freedomdaily--2020-05-19--Here’s how to stay safe while buying groceries amid the coronavirus pandemic

Wear a mask , but skip the gloves .
Don ’ t sanitize the apples .
And if you are older than 65 , it ’ s probably best to still order your groceries online .
As a food virologist , I hear a lot of questions from people about the coronavirus risks in grocery stores and how to stay safe while shopping for food amid the pandemic .
Here are answers to some of the common questions .
What you touch on the grocery shelves is less of a concern than who breathes on you and other surfaces you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store .
In fact , there is currently no evidence of the virus being transmitted by food or food packaging .
You may have heard about studies showing that the virus can remain infectious for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 72 hours on plastic or stainless steel .
These are controlled laboratory studies , in which high levels of infectious virus are applied to the surfaces and humidity and temperature held constant .
In these experiments , the level of infectious virus – virus capable of causing disease – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicating that the virus does not survive well on these surfaces .
The highest risk is close contact with other people who may be shedding virus in droplets as they sneeze , talk or breathe nearby .
Next would be high-touch surfaces , like door handles , where someone not practicing good hand hygiene might have transferred the virus to the surface .
In this scenario , you would have to touch this surface and then touch your own mucus membranes – your eyes , mouth or ears – to contract the illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is touched , and then decide if you can avoid the riskiest spots or use hand sanitizer after touching them .
Significantly more people touch door handles and credit card machines compared to a tomato in a bin .
Do I need to sanitize my food when I get home ?
No , you do not need to sanitize your food when you get home , and trying to do so can actually be dangerous .
Chemicals and soaps are not labeled for use use on food .
This means we do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective when directly applied to food .
Moreover , some of these practices might create food safety hazards .
For example , if you filled a sink with water and then submerged your vegetables in it , pathogenic microorganisms in your sink – say , trapped in the drain from the raw chicken you cut up the night before – might contaminate your produce .
You should instead wash you produce under cool running water and then dry it with a clean towel .
You don ’ t need to wait to unpack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , after unpacking , wash your hands .
Washing your hands frequently , using soap and water and drying with a clean towel , is really the best defense for protecting yourself from this virus and many other infectious diseases that might be on a surface or package .
Should I wear gloves in the grocery store ?
Gloves are not currently recommended for a visit to the grocery store , in part because they may help spread germs .
If you are wearing gloves , know that disposable gloves are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should throw them out after you are done shopping .
To take off gloves , grab the band at the wrist on one hand , making sure not to have gloved fingers touch your skin , and pull the glove up over your hand and fingers turning it inside out as you remove .
Best practice is to wash your hands after the gloves are removed .
If soap and water is not available , use a hand sanitizer .
How should I deal with other people ?
We wear masks to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know it , so wearing a mask can help keep you from spreading the virus if you ’ re asymptomatic .
Wearing a mask can also provide some level of protection to the person wearing it , but it does not keep out all droplets and is not 100 % effective in preventing disease .
Following social distancing guidelines – keeping 6 feet between you and the next person – is very important when you are in a store or any other space with other people .
If you ’ re over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , see if the grocery has special hours for high-risk populations , and consider having groceries delivered to your home instead .
Can I still bring my own bags ?
Many grocery stores have stopped allowing the use of reusable bags because of the potential risks to their workers .
If you are using a reusable nylon or plastic bag , clean inside and outside of the bag with soapy water and rinse .
Spray or wipe down the bag inside and out with diluted bleach solution or disinfectant , then allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloth bags , wash the bag in warm water with normal laundry detergent , then dry it on the warmest setting possible .
Everyone has to be more aware of their surroundings to stay safe during this pandemic .
Remember to wear your mask and keep your distance from others and you can minimize the risks .
[ You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic , and we can help .
Read The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
Erin DiCaprio does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-20--Leaked Tapes Show Biden Pressuring Ukraine President To Fire Prosecutor In Return For $1 Billion

A Ukrainian lawmaker with ties to the Russian KGB released on Tuesday excerpts of recorded phone calls made between former Vice President Joe Biden and former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in 2016 discussing the ouster of a Ukrainian prosecutor in return for a $ 1 billion loan guarantee .
The lawmaker , Andriy Derkach , said during a press conference Tuesday that Poroshenko recorded his phone calls with Biden and that he receive the tapes from investigative journalists .
The full context of the conversations between the two leaders was edited out of the tapes Derkach released Tuesday , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were released are mostly consistent with how Biden has publicly characterized his efforts to get former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin fired in return for loan guarantees from the United States .
Biden spokesman Andrew Bates told The Post the release of the tapes was yet another instance of Russia ’ s efforts to hurt Biden .
“ They heavily edited this , and it ’ s still a nothingburger that landed with a thud , ” Bates said .
Biden boasted in 2018 that he secured Shokin ’ s firing over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ office .
However , Poroshenko disclosed to Biden in one of the tapes that he asked for Shokin ’ s resignation despite having no evidence of wrongdoing .
“ Yesterday , I met with the General Prosecutor Shokin , ” Poroshenko told Biden on a Feb. 28 , 2016 , phone call .
“ And despite of the fact that we didn ’ t have any corruption charges , we don ’ t have any information about him doing something wrong … I especially asked him to resign.
” The tapes leaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bursima Holdings or Biden ’ s son Hunter Biden , who served on the board of the natural gas company at the time .
The Daily Caller News Foundation was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the tapes .
At the time of his ouster , Shokin was investigating allegations of wrongdoing at Burisma that occurred before Hunter Biden joined the firm ’ s board .
Biden followed up with Poroshenko on a March 22 , 2016 , phone call asking if there was a new prosecutor general in place .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing of the commitment for the billion dollars , ” Biden told the former Ukrainian president .
Biden and Poroshenko discussed the issue again on May 13 , 2016 .
“ Congratulations on installing the new prosecutor general , ” Biden said .
“ It ’ s going to be critical for him to work quickly to repair the damage Shokin did.
” “ And I ’ m a man of my word , ” Biden added .
“ And now that the new Prosecutor General is in place , we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new one billion dollar loan guarantee.
” Derkach also released a tape containing portions of a phone call between former Secretary of State John Kerry and Poroshenko in Dec. 3 , 2015 , discussing the need to replace Shokin .
“ Because to my perception he ’ s blocked the cleanup of the prosecutor generals ’ office and I know the vice president is very concerned about it , ” Kerry told Poroshenko in the call .
Derkach met with President Donald Trump ’ s personal attorney , Rudy Giuliani , in Kyiv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post .
Giuliani , who has accused Biden of pushing for Shokin ’ s ouster to help shield Hunter Biden from prosecution , told The Post the tapes Derkach released Tuesday are “ just the tip of the iceberg.
” Derkatch has ties to Russian intelligence , having attended the Dzerzhinsky Higher School of the KGB in Moscow and whose father served for decades as a KGB officer , The Post reported .
The Biden campaign did not return a request for comment by the DCNF .

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freedomdaily--2020-05-20--Atlanta Mayor Admits Georgia Reopening ‘Not As Bad As I Thought That It Would Be’

The Atlanta mayor who criticized Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemps ’ decision to reopen the state last month said Monday that the results were “ not as bad ” as she first anticipated .
Appearing on MSNBC to discuss the coronavirus outbreak in Georgia , Mayor Keisha Bottoms acknowledged that reopening the state ’ s economy has not lead to the results she initially expected .
However , the Democratic mayor of Atlanta said it was still too soon to make a final conclusion .
“ It ’ s not as bad as I thought that it would be , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bottoms said Monday when host Brian Williams asked about her past criticism of Georgia ’ s reopening .
“ But I still think it ’ s too soon to say — the reason being , whereas initially we were seeing increases between deaths and people testing positive , rising anywhere from 25 to 30 % over a seven-day period .
Right now we ’ re somewhere between 12 and 15 % .
So it ’ s better than it was , but still not great , ” Bottoms said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline , as recommended by the CDC , so we ’ re not quite there where I can say that we are out of the woods , because we are not .
Because what we know as we reopen this state , we ’ ll also see whether or not this impacts our number of people who are testing positive , ” Bottoms continued .
Under Kemp ’ s direction , Georgia became one of the first states in the U.S. to begin reopening its economy in late April .
The decision attracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media , and even earned a rebuke from President Donald Trump .
One of Kemp ’ s biggest detractors at the time was Bottoms .
On April 30 , the Democratic mayor published an op-ed on the Atlantic , railing Kemp ’ s decision to reopen .
In the article , Bottoms said the move was “ irresponsible and could even be deadly ” and suggested that the state ’ s hospitals could be stretched to capacity .
The hospitals in Georgia have not been overwhelmed , and hospitalizations of patients with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution , analyzing data from the Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency , reported on Tuesday that statewide hospitalizations for COVID-19 fell by roughly a third in the last two weeks .
“ We are seeing a steady decrease in both the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients ( 986 ) and the percentage of Georgians testing positive for the virus ( 10.5 % ) , ” Kemp ’ s official Facebook page wrote on Tuesday .
“ Stay vigilant and let ’ s win this war !
”


freedomdaily--2020-05-20--Hundreds Of Medical Doctors Give Trump A Dire Warning: Continued Lockdowns Will Kill Millions

