washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Stephen Hahn, FDA head: Second coronavirus wave 'certainly a possibility'

Food and Drug Commissioner Stephen Hahn on Wednesday said a second , more debilitating wave of the new coronavirus this winter is certainly a possibility , sharing the concern of Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
“ I think that it ’ s certainly a possibility , and the whole task force [ of ] doctors is concerned about the second wave , ” Dr. Hahn said on “ CBS This Morning.
” “ But that ’ s why we have built into the plan the surveillance mechanisms to look for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate testing at that time .
That ’ s going to be a critical part of the reopening plan.
” Dr. Redfield had told The Washington Post on Tuesday that a second wave this winter could be even worse than the current crisis .
“ There ’ s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through , ” he said .
“ And when I ’ ve said this to others , they kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t understand what I mean.
” “ We ’ re going to have the flu epidemic and the coronavirus epidemic at the same time , ” Dr. Redfield said .
Dr. Hahn also said that March 2021 is still an estimate for when there could be a vaccine .
“ But we ’ re really trying to accelerate the efforts , and we will try for sooner , ” he said .

Food and Drug Commissioner Stephen Hahn on Wednesday said a second, more debilitating wave of the new coronavirus this winter is certainly a possibility, sharing the concern of Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I think that it’s certainly a possibility, and the whole task force [of] doctors is concerned about the second wave,” Dr. Hahn said on “CBS This Morning.” “But that’s why we have built into the plan the surveillance mechanisms to look for the respiratory illnesses and then to do the appropriate testing at that time. That’s going to be a critical part of the reopening plan.”
Dr. Redfield had told The Washington Post on Tuesday that a second wave this winter could be even worse than the current crisis.
“There’s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through,” he said. “And when I’ve said this to others, they kind of put their head back, they don’t understand what I mean.”
“We’re going to have the flu epidemic and the coronavirus epidemic at the same time,” Dr. Redfield said.
Dr. Hahn also said that March 2021 is still an estimate for when there could be a vaccine.
“But we’re really trying to accelerate the efforts, and we will try for sooner,” he said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Facebook invests in India telecom giant Jio for e-commerce

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - Facebook says it plans to invest $ 5.7 billion in India ’ s telecom giant Reliance Jio .
The investment will give Facebook a 9.99 % stake in Jio Platforms , the digital technologies and app developing division of Reliance Industries .
Reliance Jio has the highest number of customers in the country , and plans to roll out an e-commerce business using WhatsApp .
“ India is a special country for Facebook , ” Ajit Mohan , Facebook ’ s India head , wrote in an online post highlighting India ’ s digital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the investment .
India is one of the world ’ s fastest growing internet markets , with the number of users forecast to grow to 907 million by 2023 , according to a report by Cisco issued in February .
The number of new internet users soared after Reliance Industries launched Jio in 2016 , offering cheap smartphones and even cheaper data prices .
Jio now has more than 388 million cellphone and data services subscribers .
Mukesh Ambani , Reliance ’ s head and India ’ s richest man , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have Facebook as a long-term partner , and that the investment will help propel India ’ s digital push forward .
“ The synergy between Jio and Facebook will help realize Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ’ s ‘ Digital India ’ Mission , ” he said , referring to a government program to make life and business more efficient in the country .
Facebook and its instant messaging platform WhatsApp are popular in India , which with its 1.3 billion people has the most Facebook users in the world .
China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly blocks access to Facebook and other non-Chinese social media .
Mark Zuckerberg , Facebook ’ s CEO , said he hopes to give India ’ s 60 million small businesses the digital tools they need to grow .
“ With communities around the world in lockdown , many of these entrepreneurs need digital tools they can rely on to find and communicate with customers and grow their businesses , ” he wrote in a Facebook post .
In February , WhatsApp also got the green light to roll out its digital payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after two years of trying .
The approval came after the Reserve Bank of India and National Payments Corporation of India gave the company a nod to launch the payment platform in a phased manner .

NEW DELHI (AP) - Facebook says it plans to invest $5.7 billion in India’s telecom giant Reliance Jio.
The investment will give Facebook a 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms, the digital technologies and app developing division of Reliance Industries. Reliance Jio has the highest number of customers in the country, and plans to roll out an e-commerce business using WhatsApp.
“India is a special country for Facebook,” Ajit Mohan, Facebook’s India head, wrote in an online post highlighting India’s digital transformation as one of the main reasons for the investment.
India is one of the world’s fastest growing internet markets, with the number of users forecast to grow to 907 million by 2023, according to a report by Cisco issued in February.
The number of new internet users soared after Reliance Industries launched Jio in 2016, offering cheap smartphones and even cheaper data prices. Jio now has more than 388 million cellphone and data services subscribers.
Mukesh Ambani, Reliance’s head and India’s richest man, said that he is “humbled” to have Facebook as a long-term partner, and that the investment will help propel India’s digital push forward.
“The synergy between Jio and Facebook will help realize Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Digital India’ Mission,” he said, referring to a government program to make life and business more efficient in the country.
Facebook and its instant messaging platform WhatsApp are popular in India, which with its 1.3 billion people has the most Facebook users in the world. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, mostly blocks access to Facebook and other non-Chinese social media.
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO, said he hopes to give India’s 60 million small businesses the digital tools they need to grow.
“With communities around the world in lockdown, many of these entrepreneurs need digital tools they can rely on to find and communicate with customers and grow their businesses,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
In February, WhatsApp also got the green light to roll out its digital payments platform – WhatsApp Pay – in India, after two years of trying.
The approval came after the Reserve Bank of India and National Payments Corporation of India gave the company a nod to launch the payment platform in a phased manner.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--India plans wristband patient surveillance as lockdown eases

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - India said Wednesday that it plans to manufacture thousands of wristbands that will monitor the locations and temperatures of coronavirus patients and help perform contact tracing .
The wristband project aims to track quarantined patients and aid health workers and those delivering essential services .
India is ramping up surveillance as it begins to ease one of the world ’ s strictest virus lockdowns .
It has 19,984 confirmed cases of coronavirus , including 640 deaths , and experts fear the epidemic ’ s peak could still be weeks away .
Thousands of wristbands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an exact figure has not been released .
The wristbands mirror a similar program in Hong Kong , where authorities used bands to monitor overseas travelers ordered to self-isolate .
Broadcast Engineering Consultants India , a government-owned company , will present wristband designs to hospitals and state governments next week and work with Indian start-ups to manufacture them .
George Kuruvilla , the company ’ s chairman , said the wristbands are likely to be rolled out in May .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the country ’ s 1.3 billion people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arogya Setu to help determine their infection risk .
It has been downloaded over 50 million times since it was launched on April 2 .
Kuruvilla said the wristbands could integrate data captured in the app .
He said the wristbands will be used to monitor the movements of quarantined patients , both at home and at hospitals , and any spikes in their body temperature .
They will send an alert to public health officials if patients move outside their quarantine zone .
The devices will also have an emergency button that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The wristband will let health workers know if people they encounter have been to high-risk areas or have been in contact with an infected person , while aiding those delivering essential services such as groceries or medicines .
It will capture all the places an infected person has visited , the routes they took , determine if they had any foreign travel and identify those who were in their vicinity .
It will also tell people if a sick person is nearby .
It will also help in creating a geofence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being monitored , such as common meeting places , public transit or places for religious gatherings .
A person leaving or entering the virtual perimeter could be alerted through the wristband .
Dr. Anant Bhan , a public health and bioethics expert , said it is “ important to factor in privacy protections and data protections ” for both apps and wristbands .
“ It is also important to ensure that where possible , consent is sought for the use of location tracking and sharing .
Such initiatives could be useful for public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be used to stigmatize individuals or communities , ” he said .

