washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Volunteers doing shopping for people stuck at home

HOLDREGE , Neb .
( AP ) - Dorene Junkin and her husband , Eldon Booker , haven ’ t been able to leave their apartment since early March .
The couple live at Chrisoma West Independent Living at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege .
The facility has been closed to visitors since March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Junkin typically did her own grocery shopping once a week but now is staying home to limit her exposure to the virus .
She called Holdrege Marketplace about delivering groceries , and they told her about Gifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Things owner DeEtte Bailey came up with the idea after seeing a story on “ Good Morning America.
” A similar shopping service is being offered by group of volunteers in Buffalo County .
Bailey ’ s parents recently had moved from Lincoln to Holdrege , and she was concerned about them going to the grocery store during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We have told them they need to stay home , and we will shop for them .
I ’ m thinking there are lots of people who don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They shouldn ’ t be going out and about to the grocery store , ” she told the Kearney Hub .
Along with wanting to provide a service to the community , Bailey also wanted to keep her employees busy during this time .
Gifts and Things is open , but foot traffic into the store has slowed to almost nothing , Bailey said .
Customers also may make purchases on the Gifts and Things website and via social media .
With the slowdown in the business , Bailey has had to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When she asked her employees if they would be willing to shop for area residents who are homebound , they immediately jumped on board .
The Gifts and Things Shopping Angels shop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday , Wednesday and Friday .
The service is offered free of charge , and the Shopping Angels will go to any store in town .
“ We have people tell us we are crazy .
They can ’ t believe we are doing this for nothing , ” Bailey said .
The Shopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may call - 308-991-9597 - to arrange a shopping time .
The Angels pick up the list and form of payment , which are left on the customers ’ doorstep at the scheduled time .
No contact is made between the Angels and the recipients .
Since beginning the service in late March , Gifts and Things temporarily have taken over Holdrege Marketplace ’ s delivery service .
Monday was the Shopping Angels ’ biggest day with 15 deliveries .
“ I think it ’ s only going to get busier as things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The South Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging is partnering with Buffalo County Community Partners and area churches to offer a similar service in Buffalo County .
They are seeking volunteers - 308-234-1852 - who are able to get groceries , run errands , pick up prescriptions , etc.
, for elderly and disabled people .
“ We are just getting started , ” said SCNAAA Executive Director Rod Horsley .
“ We probably have a dozen volunteers.
” Money can ’ t be exchanged between the volunteers and recipients , so volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online , pick up the items and deliver them without making contact .
The agency provides funding and oversight for 20 senior centers in 14 counties , and they will begin doing wellness checks to see if seniors have enough groceries , medication or anything else they might need .
They plan to offer these services for as long as it is needed , Horsley said .
Junkin plans to use the Shopping Angels service until it is safe for her to leave her home .
“ I think it ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are doing .
I really feel they are angels sent from the Lord , ” she said .

HOLDREGE, Neb. (AP) - Dorene Junkin and her husband, Eldon Booker, haven’t been able to leave their apartment since early March.
The couple live at Chrisoma West Independent Living at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. The facility has been closed to visitors since March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Junkin typically did her own grocery shopping once a week but now is staying home to limit her exposure to the virus. She called Holdrege Marketplace about delivering groceries, and they told her about Gifts and Things Shopping Angels.
Gifts and Things owner DeEtte Bailey came up with the idea after seeing a story on “Good Morning America.” A similar shopping service is being offered by group of volunteers in Buffalo County.
Bailey’s parents recently had moved from Lincoln to Holdrege, and she was concerned about them going to the grocery store during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have told them they need to stay home, and we will shop for them. I’m thinking there are lots of people who don’t have people to shop for them. They shouldn’t be going out and about to the grocery store,” she told the Kearney Hub.
Along with wanting to provide a service to the community, Bailey also wanted to keep her employees busy during this time.
Gifts and Things is open, but foot traffic into the store has slowed to almost nothing, Bailey said. Customers also may make purchases on the Gifts and Things website and via social media.
With the slowdown in the business, Bailey has had to cut her employees’ hours at the store. When she asked her employees if they would be willing to shop for area residents who are homebound, they immediately jumped on board.
The Gifts and Things Shopping Angels shop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The service is offered free of charge, and the Shopping Angels will go to any store in town.
“We have people tell us we are crazy. They can’t believe we are doing this for nothing,” Bailey said.
The Shopping Angels have a designated phone number customers may call - 308-991-9597 - to arrange a shopping time . The Angels pick up the list and form of payment, which are left on the customers’ doorstep at the scheduled time. No contact is made between the Angels and the recipients.
Since beginning the service in late March, Gifts and Things temporarily have taken over Holdrege Marketplace’s delivery service. Monday was the Shopping Angels’ biggest day with 15 deliveries.
“I think it’s only going to get busier as things get real,” Bailey said.
The South Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging is partnering with Buffalo County Community Partners and area churches to offer a similar service in Buffalo County. They are seeking volunteers - 308-234-1852 - who are able to get groceries, run errands, pick up prescriptions, etc., for elderly and disabled people.
“We are just getting started,” said SCNAAA Executive Director Rod Horsley. “We probably have a dozen volunteers.”
Money can’t be exchanged between the volunteers and recipients, so volunteers will work with people to order groceries online, pick up the items and deliver them without making contact. The agency provides funding and oversight for 20 senior centers in 14 counties, and they will begin doing wellness checks to see if seniors have enough groceries, medication or anything else they might need. They plan to offer these services for as long as it is needed, Horsley said.
Junkin plans to use the Shopping Angels service until it is safe for her to leave her home.
“I think it’s just a wonderful, wonderful thing that they are doing. I really feel they are angels sent from the Lord,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Michigan residents encourage gardening amid virus outbreak

PONTIAC , Mich. ( AP ) - Amber Kelso , like everyone else , doesn ’ t want to go to the grocery store .
The 37-year-old mother of two young girls is torn .
She wants her daughters to eat fresh fruit and vegetables .
But her mother is sick with a heart condition and non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis , and she ’ s her primary caregiver .
“ I have to weigh that balance on a scale .
All we can think about right now is keeping her out of the hospital .
Is it worth the risk ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If we could have access to food and not have to touch anything someone else has touched … It ’ s scary to think things could go on like this.
” Kelso has always wanted to start her own vegetable garden - But between work , marriage and motherhood , she ’ s never had the time or the space .
She ’ s from Kalamazoo and lived in urban areas with her husband before moving to the Westacres neighborhood of West Bloomfield .
It ’ s a quaint , wooded subdivision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was constructed with the intent that each homeowner would have enough land to grow crops to feed their entire family , according to the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society .
“ I always felt kind of silly living here and not having at least a few plants , ” she said .
“ Everyone here has a garden , it ’ s really something different .
This is my first time trying to grow food on my own .
I ’ m pretty nervous.
” She was planning to start the garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to help her oldest daughter learn about the earth , and plants , and work on her motor skills .
There ’ s more urgency now to get it right .
As her potted seedlings begin to sprout on the windowsill , Kelso said she hopes she can grow at least one plant .
Luckily , Kelso won ’ t be alone at trying her hands in the dirt .
She ’ s got a green thumb on her side .
Cate Martinez , 36 of Pontiac , and Kelso have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They lived together , worked at a cafe together for five years and have been inseparable since .
At Kelso ’ s wedding , she introduced Martinez to her husband ’ s cousin .
They fell in love , got married and started their own family .
Even the women ’ s own two children are nearly identical in age .
“ It ’ s my literal dream come true that she ’ s getting into gardening , ” Martinez , an events coordinator with Goldner Walsh Garden & Home , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to share together besides our kids.
” Martinez grew up in the garden with her mother , a master gardener , in northern Michigan .
There were always fresh salsas , canned tomatoes , sauces and vegetables for cooking in her home growing up .
She ’ s kept that tradition alive in her own backyard with six raised-garden beds .
This year the family will be growing tomatoes , green beans , peppers , carrots and corn .
Martinez , like Kelso , brings her daughter into the garden to learn where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you ’ re thinking about starting a garden , now is the time to do it , ” Martinez said .
“ Especially with the virus , running to the store isn ’ t just an inconvenience , it ’ s almost a hazard.
” Martinez said she encourages anyone interested in gardening to give it a try , with a little internet research first .
That ’ s where Kelso started .
She said watching videos online and looking up techniques made the whole process less intimidating .
And at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midst of a global pandemic , it ’ s the little moments in the garden that are making a big difference .
“ I love my children but they ’ re very needy right now , this is all definitely impacting them , ” Kelso said .
“ If I can go outside for an hour , it ’ s really soothing .
Any little moments right now you can get , or try to get , matter .
”