“ In medical terms , the shutdown was a mass casualty incident , ” Gold added in the letter , referring to a disaster akin to a plane wreck or terrorist attack .
The state-by-state lockdowns were implemented to slow the coronavirus outbreak , which originated in Wuhan , China , before infecting more than 40 countries .
The virus has reportedly killed more than 300,000 people worldwide , leaving a death toll of close to 90,000 people in the Unite States .
Trump , for his part , has expressed a desire to get the U.S. economy rolling again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a certain extent as other doctors argue the lockdowns are not only necessary but urgent .
The Utah Academy of Family Physicians , which represents more than 1,000 physicians and medical experts across Utah called on Gov .
Gary Herbert in April to statewide stay-at-home orders to slow down the virus .
The governor issued stay-at-home orders in parts of the state , according to The New York Times .
Dr. Austin Baeth , an internal medicine physician at UnityPoint , pushed Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds to deploy lockdowns as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have patient after patient after patient rolled into our hospitals and we have nowhere to put them , ” Baeth said in an April 3 interview with local Iowa news outlet .
“ We have no ventilator to give them and people who would have otherwise survived this illness , had we had the capacity to help them , will instead die.
” Gold , for her part , participated in a Tea Party Patriots Action media call Tuesday alongside neurosurgeon Steven Giannotta and pediatrician Robert Hamilton , all of whom expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health effects tied to keeping American businesses and schools closed indefinitely .
She used the call to address many of the concerns she noted in the memo .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-20--FBI Arrests Couple Allegedly Involved In Cross-Border Kidnappings, Murder

An American woman and her boyfriend were arrested and charged for allegedly collecting ransom money as part of their involvement in a deadly kidnapping conspiracy of U.S. residents in Tijuana , Mexico .
Leslie Briana Matla , a 20-year-old U.S. citizen who lived in Mexico , and her boyfriend , Juan Carlos Montoya Sanchez , a 25-year-old resident of Tijuana , were arrested by U.S. authorities pursuant to money laundering conspiracy charges , according to an announcement from the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) .
“ The complaint alleges that Matla crossed the border from Mexico into the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidnapped victims ’ family members at locations predetermined by her co-conspirators , ” the DOJ press release reads .
In the span of a month , three California men — residents of San Diego , Norwalk , and Pasadena — all were kidnapped in Tijuana while visiting family or on business .
Each time , their family members were contacted by a Mexican phone number and demanded thousands of dollars for their return .
Unfortunately for the family members , paying the ransom money didn ’ t guarantee a safe release .
Salvador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in San Diego , called his son on March 28 and requested $ 25,000 for his release , according to the Los Angeles Times .
The son complied , stashing a bag with the funds in the women ’ s restroom at a McDonald ’ s in San Ysidro — as the captors had directed .
Despite Medina ’ s son receiving a WhatsApp message from his phone the next day claiming he would be released , Mexican authorities subsequently found Medina ’ s body in Tijuana .
A similar story played out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family reported him missing to the FBI .
Guzman ’ s mother received a Facebook message from his account , an image of his beaten face .
The family negotiated a payment of $ 1,000 and her son ’ s Chevrolet Camaro , according to the affidavit .
However , the money transfer never materialized , and Guzman ’ s body was eventually discovered .
Things changed , however , when the captors in late April abducted a taco shop proprietor , only identified by authorities by his initials .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiated a $ 14,000 payment , but she never had to pay the money .
Just minutes before the drop was supposed to take place , a Mexican anti-kidnapping squad raided a hotel the captors operated out of and arrested nine suspects — and freed the taco proprietor .
Malta was arrested on Thursday and Sanchez was arrested on Sunday — both in San Diego .
Upon review of U.S.-Mexico border crossing records , security camera footage , and social media , law enforcement identified Matla as the woman sent to the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Financial records indicate Sanchez received wire transfers from the victims ’ s families .


freedomdaily--2020-05-20--Texas Man Charged with Fraud in $5 Million COVID-Relief Scam

A Texas man has been charged in the Eastern District of Texas with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than $ 5 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration ( SBA ) under the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act .
Samuel Yates , 32 , of Maud , Texas , allegedly sought millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from two different banks by claiming to have over 400 employees earning wages when , in fact , no employees worked for his purported business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steal millions of dollars in loans intended to aid legitimate small businesses grappling with the economic effects of COVID-19 , ” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department ’ s Criminal Division .
“ The department and our law enforcement partners will use all the tools at our disposal to investigate and prosecute frauds against the Paycheck Protection Program.
” According to court documents unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Texarkana , Yates allegedly made two fraudulent applications to two different lenders for loans guaranteed by the SBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Program ( PPP ) .
In the application submitted to the first lender , Yates allegedly sought $ 5 million in PPP loan proceeds by fraudulently claiming to have 400 employees with an average monthly payroll of $ 2 million .
In the second application , Yates claimed to employ over 100 individuals and was able to obtain a loan over $ 500,000 .
With each application , Yates submitted a list of purported employees that he obtained from a publicly available random name generator on the internet .
He also submitted forged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Any time the government provides large amounts of money to the public there are people who will try to cheat the system , ” said U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown of the Eastern District of Texas .
“ We encourage lenders to be very careful , and to report suspicious applications .
It is a priority of the Department of Justice to deter and prosecute this type of fraud.
” The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29 , 2020 , designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 PPP .
In April 2020 , Congress authorized over $ 300 billion in additional PPP funding .
“ The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration will aggressively pursue those who try to use the Internal Revenue Service to facilitate their schemes to defraud coronavirus relief programs , ” said Special Agent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General for Tax Administration ’ s Cybercrime Investigations Division .
“ Our successes today would have not been possible without the joint efforts of the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General , the Department of Justice and other law enforcement partners.
” “ Providing false statements to gain access to SBA ’ s programs will be aggressively investigated by our office , ” said Special Agent in Charge Donald Abram of SBA OIG ’ s Central Region .
“ SBA OIG and its law enforcement partners are poised to root out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain its integrity .
I want to thank the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.
” “ Today ’ s arrest should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to enrich themselves through fraud .
These individuals have no concern for legitimate businesses whose employees and their families are hurting financially during these unprecedented times , ” said Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin of U.S. Immigration and Custom ’ s Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ready to utilize its ample investigative mandate to assist in rooting out such unscrupulous individuals , and hold them accountable for their crimes.
” 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the forgiven amount for payroll .


freedomdaily--2020-05-20--Napping helps preschoolers unlock their full potential for learning

For many parents of young children , the highlight of their day is nap time – not for them , but for their little ones .
Especially now , with most preschools closed , getting a child to nap is the golden ticket .
Not only can it mean uninterrupted work or self-care time for parents , but their unrecognizable tyrants often wake as happy campers after a nap .
Researchers have validated this experience .
One study presented 3-year-olds with an unsolvable puzzle , one with a missing piece , either after they napped or after they missed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed more negative emotions – sadness , worry and anger – when faced with the puzzle than rested children did .
As a cognitive neuroscientist , I study sleep .
My research shows that naps help young children regulate their emotions and solidify memories that accumulate so quickly at this age .
My colleagues and I recently demonstrated that nap-deprived preschoolers not only showed more negative emotions , but paid closer attention to the emotions around them than rested children did .
We presented young children with pairs of faces on a computer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional face – either happy or angry .
Those faces were then removed to reveal a star hiding under one of them .
The children were asked to identify which side of the screen the star was on by pressing a button .
This task measures whether a child is paying special attention to emotion stimuli or not .
If a child is biased toward the emotional face , she will be quicker to press the button when the star is behind the emotional face than when it is behind the neutral face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward the emotional faces , responding 22 milliseconds faster than if they were rested .
After a nap , however , children showed no bias .
They responded equally whether the star was behind an emotional or neutral face .
So a child who doesn ’ t nap is quicker to respond to emotional stimuli in his environment .
Although these results come as no surprise to parents , it is important to provide scientific backing of the nap benefit .
Most preschools offer a nap opportunity .
However , the length of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years because studies have found a preschool education not only improves school readiness but is also associated with long-term academic performance and even health outcomes such as reduced obesity and improved cardiovascular health .
To capitalize on the advantages of preschool during this fertile learning period , regulatory agencies have added expectations such as socio-emotional curriculum and even dental hygiene to the preschool day .
Sleep is often viewed as optional and is an easy target to cut when making room for more educational opportunities .
However , naps make it possible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emotional regulation payoff , naps also provide a direct benefit to learning .
Research shows when preschool children were read storybooks introducing new words , the children who napped after hearing the stories learned more of the new words than the children who did not nap .
Following learning opportunities with a nap enhances memory .
The reason napping enhances learning has to do with the way brains process new information .
Research in rodents suggests that while we sleep , memories are replayed .
Just as if you wanted to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene , you might replay that scene repeatedly , sleep is a time to replay memories without interference from ongoing learning .
Furthermore , the research suggests memories are replayed in fast-forward during sleep , allowing them to be replayed repeatedly during the night .
This replay happens in the hippocampus , an area of the brain where memories are processed in the short term .
As memories are replayed in the hippocampus , they are moved ( or copied ) to unique areas of the cortex , making them more stable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cortex , the memories can be sorted and stored with other similar memories .
Imagine the hippocampus as your desk at the end of the day , with stacks of papers and mail from different sources .
Sleep moves these “ papers ” to the cortex , which is much more like a filing cabinet .
Not only is there more space , but now when you want to find something , you can do so more quickly because of its organization .
In children , the hippocampus is less mature – think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so fewer memories can be held before there is catastrophic interference .
This explains why naps are critical at this young age , and memories must be more frequently moved to the filing drawers .
Naps in the time of coronavirus To parents still learning to implement a nap time , a few pointers : • Maintain a consistent pre-nap routine .
After lunch , give your child time to unwind , then join them in a quiet activity such as reading .
• Maintain a consistent overnight sleep schedule .
Keeping bedtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ window day to day will allow for an appropriate and predictable amount of sleep pressure to build up .
• If you are out of the nap routine , you may need to retrain your child to nap consistently .
Stay with them as they fall asleep ( soothing with back rubbing ) initially , and leave the room earlier and earlier over the following days .
Not only is napping key to early education objectives , it is central to the emotional and cognitive development of young children .
And it goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home , turning unrecognizable tyrants into happy campers is good for everyone .
Rebecca Spencer receives funding from the National Institutes of Health ( R01 AG040133 ; R01 HL111695 ; R21 HD094758 ) and the National Science Foundation ( BCS 1749280 ) .


