freedomdaily--2020-05-09--Report: Trump Preparing To Limit Temporary Workers Into The US

President Donald Trump may prohibit some temporary workers from entering the U.S. in an executive order later this month , the Wall Street Journal reported Friday .
The Trump administration is drawing up an executive order that would ban the issuance of some temporary work-based visas , according to a report from the Wall Street Journal .
Trump ’ s upcoming order , much like his recent immigration ban , is meant to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus while protecting U.S. workers amid a monumental downturn in the economy .
“ If we are taking actions on immigration that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy , help improve jobs , it ’ s a vindication or validation that the president was right since day one , ” an unidentified senior official with the Department of Homeland Security told the WSJ .
The order is anticipated to target H1-B visas , which are set aside for highly skilled workers , seasonal migrant workers on H-2B visas , and also student visas that can include work authorization .
Officials who spoke with the WSJ said that the administration is not only looking to push a new executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to keep in place some of the immigration restrictions for months or even years to come — even after the coronavirus pandemic has dissipated .
In response to the outbreak of the coronavirus within the U.S. , the Trump administration has temporarily closed off all non-essential traffic throughout the northern and southern borders .
More recently , the president issued an executive order that temporarily bars many green card applicants abroad and those on the visa lottery system from entering the country .
At the time of his immigration ban , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even signing another immigration order .
However , immigration hardliners at the time voiced their disappointment with the order , saying it didn ’ t go far enough because it still allowed thousands of temporary workers to enter the U.S. and compete with American workers at a time when the economy is dramatically contacting .
Four Republican senators — Ted Cruz of Texas , Chuck Grassley of Iowa , Josh Hawley of Missouri and Tom Cotton of Arkansas — delivered a letter to the president on Thursday , asking him to extend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include employment-based immigration .
The lawmakers asked Trump to pump the brakes on guest worker visas for 60 days , and requested a suspension on new non-immigration guest workers for a year or until U.S. employment figures get back to normal levels .
Recent polling suggest that the American public supports immigration restrictions during this time of crisis .
A survey conducted by The Washington Post and University of Maryland found that Americans not only back state-imposed restrictions on public gatherings and businesses to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak by strong margins , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar to the order issued by the president .
The poll , conducted from April 21 to 26 , found that 65 % of Americans support a temporary ban on almost all immigration into the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic , while only 34 % oppose such an order .


freedomdaily--2020-05-10--Shuttered Meat-Processing Plants Are Coming Back Online. Here’s How They’re Protecting Workers

Meat processing plants are slowly coming back online after health officials shut them down , yet there is still disagreement over whether the new safety precautions are different than those the plants employed before the closures .
Processing facilities and health officials deep cleaned , sanitized and placed plastic dividers between workstations to help prevent future coronavirus infections , according to Sarah Little , vice president of communications for the North American Meat Institute .
She told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the measures are similar to what plants were doing before they closed .
Processing plants are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing that before the guidelines even came out , ” Little said , referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines plant owners were given after a rash of closings due to virus infections .
More than 238 Smithfield Foods employees at a plant in South Dakota , for instance , had active cases of the virus before the facility was temporarily closed .
South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem recommended in April that the company close its doors for two weeks after health officials began raising alarms .
The plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tyson Foods , another major processor , also experienced a spat of infections at a plant in Iowa , forcing closures .
More than 1,000 workers at the Waterloo , Iowa plant , which employs 2,800 people , tested positive for coronavirus , or COVID-19 , equaling 37 % of the plant ’ s workforce , according to state officials .
The virus originated in central China before hopping across the world , killing more than 271,000 people worldwide .
Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson confirmed to the DCNF that the Iowa plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Waterloo plant reopened Thursday amid the turmoil .
Even so , the country still has hemmeraged about 38 % of its total pork processing capacity , according to Steve Meyer , an economist at Kerns and Associates in Ames , Iowa .
The lack of production prompted Costco , Hy-Vee , and Walmart ’ s Sam ’ s Clubs to limit how much meat customers can purchase .
Workers in Waterloo will undergo a wellness screening before each shift , as well as repeated temperature checks , and be required to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company is also hiring so-called social distance monitors who will help maintain safety precautions .
Little said that President Donald Trump ’ s executive order in April requiring a reliable food supply helped officials and plant owners work together .
“ It has allowed everyone more ability to work together to get the plants open whereas before , local officials were more inclined to recommend a plant close , full stop , ” Little added .
All of this comes as the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union complains about working conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted governors and mayors to impose economic lockdowns to slow the spread of the virus .
Reopenings must be coupled with a serious ramp-up in safety measures , according to UFCW International President Marc Perrone .
“ America ’ s meatpacking workers must be protected .
The reality is that these workers are putting their lives on the line every day to keep our country fed during this deadly outbreak , ” Perrone said in an April 28 statement responding to Trump ’ s order .
“ For the sake of all our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and security of these workers.
” Other union officials are happy with how Tyson has responded .
Bob Waters , president of UFCW Local 431 , for instance , supports reopening the Tyson plant .
“ Tyson has gone above and beyond to keep their employees safe , ” Waters said in a May 6 press statement .
“ This pork plant and all of the measures they ’ ve put in place are an example of how to effectively set up a safe work environment for the employees.
” UFCW did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s repeated request for comment .

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freedomdaily--2020-05-10--80% Of Border Crossers Are Turned Back In Under Two Hours, DHS Deputy Says

The acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) says that 8-in-10 illegal entrants at the border are being turned back expeditiously because of policies implemented to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
Ken Cuccinelli , the second-highest official in DHS , reacted to the latest enforcement action data from the U.S.-Mexico border .
April apprehension numbers reached a low not seen in several years , and most of the aliens who did appear unlawfully at the border were quickly sent back to Mexico .
“ Just look at April — 80 percent of the people [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the border were returned back over the border in an average of under two hours .
That ’ s astonishing , ” Cuccinelli said to KTAR News 92.3 FM ’ s Arizona ’ s Morning News on Friday .
“ In the last six weeks , the Border Patrol has been implementing a health order rather than immigration law , ” the deputy secretary went on .
There were a total of 16,789 enforcement actions on the U.S. southern border in April , according to the latest data provided by CBP .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement actions compared to March , and a huge drop from the more than 109,000 actions taken in April 2019 .
These “ enforcement actions ” include both apprehensions made by the agency and individuals who were turned away at the border .
When broken down , CBP and Border Patrol agents in April conducted 15,862 apprehensions and turned away 927 foreign nationals who appeared at the southern border .
CBP is currently able to quickly process and turn back migrants because of a new authority given from the Trump administration ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The White House , per an order from the CDC , has closed the borders off to all non-essential traffic .
The new authority , Title 42 , allows agents to swiftly turn migrants back , reducing risks of viral infection .
The result has been a steep drop in border crossings and a huge decline in the number of detainees at Border Patrol facilities .
Cuccinelli compared what the current coronavirus pandemic would look like if the U.S. was still facing a humanitarian crisis at the border like it did in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were days we had as many as 20,000 people in Border Patrol custody , ” he said .
“ Imagine bringing one COVID-positive person into that environment .
That is not good for those migrants , it ’ s not good for the Border Patrol agents who work there nor that community because it ’ s that community ’ s health care system that absorbs those people when they get sick , ” Cuccinelli went on .


freedomdaily--2020-05-11--Cuomo Reverses, Says Nursing Homes Can Refuse COVID-Positive Patients

Gov .
Andrew Cuomo partially reversed a March executive order Sunday that prevented nursing homes from denying admission of patients who tested positive for the new coronavirus .
Patients must now test negative for the virus before hospitals can admit them to assisted living facilities , Cuomo said during an Albany press briefing Sunday .
The readmission policy adopted March 25 states : “ No resident shall be denied readmission or admission to the [ nursing home ] solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.
” “ We ’ re just not going to send a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a hospital visit , ” said Cuomo during the briefing before admitting that the virus targets seniors in particular .
“ This virus uses nursing homes … They are ground zero.
” The policy was designed to prevent discrimination , though nursing homes can refer COVID-positive patients elsewhere if they couldn ’ t care for them , Cuomo said .
Just 12 % of New York ’ s roughly 26,000 coronavirus deaths have occurred in nursing homes , Cuomo said .
“ Whatever we ’ re doing has worked , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York state revealed in April that at least 3,316 people in nursing homes died of coronavirus at their residences or in hospitals across the state .
The virus was first confirmed in Wuhan , China , before spreading across the world , landing in the United States where it has been a factor in more than 80,000 deaths so far .
“ If you are positive , you should be admitted back to a nursing home , ” New York Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said during one of Cuomo ’ s daily coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions will be taken to protect the other residents there.
” One New York Democrat disagreed with Zucker ’ s argument a the time .
Zucker ’ s assertion that “ necessary precautions ” were being taken was “ clearly not the case , ” Democratic Assemblyman Ron Kim said in April .
“ It ’ s either he ’ s lying or they have absolutely no idea what ’ s going on on the ground.
” “ The staff , the families , everyone is telling me there ’ s completely a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have the necessary PPE [ personal protective equipment ] to be safe , ” Kim added .
Cuomo is not the only New York politician who is feeling the heat .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio dismissed the impact of coronavirus in March nearly two weeks before blasting President Donald Trump for not mobilizing the military to confront the outbreak .
“ Since I ’ m encouraging New Yorkers to go on with your lives + get out on the town despite Coronavirus , ” de Blasio told his Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two weeks before likening the outbreak to a type of World War that required nationalizing industries .


