freedomdaily--2020-05-22--A doctor shares 7 steps he’ll review to decide when and where it’s safe to go out and about

As we return to some degree of normalcy after weeks of social distancing , we all need a plan .
As an immunologist , I ’ ve given this a lot of thought personally and professionally .
When I venture out , I am first going to check the number of new COVID-19 infections in my community .
In Virginia , for example , as of May 16 , some health districts had 200 new daily cases and others fewer than 10 .
I am going to be less risk-averse when new cases fall to near zero .
Second , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection and the risk for severe infection for those I will be visiting .
The CDC defines these risk factors as being over age 65 or having serious underlying medical conditions , which include chronic lung disease , moderate to severe asthma , serious heart conditions , immunocompromise , severe obesity ( body mass index over 40 ) , diabetes , kidney disease requiring dialysis , liver disease or living in a nursing home or long-term care facility .
If I have one of these risk factors , or am visiting someone with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am going to be extra-cautious .
Third , I will draw from knowledge about how COVID-19 is transmitted .
Airborne transmission and fomites , or contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs , are both means of infection .
The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is stable in airborne droplets , or aerosols , for hours and on the surface of cardboard for a day and plastics for two days .
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine , for example , showed that half of nursing home patients who had COVID-19 were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by nasal swab PCR test for the virus , and yet infectious to others .
Normal speech generates oral fluid droplets which are potentially infectious but are captured by a cloth face mask , preventing transmission to others .
I am going to wear a mask to help prevent my giving the infection to others , avoid touching surfaces such as handrails , try not to touch my eyes or nose or mouth with my hands and wash my hands frequently .
I am going to try to stay outdoors , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less , and if indoors stay six feet distant from others and limit my time there .
I am going to assess my risk for infecting others .
If I have a fever , cough or other flu-like symptoms , such as muscle aches or tiredness , I am not going to venture out and risk exposing others to COVID-19 .
Even if healthy , I am going to wear a mask when out so that I can protect others if I am unknowingly infected but pre-symptomatic .
While it is tempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember – and I hope you will , too – that my individual behavior affects not only my health , but also yours .
William Petri does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-22--Planned Parenthood Centers Took Coronavirus Funding. GOP Senators Claim That Was Illegal

Planned Parenthood said that its affiliates appropriately received coronavirus funding , but Republican lawmakers argue that the loans violate the requirements of the pandemic stimulus package .
The nation ’ s largest abortion provider came under fire after Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson reported Tuesday that 37 Planned Parenthood affiliates applied for and received a total of $ 80 million in coronavirus funding .
A Wednesday statement from Planned Parenthood Federation of America confirmed that “ some independent Planned Parenthood 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) organizations applied for and were awarded loans under the eligibility rules established by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Administration ( SBA ) , which they met.
” The statement did not say how many Planned Parenthood affiliates received loans .
Planned Parenthood ’ s claim that the affiliates were awarded loans under the CARES Act and SBA eligibility rules clashes with a Thursday letter from Republican senators to the Department of Justice .
The letter accused Planned Parenthood of applying for and receiving the loans despite knowing the organization was ineligible .
“ These Planned Parenthood entities self-certified eligibility for these loans despite the clear ineligibility under the statutory text of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Economic Security ( “ CARES ” ) Act , which was signed into law on March 27 , 2020 , ” the senators , led by Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton , told the DOJ in the letter .
“ It was also well-publicized at the time that the CARES Act did not allow Planned Parenthood affiliates to utilize these loans.
” The senators said there are caps on the number of employees organizations with a governance and affiliation structure like Planned Parenthood can have and still be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senators said .
“ Trump administration officials were also quoted in public reports , explicitly clarifying that the SBA ’ s interim final rule ensured that no funds from the Paycheck Protection Program could go to Planned Parenthood , ” the letter added .
The senators asked Attorney General William Barr to open an investigation into the matter .
“ We have received and are reviewing the letter , ” a DOJ spokesperson told the DCNF .
Republican Montana Sen. Steve Daines , one of 27 senators who signed the letter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parenthood is not eligible for the PPP and that “ the funds they wrongfully took must be returned.
” “ We need an investigation to get to the bottom of this and hold Planned Parenthood accountable , ” Daines told the DCNF .
“ These critical relief funds are meant for supporting our struggling small business owners and workers not the nation ’ s largest abortion business , which sits on almost $ 2 billion in assets.
” The SBA declined to comment for this story .
Vice President of Government Relations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organization in a statement provided Thursday to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Ayers said that Planned Parenthood believes the affiliates were eligible for the funding in question , and that Planned Parenthood health centers play pivotal roles , particularly during the pandemic .
“ And just like other nonprofits and health care providers , this pandemic has had a significant impact on Planned Parenthood health centers ’ ability to provide care , ” Ayers said .
“ Paycheck Protection Program loans have ensured health centers can retain staff and continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reproductive health care during this crisis.
” The Planned Parenthood Action Fund previously issued a March 25 statement on the CARES Act in which the organization critiqued the legislation .
“ The bill gives the Small Business Administration broad discretion to exclude Planned Parenthood affiliates and other non-profits serving people with low incomes and deny them benefits under the new small business loan program , ” the organization ’ s action arm said in the statement .
Ayers said that outrage over Planned Parenthood affiliates receiving funding has “ nothing to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligibility for COVID-19 relief efforts , and everything to do with the Trump administration using a public health crisis to advance a political agenda and distract from their own failures in protecting the American public from the spread of COVID-19.
” “ It is also just the latest salvo in the Trump administration ’ s long history of targeting Planned Parenthood , and trying to severely limit access to sexual and reproductive health care , ” Ayers said .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-22--‘Ask President Trump’: Cuomo Blames Trump For Nursing Home COVID Deaths

Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo blamed President Donald Trump for mass deaths in nursing homes after forcing long-term care facilities to take in coronavirus positive patients .
The governor of New York told reporters to “ ask President Trump ” about the nursing home deaths Wednesday , the New York Post reported , arguing that New York was merely following the federal government ’ s lead in sending coronavirus positive patients to nursing homes .
“ Anyone who wants to ask , ‘ Why did the state do that with COVID patients in nursing homes , ’ it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s CDC [ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ] guidance , ” Cuomo told reporters , asked whether he regretted the directive which appears to have resulted in the deaths of thousands of nursing home residents .
“ They should ask President Trump .
I think that will stop the conversation , ” he said , the Post reported .
Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik critiqued Cuomo for blaming Trump , saying in a Thursday tweet : “ Governor Cuomo continues to point fingers at the federal government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance : The Governor ’ s decisions to MANDATE that nursing homes accept COVID-19 patients completely disregards the case-by-case approach recommended by CDC.
” “ CDC guidance was clear that decisions about discharging COVID-19 patients should be based on the ability of the accepting facility to meet the recommended infection control practices , ” Stefanik continued .
“ This includes the ability to place residents in a designated COVID-19 care unit that is equipped with the resources and PPE to safely prevent the spread of infections.
” The congresswoman noted that if nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s guidance , they must wait until patients can not transmit the virus before they can accept these patients , according to the CDC .
“ Governor Cuomo ’ s MANDATE requires acceptance regardless of a nursing homes capacity to safely accept COVID-19 positive cases , ” she added .
Cuomo ’ s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-22--FBI Wiretapped The Phone Calls At Center Of Michael Flynn Leak

