by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic , hearing cases about President Donald Trump ’ s tax records , contraceptive care mandates and religious education disputes , with audio available live to audiences around the world .
The court has heard five days of arguments that had been postponed because of the coronavirus .
Wednesday is the final day .
Decisions are expected by early summer .
Some observations , trivia and analysis from our Supreme Court reporters ( all times local ) : Wednesday is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court .
Two cases center on presidential electors and whether they must support the popular vote winners in their states or can opt for someone else .
The voting issue could have important consequences for the 2020 presidential election in an era of intense political polarization .
So-called faithless electors have not been critical to the outcome of a presidential election , but that could change in a contest with a razor-thin margin .
In 1915 , Oregon became the first state to require presidential electors to pledge to support the nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 32 states and Washington , D.C. , have laws restricting electors ’ votes .
But 19 of those states and D.C. don ’ t attach specific consequences to breaking the law .
Follow AP ’ s Supreme Court Twitter feed at https : //twitter.com/AP_Courtside .
And Supreme Court reporters Mark Sherman at https : //twitter.com/shermancourt and Jessica Gresko at https : //twitter.com/jessicagresko .

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court is holding two weeks of arguments by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic, hearing cases about President Donald Trump’s tax records, contraceptive care mandates and religious education disputes, with audio available live to audiences around the world.
The court has heard several days of arguments that had been postponed because of the coronavirus. Wednesday is the sixth and final day. Decisions are expected by early summer.
Some observations, trivia and analysis from our Supreme Court reporters (all times local):
11:20 a.m.
The Supreme Court justices have invoked fears of bribery and chaos to suggest they think states can require presidential electors to back their states’ popular vote winner in the Electoral College.
That’s the major takeaway from the first round of arguments by telephone Wednesday, dealing with whether electors are bound to choose the person who won the popular vote. The first case heard involves three Washington state electors who in 2016 voted for Colin Powell for president rather than the state’s vote winner, Hillary Clinton. Those electors were fined $1,000.
After a short break the justices are hearing the second case, which is about the same topic.
The second case involves Colorado elector Micheal Baca. In 2016, he voted for John Kasich rather than Hillary Clinton, who won the state’s popular vote. Baca was removed as an elector as a result. He and two other electors sued.
___
11 a.m.
The attorneys speaking before the Supreme Court on its last scheduled day of phone arguments include a law school professor and a state solicitor general.
The cases Wednesday center on whether an elector must choose the candidate who won the popular vote in a state or can choose another candidate. They involve electors in Washington and Colorado who didn’t vote for 2016 vote winner Hillary Clinton.
Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig is representing Washington electors in Wednesday’s arguments, taking place by phone because of the coronavirus.
Lessig favors broad reforms to voting, redistricting and the way campaigns are funded. Lessig briefly sought the 2016 Democratic nomination and called for presidential electors to support Clinton because she won the national popular vote four years ago.
Washington state Solicitor General Noah Purcell addressed the court after Lessig. Purcell previously argued against President Donald Trump’s travel ban.
___
10 a.m.
The Supreme Court has started the final day of arguments it has scheduled to hear by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic. Wednesday’s cases are about electors who vote for the president.
Over the past two weeks, the court has heard five other days of telephone arguments. On Tuesday it heard the biggest cases, involving President Donald Trump’s tax returns.
The cases Wednesday center on whether an elector must choose the candidate who won the popular vote in a state or can choose another candidate. They involve electors in Washington and Colorado who didn’t vote for 2016 vote winner Hillary Clinton.
Arguments are scheduled to last two hours. The court has again urged lawyers to use a landline, not a cellphone. The justices ask questions in order of seniority, after Chief Justice John Roberts goes first.
The phone arguments have gone smoothly, even when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg participated from a Baltimore hospital room last week and Justice Stephen Breyer was briefly kicked off the line. The audio has been made available live to audiences around the world.
___
9 a.m.
The first case before the Supreme Court in Wednesday’s phone arguments involves three Washington state electors who in 2016 voted for Colin Powell for president rather than the state’s vote winner, Hillary Clinton.
The second case involves Colorado elector Micheal Baca. In 2016, he voted for John Kasich rather than Clinton, who won the state’s popular vote. Baca was removed as an elector as a result. He and two other electors sued.
Wednesday is the last day scheduled for arguments to be heard by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic. The audio has been made available live to audiences around the world.
On Tuesday, the court heard arguments in two cases involving President Donald Trump’s bid to keep his tax, bank and other financial records private.
___
8 a.m.
Wednesday is final day for telephone arguments at the Supreme Court. Two cases center on presidential electors and whether they must support the popular vote winners in their states or can opt for someone else.
The voting issue could have important consequences for the 2020 presidential election in an era of intense political polarization. So-called faithless electors have not been critical to the outcome of a presidential election, but that could change in a contest with a razor-thin margin.
In 1915, Oregon became the first state to require presidential electors to pledge to support the nominee of the electors’ party. Today, 32 states and Washington, D.C., have laws restricting electors’ votes. But 19 of those states and D.C. don’t attach specific consequences to breaking the law.
___
Follow AP’s Supreme Court Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/AP_Courtside. And Supreme Court reporters Mark Sherman at https://twitter.com/shermancourt and Jessica Gresko at https://twitter.com/jessicagresko.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Aberdeen's 3M plant adds space, workers for mask production

