freedomdaily--2020-03-26--Chinese Propaganda Has Infected Daily Mail’s Coronavirus Coverage

The Daily Mail , the popular British tabloid widely read in the United States , has published dozens of articles in recent months about coronavirus that were based on stories originating from People ’ s Daily , the communist party ’ s official newspaper , and other Chinese propaganda mills .
A Daily Caller News Foundation investigation found that the Daily Mail has published thousands of articles in recent years as part of a content-sharing agreement with People ’ s Daily .
Whether that agreement is explicitly in place now is unclear , but the tabloid has nonetheless cited Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus .
The Daily Mail did not return multiple requests for comment On Monday , the Daily Mail published a story with the headline : “ Beijing ’ s leading doctor warns of a NEW coronavirus outbreak in China after the country reported its first case of someone ‘ catching the illness from a person returning from abroad.
’ ” The story , which had a massive 1.1 million shares on social media , cited comments that Li Lanjuan , a top Chinese government doctor , gave to People ’ s Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ One of China ’ s top coronavirus experts has warned that the nation is facing a second outbreak due to the increasing number of infections detected among new arrivals from abroad , ” reads the Daily Mail piece , written by Tracy You .
Lanjuan said she was “ very worried that imported cases could trigger another large-scale epidemic in our country , ” the story said .
The report posits that China had completely contained coronavirus within its borders and that a Turkish citizen infected with the virus reintroduced it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been accused of covering up its handling of the coronavirus pandemic , which began to spread out of the Wuhan province in November 2019.Health experts have accused Beijing of fudging data on the number of cases and deaths in Wuhan and greater China .
Chinese officials and state-controlled outlets have also waged a campaign to shift blame for coronavirus on other nations , including the U.S. and Italy , two of the countries hardest hit by the disease .
“ The problem is , how do we know if we can trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know is that they ’ d lied about their numbers before , ” a national security and foreign policy expert at Heritage Foundation , James Jay Carafano , told the DCNF .
The Daily Mail has published multiple other stories spouting the Chinese government line that other nations are sending new coronavirus cases back to China .
On Monday , it ran a story headlined “ U.K .
is now worst offender for sending cases to China.
” The article , also written by You , cited China News ’ s claim that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than one-third of 107 new coronavirus cases reported in Beijing .
On Tuesday , the site published a story citing a report from the Global Times , a tabloid affiliated with People ’ s Daily , claiming that a second wave of the pandemic in China “ is ‘ INEVITABLE ’ due to loopholes in the health screening for people arriving from abroad.
” The website for People ’ s Daily pushes an even harder line of propaganda .
On March 13 , People ’ s Daily published a story based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleging that the U.S. military spread coronavirus in China .
“ It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan , ” Zhao tweeted .
“ U.S .
is the creator of human right [ sic ] disasters ” reads a March 23 article on its website .
The U.S. Justice Department requires People ’ s Daily ’ s New York-based distributor , Hai Tian Development , to register as a foreign agent of China .
“ The ‘ political activities ’ carried out by Registrant for the principal involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” reads Hai Tian Development ’ s most recent filing .
“ The People ’ s Daily Overseas Edition is the official newspaper of the government of the People ’ s Republic of China , ” the filing reads .
“ The text of the publications are directly and solely under the discretion of the government officials in China.
” While mainstream news organizations in the U.S. , U.K. and other democratic nations sometimes cite stories from organizations like Russia ’ s RT or Sputnik , there is a general aversion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times , The Washington Post , and The Wall Street Journal have all also come under criticism for publishing paid inserts from China Daily that are designed to look like legitimate news articles .
The Daily Mail has gone far beyond simply blurbing the occasional People ’ s Daily story .
In 2015 , Jonathan Harmsworth , a British aristocrat who owns Daily Mail ’ s parent company , DMGT , touted a visit he made to People ’ s Daily to arrange a content-sharing agreement between the two organizations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit People ’ s Daily and discuss their collaboration to share news stories with MailOnline , ” Harmsworth wrote in the company ’ s 2015 annual report .
He also bragged in the report about his access to senior Chinese officials .
“ DMGT was one of very few global businesses invited to this high-level gathering of senior Chinese business leaders and officials , reflecting our efforts to build strong foundations and relationships in the region , ” he wrote .
Daily Mail editorial director Martin Clarke told The Guardian in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily was “ basically a copy-swap ” that did not involve any cash transactions .
“ We take about 40 stories a week from The People ’ s Daily and they can take a similar number from us .
There is no cash involved , ” he told The Guardian .
“ As the most populous nation on earth , and one of its most dynamic economies , China is an increasing source of stories for outward-looking global publishers like Mail Online .
We believe this relationship broadens our coverage there and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s social and political structures , ” Clarke said .
A review of Daily Mail ’ s website shows the company published more than 3,000 articles between March 10 , 2015 , and March 16 , 2018 , that explicitly disclosed which articles were published as part of the content agreement with People ’ s Daily .
You , the reporter who published the recent coronavirus content , wrote nearly 360 articles under the People ’ s Daily banner .
Many of those articles were lighthearted clickbait , such an April 20 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s six-legged goat , or a Jan. 11 , 2018 , story about a one-legged municipal road worker in Xi ’ an who is also deaf and mute .
The coverage has shifted to more serious topics amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Carafano , the Heritage Foundation national security and foreign policy expert , said it is “ very typical ” for Chinese propaganda to start as benign stories that carry no overt political spin .
“ They start very innocuously with sports sports , soccer stories , and then they suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ That ’ s very common.
” He said that most Chinese propaganda that appears in the West is “ pretty restrained , ” offering up content that lightly praises the government and avoids taking the U.S. government head on .
“ There has been a recent change , though , ” especially during the coronavirus outbreak , he said .
The communist party ’ s media organs have begun “ spinning mendacious narratives ” about coronavirus , said Carafano , “ like this all started in Italy , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus came from the United States.
” Carafano also said that the Chinese government has long maintained media partnerships with foreign outlets , especially in Africa .
“ Expanding this into new markets like the Daily Mail , they ’ re basically expanding a tactic that they ’ ve been using for a couple years now , ” he told the DCNF .
“ It is building on a trend that we ’ ve seen that we just don ’ t pay much attention to in certain places , particularly in Africa.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not include a banner identifying the content as originating from People ’ s Daily .
It is not clear if the copy-swap agreement is still in place .
Not all of the Daily Mail ’ s coronavirus coverage has put the Chinese government in a positive light , and its stories often note that People ’ s Daily and China News are affiliated with the Chinese government .
On March 9 , the Daily Mail published a story about the death of four Chinese doctors who worked alongside Dr. Li Wenliang , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the world about a coronavirus outbreak there in December 2019 .
Wenliang was reprimanded by the Chinese government , which accused him of peddling rumors about the virus .
He died from coronavirus on Feb. 7 .


freedomdaily--2020-04-16--Democrats Asking Trump Administration to Stop Border Wall Construction During Coronavirus

Nearly 100 Democrats in Congress are urging the Trump administration to halt construction on the U.S.-Mexico border wall during the coronavirus pandemic .
A total of 91 Democrats in the House and Senate have signed onto a letter addressed to key members of the Trump administration , requesting that “ all border wall construction halt immediately.
” Not only has border construction continued amid the coronavirus outbreak , but the White House has moved to expedite its progress — to the chagrin of its critics .
News of the letter was first reported by Axios .
“ Money should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fighting the spread of COVID-19 , not used to build an ineffective and wasteful border wall that does not solve our immigration crisis or protect our homeland , ” the lawmakers wrote .
“ We should be using all resources and funding to combat this virus and protect Americans , ” it continued .
Sixty-six Democrats in the House and 25 Democrats in the Senate are in support of the push — including Senate Majority Chuck Schumer , House Judiciary Chair Jerrod Nadler , and several members who represent border districts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Mark Esper , Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf , and Attorney General William Barr .
The Trump administration , undeterred by the current crisis , has continued on with its most lauded campaign promise of 2016 : the construction of a massive border wall between the U.S. and Mexico .
The White House promised to construct around 400 miles of border wall before the end of the year .
Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott announced on April 6 that 151 miles of border wall had completed since the dawn of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , Scott revealed that the total number of completed border wall has risen to 158 miles .
Despite claims made by Democrats , Wolf has pointed to numerous instances where illegal crossings have gone down after the erection of a wall system .
Notably , on the same day that the letter was dated and released , the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) issued an environmental waiver allowing for the “ expeditious construction ” of roughly 15 miles of new border wall in the Rio Grande Valley Sector in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed the concept of a border wall — are now pointing to the coronavirus pandemic as a reason to pause construction .
“ At this juncture , the priority of the United States must be to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
The continuation of wall construction compromises those efforts , ” the Democrats said .

