washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Portugal's armed forces help nursing homes battle the virus

AMADORA , Portugal ( AP ) - Tears well up in Diana Correia ’ s eyes as she recalls the October day that 24 of the 55 residents of her nursing home in Portugal tested positive for COVID-19 .
The stunning discovery set off a scramble to enact the home ’ s contingency plan and stiffen safety procedures .
With some staff sent into isolation , others worked double shifts of up to 16 hours in full protective equipment , leaving them lathered in sweat and bone-weary .
Some of the home ’ s residents , suddenly confined to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chafed at restrictions , even trying to take the elevator and escape confinement .
“ They were hard times , ” Correia says , trying hard to keep her composure .
“ Very hard times.
” As a resurgence of the pandemic in the fall looked set to overwhelm Portuguese nursing homes like Correia ’ s , and the country ’ s public health service struggled to cope , the government mobilized all the resources it could .
That included deploying military units .
The soldiers ’ mission : fan out across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes and help shore up their defenses against the pandemic .
Long-term care facilities have proven vulnerable worldwide during the pandemic .
The age of their residents , their physical closeness inside what is essentially a large house , and the residents ’ underlying health problems put them in peril .
On top of that , nursing home staff in Portugal commonly work in several different care homes and travel between them on public transport .
Noting that international data on nursing home COVID-19 deaths is “ imperfect and limited , ” a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Long-term Care Policy Network , which includes scientific researchers , found in October that those homes ’ average share of coronavirus deaths was around 46 % .
The European Centre for Disease Control , an EU agency that monitors 31 countries , said the same month that up to 66 % of all fatal COVID-19 cases have been among nursing home residents .
By that measure , Portugal hasn ’ t fared badly .
Care home deaths through Dec. 14 accounted for 30 % of the country ’ s COVID-19 fatalities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press .
At the end of September , fearing a calamity , the Portuguese government sent a distress call to its military .
As well as helping with contact tracing , disinfecting buildings and providing beds for hundreds of virus patients at military hospitals , the armed forces were now being asked to buttress nursing home protections .
Dr. Maria Salazar , a physician and a colonel in the Portuguese Air Force , swiftly drew up a nationwide program to train care home staff at their workplace .
The program also ensures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need in almost daily online Q & A ; sessions with doctors , nurses and pharmacists .
Within a week , the program was launched , coordinated from the CECOM military operations command center near Lisbon .
About 140 teams of one to three people , taken from the Portuguese Army , Navy and Air Force , have traveled across the country since early October .
They have already been to more than half of the targeted 2,770 care homes .
Salazar , a 49-year-old gastroenterologist , says the military presence is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were spooked by the virus threat and desperately short of medical know-how .
“ Suddenly , all these staff … felt like they didn ’ t know what they were doing and they were scared to death , ” Salazar says .
At the root of some muddled decision-making was , simply , fear .
“ We ’ ve identified that very clearly , ” she says .
In a first phase , troops go in person to the nursing homes and give talks with slideshows that go through the rudimentary rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
It ’ s COVID-19 101 .
Correia , the technical director of an AFID charitable association nursing home in Amadora , just north of Lisbon , acknowledges it ’ s nothing her staff haven ’ t heard many times before .
The difference is who the instructions are coming from .
“ It ’ s a voice from the outside , a military voice with all the weight that carries , ” she says .
In a recent afternoon session at the AFID home , 10 of Correia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Silva , from the No .
2 Lancers Regiment , whose barracks are nearby .
Wearing military fatigues , a beret and an olive-green face mask , Silva asked his audience how many times they had washed their hands that day .
A man sitting at the front said four .
Silva was unimpressed : “ Friend , I ’ ve done at least double that , ” he said .
The benefits of the military presence are as much psychological as practical , says 38-year-old Correia .
“ We feel like someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ It ’ s not just us who are concerned .
”

AMADORA, Portugal (AP) - Tears well up in Diana Correia’s eyes as she recalls the October day that 24 of the 55 residents of her nursing home in Portugal tested positive for COVID-19.
The stunning discovery set off a scramble to enact the home’s contingency plan and stiffen safety procedures. With some staff sent into isolation, others worked double shifts of up to 16 hours in full protective equipment, leaving them lathered in sweat and bone-weary. Some of the home’s residents, suddenly confined to their rooms or their floor, were bewildered and chafed at restrictions, even trying to take the elevator and escape confinement.
“They were hard times,” Correia says, trying hard to keep her composure. “Very hard times.”
As a resurgence of the pandemic in the fall looked set to overwhelm Portuguese nursing homes like Correia’s, and the country’s public health service struggled to cope, the government mobilized all the resources it could. That included deploying military units.
The soldiers’ mission: fan out across the country to visit hundreds of nursing homes and help shore up their defenses against the pandemic.
Long-term care facilities have proven vulnerable worldwide during the pandemic. The age of their residents, their physical closeness inside what is essentially a large house, and the residents’ underlying health problems put them in peril. On top of that, nursing home staff in Portugal commonly work in several different care homes and travel between them on public transport.
Noting that international data on nursing home COVID-19 deaths is “imperfect and limited,” a study of 21 countries by the London-based International Long-term Care Policy Network, which includes scientific researchers, found in October that those homes’ average share of coronavirus deaths was around 46%.
The European Centre for Disease Control, an EU agency that monitors 31 countries, said the same month that up to 66% of all fatal COVID-19 cases have been among nursing home residents.
By that measure, Portugal hasn’t fared badly. Care home deaths through Dec. 14 accounted for 30% of the country’s COVID-19 fatalities, the General Directorate for Health told The Associated Press.
On Friday, Portugal’s total deaths reached almost 6,000.
At the end of September, fearing a calamity, the Portuguese government sent a distress call to its military. As well as helping with contact tracing, disinfecting buildings and providing beds for hundreds of virus patients at military hospitals, the armed forces were now being asked to buttress nursing home protections.
Dr. Maria Salazar, a physician and a colonel in the Portuguese Air Force, swiftly drew up a nationwide program to train care home staff at their workplace. The program also ensures the staff get the specific medical advice they need in almost daily online Q&A sessions with doctors, nurses and pharmacists.
Within a week, the program was launched, coordinated from the CECOM military operations command center near Lisbon.
About 140 teams of one to three people, taken from the Portuguese Army, Navy and Air Force, have traveled across the country since early October. They have already been to more than half of the targeted 2,770 care homes.
Salazar, a 49-year-old gastroenterologist, says the military presence is reassuring for nursing home staff and residents who were spooked by the virus threat and desperately short of medical know-how.
“Suddenly, all these staff … felt like they didn’t know what they were doing and they were scared to death,” Salazar says.
At the root of some muddled decision-making was, simply, fear. “We’ve identified that very clearly,” she says.
In a first phase, troops go in person to the nursing homes and give talks with slideshows that go through the rudimentary rules of cooking, laundry, cleaning and social distancing. It’s COVID-19 101.
Correia, the technical director of an AFID charitable association nursing home in Amadora, just north of Lisbon, acknowledges it’s nothing her staff haven’t heard many times before. The difference is who the instructions are coming from.
“It’s a voice from the outside, a military voice with all the weight that carries,” she says.
In a recent afternoon session at the AFID home, 10 of Correia’s staff listened intently to Sgt. Ari Silva, from the No. 2 Lancers Regiment, whose barracks are nearby. Wearing military fatigues, a beret and an olive-green face mask, Silva asked his audience how many times they had washed their hands that day. A man sitting at the front said four.
Silva was unimpressed: “Friend, I’ve done at least double that,” he said.
The benefits of the military presence are as much psychological as practical, says 38-year-old Correia.
“We feel like someone outside of here feels concern for us,” she said. “It’s not just us who are concerned.”
____
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Friday Sports in Brief

