freedomdaily--2020-05-15--Robo-boot concept promises 50% faster running

No matter how well designed , there are no running shoes that allow runners to keep up with cyclists .
The bicycle was a key invention that doubled human-powered speed .
But what if a new kind of shoe could allow people to run faster by mimicking cycling mechanics ?
This is the question my students in Vanderbilt ’ s Center for Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology and I explored as we developed a new theory of spring-driven robotic exoskeletons .
We came up with a concept for a new type of lower limb exoskeleton that could allow the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed of 18 meters per second or about 40 miles per hour .
The cutting edge of today ’ s running shoes is Nike ’ s Vaporfly , which allows runners to use 4 % less energy than standard running shoes .
Three-time Olympic medalist Eliud Kipchoge recently use them to run a marathon in under two hours .
Though the Vaporfly upended the world of professional running by increasing the efficiency of standard running shoes , it doesn ’ t provide the advantages of cycling or otherwise fundamentally alter the physics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of research and development in robotic exoskeletons that augment human power .
These use actuators and external energy : motors and batteries .
But they haven ’ t helped humans run faster .
Springs have also been used to make high-tech prostheses for paralympic running , but have not been shown to provide an unfair advantage compared to legs .
For human-powered speed , the bicycle has been the reigning champion for over a century .
The first running machine was a bicycle with no pedals .
It reduced the energy cost of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight on a seat and using wheels to avoid the inevitable energy loss when runners step .
But early bicycles did not allow cyclists to move faster than runners because the rider propelled himself by pushing against the ground with his legs – just like running .
What changed the game for bicycling was the invention of the pedaling mechanism , which allowed the legs to propel the rider continuously rather than only when the foot hits the ground .
The bicycle ’ s speed advantage over running has not endured for lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spring legs and refining running springs for generations , but these springs are not like a bicycle with pedals because they don ’ t allow the legs to supply energy when they ’ re off the ground .
To apply the advantage of cycling to running , we came up with a concept for a new type of robo-boot that emulates the function of bicycle pedals .
Using the robo-boot , runners supply energy by compressing a spring with each leg while it ’ s in the air .
With each footstep , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing against the ground faster and stronger than the legs could otherwise do .
We found that an ideal robo-boot would allow the fastest runner on Earth to use his legs 96 % of the step time to run faster than 20 meters per second , comparable to the top speed of cycling .
A more practical robo-boot that is used only about 60 % of the step time could still help a runner reach a top speed of 18 meters per second .
That ’ s 50 % faster than the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 100 meter sprint .
The high-tech component of the robo-boot is a variable stiffness spring that can increase its stiffness without changing its stored energy .
The stiffness of the spring determines how forcefully it can push against the ground to accelerate the runner ’ s body – the stiffer the spring , the greater the force given the same spring compression .
Conventional springs like those in retractable pens have a constant stiffness based on the spring ’ s material , shape and size .
Variable stiffness springs are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shape or size .
One type of variable stiffness spring increases stiffness by getting shorter .
A mechanism shortens the spring by moving the spring ’ s attachment point from its end to its middle .
The mechanism in the robo-boot shortens the spring as the runner extends her leg in the air .
Increasing the stiffness of the spring as the runner picks up speed is analogous to switching to a higher gear on a bike as a cyclist rides faster .
This allows runners to supply more energy and bypass the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the short ground contact time of high-speed running .
Modern racing bikes nearly double the top speed of running .
Robo-boots that leverage bicycle mechanics could similarly allow people to run faster without hefty motors and batteries .
These more portable human-powered devices could enable more widespread adoption of wearable robotic technology , and could push the boundaries of search and rescue , law enforcement and sports .
What would it mean for first responders to be able to move 50 % faster ?
Would a running shoe that provides a 50 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Olympics similar to ice skating and bicycle racing ?
Using science and advanced robotics technology , we ’ re able to envision next generation robo-boots that offer the first major boost to human-powered movement since the invention of the bicycle pedal in the 19th century .
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I am an inventor on a pending patent related to this work filed by Vanderbilt University .


freedomdaily--2020-05-15--The lack of women in cybersecurity leaves the online world at greater risk

Women are highly underrepresented in the field of cybersecurity .
In 2017 , women ’ s share in the U.S. cybersecurity field was 14 % , compared to 48 % in the general workforce .
The problem is more acute outside the U.S .
In 2018 , women accounted for 10 % of the cybersecurity workforce in the Asia-Pacific region , 9 % in Africa , 8 % in Latin America , 7 % in Europe and 5 % in the Middle East .
Women are even less well represented in the upper echelons of security leadership .
Only 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in senior management positions .
I study online crime and security issues facing consumers , organizations and nations .
In my research , I have found that internet security requires strategies beyond technical solutions .
Women ’ s representation is important because women tend to offer viewpoints and perspectives that are different from men ’ s , and these underrepresented perspectives are critical in addressing cyber risks .
The low representation of women in internet security is linked to the broader problem of their low representation in the science , technology , engineering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of scientists and engineers in the U.S. are women .
The societal view is that internet security is a job that men do , though there is nothing inherent in gender that predisposes men to be more interested in or more adept at cybersecurity .
In addition , the industry mistakenly gives potential employees the impression that only technical skills matter in cybersecurity , which can give women the impression that the field is overly technical or even boring .
Women are also generally not presented with opportunities in information technology fields .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of IT fields , 69 % indicated that the main reason they didn ’ t pursue opportunities in IT was because they were unaware of them .
Organizations often fail to try to recruit women to work in cybersecurity .
According to a survey conducted by IT security company Tessian , only about half of the respondents said that their organizations were doing enough to recruit women into cybersecurity roles .
Gender bias in job ads further discourages women from applying .
Online cybersecurity job ads often lack gender-neutral language .
Boosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes both security and business sense .
Female leaders in this area tend to prioritize important areas that males often overlook .
This is partly due to their backgrounds .
Forty-four percent of women in information security fields have degrees in business and social sciences , compared to 30 % of men .
Female internet security professionals put a higher priority on internal training and education in security and risk management .
Women are also stronger advocates for online training , which is a flexible , low-cost way of increasing employees ’ awareness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals are also adept at selecting partner organizations to develop secure software .
Women tend to pay more attention to partner organizations ’ qualifications and personnel , and they assess partners ’ ability to meet contractual obligations .
They also prefer partners that are willing to perform independent security tests .
Increasing women ’ s participation in cybersecurity is a business issue as well as a gender issue .
According to an Ernst & Young report , by 2028 women will control 75 % of discretionary consumer spending worldwide .
Security considerations like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming important in consumers ’ buying decisions .
Product designs require a trade-off between cybersecurity and usability .
Female cybersecurity professionals can make better-informed decisions about such trade-offs for products that are targeted at female customers .
Attracting more women to cybersecurity requires governments , nonprofit organizations , professional and trade associations and the private sector to work together .
Public-private partnership projects could help solve the problem in the long run .
One example is Israel ’ s Shift community , previously known as the CyberGirlz program , which is jointly financed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Rashi Foundation and Start-Up Nation Central .
It identifies high school girls with aptitude , desire and natural curiosity to learn IT and and helps them develop those skills .
The girls participate in hackathons and training programs , and get advice , guidance and support from female mentors .
Some of the mentors are from elite technology units of the country ’ s military .
The participants learn hacking skills , network analysis and the Python programming language .
They also practice simulating cyber-attacks to find potential vulnerabilities .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CyberGirlz Club and the CyberGirlz Community .
In 2017 , cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks teamed up with the Girl Scouts of the USA to develop cybersecurity badges .
The goal is to foster cybersecurity knowledge and develop interest in the profession .
The curriculum includes the basics of computer networks , cyberattacks and online safety .
Professional associations can also foster interest in cybersecurity and help women develop relevant knowledge .
For example , Women in Cybersecurity of Spain has started a mentoring program that supports female cybersecurity professionals early in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collaborated with big companies .
In 2018 , Microsoft India and the Data Security Council of India launched the CyberShikshaa program in order to create a pool of skilled female cybersecurity professionals .
Some technology companies have launched programs to foster women ’ s interest in and confidence to pursue internet security careers .
One example is IBM Security ’ s Women in Security Excelling program , formed in 2015 .
Attracting more women to the cybersecurity field requires a range of efforts .
Cybersecurity job ads should be written so that female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts should focus on academic institutions with high female enrollment .
Corporations should ensure that female employees see cybersecurity as a good option for internal career changes .
And governments should work with the private sector and academic institutions to get young girls interested in cybersecurity .
Increasing women ’ s participation in cybersecurity is good for women , good for business and good for society .
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Nir Kshetri does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

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freedomdaily--2020-05-15--More than 1 in 5 Americans are taking care of their elderly, ill and disabled relatives and friends