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freedomdaily--2020-04-16--Coronavirus Spreads Through Rural America

Cases of the coronavirus have begun to spike in Nebraska , Iowa , and South Dakota – states where governors have not issued stay-at-home orders .
Nebraska , Arkansas , Iowa , North Dakota , Oklahoma , South Dakota , Utah and Wyoming governors have not yet ordered residents to stay in their homes , Politico reports .
President Donald Trump has referred to several of these states in noting that the coronavirus has not severely affected populations there , despite laxer restrictions than other states that have implemented strict stay-at-home policies .
“ They have fewer people and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night at the White House , according to Politico .
“ There are numerous states that are in great shape right now…They are set to open practically now.
” But cases have increased more than 30 % in North Dakota in the last five days , similarly increasing 22 % in Arkansas , 26 % in Oklahoma , and 260 % in South Dakota , Politico reports , comparing these outbreaks to the 26 % increase in cases over the same period in New York .
In Nebraska , case counts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Politico reports from the Nebraska Health Department .
The Grand Island and Hall County area has seen 214 confirmed cases of the virus — numbers which amount to almost a quarter of total coronavirus cases in the state , according to Politico , and 28 workers have tested positive at JBS USA beef plant , the largest employer in Grand Island .
Nebraska Gov .
Pete Ricketts says that his voluntary social distancing plan is working , however .
Ricketts has pushed residents to remain at home , to avoid large gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at work .
“ This is a program that depends on people exercising personal responsibility and their civic duty , ” Ricketts told Politico Wednesday .
“ This is about making that decision , not the heavy hand of government taking away your freedoms.
” Researcher Charles Branas , chair of the Epidemiology Department at Columbia University who tracks hospital shortages and virus outbreaks , warned Politico that every state is at risk from the virus .
“ Perhaps there are governors who believe they have the medical capacity to deal with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Branas told the publication .
“ But I don ’ t know if that is wise , because once it gets out it can spread unabated and overwhelm any medical system of any size .
Every state is at risk and should have aggressive social distancing policies .
”


freedomdaily--2020-04-16--WHO Suggests EU Officials Restrict Citizens’ Access to Booze During COVID-19 Lockdowns

The World Health Organization in Europe is asking government officials to restrict access to alcohol as citizens continue widespread lockdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic .
WHO noted on its website Tuesday that such restrictions are necessary because millions of people die every year from alcohol consumption .
Such consumption during an emergency in which people are asked to shelter in place could exacerbate “ risk-taking behaviors.
” “ Existing rules and regulations to protect health and reduce harm caused by alcohol , such as restricting access , should be upheld and even reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic and emergency situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website .
The organization ’ s guidance also suggested that any “ relaxation of regulations or their enforcement should be avoided.
” “ Alcohol is consumed in excessive quantities in the European Region , and leaves too many victims , ” Carina Ferreira-Borges , Programme Manager , Alcohol and Illicit Drugs Programme , WHO/Europe said in a statement published on the website .
“ [ W ] e should really ask ourselves what risks we are taking in leaving people under lockdown in their homes with a substance that is harmful both in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their behaviour on others , including violence , ” she added .
WHO received critical coverage after repeatedly stating in early and mid-January that Wuhan healthcare workers weren ’ t becoming infected with COVID-19 , which originated in China before landing in the U.S. , where it has killed more than 25,000 people .
It ’ s killed 128,000 people worldwide .
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported in March on WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus ’ s close ties to China .
Tedros effusively praised China for what he considers a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 before Chinese officials told WHO in mid-January that the virus was not transmittable from animals to humans .
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freedomdaily--2020-04-16--A Left-Wing Group Targeting Trump Accepted $100K In Stock From A Chinese-Controlled Tech Firm

A Democratic group expected to spend millions of dollars targeting President Donald Trump received $ 100,000 in stock shares from an anonymous donor in a giant Chinese tech company , a new report shows .
American Bridge 21st Century accepted a gift in 2018 of 450 shares into Baidu , a Google-like tech company closely affiliated with China ’ s ruling Communist Party , according to the group ’ s 2018 IRS filings .
The Washington Free Beacon first reported on the donation Wednesday .
It is unclear if American Bridge sold the stocks during the last two years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
Democratic operative David Brock founded the group in 2010 and has raked in $ 23 million in 2020 , with a reported $ 2 million of that money coming from mega financiers George Soros .
American Bridge announced plans to spend $ 50 million on ads and messages targeting the president .
The group is cutting ads thrashing Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus , or COVID-19 , which originated in China before hitting the U.S. shores , where it ’ s killed more than 25,000 people .
The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , all of which are battleground states that the president won in 2016 but Democrats say are in play come 2020 .
The group ’ s Facebook ads lashing out at Trump are similar to other ads criticizing the president .
“ Neglect .
Botched responses .
Cuts at the Centers for Disease Control , ” American Bridge noted in an ad that ran March 18 to 30 .
American Bridge also reportedly joined an alliance in March with super pac Unite the Country to support former Vice President Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s presidential campaign , for its part , is trying to use Biden ’ s past comments praising China as a hammer against the former vice president .
American Bridge has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment about the Baidu shares , nor has the group commented on the ads targeting the president , who ’ s response has shifted from likening the virus to the flu to restricting travel to China .
Analysts believe Baidu is under a significant amount of Chinese party control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a greater degree of party control than the average Chinese private firm because Baidu ’ s business is basically dissemination of information , ” Derek Scissors , an academic at the conservative American Enterprise Institute , told the Free Beacon .


freedomdaily--2020-04-16--Reaching Herd Immunity Would Require Significant Deaths. Some Experts Think It’s Inevitable

Scientists widely believe that coronavirus will not die off in the U.S. until between 50 % and 70 % of Americans have either become infected with the virus or been inoculated against it through a vaccine .
With a vaccine not expected for another 12-18 months , epidemiologists and some government officials see a particularly bleak path to the end of the pandemic , which has already claimed more than 27,000 lives in the U.S. “ The prospects of mass gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and a vaccine , ” California Gov .
Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Several rounds of social distancing will be required to get us to ‘ herd immunity ’ in the absence of vaccination , ” Dr. Marc Lipsitch , a Harvard epidemiologist , said at a separate press conference announcing the results of a study of the virus .
Herd immunity has proved to be a controversial topic during the coronavirus outbreak since , according to some estimates , nearly 2 million Americans would die on the way to achieving the threshold required to end the spread of the virus .
The debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inevitable has also splintered over whether it should be actively embraced as a strategy or delayed for as far long as possible .
The two competing camps are largely divided over the lethality of coronavirus ( estimates range from 0.1 % to 3.4 % fatality rates ) and whether an extended period of social distancing measures to delay onset of herd immunity is worth the destruction it will bring the economy .
The debate is further complicated by limited research on just how much of the U.S. population has already been infected during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers to those questions , the camp of health experts advocating for slowing transmission of the virus — or “ flattening the curve ” — has won control of policy responses to the pandemic .
President Donald Trump reportedly brought up the possibility of allowing coronavirus to “ wash through ” the country , establishing herd immunity , during a coronavirus task force meeting last month .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the leading infectious disease expert on the White House coronavirus task force , reportedly pushed back on the idea , saying “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force , and the Trump administration as a whole , has been ambiguous on what the end game for the pandemic will actually look like .
The administration has focused on getting through the first wave of the pandemic and setting up widespread testing and the capacity to trace infections to limit future outbreaks .
The strategy has required business closures and widespread stay-at-home orders that have obliterated the economy .
Administration officials have said they expect a resurgence of cases later in the year , but have not said what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his fellow task force scientist , Dr. Deborah Birx , have not publicly discussed whether herd immunity is the ultimate end to the pandemic .
Reporters at the task force ’ s daily press briefings have also not asked whether herd immunity is likely to be reached before the development of a vaccine .
That ambiguity stands in stark contrast to a sober assessment offered up by some epidemiologists — and Newsom — who see herd immunity as all but inevitable .
In March , Newsom told Trump that the state projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 25.5 million people — would become infected with coronavirus over the next eight weeks .
Dr. Michael Osterholm , an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota , also accepts herd immunity as an inescapable reality of the pandemic given how far off a vaccine is .
“ Covid-19 will go away eventually in one of two ways , ” he wrote in a March 21 op-ed for the Washington Post .
“ Either we will develop a vaccine to prevent it , or the virus will burn itself out as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a form of herd immunity on the population .
Neither of those possibilities will occur quickly.
” Osterholm has estimated that 1.6 million Americans will die from coronavirus .
That ’ s based on an assumption that half of the U.S. population will become infected , and one percent of those will succumb to COVID-19 .
The gist of a Harvard report is that the best strategy for public health officials and policy makers is to slow the spread of the virus in order to allow the health care system to process sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argue , the American public should engage in repeated waves of lockdowns as outbreaks emerge in their communities .
They predict that lockdowns will be needed until 2022 .
That type of scenario presents a quandary for policymakers who have to balance protecting the public from coronavirus while also preventing the economy from completely falling apart .
More than 17 million Americans have filed for unemployment in less than a month since social distancing guidelines were put in place .
On the other end of the pandemic spectrum from the Harvard researchers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for a more proactive approach to herd immunity .
Rather than deliberately slowing transmission of the virus through economic lockdown , that group supports a strategy of allowing the virus to transmit among people who are likely to avoid serious illness .
At the same time , the elderly and people with underlying health conditions should be isolated while the virus infects people less likely to suffer complications from COVID-19 .
Dr. Matt Strauss , a Canadian professor , has called for achieving herd immunity “ in a controlled and strategic manner.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to return to the workforce as long as they do not live with people most vulnerable to the virus .
The idea behind the strategy is that , if 60 % of the population must become infected in order to achieve herd immunity , it ’ s best to expose those most likely to recover from the disease .
Proposals like Strauss ’ s have been widely condemned as they are seen as promoting infection rather than avoiding it .
But making the debate particularly murky is the position held by epidemiologists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but expect the pandemic to end only through natural herd immunity .
Researchers are unsure just how close the population is to achieving herd immunity .
The proximity to herd immunity is also inconsistent across the country .
New York City , the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. , is likely far closer to the herd immunity threshold than a town in rural Kansas , which has likely avoided widespread infection .
A study of pregnant women in New York City found that 13 % were infected with coronavirus and didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far short of the herd immunity threshold , that rate of infection is likely far higher than the rest of the U.S. Dr. Scott Gottlieb , the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration , estimated that between 2 % and 5 % of Americans have been infected with the virus .
Perhaps the most important unanswered question regarding immunity is whether recovered patients are protected against reinfection .
Most infectious diseases confer some immunity to recovered patients , so health experts believe the pattern will hold for coronavirus .
But studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed that some patients have tested positive for coronavirus after they were thought to have recovered .
Other patients have displayed low levels of antibodies following recovery , raising the possibility that they have limited protection against reinfection .
In that worst-case scenario , a vaccine would be the only hope to end the pandemic .