ABERDEEN , S.D .
( AP ) - Abderdeen ’ s 3M plant is expanding and adding more employees as @ @ @ @ @ N95 respirators for the coronavirus pandemic .
3M was recently awarded two U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ N95 respirator masks .
That means 3M will add 120,000 square feet ( 11,148 square @ @ @ @ @ facility .
Plant manager Andy Rehder tells Aberdeen America News 100 additional workers will be @ @ @ @ @ with hiring taking place over the next two or three months .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ hard work of our employees here in Aberdeen as they ’ ve helped produce critical @ @ @ @ @ first responders fighting against COVID-19 , ” Rehder said .
“ The expansion of our @ @ @ @ @ do even more to support public health needs during these challenging times.
” 3M says @ @ @ @ @ it ramped up production of respirators and doubled its global output to about 1 billion @ @ @ @ @ million N95 respirators per month in the U.S .

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - Abderdeen’s 3M plant is expanding and adding more employees as it ramps up production of N95 masks for the coronavirus pandemic.
3M was recently awarded two U.S. Department of Defense contracts to make more N95 masks. That means 3M will add 120,000 square feet (11,148 square meters) to the Aberdeen facility.
Plant manager Andy Rehder tells Aberdeen America News 100 additional workers will be needed for the expanded production with hiring taking place over the next two or three months.
“We’re extremely grateful for the hard work of our employees here in Aberdeen as they’ve helped produce critical supplies for healthcare workers and first responders fighting against COVID-19,” Rehder said. “The expansion of our Aberdeen plant will help 3M do even more to support public health needs during these challenging times.”
3M says that beginning in January, it ramped up production of N95 masks and doubled its global output to about 1 billion per year, including 35 million N95 masks per month in the U.S.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Maryland man pleads guilty to tying up, killing pit bull

ELLICOTT CITY , Md .
( AP ) - A Maryland man accused of cutting a pit bull ’ s throat and tying the dog to a tree was sentenced to one year in jail , prosecutors said Tuesday .
Corey Markus Jones , 27 , pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated animal cruelty and was ordered to complete three years of supervised probation as well as undergo mental health treatment , news outlets quoted the Howard County State ’ s Attorney ’ s Office as saying .
Police were called to a neighborhood in Ellicott City on Dec. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area , which led them to the pit bull ’ s body , the agency said at the time .
Jones was accused of slashing the animal ’ s neck and leaving it tied up .
The dog had struggled to free itself before dying from its injuries , police said .
Investigators determined the pit bull was being cared for by friends of the owner in a nearby apartment and that Jones had recently been staying there .
Officers found him hiding in the bathtub , the police statement said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he can not have animals in his residence and can not have contact with the dog ’ s owner , news outlets reported .