Significant Figures is a series from The Conversation where scholars explain an important number in the news .
I ’ m studying how the COVID-19 pandemic is changing caregiving .
Immunocompromised people , seniors with dementia and anyone with a chronic disease are more likely to experience the most severe COVID-19 symptoms .
Caregivers face new worries due to the coronavirus , including whether they can they still assist their vulnerable relatives and friends and what they should do if they themselves or someone they live with gets sick .
This quandary affects about 21.3 % of Americans .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work has reached an estimated 53 million in 2019 , according to the latest data collected by the National Alliance for Caregiving , an advocacy and research organization , and AARP .
That number , which excludes people caring for children without disabilities , is up from 43.5 million , the previous estimate made in 2015 .
Caregivers support their loved ones and friends by voluntarily performing an array of duties .
They help with activities of daily living , such as eating and getting dressed , along with a range of medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure the person they ’ re caring for is taking their drugs and monitor symptoms .
The report also observes that more than 6 in 10 caregivers are women , their average age is 49 and about 1 in 10 is a college student .
Caregiving under ordinary circumstances could take at least 23 hours per week , with few breaks and little support .
With COVID-19 social distancing measures , restrictions on getting more help at home is making caregiving even more challenging .
The pandemic is also increasing the toll that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of caregivers .
And even before COVID-19 arose , about 1 in 4 caregivers were struggling to coordinate health care from multiple providers , up from 1 in 5 in 2015 .
Almost half have taken at least one financial hit as a result of their caregiving , the new report found .
Still , until now the government hasn ’ t done much to support caregivers .
Congress did work some funding for them into the $ 2 trillion relief package known as the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for services to support caregivers but the exact details remain to be seen .
Several organizations provide caregivers with resources and guidance on people caring for others who have contracted COVID-19 , but advice is not enough .
I believe that health care systems ought to take steps to make sure that caregivers are adequately protected with the masks and other personal protective equipment they need at home , and have access to telehealth services for their loved ones and check-ins from clinicians who can ensure they have what they need to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best of The Conversation , every weekend .
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Erin E. Kent is on the Research Advisory Board for the National Alliance for Caregiving .


freedomdaily--2020-05-17--Scientists, Economists Urge Trump To Bring On Statistician To Avoid Getting Duped By Bad Health Mode

Scientists, Economists Urge Trump To Bring On Statistician To Avoid Getting Duped By Bad Health Models

Dozens of scientists , economists , and medical experts are urging President Donald Trump to add a professional statistician to his coronavirus task team because they worry the models his administration is relying upon could potentially lead his administration astray .
A slate of academics provided the Trump administration with a letter Tuesday listing several ideas the president could use to help boost his team ’ s pandemic response .
They believe adding an expert statistician to the COVID-19 task team could help Trump avoid relying on poor models that don ’ t reflect the real world .
“ Having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the President ’ s team is an urgent matter , ” they wrote in a letter obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ Such an immediate addition will reduce the chances of being misled by speculative computer models and other data.
” The letter ’ s signees cite two articles to help explain why they think models get it wrong without a statistician ’ s help .
They cite an April 23 Daily Signal article from retired epidemiologist James Enstrom who says in the piece that “ all other COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which there is currently little knowledge.
” Enstrom , one of the letter ’ s signees , also suggests that “ some deaths are being classified as COVID-19 deaths even when COVID-19 is not the underlying cause.
” Enstrom also mentions the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) , which projected on April 1 that 262,029 hospital beds would be needed on the peak date of the coronavirus ’ s spread in the United States .
The researchers behind the IHME model eventually dropped that projected number down by 58 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The letter was sent to Trump administration officials Tuesday , John Droz , a physicist who authored the memo , told the DCNF .
“ We support the President and wanted to give him several constructive suggestions going forward — and these are evidently somewhat different from what he is hearing from the Coronavirus Team , ” Droz said .
Statistician Stanley Young , climatologist Patrick Michael , and immunologist Jonathan Bernstein are among the 70 scientists and academics who signed the letter asking the administration to strengthen the task force .
Michaels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies at the Cato Institute until 2019 , and Bernstein is a clinical immunologist at Bernstein Allergy Group in Ohio .
Young , for his part , is a member of the Environmental Protection Agency ’ s Science Advisory Board and recently made waves after he criticized an April 4 Harvard University study drawing an association between particulate matters and coronavirus deaths .
“ The paper is written in a way that strongly implies cause and effect , ” he told the Washington Examiner in April , referring to the research .
Young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided other potential pieces of advice for the administration , including emphasizing the importance of flattening the curve , a policy designed to slow the spread of coronavirus such that it flattens out the number of cases over time .
In addition , they want the Trump administration to refrain from imposing “ one-size-fits-all mandates ” and instead allow states to stagger when they reopen .
The pandemic has killed more than 85,000 people in the United States thus far .
“ The main benefit is that it will enable higher efficacy COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen considerably sooner than vaccines will ) , ” the letter explains , noting that flattening the curve is not a permanent solution .
“ The public needs to be much better advised as to this rationale for short-term flattening.
” They also want Trump ’ s task force to keep better track of COVID-19 complications and deaths .
“ It would be informative if deaths related to lock-downs , higher prices , reduced incomes were kept track of , ” they write , adding that it is not helpful when medical professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus category .
Misstating such deaths can make for bad policy , they argue .
Neither the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor the White House ’ s COVID team has responded to the DCNF ’ s request for comment regarding the letter .
Recent reports suggest coronavirus death tolls are much higher than official numbers suggest .
Data from the CDC show total deaths are nearly 50 % higher in states slammed by the coronavirus pandemic .
Death numbers in New York , Maryland , New Jersey , Michigan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 8 and April 11 , data show .
The data appear to illustrate how the pandemic is causing an increase in deaths , perhaps as a result of people forgoing hospital visits for what would otherwise be treatable conditions .
The New York Times initially reported on the data on April 28 , suggesting that the CDC ’ s findings show that coronavirus death tolls are likely higher than official counts .


freedomdaily--2020-05-18--Al Qaeda Linked To Deadly Shooting At US Military Base In Florida, Investigators Say

The Saudi national who shot three Americans at a military base in Pensacola , Fl.
, in December had been in contact with Al Qaeda before the attack , according to law enforcement officials .
Cell phone evidence links Second Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani , a Saudi Air Force cadet who trained at the Naval Air Station Pensacola alongside American military officials , to the terrorist organization , according to government officials who spoke with the New York Times .
The FBI discovered cell phone communication between Alshamrani and an Al Qaeda operative from before the December 2019 shooting spree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed through the encryption on one of two phones belonging to the gunman , according to the sources .
Apple reportedly did not help investigators bypass the security features , the NYT reported .
Attorney General William Barr is expected to give details about the new discovery during a press conference on Monday .
It ’ s not immediately clear to what degree the Al Qaeda operative directed Alshamrani to carry out the deadly December 6 shooting , which ultimately killed three sailors and wounded another eight individuals .
However , an audio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claiming responsibility for the attack .
Alshamrani , a member of the Saudi Royal Air Force , had obtained a state hunting license and bought a Glock 45 9-millimeter handgun , which was used in the deadly shooting .
The attack prompted U.S. lawmakers to demand a change in how foreign military students are vetted .
After the shooting , federal authorities began to investigate whether Alshamrani might have been radicalized after a trip to Saudi Arabia in 2018 .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-18--Illegal Aliens Can Begin Applying For Cash Assistance In California

Illegal aliens can apply for direct cash assistance from the California state government as of Monday , marking the implementation of the first relief program of its kind .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , announced in April the launch of The Disaster Relief Fund , a $ 125 million coronavirus relief program for illegal aliens living in the state who don ’ t otherwise qualify for assistance from the federal government .
The program , which is being funded in large part by private donations , will also require millions more from the state .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and friends , should know that California is here to support them during this crisis , ” the governor said during the announcement .
“ We are all in this together.
” The Disaster Relief Fund will proceed despite pushback from California GOP lawmakers , a minority in the state legislature , and a lawsuit challenging the legality of the program .
Judicial Watch , a conservative legal firm , filed a temporary restraining order against Newsom May 5 to keep him from spending state taxpayer funds on the program .
The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law because Newsom did not receive explicit authority from the state government to distribute money to illegal aliens .
Federal immigration law typically bars undocumented aliens from being eligible for state or local public benefits .
Only through laws enacted by a state legislature can a state government distribute financial assistance to undocumented aliens — something Judicial Watch says Newsom didn ’ t do .
The relief fund , nevertheless , enjoys strong support from the state ’ s Democratic Party .
“ California is showing the rest of the nation what true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardenas , a Democrat who represents the state ’ s 29th District , tweeted on Monday .
The California program is being implemented after Democrats in Washington , D.C. , passed another relief bill , the HEROES Act , that would make illegal aliens eligible for billions in federal relief .
California expects to distribute cash to about 150,000 illegal aliens in the state .
The governor added at the time of the announcement that as much of 10 % of California ’ s workforce is undocumented — and deserving of financial assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program is a public-private partnership , with $ 75 million in funds being covered by California taxpayers and another $ 50 million by philanthropic organizations .
The fund will dole out one-time cash payments of $ 500 to each eligible adult , and a cap of $ 1,000 per family household .
Private donors to the relief program include the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative , the James Irvine Foundation , Emerson Collective , California Endowment and Blue Shield Foundation .
Newsom ’ s administration is distributing the funds to a dozen nonprofit groups that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to CNN , and applicants can reach out to these organizations directly .
Illegal aliens interested in the program can apply until June 30 or until money runs out .