The FBI wiretapped phone calls between a Russian ambassador and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn that were the subject of a classified leak to The Washington Post in early 2017 , the newspaper reported on Wednesday .
Citing former U.S. officials , the Post also reported that Flynn ’ s identity was not masked in a transcript that the FBI created after Flynn ’ s phone calls with the ambassador , Sergey Kislyak .
The revelation , which confirms analysis from The Daily Caller News Foundation this week , helps explain why the Flynn-Kislyak call was not the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document that Senate Republicans released on May 13 .
The document listed 39 Obama administration officials who submitted requests for intelligence reports that identified Flynn in National Security Agency ( NSA ) intelligence reports drafted between Nov. 8 , 2016 , and Jan. 31 , 2017 .
The list initially caused confusion because there was not a request for information on Flynn that coincided with the date of his phone calls with Kislyak , Dec. 29 , 2016 .
Republicans have for more than three years speculated that a leak to Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls with the Russian diplomat was the result of an unmasking request made by Obama administration officials .
In a Jan. 12 , 2017 column , Ignatius reported that a “ senior U.S. government official ” revealed that Flynn and Kislyak spoke by phone , possibly about U.S. sanctions against Russia .
The Ignatius column touched off a series of events that led to an FBI interview with Flynn at the White House on Jan. 24 , 2017 .
Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI agents regarding details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers have called for investigations into the leak of the information , which is classified .
Flynn has since retracted his claim to have lied to the FBI .
The Justice Department filed a motion on May 7 to toss out Flynn ’ s case .
Attorney General William Barr has accused the FBI of laying a “ perjury trap ” for the retired lieutenant general .
The Post ’ s latest report puts the FBI at a more pivotal role in handling the intelligence related to Flynn .
“ When the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included Flynn ’ s name from the beginning , ” a former senior U.S. official told The Post .
“ There were therefore no requests for the unmasking of that information.
” “ When the FBI circulated [ the report ] , they included Flynn ’ s name from the beginning , ” another former senior U.S. official told the newspaper .
“ There were therefore no requests for the unmasking of that information.
” The individual who leaked to the Post has not been identified .
The agency they person worked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers have called for an investigation into the leak .
The FBI shared the intelligence on Flynn ’ s call widely through the Obama administration .
Andrew McCabe , the former deputy director of the FBI , suggested in congressional testimony and his book , “ The Threat , ” that the FBI had the initial intelligence report of the Flynn-Kislyak call .
He wrote in his book that the report of the call was passed to then-FBI Director James Comey , who shared it with James Clapper , the director of national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kislyak in a Jan. 5 , 2017 meeting at the Oval Office with President Barack Obama , according to an email that then-National Security Adviser Susan Rice wrote to herself on Jan. 20 , 2017 .
Officials in the FBI , Justice Department and Office of the Director of National Intelligence also discussed the Logan Act in connection with Flynn ’ s call with Kislyak , according to documents released in Flynn ’ s case .
The Logan Act prohibits private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments on U.S. policy matters .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice in its 221-year existence , Ignatius mentioned the law in context with Flynn ’ s call in his Jan. 12 , 2017 column .
FBI emails provided to Flynn ’ s defense team on April 30 showed that officials at the bureau were discussing the Logan Act in connection with the investigation of Flynn on Jan. 4 , 2017 .
Peter Strzok , who then served as deputy chief of FBI counterintelligence , exchanged emails about the Logan Act with Lisa Page and James Baker , who were lawyers for the bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House interview with Flynn three weeks later .


freedomdaily--2020-05-22--Pairing lasers with microwaves makes mind-bogglingly accurate electronic clocks – a potential boon f

Pairing lasers with microwaves makes mind-bogglingly accurate electronic clocks – a potential boon for GPS, cell phones and radar

Time and frequency standards are a key part of technologies we have come to rely on in our daily lives , from GPS navigation and cellphone networks to the electrical power grid .
The importance of these systems and the constant drive to improve their performance has led to the development of atomic clocks that keep time and measure frequency with incredible accuracy .
Conventional atomic clocks use the billions-of-times-a-second vibrations of atoms like cesium to calibrate microwave signals , which are read by other devices such as GPS satellites , to keep time .
The most accurate atomic clocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laser beams rather than microwaves , and they use atoms like ytterbium that oscillate even faster than cesium – hundreds of trillions of times per second .
Optical clock frequencies are so stable that it would take more than 14 billion years – the age of the universe – for one of these clocks to be off by a second .
But researchers haven ’ t been able to feed these ultrafast optical signals at their full performance into electronic devices .
Our team of physicists and engineers , with members from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the National Institute of Standards and Technology ( NIST ) , has found a way to link optical atomic clocks with microwave signals without compromising the amazing performance of the optical clock signals .
The resulting microwave tracked the optical clock with a precision of under a quadrillionth of a second .
A quadrillion is a thousand trillion .
This yields a 100-fold improvement over the cesium fountain clock , the gold standard for microwave atomic clocks .
The very best microwave clock today is the cesium fountain clock , which oscillates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycles per second .
Carefully tracking the clock cycles makes it possible to deliver a clock frequency with high stability .
The best cesium fountain clocks can provide about 13 digits of precision after tracking one second ’ s worth of oscillations .
Averaging over longer times increases the precision , and if you ’ re willing to wait for days or weeks you can improve the precision of the clock frequency to about 16 digits .
With 16 digits of precision , it would take 300 million years for a clock to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atomic clocks , housed in metrology institutes worldwide , are used to define the international standard for the second .
Microwave atomic clocks underlie much of today ’ s technology .
For example , GPS measures the relative delay of timing signals from overhead satellites to determine your position .
Without the nanosecond-level stability of the clocks onboard the GPS satellites , the relative timing delay among satellites would vary randomly , making it impossible to find your position accurately .
High-performance clocks are also extremely important for science .
One example is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where microwave and millimeter wave signals are detected at observatories spread across the globe , and are combined to form images of cosmic objects .
High stability clocks are needed to effectively time stamp the received signals so they can be combined in a meaningful way to form an image .
A recent example of this technique at work was the first-ever images of a black hole .
Over the past decade , a number of optical clocks have surpassed the performance of their microwave counterparts .
Optical clocks operate at 100s of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per second – and can now provide 16 digits of precision in one second or better .
In just a few hours , they can offer a whopping 18 digits of precision or more .
This has opened up exciting new avenues in scientific research with atomic clocks , including the search for dark matter , testing whether fundamental constants of nature are truly constant and chronometric leveling where gravity ’ s effect on an atomic clock rate can be used to measure Earth ’ s gravitational potential .
With the extraordinary performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the second now seems inevitable .
New applications become available by bringing optical-clock-level stability to microwaves .
GPS could be more accurate , positioning you to within a few centimeters rather than a few meters .
Better GPS would improve the performance of aircraft auto pilots and self-driving cars .
With more precise timekeeping , electronic communications like cellphone signals can transmit more information .
Radar is dependent on the frequency stability of the transmitted microwaves .
With higher precision microwaves , radar sensitivity could see sizeable improvements , particularly for detecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outfitting it with improved timestamping could greatly increase resolution and observation time , making it possible to image more objects in the universe .
Bringing optical atomic clock precision to microwave signals was achieved with a tool known as an optical frequency comb .
The frequency comb , named for its array of discrete , evenly spaced laser frequency tones , emits a train of sub-picosecond light pulses .
A picosecond is a trillionth of a second .
When the frequency comb is connected to an optical clock , the rate at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-defined fraction of the optical clock frequency .
Shining these pulses onto a high-speed optical-to-electrical converter makes it possible to generate a microwave signal that oscillates at a well-defined fraction of the optical clock frequency , and whose stability and accuracy matches that of the optical clock .
Armed with this level of performance , a new generation of microwave timekeeping opens the door for many scientific and technological advances .
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Andrew Ludlow receives funding from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franklyn Quinlan receives funding from The National Institute of Standards and Technology and DARPA .


freedomdaily--2020-05-22--SpaceX reaches for milestone in spaceflight – a private company launches astronauts into orbit

On May 27 , two American astronauts , Robert L. Behnken and Douglas G. Hurley , are planning to launch from the Kennedy Space Center on a mission to the International Space Station .
If successful , this will mark the first time in nine years that American astronauts will launch into space from American soil .
What ’ s even more remarkable is they will not be launched by NASA but by a private company , SpaceX .
Human spaceflight is incredibly difficult and expensive ; the rockets must be reliable and the vehicle must be built with expensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of redundancy .
To date , only three countries – Russia , the United States and China – have achieved this feat .
As a space policy expert , I find it hard to overstate the significance for both SpaceX and spaceflight in general .
For SpaceX , it ’ s another step on their road to Mars , but more generally , it demonstrates that spaceflight need not be reserved for only the most powerful of states .
In many ways , SpaceX ’ s achievement is due not only to technological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster .
The breakup of the space shuttle Columbia in 2003 led the Bush administration to decide to end the shuttle program by 2010 .
They directed NASA to develop a replacement , Project Constellation , but due to budget cuts and other problems , NASA failed to make significant progress .
As a result , in 2010 , the Obama administration directed NASA to refocus its efforts on deep space missions and rely on private companies to provide access to the ISS and low Earth orbit .
Enter SpaceX .
Dreaming of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow pace at which it was coming , Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 .
To get to Mars , he decided that spaceflight would first need to be made cheaper .
His philosophy was to devise a rocket system that could be used again and again with minimal refurbishment between flights .
Over the next decade , SpaceX designed , built and tested its Falcon series of rockets .
It signed contracts with NASA to provide cargo services to the ISS and with other companies and the U.S. military to provide general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SpaceX has demonstrated that its rockets can be reused , with the core stages flying their way back to Earth to land themselves .
The 2010 shift in American space policy gave SpaceX an opportunity to build on its early successes .
By 2014 , both SpaceX and Boeing were given contracts from NASA to provide commercial crew launch services .
And it appears , so far , that SpaceX has made good on its promise of reducing the cost of human spaceflight .
Compared to an average space shuttle mission that cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying only $ 55 million per seat for SpaceX ’ s upcoming ISS flights .
This massive reduction in cost made possible through reusable rockets is contributing to several developments in spaceflight .
First , it provides NASA a means of access to the ISS without relying on the Russian Soyuz .
Since 2011 , the U.S. has been paying Russia upwards of $ 86 million per seat for flights to the space station .
Second , with SpaceX and Boeing providing access to the ISS , NASA can concentrate on Project Artemis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Moon by 2024 .
They are also leveraging new commercial capabilities from SpaceX , Blue Origin and others to further reduce costs to get there .
If SpaceX is successful , it could also mean the opening of space to tourism .
Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are planning to offer brief suborbital launches that don ’ t enter Earth orbit .
SpaceX , on the other hand , is already signing up passengers for several-day trips to space at $ 35 million a seat .
Even Tom Cruise is looking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aboard the ISS .
While space companies have long predicted opportunities for space tourism , SpaceX ’ s Dragon brings that possibility closer to reality .
More broadly , adding tourists to the mix in low Earth orbit may even help make space safer .
Debris in orbit is a growing problem , along with increasing tensions between the U.S. , China and Russia in space .
Both of those things make operating in space more difficult , dangerous and costlier .
For the space economy to really take off , countries will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure safety and reliability in several areas , including vehicle safety and debris mitigation .
And , as I suggest in my new book , having more humans in space might force countries to think twice before taking potentially dangerous actions in space .
While orbital space tourism might still be far off for the average American , SpaceX ’ s crew launch brings us closer to the day when an extraordinary event is a normal occurrence .
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@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies .
Her views are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense or any of its components .