freedomdaily--2020-04-16--NYT Treated Tara Reade’s Biden Accusation Differently Than Julie Swetnick’s Kavanaugh Accusation. He

NYT Treated Tara Reade’s Biden Accusation Differently Than Julie Swetnick’s Kavanaugh Accusation. Here’s How

The New York Times showed more far skepticism of an unproven sexual assault allegation against former Vice President Joe Biden than it did of an outlandish gang rape accusation against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
Julie Swetnick , who was represented by since-disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti at the time , accused Kavanaugh during his September 2018 confirmation hearings of participating in gang rapes at high school parties .
The Times covered Swetnick ’ s accusation the same day that she made it , even though the paper acknowledged having zero corroboration of her story .
Swetnick lacked any evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In contrast to its handling of Swetnick ’ s accusation , the Times waited 19 days to report on Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault accusation against Biden , whom she worked for as a Senate staffer .
Times executive editor Dean Baquet defended the paper ’ s different treatment of the two accusations in an interview with Times columnist Ben Smith .
“ Kavanaugh was already in a public forum in a large way .
Kavanaugh ’ s status as a Supreme Court justice was in question because of a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a public way , I don ’ t mean in the public way of Tara Reade ’ s .
If you ask the average person in America , they didn ’ t know about the Tara Reade case , ” Baquet said .
“ So I thought in that case , if The New York Times was going to introduce this to readers , we needed to introduce it with some reporting and perspective .
Kavanaugh was in a very different situation .
It was a live , ongoing story that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
It was just a different news judgment moment , ” he added .
But that explanation doesn ’ t hold up to scrutiny .
Without media coverage of Swetnick ’ s wild accusations , “ the average person in America ” wouldn ’ t have known about her , either .
Furthermore , unlike Swetnick , Reade at least had a direct connection to the man she was accusing : she worked for him .
Still , Baquet insisted that the Times ’ s standard for reporting on Reade ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for reporting on Swetnick ’ s accusation .
“ The standard , to be really simple , is that we try to give the reader the best information we can come up with at the time .
And we try to give the reader the information they need to make their own judgments .
Unless we can make the judgment , ” he said .
“ And Kavanaugh was a running , hot story .
I don ’ t think it ’ s that the ethical standards were different .
I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different perspective in a running hot story.
” That answer from Baquet doesn ’ t hold up to scrutiny , either .
A leading presidential candidate being accused of sexual assault is , by definition , “ a running hot story.
” By the time the Times finally covered the story , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders had already dropped out of the race , leaving Biden as the undisputed presumptive Democratic nominee for president .


freedomdaily--2020-04-16--Checking blood for coronavirus antibodies – 3 questions answered about serological tests and immunit

Checking blood for coronavirus antibodies – 3 questions answered about serological tests and immunity

Coronavirus testing in the United States is moving into a new phase as scientists begin looking into people ’ s blood for signs they ’ ve been infected by SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 .
This technique is called serological testing .
Virologist Daniel Stadlbauer helped develop a serological test to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and helped transfer it from the research lab to the clinical setting .
Epidemiologist Aubree Gordon regularly uses serological assays in her research studies on influenza and dengue fever .
She ’ s now established serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 in her research lab .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology works .
What do these tests look for ?
Serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 are blood tests .
They look at serum or plasma – basically blood that has been processed to remove the cells – for evidence that at some point you ’ ve been infected with the coronavirus .
These tests look for antibodies that your body ’ s immune system generated to fight the infection .
So , the tests detect the response to the virus , not the virus itself .
They can not be used early in infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has mounted an antibody response .
A serological test may focus on different types of antibodies .
It can measure what are called neutralizing antibodies , which protect against the virus in question .
Or it may measure what are called binding antibodies , a type that recognizes SARS-CoV-2 but does not necessarily protect against it .
Several types of serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 exist .
Clinical laboratories and research laboratories typically use what ’ s called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) that consists of plastic plates that are coated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface of the virus .
For the test to be specific , it uses the spike protein from the surface of SARS-CoV-2 that gives the coronavirus its crown-like appearance .
This spike protein is immunogenic , meaning it ’ s one of the main targets of the body ’ s immune response ; an infected person would make antibodies against the spike protein .
The test measures if and how many serum antibodies in the sample bind to the viral proteins on the plates .
Another type of serological test uses what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A variety of medical tests , including at-home pregnancy tests , use this technique .
It relies on liquid flowing over a pad treated with chemicals that will interact with the molecule you are testing for .
Usually the test will indicate the presence or absence of antibodies through easy-to-read lines .
They have the benefit of being relatively simple and rapid , but are generally less sensitive and do not give a measure of the amount of antibody present .
The FDA has so far approved one test of this type , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it helpful to know who has antibodies against the virus ?
From a public health perspective , knowing who has already been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 paints a clearer picture of how widespread the virus is in the local population .
Some people are asymptomatic or only came down with mild symptoms , so they might not be counted in other COVID-19 statistics .
Epidemiologists can use the serology results to determine how common those cases are .
Serological studies can also help figure out a death rate for COVID-19 , by clarifying how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Serosurveys are currently generating this kind of data .
They use the serological techniques to test a large number of serum samples from people without a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection , coming up with statistics about the group as a whole .
Knowing a true rate of infection allows public health workers to better predict the likely future course of the pandemic in individual locations and figure out what interventions are needed to control an outbreak .
That ’ s because researchers think , although no one ’ s entirely sure yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus it will confer immunity , meaning you ’ ll be protected for some period of time .
Serological testing could also be used to make strategic staffing decisions about essential workers , including medical personnel – for instance , assigning to the front lines those who are have antibodies and are thus presumably immune .
These people would be able to go back to work without the risk of getting sick or infecting others .
Identifying individuals who were already infected and who are now potentially immune could play an important part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are lifted .
Broad SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing could help control the pandemic until a potent vaccine is available – the real coronavirus “ end game.
” Where are these tests being performed so far ?
Serological testing is already being used to identify people who can serve as plasma donors .
In a process called plasmapheresis , doctors transfer plasma that contains antibodies to a disease into an ill person .
Plasmapheresis has been used for decades to treat a variety of diseases .
In this case , plasma from someone who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the disease but didn ’ t develop symptoms and has a high level of antibodies – is transferred into a sick patient , typically someone critically ill. At Mount Sinai hospital in New York City , medical workers have started transferring plasma into patients with the hope of neutralizing the virus and alleviating the disease .
In other locations , hospitals have started or are preparing to begin this process as well .
Serological testing is also being used to diagnose individual patients who are suspected SARS-CoV-2 cases , but have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ molecular test that looks for the virus ’ s genetic material .
Multiple serosurveys are underway , or soon will be , in medical systems and in the general population .
For instance , Beaumont Hospital System in Michigan has begun a large serosurvey in their medical staff .
The Krammer and Simon research labs at Mount Sinai have started a serosurvey with samples from New York City .
Commercial companies have also developed serological tests , including many rapid tests , that are making their way into the marketplace .
Ultimately these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know their infection status .
But the currently available commercial tests haven ’ t been validated by the FDA or a similar authority to say they work well .
There is such high , unmet demand that for the most part , clinical laboratories are choosing to put together their own serological tests , using publicly available instructions , something which is common in research laboratories , but not done as often in U.S. clinical laboratories .
Though it takes more time and effort than purchasing ready-to-go tests , which are hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical labs access to serological tests that have been proven to work well .
[ You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic , and we can help .
Read The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
The authors do not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-04-16--Making masks at home – what you need to know about how to reduce the transmission of coronavirus

The recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation to use cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19 has generated numerous how-to articles and videos .
As academics who focus on personal protective equipment ( PPE ) research and development , we are concerned about the lack of information about two critical features of home mask design : fit and fabric selection .
Virus particles are tiny , ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 micron .
A size 40 micron particle is visible with the naked eye – anything smaller , you need specialized equipment to see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed to prevent virus particles from flowing in and out of the mask .
Due to current shortages , N95 masks should be reserved for COVID-19 health care workers only .
Better than nothing Homemade masks can not block or filter the SARS-CoV-2 virus , because it can easily flow through every common material people have at home .
However , a homemade mask is still better than none at all .
If made correctly , a homemade mask can reduce the transmission of the virus from the wearer to others by impeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough or sneeze .
It can also reduce the transmission of the virus from others to the wearer .
Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth .
When measuring for a mask pattern , make sure it extends from the top of the nose – as close as possible to the eyes without obstructing sight – to under the chin .
Masks should cover the face side-to-side , well past the opening of the mouth .
When developing prototypes , check around all edges of the mask for gaps .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pinching the fabric together , and stitch or tape or staple edges together to create a pleat or dart .
A thin metal wire or paper clip placed along the top edge of the mask can stabilize and shape it along the bridge of the nose and cheekbone for a closer fit .
Masks should stay securely in position and fit comfortably with ties or elastic ear loops .
If the mask is too tight or loose , the wearer may continuously adjust the mask forgetting the admonition – “ Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and loops should also be the mechanism for taking off the mask , as the front of the mask might be contaminated .
People have varying access to different fabrics at home .
Masks should incorporate fabrics that : • Reduce virus transmission to and from the nose and mouth • Wrap around the face and are comfortable next to the skin • Are easy to wash and sanitize .
Fabric is comprised of four variables that must be considered for mask making : fiber , yarn , structure and finish .
Change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fibers are the smallest component of a fabric .
They can not be identified by sight or touch .
Look for a fiber content label on the products or fabrics you might use for your mask .
Alternately , a “ burn test ” can be used as a crude method to determine if a fabric is a natural fiber , human-made fiber , or a blend of natural and man made fibers .
If you choose this method be careful .
There are three important fiber characteristics to consider for mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – the diameter of a fiber .
The SARS-CoV-2 virus particle is 0.1 to 0.3 micron , so small-sized fibers allow for more compact fabric structures to reduce transmission .
The second is how the fiber feels next to skin – this will indicate how comfortable a mask may feel next to your face .
The third is moisture regain – how well the fiber absorbs moisture .
A higher number means more absorbency ; low regain gives a sense of how well the fiber might repel moisture .
Fibers are twisted together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ size affecting fabric thickness and breathability .
“ Yarn count ” is the number of yarns in a 1-inch square of woven fabric .
A high yarn count fabric indicates a dense fabric with droplet blocking potential .
Yarns with different properties can be blended to combine characteristics .
Yarns are then structured into the physical fabric .
Performance finishes , like water repellency and antimicrobials , are not visible but could be helpful .
Detect water repellency or moisture wicking by using an eye dropper to place a drop of water on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the fabric .
Aesthetic finishes like graphics and batik are not so useful .
Put it all together There are many fabric variables to reckon with for a homemade mask .
Consider building a three-layer system .
This three-layer system includes a space between the inner and outer layers for a removable middle layer .
A replaceable “ filter ” is inserted in that space .
If one fabric layer is too thin , add additional layers for protection .
Homemade masks will not filter the SARS-CoV-2 , however , masks may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals .
When wearing a mask , remember to continue social distancing , wash hands frequently and wipe down surfaces and packages .
[ Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research .
Sign up for The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
The authors do not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-04-17--Hundreds of News Outlets Agree to Use Pandemic to Hype Climate Change

Hundreds of media outlets , including Reuters , are partnering with a project seeking to devote a week of coverage to climate change amid a pandemic that has killed more than 140,00 people worldwide .
The founders behind Covering Climate Now are asking their network of more than 400 media outlets to blanket the airwaves with stories about climate change during the week of Earth Day .
Reuters , Bloomberg News , and The Daily Beast are among the biggest names listed as partners of the project .
Covering Climate Now , founded in 2019 , announced the event on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments began mitigation efforts to halt the spread of the pandemic .
One of the project ’ s founding groups , the Columbia Journalism Review , represents professional journalists and focuses primarily on journalism ethics .
Covering Climate Now ’ s partners published a deluge of climate-related news in September 2019 ahead of the U.N .
Climate Action Summit , held Sept. 15-23 .
It is now asking its media partners to renew their efforts , moving from discussing climate change to tackling potential solutions .
The latest effort is slated to happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions such as putting “ a price on carbon ” and halting “ fossil fuel subsidies , as well as political actions to advance such policies , ” Covering Climate Now notes on its event page .
The project ’ s co-founder , Mark Hertsgaard , has said news outlets should be devoting the same amount of time to climate change as they do COVID-19 .
The disease , which is caused by the novel coronavirus , originated in China before landing on the shores of the United States , where it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stories on other subjects have all but disappeared , and some newsrooms have halted production on non-coronavirus stories altogether , ” Hertsgaard wrote in a March 25 blog post contrasting how the news outlets cover climate change with how they treat a pandemic .
Hertsgaard goes on to lament the gap he sees between coverage of coronavirus and climate change .
“ While this is understandable given the scope of the COVID-19 threat , ” Hertsgaard notes , “ it is bizarre that the climate crisis has never been accorded comparable importance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , impoverish , and even end the lives of countless people the world over.
” Hertsgaard has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s repeated requests for comment about the Covering Climate Now project .
He told CJR editor and publisher , Kyle Pope , in September 2019 that the project “ has an aroma ” of “ activism ” in the minds of many journalists .
The Washington Post , The New York Times , and The Wall Street Journal have not responded to the DCNF ’ s request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking part in Covering Climate Now .
Hertsgaard told Pope that he ’ s trying to change that perception .
There were roughly 200 outlets involved in the partnership last September when Covering Climate Now was requesting reporters blanket news coverage with climate stories .
The project has since approximately doubled .
“ Partnering with Covering Climate Now to provide access to a selection of Reuters new and existing climate coverage free of charge allows other members to make the issue more accessible to their audiences , should they choose , ” Reuters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not address to what degree Reuters would should be shifting their focus away from the pandemic .
Reuters joined the project in December 2019 , less than three months after Covering Climate Now ’ s initial climate coverage kicked off in September of that year .
Bloomberg News , The Daily Beast , and CJR have not responded to requests for comment .
Neither Bloomberg nor The Daily Beast have confirmed whether they will participate in the upcoming effort .
BuzzFeed participated in the project ’ s effort in September but chose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s climate coverage initiative , spokesman Matt Mittenthal told the DCNF without providing an explanation .
BuzzFeed is still listed among Covering Climate Now ’ s partners .
Energy analysts and other critics , meanwhile , believe Hertsgaard , Covering Climate Now , and others involved in the project , are disconnected from reality .
“ It ’ s a disconnect with what ’ s happening in the real world .
People are doing the best to flatten the curve , and they ’ re wringing their hands over climate change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the DCNF .
“ There is no satisfying these people .
It ’ s an obsession.
” “ They want to cover climate change when people are trying to stay alive during a pandemic and keep their jobs or find a new one to provide for their families , ” he added .
Pyle said that journalists need to focus their attention on the virus rather than a vague concern about a climate crisis , Pyle noted .
Efforts to mitigate coronavirus have all but left the economy in tatters , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for unemployment since officials began issuing orders for citizens to shelter in place .
Media outlets are focusing the bulk of their resources on reporting out the twists and turns as the virus continues spreading .
Advocacy-style journalism is the new in-thing , according to David Blackmon , an independent consultant and analyst who has nearly 40 years experience in the energy industry .
“ I don ’ t think that anyone would object to any of it if they were upfront about their agenda , ” he told the DCNF in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first effort .
“ There ’ s no effort to properly identify agenda-driven pieces .
“ They are backed up with factual information , but it usually tells just half the story .
It ’ s become the norm , ” he added .
Blackmon , a Forbes contributor , noted that much of the reporting is one-sided and focuses exclusively on one narrative : Climate change must be stopped at any cost .
Such reporting rarely gives coverage to the economic consequences of climate activists ’ preferred policies , he noted @ @ @ @


freedomdaily--2020-04-17--Birth Tourism Hotel For Chinese Nationals Ordered To Be Shut Down