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - Amber Kelso, like everyone else, doesn’t want to go to the grocery store.
The 37-year-old mother of two young girls is torn. She wants her daughters to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. But her mother is sick with a heart condition and non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis, and she’s her primary caregiver.
“I have to weigh that balance on a scale. All we can think about right now is keeping her out of the hospital. Is it worth the risk?” Kelso told The Oakland Press. “If we could have access to food and not have to touch anything someone else has touched … It’s scary to think things could go on like this.”
Kelso has always wanted to start her own vegetable garden - But between work, marriage and motherhood, she’s never had the time or the space. She’s from Kalamazoo and lived in urban areas with her husband before moving to the Westacres neighborhood of West Bloomfield.
It’s a quaint, wooded subdivision built in 1933 for low-income families. It was constructed with the intent that each homeowner would have enough land to grow crops to feed their entire family, according to the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society.
“I always felt kind of silly living here and not having at least a few plants,” she said. “Everyone here has a garden, it’s really something different. This is my first time trying to grow food on my own. I’m pretty nervous.”
She was planning to start the garden this year, use it as a way to help her oldest daughter learn about the earth, and plants, and work on her motor skills.
There’s more urgency now to get it right. As her potted seedlings begin to sprout on the windowsill, Kelso said she hopes she can grow at least one plant.
Luckily, Kelso won’t be alone at trying her hands in the dirt. She’s got a green thumb on her side.
Cate Martinez, 36 of Pontiac, and Kelso have been friends since the duo met in college. They lived together, worked at a cafe together for five years and have been inseparable since. At Kelso’s wedding, she introduced Martinez to her husband’s cousin. They fell in love, got married and started their own family.
Even the women’s own two children are nearly identical in age.
“It’s my literal dream come true that she’s getting into gardening,” Martinez, an events coordinator with Goldner Walsh Garden & Home, said. “It gives us something else to share together besides our kids.”
Martinez grew up in the garden with her mother, a master gardener, in northern Michigan. There were always fresh salsas, canned tomatoes, sauces and vegetables for cooking in her home growing up. She’s kept that tradition alive in her own backyard with six raised-garden beds.
This year the family will be growing tomatoes, green beans, peppers, carrots and corn. Martinez, like Kelso, brings her daughter into the garden to learn where fruits and vegetables come from.
“If you’re thinking about starting a garden, now is the time to do it,” Martinez said. “Especially with the virus, running to the store isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s almost a hazard.”
Martinez said she encourages anyone interested in gardening to give it a try, with a little internet research first. That’s where Kelso started. She said watching videos online and looking up techniques made the whole process less intimidating.
And at the end of the day, in the midst of a global pandemic, it’s the little moments in the garden that are making a big difference.
“I love my children but they’re very needy right now, this is all definitely impacting them,” Kelso said. “If I can go outside for an hour, it’s really soothing. Any little moments right now you can get, or try to get, matter.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Utah agency to stop texting Amber Alerts to cellphones

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - The Utah Department of Public Safety announced Sunday that it will stop texting @ @ @ @ @ an alert was sent that did not have the required information .
“ Following an @ @ @ @ @ include complete information early Sunday , the Department of Public Safety will pause the sending @ @ @ @ @ Wireless Emergency Alert system , ” the department said in a statement .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ of the system .
This means WEA will not be available for local law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ until a complete review of the system can be completed .
The Salt Lake Tribune @ @ @ @ @ Sunday was the third one that lacked basic details about the search for a missing @ @ @ @ @ it will continue to issue Amber Alerts through direct messages to law enforcement , news @ @ @ @ @ to the https : //alert.utah.gov/ website .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Utah Department of Public Safety announced Sunday that it will stop texting Amber Alerts to cellphones after an alert was sent that did not have the required information.
“Following an AMBER Alert that did not include complete information early Sunday, the Department of Public Safety will pause the sending future AMBER Alerts through the Wireless Emergency Alert system,” the department said in a statement. “We are conducting a thorough review of the system. This means WEA will not be available for local law enforcement agencies to send AMBER Alerts until a complete review of the system can be completed.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the alert sent Sunday was the third one that lacked basic details about the search for a missing person.
The department says it will continue to issue Amber Alerts through direct messages to law enforcement, news media, social media and to the https://alert.utah.gov/ website.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Trump executive order defers tariff payments

President Trump issued an executive order Sunday night giving the Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin the authority to defer certain tariff payments due to the coronavirus crisis .
The president ’ s order allows Treasury to defer tariff payments “ for importers suffering significant financial hardship because of COVID-19.
” The order gives Mr. Mnuchin the authority to temporarily extend deadlines on some tariff payments .
It ’ s not clear what tariffs could be affected .
But some U.S. companies are paying tariffs as high as 25 % while dealing with lost sales and lower demand due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Customs and Border Protection issued a interim rule later Sunday night providing importers with the option for a 90-day deferment period on the payment of duties , taxes , and fees .
“ By postponing the deadline to deposit certain duties , taxes , and fees for 90 days , we are providing much-needed relief to affected businesses , ” Mr. Mnuchin said .
“ This will protect American jobs and help these businesses get through this time.
” Treasury said the action “ addresses many of the growing concerns raised by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial burden of these stakeholders.
” Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas , top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee , said the deferrals don ’ t apply to tariffs on steel and aluminum .
“ U.S .
companies , including small businesses , will be better able to survive , make payroll , and retain workers over the coming weeks thanks to President Trump ’ s temporary duty deferral , ” Mr. Brady said .
“ By postponing payments of certain tariffs owed on imported goods for 90 days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This will free up much-needed cash , allowing these businesses to pay these duties when they , as well as the economy , are on sounder footing .
”

President Trump issued an executive order Sunday night giving the Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin the authority to defer certain tariff payments due to the coronavirus crisis.
The president’s order allows Treasury to defer tariff payments “for importers suffering significant financial hardship because of COVID-19.”
The order gives Mr. Mnuchin the authority to temporarily extend deadlines on some tariff payments.
It’s not clear what tariffs could be affected. But some U.S. companies are paying tariffs as high as 25% while dealing with lost sales and lower demand due to the widespread coronavirus shutdown.
The Treasury Department and Customs and Border Protection issued a interim rule later Sunday night providing importers with the option for a 90-day deferment period on the payment of duties, taxes, and fees.
“By postponing the deadline to deposit certain duties, taxes, and fees for 90 days, we are providing much-needed relief to affected businesses,” Mr. Mnuchin said. “This will protect American jobs and help these businesses get through this time.”
Treasury said the action “addresses many of the growing concerns raised by importers and manufacturers, and it reduces the financial burden of these stakeholders.”
Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, said the deferrals don’t apply to tariffs on steel and aluminum.
“U.S. companies, including small businesses, will be better able to survive, make payroll, and retain workers over the coming weeks thanks to President Trump’s temporary duty deferral,” Mr. Brady said. “By postponing payments of certain tariffs owed on imported goods for 90 days, President Trump is helping save American jobs. This will free up much-needed cash, allowing these businesses to pay these duties when they, as well as the economy, are on sounder footing.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Trump cuts Mitt Romney from coronavirus conference call

President Trump on Sunday said he had no use for Sen. Mitt Romney but insisted he wasn ’ t holding a grudge against him for being the only Republican to vote for his impeachment .
The White House last week excluded Mr. Romney from a coronavirus task force conference call attended by every other GOP senator .
“ No .
I ’ m not a fan of Mitt Romney , ” Mr. Trump said when a reporter at the daily White House briefing asked if he was holding a grudge .
Mr. Trump said that having a call with 52 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient .
“ I don ’ t really want his advice , ” said the president .
The two men have a long history of friction , including Mr. Romney publicly denouncing Mr. Trump as the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016 .
Mr. Romney made amends with Mr. Trump when he won the White House , including auditioning for secretary of state .
Mr. Trump passed him over for the job .
The rift deepened when Mr. Romney , who was elected as a senator from Utah in 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of impeachment against Mr. Trump .