NEW DELHI (AP) - India said Wednesday that it plans to manufacture thousands of wristbands that will monitor the locations and temperatures of coronavirus patients and help perform contact tracing.
The wristband project aims to track quarantined patients and aid health workers and those delivering essential services. India is ramping up surveillance as it begins to ease one of the world’s strictest virus lockdowns.
It has 19,984 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including 640 deaths, and experts fear the epidemic’s peak could still be weeks away. Thousands of wristbands are expected to be deployed, but an exact figure has not been released.
The wristbands mirror a similar program in Hong Kong, where authorities used bands to monitor overseas travelers ordered to self-isolate.
Broadcast Engineering Consultants India, a government-owned company, will present wristband designs to hospitals and state governments next week and work with Indian start-ups to manufacture them.
George Kuruvilla, the company’s chairman, said the wristbands are likely to be rolled out in May.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the country’s 1.3 billion people to download a government contact-tracing app called Arogya Setu to help determine their infection risk. It has been downloaded over 50 million times since it was launched on April 2.
Kuruvilla said the wristbands could integrate data captured in the app.
He said the wristbands will be used to monitor the movements of quarantined patients, both at home and at hospitals, and any spikes in their body temperature. They will send an alert to public health officials if patients move outside their quarantine zone. The devices will also have an emergency button that wearers can use to call for help.
The wristband will let health workers know if people they encounter have been to high-risk areas or have been in contact with an infected person, while aiding those delivering essential services such as groceries or medicines.
It will capture all the places an infected person has visited, the routes they took, determine if they had any foreign travel and identify those who were in their vicinity. It will also tell people if a sick person is nearby.
It will also help in creating a geofence, or a virtual perimeter, around areas being monitored, such as common meeting places, public transit or places for religious gatherings. A person leaving or entering the virtual perimeter could be alerted through the wristband.
The monitoring has raised privacy concerns.
Dr. Anant Bhan, a public health and bioethics expert, said it is “important to factor in privacy protections and data protections” for both apps and wristbands.
“It is also important to ensure that where possible, consent is sought for the use of location tracking and sharing. Such initiatives could be useful for public health and surveillance purposes, but should not be used to stigmatize individuals or communities,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Landfill searched in connection with dismemberment slaying

HAWLEY , Minn. ( AP ) - Law enforcement officers are searching a landfill in western Minnesota in connection with @ @ @ @ @ Broad , 27 , was charged this week in Clay County with second-degree murder without @ @ @ @ @ .
According to a criminal complaint , Broad killed 19-year-old Dystynee Avery , cut up @ @ @ @ @ , put the remains into garbage bags and dumped them in bins near his apartment @ @ @ @ @ killed and dismembered Avery in self-defense .
Moorhead Police Capt .
Deric Swenson tells KFGO @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Clay County Sheriff ’ s Office are involved @ @ @ @ @ landfill near Hawley .
Authorities did not say what evidence was involved in the search @ @ @ @ @ on $ 1 million bond .

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) - Law enforcement officers investigating the killing and dismemberment of a 19-year-old woman have discovered remains in a western Minnesota landfill believed to be those of the victim, police said Wednesday.
Ethan Broad, 27, was charged this week in Clay County with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony in the death of Dystynee Avery. Two more people were arrested Wednesday on accessory to murder charges.
Moorhead Police Capt. Deric Swenson told The Associated Press that officers had been searching the landfill for more than two days. He said remains have been sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for an examination, but gave no further details.
According to the criminal complaint, Broad confessed to killing and dismembering Avery, but he said it was an act of self-defense. The complaint says he cut up her body with a saw, put the remains into garbage bags and dumped them in bins near his apartment in south Moorhead, near the border with North Dakota.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--James McGovern releases resolution on proxy voting, remote voting in committee

House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern on Wednesday released text of a resolution that would allow for “ proxy ” voting in the House and virtual committee proceedings during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Should more lockdowns come quickly , I don ’ t want us to look back then and wish we made changes now , ” said Mr. McGovern , Massachusetts Democrat .
“ We can not risk Congress grinding to a halt because of this virus .
We need to act.
” The proxy system would allow a member to designate someone else to vote on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ covered period ” designated by the House speaker , committees can conduct proceedings remotely and committee members can vote remotely .
It also directs the Committee on Administration to examine the feasibility of remote participation in floor proceedings .
“ I don ’ t suggest these changes lightly , but this is an extraordinary time , ” Mr. McGovern said .
The House and Senate have been grappling with how to safely conduct their business amid social distancing guidelines and as much of the nation ’ s capital is on lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana Republican , is urging GOP members to vote no on the proxy voting plan .
His office said changes of such magnitude should be done through regular order and with input from all members .
“ Instead , the Speaker is choosing to capitalize on the crisis and jam through a rules change that could have serious constitutional and institutional repercussions , ” his office said .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday said he ’ d like the full Senate to come back before voting on the next round of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly $ 500 billion relief package on Tuesday via voice vote , and the House is expected to pass it later this week .

Stephen Dinan, David Sherfinski and David Sherfinski, Stephen Dinan

House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern on Wednesday released text of a resolution that would allow for “proxy” voting in the House and virtual committee proceedings during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Should more lockdowns come quickly, I don’t want us to look back then and wish we made changes now,” said Mr. McGovern, Massachusetts Democrat. “We cannot risk Congress grinding to a halt because of this virus. We need to act.”
The proxy system would allow a member to designate someone else to vote on their behalf.
The resolution also says during a “covered period” designated by the House speaker, committees can conduct proceedings remotely and committee members can vote remotely.
It also directs the Committee on Administration to examine the feasibility of remote participation in floor proceedings.
“I don’t suggest these changes lightly, but this is an extraordinary time,” Mr. McGovern said.
The House and Senate have been grappling with how to safely conduct their business amid social distancing guidelines and as much of the nation’s capital is on lockdown.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, Louisiana Republican, is urging GOP members to vote no on the proxy voting plan.
His office said changes of such magnitude should be done through regular order and with input from all members.
“Instead, the Speaker is choosing to capitalize on the crisis and jam through a rules change that could have serious constitutional and institutional repercussions,” his office said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday said he’d like the full Senate to come back before voting on the next round of coronavirus legislation.
The Senate cleared a nearly $500 billion relief package on Tuesday via voice vote, and the House is expected to pass it later this week.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com. • David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Video shows thief stole van Gogh painting with sledgehammer

THE HAGUE , Netherlands ( AP ) — All it took was a few sturdy swings with a sledgehammer and a prized painting by Vincent van Gogh was gone .
A Dutch crime-busting television show has aired security camera footage showing how an art thief smashed his way through reinforced glass doors at a museum in the early hours of March 30 .
He later hurried out through the museum gift shop with a Vincent van Gogh painting tucked under his right arm and the sledgehammer in his left hand .
Police hope that publicizing the images will help them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gogh ’ s “ The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884 ” from the Singer Laren Museum while it was shut down due to coronavirus containment measures .
Nobody has been arrested in the theft and the painting , which was on loan from another Dutch museum when it was stolen , is still missing .
Police withheld other footage from inside the museum in Laren , a town east of Amsterdam , to protect their investigation .
They also did not air video from outside the museum of the thief leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in from the public as a result of the show , police spokesman Joost Lanshage said Wednesday , adding that it ’ s not clear if the thief acted alone .
Police are also seeking information about a white van shown on footage driving past the museum .
The 25-by-57-centimeter ( 10-by-22-inch ) oil-on-paper painting shows a person standing in a garden surrounded by trees with a church tower in the background .
“ It looks like they very deliberately targeted this one Van Gogh painting , ” another police spokeswoman , Maren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Tuesday night broadcast .
The artwork dates to a time when the artist had moved back to his family in a rural area of the Netherlands and painted the life he saw there , including his famous work “ The Potato Eaters , ” in mostly somber tones .
Wonder said investigators want to hear from any potential witnesses who saw the thief arrive outside the museum on a motorcycle .
She also wants museum visitors to share with police any photos or video they took in the museum in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see if anyone was casing the museum before the theft .
“ People can help if they now realize that another visitor was behaving suspiciously , ” she said .
“ It would be very helpful if visitors to the museum have photos or video recordings with other people in them .
”