freedomdaily--2020-05-20--To safely explore the solar system and beyond, spaceships need to go faster – nuclear-powered rocket

To safely explore the solar system and beyond, spaceships need to go faster – nuclear-powered rockets may be the answer

With dreams of Mars on the minds of both NASA and Elon Musk , long-distance crewed missions through space are coming .
But you might be surprised to learn that modern rockets don ’ t go all that much faster than the rockets of the past .
There are a lot of reasons that a faster spaceship is a better one , and nuclear-powered rockets are a way to do this .
They offer many benefits over traditional fuel-burning rockets or modern solar-powered electric rockets , but there have been only eight U.S. space launches carrying nuclear reactors in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year the laws regulating nuclear space flights changed and work has already begun on this next generation of rockets .
Why the need for speed ?
The first step of a space journey involves the use of launch rockets to get a ship into orbit .
These are the large fuel-burning engines people imagine when they think of rocket launches and are not likely to go away in the foreseeable future due to the constraints of gravity .
It is once a ship reaches space that things get interesting .
To escape Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destinations , ships need additional acceleration .
This is where nuclear systems come into play .
If astronauts want to explore anything farther than the Moon and perhaps Mars , they are going to need to be going very very fast .
Space is massive , and everything is far away .
There are two reasons faster rockets are better for long-distance space travel : safety and time .
Astronauts on a trip to Mars would be exposed to very high levels of radiation which can cause serious long-term health problems such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help , but it is extremely heavy , and the longer the mission , the more shielding is needed .
A better way to reduce radiation exposure is to simply get where you are going quicker .
But human safety isn ’ t the only benefit .
As space agencies probe farther out into space , it is important to get data from unmanned missions as soon as possible .
It took Voyager-2 12 years just to reach Neptune , where it snapped some incredible photos as it flew by .
If Voyager-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have had those photos and the information they contained years earlier .
Speed is good .
But why are nuclear systems faster ?
Once a ship has escaped Earth ’ s gravity , there are three important aspects to consider when comparing any propulsion system : • Mass efficiency – how much thrust a system can produce for a given amount of fuel • Energy density – how much energy a given amount of fuel can produce Today , the most common propulsion systems in use are chemical propulsion – that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electric propulsion systems .
Chemical propulsion systems provide a lot of thrust , but chemical rockets aren ’ t particularly efficient , and rocket fuel isn ’ t that energy-dense .
The Saturn V rocket that took astronauts to the Moon produced 35 million Newtons of force at liftoff and carried 950,000 gallons of fuel .
While most of the fuel was used in getting the rocket into orbit , the limitations are apparent : It takes a lot of heavy fuel to get anywhere .
Electric propulsion systems generate thrust using electricity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common way to do this is to use an electrical field to accelerate ions , such as in the Hall thruster .
These devices are commonly used to power satellites and can have more than five times higher mass efficiency than chemical systems .
But they produce much less thrust – about three Newtons , or only enough to accelerate a car from 0-60 mph in about two and a half hours .
The energy source – the Sun – is essentially infinite but becomes less useful the farther away from the Sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons nuclear-powered rockets are promising is because they offer incredible energy density .
The uranium fuel used in nuclear reactors has an energy density that is 4 million times higher than hydrazine , a typical chemical rocket propellant .
It is much easier to get a small amount of uranium to space than hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel .
So what about thrust and mass efficiency ?
Engineers have designed two main types of nuclear systems for space travel .
The first is called nuclear thermal propulsion .
These systems are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use a small nuclear fission reactor – similar to those found in nuclear submarines – to heat a gas , such as hydrogen , and that gas is then accelerated through a rocket nozzle to provide thrust .
Engineers from NASA estimate that a mission to Mars powered by nuclear thermal propulsion would be 20 % -25 % shorter than a trip on a chemical-powered rocket .
Nuclear thermal propulsion systems are more than twice as efficient as chemical propulsion systems – meaning they generate twice as much thrust using the same amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 Newtons of thrust .
That ’ s enough force to get a car from 0-60 mph in about a quarter of a second .
The second nuclear-based rocket system is called nuclear electric propulsion .
No nuclear electric systems have been built yet , but the idea is to use a high-power fission reactor to generate electricity that would then power an electrical propulsion system like a Hall thruster .
This would be very efficient , about three times better than a nuclear thermal propulsion system .
Since the nuclear reactor could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual electric thrusters could be operated simultaneously to generate a good amount of thrust .
Nuclear electric systems would be the best choice for extremely long-range missions because they don ’ t require solar energy , have very high efficiency and can give relatively high thrust .
But while nuclear electric rockets are extremely promising , there are still a lot of technical problems to solve before they are put into use .
Why aren ’ t there nuclear powered rockets yet ?
Nuclear thermal propulsion systems have been studied since the 1960s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Regulations first imposed in the U.S. in the 1970s essentially required case-by-case examination and approval of any nuclear space project from multiple government agencies and explicit approval from the president .
Along with a lack of funding for nuclear rocket system research , this environment prevented further improvement of nuclear reactors for use in space .
That all changed when the Trump administration issued a presidential memorandum in August 2019 .
While upholding the need to keep nuclear launches as safe as possible , the new directive allows for nuclear missions with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the multi-agency approval process .
Only the sponsoring agency , like NASA , for example , needs to certify that the mission meets safety recommendations .
Larger nuclear missions would go through the same process as before .
Along with this revision of regulations , NASA received US $ 100 million in the 2019 budget to develop nuclear thermal propulsion .
DARPA is also developing a space nuclear thermal propulsion system to enable national security operations beyond Earth orbit .
After 60 years of stagnation , it ’ s possible a nuclear-powered rocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade .
This exciting achievement will usher in a new era of space exploration .
People will go to Mars and science experiments will make new discoveries all across our solar system and beyond .
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Iain Boyd receives funding from the following sources , none of it is related to space propulsion : Office of Naval Research Lockheed-Martin Northrop-Grumman @


freedomdaily--2020-05-20--Blocking the deadly cytokine storm is a vital weapon for treating COVID-19