President Trump on Sunday said he had no use for Sen. Mitt Romney but insisted he wasn’t holding a grudge against him for being the only Republican to vote for his impeachment.
The White House last week excluded Mr. Romney from a coronavirus task force conference call attended by every other GOP senator.
“No. I’m not a fan of Mitt Romney,” Mr. Trump said when a reporter at the daily White House briefing asked if he was holding a grudge.
Mr. Trump said that having a call with 52 of the chambers 53 Republican senators was sufficient.
“I don’t really want his advice,” said the president.
The two men have a long history of friction, including Mr. Romney publicly denouncing Mr. Trump as the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016.
Mr. Romney made amends with Mr. Trump when he won the White House, including auditioning for secretary of state. Mr. Trump passed him over for the job.
The rift deepened when Mr. Romney, who was elected as a senator from Utah in 2018, voted for one of the two articles of impeachment against Mr. Trump.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Real estate listings plunge during usual peak season

The coronavirus shutdown has hit the real estate market hard with new listings plunging this year during what should be the peak season for home shopping .
New home listings were down 27 % nationwide in the first week of April compared to a year ago , with the cities of Detroit , Pittsburgh and New York most affected by the slowdown , according to a report by online real estate database Zillow .
At the beginning of March , the market appeared to bloom with home values accelerating for the first time in about two years .
Zillow ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 1 than last year .
All that has changed with states issuing stay-at-home orders and shuttering businesses .
States such as Florida and New York have designated real estate as an “ essential ” service , but social distancing measures forced agents to become more creative in using technology to bring home shopping online for people sitting at home .
Audrey Ross , who runs a real estate firm in South Florida , said conducting virtual open houses hasn ’ t been all that bad .
“ It seems to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Washington Times .
“ It is interesting because it is just doing business in a totally different way.
” Ms. Ross , who has been in the industry for several decades selling multi-million-dollar properties , said before the pandemic , an open house visited by 10 people on a Sunday would be deemed a great success .
Now virtual tours , where an agent walks through the property in a video posted online , can get two dozen views .
A virtual tour Ms. Ross conducted this month had 30 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You do get quite a lot more exposure , ” Ms. Ross said , though she noted that the market is slower than usual .
In Colorado , real estate agents are now barred from entering homes if the owners still occupy it .
Homeowners who wish to sell their property can produce walk-through videos themselves , according to local reports .
Chris Grund , a realtor with listings.com , said the shutdown order from Democratic Gov .
Jared Polis is killing the real estate market .
“ Putting the nail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , ” he told TheDenver Channel .
Meanwhile , construction on new homes dropped 22 % in March from February , although it was still 1.4 % higher than in March 2019 , the Commerce Department reported last week .
There was also a 6.8 % drop in permits to begin construction last month .

The coronavirus shutdown has hit the real estate market hard with new listings plunging this year during what should be the peak season for home shopping.
New home listings were down 27% nationwide in the first week of April compared to a year ago, with the cities of Detroit, Pittsburgh and New York most affected by the slowdown, according to a report by online real estate database Zillow.
At the beginning of March, the market appeared to bloom with home values accelerating for the first time in about two years. Zillow’s data showed 17% more listings on March 1 than last year.
All that has changed with states issuing stay-at-home orders and shuttering businesses.
States such as Florida and New York have designated real estate as an “essential” service, but social distancing measures forced agents to become more creative in using technology to bring home shopping online for people sitting at home.
Audrey Ross, who runs a real estate firm in South Florida, said conducting virtual open houses hasn’t been all that bad.
“It seems to be going rather well actually,” she told The Washington Times. “It is interesting because it is just doing business in a totally different way.”
Ms. Ross, who has been in the industry for several decades selling multi-million-dollar properties, said before the pandemic, an open house visited by 10 people on a Sunday would be deemed a great success.
Now virtual tours, where an agent walks through the property in a video posted online, can get two dozen views.
A virtual tour Ms. Ross conducted this month had 30 people watching the video at any given time.
“You do get quite a lot more exposure,” Ms. Ross said, though she noted that the market is slower than usual.
In Colorado, real estate agents are now barred from entering homes if the owners still occupy it.
Homeowners who wish to sell their property can produce walk-through videos themselves, according to local reports.
Chris Grund, a realtor with listings.com, said the shutdown order from Democratic Gov. Jared Polis is killing the real estate market.
“Putting the nail in the coffin of our industry right now,” he told TheDenver Channel.
Meanwhile, construction on new homes dropped 22% in March from February, although it was still 1.4% higher than in March 2019, the Commerce Department reported last week.
There was also a 6.8% drop in permits to begin construction last month.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Elba and wife, recovering from coronavirus, to help others

Even though they only had mild symptoms , Idris Elba says he and his wife had their lives “ turned around ” after contracting the coronavirus , calling the experience “ definitely scary and unsettling and nervous.
” “ You know , everyone ’ s sort of feeling the way we have been feeling , but it has definitely been sort of just a complete upheaval , ” he told The Associated Press late last week .
But the British actor feels that there are life lessons to be learned , and the pandemic serves as a reminder that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your time.
” “ I think that the world should take a week of quarantine every year just to remember this time .
Remember each other .
I really do , ” he said .
The British actor and his model wife , Sabrina Dhowre Elba , spoke to the AP as they began a push with the United Nations to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on farmers and food producers in rural areas .
“ People forget that 80 percent of the poor population live in these rural areas.
” Dhowre Elba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried about at the moment , and why we are launching this fund is that those people are being forgotten.
” In their new roles as U.N .
Goodwill Ambassadors , Elba and his wife , have joined forces with the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development ( IFAD ) to launch the new $ 40 million fund .
The actor believes people in rural and poor areas are likely to suffer more in the pandemic .
“ If you imagine being in a village where no one even knows the name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that you live in a slum where there is one room and six of you live in it , ” he said .
“ Social distancing is almost laughable.
” “ What we are really worried about at the moment , and why we are launching this fund is that those people are being forgotten , ” Dhowre Elba said .
“ While health , you know , is so important at the moment … we don ’ t want people to forget about what comes after that.
” Both Elba and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elba ’ s parents are from Sierra Leone and Ghana , while Dhowre Elba is of Somali descent .
The pair went to Sierra Leone in December with the United Nations to see how IFAD has assisted people there .
Elba said he was particularly concerned as to what the coronavirus pandemic could do on the continent in countries already suffering economically .
“ We have to think about the forward planning .
What ’ s what ’ s the fallout going to be ?
” he said .
The couple have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor was filming when he became sick , but plan to return to London as soon as they can get a flight .
Elba said he had to miss his 6-year-old son ’ s birthday because of the lockdown but he ’ s “ hoping to see him as soon as I can.
” “ We ’ ve been fortunate , ” he added .
“ We have been staying in a lovely place that ’ s been very comfortable for the time .
But we ’ re looking forward to going home @ @

Even though they only had mild symptoms, Idris Elba says he and his wife had their lives “turned around” after contracting the coronavirus, calling the experience “definitely scary and unsettling and nervous.”
“You know, everyone’s sort of feeling the way we have been feeling, but it has definitely been sort of just a complete upheaval,” he told The Associated Press late last week.
But the British actor feels that there are life lessons to be learned, and the pandemic serves as a reminder that “the world doesn’t tick on your time.”
“I think that the world should take a week of quarantine every year just to remember this time. Remember each other. I really do,” he said.
The British actor and his model wife, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, spoke to the AP as they began a push with the United Nations to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on farmers and food producers in rural areas.
“People forget that 80 percent of the poor population live in these rural areas.” Dhowre Elba said. “What we are really worried about at the moment, and why we are launching this fund is that those people are being forgotten.”
In their new roles as U.N. Goodwill Ambassadors, Elba and his wife, have joined forces with the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to launch the new $40 million fund. IFAD hopes to raise up to $200 million more from governments worldwide.
The actor believes people in rural and poor areas are likely to suffer more in the pandemic.
“If you imagine being in a village where no one even knows the name of your village or your population, and that you live in a slum where there is one room and six of you live in it,” he said. “Social distancing is almost laughable.
Both Elba and his wife have roots in Africa; Elba’s parents are from Sierra Leone and Ghana, while Dhowre Elba is of Somali descent. The pair went to Sierra Leone in December with the United Nations to see how IFAD has assisted people there.
Elba said he was particularly concerned as to what the coronavirus pandemic could do on the continent in countries already suffering economically.
“We have to think about the forward planning. What’s what’s the fallout going to be?” he said.
The couple have been recovering in New Mexico, where the actor was filming when he became sick, but plan to return to London as soon as they can get a flight. Elba said he had to miss his 6-year-old son’s birthday because of the lockdown but he’s “hoping to see him as soon as I can.”
“We’ve been fortunate,” he added. “We have been staying in a lovely place that’s been very comfortable for the time. But we’re looking forward to going home.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Coronavirus to transform world more than 1918 flu pandemic