freedomdaily--2020-05-11--Nurses on the front lines: A history of heroism from Florence Nightingale to coronavirus

Nurses are heroes of the COVID-19 crisis .
May 12 is International Nurses Day , which commemorates the birthday of Florence Nightingale , the first “ professional nurse.
” The World Health Organization also named this year the “ Year of the Nurse ” in honor of Nightingale ’ s 200th birthday .
To nurses everywhere , this day and this year have great significance .
Nurses , who are being recognized as heroes , have long awaited recognition as health care professionals in their own right and not ancillary to physicians .
It ’ s wonderful to be recognized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but nurses have always been at the forefront – during war , epidemics and other times of disaster .
I have been a nurse for 40 years and a nurse practitioner for 17 of those years .
An active clinician , researcher , scholar and educator , I currently serve as dean of the Solomont School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Lowell .
Throughout my career , nurses have typically been relegated to a secondary role , and if mentioned at all , we are described as assisting doctors .
Nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t become doctors instead .
Aren ’ t we smart enough ?
Many people don ’ t realize that nursing and doctoring are entirely different professions with different purposes .
We are proud to work alongside doctors and other health professionals , but we have never worked behind them .
Not all nurses work at the bedside , but we all touch the lives of patients .
Many nurses have doctoral degrees .
They conduct research that advances the quality of patient care .
Nurses change health care policy .
For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care reform and advise Congress on proposed health care rules and regulations .
They also guide organizations regarding health care technology and care coordination and sit on executive boards of health care organizations .
Nursing is both an art and a science .
The role of the nurse has evolved , but some things haven ’ t changed .
Nurses have always cared for the sick , the well and the dying .
We promote health and prevent illness .
We interpret what is happening so that patients understand it .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from birth to old age , from wellness to illness , and throughout age and illness toward a peaceful and dignified death .
Our history provides many examples .
In 1854 , Florence Nightingale brought 38 volunteer nurses to care for soldiers during the Crimean War .
The cause of the conflict focused on the rights of Christians in the Holy Land and involved Russia , the Ottoman Empire , France , Sardinia and the United Kingdom .
Male nurses provided care as far back as the Knights Hospitaller in the 11th century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , male and female nurses consisted of untrained family members or soldiers who cared for the ill and infirm .
Nightingale was the first to organize nurses and provide standardized roles and responsibilities for the profession .
As such , she is credited with founding modern professional nursing .
She was also an expert statistician .
She collected data on patients and what did and didn ’ t work to make them better .
Nightingale and her nurses improved sanitation , hygiene and nutrition .
They provided care and comfort .
Their work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of soldiers .
The American Civil War in the 1860s brought thousands of trained nurses to the battlefront , risking their lives to care for soldiers on both sides of the conflict .
The most famous were Dorothea Dix , an advocate for indigenous populations and the mentally ill ; Clara Barton , founder of the American Red Cross ; and Louisa May Alcott , the author of “ Little Women.
” Nurses again answered the call with the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 , rushing from all over the country to Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and many nurses died while caring for the sick .
The U.S. recruited more than 22,000 trained nurses to treat Americans overseas and back at home from 1917 to 1919 during World War I .
The war brought death from combat to about 53,000 Americans , while about 40 million civilians and military died worldwide .
Time after time , nurses have left the warmth , comfort and safety of their homes to care for others .
Nurses were also among the millions who died from the 1918 influenza pandemic .
Fifty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is probably most comparable to what we are experiencing today with COVID-19 .
But epidemics , such as polio , off and on from 1916 to 1954 ; the global pandemic of influenza A , 1957-1958 ; swine flu , 2009-2010 ; Ebola , 2014-2016 ; and Zika , 2015-2020 , have also required constant nursing care .
I remember the AIDS pandemic , which began in 1981 .
I was a visiting nurse and saw many patients in their homes , from homeless shelters to penthouse apartments .
Everyone suffered not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease but also because of the stigma .
People , even their families , were afraid to touch patients , kiss them or be near them .
It was a lonely time for these patients .
I watched them deteriorate and die .
Nurses were often the only ones to hold the hands of these patients , so they wouldn ’ t die alone .
Nurses were also there during 9/11 .
They were among the courageous first responders who risked their lives to save others .
Many have chronic diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Every year , nurses are voted first among the professions the public trusts the most , according to Gallup .
We work hard to earn and maintain that trust .
You will find us caring for people in their homes , in public health departments , in nursing homes and skilled care facilities , in rehabilitation hospitals , in prisons and correctional institutions , caring for the mentally ill and providing health care advice over phones and computers .
Nurses work wherever there are people .
What do we ask in return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t consider ourselves heroes , but we do deserve respect .
Public images of the nurse in a sexy uniform or as a handmaiden to a doctor are wrong and insulting .
We are professionals .
Once the COVID-19 crisis is over , please don ’ t forget that we are always here for you .
Always have been .
Always will be .
Leslie Neal-Boylan does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-11--Diabetics break bones easily – new research is figuring out why their bones are so fragile

A person with Type 2 diabetes is three times more likely to break a bone than a nondiabetic .
Since the number of people with diabetes is increasing rapidly in the United States , skeletal fragility in patients with Type 2 diabetes is a growing , but little-known , public health issue .
Usually poor bone density is the culprit behind fragile bones , but that is not the case with Type 2 diabetics , who tend to have normal to high bone density .
Yet , they still suffer from fractures at an alarming rate .
Nobody knows why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we try to understand what is going wrong by looking deep inside diabetic bone , at the micro-level .
We think we are on our way to identifying one of the biological mechanisms that explains bone fragility in people with diabetes .
Bones are living organs .
They give the body structure and protection ; contain a living space for marrow , where blood cells are produced ; and provide a steady supply of minerals , including calcium and phosphorus .
If injured , bones can repair themselves on their own – or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ever broken a bone can attest .
But what you might not know is that bones are in a continuous state of repair through a process called remodeling .
Every day , physical activity causes wear and tear on bones in the form of micro-fractures , which the body routinely repairs .
The bone healing process involves breaking down the minerals and proteins in worn-out regions and replacing them with healthy new proteins .
These fresh proteins are made up of amino acids , which naturally react with sugars in the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradually browns when exposed to air .
The chemical reaction between amino acids and sugar inside the body is similar .
Called non-enzymatic glycation , this process occurs in tissues throughout the body , including in bone .
Just like an apple would turn brown , non-enzymatic glycation has a browning effect on proteins , creating tiny chemical bridges called crosslinks .
Everyone develops crosslinks because everyone has some sugar in their bodies .
Despite the fact that they are naturally formed , non-enzymatic crosslinks are not good for you .
They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are attached to , preventing them from flexing when subjected to the daily forces of simply walking around .
This rigidity might sound like a good thing , but bones need a little flex or give to prevent micro-fractures from forming .
Non-enzymatic crosslinks actually weaken bones by making them more brittle .
Usually , the body easily manages crosslinks by breaking them down and getting rid of them .
But in the bones of people with Type 2 diabetes , it is a different story .
Research from our lab and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first is that people with Type 2 diabetes have high sugar levels in their body .
Because sugar is the fuel for the chemical reaction that forms crosslinks , we think there are more crosslinks inside diabetic bone than in normal healthy bone .
My colleagues and I believe the accumulation of these crosslinks may be one reason diabetics have more fragile bones .
The second factor is that people with Type 2 diabetes have a low level of bone remodeling , which means their ability to clean out crosslinks is reduced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ already high number of crosslinks in diabetic bone .
Crosslinks have been studied in other organs .
In diabetics , they have been found to contribute to complications such as vascular damage , kidney damage , and poor eye health .
Studying crosslinks in bones is a relatively young field of study in general – and even newer in diabetic bone .
Our team of biomedical engineers , mechanical engineers , civil engineers , chemists and medical doctors investigates crosslinks and micro-fractures by using diabetic bone from patients and cadavers .
In one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were undergoing hip replacement therapy and collected the hip bone specimens discarded during surgery for study .
We found that the hard , dense bone that forms the outer shell of bones tended to have more crosslinks and weaker mechanical properties in diabetics than in nondiabetics .
We are also simulating high sugar levels in cadaver bone .
Although cadaver bone is no longer living , the protein structure is still intact .
When we incubate these bone samples in sugar solutions , the sugars can still react with the amino acids in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recently , we used this technique to show that bone samples exposed to high-sugar environments produced more crosslinks , were weaker , and were more likely to develop micro-fractures .
My colleagues and I are currently working to measure different types of crosslinks and plan to look more closely at how and where micro-fractures form in bone .
We are hoping to be able to predict how fractures might occur in patients .
Additionally , we ’ re testing different compounds that might break down bone crosslinks or prevent them from forming in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our work will contribute to future treatments and better medical care for diabetic patients .
[ Insight , in your inbox each day .
You can get it with The Conversation ’ s email newsletter . ]
Lamya Karim receives funding from the NIH and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research .


