washingtontimes--2020-04-24--Lawsuit against Honolulu school alleges sex abuse by coach

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Three former basketball players alleged sexual abuse in a civil lawsuit filed against a Honolulu school and a former coach , according to court documents .
The lawsuit filed Wednesday against Punahou School and former assistant coach Dwayne Yuen said he abused the female students between 2003 and 2006 , beginning when at least one of the girls was 12 years old .
When reached by The Associated Press Friday , Yuen declined to comment on the allegations .
The AP does not normally name victims in alleged sexual assault cases , but Ilima-Lei Macfarlane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named in the lawsuit and one of their attorneys said they are willing to speak publicly about the allegations .
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane , a 2009 graduate of Punahou School , is a professional mixed-martial arts fighter currently holding a world championship title belt in the flyweight division with the Bellator MMA organization .
The third plaintiff is listed on the lawsuit as “ Jane Doe.
” The private , coeducational school has more than 3,700 students in kindergarten through 12th grade .
The civil complaint alleged years of manipulation and sexual abuse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , and negligence and condoning of the abuse by other coaches and administrators .
Yuen , who was in his mid-30s at the time , “ was a sexual predator who targeted and sexually groomed underage female students attending Punahou School , ” the complaint said .
Sexual grooming occurs when a child is taught to trust an adult who then initiates an inappropriate relationship .
The court filing listed numerous accounts of sexual abuse , cash offers for sexual acts , sexual harassment , unwanted sexual advances , and sexually explicit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ juveniles , we are unable to release information , ” Honolulu police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said in an email from the AP Friday asking if there were any police investigations related to the allegations .
The school issued a statement Thursday saying it was troubled by the sexual abuse allegations .
“ We are currently investigating these reports and are committed to working with the survivors to find resolution and healing , ” Punahou Director of Communications Robert Gelber said in the statement .
“ In no uncertain terms , Punahou stands with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we respect the courage it takes to report these incidents , ” Gelber said .
Associated Press News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report .

HONOLULU (AP) - Three former basketball players alleged sexual abuse in a civil lawsuit filed against a Honolulu school and a former coach, according to court documents.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday against Punahou School and former assistant coach Dwayne Yuen said he abused the female students between 2003 and 2006, beginning when at least one of the girls was 12 years old.
When reached by The Associated Press Friday, Yuen declined to comment on the allegations.
The AP does not normally name victims in alleged sexual assault cases, but Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and her sister Mahina Macfarlane Souza are named in the lawsuit and one of their attorneys said they are willing to speak publicly about the allegations.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, a 2009 graduate of Punahou School, is a professional mixed-martial arts fighter currently holding a world championship title belt in the flyweight division with the Bellator MMA organization.
The third plaintiff is listed on the lawsuit as “Jane Doe.”
The private, coeducational school has more than 3,700 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The civil complaint alleged years of manipulation and sexual abuse, including the rape of one of the students, and negligence and condoning of the abuse by other coaches and administrators.
Yuen, who was in his mid-30s at the time, “was a sexual predator who targeted and sexually groomed underage female students attending Punahou School,” the complaint said.
Sexual grooming occurs when a child is taught to trust an adult who then initiates an inappropriate relationship.
The court filing listed numerous accounts of sexual abuse, cash offers for sexual acts, sexual harassment, unwanted sexual advances, and sexually explicit photos.
“If the reports involve juveniles, we are unable to release information,” Honolulu police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said in an email from the AP Friday asking if there were any police investigations related to the allegations.
The school issued a statement Thursday saying it was troubled by the sexual abuse allegations.
“We are currently investigating these reports and are committed to working with the survivors to find resolution and healing,” Punahou Director of Communications Robert Gelber said in the statement.
“In no uncertain terms, Punahou stands with survivors of sexual abuse everywhere, and we respect the courage it takes to report these incidents,” Gelber said.
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Associated Press News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-04-24--Ruling due Monday in tribal case over virus relief funding

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. ( AP ) - A federal judge said he will issue a decision Monday on a request from tribal nations to temporarily halt the distribution of $ 8 billion in coronavirus relief funding for tribes .
At least 15 Native American tribes across the country have sued the U.S. Treasury Department , saying the funding should go only to the 574 tribes that have a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. , not to Alaska Native corporations .
The Treasury Department has taken the position that the corporations are eligible .
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the tribes ’ request for a temporary restraining order .
The arguments in court centered on the definition of “ Indian Tribe ” under the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act , a federal law meant to empower tribes in controlling federal services on their land .
Alaska Native corporations were included in the definition in the CARES Act - the $ 2.2 trillion relief package signed into law in March .
“ Of course the government and the tribes have a difference of opinion on what that definition means , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the tribes .
“ It will be the court ’ s role to resolve that difference.
” Mehta asked various times whether the Treasury Department reasonably could separate Alaska Native corporations that are delivering services to tribes in response to the coronavirus from those that aren ’ t .
“ It ought to be reserved for ANCs in very limited circumstances , ” Mehta said .
Kanji said that approach would ignore what the tribes have argued was Congress ’ intent - to provide much-needed funding to tribal governments .
Jason Lynch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treasury Department , said he wasn ’ t sure because the agency hasn ’ t determined how it will distribute the funding .
No payments will go out before Tuesday - two days past the deadline in the CARES Act , he said .
Regardless , he saw the issue before Mehta as narrow : eligibility .
“ That question should be answered and should be the only question , ” Lynch said .
The corporations are unique to Alaska and own most Native lands in the state under a 1971 settlement among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of Alaska .
The tribes that have sued are in California , Washington state , Arizona , New Mexico , Utah , Maine , South Dakota and Alaska .
In other tribal developments this week : - President Donald Trump signed a coronavirus relief package Friday that makes tribal casinos with less than 500 employees eligible to apply for funding through the Payment Protection Program .
The casinos previously were excluded .
Tribes , tribal organizations and urban Indian health organizations also will benefit from $ 750 million under the package for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help trace the spread of the illness .
- The Indian Health Service said Thursday it has fully allocated the more than $ 1 billion the agency received in the CARES Act to respond to the coronavirus pandemic .
- The U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment of Rear Adm. Michael Weahkee , a citizen of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico , as director of the Indian Health Service for four years .

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - A federal judge said he will issue a decision Monday on a request from tribal nations to temporarily halt the distribution of $8 billion in coronavirus relief funding for tribes.
At least 15 Native American tribes across the country have sued the U.S. Treasury Department, saying the funding should go only to the 574 tribes that have a government-to-government relationship with the U.S., not to Alaska Native corporations.
The Treasury Department has taken the position that the corporations are eligible.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., held a hearing Friday on the tribes’ request for a temporary restraining order.
The arguments in court centered on the definition of “Indian Tribe” under the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act, a federal law meant to empower tribes in controlling federal services on their land.
Alaska Native corporations were included in the definition in the CARES Act - the $2.2 trillion relief package signed into law in March.
“Of course the government and the tribes have a difference of opinion on what that definition means,” said Riyaz Kanji, an attorney for the tribes. “It will be the court’s role to resolve that difference.”
Federal agencies don’t have a consistent interpretation either.
Mehta asked various times whether the Treasury Department reasonably could separate Alaska Native corporations that are delivering services to tribes in response to the coronavirus from those that aren’t.
“It ought to be reserved for ANCs in very limited circumstances,” Mehta said.
Kanji said that approach would ignore what the tribes have argued was Congress’ intent - to provide much-needed funding to tribal governments.
Jason Lynch, a Justice Department attorney representing the Treasury Department, said he wasn’t sure because the agency hasn’t determined how it will distribute the funding. No payments will go out before Tuesday - two days past the deadline in the CARES Act, he said.
Regardless, he saw the issue before Mehta as narrow: eligibility. “That question should be answered and should be the only question,” Lynch said.
The corporations are unique to Alaska and own most Native lands in the state under a 1971 settlement among the U.S., Alaska Natives and the state of Alaska.
The tribes that have sued are in California, Washington state, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Maine, South Dakota and Alaska.
In other tribal developments this week:
- President Donald Trump signed a coronavirus relief package Friday that makes tribal casinos with less than 500 employees eligible to apply for funding through the Payment Protection Program. The casinos previously were excluded.
Tribes, tribal organizations and urban Indian health organizations also will benefit from $750 million under the package for COVID-19 testing and laboratory capacity, and to help trace the spread of the illness.
- The Indian Health Service said Thursday it has fully allocated the more than $1 billion the agency received in the CARES Act to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
- The U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment of Rear Adm. Michael Weahkee, a citizen of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico, as director of the Indian Health Service for four years.


washingtontimes--2020-04-24--Psychiatric hospital nurses call for administrative change

LAKEWOOD , Wash. ( AP ) - Union nurses are calling for the removal of five top administrators involved with @ @ @ @ @ largest psychiatric hospital , including the chief nursing officer and an assistant secretary with the @ @ @ @ @ Health Services .
A majority of nurses at the 700-patient Western State Hospital voted no @ @ @ @ @ s leadership , according to a news release from SEIU Healthcare 1199NW .
The Seattle @ @ @ @ @ about 400 members who are nurses and nurse supervisors at the hospital .
Safety and @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 further disrupted operations , the union said .
During the pandemic , the nurses @ @ @ @ @ needed personal protective equipment and that managers have ignored concerns voiced about safety .
At @ @ @ @ @ and six patients have been infected with COVID-19 .
One patient died .
Cheryl Strange @ @ @ @ @ , said the agency was disappointed in the union ’ s action and said the @ @ @ @ @ good faith to address concerns .