freedomdaily--2020-05-18--Federal Judge Blocks North Carolina Governor’s Restrictions On Religious Services

Democratic North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper ’ s restrictions on indoor religious services show a distrust of those who are worshipping , according to a ruling from a federal judge .
U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III temporarily blocked Cooper ’ s restrictions on indoor services in a Saturday ruling , The News & Observer in Raleigh , N.C. , reported .
Dever said that Cooper ’ s stay-at-home order presents a double standard by only allowing up to 10 people at a religious service while letting businesses accommodate up to 50 people at a time .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The News & Observer reported , and a hearing is scheduled for May 29 to decide whether the order is permanent .
“ The record , at this admittedly early stage of the case , reveals that the Governor appears to trust citizens to perform non-religious activities indoors ( such as shopping or working or selling merchandise ) but does not trust them to do the same when they worship together indoors , ” the judge ’ s ruling said .
Cooper ’ s spokesperson Ford Porter responded to the ruling in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want indoor meetings to become hotspots for the virus and our health experts continue to warn that large groups sitting together inside for long periods of time are much more likely to cause the spread of COVID-19 , ” Porter said .
“ While our office disagrees with the decision , we will not appeal , but instead urge houses of worship and their leaders to voluntarily follow public health guidance to keep their members safe , ” he added .
“ The court trusts worshipers and their leaders to look after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free exercise rights just as they and their fellow citizens ( whether religious or not ) do when engaged in non-religious activities , ” Dever ’ s order said .
The ruling comes after a minister , a Christian revival group and two baptist churches sued Cooper through a federal lawsuit that sought to immediately block Cooper ’ s rules restricting religious services .
The lawsuit accused Cooper of violating First Amendment rights to religious freedom , according to The News & Observer .
“ Freedoms curbed eventually becomes no freedom at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the plaintiffs and the pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem , N.C. , according to the Associated Press .
“ If there ’ s ever been a time our communities need the church , it is now , ” Baity said .
Cooper had previously said that he does not wish churches “ to become hot spots for this virus.
” The governor emphasized that he understands the importance of faith during the crisis , but said he hoped “ congregations across North Carolina will talk with their leaders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to look after each other.
” Cooper did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .


freedomdaily--2020-05-18--Barr Says Obama And Biden Are Not Under Criminal Investigation

Attorney General William Barr poured cold water Monday on the idea that Barack Obama and Joe Biden will face criminal charges in connection with the surveillance activities against associates of President Donald Trump .
“ As to President Obama and Vice President Biden , whatever their level of involvement , based on the information I have today , I don ’ t expect Mr. Durham ’ s work will lead to a criminal investigation of either man , ” Barr said at a press conference .
“ Our concern over potential criminality is focused on others.
” Barr was referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating various aspects of the U.S. government ’ s investigation of Trump campaign associates .
Trump and some of his allies have suggested in recent weeks that Obama and Biden broke the law during the course of the FBI ’ s investigation of the Trump campaign .
Last Wednesday , two Republican senators released a declassified list of Obama administration officials who requested intelligence reports that identified Michael Flynn , the former national security adviser .
Biden submitted one of the so-called “ unmasking ” requests on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump supporters have alleged that the requests are evidence that the Obama administration targeted Flynn .
Republicans have focused on the Flynn unmaskings because a senior U.S. government official leaked classified details of Flynn ’ s call with Russia ’ s ambassador to The Washington Post on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
Biden has not said why he made the request for the report that identified Flynn .
Barr did not say whether Durham has investigated the Flynn unmasking requests .
“ I have a general idea of how Mr. Durham ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicated some aspects of the matter are being examined as potential crimes , ” said Barr .
“ Not every abuse of power , no matter how outrageous , is necessarily a federal crime.
” “ As long as I ’ m attorney general , the criminal justice system will not be used for partisan political ends .
This is especially true for the upcoming elections in November.
” Durham is reportedly looking at the activities of the FBI as well as the CIA .
Barr said in an interview last year that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unidentified “ private actors.
” Durham ’ s investigation is said to have some overlap with a Justice Department inspector general ’ s investigation of the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane probe .
The IG found that the FBI made 17 “ significant ” errors and omissions in applications to obtain surveillance warrants against Carter Page , a former Trump aide .


freedomdaily--2020-05-18--‘F***ing Devastating’: Katie Hill Says She Cried For Days After Republicans Flipped Her Old Seat

Topics in this post : Katie Hill the 2020 Election Former Democratic California Rep. Katie Hill said Sunday that she cried for days when Republicans flipped her old congressional seat , calling the loss “ fucking devastating.
” Hill , who resigned in October amid allegations that she had improper relationships with her staffers , tweeted Sunday after Republican former Navy pilot Mike Garcia flipped Hill ’ s old seat red in the May 12 special election .
Garcia had no political experience but beat out Democratic California assemblywoman Christy Smith , who had Democratic Party support and an endorsement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So yeah it really hurt to have my old seat flip back to Republican-for a ton of people & also for me , ” Hill tweeted Sunday .
“ In fact , it was pretty fucking devastating .
I went offline & cried for a few days but , as always , getting ready to stand back up & keep fighting .
Hope you are too.
” “ Onward , ” the former congresswoman added with a heart emoji .
The former congresswoman blamed her resignation on an ex who “ gave nonconsenual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ppl who wanted this seat- people who were backing Garcia when he was my opponent.
” “ They gave those pics to the press , ” she added .
“ I resigned .
I take full responsibility for my mistakes , but this Republican win is no coincidence.
” “ To @ christyforca25 , @ housedemocrats , # CA25 , my former staff & everyone who worked so hard to flip this seat , I ’ m so sorry , ” Hill said .
“ I know I let you down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in it all everyday .
Know that I ’ m here , ready to work .
Let ’ s take this seat back in Nov – # CA25 deserves it.
” Hill did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-18--How do you stay safe now that states are reopening? An expert explains how to assess risk when recon

How do you stay safe now that states are reopening? An expert explains how to assess risk when reconnecting with friends and family