freedomdaily--2020-05-11--What every new baker should know about the yeast all around us

With people confined to their homes , there is more interest in home-baked bread than ever before .
And that means a lot of people are making friends with yeast for the first time .
I am a professor of hospitality management and a former chef , and I teach in my university ’ s fermentation science program .
As friends and colleagues struggle for success in using yeast in their baking – and occasionally brewing – I ’ m getting bombarded with questions about this interesting little microorganism .
A little cell with a lot of power Yeasts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are more than 1,500 species of them on Earth .
While each individual yeast is only one cell , they are surprisingly complex and contain a nucleus , DNA and many other cellular parts found in more complicated organisms .
Yeasts break down complex molecules into simpler molecules to produce the energy the live on .
They can be found on most plants , floating around in the air and in soils across the globe .
There are 250 or so of these yeast species that can convert sugar into carbon dioxide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have used for millennia .
Twenty-four of these make foods that actually taste good .
Among these 24 species is one called Saccharomyces cerevisiae , which means “ sugar-eating fungus.
” This is bread yeast , the yeast we humans know and love most dearly for the food and drinks it helps us make .
The process starts out the same whether you are making bread or beer .
Enzymes in the yeast convert sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide .
With bread , a baker wants to capture the carbon dioxide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With beer , a brewer wants to capture the alcohol .
Bread has been “ the staff of life ” for thousands of years .
The first loaf of bread was probably a happy accident that occurred when some yeast living on grains began to ferment while some dough for flatbreads – think matzo or crackers – was being made .
The first purposely made leavened bread was likely made by Egyptians about 3,000 years ago .
Leavened bread is now a staple in almost every culture on Earth .
Bread is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and easy to share .
Anywhere wheat , rye or barley could be grown in sufficient quantities , bread became the basic food in most people ’ s diet .
When you mix yeast with a bit of water and flour , the yeast begins to eat the long chains of carbohydrates found in the flour called starches .
This does two important things for baking : It changes the chemical structure of the carbohydrates , and it makes bread rise .
When yeast breaks down starch , it produces carbon dioxide gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trapped in the dough by stringy protein strands called gluten and causes the dough to rise .
After baking , those little air pockets are locked into place and result in airy , fluffy bread .
But soft bread is not the only result .
When yeast break down the starches in flour , it turns them into flavorful sugars .
The longer you let the dough rise , the stronger these good flavors will be , and some of the most popular bread recipes use this to their advantage .
The supermarket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ?
Baking bread at home is fun and easy , but what if your store doesn ’ t have any yeast ?
Then it ’ s sourdough to the rescue !
Yeast is everywhere , and it ’ s really easy to collect yeast at home that you can use for baking .
These wild yeast collections tend to gather yeasts as well as bacteria – usually Lactobacillus brevis that is used in cheese and yogurt production – that add the complex sour flavors of sourdough .
Sourdough starters have been made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasps .
Pliny the Elder , the Roman naturalist and philosopher , was the first to suggest the dead wasp recipe , and it works because wasps get coated in yeasts as they eat fruit .
But please don ’ t do this at home !
You don ’ t need a wasp or a murder hornet to make bread .
All you really need to make sourdough starter is wheat or rye flour and water ; the yeast and bacteria floating around your home will do the rest .
To make your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of distilled water with a half-cup of whole wheat flour or rye flour .
Cover the top of your jar or bowl loosely with a cloth , and let it sit somewhere warm for 24 hours .
After 24 hours , stir in another quarter-cup of distilled water and a half-cup of all-purpose flour .
Let it sit another 24 hours .
Throw out about half of your doughy mass and stir in another quarter-cup of water and another half-cup of all-purpose flour .
Keep doing this every day until your mixture begins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dough .
Once you have your starter going , you can use it to make bread , pancakes , even pizza crust , and you will never have to buy yeast again .
More than just bread and booze Because of their similarity to complicated organisms , large size and ease of use , yeasts have been central to scientific progress for hundreds of years .
Study of yeasts played a huge role in kick-starting the field of microbiology in the early 1800s .
More than 150 years later , one species of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nucleus to have its entire genome sequenced .
Today , scientists use yeast in drug discovery and as tools to study cell growth in mammals and are exploring ways to use yeast to make biofuel from waste products like cornstalks .
Yeast is a remarkable little creature .
It has provided delicious food and beverages for millennia , and to this day is a huge part of human life around the world .
So the next time you have a glass of beer , toast our little friends that make these foods part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Insight , in your inbox each day .
You can get it with The Conversation ’ s email newsletter . ]
Jeffrey Miller does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-11--You’re not going far from home – and neither are the animals you spy out your window

Watching the wildlife outside your window can boost your mental well-being , and it ’ s something lots of people have been doing a lot more of lately .
Maybe you ’ ve been wondering if you ’ re seeing one persistent gray squirrel or a rotating cast of furry characters .
Maybe you ’ ve been thinking about which birds are passing through for the season and which are townies who stick around all year .
As a wildlife ecologist , I ’ ve learned to pay attention to patterns that show me what the animals outside my window @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know which individuals are my regulars .
Whether you ’ re spying on animals in a city , town or rural area , with a little background knowledge , you too can keep tabs on the private lives of your neighborhood critters .
For many species , winter is a time when individuals compete less with one another and gather in large groups .
For example , eastern cottontail rabbits congregate around areas with plenty of food and places to escape to .
Birds form large mixed-species flocks , which helps them better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They even form temporary allegiances as they forage together , following specific individuals who help determine where the flock goes .
As the season changes to spring , migratory species start arriving .
A steady parade of individuals moves through the neighborhood .
As animals transition to their breeding season , plumage and appearances may change as they work to attract mates .
For many species , defense of a piece of land becomes an overriding concern .
During the summer months , adult animal numbers stabilize , and the drive to establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have the same individuals active outside your windows for the majority of summer .
A territory is a chunk of habitat .
Its size will vary depending on the amount of food and breeding resources it holds .
A territory with few trees , for example , may need to be bigger to hold enough forage for the animal that owns the turf .
Territory sizes for different species can range from the size of a large kitchen table ( common lizards like green anoles and skinks ) to an area greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as the Cooper ’ s hawk ) .
The cool thing is that animal home ranges are governed by their own needs and often do not follow the lines of human fences and alleyways .
I like to think of animal territories as quilts that drape over your neighborhood .
For some species , like anoles , the squares in that quilt will have many small and intricate pieces , and you could fit many quilt pieces within each individual human property boundary .
Some of those pieces will even overlap other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patches that span several human properties , though they may use specific parts more than others .
Larger species will have quilt patches that cover entire neighborhoods with one territory .
If you ’ ve become familiar with the animals in your neighborhood , chances are you ’ ll see some of the same individuals again year after year .
Eastern cottontails are likely to live up to three years in the wild , and they stay in the same general territory throughout their lives .
Even the young have a tendency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Researchers have recaptured gray squirrels year after year in their original territories .
On average , these critters survive about six years and can live longer than 20 .
Birds also have long lives and will often stay in the same territory year after year .
However , when eggs don ’ t hatch or young die in the nest , some birds may choose a new territory the following year .
This means there can be high turnover in your local bird network if the local habitat is unpredictable or full of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t migrate and stay in residence year-round , like chickadees , often have a tendency to stay in the same area , which means you ’ ll be seeing the same individual birds outside your window across seasons .
Some species will have territories that don ’ t overlap much at all .
For others , the overlap can be extensive .
This means that generally during the breeding season , you could be watching many gray squirrels visiting outside your window .
There may also be a couple of male cottontails , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to not overlap with other females .
Maybe you ’ ll spy the same pair of cardinals along with a reliable pair of chickadees .
If you ’ re watching closely like I was the other day , you may get lucky and catch another male cardinal from the territory next door trying to flirt with your female , at least until her mate realizes what ’ s about to happen .
That is a clue to the invisible lines birds have drawn between their own domains .
When it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all bets are off for how many unique individuals are present outside your window .
But you can expect more of everything as the number of native plants increases .
If you ’ re interested in trying to keep track of particular wildlife friends through the window , try to watch for identifying marks .
In my research , I attach colored bands to bird legs or mark the scales of turtles and snakes so we can figure out how many exist in an area .
Many animals have enough individual variation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using their natural unique marks and scars .
Squirrels can have torn ears or injured tails , lizards can have unique scars or healed injuries , and birds can have subtle differences in color or pattern .
Also try paying attention to the maximum number you see at any one point .
Where do they go after eating or basking ?
You may get lucky and spy a nest or resting place .
See if you can spot other individuals coming from different directions and territories .
At my house , we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our deck .
I thought there was only one surviving newborn because we never saw more than one offspring .
Two weeks later , there were three babies foraging simultaneously in the yard , and it became clear that they ’ d previously been taking turns coming out of hiding .
If you start watching closely , I think you ’ ll find so much drama happening in your neighborhood that you may get hooked on the action .
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Sign up for The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avery does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-11--Science fiction builds mental resiliency in young readers