Friday Sports in Brief

The National Hockey League and players reached a tentative deal Friday to hold a 56-game season in 2021 beginning Jan. 13 , pending the approval of each side ’ s executive board and Canadian health officials .
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the sides have an agreement , pending the approval of various executive boards .
The NHL Players ’ Association ’ s board is meeting Friday night to discuss it , while the league ’ s Board of Governors could vote on the plan as soon as this weekend .
Approval from health officials in the five Canadian provinces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NHL can go ahead with the season .
Training camps for the seven non-playoff teams would open Dec. 31 and then Jan. 3 for the other 24 teams .
The San Francisco 49ers will finish out the regular season practicing and playing home games in Arizona after a ban on contact sorts in their home county was extended into January .
The Niners relocated to Arizona at the beginning of December after Santa Clara County announced a three-week ban on contact sports games and practices to help slow the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be lifted on Dec. 21 but now has been extended until at least Jan. 8 , meaning San Francisco ’ s home game Jan. 3 against Seattle will be played in Arizona .
NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - Saints record-setting quarterback Drew Brees “ looked good ” in his first practices since returning from rib fractures and a punctured lung , and is slated to start against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday , coach Sean Payton said .
Brees has missed four games since his injury , which occurred when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taysom Hill has started in Brees ’ place , going 3-1 .
ATLANTA ( AP ) - Atlanta Hawks first-round pick Onyeka Okongwu will miss at least the first two games of the regular season because of a foot injury .
The team said Friday the 6-foot-9 center from Southern California was continuing his rehabilitation for an inflamed sesamoid bone in his left foot , including modified participation in contact practices .
He has yet to be cleared for full team practices .
Okongwu ’ s condition will be re-evaluated Dec. 28 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opener against Detroit .
SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - The NBA ’ s Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale Friday of the Utah Jazz to a group led by technology entrepreneur Ryan Smith , ending the Miller family ’ s 35-year run as owners of the franchise .
The deal includes Vivint Arena , the team ’ s G League affiliate and management of a Triple-A baseball club .
Part of the sales agreement calls for the team to remain in Utah .
MELBOURNE , Australia ( AP ) - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all players at the Australian Open will be required to quarantine in Melbourne for 14 days before the delayed start of the Feb. 8-21 first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year .
The government said Saturday that quarantine plans have been endorsed by the Chief Health Officer and that it would work with Tennis Australia to finalize a COVID-safe plan that “ ensures the safety of all parties … rigorous infection prevention and control measures will be central to these arrangements.
” Players are expected to arrive in Melbourne from mid-January , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permits them to train for a maximum of five hours per day at Melbourne Park , site of the Australian Open .
CHICAGO ( AP ) - Midfielder Weston McKennie has won the U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award for the pandemic-abbreviated schedule .
McKennie , of Little Elm , Texas , appeared in two of three U.S. games in 2020 , earning man of the match at Wales last month .
At 22 , he is the fourth youngest to win the award behind Christian Pulisic , Landon Donovan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 16 Bundesliga matches for Schalke , then transferred to Juventus and appeared in 13 games in all competitions , including five in the Champions League .
He finished with four goals and two assists in 29 club appearances .
ATLANTA ( AP ) - Hoping to recreate the success of its first coach , Atlanta United hired Argentina ’ s Gabriel Heinze on Friday to manage the Five Stripes , who endured a miserable season just two years after winning the MLS Cup championship .
The 42-year-old Heinze spent the last two-plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s top division .
He will become the fourth head coach in Atlanta United history , succeeding interim coach Stephen Glass .
BERLIN ( AP ) - Youssoufa Moukoko became the Bundesliga ’ s youngest ever goal-scorer on Friday but couldn ’ t prevent Borussia Dortmund losing at Union Berlin 2-1 .
Moukoko , aged 16 years , 28 days , equalized with a fierce strike on the hour-mark for his first goal in his sixth league appearance and on his second start under new Dortmund coach Edin Terzić .
HOLLYWOOD , Fla. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his record 21st defensive of his middleweight titles Friday night , knocking down previously unbeaten Kamil Szeremeta four times before their fight was stopped after the seventh round .
Golovkin ( 41-1-1 , 36 KOs ) surpassed Bernard Hopkins ’ division record for title defenses and retained his IBF and IBO 160-pound belts with a one-sided victory in his first fight in 14 months .
The Kazakh star ended the longest ring absence of his 14-year professional career with a systematic dismantling of Poland ’ s Szeremeta ( 21-1 ) at the Seminole @ @ @ @ @ @

NHL
The National Hockey League and players reached a tentative deal Friday to hold a 56-game season in 2021 beginning Jan. 13, pending the approval of each side’s executive board and Canadian health officials.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the sides have an agreement, pending the approval of various executive boards.
The NHL Players’ Association’s board is meeting Friday night to discuss it, while the league’s Board of Governors could vote on the plan as soon as this weekend. Approval from health officials in the five Canadian provinces that have teams is still needed before the NHL can go ahead with the season.
Training camps for the seven non-playoff teams would open Dec. 31 and then Jan. 3 for the other 24 teams.
NFL
The San Francisco 49ers will finish out the regular season practicing and playing home games in Arizona after a ban on contact sorts in their home county was extended into January.
The Niners relocated to Arizona at the beginning of December after Santa Clara County announced a three-week ban on contact sports games and practices to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. That ban was initially supposed to be lifted on Dec. 21 but now has been extended until at least Jan. 8, meaning San Francisco’s home game Jan. 3 against Seattle will be played in Arizona.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Saints record-setting quarterback Drew Brees “looked good” in his first practices since returning from rib fractures and a punctured lung, and is slated to start against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, coach Sean Payton said.
Brees has missed four games since his injury, which occurred when he was sacked against San Francisco.
Taysom Hill has started in Brees’ place, going 3-1.
NBA
ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Hawks first-round pick Onyeka Okongwu will miss at least the first two games of the regular season because of a foot injury.
The team said Friday the 6-foot-9 center from Southern California was continuing his rehabilitation for an inflamed sesamoid bone in his left foot, including modified participation in contact practices. He has yet to be cleared for full team practices.
Okongwu’s condition will be re-evaluated Dec. 28, the day of the Hawks’ home opener against Detroit.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The NBA’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale Friday of the Utah Jazz to a group led by technology entrepreneur Ryan Smith, ending the Miller family’s 35-year run as owners of the franchise.
The deal includes Vivint Arena, the team’s G League affiliate and management of a Triple-A baseball club. Part of the sales agreement calls for the team to remain in Utah.
TENNIS
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - The Victorian state government has confirmed that all players at the Australian Open will be required to quarantine in Melbourne for 14 days before the delayed start of the Feb. 8-21 first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
The government said Saturday that quarantine plans have been endorsed by the Chief Health Officer and that it would work with Tennis Australia to finalize a COVID-safe plan that “ensures the safety of all parties … rigorous infection prevention and control measures will be central to these arrangements.”
Players are expected to arrive in Melbourne from mid-January, undertaking a mandatory two-week quarantine period that permits them to train for a maximum of five hours per day at Melbourne Park, site of the Australian Open.
SOCCER
CHICAGO (AP) - Midfielder Weston McKennie has won the U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year award for the pandemic-abbreviated schedule.
McKennie, of Little Elm, Texas, appeared in two of three U.S. games in 2020, earning man of the match at Wales last month.
At 22, he is the fourth youngest to win the award behind Christian Pulisic, Landon Donovan and Peter Vermes.
He played in 15 of 16 Bundesliga matches for Schalke, then transferred to Juventus and appeared in 13 games in all competitions, including five in the Champions League. He finished with four goals and two assists in 29 club appearances.
ATLANTA (AP) - Hoping to recreate the success of its first coach, Atlanta United hired Argentina’s Gabriel Heinze on Friday to manage the Five Stripes, who endured a miserable season just two years after winning the MLS Cup championship.
The 42-year-old Heinze spent the last two-plus seasons leading Velez Sarsfield in Argentina’s top division. He will become the fourth head coach in Atlanta United history, succeeding interim coach Stephen Glass.
BERLIN (AP) - Youssoufa Moukoko became the Bundesliga’s youngest ever goal-scorer on Friday but couldn’t prevent Borussia Dortmund losing at Union Berlin 2-1.
Moukoko, aged 16 years, 28 days, equalized with a fierce strike on the hour-mark for his first goal in his sixth league appearance and on his second start under new Dortmund coach Edin Terzić.
BOXING
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) - Gennady Golovkin made his record 21st defensive of his middleweight titles Friday night, knocking down previously unbeaten Kamil Szeremeta four times before their fight was stopped after the seventh round.
Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) surpassed Bernard Hopkins’ division record for title defenses and retained his IBF and IBO 160-pound belts with a one-sided victory in his first fight in 14 months.
The Kazakh star ended the longest ring absence of his 14-year professional career with a systematic dismantling of Poland’s Szeremeta (21-1) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Emails: WHO was warned of fallout over yanked Italy report

