jerusalempost--2020-05-28--Where states stand as US reaches 100,000 coronavirus deaths

Less than four months after a 57-year-old California woman died and was later found to be the country 's first COVID-19 fatality , the coronavirus U.S. death toll topped 100,000 people on Wednesday , according to a Reuters tally .
The grim milestone is by far the largest of any country , although by population , several Western European countries , led by Belgium , have much higher death rates .
The outbreak set off a patchwork of responses by the 50 states and the District of Columbia , some of which were hammered by the global pandemic while others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from sweeping business shutdowns and orders to shelter in place to less drastic guidance and regional closings .
All states have loosened at least some restrictions in recent weeks , but still require or recommend precautions , such as social distancing or masks .
Almost all states have ended in-class instruction at public schools for the academic year .
Below are summaries of how the states and the District of Columbia are coming back from the economic slowdown they orchestrated to combat the pandemic , based on Reuters reporting , a Reuters tally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and data compiled by the National Governors Association : ALABAMA : 12 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 581 .
Total cases : 15,775 .
After its stay-at-home order expired at the end of April , the state moved to a “ Safer at Home ” order that urged residents to minimize travel and banned public gatherings unless social distancing can be maintained .
The order was amended to continue until July 3 .
The state has allowed retail stores to operate at 50 % of capacity , while restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services were allowed to reopen with restrictions .
State beaches also were reopened .
ALASKA : 1 death per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 10 .
Total cases : 411 .
On May 8 , the state entered the second phase of a five-step reopening process that allows offices , restaurants , swimming pools , personal care and other retail businesses to operate at 50 % of capacity , and bars , gyms and theaters to operate at 25 % of capacity .
Social and religious gatherings are limited to 50 people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 831 .
Total cases : 17,262 .
After the state 's stay-at-home order expired on May 15 , bars , pools , gyms and ball parks without fans were allowed to reopen , though social distancing policies remain in place .
Non-essential retailers , including barber shops , reopened on May 8 and dine-in service at restaurants reopened on May 11 .
ARKANSAS : 4 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 119 .
Total cases : 6,180 .
The state responded to the outbreak in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutdown , and is now relaxing them .
Restaurants were allowed to resume dine-in service at 33 % capacity on May 11 , personal service businesses , such as barber shops , were allowed to reopen on May 6 , gyms were allowed to reopen on May 4 .
Large venues , such as movie theaters and sports arenas , were allowed to reopen on May 18 , and restaurant bars could reopen on May 19 , all with capacity limits .
Since May 14 , travelers from any international location , Connecticut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Orleans have been required to self-quarantine for 14 days .
CALIFORNIA : 10 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 3,824 .
Total cases : 99,769 .
The most populous U.S. state is in the second step of a four-stage reopening process after leading the country to close businesses and lock down residents in March .
The reopening is being phased in by county and business sector .
Some statewide commerce is allowed , including curb-side retail sales and limited in-store shopping , manufacturing and office work .
Some counties were permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barber shops and hair salons .
State beaches , bars , gyms and large venues , such as theaters , remain closed .
On May 18 , Governor Gavin Newsom said professional sports could return by early June under strict guidelines that includes no fans .
COLORADO : 23 deaths per 100,000 : Total deaths : 1,352 .
Total cases : 24,565 .
After a month-long `` stay-at-home '' order , the state moved to a looser `` safer-at-home '' order on April 27 that phases in activities , while still barring gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay within 10 miles ( 16 km ) of home .
On May 1 , personal services , such as hair salons , and in-person shopping at non-critical stores resumed with restrictions .
On May 4 , commercial employers could have up to 50 % of their employees on site , but were encouraged to have them work from home .
Bars remain closed , but on Wednesday restaurants were allowed to resume seating customers , either outdoors or inside at 50 % of capacity .
CONNECTICUT : 106 deaths per 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases : 41,303 .
Two months after issuing a stay-home order , the state , among the country 's hardest hit , began loosening commercial restrictions on May 20 .
With restrictions , the new order allows offices to reopen , stores to allow onsite shopping and restaurants to offer outdoor table service .
Unlike some neighboring states , Connecticut never closed manufacturing , construction or curbside retail service .
Bars , gyms and personal service businesses remain closed .
DELAWARE : 34 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 344 .
Total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradually reopening the activities and businesses it shuttered on March 23 when residents were told to shelter in place , an order that has been extended to May 31 .
On May 8 , most non-essential retailers were allowed to do curbside pickup sales , while several others , including hair care shops , were allowed to open for business with restrictions .
Wider limited reopenings , including beaches , malls and restaurants and bars at 30 % of capacity are set for June 1 , although meeting facilities , sports venues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OF COLUMBIA : 62 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 445 Total cases : 8,406 .
Unlike most states that have moved to expand economic activity , the U.S. capital extended its stay-at-home order to June 8 because its efforts to curb the spread of the disease , had not met federal reopening guidelines .
All but essential businesses , including grocery stores and restaurant take-out sales , remain closed .
The district , among the country 's hardest hit areas , was considering reopening parks .
FLORIDA : 11 deaths per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Total cases : 52,634 .
The expiration of the state 's stay-at-home order on May 4 enabled most counties to reopen businesses , including retailers , dine-in restaurants , personal care services and gyms .
Three heavily populated South Florida counties were slower to accept the reopenings , with Palm Beach , the home of U.S. President Donald Trump 's resort , joining a week later and Miami-Dade and Broward announcing some incremental reopenings afterwards .
The city of Miami Beach , which was hit hard by the virus , set its reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GEORGIA : 18 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 1,907 .
Total cases : 44,421 .
Georgia was the first state to emerge from lockdown as Governor Brian Kemp relaxed restrictions on April 24 over the objections of some local officials .
The move allowed retail stores , dine-in restaurants , gyms and personal care businesses to open their doors , along with places of worship .
HAWAII : 1 death per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 17 .
Total cases : 643 .
The state , which relies heavily on tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ islands through June 30 to self-quarantine for 14 days .
While the reopening of some businesses began on May 7 , a stay-at-home order remains in effect through May 31 .
Retailers have been allowed to operate , except in Honolulu and Maui , and outdoor recreational facilities , including beaches , are open .
More reopenings are expected on June 1 .
IDAHO : 4 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 79 .
Total cases : 2,699 .
The state began its incremental reopening on May 1 , the day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places of worship to operate .
Dine-in restaurants , gyms and personal care service businesses were allowed to open on May 16 .
More openings are expected on May 30 .
ILLINOIS : 39 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 4,923 .
Total cases : 113,195 .
Illinois has taken only tentative steps away from the stay-at-home order Governor J.B. Pritzker issued in March .
Since April , retail curbside sales and some manufacturing have been permitted , and state parks were opened .
The stay-at-home order in place through May 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restricts religious activities to gatherings of up to 10 people or drive-in services .
INDIANA : 30 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 2,030 .
Total cases : 32,437 .
Since May 4 , the state has been phasing in the reopening of its economy in most regions , following the expiration of its March 23 stay-at-home order .
The steps toward relaxation have allowed retailers and personal care services to do business , while restaurants and bars that serve food to could reopen their dining areas .
Manufacturers , offices and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operate .
IOWA : 15 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 490 .
Total cases : 18,360 .
One of a handful of states that did not issue a shutdown order , Iowa has been gradually unwinding the piecemeal restrictions it implemented in March but is keeping social distancing requirements .
By May 15 , all dine-in restaurants , gyms , hair salons and other personal service businesses were allowed to reopen .
Large venue businesses , including theaters and zoos , were allowed to open on May 20 , and bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 .
Gatherings of more than 10 people remain banned through May 27 .
KANSAS : 6 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 205 .
Total cases : 9,337 .
The state has been in a phased reopening since May 4 when Governor Laura Kelly 's earlier stay-at-home order expired .
Under the May order , retailers , offices , hair salons , gyms and restaurant dining areas were permitted to reopen , while bars and theaters remained closed .
Further reopening steps are expected .
KENTUCKY : 9 deaths per 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases : 8,951 .
The state is in the process of a phased-in reopening following a March 22 shutdown order .
On May 11 , manufacturing , construction and office workers were allowed to go back to their workplaces with restrictions .
The reopenings also extended to horse racing tracks , including the state 's internationally known Churchill Downs , but without spectators .
Limited reopenings at 33 % of capacity were applied to retailers on May 20 and restaurants on May 22 .
Other targeted reopenings include personal care services on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 1 .
Bars remain closed .
LOUISIANA : 58 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 2,722 .
Total cases : 38,497 .
With New Orleans among the areas hit hardest by the outbreak , Governor John Bel Edwards issued a stay-at-home order on March 22 , but began a gradual unwinding of it on May 15 .
The new order permits several businesses , including restaurant dining areas , shopping malls , salons and barber shops , places of worship , casinos , racetrack , gyms and most other businesses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity .
Parks are also open .
MAINE : 6 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 81 .
Total cases : 2,137 .
Maine , which has had a stay-at-home order in effect since April 2 , began a regionally phased-in reopening approach on May 1 .
Car washes and auto dealerships were allowed to operate statewide , but the reopening of other retailers and restaurant dining areas was limited to some rural counties .
On May 19 , Governor Janet Mills delayed the reopening of salons and gyms , but opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Memorial Day holiday weekend .
MARYLAND : 39 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 2,392 .
Total cases : 48,423 .
After shutting down the state on March 30 with a stay-at-home order that also banned gatherings of more than 10 people , Governor Larry Hogan began reopening commerce on May 15 .
The new order allowed a broad range of retail stores , drive-in movie theaters , personal care services , manufacturers and places of worship to reopen in much of the state .
The initial reopening phase also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dine-in restaurants and gyms .
Some localities chose to remain closed .
MASSACHUSETTS : 94 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 6,473 .
Total cases : 93,693 .
Massachusetts , among the states hardest hit by pandemic , began to emerge from a March 23 stay-at-home order with a phased-in reopening on May 18 .
The new order by Governor Charlie Baker , the first in a series , allowed the resumption of manufacturing , construction and worship services .
It also sets May 25 for the reopening of curbside retail sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ washes and drive-in movie theaters .
Bars , dine-in restaurants , gyms and personal care services remain closed .
MICHIGAN : 53 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 5,334 .
Total cases : 55,608 .
Michigan , scene of protests by groups of armed demonstrators calling for a resumption of commerce , has been one of the most locked-down states since March 24 .
It began relaxing restrictions by region on May 11 by allowing some retailers to do curbside sales .
Another order allowed retailers and car dealerships to do business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing , construction and restaurants also were allowed to resume operation in certain areas .
A stay-at-home order that was set to expire after Thursday was extended through June 12 .
MINNESOTA : 16 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 942 Total cases : 22,464 .
The state has loosened its March shutdown order over the past few weeks , allowing manufacturing and office employees back to work , but requiring that workers who can work from home do so .
Gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 , Governor Tim Walz reopened parks and many recreation areas , and allowed retailers and malls to open their doors while limiting customers to 50 % of capacity .
A planned reopening of bars and dine-in restaurants is set for June 1 .
Gyms and personal care services remain closed .
MISSISSIPPI : 22 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 670 .
Total cases : 14,044 .
