washingtontimes--2020-05-08--State issues protocols for businesses to begin reopening

HARTFORD , Conn. ( AP ) - Connecticut officials on Friday released detailed protocols on how restaurants , retail stores , hair salons and other businesses can reopen beginning May 20 , as hospitalizations due to the coronavirus continue to decline but deaths remain on the rise statewide .
Some business owners , however , are concerned about opening by that date , citing a lack of availability of personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies .
State officials said they ’ ll be working with owners to obtain those supplies and help them ensure social distancing .
Meanwhile , others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned there are still too many restrictions being put on them .
“ The plans announced today would be a step toward reopening , but unfortunately not nearly a big enough step to save hundreds of restaurants from going out of business in the weeks ahead , ” said Scott Dolch , executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association , in a written statement .
“ This plan would keep the inside of restaurants closed at the same time other industries are opening up , even those who also serve customers indoors.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited only to outdoor dining and takeout , and bars must remain closed .
Outside tables must be 6 feet apart .
Bathrooms and other areas must be cleaned frequently .
Employees must wear face masks and disposable gloves , and customers must wear face masks except while eating .
Visual social distancing markers also will be required .
In office buildings , capacity will be limited to 50 % , meetings will not be allowed to have more than five people , employees must be seated 6 feet apart and elevator capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks , except in private offices .
Frequent cleaning also will be required .
State officials will continue to urge people to work from home if possible .
Retail stores also will be restricted to 50 % capacity .
Fitting rooms will be closed .
Checkouts must have barriers separating cashiers from customers .
Markers indicating 6 feet of distance must be installed at entrances and checkout lines .
Customers and workers must wear masks , and frequent cleaning will be required .
Hair salons and barbershops will be allowed to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be limited to 50 % .
Waiting rooms will be closed , and workstations must be 6 feet apart .
Scissors and other tools must be soaked in disinfectant between appointments .
Workers must wear masks and face shields or eye protection , and provide a clean smock for each customer .
Customers also must wear masks .
Visual social distancing markers also will be required .
Lt. Gov .
Susan Bysiewicz said she recently heard from more than 120 hair and nail salon owners during a teleconference and some were concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtaining personal protective equipment .
She said the guidelines announced Friday were designed to keep workers and customers safe .
“ We want everybody in our state to feel comfortable , ” she said .
“ All of us have longer hair and we can ’ t wait til you reopen .
But we ’ re willing to wait until it ’ s safe to do that.
” Nail salons originally were on the list of businesses that were going to be allowed to reopen , but officials said they must remain closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be prohibited from opening .
Gov .
Ned Lamont said state officials will be watching closely to see if the reopenings lead to increased infections of the coronavirus .
The Democrat said earlier this week that testing for the virus continues to ramp up , with a goal of 42,000 per week .
Nearly 4,400 tests were performed Thursday .
The state is also stockpiling personal protective equipment , and a contact tracing program is being put together .
The measures are aimed at curbing any outbreaks .
Lamont and David Lehman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Community Development , said they don ’ t expect all businesses to reopen on May 20 , because many may not be ready or still have concerns about the virus .
Lamont said that in states like Texas and Georgia , which have taken a quicker approach to reopening , many businesses did not reopen right away and many customers continued to stay away .
But the governor added , “ In those places that opened quickly a lot of young people came pouring back into some of those venues and there have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rate .
This is what we ’ ve got to watch carefully.
” Lehman said state officials will be working with local leaders to enforce the protocols , and officials may consider suspending or revoking licenses of businesses that don ’ t follow the rules .
As of Friday , more than 32,400 state residents had tested positive for the virus and 2,874 residents had died .
There were 1,336 people hospitalized because of the virus , 49 fewer than the previous day , continuing a two-week decline .
For most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 , or death .
Associated Press Writer Susan Haigh contributed to this report .

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut officials on Friday released detailed protocols on how restaurants, retail stores, hair salons and other businesses can reopen beginning May 20, as hospitalizations due to the coronavirus continue to decline but deaths remain on the rise statewide.
Some business owners, however, are concerned about opening by that date, citing a lack of availability of personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies. State officials said they’ll be working with owners to obtain those supplies and help them ensure social distancing.
Meanwhile, others, including some restaurant owners, are concerned there are still too many restrictions being put on them.
“The plans announced today would be a step toward reopening, but unfortunately not nearly a big enough step to save hundreds of restaurants from going out of business in the weeks ahead,” said Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, in a written statement. “This plan would keep the inside of restaurants closed at the same time other industries are opening up, even those who also serve customers indoors.”
Under the protocols, restaurants will be limited only to outdoor dining and takeout, and bars must remain closed. Outside tables must be 6 feet apart. Bathrooms and other areas must be cleaned frequently. Employees must wear face masks and disposable gloves, and customers must wear face masks except while eating. Visual social distancing markers also will be required.
In office buildings, capacity will be limited to 50%, meetings will not be allowed to have more than five people, employees must be seated 6 feet apart and elevator capacity must be limited. Employees must wear face masks, except in private offices. Frequent cleaning also will be required. State officials will continue to urge people to work from home if possible.
Retail stores also will be restricted to 50% capacity. Fitting rooms will be closed. Checkouts must have barriers separating cashiers from customers. Markers indicating 6 feet of distance must be installed at entrances and checkout lines. Customers and workers must wear masks, and frequent cleaning will be required.
Hair salons and barbershops will be allowed to reopen by appointment only, and capacity will be limited to 50%. Waiting rooms will be closed, and workstations must be 6 feet apart.
Scissors and other tools must be soaked in disinfectant between appointments. Workers must wear masks and face shields or eye protection, and provide a clean smock for each customer. Customers also must wear masks. Visual social distancing markers also will be required.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said she recently heard from more than 120 hair and nail salon owners during a teleconference and some were concerned about being able to maintain social distancing and obtaining personal protective equipment. She said the guidelines announced Friday were designed to keep workers and customers safe.
“We want everybody in our state to feel comfortable,” she said. “All of us have longer hair and we can’t wait til you reopen. But we’re willing to wait until it’s safe to do that.”
Nail salons originally were on the list of businesses that were going to be allowed to reopen, but officials said they must remain closed for now. Gyms will continue to be prohibited from opening.
Gov. Ned Lamont said state officials will be watching closely to see if the reopenings lead to increased infections of the coronavirus.
The Democrat said earlier this week that testing for the virus continues to ramp up, with a goal of 42,000 per week. Nearly 4,400 tests were performed Thursday. The state is also stockpiling personal protective equipment, and a contact tracing program is being put together. The measures are aimed at curbing any outbreaks.
Lamont and David Lehman, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, said they don’t expect all businesses to reopen on May 20, because many may not be ready or still have concerns about the virus.
Lamont said that in states like Texas and Georgia, which have taken a quicker approach to reopening, many businesses did not reopen right away and many customers continued to stay away.
But the governor added, “In those places that opened quickly a lot of young people came pouring back into some of those venues and there have been some spikes in terms of the infection rate. This is what we’ve got to watch carefully.”
Lehman said state officials will be working with local leaders to enforce the protocols, and officials may consider suspending or revoking licenses of businesses that don’t follow the rules.
As of Friday, more than 32,400 state residents had tested positive for the virus and 2,874 residents had died. There were 1,336 people hospitalized because of the virus, 49 fewer than the previous day, continuing a two-week decline.
For most people, the 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, or death.
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Associated Press Writer Susan Haigh contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Amid virus fears, Minneapolis homeless encampment grows

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Metro Transit officials are trying to contain a homeless encampment in Minneapolis that has grown to more than 100 people in the last month , as many men and women moved to “ Camp Quarantine ” amid fears they would catch the coronavirus in crowded shelters .
Metro Transit officials said the camp ’ s tightly packed tents and lack of hygiene facilities create a scenario that could contribute to the virus ’ s spread .
The Star Tribune reported that Metro Transit ordered the construction of a fence around the site near the light-rail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from growing .
Officials also might clear out the camp if it becomes too much of a health and safety risk .
“ Larger encampments can be problematic because they can foster dangerous activity and , in this time of disease , can be even more dangerous , ” said Charlie Zelle , chairman of the Metropolitan Council , which oversees the transit agency .
Those who first moved to Camp Quarantine said they set up tents there largely to isolate themselves and have stability , as libraries and other public buildings shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
The camp allowed them to stay in one spot without going to crowded shelters .
Statewide , about 40 shelter residents have tested positive for the virus in the past month , state health officials said .
An executive order by Gov .
Tim Walz barred local agencies from sweeping homeless encampments , due to concerns that dispersing homeless people could increase the spread of COVID-19 .
But last week , Walz said camps could be cleared if they “ reached a size or status ” that pose a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camp has become a concern , even among its inhabitants .
Many tents are just a few feet apart , and the site lacks hand sanitizer and a clean water source .
Some inhabitants wash up near their tents , with water poured from plastic jugs .
Officials hope the fence will keep more people from moving to the site , but some outreach workers said the money would be better spent on sanitation supplies and moving people into stable housing .
There are also 88 known encampments in St. Paul , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Metro Transit officials are trying to contain a homeless encampment in Minneapolis that has grown to more than 100 people in the last month, as many men and women moved to “Camp Quarantine” amid fears they would catch the coronavirus in crowded shelters.
Metro Transit officials said the camp’s tightly packed tents and lack of hygiene facilities create a scenario that could contribute to the virus’s spread. The Star Tribune reported that Metro Transit ordered the construction of a fence around the site near the light-rail line in south Minneapolis to keep it from growing. Officials also might clear out the camp if it becomes too much of a health and safety risk.
“Larger encampments can be problematic because they can foster dangerous activity and, in this time of disease, can be even more dangerous,” said Charlie Zelle, chairman of the Metropolitan Council, which oversees the transit agency.
Those who first moved to Camp Quarantine said they set up tents there largely to isolate themselves and have stability, as libraries and other public buildings shut their doors in the early days of the pandemic. The camp allowed them to stay in one spot without going to crowded shelters. Statewide, about 40 shelter residents have tested positive for the virus in the past month, state health officials said.
An executive order by Gov. Tim Walz barred local agencies from sweeping homeless encampments, due to concerns that dispersing homeless people could increase the spread of COVID-19. But last week, Walz said camps could be cleared if they “reached a size or status” that pose a threat to health and safety.
The crowded camp has become a concern, even among its inhabitants. Many tents are just a few feet apart, and the site lacks hand sanitizer and a clean water source. Some inhabitants wash up near their tents, with water poured from plastic jugs.
Officials hope the fence will keep more people from moving to the site, but some outreach workers said the money would be better spent on sanitation supplies and moving people into stable housing.
There are also 88 known encampments in St. Paul, according to Ramsey County Commissioner Trista MatasCastillo.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Hawaii reports no new virus case for 1st time in 2 months