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — All it took was a few sturdy swings with a sledgehammer and a prized painting by Vincent van Gogh was gone.
A Dutch crime-busting television show has aired security camera footage showing how an art thief smashed his way through reinforced glass doors at a museum in the early hours of March 30. He later hurried out through the museum gift shop with a Vincent van Gogh painting tucked under his right arm and the sledgehammer in his left hand.
Police hope that publicizing the images will help them track down the thief who stole Van Gogh’s “The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884” from the Singer Laren Museum while it was shut down due to coronavirus containment measures.
Nobody has been arrested in the theft and the painting, which was on loan from another Dutch museum when it was stolen, is still missing.
Police withheld other footage from inside the museum in Laren, a town east of Amsterdam, to protect their investigation. They also did not air video from outside the museum of the thief leaving.
More than 40 new tips streamed in from the public as a result of the show, police spokesman Joost Lanshage said Wednesday, adding that it’s not clear if the thief acted alone. Police are also seeking information about a white van shown on footage driving past the museum.
The 25-by-57-centimeter (10-by-22-inch) oil-on-paper painting shows a person standing in a garden surrounded by trees with a church tower in the background.
“It looks like they very deliberately targeted this one Van Gogh painting,” another police spokeswoman, Maren Wonder, told the Opsporing Verzocht show in the Tuesday night broadcast.
The artwork dates to a time when the artist had moved back to his family in a rural area of the Netherlands and painted the life he saw there, including his famous work “The Potato Eaters,” in mostly somber tones.
Wonder said investigators want to hear from any potential witnesses who saw the thief arrive outside the museum on a motorcycle. She also wants museum visitors to share with police any photos or video they took in the museum in the days before it closed down, to see if anyone was casing the museum before the theft.
“People can help if they now realize that another visitor was behaving suspiciously,” she said. “It would be very helpful if visitors to the museum have photos or video recordings with other people in them.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Authorities: Mother, son chase delivery driver who hit dog

NEWTON , N.C. ( AP ) - A mother and son accused of trying to attack a North Carolina delivery driver who ran over a dog have been charged with assault-related offenses , a sheriff ’ s office said .
Catawba County deputies arrived outside of a North Carolina Highway Patrol station Monday where they found Maxwell Dixon , 23 , and his mother , Sandy Dixon , 51 , engaging with a delivery employee , the office said in a statement .
The driver told deputies he accidentally hit a dog on his route , and the Dixons began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he drove down the road to call his supervisor .
Investigators determined Maxwell Dixon fired three shots toward the delivery vehicle as the driver attempted to escape and get help , the sheriff ’ s office said .
The driver was not struck , officials confirmed .
Maxwell Dixon was charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and assault with a deadly weapon and was set to appear in court Tuesday .
Sandy Dixon was charged with aiding and abetting assault with a deadly weapon .
It was unclear whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .

NEWTON, N.C. (AP) - A mother and son accused of trying to attack a North Carolina delivery driver who ran over a dog have been charged with assault-related offenses, a sheriff’s office said.
Catawba County deputies arrived outside of a North Carolina Highway Patrol station Monday where they found Maxwell Dixon, 23, and his mother, Sandy Dixon, 51, engaging with a delivery employee, the office said in a statement.
The driver told deputies he accidentally hit a dog on his route, and the Dixons began to chase him in a car after he drove down the road to call his supervisor. Investigators determined Maxwell Dixon fired three shots toward the delivery vehicle as the driver attempted to escape and get help, the sheriff’s office said.
The driver was not struck, officials confirmed.
Maxwell Dixon was charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and assault with a deadly weapon and was set to appear in court Tuesday. Sandy Dixon was charged with aiding and abetting assault with a deadly weapon.
It was unclear whether the two had attorneys who could comment for them.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Delta loses $534 million in 1Q; much bigger losses looming

Delta Air Lines , the biggest and most profitable U.S. airline , lost $ 534 million in the first quarter , a setback that will appear trivial when the full force of the pandemic is revealed in the current quarter .
Delta warned Wednesday that revenue during the April-through-June quarter , typically a period of harried travel , will plummet by 90 % compared with last year , when there were no government travel restrictions and flights were full .
“ These are truly unprecedented times for all of us , ” CEO Ed Bastian said .
Delta is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that began to emerge in at the tail end of the first quarter , although United Airlines said Monday that it would record a pretax loss of $ 2.1 billion , confirming what most had suspected .
The focus now at Delta and other airlines is to hunker down , cut costs , and borrow billions of dollars needed to ride out the pandemic .
The fate of Delta and other airlines will depend on whether that is a matter of months , or years .
Industry leaders just weeks ago talked of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sharp rebound once the public felt that the outbreak was under control .
They ’ re now bracing for a much more painful and drawn out recovery .
Flights within the United States in the past week have averaged about 12 passengers each , according to trade group Airlines for America .
And there are already 75 % fewer flights than is typical .
Delta is now paying out more in refunds for cancelled flights than it receives from new bookings .
At the end of March , it was burning through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hopes to cut that rate in half before July .
With passenger traffic roughly 5 % of year-ago levels , Delta is taking an ax to its schedule , cutting passenger-carrying capacity in the second quarter by 85 % , with the deepest cuts on international routes .
Delta has parked more than 650 planes , closed airport lounges and offered unpaid leave of up to a year - 37,000 employees , more than one-third of Delta ’ s work force , have accepted .
Delta will get $ 5.4 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover payroll costs through September .
What happens to employees after the federal money runs out isn ’ t clear , but Delta expects to be a smaller company after the pandemic subsides .
The airline could apply for $ 4.6 billion more in federal loans .
It has raised $ 5.4 billion from bank loans , aircraft sale-leasebacks and other measures and drawn down $ 3 billion from earlier credit lines .
For the first quarter , the Atlanta carrier ’ s pretax loss , not counting adjustments to investments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street expectations , according to a survey by FactSet .
Revenue dropped by $ 1.9 billion , or 18 % , to $ 8.59 billion , well below industry analysts projections of $ 9.18 billion , and Delta ’ s weakest since early 2013 .
The decline was in every part of the plane - revenue fell in both premium seating like business class and in the main cabin .
The average flight was 73.1 % full , down nearly 10 percentage points from a year earlier , but that figure covers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more empty seats in the second half of March .
About the only bright spot for Delta was the fuel bill , which fell 19 % , a savings of $ 383 million .
But like people who are stuck in their homes during the pandemic , Delta isn ’ t taking full advantage of plunging energy prices because it is canceling so many flights .
Shares of Delta Air Lines Inc. , which have dropped 60 % since the start of the year , are down slightly before the opening bell .

Delta Air Lines, the biggest and most profitable U.S. airline, lost $534 million in the first quarter, a setback that will appear trivial when the full force of the pandemic is revealed in the current quarter.
Delta warned Wednesday that revenue during the April-through-June quarter, typically a period of harried travel, will plummet by 90% compared with last year, when there were no government travel restrictions and flights were full.
“These are truly unprecedented times for all of us,” CEO Ed Bastian said.
Delta is the first U.S. carrier to detail the damage that began to emerge in at the tail end of the first quarter, although United Airlines said Monday that it would record a pretax loss of $2.1 billion, confirming what most had suspected.
It was Delta’s first quarterly loss in more than five years, and the airline is likely to post its first full-year loss since 2009.
The focus now at Delta and other airlines is to hunker down, cut costs, and borrow billions of dollars needed to ride out the pandemic. Bastian said Delta’s focus will be saving cash at least for the rest of 2020.
That will be the mantra for all airlines this year.
Just weeks ago, industry leaders talked of a slump that would be followed by a sharp rebound once the public felt that the outbreak was under control. Those hopes are gone.
“We have to be prepared for this to take several years to recover,” Bastian said. “Whether it’s three years or two years or four years is anyone’s guess. None of us have ever seen anything like this before.”
In the past week, flights within the United States have averaged about 12 passengers each, according to trade group Airlines for America.
And there are already 75% fewer flights than is typical.
Delta is now paying out more in refunds for cancelled flights than it receives from new bookings. At the end of March, it was burning through $100 million a day, though it hopes to cut that rate in half before July.
With passenger traffic roughly 5% of year-ago levels, Delta is taking an ax to its schedule, cutting passenger-carrying capacity in the second quarter by 85%, with the deepest cuts on international routes. Delta has parked more than 650 planes, closed airport lounges and offered unpaid leave of up to a year - 37,000 employees, more than one-third of Delta’s work force, have accepted.
Delta will get $5.4 billion in grants and loans from the federal government to cover payroll costs through September. What happens to employees after the federal money runs out isn’t clear, but Bastian told employees in a memo that “Delta will be a smaller airline for some time.”
The airline plans to apply for $4.6 billion more in federal loans, although executives said they don’t plan to draw the funds immediately and believe they can tap private credit sources instead. Delta has already raised $5.4 billion from bank loans, aircraft sale-leasebacks and other measures and drawn down $3 billion from earlier credit lines.
For the first quarter, the Atlanta carrier’s pretax loss, not counting adjustments to investments, was 51 cents per share, matching Wall Street expectations, according to a survey by FactSet.
Revenue dropped by $1.9 billion, or 18%, to $8.59 billion, well below industry analysts projections of $9.18 billion, and Delta’s weakest since early 2013. The decline was in every part of the plane - revenue fell in both premium seating like business class and in the main cabin.
The average flight was 73.1% full, down nearly 10 percentage points from a year earlier. But that’s for the entire quarter and it fails to capture the virtually empty aircraft that began arriving at airport gates in March.
About the only bright spot for Delta was the fuel bill, which fell 19%, a savings of $383 million. But like people who are stuck in their homes during the pandemic, Delta isn’t taking full advantage of plunging energy prices because flights are so sparse.
Shares of Delta Air Lines Inc., down 60% this year, slid 4% Wednesday.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Think tanks warn of coronavirus 'budgetary gluttony' in states