A shelter-in-place order issued on April 3 lasted only a matter of weeks , before being loosened for a phased-in resumption of commerce , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 % of capacity .
Since then , the reopening has extended to dine-in restaurant and bars , gyms , casinos , salons and barber shops and state parks .
MISSOURI : 11 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 696 .
Total cases : 12,492 .
After the expiration of a shelter-at-home order , restaurants were allowed to seat customers in their dining areas on May 4 , and retailers were allowed to open their doors , but with limits ranging from 10 % to 25 % of customer capacity , depending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also reopened were gyms , entertainment venues , personal care services and campgrounds .
Manufacturing , construction and office employees were allowed to return to their workplaces .
MONTANA : 2 death per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 17 .
Total cases : 481 .
A phased-in business restart began on April 27 , following the expiration of a March stay-at-home order .
Allowed to reopen were retail stores , restaurants and bars , salons and barber shops , gyms and entertainment venues .
Places of worship were also reopened .
In early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classrooms in Montana , one of the very few states to allow it .
NEBRASKA : 9 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 167 .
Total cases : 12,619 .
One of the few states not to issue a blanket stay-at-home order , Nebraska began to relax its limited , regionally varied `` directed health measures '' on May 4 with the resumption of elective surgeries .
While Governor Pete Ricketts limited public gatherings and urged Nebraskans to stay home , construction , manufacturing and office work continued .
Restaurants , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were allowed to serve a limited number of dining patrons by May 11 .
Bars and large venue businesses were either operating with limited capacity or ordered to stay closed through May 31 .
NEVADA : 13 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 396 .
Total cases : 8,114 While Las Vegas casinos remain closed , Nevada has been phasing in an economic restart after ordering a statewide shutdown in March .
Starting on May 9 , restaurants were allowed to seat guests , retailers could operate at 50 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve customers and drive-in theaters could roll movies .
The state ’ s legal brothels , gyms , and indoor malls are among the businesses still closed .
NEW HAMPSHIRE : 16 deaths per 100,000 Total deaths : 214 .
Total cases : 4,231 .
While the state ’ s March 27 stay-at-home order remains in effect at least through the end of May , some pockets of the economy have been allowed to restart .
Starting in May , retailers were allowed to open their doors to customers at up to 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops and hair salons also could reopen , while restaurants could seat customers outside and drive-in movie theaters could operate .
Construction workers were allowed to return to their jobs .
NEW JERSEY : 126 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 11,339 .
Total cases : 156,628 .
The country 's most dense state and one of the hardest hit by the outbreak is emerging from a sweeping March shutdown order incrementally .
While bars and dine-in restaurant service remain closed , non-essential construction , curbside pickup for non-essential retailers and drive-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened in early May , and beaches were set to reopen on May 22 .
On Tuesday , Governor Phil Murphy opened the way for the state 's professional sports teams to come back to train and compete .
NEW MEXICO : 15 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 325 .
Total cases : 7,130 .
With a March 24 stay-at-home order in effect until at least the end of May , New Mexico has taken limited steps to reopen its economy , though not in all regions .
Retail stores were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their customer capacities , places of worship , parks and golf courses have opened and offices were allowed to operate at 25 % of capacity .
Bars , restaurant dining areas , gyms and personal care services remain closed .
NEW YORK : 150 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 29,339 .
Total cases : 369,883 .
A strict March shutdown and stay-at-home order in the most severely affected U.S. state was slowly being lifted by region .
Its reopening moves began in mid-May in several upstate areas that were largely unaffected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City area , and extended to areas along the Hudson River and Long Island on Tuesday and Wednesday , all with social distancing and other restrictions .
Construction can resume and retailers may offer curbside pickup or open their doors with capacity limits in those areas .
Drive-in movie theaters were among a handful of outdoor , low-risk businesses allowed to reopen statewide on May 15 , and state beaches reopened for Memorial Day weekend .
Governor Andrew Cuomo on Sunday invited the state 's sports teams to come back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dine-in restaurants , bars and personal care services remain closed .
NORTH CAROLINA : 7 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 794 .
Total cases : 24,628 .
The state has moved incrementally to reopen its economy even as a March 30 stay-at-home order remained in effect through most of May .
Starting on May 22 , retail stores , restaurant dining areas and personal care services were allowed to operate at 50 % of their customer capacity .
Places of worship and some outdoor recreational areas were also reopened .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's Outer Banks were reopened to non-residents .
NORTH DAKOTA : 7 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 56 .
Total cases : 2,439 .
The state responded to the outbreak with a `` a low-mandate , high-compliance approach '' that left the `` vast majority '' of its economy open , according to Governor Doug Burgum .
March shutdowns of bars , dine-in restaurants , gyms , movie theaters and personal care services , were lifted on May 1 with distancing constraints .
Banquet hall gatherings of up to 250 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but sports arenas and entertainment venues remain closed .
Most travelers from other countries must quarantine for 14 days .
OHIO : 17 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 2,044 .
Total cases : 33,439 .
The state is slowly unwinding a number shutdown orders it issued in March , including a March 22 stay-at-home order .
Manufacturing , construction and office workers were allowed to return to their workplaces on May 4 .
Retailers could reopen in early May , but only for curbside pickup or by appointment , a limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Personal care services , including salons and barber shops , could reopen on May 15 , and restaurants can serve customers in outdoor seating areas .
On Tuesday , the state reopened fitness centers and a variety of sports and recreational facilities , ranging from batting cages to bowling alleys .
OKLAHOMA : 8 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 322 .
Total cases : 6,229 .
The state , among the few not to issue a sweeping statewide shutdown order , has undone the selective closings it ordered in March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was community spread of the disease .
By May 15 , dine-in restaurants , bars , personal care services , gyms , theaters , houses of worship and sports venues were allowed to reopen with social distancing and other restrictions .
A `` Safer at Home '' order directs older residents and those with pre-existing conditions to limit travel .
Travelers coming to Oklahoma from six severely infected states are required to quarantine for 14 days .
OREGON : 4 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 148 .
Total cases : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach to reopening its economy after a number of shutdown orders , including one to “ Stay Home , Save Lives , ” were issued in March .
Retail stores were allowed to reopen with restrictions earlier in May , while restaurant dining areas , gyms and personal care services in many parts of the state were also allowed to operate .
PENNSYLVANIA : 41 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 5,273 .
Total cases : 73,553 .
With an April 1 stay-at-home order in effect until at least June 4 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restart its economy in phases and by region .
So far , construction workers have been allowed to return to their job sites , and retail stores have been allowed to reopen with restrictions in some counties .
Bars , dine-in restaurants , gyms and personal care services remain closed .
RHODE ISLAND : 60 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 655 .
Total cases : 14,353 .
Since a stay-at-home order expired on May 8 , Rhode Island has gradually reopened businesses sector by sector .
Manufacturing , construction and office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their workplaces .
Retail stores were allowed to operate with restrictions , restaurants may seat customers in outdoor areas , and parks and golf courses are open .
Bars and gyms remain closed , but plans are in place to allow fitness classes , salons and barber shops and indoor restaurant dining at 50 % of capacity to resume on June 1 .
At least some beaches reopened on the May 25 .
SOUTH CAROLINA : 9 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 446 .
Total cases : 10,416 .
After shutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks in late March and early April , the state has been allowing them to reopen , starting in late April .
Retail stores , gyms , restaurant dining areas and salons and barber shops have been allowed to operate with restrictions .
Zoos , amusement parks , museums and other attractions were set to reopen on May 22 .
SOUTH DAKOTA : 6 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 54 .
Total cases : 4,710 .
The state did not shut down businesses or issue a stay-at-home order , but many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packers , closed temporarily because of the outbreak .
Governor Kristi Noem issued a `` Back to Normal '' plan on April 28 that offers guidance for business reopenings and encourages social distancing and other precautions .
TENNESSEE : 5 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 353 .
Total cases : 21,306 .
After closing businesses and ordering residents to stay home in late March and early April , Tennessee has started to reopen its economy , except in some regions .
Dine-in restaurants , retail stores , gyms , personal care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to operate with restrictions .
Bowling alleys and arcades also were allowed to reopen , but bars , theaters and sporting and entertainment venues remain closed .
Office employees were allowed to return to their workplaces with restrictions .
TEXAS : 5 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 1,551 .
Total cases : 57,475 .
Since its stay-at-home order expired on April 30 , Texas has reopened much of its economy by region .
In most areas , retail stores , restaurant dining areas , shopping malls , movie theaters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 25 % of capacity .
Places of worship also have been allowed to operate with restrictions .
Manufacturing and office workers were allowed to return to their workplaces .
Starting on May 31 , the state will allow professional sports to be played without spectators .
UTAH : 3 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 105 .
Total cases : 8,706 .
While the state did not issue a blanket shut-down order , some selected businesses were ordered closed locally in March , including personal care and dine-in restaurant services and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stay Safe , Stay Home '' directive from Governor Gary Herbert asks residents to stay home where possible and reminds businesses to comply with hygiene and distancing measures .
Herbert has gradually lowered the state 's color-coded alert status from high-risk red , and declared most counties to be at low-risk yellow on May 16 .
The status permits the opening of all businesses , bars and dine-in restaurants with precautions .
VERMONT : 9 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 54 .
Total cases : 971 .
After the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail stores were allowed to operate with restrictions and state parks and golf courses could open .
Public worshipping was limited to drive-in services and fitness center activity was restricted to outdoor classes .
Manufacturing , construction and office employees were allowed to return to their workplaces .
Bars , restaurant dining areas and personal care services remain closed .
VIRGINIA : 14 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 1,281 .
Total cases : 40,249 .
Although a March 30 stay-at-home order remains in effect , the state has phased in much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suburban areas surrounding Washington , D.C .
Retailers and personal care services can operate with restrictions , restaurants and bars were allowed to offer outdoor seating and fitness centers were permitted to offer outdoor classes .
Places of worship were allowed to operate , and campgrounds were reopened .
WASHINGTON : 14 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 1,078 .
Total cases : 20,181 .
In Washington , the first state to have a COVID-19 casualty , some counties have been allowed to reopen businesses even as a March 25 shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include retail sales , restaurant dining , personal care services and some fitness center activities , all with restrictions .
In select counties , manufacturing , construction and office employees were allowed to return to their workplaces with restrictions .
Parks and golf courses were reopened , and public worshipping is limited to drive-in services .
WEST VIRGINIA : 4 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 74 .
Total cases : 1,867 .
In West Virginia , among the last states to be hit by a coronavirus infection , businesses have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 3 .
The reopenings include restaurant dining areas at 50 % of capacity , retail stores , personal care services and gyms , all with restrictions .
State parks , campgrounds and drive-in movie theaters are also open .
Bars , movie indoor movie theaters , playgrounds , zoos and bowling alleys are among the businesses that were still closed .
WISCONSIN : 9 deaths per 100,000 .
Total deaths : 539 .
Total cases : 16,462 .
After the state Supreme Court struck down Governor Tony Evers ' stay-at-home order on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's economic reopening was left to each locality .
In what one restaurant trade group official called `` a little bit of the Wild , Wild West , '' some allowed bar and restaurant owners to open , while others kept their lockdowns in place .