The killer is not the virus but the immune response .
The current pandemic is unique not just because it is caused by a new virus that puts everyone at risk , but also because the range of innate immune responses is diverse and unpredictable .
In some it is strong enough to kill .
In others it is relatively mild .
My research relates to innate immunity .
Innate immunity is a person ’ s inborn defense against pathogens that instruct the body ’ s adaptive immune system to produce antibodies against viruses .
Those antibody responses can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Working in the lab of Nobel laureate Bruce Beutler , I co-authored the paper that explained how the cells that make up the body ’ s innate immune system recognize pathogens , and how overreacting to them in general could be detrimental to the host .
This is especially true in the COVID-19 patients who are overreacting to the virus .
I study inflammatory response and cell death , which are two principal components of the innate response .
White blood cells called macrophages use a set of sensors to recognize the pathogen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trigger inflammation and recruit other cells of the innate immune system for help .
In addition , macrophages instruct the adaptive immune system to learn about the pathogen and ultimately produce antibodies .
To survive within the host , successful pathogens silence the inflammatory response .
They do this by blocking the ability of macrophages to release cytokines and alert the rest of the immune system .
To counteract the virus ’ s silencing , infected cells commit suicide , or cell death .
Although detrimental at the cellular level , cell death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organism because it stops proliferation of the pathogen .
For example , the pathogen that caused the bubonic plague , which killed half of the human population in Europe between 1347 and 1351 , was able to disable , or silence , people ’ s white blood cells and proliferate in them , ultimately causing the death of the individual .
However , in rodents the infection played out differently .
Just the infected macrophages of rodents died , thus limiting proliferation of the pathogen in the rodents ’ bodies which enabled them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to plague is strikingly different from the violent response to SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 .
This suggests that keeping the right balance of innate response is crucial for the survival of COVID-19 patients .
Here ’ s how an overreaction from the immune system can endanger a person fighting off an infection .
Some of the proteins that trigger inflammation , named chemokines , alert other immune cells – like neutrophils , which are professional microbe eaters – to convene at the site of infections where they can arrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cytokines – such as interleukin 1b , interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor – guide neutrophils from the blood vessels to the infected tissue .
These cytokines can increase heartbeat , elevate body temperature , trigger blood clots that trap the pathogen and stimulate the neurons in the brain to modulate body temperature , fever , weight loss and other physiological responses that have evolved to kill the virus .
When the production of these same cytokines is uncontrolled , immunologists describe the situation as a “ cytokine storm.
” During a cytokine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( vasolidation ) , leading to low blood pressure and widespread blood vessel injury .
The storm triggers a flood of white blood cells to enter the lungs , which in turn summon more immune cells that target and kill virus-infected cells .
The result of this battle is a stew of fluid and dead cells , and subsequent organ failure .
The cytokine storm is a centerpiece of the COVID-19 pathology with devastating consequences for the host .
When the cells fail to terminate the inflammatory response , production of the cytokines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroy the stem cells in the bone marrow , which leads to anemia .
Heightened interleukin 1b results in fever and organ failure .
The excessive tumor necrosis factor causes massive death of the cells lining the blood vessels , which become clotted .
At some point , the storm becomes unstoppable and irreversible .
One strategy behind the treatments for COVID is , in part , based in part on breaking the vicious cycle of the “ cytokine storm.
” This can be done by using antibodies to block the primary mediators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or its receptor , which is present on all cells of the body .
Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor can be achieved with FDA-approved antibody drugs like Remicade or Humira or with a soluble receptor such as Enbrel ( originally developed by Bruce Beutler ) which binds to tumor necrosis factor and prevents it from triggering inflammation .
The global market for tumor necrosis factor inhibitors is US $ 22 billion .
Drugs that block various cytokines are now in clinical trials to test whether they are effective for stopping the deadly spiral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and the latest research .
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Alexander ( Sasha ) Poltorak does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-20--Rapid home-based coronavirus tests are coming together in research labs — we’re working on analyzing

Rapid home-based coronavirus tests are coming together in research labs — we’re working on analyzing spit using advanced CRISPR gene editing techniques

A desperately needed tool to curb the COVID-19 pandemic is an inexpensive home-based rapid testing kit that can detect the coronavirus without needing to go to the hospital .
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a few home sample collection kits but a number of researchers , including myself , are using the gene-editing technique known as CRISPR to make home tests .
If they work , these tests could be very accurate and give people an answer in about an hour .
I am a biomolecular scientist with training in pharmaceutical sciences and biomedical engineering and my lab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detecting and treating cancer , genetic and infectious diseases .
The COVID-19 disease is caused by a coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ( SARS-CoV-2 ) .
Unlike humans which carry their genetic material encoded in DNA , the coronavirus encodes theirs in a related molecule called RNA .
My research group recently engineered a sensitive CRISPR-based technology , that we named CRISPR-ENHANCE , and used it to create a rapid test for SARS-CoV-2 RNA .
Our assay works like a pregnancy test and shows two purple colored lines if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Using our technology , I envision developing a test kit that would allow rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva within 45-60 minutes at home without needing any expensive equipment .
The FDA recently gave a green light to a couple of sample collection kits from LabCorp and Everywell under the Emergency Use Authorization ( EUA ) that would allow people to ship out the nasal swab samples for analysis .
Patients can take a swab of their nose , ship the samples to a lab , and wait for a few days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not an at-home testing kit , the test allows the samples to be shipped directly to a lab for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA .
There they use a technique called reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR ) , which converts the viral RNA into DNA so that it can be easily multiplied and detected .
Although most FDA-approved tests are based on detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA at an early stage , before symptoms even appear , such tests can only be performed in a laboratory setting with expensive equipment and can take multiple days to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kits have been approved by the FDA that use a paper-based lateral flow strip , also similar to an at-home pregnancy testing strip , for detecting antibodies called IgM and IgG .
Almost all SARS-CoV-2 infected patients make antibodies within 19 days of onset of symptoms and then the body continues to make detectable antibodies for several weeks to months even after symptoms fades away .
Therefore , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using antibody tests for detecting past infections .
However , the coronavirus is usually very active and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and peaks on the day of onset of symptoms .
Therefore , to prevent the spread of coronavirus , it is extremely important to detect coronavirus early to block the spread .
The antibody testing can be great for detecting past infections but they can not reliably detect current or early infections .
The delayed appearance and patient-to-patient variability of antibodies in a blood test further complicates the COVID-19 diagnosis with antibody testing kits .
In addition , the variability between different antibody testing methods have raised doubts about the reliability of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institutes of Health recently announced a Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics ( RADx ) which offers up to US $ 500 million in funding for ramping up the technologies that detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus .
Most people know of CRISPR/Cas systems as a famous gene-editing technology that can precisely edit DNA .
Researchers engineer a “ guide ” RNA molecule with a target genetic sequence that serves like a GPS and zooms in on a location on the DNA where a Cas protein , a pair of molecular scissors , can cut at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Feng Zhang at MIT , Jennifer Doudna at UC Berkeley and others discovered several newer versions of CRISPR/Cas systems , including ones using the proteins Cas12a and Cas13a-d , which get crazy cutting once they find their match .
My colleagues and I have used this Cas12a-based CRISPR technique to detect the coronavirus .
The coronavirus RNA activates CRISPR/Cas , transforming a pair of controlled molecular scissors into an unstoppable chainsaw .
When the the CRISPR/Cas enzyme activates , we know that the genetic sequence of the coronavirus is present in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus stronger in the testing kit , we add millions of synthetic “ reporter molecules ” which are also chopped up by the CRISPR/Cas mechanism .
This means that within minutes we can detect detect the presence of coronavirus .
Under EAU , the FDA recently approved the first CRISPR-based SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing kit from Sherlock Biosciences for testing nasal swabs in a lab .
Although not yet approved for at-home testing , this is a big leap toward the development of CRISPR-based diagnostics .
While similar CRISPR-based test kits are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others , our CRISPR-ENHANCE technology relies on engineered CRISPR RNAs that increases the speed of Cas12a “ chainsaw ” by between three- and four-fold .
This technique dramatically enhances the sensitivity of detection .
Our system can detect fewer virus in a clinical sample faster with a clear visual readout .
We are in the process of clinically validating the CRISPR-ENHANCE technology for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection .
Standard collection method for detecting respiratory viruses in the clinic is the nasal swab .
However , coronaviruses have been detected at comparable levels in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to saliva for diagnostic testing .
Collecting saliva is not only less invasive than the nasal swabs but also contains more virus , which makes it easier to detect with RT-PCR .
In fact , an at-home saliva collection kit just received a green light by the FDA on May 8 , 2020 .
In our validation study we will be internally comparing our test between the nasal swabs and saliva for FDA approval .
We are developing a six-step procedure for home-based testing for saliva along with the nasal swabs .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Spit into a sample collection tube that contains dry chemical reagents that will begin to react with your saliva when you drop the closed tube into the warm water for 30 minutes .
The heat helps the chemicals break up the virus particle and expose the virus ’ s genetic material – RNA .
The RT-PCR reagents basically multiply the viral RNA creating billions of copies , which are more easily detected .
After 30 minutes , transfer the contents of the collection tube to a second tube containing dried CRISPR components @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-15 minutes .
Only if CRISPR/Cas finds the specific coronavirus RNA , will it become active and chop up the synthetic reporter molecules that are engineered and added to this second tube .
This part happens in just six minutes .
We then drop a paper strip into the second tube .
Within 30 seconds one or two purple bands reveal the results .
The health care provider can then direct the individual to either quarantine , isolate and/or recommend further testing such as antibody-based tests .
In our study , currently under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ENHANCE technology itself is versatile and can also be adopted for detecting a range of targets including HIV , HCV and prostate cancer .
While there are several labs and companies are rushing to develop similar CRISPR-based coronavirus detection kits for saliva testing , we believe our approach offers the fastest detection .
We hope to bring the cost of the kit down to between $ 1 and $ 2 so that developing countries can also afford a rapid and reliable coronavirus testing kit .
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Piyush K. Jain 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--2020-05-20--Sex talk: Common misunderstandings doctors confront about preventing pregnancy