Editor ’ s note : Now that states are relaxing social distancing restrictions , people desperately want to see friends and family , go to a restaurant and let our kids have play dates .
Even grocery shopping sounds fun .
But how can you do that and still stay safe ?
Here , an epidemiologist who is immune-compromised himself , walks you through some decision making .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) has finally released new guidelines for businesses , bars and schools that are considering reopening .
Although following these guidelines should help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been more clear , concise communication about the risk of infection .
And without strict guidelines , it will be up to us to minimize our own risk and the risk of everyone around us .
In large part , this is because there is still so much we scientists and physicians don ’ t know about the new coronavirus .
The pace of new research on the virus , SARS-CoV-2 , and the disease it causes , COVID-19 , is truly astonishing .
There are also times when the science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in conflict ; a prime example is the confusion about using face masks while a worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment exists .
And the pattern of disease is extremely localized .
Michigan ’ s outbreak looks different from Iowa ’ s , which looks different from Colorado ’ s .
Even within states , outbreaks are very distinct .
The outbreak I ’ m experiencing in southeast Michigan is not like the one my grandparents are experiencing two hours north of here .
As a research scientist , I study herd immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin to return to normal life – albeit a new normal – I can tell you there are ways we can minimize our risk .
As a survivor of leukemia and a bone marrow transplant , I am part of a high-risk population , so my risk calculation is likely different from yours .
As my state starts to relax restrictions , I will continue to limit my interactions with others as much as I can .
Here are things you can consider .
Read more : Should we wear masks or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What ’ s associated with a high risk of transmission ?
How SARS-CoV-2 transmits from person to person is still a mystery .
It can certainly be transmitted by large respiratory droplets , like those produced when we cough or sneeze .
Evidence also suggests that smaller aerosol particles , spread while talking or breathing , can lead to transmission .
There is some evidence that people can transmit the virus before they have symptoms , although they will likely have the highest amount of virus close to the start of the illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s safe to say the riskiest thing you can do is to come into close contact with sick people .
That ’ s why the advice about self-isolation if you feel ill is so important .
It ’ s also becoming clear the virus transmits most effectively in indoor settings .
There , close contact between infected people and inadequate ventilation are more likely .
The infection risk is especially high among household contacts .
Efficient transmission in crowded , enclosed spaces also explains the high attack rates in nursing homes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cruise ships .
On the flip side , the risk of transmission does seem to be lower outdoors .
How do we minimize risk ?
If the riskiest thing is to be in a crowd while indoors with sick people , then it follows the least risky behavior is to be in small groups , outdoors and to avoid sick people .
I think it will help to describe a simple model of infectious disease .
The rate of new infections over a given time period is called the “ force of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few things : the rate at which people contact each other ; the probability of infection given contact ; and the number of infectious individuals in a population .
This means our ability to prevent new infections depends on two things : reducing the rate at which people contact each other – or reducing the probability of infection given contact .
Reducing the contact rate was the goal of stay-at-home measures .
By all accounts , this is still the most effective tool to prevent new infections .
Other non-pharmaceutical interventions , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact , or the chance the virus is transmitted if there is contact .
Universal masking may be particularly effective if we can ’ t rely on symptomatic screening for identifying infectious cases .
Or maybe you ’ ve heard of the layers of swiss cheese .
Sometimes you have a few interventions ( slices of Swiss cheese ) , but none are perfect ( the holes ) .
But stack the slices up , and the holes start to cover up .
Layering imperfect interventions can , in a similar way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it all mean ?
I once read a quote about the common cold from Ian Mackay , an Australian virologist : “ The only fail-safe means of avoiding a cold is to live in complete isolation from the rest of humanity.
” The same is probably true for COVID-19 .
But that ’ s not realistic .
Authorities should borrow ideas from HIV prevention , and focus on clear messages for harm reduction .
In the absence of stay-at-home orders , all of us will have to decide for ourselves how much risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m a leukemia survivor , so I will factor that in .
You , too , will need to consider your medical history .
When I ’ m not in isolation , I will stack as many layers of swiss cheese as I can to minimize any risk : staying 6-10 feet away from others , wearing masks , staying outdoors .
I think these are generally common sense guidelines for anyone .
• If your local authorities allow small gatherings , then getting together with friends who aren ’ t sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with other sick people is safest outdoors .
• Try to stay as far apart from each other as you can .
• If anyone feels sick or has had recent contact with someone who feels sick they should skip the playdate ( this goes for adults and kids ) .
• If you are seeing someone at high risk of severe disease , an older relative or someone with a compromised immune system , take even more precautions and consider whether you can connect with them virtually .
[ You ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We get it .
That ’ s why we ’ ve got a weekly newsletter .
Sign up for good Sunday reading . ]
Ryan Malosh receives salary support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) and the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease ( NIAID ) .


freedomdaily--2020-05-18--How coronavirus could forever change home health care, leaving vulnerable older adults without care

How coronavirus could forever change home health care, leaving vulnerable older adults without care and overburdening caregivers

Physicians , health care experts and the media spent considerable time focused on hospital capacity since the start of the COVID-19 crisis .
Nursing homes received less attention , until thousands of deaths revealed a shocking risk for older adults and those who care for them .
Another sector receiving little attention are home care services – direct care workers , including personal care assistants and home health aides , nurses and therapists – those who render treatment in the patient ’ s home .
Over 5 million people in the U.S. currently receive paid home care .
And now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for older adults , and for those with disabilities , but many people with COVID-19 will need it too .
We are geriatricians who have worked in acute and post-acute care settings .
We have all witnessed the stress COVID-19 is placing on our health care system .
And we appreciate the incredible need for home care workers .
But how can workers , and those they care for , stay safe ?
COVID-19 could complicate and compromise care for millions of people whose care already was imperiled .
Even before COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers .
Thousands of people with COVID-19 who don ’ t require hospitalization may need home care , and those who are hospitalized with the virus will need home care post-discharge .
Some older adults , less willing to move into nursing homes in view of the tens of thousands of deaths in nursing homes , may opt for home care .
And people with underlying medical conditions , perhaps now less inclined to go to the hospital , may choose home care too .
The immediate expansion of home care services will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic – and also let us envision what health care might look like after the pandemic is over .
One thing to consider is the health of the home care workers themselves .
Those caring for vulnerable older adults are often themselves vulnerable .
About 90 % of the home care workforce are women who have not completed college .
Nearly 60 % belong to racial or ethnic minority groups with a disproportionately high rate of illness and death from COVID-19 .
One in five lacks health insurance .
And only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-time .
The median age for home care workers is 49 years of age ; they are paid a median of US $ 12 an hour ; and more than 1 in 4 have no health coverage themselves .
Consequently , many workers travel to multiple homes to piece together full-time work .
That increases the risk of bringing the virus into the homes of frail older adults .
At the same time , these essential workers are themselves at risk because of their exposure to multiple individuals .
These factors limit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide home care .
It ’ s crucial to care for the health of these workers as well as the recipients of their care .
Until this is fixed , there clearly is a public health problem .
Based on our research , here are 10 recommendations we think could help : • Home care workers and their clientele need regular COVID-19 testing .
• Home care workers need full-time positions with paid sick leave .
Federal funds are needed , because most home care agencies can ’ t cover these costs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flexibility is needed as to how care is given .
Already , there have been changes : Telehealth is now allowed for home health agencies .
Non-physician practitioners can now order home health services .
Allowing virtual training for home health aides would go further .
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ( CMS ) could expand the definition of “ home health ” to include “ personal care.
” This would help clients who are socially isolated and perhaps free up the overcrowding in nursing homes .
Right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers if they provide only personal care ( e.g.
, bathing , dressing ) .
• CMS could expand its definition of “ homebound ” so more could qualify for home care services .
• Federal funding for community health workers ( CHWs ) should be implemented .
• More home care workers need to be recruited , perhaps from industries experiencing significant layoffs such as retail and food services .
These individuals would need to be trained for their new roles .
• With the needs of an aging population becoming more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more complex tasks once reserved for RNs ( registered nurses ) and LPNs ( licensed practical nurses ) .
As they perform these tasks , home care workers need to be trained , authorized and compensated .
• Overall , there is a profound deficit in training for home care workers .
With our new normal upon us , this new workforce needs a career ladder with growth opportunities .
For example , these workers can obtain baseline training with additional expertise and competencies , such as how to care for a COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can then be compensated .
The quality of patient lives depends on the quality of the caregiving they receive .
We can not return to past ways of doing business .
The pandemic offers us the opportunity to expand the home care workforce to benefit those they serve .
After all , a crucial part of valuing our older adults is to value those who care for them .
[ The Conversation ’ s newsletter explains what ’ s going on with the coronavirus pandemic .
Subscribe now . ]
Madhuri Reddy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CareAcademy.com , which provides education for in-home care providers .
Nathan Stall and Paula Rochon do not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-17--‘Pelosi Basically Lost Me’: White House Says Checks For Illegal Aliens A No-Go For Stimulus Negotiat

‘Pelosi Basically Lost Me’: White House Says Checks For Illegal Aliens A No-Go For Stimulus Negotiations

White House economic adviser Peter Navarro swatted down the possibility that the coronavirus stimulus package passed by House Democrats would be acceptable by the Trump administration .
During a Sunday morning appearance on ABC ’ s “ This Week ” with Georgia Stephanopoulos , Navarro said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “ lost me ” with her party ’ s stimulus bill .
The legislation includes a slate of poison pills for the GOP , including cash assistance for illegal aliens , protections for sanctuary cities , and other far-left provisions .
“ So , Nancy Pelosi basically lost me with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks for illegal immigrants , it goes downhill from there , ” Navarro , the director of trade and manufacturing policy within the administration , said Sunday when asked about the bill .
“ What we have to do , George , is basically go with the fiscal and monetary stimulus that we have been going through .
We ’ ve got a lot coursing through the system now , ” Navarro said .
“ We may need more .
I ’ ll let others above my pay grade negotiate that.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George , and this is the real key to success , is going to be the structural adjustments we ’ re going to have to make , ” he continued , suggesting that the U.S. would need to replace lost service jobs by creating more opportunities in the manufacturing industry .
The interview came after House Democrats passed their $ 3 trillion HEROES Act on Friday night .
The bill , which includes massive assistance to states and local governments suffering from the coronavirus lockdown , would allow those who use Taxpayer Identification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance , paving the way for illegal aliens who don ’ t have Social Security numbers to be eligible for the $ 1,200 checks .
House Republicans introduced an amendment that would ’ ve prevented illegal aliens from receiving the stimulus checks , but Democratic lawmakers shot it down before passing the bill on Friday .
The legislation also calls on Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) to reduce its detainee population , and bars the administration from withholding federal grant money from localities that refuse cooperation with federal immigration authorities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not expected to survive in the GOP-controlled Senate .


freedomdaily--2020-05-17--Chinese Official Confirms That China Ordered Labs To Destroy Coronavirus Samples