LAKEWOOD, Wash. (AP) - Union nurses are calling for the removal of five top administrators involved with oversight at Washington’s largest psychiatric hospital, including the chief nursing officer and an assistant secretary with the state Department of Social & Health Services.
A majority of nurses at the 700-patient Western State Hospital voted no confidence in the facility’s leadership, according to a news release from SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. The Seattle Times reports the union has about 400 members who are nurses and nurse supervisors at the hospital.
Safety and staffing levels were concerns before COVID-19 further disrupted operations, the union said. During the pandemic, the nurses say they have gone without needed personal protective equipment and that managers have ignored concerns voiced about safety.
At Western State, 29 employees and six patients have been infected with COVID-19. One patient died.
Cheryl Strange, the secretary of DSHS, said the agency was disappointed in the union’s action and said the department had been working in good faith to address concerns.


washingtontimes--2020-04-24--COVID-19 tests hit milestone, Pritzker warns long way to go

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Illinois public health officials completed more than 16,000 tests for COVID-19 in 24 hours , surpassing for the first time the 10,000-per-day mark that Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Friday called a milestone on the way to tracking the deadly virus and ending tight restrictions on social interaction .
But Pritzker , who on Thursday extended the statewide stay-at-home order , indicated there ’ s a long way to go for Illinois .
“ We need to have a tracking and tracing capability that would cover everybody that has tested positive , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person to test positive not only to self-isolate , or if they need to seek treatment to seek treatment , but you need also to notify all the people that they ’ ve been in contact with .
And that ’ s very difficult to do when you ’ re talking about thousands of people.
” Dr. Ngoze Ezike with the Illinois Department of Public Health reported a record one-day increase in the number of infections statewide on Friday , 2,724 , to bring the total to 39,658 .
An additional 108 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or modest 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 life-threatening illness , including pneumonia .
Comprehensive testing and tracing will help experts identify when the number of COVID-19 cases is decreasing , also known as “ bending the curve.
” Pritzker reiterated Friday that reopening businesses and loosening movement restrictions would likely receive consideration if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , the state is working with county health departments to hire trained workers to set about tracking down anyone who might have been exposed to the virus , according to Dr. Wayne Duffus , a senior medical officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health .
“ We need to know what ’ s going on in disparate regions of the state , ” Duffus said .
“ So we have to develop a method where they can report to us , all the data , put together and then we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” That means that when someone tests positive for COVID-19 , she or he will be asked to reveal anyone who has been within 6 feet of the infected person for 20 minutes or more - going back 48 hours before the patient developed symptoms .
The hired tracers must be smart , sensitive and trustworthy with confidential information , Duffus said .
They ’ ll reach out to contacts by text message with a series of questions .
Failure to respond will prompt a phone call from the contact tracer , followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an infected person can require 14 days of self-isolation to prevent further transmission .
Check out more of the AP ’ s coronavirus coverage at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois public health officials completed more than 16,000 tests for COVID-19 in 24 hours, surpassing for the first time the 10,000-per-day mark that Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday called a milestone on the way to tracking the deadly virus and ending tight restrictions on social interaction.
But Pritzker, who on Thursday extended the statewide stay-at-home order, indicated there’s a long way to go for Illinois.
“We need to have a tracking and tracing capability that would cover everybody that has tested positive,” Pritzker said. “You want every person to test positive not only to self-isolate, or if they need to seek treatment to seek treatment, but you need also to notify all the people that they’ve been in contact with. And that’s very difficult to do when you’re talking about thousands of people.”
Dr. Ngoze Ezike with the Illinois Department of Public Health reported a record one-day increase in the number of infections statewide on Friday, 2,724, to bring the total to 39,658. An additional 108 people died, bringing that total to 1,795.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or modest 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 life-threatening illness, including pneumonia.
Comprehensive testing and tracing will help experts identify when the number of COVID-19 cases is decreasing, also known as “bending the curve.” Pritzker reiterated Friday that reopening businesses and loosening movement restrictions would likely receive consideration if there are 14 consecutive days of decreases.
Meanwhile, the state is working with county health departments to hire trained workers to set about tracking down anyone who might have been exposed to the virus, according to Dr. Wayne Duffus, a senior medical officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“We need to know what’s going on in disparate regions of the state,” Duffus said. “So we have to develop a method where they can report to us, all the data, put together and then we know whether we’re bending the curve.”
That means that when someone tests positive for COVID-19, she or he will be asked to reveal anyone who has been within 6 feet of the infected person for 20 minutes or more - going back 48 hours before the patient developed symptoms.
The hired tracers must be smart, sensitive and trustworthy with confidential information, Duffus said. They’ll reach out to contacts by text message with a series of questions. Failure to respond will prompt a phone call from the contact tracer, followed by a personal visit. Exposure to an infected person can require 14 days of self-isolation to prevent further transmission.
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Check out more of the AP’s coronavirus coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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Follow Political Writer John O’Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor


washingtontimes--2020-04-24--Probe: Breakdown in protecting feds during virus evacuation

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - A management breakdown led to some federal employees being sent to help American evacuees from the coronavirus epidemic in China without proper protective equipment , federal investigators have concluded .
Friday ’ s report from investigators at the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed central allegations from a government whistleblower who complained in February that some HHS employees were deployed without adequate protection while others arrived with full gear .
It found that some federal employees had to beg the local county for gear such as masks .
The report was released Friday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and quarantine of this scale has never occurred in the history of the United States , ” said the report by the HHS general counsel ’ s office .
“ In this unprecedented , dynamic , and evolving situation , the mission command and control structure … temporarily broke down.
” The report focused on what happened as HHS employees were scrambled to help evacuees on a flight that landed at March Air Reserve Base in California the morning of Jan. 29 .
None of the evacuees showed symptoms during the flight but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initially , no procedures were in place at ( the base ) to ensure uniform infection-control and infection-prevention measures , including the proper use of personal protective equipment , ” the report found .
Safety officers were not appropriately designated , nor was an infection prevention control plan in place , “ a normal component of a deployment of this type , ” the report said .
Clear , written instructions for protective equipment were not posted until three days after the evacuees arrived .
The report faulted representatives of the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressing the safety concerns of their fellow federal workers .
“ CDC personnel failed to provide formal training or written guidance regarding proper ( protective gear ) use to other ( federal ) personnel and responded to repeated inquiries … with confusing , incomplete , and contradictory information , ” the report said .
The unnamed whistleblower complained that CDC employees arrived with full protective gear , while other federal workers were left to fend for themselves .
Some were forced to ask local officials from Riverside County for masks and other gear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HHS headquarters reacted quickly and sent a safety team to straighten out the situation .
Nonetheless , some of the federal workers who had been placed at risk of exposure were later sent via commercial airline flights to help evacuees at other bases .
Although some federal workers were shaken by the experience , the report found that none of them tested positive or contracted COVID-19 as result of being deployed at March .
It ’ s not the only whistleblower complaint arising from the government ’ s virus response .
This week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was summarily removed from his job and reassigned to a lesser role because he resisted political pressure to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine , a malaria drug touted by President Donald Trump .
Lawyers for Rick Bright , former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , said they intend to file a formal whistleblower complaint .
On Friday , the FDA warned doctors against prescribing the drug except in limited circumstances .