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii on Friday reported no new case of the coronavirus for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ state Department of Health said the number of positive cases remained at 629 .
The @ @ @ @ @ new case was on March 13 , when Hawaii had just two cases total .
@ @ @ @ @ statewide stay-at-home order since the last week of March to slow the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ week , it has also been requiring all those arriving in the state and traveling @ @ @ @ @ 14 days of quarantine .
Gov .
David Ige has relaxed some restrictions , including @ @ @ @ @ .
They will open their doors on Maui on Monday and on Oahu next Friday @ @ @ @ @ to go to golf courses and have elective medical procedures as of May 1 .

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii on Friday reported no new case of the coronavirus for the first time in nearly two months.
The state Department of Health said the number of positive cases remained at 629. The last time there was no new case was on March 13, when Hawaii had just two cases total.
Hawaii has been under a statewide stay-at-home order since the last week of March to slow the spread of the disease. Since the same week, it has also been requiring all those arriving in the state and traveling between the islands to observe 14 days of quarantine.
Gov. David Ige has relaxed some restrictions, including allowing shopping malls to reopen. They will open their doors on Maui on Monday and on Oahu next Friday.
People have been allowed to go to golf courses and have elective medical procedures as of May 1.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Man to plead guilty to romance con of  'black-ish' star

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A man accused of romancing “ black-ish ” star Jenifer Lewis and three other women to con them out of money for his phony businesses agreed Friday to plead guilty to a federal charge of wire fraud , prosecutors said .
Antonio Wilson , 57 , of Santa Monica , acknowledged conning the women in the plea agreement filed in federal court in Los Angeles , the U.S. attorney ’ s office said in a statement .
He was expected to plead guilty at a later hearing .
Wilson , also known as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brice Carrington , ” fleeced his victims out of nearly $ 400,000 that he claimed were investments in his sound design company and software business , prosecutors said .
In fact , he spent the money on himself , they said .
“ To create a false impression of legitimacy and prestige , Wilson falsely claimed to be a Navy SEAL , an Oxford University graduate , and an Oxford professor teaching biblical antiquities at UCLA , ” said the U.S. attorney ’ s office statement .
Wilson was accused of stealing $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ABC sitcom “ black-ish , ” after meeting her at a gym where he was a manager .
Lewis later sued the gym and settled for $ 13,000 .
Wilson could face up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A man accused of romancing “black-ish” star Jenifer Lewis and three other women to con them out of money for his phony businesses agreed Friday to plead guilty to a federal charge of wire fraud, prosecutors said.
Antonio Wilson, 57, of Santa Monica, acknowledged conning the women in the plea agreement filed in federal court in Los Angeles, the U.S. attorney’s office said in a statement. He was expected to plead guilty at a later hearing.
Wilson, also known as “Dr. Tony Mariot” and “Brice Carrington,” fleeced his victims out of nearly $400,000 that he claimed were investments in his sound design company and software business, prosecutors said.
In fact, he spent the money on himself, they said.
“To create a false impression of legitimacy and prestige, Wilson falsely claimed to be a Navy SEAL, an Oxford University graduate, and an Oxford professor teaching biblical antiquities at UCLA,” said the U.S. attorney’s office statement.
Wilson was accused of stealing $50,000 from Lewis, who plays Ruby on the ABC sitcom “black-ish,” after meeting her at a gym where he was a manager. Lewis later sued the gym and settled for $13,000.
Wilson could face up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Coronavirus cases in New Mexico surpass 4,670; 181 dead

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico on Friday recorded another 181 coronavirus cases , pushing the statewide total to more than 4,670 .
The state Health Department announced the latest numbers , saying there were also nine additional deaths attributed to COVID-19 .
That includes five deaths in McKinley County , a rural area along the New Mexico-Arizona border that includes Gallup and part of the Navajo Nation .
Around 180 people have died in total .
Despite its lower population , McKinley County has been hit particularly hard .
It leads New Mexico in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly one of every three cases statewide .
Gallup , the county seat and an economic hub for tens of thousands of Navajos and others in the surrounding area , will remain under a lockdown until noon Sunday .
The order limits business hours and states that residents should remain at home except for emergency outings .
Beyond the northwest corner of New Mexico , state officials are beginning to ease some restrictions as they look for opportunities to restart the economy .
The pace of the phased-in approach will depend on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
On Friday , officials announced dentists in all but three counties may resume providing nonessential care as long as they agree to comply with guidelines developed to protect the supply of personal protective equipment .
State health officials said about 200 people are hospitalized due to the virus and that cases have turned up in nearly 30 nursing homes and group homes around the state .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cause more severe illness , even death .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico on Friday recorded another 181 coronavirus cases, pushing the statewide total to more than 4,670.
The state Health Department announced the latest numbers, saying there were also nine additional deaths attributed to COVID-19. That includes five deaths in McKinley County, a rural area along the New Mexico-Arizona border that includes Gallup and part of the Navajo Nation. Around 180 people have died in total.
Despite its lower population, McKinley County has been hit particularly hard. It leads New Mexico in the number of confirmed cases, accounting for nearly one of every three cases statewide.
Gallup, the county seat and an economic hub for tens of thousands of Navajos and others in the surrounding area, will remain under a lockdown until noon Sunday. The order limits business hours and states that residents should remain at home except for emergency outings.
Beyond the northwest corner of New Mexico, state officials are beginning to ease some restrictions as they look for opportunities to restart the economy. The pace of the phased-in approach will depend on the number of cases reported over the coming weeks.
On Friday, officials announced dentists in all but three counties may resume providing nonessential care as long as they agree to comply with guidelines developed to protect the supply of personal protective equipment.
State health officials said about 200 people are hospitalized due to the virus and that cases have turned up in nearly 30 nursing homes and group homes around the state.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, even death.


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--Serbia protests EU description of Tesla as famous Croat

BELGRADE , Serbia ( AP ) - Serbia has protested to the European Union after one of its publications described inventor and electricity pioneer Nikola Tesla as a Croat .
Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on Saturday he has sent the protest note to Brussels after the EU ’ s Learning Corner site for children described Tesla as a “ famous Croatian ” who was one of the first people to discover X-ray imaging .
An ethnic Serb born in 1856 in the Austrian Empire in present-day Croatia , Tesla spent most of his life abroad , working in Budapest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1884 where he assumed American citizenship .
He died in New York in 1943 .
History books quote him as saying that he was proud of his Serb origin and his Croat homeland .
Tesla ’ s ethnicity has long been just one of many disputes and points of contention between neighboring Balkan rivals Serbia and Croatia , which once were both part of the Yugoslav federation that broke up in a civil war in the 1990s .
Croatia is an EU member , while Serbia is seeking membership .
Tesla ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sphere in the Nikola Tesla museum in the Serbian capital .
His sculptures are on display in both Belgrade and the Croatian capital , Zagreb .
Tesla is best known for developing the alternating current that helped safely distribute electricity at great distances , including from the hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls in the mid-1890s .
He experimented with X-ray and radio technology , working in rivalry with Thomas Edison .
Car manufacturer Tesla is named after him .
Serbia ’ s culture minister has demanded an apology from the EU for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s origins .

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Serbia has protested to the European Union after one of its publications described inventor and electricity pioneer Nikola Tesla as a Croat.
Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on Saturday he has sent the protest note to Brussels after the EU’s Learning Corner site for children described Tesla as a “famous Croatian” who was one of the first people to discover X-ray imaging.
An ethnic Serb born in 1856 in the Austrian Empire in present-day Croatia, Tesla spent most of his life abroad, working in Budapest and Paris before emigrating to the U.S. in 1884 where he assumed American citizenship. He died in New York in 1943.
History books quote him as saying that he was proud of his Serb origin and his Croat homeland.
Tesla’s ethnicity has long been just one of many disputes and points of contention between neighboring Balkan rivals Serbia and Croatia, which once were both part of the Yugoslav federation that broke up in a civil war in the 1990s. Croatia is an EU member, while Serbia is seeking membership.
Tesla’s ashes are preserved in a gold-colored sphere in the Nikola Tesla museum in the Serbian capital. His sculptures are on display in both Belgrade and the Croatian capital, Zagreb.
Tesla is best known for developing the alternating current that helped safely distribute electricity at great distances, including from the hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls in the mid-1890s. He experimented with X-ray and radio technology, working in rivalry with Thomas Edison. Car manufacturer Tesla is named after him.
Serbia’s culture minister has demanded an apology from the EU for the “fake” description of Tesla’s origins.