Less than four months after a 57-year-old California woman died and was later found to be the country's first COVID-19 fatality, the coronavirus U.S. death toll topped 100,000 people on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally.
The grim milestone is by far the largest of any country, although by population, several Western European countries, led by Belgium, have much higher death rates.
The outbreak set off a patchwork of responses by the 50 states and the District of Columbia, some of which were hammered by the global pandemic while others were barely touched.
Initial actions ranged from sweeping business shutdowns and orders to shelter in place to less drastic guidance and regional closings. All states have loosened at least some restrictions in recent weeks, but still require or recommend precautions, such as social distancing or masks. Almost all states have ended in-class instruction at public schools for the academic year.
Below are summaries of how the states and the District of Columbia are coming back from the economic slowdown they orchestrated to combat the pandemic, based on Reuters reporting, a Reuters tally of infections and deaths as of Wednesday, and data compiled by the National Governors Association:
ALABAMA: 12 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 581. Total cases: 15,775. After its stay-at-home order expired at the end of April, the state moved to a “Safer at Home” order that urged residents to minimize travel and banned public gatherings unless social distancing can be maintained. The order was amended to continue until July 3. The state has allowed retail stores to operate at 50% of capacity, while restaurants, bars, gyms and some personal care services were allowed to reopen with restrictions. State beaches also were reopened.
ALASKA: 1 death per 100,000. Total deaths: 10. Total cases: 411. On May 8, the state entered the second phase of a five-step reopening process that allows offices, restaurants, swimming pools, personal care and other retail businesses to operate at 50% of capacity, and bars, gyms and theaters to operate at 25% of capacity. Social and religious gatherings are limited to 50 people with social distancing.
ARIZONA: 11 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 831. Total cases: 17,262. After the state's stay-at-home order expired on May 15, bars, pools, gyms and ball parks without fans were allowed to reopen, though social distancing policies remain in place. Non-essential retailers, including barber shops, reopened on May 8 and dine-in service at restaurants reopened on May 11. ARKANSAS: 4 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 119. Total cases: 6,180. The state responded to the outbreak in March with piecemeal measures, not a sweeping shutdown, and is now relaxing them. Restaurants were allowed to resume dine-in service at 33% capacity on May 11, personal service businesses, such as barber shops, were allowed to reopen on May 6, gyms were allowed to reopen on May 4. Large venues, such as movie theaters and sports arenas, were allowed to reopen on May 18, and restaurant bars could reopen on May 19, all with capacity limits. Since May 14, travelers from any international location, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey or New Orleans have been required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
CALIFORNIA: 10 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 3,824. Total cases: 99,769. The most populous U.S. state is in the second step of a four-stage reopening process after leading the country to close businesses and lock down residents in March. The reopening is being phased in by county and business sector. Some statewide commerce is allowed, including curb-side retail sales and limited in-store shopping, manufacturing and office work. Some counties were permitted to open limited dine-in restaurant service, barber shops and hair salons. State beaches, bars, gyms and large venues, such as theaters, remain closed. On May 18, Governor Gavin Newsom said professional sports could return by early June under strict guidelines that includes no fans. COLORADO: 23 deaths per 100,000: Total deaths: 1,352. Total cases: 24,565. After a month-long "stay-at-home" order, the state moved to a looser "safer-at-home" order on April 27 that phases in activities, while still barring gatherings of 10 or more and requiring residents to stay within 10 miles (16 km) of home. On May 1, personal services, such as hair salons, and in-person shopping at non-critical stores resumed with restrictions. On May 4, commercial employers could have up to 50% of their employees on site, but were encouraged to have them work from home. Bars remain closed, but on Wednesday restaurants were allowed to resume seating customers, either outdoors or inside at 50% of capacity.
CONNECTICUT: 106 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 3,769. Total cases: 41,303. Two months after issuing a stay-home order, the state, among the country's hardest hit, began loosening commercial restrictions on May 20. With restrictions, the new order allows offices to reopen, stores to allow onsite shopping and restaurants to offer outdoor table service. Unlike some neighboring states, Connecticut never closed manufacturing, construction or curbside retail service. Bars, gyms and personal service businesses remain closed. DELAWARE: 34 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 344. Total cases: 9,096. The state is gradually reopening the activities and businesses it shuttered on March 23 when residents were told to shelter in place, an order that has been extended to May 31. On May 8, most non-essential retailers were allowed to do curbside pickup sales, while several others, including hair care shops, were allowed to open for business with restrictions. Wider limited reopenings, including beaches, malls and restaurants and bars at 30% of capacity are set for June 1, although meeting facilities, sports venues and nail salons will remain closed.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: 62 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 445 Total cases: 8,406. Unlike most states that have moved to expand economic activity, the U.S. capital extended its stay-at-home order to June 8 because its efforts to curb the spread of the disease, had not met federal reopening guidelines. All but essential businesses, including grocery stores and restaurant take-out sales, remain closed. The district, among the country's hardest hit areas, was considering reopening parks.
FLORIDA: 11 deaths per 100,000: Total deaths: 2,319. Total cases: 52,634. The expiration of the state's stay-at-home order on May 4 enabled most counties to reopen businesses, including retailers, dine-in restaurants, personal care services and gyms. Three heavily populated South Florida counties were slower to accept the reopenings, with Palm Beach, the home of U.S. President Donald Trump's resort, joining a week later and Miami-Dade and Broward announcing some incremental reopenings afterwards. The city of Miami Beach, which was hit hard by the virus, set its reopening of restaurant dining for May 25. GEORGIA: 18 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 1,907. Total cases: 44,421. Georgia was the first state to emerge from lockdown as Governor Brian Kemp relaxed restrictions on April 24 over the objections of some local officials. The move allowed retail stores, dine-in restaurants, gyms and personal care businesses to open their doors, along with places of worship.
HAWAII: 1 death per 100,000. Total deaths: 17. Total cases: 643. The state, which relies heavily on tourism, requires all visitors arriving on the islands through June 30 to self-quarantine for 14 days. While the reopening of some businesses began on May 7, a stay-at-home order remains in effect through May 31. Retailers have been allowed to operate, except in Honolulu and Maui, and outdoor recreational facilities, including beaches, are open. More reopenings are expected on June 1.
IDAHO: 4 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 79. Total cases: 2,699. The state began its incremental reopening on May 1, the day after its stay-at-home order expired, by allowing places of worship to operate. Dine-in restaurants, gyms and personal care service businesses were allowed to open on May 16. More openings are expected on May 30. ILLINOIS: 39 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 4,923. Total cases: 113,195. Illinois has taken only tentative steps away from the stay-at-home order Governor J.B. Pritzker issued in March. Since April, retail curbside sales and some manufacturing have been permitted, and state parks were opened. The stay-at-home order in place through May 29 bars non-essential travel, encourages work-from-home and restricts religious activities to gatherings of up to 10 people or drive-in services.
INDIANA: 30 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 2,030. Total cases: 32,437. Since May 4, the state has been phasing in the reopening of its economy in most regions, following the expiration of its March 23 stay-at-home order. The steps toward relaxation have allowed retailers and personal care services to do business, while restaurants and bars that serve food to could reopen their dining areas. Manufacturers, offices and places of worship also were free to operate.
IOWA: 15 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 490. Total cases: 18,360. One of a handful of states that did not issue a shutdown order, Iowa has been gradually unwinding the piecemeal restrictions it implemented in March but is keeping social distancing requirements. By May 15, all dine-in restaurants, gyms, hair salons and other personal service businesses were allowed to reopen. Large venue businesses, including theaters and zoos, were allowed to open on May 20, and bars were set to resume business on May 28. Gatherings of more than 10 people remain banned through May 27. KANSAS: 6 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 205. Total cases: 9,337. The state has been in a phased reopening since May 4 when Governor Laura Kelly's earlier stay-at-home order expired. Under the May order, retailers, offices, hair salons, gyms and restaurant dining areas were permitted to reopen, while bars and theaters remained closed. Further reopening steps are expected. KENTUCKY: 9 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 394. Total cases: 8,951. The state is in the process of a phased-in reopening following a March 22 shutdown order. On May 11, manufacturing, construction and office workers were allowed to go back to their workplaces with restrictions. The reopenings also extended to horse racing tracks, including the state's internationally known Churchill Downs, but without spectators. Limited reopenings at 33% of capacity were applied to retailers on May 20 and restaurants on May 22. Other targeted reopenings include personal care services on May 25 and gyms and movie theaters on June 1. Bars remain closed.
LOUISIANA: 58 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 2,722. Total cases: 38,497. With New Orleans among the areas hit hardest by the outbreak, Governor John Bel Edwards issued a stay-at-home order on March 22, but began a gradual unwinding of it on May 15. The new order permits several businesses, including restaurant dining areas, shopping malls, salons and barber shops, places of worship, casinos, racetrack, gyms and most other businesses to operate at 25% of their customer capacity. Parks are also open.
MAINE: 6 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 81. Total cases: 2,137. Maine, which has had a stay-at-home order in effect since April 2, began a regionally phased-in reopening approach on May 1. Car washes and auto dealerships were allowed to operate statewide, but the reopening of other retailers and restaurant dining areas was limited to some rural counties. On May 19, Governor Janet Mills delayed the reopening of salons and gyms, but opened the state’s campgrounds in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
MARYLAND: 39 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 2,392. Total cases: 48,423. After shutting down the state on March 30 with a stay-at-home order that also banned gatherings of more than 10 people, Governor Larry Hogan began reopening commerce on May 15. The new order allowed a broad range of retail stores, drive-in movie theaters, personal care services, manufacturers and places of worship to reopen in much of the state. The initial reopening phase also covered beaches and campgrounds, but not dine-in restaurants and gyms. Some localities chose to remain closed.
MASSACHUSETTS: 94 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 6,473. Total cases: 93,693. Massachusetts, among the states hardest hit by pandemic, began to emerge from a March 23 stay-at-home order with a phased-in reopening on May 18. The new order by Governor Charlie Baker, the first in a series, allowed the resumption of manufacturing, construction and worship services. It also sets May 25 for the reopening of curbside retail sales, office buildings, salons, car washes and drive-in movie theaters. Bars, dine-in restaurants, gyms and personal care services remain closed.
MICHIGAN: 53 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 5,334. Total cases: 55,608. Michigan, scene of protests by groups of armed demonstrators calling for a resumption of commerce, has been one of the most locked-down states since March 24. It began relaxing restrictions by region on May 11 by allowing some retailers to do curbside sales. Another order allowed retailers and car dealerships to do business by appointment starting May 22. Some manufacturing, construction and restaurants also were allowed to resume operation in certain areas. A stay-at-home order that was set to expire after Thursday was extended through June 12.
MINNESOTA: 16 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 942 Total cases: 22,464. The state has loosened its March shutdown order over the past few weeks, allowing manufacturing and office employees back to work, but requiring that workers who can work from home do so. Gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited, although drive-in gatherings are permitted. On May 17, Governor Tim Walz reopened parks and many recreation areas, and allowed retailers and malls to open their doors while limiting customers to 50% of capacity. A planned reopening of bars and dine-in restaurants is set for June 1. Gyms and personal care services remain closed.
MISSISSIPPI: 22 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 670. Total cases: 14,044. A shelter-in-place order issued on April 3 lasted only a matter of weeks, before being loosened for a phased-in resumption of commerce, starting with retailers operating their stores at 50% of capacity. Since then, the reopening has extended to dine-in restaurant and bars, gyms, casinos, salons and barber shops and state parks.