WASHINGTON (AP) - A management breakdown led to some federal employees being sent to help American evacuees from the coronavirus epidemic in China without proper protective equipment, federal investigators have concluded.
Friday’s report from investigators at the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed central allegations from a government whistleblower who complained in February that some HHS employees were deployed without adequate protection while others arrived with full gear. It found that some federal employees had to beg the local county for gear such as masks.
The report was released Friday evening by congressional offices.
“A repatriation and quarantine of this scale has never occurred in the history of the United States,” said the report by the HHS general counsel’s office. “In this unprecedented, dynamic, and evolving situation, the mission command and control structure … temporarily broke down.”
The report focused on what happened as HHS employees were scrambled to help evacuees on a flight that landed at March Air Reserve Base in California the morning of Jan. 29. None of the evacuees showed symptoms during the flight but they were headed for quarantine.
“Initially, no procedures were in place at (the base) to ensure uniform infection-control and infection-prevention measures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment,” the report found.
Safety officers were not appropriately designated, nor was an infection prevention control plan in place, “a normal component of a deployment of this type,” the report said. Clear, written instructions for protective equipment were not posted until three days after the evacuees arrived.
The report faulted representatives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for not properly addressing the safety concerns of their fellow federal workers.
“CDC personnel failed to provide formal training or written guidance regarding proper (protective gear) use to other (federal) personnel and responded to repeated inquiries … with confusing, incomplete, and contradictory information,” the report said.
The unnamed whistleblower complained that CDC employees arrived with full protective gear, while other federal workers were left to fend for themselves. Some were forced to ask local officials from Riverside County for masks and other gear, the report said.
Investigators said HHS headquarters reacted quickly and sent a safety team to straighten out the situation. Nonetheless, some of the federal workers who had been placed at risk of exposure were later sent via commercial airline flights to help evacuees at other bases.
Although some federal workers were shaken by the experience, the report found that none of them tested positive or contracted COVID-19 as result of being deployed at March.
It’s not the only whistleblower complaint arising from the government’s virus response.
This week, a senior government scientist said he was summarily removed from his job and reassigned to a lesser role because he resisted political pressure to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug touted by President Donald Trump.
Lawyers for Rick Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, said they intend to file a formal whistleblower complaint.
On Friday, the FDA warned doctors against prescribing the drug except in limited circumstances.


washingtontimes--2020-04-24--FBI: Man wanted in California slaying arrested in Kentucky

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - A man on the run and wanted in connection to a killing in @ @ @ @ @ Thursday night , authorities said .
Frederick McGowan , 59 , was taken into custody @ @ @ @ @ local FBI agents and Frankfort police on a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid @ @ @ @ @ .
An arrest warrant from Los Angeles County said McGowan was accused of fatally shooting @ @ @ @ @ after the pair got into an argument .
Authorities also arrested McGowan ’ s nephew @ @ @ @ @ and charged him with obstruction .
FBI Louisville spokesman Timothy Beam said authorities weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ in Kentucky but said it was likely he was staying with family members .
Beam @ @ @ @ @ to Los Angeles but it ’ s unclear when that may happen because of the @ @ @

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A man on the run and wanted in connection to a killing in California was arrested in Kentucky Thursday night, authorities said.
Frederick McGowan, 59, was taken into custody around 9 p.m. Thursday by local FBI agents and Frankfort police on a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, news outlets reported.
An arrest warrant from Los Angeles County said McGowan was accused of fatally shooting 43-year-old Earl Chiles in December after the pair got into an argument.
Authorities also arrested McGowan’s nephew Phillip Morris, 29, and charged him with obstruction.
FBI Louisville spokesman Timothy Beam said authorities weren’t sure why McGowan was in Kentucky but said it was likely he was staying with family members.
Beam said McGowan will be extradited to Los Angeles but it’s unclear when that may happen because of the coronavirus pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Nashville musicians find themselves without jobs or benefits

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Colin Poulton moved to Nashville in 2008 to study commercial guitar .
He dropped out of college but stuck with the city and the guitar , first playing in a series of original bands and more recently making his living in the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway along with “ a few wedding bands and some other bands.
” All those gigs ended abruptly when the coronavirus hit .
The clubs shut down on March 16 to slow the spread , and Nashville ’ s normally packed downtown streets are all but deserted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress passed the federal relief bill extending benefits to nontraditional workers .
He ’ s been without steady work for five weeks now but so far has received nothing .
“ A lot of us went from having anywhere from four to seven gigs a week to nothing , ” Poulton said .
With its vibrant music industry , Nashville is a magnet for people like Poulton .
Music City is known as the home of country music in the U.S. , but tens of thousands of professional musicians of all kinds live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities and the camaraderie of a community of artists .
Now they ’ re caught up in an unemployment system that ’ s not geared toward them .
“ There ’ s a lot of confusion and , frankly , fear rampant in the community because they don ’ t know if they ’ re going to get something and , if so , how much , ” said Dave Pomeroy , president of the Nashville Musicians Association , the local union .
Pomeroy said probably 100,000 people in Nashville play music professionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-time musicians .
The state isn ’ t sure how many nontraditional workers have applied for unemployment , but it has received about 75,000 claims that were initially deemed ineligible .
The majority of those are assumed to be from nontraditional workers , Department of Labor and Workforce Development spokesman Chris Cannon said .
For many of Nashville ’ s musicians , there ’ s an additional hitch .
Their income is from a mix of sources , some treating them as employees and others treating them as independent contractors or self-employed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming in on a W-2 and are eligible for traditional state unemployment can ’ t claim the new federal unemployment benefits from their contract work , even if that makes up the majority of their income .
But many musicians don ’ t know that .
“ It ’ s created a real black hole for these people , ” said Pomeroy , who ’ s been trying to act as a liaison with the state to provide musicians with answers about unemployment .
Session bassist Eli Beaird said his W-2 work makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income , but it allowed him to apply for unemployment through the state system .
He hasn ’ t received anything yet , but the system shows him as eligible for $ 50 per week in unemployment benefits .
That ’ s far short of the state ’ s $ 275 weekly maximum , which is what he would likely receive if he could base his benefits off his contractor work .
Fortunately , anyone receiving unemployment from either traditional or nontraditional work is also eligible for a $ 600 per week coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received that either .
Beaird said he is lucky to earn most of his incoming from recording , which will probably bounce back more quickly than performing .
“ Live music sounds terrifying right now , ” he said .
He has friends who tour with country star Miranda Lambert .
“ When ’ s the next time any of us thinks it ’ s going to be safe to put 40,000 people in a room together ?
” The state started distributing benefits to the self-employed , independent contractors and gig workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have their benefits by early next week , but Poulton said Friday that he still wasn ’ t finding himself in the state ’ s system .
Poulton lives with his girlfriend and their son and says they have enough money to meet expenses for about a month .
He ’ s worried but still thinks thinks shutting the clubs was the right thing to do .
“ I was anxious going into that petri dish , ” he said .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https @ @ @

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Colin Poulton moved to Nashville in 2008 to study commercial guitar. He dropped out of college but stuck with the city and the guitar, first playing in a series of original bands and more recently making his living in the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway along with “a few wedding bands and some other bands.”
All those gigs ended abruptly when the coronavirus hit. The clubs shut down on March 16 to slow the spread, and Nashville’s normally packed downtown streets are all but deserted. Poulton applied for unemployment as soon as Congress passed the federal relief bill extending benefits to nontraditional workers. He’s been without steady work for five weeks now but so far has received nothing.
“A lot of us went from having anywhere from four to seven gigs a week to nothing,” Poulton said.
With its vibrant music industry, Nashville is a magnet for people like Poulton. Music City is known as the home of country music in the U.S., but tens of thousands of professional musicians of all kinds live there, drawn to the plentiful job opportunities and the camaraderie of a community of artists. Now they’re caught up in an unemployment system that’s not geared toward them.
“There’s a lot of confusion and, frankly, fear rampant in the community because they don’t know if they’re going to get something and, if so, how much,” said Dave Pomeroy, president of the Nashville Musicians Association, the local union. Pomeroy said probably 100,000 people in Nashville play music professionally, although they may not all be full-time musicians.
The state isn’t sure how many nontraditional workers have applied for unemployment, but it has received about 75,000 claims that were initially deemed ineligible. The majority of those are assumed to be from nontraditional workers, Department of Labor and Workforce Development spokesman Chris Cannon said.
For many of Nashville’s musicians, there’s an additional hitch. Their income is from a mix of sources, some treating them as employees and others treating them as independent contractors or self-employed.
Cannon said workers who have any money coming in on a W-2 and are eligible for traditional state unemployment can’t claim the new federal unemployment benefits from their contract work, even if that makes up the majority of their income. But many musicians don’t know that.
“It’s created a real black hole for these people,” said Pomeroy, who’s been trying to act as a liaison with the state to provide musicians with answers about unemployment.
Session bassist Eli Beaird said his W-2 work makes up only about 10% of his income, but it allowed him to apply for unemployment through the state system. He hasn’t received anything yet, but the system shows him as eligible for $50 per week in unemployment benefits. That’s far short of the state’s $275 weekly maximum, which is what he would likely receive if he could base his benefits off his contractor work.
Fortunately, anyone receiving unemployment from either traditional or nontraditional work is also eligible for a $600 per week coronavirus supplement, although Beaird hasn’t received that either.
Beaird said he is lucky to earn most of his incoming from recording, which will probably bounce back more quickly than performing.
“Live music sounds terrifying right now,” he said. He has friends who tour with country star Miranda Lambert. “When’s the next time any of us thinks it’s going to be safe to put 40,000 people in a room together?”
The state started distributing benefits to the self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers this week and Cannon said most should have their benefits by early next week, but Poulton said Friday that he still wasn’t finding himself in the state’s system.
Poulton lives with his girlfriend and their son and says they have enough money to meet expenses for about a month. He’s worried but still thinks thinks shutting the clubs was the right thing to do.
“I was anxious going into that petri dish,” he said.
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--University researchers working toward COVID-19 vaccine