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--Victims of protest violence commemorated 10 years later

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - A plaque commemorating three bank employees who died of asphyxiation when their workplace was firebombed during a protest march 10 years ago was unveiled in Athens Saturday .
Many officials , led by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou , attended the ceremony .
Leaders of two leftist parties , Syriza and the Communist Party , had laid wreaths on the site in central Athens earlier .
The three employees , a man and two women , all in their 30s , died on May 5 , 2010 , when the Marfin Bank branch in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in a large protest march against the first austerity agreement Greece had signed with its creditors just days earlier .
One of the victims was four months pregnant .
The fire spread quickly and , although most employees made it out safely , some were trapped inside .
Those who made it onto balconies found that many in the crowd below were shouting for them to burn for having shown up for work despite a call for a general strike .
Firefighters could only get in after considerable delay , while journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anarchists calling them provocateurs for reporting casualties .
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced earlier this week the reopening into an inquiry on the incident , for which no one has been charged .
He also announced that the state is abandoning its appeal against the 2.4 million euros awarded to the families of the victims in compensation .

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A plaque commemorating three bank employees who died of asphyxiation when their workplace was firebombed during a protest march 10 years ago was unveiled in Athens Saturday.
Many officials, led by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, attended the ceremony. Leaders of two leftist parties, Syriza and the Communist Party, had laid wreaths on the site in central Athens earlier.
The three employees, a man and two women, all in their 30s, died on May 5, 2010, when the Marfin Bank branch in central Athens was firebombed by anarchists taking part in a large protest march against the first austerity agreement Greece had signed with its creditors just days earlier. One of the victims was four months pregnant.
The fire spread quickly and, although most employees made it out safely, some were trapped inside. Those who made it onto balconies found that many in the crowd below were shouting for them to burn for having shown up for work despite a call for a general strike. Firefighters could only get in after considerable delay, while journalists outside the burning building were attacked by anarchists calling them provocateurs for reporting casualties.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced earlier this week the reopening into an inquiry on the incident, for which no one has been charged. He also announced that the state is abandoning its appeal against the 2.4 million euros awarded to the families of the victims in compensation.


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--The Latest: Lyon soccer teams test negative for coronavirus

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : The president of French soccer club Lyon says players in the men ’ s and women ’ s teams all tested negative for the coronavirus .
The squads were tested by club doctors at Lyon ’ s training center and “ there were no positive cases , ” Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told regional newspaper Le Progrès .
The men ’ s French league was canceled with 10 rounds of matches remaining amid coronavirus concerns , with Paris Saint-Germain declared champion and Lyon finishing outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had argued fervently for it to be completed in late August with a playoff system , but with PSG staying the champion given its large lead before play was stopped .
Lyon ’ s women ’ s team reached the French Cup semifinals before women ’ s matches were canceled .
The president of France Galop says horse racing will resume in France on Monday .
Édouard de Rothschild tweeted that “ the resumption of races is accepted ” and thanked the French government for allowing it to go ahead .
France is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus epidemic , with the nation confined since March 17 .
Races will be held at the famed Longchamp Racecourse in western Paris , which hosts the prestigious Prix de l ’ Arc de Triomphe in the first weekend of October , and at Compiègne in northern France .
Watford chairman Scott Duxbury says at least six of the 20 English Premier League clubs are concerned about the plan to use neutral stadiums to finish the season .
Duxbury says “ there is no altruism in the Premier League ” and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which sometimes align but more often than not work purely to protect each individual club.
” Ahead of Monday ’ s crunch meeting of topflight clubs , the Hornets have joined Brighton and Aston Villa in making clear their opposition to the current “ Project Restart ” plans .
With nine rounds left , Watford is 17th in the league and looking to fight off relegation amid a challenging backdrop brought on by the coronavirus outbreak .
Duxbury says “ some clubs are happy to sign up to ‘ Project Restart ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in participating in this compromised format .
It means Liverpool can win the title , other clubs can book their place in Europe next season or potentially fight their way up the table from a position of safety.
” But he adds “ when at least six clubs - and I suspect more - are concerned about the clear downside and the devastating effects of playing in this kind of distorted nine-game mini-league , then I believe the Premier League has a duty of care to address those concerns .
”

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
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Two players at German second division side Dynamo Dresden have tested positive for the coronavirus, putting on hold the club’s planned return to soccer next weekend.
Dresden was to play Hannover away on May 17 when the league resumes after a two-month suspension, but the entire squad, coaching and supervisory staff must go into 14 days of quarantine at home.
“We are in contact with the responsible health authorities and the league to coordinate all further steps. The fact is that we can neither train nor participate in any games over the next 14 days,” Dynamo sporting director Ralf Minge says.
The players have not been identified. Their positive results for COVID-19 were found in a third wave of tests conducted at the club on Friday as part of the league’s hygiene protocol to get soccer back underway in Germany.
One player tested positive for COVID-19 in the first wave of tests last weekend. He has been in quarantine since May 3. There were no positive cases in the second wave on May 4. The team returned to full training on Thursday.
Chancellor Angela Merkel had announced the day before that the top two divisions could resume without spectators. Teams were to spend time training in isolation before the games could resume. The Bundesliga and second division are due to return on May 16.
Dynamo says the two players who tested positive on Friday did not and are still not showing any symptoms of the virus.
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Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez, football coach Paul Chryst and men’s basketball coach Greg Gard are being asked to take a 15% pay cut over the next six months as part of the school’s response to the pandemic.
School officials say Alvarez, Chryst and Gard are among 25 of the athletic department’s highest-earning employees who are being asked to take that voluntary cut. There will be no reduction in that group’s work hours.
“Reducing compensation and work hours is obviously not something I want to see for any of our Badger Athletics family,” Alvarez said in a statement. “But we are facing the same financial challenges that other organizations across the country are. We are working hard to minimize the impact on our employees while responding to the realities of the situation created by the pandemic.”
The pay cuts were announced as part of what the athletic department described as a “compensation and work reduction plan” that will impact most of its employees as it deals with budget problems resulting from the coronavirus. The plan tentatively takes effect May 18 and runs through July 25.
Officials said most employees will participate in a state work-share program that will have their work hours reduced by either 20% or 50%. School officials said about 350 employees will be able to apply for expanded unemployment benefits that in most cases can offset lost wages through July 25.
Wisconsin officials believe this plan should help save the athletic department about $2.8 million.
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Spain’s association of soccer players has complained about the publication of the identity of an Atlético Madrid defender who tested positive for COVID-19.
Spanish media reported Friday that Atlético’s Renan Lodi had tested positive for coronavirus. On Saturday, Atlético posted a message on an official club social media channel with a picture of the Brazilian. The message said: “Renan Lodi says hello from his home. We will see you very soon on the field, Renan!”
The players’ association said in a statement Saturday that the revelation of Lodi’s identity violated Spanish law protecting his privacy.
“The legislation in our country makes it clear that under normal circumstances a company cannot obligate a worker who is on medical leave to make public his or her illness,” the association said.
It is not clear how Lodi’s name was first reported.
Over the last week professional soccer players in Spain have been allowed to return to their clubs for individual training while waiting for the competition to restart at a still to be determined date.
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Canada’s gymnastics federation laid off 70% of its staff this week.
The organization’s chief executive officer hopes the emergency funding announced Friday by the federal government allows him to recall people soon.
“It’s harsh. This hasn’t been a pleasant week,” Ian Moss told The Canadian Press on Friday. “I would love to be able to phone some of our staff tomorrow and say ‘you’re back.’”
Canada’s amateur sports system will receive nearly $52 million to alleviate the financial pain from the COVID-19 pandemic. Athletes whose monthly Sport Canada checks are affected by the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to 2021 also receive financial aid.
The Canadian Football League, soccer’s Canadian Premier League and the Canadian Elite Basketball League have asked for millions in relief, but professional leagues were not eligible in the latest funding.
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The president of French soccer club Lyon says players in the men’s and women’s teams all tested negative for the coronavirus.
The squads were tested by club doctors at Lyon’s training center and “there were no positive cases,” Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told regional newspaper Le Progrès.
The men’s French league was canceled with 10 rounds of matches remaining amid coronavirus concerns, with Paris Saint-Germain declared champion and Lyon finishing outside the European places in seventh.
Aulas had argued fervently for it to be completed in late August with a playoff system, but with PSG staying the champion given its large lead before play was stopped.
Lyon’s women’s team reached the French Cup semifinals before women’s matches were canceled.
___
The president of France Galop says horse racing will resume in France on Monday.
Édouard de Rothschild tweeted that “the resumption of races is accepted” and thanked the French government for allowing it to go ahead.
France is coming out of lockdown on Monday amid the coronavirus epidemic, with the nation confined since March 17.
Races will be held at the famed Longchamp Racecourse in western Paris, which hosts the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the first weekend of October, and at Compiègne in northern France.
___
Watford chairman Scott Duxbury says at least six of the 20 English Premier League clubs are concerned about the plan to use neutral stadiums to finish the season.
Duxbury says “there is no altruism in the Premier League” and that “there are 20 different vested interests, which sometimes align but more often than not work purely to protect each individual club.”
Ahead of Monday’s crunch meeting of topflight clubs, the Hornets have joined Brighton and Aston Villa in making clear their opposition to the current “Project Restart” plans.
With nine rounds left, Watford is 17th in the league and looking to fight off relegation amid a challenging backdrop brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.
Duxbury says “some clubs are happy to sign up to ‘Project Restart’ because arguably there is only an upside in participating in this compromised format. It means Liverpool can win the title, other clubs can book their place in Europe next season or potentially fight their way up the table from a position of safety.”
But he adds “when at least six clubs - and I suspect more - are concerned about the clear downside and the devastating effects of playing in this kind of distorted nine-game mini-league, then I believe the Premier League has a duty of care to address those concerns.”
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--Militants increasing attacks on Burkina Faso mines