ROME ( AP ) - An author of a withdrawn World Health Organization report into Italy ’ s coronavirus response warned his bosses in May that people could die and the U.N. agency could suffer “ catastrophic ” reputational damage if it allowed political concerns to suppress the document , according to emails seen by The Associated Press .
The comprehensive report examined how the Italian government and health system reacted after the country became the epicenter of the European outbreak in late February - with real-time data and case studies of what worked and what didn ’ t aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus spread .
The agency took it down a day after it was posted on its website , prompting the official who coordinated the work to appeal directly to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on May 28 and warn that the report ’ s disappearance was undermining WHO ’ s credibility .
He cautioned that any further attempts at censorship would compromise the agency ’ s independence and its relations with donor nations that funded the research .
The handling of the report could cause a “ scandal of huge proportion - in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency with the forthcoming COVID-19 investigation , ” wrote Francesco Zambon , WHO ’ s chief field coordinator for Italy and its regions during the pandemic .
WHO did not immediately respond to a request , sent late Friday , for comment on Zambon ’ s email to headquarters .
The report , written by Zambon and a team of WHO public health experts and consultants , was posted May 13 after it had received necessary approvals within the U.N. system , according to internal WHO documents seen by AP .
The agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ factual inaccuracies ” that it has not detailed and denied that it received any pressure from the Italian government to remove it .
In the face of criticism that yanking the report deprived countries of data that could have helped them avoid Italy ’ s fate , WHO said Monday that it has offered another “ mechanism ” to assess pandemic responses .
But that wasn ’ t rolled out until two months after the report was pulled .
Concerns over the missing report have grown in recent weeks , fueling criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global response to the pandemic that led the agency to agree to an independent probe of its performance .
The U.N. agency has been loath to publicly criticize countries that are top donors even when their policies could undermine public health .
During the initial stages of the outbreak in January , for example , WHO officials were privately frustrated by the lack of information being shared by China , but publicly lauded the country for its transparency .
As the pandemic gained pace in Europe , WHO scientists internally questioned Britain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested it would pursue “ herd immunity ” - but publicly emphasized their support .
The missing report has cast a spotlight on preparedness in Italy , where Europe ’ s deadliest outbreak unfolded .
In the hard-hit province of Bergamo , prosecutors have seized on it as part of their investigation into what went wrong .
Paradoxically , the report isn ’ t even particularly critical of the Italian government and credited officials for their efforts , praising at one point how they counteracted with data “ sensational displays of disagreement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The text did note that the Italian Health Ministry hadn ’ t updated its influenza pandemic preparedness plan since 2006 .
The 2006 plan was merely “ reconfirmed ” in 2016-2017 without being updated and was “ more theoretical than practical.
” “ Unprepared for such a flood of severely ill patients , the initial reaction of the hospitals was improvised , chaotic and creative , ” the report said .
“ It took some time before formal guidance became available.
” Italy ’ s state-run RAI television investigative “ Report ” program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO official , Raniero Guerra , who worked as a liaison with the Italian government during the pandemic , told Zambon to “ correct ” that Italy ’ s preparedness plan had been “ updated ” in 2016 , even though the 2016 version was identical to the 2006 one .
Guerra had been in charge of prevention in the Italian Health Ministry from 2014 to 2017 , when the plan should have been overhauled .
He himself wrote to the then-health minister saying the plan needed to be updated , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by AP .
WHO has said the Italian government “ at no time ” asked it to remove the report , which it now says it does not endorse .
“ The decision to remove the document from the website was taken by WHO ’ s Regional Office for Europe due to factual inaccuracies , ” WHO said .
Guerra told the Financial Times he didn ’ t interfere .
He added that the 2006 preparedness plan actually didn ’ t need to be updated because no significant flu strains had been identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t relevant to the current pandemic because it was only meant to cover influenza .
The deputy health minister , Pierpaolo Sileri , begged to disagree .
“ That plan was from 2006 and needed to be updated , ” Sileri told the Corriere della Sera paper .
Guerra didn ’ t immediately respond to questions from AP , saying he was traveling .
The emails seen by AP suggest that WHO officials were concerned that the report had upset the Italians , offering rare insight into decision making by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Freedom of Information requests .
In a May 13 email to Zambon , Guerra noted that Italy had just made a 10 million-euro ( $ 12.3 million ) voluntary donation to the WHO , and that negotiations between WHO and Italy for funding the agency ’ s Venice office were about to begin .
“ There are already signs of institutional turmoil from the Italian side and unnecessary resentment against the WHO , ” Guerra wrote to Zambon on May 14 , the day the report was yanked .
A day later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Hans Kluge , wrote to Zambon that the “ key issue ” at stake in the controversy was his relationship with the Italian health minister , Roberto Speranza , who he said had been “ very disappointed ” by the report .
The Italian government , he said , feels “ they are constantly attacked by the press and each word can be misinterpreted .
They felt stepped ( on ) by a friend.
” Kluge said he would propose to Speranza including Italian health officials in a review of the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health ) happy and sign off for Venice , ” he said , referring to the funding for the office .
The ministry told RAI it doesn ’ t consider the report official .
Meanwhile , Zambon was warning Tedros and Kluge that lives were being put at risk around the world by withholding Italy ’ s “ lessons learned.
” “ A large team of experts worked literally days and nights with one motivation : making sure that what happened in Italy is not repeated in those countries behind in time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote Kluge on May 27 .
“ The report contains important messages , extrapolated from facts on what worked ( many things ) and the blind spots of the system.
” A day later , in a message to the WHO chief , Zambon warned of a “ risk of catastrophic damage in terms of independence and transparency if a ‘ censored ’ version of the above mentioned publication is modified , ” as well as “ compromised ” relations with the government of Kuwait , which is one of WHO ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an $ 80 million grant .
AP Medical Writer Maria Cheng in Toronto and writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed .

ROME (AP) - An author of a withdrawn World Health Organization report into Italy’s coronavirus response warned his bosses in May that people could die and the U.N. agency could suffer “catastrophic” reputational damage if it allowed political concerns to suppress the document, according to emails seen by The Associated Press.
The comprehensive report examined how the Italian government and health system reacted after the country became the epicenter of the European outbreak in late February. , with real-time data and case studies of what worked and what didn’t. It was aimed at helping other countries prepare as the virus spread globally, but it hit a sensitive nerve among Italian officials because it noted that Italy went into the crisis with an out-of-date pandemic plan.
The agency took it down a day after it was posted on its website, prompting the official who coordinated the work to appeal directly to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on May 28 and warn that the report’s disappearance was undermining WHO’s credibility. He cautioned that any further attempts at censorship would compromise the agency’s independence and its relations with donor nations that funded the research.
The handling of the report could cause a “scandal of huge proportion - in a delicate moment for the U.N. health agency with the forthcoming COVID-19 investigation,” wrote Francesco Zambon, WHO’s chief field coordinator for Italy and its regions during the pandemic.
In a statement Saturday, WHO said Zambon “expressed his views to many people and they were handled via appropriate channels.”
The report, written by Zambon and a team of WHO public health experts and consultants, was posted May 13 after it had received necessary approvals within the U.N. system, according to internal WHO documents seen by AP. The agency later said it was withdrawn because of “factual inaccuracies” that it has not detailed and denied that it received any pressure from the Italian government to remove it.
In the face of criticism that yanking the report deprived countries of data that could have helped them avoid Italy’s fate, WHO said Monday that it has offered another “mechanism” to assess pandemic responses. But that wasn’t rolled out until two months after the report was pulled.
Concerns over the missing report have grown in recent weeks, fueling criticism of WHO’s leadership of the global response to the pandemic that led the agency to agree to an independent probe of its performance.
The U.N. agency has been loath to publicly criticize countries that are top donors even when their policies could undermine public health.
During the initial stages of the outbreak in January, for example, WHO officials were privately frustrated by the lack of information being shared by China, but publicly lauded the country for its transparency. As the pandemic gained pace in Europe, WHO scientists internally questioned Britain’s policies - such as when it suggested it would pursue “herd immunity” - but publicly emphasized their support.
The missing report has cast a spotlight on preparedness in Italy, where Europe’s deadliest outbreak unfolded. In the hard-hit province of Bergamo, prosecutors have seized on it as part of their investigation into what went wrong.
Paradoxically, the report isn’t even particularly critical of the Italian government and credited officials for their efforts, praising at one point how they counteracted with data “sensational displays of disagreement in talk shows” that stirred anxiety.
The text did note that the Italian Health Ministry hadn’t updated its influenza pandemic preparedness plan since 2006. The 2006 plan was merely “reconfirmed” in 2016-2017 without being updated and was “more theoretical than practical.”
“Unprepared for such a flood of severely ill patients, the initial reaction of the hospitals was improvised, chaotic and creative,” the report said. “It took some time before formal guidance became available.”
Italy’s state-run RAI television investigative “Report” program has published emails showing that a top WHO official, Raniero Guerra, who worked as a liaison with the Italian government during the pandemic, told Zambon to “correct” that Italy’s preparedness plan had been “updated” in 2016, even though the 2016 version was identical to the 2006 one.
Guerra had been in charge of prevention in the Italian Health Ministry from 2014 to 2017, when the plan should have been overhauled. He himself wrote to the then-health minister saying the plan needed to be updated, according to a copy of his 2017 memo seen by AP.
WHO has said the Italian government “at no time” asked it to remove the report, which it now says it does not endorse. “The decision to remove the document from the website was taken by WHO’s Regional Office for Europe due to factual inaccuracies,” WHO said.
Zambon says the only inaccuracy was an out-of-date timeline of the virus in China that he corrected immediately and had new copies without it printed. WHO on Saturday defended retracting the report altogether.
“We are, of course, resolutely focused on saving lives, but published content needs to be accurate and based on proven methods,” WHO said.
Guerra told the Financial Times he didn’t interfere. He added that the 2006 preparedness plan actually didn’t need to be updated because no significant flu strains had been identified since then and that the preparedness plan wasn’t relevant to the current pandemic because it was only meant to cover influenza.
The deputy health minister, Pierpaolo Sileri, begged to disagree. “That plan was from 2006 and needed to be updated,” Sileri told the Corriere della Sera paper. Guerra didn’t immediately respond to questions from AP, saying he was traveling.
The emails seen by AP suggest that WHO officials were concerned that the report had upset the Italians, offering rare insight into decision making by the U.N. agency, which is not subject to Freedom of Information requests.
In a May 13 email to Zambon, Guerra noted that Italy had just made a 10 million-euro ($12.3 million) voluntary donation to the WHO, and that negotiations between WHO and Italy for funding the agency’s Venice office were about to begin.
“There are already signs of institutional turmoil from the Italian side and unnecessary resentment against the WHO,” Guerra wrote to Zambon on May 14, the day the report was yanked.
A day later, the head of WHO Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, wrote to Zambon that the “key issue” at stake in the controversy was his relationship with the Italian health minister, Roberto Speranza, who he said had been “very disappointed” by the report.
The Italian government, he said, feels “they are constantly attacked by the press and each word can be misinterpreted. They felt stepped (on) by a friend.”
Kluge said he would propose to Speranza including Italian health officials in a review of the report. “We need MoH (Ministry of Health) happy and sign off for Venice,” he said, referring to the funding for the office.
The ministry told RAI it doesn’t consider the report official.
Meanwhile, Zambon was warning Tedros and Kluge that lives were being put at risk around the world by withholding Italy’s “lessons learned.”
“A large team of experts worked literally days and nights with one motivation: making sure that what happened in Italy is not repeated in those countries behind in time in the epidemic curve,” Zambon wrote Kluge on May 27. “The report contains important messages, extrapolated from facts on what worked (many things) and the blind spots of the system.”
A day later, in a message to the WHO chief, Zambon warned of a “risk of catastrophic damage in terms of independence and transparency if a ‘censored’ version of the above mentioned publication is modified,” as well as “compromised” relations with the government of Kuwait, which is one of WHO’s biggest donors and had funded the research with an $80 million grant.
___
AP Medical Writer Maria Cheng in Toronto and writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage: http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--AP: Michigan spent $136M on medical gear early in pandemic