MISSOULA , Mont .
( AP ) - Researchers at the University of Montana are working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine with the help of a $ 2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health .
The University of Montana has become a leader in vaccine development , ever since a team led by Jay Evans joined UM in 2016 , after pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline downsized its operations in Hamilton , and the research team moved to Missoula .
Evans and his team at UM ’ s Center for Translational Medicine began working on the vaccine after being contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to get to work on COVID-19 research while the federal grant process worked through the pipeline .
“ It ’ s seed money in a way , ” Evans said .
“ This allows us to generate the data we need from these lead vaccine candidates , and once we get that data and prove which vaccine is the best , then six months from now we ’ ll be able to put in for a larger funding request , likely one of these $ 10 ( million ) to $ 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead candidates through Phase 1 trials.
” Evans ’ team has specialized in the development of adjuvants , chemicals that help vaccines work more effectively and safely , which has made the team one of the leaders in that field , and likely one of the reasons the NIH reached out directly to UM for the project .
The team of researchers encompasses multiple UM departments , including the chemistry , biological sciences , and biomedical departments .
The work is also being done in partnership with the Icahn School of Medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as researchers at Boston Children ’ s Hospital .
Some animal testing , on mice , at UM is already underway with the lab ’ s initial vaccine candidate findings , but further animal testing will be done at Mount Sinai on mice , and eventually on pigs at another facility in Canada .
In conjunction with the grant announcement Thursday , U.S. Sen. Steve Daines visited the University of Montana to hear about the work being done .
During his visit , UM President Seth Bodnar , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daines to help them find more funding to expand the biotech and vaccine research facilities at UM , which they said were quickly becoming too small for the work being done there .
Evans ’ team consisted of 15 people when it first began in 2016 , but now is up to 40 , and has brought in nearly $ 70 million in vaccine research grants .
The team has worked on or is currently working on influenza , whooping cough and Lyme disease , as well as opioid addiction .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40-person team works in a space built for 25 , and much of the millions awarded to UM simply passes through to other public and private labs outside Montana that have more technical facilities .
Bodnar said if more of that funding could stay at UM , that would mean more good-paying jobs for Montanans , as well as more high-level experience for students working in the labs .
In a presentation for Daines , who said he had worked to include $ 10 billion in increased funding for the federal Biomedical Advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coronavirus response bill , Evans laid out future developments he hoped UM could find ways to fund .
Among them was a new building at UM designed for biotech research and laboratories that could work with large animals , such as live pigs , whose immune systems - as opposed to those of mice - much more closely resemble those of humans .
Additionally , MonTEC , Missoula ’ s biotech incubator space , was already at capacity , limiting the growth in biotech companies Missoula has seen in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biotech research space at UM , Vice President of Research and Creative Scholarship Scott Whittenburg said probably a third of the funding that the Center for Translational Medicine receives has to be subcontracted out of state , meaning millions of dollars in lost economic opportunity for the state .
If UM is successful in developing the best adjuvants found for the vaccine , the university then owns a share of intellectual property , meaning it could receive money from the sale and use of the vaccine if it is eventually scaled up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could see more clinical trials , and even manufacturing of the vaccine components , happening in Missoula .
The race to find a vaccine for the pandemic COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented level of research and collaboration between both public and private companies .
Evans concurred with federal officials who have said a vaccine is possible within a year to 18 months .
However , the mumps vaccine , developed in the 1960s and considered to be the most quickly approved vaccine in history , took four years to develop .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ universities working quickly toward finding a viable vaccine .
“ There ’ s a lot of resources that have been redirected toward this , ” Evans said .
“ On the adjuvant side , which is our specialty , we ’ re probably the leaders , which is a differentiator for us at UM .
”

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - Researchers at the University of Montana are working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine with the help of a $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
The University of Montana has become a leader in vaccine development, ever since a team led by Jay Evans joined UM in 2016, after pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline downsized its operations in Hamilton, and the research team moved to Missoula.
Evans and his team at UM’s Center for Translational Medicine began working on the vaccine after being contacted by the NIH in February, prompting them to get to work on COVID-19 research while the federal grant process worked through the pipeline.
“It’s seed money in a way,” Evans said. “This allows us to generate the data we need from these lead vaccine candidates, and once we get that data and prove which vaccine is the best, then six months from now we’ll be able to put in for a larger funding request, likely one of these $10 (million) to $15 million requests that allows us to take the lead candidates through Phase 1 trials.”
Evans’ team has specialized in the development of adjuvants, chemicals that help vaccines work more effectively and safely, which has made the team one of the leaders in that field, and likely one of the reasons the NIH reached out directly to UM for the project.
The team of researchers encompasses multiple UM departments, including the chemistry, biological sciences, and biomedical departments. The work is also being done in partnership with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, as well as researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Some animal testing, on mice, at UM is already underway with the lab’s initial vaccine candidate findings, but further animal testing will be done at Mount Sinai on mice, and eventually on pigs at another facility in Canada.
In conjunction with the grant announcement Thursday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines visited the University of Montana to hear about the work being done. During his visit, UM President Seth Bodnar, as well as Evans and others, called on Daines to help them find more funding to expand the biotech and vaccine research facilities at UM, which they said were quickly becoming too small for the work being done there.
Evans’ team consisted of 15 people when it first began in 2016, but now is up to 40, and has brought in nearly $70 million in vaccine research grants. The team has worked on or is currently working on influenza, whooping cough and Lyme disease, as well as opioid addiction. However, with limited space and facilities, the 40-person team works in a space built for 25, and much of the millions awarded to UM simply passes through to other public and private labs outside Montana that have more technical facilities.
Bodnar said if more of that funding could stay at UM, that would mean more good-paying jobs for Montanans, as well as more high-level experience for students working in the labs.
In a presentation for Daines, who said he had worked to include $10 billion in increased funding for the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in the Senate’s coronavirus response bill, Evans laid out future developments he hoped UM could find ways to fund.
Among them was a new building at UM designed for biotech research and laboratories that could work with large animals, such as live pigs, whose immune systems - as opposed to those of mice - much more closely resemble those of humans. Additionally, MonTEC, Missoula’s biotech incubator space, was already at capacity, limiting the growth in biotech companies Missoula has seen in recent years.
Due to the shortage of available biotech research space at UM, Vice President of Research and Creative Scholarship Scott Whittenburg said probably a third of the funding that the Center for Translational Medicine receives has to be subcontracted out of state, meaning millions of dollars in lost economic opportunity for the state.
If UM is successful in developing the best adjuvants found for the vaccine, the university then owns a share of intellectual property, meaning it could receive money from the sale and use of the vaccine if it is eventually scaled up.
With the improved facilities, Evans said he could see more clinical trials, and even manufacturing of the vaccine components, happening in Missoula.
The race to find a vaccine for the pandemic COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented level of research and collaboration between both public and private companies. Evans concurred with federal officials who have said a vaccine is possible within a year to 18 months. However, the mumps vaccine, developed in the 1960s and considered to be the most quickly approved vaccine in history, took four years to develop. But UM is just one of many universities working quickly toward finding a viable vaccine.
“There’s a lot of resources that have been redirected toward this,” Evans said. “On the adjuvant side, which is our specialty, we’re probably the leaders, which is a differentiator for us at UM.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Wyoming congregations maintain community amid distancing