BOUDA , Burkina Faso ( AP ) - Jihadists burst into the gold mine where Moussa Tambura worked in Burkina Faso , forbidding everyone from smoking and drinking .
It wasn ’ t long before the men returned and leveled the place to the ground .
“ They attacked the site , killed people and burned houses , ” said Tambura , 29 , clenching his fists .
He was able to find work again after fleeing to Bouda , another town in country ’ s north that still has small-scale mining .
Still , he struggles to provide for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t as lucrative as his old one .
Jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization have been overrunning gold mines like Tambura ’ s one by one as they try to gain control of Burkina Faso ’ s most lucrative industry .
The extremists are then collecting a “ protection tax ” from communities living around the gold mines and also forcing the miners to sell them the gold exclusively , which is then smuggled and sold across the border in places like Benin , Ghana or Togo .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the volatile north and the government also has tried to shut down other small-scale mines in the east so that they can ’ t be used by extremists to finance more attacks .
Mining Minister Oumarou Idani has called the measure a necessary step in the “ fight against terrorism.
” But some of the remote sites continue running anyway as they escape the reach of the national government in Ouagadougou , other officials and analysts said .
Some are warning too that the government ’ s strategy to cut off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also backfire , as unemployed miners falling deeper into poverty could become more sympathetic to the jihads ’ recruitment messages of marginalization .
“ You ’ re opening up the gates to push people to the terrorists , ” said Oumarou Ganemtore , secretary for the National Union of the Artisanal Miners Association of Burkina Faso .
“ How do you expect these guys to make a living .
What will they do ?
Where will they go ?
” Some 1.5 million people are believed to be working in small scale mines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimates .
Many of them are young and know the surrounding area well , making them ideal recruits , analysts say .
The mines are more than just a source of revenue and new members for the jihadists - they are also being used as hideouts , said Desire Nikiema , a local mining consultant who works in the region .
“ Terrorists can hide in the mines and be anonymous and collect information about the area and feed it back to their networks , ” he said .
Prior to onset of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burkina Faso had become the fastest growing gold producer in Africa and the fifth largest on the continent , according to a February report by the German-based research group GLOCON .
The official $ 2 billion figure last year though mostly counts gold coming from a few industrial mines .
The country is also believed to have as many as 800 other small-scale mines , where the gold is then smuggled and sold illegally .
Burkina Faso ’ s government has estimated that this illicit market is producing more than $ 400 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already have seized control of at least 20 such sites in eastern Burkina Faso , according to Mahamadou Savadogo , a regional analyst who has done research with the International Institute for Strategic Studies .
And their presence there is growing too , he said , as the army conducts fewer operations amid the COVID-19 crisis .
Burkina Faso already had been described as “ locked in a perilous downward spiral ” by International Crisis Group before the emergence of coronavirus .
Now they are fears the virus and changes in the mining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Already some 850,000 people have become internally displaced amid the conflict , according to U.N. figures .
Jonas Hien , program director for the Organization for the Reinforcement of Development Capacities , a local aid group focused on human rights , said a further spike in unemployment could make that situation worse as out-of-work miners migrate in search of income .
Since his previous site shut down , Issa Tambura has joined the night shift crew at the Bouda mine .
There already are too many workers there during the day .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing you knew was that if you worked hard you would get money , ” he said .
“ But right now people with guns can pop up at any time and mess up the place , and we ’ re scared .
”

BOUDA, Burkina Faso (AP) - Jihadists burst into the gold mine where Moussa Tambura worked in Burkina Faso, forbidding everyone from smoking and drinking. It wasn’t long before the men returned and leveled the place to the ground.
“They attacked the site, killed people and burned houses,” said Tambura, 29, clenching his fists.
He was able to find work again after fleeing to Bouda, another town in country’s north that still has small-scale mining. Still, he struggles to provide for his family since his new job isn’t as lucrative as his old one.
Jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization have been overrunning gold mines like Tambura’s one by one as they try to gain control of Burkina Faso’s most lucrative industry. The extremists are then collecting a “protection tax” from communities living around the gold mines and also forcing the miners to sell them the gold exclusively, which is then smuggled and sold across the border in places like Benin, Ghana or Togo.
The violence already has shuttered many small mines across the volatile north and the government also has tried to shut down other small-scale mines in the east so that they can’t be used by extremists to finance more attacks.
Mining Minister Oumarou Idani has called the measure a necessary step in the “fight against terrorism.” But some of the remote sites continue running anyway as they escape the reach of the national government in Ouagadougou, other officials and analysts said.
Some are warning too that the government’s strategy to cut off the flow of money from the east may also backfire, as unemployed miners falling deeper into poverty could become more sympathetic to the jihads’ recruitment messages of marginalization.
“You’re opening up the gates to push people to the terrorists,” said Oumarou Ganemtore, secretary for the National Union of the Artisanal Miners Association of Burkina Faso.
“How do you expect these guys to make a living. What will they do? Where will they go?”
Some 1.5 million people are believed to be working in small scale mines across the country, according to government estimates. Many of them are young and know the surrounding area well, making them ideal recruits, analysts say.
The mines are more than just a source of revenue and new members for the jihadists - they are also being used as hideouts, said Desire Nikiema, a local mining consultant who works in the region.
“Terrorists can hide in the mines and be anonymous and collect information about the area and feed it back to their networks,” he said.
Prior to onset of the COVID-19 crisis here in March, Burkina Faso had become the fastest growing gold producer in Africa and the fifth largest on the continent, according to a February report by the German-based research group GLOCON. The official $2 billion figure last year though mostly counts gold coming from a few industrial mines.
The country is also believed to have as many as 800 other small-scale mines, where the gold is then smuggled and sold illegally. Burkina Faso’s government has estimated that this illicit market is producing more than $400 million worth of gold a year.
Jihadists already have seized control of at least 20 such sites in eastern Burkina Faso, according to Mahamadou Savadogo, a regional analyst who has done research with the International Institute for Strategic Studies. And their presence there is growing too, he said, as the army conducts fewer operations amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Burkina Faso already had been described as “locked in a perilous downward spiral” by International Crisis Group before the emergence of coronavirus. Now they are fears the virus and changes in the mining industry could make things even worse. Already some 850,000 people have become internally displaced amid the conflict, according to U.N. figures.
Jonas Hien, program director for the Organization for the Reinforcement of Development Capacities, a local aid group focused on human rights, said a further spike in unemployment could make that situation worse as out-of-work miners migrate in search of income.
Since his previous site shut down, Issa Tambura has joined the night shift crew at the Bouda mine. There already are too many workers there during the day.
“Before (the violence) the only thing you knew was that if you worked hard you would get money,” he said. “But right now people with guns can pop up at any time and mess up the place, and we’re scared.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--Russia, Belarus mark Victory Day in contrasting events

MOSCOW ( AP ) - Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Victory Day , the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II , in a ceremony shorn of its usual military parade and pomp by the coronavirus pandemic .
In neighboring Belarus , however , the ceremonies went ahead in full , with tens of thousands of people in the sort of proximity that has been almost unseen in the world for months .
Putin on Saturday laid flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier just outside the Kremlin walls and gave a short address honoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ army during the war .
Victory Day is Russia ’ s most important secular holiday and this year ’ s observance had been expected to be especially large because it is the 75th anniversary , but the Red Square military parade and a mass procession called The Immortal Regiment were postponed as part of measures to stifle the spread of the virus .
The only vestige of the conventional show of military might was a flyover of central Moscow by 75 warplanes and helicopters .
The ceremony was the first public appearance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has worked remotely as the virus took hold .
In his speech , he did not mention the virus - Russia has nearly 200,000 confirmed cases - or how its spread had blocked the observances that were to be a prestige project for him .
But he promised that full commemorations would take place .
“ We will , as usual , widely and solemnly mark the anniversary date , do it with dignity , as our duty to those who have suffered , achieved and accomplished the victory tells us , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our main parade on Red Square , and the national march of the Immortal Regiment - the march of our grateful memory and inextricable , vital , living communication between generations.
” The sharply reduced observances this year left a hole in Russia ’ s civic and emotional calendar .
The war , in which the Soviet Union lost an estimated 26 million people including 8.5 million soldiers , has become a fundamental piece of Russian national identity .
Beyond the stern formalities of the Red Square military parade and smaller parades in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have turned out in huge numbers for the Immortal Regiment processions , when civilians crowd the streets displaying photographs of relatives who died in the war or endured it .
Russian officials routinely bristle at criticism of the Red Army ’ s actions in the war , denouncing the comments as attempts to “ rewrite history.
” An online substitute for the processions was taking place Saturday and many people are expected to display relatives ’ photos from their balconies and windows in the evening .
A full military parade of some 3,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital of Belarus , which has not imposed restrictions to block the virus ’ spread despite sharply rising infection figures .
Tens of thousands of spectators , few of them wearing masks , watched the event .
President Alexander Lukashenko , who has dismissed concerns about the virus as a “ psychosis , ” said at the parade that Belarus ’ ordeal in the war “ is incomparable with any difficulties of the present day.
” In one of the final events of the VE Day commemoration in Western Europe , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s landmark Brandenburg Gate was illuminated late Friday .
The words “ Thank You ” against a blue backdrop were projected onto the monument in Russian , English , French and German .
Earlier in the day German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described May 8 as the day Germany , too , was “ liberated ” from Nazi dictatorship .
Yuras Karmanau in Minsk , Belarus , contributed to this report .