Sex is one of the most natural things in the world – none of us would be here without it .
Yet there are many things about sex that need to be learned .
Even today , 60 years after the introduction of oral contraceptives , almost half of pregnancies worldwide are unintended .
Avoiding pregnancy takes planning , and health professionals can do a lot to help patients better understand contraception .
As an academic physician , I teach an annual course at the Indiana University School of Medicine called “ Sexuality for the Clinician , ” an important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
In my classes , medical students report misunderstandings they encounter among patients about various topics , including contraception .
Some of these wrong ideas are mentioned year after year , and correcting them presents a prime opportunity to enhance sexual health .
Here are four common ideas about contraception that are incorrect , each representing a real patient ’ s story .
The pregnancy test of a patient in her 20s came back positive .
She protested to her physician that she couldn ’ t be pregnant .
Her physician asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband had been using .
She responded that they scrupulously avoided sex during her “ fertile time.
” Upon further questioning , the patient revealed her understanding that pregnancy could only occur on a single day each month .
In reality , assuming a woman has a 28-day menstrual cycle , there are about six days during each cycle when sex can result in pregnancy .
While a woman ’ s egg retains its fertility for up to 24 hours after ovulation , the release of an egg from the ovary , sperm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tract for up to five days .
This means that patients employing the so-called “ rhythm method , ” one of the least reliable forms of contraception , need to avoid sex for at least six days in the middle of each cycle .
A teenager using oral contraceptives became pregnant .
When her physician asked how she had been taking her pills , she said that whenever she missed a pill , she would double up the next day .
Once she missed taking her pills for five consecutive days .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six pills .
One way to help patients use medication properly is to explain how it works , including why they need to take it regularly .
In this case , providing the patient with a basic explanation of how oral contraceptives work could be beneficial .
While there are different types of “ the pill , ” most contraceptives work by preventing ovulation .
The brain ’ s pituitary gland , the so-called “ master gland ” of the hormonal system , detects stable high levels of the pill ’ s ovarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , the hormone that stimulates ovulation isn ’ t released .
But a pill must be taken every day to keep levels sufficiently high to prevent an egg from being released .
A new mother with a four-month-old baby expressed her fear to her doctor that she was pregnant again .
How could this be , she asked , since she had been breastfeeding her baby since birth ?
The patient was correct that breastfeeding can suppress ovulation , but only if breastfeeding is frequent enough .
As it turned out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby since birth , she had also been feeding the baby formula , limiting breastfeeding to two or three times each day .
In addition , her menstrual cycle had resumed the previous month .
Breastfeeding can be effective as a means of contraception in the first six months after birth .
The hormones produced by the mother ’ s body during breastfeeding naturally suppress the pituitary gland ’ s secretion of hormones necessary to ovulate .
However , the baby must be exclusively breastfed and feed at least every four hours during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
Otherwise , breastfeeding will not adequately suppress pituitary secretion , and pregnancy can occur .
A teenager came to a sexual health clinic complaining of symptoms of itching , rash and painful urination , which her physician suspected was the result of a sexually transmitted infection .
When her doctor asked her about contraception , she reported that she was “ on the pill.
” Therefore , she said , she could not have an STI .
Many patients mistakenly assume that , in addition to preventing pregnancy , contraceptives can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ types of contraceptives , such as IUDs and hormonal implants , are usually highly effective in preventing pregnancy , they do nothing to reduce the risk of STIs .
The only widely used form of contraception that reliably prevents STIs is the condom .
It creates a barrier between the skin and bodily fluids of sex partners .
To prevent infection , condoms need to be used in addition to other forms of contraception .
These are a few examples of common misunderstandings that patients may harbor about contraception .
Others include the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woman has an orgasm , if sex occurs in certain positions or if the woman refrains from various cleansing practices , such as douching or taking a shower .
In fact , none of these situations is likely to alter the probability of pregnancy in a reliable way .
Misunderstandings about sex include not only contraception but topics such as sexual response , sexual dysfunction and sexually transmitted infections .
Such misconceptions serve as stark reminders that many people have not been well educated about essential aspects of sexual health .
Families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of work to do .
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Richard Gunderman does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-21--California’s Reopening Plan Discriminates Against Churches, DOJ Says

California ’ s plan for reopening the economy discriminates against churches , the Department of Justice warned Democratic California Gov .
Gavin Newsom Tuesday .
The DOJ told Newsom in a letter provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation that though the DOJ understands California ’ s responsibility to protect the health and safety of Californians , the state also has a duty to preserve religious liberty during the pandemic .
Eric S. Dreiband , the head of the Justice Department ’ s Civil Rights Division , reminded Newsom that Attorney General William Barr recently issued a statement in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of emergency , when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights , the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers.
” “ Simply put , there is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights , ” Dreiband said .
California ’ s phase two reopening plan does not allow churches to reopen but does allow other types of secular businesses to reopen with social distancing measures , which Dreiband called in his letter “ differential treatment.
” “ While it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to places of worship may inevitably result in much smaller congregations than some faith groups would like , in our experience with other controversies around the country , many places of worship are quite content to operate at 15-25 % of capacity in a way that allows for social distancing between family groups , ” Dreiband writes .
He also emphasized that the DOJ does not intend to dictate how California decides to protect the safety of their citizens .
Dreiband also told Newsom that “ we are charged with upholding the Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and that “ these civil rights protections mandate equal treatment of persons and activities of a secular and religious nature.
” “ Religious communities have rallied to protect their communities from the spread of this disease by making services available online , in parking lots , or outdoors , by indoor services with a majority of pews empty , and in numerous other creative ways that otherwise comply with social distancing and sanitation guidelines , ” Dreiband said .
“ We believe , for the reasons outlined above , that the Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accommodate religious worship , including in Stage 2 of the Reopening Plan.
” Newsom did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-21--No ‘Particular Timeline’ to Reopen Northern Virginia, Northam Says

Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam said he has no “ particular timeline ” for reopening Northern Virginia from the pandemic closures .
The Virginia governor delayed reopening parts of Northern Virginia last week after leaders in the area sent him a letter expressing 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 .
“ We haven ’ t set any particular timeline , ” Northam said , the Times reported Wednesday .
“ We will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in communication with those ( local ) leaders , and when they are comfortable , and when the data supports a movement into Phase 1 , we will do so , ” Northam said .
His comments come as local businesses in the Northern Virginia area struggle to come to terms with extended restrictions and closures .
The Virginia governor also that he does not have a timeline for when to move Virginia into Phase 2 of the reopening plan .
Phase 1 allows parts of Virginia to open restaurants and bars with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and places of worship at 50 % capacity .
Northam did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-21--FBI Offered To Pay Christopher Steele ‘Significantly’ To Dig Up Dirt On Michael Flynn