Young people who are “ hooked ” on watching fantasy or reading science fiction may be on to something .
Contrary to a common misperception that reading this genre is an unworthy practice , reading science fiction and fantasy may help young people cope , especially with the stress and anxiety of living through the COVID-19 pandemic .
I am a professor with research interests in the social , ethical and political messages in science fiction .
In my book “ Medicine and Ethics in Black Women ’ s Speculative Fiction , ” I explore the ways science fiction promotes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While many people may not consider science fiction , fantasy or speculative fiction to be “ literary , ” research shows that all fiction can generate critical thinking skills and emotional intelligence for young readers .
Science fiction may have a power all its own .
Historically , parents have considered literature “ good ” for young people if it provides moral guidance that reflects their own values .
This belief has been the catalyst for many movements to censor particular books for nearly as long as books have been published .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” published in 1885 , was the first book to be banned in the U.S .
It was thought to corrupt youth by teaching boys to swear , smoke and run away from home .
In the latter part of the 20th century , the book has come under fire for the Mark Twain ’ s prolific use of the N-word .
Many people are concerned that the original version of the book normalizes an unacceptable racial slur .
Who can say the N-word and in what context is an ongoing social and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society that have yet to heal .
The question is , how does literature of any genre – whether popularly perceived as “ serious literature ” or “ escapist nonsense ” – perform its educational function .
This is central to the conflict between parents and educators about what kids should read , especially as it pertains to “ escapist ” fiction .
Historically , those who read science fiction have been stigmatized as geeks who can ’ t cope with reality .
This perception persists , particularly for those who are unaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past several decades .
A 2016 article in Social and Personality Psychology Compass , a scholarly journal , argues that “ connecting to story worlds involves a process of ‘ dual empathy , ‘ simultaneously engaging in intense personal processing of challenging issues , while ‘ feeling through ’ characters , both of which produce benefits.
” While science fiction has become more mainstream , one study claimed that science fiction makes readers stupid .
A subsequent study by the same authors later refuted this claim when the quality of writing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards the genre contributes to the stereotype that such works are of little value because they presumably don ’ t engage real human dilemmas .
In actuality , they do .
Such stereotypes assume that young people can only learn to cope with human dilemmas by engaging in mirror-image reflections of reality including what they read or watch .
Reading science fiction and fantasy can help readers make sense of the world .
Rather than limiting readers ’ capacity to deal with reality , exposure to outside-the-box creative stories may expand their ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A 2015 survey of science fiction and fantasy readers found that these readers were also major consumers of a wide range of other types of books and media .
In fact , the study noted a connection between respondents ’ consumption of varied literary forms and an ability to understand science .
With increasing rates of anxiety , depression and mental health issues for youth in the past two decades , it may be the case that young people , no different from American society generally , are suffering from reality overload .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about which they may have little power to influence or change .
Science fiction and fantasy do not need to provide a mirror image of reality in order to offer compelling stories about serious social and political issues .
The fact that the setting or characters are extraordinary may be precisely why they are powerful and where their value lies .
My contribution in the forthcoming essay collection “ Raced Bodies , Erased Lives : Race in Young Adult Speculative Fiction ” discusses how race , gender and mental health for black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fantasy .
My essay describes how contemporary writers take an aspect of what is familiar and make it “ odd ” or “ strange ” enough to give the reader psychic and emotional distance to understand mental health issues with fresh eyes .
From the “ Harry Potter ” and “ Hunger Games ” series to novels like Octavia Butler ’ s “ Parable of the Sower ” and “ Parable of the Talents ” and Nancy Kress ’ “ Beggars in Spain , ” youths see examples of young people grappling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues that are timely and relevant , but in settings or times that offer critical distance .
This distance gives readers an avenue to grapple with complexity and use their imagination to consider different ways of managing social challenges .
What better way to deal with the uncertainty of this time than with forms of fiction that make us comfortable with being uncomfortable , that explore uncertainty and ambiguity , and depict young people as active agents , survivors and shapers of their own destinies ?
Let them read science fiction .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – coping , surviving and learning lessons – that may enable them to create their own strategies for resilience .
In this time of COVID-19 and physical distancing , we may be reluctant for kids to embrace creative forms that seem to separate them psychologically from reality .
But the critical thinking and agile habits of mind prompted by this type of literature may actually produce resilience and creativity that everyday life and reality typically do not .
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@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-11--What US states can learn from COVID-19 transition planning in Europe

After a rapid rise in coronavirus cases throughout Europe – particularly Italy and Spain – tough public health measures “ flattened the curve.
” That is , the spread of the virus slowed enough so fewer people would need treatment at the same time .
Hospitals would not be overwhelmed ; COVID-19 patients would do better .
Now , two months after implementing some form of physical distancing , European governments are planning to reopen their economies .
What can we learn from Europe ’ s example ?
The three of us – two professors at the University of Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in health policy and politics – are trying to answer that question .
According to the World Health Organization , these countries are focusing on four areas during their transitions .
They are relaxing physical distancing in stages ; they are tracking the spread of the disease better through improved testing and contact tracing ; they are managing health systems ; and they are putting in place social and economic policies to support the transition .
What is certain : Everyday life in Europe will not return to normal anytime soon .
Relaxing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements for individuals and businesses .
In most countries , people will still work from home when possible .
Vulnerable people will remain physically isolated , or will at least be urged to remain so .
In many cases , businesses , stores , schools and places of worship will reopen , but at lower capacity .
Where physical distancing is not possible , most countries are either requiring or advising people to wear masks .
France is using a “ traffic light ” system to indicate how severe COVID-19 is in different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country will face continued lockdown .
“ Green ” areas will have looser restrictions .
Spain , following a similar strategy , is pairing different levels of restrictions with a ban on travel between regions , at least during the early stages of reopening .
It ’ s too soon to tell how well this will work , but it ’ s likely the ability of the central government to coordinate actions in different regions and provide overall leadership will be key .
To make decisions about reopening , the countries are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic light map , France is evaluating the number of new cases , hospital capacity and local testing capacity .
In other countries , as in some U.S. states , the science behind their reopening decisions is less clear .
Governments remain cautious about moving between stages , however .
Angela Merkel , Germany ’ s chancellor , has spoken of the fragility of German success in managing the coronavirus and the risk of opening too quickly .
Edouard Philippe , the prime minister of France , emphasized his country could move forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s early testing and relatively strong contact tracing capacity has likely slowed the spread of coronavirus .
The country is conducting a large number of tests , even on those with only mild symptoms ; this more comprehensive approach generates a more accurate picture of the escalation of the disease .
The World Health Organization warns that countries with a high percentage of positive tests are probably missing other cases of coronavirus in the population .
When it comes to tracking people exposed to the virus , some countries are emphasizing contact tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal is to establish a five-person team for every 20,000 people .
This level of contact tracing is similar to recommendations made by U.S. experts , but so far , few states meet this target .
European countries are also exploring technological solutions for tracking and managing the virus .
Italy has selected an app that records proximity using Bluetooth technology .
But the use of tech solutions is politically controversial and remains optional in many cases .
European governments are often willing , and sometimes able , to exert more control over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Across Europe , health care entities are consulting with government to plan capacity , and some governments , such as Spain , Italy and Denmark , have taken control of private providers and supplies .
Governments in many countries decide when nonessential operations and treatments can resume , in contrast to the United States , where providers usually make the decision .
They require hospitals to maintain a specific level of resources for COVID patients , like the number of ICU beds .
They ’ ve also injected more funding into their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle new waves of COVID-19 along with normal demands for health care .
Contrast that with the U.S. , where the pandemic has thrown our fragmented health care system into a recession while increasing differences between different hospitals .
Finally , European countries are addressing the pandemic through social policies .
Governments facilitate discussions between employers and employees , set minimum standards for employment contracts and ensure income replacement for those who can ’ t work due to physical distancing requirements .
For people whose work brings them into contact with the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a work-related injury that qualifies for government compensation .
Switzerland requires employers to allow high-risk employees several options : to work from home ; to obtain replacement work ; to adapt the workplace to allow physical distancing ; or to release the person from work but continue to pay wages .
The list goes on .
In Italy , the government has taken steps to control the price of protective masks .
Spain is giving them away free to the public .
In France , it ’ s now easier to obtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , about the sustainability of some of these measures .
Europe ’ s debates about COVID-19 have many similarities with those in the United States .
Governments have to balance economics with lifesaving public health actions .
They don ’ t always get it right .
But key differences remain .
The U.S. has long stood out for the fragmentation and market orientation of its health care system .
Its goal has been efficiency and responsiveness to markets , not pandemic preparedness .
European countries are opening , some as quickly as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far more testing , attention to health care capacity and data than the United States .
For their citizens , that means it might go better for them than for Americans .
[ You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic , and we can help .
Read The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
Holly Jarman serves on the Executive Board of the Michigan Public Health Institute .
Scott L. Greer is Senior Expert Advisor on Health Systems Governance to the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and is currently advising the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-12--Here’s The One Thing China’s Communist Party Fears Most, According To Former China Ambassador Jon Hu