JACKSON , Wyo .
( AP ) - The “ God is Love ” sign that weighed “ like , I don ’ t know - 400 pounds ” was pulled from the Rev .
Jimmy Bartz ’ s garage early Sunday morning .
“ Our garage is like Jesus ’ resurrection workshop , ” said Bartz , the rector at St. John ’ s Episcopal Church .
He wasn ’ t quite sure how he was going to get the decoration from his home on Moose Street to the end of his driveway , where parishioners were to drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Love Hunt ” hosted by the church .
The scavenger hunt had churchgoers driving around Jackson to see , as Bartz put it in his Sunday sermon , a dozen “ expressions of love.
” But it was no easy feat getting the expression to the street .
“ I don ’ t know how it ’ s going to get out to the front of my house , ” Bartz said in an interview on Maundy Thursday .
“ But it ’ s going to get there .
Even if I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull it down my driveway.
” The event was one of a few creative takes on Easter and Passover 2020 , a year when traditional gatherings in churches and synagogues weren ’ t possible .
But though connection is more difficult , it ’ s also a time that spiritual leaders are driven to reach out to their congregations even more , be it through a car-bound scavenger hunt or a Seder dinner over Zoom .
“ We ’ re kind of like a Passover radio station , ” said Judd Grossman to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virtual Passover Seder on April 8 .
“ You can tune in and out.
” It was quickly apparent no one was interested in tuning out the Jackson Hole Jewish Community ’ s virtual ceremony .
The video feed of participants showed attendees smiling and singing along with an opening song by Grossman , who was soon joined by Josh Kleyman , Jackson Hole Jewish Community lay rabbi and Bet Sefer teacher .
“ There is a lot of need for healing in our world and our community , ” Kleyman told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The sentiment is one shared across the spiritual community - that though congregations must be physically apart in these times , spiritual connection is as important now , maybe more so , than it ever has been .
The message is one Tribe JH Lead Pastor Brian Hunter aimed to deliver at his church ’ s take on Easter : a drive-in service in the parking lot of the former Kmart .
Rows and rows of cars parked facing north , looking to two power lifts prepped to send Hunter , his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a masked and bundled Amanda Lack into the sky above the cars .
Their service , broadcast on KJAX 93.5 FM , was also streamed on the church ’ s Facebook page .
“ They can hear it now , ” Lissa Hunter said , strumming on her guitar as the station started sending the sound into the airwaves .
From behind windshields , churchgoers waved , filmed on their phones and honked their horns .
A sign near the makeshift stage read , “ Text or call in prayer requests.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no idea that that would be the last Sunday that we could be able to meet corporately for the foreseeable future , ” Hunter told the Jackson Hole News & Guide .
; “ During these times the care providers of people ’ s spirits are having to get really creative to continue to care for people in their congregation.
” Up until the drive-in service - an event put on with the support of the Jackson Police Department , which helped park the packed lot and reminded parishioners to stay in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congregation had been exploring virtual services , a popular go-to for spiritual leaders in Jackson Hole .
As local churches have sent out their messages on YouTube and Facebook , they ’ re seeing people tune in from across the country - some of whom they know , others with new faces - and around the world .
“ I feel like our sanctuary has turned into a studio , ” said the Rev .
Ben Pascal , senior pastor at Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole .
“ I kind of joke around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a televangelist , but here I am.
” The Presbyterian Church has been posting its sermons , which have been garnering hundreds of views , on its YouTube channel .
“ On a normal Sunday before COVID-19 , we would maybe get 15 , ” Pascal said .
The platform , though awkward to use initially , has become a way for his congregation and anyone else who wants to tune in to hear a message and connect with others .
“ People check in on the YouTube station and let us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ They send in prayer requests .
People say hi to each other in the comments section .
It ’ s actually been way more interactive than I thought it was going to be going into it a month ago.
” The connections , though not a replacement for physical gathering , have helped many stay linked during COVID-19 , Bartz said .
“ At the heart of every single thing we do as a church , as a religious community , is this idea of connection to God , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things , ” Bartz said .
“ Now we are forced to connect with each other virtually .
It ’ s my hope that that ’ s temporary , because while I appreciate the technology and the ability to connect over Zoom or Skype or Facebook or FaceTime , nothing takes the place of sitting across the breakfast table and having a waffle while you talk about what scares you or what excites you.
” Carl Levenson , a former lay rabbi and philosophy professor at the University of Idaho , joined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seder on April 8 to take attendees through the historical and philosophical context of the night ’ s Haggadah .
He drew parallels between the plight of the Israelites and the Egyptians in the Torah to the present-day threats of the spread of COVID-19 .
“ Tonight , on the first night of Passover , the whole world can identify with Egypt , enduring plagues , ” Levenson said .
“ And the whole world can identify with Israel , longing to be free from what confines us so absurdly.
” But despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markedly free from discussion of the crisis at hand .
Leaders and participants instead focused on honoring dearly held traditions , holding up maror ( bitter herbs ) , matzah and cups of wine when prompted ( though Shari Brownfield had little luck at the supermarket when it came to maror , and instead ate dried parsley ) .
Before the second cup of wine , children from Kleyman ’ s Bet Sefer class were called to recite the four questions , a tradition that prompts the retelling of the Passover story .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ valley stood in front of their Seder table and sang the traditional Hebrew words .
Before taking a break for dinner , Kleyman announced they would be hiding the afikomen ( a piece of matzah that is traditionally searched for by the children after the holiday meal ) somewhere in his dining room .
After the meal he displayed his cabinets on his webcam while the youngest attendees guessed where it was hiding .
Spoiler : It was behind a picture frame .
Although the interactions between community members were filtered through grainy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the members in the room was strong , something Jackson Hole Jewish Community Executive Director Mary Grossman attributed to nearly 40 years of gathering , with Levenson leading the Passover dinner for the past 20 .
And it was something that was needed , especially in these times .
“ People who were alone , single parents , grandmas , they needed it the most , ” she said .
Even in troubled times the long-standing connections are difficult to break , especially as community members have made an effort to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiritual leaders .
“ There is still , absolutely , a longing to be together in person , ” said the Rev .
Inger B. Hanson , pastor of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church .
But , she said , “ I don ’ t think we ’ re necessarily tied to physicality .
We ’ re tied to love .
Love does , I think , conquer distance.
” Her Easter sermon , which was streamed on Facebook Live , carried a message of “ resurrection isn ’ t rewind , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ In the Easter message Christ is risen , but he has holes in his hands , ” she said .
Her message to parishioners was to try to accept this new and changed world .
“ It ’ s something new ; it ’ s new relationships , ” she said .
“ It ’ s new life that doesn ’ t erase this memory or what we learned or how this changes us .
”

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - The “God is Love” sign that weighed “like, I don’t know - 400 pounds” was pulled from the Rev. Jimmy Bartz’s garage early Sunday morning.
“Our garage is like Jesus’ resurrection workshop,” said Bartz, the rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
He wasn’t quite sure how he was going to get the decoration from his home on Moose Street to the end of his driveway, where parishioners were to drive by as part of an Easter “Love Hunt” hosted by the church. The scavenger hunt had churchgoers driving around Jackson to see, as Bartz put it in his Sunday sermon, a dozen “expressions of love.”
But it was no easy feat getting the expression to the street.
“I don’t know how it’s going to get out to the front of my house,” Bartz said in an interview on Maundy Thursday. “But it’s going to get there. Even if I have to find a team of llamas to pull it down my driveway.”
The event was one of a few creative takes on Easter and Passover 2020, a year when traditional gatherings in churches and synagogues weren’t possible. But though connection is more difficult, it’s also a time that spiritual leaders are driven to reach out to their congregations even more, be it through a car-bound scavenger hunt or a Seder dinner over Zoom.
“We’re kind of like a Passover radio station,” said Judd Grossman to over 100 people who logged on for a virtual Passover Seder on April 8. “You can tune in and out.”
It was quickly apparent no one was interested in tuning out the Jackson Hole Jewish Community’s virtual ceremony. The video feed of participants showed attendees smiling and singing along with an opening song by Grossman, who was soon joined by Josh Kleyman, Jackson Hole Jewish Community lay rabbi and Bet Sefer teacher.
“There is a lot of need for healing in our world and our community,” Kleyman told attendees, offering a healing prayer.
The sentiment is one shared across the spiritual community - that though congregations must be physically apart in these times, spiritual connection is as important now, maybe more so, than it ever has been. The message is one Tribe JH Lead Pastor Brian Hunter aimed to deliver at his church’s take on Easter: a drive-in service in the parking lot of the former Kmart.
Rows and rows of cars parked facing north, looking to two power lifts prepped to send Hunter, his wife and worship leader Lissa Hunter, and a masked and bundled Amanda Lack into the sky above the cars. Their service, broadcast on KJAX 93.5 FM, was also streamed on the church’s Facebook page.
“They can hear it now,” Lissa Hunter said, strumming on her guitar as the station started sending the sound into the airwaves. From behind windshields, churchgoers waved, filmed on their phones and honked their horns.
A sign near the makeshift stage read, “Text or call in prayer requests.”
“When we met March 8 we had no idea that that would be the last Sunday that we could be able to meet corporately for the foreseeable future,” Hunter told the Jackson Hole News&Guide. “During these times the care providers of people’s spirits are having to get really creative to continue to care for people in their congregation.”
Up until the drive-in service - an event put on with the support of the Jackson Police Department, which helped park the packed lot and reminded parishioners to stay in their vehicles with windows rolled up - the congregation had been exploring virtual services, a popular go-to for spiritual leaders in Jackson Hole.
As local churches have sent out their messages on YouTube and Facebook, they’re seeing people tune in from across the country - some of whom they know, others with new faces - and around the world.
“I feel like our sanctuary has turned into a studio,” said the Rev. Ben Pascal, senior pastor at Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole. “I kind of joke around that I never thought I’d become a televangelist, but here I am.”
The Presbyterian Church has been posting its sermons, which have been garnering hundreds of views, on its YouTube channel.
“On a normal Sunday before COVID-19, we would maybe get 15,” Pascal said.
The platform, though awkward to use initially, has become a way for his congregation and anyone else who wants to tune in to hear a message and connect with others.
“People check in on the YouTube station and let us know they’re there,” he said. “They send in prayer requests. People say hi to each other in the comments section. It’s actually been way more interactive than I thought it was going to be going into it a month ago.”
The connections, though not a replacement for physical gathering, have helped many stay linked during COVID-19, Bartz said.
“At the heart of every single thing we do as a church, as a religious community, is this idea of connection to God, connection to neighbor - or both those things,” Bartz said. “Now we are forced to connect with each other virtually. It’s my hope that that’s temporary, because while I appreciate the technology and the ability to connect over Zoom or Skype or Facebook or FaceTime, nothing takes the place of sitting across the breakfast table and having a waffle while you talk about what scares you or what excites you.”
Carl Levenson, a former lay rabbi and philosophy professor at the University of Idaho, joined the Jackson Hole Jewish Community’s evening Seder on April 8 to take attendees through the historical and philosophical context of the night’s Haggadah. He drew parallels between the plight of the Israelites and the Egyptians in the Torah to the present-day threats of the spread of COVID-19.
“Tonight, on the first night of Passover, the whole world can identify with Egypt, enduring plagues,” Levenson said. “And the whole world can identify with Israel, longing to be free from what confines us so absurdly.”
But despite a few reminders the Passover Seder was markedly free from discussion of the crisis at hand. Leaders and participants instead focused on honoring dearly held traditions, holding up maror (bitter herbs), matzah and cups of wine when prompted (though Shari Brownfield had little luck at the supermarket when it came to maror, and instead ate dried parsley).
Before the second cup of wine, children from Kleyman’s Bet Sefer class were called to recite the four questions, a tradition that prompts the retelling of the Passover story. One by one kids from around the valley stood in front of their Seder table and sang the traditional Hebrew words.
Before taking a break for dinner, Kleyman announced they would be hiding the afikomen (a piece of matzah that is traditionally searched for by the children after the holiday meal) somewhere in his dining room. After the meal he displayed his cabinets on his webcam while the youngest attendees guessed where it was hiding. Spoiler: It was behind a picture frame.
Although the interactions between community members were filtered through grainy webcams and tinny-sounding microphones, the connection between the members in the room was strong, something Jackson Hole Jewish Community Executive Director Mary Grossman attributed to nearly 40 years of gathering, with Levenson leading the Passover dinner for the past 20.
And it was something that was needed, especially in these times.
“People who were alone, single parents, grandmas, they needed it the most,” she said.
Even in troubled times the long-standing connections are difficult to break, especially as community members have made an effort to stay in touch with one another and their spiritual leaders.
“There is still, absolutely, a longing to be together in person,” said the Rev. Inger B. Hanson, pastor of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church.
But, she said, “I don’t think we’re necessarily tied to physicality. We’re tied to love. Love does, I think, conquer distance.”
Her Easter sermon, which was streamed on Facebook Live, carried a message of “resurrection isn’t rewind, resurrection isn’t return to normal,” she said.
“In the Easter message Christ is risen, but he has holes in his hands,” she said.
Her message to parishioners was to try to accept this new and changed world.
“It’s something new; it’s new relationships,” she said. “It’s new life that doesn’t erase this memory or what we learned or how this changes us.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Boris Johnson aide attended key science meetings on virus