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) - A Maryland man accused of cutting a pit bull’s throat and tying the dog to a tree was sentenced to one year in jail, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Corey Markus Jones, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated animal cruelty and was ordered to complete three years of supervised probation as well as undergo mental health treatment, news outlets quoted the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office as saying.
Police were called to a neighborhood in Ellicott City on Dec. 30 for a report of blood in the area, which led them to the pit bull’s body, the agency said at the time. Jones was accused of slashing the animal’s neck and leaving it tied up. The dog had struggled to free itself before dying from its injuries, police said.
Investigators determined the pit bull was being cared for by friends of the owner in a nearby apartment and that Jones had recently been staying there. Officers found him hiding in the bathtub, the police statement said.
Under the terms of Jones’ sentence, he cannot have animals in his residence and cannot have contact with the dog’s owner, news outlets reported.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--EU official warns of extremists exploiting virus outbreak

BERLIN ( AP ) - The European Union ’ s counterterrorism official is warning that the coronavirus pandemic is being used by extremists as an opportunity to spread their message and could be exploited to carry out attacks .
In a confidential briefing to member nations obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press , Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove cautioned that right-wing extremists and Islamic militants “ could view attacks on medical personnel and facilities as highly effective , because these would generate a massive shock in society.
” He noted that in the U.S. , the FBI in March shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrest him for plotting to blow up a hospital treating COVID-19 patients , after initially considering an attack on an African-American school , mosque or synagogue .
From past experience , he said it ’ s known that “ terrorists and violent extremists , aiming to change societies and governmental systems through violence , seek to exploit major crises to achieve their objectives ” .
De Kerchove noted that the Islamic State group , for example , emerged after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and then gained strength during the Arab Spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are paying “ extensive attention ” to the pandemic , blaming governments and “ the capitalist system as a whole ” for it , saying politicians have underfunded health care services , de Kerchove wrote in the analysis provided to EU member nations on May 7 and first reported Wednesday by Germany ’ s Die Zeit newspaper ’ s online edition .
IS has “ incited its supporters in the West to take advantage of the current crisis to stage attacks , ” but so far there has been no uptick in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most extremists seem to be using the crisis for propaganda purposes , taking advantage of the fact that with lockdown measures people are spending more time online than usual .
“ To increase their support base , violent extremists use people ’ s insecurities , vulnerabilities and grievances , creating a simple narrative which ‘ explains ’ problems by blaming outsiders , ” de Kerchove wrote .
“ ’ Infidels ’ or ‘ apostates ’ serve as scapegoats for jihadists , members of ethnic and religious minority groups for right-wing extremists , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ for left-wing extremists .
”

BERLIN (AP) - The European Union’s counterterrorism official is warning that the coronavirus pandemic is being used by extremists as an opportunity to spread their message and could be exploited to carry out attacks.
In a confidential briefing to member nations obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove cautioned that right-wing extremists and Islamic militants “could view attacks on medical personnel and facilities as highly effective, because these would generate a massive shock in society.”
He noted that in the U.S., the FBI in March shot and killed a white supremacist while trying to arrest him for plotting to blow up a hospital treating COVID-19 patients, after initially considering an attack on an African-American school, mosque or synagogue.
From past experience, he said it’s known that “terrorists and violent extremists, aiming to change societies and governmental systems through violence, seek to exploit major crises to achieve their objectives”.
De Kerchove noted that the Islamic State group, for example, emerged after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and then gained strength during the Arab Spring uprisings.
In Europe, left-wing extremists are paying “extensive attention” to the pandemic, blaming governments and “the capitalist system as a whole” for it, saying politicians have underfunded health care services, de Kerchove wrote in the analysis provided to EU member nations on May 7 and first reported Wednesday by Germany’s Die Zeit newspaper’s online edition.
IS has “incited its supporters in the West to take advantage of the current crisis to stage attacks,” but so far there has been no uptick in any violence, he said.
Currently, most extremists seem to be using the crisis for propaganda purposes, taking advantage of the fact that with lockdown measures people are spending more time online than usual.
“To increase their support base, violent extremists use people’s insecurities, vulnerabilities and grievances, creating a simple narrative which ‘explains’ problems by blaming outsiders,” de Kerchove wrote.
“’Infidels’ or ‘apostates’ serve as scapegoats for jihadists, members of ethnic and religious minority groups for right-wing extremists, and ‘class enemies’ and ‘capitalists’ for left-wing extremists.”
_____
Frank Jordans contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--9-year-old boy in Tennessee catches 80-pound lake sturgeon

HENDERSONVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - A nine-year-old boy in Tennessee became the third child in his family to catch a monster fish , reeling in an 80-pound sturgeon that outweighed him by far .
Coye Price was eager to catch something big after his 11-year-old sister Caitlin hooked a 40-pound striper and his 8-year-old sister Farrah reeled in a 58-pound blue catfish a while back , the Tennessee Wildlife and Resource Agency said Tuesday in a Facebook post .
“ Coye had been saying , ‘ Man , I don ’ t have nothing on these girls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big fish , ’ ” Coye ’ s father , Chris , told the Tennessean .
“ So not only did he catch a bigger fish than they had , but sturgeon are rare , which is the other cool part about it.
” Coye , who weighs just 55-pounds , was targeting catfish in Old Hickory Lake before he hooked the sturgeon .
It took him 15 minutes to get the fish in the boat , where they weighed it and took some pictures before returning it to the water , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some of the largest and longest-living fish in Tennessee , the state ’ s wildlife agency said .
There have been efforts to restore the species , which can grow up to eight feet and live up to 150 years , after their population declined due to reasons including overfishing and habitat loss .
The agency said more than 220,000 lake sturgeon have been stocked into the Cumberland River and portions of the Tennessee River since 2000 .

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A nine-year-old boy in Tennessee became the third child in his family to catch a monster fish, reeling in an 80-pound sturgeon that outweighed him by far.
Coye Price was eager to catch something big after his 11-year-old sister Caitlin hooked a 40-pound striper and his 8-year-old sister Farrah reeled in a 58-pound blue catfish a while back, the Tennessee Wildlife and Resource Agency said Tuesday in a Facebook post.
“Coye had been saying, ‘Man, I don’t have nothing on these girls, I’ve got to catch a big fish,’” Coye’s father, Chris, told the Tennessean. “So not only did he catch a bigger fish than they had, but sturgeon are rare, which is the other cool part about it.”
Coye, who weighs just 55-pounds, was targeting catfish in Old Hickory Lake before he hooked the sturgeon. It took him 15 minutes to get the fish in the boat, where they weighed it and took some pictures before returning it to the water, the Tennessean reported.
The endangered lake sturgeon are some of the largest and longest-living fish in Tennessee, the state’s wildlife agency said. There have been efforts to restore the species, which can grow up to eight feet and live up to 150 years, after their population declined due to reasons including overfishing and habitat loss.
The agency said more than 220,000 lake sturgeon have been stocked into the Cumberland River and portions of the Tennessee River since 2000.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Eric Garcetti, L.A. mayor: 'We're not moving beyond COVID-19, we're learning to live with it'

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday said “ we ’ re not moving beyond COVID-19 ” but “ learning to live with it ” a day after a top county health official said local stay-at-home orders could remain in place for another three months .
“ I think we all have to recognize that we ’ re not moving beyond COVID-19 — we ’ re learning to live with it , ” Mr. Garcetti said on ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America.
” “ It ’ s important not to overreact , but it ’ s important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as dangerous today as it was the first day that it arrived in our cities and our country , ” he said .
California is among many states in the process of relaxing some of its coronavirus-related business restrictions , but Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said on Tuesday that the county ’ s stay-at-home orders will likely be extended for the next three months .
“ Quite frankly , there ’ s no so-called open state or open country that doesn ’ t continue to have health orders telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance , and to tell people that your safest working from and staying at home , ” Mr. Garcetti said .
“ That ’ s all that the county health director was saying , and we can ’ t expect that to disappear in a matter of weeks or even a few months , ” he said .