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Victory Day, the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, in a ceremony shorn of its usual military parade and pomp by the coronavirus pandemic.
In neighboring Belarus, however, the ceremonies went ahead in full, with tens of thousands of people in the sort of proximity that has been almost unseen in the world for months.
Putin on Saturday laid flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier just outside the Kremlin walls and gave a short address honoring the valor and suffering of the Soviet army during the war.
Victory Day is Russia’s most important secular holiday and this year’s observance had been expected to be especially large because it is the 75th anniversary, but the Red Square military parade and a mass procession called The Immortal Regiment were postponed as part of measures to stifle the spread of the virus.
The only vestige of the conventional show of military might was a flyover of central Moscow by 75 warplanes and helicopters.
The ceremony was the first public appearance in about a month for Putin, who has worked remotely as the virus took hold.
In his speech, he did not mention the virus - Russia has nearly 200,000 confirmed cases - or how its spread had blocked the observances that were to be a prestige project for him.
But he promised that full commemorations would take place.
“We will, as usual, widely and solemnly mark the anniversary date, do it with dignity, as our duty to those who have suffered, achieved and accomplished the victory tells us,” he said. “There will be our main parade on Red Square, and the national march of the Immortal Regiment - the march of our grateful memory and inextricable, vital, living communication between generations.”
The sharply reduced observances this year left a hole in Russia’s civic and emotional calendar. The war, in which the Soviet Union lost an estimated 26 million people including 8.5 million soldiers, has become a fundamental piece of Russian national identity.
Beyond the stern formalities of the Red Square military parade and smaller parades in other cities, Russians in recent years have turned out in huge numbers for the Immortal Regiment processions, when civilians crowd the streets displaying photographs of relatives who died in the war or endured it. Russian officials routinely bristle at criticism of the Red Army’s actions in the war, denouncing the comments as attempts to “rewrite history.”
An online substitute for the processions was taking place Saturday and many people are expected to display relatives’ photos from their balconies and windows in the evening.
A full military parade of some 3,000 soldiers was held Saturday in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, which has not imposed restrictions to block the virus’ spread despite sharply rising infection figures. Tens of thousands of spectators, few of them wearing masks, watched the event.
President Alexander Lukashenko, who has dismissed concerns about the virus as a “psychosis,” said at the parade that Belarus’ ordeal in the war “is incomparable with any difficulties of the present day.”
Belarus’s more than 21,000 recorded infections is higher than in neighboring Ukraine and Poland, both with populations about four times the size.
In the capitals of Latvia and Estonia, both former Soviet republics with large ethnic Russian populations, small groups were seen arriving throughout the day to lay flowers on Soviet war memorials.
___
Yuras Karmanau in Minsk, Belarus, and Jari Tanner in Helsinki contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--Clashes and unity calls at UN on World War II anniversary

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - A U.N. Security Council meeting on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe on Friday saw a clash between Russia and some Europeans , calls for unity to fight COVID-19 , and warnings that the seeds of a new global conflict must be prevented from growing .
Nearly 70 speakers , including more than 45 foreign ministers and the European Union ’ s top diplomat , took part in the informal video meeting organized by Estonia , which holds the council presidency this month , on lessons learned from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Security Council ’ s responsibility .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the world is facing “ its biggest crisis since the end of World War II ” triggered by the outbreak of the coronavirus , which “ is shaking the foundations of our societies and exposing the vulnerabilities of the most fragile countries.
” “ It has the potential to deepen existing conflicts and generate new geopolitical tensions , ” Borrell warned .
Beyond the immediate public health challenges , he said , “ millions of people around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and atrocities.
” He urged the international community to tackle inequalities and uphold human rights equally everywhere , singling out Syrians , Yemenis , Venezuelans , Palestinians and Myanmar ’ s Rohingya Muslims .
And he said “ we must act against the re-emergence of anti-Semitism , racism , xenophobia and authoritarian politics.
” Germany ’ s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the hope for a better future after the war that killed over 60 million people led to the creation of the United Nations and the European Union , “ and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my country has received from its former enemies , ” which “ to this day … fills us with immense gratitude and humility.
” He said Germany ’ s commitment to global solutions and multilateralism “ is based on our historic experience - that nationalism leads to destruction.
” Maas said that during the last months , “ we have witnessed attempts to stir up nationalist feelings by trying to rewrite history.
” “ Those who try to turn the victims into perpetrators and the attacked into attackers are violating the memory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is unacceptable.
” Maas warned that political backing for international institutions is too often missing today , especially in the Security Council , whose mandate is to maintain international peace and security .
He pointed to its failure to end wars in Syria and Libya and bring peace to the Middle East and Ukraine .
France ’ s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the world today is witnessing “ a brutalization of international life , ” pointing to conflicts and “ the multiplication of faits accomplis ” from the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of chemical weapons in Syria , Malaysia and on European soil , terrorism , new threats from cyberspace , and stiffening international competition .
Estonia ’ s Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu , who chaired the meeting , rejected Russia ’ s recent attempts “ to manipulate historical events ” and justify the August 1939 non-aggression treaty between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany , with its secret protocol dividing Europe into spheres of influence for each of them .
Reinsalu said the pact “ paved the way for the outbreak of World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that after the war , for half a century , many European nations remained under direct Soviet suppression , deprived of freedom , sovereignty , dignity , human rights and free development , ” Reinsalu said .
He stressed that World War II “ taught us to protect our freedom , to reject and condemn the illegal use of force and to cooperate in order to achieve and preserve peace.
” Russia ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia countered that “ the Soviet Union was the main victim in that war and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest sacrifice.
” “ Attempts to challenge this , to present the Soviet Union as allegedly equally responsible for starting the war that surface today and circulate today by some modern politicians and … historians are not only immoral but disgusting and sacrilege to the truth and to our historical memory , ” he said .
And claims the Soviet Red Army didn ’ t liberate countries from Nazism but put them “ into enslavement ” are also an “ insult , ” he said .
“ Rewriting history has become a popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The aim is clear , to shift the blame to deprive Russia retroactively of its status as one of the heroes of World War II.
” He said perhaps the greatest lesson of the war “ was that mankind realized the need for a vaccine against the ideology of hate.
” “ What fortunately the world has not seen is another world war which would have been nuclear and catastrophic , but we shouldn ’ t be complacent about it , ” he said .
“ Current international relations show some trends that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I and World War II - deep distrust among major international players , attempts to achieve hegemony , unilateral actions , scapegoat - to name a few.
” Nebenzia expressed hope that the wisdom and will to act together against common threats and challenges will prevail today as it did during World War II , warning that a new global war “ may become the final for mankind .
”

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - A U.N. Security Council meeting on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe on Friday saw a clash between Russia and some Europeans, calls for unity to fight COVID-19, and warnings that the seeds of a new global conflict must be prevented from growing.
Nearly 70 speakers, including more than 45 foreign ministers and the European Union’s top diplomat, took part in the informal video meeting organized by Estonia, which holds the council presidency this month, on lessons learned from the war for preventing future atrocities and the Security Council’s responsibility.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the world is facing “its biggest crisis since the end of World War II” triggered by the outbreak of the coronavirus, which “is shaking the foundations of our societies and exposing the vulnerabilities of the most fragile countries.”
“It has the potential to deepen existing conflicts and generate new geopolitical tensions,” Borrell warned.
Beyond the immediate public health challenges, he said, “millions of people around the world are still displaced by persecution, conflict and atrocities.”
He urged the international community to tackle inequalities and uphold human rights equally everywhere, singling out Syrians, Yemenis, Venezuelans, Palestinians and Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims. And he said “we must act against the re-emergence of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and authoritarian politics.”
Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the hope for a better future after the war that killed over 60 million people led to the creation of the United Nations and the European Union, “and it found its expression in the forgiveness that my country has received from its former enemies,” which “to this day … fills us with immense gratitude and humility.”
He said Germany’s commitment to global solutions and multilateralism “is based on our historic experience - that nationalism leads to destruction.”
Maas said that during the last months, “we have witnessed attempts to stir up nationalist feelings by trying to rewrite history.”
“Those who try to turn the victims into perpetrators and the attacked into attackers are violating the memory of the victims,” he said. “This is unacceptable.”
Maas warned that political backing for international institutions is too often missing today, especially in the Security Council, whose mandate is to maintain international peace and security. He pointed to its failure to end wars in Syria and Libya and bring peace to the Middle East and Ukraine.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the world today is witnessing “a brutalization of international life,” pointing to conflicts and “the multiplication of faits accomplis” from the South China Sea to Eastern Europe, the use of chemical weapons in Syria, Malaysia and on European soil, terrorism, new threats from cyberspace, and stiffening international competition.
Estonia’s Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu, who chaired the meeting, rejected Russia’s recent attempts “to manipulate historical events” and justify the August 1939 non-aggression treaty between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, with its secret protocol dividing Europe into spheres of influence for each of them.
Reinsalu said the pact “paved the way for the outbreak of World War II.”
“We should remember that after the war, for half a century, many European nations remained under direct Soviet suppression, deprived of freedom, sovereignty, dignity, human rights and free development,” Reinsalu said.
He stressed that World War II “taught us to protect our freedom, to reject and condemn the illegal use of force and to cooperate in order to achieve and preserve peace.”
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia countered that “the Soviet Union was the main victim in that war and at the same time it made the biggest sacrifice.”
“Attempts to challenge this, to present the Soviet Union as allegedly equally responsible for starting the war that surface today and circulate today by some modern politicians and … historians are not only immoral but disgusting and sacrilege to the truth and to our historical memory,” he said.
And claims the Soviet Red Army didn’t liberate countries from Nazism but put them “into enslavement” are also an “insult,” he said.
“Rewriting history has become a popular trend,” Nebenzia said. “The aim is clear, to shift the blame to deprive Russia retroactively of its status as one of the heroes of World War II.”
He said perhaps the greatest lesson of the war “was that mankind realized the need for a vaccine against the ideology of hate.”
“What fortunately the world has not seen is another world war which would have been nuclear and catastrophic, but we shouldn’t be complacent about it,” he said. “Current international relations show some trends that are reminiscent of those before World War I and World War II - deep distrust among major international players, attempts to achieve hegemony, unilateral actions, scapegoat - to name a few.”
Nebenzia expressed hope that the wisdom and will to act together against common threats and challenges will prevail today as it did during World War II, warning that a new global war “may become the final for mankind.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--Russian volunteers search for fallen World War II soldiers