A senior Chinese government official confirmed Friday that authorities ordered laboratories to destroy samples of the coronavirus in early January .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had accused Chinese officials of ordering the samples ’ s destruction as part of the regime ’ s coverup of the coronavirus outbreak in its early stages .
Pompeo said on April 22 that “ censored those who tried to warn the world , it ordered a halt to testing of new samples , and it destroyed existing samples.
” He offered more specificity on May 6 , stating that China ’ s National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples destroyed on January 3rd.
” NHC official Liu Dengfeng conceded at a briefing on Friday that the agency had ordered the labs to destroy the samples , but said that the order was given for safety reasons .
“ If the laboratory conditions can not meet the requirements for the safe preservation of samples , the samples should be destroyed on the spot or transferred to a professional institution for safekeeping , ” Dengfend said , according to the Wall Street Journal .
“ Based on comprehensive research and expert opinion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causing the pneumonia as Class II – highly pathogenic – and imposed biosafety requirements on sample collection , transport and experimental activities , as well as destroying the samples , ” Dengfeng said , according to the South China Morning Post .
Chinese officials repeatedly suppressed the truth about the COVID-19 coronavirus .
Chinese authorities silenced doctors , whistleblowers and journalists who sought to warn the public about the virus .
The majority view among the U.S. intelligence community agencies is that COVID-19 is a naturally occurring virus that accidentally leaked out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior intelligence official previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
China has stonewalled the rest of the world , including the China-friendly World Health Organization , from its investigation into the virus ’ s origins .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-17--John Brennan Says He Is Willing To Meet With Prosecutor Investigating Origins Of Russia Probe |

Former CIA Director John Brennan said Friday that he has yet to be interviewed by the federal prosecutor investigating the origins of the Trump-Russia probe , but that he is willing to do so and has “ nothing to hide.
” “ I feel very good that my tenure at CIA and my time at the White House during the Obama administration was not — that was not engaged in any type of wrongdoing or activities that caused me to worry about what this investigation may uncover , ” Brennan said in an interview with MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviewed by any of those individuals involved in this matter , but I ’ m willing to do so because I do believe that for too long , the American public have been misled by Donald Trump , by William Barr and others.
” John Durham , the U.S. attorney for Connecticut , has been investigating several aspects of the FBI , CIA and other agencies ’ investigations and intelligence-gathering activities related to associates of Donald Trump in 2016 and 2017 .
Durham is reportedly scrutinizing Brennan ’ s activities , though there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncovered any wrongdoing on the former spy chief ’ s part .
The New York Times has reported that Durham has requested Brennan ’ s CIA communications to find out what role he played in developing an Intelligence Community Assessment that said the Russian government intervened in the 2016 election specifically to help Trump .
On Wednesday , two Republican senators released a list of Obama administration officials who made requests for intelligence reports that that led to the “ unmasking ” of Michael Flynn .
The list , which was declassified by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national intelligence , showed that Brennan made a request for a report that identified Flynn on Dec. 15 , 2016 .
Former Vice President Joe Biden also made a so-called “ unmasking ” request on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
Former FBI Director James Comey also made a request on Dec. 15 , 2016 .
Brennan defended the so-called “ unmasking ” requests , saying that he and other Obama administration officials were “ carrying out our responsibilities correctly ” when they requested intelligence reports that discussed Flynn .
Brennan asserted that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” because he has “ spoken out against the corruption , the incompetence , the mischaracterizations that he and individuals around him have made to the American public.
” Durham is also reportedly investigating some of the same areas detailed in a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane probe .
The IG found that the FBI made 17 “ significant ” errors and omissions in applications for surveillance warrants against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page .
Many of the omissions centered on the Steele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI used to obtain authorization to wiretap Page .
The IG report said that FBI investigators withheld exculpatory information that undercut the theory that Page and other Trump aides were working with the Kremlin .
FBI and Justice Department officials also failed to disclose information that called dossier author Christopher Steele ’ s reliability into question .
The FBI also received evidence throughout 2017 that Russian intelligence operatives fed disinformation to Steele , a former MI6 officer .


freedomdaily--2020-05-19--How The FBI Used ‘News Hooks’ To Advance The Trump-Russia Probe

A common theme that has emerged from the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane investigation is bureau officials ’ use of media reports and leaks to advance aspects of the bureau ’ s probe of the Trump campaign ’ s possible ties to Russia .
In at least five instances , FBI officials capitalized on the so-called news hooks — also called news pegs , in journalistic jargon — as justification to open up new areas of the investigation .
James Comey , Andrew McCabe and Peter Strzok all took advantage of media reports to push the investigation forward .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leak of his own to spur the appointment of a special counsel .
Prominent media outlets played a key role in advancing the now-debunked theory that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government .
Much of that media manipulation centered around the infamous Steele dossier , which the Clinton campaign and DNC funded .
Christopher Steele , a former British spy , briefed numerous reporters , the FBI , Department of Justice ( DOJ ) , State Department and think tank officials on his dossier .
The FBI ’ s possession of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news hook that allowed Steele ’ s unverified allegations to make their way into public view .
James Comey ’ s briefing on Jan. 6 , 2017 to then-President-Elect Donald Trump regarding allegations in the Steele dossier touched off a series of events that shifted the collusion investigation into high gear .
The FBI received information from Steele months earlier , and numerous media outlets had a copy of the full dossier , which accused the Trump campaign of conspiring with the Kremlin to influence the 2016 election .
Steele , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin was blackmailing Trump with a sex videotape .
Comey has justified briefing Trump on the blackmail portion of the dossier claiming that he did so because the media had the dossier and was poised to publish it .
“ I said I wasn ’ t saying this was true , only that I wanted him to know both that it had been reported and that the reports were in many hands , ” Comey wrote in a memo following his briefing .
“ I said media like CNN had them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I said it was important that we not give them the excuse to write the FBI has the material or [ redacted ] and that we were keeping it very close hold.
” Despite Comey ’ s concerns , CNN found its excuse to write about the dossier .
Four days after the briefing , the network that the meeting with Trump occurred and that he was briefed on the existence of a salacious document that alleged that the Russian government had compromising information on the president-elect .
BuzzFeed News used the CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own .
The website cited CNN ’ s report as justification to publish the entire dossier , sparking a controversy that drags on to this day .
While Comey has publicly claimed that his purpose for the Trump briefing was to warn the incoming president of rumors floating around about him , he also appears to have used the meeting to advance the Crossfire Hurricane probe .
FBI officials told the DOJ ’ s office of the inspector general ( OIG ) that they and Comey discussed using the briefing to collect information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the OIG also said that they discussed Trump ’ s potential responses to being told about the ‘ salacious ’ information , including that Trump might make statements about , or provide information of value to , the pending Russian interference investigation , ” reads an August 2019 report regarding Comey ’ s memos .
Comey told the OIG that he treated the memo he wrote following the Jan. 6 , 2017 briefing as if it were obtained through surveillance , suggesting that he viewed it as material derived through an investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the OIG report , Comey said that his post-briefing memo “ ought to be treated… [ like ] FISA derived information or information in a [ counterintelligence ] investigation , ” a reference to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act .
The FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane investigators were far from upset over the publication of the dossier .
Peter Strzok , the FBI deputy chief of counterintelligence at the time , immediately seized on the publication in order to advance the probe .
“ Sitting with Bill watching CNN .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI lawyer Lisa Page on Jan. 10 , 2017 , just after publication of the dossier .
Strzok was seemingly referring to Bill Priestap , his boss at the FBI .
“ Hey let me know when you can talk .
We ’ re discussing whether , now that this is out , we use it as a pretext to go interview some people , ” Strzok added .
According to an inspector general ’ s report on the Crossfire Hurricane probe , Strzok said that he recalled that the text messages referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer Michael Cohen and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort .
Steele accused both of taking part in the Trump-Kremlin conspiracy .
Strzok told the OIG investigators that the Steele dossier could be used as cover to conduct the interviews without compromising the Crossfire Hurricane probe .
“ Strzok said the media release of the reports would be a logical reason for the FBI to interview Cohen and Manafort without alerting them to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation , ” the OIG report says .
Weeks after the dossier was published , two FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Papadopoulos for the first time .
Court documents show that the investigators initially told Papadopoulos that they wanted to speak to him about an associate , Sergei Millian , who had been identified in the media as a possible unwitting source for the dossier .
FBI agents also interviewed Steele ’ s primary dossier source in the days before Trump ’ s inauguration .
That source told investigators that Steele embellished key parts of the dossier .
The FBI also seized on a seemingly illegal leak of classified information to the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Flynn .
McCabe , who served as deputy director of the FBI , testified on Dec. 19 , 2017 that FBI leaders wanted to use a column published in The Washington Post as a pretext to interview Flynn .
On Jan. 12 , 2017 , Post columnist David Ignatius cited a senior U.S. government official who said that Flynn had spoken by phone weeks earlier with Sergey Kislyak , the Russian ambassador to the U.S. Ignatius raised the possibility that Flynn had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia and that the retired general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Logan Act .
The leak appeared to be based on information from classified transcripts of Flynn ’ s calls in late December 2016 with Kislyak .
At the time , the FBI was investigating whether Flynn and three other Trump associates were working as agents of Russia .
On Jan. 24 , 2017 , days after Flynn took over as national security adviser , McCabe phoned him to arrange an interview at the White House .
“ Why did the Bureau interview General Flynn when they did ?
What was the reasoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gowdy of South Carolina asked McCabe in a December 2017 House Intelligence Committee deposition .
“ To the best of my recollection , we interviewed General Flynn at that time because of the existence…of his conversation , the record of his conversation with Ambassador Kislyak had become widely known through press reporting , ” McCabe answered .
“ [ T ] here was no reason to continue , kind of , in a covert investigative posture and so we wanted to sit down with General Flynn and understand , kind of , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn pleaded guilty on Dec. 1 , 2017 to making false statements during that interview .
But the DOJ has since filed to drop the case after Flynn retracted his claim to have lied to the FBI .
Flynn ’ s lawyers and supporters have theorized that Flynn was somehow set up in a perjury trap through the use of the leak to the Post and McCabe ’ s request to interview Flynn .
Ignatius ’ s source has not been publicly identified .
After his firing on May 9 , 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the appointment of a special counsel to take over Crossfire Hurricane .
Comey testified that he provided his memos to his friend , Daniel Richman , after his firing in order to prompt the appointment of a special counsel .
Comey said he authorized Richman to provide New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt with memos that laid out Comey ’ s interaction with Trump regarding the alleged request to not investigate Michael Flynn .
“ I asked a friend of mine to share the content of the memo with a reporter .
Didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of reasons , ” Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 7 , 2017 .
“ I asked him to because I thought that might prompt the appointment of a special counsel.
” The Times published an article based on Comey ’ s memo on May 16 , 2017 .
The next day , then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller to serve as special counsel .
Mueller ’ s investigation ultimately found no evidence to support the initial theory of Crossfire Hurricane : that members of the Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence that any Trump associates acted as agents of the Russian government .
The FBI used several media reports to justify steps in their investigation into whether Carter Page was a Russian agent .
Applications for FISA orders that the FBI submitted on Page in 2016 and 2017 show at least three areas where news reports about the Trump aide were used to open up new lines of inquiry or to make the case that he was working for Russia .
The FISAs say that an FBI confidential human source , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 , 2016 and “ made general inquiries about the media reporting regarding Page ’ s contacts with Russian officials.
” The FBI source , Stefan Halper , had met with Page for the first time months earlier .
“ Although Page did not provide any specific details to refute , dispel , or clarify the media reporting , he made vague statements that minimized his activities , ” read the FISA applications , which have recently been declassified .
The FBI also cited reports that appeared in the summer of 2016 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Russia .
One of Steele ’ s unverified claims was that Page secretly met two Kremlin insiders in Moscow in July 2016 to discuss relaxing U.S. sanctions against Russia , and to drive a wedge between the U.S. and Ukraine .
News reports in The Washington Post and other outlets in July and August 2016 said that the Trump campaign mysteriously altered the language in the GOP platform regarding providing lethal aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia .
Citing those reports and Steele ’ s allegations , the FISA applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , following Page ’ s meetings in Russia , Page helped influence [ the Republican party ] and [ Trump ’ s ] campaign to alter their platforms to be more sympathetic to Russia.
” That theory was ultimately debunked .
The OIG report on Crossfire Hurricane said that the FBI omitted information showing that Page “ played no role ” in the platform change .
The FBI also cited a Yahoo !
News article published Sept. 23 , 2016 as part of the applications to obtain surveillance orders against Page , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate over whether the bureau cited the article as further evidence that Page was a Russian agent , or if the article was included in the FISA request in order to show that Page had denied working with the Kremlin .
The FISA application shows that the FBI discussed the article in a section which showed that Page denied allegations in the Yahoo !
News story .
The FBI dismissed Page ’ s denials , writing in the surveillance application that “ [ t ] he FBI believes that Page ’ s comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source reporting described above , untrue.
” Steele was the source for the article , but the FBI failed to disclose that link in the FISA applications .
The IG report said that while some FBI investigators believed that Steele was Yahoo ’ s source , other FBI agents believed that someone else was the source .
Steele himself denied being the source during an Oct. 3 , 2016 meeting with FBI agents .
The IG report also says that Steele expressed frustration at what he called leaks regarding his dossier .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source network to dry up .
One FBI agent told the IG that he was shocked that Steele would complain about leaks when he was the source for multiple journalists who wrote about the dossier .