An FBI offer to pay former British spy Christopher Steele to collect intelligence on Michael Flynn in the weeks before the 2016 election has been one of the more overlooked revelations in a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report released in December .
The reference to the FBI proposal , which was made in an Oct. 3 , 2016 , meeting in an unidentified European city , has received virtually no press attention .
But it might have new significance following the recent release of government documents that show that Steele peddled an unfounded rumor that Flynn had an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Kingdom .
It is not clear how and when Steele came across the rumor , or if it was the result of the FBI asking him to look into Flynn .
The inspector general ’ s report , released on Dec. 9 , 2019 , said that FBI agents offered to pay Steele “ significantly ” to collect intelligence from three separate “ buckets ” that the bureau was pursuing as part of Crossfire Hurricane , its counterintelligence probe of four Trump campaign associates .
One bucket was “ Additional intelligence/reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as [ Carter Page ] or [ Flynn ] ) involved in facilitating the Trump campaign-Russian relationship , ” the IG report stated .
FBI agents also sought contact with “ any individuals or sub sources ” who Steele could provide to “ serve as cooperating witnesses to assist in identifying persons involved in the Trump campaign-Russian relationship.
” Steele at the time had provided the FBI with reports he compiled alleging that members of the Trump campaign had conspired with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election .
An FBI agent provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ongoing Crossfire Hurricane probe , according to the IG report .
The agent told Steele about the actions of George Papadopoulos , a Trump campaign aide , and said the FBI had undertaken a “ small analytical effort ” that centered on Paul Manafort , Carter Page and Flynn .
Some FBI agents who attended the meeting questioned whether the lead agent had disclosed too much to Steele about Crossfire Hurricane , according to the IG report .
Steele was not previously known to have deeply investigated Flynn as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The former MI6 officer compiled 17 memos that focused instead on Donald Trump , Page , Manafort and Michael Cohen , a former lawyer for Trump .
But two documents released in recent weeks raise the question of whether the FBI ’ s request of Steele has any link to the rumors that Flynn had an affair with a Russian woman .
One of the documents is a transcript of longtime John McCain associate David Kramer ’ s interview with the House Intelligence Committee .
Kramer testified on Dec. 17 , 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 that he suspected that Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman .
“ There was one thing he mentioned to me that is not included here , and that is he believed that Mr. Flynn had an extramarital affair with a Russian woman in the U.K. , ” Kramer told lawmakers .
Kramer said that Steele conveyed that Flynn ’ s alleged mistress was a “ Russian woman ” who “ may have been a dual citizen.
” An FBI memo dated Jan. 4 , 2017 , contained another allegation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The memo , which was provided to Flynn ’ s lawyers on April 30 , said that an FBI confidential human source ( CHS ) told the bureau that they were present at an event that Flynn attended while he was still working in the U.S. intelligence community .
The CHS said that after dinner and drinks , Flynn “ surprised ” everyone by leaving in a cab with a person that the FBI source suspected had ties to Russians .
Lokhova became the target of a whisper campaign in early 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years earlier , when he served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency ( DIA ) .
The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian reported in March 2017 that Flynn had a suspicious encounter with Lokhova that drew the attention of American and British intelligence officials .
Lokhova has vehemently denied allegations of wrongdoing .
She has said that she met Flynn just once , at the Cambridge event .
Lokhova ’ s husband has told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he picked Lokhova up after the Cambridge dinner and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A DIA official who attended the Cambridge event with Flynn also told TheWSJ in March 2017 that Flynn did not engage in any improper behavior .
In the FBI memo , the Washington Field Office proposed closing a counterintelligence investigation of Flynn because investigators found no evidence that he was acting as an agent of Russia .
Peter Strzok , the deputy chief of counterintelligence , intervened at the last minute to keep the investigation open after the FBI obtained a transcript of Flynn ’ s phone calls in late December 2016 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped set the “ primary objectives ” the FBI meeting with Steele in October 2016 , the IG report also stated .
The FBI source discussed in the Flynn memo has not been identified .
Steele was officially a CHS from 2013 until Nov. 1 , 2016 , when the FBI terminated the relationship because the ex-spy had unauthorized contact with the media regarding the dossier .
Steele ’ s handling agent , Michael Gaeta , told the House Intelligence Committee that the FBI decided not to pay Steele for his help with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media .
Stefan Halper is another FBI source who was a co-convener of the Cambridge event that Flynn attended .
The FBI tasked Halper to meet with and record Page , Papadopoulos and Sam Clovis .
The IG report also said that Halper was previously acquainted with Flynn , but it did not make reference to Halper providing any intelligence on the retired general .
Halper told the FBI he was acquainted with Flynn , the IG report stated .
Neither Steele nor Halper are known to have attended the Cambridge event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the FBI source mentioned in the Jan. 4 , 2017 , memo on Flynn .
Both Halper and Steele have a relationship with Sir Richard Dearlove , the former chief of MI6 .
Dearlove hosted Flynn at the Cambridge event .
Steele ’ s firm , Orbis Business Intelligence , has declined repeated requests for comment about his knowledge of Lokhova .
A source familiar with Steele ’ s activities in 2016 previously told the DCNF that the retired spy was aware of Lokhova .


freedomdaily--2020-05-21--Senate Committee Approves Subpoena In Burisma-Biden Probe

A Senate committee voted along party lines Wednesday to subpoena a Democratic consulting firm that worked for Burisma Holdings , the Ukrainian energy company linked to Hunter Biden .
The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee authorized the subpoena for Blue Star Strategies , a Washington , D.C.-based consulting and lobbying firm owned by Karen Tramontano and Sally Painter , two former Bill Clinton administration officials .
Burisma hired Blue Star Strategies in 2015 as part of an effort to respond to allegations of corruption against the energy company .
Burisma brought Hunter Biden on as a board member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father was taking over as the Obama administration ’ s chief liaison to Ukraine .
Burisma paid the younger Biden hundreds of thousands of dollars as a board member even though he had no experience in the energy business or Ukraine .
State Department emails show that Tramontano and Painter reached out to agency officials regarding Burisma in 2016 .
One email shows that Painter reached out to Tony Blinken , who served as deputy secretary of state , in June 2016 to meet to discuss Ukraine .
Blinken is now a top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
Sen. Ron Johnson , the chairman of the Senate committee that authorized the subpoena , had sought documents related to former Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Telizhenko ’ s work with Blue Star .
Telizhenko , who worked for Blue Star in 2016 and 2017 , has met voluntarily with the committee but said that he could not provide some documents because they were protected by a non-disclosure agreement .
Johnson said that Blue Star had refused to provide the documents in question .
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters , the top Democrat on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the vote .
“ At this moment when Americans need us to work together , this extremely partisan investigation is pulling us apart , ” he told the newspaper .
Delaware Sen. Tom Carper , a member of the committee , also blasted the vote , and defended Tramontano , the Blue Star co-founder .
He also noted that Tramontano ’ s attorney is Peter Kadzik , a former Justice Department official in the Obama administration .
Kadzik came under scrutiny after emails released by WikiLeaks showed that he was in contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation into Hillary Clinton ’ s emails .
“ I ’ m supporting this probe today because we need to get to the truth of the Bidens ’ relationship with Burisma , and these hearings will provide the Senate with the full picture , ” Republican Sen. Rick Scott said following the vote .


freedomdaily--2020-05-21--Seattle Asks For $100 Million Taxpayer-Funded Illegal Alien Relief Fund

Seattle leaders called on the Washington state government Monday to establish a coronavirus relief fund that provides millions in cash assistance to illegal aliens .
The Seattle City Council passed a resolution Monday encouraging Democratic Gov .
Jay Inslee and state lawmakers to establish a Washington Worker Relief Fund to “ provide emergency economic assistance to undocumented Washingtonians , ” according to the Seattle Times .
City councillors are calling attention to illegal aliens in the state who do not qualify for federal assistance because of their immigration status , but have been suffering due to the declining economic conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The measure suggests the Washington Worker Relief Fund should begin with an initial allocation of $ 100 million .
“ Looking out for the most vulnerable in our community is even more critical in times of crisis , ” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a Monday statement .
“ It is all the more important to ensure we are not pushing people further into the shadows.
” The measure sailed through the city council by a vote of 9-0 , and enjoys support from the mayor ’ s office .
The non-binding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund for illegal aliens , but simply calls on Washington state to create one .
Seattle ’ s measure is the latest by liberal lawmakers across the country use taxpayer funds for aid to those living in the U.S. unlawfully .
California , for example , began accepting applications for a $ 125 million fund for illegal aliens in the state .
An organization involved in the program received so many calls that their phone lines crashed within the first hour .
Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced in April that his city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to low-income residents in the city , including illegal aliens .
Lawmakers in Washington , D.C. , are currently debating a bill passed by House Democrats that , if signed into law , would provide potentially billions in economic assistance to those living in the U.S. unlawfully .
Republican leaders have said the relief package is a non-starter .
It ’ s not immediately clear where Inslee , Washington ’ s governor , stands on Seattle ’ s resolution .
The governor ’ s office is researching “ how the state can best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to needed assistance , ” Inslee spokeswoman Tara Lee said to the Seattle Times .
“ The governor and his staff have had meetings with community leaders on this subject , as well as other pressing issues for immigrants , ” Lee said .


freedomdaily--2020-05-21--GOP Senators ‘Increasingly Concerned’ Surveillance Of Trump Associates Began Earlier Than Previously

GOP Senators ‘Increasingly Concerned’ Surveillance Of Trump Associates Began Earlier Than Previously Known

Two Republican senators dramatically expanded their request for so-called Obama administration unmasking records on Tuesday , saying in a letter to the U.S. government ’ s top spy chief that they are “ increasingly concerned ” that surveillance of Trump campaign aides began earlier than the FBI has previously acknowledged .
Sens .
Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson sent a letter to acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell on Tuesday asking him to provide their committees unmasking records submitted for any Trump campaign associate between January 2016 through January 2017 .
“ Based on our investigation and recent press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surveillance of U.S. persons affiliated with the Trump campaign began earlier than the opening of the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane investigation in late July 2016 , ” the senators wrote in a letter to Grenell .
“ It has become evident that the FBI , and possibly members of the U.S. Intelligence Community , were focused on U.S. persons affiliated with the Trump campaign in early 2016 , if not even earlier.
” Last Wednesday , the senators released a list of 39 Obama administration officials who submitted requests during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn .
The records , which Grenell declassified earlier this month , showed that then-Vice President Joe Biden submitted a request for reports on Flynn .
Former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan also submitted requests for the reports .
Republicans have long questioned whether the FBI or CIA were monitoring Trump campaign associates before the FBI officially opened Crossfire Hurricane , the name for its counterintelligence investigation into a possible conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Kremlin .
The FBI opened the probe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Johnson noted that the Justice Department inspector general ( IG ) reported that FBI headquarters directed the New York Field Office to open a counterintelligence investigation in April 2016 against Carter Page , who had joined the Trump campaign a month before .
An FBI confidential human source , Stefan Halper , also met Page at a political conference on July 10 , 2016 , three weeks before the start of Crossfire Hurricane .
The IG report said that FBI agents claimed that Halper ’ s encounter with Page was “ serendipitous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI investigation of the Trump aide .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-21--Coronavirus reminds you of death – and amplifies your core values, both bad and good