freedomdaily--2020-05-22--Fast-acting countries cut their coronavirus death rates while US delays cost thousands of lives

If cities across the U.S. had moved just one week faster to shut down restaurants and businesses and order residents to stay home , they could have avoided over 35,000 coronavirus deaths by early May , new research suggests .
If they had moved two weeks earlier , more than 50,000 people who died from the pandemic might still be alive .
Those U.S. estimates , from a modeling study released May 20 by researchers at Columbia University , came to similar conclusions that I and my colleagues from the University of Southern California found in assessing policies and death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
Our latest research looked at 60 countries worldwide over the first 100 days of the pandemic and found several recurring themes .
Overall , countries that acted quickly and implemented stringent measures that kept most residents at home as the pandemic started to spread were able to reduce their daily COVID-19 death rate faster than countries with looser restrictions .
Countries that had aggressive policy interventions in place before their first coronavirus death , such as Denmark and South Korea , tended to have fewer deaths .
We also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefited more from fast , strict policy implementation than others .
For example : • Countries with older populations that quickly implemented stringent measures saw their death rates fall about 9 % after two weeks , compared to death rates falling 3.5 % in the youngest countries with similar rules .
• Similarly , countries in cooler climates , which offer more ideal circumstances for the virus to spread , benefited more from stringent measures than warmer countries near the equator .
• Countries with greater population density , more personal freedom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that leave them vulnerable to exposure also benefited more from quick action , but the difference wasn ’ t as stark as for those with older populations .
In general , countries with stricter rules saw their death numbers peak after about 40 days , compared to 50 days for countries that also acted quickly but had looser restrictions .
These findings , published May 18 as a National Bureau of Economy Research working paper , might help explain the lower mortality rates in South Korea and Germany .
Both countries invoked stringent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their medical capabilities .
On the other hand , Italy ’ s high mortality reflects the absence of stringent policies in place prior to COVID-19 ’ s explosive mortality wave there , along with the large share of seniors living in congested regions and extended family households .
Germany ’ s percentage of residents over age 65 is only slightly lower than Italy ’ s , yet it had far fewer deaths per capita .
The numbers stand out .
In April , South Korea ’ s daily mortality rate peaked at 0.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Denmark had rates of roughly 2.8 deaths per million people .
Sweden did not fare as well , with 10.6 deaths per million , nor did Italy at 13.6 per million or Spain at 18.6 per million .
The much lower death rate in Denmark also reflects the stricter policies enacted there , as opposed to more relaxed policies in Sweden .
The key to ensuring social and economic stability during the COVID-19 pandemic is to remobilize workers , without risking a flood of new cases and strain on the medical system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance the lives of their citizens against their livelihoods .
A country ’ s relative performance in the first phase of the pandemic does not guarantee its future performance , however , particularly in the case of a second wave of new cases .
Countries still need more and better-quality data to sharpen their understating of the pandemic ’ s dynamics and the role public policies play .
The Columbia modeling study provides insight into how faster action could have saved lives in the U.S. ; however , like our and many other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released before the usual peer review process .
Understanding the factors that might explain COVID-19 mortality rates is essential for allowing a gradual resumption of economic activities with greater safety .
The sooner we can explain the patterns of the pandemic , the earlier the opening of schools , universities and key services .
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Joshua Aizenman does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-22--Should you fly yet? An epidemiologist and an exposure scientist walk you through the decision proces

Should you fly yet? An epidemiologist and an exposure scientist walk you through the decision process

We don ’ t know about you , but we ’ re ready to travel .
And that typically means flying .
We have been thinking through this issue as moms and as an exposure scientist and infectious disease epidemiologist .
While we ’ ve decided personally that we ’ re not going to fly right now , we will walk you through our thought process on what to consider and how to minimize your risks .
Why the fear of flying ?
The primary concern with flying – or traveling by bus or train – is sitting within six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Even asymptomatic people can transmit .
Your risk of infection directly corresponds to your dose of exposure , which is determined by your duration of time exposed and the amount of virus-contaminated droplets in the air .
A secondary concern is contact with contaminated surfaces .
When an infected person contaminates a shared armrest , airport restroom handle , seat tray or other item , the virus can survive for hours though it degrades over time .
If you touch that surface and then touch your mouth or nose , you put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you book , think While there is no way to make air travel 100 % safe , there are ways to make it safer .
It ’ s important to think through the particulars for each trip .
One approach to your decision-making is to use what occupational health experts call the hierarchy of controls .
This approach does two things .
It focuses on strategies to control exposures close to the source .
Second , it minimizes how much you have to rely on individual human behavior to control exposure .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be infectious and everyone around you may also be infectious .
The best way to control exposure is to eliminate the hazard .
Since we can not eliminate the new coronavirus , ask yourself if you can eliminate the trip .
Think extra hard if you are older or have preexisting conditions , or if you are going to visit someone in that position .
If you are healthy and those you visit are healthy , think about ways to substitute the hazard .
Is it possible to drive ?
This would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your exposures , particularly if the distance is less than a day of travel .
You ’ re going , now what ?
If you choose to fly , check out airlines ’ policies on seating and boarding .
Some are minimizing capacity and spacing passengers by not using middle seats and having empty rows .
Others are boarding from the back of the plane .
Some that were criticized for filling their planes to capacity have announced plans to allow customers to cancel their flights if the flight goes over 70 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance are changing constantly , so make sure you look up the most recent guidance from government agencies and the airlines and airport you are using for additional advice , and current policies or restrictions .
While this may sound counterintuitive , consider booking multiple , shorter flights .
This will decrease the likelihood of having to use the lavatory and the duration of exposure to an infectious person on the plane .
After you book , select a window seat if possible .
If you consider the six-foot radius circle around you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would directly reduce the number of people you are exposed to during the flight in half , not to mention all the people going up and down the aisle .
Also , check out your airline to see their engineering controls that are designed or put into practice to isolate hazards .
These include ventilation systems , on-board barriers and electrostatic disinfectant sprays on flights .
When the ventilation system on planes is operating , planes have a very high ratio of outside fresh air to recirculated air – about 10 times higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most planes ’ ventilation systems have HEPA filters .
These are at least 99.9 % effective at removing particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter and more efficient at removing both smaller and larger particles .
How to be safe from shuttle to seat From checking in , to going through security to boarding , you will be touching many surfaces .
To minimize risk : • Bring hand wipes to disinfect surfaces such as your seat belt and your personal belongings , like your passport .
If you can not find hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bleach solution in a zip bag .
This would probably freak TSA out less than your personal spray bottle , and viruses are not likely to grow on a cloth with a bleach solution .
But remember : More bleach is not better and can be unsafe .
You only need one tablespoon in four cups of water to be effective .
• Bring plastic zip bags for personal items that others may handle , such as your ID .
Bring extra bags so you can put these things in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disinfect them .
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer as often as you can .
While soap and water is most effective , hand sanitizer is helpful after you wash to get any parts you may have missed .
• Once you get to your window seat , stay put .
• Wear a mask .
If you already have an N95 respirator , consider using it but others can also provide protection .
We do not recommend purchasing N95 until health care workers have an adequate supply .
Technically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure you have a good fit .
We do not recommend the use of gloves , as that can lead to a false sense of security and has been associated with reduced hand hygiene practices .
If you are thinking about flying with kids , there are special considerations .
Getting a young child to adhere to wearing a mask and maintaining good hygiene behaviors at home is hard enough ; it may be impossible to do so when flying .
Children under 2 should not wear a mask .
Each day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions about our own personal comfort with risk .
Arming yourself with specific knowledge about your airport and airline , and maximizing your use of protective measures that you have control over , can reduce your risk .
A good analogy might be that every time you get in the car to drive somewhere there is risk of an accident , but there is a big difference between driving the speed limit with your seat belt on and driving blindfolded , 60 miles an hour through the middle of town .
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Kacey Ernst receives funding from CDC , NIH , NSF , NASA , Gates Foundation , Arizona Department of Health Services , and Skoll Global Threats .
She is affiliated with the American Meteorological Society and the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene .
Paloma Beamer is President of the International Society of Exposure Science , a not-for-profit organization and receives funding from NIH , EPA , Agricola Alta Pozo Manuel and the Pima County Health Department .