TRAVERSE CITY , Mich. ( AP ) - Michigan spent $ 136.6 million on masks , gloves and other gear during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic , when officials were racing against time - and other states - to protect medical personnel and other essential workers , an Associated Press analysis found .
The nationwide analysis found that states paid more than $ 7 billion for personal protective equipment and crucial medical devices such as ventilators and infrared thermometers between early 2020 , when COVID-19 first emerged in the U.S. , and late spring .
In response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Technology , Management and Budget provided a list of 69 orders placed between March 21 through May 8 .
They provide a snapshot of the state ’ s priorities and choices during a crucial period .
Michigan spent $ 136.6 million on the 69 purchases during the seven-week early period , but didn ’ t stop there .
Altogether , the state has placed hundreds of orders totaling more than $ 260.6 million , according to department spokesman Caleb Buhs .
WHAT DID ALL THAT MONEY BUY ?
By far the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which are designed to filter out 95 % of tiny particles from the air .
The state placed 10 orders totaling 23.1 million masks , costing a combined $ 87.3 million , or about $ 4 per mask .
Michigan ’ s per-item payments were sometimes higher than the national averages calculated by AP and sometimes lower , but the differences were mostly insignificant .
For example , Michigan paid an average of $ 3.28 per N95 and KN95 mask and 14 cents for each glove , both around the national averages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan got a better deal on goggles , averaging $ 2.16 per pair , compared with around $ 5.50 nationwide .
But the state ’ s average payment per face shield was $ 5.69 , while the national average was $ 4 .
Also , Michigan paid an average of $ 12.40 per gown , higher than the national average of $ 6 .
The most expensive items were ventilators .
Michigan paid , on average , $ 18,787 per ventilator , compared with the national average of around $ 17,000 .
Quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and location of factories and warehouses figured into pricing , as did immediate availability , Buhs said .
Many products were more expensive than before the pandemic , but the prices Michigan paid at the time were in line with comparable items , he said .
High demand and limited supplies sometimes resulted in sharp price differences .
On April 1 , Michigan paid $ 11 million for 2 million N95 masks from Hype Labs LLC , a software company in Grand Blanc - a per-mask cost of $ 5.50 .
A week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 million N95 masks from W.W. Grainger , a global distribution company based in suburban Chicago , paying just 64 cents per mask .
Buhs said the Grainger masks were manufactured by 3M , which offered a lower rate for preferred distributors that was passed on to Michigan .
The Hype Labs masks were purchased on the open market , where vendors were charging as much as $ 8 per mask .
“ It was critical that a supply of masks continued to flow into the state to protect frontline workers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be found with reputable businesses , ” Buhs said .
Michigan received a discount on ventilators by purchasing 250 directly from Ventec GM , a partnership between General Motors and Ventec Life Systems that manufactured the devices at a retooled GM plant in Kokomo , Indiana .
The state paid $ 3.7 million , or $ 14,875 each .
Its other ventilator purchase was from Coulmed Products Group in Springfield , N.J. , paying a little over $ 1.1 million for 51 devices , or $ 22,700 each .
WHO ELSE DID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with vendors as far away as Georgia and Utah but also did business with a number of Michigan-based suppliers , ranging from small companies to giants such as Ford Motor Co. and Dow Chemical Co. J & B ; Medical , of Wixom , already a state contractor , was the leading producer of gloves .
Ford provided surgical masks , selling them at cost for 40 cents apiece , as well as face shields .
Dow was among suppliers of gowns .
BAJ Glass , of Flushing , whose product line includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face shields - as did Akervall Technologies , a Saline company whose specialty is athletic mouth guards .
The pandemic hit just as the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center , a newly established Detroit nonprofit , was about to begin manufacturing clothes .
The company worked with others to design and make gowns for two local hospitals and the state , which bought 69,000 for $ 1.8 million .
WHO USED THE EQUIPMENT ?
It went to local emergency managers , hospitals , skilled nursing and long-term care facilities , state agencies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ EQUIPMENT ?
Not as much ; a few orders were placed in recent months .

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Michigan spent $135.3 million on masks, gloves and other gear during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, when officials were racing against time - and other states - to protect medical personnel and other essential workers, an Associated Press analysis found.
The nationwide analysis found that states paid more than $7 billion for personal protective equipment and crucial medical devices such as ventilators and infrared thermometers between early 2020, when COVID-19 first emerged in the U.S., and late spring.
In response to an AP request, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget provided a list of 69 orders placed between March 21 through May 8. They provide a snapshot of the state’s priorities and choices during a crucial period.
Key findings from the data:
GRAND TOTALS
Michigan spent $135.3 million on the 69 purchases during the seven-week early period, but didn’t stop there. Altogether, the state has placed hundreds of orders totaling more than $260.6 million, according to department spokesman Caleb Buhs.
WHAT DID ALL THAT MONEY BUY?
Gloves, masks, goggles, face shields, gowns and ventilators.
By far the most money went for N95 and KN95 masks, which are designed to filter out 95% of tiny particles from the air. The state placed 10 orders totaling 23.1 million masks, costing a combined $87.3 million, or about $4 per mask.
Other expenditures by type included:
- Seven orders of gowns, totaling 1.8 million. Cost: $21 million.
- Two orders of ventilators, totaling 301. Cost: $4.9 million.
- Eight orders of face shields, totaling 2.2 million. Cost: $12.4 million.
- Two orders of surgical masks, totaling 7 million. Cost: $9.2 million.
- Thirty-eight orders of gloves, totaling 5.4 million. Cost: $494,918.
- Two orders of goggles, totaling 10,509. Cost: $21.4 million
DID MICHIGAN PAY COMPETITIVE PRICES?
Michigan’s per-item payments were sometimes higher than the national averages calculated by AP and sometimes lower, but the differences were mostly insignificant.
For example, Michigan paid an average of $3.28 per N95 and KN95 mask and 14 cents for each glove, both around the national averages that states were paying last spring.
Michigan got a better deal on goggles, averaging $2.16 per pair, compared with around $5.50 nationwide. But the state’s average payment per face shield was $5.69, while the national average was $4. Also, Michigan paid an average of $9.68 per gown, higher than the national average of $6.
The most expensive items were ventilators. Michigan paid, on average, $18,787 per ventilator, compared with the national average of around $17,000.
Quality, the level of protection provided, and location of factories and warehouses figured into pricing, as did immediate availability, Buhs said. Many products were more expensive than before the pandemic, but the prices Michigan paid at the time were in line with comparable items, he said.
High demand and limited supplies sometimes resulted in sharp price differences.
On April 1, Michigan paid $11 million for 2 million N95 masks from Hype Labs LLC, a software company in Grand Blanc - a per-mask cost of $5.50. A week later, it spent $641,000 for 1 million N95 masks from W.W. Grainger, a global distribution company based in suburban Chicago, paying just 64 cents per mask.
Buhs said the Grainger masks were manufactured by 3M, which offered a lower rate for preferred distributors that was passed on to Michigan. The Hype Labs masks were purchased on the open market, where vendors were charging as much as $8 per mask.
“It was critical that a supply of masks continued to flow into the state to protect frontline workers, and purchasing decisions hinged largely on where supply could be found with reputable businesses,” Buhs said.
Michigan received a discount on ventilators by purchasing 250 directly from Ventec GM, a partnership between General Motors and Ventec Life Systems that manufactured the devices at a retooled GM plant in Kokomo, Indiana. The state paid $3.7 million, or $14,875 each.
Its other ventilator purchase was from Coulmed Products Group in Springfield, N.J., paying a little over $1.1 million for 51 devices, or $22,700 each.
WHO ELSE DID MICHIGAN BUY FROM?
The state contracted with vendors as far away as Georgia and Utah but also did business with a number of Michigan-based suppliers, ranging from small companies to giants such as Ford Motor Co. and Dow Chemical Co.
J&B Medical, of Wixom, already a state contractor, was the leading producer of gloves. Ford provided surgical masks, selling them at cost for 40 cents apiece, as well as face shields. Dow was among suppliers of gowns.
BAJ Glass, of Flushing, whose product line includes glass partitions and sneeze barriers, made face shields - as did Akervall Technologies, a Saline company whose specialty is athletic mouth guards.
The pandemic hit just as the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center, a newly established Detroit nonprofit, was about to begin manufacturing clothes. The company worked with others to design and make gowns for two local hospitals and the state, which bought 69,000 for $517,000.
WHO USED THE EQUIPMENT?
It went to local emergency managers, hospitals, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, state agencies.
IS THE STATE STILL BUYING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT?
Not as much; a few orders were placed in recent months.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--AP: Wisconsin spent $99M on medical gear early in pandemic