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday said “we’re not moving beyond COVID-19” but “learning to live with it” a day after a top county health official said local stay-at-home orders could remain in place for another three months.
“I think we all have to recognize that we’re not moving beyond COVID-19 — we’re learning to live with it,” Mr. Garcetti said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
“It’s important not to overreact, but it’s important to take this seriously because it’s as dangerous today as it was the first day that it arrived in our cities and our country,” he said.
California is among many states in the process of relaxing some of its coronavirus-related business restrictions, but Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said on Tuesday that the county’s stay-at-home orders will likely be extended for the next three months.
“Quite frankly, there’s no so-called open state or open country that doesn’t continue to have health orders telling us to cover our faces, physically distance, and to tell people that your safest working from and staying at home,” Mr. Garcetti said.
“That’s all that the county health director was saying, and we can’t expect that to disappear in a matter of weeks or even a few months,” he said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-13--Lebanon to reinstate total lockdown amid spike in infections

BEIRUT ( AP ) - Lebanese rushed to food stores to stock up on vegetables and basic items , hours before the government was to reinstate a four-day nationwide lockdown on Wednesday , following a spike in reported coronavirus cases .
The government called on the public to stay home , starting Wednesday evening and until dawn on Monday , reversing measures earlier this month that phased out restrictions imposed since mid-March .
The new shutdown is a rare reversal and comes as many countries , seeking to balance economic and health care needs , have started easing restrictions despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will close down after they partially opened 10 days ago , and food deliveries will be halted altogether .
The country ’ s top Sunni Muslim cleric announced that communal Friday prayers in mosques will also be halted , only a week after they were allowed to resume at limited capacity .
The public health crisis comes at a particularly turbulent period for Lebanon .
The country is facing an unprecedented economic and financial crisis , putting pressure on a population that is seeing its savings erode .
The currency , pegged at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1997 , has lost 60 % of its value in a few weeks .
Unemployment had been rising even before the coronavirus restrictions as economic growth and investment dropped .
Officials say 45 % of the population now lives in poverty .
The government has asked the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance , and talks over the rescue plan are due to begin with the IMF later Wednesday .
Lebanon began a phased-out plan to relax a national lockdown late last month that allowed small businesses to reopen , and shortened a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of single-digit cases detected , there was a spike in reported infections this week , including among Lebanese returning home during repatriation programs who did not observe quarantine measures .
Lebanon , a country of just over 5 million , has so far been able to contain the virus , recording only 870 infections , including 117 repatriated Lebanese , and 26 deaths after imposing early lockdown measures and strictly implementing restriction on movement .
But over the last few days , government and health officials criticized carelessness and lax implementation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , warning that the relaxation of restrictions would be reconsidered .
Meanwhile , Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it will go into a full lockdown during the days of celebration that follow the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan .
The Interior Ministry said the lockdown would be in effect from May 23 through May 27 - days mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday that comes at the end of Ramadan .
That holiday typically sees families invite loved ones over for meals and go out to eat and drink during the day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ federation of seven sheikhdoms , said it will offer free coronavirus testing for all citizens , beginning next week .
Foreigners in the country with coronavirus symptoms , pregnant women , those over 50 and those in contact with those who fell ill with COVID-19 also will be among those able to be tested for free .
Private beaches at hotels also are beginning to reopen in Dubai , even as the number of confirmed cases and deaths continue to rise in the country .
In Tehran , mosques temporarily reopened Tuesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special night of prayers in Ramadan .
A mosque at Tehran university campus in central Tehran hosted worshippers for the “ Qadr , ” or ‘ ‘ Night of Destiny , ” a special night of prayers in the Muslim holy month .
Officials in Iran had closed down all mosques and holy sites across the country in mid-March , at the height of the coronavirus outbreak , to lower the risk of the contagion .
The virus has killed more than 6,700 people and infected more than 110,000 people in Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is feeling great tonight .
It has been a tough time especially for mosque-goers and those who love praying , ” said Reza Abbasi , a worshipper who was praying along with his family on the campus of Tehran university .
Upon entering the campus , a group of medical students disinfected hands and shoes of worshippers and gave away face masks .
Worshippers also had their body temperatures taken by infrared thermometers .
Spots were marked on the mosque floor for worshippers to sit down while practicing proper physical distancing .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jon Gambrell in Dubai , the United Arab Emirates ; Mohammad Nasiri and Mohsen Ganji in Tehran , Iran , contributed to this report .