freedomdaily--2020-05-22--Humanizing the coronavirus as an invisible enemy is human nature

President Donald Trump has called the coronavirus an “ invisible enemy ” that ’ s “ brilliant ” and “ tough and smart , ” adding that we are “ tougher and smarter.
” CNN host Chris Cuomo , recovering from the virus , attributed malicious intent to it , saying it “ wants us to lay down.
” He warned his audience not to cooperate .
Other people called the coronavirus “ sneaky , ” “ tricky , ” “ merciless , ” “ cruel ” and “ vicious.
” One reporter wrote that in a nursing home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were most frail .
Speaking of the coronavirus as if it were a person , then , is common .
But why do we all do it , despite knowing that the virus is just a tiny bundle of inanimate genetic material ?
As cognitive scientists who study the human mind we suggest that this tendency to see human features everywhere is an innate human characteristic , one that automatically alerts you to signs of other people – and helps you make sense of a confusing world .
It ’ s human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human characteristics to nonhuman things and events is called anthropomorphism or personification .
Philosophers and psychologists suggest that it is a human universal , found among all of us , regardless of culture or upbringing .
For instance , philosopher David Hume wrote in the 18th century that “ We find human faces in the moon , armies in the clouds ; and… ascribe malice or good-will to every thing , that hurts or pleases us.
” Most recently , people find “ enemies ” in viruses .
They do so , Hume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unpredictable , and often threatens you with unexpected calamities such as earthquakes , floods and plagues .
In order to predict and control these dangers , he said , people want to understand their causes , but often can not .
Baffled , they resort to the most familiar explanations , those based on their own experiences and those of other people .
This habit often results in the mistake of thinking you see persons , or features of persons , where they don ’ t exist , as with the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having any model–to apply to such a mysterious , invisible and dangerous entity as the coronavirus provides some measure of apparent control , and thus comfort .
And although people may not consciously believe that the coronavirus is like a person , their language and behavior suggest that they do so unconsciously .
The assumption that persons and features of persons may be present is spontaneous and irrepressible .
For example , 16th-century Italian artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo painted a series of faces composed of various objects .
In one work , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help seeing a face in a tree stump , perhaps reflecting a face that the artist had imagined in a real stump .
It is virtually impossible not to see the face emerging from Arcimboldo ’ s assemblage of objects .
Interpreting many phenomena as human in origin is the safest bet , while dismissing them as irrelevant may be dangerous if you ’ re wrong .
When you find possible traces of humans – faces in stumps , voices in the wind or footsteps in a house ’ s creaks – it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Is it an enemy who might harm me ?
A friend who will comfort me ?
Thus , a high sensitivity to human-like features and a low threshold for deciding they are present have evolutionary advantages .
Their disadvantage is that you ’ re often mistaken , when no human feature is really there .
But most such mistakes are less consequential than missing someone you need to see , whether friend or foe .
Humans , then , are a special stimulus for us , and cognitive neuroscience provides further evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are born ready to recognize a face – or anything resembling one – and by a few months of age , infants prefer a block that “ helps ” another block up a slope to one that “ hinders ” it .
So babies are born ready to see shapes as human anatomy , and quickly see even inanimate objects as having social relationships .
People never outgrow this tendency , and throughout life see aspects of ourselves in cliff “ faces , ” river “ mouths ” and mountain “ majesties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scanning for human features in the environment – and ending up anthropomorphizing – appears built into human beings .
It is supported by what neuroscientists call the social brain , an evolved “ person network.
” This brain network is activated by any stimulus that even suggests a person , such as a stick figure or emoji .
For instance , part of this network , the fusiform face area , responds both to a human face and to anthropomorphized car headlights , grill and bumper .
No wonder it ’ s so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human-like .
Anthropomorphic narratives provide models of the virus and its behavior that feel familiar and accessible .
They ’ re a way to grasp these unseen beings , and this grasp , illusory or not , provides a bit of the confidence and sense of control so crucial to mental well-being .
[ You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic , and we can help .
Read The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
Stewart Guthrie received related funding from the National Science Foundation , the American Council of Learned Societies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-23--‘Those Are Coming’: Grenell Says He Is Working To Declassify More Flynn Documents

Richard Grenell , the acting director of national intelligence , said Friday he is working on declassifying transcripts of phone calls between former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
Grenell revealed his plans in an exchange on Twitter with Rep. Eric Swalwell regarding a request Friday from House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff for transcripts of the Flynn-Kislyak calls .
Schiff , a Democrat , requested the call transcripts as well as records related to 39 so-called “ unmasking ” requests that Obama administration officials made for intelligence reports that mentioned Flynn .
Grenell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it was released on May 13 .
“ Those are coming , ” Grenell wrote to Swalwell .
“ It ’ s very important for the public to see ALL of them.
” He then took a swipe at the California Democrat , writing that “ for too long the public has been misled.
” “ Just compare your committee ’ s transcripts to your public statements !
” Grenell was referring to revelations in transcripts of Obama administration officials ’ testimony to the House Intelligence Committee in 2017 and 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 7 , showed that the officials said they had not seen evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
During that same time period , Schiff , Swalwell and other Democrats publicly claimed that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia .
Grenell said in another tweet that he is working to declassify the documents that are under the control of the intelligence community , or IC .
“ The IC doesn ’ t have all the transcripts/summaries….it wasn ’ t our product .
It ’ s odd that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he wrote on Twitter .
“ But I already started the declassification for the few we received .
They should be released in full , though .
The public deserves to see it.
” The transcript sought by Schiff is from Flynn ’ s calls with Kislyak on Dec. 29 , 2016 .
The existence of the call was first revealed through a classified leak to Washington Post columnist David Ignatius for a column published on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
The story set off a chain of events that let the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House on Jan. 24 , 2017 .
Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI during that interview regarding the substance of his conversation with Kislyak .
He retracted his admission of guilt on Jan. 29 , and the Justice Department filed a motion to drop the case on May 8 .
Lawmakers have long speculated that the Flynn leak was the result of a so-called unmasking request made by Obama administration officials .
But a list of 39 Obama administration officials who submitted requests for intelligence reports regarding Flynn did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Kislyak .
It was revealed this week that Flynn ’ s name was never masked in an intelligence report about his calls with Kislyak .
That ’ s because the FBI was conducting surveillance on Kislyak , and had a transcript of his call with Flynn .
Two former U.S. intelligence officials told The Washington Post on Wednesday that Flynn ’ s name was never masked in a transcript of the call .
Grenell did not say when the declassification process will be complete .
‘ Those Are Coming ’ : Grenell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn Documents is original content from Conservative Daily News – Where Americans go for news , current events and commentary they can trust – Conservative News Website for U.S. News , Political Cartoons and more .


freedomdaily--2020-05-23--Colorado Governor Doubles Down On Sanctuary Policy

Democratic Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis has restricted what personal information his state agencies will provide to federal immigration authorities , the latest measure he ’ s taken to protect Colorado ’ s illegal alien population .
Polis quietly issued new policy guidance on Wednesday , directing state agencies not to provide Coloradans ’ personal data to federal entities that intend to use the information for the sole purpose of immigration enforcement , according to the Colorado Sun .
The new directive ultimately prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) officers from obtaining such data unless they are investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Per the four-page executive guidance , information such as social security or tax identification numbers , birthdays , driver ’ s licenses , names and addresses can not be released to federal authorities if “ solely related to federal immigration enforcement.
” While the new policy was handed down on Wednesday , local media was not made aware until Friday .
The reason being , according to Polis ’ s office , is because the directive was not an executive order , but simply an internal order , and thus was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cahill , a spokesman for the governor , told the Colorado Sun that the policy was “ internal guidance provided to our agencies … and not an executive order.
” A spokesperson for ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The new guidance marks the latest move by Polis , a progressive Democrat , to restrict ICE ’ s ability to enforce federal immigration law in the state of Colorado .
In May 2019 , the governor signed a bill into law that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected illegal alien solely based on an ICE request .
The law also bars law enforcement from providing a suspected illegal alien ’ s personal information to the agency , and requires state police to read illegal aliens their Miranda rights when conducting an ICE interview .
At the time , ICE told the DCNF that the new law was “ disappointing ” and said it violated Colorado ’ s “ primary mission of protecting the public.
” “ By signing Colorado ’ s House Bill 1124 , the state has codified a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s lawful immigration system , protects serious criminal alien offenders , and undermines public safety , ” ICE spokeswoman Alethea Smock said in May 2019 .
Local jurisdictions in Colorado have released illegal aliens charged with crimes back into the public , citing the state ’ s law against cooperation with ICE .
The Boulder County government , for example , released an illegal alien after he was arrested in January for multiple counts of sexual assault .
Boulder ignored a plea from ICE to transfer him into their custody , pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for doing so .
It ’ s not immediately clear what the federal response will be to the new guidance by Polis .
However , after New York passed a similar law that restricted information sharing to federal authorities , the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) stripped the state ’ s citizens of its trusted traveler privileges .
Colorado Governor Doubles Down On Sanctuary Policy is original content from Conservative Daily News – Where Americans go for news , current events and commentary they can trust – Conservative News Website for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


freedomdaily--2020-05-23--Illegal Alien Arrested In Deadly-Hit-And Run As County Looks to Become Sanctuary