A California motel that exclusively catered to Chinese nationals hoping to enter the United States and give birth , thus giving their children automatic U.S. citizenship , has been ordered to be shut down .
Orange , California city officials on Tuesday voted to revoke JR Motel ’ s conditional use permit , deeming that the owner was not operating the facility for its intended use , according to the Orange County Register .
City officials have ordered the hotel to be shut down by the end of the month .
Despite its name , the JR Motel does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It does not accept reservations or even have a sign to attract customers .
Instead , the JR Motel advertised to affluent Chinese women entering the U.S. while pregnant in order to give birth on American soil — a practice known as “ birth tourism.
” The hotel — located in the southern California city of Orange — advertised itself on a Chinese-language website for women seeking a place to stay before and after giving birth .
While birth tourism is legal in the U.S. , city officials argued that the long-term stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it into the category of lodging or boarding house — which the area is not zoned for .
JR Motel is also accused of violating building , safety , and fire codes .
“ [ Hotel owner Chi Huang ] , from 2015 to present , demonstrated very little respect for our law , very little respect for our community , very little respect for the human life of his tenants .
And he was focused solely on making money , ” Councilman Chip Monaco said during a teleconference meeting .
“ His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get go , ” added Kim Nichols , another council member .
An attorney representing Huang asked city councilors to refrain from making any decision until the end of May , saying that his client is hoping to sell the motel and has several people interested in buying it .
However , that request was not met with a warm reception .
“ I am in no way interested in helping Mr. Huang capitalize and make money yet again on his poor bad faith behavior in this town , ” Monaco said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to revoke a [ permit , ] if there are any criminal charges we could pursue , I would be completely and 100 % supportive of that.
” City staff voted to revoke the motel ’ s conditional use permit , and Huange has been reported to California ’ s licensing board .
Currently , 10 of the hotel ’ s 28 rooms are occupied , and the owner is no longer accepting new clients .
The customers who remain are pregnant Chinese nationals who can ’ t yet board an international flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate around birth tourism in the country .
Under the Fourteenth Amendment , any individual born in the U.S. is given automatic citizenship .
This has given rise to thousands of pregnant foreign nationals entering the country every year hoping to give birth here , and enjoying the perks that come with having an immediate relative with U.S. citizenship .
President Donald Trump , who has made immigration enforcement a hallmark of his administration , has expressed interest in issuing an executive order to end birthright citizenship .


freedomdaily--2020-04-17--Chinese Officials Bump Wuhan Death Toll Up By 50%

Chinese officials announced an additional 1,290 deaths that had not been initially included in Wuhan death totals Friday , increasing the city ’ s previous stated death toll by 50 % .
State media announced Friday that almost 1,300 people who died of the coronavirus in Wuhan were not counted in death tolls previously announced , NBC News reports .
These additional numbers increase Wuhan ’ s death toll by 50 % to 3,869 deaths , the publication reports .
A Wuhan official reportedly blamed the under reporting on several medical institutions failing to report deaths in a timely manner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to limited hospital capacity and the shortage of medical staff , a few medical institutions failed to connect with local disease control and prevention systems in a timely manner , which resulted in delayed reporting of confirmed cases and some failures to count patients accurately , ” state media said that an unidentified Wuhan official said , according to NBC .
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also blamed late reporting from medical workers , NBC reports , saying Friday : “ Medical workers at some facilities might have been preoccupied with saving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underreporting or misreporting , but there has never been any cover-up and we do not allow cover-ups.
” News of China ’ s under reporting comes after weeks of rumors that China has many more victims than the country has announced — rumors fueled by photos of thousands of urns at funeral homes waiting to be filled with cremated ashes of victims , as well as photos of people waiting in long lines to gather the ashes of their cremated relatives , NBC reports .
The news also comes after the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failing to warn the rest of the world about the virus and purposefully misrepresenting the number of deaths and cases within the country .
Bejiing has denied that this is the case , NBC reports .
The U.S. Intelligence community reportedly concluded in mid-March that China was falsifying data on the coronavirus , prompting the CIA to look into the numbers as well .
President Donald Trump has not directly criticized China in recent weeks , but he frequently has criticized the World Health Organization ( WHO ) for being “ China-centric , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the WHO Tuesday .
“ The WHO ’ s reliance on China ’ s disclosures likely caused a twenty-fold increase in cases worldwide , and it may be much more than that , ” Trump said Tuesday .
“ The WHO has not addressed a single one of these concerns nor provided a serious explanation that acknowledges its own mistakes , of which there are many .
”


freedomdaily--2020-04-17--CDC Officials Hustle To Put Virus-Ravaged Smithfield Foods Back Online After Worker Dies Of COVID

South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working to put a meat processing plant ravaged by coronavirus back online after a worker died of the virus .
CDC staff canvassed the Sioux Falls Smithfield Foods plan Thursday weeks after the first COVID-19 case was discovered in March .
One infected worker died Tuesday while nearly 600 employees have tested positive for the virus , which has killed 100,000 people worldwide .
“ Next steps of the plan are contingent on feedback from the CDC ’ s efforts today , ” Noem ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Thursday .
“ We ’ re working closely with the plant to make sure it ’ s an environment that ’ s safe for the employees also.
” “ [ W ] e ’ re doing it in a time frame to help our ag producers who are looking to market their hogs.
” Noem ’ s office added .
The China-owned pork processing plant shuttered Sunday after employees were infected with coronavirus , noting that the nation ’ s grocers are under severe stress .
The announcement came after officials across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Smithfield Foods noted that it intends to open as soon as officials give it the good-to-go .
“ We recognize the critical and essential nature of our work at this facility for the local community , for farmers and for the entire food system , ” the plant noted in a statement .
“ Smithfield will resume operations in Sioux Falls once further direction is received.
” Meanwhile , critics have heaped scorn on Noem for resisting calls for her to effectively closedown South Dakota .
The Washington Post , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting that the governor ’ s hesitation perhaps resulted in the plant being overrun with the virus .
Noem has gone a different route .
She issued executive orders for counties with high elderly and at-risk populations to stay at home , and instructed all citizens to follow guidelines on hygiene and social distancing .
Noem ’ s work putting the plant back in working order is cold comfort for some .
The wife of one worker who died from the virus believes the plant ’ s managers worked her husband to death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that horrible place , ” Angelita Rodriguez told Argus Leader Thursday through a translator .
She was referring to her to 64-year-old Augustín Rodriguez , who was hospitalized April 4 , placed on ventilators two weeks later , and died Tuesday .
Angelita added : “ Those horrible people and their supervisors , they ’ re sitting in their homes , and they ’ re happy with their families.
” Smithfield Foods Chief Executive Ken Sullivan worries the plant ’ s closure could hurt the country ’ s food supply .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocked if our plants are not running , ” Sullivan said in a statement Sunday .
“ These facility closures will also have severe , perhaps disastrous , repercussions for many in the supply chain , first and foremost our nation ’ s livestock farmers .
”


freedomdaily--2020-04-17--COVID-19 Patients Treated With Remdesivir Have Done ‘Very Well’ In Preliminary Study

COVID-19 patients treated with the drug remdesivir recovered quickly from severe illness in a study conducted at the University of Chicago , according to the medical website STAT News .
The study looked at 125 people diagnosed with COVID-19 , 113 of whom had severe cases of the disease .
Kathleen Mullane , who is overseeing the remdesivir trial , said on a video conference with the University of Chicago faculty members that patients in the study saw their fevers drop “ quite quickly ” when treated with the drug , which is developed by Gilead Sciences .
Many patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the hospital within a week after treatment , she said .
“ The best news is that most of our patients have already been discharged , which is great .
We ’ ve only had two patients perish , ” Mullane said on the video , which was obtained by STAT News .
She added : “ But certainly when we start [ the ] drug , we see fever curves falling.
” “ We have seen people come off ventilators a day after starting therapy .
So , in that realm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , ” she continued , adding that most patients in the study have left the hospital within six days of treatment .
The fatality rate for patients in the study appears far lower than that for coronavirus patients with severe disease as a whole .
More than half of patients who are put in ICU with severe cases of the disease end up dying , according to some studies .
Researchers have held out hope that drugs like remdesivir could be repurposed to treat COVID-19 .
The World Health Organization said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for COVID-19 .
President Donald Trump has also mentioned remdesivir as a possible therapeutic , along with hydroxychloroquine , a malaria drug developed in the 1940s .
He directed the Food and Drug Administration on March 19 to speed up approval to allow both drugs to be used on a “ compassionate use ” basis to treat patients with severe cases of COVID-19 .
Mullane cautioned during the video conference against jumping to conclusions .
The study is not controlled , meaning that the outcome for the patients was not compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placebo , she noted .
The University of Chicago also warned against drawing broad results from the preliminary study .
“ Partial data from an ongoing clinical trial is by definition incomplete and should never be used to draw conclusions about the safety or efficacy of a potential treatment that is under investigation , ” the school said in a statement to CNN .
“ In this case , information from an internal forum for research colleagues concerning work in progress was released without authorization .
Drawing any conclusions at this point is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are underway for both drugs in hospitals around the world .
Gilead is sponsoring trials at more than 150 sites across the globe , according to STAT News .
News of the study prompted a sharp rise in Gilead ’ s stock price .
The California-based company ’ s shares spiked 10 % at the opening of the stock market on Friday .


freedomdaily--2020-04-17--Washington Post Fact-Checker Corrects Himself After Botching Facts In Viral Twitter Thread

Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler corrected himself after botching the facts in a viral Twitter thread meant to fact check President Donald Trump .
Trump took issue with a Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) inspector general ( IG ) report that found hospitals faced a shortage of the equipment necessary to fight coronavirus .
In an April 7 tweet , Trump questioned whether the IG commissioned a report “ on the failed H1N1 Swine Flu debacle where 17,000 people died ?
” “ Guess what , the HHS IG did do a lengthy examination of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu in 2009 .
Let ’ s tweet out a few key findings ….
” Kessler wrote on Twitter on April 7 , proceeding to tweet out selections from a glowing report on the Obama administration ’ s handling of the swine flu .
Kessler ’ s thread went viral on Twitter , with the original tweet receiving nearly 6,000 retweets and more than 14,000 likes .
His subsequent tweets similarly received thousands of engagements .
But the fact-checker got it wrong .
The HHS IG , a watchdog independent from the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission the report Kessler cited .
“ The report was not an [ IG ] product , ” IG spokeswoman Melissa Rumley told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Kessler acknowledged the error following an email from the DCNF .
He deleted the inaccurate thread and tweeted a correction .
“ Rule # 1 : never try to do an instant fact check on Twitter .
I tweeted from a government report , incorrectly saying it was an IG report , when in fact it was not , ” Kessler wrote in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am glad it was brought to my attention .
I have deleted the tweet , shown below , mea culpa .
”


freedomdaily--2020-04-17--George Soros Tied To Multi-Million Relief Fund For Illegal Aliens

An organization led and funded by billionaire activist George Soros is among the several philanthropic groups funding a multi-million relief initiative for illegal aliens living in California .
The Open Society Foundations is among several groups pledging to donate altogether $ 50 million for the California Immigrant Resilience Fund , a public-private partnership between philanthropic entities and the state of California to provide cash assistance to those living unlawfully in the United States .
The state of California is ponying up $ 75 million , bringing the program ’ s total funding to $ 125 million .
Democratic Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ program during a press conference on Wednesday .
Foreign nationals who qualify can receive a one-time cash benefit of up to $ 500 , helping them deal with the economic downturn , and households can receive up to $ 1,000 .
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees ( GCIR ) , which is leading fundraising efforts , lists its major contributors on its announcement page .
The Open Society Foundations is identified as one of the “ supporters ” of the initiative .
Other donors include Emerson Collective and Blue Shield of California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California Endowment , the James Irvine Foundation , Sunlight Giving , the Evelyn and Walter Haas , Jr. Fund , the Marin Community Foundation , Silicon Valley Community Foundation , the Akonadi Foundation , and the California Wellness Foundation .
The Resilience Fund , according to GCIR , has so far been seeded with $ 6 million , but they are hoping to reach their goal of $ 50 million in private funding .
“ I want to thank our philanthropic partners for joining with California and committing to raise an additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support to this population through the California Immigrant Resilience Fund , ” Newsom said in a prepared statement released Wednesday .
The Open Society Foundations , or OSF , is an international philanthropic network led by Soros .
Not only is the 89-year-old billionaire the founder and current chairman of OSF , he has doled out over $ 32 billion of his own fortune to the organization since it launched in 1993 .
OSF has gone on to shell out millions to liberals outfits and causes across the globe , including to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to bolster the anti-Semitic BDS movement .
Soros himself has also burned much of his immense wealth with donations to Democratic campaigns here in the U.S .


freedomdaily--2020-04-17--Steele Source Voiced ‘Strong Support’ For Hillary Clinton, Had Ties To Kremlin

A source of information for the Steele dossier had contacts with a Kremlin insider in early Summer 2016 , and also voiced “ strong support ” for Hillary Clinton , according to information declassified on Wednesday .
Other declassified information shows that the U.S. intelligence community told the FBI in 2017 that two Russian intelligence officers were aware as of July 2016 that Christopher Steele , the author of the dossier , was investigating Donald Trump .
The FBI also received evidence in early 2017 , just after the dossier was published , that Russian operatives may have fed disinformation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Office of the Director of National Intelligence declassified the information along with multiple other footnotes from the Justice Department office of inspector general ’ s ( IG ) report of the FBI ’ s surveillance of the Trump campaign .
The footnote regarding the pro-Clinton Steele source does not tie the individual to the possible Russian disinformation campaign , but it shows for the first time that one of Steele ’ s sources may have had a political axe to grind against Donald Trump .
Steele himself was working indirectly for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for the presidential candidate and DNC hired Steele in June 2016 to investigate Trump ’ s possible ties to Russia .
Steele relied on just one source , dubbed “ Primary Sub-Source ” in the IG report , for information published in the dossier .
The source collected information from a network of contacts , or sub-sources , and passed them along to Steele .
The Primary Sub-Source has disputed portions of Steele ’ s reporting .
He told the FBI in a series of meetings in early 2017 that Steele misrepresented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The IG report said that the pro-Clinton sub-source also disputed information in the dossier .
The person told the FBI in an interview in August 2017 that the information attributed to him or her in the document had been “ exaggerated.
” “ He/she did not recognize anything as originating specifically from him/her , ” the IG report says .
The FBI received information in June 2017 revealing that Steele ’ s primary source had “ personal and business ties ” to the sub-source .
The bureau also received information of “ contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Presidential Administration in June/July 2016 , ” the newly declassified footnote says .
The footnote is heavily redacted before a section that reads , “ and the sub-source voicing strong support for candidate Clinton in the 2016 U.S. elections.
” The IG report does not say how the FBI obtained that tidbit of information , but clues in the footnote suggest it could have been through electronic surveillance of the Steele sub-source .
The footnote says that an FBI supervisory intelligence analyst told IG investigators “ that the FBI did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steele sub-source.
” Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) allows the government to collect communications from foreigners outside the United States .
The FBI relied heavily on Steele ’ s information to obtain FISA orders to conduct surveillance against Carter Page , a former Trump campaign aide .
Steele , a former MI6 officer , reported in the dossier that Page was part of a “ well-developed conspiracy of cooperation ” between the Trump campaign and Russian government .
The IG footnotes also say that the FBI received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two days after the dossier was published , that information regarding former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen was likely the product of Russian disinformation .
Steele had claimed that Cohen visited Prague in August 2016 to meet with Kremlin operatives and pay off Russian hackers .


freedomdaily--2020-04-17--Can your pets get coronavirus, and can you catch it from them?

Humans and animals share many diseases .
And as dramatically shown by the tigers that tested positive in the Bronx Zoo , the coronavirus is one of them .
As three veterinary epidemiologists who study infectious disease , we have been asked a lot questions about if and how the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 affects pets .
Can my pet get the coronavirus ?
When talking about a virus , the words “ get ” or “ catch ” are vague .
A more precise question is : Can my cat or dog become infected with SARS-CoV-2 ?
The answer is yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as laboratory experiments that both cats and dogs can become infected with coronavirus .
In Hong Kong , health officials have tested 17 dogs and eight cats living with COVID-19 patients for the coronavirus .
They found evidence of the virus in two dogs : a Pomeranian and a German shepherd , though neither became sick .
None of the eight cats were infected or had been sick .
However , there is a separate report of an infected cat from Hong Kong .
Another case of an infected cat was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner of the cat had COVID-19 , but unlike the infected cat in Hong Kong , this one had become sick with respiratory problems as well as diarrhea and vomiting .
The final evidence comes from Wuhan , where researchers tested 102 cats and released a pre-print study of the results .
Fifteen of those cats tested positive for the antibodies to the virus – meaning the cats been exposed in the past .
As the researchers say in the paper , the coronavirus has “ infected cat populations in Wuhan , implying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other outbreak regions.
” This study tested cats from owners with COVID-19 , veterinary hospitals and even some strays .
Three of the infected cats were owned by COVID-19-affected patients which explains their exposure ; for the other 12 it is unclear how they were infected .
Can my pet spread the virus to another animal ?
If cats or dogs can spread the coronavirus , health agencies and the public would need to incorporate these animals into their planning to contain and slow the pandemic .
It is very important to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and whether they can transfer it to other animals .
A group of researchers in China set out to answer these questions .
To do this , they inoculated – that is , directly exposed – a number of cats and dogs with the coronavirus by deliberately placing large doses of live SARS-CoV-2 into their noses .
The scientists then put some of these inoculated animals next to uninfected control animals to see if the exposed animals got sick , could spread the virus to the uninfected animals , or both .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can become infected when given a large dose of the virus .
All five of the kittens who were inoculated became sick and two died , but all of the adolescent cats were able to fight off the infection without becoming seriously ill .
They also found that cats can spread the coronavirus to other cats .
After a week , one-third of the uninfected cats that were placed next to the inoculated cats tested positive for the coronavirus .
These results provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can replicate in cats and can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cats can transfer the virus through the air to other cats .
The same researchers also looked at dogs and found them to be much more resistant to the virus and unable to transmit it to other animals .
This is important information , but the conditions of the experiment were very unnatural .
There are no studies about transmission of the virus between cats and dogs in the real world so it remains unclear whether natural transmission is occurring .
While this experiment shows that cats and dogs are not totally immune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic among household pets provides some evidence that they are more resistant than people are .
Can I get the coronavirus from my cat ?
While we can ’ t say it would be impossible to catch the coronavirus from a cat or dog , the research suggests this is extremely unlikely .
There are currently no reported cases of people catching the coronavirus from animals .
The World Health Organization says that “ based on current evidence , human to human transmission remains the main driver ” of the COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to understand if animals and pets can spread the disease.
” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that there is no evidence pets can spread COVID-19 to people .
While your cat can get infected , according to the science , it is extremely unlikely they could pass it to you .
In fact , if your cat is infected , the chances are your cat caught the coronavirus from you .
Should I keep my cat inside or change my dog ’ s behavior ?
Although the chances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal are low , if you take your dog or cat outside , have your pets follow the same rules as everyone else – keep them away from other people and animals .
If a dog approaches you , there is no need to be scared of getting sick from virus on the dog ’ s fur .
But avoid approaching dogs on leashes – not because of the dog , but because there is usually a human on the other end .
If you become ill with COVID-19 , the CDC recommends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have someone else care for them .
If that isn ’ t possible , continue to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face .
Also remember : If your pet needs medical care , make sure you inform your veterinarian if you or a household member is ill with COVID-19 .
That information will allow your veterinarian to take adequate precautions .
The evidence around pets and the coronavirus is changing rapidly and our team is keeping an updated review about how cats , dogs , ferrets , other less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus .
But where the science stands today , there is little to worry about with regards to your cat or dog .
In rare cases , they might become infected with the virus , but the chances of them getting sick from the infection or passing it on to you or another animal are extremely low .
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The authors do not work for , consult , own shares in or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would benefit from this article , and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-04-18--Chinese Firm’s Letter On Hunter’s Resignation Raises More Questions Than It Answers