Here’s The One Thing China’s Communist Party Fears Most, According To Former China Ambassador Jon Huntsman

China ’ s Communist Party fears transparency more than anything else , former U.S .
Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman said Monday .
Huntsman praised a letter sent Monday by 18 attorneys general demanding a congressional investigation into China ’ s coverup of the coronavirus outbreak in its early stages , saying on Fox News that such an investigation is necessary .
“ Well , I ’ ll tell you why this letter is such an important one , by these attorneys general .
The Chinese have invested a lot in their relationship-building in our nation ’ s capital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of time and resources — listen to me , we have 350,000 Chinese students at our universities across this great country — they have also invested in state-by-state relationships , thinking they can use one against the other , ” Huntsman said .
“ What is the one thing that the Chinese Communist Party fears more than anything ?
They like control , they like domestic stability , they control the airwaves for the most part .
They hate transparency .
The more voices coordinated in this country , even at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened , and the lying , the cheating , the disinformation , and let ’ s be very clear about this .
“ Early November we saw the first cases of coronavirus in China .
It wasn ’ t until late January that they actually reported the facts to the [ World Health Organization ] .
In the meantime , you probably have 5 million people who left the Hubei province , which is where the epicenter was located , and they went throughout China , they went throughout the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that China has made in recent years , and it ’ s the reason that we are where we are , ” Huntsman said .
Huntsman said what ’ s needed is “ transparency , and coordinated , United States , voices in Congress , voices in the states , voices from the business community , because that ’ s when China really starts to listen , when it affects their economy.
” Huntsman served as ambassador to China from 2009 to 2011 after serving four years as governor of Utah .
Huntsman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ambassador to Russia before stepping down in August 2019 to explore a 2020 gubernatorial run .


freedomdaily--2020-05-12--Documents Shed Light On Media Leak Central To Michael Flynn Case

Documents released last week have helped fill in the timeline of events that preceded a leak to The Washington Post that is central to the federal case against Michael Flynn , the former national security adviser .
House Intelligence Committee transcripts released Thursday show that several Justice Department officials , Obama White House officials and others in the administration denied being the source of the leak , which Post columnist David Ignatius published on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
The Justice Department also released emails and interview transcripts that show when FBI officials began discussing the Logan Act , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department initially wanted to apply to Flynn ’ s case .
Ignatius made a passing reference in his column to Flynn ’ s phone calls in late December 2016 with Sergey Kislyak , the Russian ambassador to the U.S .
The veteran columnist cited a “ senior U.S. government official ” who said that Flynn called Kislyak multiple times on Dec. 29 , 2016 , the same day that the Obama administration announced it was kicking 35 Russian officials out of the U.S. as retaliation for the Russian government ’ s hacking of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn say , and did it undercut the U.S. sanctions ?
” Ignatius asked in the column .
He brought up the Logan Act , which “ bars U.S. citizens from correspondence intending to influence a foreign government about ‘ disputes ’ with the United States.
” “ Was its spirit violated ?
” Ignatius asked of the law , which has never been successfully prosecuted .
Ignatius ’ column set off a chain of events that culminated in a White House interview with Flynn on Jan. 24 , 2017 .
The retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the FBI in that interview .
The Justice Department filed a motion Friday to drop those charges , citing a slew of new documents in Flynn ’ s case .
Sidney Powell , Flynn ’ s personal attorney , said that the sources behind the leak should be investigated for a possible conspiracy to target Flynn .
“ The leak of the Kislyak transcript is a felony that should be prosecuted to the max including a conspiracy charge for all those who decided to make it happen as part of the setup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told The Daily Caller News Foundation .
Trey Gowdy , the former congressman , noted in an interview on Fox News on Sunday that the penalty for leaking classified information such as the Flynn-Kislyak call is steeper than that for making false statements to the FBI .
“ That is a 10-year felony to disseminate classified information , ” Gowdy said .
“ Michael Flynn was the victim of that crime.
” Republicans have speculated about the leak in the three years since it appeared in Ignatius ’ s column .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 , 2017 , when government officials first received a classified transcript of Flynn ’ s call with Kislyak , and Jan. 12 , 2017 .
Flynn ’ s phone call with Kislyak was on Dec. 29 , 2016 , but a transcript of the phone call was not provided to the FBI until several days later .
Ignatius ’ reference to the Logan Act could be a potential clue as to the source for the Flynn information .
The Justice Department released FBI emails Thursday showing that top officials at the bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as investigators learned of the Flynn-Kislyak transcript .
The emails show that on Jan. 4 , 2017 , FBI attorney Lisa Page and deputy counterintelligence chief Peter Strzok exchanged emails regarding the Logan Act .
Page forwarded one email on the topic to James Baker , who served as FBI general counsel .
She also sent an email to an address that appears to belong to McCabe , the documents show .
Flynn ’ s call with Kislyak breathed new life into the FBI ’ s investigation of Flynn .
The FBI ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2017 recommended that an open counterintelligence investigation of Flynn be closed due to lack of evidence that he was a Russian agent .
But after the FBI received the Flynn-Kislyak transcript , Strzok intervened to keep the investigation open .
James Comey , who then served as FBI director , was aware of the Flynn call .
He told the House Intelligence Committee on March 2 , 2017 that he briefed James Clapper on the Flynn information .
He testified that Clapper briefed President Obama about the contents of the transcript .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday show how the intelligence on the Flynn-Kislyak transcript spread through the Obama administration .
Several Obama White House and administration officials denied being the source of the Flynn leak during their House Intelligence Committee interviews .
Ben Rhodes , a senior Obama adviser , Susan Rice , the national security adviser for Obama , and Samantha Power , the ambassador to the United Nations , all denied being the source for the story .
Clapper testified said he “ didn ’ t leak anything ” and didn ’ t know who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sally Yates and Mary McCord denied being behind the leak .
McCord , who served as assistant attorney general for national security , said that she and Justice Department officials she met with a day after Ignatius ’ s story said “ were all pretty shocked ” to see the Flynn information .
McCord told the FBI in an interview that she first heard of the Logan Act in relation to the Flynn case from Bob Litt , who then served as general counsel of the Office of the Director of National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was not the source of the leak and that he brought up the Logan Act on his own .
“ I ’ ve never spoken to David Ignatius about anything connected with Flynn or the Russia investigation , ” Litt told the DCNF .
“ I identified the Logan Act issue on my own .
I may or may not have mentioned it to others at ODNI — no recollection either way — but I know I spoke about it to people at DOJ and FBI as it was their issue not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she learned of the Flynn-Kislyak phone call on Jan. 5 , 2017 following a meeting in the Oval Office .
She said that President Obama told her and Comey that he was aware of the information about Flynn .
Comey then raised the issue of the Logan Act with Yates .
“ Yates recalled Comey mentioning the Logan Act , but can ’ t recall if he specified there was an ‘ investigation.
’ Comey did not talk about prosecution in the meeting , ” reads an FBI summary of an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCord and George Toscas , a deputy assistant attorney general in the national security division , had been briefed on the Flynn information by the FBI .
Congressional investigators are still interested in finding out who leaked the Flynn information to the Post .
“ We ’ re getting a starkly different view of what the FBI and DOJ was up to as the curtain is being pulled back , and more transparency is still needed , ” one Senate aide told the DCNF .
“ If the government pursued leakers of classified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it put into taking down Flynn , the public would be subjected to far less spin at the expense of national security , ” added the aide , who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly .
A 2018 interview that resurfaced over the weekend suggests that Ignatius may not have been the original recipient at The Post of the leak .
Adam Entous , a national security reporter who worked at the newspaper , said at an event in 2018 that he heard “ whispers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and discussed it as a possible news story during meetings at the newspaper .


freedomdaily--2020-05-12--POLL: Biden’s Support From Women Drops As Media Focuses On Reade’s Accusations

Former Vice President Biden ’ s favorability ratings are dropping among women amid an increase in media coverage of Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault allegations , a new poll finds .
Biden ’ s net favorability rating among women slid 6 points since April , leaving the former vice president with a 44 % positive and 46 % negative rating , according to a Morning Consult-Politico poll published Tuesday .
The survey is the first time Morning Consult has shown the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee underwater among women .
The poll , conducted between May 4 and May 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media began ramping up stories on Reade ’ s accusations .
The survey also has a 1 percentage point margin of error .
Reade accused the former vice president in March of sexually assaulting her when she was Biden ’ s senate aide in 1993 .
Several witnesses began corroborating her allegations on April , 24 , 25 , and 27 .
Reade ’ s mother , her brother , her close friend , her former neighbor , and her former coworker have all corroborated details of her story .
Biden , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe ” co-host Mika Brzezinski on May 1 that “ it never , never happened.
” Despite the negative numbers , Women still support Biden over President Donald Trump by 8 points in the poll .
The poll also finds Biden losing steam among voters in general as he pulls in 45 % support nationally , against 42 % for Trump .
Morning Consult conducted a similar poll in mid-April that found the former president ahead by 8 points .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-12--Government cybersecurity commission calls for international cooperation, resilience and retaliation