LONDON ( AP ) - Britain ’ s government on Saturday defended the independence of the scientists advising it on coronavirus after it emerged that Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s controversial chief aide had attended meetings of the group .
Criticism of Johnson ’ s Conservative government is mounting as the U.K. ’ s COVID-19 death toll rises and a nationwide lockdown imposed a month ago drags on .
The confirmed number of coronavirus-related hospital deaths is likely to reach 20,000 this weekend .
After a report in The Guardian , the government confirmed that Johnson adviser Dominic Cummings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advisory Group for Emergencies , or SAGE , and listened to discussions .
But it denied the Guardian ’ s claim that Cummings - who is not a scientist - was a member of the group .
Cummings is a contentious figure , a self-styled political disruptor who was appointed to a key role by Johnson after masterminding the victorious “ leave ” campaign during Britain ’ s 2016 referendum on European Union membership .
The government said “ SAGE provides independent scientific advice to the government .
Political advisers have no role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little-known group headed by Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty .
The government has declined to publish its full membership , saying that could leave the scientists open to lobbying or other pressure .
David King , a former government chief scientific adviser , told The Guardian he was “ shocked ” to learn political advisers were involved in SAGE meetings .
But other scientists who have advised the government said it was usual for political aides to attend , though only as observers .
The main opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about the credibility of government decision-making .
“ The best way to clear all of this up is for the government to be completely transparent with us and publish the minutes of the SAGE committee , ” said Labour health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth .
The government says its response to the pandemic has been guided by scientific advice .
That advice is under increasing scrutiny by critics who accuse the government of being slow to respond to the outbreak .
Britain imposed a nationwide lockdown on March 23 , later than in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been extended until at least May 7 .
As of Friday , 19,506 people with the coronavirus had died in British hospitals .
The figure does not include deaths in nursing homes , which are likely to number in the thousands .
Scientists say the U.K. has reached the peak of the pandemic but is not yet out of danger .
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is declining , and the number of daily deaths peaked on April 8 .
As fears recede that the health system will be overwhelmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Johnson ’ s Conservative government over shortages of protective equipment for medical workers and a lack of testing for the virus .
Meanwhile , health authorities urged Britons not to ignore symptoms of conditions other than the coronavirus , amid fears that cancer and other illnesses are going untreated .
Public Health England said visits to hospital emergency departments have fallen by almost 50 % in April from the same month last year .
The charity Cancer Research UK estimated that 2,250 new cases of the disease could be going undetected each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go to hospitals for fear of catching the virus or overburdening the system .
The National Health Service encouraged people to seek urgent help if needed and to continue to attend services such as cancer screening and maternity appointments .
NHS chief executive Simon Stevens said “ ignoring problems can have serious consequences - now or in the future .
”

LONDON (AP) - Britain’s government on Saturday defended the independence of the scientists advising it on the coronavirus after it emerged that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s controversial chief aide had attended meetings of the group.
Criticism of Johnson’s Conservative government mounted as the U.K. became the fifth country in the world to report 20,000 virus-related deaths and counting.
The government said Saturday that 20,319 people with COVID-19 have died in British hospitals, an increase of 813 from the death toll reported the day before. The figure does not include deaths in nursing homes, which are likely to number in the thousands.
Scientists say the U.K. has reached the peak of the pandemic but is not yet out of danger. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is declining, and the number of daily deaths peaked on April 8.
As fears recede that the health system will be overwhelmed, opponents are stepping up their attacks on Johnson’s Conservative government over shortages of protective equipment for medical workers and a lack of testing for the virus.
After a report in The Guardian, the government confirmed that Johnson adviser Dominic Cummings had attended several meetings of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, or SAGE, and listened to discussions. But it denied the Guardian’s claim that Cummings - who is not a scientist - was a member of the group.
Cummings is a contentious figure, a self-styled political disrupter who was appointed to a key role by Johnson after masterminding the victorious “leave” campaign during Britain’s 2016 referendum on European Union membership.
The government said “SAGE provides independent scientific advice to the government. Political advisers have no role in this.”
SAGE is a usually little-known group headed by Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty. The government has declined to publish its full membership, saying that could leave the scientists open to lobbying or other pressure.
David King, a former government chief scientific adviser, told The Guardian he was “shocked” to learn political advisers were involved in SAGE meetings. But other scientists who have advised the government said it was usual for political aides to attend, though only as observers.
The main opposition Labour Party said Cummings’ attendance raised questions about the credibility of government decision-making.
“The best way to clear all of this up is for the government to be completely transparent with us and publish the minutes of the SAGE committee,” said Labour health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth.
Conservative Party lawmaker David Davis backed the call for greater transparency.
“We should publish the membership of SAGE; remove any non-scientist members; publish their advice in full; and publish dissenting opinions with the advice,” he tweeted.
The government says its response to the pandemic has been guided by scientific advice. That advice is under increasing scrutiny by critics who accuse the government of being slow to respond to the outbreak. Britain imposed a nationwide lockdown on March 23, later than in many other European countries. The measures - including the closure of schools, pubs and non-essential shops - have been extended until at least May 7.
There are indications some people are growing impatient with the restrictions, which have brought much of the British economy and routines of daily life to a halt. Road traffic has begun to creep up after plummeting when the lockdown first was imposed.
Some businesses are making plans to reopen after implementing social-distancing measures. Several automakers say they plan to restart production in May. Budget airline Wizz Air said it will resume flights May 1 between London’s Luton Airport and several European destinations.
Meanwhile, health authorities urged Britons not to ignore symptoms of conditions other than the coronavirus, amid fears that cancer and other illnesses are going untreated.
Public Health England said visits to hospital emergency departments have fallen by almost 50% in April from the same month last year. The charity Cancer Research UK estimated that 2,250 new cases of the disease could be going undetected each week, partly because people are reluctant to go to hospitals for fear of catching the virus or overburdening the system.
The National Health Service encouraged people to seek urgent help if needed and to continue to attend services such as cancer screening and maternity appointments.
NHS chief executive Simon Stevens said “ignoring problems can have serious consequences - now or in the future.”
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--The Latest: British government in talks with sports bodies

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : Despite high-profile reversals by Liverpool and Tottenham , Norwich has defended its decision to place some non-playing staff on furlough during the coronavirus outbreak .
The Canaries are one of only two English Premier League clubs using the scheme .
Employees receive 80 % of wages from the British government up to 2,500 pounds ( $ 3,000 ) although , in this instance , Norwich is making up the remaining 20 % .
Newcastle is the other top-flight club to turn to the job retention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made U-turns on their decisions to furlough staff following heavy criticism .
“ The decision we made was in the best interests of the club and its staff .
We ’ ve been very transparent that we ’ re run in a self-financed manner , ” Norwich chief operating officer Ben Kensell told BBC Radio Norfolk .
“ Ultimately , if we had the available cash flow to not have to take up schemes then , like other football clubs have , we would.
” Last-place Norwich , which has nine games remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of between 18-35 million pounds due to the coronavirus pandemic .