The Black Death that struck Europe in the 14th century forced a total reordering of society , permanently rewriting rules between landowners and workers , and between the church and the faithful .
The influenza pandemic that swept the globe after World War I , by contrast , left barely a blip on American society .
All eyes are now on the COVID-19 crisis , which could be as consequential as the Black Death , as fleeting as the 1918 flu or somewhere in between .
Politicians , futurists and others are wondering which experiments , small and big , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
President Trump , a noted germophobe even before the outbreak , said the handshake greeting may become a practice of the past .
Architecture aficionados debate whether the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus will end the open office concept for the workplace .
The business world is getting an emergency test of the possibilities and limits of telework .
Plenty of employees are beginning to realize that in-person meetings may not be as essential as bosses once insisted .
Schools are pioneering new methods of distance learning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments to most Americans in what some activists hope is a test run for the universal basic income concept .
Spain is testing such a system as part of its own response to the COVID-19 crisis .
Sen. Bernard Sanders , Vermont independent , said the pandemic should persuade Americans to ditch their health care system and embrace his government-run plan .
Mr. Trump said the U.S. is realizing the dangers of globalization and must figure out ways to increase manufacturing in the U.S. and rely less on international supply chains .
Whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysts say about the frequency of recurrences , said Steven Johnson , author of “ The Ghost Map , ” a book about London ’ s cholera epidemic that began in 1854 and the scientific and city planning advances that resulted .
“ Is this something that might happen every five years and , if so , then yes , there probably is a structural change that has to happen in terms of globalization because the state of the world can ’ t tolerate a crisis of this magnitude every five years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is more of a 100-year event , he said , “ we actually don ’ t need to change that much of our systems.
” COVID-19 does seem to have settled the fierce U.S. debate of the past decade over whether government should play an expanding or contracting role .
With the federal government engaged in the kind of spending of Northern European social democracies , the expansionists appear to have won .
“ Having a government that can respond quickly , decisively and in a well-financed way to these crises , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value , ” said Christian McMillen , a historian and associate dean for social sciences at the University of Virginia .
He said he expects the debate over how the U.S. delivers health care to become even more prominent in the November elections .
Part of that will be a discussion of Mr. Sanders ’ universal health care proposal .
But Mr. McMillen said he expects an examination of the way Americans approach disease control , with a reliance on vaccines or cures such as antibiotics .
“ I would like to think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our overreliance on therapeutics , on drugs and so forth , and invest in a robust public health infrastructure that allows us to respond rapidly to something like this , ” he said .
But he , like the other specialists who spoke to The Washington Times , noted the amount of uncertainty about COVID-19 and therefore about what changes it spawns .
They pointed to the 1918 flu , which killed perhaps 50 million people globally and 675,000 in the U.S. , a little more than one-half of 1 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equal more than 1.6 million Americans .
Yet other than spurring research into virology , the 1918 pandemic resulted in little lasting social change , Mr. McMillan said .
One reason for the shallow impact was that the influenza was mainly a local experience , dealt with by local officials , even though it struck nationwide .
It also washed over the U.S. quickly .
Mr. Johnson said life expectancies were growing in the decades before 1918 , but the horrors of a pandemic weren ’ t unusual and childhood deaths from disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut life expectancy back to 41 years , it wasn ’ t shocking .
Even with a lower death toll , he said , COVID-19 will be different .
“ When we see a mass health catastrophe like this rear its ugly head , I think we ’ re way more shocked by it now than the folks in 1918 were .
I think it will likely leave us more transformed than 1918 did , ” Mr. Johnson said .
The 1918 flu stands as an outlier .
Mr. Johnson said even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll , resulted in advances .
When the third cholera pandemic hit London in 1854 , John Snow , a doctor , proved that it came from contaminated water , not the “ bad air ” that had long shouldered blame .
With that understanding came new solutions .
“ That led to this whole reorganization of the infrastructure of cities and the building in London of the sewer system and sewer systems all over the world , ” the author said .
Nobody is predicting the kinds of changes spawned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried in rat fleas , took perhaps half of Europe ’ s population from 1347 to 1351 and punctured the imperium of the Catholic Church , said Dorsey Armstrong , a professor at Purdue University who recorded a lecture series on the Black Death for The Great Courses .
Some clergy fled their duties while others leaned into them — and died in great numbers .
“ It looked like God was mad and he wasn ’ t sparing anybody , ” Ms. Armstrong said .
People began to question the church , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Protestant Reformation may not have happened at all , or certainly not have happened when it did , if not for the plague , ” the professor said .
Ms. Armstrong said regions reacted differently to the plague .
Some fell apart .
Others , such as Florence , had leaders who created boards of health and mobilized guilds to reach people .
Leaders were required to stay in the city to govern .
Those who fled to the countryside to avoid the plague faced hefty fines .
The Black Death was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , it was known as the Great Pestilence .
It upended centuries of stagnant social structure and resulted in better lives for those who survived , Ms. Armstrong said .
Suddenly , instead of a land crunch — too little space and too many workers — there was a labor crunch .
Too many nobles were looking for folks to work their land .
If a noble wasn ’ t ready to pay more , then his workers headed down the road to someone who would .
“ That gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , in fact , helped contribute to a rise of the merchant class , ” Ms. Armstrong said .
With money in the merchant class , nobles began to marry “ down ” into those families .
Ms. Armstrong wondered whether there will be a similar reckoning for those doing essential jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic — delivery , food service , sanitation — at low wages .
“ The question will be after we get through this initial wave , will their work be better valued ?
Will the change be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher wages , more paid sick leave ?
” she said .
“ That would be a similar transformation for the good.
” Amy Zalman , a futurist and professor at Georgetown University , said COVID-19 is unlikely to cause any social U-turns but will accelerate changes already underway .
That doesn ’ t mean an idea like universal basic income is certain , but it does mean big conversations about the nature of work and life and pay will be expedited .
“ Questions like ‘ What is work ?
’ Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1850 or 1950 , what was the relationship between work and wages , how do people sustain themselves , and what is the relationship between work and life — work and not-work ?
” she said .
“ Those are questions already very much in the air.
” Lots of speculation has emerged about smaller-level changes .
Will the middle seats disappear on jetliners ?
Can movie theaters survive ?
Will masks become de rigueur , as hats once were for men in public ?
With nursing homes taking the brunt of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to warehouse the elderly ?
One of the biggest questions is about touch .
France has issued guidance discouraging cheek kissing .
In the U.S. , Mr. Trump , never a fan of handshakes , said it “ maybe is something that ’ s going to be a little bit from the past.
” At the last Democratic presidential debate , the two candidates exchanged an elbow bump .
Of course , hugging and touches in the workplace were becoming problematic in the # MeToo era — think of former Vice President Joseph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being too touchy-feely with women around him .
Ms. Zalman said the pandemic could cement that , with social distancing becoming more than a virus coping mechanism .
“ I could totally see the phrase and the concept sticking around and morphing , ” she said .
In the meantime , the warnings about touch are giving us all more information about the people we see in our neighborhoods .
“ I now know who lives together , because the only people who touch people outside probably come from the same household — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