Congress needs to fix the coronavirus stimulus it passed last month or else it will spur states to go on spending binges in order to use up the cash , even if it doesn ’ t actually help control the epidemic , a coalition of taxpayer groups and free market think tanks warned in a letter last week .
They said the way the law was written , it doesn ’ t help states plug existing budget gaps that resulted from the virus , but instead demands they find new spending they can attribute to the virus .
They warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” as local officials rush to find new spending to use up their new money .
“ We ask Congress to allow states the ability to use their relief assistance in the most prudent and least disruptive way possible , ” they said in an April 13 letter , led by the John Locke Foundation in North Carolina and the Platte Institute in Nebraska , and signed by 23 other groups .
The $ 2.2 trillion stimulus included $ 150 billion aimed at helping states and local governments fight COVID-19 .
Each state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the amount is increased depending on population .
Localities get a portion of the cash .
“ As written , however , the fund provides little actual relief for state budgets but instead all but compels them to devise new spending that can be attributed to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 , ” the groups said .
They suggested Congress , in upcoming legislation , allow states to use their money to offset lost revenue that would normally fund their basic operations , or to provide their own stimulus tax relief to individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal stimulus .

Congress needs to fix the coronavirus stimulus it passed last month or it will spur states to go on spending binges to use up the cash, even if the money doesn’t actually help control the pandemic, a coalition of taxpayer groups and free-market think tanks warned in a letter last week.
They said the way the law was written, the money doesn’t help states plug existing budget gaps that resulted from the virus, but instead demands they find new spending they can attribute to the virus.
They warned the result will be “budgetary gluttony” as local officials rush to find new spending to use up their new money.
“We ask Congress to allow states the ability to use their relief assistance in the most prudent and least disruptive way possible,” they said in an April 13 letter, led by the John Locke Foundation in North Carolina and the Platte Institute in Nebraska, and signed by 23 other groups.
The $2.2 trillion recovery included $150 billion aimed at helping states and local governments fight COVID-19.
Each state gets at least $1.25 billion, with the amount increased depending on population. Localities get a portion of the cash.
“As written, however, the fund provides little actual relief for state budgets but instead all but compels them to devise new spending that can be attributed to the Coronavirus Disease 2019,” the groups said.
They suggested Congress, in upcoming legislation, allow states to use their money to offset lost revenue that would normally fund their basic operations, or to provide their own stimulus tax relief to individuals and businesses, on top of the federal stimulus.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--NKorea silence on Kim's health raises succession speculation

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - With North Korea saying nothing so far about outside media reports that leader Kim Jong Un may be unwell , there ’ s renewed worry about who ’ s next in line to run a nuclear-armed country that ’ s been ruled by the same family for seven decades .
Questions about Kim ’ s health flared after he skipped an April 15 commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather , North Korea founder Kim Il Sung .
It ’ s North Korea ’ s most important event , and Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it since inheriting power from his father in late 2011 .
North Korea ’ s state media on Wednesday published some past comments by Kim but didn ’ t report any new activities , while rival South Korea repeated that no unusual developments had been detected in the North .
Kim has been out of the public eye for extended periods in the past , and North Korea ’ s secretive nature allows few outsiders to assert confidently whether he might be unwell , let alone incapacitated .
Still , questions about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grow if he fails to attend upcoming public events .
Kim is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea , and a strong personality cult has been built around him , his father and grandfather .
The family ’ s mythical “ Paektu ” bloodline , named after the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula , is said to give only direct family members the right to rule the nation .
That makes Kim ’ s younger sister , senior ruling party official Kim Yo Jong , the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother is gravely ill , incapacitated or dies .
But some experts say a collective leadership , which could end the family ’ s dynastic rule , could also be possible .
“ Among the North ’ s power elite , Kim Yo Jong has the highest chance to inherit power , and I think that possibility is more than 90 % , ” said analyst Cheong Seong-Chang at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea .
“ North Korea is like a dynasty , and we can view the Paektu descent as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for anyone to raise any issue over Kim Yo Jong taking power.
” Believed to be in her early 30s , Kim Yo Jong is in charge of North Korea ’ s propaganda affairs , and earlier this month was made an alternate member of the powerful Politburo .
She has frequently appeared with her brother at public activities , standing out among elderly male officials .
She accompanied Kim Jong Un on his high-stakes summits with U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders in recent years .
Her proximity to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe she ’ s essentially North Korea ’ s No .
2 official .
“ I think the basic assumption would be that maybe it would be someone in the family ” to replace Kim Jong Un , U.S. national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien told reporters Tuesday .
“ But again , it ’ s too early to talk about that because we just don ’ t know , you know , what condition Chairman Kim is in and we ’ ll have to see how it plays out.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patriarchal society has led some to wonder if Kim Yo Jong would only serve as a temporary figurehead and then be replaced by a collective leadership similar to ones established after the deaths of other Communist dictators .
“ North Korean politics and the three hereditary power transfers have been male-centered .
I wonder whether she can really overcome bloody socialist power struggles and exercise her power , ” said Nam Sung-wook , a professor at Korea University in South Korea .
A collective leadership would likely be headed by Choe Ryong Hae @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state who officially ranks No .
2 in the country ’ s current power hierarchy , Nam said .
But Choe is still not a Kim family member , and that could raise questions about his legitimacy and put North Korea into deeper political chaos , according to other observers .
Other Kim family members who might take over include Kim Pyong Il , the 65-year-old half-brother of Kim Jong Il who reportedly returned home in November after decades in Europe as a diplomat .
Kim Pyong Il ’ s age “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for collective leadership by the State Affairs Commission and regent for the preferred next generation successor , ” said Leif-Eric Easley , a professor at Ewha University in Seoul .
“ However , elite power dynamics and danger of instability might make this an unlikely option .
”

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - With North Korea saying nothing so far about outside media reports that leader Kim Jong Un may be unwell, there’s renewed worry about who’s next in line to run a nuclear-armed country that’s been ruled by the same family for seven decades.
Questions about Kim’s health flared after he skipped an April 15 commemoration of the 108th birthday of his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung. It’s North Korea’s most important event, and Kim, 36, hadn’t missed it since inheriting power from his father in late 2011.
North Korea’s state media on Wednesday said Kim sent a message thanking Syria’s president for conveying greetings on his grandfather’s birthday, but didn’t report any other activities, while rival South Korea repeated that no unusual developments had been detected in the North.
Kim has been out of the public eye for extended periods in the past, and North Korea’s secretive nature allows few outsiders to assert confidently whether he might be unwell, let alone incapacitated. Still, questions about the North’s political future are likely to grow if he fails to attend upcoming public events.
Kim is the third generation of his family to rule North Korea, and a strong personality cult has been built around him, his father and grandfather. The family’s mythical “Paektu” bloodline, named after the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula, is said to give only direct family members the right to rule the nation.
That makes Kim’s younger sister, senior ruling party official Kim Yo Jong, the most likely candidate to step in if her brother is gravely ill, incapacitated or dies. But some experts say a collective leadership, which could end the family’s dynastic rule, could also be possible.
“Among the North’s power elite, Kim Yo Jong has the highest chance to inherit power, and I think that possibility is more than 90%,” said analyst Cheong Seong-Chang at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea. “North Korea is like a dynasty, and we can view the Paektu descent as royal blood so it’s unlikely for anyone to raise any issue over Kim Yo Jong taking power.”
Believed to be in her early 30s, Kim Yo Jong is in charge of North Korea’s propaganda affairs, and earlier this month was made an alternate member of the powerful Politburo.
She has frequently appeared with her brother at public activities, standing out among elderly male officials. She accompanied Kim Jong Un on his high-stakes summits with President Donald Trump and other world leaders. Her proximity to him during those summits led many outsiders to believe she’s essentially North Korea’s No. 2 official.
“I think the basic assumption would be that maybe it would be someone in the family” to replace Kim Jong Un, U.S. national security adviser Robert O’Brien told reporters Tuesday. “But again, it’s too early to talk about that because we just don’t know, you know, what condition Chairman Kim is in and we’ll have to see how it plays out.”
The fact that North Korea is an extremely patriarchal society has led some to wonder if Kim Yo Jong would only serve as a temporary figurehead and then be replaced by a collective leadership similar to ones established after the deaths of other Communist dictators.
“North Korean politics and the three hereditary power transfers have been male-centered. I wonder whether she can really overcome bloody socialist power struggles and exercise her power,” said Nam Sung-wook, a professor at Korea University in South Korea.
A collective leadership would likely be headed by Choe Ryong Hae, North Korea’s ceremonial head of state who officially ranks No. 2 in the country’s current power hierarchy, Nam said.
But Choe is still not a Kim family member, and that could raise questions about his legitimacy and put North Korea into deeper political chaos, according to other observers.
Other Kim family members who might take over include Kim Pyong Il, the 65-year-old half-brother of Kim Jong Il who reportedly returned home in November after decades in Europe as a diplomat.
Kim Pyong Il’s age “could make him a reasonable front man for collective leadership by the State Affairs Commission and regent for the preferred next generation successor,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. “However, elite power dynamics and danger of instability might make this an unlikely option.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Jussie Smollett malicious prosecution lawsuit tossed