An illegal alien was arrested in a Northern Virginia suburb for his alleged involvement in a deadly hit-and-run accident and handed over to immigration officials , but local leaders are looking to scrap a program that allows law enforcement to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) .
Officials in Prince William County , Virginia , have debated ending a years-long partnership program with federal immigration authorities , the 287 ( g ) program .
The introduction of new jail board appointees is expected to lead to the end of this partnership , according to However , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with local leaders , an illegal alien was arrested after he allegedly struck a man with his vehicle , killing him , and speeding off , according to ICE .
Federal authorities and proponents of the program are pointing to the arrest of this man as a prime example of why the partnership needs to stay in place .
A 62-year-old northern Virginia man , attempting to cross a road in the early morning hours of May 6 , was struck by two vehicles , with the injuries he sustained ultimately causing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inside NOVA .
The second vehicle that struck him as he laid on the road sped away .
The Prince William County Police Department identified and arrested 35-year-old Walner Alberto Pichinte Echeverria May 18 , Inside NOVA reported .
Pichinte Echeverria , a Salvadoran national , was living unlawfully in the U.S. and was placed in ICE on May 21 , spokeswoman for the agency told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ Walner Alberto Pichinte Echeverria , 35 , an unlawfully present Salvadoran national , was turned over to U.S. Immigration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prince William County Police Department in Manassas , Virginia , after his arrest May 18 for felony hit and run , ” ICE spokeswoman Kaitlyn Pote said in a statement provided to the DCNF .
“ On May 19 , a designated immigration officer with the 287 ( g ) Program at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center in Manassas , Virginia , trained to identify and process removable aliens with criminal charges , served Pichinte a warrant of arrest and an immigration detainer , ” Pote continued .
“ He remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his removal proceedings.
” The 287 ( g ) program allows Prince William County to verify the immigration status of suspects who are arrested and charged with a crime .
If the individual is discovered to be living in the U.S. unlawfully , they are subsequently handed over to ICE .
The Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center has been a partner in the program since 2007 , according to ICE .
The cooperation agreement also allows the agency to pay for most of the tab for immigration enforcement .
Critics of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t expend their own resources to assist federal authorities .
“ The goal of 287 ( g ) is to enhance public safety by identifying aliens , lodging immigration detainers , and initiating removal proceedings by issuing charging documents on criminal and removable aliens booked into the jail facility , ” ICE said in a statement .
The agency added that in fiscal year 2019 , the program resulted in close to 25,000 law enforcement encounters with aliens in the custody of participating jurisdictions — nearly 1,600 of those took place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdictions across the country have entered into these 287 ( g ) programs .
There are a total of 124 law enforcement agencies across 22 states that have entered into such agreements .
The partnership has become controversial among progressive community leaders , particularly in response to the Trump administration ’ s immigration policies .
Prince William County , much like the rest of northern Virginia , has shifted toward the Democratic Party , and the now-Democrat-controlled county board of supervisors may have set the stage to scrap it .
At the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday , three new appointments were made to the county ’ s jail board by a party-line vote .
The appointees includeDemocratic state Del .
Elizabeth Guzman , who has explicitly voiced her desire to end 287 ( g ) ; Cozy Bailey , the president of the county ’ s NAACP chapter ; and Democrat Tracey Lenox .
Prince William County Sheriff Glendell Hill urged the Board of County Supervisors to not to make appointments based on controversial issues like immigration enforcement , according to Potomac @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointees to the county jail board , Elizabeth Guzman , a Peruvian immigrant to the U.S. , has pledged to end 287 ( g ) .
She has previously claimed that she would be pulled over by police at least once every two weeks because of her ethnicity , and has said the 287 ( g ) program is unnecessary because jails in the state already check immigration status .
Hill denied the claim that jails can verify the immigration status of inmates without an agreement with ICE .
The possible demise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ g ) program has prompted supporters to mobilize .
A rally was held in Woodbridge , Virginia , Tuesday in support of the program and of Hill , a fifth-term sheriff who has overseen the program for years .
“ There ’ s nothing wrong with law enforcement working with law enforcement to keep your community safe , ” said Tom Homan , the former acting director of ICE and now senior fellow at the Immigration and Reform Law Institute ( IRLI ) .
“ Now those on the left that want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and support sanctuary cities , here ’ s your battle cry.
” IRLI , a nonprofit group based in Washington , D.C. , that advocates for lower levels of immigration , also expects the county ’ s 287 ( g ) program to be at risk .
However , some see the arrest of Pichinte Echeverria as an world example of the program ’ s benefits .
“ This case is a textbook example of why communities need the 287 ( g ) program , ” Dale L. Wilcox , executive director and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DCNF in a statement .
“ An illegal alien who commits the kind of crimes alleged here should not only be off our streets , but out of our country .
They are a threat to all residents including other immigrants .
Prince William County residents should demand accountability from leaders who are making their community more dangerous for political convenience , ” Wilcox said .
The Commonwealth ’ s Attorneys Office , which prosecutes all criminal and traffic cases occurring within Prince William County , did not immediately respond to a request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alien Arrested In Deadly-Hit-And Run As County Looks to Become Sanctuary is original content from Conservative Daily News – Where Americans go for news , current events and commentary they can trust – Conservative News Website for U.S. News , Political Cartoons and more .


freedomdaily--2020-05-23--Calexico City Officials Charged with Accepting Bribes to Expedite Marijuana Permits

A Calexico City , California councilman and mayor pro tem , along with a commissioner on the city ’ s Economic Development and Financial Advisory Commission , were charged in federal court today with accepting cash bribes in exchange for promises of official action by the city .
According to a charging document , David Romero 36 , and Bruno Suarez Soto , 28 , both of Calexico , California , accepted $ 35,000 in cash bribes from an undercover FBI agent who they believed represented investors seeking to open a cannabis dispensary in Calexico .
In return , Romero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuance of a city permit for the dispensary , and to revoke or hinder other applicants if necessary to ensure that the bribe payer ’ s application was successful .
Moreover , both men admitted they had taken bribes from others in the past , according to the charging document .
In addition to being a councilman , Romero serves as Calexico ’ s mayor pro tem , meaning he was set to become mayor in July 2020 .
Soto was recently appointed to the city commission responsible for promoting business and community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them invest in the city of Calexico .
The charges allege that during a Dec. 19 , 2019 , meeting at a restaurant in Calexico with the undercover FBI agent , Romero and Soto agreed to fast-track the agent ’ s purported application for a cannabis dispensary permit and guaranteed its rapid issuance in exchange for a $ 35,000 bribe .
The defendants also offered to delay permit applications by competitors , court records said .
The charging document further alleges that toward the conclusion of the Dec. 19 , 2019 meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romero and Soto might later ask for more than the $ 35,000 payment , Romero assured him that they would not .
“ This is done .
Set and sealed , ” Romero allegedly said .
Romero explained that he and Soto would require the money to be paid upfront , however , because they had done similar work for other people , and those people had not paid the agreed-upon fee after the favors had been rendered .
Soto later added , “ This isn ’ t our first rodeo.
” Romero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 35,000 from the agent in two installments , however : half up front , and half “ when it ’ s a for sure thing.
” According to court filings , at this meeting the undercover agent asked whether the payment of $ 35,000 would “ get us in front of the line ” of applicants .
Soto answered , “ Hell yeah.
” Romero added that he “ didn ’ t want to say it in front of everybody , but it will.
” On Jan. 9 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the undercover agent at a restaurant in El Centro , California .
During the meeting , according to court records , Romero reminded the undercover agent how difficult it was to work with the city of Calexico , and how fortunate it was that the agent was working with Romero .
Soto later added that in return for the bribe , Romero would cut through “ so much [ expletive ] [ red ] tape that exists ” with the city .
During a discussion of the approval process for the permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained that the people who have to approve the undercover agent ’ s license were “ my best friends at the entire City Hall.
” When asked if the “ best friends ” had already signed off on the plan , Romero responded “ [ expletive ] , yeah !
” and laughed .
Court filings reveal that at the conclusion of the Jan. 9 , 2020 meeting , in the parking lot outside the restaurant , with Romero looking on , the undercover agent handed Soto $ 17,500 in cash and explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bribe into two envelopes : one with $ 8,800 and another with $ 8,700 .
The agent asked whether “ we ’ re good , ” and Romero responded , “ Trust me ” and added , “ In my line of business , I can ’ t [ expletive ] up .
Which means he [ Soto ] can ’ t [ expletive ] up.
” According to the charging documents , the defendants allegedly accepted the second installment , $ 17,500 in cash , during a third meeting on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant in El Centro .
Court documents further allege both men also admitted to creating a shell corporation to launder the proceeds of their bribery scheme .
The charging document also alleges that both men lied to the FBI when interviewed by agents at the conclusion of the January 30 meeting .
According to court filings , Romero falsely denied being part of any agreement with the undercover agent , and denied that anyone had made any “ guarantees ” to the agent .
Similarly , Soto falsely denied making any “ guarantees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving any prior payments from the agent .