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - Wisconsin spent at least $ 99 million on personal protective gear and medical equipment such as ventilators during the chaotic early months of the coronavirus pandemic , with almost all the money going to out-of-state suppliers , an Associated Press analysis shows .
The AP found that states nationwide spent more than $ 7 billion for personal protective equipment and high-demand medical devices such as ventilators and infrared thermometers this spring .
The data , obtained through open record requests , is the most comprehensive look yet at how much states were buying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much they were spending as they raced to stockpile scarce supplies .
The data covers the period from the emergence of COVID-19 in the U.S. in early 2020 to the beginning of summer , when many governors were describing the marketplace for protective gear and medical equipment as the Wild West .
Supplies often went to the highest bidder , even if they were promised to someone else .
Data for Wisconsin suggests purchasing agents had a difficult time finding supplies in-state .
Of the $ 99.2 million they spent between March 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million went to Wisconsin-based suppliers .
The state purchased from companies in 19 other states , including California , Florida , Michigan , Nevada and Texas .
The state ’ s single biggest expenditure came April 7 , when it paid Michigan-based KKM Global Group $ 30 million for 1,500 ventilators , or about $ 20,000 each .
The biggest purchase from a Wisconsin company was April 9 , when the state paid $ 2.6 million to Milwaukee-based Rockstar Trading Co. for 500,000 N95 masks , or about $ 5 each .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coveralls , face shields , gloves , goggles and other equipment from Uline , a Pleasant Prairie-based supply company owned by Republican megadonors Dick and Liz Uihlein .
Wisconsin , like other states , faced exorbitant and fluctuating prices , driven by competition and a shifting marketplace that saw backlogs at foreign manufacturers , shipping delays and intermediaries rerouting supplies at the last minute to buyers who offered more .
For example , before the pandemic , an N95 mask might have cost about 50 cents .
This spring , states paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the data analysis , and sometimes much more .
Wisconsin purchasing agents on March 26 paid $ 19,799 for 2,100 N95s at an Ace Hardware in De Forest .
That ’ s $ 9.43 per mask .
A month later , the state paid Atlanta-based medical supplier McKesson $ 559,500 for 500,000 N95s .
That ’ s $ 1.12 per mask .
Uline charged 55 cents per N95 mask .
On May 5 , the state bought 649,500 protective gowns from Denver-based Empowerment Health at between $ 6 and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state bought 100,000 gowns from Illinois-based American Molecular Laboratories for $ 2.50 apiece .
Most states purchased gear and equipment outside of normal competitive bidding procedures .
Wisconsin officials operated under a clause in state law that allows them to work outside of the bidding process in an emergency situation .
There was no question Wisconsin and other states needed to move quickly in the face of a new virus that was spreading .
According to data from the Wisconsin Hospital Association , 141 hospitals in the state had less than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gowns on hand at the end of March , and 107 hospitals had less than a week ’ s worth of paper masks on hand as April began .
When state agents found a legitimate supplier , they jumped on it regardless of the price , inking deals within hours .
Even then that was no guarantee that they would get the supplies , they said .
“ You had all sorts of people coming out of the woodwork trying to figure out how to get into the PPE business , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patton , who led the state ’ s procurement efforts .
“ We were trying to sift and winnow legitimate buyers versus those trying to make a quick buck.
” He said the state ’ s buyers were acting with a sense of urgency as they tried to keep their supplies ahead of the spreading virus .
“ We had a war room set up in one of the conference rooms with three or four purchasing agents - some days eight ( agents ) just sitting around a table with a bunch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals they had , ” Patton said .
“ If someone had it on the shelf , we were willing to go buy it.
” The state is still grappling with shortages .
As of Dec. 8 , nine hospitals had less than a week ’ s worth of N95s , 18 had less than a week ’ s worth of gowns and 13 had less than a week ’ s worth of paper masks .
The state had 2,373 ventilators , with 555 in use , according to the hospital association .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ settled down since the spring , but there ’ s still a considerable shortages of gloves .
“ Scarcity and high prices for PPE have been an issue since the beginning of the pandemic , ” UW Health spokeswoman Emily Kumlien said in a statement .
“ It has been a challenge that required some new and innovative efforts .
”

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin spent at least $99 million on personal protective gear and medical equipment such as ventilators during the chaotic early months of the coronavirus pandemic, with almost all the money going to out-of-state suppliers, an Associated Press analysis shows.
The AP found that states nationwide spent more than $7 billion for personal protective equipment and high-demand medical devices such as ventilators and infrared thermometers this spring. The data, obtained through open record requests, is the most comprehensive look yet at how much states were buying, whom they were paying and how much they were spending as they raced to stockpile scarce supplies.
The data covers the period from the emergence of COVID-19 in the U.S. in early 2020 to the beginning of summer, when many governors were describing the marketplace for protective gear and medical equipment as the Wild West. Supplies often went to the highest bidder, even if they were promised to someone else.
Data for Wisconsin suggests purchasing agents had a difficult time finding supplies in-state. Of the $99.2 million they spent between March 23 and June 17, just $10 million went to Wisconsin-based suppliers. The state purchased from companies in 19 other states, including California, Florida, Michigan, Nevada and Texas.
The state’s single biggest expenditure came April 7, when it paid Michigan-based KKM Global Group $30 million for 1,500 ventilators, or about $20,000 each.
The biggest purchase from a Wisconsin company was April 9, when the state paid $2.6 million to Milwaukee-based Rockstar Trading Co. for 500,000 N95 masks, or about $5 each. The state purchased $24,000 worth of N95s, coveralls, face shields, gloves, goggles and other equipment from Uline, a Pleasant Prairie-based supply company owned by Republican megadonors Dick and Liz Uihlein.
Wisconsin, like other states, faced exorbitant and fluctuating prices, driven by competition and a shifting marketplace that saw backlogs at foreign manufacturers, shipping delays and intermediaries rerouting supplies at the last minute to buyers who offered more. For example, before the pandemic, an N95 mask might have cost about 50 cents. This spring, states paid an average of $3 per mask, according to the data analysis, and sometimes much more.
Wisconsin purchasing agents on March 26 paid $19,799 for 2,100 N95s at an Ace Hardware in De Forest. That’s $9.43 per mask. A month later, the state paid Atlanta-based medical supplier McKesson $559,500 for 500,000 N95s. That’s $1.12 per mask. Uline charged 55 cents per N95 mask.
On May 5, the state bought 649,500 protective gowns from Denver-based Empowerment Health at between $6 and $7 each. A month earlier, the state bought 100,000 gowns from Illinois-based American Molecular Laboratories for $2.50 apiece.
Most states purchased gear and equipment outside of normal competitive bidding procedures. Wisconsin officials operated under a clause in state law that allows them to work outside of the bidding process in an emergency situation.
There was no question Wisconsin and other states needed to move quickly in the face of a new virus that was spreading. According to data from the Wisconsin Hospital Association, 141 hospitals in the state had less than a week’s worth of N95 masks and gowns on hand at the end of March, and 107 hospitals had less than a week’s worth of paper masks on hand as April began.
When state agents found a legitimate supplier, they jumped on it regardless of the price, inking deals within hours. Even then that was no guarantee that they would get the supplies, they said.
“You had all sorts of people coming out of the woodwork trying to figure out how to get into the PPE business,” said Department of Administration Deputy Secretary Chris Patton, who led the state’s procurement efforts. “We were trying to sift and winnow legitimate buyers versus those trying to make a quick buck.”
He said the state’s buyers were acting with a sense of urgency as they tried to keep their supplies ahead of the spreading virus.
“We had a war room set up in one of the conference rooms with three or four purchasing agents - some days eight (agents) just sitting around a table with a bunch of white boards up and talking about what deals they had,” Patton said. “If someone had it on the shelf, we were willing to go buy it.”
The state is still grappling with shortages. As of Dec. 8, nine hospitals had less than a week’s worth of N95s, 18 had less than a week’s worth of gowns and 13 had less than a week’s worth of paper masks. The state had 2,373 ventilators, with 555 in use, according to the hospital association.
State procurement officials said the marketplace has settled down since the spring, but there’s still a considerable shortages of gloves.
“Scarcity and high prices for PPE have been an issue since the beginning of the pandemic,” UW Health spokeswoman Emily Kumlien said in a statement. “It has been a challenge that required some new and innovative efforts.”
___
Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter at https:twitter.com/trichmond1


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Maine-made wreaths distributed in Arlington, and elsewhere

More than 250,000 Maine-made wreaths are being placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Across America , the organization that distributes the wreaths each year .
The tradition began @ @ @ @ @ of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington , Maine , ended up with 5,000 extra wreaths @ @ @ @ @ bring to market in 1992 .
With the help of then-Sen. Olympia Snowe , he @ @ @ @ @ , and it has grown since then .
All told , Wreaths Across America says @ @ @ @ @ placed on veterans ’ graves at 2,557 locations .