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
___
The Professional Bull Riders returned from a 41-day break Saturday night in Guthrie, Oklahoma, for an Unleash The Beast event scheduled for Las Vegas.
The competition at Lazy E Arena was closed to fans to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Taylor Toves of Stephenville, Texas, topped the 41 cowboys in the first round of the two-day event, scoring 89.5 points on Biker Bob. He joined Chandler Bownds as the only right-handed riders to reach the 8-second whistle atop Biker Bob in the bull’s 45 outings.
Ezekiel Mitchell of Rockdale, Texas, was second with an 89 on Soup In a Group.
Points leader Jose VItor Leme of Brazil, also returning from broken ribs, had an 86.5-point ride.
The PBR also plans to stage two-day events at the Lazy E on May 9-10 and 16-17.
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When the NFL draft ended Saturday, Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores took a moment to remember two mentors who died from the coronavirus.
Flores said he looked up to Mike Hankins and Myles Coker when he was growing up in Brooklyn, and he’s a friend of their sons.
“This pandemic has hit close to home for me,” Flores said. “It was a loss for everyone. If you spent time with either guy – Mike Hankins or Myles Coker – I feel like I was better for it, certainly.”
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Tajikistan says it’s suspending its soccer season, further reducing the handful of leagues still operating worldwide.
The Central Asian nation’s soccer federation says games on Sunday will go ahead as planned before the league is suspended until May 10.
The federation says its decision is in line with government measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The domestic season began on April 4. Games were being played without spectators.
Only a few other countries are still staging pro soccer, including Belarus, Nicaragua and Turkmenistan.
Tajikistan is one of the few countries which has not reported any cases of the coronavirus.
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Aston Villa players will take a 25% pay cut to help the English Premier League club during the coronavirus outbreak.
“First-team players, first-team coaches and senior management have all agreed to defer 25% of their salaries for four months to assist the club during this period of uncertainty with a further review taking place at the end of this period,” club chief executive Christian Purslow said in a statement.
It was also announced that a National Health Service trust is to offer maternity care at Villa’s home ground in Birmingham following the success of a similar tie-up with nearby West Bromwich Albion.
The Sandwell and West Birmingham Trust said Villa Park’s North Stand would host weekday clinics for expectant mothers and new parents from Monday.
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France rugby player Mohamed Haouas will be free to resume playing after lockdown ends by serving his three-week suspension during it.
The prop was suspended for hitting a Scotland player during their Six Nations encounter on March 8 at Murrayfield - the last match to be played in the competition.
The French rugby federation says Haouas “can serve this punishment during confinement and can thus play again once the sporting season resumes.”
France is in lockdown until May 11 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is uncertain if and when the Six Nations matches can be completed.
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English Premier League team Chelsea says it will not impose a pay cut on its first-team squad and instead will ask players to continue their support for charities during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chelsea also said it will not be furloughing any full-time staff, and casual workers and match day employees are being compensated by the club through to June 30.
The Blues have been in negotiations with their players about a salary reduction, reportedly around 10%, in an effort to save money during the current crisis. That is lower than the Premier League’s suggestion of 30% for all clubs but Chelsea has now decided to take a different approach.
Highlighting the PlayersTogether initiative launched by Premier League players earlier this month which aims to raise and distribute funds for National Health Service charities, Chelsea told its stars to focus their efforts on other causes.
“Representatives of the Chelsea board have recently held extensive talks with the men’s first team to discuss how they can contribute financially to the club during the coronavirus crisis,” a statement on the club website said. “At this time, the men’s first team will not be contributing towards the club financially and instead the board have directed the team to focus their efforts on further supporting other charitable causes.”
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The British government is increasing planning with sports bodies about the resumption of events once the coronavirus national lockdown is eased.
Government medical officials are involved in the talks about the logistics and health procedures required to allow sports competitions to restart.
The Premier League last played a game on March 9 and has plans to try to restart from June 8 once pandemic social distancing regulations are relaxed to allow training to resume for teams and there are sufficient COVID-19 tests available.
The national lockdown is currently in place until May 7. Cricket authorities have already said their sport won’t resume until July, but horse racing is currently only suspended until June.
British Horseracing Authority chair Annamarie Phelps tweeted Saturday about “very welcome support for the resumption of live sport incl horseracing” from Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, linking to a front page report from The Sun newspaper about plans for events to be staged again.
Dowden updated legislators earlier this week on his talks with sports governing bodies.
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Despite high-profile reversals by Liverpool and Tottenham, Norwich has defended its decision to place some non-playing staff on furlough during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Canaries are one of only two English Premier League clubs using the scheme. Employees receive 80% of wages from the British government up to 2,500 pounds ($3,000) although, in this instance, Norwich is making up the remaining 20%.
Newcastle is the other top-flight club to turn to the job retention program while Liverpool, Tottenham and Bournemouth made U-turns on their decisions to furlough staff following heavy criticism.
“The decision we made was in the best interests of the club and its staff. We’ve been very transparent that we’re run in a self-financed manner,” Norwich chief operating officer Ben Kensell told BBC Radio Norfolk. “Ultimately, if we had the available cash flow to not have to take up schemes then, like other football clubs have, we would.”
Last-place Norwich, which has nine games remaining, is reportedly budgeting for a loss of between 18-35 million pounds due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Burkina Faso struggles against COVID-19 and extremist threat

OUAGADOUGOU , Burkina Faso ( AP ) - The last time Amado Compaore saw his wife , she asked him for a phone charger so she could text friends and let them know she was OK. She died just hours later .
Rose Marie Compaore , 62 , Burkina Faso ’ s second Vice President of the parliament , became the first person in the West African country to die from COVID-19 .
“ It ’ s very very difficult … My love and my life has left , ” said Compaore , looking downwards outside his house in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death last month , Compaore ’ s four children arrived from Montreal , Canada , where they live , to be with their father .
Since then no health workers have informed the family what protective measures to take , he said .
Burkina Faso is one of Africa ’ s nations hardest hit by the coronavirus with 41 deaths , one of the highest number of fatalities in sub-Saharan Africa .
Among the country ’ s 629 cases are the U.S. and Italian ambassadors as well as at least six government ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about half as many cases and half as many deaths .
While the government has quarantined infected towns and imposed a night to dawn curfew , challenges remain .
Burkina Faso , with 20 million people , was already suffering an unprecedented humanitarian crisis fueled by attacks linked to Islamic militants and local defense groups .
Almost 840,000 people are internally displaced , 2 million are reliant on aid and more than 130 health centers have closed according to the government and aid workers .
Health workers on Burkina Faso ’ s frontlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and equipment and worry the outbreak will get out of hand .
“ If many , many people are contaminated , we can ’ t control our cases , ” Zekiba Tarnagda a virologist in charge of the National Influenza Reference Laboratory , which conducts all the country ’ s tests for coronavirus , told AP .
The country has two testing labs , but it can be days before results are available .
The delay prevents doctors from providing timely patient care while increasing the possibility that infected people , unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , said Tarnagda .
Families live close together , often sharing one-room houses without the space or the financial means to isolate .
Doctors say the lack of personal protective gear is putting both staff and patients at risk , said Alfred Ouedraogo chairman for the doctors ’ union in the country .
Only the emergency response team at Tengandogo hospital - designated for coronavirus patients - gets protective gear .
About 50 doctors were confirmed positive this week , although Ouedraogo suspects the number is likely higher .
Local journalist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital after being diagnosed with the COVID-19 and is now recovering .
He said there were “ serious inadequacies ” at the hospital .
Staff were exhausted and badly protected , at least two doctors contracted the virus while he was undergoing treatment , he said .
He also confirmed reports that patients lacked food , water and showers .
As movement around the country is restricted , humanitarians worry they won ’ t be able to continue providing lifesaving support to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in often hard to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotline in Ouagadougou complain that they receive many prank calls , which clog their phone lines , as well as regular threats from “ terrorists , ” said Emmanual Drabo a Red Cross volunteer .
“ They call and say after they ’ re finished killing the soldiers in the north , they ’ re going to come and kill everyone here , ” he said .
A dramatic rise in extremist violence has thrown Burkina Faso into crisis but now the virus has distracted attention from the attacks in the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Flore Berger , a Sahel research analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies .
“ Covid-19 is like a black hole , all other information gets engulfed in it , ” she said .
“ We often see that when one event monopolizes everyone ’ s attention , the focus shifts towards short-term emergency plans .
While long-term efforts and initiatives related to the security crisis become a secondary concern .
”