The Black Death that struck Europe in the 14th century forced a total reordering of society, permanently rewriting rules between landowners and workers, and between the church and the faithful.
The influenza pandemic that swept the globe after World War I, by contrast, left barely a blip on American society.
All eyes are now on the COVID-19 crisis, which could be as consequential as the Black Death, as fleeting as the 1918 flu or somewhere in between.
Politicians, futurists and others are wondering which experiments, small and big, will have staying power beyond the confines of the pandemic.
President Trump, a noted germophobe even before the outbreak, said the handshake greeting may become a practice of the past.
Architecture aficionados debate whether the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus will end the open office concept for the workplace.
The business world is getting an emergency test of the possibilities and limits of telework. Plenty of employees are beginning to realize that in-person meetings may not be as essential as bosses once insisted. Schools are pioneering new methods of distance learning.
The federal government is doling out massive payments to most Americans in what some activists hope is a test run for the universal basic income concept. Spain is testing such a system as part of its own response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, said the pandemic should persuade Americans to ditch their health care system and embrace his government-run plan.
Mr. Trump said the U.S. is realizing the dangers of globalization and must figure out ways to increase manufacturing in the U.S. and rely less on international supply chains.
A five-year storm?
Whether the world rethinks globalization depends on what analysts say about the frequency of recurrences, said Steven Johnson, author of “The Ghost Map,” a book about London’s cholera epidemic that began in 1854 and the scientific and city planning advances that resulted.
“Is this something that might happen every five years and, if so, then yes, there probably is a structural change that has to happen in terms of globalization because the state of the world can’t tolerate a crisis of this magnitude every five years,” he said.
But if the pandemic is more of a 100-year event, he said, “we actually don’t need to change that much of our systems.”
COVID-19 does seem to have settled the fierce U.S. debate of the past decade over whether government should play an expanding or contracting role. With the federal government engaged in the kind of spending of Northern European social democracies, the expansionists appear to have won.
“Having a government that can respond quickly, decisively and in a well-financed way to these crises, people might find that to be of value,” said Christian McMillen, a historian and associate dean for social sciences at the University of Virginia. He said he expects the debate over how the U.S. delivers health care to become even more prominent in the November elections.
Part of that will be a discussion of Mr. Sanders’ universal health care proposal. But Mr. McMillen said he expects an examination of the way Americans approach disease control, with a reliance on vaccines or cures such as antibiotics.
“I would like to think that this might force us to rethink our overreliance on therapeutics, on drugs and so forth, and invest in a robust public health infrastructure that allows us to respond rapidly to something like this,” he said.
But he, like the other specialists who spoke to The Washington Times, noted the amount of uncertainty about COVID-19 and therefore about what changes it spawns.
They pointed to the 1918 flu, which killed perhaps 50 million people globally and 675,000 in the U.S., a little more than one-half of 1% of the population. That death rate today would equal more than 1.6 million Americans.
Yet other than spurring research into virology, the 1918 pandemic resulted in little lasting social change, Mr. McMillan said. One reason for the shallow impact was that the influenza was mainly a local experience, dealt with by local officials, even though it struck nationwide.
It also washed over the U.S. quickly.
Mr. Johnson said life expectancies were growing in the decades before 1918, but the horrors of a pandemic weren’t unusual and childhood deaths from disease were common.
So when the flu cut life expectancy back to 41 years, it wasn’t shocking. Even with a lower death toll, he said, COVID-19 will be different.
“When we see a mass health catastrophe like this rear its ugly head, I think we’re way more shocked by it now than the folks in 1918 were. I think it will likely leave us more transformed than 1918 did,” Mr. Johnson said.
The 1918 flu stands as an outlier.
Mr. Johnson said even the 19th-century cholera outbreaks, with a smaller death toll, resulted in advances. When the third cholera pandemic hit London in 1854, John Snow, a doctor, proved that it came from contaminated water, not the “bad air” that had long shouldered blame.
With that understanding came new solutions.
“That led to this whole reorganization of the infrastructure of cities and the building in London of the sewer system and sewer systems all over the world,” the author said.
The great pestilence
Nobody is predicting the kinds of changes spawned by the Black Death.
That pandemic, carried in rat fleas, took perhaps half of Europe’s population from 1347 to 1351 and punctured the imperium of the Catholic Church, said Dorsey Armstrong, a professor at Purdue University who recorded a lecture series on the Black Death for The Great Courses.
Some clergy fled their duties while others leaned into them — and died in great numbers. “It looked like God was mad and he wasn’t sparing anybody,” Ms. Armstrong said.
People began to question the church, and reform movements gained strength.
“The Protestant Reformation may not have happened at all, or certainly not have happened when it did, if not for the plague,” the professor said.
Ms. Armstrong said regions reacted differently to the plague. Some fell apart. Others, such as Florence, had leaders who created boards of health and mobilized guilds to reach people.
Leaders were required to stay in the city to govern. Those who fled to the countryside to avoid the plague faced hefty fines.
The Black Death was a label created centuries later. At the time, it was known as the Great Pestilence.
It upended centuries of stagnant social structure and resulted in better lives for those who survived, Ms. Armstrong said.
Suddenly, instead of a land crunch — too little space and too many workers — there was a labor crunch. Too many nobles were looking for folks to work their land. If a noble wasn’t ready to pay more, then his workers headed down the road to someone who would.
“That gave the lower classes more power, more money and, in fact, helped contribute to a rise of the merchant class,” Ms. Armstrong said.
With money in the merchant class, nobles began to marry “down” into those families.
Ms. Armstrong wondered whether there will be a similar reckoning for those doing essential jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic — delivery, food service, sanitation — at low wages.
“The question will be after we get through this initial wave, will their work be better valued? Will the change be a recognition that they need to have higher wages, more paid sick leave?” she said. “That would be a similar transformation for the good.”
Amy Zalman, a futurist and professor at Georgetown University, said COVID-19 is unlikely to cause any social U-turns but will accelerate changes already underway.
That doesn’t mean an idea like universal basic income is certain, but it does mean big conversations about the nature of work and life and pay will be expedited.
“Questions like ‘What is work?’ Is it what we thought work was in 1850 or 1950, what was the relationship between work and wages, how do people sustain themselves, and what is the relationship between work and life — work and not-work?” she said. “Those are questions already very much in the air.”
Lots of speculation has emerged about smaller-level changes. Will the middle seats disappear on jetliners? Can movie theaters survive? Will masks become de rigueur, as hats once were for men in public? With nursing homes taking the brunt of the chaos, will Americans rethink the tendency to warehouse the elderly?
One of the biggest questions is about touch. France has issued guidance discouraging cheek kissing.
In the U.S., Mr. Trump, never a fan of handshakes, said it “maybe is something that’s going to be a little bit from the past.”
At the last Democratic presidential debate, the two candidates exchanged an elbow bump.
Of course, hugging and touches in the workplace were becoming problematic in the #MeToo era — think of former Vice President Joseph R. Biden’s repeated apologies for being too touchy-feely with women around him.
Ms. Zalman said the pandemic could cement that, with social distancing becoming more than a virus coping mechanism.
“I could totally see the phrase and the concept sticking around and morphing,” she said.
In the meantime, the warnings about touch are giving us all more information about the people we see in our neighborhoods.
“I now know who lives together, because the only people who touch people outside probably come from the same household — or are stupid,” Ms. Zalman said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Australia to make Google and Facebook pay for news content

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - Global digital platforms Google and Facebook will be forced to pay for news content in Australia , the government said on Monday as the coronavirus pandemic causes a collapse in advertising revenue .
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the competition watchdog , the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission , known as ACCC , would release in late July draft rules for the platforms to pay fair compensation for the journalistic content siphoned from news media .
Frydenberg said he believed that Australia could succeed where other countries , including France and Spain , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ re very conscious of the challenges and complexity of ensuring a mandatory code .
Many other countries have tried it without much success , ” Frydenberg told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “ We think we can be world leading.
” “ We do want the rules of the digital world to reflect as much as possible the rules of the physical world , ” he added .
The ACCC had attempted to negotiate a voluntary code by which the global giants would agree to pay traditional media for their content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree on “ this key issue of payment for content , ” Frydenberg said .
Google was netting 47 % of online advertising spending excluding classified ads in Australia , and Facebook was claiming 24 % , he said .
Google and Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Media companies have stopped printing dozens of newspaper mastheads across Australia because the pandemic shutdown has caused advertisers to stop spending .

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Global digital platforms Google and Facebook will be forced to pay for news content in Australia, the government said Monday, as the coronavirus pandemic causes a collapse in advertising revenue.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission would release in late July draft rules for the platforms to pay fair compensation for the journalistic content siphoned from news media.
Frydenberg said he believed that Australia could succeed where other countries, including France and Spain, had failed in making Google and Facebook pay.
“We won’t bow to their threats,” Frydenberg told reporters. “We understand the challenge that we face. This is a big mountain to climb. These are big companies that we are dealing with, but there is also so much at stake, so we’re prepared for this fight.”
The ACCC had attempted to negotiate a voluntary code by which the global giants would agree to pay traditional media for their content.
But the parties couldn’t agree on “this key issue of payment for content,” Frydenberg said.
Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said Australia would take a different approach to Europe, relying on competition law rather than copyright law.
Google and Facebook said they had been working to the ACCC November deadline to negotiate a voluntary code.
“We’re disappointed by the government’s announcement, especially as we’ve worked hard to meet their agreed deadline,” Facebook Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand Will Easton said in a statement.
“COVID-19 has impacted every business and industry across the country, including publishers, which is why we announced a new, global investment to support news organisations at a time when advertising revenue is declining,” he added, referring to a $100 million investment in the news industry announced in March.
Google said said it had engaged with more than 25 Australian publishers to get their input on a voluntary code.
“We have sought to work constructively with industry, the ACCC and government to develop a code of conduct, and we will continue to do so in the revised process set out by the government today,” a Google statement said.
ACCC Chairman Rod Sims played down the prospect of Google shutting down its Australian news platform rather than pay for content as it had done in Spain.
“Around 10% of search results are media stories. This will seriously affect the usefulness, for example, of Google Search, so I think we have to understand that there’s value both ways here and I think it will be hard for Google and Facebook just to say we won’t have any contact with news media at all,” Sims told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Michael Miller, Executive Chairman Australasia of News Corp. Australia, the nation’s largest newspaper publisher, said, “We are looking for a fair payment and at the same time a substantial payment.”
Frydenberg declined to estimate how much Google and Facebook would pay news media, other than to say it would amount to millions of dollars.
Google was netting 47% of online advertising spending excluding classified ads in Australia, and Facebook was claiming 24%, he said.
Media companies have stopped printing dozens of newspaper mastheads across Australia because the pandemic shutdown has caused advertisers to stop spending.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Trump plays Andrew Cuomo clip praising feds as 'great partner'