There ’ s nothing like a worldwide pandemic and its incessant media coverage to get you ruminating on the fragility of life .
And those thoughts of death triggered by the coronavirus amplify the best and worst in people .
The results of this psychological phenomenon are all around : people hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer , hurling ethnic slurs and attacking Asian Americans , heaping praise or scorn on President Trump , hailing new political and health care heroes .
Sheltering at home has drawn some families closer together , but is a crucible of domestic violence for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has increased feelings of isolation , boredom , anxiety and despair .
What ’ s behind these attitudinal and behavioral shifts ?
Back in 1986 , we first developed an idea called terror management theory that explains how people double down on their essential beliefs , without even noticing , when confronted with their own mortality .
Hundreds of psychology experiments from the past 30 years have explored how people react to the thought of their own death .
These reminders bolster people ’ s core worldviews , making racists more hateful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more giving and constituents more suportive of charismatic leaders .
At a moment when the idea of death is front and center for many people , this psychological tendency has important implications for everything from how grocery store cashiers are treated to how people will vote in the upcoming presidential election .
No one gets out alive Terror management theory acknowledges that human beings are animals biologically predisposed to try to survive .
But at the same time , people also realize how dangerous the world is , how vulnerable we are and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is doomed to fail .
Knowing that we will all die , and it can happen at any time , can give rise to potentially paralyzing terror .
To manage this fear , people work to see themselves as valuable contributors to a meaningful universe .
Viewing yourself as an important worker , entrepreneur , teacher , artist , scientist , lawyer , doctor , parent , spouse and so forth allows you to feel like you ’ re not just a material creature who will disappear upon death .
Rather than dwelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe in things like immortal souls , in your offspring carrying on your genes and values or in your work having an enduring impact .
It ’ s comforting to believe that some part of you will continue after death , through your connections to your family , profession , religion or nation .
Thoughts of death lead people to cling more tightly to these soothing beliefs .
Such thoughts can be triggered by simply reading a news story about a murder , being reminded of 9/11 or even glancing at a funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate , front-line defenses – you want to feel safe by getting death out of your mind right away .
Then subconscious downstream defenses work to fortify the protective bubble of the symbolic reality you believe in .
Researchers have found that these downstream defenses include more punitive reactions to criminals , increased rewards for heroes , prejudice toward other religions and countries and allegiance to charismatic politicians .
Because of the coronavirus , death reminders are all around .
Front-line reactions range from efforts to shelter at home , maintain social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat by comparing it to the flu or calling it a political hoax meant to undermine the economy and thwart President Trump ’ s reelection effort .
People who are more optimistic about their coping skills and have confidence in health care providers are prone to react constructively .
They typically follow the recommendations of health care experts .
But people prone to pessimism and skepticism regarding health care authorities are more likely to deny the threat , ignore recommendations and react hostilely to expert advice .
These first-tier defenses banish death thoughts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their influence .
Instead the thoughts linger just outside your attention , triggering downstream defenses that reinforce your valuable place in your world .
One way to enhance your value is through contributing to and identifying with heroic efforts to defeat this threat .
That can happen via your own behavior and by lauding those leading the charge , such as first responders , health care workers , scientists and political leaders .
Even those who inhabit social roles not usually given their due are recognized as heroes : grocery cashiers , pharmacists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , many people question their value more because of the pandemic .
Earning a living to provide for one ’ s family and connecting with others are fundamental ways to feel valuable .
Pragmatic health and economic concerns and impoverished social connections can combine to threaten those feelings of meaning and value .
In turn they can increase levels of anxiety , depression and mental health problems .
Existentially threatening times also tend to create heroes and villains .
American scientists , like Anthony Fauci , and political figures , like New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely admired .
President Trump ’ s approval rating temporarily increased .
In times of crisis , people typically turn to their leaders , and put additional faith in them .
At the same time , people also seek to assign blame .
Some turn their fear and frustration about the coronavirus that first emerged in China into hate toward Asians and Asian Americans .
Others , depending on their political leanings , blame the World Health Organization , the mainstream media , or President Trump .
Even if the coronavirus abates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fringes of consciousness as the November election approaches .
If President Trump is perceived as a heroic wartime president who got the country through the worst of this invisible enemy , such death reminders could work to his advantage .
If , however , the president is viewed as an incompetent bungler responsible for the virus spreading and the economy collapsing , the same death reminders could undermine his chances .
We ’ re all in this together If you ’ re interested in trying to short-circuit some of these unconscious defenses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe the best approach is to consciously acknowledge your mortal fears .
By doing so , you can gain some reasoned control over their influence on your judgments and behavior .
We also suggest keeping in mind that all human beings are one interdependent species sharing the same planet .
Recognizing that the coronavirus poses the same existential threat for all of us helps underscore that humanity is a group we all belong to .
It ’ s by working together and not turning on each other that we will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychological vitality .
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Jeff Greenberg has received funding from NSF and NIH for research guided by terror management theory , although he is not currently funded by these agencies .
Sheldon Solomon receives funding from The National Science Foundation and The Ernest Becker Foundation .


freedomdaily--2020-05-21--What the phase 1 trials of the first COVID-19 vaccine really mean

Early morning on May 18 , Moderna , a biotechnology company , revealed the preliminary findings for the much anticipated phase I trial of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine .
The information sent Moderna ’ s stock soaring by more than 20 % and helped fuel a rally on Wall Street .
Although there was an enthusiastic response to the news , the purpose of all phase I trials is primarily to demonstrate safety and tolerability .
While the early results are tantalizingly positive , what Moderna has not revealed is raising some doubts .
I am a data scientist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on vaccine development for Zika and dengue fever .
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic , I have spearheaded building a consortium of more than 100 cancer centers to collect data about cancer patients who have been infected with COVID-19 .
The purpose of the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium is to rapidly collect and disseminate information about this especially vulnerable population .
Having a background in vaccine development , I found Moderna ’ s press release lacking some key details .
A vaccine imitates the infection to give the immune system a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public health tool after Edward Jenner showed in 1796 that inoculation with the less virulent cowpox could prevent smallpox .
After his son ’ s death from smallpox , Benjamin Franklin regretted his decision not to inoculate his son against it .
Today vaccines are widely credited for the prevention and eradication of many of once feared deadly diseases .
Vaccines prepare the immune system by generating disease-fighting proteins called antibodies , which seek out and attack if the real infectious virus ever shows up .
Traditional vaccines against viruses are either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unable to cause disease ; or they are made from signature viral proteins called antigens , that then spark an immune response .
An antigen in the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the crown-like spike ( S ) protein through which the virus latches to the lung and respiratory cells .
However , developing vaccines based on the viral proteins is a slow process because of the difficulties in producing pure proteins at medical standards in large quantities .
But now scientists have developed a different type of vaccine : mRNA vaccines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine , researchers are giving them mRNA , which is the biological code that the cells read and translate to make their own proteins .
So , instead of the traditional viral protein vaccines , an mRNA vaccine provides a synthetic copy of mRNA-encoding individual proteins from the virus , which the host body uses to produce the viral protein itself .
As with other vaccines , the presence of the protein kicks off the body ’ s immune system to fight the virus .
A big advantage of mRNA vaccines is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proteins by directly injecting the molecular instructions to make the protein into the human body itself .
Massachusetts-based Moderna Inc. has fast-tracked development and testing of an experimental COVID-19 mRNA vaccine called mRNA-1273 .
Its collaborators at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ( NIAID ) were already working on experimental Middle East respiratory syndrome ( MERS ) vaccines , which targeted a closely related coronavirus spike protein .
So as soon as the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 became available , Moderna and its collaborators at NIAID got a head start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in federal funds to speed development of a coronavirus vaccine , Moderna began testing the 2019-nCoV vaccine ( mRNA-1273 ) on Feb. 25 , 2020 .
The phase 1 study of the investigational vaccine , led by the NIAID , part of the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) , was designed to assess the safety , tolerability and ability to induce an immune response at three dose levels – 25 , 100 or 250 micrograms .
On May 18 , Moderna announced the interim phase 1 data .
mRNA-1273 was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for minor redness and swelling at higher doses .
No volunteers faced any life-threatening events during the six weeks of study .
The mRNA-1273 produced antibodies which could bind the target spike protein at each of the injected doses , in all 45 volunteers ( ages 18 to 55 ) .
The production of the binding antibodies response from mRNA-1273 injection was similar to the one found in patients who have recovered from previous SARS-CoV-2 infection .
It is important to highlight , though , that even among the survivors of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What has not been revealed Unconventional for a scientific study , data was given from only eight of the 45 volunteers — four each from the 25 and 100 microgram doses , who developed neutralizing antibodies .
Neutralizing antibodies are essential for an effective long-lasting vaccine because they not only bind to the virus , but they block an infection .
The age of the eight volunteers is not known .
That is important information because COVID-19 is far more deadly for older patients .
It ’ s important to know if this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants .
Also , the neutralizing antibody response in the remaining 37 volunteers was not disclosed .
So it is impossible to know whether the mRNA-1273 was ineffective in them , or whether the results were not available at this point .
The phase 2 trial for mRNA-1273 has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
In this trial each subject will receive two vaccinations – prime and booster – of either a placebo , a 50 microgram , or a 250 microgram dose given 28 days apart .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the lowest 25 microgram dose of phase 1 was not very effective .
Moderna expects phase 3 trial to start in July and anticipates to produce 1 billion doses of the vaccine soon thereafter .
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Sanjay Mishra does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment @


What’s an epidemiologist?