CHICAGO — A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed actor Jussie Smollett ’ s malicious prosecution lawsuit against the city of Chicago and several police officers .
The former “ Empire ” actor told police that he was beaten by two men who looped a noose around his neck and threw vile comments at him in an attack near his home in downtown Chicago in January last year .
Chicago police said the attack was staged , and Smollett was charged with making a false report .
Those charges were subsequently dropped with little explanation from prosecutors .
In April 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than $ 130,000 paid in overtime to police officers who were involved in investigating the alleged racist and homophobic attack on Smollett , who is black and gay .
Smollett countersued in November , saying the city couldn ’ t recover costs because it accepted $ 10,000 from Smollett “ as payment in full in connection with the dismissal of the charges against him.
” The lawsuit said Smollett had been the victim of a malicious prosecution that caused him humiliation and extreme distress .
U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a malicious prosecution claim until all proceedings against him have ended .
Kendall was referring to the appointment of a special prosecutor in February , who indicted Smollett on six charges , including that he lied to police about the alleged attack .
She said the Chicago Police Department ’ s motive was bringing Smollett to justice “ for a crime it had probable cause to think he committed .
”

CHICAGO — A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed actor Jussie Smollett’s malicious prosecution lawsuit against the city of Chicago and several police officers.
The former “Empire” actor told police that he was beaten by two men who looped a noose around his neck and threw vile comments at him in an attack near his home in downtown Chicago in January last year. Chicago police said the attack was staged, and Smollett was charged with making a false report. Those charges were subsequently dropped with little explanation from prosecutors.
In April 2019, the city sued Smollett seeking reimbursement of more than $130,000 paid in overtime to police officers who were involved in investigating the alleged racist and homophobic attack on Smollett, who is black and gay.
Smollett countersued in November, saying the city couldn’t recover costs because it accepted $10,000 from Smollett “as payment in full in connection with the dismissal of the charges against him.” The lawsuit said Smollett had been the victim of a malicious prosecution that caused him humiliation and extreme distress.
U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall ruled Wednesday that Smollett can’t bring a malicious prosecution claim until all proceedings against him have ended.
Kendall was referring to the appointment of a special prosecutor in February, who indicted Smollett on six charges, including that he lied to police about the alleged attack.
She said the Chicago Police Department’s motive was bringing Smollett to justice “for a crime it had probable cause to think he committed.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--BCA: 4 officers fired guns in shootout that killed man

MANKATO , Minn. ( AP ) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Wednesday that four law officers fired @ @ @ @ @ shootout that killed a robbery suspect as he tried to escape in a raft on @ @ @ @ @ .
The BCA identified the officers as Lt. Jeremy Brennan and Deputy James Othoudt , @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s Office ; Nicollet County sheriff ’ s Deputy Paul Biederman ; @ @ @ @ @ Chris Hendrickson .
All are on standard administrative leave .
The man who died was @ @ @ @ @ Heights , 24 , who had no permanent address .
Heights died of multiple gunshot @ @ @ @ @ Heights robbed a gas station Saturday and fled in a rubber raft while exchanging gunfire @ @ @ @ @ shot as he tried to get out of the raft .
Officers recovered his body @ @ @ @ @ guns were found at the scene .
No officers were wearing body cameras and there @ @ @ @ @ of the incident , the BCA said .

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Wednesday that four law officers fired their guns in a weekend shootout that killed a robbery suspect as he tried to escape in a raft on the Minnesota River near Mankato.
The BCA identified the officers as Lt. Jeremy Brennan and Deputy James Othoudt, both with the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office; Nicollet County sheriff’s Deputy Paul Biederman; and North Mankato police Officer Chris Hendrickson. All are on standard administrative leave.
The man who died was earlier identified as Austin Dean Heights, 24, who had no permanent address. Heights died of multiple gunshot wounds.
The BCA said Heights robbed a gas station Saturday and fled in a rubber raft while exchanging gunfire with officers. He was shot as he tried to get out of the raft. Officers recovered his body from the river. Two guns were found at the scene.
No officers were wearing body cameras and there is no squad camera footage of the incident, the BCA said.
The agency continues to investigate.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Questions raised over process proposed to disburse aid funds