MISSOURI: 11 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 696. Total cases: 12,492. After the expiration of a shelter-at-home order, restaurants were allowed to seat customers in their dining areas on May 4, and retailers were allowed to open their doors, but with limits ranging from 10% to 25% of customer capacity, depending on the size of the store. Also reopened were gyms, entertainment venues, personal care services and campgrounds. Manufacturing, construction and office employees were allowed to return to their workplaces.
MONTANA: 2 death per 100,000. Total deaths: 17. Total cases: 481. A phased-in business restart began on April 27, following the expiration of a March stay-at-home order. Allowed to reopen were retail stores, restaurants and bars, salons and barber shops, gyms and entertainment venues. Places of worship were also reopened. In early May, some public schools reopened their classrooms in Montana, one of the very few states to allow it.
NEBRASKA: 9 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 167. Total cases: 12,619. One of the few states not to issue a blanket stay-at-home order, Nebraska began to relax its limited, regionally varied "directed health measures" on May 4 with the resumption of elective surgeries. While Governor Pete Ricketts limited public gatherings and urged Nebraskans to stay home, construction, manufacturing and office work continued. Restaurants, which were restricted to takeout in some regions, were allowed to serve a limited number of dining patrons by May 11. Bars and large venue businesses were either operating with limited capacity or ordered to stay closed through May 31.
NEVADA: 13 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 396. Total cases: 8,114 While Las Vegas casinos remain closed, Nevada has been phasing in an economic restart after ordering a statewide shutdown in March. Starting on May 9, restaurants were allowed to seat guests, retailers could operate at 50% of capacity, barber shops and salons could serve customers and drive-in theaters could roll movies. The state’s legal brothels, gyms, and indoor malls are among the businesses still closed.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: 16 deaths per 100,000 Total deaths: 214. Total cases: 4,231. While the state’s March 27 stay-at-home order remains in effect at least through the end of May, some pockets of the economy have been allowed to restart. Starting in May, retailers were allowed to open their doors to customers at up to 50% of capacity. Gyms, barber shops and hair salons also could reopen, while restaurants could seat customers outside and drive-in movie theaters could operate. Construction workers were allowed to return to their jobs.
NEW JERSEY: 126 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 11,339. Total cases: 156,628. The country's most dense state and one of the hardest hit by the outbreak is emerging from a sweeping March shutdown order incrementally. While bars and dine-in restaurant service remain closed, non-essential construction, curbside pickup for non-essential retailers and drive-in businesses resumed on May 18. Parks reopened in early May, and beaches were set to reopen on May 22. On Tuesday, Governor Phil Murphy opened the way for the state's professional sports teams to come back to train and compete.
NEW MEXICO: 15 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 325. Total cases: 7,130. With a March 24 stay-at-home order in effect until at least the end of May, New Mexico has taken limited steps to reopen its economy, though not in all regions. Retail stores were allowed to open at 25% of their customer capacities, places of worship, parks and golf courses have opened and offices were allowed to operate at 25% of capacity. Bars, restaurant dining areas, gyms and personal care services remain closed.
NEW YORK: 150 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 29,339. Total cases: 369,883. A strict March shutdown and stay-at-home order in the most severely affected U.S. state was slowly being lifted by region. Its reopening moves began in mid-May in several upstate areas that were largely unaffected by the surge of cases in the New York City area, and extended to areas along the Hudson River and Long Island on Tuesday and Wednesday, all with social distancing and other restrictions. Construction can resume and retailers may offer curbside pickup or open their doors with capacity limits in those areas. Drive-in movie theaters were among a handful of outdoor, low-risk businesses allowed to reopen statewide on May 15, and state beaches reopened for Memorial Day weekend. Governor Andrew Cuomo on Sunday invited the state's sports teams to come back to train and complete in empty arenas. Dine-in restaurants, bars and personal care services remain closed.
NORTH CAROLINA: 7 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 794. Total cases: 24,628. The state has moved incrementally to reopen its economy even as a March 30 stay-at-home order remained in effect through most of May. Starting on May 22, retail stores, restaurant dining areas and personal care services were allowed to operate at 50% of their customer capacity. Places of worship and some outdoor recreational areas were also reopened. Earlier in May, the beaches of the state's Outer Banks were reopened to non-residents.
NORTH DAKOTA: 7 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 56. Total cases: 2,439. The state responded to the outbreak with a "a low-mandate, high-compliance approach" that left the "vast majority" of its economy open, according to Governor Doug Burgum. March shutdowns of bars, dine-in restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and personal care services, were lifted on May 1 with distancing constraints. Banquet hall gatherings of up to 250 people were permitted on May 15, but sports arenas and entertainment venues remain closed. Most travelers from other countries must quarantine for 14 days.
OHIO: 17 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 2,044. Total cases: 33,439. The state is slowly unwinding a number shutdown orders it issued in March, including a March 22 stay-at-home order. Manufacturing, construction and office workers were allowed to return to their workplaces on May 4. Retailers could reopen in early May, but only for curbside pickup or by appointment, a limited number of customers at a time. Personal care services, including salons and barber shops, could reopen on May 15, and restaurants can serve customers in outdoor seating areas. On Tuesday, the state reopened fitness centers and a variety of sports and recreational facilities, ranging from batting cages to bowling alleys.
OKLAHOMA: 8 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 322. Total cases: 6,229. The state, among the few not to issue a sweeping statewide shutdown order, has undone the selective closings it ordered in March, which mostly affected businesses in counties where there was community spread of the disease. By May 15, dine-in restaurants, bars, personal care services, gyms, theaters, houses of worship and sports venues were allowed to reopen with social distancing and other restrictions. A "Safer at Home" order directs older residents and those with pre-existing conditions to limit travel. Travelers coming to Oklahoma from six severely infected states are required to quarantine for 14 days.
OREGON: 4 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 148. Total cases: 3,967. Oregon has taken a regional approach to reopening its economy after a number of shutdown orders, including one to “Stay Home, Save Lives,” were issued in March. Retail stores were allowed to reopen with restrictions earlier in May, while restaurant dining areas, gyms and personal care services in many parts of the state were also allowed to operate.
PENNSYLVANIA: 41 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 5,273. Total cases: 73,553. With an April 1 stay-at-home order in effect until at least June 4, the state has taken tentative steps to restart its economy in phases and by region. So far, construction workers have been allowed to return to their job sites, and retail stores have been allowed to reopen with restrictions in some counties. Bars, dine-in restaurants, gyms and personal care services remain closed.
RHODE ISLAND: 60 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 655. Total cases: 14,353. Since a stay-at-home order expired on May 8, Rhode Island has gradually reopened businesses sector by sector. Manufacturing, construction and office employees have been allowed to return to their workplaces. Retail stores were allowed to operate with restrictions, restaurants may seat customers in outdoor areas, and parks and golf courses are open. Bars and gyms remain closed, but plans are in place to allow fitness classes, salons and barber shops and indoor restaurant dining at 50% of capacity to resume on June 1. At least some beaches reopened on the May 25.
SOUTH CAROLINA: 9 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 446. Total cases: 10,416. After shutting down most businesses for a matter of weeks in late March and early April, the state has been allowing them to reopen, starting in late April. Retail stores, gyms, restaurant dining areas and salons and barber shops have been allowed to operate with restrictions. Zoos, amusement parks, museums and other attractions were set to reopen on May 22.
SOUTH DAKOTA: 6 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 54. Total cases: 4,710. The state did not shut down businesses or issue a stay-at-home order, but many businesses throughout the state, including meat packers, closed temporarily because of the outbreak. Governor Kristi Noem issued a "Back to Normal" plan on April 28 that offers guidance for business reopenings and encourages social distancing and other precautions.
TENNESSEE: 5 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 353. Total cases: 21,306. After closing businesses and ordering residents to stay home in late March and early April, Tennessee has started to reopen its economy, except in some regions. Dine-in restaurants, retail stores, gyms, personal care services and places of worship have been allowed to operate with restrictions. Bowling alleys and arcades also were allowed to reopen, but bars, theaters and sporting and entertainment venues remain closed. Office employees were allowed to return to their workplaces with restrictions.
TEXAS: 5 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 1,551. Total cases: 57,475. Since its stay-at-home order expired on April 30, Texas has reopened much of its economy by region. In most areas, retail stores, restaurant dining areas, shopping malls, movie theaters and personal care services were allowed to operate at 25% of capacity. Places of worship also have been allowed to operate with restrictions. Manufacturing and office workers were allowed to return to their workplaces. Starting on May 31, the state will allow professional sports to be played without spectators.
UTAH: 3 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 105. Total cases: 8,706. While the state did not issue a blanket shut-down order, some selected businesses were ordered closed locally in March, including personal care and dine-in restaurant services and movie theaters. A March 27 "Stay Safe, Stay Home" directive from Governor Gary Herbert asks residents to stay home where possible and reminds businesses to comply with hygiene and distancing measures. Herbert has gradually lowered the state's color-coded alert status from high-risk red, and declared most counties to be at low-risk yellow on May 16. The status permits the opening of all businesses, bars and dine-in restaurants with precautions.
VERMONT: 9 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 54. Total cases: 971. After the state’s stay-at-home order expired in mid-May, retail stores were allowed to operate with restrictions and state parks and golf courses could open. Public worshipping was limited to drive-in services and fitness center activity was restricted to outdoor classes. Manufacturing, construction and office employees were allowed to return to their workplaces. Bars, restaurant dining areas and personal care services remain closed. VIRGINIA: 14 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 1,281. Total cases: 40,249. Although a March 30 stay-at-home order remains in effect, the state has phased in much of its economic reopening, except in the suburban areas surrounding Washington, D.C. Retailers and personal care services can operate with restrictions, restaurants and bars were allowed to offer outdoor seating and fitness centers were permitted to offer outdoor classes. Places of worship were allowed to operate, and campgrounds were reopened.
WASHINGTON: 14 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 1,078. Total cases: 20,181. In Washington, the first state to have a COVID-19 casualty, some counties have been allowed to reopen businesses even as a March 25 shutdown order remains in effect. The reopenings include retail sales, restaurant dining, personal care services and some fitness center activities, all with restrictions. In select counties, manufacturing, construction and office employees were allowed to return to their workplaces with restrictions. Parks and golf courses were reopened, and public worshipping is limited to drive-in services. WEST VIRGINIA: 4 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 74. Total cases: 1,867. In West Virginia, among the last states to be hit by a coronavirus infection, businesses have been reopening since a stay-at-home order expired on May 3. The reopenings include restaurant dining areas at 50% of capacity, retail stores, personal care services and gyms, all with restrictions. State parks, campgrounds and drive-in movie theaters are also open. Bars, movie indoor movie theaters, playgrounds, zoos and bowling alleys are among the businesses that were still closed.
WISCONSIN: 9 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 539. Total cases: 16,462. After the state Supreme Court struck down Governor Tony Evers' stay-at-home order on May 13, the pace of the state's economic reopening was left to each locality. In what one restaurant trade group official called "a little bit of the Wild, Wild West," some allowed bar and restaurant owners to open, while others kept their lockdowns in place.
WYOMING: 2 deaths per 100,000. Total deaths: 13. Total cases: 850. Although Wyoming was among a handful of states that did not issue sweeping shutdown orders, it closed select businesses on March 20, including bars, dine-in restaurants, theaters, personal care services and gyms. On March 25, Governor Mark Gordon urged residents to stay home whenever possible. The targeted shutdowns were rescinded on May 15 and the limit on public gatherings was expanded to 25 from 10.