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) - The last time Amado Compaore saw his wife, she asked him for a phone charger so she could text friends and let them know she was OK. She died just hours later.
Rose Marie Compaore, 62, Burkina Faso’s second Vice President of the parliament, became the first person in the West African country to die from COVID-19.
“It’s very very difficult … My love and my life has left,” said Compaore, looking downwards outside his house in the capital, Ouagadougou.
Days after her death last month, Compaore’s four children arrived from Montreal, Canada, where they live, to be with their father. Since then no health workers have informed the family what protective measures to take, he said.
Burkina Faso is one of Africa’s nations hardest hit by the coronavirus with 41 deaths, one of the highest number of fatalities in sub-Saharan Africa. Among the country’s 629 cases are the U.S. and Italian ambassadors as well as at least six government ministers. By contrast, neighboring Mali has about half as many cases and half as many deaths.
While the government has quarantined infected towns and imposed a night to dawn curfew, challenges remain.
Burkina Faso, with 20 million people, was already suffering an unprecedented humanitarian crisis fueled by attacks linked to Islamic militants and local defense groups. Almost 840,000 people are internally displaced, 2 million are reliant on aid and more than 130 health centers have closed according to the government and aid workers.
Health workers on Burkina Faso’s frontlines say they lack funds, trained staff and equipment and worry the outbreak will get out of hand.
“If many, many people are contaminated, we can’t control our cases,” Zekiba Tarnagda a virologist in charge of the National Influenza Reference Laboratory, which conducts all the country’s tests for coronavirus, told AP.
The country has two testing labs, but it can be days before results are available.
The delay prevents doctors from providing timely patient care while increasing the possibility that infected people, unable to self-isolate, are transmitting the virus onto others, said Tarnagda. Families live close together, often sharing one-room houses without the space or the financial means to isolate.
Doctors say the lack of personal protective gear is putting both staff and patients at risk, said Alfred Ouedraogo chairman for the doctors’ union in the country. Only the emergency response team at Tengandogo hospital - designated for coronavirus patients - gets protective gear. About 50 doctors were confirmed positive this week, although Ouedraogo suspects the number is likely higher.
Local journalist, Issaka Lingani spent 10 days in Tengandogo hospital after being diagnosed with the COVID-19 and is now recovering. He said there were “serious inadequacies” at the hospital. Staff were exhausted and badly protected, at least two doctors contracted the virus while he was undergoing treatment, he said. He also confirmed reports that patients lacked food, water and showers.
As movement around the country is restricted, humanitarians worry they won’t be able to continue providing lifesaving support to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in often hard to reach areas.
Health workers answering the coronavirus hotline in Ouagadougou complain that they receive many prank calls, which clog their phone lines, as well as regular threats from “terrorists,” said Emmanual Drabo a Red Cross volunteer.
“They call and say after they’re finished killing the soldiers in the north, they’re going to come and kill everyone here,” he said.
A dramatic rise in extremist violence has thrown Burkina Faso into crisis but now the virus has distracted attention from the attacks in the country’s rural areas which displaces more people, said Flore Berger, a Sahel research analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
“Covid-19 is like a black hole, all other information gets engulfed in it,” she said. “We often see that when one event monopolizes everyone’s attention, the focus shifts towards short-term emergency plans. While long-term efforts and initiatives related to the security crisis become a secondary concern.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Hong Kong bookstore under attack in China reopens in Taiwan

TAIPEI , Taiwan ( AP ) - The part-owner of a Hong Kong bookstore specializing in texts critical of China ’ s leaders reopened his shop in Taiwan on Saturday after fleeing Hong Kong due to legal troubles , saying he was grateful for the chance to make China ’ s Communist rulers “ less than happy.
” The opening and accompanying news conference came days after Lam Wing-kee was splattered with red paint by a masked man while sitting alone at a coffee shop in Taiwan .
Lam suffered no serious physical injuries and showed little sign of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hair .
China ’ s leaders don ’ t want to allow a bookstore selling tomes that would “ make them uncomfortable or impact on their political power , ” Lam , who moved to Taiwan a year ago , told journalists .
He thanked supporters in both Taiwan and Hong Kong , a semi-autonomous Chinese territory , for the opportunity to start over .
“ This makes ( China ’ s leaders ) less than happy , ” said Lam , who raised nearly $ 200,000 through online fundraising to finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s assault , Lam said the Communist Party appeared to think it could stifle the shop ’ s business in both Hong Kong and Taiwan by using “ underhanded methods of all sorts.
” However , on a slightly pessimistic note , he added that China ’ s policies had left little room for idealistic young Hong Kongers other than ” into the big sea.
” Lam was one of five shareholders and staff at the Causeway Bay Book shop in Hong Kong , which sold books and magazines purporting to reveal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders and the scandals surrounding them .
Along with others , he was taken across the border and put into Chinese custody in 2015 , but was released on bail and allowed to return to Hong Kong in June 2016 in order to recover information about his customers stored on a computer .
After refusing to return to China , he went public with accusations that he had been kidnapped and brought to the mainland , where he says he was interrogated under duress about his business .
Following the detentions , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political texts have largely disappeared from mainstream book retailers under pressure from Beijing .
Lam moved to Taiwan last year amid fears over proposed legislation that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to China , likely face torture and unfair trials .
Concerns over the legislation , which was later withdrawn , sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Hong Kong , a former British colony that has retained its own legal , political and economic system after being handed over to the mainland in 1997 .
Hong Kong police last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over their alleged involvement in the protests , prompting further concerns that the city ’ s civil liberties are being eroded by China ’ s increasingly stringent political controls .
Although claimed by Beijing as its own territory , self-governing Taiwan , with its flourishing democracy and robust defense of civil rights , has become a safe haven for critics of the Chinese government .
Two high school students who turned out for Saturday ’ s event at the minuscule shop on the 10th floor of a business building in Taipei ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a sign of both hope and defiance .
“ It offers Hong Kong people a safe place to develop , ” said one of the students , Hsu Shih-hsun .
Taiwan ’ s own experience with dictatorship and martial law under Nationalist Party leader Chiang Kai-shek , who fled to the island with his government ahead of the Communist takeover of the mainland in 1949 , adds special resonance to the values the bookstore represents , said the other student , Wang Tsung-fan .
“ I think that this bookstore coming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can give Hong Kong a helping hand , “ Wang said .
“ After all , our own freedoms were not easily won .
”

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - The part-owner of a Hong Kong bookstore specializing in texts critical of China’s leaders reopened his shop in Taiwan on Saturday after fleeing Hong Kong due to legal troubles, saying he was grateful for the chance to make China’s Communist rulers “less than happy.”
The opening and accompanying news conference came days after Lam Wing-kee was splattered with red paint by a masked man while sitting alone at a coffee shop in Taiwan. Lam suffered no serious physical injuries and showed little sign of the attack other than a red tint to his hair.
China’s leaders don’t want to allow a bookstore selling tomes that would “make them uncomfortable or impact on their political power,” Lam, who moved to Taiwan a year ago, told journalists.
He thanked supporters in both Taiwan and Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory, for the opportunity to start over. “This makes (China’s leaders) less than happy,” said Lam, who raised nearly $200,000 through online fundraising to finance his new venture.
Commenting on Tuesday’s assault, Lam said the Communist Party appeared to think it could stifle the shop’s business in both Hong Kong and Taiwan by using “underhanded methods of all sorts.”
However, on a slightly pessimistic note, he added that China’s policies had left little room for idealistic young Hong Kongers other than ”into the big sea.”
Lam was one of five shareholders and staff at the Causeway Bay Book shop in Hong Kong, which sold books and magazines purporting to reveal secrets about the inside lives of Chinese leaders and the scandals surrounding them.
Along with others, he was taken across the border and put into Chinese custody in 2015, but was released on bail and allowed to return to Hong Kong in June 2016 in order to recover information about his customers stored on a computer.
After refusing to return to China, he went public with accusations that he had been kidnapped and brought to the mainland, where he says he was interrogated under duress about his business. Following the detentions, the shop was forced to close while edgy political texts have largely disappeared from mainstream book retailers under pressure from Beijing.
Lam moved to Taiwan last year amid fears over proposed legislation that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to China, likely face torture and unfair trials. Concerns over the legislation, which was later withdrawn, sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Hong Kong, a former British colony that has retained its own legal, political and economic system after being handed over to the mainland in 1997.
Hong Kong police last week arrested 15 prominent lawyers and opposition figures over their alleged involvement in the protests, prompting further concerns that the city’s civil liberties are being eroded by China’s increasingly stringent political controls.
Although claimed by Beijing as its own territory, self-governing Taiwan, with its flourishing democracy and robust defense of civil rights, has become a safe haven for critics of the Chinese government.
Two high school students who turned out for Saturday’s event at the minuscule shop on the 10th floor of a business building in Taipei’s Zhongshan District said they saw its reopening as a sign of both hope and defiance.
“It offers Hong Kong people a safe place to develop,” said one of the students, Hsu Shih-hsun.
Taiwan’s own experience with dictatorship and martial law under Nationalist Party leader Chiang Kai-shek, who fled to the island with his government ahead of the Communist takeover of the mainland in 1949, adds special resonance to the values the bookstore represents, said the other student, Wang Tsung-fan.
“I think that this bookstore coming to Taiwan makes us Taiwanese extremely proud. We can give Hong Kong a helping hand,“ Wang said. “After all, our own freedoms were not easily won.”