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages .
If you have a question you ’ d like an expert to answer , send it to curiouskidsus @ theconversation.com .
Unlike doctors and veterinarians , who typically focus on treating one patient at a time , epidemiologists focus on big groups of people or animals .
We try to prevent the spread of diseases .
That means I study and teach students how to keep communities of people and clusters of animals healthy .
Epidemiologists need to know a lot about health and diseases .
They also need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not all of us are doctors or vets .
Have you ever seen a big maze of dominoes ?
When one domino gets knocked down , it knocks down another and another .
Eventually , all or most of the dominoes have been knocked down .
Now imagine that each domino represents a healthy person .
A fallen domino is someone who is sick .
Epidemiologists have the hard job of figuring out how the dominoes could be slightly rearranged to stop as many as possible from falling over .
We try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – creating the problem – and also how to stop the resulting cascade of sickness .
Another way to understand what people like me do for a living is to see epidemiologists like detectives who try to put pieces of a story together to tell a whole tale .
This includes trying to understand why some people get a particular disease , and others don ’ t .
However , epidemiologists also get involved when a disease starts affecting a large number of people .
When this happens , it may be called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease affects the whole world , as is the case today with COVID-19 , we call it a “ pandemic.
” When those events happen , epidemiologists study how the disease is spreading among people , and what symptoms it is causing .
The ultimate goal is to figure out how to prevent the disease from affecting more people .
People like me also try to predict how many people will be affected , and when .
This helps doctors , nurses and hospitals know they need to get ready to care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots of things besides study infectious diseases – illnesses you can catch from someone else , such as measles and the flu .
Epidemiologists helped discover things like the fact that smoking causes cancer and that air pollution makes asthma worse .
Of course , many doctors may have independently noted that several of their patients who smoke get cancer .
But experts had to look at hundreds or even thousands of records to prove that smoking was the cause .
Epidemiologists work on any kind of puzzle where a disease is afflicting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the flu , COVID-19 or lung cancer .
Hello , curious kids !
Do you have a question you ’ d like an expert to answer ?
Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS @ theconversation.com .
Please tell us your name , age and the city where you live .
And since curiosity has no age limit – adults , let us know what you ’ re wondering , too .
We won ’ t be able to answer every question , but we will do our best .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 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--2020-05-21--How to stay safe from coronavirus while eating out: Restaurant advice from an infectious disease exp

How to stay safe from coronavirus while eating out: Restaurant advice from an infectious disease expert

As restaurants and bars reopen to the public , it ’ s important to realize that eating out will increase your risk of exposure to the new coronavirus .
Two of the most important public health measures for keeping illnesses to a minimum are nearly impossible in these situations : First , it ’ s hard to eat or drink while wearing a face mask .
Second , social distancing is difficult in tight spaces normally filled with back-to-back seating and servers who weave among the busy tables all evening long .
So , what should you look out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant reduce the risk ?
Here are answers to a few common questions .
How far apart should tables and bar stools be ?
There is nothing magical about 6 feet , the number we often hear in formal guidance from government agencies .
I would consider that the minimum distance required for safe spacing .
The “ 6-foot ” rule is based on old data about the distance droplets can spread respiratory viruses .
These droplets tend to settle out of the air within 6 feet , but that isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus over larger distances , though there remains some uncertainty about how common this spread is .
Particles generated by sneezes or someone running can travel up to 30 feet .
Talking alone has been shown to generate respiratory droplets that could be infectious .
If there is a fan or current generated in a closed space such as a restaurant , particles will also travel farther .
This was shown in a paper from China : People in a restaurant downwind of an infected person became infected even though the distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closer the distance and the greater the time someone is exposed to a person who is infectious , the greater the risk .
If the servers wear masks , is that enough ?
If servers wear masks , that will afford a layer of protection , but customers eating and talking could still spread the virus .
One way to mitigate that risk in this imperfect situation , at least from a public health point of view , would be to have tables surrounded by protective barriers , such as plexiglass or screens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with doors that can be closed .
Some states are encouraging restaurants to limit each table to only one server who delivers everything .
Restaurants could also screen guests before they enter , either with temperature checks or questions about symptoms and their close contacts with anyone recently diagnosed with COVID-19 .
It ’ s controversial , but restaurants in California have tried it .
Washington state tried to require restaurants to record visitors ’ contact information in case an outbreak is discovered , but it pulled back to only recommend doing so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees .
In fact , guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend restaurants have employee screening in place before they reopen .
But while screening employees for possible infection could decrease risk , it ’ s important to remember that people can be infectious six days before they develop symptoms .
That is why masks , eye protection , social distancing and hand hygiene are critical measures for preventing infection .
Should I ask for disposable utensils and wipe everything down ?
Regular dishwashing of plates , glasses and utensils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will inactivate the virus .
No need for disposables here .
The table should also be cleaned and disinfected between uses and marked as sanitized .
Menus are a bit more problematic , depending on the material .
Plastic menus could be disinfected .
Disposable menus would be more ideal .
Remember , even if someone touches a surface that has infectious virus , as long as they don ’ t touch their mouth , nose or eyes they should be safe .
So , when in doubt , wash your hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the virus from food from the kitchen ?
The risk of becoming infected with the new coronavirus from food is very low .
This is a respiratory virus whose primary mode of infection is accessing the upper or lower respiratory tract through droplets or aerosols entering your mouth , nose or eyes .
It needs to enter the respiratory tract to cause infection , and it can not do this by way of the stomach or intestinal tract .
The virus also is not very stable in the environment .
Studies have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after less than an hour on copper , three and a half hours on cardboard and just under seven hours on plastic .
If food were to be contaminated during preparation , cooking temperature would likely inactivate much if not all of the virus .
The use of masks and maintaining good hand hygiene by food preparers should significantly reduce the risk of food contamination .
Is outdoor seating or a drive-through any safer ?
Vulnerable people may want to pass on dine-in options and focus on pickup or perhaps outside dining if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or carry-out are probably the safest ; transient interaction with one individual when everyone is wearing masks is a lower-risk situation .
Overall , outside dining is safer than indoor dining with everything else being equal on a nonwindy day due to the larger air volume .
Maintaining eye protection via glasses and intermittent mask use between bites and sips would further decrease the risk .
You might also be interested in other parts of this series : • How do you stay safe now that states are reopening ?
An expert explains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends and family • Here ’ s how to stay safe while buying groceries amid the coronavirus pandemic • How can you be safe at a pool , the beach or a park ?
A doctor offers guidance as coronavirus distancing measures lifted [ The Conversation ’ s newsletter explains what ’ s going on with the coronavirus pandemic .
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Thomas A. Russo does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-22--FBI Director Christopher Wray Orders Internal Investigation Of Michael Flynn Probe

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Friday ordered an internal investigation into whether any bureau employees engaged in misconduct in the probe of Michael Flynn , the former national security adviser .
In a statement , the FBI said that Wray ordered the bureau ’ s inspection division “ to conduct an after-action review of the Michael Flynn investigation.
” The review will “ evaluate the relevant facts related to the FBI ’ s role in the Flynn investigation and determine whether any current employees engaged in misconduct , ” the statement says .
Wray has recently come under intense scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief has refused to provide documents to Congress about various aspects of the bureau ’ s investigation of the Trump campaign .
Wray ordered the inspection division to coordinate with Jeffrey Jensen , the U.S. attorney for St. Louis .
Attorney General William Barr appointed Jensen in January to review the FBI ’ s investigation of Flynn after his attorneys accused the Justice Department of withholding exculpatory information in his case .
The FBI announcement comes after the Justice Department filed a motion on May 7 to withdraw charges against Flynn for making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts with Russia ’ s ambassador in late December 2016 .
Jensen ’ s review turned up FBI documents that showed that investigators were poised to close a counterintelligence investigation of Flynn in early January 2017 .
Peter Strzok , who then served as deputy chief of counterintelligence , intervened to keep the investigation open after the FBI received intelligence on Flynn ’ s phone calls in late December 2016 with Sergey Kislyak , a Russian diplomat .
Jensen also uncovered a note in which Strzok ’ s boss , Bill Priestap , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn to be held at the White House on Jan. 24 , 2017 .
Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during that interview about the details of his phone call with Kislyak .
Flynn retracted that admission of guilt on Jan. 29 , saying that he did not believe he lied to the FBI even though he pleaded guilty to doing so .
“ What is our goal ?
Truth/Admission or to get him to lie so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” Priestap wrote in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our Morning Briefing and get the news delivered to your inbox before breakfast !