KHULKHUTA , Russia ( AP ) - Crouching over the sun-drenched soil , Alfred Abayev picks up a charred fragment of a Soviet warplane downed in a World War II battle with advancing Nazi forces .
“ You can see it was burning , ” he says , pointing at the weathered trace of a red star .
Abayev and members of his search team rummage the steppe for remains of the Red Army soldiers who fell in the autumn of 1942 in fierce fighting with Nazi troops pushing toward the Caspian Sea south of Stalingrad .
Stiff resistance by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the steppes of Kalmykia , and months later the enemy ’ s forces were encircled in Stalingrad and surrendered , a major defeat for the Nazis that marked a turning point in World War II .
The search for remains of fallen Red Army soldiers near Khulkhuta , in Kalmykia , a southern province that lies between the Volga River and the Caspian Sea , is part of a broad effort by myriad volunteer groups across Russia to pay tribute to fallen World War II soldiers .
Russia ’ s losses stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the war ’ s enormous suffering and sacrifice has been deeply engraved in the nation ’ s psyche .
The defeat of the Nazis , which Russia marks on May 9 as Victory Day , is the nation ’ s most important holiday , lavishly celebrated across the country with annual military parades , fireworks and other festivities .
The coronavirus pandemic has scuttled President Vladimir Putin ’ s plan to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe with a massive Red Square parade involving top foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to emphasize a decisive role the Soviet Union played in the war and underline Moscow ’ s global clout .
The Russian capital will still mark the anniversary Saturday with a flyby of dozens of warplanes over Red Square and lavish fireworks .
Similar celebrations will be held in other cities across the country as most Russians have remained in lockdown since late March to stem the coronavirus outbreak .
Putin has vowed to hold a full-fledged Red Square parade later this year once the spread of contagion slows down .
While authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country have continued to search World War II battlefields for soldiers ’ remains .
Abayev , who leads the volunteers in Kalmykia , sees it as his duty to bury the fallen soldiers .
“ We believe it ’ s necessary to do this , ” he said .
“ It ’ s important for me because my ancestors fought here.
” Abayev said that his group have found the remains of more than 4,500 troops , most of them Red Army soldiers , but also some Wehrmacht troops .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where their ancestors died , he said .
The remains that can ’ t be identified are buried in a mass grave in Khulkhuta under an austere , gray monument .
The head of Khulkhuta ’ s local administration , Galina Nasurova , sees paying tribute to the fallen soldiers as an important mission .
“ This place is sacred .
They call it ‘ Small Stalingrad ’ because of fierce battles that took place here , ” she said .
The sun-dried steppes of Kalmykia made it easier for volunteers to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the dead .
But the task is much more daunting in the forests and marshlands of western Russia that became the arenas of fierce battles with the Nazi armies that invaded the Soviet Union on June 22 , 1941 .
The Wehrmacht quickly overtook huge chunks of Soviet territory , advancing as close as 30 kilometers ( about 20 miles ) from Moscow in October 1941 .
A successful Soviet counter-offensive pushed the Nazis back from the outskirts of the Soviet capital at the end of 1941 , but the Red Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeats in the following year until the battle of Stalingrad reversed its fortunes .
According to official estimates , the Red Army ’ s casualties stood at 8.7 million , but many historians have argued that the figure was significantly higher .
As the Soviet soldiers were rolling back under the Nazi onslaught , they had little or no chance to give their fallen comrades a proper burial .
Some were hastily buried in collective graves that later lost their markings , and remains of countless others were left in the fields and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet Union .
Millions were taken prisoner and died of starvation and from slave labor in Nazi concentration camps .
Ever since , their families have lived in gnawing uncertainty about when and how they died , and volunteers see it as their patriotic duty to determine the fallen soldiers ’ fate .
Alexander Trubakov , the leader of a group of volunteers from the southern Astrakhan region next to Kalmykia , said so far this year his team has managed to identify two fallen soldiers whose remains were found in the steppe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army ID in his purse , and another had his “ death medallion , ” a tiny Bakelite cylinder with a tiny piece of newsprint containing personal data , he said .
“ We are searching for relatives to invite them to a burial of those who fought here , ” Trubakov said .
Follow AP ’ s coverage marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe at https : //apnews.com/WorldWarII

KHULKHUTA, Russia (AP) - Crouching over the sun-drenched soil, Alfred Abayev picks up a charred fragment of a Soviet warplane downed in a World War II battle with advancing Nazi forces.
“You can see it was burning,” he says, pointing at the weathered trace of a red star.
Abayev and members of his search team rummage the steppe for remains of the Red Army soldiers who fell in the autumn of 1942 in fierce fighting with Nazi troops pushing toward the Caspian Sea south of Stalingrad.
Stiff resistance by the Red Army stopped the Wehrmacht onslaught in the steppes of Kalmykia, and months later the enemy’s forces were encircled in Stalingrad and surrendered, a major defeat for the Nazis that marked a turning point in World War II.
The search for remains of fallen Red Army soldiers near Khulkhuta, in Kalmykia, a southern province that lies between the Volga River and the Caspian Sea, is part of a broad effort by myriad volunteer groups across Russia to pay tribute to fallen World War II soldiers.
Russia’s losses stood at a staggering 27 million, and the war’s enormous suffering and sacrifice has been deeply engraved in the nation’s psyche.
The defeat of the Nazis, which Russia marks on May 9 as Victory Day, is the nation’s most important holiday, lavishly celebrated across the country with annual military parades, fireworks and other festivities.
The coronavirus pandemic has scuttled President Vladimir Putin’s plan to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe with a massive Red Square parade involving top foreign leaders. The big show was intended to emphasize a decisive role the Soviet Union played in the war and underline Moscow’s global clout.
The Russian capital will still mark the anniversary Saturday with a flyby of dozens of warplanes over Red Square and lavish fireworks. Similar celebrations will be held in other cities across the country as most Russians have remained in lockdown since late March to stem the coronavirus outbreak.
Putin has vowed to hold a full-fledged Red Square parade later this year once the spread of contagion slows down.
While authorities have focused on festivities, numerous volunteers across the country have continued to search World War II battlefields for soldiers’ remains.
Abayev, who leads the volunteers in Kalmykia, sees it as his duty to bury the fallen soldiers.
“We believe it’s necessary to do this,” he said. “It’s important for me because my ancestors fought here.”
Abayev said that his group have found the remains of more than 4,500 troops, most of them Red Army soldiers, but also some Wehrmacht troops. Some Germans visited Khulkhuta to see the place where their ancestors died, he said.
The remains that can’t be identified are buried in a mass grave in Khulkhuta under an austere, gray monument.
The head of Khulkhuta’s local administration, Galina Nasurova, sees paying tribute to the fallen soldiers as an important mission.
“This place is sacred. They call it ‘Small Stalingrad’ because of fierce battles that took place here,” she said.
The sun-dried steppes of Kalmykia made it easier for volunteers to find personal items helping identify at least some of the dead.
But the task is much more daunting in the forests and marshlands of western Russia that became the arenas of fierce battles with the Nazi armies that invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941.
The Wehrmacht quickly overtook huge chunks of Soviet territory, advancing as close as 30 kilometers (about 20 miles) from Moscow in October 1941.
A successful Soviet counter-offensive pushed the Nazis back from the outskirts of the Soviet capital at the end of 1941, but the Red Army continued to suffer a string of devastating defeats in the following year until the battle of Stalingrad reversed its fortunes.
According to official estimates, the Red Army’s casualties stood at 8.7 million, but many historians have argued that the figure was significantly higher.
As the Soviet soldiers were rolling back under the Nazi onslaught, they had little or no chance to give their fallen comrades a proper burial.
Some were hastily buried in collective graves that later lost their markings, and remains of countless others were left in the fields and forests of the western part of the Soviet Union. Millions were taken prisoner and died of starvation and from slave labor in Nazi concentration camps.
Ever since, their families have lived in gnawing uncertainty about when and how they died, and volunteers see it as their patriotic duty to determine the fallen soldiers’ fate.
Alexander Trubakov, the leader of a group of volunteers from the southern Astrakhan region next to Kalmykia, said so far this year his team has managed to identify two fallen soldiers whose remains were found in the steppe near Khulkhuta.
One carried his Red Army ID in his purse, and another had his “death medallion,” a tiny Bakelite cylinder with a tiny piece of newsprint containing personal data, he said.
“We are searching for relatives to invite them to a burial of those who fought here,” Trubakov said.
___
Isachenkov reported from Moscow.
___
Follow AP’s coverage marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe at https://apnews.com/WorldWarII


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--AP Week in Pictures, Global

AP Week in Pictures, Global

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by The Associated Press from around the @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Patrick Sison in New York .