jerusalempost--2020-05-28--Widower's US court win secures social security benefits for LGBT couples

The US District Court for Arizona said that it was unconstitutional for the Social Security Administration ( SSA ) to @ @ @ @ @ wed for less than nine months as same-sex unions were illegal in some US states @ @ @

Gay and lesbian spouses in the United States can claim social security survivor's benefits even if they were married for less than nine months, a federal court has ruled, overturning a requirement that left some widows and widowers homeless.
The US District Court for Arizona said that it was unconstitutional for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to deny benefits to LGBT+ spouses wed for less than nine months as same-sex unions were illegal in some US states until 2015.


jerusalempost--2020-05-28--UK's Prime Minister Johnson eases lockdown in England

The coronavirus lockdown will ease next week for most of Britain 's population , Boris Johnson announced on Thursday , as a row persisted over the prime minister 's closest adviser taking a long-distance journey during lockdown.In England , up to six people will be able to meet outside and schools will gradually reopen from Monday , Johnson said at a news conference where he was again challenged over his aide Dominic Cummings ' decision to drive 400 km ( 250 miles ) during lockdown .
`` These changes mean that friends and family can start to meet their loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once or grandparents at once , '' he said , adding that outdoor retailers and car showrooms would also be able to open from Monday .
`` You could have meetings of families in a garden , you could even have a barbecue provided you did it in a socially distanced way , provided everybody washes their hands , provided everybody exercises common sense .
`` Johnson stressed that the changes were `` small tentative steps forward , '' and health experts warned the situation remained finely balanced with new cases declining , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own public health policy .