The CEO of a Chinese private equity firm sent a letter to Hunter Biden ’ s lawyer on Friday saying that the son of former Vice President Joe Biden was no longer serving as an unpaid director of the firm “ effective from October 2019.
” The lawyer , George Mesires , confirmed that he had received the single-sentence letter from BHR Partners CEO Jonathan Li on Friday , but he again refused to provide the Daily Caller News Foundation with a copy of Hunter Biden ’ s actual letter of resignation from the firm ’ s board .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to identify Hunter Biden as a director of BHR , six months after he pledged to resign from the firm .
Li ’ s letter doesn ’ t address Hunter Biden ’ s ownership stake in BHR .
Business records accessed Friday show that Hunter Biden retains a 10 % stake in the firm through his company , Skaneateles LLC .
The letter also did not provide the exact date in October that Hunter Biden ceased serving as an unpaid director of BHR , nor did it explain why Chinese business records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the firm .
“ Mr .
Robert Hunter Biden no longer serves as an unpaid director on the board of Bohai Harvest RST ( Shanghai ) Equity Investment Fund Management Co. , Ltd. effective from October 2019 , ” Li wrote to Mesires in the letter dated April 17 .
The letter was first disclosed by Washington Post reporter Glenn Kessler .
BHR manages the equivalent of $ 2.1 billion in assets , according to its website .
The firm is funded and controlled primarily by Chinese government-owned shareholders , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business records accessed Friday continue to list Hunter Biden as a director of BHR .
Mesires told the DCNF in early November that his client had resigned from BHR ’ s board , but he did not provide any evidence of his departure from the firm at the time .
Hunter Biden received wall-to-wall media coverage when his lawyer announced on his behalf in October that he would resign from the board of BHR by the end of the month , and Joe Biden lauded the move as a representation of “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” However , the statement did not say whether Hunter Biden intended to relinquish his 10 % ownership stake in the Chinese private equity firm .
Joe Biden pledged in December that none of his family members , including Hunter Biden , would engage in foreign business activities were he to become the next president .


freedomdaily--2020-04-18--US And Canada Agree To Keep Border Closed For Another Month

The United States and Canada have agreed to extend a ban on all non-essential travel on their shared border for another month , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced .
While addressing the public on Saturday , Trudeau said his government and the Trump administration have opted to extend a ban on all non-essential travel between the U.S.-Canada border for an additional 30 days , according to the Associated Press .
The prime minister said the restrictions will likely be extended again .
“ The agreement is the same terms .
It ’ s just extended for another 30 days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure we continue to get essential goods and services back and forth across the border.
” He added that the border restrictions will be in place for “ many , many weeks to come.
” Per orders from the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) , acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on March 20 announced that the administration would be closing all non-essential travel on its Canadian and Mexican borders — and that all illegal entrants would be turned back immediately .
To be sure , many types of international travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of economic trade and other important work .
Some examples of the “ essential ” movement that is permitted includes travel for medical and educational purposes , emergency response operations , public health services , and anyone engaged in “ lawful cross-border trade.
” “ Every day , over $ 3 billion in trade crosses the borders of the United States , Mexico , and Canada , ” Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) acting commissioner Mark Morgan said earlier this month .
“ This trade is essential to the economies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure was supposed to expire in the coming week , but as the coronavirus pandemic rages on throughout the world , Trudeau and the Trump administration deemed it best to keep the restrictions in place .
As of Saturday morning , the U.S. has reported more than 701,000 cases of the coronavirus , and nearly 33,000 deaths .
Canada has reported more than 31,800 cases and slightly more than 1,300 deaths .


freedomdaily--2020-04-20--McClatchy ‘Taking A Close Look’ At Its Cohen-Prague Reports In Wake Of New Evidence

McClatchy news service says it is reviewing two reports published in 2018 that claimed to validate a key part of the infamous Steele dossier following the declassification of information that Russian operatives may have fed disinformation to dossier author Christopher Steele .
“ We are taking a close look at this new information and will update or correct our story based on its merits .
Until then , we continue to stand by our reporting , ” McClatchy said in a statement to The Washington Post ’ s Erik Wemple .
Greg Gordon and Peter Stone , the two McClatchy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as quick to concede problems with their reports .
“ We will stand by the information that we reported concerning Michael Cohen ’ s alleged trip to Prague unless clear evidence demonstrates that it is false , ” Gordon and Stone told Wemple .
The two journalists reported on April 13 , 2018 , and Dec. 27 , 2018 , that the special counsel ’ s office received evidence that former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen ’ s cell phone was tracked to the Prague area in Summer 2016 .
If true , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most explosive allegations of collusion between Trump associates and the Kremlin .
Steele , a former MI6 officer , wrote in his dossier that Cohen visited Prague in August 2016 to meet with Kremlin insiders to discuss paying off Russian hackers .
The McClatchy reports were viewed with some skepticism in journalism circles because of the vague sourcing in the reports , and because other news outlets could not independently verify the bombshell allegation .
But Trump critics and Steele defenders continued citing the stories as evidence of a conspiracy between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence the 2016 election .
The stories suffered their first heavy blow with the April 18 , 2019 release of the special counsel ’ s report , which stated that Cohen did not visit Prague .
McClatchy only made one slight concession following the release of that report .
The company attached editor ’ s notes saying that the special counsel ’ s report noted that Cohen did not visit Prague .
But the company said that the special counsel was “ silent ” on the claim that Cohen ’ s phone pinged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports suffered a heavier blow on April 10 with the declassification of footnotes from the Justice Department inspector general ’ s report of the FBI ’ s probe of the Trump campaign .
One footnote said that the FBI received evidence on Jan. 12 , 2017 that the Cohen story was the product of a Russian disinformation campaign .
The footnotes also said that the U.S. intelligence community had evidence that two Russian intelligence officers were aware as early as July 2016 that Steele was investigating the Trump campaign .
Steele ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined comment on the new revelations .


freedomdaily--2020-04-20--Coronavirus quarantine could provide lessons for future space travel on how regular people weather i

Coronavirus quarantine could provide lessons for future space travel on how regular people weather isolation

I was supposed to travel to “ Mars ” this month .
The plan was to stay two weeks at the Mars Desert Research Station – actually in the Utah desert – to simulate human operations on the red planet .
Eight of us were to live in a two-story cylinder , 24 feet in diameter .
We would conserve water and put on mock spacesuits every time we ventured outside .
But , in an ironic twist , the coronavirus pandemic and the worldwide spread of social distancing put on hold our simulation of isolation on Mars .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my dissertation .
I research groups in space-analog environments – isolated and confined places that share characteristics with human space missions .
I ’ m especially interested in the way gender contributes to individuals ’ influence within a group and how men and women manage their emotions in isolation and confinement .
I will not go to “ Mars ” this spring .
As I am self-isolating at home , though , I keep thinking about what lessons for future space travel the current situation can provide .
Astronauts have shared tips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loneliness and isolation .
Maybe in return , the experiences of millions living under lockdown can offer insights into previously understudied social effects of isolation and aid future space travel .
Let me be clear : By no means am I denying the seriousness of the pandemic , and I am not reducing vitally important social distancing measures to a set of convenient social observations .
However , the more researchers understand the social effects of isolation on regular people – as opposed to those certified to have “ the right stuff ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the future , whether another wave of pandemic or interplanetary space travel .
Most group behavior research in space and space-analog environments focuses on leadership , cohesion and conflict – factors that affect teams ’ performance and their ability to complete tasks .
It makes sense , as astronauts are first and foremost a team of co-workers on a specific mission .
But , by focusing on the professional level , researchers overlook other potential relationships between crew members – such as family ties or intimacy .
It is not a minor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynamics of group behavior .
If you ’ ve ever shared a workplace with a romantic couple , for instance , you probably know there can be some drama .
So far , only one married couple has been to space .
Researchers suggest that couples are better equipped to handle isolation because of mutual social support .
Having couples on board makes the team feel closer as a whole .
However , anecdotal evidence from China suggests that divorce rates jumped after the quarantine .
This factoid suggests that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better suited for isolation than single individuals .
Gender dynamics , at home and in space Now , researchers like me have an opportunity to understand how couple dynamics influence life in isolation – including sex and sexuality , questions that NASA is not eager to address .
While pregnancy can be dangerous , intimacy and sexuality can improve emotional and mental well-being over long periods of social isolation .
In addition to intimate relationships , current isolation conditions mean researchers could pay more attention to structural gender inequalities accentuated by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic and care labor , as well as more emotional labor – taking care of others ’ feelings and well-being in addition to their own .
Now , their toll is increasing .
Men and women have the same general goal – to survive the pandemic and its aftermath – but they experience the quarantine differently .
In most middle-class families , the traditional work-home divide is now gone , as both partners work from home .
But women are still likely to spend more time running the household , including child and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are no screaming toddlers in space , space-analog research shows similar trends of women taking care of other crew members .
The widespread lockdown could allow researchers to get more data on how social norms and expectations about each gender – for example , who is supposed to offer more emotional support – influence behavior in mixed-gender groups in highly uncertain and stressful situations .
Whether you are in deep space or in quarantine , communication with family and friends outside is crucial for your well-being .
In the past weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work conference calls to Friday night trivia .
The current situation can help to settle the debate whether online communication can or can not replace real-life conversations .
What forms of digital communications are closest to meeting a friend for a real cup of coffee ?
How often should astronauts host a digital happy hour en route to Mars ?
There is no doubt that coronavirus-caused social isolation will take a toll on individual and collective mental health .
But staying home saves lives .
Maybe this experience will also provide lessons on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social life on another planet .
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Inga Popovaite 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--2020-04-20--We’re measuring online conversation to track the social and mental health issues surfacing during th