The global commons are under assault in cyberspace .
Ransomware attacks , including North Korea ’ s WannaCry and Russia ’ s NotPetya , have disrupted vital medical services and global transportation systems , costing billions of dollars .
Iran and China have engaged in similar actions .
These cyberattacks are carried out by states and nonstate actors that seek to undermine global connectivity for their own interests .
But like a pandemic , these attacks affect all of society .
The world needs a new approach to combating how nations use cyberspace to advance their interests at the expense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission was formed by Congress in 2018 to develop a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace .
It provided a road map for establishing cooperation and accountability in cyberspace .
The commission consisted of four federal legislators , the deputies of the Department of Homeland Security , Department of Defense , office of the Director of National Intelligence and Department of Justice , and six private-sector experts .
One of us , Benjamin Jensen , served as the commission ’ s senior research director .
The commissioners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with cybersecurity professionals , researchers and officials in the private sector , academia and foreign governments .
The commission ’ s final report , released in March , lays out a comprehensive plan of action based on a new strategy : layered cyber deterrence .
The proposed strategy breaks new ground in two ways .
First , it asserts that contrary to conventional wisdom , it is possible to deter cyberattacks .
Second , the strategy calls for coordinating activities in three layers to secure cyberspace .
This won ’ t eliminate all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional law enforcement has completely banished crime in the physical world .
But it will improve how the U.S. government and the private sector respond to cyberthreats .
The first layer calls for the U.S. government to shape behavior in cyberspace through diplomacy and establishing new norms .
Too many states quietly condone hacking to steal , spy and threaten their rivals .
These attacks rely on illicit marketplaces for malware .
The key is promoting responsible behavior in cyberspace and assigning specific expectations for the roles and responsibilities of governments and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the U.S. government to make cyberattacks less effective by promoting national resilience .
This approach requires securing critical networks in collaboration with the private sector .
It also requires being able to conclusively identify the perpetrators of malicious actions in cyberspace .
And it requires increasing the security of the cyber ecosystem .
Actions in this layer include working to create more transparency in cyber insurance markets and ensuring economic continuity in the event of a catastrophic cyber incident .
The third layer calls for the U.S. government to impose proportional costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires the U.S. , in collaboration with allies , to maintain the capability and credibility needed to retaliate against nations and organizations that target the U.S. in and through cyberspace .
The means to retaliate include legal , financial , diplomatic and cyber powers that , applied in combination , assure compelling and unavoidable consequences for transgressors .
The U.S. Department of Defense “ defend forward ” policy , laid out in its 2018 strategy , calls for detecting and responding to threats as early as possible .
Early action increases effectiveness and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this emphasis on early detection and action to be extended to the use of all government powers .
It also calls for collaborating with an international coalition that lends strength and legitimacy when responding to cyber attacks .
The three components of this proposed strategy are defined as layers because they need to be applied in combination rather than as separate remedies .
In this manner the strategy brings together a diverse array of private and public capabilities , resources and authorities .
The commission ’ s report includes 80 recommendations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that require changes in law , the commission drafted legislative language to assist Congress .
The recommendations set the stage for a series of public hearings and outreach to the public .
Implementing the strategy will involve changes in procedure , authority , law and ultimately in the behavior of cyberspace stakeholders .
While the commission has transitioned its role to one of advocacy for the report ’ s recommendations , the work of transforming perceived costs and benefits in cyberspace lies ahead .
It will require the work of governments , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy is implemented successfully , nations that contemplate aggression in cyberspace will get the message : if you want to beat one of us , you ’ ll have to deal with all of us .
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Benjamin Jensen holds a dual appointment as a Professor at the Marine Corps University and as a Scholar-in-Residence at American University .
He is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and serves as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He served as the Senior Research Director for the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission .
The views expressed are his own .
Chris Inglis does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-12--AI tool searches thousands of scientific papers to guide researchers to coronavirus insights

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work .
The scientific community worldwide has mobilized with unprecedented speed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic , and the emerging research output is staggering .
Every day , hundreds of scientific papers about COVID-19 come out , in both traditional journals and non-peer-reviewed preprints .
There ’ s already far more than any human could possibly keep up with , and more research is constantly emerging .
And it ’ s not just new research .
We estimate that there are as many as 500,000 papers relevant to COVID-19 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ papers related to the outbreaks of SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012 .
Any one of these might contain the key information that leads to effective treatment or a vaccine for COVID-19 .
Traditional methods of searching through the research literature just don ’ t cut it anymore .
This is why we and our colleagues at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab are using the latest artificial intelligence techniques to build COVIDScholar , a search engine dedicated to COVID-19 .
COVIDScholar includes tools that pick up subtle clues like similar drugs or research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
AI can ’ t replace scientists , but it can help them gain new insights from more papers than they could read in a lifetime .
When it comes to finding effective treatments for COVID-19 , time is of the essence .
Scientists spend 23 % of their time searching for and reading papers .
Every second our search tools can save them is more time to spend making discoveries in the lab and analyzing data .
AI can do more than just save scientists time .
Our group ’ s previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific knowledge from text , making connections that humans missed .
There , we showed that AI was able to suggest new , cutting-edge functional materials years before their discovery by humans .
The information was there all along , but it took combining information from hundreds of thousands of papers to find it .
We are now applying the same techniques to COVID-19 , to find existing drugs that could be repurposed , genetic links that might help develop a vaccine or effective treatment regimens .
We ’ re also starting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ molecular structures to help find which drugs are similar to each other , including those that are similar in unexpected ways .
How we do this work The most important part of our work is the data .
We ’ ve built web scrapers that collect new papers as they ’ re published from a wide variety of sources , making them available on our website within 15 minutes of their appearance online .
We also clean the data , fixing mistakes in formatting and comparing the same paper from multiple sources to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning algorithms then go to work on the paper , tagging it with subject categories and marking work important to COVID-19 .
We ’ re also continuously seeking out experts in new areas .
Their input and annotation of data is what allows us to train new AI models .
So far , we have assembled a collection of over 60,000 papers on COVID-19 , and we ’ re expanding the collection daily .
We ’ ve also built search tools that group research into categories , suggest related research and allow users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as papers that connect a specific drug to the diseases it ’ s been used to treat in the past .
We ’ re now building AI algorithms that allow researchers to plug search results into quantitative models for studying topics like protein interactions .
We ’ re also starting to dig through the past literature to find hidden gems .
We hope that very soon , researchers using COVIDScholar will start to identify relationships that they might never have imagined , bringing us closer to treatments and a remedy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busy to read everything .
We get it .
That ’ s why we ’ ve got a weekly newsletter .
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Amalie Trewartha receives funding from the Department of Energy and has previously received funding from the Toyota Research Institute .
John Dagdelen works for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory .
He receives funding from Berkeley Lab and previously from the Toyota Research Institute .


freedomdaily--2020-05-12--As reopening begins in uncertain coronavirus times, you need emotional protective equipment, too