freedomdaily--2020-05-19--‘Null And Void’: Judge Overturns All Of Oregon Gov Brown’s COVID-19 Executive Orders

A judge granted a preliminary injunction Monday freezing all of Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown ’ s coronavirus executive orders restricting church services and business , media reports show .
Brown exceeded her authority when she restricted activities for longer than the 28 days the governor is authorized under state law , Baker County Circuit Court Judge Matt Shirtcliff said .
The judge ’ s ruling effectively blocks enforcement of the 10 orders Brown gave since early March when she first imposed stay-at-home orders on citizens .
Shirtcliff ’ s decision comes after Elkhorn Baptist Church of Baker City filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor ’ s legal authority .
Salem attorney Ray Hacke of the Pacific Justice Institute , a nonprofit group that protects religious liberties .
Bill Harvey , chairman of the Baker County Board of Commissioners , filed a lawsuit as a nonparty participant , telling reporter Monday that , “ our emphasis was that she ( Brown ) overstepped her bounds.
” He filed as an individual rather than a state official .
Two attorneys with the Oregon Department of Justice requested Shirtcliff to either issue a stay or wait 48 hours before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning the injunction would not take effect immediately .
Shirtcliff denied the requests , saying he would enter his decision immediately .
Brown noted in a press statement Monday that she is appealing the ruling , which applies to the entire state .
“ This will ensure we can continue to safeguard the health of all Oregonians — including frontline health care workers , those living in nursing homes , workers in agriculture and food processing plants , and Oregonians with underlying health conditions –– while the legal process moves forward , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attorneys — Marc Abrams and Christina Beatty-Walters — argued that the governor ’ s orders were working to limit the spread of coronavirus , which originated in China before going global , killing hundreds of thousands of people worldwide .
The “ issue is not whether it ’ s working .
It ’ s whether she has exceeded the limits of her authority , ” Hacke countered .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , for instance , was criticized after implementing strict stay-at-home orders prohibiting citizens from visiting their family and friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings of any kind .


freedomdaily--2020-05-19--Lindsey Graham Sets Vote To Subpoena Comey, Brennan And Dozens More In Oversight Of Crossfire Hurric

Lindsey Graham Sets Vote To Subpoena Comey, Brennan And Dozens More In Oversight Of Crossfire Hurricane

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on June 4 whether to authorize subpoenas for documents and testimony from more than 50 current or former government officials , including James Comey and John Brennan , as part of the panel ’ s investigation into abuse of the surveillance process during Crossfire Hurricane .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , the chairman of the Judiciary panel , said that the committee will debate and vote on June 4 whether to issue the subpoenas .
Graham is seeking documents and testimony from 53 individuals in all .
Committee rules require Graham , a Republican , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat on the committee or to obtain a majority vote in order to issue subpoenas .
Graham is seeking documents and testimony referenced in the Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane probe .
The report said that FBI committed 17 “ significant ” errors and omissions in applications for surveillance warrants against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page .
The FBI relied heavily on the unverified Steele dossier to obtain the spy warrants .
The IG report said that FBI officials withheld information that undermined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author , Christopher Steele .
Graham is seeking the testimony of any current or former government official involved in Crossfire Hurricane , or any current or former government official who handled the Steele dossier .
Graham included the following list of individuals he plans to subpoena : Graham announced last Thursday that he would be scheduling a vote on the subpoenas .
He also said that he plans to hold hearings about revelations of Obama administration officials making requests to “ unmask ” the identity of Michael Flynn in intelligence reports .


freedomdaily--2020-05-19--Border Patrol Busts Texas Stash House, Capture 13 Illegal Aliens

– U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Zapata Station assisted Zapata County Sheriff ’ s Office ( ZCSO ) in the arrest of 13 individuals found inside a stash house in Zapata , Texas .
The incident occurred on the morning of May 18 , when ZCSO requested Service canine assistance for possible narcotics activity at a residence .
The investigation did not produce narcotics , but 13 individuals were discovered inside the home .
All were determined to be illegally in the United States from the country of Mexico .
The 13 individuals were arrested by Border Patrol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further investigation .
Despite the ongoing international pandemic , U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Laredo Sector continue to stand at the ready to secure the nation ’ s borders and prevent the flow of illegal immigration , the exploitation by human smugglers , and the spread of COVID-19 .
To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling , download the “ USBP Laredo Sector ” App or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994 .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-19--‘I’m Not Changing The Way I Run This State’: Whitmer Refuses To Apologize For Coronavirus Restrictio