We’re measuring online conversation to track the social and mental health issues surfacing during the coronavirus pandemic

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work .
Social media posts and news reports are rich sources of data about people ’ s attitudes and behaviors .
Using artificial intelligence techniques , it ’ s possible to sift through billions of words to discern trends in a population ’ s well-being , or social quality .
Performing this analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic is revealing the damage the pandemic is doing to the social and psychological well-being of the U.S. At the AI Institute of the University of South Carolina , my colleagues and I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posts since the beginning of March and more than 700,000 news articles about the COVID-19 pandemic .
We are monitoring these information sources to capture the evolving human experience in the U.S. during the pandemic .
We have found troubling indications of a growing mental health crisis and an increase in social ills such as substance abuse and gender-based violence .
Our analysis of news showed that social quality – measured in terms of depression , anxiety , substance use and addiction – declined in all parts of the country .
But some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Oregon moved from better than average to among the worst few states in the nation .
The emergence of prominent phrases like “ major depression , ” “ feel restlessness , ” “ dependent on meth ” and “ sedative abuse ” showed a substantial rise in the frequency of discussion about depression , substance abuse and severe medical conditions .
These findings are supported by a manual review of news stories .
An analysis of social media also showed declining social quality , especially notable from the first week of March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also identified hotspots of social quality declines in California , Michigan , New York , Virginia , Georgia and Florida .
The states differ in how their social quality is declining .
For example , the social media chatter in Michigan showed persistent , worsening signs of depression .
In Georgia , substance use and addiction contributed more to the deterioration of social quality as measured by social media posts .
How we do our work Analyzing people ’ s posts on social media can be messy .
For example , when using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for posts about cannabis use , we have to make sure we ’ re not accidentally including posts about “ pumpkin spice latte.
” Our automated text analysis uses a knowledge graph , a database that keeps track of the meanings of words , to understand different meanings associated with the different uses of “ spice.
” Our team has defined a social quality index using several sources .
To understand mental health-related conversations , we created a knowledge graph based on the American Psychiatric Association ’ s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addiction , we used knowledge about drug abuse developed in our previous research on the topic .
And to understand broader concepts , we used DBPedia , a knowledge graph derived from the world ’ s largest encyclopedia , Wikipedia .
Monitoring the vast flow of words in news and social media can provide insights much faster than traditional survey measures .
We examine this data for warnings of a possible epidemic of clinical depression , growing panic and anxiety concerns , and worsening substance use disorders .
Advanced warnings help policymakers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge .
This is all the more important given that the United States was already failing to meet the demand before this crisis .
What we don ’ t know Decades of psychological research shows that it ’ s difficult to correlate physical changes in the environment like noise levels or brightness with how humans respond to them .
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic provide the data to quantify the relationship between environmental threats like a highly contagious virus and human responses .
Our analysis provides a foundation for developing social indicators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly detect and more effectively prepare for emerging threats .
[ You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic , and we can help .
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Amit Sheth co-founded and owns shares in Cognovi Labs .
He is not operationally involved with the company and this work is not coordinated with the company .
He has served as a Principal Investigator on National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) funded research related to depression ( NIMH 7R01MH105384 ) and addiction ( NIDA R01DA039454 ) .
Any opinions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this material are those of the investigator ( s ) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NIH .


freedomdaily--2020-04-20--How to avoid infection after a  COVID-19 death – an Ebola response veteran explains

As the grim reality of COVID-19 unfolds , families and health care workers in the United States are faced with dealing with the horrifying magnitude of deaths from this novel disease .
This tragic situation brings forth the question of whether the bodies of patients who have died from COVID-19 provide a risk of infection in others .
I have worked for many years as an infectious disease doctor and public health official , during emerging disease outbreaks , such as Ebola virus disease in 2015 .
I have witnessed the extra challenges families experience when faced with the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmissible infectious disease .
For this current pandemic , here are the safety guidelines for dealing with deceased loved ones and the reasons why , from a scientific perspective .
Public health authorities have set out guidance for the management of the deceased based on current knowledge of both susceptibility to and transmissibility of the coronavirus .
The recommendations for handling those deceased from COVID-19 are based on knowledge that this novel coronavirus ( SARS-CoV-2 ) is most commonly transmitted by respiratory droplets that are projected by a living person through coughing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk from this respiratory mechanism is no longer present .
However , the novel coronavirus ( SARS-CoV-2 ) can also be transmitted from indirect contact : that is , touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then self-contaminating by touching one ’ s eyes , nose or mouth .
Preventing transmission when handling the deceased is achieved by “ contact precautions , ” which includes wearing a gown and gloves and hand-washing after removing these barriers .
The deceased is placed in a body bag and the bag is then wiped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transportation .
This guidance holds in the funeral home setting as well , except there are additional instructions for preventing airborne transmission of coronavirus when certain body processing procedures , such as embalming , are performed .
This type of guidance in the health care setting is fairly standard for handling the deceased who is potentially infectious , given the risk of indirect contact of the patient with surrounding medical equipment , bedding and furniture .
During the Ebola pandemic , much stricter guidance was enforced , but this was also related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were produced by a symptomatic patient , including profuse diarrhea .
These precautions also took into consideration the extremely high mortality rate from Ebola .
At that time in 2015 , I was working as a public health professional , and was involved in the determination of the best procedures to prevent cross-contamination when transferring a deceased patient with Ebola to the hospital morgue or elsewhere .
A team of doctors , nurses and public health practitioners developed a protocol in a biocontainment unit with a patient mannequin and special chemical markers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light .
This team was able to determine that multiple body bags were needed to prevent external contamination of the body bags being used .
A careful manipulation of the patient , the bedding , proper personal protective equipment for staff and two stretchers was needed to achieve this level of caution .
For families , there are many sad realities that need to be considered in the event of a death from COVID-19 .
While currently families are not allowed in the hospital to visit their loved ones , deaths in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reported .
Again , given that breathing has stopped , the risk of transmission from coughing , sneezing and other mouth secretions is no longer a concern , but contact with surfaces that the patient could have previously contaminated remains .
It is known that the virus can stay viable on surfaces for days , so all nearby surfaces should be considered infectious .
Family members should thoroughly clean surfaces and bedding , wearing gloves and a washable or disposable cover up , if available .
Regarding funerals , when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering , or if exposed family members have completed their 14 day quarantine period , there is guidance on safety in those situations .
There is no known risk of being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who has died from COVID-19 .
The CDC recommends not touching , kissing or hugging the deceased , though acknowledges that touching a hand or clothing after the body has been prepared for viewing is lower risk if hand-washing can then immediately occur .
Those at higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra precaution in this setting .
If there are important religious or cultural practices , such as shrouding or washing of the body , funeral home staff and local cultural and religious leaders can be involved to optimize reducing the risk of exposure .
Processing of the deceased can be achieved by cremation or embalming , and burial is allowed .
For people who have died outside of the United States or need transportation for funeral services , federal and state guidelines need to be followed .
For international transport , bodies can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and placed in a hermetically sealed casket or if the remains are accompanied by a CDC permit .
This permit must be issued by the CDC director and allows for the importation of a person known or suspected of death from a quarantinable communicable disease .
• Know your risk of complications from COVID-19 .
• Know how to care for yourself and someone sick in your home .
• Know the warning signs of COVID-19 complications needing emergency medical care .
• Understand your hospital policy on visitation of someone sick with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and visitation policy in your family member ’ s nursing home or assisted living facility .
• Discuss end-of-life decisions with loved ones : living will , advanced directives , funeral and life ceremony wishes .
• Know the CDC recommendations for handling the deceased in the home and in funeral homes .
• Prepare personal wills and child care plans in the event of death or prolonged hospitalization .
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Lucy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 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 .