A person looks out of a window in an apartment building in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday, May 3, 2020m during extended stay-at-home orders until May 15 in an effort to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (AP Photo/Charlie …
A person looks out of a …


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--During quarantine, a St. Pete's band still jams together

TAMPA BAY , Fla. ( AP ) - When they settled into their home in downtown St. Petersburg , Danielle DeCosmo and Anthony Goodwin worked hard to soundproof it .
The last thing they wanted was for their band , Blackbird Morning , to upset the neighbors .
The irony ?
These days , their house is one of the few places anywhere in Tampa Bay where it ’ s possible to hear a band playing live music .
“ There ’ s an apartment complex across the way , so people would have to open their windows and stick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Blackbird Morning ’ s singer .
“ We haven ’ t had that yet.
” Once word gets out about the band , that might change .
While there ’ s been no shortage of streamed-from-home performances during the coronavirus pandemic , most are by socially distancing solo artists , not bands .
Or they ’ re by bands virtually linking and syncing via Zoom .
Alt-rockers Blackbird Morning are an exception .
DeCosmo and producer-guitarist Goodwin are married .
Drummer Vince DeCosmo , Danielle ’ s brother and Goodwin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connected to theirs .
Bassist Richard Jimenez lives in Tampa .
But the other members ’ close proximity and family ties mean most of Blackbird Morning is still able to jam on the porch and write new music .
It ’ s a little like being on tour together , Goodwin said .
Except none of them can really leave their homes .
“ Being creative in any kind of situation is sort of like being in a marriage or being in a family , so there ’ s a lot of similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you ’ re on the road with your band , you ’ re obviously stuck with each other for at least two or three months at a time .
It sort of comes with the territory .
But we do a pretty good job of maintaining social distance even without that.
” “ We have to be very open about being , like , ‘ Okay , you can go home now .
Love you !
Have a good night !
’ ” Danielle laughed .
It ’ s not that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DeCosmo and Goodwin are both working remotely for Tampa General Hospital , where she does music therapy for patients .
Since the coronavirus hit , they ’ ve been streaming live , guided relaxation sessions to help health care workers and staff .
But they are making the most of their unique situation by keeping Blackbird Morning ( mostly ) together at a time when so many other bands can ’ t be .
Goodwin and DeCosmo have a 2-year-old son - Vince ’ s girlfriend is their primary babysitter - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their growing family meant they were already planning a light summer , gig-wise , before the pandemic .
So they ’ ve been streaming jam sessions on Facebook and writing music in their downtime , with Goodwin and Jimenez swapping audio files online .
Jimenez joined the rest of the group for one recent live-streamed concert organized by the Hideaway Cafe .
During that show , Blackbird Morning played a new song they ’ d written during the quarantine , tentatively titled Let Go .
Goodwin came up with the main riff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the quarantine .
Jimenez wrote a chord progression .
And Danielle put together lyrics , inspired by sitting on the porch , wondering , “ What am I going to do today ?
Counting the days , watching the waves wash over me / Counting the time , no rhythm or rhyme to my days … ” “ I put a lot of pressure on myself to get things done and perform and have accomplishments every day , ” she said .
“ And during this time , you ’ re finding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And so it was a reflection of saying , ‘ I ’ m going to let go of all the lines I ’ ve told myself , and let go of all this pressure that I put on myself .
And just kind of be.
’ ” This era of forced isolation , DeCosmo said , may end up helping artists figure out new ways to be creative , just as it has for Blackbird Morning .
“ It is pretty sad and scary that there ’ s nowhere to see music , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a lot of people coming out online that you ’ ve never seen before .
Maybe it ’ s giving them an outlet to express themselves , when they might not have felt comfortable to be on stage .
I ’ m seeing a lot of people say , ‘ This is my first time trying this.
’ That ’ s cool , you know ?
”

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (AP) - When they settled into their home in downtown St. Petersburg, Danielle DeCosmo and Anthony Goodwin worked hard to soundproof it. The last thing they wanted was for their band, Blackbird Morning, to upset the neighbors.
The irony? These days, their house is one of the few places anywhere in Tampa Bay where it’s possible to hear a band playing live music.
“There’s an apartment complex across the way, so people would have to open their windows and stick their heads out,” said DeCosmo, Blackbird Morning’s singer. “We haven’t had that yet.”
Once word gets out about the band, that might change.
While there’s been no shortage of streamed-from-home performances during the coronavirus pandemic, most are by socially distancing solo artists, not bands. Or they’re by bands virtually linking and syncing via Zoom.
Alt-rockers Blackbird Morning are an exception. DeCosmo and producer-guitarist Goodwin are married. Drummer Vince DeCosmo, Danielle’s brother and Goodwin’s business partner, lives in a home connected to theirs.
Bassist Richard Jimenez lives in Tampa. But the other members’ close proximity and family ties mean most of Blackbird Morning is still able to jam on the porch and write new music.
It’s a little like being on tour together, Goodwin said. Except none of them can really leave their homes.
“Being creative in any kind of situation is sort of like being in a marriage or being in a family, so there’s a lot of similar dynamics,” Goodwin said. “If you’re on the road with your band, you’re obviously stuck with each other for at least two or three months at a time. It sort of comes with the territory. But we do a pretty good job of maintaining social distance even without that.”
“We have to be very open about being, like, ‘Okay, you can go home now. Love you! Have a good night!’” Danielle laughed.
It’s not that they’re not taking the quarantine seriously. DeCosmo and Goodwin are both working remotely for Tampa General Hospital, where she does music therapy for patients. Since the coronavirus hit, they’ve been streaming live, guided relaxation sessions to help health care workers and staff.
But they are making the most of their unique situation by keeping Blackbird Morning (mostly) together at a time when so many other bands can’t be.
Goodwin and DeCosmo have a 2-year-old son - Vince’s girlfriend is their primary babysitter - and another child on the way this fall. Their growing family meant they were already planning a light summer, gig-wise, before the pandemic. So they’ve been streaming jam sessions on Facebook and writing music in their downtime, with Goodwin and Jimenez swapping audio files online.
Jimenez joined the rest of the group for one recent live-streamed concert organized by the Hideaway Cafe. During that show, Blackbird Morning played a new song they’d written during the quarantine, tentatively titled Let Go. Goodwin came up with the main riff during the band’s last practice before the quarantine. Jimenez wrote a chord progression. And Danielle put together lyrics, inspired by sitting on the porch, wondering,
“What am I going to do today?
Counting the days, watching the waves wash over me / Counting the time, no rhythm or rhyme to my days …”
“I put a lot of pressure on myself to get things done and perform and have accomplishments every day,” she said. “And during this time, you’re finding it difficult to uphold those standards. And so it was a reflection of saying, ‘I’m going to let go of all the lines I’ve told myself, and let go of all this pressure that I put on myself. And just kind of be.’”
This era of forced isolation, DeCosmo said, may end up helping artists figure out new ways to be creative, just as it has for Blackbird Morning.
“It is pretty sad and scary that there’s nowhere to see music,” DeCosmo said. “But there are a lot of people coming out online that you’ve never seen before. Maybe it’s giving them an outlet to express themselves, when they might not have felt comfortable to be on stage. I’m seeing a lot of people say, ‘This is my first time trying this.’ That’s cool, you know?”


washingtontimes--2020-05-09--Coronavirus kills Miami man paralyzed by gunshot wound