More than 250,000 Maine-made wreaths are being placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday.
It’s the highest-profile event for Wreaths Across America, the organization that distributes the wreaths each year.
The tradition began when Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, ended up with 5,000 extra wreaths that he couldn’t bring to market in 1992. With the help of then-Sen. Olympia Snowe, he had them delivered to Arlington, and it has grown since then.
All told, Wreaths Across America says 1.7 million wreaths are being placed on veterans’ graves at 2,557 locations.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Pompeo says Russia 'pretty clearly' behind cyberattack on US

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Russia was “ pretty clearly ” behind the gravest cyberattack against the United States on record , the first administration official to publicly tie the Kremlin to the widespread intrusion at a time when President Donald Trump has kept silent on the failure to protect government and private-sector computer networks .
It ’ s not clear exactly what the hackers were seeking , but experts say it could include nuclear secrets , blueprints for advanced weaponry , COVID-19 vaccine-related research and information for dossiers on key government and industry leaders .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I ’ m sure some of it will remain classified , ” Pompeo said in an interview late Friday with radio talk show host Mark Levin .
“ But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside of U.S. government systems and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world as well .
This was a very significant effort , and I think it ’ s the case that now we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians that engaged in this activity.
” Russia has said it had “ nothing to do ” with the hacking .
Deputy White House press secretary Brian Morgenstern told reporters Friday that national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien has sometimes been leading multiple daily meetings with the FBI , the Department of Homeland Security and the intelligence agencies , looking for ways to mitigate the hack .
He would not provide details , “ but rest assured we have the best and brightest working hard on it each and every single day.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ committees given classified briefings by the administration on the hack issued a statement complaining that they “ were left with more questions than answers.
” “ Administration officials were unwilling to share the full scope of the breach and identities of the victims , ” they said .
Pompeo , in the interview with Levin , said Russia was on the list of “ folks that want to undermine our way of life , our republic , our basic democratic principles .
… You see the news of the day with respect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve seen this for an awfully long time , using asymmetric capabilities to try and put themselves in a place where they can impose costs on the United States.
” What makes this hacking campaign so extraordinary is its scale : 18,000 organizations were infected from March to June by malicious code that piggybacked on popular network-management software from an Austin , Texas , company called SolarWinds .
It ’ s going to take months to kick elite hackers out of the U.S. government networks they have been quietly rifling through since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say there simply are not enough skilled threat-hunting teams to duly identify all the government and private-sector systems that may have been hacked .
FireEye , the cybersecurity company that discovered the intrusion into U.S. agencies and was among the victims , has already tallied dozens of casualties .
It ’ s racing to identify more .
Many federal workers - and others in the private sector - must presume that unclassified networks are teeming with spies .
Agencies will be more inclined to conduct sensitive government business on Signal , WhatsApp and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should buckle up .
This will be a long ride , ” said Dmitri Alperovitch , co-founder and former chief technical officer of the leading cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike .
“ Cleanup is just phase one.
” The only way to be sure a network is clean is “ to burn it down to the ground and rebuild it , ” Schneier said .
Florida became the first state to acknowledge falling victim to a SolarWinds hack .
Officials told The Associated Press that hackers apparently infiltrated the state ’ s health care administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include most Fortune 500 companies , and it ’ s U.S. government clients are rich with generals and spymasters .
If the hackers are indeed from Russia ’ s SVR foreign intelligence agency , as experts believe , their resistance may be tenacious .
When they hacked the White House , the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the State Department in 2014 and 2015 “ it was a nightmare to get them out , ” Alperovitch said .
The Pentagon has said it has so far not detected any intrusions from the SolarWinds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classified or unclassified .
Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Bobby Caina Calvan in Tallahassee , Florida , contributed to this report .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Russia was “pretty clearly” behind the grave cyberattack against the United States, the first administration official to publicly tie the Kremlin to the widespread intrusion at a time when President Donald Trump has kept silent on the failure to protect government and private-sector computer networks.
It’s not clear exactly what the hackers were seeking, but experts say it could include nuclear secrets, blueprints for advanced weaponry, COVID-19 vaccine-related research and information for dossiers on key government and industry leaders.
“We’re still unpacking precisely what it is, and I’m sure some of it will remain classified,” Pompeo said in an interview late Friday with radio talk show host Mark Levin. “But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside of U.S. government systems and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world as well. This was a very significant effort, and I think it’s the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity.”
Russia has said it had “nothing to do” with the hacking.
Deputy White House press secretary Brian Morgenstern told reporters Friday that national security adviser Robert O’Brien has sometimes been leading multiple daily meetings with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the intelligence agencies, looking for ways to mitigate the hack.
He would not provide details, “but rest assured we have the best and brightest working hard on it each and every single day.”
The Democratic leaders of four House committees given classified briefings by the administration on the hack issued a statement complaining that they “were left with more questions than answers.”
“Administration officials were unwilling to share the full scope of the breach and identities of the victims,” they said.
Pompeo, in the interview with Levin, said Russia was on the list of “folks that want to undermine our way of life, our republic, our basic democratic principles. … You see the news of the day with respect to their efforts in the cyberspace. We’ve seen this for an awfully long time, using asymmetric capabilities to try and put themselves in a place where they can impose costs on the United States.”
What makes this hacking campaign so extraordinary is its scale: 18,000 organizations were infected from March to June by malicious code that piggybacked on popular network-management software from an Austin, Texas, company called SolarWinds.
It’s going to take months to kick elite hackers out of the U.S. government networks they have been quietly rifling through since as far back as March.
Experts say there simply are not enough skilled threat-hunting teams to duly identify all the government and private-sector systems that may have been hacked. FireEye, the cybersecurity company that discovered the intrusion into U.S. agencies and was among the victims, has already tallied dozens of casualties. It’s racing to identify more.
Many federal workers - and others in the private sector - must presume that unclassified networks are teeming with spies. Agencies will be more inclined to conduct sensitive government business on Signal, WhatsApp and other encrypted smartphone apps.
“We should buckle up. This will be a long ride,” said Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder and former chief technical officer of the leading cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. “Cleanup is just phase one.”
The only way to be sure a network is clean is “to burn it down to the ground and rebuild it,” Schneier said.
Florida became the first state to acknowledge falling victim to a SolarWinds hack. Officials told The Associated Press that hackers apparently infiltrated the state’s health care administration agency and others.
SolarWinds’ customers include most Fortune 500 companies, and it’s U.S. government clients are rich with generals and spymasters.
If the hackers are indeed from Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence agency, as experts believe, their resistance may be tenacious. When they hacked the White House, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the State Department in 2014 and 2015 “it was a nightmare to get them out,” Alperovitch said.
The Pentagon has said it has so far not detected any intrusions from the SolarWinds campaign in any of its networks - classified or unclassified.
___
Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Bobby Caina Calvan in Tallahassee, Florida, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--AP: Oklahoma spent $87M on medical gear in early virus wave

OKLAHOMA CITY ( AP ) - In the early months of the coronavirus pandemic , Oklahoma spent about $ 87 million on personal protective gear and medical equipment , much of it going to companies that were quickly formed as states scrambled to buy items such as masks , gloves and gowns .
A public records request by The Associated Press shows the state ’ s top vendor was Standard Healthcare Supply Inc. , an Oklahoma City-based company that was created in March and received $ 17.8 million for purchases of masks , gloves , gowns and other medical supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million on masks and gloves from a Utah-based hemp company , Green Rock Hemp Holdings , that got into the protective equipment business in the spring because of its experience doing business in China .
The AP tallied more than $ 7 billion in coronavirus purchases by states this spring for personal protective equipment and high-demand medical devices such as ventilators and infrared thermometers .
The data covers the period from the emergence of COVID-19 in the U.S. in early 2020 to the start of summer .
The AP ’ s data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most comprehensive accounting to date of how much states were buying , what they were spending , and the vendors they were paying during a chaotic spring when inadequate national stockpiles left state governments scrambling for hard-to-get supplies .
The data shows a sharp increase in prices .
Before the pandemic , an N95 mask that filters out tiny particles might have cost around 50 cents .
This spring , states paid an average of $ 3 for each N95 , according to the AP ’ s analysis .
Some states paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get them quickly .
The AP ’ s data also shows that millions of dollars flowed from states to businesses that were quickly formed at the start of the pandemic , such as Standard Healthcare Supply .
Its owner , Dikran Tourian , said he created the company in March when he learned about widespread shortages of protective gear .
“ I ’ ve got a lot of medical equipment and device importing experience , so I did it originally just to help out , ” Tourian told the AP .
“ States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ import , and the supply chain was completely broken .
It created an environment where it was complete survival of the fittest.
” State records show the state made 16 purchases from Tourian ’ s company from March through May for items that included masks , gowns , gloves and coveralls .
The prices of masks obtained by the company ranged from 47 cents each for surgical masks to as much as $ 3.18 apiece for N95 masks , which are manufactured to filter at least 95 % of airborne particles .
Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company got into the business for many of the same reasons as Tourian , prompted by shortages they figured they could fill .
“ Many of the challenges were centered on doing business in China , performing adequate due diligence on suppliers , arranging financial channels , and securing logistical support , ” Cachey said in a statement .
“ These are precisely areas in which GRHH ’ s sister companies had extensive experience.
” While business has slowed considerably for Tourian , he said he looks back and is proud of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was the most gratifying thing I ’ ve done in my career , ” he said .
“ I have friends that are doctors and nurses who were telling me on a regular basis that they just couldn ’ t get it ( personal protective equipment ) .
They could not get respirators .
They couldn ’ t get gowns .
So , when you ’ re watching the news and you see stuff that you imported being delivered , there ’ s nothing more gratifying than that .
”