As millions across the U.S. prepare to return to work – and maybe , a level of normalcy – the phrase , “ We ’ re all in this together , ” heard constantly in the media , turns out to be both true and untrue .
Yes , the pandemic is a global experience .
But it ’ s also very much an individual enterprise .
Your race , age , socioeconomic status , where you live and whether or not children are in the house all have a dramatic impact on how you ’ re responding to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the isolation , life has changed little .
But others have lost family , friends , a paycheck or a business .
For some of them , any sense of security has vanished .
Much has been written about the need for personal protective equipment , or PPE .
But now , as we face reentry , it ’ s time to develop our EPE – emotional protective equipment .
And there ’ s no better time than May – when the National Alliance on Mental Illness observes Mental Health Awareness Month – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical educators at Michigan State University , we research , counsel and teach about wellness , resiliency and support , particularly for vulnerable populations .
After a tragedy , whether natural or man-made , we know that an increase in stress , anxiety , depression , substance use or post-traumatic stress disorder often follows .
But there are things individuals can do to help themselves , and things organizations can do to help others .
Let ’ s look at a few of them .
We can practice skills rooted in stress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must recognize the current circumstances are legitimately stressful .
Exercising , eating right , regulating sleep and keeping a routine as best you can will strengthen your body and mind to manage these very real stressors .
Next , we must practice self-kindness .
If you ’ re an adult , you ’ ve already dealt with uncertainty and survived .
Perhaps you ’ ve even thrived .
Thinking “ I can ’ t cope ” and “ This is too much for me ” not only makes you feel worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , research suggests that talking to yourself – the way a friend would talk to you , with accurate and helpful phrases – reduces anxiety .
Say to yourself : “ I ’ ve been through scary and uncertain things in the past and made it through.
” Or “ These past few weeks and months have been filled with uncertainty , but I ’ m still surviving.
” Another strategy that works : Find distance between yourself and your thoughts , the essence of mindfulness .
For example : When experiencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name it , then release it .
You don ’ t need to “ buy in ” to the thought ; instead , stay focused on the present moment .
Granted , it ’ s easy to get pulled into worrying about the future , or for that matter , dwelling on the past , particularly while bombarded by anxious thoughts or negative news .
Truth is , no one knows what ’ s going to happen over the next few months .
Staying in the present helps you detach from depressing or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll feel a greater sense of control over the here and now .
Finally , be mindful of the quality and quantity of information you take in .
In uncertain times , we try to calm our fears by gathering as much information as we can .
But research has found the more media we consume , the higher the toll on our mental health .
Be aware of what ’ s going on , of course – but don ’ t let yourself lose hours every day to news or social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help employees and clients heal .
First , they have to be physically safe .
If you ’ re an employer , follow guidelines to protect them from COVID-19 as they return to work .
And tell them what precautions you ’ re taking .
Make sure employees are psychologically safe .
Listen to the people who work for you .
Don ’ t dismiss their thoughts , concerns , feelings or experiences ; ask them what they need .
You may not be able to do everything they ask , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , transparent and do what you say you ’ re going to do .
Foster collaboration , mutuality , empowerment , voice and choice .
Some decisions , like following safety procedures , are not optional .
But provide choices whenever possible and give a voice to everyone .
Recognize , particularly during reentry , that not everyone will be “ back to normal ” at the same time .
By sharing decision-making with your employees , an organization can empower its workforce and promote a safe and collaborative environment , even during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , historical and gender issues .
Crises such as this are typically hardest on groups already marginalized .
Real voice , influence , power and equity for minorities and women are especially critical right now .
The collective trauma of the pandemic is not yet behind us .
The messy prospect of reopening and processing is ahead .
We can ’ t predict precisely what ’ s next , but we can fortify our collective resilience and mental health .
As individuals , we can develop our emotional protective equipment .
As institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a society , we can reflect on the gross inequities highlighted by the crisis – and rally around the worthy cause of addressing them .
[ You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic , and we can help .
Read The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]


freedomdaily--2020-05-12--Report: Grenell Wants To Unmask The Obama Officials Who Unmasked Michael Flynn

Richard Grenell , the acting director of national intelligence , visited the Justice Department last week seeking to declassify documents related to Obama administration officials ’ s unmasking of Michael Flynn in transcripts of phone calls he had with Russia ’ s ambassador , ABC News is reporting .
Grenell is asking the Justice Department to declassify a list of names of officials involved in the unmasking process , a senior intelligence official told ABC .
Unmasking refers to a process where top U.S. government officials can request information on American citizens picked up during electronic surveillance of foreigners .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Dec. 29 , 2016 phone with Sergey Kislyak , the Russian ambassador .
It is not illegal for U.S. officials to make unmasking requests .
But the information on Flynn was leaked to The Washington Post , opening up the possibility that someone in the Obama administration illegally disclosed classified information .
An unidentified senior U.S. official provided details of the Flynn-Kislyak phone call to The Washington Post for a column published on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
The revelations set off a chain of events that led the FBI to interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 , 2017 .
Flynn pleaded guilty to making false statements in that interview regarding the substance of his conversation with Kislyak .
But he retracted that admission of guilt on Jan. 29 .
The Justice Department filed a motion to withdraw charges against Flynn on Thursday , citing the discovery of FBI documents that showed that the bureau was about to shut down a counterintelligence investigation of Flynn just before he was unmasked in the phone call with Kislyak .
Attorney General William Barr defended the decision on Thursday , saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perjury trap ” for Flynn .
He also said that there was nothing illegal about Flynn ’ s call with Kislyak .
Grenell , who is also serving as ambassador to Germany , has led a push in recent weeks to declassify a trove of documents related to the FBI ’ s investigation of various Trump associates .
He took part in the process to declassify footnotes from a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane investigation .
The footnotes , which were published on April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of possible Russian disinformation in the Steele dossier .
Grenell also pressured Rep. Adam Schiff into releasing 53 transcripts of interviews that the House Intelligence Committee conducted as part of its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
The transcripts showed that multiple Obama administration officials testified that they had not seen evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
The transcripts also revealed that Obama administration officials James Clapper , Susan Rice , Ben Rhodes , and Samantha Power denied taking part in the Flynn leak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Intelligence did not respond to a request for comment .


freedomdaily--2020-05-13--Judge Orders Paul Manafort Released From Prison To Home Confinement

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort to be released from prison to home confinement amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic .
Manafort , 71 , is serving a seven-year prison sentence on fraud and money laundering charges .
He was convicted in August 2018 , sentenced to jail in March 2019 , and scheduled to be released on Nov. 4 , 2024 .
According to ABC News , two of Manafort ’ s family members , including his wife , picked him up early Wednesday morning from LCI Loretto , a minimum-security prison in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An attorney for Manafort confirmed to ABC News that he had been released from jail .
Lawyers for Manafort requested in April that he be let out of prison , citing recent health concerns for the longtime GOP operative .
“ Mr .
Manafort is at a significantly higher risk for serious illness or death , ” his attorneys wrote in an April 13 letter , according to ABC .
The Bureau of Prisons says that more than 2,800 federal inmates have tested positive for coronavirus .
Fifty of those have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of coronavirus .
Attorney General William Barr issued a directive in late March authorizing the release of federal inmates convicted of non-violent crimes who are considered at higher risk of complications from coronavirus .
Manafort served as chairman of the Trump campaign from April 2016 to August 2016 , when he resigned following a flurry of news stories about his consulting work in Ukraine .
He was indicted on tax and money laundering charges as part of the special counsel ’ s probe .
He pleaded guilty to separate charges related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine .
The FBI opened counterintelligence investigations on Manafort and three other Trump associates in August 2016 on suspicions that the were working with the Russian government to influence the 2016 election .
Those suspicions never materialized as investigators found no evidence of collusion between the Trump team and Kremlin .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-13--Judge In Michael Flynn Case Isn’t Tossing Charges Just Yet

The federal judge handling the case against Michael Flynn signaled Tuesday he is not yet ready to grant the Justice Department ’ s request to throw out charges against the former national security adviser .
Emmet G. Sullivan , a district judge in Washington , D.C. , said that he will allow for the submission of amicus curiae briefs , in which individuals and organizations who did not take part in the case can argue for or against the Justice Department ’ s request to withdraw charges against Flynn .
The Justice Department filed a motion last Thursday to drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence uncovered by U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Jensen .
Flynn pleaded guilty on Dec. 1 , 2017 to making false statements to the FBI in a January 2017 interview regarding his conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
But Flynn has sought to withdraw from the plea deal , claiming that he did not actually lie in the FBI interview .
Attorney General William Barr appointed Jensen in January to review evidence in Flynn ’ s case .
The prosecutor discovered FBI documents that Barr says raised questions about the bureau ’ s investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close a counterintelligence investigation of Flynn as of Jan. 4 , 2017 , citing a lack of evidence that he was working in secret with Russia .
But the FBI kept the investigation open after Flynn was discovered to have spoken with Kislyak in late December 2016 .
Jensen obtained another FBI document which showed that the FBI ’ s chief of counterintelligence questioned whether the goal of an interview with Flynn was “ to get him to lie ” so that he could either be fired or prosecuted .
Barr said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI did not have a legitimate basis to conduct the interview central to Flynn ’ s plea deal .
Barr told CBS News that Flynn ’ s call with Kislyak was “ laudable ” given that he was about to begin working as a national security adviser .
Barr also accused the FBI of setting a “ perjury trap ” against Flynn , who was fired as national security adviser on Feb. 13 , 2017 .
Sullivan ’ s order granting amicus curiae filings will likely delay a decision on whether to grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismiss charges .
Democrats and critics of the Trump administration criticized the request to withdraw the charges against Flynn .
More than 2,000 former Justice Department and FBI officials submitted a letter through the left-wing group , Project Democracy , requesting Barr ’ s resignation .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-13--Speaker Pelosi’s Coronavirus Bill Includes Billions For Illegal Aliens

Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced her party ’ s coronavirus relief package , which includes billions of dollars in carve outs for illegal aliens , grants to sanctuary cities , and other protections for the undocumented community .
House Democrats released the HEROES Act on Tuesday , a bill that provides a total of $ 3 trillion in stimulus funds to state and local governments , along with other industries affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
The legislation — which was not negotiated with the GOP or the Trump administration — includes $ 500 billion for state governments and $ 375 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the 1,815-page bill also reveals that it includes billions in payments to those living in the United States unlawfully .
Under a provision in the HEROES Act , recipients can receive stimulus money if they file taxes with a Taxpayer Identification Number — in lieu of a Social Security number , allowing many illegal aliens to be eligible for direct funds .
The previous coronavirus relief package , the CARES Act , only allowed those who filed with a Social Security number to be eligible for stimulus money , leaving out undocumented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed , would also retroactively provide those using Taxpayer Identification Numbers to obtain funds from the CARES Act .
The House Speaker revealed to the media in late April that Democratic leaders were in discussions to include a provision for Taxpayer Identification Numbers in the next coronavirus relief package .
“ FAIR estimates there are 14.3 million illegal aliens , meaning that in the last stimulus alone illegal aliens could have received over $ 17 billion in direct payments from the Federal government , ” Preston Huennekens , a government relations associate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FAIR ) , said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation on Tuesday .
“ This bill provides other relief to illegal aliens outside of the recovery rebates .
Take for instance the eviction protection for renters , ” Huennekens added .
“ The way the bill is written , illegal aliens also benefit from that protection because it is so broadly written.
” The legislation includes a multitude of other treats for illegal aliens and the institutions that allow them to remain in the U.S .
The HEROES Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Homeland Security ( DHS ) to release all illegal aliens currently under Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) detention who do not pose a “ threat to public safety or national security.
” The bill also provides $ 300 million in federal grants to law enforcement agencies , and specifically forbids the Trump administration from withholding these funds from agencies that refuse to cooperate with ICE , also known as “ sanctuary cities.
” Numbers USA , a nonprofit group that advocates for less immigration into the U.S. , took issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign workers .
“ House Democrats prioritizing foreign workers , legal and illegal , over unemployed and underemployed Americans in the middle of a crisis is shameful , ” said Numbers USA President Roy Beck .
Beck also derided a provision in the bill that would “ expedite the permanent importation of foreign health care professionals , apparently to take the jobs of the tens of thousands of American health care professionals who have been laid off or furloughed during the pandemic.
” The Heroes Act , if it passes the House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican-controlled Senate .
In a statement released on Tuesday , House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy called the bill a “ liberal wishlist that has no chance of becoming law.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ]


freedomdaily--2020-05-13--Democrats’ New $3 Trillion COVID Stimulus Includes The Word ‘Cannabis’ 68 Times

The $ 3 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill House Democrats introduced Tuesday includes provisions that would provide a safe harbor for banks to provide loans and other services to “ cannabis-related legitimate businesses.
” The measures would prohibit federal banking regulators from taking adverse actions against financial institutions that provide services to businesses that cultivate , produce , manufacture , sell , transport , display or purchase cannabis products in states where the substance is legalized .
The bill also mandates the federal government conduct a study on barriers faced by minority-owned and women-owned cannabis businesses seeking to enter the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill contains 68 references to the word “ cannabis.
” The bill does not modify marijuana ’ s status as a Schedule 1 controlled substance .
The proposed legislation is based on the SAFE Banking Act , which was first introduced by Colorado Democratic Rep. Ed Perlmutter in March 2019 and passed by the House in September by a vote of 321 to 103 .
The Senate has not yet held a vote on the bill .
“ I have been pushing for this because the # COVID19 crisis has only exacerbated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees , ” Perlmutter tweeted Tuesday after learning of the SAFE Banking Act ’ s inclusion in the stimulus bill .
“ They need relief just like any other legitimate business.
” Marijuana advocacy groups hailed the inclusion of the cannabis banking reforms in the Democrats ’ coronavirus relief package but were critical that the bill did not permit the Small Business Administration from providing loans to state-licensed cannabis businesses .
“ The inclusion of the SAFE Banking Act in the CARES 2 package is a positive development , but one that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gaping wound , ” said Justin Strekal , the political director of the marijuana advocacy group NORML .
“ While larger , better capitalized players may be able to weather this storm , smaller cannabis businesses may not be able to do so absent some economic stimulus , ” Strekal said .
A group opposed to the legalization of marijuana , Smart Approaches to Marijuana , said House Democrats ’ decision to include the SAFE Banking Act in their stimulus bill “ makes no sense.
” “ Numerous industries have been forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great sacrifices to comply with shutdowns and limitations on their business operations .
The marijuana industry has been a painfully obvious exception to this , ” SAM CEO Kevin Sabet said in a statement , according to The Hill .
“ This industry has used its lobbying arm to force state officials to keep their storefronts open , sued leaders who shut them down , and bragged incessantly about their revenues.
” Senate Republicans have warned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that her $ 3 trillion stimulus bill is dead on arrival if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CNN .
“ That will not pass .
It ’ s not going to be supported , ” said Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming .


freedomdaily--2020-05-13--‘False Dichotomy’: Tim Scott Says ‘Goalposts’ For Flattening The Curve Keep Moving

Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said at Tuesday ’ s Senate hearing that while America has done a “ pretty good job ” of flattening the curve of the coronavirus outbreak , the “ goalposts ” for moving beyond lockdowns have kept moving .
Scott warned that adverse effects of continued lockdowns are being ignored .
The senator said that “ when we set out to flatten the curve by taking aggressive unprecedented measures like staying at home orders and mass small business closures , we didn ’ t set out to with the goal of preventing 100 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is impossible.
” “ And we didn ’ t set out to keep quarantines in place until we found a safe , effective vaccine .
That would take too long , ” he said .
Scott said the “ whole point ” of flattening the curve “ was to make sure that we did not exceed hospital capacity .
So , while I respect the need for caution , we are too often presented with a false dichotomy : saving the economy or saving lives.
” “ We ’ ve seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I think that ’ s unfortunate because at the same time we ’ re doing that , businesses have collapsed , mental and physical health have declined , deaths of despair escalate , educational outcomes nosedive , as we wait in our living rooms praying for some good news around therapies and around vaccines , ” Scott added .
“ We set out to flatten the curve , and I think we ’ ve done a pretty good job of that.
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freedomdaily--2020-05-13--Trump Halts Federal Retirement Investments In Chinese Funds

President Donald Trump will cut the federal government ’ s retirement fund investments in Chinese equities , according to a Monday letter obtained by Fox Business .
The White House does not want federal employee retirement funds to have money invested in Chinese equities , national Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien and National Economic Council Chair Larry Kudlow said in a letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia Monday .
The letter , which was exclusively obtained by Fox Business , notes that “ billions of dollars from our federal employees ’ retirement funds in the Thrift Savings Plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Chinese companies.
” “ This action would expose the retirement funds to significant and unnecessary economic risk , ” O ’ Brien and Kudlow wrote in the letter , “ and it would channel federal employees money to companies that present significant national security and humanitarian concerns because they operate in violation of U.S. sanction laws and assist the Chinese Government ’ s efforts to build it ’ s military and oppress religious minorities.
” Republican Rep. Jim Banks praised Trump ’ s actions in a Tuesday statement to the Daily Caller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drew attention to the matter in May when he introduced the Blocking Investment in Our Adversaries Act — a bill that seeks to prevent TSP savings from being invested in either Chinese or Russian companies .
“ I want to thank President Trump for ensuring that our military personnel and other federal employees don ’ t subsidize the Chinese military , ” Banks told the DCNF .
“ I hope Congress can make this fix permanent by passing my bill , the Blocking Investment In Our Adversaries Act.
” “ Last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scalia to look at his jurisdiction to stop federal pension investments in companies tied to China ’ s military , ” Banks added .
“ I ’ m thankful for Sec .
Scalia ’ s leadership in addressing this serious issue.
” Banks warned of the looming coronavirus pandemic days before his fellow lawmakers began taking the virus seriously , he told the DCNF in an early April interview .
If more lawmakers had focused their attention on China and China ’ s pattern of misinformation and propaganda , the United States might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , according to Banks .
“ It wouldn ’ t be a surprise to anyone who has been following China ’ s actions , their misinformation campaign , their propaganda , apparatus and effort , that we would see many of the actions that we ’ ve seen come out of China , ” Banks said in April .
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freedomdaily--2020-05-13--Laredo CBP Officers Seize Hard Narcotics Worth Over $1.3 Million at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge

—U.S .
Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) , Office of Field Operations ( OFO ) officers at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge intercepted hard narcotics totaling $ 1.3 million in street value .
“ Drug trafficking organizations are continually evolving concealment techniques , becoming sophisticated in their methods of avoiding detection , ” said Port Director Gregory Alvarez , Laredo Port of Entry .
“ Fortunately , CBP is equipped with drug detection technologies that help us stay abreast of the new trends.
” Packages containing 68.69 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Laredo Port of Entry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 , when a CBP officer referred a 2002 GMC Sierra for a secondary inspection .
The vehicle was driven by a 46-year-old female U.S. citizen traveling from Mexico .
Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination , CBP officers discovered a total of 48 packages weighing 68.69 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle .
The narcotics have an estimated street value of $ 1,373,906 .
CBP seized the narcotics and vehicle .
The driver was arrested and the case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further investigation .
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