freedomdaily--2020-05-23--New York Sent More Than 4,500 Coronavirus Patients Into Nursing Homes After Cuomo Order: AP

New York nursing homes were forced to accept more than 4,500 coronavirus patients from hospitals thanks to an order from Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a tally by the Associated Press found .
Cuomo has come under heated criticism for his March 25 order forcing recovering COVID-19 patients into New York nursing homes — a decision blamed for the state ’ s high body count among the elderly .
The governor waited roughly six weeks before reversing the order on May 10 .
The New York State Department of Health ( NY refused to release the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients were placed in nursing homes across the state , the AP reported .
The health department is knowingly undercounting the number of nursing home deaths as a result of quiet rule change made late last month , a department spokesman previously acknowledged following a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation .
The state changed the rules for counting nursing home deaths between April 28 and May 3 , after Cuomo faced scrutiny for ordering nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients .
Until at least April 28 , the health department was disclosing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adult care facility residents , regardless of whether the patient died at their long-term care facility or at a hospital .
By May 3 , the state had made a subtle change to its disclosures , web archives show .
The health department now only discloses coronavirus deaths of long-term care patients who died while physically present at their facility .
Put differently : A nursing home resident , who became sick at their nursing home and then died shortly after arriving at a hospital , is omitted from New York ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end result is a sharp reduction in the official number of deaths at many such facilities .
New York is the only state with a major coronavirus outbreak in nursing homes to report those fatalities that way .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-23--Gold Star Wife Remembers Soldier’s Dreams

Each year on Memorial Day , Americans struggle with how best to honor those who have given the last full measure of devotion to the nation .
Perhaps the best way to do that is to honor the dreams those people had , Jennie Taylor , a Gold Star wife , said during an interview from her home in North Ogden , Utah .
Taylor is the widow of Army Maj. Brent Taylor , who was killed in Afghanistan by a member of the Afghan security forces in 2018 .
The National Guard officer was on his fourth year-long tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is raising seven children , ages 2 through 14 , complicated now by quarantine .
“ I ’ m only half-joking when I say I ’ m one small step away from really crazy , ” she said .
From changing diapers to schlepping the older kids around , Taylor ’ s life is full of events , but she still finds time to honor the dreams her husband had .
Brent Taylor was the mayor of North Ogden when he was called up for deployment .
Many people told him that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should decline the orders .
That was not in line with his beliefs , Jennie said .
Each time he left for deployment or extended Guard training “ it was gut-wrenching ” to the family , she added , but “ he wasn ’ t comfortable just staying home and taking it for granted.
” To let those dreams just fall by the wayside felt crushing and … just not an acceptable option , ” After his death , Jennie read the major ’ s journal .
One entry as he was flying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his drive .
“ It ’ s a one-page handwritten entry , ” she said .
“ He says , ‘ I can not stay if my country is at war .
I am honor-bound to serve.
’ And then he says ‘ I would go even if I knew I would die.
’ ” From that came the idea for the Major Brent Taylor Foundation .
“ Some of his professors and fellow students at the University of Utah had started a scholarship fund , ” Jennie said .
“ He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done pretty much everything except his dissertation and final exams .
So I went and met with the university after someone else had begun the funds .
And by the time the conversation ended , I had committed to giving the university $ 100,000 .
Then I drove away from university and thought , ‘ What in the world have I done ?
’ ” While the major had studied at the University of Utah , he and Jennie met when they were both students at Brigham Young University , so she contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , I ’ m on the phone with Brigham Young University committing to a scholarship there .
[ The ] endowment amount they wanted was $ 60,000 , ” she said .
“ By the end of that day , I ’ d committed $ 160,000 , which I didn ’ t have.
” Jennie and many friends chipped in and began fundraising .
The BYU endowment has been met .
They are still $ 25,000 short at the University of Utah .
“ There are a lot of people inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ There ’ s a lot of dreams and goals this man had that most of us were pretty confident he would realize .
He had that kind of work ethic and dedication.
” “ To let those dreams just fall by the wayside felt crushing and kind of like just not an acceptable option , ” she said .
“ The scholarships are a start , they form a base on which to build , ” she said .
“ I know it ’ s not Brent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invent patriotism .
Brent did not invent service-oriented leadership , ” she added .
“ He was mayor of our city when he was killed .
And he stood on the shoulders of giants that I know for a fact inspired him.
” Jennie was appointed as a civilian aide to Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy in January .
She will be looking at the casualty notification process and is also participating in the survivor advisory working group .
She also wants to do her part to bring the U.S. military and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her dream , she said , and each death can shatter the dreams .
“ There are a million dreams — mothers and fathers who had dreams for their son or daughter , wives and husbands who had shared dreams , sons and daughters who had dreams with their fathers or mothers , friends , relatives and more , ” Jennie said .
“ That ’ s really how I felt and still feel today .
I know … there ’ s new dreams ahead , and I ’ m grateful for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , there are a million dreams .
”


freedomdaily--2020-05-23--Media Coverage Of Tara Reade’s Credentials Prompts Review Of Cases Where She Testified As An Expert

Defense attorneys have begun reviewing cases in which 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ s accuser Tara Reade testified as an expert following reports that she misrepresented her credentials , according to several media outlets .
Reade ’ s academic credentials have also come under scrutiny as media outlets investigate her allegations that Biden kissed her , touched her , and penetrated her with his fingers without her consent when she worked for him as a Senate staffer in Washington , D.C. in 1993 .
Biden has repeatedly denied these allegations .
Politico reviewed trial transcripts of two court cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCabe , Reade exaggerated her role in Biden ’ s senate office and cited a bachelor ’ s degree from Antioch University and a law degree from Seattle University School of Law under oath .
Reade changed her name to Alexandra McCabe after going through a divorce in the 1990s .
An Antioch University spokeswoman told Politico in a statement that Reade did not graduate from Antioch University , though she attended Antioch for three academic quarters in 2000 and 2001 .
The Seattle University School of Law confirmed that the Biden accuser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Reade told the New York Times that she obtained her bachelor ’ s at Antioch University through a “ protected program ” intended for victims of domestic abuse .
She did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Court records show that Reade did endure spousal abuse from her ex-husband in the 1990s , Politico reported .
Reade said that this abuse prompted her to change her name , and that this led to confusion about her status at Antioch University .
Reade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degree was obtained under special circumstances through an agreement with former Chancellor Toni Murdock , and that she had to present coursework that was completed before she changed her name .
Murdock denied knowledge of such an agreement to Politico , but the Monterey County Weekly reported Thursday that an unofficial transcript of the Seattle University School of Law lists Antioch University as the institution that granted Reade ’ s undergraduate degree .
A spokesman at the law school responded to an inquiry from Politico about whether applicants can gain admission without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement : “ Our are publicly posted on the Seattle University School of Law website , which apply to all admitted students.
” “ As in the past , they are consistent with American Bar Association standards for law schools , ” Seattle University spokesman David Sandler told Politico .
“ Federal privacy regulations prevent us from sharing additional information about the educational records of former students.
” The uncertainty regarding Reade ’ s academic credentials has cast doubt on the verdicts of many domestic violence cases in which Reade testified as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may challenge convictions of their clients , Politico and the NYT reported .
Executive Director Patrick Murray told Politico Thursday that six cases in which Reade testified are being reviewed by the Sixth District Appellate Program , which oversees appellate cases in four California counties .
“ I have at least six cases where she testified and I have lists pending from various attorney groups where she testified as a violence expert .
I expect that list will expand significantly , ” Murray told Politico .
“ We ’ re trying to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of Ms. Reade , we ’ re in the mode of trying to review the transcripts to see if she misrepresented herself in court.
” “ Last week , I was informed she testified as an expert .
Last week I was also informed she lied about her credentials .
I didn ’ t connect the dots on the significance of those two things until yesterday when I was contacted by an attorney , ” Murray said .
Criminal defense lawyer Roland Soltesz told the New York Times that Reade ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 2018 trial , in which both Ramirez and her co-defendant Jennifer Vaszquez were given life sentences for armed robbery , arson , and attempted murder .
“ People have been convicted based upon this , and that ’ s wrong , ” Soltesz told the NYT .
The criminal defense lawyer said that he “ could care less about the politics of this whole thing.
” Antioch University and the Seattle University School of Law did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the DCNF .