‘I’m Not Changing The Way I Run This State’: Whitmer Refuses To Apologize For Coronavirus Restrictions

Democratic Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said Monday that she will not change the way she runs Michigan during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Michigan governor discussed her coronavirus restrictions and the protests that have erupted against her executive orders during an interview with Fox News .
Whitmer sparked outrage after implementing strict stay-at-home orders prohibiting Michigan residents from visiting their family and friends , holding public and private gatherings of any kind , and restricting which businesses may operate .
“ There is a lot of politics at play here , unfortunately , ” Whitmer told Fox News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature instead of being focused on the stay-at-home order.
” “ But I ’ ve been focused on doing my job , and I ’ m going to keep doing that and I ’ m not going to apologize about that , ” Whitmer said , before adding , “ I ’ m not changing the way I run this state because of some protests.
” Protests against Whitmer ’ s restrictions began in the middle of April and have continued almost weekly in Lansing , Mich. , Fox News reported , causing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together during the pandemic .
Whitmer has also raised concerns about protestors carrying assault weapons .
“ The threats of violence are very real and no one in public life should be subject to that , ” Whitmer said .
“ With everyone from local leaders to my calls with the White House , I ’ ve asked if we can all please do whatever we can to bring down the heat.
” Despite the protests , the Michigan governor has not backed down .
Whitmer previously warned that her executive orders are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference .
“ I expect people to follow the law .
These executive orders are not a suggestion .
They ’ re not optional .
They ’ re not helpful hints , ” Whitmer said May 11 .
Whitmer did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-19--Cuomo Says Nursing Homes Are A ‘Top Priority’ After Forcing Them To Accept Coronavirus Patients

Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Monday that nursing homes are now the “ top priority ” after weeks of forcing long-term care facilities to take in coronavirus positive patients .
“ We now have a top priority , which we had from day one , which is our nursing homes , ” Cuomo said Monday .
“ We were introduced to this virus in Seattle , Washington , where it attacked a nursing home : the most vulnerable population in the most vulnerable place , senior citizens in a congregate facility , ” Cuomo said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this virus , and I ’ m afraid that ’ s how we are going to leave this virus.
” Cuomo faced criticism for ordering both long-term care facilities and nursing homes on March 25 to take in hospital patients who had tested positive for coronavirus .
He rescinded that order May 11 .
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported Friday that the New York State Department of Health acknowledged that its reporting did not fully reflect the full death toll coronavirus has taken in nursing home and adult care residences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seniors has been top priority , ” the governor said Monday .
Several health experts have that Cuomo ’ s order resulted in a higher death toll for nursing home residents , according to The Wall Street Journal .
Cuomo did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-19--Agency That Manages Immigration Is Running Out Of Money, Will Charge More For Applications

The federal agency that manages the country ’ s immigration system is at the brink of insolvency and will begin adding a surcharge to application fees .
Faced with an unprecedented drop in immigration amid the coronavirus pandemic , U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) is expected to run out of funds by the end of the month , the Wall Street Journal first reported .
The agency , which confirmed it ’ s including a 10 % surcharge to applications , is asking Congress for a billion-dollar bailout .
Unlike most other federal agencies , USCIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but through the fees it imposes on customers .
However , the viral pandemic has forced the agency to temporarily shutter its offices and suspend its usual day-to-day activities , resulting in a substantial drop in its income .
USCIS is asking Congress for $ 1.2 .
billion in emergency funding in order to stay afloat .
The agency also says it will use the 10 % surcharge to reimburse the funds once their operations reopen .
“ Due to the Covid-19 pandemic , U.S.C.I.S .
has seen a dramatic decrease in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement about its financial situation .
Without any assistance from the government , USCIS expects its revenue to fall by more than 60 percent at the close of this fiscal year , which ends on Sept. 30 .
Tasked with handling the country ’ s legal immigration system , USCIS manages applications for almost all visas , citizenship , permanent residency , and also petitions for asylum and refugee status .
In an effort to “ help slow the spread of Coronavirus Disease , ” the agency began closing its doors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only resulted in a large drop in income for the agency , but also risks the immigration status of thousands of immigrants whose visas are about to expire .
Thousands of other foreign-born residents who passed their citizenship tests have also been forced to postpone their oath ceremonies .
Since the coronavirus crisis reached the U.S. , many functions about immigration have either been mitigated or put on a complete hold .
The White House declared the northern and southern borders closed off to all non-essential traffic , and President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many green card applicants living abroad .
Many of Trump ’ s restrictions are expected to continue even after the crisis wades .


freedomdaily--2020-05-19--Watch: Almost an Hour of Joe Biden Video that Proves He is Total  Nonsense

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freedomdaily--2020-05-19--A perfect storm for medical PTSD: Isolation, intensive care and the coronavirus pandemic

A crisis is silently brewing in hospitals around the world , and it may not be exactly what you think .
While the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to swell , the very treatments used to battle this deadly disease are triggering life-altering mental health effects .
Patients , already in physical distress , are arriving in intensive care units knowing they have a disease that doctors don ’ t yet fully understand .
Making things worse , they ’ re isolated and alone .
Family and friends who could provide emotional support and advocate for their needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals to avoid spreading the virus further .
The traumatic stress associated with medical treatment , the health care environment and chronic illness can lead to a wide variety of mental health problems .
Medical post-traumatic stress disorder , or m-PTSD , as well as depression and anxiety , can worsen patients ’ physical health and harm their quality of life .
Medical trauma arises from a complex interaction of risk factors associated with a person ’ s unique experiences and their perceptions of the events , as well as environmental factors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is a direct result of experiencing medical treatment – the very interventions designed to protect patients ’ physical health and their lives .
It is because of this context , in part , that medical trauma is often overlooked and misunderstood .
After all , the hospital is where you go to heal .
As professors in mental health and counseling who study mental health trauma from medical treatment , we are concerned about the impact isolation is having on COVID-19 patients .
While medical trauma can occur for anyone in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly increased the likelihood that patients will experience adverse mental health effects , in part because of the stress created by living in a pandemic .
Factors such as isolation , fear of catching a deadly virus and a collective , generalized anxiety increase people ’ s vulnerability for getting sick both physically and emotionally .
During the SARS epidemic that started in 2002 , researchers in Canada found that nearly one-third of people who were quarantined struggled with PTSD or depression .
Having been exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even knowing someone diagnosed with it , increased the likelihood of PTSD or depression symptoms .
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an environment of chronic uncertainty , fear and despair – emotions that erode mental health , well-being and immune defenses and that can be propagated in part by the social isolation experienced in quarantine .
It is within this context that people are getting sick .
Studies examining PTSD in patients who were treated in the ICU for various medical issues have found rates ranging from 15 % to upwards of 27.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of patients with acute lung injury treated in the ICU , 35 % had developed clinical PTSD two years following their release from the hospital .
The most potent risk factors researchers have found are also quite prevalent in the current context of COVID-19 quarantine and treatment .
They include experiencing delirium , which is more likely in patients of advanced age who receive sedating medications and are socially isolated ; experiencing fear or psychosis while in the ICU ; and the length of stay .
Research has demonstrated the strongest risk factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the duration of sedation .
This list could easily be mistaken for a typical patient during this pandemic , especially given the severe respiratory symptoms requiring sedation , medications , intubation , the use of ventilators and long hospital stays .
A few early studies have started exploring mental health issues related to COVID-19 .
A review published May 18 looked at dozens of studies involving patients treated for SARS , MERS or COVID-19 and found that after one year , 34 % of the SARS and MERS patients had post-traumatic symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of neuropsychiatric harm , such as impaired thinking , but found little other than short-term delirium .
They did find symptoms of depression in 29 % of patients and anxiety in 34 % .
What can be done about it ?
Being hospitalized in the ICU can be disempowering , frightening and disorienting under any circumstances .
In the current context of social distancing and isolation brought by COVID-19 , patients are at increased risk of experiencing medical trauma without the social supports necessary to help mitigate the effects of ICU treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chat with family can help ease some of the loneliness created when quarantined in ICU , but not everyone is able to access such technology .
Further , technology simply can not take the place of in-person connection with others , which leaves the task of comforting patients emotionally to a stretched and often overburdened health care workforce .
There is little doubt we will see a rise in the need for mental health care in the months and possibly years following the COVID-19 pandemic , both for the general population and especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of the illness .
Ensuring that patients are on the radar for mental health referral and treatment following discharge from the hospital is a crucial first step to ensuring a full and complete recovery .
[ The Conversation ’ s newsletter explains what ’ s going on with the coronavirus pandemic .
Subscribe now . ]
The authors do not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic @ @


freedomdaily--2020-05-19--New York Started Undercounting Nursing Home Resident Deaths After Cuomo Faced Scrutiny