As the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 40,000 , President Trump on Sunday played a video clip of New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo praising the federal government as a “ great partner ” in treating the coronavirus and ensuring his hard-hit state had enough capacity to handle a surge in hospital needs .
Mr. Trump relished the moment , after critics accused his administration of falling short in its support of states ’ needs .
“ He said some really good things .
It makes people feel good , ” Mr. Trump said of the Democratic governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played from the White House briefing room , showed Mr. Cuomo hailing the federal government for , among other things , converting the Javits Convention Center into a makeshift hospital .
“ Luckily , we didn ’ t need the 2,500 beds , ” Mr. Cuomo said at his Sunday briefing , acknowledging that early models overshot need .
After the clip , Mr. Trump complained that his aides “ left out the good part.
” It ’ s unclear what he meant , though the president likes to boast that he sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr. Cuomo had pleaded for the machines , since they help people with a severe bout of COVID-19 breathe .
Pivoting from his disappointment , Mr. Trump said ; “ I just think it ’ s so good because it ’ s bipartisan.
” “ Have we lost anyone because we didn ’ t have a bed , or we didn ’ t have a ventilator or we didn ’ t have health care staff ?
No , ” Mr. Cuomo said .
Later , Mr. Trump said he played the clip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women who ’ ve done “ an incredible job ” fighting the virus , including the admirals , generals , doctors and nurses on the front lines .
When a reporter noted the Cuomo clip was exclusively about praise for his administration , the president said : “ Nothing is about me .
”

As the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus surpassed 40,000, President Trump on Sunday played a video clip of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo praising the federal government as a “great partner” in treating the coronavirus and ensuring his hard-hit state had enough capacity to handle a surge in hospital needs.
Mr. Trump relished the moment, after critics accused his administration of falling short in its support of states’ needs.
“He said some really good things. It makes people feel good,” Mr. Trump said of the Democratic governor’s comments.
The video, played from the White House briefing room, showed Mr. Cuomo hailing the federal government for, among other things, converting the Javits Convention Center into a makeshift hospital.
“Luckily, we didn’t need the 2,500 beds,” Mr. Cuomo said at his Sunday briefing, acknowledging that early models overshot need.
After the clip, Mr. Trump complained that his aides “left out the good part.”
“Good job, fellas,” he said.
It’s unclear what he meant, though the president likes to boast that he sent more than enough ventilators to New York.
Mr. Cuomo had pleaded for the machines, since they help people with a severe bout of COVID-19 breathe.
Pivoting from his disappointment, Mr. Trump said; “I just think it’s so good because it’s bipartisan.”
Mr. Trump’s staff later found the missing clip.
“Have we lost anyone because we didn’t have a bed, or we didn’t have a ventilator or we didn’t have health care staff? No,” Mr. Cuomo said.
Later, Mr. Trump said he played the clip because he was standing up for men and women who’ve done “an incredible job” fighting the virus, including the admirals, generals, doctors and nurses on the front lines.
When a reporter noted the Cuomo clip was exclusively about praise for his administration, the president said: “Nothing is about me.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Hundreds of Montana residents protest stay-at-home order

HELENA , Mont .
( AP ) - Hundreds of protesters gathered Sunday outside the Montana state Capitol to call on Gov .
Steve Bullock to ease stay-at-home and business restrictions enacted to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
A line of protesters , many waving American flags and some wearing protective face masks , made its way around the Capitol building after a prayer vigil touted as a “ Liberty Rally , ” The Great Falls Tribune reported .
“ It ’ s all about freedom , ” said Paul Landsgaard , a Bozeman teacher .
Similar rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s call for a rapid economic reopening and guidance issued by the White House leaving such decisions to the states .
Bullock , a Democrat , has like many governors said reopening depends on curbing the rate of transmission of the virus .
The governor said Friday state residents have taken the stay-at-home and social distancing directives seriously , allowing his administration to plan to begin a phased re-opening of the state ’ s economy after April 24 , when the stay-at-home directives expire .
He said details would be announced this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died and 433 have tested positive for the virus in Montana , according to health authorities .
For most people , coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Hundreds of protesters gathered Sunday outside the Montana state Capitol to call on Gov. Steve Bullock to ease stay-at-home and business restrictions enacted to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
A line of protesters, many waving American flags and some wearing protective face masks, made its way around the Capitol building after a prayer vigil touted as a “Liberty Rally,” The Great Falls Tribune reported.
“It’s all about freedom,” said Paul Landsgaard, a Bozeman teacher.
Similar rallies throughout the West echoed President Donald Trump’s call for a rapid economic reopening and guidance issued by the White House leaving such decisions to the states. Bullock, a Democrat, has like many governors said reopening depends on curbing the rate of transmission of the virus.
The governor said Friday state residents have taken the stay-at-home and social distancing directives seriously, allowing his administration to plan to begin a phased re-opening of the state’s economy after April 24, when the stay-at-home directives expire. He said details would be announced this week.
At least 10 people have died and 433 have tested positive for the virus in Montana, according to health authorities.
For most people, coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Inside the Beltway: U.S. Census soldiers on, coronavirus or not