freedomdaily--2020-05-23--Hollywood Film Producer Charged with $1.7 Million COVID-Relief Fraud

A California man has been charged with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than $ 1.7 million dollars in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration ( SBA ) under the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act .
William Sadleir , 66 , of Beverly Hills , California , was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the Central District of California with wire fraud , bank fraud , false statements to a financial institution , and false statements to the SBA .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loans to pay off his personal credit card debts and other personal expenses , rather than using the funds for legitimate business needs , ” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department ’ s Criminal Division .
“ As the department has made clear , those who defraud the PPP to line their own pockets at the expense of the American people will be brought to justice.
” According to court documents unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles , Sadleir allegedly obtained over $ 1.7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by falsely representing that the funds would be used to support payroll expenses for three film production and distribution companies , when , in fact , Sadleir intended to use and did use a significant portion of the funds for personal and non-business-related expenses , including personal credit cards and a car loan .
Sadleir allegedly used three entities he controlled to obtain over $ 1.7 million in PPP loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief .
“ This film producer allegedly made a series of misrepresentations to a bank and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money that he then used to fund his nearly empty personal bank account , ” said U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna of the Central District of California .
“ The Paycheck Protection Program was implemented to help small businesses stay afloat during the financial crisis , and we will act swiftly against those who abuse the program for their own personal gain.
” The applications submitted to the lenders certified that the funds would be used for payroll expenses and other specific business-related expenses , such as utilities or rent payments .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As soon as Sadleir obtained the funds , he allegedly transferred over half the money to a personal bank account and began using and attempting to use the funds to pay off personal credit card debts totaling more than $ 80,000 and a car loan totaling approximately $ 40,000 , among other personal expenses .
“ These funds were designed to be a lifeline to businesses struggling to stay afloat during the current crisis , ” said Assistant Director in Charge Paul Delacourt of the FBI ’ s Los Angeles Field Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintaining the integrity of the PPP and will hold accountable those who cheat the system at the expense of American taxpayers.
” The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29 , 2020 , designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $ 349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses , through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorized over $ 300 billion in additional PPP funding .
“ SBA OIG applauds due diligence by SBA ’ s lending partners to maintain the integrity of the lending programs , ” said Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the SBA Office of Inspector General ( SBA OIG ) Western Region .
“ Providing false statements to gain access to SBA ’ s programs will be aggressively investigated by our office in partnership with our law enforcement counterparts .
I want to thank the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office and our law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of justice.
” The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent .
PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs , interest on mortgages , rent , and utilities .
The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll .
“ Today ’ s charges hold the defendant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money out of a federal program intended to help those in need during a pandemic crisis , ” said Special Agent in Charge Wade V. Walters of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General ( FDIC OIG ) .
“ When an individual cheats the Paycheck Protection Program out of money , it deprives hard-working Americans and deserving small businesses .
The FDIC OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate financial crimes in order to preserve the integrity of the nation ’ s banking sector .
@


freedomdaily--2020-05-24--Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Caught Without A Mask At Virginia Beach

Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam was reportedly caught without a face mask at Virginia Beach on Saturday as the Democrat weighs a statewide order requiring citizens to wear masks .
Northam was seen on the beach reviewing security at the beach without a face covering , local NBC reporter Henry Graff reported in a tweet Saturday .
The governor ’ s office later explained in a statement to Graff why Northam was at the beach without protective gear .
“ The Governor has repeatedly encouraged wearing face coverings inside or when social distancing is impossible , ” the office said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was outside today and not expecting to be within six feet of anyone.
” Graff reported in a follow-up tweet that a source inside the governor ’ s office told him that Northam ’ s mask policy is expected to apply only to inside businesses .
“ He wanted to check beach enforcement and make sure they were following the rules , which they were largely , ” the office also said , according to Graff .
A Twitter account going by the name Kyle posted two photos of what appears to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maskless people on the beech .
Northam told reporters at his daily briefing Friday that a new mask ordinance is coming Tuesday .
“ Face coverings are an important part of the next steps .
We ’ ll have more on that next week , ” he said , adding that he is asking Virginians to obtain face masks for themselves and children over the weekend .
The Democratic governor said on May 21 that he does not have a “ particular timeline ” for reopening Northern Virginia after instituting stay at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 12 after state leaders expressed concerns that their communities should not yet reopen .
Northam said he is “ following the data ” as he prohibits Northern Virginia from reopening , according to the Washington Times .
More than 1,000 people have reportedly died in the state since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States .
Northam ’ s office has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-25--Medal of Honor Monday: Army Staff Sgt. Ron Shurer II

The events of Sept. 11 , 2001 , inspired a generation of service members to fight for their country .
Army Staff Sgt .
Ronald Shurer II was one of them .
After becoming a Green Beret , he went on to save more than a dozen men during a fierce firefight in Afghanistan .
Those efforts eventually earned him the Medal of Honor .
Shurer was born Dec. 7 , 1978 , in Fairbanks , Alaska .
As the son of two Air Force airmen , his family moved around a few times before settling near Joint Base Lewis-McChord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graduated from high school in 1997 .
Shurer went on to get his bachelor ’ s degree in business economics at Washington State University .
He stayed on to begin work toward a master ’ s degree , but then the Sept. 11th attacks happened .
Inspired by the generations of his family who served , Shurer joined the Army on Nov. 21 , 2002 .
Two years after enlisting , Shurer began Special Forces training to become a Green Beret .
During that time , he met his wife , Miranda .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the qualification course in June 2006 , and he was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group .
Shurer deployed to Afghanistan from August 2006 to March 2007 , then again from October 2007 to May 2008 .
It was during that second deployment that he earned his Medal of Honor .
On April 6 , 2008 , Shurer ’ s detachment was part of an assault team on a mission in the Shok Valley of northeastern Afghanistan .
Their goal : to capture or kill high-value targets operating out of an isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included 15 Special Forces soldiers and about 100 Afghan commandos .
A helicopter dropped the team into the valley , and they broke into smaller groups .
As the forward element began to climb up a steep mountain , more than 200 well-trained insurgents in the target village began firing machine guns , sniper rifles and rocket-propelled grenades .
Many of the soldiers in the forward element were seriously injured and pinned down on the steep cliffs .
Meanwhile , Shurer — the mission ’ s only medic — was still at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only begun his assent when the gunfire exploded .
Nearly simultaneously , friendly close-air support started returning fire on the enemy .
Shurer heard calls for help , so he braved the intense fire to move further up the mountain .
He first stopped to treat an injured Afghan commando , then a soldier wounded by shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade blast .
Shurer then continued up the mountain despite the intense gunfire .
He joined another small team and spent the next hour picking off insurgents so they could push several hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was shielded from direct enemy fire by a small hillside crest .
Once there , Shurer treated and stabilized two U.S. soldiers .
Just as more of Shurer ’ s teammates arrived to help , two other soldiers were hit .
Shurer went to their aid , stabilizing one man ’ s nearly severed leg .
The second man had been hit in the arm by a bullet that had also ricocheted off Shurer ’ s helmet .
“ It felt like I ’ d been hit in the head with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a later interview .
“ I just asked a couple of guys if I was OK , and they said , ‘ Yes !
’ ” For the next few hours , Shurer treated the wounded Americans and 10 Afghan commandos .
He even shielded them from falling debris caused by bombs that were being dropped above by close-air support .
“ I was just trying to cover the guys , because at that point they were definitely very exposed , very vulnerable to the environment , ” Shurer said .
“ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from getting further injured on top of everything they had already gone through.
” Eventually , two other soldiers found an escape route .
They would be able to take the injured men down the mountain under more cover from enemy fire — but it was a near-vertical 60-foot cliff .
Still , it was their best option , so Shurer and the two other soldiers began lowering three of the most critically injured men down the steep mountainside .
Shurer used his own body to shield them from enemy fire and falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ webbing to kind of wrap it around the guy ’ s shoulders and lower them down to the next group , ” Shurer explained .
“ We did it as carefully as we could to not cause further injury .
Then , we just kind of repeated that process down the hill.
” At the bottom of the mountain , Shurer set up a casualty collection point and kept treating the wounded until a medical evacuation helicopter arrived .
Once the most seriously injured men were loaded into it , he went back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until another helicopter came to evacuate the rest of them .
Two Afghan commandos lost their lives , but not one American died that day , thanks to Shurer ’ s brave and calculated actions .
“ What kept me grounded and focused was the team .
Everybody keeps each other honest , keeps each other humble , ” Shurer later said .
“ You see their strengths .
You see their weaknesses .
You see their good or bad days , and everybody ’ s just working for that common goal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Shurer initially received the Silver Star for his actions .
He separated from the Army in 2009 and was hired by the Secret Service to work in Arizona before moving his wife and their two sons to Washington , D.C. , to serve in the nation ’ s capital .
More than a decade after that fateful day in Afghanistan , Shurer learned that his Silver Star was being upgraded to the Medal of Honor .
On Oct. 1 , 2018 , he received the medal from President Donald J. Trump during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by family , friends and many of the teammates who were with him that day on the mountain .
Shurer always insisted he wasn ’ t a hero and that he was just doing his job .
“ This award is not mine , ” he said upon receiving the medal .
“ This award wouldn ’ t exist without the team .
If they weren ’ t doing their job , I wouldn ’ t have been able to do my job.
” By the time he received the medal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer for about a year and a half .
On May 14 , 2020 , more than three years after his initial diagnosis , Shurer succumbed to the disease .
He was 41 years old .
An American hero , gone too soon , Shurer will live on through his family , his friends and all of the people whose lives he saved on that mountain .
This article is part of a weekly series called “ Medal of Honor Monday , ” in which we highlight one of the more than 3,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. military ’ s highest medal for valor .