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - Gov .
Mike Dunleavy has proposed disbursing more than $ 1 billion in federal coronavirus relief aid through a process that would not require the Legislature to reconvene .
A legislative attorney , however , has raised questions with that approach .
Dunleavy has asked the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee to review his plan to distribute funds to help municipalities , nonprofits , small businesses , schools and other areas .
State law lays out a process by which a governor can submit to the committee plans to accept and spend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program funds .
Even if the committee disagrees , a governor can proceed .
The law includes a 45-day clock though Dunleavy said he wants quick action .
It ’ s the process former Gov .
Bill Walker used in expanding Medicaid .
But Megan Wallace , director of Legislative Legal Services , raised concerns with use of the process for the federal aid in a memo responding to questions from Sen. Bill Wielechowski .
She told a House committee last week there were a lot of unknowns .
“ If we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusion , in terms of authority to expend those monies , yes , the simplest thing to do would be for the Legislature to specifically appropriate ” the funds , she said .
The Legislature went into recess after passing a budget in late March amid coronavirus concerns .
Rep. Chris Tuck , who chairs the budget and audit committee , said Wednesday that legislative finance and legal staff were reviewing Dunleavy ’ s proposal to weigh in on what possibly could go through the process and what might need full legislative action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over separation of powers issues previously .
Dunleavy told reporters Congress and President Donald Trump wanted the money to be distributed as quickly as possible .
“ They did not specifically send it through the Legislature ; they sent it directly to the states , ” he said , adding there is no required state match for the funds .
“ So this is directly from the feds to the state , passing through to the individuals at the local level to try and help as quickly as possible.
” Earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the larger vetoes he made to the state budget , including aid for schools and local governments , would be offset through use of funds from the federal coronavirus relief package .
In a statement Wednesday , he said he was working “ with the best available information at the time which led many to believe CARES act funding could in fact be used to offset revenue loss.
” But he said there ’ s a “ lack of clarity ” surrounding this .
The state consequently will act under the guidelines that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigate the impact of the pandemic on state/municipal expenses and to support businesses and the state ’ s nonprofits , ” he said .
Meanwhile Wednesday , a caravan of more than 80 vehicles paraded through the otherwise largely quiet streets of downtown Anchorage , with participants blaring their horns and waving American flags .
Organizers of the demonstration , from the Facebook group Open Alaska , said they supported Dunleavy ’ s move to allow some businesses to partially reopen starting Friday .
Group leaders urged Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz to also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To the extent that their sole goal is to reopen Anchorage , I am supportive – but on a timeline that minimizes the risk of COVID to the public and to the businesses that call the municipality home , ” Berkowitz said in a emailed statement to The Associated Press .
Berkowitz said at an earlier news conference Wednesday that some businesses will be allowed to reopen Monday , and further guidance for businesses will be released Friday .
He said the list of businesses that will be allowed to reopen is similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Gov. Mike Dunleavy has proposed disbursing more than $1 billion in federal coronavirus relief aid through a process that would not require the Legislature to reconvene. A legislative attorney, however, has raised questions with that approach.
Dunleavy has asked the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee to review his plan to distribute funds to help municipalities, nonprofits, small businesses, schools and other areas. State law lays out a process by which a governor can submit to the committee plans to accept and spend on a budget item additional federal or other program funds. Even if the committee disagrees, a governor can proceed.
The law includes a 45-day clock though Dunleavy said he wants quick action.
It’s the process former Gov. Bill Walker used in expanding Medicaid.
But Megan Wallace, director of Legislative Legal Services, raised concerns with use of the process for the federal aid in a memo responding to questions from Sen. Bill Wielechowski. She told a House committee last week there were a lot of unknowns.
“If we want to take out the speculation, or confusion, in terms of authority to expend those monies, yes, the simplest thing to do would be for the Legislature to specifically appropriate” the funds, she said.
The Legislature went into recess after passing a budget in late March amid coronavirus concerns. Rep. Chris Tuck, who chairs the budget and audit committee, said Wednesday that legislative finance and legal staff were reviewing Dunleavy’s proposal to weigh in on what possibly could go through the process and what might need full legislative action.
Legislative leaders and Dunleavy have sparred over separation of powers issues previously.
Dunleavy told reporters Congress and President Donald Trump wanted the money to be distributed as quickly as possible.
“They did not specifically send it through the Legislature; they sent it directly to the states,” he said, adding there is no required state match for the funds. “So this is directly from the feds to the state, passing through to the individuals at the local level to try and help as quickly as possible.”
Earlier this month, Dunleavy said he expected many of the larger vetoes he made to the state budget, including aid for schools and local governments, would be offset through use of funds from the federal coronavirus relief package. In a statement Wednesday, he said he was working “with the best available information at the time which led many to believe CARES act funding could in fact be used to offset revenue loss.”
But he said there’s a “lack of clarity” surrounding this. The state consequently will act under the guidelines that the funds “can be used to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on state/municipal expenses and to support businesses and the state’s nonprofits,” he said.
Meanwhile Wednesday, a caravan of more than 80 vehicles paraded through the otherwise largely quiet streets of downtown Anchorage, with participants blaring their horns and waving American flags. Organizers of the demonstration, from the Facebook group Open Alaska, said they supported Dunleavy’s move to allow some businesses to partially reopen starting Friday. Group leaders urged Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz to also do more to open businesses.
“To the extent that their sole goal is to reopen Anchorage, I am supportive – but on a timeline that minimizes the risk of COVID to the public and to the businesses that call the municipality home,” Berkowitz said in a emailed statement to The Associated Press.
Berkowitz said at an earlier news conference Wednesday that some businesses will be allowed to reopen Monday, and further guidance for businesses will be released Friday. He said the list of businesses that will be allowed to reopen is similar to what the state is allowing to open.
___
Associated Press reporter Mark Thiessen contributed from Anchorage, Alaska.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Officials say California inmate kills fellow prisoner

FOLSOM , Calif. ( AP ) - California prison officials on Wednesday said one inmate killed another at a maximum @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento .
California State Prison-Sacramento inmate Richard Alvarez , 33 , broke away from correctional @ @ @ @ @ across a prison exercise yard , then stabbed inmate Moizez M. Munoz , 30 , @ @ @ @ @ weapon , they said .
Officers said they recovered two such weapons after they stopped @ @ @ @ @ and chemical agents .
One officer suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local @ @ @ @ @ died hours later at an outside hospital .
He was serving a nearly four-year sentence @ @ @ @ @ a controlled substance for sale as a repeat offender .
He had an additional eight-year @ @ @ @ @ prisoner with a deadly weapon and two more years for possessing a controlled substance in @ @ @ @ @ a life sentence from Los Angeles County for second-degree murder and multiple other crimes .
@ @ @ @ @ history of assaulting other inmates and staff .

FOLSOM, Calif. (AP) - California prison officials on Wednesday said one inmate killed another at a maximum security state prison east of Sacramento.
California State Prison-Sacramento inmate Richard Alvarez, 33, broke away from correctional officers early Tuesday, ran across a prison exercise yard, then stabbed inmate Moizez M. Munoz, 30, three times with an inmate-manufactured weapon, they said.
Officers said they recovered two such weapons after they stopped Alvarez by using physical force and chemical agents. One officer suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital and released.
Munoz died hours later at an outside hospital.
He was serving a nearly four-year sentence from Kern County for possessing a controlled substance for sale as a repeat offender. He had an additional eight-year sentence for assault by a prisoner with a deadly weapon and two more years for possessing a controlled substance in prison.
Alvarez was serving a life sentence from Los Angeles County for second-degree murder and multiple other crimes. Officials said he has a history of assaulting other inmates and staff.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Inside the Beltway: Why Trump will always outwit Nancy Pelosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently offered some late night commentary staged in front of her refrigerator , touting the comforting wonders of chocolate and premium ice cream at a time when the nation is reeling from the coronavirus , 22 million Americans are out of work and many folks are going hungry .
The moment was “ tone deaf ” according to Newt Gingrich and prompted much discussion on talk shows , and among the ladies of ABC ’ s “ The View.
” What matters now , however , is how quickly President Trump ’ s reelection campaign responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very nimble and very precise , immediately seizing upon Mrs. Pelosi ’ s appearance , deeming her “ Nancy Antoinette ” and pointing out that her stainless steel-doored fridge cost $ 24,000 .
The Trump campaign consistently performs with such incredible speed , style and visceral effectiveness .
“ The reason a politician with as much experience as Pelosi blunders into an embarrassment of providing wince-inducing video like this is that she ’ s never had the mainstream media attack her the way they attack Republicans for their missteps .
The Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Times or NBC News , ” writes Steven Hayward , an analyst for Powerlineblog.com “ Just wait till the Trump campaign gets done with Joe Biden ’ s long track record of corruption and lies .
They ’ re going to make Lee Atwater look like a Boy Scout , and make Democrats pine for the good old days of quality candidates like Mike Dukakis and Walter Mondale , ” Mr. Hayward says .
The title of his analysis , by the way is “ Why Trump will win.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Mr. Trump and Mrs. Pelosi .
A new Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted April 20-21 finds that 50 % of all U.S. voters are under the impression that “ What ’ s best for the country ” is more important to the president than the status of the Republican Party .
It ’ s a very close finding , but the poll also revealed that fewer voters — 47 % — feel that Mrs. Pelosi ’ s priorities rest with the nation not the Democratic Party .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its upbeat but plainspoken touch in their voter communications , which continue to draw record donations and participation from the president ’ s many fans .
“ All aboard the Trump train .
The next stop is victory in November , ” the campaign notes in a new public outreach .
A New York Democrat who leans toward socialism has advice for Americans dealing with job insecurity during the coronavirus crisis : Don ’ t go back to work .
“ Rep .
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls for a national work boycott .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to work , ” says Vice TV , which showcased the lawmaker ’ s commentary on the premiere of “ A Seat at the Table , ” a new talk show which premiered Wednesday night .
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is not keen on President Trump ’ s methods to get the nation back on the job and re-ignite the economy .
His efforts have included a recent series of tweets which called for the “ liberation ” of states where local citizens are actively protesting social distancing and other restrictions .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society you know , only in America does the president — when the president tweets about liberation — does he mean go back to work .
When we have this discussion about going back or reopening , I think a lot people should just say no — we ’ re not going back to that , ” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez told VICE TV .
“ We ’ re not going back to working 70-hour weeks just so that we can put food on the table and not even feel any sort of semblance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted .
A round of applause for Kizik , maker of spiffy , comfy “ hands-free ” shoes which slip on , well , hands free .
The Utah-based company is donating 1,000 pairs of their shoes — which can retail for $ 150 a pair — to health-care workers who are concerned that their shoes could track the coronavirus into their homes , or elsewhere .
Recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now suggesting this is a dangerous possibility for those serving on the front lines of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study broke , we immediately realized our shoes could help front-line healthcare workers battling COVID-19 .
If you don ’ t have to use your hands to put on , take off , or lace up your shoes , the likelihood of coronavirus traveling from shoes to hands will be reduced , ” says Kizik CEO Monte Deere .
“ It is our small way of showing them support during these uncertain and trying times.
” For the 15th week in a row , Fox News rules the ratings in the entire cable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , compared to 2 million for MSNBC .
1.9 million for CNN , 1.4 million for HGTV and 1.6 million for TLC .
There was also a rating coup of note .
Bret Baier ’ s daily “ Special Report ” on coronavirus garnered an average 5.8 million primetime viewers , with “ Tucker Carlson Tonight ” in second place with 4.8 million .
Sean Hannity also trumped his MSNBC rival Rachel Maddow for the 58th straight week , with 4.4. million viewers .
In addition , Fox News Channel also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news , with five programs generating over 4 million total viewers each , including those of Mr. Baier , Mr. Carlson and Mr. Hannity , along with “ The Five ” and “ The Story with Martha MacCallum.
” • 85 % of Americans are “ closely following ” news on coronavirus ; 88 % of Republicans , 80 % of independents and 86 % of Democrats agree .
• 74 % overall are very or somewhat worried about coronavirus ; 64 % of Republicans , 69 % of independents and 88 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall say the virus is a very serious health risk , but not the “ greatest risk ” ; 25 % of Republicans , 33 % of independents and 40 % of Democrats agree .
• 32 % overall say the virus is “ one of many ” health risks they face ; 38 % of Republicans , 34 % of independents and 24 % of Democrats agree .
• 16 % overall say the virus is not a health risk ; 20 % of Republicans , 19 % of independents and 11 @ @ @ @ @