The U.S. population still needs to be counted despite the coronavirus pandemic , media hysteria and partisan discord .
The U.S. Census says that 50.2 % of the nation — that ’ s 74.3 million households as of Sunday — have responded to the call so far .
Some locales appear more eager than others .
With a 60.2 % response rate , Minnesota currently leads the way among states .
Among counties , Los Alamos , New Mexico is in first place with a 70.6 % response .
The federal agency , however , gets very local in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towns ?
In first place is North River , North Dakota , with a response rate of 95.7 % from its population of 55 .
In second place is Oakland Acres , Iowa , with a response of 86.6 % and a population of 160 ; third goes to Trout Valley , Illinois , at 85.7 % , population 521 .
No .
4 is Harwood , North Dakota , response of 84 % , population 827 , and fifth is Westwood , Iowa , response at 83.3 % , and population 111 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or state at 2020census.gov/response-rates .
Meanwhile , the agency has devoted an entire section of its sizable website to “ fighting 2020 Census rumors ” — which includes concerns that Census data systems have been breached , or that responses are shared with law enforcement .
And like everyone else , the Census has made major adjustments in the coronavirus era .
“ The Census Bureau temporarily suspended 2020 Census field data collection activities in March .
Steps are already being taken to reactivate field offices beginning June 1 , 2020 , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection operations as quickly as possible following June 1 , ” the agency says .
“ In order to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the 2020 Census , the Census Bureau is seeking statutory relief from Congress of 120 additional calendar days to deliver final apportionment counts .
Under this plan , the Census Bureau would extend the window for field data collection and self-response to October 31 , 2020 , which will allow for apportionment counts to be delivered to President Trump by April 30 , 2021 , and redistricting data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later than July 31 , 2021.
” HBO political host Bill Maher now cites coronavirus news coverage for its constant drumbeat of terror , angst and anxiety that “ veers into panic porn ” and overshadows any meaningful information for the troubled public .
“ We need the news to calm down and treat us like adults .
President Trump calls you fake news .
Don ’ t make him right , ” Mr. Maher advised in his weekend message .
Half of U.S. voters — 49 % — say it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toss their pandemic worries to the wind and get back to work .
Another 36 % , however , say it ’ s time to return to the workplace ; the rest are undecided , according to a new Rasmussen Reports poll .
“ Fifty-one percent of GOP voters think it is time for America to get back to work .
Only 27 % of Democrats and 32 % of voters not affiliated with either major party agree , ” says the pollster .
All voters are worried about future prospects .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain locked down according to the latest government recommendations .
A quarter say America can only stay shuttered until May 1 , 27 % set the limit at another six weeks while 12 % say the country can last until summer ’ s end .
Another 58 % are more concerned about the health impact of the coronavirus than its financial impact while 71 % fret about contracting coronavirus if they go back to work .
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted April 14-15 .
Former CBS News foreign correspondent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team as host of a noteworthy documentary series of intense interest to the network ’ s millions of viewers .
The 16-episode project covers destructive media bias , the border crisis , emerging domestic interest in socialism and the nation ’ s complex relationship with military veterans .
“ Lara Logan Has No Agenda ” launched in January on Fox Nation , the network ’ s subscription video streaming service , and focuses on cultural and ideological battlegrounds stateside .
Media bias has created a war zone of its own .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by “ propagandists and political operatives ” who use the news media as a vehicle for agenda and manipulation .
Investigating the foibles of a biased press has not been easy , and Ms. Logan cites her investigation into unsavory media practices as the biggest challenge of her career .
She has , however , sized up this particular battlefield .
“ I am not the only journalist trying to do honest work .
There are many , and I have great respect for them because I know how hard it is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have ever done , ” Ms. Logan told the Washington Times in a statement .
“ But we are part of something that is worth fighting for and as we all know , there is only one truth .
What should concern every one of us are those who punish and silence journalists whose reporting they see as a threat to their political interests .
They pretend to be guardians of the press but that is a lie , driven by people who have all the money and resources they need , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her fellow journalists , and news consumers themselves .
“ On our own , we are all easy targets .
So what I hope is that we can stand together and let these people and organizations know that when they come for one of us , they come for all , ” Ms. Logan said .
• 38 % of U.S. adults say the U.S. will be a “ stronger nation ” once the coronavirus outbreak has been contained ; 57 % of Republicans , 32 % of independents and 28 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall say the U.S. will be a “ weaker nation ” after the coronavirus outbreak ; 57 % of Republicans , 32 % of independents and 28 % of Democrats agree .
• 20 % overall are unsure if the coronavirus outbreak will effect the nation ’ s strength or weakness ; 13 % of Republicans , 22 % of independents and 22 % of Democrats agree .
• 18 % overall say the coronavirus outbreak will not affect the nation ’ s strength or weakness ; 13 % of Republicans , 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats agree .
Source : An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,488 U.S. adults conducted April 12-14 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
The U.S. population still needs to be counted despite the coronavirus pandemic, media hysteria and partisan discord. The U.S. Census says that 50.2% of the nation — that’s 74.3 million households as of Sunday — have responded to the call so far. Some locales appear more eager than others. With a 60.2% response rate, Minnesota currently leads the way among states. Among counties, Los Alamos, New Mexico is in first place with a 70.6% response.
The federal agency, however, gets very local in its measurements, So who leads among the towns?
In first place is North River, North Dakota, with a response rate of 95.7% from its population of 55. In second place is Oakland Acres, Iowa, with a response of 86.6% and a population of 160; third goes to Trout Valley, Illinois, at 85.7%, population 521. No. 4 is Harwood, North Dakota, response of 84%, population 827, and fifth is Westwood, Iowa, response at 83.3%, and population 111.
Curious? Check out your city or state at 2020census.gov/response-rates.
Meanwhile, the agency has devoted an entire section of its sizable website to “fighting 2020 Census rumors” — which includes concerns that Census data systems have been breached, or that responses are shared with law enforcement. And like everyone else, the Census has made major adjustments in the coronavirus era.
“The Census Bureau temporarily suspended 2020 Census field data collection activities in March. Steps are already being taken to reactivate field offices beginning June 1, 2020, in preparation for the resumption of field data collection operations as quickly as possible following June 1,” the agency says.
“In order to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau is seeking statutory relief from Congress of 120 additional calendar days to deliver final apportionment counts. Under this plan, the Census Bureau would extend the window for field data collection and self-response to October 31, 2020, which will allow for apportionment counts to be delivered to President Trump by April 30, 2021, and redistricting data to be delivered to the states no later than July 31, 2021.”
FOR THE LEXICON
“Panic porn.”
HBO political host Bill Maher now cites coronavirus news coverage for its constant drumbeat of terror, angst and anxiety that “veers into panic porn” and overshadows any meaningful information for the troubled public.
“We need the news to calm down and treat us like adults. President Trump calls you fake news. Don’t make him right,” Mr. Maher advised in his weekend message.
OPEN OR SHUT: IT’S COMPLICATED
Half of U.S. voters — 49% — say it’s not yet time for the nation to toss their pandemic worries to the wind and get back to work. Another 36%, however, say it’s time to return to the workplace; the rest are undecided, according to a new Rasmussen Reports poll.
“Fifty-one percent of GOP voters think it is time for America to get back to work. Only 27% of Democrats and 32% of voters not affiliated with either major party agree,” says the pollster.
All voters are worried about future prospects. Only a third believe the U.S. can afford to remain locked down according to the latest government recommendations. A quarter say America can only stay shuttered until May 1, 27% set the limit at another six weeks while 12% say the country can last until summer’s end. Another 58% are more concerned about the health impact of the coronavirus than its financial impact while 71% fret about contracting coronavirus if they go back to work.
The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted April 14-15.
MEDIA BIAS WARRIOR
Former CBS News foreign correspondent Lara Logan has joined the Fox News team as host of a noteworthy documentary series of intense interest to the network’s millions of viewers.
The 16-episode project covers destructive media bias, the border crisis, emerging domestic interest in socialism and the nation’s complex relationship with military veterans.
“Lara Logan Has No Agenda” launched in January on Fox Nation, the network’s subscription video streaming service, and focuses on cultural and ideological battlegrounds stateside.
Media bias has created a war zone of its own. According to Ms. Logan, it’s peopled by “propagandists and political operatives” who use the news media as a vehicle for agenda and manipulation. Investigating the foibles of a biased press has not been easy, and Ms. Logan cites her investigation into unsavory media practices as the biggest challenge of her career.
She has, however, sized up this particular battlefield.
“I am not the only journalist trying to do honest work. There are many, and I have great respect for them because I know how hard it is. That made this the most stressful story I have ever done,” Ms. Logan told the Washington Times in a statement.
“But we are part of something that is worth fighting for and as we all know, there is only one truth. What should concern every one of us are those who punish and silence journalists whose reporting they see as a threat to their political interests. They pretend to be guardians of the press but that is a lie, driven by people who have all the money and resources they need,” she continued, adding a warning to her fellow journalists, and news consumers themselves.
“On our own, we are all easy targets. So what I hope is that we can stand together and let these people and organizations know that when they come for one of us, they come for all,” Ms. Logan said.
POLL DU JOUR
• 38% of U.S. adults say the U.S. will be a “stronger nation” once the coronavirus outbreak has been contained; 57% of Republicans, 32% of independents and 28% of Democrats agree.
• 25% overall say the U.S. will be a “weaker nation” after the coronavirus outbreak; 57% of Republicans, 32% of independents and 28% of Democrats agree.
• 20% overall are unsure if the coronavirus outbreak will effect the nation’s strength or weakness; 13% of Republicans, 22% of independents and 22% of Democrats agree.
• 18% overall say the coronavirus outbreak will not affect the nation’s strength or weakness; 13% of Republicans, 22% of independents and 22% of Democrats agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,488 U.S. adults conducted April 12-14.
• Helpful information to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--South Carolina reports 1 more virus death, 136 new cases

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - Health officials say 136 new cases of coronavirus have been detected in South Carolina , and another person with COVID-19 - the disease caused by the virus - has died .
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced the new numbers on Sunday .
It brings the total number of those who have died in South Carolina to 120 .
The death announced on Sunday was a middle-aged person with no known underlying health conditions who was from Jasper County .
South Carolina retail stores and public beach access points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the coronavirus will be allowed to reopen next week , The Post and Courier reported over the weekend .
Republican Gov .
Henry McMaster will issue orders Monday to allow for the reopenings to take place on Tuesday , the governor ’ s chief of staff , Trey Walker , told the newspaper .
The order will apply to numerous nonessential stores , including department stores , flea markets , florists , bookstores and music shops .
Grocery stores , pharmacies , home improvement stores and medical facilities have been allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The governor ’ s stay-at-home order will remain in place , as will the ban on eating inside restaurants , Walker said .
For most people , the coronavirus that caused this year ’ s pandemic causes mild or moderate symptoms .
For some , it can cause severe illness such as pneumonia , or even death .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Health officials say 136 new cases of coronavirus have been detected in South Carolina, and another person with COVID-19 - the disease caused by the virus - has died.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced the new numbers on Sunday. It brings the total number of those who have died in South Carolina to 120.
The death announced on Sunday was a middle-aged person with no known underlying health conditions who was from Jasper County.
South Carolina retail stores and public beach access points that had been closed to halt the spread of the coronavirus will be allowed to reopen next week, The Post and Courier reported over the weekend.
Republican Gov. Henry McMaster will issue orders Monday to allow for the reopenings to take place on Tuesday, the governor’s chief of staff, Trey Walker, told the newspaper.
The order will apply to numerous nonessential stores, including department stores, flea markets, florists, bookstores and music shops. Grocery stores, pharmacies, home improvement stores and medical facilities have been allowed to stay open during the pandemic.
The governor’s stay-at-home order will remain in place, as will the ban on eating inside restaurants, Walker said.
For most people, the coronavirus that caused this year’s pandemic causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, it can cause severe illness such as pneumonia, or even death.
___
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Trump to use Defense Production Act to increase swab manufacturing