The coronavirus lockdown will ease next week for most of Britain's population, Boris Johnson announced on Thursday, as a row persisted over the prime minister's closest adviser taking a long-distance journey during lockdown.
In England, up to six people will be able to meet outside and schools will gradually reopen from Monday, Johnson said at a news conference where he was again challenged over his aide Dominic Cummings' decision to drive 400 km (250 miles) during lockdown."These changes mean that friends and family can start to meet their loved ones, perhaps seeing both parents at once or grandparents at once," he said, adding that outdoor retailers and car showrooms would also be able to open from Monday."You could have meetings of families in a garden, you could even have a barbecue provided you did it in a socially distanced way, provided everybody washes their hands, provided everybody exercises common sense."Johnson stressed that the changes were "small tentative steps forward," and health experts warned the situation remained finely balanced with new cases declining, but not very quickly.The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own public health policy.


jerusalempost--2020-05-28--Turkey's Erdogan says many facilities to reopen on June 1

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday Turkey will lift restrictions on intercity travel and allow restaurants, cafes, parks and sports facilities to reopen from June 1 as it eases restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus outbreak.He said that restrictions would remain place on the movements of those aged over 65 and under 18. The virus has killed more than 4,300 people in Turkey, from nearly 160,000 infections.


jerusalempost--2020-05-28--Trump orders FBI to expedite investigation into the death of George Floyd

President @ realDonaldTrump has ordered the FBI to expedite its investigation into the death of George Floyd .
pic.twitter.com/7ktVS3fbdZ — The White House ( @ WhiteHouse ) May 28 , 2020 Floyd , an African-American man , was filmed as a police officer pressed his knee against his neck , suffocating him .
On Wednesday , President Donald Trump called Floyd 's death a `` very , very sad event '' after a reporter asked him about it .
Trump watched the video of the officer ’ s behavior on Air Force One and was “ very upset ” by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President Donald Trump called Floyd 's death a `` very , very sad event '' after a reporter asked him about it .
The US Department of Justice said on Thursday it had made an investigation into police involvement in the Floyd 's death a `` top priority , '' after a second day of violent protests in Minneapolis over the unarmed black man 's death .
US President Donald Trump ordered on Thursday the FBI expedite its investigation into the death of George Floyd , the White House 's Twitter page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday it had made an investigation into police involvement in the Floyd 's death a `` top priority , '' after a second day of violent protests in Minneapolis over the unarmed black man 's death .
Experienced prosecutors and investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation had been assigned as part of a `` robust '' probe into whether the police officers involved had violated federal laws , the department said in a statement .
A video , taken by a bystander , showed a handcuffed Floyd , 46 , lying face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , `` Please , I ca n't breathe , '' before becoming motionless .
He died in hospital shortly after .
The US Attorney 's Office for the District of Minnesota , the Justice Department 's civil rights division and the FBI 's Minneapolis Field Office will carry out the investigation .
The victim 's brother Philonise Floyd told CNN on Thursday that he was `` tired of seeing black men die '' and understood people 's anger but urged protesters to be peaceful .
`` To the police , I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing your job the right way because I have n't been seeing it , '' Floyd said .
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany on Thursday urged demonstrators to curb the violence and looting .
`` Everyone has the right to protest , there 's no doubt about that , but it needs to be peaceful ... and in accordance to the law , '' she told Fox News .
The city identified the four officers involved in the encounter as Derek Chauvin , Thomas Lane , Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd 's neck , and gave no further information .
Local media has identified Chauvin as the officer who knelt on Floyd .
His attorney , Tom Kelly , said in a email to Reuters that he did not have a statement about the incident .
A petition on Change.org calling for authorities to arrest and charge the four had more than 1.1 million signatures on Thursday morning .
In 2007 , Chauvin received a letter of reprimand for violating the department 's mobile and video recording policy , according to disciplinary records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request .
The Star Tribune also reported that Thao , who went through the police academy in 2009 , was one of two officers sued by a man who accused them of excessive use of force .
The case settled out of court for $ 25,000 , according to the paper .
Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report .

US President Donald Trump ordered on Thursday the FBI expedite its investigation into the death of George Floyd , the White House's Twitter page announced. President @realDonaldTrump has ordered the FBI to expedite its investigation into the death of George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/7ktVS3fbdZ — The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 28, 2020 Floyd, an African-American man, was filmed as a police officer pressed his knee against his neck, suffocating him. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump called Floyd's death a "very, very sad event" after a reporter asked him about it. Trump watched the video of the officer’s behavior on Air Force One and was “very upset” by the tape, Fox News reported.On Wednesday, President Donald Trump called Floyd's death a "very, very sad event" after a reporter asked him about it. The US Department of Justice said on Thursday it had made an investigation into police involvement in the Floyd's death a "top priority," after a second day of violent protests in Minneapolis over the unarmed black man's death. The US Department of Justice said on Thursday it had made an investigation into police involvement in the Floyd's death a "top priority," after a second day of violent protests in Minneapolis over the unarmed black man's death.
Experienced prosecutors and investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation had been assigned as part of a "robust" probe into whether the police officers involved had violated federal laws, the department said in a statement.
The demonstrations, accompanied by looting and vandalism, began on Wednesday, hours after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged prosecutors to file criminal charges against the white policeman shown pinning Floyd to the street.
A video, taken by a bystander, showed a handcuffed Floyd, 46, lying face down, groaning for help and repeatedly saying, "Please, I can't breathe," before becoming motionless. He died in hospital shortly after.
The US Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota, the Justice Department's civil rights division and the FBI's Minneapolis Field Office will carry out the investigation.
The victim's brother Philonise Floyd told CNN on Thursday that he was "tired of seeing black men die" and understood people's anger but urged protesters to be peaceful.
"To the police, I want them to get everything right, start doing your job the right way because I haven't been seeing it," Floyd said.
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany on Thursday urged demonstrators to curb the violence and looting.
"Everyone has the right to protest, there's no doubt about that, but it needs to be peaceful...and in accordance to the law," she told Fox News.
The city identified the four officers involved in the encounter as Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng. It did not say who knelt on Floyd's neck, and gave no further information.
Local media has identified Chauvin as the officer who knelt on Floyd. His attorney, Tom Kelly, said in a email to Reuters that he did not have a statement about the incident.
A petition on Change.org calling for authorities to arrest and charge the four had more than 1.1 million signatures on Thursday morning.
In 2007, Chauvin received a letter of reprimand for violating the department's mobile and video recording policy, according to disciplinary records obtained by Reuters through a public records request.


jerusalempost--2020-05-28--IDF lieutenant colonel in custody for alleged weapon smuggling

The arrest of a 48-year-old high-ranking IDF lieutenant colonel was extended by three more days on Thursday by the Haifa @ @ @ @ @ was discovered on a plot of land he semi-owns , Walla reported .
The cache @ @ @ @ @ as hundreds of bullets , grenades and explosives .
The unnamed IDF officer is suspected @ @ @ @ @ lawyers told Walla his only connection to the case is that he owns one-third of @ @ @ @ @ were found and that they were concealed there without his knowledge .

The arrest of a 48-year-old high-ranking IDF lieutenant colonel was extended by three more days on Thursday by the Haifa Court after a weapons cache was discovered on a plot of land he semi-owns, Walla reported.
The cache included five guns as well as hundreds of bullets, grenades and explosives. The unnamed IDF officer is suspected of selling arms. His lawyers told Walla his only connection to the case is that he owns one-third of the land where the weapons were found and that they were concealed there without his knowledge.


jerusalempost--2020-05-28--Biden calls Trump nuclear testing discussion reckless

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden described reported discussions by the Trump administration over whether to conduct a nuclear weapons test as reckless on Thursday, saying it could spur other countries to follow a dangerous U.S. lead.Republican President Donald Trump's administration considered whether to conduct its first nuclear test explosion since 1992, The Washington Post reported late on Friday, citing a senior official and two former officials familiar with the talks.The meeting did not conclude with any agreement to conduct a nuclear test, and a decision was ultimately made to take other measures in response to threats posed by Russia and China, the report said."The possibility that the Trump administration may resume nuclear explosive weapons testing in Nevada is as reckless as it is dangerous. We have not tested a device since 1992; we don’t need to do so now," Biden said in a statement.The United States has been concerned that Russia and China have been conducting tests. The State Department said in April China may have secretly set off low-level underground nuclear test explosions despite claiming to observe an international pact banning such blasts.The former vice president said the possible resumption of such tests by the United States would not bring Moscow or Beijing to the negotiating table on a new arms control agreement"This is delusional," he said. "A resumption of testing is more likely to prompt other countries to resume militarily significant nuclear testing, and undermine our nuclear nonproliferation goals," including those aimed at North Korea and Iran.


jerusalempost--2020-05-28--Netanyahu, Bolsonaro discuss cooperation to curb COVID-19

Netanyahu offered to share Israeli know-how with Brazilian industries to help them produce medical equipment .
He also offered to @ @ @ @ @ Israeli and Brazilian experts to share what Israel has learned in its own efforts to @ @ @ @ @ .
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday , The @ @ @ @ @ publication Maariv reported on Thursday .

Netanyahu offered to share Israeli know-how with Brazilian industries to help them produce medical equipment. He also offered to establish an on-going dialogue between Israeli and Brazilian experts to share what Israel has learned in its own efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday, The Jerusalem Post’s sister publication Maariv reported on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-28--Brazil's Bolsonaro slams top court investigation of allies for alleged fake news

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro complained on Thursday that a Supreme Court investigation into fake news was aimed at silencing the social media that got him elected and said his opponents were seeking to oust him.In an escalating confrontation with the top court, Bolsonaro said police raids on Wednesday on homes of some of his allies was unacceptable. The conflict was set off by a video of a cabinet meeting where one of Bolsonaro's ministers said the Supreme Court justices should be put in jail.


jerusalempost--2020-05-28--Merkel urges fellow leaders to contribute more to multilateral organisations

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday urged fellow leaders to consider providing further support to multilateral institutions like the United Nations and the World Health Organisation to speed recovery from the coronavirus crisis.Speaking at a UN-sponsored video conference of world leaders, she also said countries should allocate more funding to the International Monetary Fund to help states that come into short-term financial difficulties."Additional IMF measures might also be considered when it becomes necessary to, at short notice, secure the liquidity of vulnerable states," she said through an interpreter. "Thus it might be conceivable to consider an increased allocation of special drawing rights of the IMF."


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Russia says Libya ceasefire in tatters, situation deteriorating

MOSCOW - Russia 's foreign ministry said on Friday the situation in Libya was continuing to deteriorate and that a @ @ @ @ @ , the RIA news agency reported .
The ministry 's spokeswoman , Maria Zakharova , @ @ @ @ @ in the conflict had altered the balance of power on the ground in Libya , @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia is in contact with all sides in the conflict and will insist the @ @ @ @ @ means , she was cited as saying .