NEWS AND OPINION:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently offered some late night commentary staged in front of her refrigerator, touting the comforting wonders of chocolate and premium ice cream at a time when the nation is reeling from the coronavirus, 22 million Americans are out of work and many folks are going hungry.
The moment was “tone deaf” according to Newt Gingrich and prompted much discussion on talk shows, and among the ladies of ABC’s “The View.”
What matters now, however, is how quickly President Trump‘s reelection campaign responded to the peculiar moment. They were very nimble and very precise, immediately seizing upon Mrs. Pelosi’s appearance, deeming her “Nancy Antoinette” and pointing out that her stainless steel-doored fridge cost $24,000. The Trump campaign consistently performs with such incredible speed, style and visceral effectiveness.
“The reason a politician with as much experience as Pelosi blunders into an embarrassment of providing wince-inducing video like this is that she’s never had the mainstream media attack her the way they attack Republicans for their missteps. The Trump campaign won’t be as charitable as the New York Times or NBC News,” writes Steven Hayward, an analyst for Powerlineblog.com
“Just wait till the Trump campaign gets done with Joe Biden’s long track record of corruption and lies. They’re going to make Lee Atwater look like a Boy Scout, and make Democrats pine for the good old days of quality candidates like Mike Dukakis and Walter Mondale,” Mr. Hayward says.
The title of his analysis, by the way is “Why Trump will win.”
Voters appear to have some distinct impressions about Mr. Trump and Mrs. Pelosi. A new Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted April 20-21 finds that 50% of all U.S. voters are under the impression that “What’s best for the country” is more important to the president than the status of the Republican Party. It’s a very close finding, but the poll also revealed that fewer voters — 47% — feel that Mrs. Pelosi’s priorities rest with the nation not the Democratic Party.
The Trump campaign, meanwhile, has not lost its upbeat but plainspoken touch in their voter communications, which continue to draw record donations and participation from the president’s many fans.
“All aboard the Trump train. The next stop is victory in November,” the campaign notes in a new public outreach.
OCASIO-CORTEZ AND HER WORK ETHIC
A New York Democrat who leans toward socialism has advice for Americans dealing with job insecurity during the coronavirus crisis: Don’t go back to work.
“Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls for a national work boycott. The congresswoman says Americans should refuse to go back to work,” says Vice TV, which showcased the lawmaker’s commentary on the premiere of “A Seat at the Table,” a new talk show which premiered Wednesday night.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is not keen on President Trump‘s methods to get the nation back on the job and re-ignite the economy. His efforts have included a recent series of tweets which called for the “liberation” of states where local citizens are actively protesting social distancing and other restrictions.
“When we talk about this idea of reopening society you know, only in America does the president — when the president tweets about liberation — does he mean go back to work. When we have this discussion about going back or reopening, I think a lot people should just say no — we’re not going back to that,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez told VICE TV.
“We’re not going back to working 70-hour weeks just so that we can put food on the table and not even feel any sort of semblance of security in our lives,” she noted.
A WHOLE LOT OF SOLE
A round of applause for Kizik, maker of spiffy, comfy “hands-free” shoes which slip on, well, hands free.
The Utah-based company is donating 1,000 pairs of their shoes — which can retail for $150 a pair — to health-care workers who are concerned that their shoes could track the coronavirus into their homes, or elsewhere. Recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now suggesting this is a dangerous possibility for those serving on the front lines of the pandemic.
“When this CDC study broke, we immediately realized our shoes could help front-line healthcare workers battling COVID-19. If you don’t have to use your hands to put on, take off, or lace up your shoes, the likelihood of coronavirus traveling from shoes to hands will be reduced,” says Kizik CEO Monte Deere. “It is our small way of showing them support during these uncertain and trying times.”
FOXIFIED
For the 15th week in a row, Fox News rules the ratings in the entire cable realm. drawing 3.8 million prime-time viewers last week, compared to 2 million for MSNBC. 1.9 million for CNN, 1.4 million for HGTV and 1.6 million for TLC.
There was also a rating coup of note. Bret Baier‘s daily “Special Report” on coronavirus garnered an average 5.8 million primetime viewers, with “Tucker Carlson Tonight” in second place with 4.8 million. Sean Hannity also trumped his MSNBC rival Rachel Maddow for the 58th straight week, with 4.4. million viewers.
In addition, Fox News Channel also nabbed the top six telecasts in cable news, with five programs generating over 4 million total viewers each, including those of Mr. Baier, Mr. Carlson and Mr. Hannity, along with “The Five” and “The Story with Martha MacCallum.”
POLL DU JOUR
• 85% of Americans are “closely following” news on coronavirus; 88% of Republicans, 80% of independents and 86% of Democrats agree.
• 74% overall are very or somewhat worried about coronavirus; 64% of Republicans, 69% of independents and 88% of Democrats agree.
• 33% overall say the virus is a very serious health risk, but not the “greatest risk”; 25% of Republicans, 33% of independents and 40% of Democrats agree.
• 32% overall say the virus is “one of many” health risks they face; 38% of Republicans, 34% of independents and 24% of Democrats agree.
• 16% overall say the virus is not a health risk; 20% of Republicans, 19% of independents and 11% of Democrats agree.
Source: A Yahoo News pol of 1,597 U.S. adults conducted April 17-19.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-22--Asymptomatic coronavirus cases roil reopening plans