MIAMI ( AP ) - Nearly 400 people in Miami-Dade County have died of complications of the novel coronavirus over the last few months .
Now , one of those deaths is being investigated as a murder .
The unusual case involves a luckless man named Johnny Copeland , 44 , who died late last month of COVID-19 with contributing problems of pneumonia , obesity and hypertension .
But with all that , the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner ’ s Office ruled the chief cause of death was from complications of a gunshot wound that left Copeland paralyzed in 1997 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miami detectives must try and track down who was to blame in a shooting that happened 23 years ago .
Copeland ’ s life was marked by bad breaks .
He was also a victim in an ongoing criminal court case - his wife , Miami-Dade police said , abandoned him in an empty house and he was discovered dehydrated and disoriented , covered in feces and urine .
And when the global pandemic broke out , Copeland was living at the North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center , a facility that wound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 38 residents testing positive .
At least three residents have died .
Copeland ’ s sister , Robin Jones , says she is frustrated that the nursing home didn ’ t do enough to prevent the spread of the virus .
Copeland , complaining of having trouble breathing , was transferred to Jackson North Medical Center .
He sounded upbeat but his condition worsened quickly .
He died on April 29 .
“ He wasn ’ t scared of anything .
He wasn ’ t scared of death , ” Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been through the worst of everything.
” Copeland ’ s death continued a series of heartbreaks for his family .
Another of Jones ’ brothers also died last month , of colon cancer .
Their grandmother - with whom Copeland was close - passed away a couple years ago , also of cancer .
Like her brother , Jones was also the victim of a crime .
She was stabbed 15 times by the father of her children ; she barely survived and had to learn to walk again .
Through the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a steadying presence , despite his disability .
He was shot in the summer of 1997 , at age 20 .
Relatives say they know few details about the circumstances of the shooting but do not believe anyone was arrested .
Miami police detectives say they are researching the case to determine the exact date , and whether it even happened within city limits .
“ We are pulling the file , ” said Miami police spokeswoman Kenia Fallat .
Copeland spent more than a month in a coma and rang in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I remember singing happy birthday to him by his bedside , ” Jones recalled .
He struggled to accept his paralysis at first .
But over the years , while surviving on government disability funds , he became self-reliant .
With full use of his arms , he could get out of bed and cook for himself - his favorite dish was spaghetti with sausages .
Copeland even helped care for his sister ’ s children when she was recovering from the 2009 butcher knife attack by her former boyfriend , Dexter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was convicted at trial , then accidentally released by the jail one day later ) .
But Copeland ’ s health - mental and physical - began to deteriorate over the years .
He married Jakeya Javon Brown in August 2015 , records show .
But the relationship became rocky quickly , and the two were living in her sister ’ s former home in Princeton .
It was September 2015 .
The home was up for sale and was supposed to be empty .
The owner was checking on the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground , his wheelchair next to him .
He was in bad shape .
He ’ d just had a heart attack a few days earlier , and had been released from the hospital .
Copeland had apparently crawled to the door but could not escape before passing out .
He was so disoriented after at least two days abandoned that he could not speak to paramedics and police , according to court records .
A trachea tube , which he ’ d had to use over the years to help breathe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed sores .
The Florida Department of Children and Families opened up an investigation .
An investigator finally got a hold of Brown , according to an arrest warrant , who claimed she ’ d fainted at a nearby McDonald ’ s and had to be taken to Kendall Regional Hospital .
But none of the McDonald ’ s restaurants in the area had any records of 911 being called for a customer .
And the Kendall hospital had no record of Brown being brought in for treatment , according to the warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant for Brown .
The charge : felony neglect of a disabled adult .
She remained a fugitive until her arrest in 2019 .
She ’ s pleaded not guilty and the case was still awaiting trial .
Brown , reached on Tuesday , insisted the allegations weren ’ t true - and pointed out that after the incident that Copeland went to live with her for a time in Alabama .
Brown claimed she ’ d simply overslept from a nap after dropping her daughter at a babysitter and left Copeland alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , “ somebody broke into my sister ’ s house and did some awful things to him.
” “ He told me they beat on him and tried to stab him and basically just mistreated him , ” said Brown , who said she had not heard from her estranged husband in years .
After leaving Alabama , Copeland eventually ended up at a nursing home in Pompano Beach , and then last year back with his sister in Miami .
But his health was failing .
Wracked with anxiety , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital .
He began twitching a lot .
In January , he eventually moved to North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center .
“ It was hard seeing him like that , ” Jones said .
“ He needed full-time care .
He needed a doctor.
” The highly contagious virus has ravaged many Florida long-term care facilities whose residents are often elderly or infirm .
State data released late last week shows that nursing homes and assisted living facilities have accounted for one in three coronavirus deaths in the state .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the North Dade facility has logged 38 positive cases , plus two staff members who have contracted the virus .
As of Friday , three COVID-19 deaths stemmed from the facility , and a fourth was under investigation .
The center did not return a call Tuesday seeking comment on his case .
Jones last saw her brother in early March , bringing him his usual favorite bags of gummy candies .
Copeland didn ’ t seem too concerned about the pandemic , even as the state began to shut down segments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She had no idea Copeland had been transferred to Jackson North Hospital until the hospital , not the nursing home , called her .
Her brother was having trouble breathing .
His kidneys soon failed .
“ I ’ m frustrated .
How did they not do anything to prevent this ?
” Jones said of the nursing home .
“ To me , it ’ s negligence .
”

MIAMI (AP) - Nearly 400 people in Miami-Dade County have died of complications of the novel coronavirus over the last few months. Now, one of those deaths is being investigated as a murder.
The unusual case involves a luckless man named Johnny Copeland, 44, who died late last month of COVID-19 with contributing problems of pneumonia, obesity and hypertension. But with all that, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the chief cause of death was from complications of a gunshot wound that left Copeland paralyzed in 1997.
With his death ruled a homicide, Miami detectives must try and track down who was to blame in a shooting that happened 23 years ago.
Copeland’s life was marked by bad breaks. He was also a victim in an ongoing criminal court case - his wife, Miami-Dade police said, abandoned him in an empty house and he was discovered dehydrated and disoriented, covered in feces and urine.
And when the global pandemic broke out, Copeland was living at the North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a facility that wound up getting hard hit by the virus, with 38 residents testing positive. At least three residents have died.
Copeland’s sister, Robin Jones, says she is frustrated that the nursing home didn’t do enough to prevent the spread of the virus. Copeland, complaining of having trouble breathing, was transferred to Jackson North Medical Center. He sounded upbeat but his condition worsened quickly. He died on April 29.
“He wasn’t scared of anything. He wasn’t scared of death,” Jones said. “He’d already been through the worst of everything.”
Copeland’s death continued a series of heartbreaks for his family. Another of Jones’ brothers also died last month, of colon cancer. Their grandmother - with whom Copeland was close - passed away a couple years ago, also of cancer.
Like her brother, Jones was also the victim of a crime. She was stabbed 15 times by the father of her children; she barely survived and had to learn to walk again.
Through the family’s ups and downs, Copeland was a steadying presence, despite his disability.
He was shot in the summer of 1997, at age 20. Relatives say they know few details about the circumstances of the shooting but do not believe anyone was arrested.
Miami police detectives say they are researching the case to determine the exact date, and whether it even happened within city limits.
“We are pulling the file,” said Miami police spokeswoman Kenia Fallat.
Copeland spent more than a month in a coma and rang in his 21st birthday in the hospital.
“I remember singing happy birthday to him by his bedside,” Jones recalled.
He struggled to accept his paralysis at first. But over the years, while surviving on government disability funds, he became self-reliant. With full use of his arms, he could get out of bed and cook for himself - his favorite dish was spaghetti with sausages.
Copeland even helped care for his sister’s children when she was recovering from the 2009 butcher knife attack by her former boyfriend, Dexter Davis (he made the news after he was convicted at trial, then accidentally released by the jail one day later).
But Copeland’s health - mental and physical - began to deteriorate over the years. He married Jakeya Javon Brown in August 2015, records show. But the relationship became rocky quickly, and the two were living in her sister’s former home in Princeton.
It was September 2015. The home was up for sale and was supposed to be empty. The owner was checking on the property and found Copeland sprawled out on the ground, his wheelchair next to him.
He was in bad shape. He’d just had a heart attack a few days earlier, and had been released from the hospital. Copeland had apparently crawled to the door but could not escape before passing out. He was so disoriented after at least two days abandoned that he could not speak to paramedics and police, according to court records.
A trachea tube, which he’d had to use over the years to help breathe, had not been cleaned and he had bed sores.
The Florida Department of Children and Families opened up an investigation. An investigator finally got a hold of Brown, according to an arrest warrant, who claimed she’d fainted at a nearby McDonald’s and had to be taken to Kendall Regional Hospital.
But none of the McDonald’s restaurants in the area had any records of 911 being called for a customer. And the Kendall hospital had no record of Brown being brought in for treatment, according to the warrant.
Miami-Dade police and prosecutors prepared a warrant for Brown. The charge: felony neglect of a disabled adult. She remained a fugitive until her arrest in 2019.
She’s pleaded not guilty and the case was still awaiting trial. Brown, reached on Tuesday, insisted the allegations weren’t true - and pointed out that after the incident that Copeland went to live with her for a time in Alabama.
Brown claimed she’d simply overslept from a nap after dropping her daughter at a babysitter and left Copeland alone less than one day. Instead, she said, “somebody broke into my sister’s house and did some awful things to him.”
“He told me they beat on him and tried to stab him and basically just mistreated him,” said Brown, who said she had not heard from her estranged husband in years.
After leaving Alabama, Copeland eventually ended up at a nursing home in Pompano Beach, and then last year back with his sister in Miami.
But his health was failing. Wracked with anxiety, he frequently called fire-rescue for transport to the hospital. He began twitching a lot. In January, he eventually moved to North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
“It was hard seeing him like that,” Jones said. “He needed full-time care. He needed a doctor.”
The highly contagious virus has ravaged many Florida long-term care facilities whose residents are often elderly or infirm. State data released late last week shows that nursing homes and assisted living facilities have accounted for one in three coronavirus deaths in the state.
According to Florida Department of Health statistics, the North Dade facility has logged 38 positive cases, plus two staff members who have contracted the virus. As of Friday, three COVID-19 deaths stemmed from the facility, and a fourth was under investigation.
The center did not return a call Tuesday seeking comment on his case.
Jones last saw her brother in early March, bringing him his usual favorite bags of gummy candies. Copeland didn’t seem too concerned about the pandemic, even as the state began to shut down segments of society and barred visitors from nursing homes.
She had no idea Copeland had been transferred to Jackson North Hospital until the hospital, not the nursing home, called her. Her brother was having trouble breathing. His kidneys soon failed.
“I’m frustrated. How did they not do anything to prevent this?” Jones said of the nursing home. “To me, it’s negligence.”