President Trump on Sunday said he was ready to use the Defense Production Act to force U.S. companies to produce more swabs for coronavirus tests .
“ We ’ ll be getting swabs very easy , ” said Mr. Trump , noting how much easier it was to make swabs than ventilators .
He flexed his authority under DPA , a Korean War-era law that marshals private manufacturing in an emergency , as the administration weather intense criticism from governors and congressional Democrats for not doing enough to provide COVID-19 tests .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , California Democrat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump deserved a grade of “ F ” on expanding testing .
The reopening of state economies relies on testing to contain the spread of the virus Mr. Trump said the production of tests was “ surging.
” The administration is also working with governors to help them harness test-making resources in their states , he said .
“ It should be a local thing because it is all these points within states , ” said the president .
“ But we are helping them a lot and we want to help them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a lot , actually.
” The administration is close to a deal with one manufacturer to produce an additional 10 million swabs a month .
Another company , the one Mr. Trump threatened to with DPA , could produce another 20 million swabs per month .
He last used DPA to enlist companies to build ventilators , which were in high demand to treat patients with the most severe COVID-19 symptoms .
Many states now have a surplus of ventilators .
Mr. Trump said the U.S. had rapidly expanded the production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several other countries .
He said the U.S. has produced more tests than the combined test-making of 10 other countries : France , the U.K. , South Korea , Japan , Singapore , India , Austria , Australia , Sweden and Canada .
“ Think of it , we ’ ve done more than all those countries combined , ” he said .

President Trump on Sunday said he was ready to use the Defense Production Act to force U.S. companies to produce more swabs for coronavirus tests.
“We’ll be getting swabs very easy,” said Mr. Trump, noting how much easier it was to make swabs than ventilators.
He flexed his authority under DPA, a Korean War-era law that marshals private manufacturing in an emergency, as the administration weather intense criticism from governors and congressional Democrats for not doing enough to provide COVID-19 tests.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, said earlier in the day that Mr. Trump deserved a grade of “F” on expanding testing.
The reopening of state economies relies on testing to contain the spread of the virus
Mr. Trump said the production of tests was “surging.”
The administration is also working with governors to help them harness test-making resources in their states, he said.
“It should be a local thing because it is all these points within states,” said the president. “But we are helping them a lot and we want to help them a lot. We are helping them more than a lot, actually.”
The administration is close to a deal with one manufacturer to produce an additional 10 million swabs a month. Another company, the one Mr. Trump threatened to with DPA, could produce another 20 million swabs per month.
He last used DPA to enlist companies to build ventilators, which were in high demand to treat patients with the most severe COVID-19 symptoms. Many states now have a surplus of ventilators.
Mr. Trump said the U.S. had rapidly expanded the production of coronavirus tests, producing more than several other countries.
He said the U.S. has produced more tests than the combined test-making of 10 other countries: France, the U.K., South Korea, Japan, Singapore, India, Austria, Australia, Sweden and Canada.
“Think of it, we’ve done more than all those countries combined,” he said.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Brazil's Bolsonaro appears in protest backing military

RIO DE JANEIRO ( AP ) - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro came out in public to support a small protest Sunday that defended military intervention , prompting strong criticism across the political spectrum while also infringing his own ministry ’ s recommendation to maintain social distancing .
On the day Brazil celebrates its army , Bolsonaro made an appearance at the protest held in front of the army ’ s headquarters , in the capital city of Brasilia .
There , dozens of tightly-packed protesters , many of whom were not wearing masks , were calling for the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am here because I believe in you .
You are here because you believe in Brazil , ” said Bolsonaro , a former army captain who waxes nostalgic for the country ’ s 1964-1985 dictatorship .
Since being sworn in on Jan. 1 2019 , Bolsonaro has asked the defense ministry to organize commemorations of the two decade-long military dictatorship , paid tribute to Gen. Alfredo Stroessner , the military strongman in neighboring Paraguay , and backed changes in schools ’ history curriculum that would revise the way children are thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some , Bolsonaro crossed a line Sunday .
“ The president of the republic crossed the Rubicon , ” wrote Felipe Santa Cruz , president of the Brazilian Bar Association , on his official Twitter account .
“ Time for Democrats to unite , to overcome difficulties and disagreements , in the name of a greater good called FREEDOM !
” “ It is frightening to see demonstrations for the return of the military regime , after 30 years of democracy , ” he wrote on Twitter .
Many Brazilians were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stay-at-home measures introduced by several states governors .
Bolsonaro has multiplied public appearances in recent weeks , meeting with supporters , protesters , passersby or business owners .
On Saturday , hundreds of people denouncing pandemic restriction measures opposed by Bolsonaro snarled traffic in major Brazilian cities .

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro came out in public to support a small protest Sunday that defended military intervention, prompting strong criticism across the political spectrum while also infringing his own ministry’s recommendation to maintain social distancing.
On the day Brazil celebrates its army, Bolsonaro made an appearance at the protest held in front of the army’s headquarters, in the capital city of Brasilia. There, dozens of tightly-packed protesters, many of whom were not wearing masks, were calling for the Supreme Court and Congress to be shut down.
“I am here because I believe in you. You are here because you believe in Brazil,” said Bolsonaro, a former army captain who waxes nostalgic for the country’s 1964-1985 dictatorship.
Since being sworn in on Jan. 1 2019, Bolsonaro has asked the defense ministry to organize commemorations of the two decade-long military dictatorship, paid tribute to Gen. Alfredo Stroessner, the military strongman in neighboring Paraguay, and backed changes in schools’ history curriculum that would revise the way children are thought about the 1964 military coup.
But for some, Bolsonaro crossed a line Sunday.
“The president of the republic crossed the Rubicon,” wrote Felipe Santa Cruz, president of the Brazilian Bar Association, on his official Twitter account. “Time for Democrats to unite, to overcome difficulties and disagreements, in the name of a greater good called FREEDOM!”
Supreme Court Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, focused his criticism on protesters.
“It is frightening to see demonstrations for the return of the military regime, after 30 years of democracy,” he wrote on Twitter.
Many Brazilians were also angered at Bolsonaro’s defiance of the stay-at-home measures introduced by several states governors. Bolsonaro has multiplied public appearances in recent weeks, meeting with supporters, protesters, passersby or business owners.
On Saturday, hundreds of people denouncing pandemic restriction measures opposed by Bolsonaro snarled traffic in major Brazilian cities.


washingtontimes--2020-04-19--Pilot, passenger hurt in small plane crash in California

CORONA , Calif. ( AP ) - A pilot and his lone passenger were injured Sunday when a single-engine plane @ @ @ @ @ Southern California ’ s Corona Municipal Airport , authorities said .
The Cessna 152 crashed @ @ @ @ @ doing training exercises , said Corona Fire Department spokesman John DeYoe .
The plane lost @ @ @ @ @ a landing and hit the ground nose first “ then flipped over onto its top @ @ @ @ @ The pilot had moderate injuries and the passenger , who was walking around after the @ @ @ @ @ , reported the Riverside Press-Enterprise .
Pilot and passenger , whom DeYoe described as men @ @ @ @ @ were each hospitalized , the newspaper said .
DeYoe said the National Transportation and Safety @ @ @ @ @ investigator to the site because of coronavirus contagion restrictions .
Instead , the NTSB requested @ @ @ @ @ of the wreckage , he said .
In January , four people died in a @ @ @ @ @ takeoff at the Corona airport .

CORONA, Calif. (AP) - A pilot and his lone passenger were injured Sunday when a single-engine plane crashed and flipped over near Southern California’s Corona Municipal Airport, authorities said.
The Cessna 152 crashed on a service road while doing training exercises, said Corona Fire Department spokesman John DeYoe.
The plane lost power when coming in for a landing and hit the ground nose first “then flipped over onto its top,” he said.
The pilot had moderate injuries and the passenger, who was walking around after the crash, had minor injuries, reported the Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Pilot and passenger, whom DeYoe described as men in their upper 50s, were each hospitalized, the newspaper said.
DeYoe said the National Transportation and Safety Board was not sending an investigator to the site because of coronavirus contagion restrictions. Instead, the NTSB requested that police take specific photos of the wreckage, he said.
In January, four people died in a fiery single-engine plane crash during takeoff at the Corona airport.