BEIRUT (AP) - Lebanese rushed to food stores to stock up on vegetables and basic items, hours before the government was to reinstate a four-day nationwide lockdown on Wednesday, following a spike in reported coronavirus cases.
The government called on the public to stay home, starting Wednesday evening and until dawn on Monday, reversing measures earlier this month that phased out restrictions imposed since mid-March.
The new shutdown is a rare reversal and comes as many countries, seeking to balance economic and health care needs, have started easing restrictions despite grave concerns of a setback.
Restaurants will close down after they partially opened 10 days ago, and food deliveries will be halted altogether. The country’s top Sunni Muslim cleric announced that communal Friday prayers in mosques will also be halted, only a week after they were allowed to resume at limited capacity.
The public health crisis comes at a particularly turbulent period for Lebanon. The country is facing an unprecedented economic and financial crisis, putting pressure on a population that is seeing its savings erode. The currency, pegged at a fixed rate to the dollar since 1997, has lost 60% of its value in a few weeks.
Unemployment had been rising even before the coronavirus restrictions as economic growth and investment dropped. Officials say 45% of the population now lives in poverty. The government has asked the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance, and talks over the rescue plan are due to begin with the IMF later Wednesday.
Lebanon began a phased-out plan to relax a national lockdown late last month that allowed small businesses to reopen, and shortened a nighttime curfew.
But after a few days of single-digit cases detected, there was a spike in reported infections this week, including among Lebanese returning home during repatriation programs who did not observe quarantine measures.
Lebanon, a country of just over 5 million, has so far been able to contain the virus, recording only 870 infections, including 117 repatriated Lebanese, and 26 deaths after imposing early lockdown measures and strictly implementing restriction on movement.
But over the last few days, government and health officials criticized carelessness and lax implementation of social distancing and other restrictions among the public, warning that the relaxation of restrictions would be reconsidered.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it will go into a full lockdown during the days of celebration that follow the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.
The Interior Ministry said the lockdown would be in effect from May 23 through May 27 - days mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday that comes at the end of Ramadan. That holiday typically sees families invite loved ones over for meals and go out to eat and drink during the day.
And the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, said it will offer free coronavirus testing for all citizens, beginning next week. Foreigners in the country with coronavirus symptoms, pregnant women, those over 50 and those in contact with those who fell ill with COVID-19 also will be among those able to be tested for free.
Private beaches at hotels also are beginning to reopen in Dubai, even as the number of confirmed cases and deaths continue to rise in the country.
In Tehran, mosques temporarily reopened Tuesday night after about two months closure, for a special night of prayers in Ramadan.
A mosque at Tehran university campus in central Tehran hosted worshippers for the “Qadr,” or ‘‘Night of Destiny,” a special night of prayers in the Muslim holy month.
Officials in Iran had closed down all mosques and holy sites across the country in mid-March, at the height of the coronavirus outbreak, to lower the risk of the contagion. The virus has killed more than 6,700 people and infected more than 110,000 people in Iran so far.
“Obviously, everyone is feeling great tonight. It has been a tough time especially for mosque-goers and those who love praying, ” said Reza Abbasi, a worshipper who was praying along with his family on the campus of Tehran university.
Upon entering the campus, a group of medical students disinfected hands and shoes of worshippers and gave away face masks. Worshippers also had their body temperatures taken by infrared thermometers. Spots were marked on the mosque floor for worshippers to sit down while practicing proper physical distancing.
___
Associated Press writer Zeina Karam in Beirut; Jon Gambrell in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates; Mohammad Nasiri and Mohsen Ganji in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.