MOSCOW - Russia's foreign ministry said on Friday the situation in Libya was continuing to deteriorate and that a ceasefire there was in tatters, the RIA news agency reported.
The ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said outside help to players in the conflict had altered the balance of power on the ground in Libya, the Interfax news agency reported.
Russia is in contact with all sides in the conflict and will insist the conflict is resolved through diplomatic means, she was cited as saying.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Polish football supporters to return to stadiums from June 19 -PM

WARSAW - Polish football supporters will be able to attend matches from June 19 , Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki @ @ @ @ @ only 25 % of the capacity of stadiums will be used in order to prevent @ @ @ @ @ `` The Polish Football Association and the Premier League have chosen the 19th , so @ @ @ @ @ prepare everything according to the correct procedures , '' Morawiecki said .

WARSAW - Polish football supporters will be able to attend matches from June 19, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Friday, but only 25% of the capacity of stadiums will be used in order to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.
"The Polish Football Association and the Premier League have chosen the 19th, so it will be possible to prepare everything according to the correct procedures," Morawiecki said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Kinneret Union tells Israelis to stop arriving as 35,000 crowd the beaches

The Kinneret Association said in a statement said that the union `` asked the public not to come . ''

The Kinneret Association said in a statement said that the union "asked the public not to come."
The Kinneret Urban Union announced on Friday afternoon that the 15 beaches which comprise the the Kinneret Union have all reached full capacity, with an estimated 35,000 people, crowding the area.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Rioters occupy Minneapolis neighborhood near police precinct

Rioters took over the neighborhood around the Minneapolis police precinct , CNN reported Friday morning .
Race riots have been @ @ @ @ @ since African-American citizen George Floyd was choked to death by a police officer .
Part @ @ @ @ @ set on fire by the protesters collapsed live on air Friday morning .
The riots @ @ @ @ @ Saint Louis area of the Twin Cities .
Some 500 National Guard troops have been @ @ @ @ @ according to CNN .
The forces have reportedly not reached the area of the riot @ @ @ @ @ teams are not present at the scene either as the area is now under the @ @ @ @ @ .

Rioters took over the neighborhood around the Minneapolis police precinct, CNN reported Friday morning. Race riots have been taking place in the city since African-American citizen George Floyd was choked to death by a police officer.
Part of the Minneapolis police precinct set on fire by the protesters collapsed live on air Friday morning. The riots reportedly spread out to the Saint Louis area of the Twin Cities.
Some 500 National Guard troops have been called to the area, according to CNN. The forces have reportedly not reached the area of the riot as of yet. Firefighting teams are not present at the scene either as the area is now under the full control of the rioters.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Two nurses contract coronavirus at Hillel Yafe Hospital in Hadera

Two nurses who work at Hillel Yafe Medical Center in Hadera were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus on Friday morning.41 members of the hospital's staff have subsequently gone into isolation.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Twitter attaches disclaimer to Trump's tweet for 'glorifying violence'

MINNEAPOLIS - Peaceful rallies gave way to a third night of arson , looting and vandalism in Minneapolis on Thursday as protesters vented their rage over the death of a black man seen on video gasping for breath while a white police officer knelt on his neck .
The latest spasm of unrest in Minnesota 's largest city went largely unchecked , despite Governor Tim Walz ordering the National Guard activated to help restore order following the first two days of disturbances sparked by Monday night 's fatal arrest of George Floyd , 46 .
In contrast with Wednesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police in riot gear , law enforcement kept a low profile around the epicenter of the unrest , outside the city 's Third Precinct police station .
Protesters massing outside the building briefly retreated under volleys of police tear gas and rubber bullets fired at them from the roof , only to reassemble and eventually attack the building head on , setting fire to the structure as police seemed to withdraw .
Protesters were later observed on the roof .
The city authority warned about 'unconfirmed ' reports that gas lines to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there were other explosives in the building .
It appealed to people to retreat from the building .
A car and at least two other buildings in the vicinity were also set ablaze , and looters returned for a second night to a nearby Target discount store , left boarded up and vacant from the previous night , to make off with whatever remained inside .
Fire officials said 16 buildings were torched on Wednesday night .
Twitter on Friday said that one of U.S. President Donald Trump 's tweets on Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glorifying violence . ''
.
`` ..These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd , and I won ’ t let that happen .
Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way .
Any difficulty and we will assume control but , when the looting starts , the shooting starts .
Thank you ! ''
Trump 's tweet read .
Trump 's message can now be read only after clicking on a notice which says : `` This Tweet violated the Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter has determined that it may be in the public ’ s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible . ''
In a thread , Twitter said it had taken the action `` in the interest of preventing others from being inspired to commit violent acts . ''
People will still `` be able to retweet with comment , but will not be able to like , reply or retweet it . ''
Twitter 's action came just hours after Trump said he would introduce legislation that may scrap or weaken a law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter and Facebook , in an extraordinary attempt to regulate social media platforms where he has been criticized .
The proposed legislation is part of an executive order Trump signed on Thursday afternoon .
Trump had attacked Twitter for tagging tweets about unsubstantiated claims of fraud about mail-in voting with a warning prompting readers to fact-check the posts .
President Donald Trump on Twitter said that he will send the National Guard troops and `` get the job done right '' if Mayor Jacob Frey failed to bring the city under control .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` activated '' more than 500 soldiers to assist local authorities , and mainly the fire departments , in Minneapolis , St. Paul and surrounding areas .
Local , state and federal law enforcement officials sought earlier in the day to ease racial tensions sparked by Floyd 's death by vowing to achieve justice .
Four city police officers involved in the incident , including the one shown pressing his knee into Floyd 's neck as he lay on the ground , moaning , `` please , I ca n't breathe , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
The Floyd case was reminiscent of the 2014 killing of Eric Garner , an unarmed black man in New York City who died after being put in a banned police chokehold as he , too , was heard to mutter , `` I ca n't breathe . ''
Garner 's dying words became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement that formed amid a wave of killings of African-Americans by police .
Throughout the day , protesters pressed their demands that the four policemen be arrested and prosecuted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to make those arrests , civil rights activist the Rev .
Al Sharpton said as he addressed the crowd .
`` We 're not asking for a favor .
We 're asking for what is right . ''
Garner 's mother , Gwen Carr , said Floyd 's case was like `` opening up an old wound , and pouring salt into it . ''
'GIVE US TIME TO DO THIS RIGHT' At a morning news briefing , Police Chief Medaria Arradondo publicly apologized to Floyd 's family , conceding his department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope '' in Minneapolis .
Hours later , officials overseeing investigations from the U.S. Justice Department , FBI , Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and prosecutors appealed for calm at a joint news conference , as they gathered evidence .
`` Give us the time to do this right , and we will bring you justice , '' County Attorney Mike Freeman told reporters .
He acknowledged the policeman 's conduct depicted in the video was `` horrible , '' but said , `` My job is to prove that he has violated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. attorney , Erica McDonald , pledged a `` robust and meticulous investigation '' of Floyd 's arrest and death .
The federal investigation , which Attorney General William Barr had designated a `` top priority , '' will focus on whether the arresting officers used the `` color of law '' to deprive Floyd of his civil rights , she said .
Floyd , a Houston native known affectionately to friends as `` Big Floyd '' and who had worked as a nightclub security staffer , was suspected of trying to pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police took him into custody .
An employee who called for help described the suspect as appearing to be drunk , according to a police transcript of the call .
Sympathy protests erupted on Wednesday in Los Angeles and Thursday in Denver , with hundreds of demonstrators blocking freeway traffic in both cities .
Thursday night 's unrest in Minneapolis reportedly spread into adjacent city of St. Paul , the state capital .

"We have to restore order to our society before we can start addressing the issue," Walz told a briefing, referring to decades of racial divide across the United States. "We cannot have the looting and recklessness that went on."
Walz also apologized for the arrest of a CNN TV crew who were led off in handcuffs while reporting live on television early on Friday close to a police precinct that was burned overnight, saying there was "no reason" it should have occurred.
Officers gave no explanation as they escorted CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, a producer and camera operator away. The crew had just shown a protester being taken into custody when about half a dozen police officers in gas masks surrounded Jimenez. They were released about an hour after being arrested.
The striking footage of the arrest of Jimenez could add to racial tensions in the city and across the country over the death of Floyd. Jimenez is black, while most of the police officers who arrested him appeared to be white.
U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the unrest on Friday with incendiary language that prompted Twitter to hide his tweet behind a warning that accused him of "glorifying violence" in violation of its rules.
"These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won't let that happen," Trump said in the tweet. "Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!"
A bystander's cell phone footage showed Floyd repeatedly moaning and gasping while he pleaded to the officer kneeling on his neck, "Please, I can't breathe." After several minutes, Floyd gradually grows quiet and ceases to move.
Walz said he understood what was driving the protests, saying he believed the community had "lost faith" in the police force and "felt they were part of the problem." But he said Floyd's plight had gotten "lost in 48 hours of anarchy."
More protests were expected in several U.S. cities on Friday over the killing of Floyd and other unarmed black people, including Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by police in her home in Louisville, Kentucky, in March. At least seven people were shot, one critically, in a Louisville protest on Thursday night.
In New York, organizers are planning a demonstration in Lower Manhattan on Friday to demand that police be held accountable for the deaths. They are also calling for charges to be brought against a white woman who was recorded calling the police on a black man in a park who asked her to keep her dog on a leash.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who pinned his knee on George Floyd's throat before he died, has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder, Mike Freeman, Hennepin County attorney, told a news briefing. This comes after three nights of violent protests in the Midwestern city sparked by the death."He is in custody and has been charged with murder," Freeman said of Chauvin, who is white. "We have evidence, we have the citizen's video, the horrible, horrific, terrible thing we've seen over and over again."Freeman said a detailed complaint would be made available later on Friday.The cellphone footage showed Floyd repeatedly moaning and gasping while he pleaded to Chauvin, kneeling on his neck, "Please, I can't breathe." After several minutes, Floyd gradually grows quiet and ceases to move.Earlier on Friday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called for an end to the violent protests that have rocked Minneapolis, and said the state's National Guard would work to restore order following three nights of arson, looting and vandalism.Walz also said he expected "swift" justice for the officers involved and promised a reckoning with the racial inequities behind the unrest triggered by Floyd's death


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Thailand reports 11 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

BANGKOK - Thailand confirmed 11 new coronavirus cases on Friday and no new deaths , taking the number of infections @ @ @ @ @ cases were all patients who had arrived from Kuwait and were in quarantine , said @ @ @ @ @ for the government 's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration .
The coronavirus has killed 57 @ @ @ @ @ was first detected in January .