The New York State Department of Health ’ s quiet switch to a reporting method that undercounts deaths of nursing home and other long-term care facility residents followed the administration facing criticism over skyrocketing deaths in such facilities .
New York knowingly omitted an unknown number of coronavirus deaths in recent reports regarding residents of nursing home and adult care facilities as a result of a quiet rule change , the agency acknowledged to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The state changed the rules for counting nursing home deaths between April 28 and May 3 , after several days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to admit or re-admit positive coronavirus patients .
Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo was asked on April 20 what the state policy was for readmitting nursing home patients who tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ That ’ s a good question , I don ’ t know , ” the governor said .
The question came nearly four weeks after the Cuomo administration ordered nursing homes and other long-term facilities to accept positive COVID-19 patients on March 25 .
On April 21 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television that he didn ’ t know what his own policy was , New York Post columnist Michael Goodwin excoriated the governor ’ s handling of the nursing home issue .
Goodwin wrote that “ it was well known that the elderly were easy targets for the coronavirus before New York adopted its Health Department directive on March 25 requiring nursing homes to accept those with the disease.
” The next day , April 22 , two state lawmakers , a Republican and a Democrat , demanded Cuomo nix the requirement that nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , which Cuomo waited roughly six weeks to reverse , has been blamed for the decimation of nursing homes across New York .
“ We know that coronavirus spreads like wildfire among the most vulnerable and it is nonsensical to import cases of COVID to a place where community spread could lead to grave consequences for residents , ” Republican state Sen. Joseph A. Griffo said at the time .
He begged Cuomo to “ put an end to this dangerous and potentially deadly practice.
” Democratic Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon called it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put [ nursing home residents ’ ] lives at risk by continuing this ill-advised practice.
” “ Governor Cuomo must act immediately to put an end to this , ” she said .
On April 23 , Cuomo was asked about the policy and insisted that care facilities “ don ’ t have a right to object ” to the requirement that they receive positive coronavirus patients .
“ That is the rule and that is the regulation and they have to comply with that , ” he said .
That same day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes told the Post that body bags were sent to them along with the nursing home patients it was forced to accept .
On April 28 , the Post ’ s editorial board slammed Cuomo for refusing “ to face facts ” on the “ horrors ” taking place at nursing homes across the state .
The governor was “ refusing to admit his team has made a mistake in forcing nursing homes to take in patients infected with the deadly coronavirus , ” the op-ed charged .
Before Cuomo reversed the much-maligned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began knowingly undercounting the nursing home death toll as a result of a quiet rule change .
Until at least April 28 , the health department was disclosing coronavirus deaths of all nursing home and adult care facility residents , regardless of whether the patient died at their long-term care facility or at a hospital .
By May 3 , the department had made a subtle change to its disclosures , according to web archives .
The agency now only discloses coronavirus deaths of long-term care patients who died while physically present at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing home resident , who becomes sick at their nursing home and then dies an hour after arriving at a hospital , isn ’ t counted in New York ’ s tally of nursing home deaths .
The end result is a sharp reduction in the official number of deaths at many such facilities .
New York is the only state with a major outbreak in nursing homes to report those fatalities that way .
The state health department did not return a request for comment for this story .


freedomdaily--2020-05-19--People with substance use disorders face greater challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic

The closures of businesses and states throughout the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been stressful , costly and challenging for many .
But the restrictions do not affect everyone equally .
Particularly vulnerable are those with substance use disorders .
With schedules disrupted , medical and psychological care curtailed and support networks shut down , the COVID-19 pandemic may jeopardize their recovery .
The COVID-19 pandemic comes on the coattails of the U.S. opioid epidemic .
Between 1998 and 2018 , about 450,000 people died from opioid overdose .
Progress was being made until COVID-19 appeared .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of substance use disorders became concerned for those in recovery as the pandemic spread and social distancing was put in place .
Social connection and support are key parts of recovery .
Without them , relapse is more likely .
When people with opioid use disorder relapse , there ’ s more involved than a loss of sobriety , ruinous as that is .
Often there is a loss of life .
Right now , our team , including the three of us – an associate professor of psychology at IUPUI , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southeast and a psychology professor at Indiana University South Bend – are trying to understand how people with substance use disorders are managing their recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Between March and April 2020 , we spoke with 45 adults ages 28 to 73 , half of whom have opioid use disorder .
The other half have a combination of other substance and/or alcohol use disorders .
Their stories reflect many challenges , but also some silver linings ; they also suggest ways we can do better .
The interviewees rated their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
That ’ s more than double the rating from members of the general community ( about 30 % ) .
The higher numbers may reflect reality ; nearly two-thirds ( 63 % ) of our participants report preexisting conditions ( such as chronic respiratory illnesses ) in themselves or someone in their household .
This places them at higher risk for COVID-related complications .
Evidence also suggests that people with substance use disorders are disproportionately more likely to experience homelessness or incarceration , two more risk factors for higher COVID-related complications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Diagnosing COVID-19 in people who use substances is not always straightforward .
Withdrawal may worsen or mimic COVID-19 symptoms .
In turn , a COVID-19 infection may aggravate the breathing impacts of opioids , benzodiazepines and alcohol .
We were not surprised that 78 % of our sample reported higher stress than before the pandemic , due primarily to increases in job or family responsibilities ( 42 % ) and job losses or reductions ( 30 % ) .
These changes in routine , coupled with unstructured free time , make recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stress contributes to feelings of loneliness , frustration and hopelessness .
Stress can exacerbate substance cravings and contributes to relapse .
About 20 % of the sample reported increases in cravings , and 17 % reported using substances since the pandemic ’ s start .
This may foreshadow an increase in relapse rates as the pandemic continues and in its aftermath .
Study participants report closures of recovery houses , suspensions of in-person support meetings and premature dismissals from treatment centers .
Restricting these critical supports creates significant challenges for maintaining sobriety .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now attending support meetings online or by phone ; a small percentage no longer attend meetings due to cancellations , perceived reductions of support or because meeting forums feel “ chaotic ” and “ not the same.
” Those who have lost the communal support of meetings are at substantial risk of relapse .
Overdose reversal medications save lives from opioid overdose .
However , some localities are reporting decreased use of overdose reversal medications by first responders to limit COVID-19 transmission .
Many with opioid use disorder rely on lifesaving opioid replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urine monitoring ; this is to make sure the medications are not being diverted .
But those once-routine visits are now restricted due to COVID-19 .
Fortunately , the government has developed new guidelines to ease restrictions and enable continued treatment using these replacement medications despite limited monitoring .
Those struggling with drug and alcohol use are showing great resilience in the face of the pandemic ; 83 % of our sample have maintained sobriety .
Many of our respondents say isolation is an opportunity to better connect with friends , family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now have more time for journaling , praying , cooking and spending time outside .
One individual highlighted the new ability to attend more meetings via online formats .
Thus , although these are challenging times , as one participant noted , “ [ My treatment facility ] and Alcoholics Anonymous have prepared me very well for this time.
” What can we do to help those in recovery ?
Yale University ’ s Program in Addiction Medicine offers guidelines for treatment during the pandemic .
Flexibility is key .
Options include reducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take-home doses of opioid replacement medications .
Still , individuals should be prepared for limited access to syringe exchange programs , and providers should heighten awareness of blood-borne diseases caused by sharing or reusing needles .
Based on our conversations , interpersonal connections remain at the core of recovery .
Online meetings are far from universally helpful .
Though it may seem old-school , phone calls , physical letters or other personalized contacts may have significant roles to play in maintaining support networks .
Individuals and groups looking for ways to contribute might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters , masks or other tokens of encouragement for distribution among clients .
To ensure their sustained sobriety , we must support people in recovery who need access to health care , stable housing and community .
And then it is our responsibility to remain mindful of those needs after the pandemic becomes a memory .
[ The Conversation ’ s newsletter explains what ’ s going on with the coronavirus pandemic .
Subscribe now . ]
Editor ’ s note : Katie Shircliff , research coordinator for the Long-Term Recovery project , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receives funding from the National Institutes of Health ( National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism ) and the Indiana University Addictions Grand Challenge .
She would like to acknowledge the work of Ms. Katie Shircliff and the whole Long Term Recovery Team , including Drs .
Mary Jo Ratermann , Misty Gilbert , and Wei Wu , and Mr. Jeff Johnson , Ms. Christiana Prestigiacomo , and Ms. Melissa Liu , on this project .
She would like to thank Ms. Katie Shircliff in particular for her significant research contribution to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the John Templeton Foundation .
He would like to acknowledge the significant role of Ms. Katie Shircliff in the conceptualization and writing of this article .
Melissa S. Fry receives funding from LifeSpring Health Systems ( SAMHSA Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration ) , CEASe of Scott County , IN ( SAMHSA Drug Free Communities ) , the Scott County Community Foundation , and the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana .
She would like to acknowledge the significant research contributions of Ms. Katie Shircliff and our community partners .