COVID-19 ranks as the Russian roulette of infectious disease : Some people get knocked out and others , such as Sen. Rand Paul , don ’ t feel a thing despite testing positive for the coronavirus .
The random nature of outcomes strikes at the heart of the challenge states and the federal government face as they attempt to reopen economies and try to root out asymptomatic people who might inadvertently spread the virus .
The White House coronavirus task force has pushed for a targeted approach , saying it ’ s best to inundate inner cities , nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of looking for a needle in a haystack .
“ We went to the places where we thought it was most critical to find cases the earliest , ” said Deborah Birx , the U.S. coronavirus coordinator .
States are moving in that direction .
California announced plans this week to go beyond symptomatic people and prioritize homeless shelters , nursing homes and jails to root out cases hiding in plain sight .
Georgia is testing asymptomatic medical workers , law enforcement , first responders and residents and staff at long-term care facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen gyms , nail salons and other businesses Friday .
Likewise , Michigan recently expanded its testing criteria to include essential workers who must report in person , whether they appear sick or not , and to all health workers and first responders .
“ Obviously , looking for people who are vulnerable individuals is really important .
That means health care facilities , nursing homes , assembly-line conditions , things like that , ” said William Hanage , associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a priority for the state , though it ’ s still a work in progress .
It is expanding its testing program and “ continuing to look at the latest science and research regarding asymptomatic individuals , and how we could work to better be aware of these cases , ” health department spokesman Nate Wardle said .
The focus on asymptomatic people will be a key part of the next phase in the pandemic , as states try to reopen their economies while detecting those who might carry the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowing it .
Testing is limited , so states are picking their spots as they ramp up capacity .
Dr. Hanage said there may be clever ways to use digital apps that measure foot traffic and alert people if they had been potentially exposed to a known infected person .
“ You ’ d be able to direct tests to those people — and if it was rapid enough , they would be able to figure out whether or not they were positive and currently asymptomatic themselves , ” he said .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those with chronic conditions are at higher risk of landing in the hospital or dying from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
For everyone else , it ’ s a complicated equation that starts with the “ dose , ” or how much virus a person was exposed to when infected .
“ Usually , if you get a larger dose your incubation period is shorter and your illness is likely to be more severe , ” said William Schaffner , an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some people simply put out more virus.
” Dr. Hanage said the mechanics of infection may explain some of the disparity between the rather sick and asymptomatic , citing reports of a choir practice that turned fatal .
Not only are the singers emitting the virus , but “ the people who you are infecting are breathing very deeply , and it ’ s getting very deep into their lungs ” he said .
“ So it could not only be a dosage effect but also something to do with the amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the body.
” A person ’ s genes also play a part .
Some people may be more vulnerable because of variations in the cell receptor where the coronavirus enters , while age and previous exposure to other coronaviruses could be a factor in how sick someone gets as the body attacks the virus .
“ It ’ s a bizarre sort of situation that some people get very , very sick , even die from this , and some people get no symptoms , ” Mr. Paul , the Republican senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friends ” in an interview about his symptom-free bout of COVID-19 .
“ There ’ s something about this illness that ’ s not just the illness but your immune response to it .
And it may be some sort of genetic thing , that some people are genetically predisposed to an overwhelming immune response that ends up making the patient very sick , with their lungs filling up with fluid .
And then other people like myself , get virtually no symptoms.
” Mr. Paul said he got tested because the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot .
He attended a charity event in Kentucky in which an attendee later tested positive .
The senator received his own positive test and quarantined in his basement .
“ I had an extraordinarily mild case , ” the senator said .
“ I had no symptoms , never had a headache , never had a body ache , never had a fever , never had a cough .
I didn ’ t really have any symptoms.
” Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker on Wednesday said the share of asymptomatic persons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so it ’ s important to wear masks and maintain social distancing as his state tries to weather a surge in hospitalizations .
“ We tested a nursing home — 98 people , 51 % positive , nobody symptomatic , ” Mr. Baker , a Republican , said at his Wednesday briefing .
“ I think it ’ s really important for people to recognize and understand here that one of the major reasons why distancing and why staying at home and why dealing with the consequences of all this is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flu .
If you get the flu , you know it and everybody else knows it .
But when it comes to this particular virus , there are a number of people who get it who don ’ t know it.
” Mr. Kemp , a Republican , is leaning on social distancing and hygiene to keep patrons safe as he lets gyms , nail salons and other business reopen in Georgia without ubiquitous testing to identify infected patrons .
“ The fitness owners , I have great confidence in them spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a workout , ” Mr. Kemp told Fox News , when asked about asymptomatic spreaders .
“ Doing this additional sanitization that we ’ ve all learned how to do now and taking those precautions with hand sanitation , and having the folks working in the facilities wearing masks and other things .
”

COVID-19 ranks as the Russian roulette of infectious disease: Some people get knocked out and others, such as Sen. Rand Paul, don’t feel a thing despite testing positive for the coronavirus.
The random nature of outcomes strikes at the heart of the challenge states and the federal government face as they attempt to reopen economies and try to root out asymptomatic people who might inadvertently spread the virus.
The White House coronavirus task force has pushed for a targeted approach, saying it’s best to inundate inner cities, nursing homes and other high-risk populations with testing instead of looking for a needle in a haystack.
“We went to the places where we thought it was most critical to find cases the earliest,” said Deborah Birx, the U.S. coronavirus coordinator.
States are moving in that direction. California announced plans this week to go beyond symptomatic people and prioritize homeless shelters, nursing homes and jails to root out cases hiding in plain sight.
Georgia is testing asymptomatic medical workers, law enforcement, first responders and residents and staff at long-term care facilities, as Gov. Brian Kemp starts to reopen gyms, nail salons and other businesses Friday.
Likewise, Michigan recently expanded its testing criteria to include essential workers who must report in person, whether they appear sick or not, and to all health workers and first responders.
“Obviously, looking for people who are vulnerable individuals is really important. That means health care facilities, nursing homes, assembly-line conditions, things like that,” said William Hanage, associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Pennsylvania says hunting down asymptomatic cases is a priority for the state, though it’s still a work in progress. It is expanding its testing program and “continuing to look at the latest science and research regarding asymptomatic individuals, and how we could work to better be aware of these cases,” health department spokesman Nate Wardle said.
The focus on asymptomatic people will be a key part of the next phase in the pandemic, as states try to reopen their economies while detecting those who might carry the virus in a shop, church or school without knowing it. Testing is limited, so states are picking their spots as they ramp up capacity.
Dr. Hanage said there may be clever ways to use digital apps that measure foot traffic and alert people if they had been potentially exposed to a known infected person.
“You’d be able to direct tests to those people — and if it was rapid enough, they would be able to figure out whether or not they were positive and currently asymptomatic themselves,” he said.
Most Americans know by now that older people and those with chronic conditions are at higher risk of landing in the hospital or dying from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. For everyone else, it’s a complicated equation that starts with the “dose,” or how much virus a person was exposed to when infected.
“Usually, if you get a larger dose your incubation period is shorter and your illness is likely to be more severe,” said William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University. “You might just encounter a super-spreader. Some people simply put out more virus.”
Dr. Hanage said the mechanics of infection may explain some of the disparity between the rather sick and asymptomatic, citing reports of a choir practice that turned fatal.
Not only are the singers emitting the virus, but “the people who you are infecting are breathing very deeply, and it’s getting very deep into their lungs” he said. “So it could not only be a dosage effect but also something to do with the amount it gets into a particularly vulnerable part of the body.”
A person’s genes also play a part. Some people may be more vulnerable because of variations in the cell receptor where the coronavirus enters, while age and previous exposure to other coronaviruses could be a factor in how sick someone gets as the body attacks the virus.
“It’s a bizarre sort of situation that some people get very, very sick, even die from this, and some people get no symptoms,” Mr. Paul, the Republican senator from Kentucky, told “Fox & Friends” in an interview about his symptom-free bout of COVID-19. “There’s something about this illness that’s not just the illness but your immune response to it. And it may be some sort of genetic thing, that some people are genetically predisposed to an overwhelming immune response that ends up making the patient very sick, with their lungs filling up with fluid. And then other people like myself, get virtually no symptoms.”
Mr. Paul said he got tested because the virus was prevalent, and he had been traveling a lot. He attended a charity event in Kentucky in which an attendee later tested positive. The senator received his own positive test and quarantined in his basement.
“I had an extraordinarily mild case,” the senator said. “I had no symptoms, never had a headache, never had a body ache, never had a fever, never had a cough. I didn’t really have any symptoms.”
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday said the share of asymptomatic persons could be far larger than anyone realizes, so it’s important to wear masks and maintain social distancing as his state tries to weather a surge in hospitalizations.
“We tested a nursing home — 98 people, 51% positive, nobody symptomatic,” Mr. Baker, a Republican, said at his Wednesday briefing. “I think it’s really important for people to recognize and understand here that one of the major reasons why distancing and why staying at home and why dealing with the consequences of all this is so important is because this is not like the flu. If you get the flu, you know it and everybody else knows it. But when it comes to this particular virus, there are a number of people who get it who don’t know it.”
Mr. Kemp, a Republican, is leaning on social distancing and hygiene to keep patrons safe as he lets gyms, nail salons and other business reopen in Georgia without ubiquitous testing to identify infected patrons.
“The fitness owners, I have great confidence in them spreading people out when they’re doing a workout,” Mr. Kemp told Fox News, when asked about asymptomatic spreaders. “Doing this additional sanitization that we’ve all learned how to do now and taking those precautions with hand sanitation, and having the folks working in the facilities wearing masks and other things.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.