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - In the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, Oklahoma spent about $87 million on personal protective gear and medical equipment, much of it going to companies that were quickly formed as states scrambled to buy items such as masks, gloves and gowns.
A public records request by The Associated Press shows the state’s top vendor was Standard Healthcare Supply Inc., an Oklahoma City-based company that was created in March and received $17.8 million for purchases of masks, gloves, gowns and other medical supplies.
The state also spent $9.8 million on masks and gloves from a Utah-based hemp company, Green Rock Hemp Holdings, that got into the protective equipment business in the spring because of its experience doing business in China.
The AP tallied more than $7 billion in coronavirus purchases by states this spring for personal protective equipment and high-demand medical devices such as ventilators and infrared thermometers. The data covers the period from the emergence of COVID-19 in the U.S. in early 2020 to the start of summer.
The AP’s data, obtained through public records requests, is the most comprehensive accounting to date of how much states were buying, what they were spending, and the vendors they were paying during a chaotic spring when inadequate national stockpiles left state governments scrambling for hard-to-get supplies.
The data shows a sharp increase in prices. Before the pandemic, an N95 mask that filters out tiny particles might have cost around 50 cents. This spring, states paid an average of $3 for each N95, according to the AP’s analysis. Some states paid more than $10 a mask to get them quickly.
The AP’s data also shows that millions of dollars flowed from states to businesses that were quickly formed at the start of the pandemic, such as Standard Healthcare Supply. Its owner, Dikran Tourian, said he created the company in March when he learned about widespread shortages of protective gear.
“I’ve got a lot of medical equipment and device importing experience, so I did it originally just to help out,” Tourian told the AP. “States don’t have the infrastructure to import, and the supply chain was completely broken. It created an environment where it was complete survival of the fittest.”
State records show the state made 16 purchases from Tourian’s company from March through May for items that included masks, gowns, gloves and coveralls. The prices of masks obtained by the company ranged from 47 cents each for surgical masks to as much as $3.18 apiece for N95 masks, which are manufactured to filter at least 95% of airborne particles.
Green Rock Hemp Holdings CEO Joseph Cachey said the company got into the business for many of the same reasons as Tourian, prompted by shortages they figured they could fill.
“Many of the challenges were centered on doing business in China, performing adequate due diligence on suppliers, arranging financial channels, and securing logistical support,” Cachey said in a statement. “These are precisely areas in which GRHH’s sister companies had extensive experience.”
While business has slowed considerably for Tourian, he said he looks back and is proud of the work he accomplished for the state.
“It was the most gratifying thing I’ve done in my career,” he said. “I have friends that are doctors and nurses who were telling me on a regular basis that they just couldn’t get it (personal protective equipment). They could not get respirators. They couldn’t get gowns. So, when you’re watching the news and you see stuff that you imported being delivered, there’s nothing more gratifying than that.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--In FBI probe, Texas AG faces aggressive, ethical prosecutor

DALLAS ( AP ) - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has spent years dodging legal and public relations blows that might have knocked others out of politics .
The Republican has so far proven too wily for political opponents and prosecutors , winning reelection and rising to national prominence as a conservative crusader even while under felony indictment .
But criminal allegations from Paxton ’ s top deputies have set him up to square off against a formidable new opponent : A federal prosecutor with a team of seasoned FBI agents and a track record of getting corrupt public officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been charged with a crime in the months since eight senior officials in the attorney general ’ s office reported him to the FBI for bribery , abuse of office and other offenses allegedly committed in helping a wealthy donor trying to fend off his own federal investigation .
Federal investigators are digging into the attorney general ’ s actions and connections to Nate Paul , an Austin real estate developer who employs a woman with whom Paxton is said to have had an extramarital affair .
Overseeing the effort is San Antonio-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a person familiar with the probe who insisted on anonymity because the investigation is ongoing .
Paxton has denied any wrongdoing .
His unsuccessful recent lawsuit trying to overturn the presidential election has raised questions about whether he ’ s seeking protection from a powerful ally - President Donald Trump .
The U.S. attorney ’ s office in West Texas declined to comment or make Blackwell available for an interview .
Federal prosecutors and the FBI generally do not confirm ongoing investigations .
Blackwell , who coordinates public integrity cases across a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 800 kilometers ) to El Paso , is a hard-charging but fair prosecutor , according to former colleagues and opposing lawyers alike .
He has a knack for boiling down the complex facts of white-collar investigations , a down-to-earth demeanor and slight Louisiana accent that endears him to juries .
“ He ’ s probably the best trial attorney I ’ ve ever seen , ” said Sean O ’ Connell , a Virginia lawyer who worked with Blackwell as a federal prosecutor in Texas .
Blackwell , 45 , earned his law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Before joining the U.S. attorney ’ s office , he worked as a military prosecutor and in private practice , former colleagues said .
Blackwell handled a variety of immigration , narcotics , financial crime and other cases in El Paso before moving to San Antonio , where he began prosecuting more complex white-collar cases .
His most high-profile case was the 2018 money laundering and fraud trial of former state Sen. Carlos Uresti .
Erica Benites Giese , who was a senior federal prosecutor in San Antonio during the trial , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” argument that Uresti deserved a prison sentence , and a judge gave the longtime Democratic lawmaker 12 years .
But Blackwell is not the type of prosecutor “ who just wants heads on his wall , ” she said “ No politics plays into his analysis whatsoever , ” said Benites Giese , who is now in private practice .
Politics has , however , been part of Paxton ’ s defense strategy .
The attorney general has long used political connections and legal maneuvers to stall the prosecution of his state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paxton pleaded not guilty it remains unclear where or when he ’ ll face trial .
More recently , Paxton ’ s failed effort to have the U.S. Supreme Court throw out Joe Biden ’ s win in the presidential election prompted speculation that the attorney general is angling for a preemptive pardon in the waning weeks of Trump ’ s administration .
Paxton ’ s defense attorney , Philip Hilder , declined to comment .
A broad pardon would foreclose federal prosecution .
But it would not necessarily end the investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor at the University of Houston Law Center .
He said it ’ s possible the FBI could hand off its findings to state prosecutors .
People who know Blackwell said he ’ s unlikely to be scared away or put off a case if the government decides to bring one .
And he ’ s more than capable of legal hardball .
During Uresti ’ s trial , Blackwell successfully got the judge to remove the senator ’ s lawyer , Mikal Watts , for conflict of interest .
Watts said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s eventual sentence , but that as aggressive as Blackwell might be , he is also ethical .
“ He will try the case heads up and let the jury decide , ” said Watts .
“ Joe is a guy I would trust my wife with on a weekend away .
”

DALLAS (AP) - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has spent years dodging legal and public relations blows that might have knocked others out of politics. The Republican has so far proven too wily for political opponents and prosecutors, winning reelection and rising to national prominence as a conservative crusader even while under felony indictment.
But criminal allegations from Paxton’s top deputies have set him up to square off against a formidable new opponent: A federal prosecutor with a team of seasoned FBI agents and a track record of getting corrupt public officials sent to prison.
Paxton has not been charged with a crime in the months since eight senior officials in the attorney general’s office reported him to the FBI for bribery, abuse of office and other offenses allegedly committed in helping a wealthy donor trying to fend off his own federal investigation. Federal investigators are digging into the attorney general’s actions and connections to Nate Paul, an Austin real estate developer who employs a woman with whom Paxton is said to have had an extramarital affair.
Overseeing the effort is San Antonio-based Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Blackwell, according to a person familiar with the probe who insisted on anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.
Paxton has denied any wrongdoing. His unsuccessful recent lawsuit trying to overturn the presidential election has raised questions about whether he’s seeking protection from a powerful ally - President Donald Trump.
The U.S. attorney’s office in West Texas declined to comment or make Blackwell available for an interview. Federal prosecutors and the FBI generally do not confirm ongoing investigations.
Blackwell, who coordinates public integrity cases across a region stretching more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) to El Paso, is a hard-charging but fair prosecutor, according to former colleagues and opposing lawyers alike. He has a knack for boiling down the complex facts of white-collar investigations, a down-to-earth demeanor and slight Louisiana accent that endears him to juries.
“He’s probably the best trial attorney I’ve ever seen,” said Sean O’Connell, a Virginia lawyer who worked with Blackwell as a federal prosecutor in Texas.
Blackwell, 45, earned his law degree from Louisiana State University in 2000. Before joining the U.S. attorney’s office, he worked as a military prosecutor and in private practice, former colleagues said.
Blackwell handled a variety of immigration, narcotics, financial crime and other cases in El Paso before moving to San Antonio, where he began prosecuting more complex white-collar cases. His most high-profile case was the 2018 money laundering and fraud trial of former state Sen. Carlos Uresti.
Erica Benites Giese, who was a senior federal prosecutor in San Antonio during the trial, said Blackwell made a “very impassioned” argument that Uresti deserved a prison sentence, and a judge gave the longtime Democratic lawmaker 12 years. But Blackwell is not the type of prosecutor “who just wants heads on his wall,” she said
“No politics plays into his analysis whatsoever,” said Benites Giese, who is now in private practice.
Politics has, however, been part of Paxton’s defense strategy.
The attorney general has long used political connections and legal maneuvers to stall the prosecution of his state securities fraud case. Five years after Paxton pleaded not guilty it remains unclear where or when he’ll face trial.
More recently, Paxton’s failed effort to have the U.S. Supreme Court throw out Joe Biden’s win in the presidential election prompted speculation that the attorney general is angling for a preemptive pardon in the waning weeks of Trump’s administration. Paxton’s defense attorney, Philip Hilder, declined to comment.
A broad pardon would foreclose federal prosecution. But it would not necessarily end the investigation into Paxton, according David Crump, a professor at the University of Houston Law Center. He said it’s possible the FBI could hand off its findings to state prosecutors.
People who know Blackwell said he’s unlikely to be scared away or put off a case if the government decides to bring one. And he’s more than capable of legal hardball.
During Uresti’s trial, Blackwell successfully got the judge to remove the senator’s lawyer, Mikal Watts, for conflict of interest. Watts said he still disagrees with the decision and Uresti’s eventual sentence, but that as aggressive as Blackwell might be, he is also ethical.
“He will try the case heads up and let the jury decide,” said Watts. “Joe is a guy I would trust my wife with on a weekend away.”
___
Follow Jake Bleiberg: https://twitter.com/jzbleiberg.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Stray dog captured in Virginia 2 years after running away