BANGKOK - Thailand confirmed 11 new coronavirus cases on Friday and no new deaths, taking the number of infections to 3,076.
The new cases were all patients who had arrived from Kuwait and were in quarantine, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
The coronavirus has killed 57 people in Thailand since it was first detected in January.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 741 to 180,458- RKI

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 741 to 180,458 , data from the Robert Koch Institute @ @ @ @ @ diseases showed on Friday .

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 741 to 180,458, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.
The reported death toll rose by 39 to 8,450, the tally showed.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--China says wants 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan

The head of China 's Taiwan Affairs Office said on Friday that `` one country , two systems '' and @ @ @ @ @ the best way to bring China and Taiwan together .
Outside attempts by foreign forces @ @ @ @ @ '' will fail , Liu Jieyi told an event at the Great Hall of the @ @ @ @ @ China signed into law its Anti-Secession Law .

The head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office said on Friday that "one country, two systems" and "peaceful reunification" is the best way to bring China and Taiwan together.
Outside attempts by foreign forces to interfere in "reunification" will fail, Liu Jieyi told an event at the Great Hall of the People marking 15 years since China signed into law its Anti-Secession Law.
Beijing passed the law in 2005 which authorises the use of force against Taiwan if China judges it to have seceded.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Pompeo accuses top Democrat of 'hackery' over government watchdog review

In a letter to Senator Bob Menendez , top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , Pompeo also accused journalists of “ slander ” for reporting on the lawmaker ’ s request for the review by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel .
The agency investigates alleged breaches of the 1939 Hatch Act barring federal workers from engaging in political activities while acting in their official capacities .
Menendez in October asked the OSC to assess the legality of three official visits that Pompeo made to his home state of Kansas at a time that news reports said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate run .
The State Department on Thursday released a copy of Pompeo ’ s letter to Menendez .
It also released a Jan. 21 , 2020 , letter to Pompeo from the OSC in which the agency said it found he was not “ currently ” a Senate candidate and there was “ no evidence to conclude that you violated the Hatch Act.
” Pompeo wrote that Menendez appeared not to acknowledge that finding in a recent interview and that he wanted to make sure the lawmaker was aware of it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes clear your continued effort to politicize legitimate and important diplomatic and national security activity was without merit , ” Pompeo wrote .
Zachary Kurz , an OSC spokesman , said a copy of the letter had previously been sent to Menendez .
“ Clearly the Secretary of State feels deeply disturbed by the ongoing oversight work of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , '' Menendez said in a statement .
`` High-level temper tantrums will not stop the committee from conducting our oversight responsibilities . ''

In a letter to Senator Bob Menendez, top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Pompeo also accused journalists of “slander” for reporting on the lawmaker’s request for the review by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
The agency investigates alleged breaches of the 1939 Hatch Act barring federal workers from engaging in political activities while acting in their official capacities.
Menendez in October asked the OSC to assess the legality of three official visits that Pompeo made to his home state of Kansas at a time that news reports said the Republican former congressman was mulling a U.S. Senate run.
The State Department on Thursday released a copy of Pompeo’s letter to Menendez. It also released a Jan. 21, 2020, letter to Pompeo from the OSC in which the agency said it found he was not “currently” a Senate candidate and there was “no evidence to conclude that you violated the Hatch Act.”
Pompeo wrote that Menendez appeared not to acknowledge that finding in a recent interview and that he wanted to make sure the lawmaker was aware of it.
“The OSC response to your hackery makes clear your continued effort to politicize legitimate and important diplomatic and national security activity was without merit,” Pompeo wrote.
Zachary Kurz, an OSC spokesman, said a copy of the letter had previously been sent to Menendez.
“Clearly the Secretary of State feels deeply disturbed by the ongoing oversight work of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee," Menendez said in a statement. "High-level temper tantrums will not stop the committee from conducting our oversight responsibilities."
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday accused a leading Senate Democrat of “hackery” for questioning whether Pompeo violated a law restricting officials’ political activities, saying an investigation found no evidence he had done so.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Hong Kong govt warns removing US special status is "double-edged sword"

Hong Kong 's government warned Washington that withdrawing its special US status , which has underpinned the city as a global financial hub , could be a `` double-edged sword '' and urged the United States to stop interfering in internal affairs .
The statement came as US President Donald Trump is due to announce later on Friday his response to the Chinese parliament 's advancement of national security legislation for Hong Kong , which democracy activists and Western countries fear could erode the city 's freedoms .
The former British colony enjoys a high degree of autonomy under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formula since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997 .
`` Any sanctions are a double-edged sword that will not only harm the interests of Hong Kong but also significantly those of the US , '' the city 's government said late on Thursday .
It added that from 2009 to 2018 , the US trade surplus with Hong Kong was the biggest among all its trading partners , totalling $ 297 billion of merchandise and 1,300 U.S. firms are based in the city .
Beijing says the new legislation will tackle secession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city .
It could see Chinese intelligence agencies set up bases there .
The plan has ignited the first big protests in Hong Kong for months , as thousands of people took to the streets this week , prompting police to fire pepper pellets in the heart of the city 's financial district to disperse crowds .
The U.S. Department of State said in a report on Thursday it could `` no longer certify that Hong Kong continues to warrant ( differential ) treatment '' from Beijing .
Trump 's top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong , which has enjoyed special privileges under US law based on its high degree of autonomy from Beijing , may now need to be treated like China on trade and other financial matters .
In a separate statement on Friday , published in several local newspapers , Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam urged `` fellow citizens '' to `` join hands to pursue our dreams while putting aside our differences '' .
She said the legislation was needed because of a `` terrorist threat '' and because organisations advocating `` independence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing and local governments and pleaded for foreign interference .
The five demands of last-year 's pro-democracy protest movement included universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into police handling of the protests , but not independence .
A minority of protesters waved `` Hong Kong independence '' flags .
The security legislation , along with a bill to criminalise disrespect for China 's national anthem , are seen by protesters as the latest attempt by Beijing to tighten its control on the city .
The security legislation , expected to be enacted before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Australia , Canada and others .
Britain said it will give greater visa rights to British national overseas passport holders from Hong Kong unless China suspends its plans .

Hong Kong's government warned Washington that withdrawing its special US status, which has underpinned the city as a global financial hub, could be a "double-edged sword" and urged the United States to stop interfering in internal affairs.
The statement came as US President Donald Trump is due to announce later on Friday his response to the Chinese parliament's advancement of national security legislation for Hong Kong, which democracy activists and Western countries fear could erode the city's freedoms.
The former British colony enjoys a high degree of autonomy under a "one country, two systems" formula since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
"Any sanctions are a double-edged sword that will not only harm the interests of Hong Kong but also significantly those of the US," the city's government said late on Thursday.
It added that from 2009 to 2018, the US trade surplus with Hong Kong was the biggest among all its trading partners, totalling $297 billion of merchandise and 1,300 U.S. firms are based in the city.
Beijing says the new legislation will tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in the city. It could see Chinese intelligence agencies set up bases there.
The plan has ignited the first big protests in Hong Kong for months, as thousands of people took to the streets this week, prompting police to fire pepper pellets in the heart of the city's financial district to disperse crowds.
The U.S. Department of State said in a report on Thursday it could "no longer certify that Hong Kong continues to warrant (differential) treatment" from Beijing.
Trump's top economic adviser Larry Kudlow warned that Hong Kong, which has enjoyed special privileges under US law based on its high degree of autonomy from Beijing, may now need to be treated like China on trade and other financial matters.
In a separate statement on Friday, published in several local newspapers, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam urged "fellow citizens" to "join hands to pursue our dreams while putting aside our differences".
She said the legislation was needed because of a "terrorist threat" and because organisations advocating "independence and self-determination" have challenged the authority of Beijing and local governments and pleaded for foreign interference.
The five demands of last-year's pro-democracy protest movement included universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into police handling of the protests, but not independence. A minority of protesters waved "Hong Kong independence" flags.
Independence is anathema for Beijing.
The security legislation, along with a bill to criminalise disrespect for China's national anthem, are seen by protesters as the latest attempt by Beijing to tighten its control on the city.
The security legislation, expected to be enacted before September, was condemned also by Britain, Australia, Canada and others. Britain said it will give greater visa rights to British national overseas passport holders from Hong Kong unless China suspends its plans.


jerusalempost--2020-05-29--Brazil reaches 27,878 coronavirus deaths, surpasses Spain

Coronavirus deaths in Brazil reached 27,878, the Health Ministry said on Friday, surpassing Spain to become the fifth ranking nation in the number of dead.In the last 24 hours, Brazil, which now has the second-largest outbreak in the world, registered 1,124 deaths from the virus and 26,928 additional cases of the novel coronavirus.