freedomdaily--2020-05-26--Trump Teases New Revelations From Declassification: Chance ‘To Break The Deep State’

President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed recent disclosures of information regarding government surveillance of the Trump campaign , saying that it has afforded him a chance to “ break ” the so-called “ deep state.
” In an interview with journalist Sharyl Attkisson , Trump suggested that additional information is going to come out about the surveillance efforts .
“ Other things are going to come out , too .
And a lot of other things are going to come out , but you don ’ t even need other things , ” he said .
“ I would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump added .
Trump went on to accuse the “ deep state ” of trying to derail his presidency through the investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
“ If it keeps going the way it ’ s going , I have a chance to break the deep state , ” Trump said .
“ It ’ s a vicious group of people .
It ’ s very bad for our country .
And that ’ s never happened before.
” Trump called former FBI Director James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe a “ bad guy.
” Trump praised Richard Grenell , the acting director of national intelligence , for declassifying and releasing a slew of documents related to investigations of the Trump campaign .
“ Richard Grenell is a superstar .
He had guts , he had courage to do what he did , ” Trump said .
He also said he has high hopes for Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe , who takes over for Grenell on Tuesday .
“ We have another superstar going in as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , Grenell declassified a list of Obama administration officials who requested intelligence reports regarding Michael Flynn .
In April , Grenell declassified footnotes from a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report which showed that the FBI had evidence in 2017 that Russian intelligence operatives fed disinformation to Christopher Steele , the author of the anti-Trump dossier .
Grenell said Saturday the he is working on declassifying other documents related to the FBI ’ s investigation of Flynn .
“ When you look at what Richard Grenell has done in eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do anything for two and a half years .
They should have been exposing this.
” Trump criticized Dan Coats , who served as director of national intelligence through August 2019 .
“ Coats , he sat there , ” Trump said .
“ He didn ’ t do anything .
”


freedomdaily--2020-05-26--Grenell Declassifies Document Said To Be ‘Very Significant’ To Origins Of Russia Probe

As one of his last acts in office , Richard Grenell , the outgoing director of national intelligence , declassified a batch of Trump-Russia documents , including one that a senior U.S. intelligence official says is “ very significant ” to the origins of the Russia probe .
According to Fox News , Grenell also declassified transcripts of phone calls between Michael Flynn and Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
Grenell left office on Tuesday after swearing in his replacement , former Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe .
A senior U.S. intelligence official told Fox News that Ratcliffe will ultimately decide when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The official told Fox News that the document related to the origins of the Russia probe is “ very significant in understanding how intelligence was manipulated to support launching the Russia investigation.
” Grenell released a slew of documents related to the Russia investigation during his short tenure as the temporary chief of national intelligence .
President Donald Trump called Grenell a “ superstar ” on Sunday for declassifying the records .
Grenell declassified footnotes from the Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the FBI probe which showed that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Steele dossier .
He also finalized a review of 53 transcripts from the House Intelligence Committee ’ s investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia .
The transcripts showed that Obama administration officials saw no evidence of collusion while they still worked in government .
On May 8 , Grenell declassified a list of Obama administration officials who requested the unmasking of Flynn in intelligence reports .
He also declassified an email that former national security adviser Susan Rice sent herself on her last day in office regarding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oval Office where Flynn was discussed .
Grenell said on Friday that he was conducting a declassification review of transcripts of Flynn ’ s calls with Kislyak , which occurred on Dec. 29 , 2016 .
Flynn pleaded guilty in the special counsel ’ s probe on Dec. 1 , 2017 to making false statements to the FBI regarding his contacts with Kislyak .
The Justice Department filed a motion to drop those charges on May 7 , citing FBI documents discovered during an internal review of the case against Flynn .
Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn filed a motion on Jan. 29 retracting his claim to have lied to the FBI .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-26--The Fight To Reshore US Pharmaceuticals

The Fight To Reshore US Pharmaceuticals

The coronavirus pandemic has revealed a troubling truth : Global supply chains operated by stateless multinational corporations simply aren ’ t reliable .
Americans are learning this in real-time as they see imports from China cut off , particularly for critical medicines and pharmaceuticals .
That has put millions of lives at risk since 90 percent of the generic medications that Americans use each day are imported .
Even worse , 90 percent of the ingredients for generic drugs used to treat coronavirus infections are sourced from China .
This will have serious consequences for America ’ s healthcare and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must encourage the reshoring of pharmaceutical production as well as the development of countermeasures for future threats , including critical drug treatments , vaccines , medical devices , and personal protective equipment .
The Trump administration has taken a smart first step on this path .
The Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded a $ 354 million contract for generic drug production to Phlow Corp. , a Virginia-based manufacturer that uses state-of-the art drug manufacturing technology .
The company will start making prescription drugs and pharmaceutical ingredients , including medicines used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good start toward boosting U.S. drug production .
But a comprehensive , whole-of-government response is needed .
For example , the three standard antibiotics used to treat coronavirus-related infections — azithromycin , ciprofloxacin , and piperacillin — all require ingredients made in China .
The United States also sources 80 percent of its active pharmaceutical ingredients from overseas , mostly from China and India .
And even common household medicines like ibuprofen and acetaminophen overwhelmingly come from China .
It ’ s past time to start reshoring these capabilities .
China undoubtedly recognizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing hopes the coronavirus pandemic will “ reverse any progress that the U.S. has made in countering China ’ s co-option of global industry.
” Simply put , Beijing has the capability to cut off needed pharmaceuticals at any time in order to create a strategic choke point .
The U.S. must get domestic drug production back in gear .
And where Congress can be helpful is in imposing ‘ Buy America ’ policies to ensure that federal agencies purchase domestically manufactured drugs whenever possible .
That would help to reduce dependence on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producers should be given long-term contracts to provide the certainty needed for investing in advanced technologies without fear of being undercut by Chinese companies subsidized by Beijing .
Congress is already gearing up .
Democratic Rep. John Garamendi of California and Republican Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri have introduced legislation that would impose ‘ Buy America ’ requirements on the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration when they source medication for military personnel .
But more needs to be done .
The United States must also rebuild its capacity to make the primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplish this , some in the House and Senate are looking to provide financial incentives for domestic drug companies .
The bigger issue is that China remains heavily interwoven in U.S. drug manufacturing .
Currently , if a drug is assembled in the U.S. from ingredients made in China , the finished pharmaceutical can still be considered “ American-made.
” And that allows companies using China-made drug ingredients to claim their product is ‘ Made in USA ’ — and have access to federal contracts .
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that federal procurement applies only to medicines with active ingredients made entirely in the United States .
Stateless multinational corporations that import pharmaceuticals will undoubtedly oppose such efforts .
In 2019 , pharmaceutical imports to the U.S. totaled $ 127.6 billion .
However , it ’ s estimated that bringing back roughly half of this production to the United States could create 804,000 U.S. jobs in the first year while adding $ 200 billion to annual GDP .
That would have the helpful side-effect of making Americans safer by reducing incidents like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 81 Americans in 2008 .
The coronavirus has revealed America ’ s risky dependence on overseas suppliers .
Reshoring key industries like medications and active drug ingredients would help to restore the safety of America ’ s pharmaceutical supply chains , reestablish national security in the nation ’ s medical sector , and put Americans back to work in skilled , good-paying jobs .
Washington must take these important steps now and bring pharmaceutical production back from China before the next pandemic hits .
Michael Stumo is CEO of the Coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at @ michael_stumo The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation .
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