VIRGINIA BEACH , Va. ( AP ) - They call her Lucy , the Parkway pup .
She ’ s not as exotic as Sunny the red panda , but the stray dog who got fed by passing motorists along Lynnhaven Parkway had a loyal following of her own .
While Sunny had an air of mystery surrounding her disappearance from the Norfolk zoo , Lucy ’ s a street smart hound dog who learned how to panhandle for food without getting hit by cars .
She also eluded animal control officers for two years , while someone put up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feed her .
In the end , it was a 58-year-old woman - not animal control - who got the white dog with tan spots into custody , after spending three months trying to do so , even sleeping several nights in her car .
Lucy ran away from her adopted owners in December of 2018 .
She would sit near a traffic light across from Lynnhaven Mall , where people would feed her , and retreat into the woods when anyone approached her .
Animal Control and dog rescue groups tried unsuccessfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with help from her dog , Brody , spent several months gaining Lucy ’ s trust .
On Sunday , she was able to leash Lucy , and the dog is now at Virginia Beach Animal Control and Care Center .
Quinn plans to visit her this week .
Lucy has been eating well .
Animal Control officers posted on Facebook that she ’ s overweight but in good health .
Quinn saw Lucy on the side of the road in June and was shocked that she hadn ’ t been trapped yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling , ” she said .
“ A lot of times animals just choose you.
” At that time she was living in Hampton and babysitting her grandchildren .
Quinn ’ s an animal lover and the founder of Blue Angels Pitbull Advocacy & Rescue Resource .
She started visiting Lucy after her babysitting duties .
Quinn spent several nights outside in the cold and the rain , even sleeping in her car , waiting and looking for Lucy .
She would tromp through the woods after dark with Brody at her side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the eve of the capture and posted them on Facebook .
“ Lucy let her guard down after three months of me visiting her nightly with my dog Brody , ” Quinn posted .
“ We made the connection we were striving for for so long.
” Lucy had warmed up to Brody , sniffing and playing with him .
Finally , Quinn was able to lure Lucy away from the road .
Lucy then led them to a drainage pipe where she lived .
“ Once she let her guard down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweet , ” Quinn said .
“ Part of me respected her boundaries , that she was street savvy , but now her heart was open and she was longing for that connection .
I had to make that call.
” Just before the sun came up Sunday morning , Quinn was able to leash Lucy and notify Animal Control .
“ I have to give credit to Brody , ” Quinn said .
“ He ’ s a true hero .
… He ’ s the one who drew her out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her and let her come to him and then me on her terms.
” The only time Quinn ever trapped an animal before was on a snowy night when she used a cat trap to help a kitten .

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) - They call her Lucy, the Parkway pup. She’s not as exotic as Sunny the red panda, but the stray dog who got fed by passing motorists along Lynnhaven Parkway had a loyal following of her own.
While Sunny had an air of mystery surrounding her disappearance from the Norfolk zoo, Lucy’s a street smart hound dog who learned how to panhandle for food without getting hit by cars. She also eluded animal control officers for two years, while someone put up a large sign asking people not to feed her.
In the end, it was a 58-year-old woman - not animal control - who got the white dog with tan spots into custody, after spending three months trying to do so, even sleeping several nights in her car.
Lucy ran away from her adopted owners in December of 2018. She would sit near a traffic light across from Lynnhaven Mall, where people would feed her, and retreat into the woods when anyone approached her.
Animal Control and dog rescue groups tried unsuccessfully to trap Lucy.
Regina Quinn, with help from her dog, Brody, spent several months gaining Lucy’s trust. On Sunday, she was able to leash Lucy, and the dog is now at Virginia Beach Animal Control and Care Center. Quinn plans to visit her this week.
Lucy has been eating well. Animal Control officers posted on Facebook that she’s overweight but in good health.
Quinn saw Lucy on the side of the road in June and was shocked that she hadn’t been trapped yet.
“It was like a divine calling,” she said. “A lot of times animals just choose you.”
At that time she was living in Hampton and babysitting her grandchildren. Quinn’s an animal lover and the founder of Blue Angels Pitbull Advocacy & Rescue Resource. She started visiting Lucy after her babysitting duties.
Quinn spent several nights outside in the cold and the rain, even sleeping in her car, waiting and looking for Lucy. She would tromp through the woods after dark with Brody at her side and took several videos of their interactions on the eve of the capture and posted them on Facebook.
“Lucy let her guard down after three months of me visiting her nightly with my dog Brody,” Quinn posted. “We made the connection we were striving for for so long.”
Lucy had warmed up to Brody, sniffing and playing with him. Finally, Quinn was able to lure Lucy away from the road. Lucy then led them to a drainage pipe where she lived.
“Once she let her guard down, she was very submissive, very sweet,” Quinn said. “Part of me respected her boundaries, that she was street savvy, but now her heart was open and she was longing for that connection. I had to make that call.”
Just before the sun came up Sunday morning, Quinn was able to leash Lucy and notify Animal Control.
“I have to give credit to Brody,” Quinn said. “He’s a true hero. … He’s the one who drew her out of her shell, he did not overwhelm her and let her come to him and then me on her terms.”
The only time Quinn ever trapped an animal before was on a snowy night when she used a cat trap to help a kitten.


washingtontimes--2020-12-19--Utah woodworker makes chairs for kids in need

SOUTH WEBER , Utah ( AP ) - Hearing stories of people losing their jobs due to the economic downturn brought on by COVID-19 , Jeff Hansen figured he had to do something .
Having a soft spot for kids , the motivation was even stronger .
“ It ’ s Christmastime .
You got this COVID thing going on .
I just thought if I could give something , that would help out , ” he said .
As such , the South Weber woodworker has been busy of late building a bunch of small rocking chairs meant as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word out via social media that he was taking orders for the junior-sized chairs , focused on helping families struggling economically , and the response has been strong .
He ’ s now scrambling to finish the chairs - around 40 done , 20-plus to go - and hopes his gift this holiday season spreads at least a little cheer .
“ Just have this feeling inside that I need to have them for free .
This year with COVID , I really wanted to do something , ” Hansen said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there lending a hand this season , hoping to aid those in need .
But this is no ordinary year , and though Hansen would previously donate a chair to a child in need for every 10 or so chairs he sold , he figured he needed to step up his game on hearing stories of people adversely impacted by COVID-19 .
The former homebuilder retired after a serious on-the-job back injury and now does woodworking projects on the side , including the small chairs .
One woman told the story of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home with his wife and kids after sustaining serious injuries in a car crash .
The family worried they ’ d have nothing to give the children for Christmas given all the expenses they faced , and that ’ s when Hansen stepped in .
He hadn ’ t initially been planning on making so many chairs .
But he left his smart phone laying around one day and his girlfriend , on reading requests for chairs that came in after he sent a public message outlining his plans , agreed , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came in .
“ By the time I came home , I had 66 orders , ” he said .
He ’ s not seeking pay , but he needs donations to help get wood to build the chairs yet to be completed and has created a Facebook page to aid in the fundraising drive .
The chairs are made of pine and feature bookholders , meant to encourage reading among the users .
“ I hope they ’ re going to last .
I hope a couple centuries , ” Hansen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling tools in his woodshop to get the needed cash , all in the name of putting a smile on the faces of kids impacted most by the downturn .
“ I ’ m a sucker for little kids , ” he said .

SOUTH WEBER, Utah (AP) - Hearing stories of people losing their jobs due to the economic downturn brought on by COVID-19, Jeff Hansen figured he had to do something.
Having a soft spot for kids, the motivation was even stronger.
“It’s Christmastime. You got this COVID thing going on. I just thought if I could give something, that would help out,” he said.
As such, the South Weber woodworker has been busy of late building a bunch of small rocking chairs meant as donations to area kids. He put the word out via social media that he was taking orders for the junior-sized chairs, focused on helping families struggling economically, and the response has been strong. He’s now scrambling to finish the chairs - around 40 done, 20-plus to go - and hopes his gift this holiday season spreads at least a little cheer.
“Just have this feeling inside that I need to have them for free. This year with COVID, I really wanted to do something,” Hansen said.
Many groups, organizations and individuals are out there lending a hand this season, hoping to aid those in need. But this is no ordinary year, and though Hansen would previously donate a chair to a child in need for every 10 or so chairs he sold, he figured he needed to step up his game on hearing stories of people adversely impacted by COVID-19. The former homebuilder retired after a serious on-the-job back injury and now does woodworking projects on the side, including the small chairs.
One woman told the story of her son who moved back to her home with his wife and kids after sustaining serious injuries in a car crash. The family worried they’d have nothing to give the children for Christmas given all the expenses they faced, and that’s when Hansen stepped in.
He hadn’t initially been planning on making so many chairs. But he left his smart phone laying around one day and his girlfriend, on reading requests for chairs that came in after he sent a public message outlining his plans, agreed, on his behalf, to each query that came in. “By the time I came home, I had 66 orders,” he said.
He’s not seeking pay, but he needs donations to help get wood to build the chairs yet to be completed and has created a Facebook page to aid in the fundraising drive. The chairs are made of pine and feature bookholders, meant to encourage reading among the users. “I hope they’re going to last. I hope a couple centuries,” Hansen said.
Meantime, he’s been selling tools in his woodshop to get the needed cash, all in the name of putting a smile on the faces of kids impacted most by the downturn. “I’m a sucker for little kids,” he said.